Just want to welcome all of the new subscribers, videos covering topics such as this and chats about life, philosophy etc are a mix of what I post here. thank you for watching and the support! The idea behind this video is for people who are new and want to expand into gear and equipment. Emphasising the Needs for civilians and laying down the reality of using it. Protecting those we care about. Cheers
Glad to see a proud American from Britain taking advantage of the freedoms we have here and understanding and appreciating these freedoms. Subbed! Came from your Dear America video.
This is probably the best video on youtube on the topic, really helpful for beginners and those looking to have a more well-rounded setup. Really appreciate you talking about the financial concerns as well, that is a huge consideration for all of us (or it should be). Keep up the good work, this is awesome stuff!
Finally, someone with a sane opinions. Especially when it comes to "investment" into gear. I think, most of the people who say so actually look for ways to justify what they want because they like it. Admit it,guys, we,men,never really grow up and like to play with toys. Just our toys change as we grow older.
The financial aspect is extremely important. The biggest blunder I see folks making on that front is buying into the Night Vision hype. That particular cost is much much greater than the already exorbitant baseline cost of the device itself. On top of the entry cost you have to then allot for extra training time on top of the regular daylight training you're already doing (which everyone laments they don't get enough time for in the first place). That means extra ammo expenditure, extra gas, and range fees, and that's IF you can find a range that allows for low light/night time shooting. Most folks don't realistically have the financial or time resources, or special range access to accommodate that. Training under nods (which is as much about tactical movement as it is about one's ability to shoot, if not more) requires a significant time dedication if you are to become halfway competent. IMO it's just not worth it unless you have a good amount of personal wealth and free time.
15:58 Exactly, way too many people in the gun community think they're gonna do some badass SOF stuff because they bought a JPC. You also see the inverse too, there's been a recent surge of people who think that body armor has no use for the prepared citizen because they aren't being backed logistically by the entire US military. Plate carriers have a time and a place, so do belt kits and chest rigs. Broken ribs are better than a sucking chest wound; and a lack of armor in exchange for more water is better than being a heat casualty in the middle of a patrol. Consider what actions you're preparing for and pick your gear accordingly.
Great video man. The armed prepared citizen needs to well rounded but more importantly wise enough to read whatever situation he’s in to utilize his stuff
Good stuff as always Echo, keep fucking crushing it ! I sent a video of yours to a mate and I told him about your content, and while I was talking I came to the realisation that all the tactical info I've been implementing to my training was from your videos, thank you for your effort. Sincerely The South African battle jacket guy from your DMs
Super glad you made it to America man. As a 2nd generation Brit myself, I can't imagine if I were still in Huddersfield or Wakefield like my York family. Things have eroded so much over there, and I wish we could get more expats migrating here to America.
Plate carriers are impractical for *home* defense. If your home's security has been jeopardized, you have zips in the wire and therefore no time to put on your super hero costume. Odds are, it's you, in your underwear, at 3am with the first readily available thing that goes bang. Neighborhood defense is an entirely different use case.
That's going to depend entirely on someones personal situation and what home security measurements they do or do not have in place. When I lived in a suburban apartment, about the best I could do was a "buddybar" to slow entry through the front door. Now owning a home in the sticks, 1/4 mile down a gravel easement that's essentially a private road, I have far more options. It would be near impossible for a criminal to even get near my house without me knowing of their presence well in advance, let alone make it inside. On that note, if someone has the means, I'd certainly suggest putting money toward good security looooooong before body armor. Driveway alarms, smart cameras, security screens and multipoint locking doors are a whole different subject though.
Highly recommend Refuge Medical for training and kits (anywhere from booboo kits to IFAKs and all the way up to a STOMP bag aka a small field hospital on your back and kits for longer term wound care after you've treated the initial wound). Good people and awesome warranty and mission statement too. Medical isn't just for pewpew either, most people drive/ride in vehicles...food for thought. Its worth the investment
Really good video. The night vision hype train is real. It's crazy how many dudes will buy a PVS-14 but don't have a single fire extinguisher in their home. With the price of NVGs constantly going up, the cost of a PVS-14 could cover a lot of the other gear you showed. I'm a bit guilty of being a pack/bag collector. Main pack, get-home pack in the car, a leave-home pack for emergencies (fire, natural disasters, etc), a surplus MOLLE II assault pack full of "stuff," a surplus USGI duffel bag that holds my battle belt and chest rig and some other stuff. That Crossfire pack looks tempting.
What I use is what you call "webbing," which is my ALICE LC-2 gear with a belt pad for comfort, along with the mag pouches, canteens, and pouches and the 1961 butt pack. What supports it is the 1956 "H" suspenders, which are also very comfortable. I'm in my 60s, so this gear is what I'm familiar with from my past service to my country.
