Security around the home can be universally overlooked by the average person (including myself) at times. Yes, even Security Experts can get distracted or complacent! Even so, those moving to a new area can have even tougher obstacles. In my case it was distraction and work overload that played havoc with my security. Having just moved my family across the state to a totally new area was difficult and presented many challenges. Not only did my home need to be moved, but also my shop and business. The stress of moving, fatigue, and unfamiliar places can add up to spell disaster.

Some of the things I came up with during this move really assisted me; security disasters were averted, prevented and avoided. I thought it best to share some of the tips used in my move and couple them with some tried and true home security measures. Many of these things I’m sure aren’t new to the average homeowner. Whether you are constantly on the go or are new to an area these tips can be helpful. Are they being implemented? That is the question and my challenge to you.

Image courtesy of healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Vary your schedule and routes to home and work.

Neighbors notice when you leave and when you come home. If you are as predictable as the palace guard you are increasing your chances of being burglarized by a person near your home. Using different routes and varying times can also educate you on the area around your home. Which routes are most efficient at different times of day? Is there more than one way to get to work during construction or traffic problems? You can even learn what your neighbors and teenagers are doing during your time away by surprising them when showing up unexpectedly.

In my case learning the roads in my new neck of the woods has proven very valuable to me and my wife. My unpredictable schedule also kept potential crooks jumping as I could show up literally at any time of day. Moving vans and boxes are a dead giveaway that someone new is moving in… but counter balancing that with unpredictability helps immensely. Leave to the corner store and come right back, or even go around the block then home. This may seem like paranoia but it isn’t when you are in a new or unfamiliar place. I often did this without even meaning to as I habitually leave my coffee or briefcase wherever I go!

Lights and sound equals ACTION!

Give the impression of activity when you aren’t at home or work. Leave a radio turned on and couple that by leaving a light on as well. Many times people think you are still “there” when they get the impression of activity.

The reverse is of course, inactivity. Piled up phone books on the steps, items left in the same spot for weeks on end, no lights or sound; these things create a safe atmosphere for the crook. Ever walk into a place like a campground and just feel like “man, no one has been here for a LONG TIME.” Your home can also give that impression. You want the people around to believe that you are home or that you could be home at any time.

Light timers can be used on both lights, radios, and even televisions. No need for fancy home integration systems when a $15 timer will suffice. You can also have friends, relatives or trusted co-workers visit your place to create an impression of activity. Be careful handing out keys and alarm system codes however. Keys can be copied, and alarm codes can be mistakenly left for others to see. Lend out keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” available at your local locksmith shop, or have your locks construction keyed. This makes a key temporary until the owner removes it from the construction key system. Then the temporary key no longer works and the lock does not need to be rekeyed.

If you are moving into a previously occupied place, have it rekeyed.

Image courtesy of Michelle Meiklejolin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In the last tip it was suggested to have a place construction keyed for friends to create an atmosphere of activity when you are away or on vacation. But when you first buy or move in you must determine if the locks there are new, have been rekeyed, or even if they are already construction keyed or master keyed. You don’t want a stranger to just walk in during the middle of the night, do you? Nope and me either! Have a locksmith service your locks first thing when moving or renting a new place.

This isn’t going to break the bank if you do research and find a good local locksmith. If you are a DIY type of a person you can even replace the locks yourself by ordering them keyed alike from a hardware store or lock shop. Just make sure that when you move in all keys are accounted for and that locks are unique and in good working order. You also don’t want to get locked out by a malfunctioning lock or worn key.

The first thing I did upon getting our new home was have the locks replaced and rekeyed as needed. I was handed a pile of keys when I arrived by the previous occupant. Some of these keys did not work, some did, and a few I think were just pawned off on me. The lock to the shed didn’t work or have a key, the passage locks in the bathroom and basement didn’t work, and the exterior door locks had worn over-copied keys that worked intermittently. I spent some money, replace those that needed it, lubricated locks, rekeyed locks and fixed the ones that were easily repaired or adjusted.

Not only did this help my overall security. It gave my Wife and me peace of mind and lessened sources of possible stress. Yes it costs money to do it but it would have been more stressful if we were locked out and more expensive to have a locksmith come after hours to let us in. Also, no one has let themselves in with an unaccounted key as the locks are brand new! Seems like a no brainer to me!

Make eye contact and introduce yourself.

Another idea that can really help you and its obvious but overlooked. Be friendly to your new neighbors and introduce yourself! Make eye contact, smile, and stand up straight.

Yes I am a Dad, but that isn’t the reason I’m lecturing you. Crimes happen less frequently to confident people who create boundaries and to those who don’t act like a victim.

By making eye contact you are displaying confidence. When you smile and introduce yourself you are asserting yourself, and setting a social boundary. You are saying “I’m here and I’m not afraid to talk to you and let you know I’m here.” If you are a nice person your new neighbors might even look out for you and help you out with local problem people or situations. Most people are good and want to help you out. The people who aren’t nice will show their colors in this situation and ignore you or display behavior that tells you “go away”. This is good to know and is actual a good way to gather intelligence on your new neighbors. If they frown, avert their eyes, ignore you or refuse to shake hands you can bet that they might be someone to watch or avoid.

Two sets of eyes are better than one.

When you are busy it is difficult to notice the little things. If you are stressed out, tired, or overwhelmed it can be worse. Is that a snake or a garden hose? Try to buddy up with someone during your move or travels to make it safer.

My sixteen year old daughter is often texting away obliviously, but she noticed that I left my front door unlocked. My wife can’t move heavy things, but she was good at pointing out strategies and missed items during the move. Even my cat helped by finding things dropped under the appliances! Another set of eyes is vital when you are on the go or are moving. At one point I had a moving truck hit my work van… but it was under the watchful eye of my friend helping me move and we spotted the moving truck before it could leave the scene unnoticed by me. Another disaster averted!

Final Thoughts

Be sure to vary your schedule and routes. Create an atmosphere of action by using lights and sound to give the impression you are home or nearby. Replace or rekey locks and make sure you can secure your property and loved ones at night. Make eye contact, smile and introduce yourself to learn about the new people that surround you and to display confidence. Being friendly with new people can help you and your family. Lastly, travel with a buddy. Get a second set of eyes to increase your awareness and point out the things you miss.

True security is not simply knowing about security tips, it is in the implementation. Security measures must be part of your daily routine, so much so that when you are stressed out or tired, they practically implement themselves. Added stress like moving or hectic schedules should not derail your security program.

To my amazement and to my families’ amusement, I made many errors during this strenuous move. I left my work truck unlocked overnight with tools and products inside. I simply forgot to lock the deadbolt on the old place with our belongings still inside. I even lost important paperwork and misplaced many vital business documents! But in the end nothing was stolen, we weren’t burglarized, and we were always safe. By implementing these security tips regularly I was able to have a safe move, and in the end my family’s safety is more important than financial or business concerns. Make sure to implement these security tips when you travel, are on the go or are in the middle of a project or move. They made my difficult move safe, and hopefully they help you, too.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Modern arena matches exhibit the current perception of the “Warrior Class”.  But there is a dramatic difference between this and the Soldier in Afghanistan.  There is a difference in the Mindset and to an extent the Attitude, not so much in the training.  This can be easily viewed by watching the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship, or other exhibition fights.

Warrior:  a man engaged or experienced in warfare; broadly: a person engaged in some struggle or conflict.

Soldier: one engaged in military service and especially in the armyb: an enlisted man or womanc: a skilled warrior.

Merriam Webster’s’ Dictionary is little help in understanding the difference between a warrior and a soldier.  Society and pop culture interpretation also is of little assistance.  It takes a deeper understanding and some analysis.

The modern Mixed Martial Arts practitioner goes into the ring to fight his opponent based on rules set by a governing body.  They assign a referee to interact in the bout, and enforce the rulings of the judges.  So called “fighting fair”.

The soldier is trained to kill, then sent away from judges and referee’s to enforce the dictum of his national leader.  On the battlefield he must engage and defeat the enemy, as well as do his best to stay alive and keep his team mates alive.

Although both could be classified as warriors, one is trying to win an organized match: while the other is trying to defeat an enemy, and also stay alive.  He is putting his life on the line, while the other is putting his health at risk.

The MMA practitioner receives excellent training in hand-to-hand combat, and receives some of the best physical conditioning from top notch trainers and medical people.  He can indeed stop an attack, incapacitate an opponent, and even take a life.  BUT he is trained not to.

He knows that he can “tap out” or surrender with only momentary shame.  His team can throw in the towel, ending the match.  A ringside Doctor can also call the fight if there is the threat of injury beyond the confines of the match.  An unethical fighter could even feign a knockout and throw the fight for money or other reason.

The soldier can fight to the death or surrender.  No other choice exists. Surrender does not guarantee fair treatment, medical help, or life.  It could be a shortcut to torture and death.  There is no referee or team to throw in the towel when things get hairy.

Although both the soldier and the MMA “warrior” strive to win, they strive for different things entirely.  One fights for life, the other for glory.

Image courtesy of Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What does this have to do with Self-Defense and Survival?

We must adapt the mindset and attitude to win like a soldier when confronted on the street.  There is no referee, no judges, no doctor, and no team to throw in the towel.  A ring match and a fight for your wallet, family member, or even your life is going to be on the same playing field as the soldier.  This means the victor will have his life, not a trophy and bragging rights.

Although many of the MMA fighters receive excellent training, I have watched many “Tap out” when the going gets tough.  We don’t have that choice when we are fighting to survive… regardless of the situation.  You never give up for any reason.

MMA matches are a good motivator for the preparedness minded individual.  You get to see fighters slugging it out, their top conditioning, strategies, and excellent fighting technique.  It’s very good to watch, and heck, great entertainment.  But it stops there.

Many MMA fighters go on to join the Armed Forces or Law Enforcement and advance their mindset.  Some are even former soldiers who can participate in the match for the athletic competition.  We just must be careful to not confuse the Soldier and the MMA “Warrior”.  They are two completely different creatures with different mindsets. They both may have winning attitudes, but in reality only the living survivor truly has won.

Copyright 2009 by duracles.  Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

This is a sort of re-write of an older post on specialized items and ideas for your Bug Out Bag (BOB) or other survival kits. Sometimes we need to think outside the box, or plan for real life disasters that could happen during an evacuation. Obvious things like a flat tire could slow you down or not so apparent things like spare house keys for someone arriving after an event. Do you really want to leave your doors unlocked or have to break in to get a forgotten item? Other things are for counter-surveillance, repairs, or often overlooked items. Planning for the unknown is as important as planning for known hazards. Weather, chemical hazards, earthquakes and the like are more common scenarios….but what else can happen? Terrorist attacks, riots, psychotic gunmen, looters, even roving groups of refugees; many things happen that people do not plan for.

Please post your unconventional or specialized survival kit items as well. No illegal gear please.

• Spare Keys to Home, Car, & Work- It is really expensive to call a locksmith in the middle of the night, let alone a huge disaster or evacuation. Spare keys to home, cars, and businesses will save hassle, and possibly help someone arriving late or bugging out in a separate vehicle. Keep keys on person, hide them, or lock them in a special outdoor box.
• Fix a Flat- This stuff works pretty well. It isn’t the same as a spare tire, but it usually takes less time and gets you pretty far. It may just get you to a safer place to repair the tire or put on a spare.
• Camouflage Netting- Need to hide a car fast? Netting is much faster than using cut bushes and branches. Also works well to hide a tent, or other make-shift shelter. Why hide? Looters, beggars, bad-guys, the unprepared, etc may be out to take your stuff. This item isn’t for everyone, but those by wooded areas, or remote areas could benefit from this item.
• Digital Voice Recorder– Note ideas or routes during emergency, record message to loved ones (on route, important items, where things are, where you will go, etc), and keep a sort of journal of events. Usually they are somewhat cheap $30-$100 and fit in a pocket. They are about the size of a pack of gum. Stash it in a place only you and family members know about at home, work or cache site.
• Rechargeable Spotlight- Many of these recharge with a 12v lighter adapter, and use bright bulbs. Many are waterproof, and some come with the built in tripod. Have used these hunting, searching for addresses, and for signaling. Most are $20-$80.
• Night Vision- This can be anything from a hand held scope to a pair of military goggles. Night vision is cheap these days; you can find decent scopes online @ Cabela”s, Harbour Freight, and Wal-mart. Most run on regular batteries. Prices around $80-$1000 depending. Most inexpensive digital video recorders have built in night vision or low-light of some kind.

• Set of basic hand tools- Just get a selection of pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools. Most of us include a multi-tool of some type, but real construction grade tools can make a big difference. Hard to replace a drill, socket set, or crowbar with a multi-tool. Many times just getting a bunch of spare tools from the garage will suffice. Usually due to weight, this type of addition to a kit is for vehicular use, but not always.
• Binoculars, monocular, spotting scopes, etc- Self-explanatory but the ability to see far away is pretty advantageous. You can get cheap binoculars starting around $12 and go up from there. Rugged rubberized or armored sets are better, especially those that come weatherproof.
• Directional Listening Device- These are illegal in some area’s so check laws. Basically this is a sensitive listening device to hear things far away like animals, bad guys, etc. There are also heat sensing devices, blood tracking lights, etc that are more specialized for counter-surveillance preparedness. These types of items vary greatly in price and can be easily found online.
• Car Battery Jumper Kit- This is usually available at Sears and other hardware or automotive stores. Basically it is a 12v battery that comes with built in cables to jump  a dead car battery. Very handy! Also some models come with hazard signal, radio, spotlight, and power inverter. The power inverter is very hand to power communications equipment, recharge batteries, run power tools, and the like. Usually these run $60 and up.
• Insulated Coveralls- Carhartt makes this type of clothing, so do many manufacturers. What I really like about these is that they quickly go on OVER the clothes you are wearing, including boots. Fast to put on, warm, and usually somewhat weather-proof; this is a great addition to your kits. The only downfall is the bulky nature of the clothing when stored. Being able to don your coveralls with out getting undressed will save time. Usually they sell these in camo, brown, and black. Some are reversible as well. Many brands are out there and start at $20 and go up.
• Laptop Computer- These are very important for communication, news, and storing personal info. Spare batteries are nice, but expensive. Strangely, many accounts during Katrina show people ONLY able to contact family by email instead of cellular or land lines. Great for watching movies, and other entertainments especially when children are there. You can get used or refurbished laptops for anywhere from $150-$400.

• Pets & Pet Food- Don’t leave your little buddies behind! It may take a while to get back to rescue them. Bring food, water, etc. Dogs will be handy for carrying gear and some are good for an early warning system. Dog backpacks are available so Rover can carry his own food and treats. There are also rubberized dog boots for paw protection. For smaller pets you may need pet carriers…especially to board any type of transportation other than the family car.
• Misc. Personal Necessities- Can’t live without your special neck-pain pillow? Orthopedic devices for daily function? Can you only use certain soaps, lotions, or other hygienic agents? Seriously, many folks need specific items to be able to function on a daily basis. Personally, I have a few that would make my time a mess if I were bugging out without them. This also includes things like spare contact lenses, spare eyeglasses, prescription medications and the like. I have a buddy that gets migraines and if he doesn’t pack his meds, the stress of an evacuation could render him helpless and/or useless to his family.
• Map books, GPS, State Maps, Recreational Maps- Get these things now before you need them. If you intend to bug out to another city or state, get maps to these areas. Plan out an escape route, then plan a 2^nd and 3^rd. Map these on Google Maps or the like, and give copies to family. You can also keep them in your car, in your safe or safety deposit box at the bank for others to claim later. GPS is very convenient, fast, and cheap but keep paper maps as a back up. I like to coat maps with waterproofing, or have them laminated. Some companies sell pre-laminated map books as well.

Keep this gear with other emergency gear to grab fast. Keep near the door, in a car, or cached for emergency access. Other survival kit basics such as food, water, shelter, signal, fire, and defensive gear should be kept there as well.

The Wild fires in CA are a good example of needing to go in a moments notice. Some things cannot be taken, or are too bulky….Home fire safes are good for family pictures, jewelry, and important documents such as ID, wills, deeds, and other banking information. If you live in a fire danger area get the highest fire rating possible. Most quality safes are rated for a 1 hour burn time. Cheap safes are only rated for ½ hour. All safes should be screwed down, or bolted to the floor to prevent easy removal by a thief. Keep safes hidden or low-profile in the home.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

First off, what is Every Day Carry? Everyday carry (EDC) is the lifestyle of being prepared. Having a survival kit or first aid kit at home or in the car is preparedness. But having a kit on you during your entire day is in reality, the lifestyle of being prepared. Lifestyle is the “way you live”. Not a hobby or a form of brief entertainment. For instance, you may know someone who dabbles with the guitar. But then there are folks like Jimi Hendrix who became one with the guitar, and really embodied the term “guitarist”. Hendrix played the guitar everyday. When he didn’t have one, he pretended. He was known to sleep next to his guitar. In the Army, he kept one close by. He spent the short life he lived playing more and accomplishing a level unattainable by most. Those who carry an EDC kit are the real life true practitioners of the Art of Survival and embody the term “preparedness”.

What is an EDC kit? The term “kit” is deceptive. The EDC includes the clothes you wear, the shoes, the jacket and even your accoutrements. The philosophy of EDC is to have everything on you that ensures your protection from the elements, hazards, and other people. This includes disasters, severe weather, extreme terrain, physical conflict and also providing basic needs like shelter, food, water and the ability to communicate. You don’t have to look like a Bedouin or a SWAT team member. Part of the concept is that you blend in, not giving away the treasure trove of useful tools and equipment on your person for others to steal, envy or attempt to rely on. You want to appear, as you really are, an average person who is prepared to meet the challenges of any given day. You do not want to look like Rambo, Indiana Jones or the Terminator. But think of yourself more like a MacGyver or a Batman while in perfect disguise. You can use the hidden tools at hand to ensure your survival, and the people that you love or care about too by keeping yourself in safe condition.

What about when I’m jogging, or out on a date, or even at work? The lifestyle of being prepared is about ALWAYS being prepared.

You can compromise intelligently based on your activity. Wear a suit or skirt and heels to work? You can still have a small lighter, key chain flashlight, and pocketknife in your purse or pocket. Not to mention the bounty of space offered in a briefcase, laptop bag, or business tote. An executive without a cell phone is almost unheard of these days. A cell phone allows you to communicate with co-workers, friends, and loved ones. It carries personal information, some have cameras to record events, and in emergencies you can call in the police or the EMT. It allows you to get up to date information, co-ordinate, and in some cases they have a built-in tracking device to use to find a persons location. In this sense, a Laptop or pad is also an excellent investment for the ability to store information, provide detailed news or research, and communicate with allies. Nowadays, a laptop case is the ultimate urban camouflage. They can carry a jacket, water bottle, extra shoes, flashlight, handgun, first aid kit, and lunch to boot. What about while exercising? You can carry a lot without looking like it. When training you can carry a folding knife with a clip and carry it in your waistband. You can strap a tiny MP3 player to your arm. A bandana around your head or in your pocket can be used as a bandage, dust mask, or weapon.

Your clothing can be functional as well. Windbreaker, trail running shoes, loose fitting top and pants are excellent to fight, evade, and blend into the crowd with. Appearing to be non-threatening is important during a crisis like a robbery, assault, or dispute. Blending in is very important so that you are not assumed to be the antagonist, hero, scumbag, or excellent choice for a kidnapping or hostage situation. The quality of your clothing is more important than the brand name. Too expensive a style of clothing pinpoints you as being wealthy and too poor as a homeless person desperate for valuables or drugs. Try to appear as an average, working person who belongs in the city or locale that you are in. Be it Calcutta or Houston. Most of all, buy clothing that performs its function. A jacket that actually insulates, stops water, and protects from the wind is vital. Shoes that breathe, keep your feet warm and dry, provide traction and protect you from blisters are probably the most vital part of your kit. The simplest form of travel is walking. It is free, quiet, and during major disasters most likely will be your main source of travel. You should be able to run, jump, kick, and walk long distances with your shoes. There are even ways to lace your shoes that will assist you. Using para cord as shoelaces gives you another tool for survival. Paracord is a nylon high test-strength rope used for parachutes.

It is known to be very tough for its thickness, and handy like duct tape. You can find many colors, and can even lace in a hidden compass, razor blade, or P-38 can opener. You can also lace your shoes or boots in such a manner that they are quick to cut off in case you need to swim or ditch your footwear. Does this seem too extreme or too expensive? Remember, survival is your lifestyle, not your hobby.

As you begin to consider the clothing, and items that you carry every day, you become informed of the possibilities and functions of them. This is a natural byproduct of the lifestyle, and a happy one at that. You can be more fully aware of the things that you purchase, use items to their fullest potential and see things as having many uses. You become more of a recycler of goods. Not that you would horde trash, but actually that you need less as you learn that most things have more than one use. A belt can be used as a tourniquet, rope, weapon, strap, equipment carrier, tree climbing device, and if it is strong enough, as a belay or seat for rappelling or as a towrope. An excellent example of this is the character in the movie “Castaway”. He is the only survivor of a plane ditched in the ocean. The character manages to arrive on a small island after being adrift on a lifeboat. He only has what is on his person, and what he can recover from a few packages from the plane, and later from a dead pilot that he finds half submerged in the water on the beach. He uses an ice skate, plastic door, boat oar, and even local plant life to affect his eventual rescue. In most situations, scavenging from stuff lying in the street or the dead will be at the least a social stigma and at most considered looting and can cause your death. Therefore, having the basic essentials on your person is a huge advantage. Putting care and thought into your EDC is something that can save your money, family, and life in the long run.

Your kit should not be limited to items that only appear to be everyday. Some items are very specialized and cannot be made to appear innocuous. Firearms, compasses, water filters, and tools aren’t considered everyday items to the average person. However carrying items inside bags, pockets, in ordinary looking belongings, or hidden will prevent embarrassing or life threatening situations. Carrying a firearm concealed should only follow the laws in your area. Carrying a firearm illegally does you and your family no good if it is discovered at a roadblock, after a dispute, while talking with law enforcement or rescue personnel, in a verbal disagreement, during disaster evacuation, or if it is used to defend yourself then later it is used against you in a lawsuit. Also, knowing how to safely carry, fire, unload, load and holster a firearm is essential. Negligent discharges are deadly. So carry your firearm legally, and get training. There is an incredible amount of ways to carry firearms concealed. Do some research, and spend some money. Comfort, retention, accessibility, actual concealment, reliability and wear are the things to consider. Also, carry a reload for your weapon. Redundancy is not bad in survival situations. Having items that do overlapping jobs or having a spare item is great practice as you can equip an ally or stash it for later retrieval. Spare items can be sold or traded. In emergencies, items can be overlooked, left behind, broken, fail or even be stolen. Having multiple methods as back up in the military is called a fail safe. Basically, there is say one computer that does a job. Then there is also a back up that kicks in. Finally, if the back up fails there is a tertiary measure such as a third computer that will kick in. You don’t have to carry 3 firearms, or 3 knives, but 3 lighters or forms of currency, or three forms of identification won’t weigh you down. Also having three friends to contact in an emergency isn’t bad. Remember, having too much gear will mark you as a target or slow you down during travel or evacuation. Sometimes you must carry a loved one, extra gear or just move quickly so keeping your kit light is high on your priority list.

This brings us to how you carry your items. As mentioned earlier, a tote or purse is great. However, if you have 2 seconds to jump out a door or over a fence, these can be left behind. Part of the EDC system is that you carry everything on your person, without extra backpacks, or bags. One retailer specifically makes non-military looking vests and jackets that appear completely unremarkable. Amazingly, they have up to thirty pockets including pockets for electronics, water bottles, and identification. Another method is to carry ultra light and miniaturized equipment so that the impact of carrying a kit is minimized. Micro LED key chain flashlights, micro multi-tools, mini Bic lighters, small flip cell phones, and “baby” or “micro” handguns such as snub-nosed revolvers and automatics in the smaller calibers. Yet another method is to purchase items that do more than one task. Flashlight/pens, belt w/hidden cash compartment, belt buckle knives, key chains with built in devices, cell phones with camera, day planner, audio recorder and flashlight, and combo signaling devices such as whistles with built in match holder, flint, and compass. These items are commonly available at stores such as Sharper Image, Wal-Mart, army surplus stores, camping stores, and knife shops or gun shops. Don’t forget to look at do-it-yourself solutions. Fanny packs, passport pouches, bra wallets, and other travel pouches make excellent everyday carriers for your gear. Even ace-type bandages, baggy clothes, and medical tape can be used if necessary. The more you can fit is not as important as it appearing that you are not carrying extra or out of the ordinary equipment. Try to maintain your personal style, work dress code requirements, and what is appropriate for different occasions. A relative seeing a bowie knife under your shirt, or a boss seeing a gun strapped to your ankle is more than just embarrassing. Be creative, and enjoy this aspect of EDC. It is challenging and fun, as you compete with others awareness. Children are very good at spotting out of the ordinary things, and are not usually afraid to mention it so use them as a tool but also, be wary.

Lastly, on carrying your kit, be sure to carry items in a fashion that allows you to function. You want the items to maintain their integrity, and stay on your person as well. Make sure items are secure. Can you crawl, run, jump, lay prone, roll, climb, and walk quickly without sounding like a toolbox and without losing all your gear? Test your carry method for concealment, retention, and integrity. Also make sure items do not rub you raw or cause reactions or even injure you. When you test your carry first do everyday tasks around the house. See if it changes your walking pattern or noticeably shifts your clothes independently of your movement. This is a sign your kit is too heavy or bulky. As you sit, lie down, and lean make sure items aren’t becoming exposed, slipping, or even falling out. All of these issues must be addressed before you go to the next level. Next, go to the store and do some shopping or go to the park. Do things that require bending, taking long steps, and dealing with the public. Make sure that your kit is secure and undetectable. Even if your kit is somewhat detectable under close scrutiny, this is better than an obvious kit exposed to all. Wear different types of clothing, and jackets. Wear summer clothing, and go for a walk or jog. Lastly, you want to do an extreme test. Go play paintball with your kit. Go play some touch football, or a game of basketball. Make a sort of obstacle course in your yard or at the park. You want to make sure your kit is intact. If you are trying to crawl under a fence, or sneak down a staircase you do not want objects falling out and clattering or hanging up and snagging you to other objects.

In an extreme situation you could be climbing trees, taking cover under objects, jumping fences, running, wading through water, swimming, hiking steep hills, or picking your way through broken glass. You could be dealing with flood, fire, explosion, riot, tornado, rainstorm, blizzard or total darkness. You may be carrying extra gear, injured personnel, pets, or you may be boarding up widows, or digging trenches or stacking heavy equipment. You may be pulling yourself out of a car wreck, or building collapse. These scenarios are not intended to frighten you, only to give you a way to plan your kit for carry and item selection. It is a mandatory aspect of EDC that you test the way you carry your kit. It shows you what is important, reveals weaknesses in your system, and keeps you constantly aware of your EDC kit. Keep in mind that your kit will be exposed to many extreme elements, so you should plan for that accordingly. Purchase or use items that are robust, water resistant, and consider spare batteries for your electronics. Batteries should not be exposed to water or heat. One resource to keep electronics and batteries dry is the cheap zip-lock bag method. You can also use condoms, or waterproof tape. Pelican makes high quality waterproof boxes that are small and break resistant plastic. Prepare your clothing as well. Be aware that some clothing tears easily, and some materials do not dry quickly or melt fast when applied to heat. Some natural materials are excellent for your EDC. Wool is recommended, as it is resistant to most elements, and even when wet provides some insulation. Leather is tough, and can be waterproofed quite easily. Both are somewhat fire resistant. Man-made materials like Gore-Tex dry quickly, stops wind and water, and are fairly resistant to wear. Whatever your clothing choices, be sure to keep clothes in good repair and mend then regularly. Boots and shoes should be polished or waterproofed as needed.

EDC kits become smaller over time, and you begin to adapt to having the extra gear on your person. It is nice having a small flashlight and pocketknife as many know, but having a needle and thread in your wallet is a lifesaver if you rip your pants on the way to work or a button falls off your blouse. Also, as you learn about items doing multiple jobs you discover that fishing line, for instance, makes great floss, thread, and tripwires. Or that having a small magnet can hide a key, retrieve dropped keys, or just keep notes paperwork from falling as you work under the hood of your car. You will enjoy the self-confidence and feelings of self-reliance as you go, and possibly those around you will appreciate your handy presence, and take note. Offered in closing are some words of advice, and also a list of suggested items that have worked well for your peers who also live the EDC lifestyle.

Pocket knife– Make sure the knife is lightweight but strong, and easy to get to fast. Brands that offer written warranty are the best. Save your money, and buy one good quality knife. Then buy more inexpensive back-ups. One good knife can last a lifetime. Clean, oil, and sharpen your knife to maintain its usefulness. Ceramic and titanium both have benefits, but more common steel blades are easy to bend back into shape or expediently sharpen in the field.

Flashlight-With LED type flashlights available, why get anything else? The bulbs burn brighter, last longer, and save battery life. Also, you can use rechargeable batteries and carry spares, as well as use solar, vehicle (12 Volt) or regular wall outlets to charge them. Many of the LED flashlights are shockproof inherently, and water resistant.

Wrist Watch-Most watches of good quality already have all the features one would hope for. The watchband is fairly important, as you want a material that will be strong, and not wear quickly. There are some watches out there that offer panic buttons that tie in with your alarms system, heart rate monitors, radios, TV, and other goodies. Usually, you can buy a wrist compass that attaches to the watchband, but check these for quality.

Multi-Tools-This is definitely a category where you get more bang for your buck. Most choose to carry a full size multi-tool as they are more reliable, and capable of doing the jobs one would use them for. However, they can get quite heavy. Some tools come with a nice black finish that is non-reflective. If you decide to carry one in a pocket, consider a dummy cord or leash lanyard. Real Swiss army knives are great multi-tools as well.

Dust Mask-Paper dust masks come in many varieties. Most will fold up, and can be carried in a back pocket. Bandanas, handkerchiefs, and balaclavas are good too. Most dust masks use an elastic band, so be careful if you have an allergy to this material.

Cash-Try to carry many denominations of cash and coins. If you live near a border to another country, carry their cash too, as well as your passport. Coin purses are great to silence coins, and prevent their loss and they are great to stash other gear too. Hide your cash on your person, using a secret place, such as a money belt or ankle pouch.

Laser Pointer-Amazingly useful for signaling, testing for smoke, and for pointing or “painting” far away objects. Do not point them directly into the eyes of anyone.

Condom-Useful to waterproof gear, carry water, or “hide” valuables. Package has to remain intact however, and this is difficult. Be aware of expiration date. Non-lubed is better for multiple uses.

Tiny Can Opener-If you opt to not carry a multi-tool or Swiss army type knife; you really need one of these. Military P-38 can opener can fit on your key chain and really works. A regular knife can open a can, but it dulls on a steel can quickly.

Large Needle-A heavy gauge sewing needle is great in ones wallet or belt pouch. It is easy to find makeshift thread, but really difficult to find a makeshift needle. Great for taking out splinters, sewing, lancing blisters, scrapping tools, or as a weapon.

Bic Lighter-So cheap, reliable, lightweight, and small that there is no excuse not to carry two. Zippo type lighters or butane lighters are great but require a lot of maintenance. They are also heavy and expensive. Another item that is very useful is the pocket torch. Pocket torches are available at hardware stores, hobby stores and at stores such as Radio Shack. However, these could be considered drug paraphernalia in some states.

D Carabiner-Another great overlooked item for your kit. These are so incredibly useful and strong that they are almost mandatory. They can be used to secure gear, carry keys, stash items, and of course as connective devices. Go to a climbing supply store and purchase a real carabiner, with weight ratings. Don’t go for the dime store copies.

Permanent Marker-Some of these markers write on almost any surface, and don’t wash off. Many types and colors are available. Great for marking property, leaving messages, writing notes (even on skin!), and marking a trail. Most will write on metal and glass.

Belt-Usually the workhorse of carrying all your gear. Also can be purchased as a money belt with hidden compartment. Buy real leather or strong nylon. Cheap is very bad. Some belts will take buckles of different types, and many buckles are made that conceal useful gear and weapons. Be careful of your local laws when considering a weapon.

Slim Signaling Mirror-Can be obtained at sporting goods, and backpacking stores. All metal is better for strength. Mirrors offer a multitude of uses, but are often a pain to carry.

Magnifying Glass-Do some research on this item. Some fit in your wallet and are actually shaped as to focus light to start emergency fires. There are many types, however. Some fit on key chains, or are used to examine jewelry, and some are made of plastic rather than glass.

Pocket Radio– MP3 players and smart phones fall into this area. Some offer TV, short wave, AM/FM, emergency band, and the like. Some can be solar charged, hand pumped (to charge battery), or work on small batteries. Headphones are nice to listen to the radio in quiet, and constantly monitor news stations live. There are many phone Apps that offer many preparedness options: compass, police scanner, weather forecasts, etc.

Sunglasses/Safety Glasses-Protective eyewear is a must. Only purchase quality, proven brands. Find glasses that protect from UV/UB rays, impact, and still allow good peripheral vision. Find glasses that fit your head snug, and consider carrying prescription glasses as well. Oakley is a very good brand for EDC.

