DON’T MISS: HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MRE’S

STAY IN SHAPE
WITHOUT WASTING
HOURS AT THE GYM

IN THIS ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 2017

HARD LEARNED WHAT TO DO ONCE

LESSONS FROM AN EMERGENCY
NATURAL DISASTERS IS OVER

PREPARE YOUR HOW TO TREAT

SURVIVAL CACHES SPIDER BITES

STAYING SANE WOULD YOU

WHEN YOU’VE SURVIVE LIVING
BUGGED OUT OFF THE LAND?

and more…
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

Contents
WOULD YOU SURVIVE LIVING OFF THE LAND?
FEATURED One of my core beliefs when it comes to survival is the importance of skills. It's not what you
have, but what you know. The more knowledge you have, the less gear you need...

STAYING IN SHAPE WITHOUT SPENDING HOURS AT THE GYM

page 4 The average person goes to the gym a handful of times a year. Maybe right around beach season
you're frantically trying to get in shape, or you've made yet another new year's resolution …

WHAT TO DO ONCE AN EMERGENCY IS OVER

page 5 As two big storms pass and we're now left to clean up the aftermath, I think it's the perfect time
for this article. You see, may survivalists I've talked to believe they're already "ready”…

HARD LEARNED LESSONS FROM NATURAL DISASTERS

page 6 Bushfires, flooding, hurricanes. There's no shortage of the amount of natural disasters we've
been seeing on the news in recent months. Mother nature is an uncontrollable force…

TIPS FOR STAYING SANE WHEN YOU'VE BUGGED OUT

page 8 When a disaster hits, you're probably going to be fine. With a little planning that is, because
you're safe, and hunkered down in your home. But after spending the better part of the last…

THE RIGHT WAY TO TREAT A SPIDER BITE

page 9 I've been bitten by all sorts of creepy crawlies. Spiders. Ants. Bees. Wasps. Even a scorpion once.
None of this was very fun, but it goes hand in hand with spending any amount of time…

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MRE'S

page 10 Ready to eat meals, which are more commonly known as MRE's, are a staple when it comes to
food planning. The military uses them in their kits as it allows soldiers to stay fueled…

THE DOWN-LOW ON PREPARING YOUR SURVIVAL CACHES

page 11 When it comes to survival, the more prepared you are the better. But there's one problem I see
many survivalists make, over and over again. They're so focused on building up their cache…

HOW TO SLEEP BETTER WHEN YOU'RE CAMPING

page 13 I'm a fan of a good night's sleep. It's probably one of the most important things in my book
when you're setting up a shelter, apart from cover overhead and a fire to keep you warm…

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

WOULD YOU SURVIVE LIVING OFF THE LAND?

One of my core beliefs when it comes bad weather, so it's imperative you're HOW TO FIND WATER
to survival is the importance of skills. able to craft a shelter from the natural
materials available. If you know where to look there's
It's not what you have, but what you almost always water available in the
know. The more knowledge you have, I'd start with learning how to build a wild, but it's not always safe to drink. In
the less gear you need to stuff into your simple lean-to, along with finding ways addition to being able to find a water
bug-out bag. Plus, if you're ever in a to create natural cordage from vines, source, it's important you're able to
situation where you don't have access bark, or even animal intestines. You can purify it so it won't make you sick if
to your gear and supplies, you' stand a never have enough cordage when you drink it. Learn how to build an
much better chance of surviving. you're outdoors. Next, you want to water filter using charcoal, and find
know where to find bedding to insulate ways to boil water when you've not got
Of course, I hope I never have to rely during the night, and how to craft a a saucepan handy. Without water,
on my skills alone, but knowing a rain-proof roof that keeps you dry you're not going to survive very long at
handful of wilder ness sur vival even in a downpour. It takes practice, all, so it's important you're comfortable
techniques can make any time you but you'll quickly learn what works. in finding and purifying it yourself.
spend in the outdoors that much more Especially after a wet, rainy night.
enjoyable.
HOW TO START A FIRE
As an Australian, we call these skills
bushcraft. Or wilderness survival skills. Getting a flame when you've got a
Whatever you call it, there's a key set of
things to learn if you want to
lighter is easy, but my advice would be
to learn primitive fire-making skills as “The more
successfully live off the land. And if well. It's a whole different story when
you're wanting to survive whatever you're trying to get a flame from a bow knowledge
crisis comes your way, it's a good idea drill or a fire plough. It can take hours
to master these skills. You'll be more
adaptable, and stand a better chance of
to generate enough friction to get an
ember, and there is definitely a knack to
you have,
making it through alive. it, when it comes to finding the right
materials, and how to actually "do it." the less
Here's what you need to know to live It's a whole lot different to just
off the land. watching an instructional video. gear you
HOW TO BUILD A SHELTER Spend the time now to master these
techniques, so that if you're ever in a
need…
Getting protected from the elements is bad situation, you know exactly what it
one of the most critical aspects to takes to get your fire roaring.
survival. Exposure will kill you fast in

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

cont.

HOW TO CATCH YOUR OWN

FOOD

There's nothing more satisfying than

being able to provide for your own
meals, and I'd rank hunting and
trapping your own game as a critical
wilderness survival skill.

Ensure you're confident in a wide range

of techniques.

I'd start with building snares and

deadfall traps, along with improvising
your own fishing traps. Even a simple
fish pot can provide a staple source of
protein without a great deal of effort
on your part. Once you've mastered
these passive techniques, I'd also
recommend learning how to fish, and
stalk and hunt bigger game. These skills
take time, so be sure to start practicing
now. And not only that, you also need
to learn how to effectively kill, clean,
and prepare the meat you've hunted.

HOW TO FIND EDIBLE PLANTS

AND FOODS

Once you start learning about the local

edible plants in your area, you'll be
surprised at just how much food is
actually available.

When you know exactly what to look

for, that is.

In a tropical climate, the heart of palm

is a wonderful survival food, while I've
also spent a considerable amount of
time leeching the tannins from acorns
to eat. The trick is to know what's toxic,
along with the right way to prepare the
edible plants you've foraged. Some, like
dandelion leaves and blackberries can
be eaten raw, while wild yams are far
better if cooked. Just be sure you know
what's what, before you eat a potentially
toxic plant.

I've made a few mistakes in my youth,

and trust me, you do not want to follow
in my footsteps. Be sure of everything
that you're putting into your mouth.

HOW TO COOK OVER A Improvising a grill with hot rocks, or Collecting food. Sourcing water.
CAMPFIRE boiling water without a saucepan are Building shelter. Master these, and
great tricks that can make all the you're going to fare that much better if
The final skill to practice is open-fire difference. You can even wrap a kill in you ever find yourself in a critical
cooking. leaves and let them roast underground situation. Plus, you're going to be more
from the heat of the coals. confident in the time you're spending
If you've caught any wild game a spit- outdoors. Which is a great morale
roast is one of the easiest ways to cook When it comes to living off the land, booster, especially as the rest of the
your kill, but it's important you're able the skills you need to learn revolve world descends into chaos.
to improvise the tools you need to cook around the holy trinity of what you
effectively. need to survive.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

when he came over to visit his

STAYING IN SHAPE grandkids, as that was how he got
around in his youth and he just never
WITHOUT SPENDING stopped biking. When I lived in Europe
HOURS AT THE I opted to only have a bicycle, and I can
attest to just how much fitter you'll get
GYM when you're biking everywhere. It
happens naturally because you're
constantly doing low to mid-levels of
exercise, without even being aware of
The average person goes to the gym it. Plus, there's no gas to pay for,
just a handful of times a year. Maybe parking is easy, and cycling is great fun
right around beach season you're when the sun is out and the weather is
frantically trying to get in shape, or perfect.
you've made yet another new year's
resolution to get healthy again. GROW A GARDEN lifestyle we have today. Sitting in an
office chair hunched over a computer.
But I'd like to give you another reason. It may not look like it from the outside, If you can find a job which enables you
If you're wanting to survive a disaster, but caring and maintaining for a garden to stand is a plus, but be conscious of
you're going to have a much better time is a lot of work. You're turning the soil, this and try to be on your feet as much
if you're already fit. pulling out weeds, carrying fertilizer, as possible. I bought a standing desk
har vesting your produce. My for my home office, as I need to be in
Think about it. grandparents had a large, working front of my computer for hours at a
vegetable garden that they would use to time. This way, I'm able to continue to
You'll be able to hike further, carry supplement their meals, and as an work, but still stand up. It's been a few
more gear, and generally just have a excuse to get outside and do a little months now, and I can already feel
better time if you're in good shape. I work with their hands. Plus, it gets you improvements in my posture and the
don't know about you, but when I look out in the sun, which is a great source amount of energy I have left at the end
at my grandparents, they were in great of vitamin D, and can improve your of a long work day.
shape. And I know for a fact they have mood too. Start small if you've never
never stepped foot inside a gym their had a garden before, and slowly work to DO THINGS MANUALLY
entire lives. Plus, they ate whatever they get this into a larger and larger space.
wanted to. No lemon water crash diets, And it doesn't even need to be a As a carpenter my grandfather wasn't a
or calorie restrictions. vegetable garden. Buy a push mower big fan of all the modern machinery
instead of a ride on for your lawn, and that was invading his industry. He
Their trick was to focus on one simple a pair of shears instead of a hedge preferred to do things by hand, and he
fact. Making exercise part of your daily trimmer for your bushes. It all adds up. would still use hand-saws and his old
life. tools for as many tasks as possible. The
SPEND TIME OUTDOORS key here is translating this over to your
Here's how they did it. life. Instead of throwing your dirty
Now my grandfather wasn't much of a plates in the dishwasher, stand and do
WALK EVERYWHERE hunter, but he loved fishing. He's spend them by hand. If you've just got one
hours exploring the banks around pair of jeans that need cleaning, wash
Walking is one of the best exercises you different lakes and streams, walking them by hand. Grab a bucket and wash
can do, because you're burning calories with all of his gear, and then standing your car on the lawn instead of running
without even thinking about it. Ensure in place trying to catch the next big it through the carwash. Or grab an axe
your home is within walking distance to fish. He'd never consider this exercise, and chop up your firewood caveman
the grocers, a pharmacy, and everything as it was his source of fun, but it style instead of using a chainsaw.
else you need, and instead of driving ensuring he was spending lots of time
when you need something, just walk outdoors, while doing things that were It all adds up, and the more you're
there. You'll save money on gas in your burning calories and keeping him fit. moving and using your body, the fitter
car, and you'll be getting fitter too. Oh, Look for activities that you can enjoy you will be.
and it's a nice bit of motivation when that gets you outside. It might be
you know you need to take your dog joining the local sailing club, or joining The secret to staying fit without putting
for a walk. If you've never walked long an amateur sports team. I get out for a hours in at the gym is to find ways to
distances start small, and each time jog each week with a local running club, incorporate good habits into your daily
push yourself a little further. You'll be it's a great way to socialize and it routine.
surprised at just how far you're able to doesn't feel like "exercise."
go once you start walking instead of In short, it's just about getting your
driving. DON’T SIT DOWN body moving. Walk instead of drive.
Get involved in activities that require
GET A BIKE This is an obvious one, but the more you to actively participate, instead of
time you spend "sitting" the less spending your weekends in front of the
Of course, it’s not always practical to calories you're burning. If at all television. And try to stay on your feet
walk. Especially if you're wanting to get p o s s i b l e , s t a n d u p. W h e n m y for as long as possible each day. That's
somewhere a little further. My advice is grandfather was working in his how our grandparents stayed fit
to buy a bike. My grandfather had an carpentry shop he was on his feet all throughout their lives, and we can too.
old bicycle that he would always use day, which is very different to the

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT SURVIVAL GEAR WOULD

HAVE HELPED?

List out everything that would have

made surviving the disaster easier.
Maybe it's extra fuel for your generator,
proper camping gear, more variety in
your food stockpile. Whatever it is,
write it down now while you've still got
the disaster fresh in your mind. Of
course, you may already have some of
these items, but think about if you need
to buy more, or if there's anything else
to start stockpiling.

It took me almost a month to restock

after the floods my family suffered
through, and almost a year to tick off
all the additional items on my "nice to
have" list. If you're constantly
prioritizing, and working away at the
purchases, you'll get there eventually.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN

IDEAL?

In this final question, I recommend

WHAT TO DO ONCE AN EMERGENCY IS OVER thinking big. Based on the disaster you
suffered through, think about what
would have been the perfect scenario,
so you can determine how far you need
As two big storms pass and we're now Think about your situation, and what
to work to get there.
left to clean up the aftermath, I think made it so bad. Then, find ways you
it's the perfect time for this article. You could have overcome these pain points.
Perhaps it's a way to stay warm during
see, may survivalists I've talked to
winter. An underground bunker. A
believe they're already "ready." They've IS THERE ANYTHING YOU
renewable food source. Whatever it is,
spent years perfecting and honing their WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY?
think big.
survival plans, and they weren't even
inconvenienced throughout a disaster. I Looking back at everything that
For me, I went huge. I wanted to
know, I've suffered through both happened, in hindsight is there anything
establish a bug out location, that's
bushfires and flooding, and it would that you could have done differently
essentially a second home, completely
have been easy to think I did enough. that would have made it easier for your
off the grid, with enough food, gear
family to survive? Perhaps there was
and supplies to keep us happy for a year
But I'd be wrong. In the aftermath of a some additional gear you left at home
or more. Getting this operational has
crisis, you need to take it as a learning when you had to evacuate, that would
taken the better part of a decade, but
experience. I don't care how well have made you far more comfortable
it's to the point now we've got an
prepared you were, there is always when camping out at the evacuation
evacuation point within 100-200 miles
things you could do better. For me, I've shelters. Maybe you didn't leave home
of our home, to escape anything that
got a set of questions I recommend soon enough, or weren't as up to date
may hit the community we call home.
you answer, as soon as possible. Of on the latest news in your local
course, once you’re back on your feet area.Think about what caused you to
Of course, it takes time, money and a
and things are returning to normal. make the wrong decision, and ensure
whole lot of effort to get something
you take specific steps to ensure this
like this organized, so of course
Here's what you need to ask: doesn't happen during the next disaster.
prioritize your preparations to the
purchases which benefit your family
WHAT SUCKED MOST ABOUT WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD
immediately if a disaster hits. Just don't
THE DISASTER DONE BEFOREHAND?
forget your master plan. You may find
you're working on it for years, but once
Of course, in a full-blown disaster This is usually an easy one to answer, as
it's ready it'll always be ready. No matter
everything is bad. You're probably there's probably a bunch of things you
what happens, you'll be able to keep
without power for days, the grid is can think of that would have made
your family safe, secure, and ride out
down so there's no running water (or surviving the disaster easier. Perhaps
whatever crisis hits with a full stomach,
working sewage), and restocking you had been planning to buy certain
a happy family, and a big smile on your
anything is virtually impossible. I've yet items for your stockpile but hadn't
face. That's how I'll be doing it. So, take
to face this over winter, but I can only "gotten around to it" yet, or not having
your time answering these questions,
imagine how terrible it must be if a bug-out-bags packed and ready to go
and get better prepared for next time.
crisis struck and you had no way of meant you spent valuable time
There will always be a next time.
staying warm throughout the nights. gathering these items last minute.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

HARD LEARNED LESSONS FROM NATURAL DISASTERS

Bushfires, flooding, hurricanes. There's What I'd recommend here is doing a PRIORITIZE THE GEAR AND
no shortage of the amount of natural little research of the different types of SUPPLIES THAT WILL HELP
disasters we've been seeing on the news natural disasters that may strike in your YOU SURVIVE
in recent months. Mother nature is an local community, and ensure you've got
uncontrollable force, and when she a plan for each. Perhaps you need a Now I'll admit, I'm more than a bit
decides to unleash, there's no holding stockpile of food if you're planning to mushy when it comes to my family, but
back. hunker down, or an escape route if the nature of a natural disaster means
evacuation is your best option. Just that people behave irrationally.
When it comes to being prepared for a don't underestimate what you're up
n a tu r a l d i s a s ter, t h er e' s a f ew against. Sometimes turning tail and You want to save all of your personal
fundamental rules that you need to leaving is your best option. belongings, like your favorite clothes,
know. Because natural disasters are gifts and other items, and of course all
dangerous. If you want to survive, you K E E P YO U R FA M I LY of your children's toys, pictures, and
need to understand what you're up TOGETHER AT ALL TIMES everything else in your home that has
against, and the right ways to behave. sentimental value.
Otherwise you may be risking your life, Never, ever, split up There's strength in
or the lives of your loved ones. numbers, and with you all working
together you've got a much better
Follow these rules and you'll have the chance of survival.
best chance to survive.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE
Of course, you're going to have to
focus on ensuring everyone who needs “Don’t ever
WHAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST help gets it, like any elderly neighbors,
or people with special needs. And don't leave
On a calm summer's day, it can be easy ever leave anyone behind. There's no
to forget the destructive capability of a
tropical storm.
excuse for that. anyone
Never, ever, be cocky about what you're
What I'd recommend is to ensure that
everyone in your family understands behind,
up against. your survival plan, so that if they're

Hurricanes tear houses down. Fires can

unlucky enough to be somewhere else
when a crisis hits, like travelling
there’s no
burn you out, and if you're stuck facing
rising flood waters, you're basically
interstate, or even just at a different
location in the city, they know where to
excuse…
screwed until the rescue teams come in. go to find you. Without a plan in place,
Without food, water and supplies, it becomes very difficult to reconnect
you're going to have a bad time. and group up again.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

cont.

But that's the problem. If you're

packing up your entire home, it's going
to set you back hours, and you're not
going to make it very far when you do
eventually get out on the highway.

What I'd recommend is to keep your

bug-out-bags packed and ready to go, in
a nice tactical backpack like these. I've
also got a couple of larger boxes with
additional gear that goes in my car. I've
got mine organized in tubs in my
garage, that I can simply grab, throw in
the trunk of my car, and we're out the
door in under 10 minutes. Of course,
this does mean we're leaving most of
our sentimental items behind, and is
why I've got my pictures backed up and
on a hard drive, and we've chosen to
include a few key items in our packing
list so we're not leaving "everything"
behind. Just make sure you've got
enough camping supplies, food, water,
clothing and communications gear to
last a week or more on the road. You
never know just how bad it’ll be.

DON'T LET YOURSELF GIVE

IN TO FEAR AND PANIC

Once the news outlets start telling the

general public to evacuate if they want
to stay alive, you can expect that people
will begin to panic. But this is the last
thing you want. Getting caught up in all
the potential "what-if" scenarios here
isn't going to help your family survive.
If you freeze up, or have a panic attack,
you're only going to slow you down.

Instead, your focus should be on the

action steps you need to take to survive.
Focus on the current task at hand,
which may be packing your car,
collecting your gear, and getting on the
road. Try not to think about all the bad
things that could happen, your mind
should be in the present, so you're
ready to react to what's happening
around you, and give your family a
chance to survive. But don't just keep it to yourself. The Of course, the fundamental lesson
best way to overcome a natural disaster when it comes to natural disasters is
NEVER STOP LEARNING AND as a community is for the general public they are survivable. So long as you've
PREPARING to be prepared, so talk to your friends, got a plan for what you're up against,
family and neighbors about the work to keep your family together and
Now mother nature is a force, but she's different disasters that could strike. It are able to make smart decisions about
not unbeatable. The key in this last may be a difficult conversation, and in when to evacuate and with what.
section is to ensure you're constantly my experience, it's usually easier to start Starting these preparations now will
learning, improving, and making plans these talks when there's a similar crisis make all the difference, and give you an
to deal with the potential emergencies happening in another part of the edge over the rest of the population
that could strike. The best way to country on the news. who is simply relying on the
ensure the safety of you and your government for a hand out. I don't
family is to stay informed, follow the Because it's far easier to convince know about you, but when it comes to
news and start making preparations as someone to start preparing when they the life and well-being of my family, I
soon as you see anything concerning can see the outcomes of not being would never risk that in the hands of
start to happen. prepared on the nightly news. anyone but my own.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

TIPS FOR STAYING

SANE WHEN YOU'VE
BUGGED OUT

After spending the better part of the last three weeks in our bug-out location, I can tell you, you do go a little stir crazy. Here’s how
to stay sane when you’ve bugged out.

#1. READ A BOOK

Invest in at least a couple of boxes of good books, and stack them in a bookshelf. I spent about $100 setting my library setup with
some cheap yard sale buys. I've probably got about 200 books now. There's everything from thrillers, to romance, fantasy and even
a couple of teen novels in there. So when you're wanting escape, you can grab a book and lose yourself for a couple of hours.

#2. PLAY A GAME

Games are a great way to pass the time with your family, so get a few decks of cards, and invest in a couple of board games. My
kids love Connect Four, so grab whatever you think will work for your family. Jigsaw puzzles are also great, but buy these new.

#3. LISTEN TO THE RADIO

One of my favorite purchases for my bug out location has been my radio. It's crank operated, so the battery will never die, and it
lets us listen in to the local radio station. We get music, news, as well as the chatter that gives us another voice to listen to.

#4. COLORING BOOKS

There's a big movement about adult coloring, and I have to say I don't really get it. But if you give my kids some crayons, and a
couple of coloring books, they'll sit for hours coloring all the different sections. You can buy these new, or if you're looking for
cheap alternatives there's often digital copies of the books available online, so you can print out as many copies as you want.

#5. LEARN AN INSTRUMENT

I'm not musical by any means, but I lucked upon an old acoustic guitar that now hangs in our bug out location. I can spend hours
strumming away and practicing new songs each night, just be sure you've also got a tuner and some spare strings. They do break.
I'd also advise getting some form of instruction, whether it's lessons with a tutor now, or some books and CDs to practice to.

#6. HAVE A COOK OUT

One of my favorite things I've built at our bug out location is the campfire. We've dug a fixed fire pit, and have cut a number of
logs so my family can sit alongside and roast marshmallows and make damper (it's an Australian thing). Getting your kids to help
with the fire is a good way to keep them occupied, especially if they're able to collect firewood, or keep the fire going.

#7. BAKE SOMETHING

Now my wife is a big fan of baking, and we've got a nice outdoor wood-fire oven in our bug-out location that she puts to good
use. I built it a few summers back as a project, and it's great. It's a little trickier than what you'd have in your home, but one of the
best ways to keep my daughter occupied is to enlist her help making bread, muffins, cookies, or whatever you've got.

#8. MAKE SOMETHING

I'm a really hand-on guy, and one of my favorite ways to stay active is to build things. What I've done in our cabin is to set aside an
area for my workspace. It's basically just a corner of the room with a fold out table, and a set of shelves that, in my wife's words,
contains a bunch of junk. But as soon as we need to build or improvise something, I can make it. On the last trip I made a small
fish trap to use in the river. For me, the best way to stay sane is to stay busy, especially if I'm working on projects that are going to
make our life better once we've bugged out.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

There's a variety of other spiders that

you may come across, but their bites are
mostly just painful and itchy, and cause
a bit of mild swelling.

TREATING A SPIDER BITE

If you're feeling numbness, nausea,

headaches or anything that doesn't look
good, get to a hospital so you can get
the anti-venom. Otherwise, do this:

Get clean water and soap and clean the

wound as thoroughly as possible. Get a
cold compress (or ice) to apply to the
area every couple of hours to reduce
swelling. If there is swelling, you can
elevate the limb to reduce it a little
more, and try to rest. If you've got
antihistamines, you can take this to stop
the itching. If you've got an antibiotic
ointment, apply this to the bite to stop
infection. If you've got painkillers, like
paracetamol, you can take this to reduce
the pain

But what happens if you've not got

THE RIGHT WAY TO TREAT A SPIDER BITE access to any of these? Instead, use:

Activated Charcoal. Mixed with a little

water to form a paste, apply it to the
I've been bitten by all sorts of creepy IDENTIFY THE SPIDER THAT wound and let it sit for an hour or two.
crawlies. Spiders. Ants. Bees. Wasps. BIT YOU The charcoal will draw out the venom,
Even a scorpion once. Spider bites do reducing the severity of the symptoms.
happen, and it's important you know Now it's not always possible, but if you You're going to want to repeat this 2 to
what to do and how to treat them, so want to know what you're in for with a 3 times a day until the bite improves
you can reduce any lingering effects, spider bite, the best thing you can do is
and also understand when you may identify the spider that bit you. Baking Soda. This is a recipe my mum
need to seek medical attention. used to use. Much like the activated
It's size, color and markings are all charcoal paste, mix with a little water
Ultimately, the more you know the usually pretty unique. You could always and apply it to the affected bite area.
better. Because some spider bites are kill it and bring it with you if you're It'll help reduce the itchiness and
really bad. They can cause tissue unsure. swelling. You're going to want to apply
necrosis, lead to paralysis, and in some this every hour or two as needed.
circumstances, even death. Here’s what Black Widow. A smaller spider with
you need to know to treat a spider bite. oily black coloring and a red hourglass Aloe Vera. When it comes to skin care
on its abdomen. You may have felt only this plant can't be beat. Just take the gel
DON’T GET BITTEN TO START a tiny prick as it bit you, but the from inside a fresh leaf and apply it
WITH reaction will start quickly, with cramps, directly to the wound. It'll help calm the
nausea, sweating, and numbness. inflammation and reduce the itchiness.
To avoid getting bitten by a spider in Again, you're going to want to apply
the first place, always check your boots Hobo Spider. You might not notice this every hour or two as needed.
before you put them on, the same goes the initial bite, but within 15 minutes
for any gloves or jackets you've left you'll feel sharp pain and numbness, And of course, do not scratch the
unattended all night. Creatures love but what's most scary is these spiders spider bite at all, no matter how much it
warm and cozy spaces, and they will will often attack unprovoked. You may itches. You'll only make the itchiness
bite you if you shove your foot in on also feel nausea, headaches, joint pain, worse, and run the risk of getting the
them. Check first. The same goes for and sweating. entire bite infected. Do not scratch the
your campsite when you return for the bite! Generally, a spider bite isn't
day. Shake out your sleeping bag, and Brown Recluse. As the name implies anything to be scared about. It's kind
give it a good once-over before settling these spiders are small and not very of like a bee sting. Itchy and annoying
in for the night. Oh, and be extra aggressive, and the venom takes a while for a couple of days, but if you pay
careful if you're collecting firewood in to take effect. You'll notice it's itchy attention to the symptoms, and follow
the bush or poking around in any dry, first, with a red inflamed ring around the treatments, you'll be just fine. If it's
dark spaces in your garage. That's the bite. Blisters will appear, and it can not improving, or the symptoms are
where spiders like to hide. And if you lead to tissue necrosis. In rare cases, it getting worse, it's time to get proper
startle them, there's a good chance can lead to seizures, kidney failure and medical help. Spiders aren't anything to
they'll bite you for the trouble. left untreated can put you in a coma. get scared about.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

If you've ever been camping you've

probably run into this same problem.
HOW TO Packing a bunch of food and meat into
MAKE YOUR a cooler, but by the third day your ice is
long gone and you end up simply
OWN MRE’S tossing the spoiled meat and soggy
food and stopping at a diner on the way
home.

Ready to eat meals, which are more Since I started making my own MRE's
commonly known as MRE's, are a this hasn't been a problem.
staple when it comes to food planning.
Because we've now got plenty of food
The military uses them in their kits as it to eat, which is usually supplemented
allows soldiers to stay fueled and ready with whatever fish or game we've SNACKS
for combat, and they come in handy caught. All my family needs to do is
when you're wanting a quick and easy grab our bug out bags, which are 3 x packets of mixed nuts (small packs)
meal without a whole lot of fuss. packed and ready to go. More than 3 x packets of powdered electrolytes
enough gear to last 72 hours, which is 3 3 x individual packets of pop tarts
But there's a couple of downsides. days in the wild.
DINNER
First, they don't always taste all that And we've got tasty meals already
great. It's like prison food. prepared, just in case we're not able to 3 x packets of instant soup
forage or hunt. 3 x packets of instant mashed potato
Enough to give you the carbs and 3 x vacuumed sealed bags of Beef Stew
nutrients your body needs, but it's not Before we get started though, there's a 3 x packets of cheese and crackers
Masterchef level cooking either. Don't few rules when it comes to your meal 3 x Earl Grey teabags
get me wrong, some brands are much planning:
better than others, but for the money I Of course, you could swap out the
don't think it's worth it. 1. Include foods that have a long shelf Beef Stew for a rice dish, or get some
life, so you don't have to replace them tuna and dehydrated vegetables to add
Second, MRE's are rather expensive. as much. to your soup. It just depends what you
It's around $10 for a decent MRE, want to be eating while you're living out
which quickly adds up if you're 2. Include foods that are (relatively) of your bug out bag. For me, I'm quite
planning on using these to feed your light weight so you don't weight down happy for beef stew for a few days,
family these for 3 meals a day for any your kit. though my wife prefers the curry
extended amount of time. chicken. Just buy what you like.
3. Include foods that have a high
I don't really want to drop $270 on number of calories to keep your energy Oh, and as you're making these, be sure
food each time we go camping on a levels high. to check the expiry dates. Especially if
weekend. you're not going to be testing your kit
If you're a numbers person, I anytime soon. Most of these items I've
So, I decided to make my own. recommend getting about 1,200 recommended will have a shelf life of a
calories into each meal, or aiming for a couple of years, but check their
And there was one side-effect that I total around 4000 calories a day. Oh, packaging just in case. The last thing
was quite pleasantly surprised about. and don't forget that you will also need you want is to be reliant on your
water if you're planning to reconstitute homemade MRE's only to find that
any dehydrated food, and a source of what's in it is no longer safe to eat.
heat if you're planning to cook (or have
a hot coffee). Finally, when you're preparing your kits,
I'd recommend keeping most items in
“we've got BREAKFAST the packs they're originally prepared in.
So, pay attention to what you buy.
3 x instant coffee sachets
tasty meals 9 x packets of instant oatmeal (just add
Think small, metallic or plastic
packaging. This will help keep the
water and heat, I use two at a time) weight down in your kit, and also save
already 3 x packets of mixed dried fruit to add
to oatmeal and water as you cook
space in your bug out bag.

prepared, LUNCH
Making your own MRE's isn't as hard
as you may first think. It's just a matter
of figuring out what you want to be
just in 6 x protein bars (I eat two at a time) eating, and making a few smart buying
3 x packets of beef jerky (small sized) decisions when you're at the
case… 3 x packets of peanut butter crackers
3 x packets of chocolate chip cookies
supermarket. Everything on my list I
can find at my local grocer, which also
(individual servings) makes it easy to restock after a weekend
in the woods.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

THE DOWN-LOW ON PREPARING YOUR SURVIVAL CACHES

When it comes to survival, the more Keeping everything in one place, is a Now here's the trick. It's got to be a
prepared you are the better. But there's recipe for disaster. little difficult to find so that others
one problem I see too many survivalists don't stumble across it.
make, over and over again. They're so Today I'm going to cover a concept I've
focused on building up their cache of been embracing these last couple of But it can't be too difficult that it takes
supplies, they forget to think about a years. I got caught up in a bad situation hours to locate if you're evacuating to
back-up plan. and I wasn't able to get to my home. your bug-out location.
And this was my problem. I found
If all of your survival gear is in one myself stuck, without the gear I needed This is where it starts getting tricky.
place, you're risking everything. when it really mattered. So I started
setting up caches, just in case. Buying supplies is expensive, and if
What happens if you're cut-off from you're planning on setting up multiple
your home? Or if you're forced to A survival cache is as simply as it caches, it can get costly fast. So you've
evacuate in the face of a storm? Or if seems. It's a stockpile of supplies you got to be smart with your purchases.
the bad guys decide they want what need to survive, stored in a separate Here's what I recommend putting into
you've got, and take it by force. location to your home. each cache.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT MY SURVIVAL CACHE CONTAINS

#1. Firearm and ammunition. Within each kit is a small handgun, as well as a couple of boxes of ammunition. I get the
risks of storing a gun offsite, but my caches are so well hidden I'm confident these will never fall into the wrong hands.

#2. Food. I've stored about 72 hours of food within each cache, which is plenty to keep me going while I'm heading out to
my main bug out location. Think MREs, and any items that have a long shelf life so that you're not needing to replace them.

#3. Water filters. Having access to water is important, and while there is plenty of natural sources in my area, I needed to
ensure I've got an easy way to purify what I'm drinking, so I don't get sick.

#4. Firestarting kit. Again, a common feature in many bug-out kits, and I agree. Being able to start a fire adds comfort,
warmth, and can help you to cook your meals and purify your water.

#5. Basic first aid kit. Throw in some wound care items, painkillers, antibiotics, and perhaps some immodium, just in case.

#6. Multitool. A really good multi-tool. These always come in handy.

#7. Outdoor clothing. I've got a pair of boots, as well as a full set of "outdoor clothes" that I can change into if I am
caught unawares. The last thing I want to be doing is bugging out in dress shoes and a suit.

#8. A backpack. Don’t forget you will need a way to actually carry all the gear in your cache with you.

H OW TO P ROT E C T YO U R HOW TO HIDE YOUR Now, if you're in the city, burying may
SURVIVAL CACHE SURVIVAL CACHE not be an option. Instead, I'd think
about places that you can keep it
The biggest risk to your survival cache Of course, there's only so much advice without raising suspicion. Perhaps
is the elements. Heat from the sun, I can give in an article, and the best there's somewhere in your office
water from the rain, and time all place to hide your cache is going to be building you could hide it, like in a
combine to ruin basically anything that highly dependent on your individual crawlspace, or down in the boiler room.
is unprotected. Animals may come circumstances. You could also rent out a storage space,
looking in search of food, and if or put it in an abandoned building in
insects or even mold gets in, your cache I like to bury mine. your neighborhood. Just keep an eye on
is ruined. it, and if anything changes, like the
But that's because I've got plenty of building gets sold or starts being
Personally, I use PVC pipe. I bought a open space around my area. I've got a renovated, get your cache out of there.
bunch of tubes that are about 3 feet cache that's secured just on the edge of
long, and about 10 inches in diameter. my property, another that's about a half Having backup plans for your backup
Sturdy and durable, once you add the mile down the trail that leads to my plans is what being a smart survivalist is
caps to either end, and seal it up with bug-out location, and a few more that all about. And when it comes to the
some outdoor sealant and it's good to are strategically placed in areas where I gear and supplies you're collecting, it's
go. spend a significant amount of time. common sense to split these up into
There's one near my parent's property, different caches, just in case. When a
I've heard of people using old ammo and another on the outskirts of town disaster hits, you'll be in a bad spot if
cases, and even five-gallon buckets, but near my office. you're suddenly cut off from your
I've found it's much easier to hide a bit home, and that's the only place you've
of pipe, than anything else. Which is The idea, is that no matter what stockpiled your gear.
critical if you want your caches to still happens, I've got a cache of gear that I
be there when you need them most. can have in my hands, in under an hour.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

HOW TO SLEEP BETTER WHEN YOU’RE CAMPING

I'm a fan of a good night's sleep. It's You need shelter overhead, a way to If it's colder where you're camping you
probably one of the most important stay warm, and to make any precautions may need insulation, there's plenty of
things in my book when you're setting as you need for local conditions. options for what's known as "under-
up a shelter, apart from cover overhead quilts" that wrap around the
and a fire to keep you warm. Spend a night outdoors on a beautiful underneath and help you to stay warm,
summer's night and you may not even even as the temperature drops.
When I was a scraggly little youth I need a fire. In winter, you're going to
used to enjoy roughing it. Often with need a lot more protection from the PROPERLY INSULATE
nothing but a sleeping bag on my elements. YOURSELF
groundsheet, and a jacket rolled up as a
pillow. DECIDE IF YOU'LL SLEEP If you're building a bed on the ground,
ELEVATED take your time to flatten the area,
I've also done a number of bare-bones remove any sticks or rocks that will
camping trips, spending night after Next, I consider if my bed needs to be disturb you, and lay out your bedding
night in makeshift lean-tos with elevated. If I'm in a particularly wet material.
bedding foraged from the bush around area, or have a gut feeling that I'm
my camp. going to be plagued by insects as I
sleep, it's worth the extra effort to build
These days though, I tend to look for a raised platform to sleep on, so I'm
ways to sleep better when I'm in the off the ground.
outdoors.

Here's how I like to approach my camp,

This also stops the cold ground
leeching your body head through the “You need
to ensure I'm always getting a good night, so you stay warmer and sleep
night's sleep, no matter what a disaster
has thrown my way.
better. shelter
FIND THE RIGHT PLACE TO
One trick you can use instead of
building an elevated platform is to sleep
overhead, a
SETUP CAMP in a hammock. I've got a nylon
hammock (it's made from parachute way to stay
The first step is to find the right place material), that's lightweight, and easy to
for your camp. Ideally you want level
ground, that's far enough away from
string up between two trees. Throw a
tarp over the top as a rain cover, add an
warm…
the banks of a river or beach that inflatable pillow and stuff a fleece or
you're not going to wake up to water at two under my knees and I'll be sleeping
your feet. fine, all night long.

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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - SEPTEMBER 2017

cont. (I had to try it afterwards), the actual PREPARE FOR THE RAIN
effort of setting this up so it works
Some people pack air mattresses, others probably isn't worth it in a survival It's inevitable that you'll be camping
just a simple foam roll, while I've a situation. It took a couple of hours to one night and it rains, and a tarp is
friend who believes the only way to do build and trim the logs. probably the best item you can pack to
it is to use a fresh bed of pine boughs. stay dry. Just make sure you've not left
These days I use a modified version of anything on the ground if you're up in
Personally, I'd recommend getting the "upside down fire," which is simply your hammock, and have a plan for the
something that's going to trap the heat a stack of large cut logs, topped by water that's going to run down your
in, like our Mylar space blanket. You'll smaller cut logs, topped by kindling and ropes and soak your bedding.
thank me when you're warm and cosy. fire starters.
I've got a small roll of cotton string in
What you really just need to ensure is Set inside a fire pit, it works by limiting my bug out kit, that's there for one
you're properly insulated from the the oxygen that gets in under the logs, purpose. To create drip-lines. It's as
ground. Especially during winter, if you so the flames slowly burn downwards. simple as it sounds.
get cold during the night you'll find it This usually lasts 3 to 4 hours on its
impossible to sleep, and may even slip own, and is the best method I've found Take about 3 to 4 inches of string, and
into hypothermia. to date. tie it to the rope before it reaches the
hammock, or your tarp. The water that
So, take your time to properly prepare, PACK MOSQUITO NETTING collects and runs down the rope will
and if you're using natural material like soak into the string instead and drop
pine boughs, collect at least a good There's two ways you can approach harmlessly to the ground.
couple of feet of bedding. It'll this. Earplugs so you don't hear them
compress while you're sleeping, so buzzing, or buy a proper mosquito net Getting a good night's sleep is easy
definitely opt for more over less. so you're protected from their bites all when you're prepared. The real trick is
night long. I opt for the latter, and have thinking ahead and ensuring you've got
CREATE A SLOW-BURNING FIRE a simple mosquito net that I can hang the items you need in your kit, and
either above my hammock, or setup you've taken steps to ensure you're
One of my pet hates is getting up every above my bed. It's a life saver if you're comfortable, warm, and not getting
hour to tend to the fire. camping anywhere that's a little soaked to the skin while you sleep.
swampy. As you can sleep comfortably
I saw a video a couple of years back without getting bitten by a thousand
about a guy who built a set of ramps to tiny insects, and wake up refreshed,
deliver logs to a self-feeding fire, and instead of red and itchy.
while it works great

14