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Been quiet lately. Things in my civillian life have taken priority over my Zero-life. This isnt bad since many of the more urgent things are taken care of. I guess really Im at the point of simply maintaining my preparedness level rather than advancing it…although if an opoprtunity presents itself I will, naturally, add to things.

Went shooting the other day. Shot the SKS, which really is a rifle worthy of respect. Its easy to dismiss it as a glorified 10/22 but its definitely something to ber eckoned with. Reasonably accurate as well. Also shot the AK which is always fun. Played with the FAL some more and confirmed that, indeed, the gas regulator setting it is currently on is the one to use. Its official name is the “Big Stick”. I do need to sit down and load ammo..esp. for the CZ550. I just never seem to get around to it.

On the bright side, I took Red Cross CPR and first aid earlier this week. It was about 7 hours and really wasnt that difficult. In fact, it was so not difficult that it makes me wonder if there was anything to be learned. No, I think the next step is to hit the more advanced courses. Something that goes beyond “Call 911”. If nothing else, taking this class might fill some sort of prerequisite to take a more advanced class. I’ve been lucky (or , rather, the people around me have been lucky) in that Ive never really had to deal with a serious emergency. Its almost always been something that was remedied with the application of some neosporin and a 4×4 gauze pad. Still, Im glad I took the class. Its good for building confidence.

9 thoughts on “”

  1. Even if you never attempt State/National Certificatio, I highly recommend the time/money investment to gain at least Basic EMT knowledge. Heck, many colleges offer it, and if you don’t want certification you may be able to audit the course for far less money with the same knowledge base. I would still go with the certification just because you can open more follow on course doors that way, such as wilderness EMT courses which should be right up the Zero alley.

  2. What DaddyGod said in ref EMT training. Training is the Zero Way.

    Geez, I never thought about the SKS as being a glorified 10-22. Oh, simple enough, rugged and not a tack driver. But chambered right. I’ve got a CAR-15, but I just don’t think the 5.56mm is as trustworthy as the 7.62mm Short (as I call it). It isn’t a .308, but it’s going to hit harder and leave more of that energy in the target than the 5.56.

    Put it this way. You’re alone in a tree line and a fire team of 4 guys is advancing on you across an open space. One machine gun, one grenadier with an M203 and two guys with M4s. You absolutely, positively have to stop them. Would the SKS do it? A minor challenge in the hands of Commander Zero, I’m thinking.

    So you’re right: something to be reckoned with. But for guys who can’t afford the high-priced spread of the M1A or even the medium-priced spread of the FAL, the SKS is a damned fine battle rifle.

  3. Where the SKS really shines, in my opinion, is that is is a very inexpensive rifle that is a viable choice for defense. Anything else in the same price range ($150) is either .22 cal, a bolt action, or in a mild caliber (like a 9mm hiPoint). I bought the SKS to have as ‘guest guns’ but also for stashing in secondary (or even tertiary) stashes. And they are, for all intents and purposes, ‘disposable’…if one gets lost, stolen or confiscated I really dont care as much as I would if it were an AR or AK…so its the perfect gun to keep in the truck.

    Ideally, I’d like to have a half dozen of them.

  4. If only, if only. I was very tempted to get one of the models that had been modified to accept AK mags. To me, the mechanism and sights are superior to the AK…certainly the workmanship is better on many SKS’s than on AK’s. But I let the opportunity go by.

  5. The Yugo SKS are still available and Id say theyre the best out there. $150 if you shop around. You’ll kick yourself if you let this opportunity go by.

  6. Oh, I have a Russian SKS and love it all to pieces. Just not one that will take an AK mag. Does your Yugo? Yeah, I get Shotgun News, so I see the Yugos advertised. Sweet. And still California-legal (if fixed-box mag and no bayonet, etc).

  8. Oh, I agree with you..this basic first aid course was Mickey Mouse to the point of being almost useless…I mean, I’ve got an extensive library here and there was nothing I havent read a couple hundred times….no, I want the more advanced stuff and the EMT courses are probably going to be the way to go, short of temping in an emergency room somewhere.

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