stakes in the ground. So go ahead and make one even if you don’t think
you have a use for it at the time. Eventually, you will.
Like the throwing stick, a club is simply a tree branch. Size matters. Too
long and you won’t be able to swing it easily or quickly. Too short and it won’t
do any damage to whatever you’re trying to hit. Hardwood is the best mate-
rial, if you can find it. You can make a club more effective (especially for kill-
ing newly caught small game in your snare) by weighting one end. Tying a
rock or similar heavy object to the end is the most common way to do this.
Making Eye Protection
SUNGLASSES ARE MORE THAN A FASHION STATEMENT. In the wild, exposure to
the elements wreaks havoc not only on your body but also on your eyes.
Unfortunately, sunglasses are not particularly robust items, and even if you
bring a pair along with you, chances are they will get broken or lost during
your survival ordeal.
You must protect your eyes against sunblindness (when you’re on open
water), and snowblindness (when you’re surrounded by snow). In essence, both
of these conditions are sunburns on your retina, causing discomfort and blind-
ness for up to three days. Worse yet, being blind in an emergency—no matter
how long the episode lasts—can mean the difference between life and death.
The Inuit protected their eyes by making sun goggles from caribou
or walrus bone. When I was in the Arctic, I didn’t have the luxury of these
materials, so I made my own from a slit cut in a strip of vinyl. You can use
almost anything for sun goggles as long as it limits the amount of sun
beating against your eyes (see page 247).
Making Packs
WHEN YOU’RE ON THE MOVE, there is nothing worse than trying to carry
all your vital survival materials in your hands or arms. It’s not only slow,
cumbersome, and frustrating, it’s also dangerous because it impedes your
ability to use your hands at a moment’s notice.
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