Ready. Set. Go.

I believe in being ready.  I believe in being able to face any situation ready.  Mentally first, and then physically.

What does being ready mean?  Well, it does not mean paranoia nor over-zealousness.  It means being ready.

When we say we’re ready it means go ahead with the scenario.  It means starts the test.  It means let’s go.

In short being ready means: I’ve done all I can to prepare let’s begin.  Being ready isn’t perfect and oft-times more mental than physical, but being ready is a constant state.

Let’s talk about two places to be ready: 

1.  Ready anywhere you go.

2.  Ready to get home from you are.

Ready anywhere you go.  This is sometimes called EDC or Every Day Carry.  And this can get completely out of control.

The best way to avoid complete failure in a stressful, critical situation is to keep things simple.   This should apply to EDC, but many times it does not.  I’ve seen EDC that looks more like long-term survival gear than I’m going to the grocery store EDC.

So, what’s wrong with that?  Support gear supports need, not defines need.  Theoretically you can carry a rucksack everywhere you go and at a moment’s notice setup permanent camp. But you have drifted away from the principle of being ready.  You have moved outside the realm of practical where your support gear supports your needs, not defines them.

For this reason you should compartmentalize.  Unless you live in a remote area the majority of possible scenarios are simple and easily dealt with.

1. Ready anywhere you go.

Ask the question the next time you are inside the grocery store or pumping gas.  What do I need right now on my person?  If something should go awry: the most celebrated of these types of scenarios is a robbery or attack.  I say celebrated because it usually the more frequently cited yet rarest of occurrences.  However, it shouldn’t be discounted simply because of its rarity, due to the fact it is perhaps the most important one to be ready for.

So the ultimate worst thing that could happen at any given moment is being attacked: not simply robbed, but another human being trying to hurt, kill, or maim you.

At that moment what do you need?  Is it a pocket water filter?  A compact emergency bivy? 50 feet of paracord? A GPS?  What is it you need at that moment?

A weapon, preferably a gun with a spare magazine carried in a quality holster with a quality gun belt.  Or a knife, even better a gun and pocket knife.  Think CCW.

So, for that moment that’s all you need.  But let’s go one step further and talk about what you need in the moment the attack is over, with you preferably being the victor because you were ready mentally and physically.

What do you need? A med kit.  Chances are it was a surprise attack and the bad guy hit first.  Better patch yourself up.  A cell phone.  You better be calling the police after this.  And you’re going to need medics on scene.

And if this incident took place at night you should have a small but decent light.

That about covers the need for the ultimate worst scenario.

But that doesn’t happen every time you go buy your coco puffs. So, do we need to expand our EDC?

Just a tiny bit, a pen and paper can be a valuable EDC item when out and about.  Take some notes down when on the phone, jot down an idea, leave a note if you door ding someone, &c.

In urban non-apocalyptic America that about covers it.  Obviously I left out wallet, driver’s license, insurance cards, &c.  If you’re not carrying that stuff around, well, you need more personal guidance than a blog post.

That’s EDC ready in a nutshell.  You remain light, fast, unencumbered, and most important you are ready for just about any modern urban non-apocalyptic American scenario. Almost everything else can wait to get fixed when you get home.

EDC for yourself.  Of course, this is if you drive everywhere you go.   And if you drive you must be in a vehicle.

EDC for a vehicle is something a father figure should have taught you.  I’ll briefly go over some items for most places in urban America:

Something to change a flat, battery, fuse, wipers, and small lights. Jumper cables too.

Insurance and registration

Snacks and a water bottle (for long nights home stuck in traffic due to a fatal accident, or if you have kids with you during said traffic jam)

Flares and flashlight

First aid kit

Maps

Camera

Extra Ammo (a spare magazine – not an arsenal)

Pen and paper (which should be part of your personal EDC)

Depending on season, a jacket or sweater in case of a sudden weather change.  Just toss it in the backseat.

The above-suggested items support need for almost every imaginable scenario in urban non-apocalyptic America.  It will get you through just about every car break down, traffic jam, minor collision you can think of without requiring a Mad Max truck.

As with the personal EDC anything else isn’t an emergency and can be fixed later.

The key to the above lists is that they’re simple.  You can get away with carrying that stuff and still blend.  You won’t draw attention to yourself but still be ready.  It’s not the forefront of your day but if the situation turns south you’re ready.

Everybody talks about preparing for when the SHTF or the end of the world as we know it.  That’s cool and let’s you get away with all sorts of neat gadgets.  But, that’s not EDC, and that stuff should be in your house.

And even that should be kept to support need not dictate it.  Natural disasters happen far more frequently than societal collapse.

Now, the second EDC I’ll talk about is #2.

2. Ready to get home from where you are.

This is a bag.  Preferably a backpack.  And this is for those times when earthquake or flood or other disaster has blocked the roads home.  This is for when you have to walk home from where you were earlier in the day: work or fun.  But this is not an end of the world bag.  It’s something you can toss in your trunk or backseat and forget about.  Checking on it every month to make sure items are fresh or season appropriate.

Being stranded in your vehicle is not a good thing.  Walking home, even if it takes a night is better.   How frequently does this happen?  Highways get taken out and people stranded somewhat regularly.  A natural disaster can wipe out your way home for a day or two.

Depending on the situation and your personal capability.  Walking home could be the best option.  And it doesn’t have to be a disaster.  You could have catastrophic vehicle failure and have no one to come help you and no funds for a motel, taxi, tow truck, whatever.  Rather than suffer it out, walk home.  For me from where I work to where I live is an average 35 mile distance.  So, most likely an overnight walk.

The “Get Home Bag” is just as simple as everything else.  Remember this is not for the apocalypse.   Here are some suggested items:

You will notice many of these items cross over from the other two lists we just spoke about.  Simplicity.

Climate appropriate spare clothing (ie a jacket)

Change of small clothes (a change of underwear and spare pair of socks)

GPS and compass

Paper maps

Flashlight

Fire Kit

Batteries

Water (or small filter) and bottle (I like the platypus bottles)

Emergency Bivy

Pen and Paper

First Aid Kit

High Energy Snack

Hat and Sunglasses

Extra prescription glasses or contacts

Paracord

Extra Ammo (a spare magazine or two)

It has a couple items that blur into the SHTF, but walking home because all roads are inaccessible, though not permanent, can be a crazier scenario than the situations you’ll encounter just EDC.  It is, after all, a get home bag and if you can’t drive home or get a ride home and end up walking a tad bit extra won’t hurt.

Or the Get Home Bag could just be what you take with you into a motel until the roads clear up.  It doesn’t have to be the end of the known world.  And this bag isn’t set up for a sudden end of the world scenario happening while you went grocery shopping.

Society might not have collapsed forever, but the next couple days could be hectic.  It’s nice to be able to say, “Ready.”  When asked to face such a scenario.

Remember to always ask yourself if the gear supports need or is defining your need.  Keep it simple, blend, and remember the mental will keep you alive the longest.  Be able to you’re ready.

16" 300 Blackout Build Pic

300 AAC Blackout

Finally got around to zeroing my 300 BLK  AR build. Zeroed at 100 yards using 110gr Barnes. The rifle is a 16" AR15 chambered in 300 BLK. I used a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24. I used the top half of the #1 as my point of reference. 

New Blog Notes

So, I'm switching my blogging platform. I used to post  with somewhat regularity on Tumblr. Boyfromthemountain.tumblr.com.

But, I decided to try something better suited for my type of blogging. I'm sure I'll evolve as I get more involved in this craft. 

To my followers who are migrating from Tumblr I apologize in advance for some repeated material.  I'm not going to repost everything, but some of my better posts I will migrate here.

To my new followers, thank you for joining and I hope you get as much from this blog as I do writing it. 

View of a part of one of my favorite mountains. I took this photo after a hike in the back of the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. 

Big Brother

I finally got a big brother for the little guy there. Actually, since they're different brands they're more like cousins. The shorty is a Surefire SOCOM556-Mini, which is use heavily on a 10.3" SBR. The tall guy is an AAC Cyclone I just picked up for a 308 bolt gun, I'm getting the barrel threaded this week.  

FIREARM SAFETY

The most powerful tool in your toolbox is education.  It is the constant drive to learn more than you already know.  It is the spirit of sharing this information to learn what you don't know and to help your neighbors better themselves.

And in the world of firearms, an education means the difference between life and death.  Self-inflicted injury and injury inflicted on others.

The above injury was self-sustained by someone who either did not know or forgot the rules.  Rules that are taught and supposedly learned.

So, on that note, let's review the rules.  Since we are focused on the world of firearms, we should start discussing the rules:

1. Treat All Guns As Loaded

What does that mean?  It means, respect the gun.  By itself if can do nothing, but in the hands of the ignorant, the unsafe, and the reckless it can cause a world of hurt.  Act and treat the firearm as if there is a bullet in the chamber and ready to fire.  This, inherently, leads us to the next rule.

2. Don't Point The Gun At Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy

Also, sometimes known as the laser-beam concept.  Treat the firearm as if there is a laser-beam extending from the end of the barrel (muzzle) and anything it contacts is destroyed.

This rule is also sometimes referred to as keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.  Safe, however, can be relative.  Particularly if you are deploying your weapon in a self-defense situation.

The key to this rule is to remember that once the bullet exits the firearm there is no taking it back.  And the last thing it was pointed at will be destroyed.

And, if you think it's OK because the gun is unloaded: REFER TO RULE #1.

3. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You Are On Target And Have Made The Decision to Shoot

This is a longer rule because it is essentially a two-part rule.  Keep your finger off the trigger.  Away from the trigger.  Find a place on the frame or slide outside the trigger guard and consciously plant your finger there.  Keep it there at all times until you have presented the firearm towards your target and then ONLY when you have made the CONSCIOUS DECISION to shoot should your finger then move to the trigger. 

If you notice a pattern here it's that the rules build up redundant safeties.  If you forgot Rule #1, hopefully Rule #2 will mitigate any serious injury or damage.  Rule #3 is a redundant safety for the other two.  If you lose your head up your rear and forget the gun is always loaded and start pointing your musket around like a spotlight, this rule will hopefully mitigate the chances of you popping off a round into your leg, hand, or something more important.

Hopefully, and I mean this, hopefully someone else sees your lack of brain activity and knocks some sense into you.

Let me get into a bit of why this rule is important.  There's this physiological phenomenon known as sympathetic reflex response. In a nutshell, this means under stress one hand wants to mimic what the other hand is doing.

Example #1:

You have your gun drawn at an imminent threat.  You have not decided to shoot.  You fail to follow Rule #3.  You use your other hand to grab a loved one to move them out of the way and your gun discharges a round.

Example #2:

You may or may not have seen the footage of the Las Vegas officer having a negligent discharge.  Here is the YouTube link if you haven't.

It's hard to see but the officer goes to activate her radio with her left hand and when she squeezes the mic she discharges the gun.  SYMPATHETIC REFLEX RESPONSE.

This is also known as Trigger Discipline.  This is an important rule (all the rules are important).

4. Be Sure Of Your Target And Aware Of Its Surroundings

This one is almost painfully obvious.  Be dang SURE of what you're shooting at. You need to know 100% you can shoot at what you're shooting at.  Target ID is key.  Whether you're at the paper range or the two-way range.  In these United States you are responsible for every single bullet that exits your firearm.  You need to SURE of your target.  There is no excuse otherwise.  We do not practice blind-fire or Spray-and-Pray.

The second part of this rule is important to keep in mind.  Let me explain.  I will give a couple different examples.  At the paper range you need to know your target and make sure no knuckleheads are downrange potentially in the way of your paper-hole-punching-bullets.

But what about in the mall parking lot?  You are faced with a valid threat.  You are 100% sure of what you're shooting at. Now, behind this idiot is a family of four clueless to what is playing out in light speed before you.  Here is where judgment comes into play.  You are sure of your target and aware of your surroundings.  Can you guarantee the hits?  You may need to fire regardless of what's behind your target and, therefore, you need to be able to guarantee hits to mitigate collateral damage.  (The term Collateral Damage gives little comfort when that collateral damage is your kid or an innocent family).

Remember, we are accountable for every action and every single bullet fired from our firearms.

Those are the RULES in a nutshell.  Primarily described and detailed for novices or those learning to shoot.

Rules are there to support training.  Like this picture:

See what he did there?  I put that picture in for a laugh after the graphic injury photo, but the Rules are the foundation to all training.  From beginning to advanced.  They are not just rules for beginners.  They are rules for anyone touching or in the vicinity of a firearm.

Now, I believe you should start teaching and learning the Rules as early as responsibly possible.  That's going to be a judgement call I can;t make from here.

A Different Way

Now, some people argue that the gun Rules are basic or for novices or those who don't do this professionally.  I'd argue that the Rules apply to everyone, but perhaps the methodology of instruction can change.  Don't let ego get in the way of safe handling.

As professionals we should know the status of out weapon at all times.  We don't point our firearms at anything we are not willing to destroy.  We don't touch the trigger until we are on target and we have made the decision to shoot.  We are sure of our targets and aware of our surroundings: in front of target, behind target, to the sides of the target.

See?  Same rules, across novice to advanced capability.

Here's an old saying:

"Advanced tactics are just the basics performed perfectly"

Ultimately, when the firearm is in your hand your brain needs to be fully engaged.  That will cover all the rules all the time.  You can't let yourself get into the destructive habit that a firearm is to be played with or begin to handle it with reckless abandon.  IT'S NOT A TOY.

That picture of the hole in the hand was a result of the use covering his support hand and then a gross violation of all the gun rules in order.  He did not treat it as if it was loaded, because he let the muzzle cover his hand.  He did not keep it away from something he was not willing to destroy, because, again, he let it cover his hand.  He did not keep his finger off the trigger until on target and the conscious decision to shoot has been made, because he let it cover his hand.  And, clearly, he wasn't sure of his target, because he blew a freaking hole clean through his hand!

Avoid stupid, negligent accidents by obeying the gun rules.  They apply just as aptly to the paper-range as to the two-way range.  They are universal and should be taught and received as such.

Just Getting Started

Just Getting Started.  You can check out my other blog at boyfromthemountain.tumblr.com
Thanks for checking out my blog.