Prepping for Down Range

This past weekend I took an overnight camping trip. I took less supplies than I wanted as a sort of test run. I didn’t want to go out and buy a whole bunch of stuff that I thought I might need just to end up not needing it. I also wanted to see exactly what sort of things would come to mind “in the moment” that I would want on my next trip. Some of the items would be common sense items, others would be luxuries that would just make things more enjoyable. All in all, it was a great learning experience.

I took a 4-person tent, folding camping chairs, sleeping bags, and that was about it. Like I said, I purposely did not take a lot of other things so that I would see exactly what it was like to not have them, that way I could more easily see what I needed, as opposed to what I just wanted. Keep in mind, my get home bag (GHB) was also with me.

Now, in full disclosure, the place I chose to camp was out in the yard of my deer camp. I did this for a few reasons. 1.) I was taking my kids camping for their first time and wanted it to be somewhere they were familiar with. 2.) If there were any issues, I had a livable structure with all the comforts of home; beds, microwave, bathroom, etc. 3.) It allowed me to take the essentials for my little test-run, and still be secure if my experiment failed.

Here’s what I learned.

1. A 4-person tent is not suitable for 4 people. I had 3 sleeping bags lined up, side-by-side, in the tent and there was hardly room for shoes and a backpack to be stored inside. 4 people in the tent would have been cramped and no spare room for any belongings.
2. The sleeping bags we took were not the best rated for the weather. Two of the bags were rated for cooler weather and the low was only 71 degrees that night. I was too hot in my bag and primarily laid on top of the bag. One of my kids did much the same, but that bag was rated for a little warmer weather than my own. I certainly see the need for a selection of weather appropriate sleeping bags.
3. A ground pad, or air mattress is necessary. The ground was hard as a rock. The sleeping bags provided no noticeable padding. Needless to say, sleep sucked for me. My large frame and matching weight did not appreciate the lack of cushion. The kids seemed perfectly content. I don’t really want to tote around a large air mattress and pump but will if I have to. I’d prefer to find a ground pad of some sort that will do the job. When I find one and test it out, I’ll be sure to post with my experience.
4. The camp chairs did exactly what they were meant to do, so no complaints there.
5. The GHB really came in handy. I used the enclosed flashlight to light up necessary tasks. The two chem lights I keep in the pack came in handy to entertain kids after dark, chasing each other around.
6. The goal zero power bank charged my phone from 36% to 100% in less than an hour and a half. I wish I knew exactly how long it took but I was asleep for that hour and a half, and that would be the only sleep I got that night; partly from discomfort and partly from working night shift for so long that sleeping at night is almost laughable.
7. I was glad to have stored bottled water in the camp. I drank several bottles while there and will definitely be taking a case of water along on future trips.
8. Although the weather forecast did not call for rain, a light rain came in around 6:00 in the morning. We left the rain fly off the tents in an effort to keep the tents as cool as possible during the nights. Once the rain started, I realized my mistake. A portable battery powered fan would have helped keep air flowing and allow for the rain fly to be in place.

I did not have to worry about food or an ice-chest because that was covered by a friend who brought his son along to camp with us. However, on future trips, I will be taking an ice-chest with enough food to cover all involved.

One big mistake was not taking bug spray. For most of us, it was not an issue. But you can never predict who will need it and who will not. I’ve already remedied that mistake.

The next time I go out camping, I’ll be taking the items that will solve the problems learned above. I’ll likely not buy anything more than what I learned I needed so that on my next trip I can learn by further experience. I don’t like having extraneous stuff. By buying a little at a time, I’ll be able to accumulate things over time that actually add to the experience, instead of hauling around a bunch of unnecessary stuff. I’ll post on future camping adventures (failures and lessons learned) as they happen.

Don’t just prepare, prepare to thrive.

I’m adding a new feature to the blog; unbiased, opinion reviews of books, gear, podcasts, and anything else related to prepping. How will my reviews be any different from any others on the internet? Well, that’s a good question. Let’s see if I can explain.

