48 56 62 70 38 CON T E N T S ISSUE 47 FEATURES 38 Relocation Strategies Safer Places in a Dangerous World 48 Pennies and Mils Building a Precision Bolt-Action Rifle on a Budget 56 Survival Communications Incorporating Handheld Radios into Your EDC and Tactical Kit 62 Light, Smoke, and Fire We Review Some of the Latest Distress Signals 70 AKs Two Ways We Built a Pair of Custom AK-47s — One from an Off-the-Shelf Rifle and One from a Stripped Receiver — to Compare the Pros and Cons of Each Approach 82 In Memoriam RECOIL Remembers Chad McBroom Throughout this issue you will see certain images are labeled as being 100% Actual Size. This designation is for the print edition of this issue. Because of the various screen sizes on different tablets and computers, we cannot always provide actual life size images in digital versions. We apologize if this causes any confusion and thank you for your understanding. 06 On the Cover All the Great Gear on the Cover 10 Editor’s Letter No Man is an Island 14 Gear Up The Latest and Greatest Products 18 Pocket Preps Fire-Starters and Tinder 22 What If? You’re Forced to Endure a Blizzard with No Utilities? 30 Survivalist Spotlight Jerry Saunders 84 Health Solo Fitness 88 Hands On Chest Rigs 94 Bag Drop Personal Security Detachment Bag 96 The Final Weapon Simulated Shooting, Real Results 98 The Last Page Review of Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself – While the Rest of Us Die Product Disclaimer Prices and details for products and services featured in RECOIL OFFGRID are set by the manufacturers, retailers, and agencies, and are subject to change without notice. Recoil OFFGRID (ISSN 2475-1952), February/ March 2022; Number 47, is published bimonthly by CMG West, LLC 5600 W. Grande Market Drive, Suite 100 Appleton, WI 54913. Copyright © 2021 by CMG West, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Periodicals Postage Paid at Appleton, WI, and at additional mail offices. For subscription inquiries and customer service, go to www. offgridweb.com or call (800) 873-7896. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5): NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address changes to Recoil OFFGRID, P.O. Box 460429, Escondido, CA 92046-0429. Please allow 8-10 weeks for delivery of first issue. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. This book is purchased with the understanding that the information presented herein is from many varied sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to accuracy or completeness.

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006 ISSUE 47 OFFGRIDWEB.COM ON THE COVER Cover Photos: RECOIL OFFGRIDStaff 1. Shirt Make: A-TACS Camo Model: Integrated Battle Shirt 2.0 MSRP: $68 to $105 (depending on size/color selection) URL: www.a-tacs.com 2. Pants Make:A-TACS Camo Model: Stealth Warrior Pants MSRP: $65 to $128 (depending on size/color selection) URL: www.a-tacs.com 3. Backpack Make: Raptor Tactical Model: Marvn Rucksack MSRP: $470 URL: www.raptortactical.com 4. Rifle Case Make: 5.11 Tactical Model: VTAC Mk II 42”Double Rifle Case 39L MSRP: $180 URL: www.511tactical.com 5. Range Bag Make: 5.11 Tactical Model: Range Ready Bag MSRP: $110 URL: www.511tactical.com 1 2

007 ISSUE 47 OFFGRIDWEB.COM 5 4 3

® GEAR FOR YOUR DAILY GUNFIGHT

FORTHRIGHTTM SLINGBAG MULTICAM ® BLACK & BLACK $115 -125 Originally designed for officers working plainclothes duty at high-threat events, the Forthright™ slingbag can pack a large amount of firepower in a low-optic chassis. Short barrel rifles and magazines can be fastened to the internal MOLLE system for secure transportation and quick access. Multiple pocketing solutions allow access to the included CCW holster, capable of carrying full-size pistols with optic. Should your daily gunfight requirements be a bit more mundane, the rear compartment incorporates a 16” padded laptop sleeve. The ambidextrous shoulder strap is padded for comfort with full load-outs. Overall dimensions 18” H x 11.5” W x 7” D. UNIVERSAL holsteR // FITS FULL SIZE PISTOL W/OPTICS Internal MOLLE // SECURES SBR AND ACCESSORIES

010 ISSUE 47 EDITOR’SLETTER By Tom Marshall We’ve always said that survival is a team sport. Whether it’s your family, neighbors, coworkers, or the fated group of strangers you wind up alongside, humans are pack animals and there’s indeed strength in numbers. But modern life, particularly in a post-COVID world, has many of us working remotely and socially distanced. While there’s certainly something nice about a little bit of privacy, the complications of survival are compounded without anyone else to rely on for assistance. If a crisis shows up on your doorstep when you’re home (or away from home) alone, what you have in your bag and in your brain will be all you have to rely on. Combine that with increased risk of exposure that is part-and-parcel of the colder holiday weather, and the severity of an isolated survival scenario grows exponentially — whether you’re a lifelong resident of blizzard country or have to add a layer or two against the cooler nighttime temps of the southern sunbelt. So, we’re looking at how to cope with the perils of finding yourself stranded, either alone or in a small group. Our What If feature examines how to make the most of limited supplies and no communication in the context of a hunting trip or cabin vacation gone wrong. Scott Finazzo gives us the lowdown on flares and signaling devices. Just because help isn’t there when you get in trouble doesn’t mean that you can’t get help to come to you. Our Pocket Preps column examines a variety of tinder and fire-starting tools that can be stashed in a pocket or pack. Patrick Diedrich interviews survival instructor Jerry Saunders, whose new home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula puts him on the frontlines of both rural separation and cold weather. We also look at two different survival rifle projects: a sub- $2,000 economy bolt-action rifle for precision shooting and game-getting, as well as a pair of modified and customized AK-pattern rifles tricked out for emergency use. Finally, we pay tribute to the passing of staple RECOIL OFFGRID contributor Chad McBroom. Any of you who are regular readers have surely come across one or two of his articles, which were always engaging and informative. Regardless of your location, lifestyle, or likely risk factors, there’s always a possibility of facing the odds with nobody there to back you up. This is why we so strongly stress thorough research, informed gear choices, and a broad skillset to call on in the face of danger. Survival is hard. Work harder now and stack your deck. No Man is an Island

This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that the information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by CMG West, LLC., or the publisher as to legality, completeness and accuracy. Any submissions or contributions from readers shall be subject to and governed by CMG West, LLC’s User Content Submission Terms and Conditions. BACK ISSUES To order back issues, visit Offgridweb.com. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Editorial contributions are welcomed, but editors recommend that contributors query first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage and we assume no responsibility for loss or damage thereto. Manuscripts must be typewritten on white paper, and all photographs must be accompanied by captions. Photo model releases required on all persons in photos. Recoil Offgrid reserves the right to use material at its discretion, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet our requirements. Upon publication, payment will be made at our current rate, and that said payment will cover author’s and contributor’s rights of the contribution. Contributor’s act of mailing contribution shall constitute an express warranty that the material is original and no infringement on the rights of others. Mail contributions to: Recoil Offgrid Magazine, 5600 West Grande Market Drive, Suite 100, Appleton, WI 54913. istockphoto.com/ Cover (background): welcomia; p10: wildpixel; p56: sankai; p60: FXQuadro Printed in the USA Copyright © 2021 by CMG West, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Editorial. Editor-in-Chief/ Iain Harrison Editor, RECOIL OFFGRID/ Tom Marshall Managing Editor/ Laura Peltakian Features Editor/ Dave Merrill Contributing Editor/ Steven Kuo Contributing Editor/ Patrick McCarthy Network Manager/ John Schwartze Web Editor/ Forrest Cooper Contributors/ Robert Bruner, Alexander Crown, Joe Dawson, Patrick Diedrich, Richard Duarte, Niccole Elizabeth, Kevin Estela, Scott Finazzo, Ryne Gioviano, Joey Nickischer, Jerry Saunders, Patrick Vuong Special Thanks/ Joseph and Madden Walker Art Direction & Design. Senior Art Director/ Gene Coo Art Director/ Katia Sverdlova Senior Designer/ Tris Mast Submissions. [email protected] Subscriber Customer Services. Domestic/Canadian: 888.681.7064 Foreign: 760.270.9470 [email protected] Advertising. GM/Publisher/ Glen Castle Associate Publisher/ Ryan Farner 760.809.8729 Senior Account Executive/ Alex Ostrowski 920.212.5677 Senior Account Executive/ David Figg 813.418.1060 Senior Account Executive/ Lori McDaniel 715.498.3768 To advertise on this magazine’s website, or any of CMG West, LLC’s other enthusiast sites, please contact us at [email protected]. CMG West, LLC. VP, Group Publisher/ Mark Han Director of Finance/ Jennifer Sexstone Circulation/ NPS Media Group [email protected]

014 GEARUP 1A/2A: CONGRESS SHALL, 1 MAKE & MODEL OffGrid Utility Bag Window Kit CONSISTS OF 3 bags for a laptop, tablet, and mobile device MSRP $330 URL offgrid.co NOTES You don’t need to be a superspy or a tier-one operator to be concerned about online security. Everyone should be. After all, as the world and its processes become increasingly digital, so too are the criminals. That’s why OffGrid LLC (a tech company not to be confused with this publication) offers the Utility Bag Window Kit. It comes with three bags of different sizes, each made of lightweight, Faraday technology that provides heavy-duty protection against intrusions made through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, cellular, RFID, or FM radio. That means each bag shields its device from any outside network so it can’t be hacked, tracked, or even detected. Plus, each bag is flexible yet durable and wear resistant, so they’re ideal for traveling. 2 MAKE & MODEL LegendCompression Wear Cold Weather Merino Wool Tactical Boot Socks COLOR Coyote Brown MSRP $25 URL legendcompressiontactical.com NOTES We’re big fans of wool — especially wool blends. Why? Because this super fabric is moisture wicking, odor resistant, and temperature regulating. And it continues to provide warmth even when wet. Nowadays, it’s combined with nylon and spandex to increase comfort and mobility while eliminating itchiness. These cold-weather socks from Legend feature all of the pluses of wool with one added benefit: compression. These mid-calf socks provide mild pressure and arch support to encourage blood flow, reduce soreness, and combat foot fatigue — all essential attributes when you’re hiking, rucking, or patrolling in boots. Moreover, dense terry cushion helps retain heat in frigid conditions. Worn by U.S. special operators around the world, these Legend socks are also flame resistant and incredibly durable. . 4 MAKE & MODEL True NorthTradecraft Pandemic Measures FORMAT PDF MSRP $7 URL truenorthtradecraft.ca NOTES If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re already stocked up and handling the current situation pretty well. But we’re big advocates of doing periodic review of the fundamentals, which is why we recommend Pandemic Measures by Boris Milinkovich of True North Tradecraft. (He has served more than 20 years in the Canadian military and federal law enforcement.) His 40-page booklet is an easy-to-read and well-organized set of guidelines for making it through the current COVID-19 crisis, but also preparing for any future disasters. It also touches on topics that other manuals often miss, such as emotional needs that stem from isolation. Pandemic Measures makes a great gift for friends and relatives who you want to encourage to pursue preparedness. 3 MAKE & MODEL Nutrient Survival PeanutButterBarMeals SERVINGS PER CAN 10 MSRP $35 URL nutrientsurvival.com NOTES Did you know that your long-term caches don’t have to be stacked with only MREs and hardtack? Nutrient Survival makes a whole array of food, snacks, and beverages that don’t just last long but taste good, too. One such example is its Peanut Butter Bar Meals. Made of rolled oats, brown rice crisps, milled flax seed, and roasted peanuts, each serving (two rectangles) provide 14 vitamins, 14 minerals, Omega-3, Omega-6, 290 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 39 grams of carbs. While their shelf life is 18 months (and not three to five years like other survival snacks), the Peanut Butter Bar Meals are easily the most delicious and nutritious we’ve reviewed in this market. 1 2 3 4

OFFGRIDWEB.COM 015 ISSUE 47 OFFGRIDWEB.COM 015 5 MAKE & MODEL Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit CONTAINS Pink Rhino laser, two sets of targets, mini tripod, large tripod, a set of target holders, laser cartridge extraction stick, por- table carrying case, and access code to Mantis Laser Academy MSRP $149 URL mantisx.com NOTES Everyone remembers the Great Ammo Shortage of 2020. Back then, if you were doing live-fire training, you were forking over double (or triple?) the cost for what a box of cartridges used to be, dipping into your ammunition stockpile, or just not training all that much. That’s why we’re pumped to see the Laser Academy Training Kit. This unique kit uses a laser cartridge that drops into your handgun’s chamber and fires a beam down the barrel every time the firing pin strikes it. These laser “shots” hit a Mantis target that is analyzed by your app-enabled phone or mobile device. This kit allows for a multitude of training drills — all without having to burn a single live round. 6 MAKE & MODEL ColumbiaRiver Knife & Tool Catchall OAL 10.25 inches MSRP $80 URL crkt.com NOTES If the RAT-II isn’t beefy enough for your upcoming adventure, consider this fixed blade from Columbia River Knife & Tool. As its moniker denotes, the Catchall is a versatile edged tool that can excel in a variety of scenarios — whether it’s a hunting trip, a campfire cooking session, or an out-and-out survival situation. This 5.51-inch-long blade is made of high carbon stainless steel, giving you plenty of strength and power for skinning game or batoning firewood. Its modified sheepsfoot shape still has a strong tip for defensive thrusting or for more precise cutting for prepping meals. While the glassreinforced nylon handle is more contoured than we prefer, it does fit comfortably in our mediumsized hands. It comes with a polymer sheath. 7 MAKE & MODEL Adventure Medical Kits MOLLEBagTraumaKit 1.0 DIMENSIONS 7.87 by 5.51 by 3.54 inches MSRP $55 URL www.adventuremedicalkits.com NOTES Whether you take a nasty tumble during a hike, encounter a car collision on your daily commute, or inadvertently cut yourself while chopping veggies, accidents happen. Fortunately, the MOLLE Bag Trauma Kit 1.0 has what you need to treat wounds before emergency services can arrive. As its name implies, it’s designed to be attached to your modular pack or chest rig and has enough supplies so that you can venture out from your basecamp for a day or two. It comes with 2-foot QuikClot dressing, bandages, dressings, and medications to handle the most common types of wounds, bleeding, and fractures or sprains. If that’s not enough, it comes with a compact medical guidebook that contains 100 illustrations for treating outdoor injuries and illnesses. 8 MAKE & MODEL GORUCK Task ForceDagger Jacket COLORS Black, Black and Green MSRP $195 URL goruck.com NOTES Our first reaction after putting on this jacket was, “Wow. This is a badass jacket.” Which was kinda surprising because at first glance it doesn’t look that different from most other fleece jackets. But this GORUCK jacket naturally hikes to the front of the line. Why? First is the Polartec 300-series fleece, which isn’t just super soft and comfy but also breathable despite being able to retain a lot of warmth. Its lightweight polyester yarns can also repel moisture and dry quickly. Next is its top-quality manufacturing — the jacket is durable, abrasion resistant, and won’t pill under a rucking backpack. Plus, it has two front zippered pockets and a chest zippered pocket. Made in the USA. 5 7 6 8

016 OFFGRIDWEB.COM 1A/2A: MAKE NO LAW 9 MAKE & MODEL UPKnife UPK-T1 Rocket Tool OAL 3.82 inches MSRP $30 URL upknife.com NOTES Many one-piece multi-tools are more gimmicky than useful. Fortunately, the Rocket Tool falls in the latter group. Made of 154CM stainless steel, it’s a smartly designed pocket tool that can house in its center either a 2-inch hex bit or two 1-inch bits, which aren’t included. But what is included are heavy-duty Orings to secure your bit(s) while increasing grip comfort. The two “hooks” on either side are dual claw pry arms. On the top end is a No. 2 Philips driver, and just below that is a 1/4-inch hex box end, which can also hold a bit. And on the opposite side sits a flat pry bar with a center split. The Rocket Tool is compact, lightweight, and functional. 10 MAKE & MODEL Liteband Activ 520 COLOR Night MSRP $50 URL liteband.com NOTES Liteband brings a revolutionary approach to headlamps by providing a 210-degree beam of light from a low-profile headband. Its design allows for a much wider area of illumination while distributing the weight on your head more evenly. This bucks the traditional design, which tends to have a heavy and bulky light source in the front that provides a narrow field of light. Designed for hikers, campers, and outdoor athletes, the Activ 520 has five modes, including red, flashing, and a high of 520 lumens. It can run for up to 26 hours in low mode on a single 1,800-mAh rechargeable battery. Plus, it has an IPX4 rating, meaning it’s waterproof and can resist dust, debris, and impacts. 11 MAKE & MODEL Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener WEIGHT 4.6 ounces MSRP $35 URL worksharptools.com NOTES The Guided Field Sharpener isn’t just lightweight and easy to use, it has five sharpening surfaces with built-in guides to restore and maintain a wide range of tools, from fixed blades and serrated folding knives to axes and fish hooks. There’s even a leather strop to get that final polish. Held in place by strong magnets, the two 4x1-inch diamond grit plates can be removed by hand to reveal two archery broadhead wrenches on one side and an open compartment on the other to store tinder, matches, or other small items inside the body of the sharpener. Brilliantly designed with quality workmanship, the Guided Field Sharpener is one of the best manual sharpeners available today. 12 MAKE & MODEL Ontario KnifeCo. RAT-II OAL 7.125 inches MSRP $50 URL ontarioknife.com NOTES While we love expensive knives, when it comes to a blade for everyday carry or a sojourn into the backcountry, we keep the safe queens at home and instead look for an affordable yet reliable model. The RAT-II certainly fits that bill. Made of AUS-8 stainless steel, this drop-point blade is sharp, versatile, and rust resistant. While the handle is made out of budget nylon, it does have just enough texture to give you a firm grasp, and the bone color makes it easier to find in a pack or if you dropped it in some foliage. Designed by Randall’s Adventure Training and manufactured by Ontario Knife Co., the RAT-II is a trustworthy knife in the field that won’t break the bank at home. 9 10 11 12

020 PocketPREPS Zippo has a welldeserved reputation in the fire-starting community, thanks to generations of use by soldiers and outdoorsmen. In addition to its recognizable shape, the sound a Zippo makes when it opens immediately gives away its presence in the dark. Zippo has expanded their lineup beyond their classic and slimline series of lighters. The Zippo Emergency Fire Kit works much like the flint wheel of a traditional Zippo lighter. The paraffin wax-coated tinder is stored in a waterproof container to keep it dry; it ignites with the spark and burns long enough to get your campfire going. All you have to do is remove a small wrapper around the tin and unroll it. This fire-starter can be dummy corded with the molded-in lanyard hole, and it can be operated with a single hand. Pros: This fire-starter floats on water! Up to a five-minute burn time per tinder piece Cons: Flint wheel isn’t protected if dropped Contains moving parts that may be fragile Zippo Emergency Fire Kit Sometimes, it makes sense to carry a firestarter most people know how to use. Since they can be found in most homes, matches fit the bill, but standard paper or box matches are flimsy and burn out fast. Titan Stormproof matches are not your average box matches. To reference the popular internet meme, if you’re standard matches, Titan matches are the guy she tells you not to worry about. We’re not kidding, these matches are about the diameter of a ballpoint pen, and they burn aggressively with large match heads. They’re like miniature road flares, and they’ll burn underwater if temporarily submerged. The name “stormproof” is appropriate, as they’ll continue to burn in the strongest winds. Pros: Up to 25-second burn time Easy to use just like standard-size matches Extremely wind and water resistant Cons: Fragile match heads Each match is single use and takes up space quickly UCO Gear Titan Stormproof Match Kit We love multipurpose gear. Swiss Army Knives, duct tape, peanut butter ... some things work well in multiple roles. The boys over at EXOTAC came up with an ingenious way to carry tinder in the TinderZIP. At first glance, this looks like a normal zipper pull with a plastic cord lock at the end. TinderZIP can attach to your zipper pulls and help you open or close your jacket, to your pocketknives as a fob for easy retrieval, or it can be used in its alternate role — fire-starting. All you have to do is free the cord from the plastic endpiece, pull out the tinder found inside the outer braid of the cordage, and fluff the end with the spine of your knife. It’ll take a spark or a flame and once it lights, it’ll burn for about a minute. TinderZIP burns like a candlewick and can save the fuel of your lighter. Each package comes with five units that’ll let you replace the main zipper and hand warmer pockets, leaving you with a couple to practice with. Pros: 1-minute burn time Easily forgotten until needed Water resistant Cons: Clothing dependent Requires prep before use EXOTAC TinderZIP You probably have owned a magnesium fire-starter bar at some point. You probably either wore through the ferro rod glued in place or the glue broke off. The magnesium bar has fallen out of popularity, but it’s still an effective tinder if used correctly. Shomer-Tec Fire Buttons caught our eye for their ingenuity and innovation. These buttons can be sewn into your clothing and forgotten about. They scream escape and evasion kit since that was the idea behind their design. These buttons are made from magnesium and ferrocerium and work just like the traditional magnesium bar. Of course, you’ll get a fire started better with both, but if you lose the mag button, you can still use the ferrocerium button on its own. Pros: Easily forgotten about until they’re needed Discreet design Cons: Small size makes it difficult to use with cold hands Not easily transferred between garments Awkward scraping technique needed Shomer-Tec Fire Buttons Live Fire is a really interesting product that can be reused over and over. Instead of burning once or in a single way, Live Fire can be used with varying amounts of flame by regulating the amount of tinder exposed. All you have to do is open the container exposing the fabric inside that’s impregnated with a proprietary blend of fuel. We like the fact it can be lit with just about anything including a paper match, butane lighter, or ferro rod. Once it’s lit and used to ignite your natural tinder or kindling, you retrieve the Live Fire, close the lid, wait for it to cool, and throw it back into your kit. This lightweight little fire-starter fits perfectly in small emergency kits and can even be rubberbanded to a knife sheath for use with a ferro rod also carried there. Available in larger original size or smaller sport size. Pros: Adjustable flame size Easily reusable Will ignite with flame or spark Cons: Easily lost in a pocket Reusable after lighting but closing and pocketing too soon can burn the user Live Fire Gear Live Fire Original/ Sport S.O.L. Fire Lite Fuel Cubes are great multi-purpose fuel tabs. They burn exceptionally well, can be used in the campfire, or they can be used with solid fuel tablet stoves. They’re made with an ethanol jelly that will actually burn on extremely damp surfaces. We like the ability to cut these down into smaller fire-starters to extend the number of fires you can make from a single package. Even the package the cubes come in can be used to carry tinder scavenged off the land, and it has enough capacity to house a ferro rod and lighter too. Pros: 8-minute burn time Burns clean; nontoxic and odorless Works with most solid fuel folding stoves Cons: Bulky Boil time listed on package is possible in ideal conditions, not all conditions S.O.L. Fire Lite Fuel Cubes Prometheus Design Werx is always on the cutting edge of product designs. The Ti-Fire Steel MK2 takes fire steels to a new level. The handle of the Ti-Fire Steel MK2 is made from titanium, and the texture of it will remind you of a pineapple grenade. The inside of the handle is hollow and is revealed by a threaded cap. It can easily hold petroleum cotton balls or similar tinder until it’s needed. Perhaps one of the best aspects of this fire rod is the threaded rod that can be replaced when it gets worn down. That said, a ½-inch ferro rod will last thousands of scrapes and even more if you use it sparingly. Pros: ½-inch rod produces exceptional sparks. Handle texture offers great grip, even with cold and wet hands Cons: Potential to lose the handle cap Doesn’t come with a dedicated scraper Prometheus DesignWerx Ti-Fire Steel MK2 020 1A/2A: AN ESTABLISHMENT

1A/2A: OF RELIGION,

By RECOIL OFFGRID Staff, Illustrations by Robert Bruner Early in 2021, Texas faced record-low temperatures that caused millions to be without power. Think about that for a second. Even in one of the most industrialized nations in the world, Mother Nature dealt a huge (and freezing) blow to commerce and living conditions. As human beings, we’ve become dangerously over-reliant on our climate-controlled life and amenities. Although this winter storm was a freak occurrence, there’s no doubt that its estimated death toll of 230 could’ve been reduced by better preparation. Now, imagine yourself stuck in an area with frigid conditions where you must forgo many of the resources you might’ve stockpiled at home. Whether you live in a locale that could potentially be affected by severe cold during the winter months or you just happen to be vacationing somewhere remote, do you know what it’d take to survive if immediate help from first responders is nowhere in sight and utilities are disabled? How can you use the resources at your disposal to survive plummeting temperatures? The Scenario: SITUATION TYPE Blizzard/power outage YOUR CREW You and two friends LOCATION Chandalar Lake, Alaska SEASON Winter WEATHER Snowy/windy; high 4 degrees F, low -10 degrees F The Setup: You and two friends have been planning an Alaskan hunting trip for several months. You rent a remote hunting lodge in a rural area near Chandalar Lake that’s only accessible on foot. Although it’s wintertime and you knew the weather would already be brutal, the forecast is anticipating a blizzard. Since it’s too late to cancel and get a refund, you decide to roll the dice and make the best of it, hoping the weather will turn around and become more favorable. After arriving at the airport, you and your friends rent an SUV, stop to buy some food and other provisions, and venture down a long dirt road to a designated parking area before heading out on foot to the lodge. The path up to the parking area is a windy uphill track, which would make getting back down nearly impossible in heavy snow, and you have no idea if the road below is regularly cleared or not. It’s inconvenient, but you have to make several trips back to the car in order to carry all your supplies to the lodge. However, you’re confident your experience will be a positive one and you have enough food and water to hold you over for the few days you’ll be there. The Complication: You bring a small batteryoperated radio to get updates on weather since cell service in this area is practically non-existent. Daylight is also compromised by the fact that sunrise in this part of Alaska typically happens around 11 a.m., with sunset occurring around 2:30 p.m. You settle in for the night with winds picking up and heavy snowfall, hoping that the weather will pass you by. You rise early to trek out to the hunting blinds and wait, but the snowfall is practically at window level now. You and a few friends have to force the door open to push the snowpack back far enough to even get a leg through the door. In other words, your situation is getting grim, and you decide not to risk getting caught in the continuing blizzard by going out to hunt. The radio is saying the blizzard is one of the worst in the state’s history, and it’s anticipated to go on for two weeks. Then, the unexpected begins happening. Power at the lodge goes out. The gas system soon freezes over, as does the water, meaning you have nothing to drink except what you brought. There’s no heat in the lodge except for an old potbelly stove that you’ll have to go procure wood for. The food and water you brought isn’t going to last a couple weeks. What do you do? Try to get back to the car, which may be compromised by an impassable road? Attempt to walk until you find help or cell service? Try and wait it out? What’s the best course of action for this situation? We asked cold-weather survival expert Jerry Saunders and forester Patrick Diedrich for their takes on the situation.

Forester Patrick Diedrich’s Approach Thinking about spending a multi-day trip in an environment as majestic and foreboding as Alaska can be an exhilarating — and perhaps intimidating — proposition. Living in the relative comfort of the lower 48 means that I have access to just about anything I could want, including close proximity to developed communities and their emergency services. As I plan for a hunting trip to one of the most remote locations in North America, knowing in advance that a severe blizzard is on the way, I use one word to guide my planning process: redundancy. Hunting in freezing temperatures can be tricky in the best of circumstances, and I want to be confident that my friends and I will have an enjoyable trip, regardless of a massive snowstorm on the way. When I come back home, I want to stock my freezer full of freshly harvested game, not to nurse frostbite. I start thinking about the most likely scenarios my friends and I will find ourselves in the middle of and work from there. Out of everything that could possibly happen, at a minimum we’ll need several strategies to stay warm, hydrated, and consume enough calories to maintain a healthy metabolism in cold conditions. Pre-trip planning also includes doing a little research on the behavior of the plants and animals in the region, doing some map reconnaissance and identifying nearby towns or useful natural resources. One of the most important things anyone can do before heading out into the wilderness — whether it’s for a few hours or a few days — is to let someone know where you’ll be and how long you plan to be there. Before I find myself in a place with no cell reception, I let friends and family know what’s going on. Since we’re going to an isolated lodge in central Alaska, it may also be a wise decision to reach out to local emergency services, and just let them know where we’ll be staying. If they don’t hear from us after an extended inclement weather event, they’ll know to at least check on us after things have calmed down. Backcountry Living After disembarking from the plane in Alaska, the first thing I do is ensure I leave the airport with a 4WD vehicle. The higher the ground clearance the better, in case the snow starts to accumulate on the road on our way there. My own vehicle would have a strong tow strap and some emergency gear, and I’d try to acquire this for the rental. If these items are unavailable, other than giving the vehicle a careful inspection and filling it with a full tank of gas, I’ll just have to drive more slowly and be extra cautious while heading to the lodge. Since it seems like hunting for dinner may not be an option, I’m going to need extra provisions. On the way to the lodge, we stop at the nearest store and load up. High winds and blowing snow almost always result in trees over power lines. No power can render any steps to keep water flowing or heat radiating completely useless. Sure, there’s plenty of wood to burn in the surrounding forests, but acquiring firewood is physically intensive. Pair that with working in the cold, and the average adult could potentially burn thousands more calories than they would under normal conditions. This means preparing extra calories, ideally foods high in fat, protein, and sugars. We buy as many extra nuts, canned meats, and snacks like granola or peanut butter as we can reasonably bring with us. Calories accounted for, we double-check to make sure we have packed everything we’d normally bring on a camping trip, plus a few specialty items for hunting in the snow — sleeping bags rated for freezing temperatures, tarps, and wool blankets to stay warm. Items made of modern wool are a great way to reduce the amount of gear I need to bring and avoid having items out of commission if they get soggy. Redundancy as my mantra, I make sure to pack enough so if anything important gets wet or broken, I have some kind of contingency. Tools for starting a fire, such as lighters and matches are a no-brainer, but having a few extra is better than running out when you need it most. For preparing firewood, we need an ax and a crosscut or bowsaw. Chainsaws are a nice luxury, but they also require fuel, sharpening, and firm footing on the ground — all of which may be unavailable, and too cumbersome to stock up on. Snowshoes and a sled for easily moving a carcass or firewood will also make life much easier.

After triple-checking our supplies and arriving at the parking location, we quickly begin moving our supplies from the vehicle to the lodge. Two of us will make any necessary trips to get all the gear and food up to the lodge, while the third begins looking for more firewood and kindling. Restocking a healthy supply of firewood before leaving a lodge or campsite is considered the pinnacle of proper backcountry etiquette. But, even if we find a good stash of dry wood when we get to the lodge, it’d be prudent to collect as much as we can before the snow starts to really starts to fly in earnest. In this region, it’ll most likely be paper birch or sitka spruce that burns with the highest amount of BTUs, and as an additional bonus, the resinous bark of paper birch will light on fire wet or dry. Upon completion of the move-in, we hunker down for the night with flashlights and the emergency radio on standby. Staying Toasty Knowing in advance that a winter storm is moving in, waking up to rapidly accumulating snowfall isn’t alarming. But losing power and heat changes this outing from a hunting event to a survival situation. Using the final moments of the propane heat to get organized and come up with a plan is critical. Getting everyone into the same room as the potbellied stove, we systematically seal all drafts with wadded paper, duct tape, or whatever we can find. We’d also need to ensure that the flue on the stove is open, and that the chimney is free of any obstructions or perforations to avoid succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning. Everyone stacks as much firewood as we can find close enough to the stove that the radiant heat will help dry out any moisture. We then summon our inner children to build a multilayered living room tent out of some of the tarps and blankets we brought. This is going to be an A-frame-style shelter with the back sealed to the floor and the opening facing the stove. Doing this creates an insulating effect between us and the interior walls, reducing the amount of fire we need to burn to stay reasonably warm. WHAT IF? One of us will always be on fire duty, watching the potbellied stove to ensure the fire is burning continuously. The designated fire attendant will also monitor our emergency radio for any important messages relayed by the National Weather Service. The remaining two people can either catch some shut eye or use any breaks in the weather to go in search of more firewood and food. If we leave to gather more supplies, we must be careful not to allow too much warm air to escape. Much like an airlock on a spaceship, instead of leaving directly from the stove room, we use an adjacent room to venture outdoors. This may mean having to use a window closer to the ceiling if the snow is too high, or tunneling our way up using the outside wall of the lodge as a guide. Some buildings this far north even have what are called “doors to nowhere” exclusively for this purpose. If the weather persists much longer than our supply of wood is lasting, we could use the axe and saw to start breaking down any wooden furniture or cabinets to keep the fire from dying. The worst-case scenario would be having to cannibalize the wooden structure of the lodge to a point that using any more material would expose the warm room to the outside. This could be avoided with thorough initial preps and a watchful eye on weather conditions. Hunting in the Snow Maybe the storm will not be as terrible as predicted, and we’ll get to do what we came for. Waiting comfortably in one place in the cold is an art that’s not as easy as it sounds. Wearing multiple layers that I can vent while moving from lodge to blind, and vice versa, will avoid excessive sweat accumulation. Bringing a day pack will allow room for additional gear or give me a place to store layers to prevent overheating. Additional items to avoid cold injuries and ensure a successful hunt would be a face mask and ski-goggles, hand and boot warmers, trail mix, a thermos, binos, and an emergency fire-starting kit. Hunting this deep into the backcountry means I will most likely not have to stray too far from the lodge to yield results, and I don’t feel like having a satellite phone or some other expensive GPS communication is absolutely necessary. But a reliable compass and a roll of neon flagging will help me get to and from the blind without getting disoriented. If visibility worsens and white-out conditions seem like a possibility, I’ll retrace my path and head back immediately. Nourishment Having three square meals a day isn’t as concerning as staying hydrated. Even if we’re unable to hunt, and we run out of our provisions, we’ll survive for several weeks if we stay warm and have access to sterile drinking water. A silver lining to this scenario is that we have frozen water in abundance all around us. By keeping that potbellied stove fired up, we can continuously melt snow and boil it to kill any harmful biological contaminants. If there’s access to certain evergreen trees, there may even be needles and scales to make tea rich in vitamin C. Our initial preps should help us avoid any serious hunger concerns, but to be safe, we’ll ration food by dividing it into as many days as the blizzard is forecasted to last. Eating before trying to go outside to hunt or gather wood may give us just enough energy to perform these tasks without becoming overly fatigued. Fighting Panic Keeping spirits high is just as important as warding off the cold and staying hydrated. Having a positive mental attitude has been scientifically proven to help people heal from injuries faster and avoid getting sick. Many of us are not used to the prolonged absence of sensory stimulation, so being isolated in silence can be unnerving. Staying focused on the duties that need to be done instead of dwelling on the dire circumstances is one way to avoid anxiety. Another way could be to come up with games or find something to keep our minds and hands busy, such as working on ways to improve our living situation.

