What If You’re in the Middle of a Terrorist Attack?

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The recent declassification of documents seized during the Bin Laden raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, revealed some alarming information about future attacks al-Qaeda was planning on U.S. soil. Strategies included bombing trains as well as chartering aircraft for suicide missions, rather than hijacking them. This is only a fraction of what’s been publicly disclosed about a single terrorist group’s intentions. When it comes to protecting your family from such catastrophes, keep in mind that if you can imagine it happening, someone else is likely trying to pull it off.
In order to understand what you might be up against, you’ll need to develop what security researchers call an “adversarial mindset.” As uncomfortable as it may be, try to imagine you’re a terrorist seeking to maximize destruction — what would you target? From interrupting cashflow to paralyzing critical industries to causing mass casualties in crowded locations, assume an attack will be designed to generate a great deal of panic and confusion. If all you have to worry about is being one of the millions glued to a TV set when something happens, consider yourself lucky. But if you someday find yourself in the path of a terrorist attack, do you have a plan for how you’ll react if you’re fortunate enough to survive?

The Terrorist Attack Scenario

Situation type
Possible terrorist attack

Your Crew
You and your family

Location
A large retail center

Season
Summer

Weather
Warm; high 97 degrees F, low 63 degrees F

The Setup

Whether it’s the World Trade Center, Boston Marathon, Centennial Olympic Park bombing, or the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, no one knows when terrorist events will happen or on what scale they’ll occur. Those in proximity to the origin of the attack who are lucky enough to survive an explosion may fall victim to the panic that ensues. The aftermath involves terrified crowds of people running to escape, which may lead to trampling of other innocent bystanders. Damage from the explosion may lead to fire or structural collapse, and there’s often a possibility of secondary attacks. These terrorist events are meant to spread fear and confusion before authorities can regain control of the situation. Imagine you were at the epicenter of such an attack. In the chaotic moments after a detonation, how would you determine its cause and the likelihood of follow-up attacks?

The Complication

During a vacation, you decide to take your spouse and 5-year-old daughter to see one of the largest shopping centers in the country. Because of its size, importance as a transit hub, and immense popularity, it’s tough for newcomers to know their way around. As with many crowded, high-profile venues, it has also been a known target for terrorist groups. The location has a large security force, but violent crimes can still happen. After spending about 30 minutes at this retail hub with your family looking at different shops, you and your spouse decide to find a place to sit down for lunch.

About 75 yards ahead of you is a movie theater, which looks crowded due to a popular film that recently premiered. As you approach it, a major explosion rocks the inside of the theater and drops you to the ground. Your ears are ringing and you’re all incredibly startled, but you haven’t sustained any injuries. People in the immediate vicinity of the blast have clearly been wounded and many appear to be dead or unconscious. Some onlookers scream and start to run, while others stand frozen in shock. The likelihood this is some sort of industrial accident is very low, but you still have no way of knowing exactly what just happened. There could potentially be more explosions or other forms of mass violence in the vicinity. Do you attempt to help the injured, or find some cover? Do you try to get away from this location as quickly as possible and risk getting caught up in crowded escape routes? What if there’s another bombing or an attacker waiting to ambush fleeing people at the exits? What if the location goes into lockdown and you’re unable to escape?

Self-Defense Instructor Melody Lauer’s Approach

Preparation
It’s impossible to ever be fully prepared for a terrorist attack, as they’re unpredictable and unexpected by design. However, that doesn’t mean we throw our hands up and do nothing. We may not be able to prepare for every eventuality, but we can prepare for what we are likely to experience during and immediately following these events. Attacks featuring explosives are particularly attractive to terrorists given that they accomplish the goal of achieving the highest body count possible, as quickly as possible, with the fewest resources expended.
This also makes large venues with lots of traffic a particularly attractive target. So, while there are no certainties, when preparing a trip to such a place, I might consider planning the trip during a time when crowds are likely to be thinnest.

Other preparations for the trip might also include collecting information via the internet or a local friend regarding nearby trauma centers, response times, and maps of the area and facility. While I do normally carry a gun, knife, tourniquet, flashlight, and pepper spray, when out with my family I’ll add an additional tourniquet for each family member. I keep chest seals, compressed gauze (both regular and QuikClot), triangular bandages, and a multi-tool in a bag in my car that’s easy to grab when going into crowds. In larger venues, I also choose to carry a firearm equipped with a weapon-mounted light and a red dot sight, as well as throwing a spare magazine or two in my bag. Additionally, my children also have rechargeable flashlights they carry on their persons when we’re on outings.

In every terrorist attack in the last decade, it has been the quick action of those with medical training who have saved the most lives — this makes becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) the single most important thing I’ve ever done to prepare for any terrorist attack.

It’s not uncommon for terrorists to stage a preliminary accident or small-scale attack that’s large enough to draw emergency personnel and law enforcement away from the site of what’s intended to be the primary target. Monitoring for reports of anything along these lines is important; if I become aware of an incident, I’d probably cut our trip short or postpone it for another day.

On Site
Once in the mall, I head to the nearest directory and take a picture of the map. I share it with anyone in the party who has a cell phone, and we go over the plan. Where are we going? How long are we staying? Where are we meeting if we get separated? What do we do in the event someone misses the rendezvous? Answers to these questions can provide a starting point for good decision making even if the plan cannot be followed as expected.

When evaluating an environment for a potential threat, the first place to start is gathering baseline sensory data. Is it noisy or quiet? Are people rushing or sauntering? How are people dressed? This information can help alert you to sudden changes indicating danger. No matter how vigilant one attempts to be, however, it’s entirely possible that the first indication you’ll get that you’re in a violent encounter is getting caught in the middle of it.

If you didn’t lose consciousness during the blast, that’s a good sign you may have avoided substantial head trauma, though internal injuries are still likely. However, if you find yourself regaining consciousness and struggle to remember much before the explosion, it’s almost certain you’ve suffered head trauma that could negatively affect your cognitive and physical abilities. It’s also possible you have limited time to act before you fall unconscious again, perhaps permanently.

While gunfire and secondary detonations would eliminate all doubt, it may not be immediately clear if an explosion was an attack or an accident. Injuries such as multiple penetrating injuries in victims up to hundreds of yards from the blast; traumatic amputations of arms, hands, legs, or feet; a significant number of eye injuries caused by rapidly expanding gases, particles, and debris; victims bleeding from one or both ears; and debris peppered with odd materials such as ball bearings are indications of an explosive device instead of an accident. Accident or not, however, any explosion should be treated as the first in a series of life-threatening dangers that are best avoided by getting far away as quickly as possible.

Every second you stay in the building decreases the chance of survival for everyone in the situation. Running is the best option, but that doesn’t mean merely running from danger. The most obvious avenue of escape may not be the safest. Main exits may be the target of secondary attacks, as well as emergency lanes and parking lots where larger explosives can be hidden in cars or trucks. By law, public buildings may not have doors prohibiting the exit of people within, but that doesn’t stop terrorists and active killers from barring or blocking them to prevent escape and causing people to pool in one location for a follow-up attack.

If there’s an obvious exit nearby, orient yourself toward it, but don’t rush to it. Pause briefly to look around the exit. Are there any odd packages? Do people seem able to move freely through it? Are there any individuals standing near or around the exit who don’t seem particularly alarmed or dazed by what’s happening and don’t seem concerned with escaping? Answers to these questions may help you decide whether to continue or look for an alternate path.

In our family, we’ve determined that should we be in a violent encounter, my husband is responsible for collecting and moving the children while I provide security. While we’re both accomplished shooters, he’s stronger and faster than I am. He can carry all of our kids at once. I cannot. While each family must do what works best for them, it’s important not to allow gender roles and ideologies to blind you to options better suited to everyone’s capabilities.

After a quick assessment to rule out any immediate and obvious life-threatening injuries, our first priority is moving toward safety. It takes precedence over treating the wounded, calling for help, or helping others. People have attempted to hide and wait to be rescued in almost every terrorist or active-shooter event. While this has worked for some, there are many more who have been executed, died of injuries, or were killed in subsequent disasters because they didn’t escape.

Make no mistake about it — you’ll never be safe until you’re out. Every action you take should be toward accomplishing that goal. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot or should not take an opportunity to take stock of your options, stabilize your wounded, make a call for help, and gather intelligence if it’s safe to do so.

An ideal temporary hiding place is one that’s out of sight of would-be attackers, has more than one exit, can be secured against entry, and allows some form of protection from gunfire and shrapnel (although no place is impervious to a well-placed explosive).
Cell services are often overloaded in emergencies, though Wi-Fi and internet services may remain active for longer. If you can reach emergency personnel, tell them your name and location, then let them know your injuries and what you look like. It’s also a good idea to let them know if you’re armed. It won’t guarantee you won’t be mistaken for a terrorist, but it’s a start. If you do have a weapon on your person and it’s not in use, the best place for it to be is accessible, in a quality holster, and out of sight.

Whether with a firearm or some other means, if you choose or are forced to fight terrorists, it’s not likely you’ll survive. While there may be times I’d willingly go on the offensive, I won’t volunteer my children for that fight. As long as I’m responsible for getting them to safety, I’ll try to avoid confronting anyone unless they impede our escape. In that case, it’s my job to stand and fight, and my husband’s job to save our children.

Former Scout/Sniper Alexander Crown’s Approach

Preparation
Being on vacation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Your everyday-carry items shouldn’t be relaxed; if anything, you’re now in an unfamiliar environment and you should beef them up. Traveling to a large shopping complex isn’t ideal due to its potential as a target for active shooters, lowly thugs, and possible terrorists, but I’d be lying if I said my last vacation didn’t involve going to a mall to walk around, get ice cream, and buy T-shirts.

Prior to visiting malls, parks, or any large venues, I like to go online and see if they have a map. This helps me understand the layout, what stores may be best for us to visit, and I get a general idea of exit locations, bathrooms, AEDs, directories, and security offices. This could be considered your map recon, which is the bare minimum that should occur during mission planning. Some larger places have entire trip planners where you can map out your route and save it to your phone. If nothing else, I may screen shot the directory on my phone to reference later, even without cell service.

Also, prior planning would be ensuring proper clothing and footwear are being worn. This is a big place and will mean a lot of walking, so flip-flops are a no-go. Comfortable shoes for walking should also mean the ability to run in them. Reacting to an event means there’s a decent chance of having to run. Clothing-wise, it’s summertime and very hot, so dress accordingly. Pants or shorts with pockets for your everyday-carry gear is a must. These principles also apply to my wife and children. They need to be able to walk or run as needed and stay as comfortable as they can.

Your everyday carry is a personal choice and should reflect your level of training. I carry a Sig Sauer P365X with RomeoZero red dot and Streamlight TLR-7 Sub weapon light every day, no matter what. This would of course be with me. My other everyday-carry items include a SpyderCo Endura 4 knife, iPhone, wallet (with cash), Swiss Army Knife, mini BIC lighter, Fisher Space Pen, SureFire Stiletto flashlight, bandana, and a SWAT-T tourniquet/North American Rescue S-rolled gauze, held together with a rubber band. These items all fit comfortably in my pockets and come with me everywhere I go. They are a baseline, and when traveling or going to a large space, I’ll add items.

Usually, medical items are the priority. A proper tourniquet or two, like the Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), more pressure dressings, and chest seals get stuffed into a highly functional and fashionable fanny sack from Spiritus Systems. I’ll also keep a small snack, like energy chews, on hand as well as about 20 feet of tarred bank line, small shears, and a foldable N95 mask.

Another important piece of preparation is the training you have prior to the emergency. Shooting classes are fun and being proficient with your handgun is vital, but it’s also important to have medical training. In my opinion, a prepared and responsible citizen should have at minimum Red Cross First aid training, CPR/AED training, and Stop the Bleed. These three courses are usually free and local to you, so there’s no excuse to not have attended them. The skills from those courses will benefit you in a mass casualty event, a car accident, and even situations within the home. Advanced medical training would also be beneficial.

On Site
Establishing a plan is always a good start. In this case, my wife and I would outline stores we want to attend and where we’d like to eat while visiting the shopping center. An informal threat assessment could be done during this phase — we know we don’t need or want to go to large department stores, we’re not going to attend a show or a movie, and we know that we want to eat somewhere better than the food court. All those locations are large gathering places within a large gathering place, and we plan to avoid them.

Our interests are in the smaller boutique stores, which will have smaller crowds in some cases. During the map recon, we noted that on the upper level near the restaurant we plan to go to is a walk-in clinic that can treat minor emergencies and illnesses. This could be an excellent place for a casualty collection point as medical personnel are on site.

Situational awareness is key when in unfamiliar crowded places. These places always make for great people watching, but watching for nefarious activity can be tough with such a large space. Relying on local security teams is never a great plan, but watching them is. They should be on guard for bad actors and a sudden change in their behavior may be your first warning sign if trouble pops up. The bottom line is that you should be on the lookout for things that are out of place — abandoned bags, people not dressed for the weather, people looking agitated or nervous, those with backpacks that appear heavier than what’s common, etc. Your instincts can play a pivotal role in your survival.

The last consideration is on-site communications. My cell phone would be my primary means of communication with the outside world, but those can go down. The main plan would be not to separate from the rest of my family; we’d always be in proximity of each other. I’ve been known to carry a Yaesu FT5D handheld HAM radio with me while on vacation, but realistically I wouldn’t have brought it to a place like this. Part of the plan could be establishing a meeting place if we’re separated. As far as communicating with people or authorities outside, many of these stores will have landlines that’d be unaffected by a power outage and could be used to relay information to 911.

Crisis
After the initial blast and assessment of my family, the first thought would be to get out of the area or seek cover. We’re on the upper level, so escape routes into the parking garage will be close by, but those could also be a potential target for gunmen or more explosions. That’s not to mention the mass exit of people, which could lead to trampling and crushing of children and the elderly. There’ll also be a crazy amount of traffic leaving and coming into the venue, making driving a no-go for several hours as police cordon and search the area. I think the best approach will be to get my family to a relatively safe place, such as the clinic or in the back of the restaurant. Securing them is the first priority.

At this junction, the decision must be made to either stay with my family or go and attempt to help the injured. Being at the clinic, it’d make sense for others to come here, and I could help render aid or start triage for the actual medical personnel. I’d be very hesitant to leave my family after such an event, and staying in this place with them while potentially being of use seems like the best course of action.

If the area goes into lockdown, which I’d fully expect, I won’t want to be caught in the parking garage. That seems like another likely target and a choke point to prevent emergency services from getting inside. Being able to communicate with local law enforcement and emergency services via the clinic would be the best bet. There’s greater potential for the clinic to have a backup generator in the event of power failure and it’ll have more resources.

In the event of a fire or obvious structural integrity issues, we’d have to leave the area. Being such a large shopping center, any direction has an exit, and I’d attempt to go to the less busy route. This will be very dependent on surroundings, but generally I’d try to avoid smaller exits that’d be a choke point for a crowd rush with a higher potential of being separated. This is a great point for physical fitness — being able to carry your child to help with egress can be critical.

Conclusion

The advice to “run, hide, fight,” isn’t bad, but it’ll help if you know what to run toward, where to hide, and when and how to fight. We may not be able to be fully prepared for terrorist attacks, but we can collect the knowledge, skills, and experience that allows us to take hold of even the most chaotic and tragic of circumstances and move within them. Even if we can’t guarantee our own safety, perhaps we can protect those we love most dearly.

Terror attacks are an ambush and difficult to prepare for. You’ll be in full reaction mode and will only rise to the level of your training and physical ability. Being prepared starts with planning. Use all the resources available to you to be better prepared. In this case, it means doing a map recon to find points of interest and route planning. Talk to your family about potential threats and how you expect to handle them. These principles go beyond indoor shopping centers and can be applied to all forms of gatherings, road trips, and travel abroad.