When it comes to books, many literary reviews simply provide a synopsis of the writing. That doesn’t do much good. If I want a synopsis, I’ll just read the back cover of the book or I’ll get the Cliff’s notes version. A good review will give enough information away to let a potential reader decide whether to read it for themselves, without spoiling anything. Hopefully I can provide the former and avoid the latter. Some reviews will cover novels. Others will include articles and non-fiction as well.

As far as gear goes, I come across quite a few reviews that are either copies of products’ specifications from the companies that produce the products, or the reviews seem to be highly biased. If the writer loves the brand, the review is only positive. If the writer hates the brand, there is nothing but negative. Sometimes it’s necessary to include product specs as they give necessary information that providing a better understanding for the review. Some reviews seem to stop there, though. It’s helpful to know how these specs effect performance and the usability of the item. Some reviews are almost obviously written by people sponsored by the company. There’s nothing negative about the item, only highlights of the good. Let’s face it, nothing is perfect. I personally prefer to know the good with the bad so that I can make a much more informed decision.

I’m also including podcasts, t.v. shows, and other information/entertainment sources. Some podcasts I listen to are for entertainment, others are for information. The same goes for t.v. Just be sure that you verify info from t.v. before trusting it. Just because it’s on t.v., it doesn’t mean it’s true or accurate. Still, even the “just for fun” stuff can at least plant a seed for thought.

Any suggestions on the aforementioned are welcome. I can’t promise that I will cover everything, or that it will be a quick turnaround. I will try to cover what I can, as I can. That is, if it appeals to me. (Smile and shrug)

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

A lot of people like to talk about Bug Out Vehicles (BOVs) to get to some retreat or Bug Out Location (BOL) they have tucked away in some remote location. You don’t have to go very deep down this rabbit-hole to get into all of the “required” specs for a BOV; minimal electronic components in case of EMPs, 4-wheel drive (4WD) or not, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have a dedicated BOV that is set up for the “whatever” ahead. The reality though, is that most of the emergencies likely to befall the average person will be more like personal emergencies, i.e. home damage due to weather, family emergencies where we may need to get somewhere quickly, etc. In these cases, your everyday driver is your best resource. Besides, the vast majority of us are not in a position to have such locations to which we can flee the masses.

Before reading further, keep in mind that no matter what vehicle you have currently is the vehicle you will need to rely on. Whatever you drive, keep it in the best running condition you possibly can. Don’t let minor issues grow into major issues. Fix what can be fixed and make the most of it. Something is better than nothing, and that “something” will only serve you well if you take care of it.

Fortunately, I have, and hopefully will always have, a 4-wheel drive truck. The 4WD serves nicely when the need arises to go off-road for whatever reason. Sometimes this is for hunting. Other times it is used to pull other unlucky motorists out of an unfortunate circumstance. Either way, the additional cost of a 4WD is one that I consider to be a valuable expense with even higher value in preparedness. Keep in mind, having a 4WD vehicle with street, and even highway tires, is not as useful. I’m no tire expert. I have had a few different vehicles in my life, cars, trucks (2WD and 4WD), and SUVs. I can tell you from personal experience, street and highway tires offer very little assistance when trying to get a vehicle out of any terrain that requires the traction that even an All-Terrain tires offer. Rarely have I ever needed a true off-road/mud-grip tire on a vehicle. In my humble opinion, these are for ATVs and dedicated off-road vehicles.

Although there are cars that offer 4WD, I don’t find the storage space to be nearly adequate. This is especially apparent when factoring in having other passengers in the vehicle. Space for gear storage is quite limited. SUVs are on par with trucks. The only real downfall is that SUVs can’t carry many of the large-sized items that a truck can carry. However, SUVs do offer much more weather protection for the cargo inside. Trucks can be fitted with bed covers, toolboxes, camper shells, etc. but it’s just not the same as the weather protection offered by an SUV. If possible, if you are in a multi-vehicle family, you could have one truck and one SUV. Then, you’d have the best of both worlds. Also, you’d have two vehicles to use if the need arose.

Since I prefer trucks, my focus will remain on them. The toolbox on my truck serves very well and keeps a great deal of dust and debris out. If you choose to equip your truck with a toolbox, please get one that’s quality. They cost more, but you really do get what you pay for. My truck toolbox took mere minutes to install. It locks and two keys were included. Most of the supplies I keep in my truck fit nicely in the toolbox, with room to spare.

It is necessary to have a supply of items that will get you through most vehicle related issues. I keep a set of jumper-cables, several zip-ties, a roll of Gorilla tape (duct-tape only better), and a roll of shop towels tucked away in a storage bin inside the toolbox. If my truck needed the occasional oil top-off, I would keep a couple of quarts in there as well. Luckily, my truck is in seemingly perfect running condition so that’s not a current concern. Also in the toolbox, I keep a set of basic tools; i.e. flat- and Phillips-head screw driver, pliers, measuring tape, and a set of wrenches. Those few tools will tend to most of the issues that I can foresee, anything issues that need more than those tools are issues that I am not suited to fix myself anyway. After stowing the aforementioned tools and sundries, I had enough space for one large, heavy-duty ratchet strap and another heavy-duty tow-strap.

In the interior of the truck cab, I keep a large Coast flashlight, an umbrella, fixed-blade knife, and multi-tool. Basically, as I have had need of a tool when in my vehicle, I have added some form of that tool to my vehicle load-out. If I’ve needed it once, I’ll likely need it again.

As for vehicle maintenance, keep your vehicle serviced regularly. Tend to the things quickly that crop up from time-to-time and try not to let the little repairs go untended. Little issues with a vehicle turn into big issues. A little bit of money now can save a lot of money down the road.

If you find yourself in a situation that you need your vehicle to survive, you will want it in the best condition possible.

Don’t just prepare, prepare to thrive.

Self-defense items for your GHB are going to vary wildly, depending on your personal views, the area in which you lives (primarily the laws governing that area), etc. Make sure the self-defense tools you are carrying don’t land you in deep legal trouble.

As I stated in one of my earliest posts, a pistol is part of my EDC. Considering that, I do not keep an additional pistol in my GHB. I do, however, like to keep a spare loaded magazine, or two, in my GHB. There’s no need taking up more space in my bag by having unloaded magazines and a box off ammo. Loaded magazines take up less space and are ready to go immediately. If I need to put a spare mag to use, I sure don’t need to spend extra valuable time having to load said mag. Common sense (although fairly uncommon these days) would dictate that these magazines fit the pistol I am carrying on my person. This may seem like a no-brainer, but, if you change out pistols, for whatever reason, make sure your extra mags go to the gun you are carrying, not the gun you were carrying. It sure would suck to need that extra magazine only to realize it didn’t fit the firearm you are carrying at the time.

If you can’t carry a firearm and extra mags, don’t forget that knife in your GHB (the fixed-blade one). Keep in mind, using a knife for self-defense comes with its own legal implications. Knife laws can vary just like gun laws. Also, using a knife for self-defense is not exactly easy. Knife fighting is an art. It is an art that takes time, effort, and repetition to learn.

One thing very important to note, running is a viable option. In my opinion, it is the best choice for the vast majority of situations. Avoiding a fight is ALWAYS preferable to getting into a fight. Gun fights involve injuries/fatalities (maybe yours), legal ramifications, and giving your position away (loud noise, right?). Knife fights also carry the risk of injury/fatality and legal ramifications. While there may not be the boom of a gunshot, there should could be a lot of screaming when someone gets cut. Plus, knife wounds BLEED, a lot. Even a fist-fight can have some pretty bad implications. No one seems to realized how brittle bones can be. Throw that punch, you could break your hand. Throw that kick, you could break your foot. Fighting is not glamorous. The best way to win a fight…… avoid it. Only fight if you have to fight. If you have to fight, win.

You can also improvise weapons from items in your bag if necessary. Think outside the box. Use what you have at your disposal to improve your chances. Situational awareness will allow you to notice potential threats and avoid the situation all together.

