This episode is packed with a great mix of outdoors advice and views.

Kit of the Month

The guys share this month’s favourite pieces of kit. Sean opts for the Gerber Dime micro multi-tool and explains how this little tool has proven to be a tough and usable EDC tool. Sy talks about his favour axe and explains how this basic model is really good for the beginning an experienced user alike.

Educating Sumo - Getting Lost.

Sean shares an acronym that he learnt many years ago with a young Army cadet - STOP - and explains how this simple process can help you can back on track one safety if you accidentally find yourself lost int he wilds.

STOP: Instead off carrying on walking and hoping that you will find your way again and, potentially getting yourself more lost or in danger, just stop.

THINK: Once stopped, calm yourself down and think rationally about the situation in which you have found yourself. In my experience, sitting down and having a cuppa and a bite to eat is a good way of calming and grounding yourself.

OBSERVE: Study your surroundings and try to identify the features that you are seeing in front of you on your map. Avoiding picking out small features and instead look for large features like hill top radio masts, buildings or peaks. Observing and identifying features in the landscape will allow you to orientate your map to your surroundings and, when paired with your compass, will give you an approximate position.

PLAN: After orientating your map you then need to plan your route back to safety. Ask yourself if you can you retrace your steps and if not can you identify a route that can get you back on track or to safety. Rational thinking is key here as it can be tempting to take what you may perceive to be a short cut but, through panic, you may be opting for a route that is beyond your abilities or could be troublesome due to weather conditions. Take your time and carefully plan your route forward.

Listener Questions

Topic for questions this week include the SAS Survival Flickbook, bushcraft stalls and compasses.

Another packed edition of the Sumo Survival Bushcraft Podcast. If you, your bushcraft school or your outdoor company would like to feature in a future episode of the Sumo Survival Bushcraft Podcast then please get in touch with us.

Show Links

TA Outdoors video - https://youtu.be/0_4JKywBom0
Gerber Dime - https://amzn.to/2wPJYz0
Fiskars S-X10 - https://amzn.to/2CpncnO
Fiskars S-X7 - https://amzn.to/2Q9X96Y