Most major events are going to happen while you are going through your every day life tasks. For a moment, put yourself in the shoes of one of the people on the streets when 9/11 happened. Nearly every person there would have greatly benefited from having a bandana to put over their face, a bottle of water, a med kit, etc.
That is where the EDC Bag comes in. An Every Day Carry Bag is just a normal backpack (dont go for anything paramilitary or tactical looking, it will only attract attention) with survival equipment that you will actually use fairly often. I would only fill the bag about half way, so that it can be used to store other things you would wish to carry around such as your laptop, cell phone charger, tissues, etc. Some good items to have in your EDC Bag:
Flashlight: Having a good flashlight is a MUST in my opinion. Surefire brand LED flashlights are my personal choice. You never know when you might need a flashlight.
Fire: Having a way to create fire is always a good idea. Carrying a BIC Lighter or two in your EDC is recommended.
Water: At least 1 Liter worth, but more if you have the room is recommended. Water is our lifeline, the average person drinks 1 Gallon of water daily.
First-Aid Kit: A small First Aid Kit is good to have in a pinch. Some band-aids, alcohol prep pads, tylenol, tums, superglue, and a 1ft length of duct tape wrapped around a gift card work great for this.
Shelter: Most people are not going to be willing to carry around a small tent all day, and I am not either. I recommend just carrying a poncho and mylar emergency blanket. Both are lightweight and small, and can be used as an emergency shelter.
Food: A few Energy Bars and some crackers do great for this.
Paracord: Having a length of 550lb test Paracord with you can come in very handy. You can make a splint with it, tie down your poncho to make a shelter out of, etc. The length you want to carry is up to you.
Bandana: A bandana can be very useful, see 30 Uses for a Bandana
Money: $100 in small bills, and some change for vending machines can go a long way.
Knife: Just a small high quality pocket knife will do. The type is up to you. I carry a Gerber Multi-Tool, but it is not needed for everyone.
Clothes: An extra change of clothes would be great after getting soaked in that downpour wouldnt it? Or a jacket to throw on because tonight is a bit colder than you thought it would be?
These are just some ideas of what you can carry on you every day, to make you more prepared. Some people with a CCW may wish to carry a larger pistol in the bag, that is up to you. I try to carry a quality backpack, but not one that paints me as 'military' right off. I want to blend in. No reason to draw attention to yourself.
All of these things together, can make your life easier, or quite possibly save it.
-NCPrepper10
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Water Filtration
Today, I want to go over the importance of having equipment to filter water. As some know, the average person can only go three days without water. 80% of the United States water supply is not safe to drink, and will cause illness. So in my humble opinion, I believe every person should have some type of water filtration device available.
We as Americans are very jaded because we all have water coming through pipes to our house at the turn of a knob, and most believe it will always be there for us. Hopefully it will. But, think of a case such as having the worst winter on record hit in your area, and your water pipes freeze! And for sure, you would not be the only household to have that problem. So with frozen pipes and no water, with the city out trying to fix many issues, and possible bad weather creating a terrible situation, it could be days or weeks until you have running water again.
There are quite a few different ways to filter water. The most common, and known method, is to boil it. When boiling water to filter it, all sediment and particulate should already be filtered out (coffee filters work great for this), and you should have the water in question boil for at least 3 minutes, making sure it comes to a good rolling boil. (By boiling the water, it will make it taste very flat, you can fix this by putting the water in a bottle and shaking it for a few minutes to add oxygen).
You can also make water drinkable by adding bleach. Yes, bleach is harmful to humans, but in small doses, over short periods of time, it is perfectly safe. For this task, you want to use unscented 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite bleach. By adding 1/2 a teaspoon per 5 gallons, or a full teaspoon to cloudy water, it is safe to drink after 30 minutes. Although it is recommended that if possible, you should boil the water first. (It isnt going to taste great, but it will be safe). (When treated, the water should have a slight chlorine taste and smell, if not, add more.)
A very cost effective way is to use HTHdry chlorine (65-68%) such as Pool Shock, 1/4 of a teaspoon per 300 gallons. Yet again, it will not taste great, but it can do the job, this is a great way to purify stagnant water such as a pool or water that has been stored, so it can be drinkable again. Although, when chlorine is added, you must wait 4 hours or more for it to work.
The absolute best way to filter water, is to get a water filtration system. For a home system, you can build one for less than $100. Such as Berkey Bucket Water Filter, or make one yourself. For a portable system, the overall best system is a Katadyn Pocket Water Filter, on a single filter, they can produce up to 15,000 gallons of clean water. Proper care is needed to get that much flow out of the filter though, and try your best to use the cleanest water possible.
You can also use Iodine Crystals, Water Filtering Straws, Water Purification Tablets, or UltraViolet Water Purification Wands.
When gathering water from a source, try to get it from moving water. Stagnant water that is not constantly moving is typically much more full of harmful bacteria. So try and get your water from a stream or river. When you gather the water, try and scoop only the top layer so you do not get much sediment. After gathering the water, to make it easier, if you have time, let the bucket sit for an hour or more so all of the sediment will come to rest at the bottom, and you can use a cup or bottle to gather the water off of the top to be filtered.
The choice is yours. But I believe everyone should have at least one way to filter water in case of an emergency. It could save your life.
-NCPrepper10
We as Americans are very jaded because we all have water coming through pipes to our house at the turn of a knob, and most believe it will always be there for us. Hopefully it will. But, think of a case such as having the worst winter on record hit in your area, and your water pipes freeze! And for sure, you would not be the only household to have that problem. So with frozen pipes and no water, with the city out trying to fix many issues, and possible bad weather creating a terrible situation, it could be days or weeks until you have running water again.
There are quite a few different ways to filter water. The most common, and known method, is to boil it. When boiling water to filter it, all sediment and particulate should already be filtered out (coffee filters work great for this), and you should have the water in question boil for at least 3 minutes, making sure it comes to a good rolling boil. (By boiling the water, it will make it taste very flat, you can fix this by putting the water in a bottle and shaking it for a few minutes to add oxygen).
You can also make water drinkable by adding bleach. Yes, bleach is harmful to humans, but in small doses, over short periods of time, it is perfectly safe. For this task, you want to use unscented 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite bleach. By adding 1/2 a teaspoon per 5 gallons, or a full teaspoon to cloudy water, it is safe to drink after 30 minutes. Although it is recommended that if possible, you should boil the water first. (It isnt going to taste great, but it will be safe). (When treated, the water should have a slight chlorine taste and smell, if not, add more.)
A very cost effective way is to use HTHdry chlorine (65-68%) such as Pool Shock, 1/4 of a teaspoon per 300 gallons. Yet again, it will not taste great, but it can do the job, this is a great way to purify stagnant water such as a pool or water that has been stored, so it can be drinkable again. Although, when chlorine is added, you must wait 4 hours or more for it to work.
The absolute best way to filter water, is to get a water filtration system. For a home system, you can build one for less than $100. Such as Berkey Bucket Water Filter, or make one yourself. For a portable system, the overall best system is a Katadyn Pocket Water Filter, on a single filter, they can produce up to 15,000 gallons of clean water. Proper care is needed to get that much flow out of the filter though, and try your best to use the cleanest water possible.
You can also use Iodine Crystals, Water Filtering Straws, Water Purification Tablets, or UltraViolet Water Purification Wands.
When gathering water from a source, try to get it from moving water. Stagnant water that is not constantly moving is typically much more full of harmful bacteria. So try and get your water from a stream or river. When you gather the water, try and scoop only the top layer so you do not get much sediment. After gathering the water, to make it easier, if you have time, let the bucket sit for an hour or more so all of the sediment will come to rest at the bottom, and you can use a cup or bottle to gather the water off of the top to be filtered.
The choice is yours. But I believe everyone should have at least one way to filter water in case of an emergency. It could save your life.
-NCPrepper10
Friday, September 16, 2011
Watch this Video!
This video gives a good explanation of what is going on with our economy in the US.
Get your Neighborhood Involved!
Quick note on OPSEC (Operational Security): Discuss these things only with people you greatly trust. Letting everyone know you have a house full of stored food and supplies makes you a giant target if things go to hell. And even if you believe the people you tell would never steal it from you, they could be coerced into telling those who would. Loose lips sink ships.
If the shit hits the fan in our country, there are going to be millions upon millions of people that are scared, starving, and fleeing from the major cities towards the inner United States. Without daily resupply the major cities will run out of necessities and food within hours. All of the people in these cities will then head inland to try and find a place to live away from the chaos of looting, robbing, rape, and murder that will be filling the streets of heavily populated areas. They will all be hungry and desperate. As preppers, we call this the "Golden Horde".
So even if you have a home filled with plenty of supplies to last you years, and the means to protect it, one home could not face the onslaught of hundreds of people migrating through your area trying to find anything they can to survive. Then what can we do?! You ask. Well, the best idea is to get your neighborhood involved. Form a plan. If you can get them to save up supplies like you are, that is one less person or family that will be asking you for help! And if you form a community based on the ideals of protecting each other in a time of crisis, its a win/win. That way, when the Golden Horde comes, they can help defend your area. Use cars to make roadblocks to get into your neighborhood. Have armed guards of you and your neighbors on rotating shifts stationed by the roadblocks 24/7, and any entrance to your neighborhood.
By doing this, not only will you have a much higher chance of survival, but you will have others to barter and trade with should you run out of something important. You will also have more land on which to grow food if it is needed. Hopefully you are located far away from any major population centers (See: Major US Population Centers Map), the closer you are, the more difficult it is going to be to defend your home. When you get together with your neighbors, figure out what skills they have, what trades could be used if things went to hell. After the collapse hits, it would be great to be able to start a business out of your home to barter for needed goods. (Candlemaker, Water Purification, Leathercrafting, Gunsmithing, etc). Forming a LP/OP (Listening Post/Observation Post) in your neighborhood now would be ideal. Have it formed on the military crest of any hill (the military crest is the area right below the peak of a mountain or hill, as so you are not seen on the horizon) and have it concealed, with a wide view of your neighborhood and entrance points to it. That way, if anything is coming, the guards and roadblocks can be alerted and not taken by surprise.
These are just preventative measures, but, if I were one of these stragglers and was starving, and so was my family, there is nothing I would not do to keep them alive. So everyone else is likely to be the same. If possible, give out charity to those that need it. "Give until it hurts". And in your supplies, make ziplock bags with charity items in it. (Matches, moist towlettes, crackers, a bottle of water, etc)
Inevitably, people are going to ask to join your community. If you can feed the extra mouth, its a good idea to find people with needed trades! How nice would it be to have a doctor on hand if someone got seriously sick or injured? Or a blacksmith to make a tool you need but don't have? An electrician that may be able to get that broken generator working again?
