If you’ve found your way to this magazine, you undoubtedly are familiar with the concept of bug-out and get-home bags. Having the foresight to prepackage and preposition supplies and tools to help you through disaster is a prudent thing to do. Bug-out bags are typically packed to keep a single person supplied for up to three days with food, medical supplies, tools, and other essentials. They are stopgap measures, stored in places where they can be reached at a moment’s notice, wherever you may be when an emergency arises. If you’ve already prepared a bug-out-type bag, congratulations, you’re already ahead of the curve — but you shouldn’t stop there.
Disaster Strikes
What if you’re at home when a disaster strikes? What do you do when you make it home right after a disaster occurs? Depending on the situation, you might shelter in place or decide to evacuate. If an emergency takes place when you’re at home, consider yourself lucky. You have access to all the provisions and equipment that you’ve been storing for just such an occasion. If you decide that staying at your place is untenable and it’s time to leave your fortress to head for a safer location, it’s a good idea to bring more than just your bug-out bag with you. For that, you will need larger bags — and a plan.
The Plan
If you have the time and opportunity to escape your home with more than just the clothes on your back, you will want to make the most of it. Sometimes we are lucky enough to know that a disaster is coming so we can prepare for it, such as an oncoming tropical storm, and sometimes disasters happen without warning, such as an earthquake. With this in mind, building an escape plan according to your particular needs and environment is critical. Do you live by yourself or do you have a family? Is your region prone to tornadoes? Floods? Earthquakes? Do you or someone in your family require special medications? All these factors should be taken into consideration as you develop specific contingency plans.
Contingency Loads
How much time you have to evacuate, distance to your objective, and mode of transportation are determining factors of what you can and should bring with you. Because oftentimes emergencies happen when we least expect them, the time you have to grab what you need varies — you might have only seconds or several days, but you won’t know until it happens. Having the use of a vehicle or heading out on foot also determines what you can bring with you. Because of this, weight is a big factor, along with who will be carrying it. A way to balance all of these needs is to break the bags up into layers of contingency loads.
By packing disaster-specific bags, you can choose which bags are a must in a split second. For example, if an earthquake hits your area, you can grab your “basics” and “earthquake” bag and leave your “NBC” (nuclear/biological/chemical) bag behind if time and space are limited.
Special Needs: If you or someone in your family or group requires special medications or equipment, a bag should be prepared or made ready for packing with this in mind. Insulated, cold storage bags are available for items that need to stay cold such as insulin. According to the FDA, “Insulin products contained in vials or cartridges supplied by the manufacturers (opened or unopened) may be left unrefrigerated at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work. However, an insulin product that has been altered for the purpose of dilution or by removal from the manufacturer’s original vial should be discarded within two weeks.” Having a cold storage bag with an ice substitute can help buy you a few extra days or more.
Grab-and-Go Bags
Bug-out bags are typically built around medium to large backpacks, usually called “three-day” packs, which commonly have capacities in the 30-liter range. For the purposes outlined in this article, we need more space. In this guide, we look at duffle bags that are large enough to fit more gear, but are still somewhat easy to handle. We find that bags in the 40- to 70-liter range work pretty well for us, but this will vary depending on what you need to fit in your bags.
Some things to keep in mind: bags that feature more than one way of carrying them are a plus. For example, if you have to abandon your vehicle, a duffle that can be converted into a backpack or that can be wheeled can come in handy. Put some thought into who will be carrying the bag as well, and be mindful not to overload your bags. Some people with petite spouses or children prefer wheeled bags in the event that they will be depended on to help haul a load heavier than they would otherwise carry. However, consider the terrain in your area too — wheeled bags work better on pavement than dirt and rocks.
Durable, high-quality bags that can take the abuse and rigors of unforeseen circumstances are recommended for use as your grab-and-go bags. After all, the last thing you need is for your bag to self-destruct as you’re trying to escape the river of lava spewing from the volcano that just erupted. Because quality bags often come at a high cost, having several contingency loads packed and ready to go can mean a lot of money spent on just the bags themselves, never mind the gear that’s in them.
A way around this is to invest in a couple of heavy-duty bags and to load your contingency loads into less expensive, temporary, light-duty bags. When it hits the fan, grab your nice bags and the contingency loads you need and go. Be sure the temporary bags you choose are sturdy enough to hold your gear for a moderate amount of time and wear. When time and opportunity permits, transfer your loads into the heavy-duty bags.
Conclusion
Having all your contingency loads clearly marked and easily accessible makes them quicker to grab. We like having them on a shelf in the garage for quick loading. Remember to check them periodically for items that should be rotated out before they expire. For more on that, see “For a Limited Time Only” elsewhere in this issue.
