Guest Post: Reality in Everyday Carry

Reality in Everyday Carry

by Bret Gould

For all of those reading survival blogs, we obviously have our eyes on the upcoming problems on the horizon.  The astute have been forecasting for years that a currency collapse, a dirty bomb,  a false flag EMP, an Iranian EMP or something we cannot even imagine may happen in the next year.  The result is that we, as Americans, need to have gear available to protect ourselves, thus everyday carry.  But what do we really mean with EDC?

Everyday carry has many facets to it.  There is the equipment.  One must first adjust ones lifestyle to suit the needed equipment.  If all that were needed was to buy a Beretta .25 and put it in a pocket all would be over. I have a good friend who had an epiphany over this.  He carried a Ruger LCP in his pocket.  He did this for quite some time until I challenged him to draw it and shoot it under time on the range.  He hesitated. I reminded him that I was an experienced  instructor and one should draw and fire in 1.5 seconds from concealment or give it up. He now carries in a faster method.  He also learned that the belt holster combination are critical. No cheap holster made of nylon or sagging belt.  be prepared to spend a little money. After all, how much is your butt worth?  Also invest in some baggy shirts to cover the concealed gun.  Yes it looks cool to tuck the shirt in and wear the penny loafers but can you fight like that?

Carry enough gun. folks a pistol is not a death ray.  Yet people always carry underpowered guns.  Carry enough gun. Yes I know, you can’t conceal one.  I carry a full size Glock 20, 10 mm and 2 extra mags and unless I tell someone, they are never seen.  Other considerations, knives anyone.  One should always carry at least a rapid deploying folding knife. I carry a waist belt sheath knife and a Spyderco blade.   They are to compliment my Glock.  It is only in recent times have men stopped carrying knives. The knife is man’s oldest tool and needs to be used. 

Now the topic of alternative force.  Being in law enforcement for 26 years, I have gotten used to carrying  a less lethal method of force ie. an asp baton or black jack.   People will ask but you have a Glock what do you need that for?  Simply put, you can’t shoot everyone.  You can’t eve draw your pistol without committing a crime unless in fear of your life unless you are commissioned officer. But, you can draw a black jack or asp baton and be ready to engage an attacker or multiple attackers until , or if you need to transition to you pistol.  

Training. One must engage in realistic training. I’m going to pick on a couple areas due to the popularity and availability of these methods and the false sense of competence they bring. Please bear in mind I have rank in several COMBAT  arts and have been a working cop for 26 yrs so I use these skills.  If you want to do MMA or Tae Kwon Do, be my guest. But be aware, there are no referees to stop the fight after an eye gouge or groin kick as in MMA, and you don’t fight in a gi and get to stretch before you are attacked as in Tae Kwon Do.  Take boxing, Filipino Martial arts, Krav Maga or thai boxing, arts that emphasize combat.  

In short, change your lifestyle to match your combat mindset. Dress and prepare for combat.

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From Rourke……

The above post was an entry for the current ModernSurvivalOnline Guest Post Writing Contest.

Grand Prize includes:

Dr Bones and Nurse Amy: Medium Trauma Bag (value $219 plus $15 shipping) and a Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Handbook (value $35 plus $3 shipping) for a total of  $272.00!!

plus………….

Grizzly Fire Starters:  Grizzly Survival Fire and  Stove ($37.95), along with a Grizzly Mini Survival Heater ($27.95) and to round this package out a  100 pack of fire starters ($119.00). Grand total is $184.90!!

 and also………..

Ready Made Resources: Case of Mountain House Freeze Dried Food. Value approx $124.00!!

and concluding the Grand Prize package……

Prepper Press -Prepper Press is providing ANY 5 books that they publish. Your choice!!

2nd PLACE -

Deadwood Stove Company is awarding the 2nd Place Winner with a…yup, you guessed it….A Deadwood Stove!!!!

Emergency Essentials: New! Mountain House Just In Case……. Classic Assortment Bucket ($70 value)

3rd PLACE - 

Directive21.com - Mountain House Freeze Dried Food Bucket ($80 value)

SurvivalGearBags.com - CardSharp knife and a FrogLube Kit (FrogLube Kit – 4 oz Paste, 4 oz Liquid, Microfiber Cloth, Application Brush)

4th PLACE - Author Max Velocity is providing a copy of each of his books:

Contact!: A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival

Rapid Fire!: Tactics for High Threat, Protection and Combat Operations

5th Place - Emergency Essentials: New! Kitchen Fire Extinguisher.  3” x 10”, fights flammable liquid and electrical fires, $20.00 value

© 2012, Rourke. All rights reserved.