April 2019

DON’T MISS: STAYING READY FOR A CRISIS

HONE YOUR SHOTGUN SKILLS WITH THESE DRILLS

IN THIS ISSUE:

SKILLS YOU NEED TO SURVIVE AFTER THE SHTF SMART WAYS FOR BETTER RAINWATER COLLECTION RIGHT PLACE TO SET UP YOUR CAMP

APRIL 2019

STARTING THIS YEAR’S SEEDLING CROP FRUGAL PREPPING WITHOUT INVESTING A DIME DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN THE WILD and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

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Contents

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FEATURED

HOW TO ENSURE YOU STAY READY FOR A CRISIS When I look around and see the lack of care the general population has about their future, it's rather disconcerting. Far too many people are living in the present, enjoying the day to day…

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HONE YOUR SHOTGUN SKILLS WITH THESE DRILLS There's nothing quite like the sound of racking another round into a shotgun. That telltale double click lets anyone in your home know you're now locked and loaded. But there's more…

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HOW TO START THIS YEAR'S SEEDLINGS With the days warming up its quickly becoming my favorite time of year. Spring. Not only does it mean it'll soon be warm enough to actually enjoy the days outside, I can start working on…

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FRUGAL PREPPING WITHOUT INVESTING A DIME I don't know about you, but I've invested quite a bit of money into my survival planning and preparation over the years. From tins of food and a stockpile of gear that will keep my…

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DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN THE WILD Sitting on the couch watching another episode of Naked and Afraid, or Man vs Wild, and it's easy to judge. Seeing their mistakes in the comfort of your home, while giving a running…

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THE RIGHT PLACE TO SET UP YOUR CAMP If you're in the wild and you don't have shelter, you're setting yourself up for disaster. On a mild summer's evening, it'll probably be fine. But should the weather be anything less than perfect…

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SMART TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR RAINWATER COLLECTION Water is an essential element for any successful homesteader, asnd collecting rainwater is an economical and environmentally friendly alternative, that will save you money on your water…

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SKILLS YOU NEED TO SURVIVE AFTER THE SHTF A recent medical problem shone a spotlight on a problem we have in our homestead. Nothing too serious, but I did have a small operation which put me out of action for 8 weeks. Under…

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PICK UP THE BOW AND LEARN TO SHOOT God forbid I ever run out of ammunition, but in a crisis event you never really know what could happen. It was about 2 years ago I started picking up bowhunting. Initially I was drawn…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

HOW TO ENSURE YOU STAY READY FOR A CRISIS When I look around and see the lack of care the general population has about their future, it's rather disconcerting.

Being ready…

Far too many people are living in the present, enjoying the day to day, without a though of what could happen tomorrow.

Ready to ensure my family is provided for, no matter what.

Of course, I'd love if a SHTF event never happens. But I've seen the writing on the walls and I know it's not a matter of "if" but "when" it's all going to go down. If you don't take steps to prepare now, you'll be at a significant disadvantage.

Ready for a grid down event.

Ready to adapt, overcome, and thrive, in whatever situation we face. The trick, is to use systems, plans and procedures to ensure you never fall behind. BECOME ORGANIZER

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MASTER

But reality is far from easy.

In absolute chaos, those who are organized will thrive. There's a reason the military run drills, practice and hone their skills with hours and hours or training. It's their way of staying organized.

Life has a way of getting in the way of even the best laid plans, and you may find yourself falling behind. Unable to commit the time and resources towards maximum preparedness.

For you, of course practice is key, you need to ensure every member of your family understands the evacuation plans, and knows precisely what to do in a SHTF event.

There's always a big project you're wanting to do, but I'd recommend taking a step back before you start stressing out over what's "not" done.

But not only yourself, you need to keep your gear, supplies and stores in order.

And not only that, you'll feel better about yourself, knowing you've got a plan in place, just in case.

You can get most of the way there following a simple belief.

You may only have a few minutes to grab your go-bag and evacuate your home, and being packed in advance could save you precious minutes.

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Minutes that are quite literally, the difference between life and death. Escaping a particular location before a lockdown or congestion hits, or the streets become too dangerous to be out on. BE FOCUSED ON YOUR P H Y S I C A L A N D M E N TA L FITNESS Staying in shape is not only good for your health, in a crisis it means you'll be able to keep going that much longer.

“Life has a way of getting in the way of even the best laid plans…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 cont. I'm not a big running fan, but I make a point to get to my boxing classes (it's far more fun for me) and we are regularly out hiking on the weekends. I've seen massive jumps in my stamina, even when weighted down with my kit, and I have a good understanding now of what it'll actually take to "bug out" into the wild. Which leads me to the next part of this, mental toughness. You need to have an iron will to survive, and I've found the best fuel for this is practice. Knowing you can actually "do" something, whether it's to hunt your own game, start a fire from nothing, or last a night in the wild. All will help to fortify your resolve when times get tough. Oh, and don't forget the importance of friends and family in keeping you sane. They should be part of your plans too. BE READY FOR THE DISASTERS THAT WILL COME Following the news and latest political situations can lead you down the rabbit hole, but it's important you've got your finger on the pulse of your community, as well as what's happening around the world. Look through the "spin" placed on every story in the media, and dig out the facts. What happened. What was the result. Then consider how you would act to deter the threat, and what adjustments may be needed in your plan. The trick is to stay updated, without wasting time. I like to flick through the latest headlines on sites like the Associated Press and BBC, and I'll always take the time to watch my local channels during dinner. That way I've got a good handle on what's going on, as you never know where a danger may be coming from, whether it's mother nature, or manmade. So I can take the proper precautions with my family.

BE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

You can't ever get complacent.

If you're trying to get everything done in a few weeks, you're going to be in for an unpleasant surprise. There's just too much to be done.

If you're on a self-reliant homestead like me, there is always one more skill to learn, one more survival technique to practice, one more project to undertake that will greatly increase our chances of survival.

My advice, is to be in it for the long haul, with a schedule that means every, single week, you're making forward progress. That will help keep you motivated, as you see yourself becoming just a little more prepared, every month of the year. Of course, you should immediately prioritize key elements of your plan that are missing, like having at least 30 days food and water stockpiled, a means of defending your home, and a backup for every fundamental system in your home (water, electricity, gas, sewage). Then just keep at it, and you'll be surprised just how quickly you will progress. BE A LIFELONG LEARNER The final, and arguably the most important element, is to always strive to improve.

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Be a lifelong learner, taking the courses you need to improve, the local community center classes that will teach you self-defense and wilderness skills, and don't be afraid of reaching out to the survival groups in your area to form a connection with other survivalists like yourself. The more you learn, the better your own chances of survival. Ultimately, the key to being ready for a crisis is to move. You need to start acting now, preparing your plans, your body and mind, and getting all of your chickens lined up, so you know that when the SHTF, your family will do just fine. It's so easy to spend your nights on the couch in front of the television, but with a little effort you can get a step ahead of every other family out there. That's how you can stay prepared for whatever will come.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

HONE YOUR SHOTGUN SKILLS WITH THESE DRILLS There's nothing quite like the sound of racking another round into a shotgun. That telltale double click lets anyone in your home know you're now locked and loaded. But there's more to mastering your shotgun than a single shot, and today I'd like to share some of my favorite drills to run through the next time you're on the range. Because let's face it. Practice is the most important element to mastering any skill, especially if you want to ever have any accuracy whatsoever with a firearm, and a shotgun is no different. If you ever want to get comfortable, you need to do these drills. SAFELY STORING A SHOTGUN But before we get into it I want to touch on safety just briefly, because it's particularly important with shotguns. I shouldn't have to tell you about the dangers of keeping a firearm loaded in your home, but shotguns present a unique risk. They aren't drop safe. If you've a round in the chamber and the gun propped up beside your bed happens to fall, it's highly likely it'll go off. You're much better off keeping the magazine filled, and only ever chamber a round when you've got the shotgun in your hands, and are in full control of the weapon. Be safe, ok?

QUICK RELOADING DRILL Because most shotguns have a very low capacity (some only 6 to 8 rounds), it's imperative you're practicing reloading drills. If you're not able to reload quickly, you're going to be at a distinct disadvantage using a shotgun in a fight. Of course, I'd recommend doing this with dummy rounds only, unless you're at the firing range. Here's how it goes… • Fire on your target with 2 or 3 rounds then confirm the hit • As soon as you've confirmed the hit, grab a shell and start reloading • The key is to be deliberate in your actions, focused on speed • As soon as it's fully reloaded, take aim and start firing again • Repeat as necessary

Of course, you will be losing live ammo throughout this process, but in my opinion, that's not going to matter if you're able to load your shotgun and get your shots off.

E M E RG E N C Y R E L OA D I N G DRILL

IMPROVING YOUR PRECISION SKILLS

Now it's understandable in a real-life situation, your shotgun is going to run dry, and you're not always going to be able to keep the magazine topped off. So, you need to learn how to do an emergency reload. Some people call this a speed reload. This is best done on the range, with 1 or 2 rounds in the chamber. Once you hear the "click" from your empty trigger pull…

Now there will come a time when you're trying to hit someone, but you've not got a clean shot. Perhaps they're sheltering behind an obstacle, or they may have even taken a hostage which you will need to cater for. You've no time for guesswork, and your precision here could make all the difference.

• Do a half-pump and grab a shell • Drop the new shell into the action • Complete the pump and bring the shotgun up • Take aim, and start firing again • Repeat as necessary

I usually setup my targets behind other obstacles so they are only partially exposed. Then engage as normal, taking care to avoid landing a hit on any of my obstacles. I like to run speed tests on my accuracy, as well as taking precise shots on demand when I am in the middle of another drill.

DETERMINE YOUR RANGE

SWAPPING OUT YOUR SLUGS

The first in the drills is to help you get an understanding of the effective range of your shotgun. Set up a target about 5 to 7 yards away, and take your shot. With a marker circle the outermost pellet holes, and write down the distance of your shot.

