preparedness

Urban Survival: How to Avoid or Survive a Carjacking

A carjacking is an event where someone tries to steal a vehicle by force while that car is occupied. In other words, it’s when someone tries to steal your car even though you’re sitting in it. Carjackers usually have a weapon, and they may use extreme coercion or violence to get their way.

Carjackings don’t get as much attention as other types of crime. Despite this, it’s still a very real problem. And during a widespread disaster, it will get a lot worse because people will either want your car so they can drive somewhere safe or they’ll be taking advantage of the lack of law enforcement.

Because of this, preppers need to know what to do in the event of a carjacking, along with things they can do to avoid one in the first place. Don’t assume it will never happen to you. Anyone can be a victim.

Facts About Carjackings in the United States:

There are about 34,000 attempted carjackings per year.
45% of attempted carjackings were successful.
74% of carjackers used weapons to coerce their victims.
68% of carjackings occurred at night.
2/3 of victims resisted the offender.
1/3 of victims ran away or called for help.
14% of victims went to a hospital or doctor.

(Data is from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.)

7 Ways To Avoid Becoming a Carjacking Victim

Here are seven tips to keep in mind to make sure you never get carjacked.

1. Avoid Certain Areas

The best way to avoid becoming a carjacking victim is to completely avoid areas where they are the most likely to happen.

Places where carjackings are more common:

Urban areas.
High-crime neighborhoods.
Traffic lights, stop signs, etc.
Mostly empty parking lots.
A residential driveway on a quiet day.
Anywhere traffic is at a standstill.
Near banks and ATMs.

Obviously, you won’t be able to avoid all of these areas. But at the very least, they are areas where you want to be on guard, which brings us to the next tip.

2. Practice Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is all about being in the present moment and actively observing your surroundings, as opposed to daydreaming or looking at your phone, for example. Hopefully, you won’t be looking at your phone while driving, but it’s tempting to check it while sitting in traffic, and doing so makes you far more vulnerable.

Other things that make you more vulnerable include eating food, singing along with the radio, changing the radio station, talking on the phone, talking to other people in the vehicle, and so forth. Carjackers love to target people doing things like this because they can stick a gun in their face before the victim even knows what’s happening. Here’s how to enhance your situational awareness.

Instead, make a habit of looking around and regularly checking your mirrors, that way you’ll see a carjacker approaching before he gets too close. Then you’ll have a chance to escape, which brings us to the next tip.

3. Leave Plenty of Space to Escape

It’s wise to keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when you’re sitting in traffic. At the very least, you want to be able to see the rear tires of the car in front of you. This way, if you need to quickly gun the engine and whip around the vehicle in front of you to avoid a carjacking, you’ll be able to.

In addition to leaving space in front of your vehicle, leave space around you as well by staying in the center lane. This will make it harder for carjackers to box you in and leave you more ways to escape.

And don’t just leave space around you when you’re at a complete stop. Contrary to what most people think, carjackings can also happen when a vehicle is moving very slowly because the driver isn’t expecting it. But to be fair, that usually only happens if the door is unlocked, which brings us to the next tip.

4. Keep Your Doors Locked and Your Windows Closed

Get in the habit of locking the doors as soon as you get into your car, and don’t roll down your windows. If a would-be carjacker sees that your door lock is down or that the window is rolled up, he’s more likely to wait for an easier target.

5. Beware of People Following You

This ties in with #2 above (situational awareness), but I think it deserves its own section.

It’s rare for a carjacker to decide to take your car on a whim. Usually, they’ll watch you for several minutes from a distance beforehand, or they may even follow you for many miles. Carjackers who decide to take a car when someone pulls into the driveway usually do so after following the victim home.

To prevent this, pay attention to the cars behind you. If you notice one that has been behind you for quite a while (even if it’s several cars back), there’s an easy to see if it’s following you. Just take four right turns. This way you’ll go in a complete circle and end up right back where you were. Only someone following you will do the same thing.

If someone is following you, drive to the most public place you can find and park as close to the entrance as possible. Chances are, the would-be carjacker will move on.

The same rules apply if someone is following you on foot. They might be planning on following you to your car so they can steal it. Try to lose them, and if you can’t, find someone (such as a police officer) and ask for help.

6. Be Careful When Going To/Getting In Your Vehicle

While walking to your vehicle, whether in a parking lot or in your own driveway, always keep your keys out so you don’t waste time fumbling with them if someone suspicious approaches.

Also, before getting into your vehicle, check the back seat. Some criminals are able to break into a car but unable to hotwire it, so they’ll hide in the back until you arrive so they can steal your keys.

7. Park in a Well-Lit Area Near the Entrance

Never park in an area that is dark, next to the woods, next to large vehicles, or anywhere that would give criminals cover to attack you. If you park in a well-lit, busy area, they’ll look for an easier victim.

4 Common Strategies That Carjackers Use

If you ever are the victim of a carjacking, it will probably happen when you least expect it. Here are some common tactics that carjackers use.

1. Pretending to Need Help

Sometimes carjackers will pretend to need help so you’ll roll down your window, open your door, or simply let your guard down. They could pretend to need directions, or they could pretend to be homeless and looking for spare change, or they could even walk with a limp to simulate an injury and gain your sympathy. Be just as cautious with people like that as you would with anyone else.

2. Bumping/Hitting Your Vehicle

Another strategy that carjackers commonly use, at least when working in pairs or more, is to bump your vehicle from behind, pretending it was an accident. When you pull over to the side of the road and get out to assess the damage, they will pull over too and one or both of them will attack you and try to steal your vehicle.

If this happens to you but something about the situation doesn’t seem right, stay in your car and call 911 immediately. If they see that you’re on the phone, they may decide to leave.

They could also hit your vehicle with something. This is less common, but I’ve heard reports of it happening in countries with major economic crises, such as Argentina and Venezuela. Carjackers threw bricks and even Molotov cocktails at moving vehicles. When the drivers slammed on the brakes and got out, they were attacked.

If this happens to you in a particularly dangerous area or during a major crisis, don’t fall for it. Keep driving until you’re somewhere safe.

Carjacking Survival

3. Pretending Their Vehicle is Broken Down

One final tactic often used by carjackers is to pretend to be in need of mechanical assistance. This tactic is often used in more rural areas: they’ll be pulled off to the side of the road, their lights will be on to indicate that their car is having issues, and then when you step out to lend a hand, they’ll spring the trap.

Why would they do this if they already have a vehicle? To get a better vehicle or a second vehicle. It’s as simple as that.

You can still help people who need assistance, but you should only do it if you have a couple of people with you, at least enough to outnumber the people on the side of the road.

4. Following/Hiding Until You Get To Your Vehicle

Carjackers don’t just target people in cars; they target anyone or any vehicle that looks like an easy target. That means they might follow you until you get to your vehicle, or they might hide near your vehicle and wait for you to arrive.

To avoid this, just remember the 5th tip above (beware of people following you) and the 6th and 7th tips (be careful when going to/getting in your vehicle and park in a well-lit area near the entrance).

5 Ways to Survive a Carjacking

At this point, you’ve learned how to avoid a carjacking as well as the most common strategies that carjackers use. Based on that information, you have a lot of knowledge on how you can (hopefully) prevent a carjacking from ever happening to you.

But what if it does happen? Here are three things you can do.

1. Press the Panic Button

Most key fobs have a panic button that will make your car honk or sound an alarm. If you press this, then hopefully it will startle the carjacker and he’ll run away.

If you don’t have a panic button, you could install a system such as this Viper 1-Way Car Alarm.

Not only will it enable you to sound a noisy alarm, it also has a FailSafe starter kill system and anti-carjacking mode to stop criminals from stealing your vehicle. Note: You’ll probably need to hire some professionals to install it for you.

2. Run Away

If you’re on foot and someone with a weapon attempts to steal your car (like when you’re entering or exiting your vehicle), just drop your keys and run. I know some people recommend cooperating with the carjacker if he has a weapon, but statistics show that you are far more likely to survive if you run away. They won’t see much point in chasing or shooting you if they already have your keys. Your vehicle can be replaced; your life can’t.

Even if they tell you to get into the car at gunpoint, just run. If you go with them, it’s almost a certainty that something bad will happen to you. But if you run away, there’s a good chance you’ll be okay.

Of course, if you have children in the vehicle who are buckled in and are unable to get out or don’t know to run away, it’s better to stay with them and wait for another opportunity to escape. Never abandon your kids.

If the carjacker is making you drive, there’s something you can do…

3. Crash Your Vehicle

If you were unable to get out of your vehicle in time and you’re being forced to drive, intentionally crash your vehicle on a busy road or at a busy intersection. If you have your seatbelt buckled, you should be all right as long as the crash isn’t too severe (make sure it isn’t). But the carjacker, who probably didn’t buckle up, will be injured.

Even if he isn’t injured, he will probably jump out of your vehicle and run away rather than risk getting caught by the police.

Survive a Carjacking

4. Fight Back

This option is dangerous and should only be done if you’re unable to run away and the attacker doesn’t have a weapon. If you put up a big enough fight, he might decide your vehicle isn’t worth the trouble.

You’ll be better able to fight back if you have a weapon. But if you decide to keep a weapon in your car, it needs to be within easy reach of the driver’s seat. The glove compartment is a poor spot for a defensive weapon because of this. Instead, keep it in the center console, underneath the driver’s seat, in between the driver’s seat and the console, underneath the steering wheel, or anywhere you can get it quickly.

But again, only grab your weapon if the attacker doesn’t have a weapon because if he does and he sees you grabbing yours, he might shoot or stab you first.

5. Make It Easy For Help To Find You

I know people value their privacy, but it’s a good idea to turn on location tracking on your phone so your spouse and/or friends can see your location. That way if you’re late getting somewhere, they can see where you are and call you. If you don’t answer and they can see that you’re in an unusual location, they can alert the police.

This can also be done with an app such as Family Locator (available in the Apple Store and Google Play). It shows your designated contacts on a map, that way everyone knows where everyone else is at any given time. There are many similar apps.

Another option is a service such as Kitestring. It regularly checks on you when you’re out and alerts your contacts if you stop responding. This way you can call for help and the carjacker won’t even know it. You don’t even need a smartphone for this one, as it uses text messages.

Conclusion

Carjackings can and do happen, and they will always become much more frequent after a major disaster. So if you’re a prepper, don’t forget to prepare for this, too. Commit the tips in this article to memory and keep yourself safe.

Want to prep but not sure where to begin? Download your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

preparedness

4 No Cook Meals For Surviving The Pandemic And Food Supply Shortages

When it comes to your food supply, you just can’t risk not having enough. These no cook meals will be a great addition to your food supply planning. Check out the recipes below!

No Cook Meals to Help You Through the Pandemic

As of the writing of this article, there are 20 meat processing plants that have been shut down due to COVID-19 infections. We have been worrying about these types of effects on our food supply for months now, and this is the first real sign of how infections can affect the food supply.

When you walk into a supermarket, you might not see all the choices you had in the past. An empty meat case is a humbling thing for your eyes to fall upon. It’s the shocking realization that the seemingly infinite supply of chickens, pigs, and cows that are butchered for us has begun to run dry!

To deal with this issue, we are going to present four no cook meals that will help you create dinners at home that will feed your family without worrying so much about what’s available, or unavailable, in the meat case.

1. Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches

Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

As preppers we get beans. There are a bunch of ways to use beans and this a great example of how you can pack a sandwich with great nutrition and protein.

Serving: Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

Can of White Beans
Olive Oil
1 Avocado
8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
8 Slices of Salted Pork (Prosciutto, Ham, Virginia Ham)

Instructions:

Begin by draining your beans in a colander then smashing them up in a bowl add a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper. This little mix is delicious. If you add some minced rosemary, you can even turn this into a delicious dip.
Pit your avocado and cut it in half and then quarters lengthwise. Leave the skin on.
Lay the bread out on a clean work surface for assembling the sandwiches.
Spread your mashed bean mix onto one side of the bread.
Peel your avocados and slice 1 quarter for each sandwich. Spread slices over the bean spread.
Add a few slices of your pork to over the top of the avocado.
You can finish this sandwich with some lettuces, fresh sprouts, or just eat it as is.

2. Delicious Crab Salad

Canned crab is a protein option that will likely be around through much of this meat crisis. It does have to be kept in refrigeration, but it’s delicious and this chipotle mayo salad is great in the spring and summer.

