We would like to thank Tom Linden for this blog on his expert Prepping tips. For those of you are not familiar with the likes of Tom Linden. For the past 20 years he has been one of Britain's leading experts on all aspects of both urban and rural survival. Without further adieu...
The EMP Threat
One of the most important conclusions in a new report by the U.S. Air Force’s recently established Electromagnetic Defense Task Force (EDTF) is traditional deterrence, based on threat of retaliation, may not work against nuclear EMP attack.
EDTF’s independent analysis concurs with warnings made by the Congressional EMP Commission for 17 years. A single nuclear weapon detonated over the United States or the UK at high-altitude (30 kilometers or higher) would produce no blast or radioactive fallout or other effects injurious to people, usually associated with nuclear blasting a city, as at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Instead, a high-altitude nuclear burst would generate an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), like a super-powerful radio wave that would cause protracted blackout of electric grids and destroy all kinds of electronics across a vast region. Communications, cars, airplanes, computers, electronics that support business and finance, industrial production and the supply of food and water, would suddenly be destroyed, literally at the speed of light.
A nuclear weapon burst 30 kilometers above the United States would generate an EMP field on the ground about 600 kilometers in radius. Catastrophic consequences would cascade far beyond the EMP field, causing the electric grid and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures to collapse over a much larger region.
Such an EMP attack could be delivered by a balloon, an aircraft doing a zoom climb, or a short-range missile launched off a freighter. Any of these attack modes could be executed anonymously, thwarting deterrence. A nuclear weapon burst 400 kilometers over the U.S. would generate an EMP field on the ground 2,200 kilometers in radius, covering most of North America, including all 48 contiguous United States, most of Canada and much of Mexico.
The same would happen to the UK and most of mainland Europe, a satellite or medium-range missile launched off a freighter could execute such an EMP attack anonymously, thwarting deterrence. Hundreds of satellites are in low-earth orbit, including two North Korean satellites that the EMP Commission warns may be nuclear-armed for surprise EMP attack. EMP could instantly destroy and disrupt U.S. satellites and their ground stations, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radars, and other National Technical Means needed to identify an attacker.
The USAF’s Electromagnetic Defense Task Force warns:
“In a Western society governed by law and international standards, attribution is essential to viable deterrence.
The party deterring must have the ability to identify an actor and justifiably hold an actor at risk.”
Moreover: “When an aggressor cannot be identified, the situation may embolden or persuade that actor to be aggressive.”
The EDTF Report’s “Stuckenberg Model for the Spectrum of Conflict” introduces between peace and traditional war a broad “gray zone” for acts of aggression short of traditional all-out warfare that are as yet unaddressed by classical deterrence theory, and may be undeterrable.
EMP attack and other attacks in the “Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS)” are in the gray zone, posing unprecedented challenges to deterrence, according to the USAF Electromagnetic Defense Task Force Report:
“Traditional deterring efforts afford little or no utility in preventing adverse enemy action in the EMS [Electro-Magnetic Spectrum].
In many respects, this is not dissimilar from deterrence activities in cyber space—which are almost completely ineffective.”
Furthermore: “Strategic EMS gray zone challenges can conceivably threaten a nation’s survival.
Gray zone EMS threats, such as EMP, were addressed by the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, General John Hyten, during his remarks at the Air Force Association Convention on 20 September 2017, when he noted,
‘EMP is a realistic threat and it’s a credible threat.’ General Hyten went on to note that civil society is not prepared to address the challenges associated with an EMP attack.
EDTF supports this position.”
Alarmed by the lack of progress being made by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy protecting the national electric grid and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures — upon which the Department of Defense depends to support military bases, conduct operations, and defend the nation — the USAF launched its Electromagnetic Defense Task Force at a summit of experts on August 20-22, 2018, to find solutions and spur Washington to action.
The EDTF Report is the product of 135 leading scientists, strategists, and scholars representing more than 40 Department of Defense organizations, including NATO, academia, and the private sector.
The U.S. Air Force EDTF Report warns that EMP and other Electro-Magnetic Spectrum threats are a clear and present danger warranting highest-priority action from the White House. The EDTF Report calls upon the White House to launch an EMP “Manhattan Project” to protect civilian and military critical infrastructures on a crash emergency basis.
The recently published National EMP Strategy by the Department of Homeland Security plans continued study of the EMP threat until 2026.
Best Gear to Carry and why
Aluminium Foil – The best thing about foil is you can wrap meat and veggies in it, throw it in a fire, and a few minutes later have a hot meal. It can also be moulded into a bowl, cup, funnel, or a pot for boiling water.
It can also be used to enhance an antenna, to sharpen scissors, to make sun boxes for small plants, to collect dew from trees, and in the summer it can be put in windows to keep the heat out.
Baseball Bats – You might plan on carrying a gun for self-protection if the SHTF, but if you’re caught off guard, nothing’s better than a good baseball bat, it never misfires.
Bicycle and Pump, Extra Tubes, etc. – Remember, if, things get ugly, fuel will be unavailable or unaffordable. If you need to travel long distance for supplies, you’ll need a good bike. Make sure to get a mountain bike and not a skinny-tired ten speed.
Sweets – This is mainly for children, but can also be a great comfort food for adults. Just don’t go overboard with it as too much sugar can weaken your immune system.
Cash – If you can afford to, start setting aside a little cash. In most emergency scenarios, people will still accept cash.
Heavy duty bags- Unlike ordinary black bags, heavy duty bags are very thick and sturdy. You can stuff them with sharp branches and debris or use them to drag heavy objects. They can also be used as a poncho, a lean too, an A frame or a temporary patch for a leaky roof.
Duct Tape – duct tape is awesome!
Floss – Even if you don’t floss, this stuff is great to stock up on as it can be used for fishing lines, repairing tents or clothing lines, and suture material.
Games – In modern societies, people are so used to having constant entertainment and distractions that they’re likely to become very bored if the power is out. But nothing cures boredom like a good board game, or a game of cards. This is especially important if you have children.
Glasses, Glasses Repair Kit – Most people only have one pair of glasses, but what if your glasses break and all the opticians are closed? It’s good to have at least one backup pair and a glasses repair kit.
Glow Bracelets/Sticks – When the electricity is out, the amazing MULE LIGHT range is FANTASTIC https://www.uvpaqlite.com/ You can use them to mark the location of important objects like doorknobs, flashlights and radios. They make a great substitute for candles, and they’re fun for kids.
Hatchet – This might seem like an obvious one, but I know of several people who haven’t bothered to get one yet (especially those living in apartments). Even if you don’t bug out to some location in the woods, you’ll still want to get a good hatchet in case you need to split wood or chop through the bone of an animal. It also makes a good weapon.
Important Documents – Bank account and credit card records, birth certificates, prescriptions, property deeds, registration papers, titles, and any other important papers. You should make photocopies of all ID’s and credit cards. Put everything inside Ziploc bags and keep them in a safe if you have one. You might also want to include cherished photographs.
Map of Local Area – Nowadays people are used to using Google or Yahoo maps and many don’t even have a physical map anymore. It is so importance to have a good map marked with potentially dangerous areas. It can also be used for identifying the shortest, safest route to a friend or relative’s home, a place with supplies, etc. And don’t forget a good motorway map too.
Paper, Pencil, Pencil Sharpener – For playing games, making notes, or keeping a journal (you’re living in interesting times; write about it).
Paper Plates, Cups and Plastic Utensils – In most
survival situations, you’ll want to use no more water than is necessary. This is why I think you should get LOTS of these they can also be used as tinder.
Plastic Sheeting – Not just for keeping germs out. This can be used to repair leaks, collect water, or build a makeshift shelter.
Sewing Kit – Another one of those things that has become less and less common in modern society. You should get a decent kit and learn how to sew buttons and patch/mend clothes because new shirts and trousers might be hard to come by.
Snow Shoes – In a disaster, you might be too busy or tried to shovel the footpath so got a pair of snow shoes. You could also use the back of a chair or tennis rackets.
Tarps – There are many uses for tarps: covering firewood, holding debris, privacy screens, shade, tablecloths, tents, lean to’s, A frames etc.
Whistle – Emergency whistles are invaluable for people who are lost or in danger.
Wire saw – These take up little space and can be used to cut through bone, metal, plastic, and wood with ease.
These as usual are only suggestions and you as an individual will hopefully choose different one to cover your needs.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare NOW
Today, millions of Britons say that they believe that the United Kingdom is on the verge of a major economic collapse and will soon be entering another Great Depression.
But only a small percentage of those same people are prepared for that to
happen.
The sad truth is that the vast majority of Brits would last little more than a month on what they have stored up in their homes. Most of us are so used to running out to the supermarket for whatever we need that we never even stop to consider what would happen if suddenly we were not able to do that.
Already the UK economy is starting to stumble about like a drunken teenager. All it would take for the entire UK to resemble East London after the bombers had left would be for a major war, a terror attack, a deadly pandemic or a massive natural disaster to strike at just the right time and push the teetering UK economy over the
edge.
So just how would you survive if you suddenly could not rely on the huge international corporate giants to feed, clothe and supply you and your family?
Do you have a plan?
