We're just over a week away from the premiere of ALONE Season 6 on the HISTORY Channel. It airs on Thursday, June 6th at 10/9C, if you're keeping track. While no TV show can truly convey the harsh reality of survival in the wilderness — something you can only experience firsthand — we've enjoyed previous seasons of ALONE. The show portrays the physical characteristics, gear, and (most importantly) the mentality required to overcome life-threatening conditions for an extended period.
As usual, Season 6 of ALONE will consist of ten participants who compete to survive for as long as possible, each with ten survival items selected from a specific gear list. The winner will claim a $500,000 prize. However, this season will be set in the Arctic near Great Slave Lake in Canada's remote Northwest Territories.
We previously wrote about this season shortly after its premiere date and trailer were published last month, but more information is now available. First, there's a new 2-minute First Look video, which you can watch below:
Second, we now have a full list of contestants, including their bio information and gear choices. Click each name to read more about the contestant on HISTORY's web site.
Tim Backus – Age 55 – Hunting Guide from Lubbock, TX
Nathan Donnelly – Age 39 – Disaster Preparedness Instructor from Lopez Island, WA
Donny Dust – Age 38 – Primitive Technology Instructor from Monument, CO
Jordan Jonas – Age 35 – Construction Worker from Lynchburg, VA
Barry Karcher – Age 39 – Self Defense Instructor from Fort Collins, CO
Ray Livingston – Age 43 – Search and Rescue K9 Handler from Vancouver, WA
Brady Nicholls – Age 36 – SERE Instructor from San Antonio, TX
Woniya Thibeault – Age 42 – Ancestral Skills Teacher from Grass Valley, CA
Nikki van Schyndel – Age 44 – Wilderness Guide from Echo Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Michelle Wohlberg – Age 31 – Homesteader from Mullingar, Saskatchewan, Canada
Based on this early info, some contestants sound more promising than others, but as we've seen in past seasons it could be anyone's game. The mental toughness to persevere through starvation and suffering is often the determining factor on this show, just as it could be in any survival scenario. For more updates on the show, go to History.com/shows/Alone or Facebook.com/Alone.
Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published in Issue 13 of CONCEALMENT, and appears here in its entirety with permission. For more articles on guns, training, and gear, go to RECOILweb.com.
The Armed Guardian
Imagine you’re eating out with your family. Your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or maybe grandchild is sitting in your lap, telling you an elaborate story the way that only a small child can. You’re fully engaged in their excited eyes and animated features— the way they tilt their head and stumble over words as they kick their foot against the leg of your chair has you both distracted and delighted. You’re enraptured with the little bundle of joy.
Then you hear it. A scream. A demand. You peel your eyes away from this lovely child, only to find yourself staring directly at a violent offender in the midst of an armed robbery.
What do you do?
According to 2014 Census Bureau data, around 60 percent of the population over the age of 15 has at least one biological child. So if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you don’t have to reach too far back into your memory to picture the scenario described above, to picture the face of a child you love silhouetted between you and a violent individual with a gun.
If you’re a parent or spend time around kids and you carry a gun, it’s very likely you’ve already considered how it could be used to save your child’s life, or the life of another child you love dearly.
But what if it happens?
What if your child were in the midst of a violent attack? What if you’re attacked and a child is between you and your attacker? What if your family is caught up in violence it wasn’t prepared for? Do you know what to do?
Citizens Defense Research was formed in 2015 and set out to answer these questions. We named our flagship course Contextual Handgun: The Armed Parent/Guardian (TAP/G) and spent a year researching, studying, testing, and crunching data. Not surprisingly, defending your loved ones with a gun is no small task. It’s a complicated and frightening prospect with many moving parts. While many things can be done well, this article will focus on a few important — but sometimes unintuitive — ways that armed parents and loved ones might fall short when defending children.
Your Self-Preservation Instincts May Be Stronger Than Parental Ones
Above: Demonstrating techniques with a prop child in class — a lot easier than bringing your toddler onto the range. Once you’re in a home environment you can practice techniques with your own — preferably with a SIRT or Blue gun, lest you want to practice trauma care in real time.
In times of extreme stress or sudden violence, the brain triggers the body to produce a flood of hormones meant to prepare the body to fight or to flee. This state of hyperarousal can cause you to act impulsively and without clear direction. While in this state, it’s very difficult to think rationally, and actions taken may in retrospect seem unintelligent, counterproductive, or even negligent.
Parents have abandoned their own children in mass-casualty shootings, struck their own children while attempting to fight attackers, and more. When these stories are reported, it’s common to see visceral and outraged reactions, but the hard truth is that any one of us could potentially act in a similar fashion. While considering it rationally, we would never imagine it possible — but we can’t underestimate what we might do in a state of hyperarousal.
The good news is that you can lessen the ability of your subconscious to hijack your body. Proactively planning for the presence of your children in the event of a violent crime gives your brain a strategy to focus on should a similar event occur. This guideline can help switch your subconscious mind out of hyperarousal and back into rational thought more quickly. Practicing controlling your body’s response to extreme stress through physical activity and stressful activities or sports can also help you better manage stress when it occurs.
Your Parental Instincts May Put Your Child at Additional Risk
Concerned parents will often pull their children to themselves like hens with baby chicks when they become aware of something alarming or suspicious. They tuck their little ones close and shepherd them away.
While this instinct is understandable, in a world of projectile weapons and chaotic violence, it may be counterproductive.
In a majority of force-on-force scenarios that we observed involving children who were drawn close to the caregiver, children got shot when guns were involved and bullets were exchanged. Similarly, many videos of fistfights between adults where children are present show that when children are kept close to a caregiver, they often end up being struck.
Exceptions to this rule included situations in which the caregiver was able to get the child out of the scenario before gunfire or blows were exchanged, or was able to end the confrontation before the situation escalated further.
Avoidance and de-escalation are always our best first defense against violence when children are present. Sometimes, however, violent encounters can happen so quickly that there’s no time to evacuate your loved one (we’ll discuss this more later). When violence is imminent, if given the choice between bringing your loved ones close to you or creating distance, go for distance.
Your Most Important Priority May Not Be Getting Your Child to Safety
Given how important distance can be, as my partner and I started forming our theories for defending children in sudden, inevitable, and violent encounters, we initially prioritized creating distance and getting the child to safety.
While this worked very well if there was enough time to see the attack progressing or when there was an opportunity to stall the attack in some way, the results were devastating when the attack was sudden and violent. If the parent took the time to get their child to safety after the violence had already started and before they fought back, both the parent and the child often ended up shot.
So we switched tactics and examined what would happen if we instead prioritized immediate, skilled, and appropriately violent counter-attacks in these sort of situations. In our simulations, the number of children and parents that suffered simulated gunshot wounds plummeted, even with parents holding children in their arms.
This means you may have to fight around your child. Thus, you must possess the gun-handling and shooting skills to perform to a demanding standard coupled with a clear understanding of the legal and moral implications. If you haven’t already, seek training that allows you to maximize your performance with the tools you’ve chosen to defend yourself — and then practice those skills on a regular basis. If you aren’t practicing, your skills may fail you in your most desperate time of need.
If, despite your best efforts, you’re unable to avoid violence, your priority must be to end the fight. Ending the fight will be the vehicle that ensures your own and your loved ones’ safety.
Above: Time spent in the classroom and on the range is a vitally important component of personal defense, and even moreso when you’re protecting a defenseless loved one in addition to yourself.
Your Poor Gun-Handling May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Loved One
It would be tragically ironic if the tools we purchase to defend the lives of those we love might end up hurting them. You don’t have to look hard for accounts of children who have been injured or killed when adults improperly store or carelessly handle firearms.
Additionally, sometimes adults have learned certain habits, whether through formal training or on their own, that can put children, in particular, at risk of being killed or severely injured through poor muzzle control and minimal awareness of how to manage chaotic environments.
If you have children in your home (or even if you don’t), it’s advisable when buying a firearm that you also get a safe means of storing it. Get appropriate training that teaches you safe handling practices in the context of your lifestyle, and strictly abide by what you’ve learned.
Your Loved One May Actively Hinder Your Ability to Fight Effectively
There’s a video we show in every one of our TAP/G classes: a man is carrying a small child in his left arm while he walks down the street. Another, older child is holding his right hand. A woman, presumably his wife, is holding the older child’s other hand.
A man with a knife runs toward them and stabs the woman in the neck. Dad turns to confront the attacker, still holding the children. As he attempts to kick the knife-wielding man, the woman pulls on his arm. It causes him to trip over the older child and fall on his back.
The attacker runs off to stab other victims, and we’re left pondering what could have happened differently.
While I’d never tell a family that carrying children or holding hands isn’t safe, it’s wise to have conversations with your loved ones about what to do in the event that a violent encounter takes place.
Coordinating a strategy with your loved ones is a significant start toward improving your ability to effectively fight should the need arise.
Above: As a parent of a a baby or a toddler, consider the way you carry your firearm. Access to your pistol will be complicated when carrying your child or a diaper bag. Consider and practice alternate carry methods.
You May Have to Rethink Your Role in Your Family Defense Plan
When family defense is discussed, it often defaults to traditional gender roles: the woman’s job is to whisk the children to safety; the man’s job is to stand and defend the family.
While this very well may be the best practice for your family, I challenge you to consider alternatives.
My husband and I are fairly evenly matched when it comes to our defensive skills. But while I sometimes struggle to carry just one of our children, my husband can collect all three of them in his arms and carry them with ease. He’s also the family breadwinner. He’s capable of getting the rest of our family to safety and can provide for our children long term if I don’t survive a violent encounter. That makes flipping traditional gender roles a smart choice for our family, and it might be for yours too.
You Should Make the Hardest Decisions Now
Sitting down with your spouse and discussing all of these difficult decisions and consequences is not a pleasant conversation. For some, even talking about carrying a firearm or planning for violence isn’t easy. But getting through those conversations may reduce your hesitancy to act decisively in the moment, should you ever face violence when with your family.
Fortunately, extreme violence around children is still rare. When violence rears its ugly head and people are even minimally equipped to handle it, the good guy often still wins. In the unlikely event you face the worst, these are a few of the possible failure points in your family defense plan that you should consider. Planning for them puts you one step closer to being better prepared to defend the ones you love the most.
Over the last few years, we've noticed a dramatic shift in the backpack market. Manufacturers have realized that many consumers want the toughness and versatility of a military-style pack, but without an exterior that screams tactical. Even if you're not a hardcore adherent to the “gray man” philosophy, it's hard to deny that a black, coyote tan, olive drab, or camo-patterned bag covered in PALS webbing, pouches, and morale patches stands out in most civilian settings.
Want to test this claim for yourself? Next time you're at an airport, keep an eye out for those packs, and observe the people who are wearing them. The backpack often goes along with certain types of clothing, trail shoes or boots, outdoor-oriented watches, wraparound sunglasses, tattoos, and haircuts/facial hair. Even the individual's build and stance can be noteworthy. Combining these cues can suggest that the person may have a military/first-responder background, or may be someone with an interest in shooting or emergency preparedness. Some are OK with making this information known in a public setting; others want to maintain a lower profile. Either way, a backpack is one of the easiest signs to spot from a distance.
Knowing this, many of the leading manufacturers of tactical packs have rolled out more discreet offerings to address this movement. Stitched PALS webbing has been reduced, replaced by smoother laser-cut panels, or phased out entirely; color choices have been expanded beyond black, tan, green, and camo; bulky exterior lines have been smoothed to produce a streamlined appearance. There's a whole spectrum of choices available now, from designs that are overtly tactical to those that could pass for a plain book bag to the untrained eye.
The 5.11 Tactical AMP Philosophy
You may already be familiar with 5.11 Tactical's RUSH backpacks. This line includes some of the most popular tactical packs on the market — the sort of thing you'll frequently see while people-watching as we described above. We'd certainly describe them as traditional and mainstream. On the other end of the spectrum, 5.11 Tactical offers some discreet packs, such as the Dart series. These are generally designed to be compact and used for light-duty every-day carry.
The All Missions Pack (AMP) line splits the difference between these extremes. It offers durable materials and large capacity, but with a sleeker, toned-down look that's less conspicuous in urban settings. Like the RUSH series, the 5.11 Tactical AMP series is available in a range of sizes denoted by trip duration in hours:
AMP10 — 20-liter capacity for short partial-day trips — $170 MSRP
AMP24 — 32-liter capacity for overnight trips — $190 MSRP
AMP72 — 40-liter capacity for 2- to 3-day trips — $250 MSRP
The All Missions name is indicative of the goal: a backpack that's appropriate for hard use as a duty or bug-out bag, but also for more casual use as a laptop carrier or commuter pack. As 5.11 Tactical designer Scott Lambert put it in the video below, “there is a demand now for a backpack that can be both overt and covert.”
All AMP backpacks are built from water-resistant 500D Dobby Nylon — a geometric weave fabric with more texture than standard ballistic nylon — and a reinforced 1000D Nylon base. The main compartments offer full-clamshell opening with quad-zip zippers, so you can easily open the top, either side, or the entire pack. Color choices are Black, Kangaroo, Ranger Green, and Tungsten. Kangaroo and Ranger Green are darker and more subdued colors than standard Coyote or Olive Drab; Tungsten is a subtle blue-gray color.
AMP Gear Sets
Each AMP product comes with a removable HEXGRID Gear Set.
Much of the AMP's versatility hinges on its rear panel, which can be swapped out for various modular Gear Sets. Instead of permanently-attached PALS webbing, the AMP series has a large field of hook-and-loop material and several buckles that can be used to attach various panels and pouches. By default, all AMP packs include a HEXGRID Gear Set, which can accept MOLLE-compatible pouches and accessories in vertical, horizontal, or angled orientations.
From left to right: Admin Gear Set, Double Deploy Gear Set, 2-Banger Gear Set.
Five other replacement gear sets are offered, ranging from $25 to $45 MSRP:
Laser-Cut MOLLE — for those who prefer traditional MOLLE-compatibility
2-Banger — holds two 30-round AR mags and various other small tools
Double Deploy — a pair of individually-detachable zippered pockets
Admin — large, full-zip pouch with many smaller internal pouches for EDC gear
Gear Sets can be installed on the back wall of the main compartment.
If you're really into morale patches, you can remove the Gear Sets completely and use the large loop-backed area to stick on your favorite pieces of flair. Gear Sets can also be attached to the inside of the main compartment to add more modular storage capability.
Our Review(s)
In order to evaluate the AMP collection, we decided to test two models, the AMP24 and AMP72. Although there may not seem to be much of a difference between a 32-liter pack and a 40-liter pack on paper, these two bags serve substantially different purposes and offer some distinct features.
The AMP24
This pack is small enough to be used as part of an EDC around town, but large enough to serve as a get-home bag or carry-on luggage for overnight trips. We've brought it on several recent flights, carried it at trade shows and events, and stashed it in the trunk of a car while driving around town. Since we primarily planned to wear it in urban areas, we selected Tungsten, a color option somewhat outside the tactical pack norm.
We also toned down the appearance by swapping the standard HEXGRID Gear Set for an Admin Gear Set in the matching blue-gray hue. This Gear Set is perfectly-suited to the EDC application, since it provides ideal spots for pens, a flashlight, a trauma kit, hand sanitizer, and other tools we wanted quick access to.
A flap immediately above the Gear Set area opens to a CCW pocket, which offers a webbing strap to tie down a handgun holster. This pocket is also lined with loop fabric, so you can attach a Velcro holster if you prefer.
The pack's main compartment is highly versatile thanks to the quad-zip system. If you lean the pack onto its side and unzip it from the bottom, you can reach the large vertical-zip mesh pocket inside the lid — we stowed an electronics kit in here, but it also has PALS webbing to attach your keys, knife, or other items.
Unzipping the top of the compartment provides access to a horizontal-zip mesh pocket, an additional hidden pocket behind it, and an opening to stuff gear into the AMP24 from above. There's also the always-welcome sunglass pocket lined with soft fabric.
Two deep water bottle pockets on the inside of the main compartment keep the side profile smooth, and eliminate the need for the bulky MOLLE bottle pouches we've tolerated in the past.
Zippers just outside these pockets look like they offer an additional H2O access point, but they actually lead to another set of slim pockets between the bottle pockets and the main compartment.
We didn't find these areas particularly useful, since the bottles occupy the same space and make the contents difficult to access. Don't expect to fit much in them aside from some paracord or charging cables.
Lastly, the hydration compartment is supported by a stiff thermoformed polymer sheet, providing improved comfort against the back and added protection for a laptop. It fits a 15-inch laptop snugly, and leaves no hint of its valuable contents once the shoulder straps are in place.
The AMP72
Although the AMP72 shares many of the features we just mentioned AMP24, it's much more than a scaled-up version of that design.
The first difference you'll notice is the addition of a hip belt. Anyone who has carried a 30- or 40-pound pack for many miles can testify to the value of spreading that weight across the hips rather than the shoulders. That's a big plus, and a key feature for any through-hiking pack or bug-out bag.
Squeezing the perimeter of the pack reveals the aluminum frame.
Another upgrade is less visible, but can be felt around the perimeter of the backpack. The AMP72 has an built-in aluminum frame, which is connected to the shoulder straps via adjustable load lifters.
Load lifters add tension between the top of the frame and the shoulder straps.
The difference these components make for carrying heavy loads cannot be overstated. Instead of feeling strain in your shoulders and back, your legs and core can support the weight in a much less strenuous manner. Admittedly, this doesn't compare to a purpose-built external-frame pack for extremely heavy loadouts or week-long treks, but it's more than sufficient for moderate use on the trail.
The third substantial upgrade is another full-zip compartment behind the main compartment. It opens to the side, and is designed to hold a gun up to 24 inches in length. That's a few inches too short for a disassembled 16″ AR, but offers more than enough room for an AR pistol, SBR, or our trusty 10/22 Takedown.
The compartment is nicely padded to protect the weapon, and has a barrel sleeve at the base as well as an adjustable retention strap.
Closing Thoughts
Frankly, the 5.11 AMP series feels like a huge upgrade in comparison to its RUSH siblings. The RUSH packs certainly have their merits — they're simple, utilitarian, and highly durable workhorses. However, they also have a tendency to feel ungainly when fully-loaded, and their appearance is anything but discreet. The All Missions Packs are slimmed-down, modernized, and well-thought-out. Depending on your choice of colors and Gear Sets, they can also look substantially less militaristic (albeit not entirely so) to the casual observer. Nobody is going to confuse one of these with a Jansport book bag, but you'll at least be less of a focal point than the guy who's decked out in webbing, pouches, and look-at-me patches.
Beyond aesthetics, we really enjoyed the functionality of the AMP series, and frequently found ourselves discovering new places to stow gear. If you're the kind of person who wants a place for everything and everything in its place, the multitude of pockets will be right up your alley. The swappable Gear Sets offer many ways to set up the interior and exterior storage to your liking. The Admin set is our favorite, followed by the Double Deploy.
That said, some of the pockets are more crowded and less usable than we'd like. We previously mentioned our issues with the side pockets that share space with the internal water bottle sleeves — the “stash” pocket at the bottom of the pack has a similar issue, and can only fit something slim and crushable like a beanie or gloves. The sunglass pocket on top of the clamshell lid is also right on top of two others — the interior mesh pocket and the hidden pocket behind it.
If you want to use all three, you'd better have some very flat sunglasses. Even the waist belt wings on the AMP72 contain two diminutive zippered compartments, each about the size of a pack of gum.
Fortunately, the solution to these issues is simple. Don't obsess over cramming something into every pocket, and accept that some can stay empty. If you can do that, “too many pockets” will never be a problem.
Overall, the 5.11 Tactical AMP24 and AMP72 get a strong thumbs-up from us. They might not be the perfect pack for all missions — sorry, no such product exists — but they're impressively versatile and configurable. The AMP24 makes a great EDC pack to get you through a daily commute, and has enough space for short weekend trips, day hikes, or use as a get-home bag. The AMP72 is a good choice for backpacking, hunting, and range days, as well as a solid mid-size bug-out bag platform.
To learn more about 5.11 Tactical AMP backpacks, go to 511Tactical.com.
If you're looking to binge-watch some interesting videos on YouTube, the WIRED channel is a good place to start. We've especially enjoyed the Technique Critique series, in which subject matter experts — such as a dialect coach, lawyer, surgeon, and crime scene analyst — discuss scenes from movies and TV and explain their accuracy (or inaccuracy). But one video that was published this week struck us as especially insightful and applicable to preparedness.
In this video, former FBI agent Joe Navarro explains how law enforcement organizations use body language — or non-verbals, as he calls it — to detect unspoken information. You've probably heard examples of this idea in pop culture, such as the claim that crossing your arms is a tell that you're lying or withholding something. However, Navarro says this is “nonsense,” and explains that it's actually a common “self-soothing” behavior. He also goes into other widespread body language myths, as well as some of the real cues that investigators look for.
Watch the full 15-minute video below:
There are many helpful takeaways from Joe Navarro's insights. First, it's that analyzing non-verbal communication is more art than science — as he explains, “it's not about making judgements, it's about assessing ‘what is this person transmitting?'” If you're suspicious of someone's behavior, examining their body language will rarely provide a clearly-defined a-ha moment. Instead, it's more akin to gathering clues that can point you in the right direction, especially when it's combined with a verbal interrogation.
Second, as usual, you can't believe everything you see in movies and TV. There are many misleading or flat-out wrong claims perpetuated by Hollywood.
Finally, the ability to recognize non-verbals is extremely valuable, whether you're playing poker, haggling the price of a product, or trying to identify a foreign spy.
For more from Joe Navarro and his books on behavioral analysis, go to jnforensics.com.
We all do our best to be prepared in an emergency; however, there are always things we don’t expect that may come up. We often take medical care for granted when disaster hits. The hospitals and physicians are usually there when we need them, but what happens when the hospital has been destroyed by a natural or manmade disaster? Remember Joplin, Missouri, in 2011 when an F5 tornado destroyed the hospital there? How about Hurricane Maria in 2017 that rendered 65 of 67 hospitals in Puerto Rico non-operational in the first few days after the disaster? There were 3.5-million people seeking help with only two functioning hospitals on the island. One month after the hurricane, less than half of those 67 facilities were operational. Are you prepared for that scenario? Do you have a plan?
I asked three experts in their respective fields what advice they’d give in a situation where disaster has destroyed medical facilities. Mark Linderman is a crisis risk manager for the CDC and takes a community approach to preparation. Kerry Davis is a former medic and nurse, and is the CEO of Dark Angel Medical. He focuses on teaching individuals skill sets and developing a plan to survive. J.R. Grounds is the leader of the Civilian Crisis Response Team and agrees with both Mark and Kerry in that individual skill sets are important; however, being flexible and working together are just as important.
Emergency Medical Care Q&A
Why is it important to be medically prepared for a disaster?
ML: There is a misconception that if something happens, the federal government will come in and save everybody. Depending on how widespread that disaster is, the government may not be able to help. A disaster happens locally first. The feds may be too busy helping elsewhere, and it may be some time before they can get to a smaller community. Communities need to understand what resources they have, how they’re allocated, and how to respond if something happens. We need to care for ourselves first before the feds come in.
JRG: One of the problems is that before the outside help comes in, you can imagine that the staff at the hospital is being affected by the disaster. Maybe they can’t even make it to the hospital. The local service providers are also compromised by the disaster. They may have emergencies at home as well. A hospital may be stocked with backup medical supplies and generators in preparation for a major catastrophe; however, the staff is a major resource that may not be able to get to the hospital.
KD: No one is coming to save you, so it’s up to you.
When disaster strikes, what is the mindset for those going through the initial stages of the disaster recovery?
ML: Obviously, there is fear. Denial is also a huge factor in a disaster. A lot of people have to overcome that denial. Bitterness could play a huge role.
JRG: It’s mass panic. Complete chaos.
KD: You have to remember the basic tenets of survival: fire, water, food, and shelter. Most importantly, have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, then you are already behind the eight ball. Having a plan is being in the proper mindset. If you have a plan and know how to implement the plan, that will eliminate a lot of confusion.
What can people do prior to the disaster to help improve their situation during a disaster?
ML: It’s contingent upon the type of disaster. The biggest thing is that people should be sure they are up to date on the Tdap (tetanus vaccine). People should have a basic knowledge of first aid to help themselves or others. If the hospital is decimated, there should be protocols in place to address the situation with other agencies.
JRG: People have got to take more responsibility to deal with their current medical issues. Make sure they have medications, supplies, etc. They also need to be able to provide the short-term lower-level emergency care for themselves (e.g. bandages, antiseptics, splints).
