In all,the years of desert survivalism,the desert we live in is the most arid and has the lack of moisture than other deserts in the south west region of the USA.Each desert has its own unique signature's,flora and fauna,poisonous and edible plants and bark's,various differences in the insect life and most all have one thing in common.
If you dont know how to survive in the desert in any region 'if it wont sustain you it can definitely kill you'
So here we are to solve that potential problem...to learn to short term survive in the Mohave desert with modern day survivalism to the extreme of primitive survivalism,which if looking back the native Piutes and Mohave tribes did just that with minimal supplies and usually this was for a lifetime.Prolonged desert living CAN be possible,to the learned and ready trained desert survivalist.Cyn and I recommend reading all you can about the Mohave and other South West deserts,the internet is full of info,also later in the lessons and load outs we will recommend some necessary hardcopy books to have,read and get to know.
Ive been in and out of different desert biospheres my whole life,since 1978 in fact.The Sonoran was the most widely known by me and the Mohave since 1986,I have and still do both the modern form which includes modern day load outs,materials,tools and caches that can and will sustain life short term or indefinitely.In the courses we will cover the modern first,this will give the new desert survivalist's a decent process upon which to work from and a good knowledge base that can be,with proven desert experience,a great advantage one would need.The list by courses below is changeable due to materials,time and oftimes seasons,some may already have much of what is being presented which is good,and to those who will accumulate them,and use them for survivals sake.
Modern desert suvivalism is by no means easy,but it can make sustained living possible with 'some' experience.As one who has lived in the deserts myself for extended periods of time,having some of the modern tools were very helpful and a good learning lesson,to know what to have compared to 'having it if needed,instead of needing it andnot having it' rings a very truthful aspect when faced with things such as 'I have water in my canteens and water go bags,and im not far from one of my hidden caches' compared to "I must find water and I need it now',and in the Mohave desert finding a decent 'water source' is possible but not always when you need it 'right now'.Im glad I have that light pup tent,or lean to poncho's,and secure a camp-site and make a fire,as compared to'collect the materials,build a Wiki-up or even a juniper debris hut' which the latter takes time and oftimes can be,without experience involved,too ventiliated and can attract rodents (some mice can carry the deadly Hanta viris),insects,snakes even some mammal species.We will explore this in detail later in the courses,in length.
In the beginning the understanding how in any desert,especially the Mohave,is clean hydration,this is a life sustaining must,in a desert and different altitude climatic changes can vary the 'core temperature' and when it drops to low,you can suddenly pass out,weaken to the point where you can move readily,and it can cause death.Hydration,with moderate water consumption,is key to over coming this,and regulating 'water' but not rationing it,is essential for sustaining life in the Mohave.Some of the risks that can be avoided is listed below,and we will go into detail before a physical desert 'load-out'.Did you know that when 'sweating' in the desert,you may not notice you are,and this can be dangerous without re-hydration' if there is even a mild wind?The wind can 'dry' your sweat to a point you dont know your sweating,so you may not know you need hydrated quickly,your electrolytes can quickly plummet and so you may also,to your surprise and this can be fatal.When we go out on a desert load-out,Cyn and I will show you our 'electrolyte boosters' with clean water,this also heps in the modern survival forms because if you need it,clean water may NOT be available in the desert naturally.
On the subject of 'desert water',and im talking about natural springs,rock crevices,winter run offs,even a small trickling creek,it is always wise to 'filter' and even boil the water for 20 minutes,also avoid places near gypsum mining as that kind of contaminate also usually carries arsenic,cyanide,flourides,parasites,etc.KNOW what you doing before drinking,not all methods like iodine works well,even some bleach drops may not entirely remove all parasites and some contaminates need a 'filter' like sedimant,a layer of rock,sediment and a drip funnel into a cup.I always recommend if in doubt' boil it,and if in too much doubt,avoid it altogether.I use a filter straw ost oftimes,but only after I 'boil out' the water for 20 minutes.Some of the brief methods of 'water gasining' in the desert is a solar still (sweating rocks)and this can take a long while,but well worth it when in need of even the most minute hydration,also collecting some large white hefty bags,going along in large cuts of sage will kiln the age and drain it of water.The little bit at the bottom of the bag can be accumulated,or even drunk,although be expecting the water to look dirty,but still drinkable (thats why I like my filter straw).We will cover this in more detail before the first load out,knowledge in the desert will be vital for each one.