Medications-Carry your medications in a waterproof container at all times. Carry at least, a three-day supply. Keep cycling the pills around so fresh pills are inserted periodically. Carry a card in your wallet describing your medical condition. Consider writing directions on dosage, in case you are unable to dose your medication yourself.

Copyright 2006 by duracles. Reprint permission granted provided the article stays intact.

Survival fitness: this is by far the most overlooked and undervalued area in survival training and preparedness… not to mention plain self-defense. Basically, we need to be in relatively good shape to be better able to handle situations life may throw at us.

• Can you roll a jack under your car and put the spare tire on?
• Can you climb a fence to avoid an attacking vicious dog?
• Can you run a half block to catch a wayward toddler about to cross the street?
• Can you carry a 40 lb. backpack all day, walking across town?

These are a few examples of everyday occurrences that can happen to anyone at anytime. Notice that none of these examples are extreme unlikely instances. Every one of these things has happened to me, and I don”t live in an action movie type of lifestyle!

Therefore the question remains…… what if? What if I have to chase a man abducting my child? Can I do it? What if I have to run ten blocks to avoid a dangerous chemical spill? What if I have to live out of my backpack for 3 days? These things are more extreme; but as a person interested in survival we should be prepared physically to meet the challenge. Training, attitude, and survival gear aren”t the only things keeping us alive out there. It is also the ability to run, jump, crawl, swim, and get back up that could determine the outcome of an extreme situation.

Fitness Basics

There are some basics we all learned in gym class that still apply today. Here they are in random order:

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Endurance
• Speed

Remember we are talking basics! I am not saying you have to out lunge an Olympic Fencer, or outrun a Grizzly Bear. Fitness basics are designed to be easy to improve, attainable by your average person, and show results quickly.

Strength training may include push-ups, weight lifting, resistance training or even dynamic tension. Flexibility is obviously stretching, toning and full normal range of motion. Pilates or Yoga can greatly improve your flexibility, but also may improve your strength and balance.

Endurance is a general term but refers here to the ability to perform sustained exercise like running, swimming, jogging and fast walking. This can be improved in a number of ways from stationary bicycling, walking, and jogging to rollerblading and dancing. Exercise can and should be fun otherwise you will not do it. Speed can also be improved by the above exercises; but also by playing tennis, racquetball, and other sports. Speed is the most difficult attribute to measure, but is the easiest to see improvements in.

Please consult your family physician before attempting ANY exercise program. Start gradually, and be sure to note the details in a training notebook or journal. The simplest exercise program is walking. You can do it in a large indoor mall, in the park, or just in your neighborhood. It is free and you don”t need any fancy equipment besides comfortable shoes. Swimming is considered by many to be the best single exercise program to improve all of your basic fitness attributes. Swimming is easy to do, inexpensive, and can be learned quickly.

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/fs_prof.pdf Basic fitness guidelines from health.gov website.

http://www.fitness.gov/resources/organizations/index.html Fitness resources, websites, and organizations.

Advanced Physical Fitness and Training

Once you have started a fitness program, you may want to focus on more specific areas of improvement. This can be the most rewarding and fun area in your fitness program. You may want to join a competitive shooting organization, or go on an extended hike in the wilderness. You might decide to join a martial arts program, join a weekly fitness class, or advance your current regimen to the next level.

Whatever you decide it will be an expression of you and your interests. You might be surprised at how beneficial and empowering this can actually be! Your survival fitness program could spill over into other areas of your life and improve the overall quality of living in general. It is worth the risk…. You can feel better and be prepared for what life throws your way.

Motivation

At the end of the day, we all need to monitor our health and get some exercise. To stay motivated we need to think beyond “what is best for us”. Personally my family is a reason for me to stay in shape. I want to be able to protect my family, and also be able to work hard to support them.

Friends are good motivators. They may give an encouraging work, chide or shame us when needed, or even present a friendly competitive aspect to working out. If they want to jump in and start an exercise program with you go for it!

An exercise journal can also motivate. Once you see the results on paper, it can really encourage one to continue the program. Also, you may feel the need to fill up the volume with achievements and measurements. Usually it can take up to 3 months to see dramatic changes, but you will notice results after your first week!

Lastly, avoid being derailed completely. Don”t allow set backs to make you feel like giving up. Some of these could be minor illnesses, busy work schedules, holidays, or even short breaks. Allow yourself room to be flexible with set backs, and realize they are common for all people. Friends not showing up to work out? Flu symptoms playing havoc with you? Sleep poorly or too much work? Make note of the break in your diary and begin anew without self-recriminations.

Staying motivated can be difficult, but in time you will figure out what works best for you. Compliments from friends and family (or jealousy!) can be very motivating. Fitting into old clothes or having to buy new ones is also motivating. Even just feeling better can be a huge boost in your motivational battery.

Conclusion

Your level of survival fitness is not determined by outside factors or environment. Your level of fitness is determined by you. If you allow yourself to watch television or eat candy all day; who is to blame? Get off the couch and go for a walk or park far away from the grocery store and carry the groceries rather than use a cart. Ride a bike or walk to events close by. Make exercise dates for yourself where you do something fun, unusual or exciting.

Things like river rafting, rock climbing, or horseback riding aren’t out of the realm of possibilities for most and these types of things can be fun! Reward yourself for exercising by buying a nice gift for yourself, or going to a favorite restaurant or event. In the end, the ability to run, jump, swim and climb will be a reward unto itself. You will feel more confident, and definitely be able to meet life”s challenges whether they are mundane or extraordinary.

Fitness is definitely an important part of survival, preparedness and self-defense training. Like a survival kit, or a concealed carry permit it can mean the difference in walking away from an emergency…. Or being carried away.

Copyright 2010 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Making do; many times I marvel at how wasteful a society our western culture can be. We are told that “convenience is king”, and if you need something, buy it. Very rarely are we told to save our money or the dreaded “make do with what you have” that parents around the world tell their kids or have heard as a kid. No new bicycle, Bobby!

Some things you cannot make do without easily. Some things come naturally when you put forth some effort. Don”t be too hasty to sell your gear or throw it away when you might be able to use it. I”m not saying be cheap or that you should save garbage! This is more a lesson in improvisation and the ability to make do, or in using what is at hand.

Here are a few tips. Of course a few are blatant, but some may stimulate your mind. Let”s see what you come up with and reply to this post!

1. The water bottle- Starting with the easy stuff first. Buy a bottle of water at the store? Keep the empty bottle to refill. Keep it clean of course… but they last a really long time and are fairly tough. Milk jugs seem to deteriorate however; but the 12 oz. bottles last. They can also be used to waterproof documents or cache money, batteries, etc.
2. String, Rope and Wire- Clothes line, hardware store twine, twisty cord wires, zip ties, bungee cords… you name it. If it can secure an item or if it can help you organize your gear keep it. I am not advocating hording piles and piles mind you, just save what seems prudent and reasonable. Hardware stores sell this stuff… why not just keep a few items and save some cash?
3. Hardware- Screws, nails, L brackets, nuts and bolts, washers, and scrap metals. This stuff is vital in an area prone to hurricanes. If you already have a box of 3″ lag screws, you have half the materials to cover windows. Lumber is easier to find than screws and nails. I like the original black and white movie “Night of the Living Dead” where the young man is trying to board the doors and windows to keep out marauding zombies. In an emergency you don”t want to spend your time searching. Get your gear and materials and go!

1. Scrap Wood- Seemingly another no brainer. Wood can be used to brace doors against looters, board windows, build shelves, etc. It also burns of course, so coupled with a steel drum or fireplace you have warmth and the ability to cook. I am amazed going to construction sites and finding so much scrap in the dumpsters. If you dive dumpsters on construction sites, ask permission first. Saves hassle, and is polite. (Some wood used in construction is treated with chemicals, so do not burn it indoors.)
2. Card board- What? Boxes are easy to store, you break them down and stick them somewhere. Then when you need boxes to pack food, clothes, and other gear you have them at the ready. Store some packing tape too. Cardboard is also a decent insulator when dry.
3. Plastic sheeting- Another good construction dumpster find. Some plastic is thick and rugged; some is thin and rips easy. You want the thicker mil, as they call it. You can buy it new, or just see what you find at home or garage sailing. Most people give the stuff away! It is great for making improvised shelter, poncho, ground cloth or waterproofing for your backpack.
4. Batteries- This tip may seem eye-rollingly obvious but you would be amazed at some of the silly things I”ve seen folks do. First of all, buy rechargeable batteries when you can. You are throwing money away buying anything else unless they are impossible to get rechargeable or if they seem to fail unless they are alkaline. Secondly, purchase an inexpensive Radio Shack battery tester. Even save “low” charged batteries, they will work in remotes, clocks and other low draw items for a surprising amount of time.
5. Containers- Tupperware, zip lock bags, backpacks, jars, tool boxes, and the like. Save a few of these items when you are thinking “I don”t need this anymore”, and put them towards your survival or camping gear. Stuff in good order that REALLY is not needed can be sold at a garage sale or flea market. Seriously, it”s hard to set aside money for survival gear of all things!Why not make what you can stretch, or pay for itself when possible.
6. Tools- Never throw away a working tool. You have what is called a “barter item”. Don”t go out and purchase stuff to barter or trade with. Use what you have and what you don”t need. For instance, corded drills are sort of un-cool nowadays, but honestly they have more torque and they work fine. Old hammers, crow bars, jacks, screw drivers…you name it. It may not be worth anything to you, but to the guy trying to rebuild his house after a tornado it is priceless. This is another item that can make you money on eBay, Craigslist, garage sales, and at the flea market.
7. Clothing- I am not advocating saving styles that are painful to look at! But some things never go out of style, and you can use this article of clothing to cache for later, use to work in, keep spare in a survival kit, or be ready to give to others after a catastrophe. Giving to Goodwill is a great thing to do, but clothing that fits you that you own is a good thing. One or two sets of shirts, pants, and undergarments are enough. Spare jackets, gloves, hats, and boots are very nice to have tucked away for an emergency too.
8. Pots, Pans and Utensils- Keep a frying pan, sauce pan and some utensils in a small box ready to go. Another decent barter item or donation to the needy. Remember it”s difficult to cook without pans! It looks easy to cook a piece of beef on a stick in the movies, but it is a pain. Tip: Plastic “disposable” spoons and forks actually can be reused quite a bit. Always include some kind of pot in your survival kit to boil water, and a steel or plastic cup. (I know you can buy titanium survival sporks at REI, but again we are making do!)
9. Books- Books are another item that is sort of un-cool today.Kindle, laptops, iPads, and smart phones make books seem a waste of space. In an emergency there may not be power…or we could experience the oft talked about EMP or Electromagnetic Pulse. Anyway, at least books on how to repair, cook, or operate machinery should be kept. Some good ones would be: The Air Force Survival Manual, Chilton”s Manual for your vehicle, Red Cross First Aid, Edible Plants, Poisonous Snakes and Insects, etc.

So there are 12 categories to begin with. Hopefully you thought of some things to add and will post them. Honestly, it is not so much the item as the mindset. You must be able to improvise or use things expediently. You could be caught away from family and survival gear. You may have to dumpster dive, or use what you have on hand to make a shelter or prepare food. One may have to do repairs on a vehicle, or apply first aid with duct tape and plastic bags. Get into the frame of mind to make do, and then you can survive WITHOUT your survival gear.

Copyright 2010 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.