I'm guilty of having no body armor. I always tend to go back to the old US army LBE or using an eclectic system too. One of my favorite combos is a harbor freight leather work belt too.
Guns not being an investment is an understatement. I live in Washington State, where they recently banned the sale and transfer of "assault weapons" and "high capacity magazines". I saw every local gun store struggling and now they've all shut down. Local FFL's are also struggling and the state is slowly working toward making it impossible to legally buy, sell and trade them. I got mine... but I know a LOT of people that didn't. They're locked into what the state thinks is what they can own and use. I wish I could get out and train with like minded folks. I own a lot of my own gear but I can't exactly get out to practice with it. Love these videos, keep it up!
Major Consideration: My local 911 is staffed and operated by a private company. Yes! You heard me correct, it’s been farmed out on contract to an organization that does not value anything more than it’s bottom line. South Sound 911 operators are extremely fickle and will not dispatch based on information or factors beyond your own control. A phone call is NO guarantee help is coming. The most “skimped on”call for services is the dispatch of police. “They are stretched thin” No excuse, I pay more taxes than ever and receive less than ever from responders. The days of “just send the damn police to my location!?!!” Are over. Sad
I think there’s a middle ground when it comes to armor. I do think everyone should have plates at some point but for $250 you can find decent concealable pistol rated armor. There’s a brand out there that even embeds soft armor into a tee shirt. The majority of crime in the US is done with a handgun.
Fellow Brit turning yank. Its just so fun to get acces to this stuff aint it 😂. Personaly i like a low vis plate carrier under a green flannel shirt/fleece. Cheno trousers , and a flat cap or basball cap. Nearly as good as camo but looks normal . Then just pick up your low vis sports bag bob for urban. Or pick up your big sustainment bob with a chicom chest rig for roral . Low vis psa akv fits in a normal sports bag . Sustainment zastava m77 . 308 go boom . Pistol i love the rex zero 1 My little bob is Adidas because ak . My big bob is karrimor sabre 45 . Because Britain. Its never advantageous to look militarised as a civilian imo .
Could you go over the minimum requirements for an IFAK? I too hate the little dangler things, but I also don’t want to be running around with more than I need when I’m limited on room. Especially on a belt rig like the DZ or PLCE, where if it’s a big enough pouch you’re sacrificing water or ammo.
The biggest impression that I get here in the UK is the threat apathy in that folks think "that this will never happen here" and the government either thinks the same or does not want civilians prepared to fight (for whatever reason that may be) and to be dependant on the police etc. This is the reason why you don't really get preppers here.
Dear EM your ability to explain everything clearly and in a way that everyone can understand is amazing. Many thanks again. Just for the record not that it affects your excellent presentation, is that IFAK an Osprey or a Virtus one!
I wanted to bring up a point about the color of a persons gear: Green Camo is not camoflauge in a Metro or Urban environment. If you live in a city and want to blend in go Monochrome.This applies more to a SHTF situation and prepping for such but also applies for every day if you want to stay on the DL. Different shades of grey, no white or light/bright colors, nothing shiny or reflective, and keep black to a minimum unless it's at night. If someone wants to look tactical, or like they are in the military, or they want to stand out, go ahead and buy typical green military camo colored gear, like woodland for example. If you want to blend in, buy typical civilian cloths in different shades of grey. If your firearms are shiny black or a bright color, paint them matt grey. Maybe keep a few cans of grey spray paint just in case. And especially don't get Black Camo. I don't think many people know that black camo really stands out in an urban environment. There are some exceptions, like where I live, PDX. There is a lot of foliage mixed in with homes, cars, and concrete. Mixing in some tans and maybe the right color green or tan depending on the season might be helpful. Now if you live in a rural area, match you cloths to the color of the season. There is no one camo for every situation but in the city the grey man will blend more than someone wearing military camo. And if you wear body armor, wear concealable armor when possible. This could be an entire video on its own, and I'm sure there are videos on it. I did a lot of skipping and didn't watch the hole video so this might have come up, I just wanted to point out that the typical army camo colors aren't necessarily good camo for civilians.
Bro you are undeniably based and an absolute unit. However i will respectfully disagree on body armor. My main point basically boils down to a civilian is probably gonna do his best to avoid a gunfight. In the context of a self defense/home protection situation im almost sure the odds of you having enough time to strap a rig on is low. In the context of shtf i think there are too many downsides. Primarily it is fucking heavy as shit. I get that a lot of modern plate carriers do an excellent job of slimming them down and i have a bad experience with the iotv being a massive brick with its 4 plates but your stamina and operational distance is massively reduced when you carry that much more weight. Secondly if you take a hit the odds of it being on your plate are maybe 50-50 and if the situation is bad enough you are kinda fucked cause there is no immediate medical attention that can save you. You made the excellent point that you should avoid contact as much as possible which adds to the very rare situation that you a) make contact b) take a hit on the carrier c) it isnt serious enough that you die from internal bleeding anyway I would much rather carry more food and if i get into a gunfight i would much rather have more ammunition to suppress and break contact in a team. Honestly it all boils down to personal preference. I meant to add infection will likely kill you anyway in a shtf situation
I was going to say just this. As a civilian, you have no business getting into a firefight. We should not be playing soldiers, we should be trying to survive as best we can until things calm down and order is restored. Armor is for missions, usually ones that are backed up by other people, and especially vehicles that can transport people to and from the sortie. If you're doing that sort of thing, you've probably got an organization (big or small) backing you and they'll likely take care of funding you armor. Mobility, stealth, and being able to quickly disengage from contact, is your armor. Not looking for a fight, is your armor.
For area security and home defense (plenty of situations where you have enough time put on gear before a riot gets to your door), I think having armor is a huge benefit. Walls aren't bulletproof.
I can't think of a home defense situation where you have the time to don body armor. The helmet part is a weird take, not against having one but most non-chinese ballistic helmets besides mil surp are $1000+.
I will agree with Mike on the difference between an investment and not an investment. I don’t agree that night vision is a want. As a prepared civilian, you have all this gear for defense and a pack for sustainment and carrying gear you need in a kinetic/non-permissive environment. It’s bad enough that you’re at a disadvantage in terms of a potential modern military in logistics, aerial assets, communication systems, thermal, ordinance, and sheer numbers. Don’t be like the Russians, moving through the dark with no lights (to keep signature down), holding hands with your buddies to make it to an objective, or god forbid, E&E. If you don’t have night vision, it is a weakness that the enemy WILL exploit. It’s a major force multiplier and will allow you to atleast spot any infrared LDs or lights that they might use, thinking they have the upper hand in that regard. While of the things shown in this video, it would be among the LAST things you “need”, you still need it if you are going to be using any of this stuff and trying to pull security or observe/navigate at night. Save up and get a decent NV unit and a way to mount it to your head. Thermal is a want, another force multiplier, but best uses in a civilian context for observation/spotting what you might otherwise not see or night time engagements (not necessary for engagements if you have NV and passive aiming device). If only one guy in your crew has one, that would be good enough. Don’t skip on NV if you have everything else.
First off, good video. I gave the earned thumbs up and subscription. I look forward to seeing more. I do have a couple of notes, though. Your IFAK statements were a bit dismissive in regard to the pouch's size and attachment method. If a person or unit chooses to use a dangler, fanny pack style, or belt mount matters far less than the actual contents, the user's ability to access the pouch with either hand, and the knowledge, and skills to utilize that equipment. I'm sure you agree. Also, in regard to cqb at home and area defense, coupled with armor. I would submit that, at home, responding to a bump in the night waking you, you are behind the curve in that you were asleep. What you have going for you is that no one knows your house the way you do. I would love it if all good Americans had body armor, but I will settle for firearms, a method to carry reloads, and medical, backed up by proper training. And as to area defense, some people have many acres of land, and a community to protect within it's grid. No need to dismiss armor in that scenario. I don't think we disagree. I'm just pointing out the way that a few things came across. This video is well thought out, and again, you have my support. I just think that someone with less training, experience, may take some of these points as written in stone. Not everyone has thousands of dollars in gear, countless hours of training, and the ability to try different things to see if they may work for them. Good content. Keep it up!
As an Englishman (who still lives in England), offensive weapons are naturally a problem, due to the extremely stringent laws here. What would you (or anyone in the comments) recommend? I know my options aren't great, but there must be something I can do? I am also limited in options due to the fact that I'm a teenager - not for very long though. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Another thing to note is the fact that as I live in England, the threats/weapons I face are generally going to be different in most scenarios, due to again the extremely stringent laws and difficulty to get a firearm - however, I would still consider a long range offensive weapon to be essential.
@@Echo_Mike I just watched your "about me" video. Your mother was from the USA, so I understand now. Thats not the same as everyone else lol, foreigners cant join the US military, required to have a Green Card at the very least. Obtaining a GC is not something anyone can do.
@@tarzanstrickland That used to be the case. They are opening it all up to the illegals now, who will enforce unjust law and tyranny on Americans soon.
Saying you don't need a firearm(or any other legal self defense tool) in your home because that's what the police are for is the same as saying you don't need a fire extinguisher in your house because that's what the fire department is for or you don't need any first-aid equipment in your house because that's what paramedics and EMTs are for.
Fact! As a retired career big city cop I was NIT going to be there when you needed me for the most part. Especially in todays social/political environment, proactive police work has diminsihed and even back in “ the days” in a big city, cops are inundated with calls for service that they run from call to call. YOU are your own first responder!
Could just be my misunderstand, but you seem very negative about offensive action which is 100% why the 2A was created (as well as defense). Unless you think we smoked the bloody British by defensive actions alone... I think this is a very difficult/situational thing and can't be blanketed by "you're part of the problem if the enemy is past 100 yards". Obviously we are not going to be immoral and attack people for our own selfish gain, but if there's an enemy operating in your area, it is prudent to make their lives as unbearable as possible.
Seems that line is being misunderstood as I didn’t communicate it well. My apologies. what I mean is if you are actively looking for a fight. And being beyond 100 yards was just a random number that came to mind because it implies a pre planned and targeted engagement. If you are attacked at any range then by all means of course defend yourself. Those of us that are into this stuff know what the 2A is for, but this video is for people on the fence or are new. So it’s important they see and hear someone give a logical explanation within a very understandable and reasonable set of parameters I love long range shooting, training with all firearms and skills Hope that clears it up, cheers
I'm an Anglo Swiss, so the former puts its faith in His Majesty's Armed Forces, Police, and Intelligence agencies, and the latter do the same bar the responsibility is far more individually involved as part of being part of that society, why they do National Service and take their rifles home. Good effort for trying to give reason for "the need". Most men have a bit of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and prepper in them. Its normal. However, doing that well takes effort and not a given. They are learnt skills, and take resources, and done before ever needed. How far to go "prepper" wise? Really depends on what level of threat you think is plausible. Is society going to collapse or just having a short term hic up? Is there actually any functioning medical facilities? Do you have the funds to invest in "kit". I say invest in skills, and good health first. The easiest way to find out what kit you can handle is do a ten mile hike. If you can't do ten miles and still function then you are carrying too much. Few can carry basic supplies of food and water for more than three days without resupply. It is supplies that dictate how far anyone can go from a base, or to the next supply base. I'm getting towards 60 years old and never going to go far. Fitness, I'll be fighting light, but trying not to get into a fight. I do have my "prepper box", and quality kit is fun to source and own. Hopefully, never needed. My skill set is pretty high, and I do try to maintain it. Remember, if you have incumbents then they are unlikely to have anything like the same. Being an old Cold War Worrier I'm a fan of full battle belt order, and have one similar to your own. Nice one.
I am a bit confused. You have a British flag on the wall and a British accent yet you speak abou the U.S. constitution. Are you an American? Or do you just admire the historical documents. We would love to have you brother
As it should be. "The power of the sword, say the minority…, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every terrible implement of the soldier are the birthright of Americans. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments but where, I trust in God, it will always remain, in the hands of the people." -The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788. - Tench Coxe
@tylernathan7985 "The power of the sword, say the minority…, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every terrible implement of the soldier are the birthright of Americans. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments but where, I trust in God, it will always remain, in the hands of the people." -The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788. - Tench Coxe
Just want to welcome all of the new subscribers, videos covering topics such as this and chats about life, philosophy etc are a mix of what I post here. thank you for watching and the support!
The idea behind this video is for people who are new and want to expand into gear and equipment. Emphasising the Needs for civilians and laying down the reality of using it. Protecting those we care about.
Cheers
Glad to see a proud American from Britain taking advantage of the freedoms we have here and understanding and appreciating these freedoms. Subbed! Came from your Dear America video.
@@Radvous glad to have you here mate
@@Echo_Mike likewise
same
We're free in the UK too mate
@aldozilli1293 watch his message to America video.
This is probably the best video on youtube on the topic, really helpful for beginners and those looking to have a more well-rounded setup. Really appreciate you talking about the financial concerns as well, that is a huge consideration for all of us (or it should be). Keep up the good work, this is awesome stuff!
@@S2Underground cheers mate! Love your channel and content brother !
I'm 6 minutes in but already stunned as to the competency of your knowledge and presentation.
I'm 7 minutes in and he didn't even say anything yet?
This is hands down the most encouraging video I’ve ever seen in this space. Kudos brother!
Finally, someone with a sane opinions. Especially when it comes to "investment" into gear. I think, most of the people who say so actually look for ways to justify what they want because they like it. Admit it,guys, we,men,never really grow up and like to play with toys. Just our toys change as we grow older.
@@ANV1832 exactly
The financial aspect is extremely important.
The biggest blunder I see folks making on that front is buying into the Night Vision hype. That particular cost is much much greater than the already exorbitant baseline cost of the device itself.
On top of the entry cost you have to then allot for extra training time on top of the regular daylight training you're already doing (which everyone laments they don't get enough time for in the first place). That means extra ammo expenditure, extra gas, and range fees, and that's IF you can find a range that allows for low light/night time shooting.
Most folks don't realistically have the financial or time resources, or special range access to accommodate that. Training under nods (which is as much about tactical movement as it is about one's ability to shoot, if not more) requires a significant time dedication if you are to become halfway competent.
IMO it's just not worth it unless you have a good amount of personal wealth and free time.
Yes. That’s why I had to say it, no matter how “uncool” it may seem
15:58 Exactly, way too many people in the gun community think they're gonna do some badass SOF stuff because they bought a JPC. You also see the inverse too, there's been a recent surge of people who think that body armor has no use for the prepared citizen because they aren't being backed logistically by the entire US military. Plate carriers have a time and a place, so do belt kits and chest rigs. Broken ribs are better than a sucking chest wound; and a lack of armor in exchange for more water is better than being a heat casualty in the middle of a patrol. Consider what actions you're preparing for and pick your gear accordingly.
Very well said mate
this is why my kit just has 3 mags
This is the best gear video I've seen in a long time, well done mate!
Love your educational style and expertise, gonna employ some of this in my little corner of the universe, in time. Thanks once again mate.
Great video man. The armed prepared citizen needs to well rounded but more importantly wise enough to read whatever situation he’s in to utilize his stuff
It’s you
Commenting for the algorithm. Great vid!
Good stuff as always Echo, keep fucking crushing it ! I sent a video of yours to a mate and I told him about your content, and while I was talking I came to the realisation that all the tactical info I've been implementing to my training was from your videos, thank you for your effort.
Sincerely
The South African battle jacket guy from your DMs
@@perfectly.sane.behaviour appreciate you mate
Super glad you made it to America man. As a 2nd generation Brit myself, I can't imagine if I were still in Huddersfield or Wakefield like my York family. Things have eroded so much over there, and I wish we could get more expats migrating here to America.
Plate carriers are impractical for *home* defense. If your home's security has been jeopardized, you have zips in the wire and therefore no time to put on your super hero costume. Odds are, it's you, in your underwear, at 3am with the first readily available thing that goes bang. Neighborhood defense is an entirely different use case.
I'm at least putting on my pants! Nobody needs to see my underoos--OOP!💦
That's going to depend entirely on someones personal situation and what home security measurements they do or do not have in place. When I lived in a suburban apartment, about the best I could do was a "buddybar" to slow entry through the front door. Now owning a home in the sticks, 1/4 mile down a gravel easement that's essentially a private road, I have far more options. It would be near impossible for a criminal to even get near my house without me knowing of their presence well in advance, let alone make it inside.
On that note, if someone has the means, I'd certainly suggest putting money toward good security looooooong before body armor. Driveway alarms, smart cameras, security screens and multipoint locking doors are a whole different subject though.
Really glad I found your channel brother. Very knowledgeable and good instruction. 💪🇺🇲🇬🇧
Keep em coming mate. Love from the south east.
Highly recommend Refuge Medical for training and kits (anywhere from booboo kits to IFAKs and all the way up to a STOMP bag aka a small field hospital on your back and kits for longer term wound care after you've treated the initial wound). Good people and awesome warranty and mission statement too.
Medical isn't just for pewpew either, most people drive/ride in vehicles...food for thought. Its worth the investment
Really good video. The night vision hype train is real. It's crazy how many dudes will buy a PVS-14 but don't have a single fire extinguisher in their home. With the price of NVGs constantly going up, the cost of a PVS-14 could cover a lot of the other gear you showed.
I'm a bit guilty of being a pack/bag collector. Main pack, get-home pack in the car, a leave-home pack for emergencies (fire, natural disasters, etc), a surplus MOLLE II assault pack full of "stuff," a surplus USGI duffel bag that holds my battle belt and chest rig and some other stuff. That Crossfire pack looks tempting.
Your preamble earned a subscriber. You as a Brit understand the fundamental principles of my country better than most of my countrymen.
What I use is what you call "webbing," which is my ALICE LC-2 gear with a belt pad for comfort, along with the mag pouches, canteens, and pouches and the 1961 butt pack. What supports it is the 1956 "H" suspenders, which are also very comfortable.
I'm in my 60s, so this gear is what I'm familiar with from my past service to my country.
Good advice and wisdom all around! Bravo Zulu!
Great stuff EM!
I'm guilty of having no body armor. I always tend to go back to the old US army LBE or using an eclectic system too. One of my favorite combos is a harbor freight leather work belt too.
Great video and explanation. Thank you
Awesome video, thanks man!
Guns not being an investment is an understatement. I live in Washington State, where they recently banned the sale and transfer of "assault weapons" and "high capacity magazines". I saw every local gun store struggling and now they've all shut down. Local FFL's are also struggling and the state is slowly working toward making it impossible to legally buy, sell and trade them. I got mine... but I know a LOT of people that didn't. They're locked into what the state thinks is what they can own and use.
I wish I could get out and train with like minded folks. I own a lot of my own gear but I can't exactly get out to practice with it. Love these videos, keep it up!
You're gonna make it! Keep making videos!
Love the brits, great content brother 👍
Useful video. Thanks. It was very detailed and clear 👌 Hope to see more videos about military staff, training, traveling and else. Shake hand 🤝
Major Consideration: My local 911 is staffed and operated by a private company. Yes! You heard me correct, it’s been farmed out on contract to an organization that does not value anything more than it’s bottom line.
South Sound 911 operators are extremely fickle and will not dispatch based on information or factors beyond your own control. A phone call is NO guarantee help is coming. The most “skimped on”call for services is the dispatch of police. “They are stretched thin” No excuse, I pay more taxes than ever and receive less than ever from responders. The days of “just send the damn police to my location!?!!” Are over. Sad
I think there’s a middle ground when it comes to armor. I do think everyone should have plates at some point but for $250 you can find decent concealable pistol rated armor. There’s a brand out there that even embeds soft armor into a tee shirt. The majority of crime in the US is done with a handgun.
what sleeping pad is attached to the pack?
German folding
Nice to see Crossfire Packs being showcased.
Fellow Brit turning yank. Its just so fun to get acces to this stuff aint it 😂.
Personaly i like a low vis plate carrier under a green flannel shirt/fleece. Cheno trousers , and a flat cap or basball cap. Nearly as good as camo but looks normal . Then just pick up your low vis sports bag bob for urban. Or pick up your big sustainment bob with a chicom chest rig for roral .
Low vis psa akv fits in a normal sports bag .
Sustainment zastava m77 . 308 go boom . Pistol i love the rex zero 1
My little bob is Adidas because ak . My big bob is karrimor sabre 45 . Because Britain.
Its never advantageous to look militarised as a civilian imo .
Well said, keep up the good information.
Could you go over the minimum requirements for an IFAK? I too hate the little dangler things, but I also don’t want to be running around with more than I need when I’m limited on room. Especially on a belt rig like the DZ or PLCE, where if it’s a big enough pouch you’re sacrificing water or ammo.
The biggest impression that I get here in the UK is the threat apathy in that folks think "that this will never happen here" and the government either thinks the same or does not want civilians prepared to fight (for whatever reason that may be) and to be dependant on the police etc. This is the reason why you don't really get preppers here.
There are those with plates and those without, we all know who we are, it’s really that simple to be frank
Great stuff mate 👍
Cheers mate 💯
🎉I'm a new subscriber. You have inspired me to start a hiking club.😊
@@marygee3981 keep up the good work!
Dear EM your ability to explain everything clearly and in a way that everyone can understand is amazing. Many thanks again.
Just for the record not that it affects your excellent presentation, is that IFAK an Osprey or a Virtus one!
Cheers for that mate, that’s the Osprey
I wanted to bring up a point about the color of a persons gear: Green Camo is not camoflauge in a Metro or Urban environment. If you live in a city and want to blend in go Monochrome.This applies more to a SHTF situation and prepping for such but also applies for every day if you want to stay on the DL. Different shades of grey, no white or light/bright colors, nothing shiny or reflective, and keep black to a minimum unless it's at night. If someone wants to look tactical, or like they are in the military, or they want to stand out, go ahead and buy typical green military camo colored gear, like woodland for example. If you want to blend in, buy typical civilian cloths in different shades of grey. If your firearms are shiny black or a bright color, paint them matt grey. Maybe keep a few cans of grey spray paint just in case. And especially don't get Black Camo. I don't think many people know that black camo really stands out in an urban environment. There are some exceptions, like where I live, PDX. There is a lot of foliage mixed in with homes, cars, and concrete. Mixing in some tans and maybe the right color green or tan depending on the season might be helpful. Now if you live in a rural area, match you cloths to the color of the season. There is no one camo for every situation but in the city the grey man will blend more than someone wearing military camo. And if you wear body armor, wear concealable armor when possible.
This could be an entire video on its own, and I'm sure there are videos on it. I did a lot of skipping and didn't watch the hole video so this might have come up, I just wanted to point out that the typical army camo colors aren't necessarily good camo for civilians.
@@hasanmichael4966 great points, cheers for this mate
Awesome video!
Appreciate you mate!
Glad to see extreme ownership in that stack of books!
It’s a signed copy!
@@Echo_Mike awesome! Love jocko
Bro you are undeniably based and an absolute unit. However i will respectfully disagree on body armor.
My main point basically boils down to a civilian is probably gonna do his best to avoid a gunfight.
In the context of a self defense/home protection situation im almost sure the odds of you having enough time to strap a rig on is low.
In the context of shtf i think there are too many downsides. Primarily it is fucking heavy as shit. I get that a lot of modern plate carriers do an excellent job of slimming them down and i have a bad experience with the iotv being a massive brick with its 4 plates but your stamina and operational distance is massively reduced when you carry that much more weight.
Secondly if you take a hit the odds of it being on your plate are maybe 50-50 and if the situation is bad enough you are kinda fucked cause there is no immediate medical attention that can save you. You made the excellent point that you should avoid contact as much as possible which adds to the very rare situation that you
a) make contact
b) take a hit on the carrier
c) it isnt serious enough that you die from internal bleeding anyway
I would much rather carry more food and if i get into a gunfight i would much rather have more ammunition to suppress and break contact in a team. Honestly it all boils down to personal preference.
I meant to add infection will likely kill you anyway in a shtf situation
I was going to say just this. As a civilian, you have no business getting into a firefight. We should not be playing soldiers, we should be trying to survive as best we can until things calm down and order is restored. Armor is for missions, usually ones that are backed up by other people, and especially vehicles that can transport people to and from the sortie. If you're doing that sort of thing, you've probably got an organization (big or small) backing you and they'll likely take care of funding you armor.
Mobility, stealth, and being able to quickly disengage from contact, is your armor. Not looking for a fight, is your armor.
@@roberthsieh8639 I think we actually agree with eachother, what you’re saying is what I said in the video
@@MnemonicHack yes 100%
For area security and home defense (plenty of situations where you have enough time put on gear before a riot gets to your door), I think having armor is a huge benefit. Walls aren't bulletproof.
A freedom loving Brit!
Love to see it
Holy smokes, can we please talk
about those arms?? 0:10 💪🏼💪🏼
That's exactly the reason our forefathers gave us the Constitution!!!!
I can't think of a home defense situation where you have the time to don body armor. The helmet part is a weird take, not against having one but most non-chinese ballistic helmets besides mil surp are $1000+.
I will agree with Mike on the difference between an investment and not an investment. I don’t agree that night vision is a want. As a prepared civilian, you have all this gear for defense and a pack for sustainment and carrying gear you need in a kinetic/non-permissive environment. It’s bad enough that you’re at a disadvantage in terms of a potential modern military in logistics, aerial assets, communication systems, thermal, ordinance, and sheer numbers. Don’t be like the Russians, moving through the dark with no lights (to keep signature down), holding hands with your buddies to make it to an objective, or god forbid, E&E. If you don’t have night vision, it is a weakness that the enemy WILL exploit. It’s a major force multiplier and will allow you to atleast spot any infrared LDs or lights that they might use, thinking they have the upper hand in that regard. While of the things shown in this video, it would be among the LAST things you “need”, you still need it if you are going to be using any of this stuff and trying to pull security or observe/navigate at night. Save up and get a decent NV unit and a way to mount it to your head. Thermal is a want, another force multiplier, but best uses in a civilian context for observation/spotting what you might otherwise not see or night time engagements (not necessary for engagements if you have NV and passive aiming device). If only one guy in your crew has one, that would be good enough. Don’t skip on NV if you have everything else.
First off, good video. I gave the earned thumbs up and subscription. I look forward to seeing more.
I do have a couple of notes, though. Your IFAK statements were a bit dismissive in regard to the pouch's size and attachment method. If a person or unit chooses to use a dangler, fanny pack style, or belt mount matters far less than the actual contents, the user's ability to access the pouch with either hand, and the knowledge, and skills to utilize that equipment. I'm sure you agree.
Also, in regard to cqb at home and area defense, coupled with armor. I would submit that, at home, responding to a bump in the night waking you, you are behind the curve in that you were asleep. What you have going for you is that no one knows your house the way you do. I would love it if all good Americans had body armor, but I will settle for firearms, a method to carry reloads, and medical, backed up by proper training. And as to area defense, some people have many acres of land, and a community to protect within it's grid. No need to dismiss armor in that scenario.
I don't think we disagree. I'm just pointing out the way that a few things came across. This video is well thought out, and again, you have my support. I just think that someone with less training, experience, may take some of these points as written in stone. Not everyone has thousands of dollars in gear, countless hours of training, and the ability to try different things to see if they may work for them. Good content. Keep it up!
As an Englishman (who still lives in England), offensive weapons are naturally a problem, due to the extremely stringent laws here. What would you (or anyone in the comments) recommend? I know my options aren't great, but there must be something I can do? I am also limited in options due to the fact that I'm a teenager - not for very long though.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Another thing to note is the fact that as I live in England, the threats/weapons I face are generally going to be different in most scenarios, due to again the extremely stringent laws and difficulty to get a firearm - however, I would still consider a long range offensive weapon to be essential.
how did you enter the USMC as a foreigner?
@@tarzanstrickland same as everyone else
@@Echo_Mike I just watched your "about me" video. Your mother was from the USA, so I understand now. Thats not the same as everyone else lol, foreigners cant join the US military, required to have a Green Card at the very least. Obtaining a GC is not something anyone can do.
@@tarzanstrickland That used to be the case. They are opening it all up to the illegals now, who will enforce unjust law and tyranny on Americans soon.
Is crossfire a sponsor?
@@benbreakfast4314 no
It only becomes offensive when we are put in a defensive situation.
Saying you don't need a firearm(or any other legal self defense tool) in your home because that's what the police are for is the same as saying you don't need a fire extinguisher in your house because that's what the fire department is for or you don't need any first-aid equipment in your house because that's what paramedics and EMTs are for.
Yes
Fact! As a retired career big city cop I was NIT going to be there when you needed me for the most part. Especially in todays social/political environment, proactive police work has diminsihed and even back in “ the days” in a big city, cops are inundated with calls for service that they run from call to call. YOU are your own first responder!
We are family, and most people have forgotten who we are. If I said it, you wouldn't see it.
Could just be my misunderstand, but you seem very negative about offensive action which is 100% why the 2A was created (as well as defense). Unless you think we smoked the bloody British by defensive actions alone...
I think this is a very difficult/situational thing and can't be blanketed by "you're part of the problem if the enemy is past 100 yards".
Obviously we are not going to be immoral and attack people for our own selfish gain, but if there's an enemy operating in your area, it is prudent to make their lives as unbearable as possible.
Seems that line is being misunderstood as I didn’t communicate it well. My apologies.
what I mean is if you are actively looking for a fight. And being beyond 100 yards was just a random number that came to mind because it implies a pre planned and targeted engagement.
If you are attacked at any range then by all means of course defend yourself.
Those of us that are into this stuff know what the 2A is for, but this video is for people on the fence or are new. So it’s important they see and hear someone give a logical explanation within a very understandable and reasonable set of parameters
I love long range shooting, training with all firearms and skills
Hope that clears it up, cheers
@@Echo_Mike fair enough. It's a very nuanced thing to navigate and hopefully we never have to decide in real life.
Guns n gear are not an investment they are insurance
I'm an Anglo Swiss, so the former puts its faith in His Majesty's Armed Forces, Police, and Intelligence agencies, and the latter do the same bar the responsibility is far more individually involved as part of being part of that society, why they do National Service and take their rifles home. Good effort for trying to give reason for "the need".
Most men have a bit of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and prepper in them. Its normal. However, doing that well takes effort and not a given. They are learnt skills, and take resources, and done before ever needed.
How far to go "prepper" wise? Really depends on what level of threat you think is plausible. Is society going to collapse or just having a short term hic up? Is there actually any functioning medical facilities? Do you have the funds to invest in "kit".
I say invest in skills, and good health first.
The easiest way to find out what kit you can handle is do a ten mile hike. If you can't do ten miles and still function then you are carrying too much.
Few can carry basic supplies of food and water for more than three days without resupply. It is supplies that dictate how far anyone can go from a base, or to the next supply base.
I'm getting towards 60 years old and never going to go far. Fitness, I'll be fighting light, but trying not to get into a fight. I do have my "prepper box", and quality kit is fun to source and own. Hopefully, never needed. My skill set is pretty high, and I do try to maintain it. Remember, if you have incumbents then they are unlikely to have anything like the same.
Being an old Cold War Worrier I'm a fan of full battle belt order, and have one similar to your own. Nice one.
Guntoob seems so much more sophisticated in the Queen's english
Ahhahaha
I'm a civilian with a record, I can't own a gun 😂
I am a bit confused. You have a British flag on the wall and a British accent yet you speak abou the U.S. constitution. Are you an American? Or do you just admire the historical documents. We would love to have you brother
Can't connect the dots huh ?
@@perfectly.sane.behaviourI'm not the sharpest spoon in the drawer 😂
He served in the USMC
@josephrizk9850 the USA lost the war of 1812. The British are slave enforcers for the 'merchants'
He grew up in the UK but is an American citizen.
Bo'Oh'O'Wa'Er 😂
"translate to English"
Even TH-cam roastin
I'm just here for the eye candy! He's so handsome!
i see that bible son christ is king
You break out that kind of kit and you become offensive.
Your face is offensive.
As it should be.
"The power of the sword, say the minority…, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every terrible implement of the soldier are the birthright of Americans. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments but where, I trust in God, it will always remain, in the hands of the people."
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788. - Tench Coxe
@@tylernathan7985 what you wear doesn’t equal the actions you do with it, a tank can invade a country or defend a position. All up to how you use it
He’s being intelligent about what and how he says things bud.
@tylernathan7985 "The power of the sword, say the minority…, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every terrible implement of the soldier are the birthright of Americans. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments but where, I trust in God, it will always remain, in the hands of the people."
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788. - Tench Coxe