Just because things have gone to hell, does not mean we're not human beings, and Americans. Give charity as much as possible, but always, always, be armed and able to protect those you love.
-NCPrepper10
If the shit hits the fan in our country, there are going to be millions upon millions of people that are scared, starving, and fleeing from the major cities towards the inner United States. Without daily resupply the major cities will run out of necessities and food within hours. All of the people in these cities will then head inland to try and find a place to live away from the chaos of looting, robbing, rape, and murder that will be filling the streets of heavily populated areas. They will all be hungry and desperate. As preppers, we call this the "Golden Horde".
So even if you have a home filled with plenty of supplies to last you years, and the means to protect it, one home could not face the onslaught of hundreds of people migrating through your area trying to find anything they can to survive. Then what can we do?! You ask. Well, the best idea is to get your neighborhood involved. Form a plan. If you can get them to save up supplies like you are, that is one less person or family that will be asking you for help! And if you form a community based on the ideals of protecting each other in a time of crisis, its a win/win. That way, when the Golden Horde comes, they can help defend your area. Use cars to make roadblocks to get into your neighborhood. Have armed guards of you and your neighbors on rotating shifts stationed by the roadblocks 24/7, and any entrance to your neighborhood.
By doing this, not only will you have a much higher chance of survival, but you will have others to barter and trade with should you run out of something important. You will also have more land on which to grow food if it is needed. Hopefully you are located far away from any major population centers (See: Major US Population Centers Map), the closer you are, the more difficult it is going to be to defend your home. When you get together with your neighbors, figure out what skills they have, what trades could be used if things went to hell. After the collapse hits, it would be great to be able to start a business out of your home to barter for needed goods. (Candlemaker, Water Purification, Leathercrafting, Gunsmithing, etc). Forming a LP/OP (Listening Post/Observation Post) in your neighborhood now would be ideal. Have it formed on the military crest of any hill (the military crest is the area right below the peak of a mountain or hill, as so you are not seen on the horizon) and have it concealed, with a wide view of your neighborhood and entrance points to it. That way, if anything is coming, the guards and roadblocks can be alerted and not taken by surprise.
These are just preventative measures, but, if I were one of these stragglers and was starving, and so was my family, there is nothing I would not do to keep them alive. So everyone else is likely to be the same. If possible, give out charity to those that need it. "Give until it hurts". And in your supplies, make ziplock bags with charity items in it. (Matches, moist towlettes, crackers, a bottle of water, etc)
Inevitably, people are going to ask to join your community. If you can feed the extra mouth, its a good idea to find people with needed trades! How nice would it be to have a doctor on hand if someone got seriously sick or injured? Or a blacksmith to make a tool you need but don't have? An electrician that may be able to get that broken generator working again?
Just because things have gone to hell, does not mean we're not human beings, and Americans. Give charity as much as possible, but always, always, be armed and able to protect those you love.
-NCPrepper10
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Fundamentals of Prepping
There are many different types of preppers out there. Some are preppers because they are forced to be, they live in remote parts of the country, a great distance from the local stores and supermarkets; and if a rough winter hits, they could be stranded with no contact with the outside world for weeks at a time. There are the preppers that just have a couple days worth of supplies and medical equipment in case of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Then, there are the preppers who are storing years worth of food, water filtration equipment, and general supplies, so that if the fragile infastructure of the United States all of a sudden collapses, they can be self sustained.
Personally, I am trying to become the latter option. I like to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. I am not a doomsayer, nor do I go around quoting scripture about the end of the world. I merely have a hobby that would allow me to live anywhere, at any time, and not just survive; but thrive.
If you are just beginning to start prepping, for whatever your reasons, I would begin by storing food. If you buy all you would need at one time, that can be VERY costly. If you are on a budget, as most people are these days, I recommend just buying three or four extra cans of your choice of food every time you go to the grocery store. Many of the canned foods are just 99 cents, then tuck them away. In a few months, you'll look at all those cans and be amazed at what you've accomplished.
Do the same with water. You can buy a 26 pack of bottled water for about 5 dollars. Buy one case every time you go to the grocery store.
After you get what you think is a good supply (you can never have too much in my opinion! and if it sits there for long enough, just use it and replace it!) of food and water, next I would go for batteries. Primarily the rechargeable kind (AA, AAA, C, D, CR123). And make sure you have some candles and LED flashlights.
Then move on to creating your own home medical kit. Just like with everything else, you can buy one piece at a time. Here is a guide on making your own How to make a Home First Aid Kit. Supplies for your first aid kit can be purchased anywhere, here is one good site: First Aid Kit Essentials
After that, I would recommend making a "Bug Out Bag". I have given the outlines of my own BOB in an earlier post How to make a Bug Out Bag. A BOB will give you the ability to at a moments notice, have everything you need to survive for three days in one bag. If your house is on fire and you have to get out, grab it. If there is a hurricane coming, and you have to evacuate, grab it. In my opinion it is essential.
One of the most important things to have, is a way to filter water. The average person drinks one gallon of water a day, and can only survive for THREE DAYS without water. If all of a sudden, the water stops flowing through the pipes, what would you do? (Remember, if the power fails, and your home is above sea level, or above the level where your water processing station is, you will not get water until power is restored.) I recommend getting one of these. Bucket Berkey Water Filter. They can filter up to 5,000 gallons of water. (A ton better than having to boil any water you want to drink first!) Or you can make your own, as shown here: How to make a Bucket Filter.
And make sure to have emergency supplies of all required medicines. Such as if you are a diabetic, have extra vials of insulin.
Those are just some of the basics of prepping, but some of the most important. Remember, only a few decades ago, every person in the world did this. Because they had to survive the winter. Without our international trade army of trucks, planes, and boats transporting food and supplies 24/7, the average grocery store has 2-3 days of food on hand for the local population; and likely that it would be stripped in the first couple days or hours of a major event. So be prepared! Don't have your head in the sand, be proactive.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
-NCPrepper10
Personally, I am trying to become the latter option. I like to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. I am not a doomsayer, nor do I go around quoting scripture about the end of the world. I merely have a hobby that would allow me to live anywhere, at any time, and not just survive; but thrive.
If you are just beginning to start prepping, for whatever your reasons, I would begin by storing food. If you buy all you would need at one time, that can be VERY costly. If you are on a budget, as most people are these days, I recommend just buying three or four extra cans of your choice of food every time you go to the grocery store. Many of the canned foods are just 99 cents, then tuck them away. In a few months, you'll look at all those cans and be amazed at what you've accomplished.
Do the same with water. You can buy a 26 pack of bottled water for about 5 dollars. Buy one case every time you go to the grocery store.
After you get what you think is a good supply (you can never have too much in my opinion! and if it sits there for long enough, just use it and replace it!) of food and water, next I would go for batteries. Primarily the rechargeable kind (AA, AAA, C, D, CR123). And make sure you have some candles and LED flashlights.
Then move on to creating your own home medical kit. Just like with everything else, you can buy one piece at a time. Here is a guide on making your own How to make a Home First Aid Kit. Supplies for your first aid kit can be purchased anywhere, here is one good site: First Aid Kit Essentials
After that, I would recommend making a "Bug Out Bag". I have given the outlines of my own BOB in an earlier post How to make a Bug Out Bag. A BOB will give you the ability to at a moments notice, have everything you need to survive for three days in one bag. If your house is on fire and you have to get out, grab it. If there is a hurricane coming, and you have to evacuate, grab it. In my opinion it is essential.
One of the most important things to have, is a way to filter water. The average person drinks one gallon of water a day, and can only survive for THREE DAYS without water. If all of a sudden, the water stops flowing through the pipes, what would you do? (Remember, if the power fails, and your home is above sea level, or above the level where your water processing station is, you will not get water until power is restored.) I recommend getting one of these. Bucket Berkey Water Filter. They can filter up to 5,000 gallons of water. (A ton better than having to boil any water you want to drink first!) Or you can make your own, as shown here: How to make a Bucket Filter.
And make sure to have emergency supplies of all required medicines. Such as if you are a diabetic, have extra vials of insulin.
Those are just some of the basics of prepping, but some of the most important. Remember, only a few decades ago, every person in the world did this. Because they had to survive the winter. Without our international trade army of trucks, planes, and boats transporting food and supplies 24/7, the average grocery store has 2-3 days of food on hand for the local population; and likely that it would be stripped in the first couple days or hours of a major event. So be prepared! Don't have your head in the sand, be proactive.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
-NCPrepper10
Novel: One Second After
I started the novel, One Second After yesterday, and finished it today. While I did know the power behind an EMP (Electro-Magnectic Pulse) weapon, and what it could do to our country, I had never really delved into the thought of the instantanious crippling of all electronics in our country. I must say it was a terrifyingly eye opening read. A gripping novel that really makes you feel a part of their struggle, and shows how easily it can become reality.
As a prepper, it showed me many aspects that I had not thought of, and had not prepared for. It is not a book explaining how to survive an EMP attack, or a guide to preparing for one, but a novel showing what would happen to the every day lives of American citizens (the characters in the novel are living in the mountainous area of North Carolina) if it were to occur. It is shockingly blunt, and not one aspect of it was 'fictionalized'. I cannot say I 'enjoyed' the book, because of the horrors within, but it is an amazing book none the less, and I do recommend it to all. Not for the young or faint of heart.
As a prepper, it showed me many aspects that I had not thought of, and had not prepared for. It is not a book explaining how to survive an EMP attack, or a guide to preparing for one, but a novel showing what would happen to the every day lives of American citizens (the characters in the novel are living in the mountainous area of North Carolina) if it were to occur. It is shockingly blunt, and not one aspect of it was 'fictionalized'. I cannot say I 'enjoyed' the book, because of the horrors within, but it is an amazing book none the less, and I do recommend it to all. Not for the young or faint of heart.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
How to Make a Bug Out Bag: Part 2: Armaments, Bug Out Vest, Bug Out Tote
Before I begin, let me say this: Firearms are dangerous. Their single purpose is to kill. But, they are the single most important aspect of life if their is no one to depend on but yourself. Without law, and no '911' to call and come to your rescue, many people will become vagrants, and would kill you over a can of soup. To be able to protect ones self and loved ones, you need to have firearms to hunt with, and defend your way of life.
Along with having my Bug Out Bag, I also have my Bug Out Vest, and my Bug Out Tote. My Bug Out Vest holds all of my magazines for my firearms, radio, flashlight, and knife. I would only carry my vest if it is truly a dire circumstance and I would be required to defend myself, my belongings, and the people I love. I have UTG Tactical Vest, which has a pouch in the back for my Camelbak 100oz Water Hydration System (A plastic water bladder with drinking tube). It holds 8 magazines for my rifle, 4 magazines for my sidearm, and has a holster for my sidearm.
In the case that you'd be 'Bugging Out' in a vehicle, you want to have a Bug Out Tote. I use an old Army duffel bag, filled with equipment to let me live semi-comfortably anywhere. Along with food, ammo, clothes, etc. It is quite heavy, so if I have to go on foot, and must carry a firearm, I would not take my tote (See my Tier system in my last post).
In my last post I went over how to make a good Bug Out Bag. But, while I very much hope they do not, if things get very bad, such as economic inflation cripples the value of the dollar and the average person can not even afford to buy food to put on the table, things could get very ugly, very fast. The neighbors that you thought were your friends, that know you have all of this delicious food stored for rough times, may very well come knocking on your door.. or hold you up at gun-point for it. If it came to providing food for your family so they would not starve to death, wouldn't you do anything you had to? But what would worry me most in that situation are the people that have been living off of the government for money, the prison inmates (what would they do with all of the inmates that they can no longer feed? they would release them.), they would form roaming looting gangs that go from house to house or town to town taking what supplies .. and anything .. that they would want. So you need to be prepared for that circumstance. You do not need to go Rambo here.. but having something to defend yourself, and your family is very important. What use is having all of this equipment and food if someone can easily take it from you? There will be millions of starving desperate people. As proven in history, the strong always take from the weak. If such a thing did happen, since you are prepared, give out as much charity as possible. Help those in need. If you help sustain your neighbors, they will also hopefully help to protect you, should someone come to steal your food and gear. Strength in numbers!
I believe that you need at least one good firearm from each of the three groups. A good rifle, a good sidearm, and a good shotgun. What brands, models, and calibers you choose depends on you. I will detail what I have chosen for my armaments and why, so you can make an educated decision on your own.
Rifle: There are thousands of choices of good rifles to choose from, but for my primary rifle I went with a Smith & Wesson Military & Police 15. It is a 5.56 caliber AR-15 Assault Rifle clone. It is amazingly accurate and reliable, along with having very minor recoil. It also can hold a 30 round magazine. While good for self defense, this caliber with a mounted optic can be used to hunt large game as well. Make sure the caliber firearm you choose has a common size caliber so you can find ammo for it should you run out, and in my opinion it should not be bolt action. A bolt action rifle fires too slow, and statistics say that 80% of the time in a combat situation a person will miss their first shot, regardless of the distance. Human nature causes us to not want to kill another human being, regardless of the circumstance, so we subconsciously make ourselves miss that first shot hoping the attacker will retreat; and not make you use deadly force.
While speaking on rifles, I must also mention the Ruger 10/22. The .22 caliber is the smallest rifle caliber in production, it has virtually no recoil, it is very quiet, and the Ruger is amazing. Even without general maintence a Ruger 10/22 can fire for years and years without any issues, without ever being cleaned or serviced. The benefits of having a .22 caliber rifle are numerous, it is a very quiet rifle, so you can hunt small game without letting people for miles around know there is someone there. You can also buy 1,000 rounds for it for less than $50. The Ruger 10/22 itself can be purchased for a meager $300. I believe this firearm should be in every person's kit.
Sidearm: A sidearm is a very important item. In the case of shit hitting the fan, you should carry one in a holster on your person at all times.In the possibility that your rifle runs empty, jams, or you cannot get to it in time, having a pistol with you is a must. Getting a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon Permit) in your state is highly recommended, since it costs very little more than just getting a pistol permit, and it comes with it. That way you can never get in trouble for transporting or having your sidearm. You need only take a one day class and send in some money and paperwork to get this done (check with your state and local laws on a CCW). For a sidearm I personally carry a Smith & Wesson Military & Police .40 caliber. But when it comes to choosing a sidearm, it yet again all depends on how it fits you. Go to the range and fire some of their rental pistols, you'll know the right one when you find it. Some common misconceptions with pistols: The smaller the pistol, the less the recoil. WRONG! The less the pistol weighs, the larger the recoil. So if you are worried about recoil, get a bigger pistol! And please, do NOT get a 'snub nose' (very short barrel) revolver. They are horribly inaccurate, you cannot hit anything with one unless they are under 10 feet away! Other than that, get a common caliber (9mm is the most common handgun caliber) in whatever feels best to you.
A pistol is only good enough to get you to your rifle.
Shotgun: A shotgun is the most simple firearm out there. And the sound of a pump action shotgun being loaded is the second most recognizable sound in the world (second only to the sound of a telephone). Chambering a shell in a shotgun will put the fear of god in almost anyone. They are also one of the most versitile firearms out there. They can be loaded with shotgun shells that range from slugs (like large bullets), to shot (a ton of small lead beads), to bean bags (a 'non lethal' bag of sand), and many others. They are also very easy to operate, and given that you are pointing it at your target at relatively close range, it is hard to miss. I personally went with a Mossberg 500 12 gauge. It is a short barreled (18.5 inches, the smallest legal barrel) and holds 7 rounds in the tube (when hunting, you can only have a maximum of 2 shells in the tube in my state), and one in the chamber. It is not the best shotgun on the market, but it is affordable, and dependable. Having a shotgun is required in my opinion, because of not only the psychological effect on your enemy, but your ability to modify it to your needs. A shotgun is pretty much the only firearm you can hunt bird with. And since every human being is going to be hunting at that point, you're going to need all the possibilities you can get.
After you get your kit of firearms and ammo together, get as many spare parts for them as you can, they will be hard to find in dire times. Also invest in a good firearm cleaning kit, and learn to disassemble, clean, and reassemble your firearms. Learning good firearm safety is a MUST. There are many ranges and places that teach proper firearm instruction, and some who teach combat training to civilians. If you wish to go that route, do your research, or ask me. I can point you in the right direction.
Do not fear that something like this may happen, just be prepared for it. Even if it never happens, at least you can sleep better at night knowing you're ready for anything.
keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10
Along with having my Bug Out Bag, I also have my Bug Out Vest, and my Bug Out Tote. My Bug Out Vest holds all of my magazines for my firearms, radio, flashlight, and knife. I would only carry my vest if it is truly a dire circumstance and I would be required to defend myself, my belongings, and the people I love. I have UTG Tactical Vest, which has a pouch in the back for my Camelbak 100oz Water Hydration System (A plastic water bladder with drinking tube). It holds 8 magazines for my rifle, 4 magazines for my sidearm, and has a holster for my sidearm.
In the case that you'd be 'Bugging Out' in a vehicle, you want to have a Bug Out Tote. I use an old Army duffel bag, filled with equipment to let me live semi-comfortably anywhere. Along with food, ammo, clothes, etc. It is quite heavy, so if I have to go on foot, and must carry a firearm, I would not take my tote (See my Tier system in my last post).
In my last post I went over how to make a good Bug Out Bag. But, while I very much hope they do not, if things get very bad, such as economic inflation cripples the value of the dollar and the average person can not even afford to buy food to put on the table, things could get very ugly, very fast. The neighbors that you thought were your friends, that know you have all of this delicious food stored for rough times, may very well come knocking on your door.. or hold you up at gun-point for it. If it came to providing food for your family so they would not starve to death, wouldn't you do anything you had to? But what would worry me most in that situation are the people that have been living off of the government for money, the prison inmates (what would they do with all of the inmates that they can no longer feed? they would release them.), they would form roaming looting gangs that go from house to house or town to town taking what supplies .. and anything .. that they would want. So you need to be prepared for that circumstance. You do not need to go Rambo here.. but having something to defend yourself, and your family is very important. What use is having all of this equipment and food if someone can easily take it from you? There will be millions of starving desperate people. As proven in history, the strong always take from the weak. If such a thing did happen, since you are prepared, give out as much charity as possible. Help those in need. If you help sustain your neighbors, they will also hopefully help to protect you, should someone come to steal your food and gear. Strength in numbers!
I believe that you need at least one good firearm from each of the three groups. A good rifle, a good sidearm, and a good shotgun. What brands, models, and calibers you choose depends on you. I will detail what I have chosen for my armaments and why, so you can make an educated decision on your own.
Rifle: There are thousands of choices of good rifles to choose from, but for my primary rifle I went with a Smith & Wesson Military & Police 15. It is a 5.56 caliber AR-15 Assault Rifle clone. It is amazingly accurate and reliable, along with having very minor recoil. It also can hold a 30 round magazine. While good for self defense, this caliber with a mounted optic can be used to hunt large game as well. Make sure the caliber firearm you choose has a common size caliber so you can find ammo for it should you run out, and in my opinion it should not be bolt action. A bolt action rifle fires too slow, and statistics say that 80% of the time in a combat situation a person will miss their first shot, regardless of the distance. Human nature causes us to not want to kill another human being, regardless of the circumstance, so we subconsciously make ourselves miss that first shot hoping the attacker will retreat; and not make you use deadly force.
While speaking on rifles, I must also mention the Ruger 10/22. The .22 caliber is the smallest rifle caliber in production, it has virtually no recoil, it is very quiet, and the Ruger is amazing. Even without general maintence a Ruger 10/22 can fire for years and years without any issues, without ever being cleaned or serviced. The benefits of having a .22 caliber rifle are numerous, it is a very quiet rifle, so you can hunt small game without letting people for miles around know there is someone there. You can also buy 1,000 rounds for it for less than $50. The Ruger 10/22 itself can be purchased for a meager $300. I believe this firearm should be in every person's kit.
