In an austere setting, it may be up to you to save yourself and perhaps those around you. An often-overlooked part of our training is medical preparedness. Dr. Joseph Alton and Nurse Amy Alton have spent years educating the average person on various medical issues. The Survival Medicine Handbook serves as an extensive reference for the average person looking to improve their medical knowledge. Each section within the book is specific to a medical topic, making it easy to use as a reference. The fourth edition contains many updated revisions compared to the third edition. The authors of this book intend it to be “a plainly written guide understandable by all” (p.3). It succeeds in this task.
The 411
This comprehensive book was the first of its kind, to my knowledge. I was glad to see the fourth edition improving upon the layout of the third edition, and it makes the book much more accessible. Each of the 35 sections in the fourth edition covers a specific topic, making it easy to reference for the “family medic.” I broke these sections into groups: the basics (Sections 1 to 6), medical issues (Sections 7 to 20), first aid (Sections 21 to 28), and other issues (Sections 29 to 35).
The first group, the basics, discusses topics like becoming a medical asset and medical supplies. Included are extensive lists of supplies to consider stockpiling. The second group, medical issues, discusses different medical problems like dental, respiratory, and skin issues. These sections will give you a general overview of each condition and how to treat it. The third group, first aid, discusses major and minor trauma as well as wound care. The last group, other issues, discusses topics such as mass casualties, nursing off the grid, and medications/antibiotics. These sections cover what to expect in the aftermath of an off-grid medical emergency.
Often throughout these sections, there are numerous lists that help to emphasize a point in the body of text. There’s also an extensive glossary list at the back of the book. Dr. Alton includes over 20 references for further reading on key topics.
The Verdict
This is a lengthy and comprehensive book that serves as a medicine primer for the average person in an austere environment. The handbook covers some sections extensively (e.g., Section 35 Antibiotics). Very few sections (e.g., Section 13 Heart Issues) are lacking in depth. Admittedly, there may not be much to do with heart issues in an austere setting; however, I felt this section could include more content.
Additionally, at the risk of making the book longer, I would like to see more pictures to emphasize some of the points in the book (e.g., Section 18 Skin Issues). Where this book really shines is the alternative treatments using natural products. Section 4, Natural Medicine, is an excellent narrative on using herbal remedies when modern medicine is no longer available.
There are 21 essential oils and 24 different natural products mentioned in Section 4. Each of these examples covers procurement, recipes, and applications of the herbal remedy. Nearly every section throughout the book includes an example of natural treatment and a recipe for use. I found this to have added value to each topic covered.
The book is certainly worth having in your home library, but not in your bug-out bag due to its length (672 pages). I would use it as a reference for the non-medical person looking to survive a medical encounter in an austere setting. It would be difficult to cover such an expansive topic in fewer pages. The authors do an excellent job of speaking to the layman who has little to no medical knowledge. They have done a good job keeping the book as up-to-date as possible.
About the Book
Book & Author: “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT on the Way”, Fourth Edition By Joseph Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, APRN
Growing your own food will increase your self-sufficiency and food security. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time, weather, resources, land, or even the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve a successful outdoor garden. This is especially true for people who live in confined urban areas with little to no outside space, who reside in regions of the country with short growing seasons, who don’t have the ability to maintain outdoor garden, or who may live in communities with homeowner’s associations that don’t allow residents to have an outside vegetable garden.
Faced with these challenges, many people give up on growing their own food — it seems like there are just too many obstacles to overcome. However, there are now viable alternatives to traditional outdoor gardening. Enter the indoor hydroponic garden.
Above: At this stage of development, it’s difficult to imagine, but within 30 days these tiny seedlings will grow into mature plants large enough to harvest and begin feeding your family.
In this article, we’ll look at the Rise Family Garden, and explore some of the many benefits of using an indoor hydroponic garden to efficiently grow your own food, in a safe and secure environment, unaffected by inclement weather, insects, pests, soil conditions, or prying eyes.
Disclaimer:The materials provided are for illustration and/or informational purposes only. Any use of the information contained in this article shall be solely at the reader’s risk.
Sustainable Survival Food
Many people understand the importance of storing at least a three-month supply of emergency food. With the recent supply chain disruptions, food shortages, and skyrocketing prices, many more folks are now starting to realize that relying solely on grocery stores and online retailers may be a very risky strategy. The importance of emergency food stores has never been greater, but storing non-perishable foods may not be enough. Growing some of your own food is an excellent way to supplement your emergency supplies, and to add variety and freshness to any food plan, while also mitigating your risk and increasing your options.
Above: Five weeks into the grow cycle and all the plants are ready to start feeding you and your family. The three-level Family Garden is compact, but has enough capacity to grow dozens of plants, and provide your family with a substantial amount of fresh produce over an extended period of time.
Hydroponics 101
Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants (usually greens, vegetables, and herbs) in a controlled environment. “Hydro” (meaning water) and “ponics” (meaning work) are combined to describe a method of growing plants with water, nutrients and sunlight, or appropriate color spectrum LED lights, but without soil. The LED lights, used by indoor hydroponic gardens, are specially designed to mimic sunlight and maximize growth.
Above: Despite their small size, microgreens pack a concentrated nutritional punch that makes them an excellent choice for any survival garden. Rich in flavor and easy to grow, microgreens contain more nutrition than much larger vegetable greens. Microgreens also provide high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Rise solutions contain all the essential nutrients plants need for healthy growth.
Although this all sounds very high-tech, what we call “hydroponics” today is actually based on some very ancient farming techniques that date back thousands of years; some say as far back as the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s and early 1900s, however, that the first modern hydroponic systems began to take shape, and scientists developed the concepts that’d eventually become the basis for the systems we use today.
Modern hydroponic systems provide complete control over the growing environment, and with the simplicity of self-watering and self-fertilizing, the results are larger yields and healthier, more nutrient-rich produce. Modern indoor hydroponic systems are also much more efficient than traditional outdoor gardening, since they use much less water and aren’t dependent on favorable weather.
Above: The Rise Family Garden comes with everything you need to get started. All the necessary components are clearly labeled, organized, and ready for assembly. An instruction booklet is included, or you can watch the assembly videos on the Rise website.
Advantages of Hydroponics
Hydroponic systems are closed and recycle water. This can represent an up to 90 percent more efficient use of water, and is a superior way to deliver a precise amount of micro-nutrients to the plants.
By controlling temperature, lighting, water, and nutrient flow, hydroponic gardening can increase produce production by 3 to 10 times over the same amount of space in a traditional garden.
By moving the farm indoors, produce can be grown year-round, and in places where weather conditions may not be favorable.
Indoor hydroponic systems don’t require chemical weed, pest, or critter control products.
Hydroponic systems are designed to make the most of the available growing area by using vertical space instead of horizontal space.
Hydroponic systems can be positioned closer to the end user, shrinking the amount of time from harvest to consumption, and dramatically increasing the nutritional content of hydroponically grown produce.
Plants grown hydroponically can grow up to 50% faster than similar plants in soil.
Above: The fully assembled Family Garden has three growing levels (lowest level is the tallest). Each level has its own water supply and grow lights. The Garden comes with a one-year warranty.
For this article, we reviewed the Rise Triple Family Garden, a three-level indoor unit with a sleek design that resembles a modern Scandinavian bookcase. Since the garden looks very much like a piece of nice furniture, it’ll fit right in with just about any home décor. The unit measures 36 inches long by 16 inches deep by 66.25 inches high and is fully self-contained.
We chose the Three Level Garden for its increased capacity and technological advancements/features that automate and simplify the growing process. We’ve summarized some of these key features below:
App-Enabled – The Rise Gardens App monitors the garden’s systems, and tells you when it needs water, nutrients, etc. It also provides reminders, tips, and suggestions. Using what the folks at Rise call SmartCare technology, the App walks you through every step of the process, from seedlings to harvest. You can control and monitor your garden with the App, or you can even sync with Alexa.
Full Spectrum – LED Lights. The cutting-edge, full-spectrum lighting system is specially designed to mimic sunlight and maximize plant growth. The on-board controller ensures your garden gets the right amount of light, usually 16 hours a day. The system even simulates sunrise and sunset with a gradual dimming/brightening feature.
Smart Watering – The self-watering system is designed to deliver the precise amount of water, and nutrients, to maximize growth. The App will alert you when the water levels run low or get too high. When it’s time to add nutrients, the App will tell you precisely what nutrients to add, and in what amounts.
Modular Design – The modular system allows you to expand your garden. You can start with a single level and expand up to three levels. Each level will have its own water supply and LED lighting system.
Advanced Seed Pods – All plants start life as seeds in pods made from coconut coir and peat moss. The Rise Nursery is designed to create just the right environment for the seedlings to grow until they’re ready to transition to the garden, usually within five to seven days.
The Rise Garden comes with everything you’ll need to start growing right away — just put it together, plug it in, and add water.
Above: The Rise Garden comes with a selection of seed pods, nutrients, PH balance solution, a nursery, and instructions. The three level gardens come with enough supplies to start growing on all three levels.
Self-Sufficiency and Privacy
For people who want to become more self-sufficient and increase their food security, an indoor hydroponic garden offers many benefits, one of the most significant being privacy. You can grow a substantial amount of fresh food right inside your own home 365 days a year — this is huge. Traditional outdoor gardens aren’t only vulnerable to critters, but in a dire food shortage, they might also get raided by two-legged critters.
The high visibility of an outdoor garden lets the world know your yard is rich in resources and makes your house a target. Growing indoors vastly reduces your visibility and allows you to grow a good amount of food without displaying any of the obvious signs of a traditional garden. During turbulent times, an indoor garden also reduces the amount of time you must spend outdoors tending to a garden. Security and self-defense are a top priority in any survival situation; the less time you spend outdoors, and the less people know about your preparations, the safer you’ll be.
Above: Contained within the lower cabinet is the water tank and pump assembly that continually circulates the nutrient-rich, oxygenated water throughout the various levels of the garden. The watering can allows you to easily add water to maintain the proper levels.
Growing with Less Water
In a traditional outside garden, it’s estimated that as much as 50 percent of the water used for irrigation is lost due to evaporation, wind, or runoff. These estimates may vary according to a variety of factors, but an outdoor garden will always require far more water, and a good deal of that water will be lost. This can be a big problem for your outdoor garden if water is in short supply.
The water requirements for an indoor hydroponic garden will depend on the size of your unit and how many plants you’re growing. But, since the water is constantly circulating and being reused, your hydroponic garden will require far less water than a traditional outdoor garden. For example, a fully planted three-level Family Garden will consume about four gallons of water per week.
This represents a substantial water savings over traditional growing methods that would typically require much more water over the same period of time for a similar amount of produce. Whether you’re facing a water shortage or simply tired of paying increasing irrigation bills, this is a major advantage.
Above: Designed to maximize plant growth, the innovative, full-spectrum lights mimic the natural light of the sun, and even simulate sunrise and sunset.
Fresh, Nutrient-Rich Produce at Home
Homegrown veggies offer far more nutrients than the produce we normally buy at the local supermarket. Deterioration in the nutritional content of veggies starts as soon as these crops are harvested. The further away you are from the source, and the more time the produce spends in transit or storage, the more nutrients are lost. Store-bought produce has usually spent at least one week in transit, storage, and in warehouses before it ever reaches your local market; all these factors contribute to nutrient loss. According to the folks at Rise, the fresh produce you get from your garden is not only more flavorful but contains as much as 70 times more nutrients than produce you buy from your local grocery store.
You can take this one step further — to maximize the nutritional value of your homegrown produce, focus on plants with high nutrient density like microgreens, kale, Swiss chard, and beets. Not only are these plants very high in essential nutrients, but they only have to travel the distance from your garden to your table. Microgreens also grow very quickly and are usually ready to harvest in 2-3 weeks. There are many other options to choose from, or you can use the seed-less pods and grow your own varieties. The Rise Family Garden can easily be used to grow even larger plants like eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Above: All plants start life as seeds in seed pod cups made of coconut coir and peat moss. Rise offers dozens of seed varieties, depending on your needs and the size of your garden. To start, carefully poke a hole in the center of the seed pod, place in the nursery, provide an initial watering, and cover.
Keeping Your Garden Secure
Stockpile Supplies. Stockpile sufficient nutrients, seed pods, and other necessary supplies to keep growing food even if there is a supply chain interruption, or some other serious problem that prevents the free-flow of commerce. Keep your seed pods in a cool, dry environment. Rise seed pods have a one-year shelf-life. Make sure to stock up on seedless pods in case you decide to grow your own seeds.
Have a Water Plan. Have a secondary source of water for use in your garden. If there is an event that affects your primary source of fresh water, makes sure you have a back-up plan and a reliable water supply for your garden. A three-level Family Garden will consume about four gallons of water per week. Plan ahead, store extra water, and have multiple ways of filtering water.
Maintenance. The Rise Garden needs a good cleaning every four to six months. You can recycle the water from the Garden to your outdoor plants so nothing goes to waste. Periodic maintenance keeps all the components functioning well and supporting optimum plant growth.
Backup Power Supply. To ensure you have uninterrupted growing cycles, have a back-up power supply to run the water pump and the LED lights in the event of a power outage. Consider a solar generator or an inverter generator.
Avoid Prying Eyes. Position the Rise Garden in a location away from exterior windows, and out of sight by casual visitors to your home. Run the light cycle during the day so that you reduce the possibility that someone will see the grow lights and recognize that you have a hydroponic garden. Knowledge of your preparations, including your garden, should be on a need-to-know basis.
Above: Seedlings are protected, nourished, and kept at proper temperature within the nursery which provides the perfect growing environment. Once the seedlings develop their second set of leaves, they’re ready to be moved to one of the levels of the garden.
Supper’s On
There are many reasons to consider a hydroponic garden. You can grow impressive amounts of healthy and nutritious food in a controlled environment, use far less water and other consumable resources than traditional outdoor farming, and keep your valuable food far away from unpredictable weather, pests, weeds, diseases, and, of course, prying eyes.
Indoor hydroponic gardens have many benefits. From small table-top models with which you can grow a few herbs, to full-sized family units that will supplement your food stores, these gardens will consistently bring fresh produce to your table when you need it most.
Above: Once the seedlings are moved to the garden, they quickly develop roots that extend into the water circulating throughout the system. Eventually these roots will mature and provide your growing plants with the necessary water and nutrients.
About the Author
Richard Duarte is a practicing attorney, an urban survival consultant, writer, firearms enthusiast, and freedom-loving American patriot. He’s the author of Surviving Doomsday: A Guide for Surviving an Urban Disaster, and The Quick Start Guide for Urban Preparedness. Duarte’s books are available at Amazon and other fine retailers. You can connect with Richard on Twitter @SurvivingDoomsd
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Much like bringing up a bitter team rivalry in a crowded sports bar, bringing up the subject of AK variants among gun enthusiasts is an easy way to stir up a heated discussion. Everyone who’s ever owned or fired an AK, despite hundreds of imported and domestically produced types in the wild, seems to have an opinion on which one is the best. And in almost every one of these debates, you’ll hear someone shout, “just get a WASR!” The Romanian-built WASR series has become a mainstay of the U.S. imported firearms category, and it’s regarded by many as the gold standard of affordable AKs available stateside. For decades, Century Arms has been one of the biggest importers of firearms into the United States, and some of this success can be attributed to what the company still calls a “massive demand” for the WASR.
So, does the WASR live up to its legendary reputation? Is it still the AK variant to buy if you’re not looking to break the bank? To shed some light on these questions, we’ll be discussing a rack-grade WASR-10 in 7.62×39 and our experiences from firing, handling, and thorough inspection by a qualified AK gunsmith.
Above: As seen on the cover of this issue, we temporarily dressed up our WASR with some beautiful surplus Russian wood and a Bakelite grip borrowed from Copperhead USA.
About the WASR
Much like anything worth knowing, the history behind the topic is relevant. Century Arms is the importer of the WASR, but these rifles are built by Cugir Arms Factory in Cugir, Romania. Cugir Arms developed out of an iron-processing facility founded in 1799 in the hills of the Transylvania region and has been producing weapons ever since.
Above: The WASR-10 comes standard with light wood furniture, a black polymer grip, and a US PALM 30-round magazine. What about a Picatinny rail and red dot? Nyet, rifle is fine — we stuck with iron sights.
The name WASR is short for Wassenaar Arrangement Semi-automatic Rifle, a reference to a post-Cold War international arrangement that helped many former Warsaw Pact nations export weapons — everything from tanks and artillery to small arms — to other nations in Europe and North America. The WASR-10 is essentially a semi-automatic version of the Pistol Mitralieră model 1963 (PM md. 63), which in turn was a licensed version of the Soviet AKM. Utilizing a well-known design and simple wood furniture, these Romanian rifles are a no-frills variant of the AKM.
Above: We tested our WASR with four magazines. From left to right: US PALM, Magpul, Bulgarian steel, and XTech.
The current WASR is a product of years of improvements. One of the most notable is eliminating “trigger slap” in current offerings via an aftermarket trigger. This is when the bolt slaps back into the hammer as it travels, which impacts the disconnector/trigger, snapping it back into the shooter’s trigger finger. This has to do with clearances inside the receiver and, thankfully, is pretty uncommon on modern AKs, such as the current WASR-10 offerings from Century.
A Closer Inspection
The WASR-10 we received looked fine when we removed it from its box, as we’d expect from a basic imported AK. However, unlike an AR-15, many parts of the AK must be pressed and/or riveted together — if this is done improperly, an AK can be in for serious problems down the road. To check the baseline condition of our WASR, we had local AK expert Josh at Copperhead USA in Tempe, Arizona, look it over before we commenced testing.
Something that cannot be overstated is that AKs often require real gunsmithing, as opposed to other platforms where you can swap internal components using simple hand tools. AK tolerances are all over the map and vary from country to country and even from the same factories at different times. Several companies offer build classes on AKs where you can dive deep into these differences and the things you need to be aware of, and Copperhead does a great job of these classes. If you’re considering getting into the weeds of the platform, it’s worth the time and money to invest in learning to be competent rather than simply enthusiastic.
Above: The rifle failed to feed the last round from an XTech mag near the start of our break-in. This was an isolated incident.
Right off the bat, Josh checked headspace, as it’s possible for an AK to fire out of battery — meaning when the bolt isn’t fully seated to the chamber — which can cause serious issues. This WASR was found to have good headspace after having been appropriately gauged. Josh noted it had a tight chamber, which will come up later. It’s not uncommon to find a canted (i.e. tilted) front iron sight post on an imported AK, but thankfully, our WASR’s sights were just fine.
Above: After a few magazines of rapid fire, wisps of smoke began to appear around the barrel and gas tube.
The rest of the problems were purely cosmetic, but it should be noted that having some knowledge of the platform to make those distinctions is vital. The gas block was canted slightly, and the slant brake muzzle device doesn’t sit flush on the muzzle due to the detent retaining it being slightly too long (this could easily be fixed with a file). It looks like the bolt carrier had been dropped at some point before us getting a hold of it, since there was a small ding on the top of the carrier just forward of the recoil spring assembly. The safety was also remarkably tight even after bending it out, which is another common issue with many AKs. Any of those things could’ve looked worrisome to the untrained eye, so we’re glad Copperhead USA could take a look at it. Aside from the tight chamber, which Josh said would improve with time, our rifle was in great functional condition.
The wood furniture was nothing to write home about; in testing, it even manifested some unexpected issues we’ll discuss later. The trigger was a common spongy AK trigger with a tactile reset and a curved bow. Based on everything we saw, this wasn’t a cherry-picked rifle and is a good measure of what you can expect from a WASR-10.
At the Range
Testing was simple — the best thing you can do to test a new rifle is fire it. That shouldn’t be a controversial concept, yet to some, that might be the case. In particular, firing an AK with a tight chamber will help fit the bolt to the chamber, reducing that issue.
To prepare for our break-in range day, we loaded 500 rounds of Red Army Standard steel case 7.62×39 ammo into four different types of mags. These included US PALM AK30R magazines, XTech MAG47 polymer magazines with steel locking lugs, Magpul MOE magazines, and Bulgarian steel 30-round mags from GunMag Warehouse. We began by running one of each magazine through the rifle to ensure there weren’t any significant issues with that type. Again, with the wide range of specs and tolerances, not all AKs will like all magazines. Often, tuning magazines for a particular rifle may be required.
Above: Once the barrel and handguard retainer got hot enough, they began to burn the wood handguard, leaving blackened areas and small blisters in the finish.
The first mags of all four types presented no issues. However, the second XTech mag failed to feed on the last round, which also set the bullet back in the casing far enough to make us throw that round away. Other than that, the only magazine issue we experienced was difficulty seating them, which is a combination of needing to break in the mag release lever and the mags themselves. We’d rather mag lockup be too tight than too loose, anyway.
For those who’ve ever run an AK hard, you’ll know that the forward sling loop is a dicey place to find your fingers, as it transmits heat quickly. Our experience was no exception; after less than 200 rounds in rapid succession, the sling loop was painful to the touch. It’s also where heat started radiating into the handguard and melting the finish on the wood. Strangely, as the finish bubbled and melted near this contact point, it gave off a slight audible hiss and the distinct smell of pancakes. Once the finish melted off, it started puffing white smoke and smelling of burnt wood, as expected.
Around 250 rounds in, we experienced that tight chamber observation come to fruition. We had a round fire, and the steel case expand as usual; however, the extractor ripped the edge off the case, causing a failure to extract. This isn’t the fault of the bolt or extractor, it’s likely the tight chamber causing an issue. We grabbed a paint can opener — a surprisingly useful tool for prying out stuck cases — in an attempt to snag the edge of the stuck casing, but had no luck, meaning it was tightly expanded. It took a cleaning rod down the bore to punch out the damaged steel. We should note that the WASR doesn’t come with a cleaning rod, but we added one to our rifle from a spare parts bin.
Handling the Heat
As the rifle got hotter and hotter after several hundred rounds, it handled the wear remarkably well, with the finish experiencing minimal discoloration. In fact, the WASR-10 took everything we threw at it remarkably well. After dumping mag after mag into targets without more than a few seconds’ pause, the rifle’s entire barrel and handguard were rippling with heat and smoke, but it kept chugging away.
Above: The second malfunction occurred roughly halfway through our test. A case got stuck in the chamber, causing the extractor to rip off the case’s edge. Tapping it a few times with a cleaning rod knocked it out, and we went right back to shooting.
Towards the end of our 500-round test, we also noticed a ½-inch crack developing in the wood stock on the shooter’s side close to where it meets the rear trunnion. Considering the quality of the wood, it’s not unexpected to find defects, and this had no impact on the firing schedule. We were planning to replace the wood with a nicer laminate furniture set anyway, so the charred handguard and cracked stock only give us more reasons to do so.
Above: At the end of the range session, we noticed one edge of the wood stock was starting to crack. The stock isn’t loose at all, so it’s solely cosmetic.
Except for the one misfeed, all the mags ran solidly and fed reliably. Consider this as a crucial consideration for buyers, as few will be willing to experiment with various magazines to find what your particular rifle likes best. Despite firing 500 rounds of steel-case ammo in less than 30 minutes during our aggressive break-in test, the WASR-10 held up remarkably well. Sure, it had a few minor issues out of the box, but most are purely cosmetic, and none would be insurmountable without a minor repair or continued use to break in the components.
Closing Thoughts
With an MSRP of $1,070, the WASR-10 from Century Arms isn’t the cheapest AK you can buy, but it still remains one of the best bang-for-your-buck options on the market. If you’re shopping for your first AK or simply want a do-all rifle that focuses on reliability and durability above all else, it’s worthy of your consideration.
Above: We had no intention of giving our AK the white-glove treatment — we wanted to run it hard, just as Mikhail Kalashnikov intended. Our 500-round test is only the start of its service life, and we’d say it performed admirably so far.
If, on the other hand, you expect an immaculate finish, 1 MOA accuracy, and the ability to add a modern sighting system without purchasing an aftermarket mount, you should look not only at a different AK but also at a different platform entirely. That being said, you’d be surprised what you can squeeze out of the platform, especially with the help of a gunsmith specializing in AKs.
AKs continue to be a staple of the American firearms market even as prices climb on what might be a boutique firearm in the not-too-distant future. If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and fun-to-shoot AK, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the WASR-10 from Century. As it turns out, its reputation is well-deserved.
As Americans, we take great pride in our unique national treasures. The Bill of Rights, National Parks, baseball, barbecue, rock and roll — the list goes on. In addition, our cultural melting pot has given us access to a huge variety of iconic creations from foreign shores; we didn’t invent pizza or tacos, but we’ve certainly embraced them. So, it’s always surprising to come across an item that’s essentially unobtainable in America. Such has been the case for the 70-Series Toyota Land Cruiser.
Produced from 1984 through the present (yes, it’s still in production), the 70-Series is an immensely popular vehicle for militaries, government organizations, and off-road adventurers around the world. However, it was never sold in the United States — we got the rounder and more luxurious 80-Series, sold here from 1990 to 1997. Although it’s possible to bring over some foreign-market 70-Series Land Cruisers under the 25-year-old vehicle import law, making one street-legal comes with a long list of additional headaches and costs, especially if you live in a state with strict emissions regulations.
Above: The truck also includes a deployable awning and shower enclosure with hot and cold running water.
70-Series Toyota Land Cruiser
Tim McGrath, founder and lead designer for overland apparel company Sackwear, fell in love with the 70-Series Land Cruiser, especially its 79-Series pickup truck submodel. “The people that know about the 79 wish they sold them here in the States,” he says. Knowing the difficulties of legalizing an imported 79-Series, he began looking for alternative ways to achieve the appearance and rugged functionality of one of these trucks. This led him to Maltec, a company in Germany that builds custom Land Cruisers that — despite their appearance — are actually based on the easily importable 80-Series chassis. They agreed to build him a North American-spec truck that features a modified 70-Series cab and carbon-fiber camper on top of an 80-Series frame.
Above: It only takes a few seconds to deploy the pop-up roof and set up camp.
The build began with a 1993 80-Series Land Cruiser. After removing the original body, its frame was stretched to match the desired wheelbase for the camper conversion. A four-door cab from a 79-Series donor vehicle was mounted onto the 80-Series frame, and the back of that cab was cut out to create a pass-through into the carbon-fiber camper shell that was added next. Normally, having a custom vehicle built halfway across the globe would be rather nerve-wracking, but Tim says the builders listened to his needs and were extremely communicative. “Maltec did a great job keeping me connected with the progress, and sent me lots of emails with photos. I trusted their expertise and craftsmanship since they build really awesome rigs.”
Above: The Front Runner roof rack holds two Alu-Boxes and a large dry bag for gear storage. Additional rails atop the camper can be used to retain a kayak or paddleboards.
Modifications and Upgrades
In addition to the body modifications, Maltec installed a 4.2-liter 1HD-T turbo-diesel engine and five-speed manual transmission, a configuration that was also unavailable in U.S.-spec Land Cruisers. The truck’s underbody is armored with a variety of Maltec skid plates to fend off rocks on the trail; it rides on OME 3-inch-lift springs and OME shocks, 17-inch Braid beadlock wheels, and 37-inch Cooper tires.
Above: Despite its many creature comforts, this Land Cruiser is no pavement princess. It can still go just about anywhere and take Tim’s whole family with it.
Tim says this combination balances a spacious interior and compact exterior, with “enough room to travel and sleep four while still remaining small and capable.” He explains, “There’s not a lot of room, but it’s doable — I guess that’s the trade-off. I can wheel this thing to places where most campers can’t go. I love that we can set up someplace crazy and stay comfortable, warm, and dry at night. We can even cook inside and watch a movie.” It wasn’t an easy or inexpensive process, taking a year to complete and costing north of $200,000, but he doesn’t regret it for a second.
Over the course of the last year, Tim has taken his Land Cruiser out on family expeditions at least once a month. In one of his most memorable experiences, he and his daughter drove to Colorado, arriving late in the evening to a dark and narrow trailhead. They continued onward, winding up a steep mountain road to a lake just above the tree line at 12,000 feet. He recalls, “The truck tackled the obstacles without any issues and delivered us safely. We were the only ones there under a star-filled sky, and had paddle boards to keep us entertained the next day.”
1993 Toyota Land Cruiser
Drive Train:4.2L 1HD-T turbo-diesel inline-6, 5-speed manual transmission, 4×4 with 2-speed transfer case
Suspension:Old Man Emu springs and shocks
Wheels & Tires:17-inch Braid Dakar Beadlock A wheels, 37×12.5R17 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires
Body Modifications:79-Series Land Cruiser cab with rear cutout; Maltec aluminum front bumper, skid plates, fender flares, and carbon-fiber camper; Front Runner roof rack, awning, and camper roof rails; Alu-Cab exterior hot/cold shower, two 42L Alu-Boxes and Halite dry bags for storage
Interior Modifications:Maltec cabinets, gray and black leather door panels, suede headliner, and teak wood camper flooring; four Recaro Sportster CS leather seats, Webasto heater, 15-gallon fresh filtered water tank, water boiler, hot/cold sink, three-burner stove, espresso machine, upper and lower beds (sleeps four)
Lighting & Electronics:Dual AGM house batteries, two 100W SunWare solar panels, Victron Energy 2,000W power inverter, Alpine Halo 11-inch head unit/navigation, Simarine PICO touchscreen information panel, two Dometic refrigerators, LED camper lighting with charge ports, Warn Zeon 10-S Platinum winch with Factor 55 fairlead and FlatLink E, Baja Designs S1 bumper lights and LP9 Pro driving lights, KC Hilites Cyclone rock lights
Below is an event that actually happened to me. At the time of this incident, I’d been a mental health therapist for a few years, and after graduating and obtaining my license, had studied under Dr. Sal Minuchin for six months, one of the premier therapists of our lifetime. I was quite familiar with the fight-flight-freeze response that is hard-wired into our survival instincts. It is my hope that, as I walk through my thoughts and feelings as events unfolded, that you will be able to recognize what is going on and be able to find resilience during crisis.
The Scenario
I had eagerly anticipated this hike for months. It was to be my first exploration of Red Rock Canyon, and the scenery surpassed even the breathtaking images I had seen online. The vastness of the landscape had a way of humbling you, making you realize just how small we are in the grand scheme of things. The plan was straightforward – a couple of miles through one of the smaller foothill trails, then back.
Since I was unfamiliar with the area, I intended to stick to an intermediate trail. I set out early, well-prepared with a gallon of water and my survival kit. Another gallon waited in my vehicle for rehydration upon my return. The desert's reputation for quick dehydration isn't exaggerated; I found myself swatting away flies attracted to the moisture near my eyes.
Above: Becoming disoriented on a trail is a common way hikers become lost.
While soaking in the stunning views, I must have missed a turn in the trail. Suddenly, I found myself on a wild game trail. Lost in the moment, I had lapsed in judgment and strayed off the intended path without realizing it. The passage through the underbrush narrowed, signaling that I was clearly not on the trail meant for humans.
“Okay, no big deal,” I reassured myself. “I'll just retrace my steps.”
Despite my attempt at reassurance, panic lurked at the edges of my mind. Nearly half my water was already gone, and the thick brush hinted at hidden rattlesnakes. This was in the days before everyone owned smartphones, and even if I had one, it likely wouldn't have had a signal that far out.
Resilience Matters
As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, the tables had turned. I now needed not only my survival training but also my mental health training to navigate this unexpected challenge. As I boy, I grew up raised by an 82nd Airborne Paratrooper who taught me wilderness survival, learned more survival skills in Boy Scouts, and was no stranger to hiking and camping.
“If anyone can figure this out, I can.” I thought. Or rather, tried to convince myself….
When we are faced with perceived danger, a part of the brain that is called the Amygdala gets activated, it sends signals to the Hypothalamus to activate the Sympathetic Nervous System. In Layman’s terms, this is your fight-flight-freeze response. When it is active, several things happen, your heart rate increases, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure increases, and your breathing becomes more rapid. If you are facing down a bear that decided that you look like a tasty snack, this would be helpful, because it makes your stronger, faster, and more resilient to pain.
Above: First Responders and Military personnel often deliberately place themselves into situations where they must conquer their fight-flight-freeze response.
But it also has some negative effects, the brain processing speed gets overclocked, your fine motor skills deteriorate, you can get tunnel vision, and the physiological responses in your body feel quite similar to a panic attack. Panic attacks can cause us to freeze or want to take flight, neither of which is good in a “lost in the wilderness scenario.”
In the same way that Soldiers and First Responders can train to manage that fight-flight-freeze response, so too can civilians learn to apply training, including Hikers who get lost in a desert filled with rattlesnakes.
Understanding a little bit of mental health first aid can be life-saving skill for those who may encounter a personal emergency or who are trying to help calm someone who has just experienced a life-threatening scenario.
“Okay…” I thought, “let’s just backtrack a little. See if I can’t find the main trail.”
So, I walked about 10 minutes back down the game trail, and found several forks, most of which looked like more game trails, not hiking trails. Panic tried to creep in again.
“Sit down. Just sit down Sarge. Stop.” I thought.
S.T.O.P.
In all wilderness survival classes, they tell you that when you are lost, to remember the acronym S.T.O.P., an mnemonic acronym that stands for: Sit, Think, Observe, Plan.
YES, that’s it! What had I learned about being lost in the wilderness. STOP. Hug a tree. In this case, a desert boulder.
So as I sat there, I realized that my mind was racing, as was my heart, and that I had been dangerously close to panic-walking myself further into danger. I didn’t want to be one of those guys who panic walks in circles or further into the wilderness. That’s the thing with mental health first aid. Panic attacks can be mitigated, shortened, and in some cases eliminated with just a few skills.
As I sat on the boulder, I focused on my breathing, knowing that I needed to get my sympathetic nervous system under control first so I could make clear-headed decisions. Panic can be like an altered State of Consciousness. Some people get tunnel vision, most people get racing thoughts, and a few people get a de-realization/out-of-body feeling. None of the above is pleasant.
“Breathe.” I thought. “In through the nose, slow. SLOW. Hold it for a few seconds. Now release through the mouth even slower. Pause. Repeat.”
I did this for a few minutes until I started to feel a little calmer. Then I started working on my cognitions. The worst thing one can do is to think thoughts like “I’m gonna die” or “I’m really screwed.” These thoughts, and any catastrophic thinking really, such as “What if a rattlesnake bites me?” could trigger me right back into panic mode, because every thought we have. EVERY thought, has a biochemical response in the brain that causes a feeling/emotion, and this emotion, whether we all want to accept it or not, largely determines our behaviors and choices. This is the essence of cognitive behavioral therapy. Learning to control your thoughts, will improve your feelings, and this will help you make good decisions and choices. But it always starts with a thought, even a subtle one.
Above: Taking the time to think about your situation will help override the body's initial biochemical response to an emergency situation.
“Okay, what do we know?” I thought. “I know I can’t be too far off-course, no more than a couple miles. I know a few people knew generally where I was going (but not the specific trailhead) and that I expected to be back by nightfall. I know I have survival training and some kit with me that would help me make it through the night if needed. I can do this.”
My panic started to fade some more.
“Observe.” That was the next step right? Standing up from my boulder I looked around. The brush was too high in some areas to see far. That was a problem. I climbed a bit further up the foothill to find a spot that had a bit of an overlook. Looking down in the distance I could see what I thought was a road. Hard to tell in the desert because the sand and dust covers the pavement in some spots, but it looked right, and my instincts told me that was the general right direction I came from.
“Observe.” I thought again.
I started pulling things out of my pocket to see what I had with me. A pocket knife, a lighter, a small flashlight, a few bandaids, a small hank of cordage, a bit of jerky (trail snack), and about half a gallon of water left. I was wearing light, loose clothing, but my shirt was a shade of blue that was not normal for the desert landscape. It stood out. I also observed that I thought I had at least a couple hours of sunlight left based on the stacked fingers method against the horizon.
“Plan.” I thought finally. “Okay, if I head in that general direction, travelling down the foothills and to the South East, it should bring me to the road. From there, I might even see my vehicle, but if not, I can at least wait till the next car goes by and ask for a ride to the trailhead. If I find a large broken branch I can use it to tap the ground in front of me on these game trail, with a little luck I might not encounter any rattlers. But if I do, they may strike the stick first and I could use it to flick them away… maybe.”
Above: Thinking of, and preparing for potential dangers, such as aggressive wildlife, is an important step when trying to return to safety.
Supporting Others In A Crisis
It's likely that each of us will encounter emergencies in our lifetime, or maybe you will be the first responder for your family and neighbors in the aftermath of a tornado, or worse. People will be in panic mode. Anyone can learn to use some of these Mental Health First Aid skills to help others in these situations.
First, determine that the scene is safe. If it is not, that must be your first priority, getting everyone to safety. Then, assess the group, find helpers, other people who do not seem to be in panic mode. Ask them to go check on other members of your group. Triage the situation, determine who needs your help first, then address that person by name. Assure them that they are safe now. Ask them to look around the area and tell you five things they see, four things they hear, three things they physically feel, two things they smell, and one thing they taste. It isn’t important that they get four things or three things, what you are doing is forcing them to input sensory information into their brain. This has a grounding effect.
Next tell them to breathe slowly, in through their nose, out through their mouth. Really slow. Repeat for several minutes.
Then ask them if they are okay, ask them to describe what they witnessed and how it made them feel. This will help mitigate longer term effects such as nightmares or flashbacks to some extent. It’s not perfect, but this is Mental Health First Aid, not therapy.
Validate their experiences, don’t argue with them, even if they saw something different than you. “You’re right, that was really scary.” Validation also will help mitigate the chances that the experience becomes something worse over time.
Above: In the midst of destruction, are people who need help mitigating their emotional trauma.
After The Crisis
The next step would be to prepare them for what is to happen next. “Ok, we’re going to try to get you to a hospital (or home if that’s appropriate.)”
You may tell them it is normal to be shaken up about the incident, and that they may even have bad dreams about it. If the dreams, or panic, or flashbacks (dissociative episodes) start happening and persist for more than a week, it might be a good idea to talk to a therapist for further help. But in many cases, the initial symptoms will fade over a week or so. The long term response depends on a lot of factors.
As a therapist who works with First Responders and Veterans, most of my patients have had a lot of experience with having to use that fight-flight-freeze response to survive dangerous encounters and to help others in danger.
While the training these individuals get for how to overcome the freeze-flight part of the response is excellent, many are not prepared for the long term after-effects of repeated activation of the Amygdala’s survival mechanism. Some people can be prone to long term panic attacks (or worse, nightmares, flashback dissociations, and more).
Any civilian can learn Mental Health First Aid. Search for classes on this in your area, it is often free and sponsored by trained professionals in the mental health community.
And if you are prone to panic attacks, (or worse symptoms) and find that some of the techniques described here are not helping to manage them, it may be a good idea to seek help from a licensed therapist.
Who will be prone to long term panic attacks is difficult to predict. There seems to be a genetic component, but it also has a lot to do with how we were raised, and that does not necessarily mean that being raised in a good environment or bad environment makes one more prone, but rather how we learned to think, how we believe the world “should work,” how we learned to problem solve, and what other life events we have already been exposed to. It’s not a matter of being weak or strong. In fact, some of the strongest soldiers, bravest fire fighters, most resilient officers, and most dedicated paramedics have come to see me in therapy for their symptoms. If anything, it takes great strength and bravery to ask someone else for help. It is not a weakness or character flaw.
Above: Knowing how to help guide someone through the stresses of a crisis can help mitigate some of the negative effects of traumatic events.
Conclusion
So what happened to Old Sarge? Well I made it down the foothill, mostly by sticking to my wits, and using the mental health skills that I had developed. Fortunately I didn’t need to spend the night in the desert, but if I had, I think I would have been ok too.
A few times on my descent the game trails got very narrow, and the brush so think that I could barely see my feet. I got pricked by more than a few cacti, but fortunately, no rattlesnakes!
Once I made it to the road, I could see my vehicle about 1/10th of a mile to the South of where I came out. Not too shabby, considering that I could not see above the brush for most of my descent. I was thirsty though… if you ever go hiking in the desert, bring much more water than you think you will need.
I now teach mental health first aid and mental health awareness as part of my content on my YouTube channel, Prepping With Sarge, in hopes that it helps people manage their mind and emotions for the emergencies they will face.
I’ve not returned to Red Rock Canyon since that hike, but I hope to one day. I hope I can find the same trail, walk it again, and figure out where I went off course.
I do hike frequently still, but now I approach it differently. I always carry a survival kit of course, but now I make sure I tell someone EXACTLY where I am starting my hike, and when I expect to be back. I carry more water, and several ways to purify water. And most of all, I try not to get so overcome with the scenery that I lose track of the trail!
About Tom Sarge
Tom Sarge is a content creator for YouTube and Instagram under the channel name Prepping With Sarge, where he focuses on preparedness topics such as Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness Foraging, and Food Self Sufficiency. He also manages a Mental Health Channel on YouTube where he teaches people how to manage the effects of trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, and insomnia called The Official Mental Health Matters Channel. Currently he works as full time therapist for First Responders.
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With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the idea of AI-driven conflict has transitioned from science fiction to a tangible reality. A recent study titled “Escalation Risks from Language Models in Military and Diplomatic Decision-Making” takes a close look at AI in warfare and the potential for a radical shift in how conflicts are waged. From autonomous drones to AI strategy simulations, we stand on the brink of a new era. But what does this mean for global security, ethical governance, and the future of humanity?
The implications of artificial intelligence in warfare are profound and far-reaching, affecting everything from military strategy to international law and ethics. As AI technology continues to advance, the potential for its application in military operations raises both opportunities and concerns. Here are some of the key subjects the study brings to light:
AI Warfare
The ethical considerations surrounding AI in warfare delve into profound moral dilemmas and responsibilities. As we introduce autonomous systems capable of making lethal decisions, the traditional tenets of warfare, including human judgment and accountability, come into question.
One central ethical issue is the delegation of life-and-death decisions to machines. This raises significant concerns about the reliability of AI systems in distinguishing combatants from non-combatants, adhering to international humanitarian laws, and ensuring decisions are made within ethical frameworks. The potential for AI to act on flawed data or algorithms poses a risk of unintended civilian casualties or escalatory actions that could spiral conflicts out of control.
Accountability in the use of AI-driven weaponry is paramount. In scenarios where autonomous systems fail or make bad decisions leading to unlawful acts, determining responsibility becomes complex. This challenges existing legal and ethical frameworks, necessitating new guidelines that address the unique characteristics of AI in combat roles.
Another ethical concern is the risk of an arms race in AI military technologies, leading to increased militarization and potentially destabilizing global security. The rapid development and deployment of AI systems without international agreements could exacerbate tensions and lead to conflicts that might have been avoidable.
Using AI in warfare could desensitize decision-makers to the human costs of war. Remote operations and the impersonal nature of AI-driven decisions might lower the perceived threshold for engaging in conflict, potentially leading to more frequent and less justified wars.
Addressing these ethical considerations requires a concerted effort from the global community to establish norms, regulations, and oversight mechanisms. This includes ensuring transparency in AI development, implementing rigorous testing standards to verify compliance with international law, and fostering international collaboration to prevent an AI arms race. The goal is to harness the benefits of AI in enhancing national defense capabilities while safeguarding human dignity, accountability, and global security.
Strategic Implications
Technological advancements in AI offer the potential to enhance decision-making, reconnaissance, and efficiency in warfare. AI-driven simulations, such as those explored in studies on AI behavior in simulated wargames, highlight the capability of AI to strategize and react to complex scenarios with a speed and depth beyond human capability. However, this also introduces the risk of an arms race in AI technology, with states competing to develop increasingly advanced military AI systems.
Advancements in AI technology are reshaping military strategies and capabilities, leading to the development of autonomous systems and sophisticated simulation tools for warfare planning. This technological evolution prompts a global arms race in AI military applications, heightening geopolitical tensions. Automating combat operations reduces human casualties in immediate terms but raises concerns about lowering the threshold for initiating conflict. Ensuring ethical deployment and establishing international norms for AI in military use are critical to mitigating these strategic implications and maintaining global stability.
The use of AI in warfare could signify a shift in the nature of conflict, potentially leading to wars that are more strategic yet impersonal, with an increased emphasis on cyber warfare and remote operations. This shift raises questions about the future of warfare, including the potential for AI to make war more likely due to lower human costs, and the implications for global security and stability.
Navigating the Future
The international community faces the challenge of regulating AI in warfare to ensure ethical use and prevent escalation. This includes establishing international norms and agreements on the development, deployment, and use of military AI, as well as mechanisms for accountability and oversight.
As we venture into this new era of AI warfare, the need for ethical consideration, international cooperation, and robust regulatory frameworks has never been more critical. The potential of AI to transform warfare presents both opportunities for enhanced security and significant risks that must be managed with foresight and responsibility. The future of AI in warfare is not predetermined, it will be shaped by the decisions of today, requiring a balanced approach that considers both the technological potential and the ethical imperatives.
Welcome back to our dive into the world of gear! In this edition of Gear Up, we explore the latest innovations and reliable classics that are key to staying prepared for any challenge. From cutting-edge technology to time-tested tools, our focus is on equipping you with insights and information that keep you one step ahead wherever the journey of life may take you. Whether you're bracing for the unknown or fine-tuning your preparedness kit, join us as we unpack the must-haves for this month.
CRKT: Bugsy
NOTES
Designed by survivalist Kaila Cumings, the CRKT Bugsy Fixed Blade Knife is a versatile tool for outdoor adventures. Available in two versions: one with a stonewash plain-edge blade and Micarta handle, and another with a black Cerakoted blade featuring Veff serrations, matched with a black G10 handle. Its overall length is 7.44 inches, with a 3.78-inch blade that is 0.15-inch thick. The knife is constructed using 1095 carbon steel, known for its durability and edge retention. Weighing 4.3 ounces, it’s designed for both right- and left-handed users and comes with a sheath — leather for the stonewash version and Kydex for the black version. Its blade shape and size make it a reliable companion for various tasks, and the inward curve of the handle is intended to give a strong, secure grip and leverage during tougher cuts. The sheath fits well on a belt and provides easy access to the knife, while sitting comfortably and securely.
The Exotac fireSleeve is a protective case designed for a BIC classic lighter, transforming it into a tough and weather-resistant tool. This sleeve is made from flexible TPE (similar to silicone), ensuring a snug fit around the lighter and providing a waterproof seal. The flexibility of the material also allows for a strap that holds down the lighter’s gas button for hands-free use, adding a practical element for situations where you might need both hands free. One of the key advantages of the fireSleeve is its waterproof design. When the cap is on, the sleeve can float and remains waterproof up to a depth of at least 3 feet. This is particularly useful in outdoor or wet conditions, ensuring that your lighter stays dry and functional. The cap also serves the dual purpose of keeping moisture out and preventing accidental pressing of the gas button, a common issue with lighters carried in packs or pockets.
Crafted for outdoor enthusiasts, the FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device addresses a common dilemma faced by backpackers and campers: managing partially filled fuel canisters. This gadget, retailing at $35, allows you to transfer leftover fuel from one isobutane canister to another, making it possible to consolidate fuel and recycle the empty containers. The Fuel Transfer Device leverages simple chemical physics to transfer fuel between canisters based on temperature differential — cold fuel shrinks and condenses, while warm fuel expands. This process requires one canister to be cold and the other warm, connected by the FlipFuel device that facilitates the flow of fuel when the valve is opened. FlipFuel is compatible with standard blended fuel canisters like those from MSR, Jetboil, and other similar backpacking stoves, thanks to its threaded nozzle designed to screw onto these canisters. While it may not be a necessity for every trip, it serves a specific, valuable purpose, particularly for those who frequently find themselves with partially filled canisters.
Grayman Brief: EDC Puncture Markers & Grayman Sharpie
NOTES
EDC Puncture Markers from Superesse Straps are tools for discreet self-defense. The defensive capability is integrated through a non-metallic G10 rod with a sharpened point, approximately 1/2-inch exposed, embedded within a standard Sharpie marker body. This design offers a concealed yet effective means of defense, camouflaged as an ordinary writing utensil. The G10 material was chosen for its strength, undetectability, and ability to hold a sharp point while matching standard writing colors. Available in various configurations, these markers come in full-size options with either a 1/2-inch or a covert 1/4-inch puncture-point tip, and a mini version with a 1/4-inch tip that includes a keyring cap. The markers are offered in multiple colors — black, blue, green, and red — with the covert tip option available only in black. As for the Grayman Sharpie, it’s just a standard Slate Gray Sharpie marker with Grayman Briefing logo.
Grim Workshop’s Hot Shot Fire Card is a compact and versatile tool designed for fire starting and survival situations, neatly packaged in a credit card-sized format. This kit proves essential for anyone venturing into the great outdoors, offering a reliable way to start fires without relying on matches or lighters. It includes a ferrocerium rod and magnesium fire starter, ensuring you can create a fire even in challenging conditions. This fire-starting kit isn’t just about creating flames; it’s a multi-tool featuring a small utility knife, EDC pry bar, tweezer tool, and pocket saw. The card itself is made from high carbon blued spring steel, providing durability and corrosion resistance. Its size, just 3 3⁄8 by 2 1⁄8 inches and under 1mm thick, makes it an unobtrusive addition to any wallet, pocket, or survival kit.
The Hazard 4 Hibachi sling-pack is a lightweight, molded-foam pack designed for versatility and protection in various scenarios, especially for those on the move. Its 360-degree padded walls ensure the safety of your gear, while its sling configuration allows quick access by sliding from back to chest. Notably slimmer and lighter than similar models, it’s ideal for motorcycle use due to its aerodynamic design and easy on-seat bag access. It’s equipped with a unique multi-use divider panel for organizing bulkier items and an organizer for smaller items like tablets and tools. The top shell of the pack allows for the attachment of optional loops, lights, and bungee systems, enhancing its utility. Moreover, the pack features military modular webbing (MOLLE) on the sides, strap, and hip pad, along with a patented hard-MOLLE system on the lid, making it highly customizable. It fits up to a 15-inch MacBook Pro or a water bladder in its padded back-pad, and it’s also suitable for carrying mirrorless DSLR systems with optional padded compartments. The molded back panel not only protects the contents but also promotes airflow and conforms to your back, ensuring comfort during extended use.
Lady Meran Comfort Fit GTX Light Hiking Boots are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfort and durability in their footwear. These boots are particularly suited for spring, summer, or fall, offering a balance between outdoor performance and comfort. The nubuck leather uppers are soft right out of the box, minimizing the need for break-in time, yet they are tough enough for prolonged use. They come with full Gore-Tex liners, ensuring waterproof protection while allowing perspiration to escape, an essential feature for various weather conditions. The boots feature Comfort Fit footbeds made from cork that conforms to the shape of your feet, providing a custom-like fit and lined with fleece for extra comfort. The Vibram Comfort Hiker II outsoles provide sufficient grip for challenging terrains, efficiently shedding mud and gravel to maintain pace. Made in Italy, these boots are a fusion of quality craftsmanship and functional design, suitable for both hiking and hunting activities.
Made with versatility and discreetness in mind, the ACHRO EDC 10L Sling Bag is a low-profile, everyday carry bag. With only a few small areas of laser-cut MOLLE, it doesn’t look excessively tactical, making it easier to blend in with different environments. The bag is structured to be functional for daily commuting, travel, and even for low-visibility use by law enforcement professionals. Key features include a dedicated, discreet compartment for concealed firearms, compatible with the MFT Multi-Mount Platform for mounting holstered firearms or other accessories. The bag is ambidextrous, with a padded, adjustable, and removable strap for comfortable carry on either shoulder. A separate padded compartment ensures safe storage for tablets, while the front admin/organizer panel aids in organizing smaller items. The Sling Bag also boasts cooling, quilted back padding for extended comfort, light-colored water-resistant ripstop liner for better interior visibility, weather and abrasion-resistant construction, and various other features like an aluminum key clip, fleece-lined sunglass pocket, and a capacity of 10 liters, making it a well-rounded choice for anyone seeking a functional and secure sling bag.
The Helio Pressure Shower from NEMO Equipment is a practical and innovative solution for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable shower system in places without conventional facilities. Unlike typical gravity-fed camp showers that must be hung and often provide weak water pressure, the Helio rests on the ground and delivers a strong, steady spray. It can be pressurized quickly with a foot pump, offering 5 to 7 minutes of continuous spray from its 2.9-gallon tank. Key features include a 7-foot neoprene hose, which is long enough to use overhead or to reach all angles of gear or pets, and a compact ventilated carrying case for easy transport and storage. The tank can be warmed in the sun or filled with hot water for a comfortable shower experience. The Helio is made of durable materials, including PU-coated polyester and TPU with neoprene tubing, ensuring it can withstand outdoor conditions. Weighing just over a pound and packing down to a compact size, it’s both lightweight and easy to carry.
An innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic utensils, the Omni-Tensil tool set is a light weight and practical solution for outdoor dining needs. This all-in-one utensil roll pouch is designed for convenience and versatility, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, or even just keeping in your car or at the office. The set includes interchangeable heads for a fork, spoon, chopsticks, and toothbrush that connect to stainless steel tube handles. These handles can also be used as mini bellows for starting a fire, adding another layer of utility. The utensils themselves are made from durable materials: the spoon and fork from hard anodized 7075-T6 aluminum, which is said to be lighter and stiffer than similar titanium tools, and the toothbrush and chopsticks are made from bamboo. For added convenience, the set comes with a microfiber roll towel made from recycled plastics, which also doubles as a washcloth. This towel dries quickly and can easily be hung or attached to a pack.
Spy Briefing Gear’s Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk stands out for its portability and effectiveness. With a weight of just 17 ounces, it’s easy to wield by anyone, regardless of age or physical strength. Crafted from a single piece of 1/4-inch-thick steel, this tomahawk demonstrates toughness and durability. Its handle, wrapped in paracord, adds to its practicality and offers the user cordage as another available tool. Beyond its utility in outdoor and survival situations, it serves as a powerful self-defense weapon, capable of smashing through tough materials such as car windshields and hoods. Ideal for emergency scenarios, it enables rapid response in a variety of crisis situations, proving itself to be more than a mere tool, but a versatile solution for an assortment of challenges.
Sitka’s Kelvin Aerolite Jacket merges cutting-edge technology with practical design, creating a versatile piece for outdoor enthusiasts. Introduced in 2021, the jacket features PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with Cross Core technology, incorporating Aerogel, a material initially developed by NASA for space applications. This synthetic insulation maintains high performance even when wet, offering exceptional lightweight and low bulk properties, while also including 35-percent recycled content. The jacket is classified as a mid-weight puffy, effective across a wide temperature range, yet surprisingly light at only 15 ounces for a size large. The jacket’s features include strategically placed pockets, gusseted stretch cuffs for easy layering, and an adjustable hood that doesn’t obstruct peripheral vision.
In the murky world of military operations and elite forces, there lurks a team so covert, its very existence is barely acknowledged outside the highest echelons of defense. This secretive military unit operates in the shadows, undertaking missions that span the globe, all while remaining a whisper among even the most classified circles. Adam Gamal's book, “The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives,” co-authored with Kelly Kennedy, offers an unprecedented look into this world through the eyes of a man who lived it.
The Journey Begins
Adam Gamal's story is not just one of military valor, it's a deeply personal narrative of a young boy fleeing the clutches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, finding sanctuary and a new beginning in the United States. Compelled by a sense of gratitude to his adopted country and a moral obligation to protect it, Gamal enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1994, embarking on a path that would lead him to the heart of darkness in the fight against terrorism.
The aftermath of 9/11 was a turning point for many, and for Gamal, it was the moment he decided to walk a different path. With unique language skills and a physical appearance that allowed him to blend in abroad, Gamal was an ideal candidate for the special forces. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the grueling selection process—a test of endurance, willpower, and mental fortitude that pushed candidates beyond their limits.
Above: Adam as a boy with his father before fleeing Egypt. Photo credit: Kelley Kennedy.
Inside “The Unit”
More than a team, “The Unit” is a brotherhood forged in the fires of the most demanding and secretive selection process in the military. Gamal's recounting of this period is visceral, detailing the physical and psychological trials that whittled down the candidates, leaving only the most resilient and adaptable to serve in the shadows. From enduring endless miles under to facing interrogations and physical hardship, the selection process was designed to break all but the strongest.
Serving in this elite force demanded more than just physical prowess or tactical acumen, it required a complete self-scarafice for the greater mission. Gamal's experiences offer a glimpse into clandestine operations and what it takes to live the life of a Unit operative. Whether navigating the treacherous terrain of foreign lands or grappling with the moral complexities of counterterrorism, Gamal's journey is a testament to the unseen battles fought in the name of security.
Above: Adam Gamal stands in front of Victor Arch, Baghdad, Iraq. Photo credit: Kelley Kennedy.
Legacy of Valor
Adam Gamal's story, while unique, is also a microcosm of the broader sacrifices made by those who operate in the shadows. Awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Legion of Merit, Gamal's honors reflect the courage and dedication of all Unit members, heroes whose names and deeds remain unrecorded, yet whose impact resonates far beyond the battlefield.
“The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives” is a window into a world that few will ever know but many owe their safety to. Adam Gamal's account is a stark reminder of the price of freedom and the unseen warriors who pay it every day. As we close the pages of his story, we are left with a profound appreciation for the shadows and the unsung heroes who dwell within them.
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Here in my home state of Michigan we get our share of snow in the winter months — however, you may fall asleep to snow and wake up to rain and mud. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, you’ll need to be prepared to play whatever hand nature deals you. When I’m stepping off into wild areas or prowling for game animals, I like to keep things as simple as possible, which means taking the same gear with me regardless of the duration of the trip. The chance of getting turned around on a hike or a stalk — as much as you can attempt to stalk in Michigan — means taking your gear with you when you’re in remote or unfamiliar territory. This Northwoods Stalking Bag was built to ensure everything I need is with me and accessible.
About the Bag
The base of my winter kit is a 5.11 Tactical Rush 72-hour pack. Ripe with exterior pockets and lots of internal zippered organization, its overall size is enough to take everything I need with extra space for some of what I want. I’m careful not to buy big packs because I tend to fill them with gear I don’t really need. Having a sternum strap and a padded waist belt is recommended for a pack this size, as it allows you to shift weight from the shoulders to the hips to fend off fatigue.
Sleep System
Sleeping gear takes up the bulk of the main compartment. I’ve grown very particular about what I’ll use for sleep systems. The gear must be easy to set up or stow in darkness or low-light conditions with cold fingers or gloves. This typically steers me away from the use of a tent.
For my money, nothing beats an insulated Klymit inflatable sleeping pad. You need something to insulate yourself from the ground to keep from losing heat via thermal conductivity. It takes less than a minute to fully inflate, it rolls up nicely, and I find it comfortable enough to get a good night’s sleep when paired with one of Klymit’s inflatable pillows.
Enlightened Equipment makes a variety of excellent sleeping bags and quilts. I like the APEX 20-degree quilt with a synthetic fill. The end is able to be cinched off or opened up in case you need a little air flow. I’ve found 20-degree bags to be a good cold weather option for overall comfort and packability. It’s important to point out that the terms “warm” and “comfortable” are relative. What is not relative is hypothermia. You may find that you’re cold in a 20-degree bag, but you probably won’t freeze to death in it. Comfort is what I find to be good enough to allow me a few hours of sleep at a time. I’m not getting Tempur-Pedic sleep in the woods.
Down is great if you’re sleeping in a tent or a cozy cabin, but once down gets wet it has lost its ability to insulate and keep you warm. You might think, “So don’t get it wet. Make a better shelter.” Even in the cold, sometimes it’s humid enough to kill the insulation quality of down. I slip the sleeping pad and quilt into a Snugpak bivy and place it under a tarp or a lean-to structure depending on the weather.
Above: An emergency sleep system can transform an emergency into an inconvenience.
Other Essentials
An extra watchman’s hat, clean Merino wool socks, and fresh underwear stored in Ziploc gallon-size freezer bags are at the bottom of the main compartment. They’ve always been a welcomed morale boost at the end of a long day to change into before to bed.
A Defense Mechanisms Hand Warmer waist-mounted pouch is perfect to keep your hands warm when you’re stationary or taking a break. The pocket in the front is great to tuck a couple chemical hand warmers in to kick up the heat.
Two or three contractor trash bags. The thicker mil bags are tough as nails and have dozens of uses.
In a zipped inner compartment, I keep a medical kit. My medical pouch is very basic. Keeping a stack of different sized bandages and blister covers, Tylenol or Advil, a roll of antacid tablets, anti-diarrheal pills, and a few Liquid IV packets has proven to be useful on more than one occasion.
A BIC lighter in an Exotac protective container wrapped in Gorilla Tape. The tape is great for repairs and starting fires. As a matter of fact, I keep a BIC lighter wrapped in tape in every pocket of my pack and one in my Kit Bag. They’re inexpensive and light enough that it makes sense.
Above: I’ve never needed all of this gear in a single situation, however I have needed every item at one time or another. After spending one cold unplanned night in the woods, you’ll be glad to have some extra supplies.
Sustenance
I include a HellFire Bushcraft stainless steel grill, because sometimes Mountain House or MREs aren’t exciting to me, or I’ve successfully hunted something.
Side storage pockets hold a titanium 20-ounce Snow Peak cup and lid, a handful of instant coffee packs, a Jet Boil with extra can of fuel, and an extra broken down MRE main meal.
The small upper pocket has gallon-size freezer bags and exam gloves for cleaning wild game.
The pack’s Shove-It Compartment between the body and rear-facing flap — originally designed to carry a helmet — is usually reserved for hauling something I’ve hunted or found along the way.
Front Pocket Tools
There’s is an extra knife, foldable Silky Saw, LifeStraw water filter, book, several lengths of 550 cord, extra cold weather gloves and exam gloves, and a Petzl headlamp with high, medium, low, and red light settings.
Above: A chest rig is great for keeping vital tools close and accessible.
Outside the Bag
I’ve always got a Thyrm CellVault-5M mounted to the webbing of the front pocket. Make sure any batteries you take into the cold are lithium ion as they’ll withstand the cold better than alkaline. If it’s really cold, put them inside a coat pocket so your body heat will help protect them.
On the bottom of my shoulder strap, I keep a Dark Angel Medical direct action response kit (D.A.R.K.), not to be confused with a basic medical kit. Given the speed blood can leave the body, a trauma kit needs to be always at the ready. Trauma kit bare minimum requirements are a tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, chest seal, a roll of standard gauze, and an emergency blanket.
Along the base of the pack, I stash 30 feet of 1-inch nylon tubular webbing daisy chained with two climbing grade rings. If you’ve ever pulled a deer up a hill, you’ll understand.
Two Nalgene water storage containers are housed in Spiritus Systems pouches. One of my bottles is the usual plastic fantastic with 4 to 6 feet of Gorilla tape wrapped around it, the other is single-walled stainless steel. Should the water freeze, the steel container can be set near a fire to melt. Keep in mind that single walled steel — not dual walled/vacuum insulated — is the only option for direct heating over fire.
Ranger beads are tied to my shoulder strap for tracking distance traveled while navigating.
It may not be the ideal place for a knife, but while wearing a padded waist belt from the pack, I like my Bradshaw Blades fixed blade knife mounted to my shoulder strap ’80s style for easy access.
Camp axes and tomahawks have proven to be an indispensable piece of gear both for shelter building and processing firewood. The Wenger Blades Loki has been a great addition to my hunting pack.
Above: I never go into the woods without a Hill People Gear Kit Bag. This little chest rig keeps my pants and coat pockets available for warming my hands, and ensures high-usage items are readily available.
Kit Bag from Hill People Gear
Carried across my chest, this pouch allows me to quickly access small, frequently used items. It can also serve as an emergency sustainment kit should I become separated from my main pack. It contains my area maps and map tools, compass, ham radio and extra battery, 25 feet of 550 cord, a Gerber multi-tool, small tape measure, travel-size dental floss, Chapstick, a sleeve of Compawipes, IR beacon and 9-volt battery, extra ammunition for my rifle or shotgun, red electrical tape, BIC lighter wrapped with tape, SOL emergency blanket, Streamlight ProTac 2L-X flashlight, CAT 7 tourniquet, and a ferro rod from SouthPaw Knots.
Pack It In
Over the years I’ve found this to be a good set up for me. Make sure you test all your gear before you bet your life on it. Any time you’re heading into the woods or wild parts, let someone responsible know where you’re going. Show them on a map and circle the area. Set up regular communication windows with them as well. Remember that comfort is relative. Have an adventure with campfires, chilly nights, and beautiful snowy days, then come home to truly appreciate your furnace.
It doesn’t really snow here.” This is a statement you’ll often hear from residents of the more temperate areas of the country. Through previous experiences, they’ve been conditioned to expect a typical range of seasonal weather conditions. Occasionally, there may be a heat wave or cold snap that pushes temperatures slightly outside the norm, but these events rarely do more than make locals a bit uncomfortable for a few days.
At worst, there might be a dusting of snow in the deep of winter on rare occasions, leading to traffic jams and school closures, but it fades away quickly, and life goes on. This cycle can lead to a condition psychologists call normalcy bias — the tendency to expect that events will always happen the way they’ve happened in the past. Normalcy bias is one of the greatest enemies of preparedness, since it causes us to underestimate the likelihood and destructive power of a disaster that doesn’t fall in line with previously observed historical patterns.
For one example of this phenomenon in action, look no further than the Great Texas Freeze of February 2021. The National Weather Service described it as a “brutal and enduring cold that enveloped the entire state of Texas,” and it marked the coldest winter storm since 1989 — far enough in the past that many Texans had no memory of a winter so harsh.
With nearly nine days of freezing temperatures throughout much of the state, it was also the longest freezing streak in Texas’ recorded history. The impact was disastrous. A total of 246 deaths were attributed to the storm, the majority of which were a result of hypothermia. Power outages affected nearly 10 million people. Grocery store shelves were picked bare.
Iced roads became impassable in cities and caused fatal pileups on highways. Pipes burst in homes and municipal infrastructure, causing many counties to advise residents to boil their water before drinking it. More than $1 billion in damages were caused by the Great Freeze.
So, how can you prepare for a deep freeze of this magnitude if you live in an area where it’s practically unheard of? Even if your household is ready, will you be able to cope with the widespread impact of infrastructure and roads shutting down for weeks? We asked cold weather survival instructor Jerry Saunders and search-and-rescue training officer Patrick Diedrich to share their thoughts on how to approach this chilling scenario.
The Scenario
Situation Type: Unexpected deep freeze
Your Crew: Yourself, your wife, two children (ages 2 and 6), and your mother-in-law (age 77)
Location: Southern Arizona
Season: Winter
Weather: Snow and freezing rain, high 25 degrees F, low 3 degrees F
Above: Areas that rarely get snow lack snowplows and road treatment procedures. Combine this with motorists who aren’t used to driving on ice, and it’s a recipe for dangerous roadways.
The Setup
Your family lives in Sahuarita, Arizona, about 30 minutes south of downtown Tucson. You’ve resided here your entire life, and your wife grew up in Florida, so neither one of you has much experience dealing with cold weather. You have two kids — a toddler and a 6-year-old — as well as your wife’s elderly mother, Lynn, living at the house. Lynn has had chronic health problems recently, so she takes several medications and needs help with daily tasks. As a result of caring for her and the kids, your wife hasn’t been able to work, and money has been especially tight lately.
The Complication
About a week ago, news stations started talking about an incoming weather system that could lead to heavy snow and freezing temperatures throughout much of southern Arizona. They say it could be worse than anything the state has experienced in more than 100 years. You initially rolled your eyes at the sensational headlines and round-the-clock Winter Apocalypse 2024 coverage, but the seriousness of the situation became clear as freezing rain began to fall.
Ice has coated every building, vehicle, and roadway. Dozen-car pileups have become a daily occurrence on local interstates, and your neighbor couldn’t even get his truck out of his driveway. If you could make it to the grocery store, there wouldn’t be much left to buy — videos on social media show panicked shoppers rushing through bare aisles. The time to stock up has already passed.
Yesterday, the power went out. The utility company says it may be several days before it’s fixed. The local cellular network also seems to be down because of the power outage. Your home isn’t plumbed for natural gas; it relies on an electric heater and electric appliances, so you’re going to have to find another way to stay warm and cook food. You’re worried about the kids, since they don’t have much cold-weather clothing, and your wife is even more worried about her mom.
She’s starting to run low on medications and you’re not sure how you’ll be able to get to a pharmacy for a refill. This morning, you noticed you have no running water. You’re unsure if it’s affecting the whole neighborhood or if the pipes in your home have frozen; if it’s the latter, you’ll need to ensure the pipes don’t burst and flood your home when they thaw.
How will you deal with all these challenges related to the plummeting temperatures? What can you do to keep your family healthy during this deep freeze, and protect your home from costly damage? If you need to venture out for medication refills and other supplies, how can you do so safely?
Above: A portable propane heater can be worth its weight in gold if the power goes out during a winter storm. Just make sure to use them in large, well-ventilated areas. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Heater)
Cold Weather Survival Specialist Jerry Saunders’s Approach
Preparation:
Living in a hot climate like Arizona, such an acute cold weather event might seem like a hoax or sensationalized news. You might try to rationalize it as “just another bad call by the weatherman” or take the “we’re too evolved to freeze” approach. Even sensationalized news usually holds a thread of truth. A phrase I use often is, “everything exists on a sliding scale.”
Improving something such as cold weather knowledge and preparations in an arid climate might seem absurd, but in learning to live in an extremely cold place, I’ve found some of the best survival skills are those of the tradesmen and women. Plumbing, heating, electrical, and construction all correlate to water, fire, food, and shelter.
Preparing for any low-occurrence disaster on a residential structure ideally would be more of a long game than a knee-jerk reaction. Some people would jump at the chance to do an extreme cold weather survival course, even pay quite a bit of money to learn the nuisances of existing in cold weather. But if you’re trying to be a well-rounded and self-reliant person, or your goal is to lessen the effects of this type of natural disaster, consider the following.
Most of the population occupies a dwelling that has water pipes in it, but if you cannot fix it yourself then you’re at the mercy of someone else who can. Also, the trades are in a steep decline. U.S. plumbing industry stats for 2023 state that 55 percent of contractors need a plumber to finish a job right now. That’s an indicator that your repair time on your burst water pipe will be long after your house starts to look like a petri dish.
After a free 3-ish hour class at Home Depot, I learned how to winterize a house, lag pipes, braze copper, fix breaks, and cut and crimp PEX. PEX, in some cases, is a better option for cold environments because of its ability to flex and expand, but it should be avoided if your place is prone to rodent infestations and should not be installed in locations with direct sunlight.
A solid way of preparing in advance for a cold weather event is to take classes that allow you to understand your home and the tools used to make minor to moderate repairs. Hands-on classes are preferred. I also have a small collection of books from the thrift store on electrical, plumbing, and general repair. Don’t count out the family as a good education source. You could also use online resources for those late-night deep dives, and TV shows like Ask This Old House have lots of tips for people looking to learn. All are good options, but books still work in the dark.
Focus on general repair techniques for the exterior of the structure, plumbing, and electrical. These will allow you to understand, prevent, and make repairs that could otherwise spiral out of control.
Much like your EDC pocket tools having multiple functions, your home preps should also be multifunctional. For example, one prep for the cold could be to add a “pigtail” to your house. This should be done by an electrician, but it allows you to safely hook up a portable generator outdoors to your house’s power grid. Blackouts are just as prone to happen in the summer as they are in the winter. This one addition can make your house more prepared all-year round.
Another item I have on hand is a Mr. Heater Big Buddy propane heater. It’s small enough to easily store in the closet and runs on those little green propane cylinders you see in the camping section. The addition of a small hose allows you to attach it to a 20-pound tank like you might find by your outdoor grill. A 20-pound tank will boost the burn time to 24 hours on high or a whopping 108 hours on low. On its high setting, the Big Buddy will efficiently heat a 20 by 20 room.
Above: Winter storms are rare in many parts of the United States, and this rarity can lead to complacency. No matter where you live, you should consider how prepared you are for extreme weather events.
On-Site:
Determining the severity of a pending natural disaster is nearly impossible on an individual level. This can make the news and weather station a necessary evil for things like cold front timelines, closures, shelters, and other emergency information. But this information is important for last-minute preparations. The cliche bread, eggs, and milk grocery store run as the flakes are falling rewards the unprepared with nothing but empty shelves, long lines, and an elevated risk of a motor vehicle crash.
Upon first hearing about the storm, I would take what available gas cans I own and top them off, mix fresh two-stroke fuel for my chainsaw, and fill up any equipment that needs it. I might also pick up some Heet (yellow bottle) in the automotive section. This stuff is a high-grade alcohol that’s antifreeze for gas but it’s popular amongst hikers as alcohol stove fuel. This is a good time to pick up an extra propane tank or two also.
I would want to have an axe on hand, preferably a splitting maul, but in Arizona you may only find a normal axe. Get one with fat cheeks for the best splitting capability. As soon as you hear any notifications of a pending natural disaster, if you have someone under medical care in your home, call their doctor and request a three months’ supply of their meds. If this isn’t possible, get what you can. On your drive home, note locations of drug stores closer to your house in the event you need to walk.
Maintain a reasonable supply of freeze-dried meals. These are unaffected by temperature and have a long shelf life. Keep several Jerry cans for water. Ensuring these are clean and filling them before the storm will ensure you’ve got plenty of water for a few days. Supplement these preps with dry goods like rice, noodles, and beans. Also, if you are experiencing a freeze for the first time, welcome to “your garage doubles as your freezer” season.
My emergency bin contains about 20 emergency candles that last 24 hours apiece. I have a few backup cooking stoves in there, including an MSR XGK : stove that can run on almost any fuel. I also have an Anker power pack that will charge my iPhone almost seven times. Complemented with an assortment of headlamps and lanterns, this box keeps me lit. As for spare batteries, lithium will be a better choice than alkaline due to its enhanced cold resistance.
As far as family goes, it’s important to sit down and talk things out. Have the kids play “dress up” to find all their warmest clothes and start preparing for a campout together in the living room. The 6-year-old can act as Grandma Lynn’s “doctor” and help with small tasks like getting water and tissues and such.
To prepare the house, I must refer to my favorite motto on the homestead, “caulk and paint till it is what it ain’t.” Work in a top-down fashion. Clean the roof and gutters if applicable. If you have dirty gutters, snow and ice will back up and peel your roof back like a tin can. Clear any leaves off the porch or anywhere you may need to clear snow and ice. Once wet, leaves freeze; it’s like concrete trying to remove them.
The foam gap filler Great Stuff is ideal for gaps around 1-inch thick. Turn off outside water taps and wrap a towel around them, then cover them with a plastic bag and duct tape. If you have a sprinkler system in the yard, disconnect it and try to blow it out with pressurized air. Sprinkle cat litter on the porch or high-traffic areas to add some grit to the ice. Cover any wood supply you may have.
Everyone should be gathering blankets and warm clothes in the living room. Rearranging the space for everyone to sleep and care for Lynn. To make a DIY window insulation kit, grab painter’s plastic and a couple of rolls of duct tape. This will allow you to put a tight cover on drafty windows and doors but still reap the benefits of solar radiation. There are real kits sold online for about 5 bucks, but you might want to have those well in advance.
I’d pour a little bit of that Heet in my vehicle’s washer fluid to keep it from freezing solid. RainX makes a cold weather washer booster you might find at some truck stops. Never try to clear ice with your windshield wipers. This will only succeed in gouging the silicone on the wiper blade. Truck stops sometimes stock hard-to-find items because truckers take high mountain winter routes.
While parked, I lift my windshield wipers so that they don’t freeze to the window. Many people down south like to run 100 percent water in radiators, so this needs to be drained at least partially. I have a CB radio in my truck that allows me to talk to truckers. This can be the best real-time news method for things like traffic jams and vehicle accidents when you’re near a highway.
Above: Layer up to stave off the cold but be cautious if you’re exerting yourself. Sweat-soaked base layers (especially cotton) can cause your core temperature to drop quickly and lead to hypothermia.
Crisis:
Expect the power to go out. We always have a hallway light on, and I know if it’s out, the power went. Kill the breaker to anything important to keep power surges from damaging them. Turn on faucets slightly to allow slow movement. Open any closets or cabinets to allow the smaller spaces containing pipes to stay above freezing.
Check on everyone at night, inspecting their faces, hands, and feet for frostbite. If grandma is OK and the kids are bundled, get them outside occasionally. Getting outside even if it’s cold will lessen the effects of cabin fever, and make the inside seem that much warmer when they return.
Cooking in the cold usually takes a lot of water. Use large pots to melt the snow outside by a fire and then add it to a reservoir inside. Pull from this reservoir to cook freeze-dried meals and dry goods. Save the water in the Jerry cans for drinking. Large rocks and bricks can be warmed by this fire and taken inside to capture their radiant heat. Place these on a surface capable of such hot items.
A weather radio can pick up important weather and emergency information. If you’re far enough into a disaster, the Red Cross may show up and start handing out hand-crank, portable AM/FM radios for informational purposes.
If I know my water is going to go out, fill the tub with water then shut it off. This is more water I don’t have to make from snow. This can be used for hygiene needs or boiled for cooking. If you find a frozen pipe in your house, you can rewarm it by wrapping it in a towel and slowly pouring hot water over it. Once water is restored, there can be a lot of questions about the safety of the water. You can find several test kits online between 20 and 30 bucks.
Keeping kids entertained can be a full-time job. Grandma Lynn is elderly, but if she’s still lucid she can spend time with the kids and the kids can help take care of her. Every couple of days, trade out the toys and books in the “warm room” for some new ones to keep it fresh. And like I said before, get the kids outside. Teach them what winter is and that it isn’t all bad.
It’s important to get some time alone with your wife during these times. She’s working hard indoors, and you’re working hard outdoors. You’re both working toward the same goal but doing it somewhat alone. By coming together at the end of the night and talking or going for a cold walk, it allows you to rekindle and remain resilient in hard times.
Final Thoughts:
Looking back, we know a lot of what was lost in Texas was blamed on the inability to get gasoline. I’m still reading articles that claim that, as of 2023, the gas problem, despite throwing $50 million at it, is still not solved.
I’m sure, given the extremes of our weather patterns, we’ll see freezing temps in abnormal places again. Taking some educational steps along with adding a few pieces of seemingly unnecessary winter items could make a big difference for your household.
SAR Training Officer Patrick Diedrich’s Approach
Preparation:
News these days is overly hyperbolic, carefully crafted to capitalize on the reaction to stressful situations. Storms are named, tracked, and given terrifying personas to keep our attention glued to a screen. So, when the weather forecasters started calling the latest incoming storm front Winter Apocalypse 2024, most of us brushed it off as another attempt at sensationalism and went about our day as normal.
Arizona does see days below freezing in the winters, but not much farther than that. It may surprise people living in the north, but we do have warm clothes and jackets here. When the temperature drops from 110 during the day to 70 after sunset, a 40-degree change, it does feel quite cold respectively. Snowfall in Tucson isn’t unheard of, and it’s very common in the mountains to the northeast. Puffy jackets, hats, and gloves are in most people’s coat closets. But beyond that we do not have much of the gear, tools, or supplies to deal with copious amounts of ice or snow.
Weather reports became increasingly foreboding, and with some not-so-gentle prodding from my wife and her mother, Lynn, we decided to take a few precautionary measures. Following advice on the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website, we topped off the fuel in our vehicles and installed the snow chains we typically only use in higher elevations. We also built a vehicle emergency kit with first aid supplies, flashlights, snacks, and some water. But we added a few winter extras, like warm blankets, a box of kitty litter, a small folding shovel, and an ice scraper.
For the house, we took stock of our food and water situation. Before the storm, we headed to the store to make sure our fridge is full and that our shelves have a few extra days’ worth of non-perishable items. We picked up several cases of bottled water and called in any medications eligible for a refill. Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones making last-minute preparations, and some of the food items we were forced to choose from aren’t terribly appetizing. We picked up some extra flashlight batteries, a deck of cards, and a few coloring books for the kids, just in case the power goes out.
We overheard someone in the store talking about a deep freeze they experienced in Georgia a few years back, and how the water in the pipes froze, burst, and caused serious damage. After listening to that story, we headed to the hardware store to find some heat tape — a long heating strip that uses electricity to warm up pipes and keep the cold from causing damage. However, we were too late, and they were all out of stock. They did have a few extra NOAA weather radios available. After discussing possibility of being without a heat source, we headed to the nearest camping supply store to pick up a few propane tent heaters and several bottles of extra propane.
Upon returning home, we dug out every piece of cold weather clothing we could scrounge up and began managing the emotions of the two kids. Instead of turning it into a fear-based scenario, we talked about how we might be doing some “Christmas camping” in the house, and to not be frightened if the electricity suddenly cuts out. To put everyone’s mind at ease, we rehearsed the scenario by turning off all the lights and electronics and practiced finding flashlights and meeting in the same place.
We checked on our next-door neighbors, but they didn’t seem overly concerned, and after some small talk, we found out that they’ve made no preparations. They even seemed slightly amused at the few small steps we took just in case the worst happens. When we brought up the not-so-distant winter storm that happened in Texas a few years back, they shrugged it off and returned to their evening entertainment. Back home, I voiced my own doubts about the steps we’ve taken, but my mother-in-law, having lived through more than one dangerous cold weather event, says we’re doing the right thing.
Above: For adults, a winter storm may be an inconvenience, but don’t let it make your whole family miserable. Spending a little time playing outside — as long as you can stay warm and dry — can lift everyone’s spirits.
On-Site:
That night, the news began warning that we should brace for the impact of the storm, and that it may be worse than originally reported. Checking outside, we saw that it was beginning to rain and the wind was picking up. Even so, we kept a positive attitude, changed what we were watching to something a little more uplifting, and went about the rest of the evening as we normally would. Later, we put the kids to bed and settled in for the night, assuming that the storm would pass us by without any issue.
Our sleep is interrupted as the background hum of electricity cuts out, replaced with deep silence. The house is pitch black, and the only sound is that of ice pelting the windows and the wind howling over the roof and through cracks in the poorly sealed windows and doors. Grabbing some flashlights, we go to check on everyone.
The kids are sleeping soundly through the event, so we make sure they’re bundled up warmly in their blankets and do the same to Lynn. Outside, it looks like there is a glossy sheen covering everything in sight, the entire landscape glazed in a frozen layer of ice. Broken tree limbs scatter the ground, and there is clear indication of powerlines fallen to the earth from the weight of the ice coating.
Using some painter’s tape, we try to seal the spots around the windows and doors where the frozen wind is trying to force its way through. When we run out of painter’s tape, we use an almost spent roll of duct tape. When we run out of that, we shove some towels in the large gaps beneath the doors. Even with the major drafts sealed off, the temperature inside is steadily plummeting.
Worried about the cold, we get the propane camping heaters up and running near the base of the kitchen sink, thinking we can stay warm while simultaneously keeping the water pipes from freezing. Unsure of what to do next, we turn on the NOAA weather radio.
When the radio comes to life, we’re bombarded with updates on rates of precipitation, wind speeds, storm location and other pertinent information. It sounds like the storm will go on until at least noon the following day. As the information begins to repeat itself, we scan through other channels, and it is fortunate for us that we did. On one channel, a reporter is warning the audience about the dangers of burning combustibles inside the house.
Apparently, some people who owned a gasoline-powered generator have already succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Although we’re not creating as much exhaust as a gasoline generator, we still turn off the heaters and discuss how we could provide adequate ventilation.
Crisis:
It’s not long before the chill permeates the entire house and becomes uncomfortable enough to wake up Lynn and the kids. They see the flashlights in the kitchen and wander in groggy, cold, and confused. To stay warm, we don our winter outerwear and huddle together on the couch beneath as many warm comforters as we can gather. Some of us manage to catch a few winks, but as morning light finds its way through the continuing storm, it’s apparent that none of us are well rested.
With the electricity out, breakfast is cold cereal, which does nothing to boost morale. Lynn attempts to get a glass of water but nothing flows from the faucet. Feeling thirsty, one of the kids tries to grab a bottle of water, but it flash freezes solid due to a phenomenon called supercooling. All the water bottles are affected by this, and we endeavor to find a way to warm them up. I try to warm one against my body, but I am already feeling a little too cold, and a bottle of ice is just too much to deal with on top of it.
Realizing we need to start using our propane camp heaters, but safely, we crack a window for fresh air and point the heaters in the direction of cases of water. Soon we’re all huddled miserably around the heaters and water. The cold is tremendous, not something any of us have ever experienced, and it seems like everyone is rattling with shivers, becoming physically and emotionally withdrawn.
Maybe there’s a better solution. Perhaps we can warm up in our vehicles. Perhaps we can drive around, find a hotel or restaurant that still has power, and warm up more efficiently. That must be better than struggling to find warmth around a tiny heater.
I grab my keys and attempt to open the front door, but it doesn’t budge. The ice must have caked around the edges of the door, sealing us inside the house. With a more vigorous push, with my body weight behind my shoulder, the ice breaks, and the door swings open. As soon as my foot hits the stoop outside the door, I slip and land with a grunt on my back. Freezing rain is still coming down hard. Everything is coated with ice, and none of us have the footwear to find adequate purchase on its surface. Going to the garage, I find an iron garden rake, and begin scratching and breaking the surface of the ice to clear a way to the car.
The car is entirely coated in a glaze of ice, as is everything. Cautiously, I tap the edge of the rake around the outline of the driver’s side door, weakening the ice just enough to be able to open it. Sitting in the driver’s seat, and out of the freezing rain, I realize that my puffy jacket does nothing to stop the wind or keep water from permeating the material. I’m completely soaked and feel cold down to my bones. I struggle to find the physical coordination to get the key in the ignition, but I manage to do so. Turning the key, the engine sluggishly turns over a few times but doesn’t start. Dejected, I rest my forehead on the steering wheel and pray to all the gods for the car to start.
I turn the key again. Nothing.
Again. Nothing.
One more time. The engine miraculously roars to life, and I heave a sigh of relief as I turn up all the heat settings to the max. Now it’s time to get the rest of the family out here.
First is my elderly mother-in-law. My wife and I walk her to the car carefully, so she doesn’t slip and get hurt. Next are the kids, who are so miserably cold, they walk to the car in a shivering daze. I notice my neighbor carefully sliding his way across the driveway to my location.
He explains that they didn’t go shopping, they’re almost out of food and wondering if we had any to spare. I give him what’s left of the cereal, a few cans of potted meat, and suggest he follows us as we look for a warmer location. But he has no snow chains for his tires, and a quick glance down the road reveals a chaotic scene. Numerous vehicles are stranded in ditches or crashed into trees, suggesting driving without chains is a terrible idea.
Grabbing my phone, I attempt to open my mapping, but the signal reads “SOS.” Seems like the cellular towers have also been affected. Instead, I turn on the radio in the car in hopes of finding some information about what might be happening. Most of the FM stations are nothing but static, but one of the AM stations appears to be working still.
The broadcaster states that FEMA is recommending everyone shelter in place, since it is not safe to be traveling. Reluctantly, we wait out the rest of the storm, parked in the driveway in the warmth of the car, sipping water from slowly thawing bottles.
Eventually, the storm dissipates, the sun breaks through the clouds, and the ice begins to melt. But we’re not out of the woods yet. Several pipes in our house have expanded and split open in the cold, and we must turn off our water main until they can be repaired.
In the back yard, frost heave has moved the earth in such a way that the septic line to our drain field has ruptured, and now whenever a toilet is flushed, raw sewage bubbles to the surface in our back yard. And our situation is just a microcosm of what has happened to the entire region affected by the storm. It will be weeks, if not months, before everyone has working septic and water, not to mention power and internet connectivity.
Final Thoughts:
Even though we thought we were prepared by being proactive and gathering supplies before the storm, inexperience with disasters, and with cold weather conditions, could’ve led to fatal results. Things like a 5-gallon bucket with a toilet lid, a safely installed backup generator, and alternative ways of preparing food would ensure that our family and neighbors could be taken care of over the duration of the disaster.
Installing a car battery with enough cold cranking amps would keep our vehicle running when the temperature plummets. Understanding how to layer clothes properly, or how to improvise a rain shell could’ve prevented a potentially hypothermic situation. Even footwear like cleats or crampons would have been incredibly useful to stay mobile as the ice accumulated.
Conclusion
Living someplace that’s usually hot doesn’t mean we should ignore the cold entirely. Although uncommon, storms like these have occurred in the past. January 1913 was the coldest winter on record in Arizona, with temperatures down to 6 degrees, and that was a time when most Americans were much more comfortable with self-reliance and living through hardships than they are today. Back then, when things got tough, you figured it out on your own or asked your neighbors. More than a century later, we’ve grown accustomed to finding solutions to problems with the aid of a smartphone and internet connection, and this complacency can be dangerous.
Although we should be prepared for outlier weather events, it’s important to keep them in perspective. In southern Arizona, there probably isn’t a great need for a garage full of snowmobiles and firewood, but reviewing a little bit of winter preparedness before the season starts could save lives during inclement weather.
This mindset applies to all climates and seasons — if you live in an area where snow and ice are common, perhaps it’s time to consider how prepared you are for a prolonged heat wave. If your area is frequently affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, you should plan for a drought. Mother Nature is a fickle mistress. Don’t let her catch you off guard.
Meet Our Panel
Patrick Diedrich
Patrick Diedrich is a seasoned survival expert with over 20 years of experience. He served as a Cavalry Scout, volunteered as the Training Officer for Superior Search and Rescue, owned and operated his own Consulting Forestry business, and dabbles as a novice knife maker. A Michigan Technological University graduate, he’s contributed to several publications like founded Vargold3T.com—a platform offering free survival courses—and now manages Recoil Offgrid as the Editorial Content Director. Patrick’s experience in managing real-world disasters, and his commitment to sharing his knowledge makes him a trusted and respected figure in self-reliance.
Jerry Saunders
Jerry Saunders is a Marine Corps veteran, Scout Sniper, and former Staff NCO in charge of Survival for the United States Marine Corps, Mountain Warfare Training Center. He has trained U.S. and foreign military units across the globe and is internationally recognized for his work in cold weather survival. Saunders recently moved his company Corvus Survival up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where he holds private survival classes and operates a small custom knife shop all while rebuilding an old homestead. Learn more about him at corvussurvival.com.
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