If you're anything like me, your shotgun is really only loaded with one type of shell at any given time, but you need to remember it's a multipurpose weapon. And the guy sure as heck isn't going to wait for you to swap out your buckshot for slugs. You have a number of ways to perform this drill, but probably the easiest is to swap and discard.

Personally, I think this is one of the most valuable drills you can run with your shotgun, because while it's a rather unforgiving weapon, in the real world you need to take care with every shot you take, and you're not always going to have a clear target. As you improve, you'll get a good understanding of what shots you'll make, the ones you may perhaps "get away with" and of course, the hail mary's that you should never attempt.

• Ensure you've got your slugs handy • Cycle your gun, ejecting the buckshot shell • Slip a slug shell into the tube and chanber it, ejecting the second buckshot shell • Then load a second slug into the tube ready to fire

Getting good with a shotgun isn't as easy a task as learning how to shoot with a pistol or a handgun, but with a little practice, and the right drills, you can turn it into a potent weapon in your home defense. For me, I know that if I hear something go bump in the night, it's the shotgun I'll be reaching for. Even if it's after the SHTF.

Take five steps back, and repeat. Circle the outermost pellet holes, then do it again. You want to keep moving back until you start to notice your pellets begin missing the target, which is your safe engagement range. It's usually somewhere between 25 to 35 yards, depending on the particular shotgun you have and the buckshot you're using.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 for all of my seedlings, they're just a rugged set of plastic starter trays. If you're looking for a do-it-yourself option rows of yoghurt cups with some holes in the bottom make for a good option, or you could always go biodegradable and use cardboard toilet rolls packed full of potting mix. CHOOSE THE RIGHT STARTER SOIL Whilst "dirt" is what most plants grow in, if you're wanting to increase your chances of a good crop of seedlings you actually need a special soil. Dense, heavy dirt isn't good for tiny seedlings to grow. What you want is a growing mix of a light and fluffy medium like peat moss, leaf mold, or even compost.

HOW TO START THIS YEAR'S SEEDLINGS With the days warming up its quickly becoming my favorite time of year. Spring. Not only does it mean it'll soon be warm enough to actually enjoy the days outside, I can start working on this year's crops as I get a certain level of satisfaction seeing my garden flourish before cashing in on all of the (free) produce. Here's what I've been doing… PLAN AHEAD FOR EACH OF MY CROPS At the end of every season I like to let a bunch of my crops go to seed, so I can restock my heirloom seed supply. We'll spend an afternoon washing and drying out tomatoes, peeling the bean seeds from the pods, with vegetables that are far too gone to eat. You actually need to let a lot of these overripen on the plants in order for the seeds to fully develop, and I'll also buy a bunch of fresh seeds from my local plant supplies store as well. I'll organize all of my potting mix, seed starter fertilizer (the worm juice from my composter sends the seedlings through the roof), and make sure everything is laid out and ready to plant. Usually I'll start these in our smaller greenhouse, as it has heat lamps installed, but you'll have just as much success getting your seeds started in a warm room with plenty of natural light.

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO PLANT THEM One trick I've learnt growing my own food is that particular plants need certain conditions to flourish. Don't hesitate to research the best way to prepare and plant your seeds for best results, many seed packs will explain it, but you may need to resort to Google if you're harvesting your own seeds. I'd also pay attention to how long it will take the seeds to germinate, so you can re-seed any pots that fail to sprout. GET YOUR TIMING RIGHT I made this mistake last year, getting a little ahead of myself and the seedlings soon took over the tiny pots I'd started them in. I wasted a whole afternoon repotting all of these so my plants wouldn't become root bound, which wasn't a smart move. I should have just waited a few more weeks so I could transplant them right into my garden. Look at the recommended planting schedule, and the best planting dates for your crops. It all revolves around your last spring frost date, and is calculated out from there, if you're wanting to figure it out yourself. INVEST IN THE RIGHT CONTAINERS Each year I reuse the same sets of trays

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I usually mix up a batch that's about 40% peat moss, 40% shredded dry leaves, and the remaining 20% the dense, nutrient-rich dirt from my compost heap. Oh, and if you want to give your seeds the best chance of survival, bake the dirt at 150 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. This will sterilize the dirt and kill any bacteria inside, which can hurt your seedlings. TURN ON THE LIGHTS One of the fundamental things seeds need to germinate is light. If you're trying to start these indoors, you may not have enough light for these seeds to start. Investing in a set of grow lights above the plants will make a world of difference, you need to keep these on for 12-13 hours a day, and keep them within a few inches of the grow trays. DON’T FORGET TO WATER THEM Getting into the habit of watering your plants is an important one, as the seeds need to remain moist in order to germinate. Too much water, and they will rot with mold. Not enough, and the seeds will remain dormant. You can better trap the moisture in with a little plastic wrap, (though be careful of overdoing it), or better yet, use a plastic base tray as your watering system. Your plastic potting trays will soak the water in through the drainage holes, just pour out the remaining water from the tray once the dirt surrounding your seedlings is damp to the touch. The time is now to start on this year's first batch of crops, so make sure you're doing all you can to maximize your growing season, and are getting your seedlings started today.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

FRUGAL PREPPING WITHOUT INVESTING A DIME I don't know about you, but I've invested quite a bit of money into my survival planning and preparation over the years.

My advice is to categorize everything across areas like food, equipment and gear, then start working backwards on what you'll actually think you'll need.

From tins of food and a stockpile of gear that will keep my homestead running (without the grid or even a supermarket trip) for up to a year, most of my preps have had a price tag.

Consider everything from keeping the lights on, adequate water sources, protecting your home, and of course, the food your family needs.

But it's not all bad, and if you're having a tough month or want to get started without dropping hundreds of dollars on supplies, there are a few frugal ways you can prep. WORK OUT YOUR EXISTING STOCKPILE Before buying or investing in any gear or supplies, you need to understand what's already in your cupboards. You need to create an itemized list of everything in your house, so you can ensure you're spending your hardearned cash wisely when you do have a little to spare. So, take a notebook, and start listing out everything you've got. It's time-consuming yes, but it's a vital first step because only once you know what's in your current stockpile, can you start planning for what's missing.

Once you start tallying the two lists together, you'll have a better idea of what's missing, allowing you to prioritize and make smarter purchase decisions when you head to the store.

• Where you'll meet up if your home is temporarily unsafe • Where you'll evacuate to if your home is no longer fit to stay in • How you'll actually get to your designated bug out location • What to do if you're attacked in your home And so on. Thinking through and mapping out all of these survival plans is important because it plants the seeds of the idea in your head.

MAP OUT YOUR SURVIVAL PLANS Another great step to take is to sit down and start planning. But we're not talking about your food needs here or your stockpile (though they are important considerations to make), what you should be thinking about at this step is what you're going to "do" when the SHTF. Consider… • How you'll get home if you're at the office, the mall or wherever • How your family members will make it back to your home • How you'll communicate if the entire mobile network goes down

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“You need to create a list of everything in your house”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 cont. It also means you'll react much faster should an emergency develop, as everyone in your family knows exactly what to do. Because the faster you can react, the better your chances of staying alive. CREATE A SEPARATE STORAGE SPACE Once you consider just how much space a year's supply of food will take up, you'll understand the importance of having a smart storage solution for your supplies. All of your food and gear needs to be easily accessible, not tucked away in the backs of cupboards and forgotten about. We use an aisle and shelving system similar to the supermarkets, that I built over the course of a few weekends from old hardwood fence posts I got free after helping a buddy tear down his old fence. Simple enough, but it gave us the ability to keep everything together in one of the spare rooms in our home, and it didn't cost a cent. Just a little elbow grease. I should also mention that with all of your stores, consider how you're going to grab these and run should you have to evacuate in a hurry. Of course, having a bug out bag ready to go is smart, but we've also got a few large plastic tubs that fit into my truck, packed and ready to go with enough food and supplies to last us a month or two on the road. All we need to do is grab the tubs and get them in the car. BUILD YOUR OWN GARDEN If you're living anywhere with a little space, it doesn't take much to start your own garden. Especially once you learn how to make your own compost from the scraps in your kitchen. Your plants will have everything they need to thrive and start yielding valuable crops of produce. We started small, without any money upfront. Just using seeds or the scraps collected from the produce we were already eating (peppers, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, onions, and a whole lot more) to get our seedlings. Most just need a little water and a sunny spot on your windowsill, and transplant them after 5 to 7 days once they've sprouted roots and new shoots.

With time, they would go on to grow into healthy plants, yielding crops of their own.

Just make sure you exercise due caution when meeting up with new people, and don't be too trusting.

Each year I push the boundaries of our garden out a little further, expanding our usable land so that we now have a rather large portion of our property growing food to help us be more sustainable.

I've also made a few friends in our local community, and we'll often get gifted large baskets of fresh produce when the seasons hit, which helps boost our canned and preserved stores without needing to make expensive purchases from the supermarket.

Of course, these days I do invest in seeds and small saplings (our fruit trees are growing strong), but you really can get started without investing anything. LOOK FOR THE DEALS One of my favorite places to find deals is Craigslist, and I'm always checking the free giveaway listings. We've picked up everything from a fold-out sofa that now has a permanent home in my hunting cabin, to four rabbits complete with a cage. You'll be surprised what people will simply give away these days, especially with all of the decluttering trends.

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What I love about being prepared is that it's a lifestyle, you truly get out multiples of what you put in. Of course, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the latest gear, bug out equipment and tactical vehicles would be amazing, but that's not reality for most of us. The good news, is that you too can get started, without hurting your bank balance in the slightest. Are you prepared?

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN THE WILD Sitting on the couch watching another episode of Naked and Afraid, or Man vs Wild, and it's easy to judge. Seeing their mistakes in the comfort of your h o m e, w h i l e g iv i n g a r u n n i n g commentary of everything they're doing wrong. Survival is tough.

Always, always, boil your water before you drink it, and at the very least use a water filter. This will mean that you have both a canteen capable of boiling water, and a fire source, which comes down to smart packing before you head off into the wild.

Even for an experienced woodsman, it only takes a handful of mistakes for a situation to turn from bad to deadly.

DON’T FORGET A FIRE STARTING KIT

The trick is to know the fundamentals, and of course, practice as much as you can. Don’t make any of these mistakes when you're in the woods. DON’T GET WET Now I understand this isn't always possible, from a freak downpour to taking a tumble and ending up waist deep in that stream you simply had to cross. The trick is to not only have the right protective gear to keep your core dry, but you've got a plan should you get wet anyway. In my bug out kit I've got a spare change of underwear (always a good idea), so in an absolute worst-case scenario I can throw up a quick tarp shelter, start a fire, and sit around in dry briefs while the rest of my clothes dry out. Getting wet, especially in cold weather, can be a death sentence if you're not prepared. DON’T DRINK THE WATER It can be particularly tempting to take a cup straight out of the stream, but that's a major survival risk. Your eye cannot see the microscopic parasites and bacteria that could be lurking in the water, and once you drink it you'll be in big trouble. Vomiting and diarrhea will kill any of your plans, unless you're wanting to suffer for 24-48 hours in place.

Helping you cook your food, purify water, warm you up and even signal for help or keep predators at bay during the night, being able to start a fire in any conditions is critical. I'd go so far as saying it's one of the most important elements you need to master if you're planning to survive in the wild. Because the conditions will make a difference. Starting a fire on a dry autumn afternoon is far easier than battling a wet and windy winter's day. Pack a fire-starting kit with enough dry kindling to get even damp tinder to burn, and don't be afraid to get out in your yard while it's raining and practice. Your first time starting a fire in the rain shouldn't be when you're stranded and your life depends on it. DON’T GET LOST It used to be that whenever we ventured out we'd have a compass and a map, but far too many people rely on their smartphone these days. Trouble is, without a battery, if you're stranded for more than a day or two your precious phone isn't going to do you any good. Learn the basics of navigation, how to read a compass or take a bearing from the sun, and ensure you're able to orient yourself no matter how far in the woods you go. A lot of this comes with practice, so make it a habit to get out of the comfort of your living room and go for a hike every now and then. These skills are important to learn.

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DON’T EAT THE BERRIES Or anything that you're unsure of to be honest. If you're not completely confident that what you're planning on putting in your mouth is edible, don't eat it. The risks are just far too high, and if you do happen to poison yourself in the middle of nowhere, it's a situation that will turn deadly fast, as you may not make it back out to safety. I've been practicing my ability to recognize the common plants in my area, and actually took a course last summer with a guide who could demonstrate first-hand what was actually safe to eat. DON’T FORGET WEATHER

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It’s critical to consider the weather you'll be facing when you're outdoors. It can be easy to forget just how cold it gets on the mountain when you're sitting in a nice, centrally heated bedroom. You need to pack the right gear for the conditions you face. Warm and insulated winter gear is perfect for the cold, while shade and adequate water becomes vital during summer. Pack for the conditions, so you're always prepared. I tend to be a little overkill in what I bring in my kit, but I'd rather take my jacket off when the day warms up, instead of shivering at night because I didn't bring it at all. Survival in the woods isn't for the fainthearted, and there's much more to it than what you're used to seeing on television. I just want you to realize this before you find yourself stranded, unprepared in a situation that can quickly become life-or-death. Ultimately, the key is to be prepared, and to learn from these mistakes. I don't want you to make any of them the next time you're in the woods. I want you to be a survivor.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 BE WARY ABOUT HEAT LOSS This point is especially important if you're camping in bad weather, as the cold ground will literally leech the warmth from your body if you're not careful. I always build an elevated sleeping platform when I'm camping, it acts as a buffer to stay warmer in winter, but allows the air to circulate and keep me cooler in summer. It's also important to think about the overall flow of your shelter. If it's particularly bad I'll set up a small retaining wall behind my fire to better reflect the heat back to me, and I've even had nights where I built a roof over my fire to stop the rain from killing it completely. You can't be too careful, especially when the weather has taken a turn for the worse. CHECK YOU’RE NOT AN UNINVITED GUEST

THE RIGHT PLACE TO SET UP YOUR CAMP If you're in the wild and you don't have shelter, you're setting yourself up for disaster. On a mild summer's evening, it'll probably be fine. But should the weather be anything less than perfect, it's important you have a means to stay warm, dry and comfortable against the wrath of mother nature. Choose the wrong location and your life could be at risk, and there's a few things to consider before building a lean to or stringing your tent up. LOOK AT WHAT’S ABOVE YOU Before setting up camp its critical to look up. In a storm it can be tempting to find refuge under the biggest tree you can find, but this presents a risk. Large branches can fall under high winds, and even the heat and smoke from your campfire can be enough to dislodge snow drifts that have collected. They're called "widow makers" for a reason, you don't want a few hundred pounds falling on you in the night. Your best bet is to find a solid roof, like a cave or an overhang, or build your shelter in a clearing where you're not at risk of anything falling. Use your common sense, if you're at the base of a cliff and you're surrounded by loose rocks that have fallen, you may not want to be right underneath.

