New: Grey Ghost Gear T.Q. Hydration Pack

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Grey Ghost Gear has been expanding its offerings in the backpack market — check out our previous in-depth review of the Gypsy pack, for example. Most recently, GGG has released a new small pack for those who require a hydration aspect to their every-day carry setup. They call it simply the T.Q. Hydration Pack. A press release explains, “If you plan on going for a run that doesn't require a fully loaded ruck, then smaller is most certainly better. However, most hydration bags are only designed to hold your bladder, maybe some trail mix and that's it. If you've ever had to stuff your keys or wallet in your socks, this one goes out to you!”

Grey Ghost Gear TQ hydration pack edc backpack urban survival gear 2

While the T.Q. abbreviation might have you thinking about tourniquets, it actually stands for Thirst Quencher. Available in 3 different urban-friendly two-tone colorways as well as a solid coyote brown option, this pack is designed to blend into urban environments without looking excessively tactical. It's manufactured using a proprietary diamond pattern Grey Ghost Ripstop material and LiteLok fabric. The company says this yields a 30% weight reduction from regular 500D Cordura nylon while providing water-resistance and lower visibility in low light environments.

Grey Ghost Gear TQ hydration pack edc backpack urban survival gear 1

The T.Q.'s main compartment has a sleeve for your 3L hydration bladder, with a drinking tube port and elastic bands on each shoulder strap for securing the tube. This compartment also has room for a light jacket or change of clothes, as well as a zippered pouch for smaller items.

Grey Ghost Gear TQ hydration pack edc backpack urban survival gear 3

The next pocket serves as an admin pouch for your flashlight, pen, knife, keys, and other small essentials. Two adjustable side straps allow you to compress the contents of this pocket as well as the main compartment, so they don't bounce and shift as you hike or jog.

 

The front pouch offers quick access to slim items such as a smartphone, mini first aid kit, or notebook. Two loops on the front of this pouch offer attachment points for identification lights or carabiners. Finally, there's a concealed bottom pocket with a stowable rain cover — a useful feature to protect your gear from getting soaked by unpredictable weather conditions.

Grey Ghost Gear TQ hydration pack edc backpack urban survival gear 4

The TQ Hydration Pack is available in Black Diamond/Orange Heather, Black Diamond/Black Heather, Black Diamond/Grey Heather, and Coyote Brown. Total volume is 594ci, which is just under 10 liters. MSRP is $110. For more information, go to GreyGhostGear.com.

 

Reader’s Tip: Home Water Storage Systems

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We've stayed in touch with a reader who goes by the nickname Mountain Goat, and he often shares pieces of advice based on his firsthand experience working towards self-sufficiency on his remote ranch in the Southwest. In the past, we've posted his tips on layered outerwear for driving in harsh winter weather and quick-access clothing for nighttime emergencies. Today's topic is water storage — this conversation came up after he read the article on this same topic from Issue 28 of our magazine.

Here's what Mountain Goat wrote about his philosophy on emergency water storage:

Your article on Long-Term Water Storage for Survival was good advice to wake people up to the fact that they need to store water. Storing backup water is something I've done most of my adult life. Many years ago I was living in an apartment, and this habit paid off when the maintenance people unexpectedly turned off the water. I didn't skip a beat and just continued getting ready for work. It wasn't a life or death situation, but it was a good example of the importance of having an emergency supply on hand.

These days, I live on a ranch. We currently carry 4 gallons of water in the back of each of our vehicles, in addition to a more-than-adequate supply of drinking water in the passenger compartment. We also have about 100,000 gallons of stored water on the property. I'll discuss the details of this setup below.

Rainwater Collection

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 4

The photo above shows a 500-gallon tank to collect water from the downspout of one of our cabins. Please note the metal roof. We don't use Clorox or a system of dumping out and replacing water. We filter the water through a British Berkfield (Berkie) type water filter:

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 2

Looking closely, you can see that these are actually different brands, but we call them all Berkies. The filter elements are interchangeable. The ceramic filter elements can be cleaned with an abrasive scrubber and rarely need to be replaced. This is an upper and lower manual pour-through design which doesn't require any water pressure or electric power. We use the filtered water for our cooking and drinking and unfiltered water for washing.

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 1

This photo is one of our large holding tanks for storage of surface water. This one is 200,000 gallons. Water tanks can be expensive, roughly $1 a gallon, so we collect surface water in ponds that we have dug and dammed in a place where water naturally runs. Then we pump it up into the holding tanks.

In the southwest the ponds are called dirt tanks. Here's a picture of a dirt tank and a solar panel with a fence around it to keep animals from jumping on the panel:

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 5

Water Pumping & Distribution

We usually pump with what is called direct-drive solar. In this case it is a 24-volt DC pump in the tank with a 24-volt solar array powering it. Direct-drive means there are no batteries, no electronic controller, and no inverter. The panel is wired directly to the pump. It simply pumps when the sun shines on the panel. This system works amazingly well. The pump is a cylindrical type designed to be submerged by lowering into a well. The pumps are in the $800 range so with the panels, submersible wiring, and flexible pipe the cost is maybe $1200 plus. Unfortunately the pump needs to be rebuilt every few years.

We also have gas powered pumps that we use occasionally. The dirt tank water is used to water gardens and livestock.

Someone living in an urban area may want to obtain a rain catching tank that's as large as possible, put it behind their high fence, then pump the extra water to an even larger storage tank hidden in the back of the property. All this is depending on the size of the property, of course.

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 6

Here's a tank that we use to store extra roof water in if the tank that collects it off the roof gets full to overflowing. We pump it up there with a gas-powered pump. One can also pump water from one storage tank to another by lowering the 24V DC pump into the full tank with the solar panels leaning up against the tank. We commonly do this.

Water storage rainwater weather filter purifier pump solar shtf survival prepper 3

Here's a portable “water buffalo” trailer which we can tow somewhere to either collect or deliver water. Note the small gas-powered pump in the bed next to the tank. We currently use this to water a garden, so it's permanently parked there. 

If you'd like to learn more about water storage, I suggest a book by Brad Lancaster titled “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Vol 1”.

Cheers. Thanks for the valuable service that RECOIL OFFGRID provides. It amazes me that most people seem to think that disasters are things that happen somewhere else. Happy water saving!

Conclusions

There's a lot of great info here — we especially appreciate the portion about building a standalone solar-powered water pump. This is a great solution for collecting water from an existing pond or a manmade collection tank, and it's low-maintenance and doesn't require connection to the electrical grid. Best of all, aside from the initial investment in this system, keeping it running is essentially free.

Of course, having a gas-powered backup pump for quick access is also wise. The “water buffalo” trailer serves this purpose and is also portable, so it serves as both a collection tool and a transportation vessel.

If you'd like to contact Mountain Goat for any questions about his water collection and storage system, you can email him at mudsnowchains@gmail.com. And if you have a valuable emergency preparedness tip you'd like to share with our readers, we want to hear it. Click here to send an email to our web editor.

How to Prepare for a Long-Term Power Outage

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This article was originally published in Issue 1 of our magazine.

Our society depends so much on electrical power. Every aspect of our homes and workplaces run on electricity. We expect that when we flip the switch, the lights turn on. But, what happens if they don’t? What if Mother Nature throws a massive tornado or a sudden blizzard at you? Or some other crisis breaks out? What about an EMP attack?

Time is the single biggest factor. What kind of time are we talking about? A few hours or possibly more than 30 days? The correct response is, it doesn’t matter. Depending on the event, there might not be a need to evacuate, but rather hunker down. It’s just a matter of how we prep our dwellings to deal with such an emergency.

Obviously, there will be different plans for different homes in different regions. So, there’s no “one size fits all” blackout plan. This is why it’s important to already have preparations in place. These preparations start with your basic needs: food, water, and the type of shelter you have. You’ll also need to consider heating and cooling, hygiene and sanitation, and first aid and medicines. You’ll need to plan how to meet these basic needs when you don’t have electricity and how you’ll modify your plans based on your type of residence.

Water

A person needs at least 1 gallon of water a day.

A person needs at least 1 gallon of water a day.

H20 is one of the most important basic needs in any circumstance, so water storage must be part of your blackout plan. The first step is to know your source. How does your building or house receive its water? Do you have your own well, or are you connected to city water? Is it pumped or gravity-fed?

How much water do we need in a power outage? A common answer is at least 1 gallon a day. But, you’ll also need half a gallon to a gallon for cooking … and then there’s the issue of sanitation and hygiene. Now, let’s assume that the electricity has been cut for 30 days. That calls for quite a bit of water stored in your little apartment. So, what are some alternatives?

stay-or-go-water-supply

Get to know your surroundings. Does your building have an emergency backup generator system? How reliable is the system, and has it ever failed? If you live in a building that has more than two stories, then water can be obtained via gravity. Most buildings, by code, have one or more purge valves that enable the complete draining of the entire pipe infrastructure.

Next, get to know your neighbors. That community cooperative really plays a big part. Have the superintendent show the designated folks where the central drain valves are; normally they’re located in the basement at the lowest point. Drain all of the individual units by turning on the faucets, grab empty jugs or large pots, and head to the basement. By using gravity and reversing the flow, the building now has thousands of gallons of clean potable drinking water, which was previously trapped within the pipes.

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 2

Above: A tub-liner bag placed in a standard bathtub can be used to store almost 100 gallons of water.

If you have roof access to your building, you can implement natural rain catches with buckets, tarps, and so on. You can also purchase tub-liner bags. They are food-grade plastic and perfectly safe for holding water. You simply line the tub with this enormous plastic bag and, at the onset of a storm, but before SHTF, fill it with water. With the standard bathtub, you will get almost 100 gallons of water.

In colder climates, snow is another source of emergency water—but there is a process. Never eat snow. Melt it first. Why? First, eating snow will lower your core temperature, thus increasing the risk of hypothermia. Second, it will actually dehydrate you. The body will use twice as much water in the process of melting the snow to absorb it. So, don’t eat snow, especially not yellow snow—it’s not lemon flavor. Remember, just like any other rule of foraging, be mindful of the environment it came from and hope it’s free of any pollution or toxins.

Food

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 13

Common sense tells us to keep nonperishable items around. Make sure what you’ve stored is quality. When you need to keep warm, proper caloric intake is crucial.

Another thing to keep in mind: What kind of stove do you have? Is it electric or gas? If it’s gas, you’re in good shape. Think about food that doesn’t require a stove. However, be mindful of these “survival” or “emergency” dehydrated foods. They usually have very large amounts of sodium. These types of MREs were originally designed for soldiers who needed to replenish electrolytes and calories expended under intense physical activity. This may not be ideal as a long-term sustainable food.

Gas Stove V2

Above: For cooking, gas stoves will still work in the event of a power outage. However, since you’re dealing with gas, turning on the gas oven and stovetop to heat the apartment is not a good idea.

Next time you go shopping, buy at least one or two extra items that you know you will put aside for blackouts. This will help stretch out the workload in terms of your prepping.

Heating

If a power outage occurs during the wintertime, layered clothes will play a significant role. Silk and wool should become your best friends. Even when wet, they still provide insulation—unlike cotton, which can actually increase the chance of hypothermia when wet.

For example, the electricity in my apartment was out for more than two weeks. It was also in the dead of winter. So, I layered up as if I were outside camping. I started with 100-percent silk long underwear, a long-sleeve shirt, and bottoms. Next was a layer of 100-percent wool long underwear, wool socks, and a wool hat. Then, I continued with standard street clothes and a jacket.

If you have the ability to heat up water, sip on hot water. I like to add chunks of ginger to hot water. Ginger is a wonderful root that helps heat the core temperature. Stay away from caffeine. It dehydrates you, thus keeping you colder than necessary.

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 10

Another trick is making a secondary shelter within your home, like “playing fort” when you were a kid. Lean a mattress and box spring against each other like an A-frame tent. Take couch cushions and stuff the ends. Then layer all the blankets and comforters on top of everything. Make your shelter small and low, because it’ll trap your body heat and warm the air. For those people who live in cities, pay attention to the masters of urban survival: the homeless. Observe the way they make their shelters, the materials they used, and the manner in which they use those materials.

On the flip side, avoid dangerous techniques for keeping warm, such as turning your gas oven and stovetop on full blast to heat the apartment. It’s not a good idea, since you’re dealing with gas. Also, don’t light small fires inside of steel pots in the middle of your living room. Don’t laugh. People have done this—with tragic results.

Cooling

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 14

Above: Pulling the shades down or putting up white sheets in front of the windows will help reflect the sun away from the interior.

Staying cool in the summer is just as important as staying warm in the winter. Once again, layering comes into play. While cotton can kill in the winter, it’s actually preferred in the summer because it helps keep your body cool. If needed, dispense with clothes all together and strip down to your birthday suit.

There are also little tricks you can try. Make a simple hand fan like the good old days, spritz yourself with water, and fan away. You can also rip up a bandana and soak it in cold water. Take the strips of the cloth and loosely tie it around your pulse points, around each ankle and wrist, and around the neck. Remember to tie it loosely.

Be sure to keep the sun out. Pull the shades down or put up white sheets in front of the windows. This will help reflect the sun away from the interior.

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 11

Tip: Don’t drink ice water to keep you cool. Like eating snow, the body will have to work twice as hard to heat the water up to absorb it. Instead, try one of my favorite recipes: Get room-temperature water from a countertop jug, then add slices of cucumber, freshly squeezed lemon, and crushed mint.

Hygiene & Sanitation

When it comes to hygiene, nothing changes. Keep yourself clean, as you always do. Just be mindful about the amount of water that you’re using. Some people resort to conserving by giving themselves the old sponge bath or go without it for a few days.

toilet bowl isolated on white background

Sanitation is also an essential factor, when dealing with water. If you have a standard toilet with a water tank, then this isn’t so bad at all. However, you may have to alter the practice a little bit. An old phrase goes like this, “If it’s pee, then let it be.” If you have to do No. 2, then put water in the back tank, do your business, and then flush.

First Aid & Medicines

It goes without saying that you should have a first aid kit, your prescriptions, and things like eye glasses stored safely in your home. But, what about others? Another important reason to know your neighbors is for the simple support system that can help during a crisis like this. Are you aware of the elderly in the building? How about the disabled folks who can’t leave without the use of an elevator? How many folks need medical attention or prescriptions?

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 15

It’s up to their neighbors to bring back extra food, water, resources, and medicines to those who can’t leave their homes. I have known cases where people have left the building, removed their car batteries, and brought them in to help power medical machines.

Alternate Energy

Just because the power’s out doesn’t mean you’re powerless. Thanks to modern technology, we now have things called generators—solar generators and kinetic chargers.

There are multi-fuel portable generators, standard gasoline generators, and diesel generators. Regardless of the fuel, these types of machines are to be used outdoors. You have the option of running the cord from the generator into the house and plugging in the refrigerator and a couple other essential items. However, if you own a home and if it’s feasible, get a professional to hardwire an appropriate generator for your home. Do the research, find a pro, and do it right.

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 1

Portable generators such as the Yamaha EF6300iSDE are created for quiet back-up power. Designed as a backup energy source for homes, the EF6300iSDE has dual 120/240 volt output and is powerful enough to run most residential well pumps. It can power a freezer and electric water heater for more than 10.5 hours, depending on load, on a single tank of gas. Portable generators are a practical tool for possible power outages due to ice storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other infrastructure failures.

Yamaha EF6300iSDE Specs

Maximum AC Output
6,300 watts

Rated AC Output
5,500 watts

Continuous Operation
13.3 hrs at 1⁄4 rated load

Noise Level
58 ~ 64 dBA

Dimensions
30.7L x 24.3W x 27.2H in

Empty Weight
200 lbs.

Fuel Capacity
4.5 gal

MSRP
$4,099

URL
www.yamaha-motor.com

Solar panels have come a long way. If you’re a homeowner, you can install these things on the roof. If you live in a high-rise, consider small portable panels with large-capacity backup batteries, which make for a great alternative. Some of these devices allow you to charge your laptops and cell phones while powering your refrigerator. These types of devices come in all shapes and sizes. Again, do the research and determine the best unit for your needs.

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 6

Network Connection

Finally, I want to share with you a little idea I call “community crisis connecting.” If you’re like me, you’ll stop for anyone who might need help; that’s just how I roll. But, what about your neighbors? Are they prepared to help? As mentioned, having a group, neighborhood, or building collective can be an effective force for good.

Does your community have an emergency plan? If so, what kind? How often do you guys get together and discuss or practice it? Is there a doctor around? Do you have first aid and CPR training? Why would it matter during a blackout?

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 9

Above: Having a group, neighborhood, or building collective can be an effective force for good. Get together on a regular basis to discuss or practice an emergency plan.

The more people in your community, the higher the chance of people needing help in an emergency. But, it’s better to know these things than not, no matter the situation. If you’re set up with all of your preparations, then during a blackout, you’ll have more time to help others. This is what it means to have a community. A real community. Make a plan.

Just because we build homes, bridges, and infrastructure doesn’t mean that Mother Nature is going to comply with our designs. She is going to do what she has done for thousands and thousands of years. So, get over it and make the best of the situation.

RECOIL OFFGRID Tidbit: The biggest blackout in U.S. history happened on August 14, 2003, when more than 50 million people over a span of eight States and a Canadian Province were affected by a poorly maintained electrical system. Blackouts can happen at any time. Be prepared.

5 Blackout Precautions

Power outage blackout prepper electricity grid down city shtf survival 3

  1. FEMA suggests only using flashlights for emergency lighting and not candles to reduce the risk of fire.
  2. When your car’s fuel tank drops to half, it’s time to fill up. Gas stations rely on electricity for their fuel pumps, so if there’s no power, there’s no gas, either.
  3. Make sure you know how to use your electric garage door’s emergency release. Also, if you use it as your primary access to your home, be sure to have a key to your house just in case.
  4. Leaving water in your refrigerator and freezer helps keep it cooler in case of a power outage, keeping food good for longer.
  5. Most medications that require refrigeration can be kept in a refrigerator for several hours without a problem. When in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

For more tips, see FEMA’s website at www.ready.gov.

The One-Stop Emergency Shopping Challenge

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Product photography by Jay Wiseman
Illustrations by Judson Bryan

This article was originally published in Issue 1 of our magazine.

Well, it happened, and life has caught you flat-footed. You meant to plan for an emergency, but you always found reasons to spend your time and money on other things. A disaster of significant proportions has hit — think hurricane or flood — and you only have one store between you and your home. You have $100 cash in your pocket and only a few thin options to consider.

Sound plausible? Consider this scenario as an exercise, and apply the lessons to your circumstances. Maybe you live atop a deep-water well and next door to a dry goods warehouse, but being mentally prepared to adjust to circumstances beyond your control is critical for survival. So, for this exercise, consider the majority of your conveniences gone, and your route home leaves you one option to consider: a quick load-out at a commonly found shopping venue. The challenge is to equip yourself as best as you can if only one of the three following options were available. You have $100 dollars (plus a few bucks in change to cover tax) and 30 minutes.

You are shopping for yourself, your spouse, and two children. Assume you have some non-perishable foodstuffs at home, but will lose water and power. No, you don’t have a generator, and your stove and oven are also electric. You will be eating, drinking, sleeping, and washing without any modern devices. So, what are your priorities? First should be clean water. You need it to sustain life, prepare food, and keep yourself clean. Second, you will want to consider how you might communicate with the outside world. I recently spoke to a mid-60s couple who spent almost a month without power after Hurricane Sandy. “Having a radio to keep up with what was going on around us was critical. It gave us an idea of where we could go to get help or supplies, and simply knowing that others were out there dealing with the same problems, some much worse, was, mentally, very stabilizing.”

Storm preparedness

Finally, you’ll want to keep yourself fed and your hygiene maintained as best as possible. We’ll presume the basic household is equipped with pots, pans, cups, toothbrushes, soap, and warm clothing. We’ll consider the Wal-Mart trip (see below) as close to ideal and adjust from there, but you have to get in and get out with a crowd of like-minded shoppers. Let’s also assume your vehicle is functional and getting the supplies back to your home is possible. We can further presume that the vehicle can be used to charge some, but not all, portable electronic devices, but we’ll presume there is no cell phone service.

Large Consumer Goods Store (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 5

Pros:

  • Wide variety of options.
  • Low relative pricing.

Cons:

  • One-hundred dollars will go fast. Prioritization will be key.
  • Get what you must have and substitute on price because you will have more options than money.

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 2

Water: Half a gallon per day (times 5 days) per person (times 4) equals 10 gallons, plus 2 additional gallons for cooking and hygiene. This implies a low volume of activity and relatively moderate temperatures. Err on the side of more water, if possible. Wal-Mart sells water in 2.5-gallon containers.
Price: $1.11 per gallon
Total: $13.32

Food: Each person will have different pantry contents at home. Presume you are shopping to supplement or continue after current supplies run out. Focus on calorie-dense items that require minimal preparation and no refrigeration. I purchased a variety of generic dry-roasted peanuts, canned tuna, canned beans and meat, oatmeal, and five apples. I threw in a box of Pop-Tarts as a motivational treat for the kids.
Total: $29.63

Hand-Crank Flashlight: No battery burn, nearly infinite use. Great idea. Couldn’t find one. Purchased an inexpensive Energizer headlamp.
Price: $4.88

Hand-Crank Radio: Your link to the outside. Couldn’t find one. Purchased a battery-powered weather radio and batteries that would also work in the headlamp.
Price: $23

Baby Wipes, TP, & Garbage Bags: To conserve water, you will want to stay clean in as dry a manner as possible. Wipes and hand sanitizers can both keep you clean and in a better state of mind. A clean face and clean teeth change one’s outlook significantly. I picked up a two tubs of baby wipes, a four-pack of toilet paper to supplement what might already be at home, along with some extra kitchen-sized garbage bags for makeshift bucket toilets.
Total: $12.33

Water Purification Tabs: For when the bottled water runs out.
Price: $5.88

Lighters
Price: (three-pack) $2

Fire-Starting Tinder
Price: (five-pack) $4.97

Candles: To save batteries. Found medium-sized votive candles for $0.50 each times six.
Price: $3

First Aid Kit: For general scrapes and cuts.
Price: $5

GRAND TOTAL: $104.01
Note: Prices are rounded to include tax.

Pharmacy/Small Market (Walgreens, CVS, etc.)

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 7

Pros:

  • A basic variety of supply options.

Cons:

  • Higher per-unit prices.
  • Less variety than Wal-Mart.
  • Fewer options than money.
  • Economize in both directions.

Notes: Very good selection at better-than-expected prices relative to Wal-Mart. The only item not available in some form at Walgreens compared to the Wal-Mart list was water purification tablets. In my haste to meet the 30-minute deadline, I forgot to buy a lighter, but perhaps the one in the car or something at home will spark up our survival party.

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 4

Water: Same 12-gallon requirement. Largest container was a 1-gallon jug. Listed at 2 gallons for $2.
Price: $12

Food: Narrower variety of foods, but adequate, given the requirement of protein and calorie-dense products that did not require refrigeration or preparation. I caught a good sale on mixed nuts, spam, trail mix, chili, baked beans, and canned tuna.
Total: $34.48

Baby Wipes
Total: (two-tub pack) $6.58

Hand-Crank LED Flashlight: Walgreens had one.
Price: $5

Hand-Crank Radio: Still no luck with finding one of these, but I did find a small Sony AM/FM radio.
Price: $12

AA Batteries (four-pack)
Price: $4

First Aid Kit
Price: $13.99

Toilet Paper 
Price: $2.69

Candles: Large on-sale bag of unscented votive (probably 30!).
Price: $3.99

Tall Kitchen Trash Bags 
Price: $5.29

GRAND TOTAL: $100.02

Convenience Store/Gas Station (7-Eleven, Mini-mart, etc.)

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 6

Pros:

  • Big Gulps

Cons:

  • Least variety of supplies.
  • Highest price per unit.
  • Fewer realistic options than money.
  • Get as much of the basics as possible and substitute as closely as possible on necessities.

Notes: A convenience store is the least desirable option. Selection is severely limited. There are no shopping carts, so the simple logistics of getting $100 of product to the counter is a process. Having waited until late in the evening to hit the 7-Eleven, I enlisted the help of several curious, half-sober, but fully tattooed patrons who found it uniquely charming to be part of a magazine story. They had some entertaining but impractical advice on emergency preparedness and survival techniques. I used the experience as an opportunity to develop a rapport with the locals in the event we passed one another on the street several days into the scenario. Ultimately, there were items from my list that simply did not exist, and others were much more expensive. Here is the breakdown:

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 3

Water: Twelve gallons at $2.36 per gallon. Water was available in 1-gallon jugs, but it was almost two-and-a-half times as expensive. It was cold, however.
Price: $28.32

Food: My options and choices would make a nutritionist cringe. Luckily, almost nothing in 7-Eleven is perishable in the short run, except for perhaps the taquitos on the rotating warmer. So, I skipped them and loaded up on Clif Bars, Keebler long-sleeved cracker packs, chunky canned chili, beef jerky (7-Eleven has very reasonably priced jerky), mixed nuts, dill pickles, SpaghettiOs, and trail mix.
Total: $50.35

Baby Wipes: I had to buy a diaper kit that contained one diaper and six baby wipes to get the baby wipes.
Total: $4

Hand-Crank Flashlight: Unavailable, as well as any flashlight.

Hand-Crank Radio: No radios of any kind.

Candles: Pack of 24 Navajo birthday candles.
Price: $1.25

Toilet Paper
Price: $2.19

Tall Kitchen Trash Bags
Price: $3.29

Lighter
Price: $1.99

First Aid Kit: Unavailable

AA Batteries (four-pack): I later questioned this purchase, since I had no radio nor flashlight. We’ll use them for something. Price: $4.99

Random Purchase: Fire-starting log. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Price: $5

GRAND TOTAL: $101.38

Conclusion

Emergency supplies scavenging store food water medical shtf survival prepper 1v2

So, what have we learned? Having a plan is vital, even if it only involves buying stuff on the way home. Know what you will need and where to get it. Make convenience stores your last resort, and carry enough cash on you to get the job done. You may encounter rationing of some sort, several days into an emergency event, so plan on having currency to participate in, or work around, the limitations. Ultimately, your success and comfort will have more to do with what you have done prior to the event and how you have prepared your home, rather than what you can grab in a few minutes, so think ahead and prepare reasonably.

About the Author

Len Waldron is an Eagle Scout and served as a U.S. Army infantry officer. His habits and practices regarding emergency preparedness were significantly impacted by his work in rural recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, where he witnessed firsthand the mental and physical problems encountered by those caught without a plan.

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Video: 10/22 Takedown Backpacker Build

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The venerable Ruger 10/22 is a gun that's garnered substantial popularity among survivalists, and for good reason. Its simple design, time-tested reliability, and wide selection of aftermarket parts make it a great choice for hunting small game in the backcountry. The Takedown model offers even greater versatility, since it can easily fit into a bag or pack for discreet transport.

Ruger 10 22 takedown magpul backpacker bugout shtf survival rifle gun 1

We've seen many 10/22 Takedown builds over the years, but RECOIL OFFGRID contributor Alexander Crown recently posted a video that shows off some modifications we hadn't considered before. At first glance, you'll notice that Alexander's 10/22 is set up in a Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock along with a Tactical Solutions SBX barrel, Vortex red dot sight, and a Gemtech Outback silencer. However, taking a look beneath the surface reveals several other clever upgrades.

Ruger 10 22 takedown magpul backpacker bugout shtf survival rifle gun 3

Inside the stock beneath the cheekpiece, Alexander stashed a spare 10-round magazine, a 50-round box of Gemtech subsonic .22LR, and a handful of survival resources. His intent was to cover all of Dave Canterbury's 5 Cs of survivability: cutting, combustion, cover, container, and cordage. These are addressed by a razor blade and cut-down hacksaw blade, a mini Bic lighter, a heavy-duty trash bag, two clear plastic water bags, and high-strength kevlar cord. There are also other valuables such as a fishing kit, duct tape, and a button compass.

Check out the full video below to see a detailed breakdown of Alexander's 10/22 Takedown bug-out gun:

Brown Baggin’ It: An Overview of MREs

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Photography by Michael Grey

This article was originally published in Issue 1 of our magazine.

Plain and simple, after shelter and water, food is the most important thing to survive and thrive on in any off-grid situation. Your go-bag can be filled with all the cool tools and toys, but without proper nutrition, your body will weaken and slowly shut down in a matter of days. What do you do to prepare for the inevitability of being separated from your usual means of sustenance?

Refrigerated foods will begin to rot, and grocery stores will be the first places picked clean. You’re going to have to rely on what you’ve squirreled away for your body’s fuel source. You’ll need to keep fueled up to stay alert and physically ready to handle whatever might come next. You don’t want to just survive; you want to be one of the few who will thrive. That’s where the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) comes in.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 14

The MRE Concept

The MRE, as many know, has a storied military pedigree. Since Washington quartered troops at Valley Forge, our military has recognized the importance of our soldiers getting adequate daily rations. A tremendous amount of effort has been put into evolving combat rations from a daily helping of salted pork, hard bread, and beer to a meal designed specifically for the unique nutritional requirements of the embattled American war fighter.

It’s important to know why an MRE is what it is. We all know the government loves to research the hell out of everything, and feeding troops is no different. Without the boring details and science, the Institute of Medicine—yes, the IOM is a real department—decided that the active war-fighting U.S. soldier needs about 4,200 calories a day (1,400 per meal) to be at peak performance.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 2

Because they are designed to enhance battlefield performance, MREs aren’t exactly diet food. The intent of each MRE is to meet one third of the warfighter’s daily requirements. Each MRE contains enough food to meet the 1,250-to-1,400-calorie goal.

To counter the physical demands of combat, the IOM determined that each meal should be heavy on carbs (about 51 percent) and fat (36 percent), which will give the body enough energy to make to the next meal. The other 13 percent of the meal is protein. The MRE is all about the soldier being able to sustain a high level of energy and exertion.

When SHTF, we want to maintain high energy levels for the stress and exertion of the situation. But, we probably won’t come close to needing the 4,200 calories a day our warriors require. If we regularly ate that much, we wouldn’t have to worry about bugging out; we couldn’t fit through the door. Splitting each package into more than one meal can really help you stretch out your supplies while you are waiting for help to arrive or looking for a safe place. We recommend buying a bunch in different flavors and do your own taste test, so you know what you’ll want to stock up on.

So, what’s in the little brown bag? If you’re a foodie, an MRE is not going to tickle your fancy, but it will keep you on your feet looking for real food.

The MRE menu is more diverse than you might think. A complete MRE consists of an entrée, which is where you’ll find your meat proteins. Some meals include a starchy side dish, and all come with bread and a spread of some sort. You’ll also find something to satisfy your sweet tooth, some sort of cake, cookie, or wet/dry fruit. Most meals even include an easily pocketed snack.

Click here to download a full-size version of the above chart of common MRE contents.

MREs also combine a variety of secondary items. Beverages, sometimes the least enjoyable part of the meal, are usually high-carb, or electrolyte-replacing fruit drinks, or cocoa-based. Most meals come with condiments; hot sauce and “seasoning blend” are the usual suspects. (See taste comparison below)

The standard Mil-spec menu selection is heavy on the chicken and beef, though there are a few pork dishes and one tuna-based MRE. For the vegetarians, there are some pasta dishes and one vegetable entrée. The meals are labeled vegetarian, but depending on your definition, they may or may not be entirely true to their word. Some vegetarian meals may have some dairy-based items included.

All the food in the MRE is precooked and can be eaten right out of the bag. Eating them hot, however, is a much better experience. In all but two MREs, you’ll find a self-contained easy-to-use Flameless Ration Heater (FRH). When adding the indicated amount of water, the FRH produces a surprisingly adequate amount of heat.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 13

 

How Do I Get MREs?

Our advice, when looking to get your supply of MREs, is to stay away from the ones offered by questionable sources on eBay that claim to be acquired from the military. There’s no assurance as to the viability of the military MREs. For them to end up on eBay at a majorly reduced cost, you have to wonder why the military let them go in the first place. You have to ask yourself: Were these MREs stored properly? Are they past the three-year storage expiration date? Are you willing to risk getting sick from a questionable MRE?

 

Instead, we recommend buying your MREs from a known, reliable vendor. Fortunately, the same companies that make military MREs also make civilian versions: Sopako’s Sure-paks, Ameriqual’s Apacks, MREstar’s MREs, and Wornick’s Eversafes. Purchase MREs from any of these guys, and you’ll be assured of a reliable, consistent, and high-quality product.

It’s also worth noting that there are a few non-military vendors making equally, and in some cases better, MREs. Check out Cheaperthandirt.com, Longlifefood.com, and Mealkitsupply.com.

Besides a Twinkie, most have never had the pleasure of eating food with a shelf life not much longer than a Lindsay Lohan jail sentence. So, what can you expect after you’ve finally muscled open the brown bag o’ fun? We threw caution to the wind and prepared more than a few to see just what gastronomic adventure lie ahead.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 10

First, we took a good look at its primary claim: Is it really a Meal Ready to Eat?

Meal? As a tolerable meal any MRE passes, but then again what you get in a school cafeteria is called a meal, too. All the components are there entrée, side, dessert, and drink. That’s more of meal than some get in an entire day.

Ready? Unless you’re the type who eats leftovers straight from the fridge, each meal is not quite ready. You’ll need to activate the FRH to bring the contents of the bag to a searing, lukewarm temperature. That being said, as one of our taste-testers put it, “It’s easier than hunting, killing, skinning, and cooking my own wild boar or deer, just not as tasty.”

Edible? This remains a subjective assumption. Lots of things are edible. Ask any parent of a toddler. Edible doesn’t mean palatable.

To evaluate the culinary value of MREs, we enlisted the help of four brave souls, who were willing to throw gastronomic caution to the wind and toss some MREs down their gullets. Since Gordon Ramsey was out of the country, we settled for a rag-tag band of culinary adventurers that included two editors from RECOIL magazine, a former active-duty special operations warfighter, and this writer, never one to turn down a free meal.

Comparing brands, we noticed that there’s little variation in taste, so these tests were not limited to a particular brand. From the standard fare, we taste-tested the chicken fajita, the meatballs, the sausage patty, and the veggie lasagna complete meals. Each brand offers these meals, so we could randomly choose who would get what to test.

First Impressions

The high calorie count, carbo-loading, and high sodium made it difficult to imagine eating three MREs a day. The more spices in the accessory pack the better. The FRHs were good enough to get the food lukewarm, but that’s about it. Using a camp stove and dunking the bags in boiling water works better. Bacon is always a flavor saver. The drinks are very sweet and make pretty good mixers. A spoon is not the most universal of all eating utensils.

The Taste Test

Pork Sausage Patty Meal

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 5

Pork sausage patty, hash browns with bacon, toaster pastry, wheat snack bread, grape jelly (in some), orange drink, cocoa drink, instant coffee, sugar, and creamer.

Tester 1: Tastes like mom’s leftover meatloaf, the kind you don’t want to eat, but don’t have the heart to trash. Even bacon couldn’t save the hash browns. The toaster pastry tasted like it was from Kellogg’s.

Tester 2: The patty was swimming in delicious maple-flavored grease; the best part of the MRE. The hash browns looked like maggots in KY jelly.

Tester 3: The wheat snack…imagine a thick, fluffy piece of cardboard, then compress it in an effort to remove any semblance of taste or flavor. Any sort of topping is a must.

Tester 4: The sausage patty was tolerable. The FRH barely made the maple “sauce” viscous enough to pour. The toaster pastry is the best part, even though it looked like it’d been sat on. It’s hard to screw up a Pop-Tart.

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 11

Meatballs in marinara sauce, potato cheddar soup with bacon, crackers, peanut butter, lemon-lime drink, vanilla pudding dessert powder, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer, sugar, condiments, spoon, and moist towelette.

Tester 1: Holy salty balls, Pepperman!!! The meatballs alone have 1,030 mg of sodium or 43 percent of the RDA. Another drawback, the MRE is low on carbs. While fad dieters might think that’s great, a lack of carbs in a long-term SHTF scenario could be a hindrance.

Tester 2: At 1,250 calories, it was the highest of all we tested, if you eat it all. Having lots of calories, it’s a good thing if you’re working hard. The total meal also has extremely high sodium content, which is also good if you’re sweating like Jessica Simpson taking the SATs. Cooked on the stove, it’s decent for processed food. You’re not going to win over the woman of your dreams serving her this, but she might stick around for dessert. This is the only one of the four I’d consider stocking up on.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 7

Tester 3: The meatballs were plentiful and a reasonable facsimile to what you’d find in the canned goods aisle at your local grocery store. As for the soup, this very lactose-intolerant reviewer took one for the team. While I strongly dislike the taste of cheese, the soup was otherwise good, and I was rewarded with morsels of bacon goodness. The usual post-dairy gastric distress wasn’t as immediate as I expected, but punishment eventually came, as sure as death and taxes.

Tester 4: This was my favorite of the bunch—of course, I eat Chef Boyardee straight from the can and sometimes I even wait until I get home from the market. While the meatballs didn’t remind me of Grandma Mione’s, I enjoyed them all the same. The only thing stopping me from making this a regular menu item is the fear of stroking out because of all that sodium elevating my blood pressure. The vanilla “pudding” dessert was a pleasant surprise. You can skip the crackers, which are, as my buddy Craig Shoemaker would say, “harder than Chinese algebra.”

Chicken Fajita

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 16

Chicken fajitas, rice, tortilla, pepper sauce, sliced pound cake, powdered orange drink, cocoa powder, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, condiments, spoon, moist towelette, napkin, and hot sauce.

Tester 1: The chicken is high in protein, but the tradeoff is that it’s also high in sodium. After following directions and only getting it lukewarm, it looked like a delicious meal. Looked good, but taste good it did not. It was as if the salty chicken and the bland rice were duking it out to see which would gross me out first.

Tester 2: Throw the included hot sauce in there, and it’s not bad. I’ve had worse from a Mexican restaurant. The rice was undercooked and crunchy. On a cold day, when the rain is running down the crack of your ass, the pound cake would be a good morale booster.

Tester 3: The fajitas themselves were tasty. It comes with a lot of flavorful sauce, which I enjoyed over the rice and tortillas. Speaking of which, “rice” and “tortillas” were generous appellations for those would-be staples. “Rice-Replica” and “Tortilla-Replica” are more accurate.

Tester 4: This is a reasonable attempt at a Tex-Mex favorite of mine. The flavors were all there, but somehow they didn’t come together the way I would have wanted. Ultimately, with some hot sauce (needed more than provided), it could give Taco Bell a run for its money, but still come up a little short. The tortillas were too chewy and provided enough lift to play a hole or two of disc golf. The pound cake was the best dessert of the lot, which is a dubious achievement.

Vegetable Lasagna

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 12

Vegetable lasagna, ZAPPLEsauce, crackers, grape jelly, fudge brownie, orange drink, cocoa, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, condiments, spoon, moist towelette, napkin, and hot sauce.

Tester 1: Once again, the FRH was barely effective. Considering this came from a bag and contained no delicious meat or meat-ish products, the vegetable lasagna was actually kind of tasty — for an MRE, anyway. The crackers tasted like real crackers, while the brownie and “Zapplesauce” were above average.

Tester 2: In addition to the meal looking remarkably like a gut wound this MRE is also high in sodium. To get enough calories, you have to eat the whole MRE and not be picky. The brownie has the highest calorie count, but it’s all simple carbs, so expect to crash hard if you’re expending a lot of energy.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 8

Tester 3: Recovering from the potato and cheese soup, so I literally sat this one out.

Tester 4: Another attempt at an Italian favorite. My biggest peeve was calling it lasagna; it was noodles suspended in sauce and what I guess were the vegetables. It just didn’t look right. I image The Walking Dead using this as a prop when zombies are eating brains. All that aside, it did taste pretty good when it was heated to a decent temperature. The fudge brownie was surprisingly good, no worse than the pre-packaged brownies you get at a gas station. Make sure, however, you have plenty of water to wash it down, because it’s a little on the dry side.

Featured Utensils & Dinnerware

The following items can be found in the MRE images above:

Freeze-Dried Eats: The Alternative to MREs

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 17

If the specter of filling up on sodium-saturated military-grade dried foodstuffs doesn’t sound palatable to you or you have health concerns that bar you from partaking in them, you’re in luck. Those who camp, climb, hike, or do any other outdoorsy kind of activity may already be aware of the many freeze-dried meals that are on the market. Made for outdoor adventurers, they are like MREs in that they last for years after their manufacture date, but unlike MREs, which are complete meals in a pouch, offer only single courses. This doesn’t mean that you can’t select a few offerings to form your own complete meal, however.

Generally speaking, these non-military-grade meals are USDA inspected for quality, get high marks for taste, and are, for the most part, nutritious. If you have health concerns with your food, there are meals prepared for just about every need. There are vegetarian, organic, gluten-free, MSG-free, and preservative-free varieties. Between the different manufacturers, you end up with a large selection of tastes from the basics like scrambled eggs and beef stew all the way to curry and yakisoba noodles.

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 3

The advantage of MREs is that they come ready to eat whether you heat them up or not. They even come with their own water-activated chemical heater bag. Freeze-dried foods on the other hand, require about one to two cups of boiling water per pouch. This means that you’ll need to use your supply of clean drinking water and a means to heat it to a boil to get your meal cooked. If you feel like you have a bulletproof water plan for an impending doomsday scenario and enjoy a more-than-MRE gourmet meal, these freeze-dried alternatives just might be the ticket. We like to have our bases covered, so we went with storing both types just in case.

Natural High Chicken Pot Pie with Mashed Potatoes

  • Serves: 2
  • Dry Weight: 6 oz
  • Single Cooked Serving Size: N/A
  • MSRP: $6.50
  • URL: www.knafoods.com

Alpine Foods Bandito Scramble

  • Serves: 2
  • Dry Weight: 3.5 oz
  • Single Cooked Serving Size: N/A
  • MSRP: $5.23
  • URL: www.knafoods.com

Backpacker’s Pantry Organic Yakisoba Noodles

MaryJanesFarm Organic Curry in a Hurry

Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef

Bulk Foods

MRE meal ready to eat food ration survival prepper shtf 18

If you’re thinking you’d like to prepare for a long-term meal plan or have a lot of mouths to feed, look into dried food that is sold by the bucket. Many manufacturers make them; most of them contain hundreds of servings with a variety of flavors stuffed into each bucket. Your best bet is to study what your taste and nutritional needs are and look for the corresponding bucket.
This 5-gallon bucket we got was a little over $100, includes 200 servings of food, divided into a pouch of five servings each. Like the freeze-dried foods we outlined before, they do require boiled water for preparation. If stored properly, this food can be stored for an amazing 20 years.

Food for Health International Food Supply 200 Servings

Features:

  • Tuscan Butter Noodles, 20 servings
  • Cheesy Broccoli Rice, 20 servings
  • Vegetable Barley, 20 servings
  • Creamy Vegetable Rice, 25 servings
  • Creamy Potato Soup, 25 servings
  • Italian Tomato Pasta, 20 servings
  • Brown Sugar Oatmeal, 35 servings
  • Whey Milk, 35 servings

MSRP: $114.95

URL: store.foodforhealthinternational.com

Conclusion

If you’re hoping to get five-star cuisine from a plastic bag, then you need to dial back your expectations a whole lot. If you figured a complete meal from a plastic bag that can sit for years at a time and not go bad isn’t going to win any food awards, you’re well ahead of the game. While these meals weren’t the best we’ve ever eaten, we’ve had, heck, cooked, worse. But, in any SHTF scenario, your primary goal is to survive and thrive, and MREs should be an important part of your plan. The nutrition and fuel they provide you is more than enough to survive on. On top of that, you may even be surprised at how palatable some of them are.

Resources

  • Wornick: www.wornick.com
  • Longlife Food Depot: www.longlifefood.com
  • Sopakco: www.sopakco.com
  • MREstar: www.mre-meals.net/index.php
  • Meal Kit Supply: www.mealkitsupply.com/catalog/
  • Ameriqual: www.ameriqual.com

Documentary: The Rajneeshee Bioterrorist Attacks

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Those who read our previous article on The History of Bioterrorism may recall the name Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. This bearded guru was the leader of a religious movement that grew from a small commune in India into a ruthless cult in the United States. Although our previous article mentioned a few details about the bioterrorist attack perpetrated by the Rajneeshees in 1984, the broader story of the cult is a fascinating case study in the growth of a violent extremist movement on American soil. Beyond bioterrorism, the Rajneeshees were responsible for voter fraud, wiretapping, arson, poisoning the local water supply, and several attempted assassinations.

Rajneeshee bioterrorist attacks documentary 2

Rajneesh's second-in-command, Ma Anand Sheela, speaking to followers.

We recently came across a comprehensive documentary about the Rajneeshee movement created by filmmaker Fredrik Knudsen. This 39-minute documentary is part of a series called Down the Rabbit Hole, in which Knudsen analyzes various fringe groups. The story starts with the early days of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's popularity in India, then explains how he gathered a strong following of educated westerners and built a 64,000-acre commune in rural Oregon, complete with its own police force and fire department.

History of Bioterrorism Rajneesh

Rajneesh driving by his followers in a Rolls-Royce. Photo credit: Samvado Gunnar Kossatz

Conflicts with local townspeople led the Rajneeshees to seize control of the city of Antelope, Oregon, renaming it to Rajneesh. Over the next three years, the group's actions only got more extreme, escalating to the attempted murder of a U.S. district attorney and the salmonella-based bioterrorist attack that finally led to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's arrest. You can watch the full documentary, which was funded by Patreon donations and released for free, below:

Dispelling the “Stranger Danger” Myth

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Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 50 years, you've probably heard the term “stranger danger” at some point. Portrayals of this concept often include a creepy middle-aged man who stalks children in public, waiting for an opportunity to snatch them from right under their parents' noses. We're conditioned to believe that these strangers are preparing to strike at any moment, whether it's outside a school, in the mall, or at a park. This imagery has been used time and time again in movies, TV shows, and even public service announcements. But where did it come from, and is it realistic?

Can you spot the

Can you spot the “bad guy” in this screenshot from the PSA linked above?

This memorable rhyme appears to have originated in the early 1960s as part of a movement to make children aware of the risks of abduction and sexual assault, and it persists to this day as part of the common lexicon. Much like the myth about an epidemic of poison or sharp objects in Halloween candy, a tiny number of real incidents has led well-meaning adults continue to teach it, and it continues to appear in the multitude of pop culture references we mentioned. You may think there's nothing wrong with reminding kids not to be excessively trusting of those they don't know, and there's truth to this assertion. But the concept of stranger danger carries some potential danger of its own, and an increasing number of experts are advising against teaching it to children.

What's Wrong with Stranger Danger?

According to experts, the first problem with stranger danger is that it implies that strangers are the most likely to perpetrate crimes against children, when in reality there is substantial evidence to the contrary. A study by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention recorded 115 “stereotypical kidnappings” perpetrated by strangers or slight acquaintances in the United States in 2011. In contrast, a total of more than 500,000 juveniles were reported missing that same year; the vast majority of these were runaway incidents, with only 9,611 listed as involuntary (i.e. abduction or kidnapping).

Stranger danger crime children kids abduction kidnapping preparedness 1

Source: “Characteristics of Crimes against Juveniles” by David Finkelhor & Anne Shattuck

As for the bigger picture beyond abductions, a study of crimes against juveniles in 2008 by the Crimes Against Children Research Center found that 10% of reported violent crimes against children were committed by strangers. 85% were committed by family or acquaintances; the remaining 5% were unidentified. The authors of the study specifically addressed the concept of stranger danger, calling it “far from sufficient” because “most offenders against juveniles are known to the victim.”

The second problem is that stranger danger tends to go along with unrealistic portrayals of evil strangers — for example, the shadowy man sitting in an unmarked panel van outside an elementary school, offering free candy to any kid who will go for a ride in his van. This may lead children to trust attackers who don't fit this stereotype, such as a friendly teenager or elderly woman. The National Crime Prevention Council states, “It’s common for children to think that “bad strangers” look scary, like the villains in cartoons. This is not only not true, but it’s dangerous for children to think this way. Pretty strangers can be just as dangerous as the not-so-pretty ones.”

Stranger danger crime children kids abduction kidnapping preparedness 3

Above: The “Free Candy” comedy sketch from FND Films pokes fun at the idea that an overtly creepy stranger is roaming the streets looking for kids.

A statement issued by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) titled “Stranger-Danger” Warnings Not Effective at Keeping Kids Safer calls the phrase “an outdated and misleading message” and clearly explains its stance: “The NCMEC does not support the “stranger danger” message. The majority of cases have shown most children are not taken by a stranger, but rather are abducted by someone they know … NCMEC believes it is time for everyone to retire use of the “stranger-danger” message.”

What's the Alternative?

Although the concept of stranger danger has fallen out of favor, it's essential to educate and prepare children for real-world threats that may include assault, sex offenses, and kidnapping/abduction. While strangers are unlikely to be the perpetrators of these crimes, they still occur, and adults must teach children how to recognize warning signs. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to teaching them the oversimplified doctrine of “never talk to strangers.”

Kyle D. Pruett M.D., a Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, offered some advice in an article he wrote for Psychology Today:

  • Strengthen children’s sense of self and confidence in their ability to speak for themselves, ask for help when they need it and say ‘no’ when they are scared.
  • Welcome children’s natural discomfort around strangers.
  • Encourage the sense that children can help be agents in their own safety.
  • Teach kids that there are certain adults whom they don’t already know that can be helpful when they are lost or worried [such as] police, security guards, and cashiers.

mother hugging her sad child

NCMEC published a document titled Personal Safety for Children – A Guide for Parents with the following tips:

  • Know your children’s daily activities and habits.
  • Encourage open communication. Let your children know they can talk to you about any situation.
  • Set boundaries about places they may go, people they may see, and things they may do.
  • Reinforce the importance of the “buddy system.”
  • It’s OK to say NO – tell your children to trust their instincts.

NCMEC also recommends teaching these lessons through the use of role-playing scenarios:

“Whether it is checking first with a trusted adult, taking a friend, or avoiding and getting out of potentially dangerous situations, there are easy “what-if” scenarios you may practice with your children to make sure they understand and “get it.” Make outings to a mall or the park a “teachable moment” to make sure your children understand the safety messages and are able to use them in real-life situations. Children will begin to learn what to do if they become lost or are in danger by practicing these “what-if” scenarios with you on a regular basis. You can also use these opportunities to reassure your children you are there for them, and remind them there are other people who also are able to help them.”

As children get older, they can also be taught skills that all prepared individuals should develop: situational awareness, threat identification, escape and evasion, and various forms of self-defense.

New: Böker 150th Anniversary Camp Knife

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The city of Solingen, Germany has developed the nickname “The City of Blades” as a result of the bladesmithing industry that has resided there for thousands of years. Since the Middle Ages, swords and knives produced in Solingen have been renowned for their quality, and this tradition lives on thanks to the presence of respected German knife-makers such as Wüsthof, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, and Böker. This year, the latter company will be celebrating 150 years of knife-making.

Boker Camp Knife 150th Anniversary Series pocket knife folding blade tool 3

Böker's 150th Anniversary will be commemorated with the release of an exclusive Anniversary Series of knives. Each model in the series will be related to “an important part of Boker history” and “represent a kind of overview over the years of production.” A Böker press release announced that these knife models will be made in the Solingen factory exclusively for the U.S. market, with individual serial numbers and a limit of 150 units per model. They'll also include a certificate of authenticity and special Anniversary Series packaging.

The standard Camp Knife

The standard Camp Knife

One of the models included in the Böker 150th Anniversary Series is the company's very first folding knife, the Camp Knife. Believe it or not, this little folder has been handmade in Solingen since 1869, pre-dating even the venerable Swiss Army Knife (first produced in 1891). Böker says it has been “in production longer than any other multifunctional knife.” It includes two 4034 stainless steel blades, a can opener, a cap lifter, a leather punch and reamer, a cork screw, a flathead screwdriver, and a lanyard loop.

The 150th Anniversary Series Camp Knife

The 150th Anniversary Series Camp Knife

The Anniversary Series Camp Knife differs from the standard model in several ways. Its handle scales are made from stabilized dark green Curly Birch, and its blades have a unique finish that's said to be somewhere between full-polished and satin. There are prominent inscriptions on the flat of the blade, reading “150 Jahre 1869 – 2019.” This lettering is etched in black, and the period-correct 1869 Böker logo is etched with genuine gold. The handle also bears an old-style Böker tree logo.

Böker says the 150th Anniversary Series Camp Knife will debut in Spring 2019, along with other Anniversary Series models such as the Cub fixed blade. Pricing has not yet been published for these models. For more details, keep an eye on BokerUSA.com this Spring.

Bug-Out Planning 101

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Editor's Note: The following article was first published way back in Issue 1 of our magazine, and provides a broad entry-level overview of bug-out planning. Even if this info seems basic to you, it can serve as a simplified introduction for those who may have less prepping experience or no experience at all. It's also a great reminder of the fundamentals, even for longtime preppers.

Natural disasters. Terrorism. The Apocalypse. There are dozens of disasters (a few fictional, the rest very real) that have given people cause to prepare for a bug-out scenario. Just remember, being paranoid is not an effective survival skill, but awareness, on the other hand, is. We must understand that being aware and prepared is simply being responsible.

So, no matter your level of experience or training, incorporating the following into your bug-out plan will provide you with a good starting point to survive almost any situation:

  • Preplanning
  • Bug-out bag
  • Gear
  • Evacuation plan
  • Communications
  • Security

The following is a primer on how to create your own bug-out plan based on these elements. Even if you already have an emergency plan in place, it’s always good to review it to see how to modify, adapt, or improve it for a variety of situations.

Preplanning

Start with honesty: Self-awareness is the single biggest factor. Make a list of the things you know you’re good at. Do you have first aid and CPR training? Are you well-organized? Do you have special skills? Practicing and improving your skills is all part of your preplanning. People buy a BOB (or bug-out bag), buy a map, pack some food and water, and they think they’re OK, when it’s TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it). Don’t be fooled by a false sense of security just because you have gear.

Adjust your attitude, cry baby! Have a good attitude. Yeah, no sh**, it’s going to be tough. By having the right mindset, you’d be surprised at what you can accomplish. It also helps lift the morale of those around you.

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Get fit: What kind of physical shape are you in? Don’t think it matters? Put on your BOB and walk nonstop for 20 blocks. Anything hurt? How fast did you go, safely? Proper nutrition and regular exercise go a long way in managing stress and developing physical endurance.

Bug-Out Bags (BOBs)

There are many BOBs (sometimes called go-bags or survival packs) on the market. The truth is, in certain examples, it doesn’t matter how much you spend. Your practice and basic survival skills can turn an inexpensive bag into one that is more capable than its expensive counterpart. Here’s a brief description of the three types of go-bags:

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The 24-Hour Bag: This small pack’s main function is to provide a few supplies for your immediate situation. This should include, but not be limited to, the following: knife and/or multi-tool, disposable plastic poncho, emergency Mylar blanket, small LED flashlight/headlamp, first aid items, high-calorie energy bar, water bottle, and signaling items such as a whistle.

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The 36- to 72-Hour Bag: This is the most popular size on the market today. Most people think that a go-bag needs to be tactical-looking. However, many sport backpacks today are also multi-functional. Just make sure it fits comfortably when it’s filled. The supplies should last through three days.

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Sustainability Bug-Out Bag: The major difference here is the added equipment, such as fishing kit, rifle and ammo, radios, solar panels, and so on, based on your skills and knowledge. The more stuff you carry, the heavier the bag. So, you would think a bag like this would be much bigger than the other two; the truth is the more skills you have, the less stuff you need. This is what it means to be self-reliant.

Survival Gear

As you pack your BOB, keep in mind the three 3s: three minutes without air, three days without water, and three weeks without food generally puts you in life-threatening territory. Here are the basic items you should have for your go-bag:

Bag: It should be reasonably comfortable when full and have adjustable shoulder straps, along with lumbar and sternum straps. The weight should be carried on the hips and not the shoulders. (For more on survival backpacks, see: “Back-Up-Pack” from Issue 1.)

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Shelter: Most people think about bringing a tent. But, that adds a lot of weight. Instead, think about using a layer system. I have a lightweight waterproof bivy sack, lined with a Mylar bivy sack, followed by a wool blanket. The innermost lining is a 100-percent silk cocoon mummy liner. Contractor garbage bags or compact tarps can also go a long way and can be used in a variety of ways, especially with some paracord to form a quick ridgeline for an A-frame or lean-to shelter.

Water: There are many types of portable water filters and purifiers available. Don’t buy the cheap stuff. Most importantly, look at the ratings. You should have a filter that has been independently tested and proven to meet the NSF/ANSI P231 Guide Standard Protocol. Anything else and you might as well use your sock, which I don’t recommend, especially after a long hike. For the on-the-move type, straw-style filters like the Lifestraw or Sawyer Mini are handy. Water treatment tablets, drops, and pure household bleach provide the ability to kill the pathogens; however, they don’t filter the water. Also, having an extra stainless steel water bottle will help with the boiling process after collection, as well as act as portable storage within your pack. This enables you to collect, filter, and carry water. (For more on filtering water, see: “H2-Uh-Oh” from Issue 1.)

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Fire: Have several different ways to make a fire, such as waterproof matches in a waterproof container, lighters, stormproof lighters, ferrocerium rods, flint and steel, and so forth. Don’t rely on a single source to produce fire.

Medical Supplies: A basic first aid kit is a must. So are medicines or prescriptions that you or your loved ones need. This includes extra contacts and glasses. I have added a suture kit within my first aid kit, as well. (For more on first aid kits, see: “First Aid” from Issue 1.)

Clothing: Dress in layers. I have 100-percent silk long underwear and 100-percent wool long underwear in my bag, along with a wool hat, wool socks, and a pair of gloves. Raingear not only lets you stay dry, but it also provides protection from the wind and enables you to sit on wet ground. This can include a change of footwear.

Food: There are many different types of survival dehydrated foods on the market today, but be careful because most of them are loaded with sodium. You should have enough quality food in your pack to get you through the worst part. Once you run out of food, you may be able to scavenge for food in abandoned urban areas, but it’ll be a good idea to know your plants and how to hunt and trap. (For more on food, see: “Brown Baggin’ It” from Issue 1.)

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Signaling: If you want to be found, think of bright contrasting colors, signal mirrors, flares, and strobes. Along with your signal fire are just a few simple methods to get noticed.

Communications: At TEOTWAWKI, your mobile phone will most likely turn into a paperweight. Consider walkie-talkies, two-way radios that are GMRS, CB radios, or ham radios. You’ll also need the ability to charge them, such as with lightweight solar-powered chargers. Make sure that the batteries of your electronic devices and flashlights are of the same type, so you can swap them out while the others are charging.

Organization: Each item should be placed in its own waterproof sack before being packed within the bag. I use different colors to indicate the contents. You should be so familiar with your bag that you can retrieve items in complete darkness.

Personal 411: Have all of the prudent names, phone numbers, and addresses of your loved ones on hard copy. Also consider taking your financial records, medical records, birth certificate, and passport.

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Navigation: Bring a compass and three types of maps: a city street map, an atlas with city and surrounding area roads, and area topographical maps. Having a GPS is beneficial—until you lose signal or run out of power.

Covert Cache

A go-bag can only hold so much. So, you might want to consider stowing supplies, such as food, water, and clothing, in and around your meeting points. What do you have in your car? What’s at work? What do you have at school? One caveat: You have to have complete trust in the people who know of the locations of these caches.

The Event

It’s timing and manner in which your SHTF plan is activated that will determine its overall success. So, how do we determine the timing? It’s called awareness. Be aware of the signs of an impending disaster or threat.

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A crisis can sometimes occur with little to no warning at all. Sometimes, we are given the luxury of time. The event itself will dictate your response. Crisis response requires a crisis mindset. Breathe and remain calm. Then, ask yourself these nine questions:

  1. Am I OK and is everyone else OK?
  2. What happened? (Get as much intel about the event as possible in the shortest amount of time.)
  3. Is it safe to be here?
  4. If I need to move, how far and how fast?
  5. Where is the wind blowing? (Watch for airborne threats.)
  6. What do I have with me?
  7. What time of year is it? (Winter will dictate a different game plan than summer.)
  8. Am I alone? (If not, find out who is nearby, what their condition is, and whether they need to be moved.)
  9. Based on the event, which direction should I go next?

The Exit Plan

Escape routes will be determined based on the event. So, give yourself navigation options. Lay a map on the kitchen table, and choose rendezvous points that everyone in your family is familiar with. You will choose points in all the cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west). For each direction, you should have at least three options: right in the neighborhood, at the edge of the city, and outside city limits.

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Think about the paths that most people probably wouldn’t use. We are creatures of habit, so most most of us will travel in large groups during a mass exodus, which also means increased risks and threats. Find lesser known or even secret paths. Avoid bottlenecks. If there's heavy traffic in a location during rush hour on a normal afternoon, you can bet there will be far more in a disaster.

Make it a habit to go to and come home from work, school, and play in as many different ways as you can. Get to know your city and its many different avenues, alleyways, and those little out-of-the-way points. Think about what’s available on the landscape that you could possibly collect along the way. Pay attention to your environment (in other words, be aware!).

Communications

Mobile phone networks will most likely not work in a long-term SHTF scenario, but within the first few hours after an event, you might get lucky. If so, you can initiate the plan with the most simplistic messages. For example, use three characters such as “A1A.” The first character refers to direction (A equals north, B east, C south, and D west). The second character means path of travel (1 means fastest and easiest, 2 means second fastest, and so on). The third character stands for rendezvous site (A is closest point, B is edge of city, and C is outside of the city).

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Consider other devices, such as walkie-talkies, which are good for a few blocks within city limits. GMRS-compatible radios have a greater range. CB radios and ham radios have the greatest range. I recommend ham radios. However, note that they require a license and people can listen to your conversations. Now you understand why we speak in code. (For more on ham radios, see: “Comms Are Key” from Issue 1.)

Other signaling options include lights, mirrors, light sticks, reflective markers, trail signs, and so on.

Security

Security in a bug-out scenario is broad, to say the least. Depending on the threat or the event, people could be hostile. It goes without saying that you should avoid conflict at all costs. That means being as stealthy as possible. This requires a skillset comprised of camouflage and movement. Camouflage is the ability to manipulate yourself within the environment to disappear. This is sometimes referred to as becoming a Gray Man or “going gray,” especially in the context of urban survival. It’s not the same as going to Wal-Mart or Kmart and buying some mossy oak-print clothing.

The Gray Man silhouette

Ensuring your security is really dependent on the circumstances. If you can’t maintain ninja mode, you’ll need to consider self-defense tools. Obviously, firearms are ideal for both security and hunting. (For more on firearms, see: “Defensive Armament” from Issue 1.) There are also knives, axes, bows, and pepper spray — whether it is regular pepper spray, bear pepper spray, or a homemade concoction.

Don't forget about the importance of verbal skills. You may be able to entirely avoid some conflicts through careful use of body language, a friendly tone, or more advanced social engineering techniques. Even if these don't work as planned, they may give you an opportunity to escape or counterattack.

For long-term planning, consider joining a martial arts or combatives school, instead of a gym. I don’t mean some cookie-cutter romper-room or a McDojo, but rather a credible studio that teaches an authentic fighting system. Because you need to stay fit anyway (see “The Preplanning” section), you might as well train to be a badass at the same time.

Are You Ready?

It’s up to you to make this an effective SHTF plan. Start by talking your friends, family, and coworkers. If the current state of affairs concerns you, then more than likely it concerns people around you, too. Get together and make a plan based on what’s discussed in this article. You can accomplish a great deal with more people rather than less. Take a few classes and workshops, and get dirty. The journey to being prepared does not have to be long, daunting, or arduous. Make it fun; make it a game. But, practice for real.

About the Author

Shane Hobel, also known as White Feather, is the founder of Mountain Scout Survival School, based in Hudson Valley, New York. He holds various certifications, including Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and first aid, and he is a licensed guide by NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. Shane is also a certified instructor for the American Red Cross for water safety programs. Shane is a member of Tom Brown, Jr.’s elite Tracker Search and Forensic Investigation Team, which is dispatched whenever called upon to track and find lost children, hunters who became disoriented in the woods, or fugitives.