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Interview: Shayne Phelan of Eagle Ridge Survival

Posted on March 24, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Photos courtesy of Eagle Ridge Survival

We've often heard claims that prepping is an American phenomenon, and one that's rarely seen outside the United States. This is patently false. People all over the world can — and already do — benefit from taking emergency preparedness seriously. Most governments and local municipalities have awareness campaigns in place to spread the word about the importance of disaster preps, and there's no shortage of grassroots movements in countries around the world to prove that its value is universal. That said, it's understandable that different regions have different approaches to the subject, so we always enjoy speaking with preppers from overseas to hear their perspectives.

We recently had an opportunity to talk with Shayne Phelan, a survival instructor and lifelong prepper from Ireland. Read on for Shayne's thoughts on skills, fitness, gear, and the ubiquitous nature of preparedness.

Tell us a little about yourself. When and how did you first become interested in learning survival skills?

I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Shayne Phelan and I run Eagle Ridge Survival in County Wicklow, Ireland. So beautiful is this county that it's nationally known as “The Garden of Ireland” and has played backdrop for the long-running TV series Vikings and the Mel Gibson blockbuster Braveheart.

I guess I was practicing survival skills before I knew it was survival — fishing, hunting, falconry, and ferreting was part of daily life. I suppose the eureka moment was 1986 when a 14-year-old stumbled across a book just out, the SAS Survival Handbook by the legendary “Lofty” Wiseman. Let me tell you, that book was devoured with the same appetite for knowledge that a survivalist would have for food after coming off an island.

“We never practice a skill to the point where we get it right, we practice to a point where we can't get it...

With haste I started practising shelter-building and primitive fire-lighting techniques. Even then I knew the importance of skill-based fire rather than product-based fire. Within a year I was starting to achieve embers — you see, the road to success is paved with the slabs of failure. You must change your technique and material selection, trial and error was the Google of the day.

Where did the name Eagle Ridge Survival come from?

I have served as TV consultant for survival here in Ireland and for national print media, they are always fascinated with the name and how I derived it. Well, it's pretty straightforward, I am one of the few in Ireland that flies and hunts with a golden eagle. His name is Thor.

Shayne Phelan Eagle Ridge Survival Ireland survivalist prepper interview 9

Phelan owns several birds of prey, and often travels with them to educate kids.

You've clearly emphasized the importance of primitive skills, such as bow-drill fire starting. How do these fit into your survival strategy alongside modern gear?

Now to get to the brass tacks of survival. If I am a prepper, I prep skills. I believe people are far too much involved in storage. Squirreling away items is great in two instances:

You live in a place that you don't need to bug out of.
You have the skills and man/woman power to keep what you have prepped in this new WROL environment.

…otherwise you have been storing preps for other people.

How does physical fitness play a part in your survival skillset?

Survival is a huge mental task, and I always say survival is from the neck up. But it certainly helps if everything from the neck down works well.

I place huge emphasis on physical fitness and the ability to defend yourself. I am a martial arts instructor holding 4th dan grades in hapkido, karate, and kickboxing. I believe any survivalist should get involved in martial arts. This will make people fitter, stronger, and better-prepared for the hardships of life.

If your bugout bag weighs 90 lbs, can you ruck with this for 5 miles? If not, I would suggest you have a bugout anchor. You need to address the weight of your bag and train with it.

I personally feel that we live in a society where we are so hardwired to consumerism that we think we can out-purchase training. The reality is we can't. We must out-work yesterday today, and every day.

In that case, what does your every-day carry gear look like?

Ireland is a country that has very restrictive practices on the ownership of firearms and knife carry, however I mostly EDC a Leatherman and my trusty knife from Lt Wright, a company I am proud to be the brand ambassador for here in Ireland. The items that you will always find on my person are:

Shayne Phelan Eagle Ridge Survival Ireland survivalist prepper interview 2

Phelan's LT Wright Genesis bushcraft knife.

Lt Wright Genesis fixed blade knife
Leatherman Surge multi-tool
Paracord bracelet
Wazoo Bushcraft Necklace with built in ferro rod and scraper
Small Olight torch
Bic lighter with a ranger band and a few small fishing hooks tucked behind the band

Making a simple fish spear from green wood.

What aspect of survival do you feel the public is most underprepared for?

The greatest fear I have is the trust people put in authority. You see this globally with flash floods and other disasters — good, honest people think someone is going to come and save them, but authorities are so stretched they never come. We have a personal and family responsibility to be less passive in our chance of survival.

I always preach that survival is going to happen when you aren't anticipating such scenarios. You could be just gone on a day hike or fishing, hunting, etc.

What are some key lessons you typically emphasize with your students?

I urge people to leave a bread crumb trail of information with family — where you are going, when you should be back. Then if something should happen, hug a tree and the calvary will come.

Always dress for the coldest, most severe weather conditions the next 24 hours can throw at you. It's much easier to cool yourself down than warm yourself up. Clothing should always be first line of shelter. While you are at it, stick a few large trash bags and/or a poncho in your pocket. Then you can quickly improvise shelter or a water gatherer.

And remember whatever you do, don't panic!

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Where can our readers learn more about what you're up to?

If you would like to find out more about us, we are on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. You can also go to Eagleridgesurvival.com or Survival.ie.

RECOILtv Short Film: Deer Hunting in the UK

Posted on March 23, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

RECOIL‘s editor in chief Iain Harrison understands the threat of gun confiscation because he experienced it firsthand. Twenty years ago, the British government confiscated his weapons, along with those of many other law-abiding citizens. As a result, he moved to the United States to preserve his rights and pursue his career in the firearms industry. However, there are still many shooting enthusiasts and hunters who remain in the UK — as Harrison puts it, “the ties that bind us as hunters transcend national and geographic boundaries.”

In a new CARNIVORE short film posted on RECOILtv, Iain Harrison travels back to the UK to take a look at the persistence of hunting culture in a country that's generally unfriendly towards gun owners. There, he meets with Hugo Campbell, a local hunting guide who takes him into the Ashdown Forest. This area is roughly 30 miles south of London, but remains densely-populated by deer.

Watch the full 25-minute short film below to see the results of the hunt, as well as Harrison's impressions of his first time pulling a trigger on British soil in 20 years.