Sidearm: A sidearm is a very important item. In the case of shit hitting the fan, you should carry one in a holster on your person at all times.In the possibility that your rifle runs empty, jams, or you cannot get to it in time, having a pistol with you is a must. Getting a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon Permit) in your state is highly recommended, since it costs very little more than just getting a pistol permit, and it comes with it. That way you can never get in trouble for transporting or having your sidearm. You need only take a one day class and send in some money and paperwork to get this done (check with your state and local laws on a CCW). For a sidearm I personally carry a Smith & Wesson Military & Police .40 caliber. But when it comes to choosing a sidearm, it yet again all depends on how it fits you. Go to the range and fire some of their rental pistols, you'll know the right one when you find it. Some common misconceptions with pistols: The smaller the pistol, the less the recoil. WRONG! The less the pistol weighs, the larger the recoil. So if you are worried about recoil, get a bigger pistol! And please, do NOT get a 'snub nose' (very short barrel) revolver. They are horribly inaccurate, you cannot hit anything with one unless they are under 10 feet away! Other than that, get a common caliber (9mm is the most common handgun caliber) in whatever feels best to you.
A pistol is only good enough to get you to your rifle.
Shotgun: A shotgun is the most simple firearm out there. And the sound of a pump action shotgun being loaded is the second most recognizable sound in the world (second only to the sound of a telephone). Chambering a shell in a shotgun will put the fear of god in almost anyone. They are also one of the most versitile firearms out there. They can be loaded with shotgun shells that range from slugs (like large bullets), to shot (a ton of small lead beads), to bean bags (a 'non lethal' bag of sand), and many others. They are also very easy to operate, and given that you are pointing it at your target at relatively close range, it is hard to miss. I personally went with a Mossberg 500 12 gauge. It is a short barreled (18.5 inches, the smallest legal barrel) and holds 7 rounds in the tube (when hunting, you can only have a maximum of 2 shells in the tube in my state), and one in the chamber. It is not the best shotgun on the market, but it is affordable, and dependable. Having a shotgun is required in my opinion, because of not only the psychological effect on your enemy, but your ability to modify it to your needs. A shotgun is pretty much the only firearm you can hunt bird with. And since every human being is going to be hunting at that point, you're going to need all the possibilities you can get.
After you get your kit of firearms and ammo together, get as many spare parts for them as you can, they will be hard to find in dire times. Also invest in a good firearm cleaning kit, and learn to disassemble, clean, and reassemble your firearms. Learning good firearm safety is a MUST. There are many ranges and places that teach proper firearm instruction, and some who teach combat training to civilians. If you wish to go that route, do your research, or ask me. I can point you in the right direction.
Do not fear that something like this may happen, just be prepared for it. Even if it never happens, at least you can sleep better at night knowing you're ready for anything.
keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10
Monday, September 12, 2011
How to Make a Bug Out Bag
A Bug Out Bag (BOB) or 72-Hour Kit is a bag full of supplies that is designed to keep you alive for three days under conditions to where all you have to rely on is yourself and the equipment you have with you. I built my Bug Out Bag in three different tiers.
Tier One: A housefire, small natural disaster, etc. To where all you may need is temporary survival equipment, until help can be found.
Tier Two: A major disaster, but the roads are blocked. You must only go on with what you can carry.
Tier Three: A complete break-down of social order, you must leave your home or current location in a vehicle for a safer and more desolate area and bring everything you could possibly need, with the knowledge you may never be coming home.
I have a Bug Out Bag(BOB), a Bug Out Vest(BOV), and a Bug Out Tote(BOT). In Tier One I would carry only my BOB. In Tier Two I would carry my BOB and BOT. In Tier Three I would carry all of them.
Depending on what you wish to prepare for and where you are located, your contents may vary on what you choose to pack. I like to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best; that way I am never surprised if something happens or in need of something I do not have.
Make sure to keep your pack as light as possible, you want to be able to move fast.
My Bug Out Bag List: UPDATED:1/25/12(My Bag is a Proper USMC MARPAT Field Pack, but I would recommend a very high quality 'normal' looking bag, so as you dont stick out as a target. An ALICE pack is a good choice as well.)
Eton Crank Radio/Flashlight
Fenix HP11 Head-Light (with red lens cover)
Gerber Infinity Ultra LED Flashlight
BIC Lighter x2
Aquamira Water Filter Straw
100 Feet 550 Paracord
Katadyn Vario Water Filtration System
30 Potable Aqua Tablets
Stainless Steel Wire
Coffee Filters (for protecting my water purifier against particulates)
Ziploc Bags x3
Trash bags x3
Sweedish Firesteel
Compass
Gorrilla Tape Mini-roll
Gerber LMFII Knife
Gerber Multi-tool
Socks x2
Snack Bars x4
MRE x3
Collapsable Water Bottle
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Poncho
Bivy Sack
Shemgah
First Aid Kit (Tylenol, C.A.T., Alcohol Prep Pads, Caffeine Pills, Gauze, Israeli Battle Dressing, etc)
SAS Survival Guide Pocket Edition
Matches
Mylar 'Emergency' Blanket (Can be used as a tarp or heat reflector too)
100ML Camelbak Bladder
Water flavoring packets (TANG, etc)
Topographical Map of my region, with plotted routes to my BOL
Carabiner x2
Light Waterproof Jacket
Flash Drive with all my critical info (Deeds, Bank info, Insurance info, Medical Records, etc.)
Bottled Water x2
Smith & Wesson .40 Auto + 3 Spare Magazines
Henry Survival Rifle (May or may not be added depending on situation)
Goal Zero Guide 10 Adventure Kit Solar Charging System
Emergency Contact List (A laminated page filled with all the phone numbers I may need to contact)
MARPAT Boonie Hat
I will go into details on my Bug Out Vest and Bug Out Tote along with my armament loadouts on the next post!
keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10 out
Tier One: A housefire, small natural disaster, etc. To where all you may need is temporary survival equipment, until help can be found.
Tier Two: A major disaster, but the roads are blocked. You must only go on with what you can carry.
Tier Three: A complete break-down of social order, you must leave your home or current location in a vehicle for a safer and more desolate area and bring everything you could possibly need, with the knowledge you may never be coming home.
I have a Bug Out Bag(BOB), a Bug Out Vest(BOV), and a Bug Out Tote(BOT). In Tier One I would carry only my BOB. In Tier Two I would carry my BOB and BOT. In Tier Three I would carry all of them.
Depending on what you wish to prepare for and where you are located, your contents may vary on what you choose to pack. I like to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best; that way I am never surprised if something happens or in need of something I do not have.
Make sure to keep your pack as light as possible, you want to be able to move fast.
My Bug Out Bag List: UPDATED:1/25/12(My Bag is a Proper USMC MARPAT Field Pack, but I would recommend a very high quality 'normal' looking bag, so as you dont stick out as a target. An ALICE pack is a good choice as well.)
Fenix HP11 Head-Light (with red lens cover)
Gerber Infinity Ultra LED Flashlight
BIC Lighter x2
Aquamira Water Filter Straw
100 Feet 550 Paracord
Katadyn Vario Water Filtration System
30 Potable Aqua Tablets
Stainless Steel Wire
Coffee Filters (for protecting my water purifier against particulates)
Ziploc Bags x3
Trash bags x3
Sweedish Firesteel
Compass
Gorrilla Tape Mini-roll
Gerber LMFII Knife
Gerber Multi-tool
Socks x2
Snack Bars x4
MRE x3
Collapsable Water Bottle
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Poncho
Bivy Sack
Shemgah
First Aid Kit (Tylenol, C.A.T., Alcohol Prep Pads, Caffeine Pills, Gauze, Israeli Battle Dressing, etc)
SAS Survival Guide Pocket Edition
Matches
Mylar 'Emergency' Blanket (Can be used as a tarp or heat reflector too)
100ML Camelbak Bladder
Water flavoring packets (TANG, etc)
Topographical Map of my region, with plotted routes to my BOL
Carabiner x2
Light Waterproof Jacket
Flash Drive with all my critical info (Deeds, Bank info, Insurance info, Medical Records, etc.)
Bottled Water x2
Smith & Wesson .40 Auto + 3 Spare Magazines
Henry Survival Rifle (May or may not be added depending on situation)
Goal Zero Guide 10 Adventure Kit Solar Charging System
Emergency Contact List (A laminated page filled with all the phone numbers I may need to contact)
MARPAT Boonie Hat
I will go into details on my Bug Out Vest and Bug Out Tote along with my armament loadouts on the next post!
keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10 out
Best Prepping Books I've Found..
I've been prepping for a few years now, so I am always on the lookout for good reading material that relates to self reliant living. I'm going to post some of the most helpful books that I've found, they are all currently available on Amazon.com, enjoy!
Keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10
How to Survive The End Of The World As We Know It: by James Wesley Rawles
SAS Survival Handbook: by John Wiseman
Where there is No Doctor: by David Werner
Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family: by Arthur Bradley
Outdoor Medical Emergency Handbook: First Aid for Travelers, Backpackers, Adventurers: by Dr. Spike Briggs, Dr. Campbell Mackenzie
Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook
Making the Best of Basics: by James Talmage Stevens
US Air Force Survival Handbook
The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and preparing Edible Wild Plants: by Samuel Thayer
Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergencies
Strategic Reloaction - North American Guide to Safe Places: by Joel M. Skousen
Keep your powder dry,
-NCPrepper10
How to Survive The End Of The World As We Know It: by James Wesley Rawles
SAS Survival Handbook: by John Wiseman
Where there is No Doctor: by David Werner
Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family: by Arthur Bradley
Outdoor Medical Emergency Handbook: First Aid for Travelers, Backpackers, Adventurers: by Dr. Spike Briggs, Dr. Campbell Mackenzie
Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook
Making the Best of Basics: by James Talmage Stevens
US Air Force Survival Handbook
The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and preparing Edible Wild Plants: by Samuel Thayer
Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergencies
Strategic Reloaction - North American Guide to Safe Places: by Joel M. Skousen
Welcome to my Blog!
Hello Fellow Preppers!
I created this blog to help out other fellow preppers that might just be getting into prepping, or perhaps you've been prepping for years, but its all about sharing knowledge and helping your fellow man for the hard times to come. Soon I am going to be adding Equipment Lists, How-to Guides, Links to good prepping sites and references, books, How to make your own Bug-Out-Bag, Food Storage, etc. I hope this can help those looking for information as I have in the past years! If we are to get through this, we cannot do it alone!
-NCPrepper10
I created this blog to help out other fellow preppers that might just be getting into prepping, or perhaps you've been prepping for years, but its all about sharing knowledge and helping your fellow man for the hard times to come. Soon I am going to be adding Equipment Lists, How-to Guides, Links to good prepping sites and references, books, How to make your own Bug-Out-Bag, Food Storage, etc. I hope this can help those looking for information as I have in the past years! If we are to get through this, we cannot do it alone!
-NCPrepper10
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