Over the centuries, one constant has always remained, and even to this day, that is change. Weather, economics, and politics, our existence is based on the changing tides of time. What we face today, although it may seem troubling in entirely new ways, indicates what we’ve always faced. So, how does one go about picking their apocalypse friends? The group of friends who are capable of weathering any storm, even the collapse of mankind. One could argue that’s how things have always been; we now have greater access to information. With that in mind, a solid group of people you are integral ..read more

Like most, I was subjected to the typical flatware in my youth–a fork for things that needed stabbing and a spoon for things that needed scooping. However, it was a little later in life that I stumbled across the spork, and my life was changed forever. I even have two sporks in my silverware drawer and use them almost exclusively–my wife hates it but has gotten used to it. But what about when you’re on the road? Are there any sporks out there that can fill the void of your trusty drawer spork? I have been eating KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) for many years, and I remember the dark times when i ..read more

Most people out there think the world is a beautiful place, and when they read articles in the newspaper about evil crimes like this, most people just brush it off, thinking it’s fiction. But it really does happen, both domestically and abroad. The boogeyman does exist. So, how do we mentally and physically prepare for scenarios like this? How can we prepare today for tomorrow? The answer is simple. Meet Ed Calderon, the person who could help you prepare for a journey that you will hopefully never take.  (Photo by Ed Calderon)Counter Custody by Ed Calderon You’re with your wife, and fami ..read more

“We have all been guilty of being backseat adventurers when watching programs such as Naked and Afraid, Man vs. Wild, or Alone, to name a few. We kick back, crack open a cold one and proceed to judge the ever-loving shit out of every competitor. And in those moments, we become” experts” on everything the contestants are doing wrong. That said, if push ever were to come to shove and the proverbial shit hit the fan, would our baseline knowledge translate into our survival in the types of situations seen on these television shows? “We have all been guilty of being backseat adventurers when ..read more

People are taking sides, and it’s not pretty. Differing opinions used to lead to lively discussions and a healthy exchange of ideas. Now, a different point of view is apt to get you punched in the mouth. Surviving a riot will now be your primary objective to get home safely. Multiply this low flash point by hundreds of highly emotional, adrenaline-charged, aggressive people. Surviving a riot will now be your primary objective to get home safely. You don’t want to be in the middle of it. When violence suddenly erupts, don’t get caught in the destructive chaos of all the burning, looting, and b ..read more

Whether you use the words kidnapped, abducted, or taken makes no difference. You’re in the hands of “bad guys,” you must get away fast, or your life could be snuffed out at any time. Having the escape and evasion gear and skills necessary to facilitate your escape can be the difference between life and death. OTTEGEAR Covert Escape Evade Kit $99.00(Photo by OTTE Gear)Escape and Evasion Gear Although this may sound like a movie plot, it could very well happen to you in real life and when you least expect it. Being forcibly taken away from the security of your world and being held as a hostage ..read more

Uber-lightweight, Spartan and affordable, a new survival rifle emerges for those that live beyond the pavement. The Chiappa Big Badger Folding Rifle comes in three different chamberings, providing defensive or game-getting prowess in an incredibly packable platform. Chiappa Big Badger Folding Rifle Details The Big Badger comes in one of three different flavors: .350 Legend, .30-30 or .410 bore. It expands on the Little Badger family with larger, more powerful chamberings. Make no mistake, you can go into bear country with .350 or .30-30, and .410 bore will handle a lot of game-getting chores ..read more

Some say that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can’t be avoided. Knowing where the safest place to sit at a given event or situation can greatly affect your odds of survival. When random chance throws a circumstance at you, and your handling of it will make the difference between life and death. Some may even think of it as a vicious game of chance: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. (Photo by Skillset Staff)Finding the Safest Place to Sit But is that really true? Do you, in fact, have no input when it comes to a seemingly random act in which you could become seriously injured o ..read more

The 2020 lockdown affected us all in some big ways, like loss of jobs, mobility, and freedom of choice, but it has also affected us in small ways. Most notably obtaining supplies. This is where a 3D printer can increase your survival odds in a big way.  No matter what, your need for a new thermos, perhaps, or any gear related to keeping us prepared was prohibited for a long while. And even if you could, the threat of COVID may have convinced you not to go out at all. Odds are your store of choice wasn’t even open, and sometimes, what you needed was out of stock. We relied on online giant ..read more

The “gray man” creates, nourishes, and maintains a polytropic (able to take many courses of action, adaptable) personality. This personality responds to external stimuli as necessary in the pursuit of a single goal: moving undetected. Likewise, the gray man survives worst-case scenarios by trusting his mindset, attitude, and skills. This mindset helps the gray man in his pursuit of going off-grid for undetected movement in any environment. Going Off-Grid with the Gray Man Mindset Becoming a gray man is far from being an enigmatic concept that is beyond the reach of most. It actually has a lot ..read more