July 2018

DON’T MISS: THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

THE DANGERS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN SURVIVAL BUNKER

IN THIS ISSUE:

JULY 2018

HOW TO SECURE YOUR APARTMENT

WOULD YOU SURVIVE AN EMP?

USE PAINTBALL TO HONE YOUR SURVIVAL SKILLS

WHY PUT YOUR EMERGENCY PLANS ON PAPER

STAYING DRY WHEN YOU’RE BUGGING OUT

DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION FOR SURVIVAL and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

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Contents

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FEATURED

THE DANGERS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN SURVIVAL BUNKER Having an underground bunker is like the holy grail for survivalists. Not only are they virtually indestructible, the cost alone is often too much for the average person. There's nowhere safer…

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WHY PUT YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN ON PAPER There's one rule I live by. And it's a simple one. "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." You never know when a disaster will strike. Whether it's a crazy person shooting…

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DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION FOR SURVIVAL Have you ever been somewhere and felt unsafe? You know the feeling I'm talking about. You know something is off, and you shouldn't be where you are. Perhaps you've wandered too far…

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USE PAINTBALL TO HONE YOUR SURVIVAL SKILLS Our local paintball range just started doing flyer drops, and after we received a bunch I suggested that our team head down there to put our tactical skills to the test. I was a little surprised when…

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SECURING YOUR APARTMENT WHEN THE SHTF In your own home you deserve to feel safe. But you can't simply assume that everything is hunky-dory once you move in. Especially in an apartment block. Today I'm going to…

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THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND Bugging out is a last resort. You're leaving the comfort of your home, along with all of your supplies, and heading to another location. You hope it's exactly as you prepared it, but you…

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WOULD YOUR LIFE SURVIVE AN EMP BLAST? One thing that frightens me about an EMP blast is that we already have the technology to do it. The only thing stopping a concentrated strike above the United States is they haven't yet…

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TIPS TO STAY DRY WHEN YOU’RE BUGGING OUT Sometimes it feels like mother nature has it out for you. That epic hike you had planned on your first weekend free in months…is now drowned out with rain. So you call it off. But in a SHTF…

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ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE BUYING A GUN If you haven't already, the time is now to purchase your first gun. With all the talk about restrictions it's only a matter of time before our rights in the 2nd Amendment no longer exist…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

THE DANGERS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN SURVIVAL BUNKER Having an underground bunker is like the holy grail for survivalists. Not only are they virtually indestructible, the cost alone is often too much for the average person. There's nowhere safer to store your supplies or to hide out a disaster. If it's been built right. The trouble is, most people don’t have thousands and thousands of dollars to drop on a professionally built bunker. I know I dont. Plus, there's the whole OPSEC concern, as everyone who comes to work on your property now knows about the bunker. So, they choose build their own. Which comes with a variety of different dangers, that need to be planned for. RUNNING OUT OF AIR Adequate ventilation is key for an underground bunker. Without clean air you've just created a coffin for you and your family. Setup a system that pulls in fresh air from the outside world and filters out any contaminants, but make sure that the vents don't give away the position of your bunker. These need to be both camouflaged, and have redundancies in case one particular vent is discovered or compromised.

FILLING UP WITH WATER

CATCHING ON FIRE

This is a challenge from two angles. First, you need to ensure that any rainwater is not filtering into your bunker and filling it up. Second, you need to ensure that you've not dug down to the level of your local water table for your bunker. If it's below, I can guarantee you that it will flood, and every preventative measure you take will ultimately fail.

If you're going to spend any amount of time in your bunker it's logical you'll need fire to cook and heat with.

Water will always win, no matter if it's rusting through your steel foundations or seeping through the concrete. Water will find a way.

Plus, many insulating materials are flammable, along with most of the supplies you've brought in. And you never know what may spark a fire. It could be a short in one of the electrical systems, or it may be a stray cigarette. But that spark could become your downfall if you’ve no way to fight it.

COLLAPSING UNDER THE EARTH T here's more to building safe underground structures than dropping a shipping container into a hole and covering it with dirt. You need an experienced contractor to help design the plans, otherwise the weight of the soil (not to mention any impacts like an earthquake or blast) will simply crush whatever structure you've been working from. I can't stress enough the danger of trying to survive a crisis in a natural cave system or an old mine shaft, and I'd never get into an underground shipping container. You simply don't know how safe it is.

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“Without clean air you’ve just created a coffin…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018 cont. Ensure you've taken steps to reduce the amount of "flammable" material in your bunker, and that you've got the right extinguishers handy too. If a fire does start you want it out as fast as possible. SPREAD OF MOULD When you have a group of people in a confined space, every breath adds humidity to the air. Couple this with a wet environment, and suddenly there's a problem with moisture control. Which leads to mold. For some people this can cause a flare up of allergies, skin irritation, and even lead to respiratory illness chronic lung disease. Plus, who wants to be breathing mold spores all day. Ensure you've got a plan to dehumidify the air, and adequately vent areas like the kitchen, laundry and the bathroom. GET STUCK UNDERGROUND The trouble with do-it-yourself jobs is that these are often done too simply. Having a single entrance to your bunker is a recipe for disaster, especially if there's a problem that blocks your exit. Any one of a thousand possibilities could block a single exit, from a branch falling to attackers sitting in wait for you and your family to emerge. If your exit is blocked, you will die. Create a plan for your bunker that not only has a main entry point, but has a separate escape tunnel just in case. You'll thank me one day. Trust me. DISPOSING OF WASTE Getting rid of your waste is a challenge when you're camping, but as soon as your underg round the problem multiplies a thousand-fold. You need a system that can adequately dispose of both human waste, along with the paper, plastic, food scraps and more that you'll create living underground. Plus, you need to consider hygiene, as rotting meat and waste creates gases that are harmful to breathe, and is a breeding ground for nasty bacteria that could be fatal to you and your family. HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT People are without a doubt your biggest concern after a SHTF event, and everyone who knows where your bunker is presents a threat. The contractors you used and the neighbors who saw it craned in, will all remember.

They know about the "hidden" cache of supplies you've now got on your property. And when things get bad, they will come looking. This is a danger that is very difficult to overcome, as you will need to use professionals to build a solid bunker. My only advice here is to hire from out of state, and to tie in any major construction work with additional property developments, like putting up a barn or installing a swimming pool,

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so you can perhaps get away with the bunker without raising a lot of suspicion. Done right, a survival bunker is one of the best investments you can make. The key is to ensure you've got plans to overcome all of these dangers, and you're working hard on creating a safe and secure space for your family to ride out a crisis. That's what survival is all about.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

WHY PUT YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN ON PAPER There's one rule I live by. And it's a simple one. "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." You never know when a disaster will strike. Whether it's a crazy person shooting an automatic weapon into a crowd, or a natural event that shakes a community to its core. You need to be prepared for anything, and as a proud survivalist myself I like to think that I'm, always in a state of constant preparation. But I had a realization a few years ago after riding out a particularly nasty f l o o d . We we r e i s o l a t e d f r o m civilization on our homestead for a good month. We rode it out and didn't go wanting, but we didn't really have a plan. I knew some basic concepts. Like having a few months' worth of food. Having a backup water supply so we could drink uncontaminated water. And that was about it. Once life got back to normal I started thinking of ways we could have made surviving that flood a little easier. There were many, but I just hadn't really thought about them until I started writing things down. Of course, hindsight is always perfect, but when I started expanding the list to potential emergencies I really got on a roll. Which is when I realized. Putting your emergency plans on paper is fundamental to good planning. - You can prioritize what's important - Your family knows exactly what to do These days, I've got a master document which outlines everything we need to survive. And I highly recommend you create one too. Here's why. IT’S A HARD REFERENCE

COPY

Our master document has gotten rather large, but I don't mind as it contains vital information we need to keep our homestead running throughout a crisis.

It clearly specifies evacuation and rally points, as well as emergency contact numbers and even mundane information like where the spare gas is stored for the generator and how to start it. Kind of like a survival bible that contains the key points we need. Plus, there's just something reassuring about having a hard-copy document in your hands. You don't have to work that your phone's battery is going to die right when you need it most. It's printed and there for you. We've also made smaller emergency cards for our kids, which are laminated and contain vital information and contacts should we get separated. IT HELPS YOU THINK LOGICALLY Once I started documenting the specifics surrounding our survival plans, actually typing it all out helped get my brain organized. There's also many studies that prove physically writing out your plans by hand will help you remember the different steps, but we didn't go that far. Typing it all and putting it together in one document highlighted a few key areas we were missing, such as having specific action plans for disasters we may actually face. These days, our entire family knows exactly what to do in several different disaster scenarios, and we've also used it to get feedback from others in our survival group on any suggestions for improvement. We found that whilst we had strong defenses against natural disasters, we were woefully unprepared against what's probably the biggest threat, other people. Having our plans written out helped identify this gap, so we've taken steps to better fortify our home. IT HELPS YOU GET POINTS ACROSS In addition to writing everything out, grab a pen and don't be afraid to draw to better explain what to do in an emergency. There's a reason the evacuation plans in buildings are visual, because they are so much easier to understand. The same goes for your plans. Use drawings, diagrams and maps to help you get your points across. I try to simplify everything to a level my eldest daughter could understand if I wasn't around, and I always get her feedback when we're adding to the master document. If a particular part of the plan isn't clear, we add drawings and diagrams until it is.

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IT’S A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY It's a harsh reality, but you never know what will happen in an emergency. If you've got the only copy of your plan on your phone, and you lose it, you're screwed. Or if you're unable to get back to your family, they may try to improvise. And out of panic and desperation do something that puts themselves in real danger. Perhaps your kids head off in the wrong direction to your bug out location, or fail to realize the ways they could actually communicate with you and reconnect. In a crisis, everything will be in an uproar, and without knowing what to do, it's easy to imagine how fast trouble may find them. Putting your emergency plan on paper gives your family a guidebook to follow. You're simplifying everything you've learned, so they know exactly what to do in a disaster, even if you're not there. And that's going to make all the difference to their survival. In the aftermath of a SHTF event, it is a particularly dangerous time. Without a plan, that's right there in your hands to refer to, you risk making a mistake that puts yourself and your family in real danger. So take the time. Sit down this coming weekend and start putting the beginnings of your survival plans down on paper. Once you're done, share it with your family and any others in your survival group, so they know exactly what you're planning in a disaster.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018 Sight, hearing, feeling, smells and touch. The first step is to learn to focus. Head out into the wilderness, away from technology and learn what it feels like to just "be." To listen to the world around you and take in the different sights, sounds and smells. To feel the grasses beneath your feel, and the roughness of the wood for your fire. Focus on these different senses and let everything else go. START DEVELOPING YOUR SENSES

DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION FOR SURVIVAL Have you ever been somewhere and felt unsafe? You know the feeling I'm talking about. Something is off, and you shouldn't be where you are. You feel it. This sense is known as intuition, and it's one of the most important survival skills you can develop. If you know what I'm talking about you're already a step ahead, and it saddens me that so many people today suppress and blatantly ignore these gut instincts. Worse, they refuse to even carry a can of pepper spray or even a tactical flashlight to protect themselves from the very people intending them harm. Your intuition is a super power. It's the ability to suddenly know something, without any reason. It's an instinct, like fear causing you to panic, or hunger driving you to eat. Intuition gives you an advantage in a situation. Well, so long as you're paying attention. Often, it'll help you make a quick decision before your mind actually processes what's going on, like walking onto a road but stepping back almost instantly, so that car speeding in the lane doesn't smash into you. Or slowing by that couple on the side of the road before realizing something isn't "right" and quickly speeding away. That's your intuition. You can use it to get a better understanding of people's intentions, and even to predict the outcomes of a certain situation.

Like a news report of a violent assault from someone you used to know, and "somehow you just felt" they were bad news. In a survival situation this could help you steer clear of problems and not get into trouble in the first place. It can keep you alive and out of harm's way, if you simply pay attention. Trouble is, too many guys write these feelings off. They see a link between this feeling and what they've been calling "feminine intuition" and fail to take it seriously. In my opinion that's a mistake. Intuition is a skill you need in your arsenal, to give you every possible advantage in a SHTF scenario. And if you're not listening to it now, you're bound to ignore it when it could actually help. And that could be a deadly mistake. For me, I learnt to rely on my intuition in the wild. Following these three steps I became more attuned to the environment around me, often to the surprise of my friends. I'll know who is pulling into my drive by the sound of their car, spot the deer out hunting before anyone else, and have strong opinions of new people which ultimately turn out to be true. START USING YOUR 5 SENSES Everything we encounter in this world is through one of our five senses.

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B u t j u s t b e i n g awa r e o f yo u r surroundings isn't enough. You need to be able to process the information yo u ' r e t a k i n g i n , a n d a c t u a l l y understand what it means. In this step you need to start using the information available, in an active way. Put a blindfold on and see how well you can navigate your home. Stripped of sight, it's a humbling experience just how foreign your own house can feel. Learn to identify different birds by the calls they make, and what this means for you in the wild. Are they alerting others to your presence, or oblivious to your movements? I'd also recommend practicing your tracking skills to discover how to follow your prey through the wild, P U S H YO U R S E L F O U T O F YOUR COMFORT ZONE In this final step, your goal is to break down the barriers you've slowly built over your entire life. You need to leave comfort behind, and discover just how far you can push your own limitations. Fear is an emotion we normally run from, but it's powerful. Fear heightens your senses, and if you are completing this exercise in the woods you will inevitably run across something that sets your heart racing. I'd also try a dark campsite one night to experience what true darkness is, and make a conscious effort to be alone and without distraction in the wild. The peace you can find within your own mind will help you get attuned to the signals your intuition is giving. Your brain is one of the most unique pieces of organic machinery ever created. Without any conscious effort it's constantly absorbing, categorizing and filing everything we encounter in our surrounding environment. Your job is to learn how to listen, and to pay attention to what your gut's telling you. It may just save your life, or the life of a loved one.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

