Is Defense the Biggest Hole in Your Preps? Read “Prepper’s Home Defense” by Jim Cobb

preppers home defenseWhen starting the preparedness journey, most people focus on storing food, water and first aid supplies.  But there is one aspect of preparedness that should not be ignored, and that is defense.  You need to be able to protect yourself and your family during normal times; if a collapse happens, defense would become even more critical.

Prepper’s Home Defense contains a lot of useful information without being overwhelming.   It even includes a list of commonly used acronyms that is helpful if you are new prepper.  Some of the subjects covered include post-collapse security, physical defense such as protecting the perimeter, safe rooms, hidden storage, weapons such as firearms and other weapons, guard dogs, communications, etc.  The book was written by Jim Cobb, who writes at Survival Weekly and Survival-Gear.com  Jim has worked in the security and investigation field for 20 years and is a survivalist.

The author points out that post collapse security is vastly different from normal day to day security, as you will be faced with more varied and determined threats.  As an example, he cites how something as basic as answering a ringing doorbell must be approached differently in a post collapse situation.   As an apartment prepper, there are limits to modifications you can make to your home, and therefore you may not be able to implement a few of the strategies.  Some of the tactics described are applicable only on a post collapse scenario, so as not to break any laws, but they are still good to know nonetheless.   There is a good section on weapons and the book does not limit itself to firearms.  It also covers martial arts weapons, improvised weapons, pepper spray and even natural weapons such as elbows, knees and feet.  I also enjoyed the section on guard dogs versus watch dogs, which I have not previously distinguished.

Prepper’s Home Defense has a lot to offer, in a subject that is often overlooked by beginner and intermediate preppers.  If you have not made plans on how you will protect your home and family, or feel that defense is a weak spot in your emergency plans, I recommend you pick up Prepper’s Home Defense.

Firearms for Long Term Survival

Today is Day Four of Preparedness Blog Crossover Week.  I hope you have been enjoying the series.

Today’s question is:  What firearms do you feel are most appropriate for long term survival and why?

I’ll be the first to admit I am not the biggest expert when it comes to firearms.  But I have read and researched enough to know at the minimum what I would have for long term survival.  I’d have a handgun for defense.  In my case I prefer a revolver, as it is easier for me to load. I have a shotgun on my wishlist, but I have not had the budget for it.  I’d also have a hunting rifle to be able to hunt game for food.  Finally, I’d like to have an AR-15.

By the way, The Prepper Next Door, a book I recently reviewed, has an extensive discussion in the Gun chapter that I recommend.  The author talks about what firearm is ideal for what purpose such as hunting, target practice, defense and such.  I plan on looking at some of the types mentioned before making my choices.

Readers, now is your chance to share what you know – please add your comments below.  You’ll also get to see what the other participating sites are thinking by clicking the links below:

ModernSurvivalOnline.com

IfItHitsTheFan.com

The Retreat

reThinkSurvival.com

DoomandBloom.net

SeasonedCitizenPrepper.com

 

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Visit SafeCastle for your preparedness supplies

 

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Good ideas for building a food storage plan can be found here: