In this final part of our three part series I wanted to take a look at miscellaneous items of tactical gear that might be worthwhile adding to your kit. We’ve already discussed various recommendations for firearms and holsters. . . . → Read More: Ultimate Tactical Gear: Miscellaneous

I cannot give you recommendations for what you need in an emergency and I cannot evaluate your knowledge and skills. I can however review equipment that can used in common emergencies that the average person, without advanced training can provide potential life or limb saving skills. . . . → Read More: Being Prepared

While the previous sections have covered the various layers of preparedness, some items haven’t been discussed, the possession of which in a disaster situation may prove of value to you. Let’s take a look at some of them and some things we should keep in mind when selecting any of them to include either on our person or in amongst our kit. Continue reading Disaster Planning 108: Miscellaneous Items

One of the most basic and valuable tools you can have in your possession is a knife. Recognizing that it’s probably mankind’s oldest tool (after the club), it’s also probably mankind’s most valuable tool – after the ability to build/control fire – where survival is concerned. We don’t often realize it, but the number of survival-related chores we do that require cutting are numerous. But when we get into any discussion about knives for survival purposes, many people automatically think of “survival knives”. Years ago, when the first Rambo movie came out, the popularity of Bowie-style knives with a serrated back edge and hollow handles exploded. Mind you that was almost 30 years ago. Since then there have been some significant changes in the metals used for such knives, differences in blade shape, sheath material, etc. One question that needs to be addressed as you select your knife, or knives, to be added in your disaster “kit” is the need of size and anticipated use. Continue reading Disaster Planning 107: Knives & Tools

Handguns: Semi-Automatic

Across the span of the past few decades great debate has been had about handgun calibers, stopping power, etc. Understand up front that handguns in general suck as man-stopping weapons. Think about it: when you hunt a deer with a rifle, even if you score a good hit, you expect to track that deer a little while. Why? Because the deer isn’t immediately killed. He has to bleed out. While he’s bleeding out he has oxygen in his brain and muscles to continue fleeing from the threat. We humans are no different. If you shoot a person with a rifle or handgun, unless you score a hit to the central nervous system, the person has enough oxygen in his muscles and brain to continue functioning for anywhere from ten seconds to a half hour or more. It depends on the wound and rate of blood loss. Continue reading Disaster Planning 106.5: Weapons – Handguns & Other

This section about weapons has two very specific slants to it: one examining weapons for defense and the other examining weapons as hunting tools. As you read through it some of the weapons mentioned may not make sense for one of the applications but may make sense for the other. Although I don’t discuss weapons as offensive weapons (tools of aggression), obviously some of them are designed for that. Ultimately, how you use any weapon is your responsibility and only you can justify it. That said, let’s take a look at the various weapons / types listed below, some strengths, some weaknesses and some options. Continue reading Disaster Planning 106: Weapons