Review: Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Crossbow

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Throughout history, the archer has been treated as a superior warrior, as his considerable training, physical strength, and expertise at the efficient operation of a traditional bow and arrow began when he was young and lasted most of his career as a warrior. He was envied, lionized, and celebrated by many ancient cultures — not just anyone could be an archer. Then, there’s the crossbow.

Developed much later than the bow and arrow — around the 7th century B.C. in China — and “rediscovered” by Western cultures 300 years later, the handheld crossbow technology derived from the gastraphetes, a “belly shooter” used by the Greeks. Instead of the string being pulled back like later medieval crossbows, a mechanism was pushed down by the weight of the user’s body. This and later crossbows outpaced the bow and arrow as a formidable weapon because it required very little training and less skill to operate. It meant that an average warrior could operate a crossbow efficiently and accurately compared to the highly trained archer.

Above: The Stinger II crossbow is a light and compact weapon that provides a lot of fun at the range as well as effectiveness in the field or in the home. 

Photos by Natalie Price

The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II

Steambow is an Austrian company that formed from a group of enthusiastic crossbow shooters who had a desire to produce innovative crossbows for like-minded shooters. They partnered with various companies in the automotive, aerospace, and weapons industry to help with the design and manufacture, and from the efforts of a team of engineers and testers, it took two years to perfect the AR-6 Stinger II. It’s an ultralight repeating pistol-style crossbow with a quick rate of fire, a comfortable and adjustable stock, and a host of accessories to aid in shooting and increase individuality.

The weapon arrives in a box unassembled, and although some might see that as a chore, we see it as an opportunity to explore the functions of the parts that make up a crossbow. Putting it together helps you better understand the mechanical elements in their parts of the whole. Pulling it from its Styrofoam packaging, the carbon fiber and glass laminate limb feels smooth and strong. The parts fit without any guesses, and the whole thing can be assembled easily. The tools (Allen wrench, screws, and nuts) are supplied. One drawback is that the instructions don’t include a sketch, showing the various parts and terminology, which would be helpful to a novice.

Above: Many of the components are hardened plastic, including the trigger, although there’s a thin rubber coating on the grip that makes it more comfortable.

It came with two strings (one is a spare) and a stringing aid to install them. The magazine, foregrip, and rifle stock came together easily, but we didn’t initially notice the optional laser sight (sold separately). It required pulling apart the deck, which meant taking apart the entire thing, so we skipped it. Our experience with the crossbow didn’t rely on the accuracy of the laser but the quality of the weapon itself.

Steambow AR-6 Stinger II

MSRP: $280

URL: steambow.at

Crossbow Pros and Cons

One of the largest advantages of a crossbow over other arrow-based weapons is that once the crossbow is cocked with a bolt at the ready, it requires no further energy from the user to maintain the readiness of the weapon. A longbow can have a draw weight of about 50 to 80 pounds, which must be maintained throughout the aiming and firing process, whereas a crossbow can have a much higher draw weight — up to 200 pounds — giving it a higher velocity. This is especially good for people with disabilities or young shooters who don’t have a great deal of upper arm strength. With a mechanical draw and a locked-in string, all one needs to do is pull the trigger.

Above: The adjustable stock allows for different-sized people to get the most out of the Stinger II, while removing it altogether provides a more compact configuration. 

Crossbows are versatile and very accurate. They can be combined with telescopic sights and laser sights for additional ease of use; not to mention the rifle stock adds to the stability of the weapon when aiming. One can use a crossbow in any position, as opposed to merely standing or kneeling with a standard bow.

As a trade-off for these benefits, crossbows are heavy, since they need more engineering and material to handle the heavier weight of the draw string. Crossbows are bulkier, making them unwieldy in tight situations. This can hamper a quick draw.

Above: There are three options for bolts. Six blue training bolts are included (140 grain), but you can also purchase broadhead hunting bolts and black Bodkin bolts (160 grain). 

They’re also noisy. The draw mechanism has a distinct clatter to it, and the initial pull of the trigger unleashes a sharp clank that can spook prey before the bolt has a chance to strike. In situations where stealth is a must, a crossbow will betray you.

If you got off a shot but missed, odds are good you’re not going to get another chance at it, since crossbows have a long reload time compared to traditional bows. With a traditional bow, a skilled archer can nock another arrow with one hand and without ever taking his aim away from the target. With a crossbow, however, the user must take down the weapon, load a bolt, pull back the string until it locks, and re-aim. This takes two hands and some time.

Above: We lost a couple of bolts during our range time, including one burying itself so deeply in the foam target that the head popped off, leaving us with an aluminum fletched straw. 

At the Range

One of the benefits of the Stinger II is that it’s lightweight. Tipping the scales at a mere 2.6 pounds, it debunks the critics of crossbows who claim they’re usually overweight. Another advantage is that it’s easy to cock, and with a magazine filled with six bolts, you can easily have six steel-tipped daggers flying downrange in under 20 seconds.

Above: The bottom Picatinny rail can hold a variety of items. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do a very good job retaining the included foregrip. 

One commonly held drawback to operating a crossbow is that the cocking mechanism is usually too tough for normal people who don’t have arms like Daryl from The Walking Dead. Usually, they employ a cocking tool that must be kept handy, or you must use your feet as an anchor. The Stinger II, however, employs an easy cocking method. After activating a thumb release lever at the front of the rifle stock, the whole unit can bend in half, forcing a pair of chrome arms to grab the string and pull it back into the retention notch just above the trigger. When this happens, a new bolt falls into place and is ready to fire. Aim, pull the trigger, skin it, and fire up the stove. It’s that easy, but it’s a strange motion that requires some practice to execute smoothly and quickly.

Above: The chrome arms are the business end of the cocking mechanism that grabs the string and pulls it back toward the retention notch. 

There’s some give and take here, though. The limbs included in the example we reviewed came with 55 pounds of tension, so it didn’t require a great deal of strength to cock the crossbow. There’s a 90-pound option, which would be much more difficult to get the string into the retention notch. Steambow suggests that the 55-pound limbs produce a projectile speed of 180 feet per second, while the 90-pound limbs increase that velocity to 220 feet per second, an increase of about 18 percent.

Stay on Target

Above: Six bolts loaded and ready to go. If in all the excitement of the moment you lose count, a quick glance will reassure you of how many bolts remain. 

With the standard limbs, we went to the range (aka the backyard) to test the accuracy and penetration of the Stinger II. Steambow supplied a couple dozen bolts (target, broadheads, and Bodkins). The kit came with a foam target about 20 inches square that we set “down range” approximately 50 feet away.

Starting closer, at 20 feet, hitting the target was absolutely no problem. After dialing in the sight and adjusting our shooting style to the slightly jerky trigger, we were able to achieve a nice grouping, as each bolt buried itself about halfway into the target. Pushing back to the 50-foot line, our groupings became haphazard and the drop rate increased significantly.

Above: The fiber-optic front sight can be supplemented with many options: a laser sight that incorporates into the body of the crossbow, a red dot sight, and/or a scope (which is probably overkill). 

Since the speed of the bolt is only about 180 feet per second, we lost about 12 inches of drop by the time the bolt reached the 50-foot target. So, you’ll struggle to maintain a solid grouping at this distance. That doesn’t mean we didn’t penetrate what we were shooting at. For example, at 75 feet, a bolt missed the target completely (we tried hip firing with not such great results) and bored itself into the sod behind the target at such a depth that the bolt has yet to be found. The rest of the rounds easily penetrated the dense foam target.

Above: Made from hard plastic, the buttstock is comfortable and thanks to the textured surface, won’t ever slip off your shoulder. However, since there’s zero recoil from this crossbow and it’s so light, we were never concerned about slippage. 

One issue we struggled with was getting an accurate aim by using the fiber-optic front sight with the push tab for the magazine release button, which seems clumsy. The body of the crossbow also tends to block a lot of the target before the user can get a solid view. It could be argued that mounting a red dot (Steambow sells one as an option) would increase one’s view of the target, but at an advanced range, would it make you more accurate? Perhaps not.

Thanks to the slow speed, you can watch the bolt’s trajectory as it hits the target. The more we shot, the easier and more natural the cocking mechanism became, to the point where it started to flow into a natural movement.

Above: This tab releases the magazine cover for reloading, and doubles as the rear sight.

Concerns

Overall, this is a formidable weapon. Its unique design is easy to use, has virtually zero maintenance, and is so simple it can be mastered by anyone. However, there were a couple of concerns. Although it’s lightweight, some of the components feel cheaply made and poorly attached. This leads to the weapon rattling when moved, and that can lead to unneeded noise when trying to get the jump on some nervous prey.

Above: Your groupings may vary depending on distance, skill, patience, and reloading speed. This was at 50 feet. 

The foregrip is made of a hardened plastic and instead of it being attached to the bottom Picatinny rail with a horizontal retaining screw — as accessories usually are — a plastic “screw” (more of a nub) is tightened from the bottom of the grip and pushed in between the rail slots. Since this piece is fairly integral in the cocking process (it provides a great deal of leverage), having it attached this way is disconcerting. Without it, cocking the weapon becomes very difficult, so tightening it down sufficiently is important.

Above: A bolt inside the magazine rides on top of the string while it’s pulled back into place before firing. One fiddly thing we noticed is that sometimes the fletching of the first bolt dropped in will face down, impeding the string, until we reach in to straighten it. 

Wrapping Up

Above: Shooting the crossbow is as easy as shooting any other shouldered weapon thanks to the AR-style buttstock and foregrip. 

The press release that came with the crossbow claimed this is an ideal tool for home defense, pest control, and small game hunting. We’re not sure how effective it would be for home defense; although we can’t imagine a bolt having the same effectiveness as a 12-gauge, I’m sure a couple, correctly placed into vital organs, would permanently dissuade any would-be burglar. As for a rat invading your attic or a rabbit needed for the next meal, there’s no doubt the Stinger II would knock it off its feet at 50 feet or so.

Since it’s lightweight and easy for anyone to use — even with very little prior knowledge of weapons beyond a quick safety lesson — the Stinger II is a great weapon to keep handy and is a delightfully fun shooter as well.

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The Basics of IV Fluids for Emergency Scenarios

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The off-grid medic has to deal with lots of medical issues. Bleeding, broken bones, burns, and infections can lead to major challenges when you don’t have modern medical facilities at your beck and call. Many of these problems result in loss of fluids from the body. Oral rehydration will replace what’s lost, but what if your patient is unconscious? In normal times, that’s where intravenous (IV) fluids come in. One study reported that almost 90 percent of hospitalized patients have an IV line placed. In a true long-term disaster scenario, hospitals will be few and far between, but injuries and infections will still occur. You’ll get by with oral fluids in most cases, but it’s a good idea to know some basics about IV therapy. In the right hands, IV infusions are used to maintain hydration, balance electrolytes, replace blood, give medicine, and even provide nutrition. IV fluids can save lives but can also cause life-threatening situations if used incorrectly. Proceed with caution.

Disclaimer: This is meant to be a brief overview and not a detailed guide on IVs. Please seek qualified medical training before attempting any of these steps. 

General Types of IV Fluids

Above: Dehydration can usually be treated with oral fluids, but IV fluids can be used in more severe cases.

Giving fluids to a human is more complex than pumping gas into a car. To understand the basics of IV fluid administration, it’s important to understand some terms.

A “solute” is a solid that’s dissolved into a liquid. A classic example of a solute is salt in water. Salt is the solute that dissolves in water (a “solvent”) to form a saline “solut-ion.” IV fluids that contain solutes dissolved in water are known as “crystalloids.” They’re the options most commonly used to replace fluids and balance electrolytes.

Fluids in a blood vessel may be inside the cells (“intracellular”) or outside the cells (“extracellular”). The fluid in blood vessels outside the cells is called “plasma.” The concentration of solutes (“osmolality”) of a particular IV fluid affects the pressure balance (“tonicity”) of the plasma. Choosing the right IV fluid matters, as it affects whether red blood cells remain stable, shrink, or swell.

There are three main IV fluid tonicities: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic.

Above: Plastic bags have replaced glass IV bottles in modern medicine.

Isotonic fluids: These fluids have a similar solute concentration to that naturally seen in plasma, so they don’t cause significant pressure movement of fluid into or out of the patient’s red blood cells. IV solutions in this group include the most commonly known: 0.9-percent “normal” saline, lactated Ringer’s solution, and 5-percent dextrose in water. You’d use these to replace fluids lost from dehydration.

Hypotonic fluids: These fluids have lower concentrations of solutes than blood, resulting in a tonicity less than that of plasma. When cells in blood have more solutes in them than the IV fluid or plasma, they tend to swell as osmotic pressure drives water into them. Hypotonic solutions are used when a patient has very high sodium levels or a condition that dehydrates cells, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Examples include “half-normal” saline (0.45 percent) and sterile water.

Hypertonic fluids: These fluids have a higher concentration of solutes than blood. They’re typically used in critical care to treat very low sodium levels, which can cause fluid in the lungs. The hypertonic solution will help remove excess fluid from red blood cells. An example would be dextrose 5 percent in 0.9-percent normal saline solution or even 3-percent saline.

Practically speaking, the family medic fortunate enough to have IV setups on hand and a supply of isotonic IV fluids will use them to replace fluids lost from dehydration or, perhaps, hemorrhage. Adjusting electrolytes like sodium with hypotonic or hypertonic solutions depends on knowing the level, usually identified by lab tests. With such tests scarce off the grid, this involves some risky guessing.

Above: IV bag ports and drip chamber

Deaths in survival settings from severe dehydration may be prevented by giving fluids like Ringer’s lactate or 0.9-percent normal saline solution. This is called “fluid resuscitation.” Ringer’s lactate is a mixture of water, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and sodium lactate.

Most cases of dehydration can be improved with oral fluids. To identify dehydration that requires IV resuscitation, look for these signs:

  • Thirst
  • Dark urine in decreased volumes
  • Weak, rapid pulse
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Dry mouth and lips
  • Sunken eyes
  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy
  • Poor skin tone (“turgor”)

Above: Thicker fluids like packed red cells need larger gauge catheters.

To check turgor, pinch the skin on the forearm; normally, the skin snaps right back, but will remain “tented” in victims of dehydration. Dehydration is more commonly seen in people who have a high fever or are diabetic, vomiting, alcoholic, or overheated.

How much fluid should we give for dehydration? For those over one year of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 30 ml of Ringer’s lactate (preferred) or normal saline per kilogram of body weight (1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds) in the first 30 minutes and 70 ml/kg spread out over the next three hours. If not improved, you can continue for longer periods. This might be necessary in someone with cholera, where huge amounts of fluids are lost as watery diarrhea. Signs of improvement include larger volume of and lighter-colored urine, stronger pulses, good skin turgor, resolution of vomiting, and less thirst. Once improved, the IV may be removed and the patient can switch to oral fluids.

Above: Hydration status can be determined by urine color.

Oral rehydration salts are available commercially to mix with water, or you can make your own. The simple formula involves mixing 6 teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt in a liter of water. You may choose to add a small amount of salt substitute (potassium source) and a pinch of bicarbonate (baking soda) to the mixture as well. A flavoring agent may also be added to make the solution taste better. Those recovering from dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea should start with frequent sips of the solution rather than gulping it down.

A Note on “Normal” Saline Solution

Why is 0.9-percent saline solution known as “normal” saline? In 1883, a Dutch scientist named Hamburger suggested that the concentration of salts in the human body was 0.9 percent. He said that a solution of equal concentration would be a “normal” content for IV fluids, and the name stuck.

Components of an IV Set

Special materials are needed for intravenous infusions. A typical IV setup contains a number of components for the insertion and maintenance of the therapy.

IV fluids: In the past, fluids like normal saline or Ringer’s lactate came in glass bottles. Today, they’re almost universally in sterile plastic bags. Bags may contain anywhere from 50 to 1,000 milliliters. For dehydration, liter bags are best due to the volume of fluids needed. Small bags like 50 ml are used to deliver dilute intravenous medications, although most IV bags have a port that allows injection of medications into the main bag.

IV catheter: The IV catheter is a hollow, plastic tube that’s pre-loaded over a hollow, beveled needle. The needle/tube is attached to a “hub” that remains above the skin. A small, transparent chamber is found behind the hub that allows the medic to see when blood from the vein flows into the catheter from a successful insertion. The catheter is then connected to tubing that attaches to the fluid bag.

IV needles typically range in size from 14 to 24 gauge, a measure that tells you the internal diameter of the catheter. The higher the gauge, the narrower the catheter. Saline can be infused through relatively small gauge needles, but thicker fluids like packed red blood cells require larger gauges.

Above: Butterfly IV needle

IV tubing: Also known as primary infusion sets, this is the tubing that connects the IV bags to the IV catheter. The connection is usually a “spike” that inserts one end of the line into the bag. The set contains a “drip chamber” that allows you to estimate the rate of the IV fluids going down the tubing. It also allows gases to rise out from the fluid and prevents passage down the IV line. In order to control the rate of fluid going into the vein, a roller clamp is provided below the drip chamber. Primary infusion sets usually come with a port further down in which medications can be directly injected. Extension sets are available for when additional length is needed. The entire line is flushed with fluid to remove air before connecting to the catheter.

Tourniquets, tape, antiseptics: Alcohol or povidone-iodine wipes are used to clean the skin at the site prior to the procedure. A thin tourniquet band is used above the contemplated site for insertion to make the vein easily identifiable. Once the catheter is placed and the metal needle removed, Tegaderm or other adhesive is used to secure the line in place. Date and time of placement are noted.

Above: Primary infusion set

Tips for IV Placement

Above: IV line secured in place

  1. Put gloves on and connect IV tubing to the fluid bag. Flush the entire line with fluid.
  2. If the patient is right-handed, choose a vein on the left arm and vice versa.
  3. Start with veins farthest out from the torso and work upward, but if an IV is needed in an emergency, you may need to place it in the crook of the arm.
  4. Apply the tourniquet snugly, about 20 to 25 cm above the needle insertion site. Have the patient clench and unclench their fist.
  5. Feel the vein. It should seem “bouncy” compared to surrounding tissue. Don’t slap the vein; flicking it with your thumb and second finger may cause it to stand out.
  6. Disinfect the insertion site with an alcohol pad in the direction of venous flow.
  7. Once the alcohol has dried, pull the skin taut just below the entry site to stabilize the vein.
  8. Taking care to avoid touching the needle or catheter with your gloves, Insert the catheter at a 15- to 30-degree angle right on top of the vein. Going from the side can push the vein sideways and cause you to miss.
  9. Make sure the bevel of the needle faces upward to make it glide more easily.
  10. Once the catheter is within the vein, untie the tourniquet to prevent it from blowing due to an increase in pressure. Gently slide the needle back away from the catheter and out.
  11. Press a finger over the inserted catheter to prevent blood spillage while connecting the tubing.
  12. Tape the catheter securely in place and slowly loosen the roller clamp to begin the infusion.

Above: The fastest option for an IV site is often the crook of the arm, but it limits mobility.

IV Complications

There are many reasons why intravenous therapy may be necessary, but many people are now undergoing treatment with IV fluids in situations other than medical emergencies. Some go to “IV lounges” where cures for hangovers, colds and flus, and other issues are touted. While hydration is part of the answer to these problems, it’s important to know that there are several risks associated with any IV therapy.

Above: This image shows a “blown” IV site.

Infiltration: Infiltration occurs when the tip of the catheter slips out of the vein. This can happen during a faulty placement or with excessive movement. The IV catheter passes through the wall of the vein, resulting in leakage into surrounding tissue. This tends to cause pain and swelling. Discontinue the IV and apply a warm or cold compress (there’s disagreement as to which is best) and elevate the limb.

Extravasation: Extravasation refers to infiltration into surrounding tissue of substances in the IV fluid, which can be hazardous, such as chemotherapy drugs. It causes swelling and pain. In the worst cases, it can cause death of tissue. Remove the IV line immediately.

Phlebitis: Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein. Improper insertion of the IV catheter can cause trauma that results in redness and pain and predisposes the area to infection. Remove the IV and treat with warm compresses and anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, phlebitis can lead to the formation of a dangerous blood clot (“thrombosis”).

Infection: Whenever skin is broken during IV catheter placement, the barrier to infection is weakened. Signs of infection include spreading redness, warmth, tenderness, and fever. Close observation of an IV site is imperative to nip these infections in the bud. Improperly sterilized IV fluids can also cause problems. An infection in the blood caused by a contaminated IV can spread to the entire body and can be fatal.

Overload: Without careful monitoring of fluids going into the patient, overloading may lead to “hypervolemia.” The overloaded patient will likely exhibit swelling of extremities, increased blood pressure, and respiratory distress, among other symptoms.

Proctoclysis: A Controversial Alternative

The survival medic is unlikely to find large quantities of prescription-only IV solutions and equipment in tough times. Thinking outside the box, we look to what was used in the past when an unconscious patient required fluids. During WWI, a now-controversial method was used: rectal rehydration, also called “proctoclysis.”

Above: Here’s a setup for rectal rehydration, only to be used in extreme settings.

The large intestine functions to absorb water, electrolytes, and vitamins (but not nutrients), leaving solid waste. It stands to reason that, if the colon can absorb fluid introduced from “above,” it should be able to absorb it from “below.” The benefit of rectal rehydration is that sterilized water or pre-mixed oral rehydration solutions may be used effectively via the rectum to improve fluid status. This provides an inexpensive and readily available avenue when intravenous therapy isn’t possible.

To perform proctoclysis, you’ll need the following:

  • Sterilized water/normal saline/oral rehydration salt solution
  • #22 Nasogastric (NG) tube or a #14 Foley urinary catheter with a 10 ml. syringe
  • A reservoir container to contain the fluids
  • Tubing to connect the reservoir container to the NG or Foley Catheter
  • Gloves (wash your hands!) and lubricant
  • A clamp or other method to regulate the rate of infusion (250 to 400 cc/hour)
  • A way to secure the tube in place
  • A “stand” to place the reservoir at a level higher than the patient
  • Equipment to monitor vital signs

The fluids used should be warmed to normal body temperature to prevent excessive lowering of body temperature. Placing the patient on their left side decreases leakage. Closely monitor vital signs throughout the procedure.

If using a nasogastric tube, it can be inserted further into the large intestine than the Foley catheter, which might result in improved absorption. The Foley catheter, however, will prevent much of the leakage that you may find with the NG tube (Foleys have an inflatable balloon that can act as a “plug”). The nasogastric tube is inserted about 15 inches. The Foley need be inserted only about 5 to 8 inches before filling the balloon with water from a syringe and then pulling back gently until the balloon meets resistance. An enema effect may be observed if high volumes of fluids are given too quickly. If this is observed, stop proctoclysis immediately (the patient is losing fluids).

It’s important to know that proctoclysis is not for “feeding” and has even been used as a method of torture in the past. Never try this procedure if there’s modern medical help available.

Above: IV fluids can be a lifesaver, but it’s critical to seek training on how to administer them safely so you don’t make a bad situation even worse.

About the Author

Joe Alton, MD, is a physician, medical preparedness advocate, and author of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, and other books. Alton is the founder of the survival medicine website doomandbloom.net, with over 1,200 articles, podcasts, and videos on medical preparedness. He’s the designer of an entire line of quality medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net.

New: OKC Ti22 Equinox Folding Knife

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Top-shelf S35VN steel, a titanium frame-lock, a deep-carry pocket clip, and a smooth-opening flipper mechanism — these are all ingredients found on many of our favorite pocket knives. However, many big-name knives with these features also carry prices in the $300 to $400 range. Ontario Knife Co (OKC) has released a new folding knife that checks all these boxes at a much more affordable $138 MSRP. Read on as we take a quick look at the new OKC Ti22 Equinox folder.

The Ti22 Equinox is the second knife in OKC's titanium-based folding knife series, following the Ti22 Ultrablue. Both the Equinox and Ultrablue feature a machined titanium handle with frame lock. The lock mechanism features a steel insert to prevent galling between the lock bar and blade, an issue that often leads to sticky lockup on knives that lack a steel insert. This insert also has a built-in overtravel tab to prevent the lockbar from bending too far outward and incurring damage.

Both Ti22 models use the same tanto-style blade design, with a flipper and jimping along the spine. They also both use the same deep-carry pocket clip, which is reversible for tip-up or tip-down carry — out of the box, it comes in our preferred tip-up configuration.

The Ti22 Equinox diverges from its Ultrablue sibling in both finish and materials. The Ultrablue used AUS-8 steel, which is a decent (but not excellent) entry-level choice. However, the Equinox seen here uses S35VN steel hardened to 58-60 HRC. This is one of our favorite steels for every-day carry thanks to its solid durability and edge retention.

This blade is finished in black powder coat, which contrasts nicely with the bronze titanium handle. The hardware for the pivot, spacers, and pocket clip is all finished in black as well. Although we'd prefer this knife to be made in the USA rather than China, we understand that this is the reason its price isn't a few hundred dollars higher. The sample we received has a smooth flipper mechanism, precise lockup, and clean grind, so it appears that OKC isn't skimping on manufacturing quality.

For more information on the new OKC Ti22 Equinox, go to OntarioKnife.com.

Video: FedEx Truck Tiny Home Conversion

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The concept of recycling isn't just about dropping off empty bottles and cans — it's about taking an item that has reached the end of its service life, and rebuilding it into something new. That's exactly what Jonathan Norris did with this old FedEx delivery truck, which he bought at auction for only $3,500. Although it still looks like an ordinary box truck from the outside, the inside is packed with creature comforts including a queen-size bed, enclosed shower, 4K TV, sound system, and even a spacious “garage” for Jon's bikes and outdoor gear. YouTuber Jarrod Tocci met up with him to show the van's interior and ask some questions about the details of this tiny home on wheels.

Above: Jon, formerly a truck driver in the Army, explains that he did most of the work himself using off-the-shelf parts from Home Depot.

Thanks to its top-mounted ventilation, absence of side windows, and secure sliding cargo door, the delivery truck's exterior doesn't offer any hints at what's inside. The only unusual exterior design cue is the lettering on the sides, which now reads “Ex round” rather than “FedEx Ground.” After stepping into the cab, Jon slides open the original locking cargo door to reveal a second insulated door. Behind that, there's a spacious living area lined in cedar planks. On one side, a custom-made butcher block countertop with a deep stainless steel sink sits below the range-top microwave. On the other, there's a large 12V fridge/freezer, enclosed shower, and custom pantry.

Towards the rear of the cargo area, there's a four-person seating area with a 4K TV and Playstation. Behind that, a queen-sized bed platform folds up to reveal what Jon calls his garage. It contains mountain bikes and a road bike, as well as bins of gear for his other hobbies (rock climbing and whitewater rafting). Like many residential garages, there's also a water heater in one corner that provides hot running water to the sink and shower.

Check out the 22-minute video below from Jarrod Tocci for a detailed tour, and follow @stepvan88m on Instagram for updates on the build.

What If You’re in the Middle of a Terrorist Attack?

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The recent declassification of documents seized during the Bin Laden raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, revealed some alarming information about future attacks al-Qaeda was planning on U.S. soil. Strategies included bombing trains as well as chartering aircraft for suicide missions, rather than hijacking them. This is only a fraction of what’s been publicly disclosed about a single terrorist group’s intentions. When it comes to protecting your family from such catastrophes, keep in mind that if you can imagine it happening, someone else is likely trying to pull it off.
In order to understand what you might be up against, you’ll need to develop what security researchers call an “adversarial mindset.” As uncomfortable as it may be, try to imagine you’re a terrorist seeking to maximize destruction — what would you target? From interrupting cashflow to paralyzing critical industries to causing mass casualties in crowded locations, assume an attack will be designed to generate a great deal of panic and confusion. If all you have to worry about is being one of the millions glued to a TV set when something happens, consider yourself lucky. But if you someday find yourself in the path of a terrorist attack, do you have a plan for how you’ll react if you’re fortunate enough to survive?

The Terrorist Attack Scenario

Situation type
Possible terrorist attack

Your Crew
You and your family

Location
A large retail center

Season
Summer

Weather
Warm; high 97 degrees F, low 63 degrees F

The Setup

Whether it’s the World Trade Center, Boston Marathon, Centennial Olympic Park bombing, or the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, no one knows when terrorist events will happen or on what scale they’ll occur. Those in proximity to the origin of the attack who are lucky enough to survive an explosion may fall victim to the panic that ensues. The aftermath involves terrified crowds of people running to escape, which may lead to trampling of other innocent bystanders. Damage from the explosion may lead to fire or structural collapse, and there’s often a possibility of secondary attacks. These terrorist events are meant to spread fear and confusion before authorities can regain control of the situation. Imagine you were at the epicenter of such an attack. In the chaotic moments after a detonation, how would you determine its cause and the likelihood of follow-up attacks?

The Complication

During a vacation, you decide to take your spouse and 5-year-old daughter to see one of the largest shopping centers in the country. Because of its size, importance as a transit hub, and immense popularity, it’s tough for newcomers to know their way around. As with many crowded, high-profile venues, it has also been a known target for terrorist groups. The location has a large security force, but violent crimes can still happen. After spending about 30 minutes at this retail hub with your family looking at different shops, you and your spouse decide to find a place to sit down for lunch.

About 75 yards ahead of you is a movie theater, which looks crowded due to a popular film that recently premiered. As you approach it, a major explosion rocks the inside of the theater and drops you to the ground. Your ears are ringing and you’re all incredibly startled, but you haven’t sustained any injuries. People in the immediate vicinity of the blast have clearly been wounded and many appear to be dead or unconscious. Some onlookers scream and start to run, while others stand frozen in shock. The likelihood this is some sort of industrial accident is very low, but you still have no way of knowing exactly what just happened. There could potentially be more explosions or other forms of mass violence in the vicinity. Do you attempt to help the injured, or find some cover? Do you try to get away from this location as quickly as possible and risk getting caught up in crowded escape routes? What if there’s another bombing or an attacker waiting to ambush fleeing people at the exits? What if the location goes into lockdown and you’re unable to escape?

Self-Defense Instructor Melody Lauer’s Approach

Preparation
It’s impossible to ever be fully prepared for a terrorist attack, as they’re unpredictable and unexpected by design. However, that doesn’t mean we throw our hands up and do nothing. We may not be able to prepare for every eventuality, but we can prepare for what we are likely to experience during and immediately following these events. Attacks featuring explosives are particularly attractive to terrorists given that they accomplish the goal of achieving the highest body count possible, as quickly as possible, with the fewest resources expended.
This also makes large venues with lots of traffic a particularly attractive target. So, while there are no certainties, when preparing a trip to such a place, I might consider planning the trip during a time when crowds are likely to be thinnest.

Other preparations for the trip might also include collecting information via the internet or a local friend regarding nearby trauma centers, response times, and maps of the area and facility. While I do normally carry a gun, knife, tourniquet, flashlight, and pepper spray, when out with my family I’ll add an additional tourniquet for each family member. I keep chest seals, compressed gauze (both regular and QuikClot), triangular bandages, and a multi-tool in a bag in my car that’s easy to grab when going into crowds. In larger venues, I also choose to carry a firearm equipped with a weapon-mounted light and a red dot sight, as well as throwing a spare magazine or two in my bag. Additionally, my children also have rechargeable flashlights they carry on their persons when we’re on outings.

In every terrorist attack in the last decade, it has been the quick action of those with medical training who have saved the most lives — this makes becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) the single most important thing I’ve ever done to prepare for any terrorist attack.

It’s not uncommon for terrorists to stage a preliminary accident or small-scale attack that’s large enough to draw emergency personnel and law enforcement away from the site of what’s intended to be the primary target. Monitoring for reports of anything along these lines is important; if I become aware of an incident, I’d probably cut our trip short or postpone it for another day.

On Site
Once in the mall, I head to the nearest directory and take a picture of the map. I share it with anyone in the party who has a cell phone, and we go over the plan. Where are we going? How long are we staying? Where are we meeting if we get separated? What do we do in the event someone misses the rendezvous? Answers to these questions can provide a starting point for good decision making even if the plan cannot be followed as expected.

When evaluating an environment for a potential threat, the first place to start is gathering baseline sensory data. Is it noisy or quiet? Are people rushing or sauntering? How are people dressed? This information can help alert you to sudden changes indicating danger. No matter how vigilant one attempts to be, however, it’s entirely possible that the first indication you’ll get that you’re in a violent encounter is getting caught in the middle of it.

If you didn’t lose consciousness during the blast, that’s a good sign you may have avoided substantial head trauma, though internal injuries are still likely. However, if you find yourself regaining consciousness and struggle to remember much before the explosion, it’s almost certain you’ve suffered head trauma that could negatively affect your cognitive and physical abilities. It’s also possible you have limited time to act before you fall unconscious again, perhaps permanently.

While gunfire and secondary detonations would eliminate all doubt, it may not be immediately clear if an explosion was an attack or an accident. Injuries such as multiple penetrating injuries in victims up to hundreds of yards from the blast; traumatic amputations of arms, hands, legs, or feet; a significant number of eye injuries caused by rapidly expanding gases, particles, and debris; victims bleeding from one or both ears; and debris peppered with odd materials such as ball bearings are indications of an explosive device instead of an accident. Accident or not, however, any explosion should be treated as the first in a series of life-threatening dangers that are best avoided by getting far away as quickly as possible.

Every second you stay in the building decreases the chance of survival for everyone in the situation. Running is the best option, but that doesn’t mean merely running from danger. The most obvious avenue of escape may not be the safest. Main exits may be the target of secondary attacks, as well as emergency lanes and parking lots where larger explosives can be hidden in cars or trucks. By law, public buildings may not have doors prohibiting the exit of people within, but that doesn’t stop terrorists and active killers from barring or blocking them to prevent escape and causing people to pool in one location for a follow-up attack.

If there’s an obvious exit nearby, orient yourself toward it, but don’t rush to it. Pause briefly to look around the exit. Are there any odd packages? Do people seem able to move freely through it? Are there any individuals standing near or around the exit who don’t seem particularly alarmed or dazed by what’s happening and don’t seem concerned with escaping? Answers to these questions may help you decide whether to continue or look for an alternate path.

In our family, we’ve determined that should we be in a violent encounter, my husband is responsible for collecting and moving the children while I provide security. While we’re both accomplished shooters, he’s stronger and faster than I am. He can carry all of our kids at once. I cannot. While each family must do what works best for them, it’s important not to allow gender roles and ideologies to blind you to options better suited to everyone’s capabilities.

After a quick assessment to rule out any immediate and obvious life-threatening injuries, our first priority is moving toward safety. It takes precedence over treating the wounded, calling for help, or helping others. People have attempted to hide and wait to be rescued in almost every terrorist or active-shooter event. While this has worked for some, there are many more who have been executed, died of injuries, or were killed in subsequent disasters because they didn’t escape.

Make no mistake about it — you’ll never be safe until you’re out. Every action you take should be toward accomplishing that goal. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot or should not take an opportunity to take stock of your options, stabilize your wounded, make a call for help, and gather intelligence if it’s safe to do so.

An ideal temporary hiding place is one that’s out of sight of would-be attackers, has more than one exit, can be secured against entry, and allows some form of protection from gunfire and shrapnel (although no place is impervious to a well-placed explosive).
Cell services are often overloaded in emergencies, though Wi-Fi and internet services may remain active for longer. If you can reach emergency personnel, tell them your name and location, then let them know your injuries and what you look like. It’s also a good idea to let them know if you’re armed. It won’t guarantee you won’t be mistaken for a terrorist, but it’s a start. If you do have a weapon on your person and it’s not in use, the best place for it to be is accessible, in a quality holster, and out of sight.

Whether with a firearm or some other means, if you choose or are forced to fight terrorists, it’s not likely you’ll survive. While there may be times I’d willingly go on the offensive, I won’t volunteer my children for that fight. As long as I’m responsible for getting them to safety, I’ll try to avoid confronting anyone unless they impede our escape. In that case, it’s my job to stand and fight, and my husband’s job to save our children.

Former Scout/Sniper Alexander Crown’s Approach

Preparation
Being on vacation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Your everyday-carry items shouldn’t be relaxed; if anything, you’re now in an unfamiliar environment and you should beef them up. Traveling to a large shopping complex isn’t ideal due to its potential as a target for active shooters, lowly thugs, and possible terrorists, but I’d be lying if I said my last vacation didn’t involve going to a mall to walk around, get ice cream, and buy T-shirts.

Prior to visiting malls, parks, or any large venues, I like to go online and see if they have a map. This helps me understand the layout, what stores may be best for us to visit, and I get a general idea of exit locations, bathrooms, AEDs, directories, and security offices. This could be considered your map recon, which is the bare minimum that should occur during mission planning. Some larger places have entire trip planners where you can map out your route and save it to your phone. If nothing else, I may screen shot the directory on my phone to reference later, even without cell service.

Also, prior planning would be ensuring proper clothing and footwear are being worn. This is a big place and will mean a lot of walking, so flip-flops are a no-go. Comfortable shoes for walking should also mean the ability to run in them. Reacting to an event means there’s a decent chance of having to run. Clothing-wise, it’s summertime and very hot, so dress accordingly. Pants or shorts with pockets for your everyday-carry gear is a must. These principles also apply to my wife and children. They need to be able to walk or run as needed and stay as comfortable as they can.

Your everyday carry is a personal choice and should reflect your level of training. I carry a Sig Sauer P365X with RomeoZero red dot and Streamlight TLR-7 Sub weapon light every day, no matter what. This would of course be with me. My other everyday-carry items include a SpyderCo Endura 4 knife, iPhone, wallet (with cash), Swiss Army Knife, mini BIC lighter, Fisher Space Pen, SureFire Stiletto flashlight, bandana, and a SWAT-T tourniquet/North American Rescue S-rolled gauze, held together with a rubber band. These items all fit comfortably in my pockets and come with me everywhere I go. They are a baseline, and when traveling or going to a large space, I’ll add items.

Usually, medical items are the priority. A proper tourniquet or two, like the Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), more pressure dressings, and chest seals get stuffed into a highly functional and fashionable fanny sack from Spiritus Systems. I’ll also keep a small snack, like energy chews, on hand as well as about 20 feet of tarred bank line, small shears, and a foldable N95 mask.

Another important piece of preparation is the training you have prior to the emergency. Shooting classes are fun and being proficient with your handgun is vital, but it’s also important to have medical training. In my opinion, a prepared and responsible citizen should have at minimum Red Cross First aid training, CPR/AED training, and Stop the Bleed. These three courses are usually free and local to you, so there’s no excuse to not have attended them. The skills from those courses will benefit you in a mass casualty event, a car accident, and even situations within the home. Advanced medical training would also be beneficial.

On Site
Establishing a plan is always a good start. In this case, my wife and I would outline stores we want to attend and where we’d like to eat while visiting the shopping center. An informal threat assessment could be done during this phase — we know we don’t need or want to go to large department stores, we’re not going to attend a show or a movie, and we know that we want to eat somewhere better than the food court. All those locations are large gathering places within a large gathering place, and we plan to avoid them.

Our interests are in the smaller boutique stores, which will have smaller crowds in some cases. During the map recon, we noted that on the upper level near the restaurant we plan to go to is a walk-in clinic that can treat minor emergencies and illnesses. This could be an excellent place for a casualty collection point as medical personnel are on site.

Situational awareness is key when in unfamiliar crowded places. These places always make for great people watching, but watching for nefarious activity can be tough with such a large space. Relying on local security teams is never a great plan, but watching them is. They should be on guard for bad actors and a sudden change in their behavior may be your first warning sign if trouble pops up. The bottom line is that you should be on the lookout for things that are out of place — abandoned bags, people not dressed for the weather, people looking agitated or nervous, those with backpacks that appear heavier than what’s common, etc. Your instincts can play a pivotal role in your survival.

The last consideration is on-site communications. My cell phone would be my primary means of communication with the outside world, but those can go down. The main plan would be not to separate from the rest of my family; we’d always be in proximity of each other. I’ve been known to carry a Yaesu FT5D handheld HAM radio with me while on vacation, but realistically I wouldn’t have brought it to a place like this. Part of the plan could be establishing a meeting place if we’re separated. As far as communicating with people or authorities outside, many of these stores will have landlines that’d be unaffected by a power outage and could be used to relay information to 911.

Crisis
After the initial blast and assessment of my family, the first thought would be to get out of the area or seek cover. We’re on the upper level, so escape routes into the parking garage will be close by, but those could also be a potential target for gunmen or more explosions. That’s not to mention the mass exit of people, which could lead to trampling and crushing of children and the elderly. There’ll also be a crazy amount of traffic leaving and coming into the venue, making driving a no-go for several hours as police cordon and search the area. I think the best approach will be to get my family to a relatively safe place, such as the clinic or in the back of the restaurant. Securing them is the first priority.

At this junction, the decision must be made to either stay with my family or go and attempt to help the injured. Being at the clinic, it’d make sense for others to come here, and I could help render aid or start triage for the actual medical personnel. I’d be very hesitant to leave my family after such an event, and staying in this place with them while potentially being of use seems like the best course of action.

If the area goes into lockdown, which I’d fully expect, I won’t want to be caught in the parking garage. That seems like another likely target and a choke point to prevent emergency services from getting inside. Being able to communicate with local law enforcement and emergency services via the clinic would be the best bet. There’s greater potential for the clinic to have a backup generator in the event of power failure and it’ll have more resources.

In the event of a fire or obvious structural integrity issues, we’d have to leave the area. Being such a large shopping center, any direction has an exit, and I’d attempt to go to the less busy route. This will be very dependent on surroundings, but generally I’d try to avoid smaller exits that’d be a choke point for a crowd rush with a higher potential of being separated. This is a great point for physical fitness — being able to carry your child to help with egress can be critical.

Conclusion

The advice to “run, hide, fight,” isn’t bad, but it’ll help if you know what to run toward, where to hide, and when and how to fight. We may not be able to be fully prepared for terrorist attacks, but we can collect the knowledge, skills, and experience that allows us to take hold of even the most chaotic and tragic of circumstances and move within them. Even if we can’t guarantee our own safety, perhaps we can protect those we love most dearly.

Terror attacks are an ambush and difficult to prepare for. You’ll be in full reaction mode and will only rise to the level of your training and physical ability. Being prepared starts with planning. Use all the resources available to you to be better prepared. In this case, it means doing a map recon to find points of interest and route planning. Talk to your family about potential threats and how you expect to handle them. These principles go beyond indoor shopping centers and can be applied to all forms of gatherings, road trips, and travel abroad.

Meet Our Panel

Melody Lauer

Melody Lauer is a Rangemaster Certified Advanced Handgun Instructor, Deadly Force Instructor through the Massad Ayoob Group, and Agile Training & Consulting OC/Pepper Spray Instructor. She is an NRA Certified handgun instructor with 14 years of experience teaching men and women how to defend themselves with a firearm. As the owner of Citizens Defense Research, she has dedicated herself to quality, reliable self-defense information and training. With approximately 1,000 hours of professional development, Melody is one of the leading experts on armed conflict with children present. She continues to challenge herself through active participation in her local Brazilian jiujitsu academy and works as a front-end developer for a local programming firm. Melody is a mother of three and writer dedicated to learning and sharing the most effective skills in preserving innocent life.

Alexander Crown

Alexander Crown is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper who spent time in a scout/sniper platoon in OIF. He has extensive experience in firearms, particularly silencers and military weapons. Alexander spends his time exploring Idaho, hunting, fishing, and camping. He’s a lifelong practitioner of family preparedness, emphasizing self-reliance and organic gardening.

Forbidden Fruit: Maltec Land Cruiser Overland Truck

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As Americans, we take great pride in our unique national treasures. The Bill of Rights, National Parks, baseball, barbecue, rock and roll — the list goes on. In addition, our cultural melting pot has given us access to a huge variety of iconic creations from foreign shores; we didn’t invent pizza or tacos, but we’ve certainly embraced them. So, it’s always surprising to come across an item that’s essentially unobtainable in America. Such has been the case for the 70-Series Toyota Land Cruiser. However, one look at Tim McGrath's custom Maltec Land Cruiser might make you question that fact.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Issue 8 of our sister publication, Carnivore magazine.

Blending the 70-Series and 80-Series

Produced from 1984 through the present (yes, it’s still in production), the 70-Series is an immensely popular vehicle for militaries, government organizations, and off-road adventurers around the world. However, it was never sold in the United States — we got the rounder and more luxurious 80-Series, sold here from 1990 to 1997. Although it’s possible to bring over some foreign-market 70-Series Land Cruisers under the 25-year-old vehicle import law, making one street-legal comes with a long list of additional headaches and costs, especially if you live in a state with strict emissions regulations.

Above: It only takes a few seconds to deploy the pop-up roof and set up camp. The truck also includes a deployable awning and shower enclosure with hot and cold running water.

Tim McGrath, founder and lead designer for overland apparel company Sackwear, fell in love with the 70-Series Land Cruiser, especially its 79-Series pickup truck submodel. “The people that know about the 79 wish they sold them here in the States,” he says. Knowing the difficulties of legalizing an imported 79-Series, he began looking for alternative ways to achieve the appearance and rugged functionality of one of these trucks. This led him to Maltec, a company in Germany that builds custom Land Cruisers that — despite their appearance — are actually based on the easily importable 80-Series chassis. They agreed to build him a North American-spec truck that features a modified 70-Series cab and carbon-fiber camper on top of an 80-Series frame.

The build began with a 1993 80-Series Land Cruiser. After removing the original body, its frame was stretched to match the desired wheelbase for the camper conversion. A four-door cab from a 79-Series donor vehicle was mounted onto the 80-Series frame, and the back of that cab was cut out to create a pass-through into the carbon-fiber camper shell that was added next. Normally, having a custom vehicle built halfway across the globe would be rather nerve-wracking, but Tim says the builders listened to his needs and were extremely communicative. “Maltec did a great job keeping me connected with the progress, and sent me lots of emails with photos. I trusted their expertise and craftsmanship since they build really awesome rigs.”

Above: The Front Runner roof rack holds two Alu-Boxes and a large dry bag for gear storage. Additional rails atop the camper can be used to retain a kayak or paddleboards.

In addition to the body modifications, Maltec installed a 4.2-liter 1HD-T turbo-diesel engine and five-speed manual transmission, a configuration that was also unavailable in U.S.-spec Land Cruisers. The truck’s underbody is armored with a variety of Maltec skid plates to fend off rocks on the trail; it rides on OME 3-inch-lift springs and OME shocks, 17-inch Braid beadlock wheels, and 37-inch Cooper tires.

Above: Despite its many creature comforts, this Land Cruiser is no pavement princess. It can still go just about anywhere and take Tim’s whole family with it.

Tim says this combination balances a spacious interior and compact exterior, with “enough room to travel and sleep four while still remaining small and capable.” He explains, “There’s not a lot of room, but it’s doable — I guess that’s the trade-off. I can wheel this thing to places where most campers can’t go. I love that we can set up someplace crazy and stay comfortable, warm, and dry at night. We can even cook inside and watch a movie.” It wasn’t an easy or inexpensive process, taking a year to complete and costing north of $200,000, but he doesn’t regret it for a second.

Above: Maltec built the camper with luxurious teak flooring, custom cabinets, Dometic windows, and a fully enclosed pass-through into the cab.

Over the course of the last year, Tim has taken his Land Cruiser out on family expeditions at least once a month. In one of his most memorable experiences, he and his daughter drove to Colorado, arriving late in the evening to a dark and narrow trailhead. They continued onward, winding up a steep mountain road to a lake just above the tree line at 12,000 feet. He recalls, “The truck tackled the obstacles without any issues and delivered us safely. We were the only ones there under a star-filled sky, and had paddle boards to keep us entertained the next day.”

Above: A triple-burner stove and espresso machine allow Tim and his family to enjoy a hot breakfast without leaving the comfort of the camper.

Maltec Land Cruiser Specifications

 

Make/Model
1993 Toyota Land Cruiser

Drivetrain
4.2L 1HD-T turbo-diesel inline-6, 5-speed manual transmission, 4×4 with 2-speed transfer case

Suspension
Old Man Emu springs and shocks

Wheels & Tires
17-inch Braid Dakar Beadlock A wheels, 37×12.5R17 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires

Body Modifications
79-Series Land Cruiser cab with rear cutout; Maltec aluminum front bumper, skid plates, fender flares, and carbon-fiber camper; Front Runner roof rack, awning, and camper roof rails; Alu-Cab exterior hot/cold shower, two 42L Alu-Boxes and Halite dry bags for storage

Interior Modifications
Maltec cabinets, gray and black leather door panels, suede headliner, and teak wood camper flooring; four Recaro Sportster CS leather seats, Webasto heater, 15-gallon fresh filtered water tank, water boiler, hot/cold sink, three-burner stove, espresso machine, upper and lower beds (sleeps four)

Lighting & Electronics
Dual AGM house batteries, two 100W SunWare solar panels, Victron Energy 2,000W power inverter, Alpine Halo 11-inch head unit/navigation, Simarine PICO touchscreen information panel, two Dometic refrigerators, LED camper lighting with charge ports, Warn Zeon 10-S Platinum winch with Factor 55 fairlead and FlatLink E, Baja Designs S1 bumper lights and LP9 Pro driving lights, KC Hilites Cyclone rock lights

Built by:
Maltec
Menden, Germany
www.maltec.org

Infographic: Backyard Gardening Tips for Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs

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Emergency preparedness isn't just about turning your home into an unassailable fortress with perimeter defenses and an arsenal of weapons — if this is all you focus on, your home might end up feeling like a prison you made for yourself. You should also prioritize ways to make your home into a sanctuary. Backyard gardening is an easy and cost-effective way to maintain a sustainable supply of fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs. This produce can help you stay self-sufficient in an emergency, but it's also tasty and healthy during less catastrophic circumstances. The following infographic from Fix.com includes an overview of some of the most common backyard gardening methods: container gardens, raised beds, and plots.

Freshly picked radishes lying on the soil in a garden.

Containers such as pots or buckets provide the most compact footprint of the three categories, and can easily be implemented in apartment balconies and other compact urban spaces. They're perfect for staples like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Raised beds are a midsize option; they can be built around the perimeter of a yard or porch. Depending on the size and depth, they can handle anything from strawberries and spinach to squash and watermelons. If you have more open space in your yard, consider a traditional square or rectangular plot. These are ideal for “companion planting” of multiple types of produce (or even flowers).

An infographic of backyard gardening tips including which vegetables are suitable for container gardens.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips regarding what types of containers to use, and how to fill them with various potting mediums.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips that highlights which vegetables are best for raised beds.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips which illustrates how to build a raised gardening bed.

An info graphic that that highlights which plants grow well together.

An infographic that illustrates how to select and create a gardening plot.

iPhone 14 Adds Satellite SOS and Crash Detection Features

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Nobody wants to be in a situation where the only remaining option is to call for rescue. For those of us who take emergency preparedness seriously, it's easy to assume our skills and gear will enable us to self-rescue. Unfortunately, there's always a chance Murphy's Law will kick in and all your best-laid plans will fail spectacularly. In those rare situations, it's highly advisable to have at least one way to signal for help — this might be a handheld radio, an emergency strobe, flares, a whistle, a high-vis signal panel, or a GPS beacon such as the Garmin InReach. This week, Apple announced some new capabilities that enable the iPhone 14 to serve as a distress beacon, even when there isn't cell signal or WiFi. These include automatic car crash detection and satellite SOS.

Car Crash Detection

Much like OnStar and other onboard units in vehicles, Apple's new crash detection system is designed to detect a collision and place a call to 9-1-1 or emergency services unless the user cancels the call. This is intended to help those who might be unconscious or unable to reach a phone.

So, how does it work? Apple says the system relies on “a new dual-core accelerometer capable of detecting G-force measurements of up to 256Gs and a new high dynamic range gyroscope.” It also factors in the barometer for cabin pressure changes, GPS for sudden speed changes, and microphone to identify loud noises associated with crashes. Apple claims the system has been fine-tuned through over a million hours of real-world driving and real crash record data. The system is also capable of integrating with the Apple Watch to display the emergency notice.

Satellite SOS

Although the crash detection feature sounds helpful, we're much more interested in the iPhone 14's satellite SOS capability, since it has the potential to replace or augment traditional GPS rescue beacons for those of us who venture off the grid regularly.

