USDA Encourages Registration of “People’s Gardens” to Advance Equity

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As we've said countless times in the past, gardening is a great way to build self-sufficiency and ensure a healthy food supply for times of crisis. This might range from a few small planters on an apartment balcony to a backyard garden with several large plots — either way, the goal is to have a renewable source of calories in case a disaster impacts the supply chain. In a recent press release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an expanding initiative for registration of “People's Gardens” which meet criteria that include “benefitting the community, working collaboratively, incorporating conservation practices, and educating the public.” Although joining the program is voluntary, some members of the preparedness community have expressed concern that this national garden database might lead to redistribution of privately-grown food resources in the future.

Above: A map showing the current locations of registered People's Gardens in the United States.

What are People's Gardens?

The USDA press release, published September 9th, 2022, summarizes as follows:

“We welcome gardens nationwide to join us in the People’s Garden effort and all it represents,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, “Local gardens across the country share USDA’s goals of building more diversified and resilient local food systems, empowering communities to come together around expanding access to healthy food, addressing climate change and advancing equity.” Vilsack continued, “We encourage existing gardens and new gardens to join the movement. Growing local food benefits local communities in so many ways, and we offer technical resources to help. Also, it’s a great way to connect with your local USDA team members.”

Above: Registered People's Gardens will be required to submit information regarding the type of growing methods used.

Launched in 2009, the People's Garden initiative is named after President Lincoln's nickname for the USDA, “the People's Department.” Currently, 18 flagship “urban hub” People's Gardens have been established by the department, with the first being located at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The initiative is now being expanded to include gardens on private property, such as “school gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and small-scale agriculture projects in rural, suburban and urban areas.”

To participate in the program, garden owners must go to usda.gov/peoples-garden to fill out a form that requests details such as the garden's address, type of organization managing the garden, purpose of the garden, estimated size, and type of growing medium (e.g. raised beds, hydroponics, and/or greenhouses). The form also requires photos of the garden, and a certification that no federally-prohibited plants will be grown by garden administrators:

What's the Incentive?

USDA's press release states that those who register for the People's Garden initiative will receive the following:

  • Location and information displayed on USDA's interactive map (as seen at the beginning of this article)
  • A free People's Garden sign with the logo above
  • “Continued engagement through photos and information sharing”

Purpose and Implications

There's no clear explanation of the purpose of this voluntary garden database, beyond a blanket statement about “efforts to advance equity, support local and regional food systems and access to food, and encourage use of conservation and climate-smart practices.”

The press release points out that gardens on federal land will be required to donate produce: “Gardens on federal property, such as USDA offices, are required to donate produce. We invite these gardens to report how much is being donated.” There appears to be no such requirement for privately-owned gardens at this time.

Again, enrollment in this program is voluntary, but we can see the reasons why many in our community are concerned about its future implications.

Historically, federal registration of a resource has often been one of the first steps toward increased restriction, increased taxation, or all-out confiscation of that resource (see also: the National Firearms Act of 1934). The federal government also has a long track record of seizing privately-owned assets (see also: eminent domain, civil asset forfeiture), especially during times of crisis or declared states of emergency. And we view government data collection programs (such as the NSA's use of PRISM to spy on internet traffic and various agencies' use of Stingray devices to spy on cell phone conversations — both frequently without warrants) with a similar level of suspicion to emails from Nigerian princes looking to divest their fortunes. Of course, you should always read up on these subjects and draw your own conclusions.

We'll leave you with the USDA's own summary of its goals for the future:

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.

The Knowledge Pantry: A DIY Survival Encyclopedia

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The internet is a wonderful resource. It allows us to instantly retrieve free information on almost any subject, from medical procedures to knot-tying to horticulture. But in the grand scheme of human history, the internet is also a new development, and we'd be foolish to become over-reliant on its conveniences. If a major disaster — whether natural or manmade — wipes out communications infrastructure and/or the electrical grid, we'll have to revert to information recorded offline. After considering this situation, an Offgrid reader named Zack came up with a DIY solution which he calls The Knowledge Pantry. Much like the food stockpiled in a traditional pantry, The Knowledge Pantry is an offline digital stockpile of a huge variety of useful information for emergencies and survival situations.

What is The Knowledge Pantry?

On his web site, TheKnowledgePantry.com, Zack explains the premise: “My family preps. We have pantries for food, stored jugs of water, and power generators on standby, but we never planned for what we'd do if we needed to learn something critical (such as how to treat a wound) in the case we couldn't get online or contact a doctor. A few months ago, I thought it would be a good idea to start pantry-ing up on videos and articles that I might need to have handy in a crisis and put them somewhere portable that I can always access, even without an internet connection. That's where the idea of the knowledge pantry came from.”

In order to cover a wide range of topics and store as much knowledge as possible — including articles, books, maps, video guides, and much more — it made sense to keep everything in digital form. Zack writes, “At first, I stored all my information on a thumb drive. I thought that would be good because it works on most devices, is easy to copy, and it's portable. However, a thumb drive would always need another device to read it, so I thought I'd be better off with some kind of “all in one” solution so things couldn't get lost or separated. What I ultimately did instead was put all my info on a 256-gigabyte SD card and loaded the card into a cheap tablet.”

The tablet he used was an Android device that cost about $150, and he paired it with a protective case and a small USB battery bank with an integrated solar panel. This ensures that even if the power is off indefinitely and his generators fail, Zack will be able to keep using the tablet as long as the sun is shining.

Contents

Here's a quick list of what Zack's tablet contains:

  • Nearly a thousand videos of common DIY topics (including First Aid, Gardening, Livestock, Cooking, Communication, Handiness, and Survival Skills)
  • A full Atlas of the United States, including detailed roadmaps and hospitals in every state
  • All of FEMA's emergency guides for what to do during a national disaster (flooding, tornado, forest fire)
  • A library of detailed eBooks that include recipes, medicinal guides, and training books on an array of specific knowledge
  • Every Wikipedia article in existence (6.5 million articles)
  • Every WikiHow article in existence (over 230,000 articles)
  • Every WikiBook article in existence (3,458 books)

How to Make Your Own Knowledge Pantry

Zack could have easily kept this information to himself, but he decided to publish a free guide on how to make your own Knowledge Pantry. He writes, “This site is my own way of fighting back against our times of supply and utility disruptions that have continued to make me worry about my family's well-being. It's brought me some peace of mind to have this, so I wanted to share with others feeling the same.”

On TheKnowledgePantry.com, you'll find a list of the following, all completely free of charge:

  • Recommended categories of information to archive
  • How to choose a device and keep it charged
  • How to tailor the information to your learning style (e.g. biased towards plain text, pictorial guides, or videos)
  • ZIP file download with 250 useful eBooks
  • Instructions on how to download and save videos, plus a custom Python script to do it automatically
  • ZIP file downloads of high-res road maps and hospital directories
  • Organization and formatting tips

Pre-Built Options

Zack recognizes that not everyone will want to go the DIY route, so he also offers pre-built Knowledge Pantry devices. These come in the form of an Android tablet with 512GB SD card ($399) or a portable 500GB solid-state drive to use with your PC or laptop ($99). There's even a custom option if you're looking for information on specific topics.

If you have questions or need advice, Zack says he'd be happy to help. You can reach him directly at zack@theknowledgepantry.com.

New: 5.11 Tactical LV 2.0 Low Vis Pack Updates

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Although the term “gray man” has fallen out of favor somewhat in recent years due to its frequent misuse, the underlying principle is a valid one: it's usually best to blend in rather than stand out in a crowd. In most urban settings, military-style packs with MOLLE webbing are few and far between, so it may be preferable to carry something a bit more discreet. This was the impetus behind the 5.11 Tactical LV (a.k.a. low vis) line of bags and packs, which debuted a few years ago. This week, the company announced several updates to the line, dubbed the 5.11 Tactical LV 2.0 series.

5.11 Tactical LV18 2.0 Backpack

Version 2.0 of the LV18 backpack received new Duraflex buckles on the exterior, which are said to be easier to operate than the previous buckles, especially while wearing gloves. It also has several updates to the internal organization. The ambidextrous side-entry CCW pocket now features more loop fabric as well as a removable holster retention band, providing more versatility for positioning a carry pistol inside the pack. There's also a taller padded laptop sleeve with a retention strap to keep your computer from shifting around. Additional webbing straps allow this backpack to integrate with the LV6 Waist Pack discussed below, essentially turning it into a waist belt with extra pockets. MSRP for the LV18 2.0 is $145, and it's available in blue-grey Turbulence, Black, and Python green.

5.11 Tactical LV10 2.0 Sling Bag

The updated LV10 also comes with new Duraflex buckles, much like the LV18. Other new features include a removable holster retention strap, a tablet retention strap in the tablet sleeve, and a quick-detach CAM buckle on the sling bag's main strap. MSRP is $115, and this bag is currently available only in Python green.

5.11 Tactical LV6 2.0 Waist Pack

For version 2.0 of the LV6, 5.11 Tactical added Duraflex buckles as well as a quick-release S/R buckle on the waist strap. The rest of this pack remains unchanged, with various interior organizer pockets, a concealed slip compartment behind the main compartment, and side compression straps. As we mentioned before, it's designed to pair up seamlessly with the LV18 2.0 backpack. MSRP for the new LV6 is $42, and it's available in blue-grey Turbulence, Black, and Python green.

Book Review: “Survival Tips, Tricks, and Traps”

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The Premise: Are you prepared? Are you, really, though? If you’re out in the woods and you’ve consumed all of the water you brought with you, would you know how to purify water that you find along your path? If you lose GPS, would you know how to navigate without modern technology? Don’t have a lighter or matches? Do you know several other ways to start a fire? What about if you’re stuck in the woods with no toilet paper, would you know what was safe to use instead? The premise of Survival Tips, Tricks, and Traps isn’t just to prepare you, but to give you the tools and knowledge you need to continue to thrive in any situation, even if you have nothing but your wits.

Our Review of “Survival Tips, Tricks, and Traps”

This book offers a variety of useful tips. It talks about having the right tools for the job and how to keep them in good condition, but it also offers alternatives and improvised options. It challenges you to look at your world in a whole new light. In the very beginning, it spoke about stripping your car to help you in an emergency situation. Recommendations included using your mirrors for signaling, turning the floor mat into a sled to carry things, pulling out wires for cordage, and using the seats for insulation. At the very least, these suggestions will get people to look at objects a bit differently. A lot of the book mentioned carrying a knife, but never examined how to create one or other primitive tools in the field. I was a bit disappointed in that, but it did talk about some very interesting ways to use a shotgun shell that I had never thought of before. And I never really considered carrying an umbrella until reading this book. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a towel.

Above: One of these plants is edible (wild grapes on the left) but the other (Virginia Creeper on the right) could kill you. Without a clear color photo, it's almost impossible to tell the difference between edible plants and their dangerous doppelgangers.

One of my biggest issues with many survival books is when they try to show plants in black and white. Plants cannot be successfully identified in black-and-white pictures (except maybe a cattail). This book was obviously not meant to be a full-on guide to wild edibles, though it does talk about the necessary precautions. This book focused on several basic wild edible tips that’d definitely be helpful to a newbie. The trap section was very detailed, and I especially liked the pictures. Black-and-white trap pictures still get the point across.

Throughout most of the book, the authors were very clear to advise people against doing certain things. In one part, however, they spoke about making a fire in a cave, but didn’t caution that this could be extremely dangerous depending on the depth of the cave and where the fire is located. They cautioned that it could be dangerous due to rock spalling (i.e. breaking off due to heat), but didn’t mention suffocation due to smoke. However, the majority of the book was generally very good about warnings and cautions and provided useful details beyond the bare minimum.

Above: If you need to take shelter in a cave, an improperly-positioned campfire could be disastrous due to rock spalling or carbon monoxide accumulation.

The Verdict

As the book states at the end, “The most important skill to have is knowledge. It weighs nothing.” This book aims to give you such knowledge. There are definitely some rehashed “hacks” that I could do without, but for the most part, I learned some new tricks and tips. Whether a newbie or more experienced survivalist, you’ll find at least a few interesting lessons in this book. It covered a lot of ground despite its short page count. It’s lightweight enough that it could be thrown in a bugout or hiking bag and taken along on your adventures for a refresher in the field. Several pages at the very back of the book are even designated as fire starters, which I found clever.

The authors are obviously knowledgeable, passionate, and have a combined 30-plus years of experience that shines through in this book. I most appreciated that this book is straight to the point. It didn’t dance around issues or tell a bunch of unnecessary stories just to prove why certain things were important to learn. If you have this book, chances are you already know why it’s important to develop a foundation of knowledge. Take this book, study up, practice what’s taught, and you’ll be able to not only survive, but thrive in just about any situation.

About the Book

a blank book cover shot at an angle

Book & Author
Survival Tips, Tricks, and Traps by Wanda Priday and William Priday

Publisher
Saltheart Publishers LLC

MSRP
$13

URL
Amazon.com

Pages
144

Rating

>Thrive
Survive
Die

Video: RECOIL Staff at Finnish Brutality 2022

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As Americans, it's easy to assume that our interest in firearms training for emergency preparedness isn't shared by people “across the pond.” Although it's true that many countries in Europe place heavy restrictions or outright bans on practical firearm training, there are certainly exceptions. Finland is one such country — we're pleased to see it has a thriving practical shooting sports community, and even encourages the use of carbines, camouflage, and military-style gear within SRA (sovellettu reserviläisammunta; applied reservists' shooting) competitions. Varusteleka, a Finnish company that manufactures and sells military and outdoor gear, created its own twist on the SRA competition formula called Finnish Brutality. Iain Harrison, the Editor of our sister publication RECOIL, flew to Helsinki to participate in Finnish Brutality 2022.

After landing in Finland, Iain traveled to Varusteleka's headquarters to pick up a full set of gear for the event. Some competition shooters might think this would only consist of a belt and some mag pouches, but the Finnish Brutality rules place much higher requirements on competitors. A member of Varusteleka staff explained, “We are putting you in the Armored division, and one of the requirements is that you have to have the equipment you would have during one day of combat.” This includes first-line gear such as a full loadout of ammunition, water, and medical gear such as an IFAK. It also includes a battle belt with a pistol, holster, gloves, and a Finnish puukko knife.

Above: A traditional fixed-blade knife, such as this one from Varusteleka, is one of the required tools for every competitor.

The minimum Armored division weight requirement is 12 kilograms, or about 26.5 pounds. Iain ended up loading his equipment onto a Särmä TST plate carrier and Rifle Mag Pouches in Finnish M05 camo, as well as a Särmä TST shooter's belt.

The Finnish Brutality 2022 event consisted of stages that tested shooting precision, movement speed, physical strength, and coordination. In true Finnish form, there was even a stage that involved climbing out of a sauna tent before donning gear and shooting targets.

Carbine and pistol shooting skills were tested in a variety of positions, and the stages were challenging enough to justify the “Brutality” name. Check out Part 1 of our video series on Finish Brutality 2022 below, and keep an eye on RECOILtv for the following parts of this series.

New: Grayl UltraPress Titanium Water Purifier

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Anyone who has heard of the “5 Cs of survival” — cutting, combustion, cover, cordage, and container — should recognize the importance of having a vessel to carry water. In a worst-case scenario this might be something as simple as a scavenged Ziploc bag or plastic water bottle, but ideally, your container should be made out of metal. This allows it to be placed onto or suspended over a campfire or stove, providing a way of boiling water for drinking, cooking, and washing. It also increases the durability of this crucial survival tool. Recognizing this, Grayl has announced a new version of its excellent UltraPress water purifier (which we previously wrote about here). The Grayl UltraPress Titanium comes with a multipurpose cup that fits around its purifier bottle assembly.

As with the original Grayl UltraPress, the UltraPress Titanium is fast and simple to use for purifying water. Just pull the purifier bottle from its outer shell, scoop water into the shell like a cup, loosen the SimpleVent cap to allow air to escape, insert the purifier bottle back into the shell, and press down. Water is forced up through the purifier cartridge, removing viruses, bacteria, and protozoa as well as sediment, flavors/odors, and other contaminants. The Grayl purifier cartridge been independently tested and verified to meet the NSF/ANSI P231 standards for microbiological purifiers (refer to our previous article on water purifiers to read more about these standards).

In addition to its primary function of scooping water, the UltraPress Titanium outer shell can be used like a large titanium camp cup. You can place it on an isobutane portable stove or mini wood stove, heat it on a propane grill, or even hang it over an open campfire. Two retractable handles and a micro D-ring have been integrated into this vessel, so you can pick it up or suspend it as needed. We could see this being useful for making coffee, cooking ramen, or just heating up some water for a freeze-dried camping meal.

Obviously, once the outer shell has been used to scoop up contaminated water, you shouldn't consume water directly from it until it has been thoroughly boiled or passed through the Grayl purifier cartridge.

Grayl says the UltraPress Titanium comes with a one-way silicone cartridge valve, making it possible to fill the bottle with regular liquids such as electrolyte drink mixes, coffee, tea, or even beer without damaging the purifier cartridge. This is a unique upgrade, and one that makes the bottle much more useful on a day-to-day basis.

The new UltraPress Titanium is expected to be available in late Fall 2022 at an MSRP of $200. For more information, go to Grayl.com.

Letter from the Editor: Glitches in the Matrix

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Today, we live under an ever-increasing burden of technology. It seems as if, everywhere we turn, the so-called “system” is playing a greater and greater role in our daily lives. The benefits of this construct are undeniable — the level of communication, convenience, and access to information we now take for granted was only seen in science-fiction movies when I was in grade school. But that same access and omnipresence has also created a deep sense of dependence for many of us. At times, it seems almost insurmountable. Anybody who’s ever checked their phone or opened their laptop to see an unexpected loss of wireless service knows the almost immediate sense of panic that comes with being severed from that invisible umbilical cord.

The unfortunate side effect of this phenomenon is that, even as people gain easier access to potentially life-saving tools and information, they become less prepared to deal with unexpected disconnection from their electronic safety net. Ironically, the cause of this problem is also the solution. A quick internet search provides us the following definitions:

  • INFORMATION: what is conveyed or represented by a particular arrangement or sequence of things.
  • KNOWLEDGE: facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

How do you survive a lack of access to information? Through knowledge — the acquiring of information and skills that remain accessible or programmed in your brain through means other than immediate reference. This is why we dedicated the current issue to “Unplugged Survival” — surviving without immediate access to the network of modern conveniences some call “the grid.” Rather than encouraging you to abandon technology entirely, our hope is to equip you with skills and knowledge of available tools that can make a grid-down scenario nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

TV static – no signal

Dean Freeman walks us through the equipment and techniques for Tenkara fishing — a centuries-old method of catching fish developed in Japan that requires little equipment. In fact, the fishing rods don’t even have reels. RECOIL OFFGRID Web Editor Patrick McCarthy reviews the Goal Zero Yeti — a portable power station with enough juice to keep portable devices and appliances running during short-term disasters and wilderness excursions. Joey Nickischer outlines a simple DIY project for solar-powered showering. In addition to the hygiene benefits, a warm shower can be a legitimate morale booster in tough times.

Of course, unplugging isn’t always a matter of physical necessity. Perhaps there are times when you simply want to safeguard your privacy or increase your security in a post-internet world. That’s why we’ve also included features on how to set up your own “burner” phone, a What If? scenario centered on internet dating safety, and Part II of Yousef Badou’s series on situational awareness.

Regardless of your survival, safety, or situational needs, we’re here to arm you with the skills and equipment that allow you to live life on your terms — not paranoid of an uncertain world but prepared for it. Rather than relying on your ability to download information instantly to a computer or smartphone, focus on downloading it permanently into your most powerful supercomputer: your brain. As always, your choice remains simple: be scared or be prepared.

Infographic: The Deadliest Serial Killers in America & The World

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The concept of serial killers is one that invokes a mixture of powerful emotions — terror, revulsion, and morbid fascination. The statistical likelihood of ever encountering one of these murderous individuals is very low, but if you do encounter one, you may never realize it. They're some of the ultimate examples of wolves in sheep's clothing, and many of them are textbook psychopaths who are experts in deception. Much of society's fascination with serial killers, as illustrated by countless movies and TV series about them, is a byproduct of a desire to understand these criminals, since we feel more prepared to defend against something we have studied and analyzed. The following infographics provide snippets of information on the deadliest serial killers in America and the world as a whole — a total of nearly 100 individuals.

America's Deadliest Serial Killers

First, this infographic from Security Baron lists the most prolific serial killer in every state. It includes details on the time frame of their crimes, the number of victims, the methods they used, and the sentences they received (for those who were caught). Although most serial killers are men, their other characteristics — such as age, race, profession, and motive — vary widely. Some claimed their killings were an act of mercy, while others openly reveled in the suffering of their victims.

The World's 50 Most Prolific Serial Killers

The next infographic from SmartAdvocate takes a look at 50 of the world's deadliest serial killers. Yet again, we see both men and women with a variety of professions and motivations. A handful of these names, such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, are repeated from the previous graphic. In total, eight of the 50 serial killers committed crimes in the United States.

 

Kia Boys: The Growing Trend of Kia & Hyundai Thefts

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From NyQuil-marinated chicken to the milk crate challenge, TikTok has served as a petri dish for countless ridiculous and ill-advised trends. In many cases, we only hear about these trends after a handful of isolated cases garner significant media attention — one woman plastering her hair with Gorilla Glue makes headlines, but most viewers roll their eyes rather than following in her footsteps. However, there have been a few incidents where TikTok fads spiraled out of control to create substantial real-world problems. The so-called Kia Boys trend falls into this category. What started as a series of viral videos from a group of masked teenage car thieves in the Milwaukee area has escalated to a nationwide surge of Kia and Hyundai thefts. And unlike other forms of car theft, criminals are able to steal these vehicles with nothing more than a screwdriver and an ordinary USB cable.

Above: This 2011 Kia Forte is one of many models affected by the Kia Boys theft trend. (Photo via Flickr.com/thekcb)

Why Kia and Hyundai?

Above: This still from a Kia Boys documentary by YouTuber Tommy G shows a group of men joyriding in a Hyundai Elantra.

Authorities say this problem affects all 2011-2021 Kia vehicles and 2015-2021 Hyundai vehicles, a total of approximately 10 million cars, but not other makes and models. This is because — allegedly as a cost-cutting measure — these cars were built without “chipped” keys and engine immobilizers. In vehicles with engine immobilizers, the ignition system will only function when a key that has been programmed with the appropriate code is inserted. In other words, you need both a physical key (the metal part) and a digital key (the chip) to start most modern cars. That's not the case with late-model Kias and Hyundais, which only need a physical key.

Above: A public service announcement from the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia. The department reported a 35% increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in July 2022.

When criminals realized this, they began looking for ways to circumvent the key cylinder on the steering column. Unfortunately for Kia and Hyundai owners, this was also surprisingly easy. On these vehicles, the cylinder can be pried apart with a screwdriver in a matter of seconds, revealing a rectangular tab that can be turned to start the car.

Another item that's commonly-found in almost all vehicles — a USB cable — fits perfectly onto this tab:

Above: This still from a video by Fox 2 Detroit shows how thieves use a USB cable to steal these cars.

Numerous police departments throughout the United States have reported a sudden increase in car thefts since the TikTok videos began circulating in July 2022. According to a CNBC report, St. Petersburg, Florida announced that more than 1/3 of all car thefts between July and September were linked to the Kia Boys trend. Chicago officials stated, “Vehicle theft is up an astounding 767% due to an emerging TikTok challenge.” One auto shop owner in Ohio said that more than 30 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were towed to his shop with damaged steering columns in a single week.

In Tommy G's Kia Boys documentary video, one masked teenager expressed no fear of punishment: “You only going [to jail] for like three weeks. It’s a misdemeanor.”

Preventative Measures

Above: A public-service bulletin from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Although some might expect Kia and Hyundai to recall these vehicles and install immobilizers, that appears unlikely due to the immense cost of installing new ignition cylinders and re-keying every affected vehicle. Some estimates place this cost at more than $5 billion.

In a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a Kia America spokesperson said that “no car can be made theft-proof” and continued, “All of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.” Unhappy with this conclusion, owners have filed lawsuits against Kia and Hyundai in at least seven states. One lawsuit claims that these companies “blatantly [valued] profits over the safety and security of their customers.”

While the lawyers fight it out in court, authorities recommend Hyundai and Kia owners install a steering wheel lock (like the Club pictured above) and/or hidden kill switch to reduce the risk of theft. Unfortunately, auto parts stores in some major cities have reported shortages of these devices. It's also advisable to follow common-sense measures such as parking in a well-lit area and keeping your car locked at all times. A GPS tracking device such as an Apple Airtag might help you recover a stolen vehicle, but as we discussed in the past, Airtags are also used by criminals to track desirable cars.

New: Thyrm PyroVault 2.0 Zippo Case

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Even if you're not a smoker, a lighter is an extremely valuable addition to your every-day carry gear. It can help you get a fire going immediately in an emergency situation, but it's also great for more mundane tasks like lighting finicky stove burners and melting the ends of paracord or nylon webbing. A lighter can even be a useful social engineering tool, since offering someone a light is a good way to get a casual conversation started. With this in mind, Thyrm recently unveiled the new “2.0” version of its PyroVault Zippo case, which offers weather- and impact-resistant protection for a Zippo lighter or butane torch insert.

The new Thyrm PyroVault 2.0 Zippo case features a dual-walled, two-tone exoskeleton design. It has an integrated gasket seal to keep dust and water out; this also keeps fuel in so classic liquid-fuel lighters won't dry out quickly. The lid has a stainless pivot axle and torsion spring, and it snaps shut with a new low-profile latch.

Also, as seen in the cutaway graphic in the image above, the PyroVault has space for an included SOL Tinder Quik fire starter.

The PyroVault 2.0 accepts classic liquid-fuel Zippo lighters, as well as Zippo's newer single-torch, double-torch, and yellow flame butane inserts. It'll even work with Zippo rechargeable arc lighters and various aftermarket inserts from Z-Plus, Thunderbird, Blazer, and other companies. Personally, I've been carrying a single-torch Zippo butane lighter as part of my EDC for more than a year, and I have found it to be a substantial improvement over the classic Zippo insert that always seemed to be dried out when I needed it.

Six colorways are available for the PyroVault 2.0 Zippo case, as seen in the image above. These range from high-vis orange to muted urban grey. Each includes an integrated lanyard loop at the bottom.

The Thyrm PyroVault is designed and made in the USA. Pricing ranges from $35 with no insert to $48-53 with various Zippo lighter inserts — since Thyrm is a Zippo dealer, you'll save some money buying an insert from them, as opposed to buying it separately. For more information, go to Thyrm.com.