Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous Survivalist, By Crusoe

Preparedness must be a lifestyle if you are to be any good at it. You must incorporate your preps into what you do day in and day out to ensure you have what you need to tackle a crisis head on. We are survivalists, we rise to the challenge. It is interesting to note that when I talk with other preparedness mindset people, and I ask them what they currently have on hand they often look at me with blank stares. No first aid kit. No concealed carry handgun. Not even a flashlight. This begs the question. Are they really prepared? As noted in the Radio Contra podcast with MechMedic, it was prepared citizens that provided a lot of the immediate lifesaving aid to the terrorist attack victims at Waukesha.

In our modern world with all its conveniences we take for granted that waking up and going about our day is laden with a series of potential life ending risks. Every single day and with everything we do there is risk and without conscious decision making on our part it could quickly end up badly. I am a proponent of a robust everyday carry (EDC) regime that has a layered approach. When going somewhere it takes only a split second to perform a risk analysis and then tailor your EDC as appropriate.

I personally do not leave the house without a concealed carry Glock 19 and a spare magazine, an ankle worn blow out kit with a TQ and a fanny pack (yes, I said fanny pack) with a flashlight, lighter, knife and spare glasses. Additionally, I carry a small storage container that has a 550 chord lanyard attached to my belt loop. This contains a set of lock picks, Kevlar chord, micro compass, and a hand cuff key. This is on me every single day and everywhere I go. If I am away from home and more than 10 miles away, I have my get home bag in the car to be able to sustain me for an unexpected walk home. In my wife’s vehicle is a robust trauma kit that has multiple tourniquets to ensure we have medical supplies in case of an accident. During the winter months I add sleeping bags or at a bare minimum a survival bivvy.

It is not enough to have all of this on hand, you must get trained. Take the time to map out what skills you need to match your desired level of preparedness. One day soon it may be the difference between life and death. Being a survivalist is a lifestyle.

Crusoe is retired from the Air Force after 30-years of service as a flight crew member.  He spends most of his time thinking about the apocalypse and how to mitigate its effects.  When not immersed in academic pursuits, he is often on a trail hiking in the mountains of North Georgia or reading with a glass of Irish whiskey and a German Shepherd by his side.   Global travel enthusiast, history nerd, Appalachian Trail thru hiker, and recovering ultra-endurance athlete.  He can be reached at [email protected]