Today, I have something really important to share…

An Ultimate List Of Alternative Self Defense Weapons

Because no matter your size, sex or disposition…

Self defense weapons can even the playing field.

But which is best for you?

Today I cover all the latest options, so you can make a wise choice.

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…     ↓(click to jump)

• 7 Modern-Day Self Defense Weapons
• 5 Ancient Weapons For Self Defense
• 3 Weird Weapons For Self Defense

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Modern Day Self Defense Weapons

Since ancient times, much has changed:

• Fights have gotten dirtier
• Technology has gotten better
• The martial discipline has diminished

And weapons, well, they’ve changed as well.

Today, we have a staggering variety of modern-day weapons.

For example:

Check out his newly released Lifeshield Self-Defense bundle from Survival Frog:

1. Top Recommendation

SURVIVAL FROG LifeShield Self-Defense Kit

This self-defense kit from Survival Frog includes three key self-defense weapons:

1. Pepper Gel / Spray
2. Personal Alarm
3. Stun Gun

The personal alarm is meant to be added to a keychain.

While the other two devices easily fit in a survival bag or purse.

However, this bundle is for you if you’re serious about self-defense without firearm training.

Why? Because:

• Great for those who are not comfortable with guns
• Safe for users (but really bad for an attacker)
• Non-lethal injury to keep you out of jail
• Temporary disable gives you time to getaway
• Compact enough to keep in a purse or bag
• Easy to use, no training required

You can take care of all your self-defense needs and upgrade your keychain with a single purchase.

Check Today’s Price

We earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

↓ Survival Frog Personal Defense Kit Review

1. Taser

The police use Tasers to apprehend criminals.

Civilians use them for self-defense.

And a few sick people use them as a prank on their friends.

But if you’ve ever seen a real taser shocking a real person, you know they’re NOT toys.

These powerful weapons are compact.

Making them small enough to fit inside a pocket or purse.

Some are handheld and require direct contact.

Others are fired from a pistol using a gas canister.

But they all pack a nasty punch.

And when used against an attacker, they can render them immobile to ensure your escape.

Plus, they are classified as nonlethal weapons.

So you don’t have to worry about killing someone you used it on (unless they wear a pacemaker).

They also make stun gun flashlights – which go together like peanut butter and jelly.

↓ Good Budget Full-Size Stun Gun Vipertek VTS-989

2. Mace / Pepper Spray

Pepper Spray is a classic, easy-to-use weapon.

It’s cheap and easy to use.

It’s made to burn every pore of human flesh chemically it comes into contact with.

When sprayed into the face or the exposed genitals of a male assailant, it will drop them to their knees.

Earlier this year, I read an interesting news article.

It was about a man hospitalized after eating one Carolina Reaper.

It’s one of the hottest chili pepper known to man – at around 2,000,000 Scoville Heat Units!

This pepper causes intense dry heaves, blinding headaches, and some near-stroke symptoms.

But what if the “pepper” in a pepper spray was that powerful?

FOX Labs is measured at 5,300,000 SHU – an astounding 265% hotter than the Carolina Reaper!

It can spray this blinding defense juice up to 17 to 20 feet.

FOX Labs Pepper Spray is used by Police, Law Enforcement, Security, and Military agencies worldwide.

↓ Fox 5.3 SHU Pepper Spray Test

3. Brass Knuckles

Nothing says “badass” quite like brass knuckles.

Punching with brass knuckles is more like striking someone with a medieval flail.

These can be pretty brutal when put to real use.

So be sure you have the stomach for a hemorrhaging face, brain fluid, and nasal matter.

One downside is there are lots of places you can’t legally take them (i.e., anywhere with a metal detector).

Maybe you should get some with a Taser built-in…like these Zap Blast Knuckles?

↓ Zap Blast Knuckles Extreme Stun Gun Review

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

4. Credit Card Knives

These handy blades are conveniently disguised as credit cards.

You can quickly slip them out of your wallet and into the jugular artery of your attacker.

• Some credit card knives come with folding blades built in.
• Others are just sharpened rectangles of steel.
• Some even function as survival multitools.

But they all make a decent last-resort weapon in a pinch.

↓ Boker Credit Card Knife Review

NOTE: At the time of writing, you could get 2 of these credit card knives for FREE when you paid the S&H.

5. Tactical Pens

The best everyday carry weapons double as ordinary everyday objects.

The tactical pen is a perfect example of this.

It works just like a pen and looks like a pen.

But when a dangerous situation rears its ugly head, it can be used to jab, stab, and batter the living hell out of an opponent.

Some of them even double as multi-tools.

I’ve seen ones containing knives, scrapers, screwdrivers, and even flashlights.

StrikePen

For example – The StrikePen is a whole pocketful of EDC tools rolled into one milled aluminum package.

From the bright LED flashlight to the interchangeable tooltips.

The StrikePen is a serious piece of survival gear.

The solid tungsten steel striker tip makes it an excellent close-quarters weapon.

Plus, it doubles as an emergency glass breaker!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a StrikePEN if it didn’t write with a smooth black ball-tip point.

The bottom line is:

If you know how to use a tactical pen properly, it can easily drop a threat.

↓ ApeSurvival Strikepen Black – Reviewed

6. The StrikeLight

When you awake in the middle of the night to investigate a noise – do you take a flashlight or a baseball bat?

With the StrikeLight, you take both!

It includes a powerful LED flashlight and multiple light modes.

The best mode is a disorienting strobe setting.

With a StrikeLight, you’ll intimate a threat and head off a more serious altercation.

If the situation goes from bad to worse, the solid aluminum construction lets you use the light as a baton.

Plus, the aggressive teeth and endpoints make quick work of anyone on the receiving end of your swing.

If you need a little more reach, this expandable baton provides another 4 inches with the twist of a wrist.

That’s 4 more inches of intimidation!

↓ StrikeLight Review – Tactical Self-Defense Torch Light

7. Monkey Fist

One of my favorite self-defense tools is also one of the oldest – a Monkey Fist Knot.

The monkey fist surrounds a heavy ball wrapped with paracord rope.

They’re also great at throwing a length of rope over a tree branch.

Or making a devastating close-quarters weapon.

↓ Monkey Fist Vs. Cement Block

Ancient Weapons For Self Defense

Back in the day, before tasers and mace, people used their hands or a hand-held instrument to protect themselves.

8. Hands And Feet

There are weapons attached to your body – IF you know how to use them correctly.

And while it may seem obvious, it’s still worth pointing out.

With proper training, body parts become lethal weapons for self-defense.

It’s difficult to overstate the usefulness of these hand and feet-only arts.

We’re talking about martial art forms such as:

• Karate
• Taekwondo
• Hapkido
• Aikido
• Jujitsu
• Muy Thai
• Krav maga

If you can become proficient in any of them, you will never be unarmed – even in your sleep.

