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The content and opinions of this manual are the express view of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of any entities that may be mentioned or discussed within this manual. Any and all references are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any particular website or other source. The reader should understand that any and all websites and provided resource material within this manual are not controlled by the author(s) and could thus be subject to change.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

How to Read This Manual

2012

The Grasshopper and the Ants

The Survival Mindset

Fear

Self-Reliance

Community

Basic Needs

Air

Water

Food

Energy

Beyond the Basics

Self Defense

Krav Maga

Firearms

The Defensive Pistol

The Defensive Rifle

The Defensive Shotgun

Fortifications

First Aid

Disasters

Stay or Go

Out of Town

When Others Panic

Thinking Outside the Box

Supply Triangle

Economic Insurance

Zombies and 2012

Conclusion

Quick Start Guide:Disaster Ready in 14 Days

Gear Guide:The Best of the Best

Introduction

“Survival is the celebration of choosing life over death. We know we’re going to die. We all die. But survival is saying: perhaps not today. In that sense, survivors don’t defeat death, they come to terms with it.”

-Laurence Gonzales

Not Your Typical Survival Manual

For all you battle worn, die hard survival junkies, this manual and the content herein will not reinforce or encourage any of the classic fears, anxieties, or popular misconceptions surrounding disaster planning. This manual takes a fresh look at both traditional and modern survival tactics, effectively harmonizing them with innovative themes and strategies.

This manual is not intended for the faint of heart, couch commando, or arm chair survivalist. The strategies expressed within these pages will require a dedicated effort from the reader. It will not be enough to simply read this manual; you will have to actively engage with its content. The pages to follow will encourage the reader to rethink and challenge his or her own personal belief systems and fears. You will need to have an open mind in order to get the most out of this manual. So, if you are steadfastly committed to arcane survivalist dogmas and institutionalized psychologically based fear programs, walk away from this manual now. However, if you are new to the world of survival self-reliance and disaster prepping, or if perhaps you are just open to new ideas, then this manual will serve you well.

The philosophies and tactics provided within these pages are designed to remove the fear and anxiety from disaster prepping. While most people begin survival prepping out of fear, the end result should always be that of empowerment.  Of which this manual reflects, in a brand new approach to disaster preparedness, represented in the phrase, “Survival Enlightenment.”

How to Read This Manual

“We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think.”

-Buddha

A Guide to Self-Reliance

This is a no-nonsense, beginner’s quick-start guide to disaster preparations and survival. The pages that follow will outline easily digestible, commonsense steps to protect you and your family in the event of both natural and man-made disasters. This manual has condensed a wealth of information into the most basic yet effective measures to substantially increase you and your family’s survival skill sets. While the basics are covered in great detail, this manual is devised to facilitate advanced mental preparedness concepts as well.

In these chaotic and uncertain times, it has become increasingly important that individuals such as yourself take the necessary steps to ensure not only your own personal safety, but also that of your friends and loved ones. This manual blends extensive survival know-how with comprehensive mental preparedness concepts.

This manual makes no distinctions between that of the modern prepper and the traditional survivalist, instead thinking in terms of shared community and commonalities. Whether one views his or herself as a prepper, survivalist, or something different altogether, we are all cut from the same cloth. So read this manual with an eye for inclusion and shared community. This is in the best interest of the reader, as those who share in a passion for self-reliance are brothers and sisters in ideology.

Think of this body of work in terms that give significant, personal meaning to you. Allow yourself to be open to new and abstract concepts that challenge your viewpoints and levels of personal comfort. View this manual as a road map to preparedness, self-reliance, and personal growth. Look beneath the layers of text that follows, and maintain an open mind when confronted with opinions contrary to that of your own.

The doctrine and philosophy outlined herein are purposely designed to provide you with the mental, physical, and emotional tools necessary to protect your family and loved ones from a wide range of possible disaster scenarios. You only need to follow through with the outlined protocols and steps to begin this process.

Following each section, you will find specific preparation steps and detailed gear recommendations with corresponding links and information. The author has painstakingly compiled the best knowledge and resources available to alleviate the reader from unnecessary confusion and stress associated with disaster preparedness.

At times throughout this manual you will be asked to do things that will be out of your comfort zone. You will have to challenge yourself in order to maximize this manual’s potential. Simply follow the protocols outlined in this manual, and sleep well knowing that you have begun the process needed to protect you, your family, and your loved ones.

This manual is formatted in such a way as to first remove any of the reader’s unnecessary fears, and is then followed by specific disaster preparation strategies. It is the belief of the author that disaster gear alone cannot possibly fully prepare the reader for a survival situation. This manual will first focus on building a solid mental preparedness foundation before any of the actual “prepping” takes place. Survival planning must begin first in your mind.

This manual will give back exactly what you put into it. Open yourself to the transformative potential that you already possess, and allow the sections that follow to serve as your facilitator and guide to total survival self-reliance. Lets get started.

2012

“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have only been learning how to die.”

-Leonardo da Vinci

The End of the World

Let us address the 800-pound gorilla in the room. As predicted in the first edition of this manual: on December 21, 2012, the world did not end. Moreover, there was no a sudden pole reversal or heavenly rapture preceding it. Humanity yet again escaped the threat of nuclear annihilation, alien invasion, and asteroid impact. The Earth never collided with an unforeseen planetary body, and the threat of an impending zombie apocalypse seems to have been averted.

I know that for many of you the aforementioned fears are still are very real. If the preceding statements have offended you, that was not the intention. However, if you are reading this manual because you have a genuine interest in enhancing your potential of surviving a disaster, and maximizing your total days on this Earth, then you will probably find this news of comfort.

The truth is that virtually every civilization throughout human history has had its own unique version of a doomsday or end time’s prophecy. Our time is no different. There have been countless Earth Ending Events predicted throughout mankind’s tenure on this planet, all of which have come and past. It is exceeding likely that humanity will continue on with trend for at least the foreseeable future. This is not to mock nor belittle anyone’s beliefs, it is only to illustrate that it is pointless to waste time worrying about something that cannot be controlled. No one know the time and manner in which the world will end, this includes the author. Life is a dance that must be enjoyed, not feared.

With that being said, if you possess any of the aforementioned fears or beliefs surrounding the end of the world, then now is the time to get it out of your system. Simply take a deep breath and release all preconceived notions, fears, and anxieties. In the following pages there will be a lot of innovative ideas and concepts that will be best served free of these concerns. If you find yourself incapable of releasing such fears, then your first official exercise will be to temporarily suspend your beliefs while ingesting the material in this manual. You will find that the content of this work will be more profound if unrestrained by fear. You must first be open to the idea of survival before beginning to prepare for it. If you need to stop reading for a moment to let this sink in, then please do so now.

Thanks for staying with it. Admittedly, this world can be at times an extremely hostile place with legitimate concerns worth noting, which will be the focus this manual. With that said, never forget that life can be exceedingly fragile, the promise of tomorrow is never guaranteed, so live each second with a keen awareness of life's profound value. Let this be your battle cry. Do not waste another moment of your life consumed by fear, worry, or panic.

In obtaining total survival self-reliance, know that there are a tremendous amount of real-world survival strategies that will positively affect your ability to thrive in an actual survival situation, which this manual will examine in detail. This body of work represents an intentional departure from the “Mad Max” mentality too often found within popular disaster-preparation discourse. The pages that follow will focus preparation efforts on the most pressing disaster scenarios, not on the post-apocalyptic, leather-clad motorcycle gangs of Hollywood fiction.

Protocol: Deprogramming 2012

In order to shift your thoughts from those of fear and panic, you must redirect your mental state. Your thoughts are the reality that you will manifest. The beliefs and fears that you nurture in your mind alter the chemistry of your thoughts. In much the same way a professional athlete will train by visualizing a victory long before it happens, you too must train your thoughts to the positive in order to realize your highest potential for survival. If you are consumed with negative thoughts, then that is the reality you will manifest. This positive thought transformation is the mechanism by which you transform the hard wiring of your brain from a negative to a positive thought reality.

Start by creating a list of all the things for which you are grateful. This will begin the process of redirecting your thoughts from the worst-case scenario to that of the positive potential in any disastrous situation. It is ironic that the prepper who labors to survive often creates a life not worth living. If you are consumed with the fear of death, then for what purpose are you living? The enlightened prepper will never think of the glass as half empty; it is always half full. A positive mindset is the most important component to survival. You must foster within yourself a mentality of positive potential. Change your mind, and your actions will inevitably follow.

As you begin your list, write down any and all positive aspects of your life. Most people never think about the many things for which they can be thankful, instead dwelling on those which most distress them. For many of you this process will take some time—be patient. If you notice negative thoughts coming up as you are compiling this list, take inventory of them, and file them in your mental directory of self-destructive thoughts. Notice each negative thought as it occurs, and make a conscious effort to immediately replace it with positive thoughts from your list. Giving too much energy to your negative thoughts will only yield negative results. Below are a few categories to get you started. Do not limit yourself to the following examples.

1. Your thoughts and perspectives/ your world views

2. Your beliefs/ spirituality

3. People in your life/ friends, family and loved ones

4. Physical possessions/ money/ house

5. Special skills/ talents

6. Accomplishments/ individual achievements

7. Difficult life situations that taught you valuable lessons

Do not stop writing this list until you have at least twenty items for which you are sincerely thankful or proud. The enlightened prepper will draw great strength from this list, as these items will be your new reasons for survival preparation, instead of your fears. Hang this list somewhere you will see it every day. Each morning when you wake up, spend a few minutes reading your list. Every time you notice a negative thought or fear, simply replace it with something from your list. This list will eventually shift your attention away from your negative thoughts, creating a positive transformation in your life and facilitating a higher level of disaster preparedness.

The Grasshopper and the Ants

“In the long run, the pessimist may be proved to be right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.”

- Daniel L. Reardon

A Conceptual Philosophy

The timeless fable of “The Grasshopper and The Ants” is probably one that is familiar to most of you. It has been told and retold in virtually every language, dating back to ancient Greece. There have been many subtle variations to the original tale, but largely the story has remained unchanged for thousands of years. The story goes as follows:

The grasshopper, blissfully ignorant and full of life, spends his days laughing, singing, and enjoying the bounties that life has to offer. The grasshopper is content in the moment with little concern for the future.

The ants, diligent and hardworking are consumed with a singular purpose: to gather food to store in preparation for the long winter ahead. The ants are completely committed to the needs of the colony, with little regard for life's simple pleasures.

Throughout this tale, the grasshopper openly mocks the ants as they gather food, insisting that there is plenty to go around and that there is no need for the ants to work so hard. The grasshopper encourages the ants to delay their food gathering preparations and enjoy the plenty that spring and summer months have to offer. The grasshopper urges the ants to enjoy life and that there will be lots of time later to prepare for the winter. The ants contently continue on with their tasks, paying little attention to the musings of the grasshopper. The story continues on in this fashion, as the ants work the whole summer while the grasshopper enjoys himself, laughing and dancing without a care in the world.

Not surprisingly, as the summer months wane into fall, the grasshopper has taken no steps to prepare for the winter. The food that was once abundant is now gone, and the grasshopper is now out of time. The grasshopper has made a fatal error, of which he is now painfully aware. Near the point of death, and with few options left, the grasshopper crawls to the entrance of the ants’ colony, looking for help.

At this point in the fable some versions of the grasshopper and the ants differ. Many depict the ants as merciful, nursing the grasshopper back to health and sheltering him for the winter, while others paint the ants as cold and calculating, sending the grasshopper away to ultimately starve and freeze to death in the snow.

The subsequent fate of the grasshopper is unimportant. What is important here is how this fable personally relates to your own individual concepts and beliefs systems surrounding survival and disaster preparedness. Ultimately, the philosophy outlined within this survival manual dispels what many would view as a dichotomy between the grasshopper and the ants. As few things in life are so starkly black or white, the truth is that there is a great deal of insight to gain from both the grasshopper and the ants.

The tendencies of many survivalists are similar to those of our friends, the ants. Unable to see the forest for the trees, too often the survivalist pays little notice to the abundance and joy that life has to offer. Consumed with the singular purpose to stockpile and prepare, such survivalists take little notice of much else. Without a sincere, impassioned love of life, why would anyone fight so hard to preserve it? It is exceedingly important to adopt a survival strategy that incorporates the personalities of both the ants and the grasshopper—the ants’ drive and determination to accomplish the task at hand, and the grasshopper’s ability to enjoy every second that life has to offer.

Many preppers give far too much of their time and energy to preparations, ironically creating the reality which they sought to avoid and turning an otherwise abundant life into one of scarcity and fear. The enlightened prepper must shake off the compulsion towards panic and fear, and allow him or herself to enjoy life while taking the steps necessary to protect it. A sound survival strategy should never come at the expense of your own personal happiness and freedom.

Protocol: The Grasshopper and the Ant Personality Assessment

The Ant

The “Ant” personality often exhibits classic addictive personality traits and behaviors. These specific personality traits can become so consuming that they prevent you from engaging in other important aspects of life. These same behaviors may be performed compulsively to control anxiety. These addictive-type behaviors may create a drug-like high, which the survivalist may crave and seek out.

1. Do you find yourself obsessing about prepping?

2. Are you spending the majority of your time contemplating disaster preparations?

3. Do you routinely have arguments with your spouse or loved ones regarding the time you spend prepping?

4. Do you routinely have arguments with your spouse or loved ones regarding the money you spend prepping?

5. Have you isolated yourself from your family or friends because you are prepping?

6. Do you feel anxious if you do not work on your preparations for a few days?

7. Do you spend more money on survival items than your budget allows?

8. Do you feel it is necessary to hide the amount of time and money you spend on preparations from your friends and family?

The Grasshopper

The “Grasshopper” personality is most common with the recreational prepper. The extreme psychology of the grasshopper represents that of survivalist denial. Faced with the possibility of encroaching danger, the grasshopper personality type dismisses its fear by way of the “it will never happen to me” mentality. The grasshopper deceives himself by denying the uncomfortable reality.

1. Do you have less than 3 weeks supply of emergency food in your home?

2. Do you feel that you don't need to know first aid because you won't need it or use it?

3. Do you believe that nothing bad will ever happen to you?

4. Do you believe that you are powerless to change your future?

5. Do you believe it is better to die early in a disaster situation than to fight for your survival?

6. Do you believe that you do not have the ability to prepare yourself for a survival situation?

7. Do you believe that there is no sense in preparing yourself because you cannot prepare for every potential disaster?

8. Do you believe there is no point in preparing, because no amount of preparation will ever be enough?

After determining where you fall in this assessment you will realize the areas that require your attention. The desire of the enlightened prepper is to harmonize these two personality types. There has to be a balance in order to achieve your optimum survivability potential. If you are too far on either side of the ant or the grasshopper spectrum, then you will need to make the appropriate corrections. The reader must focus his or her attention on making the appropriate preparations without being consumed by them.

The Survival Mindset

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you."

- African proverb

The Ultimate Survival Tool

The enlightened prepper needs to understand that he or she is the most basic of survival tools to be mastered. You are the foundation by which every decision will be made, and your choices will dictate the outcome of every possible situation that you encounter. Ultimately the level of mental preparation and planning that you are making now will decide the level of comfort and security that you experience in an actual disaster. Disaster survival is not simply an arbitrary checklist of theoretical disasters and the corresponding survival gear; it is altogether much more than that. Survival is a resolute determination and an enlightened understanding of your individual ability to confront and deal with any and all situations that may arise.

We have all marveled at stories of extreme survival depicting ordinary men and women, suddenly thrust into extraordinary situations of life and death, who somehow miraculously survive in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. These remarkable individuals survive by sheer will and determination to live, not because they had stocked root cellars or an AK-47. It must be understood that there is no difference between you and any of these individuals. If you were to speak with these survivors, you would find an overriding commonality: at some point the decision to survive was conscious. It was not mere chance that saved them—it was a conscious choice to survive. It is the will to survive that differentiates the survival story from a story that is never heard, as dead men tell no tales.

This is Julianne’s story:

Following a ski trip with friends in Utah, Julianne began her three-hour trip home to the Salt Lake City area where she lived with her parents. The trip itself was nothing out of the ordinary, as she had done it before. She said goodbye to her friends and began the drive home. Just twenty minutes into the trip, Julianne hit a patch of black ice and crashed into a ravine on the side of a mountain. When Julianne regained consciousness she found that she was severely injured, with her arm mangled and wedged between the car dashboard and the twisted metal that was once her door. She was hopelessly trapped out of view from the road, which was a short fifty yards away. Julianne could hear the cars drive by, but no one could hear her faint screams. Worse still, Julianne had not contacted her family to tell them when she was returning home. By the time a search party had been launched, it was two days later and Julianne was at the point of near death. She had lost a lot of blood and was suffering from exposure to the winter elements. Fading in and out of consciousness, Julianne could hear helicopters searching for her. Unfortunately, it had been snowing and the accident was under a collection of large pine trees in the ravine. There was no trace of the accident for search parties to see, let alone any indication of where she may be. Clinging to life, Julianne knew that she needed help soon if she was going to live. Knowing that her salvation was only fifty yards away, Julianne made a choice to survive. Using her hair tie and a pocketknife, Julianne did what few could only imagine: she cut off her own arm. She has little recollection of the particulars, or how long it took to do. She does know that it took the better part of a day, as she kept passing out from the pain. Eventually she was free, and she crawled to the road, where a passing car came to her rescue. It had been three days, and Julianne lost seven toes to frost bite, as well as her arm. She remembers little about the amputation. Julianne later said that at the moment she knew that she was going to die, everything became clear to her, and she refused to let herself die.

Julianne suffered through an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering, which illustrates the dogged determination of the survivor. Stories such as this have been heard before, however, even more have never been told, as those who have died have no story to tell. What then separates Julianne’s story from those who have perished? It is merely the will to survive that differentiates the two. Internalize this, and make that same conscious decision to survive regardless of the obstacles or the circumstances. The first and most important preparation you will make will begin in your mind. This is the survival mindset.

Protocol: Developing the Survival Mindset

It is exceedingly difficult to teach someone how to develop a survival mindset. After all, how would someone know if they had a survival mindset before they actually need to use it? Your survival mindset will be yours alone to discover.

Start by creating your own survival mantra. Something or someone that will enable your determination to survive will inspire this. For some it may be a child or family member that needs them, while others may have a life goal or dream that must be accomplished before they die. Find something, anything, worth fighting and living for. Regardless of your motives, establish something that will override the compulsion to quit in a life-threatening situation. Most stories of survival share this in common: the thoughts, which kept the survivor going, were of a person that needed them or something they still had to do. You must have something to live for to carry you through the darkest moments and tests of will. An example of this can be found in the movie 127 Hours, based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which depicts the awe inspiring tale of Aaron Ralston.

Protocol: Survival Mantra

Use this survival mantra template for your own personalized survival battle cry. Amend this however you see fit and internalize its content.

“Although I may face difficult and even dangerous situations, I will harness and use all the energy of my mind, body, and spirit, to overcome and survive. I will not leave _________ behind. I still have to __________. I will survive. I will do this at all costs and to any end. I am a survivor.”

After you have written your own survival mantra, memorize and store it with your survival supplies. In time of need, this will prove an invaluable resource.

Gear:Warrior Mindset

This book, written by Dr. Michael Asken, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and Loren Christensen is now widely considered a reference work for understanding the psychological struggles that the modern soldier faces on the battlefield. Written by three of the most knowledgeable researchers in the field of combat psychology, Warrior Mindset is a scientific manual for analyzing the fear and stress that a soldier faces in combat. This manual is extremely in-depth and offers scientifically researched solutions for preparing the mind to cope with the warrior's life-and-death struggles. Warrior Mindset was designed for soldiers and law enforcement officers, but is a valuable tool for anyone who wishes to create their own powerful survival mindset.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Fear

“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”

- Bertrand Russell

False Evidence Appearing Real

All too often we let the fear of what we feel we cannot control dictate our ability to deal with what we can control. Fear, as it relates to the question of personal survival optimization, is a complicated issue. Fear is a necessary human adaptation with very real and legitimate biological and social functions. The emotion of fear safeguards your life and limb from peril every day. Virtually all living species use this powerful emotion to escape death, often without even thinking about it. Human beings alone have the unique ability within the animal kingdom to be consciously aware of their fear.

The notion of conquering ones fears is nothing new; it is in fact quite common. People dedicate enormous amounts of energy and resources to the pursuit of personal fear management. Entire industries exist around this human desire to conquer fear.

Fear must never be the prepper’s sole motivation; it has to be understood for what it truly is. Fear is an instrumental human emotion to be mastered, but never abandoned altogether. Fear is an incredibly useful tool when effectively employed. Let there be no illusions: fear will be the mechanism to which you owe your survival or the rope with which you will hang yourself. Without effective control and mastery of one’s fear, it can become consuming, and ultimately smother any sincere attempts to survive.

As a raw unchecked emotion, fear is seldom a desirable trait to increase your survival probability if and when the proverbial “shit hits the fan.” Far too many would-be survivalists have succumbed to the trappings of fear, mentally imprisoning themselves in the backyard bunkers of their minds. Giving too much of your energy to fear, whether rational or misguided, will never serve your highest potential in a survival opportunity. However, when mastered, fear will make you capable of unimaginable courage and resolve.

To the subject of fear mastery, start by noticing heightened times of stress, anxiety, and panic. What were the triggers? What did they mean to you personally? This will be an extremely personal journey, as no two human psyches are the same. Make a conscious effort to recognize your fears, and accept them for what they are. Take a mental inventory of the behaviors you exhibit in relation to your fears. Witnessing your fears as they happen will help you understand how to control your faculties in times of stress. Most people never even notice their own fear-based behaviors, let alone comprehend the causes. Challenge your fears, and confront them at every turn. Never forget that the ultimate control is within you, and that your fears have no more power than you give them.

For some of you, this section will admittedly require a great deal of further reading and work. This is something the author understands all too well. In fact, many of you reading this book are only doing so because of fear. This is not a problem unless you let it become one. An in-depth personal inventory is vital, not only of your survival gear, but also your psychological state and level of mental preparedness. Mastery of personal fear is absolutely vital to the realization of your highest potential. Know thyself.

Protocol: Fear Therapy

Take an introspective look at yourself, and make a list of the things that you fear the most. After you have compiled your fears on paper, label two separate sheets of paper with the following headings:

1. Things that I fear that I can control

2. Things that I fear that I cannot control

Fill out these two lists from your main list of fears. On the sheet of the fears that you can control list three things that you can do or learn that will assist you in overcoming those fears. Prioritize those solutions on a master plan sheet. Set aside ten minutes a day for visualization and quiet contemplation of the eradication of fears that you can control. Your visualization will include you having the knowledge, mental toughness, and physical ability to conquer any and all fears you may have. See yourself overcoming your fears with ease and comfort while envisioning the steps necessary to do so. Whatever plan you come up with to erase these fears from your life, follow through. If you maintain a genuine impassioned desire to do so, you will.

Next, take the list of things that you fear but cannot control, and read it aloud three times. Make sure to read this while thoroughly internalizing its content. After you have read it three times, tell yourself that you have released yourself from all the fears on that sheet, and throw it away. Say, “I release myself from the fears that I cannot control.” Do this aloud, as this will hold more weight with the subconscious. Any time that you revert back to feeling these fears, remember that you have released yourself, and symbolically discarded that fear. You may need to repeat this protocol a few times before the full magnitude of this exercise will materialize.

Protocol: Your Final Will and Testament

Create a final will, and put your affairs in order. If you have already done so, then update and revise what you currently have. Determine how you would like your possessions distributed and to whom. List how and where you would like to be buried. Be specific and as detailed as possible. This will force you to contemplate and accept the reality of your eventual death. While this may seem a bit morbid, upon completion of this process you will find that a great many of your fears will now be behind you. You will have faced your fear of death head-on and acknowledged its inevitability. You will realize that life is temporary, and that on a long enough timeline everyone eventually dies. Own up to your mortality, and free yourself from your fears. You will find freedom in the pursuits of your life and a new vigor and determination to live each day to the fullest. Those who have come back from the brink of death do so with a profound understanding of the importance of life. Many survivors of near-death experiences will often go on to be self-empowerment teachers and motivational speakers, as they have faced death head-on and survived, returning with a perspective that is inspiring to all who listen to their stories. While the near-death survival experience may be the quickest way for one to let go of that which does not matter in life, this manual will certainly not suggest one put themselves in a life-threatening situation; the reader will have to explore fear mastery by other means. This Final Will and Testament exercise will help with this process. Below is a link to a free will template:

http://www.free-legal-document.com/free-last-will-testament-form.html

Gear:Fight Your Fear and Win by Don Greene

Don Greene, Ph.D., is an expert in the field of sports psychology. His list of clients includes SWAT teams, famous entertainers, corporate executives as well as professional and Olympic Athletes. He is currently on staff at the Juilliard School. As a former champion diver, West Point Graduate, Army Ranger and Green Beret, Don has practiced the very skills he teaches for overcoming fear and anxiety in stressful situations. His book is highly interactive and uses a simple assessment to find the causes and triggers of the reader's fear. Greene then creates an individualized, actionable plan to overcome those fears and increase performance. The author has worked privately with Dr. Greene and gives him the highest recommendation.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Self-Reliance

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Survival Self-Reliance

Never before have human beings been so completely dependent upon outside sources for the provision of basic needs. This is in fact so all-encompassing that most of us never even think about it. Increasingly, one can scarcely find an example that contradicts this assertion. Humanity has, for better or worse, traded in its self-reliance for the conveniences and comforts of the modern world, a fact that is most discomforting for the self-aware prepper.

Whether willingly or through passive compliance, modern life has completely disconnected us from the sources of the things we depend on for our survival. Where once humans reaped seed, sowed fields, and harvested crops, there is now industrial agriculture and the ubiquitous supermarket. Where once human beings hunted, butchered, and preserved wild game, there is now the industrial meat processing industry. Through this, humanity has relinquished any and all connection to the mechanisms by which it once asserted its self-sufficiency.

As mankind evolved into a hunter-gatherer construct, life or death was contingent upon specialized skills in the procurement of shelter, security, and wild edibles. Human survival was intimately related to an individual or group’s specialized abilities in the acquisition of resources. Humans now entrust these tasks to private businesses, which often have little or no concern for their customers. Whether consciously or subconsciously, the enlightened prepper strives to reclaim that which has been lost.

Humans have within our genetic and biological makeup the express desire to procure and provide the necessities that we depend upon. This is symptomatic of the most basic of biological drives—survival. On some level, the survivalist labors to regain self-determination. By way of food prepping, stockpiling, backyard gardens, and basement bunkers, slowly but surely, the prudent prepper is reclaiming his or her self-sufficiency.

The inalienable human right to self-preservation resides at the heart of disaster preparedness and the labors of the enlightened prepper. A truly self-reliant individual has confidence in preparedness and security in the knowledge that he or she can handle any eventuality, regardless of the circumstance. This is, by in large, an endeavor of the mind.

The beginning prepper is instinctively aware of his or her motives for self-reliance, but may lack the necessary mental fortitude for its obtainment. The enlightened survivalist strives to control the mind, by which life hangs so delicately in the balance, and is fully aware that self-reliance is, above all else, a state of being.

Self-reliance is a state of mental proficiency and determination of thought. Any thought that is given credence and worth, regardless of validity, will shape reality by its perception. Foster within your mind the conditions for self-reliance, and then begin building its outward expression. This is to say; you must first possess self-reliance in mind before you may possess its physical counterparts.

Again, it must be understood that your self-reliance will begin first with your determination to possess it. A genuine desire and intention of purpose will be enough to start this process. In the sections that follow, you will receive detailed instruction on how to obtain the relevant gear and training for the acquisition of survival self-reliance. The application of your time to the reading of this manual represents a step in this direction, but do not overlook the mental aspect of this process. This manual was designed to awaken your latent biological survival skills. By simply committing yourself to this manual, you will greatly increase your survival self-sufficiency and disaster preparedness.

Protocol: Create an Action Plan

Self-reliance will mean something different to everyone. To the author it represents something of an intangible nature. To you it may mean an urban garden or solar panels on your roof. Someone else may view self-reliance in financial terms. To others still, it may be a compound buried into the side of a remote mountain. Each reader will have to decide what self-reliance represents to him or her personally. The goal will be to shift as many aspects of your life from dependence to independence.

Use this assessment to look at all aspects of your life in which you are self-reliant. Do not limit yourself to disaster-preparedness measures. After you have done this, list the ways you are not self-reliant. For most the latter will be easy. Next, create an action plan to tip the scale of resource dependence in the direction of self-sufficiency. Consider any actionable measures by which you can be more independent and self-reliant. Some categories may include the following: food, water, shelter, personal safety, self-defense, financial security, emotional development, and specialized trade or skills. Have both a short term and a long-term plan. Be specific, and set actual deadlines for their obtainment.

1. List five ways in which you are currently self-reliant.

2. List five ways in which you are currently dependent.

3. List ten ways you would like to be more self-reliant in one year, two years, and three years.

Protocol: Follow Through with Your Action Plan

After you have created your action plan, you will need to train your mind on the positive. Dwelling on your lack of self-reliance, or anything else for that matter, will not be conducive to reaching your goals. This is much like a dieter who only focuses on how much weight still needs to be lost instead of the ten pounds lost the previous month. This dieter will inevitably gain back any weight that was lost. Achievement is always realized in incremental steps. If you train your thoughts to focus on that which has already been achieved, then you will realize the true breadth of your capabilities.

If you do not currently have enough money to actualize your desired plan, then start your action plan with a strategy that will bring more financial security to your life. This may include a promotion or new career path. If you do not have the optimum health to proceed with the self-defense measures you wish to take, then establish an action plan to deal with that. Erase from your mind the illusion of what you cannot do, and replace it with what you can. Most people only focus on what they do not want in their life instead of what they do want, and never create a realistic action plan to address it. Above all else, stay positive, and feed your subconscious only positive reinforcements.

Gear: Emerson Essay

“Self-Reliance” is an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1841. In his essay, Emerson challenges the reader repeatedly to “trust thyself.” He states that every person is gifted with a unique and powerful genius that should be nurtured and followed. Following this internal genius, Emerson believes, may be met with derision, but will take the individual to the highest level of greatness. “Self-Reliance” is a powerful American classic that coined the phrase, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Below is a link to a collection of free Emerson essays.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16643

Community

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."

- Saint Thomas Aquinas

A Departure from Isolation

Human beings have an innate desire to foster within the communities they inhabit a sense of belonging and stock in the wellbeing of that same community. Unfortunately, the contemporary culture in much of the developed westernized world does very little to provide its citizenry with a sense of community. Without the genuine realization of community fellowship, the social human animal tends to feel detached, disenfranchised, and despondent, often leading to a self-imposed psychological isolation from the outside world. This isolation is very common in survivalist circles, and is usually associated with a fear of what one’s unprepared neighbor may do in a disaster to take one’s well-stocked provisions. In some regards this concern may be legitimate; after all, what would you not do to feed your starving family? Most of you would say and do anything to save the life of a loved one. The point of the preceding statement is not to justify isolation or fear, but instead a call to strengthen the community around you.

Most are familiar with the old adage, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” The same applies to survival prepping: teach your neighbor self-reliance, and he won’t try to steal your fish, he will in all likelihood share his catch with you. If you lift up the people in the community around you, and teach them the art of self-reliance, then your whole community will become an asset to your survival planning instead of a potential liability. If you labor to build a community that is part of your survival arsenal, your ability to effectively confront and deal with a survival situation will exponentially increase.

The military uses the term “force multiplier” to describe attributes that, when utilized, greatly enhance a soldier’s battlefield effectiveness and potential. In an emergency, your community and the individuals within them are your force multipliers. The utilization of these human assets will greatly increase your survival effectiveness. In much the same way a Special Forces unit or battalion functions with a singular objective and purpose, so too will you and your respective community in a disaster.

The enlightened prepper strives to find the positive potential in every situation. Passing up an opportunity that increases your odds of surviving is a luxury never afforded in an actual disaster situation. Never forget that the human assets you develop in your respective communities have a force multiplying potential that is greater than any training, stockpiling, or planning combined. The enlightened survivalist will always utilize the tools at his or her disposal. Community is an invaluable tool that the enlightened prepper must not overlook.

Most survivalists spend the lion’s share of their community-building energy on defensive measures and painstaking precautions to distance themselves from the perceived threat of those around them. This is foolhardy. Do not fear your neighbors without reasonable and just cause to do so. Try to remember that your perceived (and most likely irrational) fear is probably no different than that of your neighbors. Be an ambassador of self-reliance and community. Extend an olive branch and reach out to the people around you. Not only is this sound disaster planning, you will also ultimately be happier and more fulfilled because of it.

An awe-inspiring example of the depth one can go to build up a community is the Ark Two project built by Bruce Beach, a professor of sociology in Canada. The Ark Two is the world’s largest privately funded nuclear fallout shelter. Professor Beach began construction in the early 80’s during the height of the Cold War. This underground complex took decades to complete, and it is equipped to shelter as many as 500 people from the small town in which he lives. In the past the local community has embraced his project wholeheartedly, helping maintain the complex in exchange for safe harbor in the event of a nuclear disaster. The local school would take part in annual field trips to the site, where they were instructed on the program.

Professor Beach built up the community around him instead of isolating himself from it. The Ark Two project is a shining example of what can be accomplished within your respective communities. While community support of The Ark Two project has waned over the years, this story still illustrates the awesome power of community. Instead of distancing himself or fearing those around him, Bruce Beach included his community in his survival strategy. Below are some references to his amazing work:

Ark Two Page

http://www.webpal.org/

Bruce Beach

http://www.webpal.org/SAFE/aabeachbiography/index.htm

In developing your community, first look to the people you know. What specialized skills, traits, or talents do they possess? Do you know any doctors, nurses, or mechanics in your community? Ponder how these human survival assets can be of value to your disaster planning. Think creatively, give this your full attention, and exhaustively analyze every potential human asset. After all, some assets may not be doctors or mechanics, but perhaps they possess tremendous leadership traits. Maybe your human asset does not know how to rebuild a carburetor, but perhaps they can cook, garden, or hunt. Consider approaching your local veterinarian, as these individuals may be just as capable as a doctor and have equal access to the same types of medicines. Take your time with this, and inevitably you will find that your community is much larger and significantly more valuable than you once thought it to be.

Start by approaching your new community from the list of human assets you have compiled, and try to gauge their interest on the subjects within this manual. Do not force an agenda on anyone, simply listen and wait for an opportunity to share your ideas. It is all together possible that you and your potential community assets have more in common than you once thought possible. Try to focus on commonalities and shared interests in the beginning. Many people will be ill informed and have negative, preconceived notions about prepping and survivalists so take your time and be strategic in your conversations. Do not make this process more complicated than it has to be, simply engage your prospective community members in conversation, and have fun with it. You may find that the majority of people that you speak to will have a sincere interest in the subjects of this manual, but have never had the opportunity to discuss them with anyone. You will never know someone’s interest until you engage him or her in dialogue.

Admittedly, some people may feel anxious with respect to the social aspect of community building. For some of you, your community may only start with one human asset. This is fine. Here in lies the beauty of this exercise. The human assets that you establish will in turn have their own human assets. This is to say, people you know will have people they know, and so on. The scope and reach of your community is limited only by your imagination and determination to build it. The Greek philosopher Aristotle defined community as “a group established by men having shared values.” Survival is a value that will be shared by everyone, so begin with this approach.

Protocol: Developing Your Community

Create a list of all the people you know. On this list note their professions and other intangible assets, such as people skills, interests, and hobbies. What are some of their specialized skills or talents? We are all endowed at birth with an aptitude for certain skills. While these talents may not be the outward career direction one takes in life, we all have something that is unique to us alone. You do not have to have a close relationship with someone in order to assess his or her unique value. With some creative thought you should easily be able to find your community members’ skill sets and the corresponding survival relevance.

Once you have compiled your list of community assets, get everyone who is interested together, and discuss your potential mutually beneficial relationships. Organize outings with your immediate community, such first aid training, visiting a community garden, or taking firearms and martial arts training classes. This will be a fun bonding exercise and learning opportunity for you and your community members. Take copious notes during these activities, and share the information with your future community members. Encourage this information sharing during informal gatherings, such as barbecues and recreational outings. You can call it a “community prep rally.”

Use this manual as a template to engage in open discussion about disaster preparedness. You may do this in much the same way as a book club, community outreach program, or grassroots campaign. Allow for your community group to develop organically. Your community should be dynamic and always open to new ideas, while at the same time remaining faithful to the central tenets of this manual. Above all, do not allow negativity or fear to enter the ranks of your community, as this is contagious and will spread like a disease.

Basic Needs

"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."

- Joan Borysenko

Basic Needs and Beyond

The most basic of needs for a human being can be boiled down to air, water, food, and energy. An argument can be made for the addition of shelter to this list; however, since this is not a wilderness survival guide, shelter is most likely for the reader a foregone conclusion. In addition, shelter will be discussed later in more detail in terms of home fortification measures. The phrase “basic needs” is in no way intended to trivialize their importance or survival relevance. In fact, a human’s basic needs are anything but basic; they are the necessary fuel by which the human biological system can function. Without these most basic of survival needs, the fragile balance within the human body will in short order shut down and cease to operate.

In survivalist circles you will often hear of “the law of threes.” This illustrates how a person cannot live three minutes without air, three days without water, or live three weeks without food. Barring the occasional exception to this, the prudent prepper will be served well by internalizing this doctrine.

Of the preparations and gear most revered and sought after in the pantheon of disaster preparedness, nothing is more important to survival than air, water, and food. The suggestions that follow will be the starting point for your disaster preparations. Make this law of three your first priority.

Air

What survivalist manual would be complete without a section on gas masks? The modern gas mask is synonymous with disaster preparations and has assumed an almost mascot-like status among preppers. The gas mask, as we know it today was developed during World War I. Born out of necessity due to the emergence of chemical warfare, gas masks became a staple of the entrenched infantry solider.

A high quality, modern day gas mask is designed to protect the user from the threat of nuclear, biological, or chemical agents, commonly referred to as NBCs. A gas mask covers the face of the user and is fitted with a filter that facilitates the filtration of the user’s air. This filtration system allows clean air to pass through while filtering out the dangerous contaminates. A suitable gas mask is effective as long as the nuclear, biological, or chemical agent to which the user is exposed cannot be absorbed through the skin. For those nerve agent substances that may be absorbed through the skin, such as sarin gas, mustard gas, and blister agents, a gas mask is just one part of the equipment necessary to protect the user. In these unlikely circumstances, the survivalist must also employ a protective suit and gloves.

One very important word of caution to the reader: Many, if not most, of the gas masks available on the commercial market are completely ineffective and even possibly dangerous. Many gas masks for sale in military surplus stores and Internet auction sites are units that are too old, poorly designed, or defective. Filters are yet another noteworthy concern. Filters that are extremely old may contain asbestos or other hazardous chemicals that are known to have serious health risks. In addition, filters that are past their expiration date will provide little to no protection against the threat of NBCs.

When choosing a gas mask and protective equipment for yourself and your family, it is very important to purchase new, high-quality items. The modern gas mask, protective suit, and gloves should be replaced every ten years and filters replaced every five years to ensure the highest level of effectiveness. Once purchased, reference your gas mask’s user manual for proper fitting and use.

Most gas masks are only suitable for relatively large adults. If you are providing a gas mask and protective equipment to small adults or children, then smaller, specifically sized gas masks and gas hoods are available. A gas hood is a device that can be placed around a small child. It contains a filter that, in principle, works just like a gas mask. Gas hoods are particularly useful for small infants, as well as animals you would like to protect.

Once you've chosen your gas mask, it is important to try it on for an exact fit. Quality gas masks will have adjustable straps that will need to be adjusted long before the mask is needed. This will ensure that in the time of an emergency the gas mask will fit properly and can be donned swiftly. Extra filters must be purchased as well. A filter is only effective for a limited amount of time during an emergency. Under heavy use in an emergency, a filter may last as little as forty-five minutes. If the prepper is not able to escape the NBC danger immediately, it may be necessary to change the filter. As the filter becomes less effective, it may become difficult to breathe. It is very important to get to a safe area with no contamination before attempting to change a filter. If it becomes necessary to change a filter in a contaminated area you must follow the proper procedure for your specific gas mask model.

In-home air filtration systems can be used to keep out dangerous or harmful chemicals to which your home may be exposed during a chemical spill or NBC terrorist attack. These systems may be installed in the home or office and used to protect a room-sized area. Home air filtration systems filter clean indoor air while creating a positive air pressure inside the room to keep harmful NBC agents from floating inside. These air filtration systems can be used to protect the home from particulate matter, such as the radioactive dust from a dirty bomb, gas leak, or chemical agents in the area. Having a home air filtration system enables you to maintain a safe environment for everyone inside your home and decrease dependence on individual gas masks for protection. While maintaining a habitable breathing environment inside your home the filter also reduces possible contamination of other stored survival supplies.

Protocol: How to Secure a Safe Room

In the event of a chemical spill or NBC attack, you may be forced to take immediate shelter. If you are unable to leave an area without risking exposure, authorities will wisely advise that you remain indoors. In this situation, you will have to create a temporary safe room in your home or office. It is best to choose a room which will have the least amount of windows, vents, and doors to seal, but also has a large air holding capacity to contain enough oxygen to ride out the event. This will vary depending upon a wide range of factors that are outlined in the link below.

http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap01/ox_exer.html

Begin first by closing all the doors and windows in the respective room that you desire to secure. Turn off all heating and air-conditioning units, as they will be potentially circulating contaminates from outside the safe room. Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover all doors, windows, and vents. By doing so you are creating a barrier between you and the harmful contaminates outside. Remember to keep your emergency provisions and disaster supplies with you in your safe room. Plastic sheeting and duct tape may be purchased in large rolls at your local hardware store. Precut and label your sections of plastic for each applicable room opening. In a disaster, you will be in a rush to secure the room. Having everything ready to go will greatly reduce the amount of time needed to finish the task.

Gear: Potassium Iodide

Potassium iodide is a salt of stable iodine. It can be used to protect the thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear emergency and is widely available without prescription. A single dose of potassium iodide, taken immediately, may be enough to protect your thyroid from harmful radioactive effects. You may be directed by public health officials to consume multiple doses depending on several factors, including severity of disaster, dispersion patterns, and proximity to epicenter. For more information on the proper use of potassium iodide visit the Center for Disease Control website at the link below:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp

www.survivalmonk.com/NBC

Gear: Gas Mask

The 3M 6000 series DIN compatible gas mask is a reasonable compromise of economic pricing and quality. While the price may reflect a higher cost than bulk ineffective surplus gas masks, the 3M 6000 series is highly effective. This model must be combined with the appropriate 40mm NATO filters, such as those made by Mestel. These filters are rated for the filtration of nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

www.survivalmonk.com/NBC

Water

The human body is composed of nearly seventy-five percent water. Water is something most of us take for granted, but without it one would scarcely survive for longer than a few days. In much of the industrialized world, water is seemingly the most abundant resource on the planet. When we want water to drink, we merely go to the sink, turn on the faucet, and pour some into a glass. When we need to take a shower, we simply turn the handle, and water comes out the showerhead. Water appears to be in great supply and is easily accessed. Water is an absolute survival necessity most of us take for granted every day. What would happen if suddenly the water that you have come to rely on was not available? What if your municipal water source became contaminated? What if a disaster, civil unrest, or a blackout shut down the infrastructure and mechanisms that you depend upon for the acquisition of water? The enlightened prepper will be wise to ponder such hypotheticals, and develop a plan accordingly.

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, levees failed and the surrounding municipal water was heavily contaminated with sewage, oil from refineries, and dead bodies. Needless to say, clean drinking water was no longer the readily available resource that it once was. Many people were without enough clean water to fulfill their basic needs; as a result, many became gravely ill, and some even died from sickness and disease.

This is Steve’s story:

Steve was a restaurant manager who lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans. As this section of the city was on higher ground, Steve escaped much of the initial destruction of Hurricane Katrina. However, in the aftermath, things got much worse for him and his family. Riding out the wake of the storm in their three bedroom house, Steve, his wife Monica, and eleven-year-old son Michael became aware that their water had become contaminated. Rushing out to find bottled water, Steve was confronted with a city that had descended into chaos. Not two blocks into the trip, armed hoodlums trying to steal his car fired upon Steve. Steve promptly returned home. FEMA and Red Cross aid workers were unable to gain access to the area, reporting similar confrontations with armed criminals. What little resources that were left had been looted, so Steve and his family were without water. After waiting for emergency aid for two days, Steve attempted to disinfect their water with bleach, which only treated the biological contaminants. The water was also heavily laden with other chemical contaminants, which made them all very ill. Michael suffered from the most acute symptoms, which included severe vomiting and diarrhea. This, of course, led to further dehydration and illness. The child had a temperature of 104 degrees and was very much on the road to death. In a last-ditch effort to save their son, Steve and Monica made a dash out of town. The trip should have taken only an hour or so, but the family did not get to an aid station until the next day. Steve later spoke of that drive as a “hellish nightmare that seemed unending.” Their son narrowly escaped death, but later made a full recovery.

When you are planning to store water it is important to have an allotment of at least three gallons per person per day. This amount represents an emergency situation water ration, and is in no way close to the amount used in the average household. One gallon per day should be set aside for drinking. The other two gallons should more than take care of the most basic cooking and sanitation needs. It is best to store water in containers that are specifically designed to hold water. It is a good idea to have water stored in various sizes of containers. Small containers or water bottles are helpful because they are portable with a long shelf life. Significantly larger containers can be used to store water for stationary in-home activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and toilet flushing.

It is also a great idea to purchase collapsible water containers to fill in an emergency. A great collapsible water container is called the water BOB. The water BOB is a plastic water bag that may be placed into your tub and filled with the clean water flowing freely from your faucet. In a disaster it will be wise to fill all of your collapsible containers immediately. This will ensure that the uncontaminated water in your pipes will be stored before your water source can be potentially compromised.

As you begin your water storage preparation, purchase and store some smaller, disposable water bottles, as well as some one-gallon containers to set aside for drinking purposes. When properly stored, these smaller-sized water storage containers have a virtually indefinite shelf life. Make sure to store the unopened containers in a cool, dark spot, away from any chemicals and potential contaminates.

In the case of an emergency where your local water has not been contaminated but is no longer flowing freely to your home, the water in your hot water heater may be used. Hot water heaters will contain between forty to sixty gallons of water and typically have a small spigot located at the base, to which a hose can be connected.

In addition to water storage, the prudent prepper will also possess ways to filter water. A good number of water filtration units are available on the market. The most popular one among survivalists is the Big Berkey. Berkey water filters are extremely effective and remove the majority of all potential contaminants. These types of filtration systems are small enough to take directly to the water source and are a great water insurance product for the prepper to own.

Adding an antimicrobial agent such as chlorine bleach or iodine water purification tablets can also purify water of questionable quality. The use of these antimicrobials and chemical additives will ensure that the quality of the water is safe for use, provided that the water contaminates are not chemical.

Protocol: Your Three-Week Supply Goal

For your first goal, store a three-day water supply for everyone in your household. Once you have reached this goal, continue to add to your water supply until you have a three-week supply. If you feel ambitious, and the required space is available, try a three-month supply. For this you may need to purchase larger bulk water containers. These containers are often available in sizes up to fifty-five gallons.

Bear in mind that a gallon of water weighs about 8.3 pounds. It is a great idea to have smaller buckets or containers so you can easily transport small quantities of water from your larger containers. Inexpensive, specially designed pumps are available to easily remove water from the large bulk storage containers. If you are using these larger water storage containers for drinking purposes, you will need to empty and refill them with fresh water periodically to maintain optimum quality. Water purification additives may extend your stored water’s shelf life up to two years.

Protocol: Disinfecting Contaminated Water

Other than boiling water for at least three minutes, purification tablets, and water filtration, one can use regular non-scented chlorine bleach for purifying contaminated water. For relatively clear contaminated water, use 1/8 teaspoon of chlorine bleach for every gallon of water. For heavily contaminated water sources, use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. After introduction, stir and allow to sit for at least a half an hour. Bear in mind that bleach will not remove chemical contaminants from your water. For this, you will need a dedicated water purification filter.

Protocol: Sanitation and Hygiene

Basic sanitation and hygiene needs tend to be overlooked in many beginners’ survival preparations. The application of basic sanitation and hygiene can reduce the risk of exposure to potentially deadly pathogens and disease. Anti-bacterial soaps, cleaners, and disinfecting wipes can make all the difference in a disaster situation. Be sure to keep all food and water away from any of these potential chemical contaminates.

Make sure to provision applicable toiletries and hygiene supplies. These basic supplies will greatly reduce the risk of contamination exposure to your living environment. Remember that in a disaster, basic sanitation and waste disposal services will most likely be inoperable. Have surplus supplies on hand to accommodate the disposal of refuse and human waste.

Gear: Sanitation

While an improvised toilet can be easily made from a five gallon bucket and heavy duty trash bags, the Luggable Loo provides a much more comfortable, all in one option. A higher end product for your home or office is the battery powered Thetford Portable Potti Curve.

www.survivalmonk.com/sanitation

Gear: Water Storage

FDA approved water storage barrels are available in sizes ranging from one gallon to fifty-five gallons. They are made from plastics guaranteed not to leach into the stored water. The containers can be fitted with spigots or pumps, and they are perfect for long-term water storage.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterstorage

Water Bricks are rigid, 3.5 gallon water storage containers that are lightweight, stackable, and space efficient. Water bricks are compact enough to be stored in small spaces and can also be cross-stacked up to four feet high. They are made from high density, BPA free, FDA approved plastics and may also be used for safe food storage. Follow the instructions for properly installing the gasket on the lid.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterstorage

Collapsible water containers are perfect for storing water when you are on the move or must pack lightly. They are lightweight and take up little space.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterstorage

Gear: Water Filters

Aquamira Frontier Pro Emergency Water Filter is an affordable, lightweight, and portable straw-style water filter that is perfect for your bug out kit. It attaches to any water bottle or hydration pack that has a standard 28mm opening. The Frontier Pro filters up to 50 gallons. Be sure the water bottles in your bug out kit are compatible with this filter. Use this filter in conjunction with water purification tablets for best performance.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterfilters

The Lifesaver water bottle is the world's first all in one ultra-filtration water bottle. It is a revolutionary water purifier that can safely transform nearly any water into clean, drinkable water. The Lifesaver filters out all bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi without boiling or treating the water with chlorine or iodine. The lifesaver bottle can safely filter up to 6000 liters and has an auto shut off system that disables the filter when it has expired. The Lifesaver is also offered in a larger size named the Jerry Can that can safely filter 20,000 liters of drinking water for a family of four for up to 5 years. The designer of the Lifesaver Bottle, engineer Michael Pritchard, was a featured speaker at the 2009 TED Talks.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterfilters

Berkey Water Filters are one of the most popular brands of water filters in use today. They feature gravity-fed filters that remove viruses, bacteria, and chemical toxins from water. These units feature two black filter elements capable of filtering up to 6000 gallons of water before replacement filters are necessary. Berkey water filters are made from either BPA free plastic or stainless steel. These units are incredibly popular among preppers because of their ease of transportation and high quality construction.

www.survivalmonk.com/waterfilters

Food

This is the basic needs section where most survivalists typically focus their energy, especially as beginners. Food is much more in the forefront of our thoughts than air and water, so most people are familiar with prepping food. It is not that food is any more important to survival than air or water; in fact, it is quite the opposite. It is simply because people are accustomed to purchasing food that the human mind does not register the need for the other two requirements so readily. The point is to remember that one must give equal attention to all basic needs preparations, not only food. A good beginner’s food provisioning analogy would be that of going grocery shopping on an empty stomach with no grocery list. Inevitably you will forget the basics and end up with a bunch of stuff you do not need. A successful prepper will first carefully plan the provisioning of the basics before beginning their acquisitions.

The simplest way to begin an emergency food store supply is to purchase a little extra of the things that you eat every day. Take a look first at what foods are your favorites and which ones you eat most often. The next time you go to the grocery store, purchase extra food to be put aside for surplus. Focus your efforts on purchasing simple, nonperishable canned goods or dry food. This type of storage can be done in incremental steps, and stock piled as your budget allows. You must give careful consideration to the shelf life of canned and dried goods, rotating your food stores regularly. Dried goods, such as rice and beans, can be vacuum-sealed and stored for a very long time. Canned goods can also last long past printed dates on the can, but do begin to lose their nutritional value as time passes. The “more of what you eat” method to emergency food storage can be effective, but it does require an organized and systematic accounting of your pantry and cupboards.

Another popular option among survivalists is the Meal Ready to Eat, most commonly referred to as MREs. MREs were developed by the military as food rations for soldiers. These food ration kits are divided into single meals with reasonably well-rounded nutritional value and a high caloric content. These are popular with preppers because they are very portable and require no cooking preparation. When stored in a cool, dry environment, MREs typically have a shelf life of about five years. MREs are very useful because they can be stored without refrigeration and provide a highly portable, easy to prepare food supply.

Similar to the traditional MRE, freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are also very convenient for survival food storage and are the preferred method of food storage among preppers. Freeze-dried foods, such as those from Mountain House, and dehydrated foods, such as those from Food Insurance, are two examples of this. Freeze-dried foods are typically a little more expensive to purchase, but are available in smaller quantities. Adding boiling or hot water can easily prepare both. These products provide a very convenient, simple to use, and surprisingly tasty dining choice for survival food storage. Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are perfect for camping, hiking, and even long-term storage in your office, home, or vehicle. These food items have extraordinarily long shelf lives, often exceeding twenty-five years. The exceedingly long shelf life of freeze-dried and dehydrated food makes these the optimum and preferred methods for disaster food storage. The enlightened prepper can effortlessly purchase and store his or her required food provisions with little worry about short-term degradation or spoilage.

Many survival experts will recommend having as much as a one-year food supply for each person in the home. If you have a large family this may be a very expensive proposition. If you have the discretionary income to purchase a one-year food supply, than there will be sources outlined in the gear section below to assist you in doing so. Otherwise, begin with a short-term goal of a three-day surplus for everyone in the household. After you have reached your three-day supply, work towards a three-week supply, and then a three-month supply, and so on. Building your food supply in incremental stages will seem like a far less daunting task. While this may seem like an exorbitant amount of food, think of it as an insurance policy. One would scarcely argue the merits of a homeowner possessing a homeowner’s insurance policy or diversifying a financial portfolio to hedge one’s monetary investments. Having a large amount of food in your home will secure your family from potential economic hardships as well as disasters.

To build upon your survival self-reliance, there are many resources you may access in regards to food production methods such as farming, gardening, canning, raising livestock, and homesteading, which will be referenced in the gear sections that follow. However, until you have a useable three-month supply of emergency food stored in your home, it is strongly recommended that you develop this supply first. While the author strongly encourages any and all forms of self-reliance, one must first provision a basic three-month emergency food supply before beginning any food production endeavors. Food production will require a considerable amount of time to master. By all means, strive to reach the highest level of self-reliance that you can, just be sure to cover the basics first.

Protocol: Emergency Food for Thought

The average adult consumes between 2000-2500 calories per day. During a survival situation you may be stressed and working harder to provide for yourself and others, and consequently in need of more calories. Make sure to include adequate sources of protein, including canned meats, fish, and dairy. You should also purchase a variety of canned vegetables and fruits, in addition to dried pasta, rice, and beans for your carbohydrate sources. Set aside a few sealed containers of sugar, iodized salt, whole peppercorns, and cooking oil. Just because it may be a disaster does not mean that your cooking has to taste like it. Also consider storing and rotating more of your favorite condiments.

Another good idea is to store and rotate a quality multivitamin that is suitable for everyone in the household. You should be doing this independent of disaster preparedness, as this is a sound health conscious lifestyle choice. Simply have an extra supply of vitamins and rotate them in with your daily intake. The addition of a multivitamin to supplement your survival foods will ensure that everyone will be receiving an adequate level of nutrition.

Have a varied assortment of survival edibles; do not limit yourself to one type of food. The survival food manufactures listed below will have a diverse selection of foods to choose from. If the need to use your survival rations unfortunately presents itself, you will be glad that you have options. If you have children, it would be wise to provision a small amount of nonperishable sweets, as this will carry a lot of weight in maintaining family morale. Also consider adding some powdered vitamin C drink mix packets to break up the water monotony and provide an added nutritional boost.

Make sure to provision the basic food and water requirements for any household pets. Forgetting about Fido’s favorite kibble would be a dereliction of your sacred responsibility as a pet owner. Your loyal companion will want to survive just as much as everyone else does. Canned or dried pet foods can be stored and rotated to maintain a steady three-month supply. This will be some of the least expensive food prepping that you will do, so do not forget to include this step.

Take a moment to think through some of the simple food pleasures that you and your family may enjoy. Maybe you have a special dish that you like to prepare on a family night. Perhaps you or someone in your community has very specific dietary food restrictions. Develop a list of some of the extras that may be unique to your situation, and include them in your emergency food supply. In a disaster, the little extras you have prepared will make a huge difference to your community morale.

Protocol: Food Storage

There are a few keys to proper home food storage. Keep your food away from heat, light, humidity, insects, and pests. All of these things will degrade the quality and safety of your stored food. Most of these potential food destroyers are avoided by proper storage containers and choosing the right location. There is a nontoxic substance available to kills pests and insects that may destroy your food supply. Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is often added to grain to kill unwanted pests, and is sometimes used as a natural wormer for livestock and pets. Diatomaceous Earth is a very fine dust composed of tiny particles so sharp that it scratches and kills harmful pests, yet is still safe for human consumption.

Protocol: Food Production Resources

Non-hybrid seeds allow the gardener to use the seeds from their harvested fruit and vegetables. Hybrid seeds do not. If you are planning on growing your own food, these are the seeds to own.

Seed sprouting is a great way to add living, healthy, enzyme-rich food items to your food supply. Take a few minutes and check out www.sproutpeople.org. They have a wealth of information on growing techniques and all the products you need to start sprouting.

On the subjects of gardening, canning, and preserving your own food, there is much to be learned, which the enlightened prepper will aspire know. Remember to supply all of your basic emergency gear before this undertaking. In the “Gear” sections to follow are some helpful books and links to begin the process of food independence.

Gear: Disaster Food

Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods are the number one selling freeze-dried foods in the United States. They offer lightweight, easy to prepare, delicious food in standup, zippered pouches. Mountain House foods are very simple to prepare. Open the package, add boiling water, and zip the pouch closed, and let it sit for eight to nine minutes, then stir and enjoy the food right from the pouch. Mountain House offers entrées, breakfast items, vegetables, and desserts. They also offer vegetarian and low-sodium options. Mountain House food pouches have a seven year shelf life and are excellent choices for your bug out kits. In addition to pouches, Mountain House also offers their food in large #10 cans. These cans are offered at a cheaper price, as they are in bulk sealed tins of ten or more servings per can. They also afford the prepper an exceedingly long twenty-five year shelf life. These large cans are great for long-term storage and can be purchased in incremental amounts.

www.survivalmonk.com/food

Food Insurance is an affordable, delicious, and healthy long-term food storage option. This product also offers a twenty-five year shelf life. Food Insurance products are top-of-the-line, quality meals, which even include gluten free and vegetarian options. These freeze-dried foods are completely prepared and only need to be reconstituted with boiling water. Food Insurance offers an outstanding product at a great price, and free shipping on their large food supply orders. Their website features an emergency food calculator, which can help you decide how much food you may need to store. Food Insurance also features pre-packaged, disaster-specific preparedness kits and emergency bug out bags. This company comes highly recommended as a tremendous resource for every prepper.

www.survivalmonk.com/bulkfood

Gear: Square Foot Gardening

Square foot gardening is the simplest and most efficient method for growing your own food. These books and videos are comprehensive and take the guesswork out of gardening. The instructions are simple to read, understand, and implement. Square foot gardening is highly adaptable and can be used to grow a food supply in a very small space. This is a valuable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Gear:The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving

This book is a comprehensive resource on the art and science of canning. This book follows strict USDA guidelines, offers troubleshooting tips, and over 400 recipes.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Gear: Portable Greenhouse

Portable greenhouses offer the opportunity to create a viable, pristine environment to do your at-home gardening. Especially useful for growing plants in cooler climates, these units are available in a variety of styles and sizes.

www.survivalmonk.com/greenhouses

Energy

As a supplement to the law of three, one should provision the implements of energy production and output. The enlightened prepper must take care to supplement his or her standard electrical grid energy source with various forms of survival energy alternatives. Energy planning is crucial to disaster preparedness, as it embodies the capacity for survival cooking, lighting, and heating needs. Energy also means the fuel by which our vehicles move and our communications transmit. The measures by which you may prepare for disaster energy demands can run the gamut from acquiring a simple camping stove to heat your food, to possessing the capacity for large-scale, off the grid energy production. The survivalist will have to consider his or her own unique circumstances and desires. For instance, if your goal is to ultimately be totally self-sufficient in respect to energy demand, then you will need to invest a great deal of time and resources. However, if you are only interested in supplying the implements by which the harmful effects of a disaster may be negated, then the task becomes far less arduous.

In respect to basic energy needs and demands, let us first examine cooking. Many survival foods will require hot water to cook and rehydrate. In the event that your ability to perform such a task is hindered by a power outage or gas main interruption, you will need to be prepared. There are several options to consider here, which will also be outlined in the following gear section. In general, one should provision a gas powered, camping-style stove and stock a surplus of fuel. Propane can be stored for an extremely long time, and is safe to do so. However, one must never store propane indoors or next to flammable or combustible materials. The same tanks that are used for gas grills can be stocked and rotated on an as-needed basis. In the event that there is a disaster, you will have plenty of cooking energy on hand. There are a few different options available for basic cooking requirements; however the aforementioned will more than cover any temporary emergency. Keep in mind that a fuel source such as propane is a gas and will need to be used in a well-ventilated area.

See http://www.propane101.com/propanecylinderstorage.htm for safe propane handling, storage, and uses.

To power basic home appliances, you may want to consider purchasing a generator. These are relatively inexpensive and could supply enough power for your most basic energy needs, such as a home refrigerator or stove. Generators will need to be supplemented with energy alternatives, as they require a lot of fuel to operate and will only supply power to a few items in the house. There are also some solar-powered generators on the market that may be of interest to those so inclined. Look in the following gear section for this recommendation.

In respect to lighting, there are a tremendous amount of options available. There are propane lamps, solar lights, battery powered flashlights, and good old-fashioned candles. In the arena of disaster lighting, the prepper would be wise to remember that it was not long ago that humans were without the lighting luxuries afforded today. In terms of basic survival necessities, light is a luxury. Provision what you may afford or wish to have, but be sure to acquire that which is most necessary for survival first.

Flashlights have made tremendous technological advances in recent decades, and can be powered through diverse renewable sources. On average, a well-made flashlight can last a long time, and will more than satisfy your home lighting needs. Review the gear recommendations outlined following this section.

As for heating, this will vary depending upon your regional climate conditions. If you live in a temperate climate zone with mild weather extremes, this energy demand will be of less significance. However, if the opposite is the case, then heating fuel sources may be of the upmost importance. The human body is remarkably fragile with regards to regulating body temperature. Without an external source by which this may be regulated, survival becomes dicey at best. In a basic approach to home heating energy, there are multiple options to consider. Again, a reliable generator with external heater and enough fuel can suffice for the short term. However, due to the large fuel demands of power generators, the prepper should supplement with alternatives. Propane heaters are also available as an option.

If you live in an area with extreme winter weather, a fireplace will most likely be included with any home. Get in the habit of using your home fireplace during winter months, as this will force you to provision an adequate amount of wood fuel. Plastic sheeting, which can be purchased at your local hardware store, can be used to close off the room with the wood fire heat source during a disaster. Sectioning off a room will require a great deal less fuel than trying to heat the whole house. Along the same vein, wood-burning stoves may be a great option, as they can cover all basic cooking and heating needs. While this option will not be logistically feasible for everyone, there are more than enough alternatives that will be.

The prepper must not overlook the demands for energy that a disaster commands. Most have at one time or another experienced a power outage of some kind, and power instability will not likely change anytime soon. In fact, aging infrastructure, coupled with economic uncertainty and ever-increasingly destructive weather, only increases the probability of a power outage. Take care to provision that which may be required.

Gear: Cooking energy

Esbit solid fuel stoves are very small, lightweight, and efficient stoves for light cooking and boiling water. They are small enough to fit in your pocket, and are powered by odorless, nontoxic solid fuel bars. The Esbit is great for your bug out bag, or as a backup outdoor fire starter.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

MSR has been making cooking stoves since 1969. Their basic models, the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, are canister-style cooking stoves that fold for transport and storage. The Pocket Rocket weighs less than four ounces and is simple to operate. The flame is adjustable, and the stove is compatible with most self-sealing canister fuels. MSR also makes the WhisperLite Universal multi-fuel camping stove. The WhisperLite can efficiently burn white gas, unleaded gasoline, kerosene or isobutane-propane. This stove has won the prestigious Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice Award.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

A simple two-burner propane camp stove can be used when there is no electricity at your home. These stoves are very handy, relatively inexpensive, and readily available cooking tools.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

Solar ovens are an excellent way to cook without any additional power source. Solar ovens cook at a moderate temperature, usually between 210-260 degrees. They harness the sun's energy and reflect it toward the cooking pots. They cook slowly like a crock-pot. There are two models that are both excellent, the SOS Sport and the Global Sun Oven.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

The Kelty Kettle is a lightweight stove that is fueled by natural fuel sources such as twigs, branches, and dry grass. The stainless steel version is more durable and is recommended over the aluminum models. The Kelty Kettle is a great choice for boiling water without being reliant on fuel canisters.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

Gear: Indoor Heaters

Mr. Heater makes a line of portable, indoor-safe radiant heaters, ranging from 9,000 to 30,000 BTUs. It is recommended that when using these heaters indoors they be powered by one-pound propane canisters only. When used outdoors, Mr. Heaters may be combined with an optional propane hose assembly and attached to the larger twenty-five pound propane canisters. The smallest heaters are rated to heat an area up to 200 square feet, and the largest up to 600 square feet. These units will automatically shut off if tipped over, the pilot light extinguishes, or if the room’s oxygen level is low.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

If you live in a cold climate region, you may want to consider adding a wood burning stove to your home. In addition to being used as a heat source during winter months, the wood-burning stove could provide you with an alternative year-round cooking method. These are remarkably efficient, and are the preferred heating and cooking method of homesteaders.

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

Gear: Disaster Lighting

Headlamps are a great way to overcome darkness while keeping your hands free. Petzl makes some of the highest quality headlamps. The Petzl Tikka 2 is an improved version of one of their most popular headlamp models. This model weighs less than three ounces, is water resistant, and offers high, low, and flashing modes. This headlamp can usually be found for about $30, and provides illumination on its high setting for up to ninety hours. The Tikka 2 is perfect for dealing with a power outage or adding to your bug out bag. This represents a very high quality product at a great value price point. Petzl just recently released the Nao model, which is a very high tech headlamp, featuring an adaptive light sensor that automatically adjusts the beam pattern and light output. This is a high-end model and is well suited for the prepper with discretionary income.

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

Cyalume Industrial Light Sticks are an industrial grade, non-toxic, battery-free lighting solution. They provide 360° of illumination for up to twelve hours and have a five year shelf life. Light sticks are an inexpensive, safe, flameless lighting source for emergencies.

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

An entrepreneur while visiting rural Nicaragua created Ultrabrite 1000 solar lamps. He found that many of the rural residents were reliant on kerosene lamps for lighting, requiring them to spend up to one half of their income on lighting. His solar lighting solution is much safer as well as cheaper than kerosene.  Kerosene home fires are common in underdeveloped nations and account for many unnecessary deaths.  The Ultrabrite 1000 is pocket sized, powerful, and can also be used to charge cell phones. The UB1K, as it is called, is made by ValuLamp and retails for about $40. Their company is committed to bringing clean, safe energy and lighting to the underdeveloped areas of the world. Their goal is to bring light to two million people within the next five years. This is a great product from a great company.

www.valulamp.com

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of flashlight models available for purchase. In military and law enforcement circles, Surefire lights are considered to be the best, and are typically most expensive. As a value alternative to Surefire brand, Streamlight and Pelican brand flashlights are high quality, U.S. manufactured lights, and are all currently in use by either military or law enforcement agencies. Flashlight technology and performance are constantly improving. Manufacturers continue to create lights that provide greater illumination, longer run times, and advanced features. A few lights which the author has used successfully in the past are listed below.

Surefire G2

Surefire X 300 weapon light

Streamlight tlr-1 weapon light

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

The Pal Light, aka safe-light, is a smartly engineered, rugged, compact flashlight with several unique features. Powered by a single 9 V battery, the Pal Light features a glow mode, which enables the user to find the pal light easily in the dark. Three other modes include a power saver mode for indoor use, high beam mode for outdoor use, and a strobe mode for emergency signaling. The survival model Pal Light meets the U.S. military specifications for drop on concrete durability testing. A single 9V battery can power the Pal Light in its glow mode for nearly two years. The Pal Light can be outfitted with a lanyard and a red signaling cone. At less than $20, the Pal Light represents an extraordinary value, and a rugged survival flashlight.

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

There are also emergency flashlights on the market that can be plugged into an electrical socket and automatically turn on when there is a power outage. These are handy and always charged when you may need them. There are many these types of flashlights on the market; the Red Cross recommends a model manufactured by Eton called The Blackout Buddy.

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

Cr123 lithium ion batteries power many professional flashlights. These batteries are more expensive than commonly found alkaline batteries, but offer much greater power and capacity for their size. The Cr123 has a ten-year shelf life, and is consequently a good choice for long-term storage. The commonly sized AA and D batteries are usually much easier to find locally and have a two to three year shelf life. Consider these facts when choosing your flashlight’s battery power source.

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

Gear: Off the Grid Energy Production

For the prepper with aspirations to live independent of the electrical grid, cover the basics before this endeavor. Once the basic air, food, water, and energy needs have been met, then, and only then, should the survivalist move in this direction. That being said, self-reliance is the ultimate ambition of every enlightened prepper. The survivalist looks to control every facet of his or her daily needs. Off the grid energy production represents the pinnacle of survival self-reliance. However, you must first learn to crawl before you can walk. That being said, the means by which one may begin exploring off the grid energy production will be outlined in the form links and gear recommendations. As this manual is designed in a manner to facilitate knowledge as your level of preparedness evolves, you may return to this off the grid energy resource at a later time.

In addition to large solar panels which can be added to your home to power appliances or generate power for an off grid electrical solution, small portable solar panels may be used to power smaller items like cell phones, emergency radios, walkie-talkies, and battery chargers. These units are portable, relatively inexpensive, and incredibly useful preparedness tools. The resilient prepper will make certain to supply the implements of energy alternatives.

www.survivalmonk.com/energy

Beyond the Basics

While air, food, water, and energy may be the most basic of human survival needs, the author encourages everyone who reads this manual to go far beyond your basic survival needs. Most people never strive to get beyond the basics, in both life and disaster preparedness. The enlightened prepper will go far beyond the mere physical necessities of life, and strive for a deeper understanding of self.

In the pursuit of Survival Enlightenment you must give equal credence to the psychological component of preparedness as you give to your physical needs. To illustrate this point, let us examine a philosophy by Abraham Maslow. Abraham Maslow was a psychologist who developed his ideas of human needs in the mid-1940’s. His philosophy is typically referred to as Maslow's hierarchy of needs that is best illustrated by the corresponding graphic, Maslow's triangle. Maslow’s triangle is a visual representation of what human beings need to obtain what Maslow refers to as self-actualization. This philosophy of human needs will help facilitate the internalization of the precepts of Survival Enlightenment, which is the chief aim of the enlightened prepper.

This hierarchy of needs triangle is a visual representation of the human experience. It is also a wonderful roadmap for understanding the motivations for your own survival preparations. At the bottom of the triangle you will find biological and physiological needs. These needs include air, food, water, shelter, warmth, sex, and sleep. According to Maslow's theories, once those basic needs have been met, they will no longer be a primary survival motivator. A person will then be motivated by the next higher category on the triangle. When these general safety needs are not fully met, an individual will most likely experience stress and anxiety. It is this very stress and anxiety that often propels people to begin the process of survival preparation and disaster planning. Most survival manuals only address the bottom tier of Maslow’s triangle, never addressing the higher needs of human beings. This is a flawed approach to survival planning.

In order for a human being to be successfully self-actualized, the needs listed on the lowest portions of Maslow’s triangle must be at least partially met first. Once one level of the triangle is partially met, it is argued, a person will be naturally propelled to work on the next level. The lowest level of these physiological needs include what most preppers think of when they think of basic survival needs.

For example, a prepper will typically begin by stockpiling food, water, and shelter. Once the prepper has fulfilled these needs, they will then begin to seek out a sense of perceived safety in their lives. On a basic level, safety needs may include self-defense, home fortifications, or even job security. When these safety requirements have been met, most preppers stop their preparations. The collection and subsequent protection of these basic necessities become the entire game plan for survival. Very rarely are the next levels of the triangle ever even addressed.

Human beings have an inborn need to feel love and acceptance. By belonging to a loving and accepting environment, the survivalist creates a community that he or she can serve, and by which he or she may be served. Communal fellowship and love are fundamental to the human experience, and is thus imperative to the enlightened survivalist. The enlightened prepper will make every attempt to satisfy this level of need. Once these community and interpersonal relationship needs have been satisfied, one can then move to the next highest level of Maslow's triangle.

The next level of Maslow’s triangle is esteem. As a person begins to build the skill sets of a true survivor, they will naturally gain self-esteem. Through the mastery of skills, competence with planning, first aid, community acceptance, and self-defense, you will naturally develop a profound internal psychological strength. Instead of allowing survival planning and preparations to become a fearful, anxiety-laden experience, with a proper mindset and positive attitude survival planning will become a facilitator for personal growth and self-empowerment. Self-esteem is absolutely vital to the survivalist. A resolute certainty and confidence of purpose will make all the difference in a disaster scenario.

Once the needs of the first four sections of Maslow’s triangle have been met, then the highest level needs can be addressed. The highest level of needs is referred to as self-actualization. Self-actualization represents a person that has reached their highest potential. The arenas in which someone may reach their highest potential will be quite varied. For some it may intellectual, for others athletic, and for others still this may be spiritual. This potential will unquestionably be yours alone to discover.

The longest journey always begins with a single step. Begin your journey, and take that step. Survival Enlightenment is about much more than the physical needs of life. Know thyself, and challenge your self-imposed limitations. The journey of self-discovery may take a lifetime to present itself, but it is in the search that your true path will unfold. By obtaining an enlightened sense of self, you will notice that the transformative effects in your life are far greater than you ever thought possible.

Protocol: Creating a Pathway to Self-Actualization

Notice your limiting thoughts and beliefs and break the negative thought patterns connected to them. This will focus your thoughts on what you do want, not on that which you do not. So many people spend their lives fixated on the things which distress them instead of what they actually want. For instance, someone may want love in their life, but will only speak of how wretched relationships are. Some may talk of never having enough money, while only thinking of how to lose it. To obtain anything, one has to first visualize the conditions by which this may transpire. You will never find love by first thinking ill of any potential partners, nor will you find fortune by espousing the evils of money. The self-actualized do not reinforce negative thoughts, only positive ones. When you tell yourself that you cannot do something, you will never do it. Negative self-talk is destructive to your subconscious and disabling to your prosperity.

Self-actualization exercise:

1. Recognize and take inventory of your negative thought patterns. Notice your self-destructive behaviors. How do you reinforce this behavior with negative or limiting self-talk?

2. Replace the negative thought pattern with one that is positive. When you catch yourself in a negative self-talk or thought pattern, say aloud, “Cancel,” and replace it immediately with a positive thought. Do this over and over again, until it becomes habit.

3. Use only positive language to reinforce positive thoughts. The subconscious will respond only to words of certainty. I Can, I Am, I Will, I Choose, I Have, I Love, I Create, and I Enjoy are examples of this. I would, but... I want, but... are examples of negative self-talk reinforcement. The subconscious needs affirmation of definite purpose, not limitation.

The human subconscious is a powerfully transformative tool if supplied with the proper fuel. This exercise will take a bit of getting used to, but it will work. Commit yourself to this negative thought pattern interruption exercise, and obtain your highest potential.

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world."

- Buddha

Protocol: Positive Potential

Check out this link by Lori Descheneon on the website “Tiny Buddha” for great tips on expanding the positive potential in your life.

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/50-ways-to-open-your-world-to-new-possibilities/

Protocol: Survival Enlightenment

The correlation between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and this survival manual is one the enlightened prepper must embody. Make this graphic your road map to Survival Enlightenment.

Self Defense

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

- Confucius

Survival Self Defense

The notion of self-defense is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to disaster preparedness, as most will be interested in protecting much more than one’s self. The chief aim of most preppers is the defense of not only self, but that of property, family, and loved ones. There are many challenges for the reader in regards to self-defense, most of which involve the dedication to the actual training process of self-defense. There are many ways to go about achieving a basic level of self-defense proficiency. However, there is no substitute for training.

With surprising frequency, one can easily obtain all types of how to manuals on self-defense tactics. For a nominal fee, one may explore all manners of personal defense training, knife fighting, advanced level gun shooting, ancient weapons tactics, and all shades of grey between. There is a great deal of information available; one only needs to purchase it. The problem is that the level of self-defense know-how that can be gained from these sources is basic at best. It is the express opinion of the author that this type of armchair self-defense training will only provide the reader with a false sense of security, which actually does far more harm than good. While this type of instructional training may be used to familiarize you with basic concepts and techniques, true self-defense expertise only comes by way of repetition of technique facilitated by a reputable instructor. Obtaining the knowledge of specific self-defense techniques does not by itself translate to the practical execution of them. Reading how to stop a violent attack, then falsely believing that this knowledge can save your life, is incredibly dangerous. It would be irresponsible of the author to convey this false sense of security. This is not the Matrix, and you are not the chosen one. You must train, grasshopper.

The author has dedicated an enormous effort and countless hours in the pursuit of weapons and martial arts training, which could easily fill this manual with pages upon pages of detailed self-defense instruction. Unfortunately, this would in no way be to your benefit in an actual violent encounter. This section will cover a great deal of informative techniques that will lay the groundwork for survival self-defense. However, developing actual self-defense proficiency will require you to make a commitment beyond reading the doctrine outlined in this manual. You must make a personal commitment to seek out the applicable instruction. To reiterate, a workable comprehension of self-defense techniques can only be realized through actual training.

Krav Maga

Training any self-defense system is always better than no training at all. Each fighting system will have its own particular value and merit. If one wishes to become a cage fighter, then a MMA training facility may be the best place to accommodate a mixed martial arts skill set. If you aspire to compete in a high level Taekwondo or Judo tournament, then you will have to find an appropriate dojo. As it relates to the issue of survival martial arts training, there is one system that stands out from the rest: Krav Maga.

Krav Maga is a reality-based fighting system that originated in Israel, and is the official fighting system of the Israeli Defense Force. Special Forces units, covert intelligence agencies, and elite law enforcement units from around the world utilize Krav Maga. Krav Maga is a non-competitive, reality-based system with no rules. Krav Maga employs brutally efficient counter striking, weapons defenses, and intensely realistic training scenarios. This fighting system is built around a few basic principles: preemptively address the source of an attack, employing devastating counter strikes to the most vulnerable areas on the attacker to incapacitate the source of the attack as quickly as possible, while maintaining awareness of your surroundings for potential threats or multiple attackers.

Krav Maga uses the body’s natural mechanics and movements to facilitate fast and explosive strikes and immobilize a violent attacker. Krav Maga also focuses heavily on situational defensive measures for confronting the weapons commonly used in a violent attack, such as knives, sticks, and guns. As violence never occurs in a static environment, practitioners of Krav Maga are instructed to think creatively when confronting violence.

Admittedly, martial arts training can be an intimidating endeavor for most people. If this sentiment sounds familiar, you’re not alone. One of the popular misconceptions about martial arts training is that only a specific type of athletically inclined individual is suited for such an undertaking. This assertion is completely false. Krav Maga is built around the knowledge that anyone can effectively defend themselves against an aggressive attacker, regardless of the perceived disadvantages. In a relatively short amount of time, the average Krav Maga practitioner can achieve a level of self-defense proficiency that would be unparalleled in other martial art disciplines.

Another common misconception associated with martial arts training is that of the MMA, or gym mentality. Testosterone charged twenty-somethings set out to prove how tough they are by beating on any unsuspecting newcomer. This misconception is also totally unsubstantiated in Krav Maga. High-level Krav Maga instructors are extremely passionate about what they do and fully understand the importance of the self-defense tactics they are teaching to their students. Krav Maga students are not competitive fighters, and the training atmosphere reflects as much. The typical Krav Maga training facilities will have an eclectic mix of self-defense practitioners, representing a diverse spectrum of physical capabilities, age, gender, and athletic prowess. These are not students that have something to prove, and they are typically eager to assist with the training process.

As a practitioner of Krav Maga, the author cannot stress enough how completely transformative Krav Maga has been both personally and in the formulation of the psychological self-defense components of this manual. Whatever excuses that you may have to deter yourself from dedicating your time and energy to self-defense training will pale in comparison to the health benefits and confidence that you will gain from this martial arts discipline. Give it a try—you will not be disappointed.

Protocol: Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is unquestionably one of the most important of self-defense techniques to master, as its effective use will prevent most violent encounters from ever happening. Situational awareness applies the critical observation of your surroundings with an almost intuitive comprehension of human behavior. Quite simply put, situational awareness is the capacity to consciously observe and assess your safety within your environment

Human beings have not always been at the top of the food chain, a fact much of the people in the developing world are still painfully aware. Situational awareness is the survival mechanism by which one remains off the proverbial dinner plate. It is a biological survival adaptation common throughout all living systems on the planet. One only need awaken this innate survival instinct.

One of the first dangers you are taught as a child is to look both ways before crossing the street. Anyone who would doubt the validity of such a warning, or the life-ending capacity of a car, is probably no longer with us. As you grow up, you will learn literally thousands of similar dangers worthy of avoidance and caution. This carries on into adulthood, and is constantly evaluated and amended through life’s many varying experiences. Situational awareness represents a conscious use and control of this inherent biological survival mechanism. This gives us the ability to sense, perceive, and recognize the impetus of danger, and to preemptively inhibit its occurrence. While this survival adaptation you possess may be dormant, it is part of your biological make up. Make use of it.

Krav Maga training focuses upon employing the use of situational awareness as a means for both preemptively addressing violence with overwhelming force or, preferably, avoiding it altogether. The fastest way to develop these awareness skill sets will be to enroll in self-defense training, preferably that of Krav Maga.

Protocol: Start Training

The only obstacles to the life of your choosing are the obstacles that you have imposed upon yourself. The author has met countless individuals who have had profoundly deep desires that they never acted upon. For one reason or another they constructed a reality of limitations and restraint. If you desire to do something, do it. Listen not to the emotions that will tell you that you cannot. If you want to learn self-defense, then do it.

Below is compiled a list of the best Krav Maga organizations, links, and affiliates. Reference these websites to find a training facility in your area.

Krav Maga Global (KMG)

http://krav-maga.com

International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF)

http://www.ikmfusa.com

Krav Maga Worldwide

http://www.kravmaga.com

Gear: Target Focus Training

Target Focus Training or TFT is a self-defense system created by Tim Larkin, a former member of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. Designed with the idea that an attacker is always bigger, stronger, and faster, TFT is simple in its approach, and usable by people of all ages and sizes. If you do not have access to a self-defense school, or have a partner in your home or community that is reluctant to take live classes, this video offered by TFT gives comprehensive instruction on self-defense. TFT also offers live instruction, which can give you a quick start to understanding violence and protecting yourself from it.

www.survivalmonk.com/community

Firearms

Owning a firearm is a very personal decision and should not be made lightly. It is a decision that must be made from an informed position. You have probably heard at one time or another that guns are bad. This is silly, as guns themselves can be neither good nor bad. Guns are mere objects that have no morality or intention. It is only people who can have good or bad intentions. It is the individual that will have high or low moral standards. It is the decisions of the people using the firearms that can be judged as good or bad.

Many people simply do not understand the allure of gun ownership, which can be largely attributed to the fact that many of those same people have never shot a gun before. Typically, once one has had the opportunity to experience shooting a firearm, it immediately demystifies the misconceptions one may have had about gun ownership. It is the experience of the author that much of the negative publicity and personal fear surrounding guns can be attributed directly to either the media’s biased portrayal of violent criminals, or the untrained, irresponsible, and mentally unstable gun owners of the world.

This being said, the responsibility of gun ownership cannot be understated. In much the same way a vehicle becomes a deadly weapon under the influence of a drunk driver, a firearm must be respected for the same awesome power. Be that as it may, far more people die each year behind the wheel of a car than by gun-related fatalities. Rarely do we blame the vehicle for its transgressions. Unfortunately, in the case of firearms, it is the inanimate object, not its owner, that is most often the scapegoat. Again, firearm ownership is an awesome responsibility, and must be treated as such.

Like many tools or skill sets in your survival arsenal, a firearm is most often employed at a time of great stress. Your ability to perform will thus be exceedingly difficult, and will require professional training to master. To employ a firearm in a life threatening, defensive situation without first the appropriate training is dangerous. For instance, if one was asked to go to the store and buy a shovel in order to dig a hole, it could be done with little or no instruction. If one was asked to go to the store to purchase a firearm and then fend off a violent attacker, this task may be much more difficult. The skills necessary to proficiently operate a firearm require a dedicated commitment to training. It is not enough to purchase a firearm, and then lock it away in your house. Buying a firearm does not make you anymore qualified to use it than owning a piano would make you a pianist.

Protocol: Fight or Flight

The term “fight or flight” is exactly as it sounds, and is illustrated in broad terms, as humans or animals fight or flee in response to a perceived threat or danger. This chemical response in the brain floods the body with adrenaline, enabling the body to make split-second life or death decisions. This fight or flight response is largely unconscious, all though studies clearly indicate that conditioning the mind to either a fight or flight reaction can be manipulated through training. The military has had a keen awareness of this for decades, and employs specific training tactics to condition a soldier’s mind to a fight response in battle.

The road to mastery of self-defense requires an innate control of your fight or flight response. The mind must be able to assess in a split second whether to flee a dangerous situation or to fight for dear life. In the absence of the conditioning to control this fight or flight response, the tendency is to freeze up, or panic. Inaction is the survivor’s worst enemy. The survivalist must see the reality of a situation for what it is and, in a fraction of a second, take immediate and decisive action. Reputable self-defense and weapons training facilities will teach you how to control and use your fight or flight response. The expert level training that one receives through the various gun and martial art training organizations mentioned in this manual will help condition the mind to action and facilitate the control of this unique biological survival adaptation.

The Defensive Pistol

Everything in life is a series of compromises. The choice of a defensive weapon is no different. The pistol has several distinct advantages and disadvantages over both rifles and shotguns. For one, the pistol is extremely compact. Because of its smaller size, the pistol can be transported much more discreetly than either a shotgun or rifle. Many states within the continental United States have concealed carry laws that allow licensed users to carry a concealed weapon. The ability to carry a pistol on your person will greatly increase your ability to survive a violent encounter. Rifles and shotguns, on the other hand, are much accurate and easy to operate but, because of their size, will be typically left at home. An old saying goes, “The 9mm you have with you is better than the shotgun that you left at home.” No one can predict the manner and time in which they will need to defend themselves. A concealed weapon, coupled with professional firearms and martial arts training, will greatly maximize your survivability potential.

To the subject of what gun to choose, for the beginning shooter it is advisable to start with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Some may wonder why one would choose a semiautomatic pistol over a revolver. In the simplest terms, a revolver, while generally easier to operate, is typically more difficult to shoot well. The pistols that the author recommends in this manual are relatively simple to understand. Their basic functionality can be learned in just a few minutes.

In choosing the appropriate caliber round for your pistol, one could easily do a search on the Internet of 9mm vs. .40 vs. .45. Without question, one will see pages upon pages of diatribe by very impassioned people extolling the virtues of their favorite caliber. Without getting too wrapped up in the why, for beginning shooters the author recommends starting first with a 9mm pistol. The ammunition is cheaper than either the .40 or .45, and therefore cheaper to shoot. If budget is a concern, you will be likely to practice more regularly than if you were to own a .40 or .45. With the 9mm, the shooter will also have less recoil to worry about. Recoil is the amount of force, or “kick,” the shooter feels when firing a gun. The recoil spring tension is also lighter in a 9mm weapon than it is in .40 or .45. This is ideal for people whose hand strength may be limited.

Modern, domestically produced defensive ammunition is designed within a very similar set of parameters for all three popular handgun calibers. This means that the 9mm, .40, and .45 self defense rounds are produced by manufacturers to perform very similarly. The stopping power of a handgun round is determined by its ability to inflict massive internal trauma on vital organs within an attacker. The most efficient way of achieving this is through proper shot placement, not caliber size. With that being said, choose the largest caliber that is comfortable for you. In general, the 9mm semiautomatic is a good starting point.

There are many semiautomatic pistols to choose from, but the author strongly recommends choosing a model from one of the three following manufactures: Glock, Springfield Armory XD, and the Smith & Wesson M&P. Feel comfortable choosing either of these pistol manufacturers, as all have proven themselves extremely reliable by competitive shooters and law enforcement alike. The Glock is the most prolific of the three, followed closely by the Springfield Armory XD. All three of these gun manufacturers will provide the user with a highly reliable, simple to operate pistol, capable of astounding accuracy. In choosing between these three firearms do not be caught up in the paralysis of analysis. Familiarize yourself with each gun and find one that fits you. You will know right away when you have found the right gun.

Once you found the pistol you like, a great way to begin your training is to purchase a replica training gun, one that is exactly like the model you have chosen. This will give you the advantage of working with a weapon that feels and looks exactly like the weapon you have chosen without the danger of using a live weapon. Law enforcement officers and military members begin their training with these same types of replica training weapons.

Be sure to purchase a corresponding holster that is specified for your pistol’s make and model. It is imperative that your gun be holstered at all times while loaded. While these pistols may boast of having multiple safeties, keep in mind that no unloaded gun has ever accidentally discharged. You will have to practice safe gun handling procedures. The first step to shooting mastery comes by way of basic firearm safety.

Before you go shooting, it is vitally important that you learn the four rules of firearm safety: always treat your weapon as if it was loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire, never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot, and be sure of your target at all times. To reiterate, no unloaded firearm has ever accidentally gone off; it may have seemed to be unloaded or someone may said it was unloaded, but if it fired, it was loaded. Check, recheck, and check again. If you follow these rules to the letter, no one will ever get hurt unless that is your intent.

Protocol: Beginning Firearm Training

It is vital that the first time you go shooting you find a certified instructor to serve as a facilitator. The NRA certifies instructors and provides links in your area for basic firearms instruction. The NRA is a tremendous resource for all things firearm related.

Find an NRA instructor near you:

http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

Not only is the NRA is an amazing resource for the American shooter; it is the champion of the right to personal defense in the United States. Regardless which side of the political spectrum you fall upon, the NRA fights hard to maintain your gun ownership rights. This would not be possible without your support.

http://membership.nrahq.org

Instructors can also be found by contacting your local gun range or local gun store. There are some really wonderful classes available if you would like to further your training skill set, which we recommend. Another option is to look to someone in your community who has had firearms training. This is not to say that anyone who has ever fired a weapon qualifies. Make sure to inquire about your prospective trainer’s credentials.

To learn the very basics of how to shoot a pistol, we recommend an article by Massad Ayoob, entitled How to Shoot a Handgun Accurately. This article presents a very concise and easy to follow set of instructions on how to shoot a handgun.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html

Massad Ayoob is a leader in the field of self-defense firearms training. He is a world-class pistol shooting competitor, law enforcement officer, and expert witness. He was the founder of the Lethal Force Institute in 1981, which he served as director until 2009. He now teaches classes in the Massad Ayoob Group. His training classes are fact-filled and fun. Ayoob is also the author of In the Gravest Extreme. This book is considered by many to be the finest text on the legal use of force for self-defense.

www.survivalmonk.com/community

It is also recommended that you consult a training video. There are several wonderful training videos available. One the most popular is from Magpul. Once you have your video, you can begin practicing at home with your training replica weapon. This will give you a high level of comfort with your firearm when you take it to the range for the very first time.

Protocol: Taking it to the Next Level

Just outside Las Vegas, Nevada is a firearm training facility named Front Sight. It is a world-class training facility with a wide assortment of defensive weapons classes. This training facility enables a high level of firearm proficiency in a matter of days. Front Site offers beginning shooting courses, high level combative gun fighting, and all things in between. The author has availed himself of the expert instruction offered by this company, and recommends the same to the reader. Front Sight’s proximity to Las Vegas makes this training opportunity a perfect marriage of business and pleasure.

www.survivalmonk.com/community

Aaron Cohen, founder of IMS Counter Terror School, offers innovative, advanced courses in subjects ranging from tactical pistol, executive protection, to active shooter interdiction. Cohen's real life story reads better than most spy novels. At age eighteen, Cohen left the comforts of Beverly Hills to join an elite Israeli counter-terrorist organization. He published a fascinating, action packed autobiography Brotherhood of Warriors that chronicles this journey. The book is an inspiring story of determination and perseverance. The author has trained in Israeli shooting tactics with Mr. Cohen and recommends his services very highly. Mr. Cohen’s training has been sought after in Hollywood as an on-set weapons expert and technical advisor, a position he served for the movie Haywire.

www.survivalmonk.com/community

Larry Vickers is a retired member of Special Forces 1st SFOD-Delta, informally known as “Delta Force.” He is one of the most highly respected members of the firearms community. Vickers is often sought out by high-level Special Forces and elite law enforcement units for small arms training. His extensive background in weapons history, selection, and use is unique in the professional shooting community. His website has a listing of regionally endorsed instructors; this is a great resource for finding a local instructor approved by Vickers. Larry Vickers is a knowledgeable and expert trainer in the firearms field. His outgoing, approachable personality has been showcased in several television shows including “Tactical Arms,” “Tactical Impact” and History Channel's “Weaponology.” Several of Larry's video clips may be found on YouTube.

www.survivalmonk.com/community

Gear: Shooting Videos

The Art of the Dynamic Handgun is a seven-hour, four DVD set of handgun training videos created by a large weapons accessories company, Magpul Industries. These videos are highly informative, action packed, and have enjoyed immense popularity. They provide video coverage of live fire training with shooters who range from beginners to professionals. This video series is a great way to learn and practice the fundamental handgun skills with your plastic training gun and progress to live rounds. This is a great videos series for shooters of all levels.

www.survivalmonk.com/videos

Gear: Blue Gun

Rings Blue Guns are plastic replicas of handguns used for firearms training. Blue guns accurately replicate the feel and weight of the Glock pistol. Blue guns give you the opportunity to safely practice drawing, carrying, presenting, and sighting your handgun while creating safe gun handling habits to build confidence with your weapon. The blue gun is one of the most important firearms training tool. It is a must-own item.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

Gear: Holster

Comp-tac tactical holsters are one of the most comfortable holsters available for legally carrying your handgun concealed inside the waistband of your pants. They are available in a wide variety sizes for many different gun models and feature a lifetime warranty. Because they are extremely comfortable you will be much more likely to carry your firearm with you at all times.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

Gear: Hearing Protection

Peltor 6’s hearing protection is a durable, affordable option for amplified hearing protection. These headphones block loud noises like gunshots, while simultaneously amplifying quieter sounds. This means you can comfortably hear verbal commands from a shooting range safety officer without taking off your hearing protection.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

ProEars are the Mercedes-Benz of hearing protection. Designed by a professional shooter in collaboration with an audio engineer, these headsets provide incredibly clear audio and high-level noise reduction in a compact format. They feature a five-year warranty and a long list of standard features. These are the choice of many top-level shooting competitors, and are proudly made in the U.S.A.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

The Defensive Rifle

Modern day survivalists may have a desire to incorporate a long gun into their defensive arsenal. When choosing a battle rifle there are two standouts most worthy of your consideration: the AK-47, and the M-16/M4, or civilian version AR-15. These long rifles are both center-fire, semiautomatic, magazine-fed weapons. Both are lightweight, durable, accurate, and provide the user with a highly capable defensive firearm. The world’s armies have employed both of these defensive weapons for decades and their unique strengths and weaknesses have been well documented. Because these two weapon systems were designed for military use, all ancillary gear and accessories have gone through extensive field-testing in the harshest environments around the globe and are extremely reliable. In addition, all parts and accessories are in great abundance in the United States, and the required ammunition for both of these rifles is among the easiest to find.

The AK-47 has been in constant use in skirmishes around the globe for over 60 years. It has a reputation for being the most durable and reliable firearm ever created. It is also one the simplest firearms to operate. It is typically lightweight, easy to shoot, and relatively powerful. While the total number of AK-47’s in circulation is not known, it is estimated that over 100 million of them have been manufactured. Detractors of the AK-47 will say that it is not very accurate. While the AK-47 is not the most accurate rifle, it is more than accurate enough to be used as a defensive firearm for distances up to 300 yards. Much of the belief that an AK-47 is highly inaccurate comes from people who are inexperienced shooters. These inexperienced shooters will often purchase a low-quality AK-47, which is made from well-worn parts that have been haphazardly assembled. Combine this with cheap ammunition, poor shooting technique, and a rifle which has not been properly sighted in, and you are certain to have less than stellar accuracy.

Purchase an AK-47 that is chambered in the 7.62x39 round. This is the most common caliber for the AK-47, and consequently easiest to find. For quality brands, choose from Arsenal USA or Vector Arms. Both of these companies produce high quality weapons. Also choose high quality steel, military surplus magazines made in Russia or the former Communist bloc European Countries. As for ammunition, foreign made steel-cased rounds will work fine in these weapons, but you may also want to purchase a small amount of domestically produced ammunition to use for self-defense. One should also consider purchasing an American-made tactical sling, as most of the slings included with the AK-47 will be too small for the average American shooter.

The AR-15's military cousin the M-16, or M-4, has been the primary battle rifle of the United States military for over 40 years. While the AR-15 may seem a bit intimidating to the novice shooter, it is among the easiest rifles to shoot well. The AR-15 fires a very lightweight .223 or 5.56 round, which enables ease of control and accurate shot placement. AR-15s are known for being very ergonomic, and is easily adjusted to fit shooters of all sizes. A standard sixteen inch-barreled AR-15 can weigh less than six pounds and is comfortable to maneuver.

Detractors of the AR-15 may ridicule the rifle by saying that it is unreliable. This is largely attributed to the older M-16 model, which had some reliability problems during the Vietnam War. However, these issues have long since been corrected. These rifles, when properly assembled and given routine maintenance and cleaning, are extraordinarily reliable weapons. It is paramount that the AR-15 owner learns how to clean and lubricate his or her weapon properly, as this is vital to the reliability and function of this rifle.

When purchasing this weapon, choose an AR-15 chambered in the 5.56 or .223 round, made by Colt, Daniel Defense, or Bravo Company. All of these companies have very high standards of quality and product assurance. These brands may cost more than some competitors, but rest assured that you will be getting a high-quality, reliable weapon, right out of the box. Choose a model that has a sixteen-inch, M-4 style, lightweight barrel. Purchase top quality aluminum, military spec magazines, or polymer magazines made by Magpul, or Tango Down. The AR-15 requires higher quality ammunition than that of the AK-47; choose domestically produced brass cased 55-grain ammunition, such as Federal XM193.

There are more accessories made for this style rifle than any other rifle in the history of the world. The number of choices available can be overwhelming. Most however enjoy the gear aspect of the AR-15 format, and will proudly show off their latest modifications, in much the same way a muscle car enthusiast will show off their engine modifications. At the end of the day, the choice will be yours alone. Whether it is the AK-47 or the AR-15, it will be the skill set of the man or women who welds it that makes it effective. Again, it is not enough to buy an AR, trick it out with the best accessories, and then lock it in a safe. You have to train with it.

Gear: Tactical Sling

A sling on your battle rifle is as important as a holster for the pistol, and cheapest accessory you will purchase. Blue Force Gear proudly collaborates with Larry Vickers to produce his signature Vickers Tactical Sling. Designed for and used by the Special Forces community, this sling is very well engineered and rugged.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

Gear: Wiley X

Wiley X sunglasses and goggles are rugged and stylish. Several models are U.S. Military approved and can be made into prescription sunglasses. Excellent for shooting and outdoor use, the Sg-1 model includes the ability to change lenses and can transform from glasses to goggles.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

Gear: AK-47 DVD Adaptive Kalash

Adaptive Kalash by Travis Haley is an excellent DVD for the use and application of the semi-automatic AK 47. Haley is one of the instructors in the critically acclaimed Magpul Video Series. This video is packed with information and is very professionally produced.

www.survivalmonk.com/videos

Gear:Green Eyes and Black Rifles by Kyle Lamb

Green Eyes and Black Rifles is written by former U.S. Army Special Forces combat veteran Kyle Lamb. This book is a complete guide to the operation, maintenance, and use of the AR-15 family of rifles. In addition to covering the basics of the rifle, Lamb also covers advanced shooting techniques and the combat mindset. Green Eyes and Black Rifles can teach a complete novice, and is also highly valued by shooting professionals. If you are interested in purchasing an AR-15 this is the must-have guide.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Gear: Ammunition

Some ammunition is packaged in sealed tins designed specifically for long-term storage. If you choose this type of ammunition be sure that it will work properly in the guns for which you intend to use the ammunition. 7.62x39 ammunition, typically found in sealed tins, usually works well in AK-47 rifles.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

The Defensive Shotgun

The shotgun is the first weapon that often comes to mind when talking about home defense. A shotgun, by its very nature, is designed to be highly effective at short ranges, as it delivers multiple projectiles in a single shot. A shotgun is feared by criminals and home invaders alike because of its extreme lethality in close-quarters defense. The shotgun can be found in a few popular configurations, including the semiautomatic, pump, and break-open action.

The break-open action is the simplest of the shotgun configurations, and is the type of shotgun seen in old Western movies. These break-open style shotguns include single barrels, double barrels, and the over-under. The shotguns are made in a variety of configurations, but are most commonly used for hunting or competition shooting. These shotguns are typically the simplest to operate, yet they afford the user only one shot per barrel before they have to be reloaded.

The next category of shotgun is the pump action shotgun. The pump shotgun is probably the most widely recognized, and popularly owned shotgun in the world. This gun is typically designed to hold multiple rounds in a tube beneath the barrel. As the weapon is fired, the shooter can maneuver the forearm of the weapon, or pump the action, to eject the use round and insert a new shell into the chamber. The capacity of these shotguns ranges from three to nine rounds. The most popular examples of these guns are the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. There are more spare parts and accessories designed for these two shotguns than any others. If you desire a pump shotgun, either of these will serve you well.

Next is the semiautomatic shotgun. The semiautomatic shotgun cycles each round as you pull the trigger, automatically ejecting the spent shell, and inserting a new shell in the chamber. Because it is not necessary to pump the action of the semiautomatic, it is a weapon that is physically easier to use than a pump shotgun. Some popular examples of the semiautomatic shotgun include the Remington 1187, FN SLP, and the Benelli M2 or M4. The semiautomatic shotgun typically has a milder recoil impulse, which makes it more desirable for small-framed shooters. Some models may be used with large, high capacity magazines, increasing total defensive shooting before reloading.

The author does not personally advocate the use of a shotgun over a defensive carbine, as most of what can be achieved with a shotgun, with the exception of bird and small game hunting, can be accomplished with the defensive rifles mentioned above. A shotgun may, however, be a good home defense solution for someone concerned with the over-penetration associated with a high caliber rifle round. This may be someone with a large family or one who lives in a thinly walled apartment building.

In all firearms platforms, you will have to factor in your own particular requirements and interests. Admittedly, some may be more suited for one thing than the other; try it out, and find a defensive weapon that is suited for you. Remember that there are different tools for every job. The more you train with these different systems, the more you will be capable of.

Protocol: Assessing the Bad Guy

How to scan for the bad guy—this could prove lifesaving in a terrorist attack, armed robbery, or active shooter event. Begin first by ensuring that you have a defensive position or cover. Look for the only person or persons who do not seem confused or frightened. Typically there will be more than one bad guy, as they will often work in teams. Scan the crowd; the perpetrator will be someone who seems to know what is going on. This will most likely be the only person who is not panicked or frozen. Scan everyone’s hands and look for anything that is out of place. In a situation such as this you will need to have your wits about you. Do not get caught up in the panic and hysteria around you. Move. Apply your observations and orientation to a plan and act upon it immediately.

Gear:The Art of the Dynamic Shotgun

This instructional video is a five hour, three DVD video training course produced by Magpul Dynamics, which covers the use of the shotgun in a defensive role. It includes instruction in weapons manipulation, tactics, and marksmanship. This video series combines theory and practice, explaining concepts in detail, and then showing the viewer a class of students performing the shotgun drills.  Excellent content and professional production value to get you started on combat shotgun techniques.

www.survivalmonk.com/videos

Gear: Gun Cleaning

Otis Technology is the leading innovator in the field of gun cleaning systems. These kits are small and easily packed in a go bag or with range gear. This highly mobile and efficient gun cleaning system is utilized by law enforcement and the military. These kits are of the highest quality and will serve well as go bag and home gun cleaning systems.

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

Fortifications

On the subject of home fortifications and other home security defensive measures, the prepper must be proactive. With a relatively small amount of effort and supplies, you can drastically decrease the likelihood of a potential home security threat. It is imperative that you repeatedly remind yourself of the purpose of your labors, which is to alleviate the stress and fear associated with home security. Many preppers become overly obsessed with home fortification measures. The prepper must take every precaution not to become a prisoner within his or her own home. Too often one’s fortification strategies succumb to an almost paranoid or delusional mindset. The prime example of this is that of the blood thirsty zombie-like horde, hell bent on smoking you out of your house, and killing your family indiscriminately as they exit. In even the most chaotic of times in human history, this is rarely the case.

Admittedly, the author once subscribed to this fear and passionately rationalized its existence. If you possess this fear, you are not alone. If your home security measures come at the expense of the emotional well being of you and your family, then you have missed the mark. The enlightened prepper strives to ensure that his or her home fortifications are realized as a means to control fear, not enable it.

Even in a worst-case scenario, which one would be wise to note is exceedingly unlikely to transpire, violent criminals are always opportunists by nature. That is to say, the bad guys will be looking for an easy target, not to burn your house down. The practitioner of this manual will be anything but an easy target. Your home is your castle and a prepper’s fortress; the defensive measures that follow will be more than enough to protect it.

Let us take a look at a small group of Korean business owners during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. During the fevered height of the six days of violent mayhem that erupted in the streets of Los Angeles, a group of civilian property owners fought with armed looters to protect their businesses. The Korean business owners banded together, and with little more than walkie-talkies, small caliber pistols, and hunting rifles, successfully defended themselves. Creating a plan and establishing strategic defensive positions, these outnumbered and outgunned business owners confronted violence with a morally appropriate and legally justified response. This relatively small community group was able to effectively protect their life and property. After the gunfight subsided, the looters moved on to undoubtedly find easer targets.

This story illustrates not only the power of the determined survivalist, but also the mindset of the criminal. No one wants to put him or herself unnecessarily in harm’s way. The criminal mind will always look for the easiest of targets available. Your home defensive preparations will ensure that your house is anything but an easy target.

Protocol: The Deterrent Effect

To begin your preparations think first in terms of deterrence. These simple measures can protect you from home invasion, burglary and civil unrest scenarios like that of the Los Angeles Riots. These deterrent steps will make your home extremely unappealing to any would be assailant.

1. Securing windows with locking mechanisms. These are simple window-locking screws that can be used in conjunction with your window locks to prevent someone from prying open a window. A simple wooden dowel can also be placed into the window frame with the same effect.

2. Security door with security bars. Hardware stores also sell metal security doors that are installed on the outer doorframe in front of your existing door. These external security doors are decorative, and will add to the aesthetic and security value to your home. The same framework designs are available for window treatments as well.

3. Security alarm, stickers, and signs. The act of hanging a security alarm company sign in your yard will also serve as a deterrent. Security alarm stickers placed on each window will educate any potential criminal that you have an early warning system. Whether or not you actually have an alarm system wired in your house, everyone will think you do. Additional security cameras and alarm sensors can notify you if anyone is walking up your sidewalk or driveway.

4. Dogs. Long before any alarm is tripped or you wake up, a dog will know if someone is attempting to illegally enter your home. Dogs are the ultimate early warning system, a fact that has been utilized by mankind for centuries. A barking dog inside your home also has an extremely powerful effect on anyone who may be prowling outside. Not only will you be alerted when there is a potential threat, but also your life will be much richer from the bond you develop with your canine community member.

5. Motion lights. The usefulness of these easy-to-install lights is twofold. First, anyone in the commission of an illegal act will be deterred by their potential crime scene suddenly becoming illuminated, which will hopefully alert you as well. In the event that you have determined individuals committed to getting in your home in spite of your exterior defensive measures, they will most likely be waiting for you to leave or come home, as this is when your security will be most lax. Having motion lights on any potential blind spots on the side of your garage or doors can alert you to someone’s presence as you go in and out of your home. If you were to drive up to your home at night and a light was on, you would be aware of the potential threat.

Protocol: Creative Fortification Solutions

Everyday items can be employed in a disaster situation, looting, or civil unrest. These items are inexpensive and work well in a pinch. Again, internalize that the need for such extreme precautionary measures will be unlikely. That being said, the prepper must be prepared for any eventuality. Prepare for the worst, but expect the best.

1. Chain link fence. As any well prepared resident of a hurricane region will have plywood cut to affix to windows before an approaching hurricane, the well-fortified prepper may be wise to do the same with chain link fencing. In the unlikely event of a mass civil disturbance, one can relatively quickly nail this fencing to the window frames inside of the house. This will be undetectable from outside, and will prevent any intruders from smashing through the windows. This is available at any hardware store.

2. Sand bags. Empty sand bags can be easily and inexpensively found for purchase in military surplus stores. In the event of a dire home fortification scenario, one could fill the sand bags with a whole host of common yard materials. These could be used for door barricades or defensive positions. Anyone who lives in a flood zone would also be wise to have sand bags on hand.

3. Barbed or razor wire. This is not to be used except in the event of an extreme emergency. This item is also widely available in hardware stores and online. Reference all applicable laws and regulations in your area.

4. Door security bar. These bars are employed under the door handle and wedged vertically between the door handle and floor. This item is inexpensive and greatly reduces the potential of someone kicking in the door. This makes a great budget-conscious alternative to a metal security door.

5. Front yard decor. If you happen to have an expensive looking house this could be an enticing target to looters. In an extreme event consider making your front yard curb appeal as uninviting as possible.

Gear: ADT Home Security

ADT is the largest home security company in the U.S., and has been in business for over 130 years. They offer excellent service, competitive pricing, and a money back guarantee. In addition to providing a low-cost home protection option, homeowners may also save up to 20% on their home insurance policies. Use the link below to take advantage of a substantial ADT discount.

www.survivalmonk.com/adt

First Aid

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Emergency First Aid and Home Remedies

Even the most basic of first aid know-how can prove to be an invaluable resource when needed to assist someone in a medical emergency. The author strongly encourages everyone who reads this manual to learn and review the basics of first aid. First aid may have to be employed long before any other survival strategies will be needed. In fact, in many cases, it may be the injury that predicates the survival situation.

Long before you tap into your survival food, water rations, or emergency supplies, you may have to first utilize basic first aid. You may have to administer CPR to someone who has stopped breathing, treat shock, stop the bleeding from a traumatic injury, address hypothermia, or perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone who is choking. The very small time commitment that you place into learning first aid could make the difference between someone living or dying. By learning the basics of first aid, you will be capable of invaluable lifesaving techniques. Rather than being helpless during an emergency medical situation, first aid training may enable you to save a life. Such was the case for Jake following a hunting accident in Colorado.

This is Jake’s story:

Jake and his brother Kyle were on their yearly elk-hunting trip. The two of them had been skunked the year before and were anxious for redemption this season. As in the past, the two packed their gear and left the day before opening day to set up base camp. This involved a long hike up the mountain, as driving up there was impossible. As they arrived that evening they quickly set up camp and prepared for the morning’s hunt. Waking before dawn, the two set out on foot to their favorite hunting spot. Not five minutes after sunrise, Jake spotted a trophy bull elk less than one hundred yards away. As Kyle had drawn the tag this year, he steadied his riffle and took the shot. The bull ran a short sixty yards before falling to the ground dead. The two could not believe their luck; not only was this the largest animal either of them had ever taken, it was only five minutes into the season. By all accounts this was a dream hunt. As the two began to dress down the animal for transportation, Kyle’s knife slipped slicing through his femoral artery in his thigh. The cut was very deep and blood was gushing everywhere. Jake had fortunately taken first aid instruction classes, and acted quickly. Noticing the severity of the cut, and knowing the length of time it would take to get his brother to a location where they could get help, Jake knew that his brother’s life was in critical danger. Pulling out his first aid kit, Jake applied pressure to the wound with a Quick Clot trauma pack, and secured a tourniquet around Kyle's thigh. Kyle was at this point near death. Jake grabbed his brother and carried him down to their truck. Speeding off of the mountain, Jake finally came within phone reception range, where an emergency evacuation helicopter was able to come to Kyle's rescue. The emergency room physician later said that there was no doubt that Kyle would have died had his brother not known “how to handle himself.” The most common injury or death associated with a hunting accident is from the hunter’s own knife. Jake’s fast action and first aid training had saved his brother’s life.

The primary organization that is recommended for obtaining expert instruction on first aid techniques and methods is the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross has an extensive set of resources available for teaching everyone the basics of first aid. You can call a local chapter and schedule a class for yourself and others in your survival community. These classes are completely free, and are available all across the United States. These classes will give you valuable hands-on experience with a certified first aid instructor. The level of confidence that is gained by this free instruction will ensure that you have the working knowledge of how to properly perform life-saving techniques. The American Red Cross website also includes downloadable, printable brochures of specific first aid techniques. Take advantage of this. Print these documents and store them with your first aid supplies.

A high-quality first aid kit is absolutely imperative to your disaster preparations. At the end of this section will be a detailed gear recommendation for the appropriate kits to purchase. After you have provisioned the necessary first aid supplies, you will need to familiarize yourself with its contents and their specific functions. Take the time to do a mental checklist of where items are located in the kit and familiarize yourself with the contents. This will ensure that when the time comes for you to use the first aid kit you will know exactly where everything is located. This will be invaluable in a panicked emergency. Many preppers become consumed with their checklist of disaster supplies, but never train on their proper function and use. A first aid kit is no different than a firearm in the sense that you have to know how to use both of them to be effective. The application of Red Cross first aid training, coupled with the corresponding first aid supplies, will greatly increase survival proficiency.

Some first aid kits may be improved upon in order to suit specialized or individual purposes. It is a good idea to include extra small bandages and gauze, as these items will be used more often. One piece of first aid equipment that is absolutely vital to add to your kit is a Quick Clot style-trauma pack. It is recommended to keep one in the house, car, office, and range bag. These types of trauma packs have been employed by militaries around the globe with resounding success. The technology in these bandages offers a coagulant agent that greatly assists in stopping traumatic bleeding injuries, such as gunshots, lacerations, and stab wounds. Another addition worth noting is antibiotics. These will not be included in civilian-issued first aid kits, but can easily be acquired from a family doctor. Also remember to take into account all unique health requirements. If you or someone in your family takes medication, then you will need a surplus supply. Remember to rotate these medications, as they will have a printed shelf life.

There are several things that should be stocked to facilitate home remedy survival style medicine. The savvy prepper will always make efficient use of everyday items, as these tend to be readily available in most locations. A few of these simple everyday household items include: food grade hydrogen peroxide, iodine, rubbing alcohol, and baking soda. In a disaster event, your local hospital emergency room may become inundated with the sick or injured. Anyone who has ever been to the hospital knows how long the waiting process can be. In an emergency situation it is much worse. Securing the appropriate home remedy and first aid supplies will help you avoid any potentially dangerous and stressful hospital environments.

A must-have book for any prepper is Survival Medicine, by Dr. Mark Sircus. This comprehensive work addresses a whole host of survival medicine protocols. In this book you will find many ways of dealing with varying illness that are typically overlooked in Western medicine. This book is a tremendous resource and will cover far more home remedy information than this manual has space for. In Dr. Sircus’s book you will learn, among many other things, how to use over-the-counter iodine for viruses, bacteria, fungus, and systemic infections, how to avoid and treat the basic causes of common illnesses, and diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This book of advanced health and home remedies is a must-have reference for any prepper.

Protocol: Nutrition and Health

Be healthy and in shape before the onset of any disaster. Proper health and nutrition is of the upmost importance to every prepper. Maintaining a high level of health will not only prevent complications in a disaster, it will prolong your life. The chief aim of the survivalist is to survive; do not allow poor nutrition and diet to inhibit this process. It would be the ultimate in irony for the prepper who prepared for every possible disaster to die of a heart attack due to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This would seem to be a no-brainer, yet millions of people are doing just that. The survivalist strives to control the circumstances by which he or she departs from this earth. Do not overlook your own personal health during this process.

Protocol: Pandemic

A pandemic is the outbreak of an infectious disease that has spread among many people across a large area. Pandemics of measles, smallpox, typhus, tuberculosis, cholera, and malaria have caused the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Modern medical discoveries and sanitation practices have prevented the proliferation of many of these diseases and saved millions of lives. However, pandemics will likely occur again in the future. To begin preparing for a pandemic, be sure to include vitamins, electrolytes, cold remedies, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal medication in your emergency kit.

If an outbreak occurs, it is vital to keep yourself healthy. Reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, exercising, and staying hydrated will assist your body's immune system. Nourish yourself with healthy foods and avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and recreational drug use, as these will weaken your immune system. You may also supplement your diet with extra zinc, magnesium, iodine, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D. If an outbreak occurs, avoid unnecessary human contact especially with people who are sick. Conversely, if you are sick, stay away from others. Clean and sanitize surfaces which many people touch to lower the likelihood of spreading disease. Wash your hands thoroughly throughout the day and every time you are out in public. Cover your nose and mouth if you are coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of harmful germs, bacteria, and viruses. Otherwise avoid touching you ears, eyes, nose, and mouth, as these are the parts of the body most vulnerable to infectious diseases. Medical grade facemasks can be worn when out in public or when around the sick. In the event someone from your family should fall ill, seek medical attention when available and do your best to quarantine them from those who are healthy. However, if emergency medical services are unavailable, consider applying the various home remedies solutions outlined below and in the suggested book resources.

Protocol: Flu Remedies

In a disaster, the flu can be a life threatening illness for old and very young people alike. The employment of a few simple home flu remedies can make the difference between life and death. Baking soda has been used successfully since the early part of the 20th century in treating the flu. A brochure by Arm and Hammer Baking Soda Company cites a study in which the daily ingestion of baking soda mixed with water aided in flu recovery.

A powerful known treatment for swine flu is elderflower syrup named Sambucus. It is relatively inexpensive and available without a prescription. This flu aid is something that can be stored for several years, and is easily tolerated by people who may be allergic to certain types of antibiotics.

Nascent iodine kills viruses, bacteria, and funguses and storage shelf life is virtually indefinite. In the event of a flu outbreak, this can be used topically or internally to stave off severe symptoms.

Protocol: Baking Soda

Dr. Mercola is a leading authority in the world of natural healing practices. In addition to providing a wide array of alternative healing methods on his website, his link below provides detailed instruction on the use of baking soda for treating flu symptoms.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/15/baking-soda-used-to-treat-swine-flu-85-years-ago.aspx

Protocol: Emergency Electrolyte Replacement

In a disaster, excessive sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea from illness or over-exertion can be a life-threatening scenario, especially for very old and young people. The use of a simple household electrolyte replacement mixture may provide a great deal of relief or possibly even save a life.

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

Mix entire contents with 1 liter of water.

Protocol: Online First Aid Training

These free online courses offer a rudimentary overview of CPR and first aid procedures and can be completed in less than thirty minutes.

www.cprandfirstaid.net

http://www.firstaidweb.com

The online courses provided by The American Heart Association must be purchased. These courses are significantly more in depth and time consuming than the free online courses. With your purchase of the AHA courses, you will receive a training certificate and accreditation that is nationally recognized.

www.onlineaha.org

Gear: First Aid Kits

American Red Cross First Aid kits are great starter kits to build your home, office, and vehicle first aid kits around. Be sure to add a few Quick Clot clotting sponges to stop traumatic bleeding.

www.survivalmonk.com/firstaid

Gear: Emergency Dental Kit

Dental medical kits can prove to be very useful if you need to treat a broken tooth, broken crown or lost tooth filling. In a disaster there will be little chance of finding any emergency dental assistance. What can be a very painful affliction during an already stressful situation can be averted with a simple inexpensive kit.

www.survivalmonk.com/firstaid

Gear: Home Remedy Books

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine and The Encyclopedia of Healing foods are two books that can provide powerful insight into taking the best care of yourself when professional medical care is not available. Written by naturopathic doctors, these authoritative texts provide well researched, well documented, and legitimate medical advice.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Dr. Mark Sircus has written a selection of well-researched, highly detailed books dealing with some of the most pressing health issues facing the world today. His topics include treating antibiotic resistant infections, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and cancer. His books provide a clearly explained pathway for dealing with a whole host of modern sickness and disease.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Disasters

“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened”.

- Mark Twain

Disaster Planning

Disasters are the subjects of summer blockbuster movies, and historically the source of some of our greatest fears. Whether it is an impending tornado, flood, or terrorist attack, your survival will be largely contingent upon the pre-disaster preparation measures that you take now. While the basic gear and conceptual theories laid out in this manual will more than prepare you for any disaster, there will specific amendments and additions that will be uniquely relevant to your individual circumstances. In assessing those particular requirements that warrant your specialized attention, remember that acquiring the basic gear and corresponding training will be ninety percent of the game plan. The other ten percent will rely upon your diligent homework and planning.

For the purpose of this manual, disasters can be thought of in two general categories: those that are a product of nature, and those that are created by man. The latter is of a composition that is seemingly more random than nature, as natural disasters represent something explainable in origin. That is, with natural disasters there is a logical, natural process at work. With increasing frequency, scientists can explain and comprehend the conditions that created them, and even predict the where and when of their occurrence, whereas the psychological processes of the human mind that would create a disaster, is much harder to comprehend, let alone predict.

Natural disasters include earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. These “acts of God” disaster scenarios must be carefully planned for. The American Red Cross at redcross.org and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at fema.gov and ready.gov websites contain extremely useful disaster preparedness information. To be able to access this information at all times, even when there may be no access to the computer, you will have to prepare a disaster folder for reference. Print the preparedness fast facts and first aid placards from the Red Cross website that are most relevant to your needs. Include a list of emergency phone numbers, such as the Red Cross, family members, children's school, and the local authorities. The Red Cross also has printable documents for first aid instruction, as well as detailed plans for dealing with specific disasters. It is recommended that you identify the specific natural disasters that are likely to occur in your geographical area, then download and print three copies of each. Make sure to keep each disaster folder in a watertight sealed casing or bag. It's not enough to simply download and print these manuals. Read through them, internalize the content, and review periodically. Store your three disaster reference folders in your home, office, and car, respectively.

Natural disasters represent a huge piece of the preparation puzzle. Make a concerted effort to know the specifics that are relevant to the area in which you live. If you live on an active fault line, prepare a strategy that is tailored for earthquakes. If you live below sea level, or in a flood plain, make appropriate flood evacuation plans. If your home is built in an area that is prone to wildfires, learn how to deal with that situation, and so on and so forth. With this manual you will have the mindset and gear necessary to deal with virtually any disaster. Simply tailor your planning and strategies to fit your unique situation.

Natural disasters are natural environmental processes of the world you inhabit. Understand them, and develop a plan to mitigate their harmful effects. Follow this general guideline: educate yourself to the potential threats, procure the appropriate gear, apply a plan to deal with said threats, and then go on about your life with the peace of mind that you are prepared. Begin this process by visiting the website, www.ready.gov

Manmade disasters include events such as chemical spills, radiation exposure, civil unrest, and terrorist acts. While your provisions and training can protect your home and life from harmful chemical, biological, and radioactive contaminates, there is still a large unknown factor with these random disaster events. Manmade disasters, like that of the ubiquitous terrorist attack, tend to elicit the strongest fear response in most preppers. This is in large part due to its lack of forewarning, and seeming indiscriminate, malicious, and violent nature. For many of you, including the author, the events of 9/11 have completely transformed the way we understand the world. That fateful day has been burned into the collective subconscious of humanity. While this has created a new paradigm by which our lives feels threatened, 9/11 has also opened our eyes.

Terrorist attacks represent an unfamiliar, irrational, and unknown motivation that is exceedingly complex to prepare for. Life will, in large part, always be represented by unknown factors. While the outlined text in this manual can prepare you for most disaster circumstances, nothing can positively guarantee your survival. After all, anyone could be hit by a drunk driver picking up the morning paper, have a heart attack, or die in a plane crash. The enlightened survivalist understands all too well the inherent fleetingness of life, and thus strives to make the best of what life has to offer. Remember this: every prepper, no matter the skill set, will eventually die. This is certain, and is inescapable for us all. At the end of the day, survival is as much about dying as it is about living. The enlightened prepper aspires then to die by his or her own terms, not by someone else's.

Confront your mortality. On a long enough time line death is guaranteed to us all. Come to terms with this, it is certain that your life will in turn be much more profound. The promise of tomorrow is never a guarantee, so embrace each second life has to offer, and fight with every fiber of your being to protect it. Death is the undeniable outcome of life. Accept it for what it is and live your life with a keen awareness of its awesome value.

Protocol: Disaster Assessment

Ready.gov provides a huge database of disaster preparedness facts and informational emergency planning measures. This Governmental resource is absolutely amazing, and offers in-depth information on disaster strategies. The user can simply click on the “Be Informed” section of the page and instantly connect with a wealth of specific disaster related resources, allowing the visitor to seamlessly navigate specific disasters and corresponding preparedness guidelines. Simply determine the disasters which most affect your geographical area, and follow the instructions presented on the website.

www.ready.gov

Protocol: Getting Started

The American Red Cross and FEMA recommend using a basic, three-sided approach to dealing with disasters. In developing your survival plan keep in mind that you will have circumstances unique to you alone. These will include your specific geographical location, place of employment, and socioeconomic factors. As you are applying this protocol, give these areas your attention.

The first stage of disaster preparation is planning. This includes developing evacuation strategies, contingency plans, and appropriate responses for specific disasters. One must make a concerted effort with this. Again avail yourself to the above www.ready.gov resource. The human mind has an extremely hard time processing information that it has not first conceived of. Disasters are exactly that, disasters. If you cannot first conceptualize the conditions of a disaster, then you will have little chance of limiting its negative effects. Plan out every possible scenario that you can think of. Planning-stage forethought will promote quick and decisive action during a disaster event.

The second stage is stocking all relevant survival gear and go bags. This represents the survival items, goods, and gear that you will need to use in the event of a disaster. This planning stage will inevitably include a whole host of different survival items. Acquire first the most fundamental items to your survival plans, and then build outward with further provisions in order of pressing relevance.

Finally, stay informed before, during, and after a disaster occurrence. This will keep you abreast of any pertinent information available and aid in planning any amendments that you may need to make on the fly. Emergency broadcast radio alerts will be keep you well informed in the event of television interference.

Protocol: Mentally Processing a Disaster

Observe, orient, decide, and act. These four stages are the psychological steps one must take to mentally process and efficiently react to a disaster. When executed correctly, these four stages will happen in split-second timing.

1. Observe

Process the totality of what is occurring, not the particulars, just the life threatening facts. For example, you do not need to know why there is a fire in your office, just that there is one.

2. Orient

Where is the source of the life-treating event coming from, and where are you in relation to it? In a disaster there will be a lot of confusion. You will undoubtedly have to reorient yourself to your surroundings.

3. Decide

This involves creating a plan relative to your observations and orientation. It does not have to be a perfect plan, but you must come up with something quick. This will be greatly facilitated by the process of advanced planning.

4. Act

Regardless of the merits of the plan you have created, you must act upon it immediately. It is inaction that is the greatest obstacle. It will be your ability to act that will make or break your survival efforts.

Protocol: Gas Main Shut Off

A main gas line shutoff tool is a necessity if you use natural gas appliances in your home. Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes may damage your home's gas lines, creating a gas leak and putting you and your family in danger. This is a very inexpensive tool, which includes a tie to store it near your gas main shutoff valve. Be sure to educate everyone in your home on where the shutoff valve is located and how and when to use the tool.

Protocol: The Technological Edge

The prepping of your smart phone for a disaster may prove advantageous to the technological prepper. The Disaster Information Management Research Center, together with the U.S. National Library of Medicine and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has compiled, among other invaluable disaster preparedness resources, a list of the best apps to use to better prepare for disaster and health emergencies. These apps can be downloaded and used for reference during a whole host of different emergencies, and better prepare the user to deal with emergency health issues. This website has a tremendous amount of public health information, tips, and resources.

Mission statement: “The core purpose of the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) is to develop and provide access to health information resources and technology for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Our intent is to connect people to quality disaster health information and foster a culture of community resiliency.”

Link to apps:

http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/disasterapps.html#info

Gear: NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radios monitor the National Weather Service, broadcasting weather and disaster warnings twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on seven frequencies. These broadcasts cannot be heard on a typical AM/FM radio. NOAA radios come with a wide variety of options. A simple handheld Midland unit is battery powered, water resistant, and features a weather and disaster alert system that automatically turns on when an alert is issued. The larger Midland Dynamo offers these same feature as well as four ways to power the radio, including a hand crank power generator. The Dynamo incorporates internal rechargeable batteries, built-in LED flashlight, and a USB adapter, which can be used to charge a cell phone. The Dynamo's alarm system can be configured for those who are visually or hearing impaired. The backlit LCD displays the information and can be read even in low light conditions. Visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/ for detailed information on the service and coverage maps for your area.

www.survivalmonk.com/radios

Stay or Go

In the case of natural disasters you may have a little forewarning before you are directly affected. In this case, the survivalist will have a serious dilemma on his or her hands. Stay where you are and ride it out, or head for the proverbial high ground.

Some disasters will require that you leave your home or office immediately. If a disaster such as a wildfire, chemical spill, or hurricane is threatening your home, you will have no choice but to leave. However, barring no other choice, the safest place to shelter from a disaster is your home. Unless you have a close-by location that is dedicated solely as your bug out spot, it is generally preferred to remain in your home. The advantages of staying home can be measured in a “home turf advantage” type of mentality. The bulk of your survival gear, security, organization, and planning will have been centered around your home. Your home turf is without question a force multiplying advantage for most survival situations.

That being said, it is still important to have a well thought out a bug out contingency plan. In the unlikely event that you have to leave town, you will need to have a plan. In a disaster most people will be confused, panicked, and unsure of what to do. Having a well-organized plan will enable your quick exit, while others are bogged down trying to figure out what is going on. Purchase detailed road maps, and highlight at least three alternative routes out of the area in case one or more becomes unavailable. Use the road least traveled as your primary escape route, as these will tend to be less congested than the main highways. If roadways become congested, there may be power utility service roads to enable a way out of town. As with all other route plans, map these utility roads out far in advance. The enlightened prepper will be wise to establish a pre-determined meeting location with the members of his or her survival community. In the event you have to leave town, you and the individuals in your community will be available to one another. Try to maintain as much of your force multiplying community strength as possible. If you have to enact your bug out plan, then do so with your survival community.

In a bug out scenario, an ideal location may be the home of a friend in your survival community who happens to live in a different area. Choosing a secure location with a fellow prepper in your community will allow you to store a small survival cache at their home, and they may in turn store theirs at your house. This will be advantageous for both of you, as you both now have a safe and economical second location to travel to in the event of an emergency. Be sure to choose a friend in another location that will not be affected by the same disaster that is affecting you. This will ensure that your bug out spot will actually be a safe location. If you live near a coastal area prone to hurricanes, choose a friend who lives far inland. If a hurricane is threatening both your home and your friends, then neither of you will be any safer.

It is also important to follow an old survivalists’ rule of thumb: have your emergency bug out location located within a distance you can drive using one full gas tank. This is important during a disaster gas stations may have very long lines or they may not even be operable. Because of this, the enlightened prepper will always keep their gas tank full. In the event of an emergency, having a full tank of gas already in your vehicle will greatly increase your ability to be efficient. The mass evacuations associated with natural disasters, such as a hurricane, tend to congest main streets and roadways with very heavy traffic. The last thing one needs is the added stress of being stuck in traffic while running out of gas.

Make sure that your vehicle is in good working condition. Keeping up with routine maintenance on your vehicle translates into one less thing to worry about if you have to evacuate quickly. As stated earlier, always keep your vehicles gas tank as full as possible. If one thinks of a half tank of gas as empty, this will be easy to maintain. If this is not already a habit for you, then make it one. It is also a great idea to store extra gasoline at home in five gallon gas cans. Gasoline cannot be stored indefinitely. After about two months of storage, gasoline will degrade to the point where it is no longer usable in your vehicle. In order to avoid this you may rotate your gasoline every month, or add a gasoline-stabilizing product such as Stabil. This stabilizing product will substantially increase the shelf life of your gasoline. Be sure to carry extra empty gas cans with you as you evacuate, as you may need them later to take advantage of an opportunity to get gas. When traveling with full gas cans, make sure to have a safe way to transport them. Trucks, SUVs, and cars with tow hitches can use a small bed extender to facilitate carrying this highly combustible fuel source. If you have a small car without a hitch, gas cans then be strapped to the roof. Again practice doing this, and have the proper equipment long before a disaster occurs.

Once you are at a safe distance from a disaster, the Red Cross has an invaluable tool to assist you in communication with your loved ones. This is known as the “Safe and Well” website. On the Safe and Well website you can register your family, and notify frantic family members who may be trying to find out if you are safe. Your loved ones can then search the website by your phone number or address, in order to know that you have made it out of harm’s way. Make it a priority to educate your family and friends about this website, so that they may use it in times of emergency. http://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms//

Make sure that everyone has all emergency numbers stored in their cell phones as well as on a small card that can be placed in a purse or wallet and kept on your person. Encourage everyone to also memorize important numbers in the event you become separated from the above fail-safes. With the advances in telephone technology over the last fifteen years, no one really memorizes telephone numbers anymore. Nearly everyone has phone numbers stored in their cell phone, but few could cold call those numbers without first looking them up. Under normal circumstances this is fine. During a disaster people may be separated from their cell phones or without power.

Again, if possible, stay home, this will be to your advantage, as this is where you are most prepared. Conversely, do not be so determined to stay in your survival fortress that you fail to see the reasons to leave. A true survivalist will be unrestrained by emergency, and adapt to whatever survival plan becomes necessary, which may include bugging out.

Protocol: Family Rally Point

In the event that your home becomes suddenly compromised by a home invasion, fire, tornado, or gas main explosion, your evacuation may be hurried and disjointed. Having a predetermined meeting location will be instrumental in your family’s safety. Pick a close-by location where everyone can meet up. This may be a neighborhood park, a friend’s house, or local store. Ensuring the safety of one’s family is paramount in a disaster. With a rally point meeting location, everyone will know in advance where to find each other.

Protocol: The Bug Out Bag

Hopefully by now you have realized that there are a great deal of complications and unforeseen externalities when bugging out. To reiterate, stay home unless you are given no other choice.

The bug out bag, or go bag, as it is termed by survivalists, describes a bag which you keep in your home stocked with essential survival items that, when needed, can be taken with you in a hurry. There are many recommendations for what constitutes a properly stocked go bag, which are as individualized as the people who prepare them. Below is a short list of the most basic gear.

· At least two quarts of water per person.

· At least two MREs or some other high calorie survival food that is lightweight and requires no preparation.

· A change of clothes and comfortable shoes. Be sure to include clothes you can layer and a coat.

· Cash in small denominations and duplicate credit cards.

· Your survival firearm, holster, and extra ammo.

· A basic first aid kit including small bandages, painkillers, antibacterial cream.

· A supply of any needed medications.

· Extra eyeglasses or spare contact lenses with solution.

· Fifty feet of paracord.

· Knife.

· Copies of important phone numbers and documents, such as birth certificates and wills, stored in a waterproof plastic bag or case.

Gear: Go Bag Essential

The Annihilator Wrecking Bar is a must have item within each corner of your supply triangle. This multifunctional tool can be used in a wide array of emergency situations. It is inexpensive and surprisingly effective for its size.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Gear: Disaster Specific Kits

In addition to a trusted source for survival food, Food Insurance offers disaster-specific emergency kits and bug out bags. Their website has a regional disaster map, which allows you to click on your home’s area within the U.S. and see which disasters could potentially affect you. No need to spend countless hours mulling over the proper gear for an emergency. These kits are high quality, comfortable backpacks, filled with the relevant disaster supplies, food, and equipment suited to your needs.

www.survivalmonk.com/emergencykits

Gear: Roadside Emergency Kit

A roadside emergency kit contains the necessary items for dealing with a flat tire, dead battery, and other basic vehicle issues. Many pre-made kits are available, and should be included into your respective vehicle. A good basic kit is essential.

When building your own, be sure to include jumper cables, screwdrivers, sockets, duct tape, hose clamps, flashlight, road flares, pocket hand warmers, tire gauge, and tire sealant. Check your vehicle to make sure your jack is in working order, and that your lug wrench fits the lug nuts on your vehicle. If you have lug nut locks, locate the key and keep it with your lug wrench.

www.survivalmonk.com/emergencykits

Out of Town

It is exceedingly important to be aware of the types of disasters you may encounter when you are away from home. When you are traveling, whether it be for business or vacation, it is vital to learn what types of natural disasters could possibly affect you. For instance, how many people do you think vacationing in Indonesia were prepared for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami? Literally thousands of people were killed, simply because they were ignorant to certain characteristics of a tsunami. As a tsunami approaches shore, it will sometimes pull water out to sea before the tsunami wave inundates the shoreline. That is, the sea level will appear to drop a great deal before any sign of a tidal wave. Unfortunately, many were unaware of this and blindly followed the receding water to their death. The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 was the most devastating natural disaster in recent history, killing some 230,000 people.

This is Sara’s story:

Vacationing in a Sumatran resort community in Indonesia, Sara was having the time of her life with her husband and two year old daughter, Tia. Her husband had been there on business, which left the days open for Sara to explore and take in the sights with her young daughter. The trip had been absolutely perfect. After celebrating their family Christmas together in their hotel suite, they turned in early; totally unaware that tomorrow would change their life forever. December 26th, 2004, the tsunami struck. Sara’s husband was further inland on business and away from the disaster. Sara, alone on the beach with her daughter noticed people running past her to the sea. When she looked out she was amazed to see that the ocean floor was now exposed. By the time Sara had established what was going on, it was too late. A wall of water was rapidly approaching. Quickly, Sara grabbed Tia and ran for the hotel. As she approached the steps the wave hit her. As she came up, she was clinging to a street sign with one hand, and Tia with the other. Inevitably the water surge was too strong, and pulled her and her daughter off. When Sara’s husband found her a week later in a make shift hospital, Tia was nowhere to be found. Sara was inconsolable and could remember little.

Human beings have evolved very specific survival skills and abilities. Use those you possess, and learn those you may need. Would you plan a backpacking excursion across the plains of the central Africa without learning the best ways to evade the lions? Would you travel to some exotic port of call in the midst of a revolution? Common sense would say no, however, people do this all the time. Millions of people vacation in disaster hot spots around the world, with no advanced planning or supplies. Barring blissful ignorance, the assumption being that, “it will never happen to me.” On a long enough timeline, disaster is inevitable. Just because you are on vacation does not mean that the world stops turning.

Any time that you can bring basic survival gear while out of town on vacation or business, do so. Some of the contents of your bug out bag may be difficult, or impossible to travel with. Simply make a smaller, TSA compliant bug out bag that you can travel with. Admittedly, this can be challenging when dealing with airport security. That being said, most gear may still be safely packed within checked baggage. Be sure check on the TSA website for specific restrictions and applicable federal laws. This will allow you to have a few essential survival goods without the hassle of having anything confiscated at the airport. Preparing a small travel-size survival go bag should be no more of an arduous task then packing your toiletries, clothes, or cosmetics.

While traveling abroad, make sure to familiarize yourself with basic language, customs, and geographical orientation. Knowing how to say indigenous words such as help, embassy, hospital, food, and water may save your life. Know the lay of the land, and make a disaster plan in accordance with your new surroundings. It is also important to make note of all relevant emergency phone numbers, and embassy contact locations. Know where to go and whom to call. These basic strategies will prove invaluable in the unlikely event of a survival situation. The simple act of preparing a plan in your mind will greatly increase you survivability potential.

A true survivalist will always educate him or herself to any new environment that he or she is planning to visit. History has always shown that circumstance will favor that of a prepared mind. So as you make your plans for the different sights and attractions that you wish to see while on vacation, also include a survival plan. Make this practice a habit, as it will greatly increase your odds of survival.

Protocol: Traveling Resources

The United States State Department maintains a website that provides valuable information for Americans traveling to foreign countries. The website includes warnings, alerts and travel information.  On the State Department website there is also a valuable link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP program website. This is a free service that alerts U.S. travelers of specific advisories and warnings while traveling abroad. This program is also linked with U.S. embassy databases to assist U.S. Nationals with everything from lost passports to disaster evacuations.

http://travel.state.gov/

As discussed earlier, an invaluable resource on the American Red Cross website is the Safe and Well program. During a disaster at home or overseas, you can register on the Safe and Well website and leave a brief message. Family members and friends can then access the website to read your message to know that you are safe. In any disaster, panicked family members will have an incredibly difficult time trying to ascertain your whereabouts and safety. This program alleviates that problem.

http://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms//

TSA restrictions on banned items can be found in this provided link. Make certain to reference this website to familiarize yourself will all applicable laws and regulation before traveling.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Gear: First Aid Travel Kits

Adventure Medical Kits offer very unique travel aids that are designed to be lightweight, portable, and practical. They offer kits for all skill levels, from the novice to professional wilderness EMTs. Their travel medical kits are unique, as they are tailored for traveling to under-developed nations. If you find yourself in a remote locale with questionable sanitation practices, it is comforting to know that you can even bring your own sterile suture/syringe kit. Adventure Medical also developed the Pocket Survival Pak (PSP) and the PSP+, in a collaborative effort with famed survivalist Doug Ritter. The PSP+ represents the highest of quality survival gear in a pocket-sized format. The PSP + is so small there is never an excuse to leave it at home. These kits are great for outdoor use and as traveling first aid.

www.survivalmonk.com/firstaid

When Others Panic

Do your best to avoid those who are in a state of panic. If they are family members, or cannot otherwise be avoided, then try to calm and reassuring them by speaking in a relaxed, soothing, and gentle tone. Assure them that they will be okay, and that everything is all right. Empower them by explaining that you need their help, and that you need them to be calm in order to get through the situation. Encourage them to stop focusing on the problem, and instead to think creatively to find a solution. Give them a goal-oriented task to occupy their mind. When included into a plan, the panicked will generally pull together their emotions quite quickly.

People will panic most often, because they are ill prepared to deal with the situation that may be transpiring. The reality of the situation is more than they can handle, because no mental or physical preparations were ever made. People who feel panic or desperation often begin to function solely on instincts, and will most often revert back to a flight or freeze response. Although someone else may be panicking when confronted with a disaster, you will not be. As an enlightened prepper you will always concern yourself with finding a solution to the problem. You will immediately accept the reality of the situation, and effortlessly develop a split-second solution to it. Do not allow someone else’s expression of panic or fear to spread, take ownership of the situation, and create a solution.

Because of your newly formed mindset, survival skills, and confidence, adopt a leadership role immediately. Helping to organize the people around you will focus your mind, and by assigning others tasks they can assume a role in your creative solution. This will allow you the opportunity to think more clearly, and act in a decisive manor. Your efforts to survive will thus be more fruitful. Regardless of the merit of an individual plan, your ability to survive will largely be attributed to your quick and decisive action. As you have adopted a leadership role, you must be able and willing to act when necessary. In much the same way you are instructed when seated on an emergency exit isle in an airplane, you will have to accept a degree of leadership responsibility in an emergency situation. The enlightened prepper readily accepts this role and, when flying, will most likely already be sitting in the emergency exit aisle.

Protocol: Take on the Leadership Role in a Disaster

1. Assess the situation. Understand the problem and how to fix it. Develop a plan. Remember: observe, orient, decide, and act.

2. Get everyone’s attention. Be loud and command respect from the group. Make it apparent that you are in charge. An effective leader will do this without confrontation. In a disaster most people will be looking for someone to tell them what to do. Simply adopt the role.

3. Calm any fear or panic. Let everyone know that it is under control, and that everything will be okay. Make them feel safe and at ease with you in charge.

4. Offer words of encouragement. Give the group a pep talk. Let them know that they are valued and needed, and that with their help this can be overcome. Let the group know how strong they are.

5. Share your solution to the situation. Tell everyone the plan, and why it is going to work. Be specific. This will put everyone at ease.

6. Delegate tasks. Get everyone involved in the plan. Allow input and suggestions, but do not deviate from the original plan. Changing the plan unnecessarily can lead to confusion and destroy morale.

7. Act on and supervise your plan. Remember that you are the leader, many people will readily speak ill of something after it is enacted. However, those same people will do little by way of creating a plan. Do not allow negative comments or opinions to enter the group space. Quell any descent that would interfere with the highest interest of the group.

Thinking Outside the Box

The mindful prepper is all too aware of the fleeting reliability of everyday resources. The average grocery store will contain about a three-day supply of the daily goods on which you depend. If the supply infrastructure were to stop bringing fresh provisions, mass panic would inevitably follow. This was the case in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Food and water had to be flown in by helicopter; basic sanitation and the rule of law were virtually nonexistent. Needless to say there were not nearly enough resources to go around, and the city descended into complete chaos. Commonly in a disaster, most people, including law enforcement, will not be working, as they will be at home protecting their own families. This was the case following hurricane Katrina.

This is Thomas’s story:

Thomas was in New Orleans when hurricane Katrina hit. The guests of the hotel suffered through the worst that the storm had to offer. Flooding, loss of power, broken windows, and panic were only the beginning of their hell. In the aftermath, Thomas and some of the other patrons of the hotel had to fend for themselves. Together, a group of thirteen hotel guests consolidated their efforts to survive. The hotel had approximately sixty guests in it, and no staff on hand to supply the basic necessities for survival. Thomas, who had some survival training, quickly organized a group of other hotel guests and began foraging for supplies and food. Naturally, concentrating their efforts in the hotel kitchen they were able to prepare meals for everyone in the hotel. Isolated in the hotel, the guests had no communication with the outside world, and no security from the lawlessness that was transpiring in the streets. There was no police protection, hotel security, or National Guard to assist them. They were completely alone. The second day of this ordeal, a group of men from outside invaded the hotel and robbed a number of hotel guests. Thomas, sensing the security threat, barricaded himself and twelve others in a hotel suite. They used furniture to reinforce the door, and provisioned food and water with them in the room. Thomas tried to get everyone to do the same; unfortunately many of the guests were falsely under the assumption that law enforcement officials would be there to protect them. On the third day all hell broke loose, as approximately fifteen armed criminals overtook the hotel. Knowing that there was absolutely no law enforcement in the area, the thugs took their time going from room to room looking for hotel guests. The criminals broke down doors and took whatever they wanted. Thomas and the other twelve guests could hear a women being raped in a room next to them, all while criminals were trying to break down their door. Fortunately for the thirteen the barricade held, but they were powerless to help the family in the room next to them. The hotel remained occupied for another two days as the assailants attempted multiple times to gain entry to the room. The ordeal lasted a week in total, three women had been raped, multiple beatings, robberies, and one man was killed outside trying to escape the hotel. It was because of Thomas and his quick and decisive action that the thirteen were able care for themselves and escape harm during this horrific event.

Most are totally unaware of just how bad things got in New Orleans after the hurricane. The above story is not an exception; it was the rule. Lawlessness had taken over the streets, and ordinary citizens had to fend for themselves. It is hard to imagine what those hotel guests went through, let alone picture yourself in their position. This story represents an extreme survival situation, which few will hopefully ever experience. The above story is not intended to elevate anyone’s fear, only to make you aware that situations such as this can and do happen. Thomas was a survivalist. He had prepared himself mentally, and comprehended the criminal mind. He had envisioned how bad things could get, and his decisive action protected the thirteen guests in that hotel suite from harm.

During times of disaster it is vitally important for you to be able to think outside of the box. In a disaster it behooves the survivalist to be creative. There are many situations where everyday supplies may be in short supply. As a survivalist you will have to be resourceful in the procurement of basic resources. Even if your local stores are completely empty, you may be able to still find creative solutions. For instance, your local health food store, vitamin store, or gym may contain dozens of containers of meal replacement supplements and protein powders. This will most likely be a location that will be overlooked during a disaster. It may be necessary to leave a few reusable grocery bags in your car. In the event you need to carry provisions from an area that does not normally sell goods, these bags will be a lifesaver.

If you happen to find yourself temporarily trapped inside your office, vending machines and cafeteria food stores can provide some nutritional relief. Also be sure to check office storage facilities for extra food, water used for office water coolers, and vending machines. One may also make use of the hot water heaters that service the building. Make a point to know where these storage areas are located in your office buildings long before a disaster occurs. A little bit of forethought and planning will go a long way in a survival situation.

Be resourceful and make a plan. In a high-stress disaster scenario, try to think of yourself in terms of a modern day hunter-gather. Leave no stone unturned, and make efficient use of whatever resources happen to be available. Even though you may have taken the diligent steps of preparing your emergency food supply, do not use them until it is no longer possible to forage for what little food stores may remain. However, if at any time this becomes either unsafe or food resources are depleted, by all means dip into your provisions. That is why they are there. A true survivalist will exhaust every possible resource available before utilizing his or her emergency rations, as you will not have any idea how long the duration of the emergency will be.

Protocol: Resource Mapping

Mapping out the potential emergency resources in your area will give you a distinct advantage in the event of a disaster. Locate all the available resources around your work, home, and other routes that you normally travel. All applicable routes between these locations will prioritize your actions in a disaster. The majority of people in a disaster situation will have no plan for acquiring goods. A well-planned resource map will be crucial to avoiding a mass panic or civil unrest scenario.

When planning your emergency resource locations, give careful consideration to what may be your primary and secondary locations. These can be thought of as where to go when there is not a mass panic, and where to go when there is mass panic. If you are able to get to a grocery store before the reality of a disaster has set in, then do so. If these primary locations are otherwise not available, then use your secondary locations. Create an actionable plan that you may be able act upon quickly. This is remarkably simple to do, and will help you negate any potential dangers that follow a disaster.

Protocol: Avoid Being Pathologically Considerate

Avoid the compulsion to be pathologically considerate in a disaster. This is in no way intended to dispel the human exercise of compassion, nor excuse actions of barbarism. Moreover, it is only to rationalize what is necessary within the conditions of survival. Those who tend to be pathologically considerate will likely have a difficult time doing what may be necessary in a survival situation, as this personality type tends to be overly concerned with social constraints and societal norms. The pathologically considerate prepper will have to be able to give him or herself the permission to do whatever is needed to ensure survival. Each and every person has an inalienable right to self-preservation, which nothing else supersedes. While this manual is in no way condoning any form of illegal activity, it does postulate that survival, in it of itself, should be your primary consideration. In a life or death situation, you must be able to act, and do whatever necessary for survival. For in some instances, doing that which may be moral or right may be in direct opposition to doing that which is necessary to survive. Remember, survival is a right over which nothing else takes precedence.

Protocol: The Outdoorsman’s Edge

The avid outdoorsman will have a leg up when it comes to provisioning the basic necessities for disaster preparedness, as much of the gear and mindset has crossover. The outdoorsman or women will have gone without power, cooked in an off-the-grid setting, and experienced adverse conditions that will help him or her in a disaster. While consideration will most assuredly have to be given to the particulars outlined in this manual, the outdoor enthusiast will be wise to incorporate their passions into the arena of disaster preparedness. While wilderness survival strategies are not the focus of this work, the author recommends that the enlightened prepper study this field in further detail. The knowledge possessed by one who spends their time in commune with nature while hunting, fishing, camping, or otherwise outdoors, will ultimately serve his or her highest survival potential.

Gear: Outdoors Survival Guides

While this manual is not a reference for outdoor survival tactics and strategies, the author recommends a few books that are. As Survival Enlightenment is about much more than this work will encompass, the reader is encouraged to avail themselves of the resources below.

The SAS Survival Guide is written by John Wiseman, a former member and instructor of the elite British Special Forces SAS division. This book is an excellent reference for outdoor wilderness survival. It is printed in a small format so it can be taken with you. The SAS Survival Guide includes chapters on impromptu shelter building, first aid, and a photographic section on wild edible plants. The book has recently been published as an app which may be downloaded on iPhone, Android, or Windows' based phones.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

98 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive is a witty, humorous book on the very serious subject of outdoor survival. The author, Cory Lundin, is the director of the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Prescott, Arizona. He has an extensive knowledge of outdoor survival and presents his information in a fun and engaging style.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Will to Live: Dispatches from the Edge of Survival, by Les Stroud, examines some of the most intriguing survival stories from recent history. In his book, Les examines individual stories, and tells the reader what went right and what went wrong. He also gives very practical tips on how the situations could have been avoided. Stroud is the creator of the hit television show “Survivorman,” and his book is an informative, entertaining read, as well as an excellent outdoor survival resource.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Gear: Survival Knife Recommendations

Knives are one of the most important survival tools. They can be used for expedient repairs, self-defense, and as escape tools. A fixed-blade knife is generally regarded as the best choice for outdoor survival. A folding-blade knife is great for home and urban use, provided that it is a sturdy durable design knife.

Fixed Blade:

For a very inexpensive fixed-blade knife consider the Glock Survival Knife. Yes, the same company that makes the pistols makes it. The knife was designed in close cooperation with Austrian Army Rangers. These knives are very durable, tough, and can be purchased for less than $35. They are lightweight for their size, include a sheath and come in three colors. They should be sharpened before use. Glock also makes a compact, lightweight-folding shovel called the E Tool.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Gerber LMF II is a heavyweight in the survival knife market. The blade is very thick and partially serrated. The knife can be used for chopping wood or even attached to a stick or pole as a defensive spear. The LMF II can be used to hammer nails or break Plexiglas. The LMF II includes a sheath with a built in sharpener. This knife exceeds the U.S. military’s requirements as an Aircrew Survival Egress Knife.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

SOG Seal knife was approved by the U.S. Navy Seals for combat use. It is as tough of a knife as you will probably need. The SEAL Pup model is slightly smaller and lighter. This fixed blade is incredibly sharp, and will hold its edge for a long time.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Folding Blade:

Benchmade Griptillian 551 is an excellent knife made in the U.S. For its relative large size, it is very lightweight, with a very strong locking mechanism. There is a thumb stud on the blade for one hand opening. This is a great quality blade that is highly recommended by experts.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Ka-Bar Mule is made by the same company who makes the famous U.S. Marine Corps fighting knives. This is an excellent knife for someone on a budget. It is a little heavy, yet very sturdy and reliable.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Supply Triangle

“Supply triangle” is a term used to describe the three places which one should prepare provisions, as these are the three locations where people spend the majority of their time. This will involve preparing emergency kits for the home, car, and office. All three of these places are represented as points of your supply triangle. If you supply these three points of your triangle, you ensure that emergency supplies will always be within arm’s reach. The supply triangle preparedness doctrine will facilitate increased survival proficiency and overlapping layers of disaster protection.

The home is the area that can be best stocked with survival necessities and gear. Your home will be the place where you have the most personal control over what you will store and how you will store it. Just because you are not at home does not mean that you should not be prepared to deal with a disaster or survival emergency. Fortunately, the survival skill sets you are learning will travel with you at all times. It is the gear that complements these skill sets that you must supply for both your car and work location. Think of your supply triangle as representing all the gear needed to get you back to where you will be most safe, your home.

Your car should contain a scaled-down kit similar to the provisions in your home, which will be outlined in a protocol that follows this section. In addition to your basic bug out kit, you should include extra water. Store two or three gallons of clean drinking water in your car. This water can be used to fill a radiator in a simple roadside emergency, as well as provide you with fresh drinking water. If at all possible, store the water in a metal container, preferably in stainless steel, not aluminum or plastic. Plastic water containers have a tendency to degrade and pollute water when exposed to extreme temperatures, like the temperatures found in your car. In addition, secure blankets and extra cold weather clothes for a potential roadside emergency in the winter. You should also have a basic roadside emergency kit that includes jumper cables, electrical tape, duct tape, hose clamps, and basic hand tools. Make a point to locate the car jack and lug wrench, ensure they are in working order and fit wheels currently on our vehicle. Make it a point to understand the basics of your car and how to diagnose and perform minor repairs.  Learn how to use your jumper cables and how to change a tire. For someone who has never changed a tire before it may seem like a daunting task. Changing a tire is very simple. If you have not already done this, then do so. The simple act of learning how to change a tire will help create confidence and self-reliance. It will also lessen your fears of dealing with simple mechanical issues.

A small bug out kit, similar to the one created for your car, will be perfect in the office as well. There are a few additional things, which may need to be included, as a vehicle has its own unique survival necessities, so, too will your office. The author recommends including a small pry bar. Pry bars can be found at your local hardware store. They may be particularly useful if you encounter a door or window that is locked. In an emergency situation it may be necessary to break a window to escape a fire or even break through a locked door to escape an active shooter. Breaking down a door with your shoulder or smashing a large plate glass window with your fists is extremely difficult, and can create a secondary medical situation.

Although you may not be able to possess a firearm or a large knife in your office bug out bag, your pry bar can also be used as a defensive weapon. You may be allowed to use pepper spray or bear spray as a defensive weapon and, if possible, store a canister or two in your office bug out kit. It is great idea to store a gas mask or fire hood in your office bug out bag, especially if you work in a very large office building. Office buildings often contain equipment, furniture, and other items that may give off dangerous fumes during a fire or other disaster. If you work in a multiple-floored building or skyscraper, it behooves you to not only familiarize yourself with proper evacuation procedures, but also develop a contingency plan if they fail. Who can forget the heart wrenching images of 9/11, as the desperate people trapped within the World Trade Center jumped to their death to escape the crippling fire and smoke behind them? It is hard to imagine a reality in which one would have to choose one death over another, but this does happen. The procurement of a reliable base-jumping parachute can be used for escaping a burning high-rise building. While the odds of surviving a jump from a burning skyscraper with a base-jumping parachute may be 50/50 at best, it beats the alternative. After all, prepping is never about guaranteeing survival, only increasing the odds. If your office building is only a few floors, a simple sturdy climbing rope will be more than enough to enable your escape. Next to your home, work is where people spend the majority of their time. Be prepared.

Protocol: Disaster Practice Run

General disaster planning for a fire can be a great way to involve your family in disaster preparedness. Fire is a general situation everyone should prepare for. Use your family fire contingency planning as a test run for every other emergency plan you establish. Fires are extremely dangerous and may occur at any time. The best way to avoid fires is to prevent them. Be sure to install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home. Educate everyone in your household as to what the alarms sound like and how to respond to them. Everyone should know to exit the premises when they hear these alarms. Develop a fire escape plan by choosing two ways to exit each room in the house. If you see smoke, get down on the floor and crawl beneath the smoke, as the freshest breathable air will be beneath the smoke near the floor. If you touch a closed-door handle that is warm to the touch, then use your second exit. Choose a safe place where everyone will meet up, preferably somewhere very close by. Once you have gotten outside of your home, go to the safe place and call for help.

Power outages affect almost everyone at one time or another. This is another limited-stress practice run to introduce your family to disaster planning. A power outage lasting two hours or less has little effect on the household. A few good flashlights, fresh batteries, and food that require no preparation make this an easy situation to deal with. If a power outage lasts more than two hours it is important to begin some basic preparations. Before the power is restored be sure to unplug all major devices and appliances. Once power is restored there may be a surge in electrical current which could damage these devices, especially computers. Try not to open your freezer or fridge, as this will raise the temperature and speed up the process of food spoilage. Avoid traveling as much as possible during a power outage. Streetlights will not be in service, and there will be a higher risk of accidents and crime.

Protocol: Base Jumping Parachute

Emergency parachutes have been in greater demand since the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. These parachutes are designed to be used in high-rise buildings, and above the twentieth floor. Emergency parachutes are usually sold with training DVDs, and are often erroneously marketed for amateurs. In order to use these parachutes with any significant chance of survival, the user should have extensive training in skydiving. The author understands, however, that in some situations, when faced with certain death, a small, remote chance of surviving is better than no chance at all. That being said, training will greatly increase this product’s effectiveness.

Gear: The Ark Kit

The Ark is a small yet highly effective emergency kit. It contains a heat reflecting “space” blanket, high calorie food bars and six 4-ounce packets of water. The Ark is easy to use, store, and transport. The Ark makes for a great gift for someone who is not yet into prepping, and can be stored in the home, car and office.

www.survivalmonk.com/emergencykits

Gear: Survival Multi-Tools

The Woodman’s Pal machete has been in use by the U.S. Military from WWII through Desert Storm. This classic tool is designed to replace multiple tools for pruning, trimming, and chopping. The blade is very sturdy and flexible. A single swing of the blade can effectively slice through a 1-½ inch branch. The woodman’s pal is handcrafted in the United States, and has been used by survivalists for over seventy years. The Woodman’s Pal will make an excellent addition to every prepper’s supply arsenal.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

The Leatherman Skeletool is a full-sized pocket survival tool that weighs just five ounces. The tools on this model are mounted on the outside of the handles, and may be opened with one hand. This tool features a stainless steel blade, pliers, wire cutters, bit drive, and a carabineer bottle opener. The Leatherman Wave is Leatherman's most popular model, and offers a plethora of tools, including two pliers, two knives, two files, and two bit drivers. Combine this with the Leatherman 40 bit driver set, and you have a very capable, universal multi-tool for repairs and survival. Both of these flagship multi-tools by Leatherman should be incorporated into every prepper’s supply triangle gear.

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Duct tape. Lots of Duct tape. This inexpensive utilitarian product is without question one of the most important, all-purpose gear requirements for the prepper. Make certain to incorporate a couple of rolls minimum into your supply triangle. Stick with the name brand stuff, as many of the generic brands lack structural integrity.

Economic Insurance

Financial planning is an important part of disaster preparation. Many survivalists might have you believe that the world quickly changes from a monetary system to a trade based system, but history has shown us otherwise. It would take a massive, long-term disaster for financial systems to break down in this manner. Economic collapses in countries such as Zimbabwe, Argentina, and Germany, showed that while the traditionally used currency may have become significantly less valuable, other forms of currency were readily accepted in each case to compensate. In Argentina, for example, along with precious metals, the U.S. dollar and Euro were accepted as logical replacements for Argentina’s devaluated currency. As world financial systems are currently in a state of monetary uncertainty, the savvy prepper will have to prepare a few basic economic readiness measures.

The first part of the approach to economic preparedness is to have cash on hand. Carry $200-$400 in multiple denominations within your supply triangle at all times. Be sure to include one crisp $100 bill, and carry this on your person. It may seem foreign to some to carry around so much money, as we all live in an age where most purchases are made with credit cards or debit cards. Most purchases at the mall, the grocery store, or even the gas station, are typically cashless transactions. In certain disaster situations electricity may not be available, ATMs may not be working, or the credit card systems may not be functioning. Even in non-disaster situations ATM and credit card transactions are fallible with regularity. How many times have you gone into a store only to see a sign that read credit or debit not available, or had the cashier tell you they can only accept cash at this time? A few hundred dollars of cash gives you the opportunity to purchase a tank of gas, hotel room, or food when electronic transactions are otherwise unavailable. Cash can be used to purchase any number of things that might be valuable to you in a survival situation.

Another insurance policy against economic uncertainty is to purchase precious metals. Precious metals such as gold and silver have a history of being used as currency for thousands of years. The prices of precious metals fluctuate in dollar terms. In 1913, a single Troy ounce of gold cost $18.92, in 2011 that same ounce of gold cost over $1,500 dollars. Imagine for a second that the year is 1913, and your great-grandfather set aside two safety deposit boxes for your inheritance. In one of those boxes he placed a crisp $20 dollar bill, which at the time had enough purchasing power to buy an ounce of gold. In the other box he placed 1 ounce of gold. In 2012, that 1 ounce of gold is now worth over $1500 dollars, while the $20 dollar bill is still only worth $20 dollars. Which safety deposit box would you rather inherit?

Most financial planners recommend investing between 5-10% of your savings into precious metals. This is based on sound, traditional, long-term financial advice. A portion of your precious metals should be in physical metals, which you store in a secure location within your home. If you have a safe in your home, this may be the perfect place to store your gold and silver. The gold and silver that you store in your home should be in relatively small denominations, specifically 1 ounce or less, as this will be easier to make purchases, which would have typically been made with cash. While the likelihood of having to use precious metals for the purchase of goods is relatively low, the enlightened prepper will take every step necessary to offset any potential threat, which undoubtedly includes hyperinflation, and economic collapse.

Shifting a percentage your monetary assets from that of the dollar to that of precious metals will protect you against the threat of economic uncertainty. Do not think of this in terms of spending your money on gold or silver; instead think of it as hedging your financial portfolio by simply changing one form of financial asset to another. Disaster preparedness is about much more than the obvious. The enlightened prepper strives to possess personal security in all areas of life, which undoubtedly includes economic security.

Another approach is to create long-term financial stability is increase your financial solvency. This strategy, in the simplest of terms, is to increase income and savings while decreasing expenditures. One the simplest ways to begin increasing your savings is to pay yourself first. At the beginning of each month, when you are about to pay your bills, set aside a specific amount of money that you will place in your savings account. After you have paid yourself, then pay the bills that you owe. Commit to a workable amount each month, and stick to it. For some this may mean $40 a month, for others it may be $4,000 a month. Any money you are saving is better than no money. This is one the fastest ways to increase your savings account. The most important part of paying yourself first is to stay committed to the act each month. Never let yourself miss a payment to yourself.

Examine the many things on which you spend money, and decrease your expenditures. Cut down on little unnecessary expenses and add that amount to the money you pay yourself. In just a few short months you will have the beginnings of a nest egg, which will provide you with extra financial security as well as peace of mind. Most people, unfortunately, live a paycheck-to-paycheck type of lifestyle. If this is you, labor to correct this. You should strive to have a savings that would cover at least six months of emergency living expenses. That is, if you lost your job tomorrow, your savings should sustain you and pay your bills for at least six months. To obtain economic self-reliance, one must be free of financial burden.

If these financial goals seam to lofty or ambitious, then look back to Maslow’s triangle, assess your needs, and develop a plan for its achievement. As in all matters of life, the commencement of change must first begin in your mind. Create a reality for yourself that is free of economic uncertainty and financial hardship. If you have the dedication and wherewithal to create an atmosphere of survival self-reliance, then you will conversely possess the ability to create the corresponding financial self-reliance. One only needs the motivation and belief in self to do so. Manifest a reality of abundance, not only in survival skills, but in love, health, and monetary fortune as well.

Protocol: The Benjamin Effect

Include a crisp $100 dollar bill in your on-hand cash to take advantage of the Benjamin Franklin effect. The Benjamin Effect is the idea that a $100 dollar bill has a level of cachet and influence far beyond its monetary power. A crisp $100 dollar bill can be used to get you out of all types of precarious situations. Remember, we are talking about survival here. One must be able to think outside of the box; the addition of a crisp $100 dollar bill to your preparation efforts may prove invaluable. Having this money on your person will give you a psychological edge and increase your confidence when you need it most.

Gear: Precious Metals

Hyperinflation is an economic event in which the price of goods within a specific economy rises very quickly. This event usually occurs when a government prints large amounts of currency in an attempt to stabilize its national economy. Other catalysts that have triggered hyperinflation in the past include wars, political upheaval, and social unrest. The possible threat of hyperinflation in the U.S. is hotly debated in economic and lay circles alike. By investing a small part of your assets in precious metals, you may create a long-term financial hedge against this threat. Apmex and Bullion Direct are two of the most respected precious metal dealers on the Internet. Both offer outstanding selection, competitive pricing, and service.

Gear: Financial Education

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach is a great book for anyone having a hard time budgeting and saving. His approach is simple and easy to set up. Follow his advice, and you will soon find yourself saving more money than you thought possible.

www.survivalmonk.com/books

Zombies and 2012

Zombie and end of the world mythologies have become completely intertwined with contemporary American pop culture. Television series, Hollywood movies, survival manuals, and social media forums alike have spellbound the imaginations of millions. If one accepts the proposition that art is a reflection of the subconscious imagination of humanity, to what then does one attribute this recent phenomenon? This contemporary apocalypse mythology seems to underpin a growing discomfort and uncertainty with the world around.

In this increasingly interconnected, chaotic world, the zombie apocalypse phenomenon embodies a sort of uneasy socio-psychological coping mechanism; trans-mutating ones very real fear to that which is easier to deal with. Instead of preparing for a frightening or otherwise dangerous scenario, the zombie killer prepares for a fantasy. Psychologically addressing the fear while avoiding the reality. Human beings have been doing this forever. Whether it be werewolves, witchcraft, zombies or demons, the human mind finds remarkable ways to process and explain away the dangers of the environments they inhabit. The subconscious mind of the zombie killer finds an outlet in dealing with the fear of social unrest, and geopolitical or economic instability by preparing for war with the undead.

Conversely, the doomsday theologist transmitters his or her fears to the other end of the spectrum. Instead of making light of the matter, the doomsdayer adapts a fatalistic view of the world, and spirals downward into the direction of irrationality. The modern world is an incredibly complicated place to live. Human beings have the remarkable ability to develop complex and intricate coping mechanisms to deal with the resulting fear and anxiety they experience. The doomsdayer, like the zombie hunter, feels discontented about the world around, and almost wishes for an earth-ending event, which only they and a few other like-minded individuals will survive.  Absent the perceived ability to affect change in this chaotic world, the doomsdayer prepares for the end.

There is little distinction to make between the preceding statements and that of various organized extremist movements. In each example, only the select prepared few will escape the cataclysm. The previous statement is in no way intended to marginalize anyone’s belief systems or faith, only to point out, that there are similarities. The author is no more qualified to predict the time and manner of the end of days than anyone else and admittedly once succumbed to many of the aforementioned ideologies. The point is this: the enlightened prepper must see reality for what it is, and prepare for that reality, not fiction.

These popular apocalyptic trends reflect a growing concern with what would seem to be a rapidly destabilizing world. As outlined earlier in the self-reliance section, much of modern life is devoid of a connection to source, in that few have any control over the mechanisms of their daily lives. An Earth-ending event, such as those listed above, are an escape for those who would so subscribe to them. The enlightened prepper must be cognizant of this. While the author is as entertained as anyone with imaginative tales of zombie head shots and interplanetary bodies set to collide with Earth, the enlightened prepper must see this for what it is—entertainment. Conversely, if one is preparing for a global apocalypse, then nothing will be done to change the problems that elicit such fears. Like any good twelve-step program, one must first recognize that there is a problem, and then the changing process may occur.

The prepper survivalist mindset is one of resourcefulness, resilience, and innovation. The enlightened prepper must focus his or her mental facilities, and train them on the positive potential in the world. Do not expend another second of your energy on thoughts that would limit the transformative potential that you have on the world around you. While the enlightened prepper may be prepared for the worst, he or she is always engaged in creating the best. Do not dig in and wait for the end. Get out there and affect change in the world. Spread the message of self-reliance and be an ambassador of Survival Enlightenment.

Protocol: The Seven Survival Enlightenment Principles

To embody the spirit of Survival Enlightenment one must follow these principles:

1. Positive projection.

Shift your thought patterns from that of desperation, fear, and panic to a life of boundless security and comfort. Do not allow fear to control your life nor dictate your subsequent behaviors. Survival Enlightenment harmonizes preparedness measures with an impassioned love of life, thus eliminating any debilitating fears.

2. Self-Reliance.

Choose to embody a life of ever increasing resource independence. The enlightened prepper will actively engage in shifting his or her life from a state of dependence to that of self-reliance. In turn, this creates the conditions by which external resource reliance is minimized and self-reliance is maximized.

3. Isolation to community.

The enlightened prepper will foster an environment of community, fellowship, and resistance to isolation. The strength of the enlightened prepper comes from strong interpersonal relationships not from the self-imposed isolation created by fear. Community is of the highest virtue and must be valued as such. The enlightened prepper maintains his individuality while building and developing his community.

4. Manifest a positive thought reality.

The principles of Survival Enlightenment center around the precept that reality is shaped by the thoughts and energy that you give it. The enlightened prepper will focus their thought energy exclusively on creating a positive reality. The enlightened prepper must be in control of the mental staging ground of thought.

5. Never give up.

Never give up. Survival is the only option. The enlightened prepper will follow every goal, desire, and challenge to its ultimate completion. Not only in terms of a survival scenario but also in all arenas of life. Survival Enlightenment postulates that achievement must be realized first in one’s mind. The enlightened prepper must adopt a will that is unrestrained by limitations and capable of anything.

6. Balance.

Survival Enlightenment represents a balance of preparedness measures. The survival gear acquired by the enlightened prepper must be tempered and balanced with that of physical training and psychological mindset conditioning. It is not enough to own survival gear; one must be properly conditioned to use them. Balance is of the upmost importance to Survival Enlightenment, not only in the endeavors of prepping, but also in all aspects of one’s life. The enlightened prepper is balanced in mind, body, and soul.

7. Love life.

Above all other things the enlightened prepper understands that life is to be cherished and enjoyed. The ultimate goal of Survival Enlightenment is to obtain a life that is of the highest order. Nothing supersedes this. Following the principles of Survival Enlightenment will enable your greatest joy. Life is a divine gift that must be appreciated.

Conclusion

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

- Robert A. Heinlein

The End of This Manual

While this section may symbolically represent the concluding thoughts of this manual, it is in no way the end of the reader’s journey; moreover, it is much more of a beginning than an end. While the provisioning of the basic gear outlined above may come with relative ease, the mastery of one’s mental and physical abilities will only come by way of a diligent and impassioned dedication to possess it. Conventional thought would dictate that most will not dedicate themselves to obtaining Survival Enlightenment. However, as this manual is written for a segment of the population that is by nature uniquely determined and dedicated, the author expects of you, the reader, a level of commitment well beyond status quo expectations. The principles of Survival Enlightenment represent the antithesis of peril and an opportunity for monumental personal change. Listen not to the voice that would have you believe otherwise. Instead, actively begin engaging in this self-empowerment process.

Survival Enlightenment is about so much more than disaster preparedness. Homesteading is about much more than living in the woods. Survival is about much more than building a fire. Urban gardening is about much more than growing tasty vegetables. Sustainable living is about much more than the environment. Organic foods are about much more than trendy table fare. These growing movements represent a surging desire within the human populace to reconnect with the life giving resources upon which they depend. While these subcultures may differ on a whole host of individual issues and beliefs, they are all connected by a common desire to reengage with the world in which they live. Do not try to find the differences that separate one from another. Instead, create the conditions by which mutual interests may flourish and expand.

To the reader, the author presents a challenge. Reclaim your independence. Begin building your garden. Find ways to supply your own energy. Engage your neighbor and become a friend. Lift up your local community. Become a part of a progressive solution. Take back your right to self-reliance. Empower yourself. Shake loose the shackles of fear from your life. Actively seek out the conditions of fulfillment and happiness. Be enlightened. Live the dreams that you have envisioned for your life. Let there be no illusions here. Accept the following statement for exactly what it states and you will live the life you so desire. The only obstacles to the life of your choosing are the ones that you have imposed upon yourself. Live your dream.

The Beginning...

The Survivors Quick Start Guide:

Disaster Ready in 14 Days

Use this guide in conjunction with The Enlightened Prepper and The Survivors Gear Guide to secure a basic level of disaster readiness in just 14 days. No need to wonder about what to do or where to begin. Simply follow the calendar and outlined guide, read along with The Enlightened Prepper, and use The Survivors Gear Guide to stock all relevant gear. Do not waste another day thinking about being prepared. Follow this easy 14 day plan and get your whole family prepared to confront any disaster.

The SurvivorsQuick Start Guide breaks down each day into easy-to-follow steps, which should require no more than an hour per day of your time. In 14 days, you will finish The Enlightened Prepper, stock all basic disaster preparedness gear, and sleep comfortably knowing that you have prepared for the worst.

Let’s get started...

Begin with a quality notebook and pen. Use a sturdy binder with your notebook so you can add or remove pages as needed. Designate your binder and notebook to your preparedness planning efforts. Begin with the required reading, and then focus your attention to the daily work outlined below. After you have finished the day’s work, right down any and all thoughts you have in your notebook. Dedicate yourself to this 14 day process and commit to finishing it. You will be glad you did.

Day 1

· Read the chapters “Introduction” though “The Survival Mindset” in The Enlightened Prepper.

· After reading the above sections, make a list of all the things for which you are truly grateful. Hang it up on the wall where you can see it each day. Add to your list anytime you think of something else for which you are thankful. This list should be dynamic and continue to grow.

· Complete your personal Ant and the Grasshopper Assessment. Determine which you are. Create a list of the ways in which you can adapt your thoughts and actions to create a better balance between your ant and grasshopper personalities.

· Create your survival mantra. Memorize it. Make five copies of it. Post one copy of your survival mantra where you can read it each of the 14 days. The remaining copies are to be stored with your disaster supplies and in your supply triangle, which will be covered later in The Enlightened Prepper.

Day 2

· Read the “Fear” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Perform the fear therapy protocol. Take your time with this exercise and really consider all of your fears.

· Write your last will and testament.

Day 3

· Read the “Self-Reliance” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Create your personal action plan protocol. These are the goals which you will set for your own level of self-reliance and independence.

· Read “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Day 4

· Read the chapter “Community” in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Complete the “Developing Your Community” protocol and compile your community list.

· Being with your closest friends and relatives and then include co-workers and acquaintances. Be sure to include their contact information. Create a list of their skills and special talents which may be of help in creating a larger survival community. This list must be fluid and remain updated.

· Contact two people from your list and set up a meeting with them. The meetings should be very informal and with people you would like to reconnect. Think of this as a fun community building exercise.

Day 5

· Read the “Basic Needs: Air” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Purchase potassium iodide, gas mask, and filters.

· Designate a safe room in your home and office. Stock these rooms with duct tape, plastic sheeting, and other items you may need. Calculate the amount of useable air in your safe room.

Day 6

· Read the “Basic Needs: Water” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Stock and store a water supply of six gallons for each member of your household. This will be adequate for a three day period. Place containers of drinking water in your car and office as well.

· Purchase water storage devices or bulk storage containers.

· Purchase a water filter and water purification tablets or non-scented chlorine bleach.

Day 7

· Review the Sanitation and Hygiene Protocol in the “Basic Needs: Water” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Stock and store a selection of basic sanitation items and cleaners. These items must be stored away from your normal supply of items so that they are not used prior to an emergency. These items may include soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, garbage bags, paper plates, plastic utensils, dish washing detergent, and hand sanitizer.

Day 8

· Read the “Basic Needs: Food” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Stock and store a food supply to sustain each member of your household for at least three days. This food should require no heating or special preparation. Include items that your family really enjoys as comfort food and as a morale booster. Do not feel overwhelmed. This is far easier and less expensive than you think.

Day 9

· Read the “Basic Needs: Energy” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Stock and store a cooking stove and flashlight. Include matches, manual fire starters, pots, pans, and batteries in your provisions. Determine if your stove is acceptable for indoor use by referencing its manual. If your flashlight as multiple functions, be sure to read its manual as well. Prepare a place where you may safely use your stove and practice using it by boiling water.

Day 10

· Read the “Basic Needs: Beyond the Basics” chapter in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Follow the Creating a Pathway to Self-Actualization protocol. Write down a list of your personal negative self-talk.

· Make a list of your current behaviors which are self-destructive or hurtful to the people around you.

· Make a list of positive behaviors that you want to replace with negative ones.

· Spend the entire day canceling negative self-talk by replacing it with the new positive statements you have created.

Day 11

· Read the “Self-Defense” and “First Aid” chapters in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Purchase a first aid kit.

· Complete an online tutorial for first aid.

· Familiarize yourself with basic life saving procedures.

Day 12

· Read the “Disasters” and “When Others Panic” chapters in The Enlightened Prepper.

· Create a bug out kit. The goal is to have the kit prepared. It doesn’t have to be perfect or complete on this day, just start the process. Designate a location where it will be stored. Inform everyone in the household of its location.

Day 13

· Finish The Enlightened Prepper.

· Identify the disasters which may affect you and your family.

· Create 3 copies of your personal disaster reference folder. Read through your folder and familiarize yourself with the procedures. Be sure to include a copy of your survival mantra.

· Place your folders in waterproof bags and store them in each location of your supply triangle.

· Designate a family rally point and inform everyone within your family of its location.

Day 14

· Congratulations! Now spend 30 minutes quietly contemplating everything you have accomplished in the last two weeks. By this point, you have followed a very basic, yet highly effective, survival plan.

· Spend the rest of your time today identifying those areas which require extra attention.

· Create a personalized calendar for the next 14 days. This is your opportunity to explore more advanced components of this book (i.e. self-defense, first aid training, and tactical shooting). Sign up for shooting instruction and begin self-defense training. Set short term goals for yourself. Keep your daily tasks simple and well defined. Your personal calendar will be adjusted based upon your level of preparedness. Continue with the momentum you have started. Push yourself, be creative, and have fun with it.

· Implement your personal 14 day calendar.

The Survivor’s Gear Guide:

The Best of the Best

This gear guide presents years of research and testing in the field of disaster preparedness. The Survival Monk team has painstakingly compiled the best of the best survival gear on the market to save you time and money and to alleviate the stress of trying to figure out what to buy. In this gear guide, you will find links that take you directly to a site that is available exclusively to Survival Monk Gear Guide Members. All of the recommended gear below is sold through our Amazon affiliate store. Survival Monk makes a small commission from your purchases, which is of no extra cost to you. Support us by using our Amazon store for your disaster prepping and home shopping needs.

While the sections of this guide may talk about one specific item, each link includes multiple gear options for the reader. This is intended to accommodate members with varying income levels and discretionary spending capabilities. The Survivors Gear Guide is supplemental to the main book, The Enlightened Prepper, to help supply the reader with all relevant survival gear. Use this guide in conjunction with your Survivors Quick Start Guide to prepare yourself in the shortest possible amount of time.

Water Storage

FDA approved water storage barrels are available in sizes ranging from one gallon to 55 gallons. They are made from plastics guaranteed not to leach into the stored water. The containers can be fitted with spigots or pumps and they are perfect for long term water storage.

WaterBricks are rigid, 3.5 gallon water storage containers that are lightweight, stackable, and space efficient. Water bricks are compact enough to be stored in small spaces and can also be cross stacked up to four feet high. They are made from high density, BPA free, FDA approved plastics and may also be used for safe food storage. Follow the instructions for properly installing the gasket on the lid.

Collapsible water containers are perfect for storing water when you are on the move or must pack lightly. They are lightweight and take up little space.

Clink the link below to find:

· Water Brick 2.5 Gallon Water Storage Container

· Water Preserver Concentrate

· WaterBOB Emergency Drinking Water Storage

· Collapsible Portable Water Carrier

· Water Storage Barrel

· Water Storage Barrel Siphon Pump

www.survivalmonk.com/waterstorage

Water Filters

Aquamira Frontier Pro Emergency Water Filter is an affordable, lightweight, and portable straw-style water filter that is perfect for your bug out kit. It attaches to any water bottle or hydration pack that has a standard 28 mm opening. The Frontier Pro filters up to 50 gallons. Be sure the water bottles in your bug out kit are compatible with this filter. Use this filter in conjunction with water purification tablets for best performance.

The Lifesaver Water Bottle is the world's first all in one ultra-filtration water bottle. It is a revolutionary water purifier which can safely transform nearly any water into clean, drinkable water. The Lifesaver filters out all bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi without boiling or treating the water with chlorine or iodine. The lifesaver bottle can safely filter up to 6000 liters and has an auto shut off system which disables the filter when it has expired. The Lifesaver is also offered in a larger size named the JerryCan which can safely filter 20,000 liters of drinking water for a family of four for up to five years. The designer of the Lifesaver Water Bottle, engineer Michael Pritchard, was a featured speaker at the 2009 TED Talks.

Berkey Water Filters are one of the most popular brands of water filters in use today. They feature gravity-fed filters which remove viruses, bacteria, and chemical toxins from water. These units feature two black filter elements capable of filtering up to 6000 gallons of water before replacement filters are necessary. Berkey Water Filters are made from either BPA free plastic or stainless steel. These units are incredibly popular among preppers because of their ease of transportation and high quality construction.

Click the link below to find:

· Aquamira Frontier Filter Pro

· LifeSaver Water Bottle Filter

· LifeSaver JerryCan

· Berkey Light Water Filter

· Big Berkey Water Filter

www.survivalmonk.com/waterfilters

Disaster Food

Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods are the number one selling freeze-dried foods in the United States. They offer lightweight, easy to prepare, and delicious food in standup, zippered pouches. Mountain House foods are very simple to prepare: open the package, add boiling water, zip the pouch closed, and let it sit for eight to nine minutes. Just stir and enjoy the food right from the pouch. Mountain House offers entrees, breakfast items, vegetables, and desserts. They also offer vegetarian and low-sodium options. Mountain House food pouches have a seven year shelf life and are excellent choices for your bug out kits. In addition to pouches, Mountain House also offers their food in large #10 cans. These cans are offered at a cheaper price, as they are in bulk sealed tins of ten or more servings per can. They also afford the prepper an exceedingly long 25 year shelf life. These large cans are great for long term storage and can be purchased in incremental amounts.

Food Insurance is an affordable, delicious, and healthy long-term food storage option. This product also offers a 25 year shelf life. Food Insurance products are top-of the line, quality meals, which even include gluten free and vegetarian options. These freeze-dried foods are completely prepared and only need to be reconstituted with boiling water. Food Insurance offers an outstanding product at a great price and free shipping on their large food supply orders. Their website features an emergency food calculator, which can help you decide how much food you may need to store. Food Insurance also features pre-packaged, disaster specific preparedness kits and emergency bug out bags. This company comes highly recommended as a tremendous resource for every prepper.

Click the links below to find:

· Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals

· Datrex Emergency Food Bars

· 72 Hour Emergency Meal Kit

· Food Insurance Emergency Freeze Dried Meals

www.survivalmonk.com/food

www.survivalmonk.com/bulkfood

Sanitation

While an improvised toilet can be easily made from a five gallon bucket and heavy duty trash bags, the Luggable Loo provides a much more comfortable, all-in-one option. A higher end product for your home or office is the battery powered Thetford Porta Potti Curve.

Clink the link below to find:

· Luggable Loo

· Thetford Curve Portable Toilet

www.survivalmonk.com/sanitation

Cooking and Heating

Esbit solid fuel stoves are very small, lightweight, and efficient stoves for light cooking and boiling water. They are small enough to fit in your pocket, and are powered by odorless, nontoxic solid fuel bars. The Esbit is great for your bug out bag, or as a backup outdoor fire starter.

MSR has been making cooking stoves since 1969. Their basic models, the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, are canister-style cooking stoves which fold for transport and storage. The Pocket Rocket weighs less than four ounces and is simple to operate. The flame is adjustable and the stove is compatible with most self-sealing canister fuels. MSR also makes the WhisperLite Universal multi-fuel camping stove. The WhisperLite can efficiently burn white gas, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, or isobutane propane. This stove has won the prestigious Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice Award.

A simple two burner propane camp stove can be used when there is no electricity at your home. These stoves are very handy, relatively inexpensive, and readily available cooking tools.

Solar ovens are an excellent way to cook without any additional power source. Solar ovens cook at a moderate temperature, usually between 210-260 degrees. They harness the sun's energy and reflect it toward the cooking pots. They cook slowly like a crock pot. There are two models which are both excellent, the SOS Sport and the Global Sun Oven.

The Kelty Kettle is a lightweight stove that is fueled by natural fuel sources such as twigs, branches, and dry grass. The stainless steel version is more durable and is recommended over the aluminum models. The Kelty Kettle is a great choice for boiling water without being reliant on fuel canisters.

Mr. Heater makes a line of portable, indoor-safe radiant heaters ranging from 9,000 to 30,000 BTUs. When using these heaters indoors, it is recommended that they be powered by one pound propane canisters only. When used outdoors, Mr. Heaters may be combined with an optional propane hose assembly and attached to the larger 25 pound propane canisters. The smallest heaters are rated to heat an area up to 200 square feet and the largest up to 600 square feet. These units will automatically shut off if tipped over, the pilot light extinguishes, or if the room's oxygen level is low.

If you live in a cold climate region, you may want to consider adding a wood burning stove to your home. In addition to being used as a heat source during winter months, the wood burning stove could provide you with an alternative year-round cooking method. These are remarkably efficient and are the preferred heating and cooking method of homesteaders.

Click on the link below to find:

· Esbit Pocket Stove and Fuel Tablets

· MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

· MSR WhisperLite Universal Stove

· Two Burner Propane Stove

· Solar Oven

· Kelty Kettle

· Indoor Radiant Heaters

· Wood Burning Stoves

www.survivalmonk.com/cookingandheating

Disaster Lighting

Headlamps are a great way to overcome darkness while keeping your hands free. Some of the highest quality headlamps are made by Petzl. The Petzl Tikka 2 is an improved version of one of their most popular headlamp models. This model weighs less than three ounces, is water resistant, and offers high, low, and flashing modes. This headlamp can usually be found for about $30 and provides illumination on its high setting for up to 90 hours. The Tikka 2 is perfect for dealing with a power outage or adding to your bug out bag. This represents a very high quality product at a great value price point. Petzl just recently released the Nao model, which is a very high tech headlamp, featuring an adaptive light sensor which automatically adjusts the beam pattern and light output. This is a high end model and is well suited for the prepper with discretionary income.

Cyalume Industrial Light Sticks are an industrial grade, non-toxic, battery-free lighting solution. They provide 360 degrees of illumination for up to 12 hours and have a five year shelf life. Light sticks are an inexpensive, safe, flameless lighting source for emergencies.

Ultrabrite 1000 solar lamps were created by an entrepreneur while visiting rural Nicaragua. He found that many of the rural residents were reliant on kerosene lamps for lighting, requiring them to spend up to one half of their income on lighting. His solar lighting solution is much safer, as well as cheaper, than kerosene. Kerosene home fires are common in underdeveloped nations and account for many unnecessary deaths. The Ultrabrite 1000 is pocket sized, powerful, and can also be used to charge cell phones. The UB1K, as it is called, is made by ValuLamp and retails for about $40. Their company is committed to bringing clean, safe energy and lighting to the underdeveloped areas of the world. Their goal is to bring light to two million people within the next five years. This is a great product from a great company.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of flashlight models available for purchase. In military and law enforcement circles, Surefire lights are considered to be the best and are typically the most expensive. As a value alternative to Surefire brand, Streamlight and Pelican brand flashlights are high quality, U.S. manufactured lights and are all currently in use by either military or law enforcement agencies. Flashlight technology and performance are constantly improving. Manufacturers continue to create lights which provide greater illumination, longer run times, and advanced features. A few lights which the author has used successfully in the past are listed below.

Surefire G2

Surefire X 300 weapon light

Streamlight tlr-1 weapon light

The PALight, aka Safe-Light, is a smartly engineered, rugged, compact flashlight with several unique features. Powered by a single 9V battery, the PALight features a glow mode, which enables the user to find the light easily in the dark. Three other modes include a power saver mode for indoor use, high beam mode for outdoor use, and a strobe mode for emergency signaling. The survival model PALight meets the U.S. military specifications for drop on concrete durability testing. A single 9V battery can power the PALight in its glow mode for nearly two years. The PALight can be outfitted with a lanyard and a red signaling cone. At less than $20, the PALight represents an extraordinary value and a rugged survival flashlight.

There are also emergency flashlights on the market that can be plugged into an electrical socket and automatically turn on when there is a power outage. These are handy and always charged when you may need them. There are many these types of flashlights on the market; the Red Cross recommends a model manufactured by Eton called The Blackout Buddy.

Many professional flashlights are powered by Cr123 lithium ion batteries. These batteries are more expensive than commonly found alkaline batteries, but offer much greater power and capacity for their size. The Cr123 has a 10 year shelf life, and is consequently a good choice for long-term storage. The commonly sized AA and D batteries are usually much easier to find locally and have a two to three year shelf life. Consider these facts when choosing your flashlight.

Clink the link below to find:

· Petzl Headlamps

· Pocket PALight Survival Light

· Emergency Blackout Flashlights

· Cyalume Light Sticks

· Flashlights

· Weapon Lights

www.survivalmonk.com/flashlights

Energy

In addition to large solar panels that can be added to your home to power appliances or generate power for an off grid electrical solution, small portable solar panels may be used to power smaller items like cell phones, emergency radios, walkie-talkies, and battery chargers. These units are portable, relatively inexpensive, and incredibly useful preparedness tools. The resilient prepper will make certain to supply the implements of energy alternatives.

Click the link below to find:

· Portable Generators

· Solar Chargers

· Solar Generators

www.survivalmonk.com/energy

NBC

Potassium iodide is a salt of stable iodine. It can be used to protect the thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear emergency and is widely available without prescription. A single dose of potassium iodide, taken immediately, may be enough to protect your thyroid from harmful radioactive effects. You may be directed by public health officials to consume multiple doses depending on several factors, including severity of disaster, dispersion patterns, and proximity to epicenter.

The 3M 6000 series DIN compatible gas mask is a reasonable compromise of economic pricing and quality. While the price may reflect a higher cost than bulk ineffective surplus gas masks, the 3M 6000 series is highly effective. This model must be combined with the appropriate 40 mm NATO filters, such as those made by Mestel. These filters are rated for the filtration of nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

Click the link below to find:

· Gas Mask Respirators

· Gas Mask Filters

· Potassium Iodide

www.survivalmonk.com/NBC

Firearms

Rings Blue Guns are plastic replicas of handguns used for firearms training. Blue guns accurately replicate the feel and weight of the Glock pistol. Blue Guns give you the opportunity to safely practice drawing, carrying, presenting, and sighting your handgun while creating safe gun handling habits to build confidence with your weapon. The Blue Gun is the most important firearm training tool. It is a must-own item.

Comp-tactactical holsters are one of the most comfortable holsters available for legally carrying your handgun concealed inside the waistband of your pants. They are available in a wide variety sizes for many different gun models and feature a lifetime warranty. Because they are extremely comfortable, you will be much more likely to carry your firearm with you at all times.

Peltor 6S hearing protection is a durable, affordable option for amplified hearing protection. These headphones block loud noises, like gunshots, while simultaneously amplifying quieter sounds. This means you can comfortably hear verbal commands from a shooting range safety officer without taking off your hearing protection.

ProEars are the Mercedes-Benz of hearing protection. Designed by a professional shooter in collaboration with an audio engineer, these headsets provide incredibly clear audio and high level noise reduction in a compact format. They feature a five year warranty and a long list of standard features. These are the choice of many top-level shooting competitors, and are proudly made in the U.S.A.

A sling on your battle rifle is as important as a holster for the pistol, and cheapest accessory you will purchase. Blue Force Gear proudly collaborates with Larry Vickers to produce his signature Vickers Tactical Sling. Designed for and used by the Special Forces community, this sling is very well engineered and rugged.

Wiley X sunglasses and goggles are rugged and stylish. Several models are U.S. Military approved and can be made into prescription sunglasses. Excellent for shooting and outdoor use, the SG-1 model includes the ability to change lenses and can transform from glasses to goggles.

Otis Technology is the leading innovator in the field of gun cleaning systems. These kits are small and easily packed in a go bag or with range gear. This highly mobile and efficient gun cleaning system is utilized by law enforcement and the military. These kits are of the highest quality and will serve well as go bag and home gun cleaning systems.

Click the link below to find:

· Hearing Protection

· Training Gun

· Comp-Tac Holsters

· Vickers Tactical Rifle Sling

· Shooting Goggles

· Gun Cleaning Kits

www.survivalmonk.com/firearms

First Aid

American Red Cross First Aid kits are great starter kits to build your home, office, and vehicle first aid kits. Be sure to add a few Quick Clot clotting sponges to stop traumatic bleeding.

Dental medical kits can prove to be very useful if you need to treat a broken tooth, broken crown, or lost tooth filling. In a disaster there will be little chance of finding any emergency dental assistance. What can be a very painful affliction during an already stressful situation can be averted with a simple inexpensive kit.

Adventure Medical Kits offer very unique travel aids which are designed to be lightweight, portable, and practical. They offer kits for all skill levels, from the novice to professional wilderness EMTs. Their travel medical kits are unique, as they are tailored for traveling to under-developed nations. If you find yourself in a remote locale with questionable sanitation practices, it is comforting to know that you can even bring your own sterile suture/syringe kit. Adventure Medical also developed the Pocket Survival Pak (PSP) and the PSP+, in a collaborative effort with famed survivalist Doug Ritter. The PSP+ represents the highest of quality survival gear in a pocket sized format. The PSP + is so small there is never an excuse to leave it at home. These kits are great for outdoor use and as traveling first aid.

Click the link below to find:

· First Aid Kits

· Dental Medic Kit

· Advanced Clotting Sponges

www.survivalmonk.com/firstaid

Radios

NOAA Weather Radios monitor the National Weather Service, broadcasting weather and disaster warnings 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on seven frequencies. These broadcasts cannot be heard on a typical AM/FM radio. NOAA radios come with a wide variety of options. A simple handheld Midland unit is battery powered, water resistant, and features a weather and disaster alert system which automatically turns on when an alert is issued. The larger Midland Dynamo offers these same feature as well as four ways to power the radio, including a hand crank power generator. The Dynamo incorporates internal rechargeable batteries, built-in LED flashlight, and a USB adapter, which can be used to charge a cell phone. The Dynamo's alarm system can be configured for those who are visually or hearing impaired. The backlit LCD displays the information and can be read even in low light conditions.

Click the link below to find:

· Midland GXT Two-Way radios

· 40 channel CB Radio

· Pocket Weather Radio

· Self Powered Emergency radios

www.survivalmonk.com/radios

Emergency Kits

In addition to a trusted source for survival food, Food Insurance offers disaster-specific emergency kits and bug out bags. Their website has a regional disaster map, which allows you to click on your home's area within the U.S. and see which disasters could potentially affect you. No need to spend countless hours mulling over the proper gear for an emergency. These kits are high quality, comfortable backpacks, filled with the relevant disaster supplies, food, and equipment suited to your needs.

A roadside emergency kit contains the necessary items for dealing with a flat tire, dead battery, and other basic vehicle issues. Many pre-made kits are available and should be included into your respective vehicle. A good basic kit is essential.

When building your own, be sure to include jumper cables, screwdrivers, sockets, duct tape, hose clamps, flashlight, road flares, pocket hand warmers, tire gauge, and tire sealant. Check your vehicle to make sure your jack is in working order, and that your lug wrench fits the lugs.

The Ark is a small yet highly effective emergency kit. It contains a heat reflecting "space" blanket, high calorie food bars, and six 4 ounce packets of water. The Ark is easy to use, store, and transport. The Ark makes for a great gift for someone who is not yet into prepping, and can be stored in the home, car, or office.

Click the link below to find:

· Food Insurance Emergency Kits

· Roadside Emergency Kits

· The Ark III Starter Kits

www.survivalmonk.com/emergencykits

Knives and Tools

Knives are one of the most important survival tools. They can be used for expedient repairs, self-defense, and as escape tools. A fixed-blade knife is generally regarded as the best choice for outdoor survival. A folding-blade knife is great for home and urban use, provided that it is a sturdy and of durable design.

Fixed Blade Knives:

For a very inexpensive fixed-blade knife consider the Glock Survival Knife. Yes, it is made by the same company that makes the pistols. The knife was designed in close cooperation with Austrian Army Rangers. These knives are very durable, tough, and can be purchased for less than $35. They are lightweight for their size, include a sheath, and come in three colors. They should be sharpened before use. Glock also makes a compact, lightweight folding shovel called the E Tool.

Gerber LMF II is a heavyweight in the survival knife market. The blade is very thick and partially serrated.

SOG Seal knife was approved by the U.S. Navy Seals for combat use. It is as tough of a knife as you will probably need. The SEAL Pup model is slightly smaller and lighter. This fixed blade is incredibly sharp and will hold its edge for a long time.

Folding Blade Knives:

Benchmade Griptillian 551 is an excellent knife made in the U.S. For its relative large size, it is very lightweight, with a very strong locking mechanism. There is a thumb stud on the blade for one hand opening. This is a great quality blade which is highly recommended by experts.

Ka-Bar Mule is made by the same company who makes the famous U.S. Marine Corps fighting knives. This is an excellent knife for someone on a budget. It is a little heavy, yet very sturdy and reliable.

Survival Multi-Tools:

The Woodsman's Pal machete has been in use by the U.S. from World War II through Desert Storm. This classic tool is designed to replace multiple tools for pruning, trimming, and chopping. The blade is very sturdy and flexible. A single swing of the blade can effectively slice through a 1 inch branch. The Woodsman's Pal is handcrafted in the U.S., and has been used by survivalists for over 70 years. The Woodsman's Pal will make an excellent addition to every prepper's supply arsenal.

The Annihilator Wrecking Bar is a must have item within each corner of your supply triangle. This multifunctional tool can be used in a wide array of emergency situations. It is inexpensive and surprisingly effective for its size.

The Leatherman Skeletool is a full-sized pocket survival tool that weighs just five ounces. The tools on this model are mounted on the outside of the handles and may be opened with one hand. This tool features a stainless steel blade, pliers, wire cutters, bit drive, and a carabineer bottle opener. The Leatherman Wave is Leatherman's most popular model, and offers a plethora of tools, including two pliers, two knives, two files, and two bit drivers. Combine this with the Leatherman 40 bit driver set, and you have a very capable, universal multi-tool for repairs and survival. Both of these flagship multi-tools by Leatherman should be incorporated into every prepper's supply triangle gear.

Click the link below to find:

· Leatherman Skeletool Multitool

· Leatherman New Wave Multitool

· Glock Survival Knife

· Gerber LMF II

· SOG Seal Knives

· Benchmade Griptillian Folding Knife

· Ka-Bar Mule Folding Knife

· Annihilator Wrecking Bar

· Woodsman's Pal Machete

www.survivalmonk.com/knivestools

Table of Contents

Copyright

Introduction

How to Read This Manual

2012

The Grasshopper and the Ants

The Survival Mindset

Fear

Self-Reliance

Community

Basic Needs

Self Defense

First Aid

Disasters

Conclusion

The Survivors Quick Start Guide: Disaster Ready in 14 Days

The Survivor’s Gear Guide: The Best of the Best