Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute

APSI Survival Blog

Here is where I discuss everything related to survival, bushcraft, and Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute.

One Year, One Person, One Chance: The Ultimate Dry Goods Survival List

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When the lights go out and the trucks stop rolling, it’s too late to wonder what you should’ve stocked. In a world where the rule of law collapses and survival becomes a daily fight, food isn’t just sustenance—it’s power, leverage, and life itself. This isn’t about comfort. It’s about calories, shelf life, and the cold math of staying alive. Below is the breakdown—one person, one year, no second chances:
 
Staple Carbohydrates (Energy Base)
White rice – 60 lbs
Pasta – 40 lbs
Rolled oats – 30 lbs
Flour (white) – 60 lbs
Cornmeal – 20 lbs
Instant potatoes – 15 lbs
Dry beans (variety) – 60 lbs
Lentils – 20 lbs
Sugar (white or brown) – 60 lbs
Honey or molasses (optional) – 10 lbs
 
Protein Sources
Powdered milk – 20 lbs
Powdered eggs – 6 lbs
Peanut butter powder – 10 lbs
TVP or freeze-dried meat – 10–15 lbs
Protein powder – 5–10 lbs
Jerky (vacuum-sealed) – 5 lbs (optional)
 
Fruits & Vegetables (Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried)
Dehydrated vegetables – 20–30 lbs
Freeze-dried fruits – 15–20 lbs
Tomato powder – 5 lbs
Potato flakes – 10 lbs
Dried mushrooms – 2–3 lbs
 
Baking & Cooking Essentials
Salt – 10 lbs
Baking soda – 2 lbs
Baking powder – 2 lbs
Yeast (vacuum-sealed) – 1 lb
Vinegar powder – 1–2 lbs
Spices (total) – 5 lbs
Bouillon cubes/powder – 2–3 lbs
 
Drink Mixes
Instant coffee/tea – 2–5 lbs
Electrolyte powder – 2–3 lbs
Powdered juice (Tang, etc.) – 5 lbs
Hot cocoa mix – 5 lbs
 
Miscellaneous
Hardtack or pilot bread – 10 lbs
Ramen noodles – 20 packs
Dry soup mixes – 10–15 lbs
Pancake/biscuit mix – 20 lbs
Mylar bags + oxygen absorbers – for repackaging
Manual grain mill – if storing whole wheat or corn
 
This setup gives you around 750–850 lbs of food per person per year, which is a solid baseline for long-term survival. You can adjust based on dietary needs, climate, or physical activity level.
Learn more and shop survival food and emergency kits at survivalschoolmichigan.com

The Day The Internet Died

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The Day the Internet Died
 
It started with silence. A few apps refused to load. A few websites blinked out. Then, like a spreading blackout, the collapse consumed everything. Cloudflare — the unseen backbone of the modern web — had fallen. And with it, the world’s digital lifeline snapped.
 
Spotify went mute. Uber drivers sat idle, their maps frozen. Social networks dissolved into static. Even the systems designed to track outages were swallowed by the void. For hours, humanity stared into the abyss of a world without the internet.
 
The Fragile Empire
We were told the internet was a decentralized marvel, a web too vast to fail. That was a lie. The truth is darker: a handful of companies hold the keys, and when one stumbles, billions are dragged down.
 
One bug in Cloudflare’s systems was enough to fracture the illusion. The outage wasn’t an attack. It wasn’t sabotage. It was worse — proof that the empire we’ve built is fragile, brittle, and terrifyingly easy to break.
 
The Dominoes Waiting to Fall
This was only a glimpse. Imagine if the blackout had lasted days instead of hours.
Stock markets frozen, unable to trade.
Hospitals cut off from critical systems.
Supply chains paralyzed, food and medicine trapped in limbo.
Governments unable to communicate with their citizens.
 
The outage was short-lived, but it revealed the nightmare scenario: the internet is not eternal. It is a tower of cards, and the collapse has already begun.
 
The Beginning of the End?
Next time, it might not be a bug. It could be sabotage. It could be war. It could last longer. And when it does, the blackout won’t just silence your favorite apps — it could silence the world itself.
 
The Cloudflare outage wasn’t just a warning. It was a prophecy. The day the internet truly dies, civilization as we know it will go with it.
 
Want to prepare for the grid going down? Dig into survivalschoolmichigan.com for information, training, and preparedness supplies.

Flintknapping Glass

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Flintknapping Glass — Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute
 
“Working glass is both a challenge and a joy. At Arcturus, we teach that patience, clean strikes, and good habits are the foundation of every successful knapper. Don’t expect perfection at first—expect to break a lot until your hands learn the rhythm of conchoidal fracture.”
 
