ISSUE # 3 IMPROVISED WEAPONS 101

    A majority of people are under the notion that a gun is the ultimate solution in a defensive situation where they are being assaulted. In most cases using the gun response is going to be the wrong response. Let’s look at the big picture and realize that not every self-defense situation is going to warrant the use of a firearm, and in many circumstances carrying a firearm is prohibited and could possibly leave you wide open for criminal or civil penalties and in a split second lighting attack on the street or out on the town where split seconds count, drawing your firearm may not be your best bet and by doing so could even get you killed.

Of all the available weapons you might posses; the most effective one is your brain. No matter what type of defense weapon you use, you have to be able to think tactically in a defensive situation so let’s tap into your brain and break down your defensive options and take a look at blasting back at your attacker empty handed or using improvised weapons such as: Pepper Spray, Tactical Pens, Tactical Flashlights and even Canes.

1. EMPTY HANDED: Not every situation will require you to use a firearm, if you are out on the town anything can happen and if somebody decides they want to accost you, you are going to need the ability to respond with the appropriate level of force.
    To respond properly you must be trained, and you need to choose self defense training that works for you. With over 2000 years of knowledge, United Studios of Self Defense has a program to fit your needs while teaching you the skills you will need to be confident. With confidence, you will be able to apply your skills instantly and reflexively if you ever need to defend yourself if you are assaulted.

If you decide to carry an improvised weapon such as pepper spray or a Kubaton. Your training should also integrate with your weapon-based skills, where you are able to employ common body Mechanics and develop the skills to fight your way to weapon deployment.

2. TACTICAL PEN: Tactical pens are low profile and extremely potent as a personal defense tool. The tactical pen is more resilient than flesh and bone and will greatly increase the effectiveness of your strikes and transform a simple hammer-fist strike into a bone-breaking focused impact, giving you the critical edge in a defensive situation. There are many tactical pens on the market today, you should find one that is large enough to firmly grasp in your hand, textured to prevent it from slipping when it impacts your attackers skull and devoid of any sharp edges or angles that could cause you injury when you hammer-fist your assailant.

3. PEPPER SPRAY: Your best friend in a defense situation is going to be distance. You want a weapon that will allow you to address the threat from a distance so you can have the tactical advantage. Pepper spray is a good choice because it’s legal to carry in most jurisdictions. Exposure to it will cause watering of the eyes, coughing, choking and a severe burning sensation. (Be careful when you spray your attacker that the wind does not blow it back in your face). However pepper spray or OC is not a 100 percent guaranteed solution. Some people will not be as affected by it. Just keep in mind that Pepper Spray is a tool to maximize your chances of success and needs to be integrated into your tactics and skills.

    Depending on the style and size of your pepper spray it could also used as an impact weapon with your tactical pen/flash light skill set. There are sprays that that are a kubaton-style for this exact reason. If your pepper spray is too small to strike with- or you don’t want to engage an attacker that you just blasted -you could then target the attacker’s knees, shins and ankles to create mobility kill. Kicks to the groin, if you are able to get them in are also a viable option. Keep in mind that thee more versatile and adaptable you are, the better your chances of not being assaulted, not to mention you’ll be much safer.

4. LIGHT ‘EM UP:  A high quality tactical flashlight such as the NEBO Redline Select 5620 310 Lumen LED Tactical Flashlight with Smith & Wesson LED Clip Light will offer you the same skull crushing potential of a tactical pen and much more. A tactical flashlight primary purpose is to emit light, you can use it to search and identify a potential threat before it happens while sending the message that you are prepared, to any would be attackers who are sizing you up. If you can’t avoid trouble, your tactical Flash light will serve as a force multiplier, enabling you the ability to temporarily blind an attacker before they get to close.

If you are in a low light situation your attacker will be adapted to the diminished light and when you shine a sudden blast of intense illumination in the attackers face, you are harnessing the maximum power of this flashlight with 220 lumens of blinding bright light. (NOTE: Anything above 50 lumens within a 10 yard distance may cause temporary blindness when viewed directly). you can temporarily destroy their vision giving you the critical edge in the defensive situation where you can either escape or deliver a bone-crushing blow while the attacker is in a defenseless state. Just remember that you need to develop these skills to effectively use your tactical flashlight. Just like all the other weapons you must integrate your tactics into a comprehensive, systematic approach that is consistent with the mechanics of you unarmed tactics

5. CANE AND WALKING STICKS: If you are using a cane or walking stick, you already have a weapon in hand and if you wield it properly you can deliver devastating, fight stopping strikes from a distance that most likely keep you safely away from your attacker’s weapon. Reality is that many instructors will approach the cane like a martial arts weapon trying to teach you a set of highly sophisticated set of skills that will not do you any good if you actually need your cane for balance and mobility. You must develop tactics that work with your physique and within the limits of your physical limitations. Your goal is to achieve stopping power to create an opportunity to escape. The most practical way to achieve this is to use two handed, bayonet-style thrust to center-line targets such as your attackers groin, solar plexus, sternum, throat, and face along with powerful, hard to block strikes to the assailants knees and shins. These strikes are very painful and can easily shatter your attackers bones, killing your attacker’s mobility to give you the critical edge to either safely escape or once again deliver a few more bone crushing strikes to finish the job.

    Just like the tactical pen, your cane should possess all of the features of a formidable weapon. You don’t want your cane to appear weaponized, although some design features such as grooves, notches and pointed crooks, will enhance the combat effectiveness of your cane, but you must keep in mind that any such enhancements could possibly make it impossible for you to carry your cane in restricted environments. So if you do want a weaponized cane you should have a really cool story to justify you carrying the stick of death and be able to tell it convincingly.

Everyday we take for granted the water that flows from our faucets on demand when we turn a knob, But what happens when the water stops flowing or becomes contaminated?

What happens when there is a major disaster or a serious crisis, your power and utilities are out, and you can not leave to a safer area? Whether it is a natural disaster or an apocalyptic scenario, there is one thing that is certain: Water will be more precious than gold, becoming a very scarce and expensive must have item that is necessary to survive. Water is an essential element to survival and a necessary item in your emergency supply kit. Following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available. Your regular water source could be cut-off or compromised through contamination. Prepare yourself by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency.  To supplement your supply of water, we recommend you include a waterBOB® to help supplement your water supply. At the first sign of trouble, unfold your WaterBOB in your bathtub and fill it up. The waterBOB®  has a maximum capacity of 100 gallons of water, that should be enough water for you and your family to drink, cook, clean and keep the toilets flushing for two to three weeks,  which should be enough time for the utilities to be restored or for you and your family to be evacuated.

    Now a few of you might be thinking, why would I need to purchase a waterBOB® when I could just plug my bathtub up and fill it? We’ll, I’m going to inform you that exposed water is useless water. You need your water to be contained as much as possible. For example, if you filled your tub up with water before a hurricane and a portion of your roof or wall gets ripped off, it’s almost a gaurantee that your water will be contaminated with debris. The waterBOB® is constructed of heavy duty plastic that is FDA compliant for food storage that will protect your water from dust, mold, bacteria, soap scum, bugs and animals. In addition you won’t have to worry about small children accidentally falling in and drowning.

   

    The waterBOB® is very simple to use. Just follow the instructions and you will have plenty of water that you are able to transfer into more portable containers. Since the waterBOB®  does not have a filtration system, your water is only going to be as clean as it was when it flows from your bathtub spout. Never wait in line again to buy expensive bottled water! Be prepared with the waterBOB®. To keep the water fresh, cover the waterBOB® with towels and close any window treatments to prevent direct sunlight. When fresh water is no longer needed, slit the side of the liner and drain the remaining water. The bladder should be disposed and recycled.

ISSUE # 2 Don't Be A Victim!

      Natural Disasters, Terrorism, The Zombie Apocalypse, There are dozens of situations that people prepare for some are real some are fictional. Unfortunately, Being a victim of a violent Home Invasion, or having your home burglarized is not a fictional scenario, the bad news is that crime is always happening and it does not matter where you live. It is a common mistake for us to say “I live in a safe neighborhood; nothing is going to happen to me.” According to the F.B.I you are dead wrong with this type of thinking, because your safe neighborhood is exactly where “The burglars go to find unsuspecting victims. In 2012 an estimated 8,975,438 property crimes took place with the victims suffering an estimated $15.5 billion in lost property”. Experts agree that your chances of being victimized by a professional burglar are very low but should still be proactive, making your home a safe haven.

    Now don’t think that running out and buying an AR-15 is going to be the answer to beefing up your home security, because you would be wrong, even if you own a firearm at this very moment, you need to have a more comprehensive Home-Defense Plan in place and understand that Burglaries are a crime of opportunity, committed by criminals (most likely a male teen, living a couple of miles around your home) who seek an easy target. However Home invasion robbers are going to take their time and select their victims well in advance, in either situation, let’s break down your defensive options that will go a long way in keeping your family safe.

     To keep your family safe, you must understand how a burglar thinks. Most burglars are going to decide in a few seconds whether they will target your home or move on and will most likely:

                                                                                    

DONE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: Once Inside your home, Burglars will head straight for the master bedroom because they know that’s where you keep your money, jewelry, and firearms, Burglars will spend anywhere from six to twelve minutes in your home. About the time it takes you to rent a movie from REDBOX. So keep your valuables locked in a safe.
 

HOME INVASIONS: Are usually very violent crimes committed by a different type of criminal who targets their victims prior to the invasion either by your occupation or because of their recent activities, such as carrying or spending a lot of money so don’t go around town trying to be a high-roller trying to attract the ladies because you just might attract the wrong attention and wind up with a few unexpected house guest. Criminals know what they want and don’t mind getting down and dirty to get it. Home Invasion Burglars will knock or ring the doorbell and force their way into the house when you open the door to see who is there.

You don’t have to be paranoid about being a victim, because that is not going to be effective. Having situational awareness, on the other hand, is, you must understand that being aware and prepared is simply being responsible. So take control and be observant in your life, you should always be scanning and assessing  everything and every one around you, mix up your daily routine by leaving and arriving home at different times and travel different routes, this will help you assess if you are being followed. If you think your being followed, try taking a few left turns and then a right turn, if you are still being followed you should dial 911 and explain that you are being followed, the operator will advise you what 

steps to take. When you arrive home you should vary your entry and exit points, just so that you are not so predictable.

SEEK EASY TARGETS: The majority of burglars will look for easy targets such as a house or an apartment that they can easily break into, steal from, and then leave without being seen or caught. Although “professional burglars” do exist, most criminals are opportunists who look for vacant homes with an unlocked door or an open window. Most break-ins occur on the ground floor of the residents with the burglar gaining entry through a rear or side door (both locked and unlocked) with the garage door the second most common access point. Burglars have no problem breaking down doors or shattering windowpanes to enter residences. This is why it’s important to reinforce the main entry points that burglars target and make it as difficult as possible for them to gain entry. Keep in mind, most burglars will spend only a minute or two trying to break in. If they aren’t successful within that time frame, they will likely give up, as the extra time and effort increases the likelihood of apprehension.

HOURS OF OPERATION: Burglars typically keep the same hours you do and will strike between the hours of 9:00a.m & 3:00p.m so that they can avoid running into you.

KEEP YOUR YARD TIDY: By keeping your yard clean, and all shrubs and bushes trimmed, especially near your windows, you won’t be giving any burglars a place to hide, giving you and your neighbors an unobstructed view of your property.

When you make big purchases such as computers and Big Screen TV’s, break down your empty boxes so they are not hanging out of the recycling bin advertising your valuables.

    You should also collect your mail and newspapers regularly to show occupancy. If you are going to be away for awhile make sure that mail and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or you make arrangements with a neighbor or friend to pick them up. It’s also a good idea to also get your neighbor to tend your yard and keep an eye on your house while you are on vacation. Whatever you do, do not post on social media sites that you will be away on vacation.

INSTALL FLOOD LIGHTS: You want to make sure there are no dark areas around your house, garage, or yard at night that would hide any prowlers. Burglars hate outdoor lighting (especially motion activated lights). Make sure your lights are easily reached but can’t be messed with; just keep in mind if its easy for you to reach the light bulbs, then it’s going to be for burglars as well. Use flood lights appropriately to ensure effective illumination and that every entrance has a bright, working light to illuminate visitors. Make sure your house numbers are clearly displayed so that police and other emergency responders can quickly locate your house.

INSTALL SOLID-CORE DOORS WITH PEEPHOLES AND DEAD BOLT LOCKS: You are going to want to replace the ¾ inch screws that are commonly installed in your door hinges with at least 1-inch screws using fasteners that will reach into the studs behind the door frame. You want to use doors that feature wide-angle peepholes at heights everyone can use. You may consider installing The Brinno Peephole Viewer that uses an LCD panel to display who’s at the door with just a push of a button. If you have glass panels in or near your door, you need to reinforce it by adding 3M safety and security window film to prevent it from being shattered. Having lighted entryways with a working, keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt will help deter some burglars.

GARAGE AND SLIDING DOORS: The door leading into your home from the garage should be a solid wood or metal door with a quality keyed lock and deadbolt along with reinforced door frames and kick plates. If you have the option we recommend you add a peephole to this door as well, that way if you do hear anything going on in the garage, you don’t have to open the door and invite them in. On your sliding doors you should be utilizing a dowel or a pin to secure the sliding glass door to prevent it from being shoved aside or lifted from the track.

GARAGE DOOR WINDOWS: Burglars love to window shop for high value items, don’t do them any favors and tempt them to make you their next victim. Replace your garage door with one that doesn’t have windows.  If that is not an option you should frost cover the windows for the same result.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR GARAGE OPEN: Leaving your garage open is allowing anyone to drive or walk by and get a full view of what you have. Just keep your door closed at all times, even if you’re running down the block to rent a movie from REDBOX. A burglar doesn’t need long to walk in and take what he wants, don’t give them any chance.

TAKE YOUR KEYS: This just might be the biggest security mistake you could make, parking your vehicle in the garage and leaving the keys in it. Most people have multiple keys and spares on their key ring and you’re basically leaving your house open for the burglar, you might as well invite him in and sign the house over if you’re making this common mistake.

PARKED CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY: If you can’t park in the garage, don’t make the mistake of leaving the garage door opener in your vehicle along with your spare keys (I KNOW, RIGHT). This sounds crazy but burglars will break into your vehicle, take the garage door opener or your keys and walk right in.

PROTECT YOU WINDOWS: Every window in your home needs to have a working lock or be securely pinned and locked, even when you have them open just a few inches for ventilation, you don’t want to leave any chance for a burglar to sneak in through your windows, even if it’s on the second story. For an added measure of security you can have bars installed, but make sure you get a model that will allow you to open them from the inside incase of an emergency. The last thing you need is to become trapped in your own home. Another added defense measure would be to apply 3M Safety and Security Film that is made of layers of tear-resistant micro layers that will prevent the glass from shattering, it will not make the windows bullet proof, but it will act as a deterrent and slow down any intruder.

KEEP YOUR SHADES OR BLINDS CLOSED: Our homes are where we keep some of our most valuable belongings, the things we’ve worked so hard for throughout our lives, material possessions and family heirlooms, and by keeping your blinds closed, will not allow any burglars to go window shopping while you’re at work.

DON’T ADVERTISE: Burglars go for cash, jewelry, electronics and other easy to sell items and they really love firearms. Criminals also love that sign on your front lawn saying “Don’t worry about the dog, worry about the owner” or the sticker in your car window saying this car is protected by GLOCK. Advertising you have firearms may deter some burglars but the fact is they look for these types of signs, so think twice before you advertise.

INVEST IN A SECURITY SYSTEM: Having a monitored home security system will deter most criminals; it is a hassle for them to try and bypass the alarm system. And just having the posted sign in your yard from a known security company will make any criminal think twice. We also recommend you install a burglar blaster, a self contained electric OC pepper spray anti-burglar system. You can install one yourself because there is no wiring involved. It uses a passive infrared detection system, one unit controls up to 2,000 square feet. Once triggered, the unit releases four ounces of irritating OC pepper Spray to stop an intruder in seconds.

www.burglarblaster.com

ADD A HOME SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM: Having a monitored home security system is a must have in case of an emergency, you don’t want to go looking for intruders, just sit back and view your surveillance cameras to asses the situation, giving you the critical edge over the bad guys, because you will have plenty of time to react and take appropriate measures. A Home Surveillance system is a great deterrent, since bad guys don’t like being recorded while they commit a crime.
We also recommend getting a system that will send you alerts allowing you to monitor you surveillance feeds from your mobile phone and computer. For more information on surveillance systems visit:  www.defender-usa.com

FORTIFY YOUR HOME: Okay Mr. Money Bags, you don’t need to live in a hardened missile silo to protect your family, you can live in an elegant house designed by a team of experienced internationally recognized and highly specialized team of engineers, scientists and ex-Navy SEALS who are experts in the fields of building fortifications, personal security, advanced security systems and offensive/defensive components. Hardened structures can confidentiality design and construct your fortified home to meet your individual architectural style.