Cold-Weather Survival Instructor Jerry Saunders’ Approach Rolling the dice on a possible two-week blizzard in Chandalar, Alaska, would be a very calculated decision. I wouldn’t even consider attempting a gamble like this unless the plus two that I am bringing are seasoned veterans of the cold as well. If I’m going on a sketchy backcountry adventure, I want several trusted people to know where I am and do as much as they can to get me out, but only if they can do so without compromising their own safety. In 1991, a Canadian C-130 Hercules crashed just 12 miles from the base it was tasked with resupplying. Due to a severe blizzard, it took the Canadian military over 30 hours to get to the crash site. Many people died due to exposure (-60 degrees F) and many more people willingly put their lives at risk to save them. Being stuck in a cabin for two weeks is an inconvenience — don’t turn it into a survival situation for everyone. Preparation Comms Plan: If I know a blizzard is coming and there’s a possibility of my 72-hour hunting trip turning into a future survival documentary, I’m going to call the lodge owner prior to departing the lower 48 and ask about contingencies and available resources in the area. I’m going to leave my detailed itinerary with my emergency contact and give them explicit instructions to “notify everyone” if I don’t call within 24 hours of my planned re-contact time. I may not be in immediate danger, but it’s nice to be a blip on more radars than less. Bring the Right Gear: One of the best pieces of gear you can take with you to an extreme cold-weather environment is a ticket for an extra checked bag. It doesn’t matter what I’m already carrying. I use an old G.I. sea bag because it’s long enough to hold my larger items and robust enough to keep gear from tearing through. Snowshoes, ax, Silky Big Boy saw, avalanche shovel, large cold-weather boots, and most of my heavy weight down items travel there to pad it. Spend the time beforehand acquiring the proper sizes and clothing for the environment. I’d avoid a travel plan solely you so choose, and a lightweight wool shirt/ pant combo. The mid-weight layer goes over the base layer and usually consists of a quarter-zip fleece and fleece pant combo. On top of that goes the heavy down layer. I have many pieces of down for different levels of warmth, but for blind hunting below zero, I want the heaviest stuff I have. Finally, the environmental layer consists of materials meant to be impervious to rain, wind, and snow, but it should still have zipper vents for when I’m on the move. Only bring wool socks. Don’t skimp here. Wear only one pair unless you buy the next size up. Two pairs in the same size will be too constricting. A la Carte: Two items I carry in my hunting pack for emergencies are a MSR Windburner personal camp stove and two freeze-dried meals. These are typically compressed as small as possible and wrapped in duct tape for the best storage. Going into an extreme cold-weather environment, I know that my calorie intake will need to increase from the recommended 2,000 calories a day to somewhere closer to 9,000 calories a day. While on a ski trip into the Arctic, I was eating a pound of butter and six chocolate bars a day, on top of the three meals I was eating already, and I was still losing weight. So, buy lots of butter, chocolate, and bacon. A practice I put in place a long time ago when travelling to remote northern villages is that when doing my planned stop at a grocery store for supplies, on top of everything else I buy, I always make sure to pick up one of those 12-pack boxes of ramen. If I can, I buy the spicy ones — they warm you up faster. For around $6, you can have 12 extra meals, supplement current meals, or just have something to leave behind for the next guy. Buddy Check: Verify that you have redundancies within your group. Make sure up to the departure date that you’re talking and asking each other the tough questions. Did you leave a solid contact plan? Do you have the meds you need? And make sure to know who has allergies to what. based on attempting to rent or purchase these items upon arrival. Remote locations are notorious for having unreliable supply chains and making wrong sizes “work.” Map Study: Print hard copies. Then laminate these hard copies. Everyone gets one, and everyone is clear on basic routes to key items, such as the nearest airport or best medevac route. Even on a sunny day, this is an important lifesaving precaution. Technology is great, but the cold has a nasty habit of draining batteries and with the forecasted blizzard, having low to no reception should come as no surprise. I like to use www.caltopo.com to print my maps. I can add and remove layers as I see fit, and it has tools to measure distance and mark my route. For a trip with this much risk involved, I definitely want to have magnetic azimuths and distances from the lodge to the hunting blinds and any location that may aid my exit strategy, such as the parking area and the airstrip. Along with map and compass, I carry a Garmin InReach. This acts as nav and part of my comm plan also, but I don’t heavily rely on it. Dress for Failure: “Tighty whities” have no place in the tundra. I say that because it’s funny and it catches your attention, but the infamous tight, white, cotton undergarment is a perfect example of what not to wear. The old adage “cotton kills” is meant to be a stern warning, but not always true. Cotton isn’t recommended as an undergarment because it’s absorbent and holds the sweat next to your body. Having that moisture in contact with your skin is what robs your body of heat. However, wool and many other synthetics do not absorb the moisture like cotton, but transport it from inside of the clothing to the outside and allow it to evaporate away using your body’s natural radiation. That’s called “wicking.” Avoid tight-fitting clothing as it can constrict your blood flow. If you’re not walking, loosen your boots and when you’re on the move, don’t over-tighten them. Dress in layers. The base layer is next to your skin and consists of undergarments if

WHAT IF? Crisis Horse and Rider Concept: Imagine for a minute that your brain is a horse. Horses are more quick and powerful than you and I will ever be, but also highly emotional. If you’ve ever seen an out-of-control horse, you know that’s a problem. Now also imagine a small but very rational rider, controlling the horse and not allowing it to run wild. You need to be that rider at this moment. Priorities of work become very defined at this point. You need to dig out, ensure proper ventilation, stay dry, warm, and fed. You have all that you need at the cabin. At this point, attempting an exit strategy could serve to only further compound the problem. W.I.N. (What’s Important Now?): With utilities out, I’d immediately transition to the woodstove. Dig yourself out of the front door, or if you have to, go out a second story or loft window if available. With bad visibility, I’m going to tether myself to a secure part of the house using paracord or some other secure makeshift leash. If there’s a woodstove, there may be a woodpile lying around. This is one of the key things I look for when taking initial inventory at a rental cabin. IBT (Individual Based Tactics): While I’m working outside, the other two of my group can be inside improving and insulating a new place to sleep. Close what doors you can and hang a covering over open doorways to act as an airlock. I’ve even used my SOL two-person survival blanket and sewing needles from my survival kit to accomplish this task. The Last Frontier If you’ve never worked with a wood stove, here’s a crash course of everything I’ve learned in the last six years of heating my cabin with only wood. Cold air is heavy. Start with a relatively clean stove. Make sure all the ports are open — you want it to draw as much oxygen as possible. The initial moments of your fire need to be really intense in order to push the cold air up and out. If it’s only snow blocking the stove pipe, it will burn up and through it, but if it’s ice, you’re going to have to clear it. Burn it wide open. It might be tempting to try and dampen the fire to make it last longer, but this makes it more prone to smoke and increases the risk of a chimney fire. Who knows when it was cleaned last? Play it safe and burn it to completion. If your room is small, you won’t need to keep it going non-stop. Clean but not too clean. Ash is insulative. You’ll need to clean out the stove at some point. Clean out enough to allow sufficient space for the burn, but leave about an inch of ash on the bottom of the stove. Toss the ash outside to help give you traction on the ice and snow. Gather wood. You need a sled. It’s a staple of any northern hunting lodge. You don’t really use backpacks in over-the-snow travel, you use a sled to disperse the weight onto the snow behind you. If you can’t find one, make it. It’ll take about a full-size tree a day. Birch will be your most easily identified tree here. You’ll know it by its white bark that peels off like paper. Save the bark because this is some bulletproof tinder. This is why I never travel without my ax and a good saw like the Silky Big Boy. With this saw/ax combo, it takes me roughly two hours to process a tree to ready to burn firewood.

Patrick Diedrich owns and operates a one-man forestry business located in the remote north woods of Upper Michigan. Diedrich is the training officer for Superior Search and Rescue, an organization that responds to incidents within an area covering over 12,000 square miles of challenging terrain, hundreds of islands, and extreme cold weather. He has instructed domestic and foreign soldiers in close-quarters combat, small unit tactics, and vehicular operations. In a former life, Diedrich adventured across the globe conducting combat reconnaissance and providing humanitarian aid with the U.S. Army. You can learn more about his organizations and undertakings by visiting hemlockandbirchllc.com and superiorsar.org. Jerry Saunders is a Marine Corps veteran, Scout Sniper, and former Staff NCO in charge of Survival for the United States Marine Corps, Mountain Warfare Training Center. He has trained U.S. and foreign military units across the globe and is internationally recognized for his work in cold weather survival. Saunders recently moved his company Corvus Survival up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where he holds private survival classes and operates a small custom knife shop all while rebuilding an old homestead. Learn more about him at corvussurvival.com. About theAuthors WHAT IF? Create a routine. Take turns getting wood, splitting wood, and cleaning the stove. Chores such as this can become a choke point and create discord in the group. Utilities With the power out, there’s no electricity for the well to draw water. Grab a pot from the kitchen, and pour what water you have in it. “It takes water to make water.” By just throwing snow in a pot, you can impart a seriously burnt taste on your water. If it’s a large enough pot, it’ll just lightly steam all day and put back the moisture in the air that the woodstove will take out. Be aware that propane is an odorless gas, but has an added chemical called mercaptan. Mercaptan gives it the offensive “rotten egg” smell. If you smell this at any time, you must get out and ventilate immediately. As far as troubleshooting the gas system, here’s what I know: Start at the tank, lift the protective cap on the tank, and check the gauge first, so you know if you even have gas. Then, follow the copper line to a regulator — it looks roughly the size of a hamburger and will usually be brown or white. While propane doesn’t freeze until it reaches around -44 degrees F, sometimes the regulators can stick or become frozen. If it appears frosted, you may be able to wrap a few of the disposable handwarmers around it and wrap it with a towel to gently rewarm and insulate it. Don’t forget to explore the property. You might find other heating options, such as a propane grill outside, or a Mr. Buddy Heater stored with ice fishing stuff. Don’t Forget the Owner’s Closet Most of the rental properties that I’ve frequented up north, and I know the ones I take care of for people, all have an “owner’s closet.” This is a survival situation treasure trove. It’s usually stocked with family photos, the water heater, the owner’s personal tools, booze, and an emergency cache. Accessing it only requires the SERE Pick Bogota picks that I keep in my Wazoo Cache belt. In the worst case, a mechanical breach and an apology check would probably suffice. This is a serious inconvenience, a true survival situation, and a sh*tty day all rolled into one. Given recent events in Texas, an extreme cold-weather event isn’t just isolated to the far north anymore. Have a plan for your home, make an emergency cache and maintain it. Be prepared and be responsible for your own life. No plan survives first contact, but with enough preparation and training, you’ll see the sun on the other side. While some may entertain the idea of having to trap mice or rodents inside the lodge for food, please consider that many owners utilize rat poison in their rodent control plan. Many of these poisons such as Bromadiolone are very potent and have the ability to cause “secondary poisoning.” Such poison is an anticoagulant and can cause you to bleed out internally. Conclusion Climate control, GPS, and modern plumbing are things most of us will always take for granted until they’re taken away. But these are relatively new technologies when compared to the entire span of humanity’s existence. Something to always think about when considering a survival situation is that, if humans couldn’t live without these amenities, our species would’ve perished long ago. No matter how deep the snow, how frigid the temperature, or how seemingly insurmountable the odds, we can persist if we attack the situation with unrelenting determination. These tips and techniques are, of course, applicable to any urban environment that may also be suffering a cold spell. When people are freezing to death in a major metropolis, it should be glaringly obvious that everyone needs to understand how to protect themselves from being deprived of daily conveniences and utilities. Taking winter survival courses from accredited instructors and stocking up on the aforementioned clothing and supplies can go a long way in an emergency.

We Interviewed Globe-Trotting Survival Instructor and Cold-Weather Expert Jerry Saunders of Corvus Survival By PatrickDiedrich

Jerry on a flight to the South East side of Denali to teach Japanese film crews about avalanche safety. End of course photo Yellowstone National Park SRT, Helena, Montana. Jerry catches his M110 SASS after scrambling up the backside of a building in orderto stop a Taliban mortar team from engaging their patrol. I n the turbulent world we all experience these days, too many people are finding themselves in survival situations that require knowledge or a skill that they haven’t yet acquired. Disrupted supply chains, extreme weather events occurring with increased frequency, and violent civil unrest have pushed millions of humans into scenarios where they discover a startling gap in their knowledge. Unfortunately, that realization may come too late, and the knowledge gap may lead to injury or even death. However, if you know where to look, there are instructors who have extensive training and experience in survival situations who are happy to pass along that lifesaving wisdom. Jerry Saunders — Marine veteran, bladesmith, and founder of Corvus Survival — is one such individual. Jerry has an extensive background in a myriad of survival situations and is responsible for implementing the most comprehensive survival training course in the U.S. Marine Corps. When RECOIL OFFGRID connected with him, the opportunity to pick the brain of someone with such a distinguished background on the topic of staying alive was too fortuitous to pass up. Upon arrival to an undisclosed location in a nondescript building, we captured a glimpse of Jerry’s extraordinary accomplishments. RECOIL OFFGRID: Tell us about your time in the service and what you did. Jerry Saunders: My time in the military as a Marine was very eventful. I foolishly wanted to get right to the war part, but I didn’t know any better, so I got sold into Security Forces — fortunately as part of the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team. Its acronym was F.A.S.T, so naturally we referred to it as the Fake Ass Seal Teams. You get a lot of good gear and damn good training, but at the end of the day, you’re doing expeditionary security anywhere in the world in 48 hours. I got shipped down to Cuba and did the famous fence line mission from A Few Good Men. Our team was sent to Bahrain then into Turkey, where we were keeping an eye on Hezbollah. We ultimately ended up performing non-combatant evacuation operations with cruise ships and decommissioned ferries to help evacuate Americans from Lebanon in the early 2000s when they were getting into it with Israel. We sailed and cross-trained in Ireland, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, and provided security for ships in the Suez several times. In 2010, when the earthquakes decimated Haiti, our sniper team spent three months living on the beach and backpacking daily MREs drops to the affected mountain villages. I spent time in Iraq as a machine gunner working closely — sometimes too closely — with EOD. The last deployment I did was to Helmand province of Afghanistan as a Scout Sniper with the infamous 3/2 Scout Snipers. After deployment, they were looking for guys with fresh battlefield experience to fill instructor roles, and I got sent out to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California. I was there to instruct the Mountain Scout Sniper Course, but also realized that the USMC Survival program was no more. After months of pestering and a phone call from the other side of the world, they agreed to let me use the Sniper cadre to revamp and reinstate the survival program. Through this, many of us were able to go to courses all over the world, become internationally certified, and bring back that knowledge to produce the best product we could for the United States Marine Corps.

What were some of the most valuable lessons you took from your military experiences? JS: Boiling it down to just a few is a tough one. The mind controls the body, and the body is a hell of a lot tougher than you think. Some people think you have to be old to have a ton of experience. A firefight can feel like its lasting a lifetime, but you just learned a thousand lessons in 4 seconds. Put effort into the people beside you so that you can trust them when your life is at stake. The military offers you something that civilian life doesn’t typically, which is the opportunity for friends to prove themselves in some really sh*tty situations. You don’t normally see people’s loyalty displayed like that anywhere else. I think finding those people in your close community that are loyal and that you can network with is one of the most important things you can do. Invest in the people around you. What led you to transition to teaching the general public? JS: Nobody was teaching it quite like I was, and once I tried it, I was kind of blown away at the lack of knowledge the general public had. I had to dial things way back. In one class, a student actually asked me what part of the tree was the bark. So, I’ve developed my own blend of primitive/ modern/military survival, and I’ve made it so that everything is quantifiable. If you can quantify something, you can then Jerry discusses with the author natural tinders available in the Great Lakes Region. Jerry guides the author through the fundamentals and proper technique of bow and drill friction fire. Sometimes when learning a new task, someone has to step in and say, “Start over and try again.” replicate it, and replicating survival skills when you need them is the whole point. A huge thing for me was that it was a way to give back to a nation that supported me while I was in the military. Now I get to empower somebody to be self-reliant, and you always get the good feels when you do something like that. That alone is its own reward. How did your military experience influence your approach to survival instruction? JS: I have to say I’m incredibly fortunate. I’ve had a lot of training and many opportunities to get it right. I’ve also had a lot of opportunities to mess it up. Having such a large number of students means you get to learn a sh*tload of mistakes at once without even having to make them yourself. The military also gave me a good sense of organization. I’ve yet to experience any survival event, school, or bushcraft event where I thought the instructors had their skills down and could control the students. Managing people and holding their interest is an art. The military training I went through gave me a strong platform to base my instruction on. You’re being taught how to professionally stand in front of and transmit information to a large crowd of people, and the military trainers don’t take it easy because they want to produce a new generation of instructors that transmit the instruction well. I was able to travel all over the world, and one of the most important lessons I learned was to pay attention to the locals in whichever region I was in. Food is the key. I used to dive for lobster in Cuba, and I would take them to the Jamaicans that worked there. Food works miracles (and a bottle of rum). But they showed me how they were cooked, and we ate, drank, and danced. After spending time in over 48 different countries and learning the various methods of how people went about living their lives, it has given me a wealth of knowledge and skills to draw from. A lot of people think that making a fire with a bow drill or killing rabbit for food by hitting it on the back of the head is the pinnacle of survival, but there is so much more to it than that.

033 ISSUE 47 OFFGRIDWEB.COM How do you convince the average urbanite of the value of survival skills? JS: They have to have an interest in the first place. There are a lot of movies and YouTube videos that often spark somebody’s interest. But for someone who doesn’t look into that sort of thing, all you can really do is bring up news stories for references, things that happen, just to get them thinking about potential scenarios where they would benefit from having basic survival skills. Many times, people show up to a class who have had an accident or a close call and realized their lives could depend on knowing a little bit more. When I was teaching in California, I was actually seeing a lot of successful people attending my courses — doctors, lawyers, and personal trainers from the bigger cities. A common misconception in urban centers is that if something happens, you always need to get out of the city. People would attend training because they realized they needed a new skill set to hopefully be successful in those situations. I would do my best to manage their expectations and teach them valuable skills that work in the urban/rural interface. Define the Corvus approach to survival instruction. What’s your specialty? JS: I take a skill and break it down, quantify its parts, and by doing this, make it easier for almost anyone to replicate it. I also tailor my training to my audience. What works for a Special Forces team in the mountains, will be much different from a family just looking for skills to make their Yosemite camping experience a little comfier. Many people come with the attitude that to survive, you have to suffer. But I always reassure my classes that I’m not just going to send them out to be miserable — who pays for that? As long as my students can understand a few key concepts and don’t mess up too bad, that’s the biggest thing. I always get asked on the second day of training, “What are we going to do today?” My reply is always, “First, we are going to fix whatever you hated about your shelter or skills you messed up on day one.” As for my specialty, being a winter survival expert, I have gone through the most extreme winter survival courses on the planet. So, I would have to say surviving in freezing conditions is something I have a lot of experience with. What do you think are the most typical survival situations that people will face in their lifetime? JS: First off, don’t do shrooms in parking lots, I’ve seen that more than once. But really, I see people relying on a cell phone too much. And it is understandable because it is such a useful piece of technology. It’s communication, navigation, your light, your personal synthetic intelligence. It’s just about everything you could need. So, what hapAT HOME IN THE INHOSPITABLE Jerry demonstrating a friction fire to a group of students in Southern California. pens when you’re in a situation and you only have 2-percent battery left? Pretty soon you are going to realize how inadequately prepared you are. It never fails — when those people get rescued, they always hold up their phone to you and say, “I don’t know, it just died.” Exposure to cold is another big one most people will encounter. Winter weather kills more people than all other natural disasters combined. If you look at the stats on driving in icy conditions, cold-weather injuries, it’s a huge risk. You have to understand elevation and temperature change in elevation in the mountains out west. When it snows, people from the city go to visit the snowline, and they have very little experience with cold weather. It could be 72 degrees at the bottom of the mountain and 14 at the top. So, they go up there with shorts and a T-shirt and end up getting hypothermia. Exposure is probably the number-one situation people will be affected by. Lack of understanding of your environment and how to adequately dress and prepare for it is huge. Trail cutting is a mistake many people make, and it’s one of the worst things you can ever do. People think they are heading in a certain direction, and the next thing they know, they are slipping or falling. And depending on the fall or the proximity to help or other people, many times people don’t survive that. If someone only had time to learn two or three survival skills, what should they focus on? JS: If we ignore soft skills (situational awareness, adaptability, etc.), I feel medical skills are important. You really want to learn those initially in a situation where you can establish a base of knowledge when you are not under duress. Then,

034 OFFGRIDWEB.COM 1A/2A: OF SPEECH, stress test the hell out of it — educate, adapt, and then endure. Fire-starting would be next. Building a fire really lends itself to medical, survival, security, and communication. We talked about how serious exposure is, so knowing how to get a fire going is really important. But managing that fire, cooking on it, making water safe to drink, and signaling for rescue makes it almost as useful as your iPhone. Which wilderness survival skills do you feel could be easily adapted to urban environments? JS: Shelter and security are important, and not just finding a building to get out of the rain but staying insulated and safe. Fairly recently, Texas comes to mind. I was watching that, and I was blown away. Many people don’t understand how insulation works, or even how to dress properly in cold weather. How many rabbits do you see chilling next to a campfire in winter? It can be done with less than you think. That homeless guy sitting on the corner knows how to stay Above: Jerry teaching proper fitment of snowshoes at the start of a weekend survival class. Talkeetna, Alaska. Jerry discussing a proper prone shooting position and recoil management. Matanuska Valley, Alaska. Right: Jerry strips down, piling his belongings in a tarp, before using it in a quinzhee snow shelter demonstration. warm. Many people could benefit from a cup of coffee and a sit down with that fellow. And I think an awareness of how fire can be beneficial, but also harmful in an urban setting would be good to develop. It helps you understand the dangers. There were a lot of carbon-monoxide-related injuries occurring down there, so clearly understanding proper ventilation is important. It happens up north all the time too. What are some common mistakes you see people make during survival training? JS: I always ask my students the question, “Who’s comfortable using a knife?” And everybody kind of laughs it off. And every time, I get somebody who cuts themselves pretty seriously. Nobody uses knives as much as they think they do, especially in survival applications. When it comes to building shelters, most people start out making something my dog could barely sleep in. Before they start out on their own, I’ve given them proper instruction and built an example for them. The common adage comes to mind: “There is never enough time to do it right, but always time to do it again.” I always let them start out in their shelter, but they do have the option of popping up a tent when their shelter isn’t working out. The next day, they actually listen and learn what went wrong and have a renewed vigor to improve their shelters for the better. Lots of students forget my instructions. Add a little fatigue with something as simple as a 1½-mile walk, and you might just forget your name. For example, when we try to start a friction fire with a bow drill, and I tell them they need a stick that is perfectly straight and 10 inches long, some will bring back something with a near perfect zigzag. What are the biggest misconceptions beginner survivalists have before training? JS: Having talked to my students before the course begins, many think that they’re going to starve, go hungry, or that it’s going to hurt or be painfully fatiguing. If you’re not used to the feeling of hunger, it can cause some people to panic. Even if they eat the day prior, and know they will eat the day after, it’s the number-one thing they fear. You need to learn and acquire skills before you can use them. How often would you recommend the average person to practice survival training? JS: I think at least once a season in an environment you are familiar with. And if you’re unfamiliar, train with a reputable instructor the first year. Not just some guy who just dresses like a character, has a huge following on social media, and will leave you with zero retainable assets. If you live an outdoor life and even if you don’t, incorporate those skills into

Above left: Jerry holds a piece of chert, char cloth, and a Corvus Carrion while showing one method for using a carbon steel knife to start a fire. Above: After placing an ember into a bird’s nest of dead fern leaves, Jerry blows on it to coax it to flame. your daily routine. Light your grill with a ferro rod, use your gear, check your kits, and don’t let your adaptable mindset get lazy. Skill fade is a real thing, and if you are noticing that your memory of your survival skill is growing hazy, that’s probably a good time to go and practice it again. What survival tools do you think people should carry on them at all times? JS: Something as simple as a lighter, a good pocketknife, and knowledge of how to use them could help most people endure many short-term survival situations, or avoid them altogether. Have you noticed any trends in people’s attitudes about survival? JS: Yes. 2020 pushed a lot of people outdoors. People want adventure, travel, excitement, and the perfect Instagram pic. As a result, search-and-rescue teams have been busy. When the influx of people not used to how to conduct a multiday hike or even a strenuous day hike has risen, so do the number of injuries or worse, perceived injuries. The off-road/ overland industry is also booming right now. Not everyone gets it right the first time. We heard you recently moved cross-country and started restoring an old homestead. What lessons have you learned from that transition? JS: I loved living in Yosemite National Park, but the wildfires, earthquakes, rolling blackouts, landslides, and houses crushed by massive tree failure due to 15 years of drought can get old. Moving up to the Great Lakes Area was a strategic decision and largely based around the availability of fresh water, healthy forests, and lack of wildfires. I drove a sand-point well by hand last week. I hit water at 8 feet, and when it started flowing, I couldn’t help but smile because it means so much more after the drought. Having worked and lived in extreme cold weather, I didn’t think twice about moving in the dead of winter. But it was -41 degrees F the day I moved in. No packing tape or Rubbermaid on the planet stands up to that temp when you’re trying to move. It was just me moving things back and forth, and I ended up getting frostbite on one of my fingers again, constantly shoveling snow to get things where they needed to be. We did move in the dead of winter, but something I repeat to myself often is just because you’re a badass somewhere, doesn’t mean you’re a badass everywhere. Moving in the blind to a new town really forces you to build reliable connections with the people around you. Social media isn’t a thing here. It’s just real people. When the snow gets deep, it’s you and the people living next to you who are going to count the most. What are the most valuable lessons you learned from living in those types of situations out west? JS: The truth behind the old folk tale about stone soup. Don’t wait till the bad times to be good to your neighbors. Helping your neighbors when they need it in the good times and being an active part of the community does nothing but make everyone more resilient when the lights go out. Blackouts were pretty common; an example of how we pulled together as a community is stone soup. I forget if the highway was out, or if it was another blackout, but everyone’s food was going bad, and no one could get groceries without an eight-hour round-trip drive. One of the Park Rangers organized a food-sharing program, and it was huge for the community. That might seem dorky or not grayman cool, but it’s real life. I forget the exact verbiage of the African quote, but I think it applies to a small town as well, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” In that region, it was a huge blow to the community if someone moved because we all relied on each other so much. Everybody has a “survival” skill that can be useful, even if they don’t know it. Being an AC repair mechanic in the middle of BFE desert during the middle of AT HOME IN THE INHOSPITABLE

036 OFFGRIDWEB.COM EDC Wazoo Survival Cache Belt, includes: - Signaling mirror - Fishing kit (line, hooks, weights) - Snare wire - Backup mini ferro rod and ceramic knife - Procamptek Fire Plug - 4 mini chem lights - Serepick Bogota picks - Waterpro tabs and waterbag - Dime light (white) - Mini waterproof compass - Wazoo Fresnel Lens Corvus Carrion (Burnt Hemp wrap handle with a divot for bow and drill; Rhodesian IWB Kydex sheath with Ulti-Clip Slim 2.2). Made by me. Victorinox Farmer with Alox scales (modified with a divot for bow and drill). - Gray BIC lighter with child safety removed. - Plain Sharpie. Not an NPE tool. (Became a habit from being an EMT and writing on medical tape all the time. Transferred to marking on knives all the time). 1A/2A: OR OF THE PRESS; JERRY SAUNDERS HOMETOWN: Winston-Salem, NC (currently living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) EDUCATION USMC Scout Sniper Federal Law Enforcement Officer EMT Firefighter SAR Technician CHILDHOOD IDOLS: “Flint” from Louis L’Amour novels; Albert Johnson aka “Mad Trapper of Rat River” RECOMMENDED READING LIST Deep Survival by Lawrence Gonzales Anything by Jack Carr Hard copies of DIY books on just about anything FAVORITE MOVIE: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Somehow it perfectly captures the feeling of traveling and experiencing things for the first time. FAVORITE DRINK: Nonalcoholic: “Bullfrog” Red Bull mixed with Blue Cherry Gatorade Alcoholic: Old Fashioned, whiskey, sweet a heatwave might be just as useful as knowing how to start a fire when it’s cold. How did you get into knifemaking, and how have your designs evolved over the years? JS: There are several reasons that I decided to start making knives. Sometimes I would find myself in situations thinking that a different knife design would be much more efficient than the style I had. I also think there is something cathartic about forging and bladesmithing that calls to many veterans. Initially, I started small — the minimal amount of tools in what was just a closet on the back of the house. As my skills improved, I upgraded to one of those portable tent-shed things, and when we moved, I had the entire basement to myself. Now I have a dedicated out-building with many tools and machines. So, it has just grown incrementally over time. When I make a design I think I will like, more often it turns out that others feel the same way. The designs themselves come from a culmination of experience. I’ve put so much time into researching and building them to be the best I know how to make them. Do you have any memorable stories from your work as a survival consultant for film and TV projects? JS: Japan has this survival show where they take a pop-star celebrity, give them 24 hours to train, put them in a survival situation, and see how well they do. The show hired me to do the training, off-camera consulting, and act as the medic for the crew. One night in Canada, the temperature dropped past 80 below zero and it turned into me keeping the entire production crew (10 people) alive. At one point I had one cameraman’s feet in my armpits and the other’s feet around my waist trying to rewarm their toes in the tent. One day, the celebrity I was helping tried to harpoon a seal by attaching his knife to a snow shovel handle to act as the harpoon. Basically, he had to wait by this hole where the seal would come up for air, and when it did, spear it and drag it on top of the ice. But the guy couldn’t stand still longer than a few minutes and gave up. I think the show paid $2,000 for the license to harvest the seal, so I asked if I could try. One of the local Inuit elders we were working with gave me permission, and I spent the next two hours waiting for that seal to come up. It finally surfaced and I sent the harpoon into it. Once it was in, I now had this big rope in one hand that I needed to use to pull it up onto the ice and a big ice pick in the other to chisel it out of the ice. The thing weighed over 100 pounds. It was icy, bloody, and just a mess, but I finally got it up onto the ice. When it was over, the Inuit elder walked up with a huge grin, told me he has never done that with a harpoon, and held up his 303 Enfield AT HOME IN THE INHOSPITABLE rifle. But the meat was very rich, and everyone enjoyed the meal. Final Thoughts A wise man once told me, “You never know where the road of life is going to take you.” Whatever your age, geographical location or system of belief, there will come a time when you must rely on what you know to adapt to a situation. Jerry’s insight into the human condition and his experience in a multitude of life-or-death scenarios give him an advantage that most of us don’t have. But if we follow his advice, learn a few critical skills, and develop friendships with the individuals living around us, we might just have enough collective wisdom to comfortably weather the next hardship that comes our way. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Sometimes you just got to pee in the sink” — hugely debated but usually attributed to Charles Bukowski MILITARY EXPERIENCE Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Leader (operations in Cuba, Bahrain, Lebanon) QRF Team Leader for 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines (Iraq) Scout Sniper Team Leader & Platoon Sgt. USMC Chief Instructor of Survival at Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport Honorary Estonian SERE Instructor Lead Survival Instructor for the Warsaw Initiative Fund information exchange URL / SOCIAL MEDIA: www.corvussurvival.com, Instagram: @corvus_survival

Relocation Strategies Safer Places in a Dangerous World By RichardDuarte A rural parcel of land with a spring, lake, or pond ensures a stable and reliable water source, and tremendously increases the land’s value. We’ve all heard the saying, “location, location, location.” Real estate professionals commonly employ this phrase to emphasize how the value of similar properties can differ substantially, depending on where those properties are located. In other words, with all else being equal, location can (and usually will) dictate the appeal and value of a structure or a parcel of land. To many people, desirable locations often have certain traditional characteristics, including scenic views, stable neighborhoods, top-rated schools, proximity to quality healthcare, public transportation, entertainment, and shopping. Others might consider more practical things, such as safety, economic development, jobs, population density, taxes, personal freedoms, elevation, and maybe even the ability to live a sustainable, self-sufficient life. When it comes to surviving a natural or man-made crisis, however, location becomes even more significant, and there are many more factors to consider. Some of these elements can help you gauge if a particular location is desirable, and whether moving there can actually help you tip the scales of survivability in your favor. In this article, we review some of the factors to consider when assessing locations for livability and survivability. We also review some of the ways to you manage

040 OFFGRIDWEB.COM 1A/2A: OF THE PEOPLE a process that can at times seem completely unmanageable and overwhelming: evaluating all the variables for relocating to a safer and more “survivable” location. Playing the Odds When it comes to survival, where you choose to live, work, and play can make a huge difference. A preferred location can tip the odds heavily in your favor. A poor location, on the other hand, will most certainly have the opposite effect. The truth is, all locations come with some level of risk, and all will require some degree of adjustment and compromise. Life holds absolutely no guarantees for any of us. The very best any of us can hope for is to take steps that afford us every possible advantage. We are, in effect, playing the odds and hoping that those odds come out in our favor as much as possible. This isn’t rolling the dice; it’s more like “loading the dice.” While there are many things that you’ll never be able to control, there are also many other areas where you actually have options; and here’s where you should focus the majority of your attention. Due Diligence All important decisions should begin with thorough research, and an accurate assessment of the facts. In order to make solid, well-reasoned decisions, you’ll need not only information, but accurate, well-researched information. This process will help you gather, study, weigh, and consider as many of the variables as possible. For purposes of this article, here are some factors to consider: Patience: Give yourself sufficient time to do solid research on a location, and to digest and analyze your findings. There will be lots of unknowns that gradually reveal themselves as you conduct your research. This is probably the most significant part of the process. If you rush it, you’ll short-change yourself. Objectives and priorities: If you don’t clearly define what you’re looking for, you’re not likely to get it. Outline your objectives/priorities and keep that list front and center. Keep an open mind: Never begin your research with bias, or preconceived notions of what you think, or hearsay. Look at everything with a “fresh set of eyes” and with absolutely no prejudgment. Test your information: Throughout the course of your research, you may run across conflicting and contradictory information. Treat all this data, regardless of its source, with a healthy dose of skepticism. Document your findings and keep good records: Start a file for each state or area that you’re considering, and organize your findings in an easy-to-access spreadsheet/folder. You’ll likely go back to the same information many times. It’ll be far more effective and efficient if you organized your findings from the very start. The Basics What’s the best location for increasing your chances of surviving a natural or man-made crisis? The simple truth is that there’s no “best” location. Every place, no matter how attractive it may seem at first, will have its pros and cons. What you choose will depend largely on your particular needs and circumstances. A location that might be ideal for one person, could end up being the worst possible choice for someone else. Below are some of the more important categories that you should consider in your overall search parameters: Population density: This is very significant. No matter the crisis, being close to a largely populated city center has the potential to make things much worse. The larger the population, the larger the chance of man-made problems arriving at your doorstep. (See “The Big Three” sidebar.) Weather/climate: Cold or hot, humid or dry, windy or calm, quality air or pollution. All of these things matter, and oftentimes may even affect your overall health. Look for areas with mild to moderate climate, and try to avoid extremes. Also consider the length of the growing season, rainfall, flooding, and overall weather patterns, especially if you plan on growing your own food. Jobs: No matter how self-sufficient you may be, you’ll most likely still need some income. Traditional jobs are the most common source of income, but also consider Coastalregions offer beaches, boating, and fishing. Access to a boat may also provide options forleaving an area quickly and without having to deal with the usual traffic. However, these regions may also be prone to storms and flooding.

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PENNIES 1A/2A: THE GOVERNMENT AND MILS Building a Precision BoltAction Rifle on a Budget By Tom Marshall Photos by Niccole Elizabeth and Patrick McCarthy Having a dedicated precision rifle in the safe can be an invaluable addition to a well-rounded preparedness plan. The ability to project firepower to 500 yards and beyond is a capability that can be directed to both game-getting and property protection. For those who are interested in building a skillset, the proliferation of the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) has made competing at these ranges more accessible than ever. The flipside of that coin is that the popularity of precision shooting and the purpose-built rifles that go with it has driven a market expansion that, on the surface, seems to have significantly raised the cost of entry. It’s frighteningly easy to spend five figures on a long-range rifle, quality scope, and ancillary equipment. While this may be a worthwhile investment for dedicated competition shoot-