Safety First
“Glass is unforgiving. Protect your eyes with wraparound safety glasses, and your hands with snug leather gloves. Long sleeves and sturdy shoes are non-negotiable. Glass throws razor flakes and dust—so wear a mask and work outdoors or in good ventilation. Respect the material, and it will respect you.”
 
Choosing Your Glass
“Start with bottle bottoms, cullet, or slag glass. These are affordable and predictable. Avoid tempered or laminated glass—it won’t fracture the way you need it to. A clean, slightly convex blank is your best friend.”
 
Tools of the Trade
“Your billet is your voice. Use antler or copper for soft percussion, and a smooth stone if you need to spall off larger pieces. For refinement, a copper-tipped pressure flaker or antler tine will let you shape and sharpen edges. Always abrade your platforms—strong edges make strong flakes.”
 
Preparing the Blank
“Detach the bottle bottom cleanly, then strike near the edge to create palm-sized spalls. Aim for 6–10 mm thickness. Look for convexity and avoid flaws. A good blank sets the stage for everything that follows.”
 
Core Techniques
• Platform prep: “Grind the edge until it’s dull and sturdy. Keep your platform angle around 60–70°. This is where flakes are born.”
• Percussion reduction: “Strike lightly, just inside the edge, with inward-and-down energy. Let the flakes run across the face.”
• Pressure flaking: “Seat your tool slightly inboard, push and snap downward. This is how you refine symmetry and sharpen edges.”
 
Making a Simple Arrowhead
1. Square and abrade the edge — “Strong platforms are the key to reliable flakes.”
2. Form a bifacial preform — “Alternate faces, keep it lens-shaped, thin to 4–6 mm.”
3. Outline the triangle — “Nibble with pressure flakes, keep both faces convex.”
4. Thin the midline — “Use soft billets sparingly; stop when flakes run clean.”
5. Refine edges and symmetry — “Alternate pressure flaking, abrade often, keep the edge centered.”
6. Shape the base and notches — “Square the base, notch with careful pressure. Balance is everything.”
7. Final sharpening — “A few gentle flakes give you a keen edge. Don’t overwork—glass is quick to chip.”
 
Troubleshooting
• Hinge fractures: “You struck too close or on a weak platform. Build convexity, abrade more, strike inward.”
• Crushed platforms: “Your edge was too sharp or thin. Grind heavier, use a softer billet, lighten your strikes.”
• Overshots/snaps: “Too much force or too thin a midline. Ease up, preserve thickness, keep faces domed.”
 
Practice Wisdom
“Start with larger blanks—they forgive mistakes. Watch experienced hands, mimic their rhythm, and take notes on your own strikes. When flakes stop running, don’t force it—re-prep your platforms. Flintknapping is a dialogue with the stone or glass. Listen carefully, and it will teach you.”
 
“I am practicing this ancient art, and like you, am merely a student forever seeking to hone my skills. Hopefully I will see you in the wild!”
 

Everyday Vehicles with a Purpose: Practical Preparedness on Four Wheels

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Everyday Vehicles with a Purpose: Practical Preparedness on Four Wheels
 
By Art Knapp, Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute
 
When it comes to preparedness, your vehicle is more than just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a mobile lifeline. The key is to choose something that doesn’t scream “prepper,” but still has the bones to carry you through tough times.
 
Start with a crew cab 4WD pickup. It’s a solid platform—room for people, gear, and the ability to tow or haul just about anything. Add extended-range fuel tanks if you can, and make sure it’s got a towing package and a camper shell. That shell turns your truck bed into a secure, weather-resistant storage space—or even a temporary shelter.
 
Color matters. Stick with flat, natural tones—forest green, tan, brown, or gray. These blend into rural and wooded environments without drawing attention. Avoid camouflage paint jobs. They don’t make you invisible—they make you a target for curiosity or suspicion. You want to look like a contractor, not a commando.
 
Keep a few cans of flat spray paint in earth tones on hand. If the situation ever truly deteriorates, you can dull down chrome trim and reflective surfaces. But don’t do it prematurely—there’s no need to raise eyebrows at the gas station.
 
I also recommend picking up a military surplus camouflage net and support poles for each vehicle. These can be used to break up the outline of your vehicle if you ever need to park it in a concealed location for an extended period.
 