Meet Our Panel

Melody Lauer

Melody Lauer is a Rangemaster Certified Advanced Handgun Instructor, Deadly Force Instructor through the Massad Ayoob Group, and Agile Training & Consulting OC/Pepper Spray Instructor. She is an NRA Certified handgun instructor with 14 years of experience teaching men and women how to defend themselves with a firearm. As the owner of Citizens Defense Research, she has dedicated herself to quality, reliable self-defense information and training. With approximately 1,000 hours of professional development, Melody is one of the leading experts on armed conflict with children present. She continues to challenge herself through active participation in her local Brazilian jiujitsu academy and works as a front-end developer for a local programming firm. Melody is a mother of three and writer dedicated to learning and sharing the most effective skills in preserving innocent life.

Alexander Crown

Alexander Crown is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper who spent time in a scout/sniper platoon in OIF. He has extensive experience in firearms, particularly silencers and military weapons. Alexander spends his time exploring Idaho, hunting, fishing, and camping. He’s a lifelong practitioner of family preparedness, emphasizing self-reliance and organic gardening.

Forbidden Fruit: Maltec Land Cruiser Overland Truck

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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. However, one look at Tim McGrath's custom Maltec Land Cruiser might make you question that fact.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Issue 8 of our sister publication, Carnivore magazine.

Blending the 70-Series and 80-Series

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: It only takes a few seconds to deploy the pop-up roof and set up camp. The truck also includes a deployable awning and shower enclosure with hot and cold running water.

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.

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.

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.

Above: Maltec built the camper with luxurious teak flooring, custom cabinets, Dometic windows, and a fully enclosed pass-through into the cab.

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.”

Above: A triple-burner stove and espresso machine allow Tim and his family to enjoy a hot breakfast without leaving the comfort of the camper.

Maltec Land Cruiser Specifications

 

Make/Model
1993 Toyota Land Cruiser

Drivetrain
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

Built by:
Maltec
Menden, Germany
www.maltec.org

Infographic: Backyard Gardening Tips for Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs

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Emergency preparedness isn't just about turning your home into an unassailable fortress with perimeter defenses and an arsenal of weapons — if this is all you focus on, your home might end up feeling like a prison you made for yourself. You should also prioritize ways to make your home into a sanctuary. Backyard gardening is an easy and cost-effective way to maintain a sustainable supply of fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs. This produce can help you stay self-sufficient in an emergency, but it's also tasty and healthy during less catastrophic circumstances. The following infographic from Fix.com includes an overview of some of the most common backyard gardening methods: container gardens, raised beds, and plots.

Freshly picked radishes lying on the soil in a garden.

Containers such as pots or buckets provide the most compact footprint of the three categories, and can easily be implemented in apartment balconies and other compact urban spaces. They're perfect for staples like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Raised beds are a midsize option; they can be built around the perimeter of a yard or porch. Depending on the size and depth, they can handle anything from strawberries and spinach to squash and watermelons. If you have more open space in your yard, consider a traditional square or rectangular plot. These are ideal for “companion planting” of multiple types of produce (or even flowers).

An infographic of backyard gardening tips including which vegetables are suitable for container gardens.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips regarding what types of containers to use, and how to fill them with various potting mediums.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips that highlights which vegetables are best for raised beds.

An infographic of backyard gardening tips which illustrates how to build a raised gardening bed.

An info graphic that that highlights which plants grow well together.

An infographic that illustrates how to select and create a gardening plot.

iPhone 14 Adds Satellite SOS and Crash Detection Features

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Nobody wants to be in a situation where the only remaining option is to call for rescue. For those of us who take emergency preparedness seriously, it's easy to assume our skills and gear will enable us to self-rescue. Unfortunately, there's always a chance Murphy's Law will kick in and all your best-laid plans will fail spectacularly. In those rare situations, it's highly advisable to have at least one way to signal for help — this might be a handheld radio, an emergency strobe, flares, a whistle, a high-vis signal panel, or a GPS beacon such as the Garmin InReach. This week, Apple announced some new capabilities that enable the iPhone 14 to serve as a distress beacon, even when there isn't cell signal or WiFi. These include automatic car crash detection and satellite SOS.

Car Crash Detection

Much like OnStar and other onboard units in vehicles, Apple's new crash detection system is designed to detect a collision and place a call to 9-1-1 or emergency services unless the user cancels the call. This is intended to help those who might be unconscious or unable to reach a phone.

So, how does it work? Apple says the system relies on “a new dual-core accelerometer capable of detecting G-force measurements of up to 256Gs and a new high dynamic range gyroscope.” It also factors in the barometer for cabin pressure changes, GPS for sudden speed changes, and microphone to identify loud noises associated with crashes. Apple claims the system has been fine-tuned through over a million hours of real-world driving and real crash record data. The system is also capable of integrating with the Apple Watch to display the emergency notice.

Satellite SOS

Although the crash detection feature sounds helpful, we're much more interested in the iPhone 14's satellite SOS capability, since it has the potential to replace or augment traditional GPS rescue beacons for those of us who venture off the grid regularly.

The Emergency SOS via satellite uses new hardware and software components to “allow antennas to connect directly to a satellite, enabling messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.” Before attempting to connect to a satellite, the SOS feature begins by asking a few critical questions, such as the type of emergency, geographic obstacles, number of people involved, and information about injuries. The user is then prompted to point the phone at a passing satellite using a simple, compass-style gauge on the screen.

With a clear view of the sky, SOS messages can be sent in as little as 15 seconds. In areas where emergency services can receive text messages, the SOS is bounced from the satellite through to the local dispatcher; otherwise, it goes to “centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf.” First responders can reply via satellite text message to inform the user that they're on the way, or to ask additional questions.

MacRumors reported on a recent SEC filing that indicates Apple is working with satellite operator Globalstar, who will “provide and maintain all resources, including personnel, software, satellite systems, and more, and maintain minimum quality and coverage standards” under Apple's direction.

For less dire situations, iPhone 14 users can share their location via satellite using the Find My Phone functionality. This can keep approved family and friends informed about the user's location, even when they're in remote areas with no cellular signal. Apple says this will provide “a sense of security when hiking or camping off the grid.”

Emergency SOS via satellite starts in the US and Canada in November 2022, and will be free for the first two years. After that, fees will apply to continue using the satellite SOS function. For more details, check this article on the Apple Newsroom.

The Unfriendly Skies: Chinese Combat Drones in the Libyan Civil War

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Editor's Note: The following article was written by Robert Young Pelton, a journalist, filmmaker, and the author of several books including The World's Most Dangerous Places and Come Back Alive. His experience on the ground in the Libyan Civil War — including some serious close calls — reinforces the ever-increasing role combat drones play in wars and conflicts around the world.

Weaving our way through deserted back alleys, I can tell we’ve arrived at the front. Not just from the noise of heavy 14.5s, mortar hits, and RPGs, but because driver Hussam hunches down and peers up through the windshield of our grimy Toyota pickup. He’s looking for drones.
“Are you afraid of the drones?” I ask. “I am not afraid because I am putting my life for my country,” he answers.

I’m not totally buying it. Although the fighters I’m with are young, they’re well-seasoned. They fought in the 2011 Revolution, but now they really don’t have a plan on how to deal with this new threat. All while being partly encircled by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar.

Above: Hussam Elbakoush, of the Libyan Counter Terrorism unit points out a mortar hit.

China's Drone Industry

Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) attacked Tripoli on April 4, 2019, and part of his arsenal included UAE-supplied Chengdu Pterodactyl II Wing Loong drones.

The medium-altitude long-endurance drones like the Wing Loong impart an impersonal feeling of Russian roulette to combat. Add to that Haftar’s hired mercenaries from Darfur and Russia and we’re in a new kind of soulless war — one where the combatants aren’t quite sure who’s killing them and those doing the killing aren’t quite sure who they’re killing. A perfect proxy war.

Above: LNA airstrikes on hospitals are common. This bomb missed and hit a yard of impounded cars.

The Wing Loong combat drones can fire eight Blue Arrow anti-tank missiles but are used against everything from pickups to civilians. They’re unabashed knockoffs of the American-made MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones. At $1 million versus the $16 million price tag for the real thing, the Chinese (and countries like the UAE who “gift” them to Haftar) have made them very popular in dirty wars. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates China sold 163 large, lethal UAVs to 13 countries between 2008 to 2018. But right now my driver and I are just worried about one.

The Wing Loong can fly at an altitude of around 5,000 feet for 20 hours. Their single 100-horsepower turbocharged engines sound a lot like lawn care equipment, only changing in pitch when they bleed altitude to fire. Right now, Haftar’s drone is searching above us for targets. The drone operator appears to get bored and moves off to surveil another front line.

Above: At only a million dollars a copy compared to $14 million for U.S. versions, Chinese drones are cheap. Photo: Government of Libya

Another mortar hits one street over and interrupts our scan of the sky. We’re now focused on winding through back alleys, across yards, and through broken walls to get to our front line position. We engage in small talk while keeping an eye out for snipers.

Hussam has been to America, “Chicago, Indiana, and New York,” he exclaims proudly. “The people. They are so perfect. So kind.”

A War in the Suburbs

Above: The Arch of Marcus Aurelius, built in 165 AD, is a reminder of Libya’s historic links to Europe. The front lines are only 20 minutes away.

Hussam Elbakoush is a member of the Libyan Counter-Terrorism group. Not to be confused with the radical Islamist anti-terrorism police called RADA or the hundreds of militias who augment the official military in Libya. The GNA in Tripoli is propped up by RADA, the Tripoli Revolutionaries Battalion, the Nawasi Battalion, and the Abu Slim unit of the Central Security Apparatus. The GNA actually buys its munitions from the Katibas or militias because even the official government is covered by the blanket UN Arms Embargo — which makes one wonder how this war continues with new, high-tech weapons.

The front lines at Ain Zara are a suburban neighborhood of freshly abandoned homes with small cinder block-walled yards. The nicely stuccoed homes are pocked with munition splatters and gouges and separated by orchards and sand.

Then, the buzzing is back. Like the kind of noise that pisses off rich people when the gardener shows up on Sunday. The drone is here. We scan the sky, but the glaring sun makes it hard to get a fix. Another mortar drops, this time about 100 yards away.

Above: Right: Two IL-76 taken out at al Jufra air base by Turkish drones.

Inside the house are half a dozen young fighters with various bits and pieces of uniforms. They have a sniper on the roof and keep their radios handy. The mortars are making them a little nervous. I tell them drones can target them by their cell phone and radio transmissions. They look at each other sheepishly. The idea of turning off your smartphone is silly. It’s their lifeline to the outside world. A place that pours psyops into their head while they keep in constant touch with friends and family, which also becomes a rich source of intel for real-time targeting.

Regardless, I suggest they shut off their phones. Then, of course, a ring tone emits from one of the fighter’s phones.

Above: If you know what to look for, you can find fresh meat.

Proxy Partners

Libya is one of the most developed nations in Africa, and it’s hard to understand why only 6 million Libyans can’t live comfortably off the shared oil revenue.

Peace and elections were something that seemed feasible until a 75-year-old American named Khalifa Haftar convinced the Emirati and Saudi rulers he could seize the capital of Tripoli and take control of the nation.

Flight records show that in early 2015, Haftar and crew were hopping between Tobruk, Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia via a Malta-based Cessna Citation 550 9H-PAL (chassis number 550-0932) owned by Erik Prince’s Frontier Services Group. The goal was for the UAE to socialize the Qaddafist, former POW and ex-CIA asset as a potential strong man to take over Libya. This coincided with a February 2015 profile piece in the New Yorker by Jon Lee Anderson and an infusion of cash.

Above: The Chinese-made AVIC Wing Loong II drone is the poor man’s Reaper. Photo courtesy AVIC

It worked, and on March 2, Haftar was chosen to lead the LNA.

According to an intel officer from a wealthy Arab nation, Haftar asked the King of Saudi Arabia for a billion dollars to fight the war. The King said, half a billion will have to do. Waiting in his private jet, Haftar discovered that the $500 million had already shrunk to $350 million. Haftar wisely sent $300 million to Jordan with his two adult sons, Khalid and Saddam, to stash and tried to pay off the militias with only $50 million. So on April 5, 2019, Haftar and his forces attacked Tripoli … and surprise … it didn’t work. Some of Haftar’s overconfident forces led by Khalid weren’t only captured en masse, but met fierce resistance in South Tripoli from the very militias that were supposed to conveniently give up and hand the city over. Haftar was stuck. Since then, the LNA has ringed the south, east, and west of Tripoli and been stuck in a war of over-gunned Toyota technicals, badly trained militias, and drones.

Above: China’s best-selling aircraft is a lethal combat drone. Photo courtesy AVIC

The American Who Wants to Control Libya

In between interviews and trips to the front lines, I stay in the posh, eight-story Victoria Hotel. From my favorite evening table on the roof, the city of 2 million seems normal. Sort of. Tripoli is suffering from electricity and water cutoffs but stays illuminated by pools of light provided by hundreds of generators purring in the cool evening. People sit in groups, their faces glowing by the light of their smartphones. Trash sits uncollected, and Tripoli looks tired, but the citizens are defiant. To them, Haftar is an interloper, a mercenary who is well past retirement age, but someone who hasn’t been in Libya since he couldn’t find a role in the 2011 revolution and whose last official military job for Libya was being held as a prisoner of war by Chad in the late ’80s. You won’t find many Haftar supporters on the streets of Tripoli, if any.

Haftar’s forces had just fled the city of Gharyan a few miles south. Although I tried to drive in, I was sent back by militias due to the drone threat.

Above: The Pulemyot Kalashnikova, or PKM, is the favorite weapon on the front lines.

Instead, Gharyan Mayor Yousef Ibderi came to see me. We met on my hotel rooftop to explain how they flushed Haftar’s forces out. The young mayor tells me that after the LNA offensive was stalled, they set up their operations base in his town. So he organized a rebellion. Soon 80 men with their own weapons synchronized early in the morning and expelled the LNA.

“We just kept shooting at Haftar’s men until they fled in terror,” Ibderi recalls. Seems like the minuteman concept still works in Libya and is perhaps an omen of what would happen if the LNA and Haftar make it to Tripoli.

Above: In 1987, Colonel Khalifa Haftar and his massive army base at Wadi Doum were overrun in Chad. He was trained by the CIA to overthrow his friend Qaddafi. After some downtime in the DC suburbs, and with a little help and a lot of money from Arab kingdoms, he’s back. Photo: Government of Chad

Haftar isn’t one for hearts and minds. The hawk-faced resident of Falls Church, Virginia, turned-Libyan “Field Marshall” incessantly announces via social media that it’s “Zero Hour” for Tripoli. He makes these proclamations from his tiny bunker in Marj and his public relations spokesman, former actor and poet Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari, does his best impression of Baghdad Bob. There’s no Zero Hour, Tripoli isn’t falling, and Haftar isn’t winning. But, then again, neither is the GNA, crippled by the UN Arms embargo. Even the recent attempt by Turkey and Russia to broker peace talks ended up with Haftar storming out of Moscow because he was kept waiting. Nobody wins these kind of wars.

Above: Libya is slowly trying to rebuild their army, but for now, militias who fought the military in the 2011 revolution hold sway.

The reality is that life still goes on in Tripoli. Watching the deep red moon rising over the bay of Tripoli, suddenly explosions boom and echo through the dark streets, sending showers of sparks. It’s a war journalist’s dream come true — not even spilling your drink while covering the fight close up. But no, it’s not the long-awaited final “Zero Hour” attack on Tripoli, but rather badly aimed fireworks celebrating the Algerian soccer team’s victory in the African Cup. Perception and manipulation via social media is a big part of this war, as smartphones are the lifelines and major news coverage is rare.

