ISSUE 8

FROM THE C R E ATO

A RS OF

PREPARATION
SURVIVAL
MOBILITY
DEFENSE
MEDICAL
GEAR

10/22: The Tips & Tricks Vetting 10 Improvised

ovised
ovii ed
d
Ultimate For DIY Survival Uses Forr
Survival Grid-Down Group Space
Rifle? Gardening Candidates Blanketss

URBAN AIRCRAFT
AFT
FT
FOOD AS SHTF
T
TF
FORAGING VEHICLES?
E ?
ES?

POST-
P ST
APOCALYPSE
AP CA YP E
BREWERY
B EWE Y

SURVIVAL BUG-OUT
KNIFE BOOTS
SHARPENERS BUYERS GUIDE

OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
 3 5 . 517 2 5 5 , -116 . 2 6 4 6 4 7

ANYWHERE IS POSSIBLE // #GT100

 LEARN MORE
ABOUT THIS BUILD

WWW.GENERALTIRE.COM
006 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

Cover Photos: Jorge Nuez; javarman3,

Lauri Patterson, by_nicholas, 1 Bracelet
Hydromet/istockphoto.com
MAKE & MODEL
Survival Straps 4 Tactical Pen
Active Edge Fishtail Bracelet
MSRP MAKE & MODEL
$60 Tuff-Writer
Operator Series
URL
www.survivalstraps.com MSRP
$100
URL
www.tuffwriter.com
2 Hat
MAKE & MODEL
Beyond Clothing 5 Long-Sleeve Shirt
The Stitched Cap
MAKE & MODEL
MSRP Kuhl
$22 Konquer
URL
www.beyondclothing.com MSRP
$69
URL
www.kuhl.com
3 T-Shirt
MAKE & MODEL
Bawidamann Blades

ON THE
Spartan Girl Mens Tee
MSRP
Not available at press time 4

COVER
URL
www.bawidamann.com
w
www
w baw
wida
w amann com
a m

1 2
5

3
 8 Belt OFF THE 11 Footwear
6 Pants
MAKE & MODEL
MAKE & MODEL
Kitanica
Frame Buckle Belt COVER MAKE & MODEL
LOWA
Vantage GTX Mid Boots
Triple Aught Design MSRP MSRP
Intercept PD Pant $35 10 Light $245
MSRP URL MAKE & MODEL URL
$135 www.kitanica.net Streamlight www.lowaboots.com
URL Sidewinder Rescue
www.tripleaughtdesign.com MSRP
9 Bag $148
URL
7 Watch MAKE & MODEL www.streamlight.com
Eddie Bauer
Adventurer Medium Duffel Bag
MAKE & MODEL
Reactor Watch MSRP
Titan $149
9
MSRP URL
$500 www.eddiebauer.com
URL
www.reactorwatch.com

10
11

7
008
008
8SS
IISS
S
IS UE
SU E8
EDITORSLETTER
Dont
Laugh
By Patrick Vuong
A
recent conversation with one of my
martial-arts students got me thinking.
Somehow our chat turned to the topic of
gear, and I mentioned how I occasionally
modify the contents of the go-bag that I
leave in my car to suit my changing needs, much like how
I adapt better self-defense techniques to improve my skill
set. She paused and shot me an odd expression.
Go-bag? she asked.
Yeah, I replied. You know, like an emergency bag for,
well, all kinds of emergencies.
Then she laughed and said, You mean like a prepper?
I wanted to say, Dont laugh. It wont be so funny if youre
stranded on the side of the road with no supplies. But
instead I tactfully explained the need to always stay pre-
pared. Normally, I dont care much for labels. Im not big on
political correctness for the most part. But this discussion
with my student made me realize that certain tags should
be clarified. Various reality TV shows have perpetuated the
stereotype that preppers are nothing more than paranoid
nutjobs whove spent their lifesavings on lining their homes
with booby traps, canned goods, and tin foil. Seeking
ratings and advertising dollars, certain TV producers have
focused on the sensational rather than the practical.
To me thats not what prepper means. To me a prep-
per is anyone who is prepared, or at least trying to be
prepared. He or she has had the forethought to anticipate
potential problems from minor incidents like a flat tire
to life-threatening disasters that can obliterate entire com-
munities and has not only the gear and the game plan,
but also the mindset. And most importantly, a prep-
per is someone who will still thrive regardless of the
equipment, or lack thereof.
With this mantra in mind, its my goal to pres-
ent you with the most entertaining, insightful, and
useful prepping information possible. Weve made it an
OFFGRID tradition to explore all sorts of transportation
options, from bug-out kayaks to hardcore off-road rigs.
So, some of you might be asking, An airplane as an escape vehicle? Really? Sure, an
aircraft isnt as cheap as a dirt bike. And an airport might not be the most accessible
place in a SHTF situation if you live in a metropolis like New York City. But if youre
already a recreational pilot or have access to a puddle jumper (which are quite com-
monplace in certain regions), check out Bug Out By Air, a primer on ideal aircraft
for preppers. Its written by Dr. Neal Olshan, whos both a licensed pilot and a combat
psychologist who understands the survivors mindset from many perspectives. In
that vein, we asked a panel of subject-matter experts in this issues What If? feature
how they would survive a plane crashing into the ocean.
One of those experts, Tim MacWelch, also gives us a double dose of how to
procure sustenance if societys food chain collapses first with a guide on grid-down
gardening and then a feature on urban foraging. Youll be surprised at how easy it
is to grow your own veggies or find edible ones in the city. Im also pleased to have
Mike Searson a knife buff and former U.S. marine provide an introduction to knife
sharpening for the survivalist and explain why the Ruger 10/22 Takedown could very
well be the ultimate survival rifle. Likewise, federal agent Erik Lund shows how to
maintain firearms when theres no CLP in sight.
And while our competitors like to focus on doom-and-gloom editorial, were lighten-
ing the mood with a brief guide on how to setup a DIY brewery that produces cold
gold. In a post-disaster scenario, beer could be used not only as a morale booster,
but also as a commodity while bartering, among other uses.
Yes, SHTF beer. Go ahead and chuckle. While we take prepping seriously, we dont
take ourselves too seriously and thats reflected in our editorial pages. We hope you
enjoy this delicate balance weve managed between humor and insight, content and
visuals. And we believe you do, as OFFGRID continues to grow in readership with ev-
ery edition so much so that were now offering print subscriptions due to popular de-
mand. Weve heard from many of you who say you cant consistently find OFFGRID on
the newsstands. Well, now you can have it shipped to your door every other month.
Go to www.offgrid-mag.com for more details. And
dont forget that there are always digital
versions available via iTunes and
Zinio. Thanks for your loyal support!
Now get out there, learn, apply, and
practice and show the world that
prepper shouldnt
be a laughable
label.
 READY. Editorial. Advertising.

RIGHT. Editor/ Patrick Vuong

Managing Editor/ John Schwartze
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General Manager/ Mark Han
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NOW.
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kershawknives.com

COMPLY WITH ALL LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING AUTOMATIC KNIVES
012
ISSUE 8
GEARUP
1 MAKE & MODE
Coleman
Esky Series 55 Quart
Cooler - Khaki
DIMENSIONS
27.38 by 19.63 by 19.63 inches
MSRP
$340
URL
www.eskyseriescoolers.com
NOTES
Whether youre loading up your
bail-out rig or just heading out
on a shing trip, having a rugged
cooler that wont fall apart is
essential to keeping your food
from spoiling. Fortunately, this
Esky Series cooler is made for
harsh conditions, thanks to
catch-free rubber latches, a
scratch-resistant exoskeleton,
and integrated hinges with
stainless-steel pins. Inside, the
liner and cutting board are an-
timicrobial, while the insulation
helps retain ice for more than six
days. How can Coleman improve
this outstanding cooler? Adding
wheels so that it could be pulled.
Its not easy hauling a 29-pound
empty cooler try it when its
full of ice, drinks, and food!
2
3
2 MAKE & MODEL
RedHed 3 MAKE & MODEL
Midland 4 MAKE & MODEL
TOPS Knives
Garden Tool Master Kit ER200 Multi-Fuel Folding Stove
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
27.5 by 18.5 by 6.75 inches (closed) 6.5 by 2.8 by 1.9 inches 4.25 by 6.5 by 4.25 inches
MSRP MSRP MSRP
$369 with soft case (shown), $389 $60 $50
with hard case
URL URL
URL www.midlandusa.com www.topsknives.com
www.redhedtools.com
NOTES NOTES
NOTES
Despite all our fancy Imagine youre stranded in the
If youre asking, Why the heck would
phablets and smart middle of nowhere. You catch a
a prepper want landscaping tools?
watches, the 19th-centu- rabbit and prepare to feastbut
please see Grid-Down Gardening on
ry technology developed have no means of cooking the
page 42. The Garden Tool Master Kit
by radio pioneers Tesla critter. The Multi-Fuel Folding
from RedHed is an innovative inven-
and Marconi might be the Stove can help with that. The ve
tion, a sort of Swiss Army Knife for the
most reliable source of at panels and three skewers
horticulture world. It contains the four
vital information during are made of 20-gauge stainless
most used tool heads and two handle
an emergency. Thats steel and assemble into a sturdy
styles with two different lengths each,
why every bug-out bag stove that can be used with
providing 32 congurations while sav-
should include a hand- pots, pans, or cans. Its compat-
ing space in your garage or tool shed.
crank radio. Midlands ible with various fuel sources,
The key is RedHeds patent-pending
ER200 is one such model including wood, Sterno, and fuel
connector system, which takes just
that includes other func- tablets. Note: its small so cook-
a few seconds to use and self-aligns
tions: AM/FM tuning, ing capacity will be limited, and
with every tool change. It comes neat-
NOAA weather alert, an (at 1 pound, 3.2 ounces) it's a little
ly packed in a ballistic nylon case or a
extendable antenna, and heavier than expected. Still, if
heavy-duty plastic hard case with
a 130-lumen LED ash- you have the room to spare, this
the whole package clocking in at 28 or
light with a Morse code U.S.-made stove is great not only
29 pounds, respectively. Not ideal for
beacon mode. Plus, in ad- for emergencies, but also various
eeing from a disaster, but certainly
dition to the hand crack, outdoor adventures.
an organized and handy kit to have at
the radio can run off its
home or stored at a remote location
solar charging panel and
like your summer cabin.
a rechargeable battery
that can be replaced.
5 MAKE & MODEL
GSI Outdoors
Pinnacle Backpacker
DIMENSIONS
8.2 by 8.2 by 5.4 inches (nested)
MSRP
$90
URL
www.gsioutdoors.com
NOTES
At rst blush this colorful cooking
set seems like a sale item from
Bed Bath & Beyond until you
handle it. The Pinnacle Backpacker
is ridiculously rugged and brilliantly
designed. Made for two people, it
consists of a 2-liter pot, an 8-inch
frying pan, a strainer lid, two
14-uid-ounce insulated mugs, two
14-uid-ounce bowls, two sip-it
tops, and a folding pot gripper all
of which nests together like a Rus-
sian doll. Plus, it comes with a sack
that can double as a sink or wash
basin. While not ideal for a one-day
go-bag, its compact enough to
be stored in a vehicle until youve
reached your campsite or bug-out
location.
4 8
6 MAKE & MODEL
bbi
bbi bottle
DIMENSIONS
14-ounce (shown), 22-ounce
MSRP
$17
URL
www.bubibottle.com
NOTES
This collapsible water bottle is
made of sturdy BPA-free silicone
in fact, it can be frozen or even
placed over a re to boil water.
It weighs just 6 ounces, rolls up
easily for compact storage, and
has a retaining ring to clip on
for safe keeping. Note that the
silicone is exible, so be careful
not to squeeze it too hard and
end up dousing yourself ask
us how we know. Its best to grab
the reinforced neck. For a similar
reason, if you stand it upright,
itll teeter like your frat brothers
during pledge week. Available in
various colors, including citrus,
grape, and smoke.
5 black and ember orange.
7 MAKE & MODEL
Numyth
Tohil V2
DIMENSIONS
2.2 by 0.8 inches
MSRP
$24
URL
www.goinggear.com
NOTES
This aint your granddaddys
Zippo. This Numyth Tohil lighter
is a tough-as-nails waterproof
lighter thats compact and
lightweight, easy to store and
carry, and designed for real
outdoor use. The Tohils body is
CNC-machined aluminum with
a Type III hard anodized coat-
ing to increase durability. The
small cylinder has a at bottom
so it can stand upright and
be used as a candle for short
periods and has a large lan-
yard/key ring hole for various
attachment options. Conve-
niently, the Tohil uses standard
int, wick, and lighter uid so all
three can be easily replaced.
(Note: It doesnt come with the
lighter uid lled due to ship-
ping restrictions.) Available in
8 MAKE & MODEL
ZCORR Products
Vacuum Pistol Bag
OVERALL LENGTH
11 by 15 inches
MSRP
$21
URL
www.zcorrproducts.com
NOTES
One of the biggest threats
to rearms is rust. Thats
why ZCORR Products
makes assorted bags that
protect guns from corro-
sion and general contami-
nation. Like a Ziploc bag on
steroids, the Vacuum Pistol
Bag is easy to use and con-
tains no grease or messy
oils. Simply slip your semi-
auto or revolver inside,
press the zipper closure
shut, and place a vacuum
hose over the bags one-
way valve and remove the
air. Let ZCORRs scienti-
cally designed bag do the
rest. For preparedness-
minded folks, this could be
an ideal solution for long-
term storage of a handgun
in a survival cache.
6
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 013
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016
ISSUE 8 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

WHAT IF?
Your Commuter Plane Crashes in the Ocean
J
ust seconds ago you were joking with your two bud-
dies aboard a perfectly functional aircraft. Now you
sit in shock, unable to move, speak, or process the
information flooding your senses and your mind. The
planes engine died, and so may you in a few seconds.
The only thing that tugs at your attention now is the fear rising in
your gut like vomit trying to escape an ill stomach. What just hap-
pened? Whats about to happen? Your mind reels at the possibili-
ties, and at the inevitable truth the plane is going down.
The yelling snaps you out of your haze slowly and you fumble to
put on your PFD in sluggish obedience of the shouting pilot. You
bend forward and hug your knees, and then the dying plane hits
the aqua-blue water.
In this edition of What If?, we pose the question, what if your
commuter airplane crash-lands in the ocean? For answers, OFF-
GRID asked three different writers for their unique approaches to
this survival-at-sea scenario. With us is Patrick McCarthy, a free-
lance journalist, lifelong outdoor enthusiast, and OFFGRID con-
tributor. Erik Lund is a federal law enforcement agent with a vast
array of tactical and survival expertise. And myself, I have been a
survival instructor for the past 19 years and am the author of a new
book on survival and emergency preparedness, How To Survive
Anything.
With our varied backgrounds, we each provide different ways to
solve the same desperate situation. Read on to find out which one of
our tales of dodging a watery grave would fit in with your SHTF prep.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 017
018
ISSUE 8 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
The Scenario
SURVIVAL SITUATION
Commuter plane crash that leads to short-
term survival scenario
YOUR CREW
Your two best friends, Chris and Marcus
LOCATION
Off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii
SEASON
Summer
WEATHER
highs in the mid-80s F and lows in the
high 60s F
The Setup: Youre a fit male in your 20s on vacation in Ha-
waii for your friends wedding. As the best man, you held
a raucous bachelor party in Honolulu, Oahu. After a half
day of recovery, you head to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island
of Hawaii with two groomsmen, Chris and Marcus, for the
wedding ceremony itself. The groom has gone on ahead
of you with his bride to be, so its you three along with
seven other passengers on this little island hopper. Your 8
p.m. flight is one of the last ones off Oahu.
Your Gear: You checked in your luggage, but youre wear-
ing T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops, a sports watch, and a paracord
bracelet. In your pockets you have a pen, a smartphone,
and a wallet with cash and credit cards
The Complication: About two-thirds into your 40-minute,
167-mile flight, theres a loud bang! Then a total loss of
power. The pilot tells everyone to put on their life preserv-
ers and prepare for an open-ocean ditching. After a short
glide, the plane hits the water violently. Loose items inside
the cabin turn into deadly projectiles. After a brief moment,
you come to and realize a chunk of the plane is missing,
but most of it is still holding, relatively speaking. Unfortu-
nately, the planes taking on water. You instantly realize you
need to take action and scan the cabin. Youre OK save
for some minor cuts and bruises but sadly Chris is dead
and Marcus has a big gash on his head and what appears
to be a dislocated collar bone. Of the seven other pas-
sengers, only three are conscious. Youre unsure about the
other four, the pilot, or the one attendant.
T
hey say flying is one of the safest modes of trans-
portation; that youre more likely to die in a car,
a boat, or even a train. Logically, I knew this. But
it still didnt change the facts. The statistics I had
studied to mask my fear of flying were meaning-
less now. Ears ringing from the violent impact, my brain was still
struggling to register what had just happened. My movements
seemed slow, disconnected, and almost robotic as I felt my hand
reach for my lap belt in the darkness. As I leaned forward, I noticed
the water was lapping at my calves already.
Now was the time to take action if I wanted to live through this.
Choosing to sit at the back of the plane had insulated me some-
what I guess thats one piece of knowledge about plane crashes
that did prove useful. I pulled my smartphone from my pocket,
tapped on the flashlight app, and took stock of my surroundings.
Across the aisle, I noticed Marcus slumped over in his seat with
blood running down his forehead. Mere minutes ago, he had been
right there next to me, cracking jokes about last night at the bar.
Marcus, can you hear me? I struggled to form words as I dragged
myself out of the seat toward him. He didnt reply. I turned to the
seat in front of mine to ask Chris for help, and instantly felt sick
to my stomach. His neck was unnaturally twisted, and his body
motionless Chris was already gone.
Only then did I notice the sound of sobbing from the front of the
cabin. At least I wasnt the only one still conscious. Stumbling down
the aisle through debris and knee-high water, I found the source of
the sounds: a woman in her 40s, trying desperately to remove her
seatbelt.
Her garish Hawaiian shirt and noticeable accent suggested
she was a tourist from Europe. I helped free her from her seat,
and asked her to help me with the others. The womans husband,
Stefan, was conscious, but appeared to have a broken arm. She
began to help him, while I waded back to Marcus, who was now
moving in his seat. Thanks to his law enforcement experience, he
appeared calm and focused, but clutched his collarbone in pain
as I helped him up. I told him about Chris and asked him to help
me with the others.
With the help of Marcus and the European couple, the other
five passengers were quickly unbuckled. Only one was respon-
sive, the other four were still out cold. The pilot was another casu-
alty, his body pinned grotesquely between the fuselage and the
instrument panel. The flight attendant had two badly broken legs,
but was able to tell us about the emergency raft next to her seat.
I grabbed the bright red raft container, labeled 4 TO 6 PASSEN-
GERS. It turns out this flight was cheap for more reasons than one.
Knowing some of us would have to rely solely on our life vests, I
 WHAT
IF?
AVERAGE JOE: Patrick McCarthys Approach
handed Marcus the raft container and kicked open the side door. was circling overhead. Minutes later, a Coast Guard cruiser had
Water rushed in as Marcus lunged away from the plane and arrived, and relief overcame us as we climbed aboard. The med-
pulled the inflation tab on the raft. The tourist couple and I began ics said they got to the flight attendant just in time, while Marcus
dragging the unconscious passengers out of the wreckage, but ended up needing 18 stitches on his head and a brace for his
the plane was taking on water quickly now. We managed to get collarbone.
the last passenger clear just in time. The reality of our situation hit As for me, lets just say Ill be sticking to solid ground from now on.
me as I watched most of the plane disappear under the surface,
the lifeless bodies of Chris and our pilot still inside.
Swimming to the raft, I found Marcus and the others helping
the panicked flight attendant into the tiny inflated vessel. Both her
The statistics I had
legs were bleeding badly, and we needed to get her out of the wa- studied to mask my
ter. Given Marcuss head wound and other injuries, I insisted that fear of flying were
he stay in the raft as well. That way, he could also apply pressure meaningless now.
to the flight attendants wounds, and slow her bleeding. In the
scattered moonlight, the other four unconscious passengers
were pulled up over the side of the raft.
This left four of us treading water me, Stefan and Karin (the
tourist couple), and the only other responsive passenger (a man
in his late 60s named Paul). None of us in the water had serious
lacerations, so we hoped that we would go unnoticed by sharks.
Based on the pilots final distress call, I knew the Coast Guard
would be looking for us, but I had no idea how long it might take
to be rescued. Glowing brightly in the faint moonlight, the illumi-
nated face of my watch read 8:53 p.m. I could see distant lights
from both Maui and the Big Island on the horizon, but knew
based on our flight plan that we had to be at least 20 miles from
either. In my injured and exhausted state, there was no way I
could swim that far, and our life raft had no paddle. We were all
scared, but our best chance would be to stay with the high-
visibility raft, and wait for rescue to come. Clinging to the other
survivors in the darkness and silence, I realized how helpless we
really were at the mercy of the ocean.
The night seemed endless. Three of the other passengers in
the raft had regained consciousness after the crash, while the
last never woke up. Floating in the water, I tried to put the idea
of sharks out of my mind, but its nearly impossible when youre
in the middle of the Pacific with nowhere else to go. I swear I felt
something bump my leg shortly after midnight, but the subse-
quent bite never came. Marcus had done his best to slow the
flight attendants bleeding, but we all knew she wasnt going to
make it much longer without medical care.
It had only been a few hours, and a deep sense of fear had al-
ready set in. I couldnt possibly imagine the desperation of being
stranded at sea for days ... or longer.
Shortly after sunrise, a faint rumble became audible a heli-
copter! The noise grew almost deafening, and soon the chopper

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 019
020 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
FEDERAL AGENT: Erik Lunds Approach
I
m not sure how long I stared at Chris not wanting to believe
he was dead, but the head injury he suffered left no doubt.
Marcus snapped me out of my daze when he grabbed my
arm, yelling for me to help him. A quick look around the
cabin of the plane told me all I needed to know.
The plane was taking on water fast, and we needed to get out
now! A few of the passengers were starting to move while others sat
motionless. A quick look at Marcus told me something was seriously
wrong with his collar bone and he needed help getting out of the
sinking plane. I yelled to the other passengers who were in various
states of panic and disarray, Find the life raft! I grabbed my life vest
and put it on, but I did not pull the inflation cord. A fully inflated life
vest would restrict my movement getting Marcus out of the plane. I
would inflate it once I was in the water.
I grabbed a life vest for Marcus and scanned the plane. I noticed
when we boarded this little puddle jumper that it had a large left
rear cargo door. That would be the easiest way I could get Marcus off
the plane quickly. I grabbed Marcus and threw his good arm over my
shoulder and started dragging him to the back of the plane. Marcus
started screaming in pain as I wasnt being gentle moving him about,
but I had no choice. The water was rushing in; we only had seconds
to get out. I grabbed the emergency release and the cargo door
opened. I dragged Marcus out of the opening and into the water. We
both went under, but I was able to get us back to the surface with
a few strong leg kicks. I pulled the cord and my preserver inflated. I
put the vest over Marcus head and got his attached around his waist
and pulled his cord, which also inflated.
I looked back to the plane. The tail was high in the air and the
cargo door was now underwater. The tail hung there for a second
and then quickly slipped under the surface. The plane went under
in less than a minute. The sudden sound of silence was almost
overwhelming.
An explosion of water erupted next to me, jarring me out of my
stupor. One of the passengers had managed to get out of the plane
while it was under water and barely made it to the surface. He was
gasping for air and in full panic mode. He instantly grabbed onto me
and Marcus, trying to climb on top of us to get to safety. In doing so,
he pushed both of us under water. I had to let go of Marcus, if I didnt
do something soon, this guy would drown both of us. I fought my
way back to the surface. The passenger was screaming and flailing
about trying to climb back on top of me, trying to use me as his
flotation device. I only had one option. I mustered all the strength