So give some thought to your requirements and what sort of go-bags you need to prepare. Then browse the following pages and weigh your options before breaking out the plastic. Because there are more bags on the market than pages in this magazine, this guide only covers a few types of bags and points out some great features to look for when you are searching for your perfect bag.
Basic Load
Start with a bag for basics that you will need regardless of emergency. Things such as clothing, a first-aid kit, food, water, toilet paper, and other personal hygiene items are necessities in any kind of disaster, so it’s a good idea to pack a bag for these basic needs. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on this. Pack some clothing that has rotated out of your daily wear selection, you’ll be glad you have fresh clothes even if they are out of date.
Disaster / Climate Specific
Depending on the type of disaster, you’ll probably need specialized items. It’s a good idea to pack separate bags for distinctly different disasters and climates so that you’re not lugging around unneeded items. For example, if you live in an area that can get clobbered with snow during the winter, but is dry as a bone during the summer, you might want to create separate hot and cold weather bags with weather-specific clothing and supplies. That way, if an emergency happens during the summer and you need to travel light, you know you can leave the winter bag behind to reduce your burden.
Ice Alternatives
Igloo Maxcold Natural Ice
Make & Model – Igloo Maxcold Natural Ice Notable Features –
Made of pure water
Sealed in durable reinforced plastic
Sheets remain flexible when frozen
Quantity Per Pack – 2 x 4 sheets of 8 cubes sheets Outer Dimensions – 12 in L x 11.5 in W x 10 in H Weight – 6.4 oz MSRP – $1 URL –http://www.igloo-store.com Notes – Keep these ice cube sheets frozen in your freezer for any kind of disaster or emergency. The sheets of water-filled plastic ice cubes are flexible and can also be cut to fit any shape or size that you need.
Igloo Maxcold Small Block Ice
Make & Model – Igloo Maxcold Small Block Ice Notable Features –
No mess ice
Reusable
Non-toxic
Quantity Per Pack – 1 Outer Dimensions – 4.25 in L x 5 in W x 0.74 in D Weight – 6.9 oz MSRP – $2 URL –http://www.igloo-store.com Notes – The block shape and gel material of this ice alternative helps keep it colder for longer than the ice cube sheets. Throw them into an insulated bag, and you have an instant icebox to help keep things cold for longer. Block Ice is available in different sizes.
NOTE: All measurements are approximate. Items shown in bags are for demonstration purposes only and are not included.
Home security is paramount to the safety of your family and your belongings. You might have a high-end alarm system and an arsenal of weapons to defend yourself, but if you’re not home, it’s relatively easy for a burglar to break into your house. Even with the best security system money can buy, an experienced burglar can be in and out several minutes before police arrive.
One of your home’s biggest weak points may be its front door frame.
The solution, of course, is to make it as difficult as possible to gain entry to your house. One of the most common smash-and-grab tactics thieves use is to simply kick down the door. It’s easier than you might think, given the fact that even strong deadbolts are often anchored to soft pine door frames. Most burglars are not going to bother with the finesse of lockpicking—they’re going to use brute force.
All the locks in the world won’t save you if they’re anchored to a fragile wood frame.
While observant neighbors might notice someone sneaking around your backyard, most people won’t question someone who walks confidently up to the front door. This is especially true if they’re clever enough to dress like a delivery driver, pizza guy, or maintenance worker.
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to reinforce your front door and upgrade your home security without breaking the bank. Here’s one DIY method that only requires $10 in materials and some time in the home workshop:
Simple 10- or 16-gauge stainless steel strip and some heavy-duty wood screws will get the job done.
If drilling and mounting a metal plate is a little beyond your comfort zone, there are plenty of other commercially-available door reinforcement alternatives. No matter what you choose, it would be wise to consider the possibility of a front door home invasion and prepare accordingly.
If you’re a firearms enthusiast and/or a fan of RECOIL, you’ve probably heard of SHOT Show. It’s the largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor trade show in the world, and takes place in the massive Sands Expo Center in the heart of Las Vegas.
The show features 630,000 square feet, over 1,600 exhibitor booths, and 62,000 attendees from all 50 states and 100 countries. It’s actually hard to take it all in during the four days the show is open, and it’s pretty much the best place to be if you like checking out cool guns and gear.
However, the SHOT Show comes with one caveat: it’s not open to the general public. That means you won’t be able to get in the door unless you work in the industry and can show the proper credentials. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back—although we can’t sneak you into the show with us, we’re doing the next best thing.
We’re going to fight our way through the crowds all week, so you can see the show through our eyes.
