Letter Re: Getting Ready For The Long Walk

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Good Day Sir,

I writing to you to make amends for an error that was included in a recently published article entitled “Getting Ready For The Long Walk, by Lone Wolf and Cub” on the blog. In the article we discussed a scenario, in which persons may have to walk at least partway to their retreat.

In the article, it was incorrectly stated that a tourniquet can be placed on for two days. The correct answer is tourniquet removal should be considered in two hours. My COC recently has informed me the upper limit should be of eight hours.

I apologize to the readers for this mistake. In the military we admit to our errors, accept any due punishment, and move on.

Clothing

Secondly, I wanted to address one of the issues, which is what you should wear and the perception of others. I believe this topic would aid in the safety of those facing a long journey on foot.

Clothing, should be in earth tones. Both long pants and sleeves should be used to protect against the sun as well as insects. A wide brim hat should also be worn for every member on your journey. I currently work in an urban environment. When I walk about in such attire I have been verbally accosted by the minor predators of the city and call such things as Crocodile Dundee, or Jungle Jim. That is of little concern.

Functionality of Dress

My primary concern is functionality of dress. Will it keep me warm, keep me cool, keep my dry, and protect me from the sun’s damaging UV rays. These are factors that, when addressed properly, transform me into a person of respectable image. I believe that when I am dressed as such, more mature individuals of the community are more prone to say a simple “Good morning”, even in a city environment.

Consequently, there are times when I am wearing my gym gear. I am also heavily tattooed and muscled. When wearing bright colored MMA or boxing related clothing, I have rarely been verbally or otherwise accosted. In the city, tall buildings allow refuge from the sun. Insects like mosquitos or black flies are a rarity. Encountering such individuals dressed like this creates suspicion and distrust in a rural environment, in my opinion. This is exactly the counterpoint to the ideas of charity and friendliness that a person needs on a long walk out of the city towards their rural home.

In the event your vehicle breaks down on way to your retreat, then it is more likely a “Good Samaritan” will assist you if you and your fellow team members have to walk the route on foot, if you are of respectable appearance.

In addition, as a rural dweller, if I saw heavily camouflaged individuals, persons in all black clothing, or individuals wearing rock/hip hop clothing walking onto my country home, I would treat these individuals with a greater amount of hostility than a person who looks like a family man or woman.

That is my natural inclination to those dressed as such.

Appearance of Threats

As a footnote to this topic, I would advise those caught in the unfortunate circumstance of walking to your retreat to avoid slinging your rifle or immediately putting on a tactical vest. If you have to walk the road, due to lack of an available vehicle, the perceptions from others are that you will be perceived as a threat and treated accordingly.

I can further perceive that in the unfortunate likelihood that a total or partial collapse does occur, that rural law enforcement will be kept somewhat intact, rural citizens blockades may even be setup to prevent the massive influx of the hordes of city refugees that would occur in such an event.

Look like a family man or woman. It is my belief that you will be treated as such. Be simply a person with a family looking to get home.

Weapons

Lastly, I wanted to address the responses to the firearms I recommended in the article. I mentioned then 9mm pistol as your personal carry, as well as a 22 collapsible rifle for on such a journey that could potentially see you hiking part of the way through forested areas.

The 9mm pistol is what I personally own, as well as the weapons system I was formally trained on. I live in an area where bear encounters are possible but extremely rare. I made an informal inquiry among my colleagues who are currently serving members as to what firearm they would pick, a 45 or a 9mm versus a bear. They overwhelming chose the 45. In fact, I recently spoke with a leading survival expert, and he stated that the firearm that he chooses to carry for him and his family, with him living in bear country, is the 45.

Again the 9mm is what I was trained on. The 45 versus a 9mm is a topic that has been widely discussed. Shot placement is ultimately the key; that’s my belief.

Furthermore a 22LR was my first gun. The caliber has a huge amount of usage, ranging from dispatching small game to barter. It is my personal belief that everyone should own a 22LR in their household.

I invite and encourage discussion on the topics mentioned.

Godspeed to your preps and God bless, – Lone Wolf and Cub


19 Comments

  1. The folks at Dark Angel (Navy corpsmen) have taught that the tourniquet can be left on for up to 48 hours as their experience in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown.

    1. yes, i have taken two of their classes and they are excellent. i highly recommend them.

      there has been a ton to usful data come out of the fighting in the mid east regarding tourniquet use and Kerry and the folks at Dark Angel are up to date with it all. they can be used much much longer than ever though before and still return a limb to function. the trick is to keep at least one on you and have it handy.

  2. good advice on your corrections, as to walking to your retreat or ex-fil out of a problem area during a collapse scenario, I think it would realistically resemble an E and R scenario. good advice on low profile clothing , but camo does have its uses.
    Preparation should be of the Type “fast and light in interesting times” a small pack (less than 20 liters) filled with the essentials , shelter, water purification, PDW, and light weight high calorie food. sort of what a pilot may carry in his survival vest. as far as a PDW, a centerfire reliable Hand gun that you feel comfortable with and a .22 cal hand gun for forage etc would be better served due to the fact that having a long gun slung over your shoulder WILL MAKE YOU A TARGET. it is also concealable and lighter in weight ( If you live in a free state you might consider getting that $200 tax stamp for a certain barrel accessory.
    I use a Kifaru tailgunner 2 Lumbar pack as my get home bag it is easy to carry , durable , allows movement , mobility is life( you can also add a small pack for extended duration). for shelter I have a Bushcraft outfitters MEST (5X7) milspec Tarp, a BCB survival hammock net and a Bothy Bag for winter, water purification Sawyer mini and a Portable aqua electrolytic water purifier, Titanium canteen system (heavy Cover),mountain house FD food and millennium bars for emergency food .you can carry 5 days of food approx 10 lbs max. add a lightweight sleeping bag or Kifaru Woobie and you have a sleep system with the hanmmock (include a space blanket , sol heat sheet) as a PDW I prefer revolvers Center fire should have at least a 6″ barrel (S&W model 27 is a good choice), Rimfire (S&W 617 4″ a good choice) modified browning Buckmark with a can is a very good choice (subsonic ammo).
    The main Item of you prep is your mind, be resourceful, adaptable and determined, above all trust in the Creator of all things. See you on the other side of what is coming and I have no doubt it is coming.

    Night Breaker

    1. Good day “Nightbreaker”,

      Thankyou for the resources and information you have provided to the readers. On a personal note I will see about trading my DMR for a PDW amongst other upgrades.

      God bless,

  3. Regarding tourniquet use, in my area, trauma care now teaches that a tourniquet is the preferred treatment for gunshot wounds to the extremities ( arms and legs) as experience has shown that there is often more damage than initially realized. Additionally, many of our EMS people served in or have contact with veterans from Afghanistan, where arrival at a hospital may take hours. They report TQ’s being left on ( no periodic loosening) for 24 plus hours with no adverse effects. We now have a program where every police officer, fireman, and EMS Personnel along with some civilians are being trained in tourniquet use and the use of chest seals and issued windlass style TQ for carry.
    In a recent mass here (Arkansas) 25 people were wounded, some critically, but none killed due to immediate trauma care onscene of this type.
    On a separate note, a 9mm pistol is probably less desirable than a 45 or a magnum due to penetration issues. However, I don’t live in fear country so I don’t have direct knowledge.

  6. Both the 9mm and the 45acp are designed for shutting own a human body. Both, with modern defensive ammo will do an adequate job if you do your job. For bear both are inadequate. Might they work; yes, but you would be better served with a magnum caliber preferably 44 mag or larger. It all depends on what your primary fear is; two or four legged. I could write pages this, it But I hope you get the idea.

  7. For a get-back-home bag, where you find yourself away from homebase when ‘the music stops’ and can’t get a ride or find a bike and might have to walk up to a week: You want to do it as quick as you can to minimize time exposed in that danger zone on the road or trail. That means base pack of essentials for fastest movement has to be very light, ideally under 10 lbs, incl lightweight handgun/ammo, before adding food/water. (Clothes, shelter/sleeping system will vary by seasons, of course.) Water mostly needs to be foreseen where it can be acquired and purified along the way. Forget weight and wasted time of stove/cooking food, just go forth with ‘eat on the run’ assortment of energy bars, gorp, and the such, < 1.5 pounds a day. Pack for 7 days then < 20 lbs total. And, it'll be getting a pound and a half, or so, lighter every day. If you know for sure it'll take less time than number of days of food you start off with, then share or bribe away some excess food to lighten your pack even sooner. Key is to maximize moving even faster/farther by being as light as possible and thus getting back home, and out of that exposed danger zone, even sooner.

    Then, after you get pack/equip/food together, go out and see how many miles you can really cover in a day with that full pack before falling out for sleep, so you'll get that essential glimpse at your potential range and what needs work in tweaking your set up, clothes, footwear and/or physical conditioning.

  8. Kudos to you for the article and for correcting your error on the time and tourniquet use. I am reminded though of a statement we had on one of the HQ office’s wall in one of the places I served.

    To Err is human.
    To forgive is divine.
    Neither of which is the policy of this command!

    Relax and don’t worry, you’re not going to get a court martial or even an article 15! I enjoyed the article and found it informative. I do find myself wondering what they’re teaching the medics/corpsman nowadays and how it differs from what we were taught back in the 60’s and 70s.

  9. Good day Sir,

    Thank you. Your response has benefitted my personal morale. I have been, and still am, in contact with former service members (and indeed current service members) from the 60s and 70s.

    I have personally found their wisdom and experience to be of great benefit.

    God bless,

  10. As a addendum, I would like to add my choice for an AR-15 to be your primary platform,

    To sum up my decision, a good friend said it best: Get yourself a Man’s Gun.

    God bless,

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