Canned goods require some way to be opened. Many cans now have pull-top rings that make it easy to open but not all cans are manufactured that way. The majority of food cans have plain metal lids. The smart move is to have some openers available on hand.

There are kitchen style hand operated models that can be stored along with the canned goods but if you’re on the go, something portable is advisable. I carry a P38 on my keychain and a P51 on another, but I also have an integrated opener blade in my Leatherman that I use quite often. Some folks use a Swiss Army Knife.

Without a can opener more drastic measures can be used to open a can such as punchering the lid with a field knife or by grinding off the lid’s rim by rubbing it on concrete. That’s why I keep one as an “Every-Day-Carry” and recommend that you find one that works for you.

How many readers carry a slingshot in their Bug Out Bag? I keep one in my outdoor bag but rarely use it. The ammunition that I use are usually rough rocks that tend to curve out at their launching. A person can use marbles or steel shot for more accurate shooting but that can be expensive for ongoing practice sessions.

As I was traveling on a country road recently I noticed the abundance of acorns on the ground and it dawned on me that their near-round shape and density would make good material with which to practice shooting with my slingshot. I was able to collect quite a volume of acorns in a very short time to have on hand. I selected the acorns without the caps and with no splits down the side. Split acorns can come apart when shot and can be dangerous to anything along the sidelines down range.

Each acorn has a large dot at the top where it had been fastened to the cap. My best results come when I place that dot in the center of the leather pouch. The acorn shoots straight and I only need to adjust the elevation of my aim. The mass of an acorn is quite devastating.

So take advantage of this season and collect an abundance of acorns to help sharpen your slingshot skill. For shooting tips and inspiration you can watch “Carolina Camera: The Sling Shot Man” to witness some remarkable marksmanship.

I decided to create a “travel” BOB vs. an all-purpose BOB. Knowing that I would be traveling through various airports I had envisioned the need to keep my BOB or carry-on luggage off of the lavatory floor (for obvious reasons). I had purchased an “S” carabiner (S-biner) that would be large enough to use as a hook from which to hang my BOB on the stall wall. Generally there are hooks installed inside the stalls but not always. Sometimes they have been broken off.

When I entered the restroom all of the stalls were occupied, so I chose an alternate fixture for use. Without shelves for luggage I was delighted to have my S-biner with which to hang up my carry-on bag on the outside of the stall wall while my BOB had a sling so I kept over my shoulder. Problem solved to my relief.

This of course is only one application for an S-biner. I will also use it to attach both pieces of luggage while sitting in the terminal so it would complicate a potential theft attempt. Beyond that it could also be used to attach other items such as umbrellas, cups, bottles, coats, etc. I found that the S-biner should have a one inch gap in order to be large enough to fit over the stall wall or perhaps hang on a table or counter edge.

I carry this in my Bug-Out-Bag (BOB) along with a sheet of water intrusion barrier material that I use for a ground cloth. I don’t carry a mattress so I selected a spot that had a layer of leaves that I hoped would be sufficient to provide enough thermal insulation from the ground in addition to some degree of comfort to lay on. It was also quite flat as I try to avoid an inclined surface to sleep on.

For the most part I laid on my side with my knees bent as if sitting on an imaginary chair. Alternatively I would straighten my legs and sleep on my back. Because it wasn’t raining I knew that I could afford to poke my feet out from under the shelter if needed but I could have changed from a sitting position to a “V” position if needed to be completely covered.

The “X” frame inside provided a nice place to hang my key chain light, but my smart phone provided plenty of light when needed inside the shelter. I moved my pocket knife from my side to a more comfortable position in my shirt pocket with the added benefit of quick access if needed. I also used a bug net over my head at night, keeping it extended out from my face. As an added bug/critter repellant I rubbed tea tree oil on my ankles, wrists, neck, and forehead.

The only thing that I used that I don’t currently carry in my BOB was a down sleeping bag. This causes me to rethink my strategy and perhaps consider preparing different BOBs based on the circumstances that would necessitate my emergency egress.

For starters, rip-stop material is really tough stuff and is not prone to tearing and if it should get a hole it will not grow in size. Because of this strength it can be adapted to function beyond it’s original intended use as a garment and into a tent-like structure by using fiberglass knock-down shock-cord rods as an “X-frame” being tied in the center with each end anchored at the corner grommets that are incorporated into the poncho design.

My poncho measures 54″x80″ and provides good coverage when configured as a tent. I am 6′ tall and have found a couple of positions to lay where I can be completely covered and yet stay somewhat comfortable. I can lay on my side in a sitting posture with my legs bent. When I feel a need to stretch my legs I remain on my side and form a “V” with my legs outstretched. While in this position there is plenty of room for my Bug-Out-Bag (B.O.B.) to lay beside me.

Should it happen to be raining, you could trench around the drip-line to divert water or build up a layer of insulation beneath you to keep you warm and comfy while at the same time separate you from the wet ground. If it’s not raining I suppose that body parts that protrude out from under the shelter wouldn’t really matter, but I prefer to be covered completely.

I carry my poncho in my B.O.B. along with an ENO double-sized hammock. I decided to try using the poncho as a rain-fly to cover the hammock. As you might see in the photo, it is slightly under-sized for rain but it could be used in a pinch with the sides held out with guy-lines. At the same time it covers the top opening of the hammock to help keep out bugs.

In either the tent or hammock rain-fly mode the camouflage pattern helps to provide a stealthy approach to camping which in some emergency circumstances could work in your favor unless you want to be highly visible in which case you would want to use a blaze-orange or other bright color to gain attention.

If I decide to upgrade yet another time, it would probably be for a larger size or a different camouflage pattern but I am quite pleased with what this poncho has delivered and look forward to testing it out in the field.

Bandanas… provide shade from the sun, warmth from the cold, filter air and water, provide padding, binding and signaling. They can even be used as a wick for a lamp or torch. They are a great addition to your Bug-Out-Bag (BOB), especially because they are not a specialized piece of equipment, making them incredibly versatile.

I would love to see comments from Survivaltek readers on the ways that YOU have used yours.