USE PAINTBALL TO HONE YOUR SURVIVAL SKILLS Our local paintball range just started doing flyer drops, and after we received a bunch I suggested that our team head down there to put our tactical skills to the test. I was a little surprised when a couple of people from my survival group pushed back. In their minds, paintball has nothing to do with survival, and even as a training tool they see it as specifically lacking. There's two reasons for this. First, the speed of a paintball versus that of a bullet. You can usually see the paintballs zipping through the air. They move at about 250 feet per second, compared to firearms that are 2500 or more. That also means paintballs can't cover the distances you'd normally get with a halfway decent firearm. In paintball, about 30 yards is the sweet spot, but we all know a decent shooter with a rifle could be targeting you 300 yards away without even breaking a sweat. More if they know what they're doing. Second is the difference between cover and concealment. In a real firefight, cover need to be able to stop a bullet.

However, the paintball rounds are so fragile that a thick patch of grass or a leafy branch is often strong enough to provide cover. That won't fly in a real firefight and is a dangerous tactic to come to rely on. These two challenges aside, I do think there's a number of different lessons survivalists can learn from getting down to a paintball range. You don't need a whole lot of special equipment to get started, a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt will be fine, as the course will gear you up with a mask and your paintball gun and you're ready to go. Oh, and make sure to follow the rules. Even though it's a game, you can do serious damage with a paintball gun, and the instructors on the course will take safety very seriously. Now, onto the lessons. T H E P OW E R O F S TAY I N G MOBILE In paintball it's important to stay mobile, but don't just run in any direction. If you move into oncoming fire you will be out of the game, so be strategic and plan your moves. Sitting in one place isn't really an option, as the other team will eventually find and eliminate you.

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So you've got to be smart and constantly looking for new positions to take. You can try to hide, or you can look for ambush spots to fire back on the enemy. It all depends on your options and what's around you, but the key is to stay mobile. In a real active shooter situation, hiding may be your best option, but if they know you're there and are searching you out, learning how to stay mobile could help you escape or even fight back.

“You don’t need a whole lot of special equipment…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018 cont. THE ART OF FINDING COVER If you walk into an open space you will be seen and shot at. In paintball this is just an elimination, in real life this could be the bullet that takes your life. Look for anything that you can use to protect yourself from the enemy. If you're moving from spot to spot, do it fast to lower the chances you'll get hit. Just remember, in real life a leafy branch or a hedge isn't going to stop a bullet, but it can shield you from being seen. Use it to your advantage, and only trust something solid, like a concrete wall, for actual cover. H OW TO P ROT E C T YO U R FRIENDS If there's no cover available, you need to switch to leap frogging. It's a team tactic, that is exactly what it sounds like. When you're pinned in, you can use your gun to shoot at the enemy and provide "cover fire," allowing one of your group to move to the next position. Then simply repeat until you've all retreated to safety. It's a tactical technique adapted from the military, but it requires practice to do well. If one person doesn't make their move in time, it can put the rest of the group at risk. T H E I M P O RTA N C E O F FLANKING There's no greater move than the surprise attack that comes from flanking. The military have perfected it, but with a game of paintball it gives you the opportunity to practice. It works like this. You split your team in two or three groups, and while one works to push down the middle of the field, the others move around the sides to attack from a different direction. It's very effective, especially if the other side doesn't see it coming. But it's also a tactic that will be used against you. Learn how to flank and defend against it, because it may be your home they're coming for once the SHTF. A BOOST CONFIDENCE

TO

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I've said this before, but one of your best survival assets is your mindset.

Believing you can make it through a situation, and staying positive and upbeat, is often the only difference between those who survive and those who don't. You will develop confidence in your own skills from experience, and paintball is a great way to get a little practice in real-life tactical situations. Your reflexes and intuition will develop, and give you an edge if you're ever in an active shooter situation.

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Sure, it's a game. But if you treat it seriously as a survival exercise, you'll be s u r p r i s e d h ow m a n y o f t h e s e techniques apply to real life situations. You learn how to cooperate as a team, how to analyze and take advantage of any weaknesses in an enemy, and no matter your skill, you will quickly develop tactics and techniques to win. Oh, and don't forget to have fun.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

