Tag: martial-arts

How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in Maryland

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Maryland, Maryland Preppers, Maryland's Worst Roads, UncategorizedLeave a comment

How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in Maryland
By a Skilled Survival Prepper

Let’s get one thing straight: when civil unrest erupts, you don’t have time to Google what to do next. Riots can unfold fast, especially in high-density areas like Baltimore, Annapolis, or even the D.C. suburbs. If you’re in Maryland, a region already known for political protests and occasional flare-ups, you need to be ready now—not after the first bottle hits the pavement.

I’ve been a survival prepper for over two decades. I’ve trained in everything from urban self-defense to wilderness survival. This guide isn’t about fear. It’s about readiness. Below, I’ll give you practical, field-tested advice on how to stay alive, protect your loved ones, and navigate the chaos with a cool head and a strong spine.

1. Know When to Bug Out and When to Hunker Down

One of the most important decisions during a riot is choosing whether to stay put or leave. If you’re in an apartment near a protest route or your area has been flagged for unrest, consider leaving early. You don’t want to be making escape decisions with mobs in the street and roads blocked. If escape isn’t possible, fortify your home: lock all doors and windows, draw blinds, and turn off lights to avoid drawing attention.

Prep Tip: Keep your vehicle gassed up and parked facing outward for a quick getaway. Have a bug-out bag in the trunk with a flashlight, water, trauma kit, cash, maps, and power bank.

2. Situational Awareness is Your First Line of Defense

Most people walk around like zombies—head in their phones, ears plugged in. In a riot, that can be fatal. Your head needs to be on a swivel. Learn to read body language, watch the crowd’s mood, and listen for escalating tension.

Practice the “OODA loop” (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). It’s what fighter pilots use, and it works just as well in chaos on the ground. Every decision should cycle through this loop.

3. Self-Defense Skill 1: Verbal De-escalation

Sometimes you can talk your way out of danger before fists fly. Stay calm, use open palms, and never escalate a confrontation unless you have no choice. Be firm but non-threatening. Control your voice tone and never argue emotionally.

4. Self-Defense Skill 2: Breakaway Techniques

If someone grabs your wrist, neck, or clothing, you need to break contact fast. Learn simple joint manipulations and leverage-based techniques that use minimal strength. Krav Maga offers excellent training for real-life breakaway maneuvers.

5. Self-Defense Skill 3: Targeted Strikes

In close quarters, forget choreographed kicks. Use your elbows, knees, and fists for targeted strikes—eyes, throat, groin. Your goal is to disable and escape. A strike to the throat or a kick to the knee joint can create the space you need.

6. Self-Defense Skill 4: Improvised Weapons Training

You may not have a firearm or blade on you, but anything can be a weapon—keys, a belt, flashlight, even a pen. Practice using common items to block or strike. A tactical pen is one of the best EDC (Everyday Carry) tools for this reason.

7. Self-Defense Skill 5: Situational Escape Tactics

Always plan multiple exit routes from your home, work, or any building you’re in. Know how to get to rooftops, alleys, basements, and side streets. Practice moving quietly and avoiding well-lit or loud areas that draw attention.

8. Self-Defense Skill 6: Shielding and Cover

Not all cover is good cover. A wooden door won’t stop a bullet; a concrete wall might. Know the difference between “cover” (stops threats) and “concealment” (hides you but doesn’t stop projectiles). Use trash bins, vehicles (engine block area), and structural pillars when moving through riot zones.

9. Self-Defense Skill 7: Tactical Driving

If you’re in a vehicle during unrest, remember: stay calm. Drive slowly through crowds, hands on the wheel, don’t provoke. If attacked, never stop unless you’re boxed in. Use your horn sparingly, and avoid ramming unless life is at risk—this can escalate or land you in legal trouble.

10. Self-Defense Skill 8: Non-Lethal Tools Proficiency

If you’re not comfortable with firearms or knives, carry non-lethal options like pepper spray, a stun gun, or a high-lumen tactical flashlight. The key is knowing how to deploy them under pressure. Practice drawing and using them until it’s muscle memory.

3 DIY Survival Skills to Build Your Own Weapons

DIY Skill 1: The Sock Sap (Improvised Sap Weapon)

Take a heavy padlock or rock and place it inside a sturdy sock. Knot the end and swing like a flail. It’s easy to carry, quick to deploy, and highly effective in a close-quarters ambush.

DIY Skill 2: PVC Pipe Baton

Cut a 24-inch section of thick PVC pipe. Fill it with sand or bolts and cap the ends. Wrap the grip with duct tape or paracord. This creates a powerful, durable baton that can be hidden in a backpack.

DIY Skill 3: Spear from Broom Handle and Knife

Lash a fixed-blade knife securely to a broom handle using paracord or zip ties. This gives you reach and leverage. It’s not elegant, but it’s lethal enough for defense when necessary—and it keeps distance between you and the threat.

Shelter in Place Strategy (If You Can’t Evacuate)

Secure your perimeter. Push heavy furniture against doors. Use blackout curtains or duct-tape thick garbage bags over windows. Have a fire extinguisher ready in case of Molotov cocktails or flares. Stay silent and avoid drawing attention—don’t post your location on social media.

Also, designate a “safe room” inside your home—preferably with no windows and a solid door. Keep food, water, medical supplies, and defensive tools inside. Charge all devices and set emergency alerts.

Communications Plan

Don’t count on your cell phone. Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Use signal mirrors or flashlights for visual signals at night. Agree on check-in times with trusted family or friends. If you’re in a high-risk area, establish code words for safety or danger.

Mental Fortitude: Your Ultimate Survival Tool

Panic kills. It clouds judgment and causes people to make fatal errors. Train your mind by visualizing scenarios and walking through your plan. Survival is 90% mindset, 10% gear. Stay calm. Stay focused. You’re the protector of your domain.

Maryland-Specific Notes

  • Baltimore: Know the difference between protest zones like Inner Harbor vs. residential areas like Canton.
  • Annapolis: Avoid main roads near state government buildings—riots there can escalate fast.
  • Suburbs & Rural Areas: Your threat is less likely to be mobs and more likely break-ins or isolated incidents. Prep accordingly.

Whether you’re in the thick of the city or living out near Deep Creek Lake, these strategies will help you stay ready and stay alive. Don’t depend on the government. Don’t assume your neighbors will be calm. In a riot, only you stand between chaos and safety.

Be smart. Be ready. Be silent until it’s time to act.

How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in Montana

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Montana, Riots in Montana, self defenseLeave a comment

Riots can spark anywhere—yes, even in the wide-open expanses of Montana. From Bozeman to Billings, no place is immune when tensions rise and order collapses. I’ve spent decades preparing for the unexpected: training in self-defense, bushcraft, and survival tactics in all environments, urban and wild. And today, I’m going to share essential techniques to stay alive, stay sharp, and stay free during civil unrest.

A riot is not a political movement; it’s chaos in motion. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of it unprepared. Whether you’re protecting your homestead, bugging out, or just trying to get your family to safety, here’s a hard-hitting, no-BS guide for staying safe in a Montana riot.

8 Essential Self-Defense Skills You Need to Master

1. Situational Awareness
Before you even throw a punch or grab a weapon, you need to see the danger coming. Situational awareness means being alert to shifts in crowd energy, sudden movement, or bottlenecks in a street. Keep your head on a swivel. Use reflections in windows, avoid distractions like phones, and always have an exit route mapped out in your head. Know the difference between a protest and a riot—there’s a fine line, and you’ll know when it’s crossed.

2. Verbal De-escalation
This skill can save your life more often than a right hook. Speak calm, clear, and firm if someone gets in your face. Don’t posture or insult. Disengage and redirect attention if possible. The real win in self-defense is not having to fight at all.

3. Improvised Weapon Training
If you didn’t bring a weapon, make one. A metal flashlight, car keys in your fist, or even a rolled-up magazine can become effective tools in the right hands. Train with random objects, learn their weight, balance, and striking capabilities.

4. Palm Heel Strikes and Elbow Hits
Punching is for boxers. In a real street fight, your fist can break easier than you think. Instead, use your palm heel to strike the nose or chin. Elbows are devastating in close quarters. Fast, brutal, and less likely to injure your own hand.

5. Escaping Holds and Grabs
You get grabbed, you get dead—unless you know how to break free. Practice escaping wrist locks, bear hugs, and chokes. Remember, leverage beats strength. Use momentum and body positioning. Bite, gouge, and stomp if needed—this is survival, not a dojo tournament.

6. Shielding Techniques
Learn how to protect your vital organs and head during a physical confrontation. Using your arms to form a shield in front of your head and torso can minimize damage from blunt-force attacks. Practice this while moving; it should be second nature.

7. Ground Defense
If you fall, the fight isn’t over—it just changed levels. Learn to fight off your back, using kicks, sweeps, and fast recoveries. Getting to your feet quickly is essential. On the ground in a riot means you’re a target. Don’t stay there.

8. Escape and Evasion Tactics
You need to know how to disappear. Blend in with the crowd, avoid attention, and use alleyways and side streets. In Montana’s urban zones like Missoula or Helena, scout areas ahead of time and plan low-traffic exit routes. Carry a bandana or mask for dust, smoke, and ID concealment.

3 DIY Survival Weapons You Can Build in a Pinch

When lawlessness takes over, you might have to defend your family. These DIY weapons are quick, legal to build, and effective.

1. The Sock Mace
Take a heavy padlock, drop it into a thick athletic sock, and tie a knot at the open end. Swing it fast and hard—it’s like a medieval flail. Easy to conceal, quick to make, and hits like a hammer.

2. PVC Pipe Spear
Cut a length of PVC pipe around 4 to 5 feet. Sharpen a steel tent spike or long nail and attach it to one end with paracord and epoxy. Wrap the handle with duct tape or cloth for grip. It’s lightweight and effective for self-defense or even hunting if the grid stays down.

3. Duct Tape & Razor Blade Knuckle Guard
Wrap several razor blades in layers of duct tape with a handle-sized gap in the center. Strap it around your knuckles like brass knuckles. Not for long fights, but if someone closes in and you need to make space now, this gets the job done.

Riot-Specific Safety Tips for Montana

Montana’s geography and sparse population may feel like a safety net—but don’t let it fool you. When unrest hits a major town, help could be hours away.

  • Don’t rely on 911 – First responders will be overwhelmed. Prepare to be your own backup.
  • Dress down – Wear neutral, non-descript clothing. No camo, no slogans, no red or blue. Blending in buys time.
  • Avoid major routes – Highways and main roads will be jammed or blocked. Know alternate routes through backroads, fire trails, or even hiking paths if needed.
  • Stay indoors unless escaping – A fortified home is better than a panicked crowd. Use furniture to block entry points and keep your lights low.
  • Have a rally point – If separated from family or your group, have a pre-determined location to regroup. Practice getting there without phones.

Gear You Need (And Why)

  • Multi-tool – Your lifeline for prying, cutting, fixing.
  • Flashlight with strobe – Disorient attackers or signal in the dark.
  • Water filter straw – If stores are ransacked and water lines shut off, this can save you.
  • Rugged gloves – Protect your hands from glass, debris, and cold.
  • Kevlar hoodie or jacket – Looks normal, but resists knives and some blunt trauma.
  • Tactical pen – Writes like a pen, strikes like a spike.

The Prepper’s Mindset: Cold, Calm, Calculated

In a riot, emotions run hot. But you? You stay cold and clear. You don’t get swept into arguments or moral debates—you get home safe. Always think defense first, offense last. You’re not out there to prove anything. Your mission is survival.

Understand that most people don’t prep. They panic. They look for someone to follow—or someone to fight. Stay away from crowds. Keep communication short, decisions fast, and movement constant.

If you’re with others, assign roles: lookout, navigator, enforcer, medic. Train your family. Kids can learn basic defense. Spouses can carry gear and give first aid. A team that trains together survives together.

How To Stay Alive During a Riot in Nevada

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Las Vegas Survivalist, Nevada, Nevada preppers, Riots in Las VegasLeave a comment

There’s an old saying I live by: “When chaos erupts, the prepared don’t panic.” I’m not just a survivalist—I’m someone who has spent decades training, drilling, and building the tools necessary to outlast disaster. If you find yourself in Nevada during a riot—be it sparked by political unrest, resource scarcity, or civil disorder—your ability to stay alive will depend on how fast you think, how well you move, and how seriously you’ve prepared. Let’s talk brass tacks. I’ll share eight must-know self-defense skills and three DIY survival weapon hacks that could save your life when society turns savage.

Understand the Environment

Nevada is a diverse landscape. Riots in Las Vegas are different from disturbances in Reno or Carson City. Urban areas bring dense crowds, narrow alleys, and concrete traps. In more rural regions, you might have more space—but fewer resources and longer emergency response times.

During a riot, law enforcement is often overwhelmed, distracted, or ordered to stand down. That means you are your own first responder. Your mindset, your preparedness, and your skillset will determine whether you make it through or become another statistic.

8 Self-Defense Skills Every Prepper Should Master

These are not abstract martial arts moves. These are battlefield-tested skills. Learn them, practice them, and teach them to your family.

1. Situational Awareness (SA)
This is your first line of defense. You must learn to read a crowd, spot anomalies, and anticipate violence before it starts. Train your brain to scan exits, identify chokepoints, and watch hands (not eyes). The guy who spots the threat five seconds earlier wins the encounter.

2. De-escalation Tactics
Sometimes the smartest thing to do is avoid a fight. Learn calm, assertive language and body positioning. Keep your hands visible, speak slowly, and avoid aggressive eye contact. Blend in or appear harmless until you’re ready to break away.

3. Escape & Evasion
You need to know how to move undetected. Learn to move quietly, use cover and concealment, and understand the urban terrain. Practice going over fences, moving through alleys, or crawling under debris. Your legs are your best weapons—use them to run smart, not just fast.

4. Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat
Focus on real-world application: palm strikes, elbow strikes, knee kicks, and eye gouges. No flashy kicks—just dirty, effective moves. Train in Krav Maga or Systema if you’re looking for combat-efficient styles.

5. Knife Defense and Use
In a riot, weapons are common. You must know how to disarm, redirect, or use a knife if your life depends on it. Practice with rubber knives and get used to rapid close-quarter drills. Also, know how to safely conceal and draw a blade.

6. Improvised Weapon Use
Anything can be a weapon. A pen, belt, broken bottle, or car antenna. Learn how to spot and adapt everyday items to your defense. Practice using them at home. Muscle memory is everything under stress.

7. Crowd Navigation
Getting caught in a mob can kill you. Learn how to “swim” through crowds diagonally rather than head-on. Don’t resist the flow—move with it while subtly navigating toward an exit. Use people as cover if necessary.

8. Tactical First Aid
If you’re bleeding out, no self-defense skill matters. Learn how to use a tourniquet, pack a wound, and treat blunt trauma. Carry a compact IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) with you at all times.

3 DIY Survival Weapons You Can Build in Minutes

I’m not saying you should walk around armed like Mad Max. But when riots break out, you need something between your fists and a firearm. These three DIY weapons are fast to make, brutal in effect, and legal in many areas if used as “tools.”

1. Slap Sap (Improvised Impact Weapon)

  • Materials: Sock + handful of quarters, rocks, or nuts/bolts
  • How-To: Drop the heavy items into the toe of a sock. Tie it off.
  • Use: Swing it fast and low. Aim for knees, thighs, or temples.
  • This is a modern take on the blackjack. Easy to conceal. Devastating.

2. PVC Pipe Spear

  • Materials: PVC pipe (3–4 ft), duct tape, fixed-blade knife
  • How-To: Tape the knife securely to one end. Reinforce with paracord.
  • Use: Great for defense in confined areas or deterrence against aggressors.
  • Not a weapon for active combat—but incredible for holding ground or intimidation.

3. Tactical Torch (Blinding Tool + Striker)

  • Materials: Flashlight with crenellated bezel (think tactical LED)
  • Bonus: Wrap with paracord for grip, coat bezel edges with superglue and salt for extra abrasiveness
  • Use: Blind an attacker, then strike. Keep it in your car, backpack, or belt at all times.

Nevada-Specific Considerations

Nevada is open-carry friendly, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get away with pulling a firearm during civil unrest without consequences. If you do carry, train legally and tactically. Know your state’s self-defense laws cold.

Also: riots affect supply chains. Las Vegas gets food via trucks—if I-15 or US-95 shuts down, panic hits fast. Always keep 72 hours of water, food, and medical supplies in your go-bag.

5 Extra Tips That Could Save Your Life

1. Keep your head on a swivel – Riots are chaotic and unpredictable. Don’t fixate—scan constantly.
2. Wear neutral clothing – No team colors, political slogans, or loud prints. Blend in.
3. Have a safe rally point – Choose a pre-decided place to regroup with family or friends.
4. Learn to drive under duress – That means fast turnarounds, off-road escape, and ramming through light debris.
5. Carry cash and burner phone – ATMs go down. Comms get shut off. Always have a backup.

Final Word

In Nevada—or anywhere—when riots break out, the question isn’t “What will the government do?” It’s “What will you do in the first 10 seconds?” That’s where lives are lost—or saved.

Train now. Prepare now. Because when the mob is coming, it’s too late to Google how to survive.