As you begin selecting, purchasing, and accumulating survival gear, clothing and equipment, one variable not often discussed is color. Most survival writers probably don’t even think to discuss what color your gear should be because they probably in many ways think that it doesn’t matter. But is that really true?
Color may not necessarily matter… but it could matter a great deal. Interestingly enough, one of the most common color choices available in the survival gear realm is Caution Orange or O.D. (olive drab) Green. It is almost amusing because… you could not get more opposite than this in colors. One commands you to notice it even if you don’t want to, while the other can be difficult to see even when are looking right at it!
So, what gives? Well, the reason for this is simple. Retailers have learned something very interesting about their customers… something very insightful when you realize what you are looking at.The two most common colors offered in the vast majority of survival equipment, Caution Orange and O.D. Green, are completely opposite because… each of these two colors appeals to a completely different kind of survivalist! The color your favorite survivalist chooses may just give you some insight into what motivates them or perhaps what survival scenario they most anticipate facing!
The “Caution Orange” survivalist may see the most realistic threats as natural disasters, getting lost or stranded, and the threat ends when rescue arrives. This kind of survivalist prefers the brightest and most reflective survival gear they can buy so it will get seen quickly. The “Caution Orange” survivalist chooses bright and reflective as a signaling function.
Another reason a “Caution Orange” survivalist may prefer this color is… if he drops or misplaces the item, it will be easier to relocate because it is bright orange! Drop an O.D. Green or ACU digital camo knife in the woods and you can pretty much kiss that sucker goodbye. The “Caution Orange” survivalist values his tools very much and wants to design into his survival plan a easier way to recover his tools if he drops or misplaces them.
The O.D. Green survivalist has other concerns. He is confident in his ability to stay alive until he is found, and he is confident in his ability to keep track of his prized gear. His main concern is blending in and going unnoticed. If something bad happens and he encounters a large group of hungry people… he wants to avoid them as much as possible. He does NOT want to draw attention. And if he does, he wants to increase his odds of being able to hang onto whatever gear he has , and the best way for him to do this is to make his gear blend in as well.
The “O.D. Green”survivalist may have a more cynical perspective on a survival situation… but he may just be right. While the “Caution Orange” survivalist has more of a short term view of survival situations (lost in the woods, car wreck in remote area, natural disaster, etc.), “O.D. Green” survivalis is more concerned about long-term threats. The “O.D. Green” survivalist will absolutely be prepared for the short term threats that the “Caution Orange” survivalist prepares for, but O.D. Green takes things a step or more further. He prepares his family for truly dire (but completely possible) scenarios like flu long term job loss, pandemic, economic collapse, energy crisis, societal unrest or upheaval, government oppression or takeover, nuclear war, terrorist attack (bio/chem/nuke), or any other more long term crisis.
No one here is endorsing one type of survivalist over the other. I am merely pointing out an interesting observation… an insight of sorts into two basic approaches to survival. This insight could potentially help you refine your survival plan based on what kind of survivalist you are, what motivates you to make preparations, and what scenarios you believe you are likely to face. No one is saying that “Caution Orange” survivalists are “naïve” or “O.D. Green” survivalists are “paranoid”. No such judgment was intended while pointing out this interesting distinction. In fact... maybe you are a bit of each?
None of us really knows what our future holds… but one thing we
do
know is that preparedness and taking precaution is rarely a bad thing.
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