In a SHTF situation of serious results and duration, the decision to stay in your home or evacuate could mean life or death. You need to have a serious plan for both eventualities. So what do you need to consider for long term holing up in Ft. Livingroom?
New preppers
To Bug In or Bug Out?
This is the tenth article in our series for the new prepper and it is one of the most serious decisions you may face. In a SHTF scenario, do you stay or go? If you wish to start the series from the begining, start here.
Emergency Evacuation Vehicle ( or Bug Out Buggy)
The subjct of the bug out vehicle has been visited many times on the net. There are various opinions prevalant as to type, fuel mileage, ect. There are many people who are new to the emergency preparation concept, and as this blog is primarily directed towards them, I thought to share my viewpoints.
Boyd’s OODA Loops! (No, It’s Not a Cereal)
Whether reacting to an immediate attack, or formulating a bug out plan, or putting together a long term sustainment plan, the thinking process is the same.
The Dog as Defensive Weapon and Alarm
Many people own dogs as pets, and many don’t. For those who do not, I suggest that you seriously consider a dog as an adjunct to your defensive arsenal and alarm system. Conventional wisdom indicates that the bonding between humans and dogs occurred between 19,000 and 30,000 years ago and most domestic dog breeds are descended from the Gray wolf.
Beginning Prepper Series
If you are new to the concept of emergency preparation ,”Prepping”, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Some people run out and begin buying tons of food, guns, survival supplies ect, and some just throw their hands up in the air and try to ignore the situation. Both approaches are wrong. The series or articles below is designed to get beginners started. I recommend you read them in order. They will get you started on preparing yourself for everything from a couple of days power outage to TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it.) Notice I said started.
Basic Prepper 1: Prepare for What?
Basic Prepper 2: Where to begin
Basic Prepper 3: Every Day Carry
Basic Prepper 4: Prepping Considerations, Terminology, and The Bug Out Bag
Basic Prepper 5: Putting a Bug Out Bag Together
Basic Prepper 6: Buying a Bug Out Bag
Basic Prepper 7: OPSEC: How Much Do You Need?
Basic Prepper 8: OPSEC: How Much Do You Need? PT.2
Basic Prepper 9: Building a Survival Battery for Beginning Preppers
Basic Prepper 10:To Bug In or Bug Out?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I take your word for anything you post?
Answer: You shouldn’t. And no one else’s either. Your and your family’s survival is your responsibility. The internet has a tremendous amount of information available to those wanting to prepare for emergencies. Some of it is excellent, and some of it isn’t. Some of it is posted by people who know what they are talking about. And some of it is posted by well-meaning people who have a lot of theories, but little real world experience. And there is a LOT of it posted by people whose only interest is selling products or getting you to join their on-line “Survival Club”. (for a monthly payment off your credit card of course) You need to do your research and figure out what works and what doesn’t for your situation. The people who have the ability to make serious decisions based on logical thinking are those who will survive. My posts are based on 40 years of experience. ( See my “About Us’ page). Others with just as much or more experience may disagree with me, and often do. Just like a Doctor’s report, get a second opinion. And a third, fourth, fifth…………………
2. What makes your blog any different than any of the other prep blogs out there?
Answer: Besides being brand new? I started this blog as an adjunct to my defensive firearms training business and because I decided to expand into survival and preparation training based on the increasing interest that many of my students expressed. I have always been a “Prepper” or “Survivalist” or whatever you want to call being logically prepared for life’s emergencies. I started looking at other survival blogs and found many, many good ones. But I noticed that many of them seem to have a confusing array of articles that it would be difficult for someone who just “saw the light” to really know where to begin. So this blog is geared towards those just starting out and I am trying to keep it in a simple, easy to follow format for the Beginning Prepper. Once you get your feet on the ground, you will understand how to utilize the tremendous amount of good information out there, and hopefully filter out the BS.
Current Classes Being Offered
To see what current classes we have scheduled in the Phoenix Arizona area, please go to our website here.
Pt 2 OPSEC: How Much Do You Need?
In Part 1, we discussed some of the basic security measure a prepper (or anyone else for that matter) needs to implement to protect themselve. So lets continue on in search of OPSEC.
OPSEC How much do you need?
OPSEC=Operations Security. This military term has been broadly used to describe keeping other people, typically adversaries or potential adversaries from gaining information that could harm you.
Maglite Tactical Flashlights
A flashlight is a flashlight is a flashlight. Well, maybe…….
Surviving the Active Shooter
“An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms”
Department of Homeland Security
These incidents are happening more frequently in public places, schools, and work environments. So how do you increase the odds of surviving?
Glock: The AK of the Pistol World
I remember when the “plastic pistol” first came on the scene, and like many traditionalist, I dismissed them.
The AK as a Defensive Rifle for Preppers
I have carried and used various models of the AK from Vietnam to Afghanistan and a lot in between. I use it as my basic defensive rifle now. Here is why.
Recon Tanto: Cold Steel’s Excellent Fighting/Survival Knife
I have been an armed professional for over 40 years now, and quality knives have always been an important part of my personal kit. I have carried a wide variety over the years. The last one I carried in the Army and still carry is Cold Steel’s Recon Tanto.
Buying a Bug Out Bag
So now you have accumulated the necessary items to put a bug out bag (BOB) together and you need something to put it all in. Based on the premise that you may end up being foot mobile in a bug out situation, a rucksack is called for.
Putting a Bug Out Bag Together
Putting your bug out bag together requires careful thought. Lets look at some of the considerations involved.
Prepping Considerations, Terminology and the Bug Out Bag
The beginning prepper can get confused by much of the terminology being used in the prepping movement, but keep in mind that again, there is no “one size fits all” plan.
Fundamentals of Handgun Marksmanship
This is going to be a bit of a long article. This is a compilation of a series of articles I did for my website that was intended to guide the new handgun owner in the very basics of handgun marksmanship. These articles do not replace competent instruction by a qualified firearms instructor.
The Tactical Rifle (Book review)
Gabe Suarez
Gabriel Suarez is one of the most prominent small arms instructors on the scene today, and has been for quite some time. He is a former Southern California law enforcement officer who has been teaching advanced small arms training full time for a number of years. He is regarded as one of the best.
Azweaponcraftprepper 