A Tactical Kayak in a SHTF Scenario = Gold

When the Golden Horde has headed your direction, your best bet for getting out of Dodge with that 80-pound bug-out pack could very well be your trusty kayak. Haven't thought of that? Maybe you should. Swift and wickedly silent, a low-signature kayak is capable of carrying you and your bug-out-bag to safety.  Slipping silently into the water, full of food and gear,  all while vanishing without a trace. If you are not planning your escape route or scouting the waterways with this shallow-running craft, then your foolproof evacuation route is already landlocked -- and for allowing such a fubar, fellow survivalist, you deserve a Darwin award.

Paddled in tandem, or strung like a caravan of pack mules, kayaks bridge the water-surface mobility gap, serving as your conduit to security when vehicles halt and roadways are impassable. To paraphrase an old saying, don't get caught up SHTF creek without a paddle.

Unlike larger craft, the kayak is man-portable, capable of starting over stones or a sea wall -- particularly using portage wheels (think two-wheeled dolly). No fossil fuels needed, and no motor to flood. No batteries. And there are few if any moving parts to maintain or rust. Your tactical kayak should be pre-staged at your house or camp, or strapped to your roof rack and secured with a bike cable, a torpedo-shaped plastic storage pod packed with gear below deck. A kayak may result in a limitless supply of drinking water, help you identify or scout for possible hazards, and be used for fishing or food gathering.

TYPES OF KAYAKS

The current kayak design stems from the national explosion in recreational kayaking. These tough, accessible, and affordable reinforced polyethylene boats vary from 9 to 16 feet or so. They're acceptable for all ages, skills, and body types. Recreational kayaks are usually divided into two styles: "sit-inside" open cockpit and"sit-on-top" chairs that are molded into a decked or closed hull. Both have built-in floatation and some storage.

Our preference is the sit-ins by Swifty Perception sporting a cargo area in the back, multiple colors, and gasket-sealed storage hatches. Some versions come armed with a flip-down rudder system, where the foot pedals become the steering system, helping the kayak trail and preventing kayakers from wasting energy on corrective paddle strokes while going to the wind or upstream against the current. Rail system fittings hold adjustable tie-downs for customizing places of additional dry storage bags, fishing-rod holders, anchor lines, and electronic equipment.

With the hatches latched closed, the sit-on-top enclosed deck Adds seaworthiness into the ship during rough waters and storms. These kayaks are self-bailing when punching through waves or storms because the water and rain drains through built-in scuppers, characteristic sit-inside boats lack in open waters.

Regarding carrying capability, one 16-foot kayak timeless, silent Hull Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 we assessed is rated for 375 lbs of load-out such as the paddler. The stout Confluence Ride 13.5 version was rated for 550 pounds of power including paddler.

PACK MULES ON WATER

To determine if the BOY concept would work for kids and wives, we Recently gave a petite female buddy some conditional paddling instructions and sent her on her way. She carried 100 lbs of equipment balanced on her kayak for a couple of miles without undue strain. Trading her trekking staff to get a double-bladed paddle, she managed to save her energy over a few hours by resting and drifting between strokes. Trying to carry that identical load in a backpack on property could have crushed her within 100 paces. Yet, in her'yak she had strong legs at the end of the day.

To paddle efficiently, one can trim the'yak by adjusting the load fore and aft. The BOY provides recreational fitness paddling for your loved ones and group members, but only if you load it correctly. Build trust and endurance during trial runs near your dwelling. Quantify your pace and shake off your equipment along the way, putting into practice the concept of navigational chart and compass. Plot these classes on your handheld GPS unit, adding miles to your everyday paddles in a walking pace.

Squared-away BOY watermen learn basic paddle strokes required To move the ship efficiently and without wasted motion. Work on the forward, reverse, and sweep strokes, in addition to simple bracing or sculling moves. Practice draw strokes and rudder strokes to help build your confidence with a fully loaded kayak in open seas, tidal flows, and river currents. Find a trainer and practice rescues. You might be the one called upon to go after an overboard team member, or to evacuate a child, relative, or puppy using the kayak as a waterborne stretcher.

ALTERNATIVE ESCAPE ROUTE

In the USA, flood remains one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths. Surviving extreme urban flood may depend on your temporary access to kayaks pre-staged at home or in your vehicle with your family load outside, together with a technical knowledge and practiced skillset to comprehend the necessity to escape structures and browse just those paths when safe to do so.

But even if it's not floodwaters contaminated with gasoline, sewage, And debris, a tragedy can still induce widespread chaos. With a population dependent upon prescribed paths, waves of panicked people after their on-grid mentality will guarantee gridlock on roads and highways. As order quickly breaks down, roving predator packs will recognize these chokepoints as ambush points to assault the immobile stragglers. Insert blackouts, rioting and looting, fuel shortages, and communication breakdowns, and all bets are off.

In tough times, disconnecting from the grid may require reconnecting with the water. A kayak can offer a means out of danger once your car or even your bug-out truck can not. However, the safest distance between two points isn't always the straightest.

Revisit your bug-out path, focusing on the grim lines which radiate outward toward your safe zones. Like the third airplane on a three-dimensional chessboard, there is within our innermost cityscapes a serpentine labyrinth of water. Search for those tiny feeder creeks, bayous, sloughs, tributaries, and natural or man-altered drainage channels. Identity the intersections of streets and rivers near your home, business, or distant security website. These are your BOY's on- and off-ramps. After your home waters are mapped, plotted, and researched, your kayak becomes a rogue chess piece free from the limiting black-and-white grid of concrete and asphalt.

NINJA MODE OF TRANSPORT

Post-hurricane hostilities may require you to temporarily Abandon your house or automobile to adopt a defensive position. A BOY offers an effective way of escape and evasion. After all, a'yak leaves no tracks, gives off zero emissions, and is somewhat quieter than a Hummer.

And unlike hiking on foot ('cause you are certainly not driving To security ), this sort of boat lets you pass through urban waterways having the capability to quickly access and hide any way of long-gun, considered the greatest instrument for repelling plastic-boat pirates. Tandem paddle teams can put a scout bow-gunner or tail-gunner out your bunch of paddlers, presenting a non-toxic deadly combo.

But to remain discreet about the water, you will need to train. Practice hand signs with your loved ones and friends. Don't give away your quiet advantage by too speaking because sound carries over water. If your party must break, start looking for all those side feeder creeks offering a detour off the main water body, lake, bay, or river system.

Of utmost importance is the paddle choice. Do not scrimp or allow this to become an afterthought. Cry once. Reach for the innovative composite paddles, like the Adventure Tech Fishstix with adjustable angle and length, and woodland camo design. This paddle combines a bent shaft to reduce wrist strain and a feathery buoyant blade with severe bite. Let it become part of you.

When You've escaped the first flooding or the resultant urban Chaos, after that you can have a stand on the high ground, hunker down until conditions improve, move to your next strongpoint, or return home. Like some of the greatest survival gear, bug-out'yaks include this simple instruction: Simply add water.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF KAYAK ACTION

-- "Kayak" comes from the Inuit word "qayak," a 2,000-year-old Term for"hunter's ship." These ancient kayaks consisted of organic skins stretched over bone and wood frames.

-- The World War II"kayak commandoes" of the British Royal Marines were immortalized in the 1955 British film The Cockleshell Heroes, which is a fictionalization of the epic raid on German ships in Nazi-occupied France.

-- You'll find a faded black-and-white photograph of two kayakers at The U.S. Navy UDT-SEAL Museum at Fort Pierce, Florida, serving as a reminder that not all surveillance missions occur in inflatable rafts.

-- Medal of Honor recipient Thomas R. Norris is responsible for Among the most famous paddle missions while serving as a SEAL in Vietnam. When American airmen were downed over hostile territory, Norris and his South Vietnamese counterpart could rescue two pilots behind enemy lines on two different nights by disguising themselves as local fishermen and paddling a sampan.

-- Now, troops that are modern train with kayaks Klepper faltboote (folding boat), which can be shaped by tautly fitting tough, coated cloth over wood and composite frames which are capable of deploying out of a backpack. These kayaks feature airtight sponsons to stay afloat and beneath radar with low acoustic and acoustic signatures. Even in the era of drone strikes, today's elite warriors still use paddle strokes to conduct surveillance.

WATERPROOF RIGGING

Saltwater destroys. It is ridiculously corrosive to steel and Strips off at pretty much anything it touches. Even freshwater might be contaminated. So you've got to waterproof your gear if you have selected a bug-out kayak as your way of evacuation.

The Trick to waterproof rigging is breaking down your load by Group and independently encasing essential elements, then compartmentalizing each group in cases like a little Pelican hard case. For an amazingly watertight barrier and a silent-running strategy, nothing surpasses the flexibility of this line of Watershed Bags by Drybags. To conveniently secure that 12-gauge shotgun on deck and out of sight, go with the Watershed"Torpedo" case. Trim the boat for quiet running with three or more duffels, backpacks, maritime survival bags, or the complete SOF backpacks (standard issue for U.S. Navy SEALs).

Encase heavily compacted firearms individually from ammo. Outfit Vulnerable electrical and optical bits, lighting tools, batteries, cameras, power resources, and communications equipment. Bag sub-groups, including permits, documents, tools, and medical kit and prescriptions. Strap securely to the deck or stow below, but not expect even gasketed hatches to offer a watertight seal.

YOU'VE BUGGED OUT... NOW WHAT?

Sea kayakers can cover marathon distances in hours under flat-water conditions. When paddling a fully loaded bug-out'yak (BOY), avoid strain, accidents, and detection by keeping a steady but silent stroke, gliding in a walking speed, paddling a few miles per hour until you get to your first waypoint on the way to base camp.

Ideally, you should try to achieve high ground carrying out a Military-quality solo tent and rain fly just like the Raider by Catoma. Weighing less than 2 lbs, these miracles are pure shield, particularly when coupled with a lightweight sleeping bag such as the Elite Survival Systems Recon II. At a minimum, the orange mini space blanket sleeping bag and glow-worm SOL tent will work, even though highly visible.

To lay low during night or day, pull the kayak completely clear Of the waters and bring it into camp, anchor, paddle and all, so it is going to be there in the morning (or night) if flood waters and pirates accompany you. Erase your trace, smoothing any'yak drag marks in the dirt or sand that points the way to your camp. This is much more secure than blowing off the hatches and flotation to weigh and tie off your ship, completely submerging your kayak in the water's edge, and a lot less trouble.

For temporary or late night rests during still-water phases, the BOYs are stable enough to be lashed together and cross legged with paddles, allowing small teams to extend out at anchor for temporary shuteye. For overnight stays in standing water, two kayaks lashed side by side and cross-decked with scavenged planking make it possible with practice to vertical self-supporting solo or two-man tents with rain fly.

When the all clear comes through your VHF, the"strategy with Caution principle" applies while turning back to urban areas. Be prepared to portage your ship with the two-wheeled dolly you stashed at your launching point. Return super early through non-curfew hours, moving easily, quickly, and decisively with photograph I.D., a powerful flashlight, hidden pistol, and paddle to re-stake your claim to your house...or to'yak back to security.

BUG-OUT 'YAK GEAR CHECKLIST

Having the Perfect kit at a time of crisis can mean the difference Between starvation and survival (or worse yet, a victimization by violent raiders). On a watercraft, having the ideal equipment becomes even more significant. Our author lists numerous alternatives for what to pack in a bug-out kayak as a way to inspire and inform those of you who are eyeing an aquatic warfare program.

-- Aquatic Gear: 4mm Blue Line, folding sail, V-mast, 12-gauge Flare pistol, handheld flares, nautical charts, scale, solar panel, anchor, lines, throwable buoy, and sea anchor, double-bladed two-piece paddle on leash, spare paddle, snorkel, mask, fins, pole spear, and Hawaiian Sling

-- Illumination: SureFire Maximus headlight, Petzl IR strobe, chem lights

-- Navigation: Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS and spare Garmin 78sc, batteries, Ritchie Compass and spare

-- Communications: Horizon VHF hand-held radio, emergency locator beacon, Spot phone

-- Safety Gear: Flotation vest and whistle with Benchmade security hook strap cutter

-- Eye Protection: Polarized Wiley X sunglasses, Total Rx Wiley X Goggles

-- Storage: CamelBak Linchpin hydration pack, YETI Roadie Cooler for medicine

-- Tactical Gear: FirstSpear chest rig (with suppressor, MUT, SS KABAR, Dark Angel Kit, waterproofed, Medical Kit Below, medicine, stamps, documents, etc.)

-- Clothing: Total MultiCam outer wear, boonie, two-piece storm Suit and weather protective clothing, gloves, hat, face cover

-- Footwear: Danner USMC boots, Altama Jungle Boots

-- Weapons Gear: Spare magazines, cleaning kit, weapon-light batteries, ammo, Elite Bandolier, bow, arrows

-- Shotgun: Remington 870 Marine Magnum, Stoeger 12-gauge Coach, Snake Charmer

-- Rifle: Colt AR-15, Ruger 10/22 SS takedown, .177-cal. air rifle

-- Pistols: SIG SAUER P556 SWAT Pistol, SIG SAUER P226 Navy 9mm, Glock 19

-- Electronics: Mobile phone, camera, crank charger, solar panel

-- Fishing & Gathering: Cuban yo-yo, light trolling rods, Handle, throw net, bait seine, spool line, hooks, sinkers

-- Cooking: Coleman Peak stove, grill, skewer

-- Toiletries: laundry detergent, hand soap, ChapStick, cleaning solution, eye drops

-- Camping Gear: Tent, rain fly, floor cloth, bug spray, repellent, bug suit, hanging head net, gloves

-- Tools: Binoculars, Zeiss Monocular, Casio G-Shock watch, Stainless Steel sternum Spartan Blades knife, Glock folding shovel, machete, KABAR

Kukri, Swiss Army Knife, pliers, filet knife, snares, fire-starter sticks, fuel, signal mirror

-- Water Management: Katadyn Vario Water filter, stainless cup, canteen

-- Admin: Cash, weather writing pads

-- Repair: Steel cable, plastic tubing (kayak repairs/spares)

-- Private Matters: Flask, Siesta Key Honey Spiced Rum, Zippo, cigars

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🛡️ Tactical Kayak Gear for Preppers

• Sit-On-Top Tactical Kayaks — Easy to exit, hard to capsize. Best for SHTF scenarios where you may need to move fast.
• Packable Inflatable Kayak — Stores in a bag, inflates in minutes. Perfect for bug-out scenarios.
• Military-Grade Dry Bags — MOLLE-compatible waterproof bags for gear and supplies.
• Onyx Life Jacket — When things go sideways, a PFD is non-negotiable.

Full gear: Kayak 101.

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