Infographic: 12 Tips for Sleeping Outdoors

In a survival or bug-out situation, you won't have access to a nice cushy king-size mattress and a roof over your head, unless you're lucky enough to bug out in an RV. Realistically, you probably won't even have access to a tent, since they can be too heavy or bulky for most bug-out bags. So, it's fairly likely you'll end up sleeping under the stars—not that there's anything wrong with that.

Few of us

Few of us have access to this sort of bug-out setup.

When you're sleeping outside, it may be difficult to get a good night's rest, especially if you're unprepared for the challenges this poses. Fortunately, Therm-a-Rest has composed this useful infographic that shows 12 tips for sleeping outdoors. Some are more obvious than others, but if you combine all of them, you should be able to get some proper shut-eye and awake feeling refreshed.

Tips for sleeping outdoors 1

Tips for sleeping outdoors 2

Tiring yourself out shouldn't be a problem, unless you're really doing something wrong. However, we like the tips about regulating your temperature by wearing a hat, sleeping in a light base layer of clothes, and giving your sleeping bag time to expand after unrolling. Choosing a flat campsite also makes a substantial difference.

If you're looking for a lightweight alternative to lugging around a tent or sleeping on the ground, check out our previous articles on hammock camping. A hammock is fast to set up, only weighs a few pounds, and can be stuffed into your bug-out bag with relative ease. Of course, hammock camping brings its own difficulties, too—read more about how to sleep well in a hammock here.


Survival Scenarios: Flashlight or Firearm?

Welcome to another entry of Survival Scenarios, where we ask you how you’d handle a difficult choice in a hypothetical survival situation. Previously, we asked whether you'd go barefoot in order to keep your bug-out bag, and also whether you’d rather be adrift at sea or stranded in the barren desert. Today we'll be posing another difficult survival choice, and asking your opinion in a poll at the end of this article.

How would you rather survive for one week: with a loaded handgun and no light source, or with a flashlight and no dedicated weapon?

Firearm or flashlight night alley

You may think this sounds like an easy choice, but don't jump to conclusions just yet. Before you answer, we’ll provide some more information on the circumstances. As with previous Survival Scenarios, in either case, you’ll need to survive for 7 days (and nights), and you’ll be alone.

The Location

Firearm or flashlight seattle day

When the weather is clear, the Seattle area can be beautiful. However, it's also notorious for heavy rain.

You will be surviving on the suburban streets of Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle. Our scenario takes place in December, so there only will be approximately 8 hours of usable natural light each day. The remaining 16 hours will be twilight or total darkness.

Firearm or flashlight seattle at night

During the short days of winter, residents of the northwest rely heavily on the power grid to provide light.

Also, even if you've never visited the Seattle area, you'll surely know its reputation for rain and inclement weather. In this scenario, that reputation will be taking full effect, as a major rainstorm has been drenching the region for days. Even when the rainfall lets up briefly, the skies remain gloomy and dark grey. Widespread flooding and power outages have begun to affect much of the Everett area, and the storm appears to be rapidly getting worse.

Firearm or flashlight water fog

December is also typically the coldest month in coastal Washington, so temperatures will be hovering in the mid-40s during the day, and dropping to the mid-30s at night (plus wind chill). It's not snowing, but it's still freezing cold, windy, and wet outside.

The Setup

It's 3:30pm and your flight just landed at SEA-TAC airport. As a result of the weather, it was a rough landing, but you're relieved to be on the ground.

Firearm or flashlight clouds

You'll be in town all week for a business conference, which is located just north of Seattle. Your stingy employer didn't want to spend extra to get you a hotel room in the city, so they got you a cheap sub-compact rental car and booked a hotel room in Everett. It's over 20 miles from the conference venue, but they were able to save a few bucks on T&E—figures.

After grabbing your luggage from the baggage carousel, you check in with an apathetic employee at the rental car desk, and head out to find your car. Stepping out into the damp parking structure, you notice it's already getting dark, and it's not even 4:00 yet. A raincoat-clad woman directs you to your rental car, cautioning you about the incoming weather, and you drive away into the rain.

Firearm or flashlight water raindrops

On the freeway, your rental car is buffeted by sheets of driving rain. At this point, you're navigating more by your phone's GPS app than by road signs, since visibility is minimal. After a nerve-racking 40-minute drive, you eventually exit the freeway, which is practically devoid of vehicles at this point. After a few empty blocks, you notice the street lights are out and the water level on the road keeps getting deeper.

Firearm or flashlight water flooding 2v2

You enter an intersection, planning to turn around, only to feel your rental car's engine sputter and stall. The headlamps and dashboard lights cut out, leaving you stranded in darkness, with only the sound of rain hammering your windshield and roof. You realize you need to get out of here, and the car certainly isn't going anywhere under its own power.

Opening the car door, you watch as water rushes in around your ankles. That can't be good. You step out of the car, and slosh through knee-deep water in the twilight to unlock the trunk. Lifting your luggage under one arm, you wade to the side of the road, and climb onto an elevated brick wall to evaluate your situation. It's still pouring rain, your cell phone battery is nearly dead, and you haven't seen anyone else on the road for several miles.

Worst of all, you're stuck in unfamiliar surroundings at night, and you're not sure how to get to your hotel—which is probably already flooded like the other nearby buildings.

The Decision

Firearm or flashlight water flooding

In this survival situation, you're left with the following resources:

  • The clothes on your back—jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a pullover jacket, a light raincoat, and some high-top boots (thoroughly soaked)
  • Your nearly-dead cell phone (now showing “No Signal”), rental car keys, a pen, and about $100 cash in your wallet
  • In your suitcase: several sets of dress clothes, a toiletries kit, phone wall charger, and a laptop

None of these items will do you much good at this point. However, there's one thing in your suitcase that will help:

Firearm or flashlight

One way or another, you're going to have to find your way to somewhere dry, and weather the storm. With the current state of your surroundings, and what you heard of the weather forecast earlier, you could easily be stuck here for days.

The Firearm

On one hand, the concealed pistol will provide immediate security. Wandering dark and unfamiliar streets in a flood zone is dangerous enough on its own, not to mention the risk of looters and opportunistic criminals noticing your presence. You recall reading that this area has a moderate violent crime rate, but theft is a major problem in some parts of town, and there's a substantial homeless population.

handgun-in-holster

However, if you choose the firearm, you'll find that you left your flashlight at home. Target acquisition at night will be nearly impossible without a light source, and the power appears to be out for miles in all directions. No streetlights, and virtually no moonlight due to thick cloud cover. You'd be flying mostly blind, but at least you'd be able to protect yourself with deadly force if it came down to it.

The firearm will certainly be more useful during the daylight hours, but remember that those 8 hours pass quickly at this time of year.

The Flashlight

On the other hand, a flashlight will provide an immediate advantage for navigating to a safer location. If you can wade through the flood waters for a few blocks, you might be able to find a safer spot to hole up for the night.

The flashlight will almost certainly draw the attention of anyone nearby, for better or worse. If that individual is friendly, they may be able to help you to safety. Then again, if that individual has less benevolent intentions, you'll be forced to defend yourself as best you can.

In a confrontation, the light can temporarily disorient attackers, or can be used as a striking implement up close. It's certainly better than fighting with your bare hands, but it's not nearly as effective as a gun would be. Physical confrontation may seem unlikely, but there's no telling what could happen if a desperate person sees you as a vulnerable tourist.

So, make your choice of either flashlight or firearm in the poll below, and feel free to justify your decision in the comments section.


Survival Scenarios is a recurring feature on OFFGRIDweb.com, and will ask you to make a difficult choice between two or more hypothetical situations.

We don’t just want you to read our posts silently—we want to hear what you have to say. That’s why we’re working hard to provide more interactive content like quizzes, polls, and giveaways. Got any suggestions? Post them in the comments below, or head over to our Facebook page.


Primitive Technology: How to Build a Grass Hut

Most people have a favorite TV show or series—one that makes them eagerly anticipate the release of each new episode. As survivalists, this is the sort of excitement we feel every time Primitive Technology releases a new bushcraft video. This Australia-based YouTube channel only contains 18 videos, which may not seem like a lot, but watch one and you'll quickly realize it's focused on quality over quantity.

Primitive technology build a grass hut 1

In his latest video, the host of Primitive Technology builds a grass hut using nothing but sticks, rocks, vines, and (of course) grass. It's truly impressive to see something so effective built from such simple materials, and it speaks volumes about the host's craftsmanship. We also appreciate that these videos don't have any unnecessary voice-overs or music—just the sounds of the wind and primitive tools.

Primitive technology build a grass hut 3

This sort of improvised shelter would work well in warmer areas, and its stacks of grass shingles will shed water in case of a sudden rain storm. The host also built a removable roof section, which would permit the use of a small fire inside the 8-foot by 8-foot shelter.

Check out the video below:

If you haven't already been following the Primitive Technology YouTube channel, we'd encourage you to go check it out. But, be warned—it's easy to binge-watch.


Breaking News: Officers Down in Dallas Shooting

A gun battle occurred in downtown Dallas tonight, during a protest over the recent line-of-duty police-involved shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Protesters were marching through the city, when gunfire erupted from the second-story of the nearby El Centro College parking garage.

Below: Footage of the protests, shortly before the shooting occurred. Source: Dallas Police Department / Twitter

Initial reports from Dallas PD indicate ten officers have been shot, and five have been killed. According to a Dallas PD press conference, three suspects (one female and two males) have already been detained and are currently being interviewed about possible involvement. As of approximately 12:30AM Dallas time, officers were still negotiating with a fourth armed suspect in the El Centro parking garage.

Below: Amateur video from Streamable shows protesters clearing the streets as police move in and gunshots ring out.

Police Chief David Brown stated in the press conference that the suspect “has told our negotiators that the end is coming, and he is going to hurt and kill more of us, meaning law enforcement, and that there are bombs all over the place in this garage and downtown”.

More updates on the Dallas shooting can be found by checking the Dallas Police Department Twitter feed.


MOLLE and PALS: What’s the Difference?

Survival gear is often a bit of a word salad filled with acronyms and slang. So, we like to take every opportunity we can to demystify the terminology, and clear up any misconceptions that may exist. Learning about survival skills and gear should be accessible to anyone, rather than some exclusive club where you're left out if you're unfamiliar with the lingo.

Triple Aught Design FAST Pack EDC

Two terms we hear used frequently in the survival and prepping world are MOLLE and PALS. Usually, you'll hear that a backpack has “PALS webbing” or that a pouch is “MOLLE compatible”. Confusingly, sometimes you'll hear just the opposite—”MOLLE” and “PALS” are often used interchangeably.

So, what the heck is the difference between “MOLLE webbing” and “PALS webbing”? Are they really the same thing with two different names? Not necessarily, but read on to understand where the confusion arises.

MOLLE vs PALS backpack webbing 1

A soldier wearing U.S. Army-issue MOLLE gear, including a rucksack. Photo: U.S. Army / Wikipedia

First, let's define these terms. MOLLE (pronounced like the name Molly) is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is a proprietary form of military gear designed by Natick Labs, produced under contract by various manufacturers, and used by the U.S. Military and other NATO forces. MOLLE gear is typically based around a Tactical Assault Panel (or TAP), which is a load-carrying chest rig or vest.

Remember the M in MOLLE stands for modular, and you'll understand what it is: a system of modular gear components (vests, backpacks, pouches, etc.) that attach to each other.

This backpack illustration features PALS webbing highlighted in red.

Now, this is important: the MOLLE system includes PALS webbing. PALS stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder System, and it's the horizontal grid of repeating fabric webbing strips often found on backpacks and bags. According to the PALS standard, these strips are spaced 1 inch apart, and sewn to the backing at 1.5-inch intervals.

j-tech-gear-heracles-operation-backpack

So, in a nutshell, PALS is a type of webbing, and MOLLE is a type of modular gear that attaches via this webbing. Given this info, it's technically incorrect to say gear has MOLLE webbing, because it would actually have PALS webbing and would thus be MOLLE-compatible. There's no such thing as “MOLLE webbing”, but most people will know what you mean if you say this—the type of webbing found on MOLLE gear.

It's likely that MOLLE and PALS terms will continue to be used interchangeably, but now you know that there's a difference between the two.


Paracord Problems: 6 Bad Practices to Avoid

Paracord is an amazing material, especially if you know how to use it. It can form ultra-strong bracelets, necklaces, keychains, zipper pulls, handle wraps, and all sorts of other items—and all of these can be unraveled and re-purposed as cordage in a survival situation. Learning to use paracord as more than a simple rope can also be fun, and it provides a worthwhile pastime during periods of boredom. Best of all, being able to make your own paracord goods can save you money, since you won't have to buy those goods elsewhere.

Paracord problems 3

Left: a hasty overhand knot. Right: a much neater lanyard knot. Source: Paracord Guild

However, as with any new skill, there are some paracord problems and bad practices to be aware of. These mistakes can cause beginners constant frustration, and result in sloppy-looking finished products. In some cases, they can even pose a safety hazard.

Paracord problems 2

The ball-and-loop method can cinch down and pose a strangulation hazard when used in necklaces. Source: Paracord Guild

Paracord Guild is one of the leading sources of paracord-related information and tutorials, and they have provided a list of six common paracord problems faced by beginners. Here's a high-level summary of the six issues they noticed:

  1. Using an improper or sloppy knot to finish a lanyard
  2. Burning or singing the cord accidentally
  3. Underestimating the amount of paracord needed
  4. Securing necklaces with a ball-and-loop closure
  5. Melting cord ends together
  6. Buying paracord in small quantities, instead of in bulk

If you've experienced any of these issues, we'd encourage you to go check out the full article from Paracord Guild. It provides more insight into why these problems matter, and gives some excellent solutions to each one.


5.11 Tactical Grilling Apron Promo

We'll admit that the term “tactical” is often a bit of a buzzword in the survival gear industry. Most of the time, it's used to describe real purpose-built military and law enforcement gear, while in other circumstances it can be used to describe items that have a secondary purpose as a self-defense tool (such as tactical pens). When it comes to the 5.11 Tactical Tactigrill Apron, it's pretty clear the term is being used in a humorous manner, so we can appreciate that.

511 Tactical Grilling Apron 2

After all, you never know when you might have to endure the scorching heat and choking black smoke of… a backyard barbecue.

Summer cookouts can be fraught with danger at every turn, but 5.11 has your back. The new Tactigrill apron will provide your torso with an added layer of protection, and shield your existing apparel from harmful splashes and spills. A Teflon coating repels moisture, and a nylon shoulder strap with secure G-Hook closures makes sure the apron won't slip as you sprint to find cover from the kids.

511 Tactical Grilling Apron 3

Its breast pocket positions your cell phone optimally for quick access to important intel, like the latest sports scores. It also includes a hook-and-loop attachment point for grilling-related morale patches, such as the included Signature Grill Patch. It's important to keep your spirits high while grilling, lest you be demoralized by overcooked meat products.

511 Tactical Grilling Apron 4

Dual slash-cut pockets on each side of the apron offer convenient storage for your tactical spatula and combat tongs, and two more inboard pockets are designed for frosty beverage bottles. Even if you're dual-wielding cold ones, the Tactigrill lets you reload quickly with an integrated bottle opener. Of course, there's MOLLE-compatible webbing across the chest, so you can expand your survival grilling inventory with extra tactical beer carriers and cigar pouches.

511 Tactical Grilling Apron 1

Seriously though, if you're interested in picking up a 5.11 Tactical Tactigrill Apron, you'll have to act fast. This product is only being offered as a free bonus when you spend $200 or more on other 5.11 gear. The offer is only good from 6/27/16 through 7/5/16 and while supplies last. For more information, visit 511tactical.com/tactigrill-apron.


Don’t Be Afraid of Fear

Of all the emotions, the brain allocates the greatest space and energy to fear. Why? It's one of your lifelines when SHTF. Unfortunately, the types of fear typically experienced by the military, first responders, or law enforcement are now part of America's mainstream society. We're constantly deluged by a 24-hour news cycle with reports of floods, fires, ice storms, hurricanes, and too many more to list in this article. And those are just natural calamities. Let's not forget man-made crises like an EMP attack, terrorism, and the ever-looming threat of nuclear weapons.

The constant barrage of in-your-face reporting brings high-definition fear directly into your living room. Even if you choose not to watch the news, there's the continuing parade of disaster entertainment — from the 1970s classic The Towering Inferno and the '90s hit Twister to more recent fair like San Andreas — that force you to ask yourself, “What would I do in that situation?”

But our point is not to heighten or pile onto that fear mongering. As with all stories found here in OG, this feature is meant to give you important information that can help you in dire times. Specifically, we're going to explain what fear is, why we experience it, and (perhaps most importantly) how you can use it to save yourself and those you love when something fearful does happen. Spoiler alert: Sorry, but we won't be dealing with phobic reactions, such as a fear of clowns, intimacy, or public speaking. If you consider any of those things a life-and-death situation, you'll probably want to read a different magazine and consult with a qualified medical professional. Now read on to find out how to use fear as a powerful tool.

Anatomy of Fear

What exactly is fear? It's more than just an emotion. Fear is:

  • An evolutionary survival mechanism
  • A part of everyone's DNA
  • A natural, instinctual reaction to dangerous situations, real or perceived

The experience of a fear response has no correlation to physical, emotional, or intellectual weakness, but is actually the engine that causes us to take action. For example, it helps us escape from a burning building, get out of the way of a speeding car, or plan to defend ourselves when faced with danger. Fear is a learned process, and how to control the “fear response” can also be learned.

woman-scared-hiding-with-beam-of-light-on-her-face

So where exactly does fear come from? Here's a look at the anatomy of fear.

Amygdale: This almond-shaped mass of cells is located within the temporal lobe of the brain and is the reception center for input of information that triggers the body's autonomic (automatic) responses to fear. Recent scientific studies of the amygdale have discovered a grouping of neurons that are essential in transmitting fear alert and reaction signals to other parts of the brain.

Neuron: This is a cell that is responsible for the transferring of information and electrical impulses throughout the body. There are two neuron fear transmission pathways and each operates at different speeds:

1. A startle response is the fastest (20 milliseconds) from awareness of the event to amygdale's fear pathway, e.g. hearing a gunshot, seeing a sudden motion, or sensing physical pain.

2. The thought process of the brain's cortex utilizes a secondary pathway (300 milliseconds) to the amygdale, e.g. intuition, memories of failures, etc.

How Fears Grow

Scientists believe that we're born with only two fears: fear of falling and a fear of loud sounds. Yet, how is it that people go about their lives unable to deal effectively with threats, both real and perceived?

Prior Scary Experiences: Past experiences that ended badly become imprinted on the memory, only to be recalled and reactivated in the presence of a fear similar to a situation that caused the original fear. It'll take training, practice, or counseling to move on so you can deal with future difficult situations.

Poor Role Models: As mentioned previously, one can learn how to control the “fear response” — but you need someone to teach you how to do so if you haven't figured out how yourself. If your parents freaked out at the slightest difficulty, there's a good chance you will, too. Fortunately, the role models you had as a youngster don't have to be the same people later on in life. You can make the direct choice to have role models who've shown the capacity to stare fear directly in the face and respond appropriately.

Lack of Training: Lack of or inadequate training can be a direct precursor to an inappropriate fear response. Be sure to choose training that's directly related to your particular situation. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, there's a chance (no matter how slim it is) you might get lost, injured, or attacked by two- or four-legged predators. Therefore, orienteering, navigation, field medicine, and self-defense training will be essential toward reducing or eliminating an inappropriate fear response.

woman-looking-out-the-window-blinds

The Symptoms

The types of fears experienced during a SHTF situation have the strength to temporarily paralyze your thought process. You become stuck in the moment and your ability to problem solve becomes compromised or nonexistent. Other symptoms include panic or anxiety, procrastination, indecision, making excuses for not participating, or opting out of a particular opportunity.

Physical symptoms can include:

  • Cold chills
  • Sweaty hands
  • Dry mouth
  • Upset stomach
  • Squeaky voice
  • Stuttering or difficulty talking
  • Hands tremble
  • Knees feel weak
  • Shortness of breath
  • Blurry vision
  • Light-headed or dizzy feeling and headache

No one ever experiences all of the physical and emotional symptoms of fear simultaneously. A beneficial exercise is to think back to a time when you experienced fear and examine how you reacted emotionally and physically? Make a list. It's extremely important for you to understand your personal fear response pattern since this becomes your early warning system.

The SHTF Duo

For the purpose of this article we're going to focus on two of the most devastating fears that come out to play when disaster strikes: The fear of failure and the fear of running away (or doing nothing).

Fear of Failure: What is failure? It's a concept that we learn as young children, such as being reprimanded by our parents, teachers, and even peers for making the wrong choice. Failure soon becomes a noxious event, and we strive to reduce the chances of these unpleasant feelings by avoiding difficulties, not volunteering, giving up after an initial letdown, and eventually staying in the background. In the adult world there's a tendency to focus on the consequences of failure rather than on the value of perseverance.

The interesting thing is that without “failure,” none of the great successes in history would ever have occurred. An often cited example is Thomas Edison, who tried thousands of times to find an effective and long-lasting filament for the incandescent light bulb. What would our world would be like if explorers and scientists gave up at the first failure? Imagine if astronauts awaiting launch heard the mission commander state over the intercom, “I'm cancelling the flight. I think it could fail.”

Take a careful assessment of your behavior during a survival skills class, combatives course, or a practice session at the gun range. Is the fear of failure prohibiting you from advancing your skill levels? The experience of failure can serve as a motivator. Many instructors will purposely bring you to a point of failure where some of the most important learning takes place. Being afraid of failing will set up a pattern of avoidance and a plateauing of skills. Don't view failure as an end point, but rather a bump on the road to success.

Fear of Cowardice: Without question, the most devastating fear is that of being perceived as a coward. This isn't a new concept, for hidden in the deepest recesses of the human mind is this primal emotion: “I cannot let my tribe down.” Indications of this fear can be traced throughout history and across all societies. This fear, the thought of letting down your family, friends, or comrades is not only devastating, but leaves deep emotional scars.

The fear of refusing or dodging responsibility that could cause you injury is not typically found in our everyday lives, but exists during wars, natural disasters, civil disobedience, and most survival scenarios. Unfortunately, there isn't an abundant amount of ways to prepare for this type of fear. The military and law enforcement have specialized training programs that can realistically simulate the triggers for running away or doing nothing. However, most of these programs are not available to civilians.

Fortunately, there are a few techniques that were developed by prisoners of war and can be utilized by civilians.

Methods to Fight Fear

Method 1 – Stop The Trap of What-If's: Negative self-talk is one of the most destructive things to success and contributes to building fear. This includes a variety of “What if?” questions, like:

  • “What if I'm not strong enough?”
  • “What if I get hurt or die?”
  • “What if I'm wrong?”
  • “What if I can't be a leader?”
  • “What if I make a mistake?”

Push these thoughts out of your head at the first sign of them and instead focus on the task at hand.

Method 2 – The Fear Box: Prisoners of war face the very real threat of physical harm, mental torture, and death every day that they're in captivity. The “Fear Box” technique is simple in its format, but application takes practice. Mentally picture your brain as a series of boxes, each with a lid. There's a box for your relationships, your work, your past, your aspirations, your successes, your failures, and your fears. Typically the fear box may contain previous fear experiences.

Let's take a look at how the boxes function. You're driving, and a song begins to play on the radio that had been a favorite when you were younger. Immediately, memories begin to play in your mind when you listened to the song. What just happened? Mentally, upon hearing the song, your brain went to the box, which contained memories contemporaneous with the tune, and opened the lid, allowing the memories to flow out. It's a process of brain neurons and synapses that occurs automatically. After a short period of time, the lid is automatically replaced.

The only box under your control is the Fear Box. Whenever you experience fears that may paralyze your thinking, mentally visualize the word “Fear” and place it into the box and replace the lid. This visualization takes practice. The time to practice is not as you watch the flood waters rising around your stalled car. Instead, start now.

Method 3 – Breathe: Quick breathing, high in the chest, is another alert mechanism that needs to be reduced. If you're not in immediate danger, take three deep breaths, inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose. Let your shoulders drop, which prevents stretching of the intercostal muscles. Although the exercise is simple, it sends a biochemical signal to the amygdale that initiates stoppage of the panic response.

As an example, many trained shooters at the range (whether bow or firearms) will take a deep breath and let it out slowly by habit in an effort to focus and calm their neuromuscular system before taking a shot. There are numerous breathing techniques. Spend a few minutes on the Internet or ask a reputable instructor to find the best technique for your circumstances. Controlled breathing is one of those skills with transferable applications in everyday circumstances, i.e. giving a speech, meeting someone new, etc. The more you practice, the better and quicker the response when you need it.

Method 4 – Analyze: Think before you react. Analyze your present situation, developing a mental pros and cons list. Typically it'll come down to only three decisions: take action, do nothing, or retreat. As with the breathing, analyzing your situation sends signals to the amygdale to stop the panic response.

Method 5 – Mobilize: Once you've analyzed the situation and decided to act, there are usually three choices: do nothing, run/escape, or confront. Each action is dependent on the two previous steps (breathe and analyze).

Final Thoughts

Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. Adrenaline junkies don't just experience fear, they thrive on it. However, no matter how adventurous you are, there are times when you'll be afraid. Understanding which of your fears are normal and natural is extremely important.

Which are normal fears? Well, you'd be crazy not to be afraid of sharks, of climbing a steep mountain, or of accidentally getting lost in a gang-infested ghetto after dark. These fears help keep you alive. They trigger a series of reactions to make your heart, muscles, and brain work faster — to get you out of frightening situations. There is a need to develop mental escape routes from danger.

Bottom line: We need a survivor mentality to cope with modern-day fears. This leads directly to answering the question that has transcended millennia, “Do I have the courage to overcome my fears?”

The New Fears

Fears of mass shootings have touched the lives of millions of people and have become an unfortunate fact of life. Mentally unstable individuals, grasping for fame and notoriety, have created a new definition for the killing fields and have used the Internet as their launching pad. These tragedies are brought into people's living rooms by the insatiable appetite of the 24-hour news cycle, along with a hefty push from social media.

As a prepare-minded individual, you can take some simple steps to break the initial fear response paralysis and improve your chances of survival. Actions in the first few seconds of any mass shooting could mean life or death. Here are some things to consider:

Don't Ignore Your Intuition: If something doesn't feel right or your body seems to be warning you, stop what you're doing and evaluate the situation (see “Voices in Your Head” in Issue 21 of our sister publication RECOIL). Don't assume that everything is OK. Forcing yourself to think logically and rationally impedes the development of a Fear Response.

Have a SHTF Plan: Always have a plan, whether you're eating in a nice restaurant or going to the movies. It takes only a few seconds to check where the exits are located. Picture in your mind what you would do if someone had a weapon and began shooting.

Get Training: If you can legally carry a gun (depending on state and local laws), then training classes are essential. Also consider taking combative courses or joining a self-defense studio. Try to pick courses and schools that can provide simulations of real-life scenarios.

Encourage Education: Support the awareness of and training of emergency response plans at workplaces, schools, and organizations. Knowledge remains one of the most powerful deterrents to fear paralysis.

Additional Resources

Emotional Intel
by Michael J. Asken

Everything You Wanted To Know About Phobias but Were Afraid to Ask
by Dr. Neal Olshan

Fear Gone
by Michael Grant

On Combat
by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Overcome Fear and Self-Sabotage
by Haoting Chow

Robert E. Lee on Leadership
by H.W. Crocker III

Where There is No Doctor
by David Werner

About the Author

Dr. Olshan is the developer of the Evolution of Mindset Training Program. He is a consulting psychologist for corporate/executive functioning and to the sports and shooting industries for performance improvement through the use of the Mindset protocols. He is also the chief combat psychologist for LMS Defense, an award-winning photographer, a pilot, and an author of both fiction and nonfiction books. To contact, email him at mindsetdoc@gmail.com.

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original print version for the web.


New Boker Wildcat Karambit-Style Flipper

It seems as though the Karambit has seen a large upswing in popularity lately, and we're pleased to see this trend. We've noted in the past that this unique blade style can be a superb tool for self-defense, both as an edged and impact weapon. This is especially true with the addition of proper combatives training. So, it's interesting to see elements of the eastern Karambit style being passed on to other western blades.

The Boker Wildcat is a new addition to the company's Boker Plus premium line.

The Boker Wildcat is a new addition to the company's Boker Plus line of innovative designs.

German knife manufacturer Boker has announced a new Karambit-style blade design, known as the Wildcat. This folding knife is an addition to the company's Boker Plus line, which offers innovative knife concepts backed by German engineering. The Wildcat was designed by Boris Manasherov, and utilizes a sturdy finger ring and curved blade that echo the Karambit design.

Boker Plus Wildcat 2

However, the design also diverges from traditional style. Rather than a simple downward-curved blade, the Wildcat blends a downward-curved belly with a clip-point-style tip and dramatic swage. This D2 steel blade opens via a flipper for quick access, or via a thumb hole for softer opening. The handle consists of sculpted G10 and stainless locking liner with a reversible pocket clip.

Boker Plus Wildcat 3

Here are the rest of the Boker Wildcat's key specs:

  • Overall length: 7 3/8″
  • Blade length: 2 7/8″
  • Weight: 4.6 oz.
  • Blade material: D2
  • Handle material: G-10
  • Opening mechanism: Flipper or thumb hole
  • Pivot: Ball bearing
  • Locking mechanism: Liner lock
  • Made in Taiwan or China
  • MSRP: $120

For more information on the Boker Plus Wildcat visit Boker.de/us/.


How to Make a Quick-Deploy Paracord Bundle

We've all dealt with tangled ropes or cords at one point or another. Whether you experienced these knots in Christmas lights, fishing line, twine, electronics cables, or some other material, you'll no doubt remember the frustration of untangling them. If you're dealing with this issue at home in your garage, it's a minor inconvenience, but in a survival setting, it can be a waste of valuable time.

Quick deploy paracord bundle 4

As we've said before, paracord is an excellent resource for any survivalist, but it also becomes tangled easily. To avoid this, it can be wound into a bundle for storage. However, if it's not bundled correctly, it may unravel at an inopportune time, or it may be difficult to access.

A quick-deploy paracord bundle can provide a simple solution to this problem, since it neatly wraps the cord and allows for easy pull-through deployment. Whether you need 5 inches or 5 feet of cordage, you won't have to unravel the entire bundle to access it. And, most importantly, it won't get tangled or knotted.

Quick deploy paracord bundle 2

This video from Black Owl Outdoors shows the steps of the quick-deploy paracord bundling process in greater detail:

We frequently use this technique for the paracord we carry, and we'd advise everyone to learn it. If you're interested in learning more paracord techniques, check out this paracord handle wrap we added to our CRKT Woods Chogan tomahawk. It provides added grip, and also quick-deploys for 40 feet of usable cordage.