The Emergency SOS via satellite uses new hardware and software components to “allow antennas to connect directly to a satellite, enabling messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.” Before attempting to connect to a satellite, the SOS feature begins by asking a few critical questions, such as the type of emergency, geographic obstacles, number of people involved, and information about injuries. The user is then prompted to point the phone at a passing satellite using a simple, compass-style gauge on the screen.

With a clear view of the sky, SOS messages can be sent in as little as 15 seconds. In areas where emergency services can receive text messages, the SOS is bounced from the satellite through to the local dispatcher; otherwise, it goes to “centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf.” First responders can reply via satellite text message to inform the user that they're on the way, or to ask additional questions.

MacRumors reported on a recent SEC filing that indicates Apple is working with satellite operator Globalstar, who will “provide and maintain all resources, including personnel, software, satellite systems, and more, and maintain minimum quality and coverage standards” under Apple's direction.

For less dire situations, iPhone 14 users can share their location via satellite using the Find My Phone functionality. This can keep approved family and friends informed about the user's location, even when they're in remote areas with no cellular signal. Apple says this will provide “a sense of security when hiking or camping off the grid.”

Emergency SOS via satellite starts in the US and Canada in November 2022, and will be free for the first two years. After that, fees will apply to continue using the satellite SOS function. For more details, check this article on the Apple Newsroom.

The Unfriendly Skies: Chinese Combat Drones in the Libyan Civil War

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Editor's Note: The following article was written by Robert Young Pelton, a journalist, filmmaker, and the author of several books including The World's Most Dangerous Places and Come Back Alive. His experience on the ground in the Libyan Civil War — including some serious close calls — reinforces the ever-increasing role combat drones play in wars and conflicts around the world.

Weaving our way through deserted back alleys, I can tell we’ve arrived at the front. Not just from the noise of heavy 14.5s, mortar hits, and RPGs, but because driver Hussam hunches down and peers up through the windshield of our grimy Toyota pickup. He’s looking for drones.
“Are you afraid of the drones?” I ask. “I am not afraid because I am putting my life for my country,” he answers.

I’m not totally buying it. Although the fighters I’m with are young, they’re well-seasoned. They fought in the 2011 Revolution, but now they really don’t have a plan on how to deal with this new threat. All while being partly encircled by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar.

Above: Hussam Elbakoush, of the Libyan Counter Terrorism unit points out a mortar hit.

China's Drone Industry

Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) attacked Tripoli on April 4, 2019, and part of his arsenal included UAE-supplied Chengdu Pterodactyl II Wing Loong drones.

The medium-altitude long-endurance drones like the Wing Loong impart an impersonal feeling of Russian roulette to combat. Add to that Haftar’s hired mercenaries from Darfur and Russia and we’re in a new kind of soulless war — one where the combatants aren’t quite sure who’s killing them and those doing the killing aren’t quite sure who they’re killing. A perfect proxy war.

Above: LNA airstrikes on hospitals are common. This bomb missed and hit a yard of impounded cars.

The Wing Loong combat drones can fire eight Blue Arrow anti-tank missiles but are used against everything from pickups to civilians. They’re unabashed knockoffs of the American-made MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones. At $1 million versus the $16 million price tag for the real thing, the Chinese (and countries like the UAE who “gift” them to Haftar) have made them very popular in dirty wars. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates China sold 163 large, lethal UAVs to 13 countries between 2008 to 2018. But right now my driver and I are just worried about one.

The Wing Loong can fly at an altitude of around 5,000 feet for 20 hours. Their single 100-horsepower turbocharged engines sound a lot like lawn care equipment, only changing in pitch when they bleed altitude to fire. Right now, Haftar’s drone is searching above us for targets. The drone operator appears to get bored and moves off to surveil another front line.

Above: At only a million dollars a copy compared to $14 million for U.S. versions, Chinese drones are cheap. Photo: Government of Libya

Another mortar hits one street over and interrupts our scan of the sky. We’re now focused on winding through back alleys, across yards, and through broken walls to get to our front line position. We engage in small talk while keeping an eye out for snipers.

Hussam has been to America, “Chicago, Indiana, and New York,” he exclaims proudly. “The people. They are so perfect. So kind.”

A War in the Suburbs

Above: The Arch of Marcus Aurelius, built in 165 AD, is a reminder of Libya’s historic links to Europe. The front lines are only 20 minutes away.

Hussam Elbakoush is a member of the Libyan Counter-Terrorism group. Not to be confused with the radical Islamist anti-terrorism police called RADA or the hundreds of militias who augment the official military in Libya. The GNA in Tripoli is propped up by RADA, the Tripoli Revolutionaries Battalion, the Nawasi Battalion, and the Abu Slim unit of the Central Security Apparatus. The GNA actually buys its munitions from the Katibas or militias because even the official government is covered by the blanket UN Arms Embargo — which makes one wonder how this war continues with new, high-tech weapons.

The front lines at Ain Zara are a suburban neighborhood of freshly abandoned homes with small cinder block-walled yards. The nicely stuccoed homes are pocked with munition splatters and gouges and separated by orchards and sand.

Then, the buzzing is back. Like the kind of noise that pisses off rich people when the gardener shows up on Sunday. The drone is here. We scan the sky, but the glaring sun makes it hard to get a fix. Another mortar drops, this time about 100 yards away.

Above: Right: Two IL-76 taken out at al Jufra air base by Turkish drones.

Inside the house are half a dozen young fighters with various bits and pieces of uniforms. They have a sniper on the roof and keep their radios handy. The mortars are making them a little nervous. I tell them drones can target them by their cell phone and radio transmissions. They look at each other sheepishly. The idea of turning off your smartphone is silly. It’s their lifeline to the outside world. A place that pours psyops into their head while they keep in constant touch with friends and family, which also becomes a rich source of intel for real-time targeting.

Regardless, I suggest they shut off their phones. Then, of course, a ring tone emits from one of the fighter’s phones.

Above: If you know what to look for, you can find fresh meat.

Proxy Partners

Libya is one of the most developed nations in Africa, and it’s hard to understand why only 6 million Libyans can’t live comfortably off the shared oil revenue.

Peace and elections were something that seemed feasible until a 75-year-old American named Khalifa Haftar convinced the Emirati and Saudi rulers he could seize the capital of Tripoli and take control of the nation.

Flight records show that in early 2015, Haftar and crew were hopping between Tobruk, Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia via a Malta-based Cessna Citation 550 9H-PAL (chassis number 550-0932) owned by Erik Prince’s Frontier Services Group. The goal was for the UAE to socialize the Qaddafist, former POW and ex-CIA asset as a potential strong man to take over Libya. This coincided with a February 2015 profile piece in the New Yorker by Jon Lee Anderson and an infusion of cash.

Above: The Chinese-made AVIC Wing Loong II drone is the poor man’s Reaper. Photo courtesy AVIC

It worked, and on March 2, Haftar was chosen to lead the LNA.

According to an intel officer from a wealthy Arab nation, Haftar asked the King of Saudi Arabia for a billion dollars to fight the war. The King said, half a billion will have to do. Waiting in his private jet, Haftar discovered that the $500 million had already shrunk to $350 million. Haftar wisely sent $300 million to Jordan with his two adult sons, Khalid and Saddam, to stash and tried to pay off the militias with only $50 million. So on April 5, 2019, Haftar and his forces attacked Tripoli … and surprise … it didn’t work. Some of Haftar’s overconfident forces led by Khalid weren’t only captured en masse, but met fierce resistance in South Tripoli from the very militias that were supposed to conveniently give up and hand the city over. Haftar was stuck. Since then, the LNA has ringed the south, east, and west of Tripoli and been stuck in a war of over-gunned Toyota technicals, badly trained militias, and drones.

Above: China’s best-selling aircraft is a lethal combat drone. Photo courtesy AVIC

The American Who Wants to Control Libya

In between interviews and trips to the front lines, I stay in the posh, eight-story Victoria Hotel. From my favorite evening table on the roof, the city of 2 million seems normal. Sort of. Tripoli is suffering from electricity and water cutoffs but stays illuminated by pools of light provided by hundreds of generators purring in the cool evening. People sit in groups, their faces glowing by the light of their smartphones. Trash sits uncollected, and Tripoli looks tired, but the citizens are defiant. To them, Haftar is an interloper, a mercenary who is well past retirement age, but someone who hasn’t been in Libya since he couldn’t find a role in the 2011 revolution and whose last official military job for Libya was being held as a prisoner of war by Chad in the late ’80s. You won’t find many Haftar supporters on the streets of Tripoli, if any.

Haftar’s forces had just fled the city of Gharyan a few miles south. Although I tried to drive in, I was sent back by militias due to the drone threat.

Above: The Pulemyot Kalashnikova, or PKM, is the favorite weapon on the front lines.

Instead, Gharyan Mayor Yousef Ibderi came to see me. We met on my hotel rooftop to explain how they flushed Haftar’s forces out. The young mayor tells me that after the LNA offensive was stalled, they set up their operations base in his town. So he organized a rebellion. Soon 80 men with their own weapons synchronized early in the morning and expelled the LNA.

“We just kept shooting at Haftar’s men until they fled in terror,” Ibderi recalls. Seems like the minuteman concept still works in Libya and is perhaps an omen of what would happen if the LNA and Haftar make it to Tripoli.

Above: In 1987, Colonel Khalifa Haftar and his massive army base at Wadi Doum were overrun in Chad. He was trained by the CIA to overthrow his friend Qaddafi. After some downtime in the DC suburbs, and with a little help and a lot of money from Arab kingdoms, he’s back. Photo: Government of Chad

Haftar isn’t one for hearts and minds. The hawk-faced resident of Falls Church, Virginia, turned-Libyan “Field Marshall” incessantly announces via social media that it’s “Zero Hour” for Tripoli. He makes these proclamations from his tiny bunker in Marj and his public relations spokesman, former actor and poet Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari, does his best impression of Baghdad Bob. There’s no Zero Hour, Tripoli isn’t falling, and Haftar isn’t winning. But, then again, neither is the GNA, crippled by the UN Arms embargo. Even the recent attempt by Turkey and Russia to broker peace talks ended up with Haftar storming out of Moscow because he was kept waiting. Nobody wins these kind of wars.

Above: Libya is slowly trying to rebuild their army, but for now, militias who fought the military in the 2011 revolution hold sway.

The reality is that life still goes on in Tripoli. Watching the deep red moon rising over the bay of Tripoli, suddenly explosions boom and echo through the dark streets, sending showers of sparks. It’s a war journalist’s dream come true — not even spilling your drink while covering the fight close up. But no, it’s not the long-awaited final “Zero Hour” attack on Tripoli, but rather badly aimed fireworks celebrating the Algerian soccer team’s victory in the African Cup. Perception and manipulation via social media is a big part of this war, as smartphones are the lifelines and major news coverage is rare.

Above: Some of the old guard pass on skills to the new, but Chinese drones, UAE psyops, and electronic warfare are new to the Tripoli front lines. 

The Nine-to-Five War

Despite the war, there’s no shortage of hospitality and conversation in Tripoli.

Above: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 27, 2019, a week before Haftar attacked Tripoli. Photo: Saudi Press Agency

Retired military Colonel Suliman Sulewehi invites me out for a seaside lunch of freshly caught fish. After picking out our catch, he tells me, “This is a brother’s war.” Libyans are fighting Libyans at the behest of outsiders like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He takes me through the history of Libya and interlopers. The Arabs, Knights of Malta, Ottomans, and Italians. “They were all kicked out,” he insists. Now he believes the old colonial powers and Arabs from the east want back in. He describes France’s role as “mischievous” supplying weapons while holding peace talks. “The Arabs (meaning the Emiratis, Saudis, and Egyptians) do not want stability.” He believes Libya is the rightful gateway to Africa, not the UAE. He takes me out to the front lines in Salluhudin, which is a surprisingly short ride as the traffic thins down to nothing. Suddenly, we’re the only people inside a military base.

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Above: Mayor of Gharyan Yousef Ibderi explains how the townspeople forced Haftar’s forces out in eight hours.

Sulewehi says he helps support a small katiba of 145 men and 20 vehicles. They’re holding the line near Salluhudin, about 1,000 meters from Haftar’s army. He admits it’s hard. “Haftar fighters get paid more money, 2,000 dinars compared to only 1,000 dinars for his people.”

“They have little training, they know little of tactics,” he continues. It’s an odd irony that both sides are paid by the Libyan government, but it’s a reminder that Libyans see themselves as a single nation, however divisive their politics are.

The commander is a man in his 50s who was once involved in embassy security. He tells me his men need uniforms, rifles, and ballistic vests. He’s most concerned about the UAE-supplied drones.

Above: Medics and doctors are routinely targeted by drone operators and in direct attacks.

“They are up every day and strike randomly at soldiers or medics,” he tells me. That day, the drones followed an injured fighter they had just hit until their vehicle arrived at a field hospital. When the medics came out with a gurney, the LNA drone operator fired again, killing two doctors.

The commander has no idea how to deal with drones except to hide their vehicles and spread them out. I ask if Libyans or Emiratis are deciding on targets. Without hesitation he says, “Libyans.” Why? “Because they are assholes and will shoot at anything.”

A Mortar Send-off

Above: Guided by a drone operator, another mortar hits outside our house.

It’s my last day in Libya and I have to catch a plane in the afternoon, so I spend the morning out on yet another front line. This time I’m being bracketed with mortars and watched by drones with Hussam Elbakoush. Everyone in the house is now in agreement with my thesis that the enemy is methodically moving each mortar strike slowly toward our house. Since spotters can’t see us, I figure they’re using a drone to target us. When another mortar lands on the street he motions me outside to the gate to take a photo. BAM. They almost get him with a quick mortar that lands on the street. Back inside, it’s clear someone is watching us. Hussam suggests everyone get in the kitchen on the floor where there’s an another story above. The window is blown out, and I realize that one of the perils of being with fighting groups is that you have to go with the flow — even if they have about 20 less years on the front lines than you and they don’t have to catch a plane in a few hours. Then, as I take a photo of a soldier walking in, BAM — the curtains blow in with a cloud of dust.

Above: After bracketing our position for hours, the LNA finally got us with an 82mm mortar round dead center.

I decide to go to the center of the house, where the added strength of walls provide the most protection. As I step behind the wall, BANG — the money shot. Right in the living room. Sprayed by plaster and coughing up dust, the soldiers finally decide we should leave. After dropping off the wounded, I catch my scheduled plane to Tunis. That night I’m at the upscale Villa Didon drinking an ice-cold Amstel overlooking the Mediterranean and the ancient city of Carthage. The news says the airport I flew out on was hit by a drone strike 90 minutes after my flight took off. F*ck drones. I order another beer.

Steelhouse Fabrication: Cost-Effective Custom Overland Trailers

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Overlanding is a lot of fun, but it can also be expensive. Whether you're getting into it as a hobby or you're looking for practical improvements to your vehicle's emergency preparedness, the costs add up quickly. First there's the vehicle itself — ideally, you'll want something with four-wheel-drive, high clearance, and a reliable drivetrain (like our Toyota 4Runner). Then there are the inevitable upgrades, ranging from basics such as better tires and a mobile radio through long-travel suspension, solar power systems, and fancy rooftop tents. For longer expeditions, many overlanders add a trailer with more spacious sleeping quarters, a camp kitchen, and storage space for supplies. Purpose-built overland or off-road-capable trailers can easily cost $30,000 or even $40,000. For those who can't shell out that kind of cash, Steelhouse Fabrication has developed a series of upgrades that can convert an inexpensive, multipurpose cargo trailer into a stealthy overland trailer setup.

Some of you may already own small cargo trailers for work or for hauling dirt bikes and other gear. Even if you don't, a basic 6-foot by 12-foot V-nose enclosed cargo trailer should set you back about $4,000. You might even be able to find a lightly used one for less than that. These cargo trailers are also lightweight — about 1,500 pounds empty and 2,500 pounds fully-outfitted — so you shouldn't need a big V8 or diesel rig to tow them. Since you'll be going off the beaten path, reduced weight also means improved maneuverability on the trails.

Once you've got your trailer, you'll need to install two 10-foot sections of E-track on the interior walls (you can DIY it or have a trailer dealership to do it for you). These will be installed 32 inches and/or 14 inches up from the floor, depending on the Steelhouse Fabrication modules you select.

Next, you can browse through Steelhouse Fabrication's list of modules to pick a sleeping setup and kitchen that fits your needs and budget. For the former category, there's a basic sofa sleeper that folds against the wall or a four-seat dinette sleeper configuration.

Above: The front of this trailer contains a fold-out sleeper sofa with plenty of room for a fridge (powered by the kitchen module's onboard battery) and other cargo.

The kitchen modules are completely self-contained and removable — just load one into the trailer, lock it onto the E-track with the included hardware, and go. They feature various options including a two-burner propane stove, stainless sink with 5-gallon fresh water and 5-gallon grey water tanks, and an onboard power system that includes a 90-watt solar panel, 105-amp-hour battery, and 1,500-watt inverter (the latter two items are enclosed neatly in a cabinet). The Steelhouse Fabrication Culinary and Culinary Pro modules come with a 6-foot-tall back panel with shelving, LED lighting, and a nice-looking backsplash.

Steelhouse Fabrication will ship its modules directly to your house on pallets. With a Dinette Sleeper ($700), Culinary Pro Module ($3,300), and a cargo trailer of your choice (about $4,000), you can end up with an overland-capable trailer for about $8,000. Since the Steelhouse modules are fully removable, you can always leave them in your garage and convert your trailer back to cargo-hauling configuration as needed, so you're not losing any practicality.

For more info on Steelhouse Fabrication cargo trailer conversions, go to SteelhouseFab.com or check out one of their walkthrough videos on Instagram.