Canadian vs American Preparedness

 

Ep 7 CDN vs American Prepping

Eric –Welcome to episode #7 of the Canadian Prepper Podcast…CDN vs American Prepping….My name is Eric, and I’m the host of the show.  I am based in southern Ontario. I’m a hunter, target shooter, HAM radio operator (VE3EPN), and computer geek. I got into preparedness when I was working front line in emergency services and witnessed an over reliance on Emergency Services during major events, such has ice storms, power outages, etc. I started a small preparedness company to help get people prepared and able to look after themselves for at least 72 hours, if not longer.

Ian – My name is Ian, co-host of the show.  I live on Vancouver Island, on a small hobby farm.   I am an outdoor enthusiast, target shooter, reloader, and my farm’s designated handyman.

I have had a lifelong interest in preparedness, and I am gladly learning new skills on a regular basis.  My professional background has allowed me to see every province and territory in Canada, and has taught me to prepare for various unexpected situations daily.  I should also add this podcast has taught me I talk fast, and that I need to enunciate…...

Eric – We have some great content for you in this episode, We’re going to start off with some news articles relating to preparedness and the outdoors. Next we will be letting you know how we’ve improved our preparedness since our last episode, ,  and then were going to get into the main topic for this episode, Differences in prepping between the US and Canada.

NEWS:

 

This may take a while.  

Riots in France, and Europe (Not really about a gas tax, is it?)

-grey man’s worst case scenario

-Caught in a crowd, separated from loved ones worst case trampled (Stanley cup riots)

- use of incapacitating gas or microwave/ sonic crowd dispersers

-Avoid a criminal charge (maybe No PAL)  Definitely No NICS

-will affect your job or social standing

-provides a cover for other crimes to occur

 

IMF heads says we are heading for a depression, and are not prepared for it.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/national-today-newsletter-imf-warns-kevin-hart-grow-light-1.4939070

Inflation hits over 1 million % in Venezuela

https://www.rt.com/business/446144-venezuela-hyperinflation-over-million-parliament/

(But you can always buy a “Petro” cryptocurrency LOL)

Gas is paid for by items, not cash…..

WHAT WE’VE DONE LATELY

Ian - IP/plastics for some gamma lids and buckets, to compliment the rice we bought and the  Mylar bags I ordered.

Had an rare meetup with a local prepper.  Turns out we have known each other for over 20 years.  

Arranged with a local arborist to remove a couple high risk trees.  Removes potential fire hazard/ builds fire break, increases wood stockpile, and reduces the chance I will damage my house when knocking it down :). Peace of mind, cost savings for heat.  Wood shavings & food for the alpacas.

Target shooting….Got cancelled due to a minor SHTF moment, had to get a new passport.

Importance of community, etc

Eric -  Got out the range last night for the first time in ages. . . put 100 rounds of 9mm down range and mostly on target!

Completed the podcast challenge, have enough fuel stored now

Main topic- Differences between countries in prepping.  (Thx to Brad)

-right vs privileges to bear arms

-property rights, emergency management act, and your supplies.

-likelihood of running into a CCW, whether good or bad guy.  More people with truck guns.

-education level.  Ignorance of world events versus local

Material costs for prepping ?  Ammunition, food, etc. amazon.com vs .ca

Even availability of books!

Trespass laws - Castle law versus “citizens self defense and protection of property act”

Less of a social stigma in the US towards prepping

Variety of climates in both.  To generalize the lower 48 has water and heat issues.  We have cold and growing season issues.

Solar efficiency better in the US,  basic angles. Seasonal changes minimized

Food storage climate friendlier in Canada.  

--Politeness level?  Stuck by a roadside, etc?  Police average interaction level of tension….

-Open spaces.  Population density is lower, so once out of major cities the chance for solitude is higher, but in a harsher environment.  (Muskeg, tree line,

-(Vic prepper) Differences between states in firearms laws, water collection bylaws, etc.  Here it is more uniform across the board.

-bail in legislation in Canada

 

-MJ usage, Federal crime in the US, not so much in canada….

Response to “Travelling prepper”  email question - Travel friendly EDC.  Outside of clothes and toiletries

Here’s exactly what I dumped out of my carry on bag.

Bag- Rush 24.  I was wrong. Get a swiss gear from costco instead.  Cheaper, and warranty just as good. Lifetime warranties are my weakness...

Baseball cap, Visor mounted flashlight, spare CR2032 batteries

Dollar store expandable mini towels.

Fox whistle - free from preparedness stand at local fair

Bike trail Map - city of Vancouver (free)

Earplugs - Free

Facebook - branded lit up screwdriver pen. (Free)

Sewing kit, bar of soap from hotel (free)

2 bic lighters tied off.

Quality sunglasses

 

First Aid kit (Ouch pouch, Immodium, ear and eye drops, moleskin, nail file, tylenol, BZK wipes, rubber gloves, triangle bandage, cough medicine, pressure dressing, large gauze, medicla tape, blister band aids, AQUA TABS, feminine napkin)

Lucky duct mini tape roll

Compass cards X 2

Tenacious tape repair tape

Flashlight and 3 batteries

550 cord, bracelet, justificcation book

Zip ties

Real watch, battery powered

Currency - lots

Touch knife - ceramic

MORA brand spork X 2, plastic knives

Bottle and can opener

Snacks, nuts, kind bars, epic bars,suzie’s good fats, Kirkland protein bars

Blunt weapon…..

If not going to the US - Knife less than 2.36” or 6 cm

 

Thanks to him, I need to add  - mylar blanket

N95 Fold flat masks - Aura 1870+

****SHTF happens, don’t forget to raid the hotel room.  Facecloths, balnkets, coffee filters, etc

Ian - PODCAST CHALLENGE

 

TWO DAYS/TWO HOURS till SHTF,  what would you go out and buy?

Ie critically short food supply fixes, gear (tactical or practical) .  Ie , beans, band-aids, bullets. Extra point if you start recording the cheapest price available for each item, and wait for sales.

Feedback

Good evening Eric and Ian,

Andrew from Canadian Patriot Podcast here.  I travel a fair bit for work especially in 2018. I still tend to have most of my EDC with me when I'm on the road. Day to day I work in Information Technology and its not uncommon for me to have to travel with tools, when I do I get to check a bag with screwdrivers, and other things I can't carry on. That will include a less expensive pocket knife, usually a small Gerber. The rest of the time I'm knifeless.

My regular travel is US and Canada with the majority now being Canada only. I have a bag that I always have for work and that includes the majority of my EDC gear. The bag and contents stay the same from day to day and don't change much when I'm traveling. The "prepper" specific stuff follows. This is stuff I know that my co-workers generally do not carry. I also carry several hundred dollars in cash, more when I travel then when I'm at home.

• 5.11 Rush 12 Backpack
  • HSGI Multi-Mission Medical Taco
    • CAT Tourniquet
    • QuikClot Combat Gauze
    • 6" Israeli Bandage
    • Nasopharyngeal Airway & lube
    • FoxSeal
    • Decompression Needle
    • Shears
    • Sharpie
    • Nitrile Gloves
  • Fenix LD22 Flash light
  • spare AA Batteries
  • Soluser 25000mAh Portale Solar Power Bank
  • Belkin 3-Outlet SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger Surge Protector with Dual USB Ports
  • 1L Nalgene - empty before crossing security at airports
  • 2000 calories of food. trail mix, beef jerky, licorice. Snack sizes or small bags.
  • Toiletries kit
  • Paper Notebook & assorted pens

I'm usually somewhere for a week or more. So I'll buy food to eat and re-stock what I keep in my bag. I'll also pick up a few bottles of water to keep in the hotel room, and keep my water bottle full to keep with me. If its just a day trip I don't bother with extra food or water.

I also keep printed copies of all my paperwork in my notebook; hotel, car, airline. Its worth mentioning that I do a virtual recce of any city I have not been in before using google maps and street view. By the time I travel I already have planned a primary and alternate route from the airport to the hotel, the hotel to work locations. Found nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and hospitals. I print google maps with the routes and points of interest. This is all backup to my phone.

Regarding hotel rooms I request second and third floor rooms away from the elevators. This is high enough to discourage casual break and enters from outside access and low enough to easily escape in the event of a fire or other emergency. I also walk the ground floor of the hotel prior to check-in to assess any unusual activity; open doors, loiterers, etc. After check-in I make sure the room is all set and then walk to the parking lot using two different routes whether I need that many trips to the car or not. The point is to become familiar with the route and identify any obstacles or anything unusual.

Probably sounds extreme to the casual outsider, but nothing I travel with has caused problems with airport security, TSA, or CBSA. Trip planning usually saves me time as I already know where to eat so I don't spend time trying to find a place when I'm on-site. The extra work in the hotel only takes a few minutes longer.

Andrew

 

Shout Outs.

• VicPrepper11.  Had the pleasure of a FTF, gave him a tour.
• The travelling prepper.  Always keeps me on my toes with good challenges and questions

Episode Closing

Eric/Ian - Listener Email Review, and answering of questions sent in.  If you want to send in a question, email, or suggest a topic.

Itunes review?  (Eric)

Outro

Eric -  I’m going to bring episode 7 of the Canadian Prepper Podcast to an end. . . Ian where can people find the show online?

Ian- You can find the podcast on Itunes, Podbean, and spotify.  Please help us out take a few minutes and submit a review! It helps people find the podcast.

You can also find us at prepperpodcast.ca.  Our Youtube live shows that help us create the podcast are now available, please subscribe to “The Island Retreat “ and click the notifications tab.  That gives you alerts when we are going live.

Eric –Ian how can people reach you?

Ian -  theislandretreat@gmail.com, and as mentioned on youtube at ‘The Island Retreat’ Channel

Eric – Please  check out Rapid Survival www.rapidsurvival.com and get me there on live chat while buying some prepper gear, or just can also email me at feedback@prepperpodcast.ca

Eric - Thanks for joining us, and tune in for the next episode, where we will talk about basic and advanced first aid training as well as recommended supplies with a special guest .  

Eric - Until next time, be prepared, stay safe, and (Ian) keep learning!