Lockpicking 101: Learn the Basics of How to Pick a Lock

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A basic understanding of lockpicking is one of the most valuable urban survival skills one can have in their arsenal. For many, the idea of lockpicking may be relegated to the realm of criminals and hackers, but there are many legitimate legal uses for these skills.

A locksmith can be an expensive solution to regaining entry into your own home, automobile, or safe when your keys are locked inside. Under such circumstances, a basic knowledge of lockpicking might save you a good chunk of cash. If ever the day should come that you’re the victim of an unlawful custody situation, a solid foundation of lockpicking skills and an understanding of the inner workings of the most popular lock designs could likely aid in your escape. And in a worst-case, end-of-the-world scenario, lockpicking could enable you to scavenge medications or other necessary items from places that may have been passed over by opportunistic looters.

In this article, we examine the anatomy of a lock, how lockpicking works, basic lockpicking tools, and the most popular lockpicking techniques.

Pin Tumbler Lock Anatomy

The pin tumbler lock is one of the most basic and commonly used lock designs. This type of lock can be found on virtually every doorknob, deadbolt, and padlock. Even many high-security doors have a pin tumbler lock as a backup.

The mechanics of these locks are very simple and easy to understand. Once you have a firm grasp on how these locks work, they’re relatively easy to pick. Even some of the highest-security locks on the market are just creative alterations of the pin tumbler design.

Housing: The housing is the outer shell that holds all the internal lock components together.

Cylinder: The cylinder sits inside the housing and rotates freely when the proper key is inserted. It’s kept in place by a series of pins and springs that protrude into the cylinder and housing. These pins prevent the cylinder from turning until the key is inserted.

Shear Line: The shear line is the space between the cylinder and housing. When the key is inserted and all components are aligned properly, the gap between the driver pins and the key pins align perfectly with the shear line.

Driver Pins: The driver pins are essentially the locking pins, which sit between the cylinder and housing to prevent the cylinder from turning. When the correct key is inserted into the lock, these pins are pushed above the shear line to release the cylinder, which can then rotate freely within the housing. Driver pins are located on top of the key pins.

Key Pins: The key pins sit below the driver pins. Key pins are called such because these provide the coding system for the lock. They vary in length to match the cut on the appropriate key. These pins contact the key and press against the driver pins to push them above the shear line.

Springs: Each set of pins has a tension spring located at the top, which forces the pins downward into the cylinder.

The Concept of Lockpicking

When a key is inserted into a pin and tumbler lock, the cuts on the key contact the key pins and lift the pins upward to the correct height. This positions the driver pins above the shear line and the key pins below the shear line, allowing the cylinder to rotate.

The idea behind pin and tumbler lockpicking is to replicate the key’s function by elevating the driver pins above the shear line so the cylinder can be turned within the housing to unlock the lock. The tricky part is aligning all the pins, so they don’t bind against the lock. If a key pin isn’t pressed high enough, the driver pin will continue to bind against the cylinder, preventing it from rotating. If a key pin is pressed too high, the key pin itself will bind against the cylinder. There are several techniques for accomplishing this goal, which we’ll discuss later, but first we need to understand what makes lockpicking possible.

Lock Tolerances & Binding Order

Most locks have very slight tolerance flaws in the alignment of the pin holes. It’s actually these imperfections that allow these locks to be picked. In lockpicking, there’s an order in which each pin will clear the shear line based on the offset of the pin holes. The pin located in the hole that has the greatest deviation from the centerline toward the direction of the cylinder is turning will be the first pin that has to clear the shear line and so on. This is referred to as the binding order.

When tension is placed on the cylinder with a tension wrench, and the first driver pin clears the shear line, the cylinder will rotate ever so slightly and trap the bottom of the driver pin above the cylinder. This process continues until all the driver pins have cleared the shear line and the lock is opened. Setting the pins out of order will result in a failed attempt, since the cylinder will have rotated past one or more pins. It’s also important to know the binding order can change depending on where the tension wrench is placed and the direction of force of the wrench..

Tools

A 14-piece Southord kit, a Southord jackknife pick set, and a Serepick Bogota Titan covert pick set.

Tension Wrench: The tension wrench is the most important piece of lockpicking equipment, or at least the most important piece of equipment to master. The tension wrench acts like the key in that it allows the user to turn the plug. It also places tension on the pins, so that when the driver pins clear the shear line, the cylinder will rotate just enough to bind it above the shear line.
Tension wrenches are pretty basic with little variance between them. Wrenches come in different thicknesses to accommodate different sizes of keyways. Most are designed to slide into the bottom of the keyway (side opposite the pins), but some have very short necks and are intended for use at the top of the keyway, just in front of the pins.

Hook Picks: There are many variations of the hook pick, but the purpose is the same. The hook is used for single-pin picking to lift the pins above the shear line. As a rule, the simpler the better when it comes to hooks. Small hooks are the go-to for most pin and tumbler locks. Large hooks are reserved for reaching the back pins on locks with long cylinders.

Half-Diamond Picks: Half-diamond picks are used for locks whose key pins are similar in length. The half-diamond is usually a good pick to start with, since many cheaper locks have little variation in key-pin length. The half-diamond can be used with all three picking techniques described later in this article.

Rake Picks: There are a few different rake designs, but most rakes are some variation of a “snake,” “W,” or “Running W” pattern. The purpose of a rake pick is to set multiple pins simultaneously.

Ball Picks: Ball picks aren’t used for pin and tumbler lockpicking, but they’re commonly included in lockpick sets, so we’ll touch on them very quickly. Ball picks are used for picking wafer locks, which function differently than pin and tumbler locks. These locks are found on filing cabinets, desks, and small lock boxes. The techniques for picking these types of locks are like the ones discussed in this article, so the skills will easily transition with a basic understanding of the wafer lock design.

The most commonly used picks (left to right): Hooks, Half-Diamond, and Rakes.

Techniques

There are several techniques for picking pin and tumbler locks. Each has its place. Here we’ll look at the three most popular methods. Keep in mind that each of these techniques has several variations, but we’re just covering the basic concepts.

Single Pin Picking: Single-pin picking is the most precise method for picking pin and tumbler locks, but it also requires the most skill and time on target. As the name implies, with single pin picking you’re setting each individual pin above the shear line. This is where binding order becomes an important topic, because each pin must be set in the correct binding order.

It’ll take a lot of trial and error to figure out which pins to set in which order. To do so, place a light amount of tension on the tension wrench and probe each pin until you find the one with the most amount of resistance. This will likely be the first binding pin and the one you should work on setting.

Continue this process until all the pins are set. If you reach a point where a pin will not move, it’s likely that it was set out of order and no longer has the clearance to move through the pin hole. If the cylinder will not turn, it’s a likely indication that either a driver pin or one or more key pins are caught midway between the shear line.

Raking: Raking is a picking method that attempts to set all the pins virtually simultaneously with a single, rapid action. This is done by inserting the pick (typically a rake or half-diamond) and extracting it quickly while placing light tension on the tension wrench. The tension on the tension wrench is released after each failed attempt to allow the pins to reset.

Professional Lockpicking Set:

More Detailed Lockpicking Manual:

The raking technique works by bumping the pins far enough above the shear line that the key pins are able to fall below the shear line before the driver pins do, thus creating a momentary void at the shear line to allow the cylinder to turn freely. Raking takes the least amount of skill and is a quick way to pick a lock when the lock cooperates.

Scrubbing: Scrubbing is sort of a blend between single pin picking and raking. The wrench is inserted into the keyway, and light tension is placed on the tension wrench. An elliptical “scrubbing” motion is used against the pins, working from back to front, or front to back. The half-diamond pick works well with the scrubbing technique, but a rake or hook can be used.

Above: Lockpicking is a simple skillset to learn, but a difficult one to master. Practicing with a variety of tools and lock configurations will enhance your ability to adapt and improvise in a real-world survival situation. 

Legal Considerations

Know your local statutes before you run out and purchase a lockpicking kit. In Colombia, for example, the mere possession of lockpicking tools is a felony. Here in the States, lockpicks are legal to own and carry in most jurisdictions. Even where the possession of lockpicks can be considered a crime, such as in California, the law usually requires that it be coupled with felonious or malicious intent to be considered illegal possession. Stay out of places you’re not supposed to be, and you shouldn’t have any legal problems.

Conclusion

Lockpicking is a skill that requires patience and tactile sensitivity, but it can be learned by anyone in a relatively short amount of time. With a good working knowledge of lockpicking tools and the principles behind their use, a person can easily create makeshift tools in a survival situation, making lockpicking a practical and potentially life-saving skill.

Video: Les Stroud Analyzes Movie Survival Scenes

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You've probably seen a survival-themed movie or TV show where the protagonist dramatically fights a grizzly bear or pack of wolves while lightning streaks across the sky and tense music swells. Although that might make for an entertaining scene, it's anything but realistic. In contrast to these fictional portrayals, “Survivorman” Les Stroud explained: “Real survival is really boring. You hardly do anything… It's not wham-bam thank you ma'am, full of packed action.” He recently sat down with GQ for a new episode of the popular YouTube series, The Breakdown, and analyzed a series of clips from famous silver-screen survival scenes.

Stroud's favorite movie, Jeremiah Johnson, offers a more realistic portrayal of wilderness survival.

Specifically, Les Stroud discusses his reactions to scenes from Into the Wild, The Edge, The Office, 127 Hours, Life of Pi, Open Water, Alive, and his personal favorite film of all time, Jeremiah Johnson. These include a variety of environments and scenarios, some much more realistic than others. Stroud points out aspects of these survival scenes that strike him as true-to-life, and often compares them to his experiences while filming his own reality series, Survivorman.

Check out the full 26-minute episode of The Breakdown below:

“We think we can just go up there and be Jeremiah Johnson, but you have to train, you have to learn these skills.” This interview does a great job of reinforcing the fact that survival usually isn't easy, glamorous, or even dramatic. And although we can certainly enjoy movies for their entertainment value, very few offer a truly accurate portrayal of survival.

Is COVID-19 Creating a Nationwide Ammunition Shortage?

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Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by our sister publication RECOIL, and appears here in its entirety with permission. For more articles on guns, training, and gear, go to RECOILweb.com.

*Note: as of 4/15 these online retailers still have ammunition available:


As if shortages of toilet paper, bottled water and hand sanitizer were not enough; shooters are reporting ammunition shortages amid the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak. The response to the virus seems to be responsible for the next nationwide shortage of ammunition and possibly firearms.

The ever prescient Alexander Crown, recently penned an article for RECOIL, When the Brass Dries Up and lays out some of the more recent ammunition shortages and how to cope with them. It seems very timely amid reports we have been hearing since early February.

We've seen subtle signs of a panic buying here and there the past few weeks but it looks like the lid is about to blow off.

Looming Shortage of Firearms and Ammo

A reader from Arizona, Brent Stuart, tried to purchase two cases of pistol primers last week from Sportsman’s Warehouse in Phoenix, AZ, this afternoon and was told he could only purchase one case. The clerk at the counter told him there was a new corporate policy limiting the amounts of firearms, ammunition and reloading components purchased in a single day. According to the employee, he had received a copy of a memo from corporate headquarters that morning limiting firearm, reloading components and ammunition purchases temporarily.

The memo states:

With increased demand and limited supply on select items, Sportsman’s Warehouse has implemented the following purchase limits to ensure our product reaches as many of our customers as possible.

Firearm Limits:

  • Handguns (any type): 2 per customer per day.
  • Modern Sporting Rifles: 1 per customer per day.

Ammunition and Reloading Components Limits:

  • All Bulk Handgun and Centerfire Rifle Ammunition (100 rd + count box): 1 Per caliber, per customer per day.
  • Bulk Rimfire (200 rd + count box): 1 per customer per day.
  • All Handgun, Rimfire and Rifle hunting ammunition: 3 boxes per customer per day.
  • All 25 ct. shotgun shells: 10 boxes per gauge per day.
  • All primers: 1k per day.
  • Keg powder (4,5,8): 1 per day.
  • All 1lb powder cans: 1 per day.

We tried contacting Sportsman’s directly Friday 3/13 and our call was placed on hold for more than 30 minutes. So, we took the liberty of calling a few of the local stores in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. Both stores reported no limits on anything, but said ammunition was flying off the shelves. One employee reported a 75% decrease in stock on the shelves within the two hours he had been there. The other stated that it would not surprise him if such a policy would be put into place soon as a measure to stop ammunition and firearm shortages due to COVID-19.

Online Retailer Blames COVID-19 for Surge

Online ammunition retailer, Ammo.com, reports a significant increase in sales since February 23, 2020. The company believes that this surge corresponds with the public concern regarding the COVID-19 virus.

When compared to the 11 days before February 23 (February 12 to 22), in the 11 days after (February 23 to March 4), Ammo.com's number of transactions increased 68%.

Alex Horsman, the marketing manager at Ammo.com, said of the surge, “We know certain things impact ammo sales, mostly political events or economic instability when people feel their rights may end up infringed, but this is our first experience with a virus leading to such a boost in sales.” Horsman continued, “But it makes sense. A lot of our customers like to be prepared. And for many of them, it's not just facemasks and Thera-Flu. It's knowing that no matter what happens, they can keep themselves and their families safe.”

We queried another big box store, Cabela’s and Bass Pro-Shops, who reported that ammunition is selling at a record pace. Week to date tallies for Herter’s 9mm 115-grain FMJ ammunition is 5,589 boxes. That’s 279,450 rounds and it’s not even Saturday. Month to date sales are 40,152 boxes for 2,007,600 rounds and we are not even halfway through March for just that one type and brand of 9mm ammo.

Cabela's had no plans to limit purchases at this time.

Firearm Sales and COVID-19

Firearm sales numbers are always difficult to nail down definitively, but at least in Nevada, calls into the state’s background check system have been taking in excess of 2 hours. At certain times after waiting for 30 minutes or more a message tells the dealer that the queue is full and disconnects the line, causing them to call back in and having to wait again.

We've witnessed that happening while in several different gun shops and ranges over the past several weeks. It appears more people are buying firearms than usual.

Firearm and ammunition sales in California are reported to be five times above normal due to COVID-19.

“I’ve sold 12 handguns in two hours,” said Gabriel Vaughn, owner of the Sportman’s Arms in Petaluma, told KTVU. “Any time people are uneasy, sales go up, and it’s always the same, guns and ammo.”

A shooting range in Clovis, California, had to stop customers from buying ammunition to take home because they were running out of ammunition for the range. The Firing Line owner Jake Belemjian says people are stocking up on ammunition because of COVID-19 and the shop can't keep up with the demand.

Political Fears

If this were not bad enough, the NRA is reporting that today, an ordinance has passed in Champaign, IL, to empower the mayor to “[o]rder the discontinuance of selling, distributing, dispensing or giving away of … firearms or ammunition of any character whatsoever.”

Apparently, politicians want to fan fears of limiting access to firearms and ammunition, leading more people into panic and creating more shortfalls in supply. We have speculated that the State of Nevada's background check system's extensive hold times may be the work of an anti-gun governor ordering staff cuts or allocating personnel elsewhere, but it seems coincidental with the timing of COVID-19.

The fact that it is an election year with an outspoken anti-gun candidate on the presidential ticket could add fuel to this fire and spur along potential ammunition and firearm shortages even without COVID-19, but probably not this early in the cycle.

Is This a Nationwide Shortage?

Dealers and distributors who have maintained good inventory should be able to continue to service customers. Most shooters who've gone through these shortages before have learned from the past and planned accordingly.

We aren't yet seeing a firearm shortage due to COVID-19 in our neighborhood, but there may be an extended ammunition shortage on the way if it is not here already. In 2014, it was 22 LR, according to Ammo.com that caliber is moving a lot, but the surprise we found topping their list of most in-demand ammunition for the past few weeks was 40 S&W.

  • 40 S&W: 410%
  • 223: 194%
  • 7.62×39: 114%
  • 9mm: 101%
  • 12 gauge: 95%
  • 5.56×45: 69%
  • 380 ACP: 43%
  • 45 ACP: 35%
  • 308 Winchester: 32%
  • 22 LR: 29%

We would never tell anyone to not buy ammunition. Just don't act all panicky and act like the folks who are building toilet paper forts in their garages.

Speaking of which, Franklin Armory has a smoking deal on Government issue “MRE” toilet paper and it comes with a free BFS-III binary trigger. Of course, that means that you will probably need to buy more ammunition.

Front Toward Enemy: Survival Plate Carriers & Chest Rigs

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Backpacks are a topic of endless debate and speculation within the survivalist community. What’s in your bug-out bag? Do you have a go-bag in your car? What about a get-home bag at the office? Is your every-day carry bag stocked with survival gear? These are all questions we’ve heard discussed ad infinitum on blogs, forums, social media pages, and at in-person gatherings. There’s nothing wrong with this line of thinking — we’ve written plenty of articles about packs, and even established our Bag Drop column as a recurring feature to delve further into various configurations. However, it’s easy for a laser-like focus on this subset of load-bearing gear to distract us from the fact that there are other viable options for carrying supplies.

It’s no secret that many common practices in the civilian preparedness realm have been derived from the armed forces. Here, too, there’s a lesson we can learn. Take a look at military loadouts around the world, and you’ll notice a common theme — operators aren’t rushing into dangerous environments with nothing but a weapon on a sling and a backpack crammed with all their remaining gear. In a high-intensity battlefield setting, it’s more than a little impractical to take a knee, unshoulder a pack, and dig around for a full magazine, tourniquet, or radio. When those items are necessary, they’re necessary immediately.

Backpacks are great for long-term sustainment gear, but the most critical items in any loadout are always worn on the chest, flanks, and waistband for immediate accessibility. This is a universal constant in military units because of its proven effectiveness, and you’d be remiss to overlook its relevance to emergency preparedness, even in non-combat situations. Carrying gear on the waist via a battle belt will be discussed in a future issue, but for now we’ll focus on the upper body.

There are three subcategories of load-bearing gear to consider: plate carriers, vests, and chest rigs. Read on as we take a look at some examples and discuss each system’s pros and cons from a survivalist perspective.

Plate Carriers

We’re about to blow your mind. Plate carriers are designed to … wait for it … carry plates. Their core purpose is to serve as a container for armor, whether it’s hard rifle plates, soft Kevlar inserts, or a combination thereof. If you’re in a situation where you’re going to be shot at, especially by rifle rounds, you’re absolutely going to want to be wearing some form of plate carrier. But most PCs are designed to carry far more than armor — they’re a modular host for a full array of combat and survival gear.

Generally, PCs will consist of front and rear plate sleeves that fit one or more of the standard plate sizes. The most common of these is approximately 10 by 12 inches, a commercial approximation of the military-spec Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) medium size (9.5 by 12.5 inches). There are many larger and smaller options available, as well as variations in cut (shape), profile (curvature), and thickness. Be sure to get a carrier that fits the plates you select if you buy these items separately. The plate sleeves are connected by an adjustable cummerbund that fits around the torso, as well as adjustable shoulder straps.

Many plate carriers come with built-in pockets and pouches for magazines, comms gear, and other small items. Virtually all feature PALS webbing, allowing the user to achieve a near-infinite array of configurations by adding MOLLE-compatible accessories. Think of a PC as a blank canvas — the front can be used for gear you need in a fight, while the back can house items for your companions to grab, such as signaling devices or spare medical gear. You can even set it up with a hydration system or attached backpack, but keep in mind that extra weight adds up fast.

Pros:

  • Offers a means of carrying gear, but more importantly, a means of protecting your vital organs
  • Most systems are highly modular and expandable, adapting easily to various tasks and weapon platforms.

Cons:

  • Protection comes at a cost — prices range from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the features, armor, and accessories you select.
  • Weight adds up quickly and can seriously impact your mobility and endurance.
  • Depending on the plate size and cut, it may become more difficult to shoulder a rifle comfortably.

We sourced a pair of plate carriers from TYR Tactical that demonstrate the range of variation within this category.

EPIC: 360-Degree Protection

On one end of the spectrum, there’s the EPIC, a comprehensive system that’s a hybrid between a ballistic vest and a traditional plate carrier. It comes standard with TYR T52/SP soft armor that meets NIJ Level II specifications and can be worn without plates for protection against handgun calibers. This soft armor extends from the collarbone area down the torso and through the cummerbund, encircling the wearer on both sides.

Sleeves on the front and rear can accommodate various styles of rifle plates atop the soft armor — the pictured carrier is set up for 11×14 TYR HA3/7 dual-curve ceramic plates. These plates meet NIJ Level III specs when worn in conjunction with the soft armor, but the company labels them “Level III+” and says they’ve been proven to defeat 5.56x45mm M855 steel-core rounds at 3,051 feet per second.

Above: A central cutaway buckle pulls four wires that decouple the shoulder and side buckles for one-handed removal.

The TYR Tactical EPIC plate carrier features a Ballistic Vein that provides rigid structure and support for this dual-armor system, as well as antimicrobial spacer mesh to maintain airflow to the wearer’s skin. In the event of a medical emergency, there’s also a four-point cutaway feature that simultaneously releases the shoulder and cummerbund buckles to remove the carrier in seconds — just pull up and then down on the tab at the sternum. The chest, cummerbund, and replaceable Zip-On back panel are all coated in generous amounts of PALS webbing. Every piece of this carrier, including the soft and hard armor, is made in the USA by TYR Tactical using domestically sourced materials.

Above: To close the cummerbund, pull up the cover flap to reveal the side buckle, then pull firmly forward on the thumb loop until the buckle clicks into place. Hidden elastic in the lower back area lets the cummerbund expand and contract.

Given the massive amount of Kevlar integrated into the EPIC and the extra large 11×14-inch plates in this sample, we were surprised by how easy it is to wear. The weight is certainly noticeable, but the Ballistic Vein distributes it well. The most prominent drawback we noticed is that the soft armor and large shoulder buckles tend to interfere with shouldering a rifle. We feel this setup would be best-suited to defending a static position, or other relatively sedentary uses where protection is crucial and fatigue is less of a concern. Regardless of application, if maximum protection and heavy load carriage are priorities for you, the EPIC or similar system provides a comprehensive answer.

Above: Zippers on the back panel allow for the installation of modular Zip-On panels, backpacks, or hydration carriers.

TYR Tactical EPIC Plate Carrier Specs

Soft Armor
T52/SP Level II (pictured) or TXP3A Level IIIA ($100 option)

Hard Plates
TYR HA3/7 Level III+ (pictured); can also be configured for 9×12 to 11×14 SAPI/ESAPI or Cercom/Ceradyne plates

Expansion Points
PALS webbing, two side pockets with hook and loop closure, Zip-On back accessory platform

Colors
MultiCam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Black

Weight
19.2 pounds (XL carrier with 11×14 plates and soft armor, no accessories)

MSRP
$2,593 as tested ($1,496 for carrier with Level II armor, $496 per Level III+ plate, $35 per TYR Tactical Happy Mag pouch)

URL
www.tyrtactical.com

PICO-DS: Lightweight Mobility

Toward the other side of the plate carrier spectrum, there’s the PICO-DS. This PC is considerably smaller and lighter than the EPIC, and forgoes the ballistic-vest-fusion concept to focus on simplicity and weight reduction. It can be configured with sleeves that accommodate hard armor plates ranging from small (9.75 by 12 inches) to extra large (11.75 by 14.65 inches) in several profiles/thicknesses. The breathable poly mesh cummerbund provides more airflow to the sides, and features a simple hook and loop closure under the front panel. Low-profile shoulder pads increase comfort during long periods of wear. In addition to PALS webbing on the front, back, and sides, four Quick Attach Surface Mount (QASM) buckles make the carrier directly compatible with TYR Tactical Chest Racks — as well as those from a number of other companies. These chest rigs can be disconnected from their shoulder straps and clipped onto the plate carrier, making it possible to quickly transition from chest rig to PC if a scenario dictates a need for armor. Likewise, different removable front flaps can be set up dedicated to different purposes or weapons. You could swap your loadout from AR mags and med kit to pouches full of food and fire-starting supplies, with just the two buckles and some Velcro required to change.

The pictured PICO-DS is configured with a pair of 10×13 TYR HA3/7 plates and T52/SP soft ballistic inserts to achieve the same Level III+ rating as the EPIC, albeit with a smaller coverage area. It has also been outfitted with three Combat Adjustable mag pouches and a Lower Abdomen Platform, offering additional soft armor and gear storage space. As with the EPIC, the PICO-DS carrier, armor, and accessories are made in the USA.

We found the PICO-DS to be exceptionally comfortable, offering a good balance between protection and weight. Although the large 10×13 plates are arguably on the small side for this author’s 6-foot-5 frame, they’re far easier to wear while sprinting or shouldering a rifle. This carrier would be ideal for high-intensity scenarios where increased agility and endurance may be worth the trade-off in armor coverage.

TYR Tactical PICO-DS Plate Carrier Specs

Soft Armor
T52/SP Level II (pictured)

Hard Plates
TYR HA3/7 Level III+ (pictured); can also be configured for 9.75×12 to 11.75×14.65 SAPI/ESAPI or Morgan Level III plates

Expansion Points
PALS webbing; QASM buckles; Zip-On back accessory platform; front and rear lower attachment points for pouches, belts, or abdomen/groin panels

Colors
MultiCam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Black

Weight
13 pounds (Large carrier with 10×13 plates and soft armor, no accessories)

MSRP
$1,969 as tested ($696 for carrier with Level II armor, $496 per Level III+ plate, $37 per TYR Tactical Combat Adjustable mag pouch, $170 for lower abdomen armor)

URL
www.tyrtactical.com

Vests

While the protection offered by rifle plates is undeniable, so are their inherent compromises — high cost, added weight, and reduced mobility. These factors can be diminished, but never fully eliminated. Survival is always a matter of calculated risk, so it’s essential to carefully consider the realistic likelihood of facing a scenario where hard armor is a necessity. If that likelihood is low for you, it’s worthwhile to take a look at some alternative options.

Like a plate carrier, a vest offers considerable load-bearing capacity on the front, sides, and back of the torso. Many are preconfigured with an array of pockets and pouches; some offer partial or complete coverage in PALS webbing to allow for individualized setups. Since there’s no thick rifle plate on the back, vests can also usually be worn with a backpack or while seated in a vehicle without discomfort.

Although a true vest won’t offer pockets for rifle plates, it may feature integrated soft armor — this would be considered a ballistic vest, sometimes improperly called a “bulletproof” vest. Even if they’re not lined with Kevlar, the majority of tactical vests can be worn over separate soft armor for protection against handgun calibers, shrapnel, and sharp objects. This is common for law enforcement officers who need a quick way to put on additional load-bearing gear atop their everyday equipment.

Keep in mind that vests aren’t just relegated to the tactical market. They’re also common among fly fishermen, photographers, construction workers, and countless other hobbies and professions. See Issue 30 for Tom Marshall’s review of the Klim Arsenal vest, which was designed for endurance motorcycle racers. Depending on your needs, one of these designs may be a better fit.

Pros:

  • Offers similar or even greater gear carrying capacity than a plate carrier
  • Available in a wide range of styles and configurations, including many outside the tactical realm
  • Generally affordable, especially in non-ballistic configurations

Cons:

  • Many are loaded with non-removable pockets and pouches that may not fit your needs, or floppy straps and buckles that get in the way
  • Can become nearly as bulky and cumbersome as a plate carrier without the advantage of hard armor

Blackhawk Omega Elite

This tactical vest is constructed from heavy-duty nylon mesh with a solid back panel covered in PALS webbing, padded shoulders, and a zip-up front with dual buckles. It features a total of 10 pockets — two internal zippered document pockets, two chest pockets for accessories, and six large magazine pockets. The mag pockets will each hold two 30-round AR magazines with room to spare. Length and girth are adjustable to accommodate a range of torso sizes.

Above: The front pouches can contain up to two 30-round magazines apiece.

Blackhawk designed the vest to be worn with a web belt, and it has a series of belt loops along its base for this purpose. These could be attached to a wearer’s existing belt, but adjusting all six hook-and-loop strips would make that a time-consuming process. It’s preferable to pair the vest with its own belt, such as this matching Blackhawk Military Web Belt made from 2.25-inch-wide nylon.

Above: One of the top pockets features a hook-and-loop area with a removable shot shell holder.

Although this vest is made from a mesh base, its large coverage area and many solid portions — including the entire back panel — caused it to feel stifling during heavy physical activity. Despite Blackhawk’s statement that it was “designed with input from elite operators,” several elements felt awkward, such as the overly long cinch straps dangling from the sides, the permanently attached belt loops, and the front buckles that can’t be pulled tight enough to sit flush. Blackhawk has apparently acknowledged these issues, since this vest is no longer listed on the company’s website.

Above: There’s tons of real estate on the back panel for attachment of MOLLE-compatible accessories.

Blackhawk Omega Elite Vest Specs

Expansion Points
Six double mag pouches, two chest pockets, two inner document pockets, belt loops, PALS webbing on back panel

Colors
Black, Coyote Tan, Olive Drab

Weight
4.2 pounds (vest with Large belt)

MSRP
$214 as tested ($184 for vest, $30 for belt)

URL
www.blackhawk.com

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Chest Rigs

For the ultimate in high-speed-low-drag mobility, you’ll want to pare down your gear to the core essentials. Depending on your circumstances, that might mean spare magazines, medical trauma gear, radio equipment, navigational tools, and/or other defensive items such as pepper spray — items you’ll be using frequently while on the move, or those you might need at a moment’s notice. The minimalist solution for carrying this gear is known as a chest rig.

Some chest rigs sit closer to the sternum and others are designed to fit around the midsection, but the common theme is that they’re lightweight and one-sided. Chest rigs generally feature a simple yoke around the neck and shoulder blades, and a second strap around the back. Most modern rigs include a mixture of built-in pouches and PALS webbing, but the earliest designs were solely composed of magazine and/or grenade pouches. Chest rigs gained popularity during the Vietnam War, where Chinese Type 56 magazine carriers were used extensively by Vietnamese troops and often commandeered by U.S. special operations units such as MACV-SOG.

One of the biggest advantages of a chest rig is most noticeable when it’s not in use. These systems can be easily stowed in a backpack, complete with all the gear they contain — not such an easy task with a fully loaded vest or plate carrier. As a result, many users will pair a stripped-down plate carrier and a chest rig. If the risk of incoming fire is low and mobility is of utmost importance, such as during long-distance scouting missions, the chest rig can be worn alone. If a need for armor arises, the rig can be strapped on over the plate carrier or, as with the TYR Tactical QASM system, attached directly to the carrier itself.

Pros:

  • A minimalist choice that won’t impede your ability to run, climb, and shoot
  • Packs down for quick access during an emergency
  • Can be worn with other load-bearing gear, such as backpacks or plate carriers

Cons:

  • BYO armor — these are solely a load-bearing tool
  • Expansion options are the most limited of any of the three categories. Some rigs are single-purpose, with no expansion capability whatsoever.

Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed M4

Above: Strong elastic holds magazines and other odd-shaped accessories in place.

In the already minimalist realm of chest rigs, the Ten-Speed M4 from Blue Force Gear still manages to stand out as one of the most stripped-down options. The company calls it an “ultralight fighting load,” and for good reason — unloaded, it weighs less than three quarters of a pound. It comes with four built-in Ten-Speed pouches composed of durable stretch fabric that tightly grips anything they contain, whether that’s an AR magazine, a tourniquet, a radio, or a multi-tool. When these pouches are empty, they sit almost completely flat against the chest rig. Even if they’re fully loaded with 30-round mags, the entire carrier rolls up to fit into a small backpack with ease.

Above: At the top of the shoulder yoke, this hook-and-loop section can be used for ID patches or as a drag handle for casualties.

The shoulder harness and back strap are plain nylon webbing without any form of padding, but they’re wide enough to be worn comfortably without digging in. The chest rig also features a map/document pouch sealed by a hook and loop closure at the top, as well as two fields of additional PALS webbing for expansion. We used these regions to add two more MOLLE-compatible Ten-Speed M4 pouches, bringing carrying capacity up to six 30-round mags (or four mags, a radio, and a tourniquet). Even then, there’s still one open column of PALS webbing at each end for small items like a knife, pen, or flashlight.

Above: The Ten-Speed M4 chest rig easily fits into a range bag or backpack.

The entire purpose of a chest rig is to serve as a lighter, lower-profile alternative to a full-featured plate carrier or vest. If not for those advantages, you might as well go for more gear capacity and armor. In this regard, the Ten-Speed M4 excels. The only notable downsides are related to the elastic pouches — it’s challenging to load them one-handed, and they’re not as durable as traditional pouches made from thick Kydex-reinforced nylon.

For more photos and details on this chest rig, check out our web-exclusive review.

Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed M4 Chest Rig Specs

Expansion Points
Four elastic mag pouches, map/document pocket, PALS webbing

Colors
Black, Coyote Brown, MultiCam

Weight
0.86 pound (chest rig with two additional mag pouches)

MSRP
$150 as tested ($90 for chest rig, $30 per extra mag pouch)

URL
www.blueforcegear.com

The Perception Problem

Hill People Gear Runner's Kit Bag

After reading all this you may be thinking, I’ll just strap on head-to-toe tactical gear to maximize my preparedness if a bug-out situation arises. There’s an obvious problem with this — you aren’t the only person on Earth. Like it or not, it’s wise to remember that others’ perception of your gear may have just as much of an impact on your safety as the gear itself. Backpacks are common and socially acceptable in most environments — you might assume someone passing through a city with a large backpack is a through-hiker or homeless person. But how would you perceive someone moving through that same environment with a kitted-out plate carrier, chest rig, or tactical vest? And how might first responders or law enforcement personnel perceive this, especially during an unfolding disaster? Even if that individual isn’t carrying a visible weapon, there’s no denying that it paints a totally different picture than a typical rucksack or satchel.

As Ed Calderon wrote in his article on gray man principles in Issue 35, “If your clothing is going to be a conversation starter, you’d better have good answers at the ready.” This is a critical point you must consider as you approach this category of load-bearing gear. In a sparsely populated wilderness setting, your appearance may not matter much; in densely populated suburbia, it may quickly earn you the label of a “suspicious person” or vigilante. Of course, if society has collapsed and anyone you encounter is likely to be a murderous cannibal, an innocuous appearance no longer matters. But if that’s your primary consideration, you’re in dire need of a reality check.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to lessen concerns about outward appearance. The first course of action is to look at concealable, low-profile setups that can be worn under a baggy shirt or jacket. Many companies offer plate carriers and chest rigs that fit this description, although you’ll be limited as to how much gear you can carry while keeping them concealed.

Another option would be to choose an innocuous-looking setup that doesn’t appear overtly tactical — the Hill People Gear Runner’s Kit Bag is a great example of this. With a teal exterior, it looks like something you might find at REI. Lastly, as mentioned earlier, you can carry a backpack or duffel bag and stow your load-bearing gear inside, but that’s only viable if you’re moving through an environment where you’ll have a few seconds to put it on before SHTF.

Conclusion

We often think of the gear we carry as a critical variable in survival situations, yet overlook the importance of the way we carry that gear. No matter what type of load-bearing system you choose — be it a backpack, satchel, plate carrier, vest, chest rig, or stylish fanny pack — don’t forget its impact on the accessibility and organization of your gear. The last thing you need in an emergency is to be unable to access life-saving tools because they’re buried, scattered, or hard to find.

Also, take the time to test your load-bearing gear during intense physical activity. Go for a run, practice rifle and pistol drills at the range, scale a wall, crawl on your belly, sit in your car. These actions will provide a realistic assessment of how comfortable your gear is, as well as confirmation that you’re physically fit enough to make it work during a real emergency.

More on Chest Rigs, Body Armor, and Tactical Gear

Ed Calderon Weaponology Class Recap

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Knife fighting, or edged weapons defense, has always been a weak spot for me. Coming from a background where firearms were the default mode of combat, sharp and pointy implements always seemed to be relegated to shop duty. Cutting open MREs or prying lids off crates of ammo were probably the most common tasks I used my knives for overseas. But as a civilian, the likelihood of using a knife in a self-defense scenario is probably higher than it was in Iraq or Afghanistan. I’ve known and worked with people who are lifelong students of the blade, who've literally travelled the world just to learn different ways of fighting with knives and swords. Most of those folks have a style they prefer, or have synthesized their own over the years. At Ed Calderon's Weaponology, we were about to dive into his own style.

Once, when asked what my preferred knife-fighting style was, I said, “Imagine an orangutan, high on PCP, in a prison rec yard with a screwdriver.” The bottom line is I had no prepackaged answer. I've dabbled in various styles over the years, never found one I liked, and still don’t have a methodology or system that I’m comfortable with. But now I know that’s OK and am much more confident in my abilities behind a blade than I’ve ever been.

Photo of Tom Marshall stabbing a pig carcass during Ed Calderon's Weaponology course.

The difference is two blocks of instruction put on by RECOIL OFFGRID alumni Ed Calderon: Weaponology and Organic Medium Entry. Perhaps best known for his Counter-Custody curriculum — as seen in our article “Vanishing Act” in Issue 29 — Ed’s knowledge of knife fighting is gritty, practical, and not for the faint of stomach. He doesn’t teach a system. You can’t earn a black belt. There’s not even a course certificate. What you do get is a ruggedly simple mindset and series of lessons that have been learned at the expense of people’s lives. Here are a few of those lessons that have stuck with me in the weeks and months since taking these courses.

The Way to a Man’s Heart

If you’re fortunate enough to take an Ed Calderon Weaponology class, you may want to consider a light breakfast that morning, because the ugly truth is you’re going to watch a lot of people get murdered. Ed’s introduction to knife fighting has nothing to do with the cultural history of ancient sword-swinging warriors and everything to do with exactly how modern human beings hurt each other with edged or pointed weapons. He illustrates his points with a grim highlight reel of videos taken from crime scenes around the world. Some of these clips are sure to make you gasp, cringe, cover your eyes, or feel guilty for watching. But this grim exposure is a necessary part of the learning process, and one we understand wholly.

The takeaway from this block of playback and talk-through is two-fold. One is to serve as a powerful and nearly instantaneous de-programming of any preconceived notions. Fortunately for most of us, the closest we’ll ever come to a knife fight is watching one on TV. Hollywood has turned the mano-a-mano knife duel into a quirky plot device — with opponents circling each other for minutes on end while delivering monologues or punchy one-liners. Blades clang and sparks fly, and there’s an occasional cut on the forearm or cheek for dramatic effect before the hero rallies his will and delivers a flurry of slashes and pokes that save the day with little serious injury inflicted. Spoiler alert: You won’t see any of that in the Weaponology movie medley.

The other major learning point is that many of the key components in a street-level knife attack are universal. These videos come from multiple countries with multiple cultures, showing a wide range of age, physical strength, and skill level of both victim and attacker. Most of them don’t have sound, allowing an intense focus on body language and movement flow. None of the attackers are professional martial artists or military special operators. They’re not carrying $400 custom combat daggers. They don’t talk or slash the air around them before pouncing. Attacks last seconds, not minutes.

Attack angle #1: tip-down stab from the top to reach the subclavian arteryAbove: Attack angle #1: tip-down stab from the top to reach the subclavian artery

In every single one, the attack consisted of a brief but frenzied flurry of stabs to the upper portion of the torso. In every single one, the attacker held their knife in a “reverse-edge ice pick” grip — point down, blade facing inward. In the small number of cases where an attacker did slash, it was still with this grip. Slashes were delivered in a plunging, ripping fashion as opposed to the long arc, baseball bat-style swings you see in silver screen knife fights. Many times, the weapon wasn’t a blade or knife of any kind, so the attack was delivered exclusively through stabs into the upper chest.

Ed Calderon demonstrating Attack angle #2: tip-down stab from the side into the aorta.

Above: Attack angle #2: tip-down stab from the side into the aorta.

Through this systematic analysis, Weaponology focuses primarily on targeting the heart with a stabbing blow. Ed teaches only three angles of attack — greatly simplified from the nine-angle diagram we’d been exposed to in previous edged weapons classes. Angle one is from the top down, angle two from the side, and angle three from underneath. The first two are meant for that point-down ice pick grip. The last is for a point-up grip. That’s it.

Ed Calderon demonstrating Attack angle #3: tip-up stab into the chest with a

Above: Attack angle #3: tip-up stab into the chest with a “saber” grip.

A Good Offense

Most of the rest of day one was spent rehearsing these three strikes with sparring partners, from various angles of approach and with various tricks and force multipliers built in. One of my favorite tricks was the foot trap. As the name implies, this technique involves simply stepping on one of your opponent’s feet and giving them a shove. The idea is that, once thrown off balance by the shove, your opponent stumbles back but can’t take a full step due to the foot trap. So they wind up in a very wide, bladed stance. If you can’t reach the chest cavity with your blade, this exposes the inside thigh of the trapped leg for a strike to the femoral artery.

Another dirty knife trick, which may come off as blasphemy for traditional practitioners of edged-weapons martial arts, is passing the blade. If you make an attempt at a stab, and your opponent grabs the knife wrist with one or both hands (even better for you if they block you with both hands), simply reach your hand between their two arms and pass the blade. This bucks much of the conventional wisdom we’ve learned from edged-weapons experts over the years. To those of us with combative firearms backgrounds, who place weapons retention at a premium, said conventional wisdom makes a lot of sense. But when you watch surveillance camera footage of a teenager, with no military or martial arts training whatsoever, executing multiple successful hand changes while the victim is literally fighting for their life … well, it’s hard to argue with results, as it were.

This is perhaps a good time to talk about mindset. Many of the other edged-weapons classes we’ve been exposed to go out of their way to market themselves as defensive systems. They’re often more focused on blocking and countering than they are on striking. This may be a matter of personal philosophy, or perceived liability on the part of the instructors. Either way, the Ed’s Manifesto method of edge work is grounded in the belief that the best defense is a counter-offense.

Ed Calderon demonstrating knife attacks during the Weaponology course.

Above: Letting go of your blade to switch hands is disparaged in many formalized edged weapon systems, but Ed was able to execute it repeatedly and consistently under pressure from an attacker.

What’s made brutally plain by the video case studies is that knife-wielding assailants are full of hate and free of mercy. More so than hand-to-hand combat, or even maybe gunfights, knife attacks are executed with a level of primal brutality that’s likely to shock the psyche of most well-adjusted members of society. But it’s possible to circumvent the psycho-emotional overload that comes with the panic and surprise of a sudden onset, life-or-death encounter.

In the military, it’s sometimes referred to as stress inoculation. An appropriate term, since just like with a medical inoculation, participants are dosed with “weakened” (non-lethal) versions of the actual scenarios they’re likely to encounter. The result is that when they are faced with a full-strength street fight, their body and mind have some resistance to shock through programmed familiarity. This is why things like viewing and talking through photo or video case studies is so important. On the surface, such immersion may be dismissed as hedonistic “gore porn,” but we strongly assert that there’s a real, sound, well-grounded logic to it.

Dress Rehearsals

Watching, listening, and discussing incident playback is an excellent tool, but it’s one tool. Practice or rehearsal is the next step, and a vital one in the progression of preparation for worst-case survival scenarios. In the Weaponology/Organic Medium course, Ed builds in two very effective types of rehearsal.

The first one occurred toward the end of day one. After several hours of rehearsing a couple of simple moves one-on-one with a sparring partner, students were broken into groups of three. Once divided, each group of three was placed inside a boxing ring, complete with ropes. Ed designated one student as the defender and his two cohorts as attackers. The defender was given a foam training knife. No rules or restrictions were placed on the participants, other than to stay inside the ring. What resulted looked very much like that hypothetical drugged-out orangutan in a prison brawl. Fast footwork, managing space and unbridled aggression reigned supreme for both the attackers and defenders.

Demonstrating fighting stances during Ed Calderon's Weaponology course.

Above: Stepping onto an opponent's foot and giving them a shove can throw them off-balance.

Every so often, Ed would step in, pluck the training knife out of a student’s hand, and hand it to one of his partners — often without uttering a word. Schoolyard rules were quite clear that he (or she) with the knife was to be the target of all frustrations. While several students reported taking edged-weapons training in the past (myself included), all notions of “proper technique” evaporated almost immediately.

Survival seemed to boil down to three simple principles: 1) Keep moving; 2) Try to stack your attackers in a line, so that they don’t flank you; and 3) Don’t stop fighting. Striking angles, blade orientation, and which hand you gripped with were all subject to change on a moment-to-moment to basis. Hit whatever vital targets you could hit however you could reach them. I was surprised to find that, even under the pressure of two opponents who each outweighed me by at least 50 pounds, I was able to switch my training blade between hands as necessary without losing it once.

The other highly effective rehearsal technique came on day two, through the Organic Medium Entry module. As opposed to Weaponology, the Organic Medium class had essentially no formal instruction. Instead, it’s set up as a trial-and-error learning lab. The primary goal is to allow students to experience, first hand, the experience of putting a knife or pointed weapon to flesh and bone. In case you haven’t seen it on social media, Ed accomplishes this by procuring a whole pig carcass for students to practice on — internal organs are removed to minimize cleanup, but all meat and bone are still intact including skull and eyeballs, which do get used.

Ed Calderon's weaponology class displaying a variety of knives on a table.Above: The eclectic and mischievous collection of tools put to the test during Organic Medium Entry.

Students are encouraged to bring in whatever slashing or stabbing instruments they wish. The only guideline was that everyone had to bring in one proper knife and one improvised shank that “costs you nothing to make.” So, no late-night trips to the hardware store to build a reinforced Shank-Master 3000 before class. What appeared the next morning was an eclectic array of knives and tools. We saw everything from $400 to $500 custom knives to screwdrivers, butter knives, and bent forks “acquired” from unsuspecting diners and restaurants around the training venue. One student even brought in a set of knuckle dusters, which he tested in a stellar channeling of his inner Rocky Balboa.

Two students in Ed Calderon's class view the extent of damage a knife does to a pig carcass.

Above: Instructor Jeyr reviews the results of a processing cut our camerawoman made with a prototype of the Kopis Designs L-Via field knife.

We took the opportunity to test three blades: a G10 Executive Dagger from VZ Grips, a TOPS Knives Street Scalpel, and a Ditch Pik from JB Knife & Tool. All performed admirably. The G10 dagger punched through pig meat all the way to the top of our hand. There was some deformation of the tip after we were done. We suspect this came from torso stabs that caused the tip to impact and glance off of rib bones. But even with the tip slightly mashed, it was still able to penetrate to damaging depth.

A knife displayed next to a ham fillet.

Above: The TOPS Street Scalpel is both highly concealable and razor sharp, cutting nice, bacon-like strips off the pig carcass after penetrating the front part of the skull repeatedly.

The TOPS Street Scalpel performed flawlessly, and its short, razor-sharp blade was perfect for processing cuts — a type of blow that involves sinking the blade in and then dropping your body weight down on the handle. This causes the blade to drag through meat, flaying open large tracts of muscle. Our camerawoman personally tested the Street Scalpel with several hard stabs directly into the thickest portion of the pig’s skull, just above the brow line. She was met with a satisfying, stomach-churning crunch each time, and the blade was no worse for wear.

A hooked blade knife.

After wiping off the blood, it still could’ve passed for brand new. Finally, my personal favorite, the JB Ditch Pik. This blade is actually a collaboration between Ed and JB. It features a curved, double-edged blade and G10 handle scales. It’s simple, sharp, and efficient. We put this one to the unique test of stabbing through a Level IIIA soft armor panel that was duct-taped to one side of the pork torso. The Pik passed through Kevlar and rib bone without a hitch, opening up a 3-inch wound channel each time. There was some damage to the tip and a little bit of surface corrosion evident at the end of class, but the folks at JB advised me that this can be removed at home with some WD-40 and #000 steel wool. To top it off, they offered to re-hone the tip as well. The point and edges on this blade are so finely ground that we genuinely couldn’t tell the difference between stabbing through the armor versus stabbing through bare torso.

A student at Ed Calderon's course inspects the damage of a pig carcass.

While all three test blades held up admirably, the JB Ditch Pik is what has taken over as my EDC fixed blade. Its double edge, slim body, and low-profile factory sheath gave us that Goldilocks fit that keeps it on our belt more often than not.

The Knife Makes the Man?

Display of Tom Marshall's EDC gear.

Above: An assortment of the author's EDC gear, as outlined in this article.

At the end of the day, as with concealed-carry pistols, the best knife to use is the one you have on you. An aggressive survival mindset, smart movement, and high school-level knowledge of human anatomy will carry you much farther than that one-off custom blade. Interpersonal combat with stabbing weapons is an absolute, winner-takes-all sport in which violence must be overcome with violence to ensure your survival. It’s a worst-day-of-your-life disaster we hope you never have to face. But if you have an opportunity to take Ed Calderon’s Weaponolgy and Organic Medium courses, you’ll emerge better prepared to prevail if an uncertain world decides to touch your life with violence.

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

Medical Improvisations: DIY Techniques for Survival First Aid & Hygiene

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The following article was published in Issue 36 of our magazine. This issue is available now in print or digital format.

We live in a world where established safety measures, if followed, prevent a lot of injuries. Unfortunately, they’ll never prevent all injuries. There were an estimated 45 million incidents of trauma in the U.S. last year that required an emergency room visit. Car wrecks, outdoor injuries, industrial accidents, and other mishaps contribute to a whole lot of hurt in good times. That leaves us to wonder: How would this change in bad times?

Let’s face it, people get injured and sick whether or not there’s a rescue helicopter on the horizon. Broken bones, bleeding, sprains, and other issues will need to be treated.

If the modern emergency system breaks down, is overloaded, or simply too far away, someone in the family or group will become the highest medical asset left. Certified or not, they’ll be the end of the line with regards to the medical well-being of their people. Without equipment and know-how, deaths will occur that could’ve been prevented with a good medical kit and knowledge of basic first aid.

People prepare for the worst by accumulating food, water, personal protection items, and more. The wisest of them also stockpile a good supply of medical equipment and medicines as well. In a short-term event, those with training and equipment will save many lives. But what happens when the medic bag is empty?

All is not lost. Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. The resourceful will make do with found objects. A variety of items on the trail or in abandoned buildings can serve as medical supplies. All it takes is an instinct to explore, a good eye, and some imagination.

Before we begin, it should be mentioned that the medical improvisations below are stopgap measures for dire situations when traditional medical resources and treatment are not available — unfortunately, the current Coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak may be one such circumstance, if it continues to worsen. Improvised methods are rarely as successful as modern technology and equipment (if used properly). Having said that, some of the strategies below might just save lives in times of trouble.

Water Bottles as Filters

You can last quite a while without food, but only about three days without water. Even when there’s a water source nearby, you can’t see the microscopic organisms that make you sick. In survival settings, more lives may be lost by diseases due to contaminated water than bullet wounds.

With a clear plastic PET (polyethelene terephthalate) bottle, you can make water safer. It shouldn’t be hard to find; approximately 500 billion are produced every year. Unless you have a purpose-built water filter like the Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw, you’ll need containers to: 1) filter out particulates that make the water cloudy, and 2) destroy disease-causing microbes in the water.

To improvise a filter, you’ll need the following items that you might find by scavenging, or in your medical kit:

  • Clear plastic bottles
  • Coffee filters or paper towels
  • Fine sand
  • Gravel
  • Small rocks
  • Activated charcoal or wood charcoal
  • Knife
  • Hammer and nail

First, use your knife to cut the bottom off of, say, a 2-liter bottle about a third of the way up. Using your hammer and nail, punch a hole in the bottle cap and screw it back on. Turn the top portion of the bottle upside down and place it in the bottom portion that you cut off.

Place a coffee filter or paper towel (or other barrier) in the neck of the bottle.

Use some activated charcoal (commonly found in a home with an aquarium) or wood charcoal from your fire to form the first layer. Place a layer of fine sand next. Add a layer of small gravel on top of the sand.

The last layer will be some small rocks. Place a filter, paper towel or cloth on top to catch algae, mosquito larvae, and other debris. Allow the questionable water to sit for a while before you use the filter. This lets material settle to the bottom as much as possible and makes the process more effective.

1. Supplies needed for an effective water filter. Use a hammer and nail to make a hole in the lid; add first layer (coffee filter/paper towel) in bottom.

2. Next, layer with activated charcoal added on top of the coffee filter/paper towel.

3. Add sand over the activated charcoal.

4. Improvised filter with sand and gravel layers completed. Turn the page to see how well the filter works on the dirty water on the right.

Above: Completed bottle filter in action; more than one pass may be needed.

Many variations on this method exist: some use grass as a layer, while others put a coffee filter between every layer. The key is to have a series of materials of different sizes. Be patient! It takes a while for the water to pass through all these layers.

Now that your water looks and smells relatively clear, it’s time to disinfect it. Use another clean, clear plastic bottle and fill it about 80-percent full of the filtered water. Screw the top on and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Leave out in direct sunlight for six to eight hours on a clear day, or two days if it’s cloudy; ultraviolet radiation from the sun will do all the work. Placing the bottle on a reflective surface does an even better job. This is known as Solar Water Disinfection, or SODIS, and is used extensively in developing nations where clean running water isn’t available.

If the sun won’t cooperate or time is of the essence, you may have to go back to the old standby of boiling it. The CDC recommends a good roiling boil for one minute at sea level, with three additional minutes added for elevations of 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) or more. Unfortunately, it may take several pounds of wood to reach boiling temperatures.

Bleach or iodine will also work. Use eight drops of standard 6-percent unscented household bleach per gallon of water, but double the dose if it's cloudy, colored, or very cold. Alternatively, add five drops of 2-percent tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of water; double the dose if cloudy or colored. Both bleach and iodine take a good 30 minutes to work their magic.

Once full, your plastic bottle can serve a very different purpose: as a way to apply pressure to a pelvic or abdominal wound. The weight of the bottle directly on the injury, secured in place with an elastic wrap pressure dressing, might help to slow down internal bleeding.

Pool Shock to Disinfect Water

Alternately, you may be able to get your hands on a bag of Pool Shock or similar product in many garages, or general stores in areas where residential pools are prevalent. Pool Shock (calcium hypochlorite) is a granular product used to disinfect pool water. It can be used to make a bleach substitute for the purpose of emergency disinfection. This is a legitimate option; it’s on the list of accepted emergency disinfection methods by the CDC.

To make a chlorine solution with calcium hypochlorite, add one heaping teaspoon to 2 gallons of water and stir. To disinfect water, add one part of the chlorine mixture you just made to 100 parts of water. If the chlorine taste is unpleasant, pouring the water from one container to another seems to help, especially if you wait a period of time before use.

Commercial Option:

Old Sheets for Bandaging

Dealing with traumatic injuries is part and parcel of being the off-grid medic. You’ll need bandages. An old cotton sheet is best — white is preferable, but take what you can get. Cut into long strips of at least 5 to 6 feet in length. You might consider varying the widths of your rolls, say, 2, 4, and 6 inches. Boil them to disinfect to lower the risk of infection.

The Handy Triangular Bandage (Bandanna)

Commercial triangular bandages, also called cravats, are valuable additions to any medical kit. Have them in quantity. When they’re eventually expended, however, those old sheets or bandannas become useful items.

To make your own bandanna/triangular bandage, cut some sturdy fabric into 40×40-inch squares and fold over — voilà, a triangle. Alternatively, cut the square in half diagonally to make two bandages. For storage, fold over several times to make a compact square. Forty inches may seem large to you, but smaller bandannas aren’t quite as versatile.

Above: Cut an old cotton sheet into strips for use as bandages.

The standard medical improvisation using a triangular folded cloth is the arm sling, but there are many other options that help treat a number of injuries. Here are just some of the ways you can deal with injuries using the triangular bandage and, perhaps, a few found objects:

Arm, Shoulder, and Rib Injuries
The classic sling helps support an injured arm, shoulder, or rib. Place your bandage lengthwise against the person’s body, with the point toward the injured arm’s elbow. The arm should be held in front and bent slightly about the horizontal plane. Lift the lower end of the bandage up over the uninjured side and behind the person’s neck to reach the upper end. Tie a knot. You can fold in the point of the bandage by the elbow, use a safety pin, or tie a knot for added stability. For even more stability, a second bandage can be used around the torso over the sling. For rib fractures, place a pillow under the “slung” arm.

Scalp Injuries
The triangular bandage can also take the place of a number of items that might have a more specialized purpose. For example, it functions as a bandanna to wrap scalp injuries. Holding a cloth, gauze dressing, or sanitary napkin on the wound, fold the long end and place the triangle so the tip reaches the back of the neck.

Then, wrap around the head over the triangle point and around to the front. Tie and pull down the triangle at the back to exert pressure on the top of the head. The tip can be folded over or left to guard the nape from the sun.

Eye Injuries
The triangular bandage can also work for an eye injury. With eye injuries, you should consider bandaging both eyes, if appropriate, as they move in unison. If one eye moves, the injured eye will also move, which is problematic if a foreign object protrudes from the eye. The bottom of a paper cup, some light padding, and a triangular bandage will provide sturdy protection.

Hand Injuries
A triangular bandage can also easily wrap a hand wound. When covering an injury like a burn, place a gauze or cloth with some petroleum jelly or aloe vera on the injury itself, then simply fold the triangular end over the palm, wrap around the wrist, and tie. When pressure is needed, place some pads or sterile gauze on the bleeding area, and then use a folded-over cravat like a roller bandage.

Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are usually dressed with elastic wraps, but a triangular bandage can also work in a pinch.

  1. Place on top of the foot, then fold over the bottom.
  2. Lifting the foot slightly, take both ends and cross behind the ankle.
  3. Cross both ends in front and under the bandage on each side.
  4. Tie on top of the foot.

Using the Triangular Bandage as a Tourniquet
Note: While improvised tourniquets may do the job as a last resort, every well-equipped medic should have several military-style tourniquets like the SOFTT, CAT, or SAM XT as well as the versatile SWAT, which can do double duty as a tourniquet, pressure dressing, sling, or splint stabilizer.

What about bleeding wounds? The bandage by itself can serve as a reasonable barrier for application of direct pressure on an injury. You can use one or several to pack into the wound, if needed. It also can be used as part of an improvised tourniquet similar to how it was used centuries ago.

Above: To improvise a tourniquet, begin by wrapping your bandage around the extremity 2 to 3 inches above the injury. Tie a knot after wrapping the gauze; place the “windlass” rod over this knot. Tie another knot over the windlass and begin turning to tighten the tourniquet until bleeding stops and pulse not felt. Secure the tightened windlass to prevent unwinding. Monitor for restart of bleeding after the tourniquet is secured.

Wrap the folded bandage (about 2 to 3 inches wide) around the limb at least 2 inches above the bleeding wound. Avoid joints; go above instead. Tie a square knot. Now you must add a “windlass.” This can be a stick, marker pen, metal utensil, or other sturdy item that’s turned to apply increasing pressure.

Place the windlass above the first knot and tie a second knot over it. Now, turn the windlass several times to achieve more and more pressure until the bleeding and the pulse beyond the level of the injury (that is, further from the torso) has stopped. Tie once again to secure the windlass in position.

Other Uses for Triangular Bandages Made from Sheets
Your triangular bandages are also useful as splint stabilizers. Let’s say you have a SAM splint in place, but it won't stay there without some help. You can tie triangular bandages around the extremity to hold the splint in place and support the injured limb. No SAM splint? You can use branches, blankets, pillows, paint stirring sticks, rulers, and any number of other creative ways to provide support and stabilization for the injury. That depends, of course, on the location and severity of the trauma.

Besides dressing injuries, a triangular bandage can be used as a face mask in dust storms or as a stopgap in epidemic scenarios (it's no N95 mask, though).

Bandana Pack at Amazon:

The Pillow Splint

Pillows can help stabilize a sprained joint with just a little duct tape. If you’re using two sticks or a commercial SAM splint to immobilize the injury, pillow material can still be used to wrap around as padding.

Above: Improvised medical supplies to stabilize orthopedic injuries with pillow, duct tape, and torn sheets.

Jackets, Blankets, and Chairs as Stretchers

On the trail, the shirt off your back can serve many purposes; one of them is to assemble a serviceable stretcher. For this, you’ll need two long branches or poles at least 2 inches thick and two shirts or jackets. With one person holding the end of a pole in each hand, a second pulls his partner's jacket off over the back and onto the poles. The two then switch roles, with the first pulling the jacket off the second in the same manner. Zip or button the jackets to provide a relatively sturdy “cradle” for a victim in need of transport.

Above: To make a stretcher with two jackets, hold a pole in each hand and have an assistant pull the jacket over your back. Slide the jacket onto the poles and button/zip. Pull a second jacket over the other ends of the poles and button/zip.

If you’re in an urban setting, almost any domicile will have blankets. These can make an even more solid and comfortable stretcher by simply folding it over two (solid) broomsticks or poles. A chair can also be used to safely transport a conscious and alert casualty.

Duct Tape to Close Wounds

Among its many uses, duct tape can serve as a reasonable butterfly closure for a simple straight laceration. Take a strip of tape about 3 inches long and cut into the form of an “H,” folding in the middle to make a non-adhesive surface to go over the cut itself. Apply tension while placing the tape to achieve closure.

Above: Duct tape cut into an “H” shape can help close a wound.

If you’re good at sewing, you can use other found objects to help close wounds. Curved needles are easiest to handle — thread them with silk or cotton thread or even unused monofilament fishing line, and they’ll keep that gaping wound closed. It’s important to remember, though, that many wounds incurred in survival settings will be dirty; closing dirty wounds is a recipe for an infection, despite what Rambo says.

Willow Bark as Pain Relief

You’re down to your last Ibuprofen tablet, and you have three people in pain from assorted injuries. What do you do? There are no opiate-laden poppies around, but if there are willow trees in the neighborhood, you might have an answer. The inner bark of willow trees contains salicin, the ingredient used to make the first aspirin back in the 19th century. Birches, aspens, poplars, and other trees also contain salicin, but in smaller quantities.

Cut through the dense outer bark to the inner bark. Remove some strips and make a tea (1 to 2 tablespoons of dried bark per cup) or just chew the strips themselves. You won’t know how much “aspirin” is in the dose, which could be a serious concern, but it’s an option for austere settings. Don’t use more than 4 cups of tea per day. The concoction will help with pain, inflammation, and fever.

Aspirin: The First Manufactured Drug
Although Hippocrates wrote about the use of salicin from natural sources in 400 BC, the word “Aspirin” was the original brand name given by Bayer to acetylsalicylic acid, first manufactured in the late 1890s. The “A” stands for “acetyl” and the “spir” stands for the Latin name for meadowsweet (spiraea ulmaria), an herb that happens, along with willow, aspen, and poplar trees, to also contain salicin.

Honey to Prevent Wound Infections

Another natural product that has medicinal benefits is honey, especially in its raw, unprocessed form. Honey is known for its antibacterial properties and has been applied to wounds for centuries to prevent and treat infection. Honey can decrease the growth of bacteria; it’s high in sugar and acidic in nature. Most types of honey also generate hydrogen peroxide when diluted, a substance that increases antimicrobial activity. Additionally, honey has been proven to last for centuries in sealed containers, so it can be safely stockpiled without concerns about expiration. In situations where there are no antibiotics, honey is a helpful tool in the medical woodshed.

Clean the wound with soap and water, then apply honey diluted in solution or by itself onto wounds and cover with a dressing. Many believe it’s simpler to place the honey onto the wound dressing itself. Besides open and possibly infected wounds, honey is helpful to treat burns. Apply directly and cover with a nonstick bandage.

Sanitary Napkins as Wound Dressings

At first glance, you might consider feminine sanitary napkins to be a poor substitute for conventional sterile dressings. According to a study published in the Spring 2006 issue of the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, you might be wrong. Evaluation for microbes in both products found a number of sanitary napkin brands were as free of disease-causing bacteria as expensive sterile dressings. As a matter of fact, two of 20 sterile dressings grew bacteria, while zero of 20 sanitary pads did. The brands tested were Kotex, Always, Stay Free, and Compliments.

Above: Thick female sanitary pads can be used as padding or to cover open wounds.

Having said that, some sanitary pads are shaped for the area of the body that they’re intended for. Some have adhesive surfaces that can make them awkward for some other applications. They still make for useful padding for orthopedic injuries and to cover packed wounds.

On a similar note, you’ve probably heard the old notion that tampons should be carried as a means of packing gunshot wounds to stop blood flow. However, there are numerous reasons why they’re not ideal for severe traumatic injuries. Check doomandbloom.net/the-tactical-tampon for more on this topic.

Cardboard as Snow Glasses

Snow blindness can rob you of your vision when you need it most. To protect your eyes, simply cut two slits in some cardboard and, perhaps, an area to fit the bridge of your nose. Duct tape can be fashioned into reasonable eye protection against snow blindness as well.

Above: Cut slits into duct tape or cardboard to prevent snow blindness.

The 5-Gallon Restroom

Human waste is handled sanitarily during normal times, and you’ll keep your people healthier if you stay vigilant off the grid as well. A five-gallon bucket can serve as a portable restroom in times of trouble. There are few residences that won’t have one of these laying around, so put one to good use. If you have two, use one bucket for solid waste and one for liquid.

Urine from healthy people is acceptable for use in your survival garden and may even increase production. Although there are bacteria in the soil, few organisms in urine will transmit infections. Leptospirosis is one, but less than 200 cases are reported yearly (many in Puerto Rico) in a U.S. population of 330 million.

Above: The “Luggable Loo” helps turn your five-gallon bucket into a usable toilet.

For your “poop” bucket, you’ll want some plastic garbage bags and some sand, dirt, or kitty litter.

Place one or two garbage bags in the bucket and place an amount of fill in the bag. Add more with each use. Dispose of the bag when about half-full. Some feel that a dilute bleach solution would be helpful, but use too much and you’ll go right through the plastic.

A way to make this bodily function more comfortable is with the affordable plastic “luggable loo,” essentially a toilet seat that fits right onto the top of a five-gallon bucket.

Where to Get First Aid Training

American Red Cross first-aid training classes offer information and impart skills to help during many emergency situations. These are available online or in person. Check RedCross.org for the class nearest to you.

FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that are most likely in a particular area. Through hands-on practice and simulations, CERT teaches response to various catastrophes. Contact your municipality or FEMA at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov.

There are also many companies that offer wilderness first-aid courses. Do your own research and ask around to find a qualified instructor with a professional medical background.

It should be noted that even wilderness first-aid classes assume that, at one point or another, advanced medical care will play a part in resolving the emergency. As a result, many will focus on stabilizing the patient and signaling for rescue. The long-term survival mindset is different — you must prepare to deal with an injury or illness from beginning to end without the miracle of modern technology or the arrival of a medevac helicopter.

Conclusion

There are many additional items you’ll find in your travels that can be put to good medical use. Baking soda can be mixed with bleach to make Dakin’s, a cleaning solution used as far back as World War I for preventing infection in traumatic wounds and bedsores. You can also use baking soda to brush your teeth. Speaking of brushing teeth, smashing the end of a pencil-width green twig until it's frayed makes a serviceable toothbrush.

Above: Improvise a toothbrush by fraying the end of a pencil-thick twig. 

There are more tools in the medical woodshed, even in tough times, than you might imagine. With attention to what’s available and a little ingenuity, medics will still be able to do good using outside-the-box strategies. When the commercial supplies run out, they’ll have to. As President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Ready-Made IFAK:

About the Author

Joseph Alton, MD, is a New York Times/Amazon bestselling author and a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American College of OB/GYN. He’s a member of the Wilderness Medical Society and certified as an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider. His books include The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Guide for When Help is Not on the Way, Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, and others. He provides over 1,000 free articles, podcasts, and videos on his award-winning survival website doomandbloom.net.

RECOIL Build Sheet: Our Survivalist AR-15 SBR

Written by

The following article appears in Issue 48 of our sister publication, RECOIL magazine. You can find it on shelves starting March 20th, 2020.

There seems to be a nebulous atmosphere of gloom and doom circulating in America today. Politicians and TV pundits claim our government is on the brink of collapse; Time magazine’s scowling teen slacktivist-of-the-year thinks we’ll all be fighting over newly formed beachfront property soon; keyboard commandos on social media are certain of a forthcoming civil war. Any rational person takes these pessimistic perspectives with a huge grain of salt. Still, it’s never a bad idea to insulate yourself from a variety of worst-case scenarios according to the essential mantra of preparedness gear, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

With this in mind, we set out to build a rifle that might serve as a one-size-fits-most tool for the types of situations discussed in RECOIL OFFGRID. It might need to fit the role of bedside home-defense implement, bug-out backpack gun, and/or a means of putting food on the table. We therefore decided to go with an SBR for maneuverability, a folding stock adapter for packability, and a silencer to save our hearing in settings where active ear pro might be a luxury we don’t have. Reliability with a variety of ammunition, with or without the silencer, was also prioritized to enable scrounging and scavenging.

The build began with a matched lightweight billet receiver set from Ascend Armory. It features numerous cuts and recesses to shave excess ounces, and comes with preinstalled ambidextrous bolt catch, billet takedown pins, and unidirectional threaded trigger pins. Both the upper and lower were laser-etched with the RECOIL OFFGRID logo. Ascend also provided a billet safety selector, but an apparent tolerance stacking issue caused it to lock up with the drop-in single-stage Velocity trigger; a Battle Arms Development selector nicely circumvented this issue.

Next, we sourced a Quickmount flash hider and titanium Shield silencer from Gemtech. This setup dramatically tames the report of the weapon without causing it to feel unwieldy.We selected an 11.5-inch carbine barrel from Sionics with the standard gas port size — unlike the company’s reduced gas port options, this enables the rifle to cycle just as reliably without the can. The crew at Sionics assisted with assembly, including installation of the M-LOK rail, which required light lapping of the indexing tabs with a diamond file to fit the billet upper. The upper was finished with a Sionics BCG with easy-to-clean NP3 coating and a VLTOR charging handle.

In order to make this SBR even more transportable, we installed a Law Tactical folding adapter. With the silencer removed and stock folded, this brings the gun’s packable length to less than 23 inches — just right for slipping it into a backpack or under a truck seat at the cost of an additional 10.5 ounces.

The VLTOR A5 buffer system was chosen as a means of fine-tuning the action, but it also has the pleasant side effect of smoothing out the recoil impulse. With the standard spring and A5H2 buffer, we experienced some occasional short-stroking. Before playing with buffer weights, we dropped in a Sprinco Green spring sourced through Sons of Liberty Gun Works, which eliminated the issue.

A Magpul MOE-SL stock keeps the rifle slim while it’s folded, and an MOE+ pistol grip houses a container of CLP for field maintenance. Up front, we installed an Ascend Armory billet AFG for added control. No home-defense-ready carbine is complete without an illumination device — for this build, we sourced an Arisaka Defense 300 Series light that produces a 325-lumen, 23,000-candela spot beam. Paired with an Arisaka inline mount, this light tucks in close to the muzzle. It’s also compatible with SureFire accessories, such as the Scout tail cap and SR tape switch seen here.

Finally, we knew the theme of this build required a versatile optic as well as an easily accessible backup iron sight setup. This Nikon 1-4x LPVO fulfills the first requirement, with an illuminated reticle that’s effective for close-range engagement. The second need was met by way of Magpul MBUS Pro Offset sights, which can be folded away to sit flush with the upper when they’re not needed.

Despite what clickbait blog articles may claim, there’s no such thing as an all-purpose SHTF gun. Even if you’re a distant relative of Nostradamus, you can’t predict the exact challenges you might face in the future, and even if you could, there’s no single weapon configuration that’s optimal for all of them. What you can do is make educated guesses about the most likely scenarios that apply to your location and lifestyle, build accordingly, and train frequently to match your hardware with the essential software. Nothing dispels gloom and doom faster than confident preparedness.

PartsMSRP
Ascend Armory Lightweight Billet Receiver Set$610
Sionics 11.5” Chrome-Lined Carbine Barrel with Low-Profile Gas Block$220
Gemtech 5.56 Flash Hider$100
Gemtech Shield Silencer$995
Sionics 10.5” M-LOK V3 Handguard$150
Ascend Armory Angled Foregrip$39
Arisaka Defense 300 Series Light$175
Arisaka Defense In-Line Scout Mount M-LOK$40
SureFire UE Tail Cap and SR07 Switch$174
Sionics NP3-Coated Bolt Carrier Group$190
VLTOR Mod 4 Charging Handle$53
Battle Arms Development BAD Ambi Safety Selector$60
Velocity Triggers MPC Straight with Finger Stop, Nickel Coated, 3lb$190
VLTOR A5 Receiver Extension and A5H2 Buffer$95
Sprinco A5 Green Spring (via Sons of Liberty Gun Works)$20
Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter Gen 3-M$270
Ascend Armory QD End Plate and Titanium Enhanced Castle Nut$40
Magpul MOE-SL Stock$60
Magpul MOE+ Grip with Lube Bottle Core$39
Magpul MBUS Pro Offset Iron Sights$190
Magpul MS1 Padded Sling with QDM Swivels$116
Nikon Black Force 1000 1-4x24mm$400
Warne MSR Mount$137
Total:$4,363

Gear Up Issue 36

Written by

Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit & Heat Shield Combo

DIMENSIONS
24 by 24 by 15 inches

MSRP
$120

URL
firesideoutdoor.com

NOTES
The Pop-Up Fire Pit is a 2-square-foot solution for when you need a campfire quickly and want to leave a minimal impact. This portable pit can be set up in about a minute without tools, screws, or bolts. Made of aluminum and stainless steel, it burns with less smoke due to increased airflow. Once the fire’s extinguished, the 8-pound pit cools down in less than two minutes while leaving almost no trace of a fire. It also packs up smaller than most fold-out chairs in the included carry bag. While it’s most ideal for RV trips, camping, or tailgating, it can even be set up atop your lawn or wood deck because of its elevated frame and heat shield.

Good To-Go 5-Day Emergency Food Kit

SHELF LIFE
2 to 5 years

MSRP
$100

URL
goodto-go.com

NOTES
Anyone who’s ever eaten an MRE will know why it’s often called “Meal Rejected by Everyone.” Thankfully, Good To-Go is leading the movement toward prepackaged food that tastes yummy yet will remain shelf stable for years. Its 5-Day Emergency Food Kit is ideal for a home cache during a natural disaster, but could serve just as well during a road trip or weekend of camping. This box is filled with five breakfasts and 10 single-serving entrees — from Mexican quinoa bowl to herbed mushroom risotto. While some taste better than others, all the meals are calorie dense (important for survival), easy to prep (just add boiling water), and made from nutritious ingredients (with names you can actually pronounce) — and light-years tastier than canned meat and hardtack.

Pokka Pens Variety Pak

QUANTITY
Packs of 3, 5, 10, or 20

MSRP
Starting at $8.45

URL
pokkapens.com

NOTES
Let’s make this clear: These are not tactical pens. But what the Pokka Pen does offer is a compact, lightweight, durable, and affordable writing implement that’s easy to pocket. Because if it’s not convenient enough to carry daily, you won’t have it when you need it — whether that’s for something as mundane as jotting a list on a Post-it Note or for more dire situations like leaving a message for your survival group. The Pokka’s most attractive feature is that it’s just 3.3 inches long when closed, since the short barrel fits inside the long cap. To open it, just flip the barrel around and now you’ve got a 5.5-inch-long pen. Plus, the ink cartridges are replaceable. Made in the USA.

ZipStitch Laceration Kit

CONSISTS OF
ZipStitch, bandage, gauze pad, alcohol wipe

MSRP
Starting at $20 per kit

URL
zipstitch.us

NOTES
Imagine you’ve stumbled while hiking and opened a gash on your knee. Though it might not be life-threatening, you’ll need to stop the bleeding and get stitches. What do you do if you’re five miles from civilization, let alone a doctor? ZipStitch is an innovative alternative to stitches that you can apply to minor cuts in the field in seconds. Each ZipStitch features two 1.5-inch adhesive strips connected by four polymer zip ties. Place the strips on either side of the cut then pull them together by pulling the micro-adjustable zip ties individually, providing just the right amount of force to close the wound, increase healing, and decrease scarring. It’s a needle-free method of stitching up small lacerations.

Urban Armor Gear Plasma MacBook Pro Case

COMPATIBILITY
Various models of the 13-inch and 15-inch Apple MacBook Pros

MSRP
$80

URL
urbanarmorgear.com

NOTES
If we spend so much thought and money on a case for our $500 phones, shouldn’t we do the same for our $1,500 laptops? That’s why Urban Armor Gear has the Plasma Series, a lineup of armor for your MacBook Pro. Rather than two separate pieces with most cases, it features a clamshell-style design and impact-resistant bumpers to match the shape and function of your computer, allowing for a secure dual lock screen closure. The Plasma’s shell has cooling vents for smooth airflow, while its bumpers offer a tactile grip to prevent any slippage. But if your Mac does accidentally fall, the case meets Mil-spec standards for drop tests. The Plasma offers peace of mind when it comes to your most valuable (digital) assets.

Nite Ize Radiant 250 Headlamp

COLORS
Charcoal, Teal

MSRP
$30

URL
niteize.com

NOTES
The Radiant 250 is attractive for several reasons, but the two big ones are price and fuel. At $30, this headlamp provides solid performance at half the price of its peers. And because it runs on three AAA batteries, it won’t be difficult to find replacement batteries. As its name implies, the Radiant can put out a max of 250 lumens for up to five and a half hours or 38 lumens for 46 hours. It also has a flood mode to light up your nearby environment for up to 28 hours, as well as a red light (at 8 lumens) to preserve your night vision. The impact- and water-resistant body has intuitive controls and can tilt 90 degrees for easy beam adjustment.

Survivor Filter Pro X Electric Water Filter

WEIGHT
13.75 ounces

MSRP
$125

URL
survivorfilter.com

NOTES
Survival Filter says that its Pro X Electric Water Filter is the world’s first handheld portable electric survival water filter. Some luddites might be screaming, claiming that a reliance on batteries and more moving parts could increase your chances for failure. But this device is well built, pretty easy to use, and powered by perhaps the most common battery type available, AA. Plus, it can produce 17 ounces of water per minute, meaning you can set it up by a creek, hit the on button, and have drinking water by the time you finish prepping your basecamp. It filters out bacteria, viruses, and parasites to 99.999 percent and significantly reduces heavy metals — allowing you to safely consume water from most natural bodies of water.

Injinji Outdoor Midweight Crew NuWool

COLORS
Bluegrass, Bluesteel, Charcoal, Oatmeal, Ocean, Tomato

MSRP
$20

URL
injinji.com

NOTES
Technology has finally caught up to Mother Nature, at least when it comes to sheep’s clothing. Wool is a super fabric because it retains warmth even when wet, is naturally moisture wicking, and is odor resistant. But it causes itchiness and doesn’t last as long as, say, cotton. That’s why Injinji’s Outdoor Midweight Crew NuWool combines wool with acrylic, nylon, and Lycra to increase comfort and durability. Add a five-toe design, extra cushioning on the footbed, and a supportive band for arch support, and this sock provides superior performance for anyone who wants to conquer the outdoors but stay comfy at the same time.

Mission First Tactical Minimalist Wallet

MATERIAL
Boltaron

MSRP
$25

URL
missionfirsttactical.com

NOTES
If you’re sick of carrying a giant wad of leather and paper that’s called your bifold wallet, consider downsizing with Mission First Tactical’s Minimalist Wallet. Handmade by veterans in the USA from 0.08-inch-thick Boltaron (a polymer), the Minimalist Wallet is a holster for your financial EDC gear. It can fit up to eight credit cards and is very simple to use. The wallet is available with more than a dozen designs, from the U.S. flag to the DTOM banner. Each design is chemically bonded to the polymer to ensure that it’s wear and scratch resistant.

Helle Knives Kletten

OAL
5.3 inches

MSRP
$199

URL
helle.com

NOTES
The Kletten isn’t just an elegant gentleman’s knife. It isn’t just Helle Knives’ smallest model. It’s also a survival knife disguised as a little folding knife. The 2.1-inch blade features a laser-like Scandinavian flat grind that allows for both precise detailing as well as broad slicing, and its triple-laminated stainless steel offers both strength and corrosion resistance. The curly birch handle scales are reinforced with stainless steel liners and a super strong lockback locking mechanism. While it doesn’t have a pocket clip or a thumbstud, Helle’s first EDC folding knife does come with a classy leather lanyard and a polishing cloth. Kletten means “little mountain” in Norwegian — an apt moniker if ever there was one.

Uncharted Supply Co. The Zeus

DIMENSIONS
7.16 by 3.35 by 1.76 inches

MSRP
$150

URL
unchartedsupplyco.com

NOTES
It might look like a red brick of polymer, but the Zeus is actually a multi-tool. At its core is a portable jump starter. With 20,000 mAh, it has enough juice to jump-start large trucks multiple times. This heavy-duty power bank comes with battery clamps, eliminating the need for cumbersome 12-foot jumper cables and two awkwardly parked vehicles. Or maybe you have to pump air into tires instead? The Zeus has a cigarette power adapter to connect an air compressor. It also has two USB ports to charge your mobile devices. And if you require roadside assistance in the dark, it has a flashlight with three modes so you can see and be seen.

Urban Carvers Breakaway

LENGTH
3.25 inches

MSRP
Starting at $25

URL
urbancarvers.com

NOTES
Standard pull-apart keychains kept failing Dustin Bean. So, the rock climber and tree service owner decided to design his own. Enter the Urban Carvers Breakaway — a quick-detach double keyring on steroids. Each one features no moving parts, a solid yet lightweight two-piece construction, and N48 neodymium magnets with an incredibly strong 12-pound rating. And it comes in a variety of styles, finishes, and quality materials. For example, the Black Out version ($25) is made of Delrin (a copolymer) with steel rings, the Atomic 13 ($38) is composed of 6061 aluminum with titanium rings, and the Ti Grooved Anodized ($75) is built from solid GR5 titanium with titanium rings. The Breakaway is durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Made in the USA.

Brady Pesola Spotlight: Ensuring a Safe Passage for Veterans

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Studies have indicated that around 17 to 22 veterans die by suicide on a daily basis. According to a recent piece in Military Times, “Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military. For female veterans, the risk factor is 2.2 times more likely.” Think about that. As you read this almost two-dozen family members may have received a call today from someone who started off the conversation by saying, “We regret to inform you that …”

It seems like an almost insurmountable problem. That is, until you meet people like Brady Pesola who care enough to deal with it proactively. As a fellow veteran, he’s lived through it and seen his share of those in the armed forces who’ve fallen on hard times. Rather than just assume someone else will come up with an effective solution, he took it upon himself to found Triple B Adventures to help give his brothers and sisters, as well as their families, a safe path to escape the hopelessness many feel after they rotate out. And by that same token, their involvement has inspired them to pay it forward for others who may also be sitting around feeling unwanted and wondering if there’s any reason to keep going.

While there are lots of survival instructors out there, not many use that instruction as an opportunity to help those survive one of the darkest places they might ever find themselves — their own mind. What began as a simple passion for the outdoors and an understanding of how to navigate its dangers has blossomed into an effort to help veterans find a purpose again, build a community of like-minded individuals, and make peace with the trauma and isolation they’ve endured.

Brady isn’t a what’s-in-it-for-me kind of guy. He doesn’t expect to be famous, nor would he ever step on others to flog his own self-importance. His reward is in helping those who feel forgotten or helpless, and serving a purpose greater than himself. After all, that’s what being in the military is about.

Our Interview with Brady Pesola

RECOIL OFFGRID: How did your childhood influence your interest in teaching survival?

Brady Pesola: I grew up in the north woods of Minnesota. I learned how to hunt and spent a lot of time outdoors trying to make my own traps and shelters. For most kids growing up in that kind of place, the outdoor life is something you’re automatically a part of. They come into your school in the sixth grade and teach hunter safety. When you’re at home, you’re out in the woods running around with your friends building forts, shooting, fishing, and doing something outdoors. My dad taught me some common-sense things so he wouldn’t have to worry about me, like navigation, how to start a fire, and how to build shelters, which came from watching him build deer stands. I got pretty good at it, and it got to the point where he’d use what I made for hunting.

I always like being in the woods. Growing up, times weren’t easy, and I didn’t have a lot of friends in school, so I spent a lot of time in the woods. I always go to the woods to find peace. My way of calming down after a rough day or week is to strap on a pair of boots, put on a pack, head out, and get lost in nature. A lot of me going out into the woods and learning survival is just mental health and getting away from it all. I grew up as an only child on a farm, so I was kind of used to being alone as a kid. For me, that’s where I find peace. Knowing I can handle myself in nature is really cool.

You say you didn’t have a lot of friends. Why’s that?

BP: Growing up I was kind of a loner. I was a skinny kid and had a really cocky attitude I got from my mother, so I didn’t get along really well with other kids in school. I was always very socially awkward and didn’t fit in much. I got picked on here and there and got in a few fights.

On their way to a daddy/daughter day out climbing and hiking in San Diego.

What made you want to join the Marines?

BP: I grew up in a small mining community and didn’t get along with a lot of people up there. My senior year is when the World Trade Center was attacked. What’s strange is we were getting our class picture when the towers were hit, and when we came back inside there was all this chaos. We spent most of the day watching the news. A couple weeks later I saw a C-130 dropping Rangers off the back of it on the news and thought that was pretty cool.

The Army had already talked to me, and I was like, “No.” The Navy talked to me, “No.” The Marines got through to me because they really built themselves as the best branch out there — the strongest and the toughest. Being someone who was skinny, weak, and always got picked on, that appealed to me because if I was going to join the military, I wanted to be a badass and thought the Marines were the way to go. I don’t regret it to this day.

What did you do during your time in the Marines?

BP: Nothing crazy, I was a radio operator with a field artillery unit. I went on a lot of exercise deployments, but nothing combat related. I made a lot of friends and went to a lot of places like Thailand and Australia, but artillery is like a whole different kind of thing. It’s a weird MOS (military occupational specialty). In the military you, have CO versus grunt. Artillery is like that transition. We do grunt work, we go out and shoot machine guns, do a lot of dig-and-fight holes, and shoot artillery. We’re always out in the field and a combat arms MOS, but not a frontline. We’re about 15 clicks away shooting big rounds at the enemy when the infantry calls us. As a radio operator, I got to go experience time with the forward observers, different batteries, and see some cool things, but artillery can be fun. It’s what you make of it.

Trout fishing with fellow veterans at a Triple B Adventures to the Sierras. First trout of the day!

How long were you in for?

BP: I did four years from 2002 to 2006, got out, and was recalled back into service around 2007 and took orders till 2008. They recalled a bunch of us and made us base MPs (military police). It’s one of those despised MOS’s, but once I was there I made the most of it. Being an MP really wasn’t my favorite thing.

You had a lot of calls to investigate suicides during your time as an MP, right?

BP: We responded to a few in the barracks, and it’s just part of the program there. You see a lot of different things and kind of the dark side of the military that most people don’t see, from domestic assaults to people doing dumb stuff and hurting themselves to gangs. It’s things you don’t think you’ll see in the military. When you’re in a unit, you see people doing dumb stuff, but as an MP you see the bad things on a whole other level.

You see some guy who got back from combat and his wife’s pregnant with someone else’s kid or someone’s having a bad day and takes it out on their wife, or the wife has a bad day and takes it out on her husband. When you see gangs in the military, you’re surprised. You’re like, why? Why are there gangs in the military? Being an MP opens your eyes to the sh*tbags that exist in the military.

How do you think those experiences affected you?

BP: It made me appreciate what MPs do. A lot of people come down on MPs. It’s not a great MOS because the military looks at MPs as “blue falcons.” Those are snitches. In the Marine Corps it’s all about brotherhood and having each other’s backs, but when you become the MP your inherent job is to enforce the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). Granted, Marines shouldn’t be doing dumb sh*t. When you go out and see them getting in trouble with DUIs or running people over, how can you have a Marine’s back that just outright hurt someone doing something stupid?

It made me understand the MP culture a lot more. There are different cultures in the military. Artillery has their own culture, infantry has their own, air wing certainly has their own, Recon, every MOS has their own culture. They’re all very different, and it’s interesting to see. Maybe I’m more objective in my view, not in a bad way, but by seeing all different sides of the military you realize it’s a big place. A lot goes on.

On the local news talking about an upcoming event and gear for the backcountry.

When you finished your career in the military, did you know what you wanted to do going forward?

BP: I still don’t know [laughs]. When I got out after my recall, I took a few months off and signed up for a police academy in San Diego. I went in as an open enrollee with the GI bill and put myself through a six-month academy. It was a good time and interesting. I learned a lot about law enforcement and thought I wanted to be a cop, but it didn’t work out. I applied and got rejected a couple times for stupid stuff I did back in the day as a Marine, so I figured it wasn’t for me, but while I was in, I started going to other classes and continued applying. That’s when I started going outdoors in nature and hiking more, shooting little videos here and there.

I began to see how a lot of people in the San Diego backcountry would be making mistakes. A lot of money is spent by the county on search-and-rescue, and they don’t charge for that. People were getting themselves hurt and doing dumb things because San Diego is hot, and people take the front trails for granted. They’d buy a Starbucks, not bring any water, head up at noon in all-black spandex, and then be overcome with heatstroke.

I started thinking to myself how I could prevent that. How could I do something that teaches these people not to get injured outdoors and do stupid things? That’s when I started teaching outdoor education and survival. How to bring water, pack the right gear, wear the right clothes, and best practices for going out hiking rather than going out at noon in August, which isn’t the brightest thing to do.

You also work in private security, right?

BP: Yes, I’m a security contractor. It’s fun, but I definitely use a survival mindset when it comes to security contracting. Attention to detail and surveying my environment, whether it’s executive protection or as a private investigator. If I’m on a protection detail, I’m looking at and studying people. I’m looking at behavioral patterns. I’m looking at possible threats. My job is to avoid a situation before it happens. It’s my belief that anytime I’d have to pull my firearm or put my hands on somebody then I haven’t done my job correctly by paying attention to my environment.

How would you describe the type of survival instruction you provide?

BP: I look at survival instruction as a complementary skill on top of the outdoor skills one should already have. Survival has gotten really popular with TV and all that, but TV has made survival look like this advanced skill that only Special Forces people and guys living out in the woods know. It’s really not that hard of a skill. Survival is just problem solving.

Brady teaching youth to shoot a bow at Triple B’s fundraiser called the Modern Man Mountain Rendezvous (3MR).

People make it out to be this intense, crazy thing because TV has really bastardized it and made it look like this austere skill where you have to be this bushcraft hippie ninja, and that really isn’t it. It’s simply just going out in the woods and learning if you take this stick and this stick, of this type of material, and do this type of action, you can make a fire, build a shelter, or do something else. It’s utilizing Mother Nature to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws out at you.

You’d mentioned taking hunter safety in elementary school. Things like that used to be commonplace, but now seem to be predominantly missing from the educational system. What do you think kids need to be taught about survival?

BP: Parents should teach their kids about navigation, water, and common sense. Stay on the trails unless you’re confident in navigation. Bring water with you all the time; always have first aid. Survival starts before something happens. Study the trails you’re going to hike. Know what the weather will be like before you head out there. Know where you’re going and how to get back.

People look at survival like it’s this event that just randomly happens. Survival doesn’t happen until after a catastrophic event, like a plane crash, falling off a cliff, getting lost, or having a hunting accident. It’s generally after an injury has occurred, but survival really starts before the situation happens by being prepared. That’s why I think parents need to teach their kids to always be prepared and have a mindset of being aware of your surroundings or thinking ahead about what they should do before they perform that action. So if they’re going into the woods, they should prepare themselves with proper gear like hiking shoes, a good pack, a first-aid kit, water, food, a compass, or GPS. That’s where survival starts. It’s just common sense.

How do you discuss survival with people who have misconceptions about it and convince them it is common sense?

BP: I start by calling it something else. Whenever anyone hears “survival” they think of some overweight backcountry redneck who wears camo and uses old military gear. That’s not a survivalist. That’s just a country boy. When people call me a survivalist I kind of cringe and am like, “Don’t call me that.” It’s problem solving. That’s all it really is. It’s being out in the woods and you’re cold. OK, what’s the solution to that problem? Build a fire. OK, how do you build a fire? You bring things with you where you can make a fire if you get lost. I always have a necklace that has a ferro rod on it with me wherever I go. As long as I have something sharp, I can scrape that and make a fire no matter where I go. Fire increases your survivability exponentially. I carry something on me that’ll increase my chances of survival no matter where I am or what I do.

When I tell people about “survival,” I don’t really call it that. I call it wilderness problem solving. The philosophy of problem solving can be finessed so you have a problem-solving mindset. Problem A requires solution B. OK, so what do I need to get done? If you have that mindset you can apply that to any situation you come across: tactical problem solving, wilderness problem solving, life problem solving, urban problem solving. The same kind of mentality used to change a tire is the same type you can use to build a shelter in the wilderness. I want people to know that survival is just a complementary skill that you should know on top of the common-sense skills that you should already have.

Brady with Governor Mike Huckabee on the Huckabee Show to talk about Triple B and what they do with veterans.

How would you describe your National Adventure School endeavor?

BP: It’s going to be a bit different than most outdoor education schools. National Adventure School is not only going to have classes that teach outdoor education along the lines of wilderness problem solving and survival, but also along the lines of really learning your gear. Focusing on being prepared for that trip and how to use that equipment during that trip.

We also teach things like astro-photography. I have a friend who is an astro-photographer and astronomer, and we want to bring that fun back into nature again. We want to teach people how to take that really cool photo at nighttime where you see the constellation. It’s not that hard, so we want to teach people how to do really simple stuff like that. We want to bring that kind of wonder back into it. People wake up, go get a coffee, and go hiking, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s people who look at a map of the backcountry and want to go explore it. We cater to all those kinds of personalities.

What was it that compelled you to work with veterans?

BP: When I was teaching outdoor education with the San Diego School of Survival I was bringing veterans out with me. I didn’t have the network I do now when I started. Every time I’d meet a veteran they’d be like, “That’s so cool. You get paid just by going out in the woods and teaching people?” I’d tell them, yes, and I figured out a way to apply my skills, knowledge of the outdoors, and how to monetize it. Or there’d be vets who’d call me because they wanted to get out and go for a hike in the woods, and maybe I’d be teaching land nav that weekend and I’d offer them a chance to come along with me and earn some cash as my assistant.

We’d be out there in the nice, cool weather. The sun’s coming out just enough to warm your back. The wind’s blowing through trees, and you’re watching clients walk through the woods with a map and compass trying to find their target. Your whole job that day is to answer questions and make sure they don’t get lost. That’s a really fun experience and people who come with me see that. They feel like they’ve had a good day just getting outdoors. I can see that, especially with people who’ve been in combat, being out in the woods in a different environment was really helping them out. You can see a certain weight come off their shoulders. They’re out in the woods with another veteran, having a great conversation, and getting paid. You can’t beat that. Just being outdoors like that creates a special feeling that’s a different sort of relaxation.

When I started doing that, I could see that being outdoors was really affecting them. And then I started taking buddies camping out in the desert, having a fire, having a few beers, a steak, climbing around the boulders, and doing some hiking. People would come up and thank me, saying it was just what they needed; that they’d just wanted to get away and get their mind off things. That was pretty cool. I started meeting more veterans at outdoor-related functions. The more I met, the more I saw that they had business leads and ideas for being a veteran in the outdoors, and they helped me create Triple B Adventures. It’s a whole group of us who really set it up. Triple B Adventures started in 2016.

We’d done something called the Modern Mountain Man Rendezvous that same year and that’s where I met a whole group of veterans, and we talked about fulfilling this dream of making money and working in the outdoors. One of them runs an outfitting company. A bunch of them had done different things, and we all came together with this idea of getting veterans outdoors and creating this network of vets in the outdoor industry.

In November of that year, a bunch of us went out camping and had a good time sitting around the fire, telling stories, having a few beers, getting things off our chest, and enjoying each other’s company. It was a really good time. At that point, it began as Triple B Adventures, which stands for beers, bonfires, brotherhood. It started there, and I talked to my friend Colin and asked him to be my assistant director. There was a financial attorney there who was a vet, and I asked him to be my CFO. He filed the paperwork for the nonprofit, and we became Triple B Adventures.

Tell us how Triple B Adventures has evolved since then.

BP: Triple B has evolved from starting out small to creating this network of vets. There are a lot of people around here in San Diego who know what Triple B is. Not everyone gets outside with us because not everyone likes to go camping, but the ones who do really seem to enjoy the time out there, the camaraderie, and the fun we have. We take veterans outdoors every month without fail. Every month we either take them out camping, hunting, hiking, fishing, or shooting. A lot of them seem to like it, and we’re always there for someone who says they need to get outdoors. We tell them to come out with us, and it’s free. It doesn’t cost anything. People can donate, and we can pay for the food, campsites, gear, and stuff like that. It really is a lot of fun. It can be stressful at times, but the payoff is seeing veterans being helped.

With the network we’ve created we’ve been able to help get jobs for veterans, places for them to live, help them get money, mental help, or help with the VA. It’s more than just going outside; it’s developing a network of other veterans who can help and want to help. Veterans who we’ve helped in the past want to pay it forward and help other veterans out. Part of it is being outside, but part of it is what we do with the outreach, communications, and interaction with other veterans.

What do you think those who haven’t served in the military should know about veterans and the common struggles they face after their service is over?

BP: I don’t know. I never really think about it from that view. I’m always concentrating on what veterans need to know when they get out, not be a victim, and not be broken. Stay the lethal person you were when you were in. Don’t let anxiety set in. Fight it.

Many can’t comprehend how difficult that struggle is when transitioning from service back to civilian life and they just expect veterans to figure it out and handle their problems without incident. What do you say to that?

BP: Don’t get offended by veterans. When we get out, we have a certain mentality that people just don’t get. If we say something off the cuff, give us the benefit of the doubt. We’re not trying to be malicious. People look at us like we’re these broken sociopaths, and we’re not. We just have a different way of thinking. It’s not that we don’t have empathy. We just reserve empathy for people who actually are victims of something. We look at people who do dumb stuff and have that oh-woe-is-me attitude like, no, it’s your fault and your responsibility. We tend to look at personal responsibility as a huge part of our lives. If we do something stupid, we don’t expect people to pay for it. We pay for it ourselves.

When we go into college or jobs, we may seem rough around the edges, but we’ll always have your back and be the first person to step up to fight for something. We’re always the first person to volunteer and stand up for what’s right. Don’t look at us like we’re damaged. There are veterans out there who may give that image, but the rest of us are just trying to fit in with society. We don’t want to be the abrasive veteran. We want people to know we’re not that different. We’re not all victims because a few people act like that. We’re civilians with military experience, so ask us questions. How can we help you? How can we help your business? How can our experience help? We have that leadership and strength. Spend time with veterans and talk to them. Get to know them.

Not everyone is this medicated, disgruntled person. I call those guys the Uncle Ricos of the veteran community. They’re always trying to live in their glory days. It’s time to move on, adjust, integrate back into society, look at the skills you have, and use those to better yourself and those around you instead of living in the past.

What do you think the government could or should be doing to better assist vets after they rotate out?

BP: It starts with rotating out. The military’s whole purpose is mission readiness. It’s to go out and cause hate and discontent for the bad guys. When you get out, you still have that mindset. I think they need to readjust their exit procedure for veterans. They need to be successful when they get out. I think the military needs to refocus and revamp. You’ve got 70- or 80-year-old guys trying to tell 22-year-old guys how to do their résumé. There’s a major gap there. People are teaching antiquated ways of adjusting to their environment and getting out into the civilian wilderness, as I call it. It’s tough to survive the civilian wilderness. With one week of training before you get out, it’s kind of just a checklist. It’s like, here, go get this done and then report to formation. The military really doesn’t focus on people’s lives when they get out.

But it’s also a double-edged sword, because why should they? If you want to get out, it’s on you, but if you did a few years of honorable service they should be asking, “How can we get you best integrated with the environment?” I think the government could do good by aligning certifications that are reciprocal to civilian work forces. Like police officers. When military police get out, they have to go through another academy again. I think your time and service should apply to something. It should count for more.

Instead of having to go through an academy and start over, there should be an in-service training. I think the professional certifications you had in the military like IT, fire, and police should transition better. There are jobs that, when you get out, all of a sudden they require a degree. The government should be able to somehow quantify or equalize those professions to allow you to start into a job right away when you get out rather than go back through a training procedure and start from the ground up again.

I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of stories from vets about wanting to feel needed and find stability and happiness in their lives again, especially after the horror many have experienced in combat. What would you say to those sitting around in silence wondering if their life is worth continuing?

BP: The whole reason why we join the military is to serve a purpose greater than ourselves. I grew up in a poor town and wasn’t great at school and the Marine Corps was my escape. I also wanted to do something because I watched the towers fall. We all join to serve. If you didn’t join to serve, at a certain point in your career you figure out that you were there for a greater purpose and that was the military. When you get out, you’re so used to serving an entity that meant something. In the military you feel like you belong. Like you mean something and everything you do has a purpose. When you get out, you feel like you don’t have a purpose anymore.

I think a lot of veterans are scared about falling into that background of mediocrity. When you’re in, you’re not mediocre. You’re something special. You’re well trained. You’re a good shooter. You’re something that’s different and that sets you apart. When you get back out, you don’t stand apart anymore. You fear working that 9-to-5 office job, wearing a stupid tie and listening to some chick from HR or some guy named Todd who’s talking about that barbecue on Friday. You’re asking yourself if that’s all you have to look forward to. If it is, we get scared of that and go into a depression because we realize we’re not as lethal or cool as we used to be.

It comes down to the cool factor really. Saying you’ve been in the military has pride. When you get out, you’re no longer a part of that community and you miss your friends. You get worried that you’ll just fade away in the background, and it’s scary. You feel depressed because every day you woke up you were awesome. You PT’d, you were awesome. You shot, you were awesome. Your whole life was awesome, and you were a lethal person. Your mind was lethal, your body was lethal, your whole presence was just about lethality and taking the fight to the enemy. You feel like you just don’t have that anymore.

I would tell veterans not to lose their lethality. Stay fit. Keep your mind sharp. Go to school. Connect with friends and people. That’s hard too because when you go to school you realize the people around you in class aren’t the same people who’d have your back, take a bullet for you, or shoot at the enemy for you. That’s why you seek out other veterans in the classroom because you know no matter what branch they were in, you share some commonality. You share some principles that you can identify with and you can rely on them. All the rest of the civilians in class, you can’t rely on them or at least you feel like you can’t.

There are some exceptions to the rule though; there are good people who didn’t serve who’d still have your back. But the fear is you’ve put a lot of emotional investment into these other people, whereas you see someone else in the military and you already feel that emotional investment and love you had. With a civilian you have to start that over again, and it just takes time. A lot of us don’t feel like we have that time. We’d rather hang out in the background, and unless you’re a veteran, just not talk to you. That’s a bad thing.

Veterans should get out, and meet new people, and integrate. You can still be that wolf in sheep’s clothing — that lethal person. You don’t have to be that crazy veteran; you can integrate. You can reach out, go hang out with friends, and find civilians you share things with.

Do you think feeling like an outsider as a kid gave you some perspective that helped you relate to other veterans better?

BP: Most of us veterans are outsiders and look at ourselves as outcasts of society anyway. We get out of the military, look at society, and we know we’re different. Some of us think we’re better than others, some of us think we’re not as good as civilians, and some of us look at civilians and say, “Those aren’t my people. My people are back in the military.”

The problem with that kind of mentality is that it causes that isolation and loneliness that creates depression, anxiety, and eventually suicide. Being in the military has allowed me to find my family in the veteran community. I think most of us who were outcasts in school have joined the military because it was a way of escape, finding our own family, and feeling a sense of inclusion.

About Brady Pesola

Age: 36

Status: Married with one daughter

Hometown: Hibbing, Minnesota

Favorite movie: Jeremiah Johnson

Favorite knife: Anything by Uncle Jed

Childhood idol: Kirby Puckett

Required reading list:

  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
  • The Cry of the Wolf by Melvin Burgess
  • Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
  • 101 Skills You Need To Survive In The Woods by Kevin Estela

Favorite Bond girl: Michelle Yeoh

Best advice you’ve ever gotten: “Shut up and listen.”

How do you take your eggs? Over medium

Most embarrassing moment: Took a buddy and his son out hiking. Was teaching them about survival and talking about how to use sap. Grabbed what I thought was a glob of sap, and it grew legs and started moving. I’d grabbed the fat end of a big spider and freaked the f*ck out. I threw it and started shaking my hands like a little girl.

URL: www.tba.vet; www.nationaladventureschool.com

Video: LifeStraw Tested Under a Microscope

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Unless you've gone through life drinking nothing but Perrier delivered by your personal butler, you probably know better than to drink straight out of the first stream, pond, or gutter that you come across in an emergency. Even crystal-clear, clean-smelling water can contain millions of tiny bacteria, protozoa, and other waterborne pathogens that are invisible to the naked eye. And if the water you drink contains substantial amounts of those pathogens, you're going to be in for some serious misery. Passing the water through a filter such as a LifeStraw can strain out these harmful microorganisms — the YouTube channel Sci-Inspi shows the results of this filtration at 1000x magnification through a microscope.

After leaving some decomposing leaves, dirt, and water in a beaker for a few days, the Sci-Inspi video shows a sample of the dirty water under the microscope. Even at a relatively low 40x magnification, the results will make your skin crawl. Under higher magnification, the water is absolutely teeming with life.

This water is then drawn through a LifeStraw filter using a sterile pipette, and the results are clear — literally. Although this isn't a by-the-book test that precisely quantifies the number of remaining microorganisms, as required by NSF/ANSI test protocols, it does paint a general picture of why water filtration matters. Watch the 5-minute demonstration below, and keep this in mind next time you're tempted to drink some questionable water in the woods.

For an overview of some of the options for water purification in a survival setting, refer to our previous articles: