October 2018

DON’T MISS: CREATING A SECURE BUG OUT LOCATION

SMART FISHING TECHNIQUES TO SURVIVE IN THE WILD

IN THIS ISSUE:

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE YOU PULL THE TRIGGER

OCTOBER 2018

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR PREPS

DON’T FALL FOR THESE DOOMSDAY MYTHS

IS THAT USED GUN SAFE TO BUY?

THE ART OF BARTERING WHEN THE SHTF

STAYING SANITARY WHEN BUGGING OUT and more…

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

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Contents

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FEATURED

CREATING A SECURE BUG OUT LOCATION When the SHTF things are going to get real ugly, real fast. Hunger, a lack of preparation, and of course, all of the delinquents out to take advantage of the less fortunate. Well, it's a recipe for…

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SMART FISHING TECHNIQUES WHEN YOU’RE IN THE WILD If you've ever spent any time in the wild with an empty stomach, you know how important it is to be able to catch your own food. A full belly will give you energy to trek to your bug out…

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SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO PAY FOR PREPS I don’t have to tell you that this lifestyle is expensive. You're probably already putting a massive chunk of your weekly paycheck onto your day-to-day living expenses, and spending what little…

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IS THAT USED GUN SAFE TO BUY? New guns are expensive items to buy, and they're only getting more so. One question I get asked all the time from my students is why not buy used. I myself have bought many used guns, but…

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STAYING SANITARY WHEN YOU’RE BUGGING OUT When I was a kid I loved going camping. But my mother would always complain about the state of the shower when I returned home. Scrubbing the accumulated dirt and grime off would…

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BEFORE PULLING THE TRIGGER KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT It's one of those situations you hope never happens to you. You've been attacked by an armed criminal, and to defend your own life you've drawn your firearm and taken them down. But…

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DON’T FALL FOR THESE DOOMSDAY MYTHS After shows like Doomsday Preppers placed a spotlight on this lifestyle, things just started to snowball. People started sharing crazier and crazier notions of "survival" and what's worse…

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MASTER THE ART OF BARTERING WHEN THE SHTF Bartering is a dying art. These days we've all got a wallet full of cash, plastic cards that allow us to make purchases, and stores that would certainly look at you funny if you tried to exchange…

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HOW TO MANAGE A FALLING OUT WITH YOUR SURVIVAL GROUP We all know the importance of having a strong community when it comes to survival. Extra hands for the big tasks, extra eyes for lookouts while you sleep, and the added sense of…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

CREATING A SECURE BUG OUT LOCATION When the SHTF things are going to get real ugly, real fast.

THINK ABOUT DEFENDING YOUR HOME

Hunger, a lack of preparation, and of course, all of the delinquents out to take advantage of the less fortunate.

The last thing you want is a group of bad guys coming up on your location without even triggering an alarm.

Well, it's a recipe for disaster.

If you're able to select the spot for your bug out location, choose somewhere that's a little higher than the surrounding area (it makes it easier to defend when your attackers are coming uphill), and you've got a clear line of sight to see anyone approaching.

But when push comes to shove, you are the only one who can keep your family safe. And part of that is creating a secure bug out location. It's probably one of the most important tasks you face, because without the right protection, you risk not only all of your supplies, but your family's well being too. BE SMART WHEN CHOOSING YOUR BUG OUT LOCATION There's no point locking yourself down in one spot if it's not got everything you need. Make sure there's plenty of space for your family, your stockpile of supplies, and also that you've got access to fresh water sources and adequate hunting grounds. I'd also recommend your land be big enough to harvest your own food, we've setup greenhouses and aquaponics and I couldn't tell you the last time I needed to actually buy fresh produce from the store. We grow all of it ourselves.

I've also installed movement sensors at key points on our property, so we're alerted if anyone approaches our gate, and a few other natural spots intruders are likely to come from. BUY THE GEAR YOU NEED TO DEFEND YOURSELF Now here's where things start getting fun. Everyone should have a small arsenal in their bug out location, to fight back if you have people with ill intent on your doorstep. I'd suggest at least a couple of longrange rifles, a shotgun and a handgun for every adult on the property. And if you've got the cash to spend, you can't go wrong with a few semiautomatic rifles.

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Make sure you've got plenty of ammunition for all of your weapons, you’re going to need far more than you think you need. Oh, and don't forget all the replacement parts, cleaning kits, and the training you need in order to learn how to shoot in high-stress situations. DON’T GIVE MARAUDERS A CLEAR PATH TO YOUR DOOR Your goal here is to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to reach your doorstep. They shouldn’t be able to walk onto your property without your knowledge.

“a shotgun and a handgun for every adult on the property…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 cont. In our home we've done a few things to deter anyone intent on getting to us. The first, was to build out bug out location on a rise by a small lake. That way we're well out of the way of any rising floodwaters, yet if you think about our home sitting in the center of a circle, about 60 percent of this is water. Unless they bring their own boat, they won't be able to sneak up on our six. Our driveway was intentionally created to cross a small stream, and the wooden bridge that allows us to get in would be one of the first things I'd remove once the SHTF. We've got thick natural forest along the entire perimeter of the property, along with our barbed wire fencing, and it's all pretty inhospitable to cross (there's at least 50 to a hundred yards of thorny blackberries we planted that they'll need to fight through). THE IMPORTANCE OF LINE OF SIGHT If you're not able to spot your target, you won't be able to shoot back. We intentionally created a massive clearing where we built our home so there's at least a couple of hundred yards of open space so we've got a c l e a r l i n e o f s i g h t t o a n yo n e approaching. We've also got a rooftop balcony that wraps around our entire home, with a railing system crafted from thick planks of hardwood. It looks aesthetically pleasing, but it also gives us a 360 degree access and a barricade we can return fire from. If there's a threat, we can take the appropriate action. INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR BETTER DEFENSES I men tio n ed ea r li er a b o ut th e movement sensors we have, but this is just the first line of technology defense we've got in our security plans. There's a smaller inner electric fence to keep any animals at bay, and we've got massive spotlights that can turn our home and the clearing surrounding it from night into day. There's smaller sensor-activated lights that light up on any movement. And we've got internet-enabled security camera's across our entire property.

So we can always see what's happening. And if that's not enough, I just bought a few smaller drones that I can fly to any location and see exactly what's going on, and pinpoint the location and status of anyone on my property. My wife calls me paranoid, but it's all part of having a smart plan. DON’T FORGET YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE But even with all of these preparations, I know that even the best plans can fail. You can be surprised, outnumbered or outgunned, and it's important to have an escape plan in place before you need it. We've got two. A small jetty that backs onto our house is setup with a boat we can use to get to an impassable piece of our property (you can't follow us on a motorbike or a car).

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And there's a small utility shed on the other side that's got a couple of motorbikes in it, just in case. The other is an access tunnel I had built into our basement. It leads about 100 yards away, completely underground, and pops up into a secluded spot behind one of our sheds. It's our get out of dodge tunnel, just in case. The only way you can be truly ready to survive is to be ready for anything. When it comes to creating a secure bug out location, it's up to you to have the gear, weapons, tactics and plans to keep your family safe, and the escape plans to get out if things turn for the worst.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

SMART FISHING TECHNIQUES WHEN YOU’RE IN THE WILD

The hardest thing to fashion yourself is fishing line, while green vines can work, you're much better off having a few lengths in your kit.

If you've ever spent any time in the wild with an empty stomach, you know how important it is to be able to catch your own food. A full belly will give you energy to trek to your bug out location, and keep you on your feet when you're tired after a long day. And one of the best sources of good protein are the fish living in the waterways all over the country.

One method I like to use when I'm in the wild is to "set and forget" my lines. I'll attach three or four lengths of baited line, each tied to a short (3 to 4 foot branch) hanging above the water. If there's no trees you could always bang a post into the shore for the anchor.

I like to think I've mastered the art of "survival fishing." That is, improvising the gear I need to catch a feed of fish no matter where I am. Of course, things will be far easier if you've got a small fishing kit in your bug out bag. Because hooks and lures, swivels, sinkers and line are possible to fashion yourself, but it takes far more time than it's worth. Spend a few bucks and have at least the bare minimum of gear. HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION There are so many variables when it comes to finding fish, it's impossible to distill it all into a single post. Fishing in a stream is different to a lake, and of course you're going to need to target your fishing style, depths and even the bait being used on the specific fish species you're after. The best option here is experience. Do your research in your local area, and try different spots. In general, I've usually had the best success near structures, like a grass bed, weeds, tree trunks and other rocky foundations. Fish like interesting pieces of water, where they can hide. HOW TO FASHION YOUR OWN GEAR If you're wanting to add a little distance to your casting, you need a rod. I like to cut a green branch or sapling that has some g ood f lex, and trim off everything except the main branch. Then just tie your line and hook, with the weight to the end. Just use about 6 or 7 feet of line as you won't have a reel. Your goal is to simple lift the fish out of the water once it's hooked. Without hooks I'd recommend breaking up animal bones for a sharp shard, and you can use small rocks as a weight.

SETTING YOUR LINES OVERNIGHT

Then I just come and check these periodically, even leaving them overnight sometimes so I've a fresh feed of fish waiting for me in the morning. It's the least taxing fishing you can do, and allows you to get on with your other survival tasks around camp. Depending on the fish you're targeting you could use weighted baits, or use balloons or floats or even just an old plastic bottle to hold the hooks at the surface. BUILDING A FISH TRAP OUT OF VINES There's a couple of techniques you can use to create a fish trap, there's two I really like. The first works well if you've a relatively calm piece of water with little tidal movement. You're going to need about 40 or 50 lengths of branches, that are about 2 to 3 feet in length. What you're going to make is essentially a giant "W" trap, by pushing the sticks into the mud so they stay in place. I use the thicker branches for supporting poles, and then push leafier ones in to close the gaps. The only opening should be right in the center of the "W" for the fish to swim in. Once they do, they will struggle to find the exit, and you can either reach in and grab them by hand, or use a spear. The second is creating a basket. It works on a similar principle, that the fish swim inside and cannot figure out how to escape, but this is created out of 6 or 7 longer branches, woven together with soft vines. Start by tying the ends of the branches together, then use a vine to interweave these all the way along. Your goal is to make what essentially looks like a laundry basket. For the top, you will weave a similar funnel as a separate piece, and then just tie it in place with the funnel pointing in.

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Of course, you're going to need to bait these traps to attract the fish, but they are great as they will continue to produce fish for you again and again, the only downside is the time needed to build them initially. LEARN HOW TO SPEARFISH Making a pole spear is as simply as firehardening the tip of a long branch in a fire, splitting it into four prongs, inserting a thin stick to push them out, and sharpen the points. On a beach setting a pole spear can help you fish in the tidal rock pools for any trapped fish, crabs or octopus, and if you've got a snorkel you could even try swimming out onto the reef to catch your meal. Of course, this works far better with a speargun and a pair of flippers, and spearfishing is a sport I highly recommend to every survivalist. Being a nature lover, I'm not going to go into the details of poison fishing or netting, as these are both highly unsustainable and practices that need to stop. There's no reason to destroy an environment for one meal, and the bycatch is just not worth it. When it all comes down to it, knowing how to fish is an important survival skill. It's one of the best ways to bring in a healthy supply of fresh protein, and with a little practice you'll be bringing in more fish than you know what to do with.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 GET SMART WITH SPENDING Another smart move is to control everything you're dropping money on. Call your phone provider and see if there's a better deal. Cancel any subscriptions you don’t use, like your cable or the Dollar Shave Club promotion you never got around to using. And start spending smart. Use coupons when you're at the super market. Buy food in large quantities when it's on sale and freeze it. Oh, and things like dropping $7 on a Starbucks before work each morning. You gotta stop doing that. I bought an old coffee filter at a garage sale for $5, and I go through a fresh bag of beans like once a month. It's much more affordable, and it's probably betterquality coffee too. CLEAR OUT YOUR CLUTTER

SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO PAY FOR PREPS I don’t have to tell you this lifestyle is expensive. You're probably putting a massive chunk of your weekly paycheck onto your day-to-day living expenses, and spending what little is leftover on as much extra food, guns, ammunition and every other piece of gear you need. Then comes your bug out location, and everything you need to do to get your family completely off the grid. It's a massive investment, and no one is going to give you a hand out. It's up to you to find ways to raise a little more cash to better fund this lifestyle choice. For me, I've done my fair share of odd jobs. And done consistently, these simple strategies add up fast. FIND A COMPLEMENTARY SECOND JOB The first, was to get another job. But not just anything. I wanted to get more fit, and I was spending most mornings walking around my neighborhood. So I started delivering newspapers. It didn't pay much (I took home an extra $200 a week), but it gave me cash for something I was already doing. Think about what you're spending your time on, and find a way to make money from it. It could be dog walking. Or whatever it is you're into. You could even get a night job flipping burgers. The money adds up fast, especially if you've not got that much time to spend it.

BE AVAILABLE FOR ODD JOBS Now if there's one thing we survivalists love, it's a good bit of machinery. With my property I've got a rather decent mower, and I can power through a home fast. One week I dropped a bunch of flyers (while I was on my mail route) advertising a lawn mowing ser vice, and I signed up three customers my first month, and I do about 5 to 7 on a regular basis now. At $30 a pop, at least once a month, that's at least another $150 in my pocket. Often more. You could do the same for power-washing, junk removal, or start your own hauling side gig with just your truck. There's so many opportunities, if you've got a little hustle to do it. HOST A PET-SITTING SERVICE This was one of the most fun things we've done. We've got so much space on our property, there's an old empty stable that was just going to waste. So, we converted it to kennels, installed CCTV cameras so pet owners could check in on their little darlings, and fenced off almost half an acre of land for their dogs to roam. We're a little fussy about the dogs who we host (we've got our own pets too and don't want to cause too many issues), but this is a steady little earner that usually see's us having two or three new pets each month for a visit. Our kids love it.

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I don't know about you, but after a nice "purge" to unclutter my life a bit, I feel good. The last garage sale we held netted us almost $700. Clothes we never wore, gear we never used, and useless pieces of furniture that were simply taking up space all had to go. You could also do that same selling things on your local classifieds site, or even on eBay. My wife has a knack for repainting and refinishing old wooden furniture, and she'll turn a $5 wooden chair into an "art deco" piece that sells for $40 or more when she advertises it on eBay. There's good money to be made with secondhand gear. AIRBNB A SPARE ROOM Now this is something my folks do to a great extent. I've not got the space in my homestead, but they've a beautiful property up in a remote part of their state, that has walk on access to some of the best hiking around. Nearby hotels go for $150+ a night, so once us kids moved out and the whole "app" scene took off, they refurbished out our rooms and now rent them online. They're pulling almost $2,000 a month during summer (the "peak" season), which is a tidy little profit on rooms that would be empty anyway. And mom loves looking after all their guests. You could do the same if you've a little room in your house. There's so much potential for making money in this day and age, I get angry when my friends tell me that funds are tight. Of course, they are. You simply need to think smarter, and find ways to make money from what you have.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

IS THAT USED GUN SAFE TO BUY? New guns are expensive items to buy, and they're only getting more so. One question I get asked all the time from my students is why not buy used. I myself have bought many used guns, but I've also had a couple of duds. With used guns you're almost rolling the dice. You can get a fantastic deal, but you have to know what to look for otherwise you could end up with an unsafe piece of gear. But with the right approach and a close inspection, you can find the diamonds in the rough. I'm personally a sucker for a deal. One of my favorite firearms to this day is a steal I found at an old estate sale. I rather enjoy poking around yard sales when I've a Saturday morning free, and on this particular morning I noticed a small handgun in a cigar box that had obviously been neglected in the back of a cupboard for decades. Surrounded by more rust and rat droppings than anything else, I picked it up for under $100, and after putting it through the works I was surprised to see the internals had been well looked after (for the most part). It was an old colt six-shooter, and I still feel like a cowboy when I shoot it.

But enough about that. When you're buying a used gun there's a few red flags to watch out for. ALWAYS, ALWAYS CHECK IT’S NOT LOADED This should be a given, because far too many people don't follow the rules for good gun safety. Before you do anything with someone else's gun, check that the gun isn't loaded. It's just common sense, too many things can go wrong once you start inspecting the gun if there's a round in the chamber.

LOOK FOR ANY OBVIOUS IMPERFECTIONS When you're considering the purchase of a used gun, you want a jewelers eye loupe to really investigate the condition of the firearm. Pay attention to any cracks, deep scratches in the metal, or any obvious imperfections that may hinder the guns performance. If the final finish is a little worn that's fine, but anything else would be a red flag for me.

And I don't want there to be any accidents. Safety first people. LOOK AT JUST HOW MUCH RUST THERE IS With metal firearms you're always going to find a little rust, but that's not a deal breaker. What you want to watch out for is the deep, pitted rust that shows it's been neglected for years. I'd never recommend buying a firearm if there's massive damage to the metal. Surface rust you can clean off, so take a good look at the overall condition of the gun.

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“there’s a few red flags to watch out for…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 cont. LOOK DOWN THE BARREL AND AT THE MUZZLE Take a look at the end of the muzzle, if it's all roughed up it probably means it's not going to shoot right. You also want a light to look inside the barrel at how many lands and grooves are inside. It's unusual it'll be shot out, but there's always a chance so look closely. A flashlight will help immensely. LOOK AT THE SCREWS ON THE GUN If someone has treated their gun a little rough, you'll notice it in the heads of the screws. If they're burred or warped, it means they've actually removed key pieces of the gun (like the side plate on a revolver), and then you need to wonder what they've fiddled with inside. I'd avoid it. God only knows what they've messed with internally, especially on a semiautomatic. FEEL THE TRIGGER PRESS Once you've shot your fair share of guns, you'll get a feel for the "right" amount of tension in the trigger. Too light, and you know someone's messed with it. Too much movement, and you could be facing a misaligned cylinder that isn't good either. There should be no wiggle room between the forcing cone and the cylinder when it's all closed. On a semi-automatic, make sure to also check the hammer follow through while holding the trigger pressed. If it follows the slide when you're re-racking, it's definitely going to need some work before you can safely shoot it. FEEL THE PLAY IN THE GUN With a semi-automatic there's just so much that can go wrong, but one of the things you can notice is the play in the slide. If you hear a rattle when it's shaken, that's a bad sign. You should also not be able to press down on the barrel hood and get it to move too much. Tighter is better. BUY FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER Now the final piece of advice I can give is this. Buy from a reputable dealer.

Most will have a store policy where they stand behind the guns they sell, which gives you an added reassurance when considering a used gun. Usually they'll throw in a good cleaning, and will offer a limited warranty to repair or replace any malfunctioning parts after the sale. At my local gunsmith they offer a 30 day warranty on any sale, and will replace any used gun with store credit if it doesn't shoot safely.

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Buying a used firear m isn't as dangerous as people think. In fact, it's a smart way to arm yourself without breaking the bank, so long as you know what to look for. The trick is to inspect the weapons thoroughly, and be willing to wait for the right deal. Shop around, and only buy a gun if it feels right.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

STAYING SANITARY WHEN YOU’RE BUGGING OUT

When I was a kid I loved going camping. But my mother would always complain about the state of the shower when I returned home. Scrubbing the accumulated dirt and grime off would always leave the bathroom a mess, but as I got older I realized I was doing camping wrong. You see, I used it as an excuse to get a little wild, and throw good hygiene out the window.

But now I know about all the nasty bugs and bacteria living in the woods, and the simple ways you can still stay sanitary when you're spending weeks, and months, living in the wild. In a griddown scenario, knowing how to stay clean is critical to your survival. Because the biggest killer is going to be sickness. As people go down with infections that could have been totally prevented with a little common sense. You need to find ways to stay clean.

SHAMPOO IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE If you've got a full head of hair, or you've got your wife and daughter along with you, having some travel-sized packs of shampoo is a godsend. Many women like washing their hair daily, and it will quickly get oily and dirty fast, especially if they're sporting a long hair style. In a pinch you can also use normal soap to break down the oils when you shower, just ensure whatever you're using is biodegradable so you're not doing any untoward damage to the area you're bathing in. Oh, and a bandana and a hat is a good improvise to keep the dirt out if you're in an area that's relatively dry. Or in a real crisis you could always take your knife to it and give them a nice short crop. It's much easier to care for short hair in a survival situation, and it'll always grow back.

DON’T FORGO A GOOD SOAPY SCRUB Just because you're in the woods, it's no excuse to let yourself get dirty. At a bare minimum you should always wash your hands before preparing or cooking any food. You don't want to transfer in any nasty bacteria to the food you're about to eat. It's also a good idea to give yourself a good scrub when you have the chance, to prevent infections and the spread of bacteria. My advice is to pack a biodegradable soap so you're free to wash in any stream or a lake you come across. If water is scarce, you could always use wet wipes and hand sanitizer on key areas that need a clean. If you've got none of these you'll have to improvise. We used to do beach scrubs on our long treks up the coast, using sand and salt water to stay (relatively) clean. There's also many "soap" plants you can crush up to get a good soapy later in the wild, do your research locally and ensure you know what they look like. I'd not recommend making your own soap in camp, but in a pinch you can mix up animal fat with ashes from your fire for a homemade alternative.

BE SMART WITH YOUR BATHROOM BREAKS Going to pee in the woods is fine, and my advice here is to ensure you're not trying to "hold it in" too much. It will cause UTIs and a world of problems. Just drink enough water, and ensure you're peeing regularly. For the girls a roll of toilet paper or a clean cloth can help to wipe dry, and if you let it dry in the sun the cloth can be used multiple times before it needs a wash. We usually just wash it when we bathe during the day. Going number two requires a bit more planning, just use your biodegradable wet-wipes to clean up afterwards, and always bury your business.

REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR TEETH CLEAN

HOW ABOUT YOUR WIFE’S MONTHLY FLOWS?

Every time you're heading into the wild, it pays to pack a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. A roll of floss can also help you remove any food that's stuck where your toothbrush can't reach, and it's a good idea to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Otherwise you risk bigger dental problems forming. If you do happen to run out of toothpaste you've still got options. Baking soda can be mixed with a little water to create an alternative "toothpaste," and if you're near the ocean (or have access to salt) you can cook up a mouthwash of salt water to kill off any bacteria in your mouth. Without a toothbrush you can simple break off a pencil-sized twig from a hardwood like birch, oak or maple, pound the end to break up the fibers, give it a bit of a chew then brush away. It's what the native Americans did, and it works a treat.

It's a given that a period is a rather big inconvenience in the wild, but it doesn't have to be a deal breaker. Good planning is critical, and whilst you can make your own feminine hygiene products, it's probably smarter to ensure you've got enough to last until you reach your bug out location, and the rest of your stockpile. I understand that it's not really exciting to think about soap and staying clean when you're planning for a SHTF event, but it should be one of your top priorities. Without good sanitation, you're risking the health of you and your family, a risk that's far more prevalent then marauders or anything else that could go wrong during a crisis. Without medical aid, an infection or a sickness could be the last mistake you make.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 WHEN IT’S TIME TO GIVE A STATEMENT

BEFORE PULLING THE TRIGGER KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT It's one of those situations you hope never happens to you. You've been attacked by an armed criminal, and to defend your own life you've drawn your firearm and taken them down. But now comes the scariest part of the whole ordeal. What happens next. Now before we get too far into this I just want to reiterate a point. I'm not a lawyer, and all the advice here I give is general, and is only meant to be informative to give you an idea of what will happen after a shooting. The actual steps may differ from state to state, and your own personal circumstances, my only advice is to do a little research beforehand so you know what you're getting into. It's all part of being a responsible gun owner. THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH The first thing you need to do is ensure the threat is over. Make sure the bad guy is down, and take in everything else going on in the area. Are his friends scattered, or are they circling around to jump you from behind. Once you're in the clear re-holster your weapon and check for any injuries to yourself, or the people around you. MAKING THE 911 CALL Now you're going to need help. But before you call take a breath.

All 911 calls are recorded, and anything you say can actually be introduced as evidence in court. So, don't get caught up in a lengthy discussion of what happened. You can be brief. Tell the operator your location, your name, and a brief summary of what happened. "A man tried to rob me and I had to shoot him" is more than adequate. Ask for the police to be dispatched and to send an ambulance. WHEN THE OFFICERS ARRIVE This is the riskiest part of the whole ordeal. The police are armed, and they are approaching a situation where they know someone has already been shot. They will be on edge, and very likely to shoot first if they feel even the slightest bit unsafe. Be calm, controlled and steady in your movements, and obey every instruction they give. I'd also like to remind you of the importance of being unarmed. You don't want to be mistaken for the attacker or a threat that needs to be taken out. Because remember, they don’t know the players or the details yet of what's happened. Their whole goal is to get the location safe, so you may even be handcuffed or taken down. The best course of action for you is to tell them you're the victim, and to cooperate fully with their commands. They will figure it out soon enough, so just be patient.

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Eventually the police will come to you asking for a statement. You'll be read your constitutional rights, and they'll appear all friendly and tell you this is simply a formality. My advice here is to be very wary. Say the wrong thing now and you could incriminate yourself, even if you did nothing wrong. It's much better to remain polite, and tell the interviewing officer that you're upset, and a little stressed out, and that whilst you intend to cooperate fully, you'd like your attorney present before making any form of statement. This is well within your rights, and the officers cannot force you to do otherwise. So, make the call, and get your attorney to the scene asap. They’ll help you to avoid saying anything you may regret later, or that you could have explained clearer if you had a little time to replay the shooting in your head and remember all the facts. It's not unreasonable to assume that you'll be taken down to the station for further questioning as the officers try to understand what happened, and your role in the shooting. From here, there's far too many variables to explain what happens next. It'll vary from state to state, but be prepared for lots of delays. The officers can keep you in custody for up to 48 hours, while they figure out what to do next. You could be released after the prosecutor's office has reviewed the details of the case and decided not to press charges. You could have a friend or a family member post your bail to get you out while it's all being investigated. Or you stay in jail until your arraignment hearing. This is where a criminal defense attorney is a valuable asset, as they will help navigate the legal system for you and make the process as painless as possible. Shooting another person is a rather big deal, even if you've acted in selfdefense. Because you've taken a life, it lengthy police process you must follow, to ensure, without a question of a doubt, that you had no other option but to pull the trigger. Before you even start carrying a firearm for self-defense, it's important to know what will happen if you were to use it on another person. So you can prepare, and understand the right way to handle it if you ever face a situation like this yourself.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

DON’T FALL FOR THESE DOOMSDAY MYTHS After shows like Doomsday Preppers placed a spotlight on this lifestyle, things just started to snowball. People started sharing crazier and crazier notions of "survival" and what's worse, is that the ill-informed started to believe the hype. And that's where things start getting dangerous, because we all have good intentions, but if you're off in the wrong direction you could be doing more harm than good. Today, I'd like to clear up the biggest myths in the prepping community. YOU WON’T BE BUYING BREAD WITH GOLD I have far too many friends who talk about the merits of hoarding silver and gold over currencies like the greenback. But I can't imagine very many day-today situations where you'll need to actually use these precious metals. Perhaps if you're bargaining a big purchase, like a car, but in my book you'd be much better off getting the gear and supplies you need now, with actual cash. YOUR FOOD WON’T BE ANY GOOD IN 25 YEARS Food storage is of course a critical part of survival, but I hope you realize that food which has been sitting around for almost 3 decades isn't going to be any good for you once you do try to eat it.

“if you're off in the wrong direction you could be doing more harm than good…”

Oh, and you should probably also know these estimations (because that's what they are), are also based on you keeping your stockpile in a temperature-controlled room, at under 55 degrees Fahrenheit. I don't know about you, but that's not my storage room. Instead you'd be better off setting up a rotation system with your stock, and use first-in, first-out to keep your stockpile moving. YOU WILL STRUGGLE TO FIND ENOUGH FOOD FORAGING There's a reason civilization only started advancing once we learned how to farm. For us to thrive we need enough food, and it's impossible to get these from foraging. Once you start hunting, maybe, but then you have to consider the millions of other patriots who are after the small amount of food you're chasing. There won't be enough to go around, and within a short amount of time anything that's even remotely edible will be gone. YOUR GUNS AREN’T ENOUGH AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT In most circles the government is the ultimate bad guy. I've got friends with considerably large amounts of weapons stockpiled, but they've got one thing wrong. Whilst your arsenal may hold off an armed intruder, or a group of looters, against a force like the government you will simply fail. If the government decides to take what's yours, is rounding up troops with a forced conscription, or wants to keep you in quarantine. They will. Your guns aren't enough, they never will be. YOUR CELLPHONE IS USELESS We're all glued to our phones, but in a real crisis the networks we currently rely on for our daily dose of cat memes and social network updates will not work. There are executive orders in place that give the government the ability to seize control of all cellular networks in a crisis. For the good of national security. So, you better have a damn good backup plan to ensure you're still able to remain updated once the SHTF. Things like CB and HAM radio are much harder to shut down. GEAR WILL KEEP YOU SAFE Of course, things get much easier when you have the right survival gear, but if you don’t actually know how to use half the things in your stockpile they might as well not be in there.

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What's most important is that you've had the practice using your gear, you've got the experience to implement all that knowledge in your head, and you actually know what to do in a crisis. That's more important than any piece of gear you could ever buy. YOU NEED A FIREARM WITH “REAL STOPPING POWER” I cringe every time I hear someone brag about the stopping power of their latest handgun. Much like that old phrase, "it's how you use it that counts," I'd feel much safer knowing my wife can actually take a breath and accurately shoot her 9mm, than need a hand cannon that can blow a hole in a refrigerator. It doesn't matter how much stopping power you have if you can't hit your target. YOU’RE READY FOR A CRISIS I've got a couple of friends who are actively looking forward to a grid down scenario. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but they're kidding themselves. I like to think I'm as prepared as I can, but there's always more. And there's still so much that I don't know. Even with my years, my experience, and my strong support networks, I know I would still struggle through a true SHTF collapse. The key to being actually ready, is to realize you know nothing and be willing to learn, adapt and overcome whatever comes your way. When it comes to survival there really is far too much misinformation out there. Armchair warriors on their keyboards doing more talking than anything else. My advice, is to be smart. Use logic in your survival planning, and don't listen to the pseudo-science and anecdotes people use to teach these concepts. They're far too dangerous to get wrong, and I hope I've cleared up a few of the biggest myths here for you today. Stay safe out there people, and here's to your survival.

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

MASTER THE ART OF BARTERING WHEN THE SHTF Bartering is a dying art. These days we've all got a wallet full of cash, plastic cards that allow us to make purchases, and stores that would certainly look at you funny if you tried to exchange actual products for what you need at your home. As a homesteader I like to think I've got a good handle on what it takes to make a good barter, and I've set up a variety of different deals on my home. Things like giving a local beekeeper access to a remote part of my land for their hives, in return for four or five jars of pure honey each month. Far more than we can ever eat, so the excess goes straight into our stockpile. We've also got a friend who comes onto our property every month or two to collect a load of firewood, and in return he gives us a case of his homebrewed beer. Both of these are win-win situations, where we've bartered deals for something other than money.

In a crisis, you need to remember one thing. The money you own is only good so long as someone is willing to accept it. And eventually, in a long, drawn-out crisis, it'll be worthless. You can't eat money. It won't help you keep the lights on in your home, or your family safe and warm. Not unless you burn it. But I have to tell you, firewood would be a better option. In its purest form, bartering is simply the act of trading one product for another. It requires trust on both sides, and most survivalists you'll talk to are aware of the concept. They'll tell you they've got stockpiles of cigarettes, alcohol, ammo and perhaps even gold and silver to trade with once the SHTF. Now this is all well and good, but I haven't got access to the kind of money you'd need to stock up on all of these pricey items, just in case. There's better things to spend on.

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My advice is to find inexpensive, yet useful items, that will last in your stockpile. I like to think that people will get hungry first, before they get bored and start looking for entertainment, then need to find supplies to start making their own clothes and more.

“bartering is the act of trading one product for another…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 SMART RULES BEFORE MEETING FOR A TRADE In a crisis though, there's a few rules I'd recommend before meeting a random person for a trade. These also apply today, you never know what to expect, especially if they're a stranger. 1.

Don't go to the meeting alone, unarmed, or unprepared to defend yourself

2.

Don't meet anyone in a secluded area, find a public place for the trade

3.

Don't invite anyone you don't know to your home (or go to theirs)

4.

Don't fall for the "it's too good to be true" routine, go with your gut if things don't feel right

5.

Don't go without letting someone know where you're going, and when you'll be back

I've got almost a year's supply of food stockpiled right now, and the means to continue replenishing it with both our fully-functioning garden, and our few investments we've made in livestock. I've built up not only a pretty solid survival-oriented library, but I've also got well over a thousand books in my home, that could be a welcome source of entertainment once the grid goes down. I've also got far more crafting gear than almost anyone you can imagine. From sewing machines to knitting needles and wool, many of these items would make a great barter item to the right person.

• Like getting a set of beehives that churn out a steady supply of fresh honey. • Like raising a clutch of hens that regularly produce eggs for your breakfast. • Like collecting the heritage seeds from your garden to help others grow their own food. • Like learning how to cook your own soaps and washing products for staying clean

Any time I'm looking for a particular item, I put posts up on the local bulletin board, put an ad in our community newspaper, and make a few posts on local forums. There's always a few hits, and by ending the ad with "bartering welcomed" you may be surprised at the offers you get. Personally, there's a few things I know I'll want when the SHTF, and would make great items for me.

• Like learning how to skin and prepare furs and hides for use in clothes

A n y t h i n g m e d i c a l r e l a t e d , l i ke antibiotics and medicine, spices and condiments for cooking, batteries and small electronics, and fuel (of pretty much any kind).

I've also got more than my fair share of fishing and hunting gear, along with more equipment that I could possibly ever use myself.

Think about what skills you have, and what resources you've got on your property to create the sort of items you think other people will want.

Of course, we've got these in our stockpile, but I know how important they’ll be to the people who are woefully unprepared.

It's both backup gear for me, and easily tradeable items.

Then start stockpiling them.

The key is to use your imagination. I always say that one man's trash is another man's treasure, so think about what you've got in your home that could make for a good barter. There's more to it than just having a pile of silver coins, or carton after carton of cigarettes.

