Essential Survival Tips From A Hurricane Irma Survivor, by C.S.

58

At the time I began writing this, Hurricane Irma had hit only eight days earlier. From it and other hurricane experiences, I have learned some valuable lessons. The first is, use your head. No, do not use it to hammer the shutters down. What I mean is, use some common sense. Demonstrating a Lack of Reasoning Here are some things that happened here in South Florida that demonstrated a lack of reasoning: A guy burned down his house because he wasn’t careful while pouring gas in his generator that was running. The spillage later caught on fire, torching his entire …


Letter: The Three Greatest Threats To Our Mutual Survival

27

To The Readers, Artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear war, and economic collapse; represent the greatest threats to our survival as human beings. AI If we continue on our present path, computers will be able to out-think us. Every battle will be lost to an opponent that is smarter than us. Nuclear Devastation Alternatively, a hot-headed dictator may lose their cool, and may fire his nuclear arsenal upon humanity. This could [trigger a general exchange] leading us all to extinction. Economic Collapse Even economic collapse would devastating. We would struggle amongst ourselves for basic necessities. I have heard several arguments concerning all …


Memory Longer Than A Gold Fish, by NavyVet_77

8

While some people get frustrated over short-term memory issues of the aged, others wonder if young Americans have a more serious issue with their absent memory of history that seems to last no longer than that of a gold fish. Many of those we see participating in the Antifa/BLM movements are between the ages of 16 and 25. Other age groups are involved, but the clear majority of participants are from a younger demographic. So many people ask themselves, “What is going through the minds of these protesters?” and “Why?”. Communism/Marxist Ideologies Seeping Into Children’s Lives Communism (which is based …


Guest Article: Considerations for Night Operations- Part 4, by Max Alexander

3

Yesterday, I talked about the technology behind night vision and combined thermal/IR devices as well as what should and should not be mounted on your rifle. I also wrote about when to use head mounted night vision. Now, let’s continue a little further with the idea of head mounted night vision and use of night vision in conflicts as we conclude this article series. How To Mount Night Vision Monocular To Head The question often comes up of how to mount your night vision monocular to your head. The provided “skull crusher” is not popular. The most effective way to …


Guest Article: Considerations for Night Operations- Part 3, by Max Alexander

7

Yesterday, I shared about the use of illumination flares and what to do when caught in one as well as began discussing the use of night vision in a patrol situation. Night Vision Technology Now, let’s talk a little bit about the night vision technology. Your standard night vision devices, such as the PVS-14, are image intensifiers. This means that they amplify ambient light to produce the familiar green image. (Now, you can get white image versions.) On a lighter night they work better, on a darker night not so good. This is because they magnify the available light. These …



Guest Article: Considerations for Night Operations- Part 2, by Max Alexander

5

Yesterday, we began looking at how to see and move at night with low tech- or no tech equipment. I shared about the importance of developing and protecting natural night vision and ways to more safely patrol at night. You cannot assume that darkness masks your movement, but you can adjust. Let’s continue with this in mind. Adjusting To Challenges of Moving At Night So there are challenges of moving at night when working low-tech. But it’s actually something that you can get used to after a little bit of practice. You can get very comfortable at it. You need …


Guest Article: Considerations for Night Operations- Part 1, by Max Alexander

15

Let’s talk about night operations. This is a topic that often comes up, particularly with regards to modern night vision equipment. There are multiple aspects to discuss about night operations, so my intent will be to give a broad brush of the various aspects in order to clarify, and open it up to comment and discussion. We are primarily concerned with the armed civilian in an SHTF environment. Thus, you will only have the equipment that you purchased or acquired. We can certainly take pointers from practices within the military, and that is part of the intent of this article, …



Triggers, Tipping Points, and Black Swans, by Coast Ranger

21

Letting Others Know The Status Quo Won’t Hold The purpose of this contribution is to indicate how one might approach letting others know that the status quo will not hold. It is based upon my own efforts. There is a tendency for people to focus upon “big picture” or mass hysteria items, like North Korea and now Nazis, that might impact the future to the exclusion of the many other things that are less transparent or obvious but still extremely important. The following list of triggers, tipping points, and black swans is based upon a handout or a lecture I …


My Recent Experience Bugging Into A Disaster- Part 2, by J.W.

29

Travel Prepared- Non-Lethal and Sidearms I always travel prepared for whatever may happen. I am older, and while still in good shape, my fight rounds are probably down to less than a minute before I get worn out (comes with age), so I travel prepared to personally defend myself and those with me in any situation. As always, situational awareness is first and foremost. On short trips, I prepare by carrying both non-lethal protection and sidearms. On long trips (my long trips average 2500 miles round trip), I carry additional long guns that are purpose minded and a reasonable amount …


My Recent Experience Bugging Into A Disaster- Part 1, by J.W.

14

I had a recent experience of traveling into a situation where everyone else was leaving due to Hurricane Irma. I learned some valuable lessons during the process. Homes in Both Florida and Midwest My home is in Florida, and my bug out location is in the Midwest. I spend most of my time during the summer at the BOL due to the climate, the gardening opportunities, and most of all the simple peace and quiet living. Two weeks ago, Hurricane Irma was seven days out in the Atlantic and on a track that may bring it closer to Florida. When …


Letter Re: Irma – After Action Report

24

HJL, As Alfred E. Neuman say’s, “What? Me worry?” I live in North Central Florida, so usually by the time a hurricane reaches us, it’s dwindled in strength. Having read Mr. Rawl’s blog for many years, I do prepare. Oddly, this time around, employers let most of the employees leave work Friday, even though the event wasn’t expected until sometime on Saturday. It ended up being later. Guess hurricanes work on their own schedule. Friday, I went to Walmart to do some last minute stock ups. Tarps were gone. Water was gone. Camp stoves were gone. Batteries were still in …


Without This, All Your Preps and Training Are For Naught, by M.P. in Ohio

28

The Answer Is Good Health Instead of teasing you by giving you the answer in the third paragraph, here is what you need for your preps and training to be meaningful; it is good health. So before you think you’ve already read similar articles, please read on. I think you’ll find this different. Your health during SHTF scenarios is more important than: 1) All your training, 2) All your stored goods, and 3) Your bug out location I understand we can’t all be in perfect health, but you owe it to yourself to be as healthy as possible. I’m not …


A Strange New Language With Old Words Used in Strange New Ways, by Old Bobbert

8

I’m writing about a strange new language and its effect on others. We are told that a SurvivalBlog contest entry essay that is a “how to do it type” topic will get extra recognition in the judging. This is my best effort at writing an essay that is truly a “how to do it”. It’s on the topic of how we preppers can easily regain our lost positions within our families and communities, positions that were lost, or perhaps that we threw away thoughtlessly, back when we first began to think and speak in this new language that we have …