On Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, I appeared on the CTV Morning Show in Ottawa.
I was asked to comment on the shooting incident the day previous in downtown Toronto during the celebration festivities of the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Championship win. Estimates placed the crowd sizes at 1.5-2 million. It was just huge.
Are you ready for 2019? Make sure you are by picking up the The True North Tradecraft Disaster Preparedness Guide: A Primer on Urban and Suburban Disaster Preparedness.
PDF AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR STORE HERE Paperback and Ebook available worldwide through Amazon.
Over the past long while, we have been working on a guide for urban & suburban disaster preparedness. This book is meant to be an accessible planning and development blueprint for those wishing to establish and maintain a reasonable level of preparedness to be resilient in the face of a natural or man-made disaster.
It outlines the basics of survival and preparedness in an urban & suburban context. This gives you a foundation to create your own preparedness plan and build emergency readiness kits. For instance, have your plans and supplies in place before something happens.
Many to whom I have spoken about preparedness are uneasy about starting, stating their biggest challenge was not knowing where to start. Most importantly, this book gives the beginner (as well as the seasoned planner), a solid foundation on which to build.
This guide covers:
Disaster Planning
Preparedness Psychology
Priorities and Strategy
Water
Shelter
Fire, Heating & Cooking
Food
Medical & First Aid
Health, Santitation & Hygiene
Communications
Light, Electricity & Backups
Special Considerations
Recommendations
and so much MORE!
It is also specific in two contexts:
It does NOT get into wilderness survival (as this is a topic all it’s own) and;
It is written from a Canadian legal perspective.
This is our humble first edition to offer the tools of knowledge necessary for those who wish to prepare themselves and their families for future challenges, but don’t know where to start. It also contains tidbits which should be useful to even seasoned veterans in preparedness.
When you fail to plan you plan to fail…don’t let not knowing stop you. Get started today to be ready for tomorrow.
I would like to thank everyone who has read the blog, followed us on social media, attended training and been a positive voice through 2018 for all of your support. It has been a roller-coaster year of challenges, goal (missed and achieved), milestones and grit.
We have been fortunate to have made new friends, opened new doors and completed goals that have been many years in the making.
As we leave 2018 behind with all of those memories and lessons, we look forward to the possibilities which lie ahead in 2019. Stay tuned…many good things to come.
The new True North Tradecraft Store is open for business. We are the exclusive Canadian stockists for Tactikey, OscarDelta and Hard Case Survival. Visit the Blog and click the Store button up top or go direct.
Also, check out our new Friends Page listing mutually-supportive companies.
As we make our way through the last weeks of Fall and approach Winter, it’s time to do our twice-a-year vehicle change-over. For those of us who live in areas where snow and extreme cold are realities, being prepared for weather-related challenges is a wise investment.
As extreme and inclement weather, coupled with low temperatures, can negatively affect driving conditions, sometimes without warning. This time of year (approaching Christmas and New Year’s) sees us travelling to visit our friends and family, attending parties and generally spending more time on the roads. Roads that can sometimes go to hell real fast.
Be sure to get plenty of rest prior to a long road journey, stay hydrated and nourished and for the love of all that is holy, do NOT drive while impaired.
Winter weather brings with it snow storms, white-outs, icy roads (including black ice), freezing rain, traffic jams and accidents, breakdowns and more. A few well-focused steps and some essential equipment can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience, extreme discomfort or (in extreme cases) death. (Read a news article about a very unfortunate situation like this here.)
As the extreme cold and weather can hasten death under less-than-ideal circumstances, we look to some basic Survival Priorities to ensure a better chance of survivability. These principles include:
Shelter
Fire
Water
Signalling & Communication
Food
Security
*NOTE: These principles and their order of priority can and will change depending on your immediate circumstances. However, I have put them in this order at this time as a general theme and to illustrate their importance. The rationale is that, if you find yourself in a blizzard, shelter is paramount as you’ll freeze before the other considerations even enter into the equation. Then fire for warmth inside the shelter (car), and then water to keep your body functions going. Signalling for help would be next (flares, chemical lights, using a cell phone or radio) followed by food and security.***
Seasonal tires and Service. If you live in an area prone to winter weather, get snow tires, the best you can afford. Sure, you’ll have to switch between your All-Seasons and Winters, but well worth it for the better traction on snow and ice in colder temperatures. Also, be sure to get your car serviced at the same time to ensure maximum reliability through the winter. Have them check your battery, fluids, belts, lights, anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid (the -40 deg C kind) and the rest.
