Reader’s Tip: Preparedness Lessons Learned from Y2K

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In Issue 33 of our print magazine, I wrote my “On the Grid” column about “the apocalypse that never was” — Y2K. It's easy to look back at January 1st, 2000 with our 20/20 hindsight and feel convinced it was all a false alarm driven by a snowball effect of hype. However, many sources today will attest that if it weren't for that hype and the billions of dollars in industry-wide computer system updates it motivated, Y2K could have been an extremely serious disaster.

While the fear surrounding Y2K led some people to irrational behaviors, such as the Hot-Pocket-hoarder I mentioned in my column, it served as a positive motivator for countless others. In fact, many people in the prepping community today took their first steps towards preparedness shortly before 1/1/2000. Even though that particular disaster never manifested in the way the mainstream media speculated, it created an environment that was more open to emergency preparedness — at least temporarily.

Unfortunately, after tremendous amounts of work and preventative measures averted the crisis, preppers were once again depicted as paranoid and irrational. A New York Times retrospective video lumped survivalists and gun buyers in with predatory scammers, calling them individuals who took “extreme measures in anticipation of the millennium.”

As a result of my Y2K column, I recently received an email from Micheal Kline, a reader who wanted to share some of the lessons he learned from that time period. His email contains some perspective on the atmosphere leading up to New Year's Day 2000, as well as how it shaped his interest in preparedness over the next 20 years. I've shared it in its entirety below — read on to see what you can glean from Micheal's account.

I was still in high school during Y2K and my memory is a little fuzzy, but I believe it was late 1996 or 1997 when I began to hear what Y2K was and the possible risks involved. We lived in North Florida, near Tallahassee, so we were used to preparing for hurricanes. We were used to being prepared for three or four days without power. We had some canned food, camp stoves, battery-powered lanterns, and candles. No biggie.

In the late '90s, many critical computer systems had become outdated. (Flickr.com/jparise | CC BY-SA 2.0)

I have always been technical and computer-savvy. Knowing what SCADA systems were and realizing how our life depended on them showed me how thin of a razor blade our society walks on. It was described back then that society is a 3-legged stool. One leg is the banking industry; one leg is the power grid, and the last leg is the perceived economy. If any problem occurs any one of the legs, the stool (society) will collapse. Upon seeing this analogy, I knew I and my family needed to prepare. I had never heard of just-in-time delivery of food, didn’t know how to filter water, and had only been camping with my dad and with the Boy Scouts.

Family camping can be fun, but it's not necessarily good practice for survival. (Photo: Klymit)

This began my prepping journey that I am still on today. My family and I began discussing what could happen if the power went out and never came back on. We were new and had only knowledge of being without utilities for a few days after a storm. We also thought about what could happen if the banking industry had an issue and we could not get any money. We began to think about how we would eat if stores were closed, how we would get clean water, shower, and flush toilets. How would we defend our supplies and home?

We laid out what we needed to fulfill our basic needs: water, food, shelter, and security. Since we had a Sam’s Club membership we bought bulk rice, sugar, flour, and beans as best we knew how. The term prepper was not popular yet, but we were becoming what we now know as preppers.

I, being the geek, began buying survivalist, preparedness, and Y2K-related magazines and visiting BBS sites, using alt.rec newsgroups, and any survival related websites. My little 28.8kpbs modem stayed busy. I learned about date codes on the bottom of cans, how to use bleach to purify water, and how to properly store food in buckets, and outdoor survival techniques. I poured over books, magazines, and the limited Internet.

The internet can be a source of valuable survival knowledge if you know where to look. (Flickr.com/jeroenbennink)

This is my first major lesson: study and learn about how to survive, but not from Facebook. Looking back, I had access to some great sources of knowledge. Those that were online were truly knowledgeable and willing to help. In today’s society, we have keyboard warriors that give a lot of people false or misleading information. If you want to learn how to survive, read a magazine or read a book. Don’t get your survival knowledge off of Facebook and Instagram. They are good to interact and ask about experiences, but don’t stake your life on it.

However, I digress; my family and I bought a small wood stove and installed it in the living room of our house. We bought a few cords of firewood and had it covered and elevated to protect it. During the winter of ’98, we used the wood stove to heat the room and cook on. This ensured we would have practice and know how the cooking times differed from a regular stove.

As Micheal learned, it's wise to gather as much wood as you think you'll need, then double or triple it.

We lived near a lake and buried a pipe down to the lake that connected to a pitcher pump. I bought spare leather parts and learned how to prime the pump. I learned really quick to put in a shut-off valve so the pump would not lose its prime so fast and require so much water to prime. Unbelievably, it did work and would pump about a 1/4-gallon per handle pump. After using it, I learned that it requires A LOT of strength to pump water 200 feet and up an 80-foot drop. I put a steel pipe next to the pump to act as a fulcrum and help me pump water when we practiced using it.

We bought a few 55-gallon water drums and filled them with treated water based on 2 gallons per person per day. I put in a primitive rain catch by using a plastic tarp attached to the underside of the roof that diverted down into a drum. We learned to let the water settle for about a day so the asphalt gravel would sink and the crud could be skimmed off. This rainwater was used partly for drinking once filtered through the Berkey.

Rainwater collection can be a great way to supplement your water stockpiles.

The other part of the water was poured into a gallon metal drum I put on concrete blocks that I then built a fire under. My dad and I put a water spigot on the side with a hose and shower sprayer. Since we lived on a hill, we built a small shower area down the hill from the ‘water heater’ to create decent water pressure. From this, we learned that you can have too much heat and it takes a lot of wood to heat 55 gallons of water. Fortunately, we learned that stirring the pot after about 20 minutes gave us water that was about 80-90 degrees. Not hot, but warm enough for all of us to shower with (and not so much that we used all of our wood).

That’s another thing — by practicing some of these things early on in ’98 and ’99 we worked out some kinks. We ended up buying a lot more wood for the stove and water heater. This lesson has stuck with me even today. It is great to have supplies and gadgets to assist in SHTF, but unless you practice using said equipment, you are going to be at a disadvantage. You need to walk the walk so to speak. You can have a subscription to Battle Box, but unless you actually get out in the woods and use those things you are going to be at a loss.

There are a lot of other things we learned and experienced, but too many to list here.

Y2K was a very ‘wing it’ type event. It was a good trial run of how to live off-grid. Had it actually come to fruition we would have been under-prepared. The good thing about Y2K was that it put the family in a state of what-if. Now, 20 some-odd years later my wife and I continually think about our creature comforts and what we need to keep those going. Because of the lessons learned in Y2K we are much better prepared for hurricanes, thunderstorms, or SHTF.

Although Y2K wasn't the catastrophe it could've been, it certainly offered lessons for the future.

Major lessons learned from Y2K:

  • Two is one and one is none. Have a backup to your backup.
  • Don’t buy #10 cans of food unless you have a lot of people to feed. Buy them and break them down into smaller containers or just buy smaller cans so that it does not all spoil before you can use it.
  • Knowledge is power. Just make sure you get the right knowledge from the right sources.
  • Practice, practice, practice. Try cutting the power off in your house for a weekend and see how long it takes Murphy to show up.

Today, Micheal Kline is a dedicated advocate for emergency preparedness. His professional background includes work with commercial two-way radio systems, computer network administration, and collaboration with various emergency management organizations. He also hosts a free podcast known as Reality Check, which covers a wide range of topics, from defending your home and maintaining communication security to building a DIY latrine. You can listen to the podcast at prepperbroadcasting.com/reality-check or follow his Facebook page for the latest news.

Apple Off-Grid Radio Service (OGRS) Project Canceled

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The original purpose of cell phones was to allow calls over the cellular network, but that purpose seems to have become a distant memory these days. Now most cell phones are used for sending text messages, checking social media, browsing the web, taking photos, or almost anything other than making calls. Given the substantial power of modern-day smartphones and their reliance on traditional cellular and WiFi networks, we've sometimes wondered why other emergency communication functions aren't more prevalent.

Cell phones can be useful in off-grid settings, but external communication requires an active network. (Photo: onX)

Imagine if your smartphone could also work as a walkie-talkie, using radio waves to communicate in remote areas where cellular coverage and WiFi are unavailable. This would essentially fill in the gaps between those mainstream networks, and make cell phones vastly more useful in off-grid locations (or grid-down disasters). Although Motorola iDEN phones offer this feature, they're not exactly common in the consumer market. Reports surfaced this week to indicate that Apple had been developing a text-based radio communication feature for the iPhone, but has now put it on hold indefinitely. The project was called Off-Grid Radio Service, or OGRS (pronounced “ogres”) for short.

According to a report by The Information, Apple's OGRS would have used an Intel modem chip to transmit text messages from one iPhone to another over radio frequencies in the the 900-megahertz range. Based on the size and power limitations of the iPhone, it's likely that this would have been limited to relatively short ranges, much like a handheld walkie-talkie — think 1 to 2 miles in typical conditions, or a few more miles over flat terrain with no obstructions.

Just like handheld walkie-talkies, OGRS range would have been reduced in mountainous terrain.

The cancellation of this project may have been a result of several factors. First, Apple recently signed a deal with Intel competitor Qualcomm for 5G modems for its next batch of phones — some analysts have speculated that the Off-Grid Radio Service may have relied on the Intel chip. Additionally, development of OGRS was reportedly spearheaded by Apple executive Rubén Caballero, who took a personal interest in implementing the feature. Caballero left the company in April.

Although there may still be a chance that this feature is re-implemented in the future, the future of OGRS is not looking good given these changes at Apple. Still, we hope it gets a second chance, since it would add substantial value to a cell phone for hiking, off-roading, or survival situations.

Thanks to Steven Kuo for the tip about this announcement.

National Preparedness Month 2019: Be Prepared, Not Scared

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We've probably said it a thousand times, and we'll say it again: emergency preparedness is valuable for everyone. If every man, woman, and child in America took a few basic steps towards becoming more prepared for disasters, we'd be much better off as a nation.

Even if you're assured of your own family's preparedness, it's wise to encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to consider following in your footsteps. As much as we like to think of ourselves as independent, you'll generally have an easier time overcoming hardships as a community than you would in total isolation. And, if nothing else, it'll reduce the chances of your less-prepared acquaintances pounding on your door in a panic — or trying to take your resources by force — during an emergency situation.

In order to spread the message of preparedness far and wide, the U.S. government has designated September as National Preparedness Month. This year's overarching theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” As with previous years, this campaign is run by FEMA and Ready.gov with the ultimate goal of promoting “family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year.” National Preparedness Month is broken down into four weeks, each with a specific theme and associated educational materials:

A few examples of suggested practices from the National Preparedness Month campaign.

Week 1: Save Early for Disaster Costs
Are you financially prepared for a natural disaster? Learn how to make a plan with CFPB’s tips: https://go.usa.gov/xPbJv

Week 2: Make a Plan
Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as a conversation over dinner. Get started today: www.ready.gov/plan

Week 3: Youth Preparedness
Teach children what to do in an emergency if they are at home or away from home. ready.gov/kids

Week 4: Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness
Every community has voluntary organizations that work during disasters. Visit https://www.nvoad.org to see what organizations are active in your community.

Although it's a start, this recommendation strikes us as seriously insufficient.

Obviously, this campaign is targeted at those who haven't already taken the value of preparedness seriously — if you're a regular reader of our publication, that's not you. So, some of the recommendations are woefully inadequate by our standards. The advised “at least 3 to 7 days” worth of food, water, and medications is nowhere near enough for any substantial disaster. That said, it's better than nothing.

For more information on National Preparedness Month, go to Ready.gov/September. Even if you don't use the materials provided there to support your case, now is a good time to bring up the subject with your loved ones. They may be skeptical at first, but it's in everyone's best interest to consider ways to become more prepared.

Paleo Prepper: Is the Caveman Diet Realistic for SHTF?

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This article originally appeared in Issue 15 of our magazine.

Warning! The content expressed in this column is for illustrative purposes only. Consult a medical professional before trying any physical activity or nutritional plan.

The Paleo diet — or caveman diet — is the latest fad in the fitness and nutrition world. Advocates call it a healthier way of eating, as it brings us back to our hunter-gatherer days when there wasn’t any farming, let alone manufactured foods. This might appeal to many preppers who feel this diet aligns with their preference for a less dependent, more sustainable way of living. But critics screaming, “Paleo schmaleo!” call it a “Jurassic fad” that’ll leave you lacking in vital nutrients and with a big hole in your wallet.

Is it truly a healthier food plan? And why would you want to eat this way when prepping for the unknown ahead? Let’s cut into this meaty discussion and take a closer look.

Illustration by Lonny Chant

The Skinny on the Paleo Diet

So what’s the Paleo diet? It focuses on mimicking the food groups of our pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer ancestors. It’s characterized by high-protein, low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic-index foods, including those that are high in fiber, moderate to high in fat, and more alkaline. It may seem a little confusing, but, simply put, the Paleo diet is solely composed of meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils.

The goal is to get your dietary intake of these foods in the least processed, most organic and grass-fed forms. The fewer steps from the farm to your plate, the better.

Our distant ancestors wouldn’t have access to many foods that we have today, including dairy, legumes, grains, refined sugar, potatoes, processed foods, and refined vegetable oils. This contrasts the standard American diet (referred to, perhaps fittingly, as the SAD diet) in that we’ve been told for ages that the bulk of our calories should come from carbohydrates, with much lower protein and fat. More recently, this is starting to change, but nowhere near what the Paleo folks recommend.

The Origins

The Paleo diet originated from a 1985 research paper titled “Paleolithic Nutrition” by Dr. Boyd Eaton from Emory University published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In it, the article suggested that the ideal human diet was to be found in the nutritional practices of our Stone Age ancestors, and not the way we had been taught to eat. At the time, the concept was somewhat revolutionary.

Later, Dr. Loren Cordain — an exercise physiologist and expert in the evolutionary basis of diet and disease — came out with his first book titled The Paleo Diet. In it, Dr. Cordain wrote extensively on the effects of the current American diet on our health, and how adopting a diet similar to our ancestors could lead to optimal health and performance.

Essentially, the premise was that our genes dictate our nutritional needs, which were heavily shaped by the selective pressure of the Paleolithic environment. Many of the foods we eat today are at odds with our genetic makeup, causing many of our modern diseases, according to advocates. They claim that by adopting the Paleo diet, we can reverse these diseases and restore our health and well-being.

The Effects

When looking at historical and anthropological records, hunter-gatherers were healthy and fit people who were, for the most part, free from heart disease and other ailments common in Western countries. Paleo diet proponents claim the health of humans after farming and agriculture began to show a decline compared to their ancestors (and there’s some research to support this), pointing to the inclusion of dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, potatoes, and eventually higher amounts of processed foods and sugar as the main culprits.

On the flip side, the diet’s biggest critics say the large quantities of meat being consumed could lead to health risks, based on some research correlating high red meat consumption with cancer.
Also, the lack of grains and legumes in the diet doesn’t have everyone on board. Opponents cite how legumes are actually quite nutritious and how whole grains aren’t a problem for most of the population — there’s research to support grains being nutritious (whole grains are high in fiber and are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates).

However, one of the primary stances of the Paleo faithful is how gluten can be an Achilles’ heel for some. It’s a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and millet. You may have heard of the autoimmune condition called celiac disease, which causes intestinal inflammation and damage in sufferers when gluten is ingested. Aside from a range of symptoms including pain, it can result in decreased absorption of nutrients.

Just because you don’t have celiac disease doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off scot-free. Lectins, proteins found in gluten, aren’t fully broken down through digestion. Grains (and dairy) also contain a protease inhibitor that blocks digestion of the lectins further. Your body views these large, intact proteins as foreign intruders like viruses or parasites. Long story short, this can still cause the immune system to mount an attack on these proteins. If your gut wall becomes damaged as a result, the entire contents of your intestines can enter your system. This is where the term “leaky gut” comes from.

The Prep

So how does all of this Paleo stuff fit into a prepper’s plan? Surprisingly well, actually, with some adjustments. Yes, some fresh fruits and vegetables that make up a typical Paleo menu don’t have a long shelf life. And not all of us farm or raise livestock. But, we can still shift our idea of Paleo to accommodate the needs of preparation and survival.

Meat makes up a significant part of the Paleo plan, and there are several different ways to include meat in your prepper diet. First of all, depending on your scenario, hunting and fishing are perfect options. If you don’t live next to a field or river, purchasing frozen, canned, dehydrated, or freeze-dried meat are your best options.

Growing a garden is a great way to get fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Eating off the land is about as Paleo as it gets, and given the right circumstances, is a sustainable option for nutrition.

Foraging, on the other hand, can be a little tough. Living in cities and suburbs, most of us will find little except for big-box and grocery stores, which could be raided during or after a disaster. Even if you do have the skills to identify edible plants in your concrete jungle, they’re probably tainted by pesticides and other contaminants. [Editor’s note: see “Urban Foraging” in Issue 8].

The Storage

Make sure to look past the typical route of long-lasting foods like grains, beans, or peanuts (which are actually legumes). As we mentioned earlier, they’re not allowed in a Paleo diet. Nuts and seeds are great examples of foods you can store pretty easily, however. You can buy these already packaged and ready to go. Stockpile as much as you need.

Canning works well to preserve meats, fruits, and vegetables, and it keeps them very close to their original state fairly well. Canning can be done with minimal equipment and is an easy way to store and stockpile food. [Editor’s note: See “Meat You Can’t Beat” in our Winter 2014 issue.]

Dehydration is a great option to preserve food by eliminating the water content, thus preventing bacteria or mold growth. This can also be an easy option to do at home by simply putting your food in the oven on the lowest setting for six to eight hours.

Freezing is an easy choice to store food long-term, but really only makes sense as long as you have access to power, a freezer, plenty of space for stockpiling, and a semi-permanent residence.

The Wrap-Up

The Paleo diet can have its place in the prepper lifestyle, especially considering foraging and hunting, at some point, may be your best means of survival. It may seem restrictive in our current day and age, but living the way our ancestors did long ago does have several health advantages, not to mention its practicality when in the wilderness. This may even require you to brush up on your survival skills, which is a great thing to keep top of mind. Following the Paleo diet in dire straits may not always be practical, but can be a great way to eat when thorough preparation and planning can happen.

Sources

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano, M.S.Ed., NSCA-CPT is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design. He holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For more information, visit www.achieve-personaltraining.com. You can find Ryne on Twitter and Instagram at @RGioviano.

More From Issue 15

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 16

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 14

Check out our sister publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade

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

“Hidden War” Author John Nores On Joe Rogan Podcast

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We love spending time outdoors, but doing so comes with some inherent risks we must prepare for — sudden changes in weather, predator animals, topography that's difficult to safely navigate, and so on. Aggression from other humans may seem like it's low on that list of threats, but depending on your area, it may be more likely than you've considered. Black-market marijuana grow operations are sometimes concealed in remote wilderness areas, and if you come across one inadvertently, there's a substantial likelihood the individuals behind it will be hostile to your presence. You might stumble into booby traps and/or armed guards with little or no warning.

Regardless of your feelings about marijuana itself, these hostile, cartel-run grow sites are concerning to anyone who explores areas where they're prevalent.

John Nores, author of the book Hidden War, spent his career co-developing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) to fight back against the armed drug cartel members behind these black-market operations. In his book, he offers firsthand accounts of infiltrations, firefights, and arrests from throughout his tenure with the CDFW.

Yesterday, Nores met with Joe Rogan to record a podcast episode. For those who didn't catch it live during the recording session, you can find it at podcasts.joerogan.net or watch the episode below:

Our sister publication RECOIL also caught up with him for a brief interview — read on for an excerpt:

RECOIL: Why was Hidden War important to you to write?

John Nores: The main reason was out of frustration of the impacts to are our wildlife, waterways, and wildland resources not only in California but the entire country, and the threat to public safety by these drug trafficking organizations/cartel criminals that are doing this stuff in America. They’re doing it for a black market within America that they’re profiting from and are utilizing our resources, our public lands, private lands, waterways, all the sensitive species, and everything else to make hundreds of millions if not billions of black market dollars at the expense of destroying our environment and threatening our public.

RECOIL: Which two pieces of information would you like people to know about illegally grown marijuana?

JN: One: There’s a possibility if it’s on the black market that it is tainted with very toxic substances that you can’t see. It’s not going to kill you right away, but it’s so deadly that two tablespoons of this substance can kill up to three to five miles of a whole Creek and everything living in that creek. That’s how dangerous this stuff is. There’s still a lot of this stuff on the black market all over the nation. So just be very, very careful where you’re getting your cannabis for legal recreational or medicinal use.

Two: Realize that there is something going on in the woods not too far from you, potentially, in any state in the union and it’s hurting your wildlife, it’s hurting your waterways it’s hurting the wildlands– Think of it from the standpoint of future generations your kids, your nieces, your nephews, your grandkids– do you want them to grow up in a country that has so little green spaces, so many little tracts of open space, and so little wildlife because of this or other poaching or destructive environmental problems? It’s critical for all of us to know that, whether we’re out there or not.

RECOIL: In your opinion, what needs to be done to win the hidden war on weed?

JN: You know we have to look at this not just individually state-by-state, but we need to look at this as a nation. Obviously, there is a huge black market right now, and that black market is fueling the desire for these cartels to produce all of this low cost, very potent, tainted cannabis. So, we have to address this as a nation. We have to decide as a nation if we’re going to regulate and if we’re going to regulate in such a way that we break the back of the black market or are we going to just regulate individually based on revenue and based on how we want to do our politics on the issue. And I’m not an expert on that but I can say from seeing the states that have regulated so far, my state California being the prime example, Colorado, Washington, and my new state of Montana– No one’s solved the problem and stop the black market by regulating the state as the regulations are written now.

For more from this interview, head over to RECOILweb.com. To learn more about Hidden War or purchase the book in print or digital form, click here. RECOIL is also offering a downloadable free sample chapter, for those who'd like to get a taste of the book.

RECOILtv: UBCO 2×2 Electric Utility Bike

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In the past, we've written about how postapocalyptic fiction often incorrectly portrays transportation. In the event of a world-ending catastrophic event, it wouldn't take long for supplies of refined fossil fuels — such as gasoline and diesel — to run out. That much is obvious. What's less obvious is that fuel stockpiles that remain can only be preserved for so long before they eventually degrade and become useless. That process might take months or years, but the clock would be ticking, and you won't be able to replenish your vehicle's gas unless you know someone who can drill for crude oil and operate a refinery.

While this makes for great entertainment, it's not exactly realistic. (Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Beyond that, it's obviously impractical to be driving a gas-guzzling monster truck in a situation where fuel is limited. We enjoy the Mad Max movies as much as anyone, but we have to admit that the portrayal of marauders cruising the wasteland in armored semis decades after the apocalypse is unrealistic.

In reality, a small, efficient electric vehicle is a great option for that type of scenario — but we're not saying you should build a bug-out Nissan Leaf. An electric bike can be charged sustainably from solar panels in an off-grid location, and offers great range and maneuverability as opposed to a larger car. These are some of the reasons we took an interest in the UBCO 2×2 electric utility bike at Overland Expo.

As Mike Glover of Fieldcraft Survival explains in this episode of RECOILtv Transport, many bug-out situations will be more of a marathon than a sprint. So while the UBCO bike will only do 30mph, it can carry up to 400 pounds (including rider) and cover 50 to 75 miles per charge. It's nearly silent, and uses a 2-wheel-drive system for improved off-road performance — a feature that's reminiscent of the classic ROKON gas-powered utility bikes. The battery packs are removable and interchangeable, so you can carry a spare to double the range. There are even USB ports and a 12V outlet for charging other devices such as your phone, GPS, lights, or tools.

So before you roll your eyes at what resembles an electric off-road moped, remember that it might be a much better option than that tough-looking dirt bike covered in spikes and skulls if the world really ended.

The 2018 UBCO 2×2 starts at $7,000; spare 48Ah battery packs are $2,000. For more info, go to UBCObikes.com/US.

The Meaning of S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. – Analyzing the U.S. Army’s Survival Acronym

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When it comes to survival guides, there are a lot of options on the market — we reviewed a (literal) handful of pocket-sized guides back in Issue 15. Each of these publications takes its own approach to the subject, with some specializing primarily in bushcraft techniques, first aid skills, or response to a manmade or natural disaster. In some cases, this specialization can be beneficial, but there are also times where an extremely broad overview of a large variety of survival techniques is essential to establish baseline competency. Such is the case for the U.S. Army Survival Field Manual, also known as FM 3-05.70.

This Army survival manual was published in 2002 to replace the previous edition, FM 21-76 (published in 1992). FM 3-05.70 is 17 years old now, but don't write it off as outdated — there's still much we can learn from this 676-page document.

U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens

Keep in mind that it was designed to provide a comprehensive primer on survival skills to soldiers, many of whom would have minimal combat or survival experience by the time they laid hands on this book. It's therefore written with easy-to-understand language, clear organization, and a structure that escalates from basics to more advanced and specialized scenarios. Some elements of the Army survival manual are primarily relevant to members of the military, but the majority is applicable to any civilian survivalist.

U.S. Army Photo by K. Kassens

The Survival Acronym

Anyone who has served in the military can tell you that acronyms are plentiful, and this document is no exception. The very first chapter opens with an easy-to-remember survival acronym for the tactics recommended throughout the manual: S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. The introduction states, “This manual is based entirely on the keyword SURVIVAL. The letters in this word can help guide your actions in any survival situation.” Essentially, all 676 pages of FM 3-05.70 are summarized — at least in a broad sense — by these eight points.

Below, we'll analyze each point for its applications to a civilian survivalist, and provide a few links to additional articles that can help you learn more about topics related to that point.

S: Size Up the Situation

Photo by Mark Saint

This point covers the importance of observing three sub-points: surroundings, physical condition, and equipment. By analyzing these, you can determine the level of threat they pose, which will help you decide the urgency of your situation and the next steps you can take.

  • Surroundings could range from a pleasant forest with plenty of food, water, and other resources, to a barren warzone crawling with enemy combatants.
  • Physical condition may be healthy, rested, and mentally sharp, or injured, exhausted, and stressed.
  • Equipment might consist of a fully-stocked pack and pre-built shelter, or you might be washed up on the shore of a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on your back.

In many cases, your situation will be leaning towards the less desirable side of this spectrum — and if it isn't yet, it very easily could be as the survival situation continues. Weather may change, your health may deteriorate, and your equipment may get lost or broken. Sizing up the situation immediately will at least let you know what you can do next, and how fast.

U: Use All Your Senses / Undue Haste Makes Waste

This letter in the acronym is a two-parter. The first part is essentially re-stating the importance of observation in a more specific sense — use your sight, touch, sound, and even smell to give yourself an advantage. Watch and listen to your environment to detect threats (such as a human enemy, animal predator, or incoming storm) or opportunities (game animals, edible plants, water sources, signaling methods, or escape routes).

The second part is a timeless phrase that reminds us that moving too fast can make your situation worse. In a survival situation, you want to react swiftly and decisively. You don't want to sit around aimlessly or brashly rush headlong off a cliff. Find the happy medium.

R: Remember Where You Are

“Remember” might not be the best word here, since you need to do more than think about past events. We'd say that “Re-establish” is a more appropriate R — you need to periodically gather information to orient yourself.

If you have a map, compass, and basic land navigation skills, you can determine your location and your proximity to other important points. This enables you to safely plot a course to safe areas and water sources, as well as avoid dangerous terrain or other risks. You should check your position frequently to ensure you didn't veer off course.

In situations where you don't have a map and compass, you can rely on various celestial navigation techniques to determine a rough direction based on the position of the sun, moon, and stars.

V: Vanquish Fear and Panic

 

One of the biggest threats you'll face in any survival situation is your own mind. We've all seen people freeze, make rash decisions, or lose their composure in stressful situations — these are natural human behaviors that must be overcome through focus and training. If you're able to accept that fear is natural and use it as a motivator rather than a stumbling block, you'll be well on your way to staying alive.

I: Improvise

The rounded, frosted edge at the top of a car's side window is an excellent improvised abrasive for knife sharpening. If you learn proper technique on a traditional stone, translating it to the car window should be no problem.

Photo by Michael Janich

The Survival Field Manual puts it simply: “Our easy-come, easy-go, easy-to-replace culture makes it unnecessary for us to improvise. This inexperience in “making do” can be an enemy in a survival situation.”

Improvisation covers a number of tactics. You might use an existing resource for an alternate purpose, such as a length of paracord as a friction saw, a bottle of household bleach as a water purifier, or a ceramic mug as a knife sharpener. You might take a broken item and use its underlying parts for other purposes. Or you might take natural materials and craft new tools from scratch.

Beyond gear, improvisation also refers to your ability to go with the flow and come up with creative solutions to problems. Studying outside-the-box techniques and developing critical thinking skills can help you tremendously in this area.

V: Value Living

This point sounds almost laughably obvious — you should value life if you don't want to die?! We never considered that!

Don't blow this one off. Maintaining the will to live in a situation that may feel unlivable is far from funny… or easy. An absolute, stubborn, unyielding refusal to give up and die is hugely important in a survival situation. In fact, many would argue it's the single most important characteristic. There are many cases of individuals who, based on all the facts, should have died many times — but they didn't because of their powerful will to live:

  • Jan Baalsrud, the Norwegian commando who swam through icy water, survived an avalanche, and amputated his own frostbitten toes with a pocket knife
  • Alexander Selkirk, the castaway whose survival on a deserted island inspired the story of Robinson Crusoe
  • Sir Ernest Shackleton, the British Antarctic explorer who survived a disastrous shipwreck at the end of the earth, along with all 28 men under his command

Even if you're absolutely miserable, hopeless, and convinced that there's no light at the end of the tunnel, don't give up. Embrace the suck and live another day.

A: Act Like the Natives

Photo by Kevin Estela

As we've said many times, much can be learned by observing a region's native population and studying their history. Those hardy people became experts at surviving in their environment because they had to. Also, in most cases, they did so with far fewer resources than you have — no electronics, no synthetic clothing, no store-bought tools, no modern maps or compasses. If they managed to live off the land by hunting, trapping, gathering, and making their own gear, you'd be a fool to ignore what they can teach you (directly or indirectly).

In practical terms, this might mean studying Native American shelters, Siberian fire-sustainment, or even the actions of the homeless or vagrant population in an urban environment. It also applies to animal behaviors, since these can help you learn about nearby food, water, and predators.

L: Live By Your Wits / Learn Basic Skills

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adam McQuiston)

Last but not least, we have another two-part survival acronym section. “Live by your wits” may sound like you're flying by the seat of your pants, but it actually refers to trusting your instincts. Natural instincts aren't always beneficial, as we previously stated, so they often must be replaced through training and repetition. That brings us to the second half of this point.

“Learn basic skills” — or as the guide puts it, “but for now, learn basic skills” — reinforces the importance of active education. You won't learn much if you don't bother to study, and that can take the form of reading (you're already on top of this one), watching videos, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or talking face-to-face with experienced peers. But above all, you'll need to get off your butt, get your hands dirty, and learn by doing. Seek professional instruction and test your skills frequently in realistic conditions — only then will you achieve true confidence in your wits.

Conclusion

U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens

Survival is never as simple as memorizing an acronym — if it was, you wouldn't need to practice or train outside a classroom. Some of these eight points are more relevant and thought-provoking than others, and even if you know all of them by heart, putting them into action is a much greater challenge. However, studying the U.S. Army's survival acronym can get you thinking about areas you need to improve upon, and help you build a well-rounded mindset and skill set. That way, when the time comes, you won't be struggling to remember what the first V stood for — you'll instinctively apply the underlying principles to any real-life survival situation.

Video: Forging a Bi-Metal Bearded Axe from Scrap Metal

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Max Egorov, creator of the YouTube channel Advoko Makes, is what you'd call a Renaissance man. No, not like the Danny Devito movie — we're referring to the fact that he has a seemingly unending list of skills to demonstrate. He has a day job as a lawyer in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. For fun, he produces content for his YouTube channel, demonstrating proficiency at videography and editing. And in those videos, he shows off his abilities at woodworking, bushcraft cooking, boat-making, cabin construction, and much more. We honestly wonder how he finds time for it all.

Max built his own log cabin in the woods during his time off from his day job as a lawyer.

In his latest video, Max forges an axe from a few pieces of scrap metal — soft steel from a railroad tie and high-carbon steel from an old Soviet file. Like his other projects, the results are seriously impressive, especially considering his admitted inexperience with blacksmithing. He said he made this axe as a gift for a friend — we need more friends like this.

Using an angle grinder jig he made himself (of course he did), Max cut the rail tie to the appropriate size. A drill press and chisel were used to set up a guide for the position of the eye, and then the metal was heated in a gas forge (which he also made). During the shaping process, Max welded up a custom metal drift from discarded tractor tread pins, enabling him to shape the eye more easily.

The shaping process continued with hammer, anvil, file, and chisel. Eventually Max split the blade edge of the axe to insert the high-carbon file, creating a three-layer sandwich with a hardened cutting edge for durability. The axe was differentially heat-treated in oil to further increase strength, and ground to a finish that still shows some hammer marks near the poll.

We're looking forward to Max's next video, where he discusses polishing the head, making a handle, adding decorative carbon fiber overlay, and making a heat-formed axe guard/sheath. For a sneak peek of what's to come, check out his Russian-language Part 2 video from his other channel.

Review: LifeSaver Jerrycan Water Purifier

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Humanity’s relationship with water is full of cruel irony. Roughly 71 percent of Earth’s surface is covered with water, yet water scarcity affects four out of every 10 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Too much of it at once, and we drown; not enough, and we die of dehydration. And even when we do have the right amount of water, microscopic pathogens contained within it can cause life-threatening illnesses. The WHO estimates that waterborne diarrheal diseases cause 2-million deaths each year.

Waterborne illnesses don’t just affect those living in poverty-stricken developing nations. They’re a worldwide problem. In the United States, the microscopic parasite cryptosporidium affects close to 750,000 people annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other protozoan cysts, such as giardia, are common in lakes and streams — even those that look and smell clean. In urban areas, hurricanes and other natural disasters can cause widespread contamination when floodwater mixes with bacteria from sewage and garbage. Viral contaminants such as norovirus — the leading source of what we call “food poisoning” — are also easily spread through drinking water.

H2O to Go

There are a variety of water purifiers that can help us avoid this myriad of malevolent microorganisms. However, most of these are designed for low-volume individual use. If all you need is a quick sip from a stream, a pocket-sized straw filter can be a convenient solution. Purifying enough clean water for your entire family — including drinking, washing hands, cleaning dishes, and other daily tasks — is a much more formidable task. In a group setting, you’ll also have to consider the potentially complicated logistics of storing, transporting, and distributing this water.

After witnessing the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, British inventor Michael Pritchard created a portable water purifier known as the LifeSaver Bottle. (For a full review of that product, see our H2O Hygiene buyer’s guide in Issue 15.) Knowing that the bottle’s 750-milliliter carrying capacity wasn’t ideal for larger groups, the company soon developed the LifeSaver Cube, which combines the same purification technology with storage for up to 5 liters of water. More recently, the design was expanded yet again to create the LifeSaver Jerrycan.

As its name indicates, the Jerrycan resembles a large fuel can, with a tough polymer body that can hold 18.5 liters (4.9 gallons). It’s designed for off-the-grid mobility, featuring an integrated carry handle as well as a pair of holes that can be used to mount it on vehicles.

LifeSaver Jerrycan 20000UF Specifications

Colors
Blue, green, tan

Dimensions
18.5 by 13.3 by 6.8 inches

Dry Weight
8.8 pounds including shower attachment

Carrying Capacity
4.9 gallons (18.5 liters)

Filter Lifespan
Approximately 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters) dependent on water quality

Initial Flow Rate
1 gallon (4 liters) per minute

MSRP
$230 (plus $22 for shower attachment)

URL
iconlifesaver.com

How It Works

Operating the Jerrycan is simple enough that children can do it. Before using the purifier for the first time, it must be primed by filling the can with clean water, soaking the internal filter cartridge, and flushing out the system. Once the Jerrycan has been primed, it can be used according to the following steps:

Step 1 – Unscrew the pump from the top of the can, and set it aside.

Step 2 – Fill the can with dirty water from a tap, hose, lake, or river. Don’t use saltwater or water that may have been contaminated by chemical runoff (we’ll explain why later).

Step 3 – Replace the pump, and ensure the tap is closed. Then, pump the handle up and down 5 to 15 times to pressurize the Jerrycan.

Step 4 – Turn the tap to the open position. Clean water will begin to flow out of the tap.

Step 5 – Pump the handle approximately once every 3 seconds to keep the water flowing.

Step 6 – Close the tap to stop water flow. If no more water will be needed for an extended period, unscrew the pump slowly until pressure is released, then retighten.

The Technical Details

We shouldn’t have to explain why it’s unwise to go skydiving with a parachute you just bought on Craigslist, or undergo open-heart surgery by a back-alley doctor who tells you, “yeah, I totally went to med school; don’t worry about it.” Instead of assuming or hoping nothing will go wrong, you should always verify the effectiveness of anything your life may depend on. The same goes for water purifiers.

Every reputable water purifier manufacturer pays for independent laboratory testing to verify that its products meet or exceed the industry standards set by NSF International, and will provide proof of these results to customers. LifeSaver does both.

Specifically, the LifeSaver Jerrycan was tested and found to meet NSF Protocol 248 for Military Operations – Microbiological Water Purifiers, receiving a letter of compliance from the Department of Defense. At a minimum, the P248 standard requires:

  • 99.9999-percent reduction of bacteria
  • 99.99 percent reduction of protozoan cysts
  • 99.9-percent reduction of viruses

Clockwise from left: LifeSaver Jerrycan, hose attachment, 20000UF filter, activated carbon disc.

While P248 is a military-oriented certification with additional requirements for design and structural integrity, its performance requirements match those of NSF P231, the general industry standard for microbiological purifiers based on the EPA’s recommendations. The filter cartridges were tested separately by BCS Laboratories to further verify their adherence to this standard.

LifeSaver also integrates optional, replaceable activated carbon discs to remove chlorine, unpleasant taste, and odor from purified water. However, like all micro-filtration devices, LifeSaver products can’t remove dissolved salts and chemical pollutants from water. If you need to safely process seawater, urine, or water laden with harmful chemicals, you’d need a far more complex and bulky desalinator, still, or reverse osmosis system.

An optional shower attachment ($22) is also available, with a quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring seal that fit onto to the tap. The pressurized system can then be used to wash hands and dishes, or as a literal camp shower.

Long-Term Considerations

LifeSaver offers two Jerrycan models to choose from — 10000UF and 20000UF. These numbers indicate the lifespan of the filter cartridges, 10,000 liters (2,641 gallons) or 20,000 liters (5,283 gallons), respectively. We tested the latter. As you may expect, the lifespan will vary based on the type of water you’re filtering. If it’s extremely murky, turbid, or full of contaminants, the filter will clog more quickly.

Wisely, LifeSaver designs its filters with a Failsafe system, automatically stopping water flow before the filtration quality falls below acceptable NSF standards. This ensures the user doesn’t inadvertently consume water that hasn’t been adequately purified.

The Jerrycan is also a modular system, so the core components can all be replaced. Filter cartridges are $76 (10000UF) or $90 (20000UF), and can be bought sealed in foil with a 10-year shelf life for $10 more. A replacement pump is $40, a tap costs $13, and carbon filters are $25 for a five-pack. With a supply of replacement parts on hand, the Jerrycan will essentially last for as long as the can itself remains intact.

Our Impressions

Although we lack the scientific equipment and time to independently quantify the Jerrycan’s ability to remove waterborne pathogens on a microscopic level, this has already been done repeatedly, as we previously established. Instead, we focused our testing on practical use.

After priming the Jerrycan according to instructions, we filled it with water from various sources, ranging from a residential hose bib to a cloudy, stagnant puddle in a drainage ditch. We then pumped and dispensed the water, noting dramatic improvements to color, smell, and taste. Let’s face it — no water purifier is going to turn disgusting pond water into Evian, but the Jerrycan greatly improved the palatability. More importantly, the filter ensures you won’t end up puking your guts out or dropping trou every 15 minutes for the next week.

The Jerrycan’s BPA/BPS-free polymer body feels thick, sturdy, and durable. Its exterior picked up cosmetic scuffs fairly easily, but more serious damage seems unlikely unless you drop it out of a moving vehicle. LifeSaver manufactures its products in the UK, and builds them to withstand long-term use by humanitarian groups in places like Sudan and Haiti, so the average prepper or overlander will barely scratch the surface of its capabilities — that’s a good thing for those who appreciate overbuilt gear.

Periodic maintenance is required to keep the Jerrycan flowing smoothly, but it’s relatively simple. In the field, it can be rinsed and swished to remove sediment buildup; in cleaner environments, components can be rinsed in a sink, soaked in warm water, and wiped with a clean, damp cloth.

One potential downside to the Jerrycan is that it requires a specific storage procedure between uses. After it has been used, it must be stored unpressurized in a cool place with at least 1 inch of water inside to prevent the filter from drying out. If storing for more than a month, the activated carbon disc must be discarded and replaced (if desired) before next use. The Jerrycan should never be used or stored above 122 degrees F (50 degrees C), or below freezing — the latter can permanently damage filter integrity.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re going on a camping trip with the whole family, preparing your home for a catastrophic natural disaster, or traveling to regions where Montezuma’s revenge is in full force, the LifeSaver Jerrycan is a worthy investment. It goes beyond a simple source of drinking water to become a complete basecamp water solution, and its robust durability and replaceable parts leave us confident it’ll last for decades.

Video: “Indian Ice Cream” from the Soapberry Plant

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Food is a major morale booster, especially in survival situations. However, walking to the local corner store to buy some Twinkies and a Big Gulp isn't always an option. If you're in a remote area, you'll need to find your comfort foods in nature. Fortunately, Native Americans and Canada's First Nations loved tasty snacks just as much as we do, and came up with some pretty ingenious ways to make them. In the following video from Far North Bushcraft and Survival, Lonnie shows how to make sxusem or “Indian ice cream” from the Soapberry plant.

Photo via Lazarus000 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Shepherdia canadensis, also known as Canada buffaloberry or soapberry, is a plant that's native to the northwest half of the United States, from the southwest through the Great Lakes region. It's also widely available in Canada and Alaska, where Lonnie resides. The plant got its nickname from the fact that its berries are high in saponins, which produce foam and act as natural soap. You may recall from our previous article that yucca and creosote are some of the other plants that contain saponins.

Lonnie demonstrates the berries' effectiveness by plastering his hands with spruce pitch and dirt, then vigorously rubbing berry pulp in his hands to wash them.

The second, more interesting use of these soapberries is to produce “ice cream” — we use quotes because it's neither cold nor cream-based. It's more like a whipped mousse or pudding that consists of berry pulp, water, and a sweetener. Lonnie uses ordinary granulated sugar, but native peoples used naturally-occurring sweeteners like salal berries, thimbleberries, or fireweed. Once the pulp, sweetener, and water are combined in a container, they're stirred or shaken rapidly to create a thick pink foam. In some cases, snow was also added.

While this “Indian ice cream” is said to be sweet and tasty, the saponins also give it a slight bitterness. They can also be toxic if consumed in very large quantities — more than you'd be making in the wild — and may give some people an upset stomach or indigestion. As with any wild edible, it's a good idea to only try a small amount at first to see how your body reacts.