If it’s Wednesday, this must be the awesome collection of personal safety and preparedness articles known as the Hump Day Reading List. What do you know — correct on both counts!
Duplicate function, not form
Those who’ve read Prepping For Life know that I make incessant fun of the “two is one and one is none” philosophy; it’s usually nothing more than a justification for needless consumerism. Instead of duplicating items, I’m a fan of having an alternate way to do things — duplication of function, not form. This article is a good illustration of the idea of alternatives. If the generator doesn’t work, are there alternate ways to provide heat, light, and cooking? Better yet, if those alternative means also serve as an alternative for something else they do triple duty!
Greenbacks are king in emergencies
Another thing I talk about in Prepping For Life is the idea of preparing not just for the big, catastrophic events, but for those everyday emergencies that usually catch people off guard. Having some cash on hand is surprisingly useful for a wide range of emergencies, and this article does a great job of illustrating the kinds of events I’m talking about. (Although I think the author is a little optimistic; for a family, I’d up her estimate to at least $500 — more if you can afford it.)
Dealing with squib loads
My last Threat Centered Revolver* class was memorable for one thing: it was the first in quite a while where I didn’t have to deal with a squib load. I’ve taught classes where I’ve had to clear several! Almost all of them are due to suspect ammunition; either handloads or a maker of dubious reputation (usually “remanufactured” ammo.) Greg Ellifritz has seen them too, and has some tips on how to recognize and clear them. (Note: I’ve rarely needed a hammer to clear a stuck bullet. Using the cleaning rod itself as a striker and tapping it on the lodged bullet will usually drive it out in quick order. The heavier the cleaning rod, the better this tapping procedure works. Brass or steel rods work best.)
Why doesn’t everyone store their guns safely?
I wish I could answer that question, but for some reason there is a portion of the gun-owning public that simply refuses to do so. You’ve read the stories I’ve shared here and on social media about tragedies resulting from children gaining access to firearms — access that they shouldn’t have had. Doctors For Responsible Gun Ownership (DRGO) published this article which considers some of the reasons people resist being responsible with their firearms. Read it and use the information to help convince your less-responsible friends and family members to do the right thing and store their guns safely. As I’m fond of saying (and the author clearly agrees), if we don’t do it someone else will do it for us — and we won’t like the results!
Fire is a killer. Don’t be a victim.
You might be surprised how many people I talk with have lots of guns and have attended lots of shooting schools, but have never done a fire drill in their home. What’s more, they often don’t have a comprehensive idea as to how they would escape a fire in every area — home, work, church — where they spend significant amounts of time. This is one of the better articles I’ve read about surviving a fire in a wide range of building types. Now’s the time to start your own fire drill schedule!
The dangers of social engineering
Social engineering — the intentional psychological manipulation of ingrained habits and behaviors for criminal gain — is amazingly powerful. It’s far easier to use social engineering to get passwords and codes from computer users, for instance, than it is to hack into the computer. Social engineering can be used to gain access to data, facilities, or even bank accounts. This article is a good introduction to some of the more common social engineering schemes and how to prevent becoming a victim of them.
Hipsters reinvent old concealed carry method!
Okay, I admit to being a little flippant with that, and I apologize, but the latest rage in the tactical training world is carrying defensive tools in front of the body. Called “appendix” or sometimes “centerline” carry, you’d think from the proliferation of articles on the subject that it is a recent invention. Au contraire! It’s been around for a very long time, but has recently come back into fashion largely because the gear to do so has improved dramatically. This article from the Tactical Wire looks at where appendix carry came from, its safety, and some of the ways to do it comfortably.
Lace holsters? Just say no.
I’m all for innovation in the world of self defense gear, like the new breed of appendix carry holsters mentioned in the article above. New people are coming into the field with fresh perspectives on old products and concepts, and making them better for a new generation of concealed carriers. Sometimes, though, these new ideas come from people who really don’t yet have sufficient experience or knowledge to judge their safety or efficacy. One of those items is a unique carry system called “Lethal Lace”. I’ll let Annette Evans explain why this product shouldn’t be on your (or your significant other’s) to-buy list.
– Grant Cunningham
* — If you have a revolver for concealed carry or home defense, my Threat-Centered Revolver course is the one that will teach you how to use it efficiently and effectively! My next class is in Phoenix March 17th & 18th, and because of a pair of cancellations we have spots open for you. If you’d like to attend please register right away!
Opening photo by Backpacker – pixabay.com (CC0 public domain)
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