October 2017

DON’T MISS: CRITICAL ITEMS FOR YOUR BUG OUT BAG

HOW TO TRACK SOMEONE THROUGH THE WILD

IN THIS ISSUE:

OCTOBER 2017

LUXURIES TO GET FOR YOUR BUG-OUT LOCATION

CAN I SHOOT AN INTRUDER IN MY HOME?

STAY WARM WHEN BUGGING OUT

START A FIRE NO MATTER WHAT

A GUN CLEANING KIT YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME

SHOULD YOU INVEST IN BODY ARMOR? and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

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Contents

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FEATURED

HOW TO TRACK SOMEONE THROUGH THE WILD I want to arm you with the information you need to effectively track another person through the wild, and second, provide an insight into how you will be tracked yourself, so you can…

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CAN I SHOOT AN INTRUDER IN MY HOME? It's a good question. You hear a bump in the night and armed with your gun and flashlight head downstairs to investigate. But you need to be wary. Pulling the trigger on someone who is not…

page 5

SHOULD YOU INVEST IN BODY ARMOR? When a crisis hits, things are going to head south quick. In a matter of days your friendly neighbors are now competing for the scarce resources in your local area, and once their…

page 6

LUXURIES TO GET FOR YOUR BUG-OUT LOCATION When I first told my wife about my plan to relocate our family “off-the-grid,” she wasn’t particularly impressed. Speaking about it later, it was because she imagined with our new life…

page 8

A GUN CLEANING KIT YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME If you plan rely on your firearms no matter what, you've got to ensure to keep them clean and well-maintained. But you don't need to resort to store-bought kits to get the job done…

page 9

STAY WARM WHEN BUGGING OUT IN WINTER As the nights start getting colder we're soon to be in one of my favorite times of year. Winter. For all my fellow survivalists out there, it doesn't mean it's time to stop camping….

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CRITICAL ITEMS FOR YOUR BUG OUT BAG I've lost time of the amount of times I've packed and re-packed my bug-out-bag. It's difficult because with every change of season you need to ensure you're fully equipped…

page 11

HOW TO START A FIRE NO MATTER WHAT After watching a friend syphon off a little petrol to get a fire started, I knew it wouldn't end well. The whoosh as the fire sparked into life was more than enough to send us all running…

page 13

DIAPERS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES ONCE THE SHTF I'm all about living sustainably, and as we welcomed our second kid into our family we were struck with the same question that most parents have asked themselves over the years…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

HOW TO TRACK SOMEONE THROUGH THE WILD In today's article, I have two goals. First, I want to arm you with the information you need to effectively track another person through the wild, and second, provide an insight into how you will be tracked yourself, so you can take steps to avoid it. And this is where it gets difficult. Tracking people means you're after someone who is just as smart as you are, and they may also be taking steps to cover their tracks. These skills are derived from the techniques the native Americans used hundreds of years ago, and retain their usefulness to this day. At its most simple explanation, tracking someone through the wild relies on your ability to spot disturbances in nature, from footprints to broken branches, and continue following these signs of human activity until you reach the source. WHAT TO LOOK FOR FIRST The easiest way to start tracking someone is to look for spoor. This is a word we use to describe the traces a person has left in their path. Find somewhere the ground is muddy or soft, and see if you can spot any prints. You may need to widen your search to progressively drier areas until you find your first print.

Once a footprint is found, I sketch it out in my notebook, to give me a basis of the person I am after. Women have a smaller step than men, and if they have been running or sprinting their footprints may be heavily distorted. But you can always follow the direction they're headed from the force of the prints.

Depending on how thick the undergrowth is, your target may have left scuff marks from scrambling over whatever is in their path. Look for rubs where they might have stumbled into a tree, or scraped the mud from the soles of their shoes.

If your target is running fast, they will have taken little care to cover their tracks. You may see broken branches, flattened grass, overturned rocks, and if they are injured you can even look for their blood trail.

It happens to the best of us, especially if your target is trying to conceal their spoor. There's a couple of ways to see if you can pick up their tracks again.

IF YOU GET OFF-TRACK

HOW TO STAY ON THE TRAIL The key to being a successful tracker is to keep your head up, and pay attention to what's around you. I like to look about 15 yards ahead, as this also gives me the ability to see if my intended target has laid a trap for me and is waiting on the track in front. When you do spot some spoor, don't be hesitant in getting down close to the ground to take a look. Often, you'll be able to see ridges and shadows far easier, to confirm if you're still following your intended target. I also pay attention to anything that's out of the ordinary. People often litter, leaving food trash in their wake, or cleaning out particular fruits or berries in their path.

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“lose your trackers by sticking to hard surfaces like roads…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017 cont. Use a sweep pattern to comb through the surrounding area. From the last known trace, you've found, walk about 100 yards in one direction. If you find no trace, move about 5 to 10 yards to the left, and walk back to the last spoor you spotted. Then turn, and head out at a slightly different angle. Eventually you should find their direction of travel. If this doesn't work, the circle method is next. This is very time consuming, as you start walking in an ever-increasing circle leading out from where the last spoor was found. As the circles get bigger it can take hours to pick up the trail again. HOW TO STOP YOURSELF FROM BEING TRACKED When you're being followed the lessons you've learned tracking should give you an idea what tactics are being used to track you down. In its simplest form, you want to do everything you can to conceal your spoor. You don't want to leave any trace that you passed through a certain area. Imagine you're being followed. Where are you going to be leaving signs? My advice would be to try to lose your trackers by sticking to hard surfaces like roads, railway lines, or any trails with a hard surface that doesn't leave a footprint. But don't just head in one direction. Use the road and exit at a stream, then walk through the water for a mile or two until you reach another road you can use to throw the followers off track. If you're headed through an area where it's simply not possible to follow a road, you need to do everything possible to conceal your tracks. Walk as lightly as possible, and take care to avoid disturbing the grass and branches in your path. I'd also carry a stick to put things back in their place, and use a fresh branch from a sapling to brush out any tracks you leave. If you've got dogs following you, the best chance you have is to go on the offensive.

Use pepper spray in your tracks to disturb their sense of smell. I'd also recommend setting an ambush trap to take out the dog handler and his dogs first. They'll usually be up front leading the pursuit, which makes them easier to take out. Just ensure you leave yourself enough time to escape the rest of the group following you.

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Every time you venture into the wild you're leaving a trace. From footprints to the objects knocked out of your path, once you learn how to read these signs, you'll be much better armed to conceal your own tracks, and to follow anyone who is careless enough to leave a trail.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

CAN I SHOOT AN INTRUDER IN MY HOME? It's a good question. You hear a bump in the night and armed with your gun and flashlight head downstairs to investigate. But you need to be wary. Pulling the trigger on someone who is not armed, even if they've broken into your home, can get you in serious trouble. I respect our right to bear arms. I've mentioned on a number of posts about my preference to concealed carry, and that I've taken steps to ensure I'm able to defend my loved ones, my home, and my possessions from anyone who seeks to take these. But I still pray to God it never comes to this. I truly hope none of our readers are ever in a situation where they need to defend their home with lethal force. Pulling the trigger on an intruder will lead to tragedy. Especially if you're in the wrong. It's important that every gun owner understands how these laws work, so you're not pleading ignorance if you've needed to shoot someone. The moment you've bought a gun, you need to ensure you understand the complex laws and issues surrounding its use. THE BASICS OF SELF DEFENSE Taken at the most basic level, when you're defending yourself you must ensure you use a reasonable amount of force. But that's not the scary part. You need to prove your actions were justified. Imagine this scenario. Two thugs break into your home, intending to do your family real harm. They're armed to the teeth, and have already opened fire. You've responded, using your training to return fire, and manage to kill them both. In this situation, you're probably going to be fine, as you've used a reasonable amount of force to tackle the threat facing your family. But this isn't always as clear as it seems.

Using the same example, the thugs are still intent on hurting you and your family, but they're unarmed. When you confront them with your firearm, they give themselves up. In this situation, you're definitely not going to be able to justify shooting either of them. Because you'd already eliminated the threat, and your family were no longer in imminent danger. HOW IT ACTUALLY WORKS Defending yourself with deadly force is not something to be taken lightly. You will need to live with the consequences of taking a life, and I would only ever recommend using this level of force if there was no other option. You're backed into a corner and there is no escape. Your attackers are armed, and are threatening your very life. Fight back in this instance and you're probably going to be fine. What is important to understand though is the precedent in the state you live. Some states are far more lenient on homeowners defending themselves with lethal force. Scour the news and find out the types of situations that get punished, and ensure you understand what's what. A little knowledge beforehand can save you from getting into a potentially life-altering altercation. THE DANGERS OF A PREMEDITATED SHOOTING Now here is where it gets tricky. If you have shot someone in your home, for self-defense, the biggest argument that you'll face is whether or not you planned it. I get it. Someone broke into your home, intending to do you harm. Of course, you didn't plan to shoot them. But you need to be wary of giving the appearance that you did. Signs saying "Trespassers Will Be Shot" are not a good idea. Despite being funny, it gives the opposing lawyer a chance to argue that you were simply looking for an excuse to shoot someone. If there is even the slightest hint you planted a trap for the intruders, you can get in serious trouble. In a recent case in Minnesota. Burglars were repeatedly breaking into a man's home. He set a trap, and shot them when they returned. Despite his home being broken into, he was charged with first degree murder, and is currently serving life in prison.

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U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E CASTLE DOCTRINE When it comes to defending your home, one of the most important legal concepts to understand is the Castle Doctrine. It differs from state to state, but it's critical you understand what this means for you. It's also known as the "Stand Your Ground" law. Under these laws, it outlines your duties as a home owner. Depending on your state, it could be expected that you: #1. Retreat to safety #2. Stand your ground If you're in a state where you're expected to look for safety first, it's your obligation to prove that you did this first and you tried to escape. It’s on you to prove that you only fought back against the intruders as your last resort, and that your life was in immediate danger. But it's tricky. Even when your local laws allow you to stand your ground, you will need to prove that you were in fact in mortal danger, and your only option was to use lethal force. There isn't a simple way to know what will happen if you do shoot an intruder in your home. My advice is simple. Only ever use your firearm to defend yourself, if the following holds true. You're not able to escape your home and run to a safe haven, and the life of a loved one, or your own, is in immediate danger.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017 DO YOU NEED A HELMET? One thing that too many survivalists forget is the importance of a helmet. When the SHTF you've got to remember head protection, because your head is one of the most fragile parts of your body. A blow from a blunt object will take you down. Get a mid-cut ballistic helmet. It's a good balance between protection while staying light weight, and you can always attach additional accessories like flashlights. WHAT ABOUT GLOVES?

SHOULD YOU INVEST IN BODY ARMOR?

If you're in a combat situation, it's important to protect your hands. The barrel of your gun will get extremely hot, and if you mistakenly grab it you don't want to burn yourself. Find a pair of tactical gloves that aren't too expensive. You will thank me if you're ever in a real fight for your life. Look for a pair with a protective over your knuckles to guard your hands from any shrapnel or other injuries. DO I REALLY NEED IT?

When a crisis hits, things are going to head south quick. In a matter of days your friendly neighbors are now competing for the scarce resources in your local area, and once their family's start to starve there's no telling what they will do. An investment into body armor could be your ticket to staying alive. I definitely recommend every survivalist invest in body armor. Just remember. In your local state, you may not legally be able to wear or own body armor. Unless you work in law enforcement or are a member of the military. My advice here would be to move. It's not worth breaking the law over, but in my opinion you want to give yourself the best possible chance to survive, and body armor will help you. THE MISTAKES PREPPERS MAKE WITH BODY ARMOR Unless there has been a complete collapse of society, you will probably never need a full plate set of body armor. It's too impractical. You also run the risk of breaching your own OPSEC when you're wearing what's obviously military-level gear. It may get a neighbor wondering, just what else you have in your stockpile, because it's pretty obvious that someone who has body armor is going to have a whole range of other "goodies" at home.

THE BEST BODY ARMOR You can't get better protection than SAPI plates. SAPI stands for Small Arms Protective Insert. They're ceramic body armor plates used by the United States military, and remain both light and tough as nails. They work by absorbing the impact of the bullet, so the plates will crack if you are hit. This disperses the force of the bullet, allowing you to continue fighting. You will need to replace these once they've taken a round, which is a downside to their steel counterparts, though this is the only one. SAPI plates are light, and you can comfortably wear this body armor all day. HOW TO WEAR BODY ARMOR To wear body armor what you need is known as a plate carry, and it functions exactly as you can imagine. It's a rugged vest that allows you to strap the plates to yourself. My advice is to spend a little more buying a high-quality vest, as you will wear out the cheap ones rather quickly. Look for a vest that has straps and the ability to add in side plates. The downside is this will get heavy fast, so ensure you're taking the time to practice walking long distances with your armor on, and also test it at the shooting range. The bulk will change your stance slightly when you're shooting, so you need to learn how to adjust.

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Once you start buying body armor, it becomes an expensive endeavor. I fully believe it's worth every cent you spend, but there are a few items that aren't really worth it. Too much makes you look ridiculous, and you'll also be weighing yourself down with too much gear. Which is critical if you've got a decent trek to your bug out location, any unnecessary weight is going to be a killer. So, forget silly items like knee and elbow pads, or the extended Kevlar protection for your groin and neck. The key is to find the right balance between protection and usability. In addition to the body armor, I'd recommend ensuring you've got adequate eye and ear protection. You just need a pair of cheap earplugs, and put your money into ballistic glasses that will stop any shrapnel getting to your eyes. Finally, I want to make one last point clear. Body armor is important for preppers, but it is an expensive endeavor. I'd only recommend you purchase this when you've got most of your other preps sorted. It should be one of the last things on your list. In a full collapse of society, you're going to be grateful you invested in body armor. It could just be what keeps you alive.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

LUXURIES TO GET FOR YOUR BUG-OUT LOCATION When I first told my wife about my plan to relocate our family “off-thegrid,” she wasn’t particularly impressed.

Here’s what we bought.

MORE HOT WATER

A DISHWASHER

Speaking about it later, it was because she imagined that with our new life we’d have to give up many of the luxuries we had gotten used to, because we’d be limited with the electricity we could use. Now I get that off-grid could mean this, but not if you’re smart.

I hate doing the dishes, and running the water pump in the evening to wash up was burning through our batteries. So, we made a plan. Well, I did.

During winter, we struggled with enough hot water to go around. Using an idea read about on a homesteading forum, we went with a normal electric water heater that is activated once the batteries are full.

With the right preparations, you can definitely afford a few luxuries in your home. But first you need an ample supply of power. In our homestead, we’ve got two proper sources of electricity. Well three if you count my project building a water turbine in the creek, but it’s the professionally installed kits that deliver 90% of our electricity. We’ve got a series of solar panels, and a small wind turbine. Just with these, we’ve got plenty of electricity to go around, often with many hours of wasted sunshine in the afternoon once our batteries are fully charged. It took about a month before we started investing in luxuries. And life off-grid has gotten remarkably better. It’s amazing how the little things make all the difference.

Buy a dishwasher, load it in the nights, then let it run during the daytime when it wouldn’t be a drain on the batteries. Once we come in for lunch, I stack in any other dishes we’ve used, and set it going. It’s easy. Returning home in the evening we’ve always got a clean set of dishes, along with a fully charged battery pack. That’s a win in my book. AN AIR CONDITIONER It seems unnecessary, but it gets rather warm at our property during the summer months, and we had all this extra electricity being generated that wasn’t being used. And that’s really when you need the cool air, when the summer sun is beating down during the middle of the day. I usually set our airconditioner to operate on its timer during summer, so that it comes on and cools for just a couple of hours during the peak of a day’s heat. That way it’s nice and cool when we return home, and the batteries are still fully charged for the night.

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Changing some settings on our charge station, it now feeds any extra electricity generated into the water heater. It worked great, until winter. When there wasn’t really that much extra electricity being generated.

“you can definitely afford a few luxuries in your home…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017 cont. So I modified the heating system in the floor. It uses a traditional wood boiler that looks about a hundred years old, and with a little extra piping this now acts as a second way to heat our water tank. Even after a couple of days of clouds and rain, we’re able to have a nice steamy shower. AN OUTDOOR BATHTUB One of my fantasies about our property was building an outdoor Jacuzzi. There was a nice little alcove behind our home that I’ve worked hard to convert to an outdoor area over the past summer. Installing a whirlpool bathtub was definitely unnecessary, but being able to soak away a full day’s labor around the property in the tub is a fantastic way to spend a summer’s evening. We’ve got it connected to the hot water supply from our home, and we use the surplus electricity generated during the day to power the bubble jets into the night. It’s glorious. AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN Along with the Jacuzzi, I built an entire outdoor section of our home to surround it, which we call the patio. In addition to the dining table, sink and bench, there’s a couple of electrical outlets we use to power our portable cooking gear. All we need to do is bring it outside and plug it in. During the middle of the day you’ll hardly notice a drop in your electrical output, and it’s perfect during summer when you don’t want to be heating up your home unnecessarily with cooking. We’ve got an electric oven for roasts, a couple of electric hot plates (I wasn’t a fan of induction), a slow cooker, and my wife’s bread-maker. It adds a nice change from being cooped up inside all winter. HIGH SPEED INTERNET Without the internet, I’d not be able to work, and support our lifestyle we’ve chosen to live, so it’s important we remain connected.

In addition to satellite internet (as a pure last resort), we make use of our wind turbine as an antenna to connect into our local radio internet. It’s plenty fast enough to allow us to work, and even stream the odd movie on Netflix when we’re feeling like a night in. Just because you’re living off-the-grid, it doesn’t mean you’re forced to live without the necessities that make life great. In our instance, we definitely over-invested in power generation,

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but that enables us to live a much more comfortable life, without needing to worry about our batteries getting drained if you’re watching a little too much television, or spending an evening in the hot tub. To me, that’s the right way to plan your homestead, ensuring you’ve got everything you need to be comfortable and enjoy your life with your family. Because that’s what’s most important.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

A GUN CLEANING KIT YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME

If you plan rely on your firearms no matter what, you've got to ensure to keep them clean and well-maintained. But you don't need to resort to store-bought kits to get the job done. Because a dirty gun is an unsafe one. But first, realize that cleaning your guns is a messy job. Oil and grime does get everywhere, so it's important you're using old materials that you're comfortable getting messy and stained. I've got an old shirt I always wear when cleaning my guns, and I keep all of my gear in a large plastic tub in the garage. #1. GARBAGE BAGS AND NEWSPAPER Always put down a garbage bag laid out flat, and cover it with bunch of newspaper before cleaning your gun. It'll soak up any mess, and the plastic will stop the oils soaking through. Then you can roll the mess up and toss it in the trash when you're done. #2. A HEADLAMP I love being able to see exactly what I'm doing, and you need a good light in order to check the thoroughness of your cleaning job. A desk lamp could also work, but I prefer a headlamp so I can always see exactly what I need to while I'm cleaning. #3. THE ROD Find a strong piece of string you can thread through the barrel. You can tie in the patches to pull these through for a good clean, and so long as you don't let too much residue buildup, this will work great. #4. THE BRUSH Cleaning the outside of your gun is also important, but I'd recommend using an old toothbrush for this. The bristles are strong enough to get into the grooves and ridges of your gun, and you could always use a saw to trim the toothbrush down if need be. #5. THE PATCHES Cotton works best for the patches, just be sure that whatever material you're using doesn't leave any material residue after cleaning. I simply cut up an old t-shirt when I need more patches. #6. THE BORE CLEANER Take a sturdy piece of nylon cord, and tie a knot in the center that only just fits inside the bore. Make a loop on either end, and pull it in and out of the bore, in a similar motion to flossing your teeth. Dragging the knot through will remove any residue that's stuck. #7. THE SOLVENT To start cleaning you need to use a solvent to break down the residue so it's easier to clean. Without a store-bought version (which I recommend), in a pinch you could also use WD-40, mineral spirits and kerosene also works. #8. THE OIL What you want to use is a motor oil, or even automatic transmission fluid. Just ensure you keep it in a small can which allows you to drip out a drop of the solvent at a time. #9. COTTON SWABS AND PIPE CLEANERS Raid your bathroom and grab a bunch of cotton swabs. They're really good for removing the oil and any residue in spots that the toothbrush can't get to, along with the pipe cleaners that are probably found in your kid’s craft box. They’re perfect for getting into any hard to reach places inside the mechanics of your gun.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017 P R E PA R E F O R A G O O D NIGHT'S SLEEP If you know you're going to be sleeping outdoors during winter, you need a high-quality sleeping bag that's rated for the temperatures you'll be facing. I like to stay warm and cozy, so I'm usually sporting a 10-degree sleeping bag, along with a waterproof bivy sack. I've been told its overkill, especially where I camp, but I find it's much easier to vent an overheated sleeping bag than it is to get warm once you're cold during the night. When it comes to the stuffing in your sleeping bag, I'm a fan of synthetic insulation, as the down alternatives are more expensive, and tend to suck once they get wet.

STAY WARM BUGGING OUT IN WINTER As the nights start getting colder we're soon to be in one of my favorite times of year. Winter. For all my fellow survivalists out there, it doesn't mean it's time to stop camping. Not at all. Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons to spend in the outdoors. The mornings are crisp, the days are cooler, and you won't get bitten to death by bugs when you're trying to sleep. But it also presents a danger. You need to ensure you're protected from the cold if you want to stay alive, and in today's post I want to cover a few tactics to help you stay warm when you're bugging out in winter. RESPECT THE WEATHER The first rule when it comes to a winter survival situation is to respect the weather. If you allow yourself to get cold, hypothermia will set in. And it doesn't take long. Once your core drops from 98.6 degrees to just 95, you're in big trouble. Now what usually happens in hypothermia cases is the victim has gotten wet. Perhaps it was raining, they slipped and fell into a stream, or they've been over-exerting themselves and worked up a sweat. In cold weather, having wet clothing press against your skin leeches the warmth from your body and you’ll get hypothermic. You've got to be aware of the dangers of getting wet.

CHOOSE CLOTHING

THE

RIGHT

To combat the cold, you need the right clothing. And there's a simple rule I like to follow. If it's cotton, don't buy it. As soon as cotton clothing gets wet, it loses its ability to insulate your body. Pick clothing that's been specifically designed for the outdoors. You want a base layer that's a polyester blend to better wick away any moisture from your skin. Follow this up with a wool layer that will keep you warm even if you do get wet. And cover it all with a protective shell casing that's completely waterproof. This way, you can remove layers as needed, and you won't have to fight the elements to stay warm. I shouldn't have to say this here but it's also quite important. The waterproof principle also applies to your boots. You've got to have waterproof boots if you're spending any amount of time outdoors in winter. Once hypothermia sets in frostbite comes next, and without the right protection for your feet, extremities like your toes will be the first to go. Oh, and cover up your hands and face too. You're losing body heat through every piece of skin that's not covered. I've got a wool beanie that I wear, along with a round little scarf that sits comfortably around my neck.

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Oh, and don't forget to insulate yourself from the ground. The cold ground leeches away your body heat, even if you're using a sleeping bag, so prepare for this. You need insulation. Pine boughs are good in a pinch if you've not brought your own sleeping pad (or hammock). BE ABLE TO CREATE WARMTH For many this means fire, and it's important you've got not only a way to create a flame, but a way to get a fire started in cold and wet conditions. I take extra fire starters when I'm camping in the cold, as it can often be a challenge to find dry kindling when you really need a fire. Once it's going you can slowly add water-soaked branches as the heat from the flames will dry these out. I'd also recommend having a couple of mylar space blankets in your bug-out kit. In a pinch these can be used to keep your body heat from escaping if you've gotten yourself wet. Simply strip down and roll yourself up in the blanket. It's amazing how well these work. You can also use them inside your shelter to reflect heat from the fire onto you, or as part of the walls or roofing to keep the rain and wind out. Of course, these are only two items in your kit, and your ability to stay warm while bugging out in winter also relies on your common sense. Have the right clothing and gear, and don't get yourself in a situation where you allow yourself to get cold or wet. I get that this isn't always possible, but with the right approach, you'll be able to stay warm and dry, no matter what time of year you're bugging out in.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

CRITICAL ITEMS FOR YOUR BUG OUT BAG I've lost time of the amount of times I've packed and re-packed my bug-outbag. It's difficult because with every change of season you need to ensure you're fully equipped. Plus, you may have changing needs if you're needing to take care of a larger family or if it's you alone. Essentially, what's in your bug-out bag should be the supplies you need to live for 3 days. A WATERPROOF TARP I've not carried a tent in my bug-out bag for years, because it's simply too heavy, and it wastes space. Instead, ensure you've got a high-quality waterproof tarp, and the means to string it up when you setup camp. I've got about 100 meters of paracord in my bug-out-bag that I can cut and use as I need. Exposure is one of the biggest threats you'll face to your immediate survival, so it's critical you're able to keep the rain off, and stay dry.

A FIRE-STARTING KIT A fire boosts morale, keeps predators away from your camp, and gives you a way to purify water and cook any meals you have. Have at least 3 different ways of getting a flame, I usually pack a cigarette lighter, a flint-steel, and a small box of waterproof matches. I've also got a tinder kit, which contains a little char-cloth and some homemade fire-starters (petroleum jelly mixed with cotton buds), to help. A FLASHLIGHT

A WAY TO COMMUNICATE

Pack one into your bug-out-bag, along with some spare batteries. Being able to see at night can help you cover more ground, establish a better perimeter around your camp, or just give you a means to see.

Get a crank radio so you can at least listen to any local updates being broadcast. A pair of walkie-talkies can help members of your group stay in touch if you've got more than one in your party, and I'd also recommend that everyone you care about also knows your bug-out plans, so they can meet you along the way if need be.

A WAY TO PURIFY WATER It's not safe to drink from most water sources you find in the wild, so you need to ensure your bug-out bag has a way of making any water you collect safe to drink. I've got a pack of waterpurification tablets in mine, along with a water bottle that has a built-in filtration system.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

THREE DAYS OF FOOD

The best way to combat hypothermia is warm and protective clothing. Dress in layers so you can remove pieces as you need, and if you're in an area that gets particularly cold I'd also pack a sleeping bag. It's bulky, but it'll make a big difference when you bed down for the night. Oh, and throw in a change of underwear and a new pair of socks. You’ll thank me when they get wet.

Without fuel for your body you're not going to last long, so ensure you've got enough food packed without weighing your pack down too much. Choose high-calorie meals, and snacks like protein bars, chocolate, and dried fruit and nuts that will keep your energy levels up while you're evacuating. At a minimum, ensure you've got at least 2,000 calories per day in your bag.

“It’s not safe to drink from most water sources in the wild…

BASIC FIRST AID SUPPLIES There's a few basics that will certainly come in handy. Painkillers, along with any blister kits you may need after walking all day. Bandages just in case, along with something for the bug bites. I'd also throw in some sunscreen, antidiarrhea medication and a couple of series of antibiotics. YOUR TOILETRIES It's important you have sanitation supplies in your bug out kit. A toothbrush and toothpaste make a big difference at the end of a day. So does a roll of toilet paper or some wet wipes. I'd also throw in hand sanitizer, and a bar of soap.

A LARGE KNIFE

A WAY TO DEFEND YOURSELF

You want a knife that's sturdy enough to use it to split kindling for your fire, yet comfortable enough when you're skinning or cleaning an animal. I prefer a fixed blade, with a knife that has a decent amount of "heft" in it.

For me, this is my handgun, but I've met other survivalists who prefer to rely on their knife. But please consider at least consider getting a gun. In a fullscale crisis, the people who cross your path are going to be hungry and desperate, which is a recipe for disaster if they decide they want what you have. Being able to defend yourself is critical.

YOUR I.D. DOCUMENTS Being able to identify yourself is important, and I'd recommend making a quick file with some of your most important documents inside. Like your birth certificate, driver's license, and a page outlining your blood type, allergies, and contact details of those most important to you.

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Packing your bug-out bag isn't rocket science, but it does require you to put a little thought into each item in your kit. With the right gear, you'll have no trouble spending a couple of nights on the run, and safely making it to your bug-out location to ride out the crisis.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

HOW TO START A FIRE NO MATTER WHAT After watching a friend syphon off a little petrol to get a fire started, I knew it wouldn't end well. The whoosh as the fire sparked into life was more than enough to send us all running, and burn the leg hair off of my unfortunate friend. Needless to say, I've been a little more careful when it comes to using accelerants in fire making, but I still do. Some may call it cheating, but I believe there's no such thing when it comes to survival. If you need a fire, or are in a bad situation, you need to get a fire started as fast as possible. That's all there is to it.

But this hinges on a key principle. You need to know how to get a fire started in the first place. There's far too many people today who have never spent any time outdoors, and they lack key skills, like how to actually get the fire going. I can't believe this. If you ever hope to survive in the wild, you need to understand fundamentals wilderness survival skills like fire making. You won’t make it otherwise. The trappings of modern society are great, but it's important you know how to make a fire.

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It’s not rocket science, but you’ve got to think about it if you want your fire to be successful. You need a plan. The real trick is to understand what it takes to get a fire started. You need to build a base of tinder, that contains enough fast-burning material to get the larger sticks and kindling above burning, before the tinder burns out. I usually aim for around two thirds tinder to one thirds kindling, with a nearby stack I can add to any areas that are burning particularly well.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

THE BASICS OF A CAMPFIRE To get a fire going you need three things. A source of fuel. Enough oxygen to feed the flames. And of course, a source of ignition. The first two are rather easy to come by, but the ignition source can be tricky. Of course, a cheap lighter will do the trick, and you could also try: #1. #2. #3. #4. #5.

A bow drill A bamboo saw A magnifying glass A battery and steel wool A book of matches

What you're trying to do is create a flame, or an ember that allows your tinder to ignite into a flame. Personally, I never go anywhere in the wild without my flint steel. It's on a lanyard I wear around my neck. Because I know that whatever happens, I'll be able to create a spark and get a fire going. It won't matter if it gets wet, and it'll not run out of gas.

I’ve also got a nifty pair of laces in my boots that have ferrocerium tips, and a steel striker plate. So I've always got a backup firestarter, no matter what. TESTING YOUR FIRE-MAKING SKILLS Now, how well you've built the fire can be tested with a simple exercise. Take a single match, and light the fire. If it takes off, you've got it right. If not, adjust and try again. You may also need to revisit the building blocks of a fire. It's pretty simple. The tinder on the bottom, which consists of thinly shaved bark, dry leaves and grasses, and other quick burning materials. Above this, is a bed of tiny sticks thinner than your smallest finger, and of course some larger material for once the fire gets going. The looser you can stack these the better, as it'll allow more oxygen to feed the flames and get your tinder to the point of combustion. Pack it too tight and the fire will struggle to get started.

WHERE TO FIND NATURAL TINDER Now there's going to be times you struggle to get a fire started. In the rain, and areas where it's cold and wet, having a fire is rather important in keeping you alive. But it can be a bugger to get started in the first place. Because wet tinder won't hold a spark. I always carry my homemade fire-starters with me, which is simply an altoids tin that contains cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. But there's also ways to find fire-starters in the wild. Birch Bark. It contains a high concentration of oils, and I've found that it'll sometimes even hold a spark when it's wet. Just scrape the bark into a coin-sized pile of thin shavings, and send your sparks into the middle. Tinder fungus. You'll also find this under the branches on a birch tree, you want to look under the charred, shelllike birch bark for this corky, brown fungus. You can send sparks straight into it and they will hold until you blow into a flame with your tinder.

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Old Man's Beard. On a damp day, it's going to absorb the moisture in the air, so pick it and put it under your shirt so it'll dry. Just make sure you don't squish it, and it stays in its natural, fluffy state. You'll find it growing in spruce thickets. Conifer resin. Basically, any resinous pine tree is going to have a hard, sticky sap that burns well. You just need to find a spot on a tree where a branch has broken or the tree has been injured. Take the hard sap and wrap it in your tinder bundle. It takes a bit to light it, but once it catches it will burn for a long time. There's no "trick" when it comes to starting a fire in the wild. All it requires is a good understanding of the fundamentals of fire building, and using the materials around you to ensure you've got the materials you need to get the flames roaring. In the wet, always look for natural accelerants like pine resin or birch bark, if you want to stand a chance to get your fire going.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017

DIAPERS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES ONCE THE SHTF I'm all about living sustainably, and as we welcomed our second kid into our family we were struck with the same question that most parents have asked themselves over the years. Should we be using cloth diapers? Or disposable ones? There's good arguments for both sides. But essentially it comes down to sustainability v. convenience. Now we're on our homestead, we try to reduce our waste as much as possible. There's no a garbage collector dropping by twice a week to get rid of our trash. We've got to bag it up and drop it off in bulk. For us, it seemed a logical choice to go with cloth. So we didn't have a massive pile of landfill diapers building up, using cloth helps keep our environmental impact down. Plus once a diaper is more than a day or two old, you're going to want them gone. Trust me. But after doing this a few months I have to tell you. It's not for the faint of heart. Using cloth diapers, and washing them yourself requires you to be committed. It's a chore to constantly be cleaning these, one that we blissfully ignored with our first child in the city. We had a diapering service cleaning these for us, so it was simply out of sight and out of mind.

But not these days. OPTIONS FOR CLOTH DIAPERS Overall, you're going to spend far less on cloth diapers than you would if you choose disposable. It's just far more practical to buy something and use it again and again, than to dispose of it. And when your kid is going through anywhere from 4-8 diapers a day, this cost can add up quick. Second-hand sets are a great way to get cloth diapers cheap, just make sure to give them a good wash before using them on your own kids. I've seen sets for just a couple of hundred dollars in my local classifieds, whereas you can spend anywhere from $400 to $800 bucks on these new. Even though this seems expensive, if you add up what it costs for disposable diapers, cloth is always going to be cheaper in the long run. WHY CHOOSE DISPOSABLE Ultimately it comes down to convenience. Being able to take the mess your kid has made, roll it up and toss it straight into the trash is convenient. Satisfying. And often what you actually want to do if you're changing a particularly bad diaper.

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With disposable, there's no rinsing, washing or stain removing to be done. You don't need to constantly be hanging them out to dry, folding and putting them away. It's fine if you've got the time on your hands to do this, but it can get time consuming, especially as your kids won't start potty training until they're at least two. That's two years of washing diapers almost daily so they're dry and ready to go again.

“it seemed a logical choice to go with cloth…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2017 cont. Of course, you can always get a cleaning service for cloth diapers, but in a crisis, you can imagine that no b u s i n e s s i s g o i n g t o c o n t i nu e operations as normal. So, you've got to make a choice. Do you wash these yourself, or do you buy disposable just in case? WHAT ABOUT DURING A SHTF SCENARIO? When a crisis hits, you can never really imagine just how bad it's going to be. Despite my insistence for using cloth diapers, during a disaster, it makes sense to go with disposable. If not for the convenience, you need to think about a thousand and one different things that could go wrong. Being able to eliminate one concern, that is, how to keep your baby in a clean diaper, is one less thing you need to wor r y about. And if you're particularly concerned about the environment, there are now a large number of manufacturers offering compostable diapers that break down to reduce the environmental impact.

In our stockpile, I've already come to terms with the fact that disposable diapers take up a huge amount of space. We've got a single shelf that contains about a year's worth, as my plan is to use cloth diapers if at all possible on our homestead. But there will be times where cloth is completely impractical. Like if you need to bug out or evacuate your home. That's when disposable diapers will really come in handy. Do yourself a favor. If you've got kids, or see a chance of kids coming along, ensure you've got disposable diapers in your stockpile. When stuffed into your bug out bag disposable diapers take up less space than their cloth counterparts, but that's not the best part. You can simply throw away a disposable diaper once its dirtied. You won't need to worry about carting around extra water and cleaning supplies, or worrying about how you're actually going to have the time to wash these. It's just not practical to have cloth diapers in a bug-out situation.

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Just make sure you do a couple of test runs first. You'll find some brands are far better than others at preventing leaks, and your baby may even have an allergic reaction to them if they've been on cloth their entire life. Oh, and don't forget to rotate your stock. Your baby will quickly outgrow the infant sizes, and remember that you'll also need the wet-wipes, creams, and all the other necessities in your bug-out kit for your kid. It's more to carry, but thinking ahead will ensure you're not weighed down with too much gear. Just make sure you get a great backpack to keep it all organized. For me, I'm trying hard to make cloth diapers work in our daily life and I believe that in a long-term grid-down situation, we'll be fine with these. We've got running water on our homestead, and keeping these clean and washed won't be a problem. But should we ever need to evacuate and head to our bug out location, I'm only ever going to have disposable diapers in my pack.