Be Safe and Respect the Law!
We at this website from Shen Life, Shenology Inc, Shenergy Holdings, and its officers do not condone any kind of illegal activity. We do not support acts that threaten the government or its officers and representatives or peace & order. The intent of this website is to provide education and information that may be of use if ever such a crisis would arise.
All techniques, advice, ideas, & messages written and shared here are provided at your own risk and we will not at all be responsible for accidents, legal and moral losses or any consequence that come from anything found on this website made by the author, his partners or third parties.
We will not assume responsibility for anybody's failure to exercise caution or to practice safety procedures
All techniques, advice, ideas, & messages written and shared here are provided at your own risk and we will not at all be responsible for accidents, legal and moral losses or any consequence that come from anything found on this website made by the author, his partners or third parties.
We will not assume responsibility for anybody's failure to exercise caution or to practice safety procedures
Be it manmade or natural disasters, sh*t happens, and usually it does so without any warning. Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tornados, blizzards, nuclear meltdowns, hurricanes, power grid failures, pandemics, biological warfare, terrorist attacks, dirty bombs, and financial collapse are just some of the sh*t that happens. It all happens when we least expect it too.
Most people never concern themselves about these things. Even more unfortunate, most people do not have a survival plan of any kind for the day when these things happen. And why should they? This is the kind of drama that third-world countries face. (Ha.)
Tell that to the people in Japan who just experienced a deadly earthquake, a cataclysmic tsunami, and a nuclear disaster all in one month, and face more quakes and flooding today. Explain that cavalier attitude to the folks in New Orleans who had to ride out one of the worst hurricanes in recorded history only to be followed by some of the most severe flooding ever experienced in this country. Unlike Japan though, the situation grew dire in New Orleans when roving gangs and irrational individuals looted stores, robbed homes, and killed a few people for good measure.
Still think sh*t is unlikely to happen here in North America?
In this complex modern society, the chance for chaotic upheaval may be even greater than in third world countries. The simple reason is that the amount of supplies and food to maintain our continent’s lifestyle is large and sourced from all over the world. On average, food travels 1200 to 1500 miles before it reaches your plate. What would happen if there is a truck drivers’ strike or deliveries stop, because the price of fuel is too high? You guessed it; just about the whole country shuts down within three days. Not to mention, the populations of third-world countries know how to live a lifestyle that is appropriate for their climate without technology.
Before you accuse me of being a doom-and-gloom guy, let me explain my rationale. I consider myself to be an optimist, and as an optimist, I try to be prepared as much as possible. Of course, it’s impossible to prepare for everything, but we can certainly be ready for a number of things. That’s my approach. If any variety of scenarios arises, I am not going to be part of the crowd of people who are standing around freaked out wondering what to do. Like Mr. Squirrel, who worked diligently all fall packing away nuts for the winter, I too have a stash to get me through a tough season. I have a plan!
Another prepared example to note is the president. The secret service has numerous contingency plans in place for the president and his cabinet for just about every possible man-made and natural disaster. In fact, there are safe houses and underground bunkers mapped out in every city he visits, just in case. Why? The government knows good and well that sh*t happens, and it happens on a regular basis.
Considering everything, it is wise to have an oh sh*t bag ready to go so all you have to do is head to your secret storage place, grab your bag, and go.
Before I get into what goes in this survival bag, let’s talk about where to keep it. Storing your oh sh*t bag nearby is important. If you are going to work 5 days a week, then have it with you, and bring it home on the weekends; be mindful of the local temperature and climate though. Sounds overzealous huh? Not really. What if you are in a similar situation as some of the people in New Zealand a few months back who were at work when the earthquake hit and got stuck with no home to return to get their bag? Whoops. Do yourself a favor, stash it where you can grab it and go within 15 minutes—wherever you may be.
Let’s say this is a dress rehearsal. You have your bag. Now, where do you go?
Well, the ties that link people back to a family farm are practically non-existent now. So if there are hard times, people do not have a safe rural place to hang out. Hopefully, whatever the catastrophe, it will be short and things will normalize within a few weeks. This means you won't have to go too far; perhaps a motel in a nearby town will be sufficient. They best plan is to have at least 5 people/places within a 100-mile radius that you can trust with your life; head to one of these places to weather the emergency.
If those places are compromised, then you'll need to head to your long-term retreat. (This is a whole other scenario. I will address this next month in an upcoming article.)
What happens if you don't have a long-term retreat and all of your five people/places are compromised? Then it's time to go camping—just like our ancestors did not too long ago. Don't worry though, because within your oh sh*t bag everything is available for this contingency plan.
Let’s take a look at a list of the basics you'll need to have in your oh sh*t bag to survive for three weeks wherever you end up.
1. The Bag
First, you'll need to get a bag, and I am not referring to a shopping bag from your favorite department store. You'll need to get a real backpacker's bag, one that will hold 30 – 40 pounds easily. It needs to be compact, lightweight, and waterproof. If you can't find a waterproof one, then make sure your rain poncho extends over your backpack too. You can find these at any of your outdoor gear stores. REI.com has a huge selection. The lightest ones I know of are at online at Golite.com.
2. A Buddy
I believe the most important things you'll need is a buddy. Why? Things are much easier if you have support! Someone of like-mind can be of great help when confronted by robbers and they certainly can be a great emotional support if things get really tough. And the best thing about having a buddy is if you run out of food, then you can eat him/her…just kidding!
3. A 20 - 30 Day Food Supply.
Many survivalists suggest that it is best to get high-calorie foods. You can do this if you choose, but I'd rather have nutrient-dense foods that are calorie-low. My reasons are simple; I don't want to weaken my immune system by eating calorie-dense crap, especially if the reason I am leaving town is due to some freak pandemic. They best way I know to do eat this way is to buy certain micronutrient plant powders. My favorite is Shentrition.com. It is a superb, nutrient-dense, food source, plus it has over one dozen kickass adaptogenic herbs. Another great powder to carry is hempseed protein. In both cases, these are great because they can fit in ziplock baggies and they easily store in your backpack. When you are hungry, just add water and go!
Here is a list of the food I have in my bag:
- About 5 cannisters (3lbs) of ShenTrition in ziplock baggies
- 3 lbs of hempseed protein powder in ziplock baggies
- 10 lbs of nuts and dried fruit
- 4 packages of Nori (dried seaweed sheets) to eat once a day to advert nuclear fallout problems
- 1 package of organic red miso (dried fermented soy paste) to eat one teaspoon a day to again advert nuclear fallout issues.
All in all, this is about 17 lbs of food. Yes, you'll lose some weight following this kind of diet, but who couldn't stand to lose a few pounds? Remember, this is to keep you alive and vital for three weeks.
4. A knife…actually two knives are better.
A Swiss Army Knife (swissarmy.com) is a great multi-use tool. Don't buy a knock-off; if you want to know why, just watch the movie "127 Hours." The best complement to a Swiss Army Knife is a Ka-bar knife (ka-bar.com). It can be used as protection (from wild animals and such). It can serve as a saw. It’s great for hunting or cleaning fish.
5. Mobile water purifier & tablets.
Get a hand pump filter, which can be picked up at REI or another outdoor store. Also pick up some water purifying tablets. These are a bit harsh to the taste, but they get the job done if something happens to your water filter. They can almost make ditch water drinkable. Both of these items can be found at your local camping store.
6. Clothing.
Get two changes of really durable outdoor clothing, plus some winter weather layers, even if you live in Florida. When on the trail, I wash one set of clothes and tie the other to my backpack to dry, while I am wearing the other. I prefer the quick-dry Patagonia pants and tops. They seem to outlast everything else. The kicker is you do not want any cotton or denim items, because if they get wet you are going to be very cold for a long time. And don’t forget your underwear layers; get two sets of microfiber quick dry under layers and long johns.
6. Duct tape
Don't ask me for what purpose; duct tape can be used for almost anything. Trust me, you'll use it! It may be that your buddy has a good case of diarrhea of the mouth, in which case duct tape is very handy...(LOL).
7. A water bladder.
This is a modern version of the buffalo stomach. You can place this plastic sack in your back-pack and feed the water hose out, so you can keep moving. This is so convenient if you have a substantial distance to travel. You can get these at any outdoor or sporting goods store. Some people prefer a water canteen or Nalgeen bottle. Personally, I feel that a bladder is the easiest way to go and they can carry larger quantities of water than a bottle.
8. Boots.
You want some really good backpacking boots. They need to be all-weather. Wear them for a few days after you buy them to break them in and to be sure that they fit. This way you have time to return them and try another pair. You don't want shoes that cause your feet to hurt. You may have to walk 10 – 20 miles a day. I prefer REI simply because they have a trained staff that will fit your feet to the right boot, and if you aren't satisfied they have a 100% guarantee. When you select your shoes, get the steel-toed boots with strong heels; don't get casual hiking boots, because you could roll your ankles with the weight of your pack. Another reason for steel-toes boots is in case your buddy gets that "jaw-jacking” condition and may need a swift kick in the ass. These boots work well for that too! Another optional item to consider getting with your boots is a pair of gators. These are sleeves that cover the top of your boots and calves to keep pebbles or water from creeping into your shoes.
9. A coat.
Truly, you need a heavy, warm, water-proof coat with a hood. You never know when rough weather comes! Again, a visit to a local outdoor store will fix you up. My favorite is Patagonia…again. They understand the elements and how to make gear that will survive and outlast the others. Yes, Patagonia is expensive, so I suggest hitting any of their outlet stores. You can find a list online, patagonia.com
10. A wide brim hat.
This is great for sun protection (and mystique), and there are tons of styles all over the place.
11. A sleeping bag.
Your bag needs to be a sub-zero sleeping bag made out of microfiber or synthetic fibers, because if it gets wet it will still keep you warm and dries out easily. Even though the goose-down bags are great, once they get wet, you freeze your ars off. Once that happens, the goose bags will then smell like dirty socks. I know this from experience! Since bags can be heavy, I recommend shopping around. Try Golite.com or REI.com.
12. A rain poncho.
An awesome poncho is essential for any wet weather gear. Get the ones that extend over your backpack. These can be a lifesaver in case you don't have time to build a shelter.
13. A tent.
A light-weight, 2-man tent with a rain fly is a must. Why a 2-man tent? Well, you must have room for your buddy, of course. Again, Golite.com has the lightest ones.
14. First Aid Kit.
There are plenty of first aid kits that are pre-made on the market available at drug stores, camping supply centers, and medical supply stores.
15. A simple sewing kit.
Basically, you just need a needle and thread from any sewing store. This can be handy for fixing tears in clothing, or in case you have to go Rambo and give your buddy or yourself a few stitches.
16. Aspirin or other medications.
These can be handy if the swift kick in the ass doesn't shut your buddy up, and your head is pounding from his constant jaw jacking. It may be included in the first aid kit.
17. A burner with gas.
Ya gotta eat, so you’ll need a makeshift kitchen. The burner is for cooking fish or other wildlife. You can find these at any camping store.
18. Protection.
Many people will choose a gun, which is their choice. However, I strongly suggest you rethink this position. Why? Well, if you've never shot a gun, much less never shot a person, it’s a lot tougher than you think. If you come up against someone who has handled a gun in these situations, chances are they are going to take it from you and use it on you. Besides, shooting a gun will draw unnecessary attention to you. A knife or heavy flashlight works great as protection if you know how to use them. You may want to take a few defensive training courses. I suggest taking these from police officers or survival experts, not martial artists. The goal is to drop the invader like a hot rock, not dance around like Bruce Lee. Defensive survival techniques are just that—to defend yourself and survive, not to look cool. If you've never been in a fight, then rest assured from someone who has been in plenty, fights usually don't last very long and the winner, in most cases, is the one who lands the first few punches to the face or other vital areas. As the great Mike Tyson said, "everyone has a plan until they get hit(s) in the face." Basically, you just want to temporarily disable the person, which gives you enough time to get the hell out of there. (So, yes, you want to be physically able to run a few miles. Do a little cardio a week to keep your legs and lungs ready.)
19. A sierra cup
These multi-purpose cups are great for all sorts of uses like cooking, drinking a beverage, shaving, brushing your teeth, plus they are lightweight. You can find these at some camping stores; definitely at REI.com.
20. Toiletries.
About 2 rolls of toilet paper will get you through three weeks, unless you are like me, then you'll need one roll per day. J A toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, dental floss and lip balm are also important. Other items you may want are: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sore muscle salve, and bug spray (or a bug net to throw over your hat). Keep in mind that it’s wise to chose products that are biodegradable or chemical-free like divineresponse.com, so you don’t pollute the land as you go trekking. (If you need help reading the labels, Cosmeticsdatabase.com rates products’ chemical toxicity levels.)
21. Hand shovel.
A hand spade shovel works as a great trenching tool for digging a fire pit or burying your doodie. There are lightweight plastic ones, but they may prove to be useless if you have to dig into rocky ground. Go with a metal one.
22. A flashlight and head lamp.
I prefer the heavy tactical flashlights used by the police, which can be used as protection, too. However, if you already have a knife, then there are the friction-charged flashlights that do not require batteries. Just shake them and viola you have light! A really good headlamp is very handy. Get ones that are extra light-weight for extra ease and safer night travel. I love headlamps. They are easy to use in place of a flashlight a lot of times. Check at hardware stores or camping outlets.
23. Batteries.
Whatever gear that needs a battery, make sure you have replacement batteries (ie. your headlamp and flashlight). If they have been sitting a while, test them every so often.
24. A hand-crank emergency radio.
This item isn't a must, but I have one just in case. You never know when you might need to know what is going on around you, especially if you are cut off from the rest of the world. Plus, there may be public announcements from the government that you'll need to be aware of, especially, if there are announcements saying to go to the nearest FEMA camp. If this happens, then you'll know to go in the opposite direction. J
25. Compass and Topo map.
Lensatic compasses are more accurate than the run-of-the-mill orienting compasses. I strongly suggest you learn how to use this piece of equipment (ie. Brunton 9077 Lensatic Compass at REI.com) If you live near an REI, they offer courses on this subject. Make sure you have local maps and a continent map.
26. Rope.
Get nylon rope about 100 ft. This stuff is great for making a shelter, a make-shift poncho, or tying up your buddy before you get ready to eat him. J
27. Fire-starters.
Remember that before fire, life in the cave was rough. Fire is a must. There are several types of fire starters that I keep around. On my key chain I have a magnesium fire-starter, and in my pack I have water-proof matches, a fuel lighter, and pre-manufactured kindling. All of these items are at a camping store like rei.com.
28. Fishing Line and Lures.
Just in case the “emergency” lasts longer than your food supply lasts (or in case your buddy didn't have an oh sh*t bag), then fishing for food will help stretch your supply. It’s pretty easy; find a body of water and drop the line and lure in. These simple fishing setups can be found at any camping store.
29. Emergency blankets.
Wool or micro-fiber blankets are optional. They come in handy if someone is injured and needs to be kept warmed. Personally, I plan to unzip my sleeping bag and use that for warmth since its sub-zero. But just in case, there are the emergency reflective blankets found in most wilderness first aid kits.
30. A warm cap.
If your coat has a hood this will do. However, hoods can sometimes be problematic. So, I have a beanie just in case. Make sure it is either wool or microfiber. If these get wet they will still keep you warm.
31. Cash or silver.
Keep a small stash of $500.00 in small bills. You never know when the banks may shut down and cash may come in handy. You can likely find this is your buddy's bank account—lol. Since our government is inflicted with the “printing disease,” hyperinflation is a possibility, which could lead to collapse of the dollar. If this happens, then the economy most likely will collapse, and no one will accept paper bills. In this case, you’ll need another form of currency. The best option is always going to be food, but your food supply is limited, therefore, silver is the next best option for currency, not gold. Why not gold? Who is going to be able to give you an even trade or change for an ounce of gold, which is currently hovering around $1500.00 per ounce?
32. Emergency care skills.
Take a class that covers wilderness first aide, cpr, and the like. Most outdoor stores offer these courses. Knowing how to stabilize someone who is experiencing shock, how to apply a tourniquet, etc. are good to know in a fix. A small handbook is useful to put in your pack to act as a reminder if needed.
33. A pencil and pad of paper.
A small pad of paper and pencil can be handy if you need to let leave a message for someone. Yes, a pen will do the job, but pencils don’t run out of ink.
And there you have it, everything necessary for an equipped oh sh*t bag.
Again, let’s intend for the best in life, while being prepared just in case there are a few chaotic bumps in the road.
Your prepared friend,
Stephen
