UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received Anonymous has left a new comment on your post The Urban Threat – Why the Need for Urban Survival..."I love this site... ....Please consider a segment for the "spouse." As a male, former PSYOP guy, army brat, this come very naturally to me, but getting my wife to buy in has been a process of PSYOP.....drip, drip, drip...article here, emergency there…….Consider the recent Boston water main break, the impact on that….also consider articles like this one...this is an eye opener is used and got 'buy in," as a result."
UrbanMan replies: PSYOPS guy, great point. You can explain to your spouse about the “insurance aspect” of Survival Preparation,….you can prep by yourself in secrecy like the reader who sent me the previous post about a Bug Out rehearsal,……but in the end a constant drip of the “why” is probably your best bet.
When the military plans operations they consider what the enemy is likely to do and what enemy course of action is most dangerous to the friendly mission. This is a good lesson to take into Survival Planning. Consider what can happen, what is likely to happen and what is most dangerous to you and your family’s survival.
The trucking article link you sent me was an excellent “why” article. I am re-producing the highlights below. Everyone should consider reading the full, detailed article which you can access by clicking here. The below article is concerned about a trucking stoppage based on responses to and restrictions following an “incident of national or regional significance” such as a terrorist attack or panademic. Another scenario which could great affect trucking would be an acute shortage of fuel from a major war in the Middle East and subsequent export stoppages from our South American oil imports.
When Trucks Stop, America Stops
The unimpeded flow of trucks is critical to the safety and well-being of all Americans. However, it is entirely possible that well-intended public officials may instinctively halt or severely restrict truck traffic in response to an incident of national or regional significance.
Recent history has shown us the consequences that result from a major disruption in truck travel. Immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, significant truck delays at the Canadian border crossings shut down several auto manufacturing plants in Michigan because
just-in-time parts were not delivered. The economic cost to these companies was enormous. Following Hurricane Katrina, trucks loaded with emergency goods were rerouted, creating lengthy delays in delivering urgently needed supplies to the stricken areas.
Although in the face of an elevated threat level, a terrorist attack, or a pandemic, halting truck traffic may appear to be the best defense, it actually puts citizens at risk. Officials at every level of government must recognize that a decision to halt or severely curb truck traffic following a national or regional emergency will produce unintended health and economic consequences not only for the community they seek to protect, but for the entire nation.
A Timeline Showing the Deterioration of Major Industries Following a Truck Stoppage:
The first 24 hours
Delivery of medical supplies to the affected area will cease. Hospitals will run out of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters within hours. Radio pharmaceuticals will deteriorate and become unusable. Service stations will begin to run out of fuel. Manufacturers using just-in-time manufacturing will develop component shortages. U.S. mail and other package delivery will cease.
Within one day
Food shortages will begin to develop. Automobile fuel availability and delivery will dwindle, leading to skyrocketing prices and long lines at the gas pumps. Without manufacturing components and trucks for product delivery, assembly lines will shut down, putting thousands out of work.
Within two to three days
Food shortages will escalate, especially in the face of hoarding and consumer panic. Supplies of essentials—such as bottled water, powdered milk, and canned meat—at major retailers will disappear. ATMs will run out of cash and banks will be unable to process transactions.
Service stations will completely run out of fuel for autos and trucks. Garbage will start piling up in urban and suburban areas. Container ships will sit idle in ports and rail transport will be disrupted, eventually coming to a standstill.
Within a week
Automobile travel will cease due to the lack of fuel. Without autos and bus’ many people will not be able to get to work, shop for groceries, or access medical care. Hospitals will begin to exhaust oxygen supplies.
Within two weeks
The nation’s clean water supply will begin to run dry.
Within four weeks
The nation will exhaust its clean water supply and water will be safe for drinking only after boiling. As a result gastrointestinal illnesses will increase, further taxing an already weakened health care system.
This timeline presents only the primary effects of a freeze on truck travel. Secondary effects must be considered as well, such as inability to maintain telecommunications service, reduced law enforcement, increased crime, increased illness and injury, higher death rates, and likely, civil unrest
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Reader Survival Prep Update
UrbanMan received this e-mail from a reader:
Hey UrbanMan, I just came off of vacation and wanted to drop you a line on what I did to prepare these past four days.
I took my son (16 years old) and daughter (12 years old) to the range. Incidentally, my son is on board with prepping. His sister is not, nor is his mother (my wife). I gave them instruction and had them shoot my Rock River M4, a Ruger 10/22, a Ruger Mk2 .22 LR pistol, my Springfield XD-45, the Remington 12 gauge pump shotgun, and the M-1 carbine.
My daughter did not like the recoil of the Springfield 45. I did not have her shoot the shotgun, but by golly she did well with the other guns. She was placing all her rounds on the man sized target at 20 yards no sweat. I set up a piece of steel about 8 inches by 16 inches at about 80 yards and my daughter was hitting that much more often than she was missing. My son has been shooting .22 LR’s at camp for years, and he did very well. He did not miss the steel target at all with the M-4. This was not only Survival Firearms training but “bonding” time as well. We ate at Applebees afterward, so I enhanced the day at the end, kind of like a reward for my daughter putting up with the boys.
We went for an all day hike, in the 100 degree heat no less. I live about 1.5 miles from State land, so we walked to the state land, then followed the boundary where we ended the hike at the back end of a street that has a tow truck company. Nine miles in all. I taught my kids to build a fire, both with a lighter and with a magnesium fire starter, which had my daughter puzzled since it was so hot! But I thought is was important enough to practice. Then we walked about ¾ of a mile to an Ice Cream place, where I had the wife pick us up after we had some sundaes.
I explained to my son, but not my daughter or wife, that this was a rehearsal if we had to Bug Out from the house and using our vehicle was not an option. The state land gives us some concealment and hopefully lack of people until we get to the Tow Truck yard. Here we could access transportation by hot wiring a vehicle if need be. There is a direct route from here, via a state road, to a small lake where our friends have a cabin.
Me and my son discussed where at this location ext to the tow truck yard where we could hide some food and some other stuff. Burying it is not an option as the ground is way too hard.
The last day of vacation we went down to the local sporting goods store and I bought them each some hiking boots. My son and I have Camel-Baks, so now my daughter wants one and these are the basis for our Bug Out bags.
All in all I think I had a productive vacation weekend accomplishing a short Bug Out rehearsal and some survival firearms training. Thanks for doing your Urban Survival Site. My suggestions would be for some more firearms articles, maybe some reviews and any articles on people who are not used to guns. I haven’t started prepping food storage in earnest yet. I have some extra dry goods in the pantry, maybe about 7 to 10 days worth, but plan on buying food saver and storing some rice, beans, instant potatoes, pasta, powdered milk and such as well as buy some of the cans of dehydrated fruit and other food from Earth Wave Living. I hope to God we never have to do a Bug Out, but feel better with what we have done so far and my next set of plans to better our preparation. God Bless.
P.S. I understand about the information security concept. I am withholding the names and descriptions of some of the locations and my state, so it would be hard for anyone to figure out where I am. You have my e-mail which I hope you will keep confidential.
Hey UrbanMan, I just came off of vacation and wanted to drop you a line on what I did to prepare these past four days.
I took my son (16 years old) and daughter (12 years old) to the range. Incidentally, my son is on board with prepping. His sister is not, nor is his mother (my wife). I gave them instruction and had them shoot my Rock River M4, a Ruger 10/22, a Ruger Mk2 .22 LR pistol, my Springfield XD-45, the Remington 12 gauge pump shotgun, and the M-1 carbine.
My daughter did not like the recoil of the Springfield 45. I did not have her shoot the shotgun, but by golly she did well with the other guns. She was placing all her rounds on the man sized target at 20 yards no sweat. I set up a piece of steel about 8 inches by 16 inches at about 80 yards and my daughter was hitting that much more often than she was missing. My son has been shooting .22 LR’s at camp for years, and he did very well. He did not miss the steel target at all with the M-4. This was not only Survival Firearms training but “bonding” time as well. We ate at Applebees afterward, so I enhanced the day at the end, kind of like a reward for my daughter putting up with the boys.
We went for an all day hike, in the 100 degree heat no less. I live about 1.5 miles from State land, so we walked to the state land, then followed the boundary where we ended the hike at the back end of a street that has a tow truck company. Nine miles in all. I taught my kids to build a fire, both with a lighter and with a magnesium fire starter, which had my daughter puzzled since it was so hot! But I thought is was important enough to practice. Then we walked about ¾ of a mile to an Ice Cream place, where I had the wife pick us up after we had some sundaes.
I explained to my son, but not my daughter or wife, that this was a rehearsal if we had to Bug Out from the house and using our vehicle was not an option. The state land gives us some concealment and hopefully lack of people until we get to the Tow Truck yard. Here we could access transportation by hot wiring a vehicle if need be. There is a direct route from here, via a state road, to a small lake where our friends have a cabin.
Me and my son discussed where at this location ext to the tow truck yard where we could hide some food and some other stuff. Burying it is not an option as the ground is way too hard.
The last day of vacation we went down to the local sporting goods store and I bought them each some hiking boots. My son and I have Camel-Baks, so now my daughter wants one and these are the basis for our Bug Out bags.
All in all I think I had a productive vacation weekend accomplishing a short Bug Out rehearsal and some survival firearms training. Thanks for doing your Urban Survival Site. My suggestions would be for some more firearms articles, maybe some reviews and any articles on people who are not used to guns. I haven’t started prepping food storage in earnest yet. I have some extra dry goods in the pantry, maybe about 7 to 10 days worth, but plan on buying food saver and storing some rice, beans, instant potatoes, pasta, powdered milk and such as well as buy some of the cans of dehydrated fruit and other food from Earth Wave Living. I hope to God we never have to do a Bug Out, but feel better with what we have done so far and my next set of plans to better our preparation. God Bless.
P.S. I understand about the information security concept. I am withholding the names and descriptions of some of the locations and my state, so it would be hard for anyone to figure out where I am. You have my e-mail which I hope you will keep confidential.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Urban Survival Equipment - Mil-Dot Reticle for Observation Devices
UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received the following comment on the post about If Sniper Rifles were Necessary for a Survival Firearms Battery: "Anonymous said...Hey good post, made sense to me. Do you recommend a high magnification binoculars or a a spotting spot and if so what type and why? Does it make sense to get a rifle scope, or binocular or spotting scope with the mil dot setup?"
UrbanMan replies: Mil-dot scopes provide a way for the user to range his target. The basic concept here is the user knows the magnification setting on the scope for which to use the mil-dots as a ranging estimate. The distance between each Mil-dots are one Mil. Each Mil is about 3.5 inches at 100 yards to keep it simple.
Therefore if you were looking through your scope at a 3.5 inch index card, and that card measured from one Mil-Dot to the next (center to center), the distance would be 100 yards....as one mil equals 3.5 inches at 100 yards.
Actually, one mil equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards but I'm rounding down to make it easy for this post, for readers to understand and do the math.
If you were looking at a man sized target, lets say 18 inches from waist to chin and the distance that sight picture (from waist to chin) took up 5 Mil-Dots in your scope, then that distance would be 100 yards....Five mils equals 17.5 inches at 100 yards.
It's just plain math from here on out. That same man sized target, waist to chin, at 200 yards would take up 2.5 mils or the distance of 2 1/2 dots (center to center) in your scope.
So you pretty much have to know the dimensions, either height or width of your target in order to use the Mil-Dot ranging technique. Having said that, I prefer a Mil-Dot reticle in my bolt rifle scopes, however the only one I currently have is a 4.5x14mm Leupold on my Remington LTR.
As far as observation equipment for Urban Survival, having a good pair of binoculars are always handy. I own five binos. Probably won't be buying anymore soon, but you can tell the value I place in them. I have 10x50mm, 8x56mm, 7x50mm, 10x42mm and a small set, 8x24mm. Not counting the quality of lens and the coating, you can divide the magnification (the first number) into the second number (the size of the objective lens) and the higher than number the better light gathering or light transmission capability you'll have.
For instance a 7x50mm gives you a 7.1 factor, whereas the 8x24mm gives you 3.0. The 7x50mm will take in more light and therefore are more usable during periods of lower light (dawn and dusk).
Spotting scopes are generally bigger, more cumbersome but provide higher magnification. When using anything over a 10 power magnification, you will need to use a rest or a tripod as the image will dance around too much. I think that spotting scopes are great for observation at long distance, with variable magnifications usually in the 10 to 60 power range, however I think the Urban Survivalist's first priority would be several pair of decent binoculars.
All the binoculars at this page are good kit and fair priced. I own one set of Steiners and two sets of Leupold, but my cheaper binos (Bushnells) have given me good service.
UrbanMan replies: Mil-dot scopes provide a way for the user to range his target. The basic concept here is the user knows the magnification setting on the scope for which to use the mil-dots as a ranging estimate. The distance between each Mil-dots are one Mil. Each Mil is about 3.5 inches at 100 yards to keep it simple.
Therefore if you were looking through your scope at a 3.5 inch index card, and that card measured from one Mil-Dot to the next (center to center), the distance would be 100 yards....as one mil equals 3.5 inches at 100 yards.
Actually, one mil equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards but I'm rounding down to make it easy for this post, for readers to understand and do the math.
If you were looking at a man sized target, lets say 18 inches from waist to chin and the distance that sight picture (from waist to chin) took up 5 Mil-Dots in your scope, then that distance would be 100 yards....Five mils equals 17.5 inches at 100 yards.
It's just plain math from here on out. That same man sized target, waist to chin, at 200 yards would take up 2.5 mils or the distance of 2 1/2 dots (center to center) in your scope.
So you pretty much have to know the dimensions, either height or width of your target in order to use the Mil-Dot ranging technique. Having said that, I prefer a Mil-Dot reticle in my bolt rifle scopes, however the only one I currently have is a 4.5x14mm Leupold on my Remington LTR.
As far as observation equipment for Urban Survival, having a good pair of binoculars are always handy. I own five binos. Probably won't be buying anymore soon, but you can tell the value I place in them. I have 10x50mm, 8x56mm, 7x50mm, 10x42mm and a small set, 8x24mm. Not counting the quality of lens and the coating, you can divide the magnification (the first number) into the second number (the size of the objective lens) and the higher than number the better light gathering or light transmission capability you'll have.
For instance a 7x50mm gives you a 7.1 factor, whereas the 8x24mm gives you 3.0. The 7x50mm will take in more light and therefore are more usable during periods of lower light (dawn and dusk).
Spotting scopes are generally bigger, more cumbersome but provide higher magnification. When using anything over a 10 power magnification, you will need to use a rest or a tripod as the image will dance around too much. I think that spotting scopes are great for observation at long distance, with variable magnifications usually in the 10 to 60 power range, however I think the Urban Survivalist's first priority would be several pair of decent binoculars.
All the binoculars at this page are good kit and fair priced. I own one set of Steiners and two sets of Leupold, but my cheaper binos (Bushnells) have given me good service.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Urban Survival Firearms - Sniper Rifle Necessity?
UrbanMan was asked a question about the necessity or priorities of having a "sniper" rifle as part of a Survival Battery.
I think you have to consider alot of factors first:
1. What are your other firearms in your Survival Battery?
2. Are to going to be soley operating and surviving in an Urban environment? What are you expected engagement ranges?
3. What is your experience level with firearms and especially scoped firearms?
If I did not have a Battle Rifle (e.g..M1A1, FAL, etc.) or Assault Rifle/Carbine (e.g..M-4 or variant), or any other magazine fed rifle/carbine, then I would consider the procurement of one of these rifles a priority before I purchased a scoped rifle suitable for sniping/hunting. In fact, especially in an Urban environment I would consider a battle/assault rifle or carbine, a 12 gauge shotgun and a magazine fed handgun to be a higher priority than a scoped rifle.
Not just because of the lack of longer engagement ranges, but due to the fact that the density of potential threats are much greater in an urban environment.
In my mind there are three advantages to owning a scoped rifle in a decent caliber, minimum of which would be .308 Winchester. These advantages are:
1. If you were decently proficient with the scope rifle (sniper rifle) you could expect to engage threats in the 600 to 800 meter range. But the question of how will you know they are a threat at this distance?