Above: Some of the old guard pass on skills to the new, but Chinese drones, UAE psyops, and electronic warfare are new to the Tripoli front lines. 

The Nine-to-Five War

Despite the war, there’s no shortage of hospitality and conversation in Tripoli.

Above: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 27, 2019, a week before Haftar attacked Tripoli. Photo: Saudi Press Agency

Retired military Colonel Suliman Sulewehi invites me out for a seaside lunch of freshly caught fish. After picking out our catch, he tells me, “This is a brother’s war.” Libyans are fighting Libyans at the behest of outsiders like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He takes me through the history of Libya and interlopers. The Arabs, Knights of Malta, Ottomans, and Italians. “They were all kicked out,” he insists. Now he believes the old colonial powers and Arabs from the east want back in. He describes France’s role as “mischievous” supplying weapons while holding peace talks. “The Arabs (meaning the Emiratis, Saudis, and Egyptians) do not want stability.” He believes Libya is the rightful gateway to Africa, not the UAE. He takes me out to the front lines in Salluhudin, which is a surprisingly short ride as the traffic thins down to nothing. Suddenly, we’re the only people inside a military base.

rpt

Above: Mayor of Gharyan Yousef Ibderi explains how the townspeople forced Haftar’s forces out in eight hours.

Sulewehi says he helps support a small katiba of 145 men and 20 vehicles. They’re holding the line near Salluhudin, about 1,000 meters from Haftar’s army. He admits it’s hard. “Haftar fighters get paid more money, 2,000 dinars compared to only 1,000 dinars for his people.”

“They have little training, they know little of tactics,” he continues. It’s an odd irony that both sides are paid by the Libyan government, but it’s a reminder that Libyans see themselves as a single nation, however divisive their politics are.

The commander is a man in his 50s who was once involved in embassy security. He tells me his men need uniforms, rifles, and ballistic vests. He’s most concerned about the UAE-supplied drones.

Above: Medics and doctors are routinely targeted by drone operators and in direct attacks.

“They are up every day and strike randomly at soldiers or medics,” he tells me. That day, the drones followed an injured fighter they had just hit until their vehicle arrived at a field hospital. When the medics came out with a gurney, the LNA drone operator fired again, killing two doctors.

The commander has no idea how to deal with drones except to hide their vehicles and spread them out. I ask if Libyans or Emiratis are deciding on targets. Without hesitation he says, “Libyans.” Why? “Because they are assholes and will shoot at anything.”

A Mortar Send-off

Above: Guided by a drone operator, another mortar hits outside our house.

It’s my last day in Libya and I have to catch a plane in the afternoon, so I spend the morning out on yet another front line. This time I’m being bracketed with mortars and watched by drones with Hussam Elbakoush. Everyone in the house is now in agreement with my thesis that the enemy is methodically moving each mortar strike slowly toward our house. Since spotters can’t see us, I figure they’re using a drone to target us. When another mortar lands on the street he motions me outside to the gate to take a photo. BAM. They almost get him with a quick mortar that lands on the street. Back inside, it’s clear someone is watching us. Hussam suggests everyone get in the kitchen on the floor where there’s an another story above. The window is blown out, and I realize that one of the perils of being with fighting groups is that you have to go with the flow — even if they have about 20 less years on the front lines than you and they don’t have to catch a plane in a few hours. Then, as I take a photo of a soldier walking in, BAM — the curtains blow in with a cloud of dust.

Above: After bracketing our position for hours, the LNA finally got us with an 82mm mortar round dead center.

I decide to go to the center of the house, where the added strength of walls provide the most protection. As I step behind the wall, BANG — the money shot. Right in the living room. Sprayed by plaster and coughing up dust, the soldiers finally decide we should leave. After dropping off the wounded, I catch my scheduled plane to Tunis. That night I’m at the upscale Villa Didon drinking an ice-cold Amstel overlooking the Mediterranean and the ancient city of Carthage. The news says the airport I flew out on was hit by a drone strike 90 minutes after my flight took off. F*ck drones. I order another beer.

Steelhouse Fabrication: Cost-Effective Custom Overland Trailers

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Overlanding is a lot of fun, but it can also be expensive. Whether you're getting into it as a hobby or you're looking for practical improvements to your vehicle's emergency preparedness, the costs add up quickly. First there's the vehicle itself — ideally, you'll want something with four-wheel-drive, high clearance, and a reliable drivetrain (like our Toyota 4Runner). Then there are the inevitable upgrades, ranging from basics such as better tires and a mobile radio through long-travel suspension, solar power systems, and fancy rooftop tents. For longer expeditions, many overlanders add a trailer with more spacious sleeping quarters, a camp kitchen, and storage space for supplies. Purpose-built overland or off-road-capable trailers can easily cost $30,000 or even $40,000. For those who can't shell out that kind of cash, Steelhouse Fabrication has developed a series of upgrades that can convert an inexpensive, multipurpose cargo trailer into a stealthy overland trailer setup.

Some of you may already own small cargo trailers for work or for hauling dirt bikes and other gear. Even if you don't, a basic 6-foot by 12-foot V-nose enclosed cargo trailer should set you back about $4,000. You might even be able to find a lightly used one for less than that. These cargo trailers are also lightweight — about 1,500 pounds empty and 2,500 pounds fully-outfitted — so you shouldn't need a big V8 or diesel rig to tow them. Since you'll be going off the beaten path, reduced weight also means improved maneuverability on the trails.

Once you've got your trailer, you'll need to install two 10-foot sections of E-track on the interior walls (you can DIY it or have a trailer dealership to do it for you). These will be installed 32 inches and/or 14 inches up from the floor, depending on the Steelhouse Fabrication modules you select.

Next, you can browse through Steelhouse Fabrication's list of modules to pick a sleeping setup and kitchen that fits your needs and budget. For the former category, there's a basic sofa sleeper that folds against the wall or a four-seat dinette sleeper configuration.

Above: The front of this trailer contains a fold-out sleeper sofa with plenty of room for a fridge (powered by the kitchen module's onboard battery) and other cargo.

The kitchen modules are completely self-contained and removable — just load one into the trailer, lock it onto the E-track with the included hardware, and go. They feature various options including a two-burner propane stove, stainless sink with 5-gallon fresh water and 5-gallon grey water tanks, and an onboard power system that includes a 90-watt solar panel, 105-amp-hour battery, and 1,500-watt inverter (the latter two items are enclosed neatly in a cabinet). The Steelhouse Fabrication Culinary and Culinary Pro modules come with a 6-foot-tall back panel with shelving, LED lighting, and a nice-looking backsplash.

Steelhouse Fabrication will ship its modules directly to your house on pallets. With a Dinette Sleeper ($700), Culinary Pro Module ($3,300), and a cargo trailer of your choice (about $4,000), you can end up with an overland-capable trailer for about $8,000. Since the Steelhouse modules are fully removable, you can always leave them in your garage and convert your trailer back to cargo-hauling configuration as needed, so you're not losing any practicality.

For more info on Steelhouse Fabrication cargo trailer conversions, go to SteelhouseFab.com or check out one of their walkthrough videos on Instagram.

Bag Drop: 5.11 Tactical Responder ALS Medical Bag

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As a medical provider, I feel the need to carry the tools of my trade. From a first aid kit to my trauma kit to my truck bag, I think I have the right tools for the mission. Sometimes I’m called upon to place a bandage on an abrasion at the peewee baseball game; other times, I need to have my trauma kit ready at the range (especially when the guy next to me has his favorite new pistol blow up in his hands). Although it’s impossible to have every tool for every incident, I can always improvise with the tools I have in this bag. This article will cover my 5.11 Tactical Responder ALS medical/truck bag that travels with me everywhere my vehicle goes. The exact bag I have is no longer available through 5.11 Tactical, although the company now offers a somewhat smaller 50-liter ALS/BLS Duffel Bag.

The 5.11 Tactical Responder ALS Bag

Photos by Stacie Kwacala

I bought my 5.11 Tactical Responder ALS 2900 bag seven years ago. It’s a 72-liter bag with a shoulder strap and two straps to wear as a backpack. There’s a main compartment that zips down on three sides. Inside the flap are a zippered compartment and three pouches. The main compartment has dividers and two removable compartments that close with Velcro. At the back of the bag, there’s another zippered compartment on the outside, which contains three subdivided spaces. On the outside of the bag to the left is another zippered compartment with two subdividers. There’s PALS webbing on the outside of this compartment. The reflective tape also appears on the outside of the main compartment flap.

Make & Model
5.11 Tactical Responder ALS 2900 72L

MSRP
Discontinued; Replaced by ALS/BLS Duffel 50L ($235)

URL
www.511tactical.com

The Contents

Inside the main flap compartments, I have my sphygmomanometer, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, stethoscope, glucometer, pulse ox, and dental instruments. I removed the dividers and the removable compartments within the central part of the bag. I wanted to make this area easier to organize, so I replaced it with six modular vinyl bags (Shiffler MobileAid Clear-View quick access utility pouches).

Pouch 1, labeled GSW, is my trauma kit that contains a CoTCCC-recommended TQ, HyFin Vent Chest Seal, Israeli dressing, decompression needle, nasopharyngeal airway, and Celox Z-Fold Gauze.

Pouch 2, labeled Dressings, includes ACE wrap, Coban, rolled gauze, and 4×4 gauze.

Pouch 3, labeled Lacerations, contains 4-0 Ethilon and 6-0 Prolene sutures, needle drivers, rat-toothed forceps, scalpels, skin stapler, Dermabond, lidocaine (1%), Steri-Strips, and 3ml syringes with 18- and 22-gauge needles.

Pouch 4, labeled First Aid, contains Band-Aids, triple antibiotic ointment, burn gel, cotton balls, baby aspirin, ibuprofen, loperamide, ondansetron, acetaminophen, lip balm, and a tick twister.

Pouch 5, labeled Meds, contains Proventil inhaler, glucose tablets, glucagon pen, EpiPen, lidocaine 1%, and Narcan.

Pouch 6, labeled Splints, contains SAM Splints, tape, Kerlix gauze, and handkerchiefs.

The back zippered pouch contains Wagan Tech FRED lights, Mylar emergency blankets, cleansing wipes, and nitrile gloves. The side pouch contains an air horn, ethyl chloride, and a flashlight.

Final Thoughts

Since I purchased my Responder ALS bag, 5.11 has gone through two different iterations. They’ve also moved to a more modular setup within the bag. I like my bag better than the current model — it’s larger in capacity but can still be worn as a backpack. The pouches from Shiffler have made my bag much more manageable.

Smoke Alarms: An Overlooked Emergency Prep

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When it comes to emergency preparedness, many of us subconsciously focus on what seems exciting, such as flashy new gear and training classes. This can lead us to overlook more mundane forms of preparedness that can be equally essential. A good insurance policy is extremely helpful for recovering from a disaster, but unlike fancy knives and overland vehicles, nobody wants to see you showing off your coverage or deductible on social media. Similarly, smoke alarms (a.k.a. smoke detectors) are an emergency preparedness tool every house has, but one that we rarely think about… unless one is beeping at 3 a.m. due to a low battery. Read on for some considerations when testing and replacing your home's smoke alarms.

Why Should You Care About Smoke Alarms?

This topic was brought up among our staff when Concealment editor Dave Merrill tested his home's smoke alarms. To his surprise, one of them failed testing, despite there being no previous sign that it was faulty. With home fires causing an average of 2,620 deaths, 11,070 fire injuries, and $7.3 billion in property damage each year according to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this is something that should be taken very seriously. For more perspective, it's the sixth most common injury-related cause of death worldwide, ranked between drowning and poisoning.

Smoke Alarm Testing and Replacement

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration

NFPA says that smoke alarms should be tested each month. We recommend marking your calendar so you don't forget to check them on a regular basis. All it takes is a stepladder and a few minutes of your time.

Although many of us don't think about it, smoke alarms are a limited-lifespan item. NFPA guidelines recommend replacing your smoke alarms 10 years after the date of manufacture (usually at least a few months earlier than the date of installation). So, if you've been living in the same house for more than 9 years, you should definitely start thinking about replacing your alarms.

Alarm Types: Ionization, Photoelectric, or Both?

So, maybe you're getting ready to replace your smoke alarms, or you just want to make sure the ones you already have are up to par. Did you know there are two main types of smoke alarms, each with varying performance? These two types are ionization and photoelectric alarms, which are explained in the graphic below from NFPA:


In simple terms…

  • Ionization alarms are triggered when smoke interferes with the flow of electricity between two plates, and tend to respond faster to the smoke produced by flaming fires (rapidly-burning items).
  • Photoelectric alarms detect smoke particles between an LED and a light sensor, and tend to respond faster to smoldering fires (slowly-burning items).

NFPA explains, “For each type of smoke alarm, the advantage it provides may be critical to life safety in some fire situations. Home fatal fires, day or night, include a large number of smoldering fires and a large number of flaming fires. You can not predict the type of fire you may have in your home or when it will occur. … For best protection, it is recommended both (ionization and photoelectric) technologies be used in homes. In addition to individual ionization and photoelectric alarms, combination alarms that include both technologies in a single device are available.”

The U.S. Fire Administration echoes this sentiment: “The USFA recommends that every home and place where people sleep be equipped with either (a) both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, or (b) dual sensor smoke alarms (which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors).” USFA's statement adds, “The location of a smoke alarm within a home may be more important than the type of smoke alarm present, depending on the location of a fire. The USFA recommends that users follow the manufacturer’s guidance on the recommended location of smoke alarms in a home.”

More Home Fire Preparedness Tips

Smoke alarms are only one aspect of preparing your home and your family for a fire. Check out some of our related articles about fire preparedness below:

Video: Forgotten Weapons Tests ArcFlash Labs EMG-02 Coilgun

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Whether it's from sci-fi movies, video games, or books, we've often been told that present-day firearms will be replaced by high-tech blasters decked out with buttons, screens, and battery packs in the future. But is it true? We've also been told that our four-wheeled vehicles will be replaced by flying cars, jetpacks, and hoverboards, but we haven't seen anyone zipping around town like Marty McFly or the Jetsons. A company known as ArcFlash Labs has been pushing the envelope with 3D-printed electromagnetic guns that have become more sophisticated and powerful with each new model. The latest creation, the ArcFlash Labs EMG-02 coilgun, was recently tested in a video from Forgotten Weapons. The results have us thinking that those sci-fi blasters might not be so far-fetched after all.

Above: This coilgun fires cylindrical pieces of steel using a 15kW Gauss accelerator. No gunpowder, primer, or casing required.

The EMG-02 is described by ArcFlash Labs as a “10-stage medium voltage capacitor augmented fully-automatic coilgun.” That's a mouthful, but in simpler terms, it uses electromagnetic coils to accelerate solid steel projectiles to about 250 feet per second (75 meters per second). We've seen the term “railgun” used to describe this category of electronic weapon, but that's not accurate in this case. It's a coilgun or gauss gun (not a gauss rifle, since it has a smooth bore).

This still from the Forgotten Weapons video shows the ArcFlash Labs EMG-02 below its predecessor, the ArcFlash EMG-01. On the 01, ten cylindrical capacitors at the bottom of the handguard powered eight coils around the barrel; on the 02, there's one huge capacitor inside the shoulder stock, which powers ten coils around the barrel. Several other improvements have been made, including the use of an off-the-shelf lithium-ion drill battery. Improved efficiency allows the EMG-02 to fire up to 13 rounds per second.

The EMG-02 is a variable-caliber weapon, since it can accept steel armatures (i.e. sections of ordinary dowel pin) from 1/4-inch to 4/16-inch (6-8mm) in diameter and 3/4-inch to 13/16-inch (19-22mm) in length. The ammo is loaded into an included magazine, which holds 15 to 18 rounds, depending on diameter.

Above: Iain from Forgotten Weapons holds the ArcFlash Labs EMG-02 with a 20V drill battery installed.

Of course, there are some drawbacks and growing pains associated with all cutting-edge technologies, and this appears to be true of the EMG-02 as well. In the Forgotten Weapons video, Iain mentions that the weapon isn't especially accurate, and demonstrates this by showing shot groups at the range. The projectiles tumble after leaving the barrel, since they're not stabilized by rifling. It's also expensive compared to most modern carbines, at an MSRP of $2,795. However, it's exciting to watch this tech develop and consider where it might be 5 or 10 years from now.

Check out the video below from RECOILtv, and for more info on the ArcFlash Labs EMG-02, go to ArcFlashLabs.com.

Haley Strategic Kalashnikov: The Basics of Shooting an AK

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Most sources concur that over 100 million individual AK-pattern rifles have been produced worldwide. At time of writing, the world’s population is estimated at 8 billion. That means there could be roughly one AK for every 80 people on the entire planet; counting out those that have been lost or destroyed in combat, let’s call it one Kalashnikov for every 100 people on earth. There’s a statistically significant chance that, if you haven’t already seen, touched, or fired an AK, you will at some point. Hopefully it’s because you buy one or shoot a buddy’s at the range. But, with the commonality, low cost, and popularity of this rifle — particularly among radical actors around the world who have imported their extremism to American shores — there’s an unfortunately real possibility you may come across one in the “real world” under less enjoyable circumstances.

Regardless of the context, understanding the Kalashnikov’s unique manual-of-arms is a valuable skill to have in your library of preparedness knowledge. While most of the RECOIL OFFGRID team has previous experience with AKs from personally owned weapons or deployments overseas, it never hurts to refresh a skillset under the guidance of specialists. In this case, we attended the three-day D5 Kalashnikov course put on by Haley Strategic Partners (HSP). Former Force Recon Marine and HSP owner Travis Haley has extensive knowledge of this platform through multiple deployments around the world as a Marine and independent contractor. More recently, HSP teamed up with famed AK gunsmith Jim Fuller and his new company, Fuller Phoenix. We had the privilege of learning directly from these two AK experts during our time in the course. At the end of the day, proper sight alignment and trigger press are universally applicable, but the accompanying manipulations are substantially different for those used to AR-pattern black rifles.

AK Setup & Equipment Notes

In preparation for this class, we took the chance to pressure test an AK we had on hand from a previous review in RECOIL, and the accessory configurations we thought were ideal for running these guns hard in the desert dust.

Above: Our full load-out for this course, including OTTE Gear LVZ OVT Plate Carrier with G-Code Scorpion mag pouches, which flex to accommodate the odd shape of 5.45x39mm magazines.

The base gun is a Petronov Armament AK-74 in 5.45x39mm. The smaller 5.45mm cartridge has better long-range ballistics than its bigger, heavier 7.62mm progenitor, and has an incredibly light, quick recoil impulse that’ll give anyone the giggles after a few fast strings of fire. I dressed this rifle out with a Mk1 handguard system from Sureshot Armament, which includes an M-LOK handguard as well as a railed gas tube. The two pieces are machined to link together and reinforce each other for a secure fit. A TangoDown M-LOK vertical grip, SureFire Scout Light Pro, and Definitive Arms muzzle brake rounded out the front-end setup. For optics, I mounted a Holosun 512 red dot to a Strike Industries rear sight riser rail. This resulted in a minimalist optic mount that sits nice and tall for a heads-up position while shooting and facilitates passive aiming under night vision. The rear end was dressed out with a matching TangoDown Battle Grip and a Fixed Triangle Stock from CRH Customs. As the name implies, this stock replicates the look and feel of a traditional triangle folder for fixed-rear-trunnion receivers. While there’s no folding mechanism, it’s a lightweight, low-bulk stock with a pleasing aesthetic.

Above: The business end of our Petronov Armament AK-74, along with several boxes of Century Arms' Red Army Standard 5.45x39mm ammo.

Finally, we attached an Arbor Arms adjustable sling and dropped in an ambidextrous Lightning Bolt from Colorado Shooting Sports. This kit includes a bolt carrier and top cover that can be had in either left-side or ambi-charging handle configurations. Slab-sided Bulgarian mags courtesy of GunMag Warehouse kept this rig well-fed throughout the course. It should be noted that many folks shied away from AK-74s once a ban on the importation of cheap Russian 7N6 surplus ammo was implemented in 2014. But Red Army Standard, Century Arms’ ammo imprint, sells non-Russian 5.45mm ammo that functioned flawlessly for us. At the time of writing, a 1,000-round case could be had for right at $400, which puts the price at or just under comparable .223/5.56mm ammo.

The differences in manual-of-arms between AKs and ARs primarily boils down to differences in the three fire control interfaces: the safety selector, the charging handle, and the magazine release.

Charging an AK

Above: Haley Strategic instructor Jared Segraves demonstrated several different methods of charging AK pattern rifles.

Charging your weapon (chambering a round) can be either an administrative or fighting function, depending on the context. You may be loading your weapon and then placing it on safe for ready storage — in your vehicle or under your bed, for example. You may be conducting an administrative “load and make ready” at a course or competition. Or you may be in the middle of a firefight and conducting an emergency reload.

All of those situations have one thing in common: They require you to cycle the bolt. AR shooters are spoiled by the addition of a dedicated mechanism to lock the bolt in an open position and to release it at the literal push of a button. Mr. Kalashnikov, it seems, would’ve dubbed such a thing extraneous. Instead, the bolt handle is attached to the carrier itself and pokes out the ejection port side of the rifle by about an inch. For right-handed shooters, there are a couple of different techniques to run this handle.

The most popular method is probably running your support hand underneath the rifle, in front of the magazine and racking the bolt that way. Alternately, you can reach over the top of the receiver and run the bolt with your support hand. If you’re running a classic iron-sighted AK, or one with a forward-set optic (rear sight rail, as seen here, or on a railed gas tube), then whether you reach under or over the receiver is largely personal preference. But if you use the side-rail optic mount or a railed top cover to mount your optic further back on the rifle, that placement may interfere with your ability to reach over the top.

Left: Segraves rolls the rifle left to run the charging handle from above. Right: Reaching underneath is one of the most common ways to run the charging handle, especially on AKs equipped with optics.

There are variations on both of these techniques that involve rolling the entire rifle 90 degrees left or right. This orients the charging handle straight up or straight down. While this might make the charging handle more accessible, since you’re not wrapping your support arm completely over or under the receiver, you have now introduced additional motion that requires moving both hands simultaneously (roll the rifle with strong hand, run the bolt with support hand) without reducing the amount of work your support hand already had to do. The cadre at Haley Strategic makes a point to emphasize biomechanical efficiency, as “going faster” is directly related to economy of motion. Therefore, rolling the rifle — while demonstrated — wasn’t prioritized in training. In fact, reaching underneath the rifle was our method of choice; it seemed to work consistently for the widest array of rifle setups without adapting or modifying the technique itself.

Above: Some users prefer to keep the support hand on the rifle and move the dominant hand to the charging handle. This offers the advantage of maintaining a constant sight picture.

Finally, there’s a third method: removing your strong hand off the pistol grip to rack the bolt while holding the rifle up with your support arm. Most Western schools of thought on running any type of defensive carbine recommend you minimize the number of times you remove your hand from the master grip. But it’s an option worth considering, and one that’s reportedly more common among Russian and Eastern European users. The upside to this technique is that it allows the shooter to maintain a continuous sight picture and shouldered position while charging the AK, much like one would while operating a bolt-action rifle.

Reloading an AK

Between ARs and AKs, there are two primary differences in reload management: You cannot reach the magazine release with your trigger finger, and you cannot insert magazine straight into the receiver – mags must be rocked in and out.

Above: Reloading the AK while retaining the (partially) spent magazine. 

Reloads WITH Magazine Retention

If you want to keep your magazine, say in the case of a tactical reload, the traditional V- or L-shaped reloads you may have learned on an AR will not work here. You’ve got two basic options. The first is to completely remove the magazine from the gun by itself. Grab the mag high and, in a beer-can grip, press the magazine release tab with your thumb, rock the mag forward and down. Stow it in a dump pouch, mag pouch, or pocket. Grab a fresh mag, rock it in front-to-back. If consistency across multiple weapon platforms is your jam, or if you already use a “grip-and-strip” method on your AR, this is the way to go. The changes are minimal, and only to accommodate the mechanics of the rifle itself.

The other technique is to remove your new mag off your kit first. Then, when you bring your fresh mag up to the rifle, pin it to the left side of the receiver and get your digits around both the reload and the magazine currently in the gun. Pop the release tab with your thumb. Rock the mag out of your gun, move your hand to position the new mag underneath the gun, and click it into place. Slide the partial (or empty) mag you just removed off the fresh reload, keeping it in your grip the whole time, and stow it. This may be faster if trained sufficiently, but requires a baseline of hand size and manual dexterity to execute effectively.

Reloads WITHOUT Magazine Retention

If you’re not concerned with retaining the magazine, both of the above-listed methods work almost the same. The only difference on the second method would be to bring the magazine alongside the receiver and, when you hit the release tab with your thumb, just follow through another inch or so to knock that mag out so it falls free. Then, insert your new mag.

Above: When it's not necessary to retain a magazine (i.e. an emergency reload), simply extend the thumb to press the magazine release and knock the empty mag out of place.

There is, of course, the method made popular by social media and tacticool AK operator internet videos: drawing a fresh mag off your kit, turning it sideways, and using the front edge of the magazine itself to hit the release tab and fling the empty mag out of the gun. We admit, it’s got style points. But those points are gained entirely out of context. According to the cadre at Haley Strategic, this method was actually developed for Russian troops fighting in extreme cold weather conditions — typically while wearing “half mitts” with independent thumb and trigger fingers, and the remaining digits bound up in true mitten style. With this reduced dexterity, using the magazine as a reload tool made sense. But it’s not particularly efficient from a biomechanics standpoint. Also, the effectiveness of this move could be influenced by the size, shape, or quality of construction of your magazines or your magazine release tab. As cool as it might look, executing a smooth and efficient reload to get back on target quickly will always be cooler.

Above: The now-famous method of using your full mag to eject your empty one came from Soviet troops in cold weather wearing arctic mittens.

AK Malfunctions

Despite what you may have heard anywhere ever, the Kalashnikov is, in fact, capable of malfunctioning (gasp). But, if built to proper specifications, it’s a pretty rare occurrence.

In addition to the rugged simplicity and relatively loose tolerances of the system itself, the 7.62x39mm’s full-taper case geometry aids in reliability by minimizing the possibility of a stuck case — whether through swelling or debris in the action. Most of the common malfunctions we’ve run across tend to be magazine related. Sometimes the issue is the magazine itself, especially if you’re shooting from the prone position in a dusty environment as we did. Muzzle brakes kick up a lot of dust, and it gets everywhere. Other times, the magazine well or magazine locking latch isn’t properly sized. In the latter case, the magazine hangs so loosely inside the well that rounds may not be lined up properly with the chamber. If you lock a magazine into your AK and it wobbles side-to-side a little, that’s usually acceptable. But if it wobbles front-to-back, keep a close eye out for feeding issues. In terms of remedial action for malfunctions, the process — like all things AK — is simple. As opposed to AR malfunction procedures, which tend to be taught in a “if this, do that” format, there is exactly one malfunction procedure for the AK platform:

  1. Run the charging handle
  2. Press the trigger

If that doesn’t fix it …

  1. Remove magazine
  2. Run charging handle
  3. Reinsert magazine
  4. Run charging handle
  5. Press trigger

The process is even further simplified by Haley Strategic instructor Jared Segraves, who reminded us that, when all else fails: “Just unload the gun, then reload the gun.”
With approximately 20 students over three days running 1,000 rounds each, we didn’t see any malfunction that wasn’t remedied by this procedure.

Above: Travis Haley demonstrates AK malfunction clearance.

Lessons Learned

After three days and 1,000 rounds through my test rifle, I also came away with some lessons about how my specific rifle was configured and made some changes to integrate said lessons.

The biggest issue I had was with the handguard. The Sureshot Armament system worked great, but the version I ran was their shorter “4-slot” Mk1 handguard which is designed to work with a standard AK handguard retainer. The handguard itself held up fine, even through back-to-back runs of rapid-fire drills. But the handguard retainer heated up to the point where, even with gloves on, it became too hot to keep a hand on that portion of the front end. Fortunately, the solution was fairly easy. The Sureshot Mk1 is also available in a longer “5-slot” model that provides another row of usable M-LOK slots at the so-called cost of cutting off the handguard retainer. A Dremel tool and cutting wheel made quick work of the retainer, and swapping the four-slot for a five-slot lower handguard was a matter of a couple screws and locking tabs.

Switching to the slightly longer Sureshot USA Mk1 handguard (pictured below) gave us more usable rail space and allowed us to ditch the handguard retainer, which acted as a heat sink.

The only other “issue” we ran into was with the CRH stock. Again, we want to clarify that it functioned fine. There was no rattle or flexing in the stock during our range time. But the high volume of fire made the all-metal stock with machined-in tread pattern on the butt pad somewhat uncomfortable to shoot, even with the light-recoiling 5.45mm round. This is, of course, a matter of personal preference. We’d still recommend the CRH Fixed Triangle for anyone who’s interested in it, but be mindful that it won’t baby your shoulder if you run your AK hard and do so often.

Above: The CRH stock features a deep-cut tread pattern.

For those interested in more adjustability or flexibility on the back end, we also experimented with a VLTOR RE-5 tube extension, capped with a BCM Gunfighter butt stock. While not as svelte as the CRH, the thick recoil pad on the end of the BCM stock was a little comfier to shoulder during extended range sessions. This combo adds some length and bulk to the end of the gun compared to the CRH option, but individual needs and preference will help you make your stock selection.

Above: An AR-style stock adapter offers extra adjustment if preferred.

Finally, we removed the extended charging handles on our ambi Lightning Bolt. While the knurled, screw-on sleeves did give us some extra purchase during fast reloads, we found that our slow-fire groups were significantly larger than we thought they should be — about 4 to 5 inches across at 50 yards. Even for an AK, that’s a problem. Especially when our “groups” were essentially lateral strings with no vertical dispersion. Fortunately, Jim Fuller happened to be on the range and ran down some basic diagnostics with us. The end result was realizing that our particular 74 has some pretty loose tolerance between the bolt carrier and receiver rails. So, the extra weight of the oversized charging handle knobs was creating a significant amount of left-right play in the BCG as it cycled. As soon as we removed these, our groups shrunk to a much more respectable 1.5 to 2 inches across at 50 yards.

Above: Strike Industries' rear sight rail allows a more head-up shooting stance.

Everything else withstood the crucible of Haley’s D5 Kalashnikov course, and the rifle remains otherwise unchanged aside from these two plug-and-play parts swaps. Not only was I extremely satisfied with this rifle build, but I also came away from the Haley Strategic class with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the peculiarities of running an AK-style rifle as a primary duty weapon. Whether you intend to run an AK as your primary survival rifle or just want to learn how to handle the rifle most common to America’s enemies, we highly suggest investing in some specific training, and the Haley D5 AK course is one of the best options we know of out there. The Kalashnikov platform is rugged, reliable, easy to operate, and commonly found all around the world. If you don’t have one in your armory, consider getting one and learning how to operate it properly. As always, forewarned is forearmed.

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