The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 11, Issue 27

Hey folks, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week. I think it’s safe to assume that each of you reading this is aware that someone attempted to assassinate former President Trump during his appearance in Pennsylvania last Saturday.

When the news about it broke, I was sitting at a graduation party for one of my nieces. It took all of 8 minutes before I saw the first post on social media claiming it was a sham, and it just got worse from there with the various theories and what not.

As I posted on Patreon over the weekend, I would encourage you to do a few things.

1) Take every bit of information you read or hear about this situation with an iceberg-sized grain of salt. The odds that some rando on social media really has the inside scoop and is posting about it is about nil.

2) Don’t share posts or information about the situation unless it is coming from a source you absolutely trust to be legit and correct. To do otherwise just adds more static and noise.

3) Keep your eyes and ears open when you’re out and about. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if one or more bad actors decide to use this situation as an excuse to engage in shenanigans.

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Prepper Tip - Preppers and survivalists often get caught up in the “embrace the suck” concept. Don’t get me wrong, that’s an important concept. But it is just as critical to allow yourself some down time, some time when things don’t suck. It is important for both physical and mental well-being.

Nobody, I don’t care who they are, can go pedal to the metal forever without a break. At some point, burnout is going to occur. Caffeine and rage will get you a long way, but even they will run out at some point.

Give yourself permission to take a break every now and then. It is perfectly acceptable to take a “mental health day.” Lately, it isn’t just recommended but probably a requirement for sanity, given all the doom and gloom.

Of course, budgets are tight for most folks. But, you could:

--Go for a walk. Anywhere that you can get some fresh air and sunshine should work. Bonus points if it is out in a forest or field.

--Finally start or finish reading that novel you bought ages ago. Or stop by the library and see what you can find.

--Spend some time playing games with your family. Whether your favorite is Monopoly or Cards Against Humanity, laughter is great medicine.

--I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: When it seems all hope is lost and you have nowhere else to turn, hug your dog. This is a rule to live by.

--One of our family traditions is Saturday Movie Night. We’ve been doing this for at least 12 years. Every week, we find a movie (sometimes a double feature) on Netflix, Prime, or just something from the DVD collection that appeals to everyone, pop some popcorn, grab something to drink, and relax for the evening.

--Even if it is just taking an hour or so to sit back and do absolutely nothing other than breathe, it is time well-spent.

The takeaway here is simple – allow yourself to relax on a regular basis. It is healthy for mind, body, and spirit.

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The 1st edition of PREPPER'S LONG-TERM SURVIVAL GUIDE is just about 10 years old, and it is still selling quite well. It is consistently in the top 15 bestselling survival books on Amazon. I really love this book, and I thank everyone who has purchased a copy of it over the years.

Here’s a link to the revised 2^nd edition.

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Over on the work front, this week I’m editing the layouts for Backwoods Survival Guide 32 and writing/editing content for Prepper Survival Guide 25. Backwoods 29 should be in stores very soon. Here’s the cover.

I also have a couple of articles I’m doing for Backwoodsman magazine as well as the Mind4Survival website.

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It was unbearably hot over the weekend, so we opted to take our hike near Lake Michigan again. This time, we went to Harrington Beach State Park. Not only is there a beach, but there’s a small lake with a trail that circles it. There was once a stone quarry here that has since been filled with water. In some spots, you can still see some of the structures that are now under water.

Survival Tip – Civil Unrest

[Note: this is an abridged version of an article that first appeared in Prepper Survival Guide.]

While we may have the right to peaceably assemble and air our grievances, it seems as though many people forget the “peaceable” part of that equation. Whether by intention or as a result of so-called “mob mentality,” events all too often go awry.

The truth of the matter is that with tensions running as high as they are, it doesn’t take much to set off a crowd. A bottle gets smashed against a wall and it’s off to the races, with violence and possible bloodshed soon to follow.

For those who are just trying to get through the day in one piece, this trend is troubling to say the least. Fortunately, there are several things you can to do mitigate the risks.

Most occurrences of civil unrest don’t occur in a vacuum. Meaning, many of these “events” are planned in advance, even if they are truly intended to be peaceful. Often, those plans are made known, usually on social media. If you catch wind of an event being planned in your area, do what you can to be somewhere else when it happens. Avoid problem areas as best you can.

