Author Archives: Survival Frog

9 Reasons Preppers Should Own Mace

Sometimes preppers put too much emphasis on guns when oftentimes Mace is the better choice for self-defense.

Mace, the biggest brand name of pepper spray, can be just as effective as a gun and poses much less risk for the user, making it a great item to have as an everyday carry.

Don’t believe me? Check out these 9 reasons preppers should own Mace.

No Permits Required

One of the biggest hassles of owning a firearm are the increasingly confusing laws governing them.

Merely owning a gun can be complicated enough, but if you want to actually carry it with you, then the regulations become even more outrageous.

Many would-be gun owners get discouraged by these overbearing laws and don’t bother carrying a gun with them, leaving them unprotected against criminals.

On the other hand, Mace is legal and doesn’t require any permits to carry. This makes Mace a convenient way to protect yourself without having to worry about all the rules and regulations that come with owning a gun.

There isn’t even any paperwork to fill out. You can simply buy Mace like you would buy any other item.

Note: Even though Mace is legal, you still need to check with your local jurisdiction’s laws on when it can and can’t be used.

It’s Easy to Use

Using Mace is as easy as aiming at your target’s head and pushing a button.

The button itself is very easy to press, and canisters are usually small enough for a child to hold. This is why many parents have their children carry a canister of Mace with them.

Don’t worry about accidentally firing it. The safety mechanism prevents you from accidentally harming yourself or others who aren’t your target.

It’s Non-Lethal

Preppers who carry guns can be reluctant to use them. The legal implications of shooting someone, or even concern for their attacker, prevent them from using their gun to its full potential.

This reluctance to fire your gun can be the difference between successfully defending yourself and getting killed yourself.

However, you will not feel reluctant to fire Mace.  Mace is non-lethal and only causes temporary pain for about 20 – 30 minutes.

That means you can quickly spray Mace at your attacker without feeling concerned about what will happen afterward.

Since Mace is non-lethal and does not cause long-term injury, it’s easier to stay out of legal trouble.

Alternative for Those Uncomfortable With Guns

Not everyone is comfortable using a gun.

For those who are untrained with guns or simply don’t want to use them, Mace provides a low-stress way to defend yourself.

Holding a loaded gun and knowing it can kill is a completely different feeling than holding a canister of mostly harmless Mace.

If you’re unable or unwilling to carry a gun, consider carrying a canister of Mace rather than being completely unarmed.

Easy for Seniors to Use

The sad truth is that seniors are targeted by criminals because they’re less likely to put up much resistance.

The recoil from guns is too much to safely handle for some seniors and as a result they choose to not carry them at all.

Instead of leaving yourself defenseless, carry a canister of Mace with you to stop attackers in their tracks.

Click here for some easy self-defense tips for seniors.

Bypasses Gun-Free Zones

Even if you can legally carry a gun in your area, there are still many places where it’s illegal to carry a gun. For example, colleges forbid firearms on campus, but Mace is still allowed.

This gives you a hassle-free way to stay protected even in areas with firearm regulations.

Many criminals attack people in these gun-free zones because they know they won’t have much resistance.

By carrying Mace, you’ll take your attacker by surprise and keep yourself safe even without a gun.

You Work a Late Shift Customer Service Job

Robbers are notorious for targeting convenience stores late at night. Just search for footage on YouTube and watch the videos pile up.

If you work a late shift customer service job, then you need to be aware of the danger and take precautions.

Unfortunately, it’s usually against company policy to carry a gun while at work, but company policy rarely prohibits Mace.

Watch this video to see actual footage of this happening.

You Jog, Bike, or Hike

Other people aren’t the only threats to your safety. Animals also pose a significant threat in the outdoors.

If you jog, bike, or hike on nature trails, then you could become the victim of an animal attack. Bobcats and bears are just some of the potential threats.

Even in a more populated area you could be one of numerous victims of rabid dog attacks every year.

You’re Not Skilled In Hand-to-Hand Combat

Most people overestimate their fighting ability, and this overconfidence gets some of them into trouble.

Be honest when you assess your own skills. If you’re not an expert, then chances are any hand-to-hand fight will leave both you and your attacker injured, and it’s even worse if your attacker has a weapon.

Carrying a canister of Mace allows you to safely disengage fights, saving both you and your attacker some serious injuries.

Mace is an underappreciated survival weapon and has enough advantages to earn a place in your everyday carry.

The 5 Best Types Of Ammunition For Survival Situations

Many people are overwhelmed by the different ammunition types, especially when trying to pick the best types of ammunition for survival situations.

There’s a lot for survivalists to consider, such as: price, availability, purpose, and stopping power. We’ll base the top five types of ammo on these factors.

Stopping power is important for defending against attackers and for bringing down large game. However, bigger and more powerful bullets will be useless on small game.

Perhaps the most important point for a survivalist to consider is availability of ammo. Even the best gun in the world is useless without rounds in the chamber.

If you carry a gun that uses a common ammo type, you’ll be able to find more ammo long after your original stash runs out.

Generally, if a type of ammo is common, it should also be inexpensive. Therefore, all the ammo on this list will be fairly cheap. Be prepared to pay premium prices to stock up on uncommon ammo for older guns.

.22LR

The .22 caliber long rifle is a small but versatile round that’s great for survival situations.

The .22LR is one of the most common types of ammo, and you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding it in a SHTF scenario.

