Oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly called OC spray or pepper spray, is an inflammatory agent that was originally designed to ward off wild animal threats including bears, wolves, and mountain lions. It was later adopted by military and police forces as an alternative to chemical based sprays for riot control and defense. After some time, pepper spray became available to the public and remains a popular self-defense tool throughout the United States due to it’s ease of use and low cost.
How Pepper Spray Works
Capsicum is a naturally occurring compound found in some varieties of hot peppers that can cause irritation to eyes, throat, membrane, and skin. In high concentrations Capsicum causes a burning sensation and swelling in the eyes, throat, and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Capsicum will also cause coughing, choking, and breathing difficulties.
To create pepper spray, the Capsicum compound is extracted and combined with carrier liquids and put into a pressurized canister that can be deployed in a stream, cloud like mist, or spray gel.
In many cases pepper spray has been shown to be far more effective than chemical-based sprays that do not produce the same inflammatory effect, this is particularly evident when being used against individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
On the left: Defender D2 Metro. On the Right: Defender D1 Sport.
The ASP Defender Series Pepper Spray
Armaments Systems and Procedures, ASP for short, has been producing reliable law enforcement equipment for decades. ASP has been a leader in the creation of innovative and intuitive law enforcement solutions and the Defender Series of OC Sprays is no exception.
Most pepper spray products are made in the form of a canister with either a button or trigger like method of deployment. While this form factor is effective, they can be large and somewhat challenging to use in high pressure situations.
The Defender series of OC sprays have an entirely different form factor and method of deployment that is far more intuitive than traditional canister style sprays.
The safety is easy to quickly disengage or reengage one handed
Operating ASP Defender OC Spray
At first glance the Defender has a similar form factor to an EDC sized flashlight, complete with a pocket clip for ease of carry. Much like a flashlight the method of deploying the spray involves pressing a button on the top of the Defender’s body with the spray coming out the bottom.
This horizontal deployment is a major departure from traditional canister styles allowing for a much more natural grip and use while in a defensive stance and easy single hand use. The safety latch sits just below the deployment button, and it disengages easily with a quick thumb flick, but is secure enough not to be accidentally flipped when carrying it.
The milled aluminum of the Metro provides exceptional grip.
ASP OC Spray Formulation and Deployment
Inside the Defender body is a small replaceable canister that has a formulation that contains 1.4% Capsaicinoids as well as an invisible UV dye. Most pepper spray products have anywhere from 0.18 to 1.33 % Capsaicinoids, making the ASP formulation more potent than a majority of civilian and law enforcement OC Sprays. The UV dye allows for easy identification of an assailant by law enforcement using an ultraviolet light.
When deployed the Defender Spray produces a small mist like cloud with roughly a five-foot range. Depending on the size of the canister (more on that in the next section) you can expect 10 to 12 half second bursts before being depleted.
The diamond pattern on the polymer sport series also provides good grip retention, and is easier on your clothing.
Material and Size Options
The Defender is available in 2 sizes and 2 different materials. The Metro Defender is made from milled aerospace grade aluminum which come in a variety of hard anodized colorways.
The Sport is made from durable high impact polymer. Both models are available in the 4.5-inch long D1 size and the 5.75-inch D2 size.
The Defender is an ideal tool for law enforcement and first responder professionals, it is pictured here with the Spectrum UV Flashlight and and PDK Knife also from ASP along with a Active Carry Technologies Trauma Kit, GORUCK Pack, and Garmont Boots.
Is the Defender Right for You?
The Defender series was designed for use by police, but the intuitive design and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to carry a reliable non-lethal self-defense tool. Like all pepper spray products there are some drawbacks to be aware of, and a few special considerations specific to the Defender line. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.
Pros
Both size and material variations are easy to use.
Both sizes and materials are lightweight, the Sport variants are incredibly light.
Both the Metro and Sport models have excellent grip retention with the Metro being superior due to the milled pattern.
The Pocket Clip on all models allow for comfortable and discreet carry in a variety of carry styles.
While not advertised the solid construction of the aluminum Metro models make it an ideal blunt striking tool for a secondary form of defense.
Fog Deployment of spray does not require pinpoint accuracy.
High strength formulation for maximum impact of assailants.
Canisters are replaceable, making the Defender a long-term use tool.
Cons
All OC Sprays are subject to blowback, especially in windy outdoor conditions. Fog style deployment pepper sprays like the defender are particularly susceptible to this.
High strength formulation makes the Defender illegal for civilians to carry in some jurisdictions.
The milling pattern on Metro models can be a little rough on casual and lighter technical clothing pockets.
The Defender also makes an excellent delf defense addition to any EDC Kit, it is pictured here with a Badger Claw Outfitter Scout EDC pouch, Tuff Possum Entry Kit, Leatherman Wave, and Skallywag Tactical MDV folder.
Overall Impression of the ASP Defender OC Spray
ASP’s Defender line is a well thought out and executed OC Spray option for both law enforcement and civilians. The form factor, ease of carry, and simple operation has made the Defender a staple in my daily carry. This speaks volumes considering pepper spray was never a part of my regular carry.
As a civilian I find myself gravitating towards the Sport variants for my regular daily carry, but the Metro D2 definitely has a place in my pocket when traveling to areas that present a more significant threat level.
The optional inert canisters are a great addition to help the new user get a feel for the Defender and allow for continued training so if you need to use it in a true self defense scenario you can rely on muscle memory to operate quickly and efficiently.
While this is not a concern for law enforcement personnel, it is important for civilians to be aware of local laws to ensure you are not potentially setting yourself up for legal trouble for carrying or using the Defender.
For more information or to pick up your own Defender at ASP's official website, asp-usa.com
Imagine walking into an unfamiliar environment and being able to immediately assess its safety, potential threats, and opportunities for escape or advantage. This skill is not just reserved for trained professionals like military personnel or law enforcement. Civilians can develop the same ability to read places and situations by understanding how our sensory systems, cognitive processes, and situational awareness work. Armed with these understandings, we can make better decisions and stay one step ahead of potential dangers.
You could be navigating a crowded city street, exploring a remote hiking trail, or simply assessing the atmosphere at a social gathering. Having the ability to “read the room” can provide a significant advantage. Developing this skill enhances personal safety and builds confidence in handling unpredictable situations. By becoming more attuned to environmental cues and patterns, you can transform ordinary observations into actionable insights, empowering you to act decisively and effectively in any setting.
Maintain space between your vehicle and others at stoplights, ensuring an escape route. Position yourself in outer lanes whenever possible for easier exits.
Foundations of Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is the cornerstone of effectively reading places. It involves observing and understanding your environment to anticipate what might happen next. This proactive ability can help you make informed decisions and respond appropriately to dynamic circumstances, increasing your safety and confidence. This skill can be broken down into three levels:
Level 1 – Perception: Observing and recognizing situational elements, such as people, objects, and environmental factors. By paying close attention to these elements, you can build an accurate picture of your surroundings and their current state. The perception level is the foundation of developing situational awareness.
Level 2 – Comprehension: Interpreting and evaluating what these observations mean. Understanding the significance of what you perceive allows you to identify potential patterns and anomalies that could indicate safety or danger. This level connects what you see to actionable meaning, allowing you to chart a decisive course of action.
Level 3 – Projection: Anticipating future events based on your understanding of the current situation. Projecting outcomes lets you plan actions that mitigate risks or capitalize on opportunities. This forward-thinking approach helps avoid reactive choices and fosters proactive behavior.
Achieving situational awareness begins with a firm grasp of how our sensory systems gather information and how our brain processes it. Regular practice and conscious observation can refine these skills, allowing you to respond effectively in both routine and high-pressure situations.
Parking garages often contain contrasting light and dark areas. The amount of light present determines how much you can see and what may remain hidden.
How Our Brain and Eyes Work Together
The brain and eyes work in concert to observe and interpret our surroundings. Here's a simplified model:
Sensory Input: Your eyes detect stimuli like movement, colors, and shapes. This raw data enters sensory memory, where it’s held briefly before moving to working memory if deemed necessary. Paying attention to subtle changes in these stimuli can significantly enhance your ability to notice critical details.
Working Memory: This limited-capacity system processes information in real time. To avoid overloading it, focus on the most relevant stimuli in your environment. Techniques like “chunking” information or associating it with familiar patterns can improve working memory efficiency.
Long-Term Memory: When working memory successfully integrates new data with preexisting knowledge, it’s stored in long-term memory for future reference. Regularly revisiting and rehearsing this stored information strengthens retrieval and aids quicker decision-making in similar situations.
The more familiar you are with a place or situation, the more your brain relies on top-down processing — drawing on past experiences to quickly assess the scene. Novices, however, rely more on bottom-up processing, analyzing features like motion or color without prior context.
Take note when an area that’s usually bustling with activity suddenly becomes empty and inactive — it could indicate a potential shift in circumstances.
Geographics, Atmospherics, and Space Awareness
To effectively read places, understanding the concepts of geographics, atmospherics, and space awareness is crucial. These principles form the backbone of situational awareness, enabling you to make informed decisions and stay ahead of potential dangers.
Geographics
This pertains to the way people interact with their environment. Observing habitual areas (public spaces) and anchor points (restricted or private areas, such as your home), you can deduce behavior patterns and potential risks. For instance, a bustling coffee shop is a habitual area, while a locked room in the back of a store might be an anchor point. Understanding these interactions helps you identify areas of safety and vulnerability in any setting.
Natural Lines of Drift
These are paths of least resistance that people and animals naturally follow. In rural wildlife hunting and tracking, these are often called wildlife corridors. Recognizing these lines can help you predict where people will move and identify potential chokepoints or funnels — areas that could become dangerous in an emergency. Awareness of these paths can guide you to safer alternatives in times of crisis. Many in the tactical area refer to a subset of this as the “fatal funnel.” This is often a doorway, or similar entrance where many people will travel through. These are areas to avoid when one needs to escape a situation. Always know alternative exits.
Atmospherics
Rapid environmental changes, such as a sudden crowd gathering or an abrupt absence of people, can signal potential threats. Other clues include graffiti, unusual objects, or specific hand signals. These observations provide context to decide whether to stay, leave, or take action. Staying attuned to these subtle shifts can significantly enhance your preparedness and ability to react effectively.
Positive and Negative Space
Positive space includes solid objects like buildings, trees, or vehicles that naturally attract the eye. Negative space, the areas between these objects, often goes unnoticed but is equally important to observe. Mind clutter is another excellent way to understand this concept. Negative areas are where there’s so much information to process, or the complete absence of it, that the mind cannot or does not process it. Good camouflage typically mimics negative space, so consciously scanning these areas can reveal hidden threats or opportunities. Training your eye to assess both spaces ensures a complete understanding of your surroundings.
Light and Shadow
Shifting light and shadow can conceal or reveal details in your environment. A previously unseen individual or object might appear as lighting conditions change. Observing how light interacts with your surroundings helps maintain awareness of potential risks. Understanding the dynamics of light and shadow can provide a critical edge in recognizing hidden dangers or opportunities.
Glass provides a sense of social distance but doesn’t prevent others from observing your actions and behavior.
