Doomsday Preppers – Escape from New York & Win a BOB

“You only have so many bridges leading out of New York City.”  “A complete evacuation of Manhattan has never been attempted.”

Because of my work on Prepper Website, NatGeo contacts me from time to time to share upcoming episodes of Doomsday Preppers.  This time, they shared an episode called “Escape from New York.”  This episode runs a little different than the other episodes and is relevant in light of the events surrounding Hurricane Sandy.  Along with this preview, NatGeo is offering my readers a bug out bag, provided by Emergency Essentials, to giveaway!  See below for a way to enter to win!

Different, in this episode of Doomsday Preppers, is that every prepper plans on bugging out of New York City.  Of course, they have their various reasons, but no one is staying behind.  Also, due to the fact that each prepper is bugging out, the Experts do not provide a score at the end of each segment. Lastly, each prepper is provided with a mentor that evaluates their bug out bag (BOB) and gives them advice on getting out of the city.  This episode looks at three individuals.

Margret carries her BOB at all times.  She feels that her biggest threat would be attacks from others because she is a woman.  She feels that she needs to prepare herself to defend herself utilizing Krav Magra.  Krav Magra expert, Matan Gavish,  mentions that the bigger the bag, the more people will be attracted to the contents.  “People will want what you have in that bag.”  At one point, the instructor helps Margret look through her bag to see if there are other things that could double as a weapon.  The item might surprise you!

Cameron is prepping for a nuclear meltdown at the Indian Point Nuclear Facility.  Cameron’s mentor, Anton Edwards, runs him through a bug out scenario too.  The first thing that Anton does is check the contents that Cameron is bugging out with.  Anton reminds Cameron, whatever he leaves behind, he’s left for good.  In a nuclear disaster you’re not going back for anything.  After a while on the bug out, fatigue sets in. Anton suggests that Cameron might consider “finding” a bike.

Jay is preparing for another 911 type terrorist attack.  Jay’s mentor, Shane Hobel, teaches urban survival.  Shane also examines Jay’s go bag.  The item that Shane points out is a bandanna.  On the bug out, Shane uses a match to determine the wind direction, in case isotopes might be in the air due to a dirty bomb.  Shane points out that paying attention to flags, banners, trees or anything that can point out wind direction, will allow Jay to walk into the wind and get behind the danger as quickly as possible.  Shane also shows Jay how to make a quick water filter “on the fly.”

I must confess, I haven’t watched every episode of Doomsday Preppers.  Life happens and TV is one of the things that I put off.  But of all the episodes I’ve seen, I really liked this one.  The main reason is that the mentors lend another dimension to the show. (Myabe NatGeo is listening to us!)  With the mentors, the preppers don’t come off as the “know all” crazed preppers like in other episodes.  It really felt like there was some teaching and learning that was going on that not only benefited the preppers, but also those that will watch the episode.

Take Aways

1. You really need to think through your bug out bag.  Your BOB shouldn’t be about the best or most expensive gear.  You should have what is necessary for you to survive.  You need to consider weight and every item should have multiple purposes.

2. If you are planning on bugging out, you need to be in shape.

3. You need to think through what you are willing and unwilling to do to defend yourself.

4. Getting some real training from an expert is money well spent.

5. You have to pull the trigger on your decision to bug out.  If you wait too long, you might not get the chance.

WIN A BOB!

I am very happy to offer the opportunity for a reader to win a bug out bag provided by NatGeo and Emergency Essentials.  Click Here to view the 72 hour BOB contents!

Here is how you enter: After watching the next Doomsday Preppers episode, Escape from New York on Tuesday, Dec. 19^th, come back here and leave in the comment section below, one thing that you learned from this episode.  On Wednesday evening, I will use a random number generator to choose a winner.  Good luck!

Escape From New York – Tuesday, December 19, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET/PT

As an educator, I believe that you can learn take-aways from every situation.  You can learn or learn what not to do even from watching a show like Doomsday Preppers.  This is my philosophy in approaching the show.