Looks Like Citizens Will Be Securing Our Borders - HUH???

Secure our borders before these guys do!

OK, so this is just my opinion, but doesn't something seem wrong here? Isn't it time our government woke up and put a big giant fence or wall or something up along ALL of our Mexican borders. Why is this so hard? We've spent billions sending men to the moon, but can't secure our own borders. And now it looks like we may spend billions more just to take care of the illegals who are crossing over every day! Just put a damn giant wall up!
And now there are at least two private groups trying to recruit citizens to go down to our borders and secure them. I smell trouble here. Not that I disagree, because something has to be done. I'm just not so sure that a bunch of private angry citizens will stay peaceful. I recall in 1969 when Hell's Angels were informally hired to act as security at a Rolling Stones concert in California (Altamont Speedway). For those that are too young to remember, it was a disaster that included stabbings murder, guns, band members being beat up, people being trampled - well, you get the idea.
There is a big difference though between Hell's Angels, who did the gig for $500 worth of free beer, and the groups that are planning on going down to secure our borders. The first group is The Minuteman Project led by Jim Gilchrist, a former US Marine. That project is called Operation Normandy, but unlike the invasion of Normandy, they do not plan on crossing the border.

Another group simple calling themselves "Patriots" are already down there in 4 locations in Texas and 3 in Arizona. They are seeking donations to purchase things such as night vision goggles and other tactical gear.
Both groups are saying that the government is not securing our borders, and somebody has to. The Minutemen Project can be reached at http://minutemanproject.com or calling them at 949-587-5199.
The other group mentioned here can be found at http://www.thethreepercenters.org

I'm not encouraging anyone to join a militia group, but simply wanted to help make people aware of the situation.
I'm just hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe our government will wake up and stop rewarding people who cross our borders illegally, and start making plans to secure our borders, before a war breaks out at them.

Illegals just strolling on in

Border Patrol Cap

Fishing and Hunting Can Be Fun

by Chris Vegvary

I’ve been fishing a couple of times in my life, but I couldn’t really appreciate it at the time. You see, I was a kid at the time, and standing or sitting around in one spot for long periods of time while waiting for a something to bite (or get stuck on a boot or some other type of trash) didn’t exactly appeal to me at the time. Not to mention that we always threw back whatever we caught, which really wasn’t too much. Now that those days are over, however, I find myself wanting to go sit in a boat somewhere and fish over the side.

I’ve never cleaned and gutted, or in any way hurt a fish, really, but I’m totally willing to learn how, because I realize at this point in my life that having certain skills can prove beneficial in the event of an apocalyptic situation, or even just in everyday life. While I’ve fired guns and rifles before, I’ve never gone hunting for a deer or anything like that. Again, though, it’s something I would be willing to try, because it’s an important survival skill. Probably not something you think about too much when you’re a kid, but I think that the sooner you realize and come to appreciate activities like hunting and fishing, the better.

I wish that my childhood had consisted of some form of hunting where I would take down a deer, skin it and do all the good, horrifying stuff that you have to do in order to make it edible, and then serve up some venison for dinner. Also, it would be nice to catch a decently sized fish of some kind and fry it up to eat after properly removing all the nasty stuff and making it ready for human consumption. That, or stick it on a plaque, mount it above the fireplace, and watch it sing and dance when I tell it to. Can’t say I’d mind having a large deer head also mounted above the fireplace, looking off to the side slightly as if it heard something right before it got taken out.

I’m not a huge fan of venison or fish, but if a situation came along to force me into eating these things for survival, I could make do. What I wish I could do, however, is make my own barbecue sauce in the wild, because that’s what I need on my venison to make it less tough. Also, I require my fish to be seasoned and cooked to perfection, restaurant-style…but I can live with just normal, fully-cooked fish and barbecue sauce made out of deer or elk blood. I refuse to let this go down any other way.

For some of the best in hunting and fishing supplies out there, I invite you to take a look around at the merchandise geared towards those very things over at www.armynavyshop.com.

MREs Are Getting Better All the Time

by Chris Vegvary

How much do people like food? The answer is a lot, because food is what drives us, and when you think about it, food tastes pretty good. When a soldier takes food into the field, however, they can’t take something really good, like maybe a turducken or a nice, fat ribbi steak. That makes me kind of sad, how about you? But fear not, because it might be ok soon. Apparently, scientists are working on better types of MREs for everyone to enjoy.

What would be your first choice of a really good MRE? If it’s pizza, then you might be in luck, because those scientists seem to have found a way to make a pizza that can stay sitting on a shelf or something for three years and you can still eat it. Not only that, but it tastes decent, too. How has it come to this? Because it was demanded, that’s why. People want to have good food while they’re out protecting us and whatnot, and to them, I say…ok, why not? In fact, sure, let’s do it.

That makes me wonder if there are ways to get even more types of crazy food choices into an MRE that lasts for three years. Check it: do they already have chocolate cake MREs? If not, let’s get some of those going on. Oreos and milk somehow. Or how about some way to get corned beef, or a hamburger, or how about some bacon? With all the advances in technology, and the fact that we’re pretty much in the future, and the fact that everything is infused with bacon now, is there not some way our top and most brilliant scientists can get on top of finding a way for bacon to have a shelf life of somewhere around three to five years? Something like that? Yes, bacon is that important.

Ok, so that might be asking a little too much right now, but the point is that the smart, sciency people are out there trying to find ways to bring our military folks some different and better types of food in the form of an MRE. I can honestly say that if I were to go camping, I would probably want one of those pizza MREs they’re working on. I find food to be very taste-ifying. So with all this in mind, I submit to all of you that you should go out there, get some serious education going on, get your degree in food sciences, get a respectable job creating new and crazy foods, and make the best MREs the world has ever seen. You’ll have my respect, and probably a few of my dollars as well. Only time’s going to tell on this one.

Camping Tools – What I Would Bring

by Chris Vegvary

As you may know from one of my previous blogs (entitled “Is Camping Fun?”), I’m not big on camping. I believe I’ve been camping a total of three or four times in my life, but I’m not really sure. What I am sure of is that I didn’t like it one bit. Turns out I like technology too much to just go off the grid for a couple of days out in the wilderness. Chances are that I won’t be going camping again anytime soon, but if there is ever a possibility that I may have to, I’ve made a list of the things I’d like to bring along with me.

For starters, I have no idea how to start a fire, and I imagine I’d have no luck in making one by rubbing two sticks together, no matter how long I tried. Therefore, I’d probably want to take something like this Swedish Firesteel Scout, which is good for three thousand strikes and works for starting a fire in any weather. Some may consider this more survivalist or somehow “cheating” in some way, but guess what? If I need to start a fire real quick, I’ll have that option, whereas we’ll see how long it takes you to rub two sticks together. Bring it.

You know what I don’t like at all? Insects. Especially the ones that bite and leave itchy red marks, and that is encountered a lot when you’re out camping. Don’t deny it, don’t tell me you love the thrill of nature or anything weird like that. Instead, I would say to you that you need to try some form or brand of insect repellant to keep the hungry little critters from devouring you throughout the day and night. You think it’s not worth it now? Wait until you wake up being carried off by some pretty serious-looking ants the size of club bouncers, then come talk to me about not wanting to keep bugs away. It’s a real eye-opener.

Lastly, but not leastly, I want to know where I’m going at all times. People like myself aren’t going to know where the crap to look for the North Star, or how to use the sun to tell which direction I’m going. Getting lost in the woods is not appealing to me, what with all the…you know, nature and whatnot. Also, I like to know what time it is. However can I combine the two to make something that will tell me the time as well as which direction I’m headed? Oh, how about BOOM: here’s a military field watch with a compass attached to it. Were you expecting THAT? Of course you were, you’re always two steps ahead of me.

So while I don’t foresee any possible future where I’ll be camping anytime in the near future, I realize that it could happen, and if so, I want to be prepared for it. Hopefully, if you’re like me and have no idea what to bring on a camping trip, this article may have helped you to be ready for whatever comes. Just remember to keep the bugs away.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 5

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

Alright, this time aliens have invaded the Earth. After a devastating air assault, followed by a ground assault to wipe out any remaining resistance, the world is pretty much done at this point. However, you and probably some other have survived. Do you have a kerosene lamp with plenty of fuel and extra wicks? Hopefully you read this article in time and prepared for the worst. It’s likely the alien attacks will have wiped out all or most forms of communication, as well as electrical devices, meaning no lights and no heat.

What if there is also some kind of biological contagion released in the air? It’s possible that this contagion spreads quickly, causing its victims to either die a slow, painful death, or possibly mutate into horrific creatures. Either way, you don’t want to catch it. There’s one way to make sure that doesn’t happen: get yourself a gas mask and some extra filters for it. The last thing you want when leading the rebellion against the aliens is to end up falling prey to their nasty future weapons, and all possibilities should be considered. We don’t want to underestimate them, that’s what got us in this situation in the first place.

Since electronics won’t work due to no electricity, it’s possible that the aliens’ attacks did not corrupt every single electronic device on the planet. Clinging to that hope, you’ve kept items like your cellphone and maybe an iPod handy so that the world will have some form of music in the future, despite what your preferences regarding that may be. You’ll have no way to charge any devices, though, right? Wrong, I tell you. With this solar charger, all you’ll need to get all that stuff working again is the sun. The only issue will arise if they have already thought that far ahead, and either wipe out any chance of electronics working across the globe, or they block out the sun. Either way is terrifying.

Now you’re a little better prepared in case this horrible future ever comes to pass. But if we plan now, maybe we won’t need to stock up on these kinds of items. It’s always good to be prepared, so I would think that if aliens DO attack anytime in the near future, you’re going to be ready to lead us all to a brighter tomorrow by surviving the apocalypse and wasting some alien scum.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 4

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

Let’s say that this time around, there’s been a massive flood that wipes out most, if not all, land out there. For some reason or another (maybe you were in a boat or something), you were lucky enough to get away from the rising tide and survive. Not only that, but you were able to get some of your survival gear, which in this case includes a plastic matchbox full of wooden, “strike anywhere” matches. Not that they’ll necessarily help you out in this event, seeing as all land could be submerged underwater at this point, but there’s always a possibility. Let me put it this way: you’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I mean, it’s the end of the world here, right?

You know what else might be good in this situation? Some waterproof clothing. The last thing you want in a world full of water is to go around wearing something wet. While you’ll always be out there among the water now that the world works that way, there are ways of making it easier on you. Consider, if you will, this pair of Sealskinz Waterproof All Season Socks to keep the water from soaking your feet, hence, keeping you from being colder than you no doubt already are. It may not be the first thing you think of, but I’m confident that something like this will help out in this horrifying watery new world.

While there are many things out there to consider in this situation, it might also be prudent to keep a journal of your thoughts through these dreary apocalyptic days. But let’s keep in mind that you may be on a rickety boat or raft, and no matter how much you write, the water eventually soaks your notebook, making it all a waste of effort. Ah ha, though…you thought ahead and brought a whole bunch of pens and whatnot, but you also got a waterproof notebook so that this end-of-the-world scenario can be ever so slightly less bleak.

No matter how you look at it, the end of the world is going to be a bad thing. Rioting, looting, murder, and worse…what can we do? We can consider many, if not at some point eventually ALL, of the possibilities that may lie ahead. This may not be what you’re looking for, but hopefully it helps you in some small way to prepare.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 3

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

A hole has opened up in the earth, and strange, Lovecraft-ian monsters are pouring out from another dimension. Think In the Mouth of Madness, or Stephen King’s The Mist. Chances of survival in a situation like that may not be very high, but there are ways to increase your odds. For instance, here you can find a Camper’s Sure Pak, which comes with twelve meals and a flameless ration heater so you can stay warm. Be sure to stock up on rations, because without food, you’re going to have to go out in search of some, and you risk being attacked by giant tentacled creatures or other desperate survivors.

You may run out of electricity fairly quickly, especially if these monsters are smart and disable power grids and such. It’s a possibility we can’t rule out, and we have to be as prepared as we can be. Luckily, there’s such a thing as a wind-up flashlight that might just come in handy for this type of situation. It can provide eight minutes of light per charge, but again, stock up on these, because if you break one…well, you’re probably not going to want to let it get broken. Running past creatures in the dark is not fun.

Let’s say you don’t have a flashlight that works, not even a wind-up one. You need to see what’s going on out there in the dark, maybe you even need to see something that’s a good distance away, but you’ve got no way to see anything without a flashlight, right? Wrong. While you could simply go out there without a source of light and just hope for the best, it’s not recommended, because you may get torn apart or eaten (or both). Stay low and stay hidden, and pull out your night-vision binoculars to get the view you need without exposing your position to the beasts.

This may not be a likely scenario, but you can’t really discount anything when it comes to the end of the world. We know that if it happens, it’s going to be devastating, but hopefully I’ve imparted even the slightest bit of wisdom to anyone who will listen, regardless of whether any of this stuff comes to pass or not. Don’t thank me…I feel like it’s my job to help.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 2

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

This time, the world has been devastated by an EMP attack. That’s electro-magnetic pulse, for you non-techies out there. All forms of communication, every electronic device, and most, if not all vehicles, have been disabled. What’s a person to do? Not wallow in self-pity, that’s for sure. Let’s consider some food first. Your fridge won’t work anymore, so all the food in there is spoiled. Luckily, you have some emergency food rations that have a five-year shelf life. These should provide you with enough nutrients and other important such and such to keep you moving during the day and resting at night, or vice-versa, depending on the situation.

Next up, you may want to find a way to stay warm. You know that when there’s no power, there’s no air conditioning for hot days and there’s no heat during the winter. How are you going to stay warm? You could pile on plenty of layers of clothing, but that may not be enough sometimes, and you’re going to want to consider starting a nice fire to stay warm by. This Zippo doubles as a lighter and a hand warmer, which can provide up to 12 hours of warmth with one filling. Just make sure you’re stocked up on lighter fluid, because that might be hard to come by once the looting begins (and it will).

Let’s also pretend for a second that you’re not as interested in survival after the apocalypse as you are concerned about being clean. With no running water, there’s not going to be any showers or any hose water for you to wash up with, so you may be relying on toilet water. That doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it? It doesn’t. It might behoove you to stock up on certain items that can keep you clean, because you’re just not too likely to find any working baths, so maybe stockpile a bunch of these “shower in a towel” items.

These few items are just the tip of the iceberg, but if you read this today and the apocalypse happens tomorrow, hopefully you will have gained some small amount of knowledge and use what you’ve learned to keep you alive until the next apocalypse. It could be fun…but it won’t be.

Survival Items: What You Might Need - Part 1

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. While we don’t sell guns, there are many other items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

The apocalypse has come in the form of a zombie attack, but it’s not clear where it originated from. While you feel fine, you have no idea if the virus that caused this is airborne or not. To filter out unwanted air, you may want to consider a gas mask. Not only should it provide protection from harsh air conditions, but it may also help make you look imposing should you encounter another survivor who thinks they’re going to take your stuff. It’s possible that it might provide protection from a zombie aiming to bite your face off.

When winter comes, the zombies become slower, and you may see a decrease in the number you encounter. Cold weather is detrimental to anyone’s body, living or dead, so you want to stay warm when you’re out there. If you’ve found some kind of shelter that can keep the zombies out for the night, you can sit in your 2-person Polarshield survival blanket, meant to keep you as warm as two people can be wrapped up in a giant, soft piece of tinfoil. It may not be desirable, but if you can’t build a fire for fear of drawing unwanted attention, one of these might be the best way to go not only for heat, but for staying unnoticed.

You know you’re going to need some kind of weapon to defend yourself in case things with the undead (or other survivors) get a little hairy. While a machete provides some amount of distance between you and your intended target, it may be a little too heavy, causing it to take longer for you to swing. In order to have maximum efficiency, you may want to consider a smaller blade, such as a knife. This Bear Grylls survival knife can not only get the job done when stabbing a zombie in the brain, but it includes necessary survival items, like a built-in fire starter, a stainless steel pommel for hammering, a sharpener, and an emergency whistle for drawing crowds of the undead to wherever you may need to lure them.

These three items, while probably not at the top of your list, will definitely help even the odds in your favor, no matter how slightly. It’s better to be kind of prepared than not prepared at all, but it would be preferable to have everything you need all at once. If you find yourself worrying about an apocalyptic event that may or may not occur sometime in the near future (or ever), don’t be afraid to stock up on the items you need, which you can find by following the links throughout the article. If you’re looking for more survival gear, please take some time to check out the page located here.

Christmas Wants Your Attention

by Chris Vegvary

It looks like Christmas is just around the corner again. What’s up with that? It’s almost as if it happens every year. Regardless, you can’t very well just set up your tree and then have nothing to put under it, can you? Of course not. With that in mind, here comes a whole bunch of suggestions for those of you who are military, or have military family or friends, or even if you just think some of it looks cool.

If you follow this link, you’ll find a good number of items for you to browse through, but allow me to tell you what’s in store for you there. You know anyone who collects Zippos? There’s a category for all kinds of military-style Zippos, and there are some really great designs on a lot of them. You may prefer one (or more) of the engraved ones, which I would also prefer. No offense to other Zippos, but I find those to be nicer looking. Or perhaps you know someone in need of a good military watch? They have plenty of those.

If you’re looking for the kids, or maybe someone you know who collects military-style games and playsets, then you may be interested in something like these army games and toys. With items like toy guns, playing cards, and boomerangs, what is there not to love? While a boomerang might not be your first choice for a younger child, the military playsets look pretty fun. Don’t be afraid to love them all, because the prices are pretty low on all of it.

But if you’re in the market for something a little more adult, then there’s plenty of that to go around. For instance, there is a category for novelty flasks, featuring military symbols or logos like ARMY, or the Marine Corps. logo, and even Spanish wine botas. Who still drinks out of those? Apparently, anyone can, because they’re sold here. As you can see by the picture off to the side, there’s even more interesting designs, such as a flask resembling a miniature gas can.

You’re going to have a good Christmas, or maybe you’re only going to have a decent one, but with the items offered in the links throughout the article, you’ll get a lot without having to pay a lot. It doesn’t have to be a Christmas that breaks your wallet, because you need something you like, or that you hope others will like, within your budget. There are so many other great items for military-minded people that can be found throughout the site, including clothing and survival gear, so take a look around and you’re sure to find something that suits you.

The Search For a Good Zippo

by Chris Vegvary

When I look for a Zippo lighter, I never look for the right things. There’s plenty of imitations out there, and I’ve been suckered a couple of times. Admittedly, I look for a good design that’s appealing to my eye without paying attention to the little details. For instance, does the flame stay lit in the wind? As in, if I were dropping it from a certain height into a crowd of zombies standing in a pool of gasoline, should I be worried the flame is going to go out before it reaches its intended target? These are the things I should be thinking about when searching for a Zippo.

Design is still important, but the finer details make all the difference. The imitations that would have you believe they’re real Zippos look the same, but they don’t function exactly the same. The lighter fluid runs out faster, and the wick seems almost flame-resistant. That should not be. At some point, the flint will probably snap off, too, and then it becomes completely useless to me, because I’m lost when it comes to replacing part for a lighter. After all, it’s just a lighter.

However, Zippos aren’t just lighters. They can be your best friend if you end up in a completely dark place with no other source of light, like a flashlight. They can help you start a fire in the wilderness when you don’t have survival tools. It’s hard to tell the difference between the fakers and the real thing sometimes, but if you follow the links throughout the article, you’ll find the real deal available for purchase.

The Importance of a Good Survival Knife

by Chris Vegvary

You know what’s fun? Knives. Not that it’s fun to let children play with or anything, but us adults can enjoy the look, feel, and uses of a good blade. Whether it’s a rubber knife for training or a military-style machete for chopping brush out of the way, knives, blades, and survival items of the like are so important when you’re out there in the wilderness. You may not think it when you’re at home packing for a hunting trip or something, but when you get there, you might wish you had. What could be the reason for that? What if some crazy animal comes out of the woods looking to make you its next meal? That right there is a good reason to carry a knife, even if it’s only for self-defense.

It’s good to have a blade with some chopping power behind it, so keeping it covered and sharpened is important. If you don’t believe me, just go ask Bear Grylls, who is apparently one of the experts when it comes to surviving in the wild. Some of the knives he sells come with important survival tools other than just a knife, including fire starters. Think about being stuck out there in nature with no way home, and all you have is your Bear Grylls survival knife. It’s getting cold and you need warmth. Pull out the fire starter hidden away in the handle and boom, instant campfire (some assembly required). Just remember that it’s always smart to have a good survival knife any time you go out for more than a day.

Is it Fun to Go Hunting?

by Chris Vegvary

I’ve never been hunting before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even been given the opportunity. I’ve never felt any particular desire to do it, but I like to think that I would go at least once in my life. While I’m not too keen on shooting an animal (animal person over here) that hasn’t really done anything to me, I can see the need for it if something were to happen to force me into a situation of survival.

In that case, I’d want the proper gear with me, starting with a good hunting knife. I know very little about guns, but I’d know enough to bring along some shooting accessories. Obviously, we want some good eye protection for keeping our line of sight clear. Let’s don’t forget a good pair of boots for trekking through any kind of terrain, because no one likes getting stuck in the mud. Do we want to bring any kind of bug spray or anything to keep the insects away? I say, why not.

But is it going to be fun? I understand there’s a lot of sitting and patience required for hunting. If that’s the case, what do you do in the meantime? Do you read? Listen to music or informational CDs? It sounds boring, but I’d much rather know how in the case of a world-ending event that causes all electronics to no longer work (spoiling the food on my fridge) than not. And in the end, isn’t that what hunting’s really about? No? Ah, I’ll figure it out one day.

Born Survivor

Everybody loves to hear stories about survival. It could be about someone that was lost at sea or lost in the woods. It’s always inspiring to hear how that person was able to survive and managed to make their way back home safe and sound.  We try to put ourselves in their situations and think about how we would have reacted and what we would be capable of doing in order to stay alive. There are even a number of shows dedicated to these scenarios. One of the shows included is “I shouldn’t be alive” which has the real survivors retelling their stories of how they got into danger and what they had to do in order to make it out of it. Some other shows such as “Survivorman” and “Man vs. Wild” show the viewer what to do and how to survive in certain situations.

Now, the host of Discovery’s “Man vs. Wild” Bear Grylls is working with Gerber, one of the best knife companies out there. Together they have developed a new line of knives, machetes, and fire starters for people to purchase. These items are made with the highest quality materials and even come packaged with land to air rescue SOS instructions and a pocket sized survival guide which contains some of Bear’s best survival tips. The machete or “parang” has an angled stainless steel blade to allow the user to clear brush and limbs with ease. The fire starter is compact and comes with a waterproof storage container and a lanyard to keep the item intact. All of their knives are made with a stainless steel blade and comfortable rubber slip resistant grip and are available in a variety of different styles.

 So, now that you have the tools and knowledge, go out there and put your skills to the test. Are you a survivor?

Simple Survival and Safety

In today's increasingly dangerous world one has to be prepared for all sorts of contigencies. We have a choice. We can either live in fear or we can take control of our own destinies. While law enforcement personnel do a fine job protecting our citizens, they cannot be in all places at all times. Much like our pilgrim and pioneer ancestors, we have a certain responsibility to protect and defend ourselves.

This isn't hard to do. It's quite simple really. Something as simple as a whistle could save your life.

A loud, shrill noise has the potential to scare off assailants as well as alerting others around you to the fact that you're in danger.

Pepper sprays are also a non-violent means of self-defense.

Of course the best protection is to avoid risky areas and situations in the first place, but caution can only take us so far. It never hurts to have some back up.