DON’T MISS: WHY HUNTING MAKES YOU A BETTER SURVIVOR

STAYING SAFE
WHEN YOU’RE IN
BEAR COUNTRY

IN THIS ISSUE: MARCH 2019

NON-LETHAL NOVEL USES

WEAPONS TO FOR YOUR
FIGHT BACK SOLAR OVEN

DO YOU HAVE KEEP YOUR

WHAT IT TAKES CAR RUNNING
TO SURVIVE? AFTER THE SHTF

STOP A SNOWFALL HOW TO AVOID

FROM RUINING BEING CAUGHT
YOUR ROOF OFF GUARD

and more…
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

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Contents ,

WHY HUNTING WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER SURVIVOR

FEATURED This last weekend I was asked to explain why I believe every survivalist take up hunting. Of
course, the short answer is so you won't ever starve, but there's a little more to it than that…

STAYING SAFE WHEN YOU'RE IN BEAR COUNTRY

page 4 I shouldn't have to tell you about the dangers you face when you head into the wild. From
getting lost to taking a fall, one area that gets a surprising amount of press is animal attacks…

NOVEL USES FOR YOUR SOLAR OVEN

page 5 When the grid goes down you're going to be glad you have a solar oven in your stockpile. Not
only does it allow you to cook your food without burning vital fuel, it's an inexpensive device…

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING AFTER THE SHTF

page 6 When the SHTF one of your most valuable assets is going to be your car, that is, as long as you
can keep it running. Because there will be no gas stations to top up at, and no garages to help…

DON'T GET CAUGHT OFF-GUARD IN A CRISIS

page 8 If any crisis in recent history has shown us anything, it's that the world is not a safe place. There
are people out there with bad intentions, just waiting for the opportunity to strike. Only you…

NON-LETHAL WEAPONS TO FIGHT BACK

page 9 I'm a big supporter of being able to protect yourself no matter what. You never know what a
bad guy is intending, and without an edge in the fight, it could end very badly. But I get that…

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE?

page 10 When you start to learn a little about survival, you'll be surprised at just how many real-life
situations where people were able to survive with nothing. You see, there's one overarching…

STOP A SNOWFALL RUINING YOUR ROOF

page 11 Living on a homestead is a lifestyle choice I'll never regret making, but each year when the snow
starts to fall I always get a brief feeling of dread. There's a beauty to the winter wonderland…

SMART HOMESTEADING TIPS FOR APARTMENT-DWELLERS

page 13 I've been a fan of homesteading for a long time, it's a dream I've had since I was a kid. Yet it was
only a few years ago I was able to finally make a down-payment on the perfect property…

1
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

WHY HUNTING WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER SURVIVOR

This last weekend I was asked to
explain why I believe every survivalist
take up hunting.
Of course, the short answer is so you
won't ever starve, but there's a little
more to it than that.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan
of the outdoors and taking care of the
natural world, but I'm also a big fan of
hunting.
It's a tradition my grandfather passed
down to my dad, one he passed to me.
HUNTING GIVES YOU SKILLS
WITH YOUR FIREARM
There's no question that knowing your
way around a gun is a good survival
trait that everyone who cares about
their own safety in a crisis should learn.
Practice is a skill you'll hear me harp on
about again and again, but it's vital.
Getting comfortable with shooting,
learning to control the weapon, and
mastering the aim and the perfect shot
are vital to a good hunt.
HUNTING BOOSTS YOUR
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
One of the most valuable skills you
need to master for survival is the art of
staying aware.
Knowing what's going on around you
at all times, feeling the "pulse" of a
particular environment, and being ready
to act when an opportunity comes.
To be successful in your hunts, you
need to attune yourself with the woods
around you.

Hopefully I'll get to share it one day
with my kids.
Because I understand we no longer live
in the old pioneer days, but I also
worry.
Our generation has become too
accustomed to convenience.
Supermarkets stocked full of processed
foods and ready-to-eat meals, and
despite the growing "organic" trend, I
believe we've lost touch with our roots.
But this also translates to self-defense.
If you've ever in a position where you
need to protect yourself, being
comfor table with your firear m,
knowing how to load and fire it “how to
efficiently, will go a long way to keeping
yourself, and your family safe. make the
Especially if you’re a decent shot.
split-second
Take the time to learn how to shoot.
decision
Even if it involves a little time spent on

Many people have never had to catch

and eat their own food, and they have
almost no idea what goes into a
successful hunt. If you want to have
any hope at surviving a crisis, you need
to learn to hunt. Here's why.
the range with your practice targets. and pull the
Over time, you'll improve, and will get
more proficient in your accuracy, your trigger…”
ability to focus, and of course, how to
make the split-second decision and pull
the trigger.

2
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

cont.

Learning the different patterns, sounds

and behaviors of your prey, while also
training yourself to adapt to the almost
guaranteed unpredictability of the
outdoors.

Everything from the weather to the

conditions, the animals around, and the
time of year will challenge your abilities
to think outside of the box.

You'll develop the ability to remain still

and patient, while learning to trust your
gut about a particular sign. These
instincts translate well to survival, as it
sharpens your ability to watch and
observe, and react appropriately to
whatever situation presents. You'll learn
how to take care in your actions, and
it'll get easier to notice when something
just feels wrong. A feeling deep in your
gut that may just save your life.

HUNTING DEVELOPS YOUR

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

In a crisis, it's not only about being the

strongest or fittest. You need the
strength of character to keep yourself
sane, when everything around you turns
to chaos.

What I've learnt most from my time in

the woods is discipline.

Successful hunts are those where you've

taken the time to prepare, scouting
locations, cleaning your gear, and
planning your strategy instead of
simply wandering off into the woods.

It's time consuming, but any successful
hunter will tell you that it's discipline
which leads to their success.
Of course, not every hunt will be a
good one, and you're sure to experience
your fair share of disappointments. A
missed shot. A wasted day.
The important part is deciding how
you'll deal with these. Over time, I've
discovered you simply need to let it go.
You won't always do everything
perfectly, the key is to learn and
improve, and perhaps next time you'll
be ready.
When the SHTF, it's going to take
everything you've got to stop yourself
giving in to the despair and stressors
which now exist in every simple task.
The discipline and ability to learn from
your mistakes you've developed will be
fundamental to staying sane during
those trying times.
HUNTING GETS YOU OFF OF
THE COUCH AND INTO THE
WOODS
Finally, and perhaps most importantly,
is one simple fact. Getting geared up
and going hunting gets you off the
couch and into the great outdoors. But
not only during hunting season.
I'll be out building hides or scouting
new patches of trees, walking for miles
looking for the perfect areas to hunt.
I've lost count of the hours I've spent
tracking animals, reading signs and
suffering everything mother nature has
thrown at me, but it's also wonderfully
positive.
You see, I'm that much more self-
reliant now. I know where to find water
in my local environment. I've learnt,
studied and actually tried to eat most of
the edible plants I'm planning to
survive on.
I'm confident that if I throw together a
quick lean-to, it's not going to collapse
on me as soon as the wind changes
direction.
There's much to be said about the
benefits of learning first-hand the skills
you need to survive in the woods, and
hunting gets you out there and doing
just that. Practical experience with your
gun, learning precisely what you need
to know to use it effectively in a crisis.
If you've been looking for a new hobby
to support your survivalist goals, you
need to start hunting.
The skills you develop will improve
your ability to survive ten-fold, and
you'll get much more confident in
yourself.
T he best possible outcome in
preparation for a SHTF event.

3
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
STAYING SAFE
WHEN YOU'RE
IN BEAR COUNTRY
I shouldn't have to tell you about the
dangers you face when you head into
the wild. From getting lost to taking a
fall, one area that gets a surprising
amount of press is animal attacks. Of
course, with less than three people a
year even killed by bears, it's still a very
real risk, especially if you're hiking and
camping in remote areas with lots of
animal activity.
But it's not just bears. When you're
camping you risk coming across
everything from mountain lions to
allig ators, not to mention the
fearsomely aggressive moose. Follow
these tips and make sure you're not on
the wrong side of an animal attack.
LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME
As much as I like taking my two dogs
with me when I'm hiking in the wild,
there are certain areas it's best to leave
them at home. Your dogs will bark and
aggravate a bear, and while you can
train your dogs to bay and intimidate
larger prey, most dogs won't have this
instinct.
They will run in and attack, and against
a larger bear, I can tell you this. It won't
end well. And if they do happen to
escape, they'll most likely be scared and
afraid, running straight back into your
arms with the bear in hot pursuit. Bears
have a chase instinct, and will charge
your pets.
DON’T FEED THE BEARS
There's a reason for all the signs
warning against feeding wild animals.
People like to bait them to come close
for a selfie or to get a better look,
which only seeks to condition the bears
to expect food when humans are
around. If you disappoint them, that's
when they get frustrated, and you've
got an angry bear to deal with.
Don't give the bears any reason to
approach your camp, and for god's
sake, don't feed them. This is training
them that human camps are a food
source, and that's not good for anyone.
Especially if they've got cubs. It's not
worth it for a picture, especially if the
mother bear suddenly decides her cubs
are in danger. She will attack you.
DESTROY ALL FOOD SCENTS
Bears have an uncanny sense of smell,
and will track the scent of a fresh kill
right back to your camp.
It's your responsibility to ensure all of
your food supplies are sealed in bear-
proof containers, and strung up in the
trees to keep them out of reach.
The same goes for your clothes and
cooking. Setup a separate camp for
cleaning your kills, cooking and eating
your meals, and make sure that you've
cleaned your hands, cooking gear and
your dishes, and any blood that may
have gotten on your clothes off before
you return back to your camp to sleep.
Sleeping in clothes you've been cooking
in is a big mistake, as the bears will
smell the food, and you will get mauled
when they come to investigate.
DON’T RISK IT ALONE
Hiking alone though an area where
you've got large populations of bears
isn't a good idea. You want another pair
of eyes and ears keeping watch, and if
there's two of you (or more) you'll
make twice as much noise as you're
hiking. Which is important. Bears
usually attack when they're startled, so
the noisier you are the better.
And if you do happen to startle one,
stick together. Appearing larger and
more threatening than you are may
spook a black bear and scare it off. Or
if you do get attacked, at least you've
got a friend there to help administer
first aid. Just don't try and intimidate a
grizzly, they'll see it as a challenge and
you will lose. You're better off playing
dead until the grizzly loses interest.
ARM YOURSELF WITH THE
RIGHT WEAPONS
Being able to defend yourself is
paramount, and you won't catch me in
the woods with bears around without at
least my 12-guage shotgun.
The noise is often enough to scare a
bear off, and if I do happen to get
charged the stopping power should be
plenty to give me the advantage.
I've also got a canister of bear spray I
carry with me (I'd much rather use this
first if I have a choice), to distress and
deter whatever bear I come across.
Many products offer a range of several
feet, which is usually more than enough
to get a good spray in and scare them
off and away from you and your camp.
4
BE AS NOISY AS POSSIBLE
"Ho bear" is a call you should be
making at regular intervals when you're
hiking in bear country, as you want to
be as noisy as possible. Startled bears
get angry, and that's when they attack.
Because their eyesight is much worse
than ours, if you surprise a bear, they
are most likely to attack first.
You want to make as much commotion
and noise as you can, to reduce the
chances a bear doesn't hear you
coming. Being noisy is often enough
for the bears to get a look at you and
move away, before a confrontation even
occurs.
SACRIFICE YOUR PACK
If you do happen to surprise a bear and
backing away is no longer an option,
you may be able to escape if you
sacrifice your pack. Bears are hungry
creatures, and they really just want to
secure their next meal. If you've got
food in your pack, drop it and then
back away.
The bear will smell it (if it's not too
heavily wrapped), and will start going to
town on your pack to get it out. Losing
your kit hurts, but much less than
having your backpack mauled off your
body if the bear catches up to you
while you're escaping. Sacrifice your
pack, and slowly back away.
Staying safe when you're hiking through
bear country requires a little common
sense, the ability to act noisily as you
trek through the woods, and ensuring
every possible scent of food is
destroyed (or at least not brought back
to your camp). That's how you'll keep
the bears away, and that's how you'll
stay safe. Happy trails!
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
NOVEL USES FOR YOUR SOLAR OVEN
When the grid goes down you're going
to be glad you have a solar oven in your
stockpile. Not only does it allow you to
cook your food without burning vital
fuel, it's an inexpensive device that will
help you with a number of survival-
related tasks.
HOW DOES A SOLAR OVEN
WORK?
If you hadn't guessed from the name,
let me make it clear how these nifty
little devices work. A solar oven
harnesses the power of the sun to
cook, focusing and amplifying the
power of the rays to a central point.
Kind of like using a magnifying glass to
burn leaves as a kid, a solar oven works
on a similar fashion, concentrating the
light from the sun into the pan or dish
placed inside. With a little time, it'll
cook whatever is in there, but this isn't
all a solar oven is good for.
MAKING WATE R S AFE TO
DRINK
In a crisis you can't expect the water in
your taps to continue to flow, and even
if it does, it's not safe to drink. There
could be bacteria or other harmful
contaminants, especially if you're
needing to source water from a lake or
a stream. Water must be sterilized
before you drink it, and that's where a
solar oven comes into play.
It takes about an hour to heat water to
an acceptable level, you don't need to
boil it. Instead, you just need to
pasteurize it (the process they use with
milk), which is essentially just getting
the water above 149 degrees Fahrenheit
for 6 minutes or more. This kills all
bacteria, parasites and pathogens, and
it'll be safe to drink. On a sunny day,
you'll achieve this in under an hour.
CANNING FRUITS AND
MAKING JAM
Stick the canning jars right in the solar
cooker with the fruits inside first thing
in the morning, leaving them for the
majority of the day. By the late
afternoon these have heated until
boiling point, and then I remove them,
sealing the lid and letting each cool
before it goes into storage.
I've also lost count of the batches of
homemade jam I've cooked up in my
solar oven, it's great for anything that
needs to simmer for hours.
DEHYDRATING FRUITS AND
MEATS
Another trick I like to do is to use my
solar oven as a dehydrator. Trays of
fruit like apricots work fantastic in here,
especially once they come into season
and the price at my local farmers
market drops through the floor.
5
I've also used it to dehydrate strips of
deer and make my own jerky, which is
great because when I do get the chance
to go out and hunt, I like to ensure
none of the meat is wasted.
DRYING OUT YOUR WORK
GEAR AND BOOTS
Now you may not want to do this in
the same solar oven you're using for all
of your food, but if you're suffering
with wet clothes and have no means to
dry them out, a solar oven is a handy
tool. I've got one we specially created
for all of our winter mittens, socks and
scarves, and it's also big enough should
I need to hang my jacket in there too. I
simply set the entire oven in the sun,
with the clothes inside. Even during
winter, it heats up quite considerably,
enough to remove the moisture from all
of the clothes inside.
REMOVING BUGS FROM YOUR
GRAIN STORES
Sometimes it feels like no matter what
you do, the bugs still get into your rice
and other grains. Little weevil things
that don't actually do you any harm if
you do eat them, but they're a little
unappetizing to see. Normally I'd throw
these out, but this last winter we
actually had mold destroy quite a bit of
our stores thanks to a leaky roof, so I
wanted to save the bug-ridden stuff.
Placing bowls of rice in the solar
cooker before I cooked it killed the
bugs, making it easy to clear them out
when I needed the rice. Was nice not
throwing it all away.
STERILIZING SUPPLIES AND
INSTRUMENTS
If you've got a need to sterilize
anything, you can simply stick it inside a
solar oven and let the sun do its job.
The heat achieved inside will kill
bacteria and other pathogens, which is a
trick used by doctors in field hospitals
all over the world. Personally, I've not
had a need for this yet, but I have taken
t o s t e r i l i z i n g m y b e e r- m a k i n g
equipment in the oven, and it works
surprisingly well.
If you're on the fence about buying a
solar oven, let me help you make the
right decision. Not only does it give you
a means to cook when the grid goes
down, you can use it for everything
from sterilizing water to drying out
your clothes. For anyone keen on
creating a sustainable lifestyle, it's a
must-have piece of equipment for your
survival stockpile.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING AFTER THE SHTF

