Category: California Preppers

How To Stay Alive During a Los Angeles Riot

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn California, California Preppers, Los Angeles riots, UncategorizedLeave a comment

When the streets of Los Angeles erupt in chaos—burning storefronts, sirens wailing, mobs overrunning city blocks—you don’t want to be figuring things out in the moment. As a seasoned survival prepper and self-defense trainer, I’ve learned that survival doesn’t depend on luck. It depends on preparation, situational awareness, and knowing how to respond when society takes a nosedive.

Riots, especially in a sprawling city like LA, are unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes. It doesn’t matter if you’re caught in Koreatown or driving near Melrose when the flash mobs hit—you need to know how to defend yourself, protect your loved ones, and get out alive.

This guide lays out 8 must-know self-defense skills, 3 DIY weapons you can make from household items, and the mindset you need to adopt when the city turns into a war zone.

Understand the Environment

First, get real about where you are. Los Angeles is a sprawling urban jungle with over 4 million people, and it has a history of civil unrest—from the 1992 Rodney King riots to the George Floyd protests in 2020. When a riot starts, it spreads fast. You need to know the chokepoints, escape routes, and danger zones in your neighborhood.

Download offline maps and mark exits out of your area. Freeways can get jammed—sometimes it’s better to travel on foot through alleys than be stuck in a car.

8 Must-Know Self-Defense Skills

These aren’t gimmicks. These are battle-tested techniques that can save your life:

1. Situational Awareness (SA)

Your first and strongest weapon. Always know your surroundings—who’s near you, where cover is, and where the exits are. Riots are fluid; mobs move. Don’t stand still and don’t look like an easy target.

Pro tip: Keep your head on a swivel—avoid tunnel vision.

2. Verbal De-escalation

Not every confrontation needs to go physical. Being able to read body language and talk someone down is underrated. Stay calm. Use strong, clear voice commands. Maintain distance and confidence without aggression.

3. Open-Hand Strikes

If you must defend yourself, open-hand strikes are safer for your hands than punches. Target the eyes, throat, and nose—areas that disable, not just hurt.

4. Knee Strikes

If someone gets too close, a knee to the midsection or groin can end the fight quickly. Practice good balance and aim.

5. Escape From Grabs

Learn basic escapes from wrist grabs, chokes, and bear hugs. Practice the principle of going “with the grab” to break free using leverage and momentum—not strength.

6. Improvised Weapon Use

A pen, belt, flashlight, or broken chair leg can become a powerful weapon if used right. Practice using household items as force multipliers.

7. Ground Defense

Fights may go to the ground. Learn how to shrimp, bridge, and get to your feet. Never stay flat on your back during a riot—mob mentality shows no mercy.

8. Team Movement Tactics

If you’re with family or a small group, you need to move like a unit. Establish hand signals. Appoint a point person. Never break formation unless you absolutely have to.

3 DIY Survival Weapons From Household Items

If you’re caught without a firearm, knife, or baton, don’t panic. The best survivalists know how to build tools with what’s available. Here are three effective DIY survival weapons you can create with common items in a pinch.

1. PVC Pipe Baton

Materials: 18-24 inch PVC pipe (¾” diameter), duct tape, sand or nails for weight.

How To Make: Fill the pipe with sand or nails, cap both ends with duct tape, and wrap the handle with extra tape for grip. It’s lightweight, concealable, and can deliver bone-cracking force in close quarters.

2. Sling Weapon From Paracord and a Sock

Materials: Paracord, a rock or a padlock, thick sock.

How To Make: Place the heavy object inside the sock, tie the open end with paracord, and now you have a makeshift flail. Easy to conceal, fast to deploy, and devastating when used against limbs or to clear space.

3. Modified Tactical Flashlight

Materials: Heavy-duty flashlight, steel nuts, epoxy.

How To Make: Epoxy a couple of steel nuts around the head of your flashlight. You’ve now turned a common tool into a bludgeon that can break bones and glass alike.

What to Do When the Riot Starts

1. Get Off the X
If you see crowds forming or hear sirens nearby, move. Don’t film it. Don’t spectate. The X is the danger zone—get off it and don’t look back.

2. Secure Your Home
If you can’t evacuate, barricade entrances using furniture and tools. Booby-trap the approach with noise-makers (like aluminum cans on string). A dog, even a small one, can give you vital early warning.

3. Blend In
Wear neutral colors—gray, tan, brown. Avoid tactical clothing or bright colors. Don’t give anyone a reason to think you’re with the opposing side. Use calm, slow body language. Avoid eye contact.

4. Go Grey Man
Blend into the environment. Hide valuables, ditch flashy gear, and move low-profile. The grey man survives because no one notices him. That’s your goal.

5. Know When to Fight and When to Flee
A real survivalist doesn’t fight every battle. If escape is possible, take it. If confrontation is unavoidable, finish it fast and disappear.

Bonus Tips for Staying Alive

  • Have a go-bag with first aid, water, a multi-tool, N95 mask, flashlight, extra phone battery, gloves, and protein bars.
  • Memorize key phone numbers. Don’t rely solely on your cell service.
  • Use radios or encrypted apps like Signal if communication goes down.
  • Secure your documents and cash. Riots are a magnet for looting—if your home burns, your ID and emergency cash better not be in your sock drawer.

Train Before You Need It

None of this matters if you’re not training. Self-defense and survival are perishable skills. Practice them. Drill your family or group. Take classes in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or urban survival tactics. When it hits the fan, you’ll either react with clarity—or panic and become part of the problem.

Final Words

Los Angeles is a beautiful, complex, and volatile city. If the next riot breaks out tomorrow, will you be ready? Or will you be scrambling for supplies, wondering how to defend your home with a frying pan and hope?

Get prepared. Stay trained. Think ahead. And never underestimate the power of calm, confident readiness.

Stay sharp out there.

How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in California (Especially LA)

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn California, California Preppers, California RiotsLeave a comment

Riots are unpredictable, chaotic, and fast-moving. In a place like California—where cities are densely populated and political tensions run high—things can spiral out of control in an instant. I’ve spent years honing my survival and self-defense skills, not just for wilderness emergencies, but for exactly these kinds of urban disasters. If you’re reading this, you’re likely looking to protect yourself and your loved ones. You’re in the right place. Let me walk you through how to stay safe and survive during a riot in California, using practical strategies, real-world self-defense techniques, and a few DIY weapon skills that could save your life.

1. Stay Informed – Before It Hits the Fan

The first rule of survival is awareness. Riots don’t usually just explode without warning. There are always signs: heated protests, political turmoil, viral videos igniting public anger. Monitor news outlets, police scanners, and social media feeds. In California, apps like Citizen, Nextdoor, and local Reddit threads can give you real-time updates.

Keep a Get-Home Bag in your vehicle, especially if you’re traveling into a city like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Sacramento. It should include essentials: water, energy bars, N95 mask, eye protection, gloves, a flashlight, multitool, and a burner phone with emergency contacts.

2. Avoid the Chaos If You Can

Let me be clear: your #1 strategy is to avoid confrontation. Don’t be a hero. Get out before things escalate. If you’re at work and see unrest brewing downtown, leave early. If you’re at home, fortify your entry points and stay inside.

Do NOT try to “watch” the riot or record it for social media clout. That kind of foolishness can get you targeted in seconds.

3. Situational Awareness is Your Best Defense

I can’t stress this enough: stay alert. Keep your head on a swivel. In a riot, threats don’t always come from the angry crowd—you could be ambushed by opportunists looting, mugging, or looking to cause harm.

Watch for exit points, safe zones (like police stations or fire departments), and stay away from choke points like bridges or alleys. Always have an escape route.

4. Learn and Master These 8 Self-Defense Skills

When escape is no longer an option, you’ll need to defend yourself. These eight self-defense skills could make the difference between life and death:

1. Situational De-escalation

Before you engage physically, try to de-escalate. Calm voice, hands visible, avoid aggressive posture. Many confrontations can be avoided with the right words and tone.

2. Palm-Heel Strike

Simple, effective. Aim for the nose or jaw. The base of your palm is strong and unlikely to injure you. Practice striking upward from a neutral position.

3. Elbow Strikes

If you’re in close quarters, elbows are powerful tools. Strike the side of the head, temple, or collarbone.

4. Escape from Wrist Grabs

Always pull toward the thumb. Practice breaking free from various grips. Pair it with a strike and run.

5. Knee Strikes

Deliver a strong knee to the groin or solar plexus. Even large attackers will drop if you hit with force and precision.

6. Tactical Flashlight Usage

A sturdy tactical flashlight can blind, distract, and serve as a blunt weapon. Shine it directly into the eyes and follow with a strike if necessary.

7. Ground Defense

If you’re taken down, protect your head and get to your feet quickly. Learn how to shrimp and kick upward if pinned.

8. Improvised Weapon Defense

You won’t always have a knife or baton—learn to defend using what’s around you: a backpack, a belt, a pen, or a water bottle.

Pro tip: train regularly. Muscle memory can save your life when adrenaline spikes.

5. Blending In – The Gray Man Strategy

Dress to blend. If you’re walking through an angry crowd, don’t stand out. No flashy clothes, no political logos, no bright colors. Go full “gray man”—neutral clothing, low profile, calm demeanor.

Avoid eye contact, keep your head low, and walk with purpose but without fear. Confidence without aggression makes you less of a target.

6. DIY Survival Weapons – When You Have to Improvise

In some riot situations, police and security are overwhelmed, and 911 might as well be out of service. You may need to build and arm yourself with improvised tools. Here are three DIY survival weapons you can make at home or in a pinch:

1. PVC Pipe Baton

  • Take a 1.5 ft length of 1-inch PVC pipe.
  • Fill it with sand or gravel for weight.
  • Seal both ends with duct tape.
  • Wrap the middle with paracord for grip.

It’s non-lethal but effective for crowd control or breaking windows in an emergency.

2. Tactical Sling Weapon

  • Use a strong sock or paracord pouch.
  • Fill it with heavy coins, ball bearings, or small rocks.
  • Whip it like a medieval flail.

Compact and silent, this weapon can deliver serious pain and force attackers to back off.

3. Makeshift Spear

  • Duct tape or lash a kitchen knife or sharpened stick to a broom handle or metal rod.
  • Use zip ties, paracord, or sturdy tape.

Great for defense at a distance and keeping attackers out of arm’s reach.

Note: these are last-resort tools. Don’t bring a weapon into a crowd unless you’re absolutely sure you need it—and understand the legal consequences under California law.

7. Shelter in Place – Fortify Your Home

If the riot is near your neighborhood, stay home and lock down.

  • Reinforce doors with a security bar or heavy furniture.
  • Close blinds and curtains to prevent visibility inside.
  • Keep lights off in front rooms.
  • Fill bathtubs with water (in case of power or water loss).
  • Charge all devices and power banks.
  • Have your defensive tools within arm’s reach.

And don’t answer the door for anyone except law enforcement, and even then, verify credentials if possible.

8. Know When and How to Bug Out

If your home becomes unsafe—fires spreading, mobs looting homes—you need to bug out fast.

Have a Bug Out Bag ready:

  • Copies of ID
  • Cash in small bills
  • Water and purification tablets
  • Lightweight food
  • Knife/multitool
  • First-aid kit
  • Change of clothes
  • Flashlight
  • Emergency radio

Pre-plan multiple evacuation routes. Avoid highways if they’re clogged. Think like a scout: move silently, stick to the shadows, and trust no one unless you know them well.

9. Post-Riot Recovery

Even after the chaos dies down, danger still lingers—downed power lines, fires, civil unrest, and desperate people. Stay alert, continue monitoring communications, and only return home if it’s safe.

Document any damage for insurance, but be ready to defend your property if looters return. And take mental health seriously—what you experience in a riot can leave psychological scars. Talk to someone if you need to.

Final Words from One Prepper to Another

Surviving a riot in California—or anywhere—comes down to mindset, preparation, and adaptability. You don’t have to be a Navy SEAL to make it out alive. You just need to stay smart, stay calm, and be ready to act when others panic.

Remember: You are your own first responder.

Train. Prepare. Stay safe. And may you never need to use what you’ve learned—though it’s better to know it and not need it than the other way around.

Stay sharp out there.

California Homestead Lifestyle: The Real Grit of Living Off the Land

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn California, California Homestead Lifestyle, California Off Grid, California PreppersLeave a comment

You think California’s just about sun-drenched beaches, Hollywood glam, and avocado toast? Think again. Try telling that to someone who’s been scraping and clawing for every scrap of dirt they can turn into a living, breathing homestead in this damn state.

The California Homestead Lifestyle isn’t some weekend hobby or Instagram photo op. It’s a relentless, bloody commitment to independence, grit, and self-reliance. It’s about waking up every day knowing you’ve got to beat back the drought, the wildfires, the invasive regulations, and the overpriced land that’ll bleed you dry if you let it.

Here’s the cold, angry truth: if you want to homestead in California, you better come prepared with some serious skills and hacks—because out here, nature doesn’t give a damn about your fancy dreams. You either adapt or you fail.

15 Must-Have Homestead Skills for California Living

  1. Water Management
    This isn’t just important, it’s life or death. California’s droughts aren’t some rare event—they’re a brutal, recurring enemy. Learn how to capture rainwater legally, build cisterns, and recycle gray water. Every drop counts, so know your drip irrigation, mulching, and soil moisture retention techniques.
  2. Fire Prevention & Control
    Wildfires ravage California yearly. Knowing how to create defensible space around your homestead, clear brush, and have a fire plan can save your life and your home.
  3. Soil Building & Composting
    The Golden State’s soil isn’t uniformly fertile. You need to build it up with organic matter, compost properly, and use cover crops to keep your land productive.
  4. Permaculture Design
    Designing your homestead with the land’s natural flow in mind saves work and creates resilience—critical for surviving California’s erratic climate.
  5. Seed Saving & Plant Propagation
    Don’t trust the grocery store or seed companies. Save seeds from plants that thrive in your microclimate and propagate through cuttings or grafting.
  6. Animal Husbandry
    Whether chickens, goats, or bees, raising animals for eggs, milk, honey, or pest control is a cornerstone of a thriving homestead.
  7. Butchering & Meat Preservation
    This one’s not for the faint of heart, but knowing how to process and preserve meat means you aren’t dependent on the butcher or supermarket.
  8. Canning & Food Preservation
    You better master canning, dehydrating, and fermenting, because the summer bounty isn’t going to last all year.
  9. Tool Maintenance & Blacksmithing Basics
    If your tools break, you can’t wait for Amazon. Sharpen blades, fix equipment, and maybe even do some basic metalwork.
  10. Alternative Energy Setup
    Solar panels, battery storage, and maybe even a wind turbine can keep your homestead powered without relying on the grid, which gets sketchy during fires or blackouts.
  11. Natural Building & Repairs
    Knowing how to fix a fence, patch a roof, or build with local materials (adobe, cob, reclaimed wood) saves you a fortune and keeps you independent.
  12. Herbal Medicine & First Aid
    Access to doctors isn’t always a given in remote areas. Learn to identify and use medicinal plants, and basic first aid.
  13. Wildcrafting & Foraging
    California is rich in wild edibles—acorns, mushrooms, herbs. Know what’s safe and how to harvest without destroying the ecosystem.
  14. Hunting & Fishing
    For many homesteaders, this supplements their diet with fresh protein. Learn local regulations and sustainable practices.
  15. Community Networking & Bartering
    No homestead is an island. Build relationships with neighbors for skill swaps, trade, and mutual aid when the chips are down.

The Raw Reality of California Homesteading

You want a slice of this California dream? Here’s the kicker: the state’s got more red tape than a Christmas tree lot. Permits for wells, restrictions on rainwater catchment, zoning laws that try to squeeze you into a suburban box, and the constant threat of eviction or fines for “non-compliance.” It’s enough to make a seasoned homesteader spit nails.

You need to be savvy, legal, and stubborn as hell. You have to know how to work within the system while pushing back hard when the system tries to throttle your way of life. A homestead here isn’t a fairy tale; it’s a battlefront, and you’re the last line of defense.

3 DIY Homestead Hacks to Survive & Thrive in California

1. DIY Solar Water Heater from Old Tires and Black Paint

Forget expensive solar water heaters. Take some discarded car tires, slice them open flat, and paint them flat black. Arrange these on a south-facing wall or roof where they get full sun. Run a loop of black tubing through the tires and hook it up to your water tank. The tires absorb heat, warming your water cheaply and sustainably—perfect for chilly desert nights or foggy coastal mornings.

2. Swale Trenches for Water Harvesting

In drought-ridden California, every drop counts. Dig swale trenches along your contour lines—shallow ditches that catch and hold rainwater, allowing it to slowly seep into the soil instead of running off. This traps moisture and revitalizes the land around your crops. You don’t need fancy equipment, just a shovel, some patience, and knowledge of your land’s slope.

3. DIY Rocket Stove from Salvaged Bricks and Tin Cans

Cooking fuel is expensive and scarce in some areas. Build a rocket stove from reclaimed bricks and tin cans for an efficient, smokeless cooking option. It uses tiny amounts of wood and burns hot—great for canning or cooking without relying on electricity or propane.

What the Hell Are You Waiting For?

If you think you’re going to just “set up a homestead” in California like planting a few tomato plants and calling it a day, you’re dead wrong. This lifestyle demands everything you’ve got—blood, sweat, and yes, sometimes tears. But when you succeed, there’s nothing like eating food you grew yourself, knowing you’re off the grid and free.

So pick up those skills, learn the hacks, get your hands dirty, and fight for your slice of the homestead dream. Because out here, freedom isn’t handed to you. You take it.

California Wildfire Survival: A Prepper’s Step-by-Step Guide

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn California Preppers, Californio Wildfires, Fire Safety, survivalLeave a comment

Good evening, California! As we brace for another fire season, it’s crucial to be prepared. Recent wildfires, like the devastating January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, have underscored the importance of readiness. Over 200,000 residents were evacuated, and more than 18,000 structures were destroyed.

🔥 Top 10 Wildfire Survival Tips for Preppers

  1. Create Defensible Space: Maintain a defensible space of at least 100 feet around your home. Trim trees and shrubs, mow grass to a height of 4 inches, and remove dead vegetation. CAL FIRE
  2. Harden Your Home: Use fire-resistant materials for roofing, siding, and decks. Install ember-resistant vents and cover eaves and decks with fire-resistant materials. CAL FIRE
  3. Prepare a ‘Go Bag’: Pack essential items such as water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, and a flashlight. CAL FIRE+2Ready for Wildfire+2AP News+2
  4. Know Multiple Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with at least two routes out of your area. Roads can become congested or blocked during evacuations.
  5. Stay Informed: Sign up for local alert systems to receive timely evacuation orders and updates. AP News+1AP News+1
  6. Secure Your Home: Before evacuating, close all windows and doors, remove flammable window coverings, and shut off gas and propane tanks. Ready for Wildfire
  7. Protect Pets and Livestock: Have carriers and leashes ready for pets. Arrange transportation for larger animals and know where to take them. Ready for Wildfire
  8. Maintain Emergency Supplies: Keep a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, and a first aid kit in your emergency kit.
  9. Practice Evacuation Drills: Regularly rehearse your evacuation plan with all family members to ensure everyone knows what to do. Ready for Wildfire
  10. Stay Calm and Follow Official Instructions: During an evacuation, remain calm, follow official instructions, and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

🏙️ Most Fire-Prone Cities in California

Recent studies have identified several California cities as being particularly vulnerable to wildfires:

  • Pacific Palisades: Located in Los Angeles County, this coastal community has experienced devastating fires, including the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Wikipedia+1San Francisco Chronicle+1
  • Altadena: Situated northeast of Pasadena, Altadena was severely affected by the Eaton Fire, resulting in significant property damage. The Washington Post+1Wikipedia+1
  • Moraga and Orinda: These East Bay towns are characterized by fire-prone ecology and narrow roads, making firefighting challenging. San Francisco Chronicle
  • Santa Rosa: Located in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa has experienced multiple devastating wildfires, including the 2017 Tubbs Fire.
  • Redding: Situated in Shasta County, Redding has been impacted by several large wildfires, including the 2018 Carr Fire.

🌡️ Climate Change and Wildfire Risk

A recent analysis by The Washington Post reveals that approximately 5.1 million Californians now reside in areas classified as having “very high” or “high” fire hazard severity. Factors such as climate change, expanded development into wildland areas, and increased vegetation from previous winters contribute to this heightened risk.The Washington PostThe Guardian+1Wikipedia+1

🏠 Home Hardening and Vegetation Management

To enhance your home’s resilience against wildfires:Ready for Wildfire

  • Use Fire-Resistant Materials: Opt for fire-resistant roofing, siding, and decking materials.
  • Maintain Defensible Space: Create a defensible space of at least 100 feet around your home by removing dead vegetation and trimming trees. CAL FIRE
  • Prune Trees and Shrubs: Trim tree branches to a height of 10 feet and remove shrubs that are within 3 feet of your home’s exterior.
  • Install Ember-Resistant Vents: Cover vents and eaves with ember-resistant materials to prevent embers from entering your home. Survival Dispatch

📱 Stay Connected and Informed

During a wildfire, it’s essential to stay connected and informed:

  • Use a Battery-Powered Radio: Keep a battery-powered radio to receive emergency broadcasts. AP News+6Cutter Law P.C.+6Ready for Wildfire+6
  • Charge Devices in Advance: Ensure your cell phone and other essential devices are fully charged.UC Davis
  • Have Backup Power: Consider investing in a portable power bank or generator.

🧯 Final Thoughts

Being prepared is the best defense against wildfires. By creating a comprehensive wildfire action plan, hardening your home, and staying informed, you can significantly increase your chances of safety during a wildfire. Remember, it’s not just about protecting property; it’s about safeguarding lives.CAL FIRE+2AP News+2Ready for Wildfire+2

Stay safe, California!