IN THE EVENT OF CIVIL UNREST

A breakdown in society, being temporary and regional, with the assumption the user is not a participant of the police or rioters, and wishing to preserve his or her life, livelihood, and family.

I.

Retrieve BOB/GHB A. A BOB in case of fires, mobs, unpredictable damage control agents, or any situation where the user will have to leave immediately. B. BOB should contain (in no particular order): 1. A gas mask, to protect user from CS gas, nerve agents, or other chemicals dangerous to the eyes and face. a. Note: A gas mask alone will not protect user from nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare, and this is not intended for such. It can be assumed that the police and military will attempt to subdue the unruly with nonlethal means first, no matter who is in the crossfire, the example being CS gas. b. Consider an LBV attachment for gas mask. i. If paramilitary enforcers are too zealous with their alternative weaponry, having a gas mask immediately accessible (as opposed to being in the BOB) may prove the best option. 2. Filters for gas mask. 3. Rope, such as 550 cord (there is no such thing as too much). a. If leaving an area through a door or ground level window is not viable, 550 cord will stand long enough to descend. Additionally, 550 cord can be used to repair things such as slings to a backpack or rifle. 4. A sleeping mat and blanket OR sleeping bag and tent. a. While sleeping bags have advantages over mats and blankets, sleeping bags and tents take up a large amount of space. If possible, user should consider blanket and mat, depending on the users weather, environment, and potential shelters available. This is a judgment call. It should also be considered if user bails completely, and there is no shelter available. 5. Water carriers and filters. a. The amount depends on the user and where they will conceivably have to travel. One gallon per day is a healthy amount. 6. Food. a. Mind sodium and salt content. Consuming more sodium may result in dehydration. 7. A flashlight and pack of batteries. 8. An IFAK. a. IFAKs are meant for one use on one person. b. They contain a tourniquet, and shit. 9. A breaching tool. a. A light breaching tool, such as a fold-up hatchet, will help the user break deadbolts or similar obstructions. 10. The rest should be determined by the user, such as emergency whistles, flares or glow sticks, and other presence informing equipment.

C. GHBs (or get home bags) are typically smaller versions of BOBs, with an emphasis on escape, and may contain things such as gas cans, caffeine drinks or pills, or energy bars for prolonged trips home. II. Theory A. Whenever possible, stay out of the lime light. 1. Staying home may be an option, depending on the area. 2. Congested urban centers, however, will almost certainly be the main area riots or unrest take place. B. If other interests exist, such as a business owned by the user, be mindful of two primary things: 1. The businesss value relative to the amount of chaos. a. Stores with high value items, such as jewelry, are certainly worth a large sum of the users money; however, they are also likely to be targeted by ruffians. Insufficient security, i.e. ammunition, burglar doors, or personnel, may mean the place is indefensible. 2. The risk associated with getting out should a bail be necessary. a. No matter the stores monetary value, it is not worth the users life. If it is in a zone controlled by ruffians or paramilitaries, consider what escape plans (be it deception, evasion, etc.) are necessary. 3. Barricading the home should be done immediately after the chaos is deemed uncontrollable. a. Note: Media, such as news stations, may downplay or overplay the event. Social media like twitter may be a valid alternative. b. Keep in mind escape and evasion while barricading. c. The users home should be made to look as a low value target to looters and paramilitaries alike. There are several ways to accomplish this. i. Overwatch. If ruffians are the dominant force in the area, set up a place in the home to watch common entries. A visible weapon is often enough to deter potential thieves, but the user must be prepared to shoot if need be. ii. Abandonment. Alternatively, if the police or military reside, making it look as though the user jumped ship may be more beneficial. Refrain from lights in the night and avoid standing near windows. Do note, however, that covering the windows may send an undesired signal: it may look as though the user is hiding, or it may look like the user did not want thieves to see what was inside. 4. Valuables, including cash, IDs, medical records, medications, ammunition, food, and water should be rounded up for easy access should the user need to present or extract them. III. Medicine A. The user must consider: 1. EMS response time. EMTs and paramedics are likely to be tied up. As such, a basic first aid kit (FAK) should be available in preparation.

a. The user should be relatively comfortable with the selected FAK and its devices. b. Pre-existing life threatening conditions, like diabetes, should be compensated for in FAK. 2. Police intervention. If the chaos is brought on by disaster or too large to control, PMs should not be depended upon in any circumstance. 9-1-1 or the phone lines may be tied up for the duration of the event, and it is safe to assume officers will not be anywhere near the users location. a. If the user cannot get ahold of the police in the event of a crime or selfdefense (to report the body), make a detailed account of what happened and take as many photographs as possible of the body, undisturbed. IV. Aggressors A. Paramilitary forces, be it the National Guard or police enforcing martial law, are better equipped to deal with havoc, with lethal and non-lethal means at their disposal. Assuming the user must pass through an area that is either strictly regulated by PMs or in a contested zone. 1. If PMs are brazenly violent, using live fire or similar, avoid the area (and by extension, confrontation) at all costs. It is unlikely they will be able to tell friend from foe, assuming they wish to do so. 2. There are various non-lethal means to deal with rioters. a. Chemical agents. Pepper spray (OC spray), tear gas (CS gas), tazers, and nerve gas are in the arsenal. i. Pepper spray affects the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. A gas mask is the best preventative measure, but not very low key. Goggles and a resistant cloth around the face are slightly less obvious, but may cause the user to look like one of the rioters. Protecting the skin is much easier; seal off open sleeves and cuffs with tape. ii. Tear gas is frequently released from canisters into the center of a riot. Once more, a gas mask will have the best resistance, and is more usable in this case than in pepper sprays. Being able to quick draw the mask in the crowd should suffice, but do not keep it on any longer than necessary. In the authors experience, CS gas is not as potent in open air, and can be overcome easily without aid, assuming it is stock CS. iii. Tazers require officers to be up close and personal, and are usually not fired into a mass. Resisting tazer prongs is no easy task; nothing short of multiple layers, obstructions, or evasion is going to stop it. iv. Nerve gas is a last resort for enforcers in non-lethal terms. A gas mask and sealed off clothing are required to remain effective and out of capture. b. Projectiles. Rubber bullets, wooden blocks, and sandbags come into play at the next level.

While extremely painful, projectiles long-term effects are virtually nonexistent and should not impede the users goals. Though there may be instances when a projectile breaks bones. In this scenario, if immediate medical aid is not available, splint the limb effected and continue on as deemed necessary. 3. Keep in mind, regardless of the users situation, do not stand out. Wear regular clothing, with unidentifiable accents (use caution when selecting hats, backpacks, etc.). It may be necessary, in PMs case, to conceal the users identity, and to leave ID behind. B. Ruffians, unlike the PMs, are not well armed in numbers. However, they are unrestricted, without ROE, in addition to having numbers on their side. Mob mentality plays a large role in their behavior, and the larger the mob, the more dangerous they become. 1. Protesters turned rioters often target businesses, cars, and sometimes authorities. Naturally, avoiding business districts will do well for the users. If it must be done, stay close to the fringe of the group, but not on the edges, in case enforcers decide to act. a. In this situation, DO NOT bring weaponry that cannot be concealed; even then, be extremely cautious. 2. While identity is not as important in this case as it is with PMs, be mindful of things that would make the user a target. Being of a certain race, gender, or wearing the wrong t-shirt slogans may endanger the user. Make it so body and facial features are hidden by wearing hats, reflective lenses, clothing that is too large, or keep a comfortable distance. V. Movement A. The motivation determines the appropriate technique. However, there is a common theme. A BOB or GHB is necessary for each item. 1. In search of supplies. This is dangerously close to looting. The users BOB should have room in it for scavenged supplies, but also enough supplies to last one day and one night. 2. Manmade danger. If a large, unruly mob is approaching the users neighborhood, and the neighborhood is incapable of defending itself, it may be time to abandon ship. If a vehicle is not available, it is very possible to outrun the mob, as they will be looting. 3. Natural danger. Uncontrolled fires pose a sizable risk in a riot. There is little hope of containing it, so it is once again necessary to bail. If the fire is closing quickly, consider dousing oneself and equipping a gas mask.

i.