Page 172 – RECOIL OFFGRID

Q&A: Survival Expert Hakim Isler of “Kicking & Screaming”

Posted on March 5, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Hakim Isler is a man of many talents — hence his nickname, “Black MacGyver“. He's an Iraq war veteran and former member of the Army Special Operations community, where he served as a Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Sergeant. Hakim also has extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher of martial arts — he's a fourth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do under Black Belt Hall of Fame member Stephen K. Hayes, and is an instructor in the Filipino combat system of FCS Kali.

Hakim passes these martial arts skills on to students through Elevo Dynamics, the 24-hour family gym and combatives training facility he founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Hakim is also the founder of The SOIL Foundation, a nonprofit that offers off-grid training and excursions to to help veterans, law enforcement, and civilians recover from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. On top of all this, Hakim is the author of Modern Hand to Hand Combat, a contributor to our print magazine (see “Plan of Action” in Issue 16), and a TV personality. In 2014, he tested his wilderness survival skills on Discovery's Naked and Afraid, and later made another appearance on Naked and Afraid XL in 2015.

Hakim (top left) with the rest of the cast of

Hakim with the rest of the cast of “Naked & Afraid XL” Season 1.

His latest project is with the all-new FOX TV series Kicking & Screaming, which debuts next Thursday, March 9th at 9/8C. The show pairs experienced survivalists like Hakim with high-maintenance city dwellers and survival novices:

In anticipation of this TV appearance, we took some time to talk with Hakim about his time on the show, as well as his every-day survival philosophy.

OG: Hey Hakim, thanks for talking with us today. What initially led you to take an interest in survival and self-reliance?

My first awakening to the power of nature was in the Army SERE-C course. Most who know what that is would think that would be the worst place to learn it — while on the run with your team trying to escape capture — but it was not for me. There was a moment surrendering to nature while I laid drenched in heavy rain trying to avoid capture. I had to accept that I wasn't in control and in that moment I felt a freedom like I had never felt before. Some call it “embracing the suck,” but this was different for me. It was more like embracing the power of nature, and finding solace in letting go and becoming more than I was before.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler, Martial Arts Instructor.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler. CR: Jeff Neira / FOX. © FOX Broadcasting Co.

OG: We imagine there's a story of ingenuity behind your nickname, “Black MacGyver”. How did that name come about?

I came to be called this in the military because I was always thinking and creating. I would often come up with outside-the-box solutions for issues, and they would work. In layman's terms, people would call what I do ingenuity, but I call what I do Ninjanuity. Since I am a fourth-degree Black Belt in Ninja Self Protection (To-Shin Do) a.k.a a Ninja, the idea of adapt and overcome is the way I see things. It is that mindset that drives my art of Ninjanuity.

OG: Some of our readers will recognize you from your 21-day survival scenario in India on “Naked and Afraid”. What lessons did you learn from that experience?

The greatest lesson I learned from the Himalayan Mountains while on Naked and Afraid was that war changed me. My last deployment ended in 2007 and I thought I came home in decent shape. The truth was there was a lot I had buried under the mission of work and life. During the 21-day challenge I found that beyond my challenges with my partner, the more depleted I became the less I could suppress the side of me that I had not faced. I had an awakening out there that was never caught on camera, and it was that awakening that caused me to start The Soil Foundation in Robbins, North Carolina. It's a wilderness therapy and retreat for military, civil servants and youth struggling with emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

“Beautiful day off the grid yesterday showing my little girl the wonders of outdoors.” Photo: The SOIL...

OG: We're excited to check out your latest TV appearance on Kicking & Screaming next week. Tell us a little about the premise of the show, and how you got involved.

This show is going to be epic! The show is about ten survivalists paired with ten pampered high-society individuals with little to no outdoor experience. We survivalists have to help the pampered novices survive, thrive, and win a series of challenges until one group remains and claims $500,000.

OG: It has to be stressful dealing with a survival situation alongside someone totally inexperienced. What have been the biggest physical and psychological challenges you've faced?

Dealing with a novice when you are trying to win a prize that big was a little stressful, but it wasn't because my partner was a novice. My partner is Angelica Bridges and she was a Baywatch star. She is an amazing person and she was awesome out there for someone with little experience. Since I am a survival instructor that teaches kids, I had no problem working with a novice overall.

OG: How has your past military and martial arts training experience prepared you to guide a novice partner on “Kicking & Screaming”?

This is a great question. My military experience really beat into me the idea that “team work makes the dream work”. It was both my Ninja training and my PSYOP training that helped me mentally and emotionally. To be a true instructor, you have to understand how people operate and then how to use that knowledge to help them reach their potential. In addition to this skill you have to understand how you operate — knowing self is the foundation to knowing and connecting with others. We operate physically in this world based on our mental and emotional platform, understanding this is one of the main skills of the Ninja and of course an Psychological Operations specialist.

Hakim Isler survival expert TV military martial arts 5

Hakim alongside some of the cast of “Kicking & Screaming”.

OG: When you're not busy filming for TV or writing for our magazine, how do you spend your time?

When I am not busy filming TV shows I am serving my family and community. I own the worlds first DOJYM, a hybrid Ninja martial arts facility and 24-hour gym called Elevo Dynamics. I am also the founder of The Soil Foundation, a nonprofit wilderness therapy and retreat organization we are developing on 60 acres of land in Robbins, NC. We are currently trying to build a community center out of shipping containers. There we can house those we serve for three day or week long events. We currently offer outdoor camping retreats for military, civil servants, and youth that struggle with emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Our community center will help us serve those in need and their families. We are currently trying to raise funds on our Indegogo and at our website www.thesoilfoundation.org if anyone reading would like to help support.

OG: Every survivalist we meet has a different take on every-day-carry gear. What sort of EDC items do you normally carry during your daily routine?

Hmm the everyday carry item for a Ninja? Ahh, my mask and my sword! (laughs) Not really. I have two things I carry with me. The first is what I call The C.M.S. — the challenge mindset. This is the mindset that forces me to think outside of the box. I never carry the same items consistently because I don't want to become reliant or complacent. I am always challenging myself with “what ifs” and “how would I…” This way, if I go somewhere where I can't have an item like a knife or a gun, I don't feel lost or naked. Life is constantly changing therefore so am I.

There is one physical thing I carry in my car or my bag, and that is a creation I made called the Life Baton. It's a survival kit that has everything I would need to survive outdoors. So the simple answer is C.M.S and the Life Baton. Most of the time being a instructor in FCS Kali and Black Tiger Kali, I also carry a knife, but not all the time.

OG: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us. For those of our fans who'd like to stay up-to-date on your latest projects, what's the best way to follow you?

The best ways to follow me are my web sites — Hakim-Isler.com, TheSoilFoundation.org, BlackMacGyver.com — or you can follow me on Facebook.

For more information on Kicking & Screaming, check out FOX.com/kicking-and-screaming or tune in on Thursday at 9/8C.

Unconventional Weapon: Braverman Stinger Pen Gun

Posted on March 3, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but everyone knows that's not a literal statement. In this case, however, it might be. The “pen” seen here is actually a single-shot pistol, which folds open like a Transformers toy to reveal a tiny trigger. It's called the Braverman Stinger, and it was produced by R.J. Braverman from approximately 1993 to 1997.

Despite the obscurity of this miniature firearm, its mechanism is interesting to say the least. It was supposedly designed with this folding mechanism in order to avoid being categorized as an AOW (“any other weapon”) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). By folding open at an angle before it can be fired, the ATF ruled that it resembled an actual firearm enough to be classified as an ordinary pistol. This makes it much easier to obtain than other disguised weapons, like cane guns — or it would, if more of these Braverman Stinger guns ever made it to the market before the parent company went out of business.

The Braverman Stinger was available in several calibers. .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. There was even a rare factory gold-plated model for the James Bond fans. Ian of the YouTube channel Forgotten Weapons got his hands on a .25 caliber model for the video below, and discusses the gun's interesting history and quirks. True to form, he also disassembles the gun and shows its functionality.

Unfortunately, the pen gun above was up for auction, so it couldn't be fired. Based on other YouTube videos, they do in fact fire, but only about as well as you'd expect from a bent tube without a proper pistol grip, sights, or trigger. So, what do you think of this non-NFA pen gun? Is it a cool real-life spy gadget, or something that doesn't have much use beyond the silver screen?

New: Kershaw Dividend Folding Knife

Posted on March 1, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

For many, buying made-in-the-USA products can be a difficult decision as a result of limited finances. Of course, it's nice to buy locally-made products and support American businesses, but the bottom line is that these items must first be affordable.

If an item is made in the USA, but it's far outside your budget, you may have to compromise and settle for a more affordable option. Fortunately, Kershaw has recently introduced some new EDC folding knives that make this purchasing decision easier. They're made in the USA, but also affordably-priced, starting at $60.

The American-made Kershaw Link (right) led to the development of the new Dividend.

The first knife in this series was the Link, which we tested and carried as part of our EDC. We liked this blade a lot, and apparently so did others — the success of the Link model has led Kershaw to release a follow-up design. This all-new folding knife is called the Dividend, and like the Link, it's made at Kershaw's Tualatin, Oregon factory.

The Kershaw Dividend is a slim and sleek design, intended for comfortable pocket carry. Its 3-inch blade has a simple drop-point design with a broad belly, which looks to be ideal for slicing packages and other daily tasks. The blade is constructed from Kershaw's reliable 420HC steel, the same material used on the Link, as well as the tried-and-true Chive and Scallion blades.

The Dividend is a flipper design, with Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted-opening tech and a simple liner lock mechanism. The standard Dividend model is priced at $60, and features a textured glass-filled nylon handle. For $10 extra, buyers can opt for the Dividend Gray, which has matte gray anodized aluminum handle scales for a sleeker appearance and heavier feel.

Kershaw snuck some nods to American heritage into this knife series — the Link is Model 1776, while the Dividend is Model 1812. We can only hope the Alamo 1836 or Emancipator 1860 are up next.

For more information on the new Kershaw Dividend, visit Kershaw.KaiUSAltd.com.

Survival Capsule Tsunami Escape Pod

Posted on February 28, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

For residents of low-lying coastal cities and islands, a tsunami is a worst-nightmare scenario. In the face of an incoming surge of water, there are only two possible options: evacuate to higher ground within minutes or get caught in the deadly flood. If early warning systems fail or escape routes become overly congested, coastal residents may become trapped within minutes, with nowhere to go.

The raw footage above from the 2011 Japanese tsunami demonstrates how quickly seawater can flood coastal areas. Despite sophisticated early warning systems and evacuation plans, 16,000 people died in this tragic event.

After learning of the damage caused by this and other recent tsunamis, aeronautical engineer Julian Sharpe had an idea. He decided to create his vision for a spherical tsunami escape pod, which would float atop the waves and protect those who are unable to evacuate in time. The device is called the Survival Capsule, and it's built by Sharpe's company in Mukilteo, Washington.

The Survival Capsule is formed from welded aircraft-grade aluminum with a watertight marine hatch. The porthole windows are built from bulletproof glass, the interior is lined with ceramic insulation, and there's a built-in GPS locator beacon. Onboard air tanks and sealable vents provide oxygen to passengers, and there is storage space for food, drinking water, and other supplies.

Safety seats with four-point harnesses keeps passengers securely seated. The standard model seats two adults, but other models are planned with a capacity of up to 10 individuals.

Sharpe is also the owner of IDEA International, a company which stress-tests aerospace products, so the Survival Capsule has been tested accordingly. The Survival Capsule site states, “The sphere will withstand the initial impact of a natural disaster, as well as sharp object penetration, heat exposure, blunt object impact, and rapid deceleration.” Drop and penetration test footage can be seen in the video below:

However, some disaster experts question the safety of a spherical tsunami pod. In a recent article by the Seattle Times, regional emergency management director Chuck Wallace stated, “What if you get stuck under debris, or something tears it and it leaks? You’re just not going to convince me they’re safe.” Also, all this protection comes at a price — $13,500 for a two-person Survival Capsule. The four-person model will reportedly cost $17,500 when it becomes available.

For more information about the Survival Capsule, visit Survival-Capsule.com.

Infographic: Regrowing Fruits & Vegetables from Scraps

Posted on February 27, 2017 at 1:21 pm.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

When someone mentions “survival food”, what do you think of? Many of us envision shelves full of cans, jars, vacuum-packed pouches, and large bags of dry beans and rice. These shelf-stable items are all great foods to have on hand for emergencies. However, a small sustainable garden can add a much-needed dose of freshness to your recipes — all you'll need is some kitchen scraps, water, and sunlight.

We often think that growing food is a difficult and painstaking process. But if you've ever left a potato in the back of a cupboard, or forgot about half an onion in the recesses of your fridge, you'll know that growth tends to happen on its own. The little green sprouts may be a nuisance if you're looking for a quick snack, but they'll pay dividends in the long run if you're patient. Vegetable scraps can be re-planted in soil or water to promote new growth, and before you know it you'll have a miniature garden.

Infographic food regrow fruit garden plant pineapple 8

Even pineapples can be regrown, though they'll require patience, as they take several years to produce fruit.

The following infographic from JerryJamesStone.com shows methods for regrowing fruits and veggies from trimmings and kitchen waste. This is financially smart since it can save you money on groceries, but it's also a good skill to learn in case SHTF and grocery stores are no longer an option. Click here for a full-size version of this infographic.

Other fruits and veggies can be regrown using similar methods. One notable addition that's left out by the above guide is the avocado. With a few toothpicks and a jar of water, you can grow an avocado tree:

Self-Defense Cane Part III: Making a Bushcraft Cane

Posted on February 26, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Offgrid Staff

In This Article

Choosing a Stick
Sculpting a Bushcraft Cane
About the Author

A cane is an excellent self-defense weapon, even if you don't need one to walk. Most passersby won't give you a second glance when you carry a cane, but if you're under attack, you can immediately use this curved stick to distance yourself from threats or swiftly disable them. It's also ideal for defending yourself in non-permissive environments where other weapons may be banned.

In Part 1 of our self-defense cane series of web-exclusive articles, we discussed the technical aspects of fighting with a cane. Part 2 focused on 10 rookie mistakes to avoid while carrying a self-defense cane. Today, the third and final part of this series will address how to make your own cane from scratch.

Cutting and carving a “walking stick” is an immediate confidence-builder and among the first tasks those journeying into the wilds often undertake for many benefits, ranging from safely negotiating trails to doubling as a self-defense tool. The cane can easily be rigged as a spear or splint and can be used to probe stream water depths. It can also poke ahead of each step in snake country, especially in low-light bug-out conditions. Even in a semi-urban environment, a stout hand staff can keep the strays at bay.

As stated in our previous features on the use of a self-defense cane, this tool is often associated with the old and infirm, so it may help you avoid attention in some cases. In other cases, it may make you a target for those who look to prey upon easy targets, but they won't know what hit them when your cane becomes a formidable weapon. In sparsely-populated wilderness, your appearance won't matter as much, so the cane's function will take precedence over its form.

Choosing a Stick

In a bug-out scenario, a serviceable walking self-defense cane can be crafted with a knife by first selecting a fairly straight and knot free limb about 1-inch thick. Local knowledge of hardwoods pays off when you are able to spot white oak, hickory, walnut, ash, or cypress, but the availability of choice woods is not always as important as getting it done, especially if a member of your party needs a cane for walking following an injury. Just be careful not to mess with trees you can’t identify, lest you become the victim of poisonous flora.

Sculpting a Bushcraft Cane

A sharp parang, wood rasp, and some paracord were used to form a cane.

Before you cut a branch full length to your estimated hand-grip height, be sure to add an additional foot or more to allow for the curvature of the crook or hooked handle. Firmly anchor the cut limb. Using a sheath knife as a two-handed draw blade, remove the bark exposing the fresh white wood. While the branch is still green, immediately soak in available stream, pond, or ditch water, or dig a shallow trench and bury in shallow moist soil to prevent the wood from drying out, especially if you plan to remain in one location for a few days or darkness falls.

A straight and relatively smooth branch will be formed into our cane.

Using the knife, shape and taper the branch into the thickness you desire, flattening slightly the inner and outer crook handle. To impart the bend to the handle, first locate a tree or pipe of about 4 inches in diameter that you will use as a form to wrap the handle and securing with paracord or wire.

The parang was used in a two-handed grip to shave away bark.

To tenderize the wood fibers for the bend, and if you have a cook pot or bucket, you may submerge the handle end in boiling water. Or you may use the same kettle technique we use to shape wood stems for wood-strip canoe building. To form the handle, the wood branch may be sleeved in a length of pipe. Plug the upper end of the pipe with a rag and place the lower end over the spout of a teakettle or other vessel of boiling water, allowing the rising steam to saturate the wood end until it is soft enough to be pliable.

After soaking and bending the cane handle, a rasp was used to smooth its shape.

Using heavy gloves, immediately wrap the cane handle around the pipe or small tree, securing with wire or paracord. Allow the limb to set overnight or longer and to dry slightly. Once the cane is removed, shape-sand with any available stones or rasps, and rub or finish with wax, varnish, oils or what you may have available to preserve and to protect the branch. A paracord wrap makes a good handle.

The finished cane is now ready for a coat of protective wax or varnish.

Alternatively, a walking cane can be cut from a straight limb with a 90-degree branch forking from the limb to form the handle. A crutch is formed from a Y-fork in a longer branch or small sapling. Whether you spend many hours crafting the perfect bushcraft cane or settle for something quick and dirty, you'll be thankful for this walking stick on long trails. And if trouble ever comes your way, you'll be able to respond swiftly and put some distance between yourself and your attacker.

About the Author

David H. Martin’s family studied three years under Grand Master Sung Cho’s Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido of Sarasota, Florida, earning his black belt together with his son, while traveling for forms and sparring competition. Martin is a professional NRA training counselor, firearms instructor, and Southwest Florida wilderness survival skills kayak/canoe instructor, guide, and outdoor writer. He may be reached via email at davidhmartin@me.com.

“Sherp” Russian Amphibious Off-Road Vehicle

Posted on February 25, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Russia is a truly gigantic land mass, and its vast wilderness areas are full of treacherous obstacles. From bone-chilling expanses of ice and snow in Siberia to steep mountains, muddy swamps, and large bodies of water, Russia has the terrain to put any vehicle to the test. That's why Russians have developed some seriously impressive off-road vehicles to cope with these obstacles.

We recently learned about a new Russian off-roader simply called the Sherp, and it's quite different from the massive 8-wheeled Avtoros Shaman we featured in the past. The Sherp is rather small, all things considered. At 11.1 feet long, it's shorter than a Honda Civic, or about half the length of a full-size pickup truck. It's also 8.3 feet wide and 8.3 feet tall, so it appears to almost be a cube on wheels.

Speaking of wheels, the Sherp rides on enormous 5.3-foot-tall tubeless ultra-low-pressure tires. Combined with the Sherp's short wheelbase, these tires can pull the vehicle over enormous objects and ascend hills at a 35-degree incline. They also provide enough buoyancy to make the Sherp fully amphibious — it can literally drive straight across a lake or river, with the tires serving as giant paddle wheels.

The Sherp is powered by a Japanese Kubota-V1505-t turbo-diesel engine, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. This 1.5L 4-cylinder only produces 44 horsepower, but about 88 ft-lbs of torque, and it can propel the Sherp to a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). On water, it'll do 4 mph (6 km/h) flat out. That doesn't sound like much, but it's sure better than going around a lake or river.

This ATV is especially interesting as a bug-out vehicle platform, due to the following features:

Reliabile Japanese diesel engine
Long-range fuel supply — 14.8-gallon built-in gas tank, with four optional 15.3-gallon gas cans which fit into the centers of the wheels
Skid-steering four-wheel-drive with tight turning radius
Pneumatic circulating suspension with adjustable tire inflation for varying terrain
2,200-pound cargo capacity
Enclosed and heated cabin can accomodate 4 beds
Designed to continue running on three wheels, or even two wheels

Pricing is not directly listed on the manufacturer's site, but the base-model Sherp starts at $100,000 US with a soft-top, no windshield wipers, and no heater. Leasing periods of 24 and 36 months are also available.

For more information on the Sherp Russian amphibious off-road vehicle, visit Sherp.ru/en.

New: Jake Hoback Knives F23 Maintenance & Cleaning Kit

Posted on February 24, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Tools require maintenance and cleaning — this is a fact of life. You wouldn't drive your car for 100,000 miles without changing the oil, and your guns would surely jam and malfunction if you fired them every day for years without disassembling and maintaining the moving parts. It's also common knowledge that a knife is one of the most important tools you can have in a survival situation. So why not maintain it accordingly?

To most of us, knife maintenance means maintaining the cutting edge. That's obviously an important element, but there's more to it than just keeping the edge sharp. For folding knives, it's important to remove grit, dirt, and pocket lint from the handle cavity, lock, and pivot. In order to retain smooth opening and closing motion, oil should also be applied to the bearing and pivot. Finally, if you care about keeping your knife looking good, a solvent should be used to clean off grease, adhesive, and other gunk. These steps will keep your folding knife looking and feeling like new.

Jake Hoback Knives simplified the knife maintenance process with the release of the F23 Knife Maintenance Kit. This kit was developed in conjunction with Breakthrough Clean Technologies, and includes a proprietary lubricant designed especially for folding knives. Hoback and Breakthrough Clean reportedly spent months testing different formulations and additives in search of an effective, long-lasting lubricant that won’t evaporate when used on an every-day carry knife.

The Formula 23 Knife Oil lubricates and protects steel, with a special “boundary additive” which repels dirt. Hoback writes, “Special attention was also paid to the capillary effect that is present when joining two pieces of steel together; it is critical to provide and retain sufficient lubrication in those capillary spaces.” This sounds technical, but it's important to choose the right lubricant for a tool as essential (and expensive) as your knife.

Each Jake Hoback Knives F23 Maintenance Kit includes the following items:

Black MOLLE-compatible zippered storage pouch
Jake Hoback Knives velcro patch
Soft foam-backed knife cleaning mat with Hoback Knives lubrication diagram
Formula 23 Knife Oil
Breakthrough Clean Solvent
Allen wrench set
Double-sided cleaning brush
Microfiber cleaning cloth

This is everything you'd need to disassemble and clean one of Jake Hoback's folding knives, although we'd recommend picking up some Torx keys if you plan to use it on other knives you own. Fortunately, there's plenty of space in the kit for these and other tools you may need, including a small whetstone and even spare parts.

The F23 Knife Maintenance kit will be available to the public in March 2017, but is currently available for pre-order at $35. For more information on this cleaning kit and the knives seen here, visit JakeHobackKnives.com.

Donated Trauma Kits Missing from South Carolina Schools

Posted on February 23, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

We've said many times in the past that a mindset of emergency preparedness is often looked down upon as paranoid — until a real emergency arrives. When that day comes, preparation, training, and stockpiled gear can save lives. A recent story from WSPA 7 News demonstrates the tragic consequences of a flaw in the preparedness plan at an Anderson County, South Carolina school district.

Trauma medical kit tourniquet school shooting 1

Ross Johnson, a former combat medic, generously donated trauma kits to Anderson County schools.

The story starts out with a reasonable premise: Anderson County school officials realized the need for emergency medical trauma kits for quick response to life-threatening injuries. Better yet, concerned father and former Special Operations combat medic Ross Johnson offered to donate trauma kits made by his company, Tactical Medical Solutions, to every school in the county. Unfortunately, bureaucracy within the county Emergency Management Board allegedly stalled the process, and temporarily withheld the donated kits from schools.

Two years later, the kits Johnson donated still hadn't been distributed to the schools. Tragically, an active shooter incident occurred at Townville Elementary School, leaving three students injured. One student, six-year-old Jacob Hall, was shot in the leg and lost significant amounts of blood. A nurse reportedly attempted to improvise a tourniquet to stop the blood flow, but Hall would later die of his injuries. The donated trauma kits may have made a difference during this emergency, but they were nowhere to be found.

A WSPA 7 News video summarizes the situation:

So, what can we learn from these events? First of all, the situation emphasizes the general importance of medical trauma kits and tourniquets in every home, business, and government building. These supplies can save lives, and slow blood flow until emergency services arrive. Preemptive training on how to use this gear is also essential.

Secondly, these events reinforce the importance of personal and family preparedness. It's understandable to feel frustrated by the alleged oversights of the Emergency Management Board in Anderson County, but this should also serve as a reminder to prepare your family to deal with medical trauma. Each member of the family (including children, if they're old enough) should be trained to respond quickly and slow blood flow with pressure and/or a tourniquet.

It may also be necessary to meet with your kids' teachers and school administrators to confirm the presence of trauma kits, staff training, and emergency response plans. If you find that your kids' schools lack the supplies or planning they need, pursue this issue with the school board, and consider providing these tools directly to teachers or your own children — a tourniquet won't take up much space in a backpack or desk drawer. While the school board, emergency management board, and other government agencies should certainly do everything in their power to prepare for these emergencies, so should you. While some may see your preparedness as paranoia, it can save lives.

Thanks to contributor Andy Schrader for the tip about this news story.

New: PELTOR Sport Tactical 300 & 500 Ear Protection

Posted on February 22, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Each of your senses is a priceless asset, whether you're going about your daily routine or struggling through a survival situation. Therefore, it's only logical to do your best to protect these senses. Hearing is especially fragile, and can be damaged easily by the sound of gunfire if adequate protective gear is not used. This is why quality ear protection is essential for indoor and outdoor shooting — it preserves your hearing for when you need it most.

However, when it comes to ear protection, there is such a thing as too much noise reduction. If virtually all sound is cut off, it becomes frustrating to have conversations or hear commands, resulting in a lot of quizzical looks and utterances of “What did you say?” The solution to this is adaptive noise reduction, which intelligently blocks gunshot sounds and other dangerously-loud noises, while allowing voices and communication to come through clearly.

3M introduced two new PELTOR electronic hearing protectors at SHOT Show last month. The PELTOR Sport Tactical 300 and 500 feature new proprietary 3M SMART technology, which automatically adjusts to a shooter's environment and firearm sound. According to the company, this SMART technology “measures the energy in gunshot noise as well as echoes in the environment and automatically sets suppression time for optimized comfort and communication.” Any gunshot noise above 82 dBA is attenuated, while low-level sounds are amplified.

The Tactical 300 and 500 are designed for extended wear and maximum comfort. Both feature foldable vented headbands for heat release, and low-profile cups with rubber bumpers and cushioned cutouts for use while shouldering long guns. The SMART microphones are recessed to reduce wind noise on the range or in the field, and the interface offers voice guidance for safe operation without removing the headset.

The PELTOR Sport Tactical 300 is mobile device compatible, and offers a 24 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). MSRP for the 300 model is $150.

The PELTOR Sport Tactical 500 includes Bluetooth to enable two-way communication and use with cell phone functions. This headset also offers a slightly higher 26 Noise Reduction Rating. MSRP for the 500 is $200.

For more information on the new 3M PELTOR Sport Tactical ear protectors, or to find a local retailer, visit 3Msafety.com.