gear

Get your wings to go: Surveillance footage shows KFC exploding

When it comes to being prepared, a lot of us always have two competing voices in our heads: one that’s constantly warning us about impending danger, and another that’s constantly dismissing those dangers as the products of our own paranoia. This threat-assessment schizophrenia is a product of our environment, of course — the United States is an overwhelming safe place to live, and as a result, we’re fortunate enough not to live our own worst case scenarios on a day to day basis.

Over time, we grow to listen to the dismissive part of our brain as it tells us not to sweat packing that med-kit for a trip to the park, not to throw an extra pair of socks in your bag for a short hike, and not to worry about the aggressive guy at the bar that keeps giving you the side eye. It all worked out fine last time; it’s sure to work out fine again.

But then the KFC down the street frieken explodes, like this one in Eden, North Carolina this week.

So far there have been no reported injuries or deaths tied to this incident, but it serves as a great reminder that despite our safe environment, bad things can still happen. While it’s possible that this explosion occurred as a result of some nefarious act, it’s also possible that it was nothing more than a good old fashioned accident — in either case, if you and your family were nearby when it went up and someone you loved got hurt, you’d be glad you had that IFAK in your trunk.

Being prepared isn’t about being paranoid, it’s just about taking small steps in advance to make things easier if ever the worst were to occur. Keep what you might need nearby, trust your gut, and don’t let complacency win out.

And maybe avoid KFCs after dark for a while… just until they figure out what happened to this one.

Feature image captured from included YouTube video

Gear in the Wild: The face you make when the kid has no trigger discipline…

DEVESELU, Romania (May 31, 2019) – Romanian military personnel, along with U.S. Sailors and Soldiers hosted more than 150 kids for the International Children’s Day events at the 99th Military Base in Deveselu, Romania, May 31, 2019. U.S. military and civilian personnel from the NSFD displayed gear and equipment for a hands-on experience for local school children and special-needs kids from nearby orphanage. The kids also enjoyed face-painting, sports provided by Navy MWR and a pizza party. The annual event is designed to foster positive relations and to strengthen local U.S. and Romanian community partnerships.

Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Amy Forsythe, Public Affairs Officer, Naval Support Facility Deveselu

Watch U.S. Marines conduct live-fire training alongside Romanian troops below:

Gear in the Wild: F-35 pilot’s arctic survival kit

Components of an F-35A Lightning II arctic survival kit lie on a table at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 24, 2019. A standard survival kit includes a compass, a flare and a five-inch knife. The cold-weather kit also includes components intended to increase survival chances in environments where temperatures reach negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Larue Guerrisky

See a collection of fighter pilots being forced to eject below:

Rad on Gear: Eating on the run with Ozark Trail’s Hobo Tool

When it comes to survival, covering your bases is the most important first step: make sure you have a ready source of water, shelter, and food and you’re good to go for the long haul… but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few non-essentials that start to feel essential after a while.

Little things like having a fork and spoon to eat with can go a long way toward making you feel less like you’re scraping by and more like you’re thriving. What does Rad use for that? The Ozark Trail 7 in 1 Hobo Tool — and not just because it’s got a kick ass name.

Here’s Rad to tell you about it:

Want to get your own Hobo Tool? Check out the deal we found below!

A new all-in-one rescue tool from Benchmade | 365 OUTLAST

I’ve not only seen a lot of rescue tools, I’ve used a few as well. In the Ranger Regiment, we practiced extracting pilots and soldiers from aircraft and other vehicles. When you have a dedicated C-SAR (Combat-Search And Rescue) team, you have the luxury of having all the tools necessary plus the personal to operate them. If you’re like me, you still carry a few of these tools and a medical kit in your vehicle. Should a situation arise that requires you to fall back on previous training. A new tool from Benchmade that has made its way into my truck EDC is the 365 Outlast.

What appears to be nothing more than a folding pocket knife, the 365 Outlast remains pretty unassuming. A closer look reveals not one, but a pair of blades housed between the black G-10 scales. A new variation of their Axis locking mechanism called the Option Lock was developed to accommodate two blades. The butt end of the 365 Outlast features a carbide tipped glass breaker. Finally, a rescue hook can be unfolded from the back of the handle as well. Making this one hell of a versatile rescue tool.

No expense was spared on the Outlast 365. Utilizing S30V steel for the drop tip blade insures a long rust free service life. The blades and tools are also Cerakoted matte black as this falls into Benchmade’s “Tactical” and “Rescue” categories. The second serrated blade is made from CPM-3V steel and features an oxygen bottle wrench as well as a blunt pry-tip that can be used as a flat screwdriver.

CPM-3V Serrated blade with pry-tip and O2 bottle wrench

Outlast 365 Specs courtesy of benchmade.com

Blade Edge: Combo
Blade Finish/Color: Coated
Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC)
Blade Style/Shape: Drop-point
Clip Type: Deep-Carry
Clip Position: Reversible Tip-Up/Down
Glass Breaker: Yes
Handle Material: Black G10
Lanyard Hole: No
MOLLE Compatible: No
Sheath Type: No
Use: Every Day, Rescue, Tactical
MSRP: $300

A new all-in-one rescue tool from Benchmade | OUTLAST 365 — A rescue hook and carbide tipped glass breaker round out the features

Final Thoughts: The Benchmade 365 Outlast includes all the tools you’d need to hastily extricate a driver or passenger in a vehicle accident. Breaking the side window of the vehicle with the carbide tipped point will gain access to the victim. If they are unconscious or hung if the vehicle is inverted, the safety hook will make short work of any seatbelt. Allowing rescuers to pull the victim to safety. Two different blades add to the knifes versatility. The straight blade can be used to cut away clothing as can the rescue hook. The serrated blade can be used for more stubborn material. Or even a branch to fashion a hasty splint. Being prepared is key and the 365 Outlast from Benchmade is a solid choice for your vehicle preparedness kit.

This article originally appeared on The Gear Bunker – make sure to check them out for more great gear reviews!

About the Author:

Erik Meisner served in Attack Company, 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment as a rifle team leader with deployments to the Middle East, Central America and Asia. He’s a licensed pilot, SCUBA diver and enjoys Alpine skiing, shooting, Overland camping, boating, sea kayaking, traveling and golf. Growing up in a military family, Erik had the pleasure to live and ski all over North America and Europe. Now residing in beautiful Northern Michigan with his wife and 2 sons they continue to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Gear in the Wild: Training with the Army’s new Sig Sauer M17

1st Lt. Evan Kreamer loads the M17 pistol. Twenty-two Soldiers from Task Force Carentan conducted pistol marksmanship training with the M17 pistol at Gallery 9, Yavoriv, Ukraine June 22.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Justin Navin

Watch U.S. Army soldiers train with the new M17 below: