Podcast episode 092221

Published on September 22nd, 2021

In this episode we’ll discuss what I mean when I speak about avoiding unnecessary risks, many people say “I’m tough enough” or “I can handle it”, where as they are not considering the possible of secondary ramifications to these choices. While some consider this show the definition of weakness, most don’t consider the longer team impact.

{discuss incident with kids in cold weather}

Ok, with that said, let’s visit the old Mailbag visit Q/A

Tim from Nebraska asks “what exactly are these unnecessary risks you speak of?”

Carol from Washington asks “how do I know when I should add more protection?”

Marie from Pennsylvania adds “my teenagers almost never wear enough protection, how can I ensure they are safe?”

Steve from Georgia asks “we have heard about cold, but what about the heat?”

Slade from California asks “being prepared for natural disasters is good, but what about everyday protection?”

Those are some great points, so let’s talk about the technology that we should consider ensuring we have in our preps.

Greetings to all my friends (both new and old), to my wonderful family, my fellow Alaskans, and my fellow Americans, wherever you are. Welcome to the Alaska Outlaw podcast, I am the Alaska Outlaw, thank you so much for joining me today. In this episode I’d like to talk about necessary technologies to ensure our continued success during a survival event.

But, before we get after it today, I’d like to make sure that, for those of you who seek peace of mind and harmony with the world we find ourselves in today, or just need help in making sense of life, be sure to check out the Alaska Outlaw Forn-sidr podcast at http://forn-sidr.akoutlaw.com. After 30 years of spiritual searching and discovery, I have arrived home. Home to the ideology of of my ancestors. Home of a proud Germanic-Dane heritage. Some really good stuff for you there. Also, another second just to give a shout-out for our sponsors and affiliates:

Antennas Direct, Bad Ass Extension Cords, BrandsMart USA, Chewy, Chrome Burner, Ethos Preparedness, MediTac Kits, Power Systems, SunPower, Australian Native T-Shirts, Natures86 LLC, Sharesale, Survival Frog, and of course Google.

Shout out to all of them for supporting the mission here at Alaska Outlaw, we greatly appreciate taking a risk by supporting an “Outlaw” show. Please visit their links on our webpage and show them some love, they, like each of us, needs to pay their peeps.

I can only begin to count the times during my survival courses (in a past life) where I saw, what seemed, to be the people who were most “together” fall apart because of over-confidence, or cockiness. Especially in the most extreme conditions, bitter cold, or blistering heat, even the smallest exposure can come around and bite one in the ass. It is with these clear memories that I present many of my messages, however, I think it’s safe to say, the number one reason for failure to succeed is the momentary loss of protective elements between the self and the extremes.

In this light, all too often, especially here in Alaska, the weather can change in mere instants, leaving individuals completely unprepared for what they find themselves in. In addition, I find that many people underestimate the power that wet and bitter cold has, or extreme dryness with high heat, can have on the human body. In many classes I’ve attend3d where we are on in these environments, many poke fun at me wearing a rain poncho over my fleece jacket in forty degree weather with a very slight rain. We joke light-heartily as the mist like rain continues to seep in to the clothing, even with the most expensive jackets, leaving some chattering

We’ll start our discussion today by identifying what personal protection I’m talking about. We’ll also talk about the levels of protection necessary. I know for those of you who have followed the show for a bit, y’all know we covered some of these in the past. But let’s think about all the things that need to be protected. Now, there are limits to that discussion. Obviously getting gear ready for scenarios we’ll never experience is a waste of fiscal resources. So, throughout these last couple of years, we may have gotten some ideas about respiratory protection necessary, or maybe not. However, we should have filters smaller than the smallest particles we have a chance to interact with. Methane gas cloud contains particles so small, that handy mask we have for COVID won’t work for, think tighter materials. Maybe even gas masks, breathing apparatuses.

We’ve talked about the multitude of potential injuries that can be sustained, particularly during a natural, or man-made disaster. But sometimes the level of necessary protection can be needed in everyday life. The biggest category of protective needs would be: weather events.

Weather events can be defined as anything different than clear 68 degree days. Typically where most people run into trouble, or have the most challenge is when weather events combine. Wind and rain can seriously increase the potential for frost-bite and hyperthermia, as well as possible skin blistering and burns from direct heat. Wind and sand, or snow, can create tons of trouble for those out on foot. Most often than I care to remember, injuries sustained by those persons who had gotten lost, was either A) dehydration in hot temps, B) hyperthermia in cold weather. Most of them were caused by a combination of weather events. So, let’s discuss the levels of protection we’re talking about.

• Level 1 – Casual, and this is the most dangerous of them all. This is the light mist in 50 degree weather.
• Level 2 – Serious, and this is where most people will notice that they need to do things differently, and get protected.
• Level 3 – Extreme, while the most deadly, unless it strikes suddenly, typically gives us a chance to get prepared.

We mentioned earlier, that although the major weather event types can be dangerous in their own right, most will experience issues more extreme when one of these two types are compounded by other factors, which typically involve either precipitation, or wind, or both.

Cold Weather is probably the most frequent culprit for sneaking up and causing massive damage and potentially death. The idea that ice crystals form within the human dermis, or skin. This is the definition of “frost bite”. The human body will actually conspire against those extremities when the Fahrenheit’s drop, by drawing the warmer blood back to the core, protecting vital organs, leaving the extremities to fend for themself. This scenario lends itself to those ice crystals to form within the skin which In-turn kills the cells, ultimately leading to us parting ways with that extremity. Now obviously this is the extreme, however the issue arises when we are not paying attention and the “not so cold” is added to a light rain, or snow. This is where most folks run into trouble because they didn’t factor in the multiple conditions adding up. So, while colder can be more painful, it’s not the only game in town for protection requirements.

So, we’ve talked about the cold, let’s back up the old bags and head south and talk about being prepared for hot weather. What many people don’t consider in being protected from the heat is that this too can sneak up on you. Started at what can be the most painful, that would be sunburn. A lot of people don’t recognize is that not only can it be incapacitating, but it can also dehydrate the individual to a dangerous level. Next up on the danger level is heat exhaustion, followed by heat stroke. These weather illnesses can be just as sneaky as their cold weather counterparts. By not paying attention to the micro changes in the body, and focusing on some task, leaving one susceptible to these sneaky conditions that can arise without notice.

These large-scale weather events that, all-too-often lead to a natural disaster, which drives the questions about the best common safety practices. Many whom I’ve talked to about this topic have concluded to me that most of the common practices demonstrate weaknesses. However the idea that we need to consider is that stress + time = breakdown. What I mean by this is that when we keep applying stresses to our bodies (yes, even little ones) , they begin to become a big one and when the big one is endured for a longer period of time, something is going to give. Typically it is your health that gives out. The idea is to give yourself the best shot, just in case that the weather event extends longer than imagined. So, the more little things we can avoid, the better we will be able to handle a longer term event.

With all that said let’s talk about the little things that we can eliminate from the equation. So, the higher priority should be placed on protecting extremities. In reality the body’s internal mechanisms will take care of the core (obviously within reason), however we need to mindful of our extremities, all of them. That includes anything that is not in your chest or skull. Things like the obvious fingers, toes, ears, nose and depending on the exposure that’s protection should include legs and arms, and neck. Any exposed flesh.

It is the everyday choices we make that lay the foundation to the choices we’ll make during a disaster. It is these choices that will separate the victims from the victors of disaster readiness. While many of our choices we may make unconsciously, it is those same decisions that inject a level of variability into the overall task of surviving. While there may be a momentary inconvenience of putting on the protective equipment, however over time the reduction in time taken will become more of a realized benefit.

As always my friends, I am honored and humbled that you have chosen to spend this time listening to me. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you. Being prepared provides each of us with the confidence for successful survival. We mentioned before, and will certainly say again, that survival is a 90% mental task, but that 10% of physical resources is critically important.. By having a confidence and discipline, we can and will survive. Remember to be strong, be safe, and keep your head on a swivel… Peace.