Securing Your Internet Communications (Survival Related)

Survival today is not only about procuring food, water, shelter and having defensive capabilities; at times it comes down to securing your internet communications if needed.  In today’s world internet access and communication is the number one way that most people obtain quick information whenever it is needed.  The internet is available almost everywhere and can be accessed by an array of devices.  Internet communication thus plays a pivotal role in survival planning and preparation.  Be aware of the following.

• A record exists somewhere of everything you do on the internet.
• Encryption programs usually have backdoor access so cannot be considered 100% safe.
• Anything you do on the net can be compromised.
• Thumb drives a.k.a. zip drives a.k.a. flash drives are portable, transportable pocket carry storage devices and are excellent ways to carry information when encrypted.  Information can be taken with you and accessed almost anywhere.
• Hide information within documents so it is not recognizble upon casual glance.
• Use pre-established codes within document text to keep information private
• Maintain password security.  Keep in mind that a keystroke logger is a device attached between your keyboard and PC and if one is present it will record every keystroke and password entry you make.  You can defeat the password portion by copying and pasting your password in instead of typing it.  Internet spying software will not be defeated by this method.

While the internet is a great tool for all sorts of things it is not nearly as private as you might think.  Have fun but be careful out there.

Cover and Concealment Revisited

Knowing the difference between cover and concealment when under attack is of vital importance to your survival.  Cover is anything that provides varying degrees of protection from gunfire.  Examples are brick walls, concrete walls, engine compartments of vehicles, logs, thick tree trunks, trenches, rock formations, a freezer full of frozen food items, hillsides, metal dumpsters, sandbags at least 12 inches thick, 55 gallon drums filled with sand, steel doors, concrete parking barriers and telephone poles.  If it can stop a bullet it is considered cover.

Concealment provides a place to hide but will not stop gunfire.  Examples are walls of a normal wood frame house, small trees, foliage, darkness, bushes, tall grass, shadows, car bodies, behind non steel doors, tables and couches.  If it cannot stop a bullet it is considered concealment.

Cover = things you can stay behind or blend in with which will stop a bullet.

Concealment = things you can stay behind or blend in with which will not stop a bullet.

Make sure you know the difference.

Martial Law Revisited

Martial law can be defined as the military taking control of a city, state or country and running it at their discretion.  The military would impose control on a civilian population when law and order cannot be maintained by the civil authorities.  Martial law scenarios would likely involve a restriction, erosion or suspension of your Constitutional rights by government decree.

In order to survive martial law the following things should be considered.  You will need to prepare beforehand by becoming as self reliant as possible; avoid traveling to any and all areas under martial law; do not draw attention to yourself or your family during times of martial law; stay informed and never accept the governments word at face value.  Remember your survival trumps obeying dictates.  I’ll repeat that…..your survival trumps obeying dictates.

A constant, armed military presence  and routine patrols by the military will be part of martial law along with curfews and vehicle checkpoints.  There will be people who masquerade as law enforcement to lure people into traps and attack them.  Do not fall for this.  You need to be extremely careful who you follow and whom you trust.  Martial law can be dangerous and life ending to those who do not recognize martial law for what it really is.

Zombie Weapons

Just in case the next zombie outbreak happens in your area set aside your major weapons in advance; just to be safe……….here are my personal selections straight from my firearms locker.

• Zombie Shotgun – Mossberg 590 A1 Special Purpose 12 Gauge Pump Action.
• Zombie Carbine (Iron Sights) – DPMS AP4 Panther Carbine AR15
• Zombie Carbine (Scoped) Izhmash Saiga with BSA 3-9×40 scope
• Zombie Long Distance Rifle – Century FAL L1A1
• Zombie Handgun – Smith & Wesson M&P45
• Zombie Tomahawk – United Cutlery M48 Hawk
• Zombie Fixed Blade Knife – Elite Forces

SHTF Is Not The Time To Find Out You Don’t Know What You’re Doing

When the SHTF (xxxx hits the fan) is not the time to find out you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to defensively engaging threats with your firearms.  Make sure…..I repeat make sure that you are thoroughly familiar with the weapons system you are using so you don’t have to figure out basic things such as where the magazine release button is, where the safety mechanism is, etc.  Engaging hostile threats is no time to have to learn how your weapons platform operates.

Train, train and train again until you are fully competent with your choice of weapons.  Personal incompetance with your firearms is inexcusable and can cost you your life.  You need to be able to transition smoothly between any weapons you own and might end up using to engage an enemy threat.

Speaking of survival; remember this.  If you are already armed with a firearm and sufficient ammunition, do not pick up any firearm you see laying around the battlefield as it may have been intentionally left there by your enemy and in a booby trapped condition.  You don’t know what you don’t know so be careful out there.

Real World Survival

Very few of us will have to deal with surviving a plane crash or surviving a ship sinking…..however many of us may have to face more routine survival scenarios such as extended power outages due to storms, etc.  Are you prepared if you have no power for 10 to 20 days?  The following are some considerations for real world survival.

• Have a workable, realistic survival plan and follow that plan.
• Have a sufficient quantity of food and water on hand.  3 months worth per person set aside is a good target goal.  Don’t forget to have extra food available for your pets.
• Have a sufficient quantity of firearms, mags and ammo as needed for defensive purposes.
• Have a workable generator, proper wiring to run the whole house from the generator and sufficient quantities of safely stored fuel to run the generator.
• Keep a sufficient supply of firewood on hand for your fireplace and or woodstove.
• Keep charcoal safely stored and have a charcoal grill available if you need to grill any meals outside.
• Batteries, batteries, batteries in proper sizes for your equipment such as flashlights, etc., is a must.  You can never have too many batteries.
• Sanitation needs must be considered.  Have sufficient toilet paper stockpiled; pages of phone books can also be used as a toilet paper substitute.  If you have rainbarrels outside you can use the water from them to flush the toilet if you don’t have a generator running to provide power.
• Keep small denominations of spare cash available.  If the power is out and some businesses are open; they likely will not be able to take credit card transactions.  You will also not be able to use an ATM machine to get cash.

 

Today’s Recommended Weapon 1-7

Century International Arms FAL L1A1 semi automatic rifle, 20 rounds chambered for .308

 

 

Drag Bag and Why You Need One

Carrying any combination of 2 long arms (rifles, shotguns) into the field can be cumbersome.  A drag bag allows you to take multiple long guns into the field along with related equipment (magazines, ammo, hearing protection, repair kit, etc) by either dragging the bag with a foot attachment through the brush, sniper style, so one can remain concealed or carrying the bag back pack style with attached shoulder straps.

My drag bags are made by NcStar and are well made and can handle a fair amount of abuse.  The bag will hold two long arms in seperate compartments plus has 4 large exterior pockets for holding a good amount of related gear.  The muzzle end of the bag has a reinforced hood to protect the case from tearing when dragging through rough terrain.  Whether used for a trip to the range, out in the field or just for transport capabilities a drag bag is an excellent way to carry your firearms.

Think About This The Next Time You Have To Decide Whether To Carry A Firearm

If you are going through the stages where you’re internally debating with yourself whether or not to carry a firearm, think about the following.

How would it make you feel if a criminal had total control; the power of life and death over you and your family with only the criminal having any say in whether you or your family lived or died.   Without having a firearm and a working knowledge of using that firearm to defend yourself and your family you would have absolutely no input into that scenario.  It is your right and your responsibility to protect yourself and your family.  Never forget that.

Common Survival Scenario Shooting Mistakes

An extreme survival scenario has just ocurred.  Armed criminals are on the prowl with the intent of harming you and your family.  Now is not the time to make shooting mistakes.  Here are some of the common shooting scenario mistakes people make when under stress or pressure.  Avoid these shooting mistakes at all costs.

• Not seeing what is in plain sight while scanning the area for the enemy.
• Not being aware of where your muzzle is pointed and what your trigger finger is doing.
• Moving too quickly.
• Not removing the safety once target acquisition has been obtained.
• Not being sure of your target and considering what is around the target.
• Not prioritizing your threats.
• Not making positive ID that a threat is truly a threat.
• Not breathing properly or having correct situational awareness.
• Not having sufficient, available ammunition in the correct caliber for your weapon.