SURVIVAL DEFENSE SAVVY III

A guide to self reliant living

Miles Stair's SURVIVAL
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SURVIVAL DEFENSE SAVVY III

BY Hal Walter

The dean of American survivalists

July 30, 1919 - April 13, 2009

Rest In Peace, Harry

Face it.... the average home has not been designed with any thought of providing for protection from the panic and civil disorder that will come with a nuclear attack on the USA! To remedy this oversight would normally be impossible for the average homeowner.... UNLESS a unique approach could be used that would be inexpensive as well as adaptable to the 'do-it-yourself' capabilities of the would-be survivalist. This is exactly the method used by our own family in developing an extremely secure and defensible program that not only is effective against gunfire, but also adapts readily to shielding from nuclear radioactivity.... and has the FLEXIBILITY needed to plan for any last-minute adjustments.

I am speaking of using SOLID CONCRETE BLOCKS... sized at normal usage, with mortar, at 4" thick; 8" wide, and 16" long. Used, as we do, without mortar, the net size is 3 5/8" x 7 5/8" x 15 5/8". The density (weight) may vary. When we first began using these blocks to supplement our shelter design they weighed about 31# per block. In later years, as our defense program expanded (flexibility) we found that the same size blocks weighed in at about 22# per block.... creating a less effective bullet resistance as well as being less of a radiation barrier. This factor will have to be considered by the survivalist when constructing barriers.... in some places adapting by adding an extra row of block.

As just one practical example of our own use of these solid concrete blocks, we found it wise to create a bullet-proof barrier completely around the main (first) floor of our home... primarily with the purpose of being able to use this area as a key position if forced to defend from attackers. Our basement level, under the entire first floor, is not vulnerable to gunfire or forced entry, the walls being constructed of poured and rodded concrete blocks.... without windows and protected by steel entry doors. The first floor, on the other hand, is constructed more like the normal home, with windows and multiple outside entrance doors, none of which provide protection from shoot-thru random gunfire.

To solve the problem of creating a first floor safe from projectiles, we have used these same concrete blocks, piled along our inside walls where they are a permanent barrier for the lower part of the wall.... and giving us the ability to pile one-half of each barrier wall on top of the other half with a minimum of last-minute effort. In some especially vulnerable places the interior block walls are piled floor-to-ceiling on a permanent basis. Also understand, these blocks are easily painted to fit into the room decor... also providing table-height work and counter space. In an overall analysis of the security provided around the entire first floor of our home it has been possible, thru the imaginative use of the concrete blocks, to create a 'safe' and defensible floor area in our home that otherwise would be useless under the turmoil that comes with a war scenario.

In order to create portholes in the concrete block walls we have used the 2" punched angle iron that are both strong enough to support the blocks but also thin enough not to upset the block alignment. To protect the porthole openings so that they can be used for firing and still maintain protection from incoming fire we have adapted a special 'Oil Sand Sample Bag' that is 10" in circumference and 17" in length....filled with sand these bags can be fitted tightly into the porthole openings...or adjusted to allow for a small opening to accommodate a gun barrel and provide a clear sight for your field of fire. These bags were available at Hutchinson Bag Company, 5 S. Poplar, P.O. Box 1286, Hutchinson, Kansas 67504. The bags can be painted to match your outside home color so that they blend into the concrete wall decor. In order to make these bags even more bulletproof you can line the inside of the bag with regular screening material. This creates a barrier which prevents the sand from running out of the bag when penetrated. The bags can also be used for any special barriers that need to be positioned anywhere in your concrete wall or inside your home where you may be vulnerable.

For homes built on a slab, without a basement, this is likely the only possible method for creating a defensible plan.... the alternative being to abandon any hope of protecting your family and possessions. REMEMBER.... even though you are not now located in a target zone, the threat of radioactive fallout as well as rioting hangs over everyone in our country.... and guess who is ultimately responsible for you and your loved ones?

The cost of the solid concrete blocks ran around $1.40 to $1.50 each.... but each survivalist will have to either work thru his local lumber yard as a source.... or find a manufacturer near enough to make pickup of the blocks a realistic alternative to paying for the delivery costs.

Another very important consideration is whether or not you have an area where you can construct a radiation-resistant fallout shelter... preferably in a basement area underneath your home... or directly connected to an outside shelter thru a basement entrance. This shelter can also be constructed mainly by piling the solid concrete blocks so as to provide maximum shielding.... remembering that radiation travels in straight lines.... making the 45 degree entrance jog a necessity.

Other practical defensive planning, as incorporated in our own survival program, will be explored further in Section #4.

Hal Walter