Survival:Beyond the Bug-Out Bag

Season 7! Welcome Back: Essential Emergency Preparedness

• Bill Bateman • Season 7 • Episode 1

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Are you prepared for the next unexpected weather event or natural disaster? This episode promises to equip you with essential emergency preparedness skills. Join Bill Bateman from Refuse to Be a Victim Personal Protection Training as he underscores the critical need for readiness, especially during National Emergency Preparedness Month. With only 26% of Oregonians currently prepared for emergencies, Bill shares practical steps to boost your preparedness, from emergency food storage to power outage solutions. Through relatable stories, such as a squirrel-induced power outage, this episode illustrates how even small preparations can significantly impact your safety and comfort.

But that's not all—this episode also delves into the vital topic of firearm safety, particularly for Realtors facing unique security challenges. Bill dives deep into the essentials of proper gun handling, the importance of using a holster, and how to choose the right firearm for individual needs. The conversation extends to responsible gun ownership and the need for ongoing education in life-saving skills like CPR and basic first aid. We also encourage listener participation, welcoming your tips and strategies for preparedness and self-reliance. Stay safe, stay prepared, and join us next month for more invaluable insights!

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Speaker 1:

Well, let's see. We've had extreme heat, we've had power outages, we've had a rainstorm complete with hail two days after we were in the high temperatures and tree limbs out in the street. It's been that kind of a summer. Let's get inside and talk about this stuff. Well, hi everybody, welcome back. I'm Bill Bateman, part of the team here at Refuse to Be a Victim Personal Protection Training, and we are located in the Medford-White City area of Southern Oregon and we would invite you to step on in and visit with us at any time. The address and information is where you logged in. Okay, september is a National Emergency Preparedness Month and every year we go through different focuses, different campaigns, different ideas, and I think it's a good idea because every year stuff keeps happening. If you're paying any sort of attention at all and not hiding under the bed, you're seeing that stuff just keeps happening. As I mentioned, this summer we had extreme heat here. Where I live in the Medford-White City area, we had power outages on several occasions due to power demand. We also had a freak storm. We knew it was coming, but some people say we actually had tornado-like winds. I know in our area we had trees down, limbs in the street, stuff got blown around pretty good, and hail, rain and hail were a part of that menu. So it pays to be ready. So what we're going to do in Emergency Preparedness Month?

Speaker 1:

I've spent the summer looking at a lot of different things. One, the fact that we talk about prepping on this program obviously, survival beyond the bug-out bag, okay. But I looked at the numbers 27% to 30% nationwide. Oregon does pretty good. We're about 26% of us have some level of prepping, experience, an awareness of the need, some supplies, some preparation, and that's excellent. But that also turns to 70 to 75% of us don't. So I want to look again this year as we enter season number eight, I think it is oh, my goodness, I'm feeling old. We're going to look at the 70% of us who aren't ready. Just exactly how can we help them both in advance and will we be able to help them when disaster hits, when a problem from minor to major scope?

Speaker 1:

And the other thing I noticed, in addition to having okay, 25, 27% prep, everybody's ready for quote, quote the big one, the earthquake, the next pandemic, the great disruptions. Well, that's a good thing to do, because those things do happen and we've seen that as evidenced in our society already. But it's the small things. When 100,000 people lose power and they lose it for a week. We've seen that in different areas of the country. When there is flooding. We've seen that all up and down the East Coast. When the tornado alley moves from central to eastern United States, they're seeing tornadoes in places they never had. So being aware is part of it, being prepared is part of it, and continuing to focus on this on a regular basis, not just like National Preparedness Month, it's a great idea to get folks thinking of it, but you gotta follow up.

Speaker 1:

So some ideas I'm going to be looking at in the next couple of months how do you get new people involved? There are some people who will not hear it. One can often fix ignorance, but devout stupidity requires miracles. Some folks no, it's not going to happen here, can't happen. Well, it happened over there, so it won't happen over here.

Speaker 1:

Tornadoes are pretty much going to do what they want to do. Earthquakes, same thing, power outages, sabotage. We've seen some of the fires out here in the Oregon and California area have been determined to be arson. What's up with that? People You're driving, you see something, you say something. Those people I have absolutely no use for I think that that is a whole other program which we'll look at. Let's see what else. So let's look at how we get the new people involved, and it's usually baby steps. I will use a family member who has steadfastly said no, no, we aren't going to need it, and gradually this person is now taking concealed carry classes. This person is learning about emergency batteries. This person is learning about emergency batteries. This person is learning about emergency food storage and how to cook when the power is out.

Speaker 1:

If you have and I read this in the magazines quite a bit if you have a spouse, he or she doesn't want to be a part of this. They think it's stupid. They think you're going to look strange to the neighbors, and heavens knows we don't want to look strange to our neighbors. The tinfoil hats always give away, but you know you do what you got to do. How do you reach people the same way you reach them on any controversial topic or something that may be unfamiliar to them.

Speaker 1:

There's a lot of bad press out there. They think a prepper is a survivalist. I've said this before. I have no problem with survivalists. They probably know something we don't. But I'm not suggesting you build a concrete bunker in the backyard and a fallout shelter, that type of thing. It may be something you got to do, but let's work on getting through a three-day power outage, because when you have the little things prepared for, it's going to be easier to look for the big stuff.

Speaker 1:

Let's look at some examples I had right here in my house. Okay, we talked about two power failures and both of those things were significant. Everything went out. It wasn't just our block, it was like boom. We had one. A terminal line went down in the area and took from Medford to Ashland certain areas for a good long time. Well, that initially was thought to be an automobile crash turned out to be a squirrel. Yeah, a squirrel got in there, fried itself and shorted stuff out, and we were out for some areas out for a couple of days. We made it through in about a nine or 10 hour out.

Speaker 1:

Power goes out. What are you going to do? Well, we had our emergency lights, we have our emergency batteries, we have the food, we have the things we needed, but there's things that you got to be aware of. For example, I had moved some stuff around in preparation for a class. I had the cables that I use to hook up the emergency batteries and the solar panels. In a different spot. We have an emergency refrigerator. Believe it or not, it runs off solar energy Best investment ever. When do we start moving stuff into there? Is it going to be a short outage? Is it going to be a long outage? We had some emergency candles that run on batteries. They're really nice. The batteries had gone out. We hadn't thought to change them. Little things like this. These are the little things that in an emergency, if we'd had to grab and go, not knowing where my cables are, I get the bozo nose on that. That's a bad idea.

Speaker 1:

We had our refrigeration plan in place and I've talked about that previously. If you want to go back and listen to some of the earlier podcasts, please do. The idea of having big blocks of coolant available and then using the frozen foods to keep the regular foods in good condition, make sure they're not going to spoil, and limiting the amount of refrigeration opening you use, using the standby refrigeration to freeze the cooling blocks. So instead of throwing all the meat in the emergency refrigerator, you throw all the backup ice and ice blocks and use that to continue to cool the items.

Speaker 1:

One thing I was really proud of is my first brisket. I got a smoker and we cooked our first brisket for family. It was great. I'm very proud of my first effort and I'm going to be doing a lot more of that. I did use up quite a few of the pellets for this smoker. Now the smoker runs on electricity. I've got a battery perfect for that. It's out there on the patio, the panel fits out there, the battery fits out there, but it's not much good if you don't have any pellets. Keeping an eye on your emergency stock is good.

Speaker 1:

With the rain and the tree limbs I got to give mad props to my people here. We looked out our front window and this is lightning and thunder and the dog under the bed. I mean it was like good grief, it was like a full-on storm. And when things stopped we looked out in the front of our home and there was a tree limb, a substantial tree limb. It was the top half of one of the neighbor's trees that had blown into the street fortunately not into our living room and a couple folks came out with a saw. We're kind of looking at that going, hmm, we're going to need a bigger saw. And then somebody said well, how about this? And about three of the guys grabbed hold of that thing and drug it to one side of the road so cars could continue to get up and down. It wasn't blocking anything. People could still get in and out of their homes. And they all banded together first to clear the roads. Then I looked around the park. People are running around clearing the drains Heavy rain. If those drains aren't clear, it's not going to do any good to be wading through puddles. They got the drains cleared.

Speaker 1:

Groups of us walked around the park checking in other places because we're a pretty good-sized area here looking in to check in on each other. Nobody organized this. Nobody had a plan. Nobody's out there with a clipboard and a vest yelling at people. This happened automatically. Now, that's an example of years of working together. This is an example of knowing your neighbors. This is an example of having a common idea of what needs to happen. Only one person was worried about getting the Wi-Fi restored. The big thing was making sure we get the power back on. Emergency vehicles could get in if we needed them, and checking on everybody in the park Prioritization, getting things in order.

Speaker 1:

So that was a good lesson. For me personally, it was a good lesson for the park. It was a good lesson in preparedness because, had that power failure gone on, there's going to be things that need to be cooked. Those can be cooked and shared. If you're going to do that type of activity, how are you going to cook it? We have two methods. We have the, the pellet grill, and we have a propane grill, and so we are and, of course, our propane camping stoves. We have three methods. We can cook and we can be sufficient. I'm pleased to see that we have a good prepping attitude here in the community and what I'm hoping for the next couple of months.

Speaker 1:

In the new broadcast we talk about how to share that idea, how to share that preparation and reach that other 70 percent, because in a big emergency, 70 percent unprepared is a significant number. We need, as preppers, to almost try and spread the word, if you want to put it that way, to share the idea of building your own resources so you're not left without, because most people are going to be. You know we'll just have a community cookout, yeah, maybe the first times, but you can't give away all your supplies because then you are without. So let's help others get ready to deal with whatever, whether it's a power outage from a psychotic squirrel or whether it's a power outage to another group of psychotic squirrels, it doesn't matter, the power's out, you can fix blame later.

Speaker 1:

Another thing that's interesting, and this is a numbers game also I took a look and I see that gun sales are up significantly. A lot of firearms are being sold Now, for whatever reason. Okay, buying a gun is only the first step. Folks, learning how to use it responsibly and effectively is the second part. You have to know how to care for it. You know how to deal with it in case it jams or there's an emergency. What happens if a shell goes off and only goes halfway? The bullet only goes halfway down the barrel. Would you know what to look for? Would you know what to do? Knowing how to clean it? I've said this a thousand times and I'll say it a thousand more the loudest sound you're ever going to hear is when you're going to need that firearm. You pull the trigger and it goes. Click, because you didn't clean it properly and it's fouled. That is a soul-sinking sound.

Speaker 1:

So, with that idea in mind, I'd like to again mention that we have classes available and the address is of our homepage, at Refuse to be a Victim Personal Protection Training. We have classes for everyone, from your first gun even if you haven't bought one yet, and if you're thinking of buying one how to buy the gun properly and I'm going to go off on that rant in a minute All the way up to tactical training. We have shotguns, pistols, rifles. We have non-ballistic self-defense if you're worried about getting involved with a firearm. If you want to just be able to defend yourself against an initial attack, we have those classes. We have always had certain dates available, but that doesn't mean it's the only date you can come in for a class. You have a number of opportunities. If you want to get a group together from your church or your community and come in, we are more than happy to do a specific training at a specific time, just for you.

Speaker 1:

We're doing something for the Realtors in our area. The problems that Realtors face in their business going out to meet people in homes and remote locations it's been documented on the news. So they're taking some positive steps to make it safer for their agents and for the people who come out and look at homes. This is what's important If you're going to get a gun. I just met with an individual. They have purchased a firearm and they brought it over to show it to me and it was unloaded and the slide was drawn back.

Speaker 1:

Always know where you're pointing your gun. The always, always, always points where you're pointing your gun. The always, always, always points which we'll cover in class it hadn't been lubricated. Many new guns coming from the factory could use a good lubrication. That's why learning how to clean and lubricate your firearm properly without it having looked like it's been dropped in a box, a vat rather of oil, or making noises like one of those old windmills you'll hear in the Western movies that creak, creak, creak. It's a machine. It needs to run properly lubricated. So that's part of our training learning how to use that firearm effectively and ethically.

Speaker 1:

The big thing is people forget that after the emergency happens, the laws are still here and if you just start lighting off, like you see on television, and take out the neighbor's cat or, even worse, one of the neighbors, you are liable. Or, even worse, one of the neighbors you are liable. Yes, it was an emergency and yes, there were exigent circumstances, but you do have to be careful and know what you're shooting and also how to store, how to lock it up properly and if you're going to carry it it should be in a holster. I've seen people they think it's. I've had quite the disagreement with somebody. They said, yeah, I just carry it in my belt, stick it in my belt like you see on TV and I suppose you can. It makes it easier if somebody's going to gun grab it from you and it makes it easier if you get a handful of trigger when you're not quite ready for it and shoot out your own kidneys. I don't believe in an unholstered firearm except in an absolute emergency. What type of holster is best for you? What's going to work for your lifestyle? A police officer has a different type than an undercover officer, than somebody going to the store worried about the neighborhood they're in than sitting at home. So learn the proper if you're getting a new firearm. We salute your enthusiasm and your efforts and we invite you to come and talk to us.

Speaker 1:

First, gun to tactical training. It's all important. Third thing I got a bone to pick. I was talking with Phil and he was telling me about an individual who came in to a training class with a gun they had just purchased at a local store and the gun was so big for this person's hand they had to actually let go of the stock to reach around and get the trigger. People, wtf, what are you doing? This is a case of selling for profit instead of selling for people. I don't know the vendor. If I did, I would announce them and denounce them right here on the program. That is ridiculous.

Speaker 1:

Get a gun that fits. That's the first thing you have to do. Some people will come in and say I need a big gun. I'm scared, I need a big gun. Well, if it doesn't physically fit you or if after five shots your wrist hurts, uh, you're, you got too much gun for the squirrel. It's not working. So having your firearm fit you effectively is so important. I will say it I've gotten, I'm blacklisted at one store because I called out a clerk, not a salesperson, a clerk for doing exactly that. They tried to sell this very petite woman, elderly, a large frame I'd call it like a .357. They couldn't even reach the trigger. I said no, no, no, I walk in. They all just walk away from the counter now. And you know what? I don't walk in there anymore. Shame on

Speaker 1:

you. So let's look at the months to come. Let's look at reaching new people in the survival training, survival modes. Let's look at if you're a new firearms owner, getting training, making sure if you're going to use it, you will use it effectively. Different firearms have different uses. If you have a large caliber firearm, like you're going to go after a bear with, that might be not appropriate for use in the mobile home park. What are you going to use when over penetration is an issue? And if you do not know what over penetration is, you should find out before you become a victim of that. So know what you're shooting at. Know your field. There's just so much to learn. Be a responsible gun owner. Don't be that person on the news looking upset and being a statistic and that people are saying see, this is why nobody should have a gun. Look at this as a serious commitment, just as is prepping. Look at it as a serious commitment, just as is prepping. Look at it as a serious commitment. Okay, that's what's coming up in national prepping

Speaker 1:

month. I'm going to go deeper into each of these areas. I'm going to look at some of the old programs and update them. The time limits and how much you need has changed because of the seriousness of the events. So, as these things happen, we're going to be updating, we're going to be giving you tips on reaching new people and, yes, I'm still going to be looking at new equipment and looking at different ideas for using that

Speaker 1:

equipment. And the final thing I just updated my basic life saving and CPR certificate. It just happened to expire right around this time, so my wife and I both went out and got our BLS basic life saving. This is the thing a nurse has to have, so it's a little beyond just your basic first aid. And then I took the CPR class and these are things that I have. I cannot imagine not having I made sure that our tourniquets were all of a good brand. Occasionally, people will try and give me things and they're the things made in Taiwan or China and they collapse. That'll really cause some damage to the extremity. So keeping up on your first aid certification and your information to see what's new is very important, especially in National Preparedness Month, but especially when the grandkids come to visit. Okay, we look forward to seeing you out at the range or back next

Speaker 1:

week. Programs are going to resume on a regular schedule the best I can keep up with them and I always, always, always, am welcome for your input. If you have an idea that's been effective to you to share a tip, if you've got a specific strategy, if you've got something that you think is worth sharing, please write to me. My address is right there on the front of the program. I'd love to hear from you. We had somebody last season. It was a really useful comment, folks. I believe the gentleman was from Ohio and had some real good stuff to look at and remember Ohio, medford, oregon, stuttgart, germany. Folks, you've got to be able to survive, to survive and you got to be able to be the one in charge. That's it for this week. We'll see you again next month. Take care, be safe. The preceding program was a presentation of Retired Guy Productions.

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