Condition Red: Avoiding Illness and Disease While Traveling

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This article originally appeared in Issue 6 of our magazine.

Warning! This article is meant to be a quick overview and not a detailed guide on health precautions while traveling. To learn more on how to defend against pathogens while abroad, consult a licensed medical professional or accredited healthcare agency.

Every few months, there seems to be some new infectious disease outbreak getting media attention, whether it's H1N1, Ebola, or the measles. The lingering question that always seems to be in the backs of people’s minds is “How safe am I?” The answer is that you’re only as safe as your level of knowledge in how to avoid these highly contagious diseases, and other situations that are potentially dangerous in general.

Although we may not be visiting countries where deadly diseases are endemic, risk of exposure and other accident-related situations may be unavoidable. Travel may be part of your career or something that only occurs for summer vacations, but it could still lead to an encounter with a lethal outcome. Whether you have a scuba diving accident without medical assistance nearby or a disease outbreak has occurred in your area, it’s important to know how to deal with the risks associated with travel.

If you’re in a location where a deadly disease outbreak is reported, what can you do to stay safe? Don’t say to yourself that you’ll just stay in the hotel room and order room service, take the first flight home, or avoid contact with people all together. What if that hotel room is on a cruise ship and you can’t leave? What if the airport is locked down and travel is impossible? Avoiding contact with people all together? Yeah, right. You need to get food and information somehow, don’t you? If someone you’re traveling with is becoming symptomatic with what you’re being told to avoid or has been injured in a freak accident, you need to know a safe protocol. We’ve consolidated important tips to put your mind at ease and provide you the resources that could save your life.

Preparation

Knowledge: First and foremost, prevention is best handled through avoidance. Regularly updated travel safety bulletins are posted on the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites. The CDC portal also has this information broken down by specific countries to include required or recommended vaccines for that country, current travel notices, recommended packing lists, and steps to take upon your return. You can also look up in what countries a specific disease may be occurring. Arm yourself with knowledge of a country’s infrastructure and potential dangers rather than digging your head in the sand and saying, “It would never happen to me.” The CDC publishes CDC Health Information for International Travel, commonly referred to as the Yellow Book. The World Health Organization (WHO) puts out a similar book titled International Travel and Health. These biannual publications can be purchased in hardback or digital versions through their websites and offer valuable information that travelers should take the time to digest.

Analysis: A realistic assessment of your general health and ability to travel should also be addressed. Diet and exercise create a healthy immune system, so practice those basics regularly. If you or someone you’re with is pregnant, young or old with a less-tolerant immune system, or whose overall health is weakened by a preexisting condition, all these factors should determine whether your travel is a wise decision — or should be postponed if it’s non-essential. It is recommended that you and anyone traveling with you visit their regular doctor at least four to eight weeks prior to departing. Get a thorough checkup and seek advice about possible risks, required or recommended vaccinations and boosters, and other considerations to make.

Coverage: If you have medical insurance, a careful evaluation of your travel coverage is necessary. Travel insurance alone might not cover medical issues, so if you have insurance of that type, review the policy’s stipulations. No matter if you are headed to Toronto or Timbuktu, consult your medical insurance company about travel exclusions. Even things such as a car accident or laceration requiring stitches may not automatically be covered when traveling abroad.

Learn what your plan offers as far as emergency evacuation, medical care abroad, network locations, preauthorization for treatment, coverage for those with underlying medical conditions, and what activities might be considered high-risk (such as mountain biking) and possibly not covered. You may want to upgrade your coverage during travel periods if you discover there are more exclusions than you are comfortable with. If you’re traveling on behalf of your company, abide by their policies and educate yourself on the care they offer their employees during emergencies on business trips.

Reconnaissance: Take the time to locate 24-hour, physician-backed emergency medical services near your region of travel. Also, finding U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions located in your destination is a valuable commodity. Carry contact information (phone numbers and addresses) for these services with you during your travel. Leaving an itinerary listing where you’ll be during specific dates with someone at home, such as another family member, during your time abroad can also be a lifesaver. If you are stranded or unable to communicate during a certain portion of your trip, it will be easier to locate you and coordinate help.

Sign Up: Travelers can also register with the U.S. Department of State and companies such as International SOS, an organization that provides medical assistance, international healthcare, and security services. This registration can allow you to record information about your trip so you can receive travel alerts during your stay or a representative can contact and assist you in an emergency.

Backups: If you are dependent on medications, packing extra for your trip is advisable. You never know if these medications are available at your destination or if they could be tainted. Many organizations recommend carrying a medical kit. The contents of these kits vary depending on the destination and individual needs, and may require authorization from a physician (and other parties) if certain prescription medication or other specialty items must be carried, such as syringes. The WHO provides a list of recommended contents by visiting www.who.int/ith/precautions/medical_kit/en/.

Gauging Potential Threats

Though Ebola is a prime example of the devastation of infectious disease, it’s certainly not the most likely infection to be contracted — at least if you’re not going to West Africa. What are the diseases you should be most concerned about when traveling? These statistics change constantly, and new diseases come on the horizon every year. New strains of influenza and tuberculosis are always being discovered and could be resistant to any current vaccinations you may have received.

And then there are those that have been around for a long time and haven’t gone away despite the scientific and medical communities’ best efforts. In the United States, 36,000 people die from the flu every year. Around the world, HIV and AIDS are still some of the most deadly infections, killing 1.5 million people in 2012. Even diseases such as polio, which has essentially been eradicated in the United States, are still prevalent in other countries. Traveler’s diarrhea, usually contracted through contaminated water and poor hygiene, is extremely common in developing countries as well. Vector-borne diseases (those transmitted to people by blood-sucking buggers like insects and arachnids) such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya continue to wreak havoc, but can be mitigated through the methods discussed elsewhere in this story.

So, good hygiene and knowledge are your two best methods of prevention. Read the tips in this story, do some research before hopping on a plane or vessel, and take common-sense precautions while abroad.

Arriving at Your Destination

Hygiene: This factor is of utmost importance, especially when traveling. Regularly washing your hands can mean the difference between getting sick and having a safe trip. Be conscientious of how your own health may affect others; cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Hand sanitizer with a 60-percent or greater alcohol content is another great carry item if soap and water is unavailable. Thinking of going outside? Particularly in tropical areas where insects carry infectious diseases like malaria, wearing insect repellant is imperative. Keeping windows closed or well screened can also prevent insect bites.

Food and Water: Low health standards for water and dining establishments may also be inherent to your area of travel. The CDC has country-specific tips for your destination that pertain to food and water standards. In developing countries, drinking bottled water or other carbonated drinks in cans or bottles may be preferable to drinking anything from the tap or fountain drinks with ice. Brushing teeth with bottled water is also advisable over tap water. Make sure any food you eat is well cooked. Any fruits or vegetables should be washed in clean water or peeled before eating. Eating salads as well as consuming unpasteurized dairy products is often discouraged. Do not eat what is frequently referred to as “bush meat.” It can often be wild animals such as bats or monkeys that are notorious disease carriers, regardless of how well they’re cooked. Food from street vendors is also not a good idea.

Risk Management: As always, pay attention to local customs and laws, and be respectful. Taking risks such as drinking too much alcohol also increases your willingness to engage in risky behavior. Become educated about your travel destination’s infrastructure and problems that you may encounter. For instance, all cabs may look alike, but some may not be legitimate and could result in robberies or worse. Familiarizing yourself with reliable transportation methods as well as staying in a reputable hotel in a safe area are considerations that are overlooked all too often.

Seek Aid: If you or a member of your party becomes sick or injured while traveling, see a doctor right away. How sick should you be before you go? Exhibiting flu-like symptoms, persistent diarrhea, urinary problems, vomiting, jaundice, genital infections, or skin rashes are obvious warning signs. If the nature of the injury causes an open wound, clean it immediately to reduce the risk of infection and seek qualified medical help. Assume and treat these situations as if they’re an emergency.

The accessibility of medical attention may also be hampered by your situation. If you are on a flight or cruise ship, tell a crewmember as soon as possible and do not refuse a request to wear a surgical mask to cover your mouth and nose if instructed to do so — other lives may potentially be at risk. Remember, the longer you just wait and hope for the best, the worse your condition may get, and it may begin to affect people around you. Don’t be cavalier with your health. The sooner you act, the better your chances are.

Stay Calm: If you’ve received word of a disease outbreak in your area, panic is the purveyor of bad judgment. For instance, a malaria outbreak is a serious situation; however, malaria is spread through mosquito bites and is not airborne or contagious through direct human contact. Therefore, basic precautions — long clothing, insect repellent, staying indoors, etc. — are the best ways to deal with this type of problem until you leave the affected area.

Outbreak Defense: For diseases that are highly contagious, such as Ebola, your ability to remain safe is contingent on several things. “The first thing you should do upon hearing news of an infectious disease outbreak is to verify it. There’s a lot of fiction out there and not a lot of fact,” says Dr. Robert Quigley, regional medical director and senior vice president of medical assistance for International SOS. “Learn about the mode of transmission and learn what you need to do to mitigate your risk. If it’s a serious enough outbreak, you’ve got to decide what you need to do to get out of town. Companies should have plans in place to protect and support their workforce, and they can be adapted to wherever the location might be and whatever the incident might be.”

“At this moment in time Ebola is only transmitted by contact with an infected individual’s bodily fluids, whether they’re dead or alive,” Quigley adds. “Bodily fluids include sweat, stool, saliva, blood, and vomit. Ebola is robust and can survive on surfaces, so it’s possible you could put your hand down on a surface an infected individual had previously touched, even as long as 48 hours earlier, and then you put your hands in your mouth and you could get infected that way. Whether it’s Ebola or not, always practice universal precautions of hygiene and wash your hands when you visit public places, don’t put your hands in your mouth, and cover your mouth when you sneeze. We tend to take for granted what’s getting people into trouble.”

Infected?: If you feel you’ve come in contact with Ebola or any other disease that is also dangerous and/or easily communicable, the first thing you should do is report it to your local public health department so it can be managed. That organization will direct you where to go, because not all hospitals are equipped to deal with all diseases and conditions. “That first phone call is critical, because if you are symptomatic and have been to West Africa or exposed to someone who has been there where the disease is prevalent, if you go into a communal area you could spread the disease,” says Quigley. “From that first phone call there needs to be a response plan that would limit the likelihood that you would expose anyone else. That would be orchestrated by the local department of health. The CDC may not have a lot of jurisdiction or presence in your location, but you may have to make an overseas phone call as well and report your condition. You would want to have access to our healthcare system so they could support you and manage your complications, since there are no specific medications for a condition like Ebola.”

Top 5 Most Common Travel-Related Diseases

Not all travel-related diseases are exotic by nature. Some of them are quite common and can be avoided with some forethought and care. Here is a list of the top five conditions you’re most likely to contract while abroad, according to the Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network.

  1. Diarrhea: This is by far the most common ailment among travelers.
  2. Skin Disorders: Not a disease per se, but they’re common because they’re caused by the sun, heat, humidity, and insect bites.
  3. Insect-Borne Fevers: Mosquitoes and other insects can transmit serious diseases, including malaria and dengue.
  4. Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Tourists often engage in reckless behavior that they wouldn’t otherwise do at home. Use common sense out there!
  5. Parasitic Infections: These are often acquired through exposure to unhygienic or undercooked food.

Returning Home

When you return home, do not assume you or anyone in your traveling party is now in the clear. Many diseases have incubation periods that could last indefinitely, so if you become sick upon your return you may have become infected with an illness that didn’t manifest symptoms during your trip. If you begin feeling sick upon your return, immediately seek medical attention and give your doctor full disclosure on where you were, for how long, and what you did, no matter how embarrassing it might be. The only way to determine and treat what you might have is to be honest.

If you have spent more than three months traveling in a developing country, the WHO recommends scheduling a medical examination. Travelers who suffer from a chronic disease such as heart problems or diabetes should also be seen for a thorough checkup to avoid any additional complications after returning from a trip.

Be conscientious about your health and don’t become complacent, hoping any ill effects will just go away by themselves. Time is of the essence. Be prepared, be alert, and be educated. Your best offense is a good defense.

Sources

Infographic: Survival Uses of a Broken Cell Phone

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We've often written about the importance of cell phones for survival — whether we like them or not, these pocket-sized devices offer a valuable means of communicating, navigating, and looking up information such as weather forecasts or news about an ongoing disaster. Our ancestors would be astonished and incredibly jealous of the power we wield from the palm of a hand. While most of a mobile phone's value is contingent on its battery life and signal strength, they can still help us survive even if they're soaked, shattered, or permanently out of juice. We just need to be creative in repurposing their materials.

The following infographic from AnsonAlex shows five simple ways a broken cell phone can be turned into survival tools. These include a fire-starter, improvised blade, signaling device, compass, and hunting spear/fish hook. Obviously, you should only consider these methods as an absolute last resort if your cell phone is completely toast — if there's a chance you could find signal or some way to charge it, that's a better plan. You'd also be much better off preparing dedicated tools so you don't have to cannibalize your iPhone for a few bits of glass, metal, and silicon, but you get the point. When no other options are available, these could potentially help you get out of a jam.

Click here to download a full-size version of this graphic.

An important note for this fire-starting tip: be VERY CAREFUL jumping terminals on lithium batteries. They contain a tremendous amount of energy, and can burn rapidly or even explode if damaged, causing serious injury. This risk is the reason the Department of Transportation banned certain devices from airplanes, and the reason we've seen videos of vapes exploding in users' pockets. You (obviously) should never leave a phone battery in or near the fire you start for the same reason.

The resulting blade will probably be very fragile, but could prove helpful for delicate cuts. Ceramic (e.g. the base of a coffee mug) or frosted glass (e.g. the edge of a car window) could also be used to sharpen an improvised blade.

For more on the subject of signaling to aircraft, check out our previous post on International Ground-to-Air Signaling Code.

The leaf compass is a classic, and while it's not going to be very accurate or factor in magnetic declination, it's a good trick to know. See our previous article for a video of it in action.

Pinhole Vision: A Tip for Surviving Without Glasses

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This article originally appeared in Issue 6 of our magazine.

Warning! This article is meant to be a quick overview and not a detailed guide on improvised visual improvement methods. Whenever possible, always carry spare prescription glasses or contact lenses. Attempting to see without prescription eyewear is solely at the reader’s risk.

A bespectacled man, who only longs to read, survives a nuclear holocaust and finds himself the last man on Earth at a library full of books. He thinks he finally has all the time in the world to pursue his favorite pastime…until he breaks his only pair of glasses. This ironic tale was the plot of “Time Enough at Last,” a 1959 episode of The Twilight Zone. Although this man’s misery played out in a sci-fi TV show, his predicament is something that anyone who has corrective lenses can relate to and should be aware of.

In any type of emergency, there is a risk losing, breaking, or not having enough time to don your glasses. Contact lenses require even more time to put on, can take more care to maintain, and are nearly impossible to reuse or find if lost. But what if a disaster hits unexpectedly? What do you do if you are caught without the benefit of having your optical aids?

Fortunately, there is a way you can focus your blurry vision quickly and without any tools — in fact, all you need is your hand. File this impromptu sight-restoring maneuver in your mental survival skills toolbox under “just in case.”

Pinhole Fingers

By forming a small “pinhole” with your fingers and looking through them, you’ll find your vision is significantly sharpened, even if you regularly have very blurry vision. Go ahead, take your glasses off, and try it. Neat little trick isn’t it? This simple action can help you when you’re in a pinch. But just how does it work?

How Vision Works

Vision is our brain making sense of light that is collected by our eyes. As light bounces off an object, it travels into our eye, focused by the lens, and lands onto the retina. The retina uses this light to form an image that is transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

If our eyes had no lenses, light would enter the eyes and land on the retina from every direction, making for a very blurry image.

The eye’s lens helps focus light and form it into a sharp image onto the retina.

The optic nerve transmits the visual information from the retina to the brain, which is what allows us to see.

Whenever you look at an object, you’ll realize that the background and foreground are blurry while the object you are looking at is in focus. This happens because the eye’s lens can only focus light coming from one distance. This is called the eye’s focal length. Objects too near or far are perceived as out of focus.

Fortunately for us, our eye’s muscles can contract or expand the lens so it can change the focal length, allowing us to see clearly at various distances.

How Pinhole Vision Works

Pinholes, by their very nature, limit the amount of light that can enter the eye. This helps block out extra light noise that would otherwise create a blur. Thanks to the small opening, light streams into the eye from a focused direction. So your hand becomes an impromptu lens. Less light bouncing around inside the eye means that looking through a pinhole inherently keeps things in focus.

By looking through the pinhole you create with your fingers, you are limiting how much light is entering your eye, thereby “filtering” the excess light that would otherwise blur your vision.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages to using pinhole vision, however, are that it does also mean less light getting through to the eye, as well as a severely limited field of view. Less light means that your vision while looking though a pinhole is darker.

But when push comes to shove, using this method for even limited focused vision is a nice tool to have in the proverbial toolbox. In a SHTF situation, it could mean having the ability to tell if that dark blob 30 yards away is an abandoned car or a band of marauders lying in wait.

Because walking around with your hand to your face can get a bit annoying, we suggest keeping backups of your eyeglasses stored away in case you get separated from your primary set. Keep an extra pair or two of your prescription glasses in your bug-out bag or an alternative location, such as at work or in your vehicle. Even older prescription glasses can be of some help versus not having glasses at all.

CoTCCC Has Expanded Its Recommended Tourniquet List for 2019

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The subject of tourniquets is one that's frequently debated, and for good reason — a tourniquet is a critical life-saving device. If a tourniquet fails to properly occlude blood flow, there's a high likelihood an injured individual may bleed to death before ever making it to a hospital. There is no shortage of evidence for the value of tourniquets, whether they're being used in a combat setting or a civilian pre-hospital setting.

However, not all tourniquets are created equal. A poorly-designed or carelessly-produced tourniquet may be difficult to apply, inconsistent in its results, or may simply break under tension — these are obviously unacceptable outcomes when seconds count and lives are at stake. The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC), a division of the Department of Defense's Joint Trauma System (JTS), conducts extensive research and testing on various tourniquets to determine their effectiveness for combat situations. The CoTCCC then publishes a list of recommended products based on this selection process.

Until recently, the CoTCCC recommended three tourniquets for combat use: the North American Rescue C-A-T, the Tactical Medical Solutions SOFTT-W, and the Delfi Medical Innovations EMT. The EMT uses a pneumatic inflation system, while the C-A-T and SOFTT-W use the more popular windlass design.

North American Rescue IFAK with C-A-T Gen 7, hemostatic gauze, and other trauma care supplies.

On May 6th, 2019, CoTCCC released a new Recommended Devices & Adjuncts document that substantially expands this list of tourniquets recommended for combat use. The CoTCCC now recommends the following TQs in the non-pneumatic limb tourniquet category:

As for the pneumatic limb tourniquet category, the Delfi EMT is still recommended as well as the Tactical Pneumatic Tourniquet 2” (TPT2). Junctional tourniquet recommendations include the Combat Ready Clamp (CRoC), SAM Junctional Tourniquet (SAM-JT), and Junctional Emergency Treatment Tool (JETT). However, these categories are typically used for more specialized applications.

Keep in mind that all CoTCCC recommendations relate to combat use by trained military personnel, so their relevance to civilians with limited training may vary. The Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) offers a set of TCCC-based guidelines that are geared towards the civilian market — go to C-TECC.org to learn more.

For more information and a complete list of the newly-recommended tourniquets, read the CoTCCC Recommended Devices & Adjuncts (as of 5/6/19). You can also download the list in PDF form.

Off the Grid Everyday: Survival Lessons Learned from the Homeless

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This article originally appeared in Issue 6 of our magazine.

One doesn’t have to go very far to find out how it would look to live off the utility grid. While most of the country is more or less stable (at the time of this writing), there are hundreds of thousands of people living nomadically in every city in the United States without the privileges of electricity and running water — let alone PlayStations and smartphones. They are our society’s homeless, and they live off the grid despite living among us.

We have seen time and again throughout history all sorts of events that thrust people, once living comfortably, out of their homes and onto the streets. We’re only one natural or manmade disaster away from ending up like the more than 600,000 people estimated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be living on the streets. So, in an effort to glean survival lessons from some of the most resilient people living without basic needs, OFFGRID headed into the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s vagrant community.

This author packed up his notebook, a wad of $5 bills, and his concealed carry pistol and headed to skid row to conduct what would be some of the most, uh, “interesting” interviews of his career. The areas of town where the homeless congregate are already stripped of resources, far from any Barnes & Noble or gated community. Many of these displaced folks were here because of drug addiction, while others turned to drugs only after reaching what is, in essence, the end of the line. Regardless, finding a coherent participant wasn’t always easy nor was our cause aided by the drug dealers, who made it clear that we were not welcome. Undeterred, we eventually found people of all ages who were lucid and sober enough to be interviewed. Though they didn’t have many possessions, they did have a wealth of knowledge that could absolutely be applied to a survival situation after a disaster.

Who Are the Homeless?

As the sad cliché goes, homeless people are hidden in plain sight. As a society, we tend to turn a blind eye when we see drifters begging for money or living under a bridge. Yet they continue to survive off the utility grid despite living among us on the grid. Here’s a brief look at who they are, based on January 2013 statistics from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Primary Needs: Food, Water, Shelter, and Security

There’s a lot of community support for the homeless. Most of their basic needs are met by local churches or shelters. But as you’ll read later, these handouts may not always be an option. Though every interviewee survived differently, there were definitely some common themes.

Most everyone had a water container that they would refill by using hose bibs attached to businesses closed for the day. The types of food that they carried were nonperishable and prepackaged, and therefore didn’t need to be refrigerated or cooked. When asked if they would steal food if the community could not provide it, the answer was a unanimous yes.

Thoughts on the subject of shelter varied greatly depending upon the situation and the individual’s temperament. Some street people find clean beds at community shelters, but there’s always more demand than supply. Also people entering a shelter (or a FEMA camp) will be subject to a search, so those not wanting to give up firearms, other weapons, and possibly medication will have to seek shelter elsewhere. Many of the homeless interviewed disliked the shelters because of the overcrowding and thievery — undoubtedly two problems that would be compounded in a disaster situation.

A partially disabled 63-year-old man we interviewed constructed a small encampment hidden deep in a wooded region, located far away from the densely populated homeless district. He chose this type of area to stay away from others competing for resources. But he also chose to set up his camp near train tracks because snakes, common to the area, dislike the strong vibrations created by passing railway cars. Being so far from resources required him to own and maintain a bicycle for transportation.

Meanwhile, a man in his early 20s used a drastically different approach: He solely occupied abandoned structures, constantly changed his routes, and only moved under cover of darkness to avoid detection. However, his austere nomadic existence limited his possessions to what he carried in his backpack and on his person.

A middle-aged man occupied a tent within walking distance of community resources, but remained on the outskirts of the densely populated area. One side of his “territory” was covered by a fence, while the others had a clear view of anyone approaching. In the colder months, he would move his encampment into the shelter of a nearby abandoned building. This man didn’t try to hide his location, but kept his presence known, unlike his weapon, which was a rather sizable and rusty cane knife he kept hidden. He man admitted to being a multiple felon, was an imposing figure, and had narcotics in plain view. People like this are already out surviving on the streets, so should you find yourself among them, we suggest being hyper aware of your surroundings and distributing your trust sparingly.

Above: Personal security is a constant concern for those living on the streets. This former gardening implement is now a self-defense tool. 

Regardless of the type of shelter used, we noticed certain themes reoccurring throughout our interviews. Every man had some way of getting his sleeping area up off of the ground — be it pallets, a mattress, or bedding material. Also, they all utilized some type of early warning system to alert them of approaching danger while they slept. Some placed broken glass or trash in the pathways of buildings. Others tied trip wires in the woods or simply blocked entrances with materials that would be noisy to move.

Those who chose to stay with other homeless people actually used some “challenge words” or code — much like the Allies did during War World II’s D-Day when troops would challenge anybody approaching with the word “flash” and shoot if the password “thunder” wasn’t given in return.

Lessons Learned…

About Food: Pack nonperishable food, as conventional cooking and refrigeration will be limited or nonexistent in a SHTF scenario. Consider purchasing meals-ready-to-eat (aka MREs), learning how to prepare your own canned food, or stocking up on commercially available canned food (see our “Meat Feast” feature story elsewhere in this issue).

About Water: A container of some sort is a must for any survivalist, be it a plastic milk jug or state-of-the-art stainless steel water bottle.

About Shelter: Because the location will depend on your specific situation and where you choose to set up camp, there’s no single “best” type of shelter. But a roof over your head and a bedding area elevated off the ground is essential.

About Security: In any dire scenario, be it homelessness or after a natural disaster, overcrowding is inevitable at shelters (whether set up by the government or charitable organizations), as is property theft. So, establish either a trusted network of friends (the kind your life depends on) or an early-warning system around your shelter. Self-defense tools are a no-brainer.

Secondary Needs: Medical, Hygiene, and Transportation

Once the basic needs were covered, we delved into additional needs that are not so immediate, but still quite important.

Medical attention is usually given out at clinics and hospitals, but what if there are none available? Or, as in the case with shelters, you don’t want to be forced to give up your weapons or medication? From our observations, the alternatives aren’t so pretty. Most vagrants either self-medicated or simply suffered through their ailments. Also, living on the streets without medical support appeared to get exponentially more difficult with increasing age.

On a related note, proper hygiene could have not only prevented some of the infections and medical issues we observed, but also could have served a secondary purpose of looking more presentable. And no, we’re not talking about dressing up for job interviews. There appeared to be a fine line between looking too clean and healthy (thereby making oneself a target for the have-nots) and looking totally destitute (making one a target of those who prey upon the weak while also unapproachable to those who might be willing to offer help). Depending on the type of disaster you find yourself in, money might still be worth something. If you are displaced to an area not under distress, you may be able to work for cash, so you need to be approachable. If money is not worth anything, you can still trade your labor for things you need, which many of the homeless do. A general consensus was that begging or panhandling was not very effective, so you can’t rely on handouts.