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

There are a few miscellaneous items that should be kept in your GHB. None of these items require individual posts. As they are basically self-explanatory, a few words about each will suffice. Those items are: pen and paper, a compass, paracord, duct tape, and a signal mirror.

Pen and paper allow for writing notes. Leaving notes for others you know may be necessary. You may come across something during your journey that you want to jot down; observations of dangerous areas, safe and unsafe areas, locations of water and food sources in case you need to double-back.

A compass helps navigate. Big surprise. If you know in what direction you need to go, even without a map, you’ll at least be able to go the correct way. Side note, carry a map in your vehicle and put it in your pack if the need arises.

Paracord, parachute cord, 550 cord, whatever you want to call it, is light weight and takes up very little space. However, it is quite strong. Fifty feet of paracord will allow you lash things to your pack, replace broken laces on your shoes/boots, tie up an attacker in necessary, jerry-rig a broken pack strap.

Duct tape can be used to cover blisters to prevent them from worsening. You can mend a countless number of things with duct tape, as well. And again, you can restrain someone if necessary.

As the name implies, a signal mirror can be used to signal. In addition to that, a signal mirror can also be used to take a look at a part of yourself that you would otherwise be unable to see. Got something in your eye or something on your face? That signal mirror will come in handy.

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

Small scratches and aches and pains can be tedious in the best of times. In a survival situation, those little problems can turn into big problems quickly. With easy access to soap and water, these nuisances can be dealt with quickly. Without those niceties, a small scratch can get infected and worsen. A pulled muscle can have near crippling affects. A small first aid kit (FAK, or individual first aid kit IFAK) can save you from a lot of trouble.

Many people seem to think they will be able to perform minor surgery in a survival situation without even having any training in first aid. They pack their kits with suturing supplies and all manner of medical gear they have no clue how to use. While this may seem like a good idea, it is my opinion that having gear you don’t know how to use only takes up valuable space and adds unnecessary weight to your pack. Of course, I am not a medical professional. I only have my opinions. A decent IFAK for a GHB should contain the items necessary to tend to various minor injuries. Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and alcohol wipes can tend to many scratches and scrapes. A few larger gauze pads with good tape can cover larger injuries. An ACE bandage, or similar wrap, can aid with sprains. Tweezers can help to remove splinters and the like. Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Advil, etc. can aid with headaches and inflammation. Mole skin (or duct tape if you are in a pinch) can help prevent blisters. You’d be surprised how little space is taken up by a decent supply of these few items.

As for hygiene, just the ability to brush your teeth can be a morale booster. I for one hate the feel (and taste for that matter) of an unclean mouth. Being able to freshen up just this one area has surprising effects. A toothbrush and toothpaste take up virtually no space. Throw in a small pack of wet wipes (Huggies, Dude wipes, etc.) and you’ll be able to at least wipe down and remove some of the grime and sweat that will accumulate on your body over a couple of days. If you wear contact lenses, keep a small bottle of solution and an overnight case in your pack. Just about any of the hygiene needs you want to meet can be covered by going to the travel section of one of the big-box stores. Don’t expect to carry enough to have a spa day on your trek home. Cover the basics and you’ll be fust fine.

For the females, make sure you cover any feminine needs you may have. I wouldn’t dare to guess what all is needed to tend to your “special” circumstances. You can never predict when you’ll need your pack. I suggest you pack at least a small supply just in case.

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

A general rule of thumb is that a human being can survive three weeks without food. I often read and hear of people who cite this “three-week rule” as a reason to not include food, of some sort, in their GHB and short-term survival plan. If your emergency trek home is only a few hours on foot (let’s say 10 -15 miles), that may not be a problem. Anything more than that and you’ll really want to consider packing some snacks. Truthfully, even if you are looking at only a few hour trek, packing some snacks would still be advisable just in case you run into any delays; i.e. route blockages, weather delays, etc.

