ISSUE 16

PREPARATION
SURVIVAL
MOBILITY
DEFENSE
MEDICAL
GEAR

Our Survival Experts Weigh

in On Preps and Myths

WATERPROOF
FLASHLIGHTS

HOODED JACKETS
AND SWEATERS

BUYERS GUIDE:
PORTABLE CHARGERS
OFFGRIDWEB.COM

SURVIVAL EXPERTS
EVERYDAY CARRY

How To Applying
Applying Enhance
E nhance A P
Primer
rimer
Survive A U.S. Army Your On
Nuclear Concepts Climbing Blowguns
Winter For Strength
ISSUE 16

Survival
MORE BITE!
INTRODUCING THE DD5
[ 7.62 x 51mm ]

When we set out to create a .308/7.62mm rifle fit to wear the Daniel Defense name, we cleared the drawing board and created an entirely new
evolution of the AR-10 platform. Packed full of innovative features that enhance comfort, durability and performance while still possessing the
legendary handling and quality of our DDM4 carbines.

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INNOVATIVE 4-BOLT CONNECTION SYSTEM CONFIGURABLE MODULAR CHARGING HANDLE

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OPTIMIZED BOLT CARRIER GROUP DESIGN DANIEL DEFENSE OVERMOLDED FURNITURE

Visit DanielDefense.com for more
information, and see the new DD5
at your local Daniel Defense dealer.
CONTENTS ISSUE 16

FEATURES

28 Nuclear Winter
Can You Survive After the Nukes
Stop?

36 Dirty Bombs
Spreading More Panic Than 28 36
Radiation
42 52

42 Take Charge
Nine Portable Power Banks to
Keep Your Electronics Up and
Running Beyond the Grid

52 Preppers Pocket Dump

Our Survival Experts Share What
Their Everyday-Carry Gear Is and
Why

60 Walk the Talk

Learn the Language of Tracking
to Be a Better Survivalist. Its a
Lot More Than Just Following
Footprints

68 Not Just a Hood Ornament

Some Hoodies Do More Than
Keep Your Torso Warm and Your
Dome Dry

80 Simply Smashing!
SHTF Self-Defense: A Primer on
Effective Knees

88 Plan of Action
Applying the U.S. Armys Concept
of METT-TC to Survive Any 60 68
Situation 80 94

94 Blowguns
The Silent, Smoothbore Killers
That Started it All

Product Disclaimer
Prices and details for products and
services featured in RECOIL OFFGRID
are set by the manufacturers, retailers,
and agencies, and are subject to change
without notice.
 DEPARTMENTS

6 Editors Letter
SHTF Fortuneteller?

10 Gear Up
The Latest and Greatest Products

14 HighLights
Waterproof Flashlights

18 What If?
A Dirty Bomb Goes Off in Your City

102 Hands On
The Zubin Axe Has an Identity Crisis
One That We Like Very Much

106 Health
Enhance Your Climbing Strength

112 On the Grid

Stay in the Know at OFFGRIDweb.com

114 411
Acute Radiation Syndrome

Throughout this issue you will see

certain images are labeled as being
100% Actual Size. This designation is
for the print edition of this issue. Because of the
various screen sizes on different tablets and
computers, we cannot always provide actual
life size images in digital versions. We apologize
if this causes any confusion and thank you for
your understanding.

18

Cover Photos: Gene Coo,

IakovKalinin , Nathan Maxfield, Leonardo Patrizi/
istockphoto.com
00
006
006
06SS
IISS
S
IS UE 116
SUE 6
EDITORSLETTER

R
ecently, Ive been accused of being everything
from a powerful oracle who can portend
impending disasters to a malicious puppet-
master whose wicked machinations can influ-
ence world events. Of course, those accusa-
tions were jokes references by friends about how the covers
of our past three issues have coincided with real-world events.
Issue 13s Sudden Surge theme came out just a few days
before Texas was hit with massive flooding. Then our image of
civil unrest on the front of Issue 14 resonated a few weeks after
its release, when Turkey experienced a failed military coup in
By Patrick Vuong
which hundreds died and more than 2,000 were injured. And
our last edition, Issue 15 which featured tropical storm prep
on the cover hit newsstands right before Hurricane Hermine
pummeled the East Coast.
Theres no hocus pocus happening at our headquarters. No
crisis crystal ball or Machiavellian manipulations. Theres just a
secret you already know: Some catastrophes arent just fore-
seeable, theyre expected. Mother Nature runs on cycles and,
while it doesnt make her any easier to deal with, that allows us
to plan in advance.
Its the manmade calamities that are far more unpredict-
able. And there are few more frightening than those involving
radiological threats.
So, in this, our 16th issue, weve tapped some of Americas
top scientific minds to explain the differences between an
atomic bomb and the kind of dirty bomb that we fear terrorists
might build. Plus, we dive into whether its even possible to
prep for a nuclear winter (spoiler alert: it is). On a more upbeat
note, this issue also features a panel of subject-matter experts
from diverse survival backgrounds who share their everyday-
carry gear and explain how it helps them stay prepared for the
unexpected. Two martial arts masters Dr. Conrad Bui and
Michael Janich from TVs The Best Defense enlighten us on
the effectiveness of knees and blowguns, respectively.
Speaking of enlightenment, if theres one thing we learned
reading your comments from our reader survey (www.
offgridweb.com/survival/reader-survey/), its that
theres a tremendous demand to learn more about the great-
est and latest gear. Naturally, we have buyers guides and
product reviews that contain the kind of honesty and in-depth
coverage you rarely find in our competitors publications.
I predict youll really enjoy this issue. But all sarcasm aside,
Im hoping and praying our cover image never plays out in real
life. And if, heaven forbid, it does happen, well all be ready for it.

Maytals, ozgurdonmaz/istockphoto.com
 Editorial. Advertising.
Editor/ Patrick Vuong General Manager/ Mark Han
Managing Editor/ Laura Peltakian Associate General Manager/ Danny Chang
Feature Editor/ Rob Curtis Network Manager/ John Schwartze
Contributing Editor/ Steven Kuo Advertising Operations Manager/ Christy Tryon
Web Editor/ Patrick McCarthy Advertising Operations Coordinator/ Monica Hernandez
Photography Studio Manager/ Jorge Nuez
Contributors/ Martin Anders, Conrad Bui, Jim Cobb,
Michael Garcia, Ryne Gioviano, Candice Horner, National Sales Offices.
Hakim Isler, Michael Janich, Jordan Lance,
New York Office/ 212.915.4000
Tim MacWelch, David Merrill, Ryan Lee Price,
261 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Mike Seeklander Los Angeles Office/ 310.531.9900
831 S. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
Facebook Irvine Office/ 949.705.3100
1821 East Dyer Road, Ste. #150, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Art Direction & Design. Detroit Office/ 248.594.5999
4327 Delemere Court, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Creative Director/ Alan Alpanian Chicago Office/ 310.531.9896
Group Art Director/ Ti Tong Tampa Office/ 813.675.3479
Senior Art Director/ Gene Coo
To advertise on this magazines website, or any of TEN: The
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Enthusiast Networks other enthusiast sites, please contact
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Ultimate
TK15
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query first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage and we assume
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 6 ELASTIC MAG
COMPARTMENTS
DEVELOPED BY ELITE OPERATORS FOR
INSTANT ACCESS TO ESSENTIALS

RIPSTOP TECHNOLOGY
BREATHABLE RIPSTOP WITH TEFLON
SHIELD SHEDS THE ELEMENTS

ARTICULATED KNEES
FOR NATURAL RANGE OF MOTION

In 1990, a Navy SEAL was navigating a mineeld when his pack failed. As his
gear tumbled to the ground, he vowed that if he got out of there alive he would
make gear the right way. That vow is at the core of our strategically designed
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See the new line at BLACKHAWK.com 2016

THE ALL-NEW BLACKHAWK! PURSUIT PANTS

010
ISSUE 16
GEARUP
MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL
1 Thermarest
2 Zuca
3 Miller Electric
4 Arcade Belt Company
Honcho Poncho All-Terrain Multimatic 215 Company Utility Belt
DIMENSION CAPACITY CAPACITY COLORS
58 by 79 inches 3,055 cubic inches Up to 38 mild steel Black, brown, green, gray
MSRP MSRP MSRP MSRP
$130 $275 $1,449 ($1,809 with TIG kit) $30
URL URL URL URL
www.cascadedesigns.com zuca.com www.millerwelds.com www.arcadebelts.com
NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES
Weve had the Honcho Poncho less Little-known fact: Just behind the When the banks shut down and Born from a search for the best
than a week, and we can tell it's towel (the most massively useful the latte sippers wake up to alpine skiing belt, Arcades goal is
going to be a SHTF fave thanks to thing an interstellar hitchhiker realize they arent as useful as a to make belts that dont bind or
its versatility. Its a superinsulated can have) everyone needs a guy who can build a trailer out restrict for active pursuits. Grab-
poncho liner with an insulated chair. What better way to ensure of scrap metal and found parts, bing the companys new Utility
hand-warmer pocket and hood youve a place to rest than mak- youll be glad you can weld. Mill- Belt, we thought it was just your
cinch that helps seal things up ing a seat with off-road wheels ers Multimatic 215 is one machine average nylon garment support
when the poncho is used as a that helps you cart your stuff that can stick, MIG, and TIG weld system. But, when we gave it a
blanket. This 1.75-pound honcho around? The Zuca All-Terrain is an all from a 120V or 240V outlet. tug, a rm tug, it barely gave.
feels as warm as a mild-weather aluminum-framed cart with the The machine takes up less room Pretty slick. This is no rubber
sleeping bag and extends just chops to act as a mobile aid sta- than a pair of basketballs and band, its more like an industrial
to the top of the knees on our tion, toolbox, range bag, and just features an auto setup system tensioning device disguised as a
5-foot, 9-inch test model (and we about anything else that requires that takes all the wizardry out fashion accessory. Theres enough
use the term model very loosely the admin carriage of heavy stuff. of welding. Tell it what consum- rigidity to keep your trousers
around here). This will see practi- Accessory saddle bags and stack- ables youre using along with the securely in place during dynamic
cal use as a sideline blanket for ing utility pouches with clear tops thickness of the metal, and youre movement without causing gastric
football games while it lives in the help organize your gear. ready to meld metal. The screen discomfort, no matter how
truck for emergency use. Initially The wheels and axle come off shows you how to set up the large your lunch was. We think
released in bright blue and yellow, in a snap for stowage. Though it hoses and calculates everything the Utility Belt can handle a
itll be available in olive drab green weighs 13.5 pounds, it does come else, giving you a click and weld xed-blade sheath, but something
(shown) and dark purple soon. inn pl
plenty
t of colors.
l experience
xperience Vulcan himself
him
mself would heavier (such as a full-size pistol
approve.
pprove. Base model comes
c ready in an outside-the-waistband holhol-
for
or stick and MIG; the TIG add-on ster)) will bounce and fold the belt.
kit
it is a few hundred bbucks extra.

2 4

3
 MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL
5 Princeton Tec
6 Strike Force
7 Klymit
8 Pivot Point Inc.
Helix Backcountry Energy Drink Hammock V Lockless Monster
LUMENS SIZE R VALUE LENGTH
150 16.9 ounces 1.3 9 or 16 feet
MSRP MSRP MSRP MSRP
$35 $10 per 10 pack $140 $14-18
URL URL URL URL
www.princetontec.com www.strikeforceenergy.com www.klymit.com www.lockless-monster.com
NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES
We were fans of Princeton Tecs A few Strike Force packets in your Hammocks have the fast, light, The Lockless Monster is a security
Helix Basecamp lantern when pocket is like an insurance policy and comfy thing down tight. But, device that secures anything it
it came out last year and our against fatigue. Dump the vaguely warm is another story. Shoving can loop through to a door or
enthusiasm hasnt diminished. The berry-tasting super-concentrated a rectangular mattress in our window. The reinforced ball end
only thing we didnt like about liquid into 16 ounces of water, and Hennesy Hammock when the slips through the loop-end of the
the original was its size. The Helix youve got a sugar-free energy hit temps dip is one solution, but cable to form a girth hitch. Once
Backcountry cuts the bulk of the without even needing to stir it up. well sometimes wake up pressed the ball end is closed in a locked
original in half, putting out 150 The tough little foil packets stand into a vertical wall of foam. Klymit door, thieves will have to open
lumens using three AAA batteries ready to provide the caffeine, addressed the square peg/round the door or cut the cable to make
for eight hours at max brightness taurine, potassium, and B vitamins hole problem with a 1.6-pound off with your goods. We know
(
(white LED).) Itll run for 24 hours g you through
you need to get g a inatable ppad shaaped to t the this isnt a high-security solution,
on its lowest white light g bright-
g g movement or a long,
tough g lonely banana shape p of a hammock. but itll likely keep opportunistic
ness setting, g and offers a longg watch.
atc . The Hammock V hhas grip zones types from snatching a gas can
burningg red LED when you want to to keepp the ppad frrom riding up or bike from your truck bed. We
p
be discreet. We like the simplicity as yyou roll aroundd. It also looks like that theres no keyy to lose or
g touch-sensitive slider
of the single like a friendly alieeen. Squint.
q You'll combo to remember. Dead simple. p
used to access all a functions
u ct o s oof see it.t.
the lamp.p We also like the way the
compressable,
p glow-in-the-dark
g
topp pops
p p off, turningg the base into
a spotlight.
p g Subdued colors are on 8
the way,
y too..

6
012
ISSUE 16
GEARUP
MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL MAKE & MODEL
9 Columbia River Knife
10
CamelBak
11
Dr. Burkenstocks
12
Bertucci
& Tool All Clear That Itch Stuff Roll-On A-2T Original Classics
Trencher CAPACITY SIZE Lithium
25 ounces 2 uid ounces
LENGTH WATER RESISTANCE
27.19 inches MSRP MSRP 100 meters
$99 $8.50
MSRP MSRP
$100 URL URL $200
shop.camelbak.com www.drburkenstocks.com
URL URL
www.crkt.com NOTES NOTES www.bertucciwatches.com
NOTES CamelBaks All Clear combines a Mother Nature can be a bitch. NOTES
At roughly 3 pounds and more BPA-free water bottle with a UV And were not even talking about Aside from helping you count-
than 2 feet in length, this is purier in the cap, which reduces natural disasters of biblical down to the next episode of The
clearly not an everyday-carry bacteria by 99.9999 percent, proportions. Outdoor adventurers Walking Dead, a watch has several
item. But its the kind of multitool viruses by 99.99 percent, and know all too well that she can survival uses from giving you
you might want to pack in your protozoan cysts by 99.9 percent. bite back in the smallest ways, an idea of remaining sunlight to
RV or bug-out vehicle, or take (And yes, those extra 9s after the with things like poison oak and helping you navigate if youre
on your next camping trip. The decimal point do matter a helluva re ants. That Itch Stuff Lotion lost (see our Winter 2014 issue).
Trencher from CRKT subtly up- lot [see our water lter and puri- from Dr. Burkenstocks is available A Bertucci timepiece could help
dates the classic entrenching tool er buyers guide in Issue 15 for in a convenient roll-on bottle, so in dire times. The Model #12723
design with an ergonomic handle more]). Plus, its stupid-simple to you can apply itch relief without shown here from Bertuccis A-2T
and a heavy-duty, three-position use and takes just 60 seconds having to get your hands messy. Original Classics lineup looks
shovel head made of 1050 carbon for a full cycle. One catch: Since The good doctors formula works deceptively simple and old-school,
steel. Theres a reinforced tip in its a purier and not a lter, the against itching and inammation but is meant for performance. It
case you run into some rocks All Clear is meant only for clear caused by insect bites, poison ivy, features a solid titanium case,
while digging, a saw for dealing water (i.e. from taps, streams, poison oak, and poison sumac. scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
with branches and the like, and a spigots, etc.). Still, having a built- The itch relief also comes in a glass, and a durable mil-spec web-
beveled edge ge to chop wood (albeit in purier in your water bottle 2-ounce bottle
b with a ip-top cap bing strap. Water resistant, this
its no replaacement for an axe). means one less thingg to deal with for $7.49 or 10 individual wipes wristwatch has an analog face
The spade sstays in pplace with a when
h youre in theth eld.ld (moist tow
welette style) for $5.79. thats easy to read and luminous
threaded cyylinder lock and can All made
ade in the USA. hands and markers that glow in
be stowed in the included nylon the dark
dark. Plus,
Plus the setting knob is
sheath. offset at 4 oclock so it won't jjab
the back of yyour hand. The lithium
10 batteryy lasts for 10 yyears..

11

9 12
 SAY GOOD-BYE TO
BLIND CORNERS
NEW SIDE SHOOTER (SS) OPTIC

AVAILABLE IN SPOT, FLOOD,

& DRIVING BEAM PATTERNS

D-SS
Say Good-Bye to blind corners wit RIGIDs new D-SS, Dually Side
Shooter LED pod. Perfect for any application that requires a wide
spread beam, including A-Pillars, Fog Lights, and motorcycle
applications. The D-SS pod incorporates the same powerful optics
and legendary LED technology as RIGIDs popular D-Series lights
but with the added benet of additional LEDs aimed to the side for
a much broader beam. The D-SS xtures boast up to 120-degrees
of horizontal lighting coverage when used in pairs or when used in
the single light applications.

D-SERIES D-SS FOR MORE INFO VISIT

VS.
FLOOD FLOOD RIGIDINDUSTRIES.COM/DSS
014
ISSUE 16
HIGHLIGHTS
Waterproof Flashlights

E
Story and Photos by Patrick McCarthy

lectronic circuit ever, are held to a much higher

boards are one standard of waterproofosity.
of the greatest These lights must continue to op-
inventions of the erate normally while completely
20th century. immersed in water.
These micro- Read on for our thoughts on
scopic networks of conductive seven of the latest waterproof
pathways transmit millions of flashlights, and find out which
energy pulses in the blink of an can keep shining brightly come
eye. However, theres one com- hell or high water.
mon substance that can bring
this brilliant electronic ballet to a
grinding halt: water.
Even a single drop of moisture
has the power to corrode and
short out components, leading
to malfunctions or total failure. If
youve ever spilled coffee on your
laptop or dropped your smart-
phone in the porcelain throne,
you know firsthand the vulner-
ability of these devices.
Flashlights are at a higher risk
than other electronics, as theyre
frequently used in circumstances
where moisture is present. As a
result, many flashlights are rated
as water-resistant, meaning they
can withstand splashes and spills.
Truly waterproof flashlights, how-

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www.olightworld.com
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1,000 8
18
8 hrs.. 3.5 hrs.
h 14 hrs.
140 hr 8 hrs.
hr
5.4
5
5..4
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5.5 i 5.5
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5 .5
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Turbo
Turbo,
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h, me
medium,
edium,, low,
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low
ow, str
strobe
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ashing
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1-m
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$135
$1
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$72
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23
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www.streamlight.com
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mlight
li ht.com
h m www.pelican.com
w.peli
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com w
www.fenixlight.com
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016
ISSUE 16
HIGHLIGHTS

LED Lenser F1 Foursevens Quark Smart QS2L-X Olight R50 Seeker Streamlight ProTac HL

The F1 is the little brother to the F1R To say the Quark Smart is high-tech The R50 Seeker packs a serious This light produces 750 lumens and
we tested back in Issue 10, and it runs would be an understatement. This 2,500-lumen punch. Thats more than runs on two CR123 batteries. Dont
on a single CR123 instead of the F1Rs cutting-edge light can pair wirelessly double the output of its predecessor, confuse it with the ProTac HL USB,
larger 18650 battery. The F1 offers to the Foursevens iOS app, so you can the R40, and far more than the other which we reviewed in Issue 7. Despite
strong 400-lumen output and ts in congure modes, check battery level, lights we tested. The body diameter the similar name, its a substantially
the palm of your hand, so its great for monitor LED temperature, and even re- and texture make it easy to hold, and different design. This ProTac HL
everyday carry (EDC). It also includes motely locate and control the light from the power switch placement feels is simple and effective, with three
an optional pocket clip and glass- your iPhone. Were told an Android ver- natural. The included 26650 lithium modes, a rugged and grippy exterior,
breaking bezel. However, itll burn sion is coming soon, but even without battery is rechargeable via USB, but and Streamlights signature Ten-Tap
through its single battery in 3.5 hours using the app, the QS2L-X offers eight in a survival situation youd probably tail switch. The $135 price tag might
at full brightness. Its also roughly total modes and a wide 950-lumen to be hard-pressed to nd a spare. The raise some eyebrows, but we found
the same price as other models of 1-lumen brightness range. The iPhone light rolls easily on at surfaces, and it for nearly half that price at several
comparable quality, but offers fewer pairing is a cool bonus, but this light is a it lacks a belt clip or holster. Still, its a retailers. The ProTac HL is a very
features. strong contender on its own. lot of power in a pocket-sized light. respectable choice.

Pros: Pros: Pros: Pros:

Compact Incredible value, given the iPhone Blinding 2,500-lumen output Solid and purposeful design
Lightweight pairing features Great ergonomics Has the features it needs and none
Intuitive to use Loads of features it doesnt

Cons: Cons: Cons: Cons:

Surprisingly short run time on full No Android app at press time Tends to roll on at surfaces Waterproof rating slightly weaker
mode Battery level readout in app Uncommon battery type than other lights we tested
We expected more bang for the buck. uctuates Youll have to nd a bargain online.

Pelican Nemo 1960 LED Fenix PD35 Tactical Secur SP-1002

The Nemo 1960 really shines underwater, if youll The PD35 TAC features sturdy construction, strong This is a rechargeable ashlight, but not in the
forgive the pun. It offers a photo-luminescent waterproong, and an intense 1,000-lumen out- sense you might expect. Rather than charging via
(glow-in-the-dark) shroud with twist-on operation, put. It toggles between two settings: tactical and USB, it offers both a hand-crank dynamo and an
as well as a corrosion- and temperature-resistant outdoor. The tactical setting uses only the tail-cap integrated solar panel to recharge. One minute of
ABS resin body. It may only produce 34 lumens and switch for power and three-way mode selection. cranking will produce approximately 80 minutes
lack additional modes, but it can endure a depth of The side switch does nothing in tactical mode, which of light, and one hour of direct sun will produce
100 meters where most other lights would surely seems like a waste, though presumably its setup about 120 minutes of light. However, the 8-lumen
fail. This unquestionably purpose-built design is this way to minimize inadvertent activation. Outdoor max is rather dim, and the beam pattern is uneven.
great for diving, but less so for daily use. setting provides access to more functions, with the On the other hand, its rated to an impressive
tail cap serving as an on/off toggle, and the side but- water immersion depth of 13.7 meters (45 feet).
ton switching between six modes. This light is quite Its certainly better as a backup light than as an
good across the board. everyday-carry tool.

Pros: Pros: Pros:

Extreme waterproong Powerful light output Dynamo and solar panel ensure it stays charged.
Featherweight Disorienting turbo strobe Strong waterproong
Slim prole

Cons: Cons: Cons:

Designed specically for diving, but not very Side switch functionality is limited. Maximuim output of only 8 lumens
impressive on dry land Batteries not included Uneven beam pattern
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018
ISSUE 16 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
WHAT IF? The Scenario
SITUATION TYPE
Terrorist attack

YOUR CREW
You (mid 20s) and your 3-month-old baby
A Dirty Bomb Goes Off In Your City
LOCATION
Baltimore, Maryland
Story By Tim MacWelch | Illustrations by Jordan Lance
SEASON

F
Autumn (October)

ive seconds. Only five seconds had WEATHER

passed. But it felt like five hours as Cloudy, 63 degrees F, with slight wind
your mind slowly processed what
had happened. The booming sound The Setup: Youre an electrician in your mid 20s. Recently sepa-
outside of your home, the rattling of rated from her deadbeat mom, you now have sole custody of your
the old single-pane windows, the screaming you infant, Ashley. With your babysitter (your mom) on vacation, you also
heard on the street all of it let you know that take a two-week vacation to spend some quality time with Ashley in
something horrible had struck. your townhouse in the Federal Hill neighborhood. In the shadow of
You were just a kid when the Sept. 11 attacks our nations capital, Baltimore can be a rough city you consider the
happened, but it had a major impact on your child- government dysfunctional, the infrastructure in disrepair, and the crime
hood. Maybe today it was happening again. rate impressively high; but its home.
Terrorism is the new Cold War. Many of us today Just as you introduce Ashley to the glory of televised Ravens football,
worry when the next big ISIS or ISIS-inspired attack you hear a distant boom followed by some rumbling. Then the texts,
will occur and in what form it will take. Some of us tweets, and posts start flooding your smartphone. Something about a
are so concerned that weve taken measures to be building collapse. Next, the commentators stop their pregame show to
prepared for it. But what happens when its time to report there was some sort of explosion at Johns Hopkins University.
leap from theoretical plans to a state of action? In A big one. Eventually, the networks breaking news alert interrupts the
this edition of What If?, we pose the question: What game: A massive explosion has vaporized the campus entire School of
if a dirty bomb explodes in your hometown? Education building on Charles Street and destroyed much of the sur-
This would invariably create a cascade of rounding residential and business buildings. Terrorist attack? Unless its
unpredictable events. To explore as many possible the biggest gas leak accident ever, most likely.
outcomes and viewpoints, RECOIL OFFGRID asked The Complication: As news reports grow scarier by the minute,
three different survival writers whether they would you realize you cant go numb. After putting Ashley down to sleep, you
hunker down or hit the road. For this installment, start gathering your supplies and gear. Thats when you see the TV and
we have Candice Horner, a U.S. Marine Corps online updates: ISIS has claimed responsibility for the explosion, saying it
veteran, registered nurse, and competitive shooter was a truck bomb laced with radioactive material. They say they struck
with experience in federal law enforcement. Next at the heart of a blasphemous education system that teaches Ameri-
is Mike Seeklander, a former law enforcement cans how to hate Islam. The phrase dirty bomb echoes in your head,
officer whos also a Marine Corps combat veteran, stopped only by another ISIS threat: There will be more.
firearms instructor, and a martial artist. The New Plan: You dont know if therell be another attack thats
And for contestant number three, our editor closer, but you know that the university is only 5 miles away. And if that
asked me to craft a story as well. Ive been teaching attack really was a dirty bomb, exposure to radioactive debris could
people how to survive almost everything for the spell bad news and youre not willing to do nothing with Ashley in
past 20 years, and Ive written New York Times- your care. So, do you use your preps, supplies, and survival skills to
bestselling survival manuals. shelter in place and fortify your townhouse? Or do you grab your baby,
And now its time to find out just how prepared climb into your work truck, and hope to get as much distance between
ISSUE 16

we really are. you and any possible fallout or follow-up attack?

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FORMER U.S. MARINE: Candice Horners Approach

I
n an instant, the city went into a synchronized in case local punks took advantage of the situation to loot
panic. Screams of terror seemed to come from homes and businesses.
all directions. Word had quickly spread that ISIS On the way back down, I grabbed the air purifier so
was responsible for the bombing. I didnt need to the basement wouldnt get stuffy while we waited out this
look outside to know the city was in chaos. nightmare. The most terrifying aspect of the whole situa-
I love Baltimore, but unfortunately Ive seen first- tion was not knowing what to do, or how long we would
hand how quickly a crowd can turn into a violent mob. be in danger. I had the news on TV, the radio on, and the
Because the news reporters were providing conflicting Baltimore Police Department scanner broadcasting via
statements, I had to believe no one actually knew the my laptop. Although I loathe social media, Twitter provided
full story. With limited information, but enough to know it the most up-to-date information from eyewitnesses. The
was dangerous outside, I decided we were staying put. hashtag #baltimorebomb was in full effect.
I quickly scanned the Internet to get a Cliffs Notes ver- I needed to learn more, but part of me didnt want to
sion of how to survive a dirty bomb attack. Most of what I delve deeper only to find my man cave could quickly turn
found advised staying inside if we were already sheltered into our coffin. I had to mentally compartmentalize the
in a safe place at the time of the attack. I wasnt sure if we turn of events so that I could be productive and, if nothing
were upwind or not, but I figured I could look into that else, attempt to prepare for our doom. I looked up the
once I had a clear plan for our staycation. current wind direction report online. The wind was drifting
I double-checked to make sure we had enough food, slowly northeast. This meant the dust from the first bomb
water, baby formula, diapers, and wipes to tide us over wouldnt come near us, but the fallout from Fort McHenry
for a few days. After scooping up Ashley and her Pack n could hit us.
Play, we headed down to the basement, which doubles Because the windows of my house were drafty, I was
as my man cave. concerned theyd let radiologic dust in and possibly slip
My man cave has many comforts, but a bathroom is into the basement via the door. I taped up and covered
not one of them. A 5-gallon bucket with a lid became the basement door in the same fashion as the windows.
my makeshift throne. The small windows in the base- My mother sent me a frantic email that shed been trying
ment were old and could potentially leave and allow the to call. Everyone must have been calling their loved ones
infiltration of radiologic dust, so I sealed them with duct in Baltimore, because I couldnt call her back. Thankfully,
tape. My paranoia took me a step further by cutting my the Internet was working, and I was able to give email and
shower curtain liner slightly larger than each window and Facebook updates to everyone who wanted to make sure
completely covering the frame and again sealing it with sweet Ashley and I hadnt perished. Being connected while
duct tape. Even though the heat wasnt running, I shut off bugging in was reassuring and it ever-so-slightly softened
the air system and taped the air vents in the basement. If the hard edge of doom surrounding us.
there was dirty bomb dust outside, it was going to have It had only been three hours since the first bomb, and the
one hell of a time getting into my safe haven. future possibilities were slowly setting into my mind. Id do
Ashley was sound asleep by the time I finished taping the anything to go back to yesterday, as mediocre as it was. The
air vents. The sight of her peaceful slumber had a calming day prior to the bombings was normal; I came home from
effect on me. I sat down, closed my eyes, and focused on work and had the usual discontent toward my job, but loved
the feeling of clean air rushing into my nose and then slowly the life I could live thanks to it. The sounds of cars driving
exhaling out of my mouth. In that moment, all I thought down my street and kids laughing on the stoop next door
about was the blessing of those breaths. were now replaced with rumbles of a city in distress.
Then, dj vu erupted, but from a different direction. ISIS Hopelessness set in, my heart sank, and I closed my eyes.
meant what they said, and initial news reports said they an- I guess stress had gotten to me so much that I passed out
nihilated Fort McHenry with another dirty bomb. Not only from mental exhaustion. I was startled awake by high-
were we now sandwiched between two dirty bombs, but pitched screams coming from the street.
these bastards also destroyed the birthplace of our national I peeled back the shower liner from the window and
anthem. Fearing things were getting worse by the second, saw my elderly neighbor, Ms. Thompson, kneeling on the
I ran upstairs to get my shotgun and extra 00 buck just sidewalk cursing the sky. She looked angered, but equally
 WHAT
IF?

terrified. I knew she lived alone. I assessed the situation for outside, I followed my own directions and took a shower
what seemed like an eternity. I felt like I should help her, but in the master bath, albeit without a shower curtain, before With
I didnt want to put Ashley or myself at risk. returning to the basement. limited
Ashley started crying. Luckily she wasnt old enough to By nightfall, Ms. Thompson was very sick. She had information,
comprehend what was going on she was just hungry. continuous bouts of vomiting; she was drenched in sweat
But I had to go help Ms. Thompson; she was going to and became lethargic. The next morning I was able to get a
but enough
scare herself to death. Peeling back the barrier on the call through to 911, and they said someone would be there to know
door upstairs felt like a knife to my gut. I got over myself as soon as possible. As soon as possible is a relative term, it was
and pushed forward with my rescue mission. As soon as and they were able to take her to the hospital the following
Ms. Thompson saw me, the look on her face affirmed my night. Once she was in capable hands, I was able to make
dangerous
decision to help. She was relieved. Once we got inside, I the most out of my basement retreat with Ashley. outside, I
instructed her to take a shower in the extra bathroom to Disaster relief workers took us to a safe area five days decided
wash off any possible radioactive material, and to put her later. But, we still werent out of the weeds since the ef-
we were
clothes in a plastic bag. I gave her a set of Ravens sweats fects of the fallout could take weeks to show. Baltimore
staying put.
ISSUE 16

and told her Id meet her in the basement. Since I had gone would never be the same.

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Mike Seeklanders Approach

ISSUE 16

FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:

I
remembered my parents reaction when the Twin list. I know, it didnt really sound like such a cool survival
Towers fell in New York City, the horror on their lesson. But the way it worked with my old man was that if
faces. As a 10-year-old at the time, I had no idea you forgot something, you lived a night without it. Forgot
the emotions they felt until today. Now father of your bug spray? Live with ticks. Forgot your fire-building kit?
a beautiful girl, I truly understood what it meant to Sleep cold.
have kin possibly face harm or even death. My gut told me A packing list was a great tool for gathering the right
that the explosion was only the beginning, and, if ISIS re- items quickly, but also something you could tweak
peated the pattern that Osama Bin Laden planned 15 years depending on your trip. Because I would be jumping into
ago, there were certainly other targets. my work truck a 2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior 4x4
Move! I heard my fathers voice in my head. A former outfitted with the tools of my trade I had plenty of room
U.S. Marine (there are no ex-Marines, just Marines), he to pack the essentials.
would always say action trumps intent every single time. I My goal wasnt to grab my baby and live off the land
had to act, and speed was of the essence. for an extended period of time, but rather get clear of the
Baltimore was both beautiful and sinister, and I knew crime-ridden areas with the potential to succeed in any
from experience that when things went bad, the bad environment that I ended up in. My destination was one
people came out. My lovely city had one of the highest that I lucked upon several years ago while on a project. A
crime rates around, and if food, water, and power started longtime customer, a rich dentist named Richard, hired me
to dry up, all hell would break loose. Not to mention there to do a complete wire job of his familys old cabin that he
was a dangerous cloud of potentially radioactive dust inherited. It was on secluded acreage near Chambersburg,
headed in who knows what direction. And there was no Pennsylvania. If I helped keep the place up and do any
hope in waiting for the government to step in. I figured electrical work he needed, I had a key and free access.
they would be suffering from HUA (head up ass) disease The cabin was about 100 miles northwest of Baltimore
for at least several days before reacting properly. Nope. well outside of any potential radioactive dust cloud and
Time to bug out. far north of other potential targets, such as Annapolis and
Washington, D.C., but not so far that I couldnt reach it by
truck with my spare fuel cans.
My goal wasnt to grab my I opted for my full camping kit plus a few creature
comforts for Ashley. This included a small tent, air mattress,
baby and live off the land for sleeping bag, fire-starting kit, solar charger, and my drop

an extended period of time, box of small supplies ranging from silverware to a coffee
pot. While I had plenty of comfort items at the lodge, I had
but rather get clear of the many miles to cover to get there and had no idea what I
might encounter.
crime-ridden areas with the Next, I stowed my Smith & Wesson M&P 9C and two

potential to succeed in any spare magazines into a Vertx sling bag then placed my
Marlin 336BL lever-action rifle and a .30-30 Winchester
environment that I ended with an 18-inch barrel in a secured compartment in the
truck bed. After double-checking my list, I headed out. Total
up in. packing time: about 25 minutes, getting me out ahead of
the mass of panicked fans leaving the football stadium.
And thanks to being raised by a Marine, I knew what to Luckily, my job required a lot of driving, so I knew how
do. When I was a kid, wed often head out with minimal to navigate through my Federal Hill neighborhood without
gear and tell my mother that wed be back the next hitting the major thoroughfares. My goal was to avoid
morning. While these outings were only a mile or so into the Interstate 95 and 83 altogether and instead use surface
wooded area behind our house, each excursion taught me streets to eventually get to Maryland Route 26, which would
something new. The one constant? Always make a packing take me northwest to my destination.
 WHAT
IF?

All was going well until the 26 neared the Interstate

695. I could see the line of traffic ahead of me. I wasnt
sure if the jam was caused by panicked drivers or it might
actually be a roadblock set up by law enforcement.
Based on the radio reports, there were at least two
more explosions, and now at least two cells of terrorists
were playing hide and seek with local and state police.
Several gun battles had erupted, and the city was
placing all residents on a lockdown, warning them to
stay inside their homes. And while I appreciated what the
police were trying to do, there was no way I was getting
trapped inside the Baltimore metro area covered with a
cloud of potentially radioactive material and relying on
the government to save me.
As traffic inched forward, I was able to switch lanes
and get out from behind a semi-truck. I could see police
lights in the distance; no doubt a road block. Sitting like
a frog stuck in mud was not an option. I decided to do
something about it.
One thing I had learned from years of camping and off-
roading was that there was almost always a way around
an obstacle, especially on the East Coast with hundreds
of years of old trails and small winding roads. I drove up
onto the curb, cutting into the parking lot of a restaurant
to double back. I found a set of residential streets that
paralleled the roadblock and knew that if I could navigate
another half mile west I could probably jump back on a
main road and be good to go. A few backtracks later I
finally found a decent route and made it back to the 26.
After an intense first hour trying to bug out from the
Baltimore area and a smooth 90 minutes after that, we
finally rolled up to the Chambersburg property. Exhausted,
I took Ashley out of her car seat and put her in a baby
carrier on my chest. As I was about to grab the baby
bug-out bag I had packed, a silhouette stepped out from
behind a bush. Instinctively, I grabbed the M&P handgun
from my sling bag and kept it in the low ready position as
I turned.
I breathed a huge sigh of relief to find it was Richard, the
dentist and cabin owner.
Thank God you made it, he said, stepping forward like
he just saw a ghost. He was at the cabin with his family for
a weekend trip and had heard the news about the attacks.
I discreetly put the gun away, opened the truck door, and
gave him an embrace. I had never been so happy to see a
ISSUE 16

dentist before.

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ISSUE 16 D

SURVIVAL EXPERT: Tim MacWelchs Approach

L
eave or stay? The debate raged in my a busy university. All those people, dead or dying. I felt as
mind. Every instinct urged me to flee, but if Id throw up, but I knew I had to control my emotions.
I knew how bad traffic was in Baltimore at The wind wasnt blowing the dust in my direction at
rush hour. And a panicked exodus out of that time, but that could change with a moments notice.
the city would be worse than any rush hour I had to seal up my daughters room, but I didnt have the
imaginable. The friendly flat screen TV that was about to duct tape and plastic sheeting recommended for shelter-
show my favorite football team was spewing forth infor- in-place situations. I did have plenty of electrical tape in
mation that I just didnt want to hear. ISIS was threatening my work truck. I quickly ran out to the vehicle, astonished
more attacks in my area, and the emergency broadcast by all the people in the street. They were watching the
system was instructing people to shelter in place. smoke cloud rise into the sky and drift to the south. You
I didnt want my little girl to breathe radioactive dust. should all stay inside! I yelled to a few of my neigh-
I just wanted to get out of town. But I knew the traf- bors. They looked at me questioningly, as if they didnt
fic could turn into gridlock in a heartbeat and just one understand what I said. But I didnt have time to stop and
automobile accident could leave thousands of people explain the situation.
trapped in their cars with no shelter from the tainted I unlocked the truck, grabbed a cardboard box of black
air. Despite the fact that every fiber of my body wanted electrical tape, and headed back inside. I had 15 tape rolls,
to put my sleeping baby in my work truck and drive and I wasnt afraid to use them. I locked the front door
away, I knew I had to stay put. It was the only logical and taped the door cracks behind me. Then, I headed to
choice, and after several minutes, I finally came to grips Ashleys room and taped the cracks around the window
with it. sashes. I taped the electrical outlets and light switch, as
well as the HVAC duct in the floor.
Pulling out my phone After doing all that, I went over everything again with
more tape, making wider seals. I hurried to the kitchen,
and searching for weather and filling up a grocery bag with clean bottles, nipples,

maps with wind direction and pacifiers. Then, grabbing a can of formula and a jug
of distilled water, I stashed all these things in my babys
and speed, I found a room. Finally, I grabbed my get-out-of-Dodge bag and
all the drinks from the fridge and headed to the babys
weather webpage from a room. I looked at the weather on my phone again, hop-

local news station. ing that the wind hadnt shifted my way thankfully
it hadnt. I cracked open a beer as quietly as I could to
But how could I make sure the air in our poorly avoid waking Ashley and took a long swig of the cold
insulated townhouse was safe to breathe? I didnt have brew. But just as I started to feel like I had everything
duct tape and tarps to keep the dust from creeping in, under control, all hell broke loose.
and I wasnt even sure which way the wind was blowing A second explosion rocked the city of Baltimore, much
that day. Did I have time to seal off all the windows in one closer to my home this time. The old windows in the
room, or would the wind blow all of the dust out over the babys room rattled and one of the panes cracked.
water and away from our home? I just didnt know. Ashley awoke from her nap, screaming. This was the
I had to find out if we were in harms way. Pulling out ISIS threat made real. And much closer to home. I rushed
my phone and searching for weather maps with wind to tape the crack in the window pane and check all of the
direction and speed, I found a weather webpage from tape strips for a good seal.
a local news station. Thank God, I thought the wind Through the one window of my childs room, I saw
wasnt blowing from the university toward my house. But a hazy smoke begin to pass by the window. The dread
it was blowing between my home and the school. built as I realized that I was smelling smoke. This meant
Then the situation finally hit me. The bombing site was that the outside air was still getting in. Id worked in these
 WHAT
IF?

houses for years as an electrician,

and I knew just how shoddy the
construction was, but now these
half-assed homes were a real threat.
I checked all the tape again with my
right hand, holding and bouncing
the baby in the crook of my left
arm to calm her. I could still smell
the smoke and dust, but all the tape
was tight. How was I going to keep
the dirty air out? I stressed. If only I
had a way to pressurize the room.
Then it hit me my uncles
carpentry tools! When the housing
bubble burst on the East Coast, a
lot of small construction companies
went out of business. My uncle was
among them, and he asked me to
store a few of his power tools, in-
cluding an air compressor. I pulled
open the bedroom door, break-
ing the tape seal, and ran to the
basement. The air seemed musty,
but much cleaner down there, and
I plugged in the compressor unit.
The loud motor kicked on and
soon the large tank was full of air.
Rushing back upstairs, I re-taped
the door and put a small nick in the
hose with the tip of my pocketknife.
The air hissed out very slowly, and
as I held my daughter, I aimed the
leaking air toward our faces. After
a few minutes of this, the smoke
smell didnt seem so noticeable.
This might be working, baby I said
to my little one. Maybe the air pres-
sure in the room was higher than
that outside the room, and it would
keep the dust and smoke at bay.
The air had cleared outside of
the window, and it seemed that
an autumn breeze had picked up.
Maybe we might just make it, I
ISS
SS
S

thought. Maybe.
SUE
U 16

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IF?
ISSUE 16

About Our Panel:

Candice Horner
Candice Horner has the heart of a prepper, but the
traveling schedule of a gypsy. Ever resourceful, this
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and emergency room/
prison nurse has a honed and refined skillset, focusing
on adaptability and utilizing the tools on-hand. As a
competitive shooter, Horner is often on the road, so shes
usually rolling with a go-bag, a survivalist mentality,
and enough firepower to have your back in a SHTF
scenario. www.candi323.com

Mike Seeklander
Mike Seeklander is the owner of Shooting-
Performance LLC, a full-service training company
Conclusion and co-hosts The Best Defense, the Outdoor Channels
Theres nothing that isnt alarming leading firearm instructional TV show. In addition
about a dirty bomb, but it isnt quite as to being a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, a
dangerous as it sounds. Of course, any- former law enforcement officer, and a competitive
one in the blast radius of any bomb is at shooting champion, hes an accomplished martial-
great risk for traumatic injury or death, arts instructor and holds multiple ranks. Learn more
but what terrorists would be banking on about him at: www.shooting-performance.com.
with a dirty bomb is a greater panic due
to the inclusion of a scary substance,
namely something radioactive.
Sure, radiation is bad and enough Tim MacWelch
of it can kill you, but a dirty bomb is Tim MacWelch has been a survival instructor for
hardly a nuclear warhead. Avoid the the past 20 years and has trained people from all
dust, stay indoors, let the prevailing walks of life from U.S. Armed Forces personnel
winds disperse the dust and smoke, to members of the Department of Justice and the
and above all dont panic. Its likely State Department. Hes a frequent public speaker
that youd get more radiation in a and the author of several best-selling survival books,
dentists office than in a city thats been including the new Ultimate Winter Survival Handbook.
dirty bombed, and when we panic, Follow him on Twitter @timmacwelch or visit www.
the bad guys get the exact reaction advancedsurvivaltraining.com.
that they want. (For more, see Dirty
Bombs on page 36.)

How would you react to the same scenario? Share your plan with us on www.facebook.com/OFFGRIDmag
028 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 16

Can You Survive After the Nukes Stop?

Story by Ryan Lee Price

I
f youre reading this, you must have survived. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1968 and the
Soon youll realize that those who didnt survive Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996 curbed
were the lucky ones, obliterated in an instant some countries from developing nukes, but spurred
flash of light or shattered to bits by a tremen- others India, Pakistan, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and
dous shockwave rippling outward from the Israel to pursue nuclear programs. Stockpiles of nuclear
epicenter of a thermonuclear detonation.. weapons, which today are at an all-time low, hit a high-
Who knows what the rest of the country looks like, water mark during the Cold War with 70,000 warheads
and youll have no way of finding out. and a variety of delivery systems.
OK, so the above situation is more hypothetical than According to data from the New START Treaty of 2015,
historical. But with current events making people won- together the USA and Russia currently deploy 3,179 strate-
der if weve regressed to the 1960s, we take a look at gic warheads on 1,300 bombers and missiles far more
that time periods worst fear: nuclear winter. Is it possible than is needed to completely annihilate the globe.
to survive after a nuclear war? What would your world Dr. Ira Helfand, chair of the security committee and co-
look like if you did? And what sort of preps can you president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, writes: If
make now? only 300 warheads in the Russian arsenal got through to
What better way to be prepared for the future than to targets in American cities, 75 million to 100 million people
research the past. After all, George Santayana warned would be killed in the first 30 minutes.
us that, Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it. Cloudy With a Chance of Radiation
In 1983, a group of scientists wrote that an all-out nuclear
The Atomic Age war would easily doom humankind, and in doing so they
The Atomic Age began with a bang in 1945. Although coined the phrase nuclear winter. What would follow,
the United States hoped to have a monopoly on its they suggested, would be a winter so severe that the living
newest technological terror, stolen secrets spread might well envy the dead. Beneath the sun-blocking dome
around the globe. The USA tested its first nuclear bomb of dust, surface temperatures would plummet, conceivably
in July 1945, and the Soviets followed with its own tests by as much as 60 degrees F. Plant and animal life would
four years later. The U.K., France, and China joined the die, and crops would wither. With only a 10-percent drop in
Atomic Age by the early 1960s. worldwide crops, famine would spread across the globe.

RomoloTavani/istockphoto.com
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black carbon absorbs heat from the sun and can lead
to much more atmospheric warming. Black carbon par-
ticles are smaller than sulfate particles and can be lofted
much higher by solar heating, where their influence on
climate can last up to a decade.

Can You Survive This?

Well, the short answer is probably not. If in a full-
scale nuclear war between superpowers youre located
anywhere near a largely populated city or a military
installation of any kind, youre at ground zero. The blasts
will probably kill you.
Use of a One of these false beliefs is that nuclear war would
fraction (only Alan Robock, a professor at Rutgers University and be such a terrible catastrophe that it is an unthink-
1 percent or the countrys foremost authority on the aftermath of able impossibility, says Cresson H. Kearny, who wrote
50 Hiroshima- a nuclear confrontation, says, There are now nine Nuclear War Survival Skills. If these were true, there
size bombs) nuclear-weapons states. Use of a fraction (only 1 percent would be no logical reason to worry about nuclear war
or 50 Hiroshima-size bombs) of the global nuclear or to make preparations to survive a nuclear attack.
of the global arsenal by anyone still presents the largest potential However, the long answer is that anything is surviv-
nuclear environmental danger to the planet by humans. able if youre very prepared but most of the world is
arsenal by Theres no need to detonate 50 warheads to under- not prepared.
anyone still stand what happens when millions of tons of dust are Dr. Helfand explains: The entire economic infrastruc-
presents hurtled into the atmosphere. One must merely look ture, on which we depend to sustain our population, would
to history, specifically at the 1815 volcanic eruption of be destroyed. The transportation system, the communica-
the largest
Mount Tambora in Indonesia. tions network, the public health and banking systems, the
potential Lord Byron wrote in his 1816 poem, Darkness, about food distribution network all would be gone.
environmental an icy earth and the sun being extinguished based Provided you survived the initial attack, there are
danger to on his observations while on the other side of the globe other dangers to follow (before the advent of nuclear
the planet by in Switzerland. Thomas Robbins, a reverend in Ohio, winter). Radiation from fallout (if its a surface blast) will
wrote in his diary about the year without a summer, return to the earth within a few days unless its carried
humans.
remarking on June 9, 1816: The cold and wind still con- aloft by winds in the upper atmosphere. This not only
tinue. The last three days have been extraordinary. It is leads to nuclear winter, but also contributes to radiated
said that there was snow at the northward last Thurs- fallout to be spread farther away.
Professor Alan Robock, day. On August 22, there was frost on the ground. The area just outside the blast and shockwave radii is
Rutgers University
Imagine this on a scale 100 times larger, due to the in danger of fires and building collapses. Fires will spread
black soot particles thrown into the atmosphere from a rapidly due to broken gas lines, damaged structures, etc.
nuclear event. Not a danger, but certainly a hindrance to your gear,
Dr. Luke Oman, a physical scientist at Atmospheric is the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can be emitted
Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory at NASA, explains, during a nuclear detonation. This EMP could potentially
Whereas sulfate particles from a volcano might warm damage sensitive electrical equipment for hundreds of
the air of the upper atmosphere by a couple degrees, miles around the blast.
 FALLOUT BOY
MEETS WORLD

Plan for Disaster

One would want to plan for such a terrible situation
for the same reason one would plan for any disaster:
to survive. Therefore, the strategy is no different
plan ahead.
In 1983, Carl Sagan and his peers predicted the con-
ditions you may face: For many simulated exchanges
Exploding
of several thousand megatons, in which dust and
smoke are generated and encircle the Earth within Nuclear Myths
1
one to two weeks, average light levels can be reduced
to a few percent of ambient, and land temperatures The fallout would stay around for years and kill everyone.
can reach -15 to -25 degrees C. According to their False: The danger of radioactive fallout lessens with time. Ac-
estimations, there will be a 75-percent drop in rainfall cording to FEMA, the 7:10 Rule of Thumb states that for every
worldwide and a 90-percent drop in visibility in the seven-fold increase in time after detonation, there is a 10-fold
highly affected areas. decrease in the exposure rate. For example, two hours after detona-
Today, scientists continue to debate the level of tion, the exposure rate would be 400 Roentgen/hour. After 14 hours,
severity predicted by Sagans initial theory some the exposure rate would be 1/10 as much, or 40 Roentgen/hour. For
say this nuclear winter would be more like a nuclear more on radiation sickness, see Invisible Death on page 114.

2
autumn. However, most researchers agree that even a
small-scale nuclear exchange would eventually have a All of the food in a fallout area would be poisoned and
dramatic affect on the global climate. inedible.
Keep on hand appropriate winter clothing and Mostly False: Food and water in dust-tight containers will
emergency sources of heat, such as gas-fueled heaters be completely free of radiation particles. Peeling fruits and
and stoves with a surplus of firewood. Wear clothing in vegetables and removing the top several inches of stored grain will
layers; consider materials like wool that not only wick eliminate most of the radiated material. Tiny doses may still prevail.

3
away sweat, but still insulate when wet.
Winterize your home or shelter with the best meth- Most unborn children would be genetically damaged from
ods possible. Upgrade the insulation factor in your attic parents exposed to radiation.
and basement, while making sure your windows and False: Published in 1977, A Thirty Year Study of the Survivors
doors seal properly. Keep in your cache of gear a few of Hiroshima and Nagasaki concluded that incidences of ge-
cans of insulation foam/sealant in case drafts are dis- netic abnormalities were no higher among children born from exposed
covered. Not only will this keep out the cold, but it could parents as they were among children born from unexposed parents.

4
also keep out any extra radiation (though your house
isnt a good barrier from radiation to begin with). A full-scale nuclear war would completely destroy mankind.
And though it might be perpetually cloudy, youd False: Though many military facilities are within cities and
still want to lather on sunscreen. The ozone would surrounded by populations, much of the world is populat-
be effected, greatly increasing levels of ultraviolet ed by people who have no military value whatsoever and
radiation from the sun (even in the shade of high- are not on the list of targets from either side. Life will go on, just maybe
atmosphere dust clouds). UV light can cause serious not in your region.
damage to your skin and corneas, leading to blindness
and cancer.
spacedrone808/istockphoto.com
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Pack UV-protected sunglasses or goggles, limit your and many beetles have a great deal of protein, essential
time outdoors, and consider a wide-brim hat and/or minerals, and vitamins.
a hooded jacket (like some found in Not Just a Hood Growing vegetables in low light (obstructed sun) can
Ornament on page 70.) be difficult, but not impossible. Leafy greens like lettuce,
spinach, and cabbage dont require a great deal of light
Food (equal to about two hours of sunlight a day). Getting cre-
Starvation will be the real killer. Though it might ative with light-colored walls, reflective mulch (or tinfoil
Crickets, seem impractical to keep a years supply or more of around each plant), and even mirrors can increase the
grasshoppers, non-perishable food on hand for each person, its not amount of light in your garden. Barring that, consider a
and many impossible. There are many companies selling 365 hydroponic system in your basement or shelter (if its
beetles have days worth of meals that offer variety, nutrition, and large enough); you can grow as much (and as many
a great deal ease of preparation. varieties of) food as you need without the worry of the
If you have to live off of the land, root vegetables (like lack of sun or contaminant-free soil.
of protein, carrots, potatoes, and radishes) are the safest because
essential theyre protected by the earth. Animals can be harvest-
minerals, and ed and eaten, but leave about 1 8 inch of meat on the

Kenishirotie/istockphoto.com
vitamins. bone because radiation builds up in the skeletal system.
Avoid fish and birds completely, though depending on
the severity of the nuclear winter, both might end up in
short supply.
Always available will be insects, as theyre likely to sur-
vive any level of nuclear attack. Crickets, grasshoppers,

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water bottle removes up to 99.99 integrated Geiger-Mller Indiana and in Europe, as well as a line of
percent of toxic chemicals, contami- tubes, measuring single-dose custom-built shelters for personal use. The
nants, and pollutants found in fresh gamma ray levels, as well as Quantum Shelter package comes completely
water, including Radon 222, DDT, cumulative exposure. The furnished, includes a primary and emergency
arsenic, asbes- ultrasensitive detector tracks exit, water and septic tanks, and backup sys-
tos, detergents, dose equivalents (a measure tems. Shown is a proposed plan for the Vivos
aluminum, and of tissue damage caused Trine, a scalable bunker for 200 people.
other heavy by radiation) from 0.0001
metals. The to 9,999 millisieverts,
filter can decon- and the dose equivalent
taminate up to rate up to 4,000 micro-
100 gallons of sieverts per hour. Users
water before can set their minimum
needing to be radiation threshold, and
replaced. an alarm will sound when
this level has been
reached.
 Wed like to thank our competition for
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Water out this filter, distilling and reverse osmosis methods are
For most urban-dwellers, clean water will be the big- both good at removing the contaminants.
gest challenge. For example, storing 1 gallon of water for
four people (for example) per day for one year equates Protect Your Family
to 27 55-gallon drums of water impractical to store With even a limited nuclear battle, the government will
in most peoples homes. Having a deep-drilled well on either be destroyed or too busy dealing with the threat to
your property and a mechanical way of retrieving it is concern itself with your well-being. Expect social break-
your best bet to get safe water for a long-term scenario. down in the months to come, especially when nuclear
Besides that, safe water can be found in underground winter dries up all the usual sources of food and water.
springs (in caves), water stored in underground tanks or Protect not only your family, but your resources as well.
pipes, snow taken 5 or more feet from the surface, and Dont advertise that you have these preps, and like the
water from fast-flowing rivers. 1950s fallout shelter advertisements suggested, dont tell
If you have to get water from outside surface sources, all your friends youve got a fully stocked hideout.
such as rivers, lakes, and even swimming pools, itll need Youve prepared for a reason. In the event of nuclear
to be filtered to remove not only the normal contami- winter, up to 1 billion lives will be lost. Dont be one of
nants found in water (viruses, bacteria, etc.), but any them. Instead, take a few steps to ensure you have the
potential radioactive material as well. An anti-radiation knowledge, supplies, and foresight to protect yourself
total radioisotope aqua purifier (TRAP) filter can remove and your loved ones. The future of civilization might be
radioactive particles from potential drinking water. With- in your hands.

The first prep that pops to mind when people say surviving a nuclear holocaust is

Suit Up? By John Schwartze

a hazardous materials (hazmat) suit. As with any gear, having it and knowing how
to use it are two different things. Hazmat suits are broken into several categories.

Lev
evel A Level B Level C Level D
Fully encapsulating, va- Non-gas-tight encapsulating Similar mate- No chemical exposure
p an
por nd chemical protec- suits. Mainly for splash protec- rial/protection protection. Worn if
tive su
uit. Typically worn tion; not ideal for radiation en- level as B, but atmosphere contains
with SSCBA-type (self-con- vironments. Used mainly with can be worn with no known hazard
tainedd breathing appa- open-loop SCBA or SAR (sup- respirators that and if work precludes
ratus)) units with closed- plied air respirators) where filter outside splashes, immersion,
loop,
p rebreather
r systems air comes from a compressed air. Used when or potential for unex-
where e air is scrubbed and cylinder and exhaled air is environmental pected inhalation with
recirc
culated. Used when released to the atmosphere. contaminants hazardous chemical
workiing with substances Worn if substances cannot be will not harm or levels. Worn mainly
that can be absorbed by or absorbed by or are not hazard- be absorbed by by hospital/medical
are haazardous to skin. ous to skin. exposed skin. personnel.

While these suits are available for public purchase, they do pose certain risks. For instance, Level A suits, which
offer the best protection against nuclear/radiation threats, pose potential fatigue and overheating concerns.
Someone wearing such a suit would need to be in good shape with no respiratory problems. Theres also a spe-
inhauscreative/istockphoto.com

cific process to don and doff them safely to prevent contamination.

Level A suits are reserved for hazmat specialists in the first-responder industry and typically require at least 200
hours of training. These suits can cost thousands of dollars, so before buying anything, do your research to see
if they offer the protection level you desire. Proceed with caution, though. For the same reason scuba divers get
certified, training is imperative and people can die without it. Manufacturers may also limit their access due to
potent liability. For other protective measures against radiation exposure, see Dirty Bombs on page 38.
 CYANE DYNAMIC PACK
MAX STORAGE IN AN ULTRA-SLEEK DESIGN
MISSION CONFIGURABLE W/ S.T.R.I.K.E WEBBING
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DIRECTLY TO PALS/MOLLE ARMOR CARRIERS
AND VESTS
DESIGN OPTIMIZED THROUGH YEARS OF
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TO SEE MORE, VISIT BLACKHAWK.COM/CYANE

In 1990, a Navy SEAL was navigating a mineeld when his pack failed. As his gear tumbled to the ground,
he vowed if he made it out alive he would make gear the right way. Today, this obsession with quality
applies to everything we do. We are constantly researching, rening and perfecting every detail to
provide gear that will not let you down. Because we are not just making stuff. We are honoring a vow.

2016
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Spreading More Panic Than Radiation
By John Schwartze
Illustrations by Joe Oesterle

W
ere seeing more terrorist attacks
committed across the world, many of
which are perpetrated with the use of
explosives. From 2013s Boston Mara-
thon tragedy the recent assault on the
Istanbul Atatrk Airport in Turkey, a lingering fear many have
about these incidents is that they could eventually take the form
of a dirty bomb.
Just the name alone makes most people think that such an
attack would turn a city into Chernobyl. Is there any validity to
that sort of fear or are these devices more weapons of mass
disruption? We went to the experts to separate security fact from
science fiction.

Engineering
First, its important to understand the mechanics of such a de-
vice and how it differs from military-grade nuclear weapons, such
as an atom bomb or intercontinental ballistic missile. These require
a nuclear reaction to detonate. Just having radioactive material
encased in a bomb doesnt mean the epicenter and surrounding
area will be leveled by a mushroom-cloud-type explosion.
The good news (if you could call it that) is that building
and deploying a dirty bomb capable of leveling an entire city
requires very sophisticated materials, an activation sequence,
and knowledge of nuclear physics that arent within the realm of
most terrorist groups capabilities. The bomb would need to be
large and could not fit in something the size of a briefcase.
Plus, the fragile nature of the device and amount of radiation
it would emit makes discreet transportation even more compli-
cated and potentially lethal for its couriers.
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How Are They Built?

You might be wondering if were about to get into
Anarchist Cookbook territory, but this information is
more about the what than the how.
Low-grade radioactive materials such as cobalt
used in the medical industry could potentially be

tion
Afterr the plant meltdown in
used to construct a dirty bomb. One would have to
accumulate a lot of these materials for their effects to
be detrimental, so most injuries and fatalities would be
Fukuushima, Japan, the use of caused by the explosion itself and not the radioactive
chemmicals such as potassium debris released.
iodid
de (KI) began getting media Theres not much physics associated with a dirty
buzzz. KI, Neupogen, Prussian blue, bomb. Its just a radioactive source of some kind that
Dieth
hylenetriamine pentaacetate, is dispersed with conventional explosives, says Joel
and other
o countermeasures may Cehn, a certified health physicist with the Health Phys-
be ad
dministered after a nuclear ics Society. The source might be radioactive iridium
incid
dent where contamination that is used in industrial radiography; it might be
is a concern. You should onlyy take these c chemicals at the advice of a radioactive cesium that is used to sterilize items (and
medical professional or emergency management personnel, as there other uses). They are generally encapsulated in stain-
are side effects associated with all of them. Its always recommended less steel to keep them from spilling. But they can be
to stay in good health, remain hydrated, and practice good nutrition. dispersed if blown up.
These things all play a factor on how radiation affects you. Learn more
at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/countermeasures.asp. After Effects
Because these materials wouldnt cause a nuclear
ChrisD600/istockphoto.com rreaction when detonated, the affected area is much
ssmaller than the fallout area surrounding an atomic
RyanJLane/istockphoto.com
explosion. The contamination radius would depend
e
on the amount of radioactive material and explosives
o
used, as well as strength and direction of prevail-
u
ing winds, but would likely not go beyond several
ccity blocks. The Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control
S
aand Prevention (CDC) both assert that the likelihood of
ccontamination, requiring immediate medical treatment
would be localized to those areas closest to the blast.
w

Supp However, radioactive particles released could not

only attach themselves to nearby structures and
o
People wonder if they sh hould stock up on gas
g masks and Geigerg counters people, but can be carried away by wind and contami-
p
in preparation for a radiological event. Geiger counters typically take a nate nearby open bodies of water, food, or potentially
working knowledge of radiation measurements to employ and arent be inhaled. It all depends on the size of the device.
practical for the average person. Items such as gas masks may provide Those concerned about possible radiation poison-
some level of protection as well, but arent foolproof. ing need to be cognizant of related symptoms (see 411
on page 114 for more on Acute Radiation Syndrome).
Radiation dosimeters or radiation-detecting watches act as monitors for
radiation levels, are relatively inexpensive depending on their capabilities, How Should You React?
and are geared toward those who have a limited understanding of radia- If you were in the immediate vicinity of the blast
tion. RADstickers are another form of cheap radiation measurements. but uninjured and the site is later determined to be
The CDC also recommends an emergency radio that has National Oceanic radioactive, seek medical evaluation. Nevertheless,
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio capabilities. the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the CDC,
 BOMBS

and the HHS all say that becoming sick from radia-
tion is unlikely.
Others concerned about blast implications essen-
tially have two choices: find shelter or leave the area.
How will you know which is the better option? Listen
to emergency broadcast reports and pay attention
to where you are in relation to the blast. Is the wind
blowing contaminants toward or away from you? It
may take several days for authorities to understand
the full impact of the blast and what kind of radiation
it emitted.
Hunker Down: If youre near a dirty bomb deto-
nation, the CDC recommends you get inside, stay
inside, and stay tuned for at least 24 hours. Turn off
any outside ventilation. Close any windows, doors,
and fireplace flues to limit exposure to dust or smoke
plumes. Listen to reliable news sources as further
developments are released.
Clothing can be removed by starting at the top
of your head and rolling the clothing off you down
to your feet. Roll them in a way you dont re-expose
yourself and store them in a sealed plastic garbage
bag or container away from everyone. They may
need to be examined later to determine exposure
levels. Wash yourself in a cold shower to keep your
pores from opening up. Gently shaving off any hair
will also reduce any risk of remaining particles ad-
hered to your skin.
Bug Out: If youre not downwind but are worried
about secondary explosions and want to minimize
your exposure, the better course of action would be
to get out of the area as quickly as possible.
Time, distance, and shielding is key with respect
to radiation exposure, says Ron Johansen, a hazmat
specialist for the Alameda County Fire Department
and fire science technology instructor at Las Positas
College. Get upwind, uphill, and upstream. Radiation
sickness is not contagious. You can carry particles,
but not spread the health effects.
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Contamination
ISS
ISS

When talking about radiation contamination, the dose

is the amount absorbed by the body at any one time.
Think of radiation as a light bulb. When you have one
thats energized, it shines all the light off the bulb, says
Shawn Smith, a non-destructive inspector and inventor
for Boeing. The particle itself is only a vehicle, but you
have all that light (radiation) that comes off the particle.
Getting away from the proverbial light source will help
reduce the dose and dose rate, since some forms of
radiation, such as gamma rays, can penetrate walls if
levels are high enough.
Theres a difference between radiation exposure and
contamination. You can be exposed to radiation by
getting an X-ray at the doctor, but that doesnt mean
youll suffer from contamination, as its a very low dose
under controlled conditions. Certain types of radiation
can penetrate the body, but contamination only occurs
if particles become attached to someones clothing or
hair, are ingested, or penetrate an open wound.

Conclusion
The history on dirty bombs has yet to be written
since there are no known instances of their use. How-
ever, numerous reports have emerged in recent years
of radioactive materials being stolen, some with suc-
cess, while others were either intercepted by authorities
or had fatal consequences for their smugglers.
We can certainly expect terrorists to actively continue
searching for any weapons that further their cause,
demoralize the public, and interrupt economic stability.
Its generally believed that a dirty bomb will cause
mostly panic, and few, if any, serious radiation expo-
sures, Cehn says. The radioactivity would be diluted in
the explosion.
Dirty bombs despite related fear mongering
should not be a cause for a national emergency. Thats
exactly the domino effect of confusion that perpetrators
are looking to achieve. Remain conscientious, prepared,
and vigilant, but arm yourself with the knowledge that
will prevent you from falling victim to an attack thats
more psychological than anything else.
imagedepotpro/istockphoto.com

As mentioned in Outbreaking News in RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 12, the government has
National specific Incident Annexes as part of the National Response Frameworks plan for emer-

Response gencies. Heres the Annex that correlates to nuclear/radiological events:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf_nuclearradiologicalincidentannex.pdf
042 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 16
E
ven if youre a primitive survival expert mum amount of electricity that can flow out of it. This
who lives completely off the grid, its determines how much power it can impart to your
hard to deny the benefits of modern electronic devices at a given moment.
electronics. Instead of wielding a flaming On the other hand, by stating that a battery has a
torch at night, you can navigate with a 5,000-mAh capacity, were defining how many times
pocket-sized flashlight. Rather than waiting months for it can refill your electronic devices. Of course, this
the Pony Express to deliver a cross-country message, depends on the pressure in our system, as a higher
you can send a text from your smartphone in seconds. voltage draw will empty the battery faster. So, mAh is
Electronics obviously provide a myriad of benefits usually listed at a predetermined nominal voltage in
and we havent even started talking about laptops or the case of lithium batteries, its typically measured at
washing machines. 3.7V. This nominal voltage ensures consistent measure-
The downside to these electronic devices is you ments of mAh capacity from one battery to the next.
guessed it electricity.
Whether youre out backpacking for the day, theres a The Easy Explanation
blackout in your neighborhood, or the entire electrical We realize this can be extremely confusing, so well
grid has shut down, its wise to have some backup juice recap. For the purposes of portable battery packs
on hand. Without any battery power, all the electronics Volts (and watts) determine the type of devices the
you have will become expensive paperweights in a few battery can power. Large electronics like microwaves
short hours. and refrigerators require 120V, and hundreds or even
Enter the portable battery pack, sometimes called thousands of watts. A standard USB port will provide
a charger or power bank. In essence, these handheld 5V maximum.

