The evolution of one the most universal and utilised tools in human history, the knife, has produced a wide array of utensils in as many fields. There are hunting, fishing, camping, tactical, survival, chef’s, kitchen, military, butcher knives and as many similar tools like cleavers, scalpels, machetes, and multi-tools all used for different cutting applications. What sets each knife apart is the type of cut. How blades are shaped will ultimately affect how easy, deep or clean the cut is. Also, the blade materials play a significant role in this aspect, with most knives featuring steel alloys, with metals and other materials in varying concentrations to produce the properties that are most sought-after.
The right outdoor patio heater will allow you to still be able to relax in your idyllic backyard when the weather gets colder. Patio heaters are designed to withstand any weather conditions as long as they’re properly placed. They have the power to create a warm and cosy outdoors atmosphere and let you enjoy the fresh air.
Humans have always looked for ways to bring light into darkness in every sense of the word. This is what essentially flashlights are – a way to lighten your way even in the darkest places, regardless of the situation. An artificial light that can guide you through the night can offer saving grace in many different scenarios, even some life-threatening ones. In other words, whether you are hiking through rough terrain, night hunting, repairing your vehicle on the side of the road or simply looking for the fuse box, working a search and rescue job, most people can benefit from owning a good quality torch.
It is no news that you need to be properly prepared before heading to the outback to make your trip relaxing and more enjoyable. If you are far enough from civilization there is no option to resupply mid camping. Especially if you are hiking or camping far from your base station, your best bet is being equipped with the most essential pieces of survival gear.
If you’re a person who loves chilling outside and hitting the trails, you already know that nothing can be more annoying than uncomfortable hiking boots. Wearing the wrong boots can cause a number of problems that can cut your hike short, from blisters to sprained ankles and even hypothermia. That being said, good hiking footwear is crucial if you want to successfully explore a vast amount of terrain.
If you’ve been out on a hunt once, you’ve seen it all. There is a series of coordinated actions designed to ensure a successful catch. But if you’ve been hunting for quite some time, you probably want to try something new, like night hunting.
Hunting at night presents a set of challenges that are quite different than doing so during the day. For one, like any hunting trip, it is also paramount to uphold high standards of safety to avoid anyone on the team getting hurt. However, the difference is that there’s reduced visibility at night which can make it hard to distinguish between a target and your teammates.
Luckily, with some experience, planning and the proper set of gadgets, you and your team can stay safe while hunting at night. Here are some of the most important steps to ensure safety.
Use the Right Flashlights
It cannot be overstated – light is your primary safety tool in the dark. So, before you decide to catch game animals in the dark, get a good night light hunting set. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind are LED hunting lights of the flood or searchlight variety. They are capable of emitting intense output (up to 25 000 lumens) and have long run times.
Then there are all those piercing lights that aim at reaching great distances with their beam and that can be mounted on a tactical weapon. Besides ensuring that you get to clearly identify your target, these kinds of lights also help confuse the game to ensure a successful hit.
On the other hand, there are many lights that are needed for more than freezing your game in its tracks when you shine the torch to the max output. For instance, using red light does a great job to preserve your night vision. You can use it to shine some light in your close proximity and that will improve the safety of your team.
Sometimes game animals do not give up until they are exhausted. Blue light can serve to reveal blood traces in the dark, so if you need to chase your game, this will be quite handy.
If you hunt in a group, which is highly likely, you can establish a signalling system with the help of your flashlights. For example, it is common to mark a target by moving the light beam up and down. You don’t want to alert the game, but you want to alert your fellow hunters only.
The overall safety of the team will be high if you clearly indicate the stages during your hunting actions with light. Showing your peers that your rifle is ready to engage so everyone can stay put goes to great lengths in keeping them safe.
Last but not least, look for a torch that can be mounted on a tactical weapon. Having a free hand is a sort of luxury when hunting and preferable in terms of safety.
Practice Handling Ordnance at Night
Needless to say, improper handling of a firearm can jeopardize yours and the safety of others. To increase the safety during night hunting you need to learn how to become one with the rifle, like it is an extension of your body, an instrument if you will.
There are two hurdles to get past: the low visibility and the disruption of your body’s circadian rhythm. With dedication and the right mindset, you can prime your body to conquer them both. First, get to know your weapon inside out. Practice breaking it apart with your eyes closed (shut them with a bandana or go to a pitch-black room). You can use mock munition – don’t hurt yourself while learning the ins and outs of your weapon.
I have to admit – the second issue is tricky. Breaking the sleeping pattern affects both the brain and body. You can work on maintaining a strong will power but that might not be enough. It is just how your body is wired. Secretion of melatonin depends on natural cycles that affect your physiology. To counter this, set an alarm clock and get used to handling your weapon at early hours of the day, again in pitch black.
Learn to Identify Targets at Night
Safety starts with preparation. Before going on a night hunt check the hunting regulations (if any) in the area. Study the area with care to avoid intrusion into someone’s farm or property. And this doesn’t apply only to permanent dwellings. Night light hunting includes the risk of running into a temporary camping ground as well as other sorts of outdoor enthusiast, like yourself. Look out for signs of other people being present to prevent tragic accidents.
Not every pair of eyes you will see out there is game animal, so put an effort to note the differences. And for god’s sake don’t be one of those trigger happy blokes that shoot at everything that moves. Do you want to shoot a cow during a night hunt? Or a mule? Use your high beam distance torch to distinguish between a stray cat and something you would like to bring home.
Experience Is the Currency of Masters
As with any other more or less sophisticated trade out there, you simply need to go through numerous trials before you can become a master. You need to get exposed to various hunting scenarios to be able to discern on your own what is the best course of action to be taken next.
If you are convinced night hunting is a straight forward activity, think again. A lot of experience is needed before it becomes that easy. Hunting requires a smooth and fast decision-making process because timing is everything. And nothing disrupts timing like lack of decisiveness.
All in all, before you try your hand at night hunting, make sure you already have substantial experience in hunting during the day.
Hiking is a great way to discover the beauty of nature and reap the benefits it has to offer. Besides, it allows you to take a break from the stress of everyday life. Sometimes it can be an iconic travel challenge like hiking the Great Himalaya Trail or the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but mainly, hiking is about fun and adventure.
There’s no doubt we’re living in the times of the indoor trend now that we can count on online shopping, as well as exercising and working from home. This would explain why most Australians spend about 90% of their time indoors.
Outdoor canopies and tents are a smart way to extend the space available to schools. From outdoor dining areas and classrooms to high performing sun protection, covered playgrounds and safe cycle storage – there is no doubt that school tents provide various benefits. These units can be installed over the walkways or outside of the classroom. They are designed to make sure that the students are safe from the inclement weather whenever they are outdoor. Ideally, outdoor canopies for schools should block direct sunshine, wind, and rain, making outdoor play possible at any time. These units are also great to use when setting boundaries, which ensures that the kids stay together. And besides that, they also make life easier for the teachers.
Running errands when you’re on your own is one thing, and completely another when you’re a mum. Unless you have money to hire a nanny, you have to do it yourself, there’s no way about it.
While sharing the errands with your SO is an option, there are still cases when that’s not possible, so instead of feeling stressed out or postponing which would lead to more stress eventually, why not run them with your child?
Cycling your way to it is the ideal solution, and moreover you have the chance to bond with your child, plus you stay physically active. You have to agree, it sounds great!
When your child is still too young to actually go on a ride on a bike, pedaling on their own alongside you, turn to the help of baby bike seats an online bikeshop can supply you with.
Of course, since the range is wide, shopping may not be as easy as expected, but don’t worry, there are some steps you can go through to make sure you purchase right. Beware though, not every bike is suitable for a baby seat; as long as it’s a standard city commuter bike, you have no trouble.
Once you’ve checked the bike seat compatibility, it’s time to think of the specific types of seats an online bikeshop has to offer, choosing from front, rear frame, and rear rack-mounted. A word of advice is no matter what your preference is of the three, as a parent it’s your responsibility to buy one that complies with the Australian safety standards.
Now, speaking of the first, the front, it’s typically mounted below the handlebars, is ideal for young toddlers, and the best about it is the proximity the design allows you to have with your child.
The rear frame-mounted is attached to the tube of the bike’s seat, and it has the qualities of being suitable for reclining as well as proving to be fitting older and younger children alike. Both of these qualities are shared with the rear rack-mounted which in turn is attached to the rear rack as the name suggests. The only drawback of these two is not having the child within sight.
In case you’re up for something that provides storage too, while not minding having your child out of sight, then the bike trailer is the option to go for. It’s also perfect if you have more two or more children.
Depending on the rides, whether they’re long or short, you might want to consider getting the help of some accessories, such as windscreen for utmost protection for your little one, or padded seat straps for more comfortable rides. A happy ride is a safe ride!
Can you wait for summer? I know I can’t! It’s high time we welcomed the hot days, and though I am going to spend most of them working, I still intend to enjoy the time off relaxing in my home, more specifically the pool area.
Are you planning a vacation to the snow-covered mountains? Great for you! Being on the piste and feeling the wind rush through you as you head down the slopes at a high speed is a thrill in itself. As a matter of fact, it is this thrill what makes people wanting to go back to the slopes year after year, especially those who prefer the more extreme elements of this sport.
However, as enjoyable as it can be, we can’t ignore the fact that, like most sports, skiing comes with a certain amount of risk. Falls are bound to occur, regardless of how good of a skier you may be, and collisions are relatively common. So, before you venture out to the slopes, it is essential that you have the right ski safety gear and know how to properly use it. Here are the basic pieces of protective equipment you should bring with you every time you head to the mountains.
Ski Helmet
When it comes to preventing life-threatening injuries, a ski helmet is the most important piece of equipment you should wear. For the ultimate protection, get a ski helmet that fits you properly and make sure to keep the chin strap properly fastened so that it stays securely in place. Don’t assume that your football or bike helmet will do the job fine because they won’t. Get a real ski helmet that has all the right features and enables ventilation.
Knee Guards and Back Protectors
Skiiers, especially beginners, usually end up with bruised knees that swell really fast. For that reason, it is smart to invest in a good pair of knee guards. You can choose from the two types – rigid and squashy. The rigid type has become a bit old-fashioned after the invention of the squashy model. Besides absorbing impact better, squashy knee guards also mold to your shape, helping you maintain better stability.
While back injuries are not the most common type of injury related to this sport, they do happen and can be extremely serious when they do. In the past, people used to avoid back protection due to the fact that it is rigid, heavy and uncomfortable to wear. However, the great advances in technology have made it much more comfortable to wear. Nowadays, back protectors are created with more flexible materials, they fit better the shape of the back and follow your movement. Available in different models, including vests and jackets, the style you choose will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
Protective Shorts
Protective shorts are padded and they help protect your back and hips from injuries. They are designed to protect the coccyx which can be excruciating if knocked or landed upon, but they also help protect your thighs and hips in case of a fall. As a beginner, you will probably spend quite some time in the snow and this may result in a cold bottom if you don’t have enough insulation. Protective shorts often come with enhanced thermal technology which is a really good addition.
People think that hunting is much more dangerous than it actually is. Granted, carrying a gun around doesn’t help to make it the safest activity in the world, but if you follow the proper procedure, it is really no different from mountain climbing or trekking. But I will not deny that like those other two activities, hunting is not only made easier, but significantly safer with the addition of the proper tools and equipment.
Mountain biking is an incredibly fun and sometimes incredibly challenging activity. It allows you to be able to take your bike and go on infrequently travelled mountain and forest trails and experience them in a completely different way than you would have if you were on foot. Combine this with the fresh air and sunshine, and you will find that it can also prove to be a great exercise routine that can help you look forward to becoming more active. The only problem that people seem to have with it is not knowing exactly what equipment they might need to bring along with them when they are first starting out, but that can be fixed easily.
Though it’s not always easy to admit, we modern day people have drifted away from nature, especially those of us living in urban environments. It may seem difficult to be at one with nature, but it’s certainly not impossible, particularly when you have a garden area waiting for you to breathe some life into it.
Great news is you can do so without breaking your bank, starting from the addition of garden chairs. Now you may wonder why start from furniture pieces – you’re going to see further through the post, so patience! Since there is a wide range of outdoor chairs, you’re sure to find those that bring about style as much as comfort.
Then again, considering we’re talking about garden chairs, you’d also want to get quality, something that would withstand the test of time (and the weather conditions!). You can have that with teak outdoor chairs – the sustainable recycling material, that’s bound to sweep you off your feet with its resistant properties, and durability.
Once you’ve made your pick on the chair design, and completed the purchase, it’s time for the other changes. Apart from surrounding yourself with all sorts of plants, you can make your outdoor area more wildlife-friendly, by creating spots that invite them to come over for a visit, and you can do so by making your plant choices wisely.
You’re sure to enjoy the sight of butterflies and bees by planting ornamental plants like lavender, and honeysuckle; more points if you also throw in the beauty of shrubs and trees, the perfect nesting places for your garden friends.
Build a pond, and you’ve paved the path for visits from frogs and toads. Taking into account the breeding of insects the pond would enable, you could also expect to see some bats, stopping by for a pond feast. Surrounding the pond with rocks guarantees the visit of lizards as well, however if you live in a snake prone area, you might consider leaving out rocks from the project, as snakes love a good rock shade too.
The way to win over birds’ attention is to make bird houses for them, filling them with food, and of course, the addition of a fountain where they can stop by to drink, and have a refreshing bath.
Not only would these garden changes enable you to help the environment, but you’d also get to witness more garden health thanks to wildlife! And oh, once you’re done with the project, take a seat in your lovely new chair, put your feet up, and relax with the view of garden liveliness.
