One of the most important lessons I try to teach every student is this: gear does not make you prepared—training does. Too often, I see people who believe they’re ready because they bought the “right” equipment. They follow a checklist, fill a bag, and assume that’s enough. But when the moment comes, reality sets in. They forget the bag. The batteries are dead. Or worse—they don’t actually know how to use the gear they brought. And this doesn’t just apply to survival equipmen

With ongoing issues across the United States and around the world—and closer to home, recent flooding, transportation disruptions, and weather-related events—I’ve seen a clear uptick in community members seeking CPR, first aid, and survival preparedness training. Preparedness is not new to our region. Many communities already have CERT teams, Search and Rescue groups, and emergency action organizations. Washington State, in particular, has no shortage of motivated volunteers

The final installment of the 12 C’s of Survival  is Combat , more accurately described as Protection . Protection is not about aggression or domination. It is about preventing harm and preserving life  when confronted by threats—whether those threats come from people or animals . In a survival or disaster context, both are equally real, equally unpredictable, and equally capable of causing serious injury or death. Combat is not the goal. Survival is. Protection Begins Long Be

Cordage is one of the most underestimated components of the 12 C’s of Survival. It rarely gets the attention that fire, food, or shelter receive, yet it quietly supports almost every other category on this list. Without cordage, shelter construction becomes limited, gear repair is nearly impossible, medical improvisation is harder, and even basic camp efficiency drops significantly. Cordage is not glamorous. It doesn’t make sparks, signal aircraft, or stop bleeding—but it ena

When most people think of survival, their minds jump to fire, water, shelter, and food. Communication often gets overlooked—until it becomes the one thing you desperately need. Whether you're lost in the backcountry, coordinating with a partner during an emergency, or trying to get help after a disaster, communication is what connects you to information, resources, and rescue. Preparedness is not simply having the right gear; it’s understanding how to send, receive, and inter

Casualty Care: Why First Aid Skills Matter in Survival In this installment of the 12 C’s of Survival , we’re shifting our focus to one of the most critical categories— Casualty Care . Outside of the basic life-sustaining needs like water, calories, and shelter, few things are more important during an emergency than the ability to treat injuries and manage medical situations until help arrives. Many accidental deaths in the United States are preventable with basic training  an

Introduction Light is something most of us take for granted — flip a switch and a room glows instantly. But in a survival situation,...

When it comes to survival, few tools are as fundamental as something with an edge. Cutting tools—whether knives, saws, or axes—aren’t...

When most people think of survival, they imagine fire, shelter, or food. But one of the most overlooked—and most critical—skills is...

When the wind picks up, the temperature drops, or the rain sets in, one principle rises to the top: you must protect yourself from...

By Dan Brenneman Introduction: Dependence or Preparedness? When disaster strikes, the difference between surviving and suffering often...

Clothing – Your First Line of Defense When most people think of survival, their minds jump to knives, fire, or shelter. But before any of...

Combustion - The Fire That Keeps You Alive When people think of survival, fire is usually one of the first things that comes to mind—and...

Fuel for the Fight In a survival scenario, your body becomes your most critical tool—and just like any tool, it needs fuel to function....

C #1: Container Welcome to the first post in our 12 C’s of Survival  series. Today we’re focusing on the foundational first C: Container...

Welcome to the 12 C’s of Survival blog series.  This guide is designed to help you build a reliable and effective survival kit using 12 foundational categories of gear — what we call the 12 C’s . Whether you’re dealing with a wilderness emergency, natural disaster, or unexpected grid-down situation, these tools and principles can give you a serious edge when it matters most. This isn’t about “gear for gear’s sake.” It’s about self-reliance , mobility , and the ability to meet

Welcome to the Summit View Survival & Preparedness blog! We're thrilled to embark on this journey with you, sharing insights, stories,...