Tag: skillsets

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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.

Tarp shelters and fast and easy to create with a single tarp. There are many ways to accomplish this we will show you a few of our favorites.

Before you begin:

• Plan the location of your shelter carefully, you should stop and think about it before building your shelter.
• Consider the direction the wind is coming from.
• The ground should be clear of sharp rocks and debris.
• The ground should slope slightly for the water to runoff.
• If there is no slope, you will have to dig some trenches around your shelter to aid drainage.
• Only make it as large as it needs to be, smaller is better.
• Consider the weather and chose a model that is stable and won’t collapse if rain or snow are expected.

For all the shelter examples provided here, you can use a 10×10 foot tarp.

The A-frame tarp shelter

The A-Frame shelter is probably the most common shelter one can make. It can be made by stringing the paracord between two trees. Draping over the tarp and staking it down are the final steps required to make this common shelter. This shelter provides a good rain and snow runoff and a good wind deflection. The downside of the A-frame shelter is that there is no floor and if you haven’t stretchered the paracord tight enough, there will be sagging in the middle.

The Lean-To tarp shelter

This is another shelter that is simple to make and it’s great for deflecting wind or providing sunshade. To make this shelter you need to secure the tarp to the ground on the windward side and support it with the paracord between to anchor points. This is an “on the go” shelter because it’s easy to erect and you can quickly take it down. The downside of this shelter is that there are no sides and no floor to offer protection against other elements.

The tube tent tarp shelter

This is a sturdy shelter that provides a floor and, if properly secured to the ground, will prevent rain from seeping in. To make it, you will need to secure the paracord between to trees and drape over the tarp with the opposite ends secured together. This should be enough room for a single adult.

 

The cornet tarp shelter

This shelter utilizes the entire length of the paracord strung from a tree to the ground. The tarp is draped over the paracord diagonally, while the leading edges fold under to form the floor. The corner of the shelter should be faced towards the wind. You will also need to tie off some drip lines above the entrance of the shelter to prevent rain from running down the paracord and into the shelter. This is a good design for wind deflection and rain/debris shedding. The downside of this design is that it doesn’t offer too much headroom and if you are a tall person, you might not have enough room for you and your gear.

The wind shed tarp shelter

This type of shelter requires a little practice to get it done the right way. You will need to fold the tarp into thirds and make sure the leading edge of the roof hangs over the groundsheet for adequate rain runoff. The main ridgeline has to be secured with paracords while stretched between two trees. A length of paracord must be added to the bottom fold, where the back panel meets the groundsheet. It provides great wind deflection, but it requires a lot of secure points. The hanging roofline could also sag under rain loads and channel the water onto the groundsheet.

The Fold-Over Wind Shed tarp shelter

This design is similar to the traditional wind shed, but it provides more coverage by sacrificing the groundsheet. The height of the paracord ridgeline determines the angle of the roof and the footprint of the shelter. It provides great wind deflection and rain runoff, but it doesn’t protect completely against the elements due to its lack of floor, flaps or sides.

The diamond fly tarp shelter

This shelter is suitable for two persons and it’s easy to make. You will need to secure the paracord to a tree and the ground then drape over the tarp at a diagonal. The length of the paracord and the angle with which it is tied to a tree will determine the overall headroom and width of the shelter. The steep walls will shed rain and will deflect wind if they are well staked. This model will require drip lines, just like the cornet shelter. Depending on the size of the tarp, this shelter can accommodate more than two persons or more equipment, but the lack of a floor and flaps won’t keep out the elements. If the wind changes direction frequently, the shelter can be compromised.

The arrowhead shelter

Start this shelter by supporting the center of two perpendicular edges with five foot long poles or by attaching those edges to trees using a paracord. You will need to stake to the ground the opposite corner so that it creates a series of four triangles. This design will provide 35 square feet of living space and five feet of headroom at the opening. The flap will hand down and make a partial closure. The poles need to be supported by paracord tie-downs. This shelter deflects wind with its low profile and it’s very roomy.

The shade sail tarp shelter

This is an easy and quick to build shelter and it requires to diagonally drape the tarp over a length of paracord attached to two anchor points. The opposite corners of the tarp are staked to the ground. This is an open and airy shelter and the lower the angles of the sides are, the better it will deflect wind and the more shade will provide. It provides all day shade and it requires minimal stakes and set up, but it’s not weather resistant and it will not keep you dry.

What not to do when building a tarp shelter:

• Don’t build your shelter over an ant nest or any type of burrows
• Don’t set up your shelter beneath a dead tree or near one
• Don’t attach tarp lines to a tree standing alone or tall trees. Always go for the short tree in a group of taller trees.
• Don’t set up your shelter below the high tide mark of a shoreline
• Don’t set up your shelter on top of a hill or ridge.
• Don’t set up your shelter on a river bank

Making a tarp shelter is not difficult and with a bit of practice, anyone should be able to make one. Learning these tarp shelter patterns will come in handy during an emergency.

As Always,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

Are you ready to help?

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 if not properly attended.

In a recent CERT training session, I was fortunate to spend the evenings’ exercise with a physician. She has years of experience responding to emergencies in less than ideal environments. During the course of the exercise, I discovered that the vast majority of responders she has dealt with have little or no training in first aid. Something seemingly as simple as taking a pulse, doing an injury assessment, or recognizing the signs of shock. Let alone how to properly attend to any potential injuries.

What can you do?

I have to be honest, this concerns me. If I am in an accident and require the assistance of another, I really want them to know how to help me. With that said, then doesn’t it become my responsibility to be sure that when someone needs my help, that I know how to help them? Of course, we can’t all be paramedics or trauma nurses. But we can take the initiative to learn some essential first aid skills. Skills that could potentially be the difference between life and death for someone in need.

We encourage everyone to seek professional first aid instruction and advanced first aid instruction that focuses on rendering aid in an austere environment. Most Wilderness First Aid courses will fit the bill. This type of instruction will empower you to effectively deal with most injuries when emergency services are not readily available. Make yourself an asset to your community.

 

As Alway,

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared