Jonathan Hollerman’s, Survival Theoryis a well-laid-out and pragmatic approach to the ideas and theory behind surviving the end of the world. Yes, this topic often sounds very dramatic, but this book is far more practical than its genre leads on.Hollerman takes you through the common reasons for prepping, laying them out in easy-to-understand ways and providing evidence to support these theories—all while underscoring his primary theory that we should all be preparing for an upcoming grid-down scenario. He believes that our frail power gird is vulnerable to an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse), solar flares, cyber attacks, and to physical terrorist attacks. If you think the idea of an EMP or a cyber attack is far-fetched, I urge you to read this book immediately. His evidence is staggering and all based on findings from interviews and published articles written by top government officials (not some experimental scientists with questionable funding!).EMP believer or not, Survival Theory is the perfect book for both those beginning to prepare and die-hard preppers. (Even veterans sometime need a wake-up call to shake them out of their “preparedness tunnel vision” by challenging their research and preps.) Hollerman challenges your ideas on whether or not you should bug out, your gear, and even your method for calculating your food storage. In a straightforward, non–combative way, he shakes everything up with systematic research, consistent reinforcement of ideas, and his expertise in his field.Where did this expertise come from? Before becoming an author and consultant, Hollerman was trained by the U.S. military as an SERE instructor. This training would become the foundation of his survival skills and tactical opinions. For those that do not know what an SERE instructor teaches or what SERE is, here’s the definition given by Wikipedia:
“Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) is a program, best known by its military acronym, that provides U.S. military personnel, U.S. Department of Defense civilians, and private military contractors with training in evading capture, survival skills, and the military code of conduct.”
It is important to note that as an instructor in SERE, you can help train Airmen that are at risk for being shot down behind enemy lines. You are also in charge of helping to train the elite soldiers of the U.S. Special Forces. In order to keep all of our fighting men and women safe, these instructors are entrusted and trained to help guide them through the process of becoming self-reliant in any situation and in every environment. So, I would assume that it is safe to say that Jonathan is qualified and certified by the U.S. Military to advise on things within the realm of survival skills.Back to the book: The first half of his book is written like a research paper. This approach moves the conversation far away from another crazy Doomsday Prepper episode into an articulate and intelligent conversation. It’s true that his arguments are not all original and can be found splashed across the web on a multitude of prepping websites. However, I feel that he has done a better job of laying it out, and his approach is just more authentic, believable, and digestible for the general public. For anyone living with a non-believer, this book will go a long way to bridging the gap and motivating them to join in the preparations. If you buy this book even for the first half alone, you will be glad you did!The second half of this book outlines the basic idea of bugging out and the essential preps one needs to accomplish this mission—along with a proposed timeline of events after an EMP and tips for how you can use it to your advantage. In order to try and keep you on a budget, Hollerman takes you through the ideas behind a bug out bag and the gear you should carry. He itemizes in detail a few items that he feels are essential to your bug out setup and stresses the importance of keeping it light and minimal. He always gives the reader a few choices when it comes to gear, allowing for options for people on different budgets. It is important to point out that this gear is not cheap. Your gear should always be top quality to withstand a societal collapse. Let’s remember that Amazon and 5.11 tactical will be closed after an EMP, so the gear you are buying today is going to have to last you. For more in-depth coverage, you can also buy his Bug Out DVD. If you want to build a survival retreat, you can hire him for a one-of-a-kind design. I wish I had read this book at the start of my prepping carrier; I could have saved some money and a lot of space in my garage!One of my favorite characteristics about Hollerman’s writing is that, like a drill instructor, he is methodical and repetitive. As human beings we have a tendency to only hear what we want to hear. So to drive his lessons home, he brings up his points over and over again to ensure you walk away with the correct message. A few, but not all of his messages are as follows:
Bug out or you will pay the price.
The government and people smarter than him are telling you to prepare everyday.
In a grid down situation, the government will not be able to save you.
You are not John Rambo, so don’t be quick to get into the fight.
You are not special, and in a grid down situation, you will be a target.
The idea of being a lone wolf is flawed and only saved for a last resort option, so start build your team now.
Preparing on a budget doesn’t mean it’s going to be cheap, it just needs to be done right. Buy once and buy right! Survival gear is like sushi—no one wants cheap sushi…it’s not worth the risk!
Your food-supply knowledge as a prepper should be questioned and re-examined.
You need to re-read number two & three in this list a few more times!
One last time for those that are stubborn…YOU NEED TO BUG OUT!
As he illustrates his points, he notates all of his references to back up his opinions. The sources for his reference points are all found on his website in his research library. Logistically, this is very smart, because it allows him to maintain his reference links with up-to-date information related to the threat of an EMP attack on the United States. Many of his references are links to live C-span interviews of top-ranking officials backing up his theories. The messages these officials share are all consistent and they warn of the immediate threat our grid faces on a daily basis from possible terrorist attacks. For these officials, it is not a matter of if, but rather of when it will occur. Take a look at his website and derive your own opinions. I believe you will consider it to be time well invested!
At the end of the day, all preppers are on a journey to find the training and guidance to survive and thrive in any situation. Hollerman offers his readers guidance from experience that helps one to prepare for the unknown. They may or may not speak to you directly, but his arguments are ones that are compelling enough that they cannot be ignored. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can tell you that I prepare because it makes sense. I prepare because it was the ways of our ancestors, and moreover, because history tells us to. The want to live is built deep into the structure of our DNA. Survival Theory is a book that will speak to this innate survival need, and it will motivate anyone that reads it to start preparing. Do yourself a favor and buy this book before you buy any more preps. It will not only inspire you, but it will save you time and money and help you better care for the ones you love. It is a true game changer for preppers.You can see how Hollerman practices what he preaches by following his Instagram account @griddownprepper.
If you only read this section of the review, you should leave here as a huge fan of the new FactorXBag. This bag is labeled as an "everyday backpack", but it is so much more than that. I am always on the search for a bag that can blend in with my daily activities, yet come through in a SHFT or emergency situation.If an EMP or natural disaster where to occur right now, would you be prepared? Would you have the basic supplies to keep you safe while you worked your way to your home or bug-out location? The FactorXBag can play an instrumental role in your ability to thrive and survive during any emergency.One of my favorite aspects of the FactorXBag is that it can be personalized in so many ways to fit your exact needs. This bag can be your 72-hour car kit, your quick-action trauma kit, or your key to surviving an active shooter scenario. In this day and age, everyone has their different reasons for wanting to be prepared. No matter your reason for purchasing this bag, you will not be sorry you did.This bag allows you to carry your everyday gear for work while helping you to organize your survival and medical gear in its modular gear system. It allows you to deploy ballistic panels for immediate protection during an active shooter incident, upping your odds of survival. That's right: With a simple pull of a strap, a pocket opens up, allowing you to pull out a full chest panel that snaps back to the bag, creating a bulletproof vest!This bag has 10 well-thought-out compartments, allowing you to be organized and ready for when the seconds count. The pack is solar capable and allows you to hang a charging panel on the outside of the pack. This allows you to create and collect solar power while on the move. It has a section of the bag built specifically for the storage of this gear and has attachments to hang the solar panel on the front of the pack. This bag is rugged and uses double stitching to increase its ability to handle aggressive wear and tear.The FactorXBag is made with high-quality materials and has multiple interior pockets with zippers to hold your gear in place. YKK zippers on every pocket make it easy to operate, offering you quick and smooth access to your bags’ contents. There is also an interior pocket that can house and protect your laptop, office materials, or even EDC tools.