5V
gadgets are just lithium-based cells hooked up to some
ports and surrounded in a protective shell. Theyre
designed to temporarily power your small USB-
rechargeable devices think flashlights, smartphones,
tablets, cameras, GPS units, speakers, or even other Amps define how quickly a device will charge when
smaller batteries. plugged into the battery. A 1A port will generally charge
much slower than a 2.1A port.
The Tech Talk
To understand and compare battery packs, we must
first understand how theyre measured. Batteries are
typically evaluated by three key metrics: volts (V), amps
(A), and milliamp hours (mAh). Watts (W) also come Milliamp hours determine a batterys total charg-
into play for more powerful electronics, but arent really ing capacity. More mAh means larger capacity. For
essential to discuss for USB-based devices. reference, an iPhone 6 battery is 1,810 mAh, so a 5,000
To make these terms easier to comprehend, we mAh battery pack could theoretically recharge that
can use an analogy that compares a battery to a iPhone around 2.7 times.
pressurized tank of water. In this analogy, volts (V) are
the amount of pressure in the tank, forcing water out
through a hole. Amps (A), also called current, deter-
mine the size of the hole in the tank, and tells us the
amount of water that drains out in a second (or an
hour). Watts (W) refer to the power of the stream, and
are determined by both the pressure (V) and the hole The Recharge Rundown
size (A). Milliamp hours (mAh) measure the tanks stor- Now that you know the electronic inner workings, we
age capacity or how many hours it can be allowed to can get into analyzing some popular battery packs on
drain at a set rate before running out of water. the market. We selected nine battery packs of varying
So, by stating that a USB port on a battery is rated sizes and capacities, comparing them based on form,
ISSUE 16

at a maximum of 5V and 1A, were defining the maxi- function, added features, and cost.

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Digipower
Re-Fuel RF-A78
DIMENSIONS The Digipower Re-Fuell is composedd
3.8 by 2.4 by 0.8 inches
of a 7,800-mAhh Li-ion bbattery
tt pack, k
WEIGHT encased in a ruubberized housing with
6.2 ounces bright green enndcaps. p It ts nicely
BATTERY TYPE into the palm oof your hhandd or your
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) pocket, and offfers impressive
p capa
pac-c-
MILLIAMP HOUR ity given its low
w 6.2-ounce weight ghhtt.
CAPACITY (mAH)
7,800 mAh at 3.7V There are dual USB output tp t pports,
ts
OUTPUT PORTS
controlled by a singleg ppush-button
5V 2.1A USB, 5V 1A USB on the front of the
th pack.
p k Tapping
pp g
the button alloowss tthee use
user to ccheck
ec
INPUT PORT
5V 1A micro USB charge level via four white LEDs
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS
underneath it. Theh Re-Fuell packs
p k
USB OUTPUT simple design w wont win any innova-
2.1A and 1A (as advertised) tion awards. Hoowevver, itt serves its t
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES purpose well, ddelive
l ering plenty
l t of
USB-to-micro-USB cable juice to recharge most smartphones
SPECIAL FEATURES three times.
4-LED charge indicator
MSRP PROS:
$40 Compact and lightweight
URL High capacity given its size
www.re-fuel.com CONS:
Only one 2.1A port

ECOXGEAR
EcoCharge+
DIMENSIONS Why use a battery to recharge your
4.9 by 1.3 by 1.2 inches
l d iss a
ashlight, when your battery already
WEIGHT phy behind
ashlight? Thats the philosoph b h d thhe
4.7 ounces EcoCharge+, and its surprisinngly effective.
BATTERY TYPE The 150-lumen CREE LED lightt offers strongg
Lithium ion (Li-ion) intensity, an even beam patteern, and four
MILLIAMP HOUR CAPACITY (mAH) modes: low, high, ashing, and
nd SOS
SOS. Its exte-
exxte-
3,200 mAh at 3.7V rior offers good texture and ergonomics,
eg
OUTPUT PORTS ap that reveals
plus a waterproof twist-on cap
5V 1A USB a single USB output. Unfortunnately,
t l th the bbat-
t
INPUT PORT tery didnt wow us with its sm
mallll 3,200-mAhh
5V 1A micro USB capacity and slow 1A chargingg speed. d Wedd
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS consider this a rechargeable ashlight thatt
hl ght th
USB OUTPUT
1A (as advertised) happens to have USB output, rather than a
true battery pack.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
USB-to-micro-USB cable, wrist lanyard
PROS:
SPECIAL FEATURES Grippy and waterproof rubberized exterior
Waterproof (IP67 up to 1-meter),
4-LED charge indicator, 150-lumen Works well as a ashlight
CREE LED light CONS:
MSRP USB port mounting isnt sturdy,
$40 wiggling noticeably with a cable inserted
URL Small capacity, slow 1A charging speed
www.ecoxgear.com
 TAKE
CHARGE

Goal Zero
o
Sherp
pa 100
DIMENSIONS
5.8 by 5.3 byy 1.5 inches
WEIGHT
30.8 ounces
es
BATTERY
Y TYPE
E
Lithium Nickel Manganese
g Cobalt (Li-NM
NM
MC)
C)
MILLIAM
MP HOUR CAPACITY (mAH))
26,400 mAAh at 3.7V ((or 8,800 mAh at 11V))
OUTPUT PORTS
5V 2.1A USBB (two), 6mm 12V 10A port,
p 7.4mm 19V 6A laptop
p p
port, sideccar pport for daisy-chainingg or use with optional
p
110V AC invverter (sold separately)
p )
INPUT PO
ORT
T
15-22V up to
t 3A (from solar ppanels, car cigarette
g lighter
g
port, or inccluded charger)
g
ACTUAL S
SIMULTANEOUS
S USB
S OUTPUT
T
2.1A and 2.1A (as advertised)
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
S
Wall charger, laptop
p p cable with four adapters,
p 12V cigarette
g e
lighter adap
apter Shown with optional
Goal Zero add-ons: 12V
SPECIAL FEATURES
S
Battery moonitor LCD screen, replaceable
p 20A fuse, mini LEDD inverter, solar panel,
light, compatible
patible with Goal Zero inverter and solar panels and LED lanterns.
MSRP
These items are
$350 (or $600 with pictured Nomad 20 solar panel and sold separately.
inverter)
URL
www.goalzero.com

Lets get one thing out of the way: The Sherpa 100 is expensive
to the tune of $350. However, take a look at its wealth of fea-
tures, and youll understand the price. Its high-tech LG-brand Li-
NMC cells are the same kind found in many electric cars, and theey
can pump out more than 110 volts and over 100 watts (enough foor
a 40-inch LCD TV or mini-fridge). This makes it ideal for quickly
charging or powering larger devices, such as laptops, tablets,
and digital SLR cameras. If youre willing to shell out $600 for thee
upgraded Sherpa Solar Kit with AC inverter, this device can easilyy
power your entire off-grid campsite almost indenitely. And its
still small and light enough to be loaded into your bug-out bag.
Its an investment, but this is the charger wed grab in a long-
term grid-down event if there were no generator in sight.

PROS:
Incredibly versatile
Expandable with plug-and-play
Goal Zero accessories
Massive mAh capacity
Strong voltage output
CONS:
Pricey
Quite heavy at 1.9 pounds
No Apple laptop adapter available, since Apple refuses to
license its MagSafe connector to third parties. Unless you have
one of the new Retina MacBooks, which are powered via a USB-C
port, you must recharge via the $50 inverter add-on.
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Midland
E+Ready EP100
DIMENSIONS Midland a company known for its portable
rtable
5.7 by 2.6 by 0.9 inches
mergencyy-
radios has branched out into the emergency-
WEIGHT preparedness market with its new E+Ready
Ready line.
linne.
e
8.5 ounces The EP100 charger uses a 10,400-mAhh Samsung--
BATTERY TYPE brand lithium battery, with two USB output ports.
Lithium ion (Li-ion) Its exterior dimensions are comparable
able to a large
MILLIAMP HOUR
Shown with Midland
smartphone, so it ts snugly into pockets
ockets and
CAPACITY (mAH) USB-rechargeable
10,400 mAh at 3.7V pouches. The EP100 also features a fold-out ood
radios, sold separately.
OUTPUT PORTS
light, with four LEDs that produce 100 lumens.
5V 2.1A USB, 5V 1A USB By standing the pack on end, the light can
provide hands-free illumination for a workspace
INPUT PORT
5V 1A micro USB extremely useful for preparing food, working
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS
with tools, or reading maps. However, it tends to
USB OUTPUT fold open unexpectedly, since it lacks a retention
2.1A and 1A (as advertised) clip or detent. Otherwise, the EP100 is a strong
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES contender with no substantial aws.
USB-to-micro-USB cable
SPECIAL FEATURES PROS:
4-LED charge indicator, Large battery capacity
100-lumen fold-out LED light Bright LED ood light is useful for
MSRP cooking or reading
$50
CONS:
URL
Light tends to fold open on its own duuringg trans--
www.midlandusa.com
port, which could result in accidental ddamage

MyCharge
All Terrain
DIMENSIONS With a nifty design reminiscent of a cigarette
4.0 by 1.5 by 1.1 inches
lighter or cigar torch, the MyChargee Allll Terrain
WEIGHT uses a ip-up lid secured by a retenntion bar. Un-
3.8 ounces derneath the waterproof lid, youll nd an orange
BATTERY TYPE utputt pport.t
surface that houses a single USB outp
Lithium ion (Li-ion) Pressing the battery symbol on thee opposite
pp side
MILLIAMP HOUR turns on the power, and charge levelel is ddisplayed
pl d
CAPACITY (mAH)
3,000 mAh at 3.7V on LEDs above this button. Going alongg with the
OUTPUT PORTS
lighter analogy, it would have madee sense to posi-
5V 2.1A USB tion the power switch where your thhumbb falls ll on
the front of the charger, instead of the back side,
INPUT PORT
5V 2.1A micro USB but thats a minor gripe. More relevant is the small
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS
3,000-mAh capacity barely enough to recharge
USB OUTPUT larger smartphones. Fortunately, its 2.1A output
2.1A (as advertised) charges your devices quickly, and its 2.1A input
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES allows for very quick rells from a wall charger.
USB-to-micro-USB cable, wrist
lanyard PROS:
SPECIAL FEATURES Pliable rubber exterior is waterproof,
Waterproof (IP68 over 1 meter), dust-proof, and impact-resistant
4-LED charge indicator
Charges quickly via 2.1A output
MSRP Recharges quickly via 2.1A input
$40
CONS:
URL
www.mycharge.com Small capacity
 TAKE
CHARGE

PowerTraveller
PowerMonkey Exp
xplorer 2
DIMENSIONS
3.2 inches tall by 1.8 inches diameter
WEIGHT
10.3 ounces
BATTERY TYPE
Lithium ion (Li-ion)
MILLIAMP HOUR CAPACITY (mAH)
6,000 mAh at 3.7V
OUTPUT PORTS
5V 2A USB
INPUT PORT
5V 2A micro USB
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS USB OUTPUT
T
1A (below advertised 2A spec)
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
Custom waterproof micro USB in/out splittter cable,
male and female micro USB to USB adaptersrs
SPECIAL FEATURES
Waterproof (IP67 up to 1 meter), battery m
monitorr
LCD screen, compatible with optional bike mountinnngg
bracket
MSRP
$93
URL
www.powertraveller.com

The PowerMonkey Explorer 2 was developed by U.K.-

based company Powertraveller, which calls it the
toughest portable charger available. A bold claim, but
we can conrm that the PowerMonkey is indeed tough.
Its anodized aluminum exterior is fully waterproof,
including the supplied cable. Speaking of the cable, it
uses a unique bath plug-style end, secured to the
body with a screw-on metal cap. On the other end, the
cable splits into a Y-connection with micro USB ports
a female input and a male output. For connecting
full-size USB devices, youll need to carry separate
adapters, which are easy to misplace. Also, despite
the advertised 2A output spec, we measured the USB
output at only 1A. The PowerMonkey also charged an
iPhone at speed comparable to other 1A chargers, so
it seems this batterys listed output amperage may be
inaccurate or obtainable only with specic devices.

PROS:
End-to-end waterproong, including
the cable
Tough metal exterior available in
four colors (black, white, red, and
blue)
CONS:
Our testing showed maximum output
of 1A, half the advertised 2A output
Important micro-USB-to-USB adapt-
ers are easy to misplace
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RAVPower
Ace Series 22,000 mAh
DIMENSIONS RAVPowers Ace-series battery ppackk offers a
6.5 by 2.8 by 0.9 inches
huge 22,000-mAh capacity, thannks to its use of
WEIGHT malleable and energy-dense Lithhium-polymer cells.
14.6 ounces Were told theyre from the samee manufacturerr as
BATTERY TYPE iPhone batteries and undergo the he same
me quality-
q
Lithium-polymer (Li-poly) control checks. Three USB portss harnes
harness
ess this
MILLIAMP HOUR power, allowing charging speed of up too 2.4A peer
CAPACITY (mAH)
22,000 mAh at 3.7V port the fastest of any batteryy we tested.
testted. Call
OUTPUT PORTS
us shallow, but our least favoritee aspect of this
5V 2.4A iSmart USB (three) pack is its exterior. RAVPower says
ays the case
caase usees
a re-resistant thermoplastic alloyloy from Germa
GGermany,
INPUT PORT
5V 2.4A micro USB but no matter what you call it, its
ts about ass visuually
lly
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS
exciting as a stick of butter withh USB portss on one
one
USB OUTPUT end. Cosmetics aside, this battery kicks butt tt and
2.4A, 2.4A, 1A (as advertised) takes names and does so at an affordable pric ce.
price.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
Short and long USB-to- PROS:
micro-USB cables, fabric Enormous capacity at a low price
carrying pouch
High 5.8A simultaneous output allows full-speed
eed
SPECIAL FEATURES charging of multiple devices at once
4-LED charge indicator
CONS:
MSRP
$40 Exterior lacks visual appeal and tends to slide on
smooth surfaces
URL
www.ravpower.com Heavy

Secur
Solar Power SP-3009
DIMENSIONS The Secur SP-3009 is a 3,000-mAh battery pacck with
4.8 by 3.1 by 0.6 inches
a single 1A USB output port. On paper, that souunds d
WEIGHT pretty average until you see the other features.
6.8 ounces First, this device has a high-efciency 5.5V 0.228A
BATTERY TYPE solar panel, which can yield a full recharge in about
b t
Lithium Polymer (Li-poly) 12 hours of direct sunlight. Then theres the 4--LED
MILLIAMP HOUR CAPACITY (mAH) ood light, which swivels 90 degrees. Finally, a
3,000 mAh at 3.7V metal hook folds out of the back side, and cann be b
OUTPUT PORTS used as a stand or to hang the device upside-ddown.
5V 1A USB Unfortunately, the instruction manual is full of bbro-
INPUT PORT the
ken English such as lights will turn off with th
5V 1A micro USB electric quantity decreasing when discharing [sic]
[sic].
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS Also, on its own, the internal battery isnt anyth
thingg
USB OUTPUT
1A (as advertised) to write home about. The real value to the SP-3009
is in its solar panel, light, and stand.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
USB-to-micro-USB cable, 30-pin Apple
charging port adapter PROS:
Built-in solar panel provides
SPECIAL FEATURES
Integrated solar panel, swiveling 4-LED a sustainable power source
ood light, folding stand/hook, 4-LED Lightweight
charge indicator
CONS:
MSRP
$50 Low capacity and slow 1A charging speed
Included old-style Apple 30-pin connector isnt
URL
www.securproducts.com very useful these days
 CHEAP RUSSIAN AMMO SUCKS.
FREEDOM LOVERS BUY AMERICAN!
BRASS PLATED STEEL CASED AMMO

MADE IN AMERICA
FREEDOMMUNITIONS.COM

USE CODE OFFGRID2016 FOR

5% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER
050 OFFG BUYERS GUIDE TAKE
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ZeroHour
BB Battery B
Backup
p
DIMENSIONS
7.3 inches tall by 2.3 inches diameter
WEIGHT
11.7 ounces
BATTERY TYPE
Three removable 18650 lithium-ion cells
MILLIAMP HOUR CAPACITY (mAH)
10,000 mAh at 3.7V
OUTPUT PORTS
5V 1.5A USB, 5V 2.1A USB
INPUT PORT
5V 2A 4mm round port
ACTUAL SIMULTANEOUS USB OUTPUT
2.1A and 1A (below advertised spec on 1.5A port)
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
USB to 4mm round charging cable, 2.1A wall charger,
drawstring pouch
SPECIAL FEATURES
Waterproof (IPX8 over 6 meters), 4-LED charge
indicator, compatible with ZeroHour ashlight head
and other optional accessories
MSRP
$150
URL
www.zerohourxd.com

At rst glance, you might mistake the cylindrical

aluminum ZeroHour BB Battery Backup for a tactical
ashlight and to be honest, you wouldnt be too far
from the truth. Unscrew the waterproof endcap, and
out slides a battery carrier with three 3,400-mAh
18650 lithium cells. These are the same type of batter-
ies found in many rechargeable ashlights, so you can
easily borrow one if your light runs out of juice. Better
yet, you can get a ashlight head from ZeroHour for
$65, and simply thread it onto the end of this BB unit
to transform it into a 1,000-lumen light/power bank
combo. Thats pretty ingenious, but even without the
ashlight head, this ultra-tough charger would be our
choice for harsh environments.

PROS:
Standardized removable batteries provide
added reliability and versatility
Transforms into an LED ashlight by
replacing the end cap with a ZeroHour
ashlight head (sold separately)
CONS:
Cylindrical design tends to roll away on
smooth surfaces, unless you purchase an
optional anti-roll cap for $15
Rubber USB port plugs are very easy to
misplace
 desert warrior
39 ounces | 5 inch barrel
available in .45 ACP

trust is earned
americas best rely on kimberso should you.

(888) 243-4522
made in a merica what all guns should be kimberamerica.com

2016, kimber mfg., inc. all rights reserved. information and specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice.
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Jim Cobb
Disaster-readiness consultant, private investigator, writer

Our Survival Experts Reveal

What Their Everyday-Carry
Gear Is and Why
By David Merrill

Y
our everyday carry (EDC) can say
a lot about you. Not only will a giv-
en loadout reflect the training and
experience level of the person
carrying it, but it also provides a
bit of insight into its owners personality. While
it would be nice to have a fully stocked bug-out
bag everywhere you travel, its impractical, and
youll have to be selective about what you grab
when you walk out the door.
Its possible youve never intentionally reflect-
ed on your own carry items, but if youre reading
these pages right now, theres a better-than-even
chance that you have. After all, unless youre
psychic, you dont usually know when a flat tire
might strike, let alone a crippling storm. Having
the right gear on you is key.
With that in mind, we bring you the everyday-
carry loadouts of a handful of professionals
some of whom you might recognize as regular
contributors to our magazine. Combined, they
bring a wealth of wisdom and almost a century
of survival experience. It would behoove you to
examine their daily loadout and corresponding
explanations for why theyve chosen said gear,
then contrast it with your own EDC. Consider
your own individual requirements and circum-
stances. Then divine accordingly.
ORGANIZATIONS SURVIVALISM BACKGROUND EDC PHILOSOPHY
Survival Weekly, Disaster Prep Active prepper/survivalist for We each have unique needs, skillsets, and circumstances. Over time, youll find what
Consultants about 30 years works for you and what doesnt. Reading the loadout lists for others is an excellent start,
URL but you need to move beyond that and start experimenting with different options. Carrying
www.survivalweekly.com a giant multitool that weighs as much as boat anchor, and then finding youve only ever
needed to use the knife blade is a clue you might want to adjust your EDC.

Steel Will Apostate

The knife is on the large side but still rides in
the pocket just fine. The action is smooth, and
the blade keeps an edge. Prior to acquiring
the Apostate, I carried a Kershaw Thermite for
about a year and have no complaints about that
knife, either.
www.steelwillknives.com

Streamlight ProTac 1AAA

As a private investigator, I frequently find myself
having to walk into dark buildings, which can be
a bit nerve-wracking. The ProTac is small enough
to fit into my pants pocket without discomfort
and yet bright enough to help me see anything
coming my way.
www.streamlight.com

Zebra F-701
As a writer, pens are a necessity for me. This
stainless steel pen writes like a dream, is refillable,
and is solid enough to be a last ditch self-defense
weapon.
www.zebrapen.com

Michael Kors MK8088

My father collects watches, and hes passed on
to me a few very nice ones. This chronograph
is my favorite. It isnt a Rolex Submariner, but itll
do.
www.michaelkors.com

Wazoo Bushcraft Necklace

The ability to create fire when necessary is a criti-
cal skill. This necklace has a small ferrocerium rod
and striker, which means I can go anywhere with a
discreet fire-starter without potential hassles from
security personnel asking me what a keychain
ferro rod is for. The necklace looks nice, too.
ISSUE 16

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Tim MacWelch
Founder and head instructor of Advanced Survival Training, author
 PREPPERS
POCKET DUMP

ORGANIZATIONS SURVIVALISM BACKGROUND EDC PHILOSOPHY

Advanced Survival Training I have been a professional survival instructor Everyday carry separates the talkers from the doers. We meet the talkers
for more than 20 years and have written three at every survival expo, class, and prepper event. The talkers talk a big
URL
www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com New York Times best-selling survival manuals. game, but at the end of the day, preparedness is just a hobby to them (or
SSaying th
thatt Im obsessed
b d with
w survivalism is worse, a form of entertainment). The doers walk the talk. The doers carry
a gross
g understatement. I eat, sleep, drink, EDC gear because theyre serious about preparedness and because they
aandd breathe
b th survival.l In faact, it wouldnt be a want to be ready for the unknown every single day. My philosophy is dead
sstretch to sayy that survivaal is my life. simple: Be a doer, not a talker. Carry the stuff you need to do what is re-
quired when the time comes to take care of yourself and those around you.

