Blackout Bulwark: How Vulnerable is the Power Grid to Cyber Terrorism?

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Society’s use of the Internet has exploded over the last 20 years, and there’s no indication of it slowing down. As cyber technology grows, so do the vulnerabilities associated with these advances. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the global cost of cyber crime damages jumped from $445 billion in 2014 to $600 billion in 2017, and those numbers will undoubtedly continue to climb as criminals realize its potential for profit.

While U.S. cyber-security experts are some of the best in the world, other nations and non-state groups have equally talented hackers, many of which are looking for vulnerabilities in the United States’ digital defenses. While most Americans might suspect that their online bank accounts may be vulnerable to cyber criminals, what is surprisingly unknown to the general populace is the level of vulnerability in the nation’s electrical grid infrastructure.

If our power grid were to go black, conditions would be catastrophic. The truth, however, might allow us to sleep better at night. While many aspects of American society are open to cyber attacks, the national power grid may not be so easy to disrupt. To further explore the vulnerabilities of America’s electrical infrastructure, RECOIL OFFGRID asked some of the nation’s leading experts in cyber security to share their opinions on one looming issue: Can cyber-criminals actually cause a national blackout? Pablos Holman is a world-renowned hacker who has used his skills to further develop defense systems for both the federal government and private corporations. Dennis Santiago is a public policy analyst and the author of the Bank Monitor system currently used by financial institutions to assess security for a wide spectrum of U.S. banks. Finally, Patrick Miller is an independent security and regulatory advisor for industrial control systems in the energy, telecommunications, water, and financial arenas throughout the world.

Experts Discuss the Power Grid

RECOIL OFFGRID: How possible is it for a CT (cyber terrorism) attack to take down our electrical grid and what makes it vulnerable?

Pablos Holman: It’s impractical to take down a large portion of the power grid on a long-term basis. It’s a massively distributed infrastructure made of up thousands of power plants and stations throughout the nation. There’s a risk in having a “homogenous system,” meaning that if they were all the same, one exposed vulnerability would make the entire system vulnerable. The nation’s power grid is not a “homogenous system,” so it doesn’t run on the same power network throughout the country. The likelihood of taking down the entire system is very improbable.

Dennis Santiago: The power grid in the United States is mostly privatized and based on old technology. The control systems to manage the grid are several generations behind in relation to cyber security, especially compared to the sophistication of hackers today. There’s a disparity between what the hacker can do and what the defender can do throughout the system. Until that gap is closed, our power grid control systems are vulnerable to a crafty hacker. The most vulnerable portions of the grid today are external connections and weak passwords. In the past, we wanted maximum access and let human beings design passwords that are generally weak. Once a talented hacker is in the system, they basically could have their “run of the shop.”

Patrick Miller: It’s not physically possible to take down the entire power grid in North America, and it’s designed to be that way well before there were cyber attacks. The grid is broken up into three main pieces (East, West, and Texas grids) to ensure that the entire system doesn’t go down. One of the key components of the separation is called a “phase shifter,” which controls the pressure coming in or going out of the pipe so back pressure does not build up. Because of this, the phase shifter separates and moves the connection out of phase, so there is no physical way for the entire grid to go down.

People have said that Russia and China are already hacked into the grid. Is this true, and if so, how can their intrusion be blocked?

PH: Certainly Russian hackers are doing what they can to get into our system, and they do that opportunistically. They automate their attacks and try to take over as many computers as they can until you have a large network of victim computers that can be controlled remotely. Russia has a long history of meddling with elections, so it would be naïve of Americans to believe that they wouldn’t try during this last election. In the same way, it would be naïve of us to believe that they, or other competitive nations, wouldn’t be attempting to hack into our system and discover vulnerabilities.

DS: The single most successful hacking mission in history was actually perpetrated by the United States of America, who launched the Stuxnet cyber attack on the Iranian nuclear centrifuges in 2007. It was a massive success that set Iran’s nuclear program back several years. But when you do something like that, you also educate people how to counter-attack because they’ll study it in the aftermath. The Russians have a key interest in maintaining parity with the United States in such matters. As naturally expected, they’ll have probed into that technology as well. The Russians probe into our technology and systems all the time, but they mostly want to see what they can get away with. This way, they can boast about it and position themselves against the United States.

The Chinese are a bit different, because their hacking mindset is built on the exact opposite model of the United States. In the United States, people tend to distrust the government, whereas citizens in China are hyper-patriotic to their government. If something negative were to be said about China, then you have a multitude of Chinese college students who would immediately start to hack into American computer systems. Hacking has almost become an intramural game around the world to attempt to see if you can outsmart another’s cyber security defenses.

PM: I can’t say that it’s not true, but I haven’t seen any evidence that it is true. They are both very skilled and very competent countries when it comes to hacking. There is definitely motivation for them to be inside the grid. I would say that it’s probable and that their capabilities do exist, but evidence of them hacking into our nation’s power grid has yet to be shown, at least not maliciously.

What enables the nation’s infrastructure to withstand an attack currently, and what can be done to improve it for the future?

PH: The best thing that people and companies can do, without a doubt, is to perform system updates. Companies like Microsoft used to be wildly insecure with their systems until 14 years ago. About that time, they started to take security seriously and began to hire hackers and security experts to find vulnerabilities in their systems, and became very systematic with their efforts. Since then, they’ve taken a difficult task and have done it very well. Windows today is a very secure system overall, and Microsoft is very passionate about patching system loopholes when they exist. The same is true for companies like Cisco, Apple, and especially Google.

DS: One of the reasons that the nation’s power grid can withstand a massive cyber attack is that the U.S. grid system is privatized, and all power companies have different systems. It’s not a homogeneous system where everything has a common architecture across the power grid’s spectrum. The single most important act that can be done to improve the grid in the future is to make sure that everyone updates their passwords and changes them on a regular basis. It’s a very easy and innocuous thing to do, but it hardens your system right off the bat.

PM: The power grid is designed to experience widespread outages and continue to operate until it’s reconstructed. There are restoration plans in place in case an area goes dark. We’ve also got mutual assistance agreements in place with other utility companies to get crews and trucks to affected areas if needed. The whole thing is already designed to withstand massive-scale outages. Power companies approach massive power outages from an “all-hazards” approach, which makes much more sense than trying to pinpoint specific hazards to the system. To them, their mission is to respond and recover as quickly as possible, no matter the reason. Is it perfect from a cyber perspective? No. Is it vulnerable to a cyber attack, even scary vulnerable? Yes, there’s no doubt about that.

There’s this crazy mix of technology that dates back almost 70 years ago, and ranges to tomorrow’s micro-widgets like “smart dust,” which is edge-of-tomorrow technology. That diversity makes it exceedingly difficult for someone to attack the entire system with a virus or piece of malware that takes out everything. This is because you’re not going to get a Windows 7 virus to work on a 70-year-old remote terminal unit (RTU). The diversity of technology is a big player in the inability for a specific cyber attack to take out a very large spectrum, so your power outages are going to be regionalized at best.

What can families do to prepare for cyber security attacks, or attacks on the grid?

PH: From a security standpoint, the best thing may be to run iOS (an operating system used by Apple mobile devices). If you can, use an iPhone. iOS is very compartmentalized, so one app on your phone can’t access data from other apps on the same phone. It’s relatively secure. It’s also very difficult to load malicious code onto an iPhone. I’m not saying that it can’t be done or isn’t continually being attempted, but hacking into an iPhone, or sneaking a dangerous app into the App Store, is very difficult. As a result, iPhones or iPads are some of the most secure devices that you can get your hands on. Also, people often use the same passwords for different sites, and this makes them highly vulnerable to hackers stealing their information. When you can, always use “two-factor” identification. If you log into your account from a different computer, it will not only ask for your password, but require an additional login from your phone as well. This dramatically increases your security and can usually be found in the security preferences on the website itself.

DS: It depends on the duration of how long the grid is down for. For short periods of time, the remainder of the infrastructure is not going to go down along with the grid. You start getting into trouble when the grid is down longer, and the more critical things begin to disappear. Sewage processing, water pumping, medical services, and so on — these all take power. If the infrastructure that we take for granted begins to disappear, we’ll have to find ways to make up for their absence. Hospitals stop working, and the more advanced medical care that we’re accustomed to becomes non-existent. Issues such as water and sanitation that are required for survival, especially in an urban environment, become monumental tasks. One of the biggest things that we would lose for long-term survival is refrigeration. If you don’t have a refrigerator or any method of preserving food, the food supply chain begins to break down and starvation will increase.

PM: This is a challenging question because it depends on where you are. Preparing for a grid-down scenario depends on where you live because your power supply is contingent to what backup natural resources you may use for power. Anyone who doesn’t have those capabilities in their region is going to be out of power for a longer period of time.

What countries, terrorist organizations, and advocacy groups could have the power and resources to pull off such an attack?

PH: All the superpower nations, such as Russia and China, have this capability. We know that North Korea, Iran, and Syria also have the ability and a self-imposed motive. They all have access to extremely capable hackers, and if nothing else, look for vulnerabilities in our systems and infrastructure.

DS: The Iranians have a legitimate gripe to get back at us because we took down their nuclear program with the “Stuxnet” virus. You not only have to have the technological skills to perform an attack, but the organizational discipline to mount a proficient cyber attack as well. Nation states such as North Korea have both the technology and the discipline, but activist groups such as “Anonymous” lack the organizational skills to mount a large attack.

PM: What is often overlooked is organized crime. Some of the best hackers in the organized crime ring are not affiliated with anyone. They are hackers for hire, and often come from Brazil. Brazilian hacker skillsets are unmatched, and they’re some of the best hackers in the world. They have immense resources in Brazil and the freedom to do it without fear of consequences due to governmental turmoil. Rarely does China or Russia do the dirty work themselves. They often outsource that to third-party hackers or organized crime rings to give them plausible deniability. Everything that China and Russia does is for “the state,” whereas organized crime rings don’t care. They turn every social hacking construct on its head and break it in a heartbeat, because they think totally different than everyone else. There are no rules with these groups.

Would an attack on the grid be a massive effort, or could it be localized to a small group with a laptop?

PH: Localized attacks happen all the time. Last year, one of the biggest attacks was a Botnet virus called “Mirai,” written by a couple of 20-year-olds, that took over several hundred thousand webcams that were on the Internet. They then used that attack to bring down websites like PayPal and Netflix for 12 minutes! But an attack on the grid is a different level altogether.

DS: You’d have to have enough to overwhelm the other system, but you could possibly do a smaller attack with a laptop. I think that this will get much more interesting in the future when the technology turns more robotic, then one person can leverage a bunch of robots and essentially create an army to perform cyber attacks.

PM: From a cyber attack perspective, it would take an unimaginable amount of coordination, reconnaissance, and resources to take out an entire section of the national power grid. That kind of effort is likely to be picked up by someone in national security somewhere along the way. I think that the potential for something like that is small. It would be regionalized at best, or maybe a city like Chicago. It more than likely would be a power distribution center that’s hit. They may take out a large generator to stop power flow to an area, but the generators in the surrounding areas would just pick up that loss of power flow. The grid is built with multiple paths to protect against disruptions of power within the system. I’ll never say it’s impossible, but it’s very improbable.

What motivations would such a group have for such an action?

PH: You have some very disgruntled, disaffected youth in a marginalized society. Historically, their only tools were to start riots, social marches, and upheavals. There’s a lot of power in corporations and government, and many believe that “We the People” no longer have a voice the way we thought we did. When you look at cyber-activist groups like “Anonymous,” you’re looking at the next generation of social activists. Rather than use physical violence, they use the power of computer hacking. That turned out to be a modern tool for protests, and I don’t think that we’ve seen the end of it.

DS: There are state and non-state actors throughout the world that carry big grudges. Eco-terrorists would be a great example of a non-state group that could have a lot of capability to perform a targeted and regionalized attack on the grid. Often, these groups feel the need to assert resistance against the United States because they feel like we’re picking on them or their cause. Also, when other countries are being pressured diplomatically or with sanctions, they begin to explore options, such as cyber attacks, to retaliate in their own way.

PM: There are no new motivations today than there were since the dawn of humans. There are religious, economic, and geo-political motivations. These nations and groups hate what we stand for and in their minds, these reasons are all valid.

What are the immediate and far-reaching implications of a cyber attack?

PH: This is very sophisticated stuff and very poorly reported. If you want to get an accurate sense of a cyber attack, then the best-documented case is the use of “Stuxnet.” In this case, the U.S. government, in conjunction with the Israeli military, reportedly developed a computer virus that attacked Iran’s nuclear fuel enrichment plant and temporarily decimated their nuclear development ability. If you think about it, we used a computer virus to destroy a factory halfway around the world! That’s a very sophisticated, very targeted act of cyber warfare that we engaged in a handful of years ago. The “Stuxnet Virus” almost certainly not the biggest cyber attack that’s been used. It’s only the biggest attack that’s ever been made public. Since then, the use of cyber warfare as a method of attack has only escalated in the world.

DS: If one were to succeed in a massive cyber attack, it would stab at that population’s assumptions of survival. It will most definitely be a shock to both the power grid and societal systems. People will go through the entire spectrum of emotions, such as fear, anger, and overreaction. This will most likely be the most dangerous situation in a grid-down scenario. As a nation, we could launch a military strike against another nation and potentially start a war under “perceived” threats that may or may not be real.

PM: If any of the smaller groups attack any part of the electrical system, it will probably be viewed as an annoyance. But if it’s an all-out attack, then it’s seen as an act of war and the stakes are immensely high. The response to something like that would start off as significant global sanctions, and quickly escalate into deploying military forces. If Russia or North Korea would use a cyber attack to take out Houston or New York City’s grid for a month, we would likely have warships in their harbor overnight. This is massive defense response. It’s a life and death situation.

In the Shadows

Cyber attacks, also known as Computer Network Attacks (CNAs), are operations to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy information resident in computers and computer networks, or the computers and networks themselves. It may be waged against industries, infrastructures, telecommunications, political spheres of influence, global economic forces, or even against entire countries.

A well-planned cyber attack may include:

  • Password sniffing
  • Identity theft, fraud, extortion
  • Malware, phishing, spamming, spoofing, spyware, Trojans and viruses
  • Instant messaging abuse
  • System infiltration
  • Breach of access
  • Denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks
  • Private and public web browser exploits
  • Intellectual property theft

Stuxnet: A Cyber Weapon for a New Age

The Stuxnet virus attack was a computer worm whose origins remain obscure — security experts believe it was launched through a joint effort between the United States and Israel. It was delivered via an infected USB flash drive, and adversely affected Iran’s nuclear enrichment efforts in 2010, setting their nuclear program back several years. The success of Stuxnet reveals that cyber-warfare is the future of war amongst not only the world’s superpowers, but rogue nations and activist groups as well. The revelation of Stuxnet further opens the gate to building cyber-defenses throughout the world, much like the nuclear arms race during the Cold War.

Infographic: Power Grid Segments

The National Electrical Grid that powers the continental United States is divided into three main regions. The Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection are the largest grids in America. Three other regions include the Texas Interconnection, the Quebec Interconnection, as well as the Alaska Interconnection. Each region delivers 60 Hz of electrical power. The regions are not homogenous, and aren’t directly connected or synchronized to each other.

Western Interconnection

All of the electric utilities in the Western Interconnection are electrically tied together during normal system conditions and operate at a synchronized frequency of 60 Hz. The Western Interconnection stretches from Western Canada south to Baja California in Mexico, reaching eastward over the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains.

Eastern Interconnection

The Eastern Interconnection reaches from Central Canada eastward to the Atlantic coast, south to Florida, and back west to the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

Texas Interconnection

The Texas Interconnection covers most of the state of Texas.

Quebec & Alaska Interconnection

While smaller in size, both the Quebec and Alaska Interconnections make up the remainder of the North American power grid.

Conclusion

Life in America has become more complicated, especially as the nation’s infrastructure becomes more dependent on technology. As the use of technology increases, so does our vulnerability to those who want to exploit our private lives for personal gain. While many citizens remain open to cyber hacking on a daily basis, we can be reassured that the lifeblood of America, its power grid, still remains relatively secure from the malicious acts of cyber terrorism and those who commit such offenses. We should always take steps to prepare ourselves and our families for the worst, but it’s also important to consider the evidence that executing a massive cyber blackout may be based more on fiction than fact — at least for now.

Meet Our Panel

Dennis Santiago

Dennis Santiago is a lifelong public policy analyst with a background of contributions to U.S. national, foreign, and financial policy as well as a C-suite technologist with a history of innovation going back the 1990s era of the Internet. Mr. Santiago presently serves as the managing director for research and development at Total Bank Solutions LLC, responsible for developing new financial product instruments and financial technology infrastructure solutions. He is the author of the Bank Monitor system in use by federal, state, and financial institutions to assess the safety and soundness of U.S. banks.

Pablos Holman

Pablos Holman is a notorious hacker, inventor, entrepreneur, and technology futurist who thinks differently to solve the world’s biggest problems by inventing new technology. At the Intellectual Ventures Lab, he has worked on a brain surgery tool, 3D food printers, and a laser that can shoot down mosquitos — part of an impact invention effort to eradicate malaria with Bill Gates. Previously, Pablos helped build spaceships with Jeff Bezos at Blue Origin; the world’s smallest PC; 3D printers at Makerbot; artificial intelligence agent systems; and the Hackerbot, a robot that can steal passwords on a Wi-Fi network. He is a world-renowned expert in 3D Printing, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, automated manufacturing, and blockchain/cryptocurrency. Pablos is the founder of Bombsheller and a faculty member for Singularity University.

Patrick Miller

Patrick Miller has dedicated his career to the protection and defense of critical infrastructures. As managing partner at Archer International he is a trusted independent security and regulatory advisor for industrial control systems worldwide. Mr. Miller is also the founder, director, and president emeritus of EnergySec and U.S. coordinator for the Industrial Cybersecurity Center. Patrick’s diverse background spans the energy, telecommunications, water, and financial services verticals, including key positions with regulatory agencies, private consulting firms, utility asset owners and commercial organizations.

About the Author

Mark Linderman is the preparedness coordinator for the Wayne County Health Department where he has served for over 18 years. He instructs disaster preparedness and bioterrorism courses for several universities, including Indiana and Arkansas State University. He also teaches crisis and emergency risk communication courses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is considered a subject-matter expert in crisis/risk communications for Vantage Point Consulting, based in Indianapolis.

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

Reader’s Tip: Getting Back On Track

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This week, I received an email from a reader who goes by HL. It made my day and provided an instant dose of motivation. The email was in reference to my “On the Grid” column from Issue 22 of our magazine — this column is usually exclusive to our print publication, but I've shared it at the end of this article if you'd like to read it in full.

HL's email explained that this column changed his perspective on physical fitness, and provided the jump-start he needed to take it seriously as a form of emergency preparedness. As a writer and advocate of prepping, there's no better feeling than to know that my words helped someone improve.

I've shared HL's words below in the hopes that they'll motivate you, too. Fitness and physical preparedness are critical, so get out there and start sweating!

I truly enjoyed your story from On the Grid, “Bug-Out is a Workout.”

You made some wonderful points, good for every part-time or full-time outdoor person. I must say your quote hit me hard: “The value of physical fitness to a survivalist should never be underestimated. When disaster strikes, you’d better be ready to handle it, both mentally and physically.” This made me think about our Florida disasters over the past years.

The following was a turning point statement for me. You said, “Ask yourself: if my life depended on it, how fast could I run a mile?”

So here I am, almost 70 years old and overweight as my body starts to fall apart. I have a drop foot left after back surgery. I once could run a mile in under 8 minutes. A mile? Wow. So I got up and did it for the first time in years. 5,286 feet. “What if” as my doctors had wanted me to walk and drop some weight. You also reflected on the Megan Hine article “Rethinking Survival” which I read.

You story was short, like a sports coach and part motivational speaker. Then I found myself, the only gray-haired walking that day. Not out to set a new land-speed record, I did two miles walking, each in 20-minutes.

Now having dropped a few pounds, I’m looking into a part self-made program for myself. I also read the Health story by Ryne Gioviano [from this issue, “Prepping for and Preventing Winter Weight Gain.”]

The point of this letter, Mr. McCarthy, is that your article got me started up again after years. It was kind of like putting in a new battery in an old vehicle. Your words “If your life depended on it, how fast could you run a mile?” As for myself, I can’t run yet, but I did a mile and now I know I can do better.

Thank you for your words and my healthier life to come each day. I’m looking forward to seeing where I am in a year, standing today at 6-foot, 288-pounds, 44-waist, 38.2 BMI. I am telling you this to keep myself motivated and on track for years to come.

Thank you for the jump!!

-H. L.

On the Grid: Bug-Out is a Workout
As seen in RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 22, Fall 2017

In this issue’s Survivalist Spotlight, Megan Hine makes a compelling case for the importance of the mind in survival situations. We agree with her assessment that mental fortitude is at the core of any life-and-death situation, but we’d also like to take a moment to counterbalance that point. The value of physical fitness to a survivalist should never be underestimated.

When disaster strikes, you’d better be ready to handle it, both mentally and physically. Ask yourself: if my life depended on it, how fast could I run a mile? It might seem like a minor issue now, but there may come a time when your answer is the only thing that matters. Then think about how that pace would be affected if the mile was uphill over rough terrain, or if you were cradling your injured child in your arms.

You’ll also need to consider pack weight. A bug-out bag can easily weigh 30, 40, or 50 pounds when it’s fully-loaded with food, water, ammunition, and other supplies. This weight will only amplify the strain on your muscles and joints. It’s relatively easy to load up a backpack with all the gear you’ll need in an emergency — it’s much harder to shoulder that pack and hit the trail. How often have you headed out with your full bug-out bag and gauged your ability to carry its weight?

On top of speed and strength, survival requires endurance. You might need to maintain an arduous pace to cover 20 miles in one day, and do the same the next. You may not even have the luxury of stopping to rest or eat a complete meal. Would you have the stamina to press on?

While it may be more fun to think about acquiring new gear or skills, these fitness-oriented hypotheticals must be considered early and often. If these questions make you uncomfortable, now is the time to do something about it — especially since calorie-dense holiday meals are right around the corner. You don’t want to regret those extra servings of mashed potatoes when SHTF, or find out where your physical limits are in a situation where your life is on the line.

Mike Glover Spotlight – Redefining Survival

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Photos by Chris Heising and Scott McNeff

One of the biggest sources of controversy in the world of survival is the credentials of those teaching its fundamentals. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of static out there about what really constitutes an expert. There are really no permits, licenses, and certifications one must get before they open an Internet store or school and call themselves a “survival instructor.” That makes it tough on those new to this world who must navigate through heaps of celebrity survivalists who don’t speak from hard-earned, viable experience. It’s up to the student to vet the instructors and their ability to differentiate fact from fiction — that’s a tough road for the novice to hoe.

As a former Green Beret, Mike Glover’s not out looking for endorsement deals and social media followers to help bolster his ego and ability to cash in on spurious advice. His credentials speak for themselves. His school is tucked away in the mountains of Arizona and his classes teach skills that include overlanding, firearms manipulation, combatives, situational awareness, fitness, and there’s a lot more where that came from. And best of all, it’s based on facts, studies, research, statistics, and a level of military experience few are ever able to attain.

Stay Behind Operation Iraq

Mike spoke to us about his dedication to redefining survival for real-world experiences based on his own time as an operator. We’ll also discuss how men adapt to survival situations versus women, how technology plays into and works against survival, and how current events like Brexit may pose survival situations with unpredictable ripple effects. And whether it’s an urban or rural situation, Mike’s no-bullsh*t approach is a refreshing departure from instructors whose main focus is getting their photo on products being sold at REI.

Our Interview with Mike Glover

RECOIL OFFGRID: Where did you grow up?

Mike Glover: Between Daytona Beach, Florida and North Carolina. My dad spent 12 years in the Army.

So what did Mike Glover want to do when he grew up?

MG: Oh, I always wanted to be in the military. I actually wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but my uncle was in the Navy so I actually decided to go into the Army instead.

What in particular made you want to join the military, aside from the family connection?

MG: I grew up with military surplus around my house, so growing up playing with my cousins as a kid, all we did was run around outside and play soldier, so it was really all I knew.

What were your goals upon entering the Army?

MG: I knew I wanted to go into Special Forces, but I went in and tried to be an Airborne Ranger. I didn’t get to serve in Ranger Regiment, but I got Airborne and Ranger qualified and then went straight into selection after Sept. 11. I took the progressive route, which was pretty normal for back then.

Combat Advisor for Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism Force.

After selection what did your job duties consist of?

MG: Weapons specialist, so I was 18 Bravo, but I served the rest of my career in pretty much every capacity. I was a sniper, an assaulter, a breacher; I did technical recon and surveillance. Later on I became a team sergeant, which is the pinnacle of an enlisted guy’s career and then I wound up getting out. I have five trips to Iraq, two to Afghanistan, and a couple to Africa.

What were the biggest survival lessons you gleaned from serving in the situations and capacities you did?

MG: I think if I had to divide between A and B it was situational awareness and learning through experience and how to observe your environment. Not just passively look, but consciously observing was an important lesson I learned. Also, planning and preparing in advance will determine your fate and survival, so survival shouldn’t be reactive. It should be preplanned and deliberate.

When it comes to mindset, I actually served where Rob Miller served. He was the only posthumously awarded medal of honor recipient from 3rd Special Forces at that time. I served in the firebase prior to him, and he was in 18 Bravo as well, so all the Afghan soldiers that I taught, he had taken over and served with them. They were with him when he was killed in combat. I have this thing in my mindset that I teach where if you go into an environment and you operate, you should do so diligently and leave a place better than it was when you showed up. When it comes to things that stand out as an experience, although he was killed, I served in that firebase, and I want to think that whole team was saved that day because of Rob’s actions. Maybe I’d left some sort of impression on them as they served by his side, so that stands out.

What do you think the media tends to gloss over about combat and how they report it?

MG: Especially for Green Berets, they never highlight the building rapport and nation building that takes place behind the scenes. They like to highlight direct action because that’s sexy and cool, but sometimes that’s what can be twisted. They don’t understand the day-by-day activities of improving their medicine, improving their infrastructure, training them to defend themselves — just sitting down and breaking bread and having tea together. That stuff happens, we lived with those indigenous people. We cared for and loved them. We leave a lot of those guys behind, so we have personal relationships there and do a lot of good over there, so it’s not all the carnage and chaos you see on TV.

School in the mountains near Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

What made you want to teach survival?

MG: Survival for me was a broad genre that encompassed a lot of things I used to survive in combat. Ultimately I was very interested in it because I realized it wasn’t just bushcraft; it wasn’t just considered a technical skill set. For me, survival was the encompassing of everything I learned over my career: mindset, technical skills, and equipment. I think a combination of those things is what lends itself to survival, so for me it was an interesting field and something I wanted to redefine. Preppers and that kind of title aren’t really conducive to learning because people think it’s some crazy person living near Area 51 and not modern survival, which is how I treat it.

How did you go about designing your curriculum?

MG: I have years and years of training, so the combination of my experiences and my training. A lot of my training courses are developed based off of existing military courses for Special Operations, so my whole line of thinking was that if it’s good enough for Green Berets and it’s good enough for Special Operations guys to lend to their survival and add to their skill sets, then it’s good enough for the average civilian. The big ones are things like weapons handling and tactical courses. We obviously don’t teach classified tactics or procedures, but a lot of the way we handle weapons and defend ourselves in combat are equitable to the way you’d defend yourself on the streets.

Combatives is another. The Army teaches us how to fight. I’ve been to a lot of training schools with professional fighters and they teach us how to combat the enemy, but obviously a lot of the physical attributes to combatives are translatable to teaching self-defense to civilians. And with the survival aspect, I’ve been schools where they give you a ziplock bag full of things that you could put in your pocket and you have to survive for 72 hours. That’s an actual incident that you could run into if you break down in the middle of nowhere and all you have is what’s on your person, so a lot of that stuff was translatable to civilian training as well.

Teaching land navigation during FieldCraft overland training course.

Often when you say the words “survival,” “survivalist,” or “prepper” to people they cringe because they think it’s some isolationist fringe movement. How do you convince people otherwise?

MG: A lot of what we do is through reeducation. We talk about statistics and reading the facts of the matter. Statistically if you look at gunfights that people are in versus using your hands in self-defense to stop a violent attack, the media pushes and spins a lot of the gun stuff and you think it’s an epidemic. So, what we tell people is that they’re more likely to apply a tourniquet to their leg in a vehicle accident, than in a gunfight. We’re not saying you shouldn’t train on preparing for a gunfight, but you should never neglect the other stuff that might not be as cool like applying a tourniquet.

A lot of it is the reeducation platform of social media, which we’re big on, and telling the truth, which if you’re interested in survival, it’s not just reactive things or what you do in the wood line. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, so when we talk about modern survival, we have survival fit programs that teach people how to be prepared with the physical body, so we’re looking at heart disease because I’m looking at the top 10 things that kill people the most. That’s important to us because in Special Operations they were preparing us for chaos and the worst-case scenario, so we’re doing the same thing. We’re just teaching people full spectrum and preparing them for natural or manmade disasters.

Instructing CQB with Ceres, California, SWAT Team.

What do you think most “survival instructors” get wrong?

MG: Technical skills are important, but a lot of survival instructors don’t really focus on mindset as a priority. Mindset is the overall umbrella that all the other technical skills should exist under. You can teach a course on survival and all these small, technical tasks that can be memorized, repeated, and rehearsed, but if you’re not doing that and introducing stress, or culminating it in stress as we do, then you’re not really testing if it’s viable. That’s when you’re actually going to test resiliency, mindset, willpower, and all those things. We try to focus from a position mindset in teaching all of our skill sets.

A lot of people are obsessed with preparing “bug-out bags” or “bug-out vehicles.” What do you think people tend to over- or under-prioritize about all that?

MG: I think that a lot of the stuff they do, people think there’s a be all/end all or a solution that’s going to be conclusive. We tell people to take the existing stuff they have, whether it’s a European man bag, a backpack, a purse, and utilize that and take their survival kit with them because, if it’s not convenient or not comfortable, you’re going to forget about it and not use it. I think if a lot of people introduce the survival items into their lives and routines, they’re more likely to carry that tourniquet in their purse or that small survival kit in their backpack. It’s when they start doing the deliberate thing where they make this cool, Mil-spec survival bag that just sits at home. They watched one YouTube video, and that’s it. It just sits there. We teach people to do the whole reduced-signature thing, which is getting used to carrying it on your body or in your vehicle and that’s more important for us.

Testing the Tomcar TX on RECOILtv.

For vehicles, this is interesting. We actually teach instruction about what we call “go rigs.” We teach people that, when they’re building stuff, especially when they’re making a go rig, that the first thing you’ve got to look at is your payload and capacity. We’re Americans and we tend to think bigger is better often, but places like Europe, South Africa, and Australia it’s all about more effective and more efficient. We look at ounces when building out go rigs so we don’t bog it down with 1,500 pounds of bumpers and big, cool grilles because 1,500 pounds is about the average for load capacity.

The biggest thing is fuel consumption. People will have a go rig with all the things to sustain life, but we tell people that if there’s a natural disaster it’s going to shut down infrastructure. Then if you’re left with a vehicle, but you don’t have any gas prepped, whether you have an extended tank or a reservoir of fuel, then you’re capability is only as much as what your fuel tank has, so if you have half a tank you’re looking at 100 miles or so. We teach people that if they’re going to look at it as a legitimate bug-out vehicle that they need to outfit it as such. One of the first things we tell people to go with is an extended-range fuel tank. I have 110 gallons on one of our company vehicles and that can go about 2,000 miles. That’s not the answer, but that gives me enough range to get where I need to be to resupply.

What do you think it takes for the average person to embrace the value of preparation and be proactive when preparing for worst-case scenarios? This tends to be an uncomfortable topic that people don’t want to think about until they’re forced to.

MG: I think the way we’ve been able to bridge that gap is by communicating that if you integrate survival thinking into your game, whether that’s mindset or equipment, then you can actually make it a fun part of your life. We teach people that if they have a go bag, they can camp for a weekend and assess all of the pieces of equipment that worked and didn’t work. This means you don’t have to bog your life down and make it uncomfortable. We also teach that being deliberate also cures and suppresses a lot of that anxiety. A lot of people get nervous about it because they don’t want to address the reality of what could go wrong and what is statistically likely to happen. So, to be more proactive about it lends itself to confidence and self-esteem and not anxiety about thinking about the worst-case scenario. We try to make it family oriented. Our big thing is if we can convince an urbanite in the middle of San Francisco to hit the trails, do a little survival training, and convince them it’s beneficial for their lives, then we’ve won, so that’s always been kind of our mission statement. We don’t like shoving survival down people’s throats, we just provide the information, try to educate people, and try to provide a learning environment when they make the commitment.

How do you go about approaching the mental aspect of survival?

MG: I think when we teach people we come from the position of, if you can mitigate stress and figure out ways to reduce stress when it hits you, that’s a good starting point. We teach people that a series of unfortunate events can lead to a catastrophe, but if you can see a lot of those things happen before they happen physically, then you’ll be better off. So we teach people on how to mitigate stress through breathing techniques. A lot of people who have a cortisol or adrenaline dump, they don’t breathe and start making bad decisions. We teach people to have a positive outlook. We use the Navy SEAL analogy of they obviously think they’re the best because they really think they’re the best and there’s something to that. Maybe there’s an egotistical association with that, but that level of confidence comes from positive reaffirmation. We also teach that you have to stay conscious on the forefront of your mind. The natural reaction is to fight or flight, but if they’re staying conscious that means they’re staying aware of their situation and can make good decisions. The way we teach survival is based on case studies, but we teach the reasons why people live and why people die and making them understand that there are some technical aspects to it. There’s a lot of analyzing and there are ways to mitigate your chances of being injured or worse. That’s the way your brain works — statistics are a good way to get through to people.

What do you think the biggest differences are in teaching men versus women and how they approach survival?

MG: I think a good example of this is when we teach land navigation. When men get lost they use a lot of their ego. So when they get lost they get frustrated and start making bad decisions, as opposed to a woman who might stop and think a little more clearly. She might not be as reactive as males who may be looking at losing as a bad thing that might affect their psyche. What we see is women being a little bit more deliberate with reactions in the field, but also being a bit more overwhelmed by stress. Men tend to cope with stress a little bit better. We do a lot of things, but we tell people that survival is the ultimate measure of equality. It doesn’t care what color you are, what race you are, if it’s a natural or manmade disaster — typically they’re universal in their impact.

A lot of people are concerned about urban crises like Brexit and how it’d impact the British infrastructure, food supplies, and critical services. How do you recommend people prepare for events like that, which have a questionable outcome and duration?

MG: We teach a lot about the staples of survival. One of the things we tell people is when you’re operating in an urban environment, if everyone is going to start fighting for the same resources, you either have to be prepared to stand your ground in your environment or break contact and evade to a safer environment. What you’ll see in urban epicenters is a lot of migration outside of that environment, heading for the hills, and then fighting for the resources on those lands. If one of these events takes place, grocery stores carry about three to four weeks of supplies. If it’s a national or large-scale disaster, no matter how it started, every natural disaster is going to turn itself into a manmade disaster because people are fighting for resources. If they’re going to stand their ground, they should focus on security and those staples of survival — shelter, water, procurement of food, and how they’re going to mobilize and travel to a potential safe house outside the city. Even if they haven’t built out that contingency plan, we also recommend they build a network of friends and family — people that you know and can communicate with in a rural environment where you can escape and evade if need be.

Prepping for overland training course.

What do think the future of firearms is going to look like 20 years from now given all the government overreach that law-abiding citizens now face?

MG: Policy can affect a really bad decision-making matrix in the government, which can lead to a lot of chaos. I know a lot of people who own guns and if the government came in and said they were gonna ban those guns, there’d be a big issue. Depending on where you live, I used to live in rural California and the sheriffs wouldn’t even enforce the laws that the state government had put out. I ultimately don’t think it’ll be a significant issue because the government knows better. One of the founding reasons we educate as 2A supporters is that you have to affect policy first and if you want to get more involved in protecting your rights, you need to get more involved in governing and understanding governance. The whole reason that we have a Second Amendment is to have a natural measure of balance between the people and the government.

What would you say to the politicians who think that more laws magically equals a safer society?

MG: I just did a post on it. A lot of politicians work fiscally on getting votes and support by throwing out statistics, and a lot of if is miseducation. You’d think there’s a mass-shooting phenomenon inside our country, but the reality is it’s actually very rare and has little to do with guns, even when you scratch the surface. Even in the highlights of demonstrating gun violence with overall statistics, 60 percent of all gun-related incidents that are killing people are suicides, but people wouldn’t know that. They’re suicides by semi-automatic pistols, not assault rifles, so it’s not an epidemic. An epidemic is heart disease, which kills 600,000 people a year, cancer, the opiate crisis. We like to educate and tell people the facts and a lot of people — especially on the left — get a little loose lipped about statistics, but they don’t really teach the truth. A lot of it’s miseducation, so we just try to educate people.

Do you have any political aspirations?

MG: No, absolutely not. Twenty years of government service is enough for me. I try to stay involved and influence with facts, and support people, but no aspirations whatsoever.

Filming Transport series on RECOILtv.

What do you think America’s next big manmade survival situation looks like and how do you recommend people start preparing for it?

MG: I might sound crazy by saying this, but automation, AI, and technology being involved in our lives and societies is creating a vacuum. It’s almost like terrorism. If you go in and create a power vacuum, then what fills that gap is terrorism. Think about when you automate all the jobs and people aren’t leveraged or utilized anymore because the ground floor of the factory doesn’t need people. Think about truck drivers’ jobs that would save $163 billion a year by using automation and all those truck drivers no longer have jobs. It’s retail shops as well — the list goes on.

I think in the next five to 10 years with automation and introduction of technology and AI, it’s going to create a vacuum whereby people don’t have jobs and the necessary skill sets. You’re not going to convince a truck driver in Michigan to become a software engineer in Silicon Valley. It’s just not going to happen. That’s going to lead to poverty, manmade catastrophes, you’re going to see an increase in violence, and in that power vacuum you’re going to have a lot of problems destroying the fabric of our nation. It’s happening now. It’s like Amazon. Everyone talks about the jobs it provides and how great it is, but Amazon is a huge monopoly that owns the market and uses automation for 50,000 to 60,000 of their jobs. That might be a far stretch, but look at what’s happening now and how it’s creating a power vacuum and increase in suicides and mental health issues — that’s the real survival issue we’re dealing with.

About Mike Glover

Age: 39

Hometown:
Daytona Beach, Florida

Military Service:
U.S Army Green Beret, government contractor

Education:
Bachelors degree in crisis management and homeland security from American Military University

Biggest role model:
Mom

Favorite band:
Eagles

How would your high-school sweetheart describe you?
Outgoing

Recommended reading list:

  • Army Survival Manual
  • Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
  • Platoon Leader by James R. McDonough

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you get to the Pearly Gates?
“The journey is just beginning.”

Dream car:
1987 to 1989 Porsche 930

URL:
www.fieldcraftsurvival.com

Mike's EDC

  • Triarc Systems Glock 43
  • Fieldcraft Survival Low-Vis holster
  • Fieldcraft Survival IWB tourniquet holder with North American Rescue CAT tourniquet
  • SureFire V1 Vampire flashlight
  • Handmade RFID Kydex wallet
  • Colonel Blades folder
  • Garmin fenix 5X watch
  • Roka polarized sunglasses
  • Apple AirPods

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

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Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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

GPS User Alert: UTC Rollover on April 6th

Written by

Back in late 1999, hysteria was running high due to concerns over Y2K. Many felt that the arrival of 1/1/2000 would bring a technological catastrophe as computers and other critical electronic systems failed to roll over to the correct date. Although Y2K only ended up causing a few minor bugs, this doesn't mean that the concern was unfounded. If computer systems aren't correctly programmed to handle date rollover events, malfunctions can be serious and costly — preemptive fixes leading up to Y2K were estimated at $100 billion in the U.S. alone.

We bring this up because we're rapidly approaching another pivotal date. This time, it's related to global positioning systems and other systems that rely on them. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a memo explaining “the possible effects of the April 6, 2019 GPS Week Number Rollover on Coordinated Universal Time derived from GPS devices.” If you're not intimately familiar with programming and GPS functionality, the problem is rather complicated, but can be simplified as follows:

  • Many electronic devices derive Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) from GPS in order to display the correct time and date.
  • These GPS systems track the date on a cycle of 1,024 weeks, or 19.7 years. This is called an “epoch.” The first GPS epoch began in January 1980 and ended in August 1999. The second epoch ends on April 6th, 2019.
  • Some devices may not be programmed to handle this change, leading to incorrect date calculation and strange behavior.

If the GPS date signal is inaccurate, various systems' schedules may be interrupted. An article by FalTech GPS explains the potential impact: “This situation won’t affect a receiver’s ability to navigate and/or calculate precise time, but it has the potential to create week, month and year timestamps that are wildly wrong. Applications which rely on GPS data at that level may be seriously affected.”

This is why the DHS has “strongly encouraged” owners and operators of GPS devices to ensure that their systems are prepared for this rollover. Specifically, the following steps are recommended:

  1. Investigate and understand your systems' possible dependencies on GPS for obtaining UTC.
  2. Contact the manufacturers of your GPS devices to determine if they'll be affected by the rollover, and if so, what actions are required.
  3. Ensure your devices' firmware is up to date.

While the majority of GPS devices will probably have no issues coping with this rollover event, the DHS found some devices that failed. “Tests of some GPS devices revealed that not all manufacturer implementations correctly handle the April 6, 2019 WN rollover.” So, it's worth keeping an eye out for date-related problems starting on April 6th.

For more information on the GPS Week Number Rollover Event, read the full DHS memo.

Survival BB Guns: Backyard Shooting Gallery

Written by

As a survival tool, airguns are generally not the first thing that comes to mind for most of us. However, if you look at the advancements in the past few years, that way of thinking may be archaic. Many readers might be surprised to learn that numerous airgun companies now offer production model pre-charged pneumatic airguns that fall into the “big bore” category, ranging up to .50 caliber. Several states have taken notice and moved to allow hunting of big game with these bad boys. If you think of them as merely toys — think again. Adult airguns can really pack a wallop and easily come into play in a SHTF scenario for a variety of reasons.

Crosman's DPMS SBR is a select-fire BB launcher capable of full-auto fire at an advertised rate of 1,400 rounds per minute!

Crosman's DPMS SBR is select-fire and capable of full-auto fire at an advertised 1,400 rounds per minute!

Why is Red Ryder Practical for Survival?

Even what many consider to be the lowly BB gun has practicality in the survival environment. Many of us learned to shoot with a trusty Crosman multi-pumper or Daisy lever action — they're still produced today and being used to introduce new generations to the shooting sports. In recent years BB guns have seen advancements such as polymer stocks, better metallurgy, and synthetic seals.

Still, why would an adult survivalist consider adding BB guns to an already extensive list of items for when the SHTF? For starters, BB guns are great training guns to learn the fundamentals with. Most gun-handling skills, safety training, breathing control, and proper trigger manipulation can be taught using a BB gun. Plus, in case you haven’t checked them out in a while, BB gun replicas licensed by firearm manufacturers have advanced to a point where they almost cannot be distinguished from the real thing, making them more than suitable for a surrogate to use in certain training drills.

So far, BB-firing replicas of firearms aren't required by U.S. law to have any blaze orange markings like airsoft guns. Mainly, this is because BB guns fall into the “adult usage” category. They're an inexpensive way to teach and build on basic skills that easily translate to firearms. Some are self-contained in that the powerplant of a spring-powered or multi-pump pneumatic is built in and, with minimal maintenance and proper usage, should serve for many years. The most realistic replica guns tend to be powered by CO2 gas to propel the BBs, and some semi-auto models reciprocate or “blowback” the slides for added realism. Ammo is dirt cheap as well.

Results of a full-auto burst of Dust Devils frangible BBs at close range on an old enamel-coated steel sink.

Results of a full-auto burst of Dust Devils frangible BBs at close range on an old enamel-coated steel sink.

Another benefit attributable to the BB gun is the lack of regulatory restrictions in most of the country. Big-box stores carry a plethora of choices or they can be ordered on the Internet and delivered to your door just about anywhere. The lower sound signature means you don’t necessarily have to travel to the range or the boonies for some skill-building trigger time — you might even choose to set up a small range in your backyard. If that’s not an option where you live, with the proper backstop and necessary precautions, an indoor range can be enjoyed year-round. The lack of recoil is another advantage when teaching new shooters or youngsters basic gun-handling fundamentals. Fundamentals of maintenance and safe, proper storage can be brought into play as well.

While the 5-grain-weight BBs disintegrated on impact, the force they were hitting with is apparent on the inside of the old steel sink.

While the 5-grain-weight BBs disintegrated on impact, the force they were hitting with is apparent on the inside of the...

Smoothbores are Making a Comeback

BBs, being made from steel, don't lend themselves to the use of rifled barrels. Years ago, most BB guns’ internal barrels were made of brass. Nowadays the majority are made of steel, most being smoothbores, but a few “dual ammo” rifled barrels exist, so the shooter has a choice between firing BBs or pellets. Due to the nature of smoothbores, accuracy of BB guns will be lacking somewhat. That doesn’t mean there are no accurate BB guns. National BB gun competitions are held each year with high-dollar BB rifles capable of tight shot groups at 10 meters. For training purposes and at short ranges, BB guns can still get the job done. Potentially, in a crisis situation, a BB gun could be called upon to put meat in the pot with small birds, lizards, frogs or rodents. And you can dispatch them relatively quietly in case you’re concerned about giving away your position.

Modern CO2 replica BB pistols are capable of some decent accuracy out to 25 feet or so; unless the CO2 cartridge is running low.

Modern CO2 replica BB pistols are capable of some decent accuracy out to 25 feet or so; unless the CO2 cartridge is...

Did You Say Frangible BBs?

Have you ever tried out a new-fangled product that you didn’t necessarily think you needed and then wondered how you ever got along without it? A new frangible BB has been brought to the market and it is one of those products. Yes, the lowly steel BB has been upgraded. But why? Hasn’t the old workhorse been doing an adequate job for well over 100 years? Sure it has, but with the last major technological upgrade being cladding of the BB with copper or zinc as a rust preventative well over 50 years ago, not much else has changed.

But Air Venturi of Ohio saw the need for this evolution and introduced frangible BB technology. Readily available BB guns are low-powered, entry-level airguns suitable for indoor use with the proper backstop and safety measures. However, regular BBs are solid steel so they've always been prone to ricochet. Every mom’s admonition to a youngster with a BB gun, “Don’t shoot your eye out!” was a given because of the real danger of a BB bouncing straight back from a target and causing injury. Now, throw in to the mix the availability of a fully automatic BB launcher and the importance of ammunition that disintegrates on impact with hard surfaces becomes doubly important.

Open_magazine_of_the_Crosman_DPMS_SBR_showing_the_included_allen

Guns that offer “blowback” action to simulate recoil and offer full-auto capability, such as the Crosman SBR, require two CO2 capsules to operate. The realistic looking magazine doubles as the housing for both CO2 and BBs.

Air Venturi is an exclusive importer of multiple international airguns and accessories as well as a purveyor of domestic brands. Now they've added ammunition manufacturer to that list. Their new frangible BB that is made in the U.S. and called “Dust Devils.” Working with an expert in the field of frangible bullets for firearms, AV is the first company to make frangible BB ammunition. Made from a proprietary blend of alloys that includes iron powder, it’s totally lead free.

Dust Devils are a new development in the realm of BB gun ammo. They disintegrate on impact if they hit something harder than themselves.

Dust Devils are a new development in the realm of BB gun ammo. They disintegrate on impact if they hit something harder...

Slightly lighter than the standard steel BB, this translates to a velocity 10-percent faster than a typical BB gun. Aside from indoor shooting, the obvious niche for these new BBs is with the shooter using a CO2-powered replica as a training tool against steel targets at close ranges. There's nothing like the satisfaction of ringing steel while improving your speed and accuracy through drills and regular practice. With some ranges not allowing drawing and firing from holsters or movement and speed drills, frangible BBs used at a home range could be just the ticket.

BB Gun Buyer's Guide

The_four_BB_guns_used_in_the_testing_of_the_Dust_Devil_BBs_#1.JP

1. Crosman DPMS SBR (Short Barreled Rifle)

Construction
Glass-filled nylon

Barrel length
9 inches

Weight
6.2 pounds

Powerplant
CO2 capsule (2)

Warranty
One Year

MSRP
$200

URL
www.crosman.com

2. Crosman M417

Construction
Polymer

Barrel length
16 inches

Weight
3.75 pounds

Powerplant
Multi-pump

Warranty
One Year

MSRP
$90

URL
www.crosman.com

3. ASG Dan Wesson Revolver

Construction
Metal/ABS

Barrel length
5.5 inches

Weight
2.2 pounds

Powerplant
Single CO2 capsule

Warranty
90 Day

MSRP
$160

URL
www.actionsportgames.com

4. SIGAir (formerly Advanced Sport Pellet) 1911 “We The People”

Construction
Metal

Barrel length
4.25 inches

Weight
2.2 pounds

Powerplant
Single CO2 capsule

Warranty
One Year

MSRP
$120

URL
www.sigsauer.com

Testing Platform Details

To give these new frangible BBs a workout, four different BB guns were used, including a fully automatic CO2 short-barreled rifle, a multi-pump pneumatic carbine, a long-barreled CO2 revolver, and a semi-automatic CO2 repeater. First up was Crosman’s new DPMS SBR (short barrel rifle), capable of full-auto fire at an advertised rate of 1,400 rounds per minute! The DPMS SBR requires two CO2 cartridges to operate, which fit into the drop-free magazine and supplies gas pressure to drive the BBs up to 430 feet per second (FPS), while also providing the gas pressure to cycle the bolt, and impart a sense of recoil. The magazine holds 25 BBs and Crosman includes a nifty speed loader to make the job of dropping BBs into the magazine much easier. It has many cool features, including working controls that mirror the real deal, folding sights, and plenty of Picatinny rails for mounting accessories.

The two CO2 cartridges lasted for an average of eight magazines or approximately 200 rounds, which is very good as these guns go, and the SBR didn't miss a beat with any of the BBs put through it. Even the trigger was a pleasant surprise, not heavy or rough. As a test of the Dust Devils, a crude setup was devised using an old piece of drywall where firing was done through a hole slightly larger than the muzzle at an old enamel-coated steel sink 12 inches away. The backside of the drywall was painted brown and revealed any BBs or shards that might bounce back. After firing a 25-round magazine at full auto, the back of the drywall showed no marks of any kind. (NOTE: Dust Devils aren't ricochet-proof and can bounce back if shot at a surface that isn't harder than the Dust Devil itself, such as wood or rubber, so you should still wear eye protection and follow standard gun safety rules.) The DPMS SBR was incredible fun and will be available soon in a flat dark earth version as well. Crosman rates the velocity of the SBR at 430 fps with steel BBs.

Keeping it in the family, Dust Devils were sent through the Crosman M4-177 multi-pump pneumatic BB/pellet carbine with a rifled barrel. This M4 lookalike has a magnetic tip on the bolt to pick up a single BB from the feed chamber, which worked perfectly due to the high iron content in the Dust Devils. It’s a neat little shooter that Crosman rates up to 660 fps with steel BBs when pumped to the maximum of 10 strokes.

ASG_Dan_Wesson_CO2_revolver_showing_compartment_for_CO2_cartridg

Next, the Dust Devils worked perfectly from the 5.5-inch barrel of the Dan Wesson CO2 revolver made by Action Sport Games. When speaking of replica BB guns, this one takes it to the level of actually having six realistic-looking “cartridges” in which a single BB is loaded into the nose before loading the cartridge into the swing-out cylinder. This DA/SA revolver even comes with a speed loader. The manufacturer rates it in the 425 fps range with steel BBs.

Last but not least, to see how a short-barreled semi-auto repeater would handle the Dust Devils, the SIGAir “We The People” 1911 was used. The SIGAir division of SIG SAUER has produced a very realistic CO2 replica of their patriotic-themed 1911 powder burner. From the blowback action of the slide to the functioning grip safety and other controls, right down to the ability to field strip this air pistol, it doesn’t disappoint. Other than the Dust Devils shooting high out of this pistol, we had absolutely no feeding or other problems. SIGAir rates the velocity of this pistol at 340 fps with steel BBs.

SIGAir_We_The_People_1911_CO2_pistol_field_stripped_#2.JPG

Above: Another bonus of the newer crop of replica CO2 BB pistols is their ability to be used as trainers for field stripping and maintenance.

Of course, manufacturers always recommend using their own brand of BBs in their products. That may generally be a good idea, especially with guns still in the warranty period. However, any BB gun should feed standard BBs through their barrels without issues. That being said, we didn't find any feeding problems or other indications that Dust Devils caused any issues with the airguns used in this evaluation, and accuracy was generally comparable to regular BBs.

As an added bonus, Dust Devils are more environmentally friendly than standard BBs because they break down in an outdoor environment. They do cost a bit more than steel BBs at an MSRP of $13 for a package of 1,500. And, even though they're in full production now, you may not readily find them at your local stores quite yet. Look for them on Internet sites that deal in airguns and accessories. We expect the price to come down as they gain market share and more places stock them.

Final Thoughts

Don’t assume the BB gun has gone the way of the dodo bird. The variety of platforms and new ammo technology make them practical training tools. They’re both inexpensive and not subject to the governmental regulations on standard firearms. The tactile and visual feedback they offer as well as the details and functionality that are akin to real firearms make them worthy of consideration. Additionally, they can also be effective in force-on-force training with the proper safety gear.

To reiterate, in a SHTF scenario, the lowly BB gun would allow not only cheap, efficient training to keep skills sharp, but a relatively quiet way to accomplish that training goal. When teaching youngsters, they're a less-intimidating and somewhat safer alternative to live fire until ready to hit the range with the young guns. Also, they're a blast to shoot (pun intended) and deserve a serious look as a tool for the survivalist/trainer.

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

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Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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

Survival Spuds: Building Your Own Potato Patch

Written by

Did you watch, or better yet, read The Martian by Andy Weir? If you didn’t, the premise is an astronaut is stranded on Mars and survives for over a year. He happens to be a botanist and engineer, both attributes help him in his survival on a foreign planet. In the book, the astronaut has a few vegetables to choose from to grow for his survival and he quickly selects the potato.
Nowadays the potato gets a bad rap. This is mostly attributed to the fast food industry frying them in oil. While delicious, this does hurt their nutritional value and add several unhealthy components to an otherwise nutritious food. When you look at the potato by itself, it offers good nutrients, vitamins, and minerals — all of which are invaluable in a survival situation or just good overall health.

You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Have Just One

The potato is not a low-calorie food, which in a survival situation is a good thing. We all know caloric intake is essential during the strenuous events of a natural or manmade disaster and our starchy friend the potato aids in keeping your energy levels up. Spuds do lack sodium and fat, both of which can be added during the cooking process, so be sure you have a few salt packets in your bug-out bag.

Potato survival food diet nutrition prep garden 2

Potatoes offer more potassium than a banana, which is something many people don’t realize. Potassium is a vital electrolyte that helps the body regulate water balance and healthy blood pressure. Both of these are important in emergency situations when dehydration is likely.

Carbs are your friend during difficult times and again, the potato is lush with them. Eating foods high in carbohydrates when you know you're going to be exerting yourself is a great way to have energy on tap when you need it most.

The potato isn’t going to offer the same protein level as a steak, but it does have a bit. So, if you get a chance to eat a squirrel while bugging out, be sure to get some supplemental protein when you can.

We all know that vitamin C is important to staying healthy and fighting off colds, so luckily a serving of taters has almost half of your recommended daily value. The potato also has noble amounts of niacin, thiamin, and vitamin B6 — all of which are beneficial for the heart.

Potato Planting

Growing potatoes is relatively easy. The soil used for potatoes should be loamy and contain little rocks and clay to allow maximum expansion. I generally use a mixture of topsoil, organic compost, and peat moss. Potato plants should be started from certified disease-free seed potatoes. These are available at most garden stores and come in an abundance of varieties. I usually opt for Yukon golds, as they’re easy to grow and have higher a yield for their size; however, I also grow purple potatoes and russets in case one variety experiences any sort of problems during the season. Choose the varieties that are familiar to you and correspond to your cooking methods.

Once the seed potatoes are purchased, cut them into cubes that have at least two eyes — the eye is where the plant will sprout from. Place these cubes into shallow rows of dirt and cover with about 1 inch of soil, with the cut side down. Give them a good watering to saturate the area. As the plants grow you'll need to continue to put soil on top of them to encourage upward growth and block out sunlight from the roots. Allow the leaves to be exposed to a few inches on top until the container is completely full. Once full of soil, allow the plant to continue to grow, making sure to water adequately. It’s important that you water enough to reach the bottom of the container and don't allow it to dry out. Uneven watering will cause your potatoes to become misshapen and lumpy.

Examples of russet potatoes not evenly watered during growth, resulting in large irregular lumps.

Examples of russet potatoes not evenly watered during growth, resulting in large irregular lumps.

Containment

Potatoes can be grown practically anywhere and in almost any container. This year I have grown potatoes in two different places. One is the traditional raised bed (approximately 4-by-4-by-1 feet) and the other a plastic storage container (approximately 24-by-16-by-16 inches). Both containers start the same using the growing methods described previously.

The storage container is actually two containers stacked together. The inside container has large sections cut from the sides with drain holes drilled into the bottom. The outer container also has holes drilled in the bottom for proper drainage of excess water, so the plant does not drown during large amounts of rainfall. As the potatoes grow, dirt is piled on top until the container is full.

Side cutouts on the plastic container for easy access to potatoes.

Side cutouts on the plastic container for easy access to potatoes.

Once full, the tubers continue to grow below the soil for the rest of the season. The container growing method yielded over 6 pounds of potatoes or about 18 servings. The traditional method, in a raised bed, produced roughly 16 pounds or about 48 servings.

A variety of containers can be used for growing potatoes, including old tires, burlap sacks, or something as simple as a garbage can — you are limited by your imagination. One of the benefits to the container growing method is that you now have mobility. If you find yourself needing to bug out and you have time, you can take your portable garden with you. One may also consider incorporating this into your bug-out plan and have extra garden materials staged at your bug-out location to continue growth. I would suggest staging the containers close to your parking spot if possible because a container full of dirt can be fairly heavy to move on your own.

Potato Pointers

Potatoes are relatively easy to grow in comparison to other garden plants, but they do have a few problems to be aware of. Pests, such as the potato beetle, may plague your plants. Physical removal of the beetle will help. Shake the plant early in the morning and kill all insects that fall off. For the container planting method, move the container away from the area once all insects have been removed. Diatomaceous earth can help keep insects away and kill the few that remain. Simply dust the plant, including the underside of leaves, and continue this process regularly.

Blight is another enemy of the potato and responsible for the Irish Potato Famine. It can be a serious problem for your plants. Blight is spread by the wind. Leaf tips will turn brown and wilt, spores form, and wind carries them to any nearby plants. Blight spores can also sink into the soil and infect your tubers, destroying them. The best way to prevent blight is to choose blight-resistant varieties to grow, also give adequate spacing to your plants in the event that one becomes infected.

Plant potatoes cut side down with about 4 to 6 inches of spacing.

Plant potatoes cut side down with about 4 to 6 inches of spacing.

Proper Storage

Once your hard work has yielded a crop, storing your precious spuds is easy. Potatoes need a dark storage area with ventilation and some humidity. Tubers exposed to light will turn green and quickly become toxic. Never eat a green potato, it can cause severe nausea accompanied with diarrhea and vomiting, both of which are extremely hazardous in a survival situation and will lead to dehydration. Humidity is important, as the majority of the potato is water. Generally 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 13 degrees C) is adequate; however, storage at temperatures above this with no light can affect the color of the potatoes, making them gray or brown depending on the variety. They will still be safe for consumption, but will lose some of their weight and nutritional value.

Root cellars are the obvious ideal conditions for storage, although not everyone has access to those or will if bugging out. If you have used a mobile container garden, your bounty can be stored under the soil, it will be cool, light free, and relatively moist. Potatoes can also be stored under a sink or in a cupboard, in a bowl, or a perforated bag. The bag will provide more humidity and keep the potatoes from experiencing weight loss. Harvested potatoes do not need to be rinsed off prior to storage and leaving the dirt on will not hurt the vegetable.

Use a tarp while harvesting to make clean up easy and to limit the amount of lost dirt. This soil can be amended and used for several years.

Use a tarp while harvesting to make clean up easy and to limit the amount of lost dirt. This soil can be amended and...

Potatoes have been a staple for human diets since the 16th century. The relative ease of growing and cultivation made the crop an excellent choice for early farming techniques. The nutritional value and benefits of potatoes make them a good choice to be a part of your survival plans. The nature of potatoes allows them to be prepared in a variety of ways with different resources. Typically this is a familiar food for the young and old and can be a welcomed comfort in harsh times.

Kiss the Cook

Potatoes can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you're on the move, made it to your bug-out spot, or stayed put, you have several options for preparing potatoes for consumption. Here are some ideas for making your spuds palatable.

Potato survival food diet nutrition prep garden 4

Fire baked potatoes: Wrap potato in aluminum foil and place in hot coals of a fire. Rotate the potatoes every 10 minutes; they should cook in 40 to 50 minutes. Be sure to poke a few holes in the potato with a knife or fork so they don't explode when cooking.

Survival chips: Thinly slice potatoes and pat dry to remove water. Heat an oil or fat and carefully place the potatoes in the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until crispy, flipping the slices at least once for even cooking.

Grilled fries: Cut potato into even wedges and grill over medium-high heat. Be sure and season with salt or other spices.

Dehydrated crisps: If electricity is available, potatoes can be dehydrated. Dehydrated potatoes can be eaten as they are or used in soups. Slice the potatoes into approximately 3/8-inch pieces and blanch them, dry them thoroughly, then sprinkle with desired seasonings. Follow your dehydrator's settings for vegetables. Once they are completely dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Boiled potato mush: Start by peeling the potatoes (the skins can be used as bait for critters). Place the peeled spuds in a pot of boiling salted water. Boiling potatoes makes them soft and easy to eat. Boiled potatoes can be kept in a plastic bag and eaten while moving and you can drink the starch water. To make them more flavorful, be sure to keep salt, pepper, and your other favorite spices in your survival kit.

Sources

About the Author

Alexander Crown OFFGRIDweb author photo

Alexander Crown served as an Infantryman with the Scout/Sniper Platoon of the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Ft. Richardson, Alaska, where he specialized in radio communications and reconnaissance. Since separating, Alexander spends his time as an avid outdoorsman and hunter with an appreciation for self-sufficiency in the form of gardening. He also enjoys woodworking, firearms, and reloading. You can follow him on Instagram @acrown509.

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

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Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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

Video: Making a DIY Mosquito Fan Trap

Written by

Spring is here, and with it comes warmer temperatures — unfortunately, mosquitoes enjoy this nice weather just as much as we do. These blood-sucking pests detract from our enjoyment of the outdoors, whether we're sitting on the porch or camping in the backcountry. They also spread serious illnesses, such as malaria, Zika, and dengue fever. There are many ways to deter mosquitoes, from purpose-built chemical repellent dispensers to improvised tools like the smudge pot. However, we recently saw a video from the YouTube channel GreenPowerScience that's capable of trapping massive quantities of these bugs so they can't return to bite you.

Mosquito fan trap GreenPowerScience insect repellent malaria zika solar 4

This technique uses a high-flow metal fan — the type that can be purchased at hardware stores — plus some ordinary screen door mesh and a handful of rare earth magnets. The screen is simply placed over the intake side of the fan and held in place with the magnets. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so when the fan is turned on, nearby mosquitoes will be pulled in by the airflow and trapped against the screen.

Once the mosquitoes are trapped, a quick spray of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water will kill them. Then clean off the screen and repeat.

Obviously, the biggest drawback to this technique is that it relies on electricity and a heavy fan, so it's not very portable. In the video, Rojas shows an alternate design with a bilge pump, car battery, and a solar panel. This can be used outdoors for car camping, fishing, or other activities away from the power grid.

Mosquito fan trap GreenPowerScience insect repellent malaria zika solar 1

Other YouTubers have come up with their own modified versions — NightHawkInLight posted the following video using a cheap plastic box fan and some zip ties to achieve a similar effect. He also shows that this can easily be powered by a car battery with an inverter, offering a portable design that maintains a large trap surface area.

Next time you're doing battle with mosquitoes and don't want to douse yourself in DEET, keep this fan trap method in mind. For more considerations for avoiding these flying bloodsuckers, check out our previous article, Infographics for Mosquito Season.

Pocket Preps: Glass Breaker

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A dedicated glass breaker should be a mandatory tool for any vehicle owner. Whether it’s a rollover, an engine fire, a flash flood, or a brutal car collision, an emergency can happen at any time. So, the ability to smash a window to extricate someone quickly can mean the difference between life and death — regardless if you’re the driver, a passenger, or a passerby.

That’s why we’re examining six glass breakers available on the market today. Some have but one purpose (re: shatter the tempered glass of a passenger window), while others are versatile multitools that can be used in different environments. One is mightier than a sword while another comes in a kit with various survival uses.

But regardless of their shape, materials, or country of origin, we’re focusing more on their ease of use and portability. After all, fatalities can happen at any time and on every type of roadway. So, what’s the point of owning a glass breaker if you’re not going to have it in your pocket or within arm’s reach inside your car when your life is on the line?

Columbia River Knife & Tool ExiTool

OFGP-190600-POCKET-CRKT-LINEUP-03.JPG

Dimensions (Approx.)
3 by 2.25 by 0.6 inches

Weight
1.6 ounces

MSRP
$27

URL
www.crkt.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-CRKT-REVIEW-05.JPG

Notes
The ExiTool is a smartly designed rescue device that combines three tools in one: an LED light, a seatbelt cutter, and of course a window breaker. Perhaps the best part is that it conveniently clips onto your seatbelt — just open it up like a briefcase then sandwich the strap between its two halves, which click together via a friction-lock. The body is glass-reinforced nylon, the seatbelt cutter stainless steel, and the glass breaker tungsten carbide. Made in Taiwan.

Pros:

  • An innovative design that’s convenient, intuitive, and quite effective.
  • Easily accessible for the driver so long as it’s attached to the seatbelt and the seatbelt is properly engaged.
  • Tungsten carbide glass breaker has no problems smashing a passenger window.

Cons:

  • On the flipside, the pointy glass breaker protrudes about ¼ inch from the body, meaning it can snag or poke you accidentally if you’re not mindful.
  • The friction-lock that keeps it attached to the seatbelt weakens over time, allowing the ExiTool to fall off unexpectedly.

Galls Spring-Loaded Window Punch

Galls glass breaker

Dimensions (Approx.)
4.75-inch length by 0.31-inch diameter

Weight
1.5 ounces

MSRP
$19

URL
www.galls.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-GALLS-REVIEW-01.JPG

Notes
What do you get when you combine a glass breaker, a tactical pen, a slinky, and a pinball machine? We’re not sure but it would probably look a little something like this. As its name implies, the Spring-Loaded Window Punch operates not through striking the glass but rather by placing the tip on the window then pulling back on its top like you would to start a pinball game. Let go and the punch’s two ends smash together with enough force to shatter the glass. Made in the USA.

Pros:

  • Made of stainless steel, this tool is durable and well-constructed.
  • Clip lets you carry it in a pocket or inside the admin section of your pack.
  • Unlike other glass breakers that require force, this punch doesn’t require speed or strength so your hands remain outside the window frame even after the glass breaks.

Cons:

  • However, the design that makes it safer to use also requires two hands, which could be difficult if you’re the injured party attempting a self-rescue.
  • The flexible spring body and large pointy tip make it awkward to carry in your pants pocket.

Resqme Inc. Resqme Tool

OFGP-190600-POCKET-RESQME-LINEUP03.JPG

 

Dimensions (Approx.)
3 by 1.25 by 0.67 inches

Weight
0.6 ounces

MSRP
$10

URL
resqme.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-RESQME-REVIEW-01.JPG

Notes
This is a two-in-one rescue tool in the form of a key fob, making it much more convenient for you and your loved ones to carry an emergency tool on a daily basis. The resqme has an integrated seatbelt cutter and a window punch that connects to a detachable keyring. The idea is that, if your keys are still in the ignition, you can quickly yank out and separate the tools from the keyring regardless of the condition of your vehicle. This patented tool is made in the USA.

Pros:

  • The spring-loaded glass breaker eliminates the need for ballistic swings; instead you press the resqme against a window’s bottom corner until the punch pops out and retracts.
  • You’re more likely to carry the resqme on a daily basis because of its keyfob configuration.
  • Strap cutter is safe and easy to use.
  • Made in the USA and offered for an affordable price

Cons:

  • Folks with large paws might find it difficult to find some purchase.
  • If your hands are wet (from rain, sweat, or blood), it could be difficult to get a good grip in a stressful situation on this slick plastic body.

Skanda Tactical Glass Breaker Pen

Skanda glass breaker pen

Dimensions (Approx.)
6-inch length by 0.5-inch diameter

Weight
1.4 ounces

MSRP
$26

URL
www.coverking.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-SKANDA-REVIEW-01.JPG

Notes
If you can’t tell, we’re fond of multitools. So, naturally we tested the Skanda with enthusiasm. It’s an aluminum tactical pen that writes in black ink and doubles as an impact weapon — and, thanks to a stubby but pointy glass breaker on the cap, can smash a car’s side window. To access the pen, just twist the cap counterclockwise. To replace the ink cartridge, twist the body clockwise. Meanwhile, the steel clip sits high on the cap, providing deep carry in the pocket.

Pros:

  • An integrated glass breaker means you can carry a pen and a rescue tool without adding more weight to your daily loadout.
  • Because the body and the cap twist in opposite directions, you’ll never accidentally remove the ink cartridge when trying to remove the cap.
  • Its length gives you more leverage when breaking tempered glass than some of the other models in this buyer’s guide.

Cons:

  • The ink in our review sample ran dry within a minute of testing.
  • The pointy glass breaker is on top of the cap so we can’t place our thumb there when using it as an improvised weapon.

Stat Gear Tools SuperVisor XT

glass breaker statgear

Dimensions (Approx.)
4.5 by 1.5 by 0.44 inches

Weight (Without Sheath)
1.4 ounces

MSRP
$10

URL
www.statgeartools.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-STAT-REVIEW-02.JPG

Notes
It makes total sense that this rescue tool was designed by a New York City paramedic: it’s durable, purpose built, and easy to use under duress — all necessary attributes needed in a life-saving situation. The SuperVisor XT consists of a super sharp seatbelt cutter, a stainless steel window punch, and a rubber-coated handle. It comes with a nylon sheath that attaches to your vehicle’s sun visor (hence the name), keeping the tool accessible to both the driver and front passenger.

Pros:

  • Quality tool that’s easy on the wallet
  • Robust stainless steel glass breaker shatters side windows with ease.
  • The integrated cutter slices seatbelts like a lightsaber through butter.
  • Rubber-coated handle and jimping on the body’s spine offer greater traction.

Cons:

  • Conversely, the handle has room for only two fingers, limiting leverage.

TOPS Knives Pry Probe Punch

tops knives pry tool glass breaker

Dimensions (Approx.)
7.25 by 0.5 by 0.5 inches

Weight (Without Sheath)
6.8 ounces

MSRP
$60

URL
www.topsknives.com

OFGP-190600-POCKET-TOPS-REVIEW-02.JPG

Notes
This TOPS Knives tool is the behemoth of this buyer’s guide. At 7.25 inches long and 6.8 ounces heavy, the Pry Probe Punch will not only turn passenger windows into glassy rubble, but also serve as a small pry bar and a solid impromptu self-defense weapon. Plus, it comes with a mini survival saw and an offset double-ended screwdriver — all of which can be carried in an included nylon pouch that can be attached to your belt or stowed in your vehicle’s center console.

Pros:

  • A quality emergency tool with multiple functions
  • Survival saw and screwdriver are useful bonuses.
  • The largest glass breaker in this bunch is simple to use and offers the best grip and leverage.
  • One of the most burly mini pry bars available.

Cons:

  • The mediocre pouch is meant for belt carry, but it’s unlikely anyone will include this in their everyday-carry (EDC) gear. Instead, it would be more functional if TOPS redesigned the pouch to stow conveniently in your vehicle.

Read More for Pocket Preps

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 30

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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

What If You’re Lost at Sea?

Written by

Illustrations by Robert Bruner

The smooth Pacific water had been full of biting fish that morning. You were overwhelmed with the feeling that life just couldn’t get any better. Floating on your friend’s boat in the warm glass-like ocean had seemed like a dream in the early morning hours. The sunrise over land had been impressive. The two of you had laughed, reminisced, and pulled fish after fish out of the productive waters. Then everything changed.

Just a few hours after the fishing was over, your good friend who captained the boat the two of you were on now lay dead on the deck beneath the ignoble shroud of a black plastic trash bag. As the sun beat down burning your skin, your pleasant dream had shifted into a dark and disturbing nightmare. Only one of you knew how to pilot the boat and navigate through the shallows and sandbars to get back to land — and that person lay dead at your feet. You were alone, far from shore, with limited food and water. Was there any course of action that would keep you from joining your friend in an untimely demise, or would all paths lead to the same dark end?

For this episode of RECOIL OFFGRID’s “What If?” column, the editors have asked us what we’d do if lost at sea in a rather grim scenario. There’ll be no scavenging the neighborhood or the backcountry for emergency supplies in this situation. If we didn’t bring it on the boat, we don’t get to use it! To complicate things, we don’t have nautical skills, the emergency takes place in foreign waters, and we don’t even speak the local lingo.

The deck is stacked against us, and that’s when we need our preparations the most. During this installment of “What If?” we’ll look at some survival strategies on the water and the preparations to consider before heading out onto the ocean. A boat can be different things to different people. Sometimes it’s a toy to be played with, other times it’s a mode of transport. But in rare situations, that vessel can become a floating prison, or worse, a sinking tomb if you don’t make the right choices.

scene 2 color.psd

The Scenario

Situation Type
Stranded on a friend’s motorboat

Your Crew
You and your friend George

Location
Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California

Season
Summer

Weather
Hot; high 98 degrees F, low 63 degrees F

The Setup

It’s a Saturday morning and you’ve ventured to beautiful San Quintín in Baja California to fish for yellowtail. You’ve traveled down to stay at your friend George’s summer home. As an avid fisherman, you’re looking forward to this outing and its promising fishing reports. George owns a Boston Whaler 315 Conquest, which is a 31-foot, twin-outboard-engine motorboat that the two of you will be using. He tells you about a spot where he’s had good luck lately, and says that not many of the other charter boats know about it, so there’s a good chance there won’t be anyone else around. You’re only mildly familiar with deep-sea fishing, this is your first time to the area, you don’t speak Spanish, and you have only a little bit of knowledge about maritime rules, boating, and basic navigation. You’re relying primarily on George’s knowledge to get you where you need to this newly discovered fishing honey hole and back to shore safely.

After loading up the fishing gear and a cooler with some sandwiches, beer, and water bottles, you shove off. You make a quick stop about 10 minutes from where you launched to catch some bait fish for the day. Then George says the spot you’ll be fishing at will take about another hour to get to. He tells you on the way out that it’s a tricky run, explaining that the path to get there and back is very narrow and shallow in places, and inexperienced boaters have run aground in the area before. He also tells you that after nightfall San Quintín is reportedly a delivery spot for offshore drug trafficking and that boats operating in the later hours are often connected to cartel activities. After you arrive, it’s approximately 7 a.m. and there’s no one else around. You begin fishing, but also notice that land is no longer visible.

scene 1 color.psd

The Complication

You and George have had a successful morning, but after about two hours of fishing, George tells you he’s feeling a little sick and says he’s going to the bathroom. After about 15 minutes, you go to check and George and he has fallen in the bathroom and is unconscious. You suspect a heart attack, check vitals, and immediately begin CPR. You’re unsuccessful in your effort to revive him and fear your friend has died. Here you are, stuck somewhere in the Pacific Ocean with minimal boating experience and no idea how to get home safely.

You begin to look around and find what you can. A flare gun, a few life jackets, extra fishing equipment, inflatable life raft with a small paddle, some spare clothing, tools, a fire extinguisher, some charts and registration paperwork, mooring rope, but no extra fuel. What steps should you take? How would you weigh risk versus reward on staying put and hoping help would come to you versus attempting to pilot the boat back to land or find other fishermen? Should you toss the anchor over and wait things out? Attempt to use the radio to communicate with anyone nearby, hope they understand English, and possibly risk being overheard by drug runners who would exploit your situation? Would you attempt to pilot the boat yourself in search of help without fully understanding how to recognize the areas that are shallow and could rupture the hull? For this installment, our situation is fraught with potential complications.

Maritime Expert David Martin’s Approach

Preparation

With practice, even last-minute travel invitations can be met with a logical order of thought to boost your own safety and success. Remain mindful of seasonal swings in weather, elevation, and temperature differences from your home conditions. Research your destination and host expectations. Do not rely entirely on one person in your group to figure out the details so that you can “just show up.”

Even though you may travel on short notice as a guest of a trusted host, find time to get hands on with a chart, map, any source of computer-based orientation to get the lay of the land, or in this case, an ocean involving a border crossing into Mexico. Working in reverse order from my destination, I’d create my itinerary to share back home with those tracking my travels. Next, I’d assemble a compact carry in a Watershed bag of essential documents, licenses, passport, insurance cards, and required forms of ID to ensure safe passage along the water or overland route, including cash.

Moving to communications and navigation, think worst-case scenario — separating from the mother ship. Pack a second sea gear ditch bag with a few key lightweight essentials, from electronics right down to a survival mirror. Topping the list, I’d bring a Garmin Inreach Mini, which is a two-way communication device, complete with the essential water bundle subscription service to enable messaging to friends, family, or satellite-relayed emergency calls, including key GPS coordinate mapping/tracking capabilities for loved ones at home.

Also along for the trip I’d have a handheld Garmin GPS, a waterproof camera, a non-flashy digital watch, and a compact, portable handheld Horizon VHF radio capable of tracking weather, communicating with other vessels, and relaying lat/lon coordinates through a distress signal. A submersible, portable locator beacon and accompanying emergency strobe light are so affordable, including the registration and lessons, that there’s no excuse not to stop at your marine supply store to inquire about them. Your cell phone will be of limited usage beyond many costal waters. I would explore renting a satellite phone for extended, remote coastal trips.

scene 3 color2.psd

Illumination tools I’d take with me would include water-resistant headlamps, plus a small SureFire Invictus flashlight, which comes with SOS settings capable of running for hours. Grab chem’ break lights and kayak strobes for each life vest or raft.

I’d pack clothing such as sun-protective, quick-drying long-sleeve shirts and pants from Simms, gator face mask, hat, gloves, ankle-high boat booties, and two-piece rain gear and fleece vests to ward off overnight temperature drops. If the motors went down and help is days away I don’t want to risk exposure, dehydration, sunburn, or chills during an overnight or extended float. In extreme heat, a towel, dunked in the cooler ice water and draped around the neck, will help reduce the risk of heatstroke.

Items like lighters, a water distiller or desalinator, duct tape, tourniquet, a med kit containing hook removal line, pliers, and bug juice would all make sense, especially if you must abandon ship into a survival raft. Flying without a blade? Make a mental note to pick up a small filet knife in the first marina you see.

Ponchos offer protection from the sun and can double as a decent cistern for catching rainwater aboard a life raft in the event you lack another source of potable water. Ponchos with grommets or small tarps and rain jackets can be rigged with cordage and broken oars to serve as sails for rafts, conserving energy in strong currents. I’d triple check that my Wiley X shades with polarized lenses were in my bag.

After covering contingencies for our fishing trip, I turn my attention to our brief overland journey from California south by first reviewing the U.S. State Department site, my first stop for any trip south of the border. On the revised 1 to 4 scale, with levels 3 and 4 including “Reconsider Travel” to “Do Not Travel” I see nightmare scenarios of violence bullet pointed to serve as examples of random to organized targeting of tourists. Baja largely falls into the Level 1 to 2 range of “Exercising Caution” to “Exercising Increased Caution.” I’m troubled by the advisories that disclose that tourist resorts are no longer exempt from brushes with seemingly random or even targeted violence, especially after dark on remote roads.

Last, I’d make a quick call to Global Rescue to verify my coverage was up to date. In a recent sporting trade show, one of their brochures stuck with me, reading, “The best fishing spots are the worst places to have an emergency.” This membership organization provides integrated medical, security, travel risk, and crisis response services. These services include on-demand medical advisory, field rescue, security extraction and evacuation services with affiliations with leading sports conservation organizations. Global Rescue’s mobile app connects clients with medical and security sources throughout the world.

On Site

Local knowledge is golden in any angling community, but that can be a somewhat guarded set of hard-won facts. I was completely dependent upon George for local knowledge. Pay particular attention to maritime hazards from rocky shallow reefs outside the surf line, simple sand bars, tidal swings and water clarity, prevailing ocean currents, forecast winds, and the boat’s capabilities. Due to my limited Spanish, I was particularly interested in offshore jurisdictions and emergency protocol, including laws, limits, and any local customs for communication protocol with local authorities.

George shared with me a detailed route, including a couple of key points that I relayed to the family back home complete with plan to return no later than sunset. With this info the family would be able to track our progress and exchange text messages during the journey, including the ability to receive any emergency or distress declaration. He did not file a float plan with the marina, but they knew to look for him before dark, he said.

Dockside, I’d want George to provide a brief rundown on operating the basic controls and electronics, plus the boat’s layout to separate creature comforts from operational necessities, especially GPS mapping, waypoint books, and sonar. Before casting off, I’d take the tour from bow to stern. The Whaler’s foam-filled hull has a reputation for being unsinkable.

Openly discuss your floating emergency response plan with your captain or group leader. Use the five-step “range safety emergency” for worse case scenarios: First, take control of the situation; contact authorities and medical responders if needed with your location details; render care to the extent of your medical training while continuing communications and guiding responding rescuers to your location. Last, once the emergency is resolved, prepare to fully record or document your actions for your own protection, especially your chronology of decisions. In the aftermath expect scrutiny. Anticipate your actions will be not only questioned, but also second-guessed. Events recorded in a Rite in the Rain notebook, portable camera, or on video may prevent your loss of freedom, reputation, or avoid liability during the investigation that follows any life or death incident.

Openly discuss the availability of any onboard firearms and the requirements for returning to port or being inspected. Florida anglers are well aware of strict accountability for every last bullet awaiting them upon entering Bahamian waters, for example. George is not a gun guy, tells me our vessel is without weapons, and explains that Mexico has strict gun laws, especially for non-residents. He wants to avoid trouble with authorities and so do I. Do not board someone’s boat with a firearm without permission or knowledge of laws.

Crisis

If you suddenly find yourself without a captain, try to determine where you are. Pay attention to your horizon, conditions onboard, and navigational hazards to determine whether self-rescue opportunities will suffice or whether emergency assistance is required. Communicate your situation and location early on to responders via VHF, even if your distress call is not a call for a rescue, yet. Know in advance which channels are monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard or national authorities. In foreign waters consider activating your emergency signaling devices and two-way satellite communicators, including distress signalization. Hailing any vessel on multiple channels may bring about people with maligned intentions.

In one common event running aground on sandbars may simply require awaiting a tidal cycle to resume safe operating. In the extreme, severe structural or hull damage may result from collisions with submerged reefs, other vessels, unlit channel markers, or floating debris. In the event you’re taking on water in a volume that exceeds your ability to plug, pump, or salvage the vessel, get the life jackets, communicate your situation, and start gathering emergency supplies, especially if you have a backup vessel like a dinghy or inflatable emergency raft.

Your visibility and survival chances increase greatly by staying with the vessel. Only in the most extreme example of an uncontrollable boat fire would I consider abandoning the Whaler. Stay with the boat until it begins to submerge.

Larger commercial craft with life rafts will secure these in above-deck storage containers. These are usually inflated via a compressed air tank connected to the raft, pre-equipped with rescue supplies, including insulated floors and tent-like covers to prevent exposure and increase visibility. Supplies may include a V-shaped forward sail, oars, or a sea anchor to remain near the disaster site and avoid drifting away.

Smaller private pleasure craft with inflatable life rafts usually stow the rafts in dedicated gear lockers or in cabins to prevent theft. These smaller rafts are usually not equipped with survival gear so prepare to grab at least two separate ditch bags, one with survival gear and one with emergency comms, including visual distress signals. Don’t attempt to paddle home unless a destination is in sight. Paddling is exhausting and dehydrating.

If I had to abandon ship I would attempt to carry all portable water and nonperishable energy foods. A Katadyn Survivor 35 Desalinator is capable of producing 1 ounce of water every two minutes. Stored in a separate waterproof container I would want the combined emergency distress and locator signaling devices in both electronic and flare forms. Consider SOLAS class magnum flares, including parachute flares capable of attaining heights visible for miles. During daylight hours handheld or floating orange smoke signals are capable of guiding in aircraft or rescue helicopters.

I owe it to my old friend to return him safely to loved ones. I don’t want to be intercepted transporting a deceased man. If possible, I’d text my family and one trusted friend of the situation, advising my plan. I repeat this message to USCG authorities via text, advising my approximate route and arrival time. I reviewed readings at the helm to gauge fuel levels and approximate burn time.

Survival Expert Tim MacWelch’s Approach

Preparation

Not being a seaman, I would definitely want to do my homework before chugging out onto the ocean. Finding a polite way to ask, I’d question George about his plans to get fresh water (since saltwater isn’t safe to drink); and I’d inquire about his safety equipment and communications equipment. Since there aren’t many cell phone towers bobbing around in the ocean, I’d consider bringing my own satellite phone for an outing like this. These can be rented, if funds are limited. I’d also need local emergency numbers like the nearest USCG station. And whether you rent or buy a phone, shop around for a more rugged model (something that a splash of saltwater won’t destroy).

While on the topic of communication, I’d ask George what kind of radio his boat has, how it works, how to send distress signals, and anything else that seems handy to know. Before the trip, I’d also pester George about desalination equipment (just to make sure he had something onboard). There are hand pumps (like water filters) that remove salt from the water. Fluid Technology Solutions makes a Mariner F2O bag that will pull the salt from seawater. The pump is expensive and takes a lot of physical effort to operate. The osmosis bags are much cheaper and easier to use — just fill and wait for the salt to be separated from the water. But these desalination bags can only be used once.

As far as research goes, it would be wise for me to study previous “lost at sea” situations. Even though they may not instill me with confidence to leave my beloved terra firma, reading real-life ocean survival stories could show me how other people survived in open water circumstances and provide insight into the psychology of nautical survival. As you should do for any trip, I’d have a “what if” discussion with someone at home about my travel details and create a “check in” plan with them.

For example, I might plan to call home every day at 5 p.m., just to check in, remind them of my plans for the following day, and of course, let them know if any plans have changed. I wouldn’t be shy about asking George for the specific latitude/longitude of the area we’d be fishing, even if he protests about his secret fishing spot. Someone else needs to know where I am, and it’s not a bad idea to determine how much time should pass before they take action if I didn’t make the call in within a certain number of hours or if I went missing. Sure, it sucks a little fun and freedom away from a trip to have these daily check in’s, but their worth far outweighs the hassle.

Before we leave the dock, I’d ask George to walk me through his boat for the grand tour. With unbridled curiosity, I’d let the questions fly. Show me how to read a map. How do I use the radio? What are the local ocean current patterns? What do these instruments do? How do you file a plan with the harbormaster to go boating off the coast of a foreign country? I’d be like a hyper-curious 5-year-old with the questions. What’s this? What’s that? How’s it work? Hopefully, George will interpret this enthusiasm as a shared interest, or at least understand that it’s from a desire to be prepared.

On Site

George is gone to his final rest, and after I said a prayer for my lost friend, the first thing I’d do is get on the radio or hit the button on the emergency beacon. I wouldn’t have let George leave the harbor without showing me how to use the communication equipment in an emergency, and this situation definitely qualifies. The size of the vessel will have an impact on the type of communication and emergency signaling equipment required by law. On a vessel like George’s, the radio might be a very high-frequency (VHF) or single-sideband (SSB) radio. Vessels in distress can radio for help on VHF channel 16, if they don’t have a beacon. With the radio on the correct channel, press the button and say “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Coast Guard this is (your vessel name).” Await their reply and they will ask for your location and type of distress.

Once you’ve established communication, the local authorities may direct you to another channel (to discuss your situation off the main channel). If the vessel has an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), it will notify rescuers via a global satellite system. All you have to do is push a button. Again, the size of the vessel will dictate whether an EPIRB is required or not. Luckily for this scenario, the U.S. Coast Guard is very active in western California/Mexican waters. There are several small boat stations down the coast of California, as well as several large cutters that patrol those waters.

Once the beacon was activated or the radio call was successfully made, I’d sit tight. Even if the boat did have enough fuel to get back to the harbor and then some, I’m no captain and would not attempt to drive the boat with limited experience. It takes a lot of training to read charts, navigate shallow waters, and drive a boat safely. If I didn’t have that knowledge, the best thing would be to stay put. Furthermore, having relayed my position to local authorities, the last thing I’d want to do is move. Unless the boat is engulfed in fire or sinking quick, I’m staying on the boat to keep vigil over my departed friend and the boat is staying anchored. But this wouldn’t be a good “what if” unless we compounded our problems. So let’s say a rogue wave slammed the boat into a reef and the vessel started bringing on water.

Crisis

Since the boat is my shelter in an unforgiving environment, I’d do my best to patch the leak, if it were accessible, once I realized that we were taking on water. If there was no risk of being crushed between the hull and the reef that ruptured it, I could get in the water and try to improvise a patch on the outside of the hull. If it is merely fractured due to impact (there isn’t a big chunk missing), I could place a large thick piece of plastic sheeting across the leak on the outside of the hull. Secured in place with ropes, the pressure of the water will help hold the plastic in place and slow the leak (if I had nothing better to use). Tape that can be used underwater (like Flex Tape) would be even better.

If the vessel caught fire and couldn’t be extinguished or is taking on water faster than any onboard pumps can bail it out, it’s time to start thinking about abandoning ship in favor of the life raft. After inflating the raft and tying it off to the sinking vessel, I’d start loading the supplies. I’d bring the fresh water, any desalination equipment that was on the boat, and my sat phone. I’d also grab all the food, some fishing tackle, the mooring line, the flare gun, and some spare clothing. If time allowed, I’d salvage as much as possible and tie my friend’s remains to the boat. This would prevent him from being lost in the water and allow his loved ones a proper burial after his remains are recovered. Rather than trying to paddle the raft toward shore, I’d stay anchored by the sunken boat. By running the mooring line around a boat rail, the sunken and anchored boat becomes the anchor for my raft. This keeps me from drifting away in the current. Even If the boat sank completely in the shallow waters, I’m still in the right place and able to signal when other craft approach (with flares, smoke, mirror, air horn, etc.).

Now, let’s say the whole day has passed and no rescue came. Then at dusk, I signal a passing vessel with my flare gun. The other boaters approach and seem to be offering help, but I don’t speak their language. Would I board their vessel? What if they’re drug runners or human traffickers? If the “bad guys” heard my call for help over the radio, they wouldn’t be likely to come investigate or hang around the area. They’d be concerned about getting caught by USCG patrols. I’d have to trust my gut, but I’d probably go with the help that is offered rather than wait for a more legitimate-looking rescue vessel.

Conclusion

I’d like to conclude this article by thanking all Navy servicemen and women, U.S. Coast Guard members, and other maritime emergency responders for their service worldwide — in times of conflict and peace. Your service and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. I’d also like to remind you that as long as a ship, boat, or rubber raft isn’t on fire or sinking, it’s important to understand that the watercraft is your “shelter” in the world’s largest wilderness — the ocean. Without that shelter, you can only stay afloat for so long before you drown or exposure kills you. Even if you’ve lost your anchor and you’re adrift, your craft is still the most lifesaving asset you have. Without it, you’re at the mercy of the sea — a survival setting where no quarter is given. So when the water rations are low and you think you know which way to swim to shore, think again! Making the choice to abandon ship is often the last choice made by those who are claimed by the ocean.

Web Extra

survival at sea

For a real-life example of survival at sea, check out the following article on OFFGRIDweb. It tells the incredible story of Poon Lim, a 24-year-old sailor who survived alone on a tiny life raft for 133 days after the British merchant ship he worked on was sunk by a German U-boat during WWII. offgridweb.com/survival/survival-at-sea

Meet Our Panel

Tim MacWelch

Tim MacWelch has been a survival instructor for more than 20 years, training people from all walks of life, including members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the State Department, DOD, and DOJ personnel. He’s a frequent public speaker for preparedness groups and events. He’s also the author of three New York Times-bestselling survival books, and the new Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual. When he’s not teaching survival or writing about it, MacWelch lives a self-reliant lifestyle with his family in Virginia. Check out his wide range of hands-on training courses that are open to the public at www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com.

David H. Martin

David Howell Martin wears two hats, alternating between the fly-tying bench and the reloading bench, while dodging the occasional hurricane. From his Sarasota family home he serves as a light tackle/fly fishing guide-tour leader, paddling kayaks or poling canoes throughout Southwest Florida Gulf Coastal mangrove islands and river systems. Returning to dry land, Martin’s serves as an NRA training counselor, chief range safety officer, and firearms instructor. The Houston native continuously seeks to improve his survival knowledge and capabilities through mentors, research, product consultation, prayer, and fresh kills over campfires. davidhmartin@me.com

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 30

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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

Gear Up Issue 31

Written by

NEMO Equipment Rocket 2P

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Floor Area
21.4 square feet

MSRP
$450

URL
www.nemoequipment.com

Notes
It’s incredible to think that this tent weighs less than a quart of milk. At 22 ounces, the Rocket 2P is featherweight shelter for two people and is designed to keep you warm in three seasons. Sure, its peak 40-inch height is only enough clearance to sit up in, but it’s not like you’ll be hosting BYOB party inside of it. It’s designed for adventurers who want to stay mobile and keep their cargo as light as possible. NEMO accomplished this by using two aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL poles and ultralight fabrics, including integrated No-See-Um Mesh sidewalls. It comes with stakes, guy-out cord, light pocket, repair kit, and a drawstring stuff sack.

Cordova Outdoors Cordova 20 Extra Small Cooler

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Dimensions
21.75 by 14.25 by 13.5 inches

MSRP
$200

URL
cordovaoutdoors.com

Notes
Whether it’s packing food for an emergency bug-out or to keep food and medicine from going bad during a power outage, a cooler certainly has its place in a survivalist’s most-needed products. However, sometimes it can feel like there’s a shortage of smaller, robust coolers on the market made as tough as their larger brethren. The Cordova 20 Extra Small Cooler is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who want a hard-sided insulated container that’s easy to take to the boat, beach, campsite, or ballfield. It features an adjustable shoulder strap with neoprene padding and molded-in handles for comfort when transporting. Its 20-quart capacity can hold 15 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-content ratio and comes in a variety of colors, including aqua, gray, and sandstone granite.

Arc’teryx Solano Coat

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Colors
Black, Cloudburst

MSRP
$279

URL
arcteryx.com

Notes
Maybe you’re a female survivalist. Or perhaps you’re a husband looking for a Mother’s Day gift that’s attractive enough for your wife to wear yet functional enough that she’s prepared for the elements. Enter the Solano Coat. It’s a 3/4-length jacket that has the aesthetics for stylish city life, but the technical performance for a backcountry diversion. No surprise, though, since it’s from Arc’teryx — the Canadian company renowned for its climbing equipment and sporting goods. The Solano’s Gore-Tex Infinium fabric is windproof, water resistant, and breathable. The regular fit coat has gusseted underarms and articulated patterning for greater range of motion than your average spring coat, and its lined hood adds another layer of weather protection.

Hawke Frontier HD X

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Sizes
8×32, 10×32, 8×42, and 10×42

MSRP
Starting at $289

URL
www.hawkeoptics.com

Notes
Sight can often be our most important sense. Whether it’s spotting a potential threat coming or looking for the safest bug-out route, our vision gives us a substantial advantage in surviving a crisis. The new Frontier HD X lineup of binoculars can help boost your success rate, thanks to its dielectric coatings for increased light reflectivity and fully multi-coated optics for sharper images. The twist-up eyecups aren’t just replaceable, they also have position stops so you can personalize the eye relief. Available in green or gray, the magnesium alloy body is covered with ergonomic soft-touch rubber for comfort and armor. Hunting, searching, or just sightseeing — these Hawke binos can give you a visual edge in a variety of situations.

Pyramex Safety Products Venture Gear AMP BT Electronic Bluetooth Hearing Protector

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Noise Reduction Rating
26 decibels

MSRP
$120

URL
www.pyramexsafety.com

Notes
Electronic earmuffs are our favorite type of hearing protection. They not only attenuate loud noises — like gunfire or machinery — but also amplify surrounding sounds. On the range, this lets you hold a conversation without screaming. On a deer hunt, this lets you whisper instructions to a friend without scaring off the animals. Pyramex’s first Bluetooth-enabled ear protection allows you to connect to a smartphone to make a call or listen to music. And, all the while, you never lose the high-noise suppression. The ear pro is powered by two included AAA batteries, features an arched band to fit over a hat, and has padded muffs for comfort.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Doppio

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Colors
Blue, Milk, Plum, and Sage

MSRP
$12

URL
gsioutdoors.com

Notes
When TEOTWAWKI comes, your brain will need some lubrication to keep going — be it booze, coffee, or water. Fortunately, the Glacier Stainless Doppio is the perfect size for a small refreshment before you have to slog on. Holding up to 6.5 fluid ounces, this little mug is perfect for a double shot of espresso in the morning, some bourbon in the evening, or hot cocoa around the campfire. The Doppio is made of double-walled 18-8 stainless steel so it can also keep your drinks ice cold on a hot day, too. Standing 3.9 inches tall with a roughly 2.8-inch diameter, this compact cup with a sip-top lid will easily fit in a car’s cupholder as well as your backpack’s side pocket without taking up much space.

Maxpedition Entity 27

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Capacity
27 liters (1,648 cubic inches)

MSRP
$220

URL
www.maxpedition.com

Notes
For years Maxpedition was known for overbuilt tactical backpacks. Rugged, functional, and covered in PALS webbing, its most well-known packs were quite recognizable. But seeing a growing demand for grayman-style gear, the company recently launched a series of concealed carry weapon products, including the Entity 27. This low-profile backpack is loaded with features that combine tactical-focused functions with a technology-supplemented design, such as dual side ports for headphones and charging cables, a lockable padded computer section, and two-way access to a fully loop-lined CCW compartment. Moreover, the side pockets can house various items, from pens and knives to a 30-round AR-15 magazine.

Big Idea Design LLC TPT Slide

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MSRP
$80

URL
bigidesign.com

Notes
At first glance, the TPT (Titanium Pocket Tool) Slide looks like a clean-looking box cutter. Until you realize it’s actually an ingenious multitool that’s super slim, light, and durable. It gets its name from the one-handed sliding mechanism that deploys its utility blade — which, if you flip around, features three prongs on its other side that can be used as a camping fork. It also has a mini pry bar, 1/4-inch hex driver, bottle opener, flathead screwdriver, universal wrench — all integrated in its titanium frame. While it has a lanyard/keyring hole, it also comes with a convenient pocket clip.

More From Issue 31

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter today!

Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 30

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

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