We’ll be walking the show with our smartphones in hand, snapping photos of some of the coolest guns, knives, tools, and gear we spot, and it’ll all be posted in the gallery below instantly. You can also view the photos directly on our Instagram account, @recoiloffgridmagazine, or by searching for #shotshow2016.
Let’s face it: nobody likes mosquitoes. They’re persistent, numerous, and extremely annoying if you spend any substantial amount of time outdoors. They leave you covered in itchy welts, and worse still, they kill hundreds of thousands of people each year by spreading life-threatening diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue fever.
If you’re not looking to become a walking pincushion for these little blood-suckers, you have a few options. You could soak yourself in DEET, cover every square inch of your body in clothing, or even lather up your skin in a nice thick coat of mud. However, there’s another option that’s significantly more convenient and kills two birds with one stone: mosquito repellent lanterns.
Left: the Thermacell Camp Lantern. Right: the Thermacell Patio Lantern.
Thermacell offers a variety of lanterns that provide both nighttime illumination and relief from mosquitoes, black flies, and other biting pests. These lanterns use butane to heat and vaporize Allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in Chrysanthemum flowers, providing a 15×15-foot zone of protection. They also brighten your yard, porch, or camp site with soft, white light.
Thermacell products have been tested by the U.S. Army in Turkey and Costa Rica for effectiveness against mosquitoes and in Maine against black flies. Also, the U.S. Department of Defense has used Thermacell for over a decade to keep sand flies, no-see-ums and other pests at bay. The products have even been approved by the EPA.
Depending on your needs, Thermacell has several different styles of lanterns to fit the bill. We’d be most interested in the rugged Camp Lantern, which offers 300 lumens of light output, low/medium/high/SOS settings, a color-changing battery life indicator LED, and up to 50 hours of run time using D-cell batteries. For inconspicuous use around the house, the Patio Lantern features a more traditional look with 4 LED lights, high and low settings, and AA battery power.
Food is your body’s fuel, the substance that keeps your nerves firing, your heart pumping, and your muscles contracting. Just like you wouldn’t try to drive your car without gas, or light a fire without logs, you should never overlook this critical survival resource.
That said, there’s much more to consider than simply having enough food for a disaster. You can try to live off hot pockets and pop-tarts for weeks after a natural disaster wipes out the power grid, but it’s not going to go well. What you really need is survival food that is both shelf-stable (i.e. food that can last for years without refrigeration) and also nutritious.
With that in mind, we have created a list of items you might consider stocking in your home pantry. These items can be used on an everyday basis, stowed in a vehicle, or even buried in an underground supply cache. As long as they’re kept cool, dry, and sealed, they can last for months or years. When placed inside a sealed container with an oxygen absorber, some of these food varieties can even last for decades.
However, before we get into our 8 varieties of survival food, let’s talk about flavor.
Kitchen Staples, Spices, and Herbs
All of us have tasted food that’s devoid of salt and seasoning. It’s completely bland, and although it may fill your stomach, it’s certainly not going to be enjoyable. When you’re already living through a difficult survival situation one day at a time, chewing on boring tasteless food can be a real kick in the gut.
On the other hand, spices and seasonings can make even mediocre ingredients shine. Plain pasta with a little salt, powdered garlic, and dried basil can put a smile on your face. Simple beans and rice can easily be turned into a spicy Cajun dish with some cayenne, paprika, oregano and thyme. You get the idea—seasoning matters.
Whole black peppercorns will last almost indefinitely, while ground pepper will lose some potency after a few years.
Fortunately, most dry leaf herbs and ground spices are shelf-stable for 2 to 4 years in your pantry. Other items—like salt, pure honey, and vinegar—never truly spoil and can last indefinitely.
Here’s a quick rundown on some staple items to consider storing with your survival food:
If you have the foundation above, the raw ingredients below can be combined into a variety of tasty dishes.
1. Rice
Approximate cost: $0.50-0.75 per pound
Average shelf life: 2-3 years in pantry, over 10 years sealed with dry ice or oxygen absorbers
Varieties to consider: White rice of any variety, since it lasts much longer than brown rice. Brown rice can spoil in only 6-12 months due to higher fat content.
Average shelf life: 6-12 months in pantry, 2 years or more if refrigerated or frozen
Varieties to consider: Apricots, cranberries, cherries, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi, fruit leather strips, and more
Nutrient content: Sugar and fiber
Recipe ideas: Perfect for snacking as-is, or soak in water to re-hydrate and use in fried rice or baked goods
8. Dried or Cured Meats
Approximate cost: $6.00-10.00 per pound
Average shelf life: 1-2 years for jerky, 3-6 months for hard unopened cured meats (like salami)
Nutrient content: Protein and fat
Recipe ideas: Chop and add to pasta or rice dishes, or eat as a snack
Bonus: Survival Food Treats
Commercially-packaged coffee beans can last up to 6 months, while freeze-dried instant coffee can last for decades.
Here are some morale-booster ingredients you might consider, all of which can be long-lasting and shelf-stable:
Hot sauce, soy sauce, and other condiments (those high in vinegar and salt content will last the longest)
Peanut butter or other nut butters
Powdered gelatin mix
Fruit jams and jellies
Pickled vegetables
Wax-coated, unopened hard cheeses
Chocolate
Coffee
Canned soft drinks
Alcohol (vodka is especially useful for its use as a cleaning agent and preservative)
By no means is this a comprehensive guide, but we hope it gets you thinking about what’s in your pantry, how long it will last, and what you can use it for if SHTF. The survival food options are as endless as your creativity—bon appétit.
You’ve probably heard the term “rule of thumb”. It’s often used to describe a convenient (but inexact) standard for measuring something. The saying supposedly originated centuries ago, when carpenters would use the length of their thumbs to quickly measure the wood they were working on. Appropriate, since the “rule of thumb” started out with someone literally using their thumb as a ruler.
Anyway, you’re probably wondering what the heck this rule of thumb saying has to do with campfires. Well, there are some measurements that can help you start more efficient fires on the first try—rules of thumb, and hand, and arm, and leg, if you will. By measuring the tinder, kindling, and fuel logs you collect against parts of your body, this Campfire Rule of Thumb makes sure you start your fire smoothly and that it keeps burning for hours.
This infographic from ScoutmasterCG.com illustrates the rules nicely:
Just because this technique is aimed at boy scouts, don’t assume it’s not worthwhile for experienced survivalists. It’s extremely easy to remember, and the thought process of collecting measurable amounts of resources can even be somewhat cathartic and relaxing. Plus, it prevents you from burning through your tinder too fast without igniting your fuel logs—a dangerous mistake that could cost you hours of work re-lighting your fire.
Next time you start a fire, remember the rule of thumb… and hand, arm, and leg.
Although most of us have fully-prepared bug-out bags or survival kits, things don’t always go according to plan, and you may end up having to get out of dodge with only the clothes on your back. So, what would you do if you ended up in the woods with minimal or no gear? Obviously, food, water, fire, and shelter would all be top priorities—but it’s not so easy when you don’t even have a knife.
In this “Paracord Bracelet Survival Challenge” video from ReWildUniversity, the host shows how it’s possible to survive comfortably without anything but a length of paracord and some skill. If you’re not lucky enough to have even that much, you could even substitute your shoelaces for cordage.
We like this video because it demonstrates a few worthwhile survival techniques:
Obviously, the key to all of this is having the right knowledge and experience before you’re forced to survive. As he says in the video, “It doesn’t take a lot of specialized gear, it just takes some pretty basic knowledge and some skill.” We also agree with his sentiment that hands-on practice is essential—so get out there and try these techniques.
Whether you’re hunting for sport, taking a day hike, or simply trying to be aware of your surroundings, it’s useful to know how to track and recognize the wildlife in your vicinity. From a self-defense standpoint, it’s helpful to be able to see early warning signs of predatory or dangerous animals, and if you’re living off the land, spotting tracks could put food on your table.
One way to spot wild animals is through looking for tracks. Depending on soil composition and moisture, you may be able to spot them quite easily, especially in the mud near bodies of water. You just have to know what to look for. This infographic from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will give you a good head start.
However, there’s more to finding animals than just tracks. You can also keep an eye out for another sign they leave behind: scat or fecal matter.
Finally, here are a few additional animal feeding signs you can keep an eye out for as you venture into the outdoors.
Animal tracking isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it’s certainly possible if you stay aware and alert. Many native cultures have been using this type of information for centuries to hunt game and feed their families, and it’s no less useful to survivalists today.
“Mom! Dad! The TV’s not working!” Familiar voices pull you out of your deep slumber. You were planning to sleep in late on this mini-vacation, while housesitting for your folks. But the kids had other plans. Glancing over at the alarm clock to check what time it is, you’re surprised when you’re greeted with a blank display. The kids must have popped a breaker in the electrical panel — that would explain the TV and the clock.
You drag yourself out of bed, cursing under your breath at no one in particular. Flipping light switches as you walk through the house, you realize that the power has gone out completely. It still might be the breakers, you mutter to yourself. Thanks to your grandfather’s wind-up watch, at least you know it’s about 7:00 a.m. Why is it so hard to get the kids up for school, but they’re up at the crack of dawn for no damn reason?
By now you’re in the kitchen, unsure where your parents keep their emergency supplies and flashlights. You notice a lighter on the counter, so you quickly grab it to light your way into the basement in search of the electrical panel. All the breakers are switched on, so it must be the neighborhood’s power. You don’t recall any storms last night, so this power outage seems odd. Your spouse asks you to look outside to see what’s going on, and you find a few of your parent’s neighbors out there. They are complaining that they don’t have power either, and their cars won’t start. Then the kids walk up behind you, each one holding their tablet. “Our iPads aren’t working either,” your oldest daughter says. In the distance, your confused spouse is holding up both of your iPhones, limp and lifeless.
As you start to piece the clues together, you find yourself becoming more and more nervous. There’s only one thing you know of which would cut the power and kill all your electronics — an electromagnetic pulse (EMP).
An EMP device and a solar flare have the potential to shut down power grids and fry electronics. However, X-Class solar flares (the most powerful type) that happen to be pointed right in the earth’s path are exceedingly rare, and should be able to be identified by astronomers. This would provide us with roughly two days of early warning. Since there was no such solar flare activity, it must be a man-made EMP that has rendered all of your electronics inoperable. Your power, vehicles, cell phone, and personal electronics — all of it — are now dead. The bottom line is that you’re looking at survival for you and your family without the use of any electrically powered devices. Welcome to the 1800s.
In this “What If?” exercise, we look at three different approaches to one of the strangest disaster scenarios that humanity might ever face, an EMP attack. Since different people’s life experiences can lead them to have very different reactions to the same scenario, OFFGRID asked two other folks to join me in navigating this scenario. Coast Guard veteran Chris Costa has a rich background in the tactical, special missions, and maritime realms, and he is currently a highly sought-after instructor in a variety of weapons and tactics. Ryan Lee Price is a journalist and our “average Joe” survivalist. Ryan is self-taught and learned his lessons and emergency skills from the school of hard knocks. He also contributes to the “SHTF” column in our sister publication, RECOIL. As for me, I come from a very “down to basics” background. I’ve been a survival instructor for the past 18 years, and I know what the human animal needs to survive. I also know that we can sometimes be our own worst enemy.
The Scenario
You, your spouse, and your two kids (ages 9 and 13) are housesitting for your parents in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, while your folks are away to see some relatives. Everyone in your family is in good general health, except that your youngest daughter requires a daily dose of insulin for her diabetes. During your stay, you wake up to a power outage, and all electronics, motor vehicles, and communication devices are inoperable.
In the mid-afternoon, after a frustrating and increasingly ominous day, two police officers pull up in a squad car, borrowed from another agency outside the affected area. They call for the block to assemble so they can make an announcement. “At this time, we don’t have much information on this event. The local authorities believe that we are near the center of a 40-mile area affected by this power and electronics outage. There are shelters set up just outside the area for people to evacuate to. We are asking you to evacuate calmly but immediately, as power to the region will not be restored anytime in the near future.”
Taking a cue from most of the neighborhood, you and your family run back into your house and begin packing your clothes and belongings. This wasn’t how your housesitting trip was supposed to end. Your family rummages through your parent’s house and finds enough water and provisions to last about three days. But after that, you’ll need some help. The police officers encouraged those who could make it out on foot to do so, since they didn’t know when help or supplies would arrive. So what would you do? Evacuate today while you still had daylight? Or would you stay put overnight and head out in the morning? Or stay put indefinitely?
Disaster Type EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) Family Two adults, two children (ages 9, 13) Location Suburb of Atlanta, GA Suburb Population 100,000-200,000 Season/Weather Spring, mild, temp range is 80 degrees F (highs) to 60 degrees F (lows)
Tactical trainer: Chris Costa’s Approach
Day One
The moment we realized that no electronics worked, we capitalized on that key bit of intel. Since we were short on supplies, I quickly set out to secure medical supplies, equipment, etc. — by myself, with a backpack and my handgun. I visited the nearest pharmacy and paid cash for local maps, a simple compass, basic first-aid, backpacks, vitamin water, water purification tablets, lighters, flashlights, and blister Band-Aids. There was no looting or resistance at the time — in fact, mostly confusion — as it was still early in the day and most people in the neighborhood had not caught on to the ramifications of an EMP event.
When the police had finished their spiel about the affected area and that we were close to the epicenter, I attempted to talk to the officers to determine how accurate their information was. They seemed sincere, and I concluded that the information was likely valid. I decided it was time to go. I knew that once the criminal element realized that law enforcement communications were down that looting would not be far behind. And once people started to get hungry, it wouldn’t just be criminals that would be looting.
If my wife and I were alone, we would have liked to move at night. Even without night-vision gear, the moon and stars are often enough, when there is not as much man-made light pollution in the area. But because of the children and their sleep and energy cycles, we had to move during the day. Consulting our maps, I located the nearest railroad tracks and planned our route west by northwest, out of the Atlanta area and away from densely populated regions. This way, we would avoid the primary lines that the general public would start to follow: roads, highways, and so forth. By following train tracks, we would still have an established and known path. The rail bridges were always open and formed choke points. Some of the areas were surrounded by wildlife and led through more remote areas. I knew the rails would be less traveled and not commonly considered in today’s society as a transportation means in most of the United States.
After I gathered the required supplies and ensured everyone was properly packed out and kitted to the best of their physical capability, I ensured my family had a good dinner and hydrated properly. I hoped they would get a good night sleep. While they slept, I returned to the maps and examined my route. We would be headed toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I looked for water sources on the way. If you figure 1 gallon per day per person — put 4 gallons of water on your back or that of your 9-year-old and tell me how far you think you can go! We packed and planned not for two days, but for four to five days as best we could. I made sure the house was as secure as possible. Then I tried to get some rest, if that was possible as a father, knowing what was coming tomorrow and what had transpired today.
Day Two
If I was able to get any sleep, it was by a miracle. I woke my family an hour and a half before sunrise. We re-checked all of their clothing and gear, used the bathroom, and grabbed a quick bite for breakfast. We locked up my parents’ home and headed out toward my planned route. Yes, traveling in darkness would be more challenging, but I preferred to vacate the town while fewer people were likely to be awake and alert, and potentially follow or cause trouble for me and my family. The average person can walk about 3 miles per hour; across a 12-hour day, that’s roughly 36 miles per day. Now take into account the physical stress of hiking, the mental stress of what happened, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead … as well as a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old — we’d be lucky to move 20 miles in 12 hours — if we could even get a good 12 hours of walking out of the kids.
Based on my planning last night, we were able to stop near water sources at roughly 5-mile intervals. I knew we would have the most energy and the best chance for gaining ground the first day. But I also didn’t want to burn myself or my family out. By keeping a steady pace with a decent amount of breaks, we were able to maintain our energy and mental morale. I checked our progress on the map and located a likely spot for an encampment. I wanted to reach this point two hours prior to sunset to ensure we had enough time to secure and create an encampment, build a fire to cook food for my family, put the fire out before sunset, and give my children some downtime before the sun set behind the horizon.
My wife and children slept soundly, thoroughly exhausted from the day’s events. I took the opportunity to re-check my map and establish that my original route was still viable. If I had to make alterations to the route during the day, I would be sure to reflect those considerations in my next day’s travel plans.
Day Three
I allowed my family to sleep until most of us woke up naturally. Then we broke down camp and re-stuffed our packs. We were careful to leave nothing behind, and everyone received a buddy check on their gear. We continued on our planned route. Nearing the end of the day, it looked like we were approaching a safe area, where power and communications were still viable. Upon reaching a small town with electricity, we immediately checked into a local motel and I went out to gather more information. I looked for open source media outlets and tried to establish communication with my other family members and friends in order to ascertain an accurate depiction of what was truly going on. All the while, my wife and children were gratefully cleaning up — sometimes you don’t really know what you have until you’ve lost it. Returning to the hotel, I freshened up and told my family I would treat them to anyplace they wanted for dinner. I was very proud of them, and we used the meal time to discuss what we just endured, what we learned from it, and how we could be better prepared in the future for such adverse situations.
Average Joe: Ryan Lee Price’s Approach
Day One
I would have killed for my bug-out bag that I left back home — not that the portable radio would have been any good, but there would have been comfort in the familiarity of having it. It was getting dark. The truck wouldn’t start — cranking the key over did nothing. The doors and windows around the house were locked, but the silence of the neighborhood was deafening. Every 20 minutes a military jet screamed overhead, scaring the kids, but other than that, no more signs of anyone. The older couple next door left on foot with a wagon full of stuff after the police came though this afternoon. They said the temporary shelter is only miles down the road, at an elementary school, but the officer in charge wasn’t sure when it’d be up and running. Nobody was sure of anything. He called it a marshalling area, but there were no rides out for civilians. And Atlanta was a long walk away.
There was safety in the familiar. We were going to stay put that night and see what the morning would bring. We waited until the initial panic of the crowds subsided. I’d rather be on my own than in a mob. Since we weren’t from around here, I didn’t trust anyone. My dad’s gun safe wouldn’t open because of the electronic keypad, which left us with his old pump shotgun, five shells, and an antique .38-caliber revolver I found in his nightstand (with only six rounds). There was food and water, which was good. Around lunchtime, I had filled the bathtubs in the house before the pressure dropped off to nothing. At least there would be water. Some dinner candles provided a little light, and Denise read to Emma and Jack. They were so full of questions, and I had precious few answers.
Day Two
I put baseball bats by the front and back doors, just in case, and I fished around in the drawers in the kitchen for a few of the larger carving knives. Early this morning, it looked like people were looting the empty houses on the street. I kept the revolver on me at all times. I’d scoured the house of anything useful: fire starters, defense, food prep we could take with us, something to carry it all in, sources of light, extra clothes and blankets, some small handtools, and a few personal items.
I was hoping that the time to leave hadn’t passed us, but it looked like the looters were only interested in valuables for now — I saw someone carting away a TV, which made me chuckle. As a result, we moved all of the food (and Emma’s insulin) upstairs to the back bedroom where we all slept last night. The shotgun is there too; I didn’t say anything to the family, but that’s our Alamo. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that. We pushed the large couches against the front door and blocked the windows as best we could. Anyone could still get in here if they really wanted to, but at least it wouldn’t be easy.
That night, I ventured out. I didn’t want to, but I had to. There was a pharmacy a couple of blocks from the house, and I went to see if I could find some more insulin for Emma. We were worried we would run out before rescue came. It was more likely we would have to walk out of this. I took the revolver, and I planned to stay off of the streets as best as I could to avoid being seen by anyone. We had rationed the food well — though everyone’s hungry — but I knew we could stretch what we had into a few days, if necessary. I planned to grab any food I might find while I was out, too. While I was gone, my wife bottled some water.
Day Three
Last night, the pharmacy windows were smashed in and most everything was gone. I managed to find six bottles of insulin, but only two were the right kind for Emma (leaving us with four). The street was empty now. It was early. The sun was just starting to come up. Everyone seemed to have left, and we prepared to leave too. There was a four-wheel wagon my mom used for gardening. It held what little we could bring. Denise and I each carried insulin and needles, while Emma carried two of each, in case we got split up. She could administer it herself, so that wasn’t a worry — but the food was. There were a half-dozen granola bars, a bag of carrots, some bread, and a few cans of beans. That would give us four days to walk about 40 miles, but we were surely going to be hungry.
As soon as the sun came up, we left. The wagon was mostly full of water and blankets, but we each had a backpack that contained a few bottles each and whatever personal items each one felt they needed (Jack brought All Quiet on the Western Front — at least he hadn’t lost his sense of humor). I put the shotgun in a cardboard box and duct taped it to the side of the wagon where it was concealed, yet very easily assessable. The pistol went in my pocket, and Denise used one of dad’s golf clubs as a walking stick. We were ready as we were ever going to be.
It was going to be a long walk…
Survival Expert: Tim MacWelsh’s Approach
Day One
As I packed my clothes, like I was told to do, a sickening realization crept over my mind. The insulin. That stuff had to stay cold, and we only brought a partial bottle. Packing ceased, and I gathered up the family. It was a unanimous decision to stay put for the night. Taking what mushy frozen food we had, we moved it over to the fridge side with the insulin. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We used the last of our milk to enjoy some cereal for our family dinner. With all available blankets piled on the beds, our family settled in for a chilly night.
Day Two
No one slept well, and before the night was over, our youngest had crawled into bed with us. Several times, loud noises stirred us. Finally, the sound of breaking glass across the street, followed by a distant scream, kept me awake until dawn. Had looting begun already? We had to figure out a plan. Over a breakfast of kid’s snacks, we decided to hold out to see if my parents showed up. They had gone down to Valdosta, which was only a two-hour drive away. But how many days would it take them to walk that far? Could they even do it?
We assessed our food again and decided on canned soup for our family’s lunch. Since the electric range was out, I tried the propane grill, only to find the tank empty. Up and down the street I asked, looking for someone who would give or sell me a tank of fuel for the grill. The neighbors that did answer their door told me they didn’t have any propane or anything else to spare. Some even questioned who I was and why we were in that house. They knew my parents, but they didn’t know me or my family. As I walked back to the house, thoughts of traveling to the shelters versus thoughts of hunkering down kept warring in my mind. As I passed an old lady watering her flowers with a garden hose, I wondered how much more water was in the water tower.
During the afternoon, we gathered all of the shelf stable food for an inventory, and also assembled all of the other useful supplies that my parents’ home had to offer. We found several boxes of matches, two lighters, a half-dozen candles, a case of bottled water, two old sleeping bags, and a small first-aid kit. Grabbing some items from the house to fill in the gaps, we packed up the gear in case we had to flee. Some blankets made up for the lack of sleeping bags, two lightweight steel pots from the kitchen would let us cook and boil water, and the medicine cabinet yielded analgesics, antihistamines, and many other meds that could come in handy.
Later, I gathered sticks and brush from the landscaping, and my wife cooked up the last of the defrosted meat for our dinner. We built an actual fire in the defunct propane grill, now made useful again by our improvisation. That night, we double-checked all door and window locks, piled furniture behind the doors, and all slept in the same room.
There were three days of Emma’s insulin, and more than enough needles. It was very quiet. No planes anymore. Just our thoughts about tomorrow.
Day Three
I woke to a banging sound, insistent like the countless worries circling in my mind. It sounded a lot like someone trying to kick down the back door. Thankfully, it stopped, and I heard nothing further. They must have moved on to easier pickings. Why did I leave my handgun at home? I don’t like crossing state lines with it. But now my family is ill-defended, and it’s all my fault. In the morning, when our youngest tried to flush the toilet, the water didn’t refill the tank. She came back into the bedroom crying that the water was “broken” too. The local water tower must have run out. We still had the bottled water and 50 gallons in the hot water heater, but this situation just got a lot harder. Leaving the house was looking better, and as near as we could calculate, there were only about six days worth of insulin left in the bottle. My daughter had already started reusing needles. The last of the fresh foods looked spoiled, so we threw them out and dipped into the canned goods again. We kept the insulin in a pan of cool water on the basement floor, hoping it wouldn’t lose potency.
The Next Two Days
In the late afternoon of the fourth day, and against the odds, my parents arrived home. We were ecstatic to seem them, but we were also trying to hide our shock upon seeing their condition. They were filthy, with only the clothes on their backs. They didn’t appear to have had much water or sleep since this all began, and they looked as if they had been beaten. They had borrowed bicycles from our relatives, which were violently taken from them later that same day, along with the supplies they carried. Products of a tougher era, my parents simply walked, all day and into each night. Their driving motivation had been to get home to us. Through tenacity and suffering, they had done it. My parents invited over several of their trusted neighbors upon their return and uncovered a secret stash of food and water they had hidden away in some purposely mislabeled boxes. Some of my parents’ armed neighbors agreed to stand watch over the house that night, and were rewarded with some canned food and bottled water for their service. The next morning, my reunited family set off to find the shelter, cooling what insulin we had left with a cold pack from the first-aid kit. We didn’t really want to leave, but we could wait no longer. We had to go, in hopes that we would find more insulin and find a way back to our old way of life.
Conclusion
We — meaning the modern world — have truly set ourselves up for a brutal fall on this one. Our growing dependence on technology and electronics has left us glaringly vulnerable to an EMP event. While we don’t fully know what damage an actual EMP would produce, we can easily find examples of the damage and chaos resulting from power outages and communication losses. Perhaps some vehicles would still work, due to shielding of the electronics in newer models. Perhaps some phones would still work. But very likely, an EMP would limit your communications to yelling distance and your mode of travel to feet, bicycles, and horses.
This kind of scenario should rightly be scarier to you than most other disasters, because it leaves the entire population intact, but desperate for necessities. And if history is any indicator, it doesn’t take much to get people to turn on each other.
The takeaway from this exercise is a simple message of planning, preparation, and improvisation. Since we based this scenario away from home, this story clearly shows the value of emergency preparedness in your travels. Don’t leave home without items for personal security, extra cash for unexpected expenses, an extra supply of necessary medicines, and an exit strategy (or two). And if you’re lucky enough to be at home when a technological disaster occurs, you should have at least two weeks worth of food and water stashed securely, with strategies to resupply your family’s needs, if the problem outlasts your resources. Finally, let’s hope this scenario stays where it belongs, in the realm of fictitious novels and dystopian Syfy Channel movies.
The benefits of having instant access to a bright beam of light at your command are numerous and substantial. Until man develops night vision in their eyeballs or bat-like sonar, getting around in dark areas without a flashlight can be clumsy and even hazardous. A flashlight compact and comfortable enough to be carried everyday allows for instant access to the illumination you need at a moment’s notice. Brighten up the dark area your car is parked in, check out a strange noise behind the bushes, or even momentarily stun a would-be attacker — the uses are limitless. There are plenty of great lights available; here are seven that piqued our interest.
Offgrid Tidbit
CR123A, CR123, 123A: What’s the Difference?
Like many popular flashlights on the market, all the lights featured in this guide use CR123A-type batteries. Depending on the brand, you may have noticed that these cells are called CR123A, CR123, 123A, and sometimes even DL123 or just 123. Don’t let all those names confuse you. Rest assured that all these batteries are the same size and will fit and power any lights that require CR123A batteries. To get the most performance out of your light, however, be sure to use the brand and model of battery that your flashlight’s manufacturer recommends.
