Reconnaissance: Training with Guerrilla Mentor

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Many of you will recognize this timeless quote. Its lesson is simple and profound: Every prepared individual should be acutely aware of his or her own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of opponents. Self-awareness can be earned through training and feedback from peers, but accurate intel on the enemy isn’t always so easy to come by, especially if that enemy is wise enough to play his cards close to the chest. This is why military strategists throughout history have placed such a heavy emphasis on reconnaissance — the search for information in unknown or hostile territory.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.” —Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Whether you’re fighting a war or simply trying to pass through a dangerous area safely, this information is absolutely critical to your survival and the success of your mission. Beyond combat zones, reconnaissance skills can help you observe, record, and share important details about your surroundings with your family or friends. This might include the most efficient routes of travel, alternate escape routes, potential danger areas, signs of recent human activity, and ideal observation points or camp sites.

reconnaissance team movemement

Above: The patrol group moved in a linear formation, maintaining visual contact with their teammates ahead and behind. In areas of denser vegetation, this meant following more closely.

Reconnaissance is frequently taught to members of the military and law enforcement, but the general public is rarely afforded glimpses into this valuable skill set, short of perusing books and field manuals on the topic. U.S. Army FM 3-98 Reconnaissance and Security Operations is a good place to start reading and can be found in PDF format online. However, its tone is dry and academic, and many of the techniques within only apply to established military infrastructure. Most importantly, reading about a subject is never quite as effective as experiencing it firsthand — we wanted to get out into the wilderness and test ourselves.

In order to get some realistic training, we headed up into the White Mountains in eastern Arizona to take a two-day Rural Reconnaissance class with a training organization known as Guerrilla Mentor. As you might guess from the name, Guerrilla Mentor was established with the goal of teaching the principles of a somewhat controversial subject — asymmetric or “guerrilla” warfare — to American civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel. Founder and lead instructor Timothy Lacy has no shortage of experience with this subject. Lacy started out as a U.S. Army infantryman before being assigned to a scout platoon, where he was trained in reconnaissance by Ranger and Special Forces qualified noncommissioned officers. He also spent 16 years in law enforcement, where he applied those same reconnaissance principles to detect and track narcotics production and movement through rural areas. He also spent several years working overseas, including training and leading indigenous forces and working as part of a close protection team. He made it clear that he encourages patriots and prepared civilians to learn and understand these guerrilla tactics because, if America ever finds itself embroiled in a second civil war or “without rule of law” scenario, these are the very same tactics that’ll be employed, just as they’ve been in other conflicts around the world.

recon team writing

Above: Each member of the team carried a paper map, as well as a notepad for recording observed details about the enemy.

Simulating a Recon Patrol

The U.S. Army Ranger Handbook states, “Infantry platoons and squads primarily conduct two types of patrols: reconnaissance and combat.” It’s important to understand the difference between the two, since the goal of a recon mission is to observe the enemy and report back while avoiding conflict. If the mission goes awry and leads to a fight, you should have just enough firepower to break contact and retreat.

oil paint camo

Above: Camouflage grease paint was applied to all exposed skin before the mission. Any reflective items such as watch faces were covered with tape, and gear got a thorough shake-down to check for rattling contents.

On the morning of the first day of the course, students met at a remote campsite among the tranquil pine trees, where we would remain for the next two days. Each student was required to bring a realistic gear loadout — a rifle or carbine with spare magazines, chest rig or load-bearing vest, individual first-aid kit, knife, binoculars, navigation tools, camouflage clothing and grease paint, and a patrol pack to carry it all. We brought our own trail food and water, and slept on the ground in bivvy sacks or under tarps (tents were forbidden).

The first day of the course was focused on teaching students the principles of reconnaissance patrolling; the second day would test those skills as the students set out on a simulated patrol to gather information on enemy forces, a role played by Guerrilla Mentor assistant instructors. Outside of actual hostile territory, this type of force-on-force training is the most true-to-life way to learn. Read on as we discuss each phase of a recon patrol and explain how it applied to our simulated mission during the class.

Planning & Preparation

Before setting foot in the field, gather all existing intel — in rural areas, this will include topographic maps and aerial photos; in urban areas, you might look at social media posts and Google Street View. Eyewitness reports can also provide valuable (but sometimes unreliable) intel. All of this should be combined to formulate a plan that outlines:

  • A patrol base or forward operating base (FOB) location, far enough from the objective to be relatively safe for a brief stay
  • Primary and secondary routes from the base to the objective
  • An objective rally point (ORP) location, which serves as a place for the patrol group to gather near the objective, and fall back to afterward
  • Potential rally and resupply points along the routes
  • Population centers, terrain features, and known enemy positions to avoid
  • Resources needed to accomplish the mission, such as food, water, gear, and vehicles

The Scenario

During this stage, students in the Guerrilla Mentor class were designated as Recon Team (RT) White Mountain. We were presented with printouts of local topo maps; the remainder of our gear would be the contents of our packs. Eyewitness reports indicated that a group of approximately 10 armed individuals had been looting local homes and businesses in the area. Two to three of these individuals were recently sighted at the top of a small hill nearby, wearing camouflage clothing and traveling in a side-by-side vehicle. They were said to be carrying rifles, binoculars, and what appeared to be a mortar tube. Our mission was to conduct a reconnaissance patrol to confirm enemy presence and activity on that hill. The nearest friendly personnel would be 20 miles away, and no outside comms or fire support would be available.

Forming a Patrol Group

A reconnaissance patrol typically consists of four to six individuals. Group members move in a predetermined tactical formation (wedge, V-shape, linear, etc.). During movement of this kind, spacing between team members is vital. That space, or interval, should be wide enough that no two people could be injured by a single blast or burst of gunfire, but close enough that each person can still see their teammates to the left and right (or front and rear, depending on type of formation).

patrol group reconnaissance

Here are some of the key roles in a proper reconnaissance team, and their primary responsibilities:

Point Man: Always moves ahead of the formation and remains fully observant at all times. If danger is sighted, he uses hand signals to alert the rest of the group. The point man should be rotated out regularly, since this is a mentally taxing role.

Slack Man: Second in line, positioned between the point man and the rest of the formation, provides cover for the point man and watches his blind spots. He periodically checks his compass to keep the group headed in the right direction.

Patrol Leader (PL): A responsible, confident, and experienced member who makes critical decisions and takes responsibility for the success of the mission.

Assistant PL: Helps the patrol leader with routine tasks such as pre-mission gear checks. If the patrol needs to split for any reason, the Assistant PL takes control of one team.

Rear Security: Found at the back of the linear formation, watching and listening for any signs of danger, much like the Point Man. This role is often filled by the Assistant PL.

Additional roles: The Pace Man counts paces to track total distance traveled and determine proximity to rally points and objectives. The Drag Man will drag or carry any injured member of the team to the medevac point. A Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) manages communication beyond the patrol group, if applicable.

Any other members of the group serve as 360-degree security and should periodically rotate into the point, slack, and rear security roles.

Infiltration & Movement

In military context, infiltration is defined as “The movement through or into an area or territory occupied by either friendly or enemy troops or organizations. The movement is made, either by small groups or by individuals, at extended or irregular intervals. When used in connection with the enemy, it infers that contact is avoided.” It sounds elaborate but can be as simple as a drive down a dirt road and a short hike, as was the case in this class.

reconnaissance linear Danger Area

Above: Linear danger areas, such as this dirt road, were crossed one by one using the “bump” technique. Both sides of the LDA were covered at all times.

As we crossed into hostile territory, our patrol group moved through the trees in a linear formation as described above, keeping an eye out for anything that might alert the enemy of our presence. This included clearings, riverbeds, animal tracks, or open trails that made us more visible — these are known as Linear Danger Areas (LDAs). If the Point Man came across this type of obstacle, he stopped and allowed the linear formation to collapse on his position. The PL made a decision between two crossing strategies:

Rush across: Two patrol members set up security looking up and down the LDA, respectively, while the rest of the group moves quickly across in a single motion. This is fast, but incurs a higher risk penalty due to increased noise and exposure.

Bump across: Point Man covers one end of the LDA, then the Slack Man gives him a physical bump, at which point he quickly crosses to cover the far side, turning to face the opposite end. The next group member bumps the Slack Man across, who takes up the Point Man’s cover position, and so on. Once all members have crossed and rallied, the formation is resumed.

Group members were also cautious around areas with dense brush that might rustle or twigs that might snap underfoot. We learned to walk in a smooth manner, slowly rolling weight from heel to toe with each step to minimize noise. High crawl (with head up) and low crawl (with head down in the dirt) were employed as we got close to the objective.

Above: Verbal communication was kept to a minimum during the patrol. The few words that were spoken were kept to a barely audible whisper.

Rally Points

Reconnaissance Team White Mountain proceeded through the hostile zone, periodically collapsing our linear formation at rally points along the way. To indicate a rally point, a group member moves his hand in a circular stirring motion. Each member closest to him silently passes this signal along the line, then the group gathers around the Point Man, who selects a concealed and defensible position. All members face outward in a circle, maintaining 360-degree security. Rally points were used to sit and rest, drink water, check maps, reapply camouflage paint, communicate with the PL in barely audible whispers, and most importantly, listen. It’s amazing what five minutes of total silence can tell you about your surroundings — sound carries much farther than you might expect, whether it’s chirping birds, the trickle of a nearby creek, or the distant burble of a two-stroke engine. The latter sound was audible as we neared our objective, telling us that the reports of our enemy using side-by-side vehicles were correct.

