Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (1,348)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (886)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (638)
Prepping with Garage Sales (578)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (539)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (521)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (514)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (511)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (337)
Jefferson’s Top 10 Commandments for Living (318)- Best Prepper Caliber? (314)
- Difference Between .223 Caliber & 5.56mm (312)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym
Every infantryman and Army leader knows the acronym OCOKA, pronounced OH-coke-A. It’s a mnemonic that helps soldiers survive on the battlefield and dominate the enemy by evaluating their terrain. OCOKA is also a key survival acronym for preppers and survivalists. You should use OCOKA to evaluate the terrain around your workplace and home (and your retreat if you have one) but you should also use it to evaluate temporary locations or positions you occupy even for a few minutes if you live or are operating in a degraded security environment. Today’s article will introduce some concepts that we will return to in more detail in future articles.
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Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool
The SALUTE Report, also known as the Spot Report is(as in ‘I spotted something’) is a U.S. Army Skill Level 1 Task (Skill Level 1 Tasks apply to everyone from the brand new recruit to the senior General Officer) that makes it easier for a soldier to observe and report information of intelligence value or information that can be used to immediate advantage. Essentially the SALUTE Report is an observation and reporting mnemonic and technique. The Prepper SALUTE Report is an easy skill to learn and it’s definitely worth learning whether you’re a prepper and just a concerned citizen.
SALUTE is actually an acronym and does use a little military jargon so I’ll interpret and help you apply this tool to situations as diverse as use in a Neighborhood Protection District (neighborhood watch on steroids when law enforcement can’t be relied upon) or by a concerned citizen who sees potential criminal or terror activity like the recent bombings in Boston.
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Demarest on Property Rights – Today’s Quote
Dr. Geoff Demarest in Property and Peace – Insurgency, Strategy, and the Statute of Frauds
Blood Agents – Chemical Warfare Agents
Andrew’s Note: Today’s discussion on Blood Agents, also known as Cyanogen Agents is from U.S. Army Field Manual FM 4-25.11, First Aid (Approved for Public Release). If you don’t think there’s any chance you’ll ever encounter a blood agent then think again. There are a number of commercial and industrial uses for these agents in addition to their use by foreign governments in chemical warfare. The most frightening use of these agents is by criminal or terrorist groups against an unprepared populace.
Cyanogen agents interfere with proper oxygen utilization in the body. Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK) are the primary agents in this group.
Protective Measures Continue reading
Book Review: American Sniper by Chris Kyle
I recently finished the book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. Kyle’s wife Taya wasn’t credited but also contributed significantly to the book.
When I bought the book I expected it to be an account of the weapons and tactics that led Chief Petty Office Chris Kyle of S.E.A.L. Team 3 to become the most ‘lethal’ U.S. sniper in history surpassing the legendary Marine Carlos Hathcock’s Vietnam era record by over 50%. I expected Kyle’s book to be very similar to Hathcock’s Carlos Hathcock: Marine Sniper : War Stories And Tactical Tips From The Master Sniper which is also a great read…but what I ended up with was a love story. Don’t get me wrong, Kyle’s book has lots of war stories and countless humorous anecdotes of his life as a Navy S.E.A.L., but he didn’t focus nearly as much on the mechanics of shooting as he did on the decisions, situations and loves that led him placed him in the positions that led to his lethal record.
I love a good military autobiography and the psychological makeup of snipers makes their stories particularly compelling. As I mentioned above I’ve read Hathcock’s book as well as the autobiography of Vassili Zaitsev, NOTES OF A RUSSIAN SNIPER
Kyle told the story of his life, his S.E.A.L training, peacetime duty, and his four tours of duty in Iraq (including his contributions to the Second Battle of Falluja, the Battle of Ramadi, as well as various incursions into Sadr City) interspersed with the story of and the conflicts between his three great loves.
Love of Profession Continue reading
Claymore on Maintaining Direction – Today’s Quote
FRONT TOWARD ENEMY
Inscription on the business end of the M18A1 Claymore Mine
Inhalation Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the final article in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions inhalation injuries and inhalation burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
INHALATION BURNS & INHALATION INJURIES Continue reading
Chemical Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the fourth in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions chemical injuries and chemical burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
CHEMICAL BURNS & CHEMICAL INJURIES Continue reading
Electrical Burns & Injuries
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the second article in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discusses electrical burns and lightning burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional. Additionally, there are some discussions about handling electricity in this article…but that should also be done only by professionals.
ELECTRICAL BURNS Continue reading
Severity and Causes of Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the first in a series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions the severity and causes of burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
SEVERITY AND CAUSES OF BURNS
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Kyle on Rules of Engagement – Today’s Quote
The rules are drawn up by lawyers who are trying to protect the admirals and generals from the politicians; they’re not written by people who are worried about the guys on the ground getting shot.
American Sniper author and SEAL Chris Kyle
Andrew’s Note: Rules of Engagement specify what actions (offensive, defensive, and other) service members can and can’t take in a theater of operations.
Vital Body Functions for First Aid
Andrew’s Note: Today we’re providing a lesson from FM 4-25.11 First Aid (Approved For Public Release) on understanding vital body functions for first aid.
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Apply a Tourniquet
Andrew’s Note: Today we’re providing a lesson from the Army’s Combat Lifesaver Course (ISO871 Edition C Approved For Public Release) on how to properly apply a tourniquet. Before we get started let me be perfectly clear…this is a refresher for those that have been trained in the proper use of a tourniquet and a gentle prod for those who haven’t received any training to seek training through a first aid or wilderness medicine course.
Over the years the use of a tourniquet in first aid situations has fallen into and out of favor. Currently the military medical community is promoting the proper use of tourniquets as an important lifesaving skill and the incredible wound survival rates in our current and recent conflicts are based in part on the training and proper use of this lifesaving technique. That said…never use a tourniquet unless the life or the limb is in danger…and all other bleeding control measures (elevation, direct pressure and pressure dressing) have failed or aren’t suitable. Additionally, seek qualified medical care IMMEDIATELY if you have to apply a tourniquet.
This lesson teaches how to apply the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) but similar techniques can be applied to the much simpler and more reasonably priced Tourni-Kwik-4 (TK-4). I own and like both the CAT and the TK-4 but the CAT runs about $28.00 each and the TK-4 runs just $5.50. Both of these tourniquets can be applied one handed which is very important for self aid. The TK-4 is the one that rides with me every day in the car…accessible from the drivers seat…just in case…
APPLY A TOURNIQUET
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Thatcher on Superpower – Today’s Quote
America today is the only global superpower…. Only America has the reach and means to deal with Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein or the other wicked psychopaths who will sooner or later step into their shoes.
Former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Andrew’s Note: Been there, done that!
Knots a Prepper Should Know
Andrew’s Note: A prepper buddy of mine has been experimenting with and teaching himself knots recently…got me to thinking about what basic knots a prepper should know and as I do for many prepper skills…I went to look for military wisdom on the subject that I could apply to the art and study of preparedness…Prepography. The following information is from TC 21-3 Soldier’s Handbook for Individual Operations and Survival in Cold Weather Areas (Approved for Public Release).
USEFUL KNOTS
A rope is only a limp coil of hemp or nylon. It is useful only when you are able to attach it to itself or another object. The six basic knots described below will fit all your needs for tying rope together or onto equipment or personnel.
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Psychological First Aid
Andrew’s Note: I had an old First Sergeant who came up as a Psychological Warfare specialist…he was fond of saying “psychological warfare…because physical wounds heal!” All messing with people’s head aside… there is such a thing as a psychological wound and I’ve seen some of the toughest people I’ve met affected by traumatic experiences. If you or a loved one are subjected to a traumatic experience, paralized by fear, depressed or temporarily shut down by excessive stress… you should know how to provide psychological first aid. Today’s lesson is from Army Field Manual FM-4.25.11 (Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited) First Aid and deals with psychological first aid:
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Hagel on the 82nd Airborne – Today’s Quote
You can’t just drop the 82nd Airborne into Baghdad and it will all be over.
Former Senator Chuck Hagel
Andrew’s Note: Let’s hope that if Mr. Hagel becomes Secretary of Defense that he’s better briefed on just how Bad A** the only Airborne Division in the Free World is!
The Watch Method of Field Expedient Direction Finding
Andrew’s Note: Today we present another lesson from our Military Pedagogy series. This discussion, from FM 21-76, the U.S. Army Survival Manual [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited] is on using the Watch Method of Field Expedient Direction Finding.
In a survival situation, you will be extremely fortunate if you happen to have a map and compass. If you do have these two pieces of equipment, you will most likely be able to move toward help. If you are not proficient in using a map and compass, you must take the steps to gain this skill.
There are several methods by which you can determine direction by using the sun and the stars. These methods, however, will give you only a general direction. You can come up with a more nearly true direction if you know the terrain of the territory or country.
You must learn all you can about the terrain of the country or territory to which you or your unit may be sent, especially any prominent features or landmarks. This knowledge of the terrain together with using the methods explained below will let you come up with fairly true directions to help you navigate.
The Watch Method
You can also determine direction using a common or analog watch–one that has hands.
Shadow Tip Method – Field Expedient Direction Finding
Andrew’s Note: Today we present another lesson from our Military Pedagogy series. This discussion, from FM 21-76, the U.S. Army Survival Manual [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited] is on using the Shadow Tip Method of Field Expedient Direction Finding.
In a survival situation, you will be extremely fortunate if you happen to have a map and compass. If you do have these two pieces of equipment, you will most likely be able to move toward help. If you are not proficient in using a map and compass, you must take the steps to gain this skill.
There are several methods by which you can determine direction by using the sun and the stars. These methods, however, will give you only a general direction. You can come up with a more nearly true direction if you know the terrain of the territory or country.
You must learn all you can about the terrain of the country or territory to which you or your unit may be sent, especially any prominent features or landmarks. This knowledge of the terrain together with using the methods explained below will let you come up with fairly true directions to help you navigate.
USING THE SUN AND SHADOWS
Using a Signal Mirror
Andrew’s Note: Today we present another lesson from our Military Pedagogy series. This discussion, from FM 21-76, the U.S. Army Survival Manual [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited] is on using a Signal Mirror
Mirrors or Shiny Objects
On a sunny day, a mirror is your best signaling device. If you don’t have a mirror, polish your canteen cup, your belt buckle, or a similar object that will reflect the sun’s rays. Direct the flashes in one area so that they are secure from enemy observation. Practice using a mirror or shiny object for signaling now; do not wait until you need it. If you have an MK-3 signal mirror[Andrew's Note: similar to many of the camping and survival mirrors sold in the civilian marketplace], follow the instructions on its back (Figure 19-3).
Wear the signal mirror on a cord or chain around your neck so that it is ready for immediate use. However, be sure the glass side is against your body so that it will not flash; the enemy can see the flash.
CAUTION
- Do not flash a signal mirror rapidly because a pilot may mistake the flashes for enemy fire.
- Do not direct the beam in the aircraft’s cockpit for more than a few seconds as it may blind the pilot.
Haze, ground fog, and mirages may make it hard for a pilot to spot signals from a flashing object. So, if possible, get to the highest point in your area when signaling. If you can’t determine the aircraft’s location, flash your signal in the direction of the aircraft noise.
Note: Pilots have reported seeing mirror flashes up to 160 kilometers [99 miles] away under ideal conditions.
Figures 19-4 and 19-5 show methods of aiming a signal mirror for signaling.
Andrew’s Note: If you’re using a field expedient (makeshift) reflector you can aim it more easily by shining the reflection first on your hand (or between two fingers like in Figure 19-4) held out in front of you and move it towards the aircraft until you transfer the reflection to the aircraft.