Its small size makes it great for hunting small game, such as rabbits and squirrels, though you’ll struggle to take down anything much bigger than that.

This lack of stopping power makes the .22LR a poor choice for self-defense. A hit to a non-vital point will do little to stop an attacker, especially if they’re wearing any extra clothing.

While the .22LR is certainly a great round for survivalists, it shouldn’t be relied on as your only type of ammo. You should also carry something with more stopping power.

A good gun that uses .22LR is the Remington Model 597 HB.

9mm

The 9mm, also known as 9mm Luger, is the most common type of pistol ammo and is truly deserving of its popularity.

After the .22LR, you’ll be able to find this type of ammo most easily during a survival situation.

The 9mm is slightly larger than the .22LR and packs more of a punch. This makes it an excellent round for self-defense and hunting mid-size game, while still being small enough to hunt small game in a pinch.

If you plan on using your 9mm gun primarily for self-defense, you should consider getting hollow point 9mm bullets, though the legality of hollow points varies from state to state.

Also, don’t get a revolver for survival purposes. Revolvers are too slow for emergencies and are prone to getting grit in the cylinder.

Instead, get a reliable semi-automatic handgun that’s compact and lightweight. The Glock 19 is an excellent handgun that won’t let you down during an emergency.

.308

The .308 Winchester is a popular sporting round that’s also great for self-defense.

It has significant stopping power while also having minimal recoil, making it a great rifle round for those who don’t have the strength to shoulder a rifle with heavy kickback.

These rounds can have an effective range of around 800 yards when paired with a rifle with a long enough barrel, such as 24 inches. Combining its range with a scoped rifle will give you a massive perimeter of control and allow you to fortify an area.

The Winchester Model 70 bolt action uses .308 rounds and is great for both hunting and self-defense.

5.56x45mm

The 5.56x45mm round, also known as the 5.56 NATO, is the most common type of ammo used by the American military. In addition to military use, many gun owners favor the 5.56 as their rifle round of choice.

Its widespread use means you won’t have any difficulty finding this type of ammunition when SHTF.

The 5.56 has amazing stopping power and an effective shooting range of around 300 meters, though you’ll likely never have to shoot that far. These attributes make this round an excellent choice for both self-defense and hunting large game.

The Colt AR-15 is an excellent semi-automatic rifle that chambers the 5.56x45mm round and will help you through nearly any survival situation.

12 Gauge

If I could only have one gun with me in a survival situation, it would be a shotgun.

12-gauge shells can take down large game, flying game, and is truly terrifying in close range combat against attackers.

When deciding on a shotgun to purchase, make sure to get a pump action shotgun rather than an auto loader. The pump action is simpler and will have less problems over time.

Be aware of the significant kickback that comes with 12-gauge shells. If you don’t think you can handle the power of a 12 gauge, then scale down to a 16 gauge or even a 20 gauge, though this isn’t ideal since those gauges aren’t as common as the 12 gauge.

Also, since shotguns are typically only fitted for one gauge of shell, you should make sure to get a shotgun fitted for the gauge of shells you plan on using.

The Remington Model 870 pump action 12-gauge shotgun is an excellent gun to have at your side during a survival situation.

While there are certainly many other types of ammunition available, sticking to these rounds will give you the best chances of survival.

Want to get the best prices on ammo? There are two ways to get it cheap.

If you like to buy your ammo in person, Walmart offers great prices. You can also buy cheap ammo online.

Cold Weather Gear Checklist

We need to take the changing seasons into account for our survival plans depending on what climate we live in.

Winter will be here soon, so I’ve prepared a cold weather gear checklist so you can add some new season-specific gear to your arsenal.

Guardian Disaster Relief Wool Blanket

Everyone who lives in cold climates should keep a warm blanket in their car.

If you got in a car accident or spun off the side of the road, how long would you have to wait until help arrived? Also consider that you might have to wait longer during a blizzard, or hold out until the next day if your smartphone’s battery died.

Keeping a heavy wool blanket packed in your car will save you during this type of situation. The Guardian Disaster Relief Wool Blanket is made of a special wool and synthetic fiber blend that’s designed to be fire resistant, dry fast, and provide you with extra insulation from the cold.

If you don’t keep a blanket like this in your car, you’re dangerously unprepared for winter driving.

Coghlan’s Waterproof Safety Matches

Fire is important enough during warm weather, but when it’s dangerously cold, having the ability to quickly make a fire can mean the difference between living another day and freezing to death.

Making fires is the ancient method of staying warm.  The problem is, starting a fire from scratch is difficult, and most matches and lighters aren’t weatherproof.

Coghlan’s Waterproof Safety Matches are the easiest way to quickly start a fire, even if you’re in a snowstorm and the matches are soaking wet.

These waterproof matches look just like regular matches, but work much better. Don’t be caught in winter without these.

20-Hour Body Warmers by Heat Pax

What do you do if your car gets stuck during a snowstorm and you have to hike to get help? Starting a fire won’t help you here because you’re on the move, but you can still bring a heat source with you.

Body warmers take up very little room and can be easily stored in your glove compartment in case you need them. Before you get out of your car, just open them up and stick them under your clothes for 20 hours of life-saving heat.

Body warmers feel amazing on a cold day, and they can make an unpleasant situation much more comfortable.

Survival Dynamo Flashlight Radio

Keeping a flashlight with you is always a smart idea, especially during the winter season when the days are shorter. However, batteries drain faster when they’re cold.

To be fully prepared for cold weather, you’ll either need to replace your flashlight’s batteries periodically or use a flashlight that doesn’t use batteries at all.

The Survival Dynamo Flashlight Radio is powered by a hand crank, so it’ll never die during a critical moment like a regular flashlight could.

Better yet, it comes with a built-in radio that plays AM and FM stations. Listening to the radio will make a cold, lonely night a little bit more bearable.

Mountain House Noodles & Chicken

An activity we do every day can do wonders for staying warm:  the process of digestion releases energy and spreads heat throughout your body, so eating a hearty meal can actually help you stay warm.

One of my favorite food storage items is Mountain House Noodles and Chicken. It has a 30-year shelf life, mixes right in the pouch so there’s no mess, and last but not least…it actually tastes good!

Plus, if you have to hold out for longer than you thought, you’ll end up craving food anyway. So do some prepping ahead of time and get one of these for your car.

BaroCook Flameless Survival Cooking Bowl

Is there anything more enjoyable than a piping-hot meal on a cold fall or winter day? I don’t think so.

That’s why I’m recommending the BaroCook Flameless Survival Cooking Bowl. It’ll help you warm up by heating up your food even in the cold.

It doesn’t use fire or require electricity. Instead, it uses a heat pack that’s included with the bowl. It can be used anytime, anywhere.

Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Ration

Here’s a great way to boost your calorie count without carrying a lot of food. Just keep one of these little food bars in your coat pocket and you’ll have instant access to 3600 calories in each bar.

That’s almost double the recommendation for daily caloric intake. You’re going to want these extra calories to help you stay warm during the cold weather.

They come in packs of nine, so you could keep one in your coat, a few in your car, and still have some extras for family and friends.

Dragon FireKnife

Knives are one of the most versatile tools a prepper can have in their arsenal, but wouldn’t it be great if your knife could also start a fire?

That’s exactly what the Dragon FireKnife is designed to do. It’s razor-sharp and is worth carrying as a knife alone, but its added fire-starting ability makes this an obvious choice for anyone living in cold climates.

The sparks fly off this blade at an amazing 5,400 degrees. That’s more than enough to quickly start a fire even when it’s painfully cold outside.

Remember, cold weather requires special preparations. Make sure to pick up some of this cold weather gear to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be this season.

 

 

Why Chickens Are the Best Animal To Raise For Survival

A lot of people ask me about raising animals and want to know the best animal to raise for survival.

Only one animal is ideal for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time or resources on raising animals: chickens.

What Makes Chickens Great for Preppers

First, chickens provide nutritious daily food once they’ve matured. You’ll be able to feed your family the freshest and most delicious eggs you’ve ever tasted in your life.

Sure, goats and cows are also sources of food, but chickens have another advantage: They take up very little room.

Try to give each of your chickens approximately 15 square feet.

As a first time chicken owner, you’ll likely only have about six chickens or so. So you’d only need about 90 square feet with some room for expansion later if you eventually wanted more chickens.

Also, chickens are inexpensive to feed. During the summer, chickens will forage for grasses, seeds and insects and can mostly fend for themselves.

The insects they eat control the pest population around your house. They can also eat weeds and bits of veggies from your garden.

You’ll need to give them grains such as wheat, oats, and corn during winter, though. Chicken feed is relatively inexpensive and you’ll only need it some of the time.

This makes them a great choice for anyone who wants to raise animals for survival but doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on expensive animals and equipment.

Chickens aren’t just cheap to feed; they’re cheap to buy.

Local farmers will often sell their extra chickens for cheap if they’ve hatched too many. Talk to local farmers in your area to see if anyone would be willing to part with a few chickens.

You can also search on places like Craigslist for anyone selling chicks, or even look in the newspaper if you live in a rural area.

Chickens don’t need much ongoing care, training, or your love and attention. They really just need a roof over their heads, safety from predators, and food during winter. They are fairly self-sufficient.

Drawbacks to Having Chickens

Raising chickens has its downsides too, but they’re relatively minor compared to their advantages.

Before you even get your chickens, you’ll need to build or buy a coop for them to live in. Building a coop can be rather time consuming, and buying a coop can be expensive if you’re on a budget.

However, the coop is a one-time investment, and once you have it, you’ll never have to buy or make another one again.

One thing you should keep in mind is that chickens are noisy. Even if you’re OK with the noise, your neighbors might not feel the same way.

Also, as much as you love the taste of eggs and chickens, predators love them even more. Put up barriers or fences to keep predators away from your helpless chickens.

You’ll need to keep an eye out for holes, ditches, or weak spots in your fences that could let predators slip in and get at your chickens.

Finally, the last drawback is that chicken droppings are smelly, and chickens will poop just about anywhere.

It’s unavoidable. Once in awhile you’ll need to clean the coop out, so you’ll end up smelling it no matter what.

And let’s be honest, there’s no farm animal out there that isn’t going to be at least a little smelly. Chickens are the least offensive in this regard.

You’ll have to decide which animal is best for your situation, but I recommend chickens across the board to most people as their first animal for survival.

They’re cheap, efficient, and low-maintenance, so very little can go wrong. Even if you ended up losing all your chickens, you haven’t lost a big investment like if your cow got sick and died.

Before you start raising chickens, the first step is to build a thriving edible garden so both you and your chickens have tasty greens to eat.

Here’s the quickest and easiest way to start a healthy and delicious garden.

9 Point Survival Flashlight Checklist

There’s more flashlights available than one person could ever hope to test, and that’s why we’re giving you this simple 9 point survival flashlight checklist.

Many flashlights on the market today are hardly worth the material they’re made out of, and definitely aren’t reliable enough to depend on during an emergency.

Now you can use these 9 points to skip the bad ones and pick only the flashlight that’s perfect for you.

Survival Flashlight Checklist Point #1: Multiple Brightness Settings

Any survival flashlight you buy should have multiple brightness options regardless of what you plan on using it for.

The reason is simple: When you’re in pitch darkness and your eyes have adjusted to the dark, it’s murder on your eyes to suddenly have a flashlight shining at full power.

A flashlight with multiple settings will have a lower power mode that isn’t as bright, so your eyes can adjust gradually. It’s also great for searching for things at night without waking up other people.

Some flashlights come with even fancier options like flashing SOS lights. Those are nice to have as an extra bonus, but they aren’t necessary.

Point #2: LED Bulbs

LED bulbs in flashlights are much more common today than when they were first gaining popularity in the early 2000’s.

Though you still need to watch out because some manufacturers still use incandescent bulbs in their flashlights.

The reason for choosing LED’s is threefold. LED’s are brighter, save energy and thus increase battery life, and are more durable than incandescent bulbs.

Those differences might not make much difference to the typical person who just needs to light up a room once in awhile, but to a prepper they become much more serious.

Brighter light means you can quickly find your path without straining your eyes, and extended battery life means you don’t need to swap batteries or recharge nearly as often.

Tougher bulbs mean they won’t break with rough treatment that tends to happen during emergencies.

Point #3: IP Code Weatherproofing

Weatherproofing is specified with something called an IP code.

The quick explanation is that the IP code starts with the letters “IP” followed by a short series of numbers that specify what conditions it can withstand.

The first digit is for solid intrusion, the second is for liquid protection, and the third is for mechanical impact resistance.

If it’s not rated for something, it will use the character “X” instead of a number.

For example, the code IPX7 means it hasn’t been rated for solid intrusion, but has a liquid protection rating of 7.

For most preppers a liquid protection of IPX7 should be plenty. IPX7 is waterproof in under 1 meter of water.

Those who live by a lake, river, or ocean may want IPX8 which will protect it in even deeper depths.

Point #4: End Power Button

You’ve probably seen flashlights with the power button on the side, and some with the power button on the end of the flashlight.

There are two reasons to prefer flashlights with power buttons on the end.

First, if the button is on the side then you could accidentally bump it in your pocket and have it turn on. That means it’s wasting precious battery life doing absolutely nothing.

Second, with the power button on the end you’ll be able to hold the flashlight in an overhand grip and keep your thumb on the end like how police hold them.

This grip gives you a tactical advantage since you can then use the flashlight as a blunt weapon or cross it under your other arm while aiming a pistol.

There aren’t any drawbacks to having a flashlight with the button on the end, so it’s an obvious choice to make.

Point #5: Rechargeable or AA Battery

Any flashlight you intend to use as a survival tool should either be rechargeable, or use AA batteries.

The reason for having a rechargeable battery should be clear. When it inevitably runs out of energy you can recharge it and be good to go.

If a rechargeable flashlight isn’t an option, the next best thing is to have one that used AA batteries.

AA batteries are the most common type of battery, and can be found in nearly every household, gas station, and store. If you’re in an emergency situation and you really need batteries, it won’t be hard to find replacements as long as they’re AA.

Point #6: Pocket Size

If your flashlight can’t easily fit into your pocket then you’re less likely to carry it with you as an EDC, and if it isn’t with you during an emergency then it’s useless.

Therefore, it’s essential that your survival flashlight is small enough for you to comfortably carry with you. For most people, this means it’s small enough to fit inside your pants or coat pocket.

You can also have a larger and more powerful flashlight in addition to your pocket sized flashlight, but it shouldn’t be a replacement.

Point #7: Reliable

Before buying a survival flashlight you should be confident that it’s a quality product that’s worth the price.

Checking customer reviews can help you find a good one, and buying from a reputable vendor such as Survival Frog ensures you’re getting a quality product.

We only carry quality gear that we’ve tested and believe in. Click this link to see our selection of quality tactical survival flashlights.

Point #8: Strong Housing

Many manufacturers don’t give specific details on the flashlight housing, though most will either be some sort of plastic or Aluminum. They use those materials because they’re cheaper to produce while also being fairly durable.

Metal is better than plastic for flashlights, and even better if the material is considered “tactical” since it’ll hold up better against corrosion.

Point #9: USB Connection

Flashlights with a USB connection make it easier to recharge. Plain and simple.

Nearly everything nowadays has a USB port so there shouldn’t be any problem finding a way to recharge your depleted flashlight.

Without a USB connection you’d be forced to carry around a special cable just for your flashlight, and good luck recharging if you ever lose that cable.

USB cables are standardized, so it doesn’t matter which one you use. If you lose your original USB cable you can just use another one, no problem.

It might not be possible to fulfill all of these points depending on your budget, but if you follow as many of these points as possible you’ll have a survival flashlight that won’t let you down.

If you’re still a little overwhelmed by all this information, here is my personal flashlight recommendation to you. Click here to see it for yourself.

24 Of The Best Survival Tips From “Survivorman” Les Stroud

Today, I’m going to share 24 of Les Stroud’s best survival tips with you.

Les Stroud was more than just the star of the popular TV show “Survivorman.” He was the real deal who knew what he was doing and actually followed his own advice.

Les Stroud Survival Tip #1: You can create an easy smoke signal in a hurry by dumping damp wood chips over your fire. Always have some handy so you can quickly get the attention of potential rescuers.

Survival Tip #2: Smear mud over your skin to repel mosquitos. The mud will mask your scent and make you less desirable to those pesky bloodsuckers. Smoky clothes also help keep insects away. Smoke them over your campfire for extra protection.

Survival Tip #3: Always carry a good multi-tool with you. A good multi-tool should take up very little space and provide enough utility to make it worth carrying.

Survival Tip #4: If you’re short on water, eat less food. Digestion requires water, so don’t put extra strain on your body by eating more than necessary.

Survival Tip #5: If you have easy access to water, then you should take a drink every half hour. This will flush out contaminants from your body and will also curb your hunger.

Survival Tip #6: You’re more likely to be found by rescuers within the first 24 to 72 hours, so it’s especially important to make signals during that time frame.

Survival Tip #7: Never let yourself sweat during cold conditions. Your body will have to work harder just to keep you warm. Instead, stop and let yourself dry off.

Survival Tip #8: Breaking branches can be dangerous. Snap them between trees rather than with your hands to avoid accidental injuries.

Survival Tip #9: If it’s not possible to boil water in a container, you can boil water by heating up rocks and adding them to water.

Survival Tip #10: Remember the 5 W’s of survival: Know the weather in your area, how much wood is available for fires and shelter, watch out for wigglies that can bite or poison you, watch out for widowmakers, which are anything that can kill you, and know where to find water.

Survival Tip #11: During cold weather, heat rocks in your campfire and then place them around you while you sleep to stay warm.

Survival Tip #12: Find which direction most moss grows in. The direction with the most amount of moss has a higher chance of being north, though Les admits using a compass is a more reliable method to determine direction.

Survival Tip #13: Use a vegetable peeler on thin branches to make an endless supply of fire-starting wood shavings.

Survival Tip #14: Check your boots for “wigglies” regularly. Wigglies are any insects that could harm you. They can sneak into your boots and other openings in your clothing.

Survival Tip #15: Pee before you sleep so your body isn’t forced to keep that extra liquid warm.

Survival Tip #16: Build your shelter as close as possible to a water source so it takes less effort to get to it.

Survival Tip #17: Try to learn useful skills before a survival situation happens, such as foraging, fishing, and hunting.

Survival Tip #18: Eat something before your sleep. Your body burning fuel will keep you warm at night.

Survival Tip #19: Always be on the lookout for rescuers. Tying torn cloths to tree branches is a great way to alert potential rescuers that you’re in trouble.

Survival Tip #20: Scope out the general area before you commit to building a shelter. It might lack a critical resource that would ruin your chance of survival.

Survival Tip #21: Use your fingers to determine the time until sunset. Hold them between the sun and the horizon and count the fingers that fit between them. One finger is equivalent to one hour.

Survival Tip #22: Use large rocks and twigs to set traps for small animals like squirrels and rabbits.

Survival Tip #23: Eat as much of the animal you catch as possible to prevent malnutrition.

Survival Tip #24: Always have a backpack with some survival essentials in it, things like a knife, multi-tool, compass, flashlight, and waterproof matches.

To learn more survival tips, you can stream every episode of “Survivorman” on his site.

Self Defense Tips For Seniors

Violent crime in America is on the rise and that’s why I’m giving you some simple self defense tips for seniors.

Seniors are less likely to be able to defend themselves against attackers since they aren’t able to perform physically like they could in their youth. This fact encourages criminals to target seniors who they view as easy prey.

That said, seniors still have plenty of ways to defend themselves even against bigger, tougher opponents that’ll do anything to get what they want.

Self Defense Tips For Seniors: Tip #1 – Always Keep Your Keys On You

The first self defense tip is to understand that you’re almost never unarmed. You simply need to redefine what you consider as being a weapon.

For example, your keys aren’t really keys…they’re a deadly weapon that’ll get an attacker to back off in a heartbeat if you use them right.

Simply hold your keys in the palm of your hand and make a fist. Make sure the sharp end of the largest key is poking out between your fingers. You now have a shank that’ll hurt like crazy and is much more effective than your fists.

Keys aren’t the only under the radar weapon you have, though. Think about what else you carry that could be re-purposed for self defense.

Do you have a cane? Even the most hardened thugs don’t want to get cracked over the head with a blunt object.

Are you a woman carrying a purse? Make sure it’s reasonably heavy and you’ll be able to make an impact more powerful than your fists alone could do.

Tip #2 – Learn How to Do the Stomp Kick

There’s an easy self defense technique that anybody who stands on two legs can use to defeat their attacker. It’s called the stomp kick.

Stomp kicks are perfect for seniors because it uses your bodyweight to add force rather than relying on any individual muscles. And don’t worry if you don’t weigh a lot. Even a little bit of weight applied to the right area has devastating effects.

Stomp kicks are super simple and require almost no practice whatsoever.

Here’s the easy 2-step formula to do a stomp kick.

  1. Raise your knee up as high as you can without losing your balance
  2. Stomp your foot down on top of your attackers foot as hard as you can. Make sure your first is perpendicular to your opponent’s foot and get as close to their ankle as you can.

Tip #3 – Best No-Permit Weapons a Senior Can Carry for Self Defense

Here’s a short list of some of the best no-permit weapons for seniors. These weapons can be just as effective as a gun when used correctly.

Knives: Anyone who gets stabbed with a knife is going to lose their motivation to keep attacking you pretty quick. Knives are lightweight, easy to handle, and mega effective.

Rocks: Rocks are primitive, but they’ll get the job done. Keep a small to medium sized rock in your pocket and you’ll be able to either use it as a blunt weapon or throw it from a distance.

Pens: Pens are a totally normal item to carry, but can also be deadly weapons. Take the cap off and use the sharp end as a stabbing weapon.

Here’s a list of 8 non-lethal weapons that you can also use to defend yourself with.

Tip #4 – Why a Gun Might Not Be the Best Choice

You may have thought that a gun would be the absolute best weapon to carry for self defense. And while it’s true a gun can be an effective weapon, there are certain disadvantages that seniors face when carrying them.

For starters, anyone with arthritis or who lacks finger and hand strength will have a really hard time cocking the slide and pulling the trigger…especially when you’re panicking as a hulking thug is lunging at you.

Where would you keep your gun? Do you have the flexibility and speed to pull it out fast enough? Not to mention the kickback that many seniors struggle with.

If you have to carry a gun, make sure it’s one that has a small enough kickback that you can control.

Even if the gun is less powerful, it’ll still be enough to stop most attackers. Most attackers will turn tail and run if they get shot.

Self defense for seniors can be a little trickier than for younger folks, but with a little creative thinking you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe just like when you were younger.

If you want a sure-fire way to defend yourself against an attacker without carrying a gun, check out our tactical pen knife.

It looks just like a regular pen, but is actually a razor sharp knife that’ll make any attacker think twice about messing with you.

Hurricane Checklist: 5 Simple Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane

hurricane checklistA hurricane checklist is something you must have as the damage caused by hurricanes can’t be overstated. Entire communities can be destroyed and people’s ways of life can be disrupted for months before they’re able to return to normal.

Having a hurricane tear through your area forces you to enter a survival scenario whether you’re prepared for it or not.

Hurricanes can’t be avoided, but the damage they cause can be minimized by taking steps to prepare ahead of time. Doing these 5 simple steps in the following hurricane checklist will give you and your family the extra buffer of protection to make it through even the strongest hurricane safely.

Hurricane Checklist – Step 1: Get Alerts Quickly

The first step to being prepared for a hurricane is to have quick access to reliable information. The sooner you receive warnings about a potential hurricane the more time you have to prepare for it.

You should sign up for alerts and notifications from your local community. In addition to TV and radio, there are apps for your phone that will notify you as soon as a potential threat comes up. The National Weather Service also issues hurricane alerts that you should keep an eye on.

There are three terms used in regards to hurricane warnings: Advisory, Watch, and Warning.

A Hurricane advisory means there might be weather conditions will cause significant inconveniences and could be hazardous, but aren’t necessarily deadly.

A Hurricane watch means that a hurricane is possible within 48 hours, but it still isn’t guaranteed to hit yet. It’s best to take be prepared for the worst anyway.

A hurricane warning means a hurricane will hit within the next 36 hours. At this point the threat of a hurricane is guaranteed and you should begin securing your home or evacuating if directed to do so.

Step 2: Understand Your Plan

When dealing with the threat of a hurricane, time is an important resource you can’t afford to waste. Understanding your plan beforehand prevents indecision and allows you to get your family to safety well before the storm hits.

Some hurricanes require evacuation, for others you can go to a community shelter, and for less serious hurricanes you might be able to stay in your home. You should have a clear plan for all three possibilities.

Make sure you know the locations of where you plan on going, and are familiar with multiple routes to get there. It’s not uncommon for some routes to be blocked by traffic or even downed debris, so having backup routes gives you more options for your arsenal.

Go over your emergency plan with your family so everyone is on the same page about what to do when there’s the possibility of a hurricane. Have predetermined meeting places where everyone can meet in case communication is down.

Step 3: Have Your Bug Out Bag Ready

In order to get on the move quickly, you’ll need to already have a bug out bag ready to go when there’s the threat of a hurricane. Without one, you’ll be in a panic trying to pack everything you need…which not only wastes valuable time, but also makes you more likely to forget to pack something important.

Your bug out bag should be packed with only essential items that will help you survive. That means things like clothes, food, water, a multi-tool, and communications. Don’t pack anything unnecessary. Remember, you have limited space so stick to the essentials.

The best places to keep your bug out bag are in your car or in an easy to access place in your home. Don’t pile it under a bunch of stuff or you won’t be able to find it or get to it when you really need it.

Ideally, everyone in your family should have their own bug out bag. This spreads the load out between multiple people and also protects against loss or theft. Even if one person loses their bag or gets it stolen the others in your family will be able to share theirs.

