american survival guide - summer 2014

OR

AMERICAN

SURVIVAL GU

IDEVOLU

ME 3 ISSU

E 1APRIL/M

AY 2014FROM

THE EDITORS OF W

orld of Firepower

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WILD ANIMAL ATTACKS4 SCENARIOS, 4 SOLUTIONS

VEHICLE SURVIVAL STRATEGIES16 TIPS TO STAY ALIVE

SAFETY IN NUMBERSFORM A SURVIVAL GROUP

6 Small-Game Hunting Tips

PLUS

{Top 10 Dogs For Preppers}

FIRST-AID 411: HANDLE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

35+LIFE-SAVING PRODUCTS

KEYS TOFINDING

WATER

6 1

0 71486 01506 2

FROM THE EDITORS OF WORLD OF FIREPOWERVOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 APRIL/MAY 2014

U.S. $8.99 DISPLAY UNTIL: 5/13/2014

Engaged Media By Beckett

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Whats Poisonous

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TOOL

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ASG_1404_COVER1 2/11/14 10:17 PM Page US_C1

Ready whenever you are, wherever life takes you.Carbon Fiber Case KnivesThe unparalleled combination of strength and feather-light weight of Carbon Fiber has made it one of the most favored reinforced polymers for many of todays high-tech industries, from sporting goods to automotive and even aerospace.

Now Case brings you Carbon Fiber pocket knives tough tools that are up to 40% lighter than their bone or synthetic handled counterparts. Seven handypatterns make up the Case Carbon Fiber family, each with satin nished Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades that are ready for heavy duty work. Available at Case dealers everywhere.

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4 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE

A PERFECT PIECE Rugers 10/22 Takedown: the ultimate survival weapon.By Wes Parker

COVER

60

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) Volume 3, Number 1 is published 6 times a year February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/November, December/January by BeckettMedia, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o Beckett Media, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244. 2014 byBeckett Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Returnundeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.

ASG_1404_TOC.EP 2/6/14 6:08 AM Page 4

122

103

84

55

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 5

FIRST AID108 INTRODUCTION

109 EMERGENCY DRILLLearn trauma first-aid basics and save a life.By Larry Schwartz

114 KIT COMPLIANCEIn the event of a medical emergency, makesure you have the right gear for the job! By Larry Schwartz

118 TECH ON TOPICStay abreast of state-of-the-art first-aid technology. By Larry Schwartz

URBANPREPAREDNESS

19 INTRODUCTION

20 CAR TALKImportant vehicle survival strategies in theevent of a breakdown. By Tony Nester

26 HOME AWAY FROM HOMEA bug-out hideaway that cant be beat. By Torrey Kim

30 ONE TOUGH TRUCKA bug-out vehicle thats ready to roll. By Tori Tellem

GENERALPREPAREDNESS

37 INTRODUCTION

38 SOLD ON SILVER AND GOLDThe ABCs of buying precious metals in aneconomic disaster. By Alex LaGrand

42 BEST BANG FOR THE BUCKMaximize your resources by pairing upfirearms to use the same ammo. By Abe Elias

50 UNITED WE STANDHow to put together an effective survivalgroup. By Abe Elias

HOMESTEADINGPREPAREDNESS

63 INTRODUCTION

64 GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALLHomesteader Merlyn Seeley talks aboutcomplete self-sufficiency. By Torrey Kim

68 THE BOTTOM LINE ON BEANSConsider these venerable legumes as aprotein substitute. By Alex LaGrand

71 THE SHOVEL SCOOPA basic tool that could prove to be the mostvaluable. By Abe Elias

74 INQUIRING MINDSGet answers to some frequently asked survival questions. By Torrey Kim

79 MANS BEST FRIENDSChoose the best canine companion for youroutdoor experience. By Alex LaGrand

WILDERNESSPREPAREDNESS

89 INTRODUCTION

90 CALL OF THE WILDLearn how not to answer if an animal comescalling. By Amber Erickson Gabbey

96 PLANT PRIMERKnow how to identify six plants you can eatto stay alive. By Amber Erickson Gabbey

99 PET PROTECTIONTips for taking care of your pets health whileyoure on the move. By Torrey Kim

SPECIAL SECTION:

FEATURES BUYERS GUIDES

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32 SLEEPING BAGS 55 FOOD & WATER

84 FIRST AID 103 TENTS

122 MULTI-TOOLS

THE COVER:Photographer: TERRILL HOFFMANModel: STACY CRISP Designer: JESSE CAO

COLUMNS|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

FIRST WORDS 6NEWS & NOTES 8NEW PRODUCTS 12GEAR REVIEW 16PREPPING WITH RALSTON 127CLOSING WORDS 130

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 | APRIL/MAY 2014

ASG_1404_TOC.EP 2/6/14 6:08 AM Page 5


APRI

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FIRSTWORDS

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 / APRIL/MAY 2014

EDITORIALGroup Editor: Doug JeffreyEditor: Barri SegalManaging Editor: Elise PortaleArt Director: Jesse Cao

CONTRIBUTORS Mike DAngona, Abe Elias, Amber Erickson Gabbey, Torrey Kim, Alex LaGrand, Tony Nester, Tim Ralston,Larry Schwartz, Tori Tellem, Vic Vinson

ADVERTISINGGabe Frimmel - Ad Sales Director(714) 200-1930 - [email protected] Beckler - Senior Account Executive(972) 448-9173 Casey Clifford - Senior Account Executive(717) 896-8956Mark Pack - Senior Account Executive(714) 200-1939Gennifer Merriday - Ad Traffic Coordinator

DIRECT MARKETING GROUPJohn Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716

OPERATIONSGus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales ManagerCelia Merriday: Newsstand AnalystAmit Sharma: Business Analytics ManagerMohit Patel: Newsstand and Production Analyst Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities ManagerJohn Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer

EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200Yorba Linda, CA 92887Ph: (800) 332-3330Fax: (800) 249-7761www.americansurvivalguidemag.comwww.facebook.com/americansurvivalguidemagazinewww.facebook.com/eembybeckett

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) Volume 3, Number 1 is published 6 times a year February/March, April/May, June/July, August/Septem-ber, October/November, December/January by BeckettMedia, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200, YorbaLinda, CA 92887. POSTMASTER: send address changesto American Survival Guide c/o Beckett Media, 4635McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244. 2014 by BeckettMedia, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of anymaterial from this issue in whole or in part is strictly pro-hibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publica-tions Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverableCanadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.

CUSTOMER SERVICEBECKETT MEDIA, LLC4635 Mc Ewen Road. Dallas, TX 75244

SINGLE COPY SALES(800) 764-6278(239) 653-0225 Foreign [email protected]@beckett.com

BACK ISSUES www.engagedmediamags.com

BOOKS, MERCHANDISE, REPRINTS(239) 280-2380

DEALER SALES(239) 280-2380

NEW PRODUCTS OR TO CONTRIBUTE A STORY OR [email protected]

BECKETT MEDIA, LLCNick Singh: Executive DirectorErin Masercola: Business Unit Editorial Director

This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty orresponsibility by Beckett Media, LLC as to the legality,completeness or technical accuracy.

BY BARRI SEGAL

FOR SOME REASON, I have hope. Maybe its just because Im a parent and wereon spring break. Unfortunately, one of my biggest problems with vacations is that Ihave too much time to catch up on current events, so instead of feeling lousy anddepressed throughout the year, I just do it when I have some relaxing time off tomyself. And then I overeat and try to forget.

My concerns obviously revolve around survival issues, so, when I read about thedaily catastrophe, I want to understand how to measure its effects before I do squat.There is a catastrophe industry out there that would like nothing better than for allof us to stay outraged in front of our TVs all day long.

One of the biggest problems in this country has finally been identifiednumericcomprehension or numeracy. The U.S. Department of Education has released theresults of a worldwide study in literacy and mathematics. Of the advanced nations,Americans rank 21st out of 23 in numeracy and are tied for 15th place in adult literacy.*

At a certain point, Americans just give up understanding numbers. Millionsgets jumbled with billions regularly on nightly news and our collective responseto all incomprehensibly big numbers is the trusty eye-roll.

This cognitive anemia makes it difficult to discern the possible from the proba-ble, the likely from the far-fetched, truth from fiction.

On the other hand A new study in the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology breaks

down the effectiveness of resolutions. It found that 45 percent of Americans usuallymake resolutions and 38 percent never do. Of that 45 percent, eight percent willsucceed, and of that eight percent, 39 percent are in their 20s and 14 percent are intheir 50s.

Only eight percent succeed? Thats not the sort of sexy stat that catches my eye.Say 92 percent always fail and that wakes me up. But lets do the math ...

Forty-five percent is roughly 150 million Americans.Eight percent of that is 12 million. Excuse me, but this measly eight percent sounds great to me! Forty-five out of 50

states dont even have populations of 12 million.So, as a nation, we dont know math and get discouraged when we learn that set-

ting resolutions only works for 12 million people a year?Look, if youre reading this now, then I am presorting you into a category that

makes you more likely to be paying attention to the world around you. Any time is a great time to make a resolution. If getting your survival act

together is one of your goals, then your best motivator is to make it official andwrite it down. Be resolved, make it official, get everyone on board, put the odds inyour favor and have hope!

* Source: www.businessinsider.com

Hope Springs EternalOn My Off Time

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Book Review:

A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants andHerbs of Eastern andCentral North AmericaONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT aspects ofliving as a survivalist is that it can be hardto find natural medicines that actuallywork. Thats why A Field Guide to Medic-inal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Cen-tral North America by Steven Foster andJames A. Duke is such a great find. Thecomprehensive book not only lists plantsthat can cure your ailments but also showsyou how to identify and prepare them forvarious medical conditions to help relieveyour symptoms.

You can use the index to find specificmedical issues from asthma to stomachpain and determine how to treat them nat-urally using plants that you can forage foror grow on your own. Or you can lookthrough the book by plant color to help youidentify the right natural medications dur-ing your nature walks.

One of the best features of this book isthat it tells you specifically where to findthe plants in question: For instance, thebook might say Dry woods, from New Jer-sey to Florida or Soil fields from New-foundland to South Carolina. In addition,like pharmaceutical medications, the bookwill also clue you in to potential sideeffects, such as, If not boiled for the fullthirty minutes, this plant could cause hiveswhen ingested.

Overall, this book is a comprehensiveguide that will take you all the way throughthe natural medication process and helpyou cure your ailments without having tovisit a doctor or pharmacy.

A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants andHerbs of Eastern and Central North Amer-ica is part of the Peterson Field Guidesseries published by Houghton Mifflin Har-court and is available on www.amazon.com.

Keep Your Family Securein StyleONE OF THE MAIN REASONS that survivalists employ prepping tech-niques is to keep families safe. So, when youre traveling from one loca-tion to the next, particularly if you dont know what might fall into yourpath, you can be certain of everyones safety by hopping into one ofBMWs High Security Vehicles.

The companys 7 Series High Security is the first sedan in the world tobe certified in accordance with the BRV 2009 ballistic guideline, with steeland security glass to completely protect the passenger all around the car,including the doors, roof and footwells. In addition, the underside is pro-tected against hand grenades and other explosiveswhile the 6-centimeter-thick laminated glass iscoated with polycarbonate to prevent glass splintersfrom falling into the cars interior.

Want something a bit more rugged? BMWrecently debuted its SUV model, the X5 conceptvehicle, which offers secure protection for up to fouroccupants and can even keep you safe from AK-47fire. In addition, the windows and other glass sur-faces are specially developed to protect you fromblunt-weapon attacks.

As a bonus to the obvious security highlights, you can also customizeyour vehicle to include additional safety features to meet your needs. Hid-den microphones and loudspeakers can be installed to allow you to com-municate with those outside of the vehicle without having to open thewindows or doors. You can also incorporate an attack alarm system, a fireextinguisher and a tear-gas sensor to protect you from gas attacks. Thecars fresh-air system can turn on in the event of a chemical attack, ensur-ing fresh air to occupants if you cut off the supply coming into the vehicle.

To read more about BMWs security vehicles, visit the companys web-site at www.bmw-security-vehicles.com.

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THE X5 CONCEPT VEHICLE... OFFERS SECURE

PROTECTION FOR UP TO FOUR OCCUPANTS AND

CAN EVEN KEEP YOU SAFE FROM AK-47 FIRE.

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Super Typhoon Haiyan Kills More Than 5,000LIVING IN A COASTAL CITY might be viewed by some people as a permanentvacation, but the threat of typhoons is always terrifying and ever-present. Thesuper typhoon that struck the Philippines last November turned out to beshockingly deadly, killing more than 5,000 people with the death toll expectedto rise significantly after emergency workers finish pulling away the rubble.

Super typhoons are storms that reach maximum sustained one-minutesurface winds of at least 150 miles per hour, which is the equivalent of a Cate-gory 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin, according to the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration.

Usually, those who are in the line of a typhoon have some warning. If youare ever told that a typhoon is heading toward you, make sure you haveenough food and water for two weeks, as grocery stores may not go back intooperation right away and your electricity could be cut off for more than aweek. In addition, be prepared for flooding, which means that you shouldplace your food supplies and other important items on an elevated floor sincethe first floor could be filled with water. Keep flashlights and batteries nearby,and if possible, evacuate to a safe location.


Man Lives for SixDays Without WaterAfter AccidentTESTING THE LIMITS of survival is usuallysomething people do on purpose when theystrive to climb Mt. Everest or sail across theworld. But a Colorado man tested those limitsunexpectedly in October after he survived atruck crash that landed him 30 feet below theroad in a ravine.

Richard Koester was trapped in the truckafter the crash, which killed his friend, whohad been driving the vehicle. For six colddays and nights, Koester survived with nofood or water. He was rescued only afterrepeatedly waving his arms through the opentruck windows, finally discovered by a high-way worker who called rescue trucks, ABCNews reported.

Although most humans can survive forjust five days or so without water, the condi-tions were apparently ideal for Koester, as theenvironment wasnt hot and he was in goodphysical shape. However, you shouldnt try togo this long yourselfinstead, your survivalkit should always include a gallon of waterper day, per person in your family.

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FOR SIX COLD DAYS AND NIGHTS, KOESTER SURVIVED WITH NO FOOD OR WATER.

ASG_1404_NEWS-CX 2/10/14 5:48 AM Page 9

FIRST AID KIT IN A CAN

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WISE EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY

Perfect for any unplanned emergency. These readymade meals are packed in airtight, nitrogen-packed Mylar pouches and then encased in easy to carry, durable plastic containers. Each bucket contains 60 servings.

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Universal system straps with snaps at one end to attach to a belt up to 5" wide. Quality designed bag with multiple compartments. This kit was custom designed by request of Elite military units desiring a more compact and lightweight kit for their daily fi eld operations.

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We have just recently been able to obtain a large shipment of some of the purest Potassium Iodide on the planet. Potassium Iodide may be used to maintain benefi cial and protective levels of Iodine in the thyroid gland.

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ASG_1404_11 2/3/14 11:14 PM Page 11


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2014

NEWPRODUCTS

1. ZIPPOProduct: Rugged LanternWebsite: www.zippo.comMSRP: $89.95

Specifications: Adjustable brightness, from 100 percent to 10 percent Rechargeable lithium battery with run time of up to 40

hours Flexible, detachable, pop-up handle Emergency SOS setting

Defining features: Only the switch puts this light out. ThisZippo Rugged Lantern can withstand a 5-foot drop and stayout all night in the rain. You can even make the lithium-ionbattery last longer by adjusting the brightness. Featuresinclude an emergency SOS setting, a metal support cageand rubberized corners to cushion blows from everyday use.It can also float and is designed to withstand the elementsby meeting IPX7 industry standards for water immersion.

Manufacturers comments: Its not just a name. It saysit all. Drop-proof. Plunge-proof. And a pretty good swim-mer. Chris Funk, outdoor brand manager

C U T T I N G - E D G E I N N O V AT I O N

2. BROWNING BLACKLABELProduct: Browning Black Label AquaForce Tactical WaterBottleWebsite: www.browning.comMSRP: $33

Specifications: Material: BPA-free Polymer 18-ounce capacity Four pressure points Web retention strap Available in pink or grey Comes with matching folding knife

Defining features: Discreet is a good way to describe theBrowning AquaForce Tactical Water Bottle. Wherever youareout for a walk or a run, using public transit or buggingoutthe AquaForce bottle provides you with something todefend yourself that flies under the radar of anyone lookingto do you harm; it looks like an everyday item, yet it enablesyou to defend yourself against an attacker.

Manufacturers comments: The Black Label AquaForceTactical Water Bottle doesnt require any special training,permitting or licensing, is not regulated as a defensivedevice and, even in todays controlled-access society, islikely to be allowed in almost any setting. Diane Carver,knife/light product manager

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33. GERBERProduct: GroundbreakerWebsite: www.gerbergear.comMSRP: $144

Specifications: Spring-loaded pliers Large-curve copper wire cutter Large and small looping/bending holes Insulated and non-insulated terminal crimper Bolt shearing/re-threading holes. Wire strippers (10-20 AWG) Six utility blades Six bits (two Phillips, two flathead and two Robertson) and

holder Heavy-duty carrying case with belt and tape loop and

back-pocket flap Two removable handles

Defining features: This tool works for the do-it-yourself-erand the prepper. There are a lot of multi-tools on the mar-ket, but in this one small, portable case, you have your elec-trical hand-tool needs covered. Great for your house emer-gency tool kit, car or bug-out bag, the Groundbreaker pro-vides a number of tools in one package. Optional pockets letyou carry designated tools, such as a particular screwdriveror nut driver.

Manufacturers comments: The Groundbreaker is themost comprehensive, all-in-one, electricians multi-tool onthe market. It is the result of countless hours of research ofreal electricians at work combined with the expertise of Ger-ber engineers who took that research and developed anincredibly well thought-out, useful tool. Jared Schoening,category marketing manager

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6. LEATHERMANProduct: Style PSWebsite: www.leatherman.comMSRP: $16.98

Specifications: Spring-action, needle-nose pliers Spring-action, regular pliers Spring-action wire cutters Spring-action scissors Flat/Phillips screwdriver Tweezers Nail files Carabiner

Defining features: Leathermans Style PS multi-tool islightweight and can serve as your everyday carry or a conve-nient backup when you dont have many tools. It doesnthave a wide variety of different tools but has a good enoughassortment to do most small everyday jobs. Its compact andaffordable, so you can even keep a couple to have aroundfor backup.

Manufacturers comments: In 2010, Leatherman usersasked us for a bladeless, keychain multi-tool that wouldntsacrifice functionality or usefulness. The Style PS is travel-friendly, clips easily to a key ring or pack and holds every-thing you need for quick fixes on the fly. Kitri McGuire, seniorcommunications specialist

5. TACPROGEARProduct: Sniper Drag BagWebsite: www.tacprogear.comMSRP: $187.50

Specifications: Overall length: 50.5 inches Bottom width (open): 32 inches Webbing loops for ghillie suit Padded carry straps Two detachable shoulder straps MOLLE webbing for additional pockets Map pocket: 11 inches by 8 inches

Defining features: The Tacprogear Sniper Drag Bag isbuilt to last. Made for the average shooter or the elite opera-tor, it features quick-release cinch straps for weapon reten-tion and an internal pocket with a protective flap designedto hold 10 rounds of ammo. Constructed of quality materi-als and heavy-duty stitching, it will take whatever you throwat it and stay together.

Manufacturers comments: The Tacprogears SniperDrag Bag is designed for the elite operator.[Its a] high-speed-weapon carrying bag that opens quickly and doublesas a shooting mat.Built to perform: 1,000-denier nylon,loops for ghillie, MOLLE webbing, heavy-duty hardware andreinforced drag-and-carry handles. Team Tacprogear

4. SURVIVAL BAGS, INC.Product: Outdoor Survival Bug Out BagWebsite: www.survivalbagsinc.comMSRP: $289.95

Specifications: Bag constructed of rugged tactical polyester with three

removable modular external pouches Food/water rations Tools First-aid kit Paracord Shelter/warmth/fire/light items Sanitation/hygiene products

Defining features: Survival Bags, Inc., carries this FOXTactical Advanced Hydro Assault Pack that features a 2.5-literbladder, insulated tube and bite valve. The bag containseverything you need to bug out plus bonus items includingone package of 12 Aquamira water purification tablets, oneBest Glide ASE mosquito head net and one pack of outdoormosquito patches.

Manufacturers comments: This may be the best sur-vival bag I have put together so far.If you are looking tochallenge yourself, give it a try and you be the judge.Onebag, one mission: Stay alive! Mike Haller, president

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CAN'T GET ENOUGH ASG? WHEN YOU'RE NOT OFFTHE GRID, BE SURE TO FIND US ON FACEBOOK.

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RUGER.COM/1022TAKEDOWN 2014 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 012314

ASG_1404_14 2/3/14 11:17 PM Page 14

CONVENIENT FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATIONRELIABLE PERFORMANCE FOR WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

The Ruger 10/22 Takedown combines all of the features and functionality of the 10/22 rie, with the ability to

easily separate the barrel/forend and action/buttstock for convenient storage and transportation. The simple reassembly

of the barrel and action yields a rock-solid return to zero for consistent, reliable performance. Packed in a rugged, ballistic

nylon case (included), the Ruger 10/22 Takedown makes it easy to keep Americas favorite rimre rie by your side.

Barrel and Action are Easily Separated and Reassembled for Ease of Transportation and Storage

Packed in a Rugged, Ballistic Nylon Case (Included with Rie)

Recessed Locking LeverPatented, Detachable 10-Shot Rotary

Magazine

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Putting Nitro-Paks USPLevel 2 Kit To The TestBy TONY NESTER + Photos by GUS ALONZO

GEARREVIEW

PACK MENTALITY

THE SURVIVAL GEAR INDUSTRY hascome a long way in the past five years,especially in the realm of emergencykits and bug-out bags.

While I like assembling my own kits,there are times when you may want tosimply purchase a ready-to-go bagknowing you have everything to takecare of your needs for the next threedays while weathering out an unex-pected crisis. Thats where a qualitysurvival pack like the one from Nitro-Pak comes in. I have tried out some ofthe companys gear on field coursesover the years and have always beenpleased with its attention to detail andthe fact that it has above-average itemsin its lineup. The new USP (Urban Sur-vival-Pak) Level 2 Kit shows the samewell planned assemblage of criticalitems for handling a wilderness orurban survival situation.

I tell my students that a survival kitshould contain items that are multipur-pose and handle the big five priori-ties of shelter, water, fire, first aid andcommunication. Having tested numer-ous survival packs, I find that most kitsfall short, with either not enough perti-nent gear to handle these priorities orcontaining untested, generic items. As Iwent through each piece of the USPkit, I could see that Nitro-Pak hadtaken great strides to make a high-endkit that contained above-average sur-vival gear for an extended crisis.

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All of the items come in a ballisticnylon backpack from Voodoo Tactical.The pack has four compartments thateasily contain all of the enclosed sur-vival gear while leaving room for a fewlayers of clothing or extra food. On mytrial hike, I was able to fit in a fleecejacket, hat and two liters of water inaddition to all of the provided items.

Water purification is addressed withtwo methods: an Aquamira water bot-tle with built-in filter and 10 Micropurwater purification tablets. Redundancywith water purification gear is some-thing I recommend to my survival stu-dents and I was pleasantly surprised tosee this demonstrated in the pack con-tents. On a related note, the kit alsocomes with a small Esbit collapsiblestove and fuel tablets that can be usedfor boiling water in the stainless-steelcup that is included.

The medical kit is basic but coversthe essentials. I would augment thiswith additional ibuprofen and Benadrylalong with two to three pairs of extranitrile gloves. For food and water,there are six Datrex water packets andnine Millenium Energy Bars. The latterpack 400 calories in each bar and,unlike most survival rations, dont tastelike powdered chalk but have a pleas-ant flavor instead. The bars dont pro-voke thirst and have a considerableshelf life in both hot and cold weather.

As far as tools, the pack came witha Gerber Suspension multi-tool and aMcNett tactical knife. The former isabout all you need in a multi-tool andcan take a beating. As I am a knife guy,I would prefer something a little heftierthan the McNett knife, but I under-stand the reasoning for including thisparticular blade with its combination ofserrated and plain edges.

Defensive items include a 3-ouncepepper spray canister, tactical pen,heavy-duty pry bar and battery-oper-

ated door alarm. The company websiteindicated that some of these items willvary depending on what state youreside in.

Following the old advice that two isone and one is none with critical gear,the pack comes with an LED headlampand an LED flashlight. I would replacethe batteries with lithium batteries fora longer life. A palm-sized AM/FMradio is also included, which is some-thing you dont see in most survivalpacks and a handy means for pickingup local intel during a crisis.

As with any survival pack, I wouldaugment this gear with some of yourfavorite comfort foods along with maps

I HAVE TRIED OUT SOME OF THE COMANYS GEAR ON FIELD COURSES OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PLEASED WITH ITS ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

of your region and pertinent contactinformation to truly tailor it to yourspecific needs.

If you are looking for a comprehen-sive kit to handle an extended survivalsituation, a roadside emergency or animminent zombie uprising, then theUSP Level 2 Kit provides a good foun-dation in taking care of the basic priori-ties with quality, field-tested gear.

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NITRO-PAKPRODUCT: USPLEVEL 2 KIT(item #5810)WEBSITE:www.nitro-pak.comMSRP: $505

Backpack:This is a ballisticnylon, mil-spec tacti-cal backpack withfully adjustablepadded shoulderstraps.Features mul-tiple compartmentsdesigned to keep allyour gear protectedand organized. Alsocomes with a remov-able hook-and-loopUSP logo and Ameri-can flag patch.

Gerber SuspensionMulti-Tool:- No lightweight toy

here; this is the realdeal, not a cheapknock-off! Includespatented Saf.T.Pluslocking blade sys-tem and ballisticnylon protectivesheath.

- Spring-loaded, needle-nose pliers

- Fine-edge knifeblade

- Serrated-edge knifeblade

- Rough-cut sawblade

- Wirecutter- Scissors- Phillips-head screw-

driver- Small and medium

flat-blade screw-driver

- Can opener- Bottle opener

THE SPECSPersonal Protection/DefenseGear:- Police 3-ounce pep-

per spray, Firemas-ter top with 15-footreach (may be sub-stituted with McNettSamish TacticalKnife in states notallowing peppergas)

- Swimming goggles(tear gas eye protec-tion)

- Three 3M-brandFlat-Fold N95 Respi-rators (dust, diseaseand tear gas protec-tion)

- Two Sudecon teargas decontamina-tion wipes

- Dead On ToolsExhumer multi-func-tion tool (defense,window breaker,door opener)

- Tactical spiked kuba-ton self-defense toolwith writing penand pocket clip

- Self-defense, power-punch, key-holdertool

- One pair of blacknylon covert, rub-berized gloves

- Covert, black, six-way-wearing bala-clava/cap

- Personal alarm anddoor alarm attach-ment with five-yearshelf life and 9v battery

- Two handcuff keys(standard andcovert)

- Six heavy-duty,black, 16-inch zipties

- Rear-viewing covertsunglasses

- 100 feet of trip wire- Two single-sided

razor blades- Soft-foam ear plugs

(one pair)

Water and Food:- McNett Tactical

Aquamira water fil-ter bottle

- Six 4.2-ounce DatrexEmergency SurvivalWater Pouches withfive-year shelf life

- 10 Micropur waterpurification tablets

- 0.5-liter water con-tainer

- Nine 400-calorie,five-year shelf-lifeMillennium emer-gency food bars

- Two rolls of LifeSavers hard candy

- Three Emergen-Cdrink mix packets

- Three herbal teabags

First-Aid Supplies:- U.S. Military medic

wound bandage- Six Germ-X antibac-

terial sanitizing tow-elettes

- Three antisepticwipes

- Two ibuprofentablets (200 mg)

- Triple antibioticointment

- After Bite insectsting relief wipe

- Two fabric knucklebandages

- Tincture of benzoinswab

- Four fabric adhesivebandages

- Two safety pins- Two butterfly ban-

dages- Sterile gauze dress-

ing (2x2)- Three insect-repel-

lent wipes- Moleskin- Splinter picker/tick

remover- Keychain pill-con-

tainer- Nitrile gloves- Wound closure

strips (10-pack)

Survival Gear:- Storm Whistle- Two 6-foot folded

duct tape- HD nylon poncho- SOL emergency

blanket- Emergency sleeping

bag- Dental floss (multi-

uses, including tripalarm)

- Black vinyl (electri-cal) tape

- Map compass

Light, Heat andCooking:- Energizer headlamp- High-power LED

flashlight- Two 12-hour light

sticks- Red flashlight plas-

tic film with two rub-ber bands (for night-time covert use)

GEARREVIEW

- Six eight-hour handwarmers

- Scripto butanelighter

- Three tub candles- Stainless-steel cook-

ing/drinking cup- Esbit Star stove- Three Esbit fuel tabs- Storm matches- Waterproof matches- P-51 can opener

Communication:- Coby compact

AM/FM radio withthree AAA, 10-yearSL batteries

- SOL signal mirror- Rite in the Rain

waterproof note-book

- Writing pencil- Sharpie marker- Ballpoint pen

Sanitation:- 12 wet wipe alcohol

towelettes (good firestarters, too)

- Three rolls compacttoilet tissue

- Black trash bag- Facial tissue- Super soap tube- Toothbrush- Toothpaste- Comb- Shaver

MiscellaneousItems:- Playing cards- 50 feet of 550 para-

chute cord- Sewing kit- Plastic shovel- Carabiner- Sunscreen- Tyvek envelope (for

cash and local map)- Lip balm- Re-closable plastic

bag (9x12)

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ONCE UPON A TIME, survivalism meant stuff, lots of it,requiring storage, maintenance and ways to move it.

For modern city-dwellers, the additional complications ofgetting home, bugging out and having a safe house meansevery step must be streamlined and efficient. Survival is seri-ous, whether youre in the city or the wilderness, and thelatest tools for survival have become quite refined,portable and multipurposed.

No ones suggesting you should wear agas mask to work, but consider the practi-cal emergency devices you could easily carryin a briefcase. Or a car trunk. Or just aroundyour wrist. Many items are as unobtrusive as apocket knife. Technologies outside of the traditionalsurvival market are emerging almost dailyeverything issmaller, cheaper, more durable. In simple terms, theres nogood reason to get caught with your survivalist pants down. Ifit seems like everything is either on the horizon or alreadyhere, youre right. Here it is.

IN THIS SECTION CAR SURVIVAL + ATLAS SHELTERS + FEATURED VEHICLE + MORE

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THE URBAN OUTBACKKeep-It-Simple Survivalism

URBAN

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KEEP YOUR GAS TANK NEAR FULL AND CONSIDERA QUARTER TANK OF GAS THE SAME AS EMPTY.

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LEARN ABOUTVALUABLE VEHICLE SURVIVALSTRATEGIES

DRIVING CAN BE A HUGE PART OF BUGGING OUT AND GETTINGAWAY FROM IT ALL.

And if you drive long enough, you will have your fair share ofmishaps on the road due to a snowstorm, poor road conditionsand/or mechanical issues.

Backcountry roads can also change drastically with a turn in the weather orthe season. A dusty road in June may be a mud hole by September. Stay on themain roads and avoid the Shortcut Syndrome. I recall one family who tried totake such a route home through the mountains. They ventured down an icy roadduring the winter only to get stuck and endure an 11-day ordeal. This situationbegan not just when they drove down the road but with a mindset when theywere sitting in a roadside diner considering a shortcut on the map.

You should view your vehicle as a rolling survival kit. Carrying critical gear,performing a pre-trip check and knowing how to rig up your truck or car in theevent of a roadside emergency are essential for backcountry drivers as well asfor urban commuters.

CarTalk

URBAN

Text and Photos by TONY NESTER


TRAVEL PLAN, SAFETY NETIve discussed the importance of this before,

but the travel plan is as critical to your survivalas carrying pocket-loads of cool gear. Yourspouse, family member, friend or roommatebecomes the safety net on the other end thatcan alert searchers to your location. Withoutthem, you are on your own, and thats not agood place to be when you are stranded andpossibly injured.

Tell someone reliable exactly where you areheaded, what highway or route you are takingand your planned arrival or return time. I cantstress this enough. Avoid the deadly mentality of,I am only going for a short drive in the moun-tains/forest/desert ... or Ive been down thisroad a hundred times before. Survival is hard

enough! You want someone working on the otherend to locate your position before the weatherchanges or youre faced with hypothermia.

In addition, buy a NOAA weather radio orget the app and use it often. Yes, you can some-times do the aboriginal thing and look at theclouds to determine what weather is headedyour way over the next 24 hours. But I like toknow with some certainty what is rolling in overthe next five days so I can plan accordingly orjust reschedule the trip altogether if the weatheris going to be severe.

A few years ago, there were dozens ofstranded hunters trapped 15 miles down a dirt

road when a massive winter storm pushedthrough northern Arizona. Most had dismissedthe winter advisory because they didnt want togive up on their elk hunt. Many were even vis-ited by the Sherriffs Department that came outto warn them of the impending storm. After itwas over, numerous hunters had to walk outand leave their trucks and travel trailers therefor the rest of the season due to lack of accessto the region.

START IN YOUR DRIVEWAYA tire blowout or flat due to improper infla-

tion can be a real setback when you are in thecity, but this will get amplified when you are 20miles down a dirt road or on a remote highway.Checking both tire pressure and tread appear-

ance in your driveway takes only minutes butcan save you hours of turmoil and sweat. Stow acan of Fix-A-Flat, a small air compressor ($30 atbig-box stores) and an umbrella in your rig. Thelatter will allow you to create instant shade thatyou can hold over your spouse (hint) while theyfix the tire, wait for help or have to walk downthe road to a nearby gas station. And get rid ofthe donut tire that your rig probably came withand get a full-sized tire. When I go on extendedbackcountry driving excursions, I also add in asecond spare tire to counter Murphy.

Is your radiator fluid topped off? Do youhave some duct tape for making field-expedient


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BARE-BONES KIT- AMK Heatsheet- Wool hat- Leather gloves- Umbrella- Two gallons of water- SOS rations (3,600

calories)- 36-hour candle- Leatherman Wave

multi-tool- Full-sized spare tire- Can of Fix-A-Flat- Air compressor- LED headlamp and

spare lithium batteries- AMK Weekender First-

Aid Kit- Roll of duct tape- Four Cyalume glow-

sticks- Cellphone charger- Jumper cables

Winter additions:Parka, Sorel Pac Boots,wool mittens,polypropylene longunderwear, sunglasses,wool socks, turtleneck,wool pants and woolblanket

A TIRE BLOWOUT OR FLAT DUE TO IMPROPER INFLATION WILL GET AMPLIFIED WHEN YOU ARE 20 MILES DOWN A DIRT ROAD OR ON A REMOTE HIGHWAY.

Invest in a quality hydraulic jack, can of sealant and 12-volt air compressor for handling tire repairs.

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radiator hose repairs in the event of a leak?Have you performed regular maintenance onyour rig and had a radiator flush in recent years?All the usual apply here: Oil, brake and transmis-sion fluids get a onceover prior to leaving.Again, it takes mere minutes but can save hoursdown the road.

How much water to keep in your cardepends on the time of year and the number ofpeople traveling with you. The general rule Iadvocate for the summer months is two gallonsper person per day. Half that if its winter. WhenI travel back and forth between my home inFlagstaff, Ariz., (mountains) and Joshua TreeNational Park (low-desert) to teach, I carry 14gallons in the back of the truck and 2 to 3 gal-lons inside during the hotter months. If I amgoing to be camping for a while in the desert 15miles down a lonesome dirt road, I bring up to30 gallons. The blue water jugs (cubes) sold atbig-box stores hold up well for this purpose.

Dont skimp on water. It doesnt matter if youare a Navy SEAL or a triathlete, you cant condi-tion yourself to go without water. Notions likeusing a solar still or procuring water from cac-tuses are best left to the Hollywood industry.Your most reliable water source is your kitchensink at home and planning ahead before the trip.

VEHICLE SURVIVAL KITSThere are two kits outlined in this articles

sidebars. One is a bare-bones kit that every dri-

ver, even city-commuters, should carry to coverthe basics. It will allow you to handle minor road-side emergencies in an urban or rural setting.Here, the idea is that you are most likely notgoing to be far from help (tow-truck, family,etc.). The second is a remote wilderness kit thatenables you to be self-contained. This is for thebackcountry traveler or car-camper, and it con-tains more extensive survival and recovery items.

Regardless of the kit, you should adjust yourgear to suit either winter or summer emergenciesthat your specific region contends with. Theres alot of overlap between the two kits but with afew more items added in during the coldermonths. Perishable items like batteries, food andfirst-aid kit components should be checked witheach change out between the seasons.

Some of my gear is stowed in various sec-tions under the seats or in a small backpack withthe rest kept in a Husky tool bag behind the dri-vers seat. Tool bags, like the type found at big-box hardware stores, are inexpensive and builtfor abuse.

SECURE STOWINGWhen Im on the road, I like to have my packs

and duffle bags secured in various places in mytruck to help slow down a smash-and-grab thief.I use either zip-ties or carabiners that attach mygear to anchor points under the seats. On occa-sion, I will use a bicycle cable and combinationlock. You can also pick up a small metal lockbox


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REMOTEWILDERNESSKITShelter Items:- Down sleeping bag- AMK Heatsheet- Wool hat- Brimmed hat- Leather gloves- Sunscreen- Umbrella- Winter additions: parka, Sorel

Pac Boots, wool mittens,polypropylene long underwear,sunglasses, wool socks, turtle-neck and wool pants

Water, Snow-melting Devices and Cooking:- Two 30-gallon water containers

(depending on the time of year)- Nuun electrolyte tablets- 16-ounce metal cup- Esbit stove and fuel tablets- 36-hour candleFood:- Two dehydrated meals- SOS rations (3,600 calories)- A package of bouillon Tools:- Leatherman Wave multi-tool- Full-sized spare tire (or two)- Gorilla-brand wrench- Can of Fix-A-Flat- Air compressor- Tire puncture repair kit- LED headlamp and spare

lithium batteries- Assorted wrenches and screw-

driversRecovery Gear:- Two carpet strips (1 foot by

4 feet)- Tow strap (3 by 30 feet)- Hi-lift jack- Hi-lift bumper lift attachment- Heavy-duty receiver shackle

bracket- Folding shovelSurvival:- 72-hour bug-out bagMedical:- AMK Weekender First-Aid KitSignaling: - ACR Personal Location Beacon

(PLB)- ACR strobe light- Four Cyalume glow-sticks- Cellphone - 12-volt cellphone chargerMiscellaneous:- 12-volt Powerline-brand power

inverter - Relevant maps- 4x4 road atlas for your county- Jumper cables- Package of 12-inch zip ties - Wet wipes - Duct tape

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No-cook, dehy-drated meals andsurvival rationsmake excellentemergency foodfor weathering outa few days on theroad. An Esbitstove can be usedfor heating wateror melting snow.


with attaching cable called the NanoVault, whichwill provide additional security for stowing valu-ables. Again, a determined thief who has thetime will eventually bust through any of these,but the idea is to have safeguards in place tohelp thwart the smash-and-grab scenario whichis, statistically, the most likely to occur.

BREAKDOWN TIPSWell, its happened. You readied the vehicle,

left a travel plan, watched the weather and wereprepped on every end for the trip but still raninto Murphys Law and suffered a breakdown.Now what? Ive been there before and its afrustrating mess, but this is where all the timespent preparing before the trip pays off.

1.If you left a travel plan, then consider stay-ing put. It makes the job of the SheriffsDepartment or Search and Rescue much easierand prevents you from wandering outside oftheir search radius. It is far more challenging tospot you on foot traversing the wilderness thanit is your vehicle. Plus, with your preps on thefront end, you have a four-wheeled survival kitat your disposal. However, if you are at the bot-tom of a canyon, in a flash flood or rockslideregion or in a place with a dense canopy wheresearchers cant see you, then you may have toretreat to a safer location.

2.You have no reason to be kind to your vehi-cle during a life-and-death ordeal. Gut it,strip it, salvage it and use it to keep you alive!

3.Stranded backcountry motorists have usedtires for signaling by lighting them on fire.First, this assumes it is safe to have a fire. Thewestern U.S. is a tinderbox and many a scaredsurvivor has started a signal fire only to have itturn into a wildfire that decimates the wilder-ness and endangers searchers. Assess your sur-roundings, the time of year and the wind thatday to determine whether its safe to light a sig-nal fire. Then, look for an area clear of debristhat is 20 feet or more from your vehicle and rollthe spare tire over there. Important: Cut thevalve stem prior to lighting the tire on fire! Fail-ure to do so will result in a rubber grenadegoing off. Next, obtain oil or transmission fluidfrom the engine. Gasoline can have vapors pre-sent and is not as safe to use. You may have touse a rag, bandana or cut up the foam seating inyour rig for mopping up oil or transmission fluid.Once lit, a burning tire will produce a billowingcolumn of black, noxious smoke, so stand backand dont inhale the fumes. A non-windy day isessential for a signal fire of any kind, otherwisethe smoke column gets dispersed. On anothernote, depending on your vehicle, hubcaps canalso be used for digging implements, collectingwater and for signaling if they have a reflectivesurface.

4.As noted, engine fluids such as transmis-sion, oil or break fluid are much safer forlighting a fire and less volatile than gasoline.Some older survival manuals recommend usingradiator fluid to pour on your body to keep coolor even to drink! Not a great idea unless youwant to hasten entry into the Darwin Awards.Stranded survivors have used their own urine forkeeping cool (a glamorous staple on TV shows),but the copious amounts of water you stowed inthe rig prior to departing should prevent such acolorful experience.

5.Some recommend using battery cables tospark a fire and all of this done within afoot of the engine! If the battery is working,then the cigarette lighter inside is going to be amuch safer option. Use the lighter to apply heatto an oil-soaked rag many feet away from yourrig. Using the battery should be a last resort.


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Roadside Survival Tips1_Keep your gas tank near full and consider a quarter tank of gas thesame as empty. Top off your rig prior to leaving the pavement as gas sta-tions, especially in the western U.S., can be 90 to 120 miles apart.

2_Travel with a partner. The more eyes (and brains) present on the trip, thesafer you will be.

3_In the desert, dont leave home without these three critical items: water, water and water!Solar stills and eating cactus only work in scripted reality shows.4_Dont expect road signs. This is where an up-to-date map and a chat with the backcountryranger come into play. 5_Flash floods: 75 percent happen in the city, not in the wilderness when some poor souldecides that his SUV can maneuver through a swift-moving ravine like he saw during thecool TV commercial that prompted him into buying his rig. All the same, exercise caution inboth urban and wilderness settings and consider staying put for a few hours if rain hasflooded roadways. 6_In the event you didnt leave a travel plan and walking out becomes necessary, carrywater and stay on the road rather than venturing cross-country. Leave a note on the dash-board of your vehicle that explains where you are headed.7_Unless you know the area well, drive only during the day. Backcountry roads can be a tan-gled mess when the sun is up let alone at night. Years ago, I worked for the Forest Serviceand would drive out to remote, group campsites to give evening presentations. Oftentimes,while heading back to town, I would come across bewildered drivers who had been mean-dering for hours looking for a particular road or campsite through a maze of dirt roads. 8_Most cases of stranded drivers, like stranded hikers, can be traced back to a disaster cas-cade of little events that led up to the actual survival situation. Use common sense, payattention to the weather and know when its time to turn back.

8

Carry a go-bagwith youressential

survival gearin case you

have to bugout during anurban break-

down or copewith a back-

country crisis.

PHO

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INK

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6.At night, use your cars lights in patterns ofthree continuous flashes to help draw atten-tion to your location. A few stranded drivers haveeven unscrewed the headlight attachments andangled them up at night to alert passing air-planes.

7.A mirror can send a flash for miles and costslittle in terms of calories on your part. Thesignal mirror method is also not a danger to theforest like a signal fire. Using standard signal mir-rors in the desert during our survival courses, wehave sent flashes up to 26 miles on a clear day.Interior and exterior vehicle mirrors can becheerfully dislodged, caveman style, using avocal grunt and an arm-wrenching twist. Whennot in use, hang the mirror up in a tree to glintaround in the wind as you never know who maybe on foot or horseback a few miles awaysearching for you. Some hubcaps and headlightinteriors also have reflective surfaces that can beemployed as improvised signaling devices.

8.The car horn, used in patterns of threehonks, can be used for auditory signaling.

Combine this with hourly mirror flashes duringthe day and headlight flashes at night. Rubberfloor mats can be burned in a signal fire and youhave the foam interior from the vehicle seats touse for fire-starting material. Seatbelts can beremoved and used for improvised lashing mater-ial. CDs can be hung up from trees for passivesignaling devices. Dont forget the glove boxand other storage areas: Do you have roadflares, glow-sticks or other items that have beenstowed away?

STAY ALIVEIf you do indeed equip your vehicle to serve

as a rolling survival kit and take the proper plan-ning and preparation steps, youll increase yourchances of survival immensely in the event of aserious situation.

Tony Nester is the author of numerous books and DVDs on sur-vival. His school, Ancient Pathways, is the primary provider of sur-vival training for the Military Special Operations community andhe has served as a consultant for the NTSB, FAA and the film Intothe Wild. For more information, visit www.apathways.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For the 4-1-1 on how toequip your rig for road-

side emergencies orbugging out, check outthe eBook A Vehicle

Survival Kit You Can LiveWith by Tony Nester.

////////

OFF-ROAD RESOURCES

www.expeditionportal.comwww.wanderthewest.com

MOST CASES OF STRANDED DRIVERS, LIKE STRANDED HIKERS, CAN BE TRACED BACK TO A DISASTER CASCADE OF LITTLE EVENTS THAT LED UP TO THE ACTUAL SURVIVAL SITUATION.



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W HAT IF YOUR SECOND HOME COULD ALSO PROTECT YOU FROMNUCLEAR WEAPONS, GRENADES OR CHEMICAL ATTACKS AND WASUNDETECTABLE TO ANYONE WHO WAS LOOKING FOR YOU? If thats your idea of a dream shelter, then Atlas Survival Shelters has exactly

what you need.The company, which offers affordable underground shelters right on your prop-

erty, was born when Ronal Hubbard was on the hunt for a survival shelter to put inhis own backyard and couldnt find one that met his specifications and budget.

About five years ago, I visited the few other companies that made shelters anddetermined that nobody was making the kind of shelters I was seeking, Hubbardsays. I wanted a shelter that would have multiple purposesdecked out to thepoint that it felt like a house I could use recreationally as a hunting cabin or forcamping out, but also with a second secret escape tunnel and a decontaminationroom. By the time I described what I wanted to other companies, their prices were$1 million or more. Considering that my target budget was under $100,000, I knewthere had to be a better solution.

Unable to find that improved option, Hubbard launched his own company, AtlasSurvival Shelters. Because he owned a steel manufacturing company, Hubbard hadthe materials at his disposal and was able to envision what types of features poten-tial shelter owners would want based on his own intentions.

HOMEAWAYFROMHOMEATLAS SHELTERS: A COVERT PLACE TOHIDE AWAY WHEN THE HEAT IS ONBy TORREY KIM + Photos Courtesy of ATLAS SURVIVAL SHELTERS

Theescapehatch ofan AtlasSurvivalShelter.

URBAN

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INSPIRATIONAlthough Hubbard knew there were

several directions he could choose forhis shelters, he ended up modeling hisoriginal designs after the shelter thatthe government had built for PresidentJohn F. Kennedy in the 1960s onPeanut Island.

I based most of my shelters off ofthe exact same design that PresidentKennedy had, Hubbard says. Youenter through the tunnel, then theresthe decontamination shower, the mainliving quarters and a second, secretescape tunnel.

Because the shelter design is sosophisticated, many people wereshocked at the low price tag of$70,000, a number that was unheard ofbefore Atlas launched, Hubbard says.His lower-priced option has made itpossible for young families and soldierswho have recently discharged from themilitary to afford shelters, and theseare some of his most loyal customers.

I feel like Im kind of the HenryFord for the shelter business, Hub-bard explains. Ive made a shelter thatthe average person in America canafford, but before I came along, some-one had to be a multimillionaire to havea decent bomb shelter.

CHOICESAlthough Hubbards shelters are

based on his standard layout, they arecertainly not one-size-fits-all. In fact, youcan select from a few different models.

Meet Your BudgetJust like building your primary home, every-thing in your shelter is customizable based onyour budget. In fact, many people who havebigger budgets will buy two shelters and placethem side by side, creating more than 1,100square feet of underground living space.

Often, these double shelters will be simi-lar to a home with a garage, Hubbard says.The first is the main living quarters and thesecond is the garage and workshop. It couldalso serve as a hydroponics growing area forgrowing food underground.

I FEEL LIKE IM KIND OF THE HENRY FORD FOR

THE SHELTER BUSINESS. Ronal Hubbard, owner of Atlas Survival Shelters


28

The most popular shelter I sell ismade out of galvanized culvert pipes,Hubbard explains. There are an esti-mated 100,000 shelters in the UnitedStates that the government made ofculvert pipes during World War II, andthese have been proven to be veryeffective. The prices on my culvert pipeshelters range from $35,000 to$85,000, so theyre very affordable.Basically, if you can afford an Americansports car, you can afford to have ashelter in this class.

The next model up is a monolithicconcrete dome, which is similar to theType 1 missile silos that were used inthe 1960s, Hubbard says.

They were designed to take adirect nuclear hit, and the commandcenter was in a round dome, and if abomb went off, the pressure would hitthe tip of the dome and dispense intothe dome like a bullet traveling throughthe air. The dome is the strongestshape you can build that can take adirect nuclear hit, so we build theseconcrete domes and they start at about$250,000 and go up into the millions.

JUST BREATHEAs the shelters are built exclusively

underground, you may wonder aboutthe availability of fresh air. Atlas fig-ured that out, too. Like a sailor in asubmarine, youll keep the hatch openif youre in the shelter relaxing butclosed if you need to filter incoming air.

The shelter can pull in fresh air tobreathe, but in the case of a nuclear,biological or chemical attack, youdneed to filter the air, so theres a bigparticle filter in the shelter that the airgoes through that makes it like breathing through a gas mask, Hub-bard says.


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ABOVE Because the shelterhas working electricity,you can create a worksta-tion at the desk. RIGHT The private masterbedroom is roomy andcomfortable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about AtlasSurvival Shelters and to seeyour shelter options, visitwww.atlassurvivalshelters.com.

IF YOU CAN AFFORD

AN AMERICAN SPORTS CAR,

YOU CAN AFFORD TO

HAVE A [CULVERT

PIPE] SHELTER ...

Ronal Hubbard, ownerof Atlas Survival Shelters

A Shelter In Three Days?If you want a shelter underground on your property, youcan get the project done unbelievably quickly.

When someone first inquires about a shelter, I askthem some basic questions like how far down the watertable is, how far above sea level they are, whether theirland floods, if their ground is solid rock, clay, etc., Hub-bard says. Then, once they order the shelter, we getsomeone within 100 miles from them to go in with anexcavator. We want very few local people to know aboutit, so we can have the hole dug, put the shelter in andclose it back up in anywhere from two to three days. If itwas foggy outside, the person next door would nevereven know a shelter went into the property.

The Luxuries of HomeAtlas Survival Shelters feature all of the luxuries ofhome, including running water, private master bed-rooms, big-screen TVs, fireplaces, hot showers, flush-ing toilets and everything else you love about your house.

The only thing that makes them unique is thattheyre 20 feet underground and bomb-proof, Hub-bard says.

An Atlas Shelter beingprepared for placementunderground.

The diningarea of anAtlas Shelter.


ASG_1404_29 2/3/14 11:25 PM Page 29


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JIM DELOZIERS SURVIVOR TRUCK MIGHTJUST BE THE ULTIMATE BUG-OUT VEHICLE.

Every time I think, What have I done?, Iget contacted by someone who tells me howimpressed they are with it, DeLozier says.

IN THE DRIVERS SEATBehind the wheel of the ultimate survival

truck is possibly the ultimate survivalist. DeLozierdesigns medical devices and gun parts, is aweapons manufacturer, a firearms instructor andan EMT. In his dealings with various levels of

When the Rubber Hits theRoadin the Name of SurvivalText and Photos by TORI TELLEM

ONETOUGHTRUCK

emergency, military and law enforcement, he got to thinking aboutwhat would happen if he combined the best of the robust vehicles theyuse in the line of duty.

BACKSTORYDeLozier then bought a trucka 1980 Chevy pickup, which was

previously a work truck employed as an environmental drill rig. It wasin pretty bad shape. DeLozier started to transform it into a vehiclethat would offer him and his family the ability to sustain if they had toget out of town. Unfortunately, those ideas quickly got bigger thanthe truck.

What happened next was the birth of this 13-ton beast. (For per-spective, if you went to the dealership and bought, say, a base-model2014 Ford F-150 pickup, it would weigh about 4,700 pounds.) Nothingabout it resembles its early days; from the tires to the roof and every-thing in between, the word survival was the focus. Modifications,custom-built components, add-ons, bolt-ons and extreme carry-onsturned the Chevy into what DeLozier calls the biggest, baddest, all-inclusive, all-purpose vehicle ever made. And yes, its street-legal;DeLozier has a standard drivers license.

MONEY TALKPrice tag? DeLozier estimates that, between the design and engi-

neering alone, it has cost more than $1 million to complete the truck(and its still not totally complete in his eyes). But he noted that build-ing another one for a customer would cost a lot less, especially whenmass production eventually comes into play.

8

710

12

11

4

5

3

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INSPIRATIONThrough his work, DeLozier

deals with SWAT teams and mili-tary, so he looked at their rigs

Humvees and Grizzlys, for exam-pleas well as motorhomes.

Voila, the Survivor Truck!

UP FRONT

FEAT

URED

VEH

ICLE

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1

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3

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I HAD INITIALLY STARTED WITH THE DAILY DRIVER CONCEPT, BUT I REALIZED VERY EARLY ON THAT I WAS RUNNING OUT OF CAPACITY BEFORE I HAD REALLY ANY ABILITY TO SUSTAIN A LIFE FOR

AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SO I HAD TO GO WITH A BIGGER VEHICLE.

JIM DELOZIER

THE TRUCKHeres a closer look at some of the elements that helped to transmogrifya run-of-the-mill truck into a run-of-the-land Survivor Truck.

UP FRONT1. Theres a protective cagearound the entire perimeter ofthe vehicle, from top to bottom.2. This overhang is asniper/observation platform.3. Under the hood is a Chevy366ci tall-block connected to afive-speed manual transmis-sion. Fuel economy? Maybebetter than youd imagine forsomething of this size andweight; the truck currently getsaround 8.5 miles per gallon.4. Underneath is a blast plate.5. There are winches, front andrear. Theres also a crane hook.6. HID lights and light bars arein various locations. Everythingon the truck is bulletproof even the lights.7. Within the frame is a 50-gal-lon water tank. There are alsoother water tanks on the exteriorand interior of the truck.8. An on-board air compressor,welder and generator areamong the bug-out gadgets.9. There are thermo cameras,infrared cameras and laser cam-eras. Night vision gear is also onboard. The truck has 360-degreevideo monitoring capability.10. A riser system lifts thecamper off the truck so that thecommand center, which is still awork in progress, has more verti-cal clearance for standing upand walking around.11. The truck has loads of stor-age compartments all aroundand inside it. Firearms, biologi-cal gear, saws, water purification,chemical suits and medical kitsare among the necessities.12. The 53-inch, military-styletires utilize a mine-resistant run-flat system. Each tire/wheel setupweighs more than 550 pounds,including the manual-lockinghubs. The truck also hauls twofull-sized spares.

OUT BACK1. Thats a custom-made canopy. 2. Solar panels are located onthe roof, and theres also a solar

generator in addition to amobile generator.3. The truck is bi-fuel-ready.DeLozier will soon be adding 50-gallon gasoline tanks, equip-ping the Survivor Truck with 146gallons of gasoline and 150 gal-lons of propane.4. Batteries, weighing about 77pounds each, can be found allover the truck. More than 1,200pounds in batteries, actually. Abattery bank is located here. It isalso outfitted with inverters.5. The truck has more than1,200 pounds of Rhino Lining,which is a protective coating.The exterior also now has a camopaint job.6. The custom suspension haslift kits as well as extra leafsprings to support/distribute thetrucks massive weight. Thereare also very large axles andmanual-locking hubs for when4x4 mode is required to traverserough terrain.7. The trucks walls have a ther-moregulating camouflage sys-tem. That means the SurvivorTruck wont appear on thermalimaging: So we look just like amound in the middle of thedesert, DeLozier says.

INSIDE 1. Right here is the armoredcommand/communications cen-ter, a bulletproof safe room anda work in progress. It has anuclear, biological and chemicalfiltration system.2. There are two beds, includingone disguised as a sitting area.3. A fridge, burner stove, sinkwith hot and cold water, showerand toilet, as well as a heaterand air conditioning, equallong-term sustainability.4. Theres -inch fiberglass bal-listic paneling inside.5. Among the various electron-ics is a private encrypted radionetwork and tablets for monitor-ing whats happening outsidethe vehicle.

OUT BACK

INSIDE

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SLEEPING BAGS

In The BagSLEEPING BAGS ARE YOUR LAST LINE of defense against anythingMother Nature can throw at you, so choose carefully! Without a goodnights sleep, you wont be able to function at your fullest, and in asurvival situation, that could prove costly.

With dozens of variations available today, choose a sleeping bagbased on durability and the type of environment you will be staying inas well as certain conditions based on your own personal require-ments, including temperature preferences, thickness of material andthe overall weight of the bag when traveling.

Choosing the right sleeping bag for you and your family membersis an important decision when selecting survival gear. Waking up inthe middle of the night all wet and shivering is not the time to realizeyou made the wrong choice!

A Good Sleeping Bag Can Make All the Difference In a Survival SituationPH

OTO

BY

THIN

KST

OC

K

Buyers Guide

ASG_1404_BG_BAGS.EP 2/7/14 1:52 AM Page 32

ELITE SURVIVALSYSTEMS

Model: Recon 5Website: www.elitesurvival.comMSRP: $223.95

Key Features: Designed to keep you comfortablein extreme cold conditions, down to -20 degreesCelsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit)

Description: The Recon 5 is your ultimate cold-cli-mate sleeping bag. Created using 210T ripstopnylon with a Teflon finish and 300 grams persquare meter of insulation for ultimate warmth, theRecon offers intense cold protection and durabilityto withstand even the harshest environments. Itfeatures bonded seams, anti-snag zipper with a Vel-cro tab closure and a heavy-duty No. 8 spiral zipperwith storm flap. Enjoy the shaped hood for addedcomfort and the internal PDA/phone pocket for yourelectronic conveniences.

Manufacturers Comments: With sizes availableto withstand temperatures to -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius), the Recon line of sleeping bags[is] among the smallest, lightest-weight bags on themarket. Their rugged durability and compact sizemake them a perfect addition to any survival check-list. BRYAN BOGUE, PRESIDENT

1

BLIZZARD PROTECTION

SYSTEMS LTD.Model: Blizzard Survival BagWebsite: www.blizzardsurvival.comMSRP: $52

Key Features: 100-percent water- and windproof;compact and lightweight; reusable

Description: The Blizzard Survival Bag is consid-ered standard equipment for many military andemergency services. Its revolutionary design sup-plys thermal protection in any situation where peo-ple need to be kept warm. Its compact carryingdesign makes it ideal for use by hikers, campers orsurvivalists, who all need to travel light yet needprotection from the blistering cold during thenight. The Blizzard Bag is reusable, weighs lessthan a pound and is available in silver, orange or green.

Manufacturers Comments: Our Blizzard SurvivalProducts were invented by an avid hiker in Wales,have saved countless lives in militaries worldwide andare compact, lightweight and simple enough to beused by any outdoor enthusiast.Our speciallydesigned Reflexcell material and quality constructionset us apart from any other hypothermia protectiongear on the market, and our customers experiencethe difference. DEE WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SALES

2


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Buyers Guide

SLEEPING BAGS

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BLIZZARD SURVIVAL BAG

$522

RECON 5

$223.951

THE RECON OFFERS INTENSE COLD PROTECTIONAND DURABILITY TO WITH-

STAND EVEN THE HARSHESTENVIRONMENTS.

THE BLIZZARD SURVIVALBAG IS CONSIDERED STAN-

DARD EQUIPMENT FORMANY MILITARY AND

EMERGENCY SERVICES.



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Buyers Guide

SLEEPING BAGS

EDDIE BAUERModel: Northern King +20 Degrees

Website: www.eddiebauer.comMSRP: $299

Key Features: Large size for comfort; no-chill, down, baffle-box construction

Description: The Northern King +20Degrees Sleeping Bag is the perfect bag foroutdoor activities from springtime to latefall. Its rectangular, plush, down designoffers you plenty of room and coziness whilekeeping you warm at temperatures down to+20 degrees Fahrenheit. Filled with pre-mium goose down with protective polyestertaffeta, the Northern King is durable withoutsacrificing comfort. YKK-patented zippersensure smooth and durable closure. It ismachine washable and comes completewith stuff-and-storage sacks.

Manufacturers Comments: The KingSeries of sleeping bags has well over 60 yearsof history at Eddie Bauer.Eddie created thishigh-quality line of sleeping bags to addressthe needs of the market not looking toexplore the highest peaks of the world butstill wanted the quality and comfort that isthe reputation of Eddie Bauer down sleepingbags.The Northern King is 3 pounds, 13ounces, and is a fantastic choice for the per-son looking for the comfort of a rectangularsleeping bag that can be used at the earlyspring or fall campsite, the backyard or thefor the field. Filled with premium grey goosedown, the combination of the baffle boxand horizontal interior baffle construc-tion keeps even distribution of thedown across the bag and maxi-mizes loft for perfect warmth to 20degrees outside temperatures. JACK MANNON,

PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST

3 SELKBAGModel: PatagonWebsite: www.selkbagusa.comMSRP: $259

Key Features: Innovative sleep/wear sys-tem, multiple adjusting points, cold-weather usage

Description: The Patagon is the most tech-nically advanced model of sleepwear evercreated by Selkbag. It is essentially a sleep-ing bag that allows the user mobility andcomfort when out in harsh environments.Padded with Krekran insulating material,the Patagon can withstand cold tempera-tures while keeping you warm and toastyinside. Adjustable hood and arm strapsconform to your particular body type.Removable booties, which double as a pil-low when zipped together, allow you towear your own footwear while in the suit.New quick-release hand closures allow fasthand entry and exit.

Manufacturers Comments: The Patagonis our most technical product of the Selkbagfamily so far and, most importantly, featuresremovable booties so you can wear your ownboots or shoes, making it ideal for a ready togo type of sleeping bag. CRISTOBAL MURILLO, CO-OWNER

4

PATAGON

$2594

NORTHERN KING +20 DEGREES

$2993

OFFERS YOU PLENTY OF ROOMAND COZINESS WHILE KEEPING YOUWARM AT TEMPERATURES DOWN TO

+20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

ADJUSTABLE HOOD AND ARM STRAPS

CONFORM TO YOUR PARTICULAR

BODY TYPE.



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Buyers Guide

SLEEPING BAGS

BIG AGNESModel: Bellyache Mountain SL

Website: www.bigagnes.comMSRP: $299.95

Key Features: Water-repellant down; anti-microbial and anti-bacterial insulation

Description: The Bellyache Mountain SLtakes a traditional mummy-style sleepingbag and gives it a technical face-lift. Thisold-school-style bag repels water usingDownTek water-repellant down while main-taining insulation value, loft and breatha-bility. It features a no-draft collar seal tokeep cold air from entering as well as insu-lation between the bag and pad and alongthe length of the zipper to keep you warmand dry during the night. Connect a part-ners bag to yours with ease to create adual-sleeping chamber. Interior fabricloops hold your sleeping bag liner secureand in place. Storage sack and nylon stuff-sack included.

Manufacturers Comments: The Belly-ache Mountain SL is a warm and lightweightsleeping bag that features DownTek water-repellent down and Insotect Flow vertical baf-fles to help body heat travel from the core tothe extremities for more efficient and eventhermoregulation. CARL JOHNSON, PR ACCOUNT MANAGER

5 HIGH PEAK USAModel: Kodiak 20Website: www.nitro-pak.com (online sellers)MSRP: $79.99

Key Features: Windshield and thermalcollar; dual-bag connection; rating to 20degrees Fahrenheit

Description: Affordability and comfort arecombined to create the Kodiak 20. This tra-ditional rectangular bag keeps you cozydown to 20 degrees Fahrenheit while pro-viding a windshield and thermal collar toavoid getting chilled from unavoidablewind gusts. A convenient hood with draw-string closures and the ability to join with asecond bag make the Kodiak 20 perfect fora weekend getaway for two without break-ing the bank.

Vendors Comments: The High PeakKodiak 20 is rated for 20 degrees and ulti-mately designed for your comfort. This sleep-ing bag has a puffy, rectangular bag, is con-structed with a Dura Fiber H1 insulation andhas a polyester ripstop shell. The inside linerhas 100-percent cotton flannel. This bag canalso be zipped together with another sleep-ing bag. AARON CURLEY, MARKETING MANAGER,WWW.NITRO-PAK.COM

6

BELLYACHE MOUNTAIN SL

$299.955

KODIAK 20

$79.996

THIS OLD-SCHOOL-STYLE BAGREPELS WATER USING DOWNTEK

WATER-REPELLANT DOWN WHILEMAINTAINING INSULATION VALUE,

LOFT AND BREATHABILITY.

THIS BAG CANALSO BE ZIPPED

TOGETHERWITH ANOTHERSLEEPING BAG.



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Buyers Guide

SLEEPING BAGS

ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS

Model: Survive Outdoors Longer (SOL) Emergency BivvyWebsite: www.nitro-pak.com (online sellers)MSRP: $17

Key Features: Sealed protection from the ele-ments; waterproof and windproof

Description: For use in place of a typical sur-vival blanket, the AMK SOL Emergency Bivvyoffers the indispensible feature of being sealedon three sides. This ensures at least 90 percentof your body heat will be reflected back tokeep you warm when nature is not so nice andgentle. With windproof and waterproof heat-sheets weighing in at only 3.8 ounces, thisbivvy can travel anywhere you do with lit-tle to no additional pack weight. Coloredin highly visible orange with anincluded carrying bag.

Vendors Comments: The ultralight,ultra-warm, full-protection shelter! TheSOL Emergency Bivvy is made from thesame heat-reflective polyethylene asAMKs world-famous emergency blankets(reflecting 90 percent of your body heatback to you) with the added benefit ofbeing fully sealed so that no wind, rain orsnow can get inside. If youre forced tospend the unexpected night outdoors,hop in the SOL Emergency Bivvy as soon asthe temperature drops and instantlyimprove the odds in your favor. AARON CURLEY, MARKETING MANAGER,

WWW.NITRO-PAK.COM

BIG AGNESModel: Encampment 15

Website: www.bigagnes.comMSRP: $179.99

Key Features: Integrated, full-pad sleeve;built-in pillow; roomy rectangular shape

Description: The Big Agnes Encampmentsleeping bag offers warmth and comfort usingan ingenious construction technique that com-bines layers of insulation connected by severalkey anchoring points throughout the bag. Thisprocess maximizes heat containment while pre-venting gapping. A no-draft collar keeps coldair from sneaking in while the no-draft wedgedesign insulates between the sleeping pad andthe bag. Its tough shell is constructed of ripstopnylon and is treated to repel water, keepingyou dry during natures unexpected storms. Aconnectable zipper attaches a second sleepingbag to create a two-person sleeping area. Cot-ton storage bag and nylon stuff sack areincluded.

Manufacturers Comments: The Encamp-ment 15 is a quality bag at a competitive price.The synthetic insulation is made with 97-percentrecycled material and feels as warm and soft asdown. This is a good, all-around sleeping bagthat can be used in a variety of different situationsin a wide range of climates. CARL JOHNSON, PR ACCOUNT MANAGER

7

8SOL EMERGENCY BIVVY$177

ENCAMPMENT 15

$179.998THIS ENSURES AT LEAST 90 PERCENT OFYOUR BODY HEAT WILL BE REFLECTED

BACK TO KEEP YOU WARM WHEN NATUREIS NOT SO NICE AND GENTLE.

ITS TOUGH SHELL IS CONSTRUCTED OF RIPSTOPNYLON AND IS TREATED TO

REPEL WATER, KEEPING YOUDRY DURING NATURESUNEXPECTED STORMS.



No team works out teamwork. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

THE BEAUTY OF SURVIVALISM is the bonding process, whetheryour survival team numbers two or twenty. An effective team canachieve incredible results.

A team that is not working can cause unnecessary disruption andstrategic failure.

Outside of marriage, this commitment is as serious as it gets,and figuring out the balance of responsibilities requires uncommontrust. That starts with having the knowledge, tools and talent t

american survival guide - summer 2014

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