Or better yet, you could always learn how to make tradable items yourself. • Like a garden that produces fruit or vegetables you could jar or pickle.

Once you've got some items to barter, it's time to put your skills into practice. I'd recommend getting started sooner (rather than later), as this will also help you build a bit of a reputation locally.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018

HOW TO MANAGE A FALLING OUT WITH YOUR SURVIVAL GROUP We all know the importance of having a strong community when it comes to survival.

He was single for a long time and found a partner who unfortunately didn't support this lifestyle.

Extra hands for the big tasks, extra eyes for lookouts while you sleep, and the added sense of security and comfort you'll have with a bigger group. There is strength in numbers, and it's why most survivalists will recommend you to join a survival group.

She pushed back on everything, and it was the cause of massive tension within all of us, until things came to a head when she raided one of our bug out locations. It was weeks before we even knew. But she sold off pretty much all the gear she could get her hands on, as retaliation for her partners spending on survival. We lost hundreds of dollars in gear, that we had bought as a group. Needless to say, we decided it was best to part ways before things got any worse.

But I want to share a word of caution. You need to choose wisely, as these people will be privy to your most confidential plans. And if they breach your trust or betray the group, it can have serious repercussions. First, I want to tell you one thing. You don't have to forgive them. I'm a little harsh with who I let into my inner circles, and I trust them implicitly. If someone breaks my trust, for whatever reason, it's on me now to decide whether or not I'll forgive them. Of course, you are going to need to consider just how much they know about you and your family, and the supplies and preps you've made. It does hurt when a trusted ally goes south. We had a member of our group who had a rather large falling out a few years back.

THINK ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT’S BEEN DONE Your operational security is critical in a crisis, as even a little bit of knowledge can do serious harm. While you may not be able to relocate to a new location, what you can change is your survival plans and all of your operational procedures. Create new rally points, new caches for your survival gear, and be willing to update everything that you possibly can to reduce the damage that's been done.

Here's how we managed it. BE WILLING TO SAY IT’S OVER Now it'll depend on the reason for the betrayal of course, but you're always going to wonder when it will happen again. In a crisis, the people in your group need to be reliable. If they're no longer interested in pulling their weight, don't be afraid to cut them loose and send them packing. Especially if they’ve done something like cheat you out of money, or do inappropriate things with a friends spouse or partner. Who knows what they'll try when the rule of law is gone. Better to let them go now, before they do something that threatens the life of your family or worse.

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“we decided it was best to part ways before it got any worse…”

VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - OCTOBER 2018 cont. You want this bad egg to know as little about you as possible, so that if a crisis does hit, they can't use what they used to know against you and the rest of your survival group. Or like in our case, beforehand. Our stores are valuable, and if they're not there when you need them you can be in big trouble. If you're the one being outed, I'd also consider a relocation and a fresh start. It'll be much simpler than knowing there's so many people around you who know your plans inside and out (and may still be harboring a grudge). BLOOD ISN’T ALWAYS THICKER THAN WATER If its someone in your family who has betrayed you, don't be afraid to cut them lose. Of course, your immediate family presents a challenge, but if it's your parents, or your adult kids who have let you down, my advice would be to simply scale back what you tell them. A divided household is not what you want when the SHTF, and remember. If they've happily betrayed you once, you can be sure they'll do it again. It may seem harsh because you're outing your own flesh and blood, but getting rid of a toxic influencer in your life is a good move, no matter who they are. You'll feel much better once it's done.

DON’T LET YOUR BOSS HOLD IT OVER YOU This is a word of warning for anyone looking to broaden their group. Never, ever, bring your boss or colleagues into your survival group. It's a recipe for disaster, as you've already got an unbalanced relationship. They're used to working with you and bossing you around now, imagine what life will be like when the SHTF. But if you've already got them in, and they turn out to be less than desirable, cut all ties. Find a new job, and separate yourself as much as possible from any fallout. The last thing you want is someone actively sabotaging your career and finances now, or keeping a steady watch on what you're doing without them in the group. Keep your personal and work life as separate as possible. A L W A Y S P R A C T I C E YO U R OPERATIONAL SECURITY Now when it all comes down to it actually managing your survival group requires a balance. You need to give them enough information and insights on your plans so they can assist and you can all "work together" to make it through a crisis. But you need to hold enough back that they've not got anything to betray you with if they decide to become less than reliable.

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Be smart with the information you share, and don't give them an open book to all your plans, stock lists, and supplies. In our group we've become much more cautious after the fall out, and we've also flagged key pieces of intel that we no longer share (like our caches of supplies). It was a massive effort to relocate these, and one member even sold their bug out location because they no longer trusted it was secure. These days, we're much more cautious with the information we share, which is probably a good thing, Losing a member of your survival group can hurt, but if your smart you'll cut the ties fast. If you don't want to have to completely rework all of your survival plans I'd recommend being smart about any information you do share, especially if it's a critical part of your plan, like your hidden caches of gear. There's no reason other people need to know the full extent of your plans. It's just too risky.