Don’t Run Dry. If heading out of the city or for a longer drive, don’t let your car’s gas tank drop below half-tank on your journey. Stop frequently, top-off your gas tank and stretch. It also helps fight fatigue and gives you the opportunity to get food and drink regularly.
Power-Up! Ensure you have a DC plug (cigarette plug) USB charger and charging cables for all your cell phones/devices. If there are more people in the car on your journey, run cables to as many phones as you can and charge them while driving, thus ensuring a full battery on as many devices as possible and a better chance for contacting help if needed.
Your Spare. If your car allows it, get a full-size spare tire and an appropriate tool kit. It should include a wrench for the lug nuts, a jack, nut lock tool (if your car has them), a small can of WD40 or similar, a small bottle of de-icer, block of wood for under the jack and a pair of warm work gloves. If you get a flat, you should know how to change it quickly and safely. Practice it in good weather so you know how to use all the tools and that the spare is in good repair.
Get a Grip. Stock a small shovel or entrenching tool and a bag of sand/gravel/cat litter to dig a wheel out of an icy patch and sprinkle the bag of sand under the tires to aid in the wheels gripping better. If your jurisdiction allows for chains, consider adding these to your kit and ensure you know how to put them on.
Be Seen. Carry emergency triangles, at a minimum, and consider a few road flares or an electronic LED road flare to increase your visibility to other motorists. If the visibility is low, the likelihood of people seeing you and stopping is low. By the same token, if they can’t see you, you may be struck by other vehicles in the dark. In these situations, visibility is your friend.
Keep In Touch. If you’re travelling longer distances, communicate with your hosts and let them know when you’re leaving and when, approximately, you plan on arriving. If possible, let them know the route you’ll be taking. If it changes, send them a text to keep them updated. If you fail to show or get in touch by a pre-set time, they can call police on your behalf and search for you.
Stock a Winter Emergency Kit. Split between your glove box and a backpack or duffel bag in your trunk with some emergency essentials can mean the difference between life and death in extreme circumstances. No, I’m not being dramatic, I’m being realistic. If you have ever spent a few hours in -35 in the middle of the night in a broken-down vehicle without and equipment hoping for someone to help, you’d appreciate it. I have. And despite knowing that “help was coming”, it was still terrible and very cold You can include the following items in an emergency kit as a start and add-on for your specific circumstances later. Here are the essentials:
Snow brush & ice scraper;
2 emergency candles in a metal tin & 2 Bic lighters;
Flashlight & spare batteries, A few glow stick Chem lights;
First Aid kit with tourniquet (if you’ve not been trained, GO GET TRAINING!);
Warm blankets or sleeping bag;
Extra clothing (hats, gloves, socks, fleece jacket);
Winter boots (like Sorel);
Small bottle of lock de-icer or rubbing alcohol;
Food (such as a few Cliff Bars or similar);
A few bottles of water, plastic so as not to freeze and shatter);
Metal cup;
Consider a thermos filled with a hot drink;
A quality multi-tool;
Solid, full-tang knife;
Seatbelt cutter (stowed above driver visor or accessible in centre console);
A few contractor garbage bags;
Whistle;
25′ of paracord;
Small can of WD40 and small roll of duct tape;
Basic tool kit for car;
Wet wipes, small toilet paper & hand sanitizer;
Jumper cables (for you and to help others);
Extra cash and change (in small bills);
Fire Extinguisher (small);
Tow strap (if it can be attached to your vehicle);
Extra fuel;
Anything else you feel is necessary.
Staying in your vehicle, if possible, is the safest place to ride out a storm. It is a metal cage which protects you from other vehicles, but also from the elements. With the candles, blankets and extra clothes, you should be able to stay warm enough to survive. Adding food and possibly hot water, your chances go up even more. Adding to that higher levels of visibility and communications, your chances begin to climb higher.
If you do find yourself stranded, take immediate action to prepare yourself for a long stay.
Stay CALM.
Take stock of your situation. Stay in your vehicle.
Attempt to make contact with Police or anyone who may be able to render aid.
Remove your survival kit from your trunk to the back seat and break out its components while your engine is still running or is still warm.
Deploy your visibility markers and, if visibility is low and it’s night out, consider your glow sticks, LED flares and chemical road flares.
Use your shovel to clear the area around your exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide from being pumped into your vehicle.
Run the engine for 10-15 minutes at a time to conserve your battery and fuel.
Ensure all unnecessary power expenditures (radio, phone use for games, etc, are cut. Only use your hazard lights if possible.
Use the items in your kit to their maximum.
I trust this will serve as a solid primer to preparing you to deal with many unforeseen eventualities this winter driving season. Use common sense. If the weather is bad, stop. Reschedule. Turn Back. Get a hotel for the night. It’s not worth the risk. Don’t be caught unawares and unprepared this winter. Prepare now and get home safely.
Thank you to everyone who provided input into this article. Across varied backgrounds and experiences, thank you for your continued support and friendship.
Be sure to check it out in your local copy of Blue Line Magazine – likely already delivered to your agency – or check it out here online or here. Also visit our new LinkedIn & Facebook company pages and give us a follow. Instagram doesn’t hurt either!
Very excited to have my work featured in Tactical Solutions Magazine, the official publication of the International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) based in Chicago, IL.
The International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) is always on Mission to provide members with advanced tactical and technical programs of instruction formulated and directed by a core council who possess extensive Law Enforcement and Military experience. We seek to transform, keep you ahead of the curve, and one step ahead. Semper in ViaITTA retains a broad spectrum of instructors with Special Operations backgrounds and current post 9-11 operational and instructional experience. We are here to transform, keep you inside the loop and one step ahead with best practices, hard learned lessons, and disruptive technologies.
You can go directly to the issue and article here. Be sure to check out their entire website and read their other publications for fantastic content.
The work-up to the end of 2017 has been both busy and involved.
As 2017 has presented many challenges and rewards, I look to the future and what 2018 will bring.
We have many great things on-tap this coming year. Workshops, cooperations and many informative efforts for everyone to benefit from.
As we move into the new year, we will be rolling out a lot of exciting things.
I’d like to thank everyone who has read, followed and supported the efforts here at True North Tradecraft this inaugural year and together, we can make 2018 even better.
In the beginning…at the Southern Terminus of the Trail. Let’s do this!
Every foray outside one’s home brings with it the possibility of adventure and danger. This excursion was no different.
Our journey took us from the Southern end of the Bruce Trail (in Queenston Heights Park) to just north of Hamilton, Ontario.
*Note, due to personal circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to delay the completion of our trip and return home. We are, however, going to complete the rest in shorter blocks to ensure that our responsibilities at home are maintained in our absences.*
During our time on the trail, I managed to field test several items of kit (to be reviewed in separate posts) and streamline my hiking kit for better efficacy and efficiency. I found that several things I had planned out, thought I might need, or were “essentials”, were not.
Depending on the context and profile of your outdoor adventure, your needs will change.
Here is a list of things that added weight, added bulk or were otherwise not needed given the profile of where we were going:
Teva sandals
shorts
second belt
short-bladed machete
small forest axe
expanded first-aid kit
water purification filter
extra sweater
fleece gloves
second dry bag
This stuff, though individually very useful in the right circumstance, became a hinderance. It added unnecessary weight and made it difficult to move swiftly along the trail. It also had the added unpleasantness of adding soreness to feet, shoulders and knees without any added benefit. The other tools and clothing that I had more than covered for the loss of the above-listed items. After ditching this stuff (at our accommodations at the end of day one) things got much better and our progress improved greatly.
Taking a much-needed break on the trail. This version of my pack was MUCH improved after I ditched some heavy redundant gear.
The trail itself was well marked and maintained (for the most part) and allowed for unimpeded movement. The weather was warm and clear. The terrain a never-ending series of up-and-down, so the quads and hams got a good workout every day. Hydration was maintained through the 3-litre bladder I filled-up every morning and I found that I never even got through the entire thing despite drinking almost-continuously through the day. It especially helped to have lunch and “hydrate” at a local winery along the way, just off the trail.
Henry of Pelham Winery. “Hydration” at its finest!
The topography of the Niagara Escarpment and the Niagara Region in general is beautiful and rugged. The views from the tops of the cliffs were open for miles – all the way to lake miles below. As strange as it was to be completely enveloped in the woods and still hearing cars sometime, the peace and calm from such immersion was restorative and calming. Even my evenings were great. Staying at various accommodations along the way made for a recovery treat!