Ingredients:

1 Can of Crab Meat
1 Bunch of Asparagus
Chipotle Mayo
1 Bunch of Green Onions
1 Bunch of Cilantro

Instructions:

Drain your crab in a colander and set it in the sink.
Slice your asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
Thinly slice your onions and your cilantro and throw that into the bowl, as well.
Gently toss in the crab meat.
Squirt on enough Chipotle mayo to coat everything and toss gently not to break up the crab meat.
Chill in the fridge and serve.

3. Simple Greek Salad

Simple Greek Salad | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

The combination of simple summer ingredients makes for an incredible quick salad that you could add other proteins, too, if you wanted. These could be canned meats.

Ingredients:

2 Large Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1 Red Onion
¼ Cup of Feta Cheese
A Few Sprigs of Fresh Mint
½ Cup of Kalamata Olives
Balsamic Dressing

Instructions:

I like to cut the tomatoes in large chunks and have them kind of be the main course in this salad. Peel and slice your cucumber in half. Remove the seeds and either dice or slice in half-moons.
Peel and slice your red onion in half. Julienne your, or thinly slice, your half onion.
Add all these ingredients to a bowl. Finely slice your mint.
Add your olives, crumbled feta, and mint to the bowl and add enough dressing to coat everything.
Stir it up and allow this to chill for at least an hour for the flavors to really blend.

4. Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

Using some similar ingredients and adding a protein like tuna, you can create some delicious lettuce wraps. The key to a good lettuce wrap is to have most of the items around the same size. So, consider that when you are preparing this dish.

Ingredients:

Iceberg or Butter Lettuce
Canned Artichokes
Canned roasted Red peppers
Fresh Cucumber
Feta Cheese
Minced Olives ¼ Cup
2 Cans of Tuna
Green Onions
Basil

Instructions:

Start by peeling all the full leaves from your lettuce. Set them on a plate either cover them with a wet paper towel or put them back into the fridge.
Dice the peppers, artichokes, and cucumbers into cubes. Go no larger than ½ an inch.
Thinly slice your green onions and basil and add them to a bowl with your diced vegetables. Add your loves to this bowl and mix them thoroughly.
Crumble your feta cheese over the mixture.
Drain your tuna thoroughly and then add that to the bowl, as well.
Gently toss this mixture. Try not to break up the tuna and the cheese too much but incorporate it thoroughly.
If you want, you can add some olive oil to the mix or a few glugs of balsamic vinegar. It’s also delicious just how it is.
Scoop a few tablespoons into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and eat up!

These no cook meals should help lessen the stress you feel when thinking of what to feed your family. If you don’t have the specific ingredients, use your creativity, and use what you have. You might discover a new recipe while you’re at it!

What’s your favorite no cook meal recipe? Please share it with us in the comments section!

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This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

preparedness

Billionaire Whistle Blower: Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Is Over 50,000

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000.

A Chinese billionaire and whistleblower who lives in U.S. exile says Wuhan crematoriums have burned 50,000 coronavirus victims. | Credit: Chinatopix via AP

The official coronavirus death toll in China is a little over 800. But an exiled Chinese businessman says crematoriums are leaking the real figure.
A billionaire whistleblower alleges Wuhan has crematoriums working 24/7. He claims they’ve cremated some 50,000 coronavirus victims.
Guo Wengui is a Chinese billionaire living in exile in the United States.

The official coronavirus death toll is some 800 people in China. The current official death toll worldwide, outside of China, is 774. But a Chinese billionaire with a history of blowing the whistle on his former government says the real figure is much higher.

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000. Wengui made the bombshell allegations in an interview with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Whistleblower: 1.5 Million Coronavirus Cases In China, 50,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Wuhan

He also claims to have inside information that there are 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases in China. Wengui is emphatic that these are not merely quarantined or “under observation” but confirmed cases of coronavirus infection:

China has struggled to contain the coronavirus. But it has also struggled to contain public outcry against censorship and tight control of information. Dr. Li Wenliang, who sounded the alarm about the disease, succumbed to an infection and died this week. The Chinese government arrested him for blowing the whistle.

Then officials tried to suppress news of his death. Afterwards, millions of Chinese citizens saw the hashtag #IWantFreedomOfSpeech on Mandarin language social media. But the Chinese government censored that too.

Are Wengui’s Crematorium Claims Credible?

Watch VICE’s 2017 profile on Guo Wengui. At the time, he published bombshell documents alleging corruption in the Chinese government. He got the attention of the media and reportedly the U.S. State Department.

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