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Video Review: Sportsman Pocket Chain Saw – Powerhouse wood cutter in compact package

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

The pocket chain saw is basically a 36-in chainsaw blade, with handles on each end. As a survival wood cutter, it could be very valuable.

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Survival Knives

Review: The “just right” Bark River Ultralite Field Knife – CPM 3V

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

There is a lot to be said for a knife that is just enough, or just right. The Ultralite Field Knife may be just enough for what you need.

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Hunt|Fish|Camp

This pocket-sized box holds all the lures I need for a day of smallmouth bass fishing on Oregon's John Day River.

Should you include fishing gear in a pocket survival kit?

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Many commercial personal survival kits include hooks, sinkers and fishing line. I don’t see much value in fishing equipment as part of an emergency survival tool. Here’s why.

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Making Fire

Pitchwood can usually be found at the base of a dead stick on a live tree.

How to: Find pitchwood, a natural, effective firestarter

571 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

If you are in an area with pine trees, you can probably find pitchwood, one of the most effective waterproof firestarters ever.

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Emergency Shelter

a frame, tarp shelter. tarps, tarp shelter

12 tips for finding a safe campsite

448 299 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Setting up for the night, or making an emergency camp in the wilderness? Here are some things to think about before you camp anywhere.

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Survival Gear

Rocky Rebounds | Important footwear for hard work

472 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Work boots don’t have the glamour of some hiking boots, but they may be just what you’re looking for. These Rocky Rebounds are a comfortable, solid boot you will appreciate after a long day on your feet.

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Survival Skills

soapmaking 101, survival soapmaking

Soapmaking 101 for a survival situation

283 178 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

In a real survival scenario there won’t be any grocery stores to go buy soap or supplies. Learning to make soap is a very good skill to learn…before you actually need to use it!

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VIDEOS | TIPS & HOW TO's

Survival recipe video: How to cook trout in foil over a campfire
448 299 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Does your area have stocked fishing ponds for kids? Here is a great fishing and cooking method to “hook” the youngsters!.

These Eureka! Timberline tents have held up well for almost a decade of use by Boy Scout Troop 18. Central Oregon's winter is beautiful, (Pantenburg photo)
How to stake down a tent securely in deep snow
600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

How do you keep your tent from blowing down in heavy winds, when you’re on top of deep snow or in deep, loose sand? This simple technique works really, really well.

Deer hunting gear update | What can work best for you?
442 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Here are some gear items I wrung out during the Mississippi deer season. These can work for you!

Leon Pantenburg writes a survival skills blog with tips and techniques to help typical folks survive an unexpected urban or wilderness emergency, using their common sense and emergency preparedness training. Topics include survival knives, survival clothing and camp cooking, making a fire, emergency shelter, hunting and fishing, competent survival skills and survival gear reviews.