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In The Rabbit Hole Urban Survival

discusses survival, preparedness, guns, tactical, urban homesteading, personal safety, food storage, gear reviews, and other topics with ACTIONABLE information every Monday with a comedic twist and NO TIGHT TINFOIL HATS.
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Now displaying: Category: general
May 9, 2016

In this episode our guest lays out the importance of intelligence gather. With some techniques you can know what's going on before the news. Form intelligence contractor Sam Culper of Forward Observer Magazine lays it all out for us.

Threat Intelligence Gathering Episode Topics:

  • How did Sam come to preparedness?
  • What is threat intelligence for generating personal early warning systems?
  • What is Operation Urban Charger?
  • How preppers can develop early warning for SHTF?
  • Can you use these systems to be on top of riots and other disasters?
  • How much of an early warning can preppers get by using these methods?
  • What are the two big intelligence problems people experience that slows them down?
  • How do we solve analysis paralysis?
  • How to do social media and other open source intelligence sources.
  • What is Sam's go to rifle?
  • Special SHTF Intelligence discount code for listener.

Quick episode takeaway:

If you had to give an elevator pitch for your book, SHTF Intelligence: An Intelligence Analyst's Guide to Community Security, what would it be?

In an SHTF senario, we're all going to run into two problems. Number one, we're going to not have enough information to make well informed time sensitive decisions. Or, number two, we going to have way too much information--we're going to be drowning information. And that's going to slow down our decision making process.

So threw intelligence [...] we essentially solve both of those problems before we encounter them.

To solve the first problem, of not having enough inforation, I talk about intelligence collection and how to get it automated. I talk about human intelligence, and imagery, and open source signals intelligence; all the things we need to set up now so that we can beging getting these threat intelligence streams coming into what we call the A.C.E. (Analysis and Control Element). [...] So setting up those information gathering mechanisms now to solve the first problem.

Now to solve the second problem [...] I talk about analysis and how we separate the wheat from the chaff. How we coordinate potentially massive amounts of information and make it relevant [and] ensure that it's timely. [...]

The last part of the book is about how to set up an intelligence element: The roles, the tasks and the responsibilities--what everyone does so that at zero hour we know [...] this is what everyone does and this is how we fill this giant blind spot when it comes to threat intelligence.

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E171: How to Secrets of Threat Intelligence for Survival

May 4, 2016

In this ITRH book club episode we sit down with Kermit Jones. He's going to tell us about his book that teaches kids, and many adults, all about firearms safety. Maybe you don't have kids, but you'll still enjoy this episode. Because.... well... guns. And Kermit is a lot of fun.

Firearms Safety Topics Discussed:

  • How is Kermit Jones and what makes him an authority about teaching firearms safety to kids.
  • What inspired him to write Prepper Pete’s Gun of a Son?
  • What’s the biggest challenge when writing a children’s book that also appeals to adults?
  • What was your biggest fear when trying to teach his own kids about gun safety?
  • Is it different teaching daughters to shoot as apposed to sons?
  • What’s the biggest mistake parents make when it comes to discussing gun safety with their kids?
  • What’s the biggest mistake people in general make when it comes to gun safety?
  • What’s an appropriate age to teach kids to shoot?
  • How young is too young to teach a child about gun safety?
  • What are the 3 biggest takeaways are from his book when talking to kids about guns?

Episode Resources:

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Resources from this episode can be found at:

Episode 170

Special Announcement: Summer Break

Now ITRH also about to go on summer break. This season will end May 25th.

Since the ITRH summer shorts were so well received last summer we’re going to do those again. So you won’t be left without any ITRH episodeds during the summer. They’ll just be short 7 to 15 minute episodes probably on the order of every 3 weeks.

For those that are new hear and don’t know what the summer shorts are all about I’ll explain quickly. Hear goes:

ITRH goes on break for a few months every summer. But we don’t go totally off the air. You’ll get short episodes on a less frequent basis of one every two to three weeks. Then we’ll be back August 1st.

May 2, 2016

E169: Strength and Conditioning for Preppers

In this episode we sit down with Greg Gottfried. He's a strength and conditioning coach, and fitness podcast host, who's going to pump you up for the apocalypse. So put on your 80s sweatband. We're going to lift heavy.

Strength Training Topics Discussed:

  • Who is Greg Gottfried?
  • Why should preppers care about physical fitness?
  • Why do you prefer lifting heavy over cardio?
  • What do people normally get wrong with their exercise regiments?
  • How can people with disabilities become mobile or even physically fit again?
  • What do people most often get wrong with their nutrition?
  • How do you prep, store food, and ensure that your stores are of the best nutritional value?
  • Does sleep and rest play a big role in fitness?
  • Does physical fitness purely mean pushing and pulling weights?
  • How much can be done with simple body weight exercises?
  • How important is having a trainer or coach?
  • How can unable to afford a trainer or coach get good information about physical fitness and ensure they're not going to injure themselves?
  • If a friend or family member was asking for advice on a trainer. Let's say for whatever reason you couldn't work with them. What advice would you give?

Quick Takeaways from this episode:

How is Greg Gottfried? [...] I'm a strength and conditioning coach. I'm also a track and field throws coach. [...] I also teach CPR and First Aid. I'm a member of my local CERT. And just recently got my HAM license.

Do you consider yourself a prepper?

Absolutely! And I haven't been my whole life. Hurricane Katrina is what flipped the switch for me. Seeing how helpless people were and the lawlessness... just the devastation really forced me to be honest with what situation my family was in. [...] Since Katrina, I've really gone full bore to make sure my family is safe and prepared.

Did watching the aftermath of Katrina make you think, "my G-d, what if this happen to my family?"

Yeah! Like I said, it was like a light switch for me. [...] It was like a cartoon lightbulb going off. I was sitting in a town house and we two shared walls. And I was thinking we don't have any extra food. We don't have any water. And my shotguns are stored at my parents house. What the hell do we do?

Portland is not a bastion of firearms love and affection. How does that work for you in your area? And is preparedness looked at as being weird in your area?

Guns are a hot topic here. And we're not exactly the most welcoming of firearms. [...] It's not something I talked about a lot before I got into all of this, but believe it or not they were all closet preppers too.

It always surprises me how there are more people into guns and prepping than most people think. It just takes opening up a little bit, often.

Where does preparedness, physical fitness, and nutrition intersect for you?

[...] Like I mentioned before, I'm a member of my local CERT and First Aid. I'm a member at the local gun club also. And I can't help but notice how terrible shape people are in. [...] Or the things they're prepping are horrible foods. And it's the thing I like to do: help people fill in those gaps. So when I'm talking to someone about nutrition... I'll bring up, "Well now that you have all these healthy foods, what if we get snowed in? Do you have acces to more foods like this?" Or when I'm talking to people about compressions, it's like... do you think you can maintain chest compressions for 15 minutes before an ambulance shows up? Or can you get that 300 pound vicim out of harms way?

I just notice a lot of people are not physically fit. And they call themselves preppers. It kind of gets under my skin. If you're not ready for life right now, how are you going to be ready when a catastrophe hits.

Are we going to talk about becoming a gym rat today: making working out like a part time job? How deep are we going to go here?

It can be really simple. What's important is that we can move through a full range of motions... in compound movements, like a squat or hip hinge, or be able to push or pull and be pain free.

A lot of people are just sitting at their desks all day long. [...] And they just can't move around very well. They just don't have that mobility that they once had as kids.

What's important is being about to move through life more efficiently.

How do we get there... How many hours a week are we talking for the average person to get and stay functionally fit.

It doesn't need to take forever. A good well rounded workout done in an hour. And you don't need to do that every single day. But 3 to 5 times a week is fine. So we're looking at 3 to 5 hours a week. Max.

The key is to make sure you're doing the right things. And there it's really important to make sure, especially us guys, and we're finding a trainer or coach get us where we need to go.

What do you see people get wrong?

That's a great questions. The number one thing I see people get wrong is all they do is cardio. Not that there's anything wrong with cardio. [...] As far as being effective in life and getting the most bang for our buck I think the real value is in strength training.

And making sure it's a well rounded strength training routine. So what you're doing is some sort of squat, some sort of hip hinge, a push, a pull, and a waited carry or bridging.

[...] Plus, there's been a lot of studies that have shown heart rate and metallic effect of doing resistant training, or lifting weights, lasts for fare longer post workout than if you were to do cardio.

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what is this strength training and firmer butt going to do for me?

One, you're going to be able to get over all your obstacles... Jumping walls and climbing trees won't be anything for you.

Let's step back a little bit, and let's take it from just a small weather thing. Let's say a tree falls down in the road way. Cardio isn't going to help you with that. Deadlifting is going to help you move that tree.

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Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e169

Apr 27, 2016

The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.

Angery American Topics Discussed:

  • How did Chris get into writing?
  • Why the extra E in the Angery American nom de plume?
  • What's the significance of having the word home in every title?
  • What inspired Chris to write The Survivalist Series?
  • How should readers expect to connect with the main character?
  • How does the surviving home series start?
  • Does Chris intentionally write to fit in survival tips?
  • What disaster is Chris prepping for?
  • Does he consider himself a prepper or a survivalist or is there a distinction for him?
  • What authors inspire Chris?
  • What's his number one survivalist pet peeve?
  • What's his go to rifle?
  • What's the best $100 dollars he ever spent on preparedness?
  • What should readers expect from him the future?

This episode is brought to you by Audible - get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at Audibletrial.com/itrh. Over 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player.

Special Note:

The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.

Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e168

Apr 25, 2016

In this episode we sit down with Bob Hill; knife maker, kydex maker, and owner of Bob Hill Blades. He's going to share with us the basics of knife making, how to work with Kydex, and a host of other maker topics.

~ Knife Making and Kydex Making Topics Discussed:

* How does someone start learning to make knives?
* How much tooling up does it take to get into knife making?
* How do you determine what angle to put on a knife and does the metal play any part in it?
* How long does it take to become proficient at knife making?
* Why has Kydex almost replaced leather for holsters and knife sheathes?
* What tools would they need for Kydex sheath and holster making?
* How expensive is it for a hobbyist to get started making things in Kydex?
* Besides holsters and knife sheathes, what else can you make out of Kydex?

~ Quick Takeaways from this Knife Making and Kydex Making Episode:

*// What's the best way for someone to learn knife making?

What I would suggest to a lot of folks... a number of the supply companies... professional companies where they host grind-ins or hammer-ins... there're clubs that hosts those... a buddy of mine Mike Stewart, he owns Bark River Knives... he hosts three grind-ins a year. And you can go in and see the full process of how they make a knife. And you actually go in and you make a knife. You do as little or as much as you want.

*// What's the learning curve on making a knife?

The people I've had come here to my shop to learn how to make a knife [...] to really achieve what they have in their mind, it can take a few blades. But the actual getting something functional, might not be pretty, but it'll get the job done, not that bad. I'd say one weekend. [...] That includes some of the metallurgy as well.

*// How much tooling up does it take to make knives?

You can make a knife with just files. [...] Action filing. You're using files to a fairly high tolerance. Like thousands of an inch. [...] I filed out a small drop point hunter on a Saturday.

[For the beginner] forging, I'm a big fan of the gas air forge. [...] You can build your own for about fifty to sixty dollars. [...] You need to have a good anvil and a good base. Then you're going to buy a ton of hammers. [...] You'll evolve into it. [...] But if someone wants to do hobby where they do stock removal, really you could get away with [...] you need some kind of belt grinder to be able to remove material and be able to shape the knife... grind the bevels. Basically take away all the material that isn't the knife. [...] You'll use that on everything whether you're doing Kydex, or leather sheathes... you'll use that to sharpen the knife if you have a good variable speed one and the appropriate belts. It's the tool that you use the most. [...] I would be looking at the 2 inch by 72 inch belts; they're the standard. They're a bit more expensive, but if you're really really wanting to throw down into it. [...]

*// Where does forging come in?

Forging is nice if you want to be efficient with the materials. [...] It can also be very helpful if you know what you're doing with the heat treating to actually refine the grain structure. [...] They'll anneal out any of the grain structure that they create into it. [...] It ends up being as if it was a homogeneous piece of steel. [...] With forging, you can really go fast getting the material shaped...

*// In layman's terms, why does the grain structure of a knife matter?

They're not even going to see it. That's going to be the polish and the finish. [...] I'll make word carving chisels for people that have to have a degree of spring. The way that I'm doing those, I want the grain structure to be a certain way so they'll be strong when they're flexing. [...] It's like that last 5% of performance they're trying to get out of it.

*// How important is blade geometry?

The overall geometry is probably the most important aspect of it [knives]. [...] The basics of the edges where you have hollow grind or a concave grind [...] it'll have a radius [facing into the blade]. Then you'll have falt grind and your convex [grind - radius facing out]. The strongest edge, of course, is convex. Next is the flat grind. Then the hollow grind. Depending upon what you're cutting, if you'll notice the straight razors and things like that, they'll be hollow grind. It's a very feather edge--it's very light; not very strong. Flat grind kind of in-between can be very very sharp, but a little bit stronger. Then convex, which can also be ridiculously sharp, but stronger still. [...] But grinding, setting your edge, and having it be geared towards the task you want to achieve. [For example] all of my camp knives are going to be convex and fairly tall grinds. They're not going to be a super thin edge, but still convex so that it spreads [...] if you're chopping into something it spreads. It's not going to be a hollow grind where the edges would bite whatever you're chopping into.