KD: I think people are trying to become more self-reliant. I think if they know some basic medical stuff that will go a long way. Basic wound care is a big deal. Immunizations are important. Make sure your tetanus is up to date. Dental health is important (see RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 27). Get an emergency dental kit. Have a reference library of books. Look at home remedies, because a lot of it works. Bioenvironmental stuff … how to make clean water. How to use bleach. How to boil water. Basic field hygiene. In a prolonged disaster where people are dying, how are they going to dispose of the bodies? We may see the diseases of the dark ages — how are you going to prepare for that?
What medical supplies do you keep handy?
KD: We have analgesics, basic antibiotics (Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, and Metronidazole). If you have these medications, make sure they aren’t beyond their expiration dates. Lots of bandages, basic wound care, and dental care items (toothpaste, dental floss). Trash bags, toilet paper, feminine products, condoms, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, basic suturing kits, skin staplers. If you know how to suture or staple, that’s important too. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and having pediatric doses of those medications are also helpful.
How often are you going through your med kit to know it’s up to date?
KD: We do a quarterly inventory to make sure things aren’t out of date. If something expires in that quarter, I will pull that and purchase an update for the inventory.
How many days of supplies should people have on hand?
ML: FEMA really tries to educate people that a three-day supply is adequate, but a disaster on a larger magnitude may require a much longer supply. Three days is a good start, but a more realistic view is that two to three weeks of supplies is needed.
If a disaster strikes and medical services are not immediately available, would there be any medical resources or facilities that would make sense as alternatives?
JRG: In Houston during Hurricane Harvey, the local hospital moved all of their critical patients to other facilities. We set up a tent with the National Guard infantry units and they didn’t have necessary medical and decon staff. In a large-scale disaster like Harvey, there was a large geographic area to have the National Guard cover. Those units were being triaged themselves to areas where they could do the most good. The problem then was that the smaller areas were left to fend for themselves. The small hospital was getting ready to go under water and their supplies were going to be compromised. They backed up a truck and loaded it with all kinds of medical supplies to take to the tent. We loaded stuff that we thought was important — bandages, insulin, diabetic supplies, nebulizers. We had a lot of resources, but the resources get triaged just like patients. If the resource is 10 miles away, but there is no way to get to it because of the flooding, it might as well be on the other end of the globe. The makeshift hospital that may be in a parking lot somewhere has to draw a line about who they might see because of the massive influx of patients. So when the secondary providers start getting that overflow of patients it can be very overwhelming.
ML: Emergency departments can be quickly over-whelmed during a disaster. There is a certain capacity that an emergency department can handle. If a hospital has been decimated, there are other resources available. Whether that is the Red Cross, churches, or universities, there are opportunities for assistance. Some universities can have nursing programs that can be valuable in a disaster situation. We have PODs (Places of Disbursement): open POD where people come to a location where, say, the health department has set up to care for people. There are closed PODs where universities that have nursing programs can help. These relationships are pre-established prior to the disaster. The urgent care center is also an option. Senior housing developments are a potential option, because they have nurses and medications that may be useful. Medical reserve corps (MRCs) should also be established before the disaster. These consist of volunteers from the medical community who are important to establish.
Many people will want to help when a disaster strikes. Where should they go to be most helpful?
ML: You want to check with the local emergency management agency. You can also check with Red Cross, local churches, and walk-in clinics. Hospital and public health agencies get some degree of assistance and are required to have volunteer programs.
JRG: There will be some sort of incident command post that you can look for. If you see a tent in a parking lot, somebody in there will be in charge. Let them know what experience you have and what your credentials are, so that they can figure out how you can best be used. The other thing I would say is don’t get your feelings hurt if that person doesn’t immediately pay attention to you or put you right to work. They have to figure out how to incorporate you into the plan in a safe manner.
What about the surge of volunteers that shows up to help?
ML: Agencies have the best intentions, but their intentions convolute the process of response recovery. When we go down trying to help and it’s not a part of the coordinated effort, there are now more people to feed, more places for people to stay. This diverts the efforts from people who actually need the help to people who are there to help. Now healthcare has to help people affected from the disaster, but also the people who are there to help.
JRG: There are so many volunteers who just show up, and there isn’t really a way to know what their experiences are or what equipment they have. So it becomes a situation where the volunteers can actually overwhelm the system. The person who’s in charge on scene has to be responsible for the people affected by the disaster as well as the volunteers aiding in the disaster. The last thing they want is to need to take care of the volunteer as well. It’s not that help isn’t needed, but the chaos has to be managed. Also, find an organization that has experience in dealing with disaster services. Volunteer with them and get some experience.
Any final thoughts?
ML: The nature of a disaster is that it catches us off-guard so we have to be ready as a community. The community is the glue that holds us together and we have to remember that we are a national community as much as we are a local community.
JRG: You have to be able to take care of yourself. If you have a medical condition, you need to understand how your body will respond in that setting. You have to stay in the game to help as many people as you can.
KD: The biggest thing is having a plan, but be flexible. Don’t be so rigid you can’t think outside the box. There are a lot of gray areas. Plan ahead. Practice carrying your gear so you know if it’s feasible to carry around. At least you are ahead of the guy who didn’t plan. It’s better to be proactive than reactive.
In Summary
When a natural or manmade disaster strikes, it may be a prolonged period of time before help arrives. Be prepared to fend for yourself. That means taking classes, developing skill sets, and formulating a plan for surviving the disaster aftermath. Make sure that you know what you are capable of doing in various conditions and train with your gear. Understand the emotional components after the disaster strikes and how you personally manage those within yourself and others.
Maintain flexibility in your thinking as someone trying to survive the disaster as well as a responder trying to help others. As Kerry Davis said, “No one is coming to save you,” and it’s our responsibility to prepare and plan before disaster strikes.
About the Author
David L. Miller, DO, FACOI is an internist in private practice for 20 years. His experiences away from the office have included time as a fight doctor in regional MMA events and as a team physician for 10 years at a mid-major university in the Midwest. Currently, he serves as the lead medical instructor for the Civilian Crisis Response team based out of Indianapolis.
You’ve probably heard the axiom “two is one and one is none” — in other words, it’s advisable to have access to backups of critical gear in case your primary tools are damaged, lost, or taken from you. Few of the items you carry are as essential as a sharp knife, both from a practical standpoint and in the context of survival situations. So, if your EDC loadout is going to include two of any tool, a secondary blade is a strong contender.
Now, hear us out — we’ve frequently rolled our eyes at those stereotypical Instagram pocket dump photos, containing two guns, three knives, a tomahawk, brass knuckles, a can of mace, and nunchucks. We’re not encouraging you to go full mall ninja and carry akimbo daggers on your chest rig. Given the likelihood that your main blade is in the typical 3- to 4-inch range, it’s wise to maximize versatility by using something much smaller for your backup — a micro knife.
For this edition of Pocket Preps, we defined micro knives as those with blades that measure 2 inches or less. At this size, you’ll be able to easily fit them onto a keychain, into a coin pocket, or even make them part of your Altoids tin survival kit. Some can be used as money clips or bottle openers. Additionally, this size consideration may be important to those who live in or near places with restrictive laws prohibiting typical pocket knives. Regardless of how you use it, you’ll always be better off with a tiny blade than none at all.
NOTES The initialism P.E.C.K. stands for Precision Engineered Compact Knife, but it’s also a play on words. Designer Ed Halligan also created CRKT’s K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) folder, featuring slightly larger overall dimensions and a longer tanto blade. Appropriately, the P.E.C.K. is a little less than a K.I.S.S. This knife features a chisel-ground Wharncliffe blade and one-piece handle with integrated frame lock. Both are made from the same stain-less steel, although CRKT’s site isn’t clear on the variety — the spec box says 3Cr13; the description says 420J2. When closed, the blade sits flush against the handle, which also features a slim pocket clip and lanyard hole.
Pros:
The exposed blade looks unsettling, but a tight fit against the handle protects the edge.
Strong frame lock and ball-bearing detent keep the blade secure.
Cons:
The single-sided handle, tight pivot, and sharply pointed tip make it tricky to open one-handed.
This entry-level stainless steel will require frequent sharpening.
NOTES It’s not often that we come across a knife with a blade that’s wider than it is long, and that’s probably for good reason. There’s no denying that the Key Note is an extremely unusual design — we found it a better chisel or scraper than a knife. The 5Cr steel blade’s spine is as thick as a full-size knife, with a 0.6-inch belly that terminates in a steep 1-inch front edge. The blade can be opened via a nail nick or flipper nub, though the latter is short and awkwardly positioned. This knife also features a liner lock, strong pocket clip, and matching key ring. (Note: The finish on this pre-production sample may differ at retail release.)
Pros:
Wide pocket clip works well for retaining money or cards.
We like the look of the anodized, textured handles and black hardware.
Cons:
Blade is too short for slicing, too stubby for piercing, and too sharp to be used as a pry bar.
NOTES This intricate micro knife is the brainchild of bladesmith Rick Hinderer, and was designed as a keychain accessory you can carry almost anywhere. It features an upswept 3Cr13 stainless blade with a small thumb stud and liner lock. The copper handle scales are new for 2019 — if they’re not your style, you can save $18 (or more) by choosing the standard model instead. Either way, you get a knife that slices smoothly and fits comfortably in a three-finger grip. It even includes a bottle opener, so that’s one less item to worry about fitting on your keychain.
Pros:
The contoured handle allows a much more secure grip than most knives in this category.
Smooth pivot and well-placed thumb stud make it easy to open one-handed.
Cons:
The original Cinder can be found for less than $7 on Amazon. Copper comes at a cost.
The liner lock material is a bit thinner than we’d like, considering its skeletonized design.
NOTES Part of Nite Ize’s DoohicKey keychain tool line, the aptly named Key Chain Knife offers a design as straightforward as its title. The 2-inch 420J2 stainless blade features a classic drop-point shape and lightweight hollow grind with a fine-edge bevel. There’s a nail nick for opening, and a sturdy back lock to keep the knife from closing unexpectedly. The knife’s aluminum handle offers some visual flair, with hexagonal holes for weight reduction and your choice of blue, green, or orange anodized finish. Nite Ize includes a S-Biner MicroLock mini-carabiner to quickly and securely clip your knife to your keys.
Pros:
Traditional, back-to-basics design at an affordable price
Included S-Biner lets you detach your knife easily when it’s needed.
Cons:
Thin spine and aggressive hollow grind keep weight down, but leave us concerned about long-term durability
NOTES Knife laws, like gun laws, are often convoluted. Several cities — Boston, Cleveland, and Chicago, to name a few — have restricted the carry of blades longer than 2.5 inches. As its name implies, the Chicago was designed within these limitations. It features a leaf-shaped, flat-ground blade made from CTS BD1N steel. This nitrogen-enriched material is durable and corrosion-resistant. The combination of Spyderco’s iconic round hole, a very sturdy liner lock, and a large, reversible pocket clip make this feel like a full-featured EDC knife. The handle is large enough for a four-finger grip, and clad in black G10 scales.
Pros:
Feels like a full-size Spyderco knife in every way except its dimensions
NOTES The Ti Microblade was originally launched on Kick-starter, where it received a staggering 1,800 percent of the requested funding, officially cementing WESN as a new knife brand. This tiny folder was designed by founder Billy Chester, and consists of a slim Grade 5 titanium handle and AUS-8 stainless steel blade. The blade opens via the flipper or thumb stud, and is secured in place by a frame lock cut into the titanium. It features a traditional drop-point shape, with polished flats contrasting against a satin-finished primary bevel and swedge. A removable (but not reversible) pocket clip is attached in tip-up position atop a lanyard hole.
Pros:
The minimalist design is classy and understated.
Easy to open and close, with a prominent flipper, smooth pivot, and secure frame lock
Cons:
Our sample had a slightly uneven grind.
Over time, rubbing titanium against steel can lead to sticky lockup. Many Ti frame-locks have a stainless insert for this reason.
NOTES No, that MSRP is not a typo. This Tim-Galyean-designed, high-end micro knife costs as much as everything else in this guide combined — and then some. Although it’s the smallest knife ZT has ever made, it’s also clearly a ZT, with the top-shelf materials and quality we’ve come to expect from the brand. The blade is made from CPM 20CV steel with a sharp, upswept tip. It flips open smoothly on KVT ball bearings, and locks with a satisfying click against the titanium frame lock with hardened steel insert. The front of the handle is solid carbon fiber, with a blue anodized pivot ring and thread inserts for the reversible pocket clip.
Pros:
The build quality, finish, and materials are truly outstanding.
Sculpted handle and spine jimping produces a very secure two-finger grip.
Cons:
Micro knife with a macro price tag — if this is your backup, your primary knife is probably a sight to behold.
For many of us, pocketing a few everyday carry items has become a prerequisite for leaving home. It's easy to get to the point where you'll feel naked without your phone, wallet, keys, knife, and other essentials in your jeans. But what about the times when your attire or activities make carrying these EDC items difficult? Running is a good example — lightweight athletic shorts don't provide much room for gear, if they have pockets at all.
Cody Martin of OptionGray.com wrote the following article on the topic of EDC for runners. It also applies to numerous other summer activities, such as cycling or spending a day at the beach. And while gear choices are important, we also appreciate Cody's emphasis on the “mental EDC” that will guide your actions and decisions.
Everyday carry is anything you carry on a daily basis. Whether it be your keys, cell phone, personal protection tools, flashlight, knife, etc. it's all about being intentional to have the gear you need for what you need to get done — as well as the unexpected.
I live in the North Texas area and had heard on the news that since October 2018, aggressive coyotes have chased and/or attacked multiple people who have been out running, jogging, or going for a walk in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Consider this story out of Frisco, TX, which happened recently.
Two women were out for a jog just before 6 AM when the attack occurred. The event lasted for approximately 2 minutes and the women stated they tried to fight off the coyote the entire time. They didn’t try to run away, they tried to make themselves “look big”, they were making a lot of noise, trying to kick it, and trying various others methods to scare it off. They felt it was trying to wear them down based on how it was acting.
The coyote kept biting them on the legs, knocked one of them down, and finally latched on to one of the women's thighs. A passerby happened to see what was going on and stopped to let the women in his car. According to him, the coyote was still in attack mode when he stopped to help. He then drove them to the hospital where the hospital employees said this was occurring more and more frequently. A young boy has been attacked and another woman was also attacked and sent to the hospital recently after sustaining neck injuries. She had to have surgery as a result of the attack.
This incident prompted me to think through an EDC setup that could work well for strenuous activity such as running or biking.
The requirements I had were:
Minimal
Lightweight
Practical, making it more likely that you'll not make the last-second decision to leave it at home
Unobtrusive
Flexible, as depending on the weather, type of clothing you have, how you want to carry it, where you're going, how long you'll be running for, you'll want to modify it
Physical EDC Items
Modify this list to meet your needs.
A form of identification in case of emergency. If something bad happens folks need a way to identify who you are.
Have a flashlight when out at night and have it in your hand ready to go. You can use a headlamp for navigation, etc., but a handheld flashlight can also be used in a self-defense situation. Check out our article on how to use a flashlight for self-defense if you want more details on that particular subject.
What about carrying pepper spray? It’s not just for people, but can be used on animals as well. SABRE Red Pepper Spray Gel for Runners with a hand strap is a good option. Look at the incident referenced above and see how pepper spray could have been introduced into that scenario. Keep in mind using pepper spray is environmentally dependent and not every location will warrant it. Use your best judgment and don’t underestimate how well it works.
If you aren’t comfortable carrying pepper spray, consider carrying some type of noise maker. It may scare off some animals (or may not) and can be used to alert folks if something is going on. You can always use a personal safety device like Run Angel or Sabre Runner Personal Alarm, which are devices that can be worn on the wrist that emit a very loud alarm to attract the attention of others. Run Angel also gives you the ability to send an alert showing your location when activated.
Editor's Note: Carrying a gun while running may require some additional planning and gear, but it's definitely worth considering. To learn about various CCW options while physically active, check out the article Actively Armed: Concealed Carry Options for Running and Hiking from our sister magazine CONCEALMENT.
Mental EDC Items
Your EDC isn't just about gear, it's about the right mindset.
Being intentional about practicing situational awareness means increasing your ability to pay attention to what is around you. It's growing your God-given gut feeling and instincts and gaining the knowledge to know what to do next.
