Alex 🌻

Today and in the coming days, remember

A Mole Infiltrated the Highest Ranks of American Militias. This Is What He Found. Outraged by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a wilderness survival trainer spent years undercover climbing the ranks of right-wing militias. He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends....

A new exposé of the American #militia movement indicates a resurgence and growing sophistication of violence-prone #rightwing extremists. www.propublica.org/article/ap3-...

Socialism is when the fire department arrives. Capitalism is when the insurance company refuses to pay.

I stand by this.

New drawing prompt: mermaid surf and turf buffet.

Also holy shit great job by the flight crew for dragging a shredded plane for up to 1.5 hours and across a sea to land it well enough to have some survivors.

Usually not a fan of "media bad" but it's interesting to note the Associated Press quoting RUS about the commercial plane crash this morning noting it "may have struck a bird". European news and pics/vids indicate the plane may have had a bad case of "oops it was hit by a missile" shrapnel in it.

these are so cute! I have a needle felted mini penguin on my penguin plushie shelf

Also know how to perform first aid on any pets you own. The dog actively choking on a stick is not the ideal time to be hitting up youtube.

If all you can do is leave it on the ground untouched, that's ok! Firearms generally don't discharge without the trigger being manipulated, but some can discharge by being dropped. There are oodles of videos out there for various types.

Also be aware that if you administer product to someone overdosing, they may become very aggressive as they orient themselves (or because you stopped their high). Keep aware of your surroundings and withdraw to safety if needed.

YouTube video by Stay Safe How to Unload a Pump Action Shotgun

Shotguns can break open using a thumb lever (generally on top) or are loaded pump action. Here's one common to police services: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrBV...

YouTube video by Stay Safe How to Unload a Semi Auto Rifle

Rifles are similar, generally a button on the side or next to the magazine. If you don't know for sure, keep your finger off the trigger and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction until assisted. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmRg...

If the pharmacist asks you if its for you, no shame in saying yes. Have a kit in each vehicle you own as well as in your house. Be aware of the expiry date, set a reminder in your phone calendar to get a new kit.

Made a bunch of typos but you get the idea...feel free to suggest must-know skills

*submerged

Generally it's great that people don't WANT to have to know some of these things. The time to learn is not when you need the skill to save a life. Also, skill fade is incredibly real: practice often or at the least take one hour out of your month to watch a video on how to do it.

Know basic first aid and practice regularly. Know that if you took a class in 2015, things may have changed. Know the legal protections you may or may not if you assist others. Know CPR, choking, and severe bleeding first aid.

Know your Rights and Freedoms. Canada doesn't have the same laws as our Southern neighbours, and some folks think they have the same (such as owning firearms). We're getting to a point where some people want to take away the rights of others: www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/...

YouTube video by Dirty Civilian Land Nav Basics Made Easy | Maps, Compass, & Protractors

Know how to read a physical street and topographic map. People in Lebanon and Ukraine have seen the effect of GPS jamming on handheld/car navigation. Longer video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aLs...

YouTube video by Howdini How to Change a Tire | Change a flat car tire step by step

Know your car and how to access & change the tire. Some cars have the tire underneath, which in Canada can rust and seize. Having a flat on the side of the 401 i not the time to find out you can't get your spare off. www.youtube.com/watch?v=joBm...

YouTube video by Mike Stanek Breaking out of a car with the headrest

Know how to break a car window from the outside (rock, tool) or inside (as video demonstrates) to get someone out of a burning or submerbed vehicle, or to get a child/pet from a hot car. Be aware of your local laws. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgd6...

YouTube video by Cars.com How to Jump Start Your Car

Know how to jumpstart your car, and carry cables. I end up jumping 1-2 cars a year with a kit or cable. youtu.be/VdnkRQF5Cps?...

YouTube video by Stay Safe How to Unload a Semi Auto GLOCK Pistol

How to unload a firearm. I have a number of gun-hating friends which is fine, but there are people who have them and carry them in public. Cops lose their guns, people store them improperly, etc. Know how to unload common handguns (Glock, SigSauer for police): www.youtube.com/watch?v=utrM...

YouTube video by NARCAN® Nasal Spray How To Use NARCAN Nasal Spray

NARCAN or Naloxone can be obtained for free in most parts of Canada by asking your pharmacist. You can also find some online services which send them free of charge (I've done both, the mail version takes about 2 months). Know & when to administer the product: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Sv...

YouTube video by Tactical Rifleman How to Properly Kick in a Door | Breaching Techniques | Tactical Rifleman

If you do need to resort to destructive entry, know how to do it while minimizing the damage to yourself (and there will likely be): www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qu8...

YouTube video by Locksmith Recommended 5 Easy Ways to Unlock a Bedroom Door or Unlock a Bathroom Door - Unlock Privacy Lock

Know how to unlock an interior bathroom door. An unconscious child or overdosing friend will likely not be able to do it themselves, know how to get in without resorting to destructive means: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz9I...

Skills for 2025. Know how to: Unlock a bathroom door; Obtain and use NARCAN; Unload a firearm; Jumpstart a car; Perform basic first aid; Break a car window; Change a car tire; Read a map; Understand your Rights & Freedoms

Invest in yourself and the well being of those around you in 2025. The time to learn a lifesaving skill is not when you need to use it. Learn the skills, practice them often, find free resources to improve what you know. Thread: