The Prepared Civilian Guide to Gear

What do you actually NEED? in this video we go over a want vs a need and how that applies to the gear and equipment for a prepared civilian.
The idea behind this video is for people who are new and want to expand into gear and equipment. Emphasising the Needs for civilians and laying down the reality of using it. Protecting those we care about.
Time stamps
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - What is a Need
05:02 - Civilians mission
07:59 - Home Defence
09:48 - Body Armour
11:49 - Helmet
14:06 - Area Defence
16:26 - Pack
23:09 - Chest Rig
24:58 - Webbing
28:55 - Finances
30:55 - Gear is NOT an investment
34:08 - Night vision
35:35 - Knowledge
37:40 - Closing thoughts
Thank you for watching

[@Echo_Mike]

Just want to welcome all of the new subscribers, videos covering topics such as this and chats about life, philosophy etc are a mix of what I post here. thank you for watching and the support! The idea behind this video is for people who are new and want to expand into gear and equipment. Emphasising the Needs for civilians and laying down the reality of using it. Protecting those we care about. Cheers

[@Radvous]

Glad to see a proud American from Britain taking advantage of the freedoms we have here and understanding and appreciating these freedoms. Subbed! Came from your Dear America video.

[@Echo_Mike]

@@Radvous glad to have you here mate

[@Radvous]

@@Echo_Mike likewise

[@rustydomino694]

same

[@aldozilli1293]

We're free in the UK too mate

[@Radvous]

@aldozilli1293 watch his message to America video.

[@henjem14]

I'm 6 minutes in but already stunned as to the competency of your knowledge and presentation.

[@PrussianPushma]

I'm 7 minutes in and he didn't even say anything yet?

[@protectpersevere2030]

Great video man. The armed prepared citizen needs to well rounded but more importantly wise enough to read whatever situation he’s in to utilize his stuff

[@brandonisalwaysrightt]

It’s you

[@TKTampa]

Great video and explanation. Thank you

[@polkbritton]

The financial aspect is extremely important. The biggest blunder I see folks making on that front is buying into the Night Vision hype. That particular cost is much much greater than the already exorbitant baseline cost of the device itself. On top of the entry cost you have to then allot for extra training time on top of the regular daylight training you're already doing (which everyone laments they don't get enough time for in the first place). That means extra ammo expenditure, extra gas, and range fees, and that's IF you can find a range that allows for low light/night time shooting. Most folks don't realistically have the financial or time resources, or special range access to accommodate that. Training under nods (which is as much about tactical movement as it is about one's ability to shoot, if not more) requires a significant time dedication if you are to become halfway competent. IMO it's just not worth it unless you have a good amount of personal wealth and free time.

[@Echo_Mike]

Yes. That’s why I had to say it, no matter how “uncool” it may seem

[@straightlinetherapy3816]

Commenting for the algorithm. Great vid!

[@TheGingerBreadMan1987]

Really glad I found your channel brother. Very knowledgeable and good instruction. 💪🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@codenameDaedalus]

Well said, keep up the good information.

[@ThisHandleIsntAvailableTryANew]

Keep em coming mate. Love from the south east.

[@leto8161]

Useful video. Thanks. It was very detailed and clear 👌 Hope to see more videos about military staff, training, traveling and else. Shake hand 🤝

[@perfectly.sane.behaviour]

Good stuff as always Echo, keep fucking crushing it ! I sent a video of yours to a mate and I told him about your content, and while I was talking I came to the realisation that all the tactical info I've been implementing to my training was from your videos, thank you for your effort. Sincerely The South African battle jacket guy from your DMs

[@Echo_Mike]

@@perfectly.sane.behaviour appreciate you mate

[@donrha]

You're gonna make it! Keep making videos!

[@tacticalnewbe5745]

Love the brits, great content brother 👍

[@mikester24622]

Holy smokes, can we please talk about those arms?? 0:10 💪🏼💪🏼

[@Kandelic]

15:58 Exactly, way too many people in the gun community think they're gonna do some badass SOF stuff because they bought a JPC. You also see the inverse too, there's been a recent surge of people who think that body armor has no use for the prepared citizen because they aren't being backed logistically by the entire US military. Plate carriers have a time and a place, so do belt kits and chest rigs. Broken ribs are better than a sucking chest wound; and a lack of armor in exchange for more water is better than being a heat casualty in the middle of a patrol. Consider what actions you're preparing for and pick your gear accordingly.

