SELF-DEFENSE HACKS
RIOT MASK
Whether you find yourself in the middle of a riot, terrorist attack, or severe natural disaster, the ability to make a quick and effective improvised protective face mask is an invaluable skill. A really impressive mask can be made from almost any large clear plastic water bottle or gallon jug, some duct tape, string, and a T-shirt.
Cut off the bottom of the container and then the back side as shown in the illustration. Foam weather stripping works great to seal the edges around your face, but duct tape is a good next-best solution. Stuff a T-shirt into the neck of the bottle to act as a filter and remove the cap. Finally, pierce 4 holes (2 on each side) in the mask and use string to tie it tightly against your face. This not only helps to protect your eyes and face from flying debris but also helps to prevent the inhalation of smoke and toxic ash.
TWISTED PARACORD PERIMETER ALARM
Paracord can be wound and twisted to make very effective trigger systems for both traps and perimeter alarms. This hack will demonstrate how it can be attached to a tripwire to alarm you when someone is approaching your camp. Start by tying 2 pieces of paracord between 2 small trees. The ideal distance between trees is less than 2'. Insert a stick between the 2 pieces of paracord and twist until the line develops enough pressure to spin when you let it go. Place your tripwire across the trail and attach the end of the line to the lower portion of this trigger stick with a loop while it is wound very tightly. The taut tripwire and loop will hold the trigger stick in place. Finally, hang a cluster of empty cans so they dangle in the path of the spinning trigger stick. When the line is disturbed the loop will be pulled from the bottom and release the spinning trigger stick into the cluster of cans, sounding the alarm.
SMOKE ALARM PERIMETER GUARD
Bedding down at night can give even the bravest outdoorsman a vulnerable feeling. Setting a perimeter alarm around camp is one way to outsmart an intruder, either man or beast. You can hack a smoke alarm and clothespin to make a startling perimeter alarm.
Remove the buzzer (including wires), battery, and battery tray (including wires) from a smoke alarm. The buzzer and battery tray should each have a black and red wire. Extend the red wire of both the alarm and battery tray with some additional scrap wire and wrap the other end of one wire around the top pincher of the clothespin and the other wire around the bottom pincher. When the pincher closes the wires should touch. Now, connect the black wires from the alarm to the battery tray. When the battery is attached and the clothespin is closed, the alarm should sound. It should stop when the clothespin is open. To set, place a piece of cardboard or wood scrap in the clothespin and attach to a tripwire. When this sliver of material is pulled out, the wires will connect and the alarm will sound.
55-GALLON BATTLE SHIELD
With luck, you’ll never be involved in a situation when you need to navigate through a dangerous city or riot. However, if it happens, you may consider packing a shield made from either the front or back half of an empty plastic 55-gallon drum. Once the drum is sawed in half, you can drill holes to attach rope handles for maneuvering and stabilizing. A 55-gallon drum shield can deflect arrows, rocks, slingshots, debris, and even small-arms fire. It may provide the protection necessary to move through hostile streets. These shields can also be used as urban camouflage to temporarily hide from threats. A lighter but less durable version of this shield can be made from standard 5-gallon buckets.
CARDBOARD BODY ARMOR
Cardboard is a resource available in almost every urban survival environment. Cardboard sandwiched to a thickness of 1"–2" will reduce the effects of violent attacks, flying debris, and even small-arms fire. A template of the neck and chest can quickly be made to protect your vitals and then tied into place with available rope. Wear this under an overcoat for discretion. Other areas to protect include the back, groin, and thighs. Cut or tie smaller, more manageable pieces to these areas as well or wear them under clothing and hold by compression with tight-fitting clothing.
THE SPORT OF SELF-DEFENSE
Almost every piece of sporting equipment that I can think of, from hockey sticks and baseball bats to facemasks and football pads, can be used in self-defense. A trip to your nearest sports store can outfit you for the worst scenarios. I’ve often called sports equipment “the poor man’s riot gear.” A fresh coat of earth-tone or black spray paint can convert a hodgepodge of bright sports colors into a camouflaged outfit ready for the wilderness or streets. In my tests I’ve seen football pads stop arrows, thrown bricks, slingshot projectiles, and small-arms fire. Add a 5-pound weight tied to a length of rope in one hand and a climber’s ice axe in the other and no person in his right mind would come charging in your direction.
FROM PLUMB BOB TO ROPE DART
Handymen or women will recognize what a plumb bob is. It is a pointed weight attached to a rope that is used as a vertical reference line. I doubt, however, that many have heard of a rope dart. It is an ancient Chinese weapon that consists of a long rope (approximately 10') with a metal dart attached to the end. A user can throw the dart at an opponent and then draw it back for another attack. When swung around in circles, a rope dart can be hurled with incredible force. A loop tied around the user’s wrist keeps the rope in hand at all times. While a hardware store plumb bob makes a ready-made rope dart (when attached to a stronger rope like 550 paracord), you can use almost any dart-like object as a substitute. To become proficient with rope darts takes quite a bit of practice. You can also use them as improvised grappling hooks to climb trees or scale walls. Note: A railroad spike with a hole drilled at the head also makes a great rope dart.
Chapter 6
Gear Hacks
TOOL HACKS
Make a Glass File
Soup Can Lid Ulu
An AMAIZEing File Handle
Viking Clamps
TOOL AND GEAR MAINTENANCE HACKS
DVD Case Knife Sheath
Copper Wire Rivets
Rope Vise
Knife-Sharpening Surfaces
Plastic Bag Tool Sheath
Plastic Bottle Replacement Knife Handle
Improvised Needle Awl