Wednesday 17 April 2013

The G.O.O.D Plan Seeking a Publisher

Soft Cover Edition (8 1/2"x 11")

 The G.O.O.D. Plan - Get Out Of Dodge is seeking a publisher.

I have self-published the Master Planner's Deluxe Binder Edition, as well as, with the assistance of Island Blue Printing Co, Victoria, BC, I have self-published both the 8.5"x11" Soft Cover Edition and the 5.5"x8.5" Field Manual Editions.

For this project to move forward I need a publisher to join me. 

What I am not seeking:
  • To sign away my rights to this project
  • To lose total control of this project
  • To give my project away

 
Back Cover

The Master Planner's Deluxe Binder Edition

The Master Planner's Deluxe Binder Edition
What I am seeking:

  • To work in cooperation with a publisher
  • Get an e-Book version and the Field Manual Versions to the buying public - sooner rather than later
  •  Eventually, have the soft cover version made available

Interested persons or publishers please contact me via e-mail:

theGOODplan@hotmail.ca

 The market is there. I just need some help to tap into it.


Thank you,

V. Andrew McMillan.
Soft Cover & Field Manual Edition (5.5" x 8.5")

The G.O.O.D Plan - Official Field Manual Edition

The G.O.O.D Plan - Field Manual Edition in the Field

The G.O.O.D. Plan - Get Out Of Dodge  Field Manual Edition is now a reality. The good folks at Island Blue Print Co, in Victoria, BC have once again helped me out with the printing duties.

The new field manual edition is 5.5" x 8.5", compared to the soft cover edition which is 8.5" x 11". The field manual edition will fit the leg cargo pocket of many BDU type cargo pants. 

I am still searching for a publisher to take my book to the next level and bring my book to the world. So, if you are a publisher and you have heard of my book, feel free to contact me and see if we can work out a deal. I will be upfront on what the deal will not include: I will not sign away my rights to this project or any off shoots that may develop. I would like to see the public be able to have the option of an e-Book, a field manual and the soft cover version. My original idea of a Master Planner's Deluxe Binder Edition would be nice, although commercially unlikely. I can accept that.

So, I will continue to try to find a publisher. 

Publishers can make contact at: thegoodplan @ hotmail dot ca

Til next time......if you have a good idea, write it down!!

Andrew.

Book Review - The G.O.O.D. Plan - Get Out Of Dodge

Well, posting the excerpts of The G.O.O.D. Plan (Get Out Of Dodge) has resulted in a sale. AND a review of my book. I have posted the review here, with Susannah's permission. 
Have a great summer,
Andrew.

Book Review "The G.O.O.D Plan"

Postby susannah755 » 18 Jun 2012 21:25
I recently purchased this book mainly because I'm an info junkie and the extracts that I saw on this forum whetted my appetite for more...so I made my move and purchased my copy. Best thing I ever did! I decided to write a review - I wasn't asked to write a review, I volunteered to do so only because when I read this book yesterday it just inspired me so much - it explained a lot than I simply did not know how to tackle, I had no plan for bugging out in an emergency as I was relying on a "by the seat of my pants" reaction...not any more, I've started my plan already, I have "direction" and it's giving me peace of mind. So...here's my review:

I really like the way this book was written, it was engaging and thought provoking throughout. (I honestly couldn’t put it down – I read the whole thing in one sitting). It is written using “lay-person” language so it is very easy to read and the advice given is simple and concise so, regardless of your level of knowledge in planning to bug out in an emergency, you will have a plan forming as you read this book.

The information contained in this work is enlightening – every base is covered and the author goes to great lengths to explain every aspect of how to begin to assimilate the idea’s contained within this tome into a workable plan for you and your family’s survival. There is a wealth of information on things that you would assume would be covered plus a whole lot more. I especially liked the drills/practice for bugging out, the use of family codes was awesome (something that I hadn’t even thought of), the lists that are included are fantastic, SOP’s are explained and the SERE tips are excellent. All of the information can be adapted to suit any climate in any country – bonus!! The additional resources are just “mind blowing”. This is a book that you will read again and again – a worthy addition to your survival bookshelf.

I would recommend that everyone read this book.
Thank you Mountainman - awesome effort.

So.....when is the next book coming out?

The G.O.O.D. Plan - Get Out Of Dodge - Part 1







The G.O.O.D. Plan is now on Amazon!! https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-good-plan-now-available-on-amazon.html (Updated 22 Aug 2021)

Original Post:

Well I guess it is time to get my book out in the public eye. So, I will start posting parts of my book, when I can. Let's see if this works. 

I started working on this book in December 2009. By December 2010, I had a copy ready to print. Paladin Press in Colorado, USA was interested in printing my book once I signed over all my rights. At this time I still do not feel inclined to give up on having my book published. But, I prefer to have it published on my terms. For example, I do not want to lose my rights to this material. But, if you promise not to try to steal my material and call it your own, I will start to post the book in pieces on my blog.

I wrote this book because every brochure you ever read tells you to make a plan. But no one ever shows you what the plan looks like. This is not a survival manual per se, more of a manual to plan your family's evacuation, should you ever need to. I hope this is of some assistance.

This is copyrighted material. I am the copyright holder. I am extending viewing privileges to you the reader. You may read this but you cannot copy this material and reproduce it and sell it. You cannot take it to the printer and have it printed. IF, any publisher would like to work with me to have a printed version made, please, email me at: thegoodplan@hotmail.ca  . Thank you.  Mountainman aka V. Andrew McMillan.

Sorry Folks, could not get my cover to paste. So, we carry on.

I may have found copies of my Cover and Back Cover to post: Fingers crossed this will work. Yes!!

 













Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Terms and Definitions

When to Enable The G.O.O.D. Plan

The G.O.O.D. Plan
  • Individual
  • Family
  • Community
Planning
Equipment
Resources
  • Personal Defence
  • Scenarios
Routes
Safe Zones
Standard Operation Procedures (SOP's)
Threat assessment
Practice & Drills

It's Over, Now What?

Going Home

Starting Over

The Review

Restock & Prepare Again

Conclusion

Table of Contents

Appendix A – Sample G.O.O.D. Plan
Appendix B – First Aid Kit List
Appendix C – Disasters & Man-Made Headaches
Appendix D – Intelligence
Appendix E – Defensive Techniques
Appendix F – Convoy Driving Techniques
Appendix G – Skills Assessment
Appendix H – RV Survival Kits
Appendix I – Long Term Survival Considerations
Appendix J – Contingency Plan
Appendix K – Health & Fitness Considerations
Appendix L – SERE Food Plan For Consideration
Appendix M – Communications Plan

References & Bibliography
Sample Forms (Deluxe Binder Edition Only)

Bonus Material DVD/SD Card
Books & Manuals (From Free Web Sources)
  • Army Combatives 2002
  • Combat Skills
  • Garmin Rino 530Hcx Manual
  • NIJ Battery Guide
  • Scout Platoon
  • US Army NBC Manual
  • US Army Ranger Handbook 1992
  • USMC Wilderness Medicine Manual
  • USMC Scouting & Patroling Manual & More
Catalogs
  • Leupold
  • Fulton Armory & More
Diagrams & Photos
Emergency Preparedness
  • Disaster Prep Handbook & More
Forms
  • GOOD Escape Pack Gear List
  • GOOD Safe Zone Needs List
  • GOOD Cache List
The G.O.O.D. Plan (Get Out Of Dodge) in PDF (e-Book)

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the late Mr. Fred Allan, my English Instructor from Grade 8 to Grade 10 at C.S.S.

Thank you for pushing me when I needed a push. I will be the first to admit I was not a strong English student. Thanks to your mentoring my writing skills improved.

I wonder if you would be surprised that I have written a book?

Rest in Peace. Thanks again.


PREFACE


This is my first attempt at writing a book. This particular book, The G.O.O.D. Plan (Get Out Of Dodge), could have been written by any number of current or former military persons. But, I guess it was left for me to write. I hope I have done this topic justice. Planning to evacuate is easy to say, but it is a whole lot of work to build a successful plan.

The author would like to be forgiven for being belligerent at times. This writing style was chosen to drive home important points of survival. Situations that cannot be imagined in our day-to-day lives, must still be prepared for if society dissolves or during a crisis situation.

The author would also like to recognize that the group most likely to purchase this book, is most likely the group that needs this information the least. So, please help those that need this information the most, give them a copy or lend them your copy.

If any Subject Matter Experts or dedicated readers have any constructive feedback for the next edition, please forward suggestions to the author:


Thank you for purchasing my book.

V. Andrew McMillan


1.

Introduction

Welcome to the G.O.O.D. Plan. If you are reading this you may foresee a need to GET OUT OF DODGE and you want to know how to prepare for that day.

The G.O.O.D. Plan is an evac plan. It will be part of your family's emergency preparedness plan.

These days we are faced with threats to our freedom and safety from every side, be it, religious extremists trying to share their suicide bomb with us, dirt bag criminals trying to rob us blind (or worst), or unstable governments losing their nuclear weapons to terrorists. Today is a dangerous place for law abiding, peace loving citizens. So, what is a good guy to do?

Well, first you have to be skeptical of the world around you, quickly followed by being skeptical of the information you receive about that world. Is the source trustworthy? What angle are they providing the information from? Who benefits? You the viewer? Or some corporate client?

Additional information is provided to help your planning process. Including sample scenarios, gear lists, threat assessments, possible terrorist targets and a sample G.O.O.D. Plan.

The G.O.O.D. Plan requires you to have solid information from a trustworthy source. To Get Out Of Dodge, you need to be on the road before anyone else knows there's a problem.

The
G.O.O.D.
Plan
will help you
to be ready and packed and on the road
before the panic starts!
2.

Terms & Definitions

Get Out Of Dodge – A phrase from the Wild West. Meaning to leave town before the shooting started in Dodge City.

P.O.L. Point – P.O.L. (petroleum, Oils, & Lubricants) storage point. Best made with a bermed earth bank around the perimeter & lined with heavy plastic. Jerry cans should sit in drip pans. Drums & barrels should sit on stands with drip trays under spouts. Assorb-all available for spills. Fire extinguishers and shovel at fire point close by.

 
Billy Can – A Billy Can is a large metal. It can be used to boil water, melt snow or heat soup, stew or coffee. A heavy gauge can, such as a 100 oz ketchup can. A lid from a large coffee can makes it more useful. The addition of a pot gripper completes the Billy Can. This removable handle makes moving or pouring much easier.

Opsec – Operational Security. Need to know, others are not told. “Loose lips, sink ships” Effective Opsec keeps you and your family invisible, which is good.

GMRS – General Mobile Radio Service. Compact 2 way radios. Channels 15 – 22. 1.0 – 5.0 watts.

FRS – Family Radio Service. Compact 2 way radios. Channels 1 – 14. 0.5 Watts. Short range radios.

VOX – Voice Activation System. With headset, allows hands-free radio operation. Very useful on foot patrol or convoy duty.


 
3.

When to Enable The G.O.O.D. Plan

This is the part of converting gut feelings and accurate intelligence into a time to act. There are no guarantees in life, lest of all when your and your families lives are on the line. The importance of good, solid information can not be overstated.

The worse that can happen, is you enact your G.O.O.D. Plan too early. As long as, you refrain from killing anyone on your evacuation you can turn your oops into a valuable, real-life training scenario. Don't give in to the feelings of, “I screwed up.” Instead, look at it from the point-of-view of, “I jumped the gun. If this had been the “Real” time to use this plan, I could have succeeded better if we had done this....”

When the time comes, you will know. You will be ready. You will keep gear in your vehicle. You will keep your vehicle's fuel tank at least half full at all times. You will have an escape pack for each member of your family ready incase you have only minutes to evacuate your home.

I know this, because you are reading the G.O.O.D. Plan. You are reading this because you want to be prepared. You just need a little push in the right direction. You are planning and have been for a while now. You want to get yourself organized and ready. That time is NOW!

Time to enact the G.O.O.D. Plan is when civil order is just on the verge of collapse. The trigger event is not important, it can be a natural disaster or a man-made tragedy. Time is your greatest challenge. If you have enough warning you can survive any event. The challenge is being able to succeed when there is not enough time. That requires pre-planning and preparation. You have to be ready before there is an event to prepare for.

Prepare now. Survive later.

 
4.

The G.O.O.D. Plan
  • Individual
  • Family
  • Community

The G.O.O.D. Plan can be tailored to meet your needs. Are you solo or do you have a wife and kids? Is there an extended family member to care for? Or are you a member of a group or community that plans to tough out whatever comes, together?

The tailoring process can also be done as your needs or commitments change. You can grow your plan from yourself, to when you get married, when you have children or are caring for a parent.

It is a lot of work to build the perfect plan. too bad, the perfect plan rarely works perfectly.

Start today, and you can have a G.O.O.D. Plan in a few hours. These will not be easy hours, but when the chips fall, these hours could be worth your life or your family's lives.

Enough talk, let's get some action!

Planning
Equipment
Resources
Routes
Safe Zones
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)
Threat Assessments
Practice & Drills


5.

Planning:

This is what you are doing right now.

You need to know what to do in any natural disaster that may strike your neighbourhood. You need to know what to do in the event of a man-made disaster. And, you need to know what to do in the event that a war-type incident breaks out near you.

You also need to scale your plan to the number of people it will include. You can just multiply the individual gear for each member or you can have a base amount of personal gear and share the group gear split equally between each member of your group.

You also have to determine the worst case scenario. If your worse-case scenario is a planet killing asteriod impact on the planet earth: your plan may just be to get the family together for one last BBQ and a few (a lot of) Beers.

Next your plan needs to determine if you will shelter-in-place or escape to a safe zone. Where would your safe zone be? Is it a safe distance from where you currently live? Have you moved to an area, that allows you to shelter-in-place so, your home is your safe zone?

Do you have the supplies of water, food, fuel and defensive stores to protect your supplies from looters? Do you have shelter from the elements? How about shelter from fallout or other forms of radiation? How long will your water and food supplies last before you need to replenish them? Where will you get more supplies from? What if the government is not able to help the citizens of your country?

These are tough questions. If you are thinking about them now, you may have a plan to solve these challenges before they drop in your lap. That is the largest part of the planning phase – think about what obstacles will be in the way of your survival.
6.

Your plan needs to outline:

  • Where to meet up – at least one close to home & at least one alternate outside the disaster area
  • Who is your contact person and what is their phone number (all members will message through this person)
  • Where do you store the escape packs
  • How will you travel – alternate travel mode
  • Link up plan incase family members are separated when the disaster strikes
  • G.O.O.D. Travel routes
  • Location of caches along G.O.O.D. Travel Route
  • List of gear and supplies
  • An address book with current information
  • Copies of all personal identification, insurance, driver's licenses, passports, banking information, and credit cards
  • Medical plan – triage, medications, treatments
  • Convoy driving plan – stay together no matter what
  • Map to safe zone – alternates as well
  • Priority of work at the safe zone
  • When is the emergency over
  • Return home plan
  • Recovery Process
  • Review & modify your G.O.O.D. plan
  • Resupply plan

See sample plan in Appendix A

As you can see the G.O.O.D. Plan contains a lot of personal and confidential information. Some of this information will not want to end up in the wrong hands. The criminal element will use this information to rob you blind and the law enforcement agencies would throw you in jail for planning to deal with trouble during periods of extreme lawlessness. So, my recommendation is once you and your family have made your plan, keep it safe and secure. Review it at least once a year. Update it as needed. Keep it current, because when you need this plan to work you will not have the time for updates.
7.

Equipment:

This is a subjective area. The reader will have to use their personal knowledge of their climate, terrain, and seasons to modify the following lists of equipment. These lists will try to address the needs and give specific examples. The extremes between summer and winter will mean long lists. The most important aspect of items is to satisfy more than one need or feature. Versatile and durable are key.

When creating your escape pack try to acquire the best quality items you can afford or build at the time. Upgrade on an as you can basis. In this game, quality matters. Your life depends on the item to work when you need it and there is no going to the store to exchange it for one that does.

Personal Escape Pack

Quality Backpack – Military Alice packs, McHale Custom Pack
Shelter – SilTarp, Tent, Bivy Bag, Shelter-half
Water Bottle/Hydration system – Military canteen, Platypus, Camel Back, Naglene
Camp stove – pocket rocket and fuel canister
Cook set – stainless steel or titanium. 0.5 l pot & 1.0 l pot, or a pot set that will also hold your stove and fuel canister stacked inside
KFS – Knife, fork & spoon – Stainless Steel
Pot Gripper – aluminum
Sturdy Belt knife – Mora, Kabar, Cold Steel, Gerber, Buck
Fire starter kit – matches, flint & steel, lighter, tinder, Magnessium bar, match case (plastic, waterproof)
Sleeping Bag – The Best You Can Afford
Ranger Blanket – A.K.A Poncho Liner
Rain Poncho – Light Nylon Military Poncho to work with liner
Set of Clothes or Flightsuit – Think BDU's
Poly-pro Lohn Johns and Long sleeve shirt
Underwear – x2 pair
Socks – x2 Poly-pro liner socks & x2 Wool Work Socks
Boots – Sturdy. Danner's. Bate's. Matterhorn's.
Jacket or Anorak – Gore-tex shell + Light warm liner. Fleece.
8.

Boonie Hat – for sun and rain.
Toque – for cold and snow. Balaclava if in the North Country.
Gloves – Leather. Shooting. Working. General Protection.
Gloves – Fleece. Warmth. Dexterity.
Mitts – Gore-Tex Shells. Wear over fleece gloves.
Mitts – Down. For extreme cold.
Sunglasses or googles – uv protection. Snowblindness.
Food – For at least 24 hours. 72 hours is better.
See appendix L – Cat Food Diet.
Brew Kit – Tea or Coffee, sugar, salt & whitener if needed.
First Aid Kit – Build your own or purchase a good one.
See Appendix B.
Shell Dressings or Pressure dressings – Large x2.
Water Purification tablets – x24 Tablets.
Sleeping pad – 3/8” or 1/2” thick. At least 48” Long, 72” is Better. Must have in winter, cold climates, or at altitude.
LED Flashlight or headlight – Use common batteries, AA or AAA or Lithium CR123A.
Spare Batteries – use one common type if possible. Aa or aaa.
Portable radio – am/fm/weather. Eton. Grundig. Crank-type.
Solar type. Have common battery back-up.
GMRS/FRS Radios – At least 2. For communication on the run.
Whistle – Fox-40. Storm.
Multi-plier type tool – Gerber. Leatherman.
Climate kit – Bug juice, mosiquito coils, sunscreen, lipbalm
Copy of ID: Driver's License. Passport. Insurance. Credit cards. Birth Certificate. Marriage Certificate.
Cash – $1, $2, $5, $10, & $20's. At least a few hundred in small bills or coin. Gold and diamonds are good, too.
Spare Credit card.
Prepaid Fuel Cards – Choose a common petro company along your G.O.O.D. Route. $100 worth, depending on route.
Route Map(s) – Road and foot. Compass. GPS. Pencil. Ruler.
Notebook – In Ziploc bag.
Extra Ziploc bags – Medium. Large. Heavy duty freezer type.

Pack all items in dry bags, garbage bags and/or ziploc bags; before putting into your escape pack. This will keep everything weatherproof until you need it. In addition, because everything is sealed, your pack will float.
9.

If in a group ensure all packs have the same type of items in the same general area:

  • First Aid Kit is always in the top pocket
  • Whistle is lanyarded to the right shoulder strap
  • 1x shell dressing is taped to left shoulder strap
  • Kitchen kit is in the left exterior pocket
  • food for 24 hours is in the centre exterior pocket
  • Fire starting kit, toilet paper & brew kit in right exterior pocket
  • extra stove fuel in red dry bag in main bag of pack
  • Winter gear is packed in a white dry bag
  • summer gear is packed in a green dry bag
  • bug juice, sunscreen and mosquito coils are in a double set of ziploc bags. In pocket under the top pocket
  • Extra food (in ziploc bags) in a blue dry bag
  • large compression bag at bottom of pack:
  • sleeping bag
  • ranger blanket
  • bivy bag or tarp
  • tent and sleeping pad sandwiched between bottom of pack and the compression bag
  • Water bottles in pouches on left & right sides of hip belt.

You pack the same so you can find items in your pack in the dark. Also, in an emergency, you will be able to find the required items in your friends pack without a light or delay. Their life may depend on you finding the right item at the right time, so your life will depend on your friend finding the right item in your pack if the situation was reversed.



Standardization
is a
Group Survival Technique



The G.O.O.D. Plan - Part 2

Maybe we should continue. Okay, I know there are few typo's and spelling errors, still. I have ideas and I put them on paper, I am not perfect at this writing thing. But I keep trying.

Part 2:



10.

Personal Defence:

Most lawyers would advise the writer to skip this topic as the liability and risks are, too high. But, you didn't spend your hard earned, after tax dollars to read a censored manuscript. Did you?

Personal defence items span a vast array of technology and skill levels for use. At the low end of technology you are greeted by clubs, bo staffs, quarter staffs and hiking sticks. Although, easy to acquire, they require training and frequent practice to master. Providing a lethal range of +/- 3m. At the extreme other end of the technology spectrum are phase plasma rifles....just kidding. Firearms, currently top the technological extreme of mankind's achievements in lethal personal defence.

In between, is a fascinating array of weapons that represent all advances mankind has made since the days of the caveman right through to today. These weapons fall loosely into four catergories: Blunt Trauma. Edged. Kinetic Energy. Firearms.

In the right hands all can be lethal. In the untrained hands, however, many are a liability to the user. In general, the simpler the weapon, the more skills and training are required to be lethal. Firearms are the one class of weapon that require very little training to be deadly. Almost, anyone can be trained to effectively use a shotgun or rifle in a few hours at the range. As long as, you have ammunition for your firearm: the equation of strong over weak can be equalized, or so, Colonel Sam Colt has been immortilized for.

Let's take a few moments to go over a few of the features, advantages and disadvantages of each class of weapon. We will focus in on a few examples. My list is not complete, by far. If the reader is truly interested, I recommend further research while you still have the time. This overview, may also help prepare you for what you may encounter when you are Getting Out Of Dodge.
11.

Blunt Trauma Weapons:

Clubs – Same as Grandpa Caveman. A heavy stick. Swing & hit your opponent in the head. You win. Make or find just about anywhere. Improvise and Improve. Wood, Metal, Plastic, or combination. Lethal Range: +/- 2m.

Staff – Long straight stick. Helps walking up or down hills. Crossing streams or rivers. Requires more skill than a club. In trained hands this stick is deadly. Think Shoalin Monks. Make or find in most places. Wood, bamboo, plastic or metal. Lethal range: +/- 3m.

Mace – A fancy & lethal club. A primative mace can be acheived by driving large nails through a wood club. However, a classic mace has a weighted metal ball, covered in sharpened metal spikes attached to a wood or metal handle. A near miss can still be lethal. More difficult to manufacture. Requires metal working skills and technology, like wire welders. Lethal range: +/- 2m.

Morning Star – A fancy wheat thrashing flail. With a wood or metal handle, a chain(s) and one (or more) metal balls. The metal balls can be spiked or spikeless. A significant amount of skill is required to master this weapon, without injuring oneself. Again, a near miss can be fatal. Requires superior wood and metal working skills and technology. Lethal range: +/- 2m.

War Hammer – A cruel blending of an ice axe and a framing hammer. The spike end is strong and sharp, capable of piercing plate armour and most-likely Kevlar, too. The hammer end is a square faced block of steel. If you can't puncture it, then bash it. The bone shattering blows will be effective, even if your opponent has a full suit of armour. Expert skills and technology are required to make an elegant albeit deadly weapon. Lethal range: +/- 2m.
12.

Edged Weapons:

By far the greatest advancement until the discovery of gun powder. The use of edged tools and weapons allowed mankind to dominate over the rest of the animal kingdom. The range of weapons include obsidian inlaid wooden swords of Aztec and Mayan origin, the swords of the broze age, the Samuari's Katana, right up to todays ceramic knives and the CIA's letter opener. We have come a long way.

Edged weapons are generally found made of one of the four following materials: Steel. Plastics. Organics. Other Metals.

Steel is the most common material for modern edged weapons. It can be honed razor sharp and can be shaped to fill every need. In this day of superior steels why would you use any other material?

Plastic is an abnormal material for modern edged weapons, but in certain circumstances it is the perfect material. You are not likely to come across too many plastic knives, but they are out there. The CIA's letter opener, for instance is a tough little dagger designed to get pass metal detectors and eliminate their opponents – Spy vs Spy. The brush knife is another plastic stabbing device. The head of the brush conceals the knife and acts like a sheath. The handle and blade are withdrawn from the brush head to deploy. This knife was designed to deceive the average observer. Correctional Centres see the most prolific use of improvised plastic edged weapons – namely plexiglas shivs.

Organics – include stone (obsidian, flint), glass and ceramics. At the microscopic level obsidian and ceramic edges are many times sharper than a razor blade. However, there is a trade off for this type of sharpness, which is the blades are very brittle. In surgery this brittleness is not a problem but in the jungle, your blade will be chipped if not shattered by your adversary – leaving you willout an edge to hide behind.


13.

Other Metals – Iron, Bronze, Copper. Not common to encounter in our modern times, but could reappear if things devolve. These metals are the easiest to work in a primative setting. Most are cast into their shape and sharpened. No forging or tempering. Edges may not hold an edge long and are easily dented when in combat. Steel weapons were known to cleave iron blades in half during battle. The one advantage of iron is it does not rust like steel.

Having said all that, you are most likely to procure a steel edged weapon for your escape pack. It is the most common available material. The biggest question you will ask is, will it be stainless steel or carbon steel? The advantage of Stainless steel is it is low maintenance. The disadvantage is it is difficult to resharpen in the field. With new diamond grit sharpening stones that is changing, too. Carbon steel can easily be resharpened in the field to a razors edge, if you have a quality blade to start with. The challenge with carbon steels is they need regular maintenance, including oiling the blade to prevent rust or corrison. One other feature of carbon steels is they spark when struck with flint or quartz, so for emergency fire lighting a carbon knife would be the best choice.

Edged weapons are designed to acheive three distinct actions: Slashing. Thrusting. Chopping. Many blades can acheive two of the three, rarely can all three be accomplished by the same blade. Enter the combat knife – designed for combat it can chop branches or limbs, it can slash air-frames or flesh, As well as, puncture an oil can or a chest cavity. The bowie knife and the Ka-Bar are two examples of combat knives. As with other things in life there are trade off's. If you need the best of each type of blade it would be best to carry three different blades that specialize in each feature: Slashing. Thrusting. Chopping.

Slashing – is a fine cutting edge. Used for skinning animals or filleting fish. A good hunting knife will work here. Like a Buck or Gerber fixed blade knife. 4”- 6” Blade.

14.

Thrusting – is a strong, pointed weapon. Used for puncturing thick hides, bones or armour. This is the world of daggers. Sharp enough to cut skin, but not necessarily slice skin. The shape of the blade, a triangle or diamond profile tapering to a point, provides the ability of this edged weapon to pierce and do its job. The blade is thick enough to be strong and long enough to inflict maximum damage to internal organs. A good choice here is the Tanto blade design. The Cold Steel Recon Tanto, with its 7” Blade and 4 3/4” handle makes an excellent thrusting weapon.

Chopping – is a thick, strong blade. Used to chop things. A meat cleaver or an axe are both good examples of chopping devices. It depends what you are chopping as to what you want to be chopping with. An axe is good for chopping wood. A machette is good for chopping brush. A cleaver is good for chopping up whole chickens. For the context of getting out of dodge, a belt axe or tomahawk would be a great choice. A good example I have come across lately is the Fiskars Garden Axe. It is fairly light, well balanced, affordable and has a synthetic handle. Good enough to split kindling or split wigs, but, a little too light for felling trees.

To further complicate the selection of an edged weapon, we must consider size: Short. Medium. Long.

How far does your weapon need to reach? Or, what standoff distance do you want to have? Remembering, that a long standoff distance leaves you vunerable if the opponent can get inside. That was why some of the sword fighters of old had a single hand sword in their right hand and a main gauche (dagger) in their left.

We will consider a short edged weapon to have a blade length of 1” to 11”. A medium blade to be 12” to 23”. A long blade is anything over 24”. The handle length will contribute to the maximum range of the blade's effectiveness.

15.

If you are planning to shelter-in-place, you are to be envied, for you can enmass an armoury in your home. Allowing you the luxury of selecting the perfect weapon for each engagement. However, if you are forced to leave the shelter of your castle and have to choose only what you can carry, this is most challenging of challenges. What is the “perfect” edged weapon to carry?

Of course, that is a purely, subjective question. Unfair, because only you can answer it correctly for you. For me, when I am hiking in the mountains I carry my Normark Erikson. It is a stainless 4” blade with a 5” synthetic handle and plastic sheath. I attach it to my pack or belt with a locking carabiner. It is an all round camp knife. Sharp. Light. Dependable. Would I chop branches with it, no. But it will gut a fish in a heart beat, fingers, too, if they get in the way. Now, when I am camping or hunting and need a tougher blade to build camp with, I like to have my Glock 78 Field Knife with me. It has a carbon 6 1/2” blade, 5 1/4” Plastic handle and a locking plastic sheath. This knife has been with me for more than 20 years and still going strong. The black finish is wearing off the metal parts, but it still work great. If I had to leave tonight, which one would I take....both. They are knives and they are light.

Right now as you are planning, is the right time to start acquiring knives and the rest of your gear. Building a small collection of knives to evaluate is a good idea. Once you find your best knife you won't have to ask which one is the best one for you to take...because you will know. It will be the one you reach for first in the middle of the night.

But, you can only know if you use your knife in the real world. Take it hiking, camping, fishing or hunting. Learn what it can do and what it can't. Break a couple blades and you will learn how much force is necessary to accomplish the task.
16.

Kinetic Energy Weapons:

Kinetic energy weapons propel a projectile providing: velocity x mass = kinetic energy.

This is, of course, the simple formula. You can google the actual physics formula of calculating the exact kinetic energy on you own time.

The projectile maybe the weapon, such as a spear or javelin. Or the weapon may be the launcher of the projectile, such a sling or crossbow.

The lethaliness can be from the projectile piercing or striking a vital body part (head, heart or lungs) or the damage to surrounding tissues leading to an eventual death.

The simplest kinetic energy weapon is the sling. The same weapon that David used to slay Goliath. The sling consists of a leather pouch with a leather thong on each end. A stone is placed in the pouch and then the sling is swung. When ready to fire at your opponent you release one of the thongs and the stone is launched. With considerable practice you will be able to send a lethal hit to a range of 15 meters.

The sling shot is a modern adaptation, using rubber tubing, a metal frame and a leather pouch. A steel ballbearing is projected by placing it in the leather pouch and drawing back. Similarly to a long bow. When ready to fire, simply release the pouch and the ballbearing will race towards your target. The sling shot is easier to master than the sling, however, it is a more compact design for smaller projectiles. Resulting in reduced range. With practice the sling shot can be lethal to 10 meters.

The bow (long bow, short bow, recurve or compound Bow) uses a stiff limb(s), a handle, and a string to launch its arrow. Modern bows are quick to learn as they have adjustable sights to aim at your enemy. Depending on draw weight, arrow type, and practice; the bow can be lethal to 30 – 40 meters.
17.

The crossbow, in its modern version, is a short bow attached to a rifle stock. The draw weight is quite a bit heavier than a regular bow, however, the release mechanism holds this weight until you squeeze the trigger. So, although slower to reload than a regular bow. The fact that you can travel around all day with a bolt ready to fire has a lot of advantages. With the assortment of sights available for crossbows, including telescopic sights, the crossbow is quick to master compared to a regular bow. The crossbow is also relatively quiet to fire, compared with a firearm. The crossbow would be my first choice, if I didn't want a firearm for defence. With the correct crossbow, sight and bolt combination, this unit can be lethal to at least 50 meters.

Spears and Javelins, do not really have a modern equivalent, with exception of the olympic javelin. The olympic javelin is designed to fly for distance when thrown correctly, it is not intended for combat nor piercing armour.

A spear is basically an edged blade attached to a long straight shaft of wood, bamboo or metal. It can be used as a thrusting weapon without letting go of the shaft or a kinetic weapon when thrown at an adversary. The length of the shaft is the limit of the range as a thrusting weapon, about 3 meters, however when thrown, the lethal range may be extended to 20 meters, if you can hit your target.

The Roman Javelin was both a thrusting weapon at close range and a long range missile. When thrown in a volley at a barbarian horde, the Javelin was lethal to at least 100 meters. In a modern context, however, the skills necessary for such distant death from a javelin have probably been lost.

One parting word must be spoken for the boomerang. Not a common weapon on this side of the Pacific, but in the outback of Australia, made with the correct type of wood, the boomerang will drop a full size kangaroo. Man-size targets would also be vulnerable to a skilled thrower. Lethal range 15 – 25 meters.
18.

The kinetic weapon's family is no different than other weapon systems, they are vulnerable to running out of proper ammunition. Slings and sling shots can improvise with stones or rocks lying on the ground, but accuracy & range will be reduced by inferior projectiles. Similarly, once you fire off your last arrow, bolt or throw you last spear you will have to prepare for hand-to-hand combat until you can reclaim your fired projectiles off the field of battle. Which is a good thing when you win, but if you must withdraw from the field due to overwelming numbers of bad guys, you will have to make, buy, trade or steal new projectiles before you run into more bad guys.

The kinetic weapons family allows you to have a greater standoff distance than any of the more primative weapon systems. To maximize the effect, however, you must be highly skilled and well practiced.



Firearms:

Firearms are the pinacle of personal defence weapon systems. Let's stick with modern firearms: pistols, shotguns. Rifles.

The major advantage of firearms is their lethality is not dependent on the physical strength of the user. Their short-coming is, once out of ammunition their advantage is lost. To this end, when selecting a firearm, choosing one that uses a common cartridge would be a wise choice. For when that Dark day arrives that you have to scrounge for ammunition, it will be easier to be successful if you are looking for a cartridge that is widely available.

We will have a look at the common types of firearms, their effective range, advantage and disadvantage, as well as, list their usual capacity of rounds. Ie – how many times can you pull the trigger before you need to reload.

Now you have a basic understanding of the types of firearms available and what they were meant to do. To proceed to selecting your firearm, you will need one that satisfies your needs, your terrain and your suspected threat. Pick the one you like and are most comfortable with. If you are afraid of your weapon, you are not likely to bring it with you. When you need it the most, to save your ass, you won't have it.
22.


There are going to be limitations on your firearms acquisitions: be it time, money, storage or legal paper work. You will have to find time and money to conduct training to get your skills up to snuff. You also have to work out where you will likely be using your defensive weapons and against what or whom. Maybe a few scenarios may help the selection process.

Scenario #1:

You and your girlfriend live in a small cabin about two hours from the closest town. You don't really have a lot of neighbours nearby. In fact, few people travel the side track you live near. You are comfortably isolated from the darkness of society. You own a jeep, a canoe and a quad. In fact, most days you drive to the neighbours on the quad to save fuel. Speaking of fuel, you have a bulk 90 gallon fuel stand in your yard, buzz the petro guy tops up the tank once a month. You both have known how to shoot since your were 10 years old, you hate to admit it but she kicks your ass at target shooting. You have decided to take this emergency preparedness stuff seriously. Things don't look as bright as they use to. As part of your plan you want both of you to be armed if you have to evac from your little paradise. You decided that the jeep will be your kit bag. If it fits in the jeep, it's coming along. You have room for 5 weapons. It's not likely the russian will parachute in so, the weapon's want to be compatible with NATO ammo. Each of you have chosen a 9mm sidearm, ammo will be plentiful if you return to the world. She likes the Springfield XD-M Compact 9mm. You prefer the good old Browning Hi-power. She likes the Mini-14 Ranch rifle in .223 rem with the aimpoint scope. You figure you may need to bag bambi or a moose from time-to-time so you want a little more dropping power and opt for a McMillan M1A, .308 win, setup in the mfs-14 modular tactical systems stock. You choose a
23.

compact 4x rubber armoured scope with flip-up scope covers and illuminated reticles. For commuting on doomsday your fifth weapon is a Winchester Defender, 12 gauge, with the 8 round tube and a pistol grip and top folding shoulder stock. You have one gun rack across your dash, another behind the driver's seat on the roll bar and the defender in a scabbard lashed behind the passenger's seat. The pistols, of course, will be riding in holsters on that day. So, the logistics include: 9 mm ammo, pistol holsters, .223 rem or 5.56 nato, .308 win or 7.62 nato and an assortment of 12 gauge rounds – slugs, mini-slugs, buckshot and #4 or #5 birdshot. I think short of an earthquake or a wildfire, these two are set to Evacuate-in-Place.



 Like most military contingency plans, you hope to never have to use your G.O.O.D. Plan.
29.

Well i hope the scenarios helped a little to narrow down your selection process for a defensive weapon system for you or your family. If we could only be so lucky as to be in scenario #4, of course, if everyone was; there would be no need for you to acquire the G.O.O.D. Plan – for you could write your own version.

Here are some points to concider if you will be with a group larger than your family:

  • Try to use standard calibres. This makes it a lot easier when you need to borrow ammo. If your group was brought together as part of your G.O.O.D. Plan, you may have standardized your weapons and calibres, so magazines would also be interchangeable.
  • If more than one person in your group, you should have at least one .22lr. These weapons are light, accurate and you can easily carry 100 cartridges in your pocket.
  • NATO standard ammunition includes: 5.56x45mm = .223 rem; 7.62x51mm = .308 win; and 9x19mm = 9mm para. NATO standard ammunition is recognized by a headstamp on the brass that looks like a plus sign with a circle around it.
  • Old Eastern Bloc standard ammunition includes: 5.45x39mm (ak-74's), 7.62x39mm (sks & ak-47's), 7.62x54mm (SVD Dragunov, Mosin-Nagant), 7.62x25mm (tokarev tt-33), {9x17mm Browning (.380 ACP) (Export Makarov's)}, and 9x18mm PM (makarov - PM).
  • Firearms with detachable magazines are the quickest to reload.
  • Use a gear vest to store spare magazines, wear it over your jacket when it is cold out.
  • Keep extra ammunition and extra magazines in your pack, vehicle, cache(s) and/or at your Safe Zone.
  • Spotting scopes and binoculars are good for locating and identifying friends or foes.
  • Pistols are of limited value. If you have one, know how to use it. If not, get a shotgun.
30.

  • Remember a 12 gauge shotgun is the most versatile weapon system. Load down for hunting game birds and load up for deer or two-legged predators.
  • Remember sights with optical lens or requiring batteries may fail. Carry spare parts. Have iron sights for back-up.
  • Remember have a cleaning kit for your firearms. It Should have a bottle of oil, bore-brush, cleaning patches and a pull-thru or cleaning rod.
  • Remember to zero your firearm. Practice regularly.
  • Remember to keep your muzzle free of obstructions – mud, sand, snow or ice. Use a muzzle cap if needed.
  • Remember, choosing unlawful weapons is your choice, you will be held accountable if caught with them. If society, as we know it collapses, you may be forgiven.
  • If you choose to carry a firearm, you must be willing to use it. You may be able to bluff once, but... if you can not bear the necessity to use lethal force; DO NOT carry a firearm – it will only get you into trouble.


  • It is always better to choose to be judged by twelve of your peers then be carried by six of your friends! Your family first – dirt bag, scum-sucking, low-life's last!


The only thing left on your list for defensive weapons is to decide which one fits your needs best
and
get it.



See the reference section for a list of
personal protection & defensive weapons
websites
31.

G.O.O.D. Vehicle Stuff:

Might have got a little long winded in the last section. I will try to be more focused here.

Before I get into listing the gear you need to have packed in your G.O.O.D. Vehicle, let's review some worthy features to have in a G.O.O.D. Vehicle. The features may contradict themselves at times but you will have to choose which feature is more or most important to your situation.

  • Good fuel economy
  • reliable
  • repairable & Repair Manual Available
  • cargo capacity – half ton, ¾ ton, 1 ton, 2 ton
  • passenger capacity
  • easy to acquire spare parts – uses common parts
  • off road capability – 4 wheel drive
  • winter driving capability – chains or good tires
  • good climate control – heat in winter or a/c in summer
  • comfortable seating
  • defendable on the road – shooting from vehicle
  • trailer pulling capability – bring extra fuel & gear
  • maneuverable – high speed &/or low speed
  • camouflageable – blends with environment
  • self-recovery capability – winch or come-along
  • Highway vehicle or off road vehicle – Mad Max?

Vehicle Equipment:

Spare tire – full size. Two would be better.
Fuel Jerry can – 20 litre's +. two would be better.
Jack or jack-all – 36” or 48”. Changing tires. Unstuck.
Tire iron – star iron. Wheel wrench. Impact wrench.
Tow Strap or Tow Rope – 20' minimum. 30' would be better.
Saw – bow saw. Hack saw. Chain saw.
Axe – Estwing Camp axe. Gerber Camp Axe.
Shovel – #2 with long or “D” handle. Or mini-shovel.
Jeep Pick or full size Mattock – pulaski could work.
32.

Jumper cables – boosting a dead battery. 4-6ga, 16'-20'.
Highway Flares – signalling distress. Fire starter.
Blankets or Sleeping bags – keep warm.
Water – bottles or jerry can.
Matches – box of wood matches. Strike anywhere.
Candles – keep warm. Heat water in billy can.
Billy can – 100 oz can. Label removed. Hold safety items.
First Aid Kit – See appendix B
Energy bars – trail mix bars, granola bars, chocolate.
Toilet Paper – at least one roll. Sealed in a ziploc bag.
Flashlight – led type with extra batteries.
Fuel card(s) – at least $100 worth.
Air gauge – for checking tire's air pressure.
Cable ties – zap straps of assorted lengths.
Tye wire – a small roll.
Electrical tape – black. At least one roll.
Duct tape – get the good stuff. 3-M. Thick & Tough.
wd-40 – small can.
Fuses – get extra fuses that fit your vehicle.
Pliers – good pair of 8” linesman. Cutting wire or fences.
Crescent wrench – just in case.
Screwdriver – multi-bit or set of screwdrivers.
Socket set – whatever type fit your vehicle. SAE. Metric.
Snow shovel – must have for winter driving.
Chains – winter driving. Good to have.
Kitty litter or sand – weight and traction aid. Chocking.
S.O.S. Flag – signal distress.
Space blanket(s) – Keep warm.
Parka(s) – with mitts, toque & scarf.
Tarp – shelter.
Ratchet straps – securing your load. Self rescue.
Cooler – store water bottles.
Filters – Oil. Air. Fuel. Cabin. Pcv.
Oil – extra motor oil. Proper type for your engine.
Atf – extra automatic transmission fluid. Correct type.
Bulbs – Extra. Turn signal. Brake. Headlight.
Belts – Extra. fan belt. Water pump belt. Alternator.
Winch – for self-recovery.
Come-along – For self-recovery.
Trailer hitch – with ball. Carry extra balls.
33.


Selecting a G.O.O.D. Vehicle, like every else I have presented, is a highly subjective subject. Some people like one make of vehicle and hate others and vice-versa. Select a vehicle that is the right size to carry your family and your escape packs. Select a vehicle that will get you from your home to your safe zone. Select a vehicle that is designed to drive in your local climate, altitude or seasons. If you plan to pull a trailer with extra gear, make sure your vehicle can handle the extra duty.

38.



The supplies and equipment for building a defendable safe zone are rather extensive, expensive, bulky and heavy. Unfortunately, they are also necessary to build the required structures. Remember awhile back I spoke of being able to improvise? If you stockpile many of the safe zone supplies in a cache or have a storage area enroute, you could shuttle supplies after arriving. Or you may choose an area that has alternate sources to build with, such as a forest full of trees.

Another possible method of avoiding this is to build your safe zone in advance, on weekends or during your summer vacation. Of course, you will have to review local building codes and land use bylaws in your area. By just having the land and being able to stockpile the supplies and tools on it could be a very big help. You could travel light and fast to your safe zone, and while the panic is growing, you can be building your defences.





This list
of supplies for your safe zone is to get you thinking. Planning how you will get
what you need,
when you need it.