Preppng: 5 Key Things City Dwellers Should Do To Survive An Apocalypse

So far, 2017 has been full of all kinds of natural disasters.  But in the event of one of these apocalyptic events happening in your area, are you prepared? If not, have no fear; because the experts have come up with five key things a city dweller can do to survive an apocalyptic disaster.

According to one expert, a lot of the driving force behind large-scale evacuations is mass hysteria and fear. When in reality, most natural disasters don’t actually require an immediate evacuation because they can be predicted. One example of this is hurricanes, and to some extent, tornados. Weather-related events are much easier for scientists to predict in advance than geological events, like volcano eruptions and earthquakes.

But, in the case of those sudden apocalyptic events that are difficult to predict or give advanced warnings for, there are five key things experts suggest city dwellers take into account to survive impending doom. John Renne, the Director of the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University, told The Week that while people don’t necessarily need to evacuate during disasters, they should be prepared for one.

The first recommendation of Renne’s will have those who created bug-out-bags a little confused.  Renne suggests that city dwellers plan to stay in their homes, actually, rather than attempt to flee. This is simply because there are not many reasons why an entire city would need to flee and for some types of disasters, such as chemical attacks, it’s safer to stay indoors rather than to leave.

However, Renne’s second recommendation is to be prepared to leave quickly.  This would be where a bug-out-bag would be useful. It’s better to have it an never need it, than to need it an not have it.  Renne suggests listening to reports on the radio or television for alerts and checking social media for evacuation plans just in case your area is affected.

The third suggestion is more common sense.  You should have the right supplies on hand.  Keep extra batteries and flashlights, as well as food and water stored so you can survive the days ahead. You should have enough water and non-perishable food for three days. Your emergency kit should also contain a solar charger for your phone, so you can stay up-to-date, and a first aid kit.  If cellular service goes down, a hand-crank generator radio would also come in handy to help you receive emergency alerts. You should also keep some cash and simply toiletries like toilet paper.

Renne’s fourth suggestion is to be aware of your surroundings.  Know how to shut off your gas, water, and electric, which could be necessary depending on the emergency. You should also plan a safe escape route in the event that you will have to leave quickly.

The fifth and final suggestion is to stay calm and remain positive.  Having a positive attitude and calm demeanor will allow you to think more clearly and better prepare yourself for the bad news. It could also prevent you from losing your cool and making a mistake that could cost you dearly.

Sales To "Common Sense Preppers" Soar Amid Nukes, Quakes, Floods, & Storms

With North Korea threatening to detonate a nuclear weapon over the Pacific Ocean as its leader and President Donald Trump casually bandy about threats of thermonuclear annihilation, people in the US and Japan are understandably starting to worry.

After all, US intelligence agencies revealed during the summer that they believe the North will soon possess a nuclear warhead-tipped ballistic missile capable of striking most of the continental US. In fact, chances are good that, with a little luck, the North already has missiles in its arsenal that could probably strike a large area of the western US.

But, aside from nuclear threats looming in North Korea and Iran, the worst hurricane season in the Atlantic in more than a decade, and the continuing rumblings underneath the Yellowstone caldera, which could signal a potentially humanity-extinguishing eruption, it’s understandable that Americans and Japanese are increasingly worrying about their safety, and have begun purchasing more “doomsday preparation” gear to help assuage those fears.

Now, Reuters is reporting that survivalists across the US are clearing store shelves to stock bunkers in anticipation of Earth’s final chapter. A few survivalists who spoke with Reuters said that North Korea’s threats, and the images of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma, have inspired them to stock up.

“It’s been a very busy six or seven weeks here - sales tripled practically overnight,” said Keith Bansemer, vice president for marketing for Idaho-based My Patriot Supply, an online store catering to preppper needs.

“It all started when North Korea shot the missile that was capable of reaching the U.S. Then the hurricanes and two Mexican earthquakes increased sales from California and Cascadia in the Northwest,” he said, referring to the corner of the country where many survivalists have settled because of its relative isolation.

One guy on the west coast said he’s worried about a catastrophic earthquake. He has piled enough survival supplies in a closet that could last he, his wife and their dogs for a month, if necessary.

David Yellin, a self-described prepper who lives in California’s San Diego County, said his main concern was the long-expected “big earthquake” along the West Coast.

The 31-year-old police officer has piled enough survival supplies in a closet of the apartment he shares with his fiance and their two dogs to allow them to hunker down for a month.

“I‘m more of what I consider a common sense prepper,” Yellin said. “Because at the end of the day, we are responsible for our own safety.”

Both he and his wife have “bug out bags” prepared should disaster strike.

If disaster forces the couple to flee, each has a “bug-out bag” stuffed with three days of food, water, first aid and water purification supplies, fire-starting materials, a tent and sleeping bag, change of clothes and important documents.

One purveyor of survivalist gear said sales on items like gas masks have spiked over the last two months, a period which notably featured the US’s escalating war of words with North Korea and the catastrophic hurricanes.

At Ready To Go Survival, founder and chief executive Roman Zrazhevskiy said gas masks were quickly moving off the shelves and overall sales “are up like 700 percent over the last two months.”

A prepper himself, he said his greatest fear was a U.S. economic collapse as a result of the country’s unsustainable debt.

“Once people go hungry, they are going to get to the streets and look for food,” said Zrazhevskiy, 31, who grew up in New York City’s borough of Brooklyn and now lives in Texas.

Customers were snapping up $500 CBRN suits to withstand chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attack and $200 gas masks in sizes that fit children as young as 5.

Another prepper who has spent thousands of dollars on gear said he fears political and economic collapses as much or more than North Korea.

“Gas masks? I’ve got tons of those,” said prepper Jerry McMullin, 62, a retired risk assessment analyst whose bunker-like home in Yellow Jacket, Colorado, was built to withstand nuclear attack, biological warfare and a range of natural cataclysms.

Although North Korea is one of his biggest concerns, McMullin is also worried about political instability in Washington leading to riots and mayhem in the cities, he said.

“I‘m not a paranoid guy. I just want to be in a position that when it does go to Hell, I‘m in a good location to get whatever I need,” said McMullin, who has his own water filtration system and burns his own trash in his solar-powered home.

In addition to the obvious threats, many continue to believe in “doomsday" hoaxes like 7/7/2007 and end of the Mayan calendar on Dec. 21, 2012.

Now, some Christians are touting a Bible prophecy that marks September 23, 2017 as the beginning of a seven-year period of catastrophic events that will bring humanity to its knees.

David Meade, a Christian numerologist and author, has said that, based on the Book of Revelations, a constellation would appear over Jerusalem on Saturday that would start the seven years of mayhem.

But McMullin said his own respect for Bible prophesy assures him that disaster is not around the corner.

“As far as getting wiped out this weekend, I‘m not too worried about that,” McMullin said.

“Maybe it’s a timeline marker and things are going to start getting really ramped up. We are not about to go through mass destruction and fatality. I think people are a little more stable - except for Kim,” he said, referring to North Korea’s President Kim Jong Un.

After spending thousands on gear, some preppers told Reuters that the flooding in Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico have left them feeling vindicated.

We imagine that feeling will persist as economic and political tensions, coupled with the impending economic disenfranchisement of much of America’s working and middle classes, continue to simmer, while the US’s leaders continue to risk an unparalleled disaster by trading threats with unstable North Korea.
 

Compact & Lightweight Guns Every Bug-Out Bag Needs

Image source: Kel-Tec

The size and content of a bug-out bag or survival kit varies based on the needs and location of the person, but there are some items that always should be included. Among these: firearms that can be used for either hunting or self-defense.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of weapons that you should consider picking up for your bug-out bag. If you are looking into getting a firearm or two for this purpose, these criteria will help you pick the right one:

1. Size. The firearm(s) should fit inside the bag, if possible. This can be a challenge when looking at rifles and shotguns, so find one that can collapse or break down into smaller components for easy storage.

2. Weight. You may be carrying your bug-out bag for an extended period of time, so you’ll want any firearms in it to be as light as possible. You also will need to carry ammunition, cleaning supplies, and accessories for it, as well, which adds even more weight to your pack.

3. Cost. Unlike any other guns you may own, the firearms you get for your bug-out bag should stay in it unless you are shooting or cleaning them. If you can afford to spend a bit extra on a higher-quality firearm, do it; however, you can easily find a firearm for this purpose without breaking the bank. Your firearm just needs to be reliable. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Handguns

A pistol or revolver is a critical tool to have in your bug-out bag. Ideally, it should be one that shoots centerfire ammunition suitable for self-defense, such as 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. In addition to your pistol, your bug-out bag also should contain ammunition, spare magazines, a holster and a magazine pouch. Check out our “best pistols under $300” article for some low-cost suggestions.

Break-Action Shotguns

Break-action shotguns are simple to operate, have few moving parts, and are very easy to maintain. They also can be disassembled for storage without using tools. When buying a break-action shotgun for your bag, try to find one with a defense-length (18-inch) barrel.

The Self-Defense Weapon That Doesn’t Require A Firearms License!

If you can’t find one with that barrel length in your budget, you always ban buy one with a longer hunting barrel and have a gunsmith cut it down to defense length. Certain companies are also making inserts for break-action shotguns that allow you to fire other types of ammunition types through it. This is a great addition to any bug-out bag, and not something that you can get for a pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun.

Pump-Action Shotguns

If the thought of having to reload after every one or two shots makes you cringe, then a pump-action shotgun is an excellent alternative to the break-action for your bug-out bag. You can easily find one with a defense-length barrel, and aftermarket parts can be found at relatively low price online. These tend to be a bit larger than a break-action when disassembled, so it would be a good idea to buy an aftermarket folding stock or pistol grip for it.

Pistol-Caliber Carbines

While pistol-caliber carbines may not be the best option for hunting larger game, they definitely will handle small game, and work admirably in a defensive role. Some have the added benefit of accepting pistol magazines, which makes them an excellent companion for a pistol in your bug-out bag. Some models, such as the KelTec Sub2000, can be folded and placed in your bag, while others like the TNW ASR or JR Carbine are designed to be easily disassembled for compact storage.

Depending on your state’s restrictions, you may be able to purchase a “pistol” version of a pistol-caliber carbine, which has a short barrel and no buttstock. Some examples include the Chiappa PAK-9, ATI MilSport, or Angstadt Arms UDP-9. These types of weapons are great for close-quarters defensive scenarios, and their smaller size allows them to fit easily in your bug-out bag.

Semiautomatic Rifles

For both hunting and defensive situations, a semiautomatic rifle chambered in .223 Remington, 7.62x39mm NATO, or .308 Winchester is a great tool to have in your bug-out bag. Unfortunately, most of the AR- and AK-variant rifles in this category are not easy to fit in a backpack. One alternative, the KelTec SU16, is a survival rifle that lets you use high-capacity AR magazines, and folds into a compact 25-inch package.

Another option is to purchase an entry-level AR-15 and install a “takedown” kit, which allows you to quickly remove the barrel for storage. These can be purchased from a number of manufacturers, including Vision Defense, DRD Tactical and Cry Havoc. AR-platform takedown rifles like the Ruger SR556 are another option, although they are a bit more expensive. You also might consider a side- or under-folding AK-platform, which are reasonably compact (roughly 28 inches folded).

Other Rifle Configurations

There are a number of single-shot and lever-action rifles in various calibers that can be disassembled and stored easily. There are many to choose from, including the Rossi W, the Browning BLR-81, the CVA Scout, the Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter, and the Chiappa 1892. If you want a combination rifle and shotgun, the Chiappa X-Caliber is an-over-under shotgun/rifle combination in 12- or 20-gauge and .22 LR or .22 WMR. Other rimfire options include the Henry Arms AR-7 and the Ruger 10-22 Takedown.

What are your favorite firearms for bug-out bags or survival kits? Tell us in the section below:

Comms Go Bags (Comms B.O.B. – Bug Out Bag)

COMMS UP! Basic and Advanced Comms Go Bags

John Jacob Schmidt, September 2, 2015

This is a great Basic Comms Go Bag, and one which we’ve sold at events and workshops we’ve attended.  We’re not selling them here at this time but posted links at the bottom of the video.

Mrs. Schmidt’s ‘Basic’ Comms Go Bag (Comms B.O.B. – Bug Out Bag)

More information at AmRRON

COMMS UP! John Jacob’s Comms Go Bag (Basic to Advanced)

Since the Intro to Prepper Comms workshop that I conducted at Marble’s God & Country Celebration 2015, many of you have asked for some type of visual aid to show what I was talking about during the presentation (it was audio only).

In the videos below, I go through pretty much everything I carry in my ‘Advanced’ Comms Go Bag, from the handheld transceivers, MTR (Mountain Topper HF QRP radio), scanner, batteries, solar panel, antennas, digital communications tablet, many of the other accessories and provided a links below.

More videos are on the way discussing each of the specific, individual components that I carry with me, as well as many of the peripheral gear, such as antennas, Anderson Connectors, etc.

John Jacob’s Personal Comms Go Bag

More information at AmRRON

If you believe in the mission of Oath Keepers, to defend the Constitution against all enemies,  foreign and domestic, please consider making a donation to support our work.   You can donate HERE.

5 Gadgets Tested In Real Survival Situations: “What To Carry, And What To Pass Over”

Do you have everything you need?

If you had to put back a handful of items from your bug out bag to make room other essentials, which would you choose to carry no matter what, and which would you put back as extra weight?

When compact and lightweight travel matters the most, you might consider a more serious class of multi-tools. With the prepper market exploding, and millions of people wondering what will happen if the economy crashes, or another Great Depression falls upon the troubled land of America, some serious thought has gone into what to carry, and what to pass over.

When the time comes to count on yourself, and little else, you want some well-thought out items that can cover all your needs – both those you considered in advance, as well as all the situations you didn’t see coming.

So, what should you carry? That’s up to you.

But these items speak for themselves. In this YouTube, the people at Zip HD purport to test each clever utility tool, addressing the gimmicks inherent in many similar items. If this video is persuasive at all, these are the next generation, evolved from a mere novelty categorization. Most of these items are made of rugged and reliable materials, an a variety of functions could be used over-and-over – improving upon past devices that would become too flimsy or tangled to put back into their proper place, or to count upon when they are needed most.

More and more, the multi-tool 13-in-1-style functions could actually be useful if needed in a true survival situation, and these preppers detail to pros-and-cons of items you might consider for your bug out bag.

You can find the products via the Zip HD page.

No two preppers will agree on the merits and drawbacks of everything you may need, or simply find useful. Simply acquiring everything, and as many items as possible, may not be beneficial either, and could quickly drain your wallet. Find items that can actually serve your needs, and that would match the surrounding environment you will be dealing with.

Of course, tools alone can’t guarantee how you’ll make it out of a dire situation.

Survival is about a mindset, a well-thought out and instinctively grounded individual who calculates ahead, minimizes risk, meshes with the environment and uses resources wisely.

You’ll need to improvise, make do and get by. It’s worth putting some thought into, because you never know what’s ahead.

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