Another survival concept consistent among the homeless was the value of having cheap transportation — namely a reliable bicycle. Those homeless who owned a bicycle had a distinct advantage over those who didn’t. Every street person we interviewed eyed our bicycle with envy, and all mentioned the importance of one. Why? Fuel may not be available, and roads are easily clogged by panicked motorists — but bicycles can go almost anywhere with nothing more than a little leg muscle. Plus, they’re easy to hide or secure and allow a person to travel great distances quickly while expending little energy. These attributes allow one to obtain resources from farther away and help you get out of harm’s way swiftly. The impoverished who owned bicycles also had a lock (preferably a U-lock), a small set of basic tools, and spare parts to keep their bikes reliable. One man suggested having a small bicycle trailer for hauling additional supplies and gear. (See OFFGRID’s Spring 2014 issue for more on bug-out bikes and their accessories.)

Learning how to adapt is also strongly suggested. For example, the older man replaced a broken pedal with one fabricated out of a wooden block. If you find yourself off-grid, improvisation will be used in every aspect of your life, not just those regarding your bicycle.

Lessons Learned…

About Medical: Prepare some basic medical gear and know how to use it. Know where alternate medical facilities are (as hospitals might be overcrowded, overrun, or quarantined) and plan transportation routes to reach them. Also, if you have elderly relatives to care for, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

About Hygiene: Not only does improper hygiene cause medical issues to flare up, it can also mark you as a target. Don’t look too clean, but don’t look completely destitute either.

About Transportation: Off the grid, bicycles are king. Without the need for fossil fuels or electricity, bikes can get you out of Dodge quickly and via many different routes.

Survival Priority: Backpacks

That’s right. You read correctly — backpacks. We know how much you love them, so listen up. Topping the list of needs of the homeless is the backpack. The general consensus is that if you want to keep something, it should be kept on your person. Think vital items like your ID, cash, payment cards, and weapon(s). Depending on the situation, these items can give you access to resources, such as your bank account or government assistance should you be able to reach it. These belongings are almost impossible to replace in a disaster scenario. (Also, should there be some semblance of law and order, you’ll want your CCW permit handy if you’re carrying a weapon concealed.)

To carry all of your other needs, you should have a good quality, low-profile, medium-sized backpack. That means it should appear used and somewhat dirty. A huge pack that’s glistening new with all kinds of goodies hanging off of it will definitely make you a target. Many of the interviewees related instances in which they were robbed. Others recalled how they often sleep with an arm through one of their pack’s straps.

We asked all our interviewees, “If you could have a backpack filled with anything but cash, what items would you want in it?” Not surprisingly, the 5 C’s popped up in everyone’s answers: a container for water, a cutting implement (such as a knife), cover (e.g. a tarp, tent, or sleeping bag), cordage (to secure items and make shelter), and a form of combustion (usually a lighter, though fires were seldom used because they attract attention).

In addition to the other items previous mentioned by the interviewees, some of the vagrants expressed interest in having a flashlight, a small radio, extra warming layers, extra footwear, extra set of clothes, writing implements, baby wipes, a small stove, and cooking and eating utensils. These are typical items most survivalists would have in a 72-hour go-bag.

Lessons Learned…

About Backpacks: Few things are as essential as a good backpack, because it can carry all of your other vital kit (water, food, fire-starters, etc.). Find one that’s medium-sized and low-profile to stay discreet, load it up, and keep it close to you at all times.

Takeaways

In addition to the critical gear already mentioned, many of the drifters we talked to suggest having things you can part with. Barter items — namely cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs (legal and illegal) — would be valuable to have in limited quantities so that you can trade with others you deem safe to negotiate with. (Obviously, the severity of the disaster and the condition of the government should be taken into consideration before obtaining anything illegal.) For example, if you’re not a smoker, trading away a pack of cigarettes for creature comforts like toilet paper would be a huge morale booster.

All of the people interviewed for this story were visibly nervous. Life on the street is quite stressful — being properly prepared can reduce that stress in times of peril. These interviews gave us a small glimpse into what a future living off of the grid would be like.

We’ve certainly taken their lessons seriously, cross referenced them against our own preparations, and have adjusted our plans for TEOTWAWKI accordingly. We suggest you do the same, because it doesn’t take much for average folks to end up on the streets — whether it’s due to a sudden psychological affliction, the economic fallout of being fired, or a natural or manmade catastrophe that wipes out your community.

How to Help

Aside from getting a chance to learn how impoverished people survive on the streets, you can volunteer at a homeless shelter or a nonprofit organization for plenty of other personally rewarding reasons. Below is a brief list of agencies providing assistance and information:

Invisible People
This nonprofit’s founder used to be homeless and now dedicates his life to changing the way we think about people experiencing life on the streets.
www.invisiblepeople.tv

National Coalition for the Homeless
A national network of activists, advocates, and professionals whose goal is to prevent and end homelessness.
www.nationalhomeless.org

Project Night Night
This charitable organization donates age-appropriate care packages to 25,000 homeless kids every year.
www.projectnightnight.org

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
The online portal for the government’s housing-related resources and assistance programs.
www.hudexchange.info

Veterans Affairs
This U.S. agency helps veterans find housing, in addition to providing healthcare, job training, and other services.
www.va.gov/homeless

About the Author

Peter Palma is a freelance writer who served overseas as an infantry machine gunner and scout sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps. After leaving the service, he competed on TV’s Top Shot during its first and fifth seasons. He currently resides in Louisiana, where he teaches basic firearms classes, is enrolled at Louisiana State University, and operates his weapons-cleaning accessory business, MS Clean.

Video: 7-Day Test with a $100 Walmart Survival Kit

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When considering a survival scenario, it's human nature to fantasize about the ideal case — facing the apocalypse from a multi-million-dollar impenetrable fortress on a perfect plot of land with decades worth of top-shelf supplies. However, these unrealistic fantasies do us a disservice. It's much more productive to ponder the worst-case scenario and prepare accordingly. If you can handle a disaster with nothing but your wits and the contents of your pockets, you can easily do the same with a pack full of quality gear.

Chris Thorn of Drop Forged Survival put together this survival kit for roughly $100.

This is why we always enjoy seeing different perspectives on the “$X survival challenge” theme (“X” might be $20, $50, $100, or more). This budgetary constraint forces creativity, prioritization of gear, and careful cost-benefit analysis. When you absolutely have to make every dollar count, you become a lot more discerning, and you realize that the knowledge and skills you possess are far more important than any gear you own.

We recently came across YouTube channel Drop Forged Survival, where creator Chris Thorn posted a 9-part video series called the “7 Day $100 Walmart Survival Challenge.” These include a short introductory video on the gear he selected, one video for each day of the challenge, and a 1-hour live-streamed recap from three months after the challenge. Check out the intro video below:

Although we don't agree with all of his gear choices, that's sort of the point. There are many different approaches to this type of challenge, and they depend heavily on your skills, environment, and resources. Watching how Chris approached it can help you consider your own gear priorities.