The right mindset to maintain proper situational awareness! This is a big one because most folks like to run while listening to music or podcasts. Losing your sense of hearing is a problem when it comes to situational awareness. If you are going to listen to something, consider only using one earbud while leaving one ear free. (I have been doing this since getting Apple's AirPods, which work with only one in my ear.) Also, consider not listening to anything at all when you are out at night. Your sense of hearing is very important if your vision is impaired by darkness. If you share a path with cyclists, you need to be able to hear them coming from behind. Hopefully, they are announcing their attempt to pass as well. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Know your route and make sure others know your route before you head out the door. It can be a lot of fun to head out with no route in mind. It gives us a sense of adventure and the opportunity to be spontaneous. But, you don’t want to end up in an area you shouldn't be in, and if something bad does happen, folks need to know where to start looking for you.
Give a look of confidence and make eye contact with other folks you cross paths with. Don’t give the impression you are an easy target by not paying attention!
“What If?”different scenarios before heading out the door. This will help you be better mentally prepared before something happens. Every bit of preparation helps in a high-stress scenario.
Fight when it is time to fight. Without any formal training, remember to target the throat, eyes, and groin. With that being said, it’s incumbent upon all of us to be physically prepared to defend ourselves. This includes physical fitness as well as being trained in how to defend ourselves properly.
If awkwardly or uncomfortably approached by someone, use loud and strong verbal commands to indicate you have no desire for the interaction. Making a lot of noise (being loud) can at times be very effective. Don’t be a passive target.
It’s easy to get into a routine where complacency takes over. Whether we are discussing a human threat or animal threat, we need to make sure we are prepared. Taking a little time to think things through is something we don’t do enough of. It’s easy to go into autopilot which is dangerous.
Remember, we don’t prepare for this stuff because we live in a state of paranoia or fear. We prepare and have a condition of readiness so we can go out and enjoy life.
NOTES Whether your spouse uses you as a security blanket or you just want to stay close to conserve body heat, consider the Tru.Comfort Doublewide 20 the next time you sleep under the stars. As the name implies, this sleeping bag is big enough for you and your loved one to snooze peacefully yet has Kelty’s Comfort-Tuck Zipper System to let you regulate your temperatures individually. There are also separate built-in blankets and foot beds, as well as an oversized hood to fit your standard pillows from home. Stuff sack included.
NOTES By no means will a folding chair ever be on our list of bug-out gear. But that doesn’t mean we can’t use one for our next camping trip, backyard barbecue, or tailgate party. And there’s nothing that says it can’t be comfortable either. This GCI Outdoor model is a full-size rocking chair that has a beverage holder, ergonomic armrests, a mesh backrest, and a deeper seat than most — not to mention the patented Spring Action Rocking Technology that let’s you gently sway while resting on your rump. It has a load capacity of 250 pounds, thanks in part to its powdercoated steel frame. The only drawback for this durable, comfortable package? It weighs 13 pounds. Fortunately, a carry bag is included.
MUUL Ruckbucket Commando Style
COLORS Coyote Tan, Hunter Orange, Midnight Black, Surf Blue
NOTES Since the portable ice chest was patented in the early 1950s, coolers have been seen as insulated boxes that keep your food and drinks cold. More recently, waterproof bags have been marketed as “soft coolers” to those who need something more portable. Now MUUL is promising to update the genre with its Ruckbucket. It’s essentially a compact hard insulated bucket combined with a rugged backpack, letting you haul brewskis or firewood to your campsite or take home fresh meat from your latest fishing or hunting expedition. There’s also webbing so you can attach MUUL’s accessories (such as a water bottle pouch) or your own MOLLE-compatible gear. The bucket’s lid is even padded, turning into a seat if you need to get off your feet after a long hike or a day of river angling.
NOTES The Park Pack is ideal for those who want to carry only the bare essentials in a comfy, compact, and durable package. At 14.5 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep, this low-profile bag is great for everything from a quick coffee run to long lines at an amusement park; PocketUp founder and head designer Mel Terkla originally built it as a custom bag for a Disneyland trip. This high-quality knapsack is made from 1,050-denier ballistic nylon, YKK zippers with dual sliders, and 1/4-inch closed cell foam in the back panel. While we would’ve preferred padding in the shoulder straps, the Park Pack does have an adjustable sternum strap, a reinforced carry handle, a bungee cord on the front to secure a jacket, and a Velcro patch field. The top interior slot pocket can hold keys, a wallet, a smartphone, or a .38 snub-nosed revolver … don’t ask us how we know about that last one.
Adidas Terrex Two Parley
MATERIALS Upper: Knitted Parley OceanPlastic Midsole: EVA Outsole: Continental rubber
NOTES We’re fans of any footwear that lets us look good in a pub and helps us bug-out through the backcountry. After all, when feces truly hits the fan, you might not have time to stop, take off your dress shoes, and secure a pair of hiking boots. The Terrex Two Parley features lightweight EVA midsoles for cushioning and tough outsoles made of Continental rubber with a tread pattern inspired by a mountain-bike tire. Meanwhile, the upper is made from knitted Parley Ocean Plastic yarn, which is reclaimed and recycled marine waste that feels like your favorite pair of socks. While this trail-running shoe isn’t meant for hard-core trekking, the Terrex Two Parley will get you over dirt and rocks far better and more comfortably than your wingtips.
NOTES In most parts of the northern hemisphere, summer is here, and it’s time to show some skin. But not too much skin, of course. The Griffith Hybrid Short will let you air out your legs comfortably and give you plenty of functionality for your next outdoor adventure — all the while still looking pretty fashionable. Made of a blend of polyester, recycled plastic, and spandex heather twill, this short is moisture-wicking to keep you dry, stretchy to eliminate any binding in the crotch, and soft to the touch unlike other sandpapery polyester apparel. It has two front slash pockets, one plain back pocket, one zippered back pocket, a zippered front cargo pocket, a small coin pocket, and both 2-inch belt loops and an interior drawstring waist.
NOTES As sports socks disguised as dress socks, the Uptown Ultra Light Crew comes in four color patterns that’ll match everything from your business slacks to your golf shorts. But they’ll also let you pound out a few miles of pavement during your daily run. Its anatomical design and seamless toe gives the user a conforming fit that increases comfort and reduces the chances of blisters, while the ultra-thin construction provides cushioning without taking up a lot of room in your shoes. Plus, Feetures’ Targeted Compression provides support where your feet need it the most. And thanks to the iWick spun polyester fibers, the Uptown offers both moisture management and long-term durability.
NOTES Unlike what you might see in the movies or various “reality” TV survival shows, trying to spark and maintain a flame using a bow drill requires lots of patience, endurance, and elbow grease. But U.K. survival researcher and instructor Leigh Robinson hopes to make this technique less painful for you with his book, Bushcraft – The Bow Drill Bible. This 5×8-inch field manual has color photos and easy-to-follow instructions on how to master the bow drill basics. While it might not have the prettiest art direction, the paperback lays out the fundamentals of fire-starting, how to craft a bow drill set, and the best materials to use whether you’re in the United Kingdom or North America. We also appreciate the tips section on how to troubleshoot common mistakes.
NOTES Variety is the spice of life. So in between our fishing and hunting, we like to mix it up with new flavors. While the Kale and White Bean Stew didn’t sound immediately appealing to our inner carnivore, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it’s rather delicious. Not only that, but one pouch contains 360 calories, 8 grams of fat, 16 grams of protein, and 60 grams of carbohydrates — not bad for a bag of dehydrated beans and veggies. And like all lightweight and compact Good To-Go offerings, this stew is easy to make at home or in the field: rip open the bag, remove the oxygen absorber, add 1.5 cups of boiling water, stir, reseal the bag, then wait 15 minutes. Plus, it has a two-year shelf life. Made in the USA.
NOTES We’ve gotten a kick out of the many ways people create multitools. The Tacticlip is one such amusing invention. Based on the snap barrette, this little gadget doesn’t just hold your hair up, it can also cut, saw, screw, and measure — among other functions. How? Its frame has integrated tools. For example, its raptor claw protrudes discreetly from one end and excels at opening boxes. It also has a serrated edge for sawing soft objects, a mini screwdriver, a wire stripper, and even a wick holder. Made of spring steel, the 2-inch-long Tacticlip is an innocuous object when worn that can turn into a handy multitool when a light-duty task presents itself.