Bioterrorism 101: Agents of Mass Destruction

Posted on March 22, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

An Overview of Bioterrorism
Science vs. Nature
Infographic: 6 Deadly & Contagious Agents
A Potential Biological Attack
5 Bioterrorism Quick Facts
Summary
About The Author

This article was originally published in Issue 4 of our magazine.

Disease-producing biological agents are among the most feared weapons ever used against humanity. Terrorism is the use of violence and threats to frighten, intimidate, and coerce a group of people, especially for political purposes. Combine the two and you get one of the most powerful and horrific instruments of death and destruction. According to some experts, bioterrorism poses one of the most significant threats currently facing the United States. It’s estimated that just one well-calculated attack could result in innumerable victims and cause enormous damage to critical infrastructure. Multiple attacks could potentially wreak havoc and destruction on a scale never before experienced on American soil.

There are many reasons to be concerned — unlike other types of terrorist attacks, a bioterror attack could infect large portions of the population before any of the victims begin to develop any obvious symptoms. The deployment of a biological agent in an urban area could not only result in a high number of causalities, but could also potentially shut down commerce and disrupt vital public services. The threat of bioterrorism is very real; even though it’s one of the biggest threats we face as a society, it’s also one of the least understood. The first step in preparing for this unimaginable risk is to be informed — it also doesn’t hurt to make some basic preparations.

An Overview of Bioterrorism

A bioterrorist attack involves the intentional spreading of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and germs with the specific intent of causing injury, illness, and death. A bioterrorist is similar to a conventional terrorist, except the attack can be silent, invisible, and highly contagious. Biological weapons can often continue causing illness and death well beyond the initial attack. A highly contagious agent can be deployed and systematically continue to spread indefinitely among the population far outside of the primary geographical target area. Moreover, humans need not always be the objective of an attack. Bioterrorists can also target crops, livestock, and the water supply, effectively compromising a substantial portion of a region’s food and drinking water.

Since detecting and confirming a suspected contamination takes time, immediately after an attack, portions of our food and water supplies can be potentially infected without our even knowing it.

Science vs. Nature

The term “bioterror” may be relatively new, but biological warfare has been around for many hundreds of years. One of the first accounts of biological attacks dates back to the year 1347, when the Tartar army catapulted bodies of plague victims over the walls of the port city of Caffa, on the Black Sea, to infect the occupants who refused to surrender. Many of the infected, who later escaped, went on to carry the disease to other cities and towns.

Today, bio-agents can be altered into incredibly effective killers by enhancing their natural ability to spread. With advances in technology, it’s now easier than ever, and far less expensive, to obtain raw materials and convert (weaponize) them into biological messengers of death.

Infographic: 6 Deadly & Contagious Agents

A Potential Biological Attack

For most people, the full extent of a biological attack is difficult to imagine. Prior to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the subsequent anthrax letter attacks, few people would have given the risk of bioterror a second thought. Today, however, a number of experts have repeatedly warned that it’s just a matter of time before there’s a significant bioterrorism attack on U.S. soil. Since 2001, senior government officials have placed bioterrorism among the top of the list of national security concerns.

How an actual biological attack would unfold depends on many variables, including which biological agent is used and how it’s dispersed. For the average person, trying to anticipate and prepare for every possible biological scenario is almost impossible. It makes more sense to plan and prepare to address the basic survival needs that are common to all disasters — food, water, security/self-defense, first-aid/medical, sanitation/hygiene, and of course, knowing when to stay put and when to get out. If the unthinkable happens, having a plan and appropriate supplies will be essential, especially in the days following the initial attacks.

Here are some things to consider:

Staying Informed: Upon learning of a bioterrorism attack, the public will most likely look to local, state, and federal authorities for guidance and direction. Since the average person will have no clue what sort of bio-agent was used, how it was dispersed, or how far or in what direction it has traveled, knowing how best to respond will be difficult. Without substantial guidance, the public will be at a tremendous disadvantage. Although the best possible course of action may be to get as far away from the attacks as possible, that option may not be feasible. For instance, if the source of the attacks is unknown, leaving may be the worst thing to do since large crowds of departing residents may actually be unknowingly heading straight into an area of heavy contamination. Staying alert for critical warnings and alerts from government officials will be key to surviving the initial stages of a suspected attack.

Sheltering In Place: In some instances, the best option may be to shelter in place, avoiding all exposure to the infected and waiting for more detailed information. In the absence of a clearly defined plan with clear objectives — for example, knowing where to go and how to get there safely — staying put may be best. To shelter in place, however, you need supplies. Plan ahead and store an inventory of all the essentials.

Having Food and Water: Having supplies will allow people to avoid exposure to potentially contaminated food and water, at least in the early stages of any attacks. Having supplies also makes it much easier to stay home and off the streets (i.e. sheltering in place). People who lack sufficient supplies will have no choice but to take to the streets in search of food and water.

Avoiding Exposure: Avoiding anything that may have been touched by an infected individual will reduce the possibility of exposure. During a potential attack, the public will need to protect itself not only from other people, but also from domestic animals, objects, food, and water. If the agent is airborne, staying indoors may be the only option for most people.

Having Medical Supplies: First-aid kits, prescription medications, particulate masks (N95), goggles, and surgical gloves are some of the basic supplies every household should maintain.

Having a Bug-Out Bag (BOB): Bugging out, or getting out fast to an alternate location, is usually not recommended unless you have a secure place to go and a safe way to get there. But if the authorities advise the public to evacuate, there will probably be no time to pack for the trip. In the event of an emergency evacuation order, having a pre-packed BOB can help your group get out quickly. Food, water, self-defense, eye and face protection, and important personal papers are just some of the things to have packed and ready to go.

5 Bioterrorism Quick Facts

1. Bioterrorism is a very real threat, especially to urban dwellers in densely populated areas. Terrorists also know that the most devastating aspects of a bioterror attack could be psychological — millions of people reacting to news of the attacks with fear and panic, causing inevitable waves of chaos.

2. Biological agents come in many different forms — some occur naturally, others are designed in a lab to be more effective. All can be lethal.

3. Biological agents can be spread in many different ways — person to person, through the air, or via water.

4. As with other kinds of terrorism, the objective of bioterrorism is to cause disruption, fear, and mass hysteria. Biological weapons appeal to terrorists because they are highly effective at achieving these goals. Agents can be released to spread far and wide, before the first person ever begins to show any symptoms.

5. A large metropolitan area, with a high population density, would be a most attractive target for terrorist. A well-coordinated series of attacks could have a devastating and long-lasting impact on society, the economy, civil order, and essential public services.

Summary

Bioterrorism is the stuff of nightmares. Terrorists know that one of the most devastating aspects of any bioterror attack will be the chaos that follows. In the aftermath of such a disaster there will be two groups of people — the prepared and the unprepared. Being prepared is not just about having supplies; it’s also about having a viable plan and being able to respond quickly to changing conditions. In the face of uncertainty, preparations can tilt the odds in your favor and expand your options. Stay safe and be prepared.

About The Author

Richard Duarte is a practicing attorney and a survival and firearms enthusiast; he currently teaches and consults in the areas of urban survival planning and preparation. He is the author of Surviving Doomsday — a Guide for Surviving an Urban Disaster. For the latest news and updates, connect with Richard at www.quickstartsurvival.com.

Infographic: How Incognito is Your Online Activity?

Posted on March 21, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Digital security is a complex subject, and understandably so. Few of us have the technical knowledge to explain exactly what happens every time we click a web link, send an email, or upload a file to the cloud — much less who is privy to these interactions. However, it's also unwise to shrug your shoulders and not give it another thought. At the very least, we should all have a general awareness of what we reveal about ourselves online, and how the spread of this information can affect us in the real world.

Flickr.com/jeroenbennink

If you take online security seriously, there are many tools that can help protect your digital identity and keep your activity private. A VPN, or virtual private network, is one well-known tool that has seen a recent surge in popularity, but it's far from the only one available to you. Proxies, secure browsers, private search engines, and even your existing browser's private or “incognito” mode all offer benefits and drawbacks.

Varonis Systems published an infographic that analyzes the pros and cons of various online privacy tools. The following quick reference guide provides an overview:

You may see this and think that there's no single tool that provides total privacy online — you'd be correct in that assessment. However, it's still worth looking into how each of these tools (or some combination thereof) can help you keep your online activity private. Check out the full infographic below, or download the full-size version here.

Statistics of Survival: Analyzing 100 Hikers’ Survival Stories

Posted on March 18, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

It's often said that those who cannot learn from history are condemned to repeat it. This statement isn't just applicable to shortsighted warlords who choose to invade Russia during the winter — it also holds true when we discuss individual survival.

Studying the mistakes and misfortunes of hikers, backpackers, campers, and hunters who ended up in survival situations can often help us avoid them entirely. Even if we end up in a disastrous circumstance through no fault of our own, knowing survival statistics can guide us to make wise choices and increase our odds of making it home safely.

A recent article on SmokyMountains.com titled “Safe & Found” compiled and analyzed the survival stories of more than 100 individuals. These experiences ranged from 1 to 90 days in duration, and occurred throughout the United States and Canada.

First, the article delves into how these hikers got lost or stranded:

The majority left the established trail and were unable to get their bearings, as was the case in the story of Sajean Geer. Weather was the second-most likely cause of trouble, so if you're able to stick to the path and watch for incoming storms, your odds of survival will increase substantially.

Survival statistics lost hiker shtf prepping emergency rescue 1 dog rain weather

Several individuals said they huddled together with their pets to stay warm.

Next, the article explains how each person found warmth, shelter, water, and food, assuming they were able to do so.

Warmth — 12% relied on clothing alone, 10% built a fire, and 10% used camping gear they had on hand. Other heat sources included body heat from other people or pets, physical exercise, or digging in to shelter from the elements.

Shelter — 11% of survivors used camping gear, while 9% found existing shelter in the form of caves or structures. The remainder improvised shelter from trees, rocks, snow banks, or the ground itself.

Water — Unsurprisingly, most were able to find natural water sources, either as large bodies of water or small deposits of snow or rainwater. Those who weren't so lucky tried to make existing supplies last as long as possible, or returned to safety fast enough that they didn't need a water source to survive. A handful drank their own urine — as we've said many times before, this is never a good idea, yet the harmful myth persists.

Food — Aside from those who relied on existing food supplies or their bodies' fat reserves to sustain them, this graph is pretty much an upside-down food chain. Finding berries, fruit, or other edible plants is usually possible, while hunting for a consistent source of calories is much more difficult.

The SmokyMountains article also discusses how these survivors returned to safety. While most experts agree that it's best to stay put if there's a reasonable likelihood of being found, a majority of the study's subjects kept moving. More than three quarters were rescued — only 23% managed to get out on their own.

Finally, SmokyMountains asked survival instructor Andrew Herrington to share his overall recommendations and advice on each of the above categories. He extols the importance of preparedness before any adventure, and shares numerous valuable tips that are simple enough for anyone to remember. To read Herrington's input and browse a table of the data from all 103 survivors, go to SmokyMountains.com/safe-and-found.

Pocket Preps: Knife Sharpener

Posted on March 16, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

CRKT Knife Maintenance Tool
DMT EDC-Sharp
Lansky Blademedic
Mora Diamond Sharpener S
Spyderco Golden Stone
Victorinox Dual Knife Sharpener
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
Web Exclusive: More Sharpeners
More From Issue 30

A sharp knife is a safe knife — this saying may sound counterintuitive to some, but anyone who has ever struggled with a dull knife knows just how dangerous it can be. A razor-sharp blade glides effortlessly through materials with surgical precision, while a chipped and rolled edge tends to wander and snag with every slice. At best, this makes using your knife frustrating and tedious; at worst, it can lead to serious injury as you apply more force in an effort to persuade the tool to do its job. A pocket-sized knife sharpener easily makes an every day carry knife more safe.

Choosing a knife with appropriate edge geometry, durable steel, and properly applied heat treat will go a long way in keeping its edge sharp. It’s also advisable to avoid abusing your knife by cutting against abrasive surfaces, pounding it through hard materials, or using it as a prybar. However, even if you follow every one of these best practices, all knives are bound to require maintenance eventually. This is where sharpeners come in.

You may already have a sharpening system in your kitchen, workshop, or garage, but these tools are generally far too large and elaborate to take into the field. For the times when you may not have access to your home sharpening system — whether that’s during a normal workday or a long-term survival situation — it’s wise to have a portable knife sharpener in your pocket or backpack. These compact tools can keep your knife cutting smoothly and safely, no matter where you are.

We collected seven pocket-sized knife sharpeners and evaluated each tool’s effectiveness on a variety of blades. Read on to see if one of them can help your favorite cutting implements stay sharp.

CRKT Knife Maintenance Tool

Sharpening Materials
Tungsten carbide & ceramic

Dimensions
2.8 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches

Weight
2.2 ounces

MSRP
$30

URL
www.crkt.com

Notes
As indicated by its name, the Knife Maintenance Tool is more than just a knife sharpener. It was designed by mechanical engineer Tom Stokes for CRKT, and features two draw-through notches for edge repair and maintenance: a tungsten carbide sharpener and a ceramic honing surface. CRKT doesn’t advertise the angle of these notches, but they appear to be about 20 degrees. It also includes two flip-out bit drivers with T6 and T8 Torx bits — these are handy for adjusting a knife’s pivot or tightening clip screws. The bits are removable and retained magnetically. The top of the tool has a bottle opener, flat screwdriver/pry bar, and key ring or lanyard hole.

Pros:

Perfectly sized for a keychain accessory
The bit drivers are very handy, but …

Cons:

… the included hex bits are 0.9-inch long; standard bits are 1 inch. Replacement bits fit extremely tight unless filed down.
Draw-through carbide sharpeners don’t produce the cleanest edge and can be destructive if used excessively.

DMT EDC-Sharp

Sharpening Materials
600-grit diamond

Dimensions
5.5 by 1.2 by 0.2 inches

Weight
3.6 ounces

MSRP
$22

URL
www.dmtsharp.com

Notes
New from DMT, the EDC-Sharp is a multipurpose pocket tool with an integrated diamond sharpening surface. It’s constructed from 1/8-inch-thick 5CR steel and features a 5-inch ruler on one side, a metric ruler on the other side, a wire stripper/cutter, bottle opener, two flat screwdrivers, and a small file edge. A cutaway in the center serves as a 7mm, 8mm, and 10mm wrench. A lanyard hole is also present, although this tool’s size would be excessive for a keychain item. The sharpening plate is 1 by 2.7 inches and has a fine texture suitable for touching up slightly dull blades. This diamond sharpener is made in the USA; the rest of the tool is made in China.

Pros:

Recessed holes in the knife sharpener keep its surface clear and maintain abrasive performance
All-metal construction feels solid

Cons:

We like the multi-tool concept, but wish there was slightly more focus on the primary function. Adding features doesn’t always add value.
Flat surface isn’t ideal for recurve blades

Lansky Blademedic

Sharpening Materials
Tungsten carbide, 600-grit diamond, 1,000-grit ceramic

Dimensions
4 by 1.2 by 0.5 inches

Weight
3.5 ounces

MSRP
$16

URL
www.lansky.com

Notes
One of the most popular portable knife sharpeners on the market, the Blademedic fits easily on a keychain and includes four sharpening features in a metal case. The carbide and ceramic draw-through notches are set to 22.5 degrees on each side; instructions recommend three or four strokes through each to restore an edge. An additional ceramic section fits into serrations. Lastly, the tapered diamond rod can be used on serrations or for general sharpening. We’d favor this rod over the carbide notch as a starting point for sharpening, since it’s much gentler. It’s held in the open or closed position by strong magnets inside.

Pros:

Good variety of tools in a small package
Magnets ensure the diamond rod stays put while you work and doesn’t rattle loose in transit

Cons:

Surprisingly heavy for its size
Be careful how often you use the carbide knife sharpener, since it aggressively removes steel.

Mora Diamond Sharpener S

Sharpening Material
600-grit diamond

Dimensions
4.1 by 0.4 by 0.3 inches

Weight
0.4 ounces

MSRP
$25

URL
www.moraknivusa.com

Notes
Contained in a diminutive pen-shaped case, the Diamond Sharpener S can be carried almost anywhere. It features a small diamond rod with one flat side and a groove for fish hook sharpening. After close examination, we spotted something strange. The packaging says “Made in Mora Sweden,” but the pocket clip says “EZE-LAP Carson City, Nevada.” After some Googling, we found that this knife sharpener appears to be identical to an EZE-LAP Model S sharpener except for a Morakniv logo. Private-labeling is nothing new, but the EZE-LAP tool retails for $7. You could buy three of them for the price of one Mora-branded sharpener, and still have money left over.

Pros:

Extremely small and lightweight, fits anywhere a pen would
Grooved shaft can be used to sharpen fish hooks

Cons:

Mora products usually offer excellent value, but not this time. You’d be better off buying an EZE-LAP Model S … or three.

Spyderco Golden Stone

Sharpening Material
Fine ceramic (approx. 1,200 grit)

Dimensions
7.2 by 3 by 0.3 inches

Weight
8.8 ounces including pouch

MSRP
$100

URL
www.spyderco.com

Notes
To use the Golden Stone, grab the narrow end with one hand and hold it upright. Then place the scalloped end of the stone against a flat surface and tilt it to the left or right. With your other hand, hold your knife blade vertical and draw it straight down along the edge of the stone. This creates an even 20-degree sharpening angle on either side. There’s also a groove for sharpening fish hooks, as well as radiused and flat surfaces that can sharpen virtually any other blade. The included suede leather case doubles as a non-slip tabletop pad. We noticed that Spyderco’s site lists this product (#308F) as a 1×5-inch stone, but it’s substantially larger than that.

Pros:

Easy to use while maintaining a consistent angle
Leather case doubles as a strop to remove burrs
Made in the USA

Cons:

Must be used on a bench or other flat surface
Ever dropped a plate and watched it explode into fragments? Dropping this slick ceramic stone would be equally disastrous.

Victorinox Dual Knife Sharpener

Sharpening Material
Medium stone, fine ceramic

Dimensions
5.6 by 0.4 by 0.7 inches

Weight
1 ounce

MSRP
$14

URL
www.swissarmy.com

Notes
Victorinox is known around the world for its multi-function Swiss Army knives, but the European company has a wide range of other products to offer, including a few different knife sharpeners. As you probably guessed from its name, the Dual-Knife Sharpener has two functions. An oval 3.2-inch stone serves to grind away larger edge imperfections; its narrower sides can be used on serrations, and its grooves can sharpen fish hooks. Opposite the stone, there’s a V-shaped ceramic notch for refining a blade’s edge. These items are packaged in a tough black polymer case with the Victorinox logo emblazoned on a bright red pocket clip. Made in Germany.

