SUZY JEFFRIES SHARES HER SELF-RELIANCE PREPS
ON THE ROAD, AT WORK OR IN A TORNADO, SHE’S READY FOR ANYTHING!
Text by Suzy Jeffries
Photos by Suzy and Jim Jeffries
I had never given conscious thought to what my top self-reliance items are until American Outdoor Guide Editor Mike McCourt asked me to write this article. Rather than contemplate this, I decided the most accurate way to make that determination was to go through my purse and packs.
A Little Background
I live in a rural area prone to weather threats, including tornadoes. Because we don’t have a basement, we put a storm shelter in our yard. In addition to items stored in the shelter, I have a backpack (go pack) prepped beside the bed.
Before COVID-19, I traveled a minimum of 45 minutes to work. This travel included commuting to a major city and through rural areas where, at times, there’s no cell signal. Should something occur that causes me to abandon my vehicle and walk, I have a backpack (travel pack) and other items staged in my Jeep.
In addition to my two packs, I occasionally carry a purse.
The author’s Schrade SCHF36 Frontier (left) and custom knife ( right). Both serve many purposes when any needs arise.
Even that paracord bracelet in the center of the photo has a mini ferro rod with a striker. (The author might be overcompensating for not yet mastering the skill of using a bow drill.)
“A SURVIVAL KNIFE IS A MUST-HAVE, AND I HAVE TWO IN EACH PACK … THE SURVIVAL KNIFE CAN BE USED TO PROCESS FOOD, TAP A TREE FOR WATER AND CHOP BRANCHES FOR FIRE OR A MAKESHIFT SHELTER.”
Someone once told the author, “Don’t go anywhere without a knife”—and she doesn’t!
Always With Me
After comparing the commonalities in my purse and two packs, there are five items that are always with me.
Knives. A survival knife is a must-have, and I have two in each pack.
A survival knife can be used to process food, tap a tree for water and chop branches for fire or a makeshift shelter.
My favorite survival knife is custom made; before I received it, my favorite was the Schrade SCHF36. My custom knife “lives” in my go pack and the Schrade SCFH36 in my travel pack.
There’s also a Morakniv (Mora) knife in each pack and two knives in my purse.
Mora knives are super-sharp straight from the factory, and I wouldn’t want to be without one.
Fire-Starters. I carry a ferro rod and fire-starting material (dryer lint, cotton balls, fatwood) in my purse and in each pack, along with lighters, magnesium blocks and matches. The ability to make fire is essential to cook, boil water for sterilization, and provide warmth and light. I never intend to be hungry, thirsty or cold, and I certainly don’t want to eat raw meat.