FactorXBag Look and Feel
OK, I have to admit that I did get a little "Tacti-Cool" judgmental on this bag when I first saw it online. I am guilty of being a gear snob, and you all now know this about me. My first impression was that the pack looked like a bag from when I was in grade school. This look lead me to question if the bag could hold up to survival situations. I thought for sure that the materials wouldn't hold up and the pack itself would be too small to carry all of my survival gear.Well, when you are wrong, you are just wrong! I guess I should let this be a lesson to me, as the FactorXBag is comfortable to carry, rugged, and has plenty of room to carry all of my EDC and get-home gear. Despite the appearance of being small in some of the photos, it's actually very spacious. The 10 compartments really allow for you to organize and carry a lot of gear. Even better: The pack sits comfortably on your middle back, and when the arm straps are cinched down, it almost suctions to your back.Some bags are built with a long torso and end up resting on the top of your hips, which, when it comes to carrying really heavy packs, helps to displace weight off your shoulders. If this were a long-term INCH bag, I would expect that to be the case, however this is not a bag meant to keep you going indefinitely. This bag is meant to get you home, patch you up, and provide you with a meal. Or, it’s meant to give you the upper edge in an active shooter situation. That being said, I was really surprised at how well the FactorXBag sits on my back even when approaching 40-50lbs of weight.If you have ever done long-range backpacking before, then you will agree with me that a pack that moves or shifts when walking leads to sore shoulders, a hurt back, and fatigue. Because I grew up backpacking, I am always hypersensitive to how a pack rides on my back. When I first put this pack on, I was thrown off by it resting on my middle-back. I found myself constantly loosening the straps trying to adjust it to fit the way my other larger bags have in the past.I guess you could say this was old backpacking habits. To be honest, this might be something only I would fixate on, but I did this for the first few days. Once I cinch the shoulder straps down as apposed to loosening them, I found the sweet spot! Since then, I have done stair climbs and mini hikes with it, and I have had no issues with comfort at all.A few days into finding the sweet spot, it dawned on me that the FactorxBag was designed to sit perfectly in the middle of your back for one extremely important reason. The placement of the pack allows for proper protection from gunfire. The bag’s placement on your back perfectly aligns the bulletproof panel to cover your vitals. The back panel has to mirror the front bulletproof panel for the best-possible protection. Once I realized this, I also realized that Todd had truly designed a comfortable, versatile backpack that was engineered to accommodate my gear needs while offering me the best ballistic protection!After a few more days of carrying the FactorxBag at a multitude of weight levels, I knew this pack could easily accommodate my bug out gear. The FactorXBag comes with compression straps on the outside of the bag that allow you to cinch the contents of your pack in place once its packed. The interior zipper pockets and compartments allow you to create organized homes for your gear, which truly adds to how the pack carries on your back. With all your gear tucked away neatly in the pack and a little applied pressure from the cinch straps, you have a very sturdy and comfortable pack.
In the second to last compartment of this bag, there is a modular storage system to organize your survival gear. This section has the ability to open up flat in a clam-shell fashion, thus allowing the bag to lay flat and giving you easy access to your gear bags. Across from your gear bags is a half pocket where you can store a few more gear miscellaneous items. I put a few first aid and survival documents in here, as they lay flat and can be pulled out for a quick reference guide for anyone that uses the pack. You cannot always assume that you will be the one to use the gear in your pack. What happens if you are hurt and need assistance from your family member or co-worker? A few simple survival cards or instructions may help until the professionals respond.On the modular gear side of this compartment, you can find three separate gear bags that are secured into the bag with Velcro. The bag uses high-quality, industrial-strength Velcro, so your gear will stay in place while on the move. As you can see in the above picture, they come in three colors: red, white, and blue. These colors allow you to color code your gear for easy location in a stressful environment. I used red for first aid, blue for food and water, and the white bag for basic survival gear. For a complete list of gear that I stored in these pouches, please stay tuned for my upcoming post "My FactorXBag EDC Dump Review.”I really enjoy these compartmental bags, as they help me keep my gear organized and readily available. I don't have to search through the bag’s pockets or worry about putting gear back in the wrong area when in a rush. Each modular gear bag, when removed, has handles on it that can be attached to the outside of your pack or your belt, like a makeshift fanny pack. These bags are well made, rugged, and versatile.I really appreciate the size of these gear bags, as they force you to really evaluate what gear you absolutely need to carry. They are not small to a fault, rather they are just right for the gear you really need to have on you. If you’re a gear junky like me, the size of these bags will make you reevaluate everything you carry and help you cut down on the overall weight of your pack.
Modular Adaptation: Quick Release Format
If you know you are going into a potentially hazardous environment, you can make a simple-but-effective switch that can increase your ease of access dramatically. For example, if it is day two of your bug out and you know you may be walking by populated areas, you also know your chance for conflict may increase. I of course recommend avoiding conflict at all cost, however in this scenario, you know you will run the risk for a potential encounter. Then you may want your medical gear ready for quick deployment. If this is the case, before you leave camp, open up your modular gear compartment, remove your first aid pouch from the Velcro, and turn it upside down onto the Velcro. This will leave your gear pouch free and easily obtainable. After you close your bag, you are ready to hit the road.Now in this format, you can just crack the zipper on the modular gear compartment, grab the red handle, and pull the med kit out without having to open your entire bag. Also, if there is an emergency, you can have a friend access the side of your pack while you still have it on, and they will be able to just pull that bag loose. This means you can access your gear on the go, with the help of a friend, or on your own in a much more efficient manor. When seconds count, this could be very handy.The FactorXBag is designed in a way that the pack hugs your back tightly, so even in the quick release format, the gear bags will be held in place while you’re on the move. I often have my red and blue bag set up this way, as it’s nice to grab my food or medical gear while on the move. This feature just makes me love this bag even more!
Ballistic Protection
How does one carry a bulletproof vest without others knowing? FactorXBag has your solution! Hidden in the last rear compartment of the backpack is a rapid deployment system that holds two bulletproof panels. When you pull on the deployment straps found at the base of your bag, the pocket opens up, giving you access to the neon panel pull handle. (You can see it in the picture to the left.) Once you grab this handle, you can pull out your 11”x14” chest panel and deploy it to cover your front vitals. Attached to this panel are two buckles that you can snap into their counterpart located on the base of the backpack.Once completed, you can tighten the straps to secure your chest panel in-place. This now means you have one panel left in the backpack protecting your back and one attached to your front, providing you with a makeshift bulletproof vest!The front panel has a diagonal zipper on it for extra-quick storage access. You can store maps, basic first aid, extra magazines, or a handgun in this pouch. I prefer to carry my sidearm concealed on my hip, because I believe one should always have total control of their firearm at all times. However, when on the move, it may be nice to be able to have the option for a chest carry. In order to make this possible, I have added a strip of Velcro in this section, so I can store my firearm and an extra magazine for easy access. Many different companies offer velcro /molle single pistol holsters and magazine carriers. Remember, a secure weapon is a good weapon!
Solar Power
Like it or not, we live in a digital age and many of our day-to-day items require power to function. When disaster strikes, having the ability to charge a phone or any other USB-compatible device could be crucial for your survival. For example, this 1050 lumen Cree X-PL flash light can be recharged by a USB chord and would be a perfect accessory to the FactorXBag. Having the ability to charge your gear at camp or to create and store power in your backup battery pack while on the move is a strong added bonus.One of the front pockets of this backpack was strategically designed to hold a 3.5 watt solar kit from Voltaic. This kit described below fits perfectly into this pocket and comes with a backup battery pack. It is important to note that the front of the FactorXBag was designed with four eye-hole style buttons on the exterior. These buttons can be used to secure the Voltaic Solar panel to the pack, enabling you to collect power while you go about your routine.Once you have secured your panel on the exterior of your pack, you can run a charging cable into the storage pocket located behind the panel. If your battery pack is full and you still have a few hours of daylight left, you could daisy chain your phone or other device to the battery pack located in that pocket. Now as your phone is charging off the battery pack, you will be replenishing that used power from the panel.
FactorXBag Gear Recommendations
Todd from FactorXBag is a very hands-on owner and designer. This bag has been his passion piece for the past few years. He has worked incredibly hard to create and deliver this pack to the marketplace. Through his research, he has developed some great relationships and has researched a ton of gear that would work well with his bag. Since preparedness is such a personal journey for most, he created his bag system for people to personalize as they see fit.For example, some folks might like Gerber knives, some might go for CRKT knives, and others might prefer SOG knives. All of these knives are excellent choices and made by excellent companies, however, as humans we always have our favorites. Todd didn't want to come out the gate with a full-service survival kit, he just wanted to create the bag to satisfy preparedness needs. In my conversations with Todd, he had a lot of great ideas and insights that I found fascinating.So I asked Todd to share a few of his findings with me, so I could include them in my review. I am currently reviewing the products listed below and working with these companies to learn as much as I can. So please stay tuned for full-length reviews in the near future. In the meantime, here are a few things he suggested to me, along with my immediate findings, for your consideration.
Where To Get Your Armor Panel?
Since the bag comes only with the pack and modular gear bags, you still need to buy your ballistic panels. In the land of Facebook, one can get shopper’s fatigue and get lost in the shuffle of ads pumping through your feeds. Lately, I have seen a multitude of companies pushing their armor protection via sponsored ads. I have personally been looking for this type of protection for over a year, and I am always reluctant to buy online. This is the prepper’s curse of being worried about buyer’s remorse. After all, if you’re on a budget, you need to buy once and buy right! I find myself asking, “Is the protection the right protection for me? Is this product really going to work? If the product is bad, and I am dead, it would be hard to go after anyone right?”These were my fears until Todd introduced me to Warren at Ballistic Armor Defense & Equipment. I have to say, I have been really impressed. Not to give a full review about Warren and his expertise in this review, however his services need to be mentioned. (Psst! Full IIIA panel review coming soon!) The ballistic component of the FactorXBag is a huge selling point, and I wanted to be able to point you in his direction, since he has panels ready to go that specifically fit this bag. He is a wealth of information and can help guide your purchase with great insight and zero judgments
The Voltaic Solar kit is Compact and lightweight, this 3.5 Watt solar panel and 4,000mAh battery provides high performance charging to keep your devices powered up anywhere. Slide the panel in your bag or mount it nearly anywhere for a minimal, tough charging solution. Panel is IPX 7 waterproof, UV- and scratch-resistant.
Smartphones:Charges all USB Devices including all Apple, Android and Blackberry smartphones.Tablets:Charges all tablets that are powered by USB including Apple iPads and Samsung Tablets. Will not charge tablets that charge at 12 or 16 Volts.Digital Cameras:Compatible with cameras that charge from USB like GoPros. Not compatible with DSLRs.
Specifications
Size and Weight
Solar Panels: 8.3 x 4.4 x 0.2 in (21 x 11.3 x 0.5cm), Battery: 4 x 2.5 x 0.5 in (10.2 x 6.35 x 0.16 cm)
0.6 pounds (276g) including battery and solar panel
Solar Panel Output
Monocrystalline cells - 19% efficient
Open Circuit Voltage: 7.0V
Voltage Peak : 6.0V
Peak Current: 0.61A
Current Peak: 3.69 Watts
Solar Panel Construction
Urethane coating
3mm Aluminum/Plastic composite substrate
Panel Mounting and Cables
4 screws on back corners of panel allow multiple mounting options
Output cable is 8.5 inches, 22cm long and connects to V15 battery via included adapter
V15 USB Battery
Capacity: 4,000mAh, 15 Watt Hours
Output: 5V/1A USB
Input: 5-6V, 1A
Battery Type: Li-Polymer
Protection: Short Circuit, Over Charge, Over Discharge, Over Current, Over Temperature
Let's face it, preppers are some of the most opinionated folks out there! Everyone has their favorite gear, the best way to do something, and the absolutes on how things will go down. Prepping is a personal process that people can become obsessed about. When someone becomes obsessed, they often lose the ability to see gray, and that becomes dangerous. So of course everyone in our lifestyle will have a ton of ideas on what is best for everyone. However, here are just a few of our gear suggestions for you to consider when personalizing the FactorXBag.
Medical Kit Recommendations
It can be hard to know which kits to buy and which kits to pass on, so we did some searching for you! A word to the wise: Medical kits are not an area to be cheap on! There are some fantastic deals in the market, you just need to know what to look for. We will not go into those details in this review, however these are some readily available kits from Amazon to get you started. You can personalize these kits as you learn and train more. However, they are a great starting point for anyone wanting a great personal medical kit.Full disclosure, you must get training when it comes to anything medical. Watching a few YouTube videos and reading books will only take you so far. As a self-reliant person, you should take the time to learn from experts in your local community. Do not put this off, it could save a life.
