LOCKDOWN:
PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR ANY EMERGENCY
O O K : L T S F I R A L C C I T C A S T D R D ’ S A W K H A M T O
SIX CELL PHONE SURVIVAL TOOLS THAT WORK
THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE:
INSIDE THE CDC
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OUT OF THE ELEMENTS:
17 TARP SHELTERS |||||||||||||||
SNOWBOUND AND HUNGRY:
B I O L O G I CA L — E R A F R A W Y D A E R W O H A R E Y O U ?
HOW THE DONNER PARTY SURVIVED
SPECIAL SECTIONS
Learn To To Read a Topo Topo Map Make a Tea-Light Tea-Light Heater Heater When the Bleeding Won’t Stop Fieldstrip Your Your Colt 1911 1911
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Bacteria, Bugs, and Bioterrorism: Surviving Something You Can’t See By Carrie Visintainer
John Galletta is a anti-nuclear terrorist trainer and one of the driving forces behind apparel company Brothers & Arms USA. Biohazard suit is courtesy Orange County Waste Management, Securis Tactical Tomahawk courtesy DRD Tactical.
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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) Volume 3, Number 7 is published 9 times a year – January, February, April/May, June, July, August, September, November, December by Engaged Media by Beckett, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o Engaged Media by Beckett, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244. © 2014 by Beckett Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 | DECEMBER 2014
FEATURES 16 A LITTLE GIRL’S DREAM: THE KIRAVAN An Uber-Techy Million-Dollar Adventure Truck By Ryan Lee Price 24 STORIES OF SURVIVAL: THE DONNER PARTY A Journey into the Greatest Tragedy in the History of Western Migration By Bryan Dumas 28 CIRCUMVENTING CATASTROPHE How to Avoid Disaster in the Safest City in America By Larry Schwartz 60 MISSION CRITICAL Inside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention By Ryan Lee Price 122 BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT The 10 Key Capabilities and 35 Must-Haves You Need During An Emergency By Larry Schwartz
URBAN
BACKCOUNTRY 90 INTRODUCTION 91 WHITE HOT KILLER Combating Heat-Related Illnesses By Jeff Zurschmeide
GEAR GUIDES 46 GAS MASKS 62 ENTRENCHING TOOLS 85 GENERATORS 116 CAMP LANTERNS
94 MOBILE SURVIVAL KIT Six Ways Your Cell Phone Can Save Your Life By Creek Stewart
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98 THE FUTURE IS IN THE CLOUDS Using Clouds to Predict the Weather By Ryan Lee Price 103 SUPER GRILL MASTER The Volcano III Triple-Source Collapsible Grill By Ryan Lee Price
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106 BRAIN BUSTER DRD’s Securis Tactical Tomahawk By Ryan Lee Price 108 A ROOF OF POLYETHYLENE 17 Ways to Make a Shelter from a Tarp By Ryan Lee Price 114 THE SOG JUNGLE WARRIOR This is Not Your Daddy’s Pocket Knife By Ryan Lee Price
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66 INTRODUCTION 67 BIG SURVIVAL COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES Solkoa’s SUMA Pro Survival Kit By Ryan Lee Price 70 DESTINATION: HOME Putting Together the Last Get-Home Bag You Will Ever Need By Creek Stewart
G R E B N E G N A P S Y U G Y B O T O H P
THE COVER:
Photography: THINKSTOCK Design: JESSE CAO
76 LOCKDOWN Surviving the Unknown in the Place You Know Best: Home By Jeff Zurschmeid 81 AVOID THE DRAIN: WATER RECLAMATION Mankind’s Oldest Technologies Meets Today’s Most Basic Needs By Larry Schwartz
HOW-TO 36 NEVER GET LOST How to Read and Orient a Topographical Map By Ryan Lee Price
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39 CHEAP H EAT How to Make a Tea-Light Heater By Ryan Lee Price 42 BREAKDOWN How to Field Strip a Colt M1911 By Ryan Lee Price
COLUMNS 6 FIRST WORDS 8 NEW PRODUCTS 12 NEWS & NOTES 32 PREPPING WITH RALSTON 130 DEAD END
D E C E M B E R
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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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FIRSTWORDS BY RYAN LEE PRICE
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 / DECEMBER 2014
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Lee Price Managing Editor: Kari Windes Senior Creative Director: Eric Knagg Art Director: Jesse Cao
Battle Of The Bugs
CONTRIBUTORS Tim Ralston, Larry Schwartz, Tori Tellem, Jeff Zurschmeide
ADVERTISING
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MOST NORMAL PEOPLE don’t really think about germs. People wash their hands (not often enough probably), maybe dash on some Purell when the situation calls for it, and that’s about it. If you get sick, you get sick, and there’s very little people think they can do about it. And they’d be right. The human body is literally covered from head to toe with germs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Around 10,000 different species of microbes are infesting every nook and cranny of your body, but what might shock you is that adds up to easily a couple of pounds of germs and microbes. Interestingly, no amount of washing or lathering on anti-bacterial lotion is going to remove the thousands of microorganisms that call you their home. Even though most everyone harbors low levels of some very harmful types of bacteria in their stomachs—pathogens that are known for causing specific infections like salmonella, shigella, yersinia, and vibrio cholerae, for example—there are a host of good bacteria crawling around in there too that your body needs to survive. Washing your hands is a good thing. You can’t do it often enough, but for some, the thought of being caked in bacteria causes them to overuse anti-bacterial lotion. It does a great job at not only killing the bad bacteria and germs that threaten your health on a daily basis, but it also kills the good bacteria, like Staphylococci, which is present on the skin and helps blood to clot. When my daughter was almost two, she developed a sore throat, fever and a rash, so we paid a visit to our pediatrician for an examination, thinking it was just a simple virus. The doctor took one look at her and announced that she had been stricken with scarlet fever. It sounded so dire, so Victorian, like out of a Emily Brontë novel. In fact, in The Velveteen Rabbit, the little boy’s toys had to be burned because of scarlet fever, and in the World War Z’s climactic ending, Brad Pitt’s character injects himself with scarlet fever to ward off zombies. Sure, my daughter’s body was busy fighting the disease, but it was a losing battle, and later, when I did some research on scarlet fever, it was chilling to read that if she were born 100 years earlier (or left untreated), the virus would have eventually killed her. The discovery of penicillin in 1928 quickly put the reins on the disease, and my daughter is happy and healthy today because of it. On page 50, we take a closer look at germs, microbes, and bacteria, but from a more sinister approach. From plague-riddle bodies tossed over the walls of besieged cities to assassins with needles plying the darkened alleys of the spy world, the story of biological warfare is long and far from over. What can you do about it? Be warned and be prepared.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U I D E
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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) Volume 3, Number 7 is published 9 times a year – January, February, April/May, June, July, August, September, November, December, Engaged Media by Beckett, 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o Engaged Media by Beckett, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244. © 2014 by Engaged Media by Beckett. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.
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NEWPRODUCTS C U T T I N G - E D G E I N N O V AT I O N
1. KATADYN POCKET
2. HOME SECURITY
3. KEEPING WARM
Product: Katadyn
Product: Canary
Product: Lithium Ion Soft Shell Heated Jacket
Manufacturer: Katadyn
Pocket
Manufacturer: Canary
Manufacturer: DeWalt
Contact: Katadyn.com
Contact: Canary.is
Contact: Dewalt.com
MSRP: $282.81
MSRP: $249
MSRP: $209
Filtering water in an off-grid situation (or merely camping) is paramount to your survival. There are a lot of filtration systems on the market, but few have the longevity, speed, and capacity as does the Katadyn Pocket, a compact, lightweight filter. It is made of heavy-duty materials and is suited for continuous use. The silver impregnated ceramic element is effective against bacteria and protozoa. It has a 20-year warranty and comes with a prefilter, bottle clip, and carry bag.
The Canary home security system is a standalone device that keeps your home and family safe. It employs an HD video camera, multiple sensors that track everything from motion, temperature, and air quality to vibration (in case of an earthquake), sound (e.g. breaking glass) and your daily movements. Controlled via your iPhone or Android, it will alert you when it feels, sees, or hears anything out of the ordinary. A sudden temperature change can suggest a fire, while unusual sounds can mean an intruder. It learns your activities and schedule.
With four heating zones for the upper left and right chest, mid-back, and collar, the 20and/or 12-volt batteries can provide up to several hours of continuous heat. The jacket has a durable water- and wind-resistant outer shell, and the LED controller offers three temperature settings (low, medium, and high). The jacket even has two USB power ports for charging portable devices. The battery and charger are not included.
Specifications:
• 0.2-micron ceramic filter (cleanable) • 13,000-gallon capacity • 1 quart per minute output • Weight: 20 ounces
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Specifications:
• HD camera with night vision • Wi-Fi enabled • Live video and sensor data streamed to your smartphone • Has guided action plans in case of emergencies • Can trigger house alarms silently and remotely • Dimensions: 6 x 3 inches • Comes in black, white, silver
Specifications:
• Made from soft polyester material • Sizes: Small to XXXL • Adjustable waistline and sleeve cuffs • Accepts 12- and 20-volt DeWalt batteries • Five pockets (including cell phone pocket) • Optional hooded model available
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U I D E
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4. WINGS OF LIFE
5. STAY HYDRATED
6. K2 HYAK PACK
Product: Life Gear Emergency Survival Kit (LG567)
Product: CamelBak Linchpin Hydration Pack
Product: K2 Hyak Pack Kit
Retailer: Sears
Retailer: Tactical Gear
Retailer: BackCountry
Contact: Sears.com
Contact: TacticalGear.com
Contact: BackCountry.com/
MSRP: $188.39
MSRP: $209.70
MSRP: $149.47
This emergency survival kit contains a hygiene kit, emergency red flasher, respirator mask, leather working gloves, thermal blanket, signaling whistle, waterproof cash bag, writing pen and pad, signaling mirror, all-weather poncho, directional compass, multifunctional, and a first aid kit. The bag itself has ring hooks for added attachments, a back ventilation system for cool air flow, sleeve system storage for food and water, detachable wings, water reservoir pocket, cell phone and walkie-talkie carrying case, and see-through pockets for quick access to items.
The harness, made by Mystery Ranch, is customizable to fit differing torso lengths, while it can also be adjusted to wear with or without body armor. The narrow profile fits between the shoulder blades and allows for a wide range of motion and is thin enough to fit in tight spaces. The reservoir tank can hold 100 ounces of liquid (3 liters) and it includes an auto shut-off valve for quicker filling.
This kit is designed for backcountry skiers and snowboarders who need to travel light but require reliable avalanche safety equipment. In the pack, the kit includes a 230cm avalanche probe and a light snow shovel. The pack has tool-specific pockets and can accommodate skis or a snowboard. The padded shoulder straps are comfortable, while the additional straps can be used for heavier loads.
Specifications:
Specifications:
• Large fill port with quarter-turn open/close • External side pockets to carry three M16 magazines each • Radio equipment compatible with two lash points and dual antennae ports • Lightweight, durable 500D Cordura fabric • Dimensions: 19 x 18 x 14 inches • Weight: 3.3 pounds • Total capacity: 1,984 cubic inches
• Internal insulated hydration sleeve • Fleece-lined goggle pocket • Avalanche probe is made of lightweight carbon (has centimeter scale). • The shovel has an extendable shaft and can be used as a deadman anchor.
Specifications:
• Grab-and-go pack can be stored anywhere • Weighs 8.6 pounds • Dimensions: 5.5 x 14 x 19.5 inches • Equipment enough for three days • Recommended by the American Red Cross and FEMA
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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NEWPRODUCTS C U T T I N G - E D G E I N N O V AT I O N
7. WATER CARRIER MSR – DROMEDARY BAGS
8. TACTICAL TOURNIQUET
9. SURGICAL KIT
Product: Tac Med Solutions - SOF Tactical
Product: 5ive Star Gear surgical kit
Product: MSR Dromedary Bags
Tourniquet Retailer: 1110 Gear Contact: 1110gear.com MSRP: $29
Retailer:
BackCountry Gear Contact: BackCountryGear.com MSRP: $29.95 Expandable, collapsible MSR Dromedary Bags let you carry 2, 4, 6 or 10 liters worth of water, but without the bulk of bottles. They have threaded openings that attach directly to the bottom of any MSR WaterWorks or MiniWorks filter. The three-in-one caps let you drink, pour, or fill with ease. Made with durable, abrasionresistant, laminated nylon and food-grade polyurethane, these water carriers are tougher than typical vinyl products and flexible even in freezing conditions. Retailer:
Specifications:
• Made with food-grade polyurethane • Can be used in extreme temperatures (freezing to boiling) • Multiple grommets for easy hanging or carrying • Weight: 5.4 ounces
Extensive research went into the development of a more effective and easier to use tactical tourniquet. The SOF Tactical Tourniquet-Wide uses high-strength, lightweight alloy components to ensuring reliability in a variety of circumstances and on the largest of limbs. The high-strength hook-and-loop straps are designed for security, strength, and ease of application. The 1 ½-inch tourniquet strap provides a wider compression area that allows for additional arterial compression and more comfort for the patient. The tourniquet handle is machined from a single piece of high-strength aluminum bar stock. Specifications:
• 1 ½-inch tourniquet strap • Quick-connect, snap-lock buckle design • Lightweight alloy components • Single-application method, regardless of location. • Small size for easier s torage
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
AO Tactical Gear
Contact: AOTacticalGear.com MSRP: $24.95
When accidents happen and you’re miles from the nearest medical aid, sometimes you’ll have to take things into your own hands. This surgical tool kit contains all the stainless steel instruments you will need to perform a variety of emergency medical procedures. Comes complete with: Two straight hemostats, one pair of scissors, one curved hemostat, one pair of tweezers, one scalpel handle, one suture set, two scalpel blades, one holder, one needle probe, two alcohol wipes, one pen light, and two antiseptic wipes. The tools do not arrive sterile. Specifications:
• Made from stainless steel • Weight: 0.7 pounds • Tools come sealed in a plastic pouch.
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10. CAR SURVIVAL KIT Product: Family Road Guardian Retailer: Survival Gear USA Contact: Survival-Gear-USA.com MSRP: $199.90
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11. WALLET SURVIVAL CARD Product: Survival Card Multi-tool Manufacturer: UST Contact: USTBrands.com MSRP: $6.99
This Family Road Guardian is an auto survival kit, blizzard survival kit, and a 72-hour survival kit all in one. It is geared for road trips and long distance drives, providing food, enough to feed a family of four for one day, and gear for a variety of survival situations. It is packaged securely in a red duffle bag with wheels and extra room for some personal items. It is a good way to be prepared in case you become stranded due to an accident or other natural disasters.
This is a compact and easy to carry plastic card that puts 13 tools into the space of a credit card (nearly). It includes: Attachment loop, mini Phillips head screwdriver, small flat-head screwdriver, magnifying glass, eight-sided wrench, position wrench (4 sizes), butterfly wrench, large flat-head screwdriver, bottle opener, file edge, knife edge, can opener, 2-inch ruler, and mini compass.
Specifications:
Specifications:
• Food has a five-year shelf life • Emergency light sources: candles, light stick, radio/flashlight • Shelter and Warmth: survival blankets, poncho fleece blanket, tube tent • Tools: paracord, knife, goggles, sewing kit, gloves, tow rope • Hygiene/First Aid: waste bag, tissues, hygiene kit, first-aid kit • Also includes a deck of cards and a notepad and pencil
• 0.08-inch thick stainless steel blade/tools in ABS housing • Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.4 inches • Weight: 1.6 ounces
12. ETON POWER Product: Eton FRX3 Manufacturer: Eton Corp. Contact: EtonCorp.com MSRP: $69.99 This all-purpose, rechargeable weather alert radio with solar panel and hand-crank power generator will keep you in the know, on alert, and well connected. When the “Alert” function is on, the radio will automatically broadcast emergency weather alerts for your area such as hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms. Stay up to date with its AM/FM/NOAA weather band digital radio with display and alarm clock. Also, there’s an AUX-input to play your own music. Cranking the handle for a minute will provide enough power for 15-20 minutes of music. Specifications:
• Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.8 x 2.6 inches • Weight: 1.4 pounds • Powers by solar panel, hand crank, rechargeable battery • LED flashlight
CAN'T GET ENOUGH ASG ? WHEN YOU'RE NOT OFF THE GRID, BE SURE TO FIND US ON FACEBOOK.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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Worst Billion-Dollar Weather Disasters CAN YOU NAME the top billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S. since 1980? AccuWeather can: > Hurricane Katrina, 2005: $149 billion > Superstorm Sandy, 2012: $66 billion > Hurricane Andrew, 1992: $45 billion > Drought/Heatwave, 1988: $34 billion > Midwest Flooding, 1993: $34 billion AccuWeather has aligned with others, such the National Weather Service, to spearhead the WeatherReady Nation project, which according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is about “building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.” The goal is to help the public, first responders, emergency managers, and others be able to make quick, live-saving decisions. The AccuWeather app will give you minute weather updates wherever you are (even right there on your own street). Information translates into money and lives. 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
STUDENTS CAN WIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR HURRICANE PREP THIS CALL TO ACTION goes out to all high school and college students. Express Glass Repair and Board Up Services is holding an essay contest and scholarship on the topic of hurricane preparedness. Three topics are the focus: What are some ways that governments and nonprofits can pre-educate and encourage residents to be more prepared? What are the steps one would recommend for a Florida family seeking to prepare against hurricanes? Does the essay writer think the government should allow more (or less) building in flood-prone areas? Express Glass Repair and Board Up Service is located in Florida, but the contest is open to students anywhere in the U.S. The deadline is December 31, 2014. Details and rules can be found at www.expressglassfl.com/hurricane-preparednessessay-contest/
K C O T S K N I H T Y B S O T O H P
Cell Phone Tower Or Surveillance Device? THEY’RE CALLED INTERCEPTOR TOWERS—surveillance devices that look like cell phone towers and are designed to intercept voice and data from any cell user in the area, according to Popular Science . But who exactly owns them? No one knows. Or more correctly, no one is saying. There have been rumors of law-enforcement agencies behind ones in Florida, Arizona, and California. And the U.S. Customs and Immigration uses the ones at the U.S.-Mexico border. The finger has been pointed at the military, too. According to Popular Science , 43 different state and local law enforcement agencies in 18 states have surveillance technology. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation view the interceptors as an unlawful search, since there’s no warrant. One thing everyone speculating can agree upon is that no one can say with authority that it’s not spies or criminals behind the towers. Unleash the conspiracy theories! (Like the one about how they’re being used for mind control.)
Hazmat Suits In High Demand For Ebola Prevention A GLOBAL MANUFACTURER of specialty protective gear, including that worn by healthcare workers and first responders on local, state, and federal levels, has stepping up its manufacturing capacity due t o increasing demand for hazmat suits for the Ebola virus. Christopher J. Ryan, president and CEO of Lakeland Industries, acknowledged reports of a shortage of hazmat suits, but noted, “We understand the difficulty of getting appropriate products through a procurement system that in times of crisis favors availability over specification, and we hope our added capacity will help alleviate that problem.” The U.S. State Department put out a bid for 160,000 suits.
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Can Social Media Identify Health Risks? THERE’S A NEW SOCIAL MEDIA surveillance tool that could give public health officials insight into things like a health-related epidemic or threatening situation (say, terrorism). The ChatterGrabber software was created by researchers via the Virginia Tech Bioinformatics Institute, and so far the platform has been tested within an app called EpiDash for monitoring norovirus outbreaks. It works by screening social networks for statements of interest, like in that case related to gastric illness. Being able to stay current with the public as it Tweets or posts about issues could become a useful early-warning system for officials.
Earthquake Sign Of Shame Multi-tool Just For Kids
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YOUR EMERGENCY kit/backpack likely has a multi-tool. Now your child’s can too, and it’s an industry first—the Leatherman Leap is a multitool designed specifically for children. A bonus is that it allows parents to essentially grow the tool with the child; it can be used without a knife blade, which can be added when the parents deem it’s age-appropriate. The other tools are pretty much what you’d find in the adult version, including pliers, a ruler, wire cutters, tweezers, and a bottle opener. Built in safety locks make sure fingers and tools don’t run into one another. Learn more at Leap.Leatherman.com.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
SAN FRANCISCO is trying out a new way to make building owners—mostly of apartments and hotels—comply with earthquake-retrofitting. Big signs will be posted that read “Earthquake warning!” making their violation of the building code public knowledge. Owners were told a year ago to look into retrofitting. “It’s not intended to create panic; it’s intended to notify tenants and also to let landlords know that there are real consequences to non-compliance,” Patrick Otellini, San Francisco’s director of earthquake safety, said of the warning placards, according to Reuters.
A Little Girl’s Dream:
The KiraVan AN UBER-TECHY MILLION-DOLLAR ADVENTURE TRUCK Story by Ryan Lee Price
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
aving a daughter late in life produces a unique set of problems, especially when you’ve spent the majority of your 60-plus years on this planet striving to better the world through education and invention. For most of his life, Bran Ferren had been travelling the world, building unique contraptions, and solving complicated technical problems for everyone from Walt Disney to Uncle Sam ... and making millions upon millions of dollars doing it. Four years ago, life threw him a curve when Bran’s partner of 25 years approached him with a different problem: The time to have children, she announced, was now.
The massive offroad KiraVan has been developed to traverse any number of different terrains, from swampy bogs to 3-feet of standing water.
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A Little Girl’s Dream:
The KiraVan
[ABOVE] A host of antennae and communication devices are stored on the roof and can easily be deployed at a moment’s notice from wi thin the cab. [TOP] The KiraVan is able to travel up to 2,000 miles wi thout refueling and navigate slopes as steep as 45 degrees. It holds enough supplies to last a family of four for three weeks. 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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[OPPOSITE] The completely custom-made cockpit would be easily at home on a supersonic jet as it is in an off-road vehicle.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
In 2009, Kira was born, and thus Bran’s latest focus: fatherhood. He had spent a great deal of effort building the client list of his latest company, Applied Minds, a super high-tech design firm, so now he had the time to devote to his newest client, his daughter. Since he understood readily that he won’t be available for most of Kira’s life, he has redirected his energies to her education and future well-being (even so far as to record interviews with himself so that Kira can benefit from his knowledge years from now). “I’ve loved watching my daughter learn about life,” he says. “There’s a big world out there, and I’ve seen only a portion of it.” The latest project, started just about the time Kira was born and completed just this year is the ultimate adventure truck, designed and built for the main purpose of taking Kira nearly anywhere on earth without limitations or a compromise in comfort. He calls it the KiraVan. As questions mounted in the design phase—what materials to make it out of, what facilities should it have…what facilities could it have?—Bran traveled the globe in search of experts to answer them. He
spoke with mining experts, oil drillers, and arctic explorers about their equipment, needs, and desires for changes in new equipment. How does an off-road vehicle function over different terrain? How would a high-tech computer system work in subzero temperatures? After four years of design, testing, building, rebuilding, and more testing, the KiraVan was unveiled earlier this year. What resulted was the most elaborate off-road vehicle ever created, capable of traversing most any terrain with its six Kevlar-coated tires and surmount grades as steep as 45 degrees. It has remarkable endurance, not needing refueling for nearly 2,000 miles at a time, despite its 51,000-pound girth. Following behind the enormous cab is KiraVan’s massive trailer, which is 31 feet long and more than 10 feet high. It is home to an ecofriendly bathroom, a customdesigned kitchen complete with an espresso machine, and Kira’s own “penthouse” loft which she helped design. Since Bran isn’t saddled with the usual limitations that normal people have—time, manpower, and
money—no expense was spared in the KiraVan’s construction. Bran had access to some of the world’s best engineers. The main truck is adapted from a Mercedes Unimog, similar to the MaxiMog he designed several years ago, but again, the only thing that was left is the chassis and steering wheel. The rest was scrapped. The Mercedes chassis was lengthened and doubled in thickness to handle the bulk and weight. Behind the wheel, the operator sits in luxurious comfort on vibration-cancelling leather chairs designed by Bose. The passenger can control a number of drones that can be dispatched to check traffic conditions or to investigate the road ahead. Also controlled from the dash are the truck’s seven masts that telescope up to 60 feet, taking with them cameras, weather equipment, lights, and communication antennas. Touch-screen cockpit displays monitor the vitals of the tire pressure of the six tires and battery life—as well as the navigation duties—line the roof and dash. The “situational-awareness” system consists of a joy-
“IT HAS REMARKABLE ENDURANCE, NOT NEEDING REFUELING FOR NEARLY 2,000 MILES AT A TIME, DESPITE ITS 51,000POUND GIRTH. ”
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[TOP] Inside the main trailer is a small galley and plenty of storage. [LEFT] A view from the dining area shows Kira’s own loft that she helped design. [BOTTOM] The upstairs dining area comfortably seats a family of four.
A Little Girl’s Dream:
The KiraVan
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A Little Girl’s Dream:
The KiraVan
[ABOVE] The nerve-center of the KiraVan’s trailer is an impressive bank of computers used to communicate with the outside world, as well as monitor the local surroundings and the vehicle’s welfare.
stick-operated control base connected to the KiraVan’s 22 cameras, including infrared thermal imagery. Onboard is every conceivable method of communication from off-theshelf walkie-talkies and UHF-band radios to super-accurate GPS systems and email.
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Currently, the KiraVan is completely torn apart, awaiting upgrades of some of its systems and some general reconfiguring of others. Bran is in no hurry to complete the project, as his main client won’t be able to drive for another 12 years.
Stories of Survival:
The Donner Party A JOURNEY INTO THE GREATEST TRAGEDY IN THE HISTORY OF WESTERN MIGRATION Story by Bryan Dumas
James and Margret Reed
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he saloon was eerily still. All eyes were on the sixfoot-tall shell of man who stared off into the musky din with steely blue eyes. The question lingered in the air like the pipe smoke swirling from the mouths of the men standing around him: Did you really eat people? Finally, after moments of painful silence, Lewis Keseberg turned, flashed a smile that chilled the bones of the men in the room, and said, “Human liver is the sweetest thing I’ve ever eaten.” Lewis Keseberg was the last person retrieved from the snowbound hell that befell the Donner Party in 1846-‘47. Though he wasn’t the only member of the ill-fated group to resort to cannibalism, despite claims that it never happened, he was the
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
only one tried for murder. While Keseberg wears the anointed crown of evil personified in the Donner Party tragedy, he lays out reasons why the balance of justice might just sway back in his favor: “I have been born under an evil star! Fate, misfortune, bad luck, compelled me to remain at Donner Lake. If God would decree that I should again pass through such an ordeal, I could not do otherwise than I did.” The story of the Donner Party is one of sheer survival and the determination of man to live. But it is also the story of how to survive and how to prevent yourself from ever having to face the darkest moments in life. Keseberg’s fate was cast the day he joined with the Reed family and the Donner brothers on their journey to California.
“MY FATHER, WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, TRIED TO SMILE AS ONE FRIEND AFTER ANOTHER GRASPED HIS HAND IN A LAST FAREWELL. MAMA WAS OVERCOME WITH GRIEF. AT LAST WE WERE ALL IN THE WAGONS. THE DRIVERS CRACKED THEIR WHIPS. THE OXEN MOVED SLOWLY FORWARD AND THE LONG JOURNEY HAD BEGUN.’’ —VIRGINIA REED, DAUGHTER OF JAMES REED
Travelling out of Springfield, Ill. with the Reed family were the brothers George and Jacob Donner and their kin. All three families had packed their wagons according to a guidebook published by Lansford Hastings, a man who’d never made the trip himself. Necessities included: One wagon loaded with bolts of cotton and flannel, glass, beads, mirrors, and other trinkets to trade with the Indians; expensive items like textiles, silks and satins to trade with the Californios upon arrival; farm equipment, furniture, and household goods. A second wagon was loaded with items needed for the trail. A third wagon was set aside as a shelter and dining cart. It is surprising that George Donner or James Reed would have bothered with the suggestions put forth in the Hastings guide. Donner was well accustomed to moving. As the frontier pushed west, he had travelled with it from North Carolina with his parents, then on his own from Kentucky to Indiana to Illinois. He also spent time in Texas and had a familiarity working with oxen teams. He would have understood the most basic tenant of backwoods travel: Take what is necessary; leave the rest behind. Reed served in the Black Hawk War and worked at one time or another as a merchant, railroad contractor, and furniture maker. People spoke of him as a man who was “quick with decisions and decisive in action.” Unfortunately for those travelling with Reed, he was also a self-made man and not one to play things safe. He didn’t come from a fatherless home to be one of Illinois’ more successful men by avoiding risks. They’d left late from Springfield and had taken longer—due to their overburdened carts—than expected to reach Independence, Missouri. Though nothing in their journals indicates alarm, their arrival in midMay was already weeks behind the accepted departure date for crosscontinent travel. A late group was waiting in Kansas for any stragglers,
and the Donner/Reed group wisely decided to leave quickly to catch up. This would be the last good decision that the Donner Party made. Life on the trail was full of hardships. Swollen rivers, floods, disease, and boredom. Routine became the most common way to cope with these. Women did the cooking and cleaning. Men tended the animals, hunted, and repaired the wagons—
The cut trees show the snow level from the previous winter.
Truckee Lake, 1860s
Truckee Pass, 1870s
mostly broken axles. Children, too, found chores to pass their time. They’d fetch the water, clean dishes, and find firewood. The mundane helped alleviate the fears of the unknown. Not all of the unknown hardships turned out bad. “The first Indians we met were the Caws,” wrote Virginia Reed in her diary, “Who kept the ferry, and had to take us over the Caw River. I watched them closely, hardly daring to draw my breath, and feeling sure they would sink the boat in the middle of the stream, and was very
thankful when I found they were not like grandma’s Indians.” Aside from stealing horses, the Indians were a mild nuisance (most travellers on the Oregon Trail who were killed by Indians were done so west of the Parting Of Ways). At Fort Laramie, he happened to come across James Clyman, an acquaintance from his Black Hawk War day. They spoke about the best trail west. Clyman was working his way east and had just come across the infamous Hastings Cutoff. He warned Reed against taking the trail, calling it impassable and said it was
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The Donner Party
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the most “desolate country perhaps on the whole globe.” He looked at Reed and implored that Reed “take the regular wagon track, and never leave it.” Reed wanted nothing to do with what he considered a roundabout course if he could take a straight route to California and beat as many emigrants as possible. For Reed, he had one goal: Get to California and get land. To do that he was going to go straight. He placed his trust in Lansford Hastings who was, himself, leading his first group across the shortcut named for him just to try to prove its worth. When the group reached Fort Bridger they had hoped to meet up with Hastings. However, he’d already left to lead a group across his trail. Having trusted their fate to what was becoming a remarkably unreliable man, it would have made sense for the Donner group to abandon their shortcut and swing north to catch the official trail to California. Before them lay a blank world. Unlike the trails they’d traveled, this new cutoff had never been crossed and lacked the normal markings of the overland trails: Used campsites, river crossings, and, most importantly, wagon ruts to follow. But Reed and Donner pressed on even against the wishes of George Donner’s wife. The men were quickly initiated into the hard life of mountain men. Their travel slowed to a crawl, as they tried to scout and blaze a trail across the Wasatch Mountains. They were forced to cut roads into the mountain, clear dense brush, and pull their exhausted oxen over the summit. What should have taken a week turned into nearly a month. They still had nearly 80 miles of alkali flats to trek. It was here that the Donner Party was beginning to fracture. It became an every-man-for-themselves situation, where families, trying to avoid dehydration, would unhitch their animals, rush them ahead to any source of fresh water, return to haul their wagons a few miles, and then repeat. It was a disorganized panic.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
Animals were lost, wagons abandoned and tempers began to simmer. The fateful decision to use the shortcut had cost them two months before they reached the regular trail into California (near Elko, Nevad). Instead of rallying behind a strong leader, the party plummeted into a death spiral of animosity and divisiveness long before they reached Truckee Lake on November 1, 1846. James Reed and John Snyder got into a heated argument over tangled cattle and when all was said and done, Snyder was dead and Reed banished from the party. Keseberg abandoned an old man named Hardcoop who was having trouble keeping up, and the rest of the party refused to help the man. Two members of the team murdered a third while helping him cache his supplies—an apparent attempt to steal his supplies.
On October 12, the Piute Indians attacked and killed 21 oxen. Then it snowed… and it didn’t stop. They were stranded, and it all appeared hopeless. By Truckee Lake, they discovered three dilapidated cabins and settled in to wait out the storm. Once in their snowbound prison, the Donner Party collapsed into a desperate greed of survival. Contrary to most group survival instincts where a shared calamity draws people together to survive, the members of the Donner party split apart and eventually established a string of camps of tents made from hides and ramshackle cabins nearly eight miles long from Truckee Lake (now Donner Lake) through Alder Creek. Families horded their scarce supplies and quickly exhausted their food supply. The pack animals were the first to be sacrificed for survival followed by the dogs and finally they resorted to boiling blankets and hides to make a paste-like soup. Families refused to share supplies with others in dire need or sometimes demanded ridiculous payments. Faced with certain death, 15 members of the Donner Party formed what Virginia Reed called the “Forlorn Hope” and on homemade snowshoes set out for Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento. Four of the men left behind their families and three of the women left behind their children. In blinding snow, freezing nights, with no sense of direction, and no food, the group broached the idea of cannibalism. There was talk of having two people duel and the loser would become dinner for the rest. Ultimately, they decided to let the hand of death dictate who would feed the rest. The first to go was a
bachelor named Antoine; while asleep, his arm fell in a fire and no one in the group woke him. In all, seven members of Forlorn Hope were eaten; two Indians that had come up from Sutter’s Fort to aid the Donner Party were hunted down and killed. Only seven members of the Forlorn Hope group reached Sacramento. On February 19th the first rescue party arrived. It would take four such groups and two and a half months before everyone was rescued. When the second relief group, led by Reed, reached Alder Creek, evidence of cannibalism was everywhere in what would become known as the “Starved Camp.” Imagine the difficult decisions that faced mothers as they looked at their starving children. It is most likely that many of the children ate the dead, but had no idea what it was that they were eating.
Donner Party monument. The 22-feet high base represents how deep the snow was.
When the last relief group arrived at Alder Creek, they found Keseberg as the sole survivor wallowing in indescribable filth and the desecrated corpses of at least five people. George Donner’s head had been cleaved in order to retrieve his brain. Two kettles were filled with blood, livers and lungs.
Faced with unimaginable hardships the Donner Party resorted to the only thing they could in order to survive. Keseberg summarizes it best when he said, “A man, before he judges me, should be placed in a similar situation; but if he were, it is a thousand to one he would perish.” Looking at those that survived and those who didn’t a pattern emerges: Those families who stuck together— often through selfish means—survived while the bachelors—like Hardkoop and Antoine—were quickly discarded or dispatched. Certain social expectations, like kinship and family ties, will bind groups together no matter the circumstance. The Donner Party, from their trials in the Wasatch, to the drive across the Great Salt Lake, to their harrowing experience in the Sierras show that in dire times people will cope with hardships from our most basic nature: survive.
Circumventing Catastrophe HOW TO AVOID DISASTER IN THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA Story by Larry Schwartz
B
ug out, bug in, shelter in place, backwoods refuge, disaster retreat. These are terms that are familiar to those in the preparedness community, and they are all based on location. A big part of the survival industry focuses its effort on escaping disaster, on removing oneself from the epicenter of the problem—be it an earthquake, blizzard, flood, or terrorist attack—and relocating to somewhere safer. The concept is sound, but this begs the question, “What is the best place to start from to avoid disaster in the first place?” We all want to live somewhere that will provide a rich environment to prosper, low crime rates, stable utility infrastructure, and little or no danger of natural disasters. It can be a challenging search, but not an impossible one.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA? Regardless of where you live, the infrastructure for electrical power and the other utilities that depend on it will be equally fragile in terms of failing if the right combination of events occurs, so it is more of a constant in our analysis than a variable. Crime rate and economic stability are too variable to be of use in looking for a city, so we can use them as final discriminators in our decision. The main thing we can look for is those cities or regions that have the lowest risk of natural disasters happening there. EARTHQUAKES Many areas of the country are known for one or more types of natural disasters. Along the West Coast is well known for earthquake activity for a hundred miles inland, such as the 1994 Northridge earthquake that destroyed bridges, brought down buildings, and left tens of thousands of people homeless or without utilities in and around Los Angeles. Any of the states and areas between the Continental Divide and the Pacific Ocean are susceptible to severe earthquakes with the states just east of the divide is susceptible to more moderate shocks, as the largest earthquake ever recorded in U.S. history happened in Missouri. As illustrated in the natural disaster threat graphic, there is another major fault line runs parallel to the Mississippi River, with its own risk of
earthquakes, although of lesser magnitude than those found along the West Coast.
HURRICANES The Gulf Coast and the Eastern seaboard experience hurricanes every year, some of which are truly disastrous, such as Hurricane Katrina when she inundated New Orleans in August of 2005 and Hurricane Sandy that collapsed the power infrastructure from Virginia up through New York in October of 2012. While earthquakes can happen any time during the year, the season for hurricanes runs for six months, starting in June and lasting through November.
Follow The Data This Natural Disaster Map is from data center provider DataFoundry. It, like many other companies that provide data center or disaster recovery services to corporate America, prefers the desert Southwest for the region’s freedom from natural disasters and moderate temperatures. This area provides
TORNADOES The South Central portion of the country, to include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota is aptly called Tornado Alley for the high number of tornados that raze towns and farmsteads every year. Tornado season actually varies by region, but begins in the late winter and extends into mid summer.
an ideal environment for its business of safeguarding America’s data from loss and harm due to natural disasters that elsewhere would destroy buildings, cause power outages that last days or weeks, and generally make it difficult to transact busi-
SAFER IS OFTEN ALSO CHEAPER Although it sounds counter-intuitive, the safer regions and cities in the country, those with the lowest risk of a natural disaster are also often cheaper to live in from the perspective of cost of living and dollars per square foot of living space in your home. The
ness as usual. So, if you want a safe and stable place to live, look to where the data centers are setting up, and then call a realtor.
Natural disasters, as shown in this graphic from DataFoundry.com, illustrates that most regions of the U.S. are susceptible to some form of natural disaster with the lowest risk areas being in the desert South West or around Ohio and the eastern Great Lakes.
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Circumventing Catastrophe
It’s Cheaper Where It’s Safer For many of the cities with a lower risk of natural disasters, the price per square foot for homes is much lower than the national average, which according to the U.S. Census Bureau is $106 per square foot for a single-family home. Top 10 Housing Markets at Lower Risk of Natural Disasters #
U.S. metropolitan area
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Syracuse, NY Cleveland, OH Akron, OH Buffalo, NY Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Dayton, OH Allentown, PA-NJ Chicago, IL Denver, CO Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI
Asking home price per square foot
$89 $80 $81 $93 $174 $72 $109 $113 $129 $94
TABLE COURTESY OF TRULIA.
Hurricanes, in addition to creating property damage and power outages, are a major contributor to flooding in coastal areas, due to the heavy rain and winds that they bring.
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most densely populated regions are located around topography that supports commerce in some way or another. That means they are along the coast or major rivers where ports are located. Or, they are in areas that support manufacturing or agriculture. Unfortunately, that means that they are likely in the zones where the risk of earthquake or tornado or hurricane are much higher, as shown on the U.S. Natural Disaster map on the previous page. Research by real estate analysis company Trulia and by the U.S. Census Bureau, shows that homes in the safer areas often have a lower cost per square foot than the national average, and much lower than those in the more urban areas common in the higher risk regions of the country.
Earthquakes are Mother Nature’s heavy hit ter. Although hurricanes and tornadoes can damage buildings and cause power outages, not hing can compare to raw power that a seismic event brings with it.
HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION? So, now that we know the events we want to avoid and where they are most commonly found, how do we decide where our safest city is? Many newspapers, blogs, and websites have done this analysis for us, but they each had their own take on what the criteria should be so it may not match what you are looking for. They also narrowed their search down to major metropolitan areas, which may also not be part of your criteria. The best way to pick your safest city is going to be to pick your safest region first and then pick a city you like in that region. You want to avoid area that run the risk of hurricanes or tornadoes, any areas near active (in geological time) fault lines, areas with active volcanoes (forget about Hawaii and Mt. St. Helens). By looking at the U.S. Natural Disaster Map, provided by data center provider DataFoundry.com, we can easily see that we want to stay away from any of the coastal areas, the central plains, and the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. That leaves us with two main areas, which also have some of the cities mentioned above; the desert Southwest and the area East and South of the Great Lakes in Ohio and upper New York state. Cities like Austin, Texas, Buffalo, N.Y., or Grand Junction, Colo., have a very low risk of natural disasters occurring, they have established utility infrastructures which support relatively smaller populations than those in the more urban areas so the risk of them failing under stress is lower, and, in general, their crime rate is lower.
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J A N T Z knifemaking.com Pattern 42 Blades Pattern 41 Blades Overall Length: 7 5/8”, Blade Length: 3”, Width: 1”, Thickness: 1/8” CAT. # J4198 J419K J4127 J4128 J4137 J4138 J4189
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PREPPING RALSTON WITH
BY TIM RALSTON
Timothy Bryan Ralston is an American inventor, veteran, adventurer, author and movie consultant for his expertise in the field of survival and preparedness education. He is best known for his a ppearance in the powerful motivational film, The Compass, and for being the international spokesperson in the launch of NatGeo’s No. 1-rated program, Doomsday Preppers.
Have A Backup Plan Just imagine what it would be like to have your whole world flipped upside down ... in an instant. This is exactly what happens after a disaster. One minute you are caught up in the everyday stresses of life and in the next, you are forced to fight for your survival. These types of devastating events are not as uncommon as we would like to think. In fact, they seem to be on the rise, and occurring in places that are unprepared for such extreme situations. From violent natural disasters to man-fueled emergencies, there isn’t a region on earth not at risk in some form or another. While it may be a toss of the dice whether you will ever have to experience a massive, destructive event, it is under your control as to how you would adapt to it. Unless prepared, the aftermath of any disaster is insanely chaotic and just plain scary. Even during short-term incidents, people will demonstrate animalistic behavior over the most basic resources. In other words, when it boils down to a person’s survival … all bets are off. In order to avoid such a dismal outcome, it is crucial to intertwine preparedness into your everyday lifestyle. By doing so, regardless of whether it is the misfortune of losing your job, or something as catastrophic as an EMP, you will have a greater chance of living to tell your tale.
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plies are carefully selected to coincide with your family’s requirements. A major thought to consider is how extensive of a time period it is that you are looking for your storage to last. Are you content with surviving a three-day flood, or are you looking to be self-reliant for the next 20 years? Deciding what you are preparing for will better determine the amount of provisions you need to stockpile. Be sure to address the most vital resources such as water, food, energy, and self-defense.
Hone In On Your Improvisational Skills
ity to survive without having to rely on others to fulfil your needs. Instead, you utilize natural resources and combine them with your own efforts. This way, if ever a major calamity did occur—such as the grid going down—you would avoid experiencing total duress. There are certain areas of independence to explore that would help you achieve this more naturalistic way of life: The use of natural energies, such as wind and solar; creating a system of self-sustainable food production with a garden and livestock; having a constant supply of water independent of the grid; and mobilization that is free from fossil fuels.
Survive Through Self-Sustainability
Create Your Own Storage
One way to outlast a disastrous situation would be to, well … not be affected by it at all. By gravitating to an off-grid lifestyle, you have the abil-
Another option when preparing for emergencies is to store all of the items yourself. This is both an easy and effective route, as long your sup-
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
There is nothing more empowering than being able to create something yourself, especially when it comes to survival tools. There is no telling what type of aftermath could be expected. If it was indeed catastrophic, items such as bullets (for example) would quickly become sparse, making hunting and self-defense more difficult. This is why being knowledgeable in ways of resourcefulness, might be just what keeps you alive. This form of preparation involves being able to take simple easy to find products, and turn them into items of greater use. I highly recommend partaking in as many DIY projects as possible for practice. Educate yourself on how to make a fire, purify your own drinking water, obtain food, build shelter, and protect yourself, all with very basic supplies. Although all three of these styles are excellent ways to stand prepared, in my opinion the most efficient way to be ready for any disaster is to fuse their principlezs together.
0620CF
One of the most challenging parts about preparing is that you never know exactly where you will be when a disaster happens. Also, it’s impossible to formulate your best strategy without really knowing what it will be. Even though we may prefer to be in our homes with our supplies and sustainable sources, what if it was deemed unsafe to do so? There’s a chance that bugging out would be your only option. In that case, you would have to rely on minimal provisions, tied with your knowledge and skills in order to survive. My overall recommendation is to always have a back-up plan to the back-up plan. This way, no matter what type of curve ball life throws, you will be prepared to withstand it. For example, grow your own food, but also have a storage pile, along with an ability to improvise a tool for hunting. Keep enough water stored to outlast a disaster, but also know how to locate and filter your own. By interconnecting these areas of preparedness, not only will you achieve self-reliance, but also the peace of mind knowing you will be ready for anything.
•
Steel: M390, stonewashed & satin finished
•
Handle: carbon fiber front, bead-blasted titanium back
•
Frame lock
DIY Project: PVC Bow Step 1: Cut a 1-inch diameter Schedule 40
PVC pipe to 54 inches. Step 2: Heat the PVC pipe with a heat gun or over an open flame. Be careful not to overheat the pipe to the point that it melts. Step 3: Once the pipe softens, press down on both ends with a board. Be sure to distribute the same amount of weight to either side. Step 4: Next, use a tin can to round the sides of the pipe to a desired curve. Let bow sit until cool to touch. Step 5: Create a handle by heating the middle of the pipe, pressing tightly to form an oval shape. Let cool once again. Step 6: Wrap the handle of the bow with paracord to make a grip and arrow rest. Step 7: Lastly, notch the ends of your bow with a hacksaw, and string it with paracord. If desired, customize your bow to your liking. I find that duct tape works well as a wrapping.
This ZT beast is ready almost before you take it out of your pocket. Thanks to the patented Emerson “wave shaped feature,” the blade deploys as the knife is removed from your pocket. And with its stronger-than-steel carbon-fiber front scale, it looks good doing it.
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CONVENIENT FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION RELIABLE PERFORMANCE FOR WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
20''
18.5''
The Ruger ® 10/22 Takedown® combines all of the features and functionality of the 10/22® rifle, America’s favorite rimfire rifle, with the ability to easily separate the barrel/forend and action/buttstock for convenient storage and transportation. The simple reassembly of the barrel and action is secure, ensuring an accurate return to zero for consistent, reliable performance when you need it most. Packed in a rugged, ballistic nylon case (included with rifle), the Ruger® 10/22 Takedown ® makes it easy to keep America’s favorite rimfire by your side.
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©2014 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
050114
Never Get Lost HOW TO READ AND ORIENT A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP Story and Photography by Ryan Lee Price
[ABOVE] The first thing necessary is to familiarize yourself with the scale of the map. Though most quadrangle maps made after World War II are 7.5-minute in size and at a scale of 1:24,000—meaning that one inch on the map equals 24,000 inches of real-world land—there might still be some out there in a different scale. [TOP] Reading and orienting a map is a very important skill to master for anyone who plans to spend any amount of time in the backcountry. By coordinating a compass with a map, you’ll be able to match the features of the map with features in the real world, allowing you the ability to navigate toward any destination on the map. 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
ohn Wesley Powell, the director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from 1881 to 1894 once remarked: “A government cannot do any scientific work of more value to the people at large than by causing the construction of proper topographical maps of the country.” Although he might have been a little nearsighted when it came to the value of scientific work outside the field of cartography (think vaccines and medical research, for instance), he was correct when considering the public’s desire—then and now—to explore this nation’s vast landscape. Early explorers of this continent charted the coastline soon after arriving, but the government’s recognition of the need to create maps didn’t come until the Revolutionary War when on July 22, 1777,
Congress authorized George Washington to appoint Robert Erskine as official cartographer of the country and “the seat of war.” Over the next 100 years, wars, skirmishes with Indians and the Civil War spurred the advancement in map making and surveying. During the War of 1812, the first Corps of Topographical Engineers in the Army was formed, and between 1803 and the outbreak of the Civil War, more than 100 mapping expeditions were sent west of the Mississippi with the idea of cataloging North America’s vast resources. It wasn’t until 1884 that Powell began a systematic topographic mapping of the United States. The original scale was 15-minute, meaning an area covering 1/16 of one degree of longitude/latitude with a scale of 1:62,500. In the 1940s, demand for more detail resulted in 1:24,000-scale, 7.5-minute maps.
“A GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO ANY SCIENTIFIC WORK OF MORE VALUE TO THE PEOPLE AT LARGE THAN BY CAUSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROPER TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS OF THE COUNTRY.”
Magnetic declination is the number of degrees and direction between true north and magnetic north. Because declination varies over time, it is advi sable to get a reasonably current figure by using a current map. If magnetic north is east of true north, the local declination is positive (like shown here). If magnetic north is west of true north, the local declination is negative.
Rotate the compass dial until north on the compass ring lines up with north on the map. Find the magnetic declination on your map. In this case, it 15 degrees positive (east). If the local declination is positive, subtract the declination amount from the bearing you just derived. If the local declination is negative, add the declination amount to the bearing you just derived.
The various colors make reading a map easy, but there’s a skill required to see a topographical map as it was intended: real-world terrain. Once mastered, by merely looking at a topo map, you’ll visualize the terrain as if you were standing before it. To orient your map, place the compass on the map so it is parallel to the north-to-south border of the map, known as the “ neat line.”
Called a quadrangle, the map contains 7.5 minutes of latitude and longitude (1/32 of one degree). On these new maps, one inch equals 24,000 inches of real-world land. It wasn’t until 1991 that the USGS completed mapping the entire lower 48 states in this new scale. The coverage includes more than 55,000 7.5-minute quadrangles. With the larger scale, the USGS included almost 200 different features separated into five color groups. Cultural features, smaller roads, buildings, and man-made things such as trails are printed in black; main roads and political boundaries are in magenta/red; woodland areas and other vegetation are green; rivers, lakes, glaciers, and water features are blue; and contours lines, depressions, and mountain features are printed brown. If you see purple, that means it is an update from a previous version (though it’s a color no longer used by the USGS).
CONTOUR LINES Contour lines are imaginary; they are used to represent segments of the ground that share an equal elevation as well as defining the shape of the terrain’s features. They tend to parallel each other, each approximately the shape of the one above it and the one below it. However, not all contour lines are created equal. Heavier contour lines are known as
Holding the map and compass steadily together (the compass should still be on the north-to-south map “neat line”), rotate the map and compass at the same time until the red magnetic needle orienting arrow on the compass face line up. Your map and your compass are now oriented to true nort h. Look around and compare the physical features around you with your map; they should be an exact match.
indexed contour lines and normally show elevation in feet. Typically, every fifth contour line is an index contour line. Lighter contour lines that fall between indexed lines, are known as intermediate contour lines. These lines do not have their elevation listed and are found in sets of four between indexed contour lines. At the bottom of the map, under the scale, the contour interval will be listed. Normally it is 40 feet, meaning that there is 40 real-world feet between contour lines and 200 feet between indexed contour lines. The closer the spacing of the contour lines, the more rapid the elevation change of the feature. This is
Various symbols are used to depict features such as building, campgrounds, springs, water tanks, mines, survey markers, and wells. Names of places and features are generally printed in the color corresponding to the type of feature. Nature is represented through color and particular symbols that attempt to represent what’s found in nature. The difference between a sand beach and a gravel beach, for example, is the size of the dots representing the grains of sand. Though there are around 200 symbols used on the 55,000 topographical maps currently in use by the USGS, these are a representation of the more popular symbols you’ll find on most topographical maps.
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Never Get Lost
THE FEATURES ON A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP
the right can be used to determine
3. One of the highest points on
amphitheater to 1,538 at its peak.
how deep the canyon is compared
the Waterman Mountain quadrangle map is this 7,283-foot peak,
The green shading shows that this
easily seen by the contour lines
road (dotted line) following a nat-
The examples here are from the
to the highest peak (7,761). Every index contour line represents a dif-
Waterman Mountain and Fontana
ference of 200 feet, so the stream
circling around each other. All the
quadrangles in Southern Califor-
is roughly 1,761 feet below the east
way around, the mountain has a
ural steam (blue line) through the middle of it.
nia, about 10 miles north of
Twin Peak. This would not be an
steady rise and has the appear-
5. This is a particularly beautiful
Pasadena in the Angeles National
easy climb.
ance of a rounded pyramid in
spot on the convergence of three
Forest and about 40 miles east of
2. The campground to the west of
shape with several sub-peaks on
canyons in the Mt. San Antonio
Los Angeles in the San Bernardino
Bear Creek is on a relatively gentle
the southeast face. The red and
quadrangle, Vincent Gulch from
Mountains, respectively. The
east-facing slope. If you were to
white striped line in the lower left
the north, Mine Gulch from the
mountains north of Los Angeles
leave Lower Bear Campground
is Angeles Crest Highway.
west and Prairie Fork in the east. A
offer a wide range of topography that well illustrates the various
and head east, you would climb up to the crest of a 2,200-foot hill
4. The widely spaced contour lines
elements of a typical topographi-
(with an elevation change of only
in this section of the Fontana quadrangle show a typical alluvial
Jeep trail (dotted black line) runs through the canyon. The dotted
cal map.
280 feet. Heading north will pro-
plane gently descending north
cates a narrow wash, most likely
1. Just south of Twin Peaks is a
vide a wonderful view of a rock-
from steadily narrowing canyon.
dry, while the v-shapes of the con-
rather narrow canyon, where the
littered riverbed via a relatively
At the bottom, the map lists the
tour lines in the various gulches
west fork of the Bear Creek origi-
steep precipice to the north.
interval at 20 feet. At the base of
point towards upstream. The “BM
nates. The contour lines here are
Because the contour lines are so
that canyon are several buildings
4505” is a 4-inch copper marker
close together, signifying steep
far apart (in the center of this pic-
in black. To the east, the walls of
placed in concrete by the original
terrain on both sides of the
ture), that represents somewhat
the canyon rise sharply, from 1,100
surveyor of the area.
stream. The 6,600 elevation to
level ground.
feet at the bottom of the natural
1
2
important when traversing an unknown region, as a steep hill or deep gorge would have contour lines close together, while widely spaced contours indicate a gentle slope. GETTING ORIENTED
4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
38
It is common practice that all maps are oriented with true north at the top. At the bottom of the map, a symbol of arrows pointing to the geographic North Pole (shown by a star), magnetic north (MN) and grid north (GN). A map is generally oriented when it is made to correspond to the ground it represents by rotating the map so that north on the map is aligned with true north in the real world. Orienting a map is critical because it allows you to point in a direction and know with confidence what terrain lies ahead. Orienting a map is commonly done via two ways: by terrain association or with a compass.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
3
4
TERRAIN ASSOCIATION
What if your compass breaks? You take a spill down a hill and it smashes on a rock or gets lost. What then? How will you know where you are going or which way you need to go? You’ll have to orient your map based on what you can see, and this is easier if the area you are in has definite features, like a tall mountain or a deep ravine. If you are in an area with little to no reference points, like on the plains or in the rainforest where your view is blocked, it will be considerably more difficult, but not impossible. Hold the map in front of you and look around. Are there mountains? A cliff? A river? Can you find it on the map? If so, which direction is it in? Turn the map so it faces in that direction and then look for something else to cross-reference or a defining feature on the first object to further your orientation. It’s not
flat canyon is cultivated with a
blue line through Mine Gulch indi-
5
an exact science, but at least it will help you head in the right direction. USING A COMPASS
The compass always points north. The problem is that the compass doesn’t point directly to the North Pole. Instead, it always points to the magnetic north pole, which is currently somewhere in northeastern Canada. The map, however, points directly toward true north, and you need to know the difference in a real world situation. Magnetic declination is the number of degrees and direction between true north and magnetic north. Because declination varies over time, it is advisable to get a reasonably current figure by using a current map. If magnetic north is east of true north, the local declination is positive. If magnetic north is west of true north, the local declination is negative.
Only a few materials are needed to make a tea-light heater. Odds are good that most everyone has these items around the house at any given time. The loaf pan is a standard 9x5-inch pan, while the pots are off-the-shelf, 8 inches in diameter for the larger, outer pot and 6 inches for the smaller, inner pot.
Cheap Heat HOW TO MAKE A TEA-LIGHT HEATER he concept of convection is simple: It is the transfer of heat from one location to another via the movement of fluid; in the case of a simple heater like this one, the fluid is air. Most traditional heaters utilize forced heat. Fans blow hot air from the heating coils of the unit into the atmosphere of the space to be heated, but a fireplace or a campfire disseminates the heat to the surrounding area without the aid of external forces.
Story and photography by Ryan Lee Price
Called free convection (or natural convection), the heated air is moved by buoyancy forces, by the physics of fluid dynamics. When air comes into contact with a hot surface—burning wood or a candle—the energized molecules in the heated air separate away from each other, which causes the air to be less dense. Less dense air rises, and since nature abhors a vacuum, cooler air from farther away from the heat source rushes in to take the place of the rising air. In
turn, this new air is heated and rises. As it rises away from the original source of the heat, it raises the temperature of the surrounding environment, whether it is a tent, a small room or the space around a campfire. As a result, a cycle begins, with cooler air constantly replacing the rising warm air. Making a small tea-light heater is quick and easy, and what’s produced is an efficient way to heat a small room, a tent or, at the very least, a source of heat to keep your
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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39
Cheap Heat
[RIGHT] Natural convection uses fluid dynamics to heat the surrounding air. The tea-light pot draws air from outside the pots, pulling it up between the two pots via low pressure as the hot air escapes through the top (and sides). It is a simple concept that can create a lot of heat in a small s pace.
4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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Four standard tea-light candles are placed in the bottom of the pan. These candles are advertised as lasting four hours, but when grouped together and creating a larger amount of heat in what’s essentially an oven, they will not last half that time. Cutting down to three candles has little effect on the overall heat produced.
Start by lighting all four candles. They can be spread apart a little, as long as all four of them are directly under the smaller, inner pot.
The smaller, 6-inch pot is then placed over the candles. It rests on the lip of the loaf pan. If your pan is larger in diameter than the pot, consider adding a small barbecue grate so the pot doesn’t slip off the edges of the pan.
Next, find something to block the drain hole of the smaller pot. A wad of tinfoil or a rock will work fine as long as it is something that isn’t flammable. The idea is to trap t he hot air produced by the candles so the terracotta absorbs the heat.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
[FROM TOP] The final step is to place the larger, 8-inch pot over the smaller pot. Again, if the pan is too big, use a barbecue grate or a couple of sticks to support the pots. Center this pot and the smaller one directly over the candles so there’s an even amount of s pace between the pots. Inside, as the candles produce heat, they are transferring that heat to the inner pot, where the terracotta absorbs and stores the heat. Taking the temperature of the inside of the unit, from the drain hole of the outer pot, shows an immense amount of heat produced by the heater. In no time, a steady column of hot air will continue to pour from the heater as long as the candles stay lit . The temperature of the outer pot’s surface is also hot and makes for a great hand warmer.
hands warm on a frigid night. The materials are scant, two small terracotta flower pots, four tea-light candles and a metal pan, in this case, a loaf pan. Though similar, this is a little more than just a chimney. As the inner pot heats to a high temperature, it warms the air between the two pots but also heats the outside pot as well. We placed our tea-light heater in a small two-man tent for an hour and we were able to raise the temperature of the tent by eight degrees. That doesn’t sound like much, but going from, say, 32 degrees to 40 degrees is a big difference, not only in temperature, but in morale as well. Of course, who carries four pounds of terracotta pots and a loaf pan around when they’re backpacking in the wilderness? That’s right, nobody. However, imagine there’s no power at home and you have very little in the way of heat but a few tea lights candles and a couple of pots. Candles alone will provide some heat, but combined with the surface area of the pots, the diffusion of heat will spread farther and last longer. A word of caution: The temperature of the bottom of the metal pan will increase as the candles burn down closer to the pan. Use common sense where this heater is set up, and place it in a location free from combustibles and where it won’t be accidentally knocked over.
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Breakdown HOW TO FIELD STRIP A COLT M1911 STORY BY RYAN LEE PRICE
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he Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol continues to have a good run, as Colt produced 2.7 million units for the United States military, which issued them as standard service pistol well into the 1980s. It has been directly copied by a dozen different manufacturers and is still a very popular weapon all around the world. Designed by John Browning, the 2.44pound pistol is chambered in the .45 caliber cartridge especially designed by Browning for the semi-automatic’s action. In 1906, the government started trials with six manufacturers (Colt, Bergmann, DWM, Savage Arms, Webley, and White-Merril), searching for a new service
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
weapon for its armed forces. After using the M1873 single-action revolver during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), the U.S. government wanted to develop a semi-automatic gun using a .45-caliber shell, particularly for its stopping power. During the trials, Browning himself fired more than 6,000 rounds through a single Colt pistol over the course to of two days, dunking it in a bucket of water when it got too hot to hold, and the Colt experienced no malfunctions. After successful trials, it was adopted by the U.S. Army on March 29, 1911, thereby gaining its official designation, Colt M1911. It was used primarily by the Army for the next four wars, slowly being replaced by the 9mm in the
[TOP] There are several variations produced over the last 100 years from a variety of companies. The field strip is performed on a Series 70 M1911, but this picture shows a more recently produced Norinco with aftermarket Hogue grips. If yours differs in any way from the Series 70 shown, consult your owner’s manual before proceeding.
Start by ejecting the clip and locking back the slide. Check the chamber thoroughly to ensure there are no rounds left in the gun. Keep safe: point the gun away from you or anyone else during this step.
Check it again. The best safety advice you can take away from this is that complacency and routine can cause accidents. Assume you’ve missed something and check again. Return the slide to its forward position and set the safety.
There are two ways to remove the barrel bushing: either by hand, or with a bushing wrench. Though using the wrench would be much easier than doing it by hand, you may find it necessary to do so if you have a tightly fitting bushing. However, if you don’t have one, you’ll have to do it by hand. Press in the recoil spring plug with one hand, and, with the other, rotate the bushing 90-degrees clockwise (as viewed looking down the barrel).
The recoil spring plug is under a large amount of pressure and will eject itself across the room if you don’t keep it in check. Slowly release the pressure with your thumb covering the plug and let it out. Remove the plug and set it aside.
Pull back the slide until the small notch in the bottom of the slide aligns with the slide stop mechanism on the side of the frame. Push the slide lock mechanism out from the right side until it is completely removed (to the left).
With the spring exposed and the slide stop set aside, the frame can now be removed.
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Breakdown
Turn the gun upside-down and rest the slide on the table. Pull the frame back away from the slide. Holding the gun upside down pre vents the link, recoil spring, and recoil spri ng guide rod from getting in the way while it comes apart.
To remove the barrel from the slide, remove the recoil spring and then twist the barrel bushing counter-clockwise as far to the right as it will go. This will line up a narrow tab inside the barrel bushing with the recoil spring.
Push out the barrel and the barrel bushing as one unit. It will easily glide away from the slide.
For ordinary cleaning, this is as far as you need to go in disassembling the M1911. When cleaning, make sure to thoroughly remove any built up dirt, old oil , or soot that may have caked on. Pay close attention to the corners and use an approved gun cleaning solution. Before assembly, the rails of the slide, the barrel, and recoil spring plug should be lubricated as well as the barrel bushing. Remember, use quality lubrication and don’t slather it on. A little goes a long way.
“FIELD STRIPPING ANY GUN IS PARAMOUNT TO PROPERLY CLEAN, LUBRICATE, AND INSPECT IT AS WELL AS DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGED PARTS.”
4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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1980s. Additionally, it became popular throughout the world and is or has been used by nearly 30 different countries’ armed forces as their official sidearms. As with any gun, proper maintenance is required to keep it in perfect working order and at the ready when needed. Field stripping any gun is paramount to properly clean,
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
lubricate, and inspect it as well as diagnose and repair any damaged parts. Specifically, a field stripping is the minimum amount of disassembly necessary (with a minimal use of specialized tools) to perform these maintenance tasks. For the M1911, basically disassembly and cleaning is straightforward and requires only a rag and
some gun oil. Use a sturdy work surface, good lighting, and something underneath the gun to protect its finish. It is a good idea to wear eye protection when removing the recoil spring plug because it is under immense pressure and will launch out of the frame at a surprising velocity if not kept under control.
The Parts Of A Colt .45
Though field stripping only
1. Barrel 2. Barrel bushing
18. Magazine assembly 19. Magazine catch
34. Recoil spring plug
requires the disassembly of a few vital parts, the typical M1911
3. Barrel link
20. Magazine catch lock
36. Safety lock plunger
employs nearly 50 parts for a
4. Barrel link pin
21. Magazine catch spring
complete disassembly. Though
5. Disconnector
22. Mainspring
37. Sear 38. Sear/disconnector pin
completely possible for a novice
6. Ejector
23. Mainspring cap
39. Sear spring
to disassemble and reassemble
7. Ejector pin
24. Mainspring cap pin
40. Slide
with some specialized tools, a task of this nature should be left
8. Extractor
25. Mainspring housing
41. Slide stop
26. Mainspring housing pin
42. Slide stop plunger
to the professionals. Let this be a
9. Firing pin 10. Firing pin spring
27. Mainspring housing pin
43. Stock assembly
glossary of terms to better famil-
11. Firing pin stop
iarize yourself with the complex
12. Front sight
28. Plunger spring assembly
45. Stock screw bushing
function of the veritable semi-
13. Grip safety
46. Trigger
automatic, although yours will
14. Hammer
29. Plunger spring 30. Plunger tube
vary slightly.
15. Hammer pin
31. Rear sight
48. Lanyard loop
16. Hammer strut
32. Recoil spring
17. Hammer strut pin
33. Recoil spring guide
retainer
35. Safety lock
44. Stock screws
47. Frame D E C E M B E R
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Gear Guide GAS MASKS Clean Air On The Go Buying A Gas Mask In America
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Y B O T O H P
Australian soldiers prepare for the worst in the trenches of the western front, 1916. 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
THE IDEA OF TERRORISTS using toxic chemicals is fairly remote, as a widespread dissemination of biological agents by a small cell of terrorists is a difficult mission to accomplish. That isn’t to say a small band of bad guys or a lone terrorist left to his own devices isn’t capable of creating a small disaster localized to a specific place. Shoko Asahara and his terrorist group, Aum Shinrikyo, released a sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system in 1995, killing 13 people and adversely affecting an additional 5,200. The most likely scenario that would prompt anyone to purchase a gas mask for personal protection would be an accidental chemical spill or a similar industrial accident happening in their neighborhood that would make the air not breathable for a short period of time. In 2010, the Matheson Tri-Gas plant in La Porte, Tex., accidentally released a white cloud of boron trichloride into the neighborhood, where residents experienced respiratory tract burns, skin burns, eye burn and mucous membrane burns. The risk isn’t limited to metropolitan areas, but the likelihood is much higher in a more densely populated area. In addition to being prepared with proper breathing equipment, it would do a person well to prepare his house in the event of a chemical/biological attack or the propagation of an unknown gas. Seal windows, doors and vents with duct tape. Tape between the door and the frame and between the frame and the wall. The space between the door and the floor should be covered with a wet towel. Turn off air conditioning units, swamp coolers, and forced-air furnaces, anything that brings in outside air. When purchasing a gas mask, there are several factors to consider, and a plethora of designs and styles on the market, from modern adaptations to current interpretation of years-old military surplus designs. Consider how old the gas mask is before purchasing. How expensive is the filter and how long will it last? The ubiquitous filter is the 40mm NATO-threaded canister, which are most readily available and popular. Regardless of which one you purchase, make sure your mask is NATO or NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) rated. Gas canister and filters should be NBC, which give protection against chemical, biological and nuclear agents. That a filter is NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical)-rated is a major selling point for retailers and if it meets these standards, it will surely be posted. Long-term gas mask wearing is impractical and nearly impossible, considering the length of ti me the filters last and how many human functions are necessary while wearing it. Remember, you can’t live in a gas mask, but it might help you stay alive while you figure out your next move.
GAS MASKS
Gear Guide
EDITOR’S PICK
NATO SGE 150 Survival Gas Mask Features butyl rubber face seal with single front filter port. The polycarbonate face shield makes for a lightweight and compact mask while providing a wide field of vision. It is fitted to the face via six adjustable straps. A partitioned nose and mouthpiece allow air to pass in and out of the filters of the mask without causing condensation or fogging of the visor. $114.95
Inter-American Security Products, Inc. 12201 SW 128th Court Suite 104 Miami, FL 33186 (888) 299-9750 Interamer.com
Israeli Military M15
Mestel Safety SGE 400/3
A very common gas mask on the market today is the M15 Israeli mask that was issued to civilians over the last 15 years. It comes with two filters and instructions in English, but the manufacturer urges that buyers consult an expert if it is intended for use (which begs the question of why buy it). The rubber mask has a drinking tube, and the large lenses are plastic. It is effective as a respirator only and not for serious nerve or chemical agents.
Mestal Safety has been creating rubber products for 58 years, including a wide variety of gas masks. The SGE 400 series mas ks are the latest in its series of respiratory protection. The lenses are treated with a siloxane chemical for strength and a scratch-resistant coating. A valve on the mask can be used to cut down on humidity inside the mask for better visibility, and the entire face seal is made from medical grade silicone, which resists chemicals, provides a tight seal against the face, and is more comfortable than rubber.
$35.99
The Sportsman’s Guide 411 Farwell Avenue P.O. Box 239 South St. Paul, MN 55075-0239 (888) 844-0667 SportsmansGuide.com
$159.95
MSA Advantage 3100 CBA/RCA Mask The CBA/RCA stand for Chemical Biological Agent/Riot Control Agent, as the MSA Advanatage 3100 Gas Mask is based on MSA’s very popular industrial Advantage 3000 respirator systems with a 40mm filter port. It features a silicone face piece, and has a onepiece polycarbonate wraparound lens designed to eliminate distortion and increase peripheral vision. The harness has adjustable straps, and the mask is overall lightweight and low maintenance. It is NIOSH approved to protect against a variety of particulates. $189.99
Inter-American Security Products, Inc. 12201 SW 128th Court Suite 104 Miami, FL 33186 (888) 299-9750 Interamer.com
NBC Gas Mask (888) 719-9000 NBCGasMask.com
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Gear Guide
GAS MASKS
German M65 Gas Mask And Filter This faithful replica of the M65 German Bundeswehr gas mask is constructed of standard high-strength flexible rubber and features large triangular eyepieces for improved vision, a “voicemitter” for improved verbal communication, and an improved exhalation valve for easier breathing. The sealed, threaded filter port is a standard NATO 40mm design. The M65 was originally designed to protect against nerve gas, blister agents, choking agents, tear gases, incapacitates, and toxins. $22.95
Major Surplus & Survival 435 W. Alondra Gardena, CA, 90248 (800) 441-8855 MajorSurplus.com
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Advantage 1000 CBR-RCA Gas Mask
Scott Safety’s M95 Gas Mask
C50 First Responder Kit Gas Mask
Effective against biological agents and various chemical warfare agents (sarin, VX, mustard, and lewisite, for example), the one-piece polyurethane lens allows a wide field of vision and is bonded to the durable rubber face piece. The adjustable six-point head-harness is easy to put on and take off, while the filter can mount on either side to allow weapon sighting from either shoulder. The interior nosepiece eliminates fogging and a “voicemitter” allows for easy communication. Includes one CBA-RCA filter.
Used globally by many nations’ armed forces (Finland, for example), the M95 mask has a low-profile design and needs only eight seconds to get on. The six-point harness is rugged and the mask’s materials are chemical resistant. The side-mounted filter makes it easy to shoot a rifle while still wearing the mask, and the “voicemitter” allows for clear speech. The large eyepieces provide a good field of vision, and it meets NATO and NIOSH standards.
$299.95
JRH Enterprises PO Box 317 West Green, GA 31567 (912) 379.9441 JRHEnterprises.com
The Avon C50 Twin Port Mask is the 40mm filter version of the Avon Protection “50 Series” of masks. The FM50/M50, known as the new Joint Services General Purpose Mask (JSPGPM), is the mask used by all branches of the U.S. military and the only difference between those and the C50 is a different filter systems: The C50 mask uses one 40mm filter that can be mounted on either the left or right side. The kit includes C50 Mask, mask face form, one CBRNF12B filter, one CTF12 riot agent filter, one clear lens insert assembly, one sunlight lens insert assembly, a universal carrier, and one Avon nylon storage bag.
Ready Made Resources 239 Cagle Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 (800) 627-3809 ReadyMadeResources.com
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
$349.95
$599
Ready Made Resources 239 Cagle Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 800-627-3809 ReadyMadeResources.com
GAS MASKS
C
Gear Guide
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3M FR-M40 Silicone seals and a butyl rubber “second skin” on the face piece allows for longer, more comfortable wear times. A butyl-coated nylon hood covers the head and neck and is easily donned to add additional protection against chemical agents, while a drinking tube means the wearer won’t have to take it o ff to replenish fluids. The dual eyepieces allow the mask to be folded, so it is compact for storage, and it includes several accessories: clear and gray eyepiece inserts, exhalation valve, inhalation valve kit, and spectacle kit. The FR-M40 fits into a storage bag/carrying pouch with strap $519
Ready Made Resources 239 Cagle Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 (800) 627-3809 ReadyMadeResources.com
MCU 2P Navy/Air Force Issue Gas Mask The New Issue Navy/Air Force MCU2P gas mask is one of the most commonly available masks. It features a drinking tube that is compatible with U.S. canteens, has a wide field of vision, defogging valves, a “voicemitter” and a side-mounted canister to allow more effective use of a rifle. It uses the standard 40mm NATO filter, but the manufacturer recommends the M96 or C2A1 filters. $199.95
JRH Enterprises P.O. Box 317 West Green, GA 31567 (912) 379.9441 JRHEnterprises.com
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History of Gas Masks BELIEVE IT OR NOT, gas masks are incredibly old. When picturing a gas mask, one usually harkens to images of Great War soldiers hunkered down in the trenches during t he Ypres offensive in 1915. H owever, the concept of masks to isolate toxic air goes back to 850 AD and a design by the Banu Musa brothers in Iraq to protect workers in polluted wells. Doctors employed bird-like masks filled with spices during The Plague, while 400 years later, Prussian miner Alexander von Humboldt designed the first respirator to be used deep in coal mines. The charcoal air filter mask didn’t come into being until 1854 (invented by John Stenhouse), while the addition of lime and glycerin in 1871 (by John Tyndall) to the wool filter kept out smoke and some gases in the air. However, gas masks, like a lot of things, were advanced the most during times of war. Represented here are a few gas masks used by various military throughout the last century.
based on the British Small Box Respirator with improvements done to the exhale valve and the mouth piece which the soldier would breath through. This Richardson-Flory-Kops mask uses a glass lenses, a green canister, and a slightly wider face piece. The small canister to the right is a tube of anti-dimming compound to keep the lenses from fogging up. B_During World War II, the
Japanese utilized the Type 99 gas mask, issued in two main versions, with or without a hose and canister (shown). The green canister was fitted into a bag that was hung from the neck and the mask itself is rubber covered in a canvas. The lenses were glass and unscrewed so they could be replaced if damaged, but the “nose” is purely cosmetic. They were specifically designed to fit the faces of Japanese; it would be uncomfortable for people of other Asian cultures who tried to wear it. C_The M17 protective mask
A_The first American gas
masks during World War I were
was designed in 1959 to provide protection to American
soldiers through all known types of chemical and biological agents. It was issued to troops during the Vietnam War and was standard until it was replaced by the M40 in the early 1990s. The mask used different components for each function—filter, face piece— which allowed for easier repair. D_Phased into military use in
the 1990s, the M40 field protective mask was commissioned to protect from advancements in biological warfare elements including the then known 15 nerve, choking, and blister agents as well as two blood-borne attacks. It features a drinking attachment and is still a popular gas mask among civilians. E_During the recent wars in
the Middle East, many countries issued a host of differing gas masks for its population and military. This particular one, although the brand and origin is unknown, was used by the Iraqi army in the early 2000s. Its hose attaches to a filter that is worn around the neck, and the open face shield is wide for improved vision.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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The patented Strike Force is an exceptional all-weather �int based fire starting system. The system offers you an all-in-one compact, durable package, with a special alloy �int bar and hardened steel striker. When you scrape the striker down the high performance �int material you generate a spark three times as hot as a standard match which will easily ignite any dry tinder material, or you can use WetFire tinder which burns at more than 1,300 degrees. You won’t find a better non-toxic, odorless tinder that actually burns longer when wet. When conditions are at their worst you can count on Strike Force to make you a warming fire. It also is a safe and easy lighter for your backpacking stoves or barbecues. Available in Black or Orange. REG. $29.95
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SWEDISH FIREKNIFE ITEM #03-0197
The Swedish FireKnife™ is a new product by Light My Fire®which incorporates both a Mora Knife and a Swedish F ireSteel®, the ultimate way to light a fire in any weather. The 3.75" blade is constructed of Sandvik 12C27 Swedish cold-rolled special stainless steel (Rc 56-58). The handle, with a high friction rubber grip, is comfortable, and safe to use. Profile grinding makes the blade extremely sharp from the factory and is easy to resharpen without special tools. The back of the knife has been ground to work perfectly with the Swedish FireSteel®which is contained in the rear of the handle. The durable Swedish FireSteel®works equally well when wet and creates a 5,400°F Spark. Just twist and pull on the back of the handle to reveal the Swedish FireSteel®which measures .25" in diameter by 1.5” long. O verall measures 8¾"L x 2"W x 1"H.
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THE RENEGADE SURVIVAL KIT ITEM #11-0020
The kit, made by a survivalist. Compact, lightweight and effective. We kept only what’s necessary. Keep in your car, put one in your Bug Out bag or leave one at the office. Kit provides you with some of the most basic human needs, Food, Fire, Shelter and Rescue. Measures 6"L x 5"W x 2"H.
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This is the current U.S. Issue with induction damped needle swing and magnifying lens in the sighting bracket for easy dial r eadings. The O. D. hinged aluminum case has a straight edge calibrated in centimeters. This compass has degree and millimeter scales and operates in -49ºF to 158ºF temperatures. Neck lanyard and O. D. nylon LC-1 compass/1st aid pouch with ALICE clip included. Phosphorescent markings (requires external light to become luminous)
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Invisible
Weapons BACTERIA, BUGS AND BIOTERRORISM: SURVIVING SOMETHING YOU CAN’T SEE Story by Carrie Visintainer | Photography Courtesy the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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T’S MONDAY MORNING AT A LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND DR. A.J. CUMMINGS, FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AND CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SURGERY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AT ILLINOIS, IS IN HIS OFFICE PREPARING TO TEACH A CLASS OF MEDICAL RESIDENTS.
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A. The Ebola virus, shown here, has no known cure and there are no specific treatments available. B. This thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals a single virus particle of measles virus. C. The Avian Influenza A H7N9 was first detected in China in March 2013 and took nearly a year to reach outside China. Reports of the disease have been increasing in 2014. D. This colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts a colony of Salmonella, found in undercooked or raw meat and poultry products. E. This is the influenza virus particle that causes the common flu.
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C
B
But just as he clicks open a file to look through a Power Point presentation, he receives an emergency alert from the hospital communications center. The announcement sends chills down his spine. A group of patients have arrived at the ER, and based on their symptoms—fever, chills, difficulty breathing, and nausea—are suspected of having inhaled the bacteria Bacillus anthracis: Anthrax. Cumming’s wheels begin turning. Bioterrorism, he thinks, a term that refers to the deliberate release of bacteria or viruses into the environment in order to cause mass illness and casualties; a response he admits comes automatically after 9/11. Yet there are so many things unknown at the onset. Perhaps the exposure happened naturally. Maybe the patients somehow came into contact with infected cattle or goats and breathed in the rod-shaped bacteria spores? And what is the full scope of the situation? Are these the only people who have been exposed, or will others begin trickling or pouring into the ER as they begin to get sick? As Cummings hustles down to meet his colleagues, he thinks about what he does know, based on his medical training. He understands that inhaled anthrax is the most serious form of anthrax infection, must be treated immediately upon diagnosis, and isn’t contagious. He also knows that anthrax is a Category A biological agent, as described
by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Along with smallpox, tularemia, botulism, pneumonic plague, and the viral hemorrhagic fevers, anthrax is among the highest risk of being used as a bioweapon, based on its ability to be easily disseminated, cause public fear and panic, result in widespread illness and death, and ultimately cripple the infrastructure and economy of a society. As a front line doctor, Cumming’s job is to react effectively to immediate medical needs. He and his team call up protocol and think through the cascade of events necessary to address the situation, including diagnostic lab testing, chest X-rays, CT scans, treating patients with appropriate antibiotics and antitoxin, and perhaps even paging extra personnel if large numbers of patients begin presenting with symptoms, such as if the spores have been released into the air by a plane or truck. When Cummings and his group are finished, they sigh with relief. After all, this was only a test. A mandatory drill. A mock biohazard disaster. And although the medical personnel knew that this was a practice scenario from the start, including that the patients were volunteers, they felt anxiety and responded like it was a real-life situation, because training like this has everything to do with preparedness. “Biological attacks may not happen with regularity, but there are huge efforts in place
Invisible
Weapons Don’t hesitate to seek medical help! If you believe you’ve been exposed to a biological agent or virus, or have been a victim of an attack, avoid contact with other people and head directly to the emergency room. This could save your life. For example, the smallpox vaccine, if administered within three days of exposure to the variola virus, can significantly decrease the severity of the disease. In addition, most biologically caused infections and diseases, including pulmonary (inhaled) anthrax, must be diagnosed and treated immediately for the best chances of a full recovery.
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to be ready if they do. It takes vigilance to stay prepared,” says Cummings. After 9/11 and the anthrax attacks of 2001, the Bush administration and future leaders responded by, among other things, placing high priority on hospital preparedness, funding significant efforts to strengthen the U.S. healthcare system. The All Hazards Preparedness program, including disaster drills like this one, is designed to arm medical centers with the ability to treat large numbers of people affected by anything from an act of bioterrorism to an H1N1 pandemic to a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy. This has meant buying more equipment, creating partnerships, termed healthcare coalitions, between neighboring hospitals, convening committees, and adopting protocols. Preparing for, in essence, the worst. And biological attacks are top of mind, because of their use throughout history. The truth is that germs and warfare are old allies, causing the deaths of friends and foe alike for more than 2,000 years, long before the understanding of what germs were and how they were transmitted. As far back as 450 B.C., Greek historian Herodotus described the Scythians archers, who ruled a vast region around present-day Iran using poison-tipped arrows. Skilled in guerilla warfare, the Scythians concocted a mixture of decomposed bodies of venomous
snakes, human blood, and manure and allowed it to putrefy. The dipped arrows contained the bacteria of gangrene and tetanus, while the snake venom would attack red blood cells and the nervous system, and could even induce a respiratory paralysis. In fact, we get our English word for toxin form the Greek word toxikon, which is derived from toxon, the Greek word for arrow. During the siege of the city-state of Athens by the Spartans in the Peloponnesian War, a devastating epidemic broke out, which killed thousands of Athenians. The famous historian Thucydides, writing between 431 B.C. and 404 B.C. reported, “it was supposed that Sparta poisoned the wells.” As well, it has been suggested recently that the “plague of Athens” during the Peloponnesian War was Ebola, most likely brought by the African Green Monkey. A common regimental pet of the African tribes, the Green Monkey is the host for the Marlburg virus, a close relative of the Ebola virus. Fast forward 1,000 years to the Tatars from the Russian steppes. In 1346, during a battle for Kaffa in the Ukraine, the Tartar army hurled dead bodies riddled with the bubonic plague over the walls of the enemy city. From there, Genoese traders returned to Italy, and by 1350, Europe was forever changed, precipitating with it the Dark Ages. The first recoded “weaponized” biological agent in North America occurred during the
“THE TRUTH IS THAT GERMS AND WARFARE ARE OLD ALLIES, CAUSING THE DEATHS OF FRIENDS AND FOE ALIKE FOR MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS, LONG BEFORE THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GERMS WERE AND HOW THEY WERE TRANSMITTED. ”
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F. The West Nile virus is transmitted via mosquitoes and is in a similar family of diseases as Ebola. The first case in the United States was in 1999, and since, nearly 300 people have died from it in this country. G. This colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) reveals a small clustered group of Gram-positive, betahemolytic Group C Streptococcus sp. bacteria. H. This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals norovirus virus, a virus that attacks the stomach and intestines. Each year, it causes 19-21 million illnesses, which leads to nearly 800 deaths in the United States. It is the most common foodborne disease in the U.S. I. This strain of E. coli is an emerging cause of foodborne illness. An estimated 73,000 cases of infection, and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year because of it. Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk, and after swimming in, or drinking sewage-contaminated water. J. Once this tuberculosis bacteria begins to multiply, if the immune system can’t stop them from growing, the bacteria attack the body and destroy tissue. If in the lungs, the bacteria can actually create a hole in the lung tissue. K. This H5N1 viruses (seen in gold) is also known as the avian influenza A. It usually doesn’t infect humans; however, several i nstances of human infections and outbreaks have been reported since 1997.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
French and Indian Wars (1754 to 1767) and the agent was smallpox. The method of delivery was blankets, not bombs. Sir Jeffrey Amherst, who was the commander of British forces in North America formulated a plan to “reduce,” as he so clinically expressed it, the size of the Native American tribes that were hostile to the crown. In late spring 1763, there was an outbreak of smallpox in the garrison of Fort Pitt. This produced a bacterial delivery system that the medical world would now refer to as a “fomite,” an inanimate object capable of naturally containing or transporting an infectious agent. Blankets and a handkerchief laden with the pus or dried scabs from the smallpox sores of the infected British troops were collected in Fort Pitt’s infirmary. These blankets and handkerchiefs were usually burned. This time, they were saved. On June 24, 1763, one of Amherst’s subordinates, Captain Ecuyer, ceremoniously gave the blankets and one handkerchief to the Indians invited to confer at the Fort. Captain Ecuyer recorded rather chillingly in his diary, “I hope it will have the desired effect.” This “gift” may have had its intended effect. Native American tribes in the Ohio Valley suffered a smallpox epidemic. What is remarkable is the fact that science did not discover the germ theory and how diseases are transmitted until the late 1870s. With the work of Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) and Robert Koch (1843-1910) and the subsequent development of microbiology in the late 19th century, it was finally possible to isolate, produce, and weaponize biological
agents in a more formal way, opening the door to expand weapons of warfare into new and chilling territory. The reason that this history is so important is that it tends to repeat itself. Here we are in the 21st century, with the government in constant surveillance for public health emergencies, including outbreaks, pandemics, and acts of bioterror. When considering the face of the current biological threat, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who’s interested in how national security and infectious disease intersect in natural or intentional ways, tends to focus on what has already happened successfully. “Things that have worked in the past are most likely to be used again,” he says. He and his team hold brainstorming sessions where they consider a whole range of possible bioterrorism scenarios—none of which he can share publicly, for privacy reasons —but ultimately, in planning for the future, they partly keep their eyes on the past. Adalja emphasizes that the CDC’s list of Category A agents and diseases are top concerns. In addition, he and his colleagues study agents, toxins, and diseases that might not be thought of as weapons of bioterror. For example, the bacteria salmonella, causes the illness Salmonellosis and is characterized by fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, and sometimes requires hospitalization. Salmonella is listed as a Category B agent by the CDC—rated moderate risk for ease of dissemination and potential illness. Adalja
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recalls an event of more recent history that had a significant public health effect: the Rajneeshee bioterror act of 1984, in which salad bars in 10 restaurants in Oregon were deliberately contaminated with salmonella by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, sickening 751 people and hospitalizing 46. Because of acts like this, contamination of public food and water systems remain a top concern. Adalja says there’s also been an increase in the use of Ricin, another Category B agent, as a bioweapon over the last couple of years. Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans and can be made into a pellet, powder, or mist, has no antidote, and can cause death in infected patients depending on the dose and method of exposure. Although Adalja says Ricin has been historically used as more of an assassin’s tool than a weapon of mass destruction—such as in1978, when a Bulgarian journalist died after a man injected a ricin pellet under his skin using an umbrella— there have been recent threats of significance. For example, letters containing Ricin have been mailed to the President of the United States, a senator, and a judge, all within the last year. Because of this, one means Adalja and his team focus on is the dissemination of pathogens through the postal service. The anthrax attacks of 2001, as well as the more recent Ricin poisoning attempts, have created ongoing surveillance and heightened awareness related to white powders in the mail. As a result, the postal service has protectors and a protocol in place at their facilities in case they come into a contact with a
letter than may contain biological material. From a public health perspective, Adalja notes that biological agents or diseases used in acts of bioterrorism are some of the most complicated to understand, because unlike a bomb, or even chemical exposure, people don’t always know if they’ve been infected right away. Many bacteria and viruses have a long incubation period, which means it can take a person up to 60 days to get sick from an agent like pulmonary anthrax, up to 12 days for the smallpox virus, and up to 10 days for foodborne botulism, making it difficult to immediately understand the scope of the situation, or how it was initiated. In addition, Adalja emphasizes it’s often it’s often difficult to tell a natural event from an intentional one. “You always want it to be natural, because ‘intentional’ sets off a cascade of actions that have a lot of implications,” he says. “Whereas a natural outbreak can be dealt with from a public health standpoint, a deliberate attack involves national defense and forensic issues that need to be addressed as well.” He notes that during the 1984 salmonella poisoning resulting from Oregon salad bars, the outbreak was originally investigated and thought to be natural, but was actually intentional. “It takes a very astute investigator to tease apart that kind of thing,” he says. “Even during the anthrax attack in 2001, it was thought maybe it was a natural outbreak because the first victim had been out in the wilderness in North Carolina and might have come in contact with an animal that had died of anthrax.”
