February 2019.pdf

DON’T MISS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MARTIAL ART

TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR BUG OUT BAGS WEIGHT

IN THIS ISSUE:

USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AS A WEAPON

FEBRUARY 2019

SIMPLE WAYS TO TRAP AND COOK CRAWFISH

DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN A CRISIS

SURVIVAL LESSONS FROM THE HOMELESS

ADD THESE LONGLASTING FOODS TO YOUR STOCKPILE

STAYING WARM WHEN CAMPING OUT IN THE COLD and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

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Contents

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FEATURED

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MARTIAL ART FOR EFFECTIVE SELF DEFENSE Knowing how to defend yourself is a critical survival skill. If someone intends you harm, or wants to take what you have, knowing how to throw a punch and fighting back may be the…

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USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AS A WEAPON You never know when a situation will go from bad to worse. Late last year I spent the better part of a week at the hospital as my wife gave birth to my daughter, but I was on edge the whole…

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SIMPLE WAYS TO TRAP AND COOK CRAWFISH When I was a kid one of my favorite things to do was to go "flipping rocks" in the steam to see what lurked underneath. More often than not we'd find a couple of crawfish, and they'd be…

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SURVIVAL LESSONS YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE HOMELESS I'm not ashamed to admit I had a pretty low point in my life many years back. After losing my job my home was to follow, as it’s hard to keep up on rent checks without any cash coming in…

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STAYING WARM WHEN CAMPING OUT IN THE COLD I love camping, but when the temperature starts to drop it can get miserable fast in your campsite. It doesn't matter how beautiful that scenery is, without proper preparations you risk…

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HOW TO BUG-OUT WITH YOUR KIDS When the SHTF and you need to evacuate your home, things are going to get tough. Bugging out should only ever be a last resort, despite what many survivalists like to dream about…

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DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN A CRISIS When the SHTF the decisions you make will ultimately determine whether you live or die. One wrong choice, and suddenly your life is on the line. Of course, there's plenty of things you…

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ADD THESE LONG-LASTING FOODS TO YOUR STOCKPILE I've been working on my survival stockpile for years. Slowly adding a tin of food here, some extra supplies there. It's at the point now where I've probably got enough food tucked away…

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TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR BUG OUT BAGS WEIGHT The first bug out kit I packed must have weighed 50 pounds. I stuffed everything I could into it, and for good measure even tied a few bits of gear to the outside. Proud of myself, I couldn’t…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MARTIAL ART FOR EFFECTIVE SELF DEFENSE Knowing how to defend yourself is a critical survival skill. If someone intends you harm, or wants to take what you have, knowing how to throw a punch and fighting back may be the very thing that keeps you alive. Most aggressors are looking for an easy win, a victim that can quickly overpower, and putting up a fight may just tell them you're not to be messed with. You should learn a martial art. But they're not all the same. Of course, they will all train you on ways to defend yourself, but some are a little more effective than others when it comes to using your skills in the real world. Want to find out what you should be studying? We'll get to that. But first I just want to mention one thing. A truth that overrules everything you will learn studying martial arts. Weapons, like a firearm, or even a knife, pepper spray or a taser, are infinitely more effective as a self-defense tool today. A gun has range, speed, and can take down an attacker before he even gets close to throw a punch. You need to include self-defense weapons in your survival stockpile.

But knowing how to fight if you're in a situation where you've only got your fists is important too. You don't want to be completely vulnerable when you're unarmed, right?

The creator took the best pieces of Muay Thai, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and a handful of other disciplines, combining the most effective defensive techniques into Krav Maga.

MUAY THAI

The whole focus of the training is to develop your instincts and reflexes, and you'll practice defensive moves while attacking.

Muay Thai is my favorite martial art to train as it requires so much speed and stamina. Sometimes referred to as kickboxing, there are some subtle differences. Different to Western-style kickboxing, you'll learn how to effectively use knee and elbow strikes, as well as clinching. It's a very fast martial art, and if you also practice sparring you'll learn very quickly how to defend yourself from a variety of different attacks. The downside to Muay Thai is the lack of training on the ground, and you'll get very little practice defending and disarming actual weapons. KRAV MAGA After Muay Thai, this is one of my favorite martial arts. In Hebrew the name translates into "contact fighting" and this style of training is what the Israeli Defense Forces uses to train.

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Survival is the priority here, and in Krav Maga you'll even learn to target the most vulnerable areas of the body.

“You don’t want to be completely vulnerable when you’re unarmed…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 cont. The downside is it can be difficult to find a good trainer. Many fitness classes are incorporating "Krav Maga" into their offer, but it's really just a watereddown form of boxercise. Find a proper gym and learn the real techniques, Krav Maga is one of the best martial arts you can learn. BRAZILIAN JU JITSU If you've watched any mixed martial arts on television, you'll have seen techniques from Brazilian Ju Jitsu. It's primary focus is throws, locks and choke holds, that you can use to takedown your opponent and put them out of commission. You'll learn how to do complex submission holds to render an attacker immobile or unconscious, so you can escape. The downside is there's little time spent on strikes, and you won't learn how to disarm armed attackers. Plus, in a group situation you risk your safety when you're trying to choke out one opponent and the other attacks you while you're on the ground. TRADITIONAL BOXING Knowing how to throw a strong and fast punch is vital in a fight. But not only that, you'll condition your body and also learn great footwork, so you can quickly step in and engage during a fight, striking only when the time is right. I'd highly recommend you practice sparring while learning to box, as it hones your senses and helps you react faster when someone is attacking you. The downsides to boxing are that it uses your arms only. In a street fight you can expect kicks, stomps and more, and you need to be prepared for these too. MIXED MARTIAL ARTS With the rise of popularity of the UFC, mixed martial arts has quickly become one of the most sought-after martial arts to learn. You'll learn how to do choke-holds and locks like Brazilian Ju Jitsu, alongside flashy strikes and big takedowns. In your training you can expect a lot of sparring and hands-on practice, and it will get you very fit, very fast.

The downside is the techniques. I tend to feel MMA is just a little "flashy" (for want of a better word) and you'll not get any practice dealing with armed attackers. KARATE I studied karate as a kid, learning one of the most popular martial arts throughout my childhood. I also grew up watching the karate kid, and I'm not ashamed to say it influenced the decision. In addition to learning a host of different strikes and kicks, you'll be taught how to effectively block, and even disarm attackers coming at you with a weapon. Plus, you feel a little badass when you start learning how to punch through wooden boards. The downside to karate is that it's no longer seen as "cool" compared to some of the other techniques, and they teach very little on defending yourself once you're on the ground.

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JUDO With similarities to Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Judo is focused on locks, pins, choke holds and what's especially fun, throwing your opponent to the ground. In a fight, if you can take your opponent's feet out from under them and toss them on the ground, you've got the upper hand. Most attackers won't even know how to defend themselves against you. The downside is you won't learn any striking, kicking or punching with Judo, it's mostly all throws and submission holds. Ultimately the best martial art to learn isn't a single discipline. If you want to only do one thing for self-defense I'd choose Krav Maga, but if you've the time and inclination a little time spent in the Muay Thai gym, along with practice on the Brazilian Ju Jitsu mats will give you a variety of different fighting skills you can use to defend yourself in all situations.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AS A WEAPON You never know when a situation will go from bad to worse. Late last year I spent the better part of a week at the hospital as my wife gave birth to my daughter, but I was on edge the whole time. You see, I wasn't allowed to carry my gun in the wards. And that left me feeling just a little vulnerable. Because I had nothing to defend myself. But after yet another late-night stroll to the vending machines, I spotted a fire extinguisher. Then another. Despite not being able to arm myself, there's much to be said about the humble fire extinguisher as a self-defense weapon. Without a gun, in an active shooter situation you need whatever is on hand to fight back, and nearly every public building will have fire extinguishers. Be smart, and you can easily save your life. Here's how. WHAT KIND OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER First, you need to understand there's different types of fire extinguishers. Because they're designed to put out fires, you've got fire extinguishers for a whole range of fires. Putting out an oil fire in a kitchen (Class K) requires a different kind of plan than tackling an electrical fire in a server room (Class D). What you're looking for is the big, red fire extinguisher. It'll list on the side that it's suitable for either Class A, B or C. This fire extinguisher is packed full of powdered chemicals to put out the fire. That's what you want. I should also note that the ABC fire extinguishers are the most popular ones in use today, as they spray a very fine chemical called monoammonium sulfate to extinguish a fire. It's the swiss army knife of fire extinguishers, and most probably the ones you'll find. If there's no ABC fire extinguisher available, look for a CO2 one. Foam, clean agent, and all the other types of fire extinguishers just aren't effective (they don't have the necessar y chemicals to sufficiently disable an attacker), and at best provide you with just a large, heavy object to fight with.

USING THE SPRAY OF A FIRE EXTINGUISHER Most ABC fire extinguishers have a range of 15 to 20 feet, which is awesome for self-defense. You can engage and spray with more distance than if you were to use pepper spray or mace, and the concentration of the powder will result in a thick, choking cloud that incapacitates your attacker. Plus, it burns like hell in your eyes and throat. If you're looking to defuse a bad situation, from an active shooter to an attacker with a knife, use the spray of your fire extinguisher. It'll usually shock them enough for you to take further action. Take hold of the fire extinguisher with your dominant hand on the grip. Use your other to support it (two hands on your weapon makes it harder for your attacker to take it from you), pull the pin and start spraying. You should be aiming for the attackers face and eyes, and continue to spray until the fire extinguisher is empty. It can take 20 or 30 seconds for this, so be ready. Once the canister is empty, I'd close in and try to neutralize the threat. USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AS A BLUNT OBJECT Most fire extinguishers weigh about 5 pounds, so its a great bludgeoning tool. I'd not recommend getting close until you've drained the fire extinguisher (why get close if you've still got the ability to disorient an attacker at range), but once it's empty you need to disable them. Of course, if you're able to sneak up from behind and you've the element of surprise, you may be able to take down an attacker fast. Put your dominant h a n d o n th e g r i p o f th e fi r e extinguisher, and use your other as a guide. Then much like how a breach tool is used to smash open a door, you're going to want to use a similar technique with the canister. Just remember. You will need both hands to do this, and if the attacker still has a weapon you will not have a way to block it. My advice would be to use the few seconds you've got after your attacker has a face full of chemicals, a n d r e p ea ted l y th r ust th e fi r e extinguisher into their face, chest or gut until you've neutralized the threat.

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WHAT IF YOURSELF?

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SPRAY

Fights don't always go to plan, and if you happen to cop a face full of chemicals from a fire extinguisher it's no fun either. The first step is to flush the affected areas with water, and do it fast. The chemicals can cause temporary and permanent blindness in your eyes, so take at least 15 to 20 minutes of flushing to clear this out. If you don't improve, go to the emergency room. If you've breathed the fumes, you need to get out and into fresh air. Leave the room where the fire extinguisher was deployed and get outside. If your victim loses consciousness, or stops breathing, perform CPR until they start functioning again. If you've swallowed the chemicals, you could be in trouble. Milk can help offset the effects, and lots of water will help to flush the chemicals from your body, but I'd recommend contacting a poison control center or heading into the emergency room, just in case. Of course, before you decide to try using a fire extinguisher for selfdefense, it's probably a good idea to learn how to use one properly. Your local fire station will have a fire safety course you can join (they teach you how to properly operate and use different kinds of extinguishers, and provide a wealth of information on the different types), so sign up and learn a little. Then all you need to do is apply that knowledge to your situation, in a last-ditch effort to fight back when you're unarmed.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 CATCHING CRAWFISH BY LINE Once the sun drops it's not always as fun to be splashing abut in the water (not to mention unsafe), but there's still a couple of techniques you can use instead to get a feed. The first is to make a simple fishing pole. Take a branch that's four or five feet long, and tie a length of fishing line or paracord to it. On the end you want a bit of bait, like a chunk of fresh fish you caught earlier, and lower it into the water. If there's crawfish around they will come in to feed, and if you're gentle you can slowly bring the bait to the edge of the stream and pluck the crawfish off. The key is to pace yourself with slow, controlled movements, so the crawfish don't get spooked. TRAPPING CRAWFISH

SIMPLE WAYS TO TRAP & COOK CRAWFISH When I was a kid one of my favorite things to do was to go "flipping rocks" in the steam to see what lurked underneath. More often than not we'd find a couple of crawfish, and they'd be brought home to live in a bucket for a day or two before my dad convinced us to go release them back in the stream.

Down in Louisiana they're active all year round. And as a source of food, they're awesome, with about 16 grams of protein in each crawfish. Just make sure you check your states regulations on collecting crawfish, and you're following the catch limits and any seasonal restrictions imposed.

But as I grew older and started camping a bit more, I realized these little crawfish were a great source of food on the trail. Likewise, in a bug out scenario. You need all the calories you can get, and these little crustaceans are tasty too.

C A TC H I N G C R A W F I S H B Y HAND

WHAT IS A CRAWFISH? Depending on where you live these freshwater crustaceans get all sorts of names. Crayfish, crawdads, and mudbugs are the most common. Usually you'll find them in lakes, ponds and steams, hiding under the rocks in relatively shallow water. The water needs to be clean though. Look for running streams and clear water. As the crawfish get bigger they tend to be more active in the early evening and night, which makes for a bit of fun fishing after you've setup camp. You'll only get them during nice weather though, when the water drops below 55 degrees, the crawfish will dig deep and go dormant, awaiting the spring, and you'll not be able to lure them out of hiding at all.

The simplest method for catching crawfish is to get in the water and use your hands. I've had the best luck doing this in shallow water (not more than 2foot-deep), and slowly working my way upstream. As I go I'll turn over rocks and poke around any branches, and when I see one use a forked stick to pin it to the sand where I can reach down and grab it (behind the shoulders so it can't pinch you). Trouble is they're fast, and you'll miss just as many as you catch. If you've got a net this becomes much easier, just remember that crawfish will dart backwards when they get spooked. If you place your net behind the crawfish and use your hand to scare them, they'll often swim straight into the net. The last hike I went on I was seriously unprepared, and I fashioned a small net out of my mesh singlet and a forked branch. It worked a treat.

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The other technique one I like to do overnight. We'll build a crawfish trap. Taking two green branches you want to loop these into circles roughly a foot in diameter. Tie a few structural poles between them (I usually use 7 or 8) so you've got what looks like a cylinder, that's freestanding and strong enough to stand on its own. Then comes the difficult part. You're going to cut some long sections of thick grass, and weave it through the structure to create your trap. Try to overlap the weave so it's not possible for a crawfish to get out, and close up one end with a "X" lashing of branches and grass. There should be no place to escape. The other end you need to create a funnel for the crawfish to enter in, I just tie in a smaller loop of branch to another 7 or 8 sturdy pieces, and lash it all to the end. It takes about 30 to 45 mins to make, but then you just need to bait it, add a couple of rocks and toss it in the water. After an hour, pull it out and there should be plenty of crawfish trapped inside. COOKING YOUR CATCH The simplest means to cook a feed of crawfish is to boil them, but if you've not got a pot you can grill them over an open flame of your campfire just as easy. Once they've turned a bright orangey-red it usually indicates they're done, then just set them aside to cool for a little before you tackle the next step. You need to grab the head in one hand, the tail in another, twisting so you split the crawfish in half. Squeeze the shell until it cracks, and peel the meat out. You will need to use a knife to remove the mud line (it runs down the middle of the tail), and it's ready to eat!

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

SURVIVAL LESSONS YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE HOMELESS I'm not ashamed to admit I had a pretty low point in my life many years back. After losing my job my home was to follow, as it’s hard to keep up on rent checks without any cash coming in. Over the space of a couple of months my life spiraled downwards, and I found myself living first out of my friends' homes, before moving into my car, and then on the streets. It was eye opening to say the least. I know most people are at least a little compassionate, but once you're homeless and begging on the streets, you see the true nature of people. Some, are very charitable. Others will do everything they can to pretend you don’t exist. A few are downright evil. I spent a little over eight weeks on the streets. Hardly any time compared to some, but to me it felt like a lifetime. And after I bounced from what seemed like a never-ending string of bad luck, I made a friend. Harry. Despite being wary as hell (you shouldn't trust people when you're struggling), he showed me the ropes, and what it takes to survive on the streets.

Luckily enough I was able to land a job busing tables, and soon had saved enough cash to get my own place. Harry never made it off the streets, and I learned earlier this year he passed. Looking back, I'd like to share some of the biggest lessons he taught me, and how they can be used in a SHTF situation to help you survive. DO YOUR BEST TO NOT LOOK HOMELESS It can be easy to fall into a spiral of depression and let yourself go, but if you want to avoid trouble, and get yourself back on your feet as fast as you can, you need to look the part. Find a bathroom and clean yourself up. Truck stops have great showers, public libraries have toilets, and churches may even have programs that offer food and showers too. Wash your clothes as often as you can. In a SHTF situation, the way you look is very important. You need to fit in and look like everyone else, or you risk becoming a target. The last thing you want to do is stand out. DON’T LET THE COLD GET TO YOU This is especially important when you're camping out at night.

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You need to layer your clothing, but not only that, you need to find ways to insulate yourself from the cold. Boxes provide an easy solution for a mattress that's warmer than the street, and if you're suffering grab some newspaper and stuff it into your clothes. It'll help insulate your body and keep you warmer. You can't decide when a crisis will hit, it's important you know how to manage the weather no matter what. Small tricks like insulating yourself could help you make it through the night.

“in a SHTF situation, the way you look is very important.”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 cont. BE WARY OF BEING ALONE Especially at night. There are some particularly bad people out there and you need to ensure you're not robbed or beaten up when you're trying to get a little rest. If there's other witnesses, people are more likely to behave, so find a place to camp out that doesn't put you completely alone. This is often why particular parks or locations tend to draw the homeless, there's safety (to a degree) in numbers. During a disaster everyone will have their own agenda. You need people watching your back so you don't get taken advantage of. Start building a survival group now, so you trust them when things go bad. ALWAYS BE READY TO RUN When you've got all your belongings in a rucksack, it's important to pack light and keep it together. Don't spread everything out in front of you. If the wrong people come by or even the police, you need to be able to grab your things and run as fast as possible. Same goes for anyone who wants to grab something and run. Keep your belongings close, it’s all you’ve got. My advice is to keep your bag packed, and keep it on your back. You need to be always ready to run. Again, this ties into your bug out. The faster you can leave and escape a bad situation, the better your chances of surviving whatever it is that's coming. Keep your gear organized and in one place. THE FIGHT ISN’T WORTH IT It's important to learn how to deescalate a situation to stop it turning violent to begin with. On the streets, the smallest injury can result in infections and massive complications, when you don't have access to proper medical care. Having a few first aid supplies is a good start, but it's better to realize that getting into the fight just isn't worth it.

Most fights end badly for both participants, and in a survival situation that's not ideal. Find ways to either avoid conflict altogether (staying out of sight and don't raise attention), or get the biggest stick on the block (i.e. a concealed carry firearm), and be ready to step in and stop the violence before it escalates. Surviving on the streets is a challenge far too many Americans struggle with every day. From my experience, the hardest part of it all was staying positive. I was able to make it through this time, and my depression by creating a plan. That’s what kept me going through the nights, and the long days.

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I knew I wanted to get off the streets. I had a plan to start working. I had a plan to start saving money. And I used these to avoid getting discouraged when I did’t get to eat for a day or two. In a crisis, you're going to feel much the same levels of hopelessness, as you simply don't know when things will return to normal. All you can do is your best, try to stay positive, and have a bigger plan in place so you've got something to work towards each day. That’s how you’ll survive on the streets.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

