Jill asked a good question on the Black Bag Resources facebook page regarding the recent tornado in Oklahoma:
I have a serious question. We have a safe with all our identification, etc.. bug out bags.. prepped.. what happens when the tornado rips the safe and bags away? What else can we do to prep for those scenarios?? I know there are keyfob tjings to store your id documents on but what good does it do if it's gone too??
We often discuss the difference between "shelter in place" vs "bug out" scenarios. I always advocate sheltering in place if possible, and evacuating only as a last resort. That probably comes as no surprise, but let's address Jill's question- what do you do when your shelter has been destroyed and your supplies, bug out bags, and entire "parachute" is gone? 
The answer is: Plan C. Plan C (or Plan B2 depending on how you look at it) is a type of evacuation plan. Plan B would be a properly supplied evacuation to  predetermined retreat location. That is a key element to your evacuation plan, and one that still applies if everything is lost to a tornado. Let's assume you have already worked out your Plan A to shelter in place and have all your bases covered. Your Plan B to evacuate is also complete. Time to start working on Plan C- stocking your retreat location. Your retreat location is simply your fall back point, a safe place, most likely the home of a friend or family member. You will need to stock redundant stores there as a back up to your stores at home, and the scaled down supplies you've packed in your Bug Out Bag, maybe just a complete second BOB. If that poses too much of a financial burden, maybe you can work out an agreement with your teammates. You have a store of supplies at your house, they have a supply at theirs, so you simply agree to look out for eachother. This violates the "ticket" principle, but it is a realistic alternative.
Keep in mind that you are never really at zero. In theory, you should still have your Every Day Carry items, and possibly your Get Home Bag in your vehicle. Salvage what you can, and stage your gear if possible. You know if you live in an area where tornadoes are common because you've done a thorough threat assessment when examining your preps, so stage that BOB with you when you take shelter from the storm. Most importantly, you have your brain. Keep your wits about you. Understand that you can overcome. Maintain your positive mental attitude. You may have to improvise, and that is never easy nor comfortable, but you can do it.


Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the recent tornado in Moore, OK.

They go by many names- Space Blanket, Survival Blanket, Emergency Blanket- but thermal reflective blankets all share one common feature: a metallic side designed to reflect heat back towards the body. I have used lots of these in various designs over the years and they will all improve your heat retention. They can be used in various ways: like a traditional blanket wrapped around your body, as part of a wilderness shelter to reflect your fire's heat back toward you, to cover the windows in your home during outages to prevent heat loss, etc. Where they vary is their size, weight, and durability which in turn determines how you use and utilize them. Here's my take on a few:

Generally referred to as a "space blanket", this is the most common and inexpensive example of a thermal blanket. You can find something similar in any outdoor store or the camping section in department stores for less than 2 or 3 dollars. The one in the photo is from Coghlan's but there are several manufacturers that make them and they are all pretty similar. They weigh only a few ounces, are packaged small, will absolutely work to reflect heat, and open to about 50" by 80", all of which makes them a popular choice for camping or emergency kits. However, there are two issues with this version that have lead me to choose something else for myself. The first is that these blankets are very delicate. They tear easily and even a small tear "runs" destroying the blanket quickly. The second is that they are nearly impossible to repack. Even with two people trying to fold it, these blankets are so light and hard to control that most people end up just wadding the thing up and shoving it into a pack or pocket- which in turn ends up tearing the blanket. The result is the blanket only lasts for one or two uses. I personally consider it an expendable/consumable item and treat them with about as much care as a disposable paper plate. Obviously, the small size and light weight are the trade-off to the fragile nature of the product. I no longer use this type myself, but you can decide if it is appropriate for your needs.

Survive Outdoors Longer is part of the Adventure Medical brand and they make several great products including their "Survival Blanket." The one pictured is the 1-2 person model and it is substantially stronger and larger (60" by 96") than the "cheap" emergency blanket above. SOL uses a "vacuum-metalized polyethylene" in the construction and the result is a plastic that stretches but does not easily tear. Punctures and tears that do occur don't "run" and can be patched with duck tape. The blanket is packaged in a reusable zip seal bag that is larger than the factory packed blanket- which means even if you can't perfectly re-fold the blanket it WILL fit it back into the package. The SOL Survival Blanket is a great option for those who don't want a full sized nor a cheapo disposable thermal blanket. While it's more than twice the size of the 2 dollar thermal blanket, the SOL offering is still pretty compact and only weighs about 3.5 ounces. For my purposes, this is the minimum standard for a thermal blanket and it is well worth the few additional dollars it costs. I choose the "two person" size for my outings because it is just slightly larger than the "one person" (56" by 84").

The "All Purpose Thermal Blanket" from Coghlan's is a pretty substantial product at a reasonable price. The blanket is packaged in a mesh bag with a velcro closure that can also be used for storage. I will admit that Coghlan's can be hit or miss as far as quality with some items, but this is one of their best products. It is far more heavy duty than others on the market and can be used repeatedly to build wilderness shelters or to improve the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. It has corner grommets and a mesh reinforcement throughout the thick material. It is made of a "softer" plastic material that is almost rubbery and allows it to be folded without developing cracks. It weighs in at nearly a full pound and measures 50" by 79" when open. It packs to about 8" by 11" and almost 2" thick, so it also takes up more room in a pack. Personally, I feel it is worth the size and weight because of it's strength. It doesn't need to be replaced often because it is so durable, and this is the one I bring on my outings.

Grabber Outdoors also makes a great heavy duty "All Weather Blanket." When open, it measures 60" by 84" and weighs 12 ounces, so it is slightly larger and a bit lighter than the Coghlan's brand blanket. The Grabber blanket is also reinforced throughout, has corner grommets, and it has more of a tarp feel to it. Grabber uses a four layer process to manufacture their thermal blanket and the result is a great product that will survive for years of adventures. The only issue I've had with this model is that after 3 years it started to develop small holes where it was folded. I consider this minor and part of normal wear and tear.

Size and weight are always a big consideration when packing for an adventure, outing, operation, or emergency kit. While I prefer the costlier, bigger, and somewhat heavier thermal blankets because of their enhanced durability when compared to the inexpensive "space" blanket, ultimately you decide which thermal blanket is right for your needs.

Let's combine "Preparedness Month" with "Back to School." Did you know that FEMA offers online courses? Many of them are worth college credits or Continuing Education Units. Some are longer than others, but several can be completed in an hour or less. Take a look for yourself at the following link:

http://www.training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp?page=all

For me, the best thing about Black Bag Resources isn't just getting to do what I enjoy. I also get to meet some really awesome people. One of those amazing people is Jason from Semper Fi Supplies. I found his business on facebook and ordered one of his paracord bracelets. It was very well made and surprisingly inexpensive compared to some other popular brands. I did a comparison video giving my honest opinion (check it out here) and shared my findings with Jason on his page (facebook.com/SemperFiSupplies). That led to a conversation and we've given each other some business since then. Jason has done quite a bit to promote BBR on his page and I've tried to return the favor. Jason is prior service with The United States Marine Corps, an avid marksman, and comments regularly on BBR. He's an all around good guy and he sent me a surprise today. Check out the video:

Yes, I was giddy as a school girl when I saw what he'd put together- in case you can't tell from the video!
Just to be clear- My opinion and integrity are not for sale. I won't mince words if I don't like something and I won't pretend to like something I don't actually care for. With that said,  Semper Fi Supplies makes the best paracord products going and at the best prices anywhere in the US. I am very selective about how I spend my hard earned money and I believe you are, too. You will always be pleased with your purchase from Semper Fi Supplies. Please, check out their outstanding products at the following links:

http://www.semperfisupplies.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Semper-Fi-Supplies

https://www.facebook.com/SemperFiSupplies

When you place your order, be sure to tell Jason that Black Bag Resources sent you!
Thanks again, Jason!

This week's blog post is a submission which comes from our good friend, supporter, and contributing writer, Mr. Matt Bell.


A Rifle In Every Home

This is an article on just what the title says, why Americans should have a rifle in their home and my humble suggestions for what they should be.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
~Amendment II to the United States Constitution

Let me explain exactly what this amendment to the Constitution means.  This does not guarantee our ability to hunt, or to participate in shooting sports. This was penned in order provide a restraint on our newly formed Government, a restraint on the formation of tyranny. Our founders had personal experience with tyranny and (it is my belief) wanted to prevent such a thing from ever occurring to the system of Government that was newly established. Our founders sought to guarantee the ability of the Citizens to dismantle the government if need be. 

”A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
~George Washington

The right to bear arms was not given to us by our government: the right to bear arms for the protection of one’s life, liberty, and property is a rule of nature’s law not man’s.

”Any single man must judge for himself whether circumstances warrant obedience or resistance to the commands of the civil magistrate; we are all qualified, entitled, and morally obliged to evaluate the conduct of our rulers. This political judgment, moreover, is not simply or primarily a right, but like self-preservation, a duty to God. As such it is a judgment that men cannot part with according to the God of Nature. It is the first and foremost of our inalienable rights without which we can preserve no other.”
~John Locke

Thankfully the founders were wise enough to put in place a system of Government for our Republic to hopefully never have to see this outcome as a legitimate possibility. And while they did not agree with each other on a vast amount of issues (as much as today) on this they agreed, that over time, even our form of Government could easily wander down the path to tyranny. And the loss of individual liberty could be perpetrated by those elected to lead.

“Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation”
~James Madison

Given the current charged political landscape regarding firearm control due to the recent Aurora CO theater shooting, and the renewed outcries for the Government to come along with the ban stick in relation to firearms, I wanted to write an article based on what this (should) mean(s) to all Americans. And to that end, select a few firearms that I feel should be in every American household.

”To prohibit a citizen from wearing or carrying a war arm . . . is an unwarranted restriction upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege.”
~Wilson v. State

First: Why do I feel that there should be a firearm in every household? I will not begin to bore you all with useless statistics that can simply be altered to prove the viewpoint of the individuals involved. Protection from Government, and protection of self. These two ideals are quite unpopular at the moment, if you believe everything that is ‘reported’ by the various news agencies.

Regarding protection from Government let me say; I feel that at no other time in recent memory has there been more of an air of popular "statist" views prevalent in these United States.  The Idea that the Government will protect and keep safe its population is rampant and a far cry from an individual’s responsibility for one’s own safety. The thought of individual responsibility has slowly been eroded away. The reasoning for this is a subject for much debate and postulating. The result is that collectively we have forgotten the individual's will to succeed- as well as valuing and protecting what has been earned through blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice.

Regarding Protection of self; I feel that the law enforcement community is unable to protect us from criminal intent. They, for the most part, work at prevention, prosecution, and punishment of criminal actions.  As such a firearm in every household should be necessary, to prevent criminal action on the basis of not presenting an easy target.

”The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose.”
~James Earl Jones

When we are talking about the American Rifleman, we are referring to a long and storied history that is largely forgotten and fading fast. We are a country founded on our ability to shoot. Given that we are currently living in an increasingly hostile society,  it is imperative in my mind that every citizen be able to properly operate a firearm safely and proficiently, thus the reasoning behind my argument for a rifle in every home.

”By calling attention to ‘a well regulated militia,’ ‘the security of the nation,’ and the right of each citizen ‘to keep and bear arms,’ our founding fathers recognized the essentially civilian nature of our economy… The Second Amendment still remains an important declaration of our basic civilian-military relationships in which every citizen must be ready to participate in the defense of his country. For that reason I believe the Second Amendment will always be important.”
~John F. Kennedy

Among firearms owners there is currently a large discrepancy in the amount of firearms per capita versus the amount of individually owned firearms. If you are a ‘gun nut’ then you are going to have more firearms than the average citizen.  This article is not intended solely for the ‘gun nut’ it is intended for the average citizen.  This is not designed to be an end all be all to the best firearms that have ever been created- on the contrary, my two choices are neither new nor fancy nor even the most accurate gun(s) ever created. They are not (currently) intended to be a frontline, go-to-war weapon. Yet, both of these rifles have the ability to be pressed into such duty.

That being said I humbly submit the two rifles that I feel every American should own.

 Allow me to introduce the Mosin-Nagant (1891)

And the SKS (1945)

 




These two weapons are largely considered strictly Russian firearms. However, this is not the case. These two weapons have been manufactured across the world- including the United States in the case of the Mosin (Remington Arms produced 750,000 of these rifles).

Statistics

Mosin-Nagant:

Cartridge - 7.62×54mmR
Action - Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity - Light ball, ~ 865 m/s (2,838 ft/s)
Effective range - 500 m (550 yards), 800+ m (with optics)
Feed system - 5-round non-detachable magazine, loaded individually or with five-round stripper clips.
Sights Rear: ladder, graduated from 100 m to 2,000 m

SKS:

Cartridge - 7.62×39mm
Action - Short stroke gas piston, tilting bolt, self-loading
Rate of fire - Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity - 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s)
Effective range - 500 m (550 yd)
Feed system - 10 round stripper clip-fed or individual round loading.
Sights Hooded post front sight, tangent notch rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters

I would like to expound on the reasoning for my two choices. I am sure that there are those out there already dismissing my notions for these to ‘antiquated firearms’. There are 4 pillars here that I feel hold up this argument and apply to both the weapon itself and the ammunition, for one without the other is useless. They are Availability, Capacity, Cost, and Ease of use.

Availability:

Both the Mosin-Nagant and the SKS have been so widely produced they are not difficult to find.
The Mosin-Nagant had approximately 37,000,000 produced between 1891 and 1965.
The SKS has been produced in numbers upward of 19,000,000 between 1949 and 1971.
As such these rifles are readily available on the surplus market and grace the shelves of most gun stores you may browse.

 

Capacity:

The Mosin-Nagant has a round capacity of 5 rounds.
The SKS has a capacity of 10 rounds (with larger aftermarkets magazines available).
While these rifles do not have the latest and greatest magazine capacity, remember this article is about the rifles that should be in the average American home.
Remember detachable magazines are a consumable and do need to be replaced eventually.  They do not last forever and without them, a detachable magazine fed weapon will be about as useful as a tree branch fashioned into a club.

 

Cost:

Currently the Mosin-Nagant can be picked up for around $99.00.
The SKS can be picked up for $300.00. Compared to a modern battle rifle with detachable magazines this is a minimal investment.
Ammunition is also affordable being able to be picked in surplus lots. 
7.62x54r can be obtained for an average of 19¢ -20¢ per round.
7.62x39 can be obtained at 23¢ - 28¢ per round.
In comparison the standard AR type ammunition the .223, 5.56x45 NATO, and .223 Wylde ammunition costs an average of 42¢ - 51¢ per round.
30 caliber .308 ammunition will cost you between $1.00 - $1.45 per round.

Overall, the two rifles I have chosen here will work for the budget minded individual, in initial cost as well as upkeep and feeding costs.

Ease of use:

The Mosin-Nagant is a bolt action rifle that has a five round capacity as these can be loaded individually or with practice the use of stripper clips.  While this method is not as fast as swapping a detachable magazine, it is worthy to note that sufficient speed can be maintained reloading this rifle with practice.

The SKS is a Semi-Automatic rifle that is also fed via three methods. Ammunition can be loaded individually with the bolt in the open position, via 10 round stripper clips (also in the bolt open position), or by opening the magazine and loading from underneath in a bolt closed position.  By far the stripper clip method is the fastest method with practice.

Once used and a comfort level is achieved, both rifles are easy to use and dare I say fun to operate.

I hope that this article has been informative and perhaps even a bit useful.

Regards,

Matt

”The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state-controlled police and military are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the weapon of democracy. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military. The hired servants of our rulers. Only the government-and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws.”
~Edward Abbey

Somewhere in your gear or emergency kit is a magnesium fire starter. You know- the one that looks like a block on a keychain with a ferro striker in the side (this is the one we sell from Coghlan's). You learned how to use it years ago: scrape shavings of magnesium off the block and strike the ferro to ignite the shavings or other tinder. You were taught that you could use your knife as long as it was made from carbon steel and had a good sharp edge to strike with. The problem with using your knife as a striker is that it can be hard on the edge or you'd end up shaving too much material off the ferro insert- shortening the life span of the fire starter. Here's a cheap solution that turns the fire starter into a complete tool and saves your knife from unnecessary wear.

Pick up an inexpensive hacksaw blade for less than $3 and cut a 3-4 inch piece off the end. (I use a Dremel tool with a cut off wheel.) Attach that piece of hacksaw blade to your fire starter with an 8-12 inch piece of paracord. The serrated edge of the hacksaw striker does a good job at both shaving the magnesium and striking the ferro insert. The cheap little piece of hacksaw blade has the carbon content needed  to generate a spark and stands in for your knife as the striker- taking one of your knife's chores off the list it has to perform. With some practice, you can short stroke the end of the ferro rod with the hacksaw stiker using just a little bit at a time.

Cosmoline is a heavy duty rust preventative commonly used to protect firearms during long term storage. Usually antique and military surplus firearms will come covered in the thick, brown jelly. It can be a pain to remove, but here's one solution...
All it takes is hot water!
I got this tip from an antiques dealer in Gettysburg, PA. They specialize in Civil War era firearms and told me they simply give the entire disassembled firearm a bath in boiling water. They said they leave the components, including the wood stock, in the water only for a minute- just long enough for the cosmoline to liquify and run off.
Here's my application: I recently purchased a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 and it was covered in cosmoline as you'd expect. I wiped the bulk of the cosmoline off the rifle with a rag before disassembling it. The small parts were washed off in the kitchen sink and larger parts in the bath tub. I boiled several pots of water and poured them over the parts until they were clean. I used a pan to prop up the breach end of the barrel and poured hot water down the bore. Using tongs and mitts to handle the hot metal parts, I turned each and repeated the process. Personally, I couldn't bring myself to risk messing up the wood with the hot water, so I mixed some dish soap and warm water and wiped the stock down until it felt clean and dry to the touch.
After the parts cooled, I went over everything with Break Free CLP to clean and lubricate as well as prevent any rust. Cleaning the bore only took 5 or 6 passes before I was getting a clean patch. The entire process took just under an hour.
It's a simple process that takes a lot less time and effort than some others I've heard about.

We all know there's about a million uses for duck tape/duct tape/100 mph tape. No matter what you call it, it's one of those items that always proves handy. Just when you think you've got most of them figured out, somebody comes up with another trick. In this case, my buddy Tony showed me a way to make this essential tool more portable.
I've seen people who will wrap just about everything they carry with duck tape to make sure they have it on hand, but I've found that it can inhibit some items from being as useful as they should be. Tony's trick is to take a standard US business card and wrap it in duck tape. This gives you a convenient way to carry a flat pack of several feet without the bulk of a roll. It also means you can keep it handy without cocooning your other gear.

During a recent conversation with a gentleman I consider not just a client but also a friend, we turned to the topic of "prepping" or preparing for disasters. He's a smart guy, his family is on board with the process and he has a lot of his bases covered: a 3 month food supply, stored water, first aid and medical training, military experience, weapons and ammo and solid skills to use them, and more. I was surprised when he told me how worried he was about his family's situation and began describing what he felt were deficiencies in his preps and his plans. I'm going to paraphrase and elaborate on some of what I told him.
You must maintain a positive outlook. Do it now. Do it when things go bad. Understand that you can do it. Everyone involved in prepping does some war-gaming -a mental exercising of working your way through a disaster or other scenario- from time to time. If you do it often enough, you will eventually come up with a situation you are not ready for. (Let's see, I know if the power goes out for the night I have flashlights ready with fresh batteries I change every 6 months. If the power goes out for a week I have a plan to go stay with so-and-so because we've already discussed it. If the power goes out for a year and aliens invade with armies of radiation babies... What will I do?) It's the nature of the beast, you can't possibly be ready for every imaginable scenario. War-gaming is a good and fun exercise, but you need to focus on Threat Assessment- the reality of how likely you are to encounter a specific scenario- and prepare accordingly. (I know my area floods every few years and that knocks out power for up to a week. I'm going to set myself up for that. The flooding also has a habit of contaminating the water supply, so we'd better put back some stored water, too.) Don't get upset about the things you don't have or the skills you haven't learned. There are all kinds of cliche quotes that fit here: " Rome wasn't built in a day" or "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Here's my philosophy: Your preps should always make you feel better about your situation- not worse. If just today you came to the realization that you need to be better prepared for a situation, congratulations, you are doing better than you were yesterday. If you went out and bought a simple $1 first aid kit to keep handy, congratulations, you are doing better than you were yesterday. If you spent last Sunday learning how to make fire without matches, congratulations, you are doing better than you were and you should feel good about yourself! The process is continual. It's great to continue down that path and learn more and be ready for more situations. You'll also learn along the way that situations can and do overlap, and something you prepared for a year ago set you up pretty well for another scenario you're working on now.
What you'll need to avoid is the paranoia of writers trying to sell books and retailers pushing the latest gizmo. They use fear to motivate you to part with your money. (Now before anyone throws a penalty flag at me: Yes, Black Bag Resources, LLC does retail merchandise. However, I will never pressure anyone to buy anything. I simply tell you what works for me-  if you'd like to use the same item, I try to make it available to you.) You do need to re-examine your skills and preps from time to time. It's good to have someone else take a look, too. They may find something you missed. However, this is only good to the extent that it shows you what areas need improvement. When you identify them, work on them, but do not loose your positive attitude regarding your situation or your preps.
Remember:
Your preps should always make you feel better about your situation- not worse.

You asked for it, and Black Bag Resources delivers! PALight Survival is now available with Green LED. The green LED is NVG compatible as well as visible to the naked eye. The green light is great for preserving your natural night vision, or for use without disrupting team mates actively using NVGs.
Also in stock, and EXCLUSIVELY available from Black Bag Resources, PALight Survival with INFRA RED LED! The Infra Red LED is invisible to the naked eye but is extremely bright when viewed through Night Vision Devices. Use this model as an additional illuminator for your NVGs, or attach it to your gear and set it to strobe for IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) operations.
Please note: Safe-Light has discontinued the Survival IR model. Black Bag Resources has acquired all remaining units, and once they are gone- they will be gone forever.