Rhio Reviews: Grant Cunningham's "Prepping For Life"

Recently, our dear Editrix Erin asked who within the group of writers, both part time and full time, identified as a Bibliovore - someone who feeds on books. I was the one who answered and raised the proverbial hand in class.

I say "proverbial hand in class" because for my trouble I was tasked with a book report. Fortunately, digesting books is easier on my system than digesting some of the Emergency Foods that I've been asked to test and review!

Grant Cunningham is familiar to many of us as a Gun Guy - an instructor and author in the field of firearms safety and firearms-based self-defense. It seems that Cunningham, like many of us, also doesn't believe in the concept of a "One Size Fits All" approach to being prepared for whatever life happens to throw in your general direction.

http://amzn.to/2vBbZvK

His new book, Prepping for Life: The Balanced Approach to Personal Security and Family Safety, is what's under review today. It's a comprehensive look at his system and methodology of maximizing your preparedness, developed over the course of several years. His writing style is relaxed and easy to follow, and he lays out how he developed his system, and what sorts of trial and error went into getting it to the point its at today.

His system, which he refers to in the book as Adaptive Personal Security (APS), revolves around that key word: Adaptive. Everything about this system is flexible and intended to make your life easier by being adjustable to suit your own needs.

APS is broken down into four separate, easy to comprehend parts:

1. Anticipate - figure out what your personal risks/dangers in life happen to be, and build a plan around them. He even provides a framework for a simple, logical method of prioritizing the risks you face, so that you can concentrate on the ones that are most likely and ignore the "fun to think about but highly unlikely" scenarios such as zombies.
2. Deter - this is where you figure out the most likely and effective methods of avoiding those previously-identified risks, and adjust them to suit your preferences, income, and desired investment of time and money.
3. Detect - noticing and acknowledging those risks you identified, and (hopefully) attempted to deter, when they actually arrive on the doorstep of your life.
4. Respond - this is where your actual preps come into play, be they a sidearm to protect yourself from criminals breaking in, or those cases of bottled water, blankets, and extra clothes you have stored in your storm cellar for when a tornado hits.

Cunningham gives plenty of examples of what sorts of things you should be considering, while making it very plain that Your Mileage May Vary! He manages to lay out a system that is easy to follow, easy to adapt to personal finances and circumstances, and is suitable for everyone from the single individual to the retired couple to the young business couple with 6 kids, 3 dogs, and a mother-in-law living with them!

While I enjoyed reading this, Cunningham does manage to lay out a few truths in this book that, as a longtime member of the preparedness community, I found difficult to come to grips with, such as how many preppers overestimate their abilities. There's no getting around the fact that some truths are unpleasant; however, a healthy dose of realistic expectation is required in life, especially when considering what things we honestly need to be prepared to face. It took me several days of arguing with myself before I could finally come to terms with everything, but logical, rational, dispassionate, and objective analysis finally won in the end.

All in all, I'd say this one is a Must Read. I'm definitely going to be keeping a copy in my library, and will most likely take a closer look at the system to see how it would work for me.

Grant Cunningham's Prepping for Life: The Balanced Approach to Personal Security and Family Safety  is available in Kindle format for $6.99 and in paperback for $14.91 with Prime shipping.


As a general side note - all opinions expressed in this post are strictly those of OkieRhio, not necessarily those of my fellow writers, or the editorial staff of this blog.  I was not paid to write this review, nor was I given any input as to what should and should not be covered.

Close Shaves Post-SHTF

Scott has written several guest articles for us, but this is his first post as a regular contributor for Blue Collar Prepping. Please make him feel welcome. 

“Shaving?” you ask. “Shaving? We don’t need no stinking shaving!”

It is a disaster, after all, and there are more important things to worry about. The ravenous zombie hordes, for example. Or the invading aliens, looking to abduct humans and use them as spare parts to repair their pet cows.

And I (kind of) agree with you. But there are number of eminently practical reasons to keep a razor and other shaving supplies in any preps you may have.

