EDC Survival

EDC or Every Day Carry is one of the most likely survival scenarios you are likely to encounter.  This is a situation where things go bad, and all you have with you are the things that you normally carry with you EVERY DAY.  IF you are lucky, you have your car with a good assortment of things available. 

Lets look at two scenarios:  1)  No Car and 2) Having your car with you.

NO CAR - What you should carry on your person every day

1. Charged cell phone; don't let it get too low!
2. Money - Cash, in small bills & a few coins
3. A knife &/or a Leatherman Multi-Tool
4. A ferrous rod &/or bic lighter for starting fire
5. Band aids in your wallet or purse for first aid
6. Concealed Carry pistol with extra rounds of ammo 
7. Comfortable shoes for walking great distances
8. Long sleeve shirt &/or waterproof coat
9. Condom (un-lubricated) for carrying water
10. Know your edible wild plants; this is free and adds no weight

As you think about this to carry, remember the Rule of 3.

CAR -  What to carry in your car

1. Gasoline - enough to get home.  Never run it down near empty.
2. Case of bottled water (rotated every year)
3. Water filter 
4. Stainless steel water bottle
5. 2 Qt Pot to cook and boil water in
6. Rifle with military ammo can full
7. Back Pack 
8. Machete 
9. Water proof poncho or tarp for shelter
10. First Aid Kit
11. Long shelf life snack foods like beef jerky, granola, raisins or canned goods
12. Cell Phone, solar charger & water proof case; power off when not needed
13. MURS Radio and solar charger for communications
14. Motion Detecting, Solar Powered Lights &/or Alarms for Intruder Detection
15. Fishing - net, line & lots of hooks; extra line for security trip wires
16. A Thermal Scope will give you superior night vision for night travel
17. A regional MAP or Atlas, plastic coated or in a freezer bag for navigation

Know when it is time to get home with our Bug Out Red Flag Warning Signs.

For more information visit our related links below: 

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Alone Season 1 Pack List 

Alone Season 2 Pack List  

Alone Season 3 Pack List  

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Alone Season 5 Pack List 

Alone Season 6 Pack List

Alone: The Beast S1 E1

Alone: The Beast S1 E2 

Alone Season 7 Pack List

 

Alone Winners Pack List

Alone Survival Plan  

Naked & Afraid Survival Plan 

Survive on a deserted island  

Wilderness Survival TEST

 
Backpack Selection Guide

Survival Pack (Security Patrol or Bug Out pack)  

Wilderness Survival Pack (Video)  

Wilderness Survival

Dual Purpose Items

EDC For Women
EDC For Men
EDC Survival
Best Survival Knife
Primitive Shelter

Best Campsite Selection Criteria
Acorn Flour Pancakes
Emergency Water 
Prepper Gift List
Bear: Fire Arm or Spray? 

Noodling for fish 
Primitive Fire Building 
Bear Attacks 
Nomadic Prepper Strategy 
Catch your own live bait (for fishing) 

How to make clay pots 
Quickly craft stone tools 
3 Odd techniques for catching fish
Survival Fishing 
Step by Step Prepper Plan 

Edible Wild Plants  

Greenbriar (catbriar) 

Cattails 

Dandelion  

Chickweed & Hackberries 

Edibility Test

Top 10 List of Prepper info
Top Rated Prepper Handbook Posts of all time
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Best Prepper Transportation

Bug Out Vehicle Criteria

https://motoped.com/survival/

1.  Reliable - Doesn't break down. EMP hardy with no electronics requires a pre 1970's vehicle in most cases, but that is only a factor if we are hit with a Nuke or Solar Flare.
2.  Street and Off-road capable -  Ability to drive where most other vehicles cannot go.  Under normal vehicle use, you need to be able to cruse comfortably at 70 mph and under SHTF circumstances, able to handle the worst dirt roads you might encounter.  When being pursued, or trying to stay off the beaten path, you can drive through a field, the woods, a narrow alley, foot trail or down the train tracks which is a big advantage.
3. Fast - speed to outrun most other vehicles; unfortunately this will consume a lot of fuel and is likely reduce the range and quietness, but could be a huge advantage trying to escape a large SUV full of gangsters.
4. Quite -  No loud exhausts that will attract danger, the quieter the better.  Few modes of transportation are quieter than an electric vehicle.  Another huge advantage is to drive at night with the lights out.  To do this, we can install optional fog lights using infra red (IR) lights and use rechargeable Night Vision (plugged in to the vehicle) or Thermal Vision.  If no IR, we can use Red Infrared Light bulbs used as heat lights. Having a Look Out or Scout checking ahead and surroundings with with
   Thermal Vision can be a huge advantage.  Also see Group Movement.
5. Carrying Capacity - Sufficient capacity for your needs.  More if traveling a great distance to a Bug Out Location, less if used for regional scouting. Extra fuel, ammo, water and food are heavy and can require a lot of space in addition to passengers. Ideally most of your supplies are already at your Bug Out Location (BOL) but you need to carry enough supplies to last double your expected travel time.  See Rule of 3's to prioritize the supplies you pack.
6. Long Travel Range - Ideally you can get where you are going without refueling. More range is needed if traveling a great distance to a Bug Out Location, less if used for regional scouting. Fuel efficiency and/or fuel capacity can deliver the desired results.  For example, a 50 MPG Prius (or motor cycle) with an extra 20 gallon tank (31.9 total) will travel over 1,500 miles without refueling.  Los Angeles CA to New York NY is 2,800 miles. So this would get you half way across the United States. Make this a Plugin Prius (Hybrid) and add a few 150 watt solar panels and you can extend this range 10 miles per day as well as have fuel when there is no gasoline available. Its also quite, but likely not EMP compatible. Gasoline with government mandated ethanol has a shelf life of about 6-12 months so supplies could run out fast. An RV is good for a Nomadic life style while civilization holds up.
7. Easily Maintained - Low maintenance, no maintenance, easy to work on with common tools and has spare parts available. This means no oddball or highly specialized vehicles. Low maintenance is a big plus as you won't have a lot of time to work on it.
8. Intangible - that something special or extra that makes a real functional difference.  Solar powered, eat grass, able to reproduce, sea worthy away from crowds, are all examples.

 Ranking these for some potential vehicles, we come up with a score.  Below is my scoring, what is yours?  Suggestions are appreciated! 

Aosom Bike Trailer

Fuel is usually plentiful

In the end, you must select the best transportation for your needs, but this should help you make the best decision for your needs.

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Flood Bugout Bag

What should you have packed and ready to go in the event of a flood or hurricane?  

Here is a good list, but put each individual item in a water proof bag or case:

1. Water resistant backpack
2. Medicines, glasses, contacts, important documents, cash, and a First Aid kit
3. Rain poncho, rain boots, umbrella, children's floats or life vests (wear/carry these)
4. Change of clothes, & a blanket in a water proof bag (typical on all items)
5. Drinking water (stainless steel bottle, camel-back, refillable containers)
6. Dry foods, raisins, beef jerky, MRE's, cooked easy open can foods
7. Fully charged cell phone in a water proof case
8. Hand crank radio / flashlight / signal light in a water proof bag
9. Hand held MURS Communications Radios in a water proof bag
10. Chargers, cords and extra batteries in a water proof bag
11. Folding knife, fire starter, Bic lighter & waterproof matches
12. Area Map (waterproof) & compass in a water proof bag
13. Good handgun in a good moisture resistant holster & ammo in water proof bag
14. An inflatable raft, pool, float or wagon to carry some of your items

 For more information see:

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Emergency Water Supply
Modern Home Security
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Riot & Looting Preparations
Natural & Man Made Disaster Preparation
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Urban Security Plan

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Bug Out Warning

We hear a lot about Bugging Out, but we need to think about this from another perspective, Bugging In, or already being at our Bug Out location (BOL).

About 50% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of the coast making the population density there about 6X the rest of the world. In a serious Event, we will see hoards of people migrating out of the cities very quickly as water and supplies run out. Historically mass migrations have not gone well and this will be no exception. 

The worst devastation will start in the coastal cities with riots, looting and home invasions quickly moving inland. Know the Red Flag warnings its time to bug out and getting out early will be important. Limited gas will give the masses a few hundred miles jump-start, and then they will be on foot foraging.  With a pack of supplies, people can travel about 10 to 20 miles per day on foot.

Untreated water will get many of them but this horde will start reaching most areas in a week to 10 days. The full force will arrive around 2-3 weeks. Having exhausted food supplies the first week or two, they will be desperate for something to feed their children. Hunters from the city will pursue the limited supply of wild game in the woods but they will soon be scarce if not already by this time.  Foraging for edible plants will be one of the last resources, but one that might sustain them for a long time.  Wild foods like Hackberries or Chickweed, Cat Tails, Cat or Green Briar Roots and Dandelion leaves.

Traveling together, they will form large loosely organized groups of dozens if not hundreds of people with several leaders. There will be a few unscrupulous street Gangs that are initially smaller but already highly organized due to having a clear disciplined leadership structure. Both groups will represent serious threats, especially to unorganized residents, making it very important that we have group security in place that is mentally tough.

The real difficulty will be in making the tough decisions to protect your group and have everyone agree to support it. Do we share and potentially deplete our limited food supplies or hoard them all to ourselves? Once you share, word will get around and a hungry mob may soon be kicking in your door. Discussing this ahead of time and reaching an agreement will be the key.

The Prepper Handbook covers these topics and offers potentials solutions including extensive Security Plans and much more that you may not have thought of.

Look at the free preview of the Prepper Handbook by JR Ray on Amazon.

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Red flag warnings its time to Bug Out

Red flag warnings its time to Bug Out

This is an excerpt from the Prepper Handbook  by JR Ray on Amazon ($4.99), and our most popular post.  You can download their free e-reader and read it on your computer, smart phone or pad.  You can also order an electronic copy of this Prepper Handbook Blog on Amazon.

Go home, Bug Out or GOOD to a safe retreat when:
Mass Migrations have historically not gone well with traffic congestion, insufficient food and resources, disease, death, looting and violence. So leaving early is important. The further away your retreat is, the more critical this becomes. On the other hand, if your retreat is half way across the country, you can’t afford a lot of false alarms. So here is a list of potential red flag warnings that it may be time to head out. You should fine tune this list to your satisfaction.

1. Cars, Communications, Cell Phones, Radios, Computers, TV’s and other electronics don’t work. Transformers on fire!  Massive power outage. (Solar Flare, EMP or Nuke attack)
2. You are not in a polar region of the planet and see an Aurora Borealis or norther lights special effect. (Solar Flare, Mass Coronal Ejection, EMP or Nuke attack)
3. The National Guard is called out in your town, an adjoining town or in your state and more than 1 adjoining state.
4. The President is assassinated.
5. The President, declares martial law, implements curfews &/or goes into hiding.
6. Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends quarantine (Pandemic) in any states or areas of the country.
7. The President or media is suggesting, considering or imposing quarantine. Note:  Special quarantine procedures required when arriving at Retreat in pandemic conditions.
8. Doctors & nurses are being reported as “flu” fatalities during an epidemic.
9. Nurses or Police are not showing up to work for some reason
10. Massive or unusually heavy traffic observed, or large numbers of people on foot.
11. Looting and riots break out in more than 1 major city in your state. It may be too late in some cases when this happens. Down town areas, malls and grocery stores may be the worst areas. Some recommend staying to main roads, others say use backroads. As long as there is some civil authority in place and no quarantine, I would recommend main roads for sure during day light hours. Backroads if quarantines or curfews are in place, or main roads have very little traffic or traffic is not moving. Be careful about stopping your vehicle for any reason if civil authority is broke down. Especially not for civil authority imposters.
12. Several Banks fail in the same week; or are being mobbed by crowds wanting their money.
13. When is a terrorist attack (like 9/11), and especially if there are 2 or more mass killing events in your region. Stay away from places with numerous people including hospitals, schools, churches, malls, tall buildings and sporting events. Watch out for young Arab Muslim Men which are what most terrorist are. Note:  Profiling is smart and should not be politically incorrect until someone is treated disrespectfully.  Knnow what to do in an Active Shooter situation.
14. When war is declared or started at home or abroad.
15. Public transportation is closed down due to some crisis.
16. Schools, businesses (your job) or government offices in your area are closed due to some crisis
17. Stock market or banks are closed early due to financial runs or crashing for more than 2-3 days.
18. Sudden High inflation at Gas Stations – more than $1.00/gallon increase in a day.
19. Regional electricity &/or water is off for more than a few days.
20. Media spinning the story to mislead the public at the government’s instruction (propaganda), down playing problems so the public doesn’t panic. When you are hearing worse than the media reports on face book, texts or from your friends or on CB or Walkie Talkie (MURS) radios or short wave radios – go home.  Note you must have your own Actionable Intelligence.

Keep your bug-out vehicle fuel tank full and have extra cans.  Be ready to leave in 15 minutes. Once the “Event” seems to be happening, get all the cash you can from the ATM and as many nonperishable goods as you safely can; but stay away from crowds, mobs and looters. Getting away quickly is a function of preparation. Have your Bug Out Bag / Bug Out Pack, trunk, trailer or vehicle all packed and ready to go. 

For some group members you may have meet up points where they gather and then proceed together. Last but not least, be packing a concealed weapon if legal.

Note that family hurricane evacuations normally took 4 hours, except for those who departed 2 hours later and the same trip took 26 hours including running out of fuel (every station was sold out) and getting 5 gallons from the Department of Transportation after sleeping on the side of the road over night... and some were not THAT lucky.

Bugging in or bugging out, either situation could end up lasting longer than expected WTSHTF so allow for extra supplies.

For additional information see the following links:

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Beginners:

Beginner Prepper List

The Rule of 3 (set priorities by this)

US Government Recommended Preparations

Why we are ALL Preppers (for skeptics)

Investing for Preppers

Advanced Prepper Resource

Prepper Handbook Table of Contents

Oath Keepers, true protectors of freedom

Group Security Drills

Bees for Prepping

Food and water:

Building your food stores the right way

Getting Started (Water)

Green House for year-round food supply

Prepper Handbook  

Gardening101 – Soil Basics

Best Prepper Chicken Breed

Bees for Prepping

Edible Wild Plants:

Chickweed & Hackberries

Natural Disaster Preparations

Natural & Man Made Disaster Preparations  

Hurricanes

Firearms and security:

NRA Gun Safety Rules

Beginner Prepper List

Survival Pack

Passive Layered Security

Night Vision

Red flag warnings its time to Bug Out

Bug Out Warning

Investing for Preppers (Financial Security)

The Best Gun

Group Security Drills

Urban Survival Perspective

Urban Survival Plan

Shelter:

Concrete Bunker Plans

Solar Power System

Wilderness Survival:

Survival Pack (Security Patrol or Bug Out pack)

Wilderness Survival Pack (Video) 

Wilderness Survival