The view from the cottage was just wonderful and the cottage itself was so well appointed it made all the difference at the end of the day. I have already made plans to go back.
So, with all the positives that came along during this trek, there were also some negatives as well. As mentioned previously, the overage in clothing and equipment made for a more difficult first day. Also, the topography of the area and higher elevations reduced our daily distance from 30km per day average to 20-25km per day. Despite the reduced trail coverage, we still made good progress. The weather held, the bugs were barely there, and we made good use of water and breaks to not fatigue ourselves too much.
We saw a whole host of animals, interesting natural and man-made things and got a feel for some of the history and landscape in a rich area so close to home which we’d hardly get to explore had we not gone and done this. I’m very happy I had.
Like a nomadic hobo.
While walking along, I would think about how our context will change as we make our way farther north and farther away from civilization. Those sandals still won’t have a place, but the axe and possibly more first-aid components due to a greater removal from access to emergency medical care. As we continue this journey piecemeal, I’ll be constantly re-evaluating my set-up. With that in mind, to anyone thinking about traversing the Bruce Trail I would humbly suggest that you invest in the Bruce Trail Guidebook. It’s very well laid-out, full of detailed topographical maps and chock-full of useful information. Well worth the $40. Also, ensure you have your compass and separate topographical map of the area. There were a few times where I had to shoot a bearing off a distant tree across an open field with no markings to ensure I crossed to the next trail marker and not on a side trail (or worse, off the path all together).
One step at a time…till you’ve made many, many steps.
As we left the trail to get back home, one of the last things I saw on the trail gave me inspiration for not only continuing, but also for life in general. “Keep Going” it said. I guess that’s really it in the end. Don’t give up. Hustle and persevere and go for it.
Keep Going. No shit, a good mantra to have. A good form of resilience.
Later this month, I will be hiking the Southern half of the Bruce Trail (Queenston to Collingwood) covering ~450km in about 2 weeks.
To that end, I have been making lists, assembling gear, organizing and planning things through to ensure the fewest amount of screw-ups on the trail.
Proper Previous Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance. The 7 Ps.
Planning in this context is simply Risk Management. The basic principles of risk management are the identification of things that are possible (hazards), how devastating they would be if they happened (impact) and the probability of those things happening. The combination of those two (what is possible to happen, combined with their likelihood of happening) equals the level of RISK. When you have looked at your situation through risk-coloured glasses, you will be better equipped to gauge your level of RISK to a certain situation and plan accordingly.
Im my planning process for this particular adventure I have taken several things into account for my planning process:
Distance
Terrain
Access to re-supply (food & water)
Logistics
Navigation
Communications
Shelter & sleeping
Access to coffee (VERY important!)
Weather & environmental factors
Possible hazards on trail during hike
Likelihood of encountering said hazards
Possible impact of hazards if encountered
Volume of gear
Weight of gear
Emergency considerations and procedures (personal safety & survival -gear and immediate actions)
Now, the premise of this hike wasn’t mine initially. My darling wife wanted to cross-off “Hiking the Bruce Trail, End-to-End” off her bucket list for her upcoming birthday. The first half this year, the second, next Fall. Who wouldn’t jump at that?
If you complete all ~900km of the Bruce Trail, you can get this cool patch. I want. I will have.
For me, I am not only looking forward to the hike itself with my wife, but also of taking the opportunity to field-test some of my newer gear and review some things recently acquired. I’m also keen to tighten up my lightweight backpacking game and sharpen my level of fitness too. The one thing we will be taking out of the hiking equation is camping. As we traverse the Southern half of the Bruce Trail, our accommodations plan will be Bed & Breakfasts and Air BnB along the way.
Hike-in to some luxury.
This does two things: keeps me alive and married, and, allows for a level of serendipity every day. This is meant to be a fun time, not overly gruelling. She likes to hike in style, and who am I to argue on her birthday?
The peace of a hike in the woods. Like the Infantry, but without the weapons.
So aside from the up-scale hike camping we will be doing, we are still aiming for a pace of 32-45km per day. I have assembled the following set-up for the trip. I will be breaking it all down over the coming weeks and months, as I can, to discuss it all in further detail.
All my stuff ready to go (minus a full water bladder and water bottle).
As we make our way along, I will post reviews of gear and trip reports when I can and when I have connectivity.
Stay tuned for more posts leading up to my departure.
