Just some weekend food for thought that might benefit you, where you live.

 

Security at night at the Hemlocks

       First is the Compound discussion.

            We have lights powered by local rechargeable electricity. And the roofs work, and should until at least 2020. In case I am wrong, then we have roof repair stuff, too.  Mostly the local electricity is just low power LED (light emitting diode) stuff, but there is also an LED ganged outside light that is setup to run off of Hemlocks' water power. The on-off switch for it is in the electric room and uses the circuit breaker to turn it off and on. As of 12/1/2012 it is turned off.

            We also have a lot of self defense stuff, whose distribution will have to be figured out if the poo poo hits the fan. This gear consists of guns, pellet guns, crossbows, sling shots, various cutting things, and even bear spray.

            Second the away from the compound discussion.

            We have a lot of gear to help protect those defending us away from the Compound, like wet weather gear, and even ponchos. The initial intent is to also have warm broth, ramen, or something like that ready for  those coming off of patrols, so someone will have to be up to do this. Plus there are two Stanley stainless steel thermos that should be used. One can use the wood stoves to make this warm broth.

            Now for night vision gear, including FLIR (forward looking infrared radar), like the discussion.

            Bottom line, I would rather have it than not, but it is not the be all, end all. Just how to interpret what you see through this gear is one of the problems. Weather, to include rain and fog, is another problem. Plus laser range estimation can be very difficult depending on terrain. Plus we humans are still a few years away from gear that works best for an extended period of time. Plus take all the  electricity considerations, and the gear that runs off of rechargeable batteries is best. Even during Desert Storm the best gear was captured gear, often British RACAL built, that ran off of AA batteries, vice USA built proprietary batteries that were very often hard to get.

            So be prepared to patrol the old fashioned way at night. Like let your eyes adjust, use moonlight if available, use warning cans with pebbles on strings, etc, etc. We should be OK, though it does take work. And rehearse the routes during daylight, as well as installing extra defense measures, too.

            Our human ingenuity works to our advantage.

            For example, I imagine two people out for a 4 hour watch, 24/7/365. One would be in a foxhole near the Compound, and one would be foot patrolling. No trench warfare here...this foxhole would be sand bag lined (already at the Hemlocks) with a couple of pallets in the bottom, and a drainage ditch out of it, too. Heck, our kids could play in it, and probably will. There is another post on this proposed initial route and setup, and what to protect. They might use the one night vision monocular we have, and do the best they can, which should be pretty good.

            Also in good times, thieves tend to be lazy, like they will probably come during warmer times and during daylight. But in hard times, expect them to come in the dark and poor weather, and even during cold times. That's the security person's job to figure out, as best they can, and with the people and gear they have to work with.