Realistic Disaster Scenarios That Can Happen

What disaster scenarios are most likely to happen that people should definitely be prepared for? While global disasters are almost impossible to predict, the world that man walked on for millennia has always posed as being an obvious threat to himself.

Disaster Scenarios and Global Threats to Prepare For

Throughout the years, scientists have continuously been finding ways to predict natural disasters before they actually happen. There’s been a degree of success in this area, thanks to the growth of modern technology. However, nature can still be very unpredictable and can easily claim so many lives in a short period of time. At the same time, there will be personal and local threats you will also face alongside global disasters. To help you be more prepared, here is an emergency preparedness plan in case the situation gets way out of hand.

1. Personal Crisis

Personal disasters are more likely to happen than global ones. Things like burglary, personal theft, or assault, are the possible dangers we all face in our daily lives. These small-scale SHTF scenarios can lead to bigger, unwanted problems if things turn out really bad.

Panic is your worst enemy in these situations, so staying calm is the best approach.

Burglary

Call 911 immediately in the event of a burglary. It’s useful to have an alarm system in your home to give you an alert signal of unauthorized entry. A defense firearm must be easily accessible and stored away from children. Use your knowledge about the layout of your house to your advantage where there’s no need for you to roam around and be able to protect your family members in the process.

Personal Theft

One thing to bear in mind is that thieves don’t dress like thieves. They can be mothers with babies in their arms or a random person wearing decent clothes, you wouldn’t really suspect them for being fast-fingered pickpockets. These people are an expert in distraction. It’s impossible to identify thieves from the crowd and you can’t always be on the lookout. So make sure to keep your valuables safe and close where you can sense if someone tries to reach for it.

Assault

The best preparation for an assault is probably by carrying a concealed weapon. But what if you don’t have a concealed carry firearm, or caught by surprise by an attacker? You should have some defense tactics of your own like a kick in the groin or poking your attacker in the eye. Well, this is easier said than done so enrolling in close quarters combat is perhaps the best thing to do.

Car Accidents

In 2015, there are a staggering 4.4 million injuries and over 38,000 deaths relating to car accidents in the United States. You have to be a hundred percent alert on the road. Get a lot of sleep before driving and avoid distractions. Always maintain a good distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you and always fasten your seatbelt. This will increase your chances of survival in case another car accidentally bumps into yours.

2. Local Disasters

The kind of local disaster you may face is contingent on your home’s placement. Depending on your location, these can include floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and even terrorism. Of course, you probably have a good idea of which natural calamity will most likely pay you a visit each year. Awareness of these things allows you to take the necessary preparations to keep you and your family safe.

Follow these steps to assure you have usable seeds in a crisis. Disaster Proof Survival Seeds And How To Store Them https://t.co/7B0O5eACBf

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) October 3, 2017

Tornadoes and Hurricanes

Tornadoes and hurricanes are formed differently yet both have the destructive power to cause serious damage in their path. Always stay informed of the news and weather forecasts for warnings. Move away from the coasts to avoid severe flooding caused by the storm surge. The safest place to be in these catastrophic events is to stay in the basement so it’s good if you have this planned ahead in the construction of your home. Store as much provisions as you can in case your location sits right on the storm’s path.

Tsunamis

Tsunamis form when there’s a disturbance in the ocean floor due to an earthquake. The displacement of water travels from the deep ocean in waves and crushes the coastlines with great force. Be aware of the potential warning signs like strong earthquakes, rapid rise and fall of water along the coasts, and a loud ocean roar. Then move to high ground as fast as you can or at least a mile from the coastlines.

Earthquakes

When earthquakes happen, move to open ground and stay away from buildings. If you’re indoors, just stay calm and avoid running to the exit. Get under a desk or table if you find one. There is still no reliable way to predict earthquakes so knowing what to do in the event is your best chance of survival.

3. Global Natural Disasters

Global catastrophes are the scenarios that we don’t want to think about. They basically mean the end of the human race. It makes no sense ranking these on a scale, since they all basically mean the extinction of almost everything that breathes. While earthquakes and volcanic activities would probably leave room for survival, there’s, unfortunately, no possible way to prepare for giant asteroids and meteors that may head straight towards the earth.

Watch this video about disaster scenarios in more detail by the Canadian Prepper:

If you examine all three categories of disaster scenarios, you should know how to deal with them and which ones you should pay more attention to. Especially with personal and local threats, knowing what to do will increase your chances of survival. Furthermore, although global disasters are random and no amount of emergency preparedness will help, it’s still good to consider the possibility of their occurring.

What can you say about these realistic disaster scenarios? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

UP NEXT: The DIY Survival Shelters You Need to Know to Survive Anything

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/realistic-disaster-scenarios/

Department of Homeland Security to Simulate Biological Weapons Test in Oklahoma

The Department of Homeland Security is planning to conduct chemical and biological tests near the border between Kansas and Oklahoma. [...]

The post Department of Homeland Security to Simulate Biological Weapons Test in Oklahoma appeared first on Off Grid Survival - Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills.

from Off Grid Survival – Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills https://offgridsurvival.com/dhs-simulate-biological-weapons-test-oklahoma/

In The Line Of Fire | How To Protect Yourself From Mass Shootings?

Do you know that the U.S. has an average rate of 20 mass shootings a year? While this number is high, one incident alone is reason enough to take initiative and find out what to do, should this dangerous situation happen to you!

Mass Shootings: Run, Hide, or Fight

An ordinary and peaceful day in the office or school can turn into the scariest, most violent day of your life when a madman indiscriminately discharges his firearm on anyone in sight. Over the past few years, mass shootings have happened all too often across the country. More often than not, police are minutes and not seconds away, so you must take action to protect yourself. Trying to get out of harm’s way is your number one priority, which is why it’s crucial you know what to do in circumstances like this. Below are the best things you can do, regardless of if you choose to run, hide, or fight for your survival.

First Rule, Stay Calm

A calm head is the best tool in a life-and-death situation. If you stay calm, you can think clearly and increase your chances of surviving. You have to be able to visualize your movements in advance, which is why remaining calm is vital.

However, it can be hard to maintain composure during dire scenarios like mass shootings, because our minds are programmed to warn us of dangers and give us a fight-or-flight response. Nonetheless, calmness gives us the ability to exercise good judgment. Moreover, good judgment is one of your weapons in unfamiliar situations.

Run as Fast as You Can

First and foremost, when you find yourself in the middle of a senseless shooting, get out of the place where the disturbance is happening. In these situations, there are those who will choose to stay, because they’re just too scared to move. Encourage them to run with you. However, if their indecisiveness is costing you precious time, go ahead and find a hideout yourself.

Run to the nearest emergency exit, window, or other means to get out and always proceed with caution. Bear in mind that most retail stores and restaurants have backdoor exits. When you run, get low and stay low.

Don’t worry about rounding up your things; just leave them behind. Looking for your mobile phone or taking your bag can cost valuable seconds and during this situation, every second counts. Once you’re out of the line of fire, try to warn others about the danger zone and make sure to call 911 the first chance you get.

 

Do you know the 21 foot rule? 13 Brutal Tips, Tricks, And Myths from a Filipino Knife Fighter https://t.co/rMeDDJnzAX

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) September 30, 2017

 

Hide and Secure Your Location

If you can’t get out safely, you need a place to hide. Find the closest door that locks. It can be an office or a storeroom. Once you’re inside the room, act quickly and quietly to secure your hiding place the best you can. Make sure to lock the door and turn off all the lights.

Once inside, if possible, blockade the door and stay away from windows where the shooter can gain access into the room. If you happen to have your phone with you, put it in silent mode and then call 911 or message somebody for help. Make sure to do this discreetly and not make any unnecessary noise that will lead the shooter to your hiding place.

If you can’t find a safe room or closet, try hiding behind large objects that can protect you but do not trap or restrict your options for movement. You’ll be safe as long as you’re out of the shooter’s view.

 

Your Last Resort is to Fight and Defend Yourself

When you can’t run or hide, your last resort is to fight and defend yourself. Whether you are alone or in a group, fight and act with aggression. Look for something that can be used as a weapon such as chairs, lamps, fire extinguishers, and whatnot. At this point, you’re in self-defense mode, so anything that can disrupt the shooter’s line of sight, breathing, and firearm control will be extremely helpful.

Disarm the shooter and take him down no matter what. If you know martial arts moves to neutralize the assailant, do them. Furthermore, while doing this, create as much noise as possible, so others, especially law enforcers, will know where the shooter is.

 

The Aftermath

When cops arrive, they are extremely focused and ready to take the shooter down. They will observe any aggressive and threatening movements. Therefore, follow their instructions and put your hands where they’re visible at all times.

Further, just so you know, the first responder’s top priority is to eliminate the threat. Usually, there will be another group assigned to assist the injured and rescue the hostages or afflicted. They’ll be on their way as well, but keep in mind they may not be moving as quickly.

 

Running might be the simplest yet most difficult response when confronted with a sudden attack. Watch this video from Fight SCIENCE and find out the best way to run and avoid gunfire!

Nowadays, you can never be too sure of what will happen. A tranquil scene can become the backdrop of a brutal exhibition in just moments. A common park can turn into a violent playground. Mass shootings happen, but we can survive if we know what to do. The three main things you can do are to run, hide, or fight your way out to safety. It takes a clear mind to make the right judgment on which of these three steps to take, so try to keep calm and study your way out of this life-threatening situation.

Do you have other tips? Share with us in the comments below! 

UP NEXT: What We Can Learn from the Recent Mass Shootings

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/mass-shootings/

Buying, Using, and Maintaining a Generator

One of the scariest scenarios a household can face these days is going without electricity.  Unfortunately, it is a very realistic scenario.  As we approach winter, you can bet that ice and snow storms will bring down power lines and leave millions of people without power for a few days to a few weeks.  In fact, power outages in the US have been doubling every four years.  Our power grid just cannot handle the amount of power we use on a daily basis.  This year we can expect hundreds of short term power outages. This is why it is so important to make informed decisions when buying, using, and maintaining a generator.

Disaster Prep: Buying, Using, and Maintaining a Generator

However, we have had some very real examples of long term grid damage this year.  Currently the island of Puerto Rico is 93% dark because of the damage done by hurricanes.  Much of Houston and Miami dealt with longer power outages as well. It will likely be four to six months before power is fully restored in all of these areas with Puerto Rico taking the longest.  In addition, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, and EMP blasts can all leave our grid damaged long term.  Sadly, the trend has been that many of these disasters are happening more frequently.

Why Get a Generator

There are several power supply options that do not rely upon the grid.  You can always rely upon wind or solar power.  However, in storms these systems are likely to be damaged.  In addition, finding supplies to fix these systems after a storm can be very difficult.  A generator can be kept protected in a garage or other shelter and is relatively easy to maintain or fix.  These are also inexpensive compared to many options.  If you want to keep your lights on, keep your home heated, and keep your appliances working, a generator is a great option.

Buying a Generator

Once you make the decision to buy a generator for survival, there are some points to keep in mind.  A quality generator can last for decades with proper maintenance.  However, you must remember that it could be years before you are ever forced to use it.  In most cases it is easiest to use grid based power until the grid goes down.  Do your research a be selective on the generator you need.  Go through your electric bill and determine how much power you would need in a survival scenario.  Then be sure you select a generator that will put out the correct amount of power for your household.

In addition, you probably will want a backup plan for your generator depending on your personal scenario.  If you plan to use the generator on a regular basis before having grid issues, you may want to buy a generator with a warranty.  This will ensure you can get your generator repaired at no cost if it starts to have issues.  Of course, a warranty is worthless in the middle of a disaster.  In this case, a smaller and cheaper backup generator might be a good idea.  This would be used just to power the most important elements in your household until you can repair the primary generator.

Protect your Generator

Generators and water do not mix.  In addition, they do need ventilation so carbon monoxide does not build up in the area.  You can keep portable generators in a garage or buy a cover for them.  You will just need to pull the generator into a ventilated area before firing it up.  However, if you get a larger generator you are best to provide an enclosure. This can look something like a dog house or shed as long as there is plenty of ventilation.  You will also need to have a power cord long enough to reach from your generator to your power system for your home.  The drier you keep your generator, the longer it will last and the safer you will be.

Get the Proper Cords

The cords that you run from your generator to your home will determine how much strain is put on the motor.  Lighter cords increase the voltage while heavier cords are ideal for less voltage which prevents motor burn-out.  In addition, pay attention to the location of your generator and the length of cords you will need. Generators are noisy, so you may need to move yours to the other end of the house or further away from the house.

Maintenance

As with cars or motorcycles, you are best to fire up your generator periodically to keep everything lubricated and working properly.  With generators, the suggestion is to run it for about 30 minutes every three months.  In addition to keeping the motor running properly, this charges the electric starter.  If your electric starter dies, it would need to be repaired before using the generator again.  You would not want to be surprised by an issue like this.

One of the worst things you can do with a generator is to run the gas tank empty.  When this happens, the generator stops supplying power.  In addition, the electrical load of the house draws the magnetic field from the generator itself.  If this happens, it is game over.  Keep your fuel tank filled to the top as much as you can.  Of course, this means keeping a good supply of fresh fuel in your garage so you are prepared for longer power outages.  You also want to keep oil and filters stocked up in your garage.  Any items related to generators will be the first off of the shelves in a major power outage.  You cannot expect to run to the store for these items.

Up Next: Hurricane Harvey Safety Tips: Before, During and After the Storm

from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/maintaining-a-generator/

Survival Gear Review: Camillus Carnivore

There is a reason that knives are lumped into named categories, and that is because the knife profile of that particular category has been honed (pardon the pun) over decades or even hundreds of years. Whether cutlass or cleaver, Bowie or barlow, choice of shape, thickness, blade steel, edge, and hardness have all been chosen to support the mission of the knife. But what happens when a knife design crosses between categories? Well, compromises have to be made, and the user of such a tool must work within the constraints of those limitations. An such is the case with the Camillus Carnivore.

By Doc Montana, a Contributing Author to SHTFBlog and SurvivalCache.com 

The Company

The Camillus Knife Company has been in business, in name anyway, since 1896. It has been a supplier of many military contracts including the famous four-blade folder used by U.S. Forces. Basically is it a metallic version of the iconic Boy Scout pocket knife.  While Camillus might push the All American Company image, it cannot claim all American made. Most of the product line seems to be made in China now, with a few high dollar blades forged in upstate New York. The Acme United Corporation, an even older conglomerate, bought Camillus in 2009 rolling it into their portfolio of “innovative cutting, first aid, and sharpening products.” So much so was the innovation that in 2011 Camillis signed up with world famous survivalist Les Stroud, aka Survivorman, to design and market survival tools. However the Camillus Carnivore, as yet, is not one of them.

Knife-like Thing

By combining the traits of a large machete-like blade with that of a diverse survival knife, the Camillus Carnivore can run double duty as long as you abide by the rules of limitation. Most machete-sized edged tools utilize a spring steel of moderate hardness (or softer hardness to use an oxymoron) that gives great physical flexibility and ease of sharpening. Stainless steels, on the other hand, don’t like to be bent, and resist the sharpening stone more aggressively than carbon steels. In the case of the Camillus Carnivore, a “Titanium bonded” stainless steel, presumably a 440 Chinese variety. The bonded property presumably is an inexpensive way of hardening the very edge of the blade. It is common among disposable edges like razor blades, but presents issues with actual hand knives in that the resharpenability of the blade is more difficult. But that might not really be an issue with a knife like the Camillus Carnivore since it seem to be more of a here-and-now survival tool that might have limited use in the long term. But it was never designed as such, nor should you expect it too. That’s the difference between a $25 knife and a $250 knife. Both work as advertised.

Also Read: The Ultimate Survival Arm

For a large blade that sells for between $20 and $30, one should not have high expectations for the handle. And with the Camillus Carnivore, you might be surprised…or not. The grip of the Carnivore is hard plastic covering with an exposed tail section that ensures that all accurate pounding will skip the grip and focus the force completely on the blade. That’s a good thing, and something I’ve stressed with expensive knives like most of the Fallkniven variety.

Related: Timahawk Review

The featured-filled blade has multiple tools from it’s long sharp edge, to the gut hook/cord cutter, to the tanto-esk blade end, to the serrated saw section, to the prybar tip. But it that very tip that has created some of the issues that has given the Camillus Carnivore more than its share of negative reviews in the past. Remember that difference between spring steel and stainless? Well a blade of stainless does not like to be used in a prying fashion and tends to snap rather than bend. A spring steel blade might go up to a 90 degree bend before giving up. So some users of the Camillus Carnivore bent the prybar, which is easy given the foot between the handle and wedged tip, thus snapping the blade and then lopping a whole pile of stars off their review.

Another defect that isn’t is the inability of the tip to penetrate. I figured the case, but in the field I repeatedly tried to puncture a rusty tin can. No go. But you could say it more of a feature than a bug. By providing a solid prying surface, in order to avoid tip breakage, there best not be a tip to break. And thus had the Camillus Carnivore. A blunt-nosed long-beaked cutting/chopping tool.

Related: Crovel Elite Review

My field tests of two versions of the Camillus Carnivore, the X and the XZ, in two different lengths, has proved them worth their price. As choppers they both excel and the blade-forward weight provides a great platform for aggressive and precision wood striking. Of course, the blade works well for blade stuff like cutting and slicing as long as it’s sharp.

Surprisingly, the sawback of the Camillus Carnivore really does work well as a saw. I’ve tried many other saw-back blades including Gerber, SOG and others, but most fail spectacularly. They cut no better than a serrated knife, and mostly just scrape the wood and clog their teeth.

BOB Worthy

As a survival tool, the Camillus Carnivore is worthy of bug out bag carry. Not everything has to be heirloom quality and serve the next generation with the same vigor as a decade ago. So for a unique edged chopping hand tool that you will use within its limitations, then the Camillus Carnivore is one to consider. Seriously.

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from SurvivalCache http://survivalcache.com/survival-gear-review-camillus-carnivore/

What’s Inside | Things You Need In Your EDC Wallet

Lessons on Gunfighting From Wyatt Earp

This interview excerpt about the lessons on gunfighting, supposedly said by the legendary lawman, gunfighter, and frequent movie subject, Wyatt Earp, comes from a 1994 book written by Stuart Lake, Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal. You can find the book online at a hefty price since it’s long out of print.

Lessons On Gunfighting From The Legendary Wyatt Earp

Some people commenting on the book have questioned some of the historical accuracies, but the interview itself seems to get high marks for being right from Earp. You can read the whole thing – about 1,525 words – online (http://bit.ly/2waEHAQ among other places). For a man who learned his lessons on gunfighting in the mean and dusty streets of some tough cowtowns, Earp’s teachings ring true today, nearly 90 years after his passing. (Wyatt Earp was born on March 19, 1848, and died – peacefully, not from bullets – on January 13, 1929.) I have shortened this for length, but have not altered his words, with my comments below each quoted section.

 

Wyatt…

“I was a fair hand with pistol, rifle, or shotgun, but I learned more about gunfighting from Tom Speer’s cronies during the summer of 1871 than I had dreamed was in the book. Those old-timers took their gunplay seriously, which was natural under the conditions in which they lived. Shooting, to them, was considerably more than aiming at a mark and pulling a trigger. Models of weapons, methods of wearing them, means of getting them into action and operating them, all to the one end of combining high speed with absolute accuracy, contributed to the frontiersman’s shooting skill. The sought-after degree of proficiency was that which could turn to most effective account the split-second between life and death. Hours upon hours of practice and wide experience in actualities supported their arguments over style.”

Lesson 1

Marshal Earp is being crystal-clear here: the right gun, the right holster, the right way to carry it on your body, getting out of the holster and either into the low-ready position or right on target, knowledge of your gun’s mechanical systems (and knowing how and why to correct problems when the machinery fails), and how to use it safely, quickly, effectively, and accurately. Lots of quality-time practice, at indoor and outdoor ranges, in all lighting and weather conditions.

 

Wyatt…

“The most important lesson I learned from those proficient gunfighters was the winner of a gunplay usually was the man who took his time. The second was that, if I hoped to live long on the frontier, I would shun flashy trick-shooting — grandstand play — as I would poison. When I say that I learned to take my time in a gunfight, I do not wish to be misunderstood, for the time to be taken was only that split fraction of a second that means the difference between deadly accuracy with a sixgun and a miss. It is hard to make this clear to a man who has never been in a gunfight. Perhaps I can best describe such time taking as going into action with the greatest speed of which a man’s muscles are capable, but mentally unflustered by an urge to hurry or the need for complicated nervous and muscular actions which trick-shooting involves. Mentally deliberate, but muscularly faster than thought, is what I mean.”

Lesson 2

He’s saying it true here: fast and accurate, using your trained and developed powers of concentration, which comes through regular practice, to create the required muscle memory.

 

Wyatt…

“From personal experience and numerous six-gun battles which I witnessed, I can only support the opinion advanced by the men who gave me my most valuable instruction in fast and accurate shooting, which was that the gun-fanner and hip-shooter stood small chance to live against a man who, as old Jack Gallagher always put it, took his time and pulled the trigger once.”

Lesson 3

In our modern context, he’s not talking about the number of rounds you can put on the paper or human target, but the accuracy of those rounds. Not just “spraying and praying” and hoping one lands where you wanted it, but a practiced, measured shot each time. Sight picture, straight pull of the trigger to the fire, move to the trigger reset quickly, adjust the sight picture off the recoil, and prepare to do it again.

 

Wyatt…

“In the days of which I am talking, among men whom I have in mind, when a man went after his guns, he did so with a single, serious purpose. There was no such thing as a bluff; when a gunfighter reached for his forty-five, every faculty he owned was keyed to shooting as speedily and as accurately as possible, to making his first shot the last of the fight. He just had to think of his gun solely as something with which to kill another before he himself could be killed. The possibility of intimidating an antagonist was remote, although the ‘drop’ was thoroughly respected, and few men in the West would draw against it. I have seen men so fast and so sure of themselves that they did go after their guns while men who intended to kill them had them covered, and what is more win out in the play. They were rare. It is safe to say, for all general purposes, that anything in gunfighting that smacked of show-off or bluff was left to braggarts who were ignorant or careless of their lives.”

Lesson 4

Action is faster than reaction. Even if the bad guy facing you is armed, you can still draw and fire at him, as his (tiny or alcohol or drug-addled) brain is trying to figure out what you’re doing, why you’re not giving up or complying, and why he suddenly sees muzzle flashes and bullets headed his way.

 

Wyatt…

“Practiced gun-wielders had too much respect for their weapons to take unnecessary chances with them; it was only with tyros and would-bes that you heard of accidental discharges or didn’t-know-it-was-loaded injuries in the country where carrying a Colt’s was a man’s prerogative.”

Lesson 5

We learn from our Masters. Be thoughtful about your weapon, be proficient with it, practice with it often, and it will serve you.

What do you think about the lessons on gunfighting from Wyatt Earp? Let us know in the comments section below.

Up Next: The Real Science Behind A Gunfight

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Steve can be reached at drsteve@drstevealbrecht.com or on Twitter @DrSteveAlbrecht

from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/lessons-gunfighting-wyatt-earp/