Table of contents for Prepper Survival Guide (Issue 21) in Prepper Survival Guide (Issue 21)

DIRECT PRESSURE When you encounter a person with a bleeding wound, the first course of action is to stop the hemorrhage. In the majority of mild to moderate cases, direct pressure on the wound might stop the bleeding all by itself. The medic should always have nitrile gloves in his or her pack. Gloves will help prevent the wound from contamination by a dirty hand. Try to avoid touching the palm or finger portions of the gloves as you put them on. If there are no gloves, grab a bandanna or other barrier; thick is better than thin. Although clean hands are important, don’t spend a lot of time looking for the hand sanitizer. Expose the wound and stop the bleeding immediately. If you have a medical kit, you’ll have…

HOWEVER, NATURE CAN be volatile. There are numerous safety concerns that one should consider prior to stepping out of your front door and venturing into the unpredictability of nature. From rapid weather changes to the interaction with animals—both fourand two-legged varieties—to injuries incurred on the trail, what started out as a simple walk can quickly spiral into something bad. Here, we’ll explore all aspects of the seemingly innocent hike, from preparation to precautions to what you should do if unexpected hazards come your way. GOING OFF-COURSE The first danger of hiking is one that most people will not admit would be a problem, and that’s getting lost while on their hike. This has to do with ego and overconfidence with themselves. That mentality can cost them a lot when daylight starts…

A TRULY COMPREHENSIVE security plan will cover three basic layers. First, it will have elements intended to deter home invasions and other crimes. Second, it will involve some sort of delay tactics, designed to increase the amount of time it will take for the burglar or other bad guy to reach their goal. Finally, it will include defense, which may involve the use of firearms or other weaponry. For our purposes here, we’re concentrating on the first two layers of the plan. PROFESSIONAL OR DIY SYSTEMS The first decision to make is whether you want to handle this yourself or pay a company to step in and handle the arrangements and monitoring. There are a number of great, reliable outfits that will do an outstanding job outfitting your home and other…

THE TRUTH IS MOST OF US will never have a John Wick set of fighting skills. Sure, there are some of you reading this right now who are special ops combat veterans, SWAT law enforcement officers, or local championship MMA ring fighters. There is the chance that you are the most impressive elite warrior in your family. But what about the rest of your family and loved ones? Are they as capable as you are? What about when you are not there to protect them? What happens if you get injured and all you have left is a limp and a walking stick? For a period in my life, I thought I was as tough as they come. Then I broke my neck (five fused discs), back (awaiting fusion), tore my…

CHOOSE A KNIFE THAT FITS YOUR HAND AND GRIP AS WELL AS IT FITS INTO YOUR BUDGET. IT’S TRUE THAT YOU CAN go to a store or browse online and find knives that are called survival knives—but more often than not, these blades are more flash over substance with cheaply made materials, gaudy accessories and blades that probably wouldn’t cut through a piece of cardboard. These props would be more of a detriment than a true lifesaving tool. Now, on the flipside, there are many durable knives on the market that exhibit high quality and superb craftsmanship, but they would be poor choices to make the transition from everyday knife to becoming your go-to blade when a survival situation comes your way. Here, we’ll make it easy for you. From size…

THE OUTCOME OF EVERY situation that you will find yourself in will depend on your ability to process information and then act. Sometimes you will have time to think, but many times the process happens in a split second. Let’s talk about gathering that information so you can keep your mind in the game. YOU NEED TO BELIEVE, AT A CORE LEVEL, THAT YOU WILL OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES YOU ARE FACING. LIFE IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE None of us were born with all the information we need to make it in the world, especially in this day and age. We need to gather information to survive from a variety of sources and from these sources lessons need to be learned. That said, we are all born with the ability to think…

LET’S EXPLORE WHERE you might get your water in the urban jungle. WHERE IS THE WATER? It’s there, obviously, because all the people couldn’t be living there if there wasn’t any. But the streams and rivers and lakes are all too often cemented over, or in underground tubes. The water is there, but how do you find it? Begin by purchasing a topographical map of wherever you live and examine it for any water features. On your map of your area, study it for all the places where water might be captured or held. Reservoirs are everywhere, and these are potential sources of water, obviously. Also, study the area where you live on Google Maps. Look for water features, fountains, swimming pools and reservoirs. Take a visit to your local reservoirs…

READY TO PUT YOUR survival skills to the test? Why not try a mock, real-world survival outing with your kit? It’s the perfect way to challenge yourself and see if you’re truly prepared for any situation. ESSENTIALS Survival expert Dave Canterbury’s 5 C’s and 10 C’s are a must-have for survivalists and bushcraft enthusiasts. The 5 C’s include cutting tool(s), a cover, a container, a combustible, and cordage. The remaining 5 C’s are a candle, a cotton bandanna, a compass, cloth tape, and a canvas sail needle. Depending on the user’s needs, these items can be substituted or interpreted in various ways. It’s crucial to have a container for water and a cutting tool for survival. Additionally, signaling via a whistle or signal mirror is an essential skill to practice regularly.…

HOWEVER, MANY TIMES you’ll find yourself in classes or curriculum that can take years for you to advance, at least to the point of you feeling confident in the techniques. If you follow some of the advice listed here, you can condense your learning without skipping vital steps or failing to gathering the proper experience under your belt. These tips will help adapt your current self-defense or martial arts training and direct you on the fast path to becoming a thorn in a bad guy’s side if they seek to do you harm. DO YOUR HOMEWORK If you don’t do your research first about the schools available to you, then you could waste a lot of time looking at classes, trying classes out or joining up only to quit just a…

As with any defense option, it is advisable to practice with it. In this case, do so outdoors so there’s plenty of ventilation. Get a good feel for the effective range, in particular. HAVING SOME SORT OF less-than-lethal option available is recommended. For some time now, pepper spray has been high on the list of suggested options. There are several reasons for that, including: ⨯ It isn’t negated by a person’s mental state or the influence of alcohol or other substances. ⨯ It is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, although some states have restrictions in place. ⨯ It has no permanent effects. ⨯ Most products can be used more than once. HOW DOES IT WORK? Pepper spray’s active ingredient is oleoresin capsicum (OC). This, in turn,…

OUR CRITTERS RELY UPON us to provide their food, water and other necessities. Many breeds of dogs wouldn’t be able to survive long on their own simply because they are unable to hunt very well. All of the selective breeding over the years has given them short legs, little to no snout, and other genetic modifications that serve no practical purpose. Odds are high that they would just end up as dinner for something else. For the purposes of this discussion, we’re concentrating on dogs and cats, given that these are the two most popular choices for pets in the United States. The recommendations provided, though, are applicable across the board. Just tweak them a bit to suit your pet’s individual needs. WATER As should be obvious, water is as important…

IMPLEMENTING PERSONAL safety measures, staying aware of your surroundings and actively participating in activities in a safe location are proactive steps everyone can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to these crimes. KIDNAPPING VS. ABDUCTION Though they seem synonymous, kidnapping and abduction have their differences. Kidnapping is the unlawful restraint of an individual against their will, while abduction generally refers to the act of taking someone forcibly or without their consent. Both carry with them the possible intent of obtaining a ransom, causing harm or exerting control over the victim. Both crimes can have devastating physical and psychological consequences for the victims that can last a lifetime. PREVENTION Stay updated on local crime trends and areas with higher kidnapping risks. Knowledge is your first line of defense before you…

DAYPACKS FILL THE NICHE between cargo pants pockets and a full backpack. They take the form of a waist pack, sling bag or mini shoulder bag, and are ideal for carrying your essentials, while being fatigue-free due to their carry size and weight. They can also begin their journey with you nearly empty—and anything of value you find along your way can be dropped inside. So, grab your bag, stock it with your essentials and hit the trail. You’ll soon notice that even though you’re trekking solo, you have a valuable companion by your side. RUSH MOAB 10 SLING PACK Sling bags have come a long way, and the MOAB goes a few steps beyond that. It’s all about the details, and this ambidextrous day carry bag features all the bells…

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