INDIVIDUAL FIRST AID KIT,180 Piece IFAK, Emergency Medical Trauma Kit complete with Israeli Bandage and BLOOD Clotting agent in 1000 D MOLLE compatible bag.
Perfect "Peace of Mind" readiness for emergencies.
Compact, complete, well organized first aid medical kit..
Trauma kit in very sturdy tactical pouch. MOLLE compatible.
Versatile for home or rigorous camping use.
Perfect for hiking trips or to throw in your car for every day carry.
Complete First Aid Trauma Kit (IFAK) in Sturdy MOLLE Compatible Pouch180 ITEMS* Sturdy MOLLE Tactical bag approximately 7 inch x 7 inch x 3.5 inches when full. Internal elastic straps, internal divider, external zippered pouch and divider* 4 inch Sterile Emergency Israeli Bandage, Trauma wound dressing for hemorrhage control* 2g CELOX Crystals, Hemostatic Agent for treatment of bleeding wounds.* EMT Shears* 3-2 pack of Ibuprofen 200 mg, pain reliever/fever reducer.* 50 count box, Cotton Swabs.* 3-2 pack of Aspirin 325 mg pain reliever/fever reducer (NSAID).* 5 Small 2 inch x 2 inch, Gauze Pads.* 1 Povidone Iodine Antiseptic Swab, First aid antiseptic and germicide to help prevent infection in minor cuts, abrasions, minor burns.* 1-1 inch x 10 yds. Roll paper tape.* 1-3 inch Elastic Bandage.* 80 Assorted sheer bandages, small, medium, large.* 20 Alcohol Prep Swabs.* 3 packs, (0.5g each) Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Each gram contains Bacitracin Zinc 400 units, Neomycin Sulfate 5 mg, Polymicin-B Sulfate 5000 units.* Stainless Steel tweezers.* 1 pair Nitril Exam Gloves.* Velcro "Red Cross" patch.Excellent value for the money. Keep one in your FactorXBag or one in each car!
Here are a few other solar panel kits you could use with the FactorXBag. These items will not conveniently snap onto the bag like the Voltaic System will, however, they can attach to one of the many straps or rings on the pack.
Nekteck Solar Charger 12000mAh Rain-resistant Dirt/Shockproof Dual USB Port Portable Charger Battery Backup Power Pack for All USB Supported Devices
The first rain-resistant &shock-proof portable solar charger on the planet; Solar energy technology, environmental friendly and could recharge itself under sunshine for emergency purpose when outside;Shock-proof feature ensures the device working properly even it crashes or drops.
Compact, portable & stylish design; Easily fits into your bag to provide instant power; Football grain design has anti-skid protecting effect ; Perfect for long flights, road trips, hiking, camping or whenever you need to charge your mobile devices wherever you are.
Grade A cell, High Capacity, Build-in 12000mAh Lithium Polymer battery which charges via a powerful 1.2W monocrystalline solar panel ;2.1A output allows for simultaneous charging of your devices at high speed Anti-explosion, lightweight, compact and reliable, 1000+ recharge cycles over the life of the battery.
The LED flashlight works perfectly in darkness, especially for emergency. Just press the button twice, the LED will light up ; 4 LED status of charge indicators indicate the charging and discharging process.
Li-Polymer battery, one of the safest battery in the world, which are not possible to explode even over-heated.
Replaceable lithium ion 3,000mAh/11Wh lightweight battery with LED level indicator and pass-through capability
Quick charge with 1.5A USB output and smart power without overcharging or discharging
Solar ready with built-in charging tip to power up in 4 hours from any USB port or in 4 hours of full sun from the included Nomad 7 Solar Panel
Switch 110 Lumens flashlight with wide angle for lighting up the trail or piercing the darkness and high or low power for maximum light or extended run times
Switch lightweight fan attachable for a personal cooling system wherever you go
As we all know in the survival world, without water we die. Knowing this, we should make sure we have a few ways to provide ourselves with clean potable water while in a survival situation. I recommend to have a Sawyer filter, a LifeStraw, and water purification tablets, this way you can make sure to be able to stay hydrated and free of any stomach issues.I wanted to start with the Sawyer filter, as I think it is the most versatile and affordable filter on the market. See the gallery below for a few suggested uses. I really love this filter and think that it is a true survival workhorse![gallery columns="2" ids="274107,274108,274109,274110"]
We love these fire kits from Pine Fire! It comes in a great tin, which makes it really easy for you to adapt this into a full fire starting kit. All you need to do is add a few items from your survival kit to this box and you have a one-stop shop! Just add a fire steel, a few waterproof or strike-anywhere matches, and you are good to go! Learn how to make this into a full fire kit here!
Pine Fire's Product Description
Pine Fire has always strived to be a leader in the fire starting marketplace with products built clearly with the concepts of versatility and functionality in mind. To showcase these two cornerstones, we are proud to introduce the "TOT BOX". This wonderful bit of kit, 4.75"L x 3.38"W x 1.5"H tin lined with River Birch, comes packed with 2 pieces of fatwood, 1 ft of "DIRTY JUTE", 7x "MICRO TOTS" and 2x "LARGE TOTS". Per our usual, this too comes with our extra free fatwood on the side. Not only will you have the versatility of a water resistant, go anywhere carrying case, but you will now have the added bonus of a tin that aides you with the all important "next fire mentality" by offering you the perfect charring vessel.
Once you enter into the preparedness world, you find yourself always trying to improve your training, knowledge, and gear. Many of us plan to bug out when trouble hits and others plan on sheltering in place to ride out what’s before us. In either of these scenarios, you will always have the need to carry and organize your gear. I am a strong believer in buying preps that I can actually use in my daily life whenever possible. This helps me to digest and justify the rather huge financial dedication it takes to prepare and become self-sufficient. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of ways you can prepare on the cheap and you should look to save money whenever possible.That being said, the FactorXBag is a bag that I can use everyday. It offers me the ability to carry my survival gear and my work supplies in one convenient and organized pack. The fact that it blends into my environment and doesn't scream "Prepper" is a huge bonus to me. Why do we prepare? We prepare so we can survive and thrive in any situation. With the growing rate of active shooter situations in our world today, I believe this bag gives me a huge advantage to survive. The ability to carry armor panels with me without causing alarm or attracting unwanted attention is worth the price of this bag alone.I am excited to watch this company and product evolve and grow. The owner Todd is an incredibly passionate and creative person, and I know he has a lot more to offer the preparedness community.
I have to admit I love the Tot box from Pine Fire! This is a quality product hand packed for you by the owners of the company. I was really impressed when my order arrived in the mail accompanied by a hand written thank you note for my purchase! It's amazing how far that personal touch can go, especially in today's world of rapid fire online sales.When my Tot Box arrived I could smell the amazing scent of pine a few feet away from the package on my kitchen counter. To say I was more excited than a kid on Christmas is a huge understatement. I couldn't wait to see how the kit held up to it's online description. Right away I could see that the bonus fatwood sticks were of a generous size as were their large tot sticks.When I opened the tin I found it lined with river birch, filled with tots and the "dirty jute" as promised by the website's description. Although the tin was packed full of their products there was still a little room left for you to add a few extras if you were so inclined.
The Fire Test
A week after the arrival of my Tot box, I was able to take my son on a winter camping trip. We were lucky enough to be able to get away for a few days so we could give this new fire gear a test run! Being out in the snow with a six year old certainly puts the pressure on for a quick fire making performance. Since it was our first winter trip together, our "Camp" wasn't too far from the road allowing us extra time to make our way through the snow and set up.Once we moved away from the car and put a few trees between us and the rest of the world we pitched our camp. We got our tent up, collected fire wood, and got ready to build our first winter fire together. As we all know the fire is the center of any camp and my son expected me to knock it out of the park!
The Fire
First, we dug down around the base of a tall pine tree and found a few dry pine needles. We used this as our bed for our mixture of dry birch, shaved fatwood, and a few bits of tinder from our kit creating a pillow for our sparks. With a few strikes of my blade on my fire steel and a little cooperation from the wind we had a small flame. We built our fire, we ate backpacking food, told stories, and drank hot chocolate.Some may argue that you can go out into the woods and find fatwood for free. They may even say that you can collect your own birch wood and other fire tinder for building up your own fire supplies. However, if you're starting out in bushcraft I suggest going into the woods with the tools you need to survive. So be sure to collect or buy your own fatwood and tinder before you take those first few steps into the wild.Hence, I always bring my own fire tools and supplies when I enter the woods. I also strive to leave the woods with a few more supplies to bring home for my next adventure. If I can't shop in Mother Nature's store, then you will find me online buying from a family run operation that delivers an amazing product like Pine Fire.
In conclusion
My interaction with Pine Fire has been nothing short of amazing! If you are serious about bushcraft and survival then you should look into adding Pine Fire to your gear! I hope you enjoy their products as much as I have!
Pine Fire's Product Description:
Pine Fire has always strived to be a leader in the fire starting marketplace with products built clearly with the concepts of versatility and functionality in mind. To showcase these two cornerstones, we are proud to introduce the "TOT BOX". This wonderful bit of kit, 4.75"L x 3.38"W x 1.5"H tin lined with River Birch, comes packed with 2 pieces of fatwood, 1 ft of "DIRTY JUTE", 7x "MICRO TOTS" and 2x "LARGE TOTS". Per our usual, this too comes with our extra free fatwood on the side. Not only will you have the versatility of a water resistant, go anywhere carrying case, but you will now have the added bonus of a tin that aides you with the all important "next fire mentality" by offering you the perfect charring vessel.
If you want to turn the Pine Fire Tot Box into a full fire kit then all you need to do is add a few items. Just add a fire steel, a few waterproof or strike any wear matches, and a few extra spark friendly products and you are good to go! Here are a few suggestions of products that you can consider to kick it up a notch. I would like to note one more thing, Pine fire does sell ferro rods (Fire steels) as well you can check them out here. It is also important to remember that this tin was not used just because it looks cool, it can also be used to make char cloth. This is a huge fire starting extra and a skill you should learn. Here is a video to help you to utilize this feature of your new fire tin.
Up to 12,000 strikes from thick 5/16" (8mm) ferrocerium rod.
Sparks shower at 5,500º F (3,000º C) to ignite a fire in any weather (even wet), at any altitude.
Premium 100% hardwood handle is handmade, and provides natural textured grip.
Includes fire rod, scraper, and mil spec 550 paracord lanyard long enough for neck carry.
Perfect for Bushcraft, Firecraft, Backpacking, Hiking, Camping, Hunting, Fishing, Bugout, Boy Scouts, EDC / Every Day Carry, Emergency, Survival, Campfire, BBQ, Gas Camp Stoves, etc.
Wet Fire
Extinguishes instantly
Cubed-tinders are individually packed to maintain freshness
Will burn longer when wet or moist
Great for use in combination with any UST sparking device
Recently I was introduced to the FactorXBag and I have to admit this has been a great discovery for me. I received my FactorXBag last week and I have been using it daily as my EDC Bag. I am always in search of the perfect every day carry bag. My goal as a prepper is to find a low profile everyday bag. I need one that can carry my office supplies while being able to hold a significant amount of survival gear. One could say it's apart of my ever growing desire to become a better "Gray Man".I have been putting the FactorXBag to the test in my daily environment. As a business owner and a father I am putting some significant miles on this bag for sure! I will be sharing my full review of this bag in a week as I want to take the time to get to know bag and all it's functions. After all, this bag has 10 well thought out storage compartments that can be used for a multitude of possibilities. This backpack can be used as your get home bag, a medical go bag, or as a 72 hr kit in your car. This everyday backpack can even be used to protect you from an active shooter! This bag not only has a modular system for gear storage it also has a ballistic component as well! ( See the video below)Although this bag is labeled as an "everyday backpack" it certainly has the potential for greatness in our ever growing preparedness community. Take a look at their promo video below and let me know if you are as excited about this bag's potential as I am!
The world of ammo reloading is vast and complex. However, you can rest easy my friends as I am going to keep this simple. This is not a post that will tell you how to get that perfect Elk hammer load, or how to hit a penny at a thousand yards. This post will not make you a better shooter nor and ammo reload professional. What we will do is highlight a few of our favorite reloading products that we think everyone should look at if they are serious about building their own rounds. Remember these bad boys go boom for a reason so always have a mentor present while you are learning to reload your own rounds. with that disclaimer, lets get started!
Hornady Handbook 10Th Edition
This is your encyclopedic reloading bible and is a must have for anyone serious about starting to reload ammo. It is a quick desktop reference to ensure you make the best possible ammo possible."Featuring over 1,000 pages of reloading data, techniques and bullet information, the 10th edition handbook gives hand loaders access to over 200 different calibers featuring a variety of loads using Hornady bullets. You'll find an impressive lineup of new and expanded data that incorporates new powders, new bullets like the eld-x and eld match, plus new cartridges like the 280 ackley improved, 7x64 Brenneke and the 338 Federal. Well over 1,200 load combinations were shot to update and expand the reloading pages in this edition. Whether you're a novice or seasoned hand loader, this book will provide everything needed to successfully reload your favorite cartridges." Amazon Description
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press
"The RCBS Rc Supreme 9356 Ammunition Press Made By RCBS Is A Top Of The Line Ammunition Press. The Reloading Presses & Kits Manufactured By RCBS Make A Great Addition To Your Gunsmithing Workshop.RCBS Product:Single Stage Presses, Kits And AccessoriesReloading Presses & Kits:Rock Chucker press frame provides a full four inches of ram-bearing surface to rigidly support the one inch diameter main ramHandle is made of solid steel and features a comfortable ball-type handle gripOutstanding strength and versatility, the Rock Chucker Supreme is ideal for the beginner and pro alikeCan also be upgraded to a progressive loader with the addition of a Piggyback-4Specifically for heavy-duty reloading, case forming, and bullet swaging"- Amazon Description
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit
(If you have a few extra bucks go all in!)