Pros:

Oval stone makes it easy to sharpen a variety of blade and serration types
Simple and durable case fits easily into a pocket

Cons:

Using the ceramic hone necessitates working with the blade pointed down at the support hand. Most other tools avoid this by turning the notch 90 degrees.

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener

Sharpening Material
220-grit diamond surface, 600-grit diamond surface, coarse and fine ceramic rods, leather strop

Dimensions
6.8 by 1.7 by 1 inches

Weight
4.7 ounces

MSRP
$35

URL
www.worksharptools.com

Notes
This compact tool from Work Sharp offers an impressive array of five stages. First, the coarse and fine diamond surfaces are used to remove large imperfections and restore the edge. Next, turn the red knob to “C” or “F” to reveal coarse and fine ceramic honing surfaces. Each of these stages includes a 20-degree angle guide. Lastly, run the edge against the leather strop on the side to polish away burrs with the embedded micro-abrasive compound. There’s also a ceramic rod for small serrations, a fish hook sharpening groove, and — after removing the diamond plates from their magnetic retainers — an arrow broadhead wrench and a small storage compartment for hex wrenches or other items.

Pros:

Five-stage system can quickly revitalize even the dullest blades
20-degree guides help maintain edge geometry

Cons:

Coarse plate is highly abrasive and should be used sparingly
Thumb grip could be more comfortable

Web Exclusive: More Sharpeners

For our thoughts on three more knife sharpeners that didn't make it into this guide, refer to our web-exclusive article, Review: 3 EDC Knife Sharpeners.

More From Issue 30

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 31

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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.

Roof Tap: How to Make & Install a Rain Barrel

Posted on March 13, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

Rainwater Diverter Kits
Barrel Preparation
Location Prep and Installation
More Storage

Illustrations by Ced Nocon

This article originally appeared in Issue 3 of our magazine.

City dwellers are well accustomed to — and largely spoiled by — the conveniences and wonders of modern plumbing. A twist of the wrist unleashes a never-ending flow of the wet stuff for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and more. The benefits and convenience of having large quantities of fresh water available to you at an instant are obvious. However, in an environment where clean water may not flow freely from the tap, those benefits become a necessary luxury and rare commodity.

On January 9, 2014, a massive chemical spill near a water treatment facility in West Virginia affected roughly 300,000 people spanning nine counties. The root of that spill came from a single source, a company that produces chemicals used in the mining, steel, and cement industries. The chemical spilled was toxic enough that warnings went out to not use the contaminated water even after it was boiled.

Government officials immediately ruled area tap water off limits, bottled drinking water disappeared from store shelves just a couple of hours later, and the National Guard was called upon to truck in fresh water. Although the water was ruled safe to use about a week later, the effects of a regional water disruption were clearly felt. Considering the spill was an accident that originated from a single source, the consequences of a more widespread event would be more devastating. Surely the effects of a deliberate attack or large-scale environmental disaster on water resources in multiple areas would cause much more strain on clean water supplies.

This is where being prepared for the unimaginable comes into play. Unless you’re blessed with a sixth sense, you don’t have a crystal ball that tells you what calamities will fall upon you. You do, however, have the benefit of foresight and the ability to be proactive. There’s no question that having extra water stored for a rainy day (bad pun intended) can be a lifesaver. Sure, storing water in bottles in your closet or garage are viable options, but if you want to store water in real quantities (like 55 gallons at a time) you’ll need a viable alternative.

Rainwater Diverter Kits

Our gardening friends have long discovered the easy answer to storing respectable quantities of water — best of all, the water is free. Rain barrels can be set up to trap and hold rain water. The water comes from rain collected on your home’s rooftop and funneled directly into storage barrels. Garden aficionados store rainwater during the rainy months and use this water to keep their gardens watered — and their water bills down — during drier seasons. Adapting this concept to fit the survival mindset is simple enough.

Rain barrel kits are readily available at hardware and gardening supply stores. The methods of installation for our purposes are the same, with a couple of exceptions. While gardening water doesn’t need to be potable, we need to take into consideration the drinkability of the water for survival purposes. Instead of using any old barrel, we want to use food-grade barrels, which can be found at restaurant supply stores and at various online retailers. Make sure you get one where the top can be removed so that it is easier to work on and clean.

Most rain barrel kits come with filters that take out large debris, but we want to add finer filters or mesh to further keep debris out. After all, the water is rolling down your roof into your rain gutter and finally into your barrel. If the water is being used to wash up or to do the dishes with, you should be good to go. If you intend on drinking or cooking with it, you’ll want a separate water filtration system too. Boiling works, or you can get fancier with the many water filtration methods and gizmos on the market.

We took a look at the many rain barrel kits on the market and decided to go with a unit by Fiskars. We like how the Fiskars DiverterPro Rainwater Diverter fits different-sized rain gutters and especially liked the built-in filter that is easy to view, access, and clean. The filter’s slats are pretty fine so we didn’t need to enhance it any further. Also, when the rain barrel fills up, the water diverts back into the downspout and is directed away from your home as usual.

Fiskars DiverterPro Rainwater Diverter

MSRP
$40

URL
www.fiskars.com

Barrel Preparation

Each kit differs slightly, so make sure you go through the instructions of your chosen kit carefully. Here, we detail the installation of the Fiskars diverter kit. We begin by preparing our food-grade barrel. You can choose a size that best fits your needs; we chose a larger 55-gallon size to maximize the amount of stored water.

What you’ll need:

Food-grade barrel
Water spigot for 3⁄4-inch opening
Trap adapter with nut
Teflon tape
Hose connector from Fiskars kit
Caulking
Power drill
3⁄4-inch spade drill bit

1. Being mindful of how much room you will need under the spigot to fill a water container such as a pitcher or bottle, use the ¾-inch spade drill bit to drill a hole at the bottom of the barrel for the water spigot. We drill our hole about a foot from the bottom.

2. Spread caulk around the hole inside and outside of the barrel. Apply Teflon tape to the trap adapter’s threads and attach the spigot to the coupling.

3. Install the water spigot onto the barrel and secure it on the inside with the trap adapter nut. You may need a wrench to get it on tight enough to avoid water leakage.

4. Near the top of the barrel, about 2 inches down from the lid, drill another hole for the kit’s hose connector.

5. Again, spread caulk around the holes inside and out.

6. Install the hose connector according to the kit’s instructions. (Basically, screw it onto the barrel snugly.)

7. Your barrel is ready.

Location Prep and Installation

Select a location near your rain gutter’s downspout. Rain barrels are very heavy when full of water, so you want to make sure the area is flat and firm.

What you’ll need:

Fiskars DiverterPro Rainwater Diverter Kit
Concrete tiles
Marker
Tape measure
Shovel
Hacksaw

8. If the surface isn’t flat, take the time to prepare the ground so that it is.

9. You want the barrel to sit on a firm surface. If the area isn’t, lay down some hard material such as concrete tiles. It’s a good idea to have your barrel slightly higher than ground level to allow gravity to help the water flow out, especially when the water level is low. If you want to put your barrel on a higher surface such as a platform, now’s the time to do it.

10. Now saw the downspout at the same height as the barrel. (You might want to measure and mark the height before you begin sawing.)

11. Next, slide the Fiskars diverter up onto the upper piece of the downspout. Measure and cut the lower downspout piece to make room for the diverter. Reattach the remainder of the lower downspout.

12. Measure, cut, and connect the connector hose to the barrel.

13. Then connect the hose to the diverter.

14. You’re done. Now all you need is some rain.

More Storage

If you want to collect even more rainwater, you can daisy chain barrels together by attaching them together on their opposite sides with connector hoses. When one barrel gets full, it will overflow to the next.

15 Household Survival Items You Already Own

Posted on March 11, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

In the Closet
In the Kitchen
In the Bathroom
Three Items to Stock Up On

This article originally appeared in Issue 3 of our magazine.

Don’t let the hyped-up doomsday television shows fool you. You don’t need to have a bunker full of olive drab-colored gear crates and radiation-proof water barrels to consider yourself wealthy in the realm of survival gear. To a creative and resourceful survivor, the average broom closet, kitchen pantry, and bathroom cabinets are already loaded with useful items. Many of these everyday household supplies can be repurposed into vital survival gear, home remedies, and emergency equipment, should you ever find yourself in a disaster setting or be faced with an urban survival scenario such as a pandemic. Get ready to look at the ordinary things around you in a whole new way.

In the Closet

Linen closets, broom closets and hall closets can all contain a treasure trove of good stuff. From towels and bedding, to cleaning chemicals and tools, closets are always a grab bag of the random items that are so handy in everyday life — and even handier in an emergency, pandemic, or disaster.

Bleach

Common, unscented bleach is about 5-percent sodium hypochlorite. This powerful disinfectant can be used for a number of tasks that involve dangerous germs or viruses. The same bleach that you pour into your laundry can also make a disinfecting solution to use on people, pets, surfaces, and supplies in the event of a pandemic or biological terrorist attack. Use 1 tablespoon of bleach added to 1 quart of water to make a wipe or spray for intense disinfection.

Disinfecting drinking water can also be achieved with bleach. Add two drops of bleach to 1 quart of water, if the water is warm and clear. As the water gets colder and/or dirtier, you could increase the bleach from two drops to three or four drops per quart. Shake the water to disperse the bleach and allow it to sit for one hour prior to consumption. By no means will you confuse the concoction with Evian, but it’s better than the alternative.

Towels and Linens

Hand towels, bath towels, beach towels, and bed linens represent an almost unlimited resource to crafty and creative people. This kind of absorbent fabric can be used for wound dressings, insulation, baby blankets, fire starter, and hundreds of other applications. For someone who can sew by hand, the fabric can be cut into pieces and stitched into an infinite number of handy items.

Tools

Even if your home is small, you probably still have a basic tool kit for simple repairs. If not, then you now have a homework assignment to complete after reading this article. The average toolbox should contain things like hammers, nails, screws, screwdrivers, pliers, and other handtools, which can be important for their intended uses, but they can also be repurposed.

To help with cooking tasks, you can use the pliers to pick up hot metal food containers (like the food cans) by the rim. For defensive applications, use your nails and hammer to nail windows and unnecessary doors shut. And for offensive applications, hammers make serviceable weapons, as do utility knives, screwdrivers, and larger wrenches. Again, sheaths and holsters for these makeshift weapons can be made out of cardboard and duct tape in a pinch.

In the Kitchen

Water and food are critical priorities in an emergency setting. And while you may logically turn to your kitchen for these life-sustaining commodities, there are plenty of other supplies in the average kitchen just waiting to be reimagined and used.

Oil

With so much emphasis these days on healthy lifestyles, many people focus on low-calorie and low-fat foods in their daily life. But in a survival situation, it’s all about high calories. Cooking oil from your kitchen can be used as intended for cooking and baking, but it can also serve as a high-calorie food supplement. One tablespoon of any food-grade oil contains approximately 120 calories. As your metabolism and workload go up due to the strain of an emergency, your calorie intake should also increase. Add a spoonful or two of oil to any foods to spike up the calories.

Food-grade oils are also useful as a lotion or balm for dry, cracked skin and lips. And that same oil can be used for lighting as the fuel in oil lamps. You can pour liquid forms of oil into traditional kerosene lanterns.

You can also create your own oil lamps from scratch. Using a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl or cup as a fireproof container, add a few ounces of liquid or solid oil (anything from olive oil to Crisco) and insert a fiber wick. Cotton twine or twisted-up paper towels make quick and effective wicks. Once the wick has soaked up some oil, light it with an open flame, and you’ll have a light that performs just like a candle.

Knives

The jangling drawer full of kitchen knives can be easily be used as tools and weapons, should the need arise. Twist a knife, and it becomes a drill. Chop with a cleaver, and it performs like a hatchet. Steak knives and paring knives can be a passable replacement for a pocket knife, after you fit them with an improvised sheath.

Use two strips of cardboard or plastic, and a generous amount of duct tape, to put these quick and dirty sheaths together. As anyone who’s seen Psycho would know, the bigger knives in your culinary collection could pass for weapons, but they will need to be outfitted with sheaths, similar to the smaller knives.

Canned Food

While MREs may seem to be the survival food of choice (see OFFGRID Issue 1), don’t ignore their forerunner, canned foods. Besides being a bug- and rodent-proof source of nourishment, canned food will also give you a reusable container once the can is empty. These metal containers can be used to serve food and drink. They can also be safely used over a fire or stove, allowing you to boil water and cook other foods.

An empty food can easily converts to a small cook stove, too. Pack a cotton rag or insert a partial roll of toilet paper into the can. Pour in melted wax or high-proof alcohol and then light up your new emergency stove.

Once you have an abundance of cans, you can use a few to create a low-tech alarm system. Tie several cans at the end of a length of fishing line or a dark-colored thread. Use two pieces of duct tape to stretch this line across your walkway, hall, or driveway, leaving the cans stacked or piled off to the side. When someone hits this homemade tripwire, you’ll hear the cans clanging together and know that company is coming.

Tip: Pull-Tab Top Canned Food

When shopping for canned food, you might have noticed that some cans are equipped with easy-to-open, pull-tab tops. These types of cans have the advantage of being opened without any tools, which is an obvious advantage. While these types of cans seal and protect the contents just as well as standard cans, they are more susceptible to damage from being dropped. If damaged, the tops have a chance of opening or buckling. So, which type is best? The tradeoff between convenience and sturdiness is something that you’ll have to decide.

Snack Chips

Sure, they’re tasty and provide a lot of caloric energy — bet you can’t just eat one. But they also make a tempting trap bait and burn like hellfire. To use chips as fire starters, make your selection by looking at the labels. The chips with the highest calories per serving are your top choice to burn. This is due to the insane amount of fat that each oh-so-tasty crunchy chip holds. Fat equals fuel value in the world of fire making, and Fritos are my fire-building favorite. Just place a few of these precious snacks underneath some twigs or tiny pieces of split wood. Apply an open flame to the chips, and you’ll have your grill, stove, fireplace, or backyard bonfire started in no time.

Fire Extinguisher

Aside from the intended use of a fire extinguisher, these pressurized vessels of powder and air can be a startling defense against an assailant. Aim for the face, spray them liberally, immediately follow up with a strike (or more) to the head using the butt-end of the extinguisher. Then make a hasty retreat. Unorthodox tactics like these might just buy you enough time to escape from looters and home invaders.

Tea Bags

A cup of tea may not seem like a survival item, unless you’re being blinded by a caffeine withdrawal headache. But a wet tea bag is another story. A regular black tea bag contains tea leaves that are full of valuable tannic acid. This acid shrinks inflammation when used topically as a wet compress. In the event you cannot get to a dentist or doctor, you can use the wet tea bag on boils, ingrown toenails, hemorrhoids, and other inflamed skin maladies. You can even get toothache relief by placing the wet tea bag against a painful tooth in your mouth (but please don’t use the same one that you previously used for a hemorrhoid). This dental remedy can be boosted by adding whole or powdered cloves (the spice) to the wet tea bag. Cloves contain an anesthetic oil that works well for temporary relief of dental pain.

In the Bathroom

Most bathrooms contain a very diverse assortment of goods. After analyzing your needs, and all of the random stuff in the cabinets, you might just find some items in the bathroom that will help you out of a jam.

Dental Floss

Need some strong string? Or something to actually floss with? Dental floss is made from amazingly strong fibers, allowing floss to be used for emergency cordage, fishing line, trap components, suture material, sewing thread, and a host of other purposes (perhaps a Borat “man-kini” if you wish to frighten women and young children).

Hygiene Supplies

Many feminine hygiene items like pads and tampons have alternate uses for first-aid. Pads make a fine dressing for wounds and tampons can be opened up to act as a replacement for gauze and sponges to stop bleeding. Guys, no longer will you feel embarrassed at the drug store when purchasing feminine hygiene products. Cotton balls, makeup pads, and similar bath and beauty supplies can also serve medical and fire-building functions.

Alcohol-based mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, and other related products can be used as improvised disinfectants.

Toilet Paper

This ubiquitous stuff serves its everyday task very well, yet most people don’t give it proper recognition for its versatility. Toilet paper can be used as wick material for the oil lamps and alcohol cooking stoves already mentioned in this article. It can be an insulating material for bedding and clothing, providing it stays dry. Toilet paper also helps with fire building, applying medicines, and signaling for help in a dry climate (toilet paper a prominent tree, as you would for a prank). TP also makes a great trade good — since anyone that has run out will really want to get some.

Three Items to Stock Up On

It’s not necessary to be a hoarder of survival gear to feel more confident about your ability to fend for yourself. Since planning ahead is one of the most important aspects of a survivor mentality, you should seize the opportunity to plan ahead before a pandemic or other disaster strikes by picking up some multi-use supplies on your next trip to the store.

Duct Tape

This modern wonder can repair, replace, and revitalize almost anything. Duct tape can mend your clothing, your cracked water bottle, and your footwear. Duct tape can be used as tinder to start fires, a binding to attach items together, and it can be twisted into strong rope. A few rolls of duct tape are a great addition to any home survival stash. And don’t forget to add some tape to your vehicle emergency kit and bug-out bag.

High-Proof Alcohol

If you’re at the drug store, you can pick up high-percentage rubbing alcohol. And if your shopping trip takes you to the hardware store, you may be able to find a can of very high-proof denatured alcohol (ethanol). These can be used as stove fuel, fire starter, and disinfectant for surfaces. The rubbing alcohol can even be used to (painfully) disinfect wounds. Just make sure you read the labels before performing medical tasks with alcohol. Denatured alcohol and anything containing methanol should not be used on the skin or imbibed due to their poisonous nature.

Batteries

Your flashlights, radios, and many other useful items will be in heavy use during an emergency situation. Make sure you have dozens of spare batteries of each size that your equipment requires. Sure, you could steal some out of the TV remote, but it’s better to have fully charged batteries that are ready to use. If you have high-intensity flashlights or other gear that requires odd batteries, stock up on a few packs of those while you’re at it. Your $200 tactical flashlight isn’t much good without the special batteries.

Review: Streamlight Bandit Pro Headlamp

Posted on March 10, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

The First-Generation Bandit
Streamlight Bandit Pro
The Color Drawback
Conclusion

A quality headlamp is a valuable investment, whether you're planning to tackle some home-improvement projects in tight quarters, illuminate the trail on a night hike, or prepare for a long-term power outage. The market is awash with headlamps that offer multiple LED arrays, beam-focusing lenses, remote-mounted power packs, and more modes than you can keep track of — but these features aren't always necessary. They increase complexity and cost, and may also affect physical size and weight.

In many cases, all you need is a clear source of hands-free light for your immediate surroundings, rather than a bunch of features intended for alpine climbers or industrial technicians.

The First-Generation Bandit

Survival headlamp buyers guide review flashlight LED lumen camping hiking backpacking night 21

The original Streamlight Bandit, as seen in our Survival Headlamp Buyer's Guide.

The Streamlight Bandit was originally released in early 2017, and we first laid hands on it at SHOT Show that year. Its simplicity, light weight, and affordable price led us to name it one of our Best Products of SHOT Show 2017. We later gave it a full review in our Survival Headlamp Buyer's Guide, awarding it as “Best Value” in a group of 11 competitors. However, we still felt there was room for improvement, specifically regarding its short 2-hour run time at full output.

Over the last two years, Streamlight has listened to user feedback about the little headlamp. These suggestions were applied to create an improved second-generation model that Streamlight has dubbed the Bandit Pro.

Streamlight Bandit Pro

So, what has changed? Before we get to that, let's discuss what has stayed the same.

The Streamlight Bandit Pro still produces a maximum of 180 lumens of white light in a wide flood pattern from a flat array of LEDs. It offers high and low output modes, controlled by a single rubber button on the top of the body. There's also a shielded micro-USB port for recharging the built-in lithium-polymer battery. The power button lights up red while the light is plugged in to a power source, and green when it's fully charged.

The mounting system, which is unique to the Bandit series, is also unchanged. It features a removable pivot mount that clips onto the back of the headlamp, allowing it to be mounted to the brim of a hat or adjusted downward while using the included elastic headband. The light can be used on the headband without this pivot bracket installed, but we see no reason to do so unless you're looking to cut half an ounce of weight by leaving it behind.

Steamlight Bandit Pro USB headlamp review flashlight camping survival shtf 8

The Bandit Pro can be worn on a hat brim and pivoted out of the way when not in use.

At this point you may be thinking that there can't be much new about the Bandit Pro, but the main upgrade is one that's not readily visible. The Bandit Pro uses a 950mAh battery, as opposed to the original's 450mAh unit. This more than doubles run time at full output (4.5 hours) and extends run time on low to 21 hours. Streamlight also integrated a new low-power warning system — when the battery is nearly depleted and has roughly 5 minutes of run time left, output will blink three times every 30 seconds to alert the user.

Above: A 25,000mAh RAVPower solar power bank (reviewed here) serves as a renewable off-grid charger for the headlamp.

The other noteworthy design change is the relocation of the micro-USB charge port from the bottom of the housing to the side. It's now recessed and features a more substantial rubber cover. Weather resistance is still rated at IPX4, meaning it won't have issues in a rain storm, but you shouldn't submerge it completely in water. If you need a light for SCUBA diving or storming beaches after nightfall, look elsewhere.

Understandably, doubling battery capacity increased weight, but we're glad to report that the Bandit Pro is still extremely compact and light.

Dimensions are virtually identical, although the Pro is a tiny bit thicker than the original (0.9 inches versus 0.75 inches). We placed the Bandit Pro and original Bandit on a digital scale, each with pivot mount and headband installed, and received readings of 2.0 ounces and 1.6 ounces respectively. The huge increase in run time is well worth 0.4 ounces of added weight.

MSRP for the original Bandit is $35 compared to the Pro's $39, so the price difference is also negligible. Again, $4 for the same brightness and double the run time? That's an easy decision.

The Color Drawback

Survival-headlamp-buyers-guide-review-flashlight-LED-lumen-camping-hiking-backpacking-night-26

Coyote versions of the regular Bandit offer two-color output.

That said, there's one remaining advantage of the original Bandit series. Streamlight offers dual-output models of the original Bandit, identifiable by their Coyote brown housings. These feature the regular white LEDs plus your choice of either red or green secondary LEDs. This additional color is a major advantage, since it'll preserve your night vision while reading maps or moving around your campsite.

Currently, the Bandit Pro is only available with white light output. We suspect that Streamlight will eventually release a dual-output Bandit Pro, but it's not available at the time of this review. If (or when) it does become available, we'll definitely be picking one up.

Conclusion

The Streamlight Bandit series proves that “good enough” doesn't have to be an insult — in this case, it's a compliment. This isn't a 1,000-lumen monster with three different LED arrays, twelve modes, enough throw to span the Grand Canyon, and a massive battery pack that feels like strapping a brick to your head. It's not trying to be any of those things, because such a light would be overkill for most of us. Instead, it's a simple and effective means of illuminating your camp site, tent, work bench, or other nearby objects.

We like the original Bandit and — with the exception of wishing for a secondary output color — we like the new Bandit Pro even better. It isn't ideal for lighting up long dark trails or scanning the horizon, but it works great for most other tasks. If you occasionally need a long-range light source, pair it with a flashlight with a spot beam (Streamlight's ProTac HPL, for example) and you'll have your bases covered.

Pros:

Soft 180-lumen flood beam works well for up-close tasks
Much improved run time — 4.5 hrs on high, or 21 hrs on low
Minimalist design keeps things simple and lightweight
Hat clip is a helpful feature for those of us who wear ball caps often

Cons:

Only available with white light output (at least for now)
Flood beam isn't effective for mid- and long-range illumination

For more information about the Bandit Pro headlamp, go to Streamlight.com.

RECOILtv: Shooting Around Barriers

Posted on March 9, 2019 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

If you carry a handgun on a daily basis, it's critical to be familiar with the tactics that go along with that weapon. Preparedness is about much more than having the right tools — it's about knowing how to use them, especially in a high-pressure situation. One of the keys to self defense is the ability to stay safe while responding to a threat. Instead of leaving yourself exposed out in the open, using cover can keep most of your body protected and increase your odds of survival.

However, if you just stay behind that cover and don't react, you'll become a sitting duck. You'll need to use it to your advantage as you shoot back at your attacker. Tom Marshall of RECOIL recently attended a class with Team Torn that covered the topic of shooting around barriers. The instructors placed students behind various walls, as well as inside a car, and challenged them to shoot around these objects.

Check out the full video from our SHTF/OFFGRID channel on RECOILtv below: