Category Archives: Personal Safety

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Still think living in a small town eliminates the threat of terrorism?  The Montevideo MN terror plot shows that no town is immune from the threat.

Credit: slowingtheracingmind

A few days ago, the FBI arrested a man who may have been planning a terrorist attack in the small town of Montevideo, Minnesota.  The suspect was a white supremacist who had pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, and various firearms in his possession at the time of arrest.  One of the planned targets was the local police station, no other potential targets were mentioned.

I grew up in Minnesota (Twin Cities Metro area) and have traveled throughout the state for the first half of my life.  There are many small towns like Montevideo throughout the state.  The college I went to was in a farm town of about 15,000 residents and many people enjoyed its tranquil atmosphere.  However, living in a small town is no guarantee of immunity from terrorism, as Montevideo (population 5,800) demonstrates.

There are crazy, dangerous people everywhere.  This is a sad fact of life and no matter where you live, you need to be prepared in case these people act out their violent desires.  Even if you live in a small town, be ready for the unthinkable and you will be better able to handle the situation.

It’s a small world after all.

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Sometimes you need to be prepared for encounters with wildlife.  I was reminded of that recently and wanted to share some information on how to handle one particular type of animal:  the rattlesnake.  The goal is to educate so you know how to deal with rattlesnake encounters in a manner that protects both you and the animal.

The story begins a few days ago when I was visiting my parent’s house for a family dinner.  They live on 2.5 acres in the desert outside of Casa Grande, Arizona which is on the northern side of the Sonoran Desert.  After the sun set, I was getting ready to go back home to Phoenix by loading my car.  I heard a noise and stopped for a second, then I heard the same noise again.  It was a rattlesnake like this one:

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Since I could not see it, I went to the front of the house to get back inside.  I had no desire to get bit by a snake after all.  However, what happened next was an example of what not to do in such a situation.

My dad decides he needs to see where the snake is.  So he takes a light and grabs a hoe from the (open) garage in search of the snake.  He finds it underneath a bush at the edge of the driveway and proceeds to shine his light on it.  The snake starts rattling again, mostly because it is angry and wants to be left alone.  As it slithers out to find some other place to hide, my dad bangs the hoe in its general direction and the snake coils up and gets angry.  By this time my mom, my sister, and myself are yelling at my dad to get away from the snake.  After all, my dad is in his mid-seventy’s and not in good health right now, so a snakebite could prove fatal.  However, my dad doesn’t want the snake to get into his new truck so he keeps shining his light on it.

By now, both my sister and I decide we need to call the fire department so they can remove the snake safely.  I call and tell the dispatcher about the situation, my parent’s address, and the type of snake we found.  All the while my dad is still annoying the snake, even though it is now hiding under his new truck.  Eventually, the fire department comes out, catches the snake, and puts it into a 5-gallon pail for removal.  My dad finally turns off the flashlight and puts the hoe away, much to our relief.

This situation ended well, but could have gone wrong in an instant.  Here is what you should do if you encounter a rattlesnake:

  • Remember that rattlesnakes want to avoid contact with humans, if you leave the snake alone it will leave you alone.
  • If you have pets in the vicinity, get them away from the snake.
  • Don’t back the snake into a corner, cornered snakes are dangerous because they feel threatened.
  • Do not threaten or harass the snake, leave it alone.
  • Call a professional (ex. Fire Department) to safely remove the snake.

Key takeaway from the National Parks Service:

Rattlesnakes are only dangerous to people when they fail to respect the snake’s personal space. Rattlers typically strike at human beings when they feel threatened by them. Statistics show that most bites occur when a person provokes a snake by either accidently stepping on one or purposely trying to capture, harass, or kill the animal. Statistics show that more than 65 percent of rattlesnake bites are provoked by the person who is bitten.

If you ever encounter a rattlesnake, don’t provoke it and you are likely to walk away from the encounter without any bites.  Otherwise, you take your chances…

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You are in a crowd with thousands of other people when an explosion goes off.

Credit: Reuters

What do you do?

Kevin Reeve recently wrote a helpful post on this subject, its called How to be Safe in Crowds and its worth reading.  Other than avoiding large crowds, he gives some good advice on how to develop good situational awareness and have a bias towards action.  This will help maximize your chances of survival during a disaster.  The main concept he highlights is controlling panic, as he writes:

The KEY to surviving any event in a crowded venue will depend almost entirely on your ability to control personal panic, to assess the situation, and to take immediate action.  If you panic, you drastically increase your odds of injury or death.

This is related to the concept of OODA loops in the decision-making process.  All four parts of the OODA loop require active participation (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and the more you practice these in everybody life, the more finely-tuned they become.  So keep these concepts in mind and put them into practice.  Who knows, someday you may need to react quickly to a disaster so develop your bias towards action now.

HT to Kevin (again).

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Unlike in Old West movies, the posse may not get there in time to save the day.

Credit: Tucson Citizen

Which means, until the good guys arrive, you are your own first responder.  That’s a scary thought, but its reality and needs to be accounted for.  There won’t always be a policeman, fireman, EMT, or other first responder on-site to offer immediate assistance when things go wrong.  That means you have to be prepared to be your own first responder.

In a mass shooting or terrorist attack, police departments now recommend taking action instead of being passive.  This can take many forms but the key concept is to take action immediately.  It may take several minutes for police units to arrive, which is plenty of time for a criminal to do a lot of damage.  As Police Officer Jack Dumphy writes:

…in the event of a mass shooting, the police may not arrive until it’s over, as was the case in about half the incidents examined.  The average police response time in the 84 shootings was three minutes, which may seem fast until one considers how much carnage a committed and well-armed gunman can bring down on a school, office, or shopping mall in three minutes.

This holds true for natural disasters as well.  Just the other day in China, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck in a rural province, which caused over a hundred deaths and over ten thousand injuries.  In some parts of the affected area, it took hours for assistance to arrive.  Due to the narrow roads and landslides, some areas may not get help for days…  Until help arrives, the survivors are on their own to manage as best they can with the aftermath.

Keep in mind that as more municipalities at all levels struggle with their finances, response times will get longer and there will be fewer resources available.  Being your own first responder will become a necessity along with building networks outside of governmental agencies to handle emergencies.  In one respect, this is a return to an earlier era in America where self-reliance, neighborhoods, and communities took care of each other instead of municipalities.  Taking the initiative to prepare is a gateway towards greater independence and freedom, which will ultimately benefit the neighborhoods we live in.

HT to Kevin over at Misfires and Light Strikes.

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Let me echo what my friend Kevin has to say about Thinking Through the Unthinkable:

For starters, even if you or your loved ones haven’t been hurt in the blast, you can still become casualties if a stampede breaks out. It’s not unheard of for incidents like this to turn into a human stampede that leads to a loss of life far beyond what the first incident causes. Knowing where the exits are and having more than one escape route beforehand helps you avoid the mindless rush to get out if a panicked fear breaks out in a crowd.

Secondly, while you may not have a first-aid kit on you, you can have one nearby. An IFAK (Infantryman’s First Aid Kit) gives you the basics to save a life in a such a situation, and they’re small enough to go just about anywhere. I have one in the back of my car and I’ve got a couple more on-order to toss into range bags whenever I go shooting.

Thirdly, learn how to save lives, IFAK or not. For me, taking a good, solid emergency trauma and first aid class has just shot to the top of my training priorities list since the incident at Boston…

The objective in writing about incidents like the Boston Marathon Bombing is not to scare but to to prepare.  All of us (myself included) can learn and do more that will better equip us for when the unthinkable happens.  Start taking steps now, even if they are small ones, because nobody knows when the next disaster will strike.

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As we saw during the Boston Marathon on Monday, terrorism can happen any time, any where with devastating results.  Sadly, industrial accidents like the one outside of Waco, Texas on Wednesday can be even more devastating.

Credit: KWTX.com

The Waco chemical plant explosion killed over sixty people and injured hundreds on Wednesday evening outside of Waco, with people as far as 40 miles(!) away hearing the explosion.  Within the city of West, hundreds of people had to be evacuated outside a one-mile radius due to the risks posed by additional explosions.  All of this happened suddenly and without warning.

The good news is that events like this are rare because both companies, workers, first responders, and government agencies at all levels work together to prevent events like this from happening.  Even with all the precautions and safeguards in place though, accidents do happen.  The question is, what can you do to be prepared for a disaster like this?

The short answer is to prepare a “Go Bag” with items you need in case you need to evacuate quickly.  When sheltering in place is not an option, you will need to leave the area with what you can carry.  Having a Go Bag with the proper items in it can make a big difference in an emergency.  I’ll cover this subject in more depth in upcoming posts but for now, click on the links I included to get started.

Bad things happen and when they do you will need to be ready.

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When bad things happen, first responders can become overwhelmed during the initial phase of a mass casualty.  As we saw yesterday in Boston, a horrific terrorist attack injured over 170 people in an instant and left several dead.  There will be times when police, fire, and rescue personnel will be delayed in coming to your aid if you and others are injured, meaning you are your own first responder.

Image courtesy of The Telegraph

This means taking steps to prepare for unlikely yet traumatic events like a terrorist attack.  I wrote yesterday that disaster can strike Any Time, Any Where so you need to plan accordingly.  What steps can you take?  Well, consider the following and see what you can apply today.

Your Person – Items you carry with you or on you:

Your Office – Some things to have at work:

  • Food
  • Water
  • First aid kit
  • Cell phone charger
  • Change of clothes
  • Athletic shoes and socks
  • Reflective tape
  • Extra cash and coin ($20 should be enough)
  • Water bottle
  • Paper towels or napkins

Your Home – Products you should have where you live:

Your Car – Keep these items in your car:

  • Food (MREs, Datrex rations, granola bars)
  • Water
  • First aid kit
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow rope
  • Spare tire (inflated and in good working order)
  • Chemlights
  • Electrical and/or duct tape
  • Lighter
  • Signaling mirror
  • Blanket
  • Flashlight
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Space pen
  • Pad of paper
  • Batteries (fully charged)
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Rags
  • Knife or multi-tool
  • Extra wiper blades
  • Tools (screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, pliers, etc.)
  • Quart of oil (get the correct viscosity for your engine)

Other useful items to have handy include:

  • Applicator-less tampons (read this for reasons why)
  • Maxi-pads (see above)
  • Tape (athletic for non-waterproof, duct or electrical tape for waterproof)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hard hat
  • Leather gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Lifehammer
  • Respirator

In time, I’ll go into greater depth on how to prepare various kits and what each one should contain.  Consider this post a quick and dirty starting point, the key is to begin today because you may need these items tomorrow.  I encourage every reader to do what I do, search for information from a wide variety of sources and make adjustments over time.  This is an ongoing process and will never be “done” since new information will emerge over time.

The good news is that most of us will never experience a terrorist attack, massive earthquake, tsunami, tornado, hurricane, or other catastrophic event.  However, bad things can happen unexpectedly so its wise to prepare to mitigate the damage they can cause.  Take steps now to increase your preparedness and remember that the journey you embark upon will reward you even if you never have to employ what you have learned.

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As today’s tragic events in Boston demonstrate, disaster can strike any time, any where, and without any warning.  In time we will know who planned this terrorist attack, what his motives were, what his plan was, and other details.  All of that will be revealed in due course, that doesn’t answer a fundamental question though.

Image courtesy of The Daily Bail

What happens when you find yourself in the midst of an attack?

A terrorist attack is a sudden and violent event that is intended to cause maximum chaos, carnage, and confusion.  It will be a “come as you are” event, meaning what you have on-hand will be all you have to handle the situation.  This can be a challenge, but there are both products and principles anybody can use to prepare for the worst.  Give both areas a look and consider which ones you can start using today in order to better prepare yourself.

Products

  • RoadID – Get one of these listing your name, blood type, any known allergies, contact information, and other pertinent medical information.  It could save your life if you are incapacitated and unable to speak to first responders.
  • First Aid Kit – Several years ago I purchased a Day Pack First Aid Kit from REI that I keep in my Camelback when I go hiking, biking, or camping.  Its small, light, and portable…all for less than $20.
  • Belt – A belt can help stop bleeding if a major artery is severed or a victim experienced the traumatic amputation of a limb.
  • Handkerchief, scarf, or bandana – These can act as temporary bandages or tourniquet in an emergency, can also serve as a signaling device by waving it.  Useful as mask in dusty or smoky environments.
  • Flashlight – If lighting goes out, even a small flashlight will provide a needed source of illumination.
  • Smart Phone – Can be used to call for help, a light source, or source of information (see Applications).
  • Applications – Certain applications can provide critical information, even if cell phone service is temporarily disabled.  Consider adding First Aid (Health Team), iTriage, or other similar apps to your phone.

Principles

  • Be Prepared – Have the knowledge and tools you need on-hand so you will be prepared.  This will result in increased confidence and the ability to overcome traumatic situations.
  • Breathe – Your brain needs Oxygen to function and make decisions so remember to take deep breaths and…
  • Stay Calm – Keep your wits about you and deliberately get out of harm’s way if you can.  Panic and confusion will only make the situation worse, potentially leading to more trauma.  You are likely to be scared out of your mind, but if you remain calm your chances of survival increase significantly.
  • Know First Aid – Take a First Aid course so you will know what to do if needed.  Knowing what to do during an emergency could save a life.
  • Protect Yourself – Don’t risk your safety or life for others, if you are outside the scene of an emergency STAY OUT!  Let trained emergency personnel handle matters, your priority is to protect yourself from harm.

As we have seen today, terror and violence can happen in the most unexpected times and locations.  What makes these mass casualties shocking is that we live in a comparatively safe society where attacks like this are rare.  Still, it is wise to prepare for the worst to the degree that you are able to.  Every little bit helps and can lessen the damage and confusion caused by terrorist attacks.  Good luck in your preparations, please get started now.

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Quick question, who is better equipped to handle a stressful situation?

This fella?

Or this guy?

With that in mind, which one are you closer to right now?

Be honest with yourself…

If you are out of shape, overweight, in poor cardiovascular condition, have high blood pressure, or have other diseases of affluence, you need to change that.  Your body is a tool that will enable you to survive a wide range of stressful situations.  However, if that tool is dull (ex. obese) then its much more difficult to overcome adverse conditions.  You can have the best preparation plan out there but if your body isn’t able to execute, it won’t do you any good.

Some quick and easy steps to improve you preparation fitness are to reduce or eliminate eating fast food, packaged meals, and sugary drinks.  All of those harm your body and hamper your fitness efforts.  Just look at the label on a typical frozen meal, if you have difficulty pronouncing the myriad of synthetic ingredients and additives in it, you probably should not be putting it into your body.  Ditto for fast food, it may taste good but most of those “meals” are full of sodium, saturated fats, and artificial ingredients that don’t offer your body the nourishment that it needs.  And unless you are a hummingbird, your body does not need the empty calories of a sugary drink.  Reduce these unhealthy inputs and you will loose fat and gain fitness.

You can start getting into shape by simple physical activities like walking, riding a bike, or climbing stairs.  Getting in shape does not mean an extreme exercise regimen, the best fitness activities are the ones you can do for the rest of your life.  The main objective is to get off your butt and move.  Before you start any fitness program though, talk with your doctor and discuss options to find the right activities for your situation.  Everybody is different and is starting from a different fitness level, make sure you take this into account when creating a fitness plan that compliments your preparation plans.  Increase healthy outputs and your fitness level will improve, making your body a more effective tool.

The principle is simple, tune-up your body so it can be ready when things go wrong.  Being fit and healthy will enable you to perform your best and increase your odds of success in all situations.  Better health will translate into better performance at your job, on the playing field, and around the home with your family.  So get healthy now, its a critical component of your preparations!

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Want to know how to improve your home’s security?  Read this article from No Nonsense Self Defense and begin applying the tips today.

The twenty-two home safety tips in that article represent a range of products and practices that will help make your home more secure.  In fact, you may have already applied some of them!  My suggestion is to read through the article a few times and carefully think about which steps you can take in the coming days and weeks.  Many of these tips aren’t very expensive but offer a massive benefit in terms of increasing security.

The takeaway from the post:

The enemies of the burglar are time and attention. The longer it takes to enter and the more noise he makes increase his chances of being seen and caught. Homes not easily and quickly broken into are most often bypassed for easier targets.

Use this information as a guide to preparing your home.  Every layer of security you add to your home makes it more difficult for a criminal to enter it, which deters crime.  See what layers you can start adding and increase your home’s safety.