CONSIDER WHAT’S AROUND The banks of a river often seem an ideal place for a campsite, as they are flat, relatively clear of trees, and gives you easy access to a water and food source, should you have had the foresight to pack your fishing gear. And who doesn't like to sit around camp cooking up a fresh feed of fish? Be careful camping on floodways or an easement. If a dam breaks during heavy rainfall (or is opened) upstream, in a matter of minutes your camp will be underwater. Flash floods are fast and furious, so pay attention. If you're in a valley or a depression, you may be at a risk if there's a heavy downpour, or if the snow melt suddenly gives way. DON’T FORGET THE TINY CRITTERS I seem to become a magnet for mosquitoes whenever I'm in the wild. Still, stagnant pools of water should be avoided, as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects. I'd also recommend finding a way to get up off the ground. Especially in the tropics, sand flies, ants and other critters will find you if you're laying directly on the ground, and at a bare minimum make sure you've got a groundsheet down to give you some protection.

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Because of just how well a cave or natural overhang works as a shelter, you may find you're not the first visitor to want to call it home. Be very careful as you explore these, paying attention to any recent tracks, strong animal scents, and scan every inch of your new home before you let your guard down. Do not rush in, you risk surprising a wild animal, who will not hesitate to fight back with their full fury if you've backed them into a corner. If you're in the clear, great, but remember that just because they're not home now, they could very well walk right back in once the sun sets, or the rain starts. And the last thing you want to do is battle a bear or a mountain lion on their turf. It goes without saying you will need a means to protect yourself, and I'd also make sure you've got a way out, and a big fire roaring. There's nothing better than fire to keep uninvited guests at bay. Though, you may want to tone it down a notch if you're in bug out mode and trying to run a stealth camp. In this case I'd perhaps only go with a small fire, but drag in some logs and other fortifications to ensure any animals that come your way are unable to get through. Finding the right place to set up camp isn't rocket science, but there are a few best practices to follow to ensure you're not going to end up a disaster halfway through the night. Find somewhere safe, sheltered, and secure, so you can sleep soundly and get the rest you need.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

SMART TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR RAINWATER COLLECTION Water is an essential element for any successful homesteader, asnd collecting rainwater is an economical and environmentally friendly alternative, that will save you money on your water bill, and makes you a little less reliant on the grid. But if you want to do it smarter, let me explain how. DON’T BREAK THE LAW Generally, collecting a modest amount of rainwater to use on your property is fine, though in some states a permit is needed, depending on how much you plan to collect. Just make sure that whatever you're planning, you doublecheck it against the specific regulations in your state, as there are particular uses and limits that you will need to abide by in certain states. You don't want to get fined for not following the rules. BUY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Setting up a rainwater tank is easy, you can use barrels to collect the harvested water, just make sure it's clean, and hasn't ever been used to house toxic materials that may leech into your water (and make you sick). My advice would be to invest in the right equipment, and buy a rainwater barrel (or tank) that's been specifically designed and set up to store water. That way you'll also get all of the adaptors you need and won't have to fiddle around with makeshift covers or screens.

“make sure you are regularly cleaning out your gutters…”

FIND A SYSTEM THAT WORKS On our first property our rainwater tanks were just a series of barrels, connected so that once the first filled the overflow went into the next, and so on. All up, we could store almost 500 gallons of water in our 9 big barrels. Once they filled, an overflow valve and hose gave us the ability to divert the excess water to our garden that was down the hill (purposefully done so we didn't ever need to pump the water). We did however need to setup a small pressure tank to use this rainwater effectively in our home, which we could simply divert between the mains and town water as we needed. CHECK YOUR ROOF IS CLEAN Depending on what your roof has been constructed from, it may not be suitable to drink the collected rainwater without filtering it. If you've a newer roof you're probably fine, metal and shingles are typically OK, so long as you're not in a 100-year-old farm house with an asphalt roof. There's toxins that will leech out as the water collects, and if this is the case, it may be better to use one of the other buildings on your property to collect the rain. Oh, and make sure you are regularly cleaning out your gutters. The leaves and other debris that builds up can rot, especially in summer, and you don't want your rainwater tank becoming a teapot for all of that. SEAL OFF ALL YOUR TANKS If you're not already aware, this is going to shock you. Still, standing water is a haven for bugs and other creepy crawlies. Particularly mosquitoes. You don't want your water supply to get infected with all of their larvae, and I'll bet you also don't want to be breeding swarms of the blood-sucking monsters right outside your window. The trick, is to seal off as many entry points to your rainwater tanks as possible. And if it can't seal (because it's an overflow valve for example), at least add a mesh screen so the bugs cannot get in. My system connects straight into the gutters, so there's no entry points for any bugs unless they want to follow the drain all the way down from my roof. I've also got a oneway valve installed to limit any backflow (the overflow valve on the tanks is open, but covered in mesh so nothing gets through except for the water.