I could and punched him. The punch caught him right in his jaw. I
didnt knock him out like in the movies, but my shot disoriented him
enough that I could get behind him and underneath his arms.
I kept telling him Ive got you! Youre safe! As his head slowly
cleared from the punch, with my words reassuring him, he stopped
flailing and starting calming down. He finally said, Dont let me go.
I dont have a vest. I assured him I wouldnt. I looked around and
saw Marcus floating a few yards away. I asked the passenger for his
name. Tim, he barely mustered to say.
I told Tim I needed to swim us over to my friend, as he was hurt
and needed our help. Tim understood. A few quick side strokes
and I had a hold of both Marcus and Tim. I was finally able to catch
my breath and I felt totally exhausted. From the crash until now,
probably only two minutes passed by, but I felt like I had just run a
marathon. I dont know how long we floated there, but the yell came
from behind us. I managed to get all of us spun around and saw the
most beautiful sight a man in my situation could see: a life raft.
The flight attendant had grabbed the life raft on her way out of the
plane and inflated it. Inside the raft were two other passengers. Using
their hands as paddles they swam the raft over to us. They pulled Tim
in first and then I helped them with Marcus before climbing in myself. I
One of the
passengers had
managed to get
out of the plane
while it was under
water and barely
made it to the
surface. He was
gasping for air
and in full panic
mode.
WHAT
IF?
thanked the attendant who introduced herself as Sara. I looked around
the raft and asked, Is this all? Sara just nodded, no words needed
be said. The gravity of the moment caught up with me. Not only was
Chris dead, but his body was on the ocean floor. How many were
dead on impact and how many drowned? I wanted to help, but it was
all I could do to save myself and Marcus. The guilt of not doing more
gnawed at me.
The situation was bad. All of us were banged up and bleeding to
one degree or another. We had no food, no water, no communica-
tions, and Marcus was still bleeding.
I felt overwhelmed, but I thought to myself, OK, lets solve one prob-
lem at a time, lets take care of Marcus and the other injured folks. I
ripped my T-shirt into a long strip and tied a pressure bandage around
Marcus head to stop the bleeding. I grabbed a belt off one of the pas-
sengers and was able to secure Marcus arm around his waist and sta-
bilize his collarbone by immobilizing it. The rest of the survivors were
able to clean their wounds with the remaining pieces of my T-shirt. As
a small way of expressing his gratitude for helping him, Tim handed
me his button-down Hawaiian shirt to cover my now shirtless body
as he had on an undershirt. As darkness began to fall, we all stared at
Sara for guidance as to what came next, but Saras blank stare told me
all I needed to know she had no idea what to do.
Knowing the importance of hope and having a plan, I spoke first:
Well be OK. Its a relatively short flight, and were expected at our
destination very soon. We were on radar and in contact with the flight
tower. Even if the pilot didnt have time to declare an emergency,
which he most likely did, disappearing from radar and the lack of radio
contact will initiate a search. This is a very well-travelled flight corridor,
and were on a direct path to the airport. Search and rescue will be up
very soon looking for us. We should only be about 60 miles from the
airport. It shouldnt take too long for them to get here.
Everyone seemed to take some measure of comfort from my as-
sessment. I started unbraiding my paracord bracelet, which caught
Tims interest. What are you doing? he asked. Im going to take
Saras bright red vest and attach it to the end of the paracord, I
replied. Ill use it to swing around in the air if any aircraft approaches
to help them see us.
I could see Tim wanted to help, so I handed him my water-dam-
aged and inoperable smartphone. He looked surprised and said,
You want me to call someone? I laughed. No, I want you to use the
screen like a mirror, I said. Try to reflect the moonlight toward any
aircraft so they can see the flash reflection. Since I cant do every-
thing myself, youre gonna have to help.
Sure, I can do that. Tim said. Just dont hit me again. I smiled
back. Our plan in place, everyone settled into the raft for the long
night and the hope of rescue.
ISSUE 8
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022 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

SURVIVAL EXPERT: Tim MacWelchs Approach

W
hen the small, toy-like plane finally stopped
tumbling across the surface of the water, I still
had the sensation of movement. The waves
rocked the broken craft and the water rushed
in, seeming to push me deeper into my seat. I
also felt the plane sinking. Marcus scrambled to my right. He unfastened
his seatbelt and then held his hand over the wound on his forehead.
The gash was trickling blood into his eye, but he was up and moving.
After unbuckling my seatbelt, I moved through the hip-deep churn-
ing water to see why Chris wasnt moving. Chris had sat down directly in
front of me when we boarded. He had been joking and shooting quips
back at us the entire flight. When I reached him, I saw his head slumped
down, with his chin on his chest. Through the lapping reddish water
and orange life vest, I saw something coming from his torso that did
not belong. A jagged piece of aluminum had pierced the center of his
chest. When I lifted Chriss head, his eyes were open and lifeless. I tried
to find his seatbelt buckle under the bloody water, my hands refusing to
believe what my eyes had seen. Then I felt pain and something else that
shouldnt be there. I had cut my hand on another piece of metal that
was protruding from his abdomen. While the salt water stung my new
injury, I screamed at him to Wake up! but I knew he couldnt, not with
the size and the placement of that metal barb in his chest. It had hit him
right in the heart.
I stood frozen in shock for a moment, the water climbed higher up I unhooked the buckle on my life vest and handed it to Marcus. Hold
my body. The waters had risen over Chris head when Marcus bumped onto this for me? I asked. He looked at me questioningly, but as soon
into me, half blinded from the blood in his eye. Weve got to get out of as he had the vest, I dove through the plane door. After a few seconds,
here! he cried. Get Chris. We have to swim for it! I looked at Marcus I found the air bubble where the woman was still screaming. There
and said, Hes gone. Its just us. The water was up to our shoulders was only enough room for our heads, and only enough time for a few
when we heard a call from another survivor. This way! the voice shout- words. You have to take off the vest to be able to swim out! I yelled. She
ed, and we were too stunned to argue. The plane door was open and a was still screaming and trying to hang onto me at this point. Can you
man in a life vest bobbed in the water beside it. Hurry! he screamed, swim?!? I asked. She continued to let out a scream after each breath
Its going down fast! she took. Neither one of us had time for this. I felt for her vest buckle,
Marcus was in front of me and it dawned on me that he was only us- popped it open, and began taking it off her. Panicked further, she hit
ing one arm to swim. It wasnt far to the plane door, but he needed help. me in side of the head and continued screaming. Enough was enough.
I felt around with my feet to find a seat or armrest, or anything I could I grabbed hold of her and got right in her face. Im here to help! I
brace against. My feet dug into a seat back. Then I grabbed Marcus and shouted. Take a deep breath and swim out of here with me!
pushed him forward and out the door. The water had reached the top She finally showed some slight sign of understanding in her eyes
of the plane door as we went under the arch. The buoyancy of the vest and took a deep gasp of air. I did, too, and I caught her by the hand. Half
almost prevented me from getting under the doorway to escape. Only grabbing chair backs and pulling us forward, half-swimming, we moved
a few square feet of the planes fuselage were still above the water. toward the door. I felt a hand in front of me and grabbed it. No sooner
Though it was difficult to hear over the bubbling and the water slap- than I was tugged forward, I lost the womans hand from my grip. Once
ping against the planes shell, I still heard a muffled scream of Help! It my head was above water again, I saw that it was the man who had
sounded like a womans cry. Marcus, the man at the door, and I looked helped us before. He looked familiar, and I thought he was the pilot. He
back and forth. Marcus was in no shape to help, and the other man stuck his face under water in front of me and pulled up the formerly
looked banged up as well. I was the only one who could help, and I screaming woman. She was no longer screaming, but still scrambling to
knew what I had to do. hang onto me.

Its OK now, I said. Here, I have something for you. I took the life
vest from Marcus hand and helped her into it. As I clicked the buckle,
she moved her hands to the fastener and held it. She was protecting the
buckle, as if I would undo it again. I managed a half-hearted smile, for
her sake not mine, and asked if I could hang onto her to stay afloat. She
said, Yes. Exhausted, and with no life vest, I held onto Marcus vest with
one hand and the womans new vest with the other hand.
The middle-aged pilot swam over to the three of us, as did an older
woman. She was towing an older man bobbing in his life vest. He ap-
peared unconscious, but he could have been worse off than that. The
plane was completely under water and sunken from view by the time
our group of survivors had assembled.
Marcus and I looked at the pilot, who seemed to be scanning the few
bits of floating debris from the crash. What do we do now? Marcus
asked the pilot. Look for anything useful was the aviators reply. Since
I was unfettered by the bulky life vest and a passable swimmer, I swam
around inspecting odd bits of flotsam and covering more water than
the others. I found a soggy foam seat cushion, but not the right kind to
act as a flotation device for me. I found a half filled water bottle, a bikini
top, and one of the flip-flops I had lost in the crash. Others were luckier.
Once we all circled up again with our buoyant treasures in our midst,
there were two bags of snack chips, half bottle of soda, half bottle of
water, and a few bits of clothing. While the able-bodied survivors were
looking for anything they could scavenge, the pilot had confirmed that
the older man was still alive. He could not, however, figure out what was
wrong with him.
Now what? the older woman asked. The pilot said his name was
Sam, and he asked for everyones names. The older couple was Jackie
and John. The woman I had helped was named Mindy. I could tell the
pilot was trying to figure out who was here and who was lost. Does
anyone still have their phone? Sam asked. I pulled mine from the
pocket of my shorts. The screen was still lit, but the touch screen was
unresponsive from its time under water. No one produced a working
phone. We could tell by Sams face that wasnt the answer he was hop-
ing to hear. I couldnt complete the mayday call, he said. They dont
know were in the water. This wasnt the answer I had been hoping
to hear. I knew people would miss us, and at some point theyd come
looking. But the ocean is a big place, and we had no way to communi-
cate or signal for help.
To calm everyone and boost morale, Sam said we should go ahead
and have the snacks and drinks. Mindy objected, saying We need to
save those. Who knows how long well be stuck out here. But then Sam
explained that they would do us more good in our bellies than still in
the packages. Well need every bit to stay warm, he explained. Even
though the water felt comfortable, as soon as I started thinking about
nighttime temperatures I could tell that I was getting colder. We ate the
WHAT
IF?
chips, one at a time, passing the bag around in a circle. We drank the
drinks with little baby sips, until the bottles were drained.
My waterproof watch still worked. I made note of the time we
crashed, and the time that the last glow of dusk disappeared. We had no
lights to signal our position, and we were forced to huddle for warmth in
the dark water. I unwound my paracord bracelet to give us the cordage
to bundle all of the life vests together. I ran a loop under my arms and
lashed myself to the makeshift pontoon of people. The stars were mi-
raculously bright, and several of us napped for a few minutes at a time.
John woke up and mumbled something in the night before drifting off
again. His wife smiled and wept after that.
The sky was beginning to lighten and my watch read 5:15 a.m. when
our relative peace was shattered. Something just bumped my leg!
Mindy screamed. Sam snapped to attention and asked, Whos got
something sharp? I handed him the pen from my shirt pocket, which
I thought was utterly useless out here in the ocean. He held the pen
tightly and stuck his face under the water. When he popped back up,
we asked nervously what was going on. Shark he said quietly and
grim-faced. He slipped out of his live vest and stuck his face underwa-
ter again. He lay still in the water, face down like a dead man. Then the
water exploded in a large splash. I saw the tip of a fin in the boiling water.
Sam came up for a huge breath and dove completely under this time.
It seemed like ages had passed, though my watch said only a minute
had elapsed. My fellow survivors were on the verge of panic when Sam
surfaced.
Were OK for the moment he stated, looking quite pleased with
himself. I stabbed him in the eye. I marveled at this strange man, as did
the others. Sam explained that these islands and these waters were his
home. And the elders told him how to fight sharks, eat sharks, and even
use their dried skin like sandpaper to make traditional surf boards. This
humble yet amazing man had just fought off a shark with my stupid
little Bic pen. Unbelievable.
But soon greater wonders were to be seen. It was just after 7 a.m.
when we heard the engine. Shortly after, we spotted a small ship near
us. We desperately waved our arms, swung clothing bits in the air, and
yelled as loudly as we could. The ships crew must have spotted us, as
they changed course and started coming straight toward us. No sweet-
er sight had I ever seen that the Coast Guard ship that was pulling up
beside us. After we were hauled aboard, the real shock of all the events
settled in. It took all the strength I had to not collapse on the ships deck.
Mindy must have seen the inner turmoil on my face. She changed
seats and sat down slowly and quietly beside me. She took my hand.
You were put here to save me, she said. I know you were. Thank you.
She laid her head on my shoulder. What she said gave me some sense
of peace I hadnt felt before. Despite the bright morning light, we both
fell asleep.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 023
024 OFFGRIDWEB.COM WHAT
IF?
ISSUE 8

Conclusion
A plane crash in the ocean is one of
About Our Panel:
the worst catastrophes for travelers. Tim MacWelch
If you could manage to crawl away Tim MacWelch has been a survival instructor for
from the wreckage on land, at least the past 18 years and has trained members of the
youd have somewhere to go. But in U.S. Armed Forces, the State Department, and the
the water, you have nowhere to go. Department of Defense, among others. He is also a
Without a lift raft, your resources are public speaker on preparedness and is the author
limited to what you have in your pock- of Prepare For Anything and the upcoming Hunting
ets and what you can find floating in And Gathering Survival Manual. You can follow him on
the sea. And its not like theyll let you Twitter @timmacwelch or get more information at
on the plane with a parachute or a www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com.
bunch of gear.
To be in compliance with the TSA
rules that have emerged since Sept. Erik Lund
11, youll be left with very little in the Erik Lund has more than 20 years of law enforcement
way of flight approved survival experience with much of that time spent as an
gear. You are allowed to fly commer- instructor of firearms, defensive tactics, and use of
cial airlines with one book of paper force. He served as a Virginia State Trooper before
safety matches, your phone and all accepting a position as a federal agent. Lund is also
of the survival apps it might contain, a senior instructor at Mike Seeklanders Shooting-
a paracord bracelet, a metal cup, a Performance LLC, a tactical training company. As a
compass, and a few other odds and champion competitive shooter, hes earned several
ends. These could all be useful, but regional, state, and national three-gun titles and
they dont exactly constitute a proper is ranked as a grandmaster by the United States
survival kit. In the event of a crash in Practical Shooting Association.
the water or another austere setting,
your skills and knowledge end up
Patrick McCarthy
being your real survival kit. And this
Patrick McCarthy is a freelance writer, editor, and
mental emergency kit does have
photographer with an avid interest in survival and
some advantages. It weighs noth-
the outdoors. After receiving his bachelors degree
ing, you cannot lose it, and the TSA
in 2010, Patrick made his first foray into journalism
agents cant give you any shit about it
as the associate editor of Truckin magazine. He later
or confiscate it.
moved on to become a freelance contributor and
Before your next trip, brush up on
photographed numerous magazine covers. Patrick
your survival skills. Learn some new
currently resides in Tustin, California, and works in the
knots, practice your fire-starting, do
marketing department at a classic car parts company.
some signaling exercises. Best case
scenario, you had fun with the topics
you practiced, and worst case, youre
ready when that emergency hits.

How would you react to the same scenario as played out by our panel?
Share your plan with us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OFFGRIDmag.
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026 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

When Chaos Strikes, is it

Viable to Escape in a Plane?

WARNING!
This article is meant to be a
quick overview and is not a
detailed guide on aviation,
nor should it be construed as
an endorsement to operate
an aircraft without proper
training and licenses. To
learn more, consult with a
Photo by Jorge Nuez
reputable training school or
instructor.
T
he TV reporter said all you needed to know
in one sentence: The governor is declaring
a state of emergency and evacuation plans
will be announced in the next five minutes.
Strong winds from the Northwest are driving
the flames toward a derailed train of tanker cars filled with
volatile chlorine. A solid wall of flames stretches across the
television screen and roiling clouds of thick brown smoke
severe health problems and even death. At room tempera- Air
ture, chlorine is a gas thats heavier than air, which means itll Glossary
linger in low-lying areas unless the wind picks up. The safest ADF: Automatic Direction Finder: Radio
compass giving a relative bearing
means of escaping its potentially fatal and widespread mist
ADT: Approved Departure Time
could very well be via an aircraft.
AGL: Above Ground Level
At this point, some of you might be asking, What if I
AIRMET: A type of weather advisory
dont know how to fly? or Having a bug-out plane is stupid regarding turbulence, icing, and low
because it isnt realistic. Remember: If disaster has already visibility

climb thousands of feet into the sky. Fire departments from all struck, its too late to develop a bug-out plane strategy. AME: Aviation Medical Examiner

over the state have been unable to slow the fires path toward Having an aircraft is an option that may take years to fully APP: Approach control

the overturned tankers.
Your wife and two young children enter the room and
stand next to you. Their survival will depend on your skills
and decision-making over the next hour. You know what to
do. You need to bug out now, and its got to be by plane.
develop. But once you have it, it could mean the difference
between saving your family and being stuck on the highway
with thousands of other panicked drivers wishing you could
grow a pair of wings. As they always say, You can never
have too many options when the SHTF.
ARTCC: Air Route Trafc Control Centre
ASI: Airspeed Indicator
ATA: Actual Time of Arrival
ATIS: Automatic Terminal Information
Service. Automatically recorded message
transmitted on a particular frequency,

Without being told, each member of the family grabs

their go-bags, and 10 minutes later youre entering the code Winged
that allows you into Sky Ranch Airport and to your bug-out Transport
aircraft: a 22-year-old Cessna 172. The preflight complete, If youre a regular
you reach for the ignition key. Your wife puts her hand over reader, you know
yours and squeezes gently as the engine coughs to life, that OFFGRID
settling into the familiar rhythm. After a few heart-pounding delves into all man-
minutes, youre in the air and cruising through 2,100 feet. ner of bug-out ve-
You share a relieved look with your wife as you gently bank hicles, from kayaks
northeast toward your first destination, the mountain top and snowmobiles
airport 150 nautical miles north. to off-road rigs and
The preceding story, although fiction, has its basis in the mountain bikes. So,
stark reality of compromised land and water egress. Take in this edition we shine the spotlight at aircraft as a survival option. Heres a
this storys hypothetical opener: a chlorine tanker accident. look at the benefits and disadvantages of being a prepper pilot.
Chlorine is used in industrial and commercial products PROS: CONS:
and is therefore commonplace. Depending on the con- Best answer when getting Dependent on fuel
centration and the exposure time, this chemical can cause distance between you and Possibility of public airport closures (the
the event quickly is a priority best reason to keep your aircraft at a private
Reduce limiting variables, airport)
such as traffic, road closures, Governmental flight restrictions (e.g. Sept. 11
unpredictable crowd behav- terrorist attack)
iors (survival mob mentality), Most small private aircraft are vulnerable to
etc. theft or vandalism due to poorly constructed
Fly over disasters, hostiles, locks
blocked roads, destroyed Aircraft not parked in hangers are suscep-
bridges, etc. tible to weather events
Not stranded if the infra- Cost of buying and maintaining an aircraft,
structure cant handle the and need for maintaining flight skills (where-
automotive traffic as you drive your car or truck every day)
Ability to do fly-over recon- The variable of flying in poor weather
naissance prior to landing Limits of gross weight (baggage, supplies,
Access multiple destinations etc.), depending on aircraft
ISSUE 8

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 027
028 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
Air Glossary
(CONTINUED)
containing current weather conditions,
altimeter setting, active runways,
etc., provided at airports with a tower
(controlled).
AVGAS: Aviation Gasoline. Usually followed
by the octane rating. Used by piston-
engine aircraft.
Call sign: Phrase used in radio transmis-
sions aircraft to identify an aircraft,
before proceeding to actual instructions.
An example would be Motorglider 351
Hotel or Cessna 13 Whiskey.
Ceiling: Height above ground or water
level of the base of the lowest layer
of cloud.
Clearance: Authorization given by ATC
(the tower, Air Trafc Control) to proceed
as requested or instructed (for example:
Cleared for takeoff, Cleared to land).
Crosswind: Wind perpendicular to the
motion of the aircraft. The crosswind leg
is also one of the many words describing
the approach segments.
Density altitude: Pressure altitude (as
indicated by the altimeter) corrected for
air temperature.
DI: Direction Indicator. A gyro instrument,
which indicates the magnetic heading of
an aircraft.
Downwind: When ying parallel to the
runway.
ELT or ELB: Emergency Locator Transmit-
ter/Beacon
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
FBO: Fixed-Base Operator. Supplier of
fuel, maintenance, aircraft rental or sale,
ight training, etc. at the airport.
FINAL: Final Approach is the part of a
landing sequence in which the aircraft
has made its nal turn and is ying
directly to the runway.
GND: Ground
Go-around: When an aircraft on nal ter-
minates its plans to land, gains altitude
and begins the landing pattern again.
GPS: Global Positioning System (Navstar).
Step Two: Obtain a Plane
Once youve acquired your pilots license, its time to get
an airplane that has the basic characteristics needed for
a bug-out vehicle. Avoid a rental or club aircraft. Instead,
consider a seaplane. Its quite possibly the most versatile
bug-out aircraft available to the general public. The sea-
plane allows you access to runways, grass and dirt landing
strips, lakes, ocean, and all manner of waterways.
Due to the inherent ruggedness and reliability of the
Husky, Skyhawk, Caravan, and Beaver, all four models are
ideal for bugging out to and from land, snow, or water.
Step One: Pilots License They also have several rather significant benefits not
Lets say youve weighed the pros and cons, and youre
found in the newer aircraft: long production runs and
game. Where do you start? Obtain a valid pilots license availability of parts. These planes can be found used in
(private, sport, or recreational) if you dont already have one. greater quantities and at a lower cost. Heres a closer look
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guide- at each one. See if one of them meets your needs.
lines, you can begin training at any age. However, you must
be at least 16 to obtain a sport pilot certificate and 17 for a
recreational pilot or private pilot certificate.
Heres a look at the main types of pilots licenses and
what it takes to obtain them.
1 PRIVATE Training:
Privileges: 30 hours minimum
More than one passenger Pass the FAA written exam
may be carried Pass flight exam with an
Flight outside U.S. airspace FAA examiner
allowed Requires FAA medical
Night flight allowed
Training Requirements:
exam
Average cost: $7,700
De Havilland
40 hours minimum Beaver
Pass FAA written exam 3 SPORT This single-engine, high-wing Canadian bush plane
Pass flight exam with an (Airplane, Gyro, Weight-Shift- has been used by military all over the world, from the
FAA examiner Control, Airships) U.S. Army to the Ghana Air Force.
Requires FAA medical Privileges:
CAPACITY: One pilot, six passengers
exam Only one passenger may CARGO: 2,100 pounds of useful load
Average cost: $9,900 be carried LENGTH: 30 feet, 3 inches
WINGSPAN: 48 feet
Training:
HEIGHT: 9 feet
2 RECREATIONAL 20 hours minimum EMPTY WEIGHT: 3,000 pounds
(Airplane and Rotorcraft) Pass the FAA written exam GROSS WEIGHT: 5,100 pounds
POWER PLANT: 450hp Pratt and Whitney Wasp Jr.
Privilege: Pass flight exam with an
radial engine
Only one passenger may FAA examiner MAXIMUM SPEED: 158 mph
be carried Requires FAA medical CRUISE SPEED: 143 mph
Night flight allowed, but exam or a U.S. drivers RANGE: 455 miles
SERVICE CEILING: 18,000 feet
only under the supervi- license and self-certification
RATE OF CLIMB: 1,020 feet per minute
sion of a certified flight Average cost $4,400
instructor

Aviat Husky
In production since 1987, this
rugged and dependable two-
seater is one of the best-selling
light aircraft designs of the past
two decades. This high-wing utility POWER PLANT: 180hp Lycoming O-360
plane is used for all sorts of func-
tions, from pipeline inspection and
glider towing to border patrol and
anti-poaching missions.
Cessna Caravan Amphibian
This rugged and proven
aircraft can operate from
terra firma or water you
can land on and take off
from almost anywhere. The
passenger capacity and
ability to transport extensive
supplies put this bug-out
aircraft at the top of the list.
Manufactured since 1998,
its the largest seaplane with
a single engine.
BUG OUT
BY AIR
CAPACITY: 1 pilot, 1 passenger
CARGO: 925 pounds of useful load
LENGTH: 30 feet, 6 inches
WINGSPAN: 35 feet
HEIGHT: 9 feet
EMPTY WEIGHT: 1,275 pounds
GROSS WEIGHT: 2,250 pounds
MAXIMUM SPEED: 145 mph
CRUISE SPEED: 140 mph
RANGE: 800 miles
SERVICE CEILING: 20,000 feet
RATE OF CLIMB: 1,500 feet per minute
CAPACITY: Eight, 10, or 14
CARGO: 3,230 pounds
LENGTH: 38 feet, 1 inches
WINGSPAN: 52 feet, 1 inches
HEIGHT: 17 feet, 7 inches
EMPTY WEIGHT: 5,555 pounds
GROSS WEIGHT: 8,750 pounds
POWER PLANT: 675hp Pratt &
Whitney Model PT6A-114A
MAXIMUM SPEED: 175 kias
CRUISE SPEED: 159 knots
RANGE: 820 nautical miles
SERVICE CEILING: 20,000 feet
RATE OF CLIMB: 939 feet per minute
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
The Cessna 172 Sky- CAPACITY: Two to three passengers
(including the pilot)
hawk is a four-seat, single-
LENGTH: 27 feet
engine, high-wing aircraft
WINGSPAN: 36 feet
that first flew in 1955 and CARGO: 446 pounds of useful load
has been in production EMPTY WEIGHT: 1,275 pounds
since 1956. More 172s GROSS WEIGHT: 2,300 pounds
have been manufactured POWER PLANT: Lycoming O-360
MAXIMUM SPEED: 188 mph
than any other airplane
CRUISE SPEED: 143 mph
in history. The availability
RANGE: 800 miles
of used aircraft in good SERVICE CEILING: 20,000 feet
condition is extensive. RATE OF CLIMB: 1,500 feet per minute
Step Three: Practice
Much like any other survival skill, flying a bug-out
plane proficiently takes repetition. So once you have
your license and your plane, practice, practice, and
practice. And when you think that you have practiced
enough, practice some more. Obviously, you cant
learn how to fly from reading a magazine article. So
well give you a brief overview of the basics.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 029
030 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
Normal
Takeoff
Air Glossary
(CONTINUED)
Navigational system using orbiting satel-
lites to determine the aircrafts position
on the Earth.
IDENT: SQUAWK function of a transponder.
When the Ident button is activated, an
aircraft will briey appear more distinctly
on a radarscope and this may be used
for identication or acknowledgment
purposes.
IFR: Instrument Flight Rules for the
operation of aircraft in instrument
meteorological conditions.
ILS: Instrument Landing System provides
horizontal and vertical guidance for the
approach.
Knot (kt): Standard unit of speed in avia-
tion were 1 knot equals 1.1515 mph
LAT: Latitude
Magnetic course: Intended horizontal
direction, measured in degrees clockwise
from magnetic north.
Mayday: The international radio distress
call.
MSL: Mean Sea Level
NM: Nautical Miles
NTSB: National Transportation Safety
Board
OAT: Outside Air Temperature
Payload: The combined weight of pas-
sengers and/or cargo.
POH: Pilots Operating Handbook
(aircrafts owners manual)
RPM: Revolutions Per Minute
RWY: Runway
SIGMET: Signicant Meteorological
Information. A type of weather advisory
regarding severe weather conditions
(thunderstorms, turbulence, icing,
volcanic ash, etc.).
Squawk: To transmit an assigned code via
a transponder.
Takeoff and Climbing
Complete your pre-take off checklist. Typically use one
degree of flap and the elevator trim is adjusted to neutral.
Now slowly advance the throttle, using the rudder pedals
to steer the aircraft to the active runway and point the
nose into the wind. Wait for the tower to say, Skyhawk 6
Charlie Lima, clear for takeoff. The throttle is opened fully
to start the takeoff roll. During this takeoff roll, the control
wheel, or stick, is usually held in the neutral position, and
the rudder pedals are used to keep the airplane on the
runways centerline.
As takeoff airspeed is approached, gently apply backpres-
sure on the control wheel or stick and the planes nose will
begin to lift off the runway. Use the rudder pedals to keep
the nose point straight.
When the airplane is clear of the runway, gently relax the
control slightly, letting the nose drop slightly as you gain
speed. As your airspeed increases, remember the best rate
of climb for your aircraft (found in the aircraft operating
manual).
Landing
First, find the airport sometimes thats more difficult
than it sounds. Check the wind direction at the airport by
asking the tower controller the wind direction or look at the
windsock on the airfield. At a controlled airport you must
comply with the directions of the tower, and a controller will
give you the runway information and tell you when to land.
At an uncontrolled airport, there is no tower. You an-
nounce your intentions, look for other planes, and when
clear, land. Whether you are told which runway to land on
or you make the choice, align yourself into the wind and
BUG OUT
BY AIR
control your airspeed so that the needle in the airspeed
indicator is in the white arc. This is a time to be careful and
maintain the appropriate airspeed since the bottom of the
white arc usually represents the planes stalling speed.
Run a before landing checklist, found in the aircraft man-
ufacturers operating handbook, prior to the final leg of your
pattern. Maintain your glide slope angle by using the VASI
(Visual Approach Slope Indicator) system installed along the
runway. If you see a set of red lights over a set of white lights
on the VASI system, you are on the proper glide slope. If the
runway you are landing on doesnt have approach lights,
you should be 300 feet above the ground 1 mile from the
end of the runway and as you cross the runway threshold,
smoothly bring the power to idle and smoothly pull back on
the controls and flare (slightly nose up) and allow the plane
to settle to the runway.
Once youve become proficient at the fundamentals, take
it a step further and begin practicing for a potential bug out.
Try these four exercises:
Checklist It: Keep a checklist in the office, house, and car.
Discovering that you forgot an essential item after youre
already strapped into the plane is of little use.
Preplan It: Find the best and fastest route to the airport
from your home, work, and any other location were you go
at least three times per week on a regular basis.
Drill It: Do a complete run-through at least once every
three months with whomever is in your family or survival
group.
Old-School It: Once in there air, pick an objective location
and see if you can get there without a GPS and other ad-
vanced navigational aids. Hint: At times it may be as simple
as following the highway and making the appropriate turn
off its just that youre 4,000 feet above the ground.
Normal
Landing
Approach
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032 OFFGRIDWEB.COM BUG OUT
BY AIR
ISSUE 8

Aerial
Go-Bag
The bug-out bag (BOB) may be as essential to your survival as the fuel in the aircrafts tanks.
The rst thing to remember is that although you are ying, nothing has to be TSA compliant. Each Worst Bug-Out Aircraft
passenger should have his or her own BOB. There should be one bag for the aircraft that remains in
the plane.
The BOB is a very important yet personalized necessity. Unlike on a motor vehicle or a boat,
weight is of paramount consideration in an airplane. Weigh each bag and calculate into the total
passenger and carry-on weight. This is extremely important as it relates to the planes performance.
You should inspect everyones bags on a monthly basis using a checklist. Your familys BOBs should be
stored in the same place and stored together. Some have used a hall closet or cabinet in the garage.
Heres a closer explanation of what your bug-out gear should be.

ON YOUR PERSON
Whether youre ying commercial or private, make sure youre wearing cotton or wool (no nylon)
and leather sole shoes or hiking boots. Pack a light jacket, a hat, and medication. Ask your doctor if
you can get a prescription for a wide-spectrum antibiotic and an anti-diarrhea medication.

CAPTAINS BOB
For sake of clarity, the pilots bag will be called the Captains BOB and its the responsibility of
the pilot to verify that each passenger has their BOB. The Captains BOB should contain:
Given the parameters of a bug-out aircraft, there are certain aircraft that would not be
Sectional Charts Medical kit appropriate for this type of mission. Theyre too small, too slow, have little to no cargo capacity,
Sectional Plotter Life-Straw for water treatment or have limited pilot and passenger protection, among other concerns.
Multiple forms of identication (passport, Mylar blankets (one for each person on board) Avoid these types of craft when bugging out:
pilots license, drivers license etc.) Vaseline-soaked cotton balls in container Single seat self-launch gliders Ultralight aircraft
Carbon Monoxide Detector (starting/maintaining res) Hang gliders Hot air balloons
Aviation Transceiver with NOAA weather Large Ziploc bag with toothpaste, medications, Paragliders Speed Parachutes
channel deodorant, dental oss Travel Kleenex Packets
Handheld radio transceivers Sunscreen
Pilots tool kit Tube of Vaseline Lip Therapy
Compass with mirror Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
Poncho Extra batteries
Hat Assorted plastic bags (trash plus gallon and
Notepad with pen and pencil (preferably a quart Ziploc bags
pad that is designed to be used in rain or foul At least $500 in cash and old/well used silver
conditions) coins
Spare prescription eyewear and sunglasses Two knives: one folding, one xed blade
Fire piston (sparks for res) Duct tape
Paracord 550 (50 feet) Leatherman type tool
Headlamp plus spare batteries Aircraft Navigational Maps (Sectionals)
Long-sleeve shirt Red marking pen or pencil for drawing route
Socks and undergarments and adding changes
Leather work gloves Handgun and ammunition

FAMILY BOB:
The list here is a sample. Build your own go-bag based on your location, the age and health of Compass with mirror Wet wipes packets
passengers, and the potential weather. Three pairs of socks Ferrocerium rod re starter
Quart Ziploc bag with toiletries Hat Gloves Folding knife
Undergarments Sunglasses Compact water purier Mylar blanket
Two changes of clothes Small ashlight Mini rst-aid kit Two large trash bags
034 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
Air Glossary
STOL: Short Take-Off and Landing.
TAS: True Airspeed. Airspeed cor-
rected for altitude and outside air
temperature.
TCA: Terminal Control Area
Tailwind: Strong wind in the same direc-
tion as the motion of the aircraft.
Touchdown: Synonym for landing.
Transponder: A transponder is a
wireless communications, monitoring,
or control device that picks up and
automatically responds to an incoming
signal.
UNICOM: Privately operated radio
service at uncontrolled airelds.
UTC: Co-ordinated Universal Time,
formerly Greenwich Mean Time
VHF: Very high frequency. Radio
frequencies in the 30-300 MHz band,
used for most civil air-to-ground
communication.
VOR: Very high frequency Omnidirec-
tional Range.
Wake turbulence: Wingtip vortices
generated behind a wing producing lift.
Waypoint: Reference point used for
navigation indicated by latitude and
longitude.
Wind shear: Refers to a rapid change in
winds over a short horizontal distance
that can cause a rapid change in lift,
and thus the altitude of aircraft.
Zulu: Used worldwide for times of ight
operations.
Aviation Adaptation
Whatever the cause, any disaster of significance will
adversely affect the power and communications grids. That
means your entire wiz bang state-of-the-art communica-
tions and navigational devices will be useless, at least for a
time. The world of convenience will be transported back to
the 19th century.
Right now you are probably saying, Yeah, but my glass
panel and GPS have backup batteries. Wrong, all the backup
batteries in the world will not be of any help if societys in-
frastructure begins to collapse. Tuning to your favorite radio
station will be a waste of time if the station cant broadcast a
signal. An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) burst will fry every-
thing electrical and whatever survives will be worthless be-
cause satellites will be non-functional, ground-based NDBs
(non-directional beacons), VORs (VHF omnidirectional range
beacons), and TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation Beacons) will
cease to function.
Within a matter of seconds you will be transported back to
the days of the biplanes, when traveling from point A to point
B involved following geographical landmarks such as roads,
bridges, mountains, and lakes. Times when ones most impor-
tant assets were common sense and self-reliance.
How about while youre flying? Are there specific altitudes
you need to fly? Visual Flight Rules (VFR) will most likely
be used if a crisis hits. The designated altitudes to fly at are
7,500 feet and 8,500 feet since the VFR state that traffic
flying easterly should be at odd altitudes plus 500 feet (e.g.
BUG OUT
BY AIR
7,500 feet). Westerly traffic utilizing VFR should be at even
attitudes plus 500 feet (e.g. 8,500 feet).
Not every catastrophic event will be a chlorine tanker
explosion fueled by a wildfire. And not every bug-out vehicle
will (or should be) an aircraft. But if youre already a pilot,
or have the means to become one, consider a plane as
another card in your survival deck.
SOURCES
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association > www.AOPA.org
Experimental Aircraft Association > www.EAA.org
Federal Aviation Administration > www.faa.gov
Seaplane Pilots Association > www.seaplanes.org
About the
Author:
Dr. Neal H. Olshan is a consulting psychologist, a pilot, a
writer, and a fine art photographer, as well as the chief
combat psychologist for LMS Defense. He is the devel-
oper of the Evolution of Mindset Training Program.
Olshan is the author of six non-fiction books and wrote
the novel The Panama Escape with his wife, Mary.
www.drolshan.com
036 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

IT CAME
FROM
SPACE 10 Uses for By Martin Anders
Emergency Blankets Photos by Michael Grey

I
ts easy to bundle up in a scarf and jacket when the tempera-
ture drops. And packing a sleeping bag when you go camping
is a no-brainer. But what if you end up stranded while on a day
hike or have to flee unexpected danger after SHTF? Enter the
emergency blanket. This thin piece of Mylar film doesnt look
like much more than a reflective sheet of flexible plastic, but it can retain
life-saving heat if youre caught outdoors without shelter. Plus, it has a
myriad of other improvised functions.
The amazing emergency blanket, also known as a space blanket, was
developed by NASA back in 1964 and has since become a mainstay in
many emergency and first-aid kits and for good reason. Emergency
blankets take up little room, are very lightweight, and can keep you
warm by efficiently preventing heat loss. Stash one in your backpack or
vehicles glove compartment and wrap yourself in it if you ever need
a way to stay warm in a jiffy. Its powerful heat-retention properties are
why marathon runners are draped in them after running their 26.2
miles and the reason its Mylar material was used to line the spacesuits
that went to the moon.
Aside from making you feel like a toasty Pop Tart when wrapped in
them, what else are they practical for? Lets examine 10 alternative uses
for the blanket from space.
1 Insulation 2 Signaling
An emergency blanket makes a great insulator from the
cold. Use it to help fortify your sleeping bag, if youre for-
tunate to have one, or cut a blanket up and stuff it into
your shoes and gloves to help keep your tootsies warm.

Emergency blankets usually come in a silver or gold chrome-like

finish. Their mirrored reflective surface is great to bounce light
off of to signal for help. When strung up on a tall object such as a
tree, wind may cause it to move, creating a fluttering light reflec-
tion that may improve your chances of being detected.

3 Water Gathering

Because its a large sheet of non-porous material, a space blanket is

great for catching and collecting water. If it rains, you can dig a hole
in the ground and line it like a mini-swimming pool to collect water.
Make sure its edges are raised to avoid any dirty runoff. Or if you
want to keep your water off the ground, you can tie up four corners
onto a tree and use a rock to weigh down the middle. Water will
collect at the bottom of this makeshift funnel.

Another alternative is to create a funnel or slide that can divert

rainwater into a container. If youre contending with snow, you can
shape the blanket into a cone and place snow into it. Then align
your snow cone to catch sunlight so that the light generates heat
to melt the snow.
ISSUE 8

OFFG
GRIDWEB.CO
G D OM 037
 OFFG
GRIDWEB.CO
G D OM IT CAME
FROM SPACE
ISSUE 8

Shelter
OFFGRID
Tip
How to Properly Use an
Emergency Blanket
To be fully effective,
an emergency blanket
should be placed with
the shiny side facing your
body or any surface you
want to keep toasty. This
shiny side reflects about
90 percent of your body
heat, while the dull side, In conjunction with some paracord, duct tape, or even strips of itself (see Use #10), you
which is not as efficient, can make a lean-to shelter by tying up two corners of the blanket up on trees and the
only reflects about 65 other two corners lower to the ground to create a shelter from rain or the sun.
percent of radiated heat.

5 Heat Reflection d l
Medical

Mylar has a melting temperature of 500 degrees Fahr-

enheit so it is relatively safe in close proximity to open
fire. Use a blanket to reflect heat from a campfire back
into your aforementioned emergency-blanket shelter.

You can use an emergency blanket to fashion a makeshift sling

to help better immobilize a broken or sprained arm or use it as a
tourniquet in an extreme emergency. Use strips of it to tie sticks
to a leg or arm create a splint for injured limbs. It can also act as
an impromptu compression bandage if needed as well.
 Safe drinking water can be all but
impossible to nd after a natural disaster.
But you dont have to worry -
If you prepare now.

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040 OFFGRIDWEB.COM IT CAME
FROM SPACE
ISSUE 8

7 Waterproofing 8 Catching and Cleaning Meat

Since the sheet is completely waterproof, anything you
y
sufficiently wrap or shield from falling water should be
dry. Use it to help keep the contents of y
able to stay dry yourr
backpack dry
dr by placing
g ev
everything on the blanket then
n
g it prior to placing
wrapping g it in the p
pack. Keep yourrself
ur stuff dry by using
and you g a blanket as a ten print or
tent footp
ndsheet.
ground

Fish like shiny things, so sttrips of a blanket used as lures should

better attract them than ju
ust a hook. Also, an emergency
blanket makes for a clean aand large
g enough
g surface on which
to clean fish or field dress game.
g Keep the dirt off your meat!!

9 Cookin
C oki
oking
g 10 Co
ordage
g

Strips of blankket can be

her to help
braided togeth
ed cordage.
form improvise g
pieces can
Large braided p
even serve as makeshift
ma
rope in some cirrcumstances.
bly not safe
Though, probab
b with, emer--
enough to climb
gency cordage iss g
good for
d a shelter or
helping you build or
secure your gear.

Fashion a blanket into a bowl shape and face it into the sun. Place very
thinly sliced meat into it and allow nature to take its course. This works
best when there is a blazing sun in the sky. Or if you opt to cook by flame,
use pieces of a blanket to wrap up food for cooking near the fire. Not
on the fire mind you, but place your wrapped food near the fire and it
should get hot enough to cook whats inside.
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042 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

W
ISSUE 8

Elenathewise/istockphoto.com
hens the last time you got your
hands dirty? Really dirty? Like, stuck-
them-in-the-dirt-on-purpose dirty?
Its OK if the answer is never. You
can still grow your own food, with
very little in the way of experience or materials. And this
home gardening can happen if your home has a backyard,
or just a balcony, or even just a sunny window. You just have
to pay attention to the details in gardening.
The Interssection Where There are lots of reasons to take up this skill set, beside
Sustainability and the taste and enjoyment of growing your own food. A
Survvivalism Meet significant crisis could cut off our current food supply, and a
widespread grid-down scenario could mean that food would
be at a premium. Even a job loss could be the culprit behind
By Tim MacWelch
your hunger.
One of the best ways to inoculate yourself against starva-
tion regardless of the cause is to have your own sustainable
garden. But how can a city dweller get started?
So many of our ancestors were once gardeners, farmers,
foragers, and capable agrarian types. They had to be. The
food-packed grocery store is a luxury that is only a few
decades old. Our hardy progenitors successfully built and
maintained sustainable gardens that werent dependent on
modern conveniences. They did it because they had to.
But waiting until you have to is not the right approach for
the modern, would-be gardener. Theres a learning curve you
cant afford in a contemporary crisis scenario. Get started
now, before trouble arises. You eat every day why not tend
some plants every day (within the growing season)?
CPaulussen/istockphoto.com
5 Critical Things
If you want to succeed, youll need to pay attention to
five vital areas: light, soil, water, plant selection, and damage
control. When these five issues are in balance, plants can
thrive. When even one of these areas has a problem, your
plants have a problem.
Light: The area where you grow your vegetables will need
at least eight hours of direct and uninterrupted sunlight
each day. Less than eight hours of direct light means that
their growth will be severely stunted, and interrupted light
signals to the plants that night is coming, which also disturbs
their growth. In a standalone house, duplex, or townhome,
try to find a south-facing patch of yard where no trees, struc-
tures, or buildings block the sun. For apartments or condos,
the south side of the building may offer you all the light you
need. You may be able to set up on your balcony or fire
escape. Better yet, get permission to place containers on
the roof. Failing that, purchase a few sturdy window boxes
to hang on sunny windows. Finding light is often the biggest
hurdle for backyard and urban gardeners.
Soil: Unless youre working on a hydroponic system, youll
need some dirt. Potting soil can be purchased as your
soil medium, and it is usually weed-free. Bagged topsoil is
cheaper, but may be full of weed seeds. In a yard, just use
the dirt thats already there.
Water: If your plants are in the ground, in a backyard for
example, they can draw some of their own water from the
soil. Container plants, however, are very dependent on
your regular and thorough watering. If using tap water, fill a
bucket (or several) and let the chlorine evaporate away for
two to three days before watering the plants. A better way
to water is by collecting as much rain water as possible for
your plants (if its legal in your area).
Plant Selection: Each species of vegetable plant usually
has several varieties for you to choose from. For plants in
containers, its best to select plants that are meant to stay
small. Look for words like patio or miniature in the descrip-
tion. These dont need as much space to grow, or such a
big container of soil. Also pay attention to the calories the
veggie would provide. A post-apocalyptic salad might be
nice, but salad leaves are painfully low in calories. Focus on
higher calorie vegetables (see sidebar below).
Damage Control: You arent the only thing that wants to
eat your vegetables. Insects smell the plants you are grow-
ing and come to wreak havoc on your unsuspecting crops.
Diseases can also affect your plants. Many vegetables are
susceptible to viral and fungal ailments, which could kill
them quickly. Be vigilant for signs of pests and disease to
maintain the health of your plants. Frost will also damage or
kill plants. Find out the date of the last expected frost in your
area. Dont plant frost-susceptible plants till the danger of
frost has passed for the season.
High-Calorie Crops
Calories are the whole point behind a survival garden. Sure, salad plants
look nice and grow fast, but you couldnt eat enough lettuce to sustain
you. Leafy greens like lettuce can have as few as 10 calories per cup. Its
a smarter path to focus on high-calorie crops. Here are some survival
garden veggies to consider, and their calories per 8-ounce cup (seeds
and beans counted dried, roots and fruits counted cooked).
Peanuts (a massive calorie payout at 1,200 calories per cup)
Sunflower seeds (800 calories)
Soybeans (775 calories)
Chickpeas, kidney, lima, and fava beans (about 600 calories)
Sweet potato (180 calories)
Potatoes (140 calories)
Carrots (80 calories)
Tomatoes (50 calories)
Turnips (35 calories)
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 043
044 OFFGRIDWEB.COM GRID-DOWN
GARDENING
ISSUE 8

Now Get to Work

RapidEye/istockphoto.com
As soon as you have your game plan in mind, its time to
get busy. Follow these steps to vegetable glory.
STEP 1: GO SHOPPING
Once youve found your sunny
spot, its time to buy some basic
supplies. For backyard gardens, youll
need:
Shovel: A round-point full-length
shovel, to dig your garden bed and
harvest root crops like potatoes and
carrots.
Fertilizer: There is a dizzying number
of fertilizer types and numbers on the
bags. Those numbers are the NPK
numbers. This stands for nitrogen,

Slonov/istockphoto.com
phosphorus, and potassium. Its
always in that order. Nitrogen is
needed for leaves, stems, and green
growth. Phosphorus helps flowers
and fruit. Potassium is needed for root
growth. The average organic fertilizer
has about a 3-3-3 rating and a good
conventional fertilizer has a 10-10-10
rating. Follow the instructions for ap-
plication rates.
Plants or seeds: If you have time
to wait for seeds to sprout, this is a For container gardens, youll need:
cheaper way to get your veggies. If Containers: These can be pots, buckets, even small
time (or patience) is short, buy seed- garbage cans. If there are no holes for water drainage, youll
ling plants that are already several need to punch some in the bottom. You may also purchase
inches tall and growing strong. (or build) self-watering containers. These are filled up with
water every few days, and they water the plants slowly and
automatically. Window boxes are also an option if you truly
have no space to use.
Soil: Potting soil is a great choice, and it can be purchased
with fertilizer already included.
Fertilizer: If not included in the soil mix.