An often-overlooked part of short term survival when it comes to food is how your body reacts to stress and the fuel your body needs to go on. I go several hours at a time without eating and I am just fine. This of course is considering that I eat every several hours. Disasters never happen at opportune times. With my luck, right when I reach that several-hour mark without food is right when disaster will hit. Given the extra stress and calorie burn from having to be more active, I’m going to get hungry fast. Not only that, but my stamina declines also when I haven’t eaten in a while. Focus suffers, headaches are likely, strength dissipates. All are bad issues to deal with when your trying to survive.

Considering you will be much more active in a survival situation, pack a little extra. I wouldn’t go overboard though. Some people try to pack their entire kitchen pantry in their pack. That’s a bad idea. The more you pack, the heavier your pack will be. Find some calorie dense snack bars (i.e. Clif Bars, Kind bars, etc) and throw a few into your pack. My route would be in the 10-15 mile range. Given that it would only take me a few hours to make it home, 4 or 5 Clif bars is plenty. If you are looking at a 2-3 day trek, pack quite a few. Keep in mind, you’ll have to rotate them out. Take note of the expiration dates and change them out when necessary. It would definitely suck to find yourself in a survival situation and discover that your food is no good.

If you are in an area where convenience stores are plentiful, you could consider grabbing your snacks when the time comes. You will need to get ahead of the crowds and  hit these stores as early as you can. It doesn’t take long to empty a small convenience store out, so don’t delay.

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

As I’ve stated before, a multi-purpose item in your kit is a major plus. A knife certainly qualifies. Bear in mind, the knife for your GHB is like the flashlight for your GHB. The one in your pocket (for EDC) counts only as a back-up. The one for your bag is a separate item altogether. Your EDC knife is likely going to be a folder of some sort. The knife you keep in your GHB (in my opinion) needs to be a fixed-blade, with as full of a tang as possible. There are countless options available and you really have to pick what is best for you.

In my opinion, a blade length of 4-6 inches is just fine. Anything shorter tends to not accomplish all the larger tasks I need done. Anything longer can be too long to use for the smaller stuff, not to mention bulky. Having a knife too big to use for the finer work is infuriating. For any situations where I see myself having to use my GHB, I truly don’t see myself having to baton wood and I’m certainly not planning on using some big Crocodile Dundee knife for self-defense, that’s what the pistol is for. But, a 4-6 inch blade could most definitely be used for defense if needed.

I don’t get too caught up in blade shape. As long as there is somewhat of a curve to the blade, I’m good.  I don’t really like the tanto style blades as I can’t sharpen them as quickly. I also don’t worry too much about the type of steel used. I go for knife companies with good reputation and trust that they use the steel necessary to earn that reputation. I’m no metallurgist. I generally buy knives from Kershaw, Morakniv and Gerber. They are affordable and get the job done.

As for personal defense, or carrying in general, know the laws for your area. Different jurisdictions have different laws as to what can be carried. Don’t let your gear get you into a legal bind. Follow the laws of your area. Using a knife for self-defense can also have its own legal consequences. Going hand-in-hand with that, get training before you use a knife for self-defense. Many people seem to have this idea that they will be the next Rambo if they have a knife in their hands. Don’t be arrogant. Training is the only way to become proficient with anything, whether it be cooking, driving, of knife handling.

As for a multi-tool, have one of these as well. Multi-tools allow for use in many different situations. I’ve used one to fix all sorts of things. They are handy little tools. Many styles have everything from a can opener and screwdriver to… oh look, a knife blade. Some of these tools are quite large and heavy. Some of them are quite small and light. Don’t try to carry a multi-tool that has everything your toolbox holds. You’ll just weigh yourself down with lots of unnecessary items. My go-to brands are Gerber and Leatherman. Both have great reputations, great quality, and a wide range of options.

Another item to keep in mind is a knife sharpener. If you are using your knife, it will get dull. A basic knife sharpener can freshen up a blade allowing further use. These can be had for just a few dollars and take up little room.

Don’t’ just prepare. Prepare to thrive.