Precision Reloading
Reloading is our passion, too. Whether you handload for accuracy, cost-savings or just because you want to, get the best with RCBS.
Updated Kit
Updated to include the Universal Case Loading Block, .17-.60 Debur Tool and the Accessory Handle-2.
Simple Solution
We've taken the new benchmark of single stage presses and surrounded it with the equipment you need (except dies and shell holders) to start loading like a pro.
Quick-n-EZ Case Tumbler
By: Frankford Arsenal
The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler is the biggest advancement to happen to case tumbling in years. It is packed with features and upgrades; the unique bowl design increases brass agitation for fast, aggressive cleaning that reduces wear on reloading dies and extends brass life. A clear lid lets the user monitor the tumbling action, while a cord-mounted on/off switch provides safety and convenience. At the center of it all, the powerful motor is solid and reliable; ready to provide years of tough cleaning action. Amazon Description
RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool
Ribs product
Priming tools & accessories
Priming tools and accessories
Combines features found on our other two hand priming tools into one convenient package
The universal shell holder will accept cases from .32 ACP to .45-70 Government
Patented safety gate isolates the primer seating operation from the primer supply virtually eliminating the possibility of tray detonation
Removable primer tray orients your primers for use and will fit any manufacturers’ primer packaging
Includes accessories to seat large and small rifle or pistol primer
Includes an Accy handle-2 and small and larger primer pocket brushes
Amazon Description The RCBS Rotary Case/Media Separator 87076 Case Cleaner Made By RCBS Is A Top Of The Line Case Cleaner. The Case Prep Tools & Accessories Manufactured By RCBS Make A Great Addition To Your Gunsmithing Workshop.Amazon DescriptionThese few products are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reloading equipment. But check pack here for our next post for recommended gear for your new found passion. This is the first part in our Reloading series!
Lifestraw is a company that offers you a one stop resource for water purification. Whether you need to purify and filter water on the go or at your base camp these guys have the gear you need. Water is the one thing we can not live without so your ability to find and purify water should be your number one prep.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The LifeStraw is simple to use and extremely light weight coming in at only 55 grams this will not weigh you down! I personally have eight of these, one for each of my Bug Out Bags, in my EDC bag, and one in each of my vehicles. At just under twenty dollars these straws are affordable and well worth it if you ever need to use it. The one draw back is that it doesn't allow you to take clean water with you. You can however take unfiltered water with you in a canteen and drink from it through the straw later when you need it. Just remember that the water bottle or canteen is now considered to be contaminated for any future use. I have used these on hikes before to try them out and they worked like a charm.
LifeStraw Basics
Award-winning LifeStraw has been used by millions around the globe since 2005
Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction) and surpasses EPA standards for water filters
Removes minimum 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction) and filters to an amazing 0.2 microns
Filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water WITHOUT iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals
Comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing for emergencies
LifeStraw Steel Personal Water Filter with Two-Stage Carbon Filtration
Life straw also came out with a new steel version of their famous straw that is meant to take a beating. However, if you read the instructions it clearly states that dropping or banging the device to hard can cause the filter to not work properly. This is important to note as the steel may fool you into thinking that it is sturdier than it's counterpart. The filters are a tool and they need to be taken care of and treated accordingly. This LifeStraw is 118 grams a little heavier than the original but still very light weight.
Steel LifeStraw Basics
Removes minimum 99.9999% of Waterborne bacteria (>log 6 reduction) and surpasses EPA standards for water filters
Removes minimum 99.9% of Waterborne protozoan Parasites (>log 3 reduction) and filters to an amazing 0.2 Microns
Replaceable Carbon capsule provides 2Nd stage filtration that reduces chlorine, Organic chemicals, odors and bad taste
Made of durable, food-grade stainless steel with cap; meets FDA standards
Requires no batteries, pumping, iodine or waiting - drink directly from water source
LifeStraw Mission High-Volume Gravity-Fed Water Purifier
If you are looking for a base camp filter then LifeStraw has you covered. This gravity fed purifier Can be hung from a tree limb and filed with 12 liters of water for you to filter as needed. The filter will keep working for about 18,o00 liters or 4,755 gallons of water.
Gravity Fed Purifier Basics
Gravity-fed, high-capacity, Hollow Membrane water purifier; ideal for group camping
This filter removes virtually all bacteria (99.9999%), protozoa (99.99%), and Viruses (99.999%) that can contaminate water
Compact roll-bag reservoir Available in 5 liter (1.3 gallon) and 12 liter (3.1 gallon) sizes
Easy to use and maintain; requires no chemicals, batteries, pumping or moving parts
Lifetime filtration capacity of 18,000 liters (4,755 gallons)
The Ranger Pack by Echo-Sigma is the perfect bag for a day at the gun range or a trip out into the woods. Even if you have been shooting your entire life accidents can happen and this bag will be there to help you in your time of need. This bag contains items for basic survival, cuts from the slide on your hand gun, and even the basics for a gun shot wound.
I have been on the hunt for a knife like the Gerber StrongArm Knife for a long time now. I have always wanted a knife that was a fixed blade knife that I could hang on my chest rig, strap it to my thigh, or have it rest on my belt in the small of my back. Maybe it’s some fascination from the movie The Hunter, since Del Torro made carrying a knife that way look bad ass, but I would also like to think that it is also a practical way to carry a larger knife.Gerber is an amazing company that has been making incredible knives in America for the US Military since 1968. Since I started back packing as a ten year old I have always carried a Gerber knife. Gerber knives are built to last, fully functional and keep a nice blade. All Gerber knives also come with a lifetime warranty and sharpening. This is a bonus and great for those that tends to put their equipment to use.
Gerber Out Of The Box
Out of the box the Gerber is a solid and impressive knife. I won’t lie, it appeals to the side of me that loves anything tactical. Like a lot of preppers I love tactical stuff for the cool factor (be honest with yourself). I also love tactical gear because it is built to take an ass whooping! This knife is solid with an extremely sharp blade. The handle is made of diamond-texture rubber allowing you to obtain a strong grip on the knife handle even in a wet situation.
OPSEC
Preppers often worry about OPSEC and keeping a low profile and this is hard to do when you have an 11 inch knife on your hip. This is one reason why I love the ability to carry the knife horizontally in the small of my back. When facing me or with a longer shirt on you would have no idea that I was carrying this knife. Remember that in some states its illegal to carry a knife that big in a concealed manner so know your local laws before doing so. But in a SHFT situation this style of carry comes in handy for sure.Gerber StrongArm 31-002931 Tactical Knife 4-3/4" Fixed Blade Plain Edge w/SheathWhen I am not carrying a lot of gear I like to carry my knife in the small of my back because it keeps it out of the way and concealed. Be careful to not over due your set up. Between leg holsters, back packs, EDC slings, chest rigs you have enough stuff adding bulk to your frame. This can slow you down unless you train wearing your gear regularly. If you are wearing a pack make sure you still have access to the knife, or it could become a useless tool.
The Chest Rig Effect
With an easy adjustment to your knife’s holster you can attach it to the molle of your chest rig or bag . I have attached it to my chest rig on the left side of my harness for easy access. If I am carrying my Bug out Bag, then I can quickly remove the knife from my rig and attach it to the left harness of my B.O.B. A knife in this position is a quick and easy grab for you.
It's A Work Horse
The other reason I love this knife is that it’s a total workhorse. The blade is thick and strong while remaining lightweight. Weight is important to keep in mind when choosing your gear to ensure you don’t bog yourself down with too much stuff. However, you also want to have total faith in your gear and its ability to perform its functions over and over again. You can use this blade as a total camp knife using it in the kitchen or as a make shift axe. This is done by placing the blade at an angle on a branch and hitting the back of it with another branch to chip away at the wood you are trying to cut. This comes in handy when collecting fire wood or building a make shift survival shelter.All in all I think this knife is a great knife and worth the price in every way! If you’re looking for a knife to add to your gear, I would buy the Gerber Strong Arm today!
Echo-Sigma's 72 hour get Home bag is an extensive prepackage bug out bag. This pack is loaded with goodies and is a great bag for your preps. Many preppers prefer to build their own Get Home bags in order to control the quality of gear in their packs. In the past I have built my GHB (Get Home Bag) from scratch . I have also purchased a few kits over the years, and this is one that I can recommend. Your GHB is always changing and improving so the gear that is in it today can change tomorrow. This kit by Echo-Sigma gives you quality gear that is packed and organized for you. It is a great foundation for a beginning prepper or someone that wants an extra bag for their office or car. My favorite part of this bag is it saves me a ton of time trying to track down & purchase all the gear.
The Price Is Right!
If you were to purchase all of the gear on your own you would need to consider the time it would take, the shipping and gas costs above the cost of the gear. Many times you have to buy gear in larger packages so it actually increases the cost. For example fire pucks come in a large box and are not sold in quantities of 2-3. So in order to add those to your pack instead of $4-6 you would spend $25-35 for a box of 36 fire pucks! You could always add the extra pucks to your preps. I would use them them in multiple bags and use them on hunting or camping trips. If your on a budget it might make more sense to get only what you need and save a few bucks for other preps on your list.If you add up the value of the gear in this bag it actually comes out to the price of the pack! The saving on shipping costs and tracking down gear is enough for me to be excited for this Get Home Bag. All of your bags need to be personalized to fit your needs and environment. It is impossible to think there could be a complete one stop shop or perfect kit out there. You will always have to add gear as you learn what works best for you and your family.
The Pack
The pack is a great Condor brand bag and helps to keep the gear organized and accessible. There's also room for you to add a few items to the bag. Furthermore, if you buy the pack from their site you can customize the tools you get in the bag. You can add entrenching tools or upgrade the Gerber Multi tool for a few extra bucks. I highly recommend this upgrade as the tool that comes with it is more of a key chain style tool rather than a full multi tool. Getting the tool you want for a few extra bucks is better than having to deal with one you won't be happy with. You can also upgrade the food packages, lights, and add knives to your order as well.
I found 3V Gear a few months ago and I have been really excited to try out some of their gear. 3v Gearhas branded themselves as making rough and tough American made tactical gear at an affordable price since they have "cut out the middle man". As a prepper this sounds fantastic right? However, preppers often get weary of the "cheaper" or "low cost" gear in the fear that it will fail us in an emergency or it will turn out to be a waste of money. Preppers hate wasting money as that just slows down their ability to reach their preparedness goals. So I couldn't resist the opportunity to put some of their gear to the test and write a review that could possibly answer some of these concerns for other preppers. When I went to their website to look at their products I choose to write a review of 3V Gear's Out law Sling. I am always searching for a better EDC bag, so I opted to use their sling as my new EDC for a month or two in order to really put this bag to the test. I want to answer the question is this bag really an affordable option for preppers, who want excellent gear but at a savings?My plan of attack for this review is simple, I am going to use this bag every day for a few months and see how it holds up to daily use and abuse. To get this process started I am going to start with my initial out of the box review of this product, then I will write a few follow up reviews about how the bag is holding up to my tests. I will also write a post offering a complete breakdown of what EDC gear I carry in my Outlaw Sling. So please follow along here on my blog or follow me on Twitter or Facebook to get updates on this field test!
3v Gear Outlaw Sling: Bullet Point Review
American made good quality product
Just the right size for an EDC Bag or Get Home Bag
Great pockets for manageable organization
Very comfortable to carry
Has great Molle straps (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.)
I am surprised right away by the quality of the fabric, molle and zippers, they all appear to be sturdy and well built. For a bag at such an affordable price I was assuming that some corners must have been cut, but from the first look this bag looks rather solid. The bag is compact but offers you a lot of pockets to organize your gear for easy access on the go. I find bags that have too many pockets to be frustrating when I am in a rush or in need of gear on the go. I want a bag that allows me to access my gear with ease and accuracy. This Outlaw Sling is big enough to carry all your basic gear along with a few things for the office, but is also still small enough to make sure you choose your gear wisely. This is important for a few reasons:
Why smaller bags are better:
Helps to make sure you don't carry a lot of gear, but rather you carry the right gear
Whatever you pack you carry, so don't weigh yourself down with un needed items
Fewer items means you can organize and retrieve items with less struggle
The tighter the fit to your body the better your mobility will be
Like most preppers, I own a few bags used for different reasons, and as a hunter I abuse the heck out of my gear on my trips. My first impression is that this bag was extremely well thought out and built. The bag provides pockets with molle straps on the inside so you can keep important gear in one spot and assessable. On the interior of the bag it offers deep open compartmentalized pockets for you to store different objects in that might not move around as much as others. But it also offers a mesh pocket that zips up to help your loose odds and ends stay in one spot. The mesh allows you to see into the pocket making the retrieval of critical gear easy. Behind the mesh pocket there is a deep pocket with a buckle cinch strap, again allowing you to tighten down on gear that you don't want moving around in your pack. ( Please reference to the pictures above)The bag also comes with an exterior cinch strap that wraps around the outside of the pack that allows you tighten your gear together. This is an important feature for two reasons:
It pulls the gear inside the bag together and prevents extra movement. This means the bag won't be moving around as much when you wear it. This allows for a more comfortable fit and helps you to create less noise from random gear banging together inside the bag.
This strap also creates another handle on the exterior of the bag for you to grab the bag in a hurry
I really appreciate this strap on the bag, I believe it really makes a difference in how the bag rides on my back when moving quickly. The bag also has an additional cross strap you can use that attaches to the sling strap it's self, but this might only be needed if your running. But don't worry about this extra strap as 3V Gear has a tiny pocket on the bottom of your pack where you can tuck this strap in and make it go away until it's needed. Great thinking!If I had to be critical of one feature of this bag, it would have to be the water bottle pocket on the exterior of the bag. It is not a one size fits all pocket. It is meant to fit only certain sized water bottles like this one:This is a bummer if you already have water bottles and don't want to buy another one, however this is not a total bummer as the bag gives you options. The first option is to buy a hydration bladder and then you wont have to worry about carrying a water bottle at all. If you opt to buy the hydration bladder you can use the water bottle pocket as a dump pocket. You can place extra magazines, extra survival gear in a plastic bags for quick access, or even stuff it with rain gear or a tarp. The pocket has a cinch on it, so you can close the top and keep your extra gear from falling out of that pocket.I guess it's fair to say that this bag is pretty bad ass! I am loving using this bag and can't wait to see how its holding up next month! The bag is now full of my EDC gear, and it still allows me to store my Mac laptop and a few files for the office. It's size helps it sit discreetly under my desk, and makes it a breeze to take with me where ever I go. My first impression of the 3V Gear Outlaw Sling is simple, I think I just found the perfect and affordable EDC Bag!
Jonathan Hollerman’s, Survival Theory is a well-laid-out and pragmatic approach to the ideas and theory behind surviving the end of the world. Yes, this topic often sounds very dramatic, but this book is far more practical than its genre leads on.Hollerman takes you through the common reasons for prepping, laying them out in easy-to-understand ways and providing evidence to support these theories—all while underscoring his primary theory that we should all be preparing for an upcoming grid-down scenario. He believes that our frail power gird is vulnerable to an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse), solar flares, cyber attacks, and to physical terrorist attacks. If you think the idea of an EMP or a cyber attack is far-fetched, I urge you to read this book immediately. His evidence is staggering and all based on findings from interviews and published articles written by top government officials (not some experimental scientists with questionable funding!).EMP believer or not, Survival Theory is the perfect book for both those beginning to prepare and die-hard preppers. (Even veterans sometime need a wake-up call to shake them out of their “preparedness tunnel vision” by challenging their research and preps.) Hollerman challenges your ideas on whether or not you should bug out, your gear, and even your method for calculating your food storage. In a straightforward, non–combative way, he shakes everything up with systematic research, consistent reinforcement of ideas, and his expertise in his field.Where did this expertise come from? Before becoming an author and consultant, Hollerman was trained by the U.S. military as an SERE instructor. This training would become the foundation of his survival skills and tactical opinions. For those that do not know what an SERE instructor teaches or what SERE is, here’s the definition given by Wikipedia:
It is important to note that as an instructor in SERE, you can help train Airmen that are at risk for being shot down behind enemy lines. You are also in charge of helping to train the elite soldiers of the U.S. Special Forces. In order to keep all of our fighting men and women safe, these instructors are entrusted and trained to help guide them through the process of becoming self-reliant in any situation and in every environment. So, I would assume that it is safe to say that Jonathan is qualified and certified by the U.S. Military to advise on things within the realm of survival skills.Back to the book: The first half of his book is written like a research paper. This approach moves the conversation far away from another crazy Doomsday Prepper episode into an articulate and intelligent conversation. It’s true that his arguments are not all original and can be found splashed across the web on a multitude of prepping websites. However, I feel that he has done a better job of laying it out, and his approach is just more authentic, believable, and digestible for the general public. For anyone living with a non-believer, this book will go a long way to bridging the gap and motivating them to join in the preparations. If you buy this book even for the first half alone, you will be glad you did!The second half of this book outlines the basic idea of bugging out and the essential preps one needs to accomplish this mission—along with a proposed timeline of events after an EMP and tips for how you can use it to your advantage. In order to try and keep you on a budget, Hollerman takes you through the ideas behind a bug out bag and the gear you should carry. He itemizes in detail a few items that he feels are essential to your bug out setup and stresses the importance of keeping it light and minimal. He always gives the reader a few choices when it comes to gear, allowing for options for people on different budgets. It is important to point out that this gear is not cheap. Your gear should always be top quality to withstand a societal collapse. Let’s remember that Amazon and 5.11 tactical will be closed after an EMP, so the gear you are buying today is going to have to last you. For more in-depth coverage, you can also buy his Bug Out DVD. If you want to build a survival retreat, you can hire him for a one-of-a-kind design. I wish I had read this book at the start of my prepping carrier; I could have saved some money and a lot of space in my garage!One of my favorite characteristics about Hollerman’s writing is that, like a drill instructor, he is methodical and repetitive. As human beings we have a tendency to only hear what we want to hear. So to drive his lessons home, he brings up his points over and over again to ensure you walk away with the correct message. A few, but not all of his messages are as follows:
At the end of the day, all preppers are on a journey to find the training and guidance to survive and thrive in any situation. Hollerman offers his readers guidance from experience that helps one to prepare for the unknown. They may or may not speak to you directly, but his arguments are ones that are compelling enough that they cannot be ignored. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can tell you that I prepare because it makes sense. I prepare because it was the ways of our ancestors, and moreover, because history tells us to. The want to live is built deep into the structure of our DNA. Survival Theory is a book that will speak to this innate survival need, and it will motivate anyone that reads it to start preparing. Do yourself a favor and buy this book before you buy any more preps. It will not only inspire you, but it will save you time and money and help you better care for the ones you love. It is a true game changer for preppers.You can see how Hollerman practices what he preaches by following his Instagram account @griddownprepper.
The Fire
This is your encyclopedic reloading bible and is a must have for anyone serious about starting to reload ammo. It is a quick desktop reference to ensure you make the best possible ammo possible."Featuring over 1,000 pages of reloading data, techniques and bullet information, the 10th edition handbook gives hand loaders access to over 200 different calibers featuring a variety of loads using Hornady bullets. You'll find an impressive lineup of new and expanded data that incorporates new powders, new bullets like the eld-x and eld match, plus new cartridges like the 280 ackley improved, 7x64 Brenneke and the 338 Federal. Well over 1,200 load combinations were shot to update and expand the reloading pages in this edition. Whether you're a novice or seasoned hand loader, this book will provide everything needed to successfully reload your favorite cartridges." 