Unless you already live in a cave or you are a complete and total mindless follower of the establishment media, you should be able to see very clearly that our society is more vulnerable now than it ever has been.
This year there have been an unprecedented number of large earthquakes around the world and volcanoes all over the globe are awakening and don’t forget the massive flooding we have seen.
You can just take a look at what has happened in Haiti and in Iceland to see how devastating a natural disaster can be. Not only that, but we have a world that is
full of lunatics in positions of power, and if one of them decides to set off a
nuclear, chemical or biological weapon in a major city it could paralyze an
entire region.
War could erupt in the Middle East at literally any moment, and if it does the price of oil will double or triple (at least) and there is the possibility that much of the entire world could be drawn into the conflict.
Scientists tell us that a massive high-altitude EMP (electromagnetic pulse) blast could send large portions of the Northern hemisphere back to the Stone Age in an instant.
In addition, there is the constant threat that the outbreak of a major viral pandemic (such as what happened with the 1918 Spanish Flu) could kill tens of millions of people around the globe and paralyze the economies of the world.
But even without all of that, the truth is that the UK and the EU economy is going to collapse. So just think of what will happen if one (or more) of those things does happen on top of all the economic problems that we are having.
Are you prepared?
The following is a list of 20 things you and your family will need to survive when the economy totally collapses and the next Great Depression begins….
Storable Food
Food is going to instantly become one of the most valuable commodities in existence in the event of an economic collapse.
If you do not have food you are not going to survive.
Most UK families would not last much longer than a month on what they have in their house right now, in fact I would say that many would be dead by then anyway.. So what about you?
If disaster struck right now, how long could you survive on what you have?
The truth is that we all need to start storing up food. If you and your family run out of food, you will suddenly find yourselves competing with the hordes of hungry people who are looting the stores and roaming the streets looking for something to eat.
Of course you can grow your own food, but that is going to take time. So you need to have enough food stored up until the food that you plant has time to grow. But if you have not stored up any seeds you might as well forget it. When the economy totally collapses, the remaining seeds will disappear very quickly.
So if you think that you are going to need seeds, now is the time to get them.
Clean Water
Most people can survive for a number of weeks without food, but without water you will die in just a few days, try going without water for 24hrs, I have and I did not like it. So where would you get water if the water suddenly stopped flowing out of your
taps?
Do you have a plan? Is there an abundant supply of clean water near your home? Would you be able to boil water if you need to? OH1 and by the way you will need to.
Besides storing water and figuring out how you are going to gather water if society breaks down, another thing to consider is water purification tablets. The water you are able to gather during a time of crisis may not be suitable for drinking. So you may find that water purification tablets come in very, very handy.
Shelter
You can’t sleep on the streets, can you? Well, some people will be able to get by living on the streets, but the vast majority of us will need some form of shelter to survive for long. So what would you do if you and your family lost your home or suddenly were forced from your home?
Where would you go?
The best thing to do is to come up with several plans!
Do you have relatives that you can bunk with in case of emergency?
Do you own a tent and sleeping bags if you had to rough it?
If one day everything hits the fan and you and your family have to “bug out” somewhere, where would that be?
You need to have a plan.
Warm Clothing
If you plan to survive for long in a nightmare economic situation, you are probably going to need some warm, functional clothing. If you live in a cold climate, this is going to mean storing up plenty of blankets and cold weather clothes. If you live in an area where it rains a lot, you will need to be sure to store up some rain gear.
If you think you may have to survive outdoors in an emergency situation, make sure that you and your family have something warm to put on your heads. Someday after the economy has collapsed and people are scrambling to survive, a lot of folks are going to end up freezing to death.
In fact, in the coldest areas it is actually possible to freeze to death in your own home. Don’t let that happen to you.
An Axe
Staying along the theme of staying warm, you may want to consider investing in a good axe. In the event of a major emergency, gathering firewood will be a priority. Without a good tool to cut the wood with that will be much more difficult.
Lighters Or Matches
You will also want something to start a fire with. If you can start a fire, you can cook food, you can boil water and you can stay warm. So in a true emergency situation, how do you plan to start a fire? By rubbing sticks together?
Now is the time to put away a supply of lighters or matches so that you will be prepared when you really need them, and just to be sure please include a fire steel.
In addition, you may want to consider storing up a good supply of candles. Candles come in quite handy whenever the electricity goes out, and in the event of a long-term economic nightmare we will all see why our forefathers relied on candles so much.
Hiking Boots Or Comfortable Shoes
When you ask most people to list things necessary for survival, this is not the first or the second thing that comes to mind. But having hiking boots or very comfortable and functional shoes will be absolutely critical.
You may very well find yourself in a situation where you and your family must walk everywhere you want to go. So how far do you think you will get in high heels? You will want footwear that you would feel comfortable walking in for hours if necessary.
You will also want footwear that will last a long time, because when the economy truly collapses you may not be able to run out to the shoe store and get what you need at that point.
A Torch and/Or Lantern
When the power goes off in your home, what is the first thing that you grab? Just think about it. A Torch or a lantern of course. In a major emergency, a torch or a lantern is going to be a necessity – especially if you need to go anywhere at night.
Solar powered or “wind up” torches or lanterns will probably be best during a long-term emergency. If you have battery-powered units you will want to begin storing up lots and lots of batteries.
A Radio
If a major crisis does hit the UK, what will you and your family want? Among other things, you will all want to know what in the world is going on. A radio can be an invaluable tool for keeping up with the news.
Once again, solar powered or “wind up” radios will probably work best for the long term. A battery-powered until would work as well – but only for as long as your
batteries are able to last.
Communication Equipment
When things really hit the fan you are going to want to communicate with your family and friends. You will also want to be able to contact an ambulance or law enforcement if necessary.
Having an emergency mobile phone is great, but it may or may not work during a time of crisis.
The Internet also may or may not be available. Be sure to have a plan (whether it be high-tech or low-tech) for staying in communication with others during a major emergency.
A Swiss Army Knife
If you have ever owned a Swiss Army knife you probably already know how incredibly handy they can be. It can be a very valuable and versatile tool. In a true survival situation, a Swiss Army knife can literally do dozens of different things for you. Make sure that you have at least one stored up for emergencies.
Personal Hygiene Items
While these may not be absolute “essentials”, the truth is that life will get very unpleasant very quickly without them. For example, what would you do without toilet paper? Just think about it. Imagine that you just finished your last roll of toilet paper and now you can’t get any more.
What would you do?
The truth is that soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and other hygiene products are things that we completely take for granted in society today. So what would happen if we could not go out and buy them any longer?
A First Aid Kit And Other Medical Supplies
On a more serious note, you may not be able to access a hospital or a doctor during a major crisis. In your survival supplies, be absolutely certain that you have a good first aid kit and any other medical supplies that you think you may need, and don’t forget any prescription medicine.
Extra Fuel
There may come a day when fuel is rationed or is simply not available at all. If that happens, how will you get around? Be certain to have some extra fuel stored away just in case you find yourself really needing to get somewhere someday.
A Sewing Kit
If you were not able to run out and buy new clothes for you and your family, what would you do?
Well, you would want to repair the clothes that you have and make them last as long as possible. Without a good sewing kit that will be very difficult to do.
Self-Defence Equipment
Whether it is pepper spray to fend off wild animals or something more “robust” to fend off wild humans, millions of us will one day be thankful that they have something to defend themselves with.
A Compass and a Map
In the event of a major emergency, you and your family may find yourselves having to be on the move. If you are in a wilderness area, it will be very hard to tell what
direction you are heading without a compass and a map. It is always a good idea to have at least one compass stored up.
A Hiking Backpack
If you and your family suddenly have to “bug out”, what will you carry all of your survival supplies in? Having a good hiking backpack or “survival bag” for everyone in your family is extremely important. If something happened in the city where you live and you suddenly had to “go”, what would you put your most important stuff in?
How would you carry it all if you had to travel by foot?
These are very important things to think about.
A Community
During a long-term crisis, it is those who are willing to work together that will have the best chance of making it. Whether it is your family, your friends, a church or a local group of people that you know, make sure that you have some people that you can rely on and work together with in the event that everything hits the fan. Loners are going to have a really hard time of surviving for long.
A Backup Plan
Lastly, it is always, always, always important to have a backup plan for everything.
If someone comes in and steals all the food that you have stored up, what are you going to do?
If travel is restricted and you can’t get to your “bug out” location immediately do you have a Plan B?
If you have built your house into an impregnable survival fortress but circumstances force you to leave do you have an alternate plan?
The truth is that crisis situations rarely unfold just as we envision. It is important to be flexible and to be ready with backup plans when disaster strikes.
You don’t want to end up like the folks in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. You don’t want to have to rely on the government to take care of you if something really bad happens.
I do not about here in the UK but for example right now the U.S. strategic grain reserve contains only enough wheat to make half a loaf of bread for each of the approximately 300 million people in the United States.
How long do you think that is going to last?
Now is the time to get ready.
Now is the time to prepare.
The UK economy is going to collapse and incredibly hard times are coming.
Will you be able to survive when it happens?
Thats all folks...
We would just like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Tom Linden for his priceless life saving knowledge. You can keep up to date with Tom's and his work at www.ukpreppersradionetwork.co.uk.
As Tom always says "Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail"