Between the modern and primitive survivalism,a nice blend can be used to your advantage,and in the Mohave desert,an advantage you WILL need,eventually,its the way of the desert.In future courses then load outs,we will be making 'dakota holes' and piute firepits,we will be using debris huts and wiki-ups only,for desert 'respect' and blending 'into the environment',we will be going over plants,for medicimals and eating,what parts if its flower,spines and roots,also how if needs be if any 'foraging' would need grounded into powders,or as like prinkly pears the red buds need a good clean off because of the little sharp spines you dont want to bite into.Desert foraging is a must know,and what kinds,types,parts...also some barks can be used,also some plants and tree's will lead you to,oftimes,unseen water sources.More on this later in the courses and load outs.
Now upon my own presumptions,since some of you I met,and perhaps new into prepping and survivalism,I will assume you are starting from the 'beginning' with minimal knowledge,so the items below are a 'guideline',and I think are necessary but for the others who are more experienced,a shuffle of supplies most likelt will occur.I also suggest to the more experienced to 'share' why they changed something in the basic list,because any and all learning knowledge is important!
When going out in the eset,even if its 115 degree's in the shade,its still important to 'be covered',if the information below is 'repeating' GOOD,its a way for it to 'sink in' so the necessity of not forgetting something is avoided!When we first do out 'basic' loadout',we do a 'pack and blanket' cover...so nothing is left to pass.
Desert clothing we recommend:
Thick boots
cotton socks
thick pants that can 'roll up' at foot level (mild venting helps)
thin undershirt
light and baggy shirt
head bandana/sweat band (I use this)
hat (my wife uses this)
eye cover/glasses or sunglasses
face cover (wind,debris etc) if needed.
The idea here is to make the 'desert load out gear' as light as possible,because in the desert,no matter what season your in,the heavier the load the more water loss the more you will need to hydrate.In the desert,keeping the core temperature at a good level depends on altitude (as said before),and this vary's the core temperature by motion,heat,cold and time of day/night.The starter load out gear is essential for survival in the desert up to a minimum of 3 days and this can be extended almost indefinitely.There are 3 versions of desert survivalism,'modern' which is the load out gear and supplies (caches,etc),'combination' which is 'some gear' and items found/carried,and primitive which is the hardest and thats hunting/trapping game,foraging,and all supplies found and used in the desert itself (this IS the hardest to master but can be done).
We start with modern load out gear.
You will need most of this,per each person present.I keep one available in my truck and one at home,so its there always close by.My wife has her own and her 'version',and its always with her.The gear load below is 'not exacting' but we DO recommend as much on the lists as possible.Each item will be covered,in detail later in the courses.
2 part desert load out gear:(starter/basic list)
1st part is pack itself 'loaded'.
2nd part are items wrapped in blanket/carry tube and carried shoulder sling or camel back.
small back pack (best for lighter weight if possible)
camel back tank (optional but recommened)
1 canteen
2 fold up water bottles (water2go)
water bladder and iodine drops in small bottle w dropper
some MRE's (at least 3 days worth)& water (we use homemade MRE's)
Vortex jacket with a removable liner in it (summer/winter)
Wool blanket (or what works best for you)
Guyot design stainless steel 32 OZ
5 mill 5x5 sheets of plastic (solar still creation),trashbags (hefty),sandwich bags,etc
decon kit.swedish fire steel,water purification tablets,100 ft wax coated poly cord.
leatherman multitool,2 (bic)lighters,lip balm,fresno lense or magnifier.
cotton and vaseline balls (in a small tin),200 ft paracord (7 strand)
3 bandanas,2 flash lights LED's
first aid kit/w snake bite kit
2 compasses and 2 whistles
Pocket knife,k-bar knife,curved herb knife cutter (w sharpening stones)
signalling mirror
1 pair leather gloves,1 pair plastic gloves
small thin funnel (drink) tube
flint striker
3 space or casualty blankets
Commando finger ring wire saw
a pup tent w stakes or lean-to canvas's coverings (I use ponchos)
1 hobo tool,plastic pack of plastic utensils
3 small bowls (We use collapsable silicone)
small cooking pot w stove
1 hand bow fire starter wood set
small folding shovel
small hatchet or machete
hiking/walking stick
firearm (if so inclined and is suggested but not at first)
Its important to know that the basics here will change by you because experience leads to different usages but as for the beginning this we suggest.Now,don't become dismayed if the items cant be found or gained right away,in the first desert load-outs some things wont be needed like 3 days worth of MRE's,not just yet anyways.Ask questions on this board,some substitutes can be used,with items from your 'regular' BOB,or often items laying about your home.