NOTES Whether you expect to encounter a creek on your trail run, hit the rapids while whitewater rafting, or just relax on the beach, the RunOff Waterproof Wallet can help keep your valuables safe from the elements. It’s been tested and rated to IP67, which means it’s dustproof and waterproof (withstanding submersion up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes). Made of TPU with RF-welded seams, the wallet features Nite Ize’s TRU Zip (to keep out dust, sand, and water), a translucent front window (to quickly locate your items), and various integrated anchor points (to attach to your belt or pack). While the interior dimensions aren’t huge (3.7 by 4.7 inches), the RunOff does offer enough space to protect your cash, cards, and keys.
NOTES Custom knifemaker Michael Vagnino earned the rank of master bladesmith from the American Bladesmith Society and has crafted knives since 1994. Patrick Ma has worked in the outdoor industry since 1997, designing everything from everyday-carry packs to technical apparel. Combining their diverse skillsets and knowledge, these two longtime friends recently founded Terrain 365. Their company has already made waves, thanks to models like the badass Nautilus Alpha. This one-piece fixed blade is made of Terravantium, an alloy that they guarantee will never rust in natural environments — whether in, around, or under salt or fresh water. The 4.375-inch blade features a versatile, modified drop-point profile while the skeletonized handle has a textured epoxy powdercoat. The latter is available in black or orange (for great visibility in dirt, water, or foliage). Comes with matching Kydex sheath with TekLok. Made in the USA.
The venerable pump-action shotgun has been around for more than a century, and it still remains popular to this day. Virtually every gun owner we know has at least one, whether it's for defense, hunting, skeet/trap shooting, or just for blasting some huge holes in targets at the range. There's something about that metallic ka-chunk of chambering a shell that will always warm our hearts.
When it comes to home defense, there's plenty of debate about the ideal weapon platform. Some go for traditional shotguns, while others prefer a rifle, pistol caliber carbine, or handgun. Many variables come into play here, including the environment, the threat(s) you're facing, and local laws that may restrict weapon type or capacity. No matter your choice, one thing is clear: a reliable light source is critical for any home defense gun.
If you ever find yourself facing an intruder who has broken into your house, it's likely to be at night under cover of darkness. A dependable, bright, and easy-to-operate flashlight will aid in target identification and help you decide if you're going to pull the trigger. A flashlight may even even be enough to disorient or deter a criminal entirely. But if that light fails to do its job, you might end up at a major disadvantage, so it's wise to choose it carefully.
Streamlight TL-Racker
At SHOT Show earlier this year, Streamlight showed off its new shotgun forend flashlight, dubbed the TL-Racker. As soon as we saw it, we wanted to know more.
This flashlight is clearly poised as a competitor to the SureFire DSF forend lights, which have been on the market for quite a while, and are priced at either $400 (600 lumens) or $600 (1,000 lumens). Like SureFire, Streamlight offers this product for both Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 models. However, the TL-Racker is substantially less expensive, with a $225 MSRP and street prices around $120.
The Streamlight TL-Racker features a sleek design with a lens that's recessed into an impact-resistant body. It runs on a pair of included CR123A lithium batteries, which install into the body via a removable cap at the rear. The light is O-ring sealed for an IPX7 waterproof rating, so it can be left soaking in water with no issues (we can't promise the same for the shotgun it's mounted on).
A pair of 4.5-inch pressure switches running the length of the forend make this light fully ambidextrous, and can be activated in either momentary or constant-on mode. Press and hold the switch for momentary activation; press and release it for constant-on. Output is a very healthy 850 lumens, and throw is 237 meters (778 feet). Advertised run time is 1.5 hours.
With batteries, our TL-Racker weighed in at 11.3 ounces. It's constructed of what Streamlight calls “virtually indestructible” nylon polymer, with a ridged and heavily-textured underside for positive grip.
The Old Setup
Going into this review of the TL-Racker, we decided to compare it to the existing light setup on our Remington 870 Tactical 12-gauge. It has resided on this gun since shortly after we bought it, and it's pretty similar in terms of performance.
The old setup uses a Streamlight ProTac HL ($135 MSRP), which produces 750 lumens from two CR123A batteries. This is designed as a handheld flashlight, so it features Streamlight's TEN-TAP programmable switch, but we had no desire to cycle through modes on a weapon-mounted light — we used the TEN-TAP system to set the light to only activate in the high-output setting. Claimed run time is 1.25 hours in this configuration; throw is 270 meters. We also removed the pocket clip that came with the light.
To attach the ProTac HL to the shotgun, we selected a CDM Gear Mod-C ($50 MSRP). This mount clamps onto the barrel using a hex screw, and holds any 1-inch-diameter flashlight. It's machined from solid aluminum, and the inner surfaces are coated with no-slip grip pads to avoid marring the finish of the barrel and mag tube. There's also a limited-rotation quick-disconnect sling swivel built into the mounting screw hole, so you can use the Mod-C to install a push-button QD sling as well as a flashlight.
We like the fact that the Mod-C mount can be used to attach the flashlight flush with the muzzle or only slightly recessed, and can be adjusted to the shooter's preference. This keeps it out of the way of the shotgun's moving parts, and reduces the shadow cast by the barrel to a minimum.
Activation is a downside to this setup. The tail cap switch position is perfect for pressing forward with a thumb to turn on the flashlight, but that also means it's perfectly-positioned to smash into that same thumb if your grip slips while racking the shotgun quickly. We learned this the hard way, and it wasn't pleasant. Activating the light in momentary mode is difficult for the same reason.
From a cost standpoint, the light and mount add up to $185 if you're buying everything at MSRP. If you're going by the more-realistic street price, the ProTac HL can be found for $60 online, bringing the total down to $110. Compare this to the $120 street price for the TL-Racker, and it's mostly a wash.
The New Setup
After unbolting the Mod-C and ProTac HL, installing the TL-Racker was relatively straightforward, with one exception. After removing the magazine cap (or extension) and barrel, you'll need to remove the original forend from the action bar assembly. This requires unscrewing the retaining ring inside the forend:
A specialized tool is available, but not strictly necessary. We didn't have the tool, so we used a set of long-nose locking pliers with 3/16-inch tips that fit perfectly into the ring (see below). After the ring is off, just slide the action bar assembly into the TL-Racker, reinstall the ring, and reassemble the gun.
Racking the shotgun with this new forend is comfortable. Aside from the rougher texture and slightly increased diameter, it didn't feel substantially different from the original Remington part. We definitely appreciate the large recess between the battery compartment and the light itself, since this improves comfort and helps lock in a firm grip.
It's simple to press either of the long switch pads, and they produce an audible click on activation. However, there are two spots on each pad where the switch produces a click-clack sensation, almost as though the switch has two stages. The TL-Racker only has one output mode, so it seems like this is just a byproduct of the switch design. This is only noticeable if you press firmly on the switch in specific places, and doesn't appear to affect the light's functionality.
The TL-Racker's output just as bright as we'd hoped, and visibly more powerful than the ProTac HL, albeit not by a huge margin. The ProTac has a faint blue cast to its output; the Racker is a faintly-warm white. Beam pattern is the most substantial difference — the ProTac features a dense central spot with a gradient of dimmer light around it, while the TL-Racker spreads its light across a wider area in a relatively-even gradient. The ProTac seems better-suited for a rifle, so we strongly prefer the Racker's wide beam for the close-quarters nature of this application.
We did encounter one issue — the bottom-mounted sling swivel on the barrel clamp that came with our Remington 870 Tactical protrudes in front of the flashlight. This creates a shadow at the top of the beam. It's noticeable at close range, but doesn't intrude on the sight picture at all. To alleviate this entirely, we plan to switch to an aftermarket barrel clamp with a sling mount on the side, such as the Magpul Forward Sling Mount ($30 MSRP).
Conclusion
We're glad to see Streamlight enter the shotgun forend light market. In comparison to to SureFire's offerings, we'd still give SureFire an edge in build quality, but the TL-Racker is a strong competitor because of its affordable price. The integrated battery compartment and flush-mounted lens on this forend makes it feel more like the light is a part of it, and less like it's attached to it. The same can be said when drawing comparisons to our old barrel-mounted light setup — the TL-Racker feels like a part of the gun, and can be operated as such.
That said, we still like the Mod-C and ProTac HL a lot, and actually found ourselves on the fence about which setup we prefer. The easy-to-use, ambidextrous switches and wider beam pattern of the TL-Racker were the deciding factors that pushed us to stick with it, and we anticipate moving the front sling swivel will improve it even more. However, you really can't go wrong with either setup.
The following article was originally published in Issue 8 of our magazine.
You’ve seen it happen in countless movies and TV shows. The rough and tumble detective needs information on a suspect, so he calls in a favor to his computer geek pal. Said pal — often bespectacled and almost always sitting in a dark room with the only illumination coming from multiple monitors — types furiously on a keyboard for a few seconds. Then, with perhaps a final mouse click flourish, the computer expert begins rattling off everything from the suspect’s current address and full criminal history all the way down to what the thug had for breakfast that morning and the color of his underwear.
I’ve been a licensed private detective for about 15 years now, and I can tell you from practical experience that it isn’t always quite that easy. But, you don’t need a detective license or a hacker sidekick to do some basic background checking.
Here’s the thing. If you’re going to allow someone to become a member of your survival group, that’s almost the same as asking them to be part of your family. If you don’t already know them extremely well, it’s wise to do some checking, just in case.
Most survival groups are started by a core group of people who likely have known each other for years. If they aren’t family to one another, they’re probably hunting buddies, co-workers, or just friends since grade school. Generally speaking, no worries with those folks. But, as the group develops, more people may be invited to join from time to time. It’s these new folks who should be thoroughly vetted before becoming full-fledged members of the group. Remember, you may very well be entrusting your life with these people. It only makes sense to be certain they are trustworthy.
Also, there is little to no need to be secretive about this. In fact, it’s prudent to explain to prospective group members that a background check is part of the vetting process. If someone balks at that or becomes offended, odds are they probably wouldn’t have been a great fit for your group anyway.
The information you’ll need to conduct a basic background check includes, at a minimum:
Full name
Date of birth
Current address
Email address(es)
Again, if they’re reluctant to provide any of that very basic information, that in and of itself should be a red flag.
There are three basic areas involved with doing a background check. All are equally important and none should be overlooked.
Criminal History
Court cases — both criminal and civil (which we’ll get to shortly) — are matters of public record, with few exceptions (i.e. juvenile records, files sealed by court order). We can divide criminal offenses into three categories: felony, misdemeanor, and ordinance violations. Felonies are the most serious, of course, and those facing such offenses are looking at the potential of more than a year in prison if convicted. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, but still carry the possible penalty of up to one year in jail. Ordinance violations are essentially tickets and involve paying a fine, but no confinement.
You’ll find the felony and misdemeanor information at the county courthouse. While most states have this information available online, if you’re not already familiar with the computer database system being used, it’s a good idea to drive down to the courthouse and visiting the circuit clerk’s office. While some states use systems that are easy to understand and navigate, others can be complicated, filled with acronyms and abbreviations that make little sense. Provided they aren’t swamped, most clerks are exceptionally friendly and helpful. All they ask in return is that you be polite, patient, and attentive.
Search for your subject by name and see what pops up, if anything. Be sure to search for common nicknames, too, such as both Robert and Bob. If any criminal offenses are found, use the subject’s date of birth as a check to verify whether you’re looking at the right person.
Keep in mind that the database you’re searching will probably list all criminal cases, whether the person was convicted or not. So, you’ll want to check the records and see if the person was indeed found guilty and, if so, what the penalty was, such as a fine, imprisonment, probation, and/or court-ordered counseling. Here in the United States, you’re innocent until proven guilty.
While courthouses will have the full files on felony and misdemeanor cases, they probably won’t have information relating to ordinance violations. Most of those records never leave the municipality where they occurred. For example, if your subject had been caught shoplifting and received a ticket for it, that record stays with the police department. So, you’ll need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Send it to the police department that handles the area where the subject lives and where he or she works, if it’s a different jurisdiction.
Simply send a letter to the police department asking for any records involving your subject. Identify the subject by full name and date of birth. You’ll need both of those bits of information for them to do the search. State that you are requesting a summary of the records maintained by the police department that involve your subject. This tells them that you’re not requesting copies of entire files, which could be costly. Address your letter to the FOIA officer and send it off. Most departments will respond within a couple of weeks. If any records are found, they will give you a list of them and you can then follow up by requesting full copies of those files if need be.
Be forewarned, some departments may charge you a small fee to run the search, and all departments will certainly charge you for any copy fees. In your FOIA requests, we suggest including your phone number and email address, asking them to please contact you immediately regarding any potential fees so you can take care of them right away. You could, of course, call the police department first and ask about search fees.
Civil Records
While you’re at the courthouse, you can search for civil records involving your person of interest. In fact, many court record databases will search both criminal and civil files at the same time. When we talk about civil records, we’re talking about things like lawsuits and divorce filings.
Civil records may not include the subject’s date of birth, though, so you’ll need to use your head a bit to ascertain whether a particular case truly involves your subject rather than someone else with the same name. A little bit of common sense goes a long way in that regard.
For our purpose of vetting someone prior to admitting them to the survival group, a long history of being sued for bad debts is one red flag. It may be a sign of irresponsibility. Another red flag is finding several files where your subject has sued others. We don’t mean perhaps once or twice, but a half dozen or more recent cases. Take the time to research those files and see what’s being going on. The subject might very well have had valid claims. On the other hand, frivolous suits filed over and over could indicate this person might be a bit…difficult.
Divorce files can provide a treasure trove of information, such as former names and addresses, as well as places of employment. This information could lead you to further searches, uncovering records the subject might rather have stayed hidden. That said, when reading the divorce file, take with a grain of salt any claims of abuse unless you find a corresponding criminal case. In some states, it’s quite common to claim things like, “mental cruelty” as grounds for divorce just as a matter of course.
Internet Profiling
Now we move into the more esoteric and subjective part of doing a background check. Fire up your favorite search engine, start plugging in the information you know about your subject, and see what turns up. Start by searching their email address. Then, search their phone number. Either one may lead you to any number of hits, such as perhaps a classified ad posted online where they were offering to sell something — maybe something illegal.
Search your subject by name, which admittedly will likely lead to thousands of hits. Briefly scroll through the hits and see if anything jumps out at you as involving your subject. This can be time consuming, yes, but it can also be very rewarding. You never know what you might find. Could be your subject has a habit of trolling message boards and other websites. While not a huge deal, this might indicate some deep-seated resentment or hostility that could become a problem later within your group.
Check out the social media accounts used by your subject. Facebook is obviously the most popular, but there are others out there, too, such as Instagram and Pinterest. If need be, ask one of the teenage members of your group to assist with this part of the background check. Read through what the subject has posted to his Facebook wall and such. You might find some serious differences in opinion between the subject and the other members of your group, differences that could lead to heated arguments later.
Scam Alert!
Despite what you’ll see advertised online, there is no central database that you can search for criminal records in every state and county in the country. It just flat out doesn’t exist. There are counties out there that aren’t online at all or whose records aren’t accessible in any way other than a human being standing in the clerk’s office doing a search.
I’ve always found it prudent to get my information from as close to the original source as possible. Therefore, going to the county courthouse where the records are stored is far better than trying to access a database that might contain errors.
The only way you’re ever going to get a reliable nationwide criminal records search is to pay upwards of thousands of dollars for investigators to hit every single county courthouse in the country. Anyone telling you otherwise is simply running some sort of scam.
Sex Offender Registries
One online source you should absolutely not overlook is the sex offender registry. Each state maintains one and is also supposed to pass along the information to the national registry. Check both the national registry as well as the one for each state you know the subject has lived in for any length of time. Better to be safe than sorry, and it really only takes a few minutes to check them all. The National Sex Offender Public Website is www.NSOPW.gov. You can find the state registries by using your favorite online search engine.
Conclusion
It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not doing the background check as a means of passing judgment on the type of person your subject might be. Instead, all you’re doing is checking to see if they’re likely to be a valuable member of your group, one who will get along with the others and become a contributor rather than a handicap — or worse.
We all have proverbial skeletons in our closets. We’re all human and we’ve all done stupid stuff, but when we’re talking about a survival group, each and every member has to be someone everyone can trust and who won’t intentionally place anyone in danger. That’s important enough to warrant doing some homework on the person.
About the Author
Jim Cobb is a recognized authority on disaster preparedness. He has studied, practiced, and taught survival strategies for about 30 years. Today, he resides in the upper Midwest with his beautiful and patient wife and their three adolescent weapons of mass destruction. His books include Prepper’s Home Defense, Countdown to Preparedness, and Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide. Jim’s primary home online is www.survivalweekly.com. He is also active on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimcobbsurvival. Jim offers a consulting service as well as educational opportunities at www.disasterprepconsultants.com.