When the SHTF one of your most ENSURE YOU’VE GOT U N D E R S TA N D B A S I C C A R

valuable assets is going to be your car,
that is, as long as you can keep it
running.
Because there will be no gas stations to
top up at, and no garages to help fix
whatever is wrong.
Of course, major repairs aren't going to
be possible in most backyard garages,
but there are a few things you can do to
ensure your car continues to run for as
long as possible.
BUY AN OLD DIESEL TRUCK
After watching the guys on Top Gear
put a 1983 Toyota Hilux through the
works, it's my advice to buy one of
these.
They purposefully crashed it,
submerged it in the ocean for several
hours, dropped an RV on it, and let it
fall 240 feet from the roof of an
imploding building, the car still started,
and was able to drive.
That's impressive.
ENOUGH FUEL
Keeping your car running will require
fuel. We've got a rather large stockpile
of diesel to operate our heavy
equipment, which in a crisis could be
used in our old Toyota. Our tank's got a
little over 10,000 gallons, which should
be plenty to keep it operational until
things return to normal.
But just in case I've also been working
on a wood gasifier over the winter and
hope to install this permanently on
another of our vehicles in the coming
weeks, it works to convert the gases in
wood and charcoal into a fuel that can
run a combustion engine.
GET A SET OF JUMPER CABLES
When cars have been sitting for too
long the first thing to go is the charge
in the battery.
Without it you may need to do a push
start (on a manual car), or to simply
jump start it from another vehicle.
MAINTENANCE
Getting your vehicles services regularly
is a smart idea, but there are a few
things you can do at home to prevent
smaller problems from becoming a big
one once the auto shops are closed.
Make a habit of regularly checking the
fluid levels in your car, which includes
the brake, transmission, oil, and
coolants. I also like to add a few drops
of dish soap to my wiper tank, it helps
the washers work better once I fire
these up to clean my windshield.
“Make a
habit of
regularly
checking

I've got a slightly newer Hilux on my

homestead (1988), and the thing
doesn't ever miss a beat. If you're
looking for a reliable car that will
continue no matter what, buy an old
diesel Hilux.
One of the most important things you
can have in your car in a crisis is a set
the fluid
of jumper cables, just in case.
levels”
You'd actually be surprised at how
often I've had to use mine these last
couple of years.

6
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

cont.

I've also bought an air compressor to

better check and re-pressurize my tires
and any spares, to help keep their air
levels at the optimum pressure, and
extend the life of my tires.

INVEST IN THE RIGHT

UPGRADES TO YOUR CAR

Aftermarket accessories definitely have

a place for preparedness, but we're not
talking about spoilers or things
designed to make your car pretty.

Consider upgrading your brake pads to

high-temperature options, which will
help you slow down faster should you
need to hit the brakes hard. Other
considerations like a roll cage, larger
tires, or even raising your truck could
help to make it more durable in the
event of a disaster.

One particular thing I like to do, is to

replace my tires before they wear out
completely, but take them home instead
of leaving the tires for the mechanics.
Right now, I've got two sets of spare
tires which are ready (and legal) to be
used, just in case I need to swap these
out at any stage. I've also installed a grill
guard, which gives me the ability to use
my truck as a makeshift battering ram
without doing significant damage to the
car, if I ever need to break through a
fence or push another car out of the
way in a SHTF event.

Oh, and don't forget simple things like

being able to communicate. I've got a
CB radio installed that allows my truck
and our home base to stay in close
contact, as well as a series of lights
rigged up should I ever need to fully
illuminate one of our fields or part of
the property at night.
PUT TOGETHER A RESCUE KIT
This is especially critical if you're going
to be doing any sort of off-roading, but
I'd recommend every car owner put
together one of these (you may need to
take a normal car off the asphalt to
avoid an accident or road closure).
But not only that, I've also got a bug
out kit I keep in my truck.
It's got everything I need to survive up
to 72 hours, including food, water,
blankets as well as shelter and fire
making supplies.
Not directly related to keeping your car
running when the SHTF, but a good
practice to follow.
Being able to stop yourself from
getting in an accident in the first place
will go a long way to keeping your car
running once the SHTF.
Oh, and the same goes for driving. The
more aggressively you drive the more
stress you put on your car, which will
wear it out faster.
Slow it down to make your car last.

In short, it's everything you need to get
your car back on the road. In mine is a
set of tow ropes and shackles. I've also
attached a winch to the front grill guard
of my car, which means I'll be able to
pull my car out of whatever trouble I
get in. Of course, a spare tire and a jack
is vital, and I've even got a little 12V air
compressor that I can use to keep my
tires up in a pinch.
KNOW HOW TO DRIVE
DEFENSIVELY
If you've never done a defensive
driving course, I can highly recommend
it. Under the guidance of instructors,
you'll learn what to do in order to get
yourself out of common situations on
the road, like losing control after hitting
an oil or ice slick, and how to properly
look ahead for hazards.
There's no question that a car is a
valuable piece of equipment in a crisis,
and by following these steps you can go
a long way towards keeping your car
running for as long as possible.
Are you doing everything you can to
ensure your car will continue to run
once the SHTF?

7
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
DON'T GET CAUGHT
OFF-GUARD IN A CRISIS
If any crisis in recent history has shown
us anything, it's that the world is not a
safe place. There are people out there
with bad intentions, just waiting for the
opportunity to strike.
Only you can guarantee your safety, and
it's your job to be prepared. Otherwise
you risk getting caught off-guard by the
wrong people, and a bad situation
immediately takes a turn for the worst.
Over the years I've spent countless
hours on self-defense training, martial
arts and thousands of rounds sent
down the shooting range. And as my
girls get older there's a few lessons I've
passed down to them that I'd like to
share with all of you. Some of this is
basic, but bear with me, it's important.
YOUR CONFIDENCE BECOMES
A SHIELD
Ask any criminal, and you'll quickly
learn there are a few key things they
look for when choosing a mark. They
seek to find victims, people who are
vulnerable or appear weak, as they
make for an easy target, and a quick
score. Your job is to be the opposite of
this. Walk with your head held high, and
use your confidence as a shield, no
matter what you're feeling inside. Just
remember, confidence doesn't mean
ignorance. Get your eyes off your
phone and your headphones out. Pay
attention to your surroundings or you
risk being caught off guard even if
you're walking with confidence.
YOUR GUT DESERVES TO BE
LISTENED TO
Have you ever had the feeling a certain
situation was just wrong? It's important
to never second-guess yourself when it
comes to your instincts, and if you're
getting a bad vibe from a particular
place or a person, get out of there as
fast as you can.
Don't worry about embarrassing the
people you're with or that you may be
overreacting. Most people have a good
inner sense of danger, but few actually
listen to it. The trick is to learn to listen
to it, and act when something feels off.
YOUR SCHEDULE SHOULDN’T
BE A ROUTINE
When your life is totally predictable,
you are painting a target on your back.
Of course, it can be difficult to not be
at your desk during office hours, or
attend certain classes each week, but
the trick here is to vary your routine.
Use different routes to get to school,
don't shop in the same grocery store
every week, and be a little more
spontaneous in your life. That way if
anyone is watching, they won't be able
to predict your every move, and it’s a
little harder to catch you unawares.
YOUR NOSE SHOULDN’T BE IN
OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS
I'm a big proponent for sticking up for
the little guy, but it has got me into
trouble on more than one occasion.
Twice I've ended up in a hospital bed.
If you're in a bad situation, the biggest
piece of advice I can give you is to keep
your mouth shut and not get involved.
People are unpredictable, and if you're
stepping in and aggravating a situation
further, you'll be the one in their sights.
Unless you can end the situation then
and there, it's better to keep your nose
out of other people's business.
YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT’S
GOING ON AROUND YOU
Otherwise known as situational
awareness, this is a technique developed
from what is essentially "active"
looking. Whenever you enter a room,
look around and make note of the
people inside, the mood within, and any
escape routes.
8
If something looks out of place, pay
attention, and plan of what you'll do in
case things escalate. By thinking about
this before it happens, you'll gain vital
seconds should chaos erupt around
you.The faster you can react, the better
your chances of survival.
YOU’RE ALWAYS ARMED AND
READY
Whenever you step outside, it's
important you've got a means to defend
yourself. Hopefully it's a concealed
carry firearm alongside the training and
means to use it, but at a bare minimum
you should know basic self-defensive
fighting moves, and be carrying a can
of pepper spray. If you notice anyone
around you acting suspicious, don't be
afraid to get yourself ready, like putting
your hand on your gun that's in your
handbag, just in case. The faster you're
able to brandish your weapon, the
quicker you can fight off your attacker
YOU’RE PRACTICING GOOD
SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
The final step is to be defensive in your
life. Lock your car doors once you get
in to stop the chances someone else
jumps in, install security lights so you've
got a well-lit path to your door, and
never leave your back door or windows
unlocked on your home.
Most bad guys are opportunistic, and if
you make it difficult for them to get
one over on you, they will move on to
an easier target.
In a crisis it's important you're able to
not only defend yourself, but you're
actively practicing the techniques you
can use to stay a little more aware, and a
little more prepared. Because the only
person you can truly trust with your
back is yourself, and if you're not
looking out for yourself, who will?
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
NON-LETHAL WEAPONS TO FIGHT BACK
I'm a big supporter of being able to
protect yourself no matter what. You
never know what a bad guy is
intending, and without an edge in the
fight, it could end very badly.
But I get that many people don't have
the ability to buy a gun (or carry it with
them at all times).
Perhaps the rules in your state forbid it,
your age, or just your personal beliefs
and situation mean it's not practical to
have a firearm.
So what options do you have?
Luckily there are a whole host of
alternative weapons you can use when a
gun isn't the answer to your problems.
DEFEND WITH PEPPER SPRAY
One of my go-to items for self-defense
is pepper spray. If you're wanting an
option to completely blind and
disorient an attacker, a short spray in
their face will send their eyes tearing up
and take them out of the fight.
It's probably one of the most effective
options on this list, as you can strike at
a distance (most pepper spray canisters
give you a range of at least a few feet,
some much more), and it's very
effective. Take down your opponent
before getting a chance to escape.
DEFEND WITH A STRIKE
LIGHT
My wife keeps one of these in her car
at all times, and for good reason. It's a
combination flashlight and baton,
crafted from an aircraft-grade
aluminum so it's lightweight yet
incredibly sturdy. Giving you the ability
to hit hard and fast, before your
attacker knows what's what. The strobe
feature is another nice addition, as the
blinding torch gives you an added edge,
while the wrist strap ensures this
weapon remains firmly in your grasp,
no matter what happens during the
fight. It's one of the most versatile
survival items you can carry with you.
DEFEND WITH A BASEBALL
BAT
You've seen the movies, right. As soon
as the star hears a bump in the night he
reaches in the closet for his trusty
baseball bat before going to investigate.
Now while U wouldn't recommend this
strategy in a home invasion, a baseball
bat is a wonderful piece of defensive
gear. It not only extends your reach, but
it's a weapon designed specifically for
hitting, and that's what it does best. I've
got a small duffel of baseball gear
tucked under the back seat of my car,
so I'm always ready to toss a ball
around with my kids, or grab the bat if
someone is intending us harm.
9
DEFEND WITH ARMORED
FISTS
Also known as a brass knuckle, the
knuckle duster is a solid piece of metal
you slip over your fingers, like a series
of metal rings, to amplify your
punching power in a fight. It's
incredibly effective, allowing you to hit
with more strength and a heavier swing
than you could using your fists alone.
When I'm running in the early hours of
the morning, I like to wear these as they
add a nice bit of weight to my hands as
I run, and give me an advantage should
I need to defend myself. Plus, it would
look a little strange going for a run
while carrying a baseball bat…
DEFEND WITH A STRIKE PEN
Building on a device known as a
kubotan, the strikepen follows a similar
concept. It's a hefty and solid self-
defense tool, small enough to fit in your
purse or your pocket. And to the
untrained eye looks just like a bulky
pen. It even works the same as a
normal ball-point pen. Until you need
to defend yourself that is. Gripping the
strikepen in your fist, it becomes like a
pick axe, with a hardened tip that does
an immense amount of damage when