     Our friends at Hardened Structures can build you an elegant fortified home to help protect you and your family against a wide range of threats including forced entry/assaults (Home Invasion), and even a zombie apocalypse. Your family and loved ones are special, just don’t buy a or build a home, Show your loved ones how special there are by building an elegant fortified home to keep them safe while providing for your family’s long term living requirements.

For more information visit www.hardenedstructures.com

GET A HIGHLY TRAINED PROTECTION DOG: Having a cuddly alarm system that can be more reliable than a security system and provide you with faster home defense than your firearm can be the difference between life and death.  Everybody knows that there are three things in life that man loves most: a good woman, lots of loaded firearms and a loyal dog. It may not be in that order, but having all three of these in life will provide you with many cherished memories of comfort and joy. Of the three only one will be guaranteed to be fighting by your side, and we’re not talking about the one that could run off with Sancho, or run out of ammo in a fire fight. Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals, and a highly trained personal protection canine can assess any situation in a flash. Just imagine your canine warrior alerted to the sound of an intruder and before you can even react, the intruder has 75 pounds of fur, teeth and muscle closing in on him at 35 mph.

    You can rest assured that when  your canine warrior latches on viciously to the intruders leg, arm or private parts, that the intruder is not paying you any attention, giving you the critical edge to escape and call 911 or aim for center mass and put the intruder down then call 911. Now don’t get into your head that your going to run to your local pet store and buy an attack dog, It takes a certain dog with the proper drive and characteristics to become a home defense canine. Having a trained warrior can start as high as $8,000 and exceed $50,000, so get it out of your head that you’re going to train one yourself. In fact our friends are canine experts and only work with certain types of dogs that are born and bred for their specific life mission.
For more information contact:

Alex Dunbar -Trainer (CQB K-9) www.cqbk9.com

 

ISSUE # 1 Know Your Enemy

It’s that time of the year again when ghastly ghouls and the Undead, The living dead. Mindless reanimated corpses motivated by an instable craving to feast on candy will be invading our neighborhoods and shopping malls. In the event that this Halloween turns into a nightmare worthy of a J.J Abrams movie adaptation of a Halloween zombie apocalypse, Having the proper gear and knowledge will be power.

In order to battle flesh-eating hordes of the undead you must have the proper zombie stopping ammunition. Before it’s to late visit West Coast Ammo to get the right ammo with some serious zombie-killing capabilities and take advantage of their buy one, get one 50% off Halloween sale on all Hollow Points. Get as much as you can before it’s too late and the unprepared storm every gun store in the Inland Empire and clean off the shelves. Once you have your ammo stockpile don’t feel guilty about hording your sacred stash of ammunition, you’re simply being responsible and preparing for the worst.

If you are in need of more than ammunition then we suggest you arm yourself with the SIGM400 SERIES TACTICAL RIFLE, designed for use in law enforcement, military operations, or the sporting field as well as competitive zombie shooting. The SIGM400 is a true AR platform tactical rifle that will provides you unparalleled accuracy when shooting those pesky zombies. With a 16" chrome-lined and phosphate coated barrel that provides maximum durability and corrosion resistance. A 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminum forged lower receiver adds to the durability and reliability. In order to battle any potential ghastly ghouls you must first understand them. Especially when you know there is a fate much worse than death for being ignorant and not taking the time to read this newsletter: and that fate is becoming infected and turning into a putrid flesh eating zombie and possibly turning on the one's you love the most.
To avoid the uncomfortable situation of becoming infected and turning into a zombie and possibly feasting on your loved ones and then putting your friends and family in the position to have to shoot you in the head, Inland Empire Urban Survival Newsletter recommends that you make The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, a must have item in your GO-BAG just in case you find your self battling the undead ghouls. At the very least it will make for some interesting reading. In the meantime Inland Empire Urban Survival Newsletter presents you 10 zombie slaying facts right from the book that may increase your chances of survival.

1. Zombie-ism is strictly the result of a virus that kills all living tissue except the brain, which mutates into a new organ that controls the entire body within 24 hours. Do not be fooled by so called” voodoo zombies”; they’re not actual zombies, just comatose humans under the influence of a powerful narcotic. They can be killed the way a normal human can. When in doubt, play it safe by proceeding with brain annihilation (see #3).

2. You don't have to be bitten by a zombie to contract the virus. It can be contracted through any fluid exchange, such as brushing an open wound against a zombie in combat, or being splattered by zombie shrapnel after blowing one up. Keep your mouth closed and consider wearing safety goggles for close range shots, explosions, or bludgeoning.

3.Because the mutated” brain" is the only part of a zombie that's alive, the only way to kill a ghoul is to destroy this organ by shooting it, smashing it, impaling it, burning it, blowing it up, or any other means of obliteration. Decapitation merely kills the body from the neck down-the head remains alive. If you decapitate a zombie, do yourself and humanity a favor and finish the job. No one wants to get bitten on the ankle by some zombie head lying inconspicuously on the side walk.

4. despite the creative license exercised in many zombie movies and video games, the undead do not possess superhuman strength or speed. They have the same physical abilities they had as humans. If Bob the Human couldn't climb a building facade or run a 4.2 forty, neither can Zombie Bob. The undead may not be fast, but they never tire because they don't need oxygen and therefore don't get winded. So never feel secure just because you outran one; chances are it's still on your trail and gaining on you like tax day in April.

5. Zombies do possess superior hearing and olfactory capabilities so keep quiet and try to minimize or disguise your scent. They see well but don't rely almost exclusively on eyesight, like humans. Which means they are every bit as relentless and dangerous in darkness as in daylight. Don’t bother stabbing or shooting out their eyes. It’s like putting a blindfold on a bat.

6. When shooting a zombie, throw "two the chest, one to the head” out the window. The only shot that matters is the one to the head, which can kill it. Zombies don't have functioning nerves, so they don't feel pain. Body shot's won't slow them down any-unless they tear up the muscles propelling them-and are a waste of ammo. You don't need to slow down an already slow enemy; you need to destroy it.

7. Never use full-auto or even three-round burst on zombies. Filling ghoul bodies full of lead is a futile exercise and again, a waste of valuable ammunition. Take the time to execute well-placed head shots. You’ll be more effective, conserve ammo, and generally feel better about yourself if you adhere to a "one shot, one kill” mantra.

8. You don't need the biggest, baddest caliber to take out a zombie, just one that can penetrate the skull. A 500+yard shot at a zombie may serve to do nothing more than attract more zombies your way. Try to select a round that's common and easy to find, as you may need to raid abandoned gun stores if the outbreak gets bad enough. If you can use the same round for both your carbine and handgun, that’s exemplary zombie-fighting efficiency.

9. Zombies don't retain any memories from when they were human, so appealing to your zombie brother about the good times you had as kids as he advances to eat your face is pointless. Don’t waste your breath; waste his "brain.” That rotting, stinking ghoul is no longer your brother. And even if it was, do you want him condemned to walking the earth in search of human flesh for the next three to five years, the average lifespan of a zombie before it decomposes entirely?

10. this is a cold, hard slap of reality, but should you get bitten by a zombie and don't wish to join their ranks, there’s really only one option. There’s no known cure for the virus, and it's only a matter of hours before you're lumbering toward your loved ones for lunch. If you can't take yourself out, ask a friend or family member to do it. If they refuse, tell them you'll eat them first-this should be sufficient motivation. Just make sure whoever does it executes a well-aimed head shot. If the brain isn't destroyed, reanimation of your corpse is still possible.

 

GO-BAG 101

If there is anything scarier than facing a disaster it must be facing a disaster unprepared. So when you have a SHTF moment that is worthy of a J.J Abrams movie adaptation, I want you to be prepared. That’s why I am going to cover the GO-BAG…the survival pack back you will need in case you have to “GTFO” quickly. With a little bit of planning you will be prepared for whatever disaster life throws at you. Most experts suggest that your GO-BAG should contain enough supplies to last you three days (72 hours).

There are dozens of sites on the internet with plenty of information on prepping and survival and it can be overwhelming and you might be wondering how you can prepare a GO-BAG for a disaster without becoming one your self. It’s actually pretty basic, and all you need to do to increase your chance of survival in a true SHTF Scenario is to prepare for your needs in the aftermath of any disaster by preparing a GO-BAG to meet you needs. The crisis is still going to be there, you are just going to be better prepared than the rest of the masses for the discomfort that can follow a natural disaster.

 So what goes into a GO-BAG, There are five basic necessities that are critical for any survival GO-BAG: food,water,shelter,security,and fire. And of course you are going to want a change of fresh clothes.

Now we cant forget the women, they are with us for better or worse and when things do get worse in a SHTF situation, And they will. Keeping Sanitary conditions will be very crucial to survival and my wife as found a few objects that she has packed for her and the girls in their GTFO Bags and has even given me a basic understanding of proper sanitation for women that is necessary to ensure that diseases and illness do not occur. Typically, in a post SHTF situation, we need to think about sanitation conditions because they are going to be at a minimum (at the very least). Therefore, a woman’s personal hygiene is essential to her health and should be considered a Top priority. When sanitary conditions are not up to par, there is an increase of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diphtheria. Typically, women and children are the most affected by poor sanitation conditions. Taking proper precautions and stocking up on sanitary items will help eliminate most dangers for your loved ones.

Let’s start with the GO-BAG and work our way down the list of basic gear  you need in your GO-BAG to help you survive any disaster situation.

THE GO-BAG: A 72 hour BAG (GO-BAG) According to most experts, need’s to contain enough FOOD and WATER to last you (72 hours) three days, along with a few important items for survival such as:  SHELTER, FIRE, CLOTHING, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, NAVIGATION, SIGNALING, COMMUNICATIONS, SECURITY. Your GO-BAG bag should be well constructed, able to  withstand the rigors of any disaster situation and should be reasonably comfortable when it’s packed full of survival gear. Your GO-BAG needs to have adjustability to properly fit you so if it lacks adjustment or is not properly designed it will be uncomfortable not allowing proper weight distribution. Make sure that you carry the weight  on your hips and not the shoulders. Now keep in mind that the more gear you carry, the heaver the bag. (For more information, refer to, SELECTING THE RIGHT GO-BAG).  Just remember when you select a GO-BAG; it needs to fit you and your needs.

A HIGH QUALITY SURVIVAL BACKPAC (GO-BAG) CAN BE  EXPESINVE,SPEND THE MONEY AND PURCHASE THE BEST GO BAG YOU CAN AFFORD

WATER: Water is a top priority. You should have at least 3 litters in your GO-BAG. A liter a day is the absolute minimum you need to live, but you could need up to a gallon a day. Having adequate water in you bag is heavy and bulky, so start with having a  Camelbak 100 oz/3.0L MIL SPEC Antidote Accessory Reservoir Long 90857 in your bag and Get your self  a good microbiological water purifier like the Camelbak All Clear Purifier Bottle (750ml/25oz, Pure Blue ) that will give you Reliable Purification, Whatever the Destination. CamelBak® All Clear™ utilizes proven UV technology to effectively neutralize microbiological contaminants to EPA standards. With a built-in LCD to confirm your results, purification has never been easier. CamelBak All Clear turns nearly any tap or clear natural water source into potable drinking water in just 60 seconds, letting you hydrate on the spot. And, since CamelBak All Clear is a water bottle as well as a purification system, you can enjoy your water right after treatment or carry it with you.



SHELTER: Staying Warm & Dry is going to be essential to your survival and the fist thing to come to mind is adding a tent, but that will add a lot of weight to carry when you have to BUG-OUT. Instead, pack a Digital Woodland Camouflage - GI Enhanced Poncho (Nylon Rip-Stop) to keep you and your GTFO Bag dry while you’re hiking and double's as a tarp for a quick shelter. When the weather turns bad you’ll be prepared. The benefit of this poncho over a tent is its light weight and has multiple uses. Another item that is a must have is Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack . With this item you could sleep in a foot of snow and stay dry and warm. Now don’t forget to pack the 11.4mm AssaultLine Static Rope (Black, 150')  to build a shelter line.  AssaultLine is THE original low visibility, low elongation/static rope. Designed specifically for military, police and other applications where low visibility is required. Its construction is the same superior design and quality as the BWII series of ropes but with a double twist cabled polyester sheath and a double twist cabled nylon core.

FIRE: Fire is one of the basic essentials for our survival on this planet. Whether it is for warmth, cooking, light, or a sense of security, us humans depend on fire. There are very few, if any, environments on the Earth where humans can survive (over the long term) without it. Now storm proof lighters and UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case, 25 Stormproof Matches and 3 Strikers - Orange have a place in your GO-BAG The UCO Stormproof Match Kit is waterproof and holds 25 matches as well as spare strikers. UCO Stormproof Matches burn for around 15 seconds, no matter how harsh conditions may become. The matches are windproof, waterproof, and even continue burning underwater. An integrated striker is attached on the side of the Match Kit, and can be replaced when worn out.
you should have a few different ways to start a fire. Don't rely on a single source to produce fire. I carry and depend on my Light My Fire Original Swedish FireSteelArmy12,000 Strike Fire Starter Black which was originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, The legendary Swedish FireSteel® is the original magnesium fire starter. The Swedish FireSteel 2.0® comes with an improved striker that makes it even easier to build a fire in any weather and at any altitude. Good fire starting principles apply for any kind of fire. You will need a nest of tender to receive the spark and kindling ready. If you’ve made traditional flint and steal or a bow drill fire you will appreciate 5,500 degree sparks these strikers produce. Be sure to carry Vigilant Gear® Tinder-Quik 50 pack (1 packet) . Each Tinder-Quik Fire Tab is specially treated to ensure that the cotton is waterproof and provides more than enough burn time to start a fire. Each tab will burn for 2 to 3 minutes. Each bag contain contains 50 piecess .

FOOD: After Water, food is the most critical thing us humans need to survive and thrive in any SHTF situation. Your GO-BAG could be filled with all the latest and greatest gear, but without proper nutrition to sustain your self; your body will weaken and slowly shut down in a matter of days. To combat this problem you’ll need to keep your body fueled up to stay alert and physically ready to handle whatever situation arises in an emergency situation.

 To stay fueled up, we recommend that you’ll need to pack some light snacks such as trail mix,  beef jerky and protein bars along with some MRE's or freeze dried meals.

Now we can’t forget the standard MIL-SPEC diet of the (MRE) Meal Ready to Eat. The MRE is not going to be much better than a 72 hour kit. But the menu is going to be more diverse than you think. A complete MRE consist of an entrée, where you’ll find your protein (meat).Most will also have a starchy side dish and all come with bread and some sort of spread. You’ll also find a treat to satisfy your craving for something sweet, with some sort of cake, cookie, or wet/dry fruit. Almost every meal includes a snack.
 (SORRY NO TOY) And some sort of beverage.  (See the MRE Page for more info)

Now if a Mil-Spec diet of sodium and saturated fat is not your style and you want to lean on the healthy side, you’re in luck, with freeze dried meals made for outdoor adventurers, They are similar to MRE’s lasting for years after their manufacture date, but unlike an MRE these freeze dried eats only offer you a single course, so you’ll need to select a few different options to build a complete meal. These NON MIL-SPEC eats are USDA Inspected for quality and normally get good reviews on tatse, and are, for the most part good for you. There are meals for just about every need so if you have any health concerns, there are meals for vegetarian, organic, gluten-free, MSG-free, and preservative-free meals. There are a few different manufactures so you are going to get a wide variety of meals to fit your taste from scrambled eggs all the way to yakisoba noodles.

The only draw back to freeze dried foods over MRE’S that have their own water activated chemical heater bag is that they do require any where from one to two cups of boiling water per pouch, and a way to heat it, So you’ll need to adjust your water supply so you don’t run out of clean drinking water and at least have a metal water canteen to heat the water, to cook your meal.

SECURITY: In a true SHTF situation you might be dealing with a “Without Rule of Law” situation, or close to it, and people are likely to do crazy things to survive and those that are not prepared are going to want what you have. Being prepared to defend your self is part of the survivalist mindset. I will not go into specifics about what type of gun you should pack because that is hotly debated, and really a personal choice. You need to take a weapon that is comfortable to you. A handgun is Ideal. Outside of guns your survival knife could be used as weapon if you had to. You should be packing a fixed Blade Knife for any survival situation. A fixed blade has less moving parts are more durable. while folding blades and multi-tool blades have there place in your GO-BAG they don’t do it as good as a fixed blade knife. Also something as simple as a big walking stick or club can be a strong deterrent for bad guys. It’s all about giving your self options to defend yourself and the ones you love, along with your resources and supplies. If you do choose to pack a firearm make sure you fully understand the local laws related to the carry and use of a firearm.

LIGHT: There is a high potential that you will need light in  SHTF scenario. You should be packing a high quality hand-held flashlight and a Headlamp that will allow you to keep your hands free for those moments when you need them most. The SureFire Tactical Headlamp is a good choice because it features a high-efficiency LED that provides brilliant white light, adjustable in output from zero to 100 Lumens via the knurled no-slip right-hand control knob. It runs on a single 123A battery contained within the tilt-control knob, and features a battery access cap with a short leash so you can’t drop it. The proprietary refractive optic produces a wide beam optimized for your natural field of view, and included red, blue and green filters give you the option of low-signature light that also preserves dark-adapted vision. Another valuable SHTF feature is a setting for a long-running SOS beacon for when you want to be found. The fine-weave SF camo headband is strong yet comfortable, and features a moisture wicking Breath-O-Prene forehead pad. Built from tough polymer and aerospace aluminum, hard-anodized in Desert Tan, the Minimus Tactical is lightweight, and tough


FIRST AID/MED KIT: A First Aid/Med Kit is another most have item in you GO-BAG.We are not talking about a boo-boo kit. You need a first Aid/Med kit with enough medical supplies to handle several injuries to include major blood loss, penetrating injuries, deep lacerations and third-degree burns. This Mountain series Medical Kit Weekender is a comprehensive kit allowing you to treat six to seven people for seven days. The case is organized and packed full of supplies such as four different kinds of medicines and a comprehensive travel medicine guide.
Now that we have the basics covered, let’s talk about having a Blow-Out kit. Having a Blow-Out kit with you could mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones in disaster situation. Blow-Out kits were introduced by the military to help prevent death stemming from three major traumas to the body including severe blood loss. Penetrating chest wounds, and airway obstructions, I don’t need to tell you that these are not a boo-boo kit that you find at a local drug store. They include specialized tools and supplies to help stabilize a patient until help arrives. Be prepared with the Falcon Operations Group Ventilated Operator Kit providing you with.

Your blow-out kit should at least contain the following items:

· SOFT-T 3^rd Generation Wide Tourniquet or CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) that is a windless based application.

· SWAT-T (Multi-purpose trauma care device) should be available in every kit.

· Compression bandage, such as an Olaes modular bandage(used to apply direct pressure to a wound to stop bleeding)

· Celox Gauze or Combat Gauze is nice to have, even though it expensive, But we are talking life or death and you can’t put a price on your own life or your family members. (These items are hemostatic agents used to coagulate blood and stops sever bleeding from major arteries and veins), Now I think having these might come in handy, Don’t you?

·  Medical exam gloves (universal protection should always be taken when you are touching another person to protect against blood-borne pathogens or other possible disease).

·  Nasopharyngeal Airway 28 FR (soft rubber tube used to maintain an open airway in an unconscious person).

·  A pair of medical scissors (safety scissors that are designed to cut away or remove clothing or gear from a person to expose any damaged areas of the wounded person).

·Halo chest seal (used only when a sucking chest wound is present to assist in the patients breathing).

Regardless if you choose to purchase a complete kit or assemble your own, you need to be able to treat and sustain life long enough for advanced medical care to arrive. Critical Edge recommends attending a medical course learning how to use the tools properly can be a life saver. We highly recommend doing so.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE: It’s very important to make sure you have spare medication in your GO-BAG at all times. If you require prescription medicine you may not remember to grab your prescriptions when you’re rushing out the door. It’s important that you don’t forget to rotate your meds every time you get refills.

CLOTHING: Clothing is very critical in any survival situation and you must be prepared with suitable clothing incorporated into your GO-BAG if you are forced to flee at a moments notice. What is going to happen If you are suddenly caught in a earthquake or other natural disaster common in your area and have to GTFO of your house dressed in the middle of the night in nothing more than your fuzzy silk P.J’S and Cute Little Bunny slippers and only you’re GO-BAG in hand, what is the weather like outside? Is it in the cold rain or dead of winter in a blizzard? Do you really want to picture the thought of yourself hiking through the boonies in your silk P.J’s or shooting hordes of zombies in your Bunny Slippers? Don’t Laugh Cause it could happen to anyone. But not you because you took the time to prepare a GO-BAG with the right gear.
 Don’t get carried away, Your GO-BAG should contain enough gear to sustain you for three day’s. You can carry more of the necessity, like your base shirts, socks, and underwear if you vacuum seal them. You will feel good when you have a fresh change of close after wearing the same underwear and socks for three days.
Don't forget this is your kit and you can change the contents as you think best to accommodate the seasons. The best way to stay prepared is by using subloads, now subloads are a way of preparing for many different environments and weather conditions with out overloading your GO-BAG. Subloads are going to be used to pack different types of clothes grouped together by weather and season.

 Your base subload is going to consist of pants, socks, and underwear. Additional subloads need to consist of clothing for wet or rainy weather, cold weather, extremely hot weather or a combination of them. Each subload should be vacuum sealed making them smaller and watertight, saving room in your bag and keeping your clothes dry. Mark the bags for summer and winter. Now the winter and summer subloads are kept at home and switched as the seasons change. Your wet weather subload should be kept in your GO-BAG and can be removed if not needed prior to bugging out. Regardless of the need for your survival clothing you need to keep in mind your:

·                      Local or planned environment.

·                     Time of year regarding climate.

·                     Space and weight limitations.

·                     COST:  WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD

“WHEN YOU LAY OUT YOUR EMERGENCY PLANS, REMEMBER TO HAVE A COMPLET E SURVIVAL CLOTHING SYSTEM READY FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.”

FIRST LAYER: When building a clothing system, you need to think in layers. The foundation comes first, as in your underwear, there is no away around it, you need to buy quality underwear. You are trying to prepare for a disaster so you need quality goods to keep you going and tighty whiteys are not going to work. You need underwear that can withstand the abuse you might have to put it through during an emergency. You need well constructed underwear with wicking. This means your under garment is constructed with dual-purpose layering. The layer closest to your skin is meant to draw the moisture (your sweat) from your body and wick it to the outside layers. This is a very important feature that will help you prevent chafing and rashes, which could become open sores and get infected. The wicking feature also helps keep cold moisture from resting on your skin, which can lead to hypothermia. In the winter time I would recommend having under armour cold gear.

MIDLAYER: For your mid layer you should start with a Men's Tactical HeatGear® Compression Shortsleeve T-Shirt Tops by Under Armour (Medium/Marine OD Green) Ultra-soft fabric for the best in next-to-skin comfort with this compression shirt. Lightweight, 4-way stretch fabrication improves range of motion and dries faster. Advanced Moisture Transport System to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. Anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes to keep your gear fresher, longer.or if it’s really hot you could sweat smarter with Columbia Men's Freeze Degree Short Sleeve Crew Shirt, White, Large Featuring zonal placement of our most innovative technologies for maximum benefit—ultra-cooling Omni-Freeze ZERO on arms and torso, sweat-and-heat transmitting Omni-Wick EVAP at center back and all-over UPF 50—this performance outdoor tee delivers supreme comfort and protection in extremely hot, humid climates. helping you stay cool while others feel the heat in a SHTF situation . Then pick a durable long -sleeve shirt to wear over it to protect your arms from any type of debris in an urban setting and keep you from getting scratched up in the woods. If you do get hot, you have your base compression shirt so you can remove your long sleeve or you can always roll the sleeve’s up. It’s hard to get much warmth from a short-sleeved shirt when it’s cold.

OUTER WEAR: The first thing you need to keep in mind when selecting your survival pants is fit. It’s essential that you choose loose-fitting pants for movement and for sitting (a pair of ill fitting pants can cut off and reduce the circulation in your legs) and if you enjoy wearing skinny jeans, please leave them at home. In case you need to GTFO and have to drive for hours, a lack of circulation will reduce your physical mobility when it’s time for you to move. One of the most common things newbie’s ask about survival pants is, “Is it OK to wear jeans?” The answer for you will be, “I wouldn’t wear jeans in a survival situating because they neither breathe nor provide the comfort needed for mobility and additionally they are limited in pocket space.”

Here are some critical attributes for your chosen survival pants:

FLEXIBILITY: Your survival pants should allow you to have full range of motion with out hampering your ability to run, crouch, or lie prone. (Did I mention skinny jeans are out? Just abandon them all together and even burn them.)

BREATHABILITY: When choosing your survival pants you must avoid any fabric that will not allow your body heat to escape to the surface.

MOISTURE WICKING: This is not a requisite for survival pants, but more of an added bonus. You should choose proprietary fabrics like Nike’s Dri-Fit or Under Armour’s Moisture Transport System to help you stay cool by maintaining sweat evaporation when the heat gets turned up in a SHTF situation

LIGHTWEIGHT: In a SHTF scenario when you have to GTFO carrying your GO-BAG, firearms, ammo, belt holster, and pouches, all weighing you down, the last thing you want is heavy clothes .You must wear pants that help keep your load to a minimum

DURABILITY: The best survival pants are going to be lightweight, flexible, and Breathable while being able to with withstand the rigors of a survival situation. Ripstop exemplifies this by being very durable. It’s made by weaving thread (such as cotton, polyester, or a blend) in interlocking patterns making it resistant to tearing.

COMMUNICATIONS: In a SHTF scenario, your new Smart Phone just might be actually be pretty dumb, you need to consider other forms of keeping in touch in mind, such as a Spot Global Phone. Okay you may not be James Bond but you’ll be able to communicate like you are. The Spot Global Phone will give you the ability to connect with family and friends whether you’re in the middle of the woods, on an island in the middle of the ocean, or in some form of doomsday scenario. You will have an instant critical connection with no noticeable time delays on a reliable network.

 If feeling like a secret agent is not your style you should at least have walkie-talkies, two-way radios that are GMRS, CB radios, and even a ham, not the kind to eat, but the radio kind. You’ll also need to have a way to keep your electronics charged. But that’s not going to be a problem with light weight solar powered chargers. It’s also a good idea have spare batteries for your electronic devices and flash lights. Make sure the batteries are the same type so you can swap them out while others are charging.

NAVIGATION/BUG-OUT PLAN: A BUG-OUT or Evacuation plan should include the location of emergency areas, rallying points, multiple evacuation routes. Three types of map’s such as city street maps, maps of the area, trail maps, etc (make sure you use a water proof laminate to protect your plans). If you don’t have a compass I would recommend you get a quality Compass like  and a topographic map that uses contour lines to represent elevated terrain and show man-made structures and start practicing old-school navigation until it becomes second nature because you never know when you may need this skill to dramatically increase our chances of staying alive in true SHTF scenario.

Serious situations demand serious Technology to keep you on track and the Casio ProTrek PRG260-1 with Triple Sensor Technology will help you do just that, with three High-Sensitivity sensors to calculate Temperature, Altitude/Barometric pressure and direction with one simple touch of their dedicated buttons. A solar panel combined with a large-capacity rechargeable battery enables this impressive solar time piece to run smoothly for you in any SHTF situation, under any light with no battery replacement.

SIGNALING: In an event that you want to be found, you should think of having bright contrasting colors. Signal mirrors, flares and strobes. Along with the huge forest fire you started while trying to build a signal fire, these are just basic methods to help you get noticed.

PERSONAL BACKUP: Important papers including insurance papers, all licenses, marriage, birth and death certificates, inoculation records, passports, deeds, pertinent medical records, and other important papers should be photo-copied and placed in a safety deposit box and one other set in a 100% waterproof pouch, along with (perhaps) a few selected pictures for identification of loved ones if needed. The pouch should either be put into your GO-BAG, or placed in an area that would allow quick and easy insertion into your GO-BAG when needed. I would also recommend including a video documenting your house, Just in case your house is destroyed, you will have the vital documentation for reconstructing what you’ve lost.
 

SOLAR-POWER: You can plan for any situation and have the best gear to help you survive but it won’t amount to much if you can’t keep your GPS unit, or batteries for your flash light and optics charged. There is a whole market of solar powered gear for survivalist to help you keep your gear going no matter what the situation.(for more information, see OFFGRID SOLAR POWER)