Then the other geometry, like point geometry, if you're having to us it to piece into something. Rocker. [...] kitchen knives I'll obsess over the rocker. The angle of the handle depending on how tall the person is... for the ergonomics. [...] The height thing in particular, I'll hand somebody who's like s 5'-5" one knife and they go, "this is terrible!" Then I'll hand them another one and they'll say, "this is fantastic!" Exactly the same blade geometry, but the only difference is the angle of the handle.

*// Why has Kydex taken off in the knife and tactical world?

One is cost. And time. Leather takes a little bit more time. [...] I've lost knives. [...] We were soaking wet and my leather sheath got so soft that the knife just fell out. I don't have to worry about that with Kydex.

The leather costs more than the Kydex by four fold. [...] Kydex is fast; I can make a good sheath in 15 minutes. [...] A good leather one [...] that can take me four hours.

Is it true that leather can hold dirt and debris that damages the gun or knife while Kydex doesn't

Generally with leather, where people let the stuff get a little bit wet and then the salts come out of the leather... cause damage to the material [metal]... I see that more often than any kind of debris or detritus that would have been in the sheath or the holster.

If you take care of it and you don't store it in it, leather is just great. You can get abrasive material in either or. It's maintenance. You have to clean and oil your leather. You have to clean your Kydex sheaths and holsters.

What is the learning curve on working with Kydex?

Kydex is pretty straight forward. [...] Kydex is the trade name; there are a lot of thermally moldable pastics you can get. [...] You get the sheet from the manufacturer and it'll tell you what the working temperature is. Basically you heat it up to it's working temperature. And you do it gradually. And then [...] with a vacum press or a foam press [...] you compress the plastic over whatever it is you want to form it to. Once it cools down it's in that shape. [...] Then cut [...] and put grommets/rivets in it. [...] Grind the edges. Buff it. Then you're done, really. [...] You may have to relax it a little with a heat gun.

What tools do you need for making things with Kydex?

* Something to cut it on.
* A box cutter.
* A hand drill.
* Appropriate size drill bits for the grommets you'll use.
* Grommet set.
* Buffer
* Grinder
* Something to heat it up on.
* A hot gun [digital infrared thermometer]
* Foam and build your on press.

~ Special Note:

The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e167

Apr 18, 2016

In this episode we sit down with Jason Hanson, found of Spy Escape and Evasion. He's going to share with us some of his CIA training that may just save you're life.

~ Spy Escape and Evasion Topics Discussed:~

* What is the life of the average CIA agent really like?
* How did Jason Hanson's journey start?
* What is the CIA training like?
* Why did he leave the CIA?
* What was the most important thing he learned while working for the CIA?
* What skills did he get out of his time in the CIA?
* What kind of people are signing up for civilian escape and evasion training?
* Is there an increase in people becoming concerned about they're safety?
* Why is learning about Escape and Evasion an important thing for the average person who is not a big corp CEO or political figure?
* What are the main lessons and skills does he teach students for surviving a kidnapping?
* What are the EDC items Jason recommends and carries himself?
* What hand-to-hand selfdefense methods does he teach?
* What weapons does Jason recommend?
* Are tactical pens useful and can they be carried on planes?
* What are some simple things people can do to avoid being a target of a kidnapping or violent encounter?
* How can people protect themselves while traveling?
* Can kids be trained in escape and evasion tactics to survive, or even break free, of a kidnapping?

~ Special Note:~

The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e166


~ Quick Takeaways from this Episode:~

What's the most important skill you learned in the CIA and teach?

The most important thing I learned [...] and it's the foundation of everything I of everything else... that's situational awareness. Because if you're not aware, it doesn't matter if you're a great shot with a gun: You'll never see the threat coming... you'll never draw your gun in time. If you're not aware you'll never see that carjacker and you'll be dead and never have a chance to use your evasive driving moves. So really... remaining in condition yellow, which is Jeff Cooper's color code</a>, having your head up and aware of your surroundings, that's the most important thing. [...] If you're head is down, if you're texting, if you can't see that threat coming nothing else matters.

Why does the average person need this training?

Because it makes you safer in all areas of your life. So the average crime is a crime of opportunity. It's some criminal, for instance, who has a drug addition. And he's standing at your local mall and he's saying "I'm going to watch the entrance and I'm going to target the easiest victim" [...] So if you learn spy skills such as knowing if someone is following you or becoming a human lie detector [...] if you know these skills you'll be able to go home.

How hard is it to learn lie detection?

Lie detection is not as difficult as you think. There are many different signals. [...] It's several hours I spend on it in my course, but I can share one of the tips with you today that's one of the many things you look for: When you ask someone a question, pay attention to the first three to five seconds of their response. So most people are not born to lie. [...] But when you ask questions [...] honest people doen't hesitate. [...] dishonest people, because we're not born to lie, they pause and by time because their brain has to come up with a lie.

How do we tell if we're being followed?

In the spy world we have what's called a surveillance protection route. That's a very fancy way of saying just don't go from point A to point B. [...] Go from A to B to C so you can see if you're being followed. [...] If you see the same person there that's a good clue your being followed. [...] Exactly, you're forcing them into a pattern. Your forcing them to get out of a natural state. [...] Going to three different sections, the chances that that same guy is going to follow you and do that is very very slim. So you're probably being followed.

What skills does someone need to survive a kidnapping?

During the two day spy course we teach people how to: escape duck tape, escape rope, pick handcuffs using a hair barret and bobby pen, lock picking, lie detection, hot-wiring a car, and self defense moves.

We train people, in a way, to become a professional hostage. [...] Leave evidence to make yourself easier to find. [...] So gag yourself so you throw up. That way you're leaving DNA and all this trace evidence. You want to cut yourself, if you can. Not so you bleed to death. [...] just a little blood. [...] wipe it under a table [...] not on top of the table, so it's harder to find [...] go to a corner of the carpet, rip it up, and put blood under the carpet. So you want to leave this trail. That way your family can say to the FBI, "Hey, John was professionally trained as a hostage. He knows to leave clues. Make sure your ripping up the corners of the carpet. Make sure you're checking under tables. That way the FBI doens't just look around walk out. They actually take a lot of time."

If you fought like crazy and ended up in that [kidnapper's] van [...] that's when you switch to looking soft. [...] I'm acting sheepish and wimpish [...] this guys a wimp. He's not causing trouble. Just throw him in the corner. [...] You clearly don't want more security on you. [...] It gives me more of an opportunity to escape, because there less security on me... they're paying less attention to me.

Are there cues people give off that attract criminals?

Absolutely. [...] That bad guys sees [...] He/she is walking around. They've scanned. They've made eye contact with me. [...] A while back [...] There was a study [by researches Betty Grayson and Morris I. Stein], [...] it showed it doesn't matter if your a fourfoot tall women. The guys [criminals] would not attack the person walking tall who's head is up. They would attack the person who was slouching, who's head is down, and didn't look like they were paying attention or knew where they were going.

What can we do to keep ourselves safe while traveling?

There's so much! [...] I'll give you a hotel tip. [...] any time you check into a hotel the hotel representative usually asks you, "Ms Jones, how many keys would you like?" Walks say, "Two keys." [...] criminals will sit there in hotel lobis [...] they'll case it. And if they see a woman go up and ask for one key, they think to themselves well this woman is probably alone, we know we can go attack her, there's probably going to be less people to fight off. So... I travel alone the majority of the time, but no matter what I always ask for two keys. That way, if someone is listening they hopefully think I'm with someone else.

[...] try to stay between the third and sixth floor of a hotel. [...] Lower floors make it easier for a criminal to go break and quickly run out. [...] The reason you don't want to stay on floor 87 incase there was a hotel fire. Obviously 87 floors is a long way to get down to safety. Plus, here in the US, firetruck ladders only go up to the sixth floor.

Apr 11, 2016

In this episode we sit down with Sam Coffman, founder of The Human path. We’re going to discuss going beyond first aid, his survival school, and herbal medicine without the nonsense.

Sam is known for running one of the most respected survival, emergency wilderness medicine, and herbal medicine schools in the coutnry. But he's definately not what you'd expect from someone involved with herbal medicine. He's a no nonsense straight shooting kind of guy who lays it all out for us today.

Topcs Discussed:

  • Who is Sam Coffman and how did he get into herbal medicine?
  • What is he trying to accomplish with his survival school the human path?
  • How do martial arts and medicine coexist and intertwine
  • Are there formal schools for herbal medicine?
  • What is the real history of the medical and pharmacology?
  • How did herbalism devolve into woowoo silliness for a number of years?
  • What is alopathy?
  • Does herbal medicine actually work and in what instances?
  • When is conventional medcine the right choice over herbal medicine?
  • What is the correct perspective in which to understand herbal medicine?
  • What's the difference between ditch medicine, wilderness emergency medicine, and herbal medicine?
  • In a grid down situation, how much can actually be accomplished medically speaking with herbal medicine?
  • Going beyond first aid, where should preppers start getting trained in emergency medicine and herbal medicine?

 

 

  • The Human Path goes way beyond medicine. What other survival courses are taught?
  • What are the three most important things preppers need to focus on when it comes to emergency medicine?

Become a supporting member here:

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Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e165

Apr 4, 2016

In this episode sit down with Paul Martin. He’s going to share with us lessons in making preparedness a full contact community sport. We'll also discuss practical things preppers often overlook while being distracted by the more exciting yet unlikely scenarios.

~ Topics covered in this episode:

* Who is Paul Martin?
* Mistakes all preppers make
* The impracticality of chemical attack suits
* Preparedness as a community action instead of solely going it alone
* Practical prepper advice for the NON-zombie Apocolypse emergency
* Life insurance as a prep
* Disability insurance as a prep
* Longterm care insurance as a prep
* Why is preparedness good citizenship?


~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e164

Mar 28, 2016

In this episode we go back in time to hear an ITRH classic: Prepper Spring Cleaning — time to organize and maybe rethinking your prepps. Hard to believe this episode was 99 episodes ago.

As preppers, we are often in procurement mode. And we fail to go back and organize all the gear, food, and other stored preps.

So a long time ago we established we we like to call "Prepper Spring Cleaning". It's an annual practice of reviewing and organizing our piles-of-prepper-shit.

~ Episode Topics:

* Replacing survival gear with survival skills
* Bugout Bags
* EDC Bags
* Emergency Kits
* Getting organized
* Making check lists
* Bugout bag spreadsheets
* ...and more.

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e163

 

Mar 21, 2016

In this episode we welcome back Marshall of GoingGear. He's going to share with us all the ins, outs, and what-the-hecks about water filters for camping and bugout bags. We're also going to dive into food and stoves for camping. Plus, a special bonus.

Topics:

  • What are the different types of camping water filters?
  • How effective are water purification tables?
  • Hollow tube filters vs ceramic filters, which is best?
  • Do UV (ultraviolet) filters actually work?
  • Active carbon filters, the end all be all?
  • Do the chemical water purification tablets really work?
  • Do you have to worry about viruses in the water when choosing a filter?
  • What is the real lifetime of a water filter?
  • White gas vs Kerosene camping stoves.
  • How effective are alcohol stoves?
  • How well do chemical tab stoves work?
  • What's the best food option for backpacking?
  • What camping food DYI options are there?

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e162

Mar 16, 2016

In this episode we sit down the David Merrill. He's a writter for Breach Bang Clear, Recoil Magazine, and a few other tactical rags I'm sure you've heared of.

As a retired Marine and foreign wepaons instructor, he's got to chops to tell us about gear and real world use. So if you've been wanting to kit up, or just love gear, sit back and relax.

~ Topics discussed:

* What do you look for in body armor?
* Is it more comfort or more protection?
* What are the levels of plate carries and bullet proof vests?
* What are the best mag pouches?
* How do you combine the use of HSGI soft magazine pouches and kydex mag holders?
* Why drop-leg holsters suck?
* How useful are battle belts?
* What's the best eye protection?
* What do you do about hearing protection?
* Should people actually invest in tactical helmets?
* The tactical neckerchief.
* Why do shamans suck?
* What are David's gear pet peeves?

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e161

Mar 7, 2016
Fair warning to all: I’m getting married in April. Then again in November. That means to you the show will be a mix of shorts and full length episodes up through April. November shouldn’t be impacted though. I’m going to work hard to ensure their is at least one show a week for ya’ll. 
 
In case you’re wondering why there’s two weddings. The short answer is the April wedding a is civil wedding just to get the show on the road. The second was due to coordinating the religious stuff and people flying in from the other side of the world. 
 
Now, I did say at least one show a week. Which would allude to there being more than one episode a week. It’s something I’ve been kicking around lately. 
 
I’m thinking about doing one episode a week strictly on personal and home security much like the Safe House show I was doing. And I’m thinking about a listener question show. But I want your input. YOUR input, not do you think other people would like it. Would you like ITRH to start doing either or both of these as extra weekly episodes?
 
Tell me today in the comments section of this episode. If there’s enough interest I’ll start ramping up to do one or both. My plan is to move another step closer this year toward ITRH being a full time thing. 
 
Moving on…
 
For the last six months I’ve gone without TV news. What I consumed in the way of what was going on in the world was strictly from reading the headlines on websites like Drudge Report. Occasionally, something would peek my interest and I’d click on through to a story. For the most part I got what I needed to know from the headlines.
 
To get the Walking Dead and the small handful of shows we watch we just used Amazon and the Apple TV. And that worked well. Till about four weeks ago…
 
I was upgrading my internet speed connection while moving into the new house. In doing so Jen asked me to bring TV back. She wanted to watch the man hating channel as the women from Comcast said and laughed. Also known as Life Time.
 
So we have TV again. So I turned on the news for the first time in six months.
 
You know what I saw?
 
Nothing. Seriously. Nothing.
 
All kinds of stuff in the world is going on. Good stuff. Bad stuff. Weird stuff. Albinos are being hunted in Africa by witch doctors. 
 
But what do we have in the news: A near literal dick swinging contest between grown men and one woman. If I understood it right, there was an actual who’s is bigger thing during a debate the other night. And this is for the most powerful position in our country—arguably in the world?
 
Recently someone asked me which lever I’d be pulling in the presidential election. I replied, “I’m not going to waste my time till they add an option that says boiling hot oil for all candidates.”
 
I’ve been getting emails from some of y’all that can be summed up as this: “Do you think X will happen if candidate Y is elected."
 
I think this country is so far down the rat whole it doesn’t matter. They’re all clowns and it’s all a big circus in the Roman sense. Actually, they may be giving clowns a bad name.
 
I’m going to play you a short clip from a movie called Dinner with Andrea. For those unfamiliar with the film it may sound like something made today. I think this clip speaks to what most of us in the community, maybe beyond, are feeling. But this was made back in 1981. 
 
Have a listen.
 
Kind of resinates doesn’t it. 
 
Now this may all seem defeatist in nature. You may have made up your mind that candidate fill in the blank name will save us all. IF that’s you, there’s no value in me trying to convince you otherwise. So I’m not going to try to.
 
Being done with the idea of a state is something you either come to on your own or never at all. And no one can really lead you there. Someone can show you the door, but you have to open it for yourself.
 
But the will X happen if Y candidate brings us to really the root message of the show as a whole: Stay safe and sound. You hear it twice in every episode. 
 
A similar conversation came up recently with all the stuff most people aren’t paying attention to in the middle east involving Russia. Boiled down the question was this: Is World War III coming?
 
The answer to all of it is this: Perhaps. Perhaps not. But the question you should be asking yourself is this: What are you going to do about it outside your circle of influence?
 
I can blow three hours fighting traffic, finding parking, waiting in line, to push a button for someone I think will at worst do the least damage. 
 
OR I can spend three hours working on my garden, working on personal wealth and independence, interact with my community, or do something to increase my knowledge. To me, that seems like a more productive use of my time because these are all things inside my circle of influence. 
 
And you’ll only keep yourself safe by making sound decisions which impact your life. You can’t worry about the decisions you made yesterday; you can only learn from them and move on. You can’t worry about the decisions you’ll make in the future because you don’t know what the questions will be yet.
 
What you can focus on is today and setting yourself up with the clearest path to a good or better tomorrow.
 
So it all goes back to basics: Do your best to ensure your access to the things you need. And ensure that access for as far out as makes you feel comfortable.
 
Now I think you should have a minimum of three months. But if you’re just starting out, focus on three days.
 
If you prep from a stand point of the worlds going to end tomorrow you’ll only panic yourself. And the reality is it’s probably not.
 
Now what would be the things you need?
 
* Food
* Water
* Basic Medical Supplies
* Sanitation
* Security
* Community
 
But this doesn’t mean just buying and storing these things. This also means getting the skills and experiance to produce or procure these items.
 
With food we have hunting, fishing, and trapping. And experience acquiring a skill is something we touched on in the last farm update. 
 
But I’ll give you a fresh example from something recent: I’ve tried fishing a few times out my back yard in the bayou. And I’ve tried just about every lure in my box with no success. (A bayou is a slow moving costal river for those not from the South.)
 
Now I make no claims of being an amazing fisherman. In fact, I’m not all that great at it. I just like casting a line and naval gazing between casts. But I would say in general I’m ok at it. Still, in five weeks of fishing twice a week I’ve caught nothing.
 
Yet, for five weeks I’ve watched good size fish maybe 12 to 16 inches in length jumping every day all day long. So I knew two things:
 
* One, there is indeed fish in this bayou. 
* Two, there’s something really big chasing these other fish to the surface and making them jump.
 
Finally, the other day, I see a guy fishing down the bayou a piece. Probably six hundred yards away. My house is about 30 feet above the bank and the area is roughly 15 - 20 acres that’s just wide open. So I can see easily from my “I’m working" chair in the den that faces the water.
 
The first thing he does is start throwing a casting net. Then after fifteen minutes, I see him setting up four poles and a lawn chair. I think, ok this guys is serious and not just some kid fooling around.
 
After 30 minutes he pulls what looks like a fish the size of a five year old child out of the water. Another 30 minutes and another fish about the size of a five year old child.
 
Opportunity to learn. I set down the laptop, put on my shoes, and go down to talk to the guy. When I get there he’s happy to tell me all about it. 
 
Turns out, the fish jumping were mullet—they’re vegetarians and a pain to catch on a hook. He was using the casting net to catch them. Then he used them for bait to catch two of the biggest catfish I’ve ever seen.
 
I wouldn’t normally eat fish out of this Bayou, but in a real pinch—I’d beat starving. And now I know what I was doing wrong.
 
The point though is just having a skill is not always enough. You also have to have the experience. Or you can borrow someone else’s experience to ensure success.
 
This is true of food production, emergency medical, water purification and sanction, and self defense. And community often gives you the ability to borrow from someone else’s experience. But to get that community you can’t be a passive armchair prepper. 
 
You need to get out and do things that are going to keep you safe and sound whether tomorrow is the most amazing day of your life or the worst in recorded history.
 
I’ll leave you with that for the day.
 
Show notes and the ability to comment on this episode are available at intherabbithole.com/e160
 
As we close out today a few important things:
 
First, I am going through the slow process of converting each episode over two the URL format of /e and the episode number. In this process I’m also going through and replacing the show player of every episode with the newer fancier player. That also means all the episodes will be available on the site for streaming. Thanks to the support of the Roving Horde Armada we were able to put the show on a new server with enough bandwidth to make this happen all possible. 
 
Second, if you have something to say about an episode, please put it in the comments section of that episode. 
 
A lot of people email me comments about episodes—I enjoy emailing back and forth with y’all. But really, if it’s about an episode it should be a group discussion on the site. And if you say something about a guest they can’t really respond without a big rigmarole their not going to go through.
 
It’s not complicated. You don’t have to sign up for anything to do it. The URL to each episode is just /e whatever the show number is.
 
Next up, support the show by becoming part of the Roving Horde Armada. Find out about the cool benefits membership gets you by going to itrh.net. Do it today. 
 
Members just got early free access to a 7 part video course I made. It’s all about getting prepared in the right way. I’ve got roughly 60 hours into the production of this series. You get access with you sign up to support the show. Again, go to itrh.net today.
Feb 29, 2016

Spring is nearly upon us. For many that means they're getting ready to venture back out into the woods--or they're wondering out for the first time.

But gear can be expensive and confusing. So in this episode our resident outdoor gear expert, Marshal of GoingGear.com, gives us in insider information on your most important pieces of equipment.

Join us as he answers these camping gear questions:

  • What makes one camping tent better than another?
  • How do you evaluate the right tent for a person's camping needs?
  • Are hammock tents really any good?
  • Are there two-person hammock tents?
  • Can you camp in cold weather with a hammock tent?
  • What are the different types of sleeping bags?
  • Which kind of sleeping bag is right for which kind of situation?
  • Is there a "best" type of sleeping back for all situations?
  • What's the best type of sleeping pad?
  • And a lot more

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e159

Feb 22, 2016

It's time for the annual ITRH Super Random Pile-O Preper Shit Gear Show. For 2016 Jonathan and I sit down and review books, gear, tools, and all things "prepper gear" we've played with in the last year.

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e158

Feb 15, 2016

It's been a while since we've talked about what's going on on the ITRH farm and Jason's Ranching Adventures. So today we catchup on all the goings on. Some sad news, some crazy news, and some happy news.

We discuss:

* Snakes and ranching
* Animal husbandry
* Is ranching really easier than raising small animals?
* Aaron's run in with a pack of wild dogs with a wild twist
* And a lot more

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e157

Feb 8, 2016

Buggout route planning done correctly occupies the minds of many preppers. Or at least it should.

But it's complicated. And there are many options.

So today we welcome back author Chris Herndez to get his perspective. He's going to share his thoughts based on decades of military leadership and law enforcement experiance.

Plus, we'll dive into some other topics to dimisify things you may have never thought to ask about.

Buggout Route Planning Topics:

  • The dangers of conspiracy theories.
  • Jade Helm jokes
  • Buggout Route Planning
  • The value of coutry roads
  • The perrils of highspeed avenues of escape
  • Escaping martial law
  • What does the national gaurd actually do?
  • When is Chris' next book due out?
  • What is his next book about?
  • Is Chris a fortune teller?


~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e156

Jan 11, 2016

In this episode we discuss one of the most common things preppers wrestle with: How long should you prepare for.

The answer: It depends.

But we can beging to solve this quandry by asking our selves three questions:

1) What do you think is going to happen?
2) How bad do you think it’s really going to be?
3) How long will it last till barter starts up or stores open back up?

Let's discuss together.

~ Become a supporting member here:

http://www.itrh.net

~ Resources from this episode can be found at:

http://www.intherabbithole.com/e155

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