Above and Below: On a recon patrol, your eyes should be constantly scanning the environment, including the ground. It’d be easy to overlook deadfall twigs that could give away your position, or a footprint that could warn you of recent human activity.

During the planning phase, we had used our topographic maps to mark an ORP near a good vantage point a few hundred yards from the objective hilltop. As we approached this area, our PL pointed out a shaded position surrounded by thorny brush that would serve as our ORP. All members took up 360-degree security positions beneath a tree, but this time offloaded our patrol packs. We would approach the objective with only the bare necessities: rifles, chest rigs, and binoculars.

reconnaissance rally Point

Above: At rally points, patrol group members formed a tight circle to maintain 360-degree security.

Conducting Reconnaissance

The first step of the reconnaissance process was a leader’s recon of the objective. Our PL took one member of the team and moved closer to the objective with the utmost caution. They noted some rocky outcroppings that would provide visibility of the hilltop, but also offer cover and concealment for the team as we approached. The duo returned to the ORP, whispered the plan to us, and confirmed that everyone was ready to move in.

recon of target area

At high noon, the members of RT White Mountain moved close enough to surveil the objective. We crawled up the rocks, taking care to avoid any noise or direct line of sight to the enemy position. Peering through our binoculars and rifle scopes, we could see two men silhouetted on the hilltop along with the side-by-side they arrived in. They spoke casually with each other and occasionally scanned the area with their own binos. Just as the reports indicated, we confirmed that they were dressed in camouflage, and armed with rifles and a mortar tube.

Now that our recon was complete, we returned to the ORP and gathered to disseminate information in whispered voices. This is crucial, since it ensures that all intel will make it back to base even if some members of the team are captured or killed. The SALUTE format was used to record key details about the enemy:

  • Size and strength
  • Activity and tactics
  • Location as a grid coordinate or latitude/longitude, as well as direction of approach/departure
  • Unit identification — for organized forces, this can be determined by uniforms or markings, but it may be unclear in other situations
  • Time and duration the enemy was observed
  • Equipment and weapons

Once we agreed on all the facts, avoiding uncertain “I think I saw …” statements, it was time to collect our gear and get moving again.

Exfiltration & Debrief

It’s easy to let your guard down and move quickly at this stage, but that could be a fatal error. Exfiltration should be just as slow and methodical as insertion. As we left the ORP, we retraced our path, bumped across LDAs, and formed up at rally points to rest and observe just as we had earlier in the day. Mental and physical fatigue is high after a mission, and this can lead to heavy footfalls, poor attentiveness, and inconsistent spacing in the formation. Each member of the patrol group kept an eye on his teammates to ensure we stayed focused on the task at hand.

Finally, once we had all safely returned to our patrol base and campsite, Lacy debriefed the students. In our
after-action report (AAR), we shared everything we observed and learned about the enemy during our recon patrol. Since this was a simulation, we also had the benefit of being graded by the instructors who played our enemy. Just as a real enemy would, they had been scanning the area around their hilltop position throughout the morning and had focused their attention on regions they considered the most likely approach points. They hadn’t seen or heard us at all, but we had accurately reported their presence — our recon mission was successful.

facepaint

Above: Hand signs were used to communicate without making a sound. The “slit throat” gesture indicates a danger area ahead.

Lacy said that his courses are always evolving, and that future scenarios will have more curveballs. The enemy might set up booby trap alarms, establish secondary outposts, or send patrols of their own to hunt for students. There could even be a nighttime scenario that incorporates night vision equipment. We hope to take another Guerrilla Mentor class in the future to see how we fare against these challenges.

As we packed up and left the Rural Recon class, we were struck by the significance of this experience. Some people will undoubtedly roll their eyes at the idea of civilians sneaking through the woods with rifles and head-to-toe camouflage, claiming that this is a skill we’ll never need to use. They may be right about that, and frankly, we hope they are. But in the event of another war on American soil — an inevitability, whether it happens in our lifetime or hundreds of years in the future — it’s impossible to deny the advantage of having firsthand experience with small-unit guerrilla tactics. Reconnaissance patrols are an invaluable means of learning about your enemy, and this information can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat, especially in an asymmetric war.

Patrol Base Operations: Remain Over Night Positions

Certain reconnaissance missions may require an overnight stay in hostile territory. In these instances, a Remain Over Night (RON) position will be established and occupied, allowing each team member to briefly rest, eat, and maintain their gear.

When the PL identifies a viable RON position, he uses “look there” hand signals to indicate it to the group. Rather than stopping immediately, the group moves past the position at a safe distance, and loops around to approach from the far side. This is known as a fishhook maneuver, and it clears the perimeter before the position is occupied.

reconnaissance patrol base shelter

Above: To reinforce the reality of sleeping in the field, students were told not to bring tents. This author’s sleep system consisted of a Softie Tactical 2 sleeping bag, waterproof Bivvi bag, Basecamp Ops Maxi Mat, and Stasha tarp, all sourced from SnugPak USA.

The team lies face down in a circle, looking outward with boot-to-boot contact in the center. Each member sleeps in shifts, waking or alerting his neighbors by touching his boot to theirs. If nature calls, he rolls onto one side, digs a small hole to urinate into, and covers it with dirt before lying down again. Once it’s time to leave, the RON position should be swept with a branch to cover depressions in the soil or other signs of activity.

Intel Gathering: Field, Urban, and Digital Reconnaissance

Editor’s Letter: Chumming the Waters

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I don’t know if any of us have been more ready for a year to be over than we are now. Unfortunately, all signs seem to indicate that the ripple effects of 2020’s various crises will spill over into at least the first quarter of next year. As I’ve said before, this year has set some unsettling precedents about how quickly, and how aggressively, our entire lives can be put on hold because people are afraid of the unknown. Or because people don’t want to tolerate opposing ideologies. There’s a very good chance that the widespread acceptance of, and lack of consequences for, nonstop months of riots, vandalism, theft, assault, and general disregard for civility will only serve to embolden malicious actors going forward. The idea that large groups of people can commit crimes with impunity, as long as they do so simultaneously on a large scale, will be a tempting proposition for predators from every corner of the political and socioeconomic spectrum.

There’s a worrying by-product of this phenomenon. The notion of using lethal violence to solve disputes about ideas is becoming more widely accepted … and advocated … by people who have never encountered such violence face-to-face. I’ve deployed 14 times to two wars. Outside of that, I’ve traveled to more than 20 countries on four continents — many of which were plagued by violence, poverty, and hopelessness. These experiences taught me two things. First and foremost: Civil war, armed revolution, and urban guerilla violence create many more problems than they solve. Secondly: Sometimes violence finds you, unsolicited and unanticipated, whether you want it or not. In those cases, you may need to be violent to stop violence. That’s why we’re taking a hard look at armed self-protection in this issue. Reconnaissance Marine and Special Forces veteran Toby Melville reviews the prolific and generally inexpensive Kalashnikov rifle as an option for survival and defense. If AKs aren’t your flavor, Patrick McCarthy reviews the tiny Saint EVAC AR pistol from Springfield Armory, and incorporates it into a high-threat bugout bag in this issue’s Bag Drop.

Matt Little, another Special Forces alum and retired SWAT Officer, talks about how to most effectively structure firearms training to build your skills quickly and effectively. Attorney Jason Squires discusses self-defense and personal liability insurance to help mitigate the aftermath of armed self-defense. We also examined some aspects of survival in and around a vehicle. Whether in a parking lot or on an interstate, people are being increasingly targeted in or around their vehicles. Joey Nickischer has contributed two stories in this area, dealing with the Pro Eagle Jack for vehicle recovery as well as a primer on how to respond should you witness an accident or other trauma while you’re on the road. Even our What If this issue deals with possible solutions to road rage.

I like to think our purpose at RECOIL OFFGRID is to arm you with knowledge you’ll never have to use. Especially at this time of year, a season supposedly meant for peace on Earth and goodwill toward all. In the unlikely event that violence comes your way, always be ready to rescue yourself and your loved ones. Barring that, we wish you safe, healthy, and happy holidays.

Editor's Note: This Letter from the Editor is from OFFGRID #41.

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offgrid 41 cover

Review: Pro Eagle Jack (Off Road)

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In my job as a firefighter and rescue technician, there are times when I need to venture off the beaten path to suppress forest fires or rescue injured hikers. While my crew and I can certainly hike, carrying loads of 50 pounds, it’s faster, safer, and more efficient if we can drive ourselves and our equipment up the mountains and through the hiking trails. But rough unpaved terrain has its challenges, and flat tires happen far more often than we’d like. When the inevitable flat tire happens, having the right tools available can not only make life easier, it can literally save the day. One great device I’ve added to my arsenal of professional tools is a Pro Eagle Jack, specifically the Big Wheel Off Road model. At first glance, this jack looks like an ordinary mechanic’s tool with a simple pump mechanism that slides easily under a car. I’m happy to say it’s far from ordinary.

pro eagle jack

Above: The 3 Ton Big Wheel Off Road Jack “KRATOS” by Pro Eagle offers extremely useful enhancements to this basic tool. The partially assembled jack arrives without the wheels, pump handle, and extension mounting bracket attached.

The first visual indicator that this is no ordinary jack are the large wheels, positioned prominently on each side. With the front wheels measuring 6 inches and the rear wheels measuring 8 inches, they do what an ordinary jack cannot — roll over obstacles. Sticks, gravel, and extension cords are no longer an impediment to proper placement of this jack. Another fairly unique upgrade on the Pro Eagle jack is a skid plate mounted underneath. Not only does the skid plate assist the jack sliding over rough obstacles that would hamper an ordinary jack, it also assists in supporting the load when the ground is soft enough for the wheels to sink in. As a load is jacked up and the dirt, sand, or gravel begin to give way underneath the wheels of the jack, the load is picked up by the skid plate, effectively making the entire underside a contact point with the ground. Anytime you’re off pavement, this built-in feature is a time and trouble saver.

The second visual indicator that there’s something different about this jack are the large carrying handles welded onto the sides. These make lifting the jack in and out of your vehicle a lot easier. When you have to heft a 50-plus-pound hunk of metal anywhere, handles are extremely useful!

pro eagle jack kit

Above: The jack ships securely in Styrofoam, requiring some minor assembly.

The third visual indicator that draws your eye to the Pro Eagle jack is the lifting pad extension that’s mounted sideways near the pump handle. When you’re dealing with high-clearance vehicles featuring oversized tires, it’s not unusual for an ordinary jack to run out of lift height before the wheels of the vehicle are off the ground. The available extensions, which come in 8- and 15-inch versions, utilize a twist lock connection to the lifting point to ensure they remain safely in place during operation. While I haven’t been able to confirm it myself, I did read several user comments online that indicated that the Pro Eagle Off Road Jack Extensions also perfectly fit some other “standard” mechanic jacks, increasing their versatility and usefulness.

The jack comes partially disassembled in a large box surrounded by Styrofoam. The wheels need to be installed, with snap rings, along with the lifting pad extension mount and the jack handle. When I first read the assembly instructions, I was a little surprised that they required a special tool to properly affix the wheels, namely a snap ring plier. Then, I was happily surprised that Pro Eagle actually included a tiny version of the tool with the jack.

Installation of the wheels was very straightforward until I came across one wheel that wouldn’t sit deeply enough on the axle shaft to seat the snap ring. Initially, I thought the nut holding the axle shaft in place simply wasn’t tight enough and was preventing the wheel hub from sliding far enough on, but after some internet sleuthing and closer inspection, it turns out that the wheel bearing on one of the wheels wasn’t pressed into place quite enough during manufacturing. With the assistance of a 1 1/16-inch socket and a soft-faced hammer, I was able to properly seat the wheel bearing, which in turn allowed me to easily seat the provided snap ring. After this issue was rectified, the remainder of the assembly went smoothly and easily.

pro eagle jack in action

Above: The big wheel Pro Eagle Jack easily rolled over gravel and lifted the entire rear end of a UTV.

Deploying the Pro Eagle Jack

In testing, I made a point to roll this jack over a variety of terrain, from grass to silty dirt to gravel. The Pro Eagle jack tackled all of it with ease.

A wall/vehicle mount is available, as is a 2-inch hitch ball lifting plate for securely lifting a trailer, and several graphic kits (wraps) if you prefer your jack to be red, blue, white, or green. In the unlikely event you need to replace part of the jack, most of the parts are available individually, including a replacement pump, axles, and wheels. There are also two smaller and lighter 1.5-ton and 2-ton versions of the jack.

With a mighty 3-ton capacity, 28 inches of lift, and oversized wheels, the Pro Eagle 3-ton Big Wheel Off Road Jack offers all the features any off-roader could want.

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in OFFGRID #41. 

 

Eagle 3-Ton Big Wheel Off Road Jack

Weight: 60 pounds
MSPR: $470
URL: www.proeagle.com

Off Road Survival Off the Grid? Read More

CPR Mask: Pocket Preps

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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is now being taught in schools and offered readily in even the most rural areas. Most people don’t have an issue doing chest compressions; however, when it came to mouth-to-mouth breathing, that was always going to be “somebody else’s job.” Beyond the uncomfortable idea of putting your lips against a stranger’s, there’s always a risk of that stranger coughing up fluids or vomiting while you’re performing the task. Fortunately, two things have made that less of a hindrance for people. First, in 2008, the American Heart Association approved Hands Only CPR (cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr) to increase involvement of bystanders who might be unwilling to provide rescue breathing. The Second Option is to use a CPR mask when performing rescue breathing. 

Most shields or CPR masks are lightweight, but can be difficult to keep track of on scene. Most people found the pocket masks to be cumbersome, and they weren’t carried often by those who were trained in CPR. This perhaps led to the Hands Only CPR as a viable option that didn’t seem to alter outcomes. Many purists of CPR believe rescue breathing is still an important aspect of CPR. We looked at several options for those who want to pursue rescue breathing with a barrier between themselves and the victim.

My Medic Face Shield

This product provides additional protection for the rescuer by adding both a one-way valve and a barrier filter. A mouthpiece makes it easy to use. Instructions are printed on the face shield. This shield is latex-free and is a one-time-use product. There’s no expiration date on the face shield.

my medic face shield CPR Mask

Dimensions: 2.5 by 3 inches
Weight: 0.4 Ounces
MSRP: $3
URL: www.mymedic.com

Pros:
   Contains both one-way valve and filter

Cons:
   May be difficult to use in inclement or windy weather

My Medic face Shield package

WNL Products Adult/Child CPR Mask in Hard Red Case

The latex-free Adult/Child CPR mask by WNL Products comes with a hard case, one pair of gloves, a one-way valve, and the mask. This can be used multiple times and comes with instructions on how to clean the product. The one-way valve, however, is disposable and only meant for one-time use. There’s no shelf life on the mask; however, the alcohol wipe typically dries out over time and may need to be replaced every few years.

Price: $9.95 on Amazon. Purchase Here.

WNL Products Adult/Child CPR Mask in Hard Red Case CPR Mask

Dimensions: 4.25 by 5.25 by 1.75 inches
Weight: 0.3 Pound
MSRP: $8
URL: www.wnlproducts.com

Pros:
   Better sight line of chest expansion
   More distance from patient
   Fits in cargo pants pocket

Cons:
  Placement on victim can take some getting used to
  Bulky to wear on belt
  No oxygen inlet

WNL Products Adult/Child CPR Mask in Hard Red Case

Persys Medical PBVM-C / PBVM-G

The Pocket Bag Valve Mask (PBVM) by Persys is offered in four iterations depending on needs or desires. This is a silicone-based, collapsible, and easily storable pocket bag valve mask. It has many advantages over a simple mask in that it not only includes an oxygen port, but can also deliver 500 to 600cc of air by squeezing the 1.6-liter bag. It’s also Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) compatible (PBVM-NM), for what that’s worth. The shelf life is reportedly five years, and this is a single-use product. The PBVM-G (olive) version includes 6½ feet of O2 tubing to be hooked up to a tank.

Persys Medical PBVM-C / PBVM-G CPR Mask

Dimensions: 2.75 by 5.25 inches
Weight: 17 Ounces
MSRP: PBVM-C: $46 / PBVM-G: $53
URL: persysmedical.com

Pros:
   Better oxygen volume delivery
   Can fit in most cargo pants pockets

Cons:
  Size makes it harder to carry
  More expensive than basic masks
  May be difficult to use if untrained

Persys Medical PBVM-C

Ambu Res-Cue Key

The mask is latex-free and contains a one-way valve, making it easier to blow through. The instructions are printed on a card, not on the mask. The loops that secure the mask around the ears make this good for a more secure fit and use in inclement weather conditions. It’s recommended for both children and adults. This is a one-time-use product.

Price: $10.95 on Amazon. Purchase Here.

Ambu Res-Cue Key CPR Mask

Dimensions: 2 by 2 inches
Weight: 0.48 Ounces
MSRP: $10
URL: darkangelmedical.com

Pros:
   Keychain makes it readily available
   Mask resembles surgical mask with ear loops
   Easiest of these facial shields to blow through

Cons:
  Mask is bound with tape and can be difficult to open quickly.
  Instructions on a card, not the mask

Ambu Res-Cue Key

Laerdal Face Shield

This option is a low-cost, convenient, and effective barrier that reduces risk of droplet exposure. Instructions are clearly marked on the plastic shield. It has a 3M Filtrete hydrophobic filter that’s flush with the plastic barrier. It’s easy to blow through the filter. There’s nothing to secure the shield, so it needs to be held in place. This is a one-time-use product. There’s no expiration date; however, the shelf life is listed at a minimum of 10 years.

Price: $14.95 for a Pack of 20 on Amazon. Purchase Here.

Laerdal Face Shield CPR Mask

Dimensions: 3.5 H by 2.75 W by 0.25 D inches
Weight: 0.2 Ounces
MSRP: $3 each / $15 for 20
URL: www.narescue.com

Pros:
  Portability
  Low cost

Cons:
  Difficult to use in wet or windy environments

Laerdal Face Shield

 

 READ MORE FOR POCKET PREPS

Train Like an Athlete

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From the time I was a young soldier, I was determined to master my craft — especially shooting. I spent countless hours of my own time shooting, dry-firing, and researching in my quest to get better. And I did get better. I became a good enough shooter to more than hold my own among my peers. But it wasn’t until many years later, when I started competing in shooting sports, that I started to understand what good actually was, and found my skill level increasing exponentially. The reason for my “leveling up” after so many years was that I was now training my shooting less like a soldier and more like an athlete.

I wasn’t satisfied though. So, I started researching again. I trained with as many top competitors as I could, read up on athletic performance and sports psychology, on current research into learning and mastery, and over time pieced together a system of training that gave me steady improvements in shooting skill. There’s only so much improvement an intermediate to advanced shooter can make in a weekend class. But if that same student learns how to structure their own training more effectively, they can continue to improve long after the class is done.

structure matthew little training

One Thing at a Time

The first component of this system of training is developing skills in isolation. This is best done without distractions. This isn’t the time to put on full kit or do PT-heavy stress shoots. Those types of training exercises can have value as tests of skill, or as gut checks, but they aren’t the best way to develop skill. And before I hear the protests of “train like you fight,” consider something: No football team wears full pads for every drill or does nothing but scrimmage in practice. No UFC fighter’s training consists solely of sparring. Tests of skill aren’t the best way to develop skill.

When people think of isolated skill work for shooting, they often think of weapon manipulations — skills such as draws, reloads, and malfunction clearances. Those are definitely things to be worked on in isolation. But this category also includes much more than just those types of skills. You can use drills to isolate target transitions, movement skills, or any other aspect of performance shooting.

As an example, let’s take a classic shooting drill, the bill drill. The bill drill is typically shot at 7 yards, and is six rounds on a USPSA target from the holster. The gold standard for performance on it is all A zone hits in under two seconds. What exactly are we working on in this drill? The draw is essential for making that standard, both with speed and establishing a proper grip, but there are simpler and less ammo-intensive ways to work on that. When I run bill drills, I focus on one of two things. Using my grip to mitigate recoil or tracking my sights throughout the recoil cycle. And only one of these can be focused on in any particular repetition of the drill. One of the easiest mistakes to make in skill development training is trying to work on more than one thing at a time.

Matthew Little

How we execute our repetitions for skill training matters. If we stay in our comfort zone, where success is guaranteed, we inhibit our progress. If we do nothing but push for personal bests, especially with speed, our on-demand consistency suffers. Each rep should be an incremental push beyond your comfort zone. This should be repeated until you find a failure point. That last part is essential. Beyond a certain point, you won’t improve without giving yourself permission to fail. This runs contrary to a lot of military and law enforcement culture, but it’s absolutely essential if you want to reach your true potential as a shooter. You have to set your ego aside and accept that fact if you want to improve. Once you find that failure point, work the issue for several repetitions. This is where you start to correct whatever technical weakness caused the failure. That’s the other essential piece of the puzzle. You have to cultivate the awareness to diagnose where your technique is breaking down and work on improving that weakness.

Once you’ve put some work in and are closing out the drill, there’s one more essential part of this. That “push” you’ve just done to try and break through to a new level of skill is addictive. If you get stuck there mentally, you’ll absolutely damage your on-demand performance. To prevent that, close out the drill with one or two performances at an on-demand pace. Again, these shouldn’t be lazy reps, but instead right at your on-demand best.

It’s important to track the data from these drills. If you have a shot timer, between it and your targets you can collect literally every important data point. You should know with certainty what your times with acceptable accuracy on the targets are for draws, reloads, transitions, and splits for a wide variety of target difficulties and distances. You should have the same familiarity with how long it takes you to move from one shooting position to another. This data drives your improvement on these isolated skills, but it’s also important for your training in other ways that we’ll touch on in a moment.

Matthew Little Military

Combining Skills

In the early stages of your training, isolated skill work should be the bulk of your practice. But, as you progress, you’ll need to start training skills in combination as well. Without adding in this category of training, you’ll see a marked degradation in performance and consistency when you test your skills. The more elements of performance we string together, the greater the cognitive load. Think of your brain as a computer. The more programs you have open simultaneously, the slower the computer runs. Training skills in combination builds up your brain’s subconscious ability, the “processor” that allows you to run multiple skills reliably and consistently.

When we work skills in combination, none of the individual skills get pushed like they do in isolation. Instead, they should be performed subconsciously. You should have collected enough data already from your skill isolation practice to know what your current on-demand level of performance on any particular skill is. You should know your baseline performance with acceptable accuracy so that you can compare it to your performance on each element when you combine them into a more complex drill.

Then, the goal is to build up longer and more complex combinations of skills, while maintaining that baseline performance level on each one. This can be done a variety of ways. One of my favorites is to set up several shooting positions and random target arrays, then work them in every combination I can think of. I typically don’t repeat a particular combination more than three times, to avoid getting too comfortable with a particular sequence. Over time you can build up to more and more complex combinations and include increasingly difficult shooting and movement problems. The failure point you’re seeking to find and improve on here is the amount of cognitive load you can maintain before your individual skills break down. The failure point can be missing a shot or forgetting a sequence of fire, but it can also be more subtle. If a skill is markedly slower than when in isolation, or if your accuracy degrades significantly, that’s a failure point as well.

Matthew Little Structure Special Forces

Above: The author's time in Army Special Forces honed his understanding of shooting as an athletic skill.

When you find a failure point, back off on the complexity and then ramp it back up. Over time, the level of complexity you can reach without failing will increase. Your brain’s “processor” gets more powerful. You’ll find that your consistency on individual skills also increases as a result of this mode of training. Your cold on-demand performance gets closer to your best runs, and your incident rate of error decreases so that mistakes become rarer and less significant.

Measuring Improvement

The third component of training is testing your skill. This is where stress shoots and competitions come into play. This is where you evaluate how well your work on skills in combination has built your ability to perform at your current level of skill, under stress and on-demand. This is also where you identify technical weaknesses that need focus in your skill isolation drills. Competition is an excellent test, whether it’s an action shooting match or an informal competition among SWAT teammates on the range. If you train alone, seek out competition with others.

Matthew Little Competition

Without some sort of test under pressure your skills aren’t validated. It’s much easier to put up personal bests when you know you have endless “do-overs” for your mistakes than it is to perform at your level of skill on demand and under pressure. Testing your skills creates an essential feedback loop for your training. Identify your weaknesses, focus on them in isolation, strengthen them in combination, then retest and repeat.

The proportion of time spent on each of these three modes of training varies depending on our skill level, goals, and if we’re training for a specific event. Complete beginners should spend a significant amount of training time working solely on isolated skills. At least until they have a base level of competence at safe weapons handling and movement with a firearm, and understand fundamental marksmanship. As the shooter progresses in skill, they can begin to add in work on skills in combination. The closer the shooter gets to “maxing out” on their isolated skills, the more training time should be spent on combined skills.

Another factor to consider when programming training is peaking for a known event. The closer I get to a major competition, for example, the more time I spend working skills in combination, and the less I spend on skills in isolation. The same theory could be applied when a soldier is ramping up for a deployment, or when a police officer or civilian is preparing for a difficult shooting school.

Matthew Little Competition

Above: Competition can be an effective way to pressure-test your training, combining elements of both the athletic and technical aspects of shooting.

The way we combine the training modalities changes as we improve as well. In the early stages of skill development, it’s best to distinctly separate each one. This is known as blocking practice. Blocking practice is working on one aspect, one “block” of skill and then moving on to another. This is the best way for beginners to internalize the rudiments of technique.

As we improve, the concept of interleaving practice can be a way to drastically accelerate our progress. Interleaving practice involves mixing skills and modalities of training throughout a practice session. As an example, in my training, I’ll often throw three to five repetitions of an isolation drill in between sets of a combination drill. Research has shown that once the fundamentals are grasped, interleaving practice is a far more effective way to reach the upper levels of skill.

Go for the Gold

Over time, the training template becomes more flexible and instinctive. The ability to practice effectively is in and of itself a skill, and over time we get better at it. The more data we collect, and the more versed we become with applying that data to our training efforts, the easier it becomes to use these modes of practice to improve. This method gives us a system for organizing and directing our efforts into what performance experts call deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is qualitative and focused, incorporating feedback to adjust future training efforts. It’s the one thing that researchers believe separates top performers from average ones.

Matthew Little teaching

Above: Professional instruction from a qualified subject-matter-expert can help expand and refine your individual training.

Employed correctly, this system of training gives the shooter a comprehensive plan for improvement. What’s even better is that as long as the data is collected and analyzed correctly, the plan is self-correcting. Skills are built in isolation, strengthened in combination, and then tested under stress. Weaknesses are identified, then focused on as the cycle starts again. One by one, weaknesses become strengths and strengths get stronger, test and retest, until mastery is achieved. Train like an athlete, and you’ll get better.

Read More on Training

Keeping Your Finances Afloat Above Covid

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Americans face challenging financial times as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the economy. The definition of how society and the economy works is changing as companies shift to increased reliance on telecommuting. A significant fraction of the American workforce may never see an office again. Migrations out of cities to communities offering better lifestyle options for remote workforces is resulting in an active real-estate market in suburban and rural areas of the country even as urban centers atrophy. This, in turn, is causing a crisis for commercial real estate and banks as companies begin to take advantage of less need for office space. The middle tier of the consumer economy, small businesses, is cratering under the combined weight of COVID-19 operating restrictions and fewer customers even when those restrictions are relaxed.

Historically, major pandemics take two to three years to work their way through the world population. The record shows multiple waves of the disease rising and falling. It goes on until the sickness works through all of humanity. With a virulent R-Zero transmission factor of 2.3, there’s no reason to believe the epidemiological process isn’t playing out the same way this time.

At the time of writing this article, a mere six months of the first wave of COVID-19 have impacted planet Earth. At the mid-year point of 2020, the world’s nations are once again beginning to see surges of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, prompting a second wave of economic shutdowns across the planet.

financial future

For the first wave of COVID-19, the United States threw the might of its economic power into easing the financial impact of the coronavirus on Americans. The CARES Act provided supplemental funds to U.S. taxpayers, subsidized unemployment benefits to the laid off, distributed Payroll Protection Program funds to help business retain employees, offered mortgage, credit card and rent payment relief, and more. As the second COVID-19 wave hits, the U.S. is once again examining to what degree the nation can, or cannot, tend to the economics and quality of our lives.

Individual Resilience is Our Secret Weapon

The reality check we all need to face though is that government can only do so much. Yes, there are those among us who want to be completely cared for even if it means relinquishing their freedom. But that’s hardly everyone in this nation of 330 million people. There are many more people in this country who value their hardy self-reliance and ability to survive independently. Americans are diverse and come in all kinds of demeanors. U.S. national policy must not only accommodate all of these belief sets, it must find a line and make it clear to people where the support ends and the pull your own weight begins.

If you’re reading this publication, you probably want to pull as much of your own weight as possible because it forms an ethos of pride and self-worth, a critical survival factor for enduring difficult times. As the saying goes, the winner is the last one who panics.

We’ve certainly seen more than our share of people going into frenzies in the first half of 2020. COVID-19 pulled the rug out from under almost every aspect of normal life as we knew it in America. We became refugees from the world we knew and loved. As we cocooned, the adventure turned to cabin fever. The rebellion against restrictions followed, manifesting across every lifestyle and political facet of the American jewel. And, after six months, even some of the strongest among us began to show the effects of long-term stress and uncertainty.

During the great plagues, William Shakespeare wrote “The Sonnets” for his benefactors. They were poems imploring people not to give up hope. Although we can’t possibly outshine his poetic eloquence, we’d like to share a message of hope in our own way — through reinforcing the importance of steadfast preparation.

financial planning

Financial Planning

While not everyone has rainy day money, if you do, now is the time to nurture it wisely. Your reserves may have to last you through two to three years with limited opportunities for replenishment. The 1918 H1N1 flu pandemic lasted about this long with multiple waves of sickness going around the world. It dovetailed with the devastation that followed the First World War. It was a difficult time. But in America, it was followed by the Roaring ’20s, a vagabond rebound for the nation that lasted until we overdid it and crashed at the end of that decade. History tends to repeat itself. We could very well be in for the same type of roller-coaster ride. The resilient American’s mission is to endure the doldrum until the winds of progress begin blowing once more.

Most Americans have their deep reserve money either in real estate in the form of a mortgage, or retirement money in the form of IRAs or 401(k)s.

If you own real estate, hang onto it if you can. Minimize the cash flow you need to carry that real estate. If you can, refinance it into lower payments. If you’re looking to sell, note that people are moving around a lot as they adapt to new workplace realities, and the demand for housing is up in desirable areas. It’s also a rental market — people moving around creates demand as they seek temporary housing without long-term commitments. If you own vacation rental property, you may want to look at month-to-month term or corporate contract leasing to stabilize cash flow.

Do note that there’s somewhat of a human downside to some of this. Many landlords are dreading the reality that families they’ve worked with for years in rental units won’t be able to make their back payments and will eventually be evicted. The stories are heartbreaking for both landlord and lessor because, in the end, both are human beings caught up in the trauma of COVID-19.

Tapping Into Your Nest Egg

If you need to tap into your 401(k) money, be careful. There are many rules and pitfalls that accompany taking a loan or hardship withdrawal from your 401(k) account. Check the information on “401(k) Loans, Hardship Withdrawals and Other Important Considerations” from federal regulator FINRA (www.finra.org) on the subject before acting. The restrictions can be severe. The CARES Act also affects what you can do when accessing your retirement egg. “CARES Act 2020: Retirement Fund Access and Student Loan Relief,” also on FINRA’s website, discusses temporary changes authorized by the law.

IRA’s generally cannot be borrowed from, but the CARES Act also created provisions to access money if needed. This page by Merrill Lynch on “The CARES Act and your investment accounts” (www.merrilledge.com/article/cares-act-retirement-rules) details some of these rules. If you intend to make use of this form of relief, you should look up the rules page for the institution managing your actual IRA account.

If you do dip into hardship monies, the one piece of advice I have is spend it diligently. It’s your nest egg. If you can, work out an austerity plan that’ll make the money last up to three years.

Investments

In the world of investments, your experience of the last year has probably truly been a roller coaster. From the heady times of the 2019 “Trump Bump,” to record-high DOWs, into the COVID-19 Shock of the first quarter of 2020, you probably saw every market-linked investment vehicle you owned give you a powerful new grasp on the term “volatility.”

However, don’t count the U.S. economy out! It’s resilient, adaptive, and has proven to shrug off crises time and time again. We may very well be positioned like a powerful coiled spring to lift the U.S. economy to new heights as COVID-19 plays out. Fundamental forces have been strong despite COVID-19. It’s amazing how much business is still going on despite the media’s doom-and-gloom impression that the coronavirus cratered the economy. Things have changed, but essential industries never slowed down. The casualties are in smaller businesses, which aren’t traded on the U.S. exchanges. But competition filled the gap. Into the small-business vacuum, the online economy gained almost a decade of market share growth in a matter of months. So much so, Congressional anti-trust hearings are focusing on the question of whether too much monopoly power now rests in the hands of a few online firms.

The stock market’s growing confidence in the economy is such that the major U.S. indexes are, as of June 2020, at around the same levels they were in June 2019. It’s true that the we've erased the 2019 Trump Bump that took place in the latter half of last year. However, it’s also true that we've erased the panic-driven COVID-19 nosedive of the first half of 2020. That means that as the economy reopens, the fundamental path of recovery — barring any new surprises — favors a return to the 2019 curve. A second bump could very well be the hallmark of the latter half of 2020, provided a second shutdown as debilitating as the first doesn’t hit the nation. Preventing that is up to U.S. officials who may or may not have been paying attention to lessons learned from the mistakes made in the first half of 2020.

Dow Jones Industrial Index

On the personal investing side, we hope you didn’t panic buy at the highs and panic sell at the low, a mistake that would’ve lost you around one-third of the value of your investments. If you stayed still, and your portfolio was managed by a reasonably competent investment manager, your investments today would be worth roughly about what they were worth a year ago. You could arguably have gotten the same result taking everything out of the market and putting it in a money market savings account.

That’s the reality of it. What that tells you is that the adage that speculating is the fastest way to lose cash does seem to have been proven yet again. If you have your position in cash, you may or may not want to move some of it into something that yields slightly more interest and has no principal loss risk. That decision is your choice; or rather, you and your broker’s choice. If the money is in an IRA or 401(k), you probably want to favor the funds that have minimal volatility loss risk. Ultimately, what you do not want is another “Beta Risk” market panic event where you bite your nails through another trough. What does that look like? It’s called the November 2020 election.

Last thing on investing, if you want to speculate and play the market, you’re on your own. I’ve seen people who have won some and lost some in the past six months. But they were all using only the disposable portion of their portfolio. I haven’t seen anyone betting the farm on the market.

Going Cashless

One of the daily life artifacts of COVID-19 is that America is becoming a cashless society. Cash money, the mighty greenbacks, are touched by people. During a pandemic, anything touched by a stranger’s hands might be a potential vector for spreading the infection.

The result of this is that businesses now prefer payment using credit cards or, even better, touchless payment methods. The most common of these is using Apple Pay or Google Pay, which interact with wireless receivers in payment processing devices safely sitting behind plexiglass shields.

When ordering food for takeout or delivery. Phone apps are the preferred way to not only make the order, but also to prepay the order, and track the progress of the order’s preparation or delivery. Takeout is literally walking in and taking the order out. For delivery, it comes to you, and no cash is ever exchanged with the driver. You can even prepay the tip.

coins

Purchases from supermarkets, department stores, warehouse stores, and fast food are done by slipping a chip or swiping a magnetic stripe into readers while the workers stay safely behind plexiglass. Even many dine-in restaurants serving outdoor dining ask customers to pay for their meals by inserting a card into a reader.