Plants or Seeds
STEP 2: PREP YOUR SOIL
You cant just throw out some seeds and hope for the
best. Contemporary vegetables are not as hardy as their
wild edible forebears. To perform well, your plants will need
loose, rich soil and no other plant competition. Get out your
shovel and dig up the grass sod from new backyard garden
spots. Then dig deeply and chop the dirt clods with the
shovel until they are loose soil. Dig down at least 1 foot if you
can, but 2-feet deep is even more productive.


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Hang it anywhere with waterproof, floats, and
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Or set it down and upside down. You can
adjust the articulating, even set it to message
rotating head in any S.O.S. for 18 days in red
direction when you mode.
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PolyTac
Super compact and exceptionally
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When you need hands free
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 GRID-DOWN
GARDENING

Small seeds are generally slow to sprout, tomatoes tak-

ing several weeks to rise from the soil, while peppers and
eggplants take more than a month to emerge. Live seedling
plants give you a major head start. Bury each root ball in
your prepared soil and water deeply. Again, pay attention
to spacing. Overcrowding stunts all of the plants that are
in competition with each other. As a final option, you could
plant living shoots. Cut sprouting white potatoes and sweet
potatoes into chunks. Plant each one a few inches deep, and
1 foot apart.
Arsty/istockphoto.com

While this is backbreaking work for most people, its worth

the effort. Deeply prepared soil allows deep root growth,
more nutrient and water uptake, and happier earthworms
and other beneficial organisms. For container gardens, the
work is much easier. Open a bag of potting soil, fill the con-
tainer, and move to step three. Although potting soil lacks
many nutrients and helpful soil creatures, its easy to work
with and reusable for several years.

STEP 3: PLANT YOUR VEGGIES

If youre sowing seeds, study the package info on the
depth and spacing requirements for each plant. You can use
your fingers to poke holes in the loose dirt, and a tape mea-
sure or ruler to get the spacing right. Cover the seeds with
soil, unless the package says differently. Water the soil gently
and wait for the seedlings to emerge. Large seeds grow
quickly, since they contain more fuel for growth. Expect
beans and squash to pop up in days.
048 OFFGRIDWEB.COM GRID-DOWN
GARDENING
ISSUE 8

STEP 4: MAINTAIN YOUR GARDEN

lucamanieri/istockphoto.com
Once the seeds or seedlings are in, water them gently
each morning until they are established. You may be able
to back off to watering every other day once their roots
are deep and the plants are healthy. You may also want
to mulch the bed or container to maintain moisture in dry
climates. In the beginning of the growing season, youll still
need to be alert to frost and freeze warnings in your area.
Cover plants with a light plastic or bed sheet, and anchor
it in place if frost is expected. Remove the plastic as soon
as the sun rises to prevent the combination of light and
condensation from burning the leaves.

Stephan Zabel/istockphoto.com
With container plants, if frost or freeze is predicted, just
bring the whole container inside. Not all plants are this sensi-
tive to the cold, just plants of tropical descent like tomatoes,
peppers, eggplants, and a few others. Later in the season,
heat can also be an issue. For urban gardeners, be careful
that summer sun and heat arent reflected off walls, fences,
and other structures. This extra heat can actually cook
them. If plants are well watered, but still become droopy in
mid-afternoon, move them to a cooler spot.
050 OFFGRIDWEB.COM GRID-DOWN
GARDENING
STEP 5: BE PATIENT TILL HARVEST TIME
Gardening isnt like the push-button activities of the
modern world. Plants grow at their own pace. Some are
faster than others, but they are never fast enough to suit an
impatient person. Consider the length of time until harvest
as you plan your vegetable selection. Radishes offer you the
quickest turnaround, growing from seed to harvestable root
in about one month. The bad news is that they only have 19
calories per cup. High-calorie plants like peanuts can take
four months or more for the edible part to reach maturity.
Be patient and be realistic, as you wait for your food to reach
maturity and ripen; and be watchful for pests and disease.
Conclusion
Like all living things, plants want to grow. Their roots dig
deep, and their leaves reach toward the sun. If we provide
the right plants with the light, fertile soil, water, and protec-
tion mentioned throughout this article, chances are that you
will have some success. But like most endeavors, therell be
some missteps too. Learn from your mistakes, do some re-
search and find out what went wrong. Use that information
the next time, and your results should speak for themselves.
Theres no such thing as a green thumb, just dirty thumbs
with calluses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
tatyana_tomsickova/istockphoto.com
There are a few areas where new gardeners often screw things up. Avoid
these likely pitfalls and blunders, and your plants will thank you for it
by feeding you.
Using Too Much Water: The western ideal that if some is good, more
is better doesnt apply to watering. Overwatering can cause the soil to
remain too damp for too long, leading to fungal diseases which can kill
otherwise healthy plants. Too little water is a mistake also, leaving the
soil dry and stunting plant growth. Water deeply and regularly, prefer-
ably in the morning. Nighttime watering can breed fungus as well.
Ignoring Pests: You never know when an insect invasion will arrive.
Frequently inspect the plants for bugs and bug eggs (underneath the
leaves). A few bugs are helpful, like pollinators, but the rest are enemy
combatants. Crush them with extreme prejudice.
Using Too Much Fertilizer: You may be head over heels for your new
vegetable plants and want them to do well. But dont overdo it on fertiliz-
er. The overuse of conventional fertilizer can cause harm to your plants.
Follow the package instructions for directions on the use of the product.
Foregoing Regular Checkups: Plants can pick up diseases from insects,
fungal spores on the wind, and even from you! If you smoke around
your tomatoes, for example, they can pick up a nasty virus from the
tobacco. At the first signs of sickly leaves or messed up vegetables, prowl
the Internet or good gardening books to find out the cause. Many dis-
eases can be remedied if caught early.
How to Cultivate Your Own Seeds
Its surprisingly easy to save seeds from year to year, and continue
your own gardening traditions (and genetics). This isnt legal when deal-
ing with modern protected plant varieties. Heirlooms, on the other hand,
still exist because of home gardeners saving their seeds. Heres how you
can carry on the heritage of seed saving in your own family.
Plan ahead for seed saving by growing single varieties of each
vegetable species. This will help you avoid unpredictable results from
crosspollination and mutant vegetables next year. Let the fruiting part
of your plants mature fully. This will mean mushy tomatoes, dry crusty
bean pods, and rock-hard squash. This also means that the seeds are
fully formed.
Next, cut or tear open the fruiting body and pick out the seeds. Large
seeds are easy to pick from the flesh, smaller ones take a little time. Place
them on newspaper to dry in the shade. Once they are thoroughly dry,
pick off any dried flesh and place the seeds in a jar with a small desic-
cant pack. Store these seeds in a cool, dry, dark place until next spring. A
few odd seeds require a fermentation process or scratching with sandpa-
per for best results, but generally, its that easy.
052 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

As its name implies,

the 10/22 Takedown
can be broken
down into a more
compact package
key when you need
to bug out quickly
with limited gear.
Giving the Ruger 10/22 Takedown
a Survival Makeover
By Mike Searson
W
hile prepping for when
the Fit Hits the Shan,
the conversation will
inevitably turn to prop-
er firearms for hunting
and self-defense. But be careful where you elicit
advice from. Gun shop experts will tell you
how useless a shotgun is and how you need a
.338 Lapua to take out threats from a mile away.
Meanwhile, Internet commandos will espouse
the need for a double-stack 10mm pistol to deal
with grizzly bears in downtown Cleveland. And
tactical mall ninjas will suggest affixing as many
lights, lasers, blades, and Tasers to your AR-15
for when the zombie outbreak hits.
Most will dismiss what is probably one of
the more useful firearms to have in a crisis
situation: a reliable, lightweight
semiautomatic rifle that can
be suppressed. For these
characteristics
and a few
more, we
looked to Rugers 10/22 Takedown to see if it
was the answer to our survival-firearm question.
For reliability, accuracy, and a plethora of
aftermarket accessories, no other manufacturer
can beat the 10/22 in the .22-caliber realm. With
more than 5 million units sold, its a proven
performer that takes its lines from the M1
Carbine and has the distinction of being the
first modern rimfire rifle designed specifically
for adults as opposed to being a youth training
firearm. The Takedown models have been out
for nearly three years, and while definitely not
the only 10/22 in the safe, this one makes for
the best we could find in a SHTF rimfire carbine.
Of course, this being an OFFGRID story, we
didnt just buy a 10/22 Takedown and leave
it, well, alone. As our loyal readers know, its
best to personalize all our survival tools and
supplies based on you and your familys needs,
your home and general region, and the types
of calamities you might encounter. So read on
to find out how we made this .22 LR firearm
SHTF ready.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 053
054 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
Survival Makeover
The Stock
There isnt a whole lot to the 10/22s synthetic
factory stock, and this Takedown version is no ex-
ception, apart from where it is cut into two sections.
The aftermarket options are a little sparse at the mo-
ment, but this should change in time.
We made two basic modifications besides ditch-
ing the flash suppressor: removal of the barrel band
and the addition of a single-point sling.
Removing the barrel band is a holdover from the
days of using non-takedown 10/22s. All they really
added was more of the look of an M1 Carbine. There
are versions now that allow the shooter to add a
Picatinny rail or a laser, but as an old-school rifle
shooter, this author came of age when you didnt
want anything touching your barrel that would
affect harmonics and performance. Its moot on the
Our version of the 10/22 Takedown came with
Realtree camo and not much else. We added a Lucid
M7 red-dot sight up, a Gemtech can, and a BLACK-
HAWK! buttstock sling adapter so that we could add
a sling. Using a sling with a long-gun is especially
important in a SHTF situation when you might need
to transition to hands-free to run, climb, or drive.
The Coating
Takedown, as the fore-end itself is attached to the At this point we had a blued
barrel, but if anything on a firearm serves no real receiver, a bare metal scope
purpose, we prefer to remove it. mount, an aluminum ring, and
The single-point sling was tricky, as the light- a Realtree buttstock. It was
weight stock didnt seem to be a good candidate effective, but not the class-
for installing sling swivel studs; a two-point sling on iest-looking setup. And the
a takedown rifle seemed impractical. We used the authors forays into the Sierra
Single-Point Sling Adapter by BLACKHAWK! to give a Nevada Mountains and the
mounting point for a DeSantis Outback Bungee Sling. wilds of Alaska sparked doubts
This is one of the better single-point slings about whether a stainless ver-
we have come across and we chose this design sion would have been a better
because it is longer than most, and the extra choice to resist the elements.
material can be used to jury-rig a two-point sling by We contacted Russ Bacon
wrapping it around the barrel. It stays put and can and Nevada Cerakote (a
be undone in a matter of seconds when used in division of High Desert Guns
this manner. in Gardnerville, Nevada) for
a custom Cerakote job. We
went with the tried-and-true
High Desert Web pattern
that incorporates the green,
browns, and tans of our local
and immediate bug-out area.
This was a major improve-
ment over the blued steel
of the barrel and receiver,
bare aluminum of the scope
rail and barrel lock, and, of
course, the Elmer Fudd-ish
Realtree camo that the stock
was originally colored in, by
way of a hot dip.

The Optics
If this platform has one
shortcoming, its the sights.
Iron sights are great, and by
and large that is how this
author performs 90 percent
of his own shooting, including
with a long-gun. However, for
this particular rifle to work as
we envisioned it, we wanted
something more accurate than
Rugers factory irons, and go-
ing with the Tactical Solutions
barrel meant giving up the
sights completely.
The dilemma with optics
and takedown rifles is that it will
cause a shift in zero every time
the firearms are taken apart
and reassembled. One solution
would be a cantilever type of
mount on the barrel, but until
that becomes an option for the
Takedown, we decided on a
rugged red-dot sight mounted
farther back on the scope
mount. We chose the Lucid M7,
a solid little workhorse.
THE ULTIMATE
SHTF RIFLE?
The 10/22
Takedowns
stock barrel with
the Gemtech
Outback IID is sig-
nificantly longer
than the SB-X bar-
rel from Tactical
Solutions.
The Barrel The Suppressor
We purchased the version you see in these In the world of NFA
pages not so much for the Realtree camouflage (National Firearms Act, which
pattern, but for the threaded barrel. Unfortunately, defines various categories
the factory 16.25-inch barrel turns into a 22-incher of firearms and devices,
with an attached suppressor. Not a deal-breaker including suppressors), there
by any means, but when being compact is the are a number of choices
order of the day, we wanted something shorter. for a .22-caliber rimfire can.
Enter Tactical Solutions, one of the companies We went with the Gemtech
thats reinvented the Ruger 10/22. The Idaho- Outback IID. This rugged little
based company supplied us with an SB-X barrel suppressor is dependable,
that is made specifically for the Ruger 10/22 user-serviceable, and quiet
Takedown. Tactical Solutions builds a lightweight enough for our purposes.
12.5-inch barrel with a permanently attached ven- The price is very competitive,
tilated shroud that brings the barrel length back and Gemtech is currently
to 16.25 inches. The shroud allows the installation offering an
of most rimfire suppressors and can be used with upgrade to the
the included dummy suppressor or fired without older models
it. Some velocity is lost with this setup due to the that makes it
shorter length, but it does make the rifle quieter easier to clean
with the suppressor. and maintain
Our only real complaint with the factory barrel while having a
was the inclusion of an AR-15-style flash suppres- mono core.
sor that serves no purpose beyond looks. Like
being on a bad date, we ditched it as soon as we The Gemtech
could, replacing it with a Gemtech x28 thread Outback IID
makes the mild
protector. The only shortcoming to the Tactical
.22 LR round
Solutions SB-X barrel is that youll have to kiss even quieter
goodbye to your iron sights. (Well get to the work- perfect for main-
taining stealth
around later in this story.)
mode in various
survival/hunt-
ISSUE 8
ing situations.
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 055
 THE ULTIMATE
056 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8 SHTF RIFLE?

But its Were sure the thought has crossed your mind as you read this story: Isnt a .22-caliber gun just a
peashooter? True enough, the .22 LR is not a service-rifle caliber. The round is a laughable choice for

Still a .22? a self-defense handgun and not at all recommended by tactical trainers. But, were not talking about
handgun performance here. Were looking specifically at a rifle. The following is a closer examination
of why the 10/22 Takedown could very well be your go-to survival firearm.

Ballistics
One of the many myths about suppressors is that they slow down the
speed of the bullet and therefore make ammunition less effective. This may
be old gun shop wisdom parroted on the Internet forums. In all our years of
shooting handguns and rifles with suppressors, we have never noticed it and
can still ring steel and knock down bowling pins with the best of them.
We put this myth to the test by rolling out our F1 Chrony with the Ruger
10/22 Takedown at the range. Using Remington Subsonic 38-grain hollow
points and the 16-inch barrel, we averaged between 909 and 962 feet per
second (fps) without the can. Screwing on the Outback IID, we averaged
between 905 and 953 fps. The same ammunition with the shorter Tactical
Solutions barrel resulted in 819 to 834 fps without the suppressor and 810 to
825 with it. This actually means the shorter barrel makes the rifle quieter as
those extra few inches taken away means that the rifling will not push the bul-
let toward supersonic levels.
When shot with Federal Premium Target loads with a 40-grain bullet, we av-
eraged 1,053 to 1,072 fps on the factory barrel without the can, 1,050 to 1,060
with it, and 880 to 900 with the Tactical Solutions barrel and no suppressor.
Adding the suppressor to the Tactical Solutions barrel with the Federal Pre-
mium gave us an average of 871 to 887 fps.
The velocity loss is somewhere between 5 and 15 fps when using the Out-
back IID. Its certainly nothing we want to be shot with.
Self-Defense
Yes, you read that correctly. Self-defense. The .22 LR may
not be the round of choice for a defensive handgun, but
when chambered in a reliable rifle like the Ruger 10/22 Take-
down, its positively deadly against two-legged predators.
Just reread the aforementioned ballistics stats. One reason
is the increased velocity when fired from a longer barrel and
the increased accuracy from using modern optics coupled
with no recoil. Also, if called into action, the 10/22 Takedown
is light enough to be shot accurately with one hand a
huge plus if youre carrying your child, protecting your
spouse, or hauling vital life-saving medicine or supplies.
Pest Control
Disasters often have secondary consequences. Earth-
quakes, gas leaks, fire, or floods that devastate or otherwise
evacuate structures not only drive out people, but send
the vermin looking for other shelter and food sources, too.
Whether its a plague of rats, feral dogs, possums, or other
nuisance wildlife, the .22 LR excels at reducing their numbers
humanely and quietly. Plus, it lets you save your larger caliber
9mm, 12-gauge, .308, etc. for more dangerous creatures.

FACTORY W/O GEMTECH SILENCER 909 - 962 fps

REMINGTON
SUBSONIC HP

16-INCH
38-GRAIN

BARREL WITH GEMTECH SILENCER 905 - 953 fps

TACTICAL W/O GEMTECH SILENCER 819 - 834 fps

SOLUTIONS
12.5-INCH
BARREL WITH GEMTECH SILENCER 810 - 825 fps

W/O GEMTECH SILENCER 1053 - 1072 fps

PREMIUM TARGET

FACTORY
16-INCH
FEDERAL
40-GRAIN

BARREL WITH GEMTECH SILENCER 1050 - 1060 fps

TACTICAL W/O GEMTECH SILENCER 880 - 900 fps

SOLUTIONS
12.5-INCH
BARREL WITH GEMTECH SILENCER 871 - 887 fps
 THE UUL
LTIMATE E
058 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8 S
SHHT
TFF RIFLE??

Hunting Portability

In most parts of the USA, hunt-
ing big game with a rimfire round is
outlawed. This is partially based on the
notion that the .22 LR lacks power to
make a humane kill, but also because a
miss is subject to over-travel and can
easily hit and injure another person a
great distance away.
The fact remains that the .22 LR is
effective on large game when the shot
is placed properly. Poachers have ef-
fectively used this round for decades,
and most farmers take down their
cows for butchering with a single .22
shot to the head. Unless youre hand
cycling .22 CB Caps or .22 Shorts,
dont underestimate the power of
this little cartridge. In all reality, a true
SHTF scenario could decimate the
entire local deer population within a
year. Stockpiled .223, .308, and other
full-sized rifle calibers will be overkill for
the smaller animals that are left, such
as squirrels, raccoons, foxes, marmots,
groundhogs, and muskrats, etc.
This is another benefit of the 10/22 Takedown m
model.
In a true TEOTWAWKI situation when you may find
d your-
rr-
self having to elude a larger armed group, this smalller
rifle will give you that ability to escape and evade. Alw
ways
remember legendary lawman Wyatt Earps famous an-
n-
swer with regard to surviving a gunfight: Dont show up
p
for it. That little rifle broken down in its compact pack wilill
be much less obvious from a distance than a black rifle
slung over your shoulder or inside a long gun case. Fur-
thermore, because the .22 LR is so much smaller than,
say, 5.56mm, you can pack and carry a lot more rounds
than you would if you were running with an AR-15.
Price
While a basic AR-15 rifle can easily cost you more than
a grand, a stock 10/22 Takedown can be found for less Ruger ships the 10/22
than a handgun. The MSRP is $409, but street prices Takedown with a ballistic
nylon pack that securely stores the
are much cheaper. And unlike .50 BMG or .338 Lapua
broken-down rifle. Our pack had two
rounds, the Takedowns .22 LR ammo is quite afford- external pouches covered in MOLLE.
able and generally more readily available. Yes, were well One pouch can store six loaded BX-25
aware of the current ammo shortfalls in some areas of magazines and the other is perfect
for holding a small to mid-sized .22
the country, but this, too, shall pass. When a disaster
LR handgun. A Beretta Model 70 or
strikes, itll be reassuring to know that your chosen cali- Sig Mosquito with a threaded barrel
ber will be commonplace to purchase or scavenge. that can use the Gemtech Outback
IID most often rides in ours.

Conclusion
When preparing for worst-case scenarios, realism is the
name of the game. Forget the fanboy fantasies of zombies,
cannibals, jack-booted thugs in blue helmets, or a Sharknado-
like phenomenon. The reality is that a well-made .22-caliber
rifle such as the Ruger 10/22 Takedown model will cover
many of the real-world situations that a prepper might come
up against in either a SHTF incident or simply living off the
grid for an extended period of time. Be armed with both the
tool and the knowledge to survive and thrive.

RUGER
10/22 Takedown

CALIBER ACCESSORIES
.22 LR
Barrel: Tactical Solutions SB-X $295
OVERALL LENGTH www.tacticalsol.com
34.5 inches
(20 inches Suppressor: Gemtech Outback IID $325
broken down) www.gem-tech.com
MAGAZINE Optic: Lucid M7 $229
CAPACITY
10 or 25 rounds www.mylucidgear.com
WEIGHT Sling Adapter: BLACKHAWK! Single-Point Sling Adapter $7
(UNLOADED) www.blackhawk.com
4.75 pounds
Sling: DeSantis Outback Bungee Sling $56
MSRP
$409 www.desantisholster.com

URL Coating: High Desert Web Cerakote $350

www.ruger.com www.nevadacerakote.com
060 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
LUBE UP
Build the Perfect Post-Apocalypse
Micro Cleaning Kit for Your Gat
By Erik Lund
Photos by Michael Grey
T
he enormous ship appeared first in the at-
mosphere, like a giant cumulonimbus cloud
made of alloy. Then when the large trans-
port crafts disengaged from the mother
ship and slowly lumbered down toward the
surface, nobody quite knew what to think. When the smaller
carrier ships launched from the transport ships and landed
on the surface, nobody quite knew what to say. When the
three-legged aliens with electro-discharge plasma weapons
started exiting the ships, nobody knew who to call. And
when those weapons started shooting humans and caus-
ing them to explode like water balloons, nobody quite knew
what to do except for your friend, Bubba.
Bubba raised his Remington 870 shotgun and fired
back with some 00 buckshot, kinda exploding one of
them in return. He sent the first clear message to our new
visitors: Exploding humans would not be tolerated. From
that point on, interstellar diplomacy emanated from the
barrel of a gun.
Since that time, the war had settled into a stalemate. The
visitors mostly controlled the population centers while the
humans surrounded and controlled the backwoods and
countryside. While the alien technology was truly awe-
some, their tactics sucked. The humans were slowly forcing
them into tighter and tighter security zones around their
ships. Quick hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and sniping
missions were taking a toll on the invaders, but they were
also taking a toll on our weapons. Firearms maintenance
was difficult at best; there were very little supplies.
Funny thing when the end of humanity is approach-
ing, everybody remembers to bring guns, magazines, and
ammunition. But cleaning supplies? Not so much.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 061
062 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

Prepped Cleaning Kit

ISSUE 8

Regardless if youre preparing for an alien invasion or a disaster of more terrestrial origins, its always
ideal to have at least one firearms kit with tools, spare parts, and much-needed cleaner and lubrication. A cleaning cloth made of
Lets take a look at putting together a bare-bones cleaning kit that is small and easy to pack. 100-percent cotton is best
for absorbing fluids and
wiping away dirt, carbon,
and debris from
your firearm.
Cleaning Cloth

Some type of cloth is needed for wiping away dirt, carbon, and
debris from your firearm. While just about any piece of cloth will wor
o k,
k
standard-colored handkerchiefs work well. They are thin, absorb flui
u ds
ds,,
nd
and easily fold into flat compact sections. Cut a standard-sized han dkker
ker
e-
othe
ot
chief in half, wrap it around your BoreSnake, and pack it away. Ano he
er
option is using custom cut sections of cloth from mens white under-
m
shirts. When selecting cleaning cloths look for materials made from
100-percent cotton. They tend to absorb fluids better than other blend
le
end
ds.

CLP
Break-Free and FIREClean
are two examples of CLP, a Proper firearms maintenance involves the use of several different
solution that performs three types of task-specific cleaning solutions, which are generally broken
key functions: cleans, lubricates,
and preserves a firearm. down in three categories: cleaners, lubricants, and preservatives.
Cleaners are solutions specifically designed to dissolve carbon and
copper fouling. They are used to clean all surfaces of the firearms
and the bore of the barrel. Lubricants are various types of oils that
are used to coat the surfaces of metals that contact each other.
Lubricants reduce friction and drag between metal components
and suspend dirt and fouling in the fluid to reduce its accumulation
over long periods of use. Preservatives are liquids that coat the metal
parts of the firearms with a thin film of liquid that prevents rust and
corrosion from forming due to exposure to the environment. All three
are needed to effectively maintain your firearm over long periods
of time, but carrying three different bottles of cleaning accessories
compromises the idea of a small cleaning kit.
Fortunately, there are products available specifically for multiple
cleaning tasks called CLP, named so after the three categories. CLP
products such as Break-Free and FIREClean perform all three clean-
ing functions with only one solution. While the individual solutions
most likely offer better performance in their respective categories,
CLPs offer good performance across the board. When building a mi-
cro cleaning kit, a CLP solution is really the only choice for effectively
performing all of your cleaning requirements without weighing down
your bug-out bag. An easily packed -ounce bottle of CLP, when
judiciously used, will last several cleaning sessions.
 Improvised
Clleaning Rod
Cleaning Kit
Convention
nal
a bo
orre cl
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g Though small, the aforementioned micro clean-
tools use a me
meta
m ta
tall ro
od,
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he
er ing kit will take you and your firearm far. But what
in sections orr as a on
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ece
e do you do if you didnt have the wherewithal to
unit. The end off the build one ahead of time? Lets look at some options
rod is threade
ed ffo
forr for cleaning our firearms when nothing is available
the use of mu
ullti
u ltit pl
plee except for our wits.
cleaning acce
esso
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e
es
such as a wire ush
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scrubbing the
e baarr
rrel
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iffer
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ameter barrel jaags
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The
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ag
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create
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sea
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push
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sh BoreSnake
B S k by b Hoppes
H iis muchh With the proven design of the BoreSnake
ing fouling out of the bore and for coat- more efficient at cleaning firearms as our guide, we can creatively build a clone
ing the inside of the bore with protec- than a cleaning rod because its using a length of 550 paracord. Tie sev-
flexible, packable, and easy to use.
tive oils. Unfortunately, cleaning rods are eral knots into the paracord to match the
bulky to store (even the sectional ones) diameter of the bore. When completed, pull
and are prone to bending and breaking. They also require the use of at least two the cord through the chamber and bore to
different detachable accessories, the wire cleaning brush and the bore jag. remove any fouling.
A much better option that combines all of these features into one small pack- Should paracord be unavailable, bootlaces
age is a product by Hoppes called the BoreSnake. Its a braided nylon cord with or bungee cords make adequate substitutes.
small sections of wire bristles implanted in the weave of the cord. Theres a small A more creative solution could involve fish-
section of nylon prior to the bristles for the application of cleaning solution and a ing string with a hook small enough to fit
large section of braided nylon behind the bristles to pull out any debris loosened through the bore of the firearm. Fold several
by the bristles. The BoreSnake effectively replaces the cleaning rod, the wire sections of cloth over the hook and pull this
brush, and the jags in a single braided cord that can be folded very tightly for stor- setup through the bore.
age. Its the centerpiece of any micro cleaning kit.

Though not vital, a toothbrush

and super-fine steel wool can
work wonders to help clean
your firearm parts.

The Nice-to-Have Options

While our micro cleaning kit is complete, there are few additional accessories
that make our cleaning tasks a bit easier with just a small trade-off in additional
packing space. The first is a small section of grade #0000 steel wool (the super-
fine grade). It makes the task of scrubbing off hardened carbon fouling (especially
on the AR-15 bolt) a much easier chore. The second accessory is a small brush. An
old toothbrush with the handle cut down to size is perfect for this task.
ISSUE 8

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ISSUE 8

Improvised Cleaning Kit

Continued

If youve bugged out or in and dont

have the proper gun cleaning supplies, SHTF Lube and Preservatives
look around. Youll be surprised to find
out what common household items Substitute lubricants and preservatives can basically serve the
can substitute as CLP.
same purpose. Usually any lube can act as a preservative. Wipe a thin
coating of lubricant on any exposed metal and it should offer some
level of corrosion protection. You should use enough liquid to put a
slight shine on the metal, but not so much that it looks or feels wet to
the touch.
Finding a substitute lubricant is actually pretty easy. Any type of
machinery that requires an engine will require lubricant. Vehicle fluids
such as motor oil, transmission fluid, or even hydraulic fluid will all suf-
fice as a lubricant. Home and gardening tools such as lawnmowers,
chainsaws, gas-powered weed wackers, or even generators will all
require some manner of lubricant that can also be used on firearms.
Another type of lubri-
cant to consider is grease.
All vehicles have grease
points on the chassis and
suspension. A finger swipe
of grease will also work
as a lubricant. Even com-
mon petroleum jelly (i.e.
Vaseline) will offer some
Substitute Cleaners level of lubrication. Again,
be creative in your search
These are really only limited by your imagination. Just about and look at anything
any cleaner that is used on machinery can be used to clean your with an engine as
firearms. A few options would be automotive brake and drum spray a good source for
cleaners and heavy-duty marine degreasers. If no automotive or lubrication.
machine cleaning solutions are available, you can use fuel from aban-
doned cars. Gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, or even kerosene will work.
A few home-cleaning solutions could work, too, such as mineral
spirits, paint thinner, Simple Green, or even Formula 409 cleaner.
Dont overlook dishwashing soaps like Dawn or any other detergent
that specializes in removing grease. There is also the old Coca-Cola
trick. Being highly acidic, Coke will also clean off dirty firearms parts
as well. Regardless of what cleaner you choose to use, ensure all
parts are thoroughly rinsed and dried before reassembly.

Get Cleaning
It shouldnt take the fear of an alien invasion to spur you into
action. Set aside some time to gather the right supplies to make a
lightweight yet efficient micro cleaning kit and pack it alongside your
firearm and bug-out gear. If youre like us and have multiple go-bags
in various locations for different emergencies, youll want to make
sure you have one cleaning kit per pack.
And, should you ever have the misfortune of being separated from
your cleaning supplies, know now that you have the knowledge and
skills to craft your own kit in the field. Like with any survival skill, all it takes
is some awareness and creativity to adapt to what lifes given you.
066 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

A Quick and Dirty

Guide to Vetting
Candidates for Your
By Jim Cobb Survival Group
 Y
laflor/istockphoto.com

ouve seen it happen in countless movies Criminal History

and TV shows. The rough and tumble detec- Court cases both criminal and civil (which well get to
tive needs information on a suspect, so he shortly) are matters of public record, with few exceptions
calls in a favor to his computer geek pal. Said (i.e. juvenile records, files sealed by court order). We can divide
pal often bespectacled and almost always criminal offenses into three categories: felony, misdemeanor,
sitting in a dark room with the only illumination coming from and ordinance violations. Felonies are the most serious, of
multiple monitors types furiously on a keyboard for a few course, and those facing such offenses are looking at the po-
seconds. Then, with perhaps a final mouse click flourish, the tential of more than a year in prison if convicted. Misdemean-
computer expert begins rattling off everything from the ors are less serious crimes, but still carry the possible penalty
suspects current address and full criminal history all the way of up to one year in jail. Ordinance violations are essentially
down to what the thug had for breakfast that morning and tickets and involve paying a fine, but no confinement.
the color of his underwear. Youll find the felony and misdemeanor information at the
Ive been a licensed private detective for about 15 years county courthouse. While most states have this information
now, and I can tell you from practical experience that it isnt available online, if youre not already familiar with the computer
always quite that easy. But, you dont need a detective license database system being used, its a good idea to drive down to
or a hacker sidekick to do some basic background checking. the courthouse and visiting the circuit clerks office. While some
Heres the thing. If youre going to allow someone to states use systems that are easy to understand and navigate,
become a member of your survival group, thats almost the others can be complicated, filled with acronyms and abbrevia-
same as asking them to be part of your family. If you dont tions that make little sense. Provided they arent swamped,
already know them extremely well, its wise to do some most clerks are exceptionally friendly and helpful. All they ask in
checking, just in case. return is that you be polite, patient, and attentive.
Most survival groups are started by a core group of people
who likely have known each other for years. If they arent
family to one another, theyre probably hunting buddies,
co-workers, or just friends since grade school. Generally
speaking, no worries with those folks. But, as the group de-
velops, more people may be invited to join from time to time.
Its these new folks who should be thoroughly vetted before
becoming full-fledged members of the group. Remember,
you may very well be entrusting your life with these people. It
only makes sense to be certain they are trustworthy.
Also, there is little to no need to be secretive about this.
In fact, its prudent to explain to prospective group mem-
bers that a background check is part of the vetting process.
If someone balks at that or becomes offended, odds are
they probably wouldnt have been a great fit for your group
anyway.
The information youll need to conduct a basic background
check includes, at a minimum:
Full name
Date of birth
Current address
Gina Guarnieri/istockphoto.com

Email address(es)
Again, if theyre reluctant to provide any of that very basic
information, that in and of itself should be a red flag.
There are three basic areas involved with doing a back-
ground check. All are equally important and none should be
overlooked.
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ISSUE 8
Search for your subject by name and see what pops up, if
anything. Be sure to search for common nicknames, too, such
as both Robert and Bob. If any criminal offenses are found,
use the subjects date of birth as a check to verify whether
youre looking at the right person.
Keep in mind that the database youre searching will prob-
ably list all criminal cases, whether the person was convicted
or not. So, youll want to check the records and see if the
person was indeed found guilty and, if so, what the penalty
was, such as a fine, imprisonment, probation, and/or court-
ordered counseling. Here in the United States, youre innocent
until proven guilty.
While courthouses will have the full files on felony and
misdemeanor cases, they probably wont have information
relating to ordinance violations. Most of those records never
leave the municipality where they occurred. For example,
if your subject had been caught shoplifting and received
a ticket for it, that record stays with the police department.
So, youll need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
request. Send it to the police department that handles the
area where the subject lives and where he or she works, if its
a different jurisdiction.
Simply send a letter to the police department asking for any
Nikada/istockphoto.com
records involving your subject. Identify the subject by full name
and date of birth. Youll need both of those bits of informa-
tion for them to do the search. State that you are requesting
a summary of the records maintained by the police depart-
ment that involve your subject. This tells them that youre not
requesting copies of entire files, which could be costly. Address
your letter to the FOIA officer and send it off. Most departments
will respond within a couple of weeks. If any records are found,
they will give you a list of them and you can then follow up by
requesting full copies of those files if need be.
Be forewarned, some departments may charge you a
small fee to run the search, and all departments will certainly
charge you for any copy fees. In your FOIA requests, we
suggest including your phone number and email address,
asking them to please contact you immediately regarding
any potential fees so you can take care of them right away.
You could, of course, call the police department first and ask
about search fees.
Civil Records
While youre at the courthouse, you can search for civil
records involving your person of interest. In fact, many court
record databases will search both criminal and civil files at

the same time. When we talk about civil records, were talking
about things like lawsuits and divorce filings.
Civil records may not include the subjects date of birth,
though, so youll need to use your head a bit to ascertain
whether a particular case truly involves your subject rather
than someone else with the same name. A little bit of com-
mon sense goes a long way in that regard.
For our purpose of vetting someone prior to admitting
them to the survival group, a long history of being sued for
bad debts is one red flag. It may be a sign of irresponsibility.
Another red flag is finding several files where your subject has
sued others. We dont mean perhaps once or twice, but a half
dozen or more recent cases. Take the time to research those
files and see whats being going on. The subject might very
well have had valid claims. On the other hand, frivolous suits
filed over and over could indicate this person might be a bit...
difficult.
Divorce files can provide a treasure trove of information,
such as former names and addresses, as well as places of
employment. This information could lead you to further
searches, uncovering records the subject might rather have
stayed hidden. That said, when reading the divorce file, take
with a grain of salt any claims of abuse unless you find a cor-
responding criminal case. In some states, its quite common
to claim things like, mental cruelty as grounds for divorce
just as a matter of course.
Internet Profiling
Now we move into the more esoteric and subjective part
of doing a background check. Fire up your favorite search en-
gine, start plugging in the information you know about your
subject, and see what turns up. Start by searching their email
address. Then, search their phone number. Either one may
idrutu/istockphoto.com
ShotShare/istockphoto.com
CHECK
E
EM OU
UT
Scam Alert!
Despite what youll see advertised online, there is no central
database that you can search for criminal records in every
state and county in the country. It just flat out doesnt exist.
There are counties out there that arent online at all or whose
records arent accessible in any way other than a human be-
ing standing in the clerks office doing a search.
Ive always found it prudent to get my information from as
close to the original source as possible. Therefore, going to the
county courthouse where the records are stored is far better
than trying to access a database that might contain errors.
The only way youre ever going to get a reliable nationwide
criminal records search is to pay upwards of thousands of
dollars for investigators to hit every single county courthouse
in the country. Anyone telling you otherwise is simply run-
ning some sort of scam.
Sex Offender
Registries
One online source you should absolutely not overlook is the
sex offender registry. Each state maintains one and is also
supposed to pass along the information to the national registry.
Check both the national registry as well as the one for each
state you know the subject has lived in for any length of time.
Better to be safe than sorry, and it really only takes a few min-
utes to check them all.
The National Sex Offender Public Website is www.NSOPW.
gov. You can find the state registries by using your favorite
online search engine.
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 069

070 OFFG
GRIDWEB.CO
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ISSUE 8 D OM
lead you to any number of hits, such as perhaps a classified
ad posted online where they were offering to sell something
maybe something illegal.
Search your subject by name, which admittedly will likely
lead to thousands of hits. Briefly scroll through the hits and
see if anything jumps out at you as involving your subject.
This can be time consuming, yes, but it can also be very
rewarding. You never know what you might find. Could be
your subject has a habit of trolling message boards and other
websites. While not a huge deal, this might indicate some
deep-seated resentment or hostility that could become a
problem later within your group.
Check out the social media accounts used by your subject.
Facebook is obviously the most popular, but there are others
out there, too, such as Instagram and Pinterest. If need be, ask
one of the teenage members of your group to assist with this
part of the background check. Read through what the subject
has posted to his Facebook wall and such. You might find
some serious differences in opinion between the subject and
the other members of your group, differences that could lead
to heated arguments later.
Conclusion
Its important to keep in mind that youre not doing the
Yuri_Arcurs/istockphoto.com
background check as a means of passing judgment on the
type of person your subject might be. Instead, all youre
doing is checking to see if theyre likely to be a valuable
member of your group, one who will get along with the
others and become a contributor rather than a handicap
or worse.
We all have proverbial skeletons in our closets. Were all
human and weve all done stupid stuff, but when were talking
about a survival group, each and every member has to be
someone everyone can trust and who wont intentionally
place anyone in danger. Thats important enough to warrant
doing some homework on the person.
About The Author:
Jim Cobb is a recognized authority on disaster preparedness. He has stud-
ied, practiced, and taught survival strategies for about 30 years. Today, he
resides in the upper Midwest with his beautiful and patient wife and their
three adolescent weapons of mass destruction. His books include Prep-
pers Home Defense, Countdown to Preparedness, and Preppers Long-Term
Survival Guide. Jims primary home online is www.survivalweekly.com.
He is also active on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimcobbsurvival.
Jim offers a consulting service as well as educational opportunities at
www.disasterprepconsultants.com.
 Remington 700 Short Action Chassis System
No FFL Required

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072 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

T
ISSUE 8

ough times call for tough measures and

sometimes, they may even call for weed. No
we dont mean the medicinal kind. Were
talking about the ones that grow annoyingly
al over your lawn. Should the nation fall into an

URBAN economic collapse and your month-long emergency supply

of food becomes depleted, theres no doubt that you and your
family would be in real trouble. In a scenario like that, grocery

FORAGING stores would have long been emptied, and hitting your favorite
drive-through would be a thing of the past. Without stores and
restaurants, youd be thrown back to hand-to-mouth subsis-
tence, back to hunting and gathering. But there are few animals
youd want (or be able) to hunt in the city, and do you even

Food is EverywhereYou Just know how to forage for plant foods?

Have to Know Where to Look
By Tim MacWelch
At first look, foraging can seem scary, mysterious, or even
nauseating. Yes, were suggesting that you eat the weeds from
the gutter. Some of those weeds are edible, and some are actu-
ally tasty. With some patience, practice, and careful observa-
tion, youll begin to see wild food along the city streets, in your
neighborhood, and especially in the park. Positively ID these
plants, prepare them correctly, and you might even like them.
This is a quick list of wild edible plants that can be found
almost anywhere, and it can form the foundation of your
urban foraging skill set.

MHLE/istockphoto.com

WARNING!
This article is meant to be a quick
overview and not a detailed guide
on urban foraging. Eating certain
plans could lead to serious illness
and even death. To learn more,
consult with a reputable instructor
or trained botanist.
1 Acorns
WHAT IS IT: Acorns are the nuts from oak
trees (the genus Quercus). All species of oaks produce acorns that are edible to
humans, though a few are exceptionally bitter. Look for symmetrical, egg-shaped
nuts with a two-part shell. One part is the shell covering the entire nut. The other
part is the acorn cap, which only covers part of the inner shell.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Oaks are commonly planted throughout cities and suburbs,
as they are strong and resilient shade trees. Native to the Northern Hemisphere,
they can be found coast to coast in the USA. Luckily for the forager, oaks also
produce a hailstorm of nuts in early autumn.
HOW TO GET IT: Wait for them to fall, then scoop them up when theyve piled
up in a low spot. Youll often find them on sidewalks and road surfaces directly
beneath oak trees. A broom and dust pan makes quick work of collecting them;
so can a square shovel and a bucket.
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT: Acorns do require some pro-
cessing to eat. Crack them, remove their shells, soak the nut pieces in water, and
change the water several times a day. When the nut pieces are no longer bitter,
they can be eaten as is, dried and ground into flour, or prepared in many other
ways. Store the processed nuts by drying or freezing them. Acorns can still be har-
vested several months after falling, if the nut meat still looks good and solid. One
pound of acorns (depending on the species) can provide almost 2,000 calories.
POSSIBLE DANGERS: Make sure youve actually found acorns. Buckeye nuts
(genus Aesculus) look similar and are poisonous. Buckeye nuts have an asym-
metrical shape, and their outer nutshell covers the entire inner nutshell. Another
trick to identify a bad nut is that buckeye trees have opposite branching (most
leaves and twigs have a twin), while oaks have alternate branching (leaves and
twigs grow in a zigzag pattern, like most plants).
2 Chickweed
WHAT IS IT: Chickweed (Stellaria spp.) is a small herba-
ceous plant with leaves in opposite pairs and little white
flowers that appear to have 10 petals (but its just five,
each deeply split). Chickweed is a great salad plant.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Widespread in Europe and North
America, this plant can be found at the edges of pave-
ment, parks, yards, planters, and almost anywhere. It
can be found in full sun or in the shade. Its surprisingly
tough for such a small, tender, and juicy plant.
HOW TO GET IT: Collect the tender stems (and the
leaves along with them) by picking them as you
would any other salad plants. Theyre tender enough
to pinch off what you need.
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT:
Wash the plants thoroughly, and eat them as salad or
cook them as cooked greens. Fresh chickweed can
be stored in the fridge for a few days, but doesnt keep
long. Let it stay alive and unharmed until youre ready
to pick it and use it. Being a salad item, chickweed is
low in calories, but it does provide vitamins A and C.
POSSIBLE CONS: Chickweed can have a mild laxative
effect. Also, be cautious of where you go foraging. Cit-
ies and counties often spray herbicides and pesticides
along roadways, and any chickweed not killed in the
process could be contaminated with toxic chemicals.
ISSUE 8
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ISSUE 8 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
3 Pine
WHAT IS IT: Pine trees (the genus Pinus) are easily identified by having
needles in clusters of two to five and mature trees can also bear the tell-tale
pine cones. Fresh green pine needles, the innermost layer of bark, and the
seeds of large-cone species can be used as food.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Pines can be found in a wide range of soils and climates,
largely in the Northern Hemisphere. Hit your nearest city park to find them, or
a Christmas tree lot in December.
HOW TO GET IT: Pine needles are the easiest pine part to forage, and they
make a surprisingly tasty tea. Just tear them off the live branches. Pine nuts
can also be peeled out of larger pine cones. Inner bark (the cambium layer)
can be shaved from live wood, though its very damaging to the tree.
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT: Use the needles fresh or
dried for tea. Rip up a small handful of needles and drop them into a cup of
scalding hot water. Let them sit for five minutes, strain, sweeten, and sip. This
cup of tea should provide about 500 milligrams of Vitamin C. Dont boil your
tea, or itll become bitter and destroy the vitamins. The inner bark from the
tree can be scraped from branches and tree trunks, dried, and ground into
powder for a flour additive. The pine cones can sometimes be opened near a
fire by the heat. These can be eaten as is, or stored in jars until used. One cup
of pine nuts has over 900 calories.
POSSIBLE DANGERS: Pine needle tea (consumed regularly) is not recommend-
ed for pregnant women some of the compounds may be abortive. Loblolly
pine (Pinus taeda) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) may also have some
additional toxins, so these are no longer recommended for tea (for anyone).
4 Dandelion
WHAT IS IT: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a
lawn-loving weed native to Europe, but its also found
coast to coast in the USA. They provide edible flow-
ers, leaves, and roots.
WHERE TO FIND IT: This plant can be found any-
place sunny. Dandelion is one of the most common
plants to actually grow out of cracks in the sidewalk.
Its widespread in parks and abandoned lots.
HOW TO GET IT: Use a small shovel to pop the
entire plant out of the ground. Cut the sections apart
so that you can take advantage of the different uses
of its various parts.
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT:
Wash the leaves thoroughly, and eat them as a salad
or saut them in oil for a nice cooked green. Fresh
flowers only last one day in the fridge, but can be
battered and deep fried for amazing fritters. The roots
can be washed, dried, roasted, and brewed into a
caffeine-free coffee substitute. The roasted roots will
last indefinitely in a jar or paper bag. Leaves and other
parts are low in calories, but packed with Vitamin A.
POSSIBLE CONS: None that are inherent. However,
because dandelions are so prevalent, be wary of
possible contamination from herbicides and pesti-
cides used in certain parts of your city.
5 Maple
WHAT IS IT: Maples are beautiful trees that produce edible seeds in late spring and
safe drinking water and sweet syrup in midwinter. Sugar maples and black maples
offer the highest sugar levels, but any native maples can be used for sap and syrup.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Used similarly to oaks as shade trees, maples can be found
growing along streets, in landscaping, and in yards and parks. Maples are com-
monly found in the eastern half of the United States and Canada, though they can
be grown almost anywhere as a landscaping species.
HOW TO GET IT: The helicopter seeds can be picked up or swept up beneath the
trees in late spring. The sap can be tapped in February by drilling a hole into the
tree and attaching a container. If youre picking up seeds in an urban setting, no one
usually cares. But if youre drilling holes in trees and hanging jugs on them, make
sure you have permission and that your neighbors understand what youre doing.
Syruping doesnt harm the trees, but its very conspicuous and occasionally alarm-
ing what with all the odd containers lying around and the propane tanks to run the
outdoor burner for sap cooking. In Illinois, one family of syrup-makers had a SWAT
team at their door after neighbors called in about the suspicious meth lab activity.
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT: The seeds can be peeled of their
helicopter housing, rinsed, and then boiled for 30 minutes to create a unique cooked
vegetable. Sap can be collected in buckets or bottles and drunk immediately as a wa-
ter source. The xylem tissue of the trees provides excellent filtration of ground water.
The sap can be boiled and reduced dramatically to yield the familiar maple syrup.
Youll need to boil off roughly 40 gallons of sap to produce just 1 gallon of syrup, but
its worth it. Real maple syrup is 825 calories per cup and delicious.
POSSIBLE DANGERS: Dont use the sap from a maple if its milky white in color.
This comes from the invasive Norway maple (Acer platanoides), which is toxic.
Common Foraging
Mistakes to Avoid
Not every plant wants to be your friend.
Poison ivy should be a good enough example of
the dangers of the plant kingdom. Just brushing
against the plant can cause a severe rash (for
those who are allergic to its oils). But this dread-
ed itch is a mere inconvenience compared to
the real harm from ingesting the wrong plant.
Making assumptions: We all know what hap-
pens when you assume something. But with
foraging, youre not just making an ass out of
u and me, you could kill us both. Assump-
tions about plant identity can lead to hospital
trips or even a trip to the morgue. If it doesnt
look exactly as it should, dont assume you
know what it is. And dont eat it.
Eating multiple new plants: In your excite-
ment to try new things, its easy to load up a
plate with many new plants that youve never
tried before. Dont do that. If youre allergic to
one of them or have some other negative reac-
tion, you wont know which one is the culprit.
Rather than play vomit-roulette, try only one
new plant per day until you see how your body
handles it.
Leading without experience: If youre in a
legit survival situation (or any other situation),
dont let the amateurs pick the wild food. Make
certain that experienced foragers are leading
the hunt for edibles and inspecting everything
that their helpers collect. Of course, people can
learn to identify plants fairly quickly, but hunger
can make us less keen observers. Just as you
wouldnt send someone out hunting whos
never fired a shot before, make sure someone
who knows what theyre doing is running the
foraging foray.
ISSUE 8
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6
The Conclusion
Having taught people the art of foraging wild food
Plantain plants for almost 20 years, Im still surprised myself at the
bounty of wild edibles within city and suburban limits.
Flimsy concrete and sticky asphalt cant hold back the
eruptive force of the weeds trying to break free into the
sunlight. In urban environments and in the wild, theres
food literally everywhere. You just have to be able to spot
it, make sure it really is the right plant, and prepare it
properly.
If times ever get so tough that youre wondering if
you can eat the weeds in the sidewalk cracks, we hope
you had the foresight to hang onto every copy of OFF-
GRID. And please pick up one of the edible plant books
mentioned in the sidebar. We might not find our favorite
dishes out in a post-apocalyptic world, but therell still be
plenty of food out around.

WHAT IS IT: This plant is often the sidekick to the ubiquitous dandelion. Plan-
tain (Plantago spp.) is a low-growing herbaceous plant with leaves that bear
several heavy parallel veins. Theres no relation to the banana-like fruit in the
Reading Material
grocery store, just the same common name. The leaves and seeds are edible. Petersons Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants
by Lee Allen Peterson
WHERE TO FIND IT: Lawns, sidewalks, parks, or any other sunny place where Over 400 plants with detailed drawings, as well as
dandelions would normally be present. thorough descriptions and usage information.

HOW TO GET IT: Pick the leaves and strip off the seeds by pulling the stalk Edible Wild Plants, A North American Field Guide
through your hand easy! by Elias and Dykeman
Over 200 plants, arranged by season with beautiful
HOW TO PROCESS, PREPARE, AND STORE IT: The fresh leaves can be color photos and solid usage information.
chopped up and added to salad or cooked as a cooked vegetable. The
cooked leaves also freeze well, and can be dried and rehydrated. The seeds Edible Wild Plants, Wild Foods From Dirt To Plate
can be dried and stored in a jar or bag. They can be used fresh or dried by by John Kallas
grinding them up and stewing as porridge, or by boiling them alongside other Great book on wild food preparation with excellent
grains (like rice). Fresh plantain leaves can also be mashed and applied to cuts, pictures of plant parts and growth stages.
scrapes, rashes, and burns to speed healing. This mashed leaf poultice is even
better at relieving the pain of bee stings and venomous insect bites. www.eattheweeds.com
www.foraging.com
POSSIBLE DANGERS: Like the dandelion, the plantain has none in its natural www.primitivecafe.com
state, but could be affected by herbicides and pesticides. www.foragewildfood.com
 A New Air of Big Bore
Confidence Carnivore
In a New Era of STOPPING POWER .35 Cal.

info@HatsanUSA.com HatsanUSA.com
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 A Guide to Footwear for When You Need to GTFO of Dodge
By Steven Kuo
B
ug-out this, bug-out that. Theres no short-
age of products and preparation for all sorts
of potential calamities, from the cataclysmic
to transitory, from widespread societal
breakdown to temporary disruptions due
to natural or man-made disasters. Hold this magazine aside
for one moment and look down see those appendages
at the ends of your legs you so often take for granted? One
constant for all of these types of situations is that youre
likely to spend a lot of time on your own two feet.
Its more than worthwhile to spend some time thinking
about your needs in this regard, checking out some options,
and then investing some of your hard-earned moolah. As
they say, buy once, cry once. Read on for help on how to
think about your needs, things to consider, and examples of
the different types of shoes and boots you can choose from.
Foot Fetish
Mankind has not always had the benefit of different
modes of transportation, extending our range and keeping
our feet off the ground. There are cave drawings from
tens of thousands of years ago depicting furs or animal
skins wrapped around peoples feet. Spend all day walking
around barefoot, whether in the city or in the country,
and its not hard to figure out why. Natural and man-made
terrain alike pose significant obstacles that footwear is
designed to alleviate.
Advances in materials and manufacturing processes
have moved beyond naturally occurring cloths, skins, and
woods to incorporate synthetic and waterproof materials
to achieve various desired characteristics. Rubbers, poly-
mers, foams, and synthetic fabrics (along with the always-
versatile leather) are widely utilized to provide comfort,
cushioning, support, protection, and durability. Breathable
waterproof membranes, such as Gore-Tex, provide a
barrier from the elements with pores so small that water
droplets cant penetrate, but big enough to allow water
vapor to escape (see OFFGRID Issue 7 for a more detailed
explanation of this technology in the rain jackets article).
As always, different intended applications and desired
features dictate different design and material choices. So
you first need to carefully consider your particular situation.
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Some of the
technology Assessing Your Needs
that goes into
a Salewa shoe. Surrounding terrain: Do you live in a large metropolitan
Clockwise from
concrete urban labyrinth, a suburban sprawl, a rural expanse
the top right on
the perimeter: of flatlands, endless desert, rugged mountains, or a swamp?
insole, nylon Do you expect a lot of walking, such as slow and steady
poly shank, EVA hiking across potentially treacherous terrain, or might you re-
midsole, Gore-
Tex Surround quire the ability to be stealthy and quick, darting and sprinting
spacer. In the around an urban landscape? The type of terrain you expect
center are molds to most commonly encounter and the challenges posed by
for the exterior
each will affect the type of footwear that you select.
trim and fasten-
ers for the eyelet
hooks. Climate: How much heat or cold do you expect to see? How
much and what type of precipitation? How much variation and
what sort of extremes might you anticipate? Different types of
footwear will lend themselves better to different climates. Gen-
erally speaking, for bug-out purposes, given the choice were
fans of opting for waterproof linings to block out the elements.
Daily routines: You may have a lot of warning before an
event or none at all. What is your daily routine? Do you typi-
cally have ready access to your vehicle and supplies stashed
there? Do you utilize public transit to and from work, thus only
having access to whats on your person during the day? If you
exclude sleeping, people typically spend at least half of their
remaining time working. Do you have a job with a dress code
or can you wear what you want? You might be required to
wear shoes for one-third of your life that are not at all appro-
priate for bug-out situations. Think of all those office denizens
in New York who hoofed it out of Manhattan in their fancy
Prada dress shoes during the electrical blackout in 2003.
Special considerations: Make sure to think about
whether you have any unique circumstances. For instance,
do you expect to spend a lot of time on a watercraft or in
extremely wet conditions? Waterproof footwear is great to
keep out the elements, but if theres so much water in your
environment that it gets inside your boots no matter what,
youll just end up with a waterproof boot thats full of water.
Most importantly, fit and comfort are absolutely critical. If
your footwear doesnt fit properly, you may experience chafing
and discomfort, and movement of your foot inside the shoe
can cause injuries or painful blisters that may lead to infections.
At best, this will slow down your movement as well as that of
your companions. At worst, you may become a liability to the
group or end up alone and unable to move. When all else fails,
you can always count on yourself as a source of mobility, so
stack the odds in your favor take care of your feet.
The Right Tool for the Job
Weve highlighted several different types of footwear in
this article:
Boots: Compared to shoes, boots and their more substan-
tive construction with tougher and thicker materials tend to
sacrifice mobility and weight for stability, durability, and pro-
tection. Higher-cut boots provide ankle support on uneven
terrain as well as protection against weather, brush, and
debris. The heftier midsoles, outsoles, and tread patterns
supply cushioning for heavy loads and enhanced traction.
As a primary footwear choice for TEOTWAWKI, or if you can
only choose one, its hard to beat boots.
Hiking/trekking/backpacking boots: A great all-
around choice, hiking, trekking, or backpacking boots are
designed to combine comfort and support for long miles
and days spent on your feet in more challenging terrain.
Boots designated for trekking and backpacking typically
have stouter construction and stiffer midsoles for heavy
loads. More flexible boots are more comfortable for walk-
ing around, but stiffer is actually better when it comes
to providing support for load carriage and rough terrain.
Some are optimized for warmer temperatures, and some
offer insulation to keep your feet warm.
Hunting boots: Boots intended for the rigors of being
in the field in harsh conditions while hunting lend them-
selves quite well to survival use. They often are water-
proof with higher cuts for weather resistance and protec-
tion, and can typically be had with camouflage patterns.
Insulated variants are also available for cold climates.
Military boots: The military is no stranger to deploy-
ing troops on foot in adverse conditions. So military-style
boots are another natural choice for bug-out situations.
They typically prioritize protection, stability, and load ca-
pacity, but these days there are more variations than ever.
Safety boots: Are you worried about potential safety
 BUG-OUT
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hazards? Perhaps you live in a concrete jungle prone to

earthquakes and are concerned about jagged, twisted
metal and other threats to your precious feet. Safety
boots feature armored toes and shanks to keep them
safe. Heavy steel-toed boots have been supplemented
by lighter composite-based armor that still offers robust
protection.
Water boots: Some boots are intended specifically for
extremely wet conditions they arent waterproof at all,
but rather are designed to drain water out as quickly as
possible.

Trail shoes: This hybrid footwear type is very versatile,

8
striking a balance between the mobility and weight of
athletic shoes with the durability and stability of boots. They
6
sacrifice ankle support and protection, but are available with 3

waterproofing and tread patterns to accommodate off-road

use. Theyre great choices for flatter terrain with more mod- 1 2

erate precipitation.

7 4
Cross trainers: Trainers are basically jack-of-all-trades ath-
5
letic shoes, providing cushioning for running, lateral support,
grip, and supreme comfort. But as athletic shoes first and As part
As par
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foremost, they typically feature well-ventilated mesh uppers we bring you a look inside a Salewa boot with Gore-
and are not nearly as sturdy and protective as the other Tex Surround technology:
footwear featured in this guide. However, they can be very
useful for situations where speed and stealth are important, 1 3 5 7

particularly in urban environments. Additionally, their size GORE-TEX MEMBRANE: INSOLE: OUTSOLE: SHANK:
and light weight make them great choices as comfortable Windproof and water- The thin material at the The part that makes Stiff material that sits
secondary footwear and as an emergency change of shoes proof membrane thats bottom of the shoes contact with the terrain, between the insole
for those who must wear other types of shoes for work. breathable and used in interior where your foot providing traction and midsole to provide
footwear and outerwear. rests; in this case its and durability; more support and stability.
Sandals: While not the best choice for primary bug-out ventilated. commonly referred to The shank here is made
footwear, sandals are handy to have on hand for water use 2 as just the sole of a of nylon poly.
or just plain relaxation from time to time. Theyll air out your GORE-TEX SURROUND 4 shoe, boot, or sandal.
feet while providing some protection. SPACER: MIDSOLE: The one shown here is 8

Part of the Gore-Tex Sur- The layer (usually a type a Vibram Hike Approach UPPER:
Check out the examples of the various types of footwear round system, the open of foam rubber, ethyl rubber outsole. The largest portion of a
on the following pages. These products just scratch the structure of this spacer vinyl acetate shown shoe or boot that holds
surface, as there are tons of choices on the market in each allows moisture and here) between the insole 6 your foot down to the
category. Hopefully, weve helped you determine the criteria warmth to pass from and the outsole that RAND: insole.
that are important to you. Once youve narrowed down your below the foot through is arguably the most A strip of material
search, get out there and try them on so you can find the the spacer and out of important part of foot- (usually rubber) that
right fit. the shoe through side wear, as it determines wraps around the shoe
No matter what you choose, take the time to break in vents in the boot. cushioning and shock where the midsole and
your footwear. Synthetic and suede materials tend to need absorption; sometimes upper meet; provides
the least amount of break in and full-grain leather the most. it has stability-control additional protection on
Work your way up with longer and longer sessions youll features built in. tough terrain.
ISSUE 8

be glad you did.

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BLACKHAWK!
Ultralight Side Zip Boot
S
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MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

BLACKHAWK! These are lightweight
Ultralight Side Zip Boot duty/combat-style boots
with a side zipper that
MATERIALS makes it easy to gear
Cordura and suede leather upper,
up. Moreover, the laces
Dri-lex inner lining, OrthoLite in-
sole, PU midsole, Vibram outsole thread through a toggle
and are easy to cinch up
COLORS and tuck into a pocket on
Black, desert tan the tongue. Compared to
MSRP typical high-cut boots,
$179 theyre a joy to put on
URL and take off. And theyre
www.blackhawk.com quite comfortable with
generous padding. If you
dont need waterproof
boots, these are a good
choice.

BOOTS
Danner
Steadfast 8-inch

MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Danner Designed for all-season
Steadfast 8-inch hunting and stalking,
Realtree Xtra Green Danners new Steadfast
line is available in 6-,
MATERIALS 8-, and 17-inch heights,
Nubuck leather and 900 Denier
nylon upper, Danner Dry water- with a combination of
proof liner, dual-density insole, eyelets and hooks for
thermoplastic polyurethane the laces. The roomy toe
shank, Danner Steadfast outsole box and Danners new
COLORS vented and cushioned
Realtree Xtra Green insole were comfortable.
The shank and midsole
MSRP
$140 were on the stiff side,
providing good support
URL and load capacity. The
www.danner.com
gusseted tongue took
a bit of extra attention
to line up while lacing
up. Also available
with Thinsulate Ultra
insulation for cold
climates. A ne boot at
an affordable price.
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LOWA
Vantage GTX Mid MAKE & MODEL
LOWA
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A premium boot from a
Vantage GTX Mid premium manufacturer
at a premium price, the
MATERIALS
LOWA does not disappoint
Split leather/Cordura upper, wa-
terproof Gore-Tex lining, Climate on any of those points.
Control insole, PU midsole, LOWA The Vantage GTX Mid is
Trac Lite II Outsole, TPU toe and a trekking boot design,
heel guards striking a compromise
COLORS between the load
Anthracite/yellow, brown/beige capacity of backpacking
boots and lighter weight
MSRP
$245 and exibility. The laces
extend further toward
URL
the toe for a good t.
www.lowaboots.com
The padded collar is
comfortable and the
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BOOTS
Magnum
Precision II Ultra Lite

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
MAKE & MODEL
The Precision II Ultra Lite
Magnum work boot from Magnum
Precision II Ultra Lite is a rugged workhorse
with safety features. It
MATERIALS has a composite safety
Full leather upper, breathable
waterproof membrane, compos- toe and electrical hazard
ite safety toe, M-PACT insole, protection (even the
compression molded midsole, lacing hooks and eyelets
rubber outsole are polymer), along with
COLORS a slip and oil-resistant
Black, brown, coffee, wheat outsole. The moisture-
wicking insole features
MSRP
$140 memory foam. As an
all-leather boot, youll
URL want to invest the time to
us.magnumboots.com
fully break it in. They may
look heavy, but theyre
actually
actual
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Oakley
LSA Boot Water
S
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MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Oakley These Oakley boots are happier to
LSA Boot Water see water than a Labrador. Designed
for bearded face-shooters, they
MATERIALS have everything you need for
Scotchgard-treated
maritime operations. Being fully
pig suede leather and
1,000 Denier Cordura submerged is no problem the
upper, EVA midsole, insole is perforated and the
Unobtainium rubber midsole has drainage pillars to
outsole express water out through holes
COLORS in the outsole. The boots are fully
Coyote, MultiCam compatible with swim ns, with ultra
thin upper material and at ribbon-
MSRP
$125 like shoe laces to avoid pressure
points. While you probably wont use
URL swim ns while bugging out, if youre
www.oakley.com
in an extremely wet environment,
youll appreciate these water boots.
The sticky outsole will maintain your
footing while you enjoy the lightest
boots in this guide.

BOOTS
Salewa
ALP Flow Mid GTX

MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Salewa Packed with cutting edge
ALP Flow Mid GTX badassery, these boots feature
Gore-Tex Surround technology
MATERIALS
to keep your feet dry and happy
Nubuck leather and bal-
listic mesh upper with Or- moisture and heat travel down
thoLite foam, waterproof through a Gore-Tex laminate into a
Gore-Tex lining, Gore-Tex spacer and out of the shoe through
Surround spacer, nylon side vents. True to Salewas
poly shank, EVA midsole, climbing heritage, the boots have
Vibram Hike Approach lacing starting all the way at the
rubber outsole toe with a lot of eyelets so that you
COLORS can achieve a proper snug t. The
Basilico/foliage, smoke/ OrthoLite foam padding conforms
yellow to your foot, while the shank and
MSRP midsole provide a good balance of
$239 support and exibility. The grippy
URL outsole is great for aggressive
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 BUG
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TRAIL SHOES
Salewa
Wildfire Pro GTX MAKE & MODEL
Salewa
MATERIALS
Suede leather and
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Designed as an approach shoe (i.e.
Wildre Pro GTX microber upper with to be used on long approaches to
Exa shell over injected climbs), the Wildre Pro GTX combines
3D cage, waterproof
aspects of running and hiking shoes
Gore-Tex lining, multi-
t footbed, Vibram with climbing shoes. In particular, the
Megagrip outsole Vibram Megagrip outsole is extra
grippy and surefooted on rock, and the
COLORS rand provides good protection for your
Black out/yellow, toes and heel. Yet its also comfortable
navy/mimosa
for long distances, though quite a bit
MSRP heavier than the other trail shoes. The
$229 climbing lacing system extends to the
URL toes, allowing you to more precisely
www.salewa.com tighten your laces where theyre
needed. The Multi-Fit Footbed allows
you to remove a portion of the footbed
to accommodate wider feet, and the
overlapping tongue makes the most of
the waterproof Gore-Tex lining. Whats
not to like? Oh yeah, well theres the
price, but its worth it if youve got the
scr
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atch.
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TRAIL SHOES
Salomon
Fellraiser

MAKE & MODEL MATERIALS FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Salomon Open mesh upper, Fell racing is a sport
OrthoLite foam and EVA
Fellraiser sockliner, dual layer EVA
popular in the U.K.
midsole, Contagrip rub- consisting of racing
ber outsole up and down hills
and mountains. That
COLORS Salomon dubbed this
Dark cloud/black/yellow shoe Fellraiser should
gold, nile green/iguana
provide a clue as to its
green/corylus green
characteristics. The tread
MSRP is super aggressive, the
$110 midsole exible, and
URL the shoe lightweight.
www.salomon.com The mesh upper is
well ventilated, but not
waterproof, though the
mud guard helps keep
the elements out and
the shoe dries quickly.
Salomons Quicklace
system cinches up quickly
and tucks into a pocket on
the tongue. If you need to
move quic
move
mov quic
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TRAIL SHOES
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Under Armour
Speedform XC Mid MAKE & MODEL
Under Armour
Speedform XC Mid
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Prized by adventure runners for
mud runs and similar shenanigans,
these arent your fathers trail
MATERIALS runners. The traction lugs extend
Synthetic upper, integral from the sole up the toe and
molded 4D Foam footbed,
full-length Micro G foam, heel as well as on the sides of
EVA and TPU outsole the midsole, for excellent grip.
The soft, snug, UA Storm water-
COLORS repellent upper extends over
Black, black/blue, high-vis your ankle for some additional
yellow, vivid orange protection and minor support,
MSRP but more effectively keeps dirt
$130 and other debris out of your
URL shoe, as well as your shoe on
www.underarmour.com your foot when lurching through
deep mud. Note the footbed is not
removable. The TPU heel counter
is
s ver
v
veryy low
low prole
pro
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and combined
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CROSS TRAINERS
5.11 Tactical
Recon Trainer

MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

5.11 Tactical The Recon Trainer
Recon Trainer is light and well
ventilated with good
MATERIALS lateral support.
Stretch mesh upper, Ortho-
While designed
Lite insole, full-length CMEVA
midsole, rubber outsole for CrossFit, its a
solid multipurpose
COLORS shoe and has an
Black, dark coyote, sage, aggressive tread for
scope orange, shadow, storm
athletic footwear
MSRP a plus for our
$101 purposes here. The
URL stretch mesh upper
www.511tactical.com is reinforced with
HELCOR leather
bindings for additional
strength. Unlike many
brightly festooned
athletic shoes, 5.11
offers this trainer in
several discreet and
tactical colors. Two
thu
th
thumbs
humbs
hu mbb up
up .
 Luck is for people who dont prepare. If you push your
limits, the world will eventually push back. Make sure
you see it coming with SureFires 6PX Pro and G2X
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088 OFFGRIDWEB.COM BUYERS GUIDE BUG
BUG-OOUT
UT
KIC
K
KI
ICK
CKS
CKS
S
ISSUE 8

CROSS TRAINERS

Nike
Free Trainer 5.0 V6
MAKE & MODEL MATERIALS
Nike Mesh upper, minimal
Free Trainer 5.0 V6 molded sockliner, low-
prole Phylite combination
midsole/outsole
COLORS
Black/dark gray/volt,
daring red/blue graphite,
game royal/obsidian/deep
royal blue, white/dove
grey/pure platinum
MSRP
$100
URL
www.nike.com
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The lightest shoe
in the group, the
Nike Free Trainer is
designed to provide
natural, weightless,
barefoot-like feel.
Flywire cables extend
down from the laces to
provide better t. The
mesh upper doesnt
have any stitching
on its body and is
very well ventilated.
It has rubber pods in
high-wear areas and
provided good lateral
support and excellent
comfort and exibility,
but the sole pattern is
not as well suited for
tougher terrain. This
would be a nice choice
t sta
to a sh awa
away as a g
y as get-
ge t
h
hom e shoe
h fo f r urba
r n
o ce
of e dwe
d lle r s.
ers.

SANDALS
Hi-Tec
Rio Adventure

MAKE & MODEL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Hi-Tec We consider this more
Rio Adventure of a water shoe than
sandal, with its structured
MATERIALS
Synthetic mesh and construction and very
Neoprene upper, Ortho- shoe-like features
Lite insole, EVA midsole, from a Vibram outsole
Vibram rubber outsole to the anti-odor and
COLORS anti-microbial OrthoLite
Black/charcoal/ame footbed. The elastic
MSRP toggle laces and
$80 Velcro ankle and heel
adjustments make it
URL
us.hi-tec.com easy to get in and out
of the Rio Adventures.
Theyre at home in marine
environments, and while
you could hike in these,
take a look at the sole and
youll see boat shoes, not
trekking boots.

IISS
SS
SUE
UE 8

OF
OFFG
GRI
GR
R
RIDWEB
WE
WEB.CO
EB.CO
COM
CO 088
08
088
8
090 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8
J. L. BOURNE
AGAIN
The Acclaimed Author Gives an Exclusive Preview
of his Latest Dystopian Thriller, a Cautionary Tale
for All Americans
J.
L. Bournes writing career began back in
2004. He had a few months of downtime
while waiting to begin training in one of the
U.S. Navys career field schools. Typically,
service members in this kind of holding
pattern are assigned menial duties; painting rocks, sorting
mail, mopping floors.
Instead of using his free time for marathon arm and leg
sessions in the gym, Bourne began writing what would be-
come his first novel. He wrote and posted his work, chapter
by chapter, for free on his own website, raptorman.us. The
site is long gone. But, the following it generated attracted a
publisher, and the chapters coalesced into Day by Day Arma-
geddon, a zombie horror novel. It sold through 15 printings,
and hes since written four more books including his latest,
Tomorrow War all while on active duty in the Navy. His
By Rob Curtis
fifth work of fiction departs from the popular undead genre,
instead showing us what Americas future might look like
absent the moral fabric that binds each member of a nation
together.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Bourne while he
was on leave from the Navy and ask him about his life, his
military background, and his thoughts on how Americans
can prevent the kind of a dystopian future he writes about in
Tomorrow War.
OFFGRID: Your bio says youre a military officer with a back-
ground in intelligence service. Can you give us an idea what
that means? Are you a spy?
J. L. Bourne: First, thank you for the opportunity to answer
some your questions. I am an active-duty military officer with
20 years of service. For most of my military career, Ive either
been an all-source intelligence analyst or an overt signals
intelligence (SIGINT) collector with a few odd jobs sprinkled
in. Im definitely not a spy.
Do your protagonists reflect your personality and experi-
ences? How, or how dont they?
JLB: I believe that every writer puts a piece of themselves
into their characters. The protagonist in Day by Day Arma-
geddon has some of my personality and experiences. The
protagonists training background in Day by Day is a loose
adaptation of my experiences after earning a commission in
the military.
Why do you hate society? Did you have a rough childhood?
JLB: [Smiles.] Its not fair to say I hate society; I admit that I do
dislike certain aspects of it. I just feel that if you want some-
thing, you need to go out an earn it. My dad was born in a dirt
floor cabin in Arkansas, and I came from practically nothing.
Id say I had a rough childhood by First World standards, but
it didnt stop me from rubbing some of that cabin floor dirt on
my childhood wounds and joining the military to serve and to
better myself. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
If you could erase one thing from the universe, what would it
be and why?
JLB: Id erase nothing. Famine, war, and pestilence have their
place.
What was the impetus for Tomorrow Wars storyline?
JLB: The future Super State might say that Tomorrow War
is thought crime. I wrote it based on my concerns on the
states overreach of power. Im not a conspiracy theorist; I see
current events for what they are, not for what I want them
to be. Current and future trends on subjects like gun control
and dependency on the state are all specters in the novel. If
we dont change our course soon, we all could be fighting a
tomorrow war.
So, youre done with zombies?
JLB: [Smiles.] No, I dont think so.
It seems like you thought a lot about the events depicted in
your book. What can people do to prepare for something
like this?
JLB: Dont trust a single source of news. Read multiple
sources so you can make an informed decision on where
your tripwire might be. Besides the obvious stacking of bul-
lets, beans, and Band-Aids, youll need intel and associations
with like-minded individuals.
What do you hope people take away after reading the book?
JLB: I really hope they consider what I wrote in the first
pages of Tomorrow War: The thought crime ahead goes
beyond the paradigm of right, left, Democrat, or Republican,
the outdated behavioral placement control mechanisms,
forcing us to choose between two heads of the same ser-
pent. Slay the beast, turn the page, and choose liberty.
Is there anything controversial in Tomorrow War?
JLB: My book shows what could happen in the future, how
we might get there, and how we deal with it. Theres one
part of the book where I talk about making IEDs [improvised
explosive devices], and I guess thats my response to people
being concerned about police using MRAPs [mine-resistant
ambush protected vehicles]. Im just saying that if people
are worried the police are going to turn tyrannical and start
rolling tanks down the street, which is far-fetched, nothing
is impenetrable. David can kill Goliath. History has taught us
that theres always a way to bring down a greater force and
Tomorrow War goes into that a little bit.
Whats your everyday-carry loadout?
JLB: Sebenza folding knife, Glock 19, steel watch, and iPhone.
Do you prefer a 1911 or a striker-fired pistol? Why?
JLB: Striker-fired. In my direct interest to start another online
1911-versus-striker war, theyre generally more reliable and
dont require maintenance to keep them running properly.
Anything else you want to mention?
JLB: Id like to thank our readers for the opportunity to be
candid about myself, my work, and the current geopolitical
situation were facing in America.
J. L. Bournes
Bail-Out Bag
J. L. Bourne might be a popular novelist, but hes
no stranger to harsh conditions and potential life-and-
death situations. As a U.S. Navy officer with extensive
experience in firearms and survival training as well as
intelligence gathering, he shared the top five things in his
road warrior bag.
Suppressed 10-inch .300 BLK short-barreled rifle: I
dont travel far from home without access to a rifle,
Bourne says. He also packs three magazines of subsonic
ammunition with it.
Large external smartphone battery: Because if you
dont have comms, he says, you dont have sh!t. His
iPhone also works as his flashlight, so the extra juice is
insurance.
Small water filter: This ones pretty self-explanatory.
Water is life.
Road atlas: GPS is never a given in a grid-down
scenario, he says.
Fixed-blade knife: I always have one in my bag,
Bourne says, as there is no substitute for a slab of sharp
steel.
092 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

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30.

CAMP PEARY
This definitely wasnt like the movies. Ive been here for two weeks,
failed the polygraph on the first try, and have had the pleasure of visiting
the company shrink twice. I passed the poly on my second attempt, and
was told that most candidates take it three times on average. What I didnt
tell them was that I lied my ass off on both tests. I didnt fall for the poly
administrator wearing a fucking suit, or sitting higher up in his chair. I
wasnt intimidated, either. I toyed with the control questions, screwing up
his baseline. On the first test, I was looking for weaknesses; on the second,
I exploited them. The administrator bragged that he was a graduate of Fort
McClellan, but I really didnt care.
Beating a polygraph really isnt difficult as long as youre not an idiot and
attempt to trick the box by putting a thumb tack in your shoe, or clench-
ing your ass cheeks. Both of those urban myths only work in mid-list spy
novels. The administrator is trained to catch bullshit tactics, and modern
polygraph seats have pressure sensors built in, revealing any slight tense-
ness of the body during questioning.
The real secret in beating the lie detector? Dont believe in it. The test
only works if you have faith in the technology something the adminis-
trator is trained to instill in you. If you know the test is bullshit, and you
stick to your guns, youll pass. Eventually.
We PT every morning as a group, and some of us are fast. Im not the
hare of the group, but Im not in the goon squad, either. Im told well be
moving training sites to somewhere called the Point in a few days. There
are case officers training with us, but I know thats not why Im here. The
case officers seem to be taking different instructions. They are learning
to establish rapport, and to develop agents. They seem to be spending a
lot of time in conversation labs, learning the gift of gab . . . if you believe
that sort of thing can be taught in a school. There are no laser watches or
Walther PPKs here. Most of the case officers will graduate and do some
time in Northern Virginia to meet and greet the analysts, before getting
posted at some boring shithole in the desert. Im only basing my predic-
tions on the Arabic and Farsi Ive heard them practice among themselves.
I guess it turned out to be pretty handy for me growing up having Syrian
grandparents.
Although the candidates with me now are all SERE trained and beyond,
this place still had a few more things to teach us. We learned advanced re-
sistance techniques that made the torture in Maine and Washington state
look like preschool naptime. I dont think Ill have any permanent marks
on the outside, but I cant forget some of the things I had to watch. Two
candidates have already dropped the program on request, signed their
non-disclosure agreements, and headed back to their old lives.
Im an only child; my parents are dead, and the rest of my family asks
questions, but Ive been assigned a passable cover. Im not allowed to tell
anyone who I really work for. Ever since Spokane, Ive been instructed
to say that Im working for the State Department via the National Geo-
spacial Agency as a government cartographer. To add authenticity, I was
even sent to a monthlong ArcGIS school so that I could speak intelligently
about digital mapmaking. The work numbers Ive given out to family for
emergencies get routed to a legit switchboard, where a message is taken
by a NGA representative. I have been religiously playing down my cover
employment, under-dramatizing my life. I hate lying to my aunt, as Ive

always seen her as a mother figure, especially since Mom died. The old
house that Mom left me in the will doesnt feel like home anymore without
her there. If I want to drift back in time and feel nostalgia, I stay at my
aunts house at least one night when I visit. I was practically raised think-
ing of my cousins as siblings. When things get intense during training, I
try to dial it back by thinking of them all.
The most interesting thing Ive learned in my two weeks here is when
to kill. This skill was something I seriously lacked. I mean, what normal
person thinks like this? In the beginning, I took quite a few simunition
rounds to the chest before I started paying attention to the visual cues
facial expressions that would tell me that the contact wasnt in the room
to have a conversation. After four times in the training room, I started to
notice them. Nervous tics and tells during negotiations that revealed the
person across the table was about to kill me, via simulated ammunition.
On the fifth session, I didnt take the blue paint to the chest; my instruc-
tor finally got his own dose via my Glock 19. As sessions continued, dif-
ferent and more experienced instructors began to participate. They could
be either hostile or only innocent assets. Sometimes I took the paint, and
sometimes they did. After thirty sessions spread out over two days, I was
told that I was finished with this particular block of training.
On the way out of the training area, I passed by Instructor Five in the
hallway. He transmitted a subtle tell, and I quickly blasted him in the chest
three times without even thinking.
In that moment, I thought I was finished, booted from the schoolhouse.
Instructor Five caught his breath and approached, extending his hand,
his torso covered in paint. Great work. That was your final test. Hesita-
tion has killed more than a few of my friends. Trust your instincts and just
shoot when you see the signs. Let us send the flowers after you exfil the
country.
After I converted my Glock back to its lethal 9mm hollow-point con-
figuration, I left the chamber empty for a week until I was sure I could
control the reflex to neutralize my instructors.
It seems like a stretch since I left the Farm for the Point, but it hasnt
really been that longmaybe six days or so. Weve been doing a lot of
training on expedient homemade explosives and detonators. Weve also
sat through instruction ranging from government destabilization opera-
tions to clandestine entryIve broken lots of padlock shims and pick sets.
We even learned how to make a pretty damn good pick with a battery-
powered toothbrush and a hacksaw blade shaped with a file. Even with all
the modern gadgets, a tension bar and a rake, and maybe a bump key, are
good enough for most things.
Back to the explosiveswho knew? Most explosive material issued to
agencies by the government is chemically marked so that it can be traced
back to whom it was issued if it ever turned up in a pile of rubble where a
building used to be. This meant that all the dirty tricks that happen over-
seas needed to be from disavowable explosives. A good thing to remem-
ber. Weve learned to make ricin (nasty stuff ) from castor seeds, and the
best way to employ it. Homemade plastic explosives. Coincidentally, most
TOM
OMOR
ORRO
ORRO
OW
WAR
WA
AR
of the jerry-rigged stuff came via an instructor from Arkansas, whose fa-
ther wrote a book on the subject years ago.
Weve even done some agent development role-training. In one scenar-
io, I was given fifty thousand U.S. dollars in a brown paper bag, and told to
buy three agents through negotiations. I was told that buying agents was
the most used tactic in the field to develop contacts. We practice this at
odd times, with zero notice.
Twice since Ive been here, a C-130 landed at our small airstrip; men
would spill out and head over to the kill house. They seem to be unsure of
exactly where they are. That makes both of us. Im pretty sure theyre Delta
or SEALs, but I didnt risk asking. I hate taking the chance that Ill be the
one that the instructors remember. After the C-130 lands, the pilots dont
shut down. My small group boards with parachutes and other kit, and we
do a jump. The plane lands, we get new chutes, and we jump again. Two
jumps per C-130 a day seems to be the norm. Never more than three.
An NSA guy showed up yesterday, introducing himself as Mark [RE-
DACTED]. He brought some pretty interesting software that my small
cadre of specialized students needed to be familiar with so we can com-
municate securely from inside target countries. Mark, a pretty huge nerd
from Fort Meade with likely a 170 IQ wore an I Speak Qwghlmian T-
shirt to brief us on a bootable Linux USB distribution he designed just
for us. He told us that the software was so encrypted that when examined
forensically, it would look like blank, unused memory.
Mark demonstrated this to the small group by restarting the computer
in the conference room with the tiny USB drive inserted. I was hoping
that when they pulled the hood off my head after I landed here, that Id be
at Area 51. No such luck.
Most of us laughed at that.
Anyway, when you restart the target computer, pinch the top and
bottom of the USB stick to actuate a hidden pressure switch. This will,
on most computers, change your boot options so you dont have to
fumble for a function key. The initial password for your custom dis-
tros is your mothers maiden name, followed by your grandfathers
street address, all lowercase, no spaces. Youll all be issued your own
proprietary distro based on your mission set. Youll also have a duress
password.
Mark demonstrated the boot process; it was fast, maybe five seconds to
splash screen. On the plain desktop was an e-mail icon, accompanied by a
skull and crossbones on the opposite side of the screen.
Youll recognize the e-mail icon; its secure256-bit AES, encased in
a separate 256-bit AES operating system with deniability native. Just type
text and hit Send, no need to fill in addresses or subjects. This mode is
meant to be a simple, secure, and expedient means of communications,
nothing more.
Mark hovered over the crossbones for a moment, seemingly choosing
his words. And this? You dont want to fuck with the skull. Only click the
skull if you think youre about to be tied to an electrified mattress spring,
la Rambo. Clicking the skull will release a gnarly worm to the target sys-
tem and network . . .
094 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

O
n a recent visit to a major sporting goods
store that had a counter dedicated to blade

S O S
sharpeners, a woman took out a folding
knife from her pocket, turned on a sample
grinder, and just stuck the blade directly

GE
into it. This author noticed and said, You might not want
to do that. She pulled her knife out of the machine and the
blade tip was rounded, plus the edges were beat to hell. Her
husband said, Im glad you said something or I would have
just stuck my Benchmade in there just like she did.
Since the dawn of mankind, the most basic survival tool has
been the blade. Its basic requirement is a sharp cutting edge.
Surprisingly, maintaining that edge seems to be a lost art.
A Guide to Knife Sharpeners One of this authors shooting mentors, Rob Virkus, was
and Sharpening fond of saying, There are two completely useless things
in the world: an unloaded handgun and a dull knife. When
knife blades go dull there are three options: dispose of the
By Mike Searson
knife, return the knife to the manufacturer for sharpening, or
sharpen the blade yourself.
The first choice is typically used for only the cheapest
knives or by people who dont appreciate the value of a de-
cent blade. The second is the mark of a user who lacks the
skill, confidence, or tools to undertake the task of sharpen-
ing on their own or maybe someone who has a somewhat
valuable piece with a particular edge that lost its factory
grind and it needs to be restored by the maker. As a rule, if a
knife must be returned to the manufacturer for something
as basic as sharpening, its probably not intended to be a
working knife to begin with.
Readers of OFFGRID tend to be a self-reliant group.
We like to do things for ourselves, on our own whenever
possible. In some circumstances it may be our only option.
When that happens, we want to be able to keep our tools
sharp both proverbially and literally.
Repetition Equals Skill
Sharpening with any device requires a basic understanding
of how the sharpener is meant to be used. Before using any
sharpener, you must read the manual and understand the
instructions. If you dont know the angle of your blade grind,
contact the manufacturer and find out. Sharpening at an
incorrect angle will result in changing the profile of the blade.
Always start slowly and use precise, deliberate strokes.
The key to a proper edge is in being consistent. Forcing the
blade can damage the sharpener or the knife, and it can cre-
ate a thick burr on the edge that will be difficult to remove.
Whether you are restoring a completely dull piece of
steel or using the finest stone available to touch up an edge,
always remember that youre removing metal. There is a
learning curve. Its best to start out with the cheapest knives
in your house, like the set of steak knives that your uncle
gave you as a Christmas present 10 years ago.
096 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 8

tip. The sharpener uses integral stones or sticks of vary-

pookpiik/istockphoto.com
ing degrees of grit and set at predetermined angles. A few
strokes on the coarse stone will tune the edge and expose
more carbide. The finer stones will refine these and result
in a basic and durable sharpening job. They are rugged,
lightweight, and portable.
Another variant on the manual sharpener is known as the
Sharpening Stones sticks. The sticks form a V-shape and the knife is sharpened
The stone is the most basic type of sharpener available. by bringing the blade down and rearward in one smooth
It is quite literally a stone, just available in various degrees of and continuous motion.
coarseness or grit (from extra coarse to extra fine). These
are most commonly produced from natural silicates found
in Arkansas or India. Manmade versions are produced by
companies such as DMT, which rely on the same principle
of a flat abrasive sharpener, but use microscopic diamonds
bonded to a metal surface.
Stones can be used dry or with water as a lubricant. Some
manufacturers recommend water-based honing oils instead.
These products work as advertised, but once oil is used on a
stone or aluminum-oxide sharpener, it cannot use water again.
The major downside to natural stones is that they wear
down and are prone to breakage. Their relatively low cost
may mitigate this somewhat, but if youre on the move and
have one in a sheath pouch or in a pack, it may not be us-
able when you need it.
Secondly, most stones have no guide and the user needs
to know how to gauge the angle by eyesight. As basic as
they may be, stones are not ideal for a complete beginner. By far the best one we have found has been the Spyderco
Tri-Angle Sharpener. Spyderco is mostly known for its innova-
Manual Sharpeners tive and cutting-edge knife designs, but it was this sharpener
These are the most basic sharpeners on the market and that gave the Colorado-based company its start.
include the previously mentioned stones, but in this case The Tri-Angle breaks down for easy storage and portabil-
some of the guesswork has been taken out with regard to ity. What makes this sharpener different from all the others,
angles. The easiest ones to use are the pull through types in this authors opinion, is the choice of using a plastic base.
offered by companies like Chefs Choice. The sharpener is Many lesser designs use wood and the uncoated rods wear
either mounted to a counter or held down in place with one away at this much quicker than they do on a knife blade. The
hand and the blade is pulled through from the choil to the result is an inconsistent angle that will give you an incon-
sistent grind. In this day and age, people try to save money
where they can, but that extra $10 or $20 savings can poten-
tially ruin a much more expensive blade.

Dynamic Sharpeners
Up to now, all of the sharpeners we have discussed are of
the static type. This makes sense because we want consisten-
cy and stability in our sharpening. A dynamic sharpener is
different in that the knife blade is stabilized and its the
stone that comes into contact with it on the part of
the user. In essence its how the majority of manu-
facturers put the factory edge on their knives.
 SURVIVORS
EDGE

3 Tips From the Master

Ken Onion is a master knife-maker and was kind enough to give us a few
tips for the sharpener he developed with Work Sharp:

Slow Your Roll: I realize it was easy to round the tips with the old
Work Sharp. We addressed this with my version. The belts are wider
and the variable speed makes it much easier to dial down the speed to
where you are comfortable. Start slow and work it up.

Sponge It Up: If the dust becomes bothersome, try putting a damp

sponge on your table and place it right across the face of the wheel so it
just barely touches it, but do not get the belts wet. The sponge will collect
the dust.

The best sharpener of this type in our experience has
been the Lansky system. There is a bit more of a learning
curve than with the others, but its not very steep. The knife
blade is secured in a padded clamp that has various holes
indicating different angles. A stone or hone is fastened to
a rod and then the rod is inserted into the hole. The hone
makes contact with the blade at this angle and is moved
back and forth from choil to tip on each side. It is a series of
very coarse to very fine stones allowing everything from a
quick touch up to a complete restoration.
Aside from the brief learning curve, we have found this
system doesnt work well with particularly long or thick
blades. If the majority of your blades are shorter than 8
inches and less than a -inch thick, it might be one of the
better systems out there for you.
Get Attached: If you are having trouble getting the hang of things or
wish to sharpen zero grinds or just want to take your knife sharpening
to a whole new level, I recommend getting the knife and tool grinding
attachment. I feel its much easier to use and does a much more precise
job of sharpening. Youre much less likely to scratch the finish of your
knife, as youre not pulling your blade through a guide.
Like the pull-through model by Chefs Choice, set the choil
of the blade in the guide and slowly squeeze the trigger on
the beltdrive. Pull the knife rearward and stop before you get
to the tip or else it will round. Do this as many times as you
need to while counting to 10, and then grind the other side.

Mechanized Sharpeners
There are a lot of myths about using a powered sharpener.
Unfortunately, many of these types, such as the rotating
stone included on many electric can openers for maintain-
ing kitchen knives are essentially worthless and the hazards
associated with these and common stone grinding wheels
have contributed to a huge amount of misinformation.
We found one sharpener that stands out from the rest. It is
made by Work Sharp and this particular model was designed
by none other than famed knife-maker Ken Onion.
The Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition is a scaled-down belt
grinder. There are guides on either side of the belts and the
angle is completely adjustable. The belts are available in a
variety of grits, and a leather belt for buffing or stropping an
ISSUE 8

edge is included to really make that final result pop.

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 097
098
8 OFFG
OFFG
O GRIDWEB.COM
Sharpening the
Emerson Way
Ernest Emerson helped popularize the chisel-grind edge on folding
knives and revolutionized the concept of the tactical knife in the 1990s.
As simple and efficient as the grind may be, it still mystifies some users.
He was kind enough to share some of his wisdom with us:
Why The Chisel Grind Edge? When design-
Emerson
ing a knife for use by SEAL Team Six back in the Production
Chisel Grind
1980s, we chose the chisel-grind edge because
it is the easiest to sharpen (you only have to
sharpen one side of the knife) and it holds its
edge for a long time.
When Is it Sharp Enough? Use whichever de-
vice you are most comfortable with and sharp-
en the primary edge. When you feel a burr with
the back of your fingernail off the edge, you
have sharpened the front edge enough.
What About the Back Side? Turning the
knife over, you lightly stroke the flat side just to
break the burr free. This only takes a couple of
light passes. Incline the sharpener slightly so
you dont scratch the surface of the blade and
are only touching the very edge. Next you take
the cardboard back of a yellow legal pad and
strop the knife back and forth on the cardboard.
You have to use some pressure, so be sure that your fingers are clear of
the blade if it were to accidentally close. Do this repeatedly for 10 to 20
strokes on each side.
The biggest myth about a system like this is that you will
ruin the temper or heat-treatment of your blade as if you had
used a motor-driven grinding wheel. This is most often es-
poused by folks who have no knowledge of steel, chemistry,
or physics the same types who wear belts with suspend-
ers. There is simply no way to get this devices motor-driven
belt system that fast and hot to cause the damage that they
fear. That damage can occur with a faster motor-driven grind-
ing wheel, but not with the Work Sharp.
For even more versatility, Work Sharp offers a knife and
tool grinding attachment. This replaces the belts and will let
you do an expert job on chisel grinds, lawnmower blades,
axe blades, and can act as an introduction to grinding a
blade from bar stock.
Portable Systems for the Prepared
Every sharpener we have touched on to this point is por-
table, including the Ken Onion Work Sharp model (it needs
power, but it is by no means heavy). They would all require
a minor degree of setup to work in the field and are fine for
hunters. But if youre bugging out and dont have the time
or facilities to set up a sharpener, or are tallying every item
down to the ounce or cubic-inch, there are a few options
beyond the basic whetstones. Heres a look at a few:
Guided Field Sharpener: Made by Work Sharp, its roughly
the weight and dimensions of an unloaded pistol maga-
zine. The guide is a 20-degree angle with coarse and fine
diamond abrasive stones. A three directional ceramic rod is
located on the spine for coarse or fine work and even has
a fishhook setting and a rod for sharpening serrations. The
opposing side has a practical leather strop treated with a
polishing compound.
Blademedic Knife Sharpener: This Lansky model comes
in an even smaller package and can handle serrations with a
swing-out diamond hone rod. The tool may not work on large
knives or machetes due to the smaller dimensions, but for
maintaining pocketknives, fishing knives, or hunting knives, it
makes for a very handy piece of kit for your bug-out bag.
 SURVIVORS
EDGE

Golden Stone: Spydercos portable tool makes for a much

more portable version of their Tri-Angle sharpening system.
This oblong sharpener is made from alumina bonded
ceramic covered in micron-sized sapphires and comes in
a suede pouch that doubles as a base. Position one of the
legs on the base for the proper angle to sharpen one side,
and then rock it over to the other leg to sharpen the reverse.
Unlike a stone, this one will never wear out and requires no
water or honing oil.
Strops and Steels
Perhaps the best way to maintain any blade is to strop it on a regular
basis. A few passes on a strop or razor strap will keep a keen edge on
most blades. For certain blades, it may be the only failsafe method of
maintaining the edge, such as on a zero-bevel knife or Scandi-grind.
Another touted method is the Butchers Steel. These steel sharpening
rods used to be a standard feature in most kitchen knife blocks, and they
do a great job of cleaning blood, gristle, and skin from knives that have
been processing meat because they are made from the same steel with
the same hardness. For that reason it is not a good idea to touch up the
edge on your EDC knife with S30V, ATS-34, D2, or any other steel that
the Butchers Steel was not made for.

Improvised
Sharpeners
Sometimes the best plans fail, and maybe you bugged out without a
decent sharpener. Abrasive stones found in the wild that are flat will
mostly work the same as a sharpening stone. The rough inside of a qual-
ity leather belt can function as an effective strop as can denim, cardboard
(see the Ernest Emerson sidebar), and most rugged material of a similar
nature. Coffee cups, bowls, and other items made of ceramic are suffi-
ciently hard enough to stand in for a field expedient sharpener if neces-
sary. Other abrasives, such as files and sandpaper, can be used as well.
Whichever sharpener you choose will require some study
and research to get the most out of it in order to be able to
properly maintain your knives. Most sporting goods stores
and hardware stores have in-house samples to let you try
them out before you buy them.
Luckily for the couple in the opening paragraph, we were
able to restore the edge on the cheap pocketknife the wife
tried to destroy by using a demo unit of one of the very
sharpeners mentioned in this article. The knife still looked
beat-up, but based on the model, it definitely had a better
edge than when it left the factory.

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 099
100 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

WARNING!
ISSUE 8

This article is meant to be

a brief overview and not a
detailed guide. For detailed
information, consult a
reputable brewmaster or
brewing company.

STRANGE
BREW
DIY Beer Can Be a Morale
Booster and a Survival Asset
 I
Lauri Patterson/istockphoto.com
t goes without saying that we should all be proficient
in basic bushcraft skills to ensure a certain level of
self-reliance. Knowing how to build a fire, provide
clean water, and hunt and defend yourself is crucial
to surviving and thriving. But you dont have to do it
all alone. If youve read Jim Cobbs It Takes a Village feature
in Issue 7, you know one of the advantages of joining or form-
ing a survival group is teaming up with others whose skills
complement your own. Within those groups, various individu-
als will have specific skills and/or products that will contribute
to the greater good. Essentially, thats the way civilizations
have functioned long before there was a grid to go off of.
Looking back on thousands of years of history theres
one skilled individual who has always been as essential as
the hunter or the healer. One person who appears to be as
integral to the fabric of society as a clean water source. That
person is the guy (or gal) who knows how towait for it
make beer!
The role of beer in society goes far beyond grabbing a
cold one and watching Bama football. Its one of the oldest
beverages created by humans. It goes even further back
than the classic European monastic breweries founded after
the Romans stopped sending Christians to the lions. In fact,
archaeologists have found 4,000-year-old clay tablets that
described beer recipes in great detail.
So maybe were waxing a little too poetic about cold gold.
Nonetheless, within certain survival groups, your brewing
skills could be almost as good as gold (did we mention that
beer was used as currency at one time). The really good news
is that unlike learning medicine or gunsmithing brewing
is a skill easily acquired and practiced in the comfort of your
own living room and/or kitchen. Whether youre prepping for
TEOTWAWKI where all bars have shuttered or you just want
the extreme satisfaction of drinking an ale you gave birth to,
having your own do-it-yourself brewery could be more of an
asset than you think.
Setting Up Shop
If ancient cultures with no running water and poor hygiene
were able to make beer, theres no excuse should we fail to
make a quality brewski with the resources we have today. Its
a pretty simple process, and the equipment is easy to find
and store. And if youre emotionally attached to your home-
made tap, the buckets can be used to carry other things while
youre bugging out.
You dont need
Its easy to get started because you dont need expensive
high-tech gear to
gear. In fact, the process youll use will be basically the same start your home
even if we get thrown back to a 19th-century lifestyle after brewery.
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDWEB.COM 101
102
ISSUE 8 OFFGRIDWEB.COM

An accurate
thermometer
is essential for
brewing home-
made beer, lest
you just want
flavored water.
a massive solar flare or electromagnetic pulse attack. You
dont need any exotic cooking kettles, fermentation tanks, or
bottling systems. Everything can be found at and/or made
from stuff at your local home-improvement store. That being
said, theres no need to run out to The Big Orange Box and
start playing MacGyver. Online supply houses like The Home
Brewery are inexpensive resources for even the most basic
ingredients. Plus, the folks there will have more expertise than
youll find in this article. They will get you up and running,
even if you only want to set yourself up for SHTF brewing.
Get the basic setup and youre good to go; upgrade it and
youll find the process a little easier and your end product a
little better. Even with the much recommended upgraded kit,
theres no high-tech equipment. Below are the items youll
want to gather.
The Gear:
A stainless steel brew pot big enough to hold 3 gallons of
water
Thermometer
Large stirring spoon
Straining bags
Fermenting bucket (clean unused 6.5-gallon bucket) with
an airtight lid
Bottling bucket (a 6.5-gallon bucket with a spigot)
Bottles and corks or caps (actually growlers with lock tops
work great since theyre reusable and you dont need a sup-
ply of caps and a capper)
Transfer tubing
Hydrometer to measure the alcohol content as an indicator
of when to stop the process
The essential upgrades are a 6.5-gallon glass secondary
fermenting bottle (called a carboy), as well as a coil of copper
tubing used in cooling the pre-beer mixture so you can add
the yeast that turns boiled grains and malt into beer.
Youll also need a reliable means of rendering all your
equipment germ and bacteria free. If theres one unbreakable
rule in brewing: sanitize and sanitize again! You can stock up
on sanitizing mix at online sources like The Home Brewery.
Now that you have the equipment, youll need ingredients.
Every beer has the same basic ingredients. They are also the
same staple ingredients youll need on hand to make bread,
feed poultry, and season other foods. To start youll need to
get your hands on the following items.
The Ingredients:
Yeast
Water
Spices
Grain (oats, barley, or wheat)
Sugar (cane sugar, honey, corn sugar, or milk sugar)
Hops (different strains yield different tastes)

You can custom-

ize your post-
apocalyptic
beer by adding
certain grains
and spices.

Malted barley extract (if SHTF, youll need to make your
own, which is a more detailed process than we have room
for here. But commercial extracts are available for you to use
zoom-zoom/istockphoto.com
until you need to make your own.)
Keep in mind: You dont have to worry about sourcing
all this at first. You can pick your favorite style of beer and
purchase a kit that will have everything you need to cook up
the recipe.
Lets Cook
So youve got your equipment and your ingredients kit
now what? Lets get to brewing. As we mentioned, the prime
rule in brewing is sanitizing. Anything that isnt in boiled in the
kettle needs to be sanitized thoroughly. Nothing ruins a brew
quicker than errant bacteria. After that, in a nutshell, beer-
making is simply taking the ingredients through a four-step
process: boiling, fermentation, priming, and bottling. The tim-
ing and order in which to add the ingredients will determine
whether your lager is worthy of a Super Bowl ad or if its a sad
waste of water and liquid bread.
Step 1: Boiling
Beer making starts off a lot like making a good cup of tea.
Youll bring 3 to 4 gallons of water up to a pre-boil temperature
STRANG
T GE
BREW
E
Beer making is
simply taking
the ingredients
through a four-
step process:
boiling,
fermentation,
priming, and
bottling.
Beer Pioneer?
Who made the very first mug of beer? Was it made out of a sur-
vival need or through serendipity? No one knows for sure. Theres
a theory that says that cerveza was discovered because someone
accidentally left soggy bread out to ferment and decided to give the
run-off a swig. If you believe the ancient Egyptians, divine inspiration
gifted an elder with the knowledge of taking a combination of water,
grains, and wild yeast, and letting it age to create a drink that helped
ease the stress of building pyramids or at least one that would
give the pharaoh a buzz. Beer was held in such high regard in Egypt
that beer historians say if a gentleman gave a lady a sip of his beer
they were engaged (yikes!).
The mystery as to how ale materialized might never be solved.
But its certain that beer is so cross-cultural and enduring because
the ingredients are easy to grow and are the same items used in
bread making. Or perhaps its because beer can be a bacteria-free
alternative to less reliable water. Any way you look at it, beer has
been produced by virtually every civilization on earth for millennia,
and itll surely be around for many more.
Two Types
There are two main classifications of beer: ales and lagers. Theyre
determined by the type of yeast used in the fermenting process.
Ale is a top fermenting beer, meaning the type of yeast used rises
to the top during the process. These include pale ale, India pale ale,
and Belgian ales.
Lager, conversely, is a bottom fermenting beer. The type of yeast
used falls to the bottom during the process. These include bocks,
dark lagers, light lagers, and pilsners.
104
ISSUE 8 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
of 170 degrees F. At that point youll fill a straining bag full
of various grains and steep it like you would a tea bag. The
types of grains you use will render specific tastes. When the
grains have steeped, you bring your concoction to a boil. At
a rolling boil, youll mix in your malt and hops. This mixture is
called the wort and it starts to smell like beer. Youll be boiling
the wort for a good 60 minutes. Now is the time to sanitize
the fermentation bucket, the lid, and the airlock if you havent
already.
Step 2: Fermentation
If any part of the brewing process is frustrating, its cooling
the wort after the boil. Remember: were brewing 5 gallons,
but only boiling 3. Add the hot mixture to your sanitized fer-
menting bucket, then add 2 more gallons of cold spring water.
Youre trying to get the mixture down to 75 to 80 degrees F
so you can add the yeast. Any hotter than that and youll kill
the yeast meaning no alcohol will be produced.
The cooling process is expedited with a wort chiller, a coil
of copper tubing that connects to a faucet. Put the sanitized
chiller in the wort mixture and run cold water through it. This
takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes off the chilling time.
Now that everything has cooled down, its time to add the
yeast. Just like making bread, yeast is the key ingredient in
the process. If the yeast isnt active, then kiss a good batch
goodbye. Different types of yeasts are required for different
types of beer.
After you pitched your yeast and sealed the bucket with
the sanitized lid, the waiting game begins. The lid will have an
airlock on it that allows the fermenting gases to escape with-
out letting unwanted bacteria in. So now the waiting begins
for about two weeks. Youll see the airlock bubbling thats
how youll know your sweet barley pop is on its way.
Step 3: Priming
When your brew has stopped fermenting, its time to
prime. This is the stage in which you add a measured
amount of sugar or malt extract right before bottling. This
fuels the yeast and creates a new fermentation process in
the bottle and, more importantly, CO2. The gases produced
in the next step carbonates the beer. (Refer to the experts
in our source box or other qualified breweries for informa-
tion on fermentation times, amounts of sugar, and other
exact details.)
Step 4: Bottling
The last stage is to bottle your brewski in sanitized
bottles. Bottles that require you to press on a cap are good
for the casual brewer. In an off-grid scenario, however,
bottle caps will be scarce; thats why it good to start using
snap lid growlers. After youve bottled your suds, wait for
another week or two and its ready to drink.
Thats it. All in all, an easy process unless youre super
This is the wort,
impatient. The great thing is that when its TEOTWAWKI
a mix of malt
and hops that you can learn to recycle the yeast to make another batch
will be fer- of beer. The grains you use are good for bread and animal
mented by the feed. Hops are easy to grow and can also be used for feed.
brewing yeast to
In addition, the soggy grains and hops left over from the
produce alcohol.
process can be used as fertilizer. So, as the brewmeister,
youll be not only lifting the morale of your loved ones and
producing a valuable bartering commodity, youll also con-
tribute to your survival groups overall well-being in several
ways. And thats something we can all drink to. Cheers!
SOURCES
The Home Brewery > www.homebrewery.com
Home Beermaking by William Moore > www.amazon.com
Make sure your
fermenting
bucket is sani-
tized. Nothing
kills a brew like
errant bacteria.
 THE S.H.T. F.
CRYPTIC BACKPACK
CYBER
SCALES FOR THE
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C.A.T. #203T-01 REAL WORLD

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800-342-4654
106
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDHEALTH

GlobalStock/istockphoto.com
WARNING!
The exercises and
content expressed
in this column
are for illustrative
purposes only.
Consult a medical
professional
before trying any
physical activity or
nutritional plan.

MOVE TO
prevent unnecessary injuries when youre in a life-and-death situ-
ation like evading roaming bandits.
So, how do you know if youre moving well?

IMPROVE
It cant be overstated that staying healthy is key to survival.
That doesnt just refer to being disease-free that also means
keeping your body structurally healthy. Today, when all is well
in the world, you could easily visit the doctor if your back hurts
or your joints flare up. But what if tomorrow theres a massive
Prevent Injuries by Testing How wildfire that obliterates your community and forces you to bug
out on foot through miles of woodlands? Suddenly, a quick trip to
Well You Move Before SHTF the knee specialist doesnt seem so likely.
Self-assessment and care are crucial. A hamstring pull will slow
By Ryne Gioviano down your entire survival group, which will make traveling much

M
ovement is life. Any physical fitness
expert worth a dime will tell you that the
ability to move well and be active are key
components to a long and healthy life. As
babies, we develop through movement.
At some point in our lives, however, most people lose sight of
that. Maybe its a result of our stuck-in-a-cubicle jobs and seden-
tary lifestyles. Sitting at a desk all day followed by lying in front of
the TV all night just makes things worse.
What we need to discuss are some ways to test how well you
move. Even better, we need ways to fix the issues that arise to
more costly, possibly turning a short hike into a death march.
Lengthy travel means more supplies, more time, and more ter-
rain challenges. Plus, how will everyone feel when youre slowing
them down? Things may get heated, and anger certainly clouds
judgment and causes in-fighting. Morale can plummet from this
as well. Everything will seem a lot bleaker once injuries start pop-
ping up and travel becomes more grueling.
To make sure you dont fall victim to a preventable injury, lets
take a look at five movements that will determine how likely you
are to end up broken. Theyll test how well you move and, if
need be, well outline a corrective strategy to fix you before you
get wrecked.
shapecharge/istockphoto.com

The Toe Touch

Seems pretty basic, right? If you cant touch you
ur
toes, youre at risk for some pretty rough back
issues. You need mobility in your hips, and if
theres not enough, youll get that extra motion
n
through your lower back. So, lets take a look at
your toe touch, and if need be, correct it.

Test : Stand with your feet together. Keeping

u
your knees slightly bent, touch your toes. If you
didnt reach your toes, well go through a simple
progression to fix it.

Progression 1: Toes-Elevated Toe Touch. Stand with your toes

elevated on a 2- to 3-inch surface, feet together, and a rolled up
towel between your knees. Reach toward the sky, then bend
kzenon/istockphoto.com

forward.
Once you reach the bottom position, crush the towel between
your knees. Complete two sets of 10 repetitions. Once you can
reach your toes comfortably with your toes elevated, well move
on to the next progression.
Progression 2: Heels-Elevated Toe Touch. Repeat the same
three steps described previously, only elevate your heels this
time. Complete two sets of 10 repetitions.
ISSUE 8

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 107
108
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDHEALTH
The Seated Trunk Twist
st
Slouching forward at your desk or while watching TV
keeps you in a chronically slumped position. Over time,
this causes you to lose motion in the mobile part of your
spine. Since your shoulder blades sit on your ribcage,
which is attached to your spine, is it any wonder that this
posture yields lack of mobility, and, over time, can cause
pain? A simple self-assessment is the seated trunk twist.

Test: Sit Indian-style facing a doorframe with your arms crossed, while holding a dowel on the front of your shoulders. Keeping
your torso tall, rotate as far as you can while keeping the dowel on your shoulders. If you cant tap the dowel to the doorframe while
rotating in both directions, youre going to need some help fixing that. Luckily, this progression will do just the trick.

Progression 1: Rib Roll. Begin lying on your right side, with your top knee bent at 90 degrees and your bottom leg straight. Prop your
top knee on something 4 to 6 inches high, such as a small ball. Grab your top knee with your right arm and the right side of your ribs
with your left arm. Breathe in through your nose, thinking about expanding from your stomach. As you exhale through your mouth,
push your left knee into the object, and drop your left shoulder toward the floor while gently pulling your ribs as you rotate. Complete
two sets of six to eight repetitions on each side. Do twice the amount of sets on the weak side if an asymmetry is found.

Progression 2: Side-Lying Windmill. Once youve completed the first progression, and movement is nearly symmetrical on each
side, well move to a more challenging position. Begin in the same position as described in progression 1, but with your hands held
together out in front of you. Breathe in through your nose, thinking about expanding from your stomach. As you exhale through
your mouth, push your left knee into the object, and trace a big half-circle with your left arm as you rotate through your upper back to
move your left shoulder toward the ground. Be sure to follow your hand with your eyes as you move. Complete two sets of six to eight
repetitions on each side. Do twice the amount of sets on the weak side if an asymmetry is still present.
 MOVE TO
IMPROVE

The Push-Up
The push-up is a great test of how stable you are through
your core. When you transfer force through your body (think
punching, throwing, or heavy squatting), youll need core
stability to allow the maximum amount of energy to move
between your upper and lower body. Heres how well test it.

Test: Begin lying face down with your hands

under your shoulders, your legs straight and your
toes pulled to your shins. Press yourself up to
the top of the push-up position. Do not allow any
movement in your body except for your arms and
shoulders.
If you werent able to do the push-up, or you did, but your chest
rose before your hips, we have some correctives for you to follow.

Progression 1: Hand Walk. Begin standing with your feet together. Bend forward and walk out to a push-up position, only using
your arms. Return to the starting position, again only using your arms.
Complete three sets of six repetitions.

Progression 2: Elevated Push-Up. Begin in a push-up position with your upper body elevated on a 6-inch to 2-foot-high sturdy
object, such as a bench. With your elbows at a 45-degree angle to your body, slowly lower yourself to about 6 inches away from the
bench. Push into the bench and think about reaching as you come to the top of the movement. Complete two sets of 10 repetitions.
Once that is no longer challenging, lower the height by 6 to 12 inches and repeat.
ISSUE 8

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 109
110
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDHEALTH
The Straight-Leg Raise
This is a deceptively complex movement that can reveal
how well your legs function separately and how stable
your core remains during that motion. If you cant pass
this test, any movement that resembles walking, running,
or climbing is going to put unnecessary stress on your
back and hips.

Test: Begin lying on your back with your feet together and toes up,
with your arms out to your sides with palms up. Position your left
mid-thigh next to a doorframe or stable vertical object. Keeping both
knees straight, slowly raise your left leg as high as you can.
If you arent able to reach the object or doorframe with your ankle
bone, youre going to need some work to make this
possible.

Progression 1: Supported Single-Leg

Lower. Lie on your back with both legs
straight and raised up in front of you.
Wrap a towel or strap around your left
foot and gently pull it toward you. You
should feel a light stretch in your left
hamstring. Slowly lower your right leg
toward the ground, stopping when you
are no longer able to keep your back
flat against the ground and both knees
straight.
Complete two sets of eight
repetitions on each side. Do twice the
amount of sets on the weak side if an
asymmetry is present.
Once the first progression is fairly
easy, well move to a more challenging
variation.

Progression 2: Unsupported Single-Leg Lower. Begin in the same position as the first exercise, this time without using anything
to hold your leg up. Place your arms at your sides, with your palms pressed firmly into the floor. Keeping the left leg straight, slowly
lower your right leg toward the floor, stopping when you are no longer able to keep your back flat against the ground and both knees
straight.
Complete two sets of eight repetitions on each side. Do twice the amount of sets on the weak side if an asymmetry is present.
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112
ISSUE 8
OFFGRIDHEALTH
Single-Leg Stance
About 40 percent of a normal walking gait takes place on one leg. Every time
we go up stairs, were on one leg. Its safe to say single-leg stability is imporrtant
to normal functioning. Its no wonder, then, that we should take a look at how
h
well you are able to stabilize yourself on one leg.

Test: To test this, simply stand with your feet together and raise one knee
e
above your hip for 10 seconds. Its best to do this in front of a mirror to mak
ke
sure your hips remain level. If you weren
werentt abl
able to hold each f
ach knee up for
10 seconds, or your hips
werent level, here are two
exercises to help.

Progression 1: Single-Leg Glute

e Bridge.
g Begin
g n lying on y
your back with
your knees bent to 90 degrees. P
Pull one knee up toward your chest. Conclusion
d foot through
Drive your planted gh the floor and push your h
hips to the Dont beat yourself up if these movement tests gave you
ceiling. some difficu
ulty. The point is to be proactive and test yourself
Complete two sets of
regularly
g by identifying areas that need improvement, you
10 repetitions per side.
can proactivvely work on the progressions weve outlined
Do twice the amount of
above. A little prevention will go a long way to catch these
sets on the weak side if an
issues beforre youre traversing mountainous terrain to find
asymmetry is present.
shelter or cliimbing through rubble after a building collapse.
Progression 2: Balance
Beam. The next
progression is simply S URC
SOU CES
walking on a balance y In Balance > www.humankinetics.com
Athletic Body
beam. The beam can Movement: Fu unctional Movement Systems > www.otpbooks.com

be anything from a few

2x4s to a fallen tree. Find
something that is wide Abo
out The Author:
enough to plant a foot,
and ideally, not very high A frequen
q nt OFFGRID contributor, Ryne Gioviano is the
off the ground. Shoot for co-ownerr of Welligee Personal Training & Lifestyle
three sets of about 30 located in
n Naperville, Illinois. He holds a masters de-
seconds to a minute of g
gree in ex
xercise physiology and is certified through the
balance time. National Strength
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114
ISSUE 8
OFFGRID411
Transportation Fatalities

52,627

51,091
Planes,

44,599
Trains,

41,945
Boats,
and

32,999
Automobiles
Transportation Dangers
by the Numbers

2,016
By John Schwartze
1,456

1,847
1,382

1,051
866

888

598
709

764

765
729

631

476
W
*N

e all dread being involved in some

sort of crash. While mainstream
media often dwells on the worst 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
situations and gives many the impression that a
certain method of transportation is more unsafe
than another, have you ever stopped and looked
Transportation Injuries
at the statistics? What really is the safest way to 3,230,666

3,217,117
travel?
To show you what your odds are relating
to the U.S. transportation system, we compiled
statistics involving travel by air, by rail, by boat,
and by highway for the first year of five different

2,239,000
decades to see how these measurements stack
up against each other.
These numbers reflect quite a few variables,
but at least you get an overall sense of the level
of danger involving these transportation modes.
Aside from a few upticks, there is an unexpected
downward trend in the overall injuries and fatali-
ties involving these various methods of transpor-
tation. While this may be due to improvements
in technology, regulations, and public awareness,
58,712

22,957

among many other things, we were surprised to

10,614
3,997

3,867
7,420
5,112
485

see this decrease given the likely ever-growing

359
822

277
757
*N
*N

*N
*U

*U

amounts of vehicles and owners.

SOURCE 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

U.S. Department of Transportation > www.dot.gov
*N = data nonexistent; U = data unavailable
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