2. The scope, would give you an observation tool on your firearms as opposing to slinging your firearms and going to your binoculars.
3. A scope rifle is a definite advantage if you hunt game bigger than rabbits.
I have a Remington Light Tactical Rifle (LTR) with a 20 inch barrel and a Luepold 4.5x14mm scope, which lets me, on a calm day, rountinely ping the small LaRue steel targets at 600 meters. That's, of course, at the range. At home, from any window or potential fighting position in my suburban home, the farthest distance I can observe or the longest range I could engage at would be about 125 meters. Making that too easy of a shot with a M-4, scope or not.
When engaging at, say 500 meters and farther, there is a distinct advantage with a heavier caliber. If your Safe Location (Bug Out location) is a farmhouse or cabin with a 500 meter or more cleared field of fire, then it would seem a rifle calibered (as opposed to carbine caliber) scoped rifle would be a good tool to have on hand.
If you not accustomed to scoped rifles, either as a school trained military or law enforcement sniper, or have a butt load of hunting experience, then there is alot to learn about using scopes and engaging at long ranges, such as estimating range, reading winds, making scope adjustments, computing ballistics, hold off and hold over are examples. It's not as simple as placing the cross hairs on a target and pressing the trigger.
I am looking into a .338 Lapua calibered platform, but continually go back and forth between needs and wants. Everyone reading this know what that means. It would be a tool that would be very useful at my primary Bug Out location (Safe Location), but just an extra piece of equipment at my suburban home. Maybe just an expense that would be better spent on more food.
I think you have to consider alot of factors first:
1. What are your other firearms in your Survival Battery?
2. Are to going to be soley operating and surviving in an Urban environment? What are you expected engagement ranges?
3. What is your experience level with firearms and especially scoped firearms?
If I did not have a Battle Rifle (e.g..M1A1, FAL, etc.) or Assault Rifle/Carbine (e.g..M-4 or variant), or any other magazine fed rifle/carbine, then I would consider the procurement of one of these rifles a priority before I purchased a scoped rifle suitable for sniping/hunting. In fact, especially in an Urban environment I would consider a battle/assault rifle or carbine, a 12 gauge shotgun and a magazine fed handgun to be a higher priority than a scoped rifle.
Not just because of the lack of longer engagement ranges, but due to the fact that the density of potential threats are much greater in an urban environment.
In my mind there are three advantages to owning a scoped rifle in a decent caliber, minimum of which would be .308 Winchester. These advantages are:
1. If you were decently proficient with the scope rifle (sniper rifle) you could expect to engage threats in the 600 to 800 meter range. But the question of how will you know they are a threat at this distance?
2. The scope, would give you an observation tool on your firearms as opposing to slinging your firearms and going to your binoculars.
3. A scope rifle is a definite advantage if you hunt game bigger than rabbits.
I have a Remington Light Tactical Rifle (LTR) with a 20 inch barrel and a Luepold 4.5x14mm scope, which lets me, on a calm day, rountinely ping the small LaRue steel targets at 600 meters. That's, of course, at the range. At home, from any window or potential fighting position in my suburban home, the farthest distance I can observe or the longest range I could engage at would be about 125 meters. Making that too easy of a shot with a M-4, scope or not.
When engaging at, say 500 meters and farther, there is a distinct advantage with a heavier caliber. If your Safe Location (Bug Out location) is a farmhouse or cabin with a 500 meter or more cleared field of fire, then it would seem a rifle calibered (as opposed to carbine caliber) scoped rifle would be a good tool to have on hand.
If you not accustomed to scoped rifles, either as a school trained military or law enforcement sniper, or have a butt load of hunting experience, then there is alot to learn about using scopes and engaging at long ranges, such as estimating range, reading winds, making scope adjustments, computing ballistics, hold off and hold over are examples. It's not as simple as placing the cross hairs on a target and pressing the trigger.
I am looking into a .338 Lapua calibered platform, but continually go back and forth between needs and wants. Everyone reading this know what that means. It would be a tool that would be very useful at my primary Bug Out location (Safe Location), but just an extra piece of equipment at my suburban home. Maybe just an expense that would be better spent on more food.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
