GET SHREWD
Before You Get
GET SCREWED
Become the "Invisible" Man
While you are traveling in a potentially risky area you want to make sure that you blend in and don’t stand out. Here are some tips to staying undetected.
Determine a BASELEINE
A baseline is the norm in the environment that you are in. How do “normal” people in that culture talk, walk, dress, and act?
Avoid Creating “STIMULUS”
We live in a world that seems to be begging for attention, but trying to get attention in a high risk area can be deadly. A stimulus is anything that may cause someone to notice you or cause a person to form an impression about you.
BE BORING
1. Eye contact creates a stimulus - avoid it.
2. Noise creates a stimulus - avoid it.
3. Unique smells create a stimulus - be scentless.
4. Arrogant demeanor create stimulus - be casual
BE BLAND
1. Loud Clothing creates stimulus- dress bland.
2. Provocative clothing creates a stimulus - dress bland.
3. Words, logos, sport teams on clothing creates a stimulus - dress bland.
4. Political or military clothing creates stimulus - dress bland.
5. Expensive shoes, watches, and clothing creates a stimulus - dress bland
6. Wearing earphones or looking at an iphone creates a stimulus - avoid it
6. Dressing like the locals may create a stimulus if you are of a different skin tone.
Wearing gray or earth tones are usually the best colors to stay bland.
Be so bland that no one even remembers seeing you
Beware of the T.H.R.E.A.T.S.
Threats come at us in all shapes and sizes on the field. Some are obvious and some are like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 1 Corinthians 11:16-33 helps give us a broad picture where threats on the field may come from.
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Paul’s threats came from people who opposed him, environmental conditions that worked against him, and one is led to believe that he must have great health battles with all that he endured.
In the book Escape the Wolf, you learn of a THREAT assessment tool that helps people categorize and gage threats in the regions that they are going. Ihave also added two more threats that I have identified while in ministry overseas.. Those threats include
Technological: Threats include tracking, video, and audio devices.
Health: Threats include viruses, bacteria, and chemicals.
Raids: Threats include criminal acts of robbery, theft, rape, hostage-taking, and murder.
Environment: Threats include natural disasters or remote survival situations
Agencies: Intelligence companies that are collecting information.
*Allies: Threats may also come from partners that have no accountability in place.
Terrorists: Threats include criminals using crime for idealogical, religious, or political gain.
*Self: Threats include personal temptation to commit a devestating sin
For more information read: Escape the Wolf
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These threats were added to the assessment by Unusual Soldiers.
Great Escapes in the Bible
One might think that if a missionary confronts a dangerous situation then he or she should trust God and face it head on. There are cases like this in the Bible, however, there are many scenarios when followers of Christ escaped oncoming danger. The Bible records a number of people who escaped, ran, or hid from danger in the Bible. Here are a few of their names and how they managed to escape an oncoming conflict.
Old Testament Great Escapes
Noah escapes the flood by building the ultimate life raft (Genesis 7:7)
The mother of Moses saved her son by floating him down a river (Genesis 2:1-4)
Moses fled Pharaoh's death threats by fleeing to Midian (Ex 2:11)
God miraculously rescues the Israelites through the Red Sea (Ex 14:15)
Rahab lies in defense of spies and lowers them down a rope (Joshua 2:16)
Ehud escapes by locking doors of an upper room to by him time (Judges 3:23)
Jotham escaped death by hiding while 70 of his brothers died (Judges 9:5)
David eluded the end of Saul's spear and escaped during the night (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10)
Davids wife helps him escape evil men by going out a window (1 Samuel 19:11,12)
Jonathan creatively warns David to escape his father (1 Samuel 20:21)
David escapes an evil King by pretending to be a crazy man (1 Samuel 21:13)
David changes the conscience of his pursuer by having mercy (1 Samuel 23:28)
David escapes Saul by living with his other enemies (1 Samuel 27:1)
Jonathan and Ahimaaz escape Absalom by hiding in a well (2 Samuel 17:18)
David flees to escape the sword of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13)
New Testament
An angel directed Mary and Joseph to escape (Matthew 2:13)
An angel helps Peter escape prison (Acts 12:6)
The disciples were led out of jail by a jailer after an earthquake (Acts 16:23)
Paul was lowered by a basket to escape (2 Corinthian 11:23)
Jesus
The crowd tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. (John 10:39)
Did we miss some? let us know in the comment section.
Escape and Evasion Tactics of David
8 Escape and Evasion Tactics from 1 Samuel 19
David discovers that King Saul is seeking to kill him and he escapes to safety
Be on guard and always alert of your surroundings (1 Samuel 19:1)
Be aware of potential secret hiding places near you (1 Samuel 19:2)
Get intel form trusted allies (1 Samuel 19:7,11)
Take advantage of poor visibility moments (1 Samuel 19:10)
Remember who the real enemy is: harmful spirits (1 Samuel 19:9)
Be aware of quick escape routs at all times(1 Samuel 19:12)
No where your safe destination is (1 Samuel 19:18)
Pray for divine distractions (1 Samuel 19:20)
3 Escape and Evasion Tactics found in 1 Samuel 20
Jonathan secretly warns David that his father is still trying to kill him.
Don't make yourself visible in threatening areas even to allies
Learn how to communicate non verbally
Adapt to each situation and use your wits.
4 Escape and Evasion Tactics found in 1 Samuel 21
Be warned that those who assist your escape may suffer heavy consequences
Beware of unknown people who may be watching and listening in (21:7)
Adapt and get tools to assist you in survival (21:9)
Role play to fool your potential captor: Its best to act like a weak, hopeless, submissive person so that your escape will be a major surprise. (21:12)
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David Escapes Saul through trusted intel from a ally (1 Samuel 19:11-17, 20:37-39)
David Escapes the King of Gath by outwitting him - role playing (1 Samuel 21:12-15)
David Escapes Saul by hiding in a forest and a cave (1 Samuel 22)
David escapes Saul through prayer (1 Samuel 23: 10-14)
David escapes Saul by building rapport (1 SAMUEL 24: 10-13)
David escapes Saul by sparing his life (1 Samuel 26:12)
David escapes Saul by going into an unexpected place -enemy territory (1 Samuel 27)
Packing the Rule of 3's in a Survival Tin
Here is a challenge for you on your next trip. When venturing to risky or remote regions try to pack all of the essentials of survival into an Altoids can. This will alleviate extra weight and it will force you to be selective.
Here are the rule of threes to help you know what is essential:
You could die in 3 seconds... without thinking
You could die in 3 minutes... without air
You could die in 3 hours... without protection (shelter/fire)
You could die in 3 days... without water
You could die in 3 weeks... without food
Priority One: Stay Positive
You could die in 3 seconds... without thinking
something that makes you smile
something that motivates you to stay alive
laminated family photo
a bible verse written on the tin
Priority Two: Air
You could die in 3 minutes... without air, breath, or circulation (ABC's)
emergency bandage/cotton
para-chord (tourniquet/shelter)
knowledge of CPR and Heimlich maneuver
Priority Three: Protection
You could die in 3 hours... without protection
reflective emergency blanket or bivy (shelter)
wire saw (shelter)
flint or lighter (fire/warmth/cooking)
tinder (fire)
mini multitool or small knife
mini flashlight
Priority Three: Water
You could die in 3 days... without water
plastic bag (water container)
Iodine tablets (water purifier)
Priority Four: Food
You could die in 3 weeks... without food
fish hooks
fishing line
snare wire
arrow head
Rescue
emergency whistle
signaling Mirror
Others
waxed thread (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhWH8Z74RRQ)
sewing kit
safety pens
Where the Good Gear Grows
Having a love for adventure and missions changed my mindset in the way that I buy clothes and gear. While many are trying to find the latest fashions - Im trying to find the clothes that are ready to face off with mother natures bad side. Below are some of the hot spots where you can find gear that will help you prep for a trek through the Sahara, a swim down the Amazon, or a climb up Everest.
The good news is that adventure gear is built to last so you don’t need a lot of it, the bad news is that its not cheap so you have to know where to look for it. It's not uncommon to find gear on these sites that offer lifetime guarantees.
Here are the main stores where you can get acquainted with the top gear that is out there and occasionally a good deal:
www.rei.com
www.moosejaw.com
www.sierratradingpost.com
www.backcountry.com
Getting the Best Deal
Here are a few ways to get the best deals out there.
1. There are a couple “secret” sites that you can find some solid deals on the best stuff on the market.
www.steepandcheap.com
www.theclymb.com
2. Google “coupon codes” for many of the sites mentioned above and you will almost always find a way to get a discount. Example: www.retailmenot.com/view/rei.com
3. Once you know exactly what you are looking for you might be able to find a good deal on ebay, amazon, or the google shopping tab.
4. If you are near any of the stores mentioned above then go shopping at local thrift stores. Sometimes there are gems hiding on the hangers. I recently picked up a $120 jacket for $12 – which I could have actually got for $6 if I knew it was 1/2 off day.
If you know of other sites or ways to get good deals please leave a link in the comment section.
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