Page 62 - American Survival Guide - October 2017

THE FIRST FIVE CS ‹ Above: This is CUTTING TOOLS ARE SO DIVERSE THAT
author Bolieu’s
The basic five Cs are: cutting tools, personal pouch IT WOULD BE HARD TO SELECT JUST
cover, container, combustible (fire and cutting tool for
even the harshest
starter) and cordage. With these items, weather. The ONE—OR FIVE, FOR THAT MATTER.
survival and everyday bushcraft tasks can leather is quite
resilient, and the
easily be accomplished. The container flap covers the kit
could be a reservoir for collecting and contents. and axe are more appropriate. The options are endless and must be figured out by each
carrying/drinking water, as well as a end user. Your specific experience in the field will help you decide.
metal general storage container, which is Finally, some sort of cover is key, because many environments can’t be survived without
an absolute must for survival or camping the protection afforded by an effective shelter.
in the backcountry.
Cutting tools are so diverse that it would THE SECOND FIVE CS
be hard to select just one—or five, for that The remaining five Cs, according to Canterbury, are candle, cotton bandana, compass,
matter. However, I feel this should be kept cloth tape and a canvas sail needle. Naturally, these items can be interpreted in many
down to two items: a saw and a fixed- ways, according to your needs. Candles are included to produce light, which can also
blade knife. Depending on your part of be provided by a flashlight or headlamp. The cotton bandana could take the form of a
the world, the season and other factors, a shemagh, and the material and size can vary. The requirement of the canvas sail needle
tomahawk and saw or a Swiss Army Knife could be satisfied by any needle for clothing and gear repairs or by safety pins.

62 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2017]

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