Why Every Survival Kit Should Have Paracord

Paracord - it's a must for your survival pack!

Paracord is a quick drying and rot resistant nylon rope with a break strength of 550 lbs. It is available in many colors and should be one of the first items you buy for any personal survival kit. It can be, and is, used in a large variety of situations and has even been known to be used by NASA! It was first used as parachute cord (hence the name) in World War II by the US military, whose troops still use it extensively in all manner of situations.

A US soldier without a supply of paracord, is essentially not equipped! Likewise, anyone who pursues any type of outdoor activities, would be well advised to have some paracord on hand at all times, as it is as invaluable as it is versatile, in many emergency situations.

Examples of emergency situations where paracord would be useful:

If you break a leg paracord could be used to tie a splint to the leg.If you run out of dental floss the inner strands can be taken apart and used as a substitute - very handy when you have a piece of meat that you can't quite dislodge.If you cut yourself paracord can be used as a tourniquet to stop excess bleeding and if appropriate to stitch up an open wound.The thread can also be used to repair clothing, replace shoe laces and zipper pulls.If your clothes get wet paracord can be used as a clothes line to dry them.If your dog chew through his lead or his collar breaks paracord can be used.Paracord can be used to secure a boat.It can also be used as a belt to hold up your trousers.

As you can see paracord has many, many uses and in fact, the number of uses of this versatile cord are only limited by your imagination!

You can now buy paracord that has been made into bracelets, necklaces, key chains, watches and other accessories. These have proven to be very popular with emergency response teams and other safety personnel, for obvious reasons. They are also becoming more and more popular with the general public, who may or may not be aware of their extreme versatility.

If you ever see someone wearing a paracord bracelet or other paracord item, don't assume they know the advantages of having a supply of paracord on hand at all times, be sure and ask them do they know of its uses. If they don't, they may be surprised to learn that a paracord bracelet can be unravelled, to be used, if an emergency occurs.

It is now possible to buy paracord that glows in the dark, paracord that is reflective and a highly visible paracord, which is both reflective and glows in the dark. The break strength of these are 400 lbs however, not the 550 lbs of regular 550 paracord. This is due to the different type of fibres included in them to make them glow and / or reflect. However, the usefulness of being reflective and luminous may outweigh the loss of strength in many outdoor situations.

So perhaps a selection of all these different types of paracord would be an added bonus to any hardcore survival kit. However, a word of warning, it is important to know that the glow in the dark version has to be exposed to light, before it will actually glow. Grappling around in the dark for a 'non glowing' glow in the dark paracord, would surely warrant a lot of cussing - so be advised!

When you decide to add paracord to your survival kit, why not buy a paracord survival bracelet or other accessory and give it as a gift to someone you love. They may not be an outdoor enthusiast - but it may just be that little piece of kit, could some day save their life.

Idris Adams is a writer who specialises in sports and outdoor activities. You can check out his latest website Buy Paracord where he provides unbiased advice and reviews on different types of paracord and explains why cheap paracord is not always best.

View the original article here

Let's Go Metal Detecting - Where Should We Go?

Finding good places to go metal detecting can be difficult. Depending on your location dig sites can be a difficult task. There may not be any shorelines where you live and it may be hard to find private properties where the owner is willing to allow access to metal detecting, but with a little bit of thought and research, you can find numerous places to look, without traveling too far.

PARKS: Are there any parks in your area? Parks are a great place to find treasures, however gaining access to an area park may be more challenging. If the park is historical then it is doubtful that any metal detecting will be allowed. Check anyway, it doesn't hurt. If you are in an area that has a non-historical park check with the local authorities. Your local Parks & Rec department can help with information. You may need a permit. This permit will probably cost you a small fee, but is probably well worth the trouble. If you're looking for information go to FMDAC (Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs, Inc.). They have a web page outlines state laws and regulation in regards to metal detecting and lots of other useful information.
PLAYGROUNDS: Children parks are a good place to hunt. Around swings, jungle gyms, and teeter totters are great places to look. Park benches, hiking trails, shaded areas are all good places too. You may not find a gold bounty, you're sure to find lost jewelry, and coins.
PRIVATE PROPERTY: There are lots of homes in your area, I'm sure, that have been around a long time. Some for centuries. These are great places to find treasures. Your own back yard perhaps? In any event, always get permission. You don't want to be arrested for trespassing. Just think of the history in those back yards.
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS: One spot most people don't think about is along highways in the ditch areas. Things are falling off fingers, out of hands and bags from car windows. I personally know 5 people who lost their high school ring out a car window. Research the area and find out where the old roads were. There are lots of old roads that have been closed where a super highway was constructed.
FARM FIELDS: Farm fields are also good places to hunt. Going after a good rain or after the ground has been tilled is a good idea. Before going get permission from the farmer. Written permission is the best practice.
RIVERBANKS: Along riverbanks where things have washed up. Around old marinas or fishing spots.

These are just a few places to give you some ideas. I'm sure you will be able to come up with some of your own. Just be sure to do your research, get permission and always be a courteous treasure hunter. Leave the area like you found it. As always, have fun and find treasure.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

We offer a variety of products and accessories for metal detecting, as well as other outdoor sporting activities.

We promise we will work hard to form and maintain a long, happy connection with you, our customer. Our objective is to make your shopping experience as simple, informative and cool as possible, and to find everything you need for your adventure.

We resolve to combine honesty and value in all our communications with outstanding service before, during, and after the sale.

View the original article here

What Spearfishing Wetsuit Should I Choose?

There are hundreds of different spearfishing wetsuits to choose from in the marketplace so how do you know which one is right for you? How do you know what colour, thickness, cut, fabric or size to select? And what do price and brands have to do with quality?

What seems like a very complicated decision - "what wetsuit to choose?" - becomes a bit more understandable when you look at how neoprene fabric is manufactured. Neoprene is made from foaming synthetic rubber with nitrogen gas while it is still in liquid form, before it is set. These trapped bubbles are what helps keep the warmth within the suit. Of course the thicker the suit, the warmer it will be, but also the more buoyant it becomes, as there is more gas trapped in there, so extra weights are needed. For tropical regions you may only want a suit of 1mm to 1.5mm thickness, but divers in the cold waters may require 5 to 7mm suits to keep warm. Everyone else will want something in between, depending on the person, the time of year, exact location, depth and the amount of time spent in the water, etc.

Better quality neoprenes have smaller bubbles of nitrogen and more synthetic rubber material, so generally the heavier a suit feels for its thickness, the better the quality of neoprene. Poorer quality wesuits have large bubbles in them, so they will seem light for their thickness. These large bubbles easily explode when diving, so very quickly these suits compact and lose their thickness and effectiveness as wetsuits. Don't be fooled - it may seem like you are getting a bargain, but a wetsuit made of cheap quality neoprene simply will not last very long. You will save in the long run in not having to replace your wet suit as often, by investing a little bit more into a quality neoprene suit.

Additionally, neoprene fabric used in wetsuits can have various finishes. Smoothskin or closed cell means it has the skin that sets on the outside of the synthetic foam rubber. This is very smooth and quite soft yet still fairly tough, it will seal pretty well against the skin. It is often used for the inside seals around the wrists, ankles and face as it seals yet will not get damaged too easily. A whole wetsuit, with a complete closed or smoothcell finish on the outside, is great for extra warmth, especially if you want to keep out the wind when travelling between dive sites. Smoothskin also gives smoother, slicker movement through the water. Sometimes the neoprene is painted to add colour or pattern.

Imagine cutting the skin of the foam rubber to reveal all the bubbly bits, this is what opencell means. The finish is generally used on the inside of suits, is very soft and flexible and it grips and seals extremely well against the skin. It sticks to the skin, so not allowing any pockets of water to get in or move around and disturb the warmth. Opencell finish makes for an extremely comfortable and warm wetsuit, particularly as the joins are glued so there is no stitching against the skin. But this finish is very soft and can be damaged by your nails, so make sure you are careful when putting on and removing your suit and keep toe and fingernails short. You will also need to use lubrication to put on your suit.

The most commonly available finish on wetsuits is to have a knitted fabric glued to the outside of the neoprene. Most commonly this is nylon, sometimes lycra or other fabrics are used. Neoprene with coatings of fabric will be very durable, but not as flexible, stretchable or comfortable. The seams will be stitched to protect the edges of the fabric from unravelling. Wetsuits with fabric coating inside won't be as warm as uncoated, as the knitted fabric doesn't stick to the skin as well on the inside so can allow some water to get inside the suit. They are also not windproof, but can take a lot more wear and tear than uncoated neoprene and don't need lubrication. Knitted fabric on the outside of the suit will protect the neoprene and give pattern and colour to the wetsuit.

Finally, slick coatings - are mostly silver or gold finishes applied to opencell insides of suits. These are a great feature and worth paying extra for. The advantages are you will combine most of the comfort, softness and flexibility of an opencell finish, with gaining the added warmth of closed cell, while achieving a finish that is much tougher and doesn't always require lubrication. They will have glued seams as well for comfort.

Along with quality, thickness and finishes of the neoprene, the style and cut of a wetsuit need to be considered. A one piece suit is simple, quick and easy to put on, usually with a back zipper. But it won't be as warm as a two piece suit.

Look at the features of a suit, not just the fancy patterns or colours to help you make your decision. Hood attached jackets, with face seals, keep the head protected and keeps the whole body warmer by allowing less water inside the suit. A jacket with a beaver tail stops the jacket from riding up and should have good quality closures that will last. Shaping through the body means the suit will sit tighter and fit better, thus allowing less water inside. Wrist and ankle seals keep legs and sleeves in place and help to keep water out of the suit. Preformed or shaped elbows and knees provide better fit through the arms and legs, so keeping them warmer. Long john pants give a bit of extra warmth on the chest but high waist pants can be easier to put on and off. Abrasive resistant fabrics or coatings on the elbow, arm, knee or leg area will help to prolong the life of your suit. Padded, slip and abrasive resistant chest loading pads are a fantastic feature for a spearfishing wetsuit to protect and make speargun loading easier on your chest.

For a great selection of quality wetsuits and other spearfishing gear, as well as many other helpful hints, please visit our website: http://www.spearfishingproducts.com.au

View the original article here

Four Treatments Every Athlete Should Do Regularly

If you are an athlete, then you should know that your body requires proper care and conditioning. With regular care and conditioning your well-being and overall athletic performance will improve.

There are four treatments that every athlete should do regularly.

One way to receive appropriate care for your body is by taking an ice bath after enduring strenuous activity. Ice baths help to reduce inflammation after a vigorous workout and can be done either in the comfort of your own home or at a special facility.

Taking an ice bath has been proven to speed up recovery and improve overall athletic performance. Are you wondering how an ice bath can aid in your recovery? Well, the muscle cells are stimulated by the cold temperature in the water, which gives a signal to start repairing damaged muscle tissue.

Another way to receive the appropriate care and conditioning for an athlete is to get regular sports massages. A sports massage can do wonders for an aching body that is active. This type of message increases recovery time for athletes and is designed to rid an athlete of any ailments that may plague him or her.

A sports massage can also assist in transporting oxygen to the muscles, which shortens recovery time and relieves stress. A sports massage can immediately remove extreme soreness from all off the muscles throughout the body as well. It can also relieve muscle stiffness and promote relaxation of the nervous system.

Another way that athletes can get relief and properly care for their bodies is to receive oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy can benefit an athlete in many ways. Oxygen therapy can improve an athlete's athletic performance and can reduce fatigue. Oxygen therapy is also beneficial for treating injuries that an athlete may endure.

For athletes, going to physical therapy will help to treat an injury that is sustained and can prevent future injuries from occurring. It can also help to develop impaired motor skills and become a source of pain management. Physical therapy helps the body utilize its own natural healing abilities, promoting recovery to the body. An athlete may need to take an ice bath is after a long, strenuous endurance activity, such as running.

Just remember to stay in an ice bath for no longer than ten minutes (or else muscle damage may occur). Also, right after you have exited your ice bath, a warm bath is advised. You should take a warm bath for 30 minutes in order to increase blood flow to help repair your muscle tissue.

Also, receiving chiropractic care can help an athlete recover from their injuries. Athletes whom receive chiropractic care have increased energy, a surge in athletic performance, a better reaction time and muscle strength.

With the four treatments that every athlete should do regularly, an athlete can increase his or her performance, and can become much stronger than before.

Massage Envy Spa Valencia, CA is Valencia's most affordable spa. Visit them online today at http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/CA/Valencia.aspx, or visit their blog at http://expertmassagetherapy.com/valencia/.

View the original article here

5 Things Every Coach Should Know

Through my experiences as a student athlete playing various sports such as soccer, basketball, and baseball, I have played for many different Coaches. By learning numerous positive and negative attributes from the Coaches I have played for, has shaped my philosophy as an aspiring college basketball Coach. I believe there are five aspects of Coaching that should definitely be utilized, when dealing with any type of organization regardless of which sport it is. Knowledge of the sport, motivating your players, management skills, player development, and life values are the five essential aspects of Coaching that are instrumental in shaping my philosophy through my experiences as a high school, prep-school, and collegiate basketball athlete. This article articulates my philosophy and will help explain what coaching should be about.

Knowledge of the sport is very important and is often overlooked by many Coaches especially at the high school level. I have noticed that many high school Coaches lack the essential knowledge needed to coach sports at their particular institution. Many of them are coaching at their respective school merely to collect a check and are not actually knowledgeable of the game, which puts the athlete at a distinct disadvantage. I believe that some schools are looking to fill the coaching job with anyone who will take the job, because sports at many high schools aren't a priority and this mindset needs to change.

Motivating your players is essential because athletes generally feed off of the energy and enthusiasm of the Coach. Energy from the Coach should and can be contagious and directly impacts the energy of his/her players. A Coach should be the person who influences his players to believe they are the best at their particular position. Coaches who show confidence in their players will help them to be confident, when participating on the court or field or any sport arena. Positive feedback is just as important as negative feedback, when dealing with athletes and should be distributed appropriately.

While playing for many different Coaches, I have realized that management skills are probably one the most important aspects of coaching. A Coach must know his/her players! It is imperative that you know which players you can motivate through yelling and being animated, and which players you should talk to privately and comfort. Both of these techniques are crucial and need to be implemented, in order to maximize a players potential. Management skills also involves knowing chemistry meaning, which players work well together, which players to put in the game at the right time, and establishing offensive and defensive schemes that accentuate the skills of your players.

A good Coach knows how to help their players develop his/her skills in their particular sport. As a Coach, you must challenge your players to improve their weaknesses and continue to develop their strengths. Additionally you must dare your players to get out of their comfort zone and do something different which will help them improve. As with many things experienced in life, sports are about progression and esteem development, so it is important for the Coach to give his/her athletes the best possible opportunities to become better at their craft.

The most important thing that every Coach should know is that athletics are only temporary after all it is a game and life skills are far more important! You must teach your players life skills. These skills will go well beyond any skill that you can ever teach them as an athlete. A good Coach preaches and teaches education and other life values through sports. Of course every Coach wants to win and get the best out of their players, but there is more to life besides sports. You must prepare these athletes to be great people and law abiding citizens, who will contribute to society. The ball eventually will stop bouncing for all of us and it is important for a Coach to teach his/her players to become great men and women of character and instill life values in them. These values and qualities that a good Coach instills in his/her athletes will go way beyond any three point shot, touch down, or home-run can take them.

I have shared the five most important aspects of coaching that every Coach should know and I hope that I have given you some insight as to how to conduct your athletic program. Every coach needs to have knowledge of their particular sport, be able to motivate your student athletes, know your players by having good management skills, know how to develop your players, and most importantly instill life values that they will hold onto for a life time. Thank you for reading this article and I hope you incorporate some of these qualities into your philosophy.

Donovan Smalls II
The College of New Jersey

Hello my name is Donovan Smalls II and I am currently a student-athlete at The College of New Jersey. I am a Health and Exercise Science Teaching major and what inspired me to write this article are my experiences as an athlete and my aspirations of being a College Basketball Coach. Through my experiences as an athlete playing for various different coaches, I wanted to share some of my knowledge and experiences that would further allow me to learn more about the field of coaching and help others as well.

View the original article here

What You Should Know About The UFC

The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is currently recognized as the largest MMA promotion worldwide, is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC began as a tournament to find the best fighters in the world, and was based on the Brazilian vale tudo fighting style. Originally, it was known as a no holds barred fighting contest, which eventually led to accusations of human brutality. After criticism reduced the UFCs visibility was diminished by these accusations, the organization reformed itself and adapted strict, athletic commission sanctioned rules, remarketing itself as a legitimate sporting event.

This idea of a tournament geared towards finding the best world fighter was that of Art Davie, a Southern California based advertising executive who developed this concept while researching martial arts for a client. Davie went on to become the student of Rorion Gracie, a teacher of mixed martial arts. In 1992, Gracie, Davie, and John Milnus, a film director and screen writer, in addition to being a fellow Gracie student, developed a business plan to generate the initial capital required to start WOW Promotions in order to develop their tournament into a television franchise.

The fledgling company partnered with Semaphore Entertainment Group in 1993, and the name Ultimate Fighting Championship was born. The first event was produced at McNichos Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12,1993 and featured kick boxer Patrick Smith and Kevin Roier, and as well as savage fighter Gerard Gordeau, and others. The appeal for this how, including its core proposition can a wrestler beat a boxer? was a contrast from most martial arts events at the time, where competitors typically had skill and expertise in just one discipline and little to no experience in other disciplines.

In 2001, The UFC was purchased for $2 million and came under the control of its parent company Zuffia, which resulted in a return to pay per view for the UFC after a plunge into relative obscurity after Senator John McCain criticized it as human cockfighting. The UFCs secured spot on The Best Damn Sports Show Period only added to its renown and reputation. After being featured in the reality television series, American Casino, the UFC was featured in its own reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, showcasing up and coming MMA fighters. The success of this show led to a second show UFC Unleashed, which featured select fights from UFC events, as well as a live broadcast entitled UFC Fight Night. After the first season of the Ultimate fighter, the first UFC event drew a pay per view audience of 280,000, and the next season of The Ultimate Fighter drew in a record 410,000 pay per view buys, leading to the present, with the UFC holding its own in the world of mainstream sporting events.

To learn more about mma and your favorite cage fighter please visit our site.

View the original article here

Should You Create Your Own Football Betting System?

Trying to make a consistent profit by creating your own football betting system may seem like a good idea at first. The problem is that creating your own football betting systems is a very arduous task. There is a lot of statistical analysis involved. You will have to constantly pay attention to various changes that may affect your system.

I know this might seem simple at first, especially if you have the time to do it. However, researching all of the information required to make a profitable football system is just too much for some. Some people may prefer to take an easier road. These people will decide to purchase football betting systems from an industry professional or some other trusted resource.

Most of the time they will pay a small fee for the system. If the system is known to be good they may end up paying a high amount. Now, a football system will usually teach a multitude of different profitable methods. These methods, if studied carefully and applied strategically, can definitely help you to become a profitable bettor.

The problem comes when someone purchases football betting systems thinking they are going to make them a lot of money fast. A soccer system isn't designed to do this. If you tried to create your own system, then you will learn very quickly that there are up periods and down periods. This is very natural and should be expected. This may be one of the reasons why you decide to purchase a system from someone else.

Understand that the strategies and various techniques you will find in these systems will give you the ability to develop your own skills much better. If you were unsuccessful before in your betting efforts, then by taking the time to study a good football betting system you can become an expert in no time.

When I say no time, I mean you will be able to learn what you need to know with far less trial and error then if you were to do it on your own. With a football betting system that you purchase from someone else they have already made all of the mistakes and errors for you.

It is because of this that your learning curve should be much shorter. What is even better is because you will make profits faster this will motivate you to keep on studying the system and tweaking it to suit your betting style.

Do not worry about developing your own football betting systems, the people at footballbettingchampion.com only use the best football betting systems for their excellent football tips.

View the original article here

What Kind of Roller Skate Wheel Should I Buy?

Every week I get several calls from customers trying to decide what wheels that they want for their skates. Unfortunately, many of them have no idea what they really need. I have been surprised that several are looking only at the color of the wheel and not its function. So I decided to write this article to help any roller skater who is a novice at selecting the right wheels.

One of the first questions I ask a customer, when they tell me that they are looking for a set of wheels, is where will they be skating. The answer to that question will help determine the right kind of wheels for their situation. If they say it is for "indoors" on a rink, then the next question is whether they will be doing speed, recreational or artistic skating.

Artistic wheels are usually narrower than those used for speed skating. They usually have a width of about 30 to 35mm. The smaller width gives the skater more room to maneuver. Also artistic skaters usually want a smaller wheel (55 to 60mm), but not always. It depends upon the skater and use. If you are a dance or figure skater, you probably would want the larger wheel (62-65mm). If you are an artistic skater you will also want a hard wheel. Look for a wheel that has a hardness of 97A or higher.

Indoor skaters that are interested in just general skating or speed skating would look for a wheel that is anywhere from 35mm to 44mm. The narrower the width the faster you will go. So that means that a speed skater might want a narrower wheel than a recreational skater. Also the wheel height for indoor skaters is usually around 62mm. The wheel hardness would depend upon the type of surface. The standard hardness would be a 97A. However if the surface is slippery, I would go with a 92A to a 95a.

If you are going to be skating outdoors, you will need a wheel that is softer. I would look for a wheel that has a hardness of 88A or lower. The softer the wheel the smoother the ride; however the softer wheels will not be as fast as the harder wheels. So you will need to balance that based upon your needs. The wheel height of an outdoor wheel would be from 60mm to 65mm. The width should be somewhere between 34mm to 42mm.

With this information you can now go ahead and be informed about the kind of wheels that you need. Definitely look at the colors but only pick a wheel that meets your needs!

You can find some great skate deals at My Roller Skate World. Check out these links:

Roller Skate Wheels

Speed Skates

View the original article here

What You Should Know About The UFC

The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is currently recognized as the largest MMA promotion worldwide, is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC began as a tournament to find the best fighters in the world, and was based on the Brazilian vale tudo fighting style. Originally, it was known as a no holds barred fighting contest, which eventually led to accusations of human brutality. After criticism reduced the UFCs visibility was diminished by these accusations, the organization reformed itself and adapted strict, athletic commission sanctioned rules, remarketing itself as a legitimate sporting event.

This idea of a tournament geared towards finding the best world fighter was that of Art Davie, a Southern California based advertising executive who developed this concept while researching martial arts for a client. Davie went on to become the student of Rorion Gracie, a teacher of mixed martial arts. In 1992, Gracie, Davie, and John Milnus, a film director and screen writer, in addition to being a fellow Gracie student, developed a business plan to generate the initial capital required to start WOW Promotions in order to develop their tournament into a television franchise.

The fledgling company partnered with Semaphore Entertainment Group in 1993, and the name Ultimate Fighting Championship was born. The first event was produced at McNichos Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12,1993 and featured kick boxer Patrick Smith and Kevin Roier, and as well as savage fighter Gerard Gordeau, and others. The appeal for this how, including its core proposition can a wrestler beat a boxer? was a contrast from most martial arts events at the time, where competitors typically had skill and expertise in just one discipline and little to no experience in other disciplines.

In 2001, The UFC was purchased for $2 million and came under the control of its parent company Zuffia, which resulted in a return to pay per view for the UFC after a plunge into relative obscurity after Senator John McCain criticized it as human cockfighting. The UFCs secured spot on The Best Damn Sports Show Period only added to its renown and reputation. After being featured in the reality television series, American Casino, the UFC was featured in its own reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, showcasing up and coming MMA fighters. The success of this show led to a second show UFC Unleashed, which featured select fights from UFC events, as well as a live broadcast entitled UFC Fight Night. After the first season of the Ultimate fighter, the first UFC event drew a pay per view audience of 280,000, and the next season of The Ultimate Fighter drew in a record 410,000 pay per view buys, leading to the present, with the UFC holding its own in the world of mainstream sporting events.

To learn more about mma and your favorite cage fighter please visit our site.

View the original article here