50 Shades of Gray Man: Blending In Versus Standing Out

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The concept of being a “gray man” is often referenced in survivalist circles, but after seeing the term misused countless times, we’ve come to realize that it may need some clarification. The author of this article, and several RECOIL staffers, spent their previous lives skulking around third-world cesspools serving God and country in a capacity that required them to blend in or become “gray” — nondescript passersby who garner little to no attention and are quickly dismissed by those they come into contact with.

The ability to become transparent in a hostile environment is important not just to accomplish a mission, but also to protect oneself and one’s family after the job is over. This is all well and good in theory and in conflict zones, but how can those lessons help you on a practical everyday basis? Or, more specifically, what threats exist during your daily routine that a gray man lifestyle could protect you from?

Information Security

Unless your name is followed by “007,” it’s unlikely that foreign agents are actively tailing you, looking for ways to make you talk. However, identity theft is a crime epidemic that’s only getting easier for criminals in the digital age. Details about your past and many of the things that make you who you are can be found in various computer databases around the world. Just like a puzzle, thieves don’t need every single piece to see the whole picture. Your political affiliation, military service, alma mater, and marital status are all slivers of information that can be used to track down your digital footprint and commandeer it.

There’s also the risk of setting yourself up as a target for theft. If you keep a trunk gun in your car, and your trunk is littered with pro-2A bumper stickers, you just made your vehicle a target for any criminal or ne’er-do-well looking to score a firearm that can’t be traced back to them. This also applies for mountain climbers and marathon runners who may keep high-end outdoor gear stowed in their vehicles for that spontaneous excursion. If your daily wardrobe is composed entirely of high-dollar tactical or outdoor apparel, you’re basically advertising you’d make a great mark to anybody looking to fence these popular retail items. The worst part about this is that broadcasting information about yourself may put you at risk for somebody to try and steal something you may not even own! Let’s say, for example, you have military service decals on your car. Not all veterans own guns. But that aforementioned crook looking to steal a gun might target your vehicle or home anyway, based solely on their own misguided perception that all vets are gun gurus.

The Value of Stereotypes

Indulge us in a quick trip down memory lane. Imagine your high school cafeteria at the peak of the lunch rush. Chances are that most of the tables were grouped by clique: the jocks in their letter jackets, jeans, and athletic shoes. Skaters or surfers, depending on where you grew up, with shaggy hair and baggy shorts. The goths huddled together in matching pale makeup and dark nail polish. We’re willing to bet even if you never saw any of these groups in your high school, you could picture them clear as day. That’s because this mental exercise is more about stereotyping and observation than actual past life experience. The point is that with little more than a brief description of physical appearance, you were likely able to generate passable facsimiles of whole groups of people and surmise certain expectations about how they live their lives.

Now think about certain gangs. What’s the point of being a criminal? To get away with committing crimes and making sure no one can figure out your true intentions. What’s the point of being a gangster? To identify yourself with certain type of clothing, tattoos, and demeanor so everyone knows who you are. It’s sort of a parody of itself. How does a criminal manage to go unnoticed and conduct criminal activity if they’re advertising their criminal affiliation to everyone purely to satisfy their own egos? This also applies to you as an American if you’re traveling in a region potentially hostile to Americans. Swallow your pride and don’t stand out. Acknowledge and practice local customs, research the typical attire worn in the area you’re venturing into before you go, and do your best to look and act like a native who’s confident and knows their way around, not a tourist who’s a fish out of water and easily manipulated because they look lost or confused.

The ability to make rapid and reasonable inferences about others based solely on outward appearance isn’t limited to the lunchroom or the streets. Many of these same indicators run rampant across the so-called tactical and prepper communities. Patches, stickers, and clothing are instant, automatic signs of what groups or ideologies you overtly identify with. Surely many of us have driven down the road and spotted another vehicle with firearms-related stickers on it. We understand wanting to show your support for the firearms industry and the second amendment, but those same decals convey other information that you may not wish to disclose. The same goes for your clothes, shoes, jewelry, tattoos, hairstyle, and even the way you carry yourself.

Un-Pimp Your Ride

Let’s address the simple topic of vehicle decoration. Here are some more specific examples of seemingly harmless adornments and what a person with ill-intention might be able to learn from them:

Vehicle stickers, license plates, or ball caps depicting military service, former rank, or medals/ribbons awarded: These instantly identify you as having military training and, in some cases, what unit you were in. Further information could be gathered about you through DoD or VA records, or private websites dedicated to locating veterans and military members. If you belong to veterans’ associations like the American Legion or VFW, somebody looking for more information could be tipped off to try looking for you in local halls.

Political party affiliation stickers: These allow others to know where you stand and how you think about politics in this country — and we all know how divided that’s become. Somebody following you could “bump into you” in any crowded place with news on the big screens and strike up a conversation with a politically charged comment that they’ve slanted in favor of your advertised party. Having built instant rapport, they might be able to elicit more detailed personal information about you in deeper conversation.

Stick figure family decals: If your stick family is an accurate head count of your household, you just told the world how many precious loved ones are home, and if you have pets (depending on the sticker). Someone intending to enter your house undetected now knows how many people need to leave the house before it’ll be unoccupied so they can break in. And a person with more sinister intentions just found out how many potential hostages or points of blackmail are available to leverage against you.

School stickers saying things like “My child is an honor student at XYZ High School” or “Proud U of M Dad”: Stickers like this give bad guys an exact location where they can gain access to your children away from your protection.

We’ve all seen license plates in our states like “GlockGuy” or “SigMan” or “Double Alpha.” Being proud is always a good mindset, but overt things like this let a criminal know that your car may be worth breaking into at some point.

Clothes Make the Man

Above: All three of these individuals are regular products of their environment. For better or worse, none of them will likely get a second glance. This normalcy can be used to your advantage.

Let’s move beyond bumper stickers. What other mundane facets of your daily life are potential “information leaks?” One of the biggest ones is wardrobe. Your T-shirt, shoes, belt, or ball cap tell plenty about your background or, at least, the image you choose to project.

Suppose you’re on vacation or a business trip, and you’re walking through the airport with a little more time than usual to make your connection. Hanging around the gate next to yours are four guys. They appear to be in their late 20s, physically fit with shaggy hair, beards, sleeve tattoos, and farmer’s tans. All four are wearing khaki or OD green cargo shorts, Salomon trail shoes, Oakley sunglasses, and Suunto watches. Based on that description alone, what do you think these guys do for a living? Where do you think they’re going?

The truth is that even while off-duty, most first responders wear a uniform of sorts. If you take your survival or personal security readiness seriously, you’re probably prone to the same phenomenon. An unbuttoned flannel shirt over a tucked-in T-shirt and a webbed nylon belt is a pretty big indicator that you might be concealing a firearm. What can the cashier at your local grocer tell just by looking at your cargo pants and trail shoes, the knife clipped to your pocket, or the fire starter on your keychain?

We all want to be prepared to survive any potential calamity, but your outfit may tip off malicious individuals about your earnestly collected stocks of food, fuel, and quality tools. This subset of the population may see your car or your home as a ready-made cache of sellable goods they can make easy money off of or even appropriate for themselves, and they may not care which one of your stick figure family members they hurt in the process. Read any mainstream news article about emergency preparedness, and you’ll see at least one person comment about how they don’t bother stockpiling supplies because they have guns and can simply take what they need by force. Don’t let your home become the first stop for some scumbag’s post-SHTF shopping spree.

Above all, remember that these tips are situational. Strolling down the street in a rough neighborhood while wearing pressed slacks and a dress shirt will stand out, much like wearing baggy shorts and a hoodie in the middle of a white-collar office-building complex. Study your surroundings, and you’ll soon realize what you need to do to blend in.

One Day at a Time

Like any other survival skill, “going gray” takes dedication and practice. For additional information on specific techniques, refer to books such as Gray Man: Camouflage for Crowds, Cities, and Civil Crisis by Matthew Dermody (see the review from Issue 29). Internet searches, when taken with a shaker of salt, can turn up helpful hints. Don’t be afraid to train and experiment. Go to your local big-box store and try to find off-brand alternatives to your favorite outfits. Stay away from memorable bright colors or bold patterns. Keep your accessories inexpensive and low-key. Put your knife all the way in your pocket instead of clipping it to the outside — yes, we know this may not be legal in some places but, as Ed Calderon often says, “What you can do and what you’re allowed to do are two different things.” If you’re traveling, wear business attire even if you don’t have to. People will look past the middle manager faster than anybody dressed in the latest in tactical chic.

We all want to be proud of our lifestyle and our accomplishments, as well as those of our loved ones. But also be aware of the amount of valuable personal information you surrender in the process — information that could be used to harm you severely were anybody so inclined. Methodically removing these outward indicators from your daily routine is the crux of the gray man philosophy.

We also want to be realists and don’t expect you to simply erase your personality or unique sense of style. It may be best to start integrating gray-man concepts during long-distance travel. International travel is the most important because being immediately recognizable as an outsider or tourist puts you at substantial risk. In addition to that, your self-defense options will be much more limited. Firearms will almost certainly be unavailable, and you’ll have to pack your knife in your checked bag — if the host country even allows pocket knives. Depending on the agent, TSA may or may not let you have a tactical pen. Domestic travel allows some discretion. Your mode of travel and destination will dictate what kind of gear you can bring. If you’re going to an area with high crime rates or even a sociopolitical culture that’s not your own, being forgettable might save you some hassle. But we admit that going gray to go for groceries probably isn’t critical to your personal safety.

Home Sweet Home

Your home is another place to be proud of. So you make sure to hoist that Marine Corps flag high in that front yard or a Special Forces flag letting people know your background. College football flags are also everywhere, which may be used to identify where you hail from or where you went to school. For example, imagine a person flying a Marine Corps flag in their yard with a MARSOC sticker on their Ford F-150 lifted on 35s with a Glock sticker on the back window in North Carolina. Just from driving around that neighborhood, a criminal now knows where he lives, where he works, and what he drives. Now all they need is a few days of surveillance and internet access, and everything else can be found online from his license plate and address.

Talk the Talk and Adapt

One of the most unique identifiers that can thwart even the best gray man is speech and body language. For instance, if I’m speaking to someone and they assume I have zero military background (which happens often), but I accidentally answer their question with “roger” or “copy that” — if they’re quick enough to catch that phrase they’d immediately suspect I’m lying about my service background. “Affirmative” or “negative” as answers stand out like a metal gong. Accents from Boston to Minnesota, or Georgia and Texas, can easily be distinguished from one another and can provide people with one more piece of information about you. A large and bearded Caucasian man in Dubai wearing a Harley-Davidson sweatshirt, Salomon shoes, and Kühl pants probably isn’t there to see the Burj Khalifa. His two friends with Multicam backpacks and patches that say “Bagram Infidel Club” or something similar won’t help them attain gray-man status either. Their accents also can help narrow down which state they’re from while they talk to one another. All these indicators would allow an individual with nefarious intentions to easily strike up conversation and extract even more information about them and their overall intent or mission in that area.

Situational changes occur often. I’ve found myself blending into a very liberal mountain town of lovely mountain climbers and white water canoers and kayakers, only to be in a double-breasted suit and tie three hours later at an embassy-level dinner. Imagine the transition from dropping children off at school to going onto a military or government installation, but not being in the same clothing for either activity? It can be done. Is it necessary? For a very small percentage of people, it is, but for the majority of us, the answer honestly is no. However, just like practicing with firearms, medical training, or fieldcraft, the time you take to practice and train will always help you when the real time comes.

When you first start practicing gray-man principles, it might feel like playing a game. Putting on different clothes and trying different styles is not unlike wearing a costume. If it feels awkward, then you’re off to a good start, because that means you’re out of character from how you normally present yourself. As you do it more and more, you’ll simply slip in and out of various wardrobe styles as the situation dictates. Then, later on, a day will come where blending in is natural, subconscious, and even extends to your behavior and mannerisms. That day will be the day you’re truly a gray man.

New: HK Knives Fray Fixed Blade from Hogue

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When it comes to knives, we tend to prefer simple and durable designs. If you plan to use a knife for cutting rather than as a prop for Instagram photos, you probably feel the same way. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a knife that looks good at the same time, but that's more of an added bonus to its primary purpose.

Hogue Knives recently released the new Fray fixed blade as part of its HK Knives line. The company calls the HK Knives Fray a “no-nonsense cutting tool,” and its design clearly matches that goal. It's constructed from a single piece of 154CM stainless steel, hardened to 57-59 HRC and available in two blade shapes.

Fray Tanto (top) and Clip Point (bottom)

One is called a Clip Point, but looks closer to a drop point with a prominent swedge, since it lacks the concave shape and upswept tip we've come to associate with typical clip-point blades. The other is a Tanto, which also has a swedge for improved piercing. Overall length is 9.1 inches; blade length is 4.2 inches.

Each version of the HK Knives Fray is finished in your choice of black, OD green, or FDE Cerakote. The handle is wrapped in black paracord; a large forefinger notch and jimping on the thumb ramp and butt provide added grip. Each knife comes with a black polymer Auto-Retention Sheath that can be carried horizontally or vertically. It's also compatible with TEK-LOK mounts.

The HK Knives Fray is made in the USA by Hogue, and priced at $150 MSRP. For more information, go to HogueInc.com.

Pounding Pavement: Man-Tracking Skills for Urban Environments

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“There is nothing that sharpens a man’s senses so acutely as to know that bitter and determined enemies are in pursuit of him night and day.” — Frederick Russell Burnham, Scouting on Two Continents

Tracking is more than an outdated science seen in movies or documentaries about Native Americans. Its applications span centuries; tracking was employed in the tactical arena from the American Indian Wars to Vietnam, Rhodesia, and Afghanistan, to name a few. It continues to prove its value on the battlefield and in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, even compared to more sophisticated methods involving high-cost assets, such as helicopters, drones, and working dogs.

Man-tracking can be used to great effect in preventing criminal and terrorist actions in an urban environment. We tend to think of tracking in the context of spotting broken twigs and muddy footprints in the woods, but tracking isn’t only useful in rural areas or off-grid scenarios. Taking advantage of in-depth observation and collection of clues, a tracker will prevail in the most difficult terrain: the concrete jungle.

My personal “dirt time,” for example, requires nothing more than a handful of minutes spent in the city where I currently live, constantly looking for tracks and focusing myself on their interpretation. With a population of more than 2 million, I get plenty of practice daily.

The essential starting point for both rural and urban tracking is Locard’s exchange principle: “Every contact leaves a trace.” In other words, any person who moves through an environment will leave behind some evidence — however small and easily overlooked — of those movements. The primary differences lie in the nature of the scenario.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, human trafficking affects between 7,000 and 9,000 victims annually, with 49,000 cases reported in the last 10 years in the United States alone. Widen the scope to kidnapping and the numbers skyrocket to thousands reported daily. Roughly 800,000 children go missing each year in the U.S. Then, there’s bounty hunting and locating fugitives, another enterprise where tracking skills are invaluable. All of these situations are prime examples of scenarios where skilled urban trackers can save lives.

What is Urban Man-Tracking?

According to Fernando Moreira’s Visual Mantracking for Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue, urban tracking is a “fast-paced man-tracking effort in urban environments for military, law enforcement, and SAR teams.”

Even if observing and following clues in this kind of context represents a real challenge, the experienced tracker knows many of the tracking techniques used in rural environments can also be used in urban environments. Still, infrastructure differences — such as concrete and asphalt roads as opposed to dirt trails — “provide an entirely new medium upon which signs must be identified,” according to John Hurth. In his book, Combat Tracking Guide, Hurth classifies urban areas in four main categories: villages (population of 3,000 or fewer), large cities (what we can easily identify as “megalopolis”), towns (not part of a bigger urban complex), and strip areas (areas of connection between major urban locales).

Considering the peculiarities of each category, it soon becomes obvious it’s essential for a tracker to do a careful follow-up on all leads in urban settings. This means taking advantage of every detail they can collect through intelligence as well as through an accurate observation of the entire scenario, even if these details are continuously changing due to the characteristics of the heavily populated environment they’re operating in.

Even partial tracks or footprints are enough to keep a skilled tracker hot on the trail.

How Does it Work?

Tracking in an urban setting has more in common with rural tracking than most people might think. It’s all based on the proper observation not only of footprints, but also of every kind of sign left by the quarry. Locard’s principle is perfectly relevant in an urban context. A tracker can run across footprints as well as tire tread evidence, or any number of other indicators of people who “engage in other activities that leave multiple residues to capture footprints,” writes Moreira. This can include leaving behind trash from food or drinks, but also spitting, bleeding, or losing or deliberately jettisoning personal items.

All of these elements indicate the passage of a person and provide valuable clues, as do the flagging of leaves on a playground, the partial tracks left on the sand inside a building site, the geometry of a shoe pattern captured by the sap of a green leaf, the scratches on the moss that partially cover an abandoned structure, the transfer of water/mud/snow, and so on. While signs left by feet are often the most plentiful, don’t forget all the disturbances made by hands and the upper body. Last but not least are tire treads, which can actually reveal more detail than most imagine.

For instance, tire tread evidence played a key role in solving the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing case. FBI Special Agent William J. Bodziak gathered and studied evidence left by the truck McVeigh and Nichols used to transport the bomb “to determine the axle belonged to a specific truck that had been rented to an individual who listed his name on the rental agreement as Robert Kling,” as described in the book Tire Tread And Tire Track Evidence. Kling was the same name used by McVeigh to register in a nearby motel. Later, Bodziak made track-width measurements of the vehicle, adding additional evidence to the case.

Recognizing, following, and interpreting all these clues is imperative in an urban scenario. The tracker should facilitate his own research by looking for so-called “track traps,” areas where tracks/signs are most likely to be found.