Have a Plan The CDC has the following emergency preparedness plans for all types of biohazards. This is tons of information, and it applies to all hazards versus exclusively bioterrorism. In the meantime, look into ways to: > Stock an emergency supply kit > Create a family communication plan > Stay informed
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BIOTERRORISM AGENTS There are thousands of
Agents/Diseases
diseases that affect mil-
• Anthrax (Bacillus
lions of people throughout the world, and many of those diseases come from a handful of viruses
anthracis) • Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
and bacteria that are
• Plague ( Yersinia pestis) • Smallpox (variola major)
rarely seen in the United
• Tularemia (Francisella
States. This makes them perfect candidates for
tularensis) • Viral hemorrhagic
burnetii) • Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans) • Staphylococcal enterotoxin B • Typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii)
fevers (filoviruses, e.g.,
They are classified by the
Ebola; and arenaviruses,
(alphaviruses [e.g.,
CDC into three categories based on priority and
e.g., Lassa, Machupo)
Venezuelan equine
Category A The U.S. public health system and primary
• Viral encephalitis
encephalitis, eastern
Category B Second highest priority agents include those that: • Are moderately easy to disseminate
healthcare providers
• Result in moderate mor-
must be prepared to
bidity rates and low mor-
address various biological
tality rates
agents, including
• Require specific
equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis]) • Water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)
Category C
pathogens that are rarely
enhancements of CDC’s
Third highest priority
seen in the United States. High-priority agents
diagnostic capacity and enhanced disease sur-
agents include emerging
include organisms that
veillance.
engineered for mass dis-
pose a risk to national Agents/Diseases
• Can be easily dissemi-
• Brucellosis
from person to person • Result in high mortality rates and have the
(Brucella species) • Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens • Food safety
potential for major pub-
threats (e.g., Salmo-
lic health impact
nella species, Escherichia
• Might cause public panic and social disruption • Require special action for public health preparedness.
coli O157:H7, Shigella) • Glanders (Burkholderia mallei) • Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei) • Psittacosis
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pathogens that could be semination in the future
security because they: nated or transmitted
58
• Q fever (Coxiella
agents of bioterrorism.
severity.
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Chlamydia psittaci)
because of: Availability
• Ease of production and dissemination • Potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impact. Agents
• Emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus and hantavirus
As far as who is most likely to initiate an act of bioterrorism, Adalja divides the threat into two categories: state and non-state actors. State actors refer to a group of people working as part of a program that’s run by a government, such as the former Soviet Union’s offensive program, where they were preparing to make bombs and devices to disseminate biological weapons in a war setting. And then there are non-state actors, such as the terrorists responsible for 9/11 or the successive anthrax attacks; individuals leading an initiative on their own or as part of a nongovernmental group. Adalja believes the current risk rests primarily with non-state actors, which is conditioned, in part, by the fact that the independently initiated anthrax attack was successful using the mail, and also by the fact that there would be significant negative world pressure put on a government program using biological warfare today. Although suspect still exists, this pressure discourages the use of this method. And although critics say this isn’t accurate—that biological weapons aren’t practical or reliable and are not a realistic choice for a low-budget terrorist group or individual— Adalja agrees this is a legitimate argument, but he disagrees. “You do need tacit experience to do some of this work” he says, noting the concept of dual use research, which refers, for example, to a person who’s a microbiologist by day and terrorist by night, such as the infamous Dr. Germ and Chemical Sally, who were both legitimate microbiologists working in the weapons program for the Iraqi government. But formal training in microbiology isn’t necessary required. “People do rudimentary experiments that can be useful in this context,” he says. “Like making Ricin in their garages from castor oil.” He notes that people can find cultures of biological agents in nature without a lot of effort, so if a person has some
basic knowledge, they may be able to make good effort at creating a biological weapon. “Although synthesizing a virus is not necessarily accessible to the everyday person, there are other things that could be constructed from simple sources that don’t require a degree in microbiology,” he says. As a result, federal, state, and local governmental agencies are preparing on an ongoing basis for an act of bioterrorism, as well as natural outbreaks and pandemics, focusing on the entire spectrum between prevention and treatment. There exists everything from comprehensive information on the CDC website about various pathogens to specific emergency response programs to research into vaccines and medicines that might be useful in treating diseases. Many of these efforts intertwine, resulting in partnership projects. For example, at Colorado State University, the federal Department of Health and Human Services is partially funding a project between university researchers and a pharmaceutical company to investigate whether an experimental drug therapy may be used to effectively to treat Burkholderia pseudomallei, the highly infectious bacteria that causes melioidosis, a Category B agent of emerging concern. So, how can individuals prepare for an act of bioterrorism, or even a natural outbreak? Is it possible to escape? Jim Cobb, owner of Disaster Prep Consultants and the author of Countdown to Preparedness: The Prepper’s 52 Week Course to Total Disaster Readiness believes that preparedness, above all, begins with lifestyle. In order to protect yourself and your family, he suggests the following steps: Avoid being in a target area. Cobb emphasizes that in the case of bioterrorism, the perpetrators’ goal is to infect a high concentration of people, and person-to-person contact is often a major factor in spreading the illness. “If you have a choice to live in the middle of Chicago, or the middle of Idaho, choose the rural setting,” he says. For those who are forced who live in an urban area, Cobb recommends getting out of the region as soon as an emergency is announced and isolating yourself and your family as best as you can. You can sign up for public safety emergency alerts in your area at Ready.gov/alerts or register for e-mail alerts or RSS feeds from the CDC’s Health Alert Network at http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/.
Hunker down. In your house or apartment, have a bag ready with things like gloves and N95 surgical masks, which are effective against most viruses and can be found at everyday hardware stores. In addition, wash hands frequently and stay clean. Before the emergency occurs (i.e. now), it’s important to begin stockpiling food and water. Cobb emphasizes that you don’t need to “panic and spend $5,000 on a pallet of freeze-dried food,” but rather start by gathering enough food and water in your home to feed your family for seven days. Then shoot for 2 weeks. And then, build up to a month. Increase your supply slowly over time so that you are ready when the time comes. For a comprehensive list of what to include in your preparedness kit, visit the CDC All Hazards Preparedness link at http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/ disasters/. Think beyond the infection. In the event of a widespread attack, it may take time for officials to get a handle on the situation. This may mean that businesses have to shut down, including grocery stores. Cobb suggests that self- sufficient skills will go a long way toward sustaining yourself and your family in the following days, weeks, or month after societal shutdown. Things to explore for your family include: Learning to garden: “No matter where you live, you can grow something,” Cobb says. Container gardening works well in an urban situation, and larger plots are doable in a rural space. Knowing how cook from scratch. Without processed and prepared foods from a grocery store or restaurant, it’s important to know how to take food out of your garden and prepare it in a healthful way. Investing in alternative energy. Solar panels and wind turbines have come a long way in a short period of time. Purchasing solar panels is relatively inexpensive and can provide much of your energy needs. Empowering your children. Cobb has three young boys at home, and although they are as locked into the internet as many modern-age kids, he and his wife have been working on other skills, taking them camping, having them help out in the garden, teaching them how to cook; helping then understand what it means to be self-sufficient, so they can grow up with this important life skill.
BE INFORMED > Follow CDC Emergency on Twitter for updated information and preparedness chats. https://twitter.com/CDCe mergency. > Sign up for public safety emergency alerts in your area at Ready.gov/alerts. > Follow CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response on Facebook at Facebook.com/cdcemergency. > Visit CDC Emergency and Preparedness at http://emergency.cdc.gov for comprehensive information on bioterrorism and other potential disasters.
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Mission Critical INSIDE THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION Story by Ryan Lee Price | Photos Courtesy the CDC
unprecedented risks to public safety with the air attack on the World Trade Center and bioterrorism attacks using anthrax spores as a weapon. Since 2001, CDC has worked around the clock to save lives and help protect the nation and other countries by responding to nearly 50 emergency disasters involving foodborne, influenza, including H1N1, and other infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, tropical storm, wildfires, and earthquakes; and environmental emergencies such as deep-water horizon oil spills and radiation leaks in Japan. But it isn’t all humanitarian: In May 1994, the CDC admitted to having sent several biological warfare agents to the Iraqi government from 1984 through 1989, including Botulinum toxin, West Nile virus, Yersinia pestis, and Dengue fever virus. COMMUNICATIONS
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THOUGH NOBODY KNOWS for sure where it originated—theories are as varied as are the scientist and historians suggesting them (Chinese laborers, French birds, pigs from Kansas) — but early reports of the illness in late 1917 from the front lines in France and Germany were suppressed by the Axis and Allies to the extent that only neutral Spain allowed news coverage of this new disease, hence the nickname, the Spanish Flu. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four years of the Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. It was a global disaster, and those in power at the time decided that an epidemic of this proportion could not happen again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the preeminent federal agency in the U.S. for protecting the health and safety of people around the world. It provides data and information to combat and contain deadly diseases and viruses, while promoting health to wellbeing to Americans at home and abroad.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
Founded in 1946 as the Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA) fighting malaria in the various wartime areas, the CDC has worked assiduously throughout the years to alert and suppress outbreaks of malaria, polio, smallpox, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). More recently, the CDC has been besieged with the peril of anthrax, as well as contagious diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), swine flu, and Ebola. The CDC has guarded people against noninfectious diseases as well by responding to dangers in the workplace caused by injury, disabilities, and environmental health threats. The CDC tracked and controlled polio in the 1950s, created a program to eradicate smallpox in the 1960s, and its CDC disease detectives discovered the cause of Legionnaires’ disease in 1976. In the early 1980s, the CDC responded to the threat of a mysterious illness we know now as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and in the 1990s, it partnered with the Food and Drug Administration to establish regulations for special diets. The new millennium brought
In April 2002, construction began on the new, state-of-the-art Marcus Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Atlanta, Ga. The EOC is a 7,000 square foot, 24/7 mission-critical building designed to monitor the spread of diseases and possible bioterrorism threats worldwide. Much of the CDC’s work takes place on the main operations floor of the EOC. Here, the center’s staff of scientists, doctors, and researchers gather and organize data from all over the world. Images of real-time events, statuses, alerts, news, and maps are transmitted via cable, satellite, and computer feeds and displayed onto eight 50inch DLP projection screens. The EOC control room houses the entire infrastructure for the main floor, while six team rooms in the EOC operate independently from the rest of the facility. BIOCONTAINMENT AREAS
Deep in the bowels of the CDC (and elsewhere in the United States) are the labs that study, organize, classify, and work with the various microorganisms that are known to cause diseases in healthy human beings. They are classified into four levels, designated in ascending order by degree of protection provided to
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exchanged more readily. Gloves, masks, and lab coats are required. The handling of needles and sharp objects is regulated and controlled. Though the biohazard material is normally confined to an incubator or freezer, leakproof boxes are used to transport materials from one location to another. Diseases such as Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis A-E, herpes, HIV, Monkeypox, and spongiform encephalopathies are studied in BSL-2.
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Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3): Work Dr. Terrence Tumpey, a staff microbiologist at the Center for Disease Control and Pre vention examines a reconstructed 1918 Pandemic Influenza Virus inside a specimen vial.
personnel, the environment, and the community. Though standard microbiological practices are common to all laboratories, each level ascribes to its own degree of protection.
Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1): This lab is similar to any microbiology lab found in a college classroom setting. The use of agents is not considered hazardous. There is a door that can be closed to keep visitors out of the lab while work with the agents is in progress. Waste materials are segregated according to hazard type, and work is done on an open bench. The air is normally changed out six times an hour, but the labs do not need to be isolated from the rest of the building. Lab coats, gloves, and eye protection are suggested but not required. Examples of BSL 1 agents include: Bacillus subtilis, Eschericia coli K12, and Naegleria gruberi. There are thousands of BSL-1 labs around the country.
Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2): Diseases studied in this level are ones to which the people have had exposure to in the community, often as children, and to which they have already experienced an immunity/vaccination for, such as smallpox, influenza A, Lyme disease, mumps, measles, and some sexually transmitted diseases. Work can be done in a similar fashion as in BSL-1, but the safety precautions used by the workers increase dramatically. Air is
done on serious infectious diseases that may be lethal if inhaled are dealt with in BSL-3. These labs are located away from high-traffic areas of the building (usually alongside BSL-4), and specific barriers are put in place to protect the workers. There is a doubledoor entry, and air is not allowed to escape the room (in fact, air is never re-circulated back into the room via the HVAC system). Biological safety cabinets are used, and all walls and floors are waterproof and sealed. Respirators are used when working with aerosol contaminants. Diseases such as Rift Valley fever, Yellow fever, and the resistant strain of Yersenia pestis are contained in BSL-3.
Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4): When one thinks of the CDC, this is the area they think of most, where the highly contagious and extremely dangerous diseases are studied, the ones that pose the highest level to the safety of the population, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Lassa virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. The facilities are in a separate laboratory sealed off from the rest of the building, isolated from its systems. Workers in this unit utilize the latest in personnel suits that are ventilated with an internal life support system. Outside visitation by non-personnel is expressly prohibited. There are 15 Biosafety Level 4 labs in the country, nine of which are attached to federally controlled facilities. The BSL-4 in Atlanta is one of only two facilities in the world that have an example of the smallpox disease.
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Gear Guide SHOVELS
Modern entrenching shovels cover a broad spectrum of survival needs, from compasses in the handle to saws and picks and hammers. They are usually made from wood, metal, and plastic, as are these.
Survival Shovels Three Sizes For Three Situations By Ryan Lee Price
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ONE OF THE MORE OFTEN OVERLOOKED survival items needed in a wellstocked cache of equipment is a good quality entrenching shovel. While most people probably think that a shovel is a shovel is a shovel, there are dozens of different kinds of shovels for a wide variety of specialized tasks: tasks: snow shovel, barn shovel, irrigation shovel, flathead, round-nose, garden spade, and a duckbill spade to name a few. Having a shovel in a survival situation is paramount: digging a latrine, hiding your garbage, and turning over coals in the fire to shoring up your tent drainage system, system, pounding a stake, and even burying the bodies if it comes to that. In the right hands, it can be a formidable weapon; you can use the blade as an impromptu frying pan; and they might even be pretty good at digging a hole. There are many survival shovels on the market today, and most offer similar features: collapsibility for easy storage, a couple of different configurations, a storage/carry bag, and a few extra built-in tools. The three shovels that we chose to highlight this month spotlight those offerings in three unique ways, while giving you an idea of just how versatile modern entrenching shovels can be.
Foxhole Heroes: Shovels Of Yesteryear Modern entrenching tools get their start from the military application of small, compact, shovels that could easily be carried into combat strapped to the outside of soldiers’ packs, though the ability to fold up is a relatively modern invention. The practice of digging trenches and foxholes goes back to World War I and is still an integral part of military gear issued to today’s soldier. From left to right: Vietnamera entrenching tool issued in the mid-1960s and used until the 1980s; a German-supplied shovel issued to Austrian soldiers in 1914 during World War I; used by Americans when it entered World War I in 1917 is this t-handle shovel dated 1918; and during World War II, Americans used this folding shovel in combat. Above is a knock-down axe and canvas carrying case from World War War II.
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SHOVELS
Gear Guide
SOG Elite Entrenching Tool
It arrives in a sturdy well-constructed nylon pouch. There are no straps to sling over your shoulder, but instead, three loops with which to affix it to your pack or belt (which would be impractical.) Folded up, the 11-inch shovel fits snugly in the sheath. Unfolded, the shovel’s overall length is 26 inches, with an 8 1⁄2inch long and six-inch wide blade. The shoulder is rolled over for strength when digging, but the pivot-locking mechanism will get in the way of those using their right feet. A half-turn in either direction will lock the blade into an infinite range of angles. The handle is a Fiberglas-reinforced Fiberglas-reinforced nylon and although it gives the first impression of being simple plastic that will break when it meets its first rock, Fiberglas used in this way is very strong.
The knob handle unscrews to release a very sharp steel saw-tooth blade that can be used for cutting wood o r a variety of things. The 7-inch blade reverses and feeds back in through the knob, which is screwed back onto the handle. Doing so can be tricky, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be a victim of the business end of the blade. It is a little awkward at first to use the shovel in this manner, but we got use to it fairly q uickly. The handle is dodecagonal shaped, which provides a solid grip, even when wet, and the slight texture adds to that grip. The rounded knob has indentations that affords a comfortable pivot point for your opposite palm. The blade is 1075 carbon steel, the same material SOG makes some of its knives with; it is the kind of steel that holds its edge very well, but will oxidize if the scratches are not properly carried for.
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SOURCE:
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools 6521 212th Street Southwest Lynnwood, WA 98036 (888) 405-6433 SOGKnives.com SPECS:
Length: 26 inches Folded Length 11 inches Weight: 24.8 ounces Shovel Length: 81⁄2 inches Blade Thickness: 0.06 inches Finish: Hardcased black Hardness: RC. 40-42 Blade Steel Type: 1075 carbon Handle Material: Glass-reinforced nylon Handle Color: Black Sheath Color: Black Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon Sheath Attachment Type: Belt loop Sheath Closure Type: Snap buckle
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1. The nearly 9-inch blade is made of carbon steel and has a well-rounded curve that scoops dirt easily instead of letting it slip off of the edges. 2. The locking mechanism is large and only needs a half turn in either direction to lock and unlock the folding portion of t he shovelhead. 3. Included in the handle is this 7-inch serrated (and very sharp) blade attachment. 4. The sheath is well built and easily holds the shovel in its folded configuration. The folded hems are double stitched for strength, but we wish there was a shoulder strap.
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Gear SHOVELS Guide
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1. The shovelhead has a host of abilities all by itself. 2. The locking mechanism leaves a little to be desired, as you’ll have to perfectly line up the appropriate hole with the setting screw in order for the head to lock down. Once it is sorted out, the possibilities are nearly endless. 3. Though it is in centimeters, it is a handy addition when cutting specific lengths of wire or if general measuring is needed. 4. How many of your shovels can open a beer, saw the can in half, and then bolt it to the wall? 5. The sheath is well made and attractive. The extra pockets and various configurations of the straps are thoughtful additions.
WJQ-308/Q5 Chinese Multi-Function Military Shovel
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According to the manufacturer, the inventor of this shovel was wounded twice in combat and awarded eight times for his service, and he used his experiences to create the Swiss Army Knife of entrenching tools. It comes in a very nice box with a well thought-out sheath, but since the directions and text on the box are all in Chinese, finding out what this tool can do was an experiment in discovery. Obvious attributes on the 7 1⁄2-inch long, 6-inch wide shovel head are a bottle opener, a 3 1⁄2inch long serrated portion of the head for sawing, two “wrenches” (10 and 9mm), and a smooth sharpened blade on the opposite side for chopping. The pivot point hosts its own bevy of tools. Unscrew the locking mechanism, and you can adjust it to a wide variety of settings; however,, having to line up the setting screw however A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL AL G U ID ID E
with the appropriate hole in order for the screw to seat properly (and lock in the head) is a little fiddly. Completely folded up, it becomes a pair of wire cutters. Also while folded, there is a rounded flat head on the back of the shovel that can be used as a hammer. At various angles, the pivot point reveals numerous abilities, from a can opener and a pry bar to a screwdriver and wire wrappers. The 16-inch handle is stout at 1 1⁄2-inches wide and made of wood with a nice lacquer on it. Running down the length of the shaft is a centimeter scale. Unscrewing the knob end releases a 10-inch spike that might have more than a few applications. It reverses and screws back into the handle to form a long bayonet, perhaps, or mine probe. The sheath has a multi-configur multi-configurable able strap that allows you to carry it over your shoulder or in your hand. It is made of sturdy nylon and has two extra pouches that can hold a variety of things.
SOURCE:
WJQ-308.com SPECS:
Length: 26 inches Folded Length: 17 inches Weight: 2.8 pounds Shovel Length: 7-3/4 inches Blade Thickness: 0.06 inches Finish: Hardcased black Hardness: N/A Blade Steel Type: Steel Handle Material: Wood Handle Color: Natural Sheath Color: Cammo Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon Sheath Attachment Type: Three-point buckle Sheath Closure Type: Snap buckle
SHOVELS
Rothco Five-in-One The Diminutive Digger
Okay, don’t laugh. Hear us out first. There are a couple things at fault with this tool, but it isn’t its size. On the other hand, it is inexpensive and well made. The steel is solid and w ill take quite a beating, especially the pick tool. Sure, the shovelhead is small and you could get a handful of dirt just as easily with, well, your hand, but that is the point. Who wants to dig with their hands? The size of the shovel, which folds up to only 9 inches makes this perfect for a go-bag or in the trunk of your car. The pivot point is locked in place by a large nut and washer, traditional to the typical entrenching tool design, and each of the four tools are affixed via a cotter pin-secured bolt. The box says the bolt should have a quick-release button, but our example has a cotter pin, which is quite difficult to get out without pliers. The shovel comes with five tools. The pointed shovelhead is 51⁄2-inches long and fairly robust; the shoulders are rolled over for strength, and it is
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riveted in three places to the mounting bracket. There is a hint of serration on the left side of the blade, but no way is that cutting anything. An 8inch-long saw-tooth attachment fits in place of the shovelhead, and although isn’t as sharp as it should be, can be used to cut small branches easily. The hammer/hatchet attachment is a little to be desired. The hammer doesn’t have the heft needed to drive nails, but it can work in a tent stake fairly well. The hatchet side, if properly sharpened, might prove useful. Out of the box, it won’t cut butter. The best of the five tools is the pick. At 4 1⁄4 inches, it is very strong and able to penetrate even the toughest dirt. On the butt of the handle is a small compass that is useful in a pinch. The rubber grip slips off easily, which can be d angerous in mid-swing but easily remedied with some glue. There are several good reasons to include this in your pack as a secondary shovel where space and weight is an issue. In sp ite of its size and a couple of machining issues, it is very practical, functional tool.
Gear Guide
SOURCE:
JHL Supply 28 W. First Street South Fulton, NY 13069 (800) 537-1339 CampingSurvival.com SPECS:
Length: 131⁄2 inches Folded Length: 9 inches Weight: 1.8 pounds Shovel Length: 5 inches Blade Thickness: 0.04 inches Finish: Hard-cased black Hardness: N/A Blade Steel Type: Steel Handle Material: Rubber Handle Color: Black Sheath Color: Black Sheath Material: Nylon Sheath Attachment Type: Belt loop Sheath Closure Type: Snap
1. In spite of its size (or perhaps because of it), the five-in-one tool has a few surprises in store to make up for its shortcomings. 2. Disappointing was the cotter pin that is used to release the mounting pin. It is difficult to remove without pliers. 3. The compass is always a nice addition to any tool, as it is an integral piece of equipment in any survival situation. 4. The axe head out of the box is completely dull, while the hammer end isn’t hefty enough to create any momentum to hammer anything more than tent stakes. 5. The sheath is made of nylon and adequate to hold all of the tools when the shovel is folded up. The hammer/axe head is stored in the outer pocket and secured with a snapping button.
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IN THIS SECTION
COLLECTING RAINWATER
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GET-HOME BAG
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MICRO SURVIVAL KIT
Confinement In The Concrete Jungle Keeping It Together When You Can’t Get Out Of Town
IT IS HUMAN NATURE to want to escape an unpleasant situation, to remove ourselves as far as possible from danger, discomfort, and misery. As social animals taught to help our neighbors, we are conflicted when an emergency situation demands that we leave our homes. We rely on the support and companionship of those around us in a similar predicament, but what happens when we can’t leave? One of our best traits as people can turn into our worst trait as survivors. Self-sufficiency will preside over humani ty, conflicts will arise, and that’s when trouble happens. As preppers, there might be a time when you have to look out for yourself. You might have to say no to someone in need on your doorstep, especially if there is nowhere to 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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turn and your supplies are limited. We can stockpile provision and prepare ourselves for the worst, but are you prepared to make a decision that seals the fate of another family less fortunate than you? Or do you open the door?
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Compact enough to make the kit incredibly small and light, but large enough to be very inclusive, the SUMA PSK is an all-purpose, getout-of-trouble powerhouse of equipment.
Big Survival Comes In
Small Packages SOLKOA’S SUMA PRO SURVIVAL KIT STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN LEE PRICE
DON’T LET ITS SIZE FOOL YOU. THIS IS ONE VERY BIG SURVIVAL KIT IN A VERY SMALL PACKAGE. The motto of Solkoa, a small, veteran-owned survival equipment company based in Colorado Springs, Colo., is “Preparing our nation’s best for the world’s worst.” It has, for the past nine years, been providing the highest levels of our government’s military programs with survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) equipment with capabilities to meet the standards to be used in the country’s most clandestine operations. The very name, Solkoa, is a portmanteau of solus, meaning alone or uninhabited, and koa, which is Hawaiian for warrior. For years, its equipment has been contracted with the government and not available to the general public; that is, until 2008, when it began to offer limited run equipment in three categories: survival kits, fire starters and SUMA containers. This year, it introduced the SUMA Professional Personal Sur-
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Big Survival
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vival Kit (PSK), 28 professionalgrade survival tools in a compact nylon bag, aimed at survival and resistance for those avid outdoorsmen who require a quality kit with the best Solkoa has to offer. The nylon pouch holds an orange emergency blanket, a 60-cubic-inch waterproof LOKSAK storage bag, two Fastfire tinders, and the waterproof SUMA container, which holds everything else. The 6061 anodized aluminum container is suitable for cooking (the small holds just over eight ounces of liquid) and is strong enough to be used as a digging tool. It is available in four colors: black, tan, red, orange, and comes in two sizes, small (2½x4x1½ inches) or large (3x5x1½ inches). For navigation and rescue, an ACR WW-3 orange whistle rated at more than 100 decibels and the credit card-size signal mirror with reflective tape on its reverse are included, along with a 14mm compass that glows in the dark. With long-term survival built into its design, the PSK is one of the few that provide first-aid essentials with the inclusion of 0.5 grams of antibiotic ointment, a small glass pill bottle, and a 2x2-inch medical-grade pad. There is a 3.5-inch saw blade with no handle and a compact IDL multi-tool wrapped in a noise-suppressing piece of inner tube. Made of stainless steel, it has three screwdrivers, a bottle opener, tweezers, wire cutters/strippers, a knife, a file and pliers. Starting a fire is made easier with the NATO-type waterproof matches (with a striker), four pieces of cotton tinder, a ferro rod, and the credit card-size fresnel lens. The six water purification tablets are enough to clean six liters of water, while the very complete fishing kit (line, weights, hooks, and floats) might help provide a meal. Barring that, there’s a traditional P-38 “John Wayne” can opener if you’ve packed your own. To see in the dark, the button-style flashlight’s LED is bright. A few surprising items are weather-resistant paper and a
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small pencil to take notes or write a short journal, and the 6 feet of highstrength cord and 24 inches of thin wire can be used the tie up most anything, while the 2x24 inches of duct tape has a multitude of uses. The sewing needle can be coupled with the fishing line to make clothing repairs or even, perhaps, to close wounds. There are many survival kits on the market, but you would be hardpressed to find one as complete, compact, and useful as this one.
[ABOVE, TOP] Believe it or not, with the exception of two Fastfire tinders, the orange emergency blanket and the 60square-inch waterproof LOKSAK storage bag, everything else pictured here fits in the small confines of the red SUMA container. [ABOVE, BOTTOM] The SUMA container is strong enough to dig with, but useful as a cooking vessel. It can hold more than a cup of water, and the multi-tool’s pliers make for a great handle.
[FROM TOP] The IDL multi-tool is a survival tool all on its own. Wrapped in a noisesuppressing length of inner tube, it is stainless steel and has three screwdrivers, a bottle opener, tweezers, wire cutters/ strippers, knife, file, and pliers. Included are several ways to start and maintain a fire, as there are usually several situations in which a fire is needed, and not all of them require the same methods. The matches and striker, as well as the cotton tinder, are both sealed in a waterproof bag, while the FastFire tinder is individually sealed. The Fresnel lens magnifier makes starting a fire with the sun quick and easy. Only a couple of seconds of exposure started these leaves smoking. At the very least, you should always keep one of these in your wallet. The 14mm button compass is small enough to be able to be hidden in the case of evasion, but large enough to be useful. The cardinal points glow in the dark.
Components In The Small Kit: SUMA container, small Nylon zipper pouch Emergency fishing kit Emergency blanket Emergency sewing kit Duct tape P-38 can opener Kevlar line IDL mini multi-tool Steel wire Thread/line, 14 pound test Cotton pad Antibiotic ointment packet Personal medicine vial Button compass Emergency signaling mirror Photon II LED micro light Emergency whistle Pencil with eraser Fresnel lens magnifier Five sheets “Rite in the Rain” paper Emergency matches Four fire tinder tabs Two fire tinder cubes ( FastFire) Sparking flint rod Six water purification tablets Waterproof bag – 9x6 inches
Additional Components In The Large Kit: SUMA container, large Type III nylon cord Folding razor blade 18mm baseplate compass (replaces button compass) Two additional fire tinder cubes (FastFire) Two additional water purification tablets Additional waterproof bag – 9x10 inches
Specs SOLKOA SURVIVAL SYSTEMS
SUMA Pro Survival Kit (SUMA PSK) SolkoaSurvival.com Size: 8x6x2 inches Weight: 453 grams (1 pound) Price: $124.99
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Destination:
HOME PUTTING TOGETHER THE LAST GET-HOME BAG YOU WILL EVER NEED STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREEK STEWART
ou can hear the sirens in the distance. Your electricity is out, and your phone has no dial tone. When you try to use your cell phone, you get the same message over and over: “All circuits are busy.” You know a disaster is quickly approaching. The eleventh hour is here. Now, imagine you are not at home but at work instead, many miles from your family. As you reach under your desk to grab your Get-Home Bag (GHB), thoughts of your wife and children rush through your mind. Then, you quietly say to yourself, “This isn’t going to be my typical commute home today.” As a whole, we spend surprisingly little time at home. Except for when flying, you’ll never find me more than 50 miles from home without my Get-Home Bag. Between our time in a vehicle, at work, in school, running errands, visiting friends, attending meetings, and making appointments, some of us spend more time away from home than at home. These countless hours away from home must be considered when developing your disaster preparedness plan, as it is just a matter of odds that something will occur when you are not from home, and you must be equally prepared.
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
IS A GET-HOME BAG EVEN NECESSARY?
There is an infinite list of events that could warrant the use of a gethome bag. Many are regular occurrences. A GHB doesn’t have to save you from the end of the world as we know it to be a worthy investment. Even if you never have to put that to the test, a GHB can provide for you in countless other less catastrophic scenarios, such as: car failure, severe weather, blackouts, terrorist attack, bridge collapse, road closures, tornadoes, tsunamis, flooding, and winter storms. Certainly, some disasters are more devastating than others. Millions of people have found themselves in need of a GHB at some point in their lives. For some, not having one has cost them. Assembling a GHB is not a daunting task and can easily be done in one afternoon. For the investment of time, money, and energy, I know of very few other things in life that can have such a dramatic and lasting effect on your future than a GHB, should you ever need to use it. Below is my list of recommended GHB supplies. I fully expect for you to make your own additions and subtractions from this list. After all, it is your kit. Different lifestyles, careers, and environments are all factors that will dictate the items in your kit.
WHAT IS A GET-HOME BAG?
The name says it all. It is a survival kit designed to get you home in the event that a catastrophic disaster occurs while you are away. In contrast, a BugOut Bag (BOB) is a much more substantial supply kit (typically 72 hours) and stays at home. It’s not practical to tote your BOB back and forth to work every day, so the Get-Home Bag bridges that preparedness gap. Depending on the situation, just getting home can be a survival journey in and of itself. A GHB can take a variety of forms depending on your personal preference. My GHB is a small backpack; however, you can use a duffel bag, fanny pack, web-gear, sling pack, and even a spare briefcase … whatever is comfortable and quick to grab at a moment’s notice.
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ONE LITER OF WATER IN A METAL CONTAINER
I suggest a metal container because it gives you the option to boil water and/or cook in if necessary. It is also more durable in extreme conditions. I also carry a metal cup that fits snugly on the bottom of my metal Nalgene water container. THREE TO SIX ENERGY BARS
Don’t over pack with elaborate meals. High-calorie bars are simple and sufficient meal substitutes. They require no heating or preparation. Any meal in your GHB should be what I refer to as an “open and eat” meal. RAIN PONCHO
I personally use a military version with grommets in the corners which can be used as an improvised shelter if necessary. Being wet is not only miserable, it’s deadly. Hypothermia is the number one killer in the outdoors, and your vulnerability skyrockets when you are wet–even in temperatures as high as 50 degrees. LIGHTWEIGHT TARP
I pack this to use as a shelter canopy. It can also be used as a ground cover and many things in between. A colorful version of this can double as a ground-to-air signal, as well. WALKING SHOES/HIKING BOOTS
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Especially for people who wear dress shoes to work, this is a really important addition. Pack a comfortable pair of tennis shoes at the very least. As well, a good pair of wool hiking socks can make a huge difference in any weather environment. I wear SmartWool brand socks year round and have found them to be excellent at wicking in warm months and insulating in cold. I have never gotten a blister while wearing SmartWools, even o n extreme hikes.
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Destination:
HOME
EXTRA CLOTHES A change of clothes and a pair o f leather gloves allows you to change out of your suit or work uniform and into something that offers more protection and maneuverability. Consider very plain “average man” neutral color clothing to facilitate blending into crowds if necessary. A hat to protect from the sun is also a worthy addition.
FIRE-STARTING TOOLS AND TINDER Pick up a couple of Bic cigarette lighters. They are inexpensive and dependable. Also pack some firestarting tinder. I prefer the WetFire brand, but a quick do-it-yourself substitute is cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. If you need to start a fire, these two items will get you 98 percent of the way there.
QUALITY MULTI-TOOL This tool should have a solid knife blade, a saw blade, pliers, flat head and cross point drivers, and wire cutters. When you need one of these tools, no substitute will quite do the trick. Many will add a fixedblade knife as well.
HEADLAMP Pack a good quality, hands-free, water-resistant headlamp flashlight. Toss in extra batteries as well.
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FIRST AID KIT
This mini-kit should include basic first aid supplies such as bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, splint, tweezers, lip balm, moleskin, insect repellant, sunscreen, small mirror, and a variety of basic medications: aspirin, antacids, Dramamine, etc. If you wear contacts, be sure to include a back-up pair of glasses, as well. HYGIENE KIT
This mini-kit should include items such as a small towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, a bandana (multiple uses), toilet paper, and soap. A pack of disinfecting wet napkins are perfect for quick “spitbaths,” and hand sanitizer is always useful. EMERGENCY BLANKET
Emergency Mylar blankets are cheap, lightweight, and compact. Not only can they save your life in a cold-weather environment, but they can also double as a makeshift shelter, waterproof gear cover, and rain poncho. I prefer the Heatsheet brand from Adventure Medical Kits. N95 FACE MASK
Whether from debris, dust, or sickness, protect your lungs with a N95 facemask. Your t-shirt will work in a pinch, but is not nearly as convenient or effective. SELF-DEFENSE ITEMS
Disasters are a breeding ground for frustration, desperation and confrontation. Violent crimes skyrocket in the aftermath of any large-scale disaster. Ideally, your self-defense items should keep some distance between you and an attacker. Avoid hand-to-hand combat at all costs. I pack some pepper spray (attached with Velcro to the shoulder strap of my pack) and a compact Kel-Tec P32 Pistol with four extra magazines (28 rounds) in my GHB.
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
Destination:
HOME
PAPER MAP AND COMPASS
Having a paper map of your surrounding area can be invaluable, especially in large cities. If you are trying to get home, so is everyone else. Expect and plan for detours. Ideally, you will have marked several alternative routes home from your place of work. Do not rely on your cell phone or GPS system, as those might not be reliable in an emergency. CASH MONEY
Unlike credit, cash doesn’t need to communicate with the power grid, and it speaks everyone’s language. Pack small denominations in a variety of places, so as to never reveal all of your money at once. PAPER AND PENCI L
Perfect for recording information or leaving notes. I use the Rite-inthe-Rain brand. PARACORD
There are 1,000s of uses and 100 feet of it in only a few ounces. EMERGENCY RADIO
Pick up a small, Dynamo handcrank emergency radio. Make sure it receives NOAA All Hazard Weather Alerts. This could be your only source of disaster-related information in an emergency. Get a model that has an integrated USB cell phone charger, a very cool feature. RESCUE SIGNAL ITEMS
Pack a small signal mirror and an inexpensive whistle, both can be used for conveying messages or, at the very least, marking your location for potential rescuers, if it comes to that. The weight of my GHB is only 14 pounds. The items could easily be packed into a smaller bag, but I like the flexibility of more space, especially in cold months when I toss in a heavy fleece, gloves, hat, and shell.
There’s a reason we call it “preparedness” and not “prevention.” It’s impossible to prevent unexpected disasters. The world is an unpredictable place and unfortunate situations are inevitable. However, it is possible to prepare and increase your chances of safely mitigating a disaster that strikes your area. Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, terrorists, wild fires, plagues and foreign invaders will show you no mercy. Survival is not about guarantees—there is always a gamble and the disaster typically has the house
advantage. The only way to increase your odds of living is to plan and prepare in advance. Home not only represents safety and security but many of us also have families who depend on our safe and timely return. When getting home becomes your first priority, reach for your get-home bag. Creek Stewart is the owner and lead survival instructor at Willow Haven Outdoor in Anderson, Indiana. He is the author of Build the Perfect Bug-Out Bag and is the host of The Weather Channel’s hit survival show “Fat Guys in the Woods.”
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Whatever the situation, be it a natural disaster that inundates your neighborhood with a toxic cloud of deadly gas, sometimes bugging out isn’t an option, and you have to ride out t he catastrophe from the confines of your own home. Are you ready?
Lockdown SURVIVING THE UNKNOWN IN THE PLACE YOU KNOW BEST: HOME Story by Jeff Zurschmeide | Photography by Jeff Zurschmeide and Ryan Lee Price
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t doesn’t matter the situation—a mushroom cloud, a fog of toxic bromine, or an i mprobable uprising of the undead—you’ve been warned not to go outside your house. Perhaps the authorities have insisted at gunpoint; it doesn’t even have to be a day of reckoning. On April 19, 2013, for approximately 12 hours, a “stay-in-place” order was given to the greater Boston area in response to the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers. The end result is that you’re in lockdown. Odds are good that you don’t know why, you don’t know for how long, and, in extreme
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
circumstances of failure of services like power and cell coverage, you don’t have any way of finding out. You’ll have to make do with what you have on hand and leave the rest up to your skills and resources. Each region of the country experiences its own set of difficulties. The Gulf Coast and Florida have the market cornered on hurricanes. The northeast is wracked with snow and blizzards. The west frequently sees droughts and earthquakes. When a particular region sees a natural disaster that’s relatively uncommon for the area, people are rightfully shaken up by it.
Equally, most are woefully prepared for it as well. In 1993, a freak winter storm slammed into Alabama, dumping nearly six inches of snow and ice that paralyzed the region. People were literally stuck in their homes without services for up to four days. Most were not prepared for it because they didn’t see it coming; they had never needed to face such an occurrence, so they had no resources or stores in place. In an article called “Stop Being a Pretentious Disaster Snob,” Dennis Mersereau writes: “Throw a tornado at San Franciscans or trigger an earthquake in Birmingham, and the
residents of each city will lose their collective minds. People who aren’t used to non-native disasters are going to react differently from you.” Could you and yours last for four days in your house, cut off from any and all contact with the outside? Think about what is in your pantry, what’s left in your fridge (that’s getting warmer) and the tools in your garage that might help you. If your cupboards are bare, four days can be a really long time, especially if you add to it the stress of the unknown and perhaps the panicked anxiety that can strike your neighborhood right outside your door. For most people who prepare for a crisis, the assumption is that the best place to be will be far away from home. That’s because most of us live in an urban or suburban environment, and when things go wrong, we know that most cities have at best a three-day supply of food on the shelves. The clean water we expect when we turn on the tap could go out as quickly as the lights. So, we create an escape plan, but there are many reasons why this kind of escape plan just might not be practical. Not everyone can afford a well-prepped cabin in the hinter regions and/or the means to get there. Plus, even the bestprepped person may find that their escape route is suddenly unavailable. What then if the main part of your plan is thwarted by a collapsed bridge or an unruly mob blocking the only road out of town? When things are dire and you are forced to stay put in your house (or if you are physically not allowed to leave), how will you survive? The answers are different if you’re talking about a day, a week, or a month, but the fundamentals are the same.
Let’s get the obvious stuff hashed out first. You need food and water sufficient to keep you going as long as necessary. The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that adult women consume 91 ounces of water each day (almost ¾ of a gallon), and adult men should plan on 125 ounces, or almost a gallon a day. Obviously, it’s possible to survive on less, but a family of four could justify 50-60 gallon jugs of drinking water in safe household storage. Water. There’s no survivi ng without water, as you only have a few days at most until you can’t go on without it. At the first sign of emergency, fill any receptacle with water, including the bathtubs. Worry about cleaning the water later.
The tank on the toilet contains at least a gallon of relatively clean water.
Obviously, you won’t be taking bubble baths if you’re relying on stored water to drink, but one thing you can do as soon as it’s apparent that you’ll be staying put is to fill your bathtub and any trash cans or buckets that will hold water. Turn on the taps and fill up whatever you can until the water runs dry. In a pinch, the water in the top tank of a toilet is usually clean, provided you haven’t put any of those dissolving chemical tablets in there. You can purify water by boiling it at a full rolling boil for one minute, or put ¼-teaspoon of plain unscented bleach in per gallon and mix thoroughly. Let the bleached water stand for an hour before you drink it. There are about 30 to 50 gallons of drinkable water in an average home water heater, and a drain spigot at the bottom. TIP:
WHAT WILL YOU EAT?
WATER IS LIFE Imagine that something has happened and you need to hunker down inside your home and survive for a month. The power, water, and gas are all out. What you have to live on is what’s in the house with you.
TIP: Use individual sealed gallon jugs instead of a big tank to reduce the chance of losing your entire water supply due to conta mination. Also, you can buy the jugs a few at a time, saving a big hit to your budget.
Another untapped source is the water heater. Depending on the size of your tank, most are at least 40 gallons.
The next thing to consider is food storage. How long could you live in your home on the food you have stored? Remember that the electricity could be out for extended periods, so anything in the fridge is going to have to be eaten first, and then anything in the freezer. Having a whole side of beef in a freezer in the garage won’t help you at the end of two weeks in the summer without power.
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what your body sweats out normally. With canned food, you’ll get all that and more.
A well-stocked pantry with hearty foods that have long shelf lives will provide not only a variety of nutrients but variation to the routine of being locked in.
TIP: Use a Sharpie and write the date of purchase on every item. Then cycle through your stock. Pick your oldest cans to make your dinners, and replace them with new cans. This naturally replenishes your stock and you’ll know how long your supply will last under normal usage.
The best thing is that this is far cheaper than buying boxes of prepared camp food or MREs. Those are for when you have to carry your food on your back. Plus, you can eat from your canned stock regularly to keep it fresh—or to make your money stretch a little farther between paychecks. TIP: Make sure you have a manual can
opener, a corkscrew, and a knife sharpener. Some necessary staples are the dry goods. Not only are they essential to baking, but salt is a good preservative and bread (at least dough) can be made with just the basics of ingredients.
In a no-power incident, the life of foods in the fridge can be counted on one hand. Dairy products and meats are the first to go. Make that your first meal, because after a day, at most, the smell will explain what has happened.
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For long-term survival, canned food is your best bet. It will help provide some of your water and salt needs. You can also buy room-temperature shelf-stable milk that will keep for up to six months. The Institute of Medicine says that about 20 percent of your water intake can come from your food, and you need about 3.8 grams of salt to replace
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HOW WILL YOU COOK? Cooking without electricity or natural gas service generally means using a camp stove. These are inexpensive on Craigslist and can run on bottled propane or white gas. In a pinch, you can use your backyard propane grill, but always use it outside because it burns a lot of oxygen and creates a lot of carbon mo noxide. Some homes may have a woodburning stove for heat, and these can often be used for cooking as well, if it’s safe to light a fire. Advanced preparers may purchase RV/Car camping appliances that plug into the 12-volt outlets in a car. If you can safely run your car, there are heating elements, hot pots, and coffeemakers that use 12volt power. If you have the means to cook in your home without electricity or natural gas service, you can stock up on appropriate staple ingredients. Flour, rice, sugar, yeast, dried pasta, dried beans and peas, and dried vegetables can all be stored compactly. If you don’t know how to cook using staples, get started today. It’s fun and you’ll start eating better right away.
KEEP YOURSELF CLEAN So we have imagined a situation where you’re stuck in your house for a month, with a fixed supply of water and food. Your next challenge is to keep clean and dispose of wastes. If it’s not safe to go outside, this can prove to be your greatest challenge. If it’s not safe out of doors, even allowing a pile of garbage bags to stack up under your back window could be a risk. If you have a supply of water that you don’t need or can’t use for drinking and cooking, such as a rain barrel or pond, you can flush any toilet with a gallon or two of water. Just pour it in the bowl fast enough to make the flushing action work. The system relies on gravity, not water pressure. If you cannot flush your toilets, things will be a little less pleasant. Get a 5-gallon bucket with a tightsealing lid from the home supply store. You can get a toilet seat that attaches to one of these buckets from a camping supply store. If you line the bucket with a plastic trash bag, use two bags. You really don’t want a spill. You will still need to maintain hygiene to keep yourself healthy. Budget some of your clean water for brushing your teeth and washing your face and hands. Washing your hair is a lower priority, and your clothes, lower yet. The good news is you probably won’t be doing enough physical activity to get really dirty.
KEEP YOURSELF WARM OR COOL Depending on the time of year and where you live, surviving without power or gas could be dangerous because of excessive heat or cold. Either extreme can be life threatening. If it’s cold, make sure you have enough blankets and clothing to stay warm. If your house has a wood burning stove, that’s great as long as your supply of wood holds out. You also have to ask yourself if it’s safe to have smoke trailing up from your chimney. If it’s hot, find a place in your home that naturally stays cool—
Lockdown
basements are often best for this. A hand fan and limited clothing can also help. If it’s safe to open your windows, open them at night when it’s cooler outside than in your house, and then close them again in the morning and close the blinds and draw the drapes. That will help trap cool air in the house for the day.
DON’T GO CRAZY The unexpected hard thing about being shut into your home for an extended period of time is that it’s boring. Especially if the power is out and there’s no TV or movies, no Internet, no games, and no light in the evening. If you are not alone, things won’t be so bad, but cabin fever is real. Make sure that your house has a good supply of books, handiwork projects, and other ways to pass the time. A self-powered or battery-operated radio is an indispensable tool for getting news
Like combat, survival situations are 99 percent sheer boredom punctuated by one percent of utter terror. Make sure the 99 percent is filled with something entertaining to pass the time. A well stocked library will last for years, if need be.
about conditions outside your immediate area and maintaining your sanity.
FIRST AID AND MEDICINES Your home should have a wellstocked first aid kit in any case, but it’s critically important if you’re hunkered down. Especially if you’re cooking on a camp stove, you may end up cutting or burning yourself,
and you may not be able to get to medical facilities. Your first aid kit should include a wide array of bandages and tools. OSHA, the Red Cross, the Mayo Clinic, and REI all have lists of items to include, and you can order all kinds of complete kits online. Get a bottle of contact lens saline solution for rinsing eyes. It keeps for years and works better than drinking water for flushing chemicals or particulate material out of eyes. TIP:
While you’re thinking about first aid, be sure you also think about prescription medicines and other such supplies. If someone in your household depends on a particular prescription or over-the-counter medication, make sure you always keep at least a spare month’s supply on hand. Don’t forget contraceptives, if you use them.
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WARNING –
THESE SURVIVAL BAGS ARE NOT FILLED WITH TOYS
Lockdown
Santa Cruz Mountains, October 1989
24 hours. However, one
preparation and interde-
thing was clear—we were
pendency. Damage in the mountains was severe, and
far away from city centers,
it was apparent that things
for quite some time.
so we could be on our own
were going to be down for a
In the days following
while. The grocery store and
the quake, we neighbors got
hardware/lumber yard in
together and pulled down
the tiny town of Ben
the most dangerous chim-
At 5:04 pm on Tuesday,
Lomond had both lost their
neys that seemed ready to
October 17, 1989, the Loma
storefronts in a hail of bro-
Prieta earthquake struck
ken glass. Homes were simi-
fall, and we located plywood to seal our homes
along part of California’s
larly damaged.
against the impending fall
By Jeff Zurschneide
With one in three adults taking over-thecounter medication on a regular basis, make sure to include your pharmacy in your plans. Special needs individuals (diabetics, severe allergy suffers) have special medications, and some of those have a shelf life. Make sure enough is on hand to reasonably last.
was an object lesson in
extensive San Andreas fault
As I arrived at the cabin
weather. We slept in our
system. The quake mea-
that was my home, my
yards for a week while the
sured 6.9 on the Richter
aftershocks rolled, we
scale and brought down or
neighbor met me at my gate—he had turned off the
damaged buildings and
natural gas and water lines
cleaned up inside and out-
roads from San Francisco in
outside my house and made
side our homes. A friend vis-
KEEP YOURSELF SECURE
the north, eastward to Oak-
sure my dogs were still in
ited without being asked, to
If you’re in lockdown in your home, there has to be a reason. If it’s not safe to go outside, then it’s also not safe to advertise your presence. Keep that in mind as you make your preparations and all your home maintenance decisions. Do your curtains completely cover your windows and block all light? They should do both, and they should be kept closed for as much time as security demands. Is your door strong? Steel fire doors and deadbolts aren’t completely secure, but simply being difficult to break open is a benefit. The same is true with windows. Did you know that you can purchase doublepane windows with an extra-heavy layer of glass on the outer face? This is both harder to break and really cuts down on noise in both directions.
land, and down to Salinas in the south. A total of 63 peo-
the yard—a true friend!
deliver dozens of gallon jugs
Other neighbors arrived as
of clean water.
ple lost their lives, 3,757
night fell.
The earthquake turned out to be very survivable,
more were injured, and
No one felt safe indoors,
shared perishable food, and
many roads were destroyed,
so the camping gear came
and was an opportunity to
blocked, or damaged so
out and tents went up in
forge stronger bonds with
severely that traffic could
every yard. The telephone
neighbors, but what did not
not pass.
system was down and then overburdened and radio
survive the crisis was the
above Santa Cruz at that
yielded little in the way of
can’t or won’t happen to
time, and what followed
hard information in the first
anyone at any time.
I lived in the mountains
If the electricity is still on, alarm system signs and decals may deter potential looters, even if you have no actual alarm.
false belief that disaster
TIP:
The rest is simply more common sense—if you wish to appear as though no one is home, don’t let smoke or steam come out of your chimneys or stove ventilator. Keep lights, lamps and candles low or off, keep quiet, and find a good place to stash your trash and waste materials. 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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THE BOTTOM LINE Your home is actually one of the best places to be if you need to sur-
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The usual tools of the survivor’s trade are a must, as they are i n any situation. Your gobag, your emergency stash of gear, and the dozens of things you have around the house just waiting for a situation like this is all part of the mix. Don’t forget light. Communication is key. Staying informed in an emergency as best you can is essential to survival. A multi-band police scanner, weather radio, or regular frequency radio not only connects you to the outside world, but may provide a needed morale boost.
vive for an extended period of time. Preparing your home for survival is much easier than preparing and maintaining a remote site, and your
home is likely to be closer to friends, family, and sources of help than other locations. The bottom line is, you know your own place better than anyone, all your stuff is already there, and if you can truly lay low, it’s just a matter of waiting out the problem.
K C O T S K N I H T Y B S O T O H P
Avoid the Drain:
Water Reclamation MANKIND’S OLDEST TECHNOLOGIES MEET TODAY’S MOST BASIC NEEDS Story by Larry Schwartz
ater is likely the most important item when it comes to preparedness and self-sufficiency. It is also one of the three things we all depend upon society for … power, water, and medical care. Power and medical care are things that we can all do something about. Unfortunately, not everyone can store thousands of gallons of water or dig a well in their suburban backyard. But you can harvest rainwater to augment or replace the water you use for some o f your needs. It is also one of the cheapest and easiest things you can do to help improve your level of self-sufficiency. Rainwater collection, and its subsequent reuse, is a technology that is as old as civilization. Wherever people lived together and faced water shortages they developed methods for collecting and using what little rainwater that fell during the year. In India, 3,000 years ago, where they basically have a monsoon wet winter season and a very dry summer sea-
son, they built massive collection systems to capture and store rainwater during the wet season for use later in the dry season for drinking and irrigation. The technology travelled northwest along the trade routes to Pakistan, where rainfall was infrequent. The indigenous people, 1,700 years ago, used holding tanks to capture rainwater from their roofs and other flat surfaces to hold them over during the periods of drought. By 300 B.C., the Romans had integrated rainwater collection pools into the design of their atrium-centered houses, an architectural detail that is still used throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa today. BENEFITS AND A CAUTION
In addition to increasing your skill set and capabilities from a prepping perspective, there are a number of direct benefits that you get from this practice. Using rainwater for some of your water needs will definitely help your pocketbook by reducing your water bill. This reduction in
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Water Reclamation
either test it or see if your region has any problems with acid rain or other pollutants in the rainwater. Unless you capture rain straight from the sky, rather than as runoff from a treated surface like your roof or driveway, you should not use it for drinking because of the chemicals it may pick up from the surfaces you collect it from. It is perfectly suited for things like watering your plants, laundry, heat-based cooking, showering, or use in toilets, or washing your car, just not for drinking. Rainwater collection is in some states or regions against the law, either by legislation or regulations. Some municipalities have well-intentioned regulations that require homeowners to use the municipal water and electricity. These were likely put in place to force developers to provide water and power for new homes, but it also constrains homeowners who want to be more self-sufficient through the use of wells or rainwater collection for water and solar panels or windmills for power. Several states, mainly in the Western part of the country, due to frequent drought conditions, place restrictions on what you can and cannot do with rainwater. So, before you start your rainwater collection project, give your local jurisdiction a call and make sure there aren’t any administrative hurdles you have to overcome.
[ABOVE] Method 1, an individual collection container under each downspout is the easiest way to start rainwater collecting. [RIGHT] Method 2, where you combine multiple rainwater capture from multiple sources or surfaces into a single larger storage container adds the benefit of more water in one location which simplifies treating and using it.
your costs also helps the community utility by reducing your demand on it for drinkable water that you may not have been using for drinking purposes. Rainwater, because it is more acidic than treated water from the utility, is actually better for your gardening and watering needs since it has more of what the plants need and less of what they don’t. Since you use the water before it winds up the streams and rivers of the watershed, it helps reduce the amount of silt and pollutants in the area that gets into the aquifer. There are three minor cautions you need to keep in mind if you decide to start capturing rainwater for your use. Before you drink rainwater you have captured straight from the sky, you should
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SIMPLE CAPTURE
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
The very simplest method you can use to collect rainwater is to just put out pots, buckets, and watering cans before each storm to catch it as it falls from the sky and then transfer it to some storage container. This isn’t a very efficient use of your time and materials, so most people go with the approach we have all seen at farmhouses across the nation, large containers like a large plastic trashcan or an actual barrel to hold the rainwater. One of these is placed under each downspout on the house. The barrel has a cover on it that either has a sealed opening in it through which you put the downspout or a screened hole through which the water in the downspout flows. The purpose of the lid and screening is to keep things out of the captured rainwater. Although you can always just take off the lid and dip out the water you need, most rain barrels have a spigot placed in the bottom of the rain barrel to give you access to the
K C O T S K N I H T Y B S O T O H P
[LEFT] The most complicated method, Method 3, integrates systems for maximizing other natural resources like wind and solar power in a “green” construction effort that makes the best of what Mother Nature offers while also reducing the cost of using those natural resources. [BELOW] If you are using a simple barrel for your container, you need to ensure you include a way to filter out insects and plant material out of the water you are storing.
“ONE OF THE KEYS TO A CONSOLIDATED COLLECTION SYSTEM IS TO MAKE SURE YOUR PIPES OR GUTTERS ARE POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GRAVITY TO FLOW THE RAINWATER TO THE FINAL COLLECTION CONTAINER.”
stored water without removing the lid. Placing the rain barrel on a short elevated platform makes it easier to fill the smaller container when you use the spigot.
Who Regulates Rainwater Capture? The following states and territories have some form of regulation on the use of rainwater. Some constraints are minor and
SOPHISTICATED SOURCING
some are more extensive.
The next step up in complexity is to transition from individual collection containers to a consolidated collection system. In addition to only needing one collection container, this method also gives you access to more surfaces to collect the rainwater from. Downspout-based systems only collect from the part of the roof that has gutters on it. Water flows off of the surface you are collecting from and empties into galvanized or PVC pipes which run to a ground-level or below-ground container, which is normally approximately 10 times the volume of the rain barrels described in Method 1. You route the collection pipes located at each collection surface to intermediate pipes, which then run into a single pipe that feeds the rainwater into your collection container. Another option, instead of eliminating the individual collection barrels is to connect those individual barrels to the pipe that goes to the larger collection container. One of the keys to a consolidated collection system is to make sure your pipes or gutters are positioned to take advantage of gravity to flow the rainwater to the final collection container. Without using gravity
The website, HarvestH2O.com, has links that show which states have regulations and links to helpful agencies or information for that state. • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida
effectively you may need to use a pump to get the rainwater where you want it. This consolidated approach also allows you to capture rainwater that pours off the roof where you don’t have (or are not allowed to place) gutters, from your patio or driveway, or any other non-permeable surfaces you may have on the property. With the additional volume of rainwater and the cost of the additional materials used, most homeowners add filters and purification systems so that they can use the collected rainwater for drinking as well as the other purposes listed above. If below
• Georgia • Idaho • Illinois • Minnesota • New Mexico • North Carolina • Ohio • Oregon • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • U.S. Virgin Islands
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Water Reclamation
ground storage is used, a pump, either submerged in the container or placed at ground level will be needed to extract the rainwater from the container. While submerged pumps may be more efficient if they fail, the work required to get to them in a subterranean storage container is significant.
table below lists the basic tools and materials you would need for each of the three methods shown in this article.
The last method for rainwater capture is to integrate it into your home, either as an improvement to an existing structure or as new construction. Not just an addition of drainpipes and collection tanks, but rainwater collection and use as one of several methods. Technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, thermal storage banks, and water collection and filtration are all intended to make the best use of existing natural resources while minimizing the costs of running the home. With this integrative approach, the home’s architecture is designed to simplify the capture and transport of rainwater to storage tanks that include filtration and purification functions and pumps to move it to wherever it is needed. So, whether you are looking for a way to cut your water bill, or want to expand your self-sufficiency, or are looking to build “green” home, rainwater collection and use is a simple and effective way to do all of these things. You can do it as simply or as sophisticated as you want, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to do it.
Spigot
water collection system, be it a simple rain barrel under a downspout or a more sophisticated collection system that ties together multiple collection surfaces, at your local home improvement store. If you are less of a DIY type of person and more of a sell-me-a-kit person, there are a number of websites that offer instructions, videos, and kits to help you get started. Check out these sites for instructions if you are a DIY type of person or if you want it pre-packaged for you. HarvestH2O.com
84
rainwater collection system in place doesn’t take extensive skills or equipment. The
Materials
You can get everything you need to create your rain-
R E B M E C E D
For the most part, unless you are going for full-blown system integrations, putting a
HOME INTEGRATION CAPTURE SYSTEM
Sources
4 1 0 2
What Does It Take To Do The Work?
NCSL.org TheSelfSufficientLiving.com GardenPool.org
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
Method 1
Method 2
Method 3
Container Piping Brackets Pumps Filters Purification system Valves Basic plumbing tools Basic carpentry tools
[TOP TO BOTTOM] Rainwater collection in containers or pools, like this pool integrated into a current day atrium in Venice, is an ancient technology from 300 B.C. rediscovered for use today. When moving up to a bigger collection container, you can avoid purchasing a larger container by daisy-chaining existing smaller containers together. Rainwater collection can be as simple and labor non-intensive as leaving a large bucket in your garden. Putting your watering can in the bucket can also save you some steps.
K C O T S K N I H T Y B S O T O H P
Gear Guide GENERATORS Keeping The Lights On Inverter Versus Conventional Generators: Which Is Best For You? IF A STORM OR OTHER CALAMITY shuts down power to your home for an undetermined amount of time, there are quite a few systems that it will eventually adversely affect, from the food in your fridge to the climate of your house to the use of the computer or to keep communications up and running. We take the grid for granted when it runs smoothly, but throw in a heat wave or something slightly more nefarious, and panic can grip a neighborhood when the lights go out. Generators can provide a little piece of mind in an emergency such as this, and there are many on the market, all offering subtly different features; it is difficult to tell which one would be right for you. The generators on these pages are conventional and inverter generators, the two most common types that offer some portability, relative economy, and the minimum needed power to operate a few essentials. Conventional generators have been around for quite some time, and they consist of a fuel-powered motor running at a constant speed to produce a standard current that most houses and appliances require (120 volts at 60 hertz). If the engine’s rpm fluctuates, the output will also fluctuate. An inverter generator is somewhat of a new technology, taking advanced circuitry and magnets that create three-phase AC current, converted to DC, and then inverted back to AC as a single phase current. Which one is better can only be answered by what usage the generator
will see, how much current will be required of it, and how much you are willing to spend. The inverter generators are lightweight lightweigh t and very portable. Si nce size and weight isn’t an issue with conventional generators, they have larger gas tanks and longer run times than inverters. However, the inverters have more efficient engines and can adjust the engine speed based on the load required (conventional generators typically run at 3,600 rpm, regardless). Because of this, inverters are built to be very quiet, as most are around 50 decibels, which is about the same noise as a normal human conversation, while conventional generators are in the 70-decibel range, which is about the same sound as a car driving by. A good thing about inverters is their ability to be paralleled together to increase the power output. Most of the ones featured here can be connected together via a sold-separately cable to double their power output (from identical models). That’s an interesting possibility, but some appreciate the simplicity of the conventional generator, which is basically an engine with an alternator attached. There are no extra features to go wrong, and the systems and concepts used are decades old. Price is always a huge factor, and although the price of inverters have come down in the last few years and will continue to drop as the technology ages, conventional generators provide more power per dollar than inverters.
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Gear GENERATORS Guide
Honda EU2000i
R E T R E V N I
This Honda EU2000i inverter generator is very quiet, easy to carry, and fuel efficient, making it ideal for TVs, small appliances, and basic lights. The stable power allows for safe use of computers and other sensitive electronics. With a very low 59 decibels at max power, it is perfect for an inconspicuous source of power. It is small, about the size of a gym bag, and light, at only 47 pounds. It can last nearly 10 hours on one gallon of gas and can provide 1,600 watts of continuous power.
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL AL G U ID ID E
Powerhouse Inverter
Powerhouse PH2100PRi
With up to 2,000 surge watts and 1,600 watts of continuous power, this is a lightweight and easily portable generator. It specializes at powering computers and other sensitive electronics without interruptions, but its 52 decibels means that it’s quiet as well. The various speed of its engine (a quality o f inverters) reduces fuel consumption, while its spark arrestor is U.S. Forestryapproved for use in parks and forests. Its 1.12-gallon fuel tank will last for more than eight hours at quarter power.
The fuel economy switch on this unit extends the run time, while the low oil shutdown feature protects the engine in the event there is an oil consumption issue. It works at a various engine speed to produce a very constant 120 volts at 60 hertz, and has a remote electric start with a recoil backup. Slightly noisier that others in its class, it has a respectable run time and can be paralleled (cable included).
Generac iX2000 Rated at 2,000 watts of continuous power (2,200 surge), it has the largest engine displacement (127cc) with the lowest run time (5 1⁄3 hours at quarter time), but this is in part to its small fuel tank (one gallon) coupled with the large displacement. It has an electronic overload protection circuit breaker for its three receptacles, while the LEDs display the status of the generator. It can also be used to charge 12volt batteries.
GENERATORS
Gear Guide
HOW MANY WATTS DO YOU NEED?
Category 5 Inverter Rated at 2,000 surge watts and 1,700 continuous watts, this inverter is lightweight at 53 pounds and runs at a very quiet 53 decibels. Its one-gallon fuel tank provides its 79cc engine a long run time of over nine hours. The case is designed to be safely stackable, so several units can be paralleled together to increase overall output. A 12-volt battery charging cable is included.
Honda EU3000is This inverter shares the top spot with the Northstar conventional generator as the most expensive, flipping the bill at nearly $2,000. For that money, you get the longest run time (20 hours) and the most continuous power (2,800 watts) with the largest gas tank and the quietest motor (a whispering 49 decibels). It is CARB-compliant and can be sold in all 50 states, has an electric start, and two handles for easy loading (though it is over double the girth of other inverters on the list).
ONE OF THE BEST pieces of advice you can find to help you buy the generator that is right for you is to answer the question: Why do you need a generator? If you’re simply plugging in a lamp to light a campsite or you can’t miss your favorite TV show, even in a complete grid failure, you might need a small generator, one with around 1,200 watts. However, if you need to run several computers, an A/C, three spotlights to watch the fence line, and power a full satellite system system for communications, you might look at the generators that provide higher wattage. To figure out the exact amount, find out how many watts each individual appliance uses. Add them all up and find a generator that has a wattage rating that matches. Remember to take into consideration that some appliances with electric motors require additional wattage (surge) at startup to run properly. Since tools and appliances use 120 volts, and a generator’s power is measured in amps, remember that amps x volts = watts.
Appliance
Continuous Watts
Surge Watts
1,750
0
700
1,400
Electric fry pan
1,300
0
Electric range: 8-inch element
2,100
0
Microwave (typical size)
625
800
Refrigerator or freezer
700
2,200
1,150
2,300
Clothes dryer (electric)
1,800
5,750
Furnace fan (as): ⁄8 hp
3 00
5 00
Lights (watts listed on bulb)
100
0
Radio
150
0
Sump pump: ⁄3 hp
8 00
1,300
Television
3 00
0
1,500
2,200
10,000
11,250
Circular saw
1,400
2,300
Table saw
1,800
4,500
Desktop computer
700
0
Monitor
250
0
Laptop computer
250
0
Coffee maker Dishwasher
Clothes washer 1
1
Room air conditioner: 10,000 BTU Central air conditioner
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Gear GENERATORS Guide
L A N O I T N E V N O C
Manufacturer
Model
Type
Surge Watts
Rated Watts
Start Type
Disp. (cc)
HP
Engine
1
Honda
EU2000i
Inverter
2000
1600
Recoil
98
n/a
OHC
2
Powerhorse
Inverter
Inverter
2000
1600
Recoil
80
n/a
n/a
3
Powerhouse
PH2100PRi
Inverter
2100
2000
Electric/recoil
125
4.35
OCV
4
Generac
iX2000
Inverter
2200
2000
Recoil
127
n/a
OHV
5
Category 5
Inverter
Inverter
2000
1700
Recoil
79
n/a
OHV
6
Honda
EU3000is
Inverter
3000
2800
Electric/recoil
196
n/a
na
7
Northstar
8000
Conventional
8000
6600
Electric/recoil
389
11.7
OHV
8
Generac
XG6500
Conventional
8125
6500
Recoil
407
n/a
OHV
9
Honda
EB3000C
Conventional
3000
2600
Recoil
196
n/a
OHV
10
All-Power American
1000
Conventional
1200
1000
Recoil
n/a
2.5
n/a
11
Powermate
1200
Conventional
1500
1200
Recoil
99
3
OHV
12
Category5
Electric Start
Conventional
4000
3500
Electric/recoil
196
n/a
OHV
Northstar 8000 This conventional generator is at the top end of the price range, at nearly $2,000 as well, but it uses the Honda GX390 OHV engine as its power source, and provides the most outlets of any model on the list (10, including four duplex). The unit is wrapped in a full roll cage and has a solid base to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the engine. It is designed to cut down on vibration, but it is the noisiest on the list (at 74.5 decibels). The 11-hp engine uses up its 6.5 gallons of gas in 10 hours (at half load).
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
Generac XG6500 This model tips the scales as the heaviest conventional generator on the list, at 230 pounds, but provides one of the longest running times at 13 hours (at half load), producing 6,500 watts of continuous power. It has the largest displacement engine with the biggest gas tank. It starts with a pull cord (recoil start) and has five receptacles.
Honda EB3000C This Honda EB3000C conventional generator features an easy-starting Honda OHV engine that creates 2,600 watts of continuous power from its 196cc engine, humming at 68 decibels. The 2.7 gallons of gas are used in just over nine hours at half load. The outlets (1 duplex) are GFCI protected, and the generator uses a special CPU to create stable, high quality power with less weight, compared to a traditional generator.
GENERATORS
Run Time
Receptacles Ready
Parallel
Noise (dB)
Fuel
Capacity (gal)
Low Oil Shutdown
95⁄8 hrs. @ 1⁄4 load
2
yes
59
gas
1.00
yes
81⁄2 hrs. @ 1⁄4 load
3
yes
52
gas
1.12
71⁄2 hrs. @ 1⁄4 load
3
yes
66
gas
51⁄3 hrs @ 1⁄4 load
3
n/a
n/a
91⁄2 hrs. @ 1⁄4 load
3
yes
20 hrs. @ 1⁄4 load
3
10 hrs @ 1⁄2 load
Weight (lbs)
MSRP
201⁄8 x 112⁄5 x 163⁄4
47
$999.99
yes
195⁄8 x 111⁄4 x 179⁄10
55
$599.99
1.30
yes
22 x 11 x 19
85
$610.00
gas
1.00
yes
22 x 12 x 18
61
$589.00
53
gas
1.00
yes
211⁄2 x 161⁄4 x 181⁄2
53
$699.99
yes
49
gas
3.51
yes
25.8 x 18.9 x 22.4
144
$1,999.99
10
n/a
74.5
gas
6.50
yes
253⁄4 x 211⁄4 x 221⁄4
206
$1,999.99
13 hrs @ 1⁄2 load
5
n/a
n/a
gas
9.00
yes
311⁄2 x 25 x 27
230
$1,059.00
9.4 hrs @ 1⁄2 load
3
n/a
68
gas
2.70
n/a
171⁄2 x 157⁄8 x 19
81
$1,599.99
81⁄2 hrs. @ 1⁄2 load
3
n/a
65
gas
1.30
yes
15 x 111⁄2 x 131⁄2
53
$319.99
91⁄2 hrs. @ 1⁄2 load
3
n/a
70
gas
1.00
yes
203⁄8 x 1513⁄16 x 181⁄8
64
$329.99
12 hrs @ 1⁄2 load
4
n/a
68
gas
4.00
yes
281⁄2 x 203⁄4 x 201⁄8
138
$549.99
All-Power America This All-Power America conventional generator is environmentally friendly and complies with CARB requirements, along with having the EPA’s approval. The 2.5-hp engine provides 1,200 surge watts and 1,000 rated watts, as the 1.3-gallon fuel tank allows for a run time of more than eight hours at half load. It features a 120-volt outlet and one integrated 12-volt DC outlet, along with an integrated 12-volt, 15 peak amp DC trickle battery charger with cables.
Dimensions (inches)
Gear Guide
Powermate PM0141200
Category 5 Electric Start
Rated at 1,200 watts of continuous power, the 60-pound Powermate conventional generator has a manual start (recoil) and a 1.5-gallon fuel tank that will keep the generator running for nearly 10 hours at half load. It supports a single duplex plug and a 120-volt DC outlet. Accessories included are a DC battery cable, oil, funnel, and a small tool kit. The roll cage is designed for protection, stability, and maneuverability.
This conventional generator enjoys a wireless remote control for increased convenience, while the easy-to-read “Intelligauge” display shows output voltage, frequency, and operating hours. The electric start with a recoil backup starts the 196cc engine, which can run for 12 hours at half load on its four gallons of gas. It is one of the heavier models, but lands in the middle on size.
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BACKCOUNTRY IN THIS SECTION
CELL PHONE SURVIVAL + TARP SHELTERS + CLOUDS 101 + HEATSTROKE
Bushcraft A Movement Of Survivalists That’s Evolved Into A Mindset SOME TAKE A SPECIAL PRIDE in being able to live off of th e land, to procure their own food, build their own shelter, and thrive comfortably while doing so. Some were made for that kind of life with thoughts in mind that one day they may need these skills to exist. Some do it just for fun, while others have incorporated into their camping routine. In English-speaking countries for the last 10 years, the concept of bushcraft has been growing in popularity as a movement of men whose survival skills have developed into a lifestyle. Started by a survivalist, Major Leslie Jame s Hiddins, in Australia, bushcraft is a mindset based on a series of learned skills. It challenges a person already equipped with a well developed determination to survive adversity in the backcountry to develop the skills to back up 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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that spirit. A person who has accepted the philosophy of bushcraft as part of his or her lifestyle has accepted that, in order to accomplish the simple goal of survival, they first have to learn a different way of living. They must learn bushcraft skills.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
White Hot
Killer
COMBATING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES Story and Photography by Jeff Zurschmeide
A
good sunny day can be a great day for the beach or getting things done around the house, but we often don’t realize how deadly heat can be and how quickly it can affect you. We usually call it heat stroke, but that’s not entirely accurate. Heat stroke is just one of several threats known as “heat-related illness.” On average, 675 Americans die every year from preventable heat-related illness. Most of the dead are elderly, or infants, and children. But anyone who works or plays outdoors, those without adequate access to shelter, and people who have been weakened by medical conditions are also very much at risk.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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A Car Is A Solar Oven Every summer you see the stories about children who died because their parents left them in the car on a hot day. The sad statistics offer a basic lesson in heat safety: Never leave any living thing inside a parked car. Even overcast days can make an enclosed car dangerously warm, and opening the windows or sunroof may not make enough difference. If the outside temperature is 90 degrees, temperatures
Look Out For Yourself And Others One good reason to be prepared for any eventuality is to have the ability to help others in a crisis. A hot summer day may not feel like a crisis to you, but it can be for others. Heat-related illness is most dangerous for children and the elderly, those who may not be able to recognize the signs and treat themselves. So it’s a kindness that may save lives to simply call or look in on relatives, friends and neighbors who may be at risk.
is the usual cause of syncope, but you can also feel this from a bad sunburn, even on an overcast day. Or, when you walk out into extreme heat from an air-conditioned building, a wave of dizziness can strike. That’s a form of syncope, too. The solution to syncope is much the same as for all heat-related illness: rest—in a cool place, if possible—and drink more fluids. If the symptoms do not pass within an hour, seek medical attention.
Know The Signs And Know What To Do It’s not hard to recognize the signs of heat-related illness. We’ve all been there at one time or another. We’ll look at each category in order of severity, from the early warning signs to the life-threatening events, but the basic treatment is always the same:
Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is closely related to heat fainting—and fainting is usually part of a heat-exhaustion event. Heat exhaustion happens when the initial signs of heat-related illness have been ignored and the body suffers excessive dehydration. Heat exhaustion strikes some people harder and faster than others. The elderly and those who are overweight or have heart conditions or high blood pressure are particularly prone to heat exhaustion, so if someone you know is at greater risk, keep a closer eye on that. Heat exhaustion is characterized by extreme sweating and moist skin, weakness, dizziness or sleepiness, confusion, muscle cramps, and nausea or vomiting. The victim may have a ruddy or pale look compared to normal, breathing may be fast and shallow, and he or she may be running a slight fever. The treatment is similar to the less severe symptoms, but immediate and more intense care is needed at this point. Get the victim to shade or indoors to a cool area. Offer them cool—but not cold—water, juice, or sports drink. Cool the victim by applying watersoaked cloths, or get the victim into a cool shower or bath. If possible, seek medical help immediately.
inside a parked car reach 109 degrees in 10 minutes, 124 degrees in half an hour, and up to 138 degrees in 90 minutes. An enclosed car is a perfect solar oven. The car’s body absorbs and retains heat, while the window glass lets in both heat and UV light. The combination is deadly.
1_Stop all activity and rest in a cool, or at least shady, place to cool the body. 2_Drink good fluids— water, juice, or electrolyte sports drinks. 3_Determine whether medical attention is necessary.
Heat Cramps Heat cramps are among the first signs of heat-related illness. When fluid loss from sweating and evaporation depletes the body’s salt and water reserves, muscles respond by cramping. Most often, this happens in the legs, arms, and midsection. It’s important to remember that these are not ordinary cramps, TIP and that if left unaddressed, the sufIf you have had a hard day ferer will proceed rapidly towards lifewith the heat or received a threatening events. severe sunburn, consider To treat heat cramps, follow the having some soup or broth basic steps and get the victim to a with your dinner to cooler place, drink plenty of good fluids, replenish salts. and allow the victim to rest. If you do these things but the cramps are still happening after an hour, seek medical attention and get the victim to drink more fluids. Heat Fainting Fainting or passing out from the heat is technically called “heat syncope.” This is often preceded by dizziness or nausea. Heat
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A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U ID E
The Worst: Heat Stroke When heat-related illness becomes immediately life threatening, we call it heat stroke. Heat stroke is when the victim’s ability to sweat breaks down, leading to severe body temperature spikes. A victim of heat stroke may have his or her body temperature rise to
K C O T S K N I H T Y B S O T O H P
related illness. Increased physical activity, lack of access to drinkable fluids, and no way to stay cool all contribute to greater danger from the heat. Here’s how to care for yourself before you are hit with heat-related illness:
106 degrees within minutes. Brain damage, organ damage, and death are imminent. Immediate first aid and medical attention are critical at this point. Everyone should recognize the signs of heat stroke. Usually, a victim will have hot, dry skin, but in early stages they may still be sweating. Hallucinations, difficulty speaking, confusion, dizziness or fainting are also likely to be presented. Physically, the victim may be experiencing chills or pain, particularly headaches. Time is critical when dealing with heat stroke. Call 911 (if available) immediately and inform the operator that you’re treating heat stroke. As with lesser heat maladies, get the victim into shade and cool their body by any means available. This may include soaking the victim with available water, or simply fanning them with cooler air. Victims may or may not be able to drink at this point. Medical care will be a necessity if at all possible. If You’re Always Outdoors People who are spending significant time outdoors are more likely to suffer from heat-
An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
1_Drink water instead of anything with alcohol or soda. Sports drinks are okay. You need about a pint to a quart every hour. Start drinking before you feel hot and thirsty. 2_Use sunscreen according to the recommendations on the package. Be sure to reapply it if you’re sweating. If you’re on the water, be aware TIP Make a swamp cooler by that UV light reflects up from hanging a wet towel or washthe water. cloth in front of a box fan. The 3_Try to do strenuous work or evaporation of the water helps travel in the early morning or cool the air blown through the at dusk when temperatures are fan and can help keep a cooler. room cool. 4_Wear your hat, and preferably one with a wide brim all the way around. It really helps to keep your scalp, ears, neck, and face out of direct sun as much as possible. 5_Find a place to stay cool in the heat of the day. Beat The Heat Human beings have survived in hot climates since the dawn of time. If we follow the basic rules that our grandparents knew before the existence of air conditioning, it’s quite possible to avoid heat-related illness. Most importantly, drink plenty of water and let your body’s cooling system work. Then be reasonable about what you choose to do in direct sunlight. When fighting the heat, a little common sense goes a long way.
them develop. The CDC
need. If the water has
ditioned. You can also
has a few common sense
electrolytes in it, that’s
take a cool shower or
tips to prevent heat-
good, too.
bath. Choose loose and light-
related illness: Drink more good flu-
Keep yourself out of direct sun. Find some
weight clothing in a light
ids—meaning drinks with-
shade or better yet, find a
color for air circulation
out alcohol, large
place to be indoors. Cities
and reflecting sunlight. A
amounts of sugar, or caf-
often operate heat shel-
wide-brimmed hat will
feine. While a beer or a soda may feel good, they
ters during high tempera-
keep the sun off your face.
Obviously, the best way to
tures. Public libraries and
Wear broad-spectrum
treat heat-related health
have a diuretic effect.
shopping malls (if avail-
sunscreen to prevent UV
hazards is to never let
Plain water is what you
able) are always air-con-
burns.
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Cell Phone
Survival SIX WAYS YOUR CELL PHONE CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREEK STEWART
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o you ever leave home without your cell phone? For most of us, the answer these days is no, unless it is by accident. I think I’d be more comfortable leaving home without my pants. The cell phone has become our portal to the world, and whether in a boat, on a plane, traveling through Africa, taking a road trip, or backpacking the Rockies, our cell phone has become a regular piece of Every Day Carry (EDC). Indeed, we will probably have our cell phone with us if ever faced with a tragic survival situation. It’s not hard to imagine that it probably won’t be working when we really need it to. Grid shutdown, EMP knocked out all electronics, or just a dead battery, the cellular system is a fragile thing, especially in an emergency. Regardless of the reason, a dead cell phone has an amazing collection of pieces and parts that, with a little insight and creativity, can be used to help meet a surprising number of basic survival needs. Obviously, intentionally busting open your number one communication tool is an absolute last resort.
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SURVIVAL SIGNAL MIRROR
Each of the cell phones I cracked open had metallic, mirror-like layers of material behind the screens. These can function as a perfect survival signal mirror. The reflection from a mirror can be seen for miles by land-, air-, or water-rescue crews. This method of signaling has saved the lives of many survivors in history. You can even use the reflection from a bright moon to make a flash at night. I made a more workable signal mirror by “gluing” with some pinesap the reflective pieces to a hunk of bark. Aiming an improvised signal mirror requires a little finesse. Simply hold up your peace sign and eyeball your target (the rescue crew) inbetween your fingers. Then, flash the sun’s reflection across your fingers. You can see the reflection on your fingers, which ensures you are also flashing your target.
NAVIGATION
Most speakers (if not all of them) contain a magnet. All of the cell phones I opened contained a magnet with the speaker portion of the phone. All of the phones also contained countless little pieces of wire that I could magnetize; it must be a ferrous metal wire–copper will not work. With these two items, you can make a very accurate improvised compass. Sweep the magnet across the metal wire in the same direction 10 or so times. Make a mental note of the direction you are sweeping the magnet as it has to be in the same direction in order to work. The swept end is the end of the wire that will point north. You can then float this metal wire on a small leaf or shaving of wood in a small pool of water. It must be a completely undisturbed pool of water with no current so as to not affect the results. The wire will align itself with the north/south line with the end you swept along the magnet pointing north (in the Northern Hemisphere). Right of north is east, and left of north is west. Now you know direction.
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Cell Phone Survival SPEAR POINTS AND CUTTING TOOLS
Each cell phone also had a circuit board. I used the circuit board from a SmartPhone to make two very useful items to a survivor. I noticed that when I scraped the edges of the circuit board against a smooth rock it actually ground down to a fairly decent cutting edge. I used half of the circuit board to make a useful cutting tool, which I used to gather and scrape a pile of very fine fire tinder shavings from a dried Mullein stalk. This crude cutting tool can be used for a variety of other survival chores as well, including field dressing small game or fish. I then shaped the other half of the circuit board into an “arrowhead” spear point, which I lashed onto the end of a willow shaft using some natural cordage I gathered. I scraped the edges of this point against a smooth stone to sharpen it. I’ve made many makeshift gigs and spears in my life, and I have no doubt that this point can do some serious damage, either in self-defense or in food procurement. I was also able to make a backup gig by folding and pounding (using two rocks) a small, thin piece of metal into another arrowhead-shaped point. This is incredibly sharp and is very similar to a makeshift broad head.
CELL PHONE FIRE
Probably the most valuable piece of a broken cell phone to a survivor is the battery. Almost any battery can be short-circuited to generate either a spark or a hot enough wire to ignite flammable tinder. Fire can be used in a survival situation to signal for help, boil water, regulate core body temperature, make tools, fend off predators, and cook food. Everyone has seen the old, steel wool fire trick. Steel wool ignites very quickly when brushed across the positive and negative terminals on a cell phone battery, but it isn’t likely you are going to have some steel wool with you in a survival situation. However, I used thin wire that I found inside a cell phone to connect (and short circuit) the cell phone battery. It almost instantly turned red hot when I touch it simultaneously to the positive and negative terminals. I had to peel off the battery’s outer coating to do this. Make sure you have your fire tinder ready because it doesn’t last long and is almost certainly a oneshot chance. This red-hot wire can be used to ignite natural tinder such as dried seedpods, or perhaps some pocket lint or a cotton ball.
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FISHING LURES
As I looked at the pile of cell phone parts in front of me, some looked surprisingly similar to fish tackle lures, so I went to work and quickly created these four fishing lures. The most basic lure is a gorge. This is a classic survival fishing hook, and rather than hooking a fish, it gorges itself in the fish’s throat. It is simply a small sliver of metal that is sharp on both ends. Primitive cultures often carved gorge lures from bamboo and bone. It must be baited in parallel with the fish line. Once the fish swallows the bait and the line is pulled taut, the gorge pivots on the line and lodges itself in the throat. I counted as many as 20 gorge lures in one phone. With enough cordage, you could set out several fishing lines to work for you.
SURVIVAL SMALL GAME SNARE
Do you use wired headphones with your phone, or perhaps you have your mp3 player with you as well and it has headphones? If so, this use might come in handy. A small game survival snare can be made using the wire from a pair of headphones. Setting snares allows you to focus on other survival priorities; instead of the headphones playing your music, let them hunt for you. This wire can also be used for a variety of other projects that might require cordage.
Obviously, your cell phone should only be dismantled as an absolute last resort option in a survival scenario. Even when there seems to be no signal, your phone might be able to register a ping from nearby cell phone towers that can be used by first responders to track your general location. But, if it’s already broken or the battery has gone dead, one of these tricks just might save your life.
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The Future is in the
Clouds USING CLOUDS TO PREDICT THE WEATHER Story by Ryan Lee Price | Photography by Richard Birt and Ryan Lee Price
On a warm evening in 1802, upstairs from a laboratory at 2
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Plough Court in London, 30-year-old Luke Howard, a chemist and amateur meteorologist, rose before the Askesian Society—a jovial group of scientists whose irreverence was only matched by their affinity to inhale laughing gas for amusement—and presented his essay called On the Modification of Clouds , where the Latin terms “stratus,” “cirrus,” and “cumulus” were first used. With this, Howard became known as the father of clouds, and although the connection between clouds and the weather had been around for thousands of years, finally there was a universal naming system and, most importantly, it was in Latin. Today, the plaque on
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Howard’s house reads: “The Namer of clouds lived and died here.” For modern human beings, checking tomorrow’s weather is as easy a clicking an app on their phones or watching the evening news, but spend any amount of time high in the mountains and out of reach of modern methods of communications that we take for granted, and you’ll soon discover that the weather can change dramatically in a matter of hours, if not minutes. Sunny one moment, gale-force rains
the next. Being prepared for any situation is all about reading the signs that hint at what the future holds, and when it comes to weather, the future is in the clouds. Essentially, meteorology is the study of the air’s effect on the environment and the various natural elements that affect the air— temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure. These elements, since the dawn of civilized man, have exerted a profound influence on the habitability and civilization of the very planet. To a professional meteorologist, the observation of the types of clouds and the forms of precipitation are one of the most important readings they can observe, so it stands to good reason that even a casual observer—especially one in a survival situation—would gain from knowing the physical process of the atmosphere.
Cirrus
Why Does It Rain? It is common to see a cloud exist for a couple of days without releasing any rain, but on other occasions, a heavy downpour will seem like it came out of nowhere. Water
Cirrostratus
droplets in clouds form via two processes that might
PREDICTING THE WEATHER
lead to rain: ice crystal
It isn’t too difficult to predict the weather if you’re in familiar territory. Near your home base, the weather today will probably be similar to what it was yesterday. But remove yourself from your familiar territory and the weather will be as foreign as if it were another planet. It is important to understand the movement and formation of the clouds as a clear signal to decide whether you’ll be building a shelter out of branches and leaves or an ark out of logs and mud.
and capture. Ice Crystal: When air
rises, it cools by expansion and as it cools, relative humidity increases. When the air reaches saturation (of moisture), cloud Capture: As clouds
rise high into the sky, they allow some moisture to escape and as it falls, it
CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS
collides with other water
From the ground, clouds can be divided into four main groups based on their structure and location: cirrus, alto, stratus, and cumulus. These basic forms may be present simultaneously, evolve from one form to another, and combine into various permutations, but elevation is a predominate factor in classifying clouds: Cirrus clouds occur only in the upper part of the troposphere, while stratus occur only at the lower levels. However, the tops of cumulus clouds may thrust up to the levels of cirrus territory, while the bases are only a few hundred feet off of the ground.
droplets to create larger droplets in a cloud that is not a rain cloud. There are a variety of methods that lead to rainfall, but the most common is coalescence, where tiny water droplets fuse with each other to form larger and larger droplets until their weight is greater than the force of air resistance that keeps them aloft.
HIGH-LEVEL CLOUDS
From the Latin meaning a curling lock of hair, these are the highest forming clouds in the sky. Their main characteristics are that they consist of fine ice crystals and that they have a fibrous structure and wispy streaks in appearance. Sometimes referred to “mare’s tails,” they drift rapidly across the sky on high-altitude winds. Cirrus:
Cirrocumulus
droplets form.
Depending on temperature and altitude of the cloud, water droplets can be as large as 5 mm in diameter when they fall. A large raindrop like this will reach a terminal velocity of around 20 mph when it hits the ground.
As these feathery clouds spread across the sky, it usually indicates that fair weather is upon you. These clouds rarely gather together, but a gradual increase of cirrus cover indicates that a warm front is moving in. Because cirrus clouds are quick moving, use them to find out from which direction. Cirrus clouds indicate a change in the weather, usually within a day. Cirrostratus: Cirrus, meaning curled hair, and stratus, meaning layered, a cirrostratus is a very thin high-altitude cloud that uniformly covers the sky in layers like a light gray veil. These clouds will usually give the sky a uniformly milky appearance or sometimes a slightly fibrous, like a thin, tangled web. When these light, pale veil clouds blanket across the sky, rain is on its way within a day or so. Cirrocumulus: These clouds are named from a combination of cirrus (wisps of curled hair) and cumulus, meaning heap. These clouds are a larger collection of layered cirrus clouds forming light heaps, which have been described resembling white flakes of lamb’s wool or the scales of a fish (specifically a mackerel) across the sky.
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Altocu mu lu s
Flash Floods Flash flooding is a major killer; what looks like a little bit of moving water can have a serious under-
When old folks look at the clouds and remark, “Mackerel sky, storm is nigh,” they are looking at cirrocumulus clouds. Although a rainstorm usually isn’t “nigh,” it indicates a cold front for most of the country and a hurricane in tropical regions.
tow that can easily sweep you or your car away. Because most storms occur at night, flash floods are also frequently at night, which makes them more difficult to see. > Do not attempt to drive or walk across a flooded roadway or low water
MEDIUM-LEVEL CLOUDS Altocumulus: Meaning middle-layer
heaps, these differ from cirrocumulus in that the bundles of clouds are larger, more defined, and arranged in banks. It will appear as though a fleece blanket has been pulled across the sky. Not to be confused with the “mackerel sky” appearance of the cirrocumulus, the
Altost ratu s
altocumulus is at a lower altitude and has larger bundles. Warm, humid and sticky days will produce altocumulus and thunderstorms will likely be present by the afternoon or evening. Altostratus: Meaning middle-altitude layers, altostratus clouds are dense sheets of gray or bluish clouds showing a fibrous structure. Though the sun can be discerned through them, they are darker than cirrostratus and can block out the sun. LOW-LEVEL CLOUDS Stratocumulus: Formed
by air turbulence, these are a low cloud layer consisting of large lumpy masses of a dull grey color.
crossing. Nearly half of all flash flood deaths are vehicle-related. Moving water 2-feet deep can carry away most cars. > If your vehicle becomes caught in high water and stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground if you can do so safely. Rapidly rising water may sweep a vehicle and its occupants away. > When the threat of a flash flood is evident (a dry season followed by the first heavy rain), be aware of your location and head to higher ground. If water looks like it has been there before (e.g. dried creek bed, collected drift 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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logs), a flash flood will likely choose the same course again.
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LIGHTNING SAFETY Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms, and it is also a significant threat to life, as it kills nearly 24,000 around the world each year. The following lightning safety rules are important. > Lightning tends to strike the tallest object in an area...make sure it is not you. Remain in your vehicle or an indoor location whenever possible. > If you are stuck outside and in a vulnerable position (top of a hill, etc.), crouch down to make yourself a poor lightning target. Do not lie flat on the ground since you will be more likely to be severely shocked if lightning strikes close to you.
The Life of a Thunderstorm Thunderstorms are one of Mother Nature’s most impressive displays, as
moving air currents that can reach a
there are a multitude of natural phe-
the zone of high-based altocumulus
nomena occurring simultaneously and
clouds. As moisture becomes more
in concert to produce a thunderstorm.
plentiful in the lower atmosphere, the
Depending on the type and number of cells, thunderstorms may be divided into four main categories: • Single-cell storms are generally weak,
They are often in patterns (like rolls with blue sky in between) and resemble altocumulus, but are lower. Rain rarely occurs with these types of clouds, and if the temperature between the day/night’s high and low is only a few degrees, stratocumulus point to dry weather. Stratus: This is a low, evenly grey layer of fog-like cloud that comes close, but doesn’t touch, the ground. It produces a fine mist and is greatly affected by local air currents. Since they cover the entire sky usually in what is normally described as “overcast,” the humidity level is up high enough to produce drizzle at most. Normally in the morning and burning off by afternoon, stratus clouds can start as fog (if they touch the ground).
Stratocumulus
height of around 20,000 feet, nearly
base of the storm may extend downward toward the ground. Maturation Stage: This is the
short-lived, and loosely organized.
strongest and most dangerous stage of the storm’s life cycle. At this stage, the
They blow out as quickly as they blow
storm contains both upward and down-
in and typically don’t produce a lot of
ward moving air currents (updrafts and
rainfall.
downdrafts). The downdraft regions
• Multi-cell cluster storms are the most common type of storm and consist of a series of cells moving along as one unit, usually rotating slowly between each other. • Multi-cell line storms, commonly
supply rain to the area and causes cooling from the high-altitude air being pushed toward the ground. When the cool downdraft hits the ground, it spreads out and forms winds called a downburst. At the top of the
called “squall lines,” consist of a long
storm, the updraft rapidly decelerates
line of storms with a continuous wind front at the leading edge. These pro-
and clouds spread out and form an anvil. If the updraft is particularly strong, howhow-
duce a lot of rain over a wide territory.
ever, an “overshooting top” will form
• Super-cell storms have a single
above the anvil. Underneath this area
updraft, are very strong, and always
are usually severe weather conditions
produce significant severe weather.
relative to the rest of the storm.
However, all thunderstorms, regard-
Dissipation Stage: Eventually, excessive rainfall and downdraft will excessive
less of their size, length, or severity, go
combat and weaken the updraft. The
through a three-stage life cycle.
wind front will move away from the
Development Stage: The first stage occurs when the thunderstorm
center of the storm and sever its own
begins to develop. At this infant stage,
moisture for rainfall). Air pressure will
the storm is only a series of upward-
self-regulate and the storm will end.
supply of energy (updraft provides
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The Future is in the
Clouds
Cumulus
“WHEN YOU SEE LARGE MASSES MASSES OF CUMULONIMBUS ON THE EASTERN HORIZON, PREPARE YOURSELF FOR RAIN OR WORSE.” LARGE VERTICAL CLOUDS
Latin for “heap,” cumulus clouds are high-piled clouds with flat bases and domed tops that can resemble tall towers. Often resembling cauliflower in shape, there are two basic types: Cumulus humilis (fair-weather cumulus) are flat cumulus clouds; cumulus congestus are much greater in size but are usually taller than they are wide. They often develop into cumulonimbus. Most cumulus are fair-weather clouds and are produced generally in dry conditions of a fair summer (or hot) day. They only last for a short time, but if they do generate rain, it will be light. However, enough cumulus clouds can grow into a cumulonimbus formation and produce thunderstorms. Cumulonimbus: These are what we call thunderclouds or shower clouds, great masses of clouds rising like mountains that dominate the sky. They often have an anvil shape at the top and bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, squalls, and hail. Make no mistake when you see these clouds. They’re enormously tall and can forecast some extreme weather, from heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms to tornadoes and hurricanes. When you see large masses of cumulonimbus on the eastern horizon horizon (the anvil shape points in the direction of travel) prepare yourself for rain or worse. Nimbostratus: Dense, shapeless, and ragged, nimbostratus are a low layer of dark clouds that blanket the sky. Nimbostratus are often connected to altostratus above it, and almost always deliver rain. You can readily assure yourself yourself that rain (or snow in cold climates) is coming and lots of it. Cumulus:
Cumulonimbus
Nimbostratus
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At home in most any environment, the Volcano III is quick to set up. Just a pull on the handle out of the box, and the legs snap into place, ready to start grilling.
Super
Grill Master THE VOLCANO III TRIPLE-SOURCE COLLAPSIBLE GRILL Story and Photography by Ryan Lee Price
bursting volcano spewing forth molten lava is exactly the imagery one wants to think of when grilling meat in the great outdoors, as there is no finer sight than a slab of once vibrant animal flesh searing over an o pen flame. The scent draws draws in everyone, but the trick is double-edged: double-ed ged: Either you are a wizard at starting a fire perfect for grilling or you brought with you a portable grill. If you’re the former, flame on and enjoy the fruits of your abilities, but if you’re the latter, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile grill for whatever life throws at you. At home, in the wild, or even just in your RV, your cooking options are limited to what is available to burn and the method for burning it. You can always start a wood fire in nature; you can always alwa ys light a charcoal barbecue at home; and you can always use propane when camping. However, with the Volcano III, you have a cooking device that has the ability to handle all three, depending on what you have available. Since it is
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Grill Master
“YOUR COOKING OPTIONS ARE LIMITED TO WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO BURN AND THE METHOD FOR BURNING IT.”
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convertible, transforming it from propane to wood to charcoal is simple and fast, eliminating the inconvenience of worrying about running out of a particular fuel for a particular stove; a propane stove is nearly useless without propane. The Volcano III triple-source collapsible grill is made from hardened, powder-coated steel, and is a snap to set up because of the quick-release mechanical legs that pop out when you merely lift up on the handle. Out of the box, the grill is ready to go; you just have to choose what fuel you’ll start with. Since charcoal is the easiest to work with, we started by following the directions to cook simple chicken strips by placing 10 briquettes on the bottom grate. In about 15 minutes, the coals were pushing 530 degrees and the top grate was ready to go. Adjusting the amount of air the grill draws in though the 20 holes around the base—thus
1. Though the propane burner could stand to be enlarged slightly, it does a good job at heating the food, especially when a Dutch oven is used, as it traps in the heat and surrounds the pan. 2. The Volcano III uses a standard gas bottle coupling you’d find on any full-size gas grill. 3. Three legs support the 26-pound grill; these retract back into the sides by lifting the grill up from the bottom. The material is weather-resistant , powder-coated steel that gives the grill a solid feel. 4. The diffusion plate that fits over the propane burner and spreads the flame out to the corners of the grill. Because of the size of the burner, this plate isn’t as efficient as it could be. 5. To control the amount of air feeding the flames, a sliding toggle switch opens and closes the holes surrounding the base of the grill. The supplied cookbook tells exactly how to set it for each recipe. 6. Most of the simpler recipes in the cookbook utilize only 10 or 12 briquettes, which creates a hot enough flame (thanks to the volcano effect) to efficiently cook a meal. 7. It only took approximately 10 minutes for the grill to go from stone-cold to around 530 degrees, while the outer shell of the unit (especially the bottom) stayed relatively cool (109 degrees). 8. The coals were ready to go in no time, though we’d wish there was a way to adjust the height of the top grill. It seemed that the 8 inches between the coals and the bottom of the food should be less. 9. There are a limitless combinations by which to use this grill, from propane to charcoal to wood, as a wok, a Dutch oven, a fry station, an oven (with the Volcano lid) and even a rotisserie. 10. Sometimes, throwing a few pi eces of meat (even chicken) on the grill can change the attitude of your party and the tone of the whole adventure.
creating the volcanic effect the unit was designed around—is as easy as sliding the control vent either open or closed. The top grill is 13 inches in diameter, which translates into more than 132 square inches of cooking space, more than enough for a family to barbecue a wide variety of things. The inner core of the Volcano III is wide enough for a 12-inch Dutch oven, and without the top grill, it can accommodate any size frying pan or wok. Though the coals were around 530 degrees, the outer skin of the Volcano III was okay to touch and the temperature underneath—thanks to the well-packed insulation—was only 109 degrees. The unit is safe enough to place anywhere, from a leafy forest floor to a leafy-printed picnic tablecloth. The propane attachment is such that it can be used with larger bottles of propane similar to full-sized household grills, and the hose and burner coil up nicely inside the Volcano III when in transport. There is even a diffusion plate that fits over the propane burner that spreads the 19,500 BTUs evenly
around the grill for equal cooking temperatures, regardless of what part you’re using, though it wasn’t too effective when we tried it; the burner could stand to be a little larger. When done, the upper ring collapses into the lower ring for transport and storage. All of the accessories fit inside of the 5-inch high unit when collapsed, while there is a pocket in the nylon, zippered bag to store the grills, diffusion plate and heatshield Volcano lid. Coming in at 26 pounds, this grill won’t go with you on a backpack excursion, but at its MSRP, it can be easily argued that it is a much better grill than the $1,000 unit sitting on your patio right now (and that thing can only use one type of fuel).
Source Family Storehouse
FamilyStorehouse.net (888) 610-2250
PROS > Quick warm up times and efficient use of the charcoal. > Body of the Volcano III stays cool, no matter how hot the grill is. > Sleek design, small storage space, and quick set up. CONS > The diffusion plate isn’t too effective at dispersing the propane flame. > There’s no way to move the grill besides the handle (which may be hot). > No way to adjust the distance between the coals and the top grill to maximize smaller flames.
Brain Buster DRD’S SECURIS TACTICAL TOMAHAWK Story and Photography by Ryan Lee Price
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n pre-colonial times, the Algonquian ranged over much of eastern Canada and the northeastern seaboard of the United States, as hundreds of villages carved out oases in the untamed wilderness. Constantly at war with the Iroquois nations, the Algonquians were skilled hunters and warriors; for roughly two centuries, they were the main obstacles to the spread of Europeans in North America. Tribe leaders like Metacomet, Powhatan, Tecumseh, and Pontiac are well-known names in the history of American expansion, and several state names are a result of Algonquian interaction (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
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Vermont, for example). They also gave the world the tomahawk. In the late 1500s, Chief Powhatan brought together 30 tribes in eastern Virginia to create a federation called Tsenacommacah, eventually known as the Powhatan tribe. One of the most formidable weapons to defend this new organization was the tamahaac, an Algonquian word meaning “to cut off by tool.” These were chipped stones attached to wooden handles with strips of rawhide and used for everyday chores like cutting and hunting, but was coveted primarily for its ability to effectively cleave an enemy’s skull in battle.
[TOP] With the bit already showing signs of experience, this tomahawk is a formidable tool in the backcountry, as well as an imposing weapon. [INSET] The scabbard is Kydex, a tough plastic, and the tomahawk is secured via a friction clip and a nylon buckle.
[CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT ]
The rounded knob end makes for an intimidating pummel to use as a hammer or a persuader if the pointy ends don’t suffice. Most hatchets and camp axes have a hammer as a poll, not a menacing spike like this one. The CNCmachined tomahawk is 3⁄8 inches thick, one piece, and incredibly strong. Though we weren’t able to test this ourselves, the manufacturer demonstrates its ability to pry padlocks apart with a simple twist. The shallow flat Vgrinded bit, though not as durable as other styles of grinds, is especially useful with a hand-held axe, such as a tomahawk, because it is easy to sharpen and stays sharper longer.
With the arrival of Europeans came metal tools, and the tomahawk’s effectiveness increased markedly. Though the concept of a small axe used for throwing had been around for thousands of years (the French francisca, the labrys of the Iron Age, et al), but the Powhatan created a uniquely American weapon whose name is synonymous with a small battle axe. Very few modern companies produce tomahawks, and when they do, they refer to them with less bloody names, such as camp axes or hatchets. Instead, DRD Tactical embraces the tradition of skull-crushing weapons by adding a modern twist to the latest addition to its catalog: the Securis Tactical Tomahawk. CNC machined from a single piece 3 of ⁄8-inch thick 4140 chromoly steel and coated with melonite, the tomahawk is 141⁄2 inches long and tips the scales at just over 30 ounces. The bit is 23⁄4 inches long and the blade protrudes 3 inches from the haft, while a 3-inch poll on the other end of the
head is beveled down to a very brutal point. On the bottom of the sharpened poll is a half-circle arc that can catch and hold if the tomahawk is used as a pry bar. The 550-para-wrapped handle is coated in a dense rubber material that is rough and non-slip, as well as protected against electric shock. On the haft towards the head are finger grips for choked-up use or closequarters maneuvering, while the paracord terminates with a lanyard at the knob end and an additional hole to be used for hanging or alternate attachment. Because it is machined from a single piece of strong steel and doesn’t have the weak point a traditional wood-handled tool has, it is nearly indestructible. Blunt trauma is its strong suit, as it made its way through a thick branch in several swings, though its narrow bit limited the thickness of subject to be bludgeoned. The grip is comfortable and the paracord-wrapped handle exudes a confidence with each swing.
The scabbard is made of Kydex plastic, and the tomahawk is secured with a friction clip, as well as a buckle integrated into the adjustable nylon shoulder strap. Small and compact, it can easily fit in most any pack or you can sling it over your shoulder.
Specs Manufacturer: DRD Tactical Model: Securis Tomahawk Length: 141⁄2 inches Thickness: 3⁄8 inches Weight: 30 ounces Bit width: 23⁄4 inches Blade material: 4140 steel Handle material: Melanite Handle cover: 550 paracord Scabbard: Kydex MSRP: $350
Contact
D E C E M B E R
DRDTactical.com
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A Roof Of
Polyethylene 17 WAYS TO MAKE A SHELTER FROM A TARP Story by Ryan Lee Price
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omans in the fields of Europe 1,000 years ago erected tents made of leather, while their nomadic contemporaries to the east used woven hemp and wool to build yurts. Leather and hemp made way for canvas 200 to 300 years ago, which led to lightweight polyester and nylon used in today’s modern tents. Though easy to carry and relatively simple to put up, there are numerous situations you might find yourself in where a traditional tent isn’t something you have or was something you were forced to give up. As a refugee obligated to quickly leave your residence or a victim of some tragedy that completely obliterated your residence and everything in it—including your $400 six-man tent with optional skylight and porch—the idea of spending the night under the stars under such circumstances can sound dreadful, especially in the pouring rain or the depths of winter. A basic shelter can keep your head dry, conserve heat, as well as provide a comforting sense of safety.
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[TOP] Simple tarp shelters can be made easily and quickly with minimal equipment, pro viding much need respite from the wind, sun, rain, or snow. It conserves body heat and offers a sense of comfort, which raises morale in tough situations.
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In any emergency situation, for example, where everything you own is about to get completely soaking wet or the sun has become so unbearable that you think you can’t take another step, a makeshift shelter can be had with little more than a tarp and some rope.
Tarp Shelters: What Not To Do > Don’t set up your shelter over an ant nest or over any sort of burrow entrance. > Don’t set up your shelter in a gully or on a riverbank, you may get flash floods. > Don’t set up your shelter below the ‘high water mark’ on a shoreline. > Don’t set up your shelter on top of a hill or ridge. These spots attract lightning. > Don’t attach lines to tall trees or a tree standing alone—these sorts of tree attract lightning strikes. A short tree in a group of taller trees is safer. > Don’t set up your shelter beneath a tree branch that is dead or partly broken. While overhead tree branches can serve well as an anchor point,
There are dozens of materials out today that can be used to make a tent, such as woven cotton canvas, nylon tent fabric, and laminated plastic poly tarps—even plastic painters’ drop cloths. Ideally, any rectangular or square sheet of waterproof material will work in an emergency, but poly tarps are the most durable and lightweight in relation to their square footage. Brand new, they are virtually draft-proof and waterproof, making them great for catching water, as well as keeping it out. They are made of polyethylene, the most common plastic there is, and they have heat-sealed seams, grommets every few feet along the edges, and sometimes reinforced corners. Standard, lightweight poly tarps come in a variety of sizes and, although they may be lighter than canvas tarps, they melt and burn far more easily than canvas. Take into account the purpose of your shelter. Make it as large as it needs to be to support the number of people that intend to use it and as sturdy as the environment dictates. Consider the weather. Any shelter can become unstable and collapse if weight overloads the supports. In the case of a shelter made from a tarp, it doesn’t take much. Storm debris, rain, hail, or snow may lie on top of the shelter (or be blown against it), until it can no longer support the weight. Like in real estate, the three most important things you need to consider in pitching a tarp shelter is location, location, location. The set-up of a tarp shelter must take account from which way the wind is blowing in order to keep the tent from becoming an out-of-control sail thrashing in the breezes. Ideally, the ground should slope slightly for water runoff, but you may have to dig trenches around your shelter to aid in drainage. There are literally dozens of different ways and configurations to construct a suitable shelter with only a single tarp (in our examples, we use a 10x10-foot tarp), a length of 550 paracord, a few cheap aluminum stakes (or rocks) and some poles (walking sticks, trekking poles, or branches can act as supports if needed).
it may be better not to do so, in case the tree branch breaks during a storm. > Don’t set up your shelter beneath a dead tree or within the falling distance of a dead tree. One day, all dead trees eventually fall over, and that day might be the day you set up camp. > Don’t set up your shelter after dark if you can help it. However, shelter is the first thing to do in a survival situation. > Always set up camp in relation to wind direction. Wind direction changes during the course of the day, but vegetation will grow and bend over to the Lee side, showing the direction of the prevailing (strongest, most common) winds.
TARP TRICKS There are several different tips and tricks that can be used to make your tarp shelter slightly more bearable, or at least, combat some of the conditions that might cause additional discomfort. 1. Reinforce folds with a taut length of paracord staked at either end and running along the inside of the fold. The cord will not only keep the fold square but it will help keep the roof from buckling in the wind. 2. Build up a foundation of earth (or snow or mud) that overlays the outside edges of the tarp where it meets the ground. It will create a shelter against drafts pouring in from underneath the edges. Note: The small trench on the insides provides a place for condensation to gather if it drips down the inside of the tarp. 3. A quick way to attach a length of paracord to the grommet of a tarp that will add strength is to loop it around a stick. The stick will hold the cord in place while distributing the tension on the tarp over a wider area instead of on the grommet alone.
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01. Basic A-Frame The ubiquitous A-Frame shelter can be had by stringing the paracord between two trees, draping over the tarp, and staking it down not only on the corners, but along the sides to keep out the wind. The 30-degree angle of the tarp’s roof will produce a 10-foot-long living space approximately 8.6feet wide and 2.5-feet tall. PROS: Good rain/snow runoff and, if the angle is high enough, good wind deflection. CONS: There is no floor nor door flaps and, if the paracord is not stretched tight enough, there will be sagging in the middle.
03. Basic Lean-To Secured to the ground on the windward side and supported by the paracord between two anchor points, the Basic Lean-To is simple to make and great for deflecting wind or providing a sunshade. At a 30-degree angle, the Basic Lean-To can provide 5 feet of height and 8.6 feet of width under the shelter. PROS: Easy to erect, quick to take down, provides great deflection from wind and shelter from rain or sun. CONS: There are no sides, nor floor to protect against other elements.
02. Basic Sunshade Strung with lengths of paracord between four anchoring points (e.g. trees), the Basic Sunshade shelter is parallel to the ground and provides, at most, 100square-feet of shade against the sun at high noon. Angling it toward the sun will make it more efficient. This configuration cannot be used in the rain, as the water will pool in the middle. A possible variation of this can be built by adding support poles to each corner, or perhaps a single support pole in the middle. (See Mushroom Fly.) PROS: Provides the maximum shelter against the sun CONS: Not suitable for cold weather or able to support rain.
04. Tube Tent With the paracord secured between two trees, two-thirds of the tarp is draped over with the opposite ends secured together, creating a Basic A-Frame, but with a floor. Sixty-degree walls will provide only 3.3-feet of width and 2.8-feet of headroom, which isn’t much room for a single adult, and much less for two. PROS: It is a sturdy shelter with a floor and, if properly secured to the ground, will prevent rain from seeping in. CONS: There are no door flaps and the paracord must be kept taut to work effectively.
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05. Mushroom Fly Very similar to the Basic Sunshade, the Mushroom Fly adds in a central support pole at the tarp’s midpoint. Designed for rain runoff or snow shedding, the Mushroom Fly is sturdy and roomy, provided the four corners of the tarp a well secured. It can be as tall or as short as you need, depending on the length of the center support pole. In inclement weather, consider building this as low to the ground as possible. PROS: Great rain runoff and snow/leaves shedding; works well as a sunshade. CONS: No sides to protect against the wind or cold. 06. Cornucopia Also known as the Cornet, the Cornucopia utilizes one long length of paracord strung from a tree to ground. The tarp is draped over the paracord diagonally, while the leading edges fold under to form the floor. Face the corner into the wind and stake it well to keep out the weather. A 10x10 tarp makes for tight living quarters, though, while rain will run down the single slanted paracord and into the shelter. Above the entrance, tie off some drip lines of string to combat this. PROS: Good wind deflection and rain/snow/debris shedding. CONS: Not much headroom and it might be too short for tall people and their gear.
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07. Wind Shed Also known as the C-Fly, the Wind Shed employs a full groundsheet designed into it. Folding the tarp into thirds, make sure the leading edge of the roof hangs over the groundsheet for adequate rain runoff. Secure the main ridgeline with paracord stretched between two trees, while supporting the gable ends to the ground with shorter lengths of paracord. Since this is designed for wind deflection, consider adding a length of paracord to the bottom fold, where the back panel meets the groundsheet. A few rocks placed along that fold (on the inside) will help (see Tarp Tricks). PROS: Great wind deflection CONS: Requires a lot of stakes/secure points; the hanging roofline could sag under rain loads and drain onto the groundsheet; no doors or fourth side for protection from the elements. 08. Diamond Fly A 10x10 tarp has a diagonal length of just over 14 feet, making the Diamond Fly perfect for more than one person. Secure the paracord to a tree and the ground and drape over the tarp at a diagonal. The length of paracord and angle with which it is tied to a tree determines the overall headroom and width of the shelter. Take into consideration the reason for building it: steep walls will shed rain, snow, and debris, and the angled end (similar to the Cornucopia) will deflect wind if well
staked. However, a more gentle slopping walls will accommodate more people and/or gear but will allow for less headroom. As with the Cornucopia, drip lines will be needed in rainy weather. PROS: Good wind deflection and rain shedding abilities; can accommodate a larger group of people or more equipment. CONS: No floor or flaps to completely keep out the elements. If the wind changes direction frequently, the shelter will be compromised. 09. Dining Fly Similar to the Basic A-Frame, the Dining Fly has been used for countless decades by miners and campers as a simple open-air cover, good for a sunshade while providing a modicum of headroom without sacrificing too much space. Though limited in its ability to ward off the weather (besides rain) due to its lack of sides and doors (like the Basic Sunshade), it is a poplar configuration for desert survival. The height of the support poles dictates the amount of headroom and footprint the shelter will provide, but is a sturdy shelter when properly tied down and staked. PROS: Provides ventilation and a good coverage with adequate headroom. Good for the desert. CONS: No sides or flaps for complete protection; not for windy environments.
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10. Fold-Over Wind Shed Similar in design as the traditional Wind Shed, this version provides more coverage by sacrificing the groundsheet. The height of the paracord ridgeline determines the angle of the roof and the footprint of the shelter. In windier climates, a low sloping roof will better deflect wind when it is placed against the wind. PROS: Great wind deflection and rain runoff. CONS: No floor, flaps or sides to protect completely against the elements. 11. Half Box When time isn’t of the essence and you have a more leisure opportunity to build a shelter, consider the Half Box. Similar to the Barn Stall, the Half Box requires the use of at least four support poles and probably as many or more tie-downs to hold it all up. The footprint is only 25square feet, but it provides two sides of protection from the elements. If not supported in the middle or kept taut from the sides, it will sag under any load of rain, snow or debris. A full onequarter of the tarp goes unused and folded up behind the rear corner. PROS: Good sunshade from allday sun if positioned properly. CONS: No floor or flaps; a quarter of the tarp goes unused; can be difficult to set up; requires four 5foot support poles and many tiedowns.
12. Miner’s Tent In order to construct this somewhat complicated shelter, a tarp ratio of 1:2 is required (e.g. 10x20foot tarp), and because so many folds are necessary to perfect it, an illustration is included. Start by lashing four, 10-foot-long support poles together at one end (for the peak—F) and spread out the four other ends to form a square on the ground—A, B, C, D. Affix the middle of the long edge of the tarp (F) to the top of the poles. Start by attaching FI to the rear right pool. HI will be the rear bottom edge, while IE will become the right-side bottom edge. FH is then attached to the left-rear pole, so that HG will be the leftside bottom edge. The front flaps are made up of triangle FGC and FBE, while triangles GHD and EIA are folded under to be a partial floor. When done, the Miner’s Tent is just over 9-feet high in the center and has a living area of more than 68-square feet. PROS: When properly constructed, staked and secured to the support poles, it is a very sturdy shelter, able to withstand quite a bit; it makes a complete enclosure; very spacious. CONS: Complicated to build, requires a specific size tarp and four 10-foot poles.
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13. Arrowhead Construction of the Arrowhead can start by supporting the center of two perpendicular edges with 5-foot-long poles or by attaching those edges to trees with paracord. The opposite corner gets staked to the ground (or it is where the other ends of the paracord meet). It creates a series of four triangles, allowing for 5-feet of headroom at the opening and just over 7-feet of width (and 35.3 square feet of living space). The flap hangs down for make for a partial closure. PROS: The low profile deflects the wind, and it is very roomy. CONS: The poles need to be supported by paracord tie-downs; there’s no floor and the flap only partially covers the opening. 14. Barn Stall Belonging to the Basic A-Frame family of shelters, the Barn Stall utilizes two to four five-foot poles for support or two poles and a paracord attached to two anchor points. It is very similar to the Fold-Over Wind Shed with the front being supported by poles, instead. The flat roof isn’t very efficient at shedding rain or debris, and the single 90-degree wall will be affected by the slightest breezes, so it is best to construct this shelter out of the wind. It produces 50-square feet of living space, but has no floor and only one wall. PROS: Simple to build for a quick sunshade CONS: Not efficient in the rain or wind; lacks floors and walls for adequate protection from the weather. 15. Shade Sail Similar in concept to the Diamond Fly and the Basic A-Frame, the Shade Sail is a quick shelter that diagonally drapes the tarp over a length of paracord attached to two anchor points. The opposite corners are staked to the ground, providing a simple shade shelter. Open and airy, the overall square-feet of space depends on how tall it is; the lower the angles of the sides are, the better it well be at deflecting wind and the more shade it will provide. PROS: Provides all-day shade; quick to set up; uses minimal stakes. CONS: Not weather resistant; has no floor or flaps and will not work well in the rain.
16. Square Arch As the name implies, a Square Arch shelter is an arch with a square top. Starting with two parallel lengths of paracord attached to anchor points approximately 3 feet apart and 3 feet high, drape the ground cloth over the two lengths of paracord and secure the long ends of the tarp with stakes. The dimensions of the shelter are dependent on how high the paracord is strung and/or how far apart they are. The description here represents the maximum allowed so the ends still touch the ground. An alternative is to secure one paracord slightly higher than the other to allow for rain runoff or angle one side for wind deflection. As is, this shelter is 3-feet wide, 3-feet tall and 10-feet long. PROS: Narrow construction for building it in tight spaces. CONS: Odds of finding four anchor points in the needed proximity is low; no flaps or floor. 17. Quesadilla The Quesadilla is an inverted Shade Sail designed to deflect wind and protect from light rain while providing a large floor space. The corner of the tarp is attached to an anchor point with the paracord and the remaining corners and sides are staked to the ground, so the tarp is folded on the diagonal. Used for mild weather, the base covers 50square feet, and the height depends on the angle of the roof and the attachment point. An alternative is to use a pole to support the corner if no anchor point can be found, or tie up the far corner to the paracord for extra protection. To reinforce the fold line of this shelter, stake a taut paracord line across the fold (see Tarp Tricks). PROS: Only requires a single anchor point, has a floor, and protects well against the wind. CONS: Not very good at rain protection due to the triangular roof and not having sides.
The
SOG Jungle Warrior THIS IS NOT YOUR DADDY’S POCKETKNIFE STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN LEE PRICE
The SOG Jungle Warrior is a large kni fe, so much so that it skirts the machete neighborhood, but don’t let its size fool you. It is a well-made, agile piece of equipment that you’ll be glad you have when you need it.
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here are plenty of cheap pocketknives used for opening letters and cutting twine, and there are an equal number of expensive tactical knives made to be used in close-range combat or survival situations. This knife, this 15 ½-inch, massive SOG Jungle Warrior, falls somewhere in the middle: you won’t have a practical reason to use it every day, but you’ll be glad you have it when you need it. Just like a machete, it has realistic limitations on day-to-day abilities, but it makes up for all of that with sheer size and force. Put it in your bug-out bag or stash it with your emergency supplies. With a little less than two-thirds of its stature reserved for the blade, the 10 inches of black oxide stainless steel puts considerable distance between you and the object of your wrath. The blade is a full-tang with an unsharpened drop point swedge. It is 3⁄16 inches at its thickest point near the handle and tapers to the point. The serrated jimping on the spine is thick, so your thumb won’t slip; however, the blade is too long and there is no o pposite
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The sheath is nylon, with an adjustable strap and a good-sized pocket on the front. Its best feature is that it is thin and lightweight, not bulky or obtrusive.
Specs Manufacturer: SOG Knives Model: Jungle Warrior URL: SOGKnives.com Overall length: 151⁄2 inches Blade length: 10 inches Blade width: 17⁄8 inches Blade thickness: 1/6 inches Blade material: 8CR13MOV Rockwell hardness: 56-58 Handle material: Kraton Handle thickness: 3⁄4 inches Price: $80
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1. The black oxide straight blade will need a little attention to be perfect. Though out-ofthe-box sharp, it could stand to be sharper. 2. The persuader, as it is sometimes called, is the exposed bottom of the tang, used for hammering or striking. It is serrated for better traction. 3. The jimping on the blade’s spine is oversized and replaces the need for a traditional thumb rise. However, pushing your thumb that far forward from the handle without a finger groove on the opposite side is uncomfortable and dangerous on such a large knife. 4. The Kraton handle materials are comfortable and slip resistant, thanks in part to SOG’s “Digi-Grip” pattern molded into the material and these ridges on the quillons. 5. The business end of the Jungle Warrior is a drop point, one of the most popular styles of knife points made. It allows for increased strength in the tip and 5 won’t as easily break when lateral force is applied.
finger groove (plus, the choil is no place to put your finger if you want to keep it). It is best to keep your fingers wrapped around the handle belly and safely within the front and rear quillons (protrusions on the bottom of the handle that keep the hand in place), but if you feel the need to choke up on a knife that much to get a better cut, you’re using the wrong knife for the job. The “Digi-Grip” textured handle is made from Kraton, a synthetic rubber known for its flexibility, high traction, resistance to heat and weather. There are two holes near the guard to be used as lashing points when converting this knife into a spear, while a third hole can receive a lanyard. At the base of the handle, the tang is exposed t hrough the pommel to form a hard serrated striking platform. Sometimes known as a persuader, it can be used as a hammer to break glass, pound a stake, or help turn the knife into an auger. The sheath is constructed of nylon with a rubberized inner skeleton for rigidity. The diagonal retention strap with a button closure makes for a tight fit, but can be adjusted for right- or left-handers. The small pocket piggybacking on the front of the sheath is a perfect size for holding a sharpening stone or a first aid kit, while the belt loop is large enough to accommodate most any belt size. The knife is well balanced and light for its size. It is easy to grip and doesn’t feel 15 ½ inches long, nor does its nearly 20 ounces seem tiring. The Jungle Warrior, as its name implies, is at home chopping and slashing, defending person and property with its long reach. You won’t use it to whittle, and it is too large to make intricate carvings. Its purpose is to remove material in violent swaths, clear away foliage in mighty sweeps, and, if necessary, inflict the kind of damage needed to change the tides of your situation when everything goes south.
Contact: SOGKnives.com AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
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Let The Light Shine ASG Picks The Top Five Lanterns
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FROM PREHISTORIC TIMES, light has been a source of comfort for those who felt stranded in the mysterious, foreboding darkness with the fear of the unknown surrounding them. They were at the mercy of their predators who had well adapted to seeing in the dark. Eventually, fire provided warmth and a place to cook meals, but the light extended the day and gave those that gathered around it a place to gather and tell stories or to further educate the tribe. Plus, light equals safety. Fast forward to today, and stories are still told around the fire and light still wards off that fear of the unknown. However, artificial light is more reliable and easier to summon, thanks especially to the advent of modern lanterns. These five examples of quality lanterns, ranging in price and amenities, does well to replace the gas/mantle lanterns of yesteryear with battery/turbine/solar/USB power sources that will not only last a lifetime, but are readily available for a wide variety of situations, from a mere campout i n the backcountry to a full-scale nighttime evacuation in an emergency.
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These five lanterns were chosen because of their quality, amenities, and value. Most come with lithium-ion batteries that will last through thousands of charge/deplete cycles. They all are similar in main form and functions, but each provide subtle differences that make them unique in their own ways.
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30 LED Emergency Lantern Simple and economical, the strong suit of this lantern is the 30 LED bulbs that provide an immense amount of light while using only a fraction of the batteries needed for other battery-operated lanterns this size. The four D-cell batteries needed give this lantern hours of bright light. It is constructed of heavy-duty plastic, and the globe is protected by chrome-plated rods and an inner plastic housing. The control switch is a simple on/off, but also allows for a variable light intensity. Keep it low to extend the battery life or crank it to the top for the maximum light. It weighs just over a pound and stands almost 10 inches tall.
1. An added feature on the dome is a small compass. The handle folds to the side and out of the way when not in use. 2. The control switch is simple to use and provides a range of brightness, from very dim to very bright. 3. The globe is plastic but supported by two chromed rods and an inner housing to diffuse the light. The 30 LEDs are strung up and around the inner housing.
MSRP: $9.99 SOURCE:
Nitro-Pak 375 West 910 South Heber City, Utah 84032 (888) 866-4876 Nitro-Pak.com
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EDITOR’S PICK
Goal Zero LightHouse 250 This lantern offers the best of several different worlds when it comes to rechargeable power. It offers three ways to recharge the batteries: via USB plugged into any computer or USB outlet (cable included), via the solar panel mounting on the lantern’s top, or via the hand crank. Use the energy to power the light, operate a flashing red beacon light that rings the hood or to even charge a smartphone or tablet. The light is dual directional, meaning you can light up one half or both sides. A full charge from the sun or a USB takes about seven hours, while a turn on the crank for a minute or two will give about 20 minutes of light. When fully charged however, the batteries will last for 48 hours if the light is on low. MSRP: $79.99 SOURCE:
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Family Storehouse 356 East State Street American Fork, UT 84003 (801) 642-2292 FamilyStorehouse.com
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1. The tough plastic hand crank is sturdy and it turns the dynamo easily. About two minutes of cranking will give around 20 minutes of light. A metal ring handle folds out of the way, but is quite small for larger fingers to hook under easily. 2. The lantern displays the battery level via t he four blue LED lights. Plugging in a USB-enabled device will provide a boost in its charge or a complete recharge if necessary (it takes about two hours to recharge an iPhone, for example, but uses half the battery doing so). 3. The connected USB cable allows the lantern to be plugged into any USB port so it can recharge its internal batteries. It takes about seven hours to fully recharge this way. 4. The globe is plastic and the inner light housing is split, providing light on one or both sides depending on the selection. The light gives off a warm yellow glow that is bright and far reaching.
LANTERNS
Goal Zero Lighthouse USB Power Hub
Gear Guide
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At 14 inches and two pounds, this is the tallest and heaviest of the five lanterns here but seems to be constructed with the most rugged of materials. The handle is stout and connected via metal bolts with a large plastic grip and a retractable metal hanging hook. The hood is thick and sturdy, supported by four metal rods that protect the globe and internal light housing. The base is robust, giving the impression that this lantern can take a tumble and come out just fine. The controls are straightforward: A single button controls the high and low light setting and the red emergency flasher that rings the hood. It can be charged from several sources, a 12-volt car charger and AC wall adapter (both included), a solar panel array (not included), via a USB port, and by cranking the dynamo on the dome. Fully charged, the lantern has a 10-hour runtime for the light or a 24-hour runtime for the red emergency flashers. There is a port for the lantern to act as a USB charging station for your smartphone or tablet. MSRP: $42.95 SOURCE:
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1. The controls are simple and easy to use/find i n the dark. The red button activates the two settings on the lantern as well as cycles through the red emergency flasher. The USB charging station turns blue to let you know it is working. 2. The crank that turns the dynamo on the dome is solid construction and turns easily. One minute of hand cranking provides for about 10 minutes of use. 3. On top of the stout handle is this integrated metal hook to allow the lantern to be hung from a variety of places. This is the only lantern that offers such an amenity. 4. The globe is sturdy plastic and is protected by these four chrome rods. The inner diffuser disperses the LED light evenly and widely.
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Rothco 36 LED Solar/ Handcrank Lantern With a solar panel dominating the dome of this lantern, it enjoys long-lasting recharge times (two hours of normal run time for eight hours of solar charging). The dome construction is plastic, but the cage that surrounds the globe provides a great sense of security that this lantern could take a fall without breaking. The 36 LEDs in the inner housing are bright and case a wide light thanks to the unique diffuser. The controls are an easy-to-find-in-the-dark single button that toggles from off, high (36 LEDs) and low (18 LEDs). The lantern stands more than 10 inches tall, and the plastic black handle offers a solid grip and can be used to hang up the lantern. Hand cranking for a minute provides 20 minutes of power using the low setting (18 LEDs) and 10 minutes of full, 36 LED power. MSRP: $38.49
SOURCE:
JHL Supply P.O. Box 720 Fulton, NY 13069 800-537-1339 CampingSurvival.com
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1. The unique diffuser helps cast the light from the LEDs over a wide area, while the chromed cage protects the globe. 2. The simple on/off switch controls the high and low setting for the LEDs. Low is half power (18 LEDs), while high is all 36 LEDs. 3. Just less than nine hours of solar charging provides two hours of normal light.
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Kaito Solar/Dynamo LED Lantern This is a little powerhouse of a lantern. Despite that it is the smallest one of the five (a d iminutive 8 inches), it provides the most features of any. The lithium-ion battery can be charged from the solar panels on the dome, via a USB port, three AA batteries, or by hand cranking the dynamo. It has an AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with an antenna, but the light and radio won’t work at the same time. The radio’s speaker is small but provides a crisp, clean sound. The eight LED lights are bright and can be adjusted with the toggle button from high to low to off. The hand crank for the dynamo is o n the back, giving the user a steady place to hold the lantern while cranking. A full charge will provide eight hours of light or 10 hours of radio power, or it can charge a USB-enabled devise. Though this one is black, they can come in three colors (also bright safety yellow or forest green). The handle on the dome is plastic and rather flimsy, but the rest of the lantern appears well built and rugged. MSRP: $24.95
SOURCE:
JHL Supply P.O. Box 720 Fulton, NY 13069 (800) 537-1339 CampingSurvival.com
1. The controls are simple to use. The radio knob is large enough to provide finetuning but not too big to be difficult to turn. The radio switches bands with a simple toggle switch, and power can alternate from dynamo to battery. 2. The eight LED lights reflect off of the inner diffuser and cast a bright light from the plastic dome. The lightweight construction of the lantern (it only weighs 12.7 ounces) gives it a robust feel. 3. Just a few minutes of cranking on the dynamo handle will provide hours of power to keep the radio going or give ample light. D E C E M B E R
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CHECKLISTS FOR YOUR PREPPING PLANS
Story by Larry Schwartz | Photography by Larry Schwartz and Ryan Lee Price
any different events can put you into an emergency situation where you have to make do without the things that make our everyday life so easy…electricity, air conditioning, gasoline, fresh running water, or refrigeration. Whether it is a winter snowstorm that shuts down roadways or an earthquake that takes out the whole utility grid, if we haven’t already, most of us will face a day, or several days, where we have to make do. When that happens, there are some basics that you will need, and fortunately you likely have many or all of them at home already. The duration of the event of course, will affect how much you need and what you need. Keep in mind that an emergency situation may last a few hours, as in when an electrical substation goes down, or it may last several days or even weeks, as in when storm damage or an earthquake shuts down roads and utilities. For this reason, you need to decide the length of time you need to stock supplies for. If it is just a few days you can probably get by with what you keep in your house already for food and will just need
some extra water and some powdered milk. If it is for a longer period of time you will need to stock up on canned foods, bottled water, and other necessities. As emergency situations drag out, your equipment and supply needs also change. For example, using bottled water for cooking and drinking i s fine for a short term event, but for the longer term you may need to have a water filter on hand to clean make potable water from water you have access to from lakes, ponds, streams, or standing water. Many of the emergency food packages are dehydrated or freeze-dried foods that need water to rehydrate them in order to eat them. Unfortunately, water is often one of the first thi ngs you run out of, so going with canned foods is often a better long-term solution to what you will eat. So, with a little planning about the essential things you need, how long you want to be able to meet your needs before the grid comes back up, and some additional purchases over a month or two, you can set yourself up to be self-sufficient, although not as comfortable as you are with full utility power.
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U I D E
“THE SECRET TO FOOD DURING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT LASTS, IS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.”
SHELTER
The most important need of any living creature is shelter. Shelter from harm, from the weather, and from the ongoing events in the world around us. Without it all of the other stresses in our lives get magnified. Some may advise that in a disaster situation, you should bug out to wherever your emergency location is, but in most cases your best choice is really to stay where you live. You already have all of your supplies there, you have shelter in place, your support system and family are in place, and when the grid comes back up you won’t have to return to your home or worry about it having been ransacked while you were gone. Checklist:
Your home It already provides protection from the elements and stores all of your other supplies and equipment Waterproof tarps of varying size These cover a wide range of uses, from covering damaged windows to keeping out the wind and rain, to partitioning off a room, to keeping the heat in a smaller area, or making a tent or lean-to in the living room for everyone to sleep under if the room starts to leak
In the aftermath of most emergencies, the luxury of heading to the store for some supplies will be out of the question. History has shown us that it takes less than a day for the shelves to be emptied by the unprepared and panicky. [OPPOSITE] Although making it through an emergency situation calls for a different set of skills and perspectives, most of the things you need you already have at home. With a little effort, you can collect together the essential 35 items that will serve you well i n whatever life might throw at you and your family.
to fix, and are nourishing and comforting. Which leads me to another consideration for emergency foodstuffs, and that is to keep it familiar. That bucket of emergency dehydrated food you saw at the big box store or online may look like a great idea, but if you and your children are not used to eating it you may find that after a few days you won’t want to eat it. Mo re importantly, if your body does not handle the change in diet well, you may run into health problems like lack of energy or constipation.
(stuffing mixes, instant or minute rice, beans, orzo, couscous) High protein and high-energy spreads (nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew) and jams and jellies) Condiments (catsup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, salt and pepper, or anything else you can get at your local fast food stores or online) Olive oil (this can be added to a wide variety of foods to enhance its flavor and to add more calories)
Checklist:
COOKING
FOOD
The secret to food procurement during an emergency situation, no matter how long it lasts, is to keep it simple. Keep the recipes simple and keep the preparation time and effort simple. Stocking your emergency larder with the basics and choosing easy-to-make meals will help significantly. Although it will require more fuel to cook i t, old standbys like macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly on bread are good choices for this kind of scenario; both have a long shelf life, are easy
Sweeteners (sugar, honey, and artificial sweeteners) Dairy products (powdered milk, wet milk (while it can be kept cold), hard cheeses or sealed and wrapped cheeses) Drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa, powdered drinks) Canned food (a variety with both starchy and non starchy vegetables, meats, fruit, and soups) Starches in a variety of forms
Now that you have your foodstuffs in place, you will need a way to prepare and serve them. If you want to use your water for cleaning dishes you can use what is already in your kitchen cabinets, but most likely you will want to keep your water for drinking and possibly bathing or laundry. Keep in mind that you will need pots and pans to cook in, utensils to prepare and eat your food, and a stove of some sort to heat it with.
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Being
Self-Sufficient
[LEFT TO RIGHT ] Discounting the important of personal hygiene and basic medical needs is putting you at a high risk for infection, germs, and disease. A decent set of tools that are versatile, rugged, and well-built will not only last a long time, but they can be relied on when needed most. Besides basic tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, and pliers, consider a camp axe, gloves, heavy-duty flashlight and extra batteries. The moraleboosting comfort of a light source is important, but don’t rely on just one. A pair of old candles and matches will outlast a battery-operated lantern. Also include a lighter or two, and if you have the means, a crank-powered lantern. Emergency situations sometimes require unpleasant tasks that might put you in contact with things you would normally stay far away from. A non-flushing toilet might need to be cleaned or a body moved. Depending on the sit uation, you want to protect your health as much as possi ble by keeping on hand several pairs of medical-grade latex gloves and a few particle masks.
Checklist:
Something to cook in (pots and pans) Something to eat off of (paper plates, cups, napkins, and towels plus plastic eating utensils you can clean or dispose of) Manual can openers (manual because your electric one won’t work, the typical two-handed crank style works well, and so does the old Army P-38) Fuel for the stove (charcoal, isobutane, propane, or plain old wood) Stove (either a camping stove, backpacking stove, or your backyard grill or fire pit) WATER
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Next to shelter, water is probably your most critical resource and the one you need the most of. Fortunately, it stores well for long periods of time. Unfortunately, it does run out eventually; so, if you are planning for a long term event or don’t have room to store a large supply of water you will need a way to purify and store it.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
Checklist:
Bottled water (Keep a stockpile of bottled water, either individual bottles or the 2.5 or 5 gallon containers; you can also use the current store and rotate in new every month if you like) Unscented household bleach (Common household bleach that is not scented can be used to purify any relatively clear water source (scented bleach is poisonous) Water purification tablets or drops (These can also be used to purify water and come with instructions on how to use them) Coffee filters (Will serve you well to filter out particulate matter in water sources you may need to use once supplies of bottled water runs out) Water purification pumps/filters (These are used by backpackers and hikers to filter and purify what from streams, lakes and ponds; they remove particulates, bacteria, and in some cases viruses and chemicals) POWER/ENERGY
Although most things that require power are not necessities of
life, they do make things easier, especially in an emergency since information becomes much more important to us. For that reason, you want to be able to run small electronic devices and that means batteries and ways to keep them charged. Some people try to plan so they can still do everything they do normally. Keep the refrigerator running, watch television, run their computers, and so on. They don’t realize that by taking a “picnic” kind of v iew of any emergency they face they can make their preparations much easier. You should use up any perishable foods in the refrigerator first, just like they do in Florida with their hurricane parties. When the power goes out, or when you know it might, go out and buy a large cooler and fill it with block ice from the grocery or liquor store. You can then transfer any perishables to it when your refrigerator eventually warms up. We normally address our power needs with batteries at first, followed by a generator later to keep power hungry appliances like refrigerators running to keep our fresh
food from spoiling. Since generators require fuel to run, fuel which can be in short supply in the long run, it is often better to address your power needs by using solar panels to recharge your batteries or to keep a battery pack of car batteries charged. With the DC power in the car batteries you can power lights and with a power inverter you can also keep things like radios or refrigerators running.
(These get more affordable every year and come in a variety of sizes to meet a variety of needs; they are excellent ways to keep your rechargeable batteries charged or topped off, a web search for “ best solar panels” will show you a wide variety of options)
Behold, The Versatile Smartphone
Power strips with surge protectors
sion, home computer, music system,
(This is something that is often overlooked, but it is needed to safely and easily distribute the power from your generator)
and land line telephone you can also
Everything you get from your televi-
get from a smartphone. Here in the Mid-Atlantic region, we get summer power outages on a regular basis and after my family and I got smart-
Checklist:
Batteries (Rechargeable or regular for your small electric or electronic devices like smartphones, flashlights, or radios)
Car batteries (12 volt) (If you want to create a bigger and longer term power supply you can do this with some car batteries rigged in series; combine it with a transformer and a power inverter and you can use it to power a wide variety of devices and appliances)
LIGHT
phones, the power outages didn’t
The widespread use of the electric light had a major impact to daily life of Americans in the 1800’s. The time available for doing things of work and of leisure was instantly lengthened and the day didn’t end when the sun went down. Being able to see in the dark is also an essential capability during an emergency, especially when they occur after dark.
impact our lives nearly as much as before. With the right mix of apps you
> Current weather information > Your email > A working telephone > Information from emergency management agencies > Checklists for emergencies from the Red Cross > First aid instructions
Checklist:
Power generators
Flashlights
(If the cost does not deter you, and you want to go this route, you need to decide what fuel you will use, if it will be set up to come on automatically, and what you want to run as that determines the capacity you will need…getting someone who knows generators to advise you on this will be time well spent)
(Small handheld lights are easy to store in each room of the house, a headlamp is very useful as it gives you light wherever you look without tying up your hands)
Solar panels
can have at your fingertips:
> Music to keep your spirits up > Movies to help pass the time As for keeping it charged, you can top it off each evening from your car battery, or do as I do on camping trips and use extra batteries for Android
Candles
phones or extended life batteries for
(Candles have been used to light the home for centuries and they still are a good option; surrounding them with a glass lamp or bowl will help
iPhones. A solar panel is another excellent way to keep your small electronics charged.
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[LEFT] Toothpaste and soap are things that last forever, and having an opportuni ty to wash up or brush your teeth can be a mental boost to your morale. [RIGHT] Washing plates uses precious water, so keeping a pile of paper plates on hand ensures your food can be kept as clean as possible. Paper towels and toilet paper are always a welcome addition when nature calls.
spread the light, the variety with wick will give off more light for the same amount of candle) Lanterns (Either battery powered or the camp ing variety that run off of propane or isobutane) HEAT AND COLD
Managing heat and cold is one of mankind’s oldest challenges. Fortunately for us it is also one that modern construction technique have made simpler. The main thing to consider is how to use areas like basements where the temperature
stays around 60 degrees Fahrenheit year-round to your advantage and how to use your existing stock of blankets and other insulating clothing to save on body heat. Keep in mind what rooms are the best insulated, and depending on the season, remember that the warm air will rise and the cool air will settle to the lower areas of the house. Checklist:
Use the basement (Once you get 6 feet below ground level, the temperature will stay in the same range of around 60 degrees
Fahrenheit at all times, so regardless of season if you have a basement it will be the most comfortable place in the house) Candles (Any open flame, as in a candle, will provide some heat, and in a small area can do much to take the chill off the room) Space heaters (If cold does become an issue, a propane-fueled space heater is a very good option and not too expensive; buy it during the summer though, as they tend to get scarce once the cold weather arrives)
Alternative Cooking Systems Cooking and providing heat will be one of your more challenging tasks in an emergency situation and if you are used to doing everything on the electric or gas range in your kitchen you may be at a bit of a loss. Fortunately, you likely have at least one of the following at home, or can go out and get one now.
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SYSTEM
FUEL
COOKING USES
HEATING THE HOUSE
Camp stove
Isobutane fuel
Cook anything you can on your kitchen stove
No, use it outdoors
Gas grill
Propane fuel
Heat pots of food, cook on a griddle, grill over flame, bake pizza if you have a cover on the grill
No, use it outdoors
Charcoal grill
Charcoal or wood for fuel
Heat pots of food, cook on a griddle, grill over flame, bake pizza and smoke food if you have a cover on the grill
No, use it outdoors
Wood stoves
Wood or pellet for fuel
Cook anything you can on your kitchen stove
Yes
Fireplace
Wood for fuel
Think campfire cooking; hot dogs on skewers,
Yes
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anything in small pots
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Being
Self-Sufficient
AD INDEX DECEMBER 2014
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Warm clothing and bedding (In extreme cases you can “camp” in one of the better insulated rooms in the house, using sleeping bags, quilts, and other insulating bedding to create a warm bed for you and your family) MEDICAL
You can start with a basic first aid kit to give you the band-aids and ointments you need, then augment it with more tape and gauze and the things you need for more serious problems like broken bones and bleeding. Together with your augmented first aid kit you need to make sure you get the training to be able to use it effectively. This training can be taken from the American Red Cross anywhere in the country.
Rubbing alcohol Burn ointment Compression bandages Tourniquet Antibiotics Antiseptic Pain killers Anti-diarrheal Anti-histamine SANITATION
Often forgotten about when planning for emergencies, but also the most common cause of illness during these times, sanitation is a critical capability to be prepared for. You need to be able to keep yourself and your cooking materials clean at all times. Checklist:
Ultra Holdings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 4 1 0 2 R E B M E C E D
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The Advertiser Index is provided as a service to American Survival Guide readers. American Survival Guide is not responsible for omissions or typographical errors on names or page numbers.
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Checklist:
Bandages Hydrogen peroxide Waterless hand sanitizer
Toilet paper Bath soap Waterless hand sanitizer Bleach
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those things that require little or no clean up afterwards. The reason for this is two-fold. First, anything that can save you time will be helpful, since doing other things will require more effort. Second, the less time it takes to prepare the food, the less fuel you will use which will help your fuel supply last longer. Consider:
> Minute rice or instant rice rather than regular rice > Orzo pasta, instant stuffing mix, or couscous that only takes five minutes of hot water to prepare rather than regular pastas that take 30 minutes of time and fuel to prepare > Lunch kits with sandwich spread and crackers rather than bread and peanut butter or canned meats
Trash bags Re-sealable plastic bags Rubbing alcohol Hydrogen peroxide Plastic dish scrubbers MISCELLANEOUS
Man is the tool-making animal, and that is because we discovered long ago that having some extra materials or tools makes doing many things much easier and makes the quality of what we do much higher. Checklist:
Basic hand toolshammers, screw drivers, wrenches, pliers, saws, level, tape measure Pocketknife Duct tape Heavy work gloves Biography: Larry Schwartz is an experienced prepper, outdoorsman, and hunter who enjoys passing on his knowledge of the outdoors and how to “Be Prepared” through his writing and workshops.
Follow knifemaker John Grimsmo as he makes his own knives with a PCNC 1100 on his web series, Knifemaking Tuesdays, at www.tormach.com/kmt.
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DEADEND
One Nation Underground By 1961 , the atomic age
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was in full swing, but not until John F. Kennedy returned from a meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna did the disconcerting fears that collectively define this era of American history hit home. In a speech on July 26, Kennedy declared, “We do not want to fight, but we have fought before.” The iron curtain came crashing down the following month, and Kennedy proposed
A M E R I C A N S U R V I V AL G U I D E
spending $207.6 million for a civil defense plan to establish a system of fallout shelters throughout the country. The Secretary of Defense created the Office of Civil Defense, whose first order of business was to identify enough structures (buildings, caves, mines, etc.,) to keep roughly 50 million Americans safe from nuclear fallout and to stock those locations with adequate provisions for several weeks of survival.
One such place is the Grand Canyon Caverns, located on Historic Route 66 about 20 miles east of Peach Springs, Ariz. Roughly 230 feet below ground level lies a twisting complex of dry caves, the largest of its type in the United States. It is so large, that small fissures and tunnels lead directly through the limestone to the Grand Canyon 60 miles away and supply the caverns with fresh air that takes two weeks to make the journey.
In 1963, the Office of Civil Defense added the caverns to its growing list of natural fallout shelters and stocked one of the main cathedrals with enough food, water, and supplies to feed and shelter 2,000 people for two weeks. The Cold War-era stockpile is still there to this day, and because of the constant 54 degrees and six percent humidity, the contents (a kind of hard tack, or biscuit) are still edible after more than 60 years underground.
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