ZERT Coffee & Chaos

Back on the show today we have Jamie Franks and we take a walk down the road of is it wise or stupid to keep a rifle or pistol in your vehicle.  In the area of the "gray man" does it make sense to keep an arsenal in your vehicle and then label said vehicle with stickers that give it away?  What should you keep in your car and when does it make sense?  What is the best way to be prepared yet minimize your "tactical" footprint so it doesn't bite you in the ass?  These are just some of the things that we get into in todays show and we thank you for taking some time to check it out.

On the show today we are joined by Tes Salb, an athlete, competition shooter and all around amazing person.  Today we dive into Tes's journey in pentathlon competition and how that got her into the world of competition shooting.  We discuss what preparation and survivalism means to her and how she has a plan if things go sideways.  Tes also gives us a little peek behind the curtain as to what is coming from HiViz Shooting systems very soon.  If you aren't aware, HiViz is a ZERT affiliate and members get a discount over on their site.

Your daily carry pistol is crucial when it comes to kit that may be needed to save your life.  Most people on most days put their carry pistol on and never check it for function and that can lead to epic failure during a time of need.  Today we have Paul Taylor back on the show to talk about his daily routine with his carry pistol and how even as thorough and disciplined as he is with it, he still ran into an issue.  We also dive into the importance of taking your carry pistol to the range and shaking it out as a day on the range with ZP002 and a SIG P364 Macro revealed some concerning issues.  Thanks for the continued support!

On today's episode of the ZERT Coffee & Chaos show!  Today we dive deep into the world of multifunctional watches that are designed for adventure, survival, and everyday resilience. Join us as we explore the latest innovations in timekeeping technology, from rugged outdoor watches to smart devices that monitor your health and environment all the way down to the luxurious time pieces that seem to fit many different occasions.

On today's show we talk about the horrible situation post Hurricane Helene and some of the stories that are coming in from the impacted states.  While it is almost impossible to prepare completely for the natural disasters that we face, we can prepare better for the aftermath.  Even though there is a fair amount of warning when a hurricane is coming, it's never known the extent of its strength until it's too late.  Having a plan leading up to the hurricane or tornado hitting is crucial but even more important is what you do after it's over.  Communication, food and water are all things that should be a part of your survival plan.  Your mindset and a strong community are also very important to have.  Thanks for listening to the show and please provide some feedback on the episode.

Today we wrap up a three part series on navigation with the first two being about land navigation with Paul Taylor and today Jamie Franks is back to talk about navigating on and under the sea. In this episode, we’ll share expert insights, practical tips, and stories from a seasoned navigator and diver. Learn how to read the stars and the sea to guide your journey, discover essential techniques for underwater navigation, and hear firsthand accounts of adventures that will inspire your own explorations. Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or a diving aficionado, this show will help equip you with the skills and knowledge to confidently chart your course. Thank you for joining us as we discuss the challenges of navigating both above and below the waves!

Today's episode is part 2 of a 3 part show on the essential skills of navigation.  We have Paul Taylor back on the show for this part 2 of land navigation and he discusses in more detail some of the skills needed to properly navigate.  Whether it's dead reckoning or terrain association it's important to know the pros and cons  of each and what gear you will need.  There are basic gear needs for land navigation and in a time when we all rely on our phones to get us by, it is more crucial to know how to do this when the phones GPS are not an option.  Thank you for listening and please head over to YouTube and click the bell so you get notified when this episode drops on there.

Today we welcome ZERT member Larry Greeves to the show to discuss the importance of communications in non traditional formats such as HAM radio and GMRS.  This might be one of the most crucial pieces to your survival and preparedness plan, as anything after this may not work if you can't get important information.  An attack on the way we get information is a serious potential concern and having a plan for this is important.  On this episode we take a small look into HAM & GMRS radio and provide some insight on the gear needed to get set up.  This will likely be a first part to a more in depth series as there is a lot of information to retain.  Thank you for tuning in and please review the show.

Join us today for a more in depth episode about primitive shelter build and some of the most popular and easier ones to build.  The greatest thing about practicing building primitive shelters is that you can try this in your back yard with materials that you have prepared in a shelter kit.  That kit should be part of your survival plan and this helps you shake that gear out.  Understanding how to construct the shelter of your choice in a controlled environment will aid you in the rare situation where you have to do this without those items.  Do you have a shelter kit as part of your survival plan and if so, are the items we talked about today in it?

On today's show we have a special guest.  Vincent "Rocco" Vargas joins the show today to talk about life, family and his journey from the Army to Hollywood.  Some of you might know him from his days with Article 15 and some might know him from his time on the TV show Mayans M.C.  Rocco has done quite a bit and was a ZERT member at one time.  It was great to connect with him and see where his journey has taken him.  He has a great podcast and we encourage all our listeners to check it out and check out his book!  We have links to these places on the YouTube video portion of this podcast.