you swing it, especially if you're
targeting sensitive areas like the temple,
head or the neck.
DEFEND WITH A TASER
There's a reason many police officers
carry a taser, it's a staple for non-lethal
self-defense. Essentially a small
electronic device that delivers a high-
powered electric shock to your attacker,
it's extremely painful and will drop
anyone to the ground, rendering them
helpless as their body succumbs to
painful convulsions and muscle
contractions. You can get both
handheld options as well as types
known as a "stun gun" which shoot two
prongs that deliver the charge. Plus, you
can usually continue pulling the trigger
to deliver repeated shocks until the
charge runs out.
Of course, a concealed carry firearm is
the most effective means of self-
defense, especially if you've got an
ankle holster or a means of keeping
your firearm within easy reach in any
situation. But if you've not got the
luxury of having a gun with you, or
prefer a non-lethal means of fighting
back, these alternative options for self-
defense are your best bet. Arm yourself
right, and you'll always have the edge in
a fight.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
DO YOU HAVE
WHAT IT TAKES
TO SURVIVE?
When you start to learn a little about
survival, you'll be surprised at just how
many real-life situations where people
were able to survive with nothing. You
see, there's one overarching theme to
every tale of survival, and it's not the
fancy backpack or your swish new
hiking boots. It's your will to survive.
The ability to push everything else
aside, and draw from an untapped
reservoir of will to not give up when
challenge after challenge presents.
But in my experience, I believe you can
develop this willpower. You see, being
able to survive a hardship requires a
particular set of traits, that we group
together as "willpower" but when
separated, give a number of different
areas to become a better survivalist.
If you want to increase your survival
chances, here's what you need to do.
USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
If you've got kids you've probably
experienced the "why" stage at one
point or another. Kids have this
boundless enthusiasm for learning, that
has them questioning everything
around them. My advice, is to adopt a
similar approach. Question "why"
particular things work, and invest the
time it takes to figure out the inner
workings.
“You need
to be able
to cotrol
your
fears…”
You'll be surprised at how many
explanations exist once you start asking
why. And the more you know about
how everything around you actually
works, the better off you will be once
you need to fix it (or hack an
improvisation).
For me, my dad was my best teacher,
and his approach to always tackle
whatever problem arose around our
home provided the base knowledge I
needed when I started my own
homestead. And if you ever get stuck,
there's a wealth of information
available in books, or on sites like
YouTube, at the click of your fingers.
Use every opportunity as one to learn.
U S E E V E RY C H A N C E TO
SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS
There's a reason professional athletes
spend so much time on the practice
court, because it really does help hone
their skills and sharpen their abilities.
The same approach applies for survival.
Without practice, you've only got
theoretical knowledge, which may not
help you in a real crisis.
If you're planning to build your own
shelter, or start a fire with a flint and
steel, you better make sure you know
how to do it, before the SHTF. Because
good survival skills aren’t something
you can learn from the computer
screen alone. You need more than a
basic understanding of what to do, you
need real-world application, that you
can only get through doing it yourself.
For anyone who has started a fire with
a bow drill, you know exactly what I
mean. Solid principles of survival from
the books are often much harder to
implement in real life. My family
spends at least one weekend a month in
the woods, hiking and camping to
remote spots as we actually love the
outdoors, but it also gives us the ability
to prepare for a bug out. We practice
key survival skills like trapping and
fishing, shelter building, and have a
good understanding of the conditions
we'll face, at all times of the year,
should we need to bug out. That's the
kind of practice that ensures you won't
have any surprises when the SHTF.
USE YOUR TIME TO HONE A
HEALTHY BODY
I've talked about this in a number of
other posts, but if you're not living a
healthy lifestyle now, you can bet your
body isn't going to hold up when it
really counts.
10
Take the time out of your schedule to
commit to an exercise program, and get
your fitness levels up. I started with
short walks around the block, slowly
working my way up to longer and
longer hikes carrying more and more
gear. Because the one piece of gear
you'll always have with you is your
body. You need to get in shape.
These days, I'm completely confident
my legs could carry me, and my bug out
kit, straight out of dodge, and I know
I'd make it the 50-odd miles to my bug
out location. Would yours?
USE YOUR ATTITUDE
Underpinning the other qualities is the
importance of a healthy mind. The
stresses you will face during a real
disaster scenario are immense.
You need to be able to control your
fears, wind down your emotions, and
have strategies you can tap into to bring
your stress levels down. Being able to
find your center when all of the world
around you is descending into chaos
will help you keep a level head, so you
avoid making the wrong decisions when
it may matter most.
I've never been a big fan of meditation,
but there's many other things I like to
do to bring about a little calm. An
afternoon fishing in a quiet pond,
attacking the unrelenting stack of
firewood with my axe, or simply taking
a minute out of my day for a few
calming breaths really helps.
Developing the will to survive isn't
something that's unachievable by any
means, and you can help strengthen
your own resolve by focusing on these
four elements. Take the time to develop
a broad base of knowledge on many
subjects, get out there and practice your
skills, ensure you're not neglecting the
health of your body, and ensure you've
got a positive attitude, no matter what.
That's how you'll survive.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
STOP A SNOWFALL RUINING YOUR ROOF
Living on a homestead is a lifestyle
choice I'll never regret making, but each
year when the snow starts to fall I
always get a brief feeling of dread.
There's a beauty to the winter
wonderland, but behind the stunning
pictures is a sharp and deadly cold. And
the isolation that winter brings to us is a
challenge.
But not just from snow-blocked roads
to the storms which continually knock
out power. What I'm most concerned
with is the snow and ice building up on
my roof.
Last winter, a smaller hunting cabin of
mine gave way, and the roof collapsed.
If I'd been inside, it would have been
disastrous, as one of the beams
supporting the ceiling landed smack in
the middle of my bed. Right where I
would have been.
In the U.S. there's an average of 3,000
roof collapses each year from heavy
snow buildups on people’s roofs.
And 20 people die. Over winter I took the time to measure
out the different weights of different
It's something you may not have kinds of snow, so I've got a good gauge
thought much about, I certainly hadn't, on what "20 pounds" actually means. I
but it was a sobering wake up call. simply climbed up on the roof at
different parts of the winter, and
Over the last summer I did a little shoveled out a square foot of snow and
digging as I wanted to understand just ice. Then weighed it. Based on the
how much weight my roof could take. results, here's what I learnt.
It was far less than I thought.
Today, I want to share with you the
dangers of letting snow build up on
your roof, and how you can safely
“Do you
remove it.
know how
JUST HOW MUCH SNOW IS
TOO MUCH FOR MY ROOF? much the
There's a few different calculations you
can use, but as a good rule of thumb…
snow on
If your roof is in good condition (not your roof
damaged or decaying in any way) it
should support about 20 pounds of
snow on every square foot of your
weighs…?”
roof.
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VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

SIMPLE TEST FOR FINDING THE WEIGHT OF SNOW

If you're looking up at your roof and thinking it's starting to feel a little dodgy, there's a quick and easy
test you can do to determine just how much the snow on your roof weighs.
• Get a garbage bag, a ladder and a small shovel
• Climb the ladder so you've access to your roof
• Mark out 1 square foot on the snow
• Shovel all of this snow and ice into your garbage bag
• Continue until you've removed all snow down to your roof tiles
• This includes any ice or denser packed snow
• Once you're done, climb down and weigh the bag
• It's the easiest way to accurately measure the weight of snow on your roof

FRESH SNOWFALL
Because it's so light and fluffy, it's the
least dense of all the different types.
I measured three snowfalls, and found
that 1 foot of fresh snow weighs about
5 to 6 pounds. So, you don't need to
start freaking out even if a storm drops
3 or 4 feet of snow overnight. Your
roof will still be around the 20 pounds
of weight mark, and all should be fine.
OLD SNOW
Once the snow has settled and has been
sitting on your roof a while, it
compacts. Which makes it a lot denser,
so it weighs a lot more. 1 foot of old
snow that's been on my roof a couple
of weeks (and has flattened out) weighs
about 20 pounds. If you've had a few
big snowfalls, it'll quickly overload what
your roof can handle.
Remember this. Just because your roof
doesn't look like it has a lot of snow on
there, doesn't mean it hasn't been
slowly adding up, soon becoming too
much for your roof to handle.
SIGNS YOUR ROOF IS ABOUT
TO GIVE OUT
Anything above 20 pounds of snow per
square foot is dangerous, and once your
roof is in the danger zone, you may
notice a few other things in addition to
the level of snow that's building on top.
• Any sagging in your ceiling, in the
ceiling boards or the support beams
• Any strange creaking, popping or
cracking noises from the roof
• Any difficulties in opening and
closing doors or windows properly
• Any cracks or splits developing in
your walls or masonry
• Any leaks coming from your roof
All of these indicate something is
definitely wrong, and your best option
is to remove the snow.
TIPS FOR REMOVING SNOW
FROM YOUR ROOF
This is definitely a two-person job, so
make sure you've got someone with you
to help hold and steady the ladder, and
pass you the tools as you need them.
It's dangerous to do this alone.
You could always opt for a plastic snow
rake with an extension arm if you were
worried about a fall from your ladder,
and then it's just a matter of
methodically scraping layer after layer
of snow from your roof.
Just be careful, as the roof snow can
(and will) start to slide at any moment,
causing a mini avalanche that will take
you with it if you’re not careful.
Make sure you're a safe distance away
to avoid getting caught in the sliding
snow, or having it knock you from the
ladder and taking a big fall.
Oh, and as you don't want the rake to
damage your roof, I'd recommend
leaving the last inch or two of snow on
there as a buffer.
And of course, always use plastic tools
to reduce the chances you do any
damage at all.
Once winter is over you're almost out
of the woods, make sure to check all of
your roof, gutters and drains for any
debris that may hinder the water
draining as the snow melts.
I also like to climb up in my attic to
ensure there's no leaks in and around
my chimney and the vents, so I can
plan my attack should any repairs need
to be made when the weather improves,
and to prevent things getting too bad
while I still can.
Smart homesteaders know the dangers
of snow building up on their roof, and
they're active in both checking the
weight and removing the snow to
ensure their homes and safety of their
families aren't at risk.
Do you know how much the snow on
your roof weighs?

12
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019

SMART HOMESTEADING TIPS FOR APARTMENT-DWELLERS

I've been a fan of homesteading for a
long time, it's a dream I've had since I
was a kid. Yet it was only a few years
ago I was able to finally make a down-
payment on the perfect property.
I spent the first 35 years of my life
l i v i n g i n s m a l l e r h o m e s, a n d
apartments, but that didn't stop my
homesteading dream. Because you
don't need acres of land to be a
successful homesteader. In fact, there's
many different ways you can be more
self-sufficient while living in an
apartment.
Today, I'm going to share with you a
number of tips for homesteading in an
apartment, that I used to do in my tiny
one-bedroom home. There is nothing
holding you back from a more self-
sufficient lifestyle, if you choose to be
more independent.
Not enough food to keep me going for
months, but it taught me the basics of
gardening which I still use to this day.
Oh, and if you've got hooks and can
setup hanging baskets, berries grow
great on a balcony.
CREATE YOUR OWN
COMPOSTER
Under my sink was where I created
another little homesteading
contraption.
My composter.
Using three five-gallon buckets that
stack together, drill holes in two of the
buckets and stack one in the third (the
one with no holes so nothing can leak).
Add in a bunch of shredded newspaper
CREATE A RAIN-CATCHMENT
DEVICE
I got this idea after a burst pipe in the
street left me without water for a few
days, and the bottles of water I had
saved ran out too fast.
On my balcony I built two special
benches on either end, which I
normally used as seats and a space to
put my plants.
But under each bench were two 7-
gallon plastic containers, which became
my "rainwater" tank.
“nothing

CREATE A GARDEN BALCONY

Heck, you don't even need a balcony.
Many plants will grow indoors, on a
sunny windowsill. You just need to
invest in a few pots that also have the
water catcher in the bottom, and a
handful of seeds. On my balcony I
grew beans, tomatoes, peppers and
chili, and had lemongrass, spring onions
and a massive bunch of basil growing
by the window in my kitchen.
and give it a quick spray of water, add
your food scraps and a bunch of
holding you
worms, then seal it with a lid. back from a
Toss in your vegetable and food scraps
as you go, and after a couple of weeks more self-
stack the third bucket in, and put the lid
on this. The worms will make their way
up into the next level, and after a few
sufficient
more weeks you can harvest the
compost from the initial bucket. Then lifestyle…”
simply rotate and repeat. Done right it
won't smell, and you'll have all the
fertilizer you need for your garden.

13
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - MARCH 2019
cont.
With a small funnel positioned to catch
the water that was funneled down from
the roof (our downpipes weren't all
that great), these containers would fill
after every rain, giving me a renewable
source of water.
It's not much, but it was all I had space
for, and it saved me a few months later
when the water went out again.
CREATE YOUR OWN
CLEANING PRODUCTS
To me, homesteading is about being as
self-sufficient as possible, while also
being frugal. Using recipes, I found
online, I taught myself how to make a
variety of different cleaning products
for my home, using natural items like
baking soda, vinegar, borax and lemons.
To this day I still use these same
cleaning products, and they are just as
effective as the harsh options that are
packed with god-only-knows different
chemicals. Making your own products
like this is key to being a homesteader,
but it doesn't need to just be cleaning.
You can make soaps, candles, and even
your own clothing if you're so inclined.
CREATE YOUR OWN POWER
Alternative energy is a movement I
fully believe in, but there are options
even if you've not got your own land.
Of course, you may not be able to set
up a solar array on the roof of a
building you don't own, but I was able
to attach a small wind turbine to my
balcony and take advantage of the
strong wind's we'd get on the 23rd
floor. This provided more than enough
power to charge my battery banks
which I'd use to run my LED lamps
and recharge all of my devices. Plus, it
was almost always available, which is
more than I can say for relying on the
city's grid for power.
CREATE A STOCKPILE OF
PRESERVED FOOD
Now I didn't have the space to grow
much in my apartment, but that didn't
stop me from buying fresh produce en-
masse at my local farmer's market,
especially when produce came in season
and was ridiculously cheap. I made
everything from jams to salsa, and
despite not having a whole lot of space,
I was able to pack quite a lot of canned
food into my kitchen cupboards, and
tucked under my bed along with the
other supplies in my stockpile.
14
CREATE UNIQUE STORAGE
SOLUTIONS
The biggest downfall with apartment
living is a distinct lack of space, so you
need to get smart with the furniture
you choose, and your plans for storing
it all. One of my priorities was a bed
raised high enough to slide my storage
tubs in underneath.
It was a little higher than I'd prefer, but
it allowed me a massive amount of gear
and food to be tucked away and out of
sight. You'll need to utilize spaces like
the backs of wardrobes, dead space
inside cupboards, and make purchases
with a dual use. My coffee table was a
chest, that not only looked cool, but I
was able to pack a bunch of gear in.
Just because you're not living in your
dream home, doesn't give you an excuse
to be ill prepared.
There are many things you can do to
become a better homesteader while
living in an apartment, giving you the
skills and ingenuity, you will need once
you eventually move to a bigger place.
Because when you finally get the
chance to buy it, you deserve to be
ready.