The result of all this paperless buying and selling is that the amount of cash in circulation is decreasing. One artifact of that is a coin shortage. As people use less cash, change becomes idle in people’s jars at home instead of recirculating in the economy. There’s actually only so much metal minted and the amount of it is calculated by the U.S. Treasury four mints in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point to match the expected flow of cash and change in each service area. COVID-19 has disrupted the supply, demand, and recycling pattern of coins.

If you want to use coins, you might think that keeping a stash is a good idea, but it’s not. The better thing to do is take that gallon jug full of coins to the bank and deposit it. You don’t even have to count it precisely, your bank branch will give you a heavy plastic coin deposit bag, you will make an estimated guess on the deposit slip, and the bank branch will send it to a central coin counting facility that’ll update your deposit slip to the precise amount and credit your account. The coins will then be recirculated to merchants. Presto, no more coin shortage. Maybe an excess supply of coins. Because more people are happily cashless using their phone apps to wirelessly pay of things.

My gripe in all this cashless society stuff? My iPhone doesn’t recognize me while wearing a mask, so using Apple Pay, or a number of other security applications, is more difficult. The software relies on facial recognition technology to authenticate the payment. Even though it’s usually possible to override this feature with a manual passcode, it’s not always easy to do so. This will only become more of an issue in the future as facial recognition sees more widespread use.

Future Government Assistance

With the pandemic expected to last as long as two to three years, it’s not unreasonable to think that future economic assistance packages will appear. These may be stimulus and cash bridging packages like the CARES Act.

There could be new rounds of the Payroll Protection Program to keep small business alive, probably with stricter controls than the original version. In the first round of PPP, 661,218 loans greater than $150K made to businesses by 4,318 financial institutions reported by the Small Business Administration (SBA). An estimated 31,456,513 jobs were saved by the program. This may happen again. If it is, we should use these funds wisely.

Financial Concerns

There may be new rounds of enhanced unemployment insurance. Given the economic realities of remote workforces and increasing automation of work functions, it may very well become more common for Americans to only work part of the year paying into the system. The other part of the year would be spent taking that UI payment back in an elaborate process that creates a zero-sum solution for the economy until COVID-19 passes. You’d still have to pull your weight for part of the year. That’s probably not a bad thing to expect in exchange for the help.

Or, it could be targeted educational assistance for a parent to stay home to supervise school-age children. A few families could band together to educate their children as a group or “pod.” The group stays isolated from others to limit their exposure to COVID-19 risk. This pod structure is also used to keep shifts isolated from each other in essential services like police and fire departments, limiting the spread of any damage caused by a COVID-19 outbreak in one pod.

The purpose of these assistance programs is to enable living expenses to be met during a period of crisis. That’s what the money should be used for. And the watchword, because this is survival money, is to manage that spending prudentially. The government cannot tell you to be smart about our spending. That’s a responsibility each of us must see as our important contribution to the resilience of our nation.

More in Fiscal Security, Survival, and Preparation

Book Review: “Choose Adventure: Safe Travels in a Dangerous Place” by Greg Ellifritz

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Premise: Initially living a sedentary life in the United States, Greg Ellifritz got the travel bug late in life and couldn’t get enough of it. When he isn’t working in law enforcement or teaching self-defense skills, he’s racking up new globe-trotting experiences. His first book, Choose Adventure, details all the travel safety tips and tricks he picked up along the way.

411: Choose Adventure begins by pointing out its target audience. Ellifritz quotes a fellow traveler friend at the beginning, “If I was going to write this book, it would only have one page. In fact, it would only have one sentence … ‘Don’t do stupid stuff.’” This is completely true, but Ellifritz realizes that there can be a number of intricacies along the way. Maybe you’ve been to Mexico a couple times and want to expand your horizons. Or you’ve lived overseas your entire life, but want to see things from a different perspective. Either way, this book is going to open your eyes. It’ll help you think about self-defense situations in abstract ways, pieces of gear that could prove crucial in an emergency, and awkward social scenarios, to name a few examples.

If you’ve never traveled outside of the United States, but have an inkling to, don’t start by reading this Choose Adventure. It’ll scare your pants off, and you’ll be too paranoid to go anywhere. Every situation will seem to be compounded by the next problem or situation that Ellifritz brings up in the text. Instead, you need to go somewhere, make a few mistakes, return to the book, and then realize how you can and will do better on your next foray into the world.

I’ve been traveling since my family moved to Thailand when I was young. For me, traveling isn’t an exotic errand as much as a way of existing. Yet Choose Adventure was still a very welcoming refresher in terms of thinking about traveling more responsibly and efficiently. It includes tips like faster ways to dry wet clothing while in a hotel or Airbnb room without a dryer (Hotels chapter), realizing that most airport fatalities from a violent terrorist attack occur before the security check-in (Airports chapter), making improvised weapons and the legal ramifications of using one internationally (Improvised Weapons chapter), and even what to do if caught in a volcanic eruption (Surviving Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Other Natural Disasters chapter).

I found myself nodding in approval of Ellifritz’s advice in Choose Adventure, and when I started to think he left something out entirely, I usually saw it covered in the next chapter. If I were to write on the same subject matter, I’d be more precise in some areas where I have more experience, or make things regionally and culturally more appropriate where I’ve spent more time. But as an overall travel book, I know I couldn’t match the breadth of material that Ellifritz discusses.

choose adventure

Verdict: From dealing with active terrorist attacks or cramped legs on an airplane ride, Ellifritz is a very thorough instructor, breaking complex situations down into digestible portions. Instead of beating around the bush, he’s also very blunt in his conclusions. As an example, in the Kidnapping section he writes, “When we look at Westerners kidnapped by Jihadi terrorists since 2001, 60% were murdered by their captors. Another 25% were killed during rescue attempts by American or British armed forces (statistics from a Rand Corp. study). If you stand an 85% chance of being killed if taken hostage, why not resist?” In many instances he cites statistics and resource centers, making the Choose Adventure more of a studied reference than one man droning on about his opinions.

However, this is where I recommend some wisdom in reading through the advice from Ellifritz. Some of the
material is just never going to apply to you. Ellifritz doesn’t really vacation in Siberia, so you might be out of luck for cold-weather tips. I skimmed through the sections that would never apply to me, but paid particular interest to the points that actually changed my perspective on traveling.

If you purchase the Kindle version of Choose Adventure, the photographs in it will be too small and very grainy, especially on older devices. If you’re reading it on a color Kindle or a PC, the photographs are too small and their captions tend to wrap around the digital pages making reading them somewhat cumbersome. I think it would’ve been better to have a center section of photographs, or just not include photographs at all. Still, the price for a Kindle read is going to be worth it for the amount of knowledge this book conveys.

Choose Adventure can be purchased HERE on Amazon for $9.95.

Title: Choose Adventure: Safe Travel in Dangerous Places
Author: Greg Ellifritz
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 494

Rating:
Thrive
Survive
Die

OFFGRID Library of Recommended Books

Gear Up: New Survival Gear for December 2020

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Walls Outdoor Goods | Angus Worn-In Stretch Light Work Jacket

SIZING: Medium through XXL
MSRP: $90
URL: www.walls.com

Walls Light work jacket

With the temperature dropping in most of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to keep an outer layer nearby. Aside from its unnecessarily long and overly descriptive name, we’re quite fond of the Angus Worn-In Stretch Light Work Jacket because … well, it’s worn in, it’s stretchy, and it’s a light jacket that you can wear while doing field work. The exterior’s 9-ounce cotton-spandex blend is flexible enough to provide mobility but tough enough for daily duty on a ranch or worksite, thanks to double and triple needle stitching. Plus, it has two snap-closed chest pockets, two handwarmer pockets, one discreet zipper pocket, and one internal zipper pocket. Just note, medium is the smallest size, and it runs kinda large. The Angus straddles the line between workweek attire and weekend relaxing, and we appreciate that kind of versatility.

Prometheus Design Werx | Raider Werx Pant 100C

COLORS: Motor Pool Gray, Ranch Brown, Syth Blacks
MSRP: $139
URL: www.prometheusdesignwerx.com

Prometheus Design Werx | Raider Werx Pant 100C

If you’re looking for a pant that combines the ruggedness of classic workwear with the cut of something more modern and functional, search no further than the Raider Werx Pant 100C. Designed and manufactured by Prometheus Design Werx (PDW), this garment is made of durable 12-ounce, 100-percent cotton canvas similar to what your granddaddy might've worn in the garage or workshop. But, because it’s based on PDW’s bestselling Raider Pant pattern, it comes packed with brilliant little touches, including but not limited to delta rings to attach carabiners or chains, front welt pockets, side welt pockets, and a dedicated EDC tool pocket. It’s made in the USA using sturdy materials.

Appalachian Gear Company | All-Paca Fleece Beanie

SIZES: One size fits most
MSRP: $32
URL: appalachiangearcompany.com

Appalachian Gear Company | All-Paca Fleece Beanie

For years, we’ve touted the benefits of sheep’s clothing. But there’s another super fabric on the rise: alpaca fiber. Just like wool, alpaca fiber is breathable, odor resistant, moisture wicking, and insulates even when wet. That makes the All-Paca Fleece Beanie an ideal garment for both warm and cold weather, whether you’re going for an evening stroll or a backpacking trip. Made from 100-percent alpaca fiber, it’s lightweight and packable, letting you stow it conveniently in a jacket pocket or wear it under a cap or helmet, if needed. Though the fiber (and the llama-like mammals it comes from) are sourced from Peru, the All-Paca fabric and all of Appalachian Gear Company’s garments are produced in the USA.

Tentsile | Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

CARGO CAPACITY: 880 pounds
MSRP: $699
URL: tentsile.com

Tentsile | Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

Camping in cold conditions means getting your body off the chilly ground as much as possible with a sleeping bag and a pad. But with the Stingray, you can get several feet between you and the ground. This innovative tent is designed to get you elevated using three anchor points — not just so you can sleep in a portable treehouse, but also to stay protected from insects and critters, as well as wet, lumpy, or frozen ground conditions. It has a unique tensioned anti-roll strap system that prevents you from rolling to the middle or the heaviest side. It also comes with a waterproof rain fly, three side doors, a central hatch, and plenty of mesh pockets to store personal items.

Safariland | Model 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit

COMPATIBLE WITH: A variety of popular models from Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith & Wesson
MSRP: $55
URL: safariland.com

Safariland | Model 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit

We prefer friction-lock carry holsters, even if there’s no additional retention other than the omnipresence of gravity and the pressure of the holster squeezing the gun in place. But the 575 has an intuitive design that’s easy to use under pressure. Safariland’s GLS (Grip Locking System) locks your pistol in place and doesn’t release until you push it with your middle finger, which happens naturally when you grab the pistol grip. But we’re bummed that its shallow J-hook clip design doesn’t provide the best hold on our belt, and it rides high on our beltline. On the plus side, it has an adjustable cant and is made of a proprietary nylon blend that won’t warp under extreme temperatures.

ESS | Crossbow Gasket

COMPATIBLE WITH: Crossbow and Crossbow Suppressor Eyeshields
MSRP: $35
URL: esseyepro.com

ESS | Crossbow Gasket

Eye protection is essential for keeping your peepers safe from flying shell casings. But what do you do on a windy day if dirt gets in your eyes? Or maybe you’re sanding down a home project and sawdust flies in your face? It’s time to bust out the ESS Crossbow Gasket. Sold separately, the Crossbow Gasket can be attached to ESS’s Crossbow lineup of eye pro to provide a tight seal between your face and your lenses — basically transforming your eyeshields into goggles. It protects against dust, wind, and airborne debris, and is approved by the U.S. Navy for use by rotary wing aircrew. Plus, the Gasket has two modes: closed (completely sealed) and open (for ventilation).

Hawke | Vantage 30 WA 3-9×42

WEIGHT: 1.24 pounds
MSRP: $279
URL: us.hawkeoptics.com

Hawke | Vantage 30 WA 3-9x42

In an ideal world, all of our rifles would be outfitted with top-of-the-line glass from Leupold, Trijicon, and Vortex. But if that were true, we’d have no money left over for food and mortgage, let alone ammo and survival supplies. Hawke’s Vantage 30 WA 3-9×42 offers solid performance and sturdy quality for a price that won’t break the bank. The fog-, shock-, and waterproof scope is nitrogen purged and has 11-layer fully multi-coated lenses, 30mm aluminum monotube chassis, high torque zoom ring, and a fast focus eyebell. It features a .223/.308 marksman reticle (9x) that has a prominent center cross and 100-yard markers glass etched for easy reference when determining hold-over aim points (out to 600 yards).

Icon LifeSaver | Cube

CAPACITY: 5 liters (1.32 gallons)
MSRP: $125
URL: iconlifesaver.com

icon lifesaver cube

Any athlete, Boy Scout, or survivalist worth his or her salt knows that water is life. But drinking questionable water could equal illness or even death. That’s why having a reliable means of filtering out contaminants is key. The LifeSaver Cube is designed to hold a max of 5 liters of dirty water and filter 1.25 liters per minute, resulting in safe drinking water for you and your loved ones — whether you’re camping, hiking, or bugging out. According to LifeSaver, the Cube filters out 99.9999 percent of bacteria, 99.99 percent of viruses, and 99.9 percent of protozoan cysts. It also removes chlorine, taste, and odor, and has a filter life of 5,000 liters (1,056 gallons).

Leatherman Tool Group | Free K2

COLORS: Crimson, Evergreen, Navy, Slate
MSRP: $80
URL: leatherman.com

Leatherman Tool Group | Free K2

Leatherman became a household brand thanks to its pliers-based multipurpose tool. Now it’s applying the same spirit of innovation to the folding knife. The Free K2’s most prominent feature is the 3.3-inch modified sheepsfoot blade made of 420HC stainless. Though an entry-level steel, it does have good corrosion resistance and is easy to sharpen. It also houses five other tools: awl, pry tool, screwdriver, package opener, and bottle opener — all of which fold into the ergonomic aluminum handle. Sure, it’s slightly thicker than most pocketknives at 0.61 inch, but it’s not cumbersome to carry every day. Plus, at 4.9 ounces, the Free K2 weighs the same as most other medium-sized folders, but it comes packed with much more functionality.

Tuff Writer | Precision Press Series Pencil

COLORS: Various, including Black, Olive Drab, and Red
MSRP: $96
URL: tuffwriter.com

Tuff Writer | Precision Press Series Pencil

We’re fans of Tuff Writer pens because they look like ordinary writing instruments — so they don’t usually attract unwanted attention or get confiscated at an airport — yet are built out of premium materials that’ll last a lifetime. Best of all, they write smoothly in even the harshest conditions. But if you’re a fan of graphite, not ink, Tuff Writer now has a mechanical pencil version of its popular Precision Press Series. Just like its inky predecessor, this 6-inch pencil has a steel tip and clip, a 6061-T6 aluminum body, and a machined bearing cam click-button mechanism. Use the Precision Press Series Pencil to sketch a drawing, record your DOPE at the range, or give a bad guy 0.7mm “lead poisoning.”

Maglite | ML300LX LED 3-Cell D Flashlight

COLORS: Black, Foliage Green, Urban Grey
MSRP: $100
URL: maglite.com

Maglite | ML300LX LED 3-Cell D Flashlight

If you owned a car in the ’90s, there’s a good chance you kept a Maglite with an incandescent bulb within arm’s reach. It didn’t just provide illumination; it was also an improvised weapon. Maglite has since added darkness-piercing LEDs to its lineup of classic xenon and halogen bulbs. The ML300LX uses an LED that can throw 746 lumens up to 440 yards. You can switch from spot to flood light by turning the head less than 1/4 turn. It can run for 32 hours on high, 112 hours on low, and an impressive 298 hours in eco mode. Plus, it has four function sets — including outdoor and tactical — that you can access based on your button clicks. It’s modern function meets throwback form.

Spyderco | Darn Dao

BLADE LENGTH: 10.63 inches
MSRP: $650
URL: spyderco.com

Spyderco | Darn Dao

Some might mistake this for a small machete at first glance, but it’ll seem more familiar to those who practice Chinese martial arts rather than bushcraft. That’s because the 16.27-inch Darn Dao is Spyderco’s factory rendition of a rare custom design by the late and legendary knifemaker Bob Lum, who was known for crafting modern masterpieces based on traditional Asian tools. Spyderco meticulously translates his version of the Chinese broadsword using premium CPM 154 stainless steel blade mated with classy G10 handle scales. This flash batch edition includes a leather sheath with integral belt loop and a zippered storage pouch. While not meant to be a bushcraft blade, the Darn Dao could certainly make for an elegant brush-clearing (and zombie head-lopping) tool that’s portable and reliable.

The Secluded Strength Program

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Imagine, if you will, there’s an outbreak of a virus threatening the lives of millions of people, and the only way to stop the spread is to stay indoors and not interact with the general public. “Stay in your homes,” we’re told. Well, not being able to leave your home for much besides essentials will make a lot of us stir-crazy. Not only that, but it’ll also make many people sedentary and out of shape. Without a gym to visit, it’s difficult to know how to approach a fitness program to stay in shape for whatever is in store for us down the line. The good news? Bands are a readily available and versatile piece of exercise equipment you can take full advantage of in a home exercise setting. Sit tight, and we’ll show you exactly what you can do to stay fit and healthy and, most of all, prepared.

Just One Band

Exercise bands come in many different forms. There are bands with handles, wrist cuffs, leg cuffs, one large loop, and many other configurations. For this program, we’re going to use one large circular band, which you can find just about anywhere. While bands are common, most stores still stock a decent supply. Many of us probably already have some in the basement or storage room somewhere, which is great if you don’t have to purchase one.

What’s different about bands compared with traditional weight training equipment? Well, a couple of things. The most unique part of bands is the type of resistance they provide, which we can call variable resistance. When you lift a traditional dumbbell or barbell, the amount of resistance is consistent the whole time; it weighs what it weighs. When you use a band, however, the amount of resistance is dependent upon how much tension there is in the band. In other words, the more you stretch it, the more resistance it provides.

This is great for a lot of exercises because there are parts of a joint movement that you’re stronger in than others. It depends on the joint angle and the length of the muscle. For example, let’s look at a squat. The bottom of the squat position is going to be much more challenging than near the top. The same goes for a bench press or even a pull-up. A band can allow you to get more resistance where you’re stronger, and less resistance where you’re weaker. This even works at the highest level of strength and power sports. There are legions of athletes and coaches who swear by the use of bands in conjunction with traditional free weights for one simple reason: They work!

The Exercise Program

We’ve created a full-body strength program for you to follow for the next three to four weeks (or longer) that’ll help you not only build strength, but also power, stability, and athleticism. The best part is we’re just going to use your body weight and a medium-thickness band such as ¾ inch. The goal for most of these movements is to perform each movement quickly. In the absence of heavy weight or resistance, the only other way to stimulate the muscle fibers responsible for power and strength is to move fast. Alternate the day one and day two workout with one day of rest in between each workout.

Day 1

Squat Jump

Beginning in a standing position, squat down quickly and swing your arms back behind you.

squat jump

Explosively swing your arms to the ceiling and jump as high as you can.

squat jump

Land softly and repeat.

Split Stance 1-Arm Band Row

Begin by standing with the band around both feet in a split stance and your back leg nearly straight.

Grab the band with the same hand as your back leg.

Keeping your back flat, and bend over so your chest is facing toward the floor.

Pull the band back with your arm as you squeeze your shoulder blade back.

Slowly return your arm to the starting position and complete repetitions on both sides.

1-Arm Low Band Split Squat

Attach the band to a sturdy object at approximately mid-shin or ankle height.

1 arm low band split squat

Stand with one leg forward and the other behind you in a stationary position similar to a lunge and hold the band with the hand on the same side as your back leg.

1 arm low band split squat

Keeping the weight in your front foot, slowly descend until your back knee touches the floor.

1 arm low band split squat

Return to the starting position by pushing your front heel through the floor, and complete repetitions on both sides.

Band-Resisted Push-Up

Wrap the band around your upper back, under your armpits, and put your thumbs through the loops. This will prevent the band from sliding up your back during the movement.

band push up

Move to the floor and get into a push-up position.

Keeping your body in a straight line, slowly lower yourself until your chest is about 2 to 3 inches from the floor.

band push up

Exhale as you reach through the floor to return to the starting position.

Side Plank with Band Row

Fasten the band to a sturdy object at approximately mid-shin height.

side plank row

While holding the band in your top hand, position yourself on the floor perpendicular to the band.

side plank row

Prop yourself up in a side plank position.

Begin rowing with your top arm, and complete repetitions on both sides.

Day 2

Band-Resisted Broad Jump

Fasten the band to a sturdy object at approximately waist height and place the band around your waist.

broad jump

Explosively swing your arms as you jump forward and land softly.

broad jump

Step back to the starting position.

½ Kneeling 1-Arm Band Chest Press

Keeping the band at about waist-height, position yourself on one knee facing away from the anchor point with it in one hand. The down knee should be the same side as the band.

1/2 kneeling 1 arm band chest press

Exhale as you press the band forward.

1/2 kneeling 1 arm band chest press

Slowly return to the starting position. Complete repetitions on both sides.

Band Front Squat

Begin with your feet on one end of the band a little outside shoulder-width with the other end of the band across the front of your shoulders.

front squat

Cross your arms and grip the band with your index and middle fingers along with your thumb.

front squat

Slowly squat down thinking about sitting between your knees with your weight in your heels.

Exhale and return to the starting position.

Standing 1-Arm Band Row

Wrap the band around a sturdy object roughly lower-chest height.

standing 1 arm band row

Stand with your feel about shoulder-width and the band in one hand.

Pull the band back with your arm as you squeeze your shoulder blade back.

standing 1 arm band row

Slowly return to the starting position, and complete repetitions on both sides.

Tall Kneeling Band Anti-Rotation Hold

Slide the band down to roughly hip-height.

Tall Kneeling Band Anti-Rotation Hold

Kneel perpendicular to the band and hold it with both hands at your chest.

Exhale fully as you press the band out and hold it for the prescribed amount of time, then switch sides.

Tall Kneeling Band Anti-Rotation Hold

As you can clearly see, you don’t need very much equipment to maintain or improve your current fitness level. There’s a ton you can get done with just one band. You’re really only limited by your imagination and work ethic.

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design located in Aurora, Illinois. He earned his master’s degree in exercise physiology and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. You can find more information at www.Achieve-PersonalTraining.com or reach him on Facebook or on Twitter and Instagram at @rgioviano.

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A Pelican Case for Rescue Operations: The iM2950 Pelican Storm Case

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My introduction to Pelican cases came decades ago when I first started doing rescue work. I was arriving to a training class and spotted a pile of black, hard-sided boxes sitting outside, but there was a problem — it was starting to rain. Thinking that whatever was inside the cases must be valuable and could possibly be damaged by the rain, I quickly found one of the instructors and proclaimed that we needed to get the boxes moved to a dry location.

The instructor came outside and chuckled a little, realizing the equipment I was concerned about was already stored inside Pelican cases. He calmly explained that they were waterproof. When I asked if he was sure the contents would be OK, the instructor said that everything would be fine. He proceeded to grab one of the cases, and deliberately threw it on the ground from chest height, very roughly. It thudded against the asphalt as it bounced and tumbled. He said that nothing short of a tank was going to hurt the contents of those cases. That was quite the eye-opener for me and set the bar for all my future equipment that needed a high level of protection.

Today, I’m talking about the iM2950 Pelican Storm Case. Measuring in at 31.3 by 20.4 by 12.2 inches on the outside, with the inside dimensions about 2 inches smaller, this 3.17-cubic-foot medium-sized case is ruggedly built to take the abuse and protect the contents. It’ll keep water out, with its included EPDM O-ring seal, and offers a buoyancy of more than 200 pounds. This is enough to keep most things afloat, should the case end up in the drink. Heck, with that much flotation, you could probably use it as an improvised life raft.

pelican case storm cover

Above: Pelican cases have a long-standing reputation for bombproof durability.

As soon as you pick up this case, you can tell how ruggedly it’s built. Weighing in at 20.8 pounds empty, it feels quite solid. The three main handles are chunky and rugged, providing a nice gripping surface that doesn’t dig painfully into your hands. There’s also an extendable handle and wheels so that you can roll this case like luggage.

There are a variety of interior configurations available directly from Pelican. You can have it completely empty to fill as your needs dictate, or do what is most commonly done — order it with the foam kit. That kit includes six layers of foam, four of which are 2-inch Pick N Pluck. One 2-inch piece is mated to the lid, and the final 0.63-inch pad sits at the bottom. There’s also an excellent Trekpak Case Divider System that comes with 7/16-inch-thick rigid panels (walls), steel-locking pins, top and bottom foam, plus a cutting tool. The divider sections are manufactured from waterproof, closed-cell foam that’s laminated to a rigid corrugated plastic panel. It’s a pretty slick system that works well. With my case build, it uses both the Trekpak system to hold the tablet computer, and the foam kit to pad everything appropriately. If these options don’t fit your needs, there’s also a padded divider set and utility organizer with a variety of pockets, pen slots, and a business card holder.

Above: With just a drill and some silicone sealant, we were able to modify our case to charge the electronics inside without having to open it up.

With this case, we adapted it to hold 20 of the Grace Industries SuperCell SC500 SM GPS units in chargers, two repeaters, a tablet computer, and the ability to charge all of them with the case closed. The Grace Industries Supercell is a lone worker safety device. What that means is that these devices monitor a worker through a motion detector. If no motion is detected for a pre-selected period of time (ours are set for 5 minutes), the alarm will begin to sound and the other devices in the vicinity will also alert. This lets the other members of the team find and help the solo worker. The 900 MHz radio signal can also be sent to a computer monitoring system that can decode the latitude and longitude position and overlay it with an on-screen map. For my purposes doing technical rescue, which can include building collapse scenarios or lost person searches in a wilderness environment, it’s an amazing way to keep tabs on everybody to help ensure their safety.

pelican case interrior

Above: The foam inserts can be plucked or cut to accommodate a wide variety of equipment.

Most people purchasing a watertight storage box would never dream of doing exactly what we did: drilling a large hole in the side of it to accommodate a 120-volt household plug. But, with emergency services work, we need our equipment to be ready to operate on a moment’s notice, and that means ensuring our equipment is fully charged all the time. But don’t worry about the hole; it’s a simple matter to add gasket sealant around the hole and fill the internals of the plug with silicone sealant, once you verify that everything is working as it should. The silicone will restore the original watertight condition.

custom pelican case plug

The iM2950 Pelican Storm case has five latches to hold the lid securely shut — three on the front and one on each non-hinged side. You would think that these latches would be very tight and difficult to open, but Pelican has a unique Press and Pull latch that locks automatically and opens with the press of a button. I find it much nicer than their legacy latches that require a good slap to close and can take a bit of muscle to open. There are also two padlockable hasps if you need to further safeguard your equipment.

When you need a top-notch case to protect your investment in critical, expensive equipment, Pelican cases deserve your immediate consideration.

Make & Model: Pelican iM2950 Storm Travel Case

Exterior: 31.3 by 20.4 by 12.2 inches

Weight: (empty): 20.80 pounds

Price: $253 (no foam); $300 (with foam)

URL: www.pelican.com/us/en/

Accessories: Pelican TrekPak Case Divider Kit: $208

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