SOG Dark Energy 214 lighter, so I can find it in the event

Want to blind a bad guy? Or smash that I drop it. This steadfast lighter
his eye socket? I love this flashlight lets me make fires at will, and it
because its a palm-sized cylinder full serves as a backup light source.
of sunlight with many more features www.biclighter.com
than you would expect from such
a petite package. The housing is CRKT Shenanigan
aggressively checkered with a rough For playing in the woods, I prefer
texture for great grip, wet or dry, a fixed blade bushcraft knife, like a
with gloves or bare handed. The full Mora. But for walking around town,
beam produces 214 lumens with two Ive long been a fan of the quality,
half-click options: 40-percent power engineering, and style of CRKT fold-
and a mesmerizing strobe feature. ers. Ken Onions Shenanigan is my
www.sogknives.com top pick for EDC. The tanto point,
partial serrations, and great grip
Springfield XD-9 give me the ability to perform many
Picking your favorite handgun is tasks with great retention.
a bit like deciding on blondes, bru- www.crkt.com
nettes, or redheads. At the end of it
all, you simply like what you like. Im Sharpie Permanent Marker
fan of the XD-9 because it performs What? A marker? Yep. A trustwor-
better for me than comparable thy permanent marker can be vital
9mms, and Ive found it to be small for signaling and communication
enough for concealed carry, but still on all kinds of surfaces. I can even
large enough for a good fit in my write my SSN on my limbs if things
hand. By the way, brunettes is the get really bad! But theres an un-
correct answer. expected terminal use for markers
www.springfield-armory.com like this. Light the felt tip with an
open flame, and the Sharpie will
BIC lighter burn like a little candle for a minute
Fire is life. And few things light a fire or two. This could help get a fire
like another fire. Rather than trust- going in wet weather, especially if
ing my fate to a finicky ferrocerium your lighter is almost out of fluid or
rod, Id rather have the reliable youre down to your last match.
flame of an EDC staple like a BIC www.sharpie.com
lighter. I prefer a brightly colored
ISSUE 16

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Chelsea Nied
Founder of The Responder News, emergency-management professional
 PREPPERS
POCKET DUMP

ORGANIZATIONS SURVIVALISM BACKGROUND EDC PHILOSOPHY

The Responder News Im an emergency-management professional with I carry very little gear on my person, reflecting my practical-
26 years of combined experience in public affairs, tactical personality and basic ethos. I dont like to rattle when
MILITARY/
LAW ENFORCEMENT wildland firefighting, and the Federal Emergency hiking, walking, or moving. I dont own a purse or have tons of
EXPERIENCE Management Agency (FEMA), as well as a serving crap on my keys either. I get a lot done with my EDC items; from
United States Air Force as a disaster services instructor with the American personal protection to downloading critical disaster/incident
(Airman First Class)
Red Cross. Ive had a long career of high-speed, information. Plus, the more you carry, the more you risk losing
URL low-drag disaster, and wildland fire response, which stuff on day treks or everyday adventures. Keep your carry gear
www.facebook.com/therespondernews includes surviving a nasty 7.9 earthquake while simple, high quality, critical, and reliable.
t t d t l k

HTC Droid DNA

Easily the most critical tool, because
I need to know disaster and incident
news as soon as possible. Fast intel-
ligence dictates everything.
www.htc.com

Native Eyewear Silencer/Moss

I love the air ports on top of the
frame, the snug fit, and the excellent
lifetime replacement option. Plus, the
polarized lenses help me fish better!
www.nativeeyewear.com

Gerber Crucial
Multitools are absolutely essential
for everything from the mundane to
the disastrous; you can open beer
bottles or tighten small hardware,
just to name two of many tasks.
www.gerbergear.com

Kel-Tec P-11
This handguns point of aim is solid,
and it conceals easily, fits my hand
perfectly, and is very reliable for
personal protection.
www.keltecweapons.com

Mec-Gar 10-Round Magazine

This compact little magazine never
fails to feed and carries plenty of
rounds for personal protection
reasons.
shop.mec-gar.com
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Jared Wihongi
CQC instructor,
instructor reserve SWAT officer,
officer tactical consultant for Browning Black Label
 PREPPERS
POCKET DUMP

ORGANIZATIONS SURVIVALISM BACKGROUND EDC PHILOSOPHY

Survival Edge Tactical Systems Inc., Cottonwood Im a specialist in urban survival in When teaching concealed rearm permit classes, Im often asked,
Heights Police Department, and the Pekiti-Tirsia hostile environments, foreign and Whats the ideal concealed carry gun? My rst answer is, How
Tactical Association
domestic. I regularly teach Personal realistic is it that youll actually carry your chosen rearm with you
MILITARY/LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE Protective Countermeasures and Sole most of the time? A $200 .22-caliber handgun on your person in
Former member of the Salt Lake City Police De- p t vival courses for U.S. a defensive situation is more valuable than a $2,000 1911 at home
p t t d th lt k l p t t
l tions Command assets. in your safe. I try to meet the same criterion with all my EDC gear:
How likely am I to carry those items with me most of the time?
j d h g Because of this, Im partial to defensive weapons that have multiple
l d t t l
functions for everyday tasks, such as a knife, a pen, and a light.

Browning Black Label Speed Dial barometer, thermometer, and world

I helped Browning design this knife time. Its waterproof to 200 meters
based on some of my ideas for an and is virtually indestructible.
ideal EDC knife, using the patented www.gshock.com
Krudo Snag feature that allows for
the blade to open while being drawn Browning Hells Canyon Speed
from the pocket or waistband. The Alpha Max
design uses a karambit-style ring, Small and easy to carry, the Alpha
which allows for easy index and the Max packs a 315-lumen punch, utiliz-
ability to get it out, open, and into a ing a AA battery thats easy to find in
defensive grip with minimal motion any country. It comes standard with
and grip changing. a rechargeable battery and includes
www.browning.com low-lumen and green-light modes
to preserve night vision and battery
Glock 43 life. It can be used as a solid impact
I quickly replaced my Glock 26 weapon without having the telltale
when Glock released the 43. Its slim strike bezels that can attract unwant-
profile makes it easy and comfort- ed attention.
able to conceal, especially in my pre- www.browning.com
ferred appendix carry position. The
ergonomics enhance my ability to Browning Black Label Tactical
shoot a smaller gun with increased Pen
accuracy. Tactical pens can be great defen-
us.glock.com sive tools in a pinch, and Im partial
to those that still have function, but
G-Shock Master of G dont look like weapons, and thus are
Last year alone, I worked in 18 dif- less likely to be flagged at a security
ferent time zones, from some of the checkpoint. The Browning Tactical
worlds biggest cities to small islands Pen meets those criteria.
in the most remote corners of the www.browning.com
globe. Through it all, this watch has
become a trusted travel companion.
Among other features, it provides me
with multi-band atomic timekeeping,
is solar powered, and has a compass,
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WALK
THE TALK
Learn the Language of Tracking to Be a Better Survivalist.
Its a Lot More Than Just Following Footprints
Story by Tim MacWelch | Photos by Michael Garcia

I
n a 20-foot-wide sandpit at an old landfill site Todays trackers are experts at finding anyone,
in central Maryland, I joined a group of law en- be it lost hikers, fugitives, or enemy combatants.
forcement professionals on a cold, windy morn- Theyre so good that they can even tell if a subject
ing to study the footprints that were just made is right- or left-handed just by looking at footprints!
by a second team. We saw one set of tracks But how do you learn this kind of tracking, and
coming into the pit at a walking pace. They stopped at a whos teaching it in the modern world? One of the
disturbed area then moved off in a different direction best in the industry is Freddy Osuna from Green-
with a greater distance between steps. side Training. A former U.S. Marine and a graduate
As we examined the disturbed area, we found partial of the USMCs Scout Sniper School, he has more
prints with a different lug pattern. A second party had than 20 years of tracking experience.
been involved in this story. Now we knew there were RECOIL OFFGRID received an exclusive invitation
two players. As we peered harder at the trails, we found to attend a private course taught to local law en-
marks that looked like knees and elbows, as well as forcement and state officials in Rockville, Maryland.
enough marks to show that someone had been lying at And in these pages youll find the most important
the ground at one point. concepts we learned from one of the nations top
The head instructor of the tracking course stepped tracking experts, presented in ways that any surviv-
forward and asked the team leader what had happened alist or preparedness-minded person can apply to
here. The team leader surmised that one subject came daily life.
into the scene and met another person, whereupon the At first blush, you might just think that tracking
subject shot the second man and ran away. The second is the art of seeing footprints and paw prints, and
man fell to the ground and then crawled away. Osuna maybe other signs like scat or dropped items. But
praised the team, confirming they were correct. The first tracking isnt just about seeing. Anyone whos not
team had acted out a shooting scenario, without using blind can see things. Tracking is about knowing
any fake blood or dropping brass on the ground and what youre seeing and what happened here. And
the second team read these actions perfectly from just a this is how you can get started.
few footprints, scuffs, and compressions on the ground. Tracking doesnt stop when the trees end and
Thus began our first day of human tracking, and it only the pavement begins. This skill is about awareness,
got better from there. which should be applied in concrete jungles, too.
 ISSUE 16

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Lesson 1: Tracking Is Awareness Tracking tracks are going to be, imagine that youre the one making
doesnt stop
The concept: Throughout the course, Osuna and his them. Are you part of a search party? Those who are lost
when the trees
co-instructor David Reeder (the web editor for our sister end and the will usually go downhill and will follow waterways, because
publication, RECOIL) shared and extoled the values of pavement both are easier to negotiate (especially when youre scared,
awareness, as both a tool and a way of life. Through stories begins. This skill hungry, and dehydrated). Theyll usually only go uphill to
is about aware-
and teaching examples, they explained that tracking and ness, which signal or to look for a vantage point to assist in navigation.
awareness are many things to many people, but ultimately should be ap- On the flip side, someone who is trying to sneak around will
theyre a way to be more engaged in our lives and alert to plied in concrete
jungles, too.
the world around us.
The application: The ways you can use tracking (and the
greater sense of awareness that it fosters) is almost limitless
and there are lessons you can apply from this in your own
life every day. Being more cognizant of your surroundings is
one of the primary ways you can counter predation in the
modern world. This alert status makes you both safer and
more lethal with the same attention to your environment.
It makes your offensive and defensive capabilities more
effective, and turns you from a sheep into a sheepdog. The
Tracking is a
phrase weaponize your senses was said more than once language unto
during this training course, and, in fact, Osuna teaches a itself, so dont ex-
class by that very title. pect to become
fluent overnight.

Lesson 2: Go With the (Easy) Flow usually stick to cover, but theyll still seek easy paths through
The concept: Most humans and animals share a trait that the cover. Look for natural gaps, gates and roads in the
is very helpful to the tracker they follow the path of least landscape, and check them for tracks.
resistance. While it can be hard to get into an animals head
to anticipate which way theyll go next, its much easier to Lesson 3: Study the Soles
get inside the head of our fellow humans and look for easy The concept: Sure, there are plenty of crisp edges in
paths to travel. animal tracking, especially when dealing with hooved
The application: If you want to figure out where the animals. But even hoof prints look organic and natural
 WALK
THETALK

when compared to all of the crazy geometric designs Sure, any

rookie can
used by todays boot lug designers.
distinguish
The application: Not only are you looking for a shoeprints from
disturbance the size and shape of a persons foot, youre animal prints
also looking for the boot lugs within that track. You can but which ani-
mals? Mistaking
do a simple tracking exercise at home. Put on some
paw prints is
boots, go to your backyard, and step in dirt or snow (if part of the learn-
any has fallen). Now switch to dress shoes and repeat. ing curve that
could eventual-
Then again with sneakers. After doing this a few times,
ly help you find
take a look at the soles of your footwear and then the prey and avoid
prints they made. Look at the variety of tread patterns. predators in the
Can you distinguish them? This is just a sampling of future.
the diversity youll see in human tracking. By paying
attention to different lug patterns in the field or in your
neighborhood, you can start doing head counts on
groups of people. For a more advanced exercise, see if
you can follow a target subject after theyve separated
from the group.

Beginners Mistakes
Nobodys perfect, and when your subject isnt standing there confirming Oh, yeah. Thats my track, heres where
I stepped, its only natural to wonder if youre looking at a genuine track or youre simply seeing what you want to
see. Keep these common mistakes in mind as you track, and theyll help you stay on the right path.

possible that you might

stumble onto your quarry
(and they might not be
happy to see you). A good
Forcing the Track: tracker maintains situational
Its easy to be guilty of this awareness and frequently
one. When youre looking so looks up from the trail.
hard for someones trail, its Dont Just Look at Broken branches, bent
Overshooting the very common to start picking the Ground: vegetation, stones kicked
Last Known Track: up signs from animal trails, In plenty of tracking from their beds, and
Youre on a trail, youre mak- especially when clear animal classes, most of the group snapped spiderwebs are all
ing great time, and you should tracks arent present to help has a stiff neck by the end examples of aerial spoor.
be catching up to your guy, you differentiate. Dont force of day one. This is the result While theyre hardly as defin-
but then the tracks disappear. the big game trail to start of a major rookie mistake, itive as a set of shoeprints,
Going too fast and too far looking like a humans trail. which is walking around with these subtle signs shouldnt
past the last known track can You need a mixture of humility all your attention focused be overlooked either. They
cause you to get off the trail and confidence to perceive on the ground. When this is can help you assess the age
completely, or worse, have whats really there, and not the case in human tracking, of the trail and help you find
you trampling all over valu- make whats there fit your its very likely that youll miss other spoor like the foot-
able clues. imagination. aerial signs, and its even prints youve been after.
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Lesson 4: Anchor the Last Known When track-

ing, its easy
Track to forget to
The concept: When human tracking, there are many look up. The
different reasons you could lose a subject and its in- focus should
evitable. This is why its critical to keep a segment of your always be on
what youre
attention on the last known track. tracking, lest
The application: The last confirmed track you found you be caught
before you lost the trail will act like an anchor. Even unaware of
whom or what
if the terrain changes and youre not seeing tracks, that
is ahead and
behind you.

Freddy Osuna Tracking needs to be subordinate to your awareness of

and David
the surroundings and nothing should take your focus
Reeder, left,
point out some off your personal safety or the safety of your team.
signs left behind
by a subject Where it All Began
during a track-
ing class for law During a quiet moment after the days training had
enforcement in wrapped, we asked Osuna why he tracks and why he
Maryland. chose to teach tracking to the military, law enforcement,
and civilian world. Heres what he had to say: I teach

Meet the
Tracker
doesnt mean that the subject floated over the area. Freddy Osuna is the founder and
It just means that the steps that he or she took didnt lead instructor of Greenside Train-
make much disturbance and are hard to see. But if you ing and a combat tracking expert.
keep sight of the last clear print, and consider the direc- Author of Index Tracking - Essential
tion of travel, you should be able to get back on the Guide to Trailing Man and Beast, he
track at some point. And if not, youll need to fall back also contributes to RECOIL, RECOIL
onto your lost spoor procedure, which is a calculated OFFGRID, Breach Bang Clear, and
approach to finding lost tracks. various other publications. A former
U.S. Marine, Osuna uses knowledge
Lesson 5: Stay Aware of the Thing at based on real-world deployments
the End of the Trail and formal combat tracking instruc-
The concept: The tracks themselves are almost hyp- tor experience with U.S. and allied
notic, lulling us into a trance in which we can momen- militaries, as well as with federal,
tarily forget about the thing that made those tracks. state, and municipal law enforce-
These footprints are merely a shadow of the real thing, ment entities. He harnesses his
and the tracks themselves are harmless, but the quarry Native American and Marine Corps
may not be. culture to deliver holistic, power-
The application: If youre using your tracking skills to ful, and scientific-based lessons
harvest an animal for food or avoid a predator, theres steeped in North American tracker
a point in your pursuit where tracking ends and the lineage.
hunt begins. But what if youre following a trespasser www.greensidetraining.com
on your property, or an armed felon during a manhunt?
066 OFFG
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ISSUE 16

tracking because I want to give others the ability to

experience the world the way I do. Through a natural
curiosity I have always had, I have developed identifi-
able, explainable, and reproducible methods, which
can improve how my students process sensory input
and overall perception.
This will greatly enhance their everyday personal
and professional performance as human beings.
Have you ever walked through nature and felt a
pull which beckons you to go further Just a little
further, it whispers, just over the next hill. Finally your
conscience wins, and you pull away from this sense-
less endeavor heading back to camp. What were you
looking for? What was it which drove you to keep
going only to meet the all-too-familiar dissatisfaction
you knew was coming?
A Quick Lesson in
I believe there is a void in our lives that creates this
phenomenon. This void is sensory atrophy, and it is
Counter-Tracking
happening to humans at a faster rate than ever in his- Weve all seen the movies and TV shows in which someone walks back-
tory. The void is the proverbial hole in our soul, which ward or uses a branch to brush away their trail. But heres the part where
this strange walkabout is attempting to fill. Tracking reality sinks in. All of this goofy Hollywood nonsense is just that, nonsense.
and sensory awareness training I have found is what When the average person tries to walk backward in their own tracks, or
fills this hole. It gives me a sense of completeness with brush them flat with a stick, they make a lot more disturbance than their
my world I never thought possible. It serves me with original trail made and are even easier to follow (plus they lost valuable
safety and peace in the woods and equally as much in time). Heres how it really should be done, based after the British counter-
the urban jungle. Tracking and awareness is power! tracking method.

Conclusion
So what is human tracking really about? The low-
hanging fruit answer is that it involves the interpreta-
tion of signs that a person or group left behind, and
possibly following these signs to find the individuals.
But youve probably read enough about the subject
now to see that man tracking is far more than just
following footprints. In this Greenside Training field
course, I learned many creative metaphors for man
tracking. They told us that tracking is a vehicle, gate-
way, and a road that takes us to greater awareness in
the world. Dont step on something you Dont move what you can walk
I agree with these concepts completely, but the one can step over through without touching
that really struck a chord with me was when Osuna Dont cut vegetation that you Dont step on soft ground
called tracking a language. I couldnt agree more. In can break when something hard is an
fact, tracking may just be the first language, one writ- Dont break anything that you option
ten in the dirt, on the rocks, and in the vegetation can just bend Dont walk through water;
just waiting for us to learn to read its secret script and Dont bend what you can it actually makes more of a
discover the hidden information that it contains. simply move disturbance
Learning to track is part of your lifes story, and the
For more on tracking, see Time to Boogie in
tracks you leave behind you will continue your trail
RECOIL OFFGRIDs Winter 2015 Issue.
until you make your final track in this world.
 Now Available
For Home Delivery

Get RECOILs sister publication, RECOIL OFFGRID, delivered right to your door six times a year!
Its a fresh approach to urban survival and emergency preparation with in-depth buyers guides,
honest product reviews, and survival techniques from the industrys top experts.

TO LEARN MORE offgrid-mag.com Also available on and

068 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
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 muangsatun/istockphoto.com

from concealment? Theres one with built-in features for

that, too. Carrying $1,000 worth of gear but dont want to
look like you have anything valuable? Read on to discover
a hoodie that is actually designed for that purpose.

Selection
Shopping for a hooded jacket is like shopping for
anything useful; its best to pay particular attention to
your needs and what the intended use is. A thick cotton
hoodie wont be great if youre hiking in pouring rain,
while a non-insulated windbreaker wont do much to
keep you warm when youre out in the snow get the
Some Hoodies Do More Than Keep
picture? Weather, terrain, overall comfort, useful features,
Your Torso Warm and Your Dome Dry as well as your aesthetic preferences should dictate
which hoodie is best for you and when.
Story by Martin Anders Whether youre preparing for a trip to a foreign city or
Photos by Michael Grey
a day trek out into the wilds, theres a suitable hooded
jacket thats right for the job. Therefore, we try on the

A
latest and greatest offerings for this fall season to find out
fter parts of the United States have suf- which one can help you stay prepared.
fered through brutal heat this past sum-
mer, were relieved that its starting to
cool off a bit. We can barely remember
the last time we wore anything thicker
than a T-shirt. But with the temperature dropping and
wetter weather on the way, the need for warmer clothes
creeps back into our lives. A Brief
Enter hoodie season.
While many people these days see hooded jackets Hoodie History
and sweatshirts as fashion staples or political statements Where did the hoodie get its start? The skate-
rather than as prepper apparel, this versatile piece of boarders of the 1980s? Nope. The graffiti artists
clothing has long proven that function can indeed and break-dancers of the 1970s? Go back further.
match form. Much further you can thank medieval monks
for your favorite hoodie. Well, sort of. Monks wore
Utility hooded robes for warmth in unheated churches,
Hoodies are warm enough to keep us from catching and the style eventually spread throughout
a chill, but light enough so that we arent suffering in our Europe. However, it wasnt until the 1930s that the
own personal saunas. They offer cover from the ele- hoodie that we now know and love came to be.
ments and a way to warm up our noggins in a hurry. But The Knickerbocker Knitting Company claims to
wait, theres more. have made the first hooded sweatshirt in the Dirty
Some hooded jackets are not only good for protection 30s to protect athletes and laborers from bad
against inclement weather, but also provide camouflage weather. You know that company today under the
opportunities. Want to blend into a crowd? A non-descript brand name Champion.
hoodie can help you look like an everyman. Need to draw
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5.11 Tactical
Taclite Anorak Ja
acket
COLORS
Brown, stone, tundra (shown)
MATERIAL
Polyester/cotton shell with cotton
twill lining
FEATURES
RAPIDraw pass-through pocket,
secure document chest pockets,
structured hood, storm collar, adjustt-
able cuffs
MSRP
$140
URL
www.511tactical.com

Featuring reinforced stitching through-

out its construction, this jacket is clearlyy
designed for hard use. It does a good jobb
keeping wet weather out with its three-
panel hood, storm aps, and adjustable
cuffs. Unlike other jackets in this guide,
the Taclite Anorak is built to let you
quickly reach a concealed-carry weaponn
(CCW). Its front pass-through pocket
allows for access to gear by both hands,
and a covert pass-through at the bottom m
of the pocket allows you to draw from
the waist. The jacket also has full-length
zippered side vents that allow for accesss
to waist-worn sidearms.