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BE SMART WITH YOUR WATER It goes without saying that any collected water you are storing is filtered and purified before you drink it. We've got filters installed right into our kitchen faucet that purifies our water as it comes out of the taps, but don't bother with this additional filtration if it's being used to just do a load of laundry or have a shower. You just need to be smart, as the only thing you can truly take control of is what you're putting in your body, don't risk contaminating it and getting sick because you didn't filter your water. WHAT ABOUT ACID RAIN? This is a common concern that people ask me when they discover we harvest the vast majority of water on our homestead, and I can honestly say it's never been a problem. Acid rain forms when large amounts of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides enter the atmosphere (like the emissions from a coal or natural gas processing plant), which is collected as the condensation forms into rain, and falls back to the ground. Of course, you don't need to be near a big factory to be affected (winds can send these pollutants hundreds of miles before they fall). If you're concerned, you can buy a pH test kit, or special calcium carbonate filters to counteract the acidity of the water and bring it back up closer to 7 (pH of pure water). Personally, I believe investing in a rain catchment system to be one of the smartest moves you can make on your homestead. Not only does it pay for itself over time (you're saving money with every drop of water you're not paying for), it reduces your reliance on the grid, so you'll still be able to function should a major crisis hit. Water is a must-have for survival.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

SKILLS YOU NEED TO SURVIVE AFTER THE SHTF A recent medical problem shone a spotlight on a problem we have in our homestead. Nothing too serious, but I did have a small operation which put me out of action for 8 weeks. Under the doctors' orders I was in no shape to do any heavy lifting, and definitely none of the "work" I usually do around the farm. With a frustrated sigh, I agreed. But, this got me thinking. After a few years living on our off-thegrid homestead, my family and I have fallen into a particular rhythm. There's certain tasks I'll do, and certain things that my wife and kids do. It's all about delegating responsibility, so that we each play a role in helping the family, but you also need to ensure this isn't creating any knowledge gaps. Of course, pulling weeds from the garden isn't rocket science.

But as the weeks passed I realized there was a particular knowledge gap in our house. Being the more technically minded, I usually take charge when it comes to building things. Like our wind turbine, or even simply starting up the tractor. I'd been doing the work, but I'd failed in my role as a teacher, because no one else could step in and replace me.

Far too many people rely on homedelivered pizza, or microwave dinners. It's actually pretty easy to throw something together. I'd recommend starting small, learning how to make a curry, or a pot of stew. Throwing some burgers on the grill, and building from there.

So as my family picked up the slack, I also learned the skills I'd been missing. You see, while I was out with my tractor or fixing something in the garage, my wife was doing an incredible number of things around the house. Here's a few I'd recommend everyone aspiring to live off the grid. BASIC COOKING SKILLS Now I'm certainly no master chef in the kitchen, but knowing how to throw together a couple of meals is a smart thing to learn.

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“I’d failed in my role as a teacher”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 THE REST OF MY FAMILY NOW HAS A MUCH GREATER IDEA ON… • How to start and drive the "big" tractor (even backing up the trailer). • How to monitor the power levels in our home's battery bank • How to clean and change the oil on both our car and motorbikes • When to start planting different crops, and when they're due for harvest • The pesticides to use and the bugs to watch out for in the fields • How to operate our pump house when the water tanks need to be refilled • How to start the chainsaw and the right way to fell a tree • How to jumpstart the cars when the battery dies And I'm sure a ton of other things they've learnt.

Then comes the self-sustainable bit. We trap and kill much of our meat, so basics like knowing how to clean and fillet a fish, butcher small game like rabbits or a pig, or even dress something larger, like a deer. Could you go out the back right now, dispatch a chicken and have it ready to cook and eat for dinner? It's something you must learn on the homestead. BASIC MENDING SKILLS We put most of our clothes through the ringer when it comes to heavy-duty use, and there's always something that needs to be fixed. After sitting around all day, I figured I might as well do something productive with my time, so I started mending. Putting buttons back on jackets. Sewing up a split seam. And while I was out of order I actually wanted to make something for my son, so I followed a couple of YouTube videos and learnt how to make him a beanie in his favorite colors (Go Cowboys!).

If I had more time I would have liked to learn how to make use of the sewing machine my wife has tucked away, as clothing is one vital item you'll never have enough of. Clothing simply wears out. But it's not just clothing. Think about your shoes and belts, and make sure you've got the supplies on hand and the experience needed to mend your clothes. BASIC FOOD STORAGE TECHNIQUES I've never really been into preserves, but without my wife working away we'd have less than half of the stockpile of food we've currently got. You need to learn how to can, pickle and preserve the produce while it's in season, so you've got supplies during winter. The same goes for smoking and curing your meat. On a homestead nothing can go to waste, so it's imperative you've got a working knowledge of smoking, canning and drying different meats, so they will last for months on end.

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And not only that, you need to also invest in the cans, the smoker, and all the drying racks you need to do this effectively. Now, this works both ways, and you should also be teaching your partner what it is you're working on every day. We've taken the last few weeks to bring the entire family up to speed on the different tasks, the easiest way is simply getting them to help, and talking through it all as you're fixing whatever it is you're working on. We call it "shadowing" (my kids have a thing for ninja's at the moment), but the idea is that you should never keep all of the information to yourself. Take every teachable moment on your property, and ensure your family could get through it without you. Because if the worst happens, and your family does have to go it alone, you're doing them a disservice not teaching them everything they need to know to keep your homestead r unning effectively. Invest your time now, and know they'll have the skills they need to survive.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019

PICK UP THE BOW AND LEARN TO SHOOT God forbid I ever r un out of ammunition, but in a crisis event you never really know what could happen.

You can successfully bring home meat for your family, without the sound of a rifle giving away your position.

It was about 2 years ago I started picking up bowhunting.

2. It's a cost-effective survival item, allowing you to recover and reuse any spent arrows that failed to hit the target.

Initially I was drawn to it by the need to up my stalking and hunting game, you've got to get far closer to your prey to be effective, but it's not only that. Mastering the bow gives you an almost silent weapon to use when the SHTF, ideal if you want to hunt without drawing anyone to your location, while also being able to reuse your arrows again and again. Plus, it's a whole lot of fun. I'll wind down most evenings on our homestead with even just 5-10 minutes of practice, and I'm getting more and more accurate as the months pass. For me, I'm a big fan of these dualpurpose hobbies. It's fun, but it's also training you on a key survival skill you can utilize when the SHTF.

Worse-case you can even fashion your own arrows, which is far easier than trying to make your own ammunition. 3. It's not subject to the same strict laws as gun ownership. Of course, you're not able to go wandering around on the streets with an arrow knocked and ready to go, but you can buy a decent bow from any sports or outdoors store, on the spot. Now, there is a wide variety of different types of bows, from the longbows you see in all the historic movies to the futuristic compound bows most commonly used in hunting.

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN TO SHOOT A BOW

Personally, I prefer recurve bows, because I can break these down and store them easier in my pack, giving me an added level of security as it helps me to blend in.

1. It gives you a stealthy way to hunt, whether you're after fish in a pond or deer, rabbits and other game.

You can bet people will notice you if you've got a giant bow over your shoulder. You don't want that.

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BASIC STEPS SHOOTING A BOW

WHEN

Of course, if you're a beginner it may pay you to take a few lessons down at your local archery club. That's where I started, and it helped me to improve far quicker in the first few weeks than if I was trying to figure it all out on my own. You can skip the learning curve a little, and you'll know exactly how to practice once you get home.

“It’s fun, but it’s also training you on a key survival skill…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - APRIL 2019 cont.

You want a firm, not a tight grip.

TAKE YOUR STANCE

Once you start pulling the drawstring the bow will lock into place.

Your feet play a vital role when shooting a bow, as they become your anchor which allows you to adequately draw the bow string. Position yourself so you are facing sideways to your intended target, with your legs shoulder-width apart and feet perpendicular to the target. Take a breath and bring your chest up, relaxing your shoulders before you start to try and draw. NOCK YOUR ARROW The nock at the back of the arrow is what helps it to sit on the bowstring, locking it in place so you can draw and shoot. As you do this pay attention to the odd colored feather on the arrow, if you're using a recurve bow like me this feather needs to be facing away from your bow. On a compound bow you should position it either up or down.

Position your hand so your thumb is pointing towards the target, and remember to relax your fingers. DRAW THE BOWSTRING Grip the bowstring with the fingers of your right hand, with the nock of the arrow sitting between your index and middle finger. Tuck your pinky away, you can use your thumb to hold it down and out of the way. With a straight left elbow, draw the bowstring back until your right hands fingers reach your mouth. You should feel the pull in your shoulders and upper back, which is normal. You'll get stronger quick. TAKE AIM QUICKLY

HOLD YOUR BOW

Now that your bowstring is drawn, look down and towards your target.

For all the right-handers like me, grip the bow in your left hand, wrapping your fingers around the grip without being too tight.

I don't have a sight so I have to aim a little higher (you'll get used to this after a few shots), but the key really is to be efficient.

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Your arms will tire holding your bow at full draw, and once they start to shake your accuracy will fall. You want it to be a quick breath, draw, aim and release. WAIT FOR THE STRIKE Once you've released the bowstring, stay as still as possible. It can be tempting to try and follow the flight, or look up to see where it lands, but if you do this too quickly it can affect the angle of your shot, throwing it off course. I try to remain still while I listen for the sound of the impact after each shot, before I look up to check my shot. Learning to shoot with a bow is a fundamental skill for survival. It gives you another way to hunt your food, and potentially even defend your home, should a rifle or another firearm not be available. The key to being a good survivor is not only being adaptable, but having contingency plans in place that ensure you will always thrive, no matter how bad things get.