Category: Opinion

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Being prepared is a journey, not a destination

Winter storms

Here in the Northwest we recently experienced an extreme weather event. One that is unusual for this neck of the woods. We received a large amount of heavy wet snow in a short period of time. This caused a myriad of issues with our roads, the power, and even our railways. The impact of the storm was mostly felt in the Southern Willamette Valley and the Cascades in the same region.

I know of several people caught unprepared. They were without power and water for an extended period. Their house is on well water and the pump doesn’t run without power. Some friends and family were without needed medications with no way to get them due to road closures. Neighbors helping neighbors, as well as the young and strong coming to the aid of those less capable, was a normal day.

I myself was in Klamath Falls when the storm hit, 6 hours from home and on the wrong side of the Cascades. With multiple passes closed and another front moving in that threatened to close the remaining passes, I made my move.

 

Being Prepared

Don’t take this lightly, I travel in a 4-wheel drive vehicle with traction tires and chains. In my rig, I carry the tools, equipment, and supplies to survive for a week or longer without aid of any sort. I also have my General class Ham license and have a radio in my rig. I am prepared to take those kinds of risks. There were many times, in fact, most of the journey through the mountains, when there was not another vehicle in sight, I was mostly on my own.

 

Staying Vigilant

But, this is nothing new to me, I am constantly assessing my level of readiness and making improvements as needed. Seasonal adjustments are constantly being made to my equipment and supplies. Always erring on the side of being overly safe. I have the training and equipment (in my vehicle) to hike out, in any weather, if necessary. Do not attempt anything that you have not been trained to do or do not have the proper equipment.

As is very common, most don’t consider the threat going without until it hits them in the face, because of this we have a run on the store for supplies. Be responsible for your safety and security. Plan for the inevitable disaster. Get your supplies, equipment, and training before a disaster strikes. One second after the disaster strikes is too late.

 

Staying Calm

The most important consideration aside from physical training and equipment is mental preparation. You must spend the time and energy to train your mind. It is imperative that we are able to remain calm in the face of adversity. Remember the rule of threes, you will not survive for more than 3 seconds without staying calm, I can not put enough stress on this. It is vital to your survival that you develop this skill. Without it all else is worthless.

 

As Always,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

 

 

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Why is November 11th so important?

November 11th

It was not so long ago that I have forgotten, though many of you may have never been told. But the origin of the world’s celebration on November 11th is not what most think it is. And yes, I said the world, November 11th is celebrated in several countries around the world. Belgium, France, The United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and many more. On November 11th, most of the world celebrates Armistice Day, the end of World War One!

Celebrating our veterans

In the United States, Veterans Day was originally celebrated on the 4th Monday of October. On this day we honor all of our veterans, living and dead, for their sacrifices and service to our country and its citizens. This should never change! It was moved to coincide with Armistice day in 1975. Many people mistakenly blame the men and women of the armed services for the decisions made by our government. The truth is that most of them have or had the noblest of intentions when they chose to take on the largely thankless mantle of a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

They chose to put others before themselves and be the ones to go, when asked, into the fray to secure freedom and security for all the citizens of their country. With only one wish, If we must fight, let it be our generation so that our children will not have too.

The World celebrates Nov. 11th on its 100th anniversary

The rest of the world still celebrates Nov. 11th for the original reason. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, one hundred years ago today. It is with a solemn heart and clear mind that I write this article. I am hoping to remind us all, especially in the U.S.! That on this most significant of all days, after years of brutal and inhuman fighting in the trenches on all fronts, the world as a whole had the collective mind to say enough is enough and ended all hostilities! There was peace on earth, we all stopped fighting!

Remember their sacrifice

If we fail to celebrate this day for its most important aspect we fail to remember that the world can exist in peace. We can stop the fighting, we can choose a different path! That is why most veterans serve, to be the one of many that stand against tyranny and those that would force their will on others for whatever reason. They stand against the wolves that would have their way with the flock if it were not for them. They shield us from the evils of the world. They sacrifice their peace and security for ours!

As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared
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You will become proficient at whatever you practice

Open your mind

It is important to remember that in a crisis you will fall to your highest level of skill. The myth that you will rise to the occasion can have dire consequences. With that in mind, we must always practice with a purpose to avoid becoming proficient at doing it, dare I say wrong. What I mean by wrong, is not black and white, there are many ways to skin a cat. Many of which could be considered correct. The test is, does the method provide an efficient and effective solution to the problem. One could argue ad nauseam as to which one is more effective or efficient, just pick one that passes the basic test and suits you. But always keep your mind open and ready to learn.

Empty Your Cup

There’s a tale that every martial arts student knows about the Samurai Master and the prospective student; this tale is as relevant in the world of the firearm as it is in any martial art.

It was in the seventeenth century during Japan’s Tokugawa era that there was a prestigious school dedicated to the art of the sword. The school was headed by a Master sword fighter who accepted only one student every year. When the time came to bring a new student into the fold, prospective hopefuls from around Japan would make the pilgrimage to the school in the hopes of being accepted, but before this could happen, the potential student must present himself alone to the school’s Master during the tea ceremony.

In one of these interviews a prospective student presented himself to the Master and after formalities were exchanged, the Master asked his guest to tell him about himself and his experience. The student went on to share his experience with the master, the schools he had attended, the techniques he’d perfected and the recognitions he’d received. As the student continued, the Master poured tea from the pot into the student’s cup and continued to pour until the cup was full. Despite this, he poured the tea until it spilled out onto the ground and continued to pour. The student seeing this admonished, “But Master, you’re wasting tea, the cup is full.” The Master responded, “As is yours”. Accepting you as a student would be a mistake because teaching you would be almost impossible; your cup is full and you are not open to new concepts; my knowledge would be wasted. The ceremony ended.

Our friends at High Desert Training Group LLC shared this ancient wisdom in their latest newsletter. It is from a long time ago but stands the test of time.

Practice often, practice well

Once you have found a set of practices that suit your individual needs and pass the basic tests. You must practice them to the point where they become a habit. If you can perform the task you are practicing under stress and chaos without conscious thought, you have developed a skill. Skills are what we will fall to when the adversity demands their application.

As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

 

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Your enemies are not always obvious

Often times we think that our enemies will be self-evident, and usually, they are, but not always.

Sometimes we will find it necessary to fight an enemy that we failed to plan for. It is important for us to plan for as many adversaries as possible, even though it may be impossible to cover them all.

When putting together our kits for survival we tend to focus on the root needs, those determined by the rule of threes, at least we should. One thing all of us need to consider is the personalization of our kits to address any specific needs we may have. Often times it is overlooked or sparsely addressed when discussing the contents of our kits.

Factors to consider when personalizing your kit include medical conditions, environment, and special needs to name the most obvious.

Medical conditions

Probably the least forgotten because those with them are acutely aware, but none the less, it is critical to include whatever medicines are necessary for you to deal with your individual conditions. Unfortunately, a large number of us are on antidepressants, can you go 3 days without them?

Environment

In the NW we have a diverse set of ecosystems ranging from the high deserts of central Oregon to the coastal regions to the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula. These various regions will require different areas of additional preparations. They present their own specific weather, flora and fauna issues. Do you need to consider bears or rattlesnakes?

Special needs

This is definitely on an individual basis, these will include eyeglasses (contacts), hearing aids, knee braces, and orthotics. These may seem benign to some but to those that depend on them, life without them will be miserable if not dangerous.

Sometimes the simplest omission can spell disaster. For example this last weekend we were out in the Santiam Wilderness doing long-range dead reckoning exercises, something everyone should practice.

We stopped for lunch and picked a spot near a downed tree to settle in and eat. One of us dropped our pack directly on a yellow jacket nest, needless to say, they were pretty upset and I was stung a number of times clearing the area. Four times on my hand and twice on my eyelid. Now I am not allergic to bees or yellow jackets specifically so there wasn’t any immediate threat to me and no one else was stung thankfully. But, this doesn’t mean I didn’t pay for the encounter. Even if you are not allergic it is still quite painful and you will still have to deal with the effects of the stings.

This is one example, of many,  of a not so obvious enemy. If I were in a bug out or get home scenario and didn’t have the appropriate medicines to deal with the swelling and pain associated with this encounter it could be very dangerous, notwithstanding if I were allergic.

In closing, when planning your kit you must go beyond the guidelines developed to fit the masses and take the time to consider your specific needs based on your medical conditions, environment and special needs.

As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared
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Will you survive or thrive?

Do you want to survive or thrive?

Quite often during our mission to survive a disaster, whether short-term or long, we neglect to address this question. Do I want to simply survive or do I want to thrive? This is a very important question as it adds an entirely new level of preparation that is required.

Survival

This is where we focus most of our energy on during our preparations. It makes sense as this will be the first phase of surviving any disastrous event. It is at best short-term preparation. It is focused on immediate needs for prevailing against the coming storm. We must be able to protect ourselves and have the ability to secure or acquire our basic needs. It will get us through the initial crisis but then what? How long do you plan on surviving?

Thriving

In order for us to thrive after the coming storm, we must put time and energy into planning for our long-term self-reliance. We were at a friends ranch last weekend and helped them erect their greenhouse. This is a major step in preparing yourself to be self-reliant and thrive after the storm. You must accept the fact that if you want it you will have to grow it, kill it or make it in the post-disaster world. We shouldn’t think of our long-term (thrive) preparations as only useful after the storm. They are used here and now. When we start to adopt the self-reliant lifestyle we become less dependant on the whims of our grocer and butcher. We empower ourselves to grow and harvest healthy foods that we choose. We gain a sense of empowerment.

One step at a time

Now I know we are not all in a place where we have the means or wherewithal to have a greenhouse as nice as the one we built. But, if we are serious about thriving we must do what we can when we can. The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Please joins us as we continue to discuss our future after the storm. It really isn’t a question if, but when! If you are thoughtful and diligent in your preparations you will provide for the generations that follow us. We have lost so many skills and so much knowledge of how to thrive in a world without the modern conveniences of electricity, refrigeration and the internet. We can and will thrive after those are gone, whether for a week or a year if we spend just a little time preparing.

As Alway,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

 

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Is your fitness a liability or an asset?

Can you hang?

I will just get straight to it, how many pushups can you do? How far can you go with a 50lb pack on your back? How fast can you run a mile? Can you run a mile? How far can you swim before you are exhausted? Do I have your attention? Are you wondering what this has to do with your survival?

If you are not scared, you are not prepared!

I have found that a large number of us neglect our fitness as a whole. I am not talking about the general population, that neglect is obvious. I am talking about the people in our community. Ones that are dedicated to being prepared to weather the storm, whatever it may be. But, the truth is most will not because they do not take their fitness seriously.

Certainly, they have stockpiled supplies and equipment meant to facilitate their survival. They have Go Bags, BOBs (Bug Out Bags), and INCH (I’m Never Coming Home) Bags. They spend time learning the skills necessary to survive the world WROL (Without Rule of Law), well I hope they are. If you aren’t we can help you with that. They have food stored for the long term. They have weapons and ammunition, I hope they know how to use them. You get the picture. But, they are missing one important piece, fitness!

You are going to die!

If you fail to address your lack of fitness, you are going to fail at your task of surviving the storm. You will not survive the road that lies ahead of you. The stark reality is that in a WROL situation you will be met with extreme violence. The likes of which you can’t even imagine. If you are not strong and fit, as well as trained and equipped, you are going to die!

If you are serious about your survival, you must address your fitness. You must become an asset and stop being a liability. I’m not saying you need to be Jason Bourne, although if you are please get in touch with me. I am saying don’t be the Family Guy. Take some personal responsibility, spend 15 minutes a day getting stronger. If you are not trying you are dying. So drop and give me 25!

As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

 

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Just owning a gun, is simply not enough!

Scott

It is a simple truth, when shit goes down, you will not rise to the occasion, you will fall to your highest level of training!

I have bought and sold a few guns in my time, and intentionally not sold guns. It has always been my belief that if you choose to own a firearm it is your responsibility to know how to use and care for it responsibly. Don’t misunderstand me, your right to own a firearm is inherent to your existence. That being said, when you engage in the ownership and operation of anything with destructive potential, you bear the weight of responsible ownership.

Concealed Carry

If you plan to carry a firearm for self-defense, you need to know how to effectively use it. Going to the range once a month and punching holes in a paper target on a flat range will only give you a false sense of security. Life is not a flat range and your adversaries will not stand there and wait for you to aim. If you depend on this training paradigm, when you have an encounter requiring the use of your firearm, you will not like the results.

Carrying a concealed firearm requires a certain mindset and a lot of discipline. You must always be aware of your surroundings. You don’t want to go where you shouldn’t. You must study the laws, as well as the martial art of concealed carry.

Home Defense

If you are only buying a gun for home defense the same truths apply. You need to master the skills necessary to effectively use your firearm in your home. Effective application of firearm use in home defense is a very complicated skill. If you don’t get professional training on this skill you will most likely get someone killed, someone you didn’t want to die.

There are also laws that specifically address your rights and responsibilities when using a firearm in defense of persons and property. It is your responsibility to know them before you need to.

 

 

Training

Train often, with a purpose. Our goal is to provide the appropriate training to individuals seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in the art of survival. We believe the martial art of the firearm is a critical piece of the survival paradigm. NW Survival is developing a curriculum for hands-on firearms training classes coming this fall. Also, stay tuned for our video series on survival that is coming soon.

Whether or not you choose to train with us, we strongly encourage you to seek the appropriate professional training. Your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on it.

Join us next week when we discuss physical fitness and its role in your survival!

