Dear Black Bag Confidential Reader,
While violent crimes typically grab the biggest headlines, few people realize that you’re much more likely to find yourself stranded on the side of the road than you are to be murdered, sexually assaulted, robbed or have your identity stolen.
In fact, 30 million Americans find themselves stranded on the road in their cars each and every year. That’s more than 25 times the number of victims of violent crimes…
So in this week’s mailbag, I’ll reveal a road safety solution I believe every person should have in their car.
You’ll also learn the best way to loosen up stiff tools, exactly how to shoot an FBI qualification step by step and why you should have more than one gun safe.
Let’s get started.
Several months back I purchased three of your RESCUE packs. I didn’t see any literature about the contents. Is it possible you can send me a list of what items should be in it?
— Sandra P.
The RESCUE Pack isn’t your typical roadside emergency kit. I spent six months searching the globe to find the best suppliers of the highest-quality products at the lowest prices.
First is the pack itself, which is designed to fit neatly in the cabin of your car — not the trunk — so it’s always accessible when you need it. Then inside each RESCUE Pack you’ll find…
- A universal, lightweight battery charger with a standard USB port that will charge ANY cellphone on the market today
- A waterproof, thermal-reflective Mylar blanket designed with NASA technology to keep you warm while waiting for help to arrive
- Aquatabs water purification tablets that quickly transform even the dirtiest water into crystal-clear hydration
- An ultralight, multifunctional, military-grade collapsible shovel to help you dig yourself out of a variety of sticky situations
- The SEAL Torch 2000 tactical flashlight — the secret weapon of the elite Navy SEALs and one of the brightest illumination devices available for civilian use.
Plus, a 3-in-1 survival whistle with a compass AND a thermometer, 20 feet of paracord, 3 feet of orange distress ribbon, a first-aid kit, duct tape, a rain poncho, an MRE and waterproof matches.
The fact is one out of every seven American drivers is going to be stranded on the road at some point in the next 12 months. With these items, you’ll gain the peace of mind from knowing that you and your family will be protected in any roadside emergency.
I just opened my first SEAL Survival Box package from Cade Courtley. The multitool is very stiff to operate. Do you recommend some sort of oil so it will operate more smoothly?
— Kathy J.
Any new knife or multitool can be a little stiff when it’s brand-new. I recommend using the tool for a week or two. See if it’s easier to use after you break it in a little.
However, if your multitool remains stiff, you can apply a small amount of oil. I recommend using something like Rem Oil (or any gun oil). Again, use only a tiny amount — a little will go a long way. This should make your multitool easier to operate.
In your Spy & Survival Briefing article “How to Break in Your New Pistol in Four Easy Steps,” you mention it is a good idea to fire an “FBI qualification test” with your new gun. Could you please elaborate on what exactly that is?
— JV
The FBI qualification course consists of 60 rounds fired in eight different stages at distances from 3–25 yards. All shots must be fired after drawing from a holster. Each stage is timed, and you must shoot one-handed with both your strong and support hand.
The course uses the reduced-size QIT target (below). Every round inside the bottle shape is one point. A passing score is 48 out of 60.
Click here for a complete breakdown of each of the eight stages.
Image courtesy of targets.net.
Regarding your response on clothing to wear post-nuclear attack, you state it should be “weatherproof” so it doesn’t allow moisture to get in. Does this necessarily mean a rubber wetsuit type of outfit? If not, what type of clothing would work? Your communications are excellent.
— Dave M.
When it comes to protective clothing for after a nuclear attack, I recommend a top layer of clothing made from waterproof fabric. Some type of synthetic fabric treated with waterproofing materials is a good option. You can purchase clothing this way or you can waterproof clothing you already own.
The thing is radioactive fallout from a nuclear attack can penetrate normal clothing and eventually make contact with your skin. By wearing waterproof fabric, you should be able to keep the fallout from getting through to your skin.
I’m curious on your thoughts regarding gun safes that use a battery-powered keypad to unlock them. Seeing all the discussions on what happens after an EMP [electromagnetic pulse] blast has me concerned that I won’t be able to easily access the contents of my vault in that type of an event.
— Jeff M.
There are multiple factors to take into consideration, such as the manufacturer and model of the safe, the safe’s location within your home and how far you live from the detonation site.
Most safe manufacturers will admit they haven’t tested their safes for an EMP. I would take that to mean they have no idea what would happen to their product if such an attack were to occur.
The only way to guarantee your safe won’t be affected is to purchase one with a mechanical lock. I have two gun safes on my night stand. One has a battery-powered keypad and the other has a mechanical lock. That way if something happens to the battery-powered safe, I have a backup.
Good training advice, Jason. Thanks. I have been working on your methods to improve my accuracy. All excellent stuff. I can tell you have been doing this for a while. I have been around guns my whole life, but lost my dad when I was 11. I didn’t know anybody who did this stuff well and certainly not with a handgun. You are filling a big gap I had in my knowledge/skill base that would have taken years to figure out. I was generally headed in that direction, but it would have taken me a long time and a lot of money to accomplish what you show me in your stuff very efficiently.
— Bruce K.
Thank you for your feedback, Bruce. I always remind people that it’s never too late to learn valuable skills that could save your life one day. The fact is no matter how old you are, you need to be able to protect yourself — and it sounds like you are.
Stay safe,
Jason Hanson
