Elsewhere in OFFGRID #43, we have some very specific technical articles on night vision related topics: technical specifications on tubes, accessorizing night vision compatible weapons, and setting up helmets for night-vision use. But the rapid proliferation of civilian-accessible night vision options over the last several years has left a lot of interested consumers chewing...
In previous issues, we had a chance to attend and evaluate Byron Rodgers’ Protector Symposiums 1.0 and 2.0. What we walked away with was nothing short of thinking to ourselves, why didn’t anyone put together an event like this sooner? If you haven’t read up on the inaugural and second event, be sure to...
What do horror movies, home invasions, alien abductions, and special operations missions all have in common? They usually take place at night. Evolutionarily speaking, humans are not nocturnal creatures. But our ability to produce tools has allowed us to create artificial, if not perfect, adaptations to our environment. In the case of darkness, our first...
Feeling cold is a matter of perspective. Hot summer days can make the nights feel unbearably cool by comparison. This scenario is precluded by the fact that when 90 degrees F turns to 60, your health and wellbeing is usually not in immediate danger. Contrast this with a region which has harsh, or longer...
EDC, or Every Day Carry is a deeply personal topic. Everyone has their own ideas of what to have on their person on a day-to-day basis. These items often include a handgun, knife, wallet of choice and sometimes medical components. In addition to the items on a person, some choose to bring along a...
Premise: Criminal profiling has come a long way over the last several decades, both in terms of its investigative methods and prominence in pop culture. One name that stands out in this area of study is John Douglas. His FBI career not only brought him face to face with some of the most notorious...
We often hear the expression “serial killer” in reference to a succession of crimes committed by depraved, shadowy figures. Their murders are often grotesque in nature, but the patterns exhibited in these crimes reveal characteristics of those behind the act. In this continuation of our profiling series, we aim to create a deeper understanding...
As a federal agent for 12 years, I never knew if I’d be conducting surveillance, responding to a bomb threat, or meeting with a U.S. attorney. Defensive, medical, survival, and day-to-day gear had to be accounted for. My work has now shifted to consulting, but my desire to balance practicality and preparedness hasn’t diminished....
The Viktos Zerodark MC Insulated Jacket is the type of layering every adventurer should own. While that isn't to say the lightweight packable jacket is the lightest of weights or the smallest to pack, it fills a gap found all too often across those who engage with an aggressive profession. Thin enough to wear...
The decision of whether or not to intervene when someone else is falling victim to violence is only made more complicated by the multitude of unanswered questions that typically surround such a situational event. Often seated at the center is the question of whether or not doing so would be legal, or if you...