But if you don’t want to spend months and hours in a Dojo to learn these skills, The Combat Fighter online course is your next best option.

9. The QuarterStaff

The staff (or walking stick) is one of the most basic, most effective self-defense tools known to man.

The staff has been trendy throughout history for two main reasons:

1. A Staff is innocent-looking.

People often carry them for walking, hiking, or to look cool.

2. They can be lethal in the right hands.

Staffs are great because they easily parry attacks.

Plus, they’re cheap, and they pack a wallop.

There are long staffs, bo staffs, jo staffs, hiking staffs, walking staffs, even canes kind of count.

And they all have specific defenses you can learn from an instructor.

If you want to be proficient with a fighting staff, try reading this highly-rated book, and put it into practice.

↓ Bo Staff, Top 10 Spins and Strikes…

10. The Sword or Machete

The sword is famous for being the weapon of choice for most of history.

It’s lethal, personal, and comes in almost every shape, style, and size imaginable.

However, they take considerable skill to wield effectively.

But if you become a katana or a saber expert, you become a death knight.

Or better yet, get a more practical large blade – The Survival Machete.

11. Tonfa/Nightstick

If you’re familiar with a tonfa, you understand how nasty it can be to be on the wrong end of them.

The nightsticks police officers use are based on the tonfa design (an “L” shape).

They are traditionally wielded in pairs, but a single one will do just as well.

A nightstick is deadly if you can whip one of these bad boys out and strike your attacker in the head.

12. Nunchucks

Nunchucks are made famous by Bruce Lee and look harder to use than they are.

You don’t have to be Bruce Lee to use a pair of these effectively.

Some basic strikes are easy for anyone to learn, regardless of skill level.

Not only that, but they come in some very compact, very discreet sizes.

You can easily hide a set in your vehicle’s center console, backpack, or purse.

Plus, they look freakin’ awesome.

Pros and Cons Of Ancient Weapons

The pros of any of these martial weapons are obvious.

First off, they’re badass.

If you can fight off a gang of muggers using a pair of nunchucks or a katana, you are going down as a legend of the streets.

The cons, however, are just as obvious.

This is the year 2018, and people don’t often go around carrying walking staffs or swords.

Some of these (like the nunchucks) can be concealed.

But by in large, chances are, when trouble occurs, it won’t be when your trusty tonfa is tucked away in your Bobak.

Chances are it will catch you unawares and unprepared, as trouble always seems to.

Weird Weapons For Self Defense

We had to include them because they are strange, unique, and irregular.

Some are not practical at all.

Some might work, but they’re all weird and wacky.

Who knows, though, maybe you’ll find one perfect for you.

That one-off, insane weapon that strikes your fancy and fits your lifestyle.

Or, you’ll get a couple of chuckles out of this section.

Either way, it’s worth including.

13. Tri-Section Staff

There’s a fair chance you’ll knock yourself out using one of these, then cause any harm to the attacker.

If you haven’t been properly trained with a tri-section staff, beware.

You will undoubtedly walk away from an attempt to use a tri-section staff with many bruises.

If you’re a master of Chinese martial weapons, go for it.

If not, well, you might be better off with a Taser.

↓ Kung Fu – 3 Sectional Staff – So Smooth!

14. Hyper Whistle

Sometimes it’s best to scare off a threat before it can reach you.

With 142dB sound levels, The HyperWhistle is disorienting and painful at close quarters.

It’s against human nature to attack someone with a 142dB alarm going off! 

Even if your attacker persists, this loud whistle will draw attention from as far as two miles away.

A survival whistle is a smart device to add to your self-defense arsenal.

15. Cell Phone Stun Guns

There are companies out there that sell stun guns disguised as a smartphone.

They work, but you’ll have to carry two phones (the real one and the stun gun one).

You might as well buy a stun gun/taser at that point.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to using weapons for self-defense, it’s all means necessary.

You use whatever you have to to keep yourself safe and protected.

If that means carrying a katana everywhere you go, so be it… I guess.

But you can also carry mace, extending batons, and tasers.

These are more practical weapons for the same purposes.

We aren’t here to tell you how to defend yourself, though.

Choose the weapon you like and that you will feel most comfortable using.

However, some people may use weapons for evil, too.

In the wrong hands, they can become weapons of offense.

That is not only dangerous to others, but it’s also outright dishonorable.

Use any weapons for self-defense only.

Use them for good.

Because once you get that kind of power in your hands – you have a moral choice.

How will you conduct yourself? How do you choose to survive?

Why Trust Skilled Survival…

Go here now to review a full breakdown of:

Who We Are

Our Credentials

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& Product Recommendations…

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• Certified Member of a Mountain Search & Rescue Organization
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We’re fully aware that trust is NOT something you GET but is EARNED.

And we’ll continue to earn YOUR trust through our forthright and honest approach with each new Blog Post, Guide & Product we create…

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P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

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The post 15 New Self Defense Weapons For Insanely Strong Protection appeared first on Skilled Survival.

One of the single most important resources you can have in a survival situation is fire, and when it comes to creating one, modern fire starters are indispensable.

Extremely easy to carry, brutally simple, and capable of igniting in virtually all conditions, this is something that every prepared person should have with them or as part of their emergency kit.

But how much life can we expect from one of these tools? It’s easy to tell when a lighter is low on fuel. Just how long will a firestarter typically last?

A modern firestarter will provide anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 lights. This depends on the composition of the alloy, the size of the fire starter, how skillfully it is used, and how well it’s maintained.

It turns out there are many variables concerning the useful service life of any given firestarter. The good news is that any quality model you buy will last for a very, very long time…

Unless you’re using it constantly, you can expect it to be there and work when you need it. Keep reading and I’ll tell you more about how many lights you can get out of a firestarter.

Is it Possible for Metal Firestarters to Wear Out?

Yes, it is. Even though a firestarter, whatever you might call it, is basically just two pieces of metal that you struck together they can still wear out. That’s because absolutely anything can wear out in time.

But digging into the science a little bit more, most modern firestarters, usually called fire steels or ferro rods for short (the latter short for ferrocerium rod), function by emitting a shower of blazing hot sparks when struck by a striker, another piece of actual steel.

These sparks don’t just come from nowhere magically; they are actually tiny, glowing particles of metal!

A better way to think of it is that each and every strike of your firestarter consumes a tiny amount of material. Given enough strikes, you can use it all up, although this typically takes a very long time.

Different Firestarters are Made from Harder or Softer Metal

Another major factor that will affect the service life of your firestarter is the composition of the ferrocerium alloy.

Each manufacturer has their own preferences and puts their own spin on the composition, but the end result is that you’ll have a firestarter that’s a little harder or a little softer.

Make no mistake, they are all extremely hard to the touch, but this hardness or lack thereof contributes to how many sparks you’ll get from a strike.

The rule of thumb is that harder alloy compositions last much longer but they don’t produce as many sparks from a typical strike. That’s because less material is physically being consumed.

Conversely, your softer alloy blends produce a much larger and more intense shower of sparks but they wear out much quicker due to greater consumption.

Either is fine, just keep this in mind when purchasing so you have a better expectation of the useful lifespan.

Thicker or Larger Firestarters Last Longer

A simple factor in the lifespan calculus but one that’s easy to overlook: larger, thicker firestarters have more material to consume and that means they last longer, all things equal.

This is complicated by the different shapes of certain brands. Most firestarter rods are exactly that- cylindrical- but some are shaped like slabs or even polygons.

If in doubt, depend on a thicker model lasting longer, or if shapes are not equivalent expect a heavier one to have more lights in it. A tiny “hideout” model might only have 5,000 lights in it under ideal conditions, or even less. A big, chunky one could be good for 15,000+.

Modern Alloy Firestarters Last a Lot Longer Than Natural Ones

Modern firestarter materials are the standard these days, but we can’t count out primitive fire-starting methods, either! Long before ferro rods were even a thing, human beings were using flint, or chert, in conjunction with a piece of steel to the same effect. They worked even though the composition of the materials was quite different.

Generally speaking, naturally sourced flint or chert is more fragile compared to modern alloys, and so you shouldn’t expect to get quite as many lights from a piece that is approximately the same size.

Important because there are still sellers of these natural materials out there, so it’s worth checking to see what your chosen model actually contains!

Skilled Use Means More Lights

As always, the skill of the user makes a difference. If you are well-practiced and have a relatively light touch with your striker when starting a fire, you can expect it to last a lot longer.

Clumsy or brute force usage is only going to consume more material that is needed to get a fire going, and will consume more of the firestarter per strike no matter what. Basically, unskilled users or sloppy handling equate to waste.

To clarify, this does not mean you’ll only get a couple of dozen lights out of a firestarter just because you’re a newbie or because your hands are shaking so bad you don’t have any fine motor control. Not at all!

But it’s no exaggeration to say that the better you are at handling the firestarter and the more skillful the preparation of your tinder and assembly of your kindling the more you will save.

Proper, skillful use of the firestarter could increase the number of lights by two times. Likewise, you might only get half as many if you handle it poorly.

Neglect Can Shorten the Life of a Firestarter

Something that lots of folks forget in my experience is that these modern alloy firestarters can corrode or rust.

Exposure to the elements is always a factor, but particularly exposure to saltwater and human perspiration can dramatically accelerate corrosion. Any metal that corrodes away is useless, and the same goes for your firestarter.

Considering the circumstances under which you are expected to use it, a certain amount of exposure is absolutely unavoidable but by taking the best care of it that you can, you can extend its service life and get more lights.

Also, here’s a pro tip from me: wipe down the firestarter with a thin coat of oil to preserve it against the elements. This is especially critical if you are near a saltwater environment or, like me, if you just have highly corrosive sweat.

Abuse and neglect could cost you thousands of lights from your fire starter!

How Can You Tell a Firestarter is Wearing Out?

Easily. Just pay attention to it! Look at the size of it: Just like you can sharpen a pencil down to a nub, over time, your fire starter will get thinner and thinner or shorter and shorter. Long before you truly use it up, it will probably break.

If the firestarter is getting a little long in the tooth from plenty of uses, add another one to your kit.

The post How Long Do Firestarters Typically Last? appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

You can make a good argument that the internet has done more harm than it has good when it comes to the fabric of society.

But there’s no denying that with the rise and perfusion of the internet has come henceforth undreamed of access to information on every topic, and that includes the topic of survival and preparation.

There’s so much you can learn on the web, but much of the time that means reading. However, thanks to the popularity of podcasts you can actively listen even while your hands and eyes are engaged with other tasks.

Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to learn when I’m at the gym, on the road, or doing something around the property. You should be doing the same!

The following prepper podcasts cover every facet of preparation imaginable. You’re bound to find a new favorite below…

Warrior Poet Society Network

John Lovell, the former Army Ranger and founder of the Warrior Poet Society, is a true renaissance man in terms of survival and readiness.

Combining his faith, affable nature, wide-ranging expertise, and family-driven insights into shooting, self-defense, living, thriving, and surviving in the modern world and doing so while remaining ethical, enthusiastic, and positive, he’s one of a kind and so is his podcast.

Even better, you can listen to it literally on every platform you can think of. Find the link free at Podbean below:

The John Lovell Show

The Casual Preppers

Part hilarious radio show and part myth-busting expose, of a sort, the intrepid hosts of The Casual Preppers, Coby and Cam, are nonetheless quite seasoned and experienced concerning all matters of survival techniques and disaster scenarios.

They delve into every corner of survival and take on lots of dodgy lore and questionable old wives’ tales in the interim.

Certainly one of the most entertaining shows on our list, if you have trouble getting through some of the more dour and serious programming out there The Casual Preppers podcast is a perfect antidote.

Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts

It’s always a good idea to keep extra gas on hand, especially if you want to be prepared. You never know when shortages, disasters, or other events will cut off your access to the pump. But a big problem with gasoline compared to other types of fuel is it tends to go bad pretty quickly.

But gas can get old and stale before it goes truly bad, and some folks say that you can mix this older gas with new gas to bring it back to life. Great if it will work, but it sounds too good to be true. What’s the truth? Is mixing old gas with new a good idea or not?

Yes, it is possible to mix old gas with new, fresh gas in order to use it up as long as the old supply has not gone truly bad.

Turns out this is one old trick that has been around for a long time. But as you might expect it is entirely possible that your old gas can be too far gone to be salvageable, and mixing it with your new stuff is only going to ruin the new and you’ll still be wasting the old.

It’s a fairly simple process, but there’s a lot you’ll want to know, so keep reading…

Won’t Old Gas Work Okay by Itself?

Maybe, maybe not. Gasoline breaks down in time, and depending on the exact type and the blend it will break down a lot sooner rather than later.

For all types of gasoline, this is because oxidation starts to deactivate the volatile compounds that give gasoline its functional properties.

Harmful byproducts can also begin to form in the gas that can damage an engine, too. In the case of ethanol blends, which constitute most types of consumer-grade gas you’ll get these days, the ethanol and gas mixture will begin to separate, a process called phasic separation.

But the end result is ultimately the same: the older the gas gets, it loses ever more efficiency, becomes less reliable, and eventually will fail to function an engine entirely- or even cause damage!

When is Gas Too Old?

This depends on the blend. Most ethanol-gasoline blends are in very bad shape by about 3 months or so. Most of these blends even start degrading significantly within just 30 days.

However, some long-life gasolines or pure gasoline blends will be good for 6 months or even significantly longer.