Hurth compiled a good list of urban “track traps,” which include the following:

  • Edges of roads
  • Patches of dust and dirt
  • Alleyways
  • River beds/streams
  • In and around gardens
  • Areas where you can still find dew
  • Inclines and declines
  • Oil spots in parking areas
  • Soft tar
  • Drainage ditches
  • Muddy zones
  • Bicycle routes
  • Entrances to doorways and gates
  • Generally, any area able to retain a complete or partial sign of passage

 

My tracking mentor, David Michael Hull, wrote in his book Man Tracking in Law Enforcement, “Vision is the most important sense used in the art of tracking. Although most of us can see, we differ in our perception of what we’re looking at. This is because of the acuteness of our physical eye, our ability to focus on the task at hand, and the perceptions we have from previous experiences and training.”

Being able to locate the right tracks to follow is one of the biggest challenges of a tracker in an urban scenario, due to constant changes of medium — asphalt, concrete, mud, metal, puddles, grass in a garden, and so on. The more obvious thing to do, and a good starting point, is to proceed by “elimination tracking” — identifying areas where people have not passed. As Hull explains, “The lack of evidence is evidence in itself.”

This convenient method, mostly used in search and rescue, can be successfully applied in certain areas of an urban environment.

Once the correct tracks are identified, the tracker should pass all the information gained to the rest of the team in order to compare the evidence found with any data already archived, like measurements, photos (if available), length of stride and straddle, and so on.

Tracks contain data that must be properly measured and analyzed in order to properly extrapolate all possible...

Counter-Tracking During Urban Movement

A skilled tracker is perfectly aware that following a quarry into the often nonexistent boundaries of an urban scenario includes knowledge of the principles of stalking as well as counter-tracking. A known case of this is the manhunt of former SAS trainee turned murderer Barry Prudom (aka “The Phantom of the Forest”) in England in the summer of 1982. Prudom was able to evade the police for 17 days despite a widespread manhunt. Eventually, he was successfully tracked down by Eddie McGee, a former paratrooper and SAS operator.

The first, and most obvious, approach to an escape and evasion situation inside a city is to move rapidly without being seen or detected. This is much more relevant in an urban context than a rural one. Counter-tracking procedures can be applied as well, if the quarry is conscious of being followed. However, the application of countering methods consumes precious time in all cases and with most types of trackable evidence.

Understanding the details a tracker must follow — especially if deception is practiced — and also interpreting them properly to predict subsequent actions and movements can become exceedingly difficult. For this reason, the tracker should follow the golden rules of stalking — “take risks early” (per Bob Carss in The Complete Guide to Tracking) and, perhaps more importantly, “put himself into the mind of the quarry” (per David Scott Donelan in Tactical Tracking Operations: The Essential Guide For Military And Police Trackers). The latter requires effective post-analysis of a found track not just to figure out the quarry's immediate movement pattern, but also to estimate their possible long-term intentions.

Above: “track” doesn't have to be a footprint or impression. Everything from fluid spills to discarded trash and fibers can inform a tracker about their quarry's movement or intentions.

Basically, counter-tracking techniques are used “primarily to slow down, confuse, lose, or eliminate a tracker. Culture, religious affiliation, and the amount and quality of training the quarry received will determine how he reacts to the pressure of being hunted,” according to Hurth. If he’s aware of being followed, the quarry may adopt extreme measures to increase the distance between him and the tracker. In an urban context, this generally means walking in packed streets to avoid possible “track traps” — favoring dry asphalt or concrete, changing direction very often, and paying extreme caution not to lose anything, even hair, mucus, or blood that could be easily traced to the quarry.

Separate from counter-tracking, anti-tracking methods (minimizing the signs of passage) can be very effective in a metropolitan area due to the nature of big cities and the chaos generated by an unending mob of residents and tourists. In a rural environment, the “speed and distance” technique would immediately produce more noise and more signs on the ground, due to the kinetics of movement. However, in a populated area, these disadvantages are greatly mitigated, making urban tracking extremely strenuous for any team following an experienced quarry.

Even the urban environment can trap readable tracks that will help keep the pursuit alive.

Beat Feet

Just as in rural areas, once the trackers have observed a footprint pattern and wear that clearly leads to the quarry, they focus on preserving further tracks, avoiding contamination from the rest of the team. Wear is the gradual erosion of the shoe’s outsole material as it contacts the ground.

According to agent Bodziak’s writing in the Journal of Forensic Identification, “Erosion of the shoe’s outsole is influenced by many factors, including but not limited to the way a person stands and walks, the amount of time the shoe has been worn, the surfaces over which the shoe passed, the type of soling material, the weight and flexibility of the wearer, and whether the footwear is used for jogging, walking, tennis, or just everyday usage.

In other words, the particular wear makes any shoe unique and represents sort of an identification of the quarry. This is what happened in the O.J. Simpson case. The New York Times reported “an expert from the Federal Bureau of Investigation testified today at O.J. Simpson’s trial that the person who left a trail of bloody shoe prints along the walkway in front of Nicole Brown Simpson’s home last June wore size 12 shoes, the same size worn by Mr. Simpson.” The witness, Bodziak, traced down the model of the shoes that left the prints to two factories in eastern Italy, the NYT reported.

Thanks to the FBI Footprints Database, a tracker can send photos of a single track taken from different perspectives to the federal law enforcement agency and find out if the pattern of the found track can be matched to a suspect based upon the wear patterns of the footwear.

According to Dave Brewer’s and Wes Hoekwater’s writing in the FLETC Journal, “Footprints are much like latent fingerprints in that no two wear patterns are the same. Additionally, footprints can show many things to include the speed of the individual leaving the scene.”

Tracking has always been, and will likely always be, at the intersection of science and art. It’s an indispensable skill for both professional teams and prepared individuals alike who want the ability to locate and identify potential signs of human predators in their vicinity. The urban and suburban environment adds additional challenges for the tracker and need to be considered carefully, especially when involved in a real-time pursuit of determined adversaries. But the task is far from impossible and, with proper education and the right resources, urban tracking allows citizens to be more aware of the human terrain around their homes. For military, law enforcement, or rescue teams, these same skills can take much of the guesswork out of finding those who can’t or don’t want to be found.

About the Author

Kyt Walken is a European-based instructor for the U.S.-based Hull’s Tracking School. She has been an outdoor enthusiast and tracking worshipper since childhood.

She attended her first Man Tracking class with the Scott Donelan Tracking School’s European Division in 2015. In June 2017, she took part in the Tactical Acuity C-IED Class held by Hull’s Tracking School. She now teaches her own basic and advanced tracking classes all over her home country of Italy.

She leads classes around Europe, collaborates with a forensic lab located in Rome, is practiced in the South African tracking method of spooring, and an author and podcast host, spreading awareness about the benefits of tracking and the importance of wildlife and environmental conservation.

Pocket Preps: Neck Knives

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In the last issue we focused on the micro folding knife — a blade that’s 2 inches or shorter — as a backup to your larger edged tool. In this edition of “Pocket Preps,” we’re gonna take a look at its cousin: the neck knife.

During an outdoor adventure or in a survival situation, your primary edged tool should be a large bushcraft blade that can perform a wide range of tasks. But a neck knife can be a reliable backup if you lose or damage your main knife.

This small tool is quicker to deploy than a micro pocket knife, because it’s ready to go once yanked from around your neck. Most have no opening mechanism to fumble with. Also, with a simple design and few moving parts, it’s less likely to break. And because it’s hanging from your neck, it’s accessible with both hands. Added bonus: Some of these models can be setup as boot knives, too.

Read on to see if there’s a lethal necklace that’s right for your survival needs.

Bastinelli Knives BB Drago Cutter V2

OAL: 4.4 inches
Blade Material: N690Co stainless steel
Weight: 1.4 ounces
MSRP: $135
URL: bastinelliknives.com

What the BB Drago lacks in length it makes up for in girth. It has a broad modified Wharncliffe blade that’s great for piercing, draw cuts, and widowing. This beautiful and lightweight model comes with a Kydex sheath with a ball chain. Manufactured in Italy by Fox Knives.

Pros:

  • Profile and jimping is ideal for a thumb-supported grip.
  • G10 is our favorite handle material
  • The N690Co blade is sharp, tough, and corrosion resistant.

Cons:

  • The tiny handle has room for only two fingers.

Winkler Knives Zipper/Arrow

OAL: 5 inches
Blade Material: 80CrV2 high-carbon steel
Weight: 1.2 ounces
MSRP: $95
URL: winklerknives.com

Iconic knife-maker Daniel Winkler designed this as an everyday-carry tool that could be carried even in areas with restrictive size limits. Not a neck knife per se, this high-quality fixed blade comes with a double-gated carabiner attached to its sheath, allowing it to accept a cord or chain necklace. Made in the USA.

Pros:

  • The 80CrV2 blade cuts, stabs, and slices like a mini lightsaber.
  • Slim Kydex sheath has a simple-but-genius integrated lock.
  • The included Nite Ize carabiner increases the carry options.

Cons:

  • 80CrV2 is awesome steel, but isn’t stainless; the blade will need regular care to prevent rusting.

Tangram Brevis DropPoint

OAL: 5.06 inches
Blade Material: Acuto 440 stainless steel
Weight: 0.8 ounce
MSRP: $26
URL: amazon.com

This was designed by U.S.-based knife-maker Dirk Pinkerton for Tangram, a Chinese firm that makes entry-level knives and markets them to the West. If we didn’t know better, we would never have guessed it was made in China. Solid craftsmanship for an affordable price.