It is a matter of simple logic. You can’t get caught up in the crowd if you’re not there. Unfortunately, we don’t always have that option. We might encounter civil unrest at work, while traveling, or when we’re at home. Let’s take it step by step.

Riots at Work

Keeping in line with our avoidance strategy, if you find out there is something brewing near your workplace, try to get out ahead of it. Hopefully your boss will understand the need for an early exit. Plan ahead, though, and determine alternate routes home well in advance, at least one of which will hopefully detour you away from trouble if it arises.

There may be times when it makes more sense to hunker down and ride it out at work. Granted, few people want to spend even a minute longer than necessary at their place of employment, but in cases like this doing so sure beats risking being the headline story on the evening news.

Prepare for this eventuality by stocking a few things under your desk, in your locker, or somewhere else at the workplace. This includes things like snacks, water, flashlight, and maybe comfortable footwear. Do not count on having access to the bug out bag in your vehicle. There are many reasons why that might not be an option, including crowds forming between you and your car. The idea here isn’t to plan to spend the next few days at your desk. Just a few hours, perhaps overnight if things get really ugly out there.

On the Road

In this category, we’re talking about encountering issues when you’re out and about, whether you’re commuting to or from work or traveling for pleasure. You turn the corner and suddenly find yourself facing some sort of demonstration or protest. If you can find a safe and easy exit from the area, by all means take it.

However, there may be times when a tactical retreat just isn’t possible. If you are in a vehicle and in danger of being surrounded, make sure all windows are up and doors are locked. Continue moving forward slowly. Try not to panic, even if you’re not able to quite see where you’re going due to people being in the way. As the way clears, give it a little more gas if it seems prudent, then get out of the area.

If you’re on foot, blending in is a great approach, if feasible. Now is not the time to be the lone dissenting voice in the crowd. Try to work your way to the side of the crowd, then make your exit. Don’t try to walk against the flow. A better solution is to move perpendicular, walking across the crowd. If you have others with you, such as family members or co-workers, link arms so nobody falls behind.

Something to remember is that any law enforcement officers on the scene will not know on sight if you’re part of the protest. Should you decide to approach an officer for help, do so cautiously with both hands visible. Running at them while shouting and waving your arms or reaching into your pockets is a fairly certain way of finding out exactly what rubber bullets feel like. Or possibly real ones.

Home Sweet Home

Many of the security measures we take to protect us from burglars will also serve us well in this situation. Install good locks and deadbolts on all exterior doors, and use them. Far too often, we get complacent and this leads to trouble. While you’re at it, replace the hinge screws with longer ones. Most door hinges are installed with very short screws. Back them out, one at a time, and replace them with three-inch wood screws. This makes it much more difficult to open the door with brute force.

Security film can help strengthen windows. Rather than shattering into pieces all over the floor, the film keeps the glass together when it is struck. It won’t hold up to repeated abuse, of course, but it can buy you a little time.

When it comes to the use of firearms, there are a few generally accepted rules.

1) Know how to use your weapon proficiently. This includes loading, unloading, aiming, and firing.

2) Do not point a weapon at someone unless you fully intend to use it. An unloaded weapon is just a funny shaped paperweight. If someone calls your bluff, it could get ugly for you quickly.

3) Know what lies beyond your target, in case you miss. The last thing you want is to end up hurting a loved one during your attempt to protect them.

It is important to have a working knowledge of the laws in your area as they apply to self-defense and related topics. You don’t necessarily need to know the letter of the law, but you should know the practical applications of it. Talk to an attorney if you’re unclear on what a homeowner is and is not legally allowed to do in situations such as trespassing, home invasions, and such. If you can get through life without having a law named after you, consider it a win.

Prepper Survival Guide and Backwoods Survival Guide

For those new to my little corner of the Internet, I am the Editor in Chief for both Prepper Survival Guide and Backwoods Survival Guide magazines. Here are the covers for the current issues that are available in stores right now. 

You can find them just about anywhere magazines are sold, including:

• Walmart

• Sam's Club

• Costco

• Publix

• Walgreens

• Rite Aid

• CVS

• Tractor Supply

• Fleet Farm

• Barnes & Noble

Subscriptions to both titles are available here.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, Concerns?

I am always just an email away - jim@survivalweekly.com.