PROS:
If staying warm and dry without sacric--
ing CCW capability is important to you,
this is certainly a worthy option to
consider.
CCW compatibility
Insulated throughout
CONS:
The all-over insulation comes at a cost.
Its on the heavier side, and its frumpy
look doesnt score any points in the stylee
department.
Heavy
Unstylish look

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 NOT
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OO ORNAMENT

Arcteryx
Squamish Hoody
y Mens
COLORS
Adriatic blue (shown), basalt, black, blaze,
bourbon, magma, silver lining, twin leaf
MATERIAL
Nylon
FEATURES
Gusseted underarms for enhanced move-
ment, lightweight construction, compress-
ible and packable, wind resistant, water
repellent, hood is helmet compatible, stows
away in its own pocket
MSRP
$159
URL
www.arcteryx.com

Arcteryx calls this hooded jacket a hooded

windshell, which is a perfect description
for it as it feels more like a shell than a
full-on jacket. The Squamish Hoody is an
extremely lightweight and compressible
jacket, constructed of durable wind-resistant
and water-repellent nylon fabric. In fact, its
so light and packable that it can actually be
stowed in one of its own pockets for compact
storage. Wed be remiss if we didnt point out
that its lightweight design means that its
not insulated, but if ounces and space are a
premium in your pack, this jacket is a viable
option. Arcteryx designed it with freedom
of mobility as a key feature. The Squamish
Hoodys cut and gusseting provides ease of
movement for just about any activity. It is
equipped with Arcteryxs StormHood, which
is helmet compatible and can be cinched with
one-handed draw cords.

PROS:
A jacket thats lightweight, wind-resistant,
water-repellent, and small enough to be
packed into one of its pockets is a keeper in
our book. The fact that the hood is helmet
compatible and can be cinched one-handed
puts it over the top.
Lightweight
Packs into its own pocket
Wind and water resistant
CONS:
This jacket might be great for warmish to
cool, windy environments, but this uninsu-
lated windbreaker wont do anything to ward
off the cold when the mercury really drops.
Limited application
Light, thin construction may lack durability
Athletic t makes layering underneath a
challenge
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Beyond Clothing
Alpha Lochi Ja
acket
COLORS
Navy/grey
MATERIAL
Nylon with synthetic insulation
FEATURES
U.S. made, reversible, insulated wit
ih
Polartec Alpha, water repellent,
compressible, breathable
MSRP
$334
URL
www.beyondclothing.com

Beyond Clothings line is based on a

concept called Axios, a seven-layerr
system for varying activities. The Alph
Alpphhaa
Lochi Jacket falls within the A3 layeeerr,
which is primarily for active insulattiion
on .
Developed with cold environments
in mind, this jacket features Polarteec
ec
Alpha insulation that transfers moiisstuurree
away from the body to keep you boot othh
dry and warm, even when youre act cttivve
in cold climates. It is reversible for
low-prole use and features zipperred ed
pockets both inside and out. Its outtere
surfaces are treated with durable wate
watter
wa
repellent (DWR) to keep you protecttteed
from wind and rain.

PROS:
The Alpha Lochi can tackle it all. Its
water and wind resistant, insulatedd
for warmth, and compressible for eassy
storage. On top of all that, its revers-
rss-
too.
to
ible and made in America, too o. What
Whaatt
tss
not to like?
Insulated and compressible l
Made in the USA
Reversible
CONS:
Whats not to like is the pricce oouucchh!
Also, the hood lacks drawsttrrinngs
gs anndd
cannot be cinched tight.
Steep price but you get Je Jekkyyl an
and
hide with this one.
Lack of cinchable hood

selimaksan/istockphoto.com
 NOT
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Cannae
Battle Ready Ta
actical Hoodie
COLORS
Black
MATERIAL
Smooth-faced cotton/polyester
eece
FEATURES
Chest zipper pocket, left arm zipper
pocket, wide and deep abdominal
pockets, Spandex trim at cuffs, cinch
cord at hem and hood, hip length
MSRP
$90
URL
www.cannaeprogear.com

Created for the tactically minded, the

Battle Ready Full Zip Hoodie is made to
keep its user warm while allowing for
wide ranging exibility to maneuver in
active situations. It features an easy-
entry zipper pocket on the left chest,
two wide and deep abdominal open
pockets on either side that can handle
heavy objects and concealed-carry
guns, easy-to-pull hood and hem cinch
straps, and a zippered pocket on the
left arm. Spandex bindings are found
on the wrist cuffs and a cinchable hem
helps keep body warmth in and the cold
elements out.

PROS:
Cannae takes the classic hoodie design
and improves on its functionality. Its
soft enough that your girlfriend will
want to borrow it but strong enough to
hold up to some serious use.
Deep pockets
Strong zippers and cinchable cords
Comfortable and exible yet durable
CONS:
With a name like Battle Ready Tactical
Hoodie, this sweater should be swim-
ming in innovative CCW features (like
hidden compartments or something
like the Taclite Anoraks covert pass-
through), yet it isnt.
Marketed as tactical, but the patch
elds are as far as it goes
Not water or wind resistant
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S GUIDE
G E

Khl
Spyfire Hoody
COLORS
Olive, pirate blue (shown), raven
MATERIAL
Nylon with down insulation
FEATURES
Water resistant, windproof, 800-ll
goose-down insulation, advanced
materials, ve-panel adjustable hoodd,
precision 3D t, underarm zippable
cooling panels
MSRP
$260
URL
www.kuhl.com

The Spyre Hoody is made up of four

different fabrics, each engineered for a
specic purpose. Its precision 3D t iss
designed to naturally follow your bodyss
shape for the ultimate in t and com-
fort. The goose-down-lled bafes are
sized differently for better heat distri-
bution. For example, youll nd thinner,
smaller bafes on the inside underarm
panels to reduce bulk and overheat-
ing. The hood has a protruding brim, is
made of ve panels, and is adjustable att
its opening and at the back for a ne-
tuned t. When not in use, the hood layss
at. The Spyre Hoody is built with two
zippered chest pockets, two zippered
hand pockets, one zip pocket on the
sleeve, and an inside mesh pocket.

PROS:
Khl has another winner on its handds.
dss.
The lightweight Spyre Hoody featuures rees
a two-way adjustable hood and hass
ventilation options to keep the userr
from overheating.
Insulation and ventilation featuress
Lightweight
CONS:
This jackets slim prole isnt for evver
e y-
y
one. Were also pretty sure that it pr
pric
ices
es
itself out of a few budgets.
Fit isnt for everyone
On the pricey side

selimaksan/istockphoto.com
 NOT
O JUST
S A
HO
HOOD
O ORNAMENT

Kitanica
American Hoody
dy
COLORS
Black, at dark earth, stone green
(shown)
MATERIAL
Polyester
FEATURES
USA made, 200-weight eece, at lock
stitching, ventilated front pocket with
admin features, covered pen tube
MSRP
$155
URL
www.kitanica.net

Made in America of 200-weight eece

and constructed with at lock stitching,
the American Hoody is as warm as it is
comfortable. Its gusseted hood has a
stiffened brim with an adjustable cinch-
ing shock cord. The left bicep features
Kitanicas signature covered pen tubes
mounted on a zippered pocket and the
right arm has a Velcro patch eld ready
to accept your morale patch of choice.
The large pocket on the front can be
accessed from either side and features
a mesh backing, serving as front
ventilation in warmer temps when the
pockets are left unzipped. The neatest
feature is found on the interior of the
front pocket. On the mesh backing is
a Velcro enclosed small admin pocket
used to help secure smaller items like
keys, wallet, or phone.

PROS:
There are plenty of storage options in
and on this hoodie; our favorite is the
admin pocket inside the large front
pocket. Ventilation is available for
warmer temperatures.
Pocket within a pocket
Ventilation option
CONS:
Those who live a tactical lifestyle
can probably pick this hoodie out of a
crowd, possibly making it more difcult
for the wearer to remain unnoticed.
Pen pocket can snag when putting on
a backpack or walking through rough
terrain.
Tactical look
Pen pocket may catch
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Hazard 4
Beachhead Fuzzy
zy Ly
Lycra Hoodie
COLORS
Black, coyote (shown)
MATERIAL
UV-Protection Fuzzy Lycra
FEATURES
Breathable, moisture-wicking interioor,r
highly UV-protective, forearm zip-
pockets, Raglan sleeves for ease of
arm movement, wont shrink or fadee,
dries quickly
MSRP
$110
URL
www.hazard4.com

Hazard 4s Beachhead hoodie has a

stretchy feel and features a smooth
exterior and a unique, breathable,
moisture-wicking fuzzy Lycra interior.
The interiors fuzz is comfortable and
adds additional warmth while not ab-
sorbing moisture. The hoodie is featuree
rich and includes plenty of pockets, as
well as Velcro panels for your choice
of patches. Its long zipper pulls make
zipper manipulation with gloves on a
breeze. The Beachhead is UV protectivee
and quick to dry when wet. Hazard 4
promises that this hoodie will not shrink
nk
or fade, which makes it great for long-
term wear.

PROS:
The Beachheads raglan-style sleeves
allow for ease of arm movement, and
its fuzzy Lycra interior certainly is veryy
comfortable. We especially like itss lil gghhtt--
weight and quick-drying propertieeess.
Interior is warm and comfy
Lightweight
CONS:
The form-tting cut may not be
everyones cup of tea. Its tactical lolook
ok
could be a turn off for those looking too
blend in.
Slim t can be an issue for some
A little too tactical looking for thhos
ose
who prefer something more discre reet
et
et

selimaksan/istockphoto.com
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SSUE 6

SCOTTeVEST
The Hoodie-Cotton
otton
COLORS
Black, crimson (shown), eclipse grray,
ayy,
storm blue
MATERIAL
Cotton/Polyester
FEATURES
10 pockets, magnetic and snap
closures, anti-bulge pockets, weight-
ght
h-
management system, rib knit cufffs
with hidden thumbholes
MSRP
$80
URL
www.scottevest.com

This bad boy has 10 pockets thats

right, 10. It sure doesnt look like it
does it? The pockets are engineered
to discreetly hold your everyday-carrryy
essentials or, if the time ever comes,,
your life-sustaining survival gear. Thhiss
completely non-descript hoodie is peerr--
fect for daily wear around town or wheen
traveling to unfamiliar places. There are a re
ar
two large interior pockets that feature
magnetic enclosures to keep your kitt in
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back compartments, resulting in four
pockets. The interior is a labyrinth off
hidden conduits to connect wires to
devices while theyre in your pocketss, s,
including power banks, charging cabbl bles
les
es ,
or headphones. Plus, its designed too
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entire garment so your neck and upppe p er
back wont get tired or sore.

PROS:
The Hoodie-Cotton is a feature rich
hoodie that doesnt look like it is. Wee
may have found our ultimate graymaan- n-
friendly hoodie.
Multiple storage options
Engineered to spread the weight off
stored gear
Excellent for discreet carry
CONS:
While this hoodie has a ton of pockets
and is even engineered for weight
distribution, we wish it had more
performance-related attributes, such as
moisture wicking or wind resistance.
Can use more weather protection
Not the lightest

selimaksan/istockphoto.com
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080 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 16

WARNING!
The concepts shown
here are for illustrative
purposes only. Seek
professional training
from a reputable
instructor before
attempting any
techniques discussed
or shown in this story.
SHTF Self-Defense: A Primer on Effective Knees
Story and Photos by Conrad Bui

T
hese are dangerous times, my friend. due to its effectiveness in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Just turn on the TV or scan your digital matches. Muay Thai and MMA rules allow the use of
newsfeed to see that trouble lurks just fists, feet, elbows, and you guessed it knees to
around the corner in any civilized society bring down an opponent. After hundreds of years
today. And this is happening while our and thousands of matches, the knee strike has been
military and law enforcement are fully operational. refined, stripped of any fluff, and turned into a tool of
Imagine what would happen if our society broke down; pure destruction. It can cause contusions, knockouts,
violence would be even more prevalent. and possibly even death.
So, learning to defend yourself makes perfect sense. In Thailand, the knees and elbows score the highest
Proficiency in firearms as well as bladed and blunt amount of points because the knees and elbows do the
weapons can greatly improve a preppers odds of most damage, says Ajarn (master) Sam Phimsoutham,
surviving a violent encounter. But what if youre caught owner and head instructor at World Team USA in San
without a self-defense tool? Youll need more than just Francisco. It has the force of a battering ram, but you
your big right hand. In fact, there could be situations dont need a lot of strength to perform an effective
in which using your lower limbs are necessary. Maybe knee strike. A knee to the groin does not take much ef-
your wrists are tied together. Perhaps several thugs fort. Its also surprising because it comes from below, in
have your arms locked up. Or, what if youre holding the opponents blind spot. Especially during a clinching
onto your newborn when an attack is inbound? Using situation, it is difficult to see.
your knees to strike will be crucial. As powerful and dangerous as the knee strike is, it
Knees? Yes, pretty much everyone has em. But not does have limitations.
everyone knows how deadly they can be. When used You will be close to the attacker when you use a
correctly, they can stop a threat. How? Much like our ex- knee, so if you dont know what you are doing, it can
amination of elbows as effective weapons (see RECOIL be dangerous, says Phimsoutham, who has trained
OFFGRID Issue 7), we delve into the largest joint on the more than 40 Muay Thai and MMA champions. If you
human body to find out how knees can end a brawl. No are going up against multiple opponents, throwing
matter if youre a knee-striking neophyte or a patella- knees will place you in grappling range, and you can
dropping prizefighter, youll find potentially life-saving be taken down.
information in the following pages. Also, he cautions that using multiple knee strikes can
be fatiguing because it utilizes large muscles. You dont
The Art of Eight Limbs have to be an Olympic athlete to make it work, but this
Muay Thai (aka Thai Boxing) has been around for is just another reason to stay fit and read the Health
centuries and has recently garnered more popularity column in this magazine.
ISSUE 16

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ISSUE 16

A 14 A B
MMA fighter
Diego Her-
zog takes a
big swing at
Ajarn Sam
Phimsoutham.
Phimsoutham
blocks the
punch with
both arms and
returns fire
with a knee to
1 1
the groin, drop-
ping Herzog to
the ground.

B 14
With the popu-
larity of the
UFC and WWE,
encountering
a takedown
attempt is
increasingly
more common.
Herzog stops 2 2
Mark Pantojas
tackle attempt
by stiff-arming
his shoulders
and sprawling
back. Herzog
cups the at-
tackers head
and unleashes
a knee to the
head, stopping
the attack.

3 3

4 4
 SIMPLY
SMASHING!

The How-To C
Like throwing a punch, executing a correct knee
strike takes practice. Stand with your hands up and
step back with your dominant leg (right, if youre right-
side dominant). Bring your dominant knee up to hip
level and point your toe down Pointing your
toe down will expose the bone and make your knee
sharp, Phimsoutham says. Once your knee is up to
hip level, thrust your hip forward to put more mass
behind the knee. Make sure to keep your hands up and
make contact with the bony part the knee cap (aka
patella). 1 2
Its important to understand distancing for knee
strikes if the target is too close, power cannot be gen-
erated; too far and the knee will not reach. Understand-
ing the correct range comes with practice (on the bag,
pads, and with partners).
Using the knee as a weapon sounds easy enough,
and it is. For maximum devastation, the following are
common mistakes to avoid:

Leaning too far back: This will reduce the

power of your knee strike and cause imbalance.
Not turtling up: Keep your chin down and 3 4
shoulders up to protect your noggin.
Dropping your hand(s): Keep your hands
C 15
active by either protecting your face or control-
Diego Herzog, left, launches a
ling and neutralizing the opponent and their haymaker, so Sam Phimsoutham
weapons. counters by covering up and
Not extending hips: Raising the knee along eye jabbing. Once safely inside
the arc of the looping punches,
with a pelvic thrust will increase damage to
Phimsoutham grasps the back of
the target. Herzogs head with both hands.
Not setting up: Being at the correct range to To protect himself from further
throw a knee strike is paramount to landing the punches, Phimsoutham brings
knee. Either youll find yourself in range (by sur- his head close to Herzogs and
goes ear-to-ear. Phimsoutham is
prise) or set up the opponent to get into range
now in a position to pull Herzogs
with strikes, distractions, or maneuvering into the head down into a fight-ending
5
famous Thai clinch. knee.

Muay Thai Clinch

Possibly the best platform to deliver a knee is the The Muay Thai clinch is best utilized when an at-
Thai clinch. Many fans of cage-fighting witnessed the tacker is swinging big haymakers at your head (perhaps
destructive force of this position for the first time at the most common street attack).
2006s UFC 64 when Anderson The Spider Silva Before entering the clinch, bring your hands up to
secured the Thai clinch on Rich Ace Franklin and pep- protect your head. Step inside the arc of the punch and
pered his body with knee strikes. A final brain-jarring grasp behind the assailants head with your closest
patella to the head ended the match and secured Silva hand, keeping your other hand up to block if necessary.
ISSUE 16

the middleweight belt. Once you have your opponents head cupped, con-

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ISSUE 16

D 16 D tinue to step in and secure your second hand on top

Edgar Ga- of your first hand. The opponents head (and body as
briel is held at well) will now be under your control. Keep your elbows
gunpoint by down and squeeze in with your forearms. To keep your
Steve Swen-
opponent from punching you in the face, bring your
son. Gabriel
zips past the ear as close as possible to the attackers ear. Instead
OODA loop of whispering sweet nothings, start launching nuclear
and turns to knee attacks.
bring the gun
offline with his
arm. Once the Armed and Dangerous
1 2
muzzle is no To deal with weapons-based scenarios RECOIL OFF-
longer pointed GRID turns to Krav Maga. Formulated by Imi Lichtenfeld,
at him, Gabriel this combatives system combines elements of boxing,
pins the fire-
Muay Thai, Combat Sambo, and wrestling. Krav Maga
arm against
Swensons was created for the Israel Defense Forces, eventually
body and spreading to various military units, police agencies, and
rams his civilians around the world. This battle-tested system is
knees right
known for the use of instinctive body movements and
into the goods.
As Swenson simple, yet effective principles so naturally knees are
recoils in pain, a key part of its arsenal.
Gabriel strips Like the elbow, knee strikes are definitely fight-
the weapon 3 4
enders, says Edgar Gabriel, a certified Krav Maga
away and
moves to a instructor and co-owner of the Academy of Combative
safer distance. Defense and Fitness in San Jose, California. The best
target is the groin. Go straight for the money maker or
family jewels. Why the groin? Like the eyes and throat,
you cant strengthen those areas for protection.
The effectiveness of knee strikes in Krav Maga is
evident, even when the assailant is armed. However,
like any other skill, self-defense skills are perishable. So,
get a partner, find a safe place to train, use the correct
training gear, and start slowly. (Remember, safety first!).

Advanced Knee Techniques

5 The knee is commonly used as a bludgeoning
weapon and just like any tool, this large appendage can
be used in multiple ways.
Moving onto advanced knee applications, we re-
cently visited Dr. Andre KnustGraichen, a master in the
rare art of Indonesian Pentjak Silat Serak. This system
relies heavily on principles of movement rather than
rote memorization of techniques. Silat specializes in
close-quarter combatives, edged weapons, and efficient
defense against multiple-attackers.
Knee strikes are extremely effective weapons, yet
there are situations that may prohibit raising your
knee for a strike. The ground may be wet or slippery
and raising your knee might land you on your glutes.
6
Also, being burdened by heavy equipment like a
 SIMPLY
SMASHING!

1 2 3

4 5 6

backpack or an injury can make raising your knee

difficult. Beyond pummeling an opponent, Guru Besar
(headmaster) Andre demonstrates using the knee as a
leveraging tool. E 17
A high degree of force can be produced using the Andre KnustGraichen
strength of your core in addition to your femur (your counters a chokehold/
largest bone) and your knee. Taking the opponent grab attack by slapping
Neil Young (not the
down can be achieved when this force is applied to an
famous singer) in the ear.
attackers lower limbs. To perform a takedown using Next he grabs his own el-
your knee, you must first get in close, by blocking or bow and torques Youngs
shielding, and then controlling the attacker. Once your arm, as he rams his knee
into the side of Youngs leg.
position is established, ram your knee into the side of
KnustGraichen controls
the opponents knee and force them to the ground. Youngs wrist then steps
Once said attacker is inhaling dust, you can finish the back to deliver the show-
7
ISSUE 16

fight or take flight. stopping knee.

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ISSUE 16 D

Disarming an attacker can also be aided with the

knee. Against an armed attacker, its prudent to use
every resource available. Once again, the mighty knee
comes to the rescue. In Silat, the knee will be brought

The Art of into play to support the hands. Of course, since the
muscles of the leg are larger than that of the arm alone,
more leverage is produced.

Fighting You optimize your leverage using the knee. This way,
you do not have to be a big person to make it work,
says KnustGraichen, who has mastered several systems
of Silat.
Ancient military strategist Sun Tzu advised, The greatest victory Admittedly, using your knee to leverage a takedown
is that which requires no battle. Not all situations call for devastat- or disarm is an advanced approach that requires the
ing your attacker. There are times when awareness and self-confi- aid of an instructor and proper training to be used ef-
dence is enough to win the fight. fectively under duress. We recommend finding a good
teacher, caring partners, reliable gear, and a commit-
I was locking up the gym one night, says Thai boxing champion ment to regular training.
Michael Mananquil. As always, I checked the reflection off the
glass door when locking up. That night in the reflection, I could see Conclusion
someone eyeing me from behind. The man started approaching While life is pretty uneventful for most of us, disas-
me quickly, and I turned around to look at him. I stared at him and ters do happen. On the large scale, it could be a giant
gave him the eyebeams like, Lets do this! comet, a mutant virus, or an alien invasion that wipes
out humanity. Closer to home (and more realistically), it
The potential assailant immediately paused. He was now looking may be an assault that ends your life. Preparing for as
into the eyes of a confident opponent, whose head was not all up many situations as possible is the way to go. The more
in his apps. The potential attacker, quickly veered off and left me likely the situation, the more prepared we need to be.
alone, says Mananquil, head Muay Thai instructor at AB MMA. He Within any community, theres always a chance for
was able to lock up and go home safely without incident. violence. Knowing how to defend yourself and your
loved ones, both while armed and unarmed, is all
We guess you can call this the art of fighting without fighting. part of being a prepper. Having knowledge to use
your hands, elbows, feet, and knees in a self-defense
situation will improve your odds of surviving any
violent encounter.

