Recently, we posted the
question, "What makes
good survival
equipment?" at
SurvivalForums.com.
The answers we received
were all very good.
We wanted people to know
how we choose survival
equipment and what makes
us decide to carry an
item, or simply not
offer it to our
customers. Since
2002, we have used this
philosophy. It has
helped us gain the
reputation of selling
only high quality, no
nonsense survival
products, survival gear
and survival kits.
Q: What makes good survival equipment?
A:
Hmm... Compact,
low-maintenance,
bombproof.
A:
Compact is
definitely a big deal
for me. I started
carrying a small kit on
my person after seeing
kits at WAR last year. I
have back-ups in the the
vehicle and in my
gear...4 of the 6 kits
we carry are BCB tins.
A: Compact/easy to carry, which has already been stated. Built like a rock: simple, effective, and almost
indestructible.
Affordable is another one. Doesn't matter how great it is if we can't afford it.
Best Glide ASE Response:
All great answers! Here
is what we use to decide
if something meets our
standards and if we will
offer it to our
customers.
1. It has a need. A
bowling ball has a need,
is durable, inexpensive
and dependable. However,
is it needed for
survival? Of course, the
answer is no. In short,
is the item advertised
needed or does it have a
legitimate use in the
survival realm.
2. If the above answer
is yes, then we go on to
the second question.
Does it do what it is
advertised to do? Do the
matches really light and
stay lit? Does the
firestarter actually
start fires, does the
light stick actually
work?
3. If the above
questions can be
answered with a yes,
then we go to the next
question; Is it durable?
Will it work under poor
conditions? Because of
Murphy's Law, the
conditions in which you
have to use survival
equipment will likely be
very poor. So, will it
work when it has to?
4. Along with the above,
is it dependable? Will
it not only work when
you need it, but
continue to work. A
fire starter that only
works 5 or 6 times, will
not be very useful.
5. Is it durable? Will
it break or quit
working. This, at first
glance, goes along with
the above question.
However, it is possible
to have an item that
continues to work after
it has broken...for
example...half a flint
fire starter or a torn
survival blanket.
However, no one wants
broken survival
equipment...even if it
continues to work.
6. Can you carry it?
What I mean is, will it
fit in your pack, pocket
or vehicle? For example,
a survival kit that
weights 100lbs cannot be
useful on the trail. A
flint fire starter that
is a foot long does not
fit the bill either.
7. Last, is it
affordable? I cannot
sell, nor buy, very many
$100 flashlights,
fire starters, survival
blankets or matches. I
wouldn't want to. That
would just be unfair and
unnecessary.
Of course, depending on
the item in question,
there can be other
things to consider.
However, the above
questions apply to all
of the items we consider
for inventory. This is
one of the main reasons
why we have become known
for the quality of our
products and the
selection of non "fru
fru" items we carry. "Fru
fru"? It is a technical
term.
And remember, survival
equipment left home is
like fuel left at the
fuel pump. It is really
of no use to you at all.
Brian
Best Glide Aviation
Survival Equipment, Inc
Adventure...Survival...Life...
Brian Greenlee has been working with Best Glide ASE since it was founded in 2002. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys the outdoors. He is not an expert, but has gained his knowledge
by reviewing hundreds of pieces of survival equipment as well as designing and manufacturing survival gear and survival kits.
