Sept. 1, 2025

EPISODE 4: John Barklow – Be Your Own Rescue: Survival as a Modern Rite of Passage

EPISODE 4: John Barklow – Be Your Own Rescue: Survival as a Modern Rite of Passage

What This Episode Is About

What happens when the only thing standing between you and disaster… is you?

In this episode of The Last Easy Mile, I sit down with John Barklow—a former Navy deep-sea diver, elite survival instructor, and the Big Game Product Manager at Sitka Gear—for one of the most practical, mind-opening conversations we’ve had yet.

We cover Barklow’s journey from suburban Ohio to training Navy SEALs in underwater combat and cliff assaults, to hunting grizzly bears on Kodiak Island and developing advanced outdoor systems for Sitka. But the focus of this episode is crystal clear:

You are your own rescue.

John’s lessons in preparedness, gear, and mindset go far beyond survival shows or gear reviews. He teaches how to think, move, and act in the field—from creating a “possibles pouch” to understanding why your technical clothing matters more than your GPS.

Whether you’re a weekend hiker, backcountry hunter, suburban dad, or bug-out-minded city dweller, this episode will change how you think about risk, self-reliance, and what it means to be truly ready.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

From Deep Sea to High Peaks

  • How John went from archery hunting whitetail in Ohio to training Navy SEALs in cold water diving and cliff warfare

  • The shift from ocean missions to mountainous operations after 9/11

  • Why Afghanistan’s terrain rewrote the playbook on cold-weather combat survival

The Truth About Technical Gear

  • What really qualifies as “technical clothing” (spoiler: it’s not your flannel)

  • Why cotton can kill—and how to layer properly for survival

  • How Barklow introduced the rewarming drill from the military into the hunting world

Building a ‘Possibles Pouch’

  • The 7 survival capabilities every outdoorsman should carry

  • Shelter, water, fire, medical, food, signaling, and repairs—what goes in, what stays out

  • Why the biggest mistake people make is leaving their gear behind

The Rewarming Drill, Explained

  • What to do if you fall into freezing water miles from camp or your truck

  • Why Barklow says “never strip”—and how your gear can save you

  • Step-by-step breakdown of how to dry your clothes using only body heat and knowledge

Survival in the City

  • How his training applies to urban environments and bug-out scenarios

  • What keeps Barklow up at night (hint: it’s not what you think)

  • How to prepare your vehicle, your kit, and your plan for when things go sideways

Mindset: The Core of Readiness

  • Why knowledge “weighs nothing”—and is your best tool

  • How to make decisions under stress

  • The danger of relying solely on technology

 

 

Memorable Quotes from John Barklow

“Knowledge weighs nothing. The more you know, the less gear you need—and the better you perform under pressure.”
“A possibles pouch isn’t a survival kit. It’s your daily insurance against the unexpected.”
“Survival isn’t about gear. It’s about making good decisions with the right mindset before things go bad.”
“If your gear is technical—but your mindset isn’t—you’re not ready.”

 

Featured Resources

 

 

Practical Skills Covered

1. How to Pack a Possibles Pouch

John breaks down his 2.1 lb kit including:

  • Emergency shelter items (space blanket, cordage, knife)

  • Fire-starting tools (tinder, lighters, ferro rod)

  • Water purification (chlorine dioxide tabs)

  • Signaling (whistle, signal mirror)

  • Medical (tourniquet, meds, wound care)

 

2. Rewarming Drill 101

  • Don’t remove wet clothes

  • Layer on your insulation and rain gear

  • Move or hike to generate body heat

  • Regulate your pace and get into shelter, then worry about fire

 

3. Urban Bug-Out Tips

  • Build larger versions of your field kits for your home or vehicle

  • Think beyond gear: plan routes, roles, and rally points

  • Prepare to shelter in place—or have a clear exit plan

 

 

Listen to the Full Episode

 

 

 

Josh Farahi - Host of The Last Easy Mile Podcast

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