Pros:

  • Versatile blade profile works great for a variety of tasks.
  • Finger groove increases “grippyness”
  • Made from a Japanese version of 440C stainless steel
  • Comes with cord to do your own custom handle wrap

Cons:

  • No cord or chain to fashion a lanyard

Columbia River Knife & Tool Minimalist

OAL: 5.22 inches
Blade Material: 5Cr15Mov stainless steel
Weight: 1.7 ounces
MSRP: $40
URL: crkt.com

This popular model is comfy in the hand and versatile for both the great outdoors and urban environments. The Minimalist comes with a glass-reinforced nylon sheath and is also available with a Bowie, tanto, or Wharncliffe blade profile. Form, function, and affordability earns it this column’s Best Value Neck Knife Award.

Pros:

  • G10 scales and deep finger grooves provide an assured grip.
  • Cord fob attached to handle provides a grip for your pinky and extra cordage.
  • Neck cord has a push-button stopper to customize fit.
  • Drop-point profile is adaptable for different cutting tasks.

Cons:

  • Sheath doesn’t have the best blade retention.

Boker Plus Slyde-R

OAL: 5.5 inches
Blade Material: 440C stainless steel
Weight: 1.1 ounces
MSRP: $45
URL: bokerusa.com

The sole oddity in this buyer’s guide, the Slyde-R isn’t a fixed blade, but rather features a push-button opening mechanism that lets you slide the blade in and out of the handle, similar to a boxcutter. While not a bushcraft-worthy blade, it certainly is the most fun neck knife to fidget with. Comes with a ball chain.

Pros:

  • 440C might be old, but it’s still dependable stainless steel.
  • Fun opening mechanism that’s easy to use with one hand
  • G10 is our favorite handle material.

Cons:

  • Slower to deploy than fixed blades
  • Blade can wiggle during hard use.

Terrain 365 Element Bravo-HD

OAL: 6 inches
Blade Material: Terravantium Dendritic Cobalt
Weight: 4.2 ounces
MSRP: $195
URL: terrain365.com

Notes
The $195 price tag is not a typo. But considering it’s guaranteed by Terrain 365 to never corrode “in all of earth’s natural environments,” it’s worth considering. Made of proprietary Terravantium alloy, the Element is rustproof, durable, and made in the USA. It easily earns this column’s Top Pick Award.

Pros:

  • Terrain 365 guarantees this field neck knife won’t corrode.
  • Stout blade can pierce, slice, or shave.
  • Has the Goldilocks touch; good balance of length, weight, and portability
  • Slim Kydex sheath included

Cons:

  • At $195, we expected a better lanyard than the 3mm-thin (re: uncomfortable) cord to wear around our neck.

Gerber Gear Ghostrike Fixed Blade

OAL: 6.9 inches
Blade Material: 420HC stainless steel
Weight: 1.7 ounces
MSRP: $50
URL: gerbergear.com

Designed as a belt-carry knife that can also be worn on a pack, in a boot, or as a neck knife, the Ghostrike is a skinny blade that’s meant to be carried discreetly for self-defense purposes. It comes with a textured rubber grip on the handle and an equally slim polymer sheath. Made in the USA.

Pros:

  • Low-vis appearance
  • Skeletonized full-tang handle to lighten the load
  • Sheath has both vertical and horizontal belt carry options.

Cons:

  • No cord or ball chain included
  • 420HC isn’t the best steel.

Kershaw Knives Dune

OAL: 7.7 inches
Blade Material: 3Cr13 stainless steel
Weight: 2.2 ounces
MSRP: $40
URL: kershawknives.com

Part sci-fi, part ancient ninja, the Dune is what Kershaw calls a “neck sword.” At 7.7 inches in length, it’s longer than most neck knives and features an angular tanto blade profile. It has textured, glass-filled nylon scales and comes with a molded polymer sheath and a cord. Made in China.

Pros:

  • Longer length means more handle and cutting edge.
  • Aesthetically unique
  • Despite its birthplace, the Dune features quality workmanship.
  • The tanto tip is excellent for stabbing.

Cons:

  • Tanto profile limits versatility.
  • Handle is a little too skinny.

Read More for Pocket Preps

Perishable Pills: Is it Safe to Consume Expired Medications?

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Warning! This article is meant to be a quick overview and not a detailed guide on medication expiration or use. To learn more about medication shelf life and long-term effectiveness, consult with your licensed physician or accredited healthcare agency.

Here’s the scenario: It’s 5:30 a.m. and you go to the fridge to grab some milk, only to notice it expired a day ago. You hear a disturbance from the other room and, soon, in rushes your wife in a panic, “Don’t drink that! It’s gone bad!” Without even stopping to breathe, she grabs the milk and pours it down the drain.

In the same household, if you go to the medicine cabinet, you’ll find medications that expired years ago. Why is it that food is immediately thrown out the minute it goes beyond the expiration date, but we keep expired medications “just in case?” Perhaps the easy answer is that we can always go to the store and get another gallon of milk before the sun comes up. The more challenging answer is that you kept your wife up all night hacking up a lung, and she told you three days ago to go to the doctor (and you didn’t). She will of course give the ultimatum that you go to the doctor today and get some medication, or else! Oh wait, she remembers that she has some cough medicine left over from when Johnny was sick … “Here, try this.” And all is better in the world. Thank goodness we kept that cough medicine for two years.

While this scenario could happen in any household in the world, it never happens in my household — because I have the best wife ever. However, I’ll discuss some of the issues to consider when taking medications that have been salvaged from their imminent demise beyond the expiration date.

What Do These Dates Mean?

When talking about medicine in general, we always consider the risk-to-benefit ratio. In other words, if we consider options of a particular scenario, are the risks associated with our decision greater than the benefits? If so, we might elect not to pursue that particular option. Sometimes, we may accept the risk and proceed anyway. It’s this scenario that comes to play when we take medication that has survived beyond its expiration date.

So what goes into determining the expiration date of a medication? According to the Food and Drug Administration, the expiration date of a medication is vetted by the manufacturer for the drug’s ability to maintain its strength, purity, stability, and quality during its shelf life. The manufacturer of the drug must provide research data in this regard. Included in this process is the proper storage information for the drug in question. As long as the medication is stored properly, it should perform as expected up to the expiration date.

Once the drug has gone beyond its expiration date, several things can occur. The most likely outcome is that the medication is no longer stable or potent to do what it was intended to do. In essence, it may not work as well. Due to lack of stability, it’s possible that the medication can break down into various components that may actually be harmful to the body. Although no pharmaceutical company that I have found has come forth with exactly what’ll happen due to the instability, every single document on the FDA’s website, and manufacturer’s website, says that it can occur.

To evaluate this conundrum, the FDA has created the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy as part of the FDA’s Amendments Act of 2007 to manage known or potential risks associated with a drug product. Part of that Strategy is to evaluate what happens beyond the expiration dates of medications. Back in 1986, the Department of Defense teamed with the FDA to enact the Shelf Life Extension Program. This was brought about to try to save the DoD money in replacing medications that had expired. It also increased the number of stockpile medications available in the event of necessity. Twenty years later, the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 created the Strategic National Stockpile, which built facilities to harbor medications targeting chemical, biological, radiation, or nuclear threats (CBRN). These medications also covered potential or emerging infectious disease threats. During President George W. Bush’s terms, the legislation centered on increasing the ease of availability of medications during CBRN threats.

Post-Disaster Situations

So, thanks to the government, we have an understanding that medications, as related to the CBRN discussion, can be utilized beyond the expiration date. But how long? I’d always tell patients to discard any medications once they were a year old (some, like sublingual nitroglycerine, every three months). That really is nothing more than an arbitrary recommendation. It means that if you need that drug again and it has been a year since it has been prescribed, then I probably should see you anyway.

It also assumes that the medication has probably not been properly stored and will not be as effective as intended. As usual, it was probably stored in the bathroom, where humidity and temperature changes vary considerably. If it’s an antibiotic we’re talking about, it may be that the reduced efficacy may not entirely rid the body of the bacteria and may increase the chance that resistance will occur when the bacteria re-emerges. Then, the antibiotic likely won’t work at all. Perhaps you have infected other members in your household now with your crud and they too are resistant to the antibiotic.

If you’re trying to avoid going to the doctor by storing your medications, please don’t do it. Seek medical advice and expertise. However, if this is a true survival situation where chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats have become a reality, then keep reading.

For chemical threats, we’re talking about sarin and tabun in modern-day warfare. Historically, it also included mustard gas and chlorine gas. To counteract the effects of these chemicals we use atropine, pralidoxime, or a combination of the two. Atropine can be extended by four years beyond the expiration date, while pralidoxime has been extended up to five years. Further testing by the manufacturers could extend those dates further.

For biologic threats, agents like anthrax and botulinum toxin are frequently discussed. Two common antibiotics to treat anthrax are ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. The latter can be used six to eight years after the expiration date, while I have found no concrete recommendations for ciprofloxacin. For botulism, penicillin and metronidazole are the recommended medications. Penicillin, like ciprofloxacin, may maintain its stability long after the expiration date if stored properly. The same could be the case for metronidazole. In a survival situation, this may be a case where the accepted risk is worth the potential benefit if no help is otherwise coming.

Radiological and nuclear threats have their treatments based on symptoms. Potassium iodide is typically part of the stockpiled medications to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer in an individual exposed to radiation. The body absorbs iodine and doesn’t care if it’s irradiated or not. The potassium iodide competes for binding sites in the thyroid with the irradiated iodine. With less of the irradiated iodine being taken up by the body, the adverse outcome may be lessened. Potassium iodide has been shown to be stable for several years after the expiration date.

Other Threats

How about emerging infectious disease threats? These would be diseases like influenza where oseltamivir could be utilized in stockpiles. This is reported to have a shelf life up to 10 years beyond its expiration date. Other diseases like Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue fever may not have specific treatments, but supportive care is important and could utilize a lot of resources in a major outbreak.

When those resources are scant in a catastrophe, there’ll be more risk taken when it comes to medications. The risk of taking an expired medication might be worth it, but should be considered with caution. Nitroglycerine is a medication used by heart patients and usually comes in a small brown bottle with tiny white pills. These pills degrade relatively quickly when exposed to light, air, and humidity. Of course, use it if you have to; however, these really only remain viable for three to six months.

Another common drug is insulin, which can be kept at room temperature for about 30 days before it starts to lose efficacy. When refrigerated, it can be kept longer, but beyond a year, the potency is weakened and doses will need to be adjusted upward. This, of course, creates more variables in an otherwise difficult disease to manage. (For more on surviving in austere conditions as a diabetic, see “The Diabetic Survivalist” in Issue 24.) Other drugs that are in suspension, such as antibiotics, eye drops, and cough medicines may lose their potency faster due to lack of stability once they’re placed in the suspension. It’s generally not recommended to take these types of medications beyond their expiration dates.

Conclusion

 

Understand the risks and benefits of every decision you make, especially when it comes to taking expired medications. Periodically go through the medicine cabinet or closet to catalog what you have available, then work to procure more updated medication. Planning for these types of situations in a controlled setting doesn’t take much time and can save a lot of angst when the stakes are high. Lastly, and most importantly, tell your wife how much you appreciate her looking out for you.

About the Author

David L. Miller, DO FACOI, is an internist in private practice for 20 years. His experiences away from the office have included time as a fight doctor in regional MMA events and as a team physician for 10 years at a mid-major university in the Midwest. Currently, he serves as the lead medical instructor for the Civilian Crisis Response team based out of Indianapolis.

New: SunToWater Atmospheric Water Generator in Field Trials

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Anyone who has spent time outside on a muggy summer day knows firsthand that humid air can contain a lot of moisture. Humidity mostly serves to make us feel sticky and uncomfortable in its natural form, but what if it could be captured and repurposed as a survival resource? This is the concept behind devices known as atmospheric water generators (AWGs).

At their core, most AWGs use temperature control to harness condensation. If you've ever seen the water dripping out from under an air-conditioned car or running out from the drain on a home A/C unit, you've seen this effect at work. A significant temperature differential leads to condensation, drawing moisture out of the air and eventually forming tiny droplets of dew. Gather enough dew, and you'll have a usable water source. This sounds great, but there's a reason we don't get all our water this way — it's not an easy process.

Challenges to Overcome

Flickr.com/sworldguy

Take a look at your electricity bill after running an air conditioner all month, and it becomes obvious that controlling air temperature is a very energy-intensive process. Inefficiency can be minimized, but thanks to the laws of thermodynamics, there's no eliminating it completely. Therefore, capturing moisture from air through temperature control takes quite a bit of energy as well.

In the past, some atmospheric water generator companies have made bold claims about how much water they could generate. The Fontus comes to mind — we wrote a brief article about the announcement of that water bottle concept back in early 2016. We also mentioned our doubts about how quickly and efficiently it claimed to collect water, especially given its tiny size and lack of substantial power source. Unfortunately, that project fizzled quickly, with retrospective analysis suggesting it may have been a scam from the beginning.

Fontus self filling water bottle 2

Ironically, the Fontus bottle turned out to be vaporware, unable to fulfill the lofty promises made by its crowdfunding...

However, those bad experiences don't mean that AWGs are doomed. With sufficient energy input, humidity, and time, an AWG can produce substantial quantities of clean water. Researchers and engineers are working to refine this technology and overcome its inherent challenges.

Even in ideal conditions, an atmospheric water generator is never going to fill 55-gallon drums with water every few hours, or replace more traditional water sources (e.g. a well or system for purifying an existing natural water source). What it can do is produce small quantities of water in areas where clean natural water is very hard to obtain. Pairing an AWG with a solar panel array and batteries also enables it to be used entirely off-grid — requiring no reliance on the power grid or municipal water supply.

SunToWater's Approach

We recently received an email from Jay Lopez, the CMO of SunToWater Technologies. Jay had read our recent article on water distillation in the wild, and said he'd like to show us what SunToWater is working on in this field. The company is currently running field trials of its own approach to an atmospheric water generator, with proof-of-concept units set up in California, Arizona, and Texas. These field trial units are set up with laptops that collect data from their sensors, and send that data to a remote server for analysis.

This is one of three SunToWater field-trial units, which is running continuously in Texas.

Once enough data has been collected and analyzed, SunToWater's ultimate goal is to release a fully-operational, independently-certified, solar-powered AWG that can generate up to 2.8 gallons of clean water per day. Naturally, atmospheric conditions and humidity will vary this output (more about that later). We're told that projected pricing for the finalized unit will be approximately $5,000.

This all sounds interesting, but as we mentioned earlier, we've learned to approach AWGs with a heightened degree of skepticism. But we wanted to understand how it works, so we got on a video conference call with Jay to see how the Texas field-trial unit works — it currently resides in his backyard.

The Technology

The key to each SunToWater unit is a desiccant compound that captures water. The little disposable silica gel packets in dehydrated food and other product packages are one example of a desiccant — a substance that absorbs moisture from the air. Each SunToWater AWG uses a patented array of tightly-packed panels, which are made of a salt compound contained in fabric. The company says this desiccant is reusable, so it can be soaked and dried out repeatedly without a need for replacement.

Desiccant panels are stacked behind metal shutters inside the generator. The shutters open in Absorption Mode.

The operational cycle of the SunToWater unit begins at night, when a series of louvers open electronically to expose the desiccant panels. At the same time, fans activate to pull humid air through the system, allowing the desiccant material to draw out the moisture the air contains. This process, which is referred to as Absorption Mode, continues in the dark for several hours.

This diagram from SunToWater shows the steps it takes to gather water from humid air.

When the sun comes up, the SunToWater unit goes into its second phase: Extraction Mode. The louvers close, and heated air is circulated through the sealed desiccant container. This change in temperature bakes the water out of the desiccant media and condenses it as a liquid, effectively creating distilled water. An attached storage tank captures the water.

This small storage tank currently sits next to the field-trial unit, but will eventually be integrated into the housing.

At this stage, the water is ready to use for purposes such as washing or crop irrigation. However, if you want to drink the water, there's another step in the process to ensure its potability.

Above: This wood box beside the unit contains the filters, UV purifier, pump, and tap. These parts are separate for the field trial process, but will be integrated into the production version of the generator. The blue water drum serves as an overflow tank for clean water.

A pump in the unit pressurizes the water and passes it through two cleaning filters, plus a third re-mineralization filter to replace beneficial minerals that would normally be present in non-distilled water sources. This is intended to improve the taste and alleviate health concerns that may occur from exclusively drinking de-mineralized water for extended periods. Finally, the water is treated by a UV light purifier to kill any bacteria or other microorganisms that might be present. The faucet then delivers purified, re-mineralized, potable water.

Field Trials vs. Production

When we compare the current field-trial units (such as the one in these photos) to the plan for the finalized SunToWater system, there are some key differences that must be mentioned.

First, as indicated by the SunToWater name, the goal is to get these units functioning entirely off solar power. Currently, the Texas unit we saw is running on the power grid to evaluate the other parts of the system. This means the heat for the bake cycle is provided by an electric heater, and the rest of the unit's electronics are also running off an outlet.

We're told that the final version will use two large solar panels for power, similar to what you'd find on the roof of a home (exact specs haven't been determined yet). Second, two external heat exchangers will generate heat for the bake cycle that enables water condensation. These parts will be separate from the SunToWater unit, so you can mount them in an optimal location to soak up the sun's rays.

The production SunToWater unit will not require the separate components seen in these photos. The clean water reservoir will be internal, as will the faucet and re-mineralization system. So, aside from an optional oversized water storage tank like the pictured blue drum, you'd just need the unit plus two solar panels and two heat exchangers.

Now, if you're thinking that the transition from municipal power to solar will result in a loss of efficiency, you're absolutely right. That's unavoidable. However, the claimed output still sounds quite respectable. Currently, Jay tells us that the plugged-in SunToWater field trial unit in his yard produces between 4-7 gallons of water per day. The projection for the solar-powered unit is 2.8 gallons per day in ideal conditions.

These numbers don't appear to be outside the realm of possibility. A much smaller solar-powered prototype AWG created by researchers at U.C. Berkeley and MIT in 2017 was able to collect 2.8 liters of water over a 12-hour period. That's 1.48 gallons per 24-hour day. It accomplished this feat in a regulated test chamber at 20% humidity — a relatively dry atmosphere.

Variability & Atmospheric Conditions

This brings us to the other major consideration for atmospheric water generation: Mother Nature. The SunToWater system is reliant on water vapor in the air, so it works best in humid conditions. Jay tells us that the field-trial units are functional as low as 18% humidity — a higher percentage will allow it to get closer to the maximum 2.8gal-per-day projection.

Fortunately, every state in the U.S. has more than 25% average hourly relative humidity throughout the year. Most of the country sits between 60% and 80%. The driest state in the nation, according to a 2018 study by climatologist Brian Brettschneider, is Nevada at a 38.3% average. SunToWater is also conducting its trials with this in mind — CA, AZ, and TX are all in the top ten states with the lowest average hourly relative humidity.

AWGs are able to function in drier climates, but output will be greatly reduced. Photo: Flickr.com/habibkaki

Temperature is another factor that affects AWG functionality. Obviously, sub-zero temperatures will cause water to freeze and make it impossible to collect dew. SunToWater says they haven't yet found a high temperature limit that causes the unit to stop working. Lastly, as with any solar-powered device, you'd need clear and sunny conditions to keep the system charged. So, the optimal conditions for the SunToWater AWG would be a warm and muggy summer day.

Jay told us that SunToWater plans to add an estimated output calculator to its web site before the production version of its AWG goes on sale. This will allow prospective customers to enter in the atmospheric conditions of their home or bug-out location to gauge roughly how much water they'll be able to collect there.

Closing Thoughts

For anyone who wants to live sustainably in an off-grid location, the idea of continuously gathering water from the air is an appealing one, especially when it's powered entirely by solar energy. As we said before, depending on your location, there may be several easier and more efficient methods of collecting clean water — rainwater collection, a well, or filtration of river/lake water, for example. But even in those cases, an AWG could serve as a backup in case the other water sources dry up. It would also be an option if groundwater sources were inaccessible, or if those sources became contaminated.

However, AWGs are still a developing technology, and one that has some substantial hurdles to overcome before it reaches mainstream acceptance. Based on the limited glimpses we've seen so far, we're interested to watch as the SunToWater generator trials continue. We still approach atmospheric water generation with a healthy degree of skepticism, but hope that SunToWater and other companies in this field can make AWGs into a viable option for off-grid water collection in the future.

No matter what system — or better yet, systems — you rely on for water, it's wise to be prepared for a day when tap water shuts off and bottled water runs out.

Short Film: “The Last Lawless Land in America: Slab City”

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What would society be like without laws? This is a complex question, and one that will inevitably produce a wide range of answers depending on who you ask. Some will claim a lawless society would be a paradise, while others will say it'd fall into unsustainable chaos. No matter your stance, it's an interesting question to consider, and one that's applicable to the survivalist mindset. After all, a post-apocalyptic world has often been referred to as WROL — without rule of law.

We recently came across a 20-minute short documentary that takes a look at a community that exists without organized and enforced laws. “The Last Lawless Land in America” was created by the indie filmmaking duo known as the Flutter Brothers for their YouTube channel Off the Cuf. It examines Slab City, an informal settlement in a remote patch of the California Badlands.

Slab City grew from the remains of Camp Dunlap, a U.S. Marine Corps training installation that was decommissioned and torn down in 1956, leaving behind an assortment of concrete slabs. Squatters took up residence on the abandoned land, and improvised buildings and art installations there over the decades. The land is officially owned by the state of California, so state and federal laws still apply, but officials seem to have no interest in dedicating resources to enforce them. It's therefore considered effectively lawless by its residents — or at least close enough.

The resulting community is difficult to describe, including solitary hermits, peaceful hippies, heavy drug users, and all sorts of misfits. According to a woman known as Cornelius, the self-appointed librarian of Slab City, “Everybody's always talking about how it's an anarchist utopia, they'll say everything's perfect and wonderful. And then on the other side, you get people who are like, ‘it's a tweaker dystopia, and it sucks.' It's kinda both of those things at the same time.”

Watch the short film below for a glimpse of the “lawless land” of Slab City.

Option Gray: How to Build a Secondary EDC Kit

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Every-day carry (EDC) gear is a subject we've discussed at length on many occasions — we even dedicated our recurring Pocket Preps column to this topic. Your EDC could be as simple as a wallet, cell phone, and keys, or it might contain numerous other tools and self-defense weapons.

However, most of these items are found in our waistband or pockets — there's also a case to be made for “Tier 2” EDC gear that's carried off-body in a bag or pack that goes everywhere you do. This gear is less comprehensive than a full get-home bag, but more so than what's usually found in a pocket dump.

In the following article, Cody Martin of Option Gray explains the value of a secondary EDC kit. We've shared the post in its entirety with his permission. For more of his articles, check out OptionGray.com.

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the basics of building a Primary EDC kit, which is the gear you carry on your person, like a pocket knife, flashlight, phone, and wallet. We also provided a few gear combinations to help get your mind working in terms of how to pair items together. In this post, we are going to move beyond what you carry on you and focus on your Secondary EDC.

What is a “Secondary EDC?”

As a refresher of what we covered in The Three Tiers of Everyday Carry, your Secondary EDC is gear that is carried in a separate bag or container but is still with you as you go about day-to-day life. It can be carried in a backpack, briefcase, organizer, purse or a multitude of other methods. It is meant to supplement your Primary EDC in a way that expands your ability to handle a variety of things that may pop up during your day.

A Secondary EDC provides us the opportunity to expand our medical capabilities, carry additional tools, possibly spare ammo, basic survival gear, emergency food and extra cash to list a few.

Secondary EDC Items

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few “categories” of gear you may want to consider for your Secondary EDC Kit.

Pictured: CountyComm 1×4 Pocket Screwdriver

Multi-tool
Multi-tools should have their place in every EDC. No matter what style you choose, make sure it serves your needs for what you may or may not be doing. Here are a few types:

  • Multi-use multi-tool
  • Leatherman-style
  • Swiss Army-style
  • One-piece multi-tool (OPMT)
  • Prybar

Personal preference in this category can range from a true multi-tool to any other solution. What is great about a multi-tool is that it can be used in a ton of different scenarios and is compact in terms of capabilities. Other types of multi-tools such as a prybar have their uses, but they can tend to be more specific or limited by their very nature. Pick the one that compliments you the best.

Pictured: Spyderco Para Military and Gerber EAB

Knife
What can we say? A good knife is one of those things that someone shouldn’t be without.

But, what’s better than one good knife? Two good knives. Why?

  • You carry a small folder for your Primary EDC and want to carry something bigger, for tougher jobs
  • Your primary blade is for self-defense and you want another blade for “work”
  • You want a second knife available if you lose or misplace your primary blade
  • You want a beater knife available for cutting open boxes or scraping work
  • Or maybe, you just like knives …

No matter what your reason, your Secondary EDC is a great way to carry that extra blade. When you are adding another knife, take a minute to see how it compliments what you are already carrying. It’s all about expanding capabilities. Consider your need for a:

  • Larger folder
  • Fixed blade
  • Bushcraft style knife

A knife is one of the most used tools in a Primary EDC kit, and having one in your Secondary EDC is always a good idea.

Pictured: Bic Mini and EXOTAC nanoSPARK

Fire-starter
This is another one of those items you never need until you need it. Are you going to use your fire-starter every day? Probably not. It all depends on what you do, where you live, etc. But, with compact, lightweight designs, it doesn’t make any sense to not have one. A fire-starter can be the difference in life or death if that rare scenario strikes.

There are many different options available:

  • Plastic lighter: There are many steps to fire making: 1) spark –> 2) ember –> 3) full flame. A Bic Lighter jumps you all the way to Step 3. But, it does add mechanical functions to starting a fire, which can always fail. Plastic lighters don't work well in colder temperatures, as butane stops vaporizing and remains a liquid (at about 40F/4C)
  • Refillable lighter: With many great options, such as the EXOTAC titanLIGHT or MARATAC, you can refill them and also keep the flint water-tight. This helps prevent evaporation, but just like a plastic lighter, the mechanical nature of the lighter leads to failure points
  • Ferro rod: When struck, a ferro rod can spark as hot as 3000-5000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can ignite a dry pile of tinder quickly. It works even after being submerged in water but takes some practice to learn how to use it consistently. It also takes two hands.
  • Sparker: A sparker is like a lighter, but with no fuel. So although it removes the worry about not having fuel or it evaporating, it does carry the same mechanical concerns as a lighter
  • Matches: Kitchen matches, stormproof matches, strike anywhere matches, the freebie cardboard matches you pick up at the bar … there are many different kinds of matches you can carry. Matches are a great idea, especially with new technology allowing them to be almost impossible to extinguish, like with the UCO Titan Stormproof matches. You still need to store them in a dry place, so a match case is always a good idea.
  • Tinder: Emergency tinder is invaluable, especially in bad weather

Fire is one of man's most basic needs. A fire-starter allows you to never be caught without it.

Pictured: Rite in the Rain spiral-top pocket notebook and clicker pen

Notebook with emergency contact information
Make sure you never have to rely on the battery of your smartphone. You may be able to get to a phone, but the “art” of memorizing phone numbers is a thing of the past. Check out our previous article on this very topic. Very few people can recite the numbers of all the important people in their lives. Do yourself a favor and keep a good notebook on hand with any emergency numbers you may need.

For paper, consider:

  • Regular, plain-paper
  • All-weather paper
  • Spiral top
  • Stapled spine
  • Larger notebook for taking additional notes, journaling, etc.

For a writing utensil, consider:

  • Lightweight plastic pen
  • Screw top tactical pen
  • Small and compact pen (e.g. Fisher Space Pen)
  • Pencil

The ability to write something down is critical, especially when the digital world. Especially if you don't carry a pen and paper in your Primary EDC, having it in your Secondary EDC kit is critical.

Flashlight
You never need one until you need one, which can be pretty often, believe it or not. Besides being able to hand everyday tasks such as finding your keys, etc., they can also be used as a form of self-defense. Interested in how to use a flashlight for self-defense? Check out this article for the basics.

When looking for the right flashlight for your Secondary EDC, consider:

  • Size: How big do you need? What do you need to compliment your Primary EDC?
  • Purpose: Where are you going? What do you plan to do? Is there a different purpose you may need a flashlight for?
  • Battery life: For long-term storage of a flashlight in a Secondary EDC kit, consider keeping extra batteries on-hand or consider a flashlight that can be easily charged in your car, if you find yourself on-the-go.

Pictured: PHLster Flatpack tourniquet carrier with SOF-TT W

Medical
One of the most overlooked categories of everyday carry, if not the most overlooked, is medical. From simple scrapes, cuts, headaches and upset stomach to something as major as significant hemorrhage, why not be prepared? With the addition of very little weight, you can improve or potentially save a life.

Gear to consider adding to your Secondary EDC:

  • Tourniquet
  • Expanded First Aid Kit: Cuts, burns, stings, medical, and other day-to-day first aid can easily be tackled with a simple first aid kit
  • Dental floss
  • Tweezers: Bee stings, splinters, or doing any detail work

Whether you're putting a band-aid on your child's cut or saving someone's life after a horrific car accident, take the time to take an intentional approach to carry medical equipment.

Charging cables
As much time as society spends on their electronic devices, charging cables have almost become mandatory. Make sure you have what you need to keep your gear up and running.

Especially if you rely on any electronic devices for communication (almost everyone does), don't count on getting access to a power source. During an emergency or crisis, you are not going to have the luxury of finding an open plug and then waiting for your phone to charge. Charging cables for laptops, work equipment, diabetes supplies, or other medical supplies you rely on is critical.

Having a backup USB power bank can save you if you're unexpected stranded or away from a power source.

Pictured: Vargo titanium folding spork

Spork or other eating utensil
We've talked at length before about why you should consider a titanium folding spork as part of your EDC. They are lightweight, durable, TSA-friendly, compact, and utilitarian.

If a spork isn't your thing, consider another eating utensil. There are countless options, including plastic, titanium, even foldable models. The ability to eat is a critical human need. Make sure you have the gear to make that happen without going caveman.

Additional items

The best part of a well-thought, intentional Secondary EDC is that it is unique to you, your work, where you're going, where you're traveling to, etc.

If you work in healthcare, consider adding back-ups of hygiene and work gear. If you travel a lot, consider adding additional TSA-friendly gear that allows you to function if you are without your luggage. If you commute via public transportation, consider adding gear that can help you get home safely in case of an accident, terrorist attack, etc.

Ideas include:

  • Whistle
  • Tweezers
  • Mirror
  • Snacks
  • Space Blanket
  • Paracord
  • Lip balm
  • Superglue
  • Scissors
  • Spare batteries
  • Cash

Carrying case
Now, how are you going to carry these items? Well, it depends on which ones you choose to carry as well as what fits into your environment.

Pictured: Maxpedition CAP admin pouch

Organizers are an easy way for a person to keep their gear organized and accessible. There are a number of benefits of EDC organizers, but here are just a few:

  • Gear is accessible
  • Gear is organized
  • Can be grabbed and easily taken with you in an emergency
  • Compact
  • Can serve many different uses in addition to EDC items
  • Easily fits into most briefcases, purses, backpacks

Conclusion

As with most things in the everyday carry world, any EDC kit is very subjective and highly debatable. What I’ve offered are just a few areas for consideration and is by no means a definitive list. You should tailor your kit to your individual needs, what you are doing, where you are going, etc.

Also, keep in mind, you are building on what you are already carrying with you in term of your Primary EDC. Don't be afraid to duplicate “categories” of items. Redundancy is not a bad thing as long as you think it through. Gear that serves multiple purposes is also highly recommended.

 

Securing Your Stash: Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling with Money

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Wherever there’s money, there are complexities and danger. This is especially true for travelers converting currency. While just about every international traveler must undertake this task, most don’t see the inherent threats that come with it.

Before we dive into the monetary aspects of this discussion, be aware that there are places in the world that still have a deeply ingrained bartering culture. Knowing what’s valued in the places you visit is golden. I once paid for a couple of nights of lodging and food with a multitool and a military field jacket. Realize that things are valued differently in different places. Do your homework.

Travel forums and backpacker blogs will almost always have some valuable insights on this. Your skill sets can also be a commodity. If you’re good at fixing things, know your way around a computer, have a skilled trade, or just aren’t afraid of manual labor, that can pay for things in the third world. The main thing to realize is that you have to adjust what’s possible in your mind when you travel. You can’t get away with paying for a meal at Chipotle by fixing the manager’s Kia, but that might work in Chiapas at a roadside taco stand.

There will, however, be times when you’ll have to use some form of good old-fashioned currency, and this is where things can get a little bit complicated if you aren’t careful.

When it comes to the actual logistics of carrying money, I recommend adopting a three-tiered strategy.

  1. Cash as your primary form of currency
  2. A prepaid card as your contingency form of currency
  3. A credit card for emergencies

Cash

Traveling with cash is an art. There are times and places where going cashless and utilizing only plastic might make more sense, but in most places cash is still king. A form of currency that has a value outside of a debit card terminal is the preferred option for most experienced travelers.

Above: A variety of tools can be carried discretely to protect not only yourself, but your valuables as well. This Waterproof Go Tube by Oscar Delta is one example.

Legalities

The first question one needs to ask is: How much money can you legally carry with you, and is it worth carrying large cash amounts internationally? It’s a question that has different answers depending on where you’re traveling to and where you’re coming from.

If you’re carrying more than $10,000 U.S., or its equivalent in other currencies — cash, checks, money orders, any other monetary instrument, or any combination of these — you must declare every dollar that exceeds that sum. You will not have to pay duties or taxes, but you must declare it on the Customs Declaration Form.

Not declaring your currency can be a mistake, and one that you need to be aware of, as this is what makes your money “irregular” and can open you up to legal liabilities. Conversely, you should also be aware that any such declaration will have eyes on it that might not necessarily be friendly. It’s not unheard of for people in positions of authority at the Mexican border to act as spotters for local criminal elements that thrive on robbing tourists who declare large amounts of money.

Above: Faraday cage bag and waterproof cellphone pocket used for concealed cash carry under your clothes.

Exchanging Currency

Is it worth exchanging your dollars for the local currency? In some places, you won’t have a choice. In other places, the dollar goes a long way.

If you do find yourself needing to exchange your currency, it may be tempting to utilize the conveniently placed currency exchange kiosks and ATMs at airports, but these options, more often than not, target the unsuspecting traveler. They boast some of the worst exchange rates in the industry.

While you’ll often see signs advertising “no commission or fees,” exchange companies will frequently make up the difference through manipulating the exchange rates. This is due, in large part, to the fact that businesses in airports usually have to negotiate a bidding process to set up shop and then contend with much higher overhead once established. Of course, in the end these costs are passed on to the customer. Foreign travelers are especially susceptible to these manipulations, as they generally don’t have a full grasp of the local economy.

The better course of action would be to do some research ahead of time and locate reputable money exchange options outside of the airport. When it comes to maximizing personal safety, it’s imperative that the traveler avoid money exchange businesses in highly trafficked tourist areas. Not only will they generally have unfavorable rates, but in many areas they’ll also be home to a thriving criminal ecosystem that preys on disoriented outsiders.

You may be able to exchange currency stateside, before you being travel. The problem with this is trying to find places carrying the specific currency for fair rates. Also, make yourself aware of the legal limits for bringing cash currency into a given country. If you do bring cash currency into a country, spread it out into multiple packets to reduce the visual/physical signature. Instead of dropping a brick or thick roll of bills into your check bag, break the money up into smaller amounts and place them in plain envelopes. Mark the envelopes with generic use-indicators, like “gas” and “food expenses,” to provide a narrative to anyone who might see it. Never place cash in your checked bag. Split it between a backpack, other carry-on, and your physical person.

Above: If you intend to exchange currency as part of your travel plan, make sure you know the current official exchange rates. Only exchange cash at reputable locations. Also be aware that U.S. dollars may be more desirable to locals than their own currency.

No matter where you choose to do business, never engage in a transaction without seeing a printout of the exchange rate you’re agreeing to and never lose sight of the money you hand over or the money you get back. Unscrupulous operators won’t shy away from bait-and-switch tactics that leave the unsuspecting customer with a fraction of what they exchanged. As with most things in life, always keep your eye on the prize.

Oftentimes, the most cost-effective option is to find an established internet currency exchange company, make arrangements online, and arrange to pick up your local currency when you arrive at your destination. As there’s less overhead involved, these online options will generally be more affordable than their physical counterparts.

Another option is to wire money to yourself and withdraw it at your destination. But these services aren’t available everywhere, and the fees for using them are all over the place. Wire transfer services are also a known hotbed for fraud and theft. If you go this route, do the math on exchange rates and fees, and make the best decision for your wallet. Many places around the world don’t have a discreet option for you to send money to yourself, and using this option may draw the attention of both local authorities and criminal elements.

Make sure to educate yourself on the local currency and the security features these bills might have to make sure the cash you’re getting is legit. I’ve seen high-level people with high-level skill sets get fooled by laser-printed cash, so trust me, learn to identify your money. A small portable black light might be good investment to look at bills closely. Don’t put all your faith in counterfeit markers. Criminals now know a few ways of treating the cash to make them non-reactive to ink and dyes. Know what it feels like, know what it looks like, and make sure you’re getting the real thing. There are also a couple of online resources you can use to get savvy on popular counterfeiting techniques. Check the websites below for more information:

Using prepaid cards and, in some cases, credit cards is another option — but these forms of payment come with their own risks.

Prepaid Cards

A prepaid card is basically a debit card disconnected from any type of checking account. You can purchase them at stores or online — the latter is usually cheaper. You then sign up for service, load it with funds, and use it like a credit or debit card. They usually come with a few security features, depending on the company, like requiring a pin number and signature to complete a transaction. You can’t spend more than what’s loaded onto the card, making it a great option for people on a tight budget. The drawback to prepaid cards are the fees involved in using them internationally. But for the security they provide, and the security of being wholly detached from your personal financials, these make for a great option.

Above: Shielded wallets may be a good option to keep your credit/debit cards safe from radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners that can “lift” information off the chips and strips in your cards.

There are also general-purpose gift cards now offered by most major credit card companies. The biggest difference between the two reflects their permanence: Prepaid cards can be reloaded and used indefinitely, while gift cards can generally only be used until the dollar amount on them is exhausted. Look for cards offered by reputable, well-established companies. Some have hotlines or contact info specifically for customer support while travelling outside the United States. These tools can typically be found on the credit company’s website and should be researched before pre-paying anything.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are also an option for worldwide travel. Visa and Mastercard are the two almost universal ones. Visa is what I use. The main consideration is to make sure you understand any international fees or restrictions that apply to card use outside of the U.S. Again, check the terms and conditions of your card to be sure. If you do plan on using a credit card overseas, call the company ahead of time and let them know what dates you’ll be out of the country and what country you’ll be in. This does two things, in terms of fraud protection.

The first is making sure your card doesn’t get shut off when you make your first purchase overseas. If you’re not a regular traveler and your credit card company suddenly sees a series of charges from Europe or Africa or South America, they may shut off your card automatically without your permission as a fraud-protection measure, inadvertently leaving you financially stranded. But if they know your travel plans ahead of time they’ll often put a note on your account to allow charges from that area.

The second reason you want them to know where you’ll be and when is that if your card does get cloned while you’re travelling, the company can spot actual fraud quickly. For example, let’s say you take a trip to South Africa. You notify your credit card company, so all your South African purchases go through without a hitch. But two days into your trip, your card number is used for a transaction in Belarus. The card company knowing your location and timeline can help separate legitimate transactions from fraud that occurs in real time during your trip.

Above: RFID blocking card protector are just some of the items seen here. The coins with embedded tools are made by @jollyrogerthree. 

For the budget-conscious traveler, credit cards might not be the best option. When lost in the excitement and inherent confusion that comes with travel, people tend to go overboard with them and not factor in the fees involved with using them internationally. The risk of a card being cloned is also ever-present, and can be a nightmare to deal with when you’re thousands of miles from home. RFID-blocking sleeves or wallets can help mitigate remote cloning or mining of your data. But also be conscious of skimming units that can be installed over legitimate card readers at ATMs, gas pumps, and similar unmanned locations. Make sure to inspect any port you put you card into, and try to compare it against similar ones around you. Even less sophisticated are cameras or human surveillance, where your card might be photographed or even memorized by someone while you have it out in the open to use it.

Furthermore, losing a card when abroad can be a disaster, as getting a replacement card can be next to impossible while in another country. This being the case, credit cards will often be a last resort. All of this being said, should there be an emergency that requires a large expenditure, a credit card may be the only option. Also, in some cases I have been aware of, medical attention was withheld to some people till they produced a card to put the expenses on. Again, this should be an emergency-only option.

There are some alternate devices and apps, like Coin or Apple Pay, that can put an extra layer of separation between your financial accounts and the outside world. I haven’t seen many options out there that don’t suffer from glitches, bugs, or developmental issues, other than Coin. Apple Pay might work in some places, but large portions of the world are years or even decades behind these technologies. It all boils down to two things: having multiple, redundant payment options and being aware of the threats against you. The human element is always the weakest link in the security chain. So get educated on local and regional-specific risks at your destination and layer your financial security plan.

Above: Depending on where you travel to, you may be able to transact via payment apps. However, many countries have not caught up with the proliferation of this technology seen in the U.S.

Bribery

Bribery is the act of offering someone money or something valuable in order to persuade them to do something for you (or not do something to you). It goes by many names in many different places. In Mexico for example, they call it mordida — literally a bite. For many in the western world, the option of bribing an authority figure might seem completely foreign and may even make them feel guilty.

Trust me, the world outside doesn’t care and the practice of “greasing the wheels” is common in most places. Locals know this, and it’s a good idea to do research about the places you’re traveling through to see if it could be an option. How will you know if it’s a situation that will call for it? Well, from my experience, the situation and the people involved will usually send you every single discreet message in the book to indicate that they’re open to it. From asking you to pay a fine right there, to telling you how much trouble you’re in without making any effort to actually arrest you.
Money carried for such purposes should be carried high on the body, like in a shirt pocket or jacket. If you’re driving, be sure to have said money in a place visible to any one speaking to you if you’re inside the car to keep movements from being misunderstood. Make people feel safe. Also, keep cameras and cellphones away from your hands, as some people out there are afraid of being recorded during such an event.

At the end of the day, many places still place the good old greenback above all else.

Smile, be polite. Ask how much it’ll cost to pay the fine on-site, take out the money you need, and set it on the seat next to you or in the vehicle’s registration papers to be handed over. Don’t show all of your money if you can help it — again, carry money and cards spread out on your person.

Note: Dollars will open more doors than pesos in some parts of Mexico. Keep the money destined for such things separate and in small denominations like fives, tens, and twenties. A thick stack of bills helps grease the gears on a psychological level.

Conclusion

Do your homework. Learn what value people give to the dollar where you’re traveling, and figure out if the country is an all-cash environment or a mix of electronic and cash. Carry payment options accordingly. Spread your cash and cards on your person, and if you do have a secure place that you’re staying in, you might want to leave a backup stash there in case your other options are taken.

About the Author

For over a decade, Ed Calderon worked in the fields of counter-narcotics, organized crime investigation, and public safety in the northern-border region of Mexico. Learn more about his survival courses at edsmanifesto.com.

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Video: Building an Off-Grid Whole-House Fan

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Staying cool during the summer months is a major priority. In some places the heat may be misery-inducing, while in others it can be downright dangerous. At my own home near Phoenix, Arizona, the thermometer read a high of 115°F this week. This got me thinking about my family's dependence on air conditioning, and by extension the functionality of the power grid. The YouTube channel 50 Acres & a Cabin recently posted a video that's relevant to this topic — it shows one way to build a DIY whole-house fan as an “off-grid alternative to air conditioning.”

The concept of a whole-house fan is not a new one. Hot air rises, and the enclosed space of a building serves as a trap for that hot air to build up. By placing a high-flow fan near the top of the house, the hot air can be sucked out and replaced by cooler air drawn in through ground-floor windows. In the video below, 50 Acres & a Cabin encloses, mounts, and wires a powerful fan into the loft of his off-grid home.

However, this cabin runs on a 24-volt DC electrical system. It has some advantages, but also makes plug-and-play fan options more limited than they would be on a standard 12-volt system. So, the builder got creative and selected a 24-volt truck radiator fan — it's designed to pull large amounts of air through a radiator to prevent a vehicle from overheating, so it provides more than enough flow for this application. The downside is that it's extremely loud. The builder commented that he plans to wire in a controller to allow the fan to run at lower speeds, and this sounds like a good idea to us.

While I won't be taking a sawzall to my attic and slapping on a radiator fan, this video got me thinking about installing a whole-house fan as a backup (or supplement to) my home's existing A/C system, ideally in conjunction with solar panels and a battery bank.