Attention and Cognitive Load
Attention is the process of directing focus toward relevant stimuli while filtering out distractions, a crucial component of effective situational awareness. Managing cognitive load — the mental effort required to process information — is key to staying alert and responsive in dynamic situations.
Selective attention plays a vital role in this process. By concentrating on critical elements such as exits, escape routes, or environmental anomalies, you can prioritize what truly matters. Multitasking in high-stakes scenarios, however, can dilute awareness and should be avoided.
To handle cognitive load efficiently, experts employ techniques like “chunking” information and using mnemonics to retain key details. For instance, in a crowded mall, you might mentally associate exits with landmarks like a bookstore or a food court, making them easier to recall in an emergency.
Observation techniques are equally important. Alternating your observation methods helps combat fatigue and prevent change blindness — the inability to notice subtle but significant changes in your surroundings. By periodically rotating your field of vision and using a combination of the naked eye and optical devices, such as binoculars during a wilderness hunt, you can gain fresh perspectives and avoid becoming complacent.
Another advanced skill involves mastering the transition between focused and soft vision. Focused vision allows for intense concentration on specific details, such as spotting a concealed firearm or identifying the exact location of an anomaly. This precision is vital in high-stakes scenarios. In contrast, soft vision expands your awareness, enabling you to scan larger areas without fixating on minute details. This relaxed-but-alert state is especially useful for observing crowds or vast landscapes, such as a hillside in the wilderness, where detecting movement is often more critical than identifying fine details.
Practicing the seamless shift between focused and soft vision enhances your ability to assess and respond to diverse environments effectively. This skill, often emphasized in wilderness survival and awareness training, sharpens your overall situational awareness and prepares you for challenges that demand both precision and adaptability.
An abundance of trash in an area can be a sign of vagrant activity. Stay alert when navigating such spaces.
Creating an Operational Narrative
One of the most effective methods for understanding and navigating an environment is to craft a mental story of the space. By framing observations within a structured narrative, you can gain deeper insights into the dynamics at play and anticipate potential changes. This approach blends careful observation with imagination, enabling you to mentally rehearse scenarios and enhance your preparedness. Begin by identifying the “characters” in your environment. Who are the individuals present, and what roles might they play? Observing details such as body language, attire, and interpersonal interactions can reveal valuable clues about their intentions and relationships. This awareness can help you better assess the social or situational context and identify potential risks or allies.
Next, take time to consider different perspectives. What might others be thinking or feeling? How could your own biases color your interpretation? By attempting to see the situation through their eyes, you can develop a more nuanced understanding of their motivations and emotional states. This exercise not only sharpens your observational skills but also helps reduce blind spots caused by personal assumptions.
Recognizing precipitating events is another critical element of situational storytelling. These are the actions or patterns that might lead to significant outcomes. For example, noticing someone lingering near an exit or displaying heightened anxiety could indicate a developing issue. These “trigger events” often serve as early warning signs, providing you with an opportunity to act proactively.
Finally, anticipate potential courses of action by visualizing scenarios step by step. What if a fire alarm suddenly goes off? How would you respond if someone became aggressive? Mentally rehearsing these situations allows you to map out possible actions, reactions, and counteractions. This preparation reduces hesitation during critical moments, enabling you to respond decisively and effectively when faced with unexpected challenges.
Anchor points, such as “Employees Only” areas, might serve as a refuge or escape route during critical situations like an active shooter event.
Practical Applications
Integrating situational awareness into everyday life transforms abstract concepts into practical skills, enhancing both personal safety and confidence in navigating various environments. By applying these principles, you can proactively address potential risks and maintain control in diverse situations.
Start by understanding the distinction between habitual areas and anchor points. Public spaces are generally open and accessible, while anchor points — such as restricted areas or employee-only zones — are typically off-limits. If you inadvertently enter an anchor point, exit quickly and without confrontation. Recognizing these boundaries not only prevents unnecessary conflicts but also helps you maintain situational control. Consider the possibility that someone might be monitoring your movements. Reflect on where and how you or your family could be easily accessed and adjust your behavior accordingly.
Be mindful of chokepoints and fatal funnels — places where movement is naturally funneled, like narrow hallways or doorways. These areas increase vulnerability by limiting escape routes. Identifying alternate exits in advance can help you avoid these high-risk zones and reduce potential dangers during emergencies.
Reading behavior is another critical skill. Observing subtle cues in body language, such as nervous movements, closed-off postures, or micro-expressions, can provide early warnings about potential aggression or unease in others. This awareness allows you to assess threats and respond proactively before situations escalate.
Environmental clues also play a significant role in situational awareness. Signs of gang activity, like specific graffiti or colors, can indicate areas to avoid. Similarly, take note of the overall condition of your surroundings. Is it orderly and maintained or chaotic and neglected? These details can help you make informed decisions about where to go and what actions to take.
Vehicle awareness is equally important. When driving, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles at stoplights to ensure you have room to maneuver if necessary. Avoid displaying logos or items in your car that could attract thieves. Additionally, familiarize yourself with exits in parking garages or other confined spaces to ensure you have a quick escape route if needed.
Pay attention to light and shadow dynamics as well. Changes in lighting can significantly impact visibility, either revealing or concealing potential threats. For example, shifting light can expose individuals or hazards that might otherwise remain hidden. Always carry a flashlight to illuminate areas that might otherwise be overlooked.
Situational mapping enhances your readiness to respond to dynamic environments. Create a mental map of your surroundings, noting exits, escape routes, and potential hazards. Regularly update this map as you move through spaces, allowing you to adapt quickly to changes. Auditory awareness complements your visual observations. Sudden shifts in sound levels, like unexpected silence or new noises, can signal environmental changes or hidden activities. Listening carefully enables you to detect potential threats that might not yet be visible.
Crowd dynamics offer another layer of insight. Observing the flow and behavior of crowds can reveal emerging threats or opportunities. A sudden surge or dispersion of people, for example, might indicate a volatile situation requiring immediate attention. Understanding these patterns helps you navigate safely and effectively through public spaces.
Avoid providing strangers with conversation starters. Vehicle stickers can reveal personal information that bad actors could use to appear familiar.
Building Situational Awareness Skills
Developing the ability to read places effectively requires consistent practice and an active engagement with your surroundings. By incorporating a variety of techniques, you can refine this critical skill and make situational awareness an integral part of your daily life. One effective method is practicing observation drills. Spend time in public spaces observing people’s behavior, interactions, and movements. Look for patterns and anomalies, such as someone standing still in a busy area or appearing overly nervous or disengaged. Regular practice hones your ability to spot subtle cues and interpret their significance, making it easier to identify potential risks or outliers.
Familiarizing yourself with the layout of frequently visited locations is another valuable step. Study the design of your workplace, local stores, or favorite parks. Take note of exits, chokepoints, and natural lines of drift where people tend to congregate or move. Practice navigating these spaces under different scenarios, imagining how you might leave quickly during an emergency or where you could seek shelter if needed. This preparation helps build muscle memory and confidence in your ability to respond effectively.
Simulation training further enhances situational readiness. Mentally rehearse scenarios you might encounter, such as dealing with an aggressive stranger in a parking lot or responding to a fire alarm in a crowded building. Visualizing these situations conditions your mind and body for quick, decisive action, reducing hesitation during real-life incidents.
Role-playing exercises provide an additional layer of preparation. Engage with friends or family in simulated scenarios, practicing skills like identifying suspicious behavior or planning escape routes. These hands-on experiences reinforce your training and boost confidence in your ability to act under pressure.
Regular environmental scanning is another habit worth cultivating. Train yourself to notice changes in your surroundings, such as shifting light, new objects, or unusual sounds. Incorporating this habit into your daily routine keeps your awareness sharp, even in familiar environments.
Finally, mindfulness practices can significantly enhance your situational awareness. Techniques that focus on staying present in the moment improve your ability to process sensory information, minimize distractions, and make more accurate observations. Being fully engaged with your surroundings ensures you can adapt quickly to changes.
Conclusion
The ability to read places and assess environments is not just a skill for professionals — it’s an essential tool for everyone. You can navigate the world more safely and confidently by enhancing your situational awareness, understanding geographics and atmospherics, and creating operational narratives. Remember, proactively recognizing and avoiding potential dangers is far better than reacting to them after they occur. Practice these techniques regularly, and you’ll find yourself moving through life with heightened awareness and control.
About The Author
Craig Caudill is the director of Nature Reliance School, where he teaches outdoor safety, survival, and tracking skills to individuals and organizations. An accomplished author of several books on backcountry skills, Caudill is also a sought-after consultant for national television and media, including shows like Naked and Afraid and America’s Most Wanted. With decades of experience in wilderness education and situational awareness, Caudill combines practical expertise with a passion for helping others develop resilience and self-reliance. Learn more at www.naturereliance.org.
Let’s start off by looking at the abbreviation SERE: Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. Now, picture what SERE training looks like in your mind. There is a high chance that you’re picturing military personnel in some type of austere and remote environment, faces painted with camouflage, hiding from hostiles just across the river or mountain range.
Now, what I want to do is dispel the myth that SERE is only for the military and teach you that with awareness, an appropriate survival kit, and properly dressing for each situation, you can confidently navigate and mitigate life-threatening situations.
SERE skills apply to any situation that requires getting off the “X” to somewhere safe.
SERE Principle: Survival
Separating the concept of survival from the broader framework of SERE is a logical starting point. Survival, at its core, encompasses enduring and overcoming challenges in situations such as a plane crash in the jungle, weathering a hurricane along the coast, or navigating the chaos of riots and looting in an urban setting. It’s a universal skill set, reflected in the variety of survival kits tailored for specific needs — your backpack, your car, or even doomsday scenarios. While these practices are often associated with military training, survival itself transcends those boundaries, serving as a critical foundation for resilience in any environment.
SERE Principle: Evasion
Building on the example of navigating riots or looting in your city, we can begin to understand how SERE principles apply outside of a military setting. Evasion involves steering clear of volatile protests, avoiding high-risk neighborhoods, or blending into your surroundings while traveling abroad to avoid petty thieves or more dangerous traffickers. In some cases, the dangers are obvious. In others, they’re subtler and harder to identify. Successfully avoiding these risks hinges on situational awareness, a critical skill we’ll explore in greater detail later.
SERE Principle: Resistance
Resistance might take a bit more convincing when it comes to its relevance in everyday life. In a military SERE context, Resistance focuses on enduring interrogation and resisting the manipulative tactics captors use. But consider this: By the time you finish reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ll have received a scam text, email or phone call. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), thousands of exploitation scam complaints are filed daily in the United States. Statistically, you’re far more likely to face this kind of threat than to be held hostage by hostile forces. This is where the principle of resistance comes into play — staying calm, maintaining a clear head, and falling back on your training when a scammer attempts to manipulate you by holding sensitive information hostage or exploiting you for money.
SERE Principle: Escape
This is a concept that’s easier to connect to everyday life than it might seem at first. By now, your mind is likely reframing SERE principles through your own experiences. Escaping might look like evacuating after a hurricane, leaving a city engulfed in riots and protests, or finding a safe way home after your car breaks down in a risky part of town. These are real scenarios people face daily around the world.
Unfortunately, even more extreme cases exist — like the story of rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden, who were taken hostage in 2000 by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan during what should have been a simple climbing trip. The need to escape can take many forms, and recognizing the right time and method requires careful development of this essential skill.
The core principles of SERE have the potential to save your life or the lives of your loved ones. While there’s only so much that can be covered here, I’ve chosen to highlight a few key skills you can start focusing on and implementing today. To truly master these concepts, I encourage you to expand your knowledge by taking classes, practicing regularly, diving into informative books, and staying ready for whatever challenges may arise.
Depending on your location, how you dress will allow you to blend in seamlessly with the crowd, or make you stand out like sore thumb.
Cultivating Awareness
My first real introduction to the skill of awareness came at the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School with Tim Smith, where I spent three months immersed in the wilderness of northern Maine. One of the daily exercises Smith had us practice was called the “Sit Spot.” Every day, for months, we would return to the exact same location at the same time, sit quietly and still for at least 30 minutes, and observe the world around us. Afterward, we’d record everything we saw, heard, smelled, or noticed.
That first day was tough — boredom set in quickly, especially coming from a world flooded with constant, high-intensity content on our phones and TVs. But as the exercise progressed, I began to notice things I had missed before. One day, it was a plant or tree that had somehow escaped my attention earlier. Another day, it was the same squirrel, going about its routine, revealing patterns I hadn’t recognized. Over time, I began to see the subtle shifts in the environment — how the seasons and weather slowly transformed the landscape.
Interestingly, Smith isn’t the only one to teach this kind of awareness practice. Recently, I spent a couple of weeks at the renowned Tracker School with the legendary Tom Brown, Jr., and they used the exact same training technique.
While watching squirrels in trees or leaves falling may not feel immediately relevant, practicing awareness in real-world situations — like traveling on public transport — is absolutely essential. It’s shockingly easy to miss critical warning signs when you’re distracted. Imagine sitting on a bus with headphones in, engrossed in a YouTube video on your phone. Meanwhile, you could be oblivious to a robbery unfolding nearby, an argument escalating into a fight, or even a shooting or a human trafficker scanning for potential victims.
Awareness is a skill that requires consistent practice, but it’s arguably the most important one you can develop. Unlike physical gear, it adds no extra weight to carry, passes through airline security with ease, and can remain active in every moment of your life.
Here are some practical tips I’ve picked up for incorporating awareness into everyday life:
Headphones are fine to use when traveling or stuck on a plane, but I prefer bone conduction headphones. These allow me to stay aware of my surroundings while still enjoying audio. They’ve helped me notice a black bear just 20 feet away while trail running and hear a plane’s intercom call for medical personnel, allowing me to step in and help a fellow passenger.
In restaurants, I always choose tables against a wall and position myself to have the widest view of entrances and exits.
When traveling, I make it a point to gather local information. For example, on a bus in an unfamiliar area, I’ll often strike up conversations with older passengers, who tend to stay off their phones, and they’ll share insights about places to visit — or avoid.
I also pay attention to behavior, keeping an eye out for people who seem “out of place” or whose actions don’t quite fit the environment.
These moments often serve as early warning signs. This list could go on, but my best advice is to read books on awareness, take classes, and practice using it as a daily tool. The more you hone it, the more natural it becomes.
Traveling abroad presents unique challenges and may require important personal documents to overcome.
Survival Kits Are a Must
Survival kits vary depending on the situation, but I’ve noticed there are certain items I reach for repeatedly in my daily life or while traveling. These essentials have prepared me for a wide range of scenarios without weighing me down — because let’s face it, carrying a 72-hour bug-out bag everywhere isn’t practical. My approach is all about balance: selecting items that improve my quality of life no matter the circumstances, whether things go sideways, or everything stays perfectly routine.
The Traveling Loadout
When traveling abroad, the most important thing you can carry is extra identification and essential paperwork. When I travel solo, I always bring photocopies of my driver’s license, military ID, passport, and an emergency contact list. The contact list is especially crucial — it ensures that if I’m involved in a serious accident and unable to communicate, medical staff can quickly identify me and contact my loved ones.
Next on the list is cash. I always keep $100 USD stashed outside my wallet, hidden on my person, along with $50to $100 USD in local currency in my wallet. The exact amount of local currency depends on the exchange rate and the cost of living in the area I’m visiting. In most situations, $100 USD can go a long way — whether it’s securing emergency transportation or seeking assistance from locals.
Finally, my go-to piece of gear is the Wazoo Cache Belt with the Adventure Kit. It’s a discreet, TSA-compliant solution that gives me access to a variety of survival tools, including fire-starting materials, a ceramic utility knife, signaling devices, and water purification gear — all without drawing attention. It’s also the perfect place to stash that emergency $100 bill as part of my everyday carry.
Where concealed carry is allowed, a firearm and knife become a part of the home range loadout.
The Home Range Loadout
The foundation of this loadout is the same Wazoo Cache Belt I use for travel, equipped with the same versatile gear inside. From there, I add a few key items tailored to my daily environment. A folding pocket-knife or fixed blade is always part of my setup, paired with a reliable flashlight. Living in a state where I can legally conceal carry, I also never leave home without a firearm for self-protection.
This kit provides a broad range of options to handle survival situations, protect yourself and your family, and even avoid danger altogether by evacuating preemptively. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed more EDC setups evolving into what looks like gear for a week-long camping trip, even for something as simple as a grocery run. As Kochanski wisely said, “The more you know, the less you have to carry,” and I aim to strike that balance with every loadout.
A WAZOO Cache Belt can store an entire WAZOO Adventure Kit, which has everything someone would need to take care of most vital necessities in an emergency.
The Vehicle Loadout
This kit is a reflection of your self-reliance and preparedness. Jumper cables are a must-have for any vehicle, but adding a jumper battery box elevates your readiness to the next level. Equip your car with essential tools, spare parts, and the knowledge to handle basic repairs on the road. With the added capacity for extra weight, keeping a 72-hour bag in your trunk is a practical investment.
A well-stocked medical first aid kit is another essential item in my vehicle, supplemented with tourniquets stashed in various compartments for quick access. To add a layer of modern camouflage, I include items like a yellow construction vest and work gloves. Pairing these with a magnetic yellow flasher that attaches to the roof of your vehicle can give the impression of purpose and authority, whether you’re parking in an unusual spot or dealing with a roadside breakdown.
Having an emergency kit in your vehicle will make handling common break down issues a breeze and provide much needed peace of mind.
Dress Strategically
In my experience, this is one of the most overlooked skills in the survival community. If you’re heading to the woods for a deer hunt, you likely know exactly how to dress for the occasion. The same goes for a trip to the gun range or attending a survival class. Even a run to the grocery store or the shopping center? You’re probably dressing comfortably and appropriately without much thought. So, what makes this skill so overlooked? Let me explain.
Let’s imagine you’re packing up for a European vacation. It’s rainy this time of year, so you grab your bright red Patagonia rain jacket. You want to keep your passport and important papers handy, so you go with those 5.11 cargo pants for the extra pockets. And, of course, you toss in one of your trusty ball caps — maybe the Magpul hat that came with your last online order or your well-loved camo hunting cap. Now, step back for a second. It’s becoming pretty obvious that you’re going to stand out in Europe. This is the gray man paradox in action. Learning to dress appropriately for your surroundings without drawing attention is a skill that takes time to develop.
Just as you’d consider the natural environment when choosing camouflage for the woods, you need to apply the same logic to urban or international settings. Failing to do so makes you an obvious target. For instance, Europeans typically don’t wear tactical gear or bright colors, so it’s essential to consider the local culture and adapt accordingly. What would blending in look like in India? South America? Mexico? Camouflage isn’t just for the wilderness — it's about matching your environment wherever you are. The best way to avoid a dangerous situation is to avoid looking like a target in the first place.
The idea that SERE skills are only for downed pilots and military operators is a myth. Everyone can benefit from these important capabilities.
Here’s another piece of advice: I always opt for closed-toed shoes with laces whenever possible. I’m not suggesting you wear hiking boots to the beach on your Cabo vacation, but being able to run properly in a pinch is your first line of defense in evasion and escape.
Face coverings are another great tool and an easy way to disguise yourself. In the post-COVID world, medical masks are much more common, and wearing one on public transport makes you harder to read as a target. Similarly, a buff or scarf can be incredibly useful when moving through crowded cities. Covering your face makes it more challenging for an attacker to pick up on subtle details.
Your face often reveals more than you realize — whether it’s a moment of looking lost, scanning your surroundings for landmarks, or simply enjoying the sights in a new area. Locals and opportunistic predators alike can pick up on these cues. A face covering helps minimize that signature, keeping you safer and less noticeable.
Blending in with your surroundings is a core SERE principle
Practice Makes Perfect
I want to emphasize this: Taking classes and practicing skills is essential. But even simply adopting the mindset described in this article can save your life by applying the SERE principles to everyday situations. This information serves as a preventive skill, which is even more important. While it's excellent to know how to escape captivity, you're more likely to encounter someone scouting for targets and need to avoid becoming one, rather than being the target who then needs to escape. Practice your awareness, carry a suitable survival kit, and dress the part.
About The Author
Peter Magnin is a retired Air Force veteran who trained with SERE instructors while stationed at the 352nd Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall. He's currently a NR-Wilderness EMT. After retiring, he continued survival training by studying under Mors Kochanski in Canada, spent 30 days in the desert at Boulder Outdoor Survival School, three months in northern Maine with Tim Smith at Jack Mountain Bushcraft, trained advanced tracking with Tom Brown Jr., and spent a lot of time with his first mentor, retired SERE instructor Terry Barney. He has been leading Amazon jungle expeditions with Joe Flowers since 2018. He was an instructor at both 2018 and 2022 Global Bushcraft Symposiums. He was asked to speak as a subject matter expert on jungle survival at the 7th SFG Jungle Warfare Symposium in 2022.
Join Patrick “PD” Diedrich, Senior Editor of RECOIL OFFGRID and host of the OFFGRID Podcast, as he explores SHOT Show 2025 in search of the latest self-reliance, survival, and emergency preparedness gear. From Condor Tool & Knife’s jungle-ready machetes to TOPS Knives’ newest blades and 5.11 Tactical’s innovative packs, footwear, and everyday carry solutions, this video has you covered.
Plus, we dive into trauma kits and medical essentials with a real Special Forces medic, highlighting why first aid is just as crucial as a sharp edge. Whether you’re mastering bushcraft skills, stocking up on trauma kits, or updating your EDC gear, this SHOT Show coverage has something for every off-grid enthusiast. For more in-depth features and product reviews, be sure to check out RECOIL OFFGRID magazine and subscribe to the OFFGRID Podcast, because self-reliance starts with the right mindset and the best gear.
Find More Info on the Highlighted Gear From SHOT Show 2025
There are many reasons why people have had to run through the wilderness and practice survival evasion against much larger forces in a desperate pursuit of their freedom or life. Ranging from world wars, ideological or ethnic genocide, or widespread chaos and a failure of civility. Regardless of the reason, when it’s required, the skill becomes much like a parachute to a man falling from the sky — extremely helpful.
Initiating the first phase of evasion should occur as soon as it becomes clear that avoiding a larger, more powerful force is necessary. Again, it could be an undercover operative getting discovered and needing to break contact. Or a downed helicopter pilot, waking after a crash far beyond the friendly lines. Or perhaps it’s a small family trying to get to their bug-out location safely during the zombie apocalypse. Whatever the circumstances, the first phase is immediate actions, and it’s the “oh sh*t” moment when you realize you’re being hunted.
Make use of your surroundings to blend in and avoid detection from pursuers.
Survival Evasion Phase 1: Immediate Actions
If you still have communication capabilities (and aren’t “NORDO” — a real term meaning “no radio”), calling for help should be a top priority. For military personnel, this might involve using covert electronic methods to avoid detection, such as activating the IMM button on a Combat Survivor Evader Locator radio. Civilians can achieve the same goal by discreetly notifying a trusted contact, perhaps by sending an email to let them know you’re enacting your plan and will be on the move. Tools like a Garmin InReach or other satellite communication devices are excellent options for staying off the grid while sending out a call for assistance.
If you’re carrying sensitive information, it’s critical to eliminate anything you won’t be taking with you. This means destroying anything that could give away your plans or location. For military personnel, this is referred to as “dash-one” procedures — making classified equipment and data completely unusable. For civilians, it’s about ensuring there’s no trace of where you’re headed or how you plan to get there. Even something seemingly harmless, like a map folded to highlight a specific area or smudged with oil from your hands, could tip off a pursuer. Notes written in shorthand or unencrypted coordinates can be gold mines for anyone tracking you. These small details are exactly what enemy intelligence teams look for. Don’t give them that advantage. If you have to keep certain sensitive items, always have a plan to destroy them if capture becomes imminent.
A hide site should provide enough shelter and security to afford a brief respite before moving on to the next evasion phase.
At this stage, it’s crucial to gather all necessary and available resources. Consider everything you might need to accomplish quickly and efficiently. Focus on items that can aid your travel, minimize your visibility, and won’t weigh you down. Whether it’s grabbing your go-bag or packing up your Jeep Wrangler, this is often the first step that comes to mind. Now is the time to put all those carefully planned preparations into action. If your vehicle is out of commission, salvage what you can — improvised tools or parts could make all the difference in the journey ahead.
Keep your five basic survival needs in mind:
1. Communication 2. Health 3. Protection from the elements and threats 4. Sustenance (water and food) 5. Efficient travel
Focus on quickly gathering items that support these essentials without weighing yourself down. If something can make a difference in one of these areas and you can grab it without compromising your mobility, take it.
If your situation begins with a high-speed impact or a chaotic ambush and you’re dealing with serious injuries — like bleeding heavily — address those first. However, if it’s something minor that you can push through, dig deep and stay focused. Don’t let hesitation or delay put you at risk of capture. Many POWs and hostages found themselves in that position simply because they didn’t act quickly enough to start moving when they had the chance. Time is critical — get moving as soon as possible.
Good use of camouflage effectively breaks up the outline of features that might give you away.
Survival Evasion Phase 2: Initial Movement
This phase is all about “getting off the X,” a term that means moving as quickly as possible to escape immediate danger and avoid being a stationary target. It’s about rapid movement toward your intended goal, ensuring you’re not where the threat expects you to be. The only exception to this rule is if you can immediately create a false trail to mislead less-skilled trackers, buying yourself more time and distance. Which direction should you head? That depends. Do you know where you are? Having a general sense of your location is critical for making accurate decisions, which underscores the importance of studying terrain and maps beforehand, especially in unfamiliar areas. You need to know both your intended destination and where you might encounter adversaries along the way.
For military personnel, this relies heavily on how well you absorbed the pre-mission briefing. You’ll likely have an evasion plan of action (EPA) detailing the direction to move, approximate distances, and other crucial information like communication plans, authentication codes, and methods for securing transmissions.
Don’t neglect camouflaging your gear.
For civilians, this falls under the category of worst-case scenario planning. Ideally, before engaging in high-risk activities, you’ve accounted for both your MDCOA (most dangerous course of action) and MLCOA (most likely course of action). In simpler terms, this means preparing for the worst possible situation while also anticipating the most probable challenges you’ll face. Planning ahead is the foundation of successful evasion.
Speed is your best security. How fast can you move? If you don’t have electronic devices that can be tracked, any pursuit will begin at your last known location. Your priority is to create as much distance as possible from that starting point as quickly as you can. Focus on time, distance, and terrain. Your goal is to delay and mislead your pursuers at every opportunity. Use tactics like creating false leads, setting misleading trails, and carefully masking your direction of travel. Small, quick actions can make a big difference: Sweep away tracks, restore disturbed foliage to its original position, and stick to hard surfaces to avoid leaving prints in loose or wet soil. Every second you gain and every sign you erase increases your chances of staying ahead.
Distance is critical. You need to put as much space as possible between yourself and your pursuers, ideally in a direction they won’t anticipate. Successful evasion hinges on being unpredictable to the enemy while remaining predictable to recovery forces or allies. Outpacing your pursuers is essential. If it means upgrading to a bicycle, commandeering a boat, or finding another unconventional mode of transportation, so be it. Creativity in your travel methods and routes is key to maximizing separation from your last known location and staying one step ahead.
Terrain is your ally. Think harsh, rugged, unforgiving terrain that slows your enemy down and disrupts their pursuit. Use the landscape to your advantage with terrain masking to stay out of sight and seek dense overhead cover to evade aerial threats like drones, FLIR, or thermal imaging. Remember, the hardest paths for you to navigate will be just as challenging for your pursuers. If they’re using tracking dogs, focus on outsmarting the handlers. After all, the dogs can only move as fast as their human counterparts. Instead of striving for an impossible goal of leaving no scent or trail, focus on strategies to outmaneuver and outlast the team chasing you. Use their limitations to your advantage.
Exploiting easy hide sites like this cave will save time, but make sure to conceal the entrance and any trails leading to it.
Survival Evasion Phase 3: Hide Site
No one can keep running indefinitely, so when you’ve reached your limit, it’s time to find a concealed spot to rest, regroup, and address your security needs. Use this pause to strategize and take care of any injuries that weren’t immediately life-threatening but still need attention before they worsen through blood loss or infection. If your med kit isn’t up to the task, it’s time to get resourceful. Channel your inner MacGyver and improvise to maintain your health. Look at what you have on hand. Could it serve as a splint, sling, or pressure bandage? Creativity and quick thinking here can make the difference between staying in the fight and being forced out of it. Communication is absolutely critical in a situation like this. Make every effort to reach out to your recovery team or anyone providing assistance to share your condition and location, as well as to receive updated intelligence. If there’s a closer quick reaction force available or if enemy positions have shifted, you’ll be grateful you took the time to establish contact. Flexibility is key, and your plans will need to adapt to changing circumstances.
Maintaining effective communication can be tricky when you’re in hiding, since the best concealment spots often have poor signal. Strive to find a location that balances concealment with connectivity, ensuring your device — whether it’s HF radio, SAT comms, or even a covert ground-to-air signal — can function effectively. Staying in touch with recovery forces or allies is crucial to getting out safely. Ration your food and water carefully to maintain your energy. While rest is essential, security takes priority. If you’re with a small group, establish a rotating watch schedule to ensure someone is always on guard. If you're alone, set up early warning systems to alert you to approaching threats.
Sensitive information, like maps or important notes, should be destroyed before pursuers can use it for their own intelligence efforts.
Conceal yourself and your equipment to minimize your signature. Consider the adversary’s capabilities. Use visual, auditory, and thermal camouflage as needed. Continuously improve and maintain your concealment by reducing shine, noise, and any unnatural colors or shapes. If necessary, incorporate natural materials like foliage, ash, or mud to blend in with the environment. Effective camouflage is a skill that can always be refined.
When it’s time to move, leave no trace of your presence. If complete erasure isn’t practical, eliminate as much evidence as possible. Your safety — and that of those coming to help — may depend on how well you cover your tracks.
Use all your senses to detect potential pursuers. Sounds, smells, and visual signs can give ample warning if you’re being situationally aware.
Survival Evasion Phase 4: Evasion Movement
It’s time to move from your hide site. Ideally, you’re venturing out under the darkest skies, the harshest storms, or the most extreme conditions nature can provide. Wind masks noise and movement, rain erases tracks, and snow buries them. Adverse weather combined with the cover of darkness creates the perfect conditions for evasion. Minimize daylight movement unless it’s absolutely unavoidable.
Now, it’s a delicate balance between speed and security. Move with the silence of a shadow and the invisibility of a ghost. Stick to dense terrain and deep shadows where visibility is minimal. Eliminate your sound and light signature and take care to leave no trace. No footprints, no broken foliage, no clues that could betray your path.
Stop, look, listen, and smell (SLLS) — make this a regular habit. These moments of heightened awareness can be the difference between detecting the enemy first or being discovered. Can you catch the scent of smoke, diesel, or cooking food? In dense foliage (where you should ideally be), your senses of hearing and smell are often more reliable than sight. Stay sharp — your survival depends on it.
If you do get discovered, you’ll want to try to break contact, but remember you’re back to Phase 2 and now they have an updated last known. This is doubly bad because this also means they know which direction you’re traveling, if they didn’t before. So, stay hidden and fade into the background. Caution is the better part of valor here. Let your primal instincts for survival heighten your alertness, and you may be surprised at what you feel.
Taking shelter while evading should be clandestine, and not stand out as an obvious place someone is hunkering down.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it likely is. Pay attention to pre-event indicators, such as things that seem out of place for the time of day or location. Equally important are the subtle absences — situations where you expect something to be present, but it’s not. Maintaining strong situational awareness is a constant effort and one of your most valuable tools for staying ahead of potential threats.
When crossing linear danger areas, like roads, power lines, or firebreaks, it’s essential to conceal your direction of travel. Avoid crossing in a straight line that aligns with your overall movement; this makes it easier for trackers to follow your trail. Always move from one point of concealment to another, and whenever possible, cross at a sharp bend or curve rather than along a long, straight section. Steer clear of open terrain and populated areas, as these increase the risk of being spotted or compromised. Instead, navigate around these obstacles, using natural cover to remain hidden and maintain your security. Prioritize stealth and unpredictability in every move.
Be careful not to leave obvious signs behind, like broken branches, disturbed leaf litter or footprints.
Survival Evasion Phase 5: Recovery
Your journey finally concludes when you’re either discovered or reunited with friendly forces. This could mean arriving at your bug-out location alongside trusted allies, reaching a forward operating base, or linking up with a local asset in a designated area for recovery. Whatever form it takes, this is the moment you’ve been striving toward for hours — or even days — and it’s as welcome as an ice cream truck in the middle of the Sahara.
Remember, you may be linking up at a designated time and place, or you might need to flag down someone aligned with your cause. In either case, getting noticed could require prearranged signals or on-the-spot improvisation. If you have electronic communication with your recovery team, that’s ideal. If not, be ready to get creative. A bit of reflective material, a flare, or even a whistle can grab attention when needed. Contrasting fabric or an object you can wave in the air could also do the trick. If you’re equipped, tools like tracers or IR lasers can be effective as well. Whatever your method, have it prepared in advance to deploy quickly in case of an unexpected sighting.
Be careful though. Surprising your allies in enemy-controlled territory is a quick way to learn that friendly fire is anything but. Always ensure your actions are non-threatening — think of the classic hands-up gesture, like a French salute. More importantly, be ready to authenticate your identity to avoid any confusion. Even if a team of pararescuemen is fast-roping out of an HH-60 Blackhawk and kicking down your captor’s front door, they’ll need to confirm it’s actually you before loading your battered self onto a stretcher and getting you out.
Help your rescuers by making authentication simple — they’re risking life and limb to bring you home. Once you’ve confirmed your identity and linked up with them, you’ll finally be in safe hands. From there, you can recover and start planning how to secure a decisive victory against the adversaries who had you on the run in the first place.
“Amat victoria curam” — preparation creates victory.
About the Author
Michael Caughran served as a U.S. Air Force SERE specialist, equipping aircrew and warfighters for their worst scenario behind enemy lines. Founder of ARC, a veteran operated training company, he actively teaches survival as well as combative and defensive firearm courses around the country.
Peter Magnin’s path to becoming a survival expert reads like something out of an adventure novel, blending raw experiences in military service, immersive journeys into primitive skills, and years spent guiding expeditions through some of the world’s most challenging environments. From SERE training with special operations personnel to brain-tanning moose hides and leading survival courses in the Amazon rainforest, Magnin’s insights into survival, bushcraft, and mindset reflect hard-earned lessons. In this interview, he shares his journey, the critical differences between survival and bushcraft, and why a knife, a lighter, and situational awareness can mean the difference between life and death.
Training in the U.S. Air Force sparked an intense desire to forge survival skills in a multitude of environments.
Interview With Peter Magnin
How did you first get started in survival, and what sparked your interest?
Peter Magnin: It started when I was a kid. My dad was from northern Wisconsin, a classic woodsman. Every summer, we’d spend weeks at a little cabin near Mellon, Wisconsin, during peak mosquito season. He’d be out there fishing, completely unfazed by the bugs while my brothers and I were miserable. I remember watching shows like Survivorman with Les Stroud, and I’ll admit, even a little Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls. Those early influences planted the seed, but it didn’t click for me as a real path until I joined the Air Force. At my first duty station, I met SERE instructors who were teaching survival skills full-time, and that was it. I knew I wanted to do that. I was fascinated by the idea of turning a childhood love of playing in the woods into something professional and impactful.
Can you describe your role in the Air Force and how it led you to survival training?
I joined the Air Force in 2012 as an aircraft hydraulics specialist and later became fully qualified as a crew chief. My first assignment was at Mildenhall in England, working on MC-130s — aircraft made for high-intensity, special operations missions. At 18, I was thrown into a world where everything was high stakes, and it made me want to push myself further. There were SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) instructors stationed at our base to train flight crews and special operations personnel. I didn’t even know SERE existed before that, but seeing what they did immediately hooked me. I approached them, told them I wanted to train with them, and they made it happen. For the last six months of that assignment, I spent most of my time learning from those instructors. Field ops, navigation, and survival scenarios — it shaped everything that came after.
You deployed to Africa, which was a pivotal point in your career. What happened?
That deployment was rough — small unit, poor conditions. We had porta-potties, sometimes holes for bathrooms, and maybe one shower a week. I worked 14- to 16-hour days for months, and eventually, I developed skin infections that turned into MRSA. The only medical care was a Navy nurse in a shipping crate handing me antibiotics — 20 or 30 pills a day. It destroyed my gut. When I came home, I started losing weight, 50 pounds in a few months. Eventually I was diagnosed with a digestive issue that got me medically retired. At the time, it was devastating. I’d been on track to retrain as a permanent SERE instructor, and suddenly that door was closed. But, in a way, it pushed me down a different path.
How did you recover after the military, and what role did survival play?
Recovery was slow — months in bed where I couldn’t even mow the lawn. I couldn’t do much physically, so I started reading survival books and watching YouTube videos just to stay engaged. It went from five books to 10 to 100. Eventually, I decided to stop just reading and start doing. When I was finally healthy enough, I began experimenting with skills in the woods. I realized pretty quickly how hard survival was despite all the theory I’d learned, and that’s when I found my first mentor, Terry Barney, through a bushcraft forum. He taught classes that gave me the hands-on instruction I needed. Survival became a lifeline for me; it gave me a sense of purpose and a way forward.
Is there an important difference between survival and bushcraft?
Survival is about staying alive, getting seen, and getting help — at any cost. It’s practical and immediate. Bushcraft, on the other hand, is about using natural materials to live comfortably in the wilderness. There’s overlap, because in survival, you might need to use bushcraft techniques, like building a shelter out of logs. But survival has different priorities. If you’re lost, you should signal for help before wasting time on a fire or shelter. That’s the mindset difference. People blur the lines, and it can get dangerous when they treat bushcraft like survival.
You spent three months at Jack Mountain Bushcraft School. What was that like?
That experience was life changing. You don’t really understand something like a primitive shelter until you sleep in it, tweak it, and live in it for weeks. At Jack Mountain, we spent every day immersed in skills: carving canoe paddles, brain-tanning moose hides, and cooking every meal over fire. The firewood management alone gives you a whole new perspective. It’s grueling work, but that time is critical. I completed the Journeyman Program, which was a massive list of skills and challenges — weeks in shelters, animal tracking, plant ID, expedition planning. Only one person had completed it before me, Sam Larson from Alone. That program pushed me further than anything I’d done before.
How did you go from that to getting involved in guiding jungle expeditions?
I met Joe Flowers at the Global Bushcraft Symposium in Canada. I’d already mastered boreal forest skills and wanted to challenge myself with something new: jungle survival. Joe noticed my experience as a wilderness EMT and trip leader, so he invited me on one of his Amazon expeditions. During that trip, he kept giving me more responsibilities, and by the end, he told me, “You’re coming back next year, but you’re working for me.” Since then, I’ve guided trips with him every year and even led some of my own for media projects. Now it feels like my whole year revolves around getting back to the jungle.
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in the jungle?
There are so many, but one that stands out was my first time with the Matis tribe. They decided to catch an electric eel — 7- or 8-feet long — hiding in a muddy puddle the size of a chair. They spent hours crushing vines to deoxygenate the water and scooping out mud until the eel finally surfaced. When they speared it, I couldn’t believe something that massive had come from such a small puddle. Later, I tried catching one bare-handed as part of a Matis “rite of passage” prank. It shocked me so hard that my entire body seized up, and I fell backward. It became tradition. At the end of every trip, anyone who wants to try catching an eel can jump in with me. Most people don’t last long.
What critical skills do you rely on when guiding expeditions in the jungle?
The two most important skills are awareness and managing group dynamics. Awareness in the jungle is critical because the consequences of small mistakes are amplified. I’ve pulled countless thorns out of people’s legs and feet because they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings. The Matis can run barefoot through dense jungle while looking up at monkeys in the trees. They have this incredible ability to process subtle environmental clues, like how a tree fell or the way water ripples. Most people don’t have that awareness. On top of that, managing expedition behavior is essential. I constantly check in with people, watch for fatigue, and make sure no one is pushing themselves to the point of injury. Whether it’s machete cuts or venomous insects, you need to stay ahead of problems before they escalate.
What’s your must-have survival gear in the jungle?
If I had to narrow it down, my essentials are a knife, a lighter, a headlamp, and water. A whistle for signaling is critical too. Over the years, I’ve refined my kit to make sure I always have it on me, even when swimming. I designed a knife that clips onto swim trunks and doesn’t rust, and I use Exotac’s waterproof lighter holder to keep my fire starter safe. The jungle gets pitch black at night — no light gets through the canopy — so a headlamp is non-negotiable. The right gear can mean the difference between being comfortable and being miserable, or even between life and death.
What mindset is most important in a survival situation?
The mindset that matters most is maintaining a positive mental attitude, but that’s not something you can just switch on. It has to be trained. You need to put yourself in tough situations and practice staying positive under pressure. I like to use the analogy of an apple: You can go through life thinking you’re an apple, but when you’re squeezed, orange juice comes out. Survival situations reveal what you’re truly made of, and the only way to prepare for that is to test yourself. Over time, those experiences give you a baseline to draw from, which can make all the difference when things go wrong.
How do you stay prepared in extreme environments like the jungle?
Preparation in the jungle comes down to paying attention to the smallest details. Something as simple as improperly setting up a tarp can lead to your sleeping bag and gear getting soaked, and in the jungle, that’s a serious issue. I’ve seen people lose machetes or have their packs invaded by ants because they didn’t take precautions. It takes a week or two of being out there to develop the right mindset — double-checking your kit, keeping things off the ground, and always thinking a step ahead. Preparedness is a constant effort, but it’s what keeps you comfortable and safe in extreme conditions.
How do you prepare your students for survival scenarios?
I focus on breaking down concepts into the simplest steps and making them relatable. For example, one of my mentors, Andre-Francis Bourbeau, used scenarios to challenge students’ assumptions. He’d take people out on a snowmobile, strip them of essential gear, and create situations where survival seemed impossible. The point was to show that survival is about the simplest solutions, like blowing a whistle for rescue instead of overcomplicating things. When I teach, I emphasize practicality. For instance, with fire-building, I’ll show students how to start a fire with one match and kerosene, because that’s what survival is about. Then, we work backward to harder techniques, but I always prioritize what works in a real emergency.
How do you differentiate your teaching for different audiences?
The skills themselves don’t change, but the way I teach them does. I tailor my examples and stories to the audience, whether it’s enthusiasts, military personnel, or first responders. A big part of being a good instructor is learning how to teach. I’ve spent years not just honing my survival skills, but also studying how to communicate them effectively. You can be an expert at something and still fail to teach it if you don’t know how to connect with people. Every group is different, and understanding how they think is key to making lessons stick.
What’s the most common mistake people make in survival situations?
The most common mistake I see is a lack of awareness. Moving too quickly and not paying attention to what’s happening around them. In the jungle, this often leads to stepping on black palm thorns or running into ants and wasps. I’ve seen people get hurt because they missed subtle clues, like the way a tree fell or the presence of vines that indicate hidden dangers. Survival is about slowing down and observing your surroundings. Most mistakes happen because people are rushing or panicking, and the jungle punishes that behavior harshly.
What draws you to teaching primitive skills?
Primitive skills are powerful because they strip everything down to the basics. When you learn something like bow drill fire, you’re creating an element of life — fire — using nothing but your body’s energy and the materials around you. It’s humbling and empowering at the same time. At Jack Mountain, we had to log hundreds of bow drills, tracking weather, humidity, and wood types. To make it even harder, we were encouraged to burn our sets after every fire, so we’d have to start from scratch each time. Those experiences taught me not just the skills, but also the patience and determination needed to succeed in challenging environments.
Do you have any advice for beginners starting survival training?
My biggest advice is to take classes. Watching videos and reading books is fine, but there’s no substitute for hands-on learning with a vetted instructor. Survival skills are tactile. You need to feel the bow drill, see the ember form, and make mistakes with someone guiding you. It’s also important to start with the basics and build from there. Don’t jump into advanced techniques until you’ve mastered the fundamentals.
How do you vet survival instructors?
Vetting survival instructors can be tricky, but the key is looking into their background and mentors. The best instructors are usually part of a lineage. They’ve trained under someone reputable and can trace their knowledge back to the greats. Hands-on instruction is non-negotiable. I can tell within 30 seconds of watching someone on Instagram whether they learned a skill from YouTube or a real mentor. If you’re serious about survival, do your homework on who you’re learning from.
Are there any resources you would recommend to those interested in survival?
There are so many great resources, but one I always recommend is the Bushcraft USA forum. It’s been around for years and is still active today. It’s a great place to find knowledge, connect with experienced people, and learn at your own pace. For books, I’ve read hundreds, but I’ll always suggest starting with a handful of the classics:
SAS Handbook by John “Lofty” Wiseman
Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski
Outdoor Survival Skills by Dean Olsen
What’s next on your survival journey?
Right now, I’m cofounding a nonprofit called Veterans in the Wild with a retired Navy chaplain. We’re running wilderness trips for veterans, and we’ve already got 10 trips lined up this year. It’s a big undertaking, especially with a toddler and a newborn at home, but it’s a passion project I believe in. Beyond that, I’m continuing to improve the jungle expeditions I lead every year and taking on private instruction and media projects through my LLC, Peter Magnin Survival. My goal is to keep teaching, learning, and sharing these skills with as many people as I can.
About Peter Magnin
Hometown: Sumter, South Carolina
Education: Associate of Science, Fish and Wildlife Management
Recommended Survival Schools:
Boulder Outdoor Survival School
California Survival School
Jack Mountain Bushcraft
Howl Bushcraft
Favorite Food: Homemade beef bulgogi
Favorite Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Favorite Quote: “The more you know, the less you have to carry. The less you know, the more you have to carry.” -Mors Kochanski
Oh, the great outdoors. It’s the perfect place to escape the chaos of the city and reconnect with nature. But what happens when your day hike goes wrong, and you find yourself stranded in the wilderness overnight? That’s precisely what happened to me, and boy, did I learn the importance of packing the right hiking gear.
It all started as a simple day hike, but the weather had other plans. A sudden snowstorm hit; before I knew it, I was lost and alone in the wilderness. I realized I was in for a long night. But thanks to my trusty pack and strong mindset, I was able to make the best of the situation.
Mission Specific
I used to go for speed and miles in the woods. These days, my goals remain simple: hiking, crafting, cooking, and foraging. Regardless of all the gear, a person doesn’t need much — or the latest and greatest hiking gear — to have fun in the woods.
Coming from a hiking and backpacking background, I always gravitate toward lightweight gear. While this term may have several meanings, my style is extreme. Gearing up to battle with Mother Nature is unrealistic for me. If I did, I’d be day hiking with at least 100 pounds of gear. That said, all the hiking gear here is perfect for a day in the woods and can be utilized for survival.
Coming it at a mere 4 ounces, the SylvanSport Hacky Pack is an ultra-lightweight storage option.
Hacky Pack
Having a backpack is an essential, no-brainer piece of kit on a hike unless you fancy a haversack. However, a small, super lightweight pack can be multi-functional. Small packs keep you lowkey and prevent overpacking. I discovered SylvanSport gear a few years ago and was particularly impressed with their Hacky Pack. This backpack is lightweight, durable, and perfect for carrying a day’s worth of gear. It also comes with two side mesh pockets for water bottles, a hidden back pocket stash, and a hydration bag slot. Cool fact: The backpack can quickly transform into a 4-inch ball, making it more portable.
The pack compresses down to a 4-inch ball when not being used.
Its impressive 4-ounce weight is what initially caught my attention. Although it’s not as large as my Gossamer Gear backpacks for longer trips, the Hacky Pack is still impressive, with a capacity of up to 40 pounds. Heck, I don’t even have enough gear to fill it up for an overnight summer trip, let alone a day trip. The compact SylvanSport Hacky Pack will help you get your pack and hiking gear weight down. It keeps essentials close and easily accessible on the go and offers the added bonus of a trailside hacky sack.
The Tuff Possum Multipurpose Sit Pad not only provides back support for the pack, but it can be used as a signal and sit pad, and has many other uses.
The Frame
The Hacky Pack is a frameless pack, which is where the Tuff Possum Gear Multipurpose Sit Pad comes into play. It offers padding and rigidity to the pack, and comfort in camp or on trailside breaks. The blaze-orange color is a signaling panel, while the pad aids in fanning the flames and branding up a fire. The sit pad provides an excellent place to put tinder and kindling when snow or dampness is imminent. The Velcro opening easily stores tinder like birch and poplar bark, lichen, and grasses.
Gear is useless unless it’s available when you need it. The right storage pouch can make things more accessible when it counts.
Belt Pouch
Truly a lifeline, I use the Tuff Possum Pocket Possibles Pouch for all my ditties and essential stuff. I carry it in my pack to the trail, and then it always stays on my belt. Survival hiking gear is useless in a pack that may be out of reach for whatever reason. Signaling, first aid, and fire-starting gear should be accessible at all times. The pouch is the last thing I take off for the night in the wilderness and the first thing that goes on in the morning.
Shelter Now
When a simple day hike takes a turn for the worse, finding shelter becomes a top priority — and a reliable tarp can be a lifesaver. Lightweight, easy to set up, and offering critical protection from the elements, a tarp is an essential piece of hiking gear to have on hand. Set it up quickly and take cover — it’s a small investment for big peace of mind.
Surprisingly, not many day hikers don’t keep a tarp with them — they should. The Coalcracker Bushcraft T6Zero comes in at 6 ounces and sets up in minutes. It’s a 5×7-foot tarp with two tie-outs that can be attached to a tree quickly. It fits in a cargo pocket and makes a good pillow on breaks. I’ve spent about 50 nights under this bad boy in snow, wind, and typhoon rains in the jungles of the Philippines.
Hydration
While hiking, I use a simple aluminum water bottle and a Platypus 2-liter water bag. The bottle can boil water in a pinch and is an easily accessible trail drink stored in the Hacky Pack side pocket. The Platypus has a larger reservoir and makes a great pillow set on top of a pair of shoes.
Because they’re heavy and clog in silty water, or freeze in the winter, I haven’t used a filter in several years. Instead, I use iodine tablets worldwide and a bandana to filter sediment if the water is nasty. I also take advantage of any fire to boil water whenever possible.
Multiple types of fire starters are a must.
Firestarters
There’s no better place for redundancies than with fire. Matches, lighters, Ferro rods, and manufactured tinder should always be carried on a day hike or multi-day expedition. I favor Uberleben Ferro rods and their Tindar Wick for my style of woods rambling.
Signaling
In my book, having two or more ways of signaling is paramount. Run your own experiment and see how loud and for how long you can yell for help. Do that, and you’ll appreciate a loud whistle. Blowing a whistle in groups of three is one of the universal distress signals that experienced hikers, pilots, rangers, and SAR personnel are trained to recognize. Additionally, I always carry two signaling mirrors on a carabiner and in my Wazoo Cache Belt.
There isn’t much you can’t do with the right cutting tool.
Tools
Using cutting tools and cooking are a big part of my focus outdoors. Preparing wood and food for a cook fire takes skill and practice to become second nature. As a knife and tool aficionado and survival instructor, I carry fewer tools than most people. I always have a Victorinox Camper Swiss Army Knife in my pouch. In colder months, I add a tomahawk and a 3- to 4-inch fixed blade in the Eastern woodlands. Paired with a stout baton, I can get a lot done.
From late spring until late fall, I carry a long blade, usually an authentic Parang or Bolo. It serves as my chopper and wood splitter and replaces a fixed blade for food prep and crafts. With my long blade, I can always get super-fine, curly shavings that quickly take a spark from a Ferro rod. Having spent considerable time in blade cultures worldwide, I’m comfortable having one primary tool to maintain, which saves weight when afoot.
Hiking Gear Accessories
Gaiters: You won’t catch me in the woods without my Outdoor Research gaiters for my trail runners to keep debris, snow, and nasty ticks out of my footwear.
Leather Gloves: A pair of these are indispensable for a woods trip. They’re helpful for wood preparation and cooking. I’ve used them as knee pads, potholders, and insulation. They also add safety to tasks like building shelters and working with sharp objects. Leather gloves give temporary superpowers, making hands immune to heat and sharp abrasive things.
Bandana: Here’s a versatile accessory that’s a must-have outdoors. Due to its countless uses, I carry it in my pocket or possibles kit. It can serve as a headband, sweat rag, washcloth, toilet paper, and face shield from the elements. It can also be used as a sun protector, signaler, bandage, potholder, water catch, and stage one of water filtration. All in all, a bandana is a true unsung hero of camping and survival gear.
Neck Gaiters: Like bandanas, neck gaiters can do the same and may have a slight advantage because they are tubular. These camp gems can replace a beanie, and two can offer maximum face, neck, and head coverage. I use two Wazoo Gear neck gaiters for cold weather and emergency signaling.
Earbuds: Listening to music on your phone can provide a much-needed distraction and a sense of familiarity that can help your psyche.
First Aid: I don’t carry a massive first aid kit. I take Gorilla Duct Tape (all weather), hand sanitizer, triple antibiotic ointment, Carmex, and superglue. Anything outside of that realm, and I probably need primary care beyond the scope of a first aid kit.
Rain Gear: The Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite waterproof hooded rain jacket is hard to beat for a budget-friendly yet effective rain jacket. It’s made with breathable, non-woven fabric, features a full-length zipper and adjustable hood, and is both wind-resistant and packable.
With a little strategic planning, gear can be multi-functional and light weight
Final Thoughts
If your day hike goes wrong, having a reliable back-pack with the right hiking gear can help you survive the night and return safely. Always pack essential gear, practice skills beforehand, and expect the unexpected. You never know what Mother Nature has in store for you.
Tracking is one of humanity’s oldest survival skills, honed by necessity and refined by generations. Yet, in our modern age of convenience, the primal art of tracking often feels like a relic of the past. That was the premise of “Grayside Hunter,” a two-day urban tracking course taught by Freddy Osuna, founder of Greenside Training. As the only Native American-owned and operated tracking school, Greenside Training offers a perspective deeply rooted in tradition while addressing contemporary challenges. Here are some of the key lessons I took away from this transformative experience.
Freddy Osuna of Greenside Training shows us how far we can see with our peripheral vision.
Urban Tracking: A Modern Skill with Ancient Roots
Day one began in a classroom setting, where Osuna laid the groundwork for understanding tracking. He reminded us that the ability to track is hardwired into human nature — our brains evolved to recognize patterns and interpret the world through observation. This skill, once critical for survival, has practical applications today in search and rescue, law enforcement, wildlife conservation, and even urban environments. But beyond the scope of those who protect and defend, learning tracking skills can help boost critical awareness skills important to the average citizen.
Tracking, Osuna explained, is not just about following footprints but about “reading the story written in the sand.” Each step is like a word, and many steps form sentences, creating a narrative that reveals the quarry’s movements and intentions. Using the analogy of separating quarters from a pile of mixed coins, he demonstrated how our brains, once trained, can quickly identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed or get lost in the noise.
Small details will help the tracker determine if they’re following the correct track or not.
The Human Advantage
Osuna drew an insightful comparison between modern humans and our ancestors, likening us to domestic dogs and wolves. While we’ve grown reliant on modern conveniences, our fundamental tools for survival remain intact. Sight, smell, and hearing are as sharp as ever — they just need retraining.
He emphasized how tracking training reignites these primal instincts, enabling us to perceive and interpret “sign” or evidence of passage. This skill, he noted, has life-or-death implications in various fields, from combat operations to anti-poaching efforts.
Oblivious to the fact they are under observation, the quarry meet at a restaurant to make an exchange.
Primal Learning and Visual Perception
One of the most fascinating parts of the course was learning about human visual perception. Osuna broke down how our eyes and brains process visual information, including the three visual fields: full view, peripheral view, and central view. Our saccadic eye movements — subtle, constant shifts in focus — are evolutionary adaptations designed to detect predators and anomalies in our surroundings. The human eye also has a blind spot because of the way the optic nerve attaches to the retina. Our brains stitch this spot in by something referred to as “perceptual fill,” another important visual adaptation.
By training these visual skills, trackers can identify minute details, such as the subtle shine change of disturbed soil or the outline of a boot print. Osuna’s description of our blind spot — where our brains fill in missing information — reminded us of the importance of conscious observation and avoiding assumptions.
The inside of a vehicle can be turned into a mobile observation post.
Rules of the Trail
During the classroom portion, we learned a helpful mnemonic to remember foundational tracking principles. These were encapsulated in the acronym TRACKING:
• Tracker sets the pace. • Record your starting point. • Always know your position. • Confirm aerial spoor with ground spoor. • Keep visual on the track with team position. • Identify the tracks you wish to follow. • Never force a track to conform to preconceptions. • Get into the mind of your quarry.
These rules were reinforced through drills, where we practiced identifying individual characteristics of tracks, such as tread patterns and stride anomalies. We also learned how environmental factors like light and terrain influence the clarity of tracks.
Using high-powered optics, Greenside trackers carefully observe their quarry from a concealed vantage point in a parking garage.
Urban Tracking: A Unique Challenge
Day two brought the ultimate test: tracking quarry through downtown Tucson, Arizona. The mission began with a briefing scenario, not a real-world situation of course, but certainly one that could plausibly arise. A law enforcement agency requested assistance in tracking three suspects from their last known point. Our objective was to locate and observe them, gather evidence of their movements, and, if possible, confirm whether or not they make some sort of exchange.
Split into three teams — Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie — we started tracking from the suspect’s truck in a parking lot. Using track traps and transference points like dusty patches or scuff marks on sidewalks, we followed their trail. Each team faced unique challenges in interpreting subtle signs while navigating the complexities of an urban environment, including hard surfaces and crowded areas. Communication became critical as we coordinated movements, relayed findings, and maintained situational awareness.
The teams worked together relatively seamlessly, balancing speed with caution to avoid losing the trail or alerting the suspects. By observing from a distance and using cover effectively, we eventually spotted the suspects meeting at a designated location. From an observation post in a nearby parking garage, we confirmed their identities and documented their exchange with photos and notes.
Osuna concluded the exercise by demonstrating how to establish long-term observation posts and the nuances of using optics effectively in urban environments. We were then shown how a vehicle could be transformed into a mobile observation post, without a passing pedestrian being able determine what was happening inside. This hands-on scenario brought the principles of tracking to life, emphasizing teamwork, observation, and adaptability in a setting far removed from traditional wilderness.
Our class was a diverse crew. From construction workers, to cooks and chemists, we all walked away with an amplified awareness of our urban environment.
Final Thoughts on the Grayside Hunter Urban Tacking Course
Greenside Training's Grayside Hunter course was a journey into rediscovering an ancient skill that remains relevant in our modern world. The urban tracking scenario demonstrated how cities, despite their structured appearance, mimic wilderness environments. Streets and buildings funnel movement much like natural terrain, offering opportunities to predict and follow a quarry’s path. Yet, urban tracking also presents unique challenges, such as numerous hiding places and potential for eliminated ground spoor signatures for the untrained observer.
Osuna’s teaching method, inspired by a long lineage of hunting and tracking experts and combined with how children learn languages, made complex concepts accessible and memorable. His blend of tradition, science, and practical application highlighted the universal value of tracking — as a tool for survival, a way to connect with our primal nature, and a means of seeking truth.
By the end of the course, I left with more than a Greenside Training patch and Tracker tab. I gained a deeper appreciation for the art of tracking and its role in bridging the gap between the natural and urban worlds. No matter who you are, or what your background is, the lessons of Grayside Hunter offer invaluable insights into both the wilderness and ourselves, proving that the skill of tracking has no boundaries.
One of the hardest diagnoses to make in a perfect world is that of abdominal pain. It can be a challenge in the austere setting, but it’s not impossible. This article will cover some topics to explore further and some common causes of abdominal pain. There are many books on the subject of abdominal pain.
Abdomen Sections
However, one that gets passed around the halls of surgical residency is Cope’s Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen (now in its 22nd edition). This book is worth having in your library if you plan on being medically astute in the austere setting. One of the helpful parts of the book is that it divides abdominal pain into quadrants and provides potential diagnoses for each quadrant. Although Cope’s delineation of pain may be beneficial, it may be better thought of to divide abdominal pain into six sections as shown in the photo below:
The abdomen is divided into sections.
• Section 1: Common ailments include gastritis, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, and duodenal ulcer. • Section 2: Moving clockwise around the abdomen, includes kidney stones, splenic injury/laceration, constipation, and colonic ileus. • Section 3: Could also see constipation, colon inflammation, and kidney stones. The ovarian cyst could also be seen in the lower aspect of this section. • Section 4: Could include bladder stones, bladder outlet obstruction, prostatitis, urethritis, sigmoiditis, and proctitis. • Section 5: Contains the start of the colon, appendix, right ovary, and kidney stones. • Section 6: The last in the sections, could encompass kidney stones, gall bladder/cholecystitis, liver inflammation, and colon issues like constipation.
This list isn’t meant to be complete. However, it’s meant to be a starting point to investigate further.
Natural remedies for constipation.
Abdominal Pain: Constipation
This is probably the most common disorder that’ll be seen in the off-grid scenario. It is often described as a hard, lumpy stool with less than three bowel movements a week. Dehydration will contribute significantly, as the colon’s primary function is to consolidate waste and absorb water. The pain from constipation can present throughout the abdomen as the colon travels from the anus upward toward the left rib cage.
Pain then traverses across the abdomen to the right rib cage and then down to the right lower part of the abdomen. The pain is usually described as an ache but can also be sharp. People may say that they have gone to the bathroom multiple times despite having the pain. Don’t let that piece of history fool you into some other diagnosis. Usually having a bowel movement will ease the pain. Failure to relieve the constipation can lead to a blockage of the colon. This can potentially lead to a rupture of the colon, infection inside the abdomen, and even death. This would be an extreme case, however, and usually, the pain drives the patient to seek help before it gets to this point.
Things to try if constipation is present include a magnesium citrate supplement, as the adverse effect of magnesium toxicity is diarrhea. Of course, rehydration is essential, and previous RECOIL OFFGRID articles may be helpful to review (read “Managing Dehydration” in Issue 28). Foods like bananas, garlic, onions, and leeks all contain prebiotics, which may be beneficial. Another good food is grandma’s favorite, prunes. There may be some trial and error in determining how many prunes it will take to relieve constipation. This would be good to know before the scenario presents itself, especially if there is a tendency toward constipation in a typical environment.
Natural remedies for kidney stones.
Abdominal Pain: Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis)
These never seem to present themselves at a good moment. The sharp, knife-like pain can start at the kidney and travel into the labia or testicle. It doesn’t have to radiate, so don’t rely solely on the radiating pain for diagnosis. The pain of kidney stones is quite memorable and never forgotten. Sometimes there can be blood in the urine associated with the traveling kidney stone. If there is a feeling that urine won’t come out at all, that is a medical emergency and needs an evaluation by a medical professional. This can mean a stone has blocked the tube (urethra) as it leaves the bladder. Failure to relieve the obstruction can result in kidney failure, heart failure, and death.
Hydration is the key to helping the stone travel down the tube from the kidney to the bladder and from the bladder out of the body. When the pain from the kidney stone hits, movement, such as walking, is one of the first things to try, along with hydration. Some natural remedies to try include lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. These have citrate, which can help break down the calcium in the kidney stones. Dandelion root juice can increase urine output, which may help eliminate the stone.
If a fever develops, antibiotics (ciprofloxacin) can be taken orally. However, this may not be enough, as the infection could be in the kidney (pyelonephritis), which would require intravenous antibiotics and the care of a physician.
Natural remedies to help with appendicitis.
Abdominal Pain: Appendicitis
Rarely will this go away on its own with rest, antibiotics, and fluids. It’s often in need of surgical intervention and supervised medical care. Classically, the pain starts as a dull ache around the belly button and then migrates to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, into Section 5. Often, a loss of appetite occurs. Some surgeons will say that dehydration can play a part in the development of appendicitis, but not all agree.
Although nobody really has a definitive cause for appendicitis, things like infection, tumors, and stool lodged in the appendiceal opening can lead to inflammation that causes the pain. The pain pattern can vary widely, which is why it’s often misdiagnosed. Suspicion of appendicitis must be high for any right lower quadrant pain, and medical treatment must be sought. Failure to diagnose appendicitis in a timely manner could lead to rupture of the appendix. This causes infection in the abdomen and possibly death.
While in transit to a medical facility, a trial of natural anti-inflammatories may be helpful. Things like strawberries, blueberries, green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach), and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, can help with inflammation. Willow bark contains salicylates (like that found in aspirin) and may be helpful. The problem with taking the willow bark, as well as hydration, is that if surgery is an option, it may be delayed until the stomach contents are emptied. Salicylates may provide additional risk due to the increased risk of bleeding during surgery. Caution should be used if appendicitis is being considered in the austere setting, and early diagnosis by a medical professional is essential.
Natural remedies to help with ovarian cysts.
Abdominal Pain: Ovarian Cyst
If appendicitis is nebulous in the way it presents, ovarian cysts are a close second. Most of the time, an ovarian cyst creates no problems. Sometimes, a cyst can produce pain, whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp pain. Bloating can also accompany an ovarian cyst. There could be pain upon sexual intercourse. Fever, nausea, vaginal discharge, or bleeding are also possible presenting signs and symptoms. The ovaries are located in Sections 4 and 5 in the diagram. Usually, the pain is one-sided and can be mild to intense in nature.
These cysts will typically resolve on their own. The situation becomes more concerning when the ovary twists (ovarian torsion). This can lead to intense pain, fever, and weakness and requires evaluation by a physician as well as emergency surgery to repair the torsion. Failure to seek help could result in a loss of blood, infection in the abdomen, and, in rare cases, death.
One thing to keep in mind is that if there’s a personal history of an ovarian cyst, the likelihood that a second develops at some point is possible. If they have developed in the past, there should be familiarity with the pain pattern. Treatment for these is usually time, hormones, or surgery. Since the problem stems from too much unopposed estrogen, natural remedies could help to a small degree.
Vegetables like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts can help the liver clear the estrogen a little better from the system. Also, by adding fiber, the colon can pack up the estrogen and eliminate it so it does not get reabsorbed into the body. Things like whole grains, fruits, and oats can add dietary fiber to help with regular bowel movements.
Keep in mind that stress can decrease the progesterone in the body, leaving the estrogen unopposed. This creates a scenario where an ovarian cyst could be a potential problem in the austere setting due to the increased stress.
The current version of this helpful book can be found online at Amazon.com
Conclusion
Abdominal pain in the austere setting can be an enigma. Knowing a little information can be helpful but often not adequate to diagnose and treat the ailment. Knowing when to seek medical attention is critical to preventing a more serious casualty. Although four examples were presented here in this article, there are many more ailments to cover. Further reading on this topic is warranted to become more astute in the diagnosis of abdominal pain.
Covert Physical Surveillance (CPS) is a powerful tool, often employed by law enforcement to gather intelligence, monitor suspects, and pursue criminals undetected. But these techniques aren’t exclusive to the good guys. Increasingly, CPS is leveraged by criminals to stalk, intimidate, and even victimize unsuspecting targets. Understanding how CPS operates — and more critically, how to counter it — is vital not only for those in law enforcement but for civilians, too.
The threat isn’t just hypothetical. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Stalking Victimization Report (2019), about 1.3 percent of individuals aged 16 or older — equating to 3.4 million people — were victims of stalking that year. While this figure represents a slight drop from previous years, the danger remains very real. Disturbingly, only 29 percent of stalking victims reported the crime, with women affected at twice the rate of men. Among those impacted, 67 percent feared serious physical harm or even death at the hands of their stalker. Recent incidents in California illustrate just how CPS techniques are applied in real-world criminal scenarios. A rising trend of “follow home robberies” has left police and communities on high alert. At least 17 gangs in Los Angeles have been employing CPS methods to tail unsuspecting victims as they leave high-end stores or restaurants. These criminals wait for their targets to be isolated, such as when entering their homes, before launching brazen attacks to steal high-value items like jewelry and watches.
In one incident, a woman leaving a jewelry store was tailed, confronted, and eventually forced to hand over her valuables. This type of attack, fueled by calculated surveillance, is becoming disturbingly common as robbers learn to exploit CPS strategies once reserved for law enforcement. These examples underscore a need for greater awareness and understanding of surveillance techniques. Whether law enforcement uses CPS for legitimate purposes or criminals adopt similar tactics to prey on civilians, knowing how to recognize — and counter — surveillance is an increasingly essential skill.
Law enforcement watches for signs of erratic driving in the traffic ahead.
Surveillance 101
At its core, CPS is the practice of discreetly observing a subject without their knowledge. It’s a staple of law enforcement operations, used in everything from narcotics investigations to fugitive tracking and SWAT intelligence gathering. While technological tools like drones or satellite imagery may seem to dominate modern-day surveillance, there’s no replacement for boots-on-the-ground, real-time observation.
Surveillance allows law enforcement to track a suspect’s movements, gather intel on their associates, and even identify patterns of behavior that might signal when and where a crime will occur. But CPS also serves a dual purpose. The same skills used by law enforcement to protect communities can be flipped on their head and used by criminals for nefarious purposes. Knowing how CPS works — and being able to spot when someone is using it on you — is critical in today’s world.
Is the same vehicle following you wherever you go? It may be someone with bad intentions.
Filling in the Training Gaps
Training lies at the heart of a successful surveillance operation. Many law enforcement officers, despite working in environments where CPS could be vital, receive little formal training in this area. This was one of the key reasons behind the creation of a four-day course recently offered by OPTEMPO Training Group in the Bay Area.
Instructors Matt and Chris shared their combined expertise, teaching participants how to effectively observe a target without being noticed. Many participants admitted that their surveillance experience had previously been “on the job,” with little to no formal instruction. This course allowed them to fill in those gaps, gain new skills, and refine their existing techniques. In law enforcement, CPS is used to track suspects in real-time, ensuring that officers can intervene at critical moments without alerting the target. But CPS also has broader applications — particularly in the realm of self-defense and personal protection.
One of the course’s standout lessons was the reminder that CPS tactics aren’t limited to law enforcement. Criminals often use these same techniques to stalk and target vulnerable people. In an era where 67 percent of stalking victims fear being killed or physically harmed, it’s clear that understanding how CPS works can provide a civilian with the awareness they need to stay safe.
A person’s attire can be a sign that they are up to no good.
Key Lessons
The four-day CPS training course provided by OPTEMPO Training Group in San Ramon, California, emphasized several key principles for anyone involved in surveillance or concerned about being watched. Here are some of the most important lessons: Communication is the key to success: The foundation of any surveillance operation is communication. For law enforcement, this means radio communication must be clear, concise, and discreet. Participants in the course learned that miscommunication — or even using a radio improperly, such as holding it too close to the mouth — can compromise an entire surveillance operation.
For civilians, communication means alerting someone when you suspect you’re being followed. Whether it’s through an emergency app, a phone call to a trusted friend, or alerting security in public spaces, quick and effective communication is crucial to evading potential threats.
Vehicle choice and setup: Surveillance often takes place in vehicles, so blending into traffic is essential. Instructors taught participants to avoid using easily identifiable cars, such as unmarked police vehicles or vehicles with modifications that draw attention. Instead, vehicles that don’t draw attention work best. Participants practiced subtle methods to stay unnoticed, like managing visibility and using simple props. Civilians can apply this knowledge by being mindful of cars that seem out of place or are behaving unusually, such as repeatedly pulling up behind them or stopping for extended periods without reason. Similarly, it’s worth remembering that appearances alone don’t always reveal someone’s true intentions.
Positioning and staying hidden: A significant part of CPS involves using the environment to your advantage. Surveillance officers are trained to use reflective surfaces, parked cars, alleyways, and other features to keep an eye on their target without being seen. The aim is to keep a safe distance while still observing carefully. Civilians should take note of how they can use public spaces to protect themselves. For instance, heading to a crowded shopping mall or public building can make it harder for someone following you to stay hidden. Being aware of your environment is key to avoiding unwanted attention.
Avoiding telltale signs: In any surveillance operation, drawing attention to yourself is the last thing you want to do. Matt and Chris repeatedly emphasized that small mistakes — such as holding a radio too obviously or wearing tactical or law enforcement-style clothing — can give a surveillance team away. Participants were guided to avoid noticeable actions that could attract unwanted attention while observing.
The same principles apply to civilians. For example, if you repeatedly notice someone following around wearing something out of place — like a hoodie on a hot day, or something not often seen in the area — then perhaps they’re inadvertently giving themselves away as up to no good. Blending in with the crowd can be a safety measure as well. Wearing low-profile clothing and avoiding flashy or distinctive accessories can help you blend in, since criminals often target people wearing expensive jewelry or other accessories. For instance, rookie 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was the target of an armed robbery in broad daylight over his wristwatch. He survived being shot in the chest, but countless others aren’t as fortunate.
Rehearsals are conducted in the classroom before practicing the skills on the streets.
Counter-Surveillance: How to Stay One Step Ahead
While law enforcement uses CPS to catch criminals, it’s crucial for civilians to understand how to spot when someone is watching them. Knowing basic counter-surveillance techniques can help you avoid becoming a victim of stalking or other crimes.
Recognizing Surveillance Indicators
The first step in protecting yourself from surveillance is knowing what to look for. If someone is following you, they might exhibit several telltale signs:
Multiple turns in the same direction: If after making frequent or unnecessary turns, you notice the same vehicle improbably following each of those, it could be someone trying to follow you.
Lingering vehicles or pedestrians: A car that pulls up behind you multiple times or someone who seems to be watching but avoids eye contact could be signs that you’re under surveillance.
Erratic driving or behavior: Abrupt lane changes, stops, or U-turns can be indicators of someone attempting to keep up with you.
Change Your Routine
One of the simplest ways to avoid being targeted is to be unpredictable. Criminals rely on patterns of behavior to plan their actions. Whether it’s driving a different route to work, parking in a different place, or changing your schedule, small adjustments to your daily routine can throw off someone who’s trying to gather information on you.
Go Public
If you suspect someone is following you, head for a well-lit, crowded area. Whether it’s a shopping center, a grocery store, or a police station, being in a public space makes it much harder for someone to maintain covert surveillance without being noticed. It’s important to keep moving until you’re sure you’ve reached a safe destination, since it’s easy for a tailing criminal to jump out and carjack their victims. Sticking to the right side of the road and avoiding getting stuck at a left-hand turn will minimize the chances of having to stop before reaching safety.
Trust Your Instincts
Matt emphasized throughout the course that trusting your gut is essential. If something doesn’t feel right — whether it’s a person who seems out of place or a car that’s been tailing you — it’s better to act on that instinct than to ignore it. Calling a friend, heading to a public place, or even alerting authorities can prevent a dangerous situation from escalating.
Several layers of communication provide much needed redundancy. Many hours are spent simply watching for signs of criminal intent, which is a true test of stamina.
Keeping Law Enforcement and Civilians Safe
Law enforcement’s ability to conduct CPS is a critical component of modern policing, but it’s not a skill that can be mastered overnight. Many officers receive only minimal training in CPS, learning much of what they know through the potentially dangerous method of trial and error. This is where dedicated surveillance courses like those offered by OPTEMPO Training Group become invaluable.
The recent Bay Area CPS course provided participants with a hands-on opportunity to practice surveillance in real-world environments, refining their skills and preparing them for the challenges of tracking suspects in the field. As law enforcement faces increasingly complex threats, having officers trained in the nuances of surveillance ensures that they can protect their communities more effectively.
And while CPS training is primarily for law enforcement, civilians and businesses can benefit from understanding these tactics as well. Criminals use many of the same techniques to gather information on their victims, whether for stalking, robbery, or other illegal activities. By learning how to spot surveillance and adopting counter-surveillance strategies, civilians can protect themselves from being targeted.
Using mirrors to observe is a less obvious method than staring directly out of a window. A bad actor may do this to avoid suspicion.
Vigilance in a World of Surveillance
In a world where everything from phones to traffic lights seem to be keeping an eye on things, it can be easy to become complacent or tune out surveillance as background noise. However, surveillance is a tool used by people with bad intentions just as much as it is by those who protect us. Understanding the techniques of covert physical surveillance and applying counter-surveillance strategies can mean the difference between becoming a victim or staying one step ahead.
Law enforcement officers rely on CPS to track criminals and keep communities safe, but as we’ve seen from crime statistics, criminals are also using these tactics to stalk and prey on vulnerable individuals and other targets. By recognizing the signs of surveillance, staying unpredictable, and trusting your instincts, civilians can take proactive steps to protect themselves. The training provided by organizations like OPTEMPO Training Group ensures that law enforcement remains vigilant, skilled, and prepared to handle the evolving threats they face in the field.
In the end, the most important takeaway is that surveillance — whether by law enforcement or criminals — is happening all around us. If you feel that you, your home, your business, or someone you love is being watched, contact your local law enforcement before it’s too late. Staying informed, aware, and prepared allows us to navigate this reality with confidence, ensuring our safety and the safety of those around us.