In our experience, “12-in-1” kits like this one from Ozark Trail sacrifice quality for quantity.

For starters, we'd skip some of the redundant cutting tools in favor of one higher-quality blade, and swap the costly (albeit convenient) Mountain House meals for high-value staples like dry beans or bulk beef jerky. Someone in the desert would want more water; someone in a cold environment would want a better shelter — you get the idea.

If you're interested in watching the remainder of the videos to see how Chris fared with his Walmart survival kit, check out the playlist here. For another perspective on this theme, read our previous article, The One-Stop Emergency Shopping Challenge.

Avoiding Poisonous Plants, Animals, and Spoiled Food After SHTF

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This article originally appeared in Issue 5 of our magazine.

Warning! This article is meant to be a quick overview and not a detailed guide on how to diagnose or treat poisonings or venomous bites. To be prepared for any emergency, we encourage you to enroll in a certified medical course or seek guidance from a licensed health provider.

When you’re fleeing a cataclysmic event, you’ll need to assess the threat then haul ass as quickly and as far away from it as possible. Once you’ve executed your bug-out plan and are in the midst of getting to safer territory, you’ll need to be prepared for whatever comes your way, from the big to the small. And by small we mean microscopic. The last thing you need is a mild stomach ache manifesting into a more serious problem.

Drinking contaminated water, eating innocuous-looking but toxin-filled plants, or being bitten by venomous animals can knock you on your ass — or, in extreme cases, be just as lethal as the bandits, wild fire, or chemical spill you’re trying to evade. If your local CVS is overrun with looters and your hospital has been locked down by the National Guard, you might not have any other option but to tough it out off-grid.

However, based on what you packed in your bug-out bag (BOB), these medical mishaps can be controlled long enough until you get to safer ground or find professional medical attention. Here’s a brief look at three types of potential poisonings you might encounter while bugging out, and what you can do to treat them.

Food Poisoning

Forget a regional calamity of epic proportions — we face potential food poisoning in our everyday lives. From an ill chef serving us at our favorite steakhouse to our failing to thoroughly wash vegetables before cooking, we can easily get sick from the foods we eat. And there’s a good chance you have or know someone who has experienced the symptoms, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdomen pains. This type of poisoning usually comes from bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are lying in wait in contaminated food or liquids.

Prevention is the best way to deal with this problem, so make sure all your food is cooked hot enough and all your liquids are treated or filtered to kill those nasty microbes. When you’re on the run, any raw meats should be cooked completely. If you’ve just pulled some rations from your cache or dropped a large deer in the backcountry, now is not the time to satisfy your gourmet craving for beef tataki or seared venison. If you’re forced to survive off plant life in the wilderness, make sure you give it a rinse with clean water or consider boiling it.

However, there comes a point when Montezuma gets his revenge, no matter how hard we fight back — and we’re left wincing and squatting behind some bushes every 20 yards. Luckily for us, our bodies are equipped with natural defenses. Our immune system often takes care of food poisoning within a few days.

Make sure all your food is cooked hot enough. Any raw meats should be cooked completely.

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll probably be left dehydrated due to the excess vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, constant uptake of fluids throughout and after sickness is essential. You’ll lose not only water, but also electrolytes, so consider carrying Gatorade or Powerade (in either drink or powder mix form) in your BOB. If you don’t have that kind of room to spare, consider packing dissolvable tablets that provide electrolytes. Also, it’s vital to maintain your energy by eating simple foods, such as rice, breads, or crackers, until you feel better. And as tempting as it might seem, put down that Twinkie and bottle of Wild Turkey. Help your stomach out by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, and high-fat content food.

If you’re having a difficult time clearing this type of infection and symptoms have worsened to the point of having blood in your stool or vomit, seek professional help. If all the clinics are boarded up or you’re in the middle of nowhere, the alternative is to rest and stay hydrated to let your body and immunity focus on fighting off the critters that are causing the damage.

Plant Poisoning

Poison hemlock looks pleasant, but is quite toxic. Ingesting even small quantities of its flowers, stems, or seeds can...

In a long-term survival situation, you might be facing starvation after depleting your BOB supplies. You must then rely on Mother Nature. However, when deciding to eat off the land, be aware that another type of ingested poison can also come from plants and fungi. This type is considered chemical poisoning, which can have severe — and even fatal — consequences. Lots of training and experience is required to decipher the large amounts and variety of plant life, so the best policy would be to eat only those that you’re certain are safe. (See “Nature’s Salad Bar” in Issue 8 of our sister publication RECOIL for more on edible plants.)

Most nonedible plants aren’t fatal but will cause various symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, headache, dizziness, and abdomen pain. These symptoms may take a few hours to manifest and by that time, there’s little you can do for the severe cases. It’s always best to keep the victim hydrated. Overly hydrating wouldn’t be a bad idea since it will help dilute the poison in the body and help clear the poison through their urine.

If you catch the poisoning early enough — hopefully within 30 minutes — then it’s ideal to induce vomiting as quickly as possible. The fastest and most common method of inducing vomiting is using our body’s gag reflex, gently sliding a finger or two down the victim’s throat. If that doesn’t work, play any song by John Mayer or Justin Bieber to induce rapid puking. Make sure the victim is facing forward and down to prevent any choking. As gross as it might be, vomiting will help clear the toxins from the stomach and reduce the amount absorbed by the body.

Amanita muscaria is a poisonous mushroom species that's relatively easy to identify. Others may not be so easy.

It’s important to restate that this option should be done only when ingestion of the toxic food is discovered early. Inducing vomiting at later stages of poisoning or when the poison involves chemical and corrosive poisons can have severe adverse effects. It may cause faster absorption of the toxins by the stomach, or it can lead to damage to the airways and lungs. Also, never induce vomiting on an unconscious victim because it can lead to choking complications.

Certain plants and mushrooms can be highly toxic, and once absorbed into the body, treatment can be very limited. Though highly uncommon in bugging-out situations, one possible treatment could be administering activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is highly porous, thus giving it a high absorption property. When used properly, it can help absorb the toxins inside your digestive system and prevent further intake of the toxin by your body.

Victims of severe poisoning may lose consciousness or go into seizures. If the victim is unconscious, check their vitals. Make sure they’re breathing correctly and blood circulation is normal. In cases of seizures, clear the area around the victim of any potential objects that can cause physical harm, such as chairs or rocks. Contrary to popular belief, don’t put anything inside the victim’s mouth during a seizure. Loosen any clothing around the victim’s neck to allow proper breathing, and don’t try to restrain the victim. Once the seizure is over, check the victim’s breathing and turn them to their side to help keep their air passage open. Try to keep the victim calm until they regain full consciousness. These severe cases of poisoning can’t be treated properly without professional medical help. Your main goal in these cases should be to stabilize the victim and then to seek medical help as soon as possible. Time can be the main factor in surviving a severe poisoning incident.

Animal “Poisoning”

Sometimes poisoning can happen when you bite into food; sometimes it happens when food bites into you. Depending on your location, you could easily encounter a venomous snake while hunting in the backcountry. (Technically, venom isn’t poison, but both are toxic — see the sidebar below for more.) Though snakebites are highly preventable and fatalities from snakebites are rare, it’s still important to understand the complexities and complications.

If bitten, identify the type of snake to determine if it’s venomous or not. Simple bites from nonvenomous snakes should be cleaned with soap and water or any aseptic material to reduce the chances of infection. If the snake is venomous, then immediate action is required. Not all bites from a venomous snake involve injection of venom, and this type of dry bite should be cleaned appropriately. For venomous bites, the severity of the bite will mostly be determined by the amount of venom injected in the victim. Most species of venomous snakes in the United States have venom that is hemotoxic, and in these cases the venom damages only the tissue around the wound. A few species, however, have neurotoxic venom that attacks the victim’s nervous system. These attacks are fatal.

Unfortunately, there is no available field treatment to neutralize the venom, so your only hope might be getting the victim antivenin, usually available in hospitals and from trained medical professionals. Evacuate the victim using the most rapid form of transportation that doesn’t require extreme physical exertion. Have the victim walk calmly, if necessary. Immobilization of the limb that received the bite, usually with a splint, may help the venom from spreading. Don’t copy the movies or TV shows by sucking out the venom or cutting the site with a knife. These have shown to be non-effective and can delay the evacuation of the victim.

The venom can also cause an allergic immune reaction in the victim called anaphylaxis, which can also be fatal. Anaphylaxis requires treatment with an injection of epinephrine, so unless you have an epi-pen on hand, you need to get your ass to professional help.

Poison vs. Venom: What's the Difference?

Both poisons and venoms are harmful to organisms and can potentially be lethal. The difference is in the delivery. Poisons are toxins that are ingested, inhaled, or absorbed (think dart frog, blowfish, or oleander). On the other hand, venoms are toxic when injected under the skin into underlying tissue (picture king cobras, black widow spiders, or box jellyfish). Venoms, interestingly enough, are usually not toxic if swallowed. But why tempt fate? Avoid drinking venom!

Situation is Serious

When you’re running for the hills, don’t let the runs get the better of you. Poisoning by food or plants is preventable using common sense and doing a bit of research before disaster strikes. Prep your gear so you have tools and water to properly prepare meat and vegetables. Study what types of plants are edible in your region or find a survival expert who can teach you, then go out and practice making your own organic salad in the wilderness.

Venomous animal attacks can also be avoided by staying aware and cautious. This includes doing research on predators that might reside along your evacuation route. But if you’ve been bit by a venomous snake, you’ll need to cure it (with antivenin) ‘cause you’re already running out of time. When bugging out, be aware of not only the physical barriers that might impede your path to safety, but also the biological poisons that can prove deadly if not properly treated.

Survival Scenarios: Airport Unrest

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Civil unrest is a topic that has been front and center lately as a result of the attempted coup d'état in Venezuela, and the unnerving footage that has spread across the internet. Although the incident in Venezuela could be viewed as an inevitable byproduct of a situation that has been worsening for years, it's certainly not an isolated case. Dozens of other countries have experienced violent rebellions and uprisings in the last decade. Some would even argue that increasing polarization within the United States is a sign that conflict may be in our not-so-distant future.

This photo from 2007 shows Venezuelan demonstrators marching in the streets.

Regardless of the current stability of your home country, civil turmoil is an important variable to consider for those of us who travel internationally. During our own recent travels, we've spent a substantial amount of time in airports. While sitting in various waiting areas, coffee shops, and restaurants, we pondered the unique challenges that would be posed by attempting to ride out a disaster in these crowded and confined spaces.

More specifically, what would you do if civil unrest broke out while you were stuck in a foreign airport?

There are many variables to consider under these circumstances — if flights are grounded and there's chaos in the streets, you'll have to choose between staying put inside the terminal and immediately leaving to find a safer location. Both choices offer potential advantages and risks.

This hypothetical scenario will serve as the subject of today's entry in our ongoing Survival Scenarios series. As usual, we'll explain background information on the circumstances of the event, offer some of the factors to consider for each choice, and end with a poll where you can vote for your choice and see how other readers responded.

Background Info

Photo: Flickr.com/14652587@N05

Six months ago, your boss called you into his office for an announcement — you've been promoted. This promotion came with a healthy bump in pay, but also meant you'd be taking on more responsibility to travel. Your company recently acquired a facility in the Philippines, and visiting it is part of your new job duties. You're not much of a globetrotter, but you figure this will be a fun experience — and you really couldn't say no to that salary increase.

Your stay in the Philippines will be only four days, but the flight is a long one. Over the course of a day and a half, you fly from your home in Texas to Los Angeles, then Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and finally Hong Kong to your destination in Cebu City. You don't speak any Tagalog, but you know that English is an official language in the Philippines and most Filipinos speak it.

Photo: Flickr.com/dbgg1979

Although your boss assured you the area is perfectly safe, you've also heard rumors to the contrary. In one article you read, Cebu's own mayor called the city “not so safe” due to ongoing conflicts between police and armed criminals. The U.S. State Department's web site advises travelers to “exercise increased caution in the Philippines” due to risks of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest, but most of these concerns seem to relate to the southern island of Mindanao (especially the infamous city of Marawi).  Regardless, you're committed at this point, so you try not to dwell on these nagging concerns.

Photo: Magalhães / Wikimedia Commons

Fortunately, your four-day trip goes by without a hitch. Before you know it you're ready to head home to give the good news to your boss. However, during your cab ride to Mactan-Cebu International Airport — about 40 minutes from your company's facility — you notice heightened police activity in the city. Security personnel at the airport also seem to be on edge, but you make it through to your gate on schedule. Then you look up at one of the TV monitors.

News footage shows protesters burning cars and clashing with riot police in the streets. The broadcast is narrated in a mixture of Tagalog and English, so you're not entirely sure what's happening, but the body language of bystanders in the terminal tells you something is very wrong. Some are anxiously making phone calls; others are standing in front of monitors looking worried. Suddenly, you hear the thud of an explosion — it couldn't have been far away.

Photo: Flickr.com/gleam_df

An automated message echoes through the intercom, repeating in various languages on a continuous loop. It states that all flights have been temporarily grounded, and instructs everyone to stay calm and remain inside the terminal. Unsurprisingly, most people do the opposite, rushing through the airport towards exits.

Your Gear

As usual, you prepared thoroughly for this trip. Your suitcase contains the usual spare clothes and toiletries, but nothing that would be irreplaceable if it were left behind. The backpack you're wearing contains your essential items:

  • Paper maps of the Cebu City area
  • Your cell phone, which you already know is functional in-country
  • An EDC electronics kit with wall chargers, cables, and a backup USB power bank
  • Granola bars and a water bottle from an airport store
  • An individual first-aid kit
  • A soft-shell jacket and ball cap
  • Your wallet with some cash, and your passport
  • An 18650 flashlight and an aluminum tactical pen

Obviously, carrying weapons here was never an option, but you could try to defend yourself with the latter two items in a pinch. A better plan is to do everything you can to avoid conflict.

You look around for someone who might know what's going on, but everyone seems just as confused as you are. A Google search on your phone reveals news articles about widespread civil unrest in the city, but nothing mentions the explosion near the airport — it's too soon to gather exactly what happened. You need to decide whether you're going to heed the intercom message and stay put, or try to get out of the airport and reach a safer location.

Staying at the Airport

Photo: Flickr.com/ichstyle

Remaining at Mactan-Cebu International Airport has some clear advantages. It's naturally a high-security position, assuming that airport personnel can keep the entry and exit points under control. You know there are some armed law enforcement officers on-site. Flights have been grounded, but there's no way to know how long that will last.

There's also no shortage of supplies at the various shops and restaurants in the airport, as long as they don't go into lockdown. You can continue watching the news broadcasts to gather more information; your cell phone has signal, and the free WiFi is still working as well.

Photo: Guan Yihe

By staying put, you won't have to get caught up in the crowd that's rushing towards the exits. If necessary, you can move to an out-of-the-way location and wait for news.

However, the downsides to staying put are twofold. First is the internal chaos — you may be stuck in this airport with hundreds of panicked and angry strangers for hours or even days. If violence spreads or supplies run low, you could be trapped here. Second is the external threat — whoever caused that explosion could be targeting the airport, and the handful of police officers may not be equipped to stop them from gaining entry.

Photo: Flickr.com/traveloriented

Thoughts of terrorism and hostage scenarios run through your head. You don't speak the language, and despite your efforts to dress discreetly, you don't look like a local. The last thing you want is to be cornered here, identified as an American, and taken captive by either side of a conflict you know nothing about.

Leaving the Airport

Photo: CW Tan

If you choose to disregard the intercom message and head for the exit, you'll need to move quickly to beat the crowd that's intent on doing the same. You may face resistance from security personnel at the exits if the airport is already locked down, or you may be able to walk right out. Once you're outside, finding a taxi or rideshare will probably be a challenge given current events and the sudden surge in demand for transportation.

Photo: Flickr.com/ronaldocomaling

Assuming you do manage to get outside and catch a ride to your company's facility, you're fairly certain it will be a safe location. You may be able to call ahead to confirm this. However, road conditions are an unknown variable. There might be increased traffic, or the civil unrest may cause total gridlock due to roadblocks. You'll need to trust the driver and keep your fingers crossed that you don't end up in the middle of a riot.

In the event that you can't get a taxi or rideshare, you may be in trouble. Re-entering the airport probably won't be an option due to the heightened security, and walking through the city alone with your luggage is a recipe for getting robbed (or worse). Attempting to use public transportation during this chaos would be your last resort.

As with most survival situations, leaving your position comes with higher risk and a greater reward. Avoiding a terrorist attack, hostage scenario, or miserable multi-day lockdown comes at the price of traveling through a tumultuous city that may pose even greater dangers.

Photo: Flickr.com/brownpau

The Decision

Based on the information above and the pros/cons of each choice, it’s time to decide which course of action you’d take. Would you stay in the airport and hope you can get on a flight home before things get worse? Or would you try to quickly make it back to your company's office where you can ride out the chaos in relative safety?

Enter your decision into the poll below, and feel free to justify that choice in the comments section.

Infographic: Dehydration Facts & Symptoms

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This article originally appeared in Issue 5 of our magazine.

Warning! This information is for reference only. For more detailed information regarding symptoms and prevention, seek professional medical advice.

There’s a saying flowing around that states, “If you’re not peeing a lot, you’re not drinking enough water.” While this statement might not be completely accurate, it does act as a good reminder to drink more water.

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than is replenished. This can happen in many ways, such as sweating during exercise or simply being in hot climates. Other causes include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and urination.

To prevent dehydration, monitor your fluid intake. Avoid alcohol or drinks with caffeine, like colas, tea, and coffee. Drink clear liquids (water, broth, or sports drinks). A prevailing tip is to drink eight cups of H20 daily, but that amount varies depending on your body type, where you live, and how active you are. The rule of thumb is that you should drink enough fluid so that you seldom feel thirsty and produce at least 1.5 liters of colorless or light yellow urine a day.

Sources

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention > www.cdc.gov
  • State of Idaho Panhandle Health District > www.phd1.idaho.gov
  • Mayo Clinic > www.mayoclinic.org

New: Vertx Contingency Duffel Bag

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We're always on the lookout for new products at the NRA Annual Meeting — unsurprisingly, many are guns or gun parts. However, we also spotted a few new accessories at the show that piqued our interest. Specifically, Vertx revealed a new duffel bag that looks like a great asset for range days, travel, and emergency preparedness. In fact, our sister magazine RECOIL gave this bag its “Best Accessory of NRAAM 2019” award.

The Vertx Contingency duffel is available in two sizes: 45 liters and 85 liters. Both are composed primarily of Heather Navy or Galaxy Black 600D polyester; 1,200D polyester with a “wipe-clean finish” is used on the bottom and sides. The interior is lined with 420D nylon and Velcro panels for attaching Vertx Tactigami pouches, holsters, and other modular accessories.

Left: the Contingency 45L. Right: the Contingency 85L. (Scale is not exact.)

The main compartment opens via a large U-shaped flap, which can also be used as a mat for organizing or cleaning gear. This compartment is lined with the aforementioned Velcro, as well as three large zippered mesh pouches. A Rapid Access Pull handle on the end pocket allows quick access to the padded weapon sleeve where you can stash a SBR, PDW, or handgun. An organization pocket on the side of the Contingency duffel has pockets for magazines, medical gear, pens, and other small items.

A pair of padded straps function as a single carry strap or an over-the-shoulder sling, and also allow the duffel to be worn as a backpack. There are two more padded handles at each end of the bag.

The Vertx Contingency duffel is expected to be available this summer, although the company is currently taking pre-orders at $160 for the 45L and $206 for the 85L. Visit Vertx.com or check out the RECOILtv video below for more details.