Over the past four months I have been undergoing some extensive training that has occupied quite a bit of time. Fortunately, that training has greatly improved my knowledge and skill sets for work, but, an added benefit is that much of it also translates right over into prepping. I paused posting on a few topics I wanted to cover in order to bolster my knowledge/skills and provide better info. This phase of training will end in a couple of weeks and I will have more time to post and keep it fairly regular.

My intention is to pick up where I left off with GHB Contents and finish that out before moving on to other topics.

Operating in the dark just plain sucks. Why would we ever want to have to do something blindly when we can easily shed a little light on the subject? It can be a little fun sometimes to blindfold yourself and disassemble and reassemble a firearm just to see if you can do it. But when I am really trying to get something done, like actually clean that firearm, it sure is nice (and reasonable, sensible, intelligent, advisable, and just plain smart) to do so with good lighting and visibility. I would have to imagine that the same applies to any situation where I would have to actually grab my GHB and set out on foot.

We have already entered the time of year when it is dark outside for most of the day. The days are going to continue to shorten. Add to that the thick cloud cover that accompanies winter weather and the days can get pretty dark and dreary, the nights even more so. With my luck, it would be on one of those dark, dreary days that I would find myself in the dreaded hoof-it-home situation. If your potential hike back home would take hours to complete, it is very likely that at least a portion, if not all, of said hike would be taking place after dark. Have you ever tried to read a map, or identify landmarks, in the dark? What about rooting around in your bag to find that necessary item, like a knife, a power bank to charge your cell phone, etc.? It can be pretty difficult without some light. A simple flashlight is a huge help.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, “I have my pocket flashlight as part of my EDC. Isn’t that good enough?” Probably not. Let me explain, the little EDC light that I carry in my pocket is great… for EDC. It’s small, doesn’t take up much room, clips to the side of my pocket, and puts out a good amount of light. However, a lot of these small lights only have about a two-to-three-hour battery life. For occasional use in everyday situations, that’s just fine. A couple of minutes here and there takes a long time to deplete the little AA or AAA battery. But, if you are having to operate/navigate for potentially several hours, that two hour battery isn’t going to cut it. Besides, there is a prepper saying that goes like this, “Two is one, and one is none.” When things are going bad and an item breaks, you’ll have to fall back to your backup. Always count on something breaking right when you need it. If you only have one flashlight, when it stops working you’ll wish you had a backup. If you have two and one stops working, you still have one. If you have one and it stops working, you now have none. (Don’t go overboard with this mindset. You can quickly overload yourself to the point that you just can’t operate functionally because you’re are weighed down to heavily. For your GHB, a larger flashlight is better, and your EDC light can be your backup.

I am a fan of Coast brand flashlights. As a disclaimer, I don’t get paid by them (or anyone else for that matter) for any opinions, etc. I’m just giving my two cents. Coast lights are inexpensive, but not cheap. They put out a good amount of light and the batteries last long enough. The Coast PolySteel 250 is what I keep in my GHB. It runs off of three (3) AAA (Triple-A) batteries, which are easily found just about everywhere. It’s stormproof so bad weather is not an issue. The 320 lumens it puts out is plenty to light up the area. The polymer housing is not nearly as cold in the hand on chilly days as a metal housing. Coast also comes with a lifetime warranty. I’ve found these lights online for around $15.00 but bought mine for around $10.00 in-store.

Some people prefer the hands-free approach. There are many headlamps that are available on the market, and also lights that clip onto straps or clothing and can be adjusted to a chosen direction. Headlights provide illumination in whichever direction you are looking. Having the ability to use both of your hands and still see what you are doing is definitely a plus. Some of these lights are small enough that you don’t have to choose between hand-held or hands-free. Carry both and you’ll have the option to choose. Plus, you’ll have two lights in case one stops working.

Whatever brand, size, lumen, etc. you decide to go with, put a good quality light in your GHB. Don’t skimp and buy the cheapest thing you can find. Get something that you can rely on but afford at the same time. You’ll be much better off with a good light in your bag should you need it.

Don’t just prepare. Prepare to thrive.