About SOURCES
the Author Edgar Gabriel
Academy of Combative Defense and Fitness
Dr. Conrad Bui is a San Francisco-based chiro-
www.academydefensetness.com
practor and martial artist with more than 30 Diego Herzog
years of continuous experience. He regularly
www.diegoherzog.com
gives and receives knees as a Muay Thai Andre KnustGraichen
Pentjak Silat USA
coach at World Team USA under Ajarn Sam
www.pentjaksilatsera.com
Phimsoutham. A frequent contributor to RE-
Michael Mananquil
COIL OFFGRID, Conrad is also a guru in the art
AB MMA
of Indonesian Pentjak Silat Serak under Guru www.ab-mma.com
Besar Andre KnustGraichen. He is currently
Sam Phimsoutham
working on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt World Team USA
under the tutelage of Professor Diego Herzog. www.worldteamusa.com
CONQUER YOUR WORLD.
Tested and approved by Les Stroud, the knives in this heritage series are expertly designed to survive
the toughest tasks. Titanium bonded. Built to perform. No matter the challenge, consider it conquered. camillusknives.com/survive
088 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 16

PLAN
OF ACTION
Applying the U.S. Armys Operational Concept
of METT-TC to Survive Any Situation

Story by Hakim Isler | Photo by Shoot to Thrill Photography

B
eyond the bombs, rifles, and discipline, a ba-
sic tenet of the U.S. Army is survival. From the
survival of a nation all the way down to the life of
an individual soldier, the military is built on giving
its members the skills to endure any mission,
anywhere at anytime. Thats why civilian survivalists should take a
page (or six) from the militarys METT-TC concept.
METT-TC is a mnemonic that stands for six factors: mission,
enemy, terrain, troops, time, and civilians. Its used primarily by the
U.S. Army as a framework to aid its warriors in analyzing a situ-
ation, prioritizing key aspects, and then planning accordingly to
achieve success. As a former sergeant, I quickly found that, while
meant for military operations, it was applicable to my success
as a survivalist in the wilderness or as a civilian in the concrete
jungles back home.
In any environment, you have to know your goals, obstacles,
field of play, possible allies and resources, window for success,
and potential for dynamic cause and effect based on the local
populace. Failure (which can mean death in SHTF scenarios) is
overcome by ones ability to understand these six factors and use
them to plan an effective survival strategy. So, read on carefully.
 ISSUE 16

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mtreasure/istockphoto.com
Understand the Mission Know the shelter. That night it rained, and the temp dropped down
Army Application: The M in METT-TC is mission. During mission: Should to 44 degrees F. I was cocooned, partially dry, and warm
you build a
this phase the warrior looks to understand the purpose of shelter first or enough to survive the night in a debris hut. The next
the operation and the specific intent of his superiors. a fire? day I worked on building a better shelter and collecting
Survival Application: In a SHTF scenario, you have firewood to last the night.
to clearly understand the specific goals and parameters Clearly defining your long-term mission is important,
of your situation. Will you have to hunker down for a but dont neglect the smaller missions that will culminate
short time or a long period? Or will you have to move to in your overall success.
safety? There are also physical factors to consider how
much food do you have, are you hydrated, etc. Each has
a specific set of circumstances that need to be under-
stood in order to be successful.
For example, I once ended up on a training exercise in
the mountains with no food and very little water. To make
matters worse, night was quickly descending. The long-
term mission was to survive for weeks in one location.
The short-term mission was to survive the night. With only
three hours before nightfall in a cold mountainous area, I
had a stark choice to make: start a fire or build a shelter. I
had no gear except a blade, and I was completely unsure
NattyHongPhoto/istockphoto.com

of the weather. Most armchair survivalists would suggest

grabbing as much firewood as possible, but that seemed Know thy
to be a little unsettling because it could rain and gather- enemy.
ing enough firewood to last the night would be hard. Sometimes
thats your poor
My goal for that moment was simply to maintain my
choice in foot-
body heat to last the night. Nearby there was plenty of wear for tough
debris and some young saplings, so I went with making a terrain.
 PLAN
OF ACTION

nullplus/istockphoto.com
Understand the Enemy
Army Application: The E in METT-TC stands for
enemy. In this phase the soldier focuses on whom they
could be up against. What are the enemys numbers,
weapons, capabilities, etc.?
Survival Application: When I mention this principle
in terms of survivalism, people often look at me weird.
They start wondering if they chose the zombie apoca-
lypse class instead of the wilderness survival class. Its
important to think of an enemy not just as a person, but
anything that could hurt you or hinder your survival.
The list is long it could be the weather, water, preda-
tors, landscape, bugs, etc. Think about two categories
passive (spiders, plants, dangerous terrain, etc.) and
intentional (predatory animals, parasitic bugs, and, yes, Whether of an area that provide for overwhelming an enemy. Its
aggressive humans). among friends also not the common preppers need to be aware of how
or thrust into a
Even your personal limitations can heighten certain chal- to identify weaknesses in their position as it relates to be-
survival group
lenges and can also be seen as an enemy. If youre afraid of of strangers, ing ambushed in a firefight. However, lets simplify things
snakes, seeing one could paralyze you. Cant swim? Falling you have to and think about an unexpected survival situation.
into a fast-moving river could be fatal. The enemy aspect of learn every- Area advantages for ambush: Knowing where to stalk
METT-TC is truly one of the most important. Know the po- ones strengths a deer or set a rabbit trap could mean the difference
and weakness-
tential dangers youll face based on your area of operation. es, and quickly. between starving and having a calorie-rich, morale-
Understand how to combat and succeed against these boosting meal.
obstacles based on your own limitations. Strengths and weaknesses of location: Observe the
pros and cons of a site as it relates to long-term sustain-
Understand the Terrain ability. Are there things to eat? Is there fresh water? Is
Army Application: The first T in METT-TC means there good firewood nearby?
terrain. In this phase a soldier analyzes the environment Vital terrain: What is a key terrain for you to survive on?
to determine advantageous areas for overwhelming any Do you want to be close to the beach for a water rescue?
adversaries, as well as identify key weaknesses in his/ Are you in a flash flood area?
her position, possible obstacles, and points of cover and Obstacles: What are the barriers to your success? Is
concealment, etc. there a lake to cross? Is there a steep cliff to climb? Is there
Survival Application: The military approach to terrain a lack of resources along your trek from point A to B?
is pretty easy for students to understand on a theoreti- Cover and concealment: Do you have protection
cal level, but difficult to implement in terms of practical from the elements? Can you hide from potential prey and
survival needs. Of course, its not normally the need or predators?
intent of someone surviving to understand advantages As you can see, understanding terrain is much more
than just knowing if its hilly, rainy, icy, etc. Assessing your
terrain is like assessing a teammate. There are qualities
that will work for you or against you based on your needs.

Understand the Troops

Army Application: The second T in METT-TC stands
HAYKIRDI/istockphoto.com

for troops. In this phase the soldier analyzes the people

and assets available for a mission and their capabilities. In
Lack of addition to personnel, the soldier also assesses equip-
environmental
ment, skillsets, sleep needs, physical abilities, etc.
awareness can
lead to dire Survival Application: If youre in a disaster with a
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consequences. group of people, its vital you know their capabilities,

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personalities, and skillsets. If someone has a mind for You should ask questions and gather intel on those
medical knowledge, mechanical know-how, or naviga- around you as much as you would on yourself. You
tional aptitude, this could change your situation drasti- should also know at least the basics about the equip-
cally. If a person needs insulin or heart medication, you ment and items at your disposal.
should know. If you have people who are paralyzed with
fear of height, snakes, water, etc., that could affect how Understand the Time Available
you maneuver. If someone has a satellite phone that they Army Application: The third T in METT-TC is time. In
forgot about, dont know how to use it, or cant get it to this phase a soldier seeks to understand the time avail-
work, thats vital information. able for a mission. The soldier also wants to understand
In the civilian world, its a lot more difficult to under- all other related aspects, such as planning time, meal
stand whom youre dealing with. In the military you can times, rest times, travel times, and more.
normally start from a base understanding. Everyone had Survival Application: In dire circumstances, you
to pass a physical fitness test, so you know they can at could be time rich or time deficient; the line between the
least run 2 miles. Everyone had to pass a basic marks- two is always in flux. Ive been lucky enough to survive
manship exam, so you know they can shoot. The list through both situations, and Im not happy to say that
goes on. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in a survival they both suck!
situation with a bunch of strangers, well, this could pose A time-rich scenario might be a situation in which you
a true challenge. know rescue is on the way and youre in an environ-
Lets take this one step deeper. Do you truly know ment where it doesnt take much to regulate your body
yourself and your assets? I meet people all the time at my temperature, or find food or water. Because of this you
gym who overestimate their fitness level or martial arts wouldnt have to build a shelter, go hunting, find lots of
skills. They come in speaking very highly of themselves firewood, and thus you would have a lot of time.
I was a wide receiver in high school or Im super strong. A time-deficient scenario might be a situation in which
However, when I put them in a cardio class or tell them to its very stormy and the temperature changes drastically.
shoot a target, the glory days turn into the poor me days. Add to this a lack of food and clean water, and youll be
The saying, You dont rise to the occasion, you fall scrambling to find solutions. Youll forever feel like youre
to the lowest level of your training, is mostly true. I say fighting with time as Mother Nature backyard-wrestles
mostly because its always possible to find that person In a survival you into submission.
who overcomes an obstacle through sheer will. The situation, time Since nature is an outside force with a life of its own,
isnt always on
point of this is to always assess yourself, and when you it often plays a factor in your scheduling, so its impor-
your side, espe-
think youre slacking, have others assess you so you cially if a storms tant to acknowledge this early on and plan your use of
dont fool yourself. brewing. time wisely.

Natalia Moroz/istockphoto.com
 About the Author
A former psychological-operations
sergeant with the U.S. Army, Hakim
Isler is the designer of several

&#169 James Pauls/istockphoto.com

wilderness survival products and
the owner of Elevo Dynamics, the
first Dojym (a 24-hour gym and
martial-arts facility) in the United
States. He is also the founder of the
SOIL Foundation, a nonprofit that
offers off-grid training and excur-
sions to help veterans, law enforce-
ment, and civilians recover from
Understand the Civilians anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Army Application: The C in METT-TC means civilians. Moreover, Isler is a fourth-degree
In this phase, the soldier assesses how to interact and black belt in To-Shin Do under Ste-
handle situations involving local inhabitants. phen K. Hayes, an instructor in the
Survival Application: This aspect takes on several Filipino combat system of FCS Kali,
forms. One form is to know the mindset and habits of the and the author of Modern Hand to
people who may be looking for you. Another aspect is Hand Combat.
to know the mindset and habits of the people you may www.TheSoilFoundation.org
come across. www.BlackMacGyver.com
Knowing the mindset of those looking for you and www.ElevoDynamics.com
their habits is important because that allows you to
deduce how theyre searching for you and, thus, tells
you where you should go and what you should do to
get rescued. A more innocuous 21st-century example of
this is trying to Facebook message or text someone who
doesnt do either of those things. Once, I tried to give
directions to someone on foot at a crowded stadium.
Tapsiful/istockphoto.com

When I finally found him, he said, I didnt get your mes-

sage because I dont Facebook or text. If I had known
that about the person, I would have set up a different
way to communicate.
The mindset of the people you may come across is
also important. You might say, If I were in a survival situa-
tion, I would want to be found by anyone. However, that Knowing Conclusion
may not always be prudent. the mindset If you want to know what its like to be a survivalist, ask
of people
Some scenarios that highlight this may be if youre you might someone who survives for a living and outside of the
lost in a wooded area where there may be illegal drug encounter (or military, there are very few who keep people and values
labs sporadically popping up. Or you could stumble on those search- alive like the U.S. Army. Our amazing nation is shielded
the land of an unfriendly family who would be more ing for you) can and protected by this force and the skills it possesses
be a lifesaver.
likely to shoot a trespasser than let you get a word and teaches. With METT-TC, the Army has successfully
out; you could stumble into the territory of a hostile created a multi-level formula that anyone from a covert
tribe or an extreme religious faction. Understanding the Delta operator to a recreational hiker can use to plan a
hearts and minds of the locals is an important aspect of successful mission, be it a nighttime raid or an expected
ISSUE 16

survival that should not be underestimated. overnight stay in Mother Natures backyard.

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The Silent,
i Smoothbore
Killers
i That Started iit All
Story
y and Photos by
y Michael Janich

WARNIN !
The concepts shown
here are for
f illustrative
purposes only. SSeek
professional training
from a reputable
instructor before
attempting
i any
techniques
h i di
discussedd
or shown
h in
i this
hi story.
L
ong before anyone ever lit a cannon fuse theyre very capable of taking down many types of Opposite page:
or pressed a trigger, some evil genius in small game. They also offer some unique advantages Two traditional
blowguns, from
a tactical loincloth discovered that if you that make them ideal weapons for preppers. If you dont
Malaysia (with
put something into a hollow tube and already have one in your TEOTWAWKI kit, by the time mouthpiece on
blew into one end, it would fly out the youre done reading this article, youll want one. left) and the Philip-
other end with enough energy to cause trouble. That pines. Their darts
simple discovery, the blowgun, ultimately became the Blowgun Basics consisted of thin
bamboo shafts
basis of all barreled weapons especially when another A blowgun is about as simple as it gets. In its basic with stoppers or
evil genius figured out how to replace lung power with form, it consists of a rigid tube with a smooth bore typi- seals made of soft
gunpowder. cally somewhere between 3 8 and 5 8 inch in diameter wood.
Although the exact history of the blowgun is unclear, and anywhere from 2 to more than 10 feet long. Typi-
it appears that people in various parts of the world inde- cally its equipped with a mouthpiece at the breech end
pendently discovered the concept of a breath-powered to allow a better air seal and more effectively focus the
weapon over a thousand years ago. Blowguns were shooters breath into the tube. Thats it.
widely used in the Philippines, Japan, and among Na- Traditional blowguns were usually made of wood or
tive American tribes in the Southeastern USA, but they natural reeds, sometimes even featuring composite
reached their greatest potential in the Amazon basin tube-within-a-tube construction. Southeast Asian guns
of South America and the Malay Archipelago. Thats no were most often made of bamboo, providing a signifi-
Below: Modern
coincidence, as both those areas had species of plants cant head start for fashioning the bore. In South America, blowguns are
that could be used to make potent poisons the kind however, blowguns were crafted by the laborious pro- generally made of
that transformed low-powered blowgun darts into true cess of either drilling through the length of a solid piece seamless alumi-
killing projectiles and made them effective against more of wood or splitting the wood, carving a groove in each num tubing with
injection-molded
than snack-sized animals. half, and gluing it back together to create the bore. Lon-
plastic mouthpiec-
Even without poison, blowguns are surprisingly ger guns were also either pre-bent or bored on a bias to es and quivers for
powerful and accurate. With the right kind of projectiles, compensate for the sagging effects of gravity. carrying darts.

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Native darts often Todays commercial blowguns take the same simple
had points carved design and render it with precision tolerances and more
into miniature
broadheads to modern materials seamless aluminum tubing for the
increase their ef- barrel and injection-molded plastic mouthpieces. These
fectiveness on game. improvements minimize leakage of air around the pro-
Instead of wooden jectile and make the most of what your lungs have to
seals, many of them
offer. Forty-caliber guns are by far the most common,
also used Q-Tiplike
stoppers of twisted but .38-, .50-, and .625-caliber are also readily available.
thistledown, kapok, In addition to conventional one-piece blowguns, you
or similar fiber. can also find backpackable takedown models with mul-
tiple barrel sections joined by plastic or metal couplings.

Projectiles
The most common type of blowgun projectile is a
dart consisting of a needle-like shaft and a stopper of
some sort at the rear end that creates an air seal in the
Modern blowgun darts bore of the gun. Native darts were generally made of
have mild steel or spring thin shafts of bamboo or hardwood with cork, kapok,
steel shafts and molded
plastic beads or cones to or thistledown seals. Poison-coated darts were small
provide a seal in and lightweight, but unpoisoned darts sometimes had
the guns bore. hand-carved broadhead points and functioned like
small arrows.
Modern blowgun darts are more high-tech, us-
ing spring steel wire for the shaft and aerodynamic
injection-molded plastic cones for the seal. Since the
wire creates a very small wound channel, hunting darts
sometimes also have plastic or steel broadheads to
increase their lethality.
In addition to darts, both primitive and modern
blowguns can also shoot impact projectiles ranging
from hardened clay pellets to blunt steel-tipped darts
to paintballs.

Performance Check
So what can a blowgun really do? Well, in terms of
Factory-made blow- muzzle energy, theyre not nearly as potent as more
gun projectiles also advanced weapons like firearms. The average .40-cali-
include impact or
ber blowgun dart weighs about 14 grains. Out of a
stun darts and even
safety-tipped darts 4-foot blowgun, that dart will achieve a muzzle velocity
for use with dart of about 155 fps, yielding a muzzle energy of about 0.76
boards. ft-lb. Ballistically, thats nothing to brag about; however,
its still enough to bury the shaft of a sharp spring steel
dart several inches deep into soft flesh.
Larger calibers, like .625, usually use much heavier
darts (about 44 grains), but produce about the same
muzzle velocity. That translates to greater muzzle ener-
gy about 2.33 ft-lb but at the expense of a shorter
effective range. In 40 years of making, shooting, and
testing blowguns of all different sizes, Ive found that
 BLOWGUNS

The author What Good Is It?

chronograph-
Besides being tons of fun to shoot, blowguns offer a
ing a .40-cali-
ber blowgun. number of advantages to survivalists, including:
Note that the
dart has just Theyre inexpensive.
exited the Theyre virtually silent.
muzzle. Blow-
guns can typi- Both guns and ammo can be stored indefinitely.
cally achieve Ammo can be reused many times.
muzzle veloci- They can be shot safely and inconspicuously in
ties of 150 to areas where guns cant.
200 fps.
They shoot a wide range of projectiles.

What does all that mean? Well, if society crumbles

and a gang of looters is approaching your house, spit-
ting darts at them shouldnt be your first choice. How-
ever, if the system is down, its been a month since your
The blowgun garbage has been picked up, and youre worried about
is deceptively
the newly arrived vermin frolicking in your trashcans,
powerful.
Well-shot darts the blowgun is the perfect tool.
can pen- Similarly, a blowgun would allow you to hunt any
etrate 3 8 -inch meal-worthy critters that wander into range without en-
plywood and
dangering neighbors, revealing your activity, or burning
even a steel
trashcan lid. firearm ammo that might be better reserved for more
serious needs.
In the late 1980s and early 90s, I worked for U.S. gov-
ernment agencies investigating the fates of American
POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. I regularly worked
in remote areas of Vietnam and Laos and in refugee
camps throughout Southeast Asia places that had
two things in common: They didnt permit firearms, and
they were heavily populated by rats. After a few un-

While working
in Vietnam
bore diameters of .50 to .625 harness a shooters and Laos in the
breath best and are generally the most powerful. While early 1990s, the
they dont hold a candle to a firearm or even an airgun, author includ-
ed a .40-caliber
a well-shot blowgun dart can easily penetrate 3 8 -inch
takedown
plywood more than enough power to skewer a small blowgun in his
animal. kit to cope with
The maximum range of a typical 6-foot, .40-caliber the constant
rodent visitors.
blowgun is about 100 yards. Its maximum effective
This rat shot
range, however, is substantially less. Most blowguns in the lobby of
dont have sights and are aimed instinctively like gap a Hai Phong ho-
shooting with a bow. Their low velocities also mean tel weighed
rainbow-like trajectories, further limiting practical ac- about 3 pounds
and was killed
curacy. Nevertheless, with a little practice, even novice
with a single
shooters can consistently hit a grapefruit-sized target at homemade
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up to 50 feet with enough energy to penetrate deeply. dart.

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pleasant rodent run-ins, I was determined to fight back Improvised

dart shafts can
and started packing a .40-caliber takedown blowgun
be crafted from
in my kit. Unlike a firearm or even an airgun, it didnt music wire,
look like a weapon (especially disassembled) and was bicycle spokes,
innocuous enough to fly under my hosts radar. nails, bamboo
At first, I used the standard 3- to 4-inch spring steel BBQ skewers,
and even pa-
darts that came with the gun. Although I had no prob- per clips. Dart
lem hitting the rats and burying the darts completely seals can be
into their nasty little bodies, the result was a population made from cot-
of very pissed off rodent versions of Pinhead from Hell- ton balls, paper
cones, hobby
raiser. To fix the problem, I crafted more potent darts
pom poms,
with thicker, longer spring steel shafts and paper cone plastic beads,
stoppers. If possible, I tried to shoot the rats as they and any other
scurried along the baseboard. lightweight ma-
terial that will
The longer, heavier darts would go right through plumbing pipe, and even electrical conduit all work well,
fit your guns
the rat and have enough power to stick into the wall, bore. as long as you deburr or chamfer both ends of the tube
pinning it in place for an easy second shot or a quick so your darts will fly true. A simple mouthpiece can
smack with a hammer. Even if it wasnt stuck to the wall be crafted from the neck of a 2-liter soda bottle and a
as a rat kebob, it was a lot harder for the critter to run few wraps of duct tape, but rubber crutch tips and pill
into holes, crevices, and all the other places wounded bottles also work great.
rats go to die again providing the opportunity for Darts are also quick and easy to make. For the shaft
follow-up shots if necessary. material you can use bamboo BBQ skewers, bicycle
spokes, nails, wire clothes hangers, straightened paper-
Because of
DIY their simplic- clips, and of course spring steel wire from the hobby
Because blowguns and the projectiles they shoot are ity, blowguns shop. The easiest way to make an air seal is to notch the
so simple, they make outstanding expedient weapons are very easy rear end of the dart or coat it with a drop of Super Glue
and are great DIY projects for preppers. For the gun to make from and then wind a cotton ball around it. Pull the cotton
readily avail-
itself, all you need is a length of straight, rigid tubing 4- ball apart a bit and spin the dart in your fingers so the
able materials,
to 6-feet long with a smooth interior and a suitable bore as these DIY cotton wraps around the shaft. Keep going until you
diameter. Aluminum tubing, plastic, PVC, and copper guns illustrate. achieve the appropriate diameter for a good air seal in
your guns bore.
Cotton ball seals are great because they act almost like
the fletching of an arrow to help stabilize darts in flight,
though they dont hold up well to multiple shots and
must be replaced. If you prefer darts that can be reused
more readily, air seals can also be made from rolled
paper cones (secured with Scotch tape), plastic beads,
corks, golf tees, or anything else that fits your bore
snugly and isnt too heavy. When crafting your darts, it
helps a lot to cut a short section of your barrel tubing as
a size gauge. If theyre too big, its much easier to push a
stuck dart out of a 2-inch tube than a 6-foot one.
If youre not the DIY type, the internet is full of sourc-
es for commercial blowguns, dart kits, impact projec-
tiles, gun-mounted quivers, and lots of other stuff. Some
overachieving types have even developed magazine-
fed and revolver-style multi-shot attachments as well as
laser sights to pimp your blowgun. Give a man a rope
and he wants to be a cowboy .
 BLOWGUNS

Although it Next, mark a specific aiming point on the target and

doesnt have orient the muzzle of the gun so it appears to point
sights, the
right at it. Because your line of sight is above the gun,
blowgun can
be amazingly youll naturally point high, compensating for the darts
accurate. Here drop. Shoot a few more darts to achieve a consistent
the author group, and then adjust your point of aim to move your
easily puts a group to the desired point of impact. Then, do the
cluster of darts
same thing at different ranges until you can quickly
in an apple
from about 25 judge distance to the target and adjust your aim ap-
feet. propriately.
If you plan to hunt or control pests with your blow-
gun, practice shooting 3D targets like fruit, vegetables,
and stuffed animals you bought your ex-girlfriend. Try
it from various angles and distances. Unlike flat targets,
theyll give you a better idea of the path of your darts
wound channel through the animals vitals. Make
sure you back your targets with a suitable backstop, as
missed shots can fly a long way and trying to find lost
darts in your lawn can be a painful process.
Blowguns are not the mysterious assassins weapons
youve seen in bad ninja movies, nor are they just over-
sized spitball launchers. Cheap, silent, versatile, easy to
make, and easy to use, they offer convenient, control-
Blowgun Technique lable close-range killing power that can be very useful in
Before shooting your blowgun, first find an appropri- many survival contexts.
ate target. Steel-shafted darts easily penetrate deep Told you youd want one .
enough into wood to require pliers to pull them out,
so opt for a thick piece of foam or layered, corrugated
cardboard instead. You want enough density to stop
the dart without shearing off its head, while allowing the
shaft to be easily removed. Place your target in a safe,
controlled area away from people, pets, and anything
else that you really wouldnt want to skewer with a fast-
moving, sharp piece of steel.
Hold your blowgun with one hand near the mouth-
piece and the other supporting the body of the gun.
I prefer to put my dominant hand in front with my
index finger extended along the barrel to help point
Because
the gun naturally. theyre virtu-
Load the dart into the breech end and, with your ally silent and
mouth well away from the mouthpiece, take a deep low powered,
blowguns can
breath. Press the mouthpiece tightly to your lips, aim
also be used to
the gun at the target, and blow explosively into the hunt meals of
gun. Dont use a steady stream of breath; contract your opportunity in
diaphragm hard and try to replicate the explosion of environments
gunpowder with your lungs. As you get more comfort- where firearms
would be too
able with the process, focus on making the power of
dangerous or
your breath consistent so you can achieve consistent attract unwant-
ISSUE 16

velocity and flight of your darts. ed attention.

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How easy is it to make a func-

tional blowgun and dart? You
dont need to be MacGyver to
do it. After 40 years of rolling
my own blowguns, Ive come up
with a dead simple DIY method
that anyone can do at almost no
cost. How simple? How about 90
seconds from parts and tools to
the first shot?

1 4 7

Its inside diameter is slightly larger than Test the fit of your dart seal in the gun
the outside diameter of the tube (0.84- then reshape it as necessary.
Heres what youll need: inch), so add a few wraps of tape to hold it
in place and ensure a good air seal. Your
blowgun is finished.
8
A 5-foot length of A wire coat hanger
-inch Schedule Cotton balls
40 PVC tubing Wire cutters
5
An empty soda A knife and/or
bottle scissors
Electrical tape or
duct tape Then load and shoot.

I did this entire pro-

9 cess including firing
2 my first dart into a
target in 92 seconds.
To make a dart, cut a section of wire from (OK, OK, so I was 2
the coat hanger about 8 inches long. seconds over I took
Then use the wire cutters to make a few a moment to aim, al-
notches in one end of the wire. right?) The dart stuck
solidly into a piece of
3
6 8 -inch plywood with
First, use the knife to cut the neck off the about 1 8 -inch of the
soda bottle and trim it so there are no sharp point poking out the
edges. You want the last couple of inches other side. Take that,
for your mouthpiece. MacGyver.

10
3
Holding the wire in one hand and a cotton
ball in the other, spin the wire between
your fingers and allow the notches to snag
the cotton. Keep spinning and allow the
cotton ball to unravel as it winds around
the wire. Keep going until it looks like a Vise Grips are a great investment for blow-
big Q-Tip and keep shaping it with your gunners and are the best (sometimes only)
Slip the mouthpiece over one end of the fingers until it fits into the bore of your gun way to pull darts out of wooden targets or
barrel tube. well enough to create a good air seal. backstops.
When SHTF, will you be
caught holding the bag?
Be prepared.
Mobile optimized, fully interactive, and featuring
our trademark mix of witty writing and gorgeous
art design, OFFGRIDweb.com is chock full of
expert advice, tips, and techniques to enhance
your skillset. Plus, we have honest and in-depth
reviews of the latest gear, gadgets, and supplies.
Pawel_Kisiolek/istockphoto.com

Its where preppers, survivalists, and those who

want to be in the know come to stay ready.
Experience it for yourself.

www.OFFGRIDweb.com
102
ISSUE 16
HANDSON

YOU CANT
AXE FOR MORE
The Zubin Axe Has an Identity Crisis
One That We Like Very Much
Story and Photos by Jim Cobb

J
ust about every prepper and survivalist
worth their salt owns at least one multi-
tool. It might be small enough to fit on a
keychain or large enough to bludgeon a
bear, but most are somewhere in between.
A multitool is one of those pieces of gear that, once you
have it, you wonder how you managed to live so long
without one.
The Zubin Axe is a multitool on Creatine. And steroids.
And human growth hormone.
Now, well admit it looks a little gimmicky, but we
found it does hold up and has real-world use. Make no
mistake, this is a pretty cool piece of kit. With the Zubin
Axe you can kill your dinner, skin and debone it, bury
the carcass, and then fire rocks at tin cans until the wee The heads are changed out by means of two hex The Zubin
hours of the morning. Come daylight, head to the shore screws, which are removed and tightened with the Axe has inter-
changeable
to gig for breakfast. Seriously, this isnt your grand- included T-wrench.
tools for
daddys hiking stick. When assembled, the staff runs 56 inches. Each head maximum
adds about 4 inches, topping it out at 5 feet. All told, versatility.
Six Heads Are Better Than One the assembled staff clocks in at about 2.5 pounds. The
It starts with a two-piece hickory shaft that screws to- whole kit all of the heads and the wrench weighs
gether like a pool cue. The joint is protected by a rubber about 6 pounds.
sleeve that keeps out water and debris. The staff has a The heads are a snug fit on the staff. Very snug, in
rubber handgrip, too, which is great when hiking. fact. Youll appreciate those plastic and rubber covers
Now, heres where the multitool part comes into play. on the sharp edges as they allow you to get the lever-
Zubin Axes Complete Kit comes with six different heads age you need to get the heads to fit onto the staff. This
axe, spear, saw, shovel, frog gig, and slingshot. Each also means, though, that theres absolutely no wiggle
of the heads is manufactured from 440C stainless steel room in the slightest once the head is attached.
and is powdercoated. When not in use, the heads are
carried in a nylon pouch and sharp edges are covered Get to the Point
by plastic or rubber protectors. (The company also If youre using it for hunting, you need to understand
offers models with just one head, and additional head this isnt a spear youll want to throw around. While the
ISSUE 16

attachments can be purchased separately.) balance is OK, at almost 3 pounds it would be a hefty

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ISSUE 16
HANDSON
toss. Throwing it isnt recommended anyway, as you Cutting down standing dry wood and chopping it to
could hit a rock and damage the spear point. Youre size for the evening fire can be done without packing
much better off keeping the spear in your hands and extra tools. Having the saw head on the end of a 5-foot
thrusting it at your target. The spearhead arrives ex- staff offers tremendous reach and the saw blade is
tremely sharp right out of the box, too. sharp enough to get through the hardest wood with
Due to tight editorial deadlines, we didnt get a ease. The axe was a bit awkward to operate, even when
chance to venture into the woods to bag dinner with using just half of the staff. The axe head is fairly light,
either the spear or the frog gig, but theres a hay bale in so you need to use a bit more force than you might be
our backyard that wont be giving us any more trouble. accustomed to when chopping firewood. Not an insur-
Naturally, it could be used as a self-defense weapon mountable problem, though. If desired, theres a 12-inch
if youre caught unaware by four- or two-legged preda- handle that can be purchased separately.
tors while in the backcountry. At home, the spearhead When all youre doing is hiking, theres a handle at-
on half the staff could be a viable option for those tachment that has a compass built in to the top. This
who, for whatever reason, dont have access to more works well for keeping you on the right path as you
common options like a firearm, knife, or good ol travel. Its easily removed when you need to tackle
baseball bat. Note we said just half of the staff full camp chores and such. The other tool heads can be
length would be cumbersome for those without staff- stored in your pack until theyre needed.
fighting skills and could get caught up in hallways and All in all, the Zubin Axe is a gimmick, yes, but one that
on furniture. actually works and works well.

The Action
The slingshot attachment is almost identical to the
MAKE & MODEL surgical-tube wrist rockets most of us have used. At-
Zubin Axe
Complete Kit taching it to the staff gives you a great monopod for
LENGTH keeping your aim steady. Quite useful, we think.
54 inches
(not including head) The shovel works well and has a sharpened edge
WEIGHT that works great on chopping through smaller roots
6 pounds
(complete kit) and such. Given the small size, you arent going to dig a
MSRP foundation for a new house, of course, but if you need
$255
URL a quick cat hole or something similar, this tool head will
www.zubinaxe.com get it done.
106
ISSUE 16

Vernon Wiley/istockphoto.com

WARNING!
The exercises and
content expressed
in this column
are for illustrative
purposes only.
Consult a medical
professional
before trying any
physical activity or
nutritional plan.
 fitness; the foundation upon which your training efforts
should be built.
Conditioning: It may not seem obvious, but climb-
ing requires a great amount of endurance. If youve ever
gone wall- or rock-climbing, youve certainly felt what this
is like. Now, were not training you to be a professional
climber by any means, but building a solid aerobic base
will also allow you to recover better from training, reduce
stress, and give you some cross-training options.
Well tackle endurance training a little differently than
most. When people think of cardio, they think about run-
Scale Up Your Climbing Strength
ning. This can be an option, but there are other effective
Story and Photos by Ryne Gioviano ways of training the aerobic system for climbing, which
well cover in more detail later.

M
Grip & Finger Strength: This is possibly the most
ost people underestimate the critical factor in climbing performance, especially when
importance of being able to over- climbing for extended periods of time. There have been
come obstacles and were not a few articles on the topic of grip strength in our sister
talking about the Tony Robbins publication, RECOIL, but well include a refresher to make
kind. We mean real-life barriers sure youre doing the right things to get stronger.
that could separate life from death. Could you pull your- Core Stability & Strength: The core, which, for
self up onto a plateau to avoid falling into a canyon? Can our purposes, will include the musculature from your
you even do a single pull-up? shoulders to your butt and everything in between, not
No matter whats thrown your way, well help make only stabilizes your spine, but also allows force to transfer
sure you can get out alive. between your upper and lower body. This is an absolute
necessity in any sport or physical endeavor.
Climbing Prerequisites Bouldering & Climbing: To be better at climbing, you
While its not necessary to be as good as a pro, climbing need to do more climbing. In exercise science, theres
proficiency is extremely important. Its not just hopping a the SAID principle, which stands for specific adaptations
fence before a rabid dog gets a taste of prepper meat to imposed demands. This means whenever you place
broken-down buildings or even smaller rock formations any type of stress on your body, such as climbing, youll
may stand between you and safety. Your confidence in adapt to that demand. We need climbing to be in your
not only getting yourself (plus gear) up and over, but also program somewhere so youre better able to climb, for
your ability to get the rest of your group to safety is crucial. longer periods of time without prematurely fatiguing.
Well delve into the training it takes to become a well- Bouldering is a form of highly technical, low-risk free
rounded climber, but lets first discuss what type of physi- climbing thats an excellent skill, strength builder, and an
cal attributes youll need. excellent adaptation of the SAID principle.
General Strength: Making your entire body stronger
will make a tremendous difference in growing your Climbing Requisites
Spider-Man-like abilities. Climbing certainly requires a Next, we put together a program of seven key
good amount of technical prowess, but technique isnt a strength exercises that really push you to that next level
substitute for endurance. And the road to endurance is of climbing.
ISSUE 16

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 107
108
ISSUE 16

Dumbbell Rear-Foot- One-Arm Low Push-Up to

Elevated Split Squat Tactical Pull-Up Cable Row Downward Dog

1. Begin with a dumbbell in each 1. Begin in a dead-hang under 1. Start by sliding the pulley of 1. Begin in a push-up position.
hand, with one leg supported a bar, tree branch, or anything a cable machine down to the 2. Slowly lower your body,
behind you on a bench or else you can get your hands lowest setting. keeping your elbows at about
similar-height object. on. This exercise differs from 2. Firmly grip the handle (thick 45 degrees to your body, chin
2. Slowly descend to the a traditional pull-up by placing handle or Fat Gripz) in one back, and hips in-line with your
bottom position with about 70 your thumb right next to your hand. shoulders and ankles.
percent of your weight on your hand. (Fat Gripz is optional.) 3. Bring your opposite foot 3. Once you reach the bottom,
front foot. You should feel your 2. Firmly grip the bar, slightly forward and your other leg drive your hips to the ceiling
whole foot in contact with the round your torso, and feel your back behind you with a slight into a downward dog position
ground. abs brace you in the front. bend. Your chest should face and reach as far as you can.
3. Drive your front foot through 3. Drive your elbows down to the pulley. Take one breath, in through
the floor to return to the starting your sides, and bring your chest 4. Holding this split-stance posi- the nose and out through the
position. to the bar. tion, drive your elbow back and mouth.
4. Complete for the listed 4. Slowly return to the starting down until your elbow is about 4. Return to the starting posi-
amount of sets and reps on position. in-line with your torso. tion.
each leg. (See page 110.) 5. Complete for the listed 5. Slowly return to the starting 5. Complete for the prescribed
amount
mount of sets and reps. position. sets and reps.
6 Comple
6. p ete the prescribed sets
and repsp on
o each side.
 REAC NEW
REACH
HEIGHTS
H

Plank With Plate Standing Anti-

Stack Rotation Cable Chop Kettlebell Cross Carry

1. Begin in a plank position with 1. Begin in a standing position 1. Stand with a heavy kettlebell
your feet wider than hip width, with your feet just outside in one hand at your side. Place a
with a stack of four 5-pound shoulder width and a double lighter kettlebell in the opposite
weight plates to your left. overhand grip on a rope attach- hand then hold overhead.
2. Reach your right hand across, ment. 2. Firmly grip both kettlebells, and
grab a plate, and place it to the 2. Keeping the rope at shoulder- walk for the sets and duration
right side. Repeat this until you height and your elbows straight, prescribed.
have a pile on the right side. bring the attachment across
3. Repeat this again with your your body. Only your arms,
other arm until you have a stack shoulders, and upper back
back on the left side. should move.
4. Do this one more time on 3. Slowly return back to the
each side. starting position. Climbing Conditioning
5. Repeat for the prescribed 4. Repeat for the prescribed Our conditioning training centers on only two exercises: the hill
amount of sets. sets and reps.
reps ssprint and the medicine ball circuit. Hill sprints are concentrically
dominant, meaning youre only under load during the pushing part
d
of the motion and not the lowering, or eccentric. This has good
o
ccarryover into climbing, which is also primarily concentric, as youre
usually pushing yourself upward. The medicine ball circuit is a great
way to build endurance in the muscles of your upper body, which will
w
definitely be required to climb for any length of time.
d

Hill Sprint
H

1 Find a hill that will allow roughly 10 seconds of sprint time.

1.
2. Sprint up as fast as you can.
2
3. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds. This may just be the time it takes to
3
walk back down slowly.
4. Repeat for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

ISSUE 16

OFFG
GRIDWEB.COM
G D 109
110
ISSUE 16

Medicine Ball Circuit

1. Hold a medicine ball at your 3. Next, bring it to your chest, 5. Standing next to a wall, hold 6. Repeat 10 times on each side.
chest, bring it over your head, squat down, and explosively the ball by the hip opposite the 7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds
and slam it down to the ground. push it overhead. wall, put your weight into your and repeat for the recommend-
2. Repeat 10 times. 4. Repeat 10 times. back foot, pivot, and throw the ed amount of sets.
ball into the wall.

EXERCISE SETS REPS REST

A1. Dumbbell Rear-Foot-Elevated Split Squat 4 6 each 60 Seconds
A2. Tactical Pull-Up 4 5 each 60 Seconds
B1. One-Arm Low Cable Row 3 8 Each 45 Seconds
B2. Push-Up to Downward Dog 3 10 45 Seconds
B3. Plank with Plate Stack 3 4x2 30 Seconds
C1. Standing Anti-Rotation Cable Chop 3 8 each 30 Seconds
C2. Kettlebell Cross Carry 3 30 Yard 30 Seconds
D1. Conditioning: Med Ball Circuit 5-8 10 each 30 Seconds

On a separate day
CONDITIONING SECONDS PER REP REPETITIONS REST

Hill Sprint 10-12 15-20 30-45 Seconds

Conclusion
Theres tremendous peace of mind in knowing
you can handle anything that you might encounter. About The Author
Proficiency in climbing is yet another physical skill Ryne Gioviano is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design
that you need to master for the road ahead. Follow located in Aurora, Illinois. He earned his masters degree in exercise physiol-
the prescribed plan, and youll be well on your way ogy and is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Associa-
to scaling anything that gets thrown in your way. tion. You can find more information at www.achieve-personaltraining.com
or reach him on Twitter at @RGioviano.
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112
ISSUE 16
ON THE GRID

Loud and Clear

By Patrick McCarthy, Web Editor

I
f youve been reading this column for the last few issues, or know we can still do a better job of finding inexpensive options for
if youre one of our Facebook or Instagram followers, youll those with smaller budgets. We never want to make any reader feel
recall mentions of our first comprehensive reader survey. excluded because of financial standing.
I introduced the concept with my Gathering Intel column Our first step in this direction has been the Best Value award you
entry in Issue 14, and we later shared it on our website and may have noticed in our recent buyers guides. This green icon indi-
social media pages. In case you havent completed our survey yet, cates an item that we feel offers strong
theres still time to do so, and wed greatly appreciate your input. features at a relatively low price compared to its
Head to OFFGRIDweb.com/survival/reader-survey to let us know competitors. If youre prepping on a tight budget, keep
what you think of our magazine, and tell us how we can serve you better. an eye out for this icon in each of our buyers guides.
I have read every one of your hundreds of comments, which range There are other budget-related article plans in the
from glowing praise to brutal #MeanTweets-grade snark. No matter works, but we cant reveal them just yet stay tuned for
what you wrote, wed like to say a genuine thank you to everyone who more on this front.
took the time to give us this valuable feedback. It means a lot to us. Ill also be focusing on more everyday carry (EDC) tool and gear
Now, thats all well and good, but what did we learn from the survey? articles for OFFGRIDweb.com, as your survey responses tell us thats
There were a few requests that arent financially viable, such as giving another popular topic.
the magazine away for free, eliminating ads, or sending free samples of Finally, many of you commented that family-oriented prepping
the new products we test to all our readers. Many of you also requested and family bug-in/bug-out planning are high priorities. This was
that we publish more issues of the magazine each year as flattering confirmed by the fact that 55 percent of readers surveyed have a
as that is, and as much as wed love to do so, the bottom line is that we household size of three or more individuals. We started pursuing
dont have the resources for that at the present time. this topic with our Bugging Out with Baby and Labor Day features
Fortunately, there were many other suggestions that we will in Issue 11, and well continue to emphasize family- and community-
implement. Number one among those suggestions was budget based survival plans in the future.
gear. Weve heard you loud and clear about that point, and were Were doing our very best to keep our ears to the ground, but if we
developing creative stories to cover affordable equipment in future missed a topic youre passionate about, be sure to complete the sur-
issues, as well as OFFGRIDweb.com. vey to let us know about it. If youve already finished the survey and
Now, this isnt to say were going to stop reviewing high-end gear. you have more questions or comments, you can contact me directly
We still feel strongly that you get what you pay for, and there still at [email protected].
needs to be a balance between short-term savings and long-term Thanks for all the continued loyalty and support youve shown us
quality an especially critical point for survival gear. However, we many good things are yet to come.

Grab your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and head to OFFGRIDweb.com for more exclusive content.
 5HG5RFN2XWGRRU*HDU

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Dedicated CCW
compartment
with included
universal holster

The Recon Sling Pack is designed for

concealed carry and utilizes our mavriK
system for rapidly interchanging gear.
The detachable main compartment
can be transported to another pack
featuring the mavriK system and can
be loaded with mavriK pouches and
accessories. Available in black, coyote,
dark earth, olive drab, and tornado

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114
ISSUE 16
411

INVISIBLE DEATH
The Health Risks of Acute Hair
Radiation Syndrome Loss of Hair Eyes
High doses can
By John Schwartze
cause cataracts

B
elieve it or not, were
exposed to radiation
every day. The tricky Thyroid Lungs
Gland Inhalation
part is we wont know of radioactive
Radioactive
how high a dose iodine material can
accumulates cause scarring,
were exposed to in an emergency inflammation,
in the
situation. thyroid, DNA damage,
making it and cancer.
Variables such as the type of
susceptible
radioactive material involved, the to cancer.
length of exposure time, and the GI Tract
amount absorbed all play a part Nausea,
in possible radiation-related health
bleeding,
vomiting,
effects. There may also be long-term
Reproductive
stomach and
risks, such as cancers that develop
intestinal lining
Organs degradation
over time or possible DNA mutations Sterility
and genetic
that affect our offspring. damage
Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)
is caused by high radiation doses
Bone
that irradiate most of the entire body, Marrow
were able to reach internal organs, Leukemia,
and were received in a short period higher infection
Skin risk, low
of time. platelet count,
Redness,
ARS may begin minutes to days irritation, white blood
blistering cell depletion,
after exposure. Symptoms may internal
come and go, and last for several bleeding
days. Possible signs of contamination
include nausea, vomiting, fatigue,
headache, diarrhea, fever, and
possibly seizures, and coma. The
figure to the right outlines areas of
your body affected by exposure.
Want to learn more about the
reality of radiation and radioactive
SOURCES
Centers for Disease Co
Control
t o
materials? Go to www.offgridweb. and Prevention
com/survival/radiation-myths/ > www.cdc.gov

to read our analysis of some of Environmental Prote

ection Agency
g
> www.epa.gov
the most common myths and
ety
Health Physics Socie y
misconceptions about this topic. > www.hps.org
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