Boot Camp Tear Chamber: A Common Recruit Concern

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One of the most common concerns with new recruits is their fear and feelings of anxiety regarding the CS gas chamber that all new military personnel are required to experience. Although the collective voice of experience will agree that it is not a very pleasant training session, millions of people have gone through it before, and millions more will follow without incident.

At the heart of every CS gas training evolution are a few core principles that justify the entire training session. Although it’s a bit frustrating that the mandate to undergo this particular training is not up for negotiation, it’s pretty normal for soldiers, sailors, marines, and the like to be subject to elements and tasks they don’t necessarily agree with. Put simply, “welcome to the military”.

Fortunately, it’s a short evolution, and overcoming the unpleasantry and effects of CS gas only takes a few minutes. In terms of unpleasant experiences, there are far worse things. The whole process will go something like the following:

– Recruit commanders brief the division on the most common side effect of CS gas, which most frequently are involuntary crying, sneezing, coughing, itchy or burning eyes and skin, difficulty breathing, among others.

– Division commanders will also walk recruits through the logistical elements of the training evolution. Including how to file in, what should be done once in the chamber (prior to exposure to the CS gas), how to put on his or her gas mask, what each recruit needs to recite once exposed, how and if to put the gas mask back on, and how and when to file out of the chamber when training is complete.

– According to instructions, recruits will file into the gas chamber alongside their recruit commander. Once inside and filed according to the briefing, capsules containing CS gas will start to be vaporized by trained personnel. After this, the recruit commander begin qualifying the division by requesting gas masks be removed. Depending on the size of the division and how well instructions are adhered to, this can take as long as 20-30 minutes. Training also seems to vary depending on each branch’s requirements and frankly, the mood of the recruit commander.

– Once recruits have completed the in-chamber part of the evolution, most of the time, they are filtered out into the open air to recover. In many cases, this part of the training session involves a lot of saliva, mucous, and tears. As such, there may or may not be a subsequent cleaning party to ensure bodily fluids are properly disposed of.

As mentioned, at the heart of this seemingly sadistic training session are a two key principles that will serve recruits out in the field.

1) Trust your gear. If a soldier or sailor is faced with a real situation in which he or she must wear a gas mask, it’s vital that any reservations about gear performance be eliminated.

2) Focus on the task. Even in high stress situations involving tremendous physical discomfort, it’s important that recruits prove to themselves that they have the ability to stay focused even in spite of pain and physical ailment.

A third element, though not as emphasized during boot camp, is that recruits will walk away from this training session a bit more confident than before. While this principle overshadows almost all aspects of the basic training period, it’s especially true for CS gas training because of the enormous amount of anxiety surrounding it.

Top Spots to Visit in Ely, Minnesota

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Ely, Minnesota has excellent shops, restaurants, outfitters for outdoor adventures, campgrounds, and the entrance gate to Superior National Forest, known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This quaint town has many things that appeal to the adventurous pallet. Why not plan for your next outdoor trip to this gorgeous region in North Eastern Minnesota?

Make sure you get enough time to spend here after your BWCAW excursions to shop and eat. One of my favorite restaurants is the “Chocolate Moose”. This family operated business has a variety of food choices, beer, and their famous deserts. The restaurant is an ideal location to stay and eat after spending days in the wilderness cooking ones meals on a portable camp stove. Even though you may have a short wait to be seated, it is worth the wait.

Next stop is the Piragis North Woods Company. They have everything from canoeing and kayaking accessories, fishing equipment, camp stoves, clothing, t-shirts and sweatshirts just to name a few. Shopping during the summer months you can find all kinds of juicy sales on winter clothing and camping gear. Another venue to see, if you are shopping for a vest or jacket, is Wintergreen Northern Wear. The Wintergreen jackets are famous for their warmth, Will Steiger and Ann Bancroft used these for their explorations to the North Pole.

Maybe you question your skills to prepare for your BWCAW adventure? My suggestion is to use Wilderness Outfitters. They began their business back in 1921; the current owner is extremely personable and knowledgeable in providing you with the necessary equipment, whether you want everything or just a canoe. If you need to get away from the daily grinds of everyday life how about camping, canoeing, and outdoor cooking in the BWCAW as a way to spend your family retreat. These are just a few excellent places to enjoy while visiting this region.

Tips to Reduce Stress: Preventing Stress From Getting the Best of You

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Stress, is more or less, a part of your life whether you like it or not. You are most likely to feel stress while at work, on the road and even while at home. Studies have shown that stress plays a big role in causing some health problems like heart attack and even anxiety disorders. That is why it is up to you to control your stress levels to prevent it from making a big impact in your life. There are some tips to reduce stress that you can apply in your life if you want to keep your stress level to a minimum.

Among these tips is exercise. Exercising is a great way to release tension from your body. You can choose an exercise regimen that best fits you and see how quickly your stress disappears not to mention those accumulated fats in your body. Another effective tip that is usually included in these tips is meditation. Practicing this often especially in stressful situations can help keep you on your feet without increasing your stress levels.

If you are one of those people who think breathing deeply to reduce stress is just a joke, you may be surprised on how effective it is. This is why it is included in various tips to reduce stress. Breathing deeply after a busy day can help clear out your mind. Another step that is included is to let bad things or situations pass. Say that you are driving and someone cuts you off, instead of getting angry at the driver and arguing with him, let it slide. You will be surprised how easier it is for you to go on with your work when you practice this tip.

You may also want to consider having someone to talk to. Keeping a stressful experience within you is counterproductive. Let it out. You will be surprised on how much this will improve your emotional well-being when talking it out with someone. One other example of tips to reduce stress is music therapy. Listen to your favorite songs while you relax and let your mind drift away from the problem.

Getting organized is another helpful example. Try to organize your schedule or your things in such a way that is easy to maintain. When it comes to reducing stress, one of the most helpful tips is to have a pet. Pets are great stress relievers since they are comfortable to be around with. Playing and caring for them can help clear your mind and remove the stress after a hard day’s work.

Following these tips to reduce stress will help keep the level of your stress to a minimum. Keep in mind that too much stress is bad for your health since it can lead to some serious health problems when left unchecked and untreated. These tips to reduce stress can definitely make a big difference on your life. So relax, and don’t let stress get the best of you.

How to Easily Plan a Camping Trip

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Depending upon the season, your camping plan may differ. You may have to pack the snow shoes in December in the mountains, and leave them out in the heat of the summer. Despite the obvious, there are a few essentials you need for every camping trip. Once you’ve packed most of these items, they can stay with your camping gear and you’ll just need to do a quick run-through before each trip!

Give Me Shelter!

Shelter is imperative when camping. Make sure you bring a tent or a tarp. Bring an air mattress or a sleeping bag so you can be comfortable (and possibly warm!) Comforters and pillows are luxury in the wilderness, but if you have the space and are able to bring it, why not? It’s great to have the comforts of home on your adventure! So pull up a chair and get ready for some relaxation.

Dinner Is Served.

Cooking in a camping atmosphere can be as primitive as you wish, or as luxurious as it can get! Essentials include: water, food, a can opener, a camp stove, a lighter, charcoal and a cooler! If you want to get elaborate, you can bring tables and chairs, a tent with a dining area, and a chuck box full of delicacies like paper towels, salt and pepper, plates and bowls, knives, a cutting board and aluminum foil.

Don’t forget to bring cleaning items like brooms and trash bags so you’re able to leave nature the way it was intended.

Scouts Honor

Staying safe in nature is one of the main priorities. The first aid kit is imperative and should include items like bandages, aspirin, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, burn creams, sunscreen, bug spray, scissors, tweezers and a snake bite kit! From hiking blisters to headaches, you need to be prepared.

Ready, Set, Go!

Packing may seem like a hefty task when going camping, but once you get it down pat-its routine and you have everything set and ready to go. Don’t forget about yourself, and especially if you’re packing for a family that includes little ones! You need t-shirts, shorts, pants, socks, hiking boots, or shoes, a hat, rain gear, undergarments, and a bathing suit if its summer. Don’t forget to bring a bag for your worn items-especially if they get drenched in a rain, or sweaty. You’ll want to keep them away from your clean clothing.

So Fresh and So Clean.

You’re going to want to bring some personal items on your trip such as: toothpaste, a toothbrush, towels, soaps, and brushes or grooming essentials and very importantly toilet paper.

What Did I Forget?

Being in nature is about having fun, relaxing and enjoying your home away from home. Make sure to bring cameras, binoculars, bunging cords if you’re doing any climbing, a gps, games, a lantern, matches, rope, a cell phone, a compass, and a whistle.