As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared
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Are you going to lose your shit?

Fail to plan, Plan to fail. Truer words do not exist, if you don’t have a plan for you and your family you will surely fail.

Make a Plan

There are so many aspects of a preparedness plan that I am not going to cover them all now. The short of it is you need to have a plan, one that covers all the possible scenarios that could or will present themselves when disaster strikes. This plan needs to cover everyone in your immediate purview. If you leave someone or something out, it could cost someone their life.

Practice

Once you have a plan you need to test it and make certain it is valid and reasonable. If you don’t test it, how do you know it will work or be sufficient? You won’t and this is why you will lose your shit. The best way to make certain you will be able to maintain your composure, keep it together and put your plan in action is knowing it is a good plan and being confident in its execution. People are depending on you. Do you want to look into their eyes when you have failed to provide basic safety and security? I can tell you I don’t!

Documentation

So you have a plan and you tested it, good start. Now you need to put it on paper and organize it so when you don’t make it home they will know what to do. It is a fools gambit to assume you will be there for them to help execute your well thought out plan. Chances are you won’t be. You could just be separated by a failed transportation system and working your way back home to them. Will they be safe while they are waiting for you? Will they BE waiting for you?

Be Prepared and confident

So the short of it is if you don’t want to lose your shit, get it together, make a plan and put it in action. This is your best hedge against panic and anxiety, believe me, you will still be afraid there is no way around that. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to function while afraid. Make a plan, practice it, and document it, be courageous!

Join us for our online Urban Preparedness Series this fall. Our goal is to be your guides to preparedness and survival, you owe it to yourself and your family. Sign up for our newsletter to never miss our latest news.

As Always,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

 

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Are You a Useless Eater?

Posing the question based on a centuries-old, yet undocumented, philosophy held by the worlds’ elite, that not all of us are worthy of life. Well, are you?

Disaster

When a catastrophic event throws our world into a state of emergency, whether short-term or long-term, what will you bring to the table? How will you justify your survival? Whether or not you are ready to accept this truth, you will need to prove your worth to everyone outside of your immediate circle. Even those close to you will need you to be competent and productive, they just won’t let you die if you are not. At least not right away.

It is proven throughout history that desperate times produce desperate acts. When someone comes to your door hungry because they didn’t prepare, will you sacrifice your families’ welfare to assist them? If you do it may cost you more than just the food you gave away. This is a harsh reality that must be faced.

So I ask you again, are you a useless eater?

If you believe that the possibility of a catastrophic event is real, and you should, then what have you done to prepare yourself and your family? Here in the NW, the Cascadia subduction poses an ever-present threat of a cataclysmic event that will change the face of our community. The magnitude of this looming disaster pales everything in our known history.

When your unprepared neighbor realizes there is no food at the grocery store, and they will be empty within 72 hours, he will come for what you have and take it if he can. Wouldn’t you do the same for your family? When you are sitting there watching the people you love go hungry, your perspective will change. Altruism will not survive for long.

Survival

Your survival depends on several factors, M.A.S.K.

  • Mindset – you need to have the mindset of a survivor. You must be willing to do or endure whatever is required for survival.
  • Attitude – after mindset, attitude is everything. It will carry you through the hard times when your skills and kit are pushed to their limits
  • Skills – far more important than any equipment. A good set of survival skills will make all the difference for you and your family.
  • Kit – the collection of supplies and tools necessary for survival. These are based on your skillsets.

I have had people say to me, just tell me what I need to buy for my survival kit. There is no one answer other than, you CAN NOT BUY YOUR SURVIVAL! Unless you count professional training. So there it is, straight at you with no sugar-coating. If you want to survive the next emergency you must LEARN how. Then you will know which tools and supplies to buy.

Here at NW Survival, we will teach you the skills you need from basic to expert. We will help you prepare for whatever disaster or emergency you may face. Stay tuned for our upcoming online courses on survival in the modern urban environment. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest from NW Survival.

As Always,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

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Skills vs. Gear

The truth of the matter is that no matter what you have with you during times of stress, they are useless to you if you do not know how to use them. Even something as simple as a first aid kit may go unused without the proper skill set. If we don’t take the time to learn what the appropriate response is to any given situation, our other preparations are for naught.

It is my philosophy that each of us should make a habit of always carrying a few basic tools.

  • A good sharp knife
  • A flashlight – preferably rechargeable
  • A length of cord
  • A lighter
  • A basic first aid kit
  • A bottle of water
  • A backup power source with cables
  • A pen or pencil
  • A small pad of paper – preferably waterproof

These items should go with you everywhere, as they will empower you.

The Rule of Threes

In an emergency, you will not last more than …

  • Three seconds without staying calm.
  • Three minutes without breathing
  • Three hours without taking shelter
  • Three days without water
  • Three weeks without food
  • Three months without human contact

These numbers are not concrete because they depend on the situation, environment, and person, but the rule of threes gives us a solid baseline to start from. With this understanding, we can develop our priorities effectively.

First Aid

In the survival community, we spend a lot of time talking about what equipment you need and what supplies you should stockpile. We also spend a fair amount of time talking about the most important asset anyone can bring to the proverbial table, skills, and knowledge. Through many exercises and practice scenarios, we come to find that a common weakness in the skill department is first aid and especially advanced first aid. In an austere environment, even the smallest injury can spell disaster… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

It should go without saying that First Aid is an important survival skill. It is everyones responsibility to know basic first aid.

Building Your Fire

Always build your fires in a safe location, and on bare ground far from any structures or trees that may catch fire. You are trying to get warm and potentially cook food and boil water, not burn down the forest or your shelter. If you have rocks available, make a nice little fire ring about the same width as your forearm is long… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

Fire is the most important skill to have. It will allow you to manage several of the Threes!

Shelter

Having a good quality tarp in your kit is essential, that is why it is one of the 10 C’s, Cover. Learning how to use it to create adequate shelter will serve you well in an emergency as well as everyday applications. A shelter is critical to keeping you dry, preserving heat, safety, and some comfort… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

Shelter is essential to your survival, you need to be able to provide shelter for yourself and those that depend on you.

Knots

Knots are extremely useful and there are a myriad of choices. But, today we are going to examine what I consider to be the 7 most important knots that you need to know. With these knots in your skillset you will be able to deal with most any situation, requiring a knot, that arises. But please don’t consider this an all-encompassing list, learn as many knots as you can… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

Knots, know them, love them, and learn them. There are seven basic knots that will get you through almost any given situation. Without them, you could be lost.

Water, Finding it and Making it Safe

In the wilderness there are no artificial water pipes, but there is plenty of water, even in the desert. Nature has a way of finding water, it is the only way it can survive. So, keep your eyes open and look for the signs. Mother Nature will show you where the water is, or at least where it usually is. Animals need water so look for signs of activity. Small birds that are grain eaters like finches will lead you there in the mornings… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

Some people believe this is more important than fire, but the truth is you can die of hypothermia long before you die of thirst. How will you boil your water without fire?

That being said this skill is very important to your survival when faced with a multiple day emergency. Remember the rule of threes.

Basic Land Navigation

To get a more exact fix on your location you first break the two sides (from right to left and bottom to top) into ten equal parts each. To get the next set of numbers for your coordinates you first go from the right and figure out which of the… (Source; NW Survival LLC, www.nwsurvival.us)

Land Navigation can be a daunting subject for many, as it can be very complex. Don’t let that dissuade you from learning some basic principles. It could be the difference between life and death.

The 10 C’s of Survival

1) Cutting Tools:

  • Knife: Should be non-coated with a 90-degree spine.
    • We recommend the Morakniv 11863 Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Carbon Steel Blade, 4.1-Inch.
  • Folding Saw
    • We recommend the Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw

2) Combustion Devices: Fire Kit Components

  • Two Bic Lighters
  • 5x Magnifying Glass
  • ½” x 6” Ferrocerium rod
  • Flint and Steel

3) Cover: Emergency Shelter

  • Grabber MPI Space All Weather Blanket/Tarp
  • Four, 6mil, 55 gallon Drum Liners
  • Wool Blanket preferably queen size

4) Cordage:

  • 25ft Paracord
  • 100ft #36 Tarred Bankline

 

5) Container: Drinking & Cooking

  • 32oz Single wall Stainless Steel Bottle and Nesting Cup

6) Compass & Map

  • Must have bezel ring, sighting mirror, and magnifying lens
    • We recommend the Silva Ranger CL
  • Ranger Pace beads

7) Cloth & Repair

  • 3′ x 3′ of 100% Cotton Material (Shemagh or Oversized T-Shirt)
  • Scrap Cotton material like an old T (100% Cotton)
  • One #14 Sail Needle

8) Candling Device: Lighting

  • Headlamp with Spare Batteries

9) Cargo: Tape

  • 1 Large Roll of Gorilla Tape

10) Combination Tool: Multi Tools

  • Leatherman Style Multi Tool or Swiss Army Knife

Additionally, you will want:

  • Clothes appropriate for weather conditions
  • Appropriate Hygiene Items
  • Any and all medications for personal use including bug sprays.
  • Individual First Aid Kit
  • Trauma Kit

 

As Always,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared