The Suburbanite Who Bugs Out!

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

I think too many people assume that moving out of the city will guarantee or dramatically improve their safety if a societal breakdown situation. If a nationwide emergency causes the power grid to fail, some places will be safer than others, but no one will be as safe as you think. I've heard many people say over the years that I need to get out of the city and that I won't have a chance if the shit hits the fan.

But I'm starting to get the impression that these people don't use the nuances of environment and how it relates to emergencies. People often point out the cities will be more dangerous because of the people. And although I agree that in the short term, the cities will be very dangerous, I also think that a lot of the people in the cities will drive to the surburbs, while the suburbanites will try to move into the country. There's a lot of people living in the suburbans around Detroit with cabins in Northern Michigan.

If there's a national emergency, almost everyone in Southeast Michigan is going to be trying to move up North I-75. That means if you're a suburbanite who thinks you're safe, you will likely get stuck in traffic if you try to bug out in the early stages of a crisis. Your best bet maybe to wait until the first wave of violence and panic ends. Personally, I'm not bugging out until I run out of resources and/or facing an imminent threat with overwhelming force. Until that day, I plan to stay in my home and bug in for the long term.

Keep in mind that if you live in the suburbans, a lot of desperate people will be forced to leave the highways and major roads to find resources your suburban area.


Simply put, the city will have more desperate people, but the it will also have many more resources. The rural areas will have less desperate people, but less resources. When you go from the city to the country, you're leaving one set of challenges for a different set of challenges. My ideal scenario would be to locate in a rural area with trusted family and plenty of my own resources.

Remember if you are a suburbanite planning on bugging out, please have resources already at the location. And it would be best to have a trusted family member at the location who can guard it until you arrive. You don't want to show and find strangers in your cabin. if the situation is grave, I doubt a man would be willing to give up shelter for his family without a fight.

Here are the things you will want to have in your vehicle.

1) 4 Wheel Drive
If you have to abandon the major roads, this could can in handy. But also beware that 4x4 makes the vehicle more complicated and if it breaks, it could expensive to repair.

2) First Kid (and knowledge of how to use it.)

3) Fire extinuigisher (and knowledge of how to use it)

4) Water (this includes water bottles and water filters)

5) Lighters and matches

6) Two Way Radios.

7) Spare tire, spare auto parts and tools.

8) A Plan (that all household member are aware of.)

Are Preppers Selfish?

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

I came across a very fascinating rebuttal by SHTF plan to an article written by an emergency manager,  Valerie Lucus-McEwen. She wrote an article entitled "Doomsday Preppers are Socially Selfish" that was not only critical of the silly reality TV series "Doomsday Prepper", but used it as a means to attack all preppers.

 "You might wonder why someone like me, who has been in the business of encouraging disaster preparedness for a very long time, is so critical of people who are doing just that. It’s because they are being socially selfish – preparing themselves and the hell with everyone else.  Instead of spending time and energy making changes that would benefit the larger community, in their very narrow focus of loyalty they are more concerned about themselves," Lucus-McEwen explained.

What is the first rule when an airplane is going down and the oxygen mask drop down?

Grab your oxygen mask first and then help the people next to you.

Why?

Because if you pass out, you won't be able to help your kids. I think that people need to help themselves before they can help others. With that said, I most definitely don't approve of the show "Doomsday Preppers." For the most part, it showcases the most extreme and ridiculous personalities in the emergency preparation community.

Here's another interesting part.

"Emergency Managers can’t afford that kind of attitude.  It is diametrically opposed to everything we do. Our job is to prepare individuals and communities and jurisdictions and regions and – ultimately – the globe for disasters, knowing we won’t always succeed."

Let's get real. The more people prepare, the less they will need people like her. Emergency managers can help people during a crisis, but are always very limited. And usually end up spending most of their time helping idiots who never kept every food and water in their homes. The only real solution is for more people to become personally responsible for their own water, food, safety and shelter after a crisis. Simply put, we can't help others until we help ourselves. Is storing food and water for emergencies selfish?

Of course not.

Some preppers are selfish, but the choice to prepare is not what makes them selfish. We should not associate preparing for a rainy day to selfishness. It's called self-preservation and it's why humans have made it this far.

The Breakdown of America

Two stories, one case.

A Township wants to fine a lunch lady (Lunch lady Angela Prattis) $600 bucks for feeding poor kids in a impoverished neighborhood. Prattis isn't making any money off of the program, she receives the food from  the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Nutritional Development Services and she works closely with a state worker on a regular basis. She even fills out paper work every week. But the township is threatening to fine her because she is feeding poor children in a residential area. As if it would make sense to feed them in a commercial area where they would need money to get to the location.

This is pathetic and disgraceful. I bet they aren't chasing the white collar crooks in their township like they are harassing this woman. And I'm sure the township isn't fining crack dealers. When the park director told her to shut it down, she pleaded for help and asked the director what he could do to help her. He sent her a shut off notice.


Another story.

A federal appeals court ruling decided that it was more important for Bank of New York Mellon to get money than the consumers of the failed futures brokerage Sentinel Management Group. After Sentinel filed for bankruptcy, the customers learned that their money was used by the firm. Brokerage firms are supposed to keep their customers money separate from their own, but this ruling basically gives them a legal precedent to justify stealing their customers' money. This is outright robbery. When did it become acceptable for governments to protect corporate criminals? And when did it make sense to target lunch ladies who give out food to poor children.

Meanwhile, Moody's is preparing for the bankruptcy of more California cities. In July, unemployment levels increased in 44 states across America. As of April, we had 46,496,788 Americans collecting food stamps. Like I said before, this is more than an economic breakdown. This is a breakdown of America.

Both stories represent a breakdown in America. A breakdown in common decency. A breakdown in good sense. A breakdown in government and leadership. And a breakdown in morality. Where is America's morality?


Lunch Lady faces fine
Sentinel Ruling
46.496 Million on Food Stamps
Unemployment raises in 44 states

What Women Should Do During SHTF

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

How would an average single woman fare in the event of a society breakdown? Let's say that there was a situation that caused a major panic, bank runs, riots, chaos in grocery stores, a massive influx in home invasions and much worse. How would a single woman protect herself in such a scenario? I've always wondered how a female could ever be anti-gun, especially when most women are physically smaller and weaker than 50% of the population. Given the fact that most violent predators are men, if attacked, the average woman would most certainly be facing an opponent with superior strength and weight.

So listening to a woman rant against guns has never made any sense to me. But I want to address the women who are sensible enough to protect them. Rather you are a man or a woman, you can be attacked at almost anything. Being a 300 pound, 6'2" man doesn't make me immune to attack. Anyone can be attacked, so we must try to be prepared at all times, so when a crisis happens, we'll be better suited to adapt to the changing circumstances. Here are the principles I try to practice.  

1. Situational Awareness
This means being aware of our surroundings at all times. Something that I have failed to do at times. Too often, strangers on bikes have been able to surprise me while I was walking down the street, enjoying tunes on my mp3 player. But living in a dangerous city like Flint, Michigan means that I could only be seconds away from an attack at all times. I have to keep reminding myself to not let the music distract me. In a society breakdown, predators will take advantage of the chaos by targeting vulnerable women (an men). I would recommend that if there are riots in your town, stay off the streets. Rushing to Walmart to buy more food may not be worth the risk of leaving your home unattended. This is why we prep, so we don't have to be in the panicky mob fighting for food.  

2. Following My Instincts
Have you ever had a bad feeling about something or a strange place? Well, that's your animal instinct warning. it's the same instinct that allows a deer to sense danger. I used to watch nature shows with my mother when I was a kid and I remember the lions targeting the dumbass prey that was separated from his pack. There's a lesson to learn. Under normal conditions, I walk by myself a lot. During a society breakdown, I would avoid such practice. It would be unwise for a woman (or a man) to travel alone. Remember, the overwhelming majority of women don't carry a gun, so targeting a lone woman during a crisis would be ideal for a predator.  

3. Act Quickly! Don't Depend On Some Guy!
How fast you react could be the difference between living and dying. If I were a woman, I would assume that no man would be coming for my rescue. it sounds silly, but a lot of women (and men) think that some government agency or a man will come through in a crisis. Ladies, you are responsible for your own lives. Too many women have been programmed to expect men (and government) to do certain things for them. I asked my sister on several occasions if she wanted to go to the gun range and learn how to shot. I remind her respond at Hurley Medical Center. "No, but I'm a girl. That's for you guys." Ladies, this type of foolishness could cost you dearly.  

4. Lock and Load
I highly recommend you consider taking a CCW (concealed carry weapon) permit class and carrying a pistol. If not a pistol, pepper spray, a knife or a stun gun. But you better be ready to use them. And keep in mind that all of these tools require training. I should also add that pepper spray may not stop the assailant as fast as you want. A 12 Gauge pump action shotgun will go a long way in discouraging a rapist. And please, please, don't put labels/signs on your car and home that single you out.

5. Don't Get Singled Out

Do you really need big brushes in front and around you home? it could give a burglar excellent cover when attempting to break into your home? And how much privacy do you really want? A privacy fence keeps noisy neighbors from watching you, but it also provides cover for the burglars.

In the video below, two men try to enter a woman's house by kicking down the door. Fortunately, it was a well made door and she also had a gun for protection. But I suspend that her privacy fence was one of the things that attracted the criminals in the first place.





6. A Dog is A Woman's Best Friend 
Nothing will discourage a burglar as fast as a German Shepard or a Rottweiler. You don't need a pit bull to scare a rapist away from your home. A Golden Retriever will bite the hell out of a creeper. Dogs have been used by humans for warning and protection from predators for years. A dog can save during normal conditions and also during the worst. Bottom line, a woman should be prepared for dealing with threats in a scenario where emergency 911 operators aren't able to send the police. I am not a security expert, but my common sense dictates that you should watch the nature/wildlife documentaries and avoid doing what the lamb does. You know, the one that ends up as the lion's dinner.