June 2018

DON’T MISS: WHY KEEP YOUR FIREARMS CLEAN

AVOID BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH THE WILDERNESS

IN THIS ISSUE:

JUNE 2018

VITAL POINTS TO TARGET IN A FIGHT

HOW TO MAKE A SMOKELESS FIRE

KNOW THE RISKS BEFORE YOU BUG OUT

TIPS TO SURVIVE A VOLCANIC ERUPTION

THE RIGHT WAY TO USE A TOURNIQUET

WHEN DID YOU LAST TEST YOUR SHTF PLAN? and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

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AVOID BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH THE WILDERNESS This is a worst-case scenario. You've bugged out, as a major crisis took down the city you call home. You're on the way to your bug out location, but you can't shake the feeling you're…

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WHEN DID YOU LAST TEST YOUR SHTF PLAN? In a recent session with our students, we asked a simple question that was rather eye-opening. "When did you last test your SHTF plan?”…

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WHY KEEP YOUR FIREARMS CLEAN It's no secret that I hate cleaning our house. Scrubbing bathrooms and washing dishes isn't for me. But I'll spend hours in my garage fiddling with my guns. Because it's both relaxing and…

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HOW TO MAKE A SMOKELESS CAMPFIRE I have a love-hate relationship with fire. There's nothing better than sitting by a campfire when you're out in the wild, the light from the flames is a nice comfort, and a grilled steak…

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VITAL POINTS TO TARGET IN A FIGHT If you're in a street fight you're already in big trouble. Your opponent will have no qualms about fighting dirty, and there's a big possibility you're going to get seriously injured before the fight…

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KNOW THE RISKS BEFORE YOU BUG OUT 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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TIPS TO SURVIVE A VOLCANIC ERUPTION Ever since I was a kid I've loved volcanoes. We made models that "erupted" in science class and learnt all about the science behind predicting eruptions. But when you start imagining…

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THE RIGHT WAY TO USE A TOURNIQUET Imagine this scenario. You're in the middle of the woods and there's an accident. A bad one. Perhaps you startled a bear and one of your group has been mauled before you could scare it…

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STOPPING THE MOSQUITOES WHEN YOU’RE CAMPING There's nothing I love more than summer. It's the perfect weather to get out and explore new campsites, hike trails that I've been over my whole life, and escape the chaos of the city…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

AVOID BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH THE WILDERNESS This is a worst-case scenario. You've bugged out, as a major crisis took down the city you call home. You're on the way to your bug out location, but you can't shake the feeling you're not alone.

You'll need to make this call depending on the situation you're in. Otherwise, you need to run.

All of your gear should be wrapped and muffled so there's no buckles rattling or unnecessary noise.

MAKE NO MARKS

And with the rule of law already out the window, it becomes a desperate situation.

As soon as you start running through the wild, you've become your biggest weakness. Any branches you break, dislodge, or clear will create a path that's a tell-tale sign to anyone tracking.

This also goes for where you're walking. Crashing through branches not only leaves a path, but it creates a disturbance that'll send birds flying and make a whole lot of racket. Tread carefully and remember to slow down. I don't know about you, but I make a lot more noise when I rush.

You have no idea what those behind you are planning, but it can't be good. Best case, they take your supplies and leave you be. Worst case, well, let's just say it's not going to end well. Because in a disaster, the biggest risk you face is other people. To truly escape and evade those following you, there's a few things you need to learn. HUNKER DOWN AND HIDE When you're concealed and in cover, you're protected from enemy fire because they cannot see you. The first step is to identify any areas you can use to hide, so you're not in a direct line of sight. This can throw them off the trail and give you the chance to wait until dark, so you can slip out undetected. Trouble is, you need to make it safely to nightfall, so this may not be the best idea if they're close behind, or they've got tracking dogs to sniff you out.

Look carefully at any trail marks you may be leaving behind, and either cover them up, or be more careful. This is especially important if you're crossing different types of terrain, like stepping out of a stream and leaving a big old muddy footprint on the bank. Or leaving a flattened path of grass behind you as you push through a field. Look for ways you can avoid leaving any marks, or carry a small springy sapling and brush away any footprints you make. Oh, and don't drop any trash. Cigarette butts and food wrappers are like a trail of breadcrumbs that can lead your pursuers right to you. BE AS SILENT AS POSSIBLE When you're in the wild you need to take care of the noises you're making. Grunts and groans are obviously human sounds, and anything metallic clanging will carry a long distance in the stillness of nature.

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So, take a breath, and slow it down.

“Without using these techniques you will struggle to improve…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 cont. CONCEAL YOUR SMELLS If you're on the run there's not much you can do about your sweat, which is a very obvious human scent, but you can avoid a couple of others. Cigarettes are a dead giveaway, as well as your campfire. The smoke carries through the trees and can be detected from quite a distance. The same goes with cooking. I understand you have to eat, but anything you cook will draw the attention of anyone else in the area. Oh, and if you need to go, make sure to dig a small pit and conceal it well. Human scat is an obvious marker those following you will be looking for. DON’T TURN ON THE LIGHT There's a certain comfort that comes with having a flashlight, but in a pitchblack forest the beam from your torch is a beacon that will draw anyone watching right to you. Get red lenses for your torches and keep the light only for emergencies. I understand that you may need it to move around successfully at night, but just remember to keep the light pointed down and under your jacket as much as possible. You don't want your flashlight to be your undoing. CHANGE UP YOUR ESCAPE When you're bring hunted you need to do everything you can to throw your followers off the trail. Switch up your pace to increase the distance between you and those behind and look for anything you can use to throw them off the path. Change direction frequently even if you're got a destination in mind and be willing to use tricks to get every advantage you can. Make an obvious trail in the wrong direction then double back a few hundred meters before leaving your trail permanently in another direction. This can buy you time as your followers try to pick up your new trail. SET AN AMBUSH There's one hard and fast way to ensure the person following you doesn't catch up, and that's to set an ambush. Look for any areas where you may be able to double back, or to take a vantage point to take a shot at your would-be followers. This does present a risk though, if you fail to execute the ambush properly, they will know you're onto them (it probably won't work a second time).

Plus they may step up their chase to get to you before you get a second chance. Finally, remember to practice. Without using these techniques you will struggle to improve, as you probably won't even realize the mistakes you're making. In our survival group we practice this every now and then, with a "chase" to see if we could actually get away from a group that's following.

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It's also a great workout and allows those in my team to implement everything we've learnt. The first couple of times it was an easy win, but it's much more difficult these days for us to catch up to the person we're chasing. And that's a good thing in a crisis.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

WHEN DID YOU LAST TEST YOUR SHTF PLAN? In a recent session with our students, we asked a simple question that was rather eye-opening. "When did you last test your SHTF plan?" For many, they had never tried to put any of their survival gear, training or supplies into action. With stockpiles of food, bug-out bags fully loaded, and months and months' worth of supplies, more than half of the students had never even done a dry run. I was shocked, but it hits a real pain point with survival. We spend so much time planning and prepping, but where many survivalists lack is the practical aspect. We've never gone a week without power or running water. We've never tried to last a month without going to a supermarket. And that's a problem. Because once the SHTF these simple luxuries are going to be gone. Today, I want you to make a commitment. A commitment that will push you to test if your survival plans are actually any good. Don't worry if it doesn't go well, the key here is to learn, and to improve. Because many things you won't actually notice until there's a real problem. Like, if the food you've got stored is still edible. (Or if you can even stomach eating it). Or if you've forgotten simple aspects of your planning. Like having a properly insulated home. Or connecting your hot water service to your solar panels so you're not suffering with freezing water if there's a grid-down scenario during winter. Where I live the most common threat is storms. We get hurricanes, which lead to flooding, trees down, and there's often a few days a year where our power supply gets cut off. In my plan, these are the situations I've prepared for first, with larger SHTF events like a terrorist attack or a complete grid-down scenario being far less likely. But it's still in there.

And we do tests for these situations every three or so months. Here's how. How to test your survival plans STEP ONE. GRID DOWN The simplest test we do is a grid down scenario. It's relatively straightforward, on a random day, turn the power off at the breaker, and the water off at the mains. Your goal is to see how long your family can last with the supplies and gear you have. On our first test we made it two days before we ran out of water. We used far more than the "gallon a day per person" rule that the books all say, and it was rather eye-opening. We've since made a few modifications to our home, which includes a rain water tank, and more underground storage for water so this hasn't ever been an issue again. You may also find that your solar panels aren't generating enough energy, or that you need a backup generator with more gas than you initially imagined to keep your freezer cold. This is the kind of real-world experience you will never get from a book or a website. You need to live this. STEP TWO. WINTER GRID DOWN It's all well and good to turn everything off during spring or summer, but if you think you've got a handle on your survival planning, try the same test in the middle of winter. What you'll learn here is how well your house will hold up to the winter cold. For us, it was painfully obvious we needed to improve the insulation in our home, and we burned through far more firewood than I thought possible in just a few days. Because you can never know when a crisis will hit, it's critical you've tested your survival plans during winter. STEP THREE. NO MORE SHOPS This was a fun test that we did earlier this year. I prided myself on the food I had stockpiled, and with this test I wanted to see how long we could last without buying groceries. Spoiler. It wasn't as long as I thought. We made it to seven weeks before the "good" food had been burned through, and we made the call to go do a big shop. I could have sworn I had six months of food supplies, but I made a few realizations here.

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First, we eat far more than I thought. You'd be surprised just how fast a family of four, along with our two dogs, goes through food. You need to buy more food. But not only that, there's certain luxuries that you just suffer without. I love my morning coffee, and after we ran out of beans and even the instant mix, I realized just how quickly this goes. Oh, and wine. Without the internet, we spent our evenings playing games and our cellar ran dry, rather too quickly. STEP FOUR. STAGE A BREAK IN The final step to testing your survival plans is to have someone break in. In our sur vival g roup we do this occasionally to help "penetration test" our teams homes. You may be surprised just how easy it is for someone to gain access to your home, especially when they know you and your schedules. We found that even with a remote security system, the failure points were on us. Leaving a window unlocked, or not properly checking around your car when driving in and out of the garage. It was shocking, but we were able to fortify our home by clearing back some shrubs and trees, and installing more sensors and cameras to give us a 360 degree view of our home at all times. Conducting these tests is the smartest way you can test your survival plans. It may seem like overkill, but the more you can prepare now, the better you and your family will fare when the SHTF. You'll quickly learn what pieces of gear are useless, and which supplies you need to stock. What parts of your plan simply don't work, and ways you can better prepare. And that's why testing your survival plan is a good idea.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 Follow the instructions to the letter, as too much oil can attract dirt and dust, and stop your firearm working properly. I want to say this again because it's an important point. Do not over-oil your firearms. Your gun will work just fine with a light oil, exactly where the owner's manual tells you to do it. Then it comes to cleaning. Use some patches to apply the solvent and keep wiping until the black carbon residue no longer wipes off. It should be relatively easy for most areas, but you will need to use a little brushing to get into the chamber and where the bullets load. A wire brush here can get rid of any stubborn build-ups, and don't forget to clean your magazines too. Just remember these do not require any oil.

WHY KEEP YOUR FIREARMS CLEAN It's no secret that I hate cleaning our house. Scrubbing bathrooms and washing dishes isn't for me. But I'll spend hours in my garage fiddling with my guns. Because it's both relaxing and satisfying at the same time. And like every other piece of survival gear you own, you need to keep your firearms well-maintained if you want to rely on it in a disaster. THE RISKS OF A DIRTY GUN I've seen my share of neglected weapons, and there's a number of risks with a dirty gun. First and foremost are malfunctions. You cannot rely on a dirty gun. The mechanisms inside are complex, and as gunpowder residue builds up this causes many problems. Even if your gun looks clean on the outside. Plus, keeping your guns clean will increase their shelf life, and you'll also learn your way around the weapon, so you know how it works, and can fix it should there ever be a problem. WHEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY GUNS? Of course, it won't do any harm if you do clean it after each session on the range, but for most of us we pick a happy medium and give our guns a clean after shooting 200 to 300 rounds, or every six months if you've got your guns in storage.

HOW TO CLEAN MY GUNS? I've created the perfect space for cleaning my guns, on my bench in the garage. I've got plenty of space to spread out, and there's windows either side so I'm not stuck breathing the fumes the entire time. It's a good practice to unload and move any ammunition to a separate place before you start disassembling any firearms, and you've got a clean area to work. Then you're going to need cleaning gear. I cut strips from old tshirts, and you'll also want to raid the bathroom for an old toothbrush, some q-tips and your gun cleaning kit. Most kits give you the brushes you need, which will include patches, a bore/ chamber brush, punch rods, and also grab a little cleaning solvent and some lubricant. Oh, and I also found that a barrel cleaning rope is good to ensure it's as clean as possible. From here, it's just a matter of sitting back and getting to work. Take out your owner's manual and disassemble the weapon. If you don't have it handy, there's walkthroughs on YouTube, or you could try downloading the instructions from their website. My advice is to follow the manufacturers guide. It will tell you exactly where to apply the oil. This is important.

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When you're cleaning the barrel, the trick is to push through in the direction the bullets travel. Especially if you're using a wire brush, it'll reduce the chances you do any damage to the very end of the barrel, though this isn't really a problem if you're using a barrel cleaning rope. Having the right tools to clean your guns is important, as it makes the job a whole lot easier. After using a little cleaning agent, use a barrel brush to break free any residue, then pass through patch after patch until it comes out clean. THE FINAL STEPS OF THE CLEANING PROCESS Once you've cleaned every piece of your gun, you need to put it back together. Follow the steps in your owner's manual and run through a few drills to check you've done it correctly. Cycling through a practice fire, and ensure everything works, and I have a couple of dummy rounds I use to ensure the magazines are feeding correctly in my semi-automatic. The last step is to use a little bit of oil to wipe down your gun, but only a few drops. You don't want to overdo it and have it slippery when you're trying to shoot. For me, cleaning my guns is almost therapeutic. I can see any problem areas that are developing from normal wear and tear, and I also know exactly how each works. Replacing parts and cleaning jams is no longer an issue. I can fix almost anything with the right spare parts, and I know my guns will be in good working order, no matter what. Will yours?

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

HOW TO MAKE A SMOKELESS CAMPFIRE I have a love-hate relationship with fire.

UNDERSTANDING HOW FIRE WORKS

There's nothing better than sitting by a campfire when you're out in the wild, the light from the flames is a nice comfort, and a grilled steak is the perfect dinner after a day hiking.

Burning wood in a fire is a combustion reaction. You're using the heat from the flames to turn wood back into light and warmth.

But for reasons unknown to me, the smoke from the flames always seems to follow me. It's like a curse. Wherever I go I get trapped in a smoky haze, with stinging eyes and the smell that lingers for days on my clothes. This also presents a danger for survival. If you build a smoky campfire this is like a beacon. White fluffy smoke can be seen for miles and is a dead giveaway there are people in the area. If there's anyone out there will illintent, a full plume of smoke from your fire could be the magnet that draws them right to you. The good news is that making a smokeless campfire isn't rocket science. You just need to get a few things right, and you can enjoy the warmth from the flames without choking on the smoke or giving away your position to anyone who is looking. And that’s critical if you’re wanting to stay safe, healthy and keep all your stuff once the SHTF.

Smoke is a byproduct. And the less efficient your fire is, the more smoke is generated. Smoke is created when there isn't enough oxygen to burn the wood you've placed into the flames. Of course, when you're using firewood there's also carbon and other organic compounds being burnt, and these will always smoke a little, but you can greatly reduce this by creating an efficient fire. Oh, and never stick wet wood into a fire. It will smoke and smolder like crazy, as the water and dampness counteract the ability of the wood to burn. But you knew that, right? STARTING AN EFFICIENT FIRE The trick here is to remember that oxygen is key. If you want to build a fire that doesn't smoke, you need: 1 2

Dry wood. Patience.

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Get your tinder bundle ready and spark a flame. One of my favorite new firestarters is the Tesla Lighter, it's an electric lighter that creates a spark, but I've also always Endless lighter Starting a friction consuming, and calories.

got my Ferro-Rod on my keychain. fire is just too time burns too many

Once you've got a flame, slowly start to add tiny twigs. The key here is balance, and to pay attention to what the fire is doing.

“White fluffy smoke can be seen for miles…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 cont. Add too much wood too fast, and the fire will not have enough oxygen and can smother. Too little wood and you run the risk of it burning out. Be patient, and let the fire grow as it needs. Keep adding wood until you're putting on pieces about as big as your finger. As these burn, cook what you need. Just don't let it get too big. These pieces of wood, so long as they are dry, will give you more than enough heat to boil water, or to cook your dinner without creating a whole lot of smoke. And as soon as you're done you can snuff out the fire with a couple of handfuls of dirt. CREATING A DAKOTA FIRE HOLE If you need a fire for more than just a few minutes, but still want to remain stealthy, you need to create a Dakota Fire Hole. It works best in ground that's not too muddy, that's firm enough to dig in. I always carry a small tactical shovel with me when I hike, and it's the perfect tool for this fire. Dig two holes about a foot wide, and a foot deep. One is for the fire, the other is to act as an air duct to feed the flames. They should be positioned about a foot apart, and then use your arm to dig a connecting tunnel between the two. The idea here is that the ground around the fire will conceal any light from the flames, while the tunnel and air duct provide a way for the fire to draw oxygen into the base of the fire. It's kind of like a furnace. Then simply start your fire as you would any other. The heat from the flames is what makes this work, and you'll be surprised at just how hot this type of fire will burn. Plus, I feel like this is one of the most efficient fires you can make, it requires less wood than a traditional campfire for it to stay burning throughout the night.

It's also a great trick to use if you're trying to get a fire started in the wind or rain, as it adds a little more protection to the flames. Just make sure you completely fill in both holes once you're done. Always leave no trace when you're in the wild.

Aside from being annoyed at the smoke, if you're able to cook food and purify water, without giving your position away, you're in a much better position to survive. Because you won't be fighting off the people who want to take what you have.

Learning to make a smokeless campfire is a key survival skill.

They won't even know you’re there.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

VITAL POINTS TO TARGET IN A FIGHT

If you're in a street fight you're already in big trouble. Your opponent will have no qualms about fighting dirty, and there's a big possibility you're going to get seriously injured before the fight is over. There's only one way around this. End the fight as fast as possible. But if you want to be an effective fighter, you need to target specific areas on your opponent. Specific places that cause an exponential amount of pain from even just a moderate strike. These are known as vital points, and if you want to win a fight, here's where you need to be attacking. The temple. This is the flat section on either side of your opponent's head, about an inch back from their eyes. It's also the thinnest part of the skull. Land a blow here and you'll knock them out, do it hard enough and you'll give them concussion, perhaps even severing the artery that runs underneath that will result in a coma, followed by death. The eyes. Gouging or jabbing into your opponent's eyes will cause them to water, blurring their vision so that you can get an opportunity to land a stronger follow up strike. Do it hard enough and you can cause temporary blindness, and if you're using a weapon stabbing through the eyes can easily penetrate the skull behind the eyes to hit the brain and cause death. The nose. As one of the most easily broken bones in the body, a strike on the nose will cause your opponent's eyes to water along with a huge amount of pain. You can strike with an open hand "chopping" attack or use a palm heel strike to push up from underneath. This is a surprisingly effective attack, and it also protects your fist from any damage. There's a surprising amount of bones in the head and if you land a punch wrong you can break and fracture your knuckles. The chin. The key to striking the chin or the jaw is to cause whiplash, so the force from the hit rattles the brain around in their head and knocks them out. An uppercut is a great way to target the chin or strike it from the side with a strong hook. Just make sure they don’t see it coming. If your opponent tenses up their neck and shoulders they can nullify much of your strike. The neck. You've got two targets here. A powerful punch to the throat can crush the windpipe making it impossible to breathe and cause a severe amount of pain. If you strike the side of the neck you want to aim for the area just below where the jawbone connects to the skull. Hit here and you'll cause unconsciousness, it's one of the best places you can aim for to take down an opponent. The kidneys. If you're hitting the body you want to be targeting the kidneys. They sit on either side of the spine, just above the buttocks. A powerful blow here can cause shock, but it's much better to stab them if you happen to have a knife or a strike pen. You'll cause your opponent to go into instant shock, and if you cut deep enough the internal bleeding will take them out quickly. The groin. This is much more effective against a male opponent, but it is also a sensitive spot for a female attacker. If you land even a moderate strike here you can cause a crippling amount of pain to gain the upper hand in a fight. Hit hard and you can knock your opponent out, I recommend using a knee strike or a kick to target the groin. The knees. As one of the major supporting joints of the body, it takes a relatively small amount of effort to do significant damage to the knee. You just need to attack it from the side. You can dislocate it with a sweeping kick or use your weight to bend it in the "wrong" range of motion. Take out your opponent's knee, and they will not be able to stand or continue fighting. But targeting these areas is just the start. You need the right self-defensive items if you want to gain the upper hand in a fight, as there's only so much damage your fists, elbows and knees can do. My advice is to always carry pepper spray. If you're in a fight it can momentarily blind your opponent and give you the chance to land a more fight-winning strike. I'd also recommend having something to hit with. Like a tactical flashlight or a strike pen. The amount of force you can deliver with a weapon designed to inflict pain far exceeds what you can do with your fists. Grip the strike pen in your fist like a hammer and use it to smash and stab at your opponent. You'll be surprised at just how effective it can be. When it comes to winning a fight, my only advice is to not hold anything back. You have no idea how far your opponent will push it, and in a street fight all that matters is your own survival. Of course, only ever target these vital areas if your life is in danger, but it's important you know them just in case. Your life may very well depend on it.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 YOU LOSE YOUR FAMILY When the SHTF you can't expect things like your cell phone to keep working. Phone systems will be overwhelmed if they even work at all, and if you happen to get separated it's going to be almost impossible to reconnect. My advice is to bring your family into your planning and have redundancies just in case. For my family, we've got a bug out location setup, but if this becomes inaccessible or unusable there's a member of my family we'll go to next. Everyone in my survival group knows this, so if we do happen to get separated, we at least know where to look. YOU DON’T KNOW FIRST AID

KNOW THE RISKS BEFORE YOU BUG OUT 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 really never know. Plus, you've got to actually get there. Many survivalists fantasize about the "end of days" and how they'll live a much simpler life in the aftermath of a crisis, but there are many risks when bugging out. YOU RUN OUT OF WATER Once the utilities fail, running water will no longer be available at the turn of a tap. Of course, you've got plenty stockpiled in your basement, but if you're bugging out this needs to be a consideration in your plans. Does your bug out location have more than one water source? Is there enough natural sources on your bug out route for you to replenish your supplies on the way? Oh, and you're probably going to want water filters and purification tablets too. The last thing you want is to be knocked off your feet because you drank contaminated water. YOU GET STUCK EN ROUTE If you've put any thought into your bug out plans you'll surely have more than one way to get to your but out location. But the real risk is that all of these routes are no longer passable.

In a large disaster floods could completely cut an area off, or simply the amount of people fleeing the crisis c l o g s t h e r o a d s a n d m a ke s i t impassable. Even if your car is running, if the highways are blocked there will be no getting through. YOU FORGOT THE WEATHER Hypothermia is one of the biggest risks when you're bugging out, and it's impor tant you've g ot the right protective gear and clothing to keep yourself and your family as warm and dry as possible. Especially at night. If you get wet and lack the ability to warm up again, you're in big trouble. YOU CAN’T DEFEND YOUR FAMILY One of the biggest risks you face are other people. People who are desperate and have long run out of their own food and water. They won't hesitate to take everything you have in order to keep their families alive a little longer. Which means you need to be prepared to fight violence with violence. Of course, avoiding other people entirely is the smartest move, but it's important you've got pepper spray and firearms to defend yourself. It may seem like overkill but trust me. You will be glad you have them once the SHTF. Because the police won't be around to help.

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Getting injured when you're bugging out is a major thing. Not only can it reduce your mobility to basically zero, it can prove fatal if you've not got a plan B. It's important you know how to treat a wide range of different injuries, and you've got a well-stocked first aid kit in your preps. Take a course at your local fire station or community center. This also includes getting sick, especially as sanitation levels drop. Simple things like antibiotics will be worth their weight in gold once you can no longer buy them from the dr ugstore, so prepare accordingly. YOU’RE NOT FIT ENOUGH TO BUG OUT This one requires a little introspection, as it's important you understand what you can and can't do with your body. If you're in an office job and have never hiked in your life, it's not reasonable to expect you'll be fine on a 75-mile hike to your bug out location. Take the time now to get in shape, and you're also getting enough sleep when you do decide to bug out. This is one step I believe many survivalists fail to properly prepare, and they're in for a rude awakening when the SHTF. Bugging out is a risky choice, as the odds are definitely stacked against your survival in a crisis. If you want to have any hope of making it through unscathed, you need to understand the risks, have a plan of attack to overcome each one, and ensure you've got the supplies, training and experience to survive. You can't simply hope for the best. You need a plan of attack and you need to fight to stay alive. That's how you overcome the risks of bugging out.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 BE READY AND ALERT

TIPS TO SURVIVE A VOLCANIC ERUPTION Ever since I was a kid I've loved volcanoes. We made models that "erupted" in science class and learnt all about the science behind predicting er uptions. But when you star t imagining the deadly force a volcano produces, it' rather terrifying. When a volcano erupts it's a force of nature, destroying anything nearby and shooting tons of ash into the sky. Not to mention the lava flows that will simply consume anything in its path and the acid rain that follows. Following the Kilauea eruption in Hawaii, I wanted to put together a shortlist of tips to help our readers prepare and survive a volcanic eruption. KNOW YOUR RISKS The first step is to determine if there's any risk of volcanic activity in your area. The good news is that volcanoes are highly documented, and you should be able to quickly determine whether or not it's a risk you need to prepare for. If you do happen to live near a volcano, my advice is to plan accordingly, and be ready for anything. If not, it's always a good idea to understand the risks, as the world is in a constant state of change and you never know where you may be travelling to when a volcano erupts.

“it’s the simple things that are the most difficult…”

Scientists are usually able to predict upcoming eruptions, so make it a habit to regularly check and pay attention to the news in your local area. If an evacuation is needed, follow the recommendations of the Civil Defense Emergency team, and keep your radio on for any further updates. This is your best course of action, as they will be able to direct you to any safe areas to ride out the crisis. Again. Don't try to tough it out in your home. Listen to what the authorities are saying and follow their instructions. They've run the numbers and they know what to expect when the volcano erupts. Listen to them and you'll be fine. The worst thing you can do is to want to defend your home when you've been told to evacuate. That's a recipe for disaster. STAY IN YOUR HOME One of the safest places you can ride out the crisis is in your home. Unless you're directly in the line of the volcano that is. Use the information you have to make the call. Your home provides shelter to protect you from the ash and any falling debris, and also the supplies you've stockpiled are going to last far longer than what's in your bug out kit. Only evacuate if that's what the authorities recommend, or you've no other choice. The only caveat to remember is the ash. Mixed with rain it gets heavy fast, and it can cause big problems if your home isn't able to deal with a lot of weight on the roof. Pay attention to what's happening around you, and you may need to take action to stop your roof collapsing under the weight. P R E PA R E A S U RV I VA L STOCKPILE In the aftermath of a crisis it's the simple things that are the most difficult to get. Food, water and shelter are going to top the list of important supplies, so ensure you've got at least a week's worth of food and drinking water. Then consider power use, how you're planning on staying warm (or cool), and everything you're going to need to keep your family healthy and happy should a crisis hit. I've slowly build my survival stockpile to almost 9 months' worth of supplies, even with the grid down and the water off. The time to start preparing your stockpile is now, before these basic necessities become impossible to buy.

