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How-to: Master Your Kephart Trio

FOOD WATER SHELTER SECURITY COMMS HEALTH

Vol. 7 Issue 7

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VOYAGE Probing the Path of a Pernicious Projectile

ESEE’S

EXPAT FAMILY Three Tough Knives That Make the Cut

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WORRIER TO WARRIOR 5 Steps to Rise Above the Everyman

THE POOR MAN’S

NUCLEAR THREAT

PREVENTATIVE ACTION – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Dirty Bombs Are Too Dangerous to Ignore

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12 POOR MAN’S NUCLEAR THREAT Dirty bombs are too dangerous to ignore. By Al J. Venter

30 GO FROM WORRIER TO WARRIOR

Five steps to rise above the Everyman By Brian M. Morris

48 SELF-RELIANCE 101

Valuable lessons learned from the Great Depression By Dana Benner

78 OVERPOWERING A BROKEN GRID

Keeping the lights on when the electricity stops flowing By Dana Benner

98 FANTASTIC VOYAGE

Probing the path of a pernicious projectile By Will Dabbs, M.D.

HOW-TO

22 WISDOM IN THE WORKPLACE Make your workplace safer. By Sean Curtis

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106 WORKING WITH THE “KEPHART TRIO” Get the most out of your ax/knife/saw combo. By Reuben Bolieu

REVIEWS

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Gear-haulers from Major Surplus and Voodoo Tactical By Steven Paul Barlow

68 THE 15-SHOT UTAS UTS-15 SHOTGUN

From ultimate police shotgun to dinosaur slayer By Will Dabbs, M.D.

88 ESEE’S EXPAT FAMILY Three tough cutting tools By Reuben Bolieu

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year—January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December—by Engaged Media, Inc., 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o VSI, Inc. 905 Kent Street Liberty, MO 64068. © 2018 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada.

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GEAR GUIDE

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HANDHELD POWERHOUSES Brighter and better than ever By Michael D’Angona

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ARE YOU SAFE AT WORK?

ike it or not, workplace violence is “a thing.” It’s always been an issue on some level, but it seems to have regularly gotten to the point at which, rather than having to be concerned about flying staplers or fisticuffs in a cubicle, it ends with one or more GSWs and a ton of media coverage. Of course, the mainstream media gives these unfortunate events a lot of play, because they boost ratings and fit their agenda ... but we’ll leave that topic for another time. As I recall, I became aware of serious workplace violence as the spate of U.S. Postal Service-related shootings mounted in the mid-1980s. There’s no doubt that similar events occurred in other industries, but the common theme, other than the connection with the Postal Service, was that the perpetrators were past or current disgruntled employees. While it’s likely that mental and emotional issues contributed significantly to these crimes, the primary impetus was job and general workplace dissatisfaction and conflicts with supervisors. Because a primary reason for employee resignations in most occupations is unhappiness with a supervisor, it’s easy to see how this situation affects more organizations than just the Post Office. Whether the triggers in these violent confrontations were valid, understandable or inane isn’t the point; what’s important to recognize is that “innocent bystanders,” as well as the offender’s specific targets, were caught in the carnage. Some of those who were injured or killed suffered that fate because they attempted to stop or restrain the culprits. However, most were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and failed to take effective action to protect themselves. If you’re concerned about workplace violence or other threats to your safety and security and how they can be minimized or prepared for at work, I suggest you read Sean Curtis’ article in this issue (“Wisdom in the Workplace," beginning on page 22). As part of his role at work, Sean recently performed a workplace risk assessment, and he shares a number of useful

suggestions for making all work environments less susceptible to risk. As well as internal and external human concerns, Sean’s evaluation included natural and industrial threats to the safety and security of the workers in his building. Be sure to include those hazards in your own evaluation, should you decide to perform or promote one. The degree to which your employer takes workplace security and safety seriously can be a complicated subject. If you feel their preparations lack in ways you can’t overlook or overcome, you might consider asking them to have a bona fide risk analysis performed and upgrading their employee safety plan as appropriate. Even performing a once- or twice-annual fire or evacuation drill is a good, low-cost effort that could also expose areas of concern that would cause management to take the topic more seriously. Many companies are either too small, too frugal or they are basically disinterested in employee safety concerns to provide any substantial protection from external or internal threats. If that’s the case, you ought to consider what you can do on your own to improve your situation—without causing concerns about you among your co-workers or leadership. The simple act of discreetly keeping a get-home bag or emergency kit at your workspace will enhance your ability to address adverse situations. If your concerns are grave, and you don’t feel your employer is interested in providing a safe and secure workplace, you should consider finding another place to work or seek opportunities that allow you to work from home. Teleworking is growing faster than the workforce is expanding; so, depending on your occupation, you might be able to literally be the “master” of your workspace. No matter what steps your employer takes to minimize the potential threats to your safety and security, this is your responsibility first. Chances are, you spend over 25 percent of your week at work and commuting. From the time you head to your job, do everything you can to ensure you’ll get home again—safe and sound. —Mike McCourt

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EDITORIAL Mike McCourt Editor Kelly Nomura Executive Managing Editor Amy Maclean Managing Editor DESIGN Nadezda Sverdlova Art Director CONTRIBUTORS Steven Paul Barlow, Dana Benner, Reuben Bolieu, Sean Curtis, Will Dabbs, M.D., Michael D'Angona, Brian M. Morris, Al J. Venter ADVERTISING Bob Hulsy Ad Sales Director (714) 200-1940 [email protected] Casey Cliff ord Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1982 Mark Pack Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939 Charles Dorr Account Executive (714) 200-1931 Spencer Redmond Account Executive (972) 448-4649 John Bartulin Account Executive (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746 John Cabral Advertising Design Eric Gomez Advertising Traffic Coordinator Gennifer Merriday Advertising Traffic Coordinator MARKETING Michael Chadwick Digital Marketing & Media Coordinator OPERATIONS Robert Short IT Manager Parveen Kumar Newsstand and Circulation Analyst Shailesh Khandelwal Subscriptions Manager Alex Mendoza Administrative Assistant EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614 (714) 939-9991 • Fax: (800) 249-7761 www.asgmag.com www.facebook.com/americansurvivalguidemagazine www.facebook.com/eembybeckett AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year— January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December—by Engaged Media Inc., LLC, 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE, C/O ENGAGED MEDIA INC, VSI, INC. 905 KENT STREET, LIBERTY, MO 64068. © 2018 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST#855050365RT001. Canadian Post: Publications Mail Agreement Pitney Bowes, Inc., P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada CUSTOMER SERVICE Engaged Media, Inc. 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614 Subscriptions, address changes, renewals, missing or damaged copies: (800) 764-6278 (239) 653-0225 Foreign Inquiries [email protected] [email protected] Back issues: www.engagedmediamags.com Books, merchandise, reprints: (800) 764-6278 • Foreign (239) 653-0225 Letters to the editor, new products or to contribute a story or photo: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES $32.95/1 year, $52.95/2 years. Outside the United States, add $32.00 per year payable in U.S. funds. Single copy price is $8.99. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions to begin.

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Benchmade Pardue Hunter Fixed Blade

Coast PS600R Rechargeable Flashlight

SB Tactical SBL Pistol Stabilizing Brace

Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Electronic Headphones

The new Pardue Hunter is a great all-around addition to your backwoods kit, even if you don’t use it to field dress a deer. Its smooth, hand-friendly lines, Micarta handle slabs and drop-point blade will make even extended use feel like quick work. Its overall length is 7.96 inches, and its 3.48-inch blade is made with CPM-S30V stainless steel. At slightly more than 5 ounces, the Pardue Hunter carries well in the included pressure-fit leather sheath that has an integrated guard.

The PS600R flashlight runs on a lithium-ion battery that is strong enough to power other small USB-compatible devices. You can also use four AA alkaline batteries in the included cartridge if you don’t have time for a recharge. Twist the head to adjust the beam from “flood” to “spot.” Lumen output with the rechargeable battery ranges from 42 to 530, with respective runtimes from 35 to 5.75 hours. Maximum beam distance is 686 feet, so you’ll have no trouble lighting up your backyard or a parking lot. The polymer body is tough and textured for a good grip. It is drop rated to 3 meters and water resistant to IPX8 standards.

SB Tactical’s Pistol Stabilizing Brace is a very low-profile, full-cavity brace. Its no-nonsense design adapts to many platforms. The SBL fits all platforms with an AR-style pistol buffer tube. It is compatible with receiver extension diameters of 1.1 to 1.25 inches. This product is ATF-compliant and includes an adjustable, 1-inch-wide nylon strap to customize the fit. Its overall length is 7.8 inches, and it weighs in at 6.25 ounces.

MSRP: $100

Peltor’s new Sport Tactical 500 hearing protectors use 3M SMART technology that suppresses harmful gunshot noise above 82 dBA and has a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 26. Clear Voice Tracking makes it easier to hear speech to improve communication in noisy environments. It also increases the volume of low-level sounds so you are more aware of what’s going on around you. Its controls are easy to use, and it has voice guidance so you don’t have to remove the headset to make adjustments. Bluetooth compatibility allows you to use the Tactical 500 with your smartphone, and the recessed microphones reduce irritating wind noise. These headphones fold to a compact size and are designed to stay out of the way when using long guns.

https://CoastPortland.com

MSRP: $199.99

MSRP: $225 www.Benchmade.com

MSRP: $149.99 www.SB-Tactical.com

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or those preparing for any eventuality, there are some tools you just can’t have too many of. In a number of key categories, you’d be putting yourself at a severe disadvantage if you only had one implement in the group. So, here’s a selection of some multiple-must-haves we culled from the aisles of the SHOT show that we wanted to share with you. Whether they’re consumables, such as gloves, or implements you need to have stocked in multiple locations, such as lights and knives, it really is OK to stock up on these essentials.

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Kimber KHX Custom

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe Multi-Tool

Streamlight TLR-8 Weaponlight

Benchmade Infidel Fixed Blade

The new PowerAccess Deluxe has the most tools of any SOG product to date. Built with SOG’s compound leverage system, it has the expected pliers, grippers and two wire cutters, as well as a straight blade, saw and serrated-blade scissors—all 2.75 inches long. You also get a three-sided file, awl, can and bottle openers, and several other tools you should keep handy. The magnetic hex bit holder is fully compatible with SOG’s hex bit kit. With all this, and at 8.7 ounces and 6.8 inches overall, the PowerAccess Deluxe can tackle a ton of tasks. It includes a nylon sheath with 12-piece hex kit with these bits: Phillips: #1, #2, #3; flathead: #3, #5, #7; Star drive: T6, T8, T10, T20; and hex: 1.5mm, 2mm.

This new, rail-mounted tactical illuminator features both a 500-lumen light and an integrated 640–660 nm red aiming laser. It fits a wide array of compact and full-framed weapons and is one of the smallest rail-mounted lights in Streamlight’s TLR series. Operate the TLR-8 in laser-only, LED-only and dual-output modes. Runtimes with the included disposable CR123A lithium battery range from 1.5 hours when using the LED only or the LED and laser; 18 hours with laser only. The beam distance is 177 feet. The “Safe Off ” feature prevents accidental activation and inadvertent battery depletion. It measures 2.15 x 1.18 x 1.5 inches and is made of 6000-series aluminum with a black-anodized finish. It is water resistant to the IPX7 standard.

Based on the classic Infidel OTF knife, this double-edged, fixed-blade version is a natural addition to the “family.” Use and maintenance are simplified by having no moving parts, and delivery of the pointy end is streamlined, making it even more dependable than the original. The black-anodized, billet aluminum handle is virtually indestructible and provides good balance. Its overall length is 9.21 inches, and the D2 steel blade is 4.52 inches long. At 5.11 ounces, it is substantial without being too heavy; and the Boltaron sheath is Tek-Lok compatible and will mount in multiple locations.

MSRP: $94

MSRP: $350

www.Benchmade.com

www.SOGKnives.com

www.Streamlight.com

The KHX Custom comes complete with laser-equipped Hogue Enhanced Magrip G10 Grips and mainspring housing that form an external magwell and continuous-wrap grip surface. Available in 9mm and .45ACP with eight-round magazines, the KHX Custom’s stainless steel and G10 construction comes in at 38 ounces with an empty mag. It is 5.25 inches high and 8.7 inches long. The 5-inch stainless barrel has a left-hand twist rate of 16. The hex pattern on the grips is repeated on the slide to promote optimal control during slide manipulations. The premium-grade aluminum trigger is set with a pull of approximately 4 to 5 pounds.

MSRP: Starting at $1,259 www.KimberAmerica.com

MSRP: $235

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Vertx Breacher Gloves

Shield Sights Switchable Interface Sight

Mission First Tactical IWB Holster

Streamlight ProTac HPL USB Flashlight

Shield took the incredible performance and strength of its military-proven red-dot sight— the CQB/CQS—and made it even better. It features four switchable reticles and brightness adjustments. The brightness changes automatically, or you can use the manual mode to set the sight to your desired setting. The SIS was designed by listening to customers and via real-world application feedback from Special Forces, law enforcement and military users around the world. It weighs just 2.16 ounces and has a matte-black anodized aluminum body. Programmable reticle options are 1MOA; 1MOA and ring; 8MOA and ring; and 8MOA. It is water resistant at 1 meter for 30 minutes and has an operating range of -51 to 120 degrees (F).

MFT has created a laser-precise, passive-retention holster you can wear for IWB, OWB or appendix carry and right or left handed. Holsters are hand-formed of Boltaron polymer to provide less wear, smoother draws and re-holstering, as well as superior fit and finish, and resistance to chemicals and temperature fluctuations. The holster includes a 1.5-inch belt clip, and the user can adjust the cant to over 15 percent. These holsters are available to fit a variety of popular handguns.

The new ProTac High Performance, High Lumen flashlight delivers a variety of light outputs—with a maximum of 1,000 lumens to light up large areas of your environment. The beam provides a combination of a broad pattern for general lighting and a tight center spot for concentrating on a specific target. Maximum beam distance is 1,227 feet. The beam can be dialed down to just 65 lumens, and the runtime ranges between 1.5 and 20 hours when using the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. You can also use an 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion or disposable CR123A lithium batteries. The HPL USB is 7.08 inches long, has a head diameter of 1.72 inches and weighs just 9.24 ounces.

You’ll notice the great fit of the pre-curved fingers, Nomex IIIA flame-resistant interlock knit fabric and natural goat leather as soon as you put these gloves on. Whether or not you’re breaking down doors, the reinforced knuckle protection will reduce bangs and scrapes, and the strong hook-and-loop wrist closures will keep these gloves snugly on your hands. In addition, the tips of the thumbs and middle fingers feature conductive touch points that enable you to manipulate touch screens on smartphones and other devices.

MSRP: $78.95 www.Vertx.com

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MSRP: $49.99 www.MissionFirstTactical.com

MSRP: $625.70

MSRP: $180–$200

www.ShieldPSD.com

www.Streamlight.com

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Vertx Weapon Guard Concealed Carry Guardian Shirts

SOG KeyTron Folding Knife

SOG-TAC California Special Auto Folder

Coast FL85R Rechargeable Focusing Headlamp

The KeyTron is a folder that fits right in with everything on your keyring. It features a 1.8-inch clip-point blade made of 5Cr15MoV stainless steel on a slim, lightweight handle. With an overall length of 5.3 inches, it is large enough to handle simple cutting tasks; and, at 1.3 ounces, you might forget you’re carrying it. The KeyTron also comes with a bottle opener and has its own keyring that opens with a simple latch. With the KeyTron, you'll have a knife as handy as your car keys.

The SOG-TAC CA Special is the height of discretion. As its name implies, it’s a California-compliant automatic knife that brings the 1.9-inch AUS8 stainless steel blade to bear in less than a heartbeat. The 3.9-inch, anodized 6061 aluminum handle is hand-friendly and provides a solid grip on this 2.3-ounce folder. The blade release button is set up for right-handed thumb deployment. The pocket clip is reversible and allows the knife to ride low in your pocket.

MSRP: $27

MSRP: $134

www.SOGKnives.com

www.SOGKnives.com

The FL85R headlamp has an adjustable beam that changes from “spot” to “flood” with a twist of the head. The whole head tilts vertically for convenience. It has a red LED that lets you move in the dark without losing night vision or alerting others to your presence. It runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be charged inside or outside the case; or use three disposable AAA alkaline batteries. Using the rechargeable battery, light output ranges from 90 to 700 lumens, with runtimes of 8.5 to 1.75 hours and beam distances of 230 to 656 feet, respectively. The reflective strap is helmet compatible, and the whole unit weighs just 4.5 ounces.

These new Guardian Concealed Carry Shirts have a unique inner “skirt” you tuck into your pants to protect your skin and help keep the shirt in place. This also eliminates the need to wear a t-shirt, so you’ll be cooler and more comfortable on warm days. Vertx’s 37.5 Technology is woven into the fabric to provide additional body core temperature and humidity regulation. The Weapon Guard semi-compression layer is attached to the shirt at the lower chest and extends down to the waist. These shirts are available in plain and solid-color short- and long-sleeved button-down shirts, as well as polos.

MSRP: $64.95 (short-sleeve button-down) www.Vertx.com

MSRP: $125 https://CoastPortland.com

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RADIOACTIVE "DIRTY BOMBS" ARE TOO DANGEROUS TO IGNORE.

© GETTY IMAGES

BY AL J. VENTER

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decade ago, Stratfor’s Fred Burton wrote that “… since the 9/11 attacks catapulted al-Qaeda to the ‘top of the evil-doers' list’ in the United States, one constant question has remained: What is al Qaeda planning now? High among the public's fears, fanned by certain events widely reported in the media, is that the Jihadi network (or another like-minded group or individual) will unleash a radiological dispersion device (RDD), commonly referred to as a ‘Dirty Bomb’ and it is feasible indeed that it might happen on American soil.” Pundits in both London and Washington tell us there is an 80 percent chance of such a device exploding in either city within the medium-term future. That could mean anything from one to three years. LINKS TO RADICAL ISLAMISTS The authorities concerned point to al-Qaeda’s more-than-adequate record of being able to cause massive destruction. What is not generally known is that this Islamic group has, for a long time, displayed an unusual interest in acquiring the expertise to build exactly such a device. Already in 2002, CNN’s David Ensor reported that a hand-drawn diagram of an RDD bomb had been found in an al-Qaeda facility in the mountains south of Kabul. That was followed by former CIA chief George Tenet telling the U.S. Congress that his people had uncovered rudimentary diagrams of an unspecified nuclear weapon in a suspected al-Qaeda house in Kabul. The consensus is that it was RDD-related. Tenet disclosed that al-Qaeda's nuclear effort benefited from the help of two Pakistani nuclear scientists, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and Chaudiri Abdul Majeed, both directly linked to disgraced Pakistani nuclear smuggler Abdul Qadeer (A.Q.) Khan. The two men admitted they had long discussions about developing nuclear weapons with al-Qaeda officials in Afghanistan the year before—which kind of makes one think ... . Pamela Falk, a United Nations resident correspondent, raised this exact issue in a Foreign Affairs “Snapshot” published April 4, 2017. She summed up the threat in a single paragraph: "The world’s post–World War II nuclear non-proliferation commitments are crumbing. Nations large and small, some with stable governments, some with shaky or autocratic regimes want to join the nuclear club. An unintended consequence of this trend is the creation of global gray and black markets for radioactive

material. And terrorist groups such as the Islamic State are ready to buy." The very concept of this horrific threat is frightening, she suggested: a low-yield nuclear device detonated by Islamic militants in downtown Manhattan—or, more likely (because access from the Middle East is easier) in London’s Golden Mile, which, in spite of Brexit, is still at the heart of European finance. Yet, these threats are nothing new. According to William Broad, writing in The New York Times on April 29, 2001, Saddam Hussein tested a 1-ton radiological dispersal device in the desert to the west of Baghdad prior to Gulf War 1. Broad’s article, under the heading, "Documents Reveal 1987 Bomb Test by Iraq," provides little substantive detail. Nevertheless, supplementary Defense Department sources suggest the Iraqi dictator was impressed enough with the outcome to demand that his nuclear scientists make the RDD integral to his arsenal—and on a significant scale. Fortunately, U.S.-led coalition forces intervened in Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, and we are aware of the consequences. Among the most consistent debates along the corridors of power in Washington, Whitehall and the Kremlin is whether nuclear, chemical or biological weapons will be the first to be used in upgraded weapons of mass destruction (WMD) onslaughts against Western cities by Islamic zealots. Islamic State is also known to have been preoccupied with weapons of mass destruction; although, before that terror group was crippled by a multi-national task force that has not yet finished its work, it hived off in a different direction and was using captive human victims to test a variety of chemical weapons it hopes to unleash on the unsuspecting. No question: RDDs tend to focus the mind. As things stand, say a variety of specialists, an enhanced form of dirty bomb has the edge (although clearly, other options cannot be ignored. Nor are they). It is interesting that the United States investigated "radiation weapons" in the 1940s and 1950s for possible wartime use, but the concept was finally canned. One reason given at the time was that its deployment would have been regarded by the civilized world as barbaric ... not that conventional nuclear weapons are any less so. RDD INCIDENTS IN EUROPE What sets RDDs apart from weapons used by other dissident political groups is that al-Qaeda has shown an unusual and

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historic interest in these weapons. Taking a cue from among the staunchest of its Islamic allies, anti-Russian dissidents from mainly Islamic Chechnya have shown their hand several times with RDDs in recent years. In the late 1990s, a dirty bomb containing highly radioactive cesium 137 was placed in Moscow's Izmailovsky Park by a group of Chechen militants under the command of Shamil Basayev. The device was never detonated—somebody in the group tipped off the media; and Basayev let it be known that he only wished to display the threat as a psychological weapon by directing a TV crew to its location and possibly initiating a "media storm." Moreover, Basayev declared, if his hand were forced by the Kremlin’s intransigence, his followers would go ahead and use it. Having been involved in an attack that killed at least 330 people at a school a short while later (known as the Beslan Massacre), this desperate band of Chechen fanatics clearly meant what it said. There was apparently another attempt afterward to lay an RDD device in or around Moscow, but neither details nor confirmation was ever made public. A third dirty bomb was uncovered a year later at Argun, a town near Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. Unexploded, it was examined by Russian weapons specialists, who found that its core material had been obtained from a local nuclear isotope storage facility. The bomb was to have been boosted by two land mines that were thought to be former Soviet TM-57 anti-tank mines. A subsequent report revealed that the two Chechen militants involved were incapacitated after carrying the extremely radioactive container a short distance, and one of the men subsequently died. The consensus at the time was that, had the Grozny RDD been detonated, it would probably have affected an area about three or four city blocks in extent and taken the authorities a year or more to decontaminate. It is significant that other reports relating to potential RDD attacks have emerged, and in the broader context, we need to look at a comment made by Christopher Andrew in his book on British Intelligence, Defense of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, released in London in 2009. The official history of MI5 has various entries under this heading; and I quote: ‹ Above: This is an information sheet from the Centers for Disease Control that explains radiological dispersal devices, or “dirty bombs.” (Courtesy of https://emergency. cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/ Infographic_ Radiological_ Dispersal_Device.pdf)

THERE ARE FEW GOVERNMENTS THAT HAVE NOT GIVEN SERIOUS ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ATTACK BY TERRORISTS WHO MIGHT WISH TO DETONATE AN RDD DEVICE.

‹ Right: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents train in the detection and handling of hazardous materials, including radioactive dispersion devices (RDDs).

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"The Islamist threat, and especially the ambition of a British Hindu convert to Islam, Dhiren Barot[,] to explode a dirty nuclear bomb in Britain, is sobering by contrast." Barot told his revolutionary colleagues prior to his arrest that "for the time we do not have the contacts to enable us to purchase such items." Barot was sentenced to 30 years in prison. What emerged during the trial was that he had been picked by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the chief al-Qaeda planner behind the 9/11 attack in New York, to explode an RDD bomb in London. In the United States not long afterward, al-Qaeda operative Jose Padilla (aka Abdulla al-Muhajir) was arrested in Chicago in May 2002 while he was on a scouting mission for a Jihadi operation to attack the city with an RDD. He was subsequently tried, found guilty and is currently serving prison time.

‹ Far left: The author discusses dirty bombs in great detail in his book, Nuclear Terror: The Bomb and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Wrong Hands. ‹ Near left: This book provides comprehensive explanations of threats posed by a dirty bomb attack and includes information for preparing a response should you be exposed to such an event. ‹ Below: There are virtually no restrictions to the size or shape of dirty bombs. While it's unlikely bad actors would try to smuggle an RDD across a U.S. border, agents from Customs and Border Patrol include that possibility in their training.

© GETTY IMAGES

© GETTY IMAGES

GOVERNMENT PREPARATION FOR POTENTIAL THREATS American agencies are taking very seriously the threat of terrorists detonating dirty bombs within their cities. The New York State Department of Health, for instance, has drawn up comprehensive guidelines as to how the public should react if such an event takes place. These "ground rules" are instructive and come from several studies

that have emerged over the years. It starts by explaining what exactly is involved: A dirty bomb, or radiological dispersion device, is a bomb that combines conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive materials in solid, liquid or gaseous form. A dirty bomb is intended to disperse radioactive material into a small, localized area around an explosion. The main purpose of a dirty bomb is to frighten people and contaminate buildings or land. It then explains the difference between a dirty bomb and the kind of nuclear bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II: There is a big difference. The atomic explosions that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were caused by nuclear weapons. A dirty bomb, by contrast, is a conventional explosive device that has been adapted to spread radioactive material and contaminate “only” a small area. Because the material will disperse as a result of the explosion, areas near the blast will be contaminated. The level of contamination will

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› Right: An RDD could be built to fit into a harmless-looking piece of luggage.

› Below: The components for a dirty bomb are relatively simple to assemble once the radioactive material has been acquired. › Bottom: Bags that contain radioactive waste from the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, Japan, await movement to a more secure location.

depend on how much radioactive material was in the bomb, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the blast. From there, it goes on to instruct what to do should there be such a blast in your city: If a dirty bomb goes off in your city, it will probably not affect you unless the explosion is very close to your location. Keep televisions or radios tuned to local news networks for information. Remember that this bomb will likely affect a small area. Also discussed is what to do if you are close to such a detonation: The biggest danger is from the force of the explosion. As with any exposure to potential contamination, the following precautions will reduce your risk. • Move away from the immediate area—at least several blocks from the explosion—and go indoors. This will reduce exposure to any radioactive airborne dust. • If feasible, remove your clothes and seal them in a plastic bag. Save them to allow for future testing of the clothing for radiation contamination. • Take a shower (using a mild soap) to wash off dust and dirt. This will reduce total radiation exposure if the explosive device contained radioactive material. • More information involving emergency response is given, including telephone numbers and a variety of websites that provide additional information. The most prominent of these, apart from Atlanta's CDC and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Radiation Protection Program (www.NRC. gov; [301] 415-8200) is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA (www.FEMA.gov; [202] 646-4600). Although European cities tend to be a lot more low key with regard to such threats, there is no question that every major European conurbation has made preparations for just such an eventuality. However, for obvious reasons, details are kept secret. I recall being in San Francisco when I got word that a major security exercise would be taking place the next day. I applied to attend, and even though I had been given access to various sensitive American government installations over the years, I was denied access. After the terror bombings of the World Trade Center in New York, there were many changes to the kind of security measures (or lack thereof) previously imposed. What immediately came into effect within all U.S. government

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PUNDITS IN BOTH LONDON AND WASHINGTON TELL US THERE IS AN 80 PERCENT CHANCE OF SUCH A DEVICE EXPLODING IN EITHER CITY WITHIN THE MEDIUM-TERM FUTURE. THAT COULD MEAN ANYTHING FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT RADIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

agencies was that foreign nationals like myself (with a British passport) were, in the ordinary course of events, required to give three months’ notice of visiting any facility regarded as “classified.” EFFECTS OF DIRTY BOMBS In medical terms, Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) is a collection of health effects that are present within a day or so of exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation. The radiation causes cellular degradation due to damage to DNA and other key molecular structures within the cells in various tissues. In turn, this destruction, particularly because it affects the ability of cells to divide normally, causes the symptoms. The symptoms can begin within one or two hours and could last for several months. These medical terms refer to acute medical problems rather than ones that develop after a prolonged period. The onset and type of symptoms depend on the radiation exposure. Relatively smaller doses result in gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as symptoms related to falling blood counts, and predisposition to infection and bleeding. Relatively larger doses can result in neurological effects, including—but not limited to—seizures, tremors, lethargy and rapid death. Treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome is generally supportive, with blood transfusions and antibiotics, along with some more-aggressive treatments (such as bone marrow transfusions) being required in extreme cases.

• Radiological dispersion devices (RDDs) are also known as “dirty bombs.” • The purpose of these devices is to cause panic, disrupt normal activities and contaminate specific areas. Injuries and physical destruction of the environment are not primary targets for RDDs, but they can result as well. • Contaminated areas are likely to be uninhabitable for years. • Radioactive materials, such as cesium 137, cobalt 60, plutonium oxide, strontium 90 and uranium oxide, are dispersed with the detonation of explosives. • There are numerous potential sources for the radioactive materials used in RDDs. Some options include commercial sites, medical/research facilities and atomic waste disposal locations.

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‹ Far left: Two trainees check the condition of a "victim" of an RDD attack.

‹ Near left, top: Radiation detection devices will enable first responders and investigators to determine the scope and severity of the attack.

‹ Near left, bottom: First responders, who typically run toward the danger zone, will be among those at greatest risk to injury and illness from RDD attacks.

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‹ Near left: Mexican authorities investigate a vehicle that was involved in the theft of radioactive materials from a laboratory in Tultepec, Mexico.

‹ Far left: This casing of a spent cancer-treating radiation device was found in a village in Mexico after it was stolen and its radioactive cobalt 60 was removed.

ACCESSIBILITY OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS Apart from convicted terrorist Dhiren Barot, take another example: In January 2009, a leaked FBI report described the results of a

SOURCES Pamela Falk: "The Dirty Bomb Threat: Too Dangerous to Do Nothing," Foreign Affairs, April 4, 2017 The author deals with dirty bombs in great detail in chapter 6 of his latest book, Nuclear Terror: The Bomb and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Wrong Hands, published by Pen and Sword Books; March 2018. The website, http://Bellona.org/work-areas/nuclear-issues, will give the reader a sobering picture of what has been going on, legally and illegally, since Soviet times, with regard to the dismantling of nuclear submarines on the Kola Peninsula.

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It is also worth mentioning that Israel carried out a four-year series of tests on nuclear explosives to measure the effects, were "hostile forces" ever to use them against Israel (according to Israel’s Haaretz daily newspaper on June 8, 2015). Indeed, while the average Israeli is not prepared to discuss the issue with those who visit their country, the reality that weapons of destruction, especially dirty bombs, might be deployed against their cities is palpable. Speak to those in the know, and they will give details as to how this threat has progressed in other countries. Russia apart, the United States, as we have seen, is also on the firing line. › Above: Spent nuclear fuel rods are routinely transported to storage facilities via railroad and other methods. Many are concerned that these methods are not secure enough from determined terrorists who would use these materials to construct dirty bombs.

search of the Maine home of James G. Cummings, a white supremacist who had been shot and killed by his wife. Investigators found four 1-gallon containers of 35 percent hydrogen peroxide, uranium, thorium, lithium metal, aluminum powder, beryllium, boron, black iron oxide and magnesium. Also found was literature on how to build dirty bombs and information about cesium 137, strontium 90 and cobalt 60—all radioactive materials. Officials confirmed the veracity of the report but stated that the public was never at risk. It goes a lot further elsewhere. In Central Asia, concern about RDDs intensified notably following disclosures made by Abu Zubaydah, a senior al-Qaeda official who told his captors that the terror movement was interested in producing a dirty bomb. "Also, they know exactly how to do it," were his words—something about which intelligence agencies everywhere took notice. He said that this knowledge included the use of cesium 137. Even worse, said a linked source, al-Qaeda seriously considered arming these bombs with spent fuel cells (from dismantled former Soviet Union nuclear submarines currently being taken apart in Russia’s far northern Kola Peninsula), along with an explosive charge at the core. Certainly, if detonated in a built-up city area such as downtown Manhattan, damage, both direct and collateral, would be catastrophic. It would possibly take years to remove all radioactive traces. A Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for the U.S. Congress on radiological dispersal devices at about the same time all this was going down went some distance toward focusing public attention on efforts to counter the use of this weapon. It declared that an RDD attack " … might cause casualties, economic damage and, potentially, public panic.” The impact of an RDD attack, it said, “would depend on many variables, such as meteorological conditions, type and amount of radioactive material, duration of exposure and method of dispersal." Consequently, in a sense, RDDs might be referred to as “weapons of mass disruption,” rather

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SOME EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT TERRORISTS COULD, WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY, OBTAIN HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (SUCH AS ABANDONED FUEL CELLS FROM A FORMER SOVIET NUCLEAR SUBMARINE BEING DISMANTLED).

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‹ Abandoned Soviet-era nuclear submarines might be a source for radioactive materials for RDDs.

‹ This Soviet submarine is being scavenged for any number of materials. Its nuclear fuel could be among the items being removed from it.

than of destruction. The report goes on: " … both the threat posed by terrorist RDD use and the magnitude of impact are matters of some contention." Some experts believe that terrorists could, without great difficulty, obtain highly radioactive material (such as abandoned fuel cells from a former Soviet nuclear submarine being dismantled). Much of this work was done at the Russian naval base on the Kola Peninsula in the extreme northwestern corner of the country and not far from Norway. This was one of the reasons the Oslo/Brussels-founded Bellona Foundation is focused on what is happening in a vast region adjacent to the city of Murmansk. Of significant concern in this regard are the burgeoning numbers of incidents that involve internationally linked nuclear smugglers. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), they’re increasing exponentially by the year. Prior to his retirement, the outgoing director-general of the IAEA disclosed that the Vienna-based United Nations watchdog organization was aware of hundreds of cases of nuclear smuggling each year, much of it linked to uranium or plutonium. IAEA investigators believe that those involved from former Eastern bloc countries are rarely ideologically motivated. Rather, they’re interested only in the money; and it is of little concern to many of them whether cities or people are contaminated by deadly radiation. "The fear, essentially, is that the criminals may have no qualms about selling to Jihadist groups," declared the IAEA report. PLANTING AN RDD WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM Others assert that radiation sources intense enough to cause casualties in an RDD attack would be injurious to the terrorists during acquisition and use. The argument about terrorists falling victim to their own destructive devices is viewed by some as superfluous—or, as one authority suggested to this author, do those who compile these reports not read the daily newspapers? More to the point: Islamic zealots have proved many times in recent years that no matter what the risk, radiation sickness or otherwise, they would be happy to die for the cause in order to achieve their objectives. Suicide bombers are clearly a common feature of today’s fundamentalist Islamic world. Al Qaeda’s Abu Hamza al-Muhajir actually called for Muslim scientists to join the organization and experiment with radioactive devices for use against coalition troops.

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THE PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVE OF DETONATING AN RDD IS TO CREATE PANIC ON A MASSIVE SCALE, WHICH WOULD UNQUESTIONABLY HAPPEN SHOULD THE ATTACK TAKE PLACE IN THE HEART OF ANY MAJOR CITY. EFFECTS OF A DIRTY BOMB This brings us to what a radiological dispersal device or dirty bomb is all about. In the simplest terms, these devices are intended to disperse radiation. In a large RDD blast within the confines of a city, there would obviously be a number of casualties, including people exposed to the actual blast. They would succumb to the effects of the chemical explosion, as with a conventional bomb, and the shrapnel that it disperses. As one former nuclear physicist (who wishes to remain anonymous) told me, it is extremely unlikely that there will be such a vast amount of radioactive material in the immediate vicinity of an RDD blast that people would die right there from radiation. Acute radiation effects, including death, will only appear in the days, weeks or months that follow the exposure, he explained. The main purpose of a dirty bomb is to contaminate the surroundings and to disrupt normal commercial and other activities for an extended period. Most salient, the principle objective of detonating an RDD is to create panic on a massive scale, which would unquestionably happen should the attack take place in the heart of any major city.

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HOW ARE WE COUNTERING THE THREAT? That raises the question: What is the government doing about the threat? The answer basically is: A lot! There are few governments that have not given serious attention to the possibility of an attack by terrorists who might wish to detonate an RDD device. In the West, there have been multiple strides toward creating emergency bodies that would deal with such emergencies. They are classified and rarely make the news—for several reasons. In the first place, the authorities do not want the enemy to be aware of specifics of countermeasures; and secondly, when such things are made public, they tend to alarm the populace. With dirty bombs, it is important to accept that there is a series of measures in place that would go into effect as soon as unwarranted radioactivity is detected. These include: The National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) at California’s

‹ This warning sign is posted outside Pripyat, Ukraine, where the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster occurred in 1986. While this event was significantly more powerful than a likely dirty bomb, a potent RDD will contaminate an area for years.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is able to almost immediately map the probable spread of hazardous material accidentally or intentionally released into the atmosphere. According to its website, its primary function is to support Department of Energy (DoE) and Department of Defense (DoD) sites, as well as DoE consequence management (CM) teams for radiological releases through the DoE's Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) program. This security body is able to provide a series of multi-scale atmospheric flow and dispersion models for a wide range of hazards, and it can do this on a local, regional and a continental scale (which would cover the entire United States) or internationally. The National Guard WMD Civil Support Team has been quietly and efficiently established for rapid deployment to assist a local incident commander in determining the nature and extent of an attack or incident. This organization is geared to provide expert technical advice on WMD response operations, as well as to help identify and support the arrival of follow-on state and federal military response assets. Essentially, these are joint units and can consist of both Army and Air National Guard personnel, with some of these units commanded by Air National Guard lieutenant colonels. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CST) supports local and state authorities at domestic WMD/NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical warfare) incident sites by identifying agents and substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on response measures and assisting with requests for additional military support.

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE SAFER BY SEAN CURTIS

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W

e often dedicate a great deal of consideration and discussion to post-apocalyptic survival scenarios—or, perhaps more reasonably, societal upheaval settings—as a result of which we need to bug out or bug in to endure. While one is a little more likely than the other, real threats face us every day in the place we spend 40 or more hours a week: the workplace. Have you given much thought to workplace survival? Have you considered what threats truly await you? Sure, you probably figured out pretty quickly that Carl has halitosis, and Sarah loves to talk about her cats, but those traps are not truly life threatening. Have you done a risk assessment on your workplace? Considering the amount of time we dedicate to working, we really should detect, analyze, mitigate and prepare for real threats there.

› Right: Chances are, if you can see the threat, they can see you. You should have secure and discreet hiding locations planned before a deranged attacker comes walking into your building.

› Below: Consider how you might deal with long hallways in your workplace. You are statistically better off running from an active killer than hiding from one.

When approaching the work environment, it is often difficult to assess with a cool, analytical mind. You must divest yourself of your attachments and look at your workplace as you would a place that is not so familiar.

ONCE YOU HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF THE HIGHER-PROBABILITY THREATS YOU FACE, YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF WHAT MEASURES YOU CAN TAKE TO MINIMIZE THEIR IMPACT BEFORE THEY HAPPEN.

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Take stock of your assets and liabilities; then, give some focus to the very real threats that could happen there. Label these with your best guess of probability, and then mitigate what you can. Sometimes, you can affect change for the entire office; other times, you must rely and focus solely on yourself. Take a look at these threats with the concepts of maximum protection of life and self-preservation in mind.

‹ Above: This tanker car is carrying 33,700 gallons of propane. Note the proximity to buildings. Have a plan for this. It doesn’t have to explode; a simple leak could force an evacuation outside your normal planned route.

‹ Above: Some situations, such as small office fires, can be addressed by staff until first responders arrive. Know where fire extinguishers and hoses are located—and how to use them.

‹ Above: Workplace invasions often develop into hostage situations. Reduce the chances of this happening to you by knowing nearby hiding places and escape routes.

NATURAL THREATS When conducting a threat analysis, we can divide our categories into man-made and natural. While the “natural” category usually includes weather events, earthquakes, fires and the like, man-made events can be a bit more complex and require different responses. Take a look at the real natural threats in your area. Research when they last happened and seek any data concerning when they might happen again. For instance, a tsunami is highly improbable in Colorado, but wildfire is definitely a consideration. If you work in Hawaii, a blizzard is a minimal risk, but volcanoes will be on your list if one is nearby. You must give an honest assessment to each of the threats relevant to your area and have a planned response for each of them. Speak with someone who has worked at your workplace for a long time and find out what has historically occurred. Then, find out how leadership responded. There are likely valuable lessons for you to discover. Learn from the failures and successes of your predecessors. My office has historically high-profile risks from floods, tornadoes, blizzards and wildfires. On the other end of the scale, there are minimal risks for earthquakes. MAN-MADE THREATS This category is as complex as the human mind. Essentially, there two categories of risk: external and internal. External and/or internal threats could involve workplace violence, including active killer scenarios. They could also include bombings, arson and a category of incidents such as deliberate power outages and hazmat threats. External risks represent all the individuals outside the employ of your agency or business. These could be customers or complete strangers. If you work at a textile plant, and the customers you serve are dealers who push the final product on to consumers, you can likely relegate this to minimal risk. However, if you work for a company or government agency

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‹ Architectural structures, such as this faux wall, can sometimes hide exits and other assets needed in emergencies.

IF YOU CANNOT IMPRESS UPON LEADERSHIP THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION, YOU HAVE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE YOURSELF IN TIMES OF CRISIS. for which you might have a hand in affecting major life changes for your customers—say, the Department of Human Services—this could very likely become a high-risk scenario. If you’re making or communicating decisions for people that have very real, life-altering consequences, it would be wise to equate high emotion with higher potential risk. Internal threats are either your co-workers or people related to them. If one of your peers has an abusive spouse and they come to the workplace to settle some personal score, this could create ramifications for everyone at work. Likewise, workplace bullying, affairs and terminations are also potential triggers for health hazards. Keep in mind that people do not “snap,” as we often hear. Workplace

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‹ While the exit sign pointed out this escape route, there is no indication on the other side of this wall for the fire extinguisher.

‹ Key card or fob access can help prevent a great deal of unwanted access, as well as provide the ability to track comings and goings.

‹ While this is a strong deterrent for unauthorized access, it must be implemented with training so that “tailgaters” do not follow authorized personnel through an entry point.

‹ Double doors with panic bars are pretty standard in many offices and public buildings. These are also equipped with magnetic releases that allow them to close at the push of a remote button.

violence studies have revealed that approximately 85 percent of people broadcast their intentions before they act. They either tell someone close to them or often post things on social media. That’s a huge clue ... if you can catch wind of it. In 2004, a man in Granby, Colorado, terrorized an entire town when he began mowing down buildings with an armored bulldozer he’d welded up in his shop. This took a lot of planning and effort. Some townspeople were aware of his displeasure with the town board regarding a zoning dispute for some time. The attack stymied the local constabulary—until the bulldozer got stuck and the driver shot himself. Remember that the primary objective of law enforcement in any type of active killer scenario is to immediately engage and stop the threat. Therefore, do not present yourself in a threatening manner. Evacuate with hands up, and provide any details about the shooter’s whereabouts and description if you can. Do not expect police to stop and attend to your wounds if the killer is still active. Move quickly away from danger, hopefully to a prearranged muster point. My workplace is high risk because of the nature of the job, along with the fact that there is a railroad line immediately outside that transports hazardous materials on a daily basis. For me, both external and internal threats are always a consideration.

‹ Many people in the author’s office did not know about exits on the opposite side of the building from where they worked. Get familiar with all your exits, including windows.

MITIGATION Once you have a good idea of the higher-probability threats you face, you need to ask yourself what measures you can take to minimize their impact before they happen. For instance, creating a culture of collective safety can pay major dividends. By rewarding behaviors that improve the safekeeping of everyone at the workplace, you increase your effective outreach and detection. When everyone realizes security is their responsibility, they chip in and report things, thereby improving leadership’s awareness and giving them more time to react. Keep in mind that security is always at odds with convenience, and there can be an office culture or co-workers who will resist these initiatives. Physical security measures can be assessed and updated to reflect evolving threats. Consider how airport security changed after 9/11. A locked door or keycard access system might just make the difference in deterring an external threat. Perhaps a camera system might give you the reaction time you need to save lives. Stock your workplace with first aid and survival supplies. This might seem odd at first blush, but if you have to shelter in place for any period of time, it’s a great investment. RESPONSES TO THREATS Regardless of the category, there are three general responses: evacuation, sheltering in place and active killer. Evacuation is pretty clear-cut and should be practiced at least once annually. Have a muster or reunification point at which attendance can be checked against a continually updated list of employees. Make sure employees understand the endgame so they can deviate from a specific plan if need be, as long as they reach the reunification point or communicate with a supervisor by contingency. Sheltering in place minimizes risk from external threats such as tornadoes or earthquakes. Have a plan to gather in internal rooms or other appropriate spaces that are clear of glass windows and other potential hazards. Have these rooms stocked with emergency supplies. The greatest threat of earthquakes in First World countries is to people fleeing buildings and being struck by falling debris such as bricks or broken glass, so do what you can to reduce exposure to these hazards. The active killer category is pretty straightforward. You need only look at the world news any given week to find reference to this growing threat. The U.S. government has suggested “Run, Hide, Fight” as a response priority list in these scenarios. While this is a great plan, it is not a training method. “ALICE,” which stands for Alert, Lockdown,

‹ How does your workplace interface with the public? Higher-risk locations should consider implementing deterrents and safeguards.

EXTERNAL RISKS REPRESENT ALL THE INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE THE EMPLOY OF YOUR AGENCY OR BUSINESS. THESE COULD BE CUSTOMERS OR COMPLETE STRANGERS. [ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE STUDIES HAVE REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY 85 PERCENT OF PEOPLE BROADCAST THEIR INTENTIONS BEFORE THEY ACT. THEY EITHER TELL SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM OR OFTEN POST THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THAT’S A HUGE CLUE ... IF YOU CAN CATCH WIND OF IT. Inform, Counter and Evacuate, is a comprehensive system that teaches people option-based responses to active killer threats. By training in ALICE, employees learn to prioritize avoidance by fleeing a life-threatening scenario. Only when this possibility is exhausted do we need to hide or fight; and, if forced into this scenario, we set the battleground to our advantage and arm ourselves with anything available. TRAINING “Training” first refers to practicing your best procedures within your workplace, whether

this is an evacuation, sheltering in place or an active killer response. It can also include how to handle security systems (such as key-coded doors) and procedures (such as challenging people who try to ride your coattails through a secure entry). Employees who practice established responses to various threats will know how to act without wasting precious time. In active killer scenarios, I cannot stress enough that you need to evacuate the building. When we consider that the response for threats such as fire, hazmat and flooding is to move away from them, it’s ridiculous to think that we should react differently for an active killer scenario. Lockdown and fighting should be choices of last resort, so strive to get out of, and away from, the situation. In my workplace, we have trained many of the employees in first aid and CPR. We also have trained in ALICE, sheltering in place and evacuations. COMMUNICATION Comms usually fail in emergencies; it’s "Murphy’s Law" at its best. Whether the cellular system

› Not only will these mirrors help you keep your coffee in your cup, they can provide critical information before you commit to a turn when making an escape during an active killer or fire scenario.

› A peep hole is sometimes a great solution to seeing who’s on the other side of the door. That would compromise the fire rating of the doors shown here, however, so a camera/monitor system was installed.

‹ Above: With this simple system installed, no employees need answer the door blindly.

S O U R C E S ALICE Training Institute (330) 661-0106 www.ALICETraining.com Disaster Preparedness Planning www.Ready.gov Everbridge, Inc. (888) 366-4911 www.Everbridge.com U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.DHS.gov/active-shooterpreparedness

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‹ Near left: First aid boxes such as this one are often installed in common employee areas. Make sure they are kept stocked and updated so they are ready in case of an emergency.

‹ Left: Each employee in their work area needs at least a primary and secondary route to escape the building, depending on the threat.

‹ Below: Elevators are almost always a bad plan in emergencies. They are not fast enough and could be disabled in fire or extreme weather situations.

COMMS USUALLY FAIL IN EMERGENCIES; IT’S "MURPHY’S LAW" AT ITS BEST. WHETHER THE CELLULAR SYSTEM BECOMES OVERWHELMED OR ELECTRICAL SERVICE FAILS, YOU SHOULD STRIVE FOR REDUNDANCY.

about what routes you might take to get home and what supplies you might need to get there. Think about contingencies and complicated incidents. Then, lay out some basic plans. Any effort you invest now will save you time in a true emergency.

‹ Bottom: Consider what kind of weather your access control devices might be exposed to, and choose accordingly.

becomes overwhelmed or electrical service fails, you should strive for redundancy. A PA (public address) system is extremely effective and can be used to communicate live data to responders and evacuees. Sometimes, a bullhorn or good, old-fashioned yelling can get the job done. Regardless, have primary, secondary and tertiary backup plans. Training can often override the need for communication, but if a train derailment suddenly requires you to evacuate via different routes than those you previously trained with, you need to be able to notify employees of the deviation of plan. My office has access to a program called Everbridge. All employees are signed up, and emergency communiqués can be sent out via cellphone or computer should the need arise. Having the capability to call an audible during a crisis outside your trained procedures is paramount. LONE WOLF OR ALPHA Depending on the receptivity of leadership to your threat assessment, you might find yourself making survival decisions in a vacuum. If you can promote this idea without an attached stigma, run with it. More leaders are willing to consider emergency planning as a result of the prevalent threat of active shooters providing ample examples in so many workplaces. No leader wants to appear unprepared—even if the preparatory efforts only appear to mitigate liability. Use this to your advantage. Look for training and support resources within your local government and utilize any allocated funds wisely to net the greatest benefit to your threat paradigm. An armed guard might be a great resource, but simple controlled points of entry, accompanied by strict training and enforcement on procedures, might be a wiser investment. If you cannot impress upon leadership the importance of preparation, you have the sole responsibility to save yourself in times of crisis. Study your work environment and consider how best to escape it; get creative! Evaluate what threats you might actually face, and think about what you can do to personally mitigate them. Keep supplies in your office or vehicle that will enable you to get home. Think

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THE WAY FROM WORRIER TO WARRIOR FOLLOW THESE FIVE STEPS TO RISE ABOVE THE EVERYMAN. BY BRIAN M. MORRIS

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› The samurai are respected as great warriors of their time. They believed that “tomorrow’s battle is won during today’s practice.”

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THE WARRIOR FIGHTS WITH THEIR MIND, BODY AND SOUL, AND WHILE THEY HAVE EMOTIONS, THEY MUST MASTER KEEPING THEM AT BAY IN ORDER TO FIGHT WITHOUT LETTING THEM INTERFERE WITH THEIR CLARITY AND LUCIDITY.

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n the minds of many preppers and survivalists, the pinnacle self-reliance and apex survivor skill is not to procure food or build a solid shelter; it’s to execute the role of the guardian and protector. Many of the scenarios we prepare for cause us to anticipate having to protect lives and defend supplies and other possessions with lethal force, in effect having to become a warrior. If we’re honest, we hope it will never come to that. But, if we are to go down that path, be effective and prevail, there are some topics besides stocking an armory that need to be addressed before the time comes. So, you want to be a warrior? The path to becoming a warrior is not an easy one, because at its core is discipline. A warrior is a master of spherical awareness, ever vigilant with their head on a swivel. They know their operational environment, can improvise, adapt and overcome all adversities, and while they’re able to accept that they aren’t invincible, they never run from adversity; instead, they face it head-on. The warrior fights with their mind, body and soul, and while they have emotions, they must master keeping them at bay in order to fight without letting them interfere with their clarity and lucidity. None of these things will come easily, so do not be discouraged. The only path to mastering anything, particularly the warrior arts, is via hard

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› Right: ‘You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.” —Sun Tzu, renowned Chinese general and author of The Art of War

work and due diligence. It is particularly difficult to master anything in the physical world until you conquer the demons in your own head that foster such impediments as fear, anxiety, panic and self-doubt. Once you are able to eliminate these counterproductive and debilitating thoughts, you can move forward in mastering the warrior mindset.

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• OVERCOME YOUR INTERNAL ROADBLOCKS TO SUCCESS. The root of fear, anxiety, panic and self-doubt is the lack of experience. Having a warrior mindset

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ANY TIME YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL, YOU’LL LEARN THAT IT USUALLY HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO GET REALLY GOOD AT A FEW THINGS BY REPEATING THEM UNTIL THEY EXCELLED AT THEM. means being able to set aside or subdue your fear and anxiety so as not to panic in the face of danger and to diminish self-doubt and project self-confidence toward the eyes of any opponent. Confucius once said, “He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” Once you learn to subdue your fear and vanquish panic, you will be on your way to achieving the

‹ Above, left: Sun Tzu, renowned Chinese general and author of The Art of War, wrote, “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ‹ Above, right: As Bruce Lee once said, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

‹ Left: Learning to control one's emotions, maintain internal order and find ways to achieve the objective during the fog of war are skills a person must master to become an effective warrior. (Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

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warrior mindset. The biggest contributor to fear and panic is the unknown. The best way to conquer the unknown is to not only face it but to dive, head first, into it. By immersing yourself in your fear, you will achieve “stress inoculation,” as a result of which you will be able to function and think with clarity, even under conditions for which your previous response would have been panic. • A WARRIOR NEVER RUNS FROM ADVERSITY. Being a warrior is about showing up to the fight when every bone in your body tells you to run in the opposite direction. It’s about striving for greatness so that you know either the elation of high achievement and victory or the pain of defeat; but in any case, you can hold up your head proudly, knowing you showed up at the fight as opposed to running. In his 1910 “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, Theodore Roosevelt said, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does

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actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." What defines you as a true warrior is your ability to face danger. That doesn’t mean you want to be a hero or that you’re some kind of a superman, because I can tell you from personal experience

‹ Below: Special Forces soldiers often jump from airplanes at altitudes in excess of 30,000 feet. This is to either defeat radar surveillance by deploying their chutes at 4,000 feet or fewer or to pilot their parachutes to a distant landing zone. Jumpers must use GPS waypoints and terrain features and correct their courses to navigate to their objective.

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‹ Left: "If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in the combat zone.” —Murphy’s Laws of Combat

STRESS INOCULATION TRAINING

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Stress inoculation training (SIT) has been used successfully to prepare those about to enter highly stressful situations—such as the military, law enforcement and other high-risk occupations— for the pressures they will inevitably face. By being exposed to various types of challenging situations, developing and mastering skills to manage the stress, and continued application and practice of the techniques developed, people are able to manage their fears so they can perform at necessary levels when they’re encountered in the workplace and elsewhere. There have been a number of studies conducted that also evaluated the benefits of this approach in areas such as fear of flying, enrollment in law school and athletes’ anxieties.

‹ Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a 1st-century Roman philosopher who said, “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” In other words, if we don’t get out of our comfort zone and overcome serious challenges, we will not become better than we are.

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A WARRIOR’S HEART IS NOT AFRAID OF DEATH AS MUCH AS IT FEARS A LIFE LIVED WITHOUT HONOR, LOYALTY AND STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.

‹ Below, left: Winston Churchill was a noted and respected statesman, but perhaps his highest calling was as a motivator of his people and his armed forces. He is quoted as saying, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

that one of the most difficult things to do is to override the basic human instinct to protect yourself. You must have the discipline to counter your innate instinct for survival to then run toward the gunfire. It’s having that mentality that you’re going to put yourself into the fight, particularly if you are connected to those who are in the fight, to get in there and to help them, no matter what. • A WARRIOR MINDSET MEANS HAVING THE DISCIPLINE TO BECOME EXTREMELY GOOD AT DOING JUST A FEW THINGS. Any time you look at people who are successful, you’ll learn that it usually happened because they were able to get really good at a few things by repeating them until they excelled at them. A couple of the other traits of successful people are that they are able to learn from other people’s mistakes and can look at other successful people and understand why they succeeded. They then apply those learnings to their own life. I try to do that as much as possible. When

‹ Near left: George S. Patton Jr. was a renowned battlefield general who is known for being successful because he was aggressive when the situation called for it. There is a lot to be learned from this comment: “Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way.”

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› Above, right: "No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection.” — Murphy’s Laws of Combat

› Right: Because we see it on t-shirts and stickers doesn’t make George Orwell’s statement, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf ... ,” any less true. And today, he could add “and women” to his assertion.

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there’s something I don’t know about, I find someone who is good at it. I observe how they do it, and then, I just try to, basically, mimic what they are doing. We’ve all heard the term, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” One thing I have always tried to do is stay good at a few skills. The way to do that is to pick out the skills that you believe are most important to maintain and then make practicing those skills an integral part of your day. The way to master a skill is to learn how to do it the right way, establish the proper technique and practice it regularly. If you’re practicing bad technique, you’ll just get really good at doing something wrong. In addition, it’s important to remember that all skills are perishable: Just because you are the master of a skill today does not guarantee you will be a master five years—without practice—from now. Dedication to daily practice is the best way to maintain your skills. • A WARRIOR IS FLEXIBLE AND KNOWS HOW TO IMPROVISE, ADAPT AND OVERCOME. It’s also important to remember that techniques sometimes need to change when situations change; it is up to you to learn or relearn what you need to know in order to maintain mastery of your chosen discipline. For instance, when I was in the Special Forces, it was imperative that I be highly proficient at transitioning from my rifle to my pistol as rapidly as possible in case my rifle ran out of bullets or malfunctioned. Now that I’m retired from the military, proficiency

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [JULY 2018]

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› Above, left: Being a true warrior with honor is a difficult and complex challenge, especially in environments that are short on morals and ethics. This Japanese proverb provides some simple, but worthwhile, guidance: “Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.”

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THE PATH TO BECOMING A WARRIOR IS NOT AN EASY ONE, BECAUSE AT ITS CORE IS DISCIPLINE.

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ON A PERSONAL NOTE

in this skill is no longer necessary, because I don’t carry a rifle all the time. I do, however, always carry a concealed pistol. The physical act of drawing a pistol from a concealed holster is much different than drawing from a leg holster, so it was back to the drawing board for me. I had to learn and practice a new technique to become as proficient and lethal as I had been in the past. Remember: You can’t just rest easy and expect skills to stay with you for life because you knew how to do them a long time ago. You should continue to practice, modifying your technique if necessary, no matter how good you are at any given discipline. • NEVER QUIT! In his epic novel, Gates of Fire, about the Spartans

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and the battle at Thermopylae (which is taught at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and in the U.S. Marine Basic Course at Quantico), author Steven Pressfield wrote about how the Spartans trained: "The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone." Having the will to fight on and not quit is more of a trait than it is something you can “learn” through conditioning. A warrior never leaves a fallen comrade behind and only needs to look to his left and right to find a reason not to quit and to keep the will to drive on until the war is won.

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I would like to share an example of my personal experience with the stress inoculation training being used successfully in the military. I have always been deathly afraid of heights. But when I decided to join the U.S. Army, I realized that this was one fear I would have to overcome if I were to become an effective warrior. That said, in my 25 years in the Army—starting as an infantry soldier, then as a paratrooper and ultimately serving as a Green Beret—I had no shortage of challenges that took me well off the ground. On the low end, I had to maneuver over high obstacles, climb 50-foot ropes and rappel off of 100-foot towers. I got to soar above the trees in a SPIES (Special Patrol Insertion/ Extraction System) rig after a jungle extraction and did some fast-roping out of helicopters hovering 90 feet above the ground. By using the techniques I learned in training, I was able to do some static line parachuting with full combat equipment into drop zones around the globe from 800 feet. My greatest challenge came when I jumped from a perfectly good airplane at 25,000 feet into the dark of night. I had oxygen, 80 pounds of equipment and a ram-air parachute on my back and my weapon strapped to my side. I flew myself at high altitude for over an hour and then landed in a postage stamp-sized landing zone many miles away from where I had exited the aircraft. I was able to do all these things—not because I am particularly courageous, but simply because I learned how to inoculate myself from my own fears to develop the discipline needed to control them to a point at which I could do my job.

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ONCE YOU LEARN TO SUBDUE YOUR FEAR AND VANQUISH PANIC, YOU WILL BE ON YOUR WAY TO ACHIEVING THE WARRIOR MINDSET.

› Right: HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) parachutists jump from heights between 15,000 and 35,000 feet. This extreme form of parachuting is not for the faint at heart and would certainly pose a great challenge to anyone with a phobia of heights!

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‹ The large Mojo Load-Out Bag is a great grab-and-go bag you can throw in the trunk of your car when bugging out by vehicle. It has a large capacity and an assortment of pockets for keeping gear organized. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

HIT THE ROAD OR THE TRAIL WITH THESE GREAT GEARHAULERS FROM VOODOO TACTICAL AND MAJOR SURPLUS

ON-YOUR -BACK BUG-OUT BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

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› Above: The Large Tobago Cargo Pack has been the author’s favorite over the years. It offers great capacity, versatility, rugged construction and carry comfort and is available in several color and camo patterns. These three are the author’s own packs.

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I

’m continually on the lookout for the best ways to tote my equipment so I can have it with me when I need it. That goes when I’m on a wilderness hunt, backcountry hike or stowing emergency gear in a car or canoe for a “just-incase” scenario. Daypacks, backpacks, military packs, range bags, shoulder sacks, fanny packs, duffels—I’ve tried them all. Along the way, I’ve used several products from Major Surplus & Survival and its tactical specialty subsidiary, Voodoo Tactical. Some I’ve used extensively. Major Surplus & Survival offers genuine military surplus gear and new, military-style gear at affordable prices. Voodoo Tactical provides top-of-the-line tactical gear designed for heavy-duty use. Much of that gear is in use by military and law enforcement units around the globe. (I once had to wait for a Tobago pack in Coyote Brown, because the company was filling a large order for that item from a South

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [JULY 2018]

American military unit.) Here, I’ve picked a cross-section of my favorites. Each excels at a particular bug-out mission, but the overall objective for every one of them is the same: to get your gear to where you’re going. VOODOO TACTICAL LARGE TOBAGO CARGO PACK When I find a great product, I never want to risk going without it. With that in mind, I have to confess that I now own three Large Tobago Cargo Packs. The Tobago is simply the best, most versatile pack I’ve ever used. It has a large, 75-liter capacity; plenty of compartments and pockets within compartments to keep gear organized; and it is well-made, with thick nylon fabric and heavy-duty zippers. The Tobago carries heavy loads easily. It has contoured, padded shoulder straps that are kept in place with a sternum strap. It has padded lumbar support and a padded hip belt that supports a lot of the weight. Together, they keep the pack from shifting when covering difficult terrain. There’s a rigid back support in its own zippered compartment that also helps with carrying heavy loads comfortably. That back support is removable; with it removed, the pack can be stuffed more easily into small spaces, such as into a kayak or car trunk. That zippered compartment is also a great place to tuck topo maps and notebooks. The pack has the natural, low profile of a smaller rucksack, unlike top-heavy conventional backpacks. That allows you to travel through thick brush easily, climbing over blow-downs without losing balance or getting hung up on low-hanging branches. The Tobago has two large main compartments. The first and largest has tie-down straps to secure a water bladder or other gear and two zippered mesh compartments. There are ports both

left and right at the top of the pack to run water bladder hoses. They are closed off with Velcro flaps when not in use. The second large compartment has three divider pockets to keep gear organized, as well as a radio pouch and slots for pens or other small gear. I usually stick a sharpening rod in one and a ferro rod in another. There’s a smaller, zippered pocket on each side of the pack as well. These are great for a compass, flashlight, whistle, insect repellent, first aid kit, alcohol stove, fire-starting kit and other small items you want to keep handy. There’s also a long, zippered pocket on the back of the pack near the bottom. That’s where I usually place a couple of 50-foot lengths of paracord and a bathroom kit— trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer—for when I’m literally “on the go.” There are MOLLE gear attachment points all over the pack that allow you to customize the pack however you want. I’ve used them at times to attach an additional utility pouch, machete, shotgun scabbard and, on the shoulder straps, a pistol holster and fixed-blade knife. There are compression straps on the top and bottom on each side of the pack. As a result, you don’t have to switch packs when traveling light. You can cinch down the straps to keep gear from rattling around when carrying lighter loads. I’ve used those compression straps for securing other gear on the outside of the pack, such as a sleeping pad, backpacking tent, camera tripod and protective fishing rod tube. I always keep a pair of nylon straps in the pack in case I want to lash something to the bottom of the pack, such as a sleeping bag or bulky hunting jacket. For overnight or gone for good, the Tobago Cargo Pack is the one I’d choose. When you consider its $99.95 price tag, this Voodoo Tactical pack is one of the best values on the market.

› Below: The large Tobago pack features a removable rigid back support in its own zippered compartment. With it installed, heavy loads can be carried more comfortably. Without it, the pack can be more easily stuffed into small areas, such as in a canoe or kayak.

THE TOBAGO IS SIMPLY THE BEST, MOST VERSATILE PACK I’VE EVER USED. IT HAS A LARGE, 75-LITER CAPACITY; PLENTY OF COMPARTMENTS AND POCKETS WITHIN COMPARTMENTS TO KEEP GEAR ORGANIZED; AND IT IS WELLMADE, WITH THICK NYLON FABRIC AND HEAVY-DUTY ZIPPERS. › Far right: The Voodoo packs are MOLLE-compatible. Additional utility pouches, cartridge carriers, magazine pouches and first aid bags are available to accessorize them as you like. Pictured here with the Tobago pack is a Voodoo Tactical shotgun scabbard that can be attached to the pack via its MOLLE attachments or carried separately with its own shoulder strap.

Large Tobago Cargo Pack Specifications

› Near right: The large Tobago pack is fitted with contoured, padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap to keep the pack in place and, to help carry the load, a padded hip belt.

• Dimensions: 20x19x12 inches • Capacity: 75 liters • Colors: Woodland camo, olive drab, coyote brown, black, ACU digital camo, MultiCam

MSRP: $99.95 ($143.95 for MultiCam) [ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE

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PRAETORIAN RIFLE PACK LITE When you have to travel fast and light with minimal gear, a smaller pack is sometimes best. Maybe you have a place to stash heavier gear, or maybe you’ve established a temporary base camp—a place to hunker down. I’ve used two smaller Voodoo Tactical packs for several years. The first is the Mini Tobago, an excellent pack for hunting, day hikes or when bugging out with just the basics. The second is the Discreet Raven Pack, a heavy-duty daypack with a more-subdued, less-military look to it for traveling, especially in urban environments, when I don’t want to draw attention. But this time around, I decided to put another Voodoo Tactical pack to the test. The Praetorian Rifle Pack Lite has some unusual capabilities for a daypack and lots of “cool” factor. The entire back panel of the pack is actually a large, padded flap secured by a zipper and six adjustable, quick-release buckles. Open the flap, and a compartment is revealed that allows for carrying any long gun from 29 to 58 inches long. A fold-down pouch with adjustable straps

‹ Above: The large Mojo Load-Out Bag is a great grab-and-go bag you can throw in the trunk of your car when bugging out by vehicle. It has a large capacity and an assortment of pockets for keeping gear organized. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical) ‹ Near left: The Praetorian Rifle Pack Lite is about the size of a typical daypack, but with its padded laptop compartment and rifle carrier system, it has far greater versatility. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

‹ Far left: The Praetorian’s shoulder straps and waist belt are well padded for all-day comfort. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

Praetorian Rifle Pack Lite Specifications • Dimensions: 20x12x7.5 inches • Capacity: 30 liters • Colors: Olive drab, coyote brown, black

MSRP: $111.95

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‹ Bottom left: The Praetorian Rifle Pack Lite, while not offering the capacity of larger packs, does provide a handy way to carry a long gun while still protecting it from bumps and bruises.

Mojo Loadout Bag with Backpack Straps Specifications • Dimensions: 39x18x15 inches • Capacity: 173 liters • Colors: Olive drab, coyote brown, black, MultiCam

MSRP: $111.95 ($191.95 MultiCam)

› Top right: The Mojo Load-Out Bag can be carried with the carry handles wrapped together or with the provided shoulder strap. A backpack strap harness is also included. › Middle right: The large Mojo Load-Out Bag comes with a quick-attach backpack strap harness that stores in its own compartment on the bottom of the bag—very handy if you suddenly find yourself afoot.

cradles the butt of a rifle or shotgun, while additional straps secure the receiver and barrel for muzzle-up carry. Close the back panel, and you’re ready to go with the rifle protected—lessening the chance of a scope from being knocked out of zero. A nylon sleeve is provided to cover the barrel and further protect a long gun from the weather. Also included is another adjustable carrier that gives you the option of transporting a long gun muzzle down. Another padded compartment, accessible with full-length zippers on each side, is perfect for stowing a laptop computer. In that compartment, there’s also a removable pistol holster that secures via Velcro in various positions within that compartment. While this compartment increases the Praetorian’s overall capacity to 30 liters, I would probably add a utility pouch for small survival gear (knife, compass, fire kit) while using the padded compartment for a water bladder. Extensive external MOLLE webbing provides numerous attachment points for add-ons, giving this pack great versatility. And when you’re not using the pack to transport a rifle, you can add pouches to the MOLLE webbing inside that flapped gun compartment. The Praetorian Rifle Pack Lite has padded shoulder straps and a waist belt. Mesh padding where the pack contacts your back is designed to keep you cool and comfortable. MOJO LOAD-OUT BAG WITH BACKPACK STRAPS The large Mojo Load-Out Bag is a great grab-and-go bag that you can throw in the trunk of your car when bugging out by vehicle. It has an enormous, 173-liter capacity, with one large main compartment and an assortment of 11 external pockets for keeping gear organized. The main compartment is accessed through the two top zippers that run the length of the bag with joined zipper pulls, providing a wide-mouth opening that makes it easy to add or remove gear. I wish I had had one of these bags when I was a police officer, because it would have made an excellent patrol bag, to be kept in a vehicle to carry the many extras (backup flashlights, raincoats, extra handcuffs, rubber gloves, binocular, tools and many other pieces of gear) that are sometimes needed in law enforcement. As a bug-out bag, this Mojo Load-Out Bag excels. There are compartments for everything, enabling you to keep your gear separated and undamaged when transporting your gear over rough roads. Two

‹ Above: The Mojo Load-Out Bag features two zippers along the entire length of the bag to provide a wide opening to access gear.

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Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack

‹ Near left: The Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack comes with a removable rain cover to keep your pack and gear protected from the weather. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

Specifications • Dimensions: 16x12.5x31 inches • Capacity: 70 liters • Colors: Blue, green, red

MSRP: $159.95 ‹ Far left: Numerous convenient external pockets on the Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack enable you to keep frequently used gear close at hand.

‹ Below, left: The Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack is offered in blue (shown), green and red. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

‹ Below, right: The Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack has the look of a bag intended more for civilian backpackers than military operators, but it is a large, very capable pack suitable for multi-day journeys. (Photo: Voodoo Tactical)

compression straps on each end of the bag also help keep your gear stabilized. You probably won’t need more capacity than this bag offers, but you can add MOLLE pouches and other gear to the outside webbing along one entire side of the bag. The bag also features D-rings around the top for adding straps or lashing gear. The bag features a wraparound carry handle in the center and an adjustable, removable padded shoulder strap. And, in the event your vehicle breaks down and you find yourself afoot, there’s a shoulder strap harness stowed in a special compartment on the outside bottom of the bag that allows you to carry the Mojo as a huge backpack. MIL-SPEC PLUS 70-LITER BACKPACK If a more-traditional backpack suits you better, Major Surplus and Survival offers its MilSpec Plus 70-Liter Backpack. It’s a top-loading pack constructed of lightweight ripstop nylon and offers enough capacity for multi-day excursions. This one has been flying under the

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ESSENTIAL PACK FEATURES While there are different packs for different purposes, there are some constants—things I look for in any pack for any mission. 1. SUFFICIENT SPACE.. If I’m choosing a bug-out bag or pack, it has to have enough room in it, not only for my survival gear, spare clothing, guns and ammo, but also for water containers and food to last for several days. If I’m choosing a daypack, it has to have room for my necessities; that is, the minimalist gear I need to improvise everything I might need in a survival situation, including building a shelter, starting a fire and cooking meals. 2. COMFORTABLE CARRY. Holding enough gear is useless in a pack if I struggle to carry it every step of the way. Is the pack stable, or is it constantly shifting? Do the straps dig into my shoulders, or are they sufficiently padded and shaped? Does it have a waist belt, and is it positioned for my body size to support a good amount of the pack’s weight? 3. RUGGED CONSTRUCTION. I need to depend on a pack in extreme conditions. I don’t need it to fall apart when the going gets rough. I don’t need to lose gear because of broken zippers or the bottoms ripping out of pockets. 4. SEVERAL COMPARTMENTS. When I reach for a piece of gear, I might need it now. I don’t want to have to rummage around

radar because it has the quality and features that outclass many of the more-expensive “name brand” packs. The top flap includes a zippered electronics pocket with two internal zipper pockets and earphone port. There’s also a covered water bladder port leading from the main compartment. Under the top flap, the top collar of the pack has a drawstring closure with a cord lock. That collar has an extension sleeve that pulls up to make use of the pack’s full capacity. There’s zippered access to the main compartment from the side as well. Along each side of the pack is a zippered pocket at the top and an open-topped water bottle pocket at the bottom. There’s a zippered sleeping bag storage compartment at the bottom of the pack. Inside, the sleeping

through the vast depths of my pack as if it were lip gloss tossed into the bottom of my wife’s handbag. Having a variety of pockets or compartments within the pack helps keep my gear organized, accessible and protected

from damage—especially smaller items, such as a flashlight, compass, GPS unit, cell phone or two-way radio, whistle, fire-starting kit, multi-tool, first aid kit, etc.

bag compartment is separated from the large main compartment by a nylon flap attached with two adjustable straps. Unfastening the straps allows you to open the inside of the pack to create one cavernous space. A removable rain cover is included—an extra expense with most other packs—and it is contained in a dedicated pocket in the top flap. Straps are included, both top and bottom, for lashing a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, jackets, tent or other bulky items. Two gear loops are also provided on the outside bottom for ice axes or other tools. Straps on the back of the pack provide a place to lash collapsible trekking poles too. The Mil-Spec Plus 70-Liter Backpack features an aluminum frame and back stays for carrying heavy loads. Dual-density, foam-padded shoulder straps and waist belt provide support. The entire shoulder harness and the padded back panel are adjustable to the size of your torso, helping keep the pack comfortable over the miles. STUFF ’EM AS YOU LIKE Major Surplus & Survival and Voodoo Tactical have the packs and bags you need to keep your emergency preps and survival gear ready to go. What you decide to put in those bug-out bags is up to you. (Before I get started on that, let’s leave it for now—it's a topic deserving of its own article).

‹ Above: Other smaller Voodoo Tactical packs the author has used with good results are the Mini Tobago (left) and the Raven Discreet Pack.

S O U R C E S Major Surplus and Survival (800) 441-8855 www.MajorSurplus.com Voodoo Tactical (877) 586-6366 www.VoodooTactical.net

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VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION BY DANA BENNER

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› Right: Because no one knows what tomorrow will bring, now is the best time to examine your finances and skill sets to see where you can improve your chances to thrive in an economic bust.

W

hile we can never change history, wise people learn from it. A good example of this is the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s. The stock market collapsed, and banks, factories and businesses closed their doors. What little money people had been able to save was gone. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Many people lost everything they had. Farms and homes were foreclosed on. Droughts and poor farming practices turned valuable productive farmland into dustbowls, and prices for food and other items soared. What little money that was available wasn’t enough to purchase what was needed. Jobs were lost, and there were no social services available to fall back on as there are today. People had to learn to be resourceful and frugal ... or perish.

‹ Below: During the Great Depression, lines at soup kitchens were common. Even as good as times are today, there is often not enough food at soup kitchens and food banks. © GETTY IMAGES

Although times have changed—with some changes for the better and others not so much—this calamity could still happen to us today. These days, we rely too much on social programs to see us through the rough times. We are overly dependent on technology to do our work and on the government to get us through when things go badly. The good news is that the principles learned by our forebears almost 100 years ago still apply today ... that is, if we are willing to learn from them. My parents were children during the Great Depression, my father being born in 1919 and my mother in 1920. They came from two very different backgrounds, two different sets of circumstances and two different ways of dealing with them. My mother came from a family of four, and her father hunted and fished to help keep food on the table. My father came from a family of six, and, although nobody in that family hunted or fished, they were resourceful in other ways. What both families had in common was that they used their determination, wits and skills to make it through. The lessons they learned the hard way were instilled in me as I grew up. Those lessons have served me well, and I continue to use them today. THE SIMPLE THINGS What would you do if your money were worthless? How about if you lost your job and had no money to purchase food, clothing or keep a roof over your head? How would you deal with the issues that we consider mundane today, such as darning a pair of socks or patching the holes in your pants or shirts? Could you make your own clothes if you had to? Could you whip up a meal out of almost nothing? These are all things my parents learned to do and, thankfully, they taught me to do the same. My father’s mother taught him how to sew and cook, and while neither one was “his thing,” he could do them if he had to. My mother made it a point to teach me how to sew and cook;

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‹ Above: The Great Depression was a worldwide event, as can be seen in this photo of a food line in France.

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ALTHOUGH THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AND THERE ARE MORE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE, BAD THINGS STILL CAN, AND WILL, HAPPEN ON A LARGE SCALE. IF HISTORY TEACHES US ANYTHING, IT IS THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL BE PREPARED, AND SOME (PROBABLY MORE) WILL NOT.

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this is knowledge I have benefitted from more than once. I don’t sew with a sewing machine. She taught me how to use a needle and thread, because what would you do if you didn’t have a sewing machine or the power to run it? When I was growing up, I would watch my mother darn my socks and patch my clothes. We did not have much money, so she made sure she got the most out of the money we did spend. Her way of thinking was, Why spend the money to replace something if it can be repaired? Why is something as mundane as sewing important? In today’s throwaway world, many of us have lost this skill. If we get a hole in our socks, we throw them away and buy a new pair. What would you

do if you had no money to spare on new socks, or there were no store? When all the money you do have has to go to keeping a roof over your head and food in your stomach, you will have to fix what you have and make do. The ability to sew is basic, but it has many other implications besides fixing clothing. Your skill with a needle and thread could help in an emergency survival situation. Perhaps the strap on your pack lets go, or your sleeping bag gets a tear. Maybe you need to make a fishing net or sew up a wound. The principles of sewing apply in all these cases, and you just never know when this skill will come in handy. This is why I keep a small sewing kit in my bag at all times ... just in case. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES Never waste an opportunity to acquire food and other important supplies, because you never know when you will get another chance. My father’s father worked at a little grocery store during the Great Depression. It didn’t pay much, but at least he had a job. One thing that he could do was take home fruit and vegetables and sometimes, meat, that were about to go bad and couldn’t be sold. He had no vehicle, so he would walk

‹ Left: When the credit cards are maxed and you're out of cash, you can still trade your wallet. Bartering, whether it's goods or services, is a key way for you to acquire necessities.

‹ Below: Tough times cause immense mental and emotional strains on families and children. Make having healthy, supportive and positive personal relationships a top priority.

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› Do whatever needs to be done. In this case, it means gathering sap to make maple syrup.

› Learn a trade that will be in demand— whether times are good or bad. Fixing cars and trucks could earn you some extra money; alternatively, you could barter your skills.

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WE ARE OVERLY DEPENDENT ON TECHNOLOGY TO DO OUR WORK AND ON THE GOVERNMENT TO GET US THROUGH WHEN THINGS GO BADLY. © GETTY IMAGES

home carrying these items. My grandparents would go through the food and salvage what they could. Meat would have to be cooked right away, because there were no refrigerators as we know them today. They had an icebox, but it only kept things cool when they could afford, or even get, ice. Fruit and vegetables that couldn’t wait another day were made into breads or were eaten right away. Anything left over would end up in a stew or soup for the next day. That was a rare opportunity my grandfather had; he took advantage of it, and my grandparents made sure nothing went to waste. Compare this with how much good food we throw away every day because we have had our fill or don’t like leftovers. As mentioned before, my mother’s father hunted. Using an old shotgun, he would shoot grouse, rabbits and squirrels. He also taught my mother how to hunt. In turn, she taught me. Because shot shells cost money, and they couldn’t afford to buy shells, they had to make every shot count. Every opportunity was exploited to its maximum. My grandfather would get more shells when he could by either buying them—or, more often than not—by trading a nice, fat rabbit for a handful of rounds. A few more rounds meant

MY FATHER’S MOTHER TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SEW AND COOK, AND WHILE NEITHER ONE WAS “HIS THING,” HE COULD DO THEM IF HE HAD TO. ‹ Left: Teaching her son to sew, this mother is giving him a skill that is very likely to come in handy in the future.

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‹ Below, left: With the right tools, a little help from a reference book and some patience, you’ll find you can address most basic plumbing, carpentry and electrical repairs.

ACQUIRE A TRADE During the Great Depression, your own skills were what got you through. You couldn’t afford to pay a roofer, plumber or a mechanic, so you needed to be able to fix things on your own. My father learned very early how to fix anything mechanical. He learned the hard way—by taking things apart and then putting them back together. He soon became pretty good at it and was even able to make a little extra money for the family by fixing other people’s things. In an emergency situation, you will need to

rely on your own skills to get things done. Today, we have the advantage of many ways to learn how to do everything from electrical work to welding. There are literally tons of informational books, videos and online instruction on virtually every topic. I have a bookcase full of them in case I need them. I prefer books over relying on technology, simply because books are going to

‹ Bottom, right: Hunting is just one way to put food on the table.

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another meal or two. Today, just as then, we need to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented. Unlike during the 1920s and ’30s, we have refrigeration available to us. I hunt and fish as much as I can, stocking my freezer with game and fish. I barter for those things I can’t get on my own. I keep my pantry stocked with canned goods and emergency food, such as Paleo Meals to Go, Mountain House and MRE Star. I purchase them when I have a little extra money. Buy these items when they are on sale, and keep them on hand. You never know when you will need them.

‹ Below, right: Fruit doesn’t stay good for long. Learning how to can and to make jam will make that fruit last much longer and broaden your menu options. These are also great trade items.

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‹ Above: Never waste anything! This carcass is being boiled down to be turned into a soup or stew.

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MONEY We all know that "money makes the world go around." But money, especially paper money, is only as good as the government that is backing it. Those physical dollar bills are not really “money”; instead, they are promissory notes backed by the U.S. government for the value printed on them. What happens if there is a government failure? If the economy collapses, the value of that “money” drops, because the tangible things you need to buy become more valuable.

› Below: Based on the metal it is made of, "hard currency” has its own value. In a survival situation, gold and silver (from any country) will have the same value. In today’s world, this means we should all have some investments in gold and/or silver.

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THE PHYSICAL DOLLAR BILLS ARE NOT REALLY “MONEY”; INSTEAD, THEY ARE PROMISSORY NOTES BACKED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR THE VALUE PRINTED ON THEM.

› Right: Even in today's "healthy" economy, many people live paycheck to paycheck. Whether or not you are one of them, look for ways to reduce expenses by doing things you usually pay others to do or make for you.

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be available and functional, and access to technology might not.

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NEVER WASTE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE FOOD AND OTHER IMPORTANT SUPPLIES, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL GET ANOTHER CHANCE.

TOOLS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT © GETTY IMAGES

Whether you need to fix your car, a broken pipe or your roof, you will need tools. Here is a list of basic tools you should have on hand. • Wrenches: A good set of wrenches, both standard and metric, in various sizes should always be on hand. Although adjustable wrenches will do in a pinch, nothing replaces a regular wrench. • Pipe wrench: Sometimes called a “monkey wrench,” this wrench is a lifesaver when trying to repair a broken water pipe, because it is designed to fit pipes and pipe fittings. • Hammer: Make sure you have a good claw hammer, not one of those “dollar store” specials. You want it to last. Believe me: You will probably use it often. • Screwdrivers: Keep handy some good, old-fashioned hand screw drivers in both Phillips and standard configurations.

REFERENCE BOOKS

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Today, we rely way too much on our electronics. Where will you turn if that technology goes away? For that reason, I own books that cover everything from medical to mechanical topics. I recommend that you also have these books on hand.

› Above: Learn now how to cook and bake from scratch. In tough times, one of the first expenses people cut is eating out.

That is what happened during the Great Depression. Those who got by didn’t do so by amassing huge amounts of dollar bills. They did so by using gold and silver coinage. “Hard currency” is what it is called. It has its own value that is based on the metal it is made of. In a survival situation, gold and silver (from any country) will have more value than paper money. In today’s world, this means we should all be investing what we can, when we can, in gold and silver. I’m not talking about purchasing gold and silver stocks. I’m talking about purchasing hard

• The Survival Medicine Handbook, by Joseph Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. Doctors don’t work for free, so you might need to take care of some things yourself. This book tells you how. • Reader’s Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. This book has been around for many years and covers everything from plumbing and electrical to woodworking. It is a great reference if you need to fix something. • Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. Now in its 15th edition, this was my mother’s cookbook (when she used one). This book teaches you how to do everything from scratch and is an invaluable reference.

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© GETTY IMAGES

... TAKE A LOOK BACK AND LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE US. WHILE THE TIMES AND SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED, THE PRINCIPLES AND RISKS HAVE NOT.

coinage. You can buy gold and silver coins, specialty coins or even bars on the open market. Stay away from “clad” coins, because they are made from another metal and then plated in gold or silver. Purchase items made from as much gold or silver as possible. After you make your purchase, don’t run around bragging or showing them off. Flashing your assets will make you a target—if not now, then later—when the SHTF and people become desperate. Store your gold and silver in a safe place, and then leave it there until you need it.

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We have all heard about people who have dug up jars of silver coins buried by people looking to keep them safe. They did this because they didn’t trust the banks (remember, banks went under during the Great Depression and during the banking crisis 10 years ago). I don’t recommend doing that, but just keep them safe. Although the times have changed, and there are more safeguards in place, bad things still can, and will, happen on a large scale. If history teaches us anything, it is that some people will be prepared, and some (probably more) will not. In our age of computers, cell phones and government-sponsored social services, it is very easy to get complacent and forget the knowledge and skills needed to keep it together when times get tough. This article discusses just a few of these lessons, so take a look back and learn from the people who came before us. While the times and specific circumstances have changed, the principles and risks have not.

‹ Above: Small gold and silver bars are harder than coins to exchange in common transactions, but they are a good way to preserve your wealth and can be effective for larger trades and purchases.

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BOLD AND BRIGHT HANDHELD POWERHOUSES THAT WILL GUIDE THE WAY BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA

B

eing out in the dark can be very scary. It can instantly intensify already-jittery nerves and increase fears that might otherwise seem unjustified or even silly when the same area is illuminated in the light of day. In addition, not knowing what is ahead of you or lurking around the next corner, rock or tree can result in unforeseen injuries, making a wrong turn, which could prove equally disastrous, or becoming the target of an unknown stalker bent on making you his next victim. But, like fire providing comfort to weary

hikers in the dead of night, handheld flashlights of all sizes, styles and purposes can help pierce the veil of night and allow the wielder to regain control of the situation. A simple flashlight can put a person’s worries and misplaced fears far behind them while providing them the means to continue onward if lost, emit a signal to rescuers or send a message to anyone out to do them harm that they are not a defenseless target. Flashlights serve many purposes; it’s time to “shine some light” on these vital emergency tools.

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SOG Bladelight Folding Mini Overview

Specifications

In the dark and carrying this knife? You’ll have no problem at all! Sporting twin LED lights on its handle, this knife will act as a flashlight for all sorts of projects, and it will also help you find your way when the sun has set for the day. CR2032 lithium batteries keep this light burning brightly for up to 240 minutes. Fully water resistant, this go-to light is perfect for marine or heavy-rainfall environments. A sharp blade and brilliant illumination—what more could you ask for?

• Output: 45 lumens • Runtime: 4 hours • Overall length: 7 inches • Closed length: 4 inches • Reversible, low-carry belt clip • Aluminum and glass-reinforced handle

MSRP $80

URL www.SOGKnives.com

Pak-Lite Dual Red LED Flasher Overview

Specifications

A flashing red light signals others to be cautious or draws attention to a dire situation, and this little number performs that to perfection. Tiny enough to be stored in your pants pocket, mini-gear bag or even the palm of your hand, this powerful red beacon cuts the darkness of night with long-running LEDs. Use it on your bike, the rear of your trailer or to send a distress signal while lost in the wild. In clear weather conditions, it can be seen over a mile away.

• Minimum 50-hour runtime • Single or dual LED modes • Attaches to included 9-volt alkaline battery • Gold-plated toggle contacts • Additional accessory options available

MSRP $19.99

URL www.9VLight.com

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SOG Dark Energy DE-06 Flashlight Overview

Specifications

Producing a blinding 687 lumens, this palm-sized flashlight utilizes five modes at the touch of a single button. Just scroll through them to activate the full, “100%” power mode, the “40%” power, “reading,” “tactical” and “strobe” features. Its outer shell is tough as nails and will hold up to the rigors of the outdoors while remaining firm within your grasp. Sporting nearly 100 minutes of runtime at full power and a staggering 97 hours in reading mode, this pocket-sized unit lights it up in a big way.

• Overall length: 5.95 inches • Weight: 4.80 ounces • Black hard-anodized finish • Integrated belt clip • Rechargeable 18650 battery

MSRP $194

URL www.SOGKnives.com

Ledlenser MT10 Flashlight Overview

Specifications

An important component of your bug-out bag or emergency kit, this high-powered flashlight performs multiple functions to help keep you and your family safe. Three power settings and a strobe signaler ensure just the right amount of light needed for your task or attract others to your location. An energy-saving mode preserves precious power, while its battery indicator alerts you when a charge is needed. A belt clip is included for easy carrying.

• Output range: 1,000 (“high”), 10 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 6 (“high”), 144 (“low”) hours • Beam is adjustable from “spot” to “flood” • Length: 5.04 inches • Weight: 5.50 ounces • Includes Li-ion rechargeable battery

MSRP $80

URL www.LedLenserUSA.com

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Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp Overview

Specifications

Hands-free light where you need it, when you need it. The MH10 projects up to 600 lumens of light directly onto the task at hand. Sporting an advanced focusing beam, temperature control system and smart light technology, this simple-to-use lamp is amazingly advanced. The unit comes complete with a travel case, USB charger and Li-ion rechargeable battery.

• Output range: 600 (“high”), 10 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 10 (“high”), 120 (“low”) hours • Includes a lens filter set • Weight: 9.31 ounces

MSRP $80

URL www.LedLenserUSA.com

Ledlenser MT18 Flashlight Overview

Specifications

This flashlight is big and bold! Delivering an incredible 3,000 lumens on full power, the MT18 brightens up the darkest room, trail or wherever you find yourself in the blackness of night. It features an energy-saving mode, battery indicator, charge indicator and transportation lock, all contained within its highly durable shell. It’s water resistant, rechargeable and, best of all, it gives you peace of mind when it’s firmly in your hand.

• Output range: 3,000 (“high”), 30 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 5 (“high”), 96 (“low”) hours • Rechargeable Li-ion battery • Beam adjusts from “spot” to “flood” • Weight: 21.87 ounces • Length: 6.73 inches

MSRP $199

URL www.LedLenserUSA.com

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Fenix HL40R Focusable Rechargeable Headlamp Overview

Specifications

Want a lightweight, comfortable feel and one of the most feature-rich headlamps on the market today? Then, this model is for you. Featuring a 600-lumen burst down to a 4-lumen steady light, this lamp sports six lighting modes—perfect for diverse exploring or survival tasks. The unit’s battery indicator lets you know when it’s time to charge its built-in battery via a convenient USB port. The headlamp’s overlapping band ensures a snug, comfy fit.

• Output range: 600 (“high”), 4 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 1.33 (“high”), 200 (“low”) hours • Rainproof and dustproof • Beam adjusts from “spot” to “flood” • Weight: 4.60 ounces

MSRP $80

URL www.FenixLighting.com

Fenix TK25 White and Red LED Flashlight Overview

Specifications

An amalgamation of a high-performance white LED flashlight and a red LED hunting or tactical light, this handheld light transitions with just a simple twist of the head. Featuring four levels of white light, a maximum output of 1,000 lumens and a beam distance of nearly 750 feet, this lamp redefines the word, “powerful.” Its red output maxes out at an incredible 310 lumens—powerful enough to break through the darkest forest or a pitchblack urban tactical setting. It’s compatible with one 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A lithium batteries.

• White output range: 1,000 (“high”), 15 (“low”) lumens • White runtime range: 2 (“high”), 110 (“low”) hours • Red output range: 310 (“high”), 10 (“low”) lumens • Red runtime range: 2.5 (“high”), 100 (“low”) hours • Functional tail switch for output selection • Weight: 5.52 ounces

MSRP $120

URL www.FenixLighting.com

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Fenix TK72R Rechargeable Flashlight Overview

Specifications

This monster exudes pure power! Sporting an incredibly blinding 9,000 lumens and projecting a beam more than 300 yards, this flashlight is one of the most powerful handheld lights on the market. Three stainless steel buttons control its brightness, while its OLED display shows the flashlight’s status, including brightness, runtime and remaining battery level. The included battery pack is micro-USB rechargeable and can also be used to charge other devices. The unit is waterproof and dust proof and built super-durably to handle even the most rugged environments.

• Output range: 9,000 (“high”), 100 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 0.83 (“high”), 50 (“low”) hours • Constructed of durable, highstrength aluminum • Micro USB charging; USB discharging • Weight: 14.5 ounces (without batteries)

MSRP $329.95

URL www.FenixLighting.com

Pelican 2780 Headlamp Overview

Specifications

Experience piercing LED light ahead of you, directly in front of you—or, when combined, nearly all around you. This amazing headlamp offers three output levels to provide you with just the right amount of light for the task at hand. Combine all this with the “flashing” mode, which is perfect for alerting rescuers in the darkness. A comfortable fit and easy-to-change settings round out this must-have nighttime aid.

• Output range: 430 (“high”), 53 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 1.5 (“high”), 12 (“low”) hours • Head pivots vertically through 60 degrees • 4 AA batteries included • Weight: 8.8 ounces (with batteries)

MSRP $68.74

URL www.Pelican.com

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Lifelight Emergency Hand-Crank Flashlight Overview

Specifications

This hand-powered emergency flashlight brightens the trail ahead ... and does a whole lot more. Integrated within its easy-tofind black-and-orange shell is a window breaker, seat belt cutter, compass, cellphone charger—and, of course, a traditional and signaling flashlight. Running low on power? Just crank the handle and bring the unit back up to its fullest potential. This flashlight is perfect for campers, hikers, explorers and anyone preparing for the unexpected.

• Integrated USB phone charger • Rainproof outer shell • Impact-resistant plastic • Includes lithium-ion rechargeable battery

MSRP $39.95

URL www.CynergyHome.com

PowerTac E9R Flashlight Overview

Specifications

The E9R features a powerful CREE XM-L2 LED that’s capable of emitting a staggering 1,020 lumens, a signaling strobe and “memory” mode to keep your settings as you like them. This multi-fuel light is powered by either two CR123A or RCR123A (rechargeable) batteries or one 18650 rechargeable battery. It comes complete with holster, battery tube, lanyard and spare O-rings.

• Output range: 1,020 (“high”), 1 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 2.2 (“high”), 305 (“low”) hours • “Memory” mode automatically recalls last mode used • Crenelated bezel on head and tail for self-defense • Tempered glass; resistant to breakage or scratches • Impact-resistant to 2 meters

MSRP $143.95

URL www.PowerTac.com

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PowerTac E20 Flashlight Overview

Specifications

Performance, functionality and reliability all come together to form this everyday-carry flashlight. Projecting 1,180 lumens at maximum, this compact light doesn’t sacrifice power for its pocket-sized design. Its tail cap is magnetic, allowing you to mount the light on any ferrous metal surface for hands-free use. An integrated belt clip keeps the unit nearby, while the rechargeable battery keeps the light burning brightly wherever and whenever you need it. A charging cable is included.

• Output: 1,180 lumens • Runtime: 25 hours • Aircraft-grade aluminum casing • Impact resistant • Waterproof and submersible

MSRP $54.95

URL www.PowerTac.com

Streamlight Microstream USB Pocket Flashlight Overview

Specifications

Tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand or clipped to the brim of a baseball cap, this 250-lumen-output light is small yet incredibly powerful. Construction features include a rechargeable lithium-ion cell pack battery, integrated attachment clip and durable outer case to endure the rigors of continuous everyday use. The Microstream is the perfect backup light when facing the darkness ahead.

• Output range: 250 (“high”), 50 (“low”) lumens • Runtime range: 1.5 (“high”), 3.5 (“low”) hours • Pocket-sized for everyday-carry use • USB rechargeable; includes USB cord and lanyard • Weight: 1.20 ounces

MSRP $50

URL www.StreamLight.com

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BUILT TO

SURVIVE ANYTHING PRETTY MUCH

SKB waterproof iSeries cases are built to military spec and feature a virtually indestructible construction that’s lighter and stronger than the competition. With over 50 sizes and many interior options to choose from, you can bet that if you’ve got something worth protecting we’ve got a case for the job.

skbcases.com

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FROM ULTIMATE POLICE SHOTGUN TO DINOSAUR SLAYER

BY WILL DABBS, M.D.

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R ‹ Below: The muzzle of the UTS-15 is threaded for Beretta-style choke tubes. The included muzzle device sports scary-looking teeth.

yland Jaans was a warrior working in a zoo. Born in post-apartheid South Africa, Jaans had enlisted in the SADF (South African Defence Force) as soon as he was eligible. After a fruitful stint in the South African Special Forces, he had plied his trade across the expanse of the Dark Continent. The contacts he had made had taken him from Cape Town to Kandahar. When he got the text from an ex-British SAS mate about serious money to be had running security on an island full of dinosaurs, he made the call. Now six months into his stint with InGen, the dinosaur-growing subsidiary of Masrani Global, he found he was turning the easiest cash of his brief hard life. Tasked with containment should any of the bitier dinos escape their lodgings, Ryland had spent a little time training and a lot of time in front of Call of Duty. Indominus rex was the apex predator. Genetically-engineered to be the nastiest terrestrial organism ever to draw breath, this hybrid carnosaur

stood fully fifteen meters long. For a variety of reasons, the details of which now seemed fairly insignificant, the Indominus was now roaming free. As part of the Animal Containment Unit or ACU, it was now time for Ryland to earn his keep. In minutes, Jaans was in his gear and had his primary weapon charged. The gun he carried was a UTAS UTS-15, a twin-magazine Information Age 12-bore with an integral white light illuminator, a laser designator, and fifteen rounds of sabot slug chaos onboard. If anything would stop Indominus it should be this. The ACU squad had the advantage of technology and communications, but that didn’t count for much. Indominus burst out of the jungle foliage with a mass and ferocity that exceeded literally

THE UTS-15 BEGAN IN 2006 AS A REQUEST ON BEHALF OF SMITH & WESSON TO TURKISH COMPANY UTAS TO PRODUCE THE “ULTIMATE POLICE SHOTGUN.” SIX YEARS LATER, THE UTS-15 PRODUCTION MODELS FIRST DREW BREATH, AND THEY WERE RADICAL SMOKE POLES, INDEED.

‹ Left, middle: The UTAS UTS-15 sports a full-length Picatinny rail up top for optics.

‹ Left, bottom: A pivoting lever selects which of the magazine tubes will feed the action.

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› Near right: The fiber-reinforced butt plate has an energy-absorbing recoil pad that is 1 inch thick. › Far right: The safety on the UTS-15 is found in the same spot as that of the M4.

UTAS UTS-15 Specifications • Caliber: 12-gauge • Action: Manual pump • Length: 28.3 inches • Barrel length: 18.5 inches • Weight: 6.9 pounds (empty) • Magazine capacity: 14+1

MSRP: $1,099

› Below: The UTS-15 is arguably the coolest-looking firearm in a decade. Radical, innovative and mean, the UTS-15 is a remarkable piece of engineering.

AS IS THE CASE WITH ANY ADVANCED WEAPON, LEARN THE GUN AND RESPECT ITS UNIQUE CHARACTER. anything else on earth. True to his constitution, Ryland stood his ground while others ran, cycling through fully half a dozen heavy 12-gauge rounds. However, this creature weighed as much as a respectable whale and moved with the grace and speed of a jungle feline. The thing shrugged off the 12-gauge slugs with ease before dipping its head and biting Ryland Jaans in half. And now, back to the real world … . Michael Crichton’s seminal work, Jurassic Park, notwithstanding, it has been at least a

week or two since real flesh-and-blood dinosaurs roamed the plains. However, the concept of resurrecting extinct predators via the newly refined art of cloning has spawned no less than four big budget movies. The 2015 hit, Jurassic World, was,

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‹ Top left: The ejection port on the UTSA-15 is protected by a dust cover held in place with a rare-earth magnet. Despite its bullpup design, the right-sided ejection was not a problem when firing the gun from either shoulder. ‹ Middle left: The UTS-15 will carry a full 15 rounds of 2.75inch chaos onboard.

‹ Bottom left: The bullpup UTS-15 is an effective combat scattergun when run by a disciplined shooter.

THE ACTION IS REMARKABLY NOVEL AND IS PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS BY A PIVOTING POLYMER COVER.

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for a time, the most lucrative movie in history not helmed by James Cameron. It was in this awesome flick that our fictional character, Ryland Jaans, wielded his UTS-15 in an ill-fated effort at managing the liberated Indominus. But while the Indominus rex is pure fiction, the UTS-15 is not. The UTS-15 is a radical application of some storied technology. The shotgun as a combat weapon dates back to the 1700s. James Fennimore Cooper, the author of The Last of the Mohicans, first coined the term. British Redcoats packed their .75-caliber Brown Bess muskets with a little buckshot from time to time, and the venerable scattergun helped establish the American colonies. Now, some two and a half centuries later, the state of the art has evolved significantly. THE UTS-15 The UTS-15 began in 2006 as a request on behalf of Smith & Wesson to Turkish company UTAS to produce the “ultimate police shotgun.” Six years later, the UTS-15 production models first drew breath, and they were radical smoke poles, indeed. And while the road has been a bit rocky, the UTS-15 offers some unique capabilities. The UTS-15 is all fiber-reinforced polymer and Information Age tech. The gun feeds from a brace of seven-round tubular magazines and incorporates into its chassis both an integral white light illuminator and red laser sight. The light puts out about 200 lumens, and both the light and laser feed from common batteries. The action is a manual pump-driven bullpup of novel architecture. The gun’s twin magazine tubes ride above the barrel. They feed either one at a time or alternately, based on the position of a pivoting magazine selection lever located atop the gun. While in theory, this would allow the operator to load one tube with one sort of ammo and the other with something else, the practicalities of armed combat make it unlikely that most of us could keep track of such details

once the lead starts flying. There is a full-length Picatinny rail up top for optics, and the pistol grip nicely mimics that of an M4 in familiarity and utility. The widespread use of environment-resistant polymers keeps the empty weight of the gun at a mere 6.9 pounds. Despite the gun’s fulllength and nonrestricted 18.5-inch barrel, the bullpup design keeps the overall length less than most otherwise unadorned black rifles.

› Below, right: There are loading ports on both sides of the gun. Spring-loaded covers keep them sealed when not in use.

DETAILS To load the gun, pop open the two loading gate covers that protect the rear aspect of each loading tube and insert rounds, one at a time. This is a tedious process, as is the case with any tube-fed shotgun. However, the tubes are more easily accessed on the top than the bottom. Additionally, with 15 rounds on board, you don’t have to do as much reloading as might be the case with a lesser shotgun. Once the magazine tubes are topped off, you snap the loading doors shut. There

THE GUN EJECTS OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY, BUT THE PORT IS SO LOW THAT I CAN RUN THE GUN LEFT HANDED WITHOUT THROWING EMPTY HULLS DOWN MY SHIRT OR INTO MY FACE.

› Above: A pivoting polymer cover protects the action of the UTS-15.

› Far right: Numbered slots along the forearm allow you to keep track of rounds remaining at a glance.

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WINCHESTER PDX-1 DEFENDER 12-GAUGE ROUNDS The hull is flat black plastic, while the high-base head is finished in a dull black oxide. The overall effect transmits a certain sinister seriousness. You can tell this round is going to be bad news downrange at a glance. The primary payload is a 1-ounce rifled slug. Most slug loads stop there. The PDX-1 Defender, however, also packs three 00 plated buckshot atop the slug, nestled within Grex buffering material. A variation on the Revolutionary War-era buck-and-ball load, the end result is the finest defensive shotgun round ever produced. The slug tracks to the point of aim and carries just as much horsepower as might any 1-ounce slug load. The three plated buckshot disperse enough to compensate for aiming errors in high-stress situations. The shot pattern stays tight through most typical defensive shotguns and flies at around 1,150 fps. None of us ever wants to use our defensive firearms for real. The legal, spiritual and moral baggage associated with such stuff is better left unmolested. However, if you ever do pick up your defensive shotgun in anger, you don’t want the fight to last long. Nothing stops the conflict faster than the Winchester PDX-1 Defender 12-gauge round.

are slots cut in the magazines that will let you keep track of the rounds remaining at a glance. The bolt-release button is located on the bottom rear of the gun underneath the buttstock. Depress this catch and cycle the gun vigorously via the reciprocating forearm. The action is remarkably novel and is protected from the elements by a pivoting polymer cover. The magazine selection switch is a rotating affair located above the rear aspect of the magazine tubes. Point the switch in one direction or the other to select a magazine tube. Leave it in the center, and the gun alternates from each magazine. The barrel is threaded to accept Beretta-style choke tubes. The gun comes with

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› Winchester’s PDX-1 Defender defensive rounds represent some remarkably fearsome technology.

› At appropriate ranges, the venerable 12-bore carries more downrange horsepower than any other handheld firearm. This Winchester PDX-1 round did the deed at 15 meters.

THE GUN’S TWIN MAGAZINE TUBES RIDE ABOVE THE BARREL. THEY FEED EITHER ONE AT A TIME OR ALTERNATELY, BASED ON THE POSITION OF A PIVOTING MAGAZINE SELECTION LEVER LOCATED ATOP THE GUN.

a particularly sinister skeletonized version sporting some vicious-looking teeth. And should you wish to be the coolest turkey hunter in the universe, there is even a barrel extension. The light and laser are managed via a rotating bilateral switch located just above the trigger guard. The unilateral safety is in the expected spot and operates like that of an M4. There is a spring-loaded ejection port cover that is held in place with a rare-earth magnet. PRACTICAL TACTICAL The UTS-15 is now on its third production mark, and the latest versions are intended to rectify the purported ills of the previous guns. My copy is an early variant, so it offers an unvarnished review. Having run mine for several years now, I can offer a somewhat informed perspective. The UTS-15 is an exceptionally advanced combat shotgun. As a result, it has its own quirks. Learn the gun and run it appropriately, and it is reliable and effective. However, much like a Ferrari or a Bugatti, the action is notoriously intolerant of sloth. The gun is designed to be cycled vigorously. Run it as if you mean it, and I have found that the UTS-15 cycles reliably and well. However, run the slide tepidly or worse, and it will lock up with deplorable regularity. To clear the action, you pivot up the action cover and manually remove the offending round. However, if you operate the gun with authority, you shouldn’t have to. The light and laser are neat but not as spunky as most dedicated units, such as those from Streamlight or Surefire. At 200 lumens, most current weapon lights are two to three times more powerful. Even so, this means

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THE BARREL IS THREADED TO ACCEPT BERETTA-STYLE CHOKE TUBES. THE GUN COMES WITH A PARTICULARLY SINISTER SKELETONIZED VERSION SPORTING SOME VICIOUSLOOKING TEETH. AND SHOULD YOU WISH TO BE THE COOLEST TURKEY HUNTER IN THE UNIVERSE, THERE IS EVEN A BARREL EXTENSION.

that batteries do last longer. Recoil is typical for a 12-gauge, although the broad, soft recoil pad does a splendid job of distributing the gun’s inevitable violence. The gun ejects out of the right side only, but the port is so low that I can run the gun left-handed without throwing empty hulls down my shirt or into my face. With a proper optic in place, the gun will drop slugs right where you want them out to any reasonable shotgun engagement ranges. There is a pair of reversible sling swivels mounted on the side of the gun—where they should be. SURVIVAL APPLICATIONS So, where does the UTS-15 fall within the pantheon of modern survival firearms? For

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starters, the gun is just scary as heck. That’s the reason the Jurassic World guys chose to use it to arm their dinosaur-hunting ACU in the movie. Spooky aesthetics will make you either roundly feared ... or the first one shot in a true survival situation. The gun’s action is typically maligned by those who have not taken the time to train on it and learn its personality. While an AK47 is, indeed, more stupid-proof, I have also had short-stroke failures in my Remington 870s before. Nobody seems to be screaming that this century-old warhorse is anything less than a superlative combat tool. As is the case with any advanced weapon, learn the gun and respect its unique character. The quality of manufacture and workmanship on my gun is superlative—something I have come to expect from Turkish-made firearms. While the Turks do not enjoy the generational legacy that many more-familiar domestic brands might, they do a bang-up job of making guns. I have yet to encounter a Turkish-made firearm that was not well executed and nicely finished. Should your survival plan call for a whole lot of firepower in a compact package, the UTS-15 was designed from the outset to answer that call. Handy, maneuverable and hard-hitting, the UTS-15 represents the cutting edge in modern scattergun technology. It also looks like it fell off the set of the latest science fiction blockbuster—which, in point of fact, it did.

‹ At 200 lumens, the weapon light included with the UTAS UTS-15 is not bright by current standards, but the battery life is favorable.

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I

IF THINGS GET VERY BAD, WE’LL LOSE POWER, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTERS. WE WILL LOSE READY ACCESS TO FOOD AND WATER AND MOST, IF NOT ALL, MODERN CONVENIENCES.

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› Below: It will be some time before the power company's technicians will be able to get to this home. In the meantime, the residents will need to find alternate sources for water, heat and electricity.

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› Right: When there is no electricity coming from your utility provider, you'll have to make some serious choices about what you'll be able to run with your backup power source.

always hear stories about what will happen if the SHTF and we lose everything that we have come to consider “normal.” I have heard these same stories since I was a kid in the 1960s, and they all claimed we would be thrown back into the Stone Age. While I find that to be highly unlikely, I do feel we face a real threat to our way of life from natural disasters, terrorism and war. If things get very bad, we’ll lose power, communications and computers. We will lose ready access to food and water and most, if not all, modern conveniences. But, will we be totally helpless? Not if we plan. I am not a big fan of technology, but it has given us the tools that will enable us to deal with bad things when they do happen. What will you do when the world goes black? In our modern world, we rely almost completely upon electricity and electronics. Electronic devices run our lives. We do our banking online. We communicate using cell phones, and we navigate using GPS. Even our vehicles operate using multiple onboard computers. The power grids and public water and transportation

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‹ Left: When the power goes out, crews will work to restore it quickly—if they can.

‹ Below, left: After Hurricane Sandy, many of New York City's residents had few options for alternative sources of electricity. (Photo: Mario Tama/ Getty Images) ‹ Below, right: When destructive storms strike, affected customers often number in the millions. Your street might have to wait weeks for the repairmen to arrive.

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‹ Bottom, left: Installation of a whole-house power backup system isn't cheap, but the right system will keep your gadgets and gizmos working when everyone around you is reading by candlelight.

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‹ Bottom, right: Land lines could be down, and cell service is spotty. Two-way radios such as this Midland GTX might be your best option for staying in touch.

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ADJUST YOUR PERSPECTIVE We have all been there: A severe storm knocks out the power. All goes dark. It is fun and games ... until you realize that your refrigerator and furnace have stopped working. Most of the time, there is really nothing to worry about, because the electric crews are out there, restoring power quickly so that the disruption is short-lived. However, what happens if the power stays out for more than a few hours? Perhaps it could be days—or even weeks—before power is restored. What if this situation goes on for months? Are you ready to respond to a situation such as this? In order to make it through an extended outage, you need to think long term. You need to plan ahead and have multiple plans in place. How will you keep things running? Which devices can you live without? The fact is that when the power goes out, you never really know when it’ll come back on. Your plans should factor in short-term outages, from a few hours up to a day or two, as well as longterm outages of a week or more. What if something really bad happens, and the power grid is lost? What then? Although

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systems rely upon electricity and computers to operate. If they go down, most people will have no power or running water. In this article, I will discuss how you can prepare now to be ready to handle this real-life situation.

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‹ The BioLite Solar Panel 10+ folds up and can be easily carried in a backpack.

‹ The Bushnell Powersync Solar Wrap is one of the lightest portable solar panels. It stores power in its internal batteries.

‹ While a generator might not be possible in this location, some solar panels will keep your small devices running.

it is scary to think about, it could happen, so you need to be prepared. You need multiple ways of generating power just in case any or all of them are needed. The trick is to start simple and prepare now. Waiting until something happens is not the time try to figure things out. BATTERIES There is no such thing as having too many batteries. Always have plenty of D, C, AA and AAA batteries on hand. They will be needed to run flashlights, radios, smoke and carbon dioxide meters, and to charge cell phones, among other things. The problem with standard batteries, even the best ones, is that they lose power over time. The trick, if there is one, is to review your battery supply every few months and discard the ones that aren’t up to par. I use a volt meter to test all my batteries on a regular basis. Stock up on batteries when things are good, and make sure you purchase good batteries. Don’t

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HAVING TOO MANY BATTERIES. ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY OF D, C, AA AND AAA BATTERIES ON HAND. © GETTY IMAGES

Whether you are on the move or sheltering in place, you will most likely need power. Here are three portable solar systems I believe in— and rely on—to generate the power I need, no matter where I am. •BioLite Solar Panel 10+: Charge cell phones, tablets and other gear using the 10-watt solar panel. You can even store power in its 3000mAh battery. •Bushnell PowerSync SolarWrap Mini: Of all my units, this solar panel is the lightest and most portable—but don’t let its size deceive you. Its sensitive panel collects energy even in low-light situations and stores it in long-life lithium-ion batteries. •SunJack 14 Watt Portable Solar Charger: Small enough to fit in a backpack, the SunJack uses a 14-watt panel that will not only charge your devices or run a light or two, it also stores energy in its 3.0 Quick Charge battery pack.

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PORTABLE SOLAR PANELS

‹ The SunJack portable solar panel has four separate panels that can be opened up for maximum solar collection.The author is using his SunJack solar panel to charge his Bushnell Rubicon headlamp.

‹ Good-quality rechargeable batteries are your best bet for economical backup power for your small equipment and devices.

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‹ Left: If you have a generator, be sure you test it periodically. Mix fuel stabilizer in with your gas to ensure it will be ready to go when the lights go out.

‹ Top: The generator below is connected to a dedicated line into the house. This is much safer and more convenient than using an extension cord. ‹ Bottom: This control panel controls everything on the BioLite Solar Home 620, including the amount of power being used.

cheap-out and get the discount batteries, because “you get what you pay for.” Batteries will be the first thing to sell out during a power outage, so keep plenty on hand now. Buying batteries can get pretty expensive; for that reason, I also have rechargeable batteries on hand. Rechargeable batteries are no good unless you keep them charged, so do this while you have power to do so or be ready to rig chargers to solar panels. I always keep a few sets fully charged at all times in case I need them. FLASHLIGHTS My rule of thumb is to keep a good flashlight in every room, which obviates having to carry one around and potentially misplacing it. I also have rechargeable headlamps in my gear, which allow me to work hands-free. Last, but not least, I keep a few water-rechargeable lights on hand just for good measure. GENERATORS Generators are great—as long as you have fuel to run them. I have two generators: One runs on propane and one on gasoline, so I have the ability to use multiple fuels. If the power is out for more than two hours, I will fire one of them up. The key here is to make sure I keep them in working order and have enough fuel for both generators to run for two weeks. When using a generator, it is important to do so safely. Never run a generator inside a building, and make sure to cut off the connection to the power company’s electrical service main line (consult your utility company or a qualified electrician to find out how to do this). This will prevent you from electrifying the main line, where workers are trying to restore power. Have an electrician install a transfer switch to make using your generator easier and safe. I only power my refrigerator, furnace and sump pump, but depending on the capacity of your generator, the choice is yours. Note that the more drain you put on your generator, the more fuel you will use. Because there is no way to know how long the power will be out, I choose to conserve my fuel by keeping the electrical load minimal. Remember: If you have no power, chances are that the gas station and propane vendor will not have

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‹ Far left: Even small streams can provide you with some of the power you will need.

‹ Near left: Moving water is a reliable source of power. You can harness some of that power with a simple water wheel.

it either. Once your fuel is gone, you’ll have to go to your backup power plan. I make a habit of shutting down my generator every two hours for an hour just to conserve fuel. ALTERNATIVE SOURCES Being proactive is better than being reactive. Investing in alternative power sources, such as solar, wind and water power generation, could be an answer to potential interruptions in service from the power grid. I am not speaking about large commercial operations; rather, this

HOMEMADE WINDMILLS AND WATER WHEELS Wind and water are some of the most reliable sources of power there are. There is no fuel to worry about, and the best news is that you can make devices that harness their power from items you might have around the home or can readily obtain. For both, you will need some way of converting the energy created by their movement into electric power. For that, you will need some sort of generator and a converter. The generator can be a re-tasked automobile generator or alternator that you can pick up at a junkyard. The converter, which turns DC to AC, can come off an old travel trailer. You’ll need to have this device, because household current is AC. Capturing this power is fairly simple, and there are literally hundreds of ways to put it together. There are plans available, or you can design your own. Just do some research, and then use what works for you.

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› Right: Windmills have been used for more than 1,000 years to pump water, process grain and perform other work. Today, you can buy windmills to generate electric power day and night.

INVESTING IN ALTERNATIVE POWER SOURCES, SUCH AS SOLAR, WIND AND WATER POWER GENERATION, COULD BE AN ANSWER TO POTENTIAL INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE FROM THE POWER GRID. would be for your personal needs. Consider mounting fixed solar panels on the roofs of your home, barn, shed or on ground mounts to generate power for your home. If you don’t want, or can’t afford, to cover your roof or yard with solar panels, you can do what I did: Purchase a BioLite Solar Home 620-power light and radio system. This kit comes with a 6-watt solar panel and a 20-watt/hour battery. With a full charge, this will keep the devices in the kit working for hours. There are lots of options for static and portable solar panels, including some that are great for just keeping batteries and cell phones charged. Some can even generate enough electricity to power lights (see the sidebar on page 82). Expanding your options: If you live near a stream, you can assemble a simple hydroelectric generating

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› Far right: The Midland E+ Radio allows the author to listen to AM and FM radio stations, as well as emergency NOAA broadcasts. The E+ Radio can also be used to charge other small devices.

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› Near right: Wind turbines are great for generating large amounts of power, and their use is expanding every year.

IN ORDER TO MAKE IT THROUGH AN EXTENDED OUTAGE, YOU NEED TO THINK LONG TERM. YOU NEED TO PLAN AHEAD AND HAVE MULTIPLE PLANS IN PLACE. system. You can also build a simple windmill to generate power (see the sidebar on page 84). COMMUNICATIONS Keeping in touch with the outside world is critical to stay aware of additional dangers, rescue efforts and other important information. Without power, you will not be able to watch the evening news; you will need to listen to the radio and communicate with first responders via your cell phone or two-way radios. Cell phone towers might be down, or lines might be overloaded and inaccessible. If that happens, you will need to turn to two-way

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radios to communicate with family, friends and first responders. I use Midland GXT 1050P radios that offer a way to communicate and also allow me to scan and monitor emergency broadcasts, including the NOAA frequencies. To stay in touch with the news and alerts, you will need a radio that can pick up AM and FM stations, as well as emergency broadcasts. You can use a battery-powered radio or a cranking dynamo-equipped radio such as the Midland E+ Radio. Using a crank to generate power is nothing new; the military started using this technology many decades ago. However, it has been perfected and miniaturized over the years. Besides being able to pick up emergency broadcasts, better radios enable this feature to be used as a way to charge other devices. Clearly, there’s no need to live in fear of reverting back to life in the Stone Age if you lose electricity, even for an extended period. By scaling back your electrical demand to bare necessities and making appropriate preparations now, you’ll be able to handle situations for which you might otherwise feel powerless. If you plan ahead, you will make it through.

‹ Left: Solar panels continually improve in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Many people have installed roof panels to reduce their electricity costs and ensure they have power when the grid goes down.

S O U R C E S BioLite, Inc. (844) 424-6548 www.BioLiteEnergy.com Bushnell (800) 423-3537 www.Bushnell.com Eton Corporation (650) 903-3866 https://EtonCorp.com Midland USA (816) 241-8500 https://MidlandUSA.com Nature Power (800) 588-0590 www.NaturePowerProducts.com PowerSpout www.PowerSpout.com Sunjack www.Sunjack.com

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aving a plan for when SHTF isn’t going to do you much good if you can’t communicate with the other people in your group. You’ll want to have a few people you can rely on that supply the skills you’re lacking, and unless you’ve added reading minds to your survival skills, you’ll need a way to

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CELL NETWORK COLLAPSE You may be used to seeing cell phones everywhere, but when things go south you’ll quickly learn that cell networks are about as fragile as snowflakes on a campfire. Cell sites are not required to have battery backups, and the network isn’t designed for everyone to use simultaneously. Here’s a different option. Radio is the back-up communications link relied on by law enforcement, first responders, and emergency management professionals because it works without any infrastructure. And World Gone Silent has taken the capabilities of a ham radio repeater network and compiled all you need into one kit with their World Gone Silent Repeater Pack. The sturdy tactical backpack comes with four pre-configured handheld radios and a base station that can be deployed anywhere. Simply hook up the parts according to the instructions, put your antenna up in a nearby tree, and you’ll have access to a cross-band repeater ready for use. It’s even configured with special sub-audible tones to ensure only your team can use the repeater.

A BROTHER AND SISTER IN THEIR EARLY TEENS WITH NO RADIO EXPERIENCE WERE GIVEN THE PACK. THEY GOT IT UP AND RUNNING IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES The FCC says that in situations where life or property are in immediate

hone your skills and ensure you’re prepared.” In Volume 6, Issue 2 of AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE a brother and sister in

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their early teens were given the pack and asked to try setting it up. The pack comes with Anderson Powerpole cables to ensure power is wired properly, and a precise manual full of pictures and detailed instructions to help get everything configured quickly. It even comes with a quick deploy card so you can clearly see how to get the base station arranged at a glance. Despite having no prior ham radio experience, the pair of youngsters were able to get the temporary repeater up and running in less than 20 minutes.

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THREE TOUGH TOOLS TAKE ON ALL YOUR CUTTING TASKS. BY REUBEN BOLIEU

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‹ Below: It might look a little rugged and out of place, but the CL-1 cleaver is an asset in any kitchen.

THE EXPAT LINE WILL EXPAND WITH DIFFERENT TOOLS, DESIGNS AND COLLABORATIONS MADE BY TOP-NOTCH MANUFACTURERS, OVERSEAS, IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR NEW, OUT-OF-THEBOX DESIGNS FROM EXPAT KNIVES— MASTERMINDED BY ESEE.

E

xpat—Someone who has left his or her homeland to live or work in another country, usually for a long period of time.

EXPAT KNIVES Expat Knives, named after a long-time and highly seasoned associate of the ESEE team (it’s complicated, so be sure to read the sidebar on page 96), is a new division of ESEE Knives. Simply put, ESEE, a die–hard, made-in-the-USA knife company, now offers a line of quality knives from a number of regions around the world with the Expat series. There will be different tools, designs and collaborations made by top-notch manufacturers—some overseas, some in Latin America and some in the USA. CLEAVER FEVER The first collaboration with Expat and ESEE is the American-made CL-1 cleaver. Although once a more permanent resident of the kitchen, the cleaver is making a strong showing elsewhere. The CL-1 cleaver is made in Idaho and is a perfect combination of old-world materials and New

‹ Center: The cleaver was used to process an entire chicken to make soup. From the quartering of the chicken to chopping all the vegetables, the CL-1 delivered. ‹ Below: Whether your kitchen is indoors or out, the Expat cleaver should be a staple in your chef’s arsenal.

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› The blade of the CL-1 is finished in black oxide, which gives the tool a worldly look, similar to your grandfather’s butcher knives. The stout, 3/16-inch-thick 1095 carbon steel is as at home in the kitchen as it is in the woods.

› The first offering from ESEE’s Expat series is a big, burly cleaver. Well-suited for wilderness and camp chores, it is a formidable tool in the kitchen.

Expat Knives Cleaver CL-1 Specifications • Overall length: 11.5 inches • Blade length: 6.25 inches • Handle length: 5.25 inches • Blade width: 3.25 inches • Blade thickness: 0.188 inch • Blade steel: 1095 high carbon • Weight: 25.5 ounces • Handle: Black G10 • Sheath: Leather

MSRP: $276.50

ALTHOUGH ONCE A MORE PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE KITCHEN, THE CLEAVER IS MAKING A STRONG SHOWING ELSEWHERE. Age technology, high-carbon 1095 steel for the blade and thick, American-raised leather for the sheath. This hunk of steel is not a flimsy Chinese cleaver; it is a camp and kitchen all-purpose tool. It will ready your campfire to get some good cooking coals while you process your peppers, chicken, onions and tomatoes for kabobs. I enjoy cooking in the outdoors quite a bit, so my attention gravitated toward the cleaver instantly. However, rather than do a regular type of “camp cooking” scenario, I decided to keep it indoors, because there are fewer limitations. My first impression of the cleaver was that it had some heft. It wasn’t a typical Chinese-style cleaver, which can be used as chef’s knife due to its lightweight, thin blade. Expat’s Cleaver is 25 ounces with a 3/16 -inch-thick hunk of steel, just perfect for one of my favorite things to cook—chicken soup. When I received this cleaver for testing, it was winter in the Northeast. Nothing goes down like a hot bowl of soup upon returning from the snowy woods, so I put the cleaver to work. I decided to quarter a whole chicken and use certain parts for the soup and save the rest for the freezer. Quartering a chicken uses a combination of finesse and some chopping. The cleaver was nice and sharp, so that made the work go faster. Mostly, I was cutting around joints, along with occasionally pounding on the spine of the cleaver to help get through some bone and cartilage. Separating the backbone from the carcass was where I got the chance to use a little power cleaving through the ribs. This was no problem at all; even when chopping off the ends of the bones on the drumsticks, the blade never nicked or dulled. However, the chicken was only half

the work—I still had to prepare potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, parsley and garlic. I prefer a larger chef’s knife or even a Filipino bolo to prepare food with, so the heavy cleaver wasn’t too different for me. I used a similar technique for cutting potatoes and garlic, allowing that one is way larger and that the smaller garlic took more finesse and control. I generally make a number of scoring cuts vertically, followed by a series of scores horizontally, leaving a bit of the garlic or potatoes intact to help keep them together. Then, they are simply cut using a rock-chopping technique, via which the blade rocks from heel to point. This results in a nice dice or small squares for potatoes. This is usually done with onions, but for the soup, I kept the pieces bigger. I did the same with the carrots and celery, because simple, larger chunks work for me. Chopping parsley and chives was no problem for the cleaver, because it is truly meant for the kitchen. I also chopped a frozen lamb bone to see if there would be

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‹ Far left: The Expat Libertariat machete, with walnut handle scales and a 1075 carbon-steel blade, is a stout, formidable blade meant for hard use.

‹ Near left: The author used the Libertariat as a draw knife to smooth out the knots on the lean-to poles for a newly built camp. The hole in the blade helped the author get a positive grip on the tool.

‹ Far left, middle: The Libertariat has a handle that smoothly transitions into the blade, allowing the author to get close up when making notches for stakes or traps.

THE EXPAT’S SHORT MACHETE (FROM EL SALVADOR) IS THE LIBERTARIAT. IT HAS A STOUT, THICKER-THANAVERAGE MACHETE BLADE SUITABLE FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA OR NORTH AMERICA DUE TO THEIR HARDER TREES. any edge-chipping or -rolling, but bone and wood are just no match for the Rowen heat-treat!

› Above: The Libertariat is put to work chopping some green hardwood branches for stakes and utensils from a downed tree. The author chops low behind him in a downward path for the safest follow-through.

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THE HEFTY MACHETE The Expat’s short machete (from El Salvador) is the Libertariat. It has a stout, thicker-than-average machete blade suitable for Southeast Asia or North America due to their harder trees. One outstanding feature is the utility of the large hole on the front portion of the blade. It has a couple of uses: One is putting a stick inside to help get a better grip when using it as a draw knife. The other is that it can be hung up on nail or hook in the tool shed or camp. The handle is made of walnut scales and includes a lanyard hole. The stout blade is meant to be a tool, so the flat front can be an improvised digger or thought of as a safety feature that won’t stab a person accidentally while the machete is in transport or while you are working with it. A machete has a role and region in which it thrives. The Libertariat machete is a shorter-than-average, Latin-patterned machete with a thicker blade. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Thicker, shorter machetes have a place in the North American wilderness, gaining in popularity, especially over the last 10 years or so. American-production knife companies and custom knife makers have been capitalizing on this, and there has been an influx of overseas parangs, bolos and goloks finding their way here as well. Blades from Southeast Asia have thicker and shorter blades than most machetes; it isn’t any wonder why American knife-lovers have gravitated toward them. The Expat Libertariat reminds me of a straight-bladed, short parang I saw available in Penang, Malaysia, along with a similar pattern in Thailand. I first used the Libertariat while helping a friend build his semi-permanent camp. We used saws, hatchets and knives over the course of about a week. At one point, we had no ax with us ... but I had the Libertariat. A bow saw did the heavy cutting for the large ridgepole and the bed logs. However, the Libertariat did the majority of the limbing and trimming of the lean-to poles, as

well as making all the stakes. It also helped get rid of the knots on the bed logs and lean-to poles, which were going to be fitted with a tarp (the smallest rough spot or protrusion on a piece of wood can tear a hole in a tarp over a matter of weeks, so the poles that were touching the tarp needed to be smooth). I employed the Libertariat as a draw knife to help smooth out the lean-to poles. I put a stick through the small hole toward the tip as a handle for a more-positive hold when drawing the knife back and forth. It was also used to get the bed logs in order. This did not require too much precision—mostly a few chops to even out the lumps. Four or more large stakes are needed to keep a raised log bed steady. The Libertariat chopped through green beech wood that was between

‹ The Expat Libertariat machete is a stout able tool for both “civilized” or rugged adventures. It comes with walnut scales, a 1075 carbon-steel blade and a canvas sheath with a belt loop.

‹ Above: A simple fish-roasting pole was made with the Echo-7 by splitting the stick, shaving down the wood contacting the fish and sharpening a couple of skewers to hold the fish inside the pole.

‹ Left: The Echo-7 was used to split the stick to fit the fish to the pole.

Expat Knives Libertariat Machete Specifications

› Far right, top: Whether you venture into the North American wilderness or the darkest jungle, pack the Libertariat machete for a little extra survival insurance.

• Overall length: 14 inches • Blade length: 9 inches • Handle length: 5 inches • Blade width: 2 inches • Blade thickness: 0.188 inch • Blade steel: 1075 carbon steel • Weight: 16 ounces • Handle: Walnut • Sheath: Canvas

MSRP: $79.99

› Far right, bottom: The Expat Libertariat machete, with walnut handle scales and a 1075 carbon-steel blade, is a stout, formidable blade meant for hard use.

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‹ Below: Sleek, smooth and very capable, the Expat Medellin folder is a must-have item for your next adventure. The super-sharp AUS-8 blade comes sharp out of the box and is easier to sharpen than most stainless steels.

TWINE AND 550 PARACORD WERE NO MATCH FOR THE MEDELLIN BLADE; NEITHER WAS DUCT TAPE. TIP STRENGTH WAS GOOD WHEN USED TO PUNCTURE THIN-GAUGE METAL FOR MAKING A HOBO STOVE AND ON FOOD CANS FOR CERTAIN CRAFTS. the thickness of a broomstick and a wrist. To make the "dinosaur"-sized stakes, I chopped a chisel point on the ends rather than a conventional point. It works just as well, if not better, at getting them pounded into the ground. This is where I really felt the absence of the ax, but everything was done just as well with the Libertariat. Only technique needed to be altered (which is a true woodsman skill): Making the stop cut in the notches was done with a strong chop, and the notch, rather than being carved out, was chopped out as the stake was turned upside down. The chamfering of the top portion to be pounded on was chopped, not carved, on these large stakes. When making utensils and smaller stakes using smaller branches, the Libertariat was perfectly suited for these tasks (sometimes, with the help of a baton). The Libertariat will most likely be kept in the camp as the resident machete/beater.

Expat Knives Medellin Folder Specifications • Blade length: 3.5 inches • Open length: 8.38 inches • Closed length: 4.8 inches • Blade width: 1.13 inches • Blade thickness: 0.115 inch • Blade steel: AUS-8 stainless • Weight: 4.1 ounces • Handle: Black Zytel

FAMILIAR FOLDER The Medellin, the company’s utility folding knife, is newer than the other two offerings, but it is perhaps a little more recognizable—not for its namesake once being known as the most dangerous city in the world and home of the Medellín drug cartel founded by Pablo Escobar. Rather, it is recognizable because the classic ESEE-3 knife has gone foldable. Almost identical in blade shape, handle thickness and overall length, the Medellin is built to be rugged in use, yet smooth and fluid when deployed. The framelock handle adds simplicity and strength to the tool. The reversible pocket clip (tip up or tip down) and AUS-8 blade round out the package nicely. The Medellin folding knife is a completely different offering from the Expat series than the cleaver. The made-in-Taiwan folder is a hard-working, compact utility knife. It rides low in the pocket and has a slim design, so there’s no bulk to be concerned with. I carried it tip down and

‹ Near left: Fit and finish on the Medellin folder are what you'd expect from ESEE, and the jimping on the spine is effective without being overdone.

MSRP: $84

‹ Far left, bottom: The pocket clip can be attached in either a tip-up or tip-down position. The steel frame lock is rigid, yet thin and comfortable.

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› Far right, top: When pushed into the outdoors, the Medellin delivered. Making a sharp point, a fuzz stick for fire and a common tent/tarp stake comprises basic bushcraft chores—for which the knife received flying colors. › Near right: The Medellin’s textured scale is made of a high-impact plastic-and-glass composite called Zytel. › Far right, bottom: The blade shape of the EXPAT Medellin is a replica of the classic flagship ESEE-3 blade. A hair thinner than the blade of the ESEE-3, the Medellin’s is a real slicer and carver for utility and outdoors use.

› The folding knife version of the classic ESEE-3. From overall length to blade shape, the Medellin offers a slightly smaller version of the venerable ESEE flagship knife.

found all working parts fluid. This knife felt very reminiscent of the ESEE-3 blade ... because it is practically its twin. The blade shape, length and width are the same as the classic ESEE-3, so using it felt more familiar than if I were using a new knife. As a utility tool, the blade bit deeply into plastic zip ties, cutting them in short order. The blade had no trouble cutting through thin steel, because its tough edge was aggressive enough for the task. I cut a lot of thin steel wire—similar to snare wire—for hanging pictures. The edge seemed perfect for all sorts of utility chores, such as cutting through cardboard boxes and plastic nylon packaging straps. Twine and 550 paracord were no match for the Medellin blade; neither was duct tape. Tip strength was good when used to puncture thin-gauge metal for making a hobo stove and on food cans for certain crafts.

The thin framelock design wasn’t always comfortable when gripping hard and doing some tasks, but it was strong. Gripping the knife tightly just ensured that the lock wouldn’t disengage. As an added test, while wearing leather gloves, I held the knife reversed at the end of the handle and gave it a few thumps on the back of the spine on a solid surface. Cheap, low-quality folding knives will often buckle, and the lock will give. Nevertheless, I tried it with the Medellin and was happy to see it remained strong—even more that: I didn’t cut myself. (However, I

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ABOUT EXPAT As I mentioned, it’s complicated. Expat Knives was, indeed, named after a long-time and highly seasoned associate: “Expat,” who has been a student, translator and instructor for Randall’s Adventure Training. He’s an inventor, a writer, traveler and a firearms instructor. He speaks a couple of languages, and he’s logged a lot of time overseas. While working in some of the more-sketchy corners of South America, Expat contacted ESEE in search of high-quality, worst-case-scenario jungle survival training. Thus began a close association that has lasted for more than 15 years. Expat has logged thousands of miles throughout the Third World—sometimes, with the ESEE team—but always with ESEE products. From armored motorcades in Colombia and trekking in the Himalayas to earthquakes in El Salvador and hunting in the Balkans, ESEE knives have been Expat’s constant companions. Throughout his time overseas, he developed some unique insights on tools and the nature of adventure and is currently working with ESEE to bring innovative designs and experiences to others. What began with a cleaver will end up with … well, who knows? That’s the whole point of the “Expat experience.”

don’t recommend trying this test!) I was pleasantly surprised when the Medellin was pushed into woodworking service. It performed three very basic bushcraft chores in the woods (to check its chops in case the knife needed to be used as a bug-out blade). Making something as simple as a stake will tell you a lot about a knife and how it handles. I made a stake for a tarp (I always have a few on hand for the times a stake needs to be replaced, which seems all too often in my camp). I formed a deep stop cut in a dry piece of beech wood and then carved out the typical “7” notch on one end. The opposite end got a point that would go into the rocky ground. Next, I made a simple fuzz stick out of a chunk of maple. This is something I’ve done countless times with the ESEE-3. Sure enough—the blade shape made the wood curl where I wanted it to and just seemed altogether ... well, familiar. Lastly, I just put a sharp point on the end of a green stick to see how the Medellin would fare on green wood. All three bush chores went off without a hitch and were just as easy as if I were using the ESEE-3. The only thing I want to add about the Medellin is how the pocket clip can dig into the hand a bit when making stakes or force is applied on harder cutting tasks. Then, again, it’s a utility folder and not meant for full-on woodwork. AUS-8 steel is a decent folding knife steel that is actually not too hard for the average user to sharpen. I used a small, ceramic pocket crock-stick (in a “v” shape)—nothing more—to bring back the edge. The Expat line will expand with different tools, designs and collaborations made by top-notch manufacturers, overseas, in Latin America and the United States. Keep an eye out for new, out-of-the-box designs from Expat Knives—masterminded by ESEE. Whatever your adventure, Expat Knives products are designed to enhance it and enable you to thrive.

› The flagship ESEE-3 next to the Expat Medellin folder with AUS-8 stainless steel blade. Minus the choil, it is the spitting image of the carbon-steel ESEE-3.

S O U R C E ESEE Knives (256) 613-0372 www.ESEEKnives.com

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PROBING THE PATH OF A PERNICIOUS PROJECTILE BY WILL DABBS, M.D.

K

nowing how a bullet works when it leaves the barrel might help you understand what to expect when it hits its target. It weighs 124 grains (about 8 grams), and it sits in the dark for weeks, months or even years. It gets jostled, shaken and bumped incessantly during that time. Depending on how it is carried, it can also accumulate a fair amount of pocket lint within its gaping maw. It is a SIG Sauer V-Crown 9mm hollowpoint bullet, and it is about to earn its keep. For such a modest, inert thing, it embodies a shocking amount of technology. The case is nickel plated for corrosion resistance, smooth feeding and long life. The powder is specially formulated for consistent performance and low flash. The primer is the best man can produce. It is, however, in the bullet where the real magic happens. That’s the payload—the warhead, if you will—and that is the limiting reagent to the cartridge’s overall performance. The SIG V-Crown bullet is marketed as a “hollowpoint within a hollowpoint.” I didn’t really understand that very well until I saw it in action. Now, it makes perfect sense. The lead slug nestles tightly within the jacket material, held in place by a cannelure crimped circumferentially around the bullet’s waist. This mechanical interface is what tends to keep the lead core and the jacket together during the violence that is to come. The geometry and scoring of the V-shaped snout, hence the name, give the angry end of the thing an antiseptically sinister, although utilitarian, appearance. The cone described within the nose of the contraption tapers down into a point in the center. From this apex there is another small, but intentional,

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‹ Looking like perfectly sinister flowers in bloom, SIG's V-Crown rounds are state-of-the-art show-stoppers for bad guys.

THE GEOMETRY AND SCORING OF THE V-SHAPED SNOUT, HENCE THE NAME, GIVE THE ANGRY END OF THE THING AN ANTISEPTICALLY SINISTER, ALTHOUGH UTILITARIAN, APPEARANCE.

star-shaped void formed down into the core. Every miniscule snippet of the bullet’s geometry has some intentional purpose. SIG Sauer burns through twice as much ballistic gelatin as the entire rest of the country combined. I’ve seen this up close, and it’s obscene. The V-Crown bullet is the end result of a simply ridiculous amount of R&D. SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS It’s never expected. If you knew it were coming, you’d either avoid the situation or buy yourself a tank. However, it always seems to drop out of the clear, blue sky. In this case, it took place inside a vehicle. Here, we will eschew the combat details in favor of physics ... with a little human anatomy tossed in for flavor. The Glock 43 is up and out in a flash. The finger indexes from the side of the trigger guard to the

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trigger, automatically depressing the blade safety in the trigger face and rendering the system live. The index finger of the right hand exerts about 5.5 pounds of force on the appendage, further compressing the striker past its tripping point. The striker slams forward under spring pressure and vigorously dents the face of the primer. The primer face is relatively soft and deforms readily in response to the impact of the firing pin. A small quantity of shock-sensitive primer material is compressed between the primer face and the anvil of the primer. Mechanical deformation and a subsequent rapid increase in pressure conspire to raise the temperature of the material past its flashpoint, and the stuff conflagrates. The resulting jet of hot plasma is directed through the flash hole in the base of the cartridge and ignites the powder within.

a tiny 9mm hole saw, the V-Crown round cuts a perfect circle in the top of the seat, bores through the intervening foam and cuts a second perfect circle through the front. It then travels about another foot before the next phase of its trek. THE PLOT THICKENS Our next barrier is denim. Everybody owns a

‹ The Glock G43 is a compact, yet powerful, defensive handgun. Despite its small dimensions, the gun throws disproportionately effective rounds.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS The powder contains its own oxidizer, so it burns independently of outside air. Underwater, outer space or sealed in a plastic bag—it doesn’t matter. This rapid reaction releases a large volume of hot, high-pressure gas. The chamber of the weapon supports the walls and base of the cartridge, so all that energy is directed against the butt of the bullet. The bullet, therefore, accelerates from 0 to about 1,100 feet per second in 3.39 inches, suffering underneath an accelerative force some 66,500 times that of gravity. The G43’s barrel twist rate is one turn in 9.84 inches. That means the bullet spins one revolution for every 0.82 feet. At 1,100 feet per second, if my math is correct, that puts the bullet spinning at a bit north of 80,000 rpm at the muzzle. In this particular case, the projectile travels about 3 feet and then contacts the seat cushion of a pickup truck. Spinning like a

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‹ Below: SIG's V-Crown "hollowpoint within a hollowpoint" looks tame at rest but is all business once it leaves the barrel.

‹ Far left: Initially fairly sleek and aerodynamic, the SIG V-Crown hollowpoint turns into an efficient plow when it hits "pay dirt."

‹ Near left: Every miniscule aspect of the SIG V-Crown bullet is designed with a particular end result in mind. The deployment and terminal performance of this high-tech defensive round is the product of a great deal of science.

‹ Left, bottom: This ain’t your daddy’s pistol bullet.

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‹ Modern defensive ammunition such as this SIG V-Crown 124-grain 9mm Parabellum is the product of immense R&D efforts.

THE SIG V-CROWN BULLET IS MARKETED AS A “HOLLOWPOINT WITHIN A HOLLOWPOINT.” I DIDN’T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT VERY WELL UNTIL I SAW IT IN ACTION. pair of blue jeans, and that is what was wrapped around this particular leg on this particular day. The bullet has not slowed appreciably, so it snips through the thin cotton cloth with the same aplomb with which it transited the truck seat. Now, things get interesting. Skin is the largest organ in the human body. Its primary function is to separate you from the rest of the world; when intact, it does a simply splendid job of that. Skin also serves as a support matrix for untold miles of nerves and capillaries, as well as sundry other bits, such as hair and apocrine sweat glands. The delicate interplay among all that complicated stuff helps regulate your body temperature, prevents contamination, hinders infection and precipitates a delightful little endorphin boost whenever your bride brushes your arm as she walks by in the kitchen. Skin is a remarkably pliable and elastic material that is purpose-designed to resist puncture, abrasion and tearing. It never stood a chance. OUR BULLET GOES TO WORK The rapidly spinning projectile cuts through the outer layer of skin as easily as it has everything else thus far and dives vigorously inside. It encounters a soft, warm, wet hydraulic medium too

complicated and heterogeneous to categorize readily. Human males are about 60 percent water; females are closer to 55 percent. Because the owner of this leg is in possession of both X and Y chromosomes, that means his tissues are at the higher concentration. As a result, fluid dynamics now become the decisive factor in how our sordid, little tale unfolds. Unlike gases, liquids are incompressible. That means pressure at one point is transmitted in real time to other contiguous fluids. It is this peculiar property that allows the pilot to manipulate the control surfaces of an airliner. It also allows you to apply the brakes to stop your car when your son’s soccer ball unexpectedly bounces across your path.

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The bullet is still travelling really fast, so this surrounding wet, gooey amalgam struggles mightily yet fails to get out of the way. The subsequent hydraulic pressure exerts a truly immense force against the interior of the V-Crown’s hollowpoint cavity. This force drives the lead core to mechanically deform outward against the jacket material, fracturing at its predetermined failure points such that the various components of the bullet now expand outward like the petals of a flower. These expanding petals hugely increase the surface area of the transiting bullet, magnifying the mechanical braking force and spilling energy into what is rapidly becoming a bloody great mess. The bullet yaws a bit, ripping and tearing as its linear and rotational velocities decrease violently. In this particular case, the bullet tore through muscle, fascia and sundry goo without striking bone, nerves or plumbing of consequence. That’s the amazing power of randomness: It’s always better to be

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‹ Right: The SIG V-Crown bullet is described as a “hollowpoint within a hollowpoint.” The secondary star-shaped void is visible at the apex of the bullet’s mouth.

‹ Below: We spend untold hours on the range practicing with our defensive handguns. The real action, when the trigger is pulled on a human target, takes place in the operating room. (Photo: Unsplash.com)

THE BULLET, THEREFORE, ACCELERATES FROM 0 TO ABOUT 1,100 FEET PER SECOND IN 3.39 INCHES, SUFFERING UNDERNEATH AN ACCELERATIVE FORCE SOME 66,500 TIMES THAT OF GRAVITY.

lucky than good. The bullet has torn completely through this human calf in a millisecond and now tents against the skin on the far side. This time, the device is fully deployed and much slower but still spinning like a jagged metal dervish. It carves through the skin from the inside like a table saw through a hot dog. Unlike its entry, its exit is thoroughly devoid of elegance: Where the entrance wound was a relatively cute, little 9mm hole, the exit is jagged and closer to 4 inches. Much spent, the fully deployed bullet now zips across the cab of the truck and lodges in the facing door, denting the steel deeply enough to secure the now-weary projectile in place. THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH The subject of this dark, little physics experiment was fairly fit and healthy. He told me the initial impact felt like being hit with a baseball bat. He had maybe a 30-second grace period after the bullet’s initial impact. During that time, he could have moved, thought and fought—as long as he didn’t try to put weight on the injured limb. After the 30-second mark, however, he was done. Up to that point, the entire event had been traumatic but relatively painless. After that moment, the pain became exquisite and debilitating. The wound also began to bleed with vigor. The immediate application of direct pressure kept things from going truly sideways. THE REST OF THE STORY The ER staff cleaned and irrigated the wound and then closed it with a combination of sutures and surgical staples. Owing to the bullet’s fortuitous track, nothing about the event was immediately life-threatening. However, the pain did not abate, and the surrounding flesh grew red and angry. Nearly a week later, the surgical team opened the offended leg back up to take a peek inside. The culprits were actually an odd amalgam: Within the cavernous defect were found two hole-cutter bits of Naugahyde, a little cylinder of foam rubber and a scrap of denim. Naugahyde is an artificial leather substitute used in the manufacture of automobile seats. It consists of a knit fabric backing surrounded by a polyvinyl chloride plastic coating. In its natural state, the stuff is also awash in opportunistic microorganisms. It seems the transiting bullet picked up

WHERE THE ENTRANCE WOUND WAS A RELATIVELY CUTE, LITTLE 9MM HOLE, THE EXIT IS JAGGED AND CLOSER TO 4 INCHES.

‹ Above: The exit wound was closer to 4 inches, ripping roughly along the long axis of the limb. ‹ Left: The entrance wound was a relatively tidy defect not much larger than the 9mm bullet diameter. Entrance wounds frequently belie the mischief that lurks within.

these four bits as passengers, transported them into the leg parenchyma and then deposited them there before continuing on its trek. Once the offending objects were removed and the wound was vigorously scrubbed, everything healed up nicely, albeit with a little help from some aggressive antibiotic therapy. DENOUEMENT There are lessons aplenty to be derived from this sordid episode. For starters, these are not your granddad’s FMJ bullets. High-tech rounds such as the SIG V-Crown are hugely more efficient than their predecessors of even a single generation prior. This was a peripheral shot, and it was thoroughly effective at expeditiously taking the fight out of a determined combatant. Had the same bullet wrought its mischief among critical organs, the ending would not have been nearly so bonny. Pack the biggest gun you can comfortably pack, along with the best defensive ammo you can afford. If ever called upon to serve for real, expect these remarkable Information Age bullets to give their lives enthusiastically for the cause. Do your part, and they should reliably do theirs.

‹ Above, left: Diffuse ecchymosis (bruising) along the wound track gives some idea regarding the carnage inside. ‹ Above, center: Immediately after the wound was closed in the ER, it actually looked pretty good. A subsequent wound infection precipitated by retained debris complicated matters quite a bit. ‹ Above, right: After a thorough operative debridement and some aggressive antibiotic therapy, the wound began to heal properly.

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HOW TO SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY GET THE MOST OUT OF THE KEPHART TRIO

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BY REUBEN BOLIEU

urvival tools, in my opinion, are tools that most avid outdoorsmen carry on excursions as part of their camping gear and survival kits or in their bug-out bags. Historically, knives, saws, hatchets, tomahawks and axes have taken on the bulk of the work in these situations. While there is some functional crossover, each has its strengths, and all come with a certain degree of risk for injury. As with all tools, understanding the proper use and techniques for the task at hand will make your experience both productive and safe. Above all, remember that a sharper-edged tool is a safer-edged tool. Dull blades require more force to cut, and excessive force leads to accidents and injuries. Here, we’ll get into the basics of each of the three tools often referred to as the “Nessmuk” or “Kephart Trio,” which is a tool system used to perform camp crafts and enhance wilderness living, rather than a one-tool-to-do-all scenario. KNIVES Safety and success are all in the grip, and there are several common and effective techniques for getting the most out of your knife. Forehand Grip. The forehand grip is, by far, the most common way of holding and using a knife. Hold the handle in a firm, fist-type grip with your pinky toward the butt of the handle and the edge facing away from you. Cutting heavy cordage, tree roots, making fuzz sticks or sharpening a point on the end of a stick can all be done with this grip. Whittling wood or making fuzz sticks for a

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fire with this grip is very efficient. Be sure to keep your arm locked, and use your whole body in a slow, smooth motion while applying constant pressure. This will help keep fuzz sticks nice and even. On the safety side of things, keeping your elbow in a locked position will save you, in the long run, from unnecessary jarring of that joint, which can lead to injuries such as tennis elbow. Avoid placing your thumb on the spine while whittling, because this will put uneven pressure on the project and give you less-than-desirable fuzz sticks. This is definitely a task for which practice makes perfect. Be careful when following through on your cutting motion, especially when cutting something that provides a bit more resistance than normal or expected. Chest Lever Grip. When employing the chest lever grip, the cutting edge is actually facing the knuckles of the hand, and the thumb rests on the flat of the blade or top of the handle scales for support. Bend your

‹ Right: Scandinavians normally use three tools for their camps: a puukko, bowsaw and ax. These three Finnish cutting tools are common in North America as well.

‹ Below: The forehand grip is also used for making fuzz sticks. The author recommends keeping the thumb off the spine, because this is where most people go wrong when making fuzz sticks for a fire.

SAFETY AND SUCCESS ARE ALL IN THE GRIP, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMON AND EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR KNIFE. elbow and position your knife hand across your chest with the spine facing the chest and the edge facing out. Bring the project hand up to meet the cutting edge. The cut is accomplished by using your shoulders and back muscles with a chest-out motion, pulling your bent arms away from each other. This makes for a powerful and controlled cut. This position is unique, because it can also be used for fine tip work on a spear or similar sharp stick when combined with the push cut. The advantage of this grip is that you can have the blade at chest level right under your eyes for very controlled cuts. Most of all, it is a very safe grip, because the knife is not flailing around when you follow through. Batoning. Using a baton in conjunction with a knife is a very effective way of getting heavy work done with a small tool. Limbing small trees and splitting wrist-thick pieces of wood can easily be done with the help of a stout baton. To split a piece of wood lengthwise, simply stand the piece of wood on end and use your “off” hand to place the knife edge on the end of the wood. With the other hand, use a stout stick to hammer the spine of the knife blade into the wood. As the knife sinks in, continue hammering the top of the blade until the wood is cleanly split. Unless the wood is relatively soft, never twist the knife while it’s in the wood, or you could damage the knife. Be aware of any rocks or gravel in the path of the knife that could damage the cutting edge. When batoning in a cross-grain fashion, make sure to baton the spine directly over the wood to ensure the best possible energy transfer and lessen the stress on the knife, as well as the shock on the hand supporting the knife handle. It is a good idea to baton at angles as if you were cutting with an ax, which will create a V-shaped notch, weakening the wood enough to break it. This will save time and energy and protect your knife from unnecessary hard use. AXES I will use the term, “ax,” to also represent a hatchet/tomahawk. This section will deal with processing downed wood, because this is what you’ll be cutting most often. Chopping. Regardless of the task, when chopping, back up your work by putting the area to be cut on another piece of wood. This will give you the best energy transfer and ensure your bit doesn’t get buried in the ground ... or worse—bone! Chopping a small log that is on the ground in a horizontal position should be done from a kneeling or sitting position. The forearm and ax handle should both be kept parallel at the moment of impact and thereafter. This is known as the “parallel plane.” If the

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BUSH KNIVES

‹ A chest-lever grip is a safe way to cut with power. For a powerful or smooth cut, keep your elbows bent; pull back with the shoulders. Note that the knife is sideways, facing away from the body.

‹ A chest-lever grip is also very good for controlled, fine detailed work. The author prefers this grip for both powerful cuts and light carving.

‹ The author is using a forehand grip to cut a wedge from hardwood. This is a powerful and safe grip. All cuts should always be away from yourself and other people.

What makes for a good bushcrafting knife? Talk about a divisive question! For me, comfort and function have to be considered when selecting a knife solely for bushcraft. “The simpler, the better” definitely applies here. In my opinion, sharp carbon steel and a comfortable handle are must-haves for a good bush knife. Blade length varies between 3½ and 4½ inches. The blade should have a point sharp enough to penetrate deep into wood for drilling with minimum effort. Spear points and drop points are both quite popular for this type of work. Blade thickness is usually in the area of 3/32 to 5/32 inch. The spine of a carbon-steel blade should have a 90-degree angle so it can be used as a striker for a firesteel. Handles should be fairly simple and free of any predetermined finger notches to optimize the freedom needed for the many different grips and positions required in basic bushcrafting. A small guard, if any, is sufficient for a good bush knife. The grinds vary from Scandinavian, with one large single bevel, to a convex edge. While most American-made bushcraft knives feature a flat grind with a convex or V-grind, as long as the edge is sharp and easily maintained, you will be off to a good start.

hand and forearm(s) are kept above the point of impact, it causes the bit to continue in the path back toward you. The longer the handle, the safer the tool is to use. Chop the log with alternating angled strokes to form a V-shaped cut. Make the starting width of the V cut approximately the same distance as the diameter of the log. If at all possible, roll the log over after chopping about halfway through for more-efficient cutting. Another option for chopping through a log is to make four separate and parallel angled chops in one direction and then make four chops at the opposite angle that overlap the first four, thus chipping out the first four cuts. Another technique is to chop halfway through the log from one side, move to the opposite side of the log and resume chopping from that side. Typically, this is meant for larger-diameter wood and longer-handled axes. One-handed chopping with a short handle means getting up close and personal with the wood, hovering over it and still keeping the parallel plane. Chopping while using two hands with a 19-inch-or-longer handle is the best way

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‹ Near left: Splitting long or thick wood can be done by using a hammer stick (baton) to drive the head deeper into the split in the wood. It is safer and more controlled than chopping through. The position might seem a little awkward at first, but it is easier than using a heavier, cumbersome ax. ‹ Far left: When chopping logs, stand behind the log with your legs shoulder width apart, and keep the parallel plane with the cutting bit. Make the initial cut as wide as the log’s diameter.

AX SAFETY There are no minor injuries when it comes to an ax or any chopping tools. The impact of such tools can be devastating to a limb or body part. Be aware of the follow-through of your swings and the direction of the cutting edge at all times. Hatchets are dangerous because of their short handles, which can often injure a knee or shin on the follow-through or after a glancing blow. The same happens with a machete. The longer handles of a half or full ax, as well as some tomahawks, will be safer in that the cutting bit will be more likely to dig into the ground rather than come back toward you. Never chop above your head; keep work as close to the ground as possible. It is always safer with a hatchet or short-handled tomahawk to kneel down, with the task in front of you. Impact-resistant sunglasses or safety glasses will keep your eyes safe from sharp chips that will undoubtedly be airborne when chopping. Always keep the wood you’re cutting at a safe, parallel plane to the ground or other solid support when splitting or chopping. If possible, don’t use heavy cutting tools after dark. In addition, safety with any type of ax or knife starts by having a reliable sheath for carry and storage. Combining know-how with experience will put you on the fast track to safety and enhance your chances of survivability.

‹ Above: Working on an incline, the larger ax is used while the author is in a sitting position. Notice that the large V cut is about the same width as the diameter of the tree.

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‹ Below: The author is using a short-handled ax (tomahawk) one-handed from a kneeling position. This is a safe position, because he is also using a protector log in front of him.

to control the bit and get more power out of a lighter tool. Accuracy counts much more than a hard, blundering chop. Practice is paramount for using an ax accurately and safely! Limbing. This task is best done on a downed tree while standing on the opposite side of the trunk from the branches being cut, using the trunk as a protector log. Chop the branches close to the trunk of the tree and in the direction of growth. Splitting. The disadvantage of a lighter tomahawk is that it lacks the weight needed for splitting wood. In the conventional way of using an ax or hatchet, the log is placed vertically on a chopping block and then split using the tool’s weight and the wedge shape of the head. There are other ways, however. Selecting wood for making a fire is a matter of using your brain and not choosing wood that’s too thick. Anything thicker than wrist/bicep thickness can be used as larger fuel.

‹ The safest way to split small-diameter logs is in a kneeling position. After driving the head into the log, pull the handle away from the log perpendicular to the cut to split it apart.

Not everyone is accurate when swinging chopping tools. Batoning with an ax allows the user to create precise, intentional splits in wood rather than a potentially dangerous chop. An easy way to split wood with an ax is by holding the handle and the wood parallel, placing the ax bit at the top end of the small log and raising the two up about a foot. Then, bring them both down together on a chopping block. This will drive the bit into the wood and create a split. Just pull the handle and wood apart in opposite directions (like shears) to finish the split. This is the safest way to split small-diameter wood. Do not attempt to chop into the top of the log first—this is a common thing people try to do when first using this method. Simply let the momentum of the ax bit do the work. Naturally, softer wood will be easier to split than harder, knotted-up wood, so be patient and practice. Fine work with an ax should be limited to smaller splits for kindling. Making fuzz sticks for fire with an ax is a little more advanced. To think otherwise is fooling yourself. So, use a small knife for anything requiring real craftsmanship.

REGARDLESS OF THE TASK, WHEN CHOPPING, BACK UP YOUR WORK BY PUTTING THE AREA TO BE CUT ON ANOTHER PIECE OF WOOD. THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST ENERGY TRANSFER AND ENSURE YOUR BIT DOESN’T GET BURIED IN THE GROUND ... OR WORSE—BONE!

SAWS Used correctly, a saw will easily outcut an ax or large chopping blade. A saw will not slice › This is an example of a trio the author has used for years: a TOPS C.U.B. knife, Corona 10-inch folding saw and an H&B Forge Large Camp Ax.

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‹ Far left: The author is using the knee method to saw smaller-diameter wood with a folding saw in a safe and controlled manner. He is gripping the saw toward the back of the handle for added leverage.

‹ Near left: A large folding saw can do a lot of work—safely. This 10-inch Corona Razor Tooth Saw made quick work of these cuts. › Right: Safely hold the wood on the other side of the saw blade to protect your hand from cuts if the saw skips out. Note that the small branch below the cut is resting on a rock to keep the wood stable while it is being cut.

S O U R C E S Corona Tools (800) 847-7863 www.CoronaToolsUSA.com ESEE Knives (256) 613-0372 www.ESEEKnives.com Fiskars (866) 348-5661 www.Fiskars.com H&B Forge (419) 895-1856 www.HBForge.com ML Knives (518) 843-7216 www.ML-Knives.com TOPS Knives (208) 542-0113 www.TopsKnives.com

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bread, split or chop wood, blaze a trail or skin game. Yet, its attributes are just as productive and useful. When using a large chopping tool, it’s possible to have a few bad swings that produce no results (other than wasting energy or dinging the edge). However, with a saw, as long as the blade is in the cut, every pull counts, and there is less wasted motion and risk of injury. To use a saw correctly is to use a saw ... safely! When attempting to cut a downed log, first make sure it isn’t too large for the saw’s blade. When making the initial cut with the saw, place the blade where you want to make the cut and cross your free hand over the saw and grip the log. This might seem a little awkward at first, but if the saw blade skips out while establishing the cut, it will only rub against your free hand’s inner forearm with the spine. Most people will place their free hand near the saw blade when they are making the initial cut. If the saw blade skips around while trying to establish itself in the log, it will leave the most uneven gash on the top of the knuckles of your free hand. I have seen more cuts from saw teeth skipping around and landing on the hand than from knives.

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [JULY 2018]

Use the cross-arm method until the spine of the saw blade is deep in the wood; then, adjust to the more-natural comfortable grip with the free hand. Alternatively, begin sawing with two hands if the log is immobile. We want the saw to shred through wood expeditiously, but getting cut in the process is counterproductive. Speed is of the essence, but safety is paramount. Cutting a branch from a standing tree can be done by holding the branch with the free hand and making a cut through the bark on the underside first. Then, cut the top of the

A SAW WILL NOT SLICE BREAD, SPLIT OR CHOP WOOD, BLAZE A TRAIL OR SKIN GAME. YET, ITS ATTRIBUTES ARE JUST AS PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL.

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branch above the first cut, and the branch will break cleanly without the bark stripping off unevenly and unnecessarily damaging the tree. When sawing small branches or trees on the ground, use the knee method. Simply put your weak-side knee on the ground and place the wood in the bend of your strong side knee (your right knee if sawing right-handedly). This will help secure the wood, along with the free hand holding the other end. Saw the wood on the outboard side of the bent knee. Compared to swinging a chopping tool, using a saw offers much more control and is safer. Cutting overhead with a saw is safer than with a chopper. I read in a woodcraft book that there are no minor injuries with a hatchet or ax. This is true, so for cutting branches up high, use a saw! When out practicing your bushcraft and camp-making skills, remember that the basics are the most important aspect of proper tool use. No matter what we do, the basics always come back to us, so keep them simple and precise ... and make sure you practice.

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A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND

s we prepare for our annual Independence Day celebrations, it occurred to me that this year, more than most, we should take a moment to reflect on the reason we have this national day of recognition. At this time, we pay homage to the brave souls who fought so hard against overwhelming odds to break free of the chains of servitude to a king whose power was not earned or even granted to him by “his” people but rather flowed through his ancestors to him as part of a royal birthright. We declared our independence as a free and sovereign nation—no longer subservient to a single person, royal family or foreign country, but rather to be governed, as Abraham Lincoln said almost 100 years later, " … of the people, by the people, for the people … ." As revolutionary and exemplary as our constitution was, it took some time and a number of amendments to get it to where it is today. Rights and freedoms and other bits of fine-tuning were added with 27 amendments. Some took only a few months to pass, while one—the 27th—took more than 200 years to be ratified. (Is it surprising that the 27th Amendment relates to when laws affecting Congressional salaries take effect?) On this day, we should be proud and humbled that other countries have used our constitution as a guide when they gained independence and needed to construct a similar document. Nations that predate ours have made less progress for their people over more time. Even with the readily apparent success that the “American Experiment” has achieved, the path to where we are today has not been straight and level. There have been missteps, barriers and delays, as with all great journeys, and there will always be a need for Americans to work together on new and serious challenges that litter the path into the future. So, why is this Independence Day different than most others? In my mind, this difference is simply because of the great degree of social and political strife we

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [JULY [APRIL2018] 2018]

BY BRIAN MORRIS

see today, and that seems unusual compared with the past. Whether it’s reality or perception, the discord in America seems to increase daily and simultaneously stems from, and feeds, the wanton disregard of others’ rights—simply because they disagree with the opinions of another. There are so many points of contention among groups and individuals who have a multitude of perspectives and agendas, many of which are petty; and the divergent opinions are expressed so vociferously and emotionally that it’s often difficult to find topics and causes we can agree on. While we still have the right to disagree with each other, one might expect more unity to come from a people who share and enjoy the rights and freedoms that were earned and preserved for us and our descendants at such a great cost. With today’s fixation on individual rights and the precedence of one’s own desires and opinions over the whole, we are called to remember a passage Lincoln borrowed from the Bible when he made his “House Divided” speech. Thinking about this year’s Independence Day reminds me, more than ever, that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Because we are independent of foreign masters, the freedoms, rights and privileges we have could be lost by our own hand because of our lost vision as a nation, particularly of that simple principle of majority rule. We see all too often today that public policy and political processes are being driven by a very small, but vocal and media-savvy, contingent of people who think the country should be reshaped to their design. In effect, to use the words of Walt Kelly, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” On this Independence Day, let’s recall the dedication to the greater good that the founding fathers and their followers shared and worked toward and find ways in which we can do the same to preserve the way of life that makes the United States of America the exemplary nation it is. Then, we can focus on the highly anticipated trips to the beach, as well as backyard cookouts and get-togethers with family and friends. Have a safe and happy Independence Day.

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