Step 4: Stockpile Supplies at Home

Not all hurricanes require evacuation, and if you plan on staying in your home during a hurricane you should have enough supplies stockpiled in order to make it through the storm.

Remember, you won’t be able to go to the store or get anything you don’t already have, so make sure you have everything you need already. Food and water are always important, so be sure to have plenty of them.

The power will most likely go out during the storm which causes several problems. The food in the fridge will slowly spoil, you won’t have light, and your cell phone’s battery will slowly drain.

As soon as there’s news of a hurricane, turn the fridge to the coldest setting and avoid opening it as much as possible. That will help keep the food fresh for longer than usual.

For light and power for small devices, having a backup power storage device is very handy. It’s like having an extra battery that you only use when you need it.

Step 5: Secure Your Home

If you’ve followed step 1 and had enough advance warning, you should have enough time left to do some basic home fortifications.

The most important things to secure in your home are to fortify the windows, doors, and clearing out any loose items in the yard.

If your windows already have shutters then simply close and lock them. If not, covering your windows and doors with plywood is a good alternative. Plywood is both a cheap and effective solution.

If there are any loose items in your yard like potted plants, toys, signs, or loose branches you should remove them. These items can be picked up and thrown around by the wind, causing massive damage to your house.

You may also want to quickly gather up important documents and store them somewhere safe. Insurance, financial, and medical papers can all be kept in a heavy and waterproof container to prevent the massive inconvenience that comes with replacing them.

Remember, there will always be damage when hurricanes come through. It’s simply unavoidable.

But with the right steps taken beforehand the damage can be minimized to a manageable level and you can return to your normal way of life much sooner than those who weren’t prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

What You Really Need to Do to Survive A Terror Attack

survive a terror attackIt seems like each day brings with it reports of a new terror attack somewhere on the planet.

Even worse is the fact that it’s becoming more and more obvious that government authorities haven’t got a clue on how to protect citizens from these vicious attacks.

As is often the case, the responsibility is on each of us to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Of course, few people are properly trained in the best way to respond to an attack, which is why I’ve put together this article with information on how to escape from a terrorist attack alive.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula that can keep anyone 100% safe during any emergency. But here are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of survival if caught in a deadly attack.

What You Really Need to Do to Survive a Terror Attack

The video below it a good summary of the steps for surviving an active shooter or terrorist attack.

Identify the Danger

Your main goal (at least initially) should be to escape, but to do so you need to have some understanding of where the threat is coming from.

That way, you can avoid leading yourself and others into further harm.

Try to identify where the threat is. See if they’re moving and in what direction.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to spend more than a few seconds on this as time is of the essence.

Also, avoid simply following the crowd as there are many cases of panicked groups running directly towards danger.

If all else fails, commit to taking some kind of action and don’t freeze up.

Find the Exits

Once you’ve located the immediate danger, you need to find the nearest avenue to escape away from it.

Keep an eye out for exits and try to reach it while staying behind cover if possible.

It may be that your situation doesn’t allow you to completely evacuate the premises, but you can find an area to lockdown and hide in.

Even in that case, you still need to stay alert and look for chances to escape if and when an opportunity becomes available.

Arm Yourself

Escape is your priority, but along the way look out for what Marines call weapons of opportunity.

These are any tools that you can use to defend yourself in case you come into direct contact with a terrorist.

For example, during a school shooting, students can use textbooks as weapons to fight attackers.

Now, a book may not be a match for a gun, but using whatever weapons are at your disposal is a much better tactic than simply submitting.

And keep in mind that there is strength in numbers as well. One book may not accomplish much, but a group of people swarming an attacker en masse could prove effective.

Understanding ALICE

ALICE is an acronym that’s used to train civilians on how to handle terror attacks and active shooters.

It stands for:

Alert – Tell the people around you and the authorities about the attack.

Lockdown – Hide in a location that makes it hard for terrorists to get to you.

Inform – Stay on top of the situation as much as possible and try to keep the police informed as well.

Counter – When presented with no other option, confront the attacker.

Evacuate – Escape the situation whenever you can do so safely.

Note that this is not meant to be a list of step-by-step instructions. The response that makes the most sense will depend on the nature of the attack and the location of the terrorist(s).

Staying Positive

This may sound like strange advice, but it’s important to remember what ISIS and other terrorist groups are really after when they launch these attacks.

These perpetrators want to use violence to create fear so that they can further their ideological goals.

They want people to panic and give up hope, and you need to do the opposite.

And this isn’t just my advice.

Staying positive is one of the guiding principles taught to Marines as part of the military’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Schools.

A positive attitude and a belief that you and your family will be okay will put your instincts to work towards maintaining your survival.

This will help you maintain a level of calmness that will help you make smarter decisions in a crisis.

The good news is that you are already on the right track for keeping your wits about you during an emergency.

Gaining knowledge from resources like this blog will give you confidence. This confidence can empower you during an emergency and prevent succumbing to feelings of helplessness.

Terror groups want you to be a victim for their cause. By standing up, staying positive, and fighting back when necessary, you can deprive them of this sinister glory.

Note: The TDI Shoelace Knife is the perfect weapon to make sure you’re never completely unarmed.

This isn’t a survival knife in the typical sense. You don’t want to use this blade to chop wood or anything like that.

What this weapon is meant for is to be a last-ditch knife. Basically, one final weapon to have up your sleeve (or tucked in your boots as the case may be) to deliver a devastating blow to a nearby assailant.

Or help you cut your way out of restraints.

It’s small and lightweight but wickedly sharp.

Check it out here or by clicking the image above.

6 Surprising Threats to Avoid After a Flood

after a floodWe all know the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes, but what should you do after a flood?

When a flash flood hits, your top priority should be getting to a safe spot ASAP.  Once the immediate danger has passed, you’ll need to assess any damage and move forward with recovery.

But few people know that the aftermath of a flood can be just as dangerous as the actual event. Surviving a flood is only part of the battle. Learn how you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property after a flood.

6 Surprising Threats to Avoid After a Flood

Floods are more common (and more dangerous) than you might think.

All 50 U.S. states have experienced floods or flash floods in the past 5 years, and flooding is actually the number 1 natural disaster in the country.

All it takes is a few inches of water to cause thousands of dollars in property damage, and a car can easily be carried away by as little as two feet of rushing water.

And the danger doesn’t go away after the flood waters recede. Below are six surprising threats that you’ll need to keep an eye out for after a flood.

LifeStraw Mission Water Purifier All-Purpose First Aid Kit Water Preserver Concentrate

 

1 – Scam Artists

To some, a natural disaster is just another opportunity to scam innocent people in need of help.

After a flood, large pieces of debris like trees or even cars can be swept away by floodwaters and wind up smack dab in the middle of your yard. Removing this debris requires additional manpower along with special equipment.

One popular scam involves offering clean up services but demanding payment upfront. The contractor gets paid, but the work is never done. Worse still, the general chaos caused by a flood can make it difficult or even impossible to track these frauds down for a refund.

Scammers will even go so far as to post fake rental properties online in order to target people whose homes have become uninhabitable. Like in the previous scam, the trick involves getting people to send money in advance and giving them nothing in return.

The key to avoiding scammers is to stay skeptical and keep your wits about you. If an offer seems suspicious, trust your gut and avoid any deals that appear too good to be true.

If someone wants to do business with you, make sure that person is actually a member of your community and that you have some way to hold them accountable if things go bad.

2 – Looting and Vandalism

If a flood threatens your town, there may be calls for residents to evacuate their homes ahead of time.

And these empty houses make a tempting target for looters and vandals.

In addition to cash and jewelry, thieves will also be on the lookout for firearms to steal. Stolen firearms pose a substantial threat to public safety as they are often used to commit violent crimes.

This threat is so serious that sometimes it’s the police themselves who break into evacuated homes and confiscate legally-owned guns.

In 2013, Jane and Donald White were forced to evacuate their flood-stricken home in Alberta. When they returned, they discovered that someone broke in after they left.

“The door was completely destroyed. The bolt from the door was sitting halfway up the stairs on a landing. There was a large amount of mud brought into my home, taken up the stairway on my new carpet.”

Shockingly, it wasn’t a thief who broke in. During the floods, the local police had broken down the White’s door and confiscated eleven registered weapons from their gun safe.

3 – Mold and Mildew

Areas in a home that have been exposed to floodwater should also be inspected for mold and mildew.

Mold and mildew in your home can cause serious problems to your health including everything from headaches to severe lung infections. Black mold, in particular, is so toxic that its presence can cause a home to be condemned.

A 5-to-1 mix of water and bleach should be enough to kill any mold or mildew you discover in your house, but to be completely safe you should have your home inspected by a qualified technician.

4 – Bacteria and Disease

Uncontrollable floodwaters can come into contact with a number of harmful contaminants including oil, gasoline, and raw sewage.

This means you need to be especially careful when interacting with floodwater and anything it touches including your personal belongings.

It also means that you could end up getting sick or an infection if you have to get into the water to save someone.

If possibly, always try to wear protective gloves and boots after a flood.

And if you’re currently storing water in your home, make sure it’s in a safe container like the ultra-durable WaterBrick.

5 – Stray Animals

Flooding can drive domesticated pets from their homes and destroy the habitats of wild animals. As a result, all of these creatures will seek shelter elsewhere.

If an animal decides to turn your house into its home, it can spell big trouble for you and your loved ones. Even if they aren’t vicious, these animals could still carry a number of diseases.

Typically, smaller animals like snakes will try and move in, but flood victims have even had to contend with tigers walking the streets.

6 – Contaminated Gardens

Dirty floodwater can also settle into the soil and contaminate your survival garden. Even worse, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether your crops are still safe to eat after a flood.

One rule of thumb is that any produce that gets damaged or has cracks in it should be discarded outright.

Another helpful guideline comes from the National Organic Program’s instructions for harvesting food from soil that was fertilized with non-composted manure.

Composting is a process that kills bacteria in manure, and using non-composted manure can lead to some of the same health hazards as floodwater.

The NOP recommends that there should be a 90-day period between planting and harvesting produce grown in soil fertilized with non-composted manure.

If the plant itself has come into contact with non-composted manure, there should be a 120-day period between exposure and harvest.

Unfortunately, this means that if your food was exposed to floodwater right around the time it was ready to harvest, it’s best to throw it out. Of course, in a SHTF scenario where food is scarce, you also have the option of peeling and cooking the food to kill off bacteria.

Note: One way to protect your survival garden from the elements is to grow it inside. Learn about hydroponic techniques to create an indoor garden by reading this blog.