Despite that there are several good reasons to carry a survival stick, many prefer not to. Because, to them, it’s an extra load. But how heavy would a walking cane weigh? Just a few kilograms. That can’t possibly stop you from walking freely. Can it?
7 Good Reasons To Carry A Survival Stick
The use of a survival stick in the wilderness has existed for hundreds of years. Yet, it is often overlooked when packing kits for the outdoors. Any mention of a survival cane or a walking stick litters our minds with images of a man in crutches or a gentleman, especially a magician, in a black hat.
I attribute this lack of recognition to the fact that few know the great benefits of carrying a survival stick as they plow the wild. But, thankfully, not anymore. It’s the stick’s time for fame; let’s see what it can offer.
Using During Hiking
I’m sure you’ve already started to imagine the uses your stick could have if you carry it while hiking. With your stick held in front, you can easily beat down plants and minor obstructions to make a clear path. Yes, if you’re not the greatest fan of spiders, a survival stick is a great way to escape cobwebs.
Apart from its primary purpose, which is making a path, your survival stick can be an inspector as you hike. It is common to come across insects, poisonous plants, animals, or animal dung on hiking trails, and these unarguably cause great discomfort.
Fortunately, unlike before, you can poke at any of these items to gather adequate knowledge. This is, no doubt, better than holding foreign and unknown materials with your bare hands or gloves.
Using For Support
Navigating uneven, treacherous terrains may be easier and much safer with a stick for support. Certainly, you cannot doubt this benefit of the walking stick. If you’re ascending or descending a steep slope, trust your walking cane to keep you stable and supported.
When speeding down a hill, say due to an animal chase or just a fun activity, your stick is a great way to break speed when you’re going too fast. Remember that you need to stay in control if you want to stay safe. Likewise, your stick can be leveraged to hold on to when climbing higher levels.
These aside, your stick will be supportive, in a way or the other, if you have to make an emergency shelter.
Using For Self-defense
Your survival stick is typically long, but it may have to be lengthier if you plan on using it as a weapon. Also, it has to be sturdy and well carved. A stick that you just pick along the way will hardly work. But should the stick meet requirements, such as a sturdy build and comfortable handling, then you can use it as well in defending yourself from attacks, be it man or animal.
For a more effective self-defense tool, you can fix a survival knife to the end of your stick, such that it will pass off as a spear. However, you should not throw your stick even when in this build. Throwing it will leave you defenseless and weak, and may even hurt you.
I recommend that you learn one or two forms of combat involving a stick as a weapon. Remember that any weapon is deadly, if in the right hands. So, be careful.
Gauging River Depth
Testing the depth of a river is essential before wading into it. Some water bodies look oddly calm and pliable at the surface but are rough and cussing below the surface. What else, they are usually much deeper than they appear beforehand. So, if you fail to measure the river you’re sticking both feet in, you are subjecting yourself to extreme risk.
With your survival stick, gauging the depth of any river is easy. Knowing the length of your stick, you can easily know how deep the water is. With your stick, you can also figure out the next step to take when wading through a river.
Carrying Supplies & Gear
If you don’t have a backpack due to one reason or the other or are tired of carrying on your back, you can be more comfortable using the survival stick. To use, pack supplies or gear using a shemagh, tie to an end of your stick, and hobo-carry over your shoulders.
Additionally, your walking cane can help you to pack more supplies. This is common practice all over the world. You can carry water jars or bags of supplies on each end of your stick, using a stopper to ensure they don’t fall off, after which you carry on your shoulders.
Usable For Fishing
If you’re carrying a fishing kit, then you can use your survival stick for fishing. Just attach some lines to it and dip in the river. With this option, you can avoid additional expenses since you won’t be buying a fishing rod.
You may think that a specialized fishing rod is much more effective, and I don’t debate that. But you have to know that your walking cane will make an excellent fishing tool as well. Plus, it can be used for other activities when you’re done fishing, unlike the fishing rod that can only serve a specific purpose.
A Means Of Retrieval
If a valuable item of yours has fallen into an area you can’t access, say a river, mud, or puddle, you’ll understand just how important it can be to have a stick you can use to fetch.
Your stick will also help if you have to reach a higher item you can’t access due to a barrier. Your stick can help to pluck fruits or reach over a fence.
Concluding The Good Reasons To Carry A Survival Stick
As you will agree now, there are plenty of good reasons to carry a survival stick. Throw in the fact that your survival stick is affordable and widely available, and you realize the folly of those who neglect this critical gear in their emergency kit.