The most important thing you can do is it keep an eye on the gas and inspect it for signs of degradation. Knowing what to look for, and with a little experience, you’ll be able to tell when your gas is a little old, pretty stale or when it is truly bad. Look for the following symptoms of degradation with age, and keep in mind gas can exhibit one or multiple:

• A distinct layered look akin to oil on water
  Significant darkening of the gas
• A reddish hue starting to develop
• Slime or particulates floating in it
• Peculiar odors when you crack the seal on the container.

Gas that is going stale but is still usable will usually darken just a little, but that should be the only thing that you notice something off about it.

Does Gas Go Bad Sitting in a Fuel Tank?

Yes, it does. Gasoline can go bad sitting in any kind of container, be it an approved fuel container or the gas tank of a vehicle or tool.

Basically, the chemical processes that cause gasoline to go bad will occur no matter what, and the more air that can reach the gasoline the faster this will happen although it isn’t strictly necessary for it to become stale and then break down.

Regardless of how the gasoline is stored, or what it is stored in, you’ve got to have a plan for using it in time or reconditioning it with fresh stuff.

What Happens if You Use Gas that Has Gone Bad?

It depends on how bad the gasoline is and how sensitive the engine is.

Gas that is a little stale and when it loses combustibility, it will usually run a little bit rougher and sometimes turn on a check engine light in a car.

Gas that’s seriously old might fail to start at all, and gas that is well and truly bad, full of nasty deposits, could clog up fuel lines and filters, injectors, and cause other havoc that can mean costly repairs.

This is why you must be so cautious about using old gas; take care in determining if the waste is worth the potential heartache and hassle.

How Does Mixing in New Gas Help Old Gas?

Mixing in new, fresh gasoline with old gas will help rejuvenate the older fuel because it in essence replenishes the combustible compounds necessary to make it function in an engine. If you want to look at it a different way, it cuts the worn-out, harmful compounds in the old gas.

Either way, it creates a blend that is capable of working and can be a good method of using up old supplies that aren’t too far gone.

Can You Always Mix Old and New Gas?

No, not necessarily. As mentioned, it is entirely possible that very old fuel is just beyond saving. Worse, aside from being unable to bring it back to life and use it up, adding new gasoline can severely contaminate it and cause it to fail or damage your engine!

You should only add new gasoline to older gas that is a little bit stale. If it is darker in color or showing slight signs of separation, you should be able to rescue it by mixing the two together.

What’s the Best Way to Mix New Gas with Old?

If your old supply isn’t too far gone and you’ve got some new you’re willing to mix with it, and you don’t mind the risk of a potential malfunction concerning your engine, all you need to do is mix the old stuff with the new gas in a one-to-one ratio if the old gas is just a little stale.

If you’re dealing with very old gasoline that isn’t totally broken down or separated, you’ll need to use more fresh gas in the mixture. A three-to-one or even four-to-one ratio might be needed for very old fuel.

The post Should You Mix New Gasoline With Old? appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

When you think of self-defense implements, your mind probably goes immediately towards guns or maybe knives. On the less-lethal side of the spectrum pepper spray is the go-to.

But what about tasers? Tasers are undoubtedly effective when used properly and when they work as advertised, and they are another ranged method of self-defense.

Seems like civilians tend to shy away from them compared to police. Part of this is probably because tasers aren’t freely legal everywhere.

How about in Florida? Are tasers legal or not in Florida?

Yes, tasers are legal in Florida and available with very few restrictions. You can carry a taser openly or concealed with no permit so long as you’re at least 16 years old and are carrying it only for self-defense purposes.

For some folks, a taser can be a great defensive implement. They can go into places where guns and other weapons might be forbidden, and they are indeed a less-lethal option that still gives you standoff capability. Nonetheless, there’s plenty you’ll want to know about Florida’s state laws on the matter. I’ll tell you what you need to know below…

How are Tasers Classified in Florida?

Tasers don’t fall under the definition of other common weapons, and instead inhabit two specific definitions according to the state statutes and 790.001. The first is an “electric weapon or device,” meaning any device which uses electrical current for offensive or defensive purposes, the infliction of injury or the destruction of life.

The second is a “dart-firing stun gun,” which applies to tasers more specifically, a term that Florida defines as any device having one or more darts capable of delivering electrical current.

Check the precise text taken directly from 790.001 below.

790.001 – Definitions

…

(14) “Electric weapon or device” means any device which, through the application or use of electrical current, is designed, redesigned, used, or intended to be used for offensive or defensive purposes, the destruction of life, or the infliction of injury.

(15) “Dart-firing stun gun” means any device having one or more darts that are capable of delivering an electrical current.

…

Stun Guns Legality in Florida

Yes, they are. Stun guns are distinct from tasers even though they’re close cousins technologically. A stun gun lacks the probes and wires that tasers fire, and is only useful at contact distance when you can jab the arcing electrodes directly into the assailant.

The terms are often used interchangeably in conversation, and sometimes even in legal definitions. But it’s important to know that these devices are distinct functionally and in the case of Florida stun guns are considered an “electric weapon or device,” but not a “dart firing stun gun.” Try not to get it mixed up!

Can You Carry Tasers Openly?

Yes, you can. Open carry of a taser in Florida is completely legal as long as you are only carrying it for legal, lawful purposes of self-defense. No permit required. Check 790.053 for more.

790.053 Open carrying of weapons.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in subsection (2), it is unlawful for any person to openly carry on or about his or her person any firearm or electric weapon or device. It is not a violation of this section for a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm as provided in s. 790.06(1), and who is lawfully carrying a firearm in a concealed manner, to briefly and openly display the firearm to the ordinary sight of another person, unless the firearm is intentionally displayed in an angry or threatening manner, not in necessary self-defense.

…

2) A person may openly carry, for purposes of lawful self-defense:

…

(b) A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.

(3) Any person violating this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Florida?

Yes, you sure can. You can conceal carry a taser or stun gun in Florida also, without need of a concealed weapons permit, as long as you’re only carrying it for legal, lawful purposes, of self-defense as described above.

790.01 has more.

790.01 Unlicensed carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms.—

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3), a person who is not licensed under s. 790.06 and who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

…

(3) This section does not apply to:

…

2. A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.

(4) This section does not preclude any prosecution for the use of an electric weapon or device, a dart-firing stun gun, or a self-defense chemical spray during the commission of any criminal offense under s. 790.07, s. 790.10, s. 790.23, or s. 790.235, or for any other criminal offense.

Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession

Yes, there are. In the State of Florida anyone aged 16 or older may own and carry a taser or a stun gun for legal self-defense purposes, and carry it openly or concealed.

It’s worth noting that people under the age of 16 cannot even handle a stun gun or a taser unless under the direct supervision of an adult, or an adult that is acting with the consent of the minor’s parents.

790.22 Use of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices by minor under 16; limitation; possession of firearms by minor under 18 prohibited; penalties.—

(1) The use for any purpose whatsoever of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices, by any minor under the age of 16 years is prohibited unless such use is under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent.

(2) Any adult responsible for the welfare of any child under the age of 16 years who knowingly permits such child to use or have in his or her possession any BB gun, air or gas-operated gun, electric weapon or device, or firearm in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

…

How to Purchase a Taser in Florida

Buying a taser or a stun gun is simple in Florida. You can buy a stun gun right over the counter anywhere such devices are sold. The purchase of a taser is likewise pretty simple, though typically this will entail the dealer recording your personal information and identification. You also cannot have any felony convictions on your record or have been adjudicated mentally defective.

Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Florida?

No. You don’t need any specialized training to own or carry a taser legally in Florida, and you don’t even need a concealed weapons permit in order to hide one legally so long as you’re only carrying it for legal purpose of self-defense.

Where Can You Carry a Taser?

You can carry a taser pretty much anywhere in Florida with the notable exception of schools and school properties, any government buildings at the municipal, state or federal level, including courtrooms, and the secured area of an airport or seaport.

When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself?

Only in cases of legitimate self-defense where you’re in fear of death or great bodily injury. Tasers are considered less lethal weapons, but definitely not non-lethal weapons, so discharging one is always considered a serious event.

Use your taser on someone as a joke, in order to win an argument, or because they were verbally harassing you and you can expect to be charged with serious crimes!

The post Taser Laws in Florida: Legal or Not? appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

The majority of citizens living in the US have full and nearly unfettered access to their Second Amendment rights. Sadly, this cannot be said of every state, and in these states, folks might turn to other self-defense options that are less restricted… perhaps something like a Taser…

But, as it turns out, tasers themselves might be seriously restricted, and only recently are inroads being made to fully legalize them across the nation. Let’s look at Michigan, a state known for its somewhat restrictive laws. Are tasers legal in Michigan?

Tasers are illegal to possess, carry, and use for self-defense in Michigan but you must complete training to purchase and carry one along with having a concealed pistol license. Also, any taser device must have an active identification and tracking system built into it.

Well, Michigan is nothing if not consistent, and even though tasers and stun guns were completely banned prior to 2012, they still aren’t giving up on regulating them into oblivion if they can. It’s a sad state of affairs, but if you care to jump through enough hoops you can still get and carry a taser in Michigan.

There’s a lot more you have to know before that point, though, so keep reading and I’ll tell you about it…

How are Tasers Classified in Michigan?

Tasers are classified as a “device that uses electromuscular disruption technology.” Quite a mouthful, but this is just Michigan’s way of defining any device capable of creating electromuscular disruption use or intended as a defensive device that can temporarily incapacitate a person via conducted energy.

That certainly fits the taser to a tee, but read closely the following definition taken word for word from 750.224a and you will see that it also describes a device containing a tracking and identification system that will activate when the device is discharged.

This is a critically important factor for taser possession in Michigan, because any legal device that is sold or owned by folks must meet both of those standards. If it doesn’t have a tracking system, it isn’t legal.

750.224a Portable device or weapon directing electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam; sale or possession prohibited; exceptions; use of electro-muscular disruption technology; violation; penalty; verification of identity and possession of license; prohibited use; definitions.

…

(7) As used in this section:

(a) “A device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology” means a device to which both of the following apply:

(i) The device is capable of creating an electro-muscular disruption and is used or intended to be used as a defensive device capable of temporarily incapacitating or immobilizing a person by the direction or emission of conducted energy.

(ii) The device contains an identification and tracking system that, when the device is initially used, dispenses coded material traceable to the purchaser through records kept by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer of the device has a policy of providing that identification and tracking information to a police agency upon written request by that agency. However, this subdivision does not apply to a launchable device that is used only by law enforcement agencies.

…

Are Stun Guns Legal in Michigan?

Yes, stun guns are legal in Michigan but only nominally. Because of the requirements for the function of these devices and the mandate for a built-in tracking and identification system most classic stun guns, consisting of little more than a box with an activation switch and electrodes at the front, will not be legal in Michigan.

Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Michigan?

Yes, but only if you have a concealed pistol license. Sounds strange, but consider that only people who are exempt from the statutes or who are licensed to carry a pistol concealed may even be in possession of a taser.

Accordingly, if you don’t have your concealed pistol license you aren’t allowed to be in possession of a taser unless you are one of the exempted people listed in the statute. That statute, 750.224a, and its relevant paragraphs are in the following section.

Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Michigan?

Yes, so long as the device is legal and you are carrying it for a legal purpose while in possession of a concealed pistol license. You’ll also have to abide by all other Michigan laws concerning the carry of weapons and firearms generally, and that includes where you can and cannot carry the taser.

Below is an excerpt from 750.224a concerning exempted persons, and you will see that those in possession of a concealed pistol license are one of them. Nonetheless, you need it to read the entirety of 750.224a on your own to understand everything going on with tasers in the state.

750.224a (…)

…

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not sell, offer for sale, or possess in this state a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave, or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, or kill.

(2) This section does not prohibit any of the following:

…

(b) The possession and reasonable use of a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology by an individual who holds a valid license to carry a concealed pistol under section 5b of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425, and who has been trained under subsection (5) in the use, effects, and risks of the device.

…

(4) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Michigan?

Yes. You must be 21 to possess a taser in Michigan, and that’s because you have to be 21 to get a concealed pistol license which enables possession. There are no other exceptions for age outside of the exempted personnel listed in 750.224a.

What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Michigan?

If you want to purchase a taser in Michigan you’ll have to go to an authorized dealer of such devices, submit yourself to a background check and then get the prerequisite training to obtain a concealed pistol license. This is the only way.

Concerning the background check, the usual disqualifiers for firearm possession apply to tasers here, meaning if you are a filling or have any conviction of misdemeanor domestic violence on your background or any assaultive crimes generally you’ll usually be disqualified.

And remember, any taser that is a legally sold and possessed in the state of Michigan must have a tracking and identification system built into it that will activate when it is discharged.

750.224a (…)

…

(5) An authorized dealer or other person who sells a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology to an individual described in subsection (2)(b) shall verify the individual’s identity and verify that the individual holds a valid concealed pistol license issued under section 5b of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425b, and shall provide to the individual purchasing the device, at the time of the sale, training on the use, effects, and risks of the device. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.

…

Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Michigan?

Yes. You must undergo specific training on the use, effects and handling of a taser prior to purchasing and possessing one in Michigan.

Where Can You Carry a Taser in Michigan?

You can carry a taser anywhere that weapons can lawfully go, though there are many restrictions. This includes government buildings of all kinds and at all levels, be they municipal, state, or federal, courthouses, courtrooms and courthouse annexes, police stations and sheriff’s offices, any school, school bus or other school property and anywhere else where weapons are generally forbidden, including the security area of airports and seaports.

There are many other restrictions besides, and quite a few restrictions in different counties and cities throughout Michigan, so make sure you consult a knowledgeable self-defense attorney as part of your preparations if you plan on carrying a Taser in Michigan.

When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Michigan?

You can only ever use your taser to defend yourself in case of legitimate self-defense wheen you’re genuinely in fear for your life or fearful of great bodily injury.

Any lesser use or deliberately misusing your taser for any purpose, including as a prank, could see you charged with a felony and facing up to 10 years in prison. Tasers aren’t toys, party favors, or joy buzzers, and using them on a person could potentially inflict great bodily harm or death!

The post Taser Laws in Michigan: Legal or Not? appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

When most folks think of self-defense implements, the first thing they will think of is a gun, maybe a knife, and probably pepper spray if they aren’t inclined to either one of those.

All have their pros, but tasers have special advantages that might make them the right tool for certain people. They’re extremely effective when they connect and work, and they give you some room to stand off from the bad guy.

But, as generally safe as they are, some states don’t allow citizens to own them. Is Illinois one of them? Are tasers legal or not in Illinois?

Tasers are legal in Illinois, strictly speaking, but they are heavily regulated and to this day it remains unclear if carrying one in public is legal or not.

If you’ve been paying attention to the 2nd Amendment situation for any length of time, you probably already know that Illinois is something of a pit concerning the constitutional rights of citizens.

Simply stated, Illinois would rather see you completely unarmed and at the mercy of criminals. Believe it or not, this attitude even extends to tasers. I’ll try to help you figure out what’s what in the rest of this article…

How are Tasers Classified in Illinois?

Like all legal statutes in the State of Illinois, you’ll have to dig and dig and dig to find a clear-cut definition of what a taser is in the eyes of the law. The first meaningful definition we find is in 720 ILCS Section 24-1 concerning the unlawful use of weapons.

Illinois broadly defines a “taser” as any device which is powered by electrical charging units like batteries and which fires barbs attached to wire which can transmit a current capable of disrupting a person’s nervous system.

That’s the short, layman’s definition, but you can check the full relevant text below in the transcribed section.

And because this is Illinois, it’s also useful to know what a taser is not: looking at 430 ILCS Section 66/5, we see that a taser or stun gun is specifically excluded from the definition of handgun, which is otherwise defined as a device that uses the expansion or escape of any gas to expel a projectile. That could describe a taser also!

720 ILCS Sec. 24-1. Unlawful use of weapons.

(a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:

…

A “stun gun or taser”, as used in this paragraph (a) means (i) any device which is powered by electrical charging units, such as, batteries, and which fires one or several barbs attached to a length of wire and which, upon hitting a human, can send out a current capable of disrupting the person’s nervous system in such a manner as to render him incapable of normal functioning or (ii) any device which is powered by electrical charging units, such as batteries, and which, upon contact with a human or clothing worn by a human, can send out current capable of disrupting the person’s nervous system in such a manner as to render him incapable of normal functioning; or

430 ILCS 66/5. Definitions

As used in this Act [Firearm Concealed Carry Act]:

…

“Handgun” means any device which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas, or escape of gas that is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand. “Handgun” does not include:

(1) a stun gun or taser;

Are Stun Guns Legal in Illinois?

Yes, stun guns are broadly legal in Illinois but are in the same sort of gray zone that tasers are. You can legally obtain a stun gun for personal protection, but it’s unclear when and under what conditions you can carry it.

Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Illinois?

It is unclear. Although it’s legal to purchase and possess a taser in Illinois, you can only certainly carry it on private property, either property that belongs to you or property that belongs to someone else if you have the express permission of the person that owns it.

Frankly, I would not try to open carry a taser anywhere in Illinois. If you read 720 ILCS Section 24-1 concerning the unlawful use of weapons, you’ll see that the unlawful use of weapons is carrying one with the intent to unlawfully use it against another.

Simple enough, seems fair, but unfortunately, Illinois has proven time and time again and illegal cases that it’s overtly hostile to the notion of its citizens going around armed.

Do so only at your own peril!

720 ILCS Sec. 24-1. Unlawful use of weapons.

(a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:

…

(2) Carries or possesses with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, broken bottle or other piece of glass, stun gun or taser or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character; or

Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Illinois?

Only on private property that you own, or private property that’s owned by someone else when you have their express permission to carry the taser.

There is an ongoing Supreme Court-level battle concerning civilian carry of tasers and other weapons in Illinois, but it does not seem to be resolving itself to the satisfaction of concerned citizenry.

Simply stated, if you decide to conceal carry a taser in Illinois, even inside your own vehicle while in public, you might be setting yourself up for serious charges.

However, 720 ILCS Section 24-1 states that an exception to the statutes is made for anyone who has a firearm concealed carry license. The relevant text is included below, but the section is very lengthy, so make sure you read it for yourself.

720 ILCS Sec. 24-1. Unlawful use of weapons.

(a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:

…

(4) Carries or possesses in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person except when on his land or in his own abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person’s permission, any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm, except that this subsection (a)(4) does not apply to or affect transportation of weapons that meet one of the following conditions:

…

(iv) are carried or possessed in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act by a person who has been issued a currently valid license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act;

Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Illinois?

Yes. You have to be 21 years old or older to legally purchase, own or possess a taser. People that are 18 years old or older may possess a taser if they have their parents’ written permission on their person at all times while in possession of the device and have a clean criminal background.

What Do You Need to Do to Buy a Taser?

If you want to purchase a taser in Illinois, you must obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card, commonly referred to as a FOID. The only exceptions are made for military, law enforcement, or government personnel.

You must be 21 years old or older, or 18 or older with your parents’ permission, in order to initiate the purchase, you must have a criminal background free of felony and domestic violence charges, you cannot be a drug addict, you cannot be under a restraining order or any other court order that restricts your rights to own, purchase or protect firearms, and you cannot have been adjudicated mentally defective.

A background check is required, and you must wait 24 hours before you can take possession of the taser, the same as any firearm.

More information concerning the FOID and its relevant laws can be found in 430 ILCS Section 65, partially included below.

430 ILCS 65/ – Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

Sec. 1. It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that in order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, it is necessary and in the public interest to provide a system of identifying persons who are not qualified to acquire or possess firearms, firearm ammunition, stun guns, and tasers within the State of Illinois by the establishment of a system of Firearm Owner’s Identification Cards, thereby establishing a practical and workable system by which law enforcement authorities will be afforded an opportunity to identify those persons who are prohibited by Section 24-3.1 of the Criminal Code of 2012, from acquiring or possessing firearms and firearm ammunition and who are prohibited by this Act from acquiring stun guns and tasers.

Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Illinois?

Yes. Training is required to get an FOID, and you’ve got to have one of those if you want a taser or stun gun in Illinois.

Where Can You Carry a Taser in Illinois?

Frankly, it is very unclear. With some certainty, you can carry your taser, concealed or unconcealed, on your private property or the private property of anyone else as long as you have their explicit permission. Note that Chicago completely bans the devices as of press time, and other municipalities might as well.

Nominally, you can carry a taser in public places, but this is very questionable according to all the uncertainty surrounding the Illinois Supreme Court decisioning.

In any case, you aren’t allowed to carry a taser at any public gathering where an admission or cover fee is charged, within 1,000 feet of any public park, in public housing, on public transit, and any place that sells alcohol on premises or into any school, college, courthouse or other government buildings, facilities, or properties.

When Can You Use It to Defend Yourself in Illinois?

The only time you can use a taser to protect yourself in Illinois is if you’re in genuine and reasonable fear of the unlawful use of force against yourself, specifically unlawful force that has a significant chance of causing death or great bodily injury.

Tasers aren’t a joke, and even though they are typically thought of as non-lethal weapons the use of a taser against a person can result in substantial injury or even death, directly or indirectly.

This means they are serious business, and any unlawful, frivolous or reckless use of a taser will get you charged with substantial felonies.

The post Taser Laws in Illinois: Legal or Not? appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

Today I’ve got something incredibly important to share…

A Complete Pandemic Guide For Small Groups and Individuals

Because too many of us feel like the next outbreak is at least decades away…

But Viruses don’t play by those rules!

And human’s keep messing around with bioengineering.

So the next outbreak is likely sooner rather than later.

All it takes is one mistake for all hell to break loose.

That’s why we all must prepare for the next pandemic NOW.

• Brief Pandemic History Lesson
• Community Pandemic Preparedness
• Individual Pandemic Preparedness

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Brief Pandemic History Lesson

The stench of death hung heavy in the air.

Piles of decaying bodies were tossed onto carts.

Hauled away for incineration.

Doctors in long spooky masks and flowing black robes visited homes.

But could do little to prevent infection.

Friends, family, and neighbors died horrible deaths at the hands of this disease.

And it was only a matter of time before the Black Death got you too.

It was the same with everyone:

• Painful bumps and tumors would spread quickly from groins and armpits.
• Black and purple splotches then appeared on limbs as they got sicker and sicker.
• Finally, blood began gushing uncontrollably from their noses – Black Death’s final symptom.

And as if this wasn’t bad enough, the world’s social order collapsed after this pandemic.

Looters ran rampant, and lawlessness spread as families and human decency abandoned each other in a terrible panic.

Death was on the streets and in the air.

The Black Death took hundreds of millions of lives in Europe between 1346 and 1353.

Since then, the world has experienced eve more recent pandemics, such as:

• The 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic
• The recent Covid 19 Pandemic

Every few decades, a new viral or bacterial infection rears its ugly head and rattles the global sense of security.

Swine flu, HIV Aids, and Ebola are all recent scares that, while relatively contained, are clear reminders of the horrors of widespread uncontrolled global pandemics.

Since the black plague, society has invented new technologies to help combat the spread of pandemic diseases.

Image Source

Community Pandemic Preparedness

Reaching out to your community may at first seem counter-intuitive.

Why would you reach out to your community when talking about a highly contagious disease?

Shouldn’t we avoid contact with others?

But at this stage, we are discussing preparedness (before the disaster) and not survival (after the disaster).

Once a pandemic sets in, you will want to limit your exposure to others.

So in the meantime, gather the Home Owners Associations, assemble the town hall meetings, and rally the troops!

You are safest when your community takes the necessary measures to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

It’s time to plan for the worst.

Preparing at a wider community scale can do wonders to limit the spread of a pandemic locally. I

f a neighborhood or town can work together to create a simple neighborhood quarantine, the chances of surviving a pandemic increase dramatically.

Agree To Avoid Community Hubs

Large congregation areas and travel hubs (i.e., bus stops, train stations, airports, churches, sporting events, etc.) are the most dangerous points of disease transmission.

Agree with your community to avoid these places in the event of an uncontrolled spread; it will significantly decrease the chances of mass contamination.

Agree To Limit Travel

When a nasty disease spreads quickly, it’s time to limit travel—no long road trips or school field trips.

You don’t want to catch the disease and spread it even further.

Put A Plan In Place To Quarantine The Infected

Isolate and treat the illness as appropriate. If members of your community are infected, try to isolate them in their homes or healthcare facilities.

Strategic isolation will help to limit the spread of disease while making it easier for volunteers, nurses, EMTs, and doctors to treat the sick.

Agree To Use Your Vacation Time and Keep Your Kids At Home

Schools, daycares, and children’s camps should all be closed while the pandemic is a threat.

Take time off!

These areas are notorious for helping nasty viruses and bacteria spread like wildfire.

Kids are good at spreading sicknesses.

Normally it is just a case of the flu or pink eye, but these places become grave hazards in a pandemic emergency.

Agree To Cancel All Community Functions – Communicate Using Phones or Radios Only

The community should distance itself socially.

Your friends will have to survive without you for a while.

It’s for everyone’s own good.

Limiting interactions with others while the disease is at large helps limit the opportunities a virus or bacteria can transfer from one human being to the next.

The one benefit of all the latest technological communications devices is communicating with others from great distances.

If modern communications are still available (smartphones, radios, the internet), take advantage and “stay in touch” from a safe distance.

Start A Community Emergency Stash

Keep an emergency community supply cache stashed somewhere in your neighborhood or town in small, tight-knit communities.

No one knows how long a pandemic might last.

All survival supplies may become scarce even if you have your own stash of prepper supplies.

Being selfish may sound harsh.

But your own supplies won’t last long if you try to help everyone else.

A public supply of necessities decreases the likelihood that your neighbors will break down your door to get their hands on some survival canned foods and stored water.

Having a community stash may help keep the peace. A city or town should store at a minimum:

• Non-perishable food (dehydrated or canned)
• Water
• Water purifiers
• Medicine and medical supplies

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Image Source

Individual Pandemic Preparedness

While having a plan for surviving a pandemic as a community is great, the most important person to protect is numero uno.

The fact that you’re reading this right now means that you are several steps ahead of most.

So here are some additional steps YOU need to take to ensure you survive a pandemic.

Stock Up On Specific Prepper Gear

Pandemic Rated Gas Mask

The odds are, for a disease to reach epidemic global pandemic levels, it must be readily transferable through the air we breathe.

So any unfiltered air will be littered with infectious particles.

Wearing a high-quality gas mask is your first line of defense in such a scenario.

We recommend the Israel Civilian Gas Mask as a budget gas mask that’ll work for most people.

Or, for one of the top-of-the-line gas masks, we recommend the MIRA Safety CM-7M Military gas mask.

Duct Tape and Plastic Drop Cloths

You won’t be able to wear a mask 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

So you need to turn your home into a sealed-up safe zone.

Plastic drop cloths taped over windows, doors, and any other potential leak points will help to create these safe zones in your house.

You can also create small quarantine zones within your entrance/exits.

In these areas, you can create simple procedures for your family to sanitize themselves with sanitation wipes.

And disinfect any personal items with Clorox bleach before entering the interior safe zones.

Eye Goggles

Like lungs, the eyes are one of the most common entry points for pandemic viruses.

If the disease is in the air and your eyes are exposed, it’s a recipe for contracting the illness.

Eye goggles will keep your eyes protected when in an area outside your safe zone or when taking care of sick family members.

Latex Gloves

As humans, we use our hands to do nearly everything.

So our hands are our most common body part for coming into contact with objects.

The objects that may be contaminated.

Having lots of disposable gloves on hand will help prevent you from getting the disease on your hands in the first place.

Tyvek Suits

Some diseases are so contagious and intense that you’ll want to go all out and keep the germs and viruses off your skin.

A properly designed and worn Tyvek suit will keep your skin disease-free.

But not all hazmat suits are created equal.

Make sure you research the best suits to protect you against all contagious diseases.

Here’s our hazmat suits article to help you find the right one.

Bio-Hazzard Bags

A bio-hazard bag is a location dedicated to any disposable item that may have come in contact with a pandemic disease.

Disposable gloves, rags, wipes, needles, etc.

Keep them in bags labeled to prevent accidental exposure to others.

Diapers (buy sizes for all family members)

Depending on the pandemic, humans may have severe diarrhea.

It may also leave the infected too weak to get to a bathroom.

In such situations, you’ll be glad you have a way to contain the mess with diapers.

Vomit Bags

Like diapers, having vomit bags designed for and dedicated to vomit will ensure proper containment of the infected bodily fluids and disposal.

NOTE: You need to buy these items TODAY.

If you try to buy these items after the pandemic spreads, millions will also be trying to buy these items.

There will not be enough supply for everyone.

So if you wait, it could be too late…

Keep Your Body Fit and Healthy

The simplest, most effective way of keeping yourself safe from disease and infection is to STAY HEALTHY.

The stronger your body and the more efficient your immune system, the less chance you get sick and die a horrible death.

Being healthy also means eating well, exercising regularly, going to the doctor for check-ups, staying hydrated, etc.

Besides reducing direct exposure, nothing will help protect you more than staying healthy.

Keep Your Regular Survival  Stock Topped Up

Like any disaster scenario, you want to stock up on the necessities for living.

In the previous section, I mentioned having a community supply – an excellent idea, but don’t rely on it completely.

Keep a stockpile of supplies for yourself, and be thorough about the list of things you keep stocked:

• WATER is the most important thing you can store. If the faucets stop working for whatever reason (like if no one is manning the power station due to illness), anyone who doesn’t have water on hand will be in trouble. People should consume 1 gallon per person daily, so supply accordingly.
• Non-perishable survival food is necessary for obvious reasons. Keeping a stash of top sirloin steaks ready for the end of the world would be amazing, except that they’ll all go bad before you get the chance to enjoy them. You may not love canned or dehydrated foods, but they are your best bet for staving off hunger should food become scarce.
• Medicine and medical supplies are useful for obvious reasons. Here is a thorough guide to building a medical kit. The biggest thing to remember about storing medicine is that it expires, and you must keep close tabs on which medications go bad and when so you can replace them.
• Vitamins are also great for boosting immune functions, so keeping an extra tub of multivitamins handy is a good way to prepare for a pandemic.
• Survival gear and tools are always useful, especially when limiting human-human interaction. If the pandemic is at large, and you want to minimize your exposure, it probably isn’t good to have repairmen and other visitors coming and going from your home. As long as the disease is spreading, repairs are a DIY issue.
• Cleaning supplies aren’t something many people think about when preparing for the worst, but they are important! Soaps, sanitizers, disinfectants, and rags are always handy – especially in a pandemic emergency when sanitation is VITAL.
• Gross, as it sounds, having a portable toilet with disposable linings might save you a massive headache should your water stop working. Without a flush feature, your house toilet isn’t going to work for very long. You need to figure out your survival sanitation plan.
• Basic household items become increasingly useful the longer you have to hold out. Ziplock bags, garbage bags, duct, and electrical tape, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, buckets, and anything useful in day-to-day life will be extremely helpful when you don’t have access to stores.
• Minimize your exposure. As the pandemic sweeps through society killing people off and leaving millions ill, the safest way to live is in solitary.
  • Don’t go outside (especially if the disease is airborne) more than necessary.
  • Stay away from sick people entirely, and do your best to avoid people in general (even healthy ones) – you never know who might be carrying an illness without displaying symptoms yet.
  • Wash your hands, and shower often. Stay clean, and keep your home clean and sanitary – the disease is more likely to infect you if your hygiene is poor.
  • Cover any open wounds immediately, disinfect and keep them clean until the injury is healed. Open skin is ripe for infection.
  • Rest up! Get a lot of sleep, so your immune system is strong and ready to fight for your life.
• Stay informed. You will probably not make it if you do not hear about a pandemic before it sweeps across your area. Watch the news, read articles, and stay tuned to current events. If you keep yourself informed, you will probably have a longer head-start to prepare when the pandemic strikes. The longer in advance you know about a disease emergency, the higher your chances of survival are – so try to stay on top of it. The CDC and the WHO are excellent resources for monitoring global health situations and threats.

The Final Word

We’ve all seen TV shows and movies where pandemic diseases spread like wildfire. We read stories about them in novels and history books.

They are everywhere in popular culture: in shows like The Walking Dead, bestselling novels like The Stand and comic books, and at least one movie per year like Contagion.

Our culture is seemingly obsessed with the idea of a pandemic spreading and wreaking havoc on our society.

As functions of entertainment, pandemics are great!

But should the fantasy become a reality or a worldwide epidemic disease manifest, it won’t be fun to watch.

People close to you will probably die.

The social order of your community may start to break down into violence, looting, and riots, and anyone who isn’t prepared for all of that will not last very long.

The Black Death is an example of how a disease can quickly cover great distances and leave millions dead.

It took Europeans generations to recover from those seven years of hell.

That pandemic left a permanent stain on history, a scar we will never forget because it was horrifying and apocalyptic.

It left a permanent stain on history, a scar we will never forget because it was so horrific and apocalyptic.

Today there are billions more people on Earth than when the Black Death ran rampant.

And our transportation systems are unimaginably more complex and efficient – the stage is set for an aggressive and rapid pandemic emergency.

It is like a dry, dead forest just waiting for a spark.

How To Survive A Pandemic Action Plan

1. Start A Community Conversation
2. Develop A Community Pandemic Preparedness Plan
3. Buy The Essential Prepper Survival Gear
4. Get Your Family On Board and Discuss A Plan To:
   1. Seal Your Home With Plastic
   2. Limit Travel
   3. Check Your Survival Stock Levels (water, food, medical supplies, etc.)
5. Practice Sealing Your Home and Wearing Your Pandemic Survival Gear

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