Here are a few more tips from the field:
• Tires: Invest in high-quality all-terrain tires. Keep a full-size spare, a patch kit, and a portable air compressor in the truck at all times.
• Electrical: Add a dual-battery system if possible. One battery for starting, one for accessories—especially if you’re running radios, lights, or refrigeration.
• Storage: Use lockable, weatherproof containers in the bed for tools, recovery gear, and emergency supplies. Keep it organized and accessible.
• Maintenance: Know your vehicle inside and out. Carry spare belts, fluids, and filters. Learn how to do basic repairs yourself.
• Documentation: Keep a paper map, a compass, and a notebook in the glove box. GPS is great—until it isn’t.
 
Remember, the goal isn’t to look tactical. It’s to be quietly capable. Your vehicle should be a tool, not a billboard. Blend in, stay ready, and keep moving forward.
 
Learn more here at survivalschoolmichigan.com

Monkey Paw: The Everyday Keychain That’s Banned in 8 States

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The “Monkey Paw,” more commonly known as the Monkey Fist, is a compact tool fashioned from paracord wrapped around a steel ball and carried for discreet personal protection. Its origins lie in the sailor’s knot once used to weigh down ropes, but over time it evolved into a defensive implement. Modern versions are paracord keychains with a steel ball core, typically about an inch in diameter. Though it may appear to be nothing more than a harmless accessory, when swung it delivers a powerful, concentrated strike. The physics of impact make the steel ball effective by adding weight, transforming the paracord knot into a small but formidable striking weapon.
Carried on a keychain or tucked into a pocket, the Monkey Paw can be swung to hit an attacker, causing pain or distraction and giving the user a chance to escape. Its discreet design allows it to pass as a rope knot or lanyard, making it less conspicuous than traditional weapons. Key features include the steel ball core, a military-grade paracord exterior, its dual function as both a striking weapon and survival tool, portability in a keychain-sized form, and a non-lethal design intended to bruise or stun rather than kill.
Legal and safety considerations are critical, as laws vary by region and in some places monkey fists are classified as concealed weapons. Carrying or possessing a Monkey Fist knot that is made with a heavy core such as a steel ball or a marble and is used or intended to be used as a weapon—often referred to as a slungshot—is illegal in eight U.S. states. States that reportedly prohibit the carrying or possession of a slungshot or Monkey Fist knot used as a weapon include California, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Washington, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. They are meant to serve as a last-resort self-defense tool rather than for aggression, and their effectiveness depends on proper training and control.
Historically, sailors adapted monkey fists into slungshots, rope weapons used in fights, and today they are marketed as everyday carry self-defense tools, especially for women, runners, and those seeking non-lethal protection. In short, the Monkey Paw or Monkey Fist is a discreet paracord keychain with a steel ball inside, designed as a non-lethal self-defense weapon. It is effective for delivering quick strikes but must always be carried with responsibility and respect for the law.
 
“Best of luck to all hitting the woods for Michigan’s rifle opener — may your aim be true!”
 
Learn more right here at survivalschoolmichigan.com

Firewood Wisdom

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Rugged Firewood Wisdom: 5 Rules to Keep Your Pile Strong

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Michigan was blasted with its first big winter storm over the past couple days, dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Peninsula and heavy lake-effect bands across the state, according to ABC News.
 
Survival isn’t just about striking sparks—it’s about keeping your fuel bone-dry, ready, and reliable. Here are the five hard-earned rules every woodsman, homesteader, and backcountry prepper needs to know:
 
1️⃣ Cover Your Wood Pile
Your firewood is your lifeline. Rain, snow, and sleet will rot it faster than you think. A tarp or lean-to keeps the pile dry while still letting it breathe. Think of it as armor for your fuel—without it, you’re burning mold and misery.
 
2️⃣ Keep Your Wood Off the Ground (Raise It with Pallets)
Moisture creeps up from the soil like a thief in the night. By stacking on pallets or rails, you stop rot, bugs, and fungus from eating your supply. Elevated wood = clean burn, less smoke, more heat.
 
3️⃣ Bark Side Up When Stacking
Bark is nature’s shield. Stack with bark facing upward and it deflects rain like shingles on a roof. Flip it wrong, and you’ve built a sponge instead of a fortress. This simple trick keeps your pile dry from the top down.
 
4️⃣ Keep It in the Wind for Good Airflow
Airflow is the secret weapon of seasoning wood. Stagnant piles stay damp, but wind strips moisture away. Ideal direction? West-to-east winds—they’re the most common across North America, giving your stack a natural drying tunnel. Harness the breeze, and your wood cures faster and burns hotter.
 
5️⃣ Put Your Wood in Sunlight
The sun is your ally. UV and heat bake out the moisture, turning green logs into seasoned fuel. Shade breeds mold; sunlight breeds fire. Position your pile where it gets maximum exposure—your stove will thank you.
 
This isn’t just stacking wood—it’s stacking survival. Follow these rules and your firewood will stay rugged, reliable, and ready to roar when the cold bites. 

When Primitive Skills Meet the Digital Era-Using Apps and Modern Technology in the Wilderness

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One of the principles I teach my students at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute is this: I am, and always will be, a student.
 
Take edible and medicinal plants, for example. While I’ve accumulated a substantial amount of knowledge, the learning never ends. There is no way I’ll ever master every single plant’s use on this planet—and that’s the beauty of it. I carry that same mindset into every aspect of survival and bushcraft. Whether it’s new techniques or better tools, I’m always refining, always evolving. What I haven’t learned at formal survival schools, I hunt down on my own.
 
One of the most effective ways I continue to grow is by leveraging modern apps and digital tools—many of which are available on both iOS and Android. These resources are invaluable to survivalists, bushcrafters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Below are some of the most highly rated and useful tools I use and recommend:
 
PictureThis
A powerful plant identification app that can recognize over 400,000 plant species with more than 98% accuracy. Simply snap a photo of a plant and the app will instantly return its name, species, toxicity warnings, and detailed information. I often use this as a springboard before researching a plant’s edibility and medicinal properties online.
 
Knots 3D
If you want to master knot-tying, this is your go-to app. It teaches over 200 knots with 3D, 360° interactive views—immensely helpful when trying to understand complex configurations. For a real challenge, try wrapping your brain (and fingers) around the Evenk Hitch.
 
MyRadar
Skip the clutter of traditional weather apps. MyRadar offers clean, fast, and accurate radar maps with real-time weather alerts—essential before heading into a course with students. It outpaces traditional sources like The Weather Channel or AccuWeather by avoiding distracting pop-ups and advertisements.
 
Spyglass
A navigation powerhouse that turns your phone into a survival toolkit. With features including offline maps, augmented reality navigation, a digital compass, GPS, waypoint tracking, and even star catalogs, Spyglass is indispensable. When you’ve forgotten your compass or paper map but have your phone (and a reliable power source), this app can guide you through.
 
Gaia GPS
Perfect for those who prefer a streamlined GPS app. Gaia offers detailed maps and route planning and is known for being more reliable on the trail than its popular competitor, AllTrails. AllTrails excels in route planning, but Gaia shines in execution. I personally prefer Gaia but encourage others to try both and decide which suits them best. Advanced features require a subscription.
 
First Aid by the American Red Cross
This app could literally save a life. It provides offline access to step-by-step emergency instructions for burns, cuts, CPR, choking, and more. It includes a hospital locator, 911 integration, educational videos, interactive quizzes, and receives regular updates. Best of all—no ads.
 
Zello Walkie Talkie
Transforms your phone into a real-time push-to-talk radio. With both public and private channels, voice playback, and compatibility across platforms, Zello is bandwidth-efficient and reliable in emergencies. It also supports Bluetooth headsets, offers text and image sharing, and encrypts your messages.
 
Signal
For secure communication, Signal is unmatched. It uses end-to-end encryption that even the developers can’t access. It’s free, ad-free, and open source. Messages auto-delete based on user settings and are never stored on external servers. It even supports groups of up to 1,000 participants.
 
SAS Survival Guide
Based on the bestselling book by former SAS soldier John “Lofty” Wiseman, this app offers offline access to practical survival knowledge. It covers essential topics like fire starting, shelter building, Morse code, and sun compass use—ideal for remote adventures.
 
Pro Tips
• Combine a first aid app with a survival manual app to create a well-rounded emergency preparedness toolkit on your device.
• Organize all your survival apps onto a dedicated home screen. In a high-stress situation, you don’t want to waste time scrolling through icons.
If you’re serious about your self-reliance journey, equipping your phone with these tools can be just as crucial as what you carry in your pack. Let the learning—and the adventure—continue. 

Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion: Can You Spot the Signs Before It’s Too Late? (Video)

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Description: When temperatures soar, your body’s ability to regulate heat can be pushed to the limit. In this essential guide, we break down the key differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke—two heat-related illnesses that can escalate quickly if not recognized and treated. Learn how to spot early warning signs like dizziness, heavy sweating, and nausea, and understand when symptoms like confusion or loss of consciousness signal a medical emergency. This video is a must-watch for: parents, athletes, outdoor workers, campers, bushcrafters, foragers, outdoor enthusiasts, beach goers, and anyone preparing for extreme heat. Stay informed, stay safe.

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