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PACK YOUR BUG OUT BAG In addition to everything you should already have in your bug out kit, there's a few additions I'd recommend if you're in an area with volcanic activity. When a volcano erupts it can release toxic gases into the atmosphere, so ensure you've got both protective goggles for your eyes, and a mask that will allow you to breathe. Pack these for your kids too, and ensure you actually know how to use them. Oh, and ensure you've got full protective rain gear, as acid rain often follows a volcanic eruption, and you don't want that on your skin. GET TO HIGHER GROUND When a volcano erupts and you're in the disaster zone, you're in trouble. Follow your evacuation routes and start making your way to higher ground. This is a safeguard against any lava flows that may be coming, and will make it easier for any emergency services personnel to find and rescue you. It's also important to know what the volcano is doing, so check the news and know where the hazards are. DON’T GO SIGHTSEEING It's seems like common sense, but one of the biggest risks you can take after a volcanic eruption is to get curious. You need to be avoiding the lava flows, not going to see what it all looks like. If there's an aftershock and you're too close it's not going to end well, and you also may not realize your escape route is slowly being blocked by another lava flow. Once you're surrounded, you are not going to escape. Despite our ability to track and predict volcanic eruptions, if you're not prepared you could quickly find yourself in big trouble. If you're in an area where volcanoes present a risk, follow these tips to keep your family safe, alive and happy through the crisis.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

THE RIGHT WAY TO USE A TOURNIQUET Imagine this scenario. You're in the middle of the woods and there's an accident. A bad one. Perhaps you startled a bear and one of your group has been mauled before you could scare it off. Or there's an altercation with another group. Or that one guy (in every survival group) has managed to shoot himself in the leg.

If a patient is bleeding from a major wound, it's not going to take long for a healthy adult to bleed out.

When you are miles from civilization, what you do next could save their life.

Without fast action on your part, the patient will die.

It goes without saying that knowing a little first aid will definitely come in handy in a disaster.

And that's where the tourniquet comes in. It's a tried and true method of first aid that's as simple as it is effective.

And there's countless posts talking about what to pack. And yes, I highly recommend you include a medical kit in your bug out planning, and you take a course on first aid and survival techniques. Actually, practicing these yourself is invaluable. But there may come a time when you don't have your gear. Or the wound is so critical that the band-aids you've got will not stop the bleeding.

HOW DOES A TOURNIQUET ACTUALLY WORK?

In just a few minutes their body will begin to shut down as they go into shock, as they no longer have enough blood within their body to keep their circulatory system going.

A tourniquet is a piece of medical equipment that pulls tight around a limb and cuts off the circulation. If someone's arm or leg has been severed and they are bleeding heavily, a correctly applied tourniquet can slow the flow of blood. This is a good thing because it buys you time.

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Time to actually treat the wound and try to stop the bleeding. Or to find a way to get the patient to a hospital before they loose too much blood. It's a lifesaver if you're facing a major incident. But not all medical kits include one. Which is a mistake, because every survival kit needs a tourniquet.

“a correctly applied tourniquet can slow the flow of blood…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

HOW TO APPLY A TOURNIQUET The first step is to get your patient to lie down, so you can work. You should already be applying pressure to the wound, as this is one of the most effective ways to slow the loss of blood, but in some cases, this won't be enough. A tourniquet needs to be used when there is catastrophic bleeding, such as a severed limb, or a very deep cut that's spurting arterial blood. And you need to act quickly. Check the wound, however if there are any foreign objects in there, leave them. They may be helping to stem the flow of blood, and their removal could cause more problems. Cut away any clothing so you can apply the tourniquet to their bare skin, this makes it more effective as it won't slip on their clothes. You should be targeting an area about 2 inches above the wound, but don't do it over a joint. If you need to move the tourniquet a little higher, do it. You'll cause more problems winding a tourniquet tight over a joint. Wrap the tourniquet around the limb a couple of times and tie it, then insert the scissors (or whatever you have) into the wrappings. You're creating a windlass that you will use to twist the bandage and pull it far tighter than you can do with your hands. Spin it until the flow of blood slows (it probably won't fully stop, but you will notice once it's working), and use another bandage to tie it place. Oh, this step is going to be extremely painful for the patient, if you've got painkillers make sure to hand these out too. If it's not quite working, try a different spot, or reapply the tourniquet. Sometimes, if it's an extreme case, you will need to add a second tourniquet above the first. Once the bleeding slows you will need to get the patient to a medical facility. You've got about 2 hours before the loss of circulation in their limb starts to cause tissue damage, along with nerve damage from the lack of blood supply. So, pay attention to the time. The doctor you see will also want to know how long the tourniquet has been on for. Using a tourniquet is a technique that's essentially a last resort. It should only be used when you have no other option, because it's both painful for the patient and if it's on there too long they may lose their limb. Though this may be necessary to save their life, ensure you only ever use a tourniquet as a last resort.

WHAT ELSE CAN I USE AS A TOURNIQUET? To improvise a tourniquet, you need to understand how it works. It's a strong piece of material that can be pulled tight around an arm or a leg, tight enough that the pressure can be used to stop the blood flow.

In a typical first aid kit a triangular bandage is your best option, and you can use a pair of scissors as the windlass to wind it tight. Just remember, as you fold the bandage, keep it at least an inch and a half wide, to prevent any damage to the healthy tissue.

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Despite what you see in the movies leather belts aren't really a good option as they are too sturdy to work properly, so look for any kind of material, like the shoulder strap on your bag, a cutoff section of your pants, or even the sleeve from a shirt.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018

STOPPING THE MOSQUITOES WHEN YOU’RE CAMPING There's nothing I love more than summer. It's the perfect weather to get out and explore new campsites, hike trails that I've been over my whole life, and escape the chaos of the city. Life in the mountains is awesome. Until the mosquitos come out. There's nothing worse than the buzzing in your ear or waking up covered in itchy bites. Unless of course you want to start worrying about the diseases they carry. Let's face it. Mosquitoes suck. But there's a few things you can do to ensure your campsite isn't overrun with these pint-sized vampires. And in today's post I'm going to share how I stop the mosquitoes when I'm in the wild. On nearly every trip I follow these recommendations, and I couldn't tell you the last time I was bugged by mosquitoes while I camped. They simply work.

Just be sure to pick light colored fabrics. Mosquitoes thrive in the shade and are naturally attracted to dark colors. Plus, you can spray your clothes with insect repellant and it forms a second layer of protection. WEAR THE RIGHT INSECT REPELLANT The next step is to start the chemical warfare. Look for one that has at least 50 percent diethyltoluamide (also known as DEET). The higher the percentage the longer it lasts, and follow the directions on the bottle once you need to reapply.

Any time you're going in the wild, you want to smell as natural as possible. And all of the floral shampoo, hand soaps, and everything else we use in everyday life will only attract the bugs to you. But that's not to say you shouldn't shower. In fact, mosquitoes will be naturally drawn to your body odor so staying clean is a must.

Usually it's every few hours.

The less exposed skin you have, the better the chances the mosquitoes will leave you alone.

The only advice I have here is to ensure you don't spray into your eyes or any open wounds, and wash any clothing that you've sprayed with bug spray as soon as you're home. I prefer nonaerosol sprays, and whilst I've tried a few different variants of "natural" repellants, in my experience the only ones that truly work have DEET in them.

If I'm trekking in the summer, I wear a pair of lightweight pants, and a thin, long-sleeved shirt. Covering up also cuts down on sunburn, and gives you an added layer of protection from any plants or other bugs that are out there.

The only time I won't use it is if I'm going to an area with a fragile ecosystem, like exploring a set of caves to see the glow worms. Remember the impact you're going to have on all insects, not just mosquitoes.

WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES

DON’T USE PERFUMED SOAP OR DEODERANT

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“Remember the impact you’re going to have on all insects…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2018 cont. What you want to do is use unscented soaps and deodorant. It'll also help you see more wildlife on your hike, as most animals will shy away from anything that smells noticeably human or unusual to the area. And that includes your fruity shampoo. FIND THE RIGHT CAMPSITE Mosquitoes thrive in wet, damp conditions, so your job now is to find a campsite that's not next to any standing water. Even the difference of a few hundred yards can significantly reduce the amount of bugs in an area. I'd also scout out any creeks or lakes before setting up camp to see just how bad the mosquitoes are. Of course, you don't always get a choice when choosing a campsite, so your second-best option is to find a spot that's got a breeze (it'll help keep the mosquitoes away), and has a lot of sun. Failing that, you're going to want to follow everything else on this list to avoid a plague of mosquitoes.

PREPARE YOUR TENT FOR BUGS If you're camping with anything but a double-walled tent, you're going to have a bad time. The inner body is perfect for keeping the mosquitoes at bay, and I usually give it a fresh coating of bug spray when we're setting it up. Under the rain fly this creates the perfect barrier, as the sun, rain and wind don't really get a chance to wash the repellant away. START A FIRE AND BURN SAGE Now there's nothing better than sitting around and enjoying a campfire once the evening settles in, but the smoke alone won't always keep the mosquitoes at bay. That's where burning sage comes in handy. Keep an eye out during your hike for any local version of the plant, there's plenty of Black Sage where we usually stay, and I make a point to always grab a few handfuls. Once we're back at camp for the evening I throw a little in the fire when I notice the mosquitoes are bad, and the smell from this, combined with the smoke is a rather effective deterrent. Plus, it smells great.

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LIGHT A CITRONELLA TORCH These aren't always practical if you're on a long hike, but if you have the space in your truck definitely throw in a couple of tiki torches. They will stay lit all night, create a little ambience around your campsite, and the smell the citronella gives off will certainly keep the mosquitoes at bay. There's also smaller candlestick versions you can buy if you're wanting to pack light. I bought a box of all-in-one candles that are each about the size of my palm, and I usually bring one or two of these along when we hike. Each candle burns about 8 hours, so even in the most mosquito infested regions of North America, that's two nights of good sleep. Finally, I just want to say that while mosquitoes may drive you crazy, they're also part of the great outdoors. It can be annoying dealing with them when you're camping but follow these tips and you'll greatly cut down the amount you're bitten, so you can get on with what's important. Spending time with your family out in the wild.