I had the opportunity of recently receiving SafeGuard Body Armor’s Stealth Vest for review. Based on the fact that the vest I would be reviewing was both ballistic and edged blade protection, I expected something that was a little on the bulky side. This was not the case. My initial impression of the Stealth Body Armor could be summarized as,
An awesome piece of equipment that combines the technologies of ballistic armor with stab protection into one lightweight and comfortable to wear set of body armor.
My experience with body armor is extensive and I have had the opportunity to wear several different models from multiple manufacturers. The Stealth armor exceeded my expectations in every aspect. Some of the notable features of SafeGuard’s Stealth body armor include:
- 100% DuPont Kevlar armor panels.
- CoolMAX outer vest carrier.
- Light weight, just over 5 lbs. (depending on size).
- All SafeGuard Armor comes with a 5 year warranty.
The vest I was sent offers NIJ ballistic level II and HOSDB edged blade protection level 1 with a retail price of $476. So what kind of protection do you get for your money?
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) defines level II protection as:
Type II (9 mm; .357 Magnum)Type II armor that is new and unworn shall be tested with 9 mm FMJ RN bullets with a specified mass of 8.0 g (124 gr) and a velocity of 398 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and with .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullets with a specified mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/ s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).Type II armor that has been conditioned shall be tested with 9 mm FMJ RN bullets with aspecified mass of 8.0 g (124 gr) and a velocity of 379 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1245 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and with .357 Magnum JSP bullets with a specified mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and a velocity of 408 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1340 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).
The edged blade protection standard used by SafeGuard is the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) of the United Kingdom also known as the Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST). They are considered the leading global authority on testing methods of stab and spike protection for body armor.
Level 1 edged blade protection is defined as:
An E1 Strike Energy of 24 Joules +/- 0.50 or 17.7 FT/LBF +/- 0.36 and an E2 Strike Energy of 36 Joules +/- 0.60 or 26.6 FT/LBF +/- 0.44
So what does this mean?
There are two required levels of testing for stab protection. The first level (E1) is equal to a maximum allowable edged blade penetration of 7mm or 0.28 inches. The E1 level is limited to 7mm or 0.28 inches as a result of research that indicates penetration to the body by edged blades at this depth is unlikely to result in internal injuries to the body’s organs. The second level (E2) is equal to a 50% increase over the energy exerted for the first level. The E2 level is limited to a maximum allowable edged blade penetration of 20mm or 0.79 inches.
SafeGuard Stealth concealable body armor is incredibly comfortable. I followed the easy to use sizing guidelines outlined on SafeGuard’s website and the result was a great fitting vest with little fuss. Following the sizing guide also resulted in a vest that fit well while sitting, standing, driving, and did not interfere with carrying a pistol both concealed and while being openly carried. A major benefit that the SafeGuard armor offers over many other designs is the one piece, t-shirt style collar versus the typical velcro attachment shoulder pieces that tend to either fold up on themselves, dig into the shoulders, or sometimes both.
A note on concealable body armor…it is only as concealable as the accompanying articles of clothing allow it to be. The wearer might need a larger size shirt or overgarment in order to maintain the concealability of body armor. This helps maintain the single greatest advantage of having concealable armor, no one knows you are wearing it!
I will say that the Stealth armor is very effective in terms of protection and comfort regarding concealable armor. However, I was disappointed to see that the Stealth does not have the option of inserting a trauma plate. If this set of armor were to be used for undercover work or the user was in a position where they would be relying on the Stealth to protect them against multiple rounds or maybe rifle rounds, you could end up on the short end of the stick. That point aside, if I were looking for a set of concealable body armor, the Stealth by SafeGuard Armor would be on the top of my list.
*Ensure that you take all local, state, and federal laws into account if you are considering the purchase of body armor for personal or professional use.
**For more information about NIJ ballistic protection standards see the Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor (NIJ Standard-0101.06)
Have you ever wanted to ford a river in your RV? Or perhaps something less exciting like driving up the side of a snow-covered mountain? It is possible and it also could be features of the ultimate survival vehicle…
Enter the EarthRoamer! Half luxury camper and half ultimate, go anywhere and do anything off-road vehicle.
So what makes the EarthRoamer the ultimate survival vehicle?
- The EarthRoamer runs on a diesel engine platform that not only results in the fuel being more stable but there is the option of running a 20% Biodiesel and 80% Standard Diesel Fuel mix without any modification to the vehicle.
- Solar capability allows the user to power devices from the vehicle no matter where you find yourself. The standard solar capacity of this vehicle is 660 watts with up to 1.1 kiloWatts being available on some models.
- The one piece composite body is built to last and will mitigate the chances of environmental intrusions into the camper.
- There are no special licensing requirements to operate an EarthRoamer Expedition Vehicle. Anyone that is capable of driving a full size pick-up can drive an EarthRoamer.
- Features on the EarthRoamer models include some military grade components that add to the durability and reliability of the vehicle.
- There are almost limitless options in the size and capacity of these vehicles. The EarthRoamer XV-HD is available in 24 different lengths providing an option that will work for anyone.
- Built in HVAC systems provides heat and air conditioning off the built-in solar and diesel systems for extended periods of time.
- This is the coolest and most comfortable monster truck ever!
Obviously this is not an all-inclusive list and some users may find value in features that others do not appreciate. When it comes to bugging out or surviving in a vehicle, there is not a better choice.
This is an excerpt from the EarthRoamer website that makes a couple of good points:
Owners of EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles have the freedom to travel, camp and explore on their terms. Gone is the expense and hassle of airline travel and onerous TSA policies. Gone are the hassles of preplanning where you will stay each night and making expensive hotel reservations. Do you want to bring your pets with you, eat the foods that you like and sleep in your own comfortable bed each night? – no problem when you travel in an EarthRoamer.
I especially like the idea of not dealing with the TSA!
Check out video of the EarthRoamer models in action:
*Please not that the Jeep model of EarthRoamer is not in production. It was a concept that was slated for production but was cancelled because of the Wrangler platform not being available with a diesel engine.
The capabilities of the EarthRoamer models are almost endless…as long as your budget can accommodate the cost, which starts at about $260,000 and can reach $500,000. That is a pretty penny! Actually more like 50,000,000 pennies but who is counting? The good news is that for those that can tolerate the idea of a pre-owned EarthRoamer, one can be found on consignment that has been gone through by the factory starting at the low price of $139,000.
The EarthRoamer models boast some impressive capabilities…
XV-HD |
XV-LT |
|
Overall Vehicle Dimensions |
||
|
Width |
8.5 feet |
8.0 feet |
|
Height |
12.6 feet |
11.0 feet |
|
Length |
19.7 – 38.8 feet |
22.6 - 27.5 feet |
Load Capacity |
||
|
GVWR |
26,000 pounds |
19,500 pounds |
Camper Interior Dimensions |
||
|
Bunk Area Interior Height |
3.0 feet |
2.8 feet |
|
Camper Stand-up Height |
7.0 feet |
6.3 feet |
|
Camper Length |
15.3 – 32.5 feet |
15.3 – 19.3 feet |
Seating |
||
|
Cab Seating |
2-6 adults |
2-6 adults |
|
Camper Seating |
4-10 adults |
4-6 adults |
|
Sleeping |
4-6 adults |
2-4 adults |
Tires |
||
|
Diameter |
46 inches |
41 inches |
|
Width |
17.6 inches |
12.4 inches |
|
Tire Load Rating |
12,300 pounds |
6,779 pounds |
Base Truck |
||
|
F-650 |
F-550 |
|
|
Engine |
Cummins |
Ford Power Stroke |
|
Displacement |
6.7 turbo |
6.7 turbo |
|
Configuration |
Inline 6 |
V8 |
|
HP |
360 hp |
300 hp |
|
Torque |
800 foot pounds |
660 foot pounds |
|
Transmission |
Allison 2500 |
Ford Torque Shift |
Capacities |
||
|
Fuel |
100-145 gallons |
40-90 gallons |
|
Solar |
1.1-2.2 kilowatts |
.66 -1.1 kilowatts |
|
Battery |
12.6-25.3 kilowatt hours |
6.3-12.6 kilowatt hours |
|
Water |
100-250 gallons |
85-135 gallons |
|
Hot Water |
20 gallons |
6 gallons |
|
Fridge |
6.0-11.0 cubic feet |
6 cubic feet |
|
Freezer |
2.1-5.3 cubic feet |
2.1 cubic feet |
|
Air Conditioner |
30,000 Btu |
12,000 Btu |
|
Heater |
27,300 Btu |
13,650 Btu |
Additional Features |
||
|
Clothes Washer & Dryer |
Yes |
No |
|
Central Vacuum |
Yes |
No |
I can promise you one thing. I cannot afford one of these vehicles, but if anyone wants to give me one I will take it. The worst case scenario would be that you find yourself owning an EarthRoamer and nothing bad ever happens. In that case you end up with a sweet ride to travel with! Sounds like a win-win to me.
How will you get out of Dodge if the going gets rough?
Have you ever considered adding body armor to your preps? Would you be interested in winning free body armor? Safeguard Armor is currently running a giveaway for a free set of their body armor. The giveaway is running through their Facebook page and will end on March 31st, 2013.
Click the picture below to be taken to the entry page for the contest.
Why you need body armor:
- In the event of societal collapse, no measure of protection will be too much. It is likely that acts of violence will be commonplace and body armor could save your life.
- Working in an occupation that increases the level of risk that you are exposed to. Such professionals could include: First Responders (Police, Fire, EMS), Security Professionals, Medical Professionals, Corrections Officers, Public Officials, Late Shift Workers, Those who make house visits to unfamilar areas (Social Workers, Probation/Parole Officers), individuals who work with disgruntled customers, and professions that involve significant stressors that could cause a co-worker to act out with violence.
- During a riot, the chance of being exposed to violence that could cause life-threatening injury significantly increases.
*Check all applicable laws to ensure that possession of body armor is legal where you live or plan on possessing body armor.
Direct contest link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=350495301729515&set=a.225803364198710.43005.150902671688780&type=1&relevant_count=1
Have you ever wondered how you might be able to extend the capabilities of your security system? Or if there was a good solution for safeguarding a piece of equipment without incurring obscene costs? The solution is here and it costs less than 30 bucks!
.22 Caliber Mini-Sentry Trip Wire Alarm
Effective 24/7 Security for Preppers and Survivalists
The Mini-Sentry trip wire alarm can be used to protect large areas or individual items. It can be used on pastures, fences, roads, gates, vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies and more. A distinct advantage to a trip wire alarm with the loud crack of a gun shot is the trespasser or thief knows that you are aware of their presence and location, and that you are serious about security.
The Mini-Sentry is tiny, easily concealed, uses a loud, readily available, inexpensive .22 caliber blank, is constructed of machined brass, galvanized and stainless steel and is coated in a flat black finish.
The Mini Sentry can be installed temporarily with a zip tie, string, tape or wire, and more permanently with screws For additional information on protecting your loved ones and property, go to: http://minisentryalarm.wordpress.com
Check out a YouTube video demonstration of the Mini-Sentry:
NOTE: The author in no way was/is being compensated for this article. I just believe this is an awesome and highly effective piece of equipment!
Check out this great contest from Jeff “The Berkey Guy”. It is open for a few more hours. Sorry for the short notice!
Royal Berkey Water Purification System
Here’s your chance to win a ROYAL BERKEY® Water Purification System!
We’ll (LPC Survival) be giving away that system to (1) Lucky Fan…will that be YOU?
Retail Value of Royal Berkey® Water Purification System: $283.00
Give-Away is only open to Residents in all 50 USA
(Items will only ship to addresses within 50 USA)
Click this link to enter the contest and obtain the details.
Direct link to the giveaway is: http://www.directive21.com/royal-berkey-give-away/?utm_source=February+Newsletter&utm_campaign=February+NL+2013&utm_medium=email
The Prepared Ninja is going to try again to give away a Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet (SOFT-T)!!! Every reader is eligible to be entered. Here are the two requirements to be entered for your chance to win:
1. Go to The Prepared Ninja Homepage and subscribe to The Prepared Ninja via email (located at the top of the column on the right hand side).
2. Leave a comment on this post below that lists the item that you lack the most in your medical preps. If you completely lack any medical preps at all, than say so! This SOFT-Tourniquet could be the start you need to put together an awesome medical kit.
(If you are an existing subscriber, you have already been entered automatically for this opportunity!)
******IF THIS GOES WELL, THE PRIZE POT MAY GET SWEETENED!!!******
The Fine Print - In order for this giveaway to happen, The Prepared Ninja must reach 100 email subscribers no later than October 17, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST. That is 30 full days from now. On October 18, 2012, a random number generator will be utilized to determine which of our readers is the lucky winner! *Unfortunately, due to a limited amount of resources, the SOFT-T can only be shipped to a mailing address in the 50 United States, District of Columbia, and Military APO addresses.
DISCLAIMER: The winner of this giveaway is completely and solely responsible for ensuring they are properly trained to use and legally able to possess this piece of medical equipment. The Prepared Ninja and its affiliates are not responsible for illegal possession or misuse of the Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet.
About the SOFT-T from Tactical Medical Solutions:
“The SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is one of the top performing tourniquets currently available. It is the tourniquet of choice for many of the world’s most elite and experienced warriors who have selected it for its outstanding ability to control severe bleeding, high level of reliability and ease of application. While some military units have replaced their issue tourniquets with the SOF®TT, others military units have implemented SOP’s stating that the SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is to be used on all lower extremity bleeds. That means the SOF®TT is the tourniquet that trusted to control the most severe extremity hemorrhage on the battlefield.
The key to successful implementation of a device to be used in a high stress environment is training and ease of use. For law enforcement officers, application of the tourniquet is similar to the use of a hobble. This existing level of familiarity reduces training time and aids in the effectiveness of the device.”
Advantages of the SOF® Tactical Tourniquet
- 100% Effective. Proven to be 100% effective during US Army Institute of Surgical Research testing.
- Simple application. The SOF®TT is applied the same to an arm or leg. Unlike other tourniquets that require you to learn two methods of application and implement the proper method when under stress, the SOF®TT is applied the same way to an arm or leg. By accounting for the factors of human performance in combat we have minimized the risk of failure. Applying a tourniquet should not be a multiple choice exam, it should be simple and straight forward. The SOF®TT provides the necessary effectiveness with an unmatched level of simplicity to increase the overall effectiveness of the device.
- Durability. The SOF®TT is constructed of quality, high strength materials. The tourniquet handle is machined from a solid piece of aircraft aluminum and maintains its strength in extreme temperatures. The tri-rings are molded Acetyl, a high impact plastic that will also maintain its strength in extreme operating conditions.
- Reliable. The SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is designed to reduce the chance of accidental release or mechanical failure. Unlike other materials including Velcro®, the fastening system will perform when soiled, muddy, frozen, or wet.
- Safety set screw prevents accidental release of pressure during tactical patient movement. The screw is not required to gain hemorrhage control, but it is recommended if the patient will be moved in a tactical environment.
- Dual locking rings offer a back up locking system.
Made in the USA.
The Prepared Ninja is giving away a Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet (SOFT-T)! Every reader is eligible to be entered. Here are the two requirements to be entered for your chance to win:
1. Go to The Prepared Ninja Homepage and subscribe to The Prepared Ninja via email (located at the top of the column on the right hand side).
2. Leave a comment on this post below that lists the item that you lack the most in your medical preps. If you completely lack any medical preps at all, then say so! This SOFT-Tourniquet could be the start you need to put together an awesome medical kit.
(If you are an existing subscriber, you have already been entered automatically for this opportunity!)
The Fine Print - In order for this giveaway to happen, The Prepared Ninja must reach 100 email subscribers no later than August 5, 2012. On August 6, 2012, a random number generator will be utilized to determine which of our readers is the lucky winner! *Unfortunately, due to a limited amount of resources, the SOFT-T can only be shipped to a mailing address in the 50 United State, District of Columbia, and Military APO addresses.
DISCLAIMER: The winner of this giveaway is completely and solely responsible for ensuring they are properly trained to use and legally able to possess this piece of medical equipment. The Prepared Ninja and its affiliates are not responsible for illegal possession or misuse of the Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet.
About the SOFT-T from Tactical Medical Solutions:
“The SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is one of the top performing tourniquets currently available. It is the tourniquet of choice for many of the world’s most elite and experienced warriors who have selected it for its outstanding ability to control severe bleeding, high level of reliability and ease of application. While some military units have replaced their issue tourniquets with the SOF®TT, others military units have implemented SOP’s stating that the SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is to be used on all lower extremity bleeds. That means the SOF®TT is the tourniquet that trusted to control the most severe extremity hemorrhage on the battlefield.
The key to successful implementation of a device to be used in a high stress environment is training and ease of use. For law enforcement officers, application of the tourniquet is similar to the use of a hobble. This existing level of familiarity reduces training time and aids in the effectiveness of the device.”
Advantages of the SOF® Tactical Tourniquet
- 100% Effective. Proven to be 100% effective during US Army Institute of Surgical Research testing.
- Simple application. The SOF®TT is applied the same to an arm or leg. Unlike other tourniquets that require you to learn two methods of application and implement the proper method when under stress, the SOF®TT is applied the same way to an arm or leg. By accounting for the factors of human performance in combat we have minimized the risk of failure. Applying a tourniquet should not be a multiple choice exam, it should be simple and straight forward. The SOF®TT provides the necessary effectiveness with an unmatched level of simplicity to increase the overall effectiveness of the device.
- Durability. The SOF®TT is constructed of quality, high strength materials. The tourniquet handle is machined from a solid piece of aircraft aluminum and maintains its strength in extreme temperatures. The tri-rings are molded Acetyl, a high impact plastic that will also maintain its strength in extreme operating conditions.
- Reliable. The SOF® Tactical Tourniquet is designed to reduce the chance of accidental release or mechanical failure. Unlike other materials including Velcro®, the fastening system will perform when soiled, muddy, frozen, or wet.
- Safety set screw prevents accidental release of pressure during tactical patient movement. The screw is not required to gain hemorrhage control, but it is recommended if the patient will be moved in a tactical environment.
- Dual locking rings offer a back up locking system.
Made in the USA.
Photo Credit: BackpackingChef.com
I am always looking for the next great idea. A new way to accomplish a task in a shorter amount of time or at a lower cost than before. My continuous search for ideas recently led me to the BackpackingChef which has proven to be a wealth of knowledge. While not the subject of today’s post, the Backpacking Chef also has a plethora of information about dehydrating food, menu planning, cookware, food packing, food storage, and tons of recipes all designed for backpacking…which also makes them perfect for emergency preparedness! It is an incredible resource.
There are many aspects to preparedness but food is one of the most important and basic necessities for survival, whether it be during a survival situation or just another day on the block. This makes having a way to cook or warm food fairly important…unless you like eating cold mystery meat and lima beans. Not me! This is where the backpacking stove (which I have dubbed the practically free survival stove) from the Backpacking Chef comes into play. With the backpacking stove you will not have to be concerned with eating nasty, cold food.
The beauty of the design behind these stoves is that with a little effort, most of the materials required to construct these particular stoves could be salvaged. I have acquired all of these materials or equal substitutes without any cost to myself other than the time required to collect them by visiting homes in my neighborhood that are being either built or remodeled. If the option of obtaining materials from a local dumpster or construction job site is not available to you these materials are still very affordable at the local hardware store.
There is also some flexibility with the types of fuel that can be used with the stoves. Suitable fuels could include candles, chafing fuel (Sterno), alcohol, and even cooking oil. Most of these options would be considered by most to be safer than other stove fuels like propane or white gas. The Backpacking Chef also provides some great information about the fuels that can be used with the stove and the efficiency of those particular fuels as well as how to cook dehydrated meals with the backpacking stove.
The instructions for completing the backpacking stove can be viewed on the BackpackingChef.com where a complete list of materials and required tools can also be viewed.
Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments area and let us all know about your good or bad experiences with survival stoves and emergency cooking.
Photo Credit: Popular Mechanics
Yesterday’s post was about a recent power outage that my family and I went through. Part of what got us through our lack of electricity was our blackout kit. A blackout kit defined is simply the basic supplies that an individual or group of people need to get through a period of blackout (failure of the electrical power supply). Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is! There are no parabolic quadratic equations that are mandated here. Because your blackout kit is yours, you can put whatever you think you need in it. So without further ado, I will outline the most comprehensive list of items for a blackout kit that my mind is capable of compiling.
Light
Flashlights w/ Batteries (Include Extras)
Chemical-Illuminescent Lightsticks (Glowsticks)
Candles w/ Matches
Oil Lantern w/ Oil & Matches
Communications
Whistles
Battery Operated AM/FM/Weather Radio w/ Batteries (Include Extras)
Battery Operated Shortwave Radio Receiver W/ Batteries (Include Extras)
Battery Operated CB Radio w/ Batteries (Include Extras)
Old Style Telephone That Draws Power From Phone Line (Found @ Second-Hand/Thrift Stores)
Back-Up Cell Phone (TracFone) – Ideally A Carrier Different Than Your Usual Cell Carrier (Include Car Charger)
Food
Canned Goods
Granola/Energy-Type Bars
Beef Jerky
Hard Candy
Dried Fruits & Nuts
Peanut Butter
Foods That Only Require The Addition of Hot Water
Metal Cup For Heating Water
Manual Can Opener
First Aid
First Aid Kit
First Aid Manual
Emergency Medications
Extra Prescription Glasses
Water
Bottled Water
Water Containers
Water Purification Tablets
Water Purification Device
Drink Mixes
Heat
Indoor Safe Propane Heater w/ Propane
Sterno Fuel w/ Matches
Hand Warmers
Foot Warmers
Tools
Gas Wrench
Wrench For Water Main
Basic Mechanic’s Tool Kit
Multi-tool
Work Gloves
Assorted Fasteners (Nails, Screws, Nuts, Bolts, Hose Clamps, Zip Ties, Etc.)
Security
Firearm w/ Ammunition
Taser
Baseball Bat
Golf Club
Expandable Baton
Knife
Shelter
Mylar Survival Blankets
Sleeping Bags
Blankets
Rain Gear/Emergency Ponchos
Plastic Sheeting w/ Duct Tape
Tarps w/ Twine or Cord
Entertainment
Deck of Cards
Board Games
Battery Operated Hand-Held Games w/ Batteries
Books
Battery Operated MP3 Player w/ Batteries
Documentation
List of Emergency Contacts
Family Contact Roster
Evacuation Plan (Minimum of Two Routed In Each Direction If Possible)
Cash (To Conduct Transactions During Blackout Period)
A blackout kit should remain fairly small and basic if possible. My goal is to make my blackout kit into a plastic tote container or a 5 gallon bucket. This makes the kit easy to store around the house but also easy to load into the car in the event that it needs to be taken with you in a bug out situation.
As always, please make this list the best that it can be by making a comment and pointing out additional items that I may have not thought of or unintentionally omitted from the list.
It is easy to think about disasters and have things like wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, riots and financial collapse come to mind. I will readily admit that events such as those are what come to my own mind when I think about disasters. This last week though my family had the opportunity to experience a different type of disaster. One that was far less malignant.
It was about 3:30 in the morning the other day and I noticed that the wind outside had picked up a little bit and there was a hint of lightning but no thunder. No big deal, we had been having some fairly hot weather and when it cools down at night it is common for the weather to act up a bit. All of the sudden the power cut out. It was not the usual flicker on and off a couple of times and then it goes out. The power popped off like someone had turned off the breaker to the entire subdivision. No big deal, go back to sleep and figure it out in the morning.
To make a long story short, the power was out for just over 36 hours and only because a property owner failed to take care of a dead tree that a gust of wind blew over straight onto a power line.
1 Gust of Wind + 1 Dead Tree = Power Outage for 8,000 Local Residents
Life is good though because we have a gas-powered generator, right? I only wish. My failure to make sure that my generator was properly maintained resulted in an inoperable generator when I needed it the most. This was a fairly big issue at this point because we were experiencing the same triple digit temperatures that many places in the country were. Heat wave! Luckily I was able to troubleshoot the generator engine problems to a certain degree and my neighbor came over and helped me through the rest of the troubleshooting process. In a more widespread state of emergency where the store was not open to allow me to buy the parts I needed or if my relationship with my neighbor were not established, the outcome could have been very different. This led me to look at the events that happened and what parts of the events I did right as well as what I did poorly or looking back at my military training, this is what we would call an After Action Review (AAR).
The following are the lessons that I learned from our recent power outage:
Check Your Gear, Check Your Gear, & Check Your Gear – Some of this part went fairly well because we do maintain a fairly comprehensive blackout kit (see tomorrow’s post for in-depth info on blackout kits) in our master bedroom and each of our kid’s have their own flashlights in case of an emergency. (Sometimes those are used to play with though and are not always in their appropriate locations!) So this was good, but the fact that our generator was not running was bad. Had periodic checks been established and utilized, such as running the generator every 3-4 weeks as the manufacturer recommends, then this could likely have been avoided. The takeaway point from all of this is to know what you need to have on hand to deal with any disaster that you may face and make sure that periodic checks and maintenance are performed on all pieces of equipment.
Community Is Not Important, It Is Vital – The only reason that my family was able to have power through our recent outage was because of a neighbor who I had established a good relationship with and who was willing to help. Sure, I could have taken it to a small engine repair shop to get it running but it likely would not have been fixed when I needed it and even if I was able to work something out it surely would have cost me a pretty penny. The bottom line is that through establishing relationships in my neighborhood and community building, I was able to use one of these relationships to get fast and free help to get my generator running. I have helped this particular neighbor before and he has helped me. The lone wolf survival scenario I don’t believe will ever really pan out. Those who will likely survive the longest will have a tight-knit community who rely on each other and capitalize on everyone’s strengths.
Maintain Fuel Stores – A proper running piece of equipment doesn’t do any good without fuel for it to run. Once my generator was back in good running order I put the fuel that I had on hand into the tank but it was not nearly enough. I was lucky enough that it kept the generator going long enough for me to get to the gas station and back but I don’t think that it would have lasted five minutes longer. This was shortsighted on my behalf. I had been using my fuel stores for yard equipment which resulted in the fuel shortage. The right answer would be to calculate my fuel needs for a predetermined period of time (likely a seven to ten-day period) and keep that on hand, stabilized with fuel stabilizer.
Redundant Supplies Are Necessary – Spark Plugs, Oil, Fuel Filters, Fuel Lines, Carb Cleaner, and Fuel Stabilizer are examples of items that should be kept on hand in excess quantities to ensure proper and continuous operation of back up life support systems like a generator in an emergency or disaster. If our 36 hour power outage had lasted longer, it may have been necessary to conduct additional maintenance on the generator. These additional parts would be useful in doing my part in the community if one of my neighbors was one having a difficult time with their generator instead of me.
Prioritize Items to Power & Know Your Limits – The key items that we needed electricity for during the outage included our refrigerator, chest freezer, a couple of fans, and my work computer as needed. With a continuous capacity on our generator of 4500 watts and a surge capacity of 5500 watts, we were well within our limits. The items that we powered required a maximum draw of less than 2000 watts at all times which kept us under 50% of capacity. This equated to fuel consumption of about 1/2 gallon an hour. With a 6 1/2 gallon tank, the generator will run on one tank for a twelve-hour period with a little left for fluctuation. This means that for a 10 day fuel supply that I should have 65 gallons of fuel on hand for 12 hours a day of generator operation or 130 gallons of fuel on hand if I want to have the option to run 24 hours a day for the 10 day period.
See, Do, & Teach – One of the things that we always practiced in the Army was the philosophy of see one, do one, and teach one. The idea is to learn something, practice it, and then teach it to others. Now that our generator is running well and I saw what my neighbor did to help me fix it, I will practice good maintenance, and it is my responsibility to teach those capable in my home, how to maintain and properly run our family’s generator.
Some Things Are Preventable – Had our generator been properly maintained in the first place, it is likely that the difficulties my family experienced from the delay in power while the generator was repaired could have been avoided. Also, proper levels of fuel storage could have been maintained which would have resulted in not have to make a midnight express run to the gas station. This also would have protected my family in the event of a broader impact by the power outage where the local gas stations were without power as well and therefore not open.
Don’t Forget What You Learn – This is fairly self-explanatory. By remembering these things that I learned from this most recent disaster that my family experienced, I can make sure that we do not have the same problems again.
“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” – Tom Bodett
Please don’t hesitate to chime in and add any lessons that you may have learned from a disaster that you or your loved ones have experienced in the comments below.
TOMORROW’S BLOG POST: Blackout Kits