STAYING WARM WHEN CAMPING OUT IN THE COLD

I love camping, but when the temperature starts to drop it can get miserable fast in your campsite. It doesn't matter how beautiful that scenery is, without proper preparations you risk sleepless nights, or worse, hypothermia if you're not ready. The good news though, it's not all that difficult to stay warm no matter how cold it is outside. DON’T PUSH EXTREME WEATHER Before you head off on a hike or camping trip, research and check the conditions. You need to know the temperatures you'll be facing (especially at night), and if there are any particular storm fronts coming in. If it feels dodgy, don't risk it, there's always next weekend. CREATE YOUR IDEAL CAMPSITE You want somewhere that's sheltered from wind chill and the elements, and not in a low like a valley or depression. Clear off the snow where you plan to set up your tent, and smooth it all out before the snow starts to melt. I'd also recommend gathering enough firewood to keep your campfire going, and setting up a small retaining wall to reflect even more heat into your tent. BRING THE RIGHT GEAR One of the fastest ways you get cold at night is the ground literally seeps the warmth right out of you. In addition to a cold-weather sleeping bag, bring an insulated foam pad to act as a barrier between your body and the ground. What you're looking for is an aluminumized pad, that has a high Rvalue (the higher the value, the better it is at insulating you from heat loss). FILL YOUR TENT In cold weather you want the smallest tent. Every breath you exhale is a loss of warmth, and if you're trying to keep warm inside a massive tent you're not going to be doing yourself any favors.

I like to bring all of my gear inside my tent (it also acts as another layer of insulation in the walls), and if you've got a buddy get close to them. The warmth your body's radiate will help heat up the tent to keep you warm. I'd also recommend using a mylar space blanket. Duct taped to the walls, it makes difference when you're reducing the ambient air that needs to be heated. USE A HOT WATER BOTTLE The stainless-steel bottle I carry with me when I hike has two functions. Not only does it provide a way to carry water, in the night I can fill it with hot water from the campfire and use it in my bed to warm it up. I usually fill it and put it in while I'm cooking dinner (to warm all of my bedding), and top it up again right before I sleep. WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES It's common sense to dress in layers when you're camping in the cold, but it's also important you've put some thought into what you'll be wearing at night. You want loose fitting clothing, no tight gloves or socks, and remember to buy synthetic fabrics or wool, cotton clothing is a big no-no for cold weather as it doesn't wick away moisture. DON’T GIVE IN TO THE WIND With your tent as a first line of defense against the wind, it's important you're doing all you can to protect it from the wind. In bad conditions it may become necessary to continually go adjust and tighten your rigging. I've dropped trees to act as makeshift wind barriers in bad weather, the last thing you want is a ripped tent on a cold winter night.

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REMEMBER TO SNACK You can kickstart your metabolism, and produce a ton of natural body heat by simply eating and snacking throughout the night. I've found a high-calorie protein bar is great right before bedtime, and I've always got a handful of nuts in close reach. Just make sure it's easy, and requires minimal prep, so you can get back to bed to rest. ALWAYS HAVE A FIRE STARTER If you happen to get cold or have an accident (like breaking through a frozen lake), you need a way to get warm fast. Always carry with you a way to start a fire, even in adverse conditions. I've got a small tinder set that's sealed from any moisture, along with a few strips of magnesium. Even in the rain, I can gradually build a bigger fire. KNOW THE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG Finally, it's important to know how to recognize when somethings going wrong. Once you start shivering uncontrollably, slurring your speech, feeling a lack of coordination and lethargy, you're probably on your way to hypothermia. If your extremities are looking pale, numb and tingling, there's a chance you're starting to experience frostbite. You need to warm up, and go seek medical attention immediately. Just because we're in the midst of winter it doesn't mean you can't get out and enjoy the great outdoors. So long as you take the right precautions, pack the right gear and know how to stay warm when camping in cold weather, you can survive no matter what.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 Disposable diapers will need to be carried until they can be disposed. One trick I found with keeping my youngest clean was to carry cotton pads, and to use just a little water on these when I needed to change her. A little soap and some hand sanitizer will go a long way in keeping everyone in your family healthy while you're bugging out. HOW YOU’LL KEEP THEM QUIET

HOW TO BUG-OUT WITH YOUR KIDS When the SHTF and you need to evacuate your home, things are going to get tough. Bugging out should only ever be a last resort, despite what many survivalists like to dream about. But If you don't plan accordingly, your bug out will be a blow out. Especially with kids. HOW YOU’RE PLANNING TO CARRY THEM The first thing you're going to need to consider is the ground you'll cover. Infants and toddlers will need to be carried, and even young kids will not be able to walk far. You need a plan to carry your kids, whether it's in an all-terrain cart or stroller, or a baby backpack that distributes their weight on your hips. Consider the terrain you'll be bugging out through, and ensure you've got a solution that will allow you to move easily through whatever you need to cross. Even if your kids are a bit older, having a plan to carry them so you can keep moving once they get tired is critical. We've slowly been getting our kids used to long hikes, but they've still got a ways to go in developing any kind of endurance. You'll also need to consider who is carrying the weight.

HOW YOU’LL KEEP THEM CALM In a SHTF situation you can bet there's a whole lot of noise, stress and panic, and your kids will be picking up on your vibes. Sirens, gunshots, and even screaming will put your kids on edge, and you'll need a way to help them stay as calm as possible. Scared kids will cry, and that can draw unwanted attention your way. Plus, you don't really want to cause any long-lasting trauma. We've got a few techniques we use to keep our youngest calm. In addition to earplugs, she is quite happy to wear a set of noise-cancelling headphones and listen to music on my phone, which would be the perfect distraction in a less-than-optimal situation. In the baby carrier we've also got an option that attaches a hooded head cover that helps shield her from what's going on, and perhaps stop her seeing some PTSDinducing scenes in a crisis. If your kids are a bit older you could get them playing games or watching movies.

In a dangerous situation noise can draw the wrong people in, but young kids simply don't understand. Take breaks when they're needed, have food on hand to keep them fed, and it's smart to get your kids communicating nonverbally. We play a game when hiking called the bird monster, teaching our girls that the louder they are, the birds think they're a monster and will fly away and hide. Now this is the furthest from what my girls want, so they've taken to being as quiet as possible in the wild. They'll tug my hand when they want something, and even whisper. HOW YOU’LL KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED Video games only go so far, and on a long bug out or hike it's inevitable your kids will get bored. What we've done is try to assign certain jobs to our kids, as we're hiking so they are constantly doing "something." Perhaps they're looking for a certain type of berry or edible, scouting for a water source to refill our bottles, or even reading the map to show us which direction to hike. Small things make a big difference to kids, especially if they feel in control or that they are being a "big helper." HOW YOU’LL KEEP THEM SAFE

HOW YOU’LL KEEP THEM SANITARY

You should be armed and ready for anything as you're bugging out, but there's a few other considerations to make. We've given our kids whistles and flashlights so if they ever get lost we stand a better chance of finding them, and my eldest is now at the stage she can pack her own bug out kit, and knows how to properly use everything in her bag. I'm confident she’ll survive and know what to do, where to go, and how to keep herself safe, even if she gets separated from the rest of us.

Of course, it's smart to get your kids potty-trained as fast as possible, but it's not always an option and a crisis usually hits at the worst possible time. You need a plan to keep young kids sanitary.

Bugging out is a last resort, but with planning you can learn how to get out of dodge effectively, even with your kids. Do it right, and your chances of survival increase exponentially.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IN A CRISIS When the SHTF the decisions you make will ultimately determine whether you live or die. One wrong choice, and suddenly your life is on the line. Of course, there's plenty of things you need to get organized beforehand, like your supplies and your gear, but the stress of it all may not have you thinking straight. It's important to maintain a cool head even as everything descends into chaos, and with that I'd like to share some of the biggest mistakes preppers commonly make. If you want to survive, don't make these mistakes in a crisis. DON’T JUST THINK YOU CAN WING IT Good survivalists are those who are prepared. But it's more than just having a basement full of supplies, even though hundreds of tins of baked beans will stop you going hungry. You need to know what to do when certain events happen. You need a plan. You need to establish communication plans, meeting points, bug out locations, evacuation routes, and ensure your entire family knows the plan. And then you need to practice it, improve your response times, and look for any weaknesses or problems with your plan. If you're planning to just wing it, you'll be just like everyone else when the SHTF, running around with no idea what to do.

“it’s more than just having a basement full of supplies…”

DON’T JOIN THE LOOTERS Push all the moral and ethical reasons aside, you want to be avoiding the people rioting on the streets at all costs. Just because people are raiding stores, it doesn't entitle you to grab "your fair share" and join in as well. Not only do you put yourself at risk for retaliation from an angry shopkeeper (no one wants a shotgun blast in the chest), things could go sideways fast. Think about this for a second. You're surrounded by a group of looters with few morals (they're already stealing) in a location that's basically a disaster. What's to stop them taking a step towards kidnapping, or even simply turning their guns on you and taking what you have when there's no more shops to rob. Don't join the looters. DON’T DRINK UNPURIFIED WATER I know the water looks clean, but you've no idea what's been happening upstream, or what contaminants are already present. It doesn't matter how thirsty you are, or if you've done it a a thousand times before. Drink unclean water and you're risking diseases and parasites infecting your body, that will make your life hell. Add diarrhea, cramps and fever to everything else that's going on as the SHTF and you'll understand pretty quickly what I mean. Now is not the time to take yourself out with a preventable illness. Always boil your water (at a minimum) before you drink it, and filter it if you can. DON’T NEGLECT YOUR FIRE Fire can make all the difference to keeping you alive. But it's also a danger. If you're not responsible or neglect the fires you've lit, it doesn't take much for these to turn into a bigger problem. Sparks and embers can travel far on a dry windy day, and before you know it the entire hillside is burning. If you're building a fire, keep it contained, keep an eye on it, and make sure you've got it totally under control. Same goes for your kids. While a campfire can provide an almost endless means of entertainment during a difficult time, watch what they're doing. If they get burnt that's on you, as you're meant to be looking out for your kids. DON’T PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN If you're injured during a crisis the worst thing you can do is tough it out.

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I had a friend recently roll their ankle on a hike, and whilst she knew it was bad she wanted to evacuate herself instead of sitting tight and waiting for help. By the time we got back to the car she was in so much pain, and on getting to the emergency room we discovered 4 fractures in her ankle. She wore a cast for 6 weeks, and is currently on rehab to regain movement in her foot as the walking she did on it made the damage so much worse. If you're injured you need to take care of yourself. Dress the wounds to fight off infection. Take it easy if you hurt yourself. The worst thing you can do is try to push through the pain like they do in the movies. Movies aren't real. DON’T REFULSE TO BUG OUT Ideally you should be set up to bug in at your home, but there are situations where staying put is a bad idea. If a wildfire is coming, a hurricane, or even a pandemic, evacuate. Don't be one of the silly people who get trapped in their home that need to be rescued (or simply perish) because you were too stubborn to bug out. You can make this easier by preparing your bug out kit now, so when you need to leave you've already got everything you need. DON’T PANIC Finally, don't panic. It can be frightening watching everything around you descend into chaos, but for your sake, don't give in. Be determined to push through it, use your plans and your stockpile wisely, and make every effort you can to survive. Surviving through a crisis requires a calm and collected mindset. You're going to face challenging situations every day, and the choices you make will ultimately determine how successfully you survive. Pay attention to these mistakes, and make sure you're not another casualty when the SHTF.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

ADD THESE LONG-LASTING FOODS TO YOUR STOCKPILE I've been working on my survival stockpile for years. Slowly adding a tin of food here, some extra supplies there. It's at the point now where I've probably got enough food tucked away to keep my family fed for a year. Twelve months of breakfast, lunch and dinners, that may even last longer if we're properly rationing what we have. But that's all for nothing if my supplies are inedible when we need them. And when it comes to food, nothing lasts forever. But there are a few key supplies that will 'almost' get you there, plenty long enough to ensure your family won't go hungry no matter when a crisis strikes. Most of what I'm recommending today has a shelf life that spans decades, and under the right conditions will remain edible when you need it most.

WHITE RICE I know brown rice is healthier, but due to the oils that remain in the husk it will only last you 12 months in ideal conditions. White rice can last up to 30 years. You want your rice to be vacuum sealed in individual packs, and packed for long-term storage in larger air-tight containers. This way you've got two lines of defense, and if one pack happens to spoil, it doesn't ruin pounds and pounds of rice. Just make sure you've got a rice cooker in your stockpile (it makes it much easier to cook), although in a pinch you can always boil rice over an open flame in a pot. BEANS I'm not the biggest fan of beans, but they're an incredible survival food. Much like rice, with proper storage conditions you can keep dried beans almost forever.

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The older they get the harder they become to use (you'll need to soak them overnight, and perhaps even extend the cooking times. I usually throw a handful of rehydrated beans into the mix when I'm using my slow cooker, it's a nice little protein boost to add to a stew or a soup.

“when it comes to food, nothing lasts forever…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 WHAT ARE THE RIGHT STORAGE CONDITIONS? You see it all the time on labels, right? Store in a cool, dry, place. Well this means a few things. You want it cool. Not hot like the trunk of your car or the garage during summer, and definitely nowhere that drops below zero and freezes. Continued freezing/unfreezing will ruin most food items when you do eventually try to eat it. Sunlight can damage it too. Next comes the water. You want somewhere dry. Mold and mildew are not healthy, and once they get into your supplies you will need to toss them. Plus, damp air wreaks havoc on the tins you've got (once they start to rust you'll need to toss these too). Find somewhere dry. Finally, you need to keep the critters away. Rats and mice can be remarkably persistent, I've seen them chew right through plastic storage tubs to get at the food inside. Get a cat, set out rat baits, or whatever it takes to ensure you're not losing your supplies to tiny creatures. Right, now once you've sorted these, don't forget the food.

WHEAT BERRIES

SUGAR

VINEGAR

Instead of stocking up on flour which can be a breeding ground for weevils and other nasties, you need to start using wheat berries.

Plain white sugar isn't the healthiest option, but it's a staple in my stockpile because it's just so darn useful.

Plain old white vinegar is made from corn and has such a low pH it'll last virtually forever.

From cooking to creating jams and preserves, you need sugar if you want to continue cooking and replenishing your stockpile as the seasons change.

It makes a great cleaning agent for bathrooms, but I particularly like it on salad. We grow so much produce on our farm we're constantly munching into salad, but it gets boring.

It's essentially just the entire wheat kernel, that you can either soak and cook with (kind of like beans), or use a hand cranked flour mill to grind them down and start baking your own whole meal breads. Stored in vacuum sealed bags wheat berries will last decades. For us, one of my favorite rituals is our Sunday campfire, as we sit down as a family, grind a bunch of flour and make damper (an Australian campfire bread I recently discovered). It's awesome. OATS One of my favorite breakfasts during winter is a warm bowl of oats. Pour in some hot water, add a little sugar and honey (two additional supplies that last almost forever), and a handful of fresh berries, and you've got a great start to the day. Plus, when you're storing them right, steel-cut rolled oats will last about 15 years in your stockpile. More than enough to keep you going. Oh, and if you want to add a little bit of variety to your baking, your flour grinder works on oats too.

We do a big crop of mulberry jams each year, and whilst it takes a bucketload of sugar, it's delicious on pancakes and toast for months afterwards.

A little vinegar, lemon juice and pepper makes a great salad dressing, and is a great way to spice up a boring meal.

SALT

POWDERED MILK

Another kitchen staple, salt will last indefinitely as it's actually a mineral.

I love my coffee, and in addition to having at least a year's worth of beans packed and stored, I need milk for it.

Plus, you need it in your body (you sweat out salts when you're working and these need to be replenished). Salt is a great way to add a little flavor to your foods, and even to cure and dry and game meat you've hunted. There's nothing better than a little deer jerky, and we usually do two or three batches every year. HONEY Not only does honey last forever, it's one of my favorite things to pour on my breakfast. It's also antibacterial, and in a pinch you can use it for wound treatments, if you've no antibacterial creams on hand in your first aid kit.

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Powdered milk is your best bet, in the tins from the manufacturer it'll last at least 10 years, though some brands promise a 25-year shelf life. Stock up on powdered milk, you can use it for baking, drinking, and well whatever else you like. Once you add water it's "almost" like real milk. Right, with those in your stockpile you should be ready for anything. Of course, there's a ton more supplies and food you should be keeping, but these long-lasting foods will ensure you've always got something to eat, no matter what.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019

TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR BUG OUT BAGS WEIGHT The first bug out kit I packed must have weighed 50 pounds. I stuffed everything I could into it, and for good measure even tied a few bits of gear to the outside. Proud of myself, I couldn't wait to take it out on the trail to see just how well I would survive. About five miles into my ten-mile hike I wanted to die. There was just far too much weight on my back, and soon my knees and hips were complaining. I ended up not completing the hike at all, and I'm ashamed to say that there were a few pieces of gear that never made it home.

And if I'm being chased through the woods by looters intent on stealing my stuff (or worse), you don't want to be weighed down by 50 pounds of gear. You won't escape. These days my bug out pack is a lightweight 12 pounds. Light, effective, and more than enough to ensure I make it to my bug out location, which is all your bug out kit should be for. Here's how I cut down the weight GET RID OF YOUR FOOD Tinned food and everything you need to prepare a meal is extra weight.

- You need to be fast on your feet - You need to be able to evacuate fast - You need to escape any pursuit

You don't need a camping stove or pots and pans. And you certainly don't need 15 different spices. All of this is metal, that weighs you down. It's also noisy if not properly muffled in your pack, which can make bug ging out undetected a challenge. I've got about 8 high-calorie protein bars in my pack. That's it.

In a crisis, you never know what could happen.

Enough food to stave off hunger while I make it to my bug out location.

Ideally, I've got my family loaded into our SUV and we have a leisurely drive out to our bug out location, filled with plenty of food and supplies and we ride out whatever disaster comes our way. But life doesn't always go to plan.

Because really, going without food for a day or two won't kill you. It's not super fun (I do it every now and then just to test my endurance), and in a pinch I've always got some hooks and line, or my rifle, to bring down some wild game.

If you're planning to bug out, your bug out kit needs to be light.

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GET YOUR CLOTHES IN ORDER Before you leave your home to bug out it's important you dress appropriately. I've got my boots, jacket and pants hanging in a cupboard right by the door, so I can always ensure I'm in weather-appropriate gear. In my bug out kit I've only got a change of underwear, and two pairs of socks. It's a luxury to have multiple items of clothing for just a few days, and if you dress in layers, you can always wash your shirt and dry it overnight by the fire before starting the day.

“going without food for a day or two won’t kill you…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 2019 cont. GET RID OF YOUR FANCY SLEEPING BAG Nothing beats a nice, cozy sleeping bag but they are often one of the heaviest items in your kit. Especially in coldweather bug outs, you need a high-rated sleeping bag to make it through the night. What I've found works quite well is to use a two-layer system to add extra warmth to a compact sleeping bag. First, I slip into an emergency sleeping bag. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it traps all your heat, so you can use a lighter sleeping bag as the external layer. I've successfully used this setup in temperatures down to 14 degrees (-10 Celsius), though it wasn't the most pleasant of nights, I made it through okay. GET RID OF YOUR TENT Going camping without a tent felt strange the first time I did it.

These days, you'd have to twist my arm to get me to bring a tent anywhere. Not only are they bulky and heavy (yes even the ultralight camping tents), it's weight you simply don't need. All you need is a tarp or two. Unless of course it's the dead of winter, then you want all the protection you can get. Otherwise, tarps are all you need. And with a bit of paracord, you can string these up to provide decent shelter from the elements. GET RID OF EVERYTHING YOU WON’T USE The first bug out bag I packed I had so many items in there, that were just in case. Of course, it's important you're not forsaking actual survival tools like a fire starter, but I didn't need to carry a mug, a book about local edibles, two changes of clothing. The list goes on. What you need to think about is your 72-hour timeline. Pack everything you need to survive for 3 days.

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T hat's it. T here should be no consumables left in your pack once this time is up. And if it's a bit of gear with a questionable purpose, get rid of it. Ultimately, the best way to cut down on the weight of your bug out bag is experience. Once you get comfortable hiking and camping in the wild, and you start doing it more and more, you'll learn what you need to bring, and what you can improvise along the way. My kit is very light these days, but that's because I've a pretty good track record of catching a feed of fish, cutting tent pegs from branches to set up camp, and a host of other experiences in the wild. If you want to pack lighter, my advice is to get out there and start learning. The more you know, the less "stuff" you'll need to bring.