Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i American Outdoor Guide

We use this time-honored phrase as a guiding principle when we plan each issue of American Survival Guide. Rather than focus on a single topic, we think there’s more value and appeal in packing an assortment of subjects into every edition. Here’s what you’ll find in this issue—in what might be the broadest collection of interests yet. A reader recently suggested we talk about the effects of EMPs on motor vehicles, so we asked Jim Jeffries to dive deep and let us know what we should be concerned about and how to mitigate the threats. Jim even included some interesting facts about early U.S. atomic and nuclear tests and their outcomes. 2020 has been challenging, and we wanted you to be ready ... just in case. Everyone knows about BattlBox…

Not only did Southern Survival introduce a new audience to the world of survival television, it also translated to much more traffic on the BattlBox website. BattlBox’s Chief Marketing Officer John Roman pointed out that “in a typical month, we see around 150,000 sessions on our website. For July—the month our show launched—we saw 1.1 million.” With nearly eight times more website sessions recorded than average, the crew at BattlBox is hard at work to bring survival gear into your home for you to enjoy and depend on when the going gets tough and when the you-know-what hits the fan.…

Not happy with the tiny sights on the Ranger II revolver? Well, there are a couple of solutions. One is to buy one of the NAA Pug, Mini-Master or Black Widow models, which all come with better sights. The other is to get a set of the new Viridian grip laser sets for NAA magnum frame revolvers. The laser activates when you take a normal shooting grip on the revolver. They’re adjustable for windage and elevation. The grips are rubber over-molded. While red lasers are more visible in low light, that’s when most bad things happen. MSRP: $199…

This is an excerpt from the Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack, Chapter 6, “Transportation Infrastructure”: “The potential EMP vulnerability of automobiles derives from the use of built-in electronics that support multiple automotive functions. Electronic components were first introduced into automobiles in the late 1960s. As time passed and electronics technologies evolved, electronic applications in automobiles proliferated. Modern automobiles have as many as 100 microprocessors that control virtually all functions. “While electronic applications have proliferated within automobiles, so too have application standards and electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) practices. Thus, while it might be expected that increased EMP vulnerability would accompany the proliferated electronics applications, this trend, at least in part, is mitigated by the increased application of…

Gloves are an important part of an overall PPE plan. However, not all gloves are equal—nor are they suitable for all tasks and situations. Below are some “gripping” facts about a variety of gloves useful during a pandemic or for any circumstance for which you need a hands-off approach. Note that there are multiple grades, thicknesses and quality levels available when buying these gloves. Do some research before investing significant sums in this PPE essential. Vinyl. Vinyl’s a great choice for those who have latex allergies. These gloves can be used for both medical and all-around cleaning uses and are affordable for most people. Meant for single-use applications, just use and discard vinyl gloves to prevent cross-contamination and make any cleanup fast and easy. Polypropylene. These extremely thin and loose-fitting…

Although it’s possible to live without electricity and still take advantage of using some technology, not many choose to do so in the first world’s urban environments, largely because cities aren't set up for us to live self-reliantly. This means that if you choose to live without electricity and rely more on yourself, you have to find the ways to do so within your limitations. Or, you simply need to move to a more rural environment, where it’ll be much simpler to do so. To live ecologically and without electricity doesn’t necessarily mean living without technology. In modern times, the best example of people in a first world country choosing to live almost completely without electricity is the Amish, who reside mostly in rural Ohio and Pennsylvania on large family…

Food and water will need to be a part of your plan, no matter how far you take your self-sufficiency initiative. Small things do make a big difference. Water Water is a valuable resource, so you can’t afford to waste it. Use “gray water” (water from washing machines, dish-washing, etc.) to water your garden. I have a dehumidifier and use the water collected to water my garden. Develop a water catchment system to use any rainwater running off your roof. This water can be used as is to water your garden. However, it must be processed before it can be consumed. Food Raise chickens and livestock when and where possible. Legally harvest wild game and fish. Plant a garden, concentrating on plants that do well in your area and that…

Here are some additional resources about HAM radios and about earning your amateur radio operator license: • AC6V offers an extensive online amateur radio and DX (distant station) reference guide. AC6V.com • American Radio Relay League (ARRL) This is the national association for American amateur radio operators. It’s an excellent reference for anyone interested in virtually all aspects of amateur radio. ARRL.org • DXZone This is a great resource for a wide variety of information about amateur radio topics. DXZone.com • eHam.net This site offers amateur radio-related news, articles, equipment swap-and-shop, product reviews and much more. eHam.net • Harbor Freight Harbor Freight is a popular, low-cost resource for solar systems, batteries and many other prepper supplies. HarborFreight.com • LDG Electronics The author used this company’s Z-100 Plus Autotuner in his setup and was very happy with…

Assessing the Threat From Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) https://michaelmabee.info/three-new-emp-commission-reports-released Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States From Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack http://www.empcommission.org Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP): Threat to Critical Infrastructure (Report to 113th Congress) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg89763/html/CHRG-113hhrg89763.htm EMP Cloth (From disasterpreparer.com) https://disasterpreparer.com/product/emp-cloth High-Altitude Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) Environment Simulation https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1015.8020&rep=rep1&type=pdf “Is it Possible to Make Your Car EMP Proof?” (From askaprepper.com) https://www.askaprepper.com/is-it-possible-to-make-your-car-emp-proof Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020; Chapter 9: “Nuclear Survivability and Effects Testing” https://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/nmhb/chapters/chapter9.htm “Recommended E3 HEMP Heave Electric Field Waveform for the Critical Infrastructures” https://michaelmabee.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2017-Recommended-E 3-Waveform-for-Critical-Infrastructures-FINAL-April2018.pdf “September 1859 Geomagnetic Storm” (from wikipedia.com) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_1859_geomagnetic_storm Smithsonian Magazine: “Going Nuclear Over the Pacific” (August 15, 2012) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/going-nuclear-over-the-pacific-24428997 “White Sands Missile Range: Electromagnetic Effects” https://www.wsmr.army.mil/testcenter/services/neee/eme/Pages/default.aspx…

“THERE ARE NO RULES IN THE SURVIVAL GAME, AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO OR ACCORDING TO HOW YOU WERE TRAINED.” A long with many other writers, I fill the pages of American Survival Guide with useful information dealing with survival situations, gear and a host of other topics for preppers and survivalists. Two areas we cover a great deal are gear and skills. If you ask any one of us what we thought the best tool for survival was, I’m willing to bet most of us would say, “our brain”—more precisely, our ability to think and apply lessons to critical situations that we’ve learned along the way. About 90 percent of survival revolves around problem-solving. The outcome of every situation you’ll find yourself in will depend…

I had a friend in Los Angeles who didn’t want an electric refrigerator. She purchased everything dried or canned and often went to her local market, which was one block away. For those items that absolutely needed to be kept cool, she had a makeshift evaporative cooler on her kitchen counter. She simply placed the items into what looked like a large dish pan, added some water and draped a cotton cloth entirely over the food items. The water was slowly sucked into the cotton, from which it slowly evaporated. This process drew the heat out of the food and kept it cool enough for the few days she took to consume it.…

Most of what you’ll learn will come to you via trial and error. Knowing that, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Don’t repeat the same mistakes already made by others. Do your homework, and use the resources available to you. Internet As much as I hate technology, I have to admit that pulling up “how-to” sites on YouTube has saved me a great deal of time, aggravation and money. Don’t overlook this resource. Television It’s funny, but I’ve picked up a great deal of useful information by watching some of the home improvement shows on television. Granted, much of it is fluff, but occasionally, you’ll gather something you can use. Another good source is programs that deal with homesteading, such as Alaska: The Last Frontier and Homestead Rescue, both…

Your first impression upon viewing Southern Survival will, no doubt, be the grand outdoor location where the show is filmed. According to Brandon Currin, “Most of the show was recorded at the BattlBox Ranch, located in southeastern Georgia. We have roughly 75 acres of land for testing products and using many different scenarios. This allows us to really get hands-on with products and see what they’re actually capable of.” The team needs every square inch of the ranch to bring viewers the most intense and in-your-face testing performed on a never-ending stream of survival gear.…

Are you worried about the performance of the .380 ACP as a defense cartridge? Well, this might open your eyes: The newest addition to the Federal Hydra-Shok Deep line of ammunition is a .380 ACP load. And, it’s the first expanding .380 ACP cartridge to meet FBI protocol recommendations consistently for penetration in bare gel and through heavy clothing. The new load uses a 99-grain expanding bullet. Testing done by Federal Ammunition engineers showed typical results of 13 to 13½ inches of penetration in bare gel and 13¼ to 14 inches through heavy clothing. That exceeds the 12-inch minimum penetration outlined in the FBI protocol. Test gun barrel lengths were from common compact handguns ranging from 2¾ to 3½ inches. In other words, it’s tailor made for pocket pistols such…

Nuclear scientists had long theorized about the possibility of the electromagnetic field of a high-altitude detonation interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. However, the Starfish Prime EMP was much larger than expected. Strong electromagnetic signals were observed from the burst, as were significant disturbances in the magnetic field and Earth currents. Energized electrons and radioactive debris were trapped in the magnetic bands that encircle the planet, creating artificial auroras reaching south of the equator for hours. Unable to escape the magnetic field, this debris would continue to cause problems long after the test. The first commercial communications satellite, Telstar 1, was launched the next day. The delicate transistors within the relay satellite were damaged by the increased radiation from the debris cloud trapped within the Van Allen Belt (a zone of…

When you can’t find all the PPE items you need to fight an invisible killer, it’s time to concoct your own virus-killing creations. Homemade Hand Sanitizer Ingredients • 2/3 cup 70 percent ethyl alcohol • 1/3 cup aloe vera gel • Fragrance (optional) Combine the alcohol with aloe gel and gently mix. If desired, add essential oils for a pleasant fragrance. When using alcohol with a higher percentage (70 to 90 percent), add water to slightly dilute the solution, and you’re ready to fight back against most viruses. Bleach-Based Disinfectant Ingredients • 1/3 cup household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), unscented • 1 gallon water Add the bleach to water and gently mix. That’s it. You’re all set to disinfect most hard household surfaces. Disinfectant Wipes Ingredients • 7 cups isopropyl alcohol…

81 Days Below Zero Brian Murphy This book tells the story of a World War II pilot who was forced to crash in the Alaska winter wilderness and who applied all the lessons he was taught to survive almost 12 weeks on his own. De Capo Press MSRP: $24.99 Amazon.com Between a Rock And a Hard Place Aron Ralston This is the story of how making one “small” mistake cost the author his arm. It could easily have cost him his life if he hadn’t been prepared to adapt to his predicament. Atria Books MSRP: $14.19 Amazon.com Braving It James Campbell This book contains the story about a father and his daughter’s adventures in Alaska. Broadway Books MSRP: $16 Amazon.com Brothers on the Bashkaus Eugene Buchanan A group of adventurers…