SECURING YOUR APARTMENT WHEN THE SHTF

In your own home you deserve to feel safe. But you can't simply assume that everything is hunky-dory once you move in. Especially in an apartment block. Today I'm going to run through a list of easy steps to follow to better secure your apartment against a home invasion. Because once the SHTF the police will no longer respond. It's on you. Do your research. Before moving anywhere, it's important to consider the neighborhood you'll be living in. Look at the crime statistics, and talk to the people living in the building. They'll be able to give you an insight that the management may not be willing to say. Also pay attention to the security of the apartment. Do the windows lock? Is the door strong and sturdy? The key is to find a place that doesn't need a whole lot of upgrades that the landlord may not agree to. Fortify the entry points. Most apartments only have a single door, and another if you've got a balcony or a fire escape. The first thing you need to ask your landlord is to change the locks, it's a simple step but it reduces the chances that the creepy guy downstairs will be able to walk right in. While you're asking, see if they're OK adding a barrel bolt you can use as another layer of protection when you're at home. Use makeshift alarms. If someone is trying to break in you want as much notice as possible. There's simple alarms you can install on doors and windows that you can arm while you sleep, and the racket they make when activated will certainly give an intruder second thoughts. You could also hand bells above the door so they chime when it's opened, and line your window sills with vases and decorations that will create a lot of noise when they fall. Don't showcase your stuff. If you've ever wandered around after dark you know that having your lights on without drawing the blinds is a bad idea. Anyone on the street can see what you're doing and what you have, and it could be the deciding factor they use to break into your apartment. As soon as it starts getting dark ensure you've pulled your blinds closed. Install camera surveillance. Wireless cameras are getting more and more cost-effective, and they are easy to install and setup. Ensure you buy the ones with a motion-activated alarm and night vision, and put them at key points around your apartment. The ones I use come with an app that allows me to see what's going on via my phone, so if I hear a strange noise I can see what's going on without even leaving the safety of my bedroom. Remember the power of lights. Most bad guys like operating in the dark. Not only does it give them the element of surprise, it helps to conceal their identity from the authorities or anyone watching. The simplest way to overcome this is to install motionactivated lights on all entry points. You will need to get your landlords approval in a rental apartment, but it's worth it. Be a friendly neighbor. Forget the cops. In a real home invasion, they won't make it in time. Instead, make friends with your neighbors. Put in the effort to learn their names when you move in, go around and introduce yourself, and make a little small talk when you see them. The key is to get them to like you, as they're much more likely to look out for someone they have a good relationship with. This also has an ulterior motive, as you'll also be able to judge for yourself if there's anyone suspicious living in your building. Learn to defend yourself. If all else fails, it's important you know how to defend yourself. Get a firearm and take classes down at your local shooting range. Buy pepper spray and store it at key points around your apartment. And stay fit. Those looking to break in are after easy targets, so do whatever you can to develop your fighting skills and make yourself a less-attractive target. Have an escape plan. In a small apartment a safe room is usually impossible. Especially if you're in a one-bedder or a studio. So it's important to have an escape plan. Know exactly what you will do if someone comes barging through the front door, whether you're on the ground floor and can run straight out the back, or you've got a fire escape or a rope ladder you can use to get out of a window quick. Plan now, just in case. Being safe in your apartment isn't something to get paranoid about. Follow these steps to ensure you've done your best, and consider if there's anything that's missing for your specific situation. Take a critical look at your apartment like an outsider would and think about how you'd break in. Then fix it. That's the key to staying safe, being one step ahead of those trying to break in.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018 The army will start taking everything they need. If they can find it, they will take it. This also goes for guns. There's special clauses that allow for the military to "confiscate" weapons for the public good during martial law. The army will start doing whatever they like. Under martial law there is no longer any due cause. In legal terms it's known as the suspension of Habeas corpus. What it means is that the soldiers now have the ability to detain you without reason. There is no process, your rights are out the window, and you're behind bars with no trial in sight. So, don't stick your neck out.

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND I'm a big fan of law and order, but if you think the government is going to have your best interests at heart when a crisis hits, you're in for a terrible surprise. It's not possible to have a stockpile of food, supplies and gear to outfit the entire American population after a disaster. They struggle even getting aid to cities. Imagine if an entire state was in trouble. First, they've got to actually get to you, and once they arrive there's nothing to give anyway. In all likelihood, they're going to be just as resource-strapped as the rest of the country. Which means anything you own could be confiscated for "the good of the people." WHEN WILL THE AID ARRIVE? Think of the government like a giant, logistical nightmare. The more notice they get to an upcoming crisis, the better their response. Because they've had time to prepare and plan. They've been able to truck in supplies from other regions, which may make it only days until relief is given to families in a disaster zone. But they won't always get this kind of notice. In a coordinated terrorist attack it could take weeks, or even months, for the government to get their act together. More if the bad guys are able to knock out the power grid and shut down communications.

Curfews and travel restrictions will be the new norm. If you're caught in a disaster area, you risk being trapped inside, under road closures, quarantine and restrictions until the army decides otherwise. You can be arrested for trying to leave, or trying to enter a restricted zone, even if your property is in the middle of it all. Imagine being treated like a criminal for going to your home or being outside at the wrong time.

SO WHAT GETS PRIORITY?

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but getting you a good meal and a place to sleep isn't at the top of their list. All the government will be focused on in a crisis is maintaining law and order. No matter what. If it takes curfews and major violations of our freedoms, so be it. We've seen it happen before, and it'll happen again. I guarantee it. If you think anything else you're kidding yourself.

If you're wanting to ensure the survival of your family under martial law, there's a few things to do. First, remember that those of us living in rural areas aren't going to be on the top of the priority list when a disaster strikes. They will be focusing on large cities and urban hubs. When the troops start arriving, it's most likely they're looking for food, supplies and firearms. The smart survivalist is the one who has a plan for this. Who has hidden weapons caches that aren't able to be found with a cursory search. Who has backup stores of food that will last even if your main supply is looted. And it goes without saying to keep your head down, do nothing to raise suspicion or the attention of the soldiers, and try to ride out the crisis .

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THE SHTF Have you ever heard the saying, "the ends justify the means?" It's a term used by those in power to do something morally questionable, because it will result in the right outcome. In a crisis, you can expect this mentality to influence everything the government does. In short, the military will take over. The army will be deployed to key strategic towns across America, using their troops to enforce their will. Once this happens, your constitutional rights are effectively thrown out the window. It's an extreme measure, but the government will declare it a necessity to maintain law and order. What's scary is what this allows the military to do.

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Of course, who's to actually say how bad the government will be after a SHTF event. We really don't know. And that's the frightening part. As an individual with a family, I don't know what support the government will even be able to provide in a crisis. Which isn't good enough and is part of the reason I've chosen to be prepared. Because helping the "public good" is a generalization and presents the opportunity for some very dangerous scenarios indeed. Stay safe out there and focus on becoming self-reliant. That's how you'll survive.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

WOULD YOUR LIFE SURVIVE AN EMP BLAST?

It won't take long for chaos to take hold. Even the US Government predicts that 9 out of 10 Americans could die within a year of an EMP attack. That's a scary truth. So how do you prepare? BUILD A FARADAY CAGE

One thing that frightens me about an EMP blast is that we already have the technology to do it. The only thing stopping a concentrated strike above the United States is they haven't yet pulled the trigger. Forget what-if scenarios. This is a real threat that anyone serious about survival needs to prepare for. Because at the flip of the switch, many rogue nations could set us back hundreds of years. And that's if mother nature doesn't get there first. There are storms happening all over the sun, on any given day. Large storms become what's known as solar flares, and they're often big enough to affect life on earth. We know. We get the readings. Fortunately, we haven't had one hit us yet, though we narrowly escaped catastrophe in July 2012. If this solar flare happened a week earlier our planet would have taken the full force of the blast and we'd probably still be picking up the pieces. Luckily it didn't, but I don't want to be lucky. I want to be a survivor. EMP stands for electro-magnetic pulse. It's essentially a magnetic shockwave that fries all electronics in its path. Wiping out computers, power grids, servers, and pretty much anything that has microchips inside it. Like your flash new car. The pacemaker in your neighbor's chest. Everything we rely on for modern society, reduced to expensive paperweights.

“a magnetic shockwave that fries all electronics in its path…”

A Faraday cage is your best protection against an EMP attack. Essentially, it's a sealed container that's got a conductive (metal) cover, and a non-conductive (non-metal) inner layer. You can build your own with a shoebox wrapped in multiple layers of aluminum foil, or even line a metal trashcan with cardboard. That way you can store any key pieces of electronics you need, like a backup laptop along with a solar charge kit. Then it's up to you what you store. For me, I've built a small room in our second garage that we use to store key pieces of backup electronic equipment. Like a spare water pump. Generator. Radios. Anything electrical that could be damaged and need replacing after an EMP attack, we've got a backup ready to go. BUY AN OLDER CAR An EMP attack will fry any microchips it hits, which is going to render any car made in the last 20 years completely useless. My advice is to buy a car that was built before they started shoving computers in them. We've got an old Ford that isn't the prettiest of things, but it's an old diesel model from the 80's and it's virtually indestructible. I know many people wouldn't be seen dead driving it, but I haven’t got the cash to restore an old Mustang, as much as I'd love to. Just remember to have a fuel store too. Most of the gas stations use electric pumps to get the gas out, and these won't work anymore. I'd plan for at least a few months of fuel, more if you've got the ability to store it. Our diesel tanks hold a few thousand liters, which will keep things moving at our property for at least a year. CREATE A LIBRARY I can't stress this enough. No grid means no power, but it also means no internet. We've come to rely on YouTube and Google as a means of getting information quickly, but this will be destroyed after an EMP. Instead, you're going to need hard copies. Or books. I've got a habit of rifling through book boxes at yard sales and buying anything that could be useful.

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It's to the point now we've got what's best described as a miniature library, with about 6 bookshelves filled. Most are guides on survival, first aid, outdoor living and do-it-yourself projects, and I've also got a couple of binders with print-outs. I can turn to these once the internet is down. What will you do? CONSIDER HEATING AND COOKING With the grid down, you’ll need selfreliant options if you want to eat and make it through the winter. In our home we've installed a small wood-fire stove in the dining room by the kitchen, it takes up a little space, but there's a method to the madness. When you use it, the heat generated is enough to warm the house, and if gives us the ability to cook without propane or electricity. All it needs is a little fire wood. And in the meantime, it's a nice feature. There's something cozy about having a fire burning through those cold and frosty winter nights. LEARN TRADITIONAL FARMING METHODS Without electronics, modern farming will grind to a halt. You will need to learn traditional ways of fertilizing and keeping those pests at bay, like rotating and mixing crops and ensuring you're also practicing sustainability in your garden. But that's not all. Consider what you're going to do with your crops once you've harvested, and learn techniques like canning, sun-drying, smoking, and invest in the tools you need to make this a success. To live through an EMP blast you need to be prepared. Think about what your life would be like once the electronics are gone. Then create backup plans and learn new ways of doing things that reduce your reliance on power. If you want to survive you need to master the lessons our grandparents knew, and you'll do just fine.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

TIPS TO STAY DRY WHEN YOU’RE BUGGING OUT Sometimes it feels like mother nature has it out for you. That epic hike you had planned on your first weekend free in months…is now drowned out with rain. So you call it off. But in a SHTF situation, if you need to bug out, you need to bug out. A little weather isn't much to face when there's a disaster behind you, until you get wet and miserable. But not only your mood, if you're not able to stay dry when you're on the run you'll be in big trouble fast. Personally, I believe everyone should have waterproof gear in their bug out kits. Because you simply never know what you're going to be facing when the SHTF. Its a matter of being prepared and ready for anything. If you're not able to stay dry, you'll quickly get cold and damp. Getting wet can lead to hypothermia. Which spells disaster. And that's not how you survive.

But before we get into the tips, I want to clear up a few things about the different kinds of outdoor gear. It's confusing until you know what you're buying.

Not what you want on a big hike. It's also smart to carry a couple of pairs of dry woolen socks, so you can change them out if your feet do happen to get wet.

Water Resistant. Better than a cotton t-shirt, but it won't stop the rain getting to your skin.

Again, be willing to invest in quality here. Merino wool socks will do you much better than a cheap pair of cotton ones.

Water Repellant. The next step up, but it's not completely waterproof over an hour or two. Waterproof. The weave of the clothing stops all water getting through. The best you can buy. KEEP YOUR FEET DRY The first thing to get wet is usually your feet. Invest in a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes and you'll be off to a good start. I find rubber boots too uncomfortable for long hikes, I get tired faster walking in them for too long and my feet sweat far more, which leads to blisters.

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“everyone should have waterproof gear…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

IMPROVISE A SHELTER When the weather turns bad it's not really pleasant to keep hiking. Unless you're on the run for your life or are getting close to your bug out location, I'd actually recommend improvising a shelter to keep yourself warm and dry once it starts raining. One of the items I always carry in my bug out kit is a tarp, which means I can setup a quick rain cover within just a couple of minutes. It's not perfect, but it's definitely nice to keep the water off your head until the storm passes. You could also look for a natural shelter, like an overhang or a dense cluster of trees to help you stay relatively dry. Or pack a tent.

And if you're in a particularly nasty bit of weather, you can add another layer of protection by slipping your foot inside a plastic bag before donning your shoes. It feels a little weird at first, but it'll keep your feet dry. Which is critical. You need to be mobile during a bug out otherwise you're not going to get very far at all. KEEP YOUR BODY DRY When you're trying to keep your core dry the key is to use layers. Start with a moisture-wicking bottom layer, or a light wool or synthetic shirt. This type of clothing will draw the moisture from your skin, so it can evaporate faster and keep you dry. Above this you need to add a layer of insulation. This works to trap the heat your body generates in, so you're better protected from the cold and wet environment. Look for a fleece or a wool blend that is warm, yet breathable. The final layer is your shell. It's the waterproof barrier that stops any water getting in.

It should be water-proof, as it's the first line of defense you have against the rain. Oh and make sure the hood works and will keep your head dry. For pants, I'd recommend trying these on with the boots you're planning to wear, so you can make sure they'll tuck in under the pants. That way you won't be sending a torrent of rainwater into your shoes as soon as it starts raining. KEEP YOUR STUFF DRY If your budget allows it's well worth the investment to buy a waterproof backpack. It's the only way to keep your things truly dry if you're bugging out and it starts to rain. Otherwise you could always get a waterproof backpack cover. It's the next best thing, and is acutually the technique I use. With my bug out kit I have a two-step process to ensure everything stays dry (and organized). First, I use heavy-duty zip-lock bags to store and separate my bug out gear.

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It's a lightweight solution, and it makes finding things in my bag super easy. But that's not the best part. Because everything is stored in plastic, if water does happen to make its way into your bag, your gear will stay dry. Then I simply bring out my waterproof cover if it starts raining, and for the most part it'll work a treat. Staying dry when you're bugging out is critical if you want to make it safely to your final destination. If you're cold and wet, a drop in temperature suddenly becomes very dangerous as you're now risking hypothermia. So follow these steps, and ensure you've got the right gear to keep the cold rain from ruining your disaster plans.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE BUYING A GUN If you haven't already, the time is now to purchase your first gun. With all the talk about restrictions it's only a matter of time before our rights in the 2nd Amendment no longer exist. One the legislation comes out, it will be too late. We have a right to defend our families, so it's important you've got a firearm in order to do so. But don't just rush out and get any old gun. There's a few things to consider to ensure you're ready and actually purchase the right gun. COULD YOU ACTUALLY SHOOT ANOTHER PERSON? Before you even head down to your local gun shop, you need to be clear on one key point. Having a gun is pointless if you're not ready to shoot. Would you be able to point a gun at another person? Would you be able to pull the trigger?

In a home invasion or another highstress situation, these doubts will be magnified a thousand-fold. And whilst you never really know how you're going to actually react, it's likely that any doubts you feel now will become hesitation when it comes down to it. You know in your gut what you would do. And this hesitation could get you and your family killed. Pulling out a gun escalates a situation, and if you're unwilling to use it – it could become deadly in your opponent's hands. CONSIDER WHAT YOUR GUN WILL BE USED FOR You're also going to have to think about why you want a gun. Because there are many different types, designed to do many different jobs. A rifle is great for accuracy when hunting, but it's not easy to conceal as an everyday carry. Shotguns may be versatile, but they're also difficult to handle.

What if you kill them?

Look at the benefits and drawbacks of the different kinds of firearms and choose the one that's best for you.

Having doubts is a good thing. It means you're human. But it also presents a challenge.

My advice, is to get a handgun first. It's great for self-defense, and you can start carrying it with you at all times.

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CONSIDER THE RIGHT FIREARM FOR YOU It's silly to think you can read an article on the internet and choose the perfect firear m. It just doesn't happen, especially if it's your first gun. So head down to the shooting range and test out a few different models. You'll get to actually feel how the recoil hits, and you may realize that you don't need a .44 Magnum. Ensure your hand fits in the grip, its comfortable to holster and carry, and most importantly, you're happy shooting it.

“you never really know how you’re going to actually react…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JULY 2018 cont. STEER CLEAR OF SECONDHAND DEALERS (FOR NOW) It goes without saying that you can save a significant amount of cash buying a gun second-hand, but I would recommend buying new, especially for your first gun. You never know what scam the dealer is trying to pull, and you've not yet got the experience or know-how to spot any issues with the gun. It's not your fault, it's a fact. In addition, most manufacturers offer a warranty, so if there's a problem or something goes wrong, you can get it fixed or replaced without being out-ofpocket yourself. Buying used usually means no warranty, especially if there's been any modifications to the gun. DON’T GET A FANCY CALIBER One of the most important things to consider when buying a gun is the cost of ammunition. You don't want to waste hundreds of dollars learning how to shoot or trying to source unusual calibers that your local store may not stock. The cheapest is usually a .22, along with 9mm rounds, 40 cal and .357 being available pretty much everywhere.

You will certainly find other products in your gun store but stick to a common caliber first. It'll make it that much easier to head down to the range and shoot a few rounds. P U RC H A S E A R E P U TA B L E BRAND When you're buying a gun it's important to also do your research. You're purchasing a weapon that may someday safe your life, so don't cheap out. It's not a cheap purchase that's for sure, but an investment. If your life depends on it, you'd pay any amount of money to stay alive, so set aside a decent budget for your first firearm. Same goes for the gun you're buying your wife. There's hundreds of articles out there debating the merits of different brands, and while I'm not going to get stuck into the details, you should. Read the reviews and choose a brand with a solid track record and a good reputation. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO PRACTICE Once you've got your hands on your first firearm, you need to learn to shoot.

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Head down to your range and put a few rounds through your new gun. I'd also recommend signing up to a class, and once you're completed it make a commitment to get down to the range and practice at least once a month. Practice will quickly turn into experience, and a confidence in both handling your gun and yourself. This confidence is what counts in a deadly encounter, as you'll actually have the skill to draw and shoot before your assailant has a chance. And this goes for your wife too. There's no point having a firearm in the house if she's home alone and has no idea how to use it. Buying your first gun is an exciting experience, and with a little patience it's a relatively simple process. The trick is to be smart about it, make the right decisions, and you'll end up with the perfect firearm to protect you and your family. Along with the skills in how to use it.