Psychological

Many people are going to have a great need to feel “normal” after a disaster, and the psychological boost for the continuation of normalcy in any disaster situation should not be underestimated. Not having to spend that extra bit of mental energy adjusting to changes in your environment can notably reduce exhaustion.

Social
Something that most people do not realize is that most (but not all) of the “body odor” that people smell comes from bacteria that actually grow on body hair. Shaving body hair can help with scent control in enclosed situations, and is occasionally used by hunters to control body odor when hunting things that will be scared away by human scent. Shaving can also be used to reduce the need for things like deodorant.

Even if people don’t like to say it, they are much more likely to help someone who is well groomed and well presented than someone who looks like they’ve gone through a disaster, even if that is exactly what has just happened.

Sanitary
Sanitary reasons for shaving include vermin control, such as lice. Longer term SHTF scenarios can include situations where one person brings in head lice into a group, and because they are sheltered together, it rapidly spreads. In addition to being uncomfortable, the vermin can spread disease, posing potential deadly risk. There is a reason that traditional treatment for this was to shave heads (and occasionally body hair) to treat and prevent spread of vermin. Combined with non-medicated soaps, this allows both prevention and “cure” of head and body lice.

“Muck” can accumulate in hair, especially in beards. It is much easier to clean a shaved face than to clean a beard, especially if you do not have access to water, or have very limited access. Anyone who has ever eaten a messy hamburger with a beard (or seen someone else do so) knows what I am talking about.

In hot climates, it may be wise to keep body hair shaved in order to prevent fungal growth. It can also be medically necessary to shave someone in preparation of surgical work, and shaving can even make things like stitches easier to apply.

Protective Gear Compatibility
NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) disasters are uncommon at most, but they do occur. If your preps include a gas mask, it is unusual to find one that accommodates facial hair. If you acquire a gas mask post-SHTF, you may find yourself unable to use it with facial hair. (There are facial hair-friendly respirators and gas masks, but they are much less common and typically more expensive. 3M produces one, but it costs as much as a used scooter.)

Pros and Cons of Shaving Methods
With that in mind, I present you an overview of the major methods used for shaving. This is actually not an exhaustive list, but it covers the most common methods in the United States and Europe for people who shave on a regular basis, whether it be facial hair or other.

Electric
The classic electric razor. This razor is used for all sorts of things and is probably the most common powered shaving accessory for men in the modern Western world.

Advantages

• Ease of use
• Most people already have one
• Fairly robust
• Usable for many shaves
• Nicer models will often include beard trimmer attachments, and can sometimes even be used to trim hair
• Batteries can often be recharged hundreds of times

Disadvantages

• Require power and a more detailed cleaning than most other types of razors. (While you do not need to clean them after every shave, they do require a more thorough cleaning when they are cleaned, and in the field this can lead to problems. )
• More expensive and more difficult to maintain than most other razors
• If dull, causes painful pulling of hair when used, and difficult to sharpen in the field without special equipment
• Do not shave as closely

In my opinion, these are best left at home, or used when bugging out in something like an RV.

Mechanical
A mechanical razor is much like an electric razor, with the power source being a hand-wound spring.

Advantages

• Excellent for long-term SHTF 
• Self-sharpening models were popular when they were in vogue

Disadvantages

• As of 2017, they are no longer being manufactured (to the best of my knowledge), and to purchase one you must buy an antique 
• Ones in good condition tend to be fairly expensive

Modern Multi-Blade Cartridge
This is the most common style of unpowered razor sold in North America and Europe. It comes in a bewildering array of styles and forms, but is usually a lubricating strip with several attached blades on a changeable, disposable cartridge head.

Advantages

• Nearly everyone owns one
• Don't stand out
• Common and cheap enough that you can purchase one for a bug out bag and it will not break the bank 
• All you need to use one is some water and perhaps a mirror; they have a lube strip built in, so no shaving soap needed. 

Disadvantages

• Some people are allergic or sensitive to the lubricant pads
• So common that someone else may have the same style and type of razor, leading to problems such as confusion and deliberate theft. 
• Made of inexpensive plastic, so they break more easily than some other options
• Finding or storing enough blades for continual use without easy resupply can become expensive and problematic

El Cheapo Dollar Store Disposable
Very similar to the cartridge style multi blade, I count this as a separate type because of two main factors: the entire assembly is disposable instead of just the cartridge, and the price.

Advantages

• Common, easy to find, and quite cheap
• Shave reasonably well
• Are typically several for a dollar
• Cheap enough to be disposable, or put into each bug out bag without breaking the bank.
• Can last several shaves (depending on type of hair), meaning that you can put only one or two in a 72 hour kit

Disadvantages

• Tend to break much more easily
• Do not last as long as the more expensive options
• Tend to have much more limited styles
• Have a strong tendency to have cheap lube on the lubricant strip, which is often much more problematic for those with allergies

Classic Double Edge
A double edge razor is a very old style, characterized by having a razor held between two plates of steel with a post handle. The razor that is held between the two plates of steel is disposable, and extremely inexpensive to replace. It is used until it is dull, and can either be stropped to regain the edge or thrown away.

Advantages

• Can be purchased brand new on the internet or even at antique shops
• Excellent for people with sensitive skin
• Give a very close shave without being as difficult to use or maintain as a straight razor. 
• Very rugged and very easy to use, even in the field (they were issued to the United States military up to the late 1990s)
• Refills are so inexpensive and take up so little space that if someone shaves every day, and requires regular razor blade changes, you can stockpile a lifetime supply for relatively little.

Disadvantages

• More modern than a straight razor, but much less common and less modern than a multi-blade Gillette or similar
• Handles start at $10 and up
• Separate razor blades may be a risk if you have small children that go through your things
• They take longer to get a good shave than a modern razor does because you have to pay more attention. (If this is the kind of razor you use every day, the difference can be measured in seconds, but if it’s the first time you’ve ever used one, you may end up feeling much more safe spending an extra minute or two.)

Straight Razor
A straight razor is a long piece of sharpened steel on a hinge that collapses into a handle. Popular for several centuries, they are still in use by high-end barbers.

Advantages

• Gives an excellent shave
• Are easy to obtain
• Available brand new, and sometimes at used prices comparable to cartridge razors
• A well maintained straight razor can literally last for centuries

Disadvantages

• Takes more time and effort to shave, due to being a razor sharp piece of steel without a guard to prevent cuts 
• New models are expensive, with a quality blade and handle being several times the cost of cartridge razors
• Require re-sharpening on a regular basis, using a process called “stropping”

Chemical Depilatories
Now for the oddball: using caustic chemicals to soften hair and remove it without using a blade.

Advantages

• Nothing but water and a wash cloth are required for most methods on the market.
• Can be used in places where sharp pieces of metal are not allowed
• Available over the counter at many drug stores and groceries
• Results often last longer than traditional shaving methods due to the chemicals affecting the hair below the skin

Disadvantages

• You are slathering caustic chemicals on your skin, waiting for them to take effect, and wiping them off 
• Do not get this in mucus membranes, do not get this in your eyes, do not let children play with it.
• Difficult to use in field conditions 
• Relatively expensive per use
• Does not work on all types of hair
• Can cause irritation for sensitive skin

Now you know what questions to ask when looking into the best option for shaving when SHTF. Use your common sense and don’t forget to practice.

Gun Blog Variety Podcast #155 - RINO Hunting

"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know." - Groucho Marx

• Beth and her husband went to Shootrite Academy in Alabama. They discuss what it’s like to train as a married couple, and Beth learned an important lesson about defensive pistol use in 101 degree heat.
• Sean has a doozy of a Felons Behaving Badly segment featuring five, count 'em, FIVE suspects involved in a kidnapping. You're going to need a score card to figure out who is related to whom!
• Barron is on assignment and will return soon.
• We're all supposed to grow up, not just grow older, but some people miss the maturity bus. Miguel tells us what to do when you run into an alleged adult who throws a childish temper tantrum in public.
• Sean went RINO hunting with the pro-gun group Grass Roots North Carolina. There were people dressed in Rhino pajamas, a rhino mask, and more Sergeants-at-Arms than you can shake a pro-gun banner at.

• Tiffany is on assignment and will return soon.
• Erin finishes up her series on Surviving Survival with a double-length segment on successful coping strategies.
• The One and Only Anti-Gun Podcast brings on a researcher to talk about research and the anti-gun agenda. Weer’d listens so that you don't have to!
• And our Plug of the Week is for the PHLster Flatpack Tourniquet Holder. 

Thank you for downloading, listening, and subscribing. You are subscribed, right? We are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play Music!

Listen to the podcast here.

Read the show notes here.

Thanks to LuckyGunner and Remington for their sponsorship, and a special thanks to Firearms Policy Coalition for their support.

Blue Collar Prepping Transcript -

Surviving Survival

For the past two months, I’ve been talking about what trauma is and why our brains respond it the way that they do, and giving suggestions on how to manage anger, fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. This week I conclude this series by giving general strategies for getting past the traumatic event and getting on with your life. In other words, how to survive the rest of your life once you’ve survived the emergency, tragedy, disaster or trauma. 

There are six strategies that lead to successful outcomes. Of these, the most effective strategy -- contrary to all expectations -- is Suppression. In other words, Put it out of your mind. Just don’t think about it. Think about other things instead. 

In the paper titled Study Of Adult Development, psychiatrist George Vaillant found that simply suppressing a traumatic experience and getting on with life is, quote, "the defensive style most closely associated with successful adaptation". Suppression is straightforward, practical, and best of all, it works. "Of all the coping mechanisms," Vaillant writes, "suppression alters the world the least and best accepts the terms life offers." 

However, not everyone can simply stop thinking about things that trouble them. This is a problem which I have; when something bothers me, I end up chewing on it over and over, like a cow with its cud. For those of you who end up ruminating on your problems like I do, here are other successful strategies:

Sublimation - Do something to channel anger, energy and anxiety into something productive. This is engaging the seeking pathway, and I went into this in detail in episode 148. Sublimation is another form of suppression, because seeking pathway overrides the rage pathway of rumination. 

Altruism - Do something kind for someone else. This helps you twice: first by occupying your mind with the task, and the second with the chemical reward that comes with positive emotions when your gift makes its recipient happy. 

Anticipation - See the future and prepare for it. Like studying for a test so hard that you score a 100% on it, if you over-prepare then the actual event is a nonissue. This is an excellent strategy for things which have a definite end goal, such as a diagnosis of cancer. If you’re a prepper, you are constantly using this technique. 

And finally Humor - Being able to laugh at yourself is healing. It has been said that you “Can’t be laughing and worrying at the same time,” and I’ve found this to be true, which is why I always try to make a joke to lighten the mood when things seem horrible. 

The best coping mechanism of all, if you can manage it, is to combine suppression with laughter. Laugh about the good things in life and don’t think about the terrible things -- or laugh AT the terrible things, to rob them of their power. A thing you mocking is not a thing to be feared. 

There are 12 steps for successful survival, whether you are in the middle of a disaster or you are dealing with the aftermath. 

1. Perceive & Believe - Recognize the reality of the situation. Don’t deny it is happening; accept it and deal with it. 
2. Remain Calm - acknowledge whatever fear, rage, or sadness you have, but don’t dwell on them. Instead, use that energy to be productive by engaging the seeking pathway. 
3. Think, Analyze, Plan - Know what you have and what you want. Once you have a realistic assessment of your resources and predicament, set achievable goals. Tell yourself “OK, this bad thing has happened. Now what?” Look to future instead of ruminating on the past or what could have been. 
4. Act on that plan - This is sublimation, and it effectively directs negative emotions outward into productive effect. Do something other than dwelling on pain and trauma. 
5. Celebrate success once action is taken - This creates a dopamine reward within your brain, which makes you feel better and causes you to want to keep progressing forward. This is a “virtuous circle”. 
6. Count your blessings - This results in gratitude, which calms negative emotions. 
7. Play - Have fun, which is part of living a healthy happy life. Without joy, you aren’t living, you’re merely existing. 
8. See the Beauty - Focus on positive, ignore the negative. This binds you to the world so you want to keep living. 
9. Believe you can influence events - Believing that you will succeed is the attitude of the survivor, not the victim. Do not wait for rescue; rescue yourself. 
10. Surrender - Don’t let your fears hold you back; let go of them and move forward.
11. Do whatever is necessary to make that move happen - By this point, you should know, deep within yourself, that you have the will and skill to accomplish what is needed for healing or rescue. Do not let obstacles keep you from your goal. 
12. Never give up - You’re still alive. That means you can always improve your situation. 

Finally, there is happiness, which is what everyone wants in life. I’m going to conclude this series with three key thoughts on happiness and the pursuit thereof:

“It’s possible to lead a healthy happy life even in the aftermath of trauma. Perhaps more importantly, happiness is not a matter of avoiding trouble; it’s a matter of how you deal with it.”

“Happiness as a goal is a recipe for disaster. Happiness as a byproduct of living your life is a great thing.”

To make your live more complete, and therefore help you achieve happiness:

1. Do something you love.
2. Do something for someone who needs you.
3. Be with people who care about you.

I can’t stress that last one enough: Be with people who care about you.

Take care of yourself, folks.

• Surviving Survival: The Art and Science of Resilience – http://amzn.to/2sE9o2G
• Study of Adult Development - http://www.hms.harvard.edu/psych/redbook/redbook-family-adult-01.htm

Training

Sometimes being thrifty is being trained. The more you know, the less you have to carry, and the less you fall for.

The Sawyer Extractor

My primary first aid kit is a small trauma bag. It was a gift from a former employer for completing a 40-hour First Responder course and volunteering to be one of the medical aid staff at a large (800 acre) industrial site. Over the years, I've added things to it to better address the injuries I was dealing with when I had to open it, and one of  the first additions was a Sawyer  Extractor. This is the same company that makes good water filters, and they've been around for 30+ years, so they're doing things right.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

What is it?
The Extractor is a small, hand-operated suction pump for removing venom from stings and bites. It comes in a plastic case that is smaller than a paperback book and weighs only a few ounces.

It is not a replacement for an Epi-pen if you are allergic to insect stings, but it will reduce the amount of venom in your system and reduce your body's reactions to the venom.

What does it do?
By creating a moderate suction in a small area, the Extractor can pull venom from an insect or spider bite to reduce the pain and damage. I've used mine on wasp stings that would normally raise a welt and cause pain for days, and seen nothing more than a red spot and pain that only lasted a few minutes. They are very helpful when dealing with children who have been stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet, as the reduction in pain and swelling reduces the trauma (and drama).

They may help reduce the amount of venom from a snake bite, but since a snake's fangs are longer than most insect stingers, they tend to inject the venom a lot deeper and closer to blood vessels. While something is better than nothing, venomous snake bites are not to be taken lightly, so get proper medical aid ASAP.

How do you use it?
The Extractor is a large, double-chambered, spring-loaded syringe. After placing one of the reusable plastic cups on the tip, you pull the handle all the way to the rear (to compress the spring), place the plastic cup over the bite/sting and then push the handle back down. The spring will force an internal plunger up, creating a gentle suction that draws the venom or poison out. Once you have the venom out, use the alcohol swabs and band-aids provided in the kit to clean and cover the wound to prevent infection. There is also a disposable razor in the kit for removing excessive body hair from the bite/sting site if the hair is thick enough to prevent a good seal between the plastic cup and skin.

Where do I get one?
I've seen them for sale at Walmart for about the same price as you can get them on Amazon. If you want to help support this little blog, please consider using our Amazon link since we get a few pennies per sale through the Affiliate program. If you want to pay more, they are also found in most camping and hunting supply stores. $15 is cheap for something that can prevent a bee sting from ruining a weekend camp-out or make being stuck in the woods less miserable.


Having worked with Cub Scouts and several other groups of younger people, many of whom were not accustomed to living close to nature, I've had to use my Extractor a handful of times over the years. The one in my kit is due for replacement (I'm going through my kit and making some changes, so this is a good time to take inventory and replace things that are out of date), so I'll be picking up a new one soon. While it isn't a definite life-saving device, it is useful enough that I keep one in the big bag.

Prudent Prepping: Semi-Monthly Round up

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

Another of my occasional posts,where I collect bits and pieces of ideas that I can't turn into a separate post, or follow-up on things already done.

Fire Starter Add-Ons
Last week's post talked about Sparkies as a secondary or backup means to make a fire. I admitted to not having a backup in my stored equipment, only waterproof matches. Going forward, I will be adding Sparkies to my Buckets of Holding, along with extra tinder which I had forgotten to add. I will be saving dryer lint, placing it into baggies and stuffing that inside the toilet paper rolls in the buckets.

There are some crazy videos of really elaborate tinder styles, like this one of Vaseline-soaked cotton balls placed into plastic straws, to me the time and effort involved seems to be too much for the end result. I don't know anyone who has done this, but would like to hear from anyone who has and what their opinion is of the process.

Get Home Bag, pt. Again

Fog

I posted this picture to the Blue Collar Prepping Facebook page as a semi-follow-up to my last Get Home Bag post and as a refresher to those who assume California is all warm waves, sandy beaches and palm trees. That is Southern California; I live in the north, where we have Alaska water. Working two miles from the ocean means there is fog most mornings, all year long. It is at least not freezing in the summer, but even chilly and damp will be uncomfortable if you don't have proper clothing. The linked post shows a rainy day. In this picture, it's just foggy, cold and 55° F, even though where I live it's sunny and 100° F.

I mentioned having a sweater and poncho in my gear, and a Loyal Reader wanted to know what the sweater was made of. It's wool, which (besides some synthetics) is a very good fiber for keeping a body warm, even while wet. One of the classic (and I think best) books on outdoor basics from a climbing point of view is Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. I happen to own both an early edition and one published in the 1990's. One thing that has not changed are the various editors' beliefs that "Cotton Kills" in a survival setting. That's why I wear a standard sweatshirt over my company Polo when I make my sales calls, but have proper gear close by.

The Takeaway

• There is always something new to learn or explain to someone else. 
• Have the correct gear for your situation, even if it sounds odd to others, since only you know your circumstances best... but you should also know why you have what's in your bag. 

The Recap

• Nothing was purchased this week, but if anyone is interested in an outstanding book on mountaineering, I recommend Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the 50th Anniversary edition: $20.06 from Amazon.

If you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.

AR-15 Gas Systems Breakdown

As some of the editorial staff of Blue Collar Prepping delve deeper into the AR-15 world, questions have come up regarding the more esoteric and non-standard options available on the AR platform. This week, we'll discuss gas systems.

The AR platform of rifles is (with few exceptions) a direct impingement rifle with a gas port near the muzzle. In layman's terms, this means that a small hole in the barrel near the muzzle diverts some of the gasses from the burning powder back to the bolt to cycle the action. This hole is contained by the gas block, and is almost always located under the front sight.

There are four gas systems available on an AR-15 upper. These systems are defined by the distance between the upper receiver and the gas port and are also rated for specific barrel lengths.

• Pistol gas systems have a 4" port distance, and are ususally only on barrels under 10".
• Carbine gas systems have a 7" port distance, and are rated for 10-18" barrels. These are the most common gas system seen.
• Midlength gas systems have a 9" port distance, and a 14-20" barrel rating.
• Rifle Length gas systems have a 12" port distance, and are for barrels in excess of 20".

Needs will determine barrel length, so rifle and pistol gas systems are pretty easy to select. Carbine and midlength systems have a fair amount of overlap, though, which leads to a few considerations that must be made to determine the optimal gas setup. In general, a midlength gas system will have smoother, lighter recoil, but may have problems cycling light loads. The carbine system is more reliable, but is louder, snappier, and a bit less effective with a suppressor.

Different gas systems require different buffers as well.  If you're going to swap uppers around, be sure that that you have the appropriate buffer installed in your gun.

At left, a rifle buffer.
On the right is a carbine buffer.

With the proper combination of barrel length, buffer size, and gas system, your rifle will operate reliably and accurately. Next week, we'll discuss the pros and cons of some non-traditional calibers.

Lokidude