[@Echo_Mike]

Very well said mate

[@AC-uw4il]

this is why my kit just has 3 mags

[@marygee3981]

🎉I'm a new subscriber. You have inspired me to start a hiking club.😊

[@Echo_Mike]

@@marygee3981 keep up the good work!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Great stuff mate 👍

[@Echo_Mike]

Cheers mate 💯

[@mysteryman33333]

Really good video. The night vision hype train is real. It's crazy how many dudes will buy a PVS-14 but don't have a single fire extinguisher in their home. With the price of NVGs constantly going up, the cost of a PVS-14 could cover a lot of the other gear you showed. I'm a bit guilty of being a pack/bag collector. Main pack, get-home pack in the car, a leave-home pack for emergencies (fire, natural disasters, etc), a surplus MOLLE II assault pack full of "stuff," a surplus USGI duffel bag that holds my battle belt and chest rig and some other stuff. That Crossfire pack looks tempting.

[@froginthewaves8450]

Awesome video!

[@Echo_Mike]

Appreciate you mate!

[@MerchGrows]

There are those with plates and those without, we all know who we are, it’s really that simple to be frank

[@constantinosconstantinou6262]

Dear EM your ability to explain everything clearly and in a way that everyone can understand is amazing. Many thanks again. Just for the record not that it affects your excellent presentation, is that IFAK an Osprey or a Virtus one!

[@Echo_Mike]

Cheers for that mate, that’s the Osprey

[@Vule34]

I'm guilty of having no body armor. I always tend to go back to the old US army LBE or using an eclectic system too. One of my favorite combos is a harbor freight leather work belt too.

[@TAVAAR7]

Highly recommend Refuge Medical for training and kits (anywhere from booboo kits to IFAKs and all the way up to a STOMP bag aka a small field hospital on your back and kits for longer term wound care after you've treated the initial wound). Good people and awesome warranty and mission statement too. Medical isn't just for pewpew either, most people drive/ride in vehicles...food for thought. Its worth the investment

[@AppalachianAlex]

A freedom loving Brit! Love to see it

[@DanDannyDanielleBob]

Guntoob seems so much more sophisticated in the Queen's english

[@Echo_Mike]

Ahhahaha

[@straightlinetherapy3816]

Glad to see extreme ownership in that stack of books!

[@Echo_Mike]

It’s a signed copy!

[@straightlinetherapy3816]

@@Echo_Mike awesome! Love jocko

[@avancalledrupert5130]

Fellow Brit turning yank. Its just so fun to get acces to this stuff aint it 😂. Personaly i like a low vis plate carrier under a green flannel shirt/fleece. Cheno trousers , and a flat cap or basball cap. Nearly as good as camo but looks normal . Then just pick up your low vis sports bag bob for urban. Or pick up your big sustainment bob with a chicom chest rig for roral . Low vis psa akv fits in a normal sports bag . Sustainment zastava m77 . 308 go boom . Pistol i love the rex zero 1 My little bob is Adidas because ak . My big bob is karrimor sabre 45 . Because Britain. Its never advantageous to look militarised as a civilian imo .

[@seratbushcraft6979]

Do you have the old or new model crossfire. Looks like they changed to a center zip design

[@kevinhowe6307]

I'm just here for the eye candy! He's so handsome!

[@brawldawg8729]

First off, good video. I gave the earned thumbs up and subscription. I look forward to seeing more. I do have a couple of notes, though. Your IFAK statements were a bit dismissive in regard to the pouch's size and attachment method. If a person or unit chooses to use a dangler, fanny pack style, or belt mount matters far less than the actual contents, the user's ability to access the pouch with either hand, and the knowledge, and skills to utilize that equipment. I'm sure you agree. Also, in regard to cqb at home and area defense, coupled with armor. I would submit that, at home, responding to a bump in the night waking you, you are behind the curve in that you were asleep. What you have going for you is that no one knows your house the way you do. I would love it if all good Americans had body armor, but I will settle for firearms, a method to carry reloads, and medical, backed up by proper training. And as to area defense, some people have many acres of land, and a community to protect within it's grid. No need to dismiss armor in that scenario. I don't think we disagree. I'm just pointing out the way that a few things came across. This video is well thought out, and again, you have my support. I just think that someone with less training, experience, may take some of these points as written in stone. Not everyone has thousands of dollars in gear, countless hours of training, and the ability to try different things to see if they may work for them. Good content. Keep it up!

[@roberthsieh8639]

Bro you are undeniably based and an absolute unit. However i will respectfully disagree on body armor. My main point basically boils down to a civilian is probably gonna do his best to avoid a gunfight. In the context of a self defense/home protection situation im almost sure the odds of you having enough time to strap a rig on is low. In the context of shtf i think there are too many downsides. Primarily it is fucking heavy as shit. I get that a lot of modern plate carriers do an excellent job of slimming them down and i have a bad experience with the iotv being a massive brick with its 4 plates but your stamina and operational distance is massively reduced when you carry that much more weight. Secondly if you take a hit the odds of it being on your plate are maybe 50-50 and if the situation is bad enough you are kinda fucked cause there is no immediate medical attention that can save you. You made the excellent point that you should avoid contact as much as possible which adds to the very rare situation that you a) make contact b) take a hit on the carrier c) it isnt serious enough that you die from internal bleeding anyway I would much rather carry more food and if i get into a gunfight i would much rather have more ammunition to suppress and break contact in a team. Honestly it all boils down to personal preference. I meant to add infection will likely kill you anyway in a shtf situation

[@MnemonicHack]

I was going to say just this. As a civilian, you have no business getting into a firefight. We should not be playing soldiers, we should be trying to survive as best we can until things calm down and order is restored. Armor is for missions, usually ones that are backed up by other people, and especially vehicles that can transport people to and from the sortie. If you're doing that sort of thing, you've probably got an organization (big or small) backing you and they'll likely take care of funding you armor. Mobility, stealth, and being able to quickly disengage from contact, is your armor. Not looking for a fight, is your armor.

[@Echo_Mike]

@@roberthsieh8639 I think we actually agree with eachother, what you’re saying is what I said in the video

[@Echo_Mike]

@@MnemonicHack yes 100%

[@boejiden1942]

For area security and home defense (plenty of situations where you have enough time put on gear before a riot gets to your door), I think having armor is a huge benefit. Walls aren't bulletproof.

[@shadow8797-ng5kr]

I think there’s a middle ground when it comes to armor. I do think everyone should have plates at some point but for $250 you can find decent concealable pistol rated armor. There’s a brand out there that even embeds soft armor into a tee shirt. The majority of crime in the US is done with a handgun.

[@DrGamingDude]

I can't think of a home defense situation where you have the time to don body armor. The helmet part is a weird take, not against having one but most non-chinese ballistic helmets besides mil surp are $1000+.

[@ericgarcia8986]

what sleeping pad is attached to the pack?

[@Echo_Mike]

German folding

[@cognizantbow2275]

It sure is scary how foreigners can own the same weapons as us in our own country. Hope we can trust yall.

[@Echo_Mike]

@@cognizantbow2275 go watch my dear America video.

[@mysteryman33333]

Why would you be worried about a Brit who is now an American citizen? He's clearly a solid dude. If you want to be worried about something, look at the kind of people pouring into the country at the southern border.

[@cognizantbow2275]

@@mysteryman33333 are they really though? Who’s side would they pick if we went to war against their home countries? Let’s see if this comment gets deleted again

[@muskett4108]

I'm an Anglo Swiss, so the former puts its faith in His Majesty's Armed Forces, Police, and Intelligence agencies, and the latter do the same bar the responsibility is far more individually involved as part of being part of that society, why they do National Service and take their rifles home. Good effort for trying to give reason for "the need". Most men have a bit of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and prepper in them. Its normal. However, doing that well takes effort and not a given. They are learnt skills, and take resources, and done before ever needed. How far to go "prepper" wise? Really depends on what level of threat you think is plausible. Is society going to collapse or just having a short term hic up? Is there actually any functioning medical facilities? Do you have the funds to invest in "kit". I say invest in skills, and good health first. The easiest way to find out what kit you can handle is do a ten mile hike. If you can't do ten miles and still function then you are carrying too much. Few can carry basic supplies of food and water for more than three days without resupply. It is supplies that dictate how far anyone can go from a base, or to the next supply base. I'm getting towards 60 years old and never going to go far. Fitness, I'll be fighting light, but trying not to get into a fight. I do have my "prepper box", and quality kit is fun to source and own. Hopefully, never needed. My skill set is pretty high, and I do try to maintain it. Remember, if you have incumbents then they are unlikely to have anything like the same. Being an old Cold War Worrier I'm a fan of full battle belt order, and have one similar to your own. Nice one.

[@josephrizk9850]

I am a bit confused. You have a British flag on the wall and a British accent yet you speak abou the U.S. constitution. Are you an American? Or do you just admire the historical documents. We would love to have you brother

[@perfectly.sane.behaviour]

Can't connect the dots huh ?

[@josephrizk9850]

​@@perfectly.sane.behaviourI'm not the sharpest spoon in the drawer 😂

[@TheGingerBreadMan1987]

He served in the USMC

[@PrussianPushma]

​@josephrizk9850 the USA lost the war of 1812. The British are slave enforcers for the 'merchants'

[@SkiesTurnedGrey]

He grew up in the UK but is an American citizen.

[@benbreakfast4314]

Is crossfire a sponsor?

[@Echo_Mike]

@@benbreakfast4314 no

[@skeletonguts313]

I'm a civilian with a record, I can't own a gun 😂

[@smokethirteen]

Hold on a second, did you just say that if you target practice on targets past a 100yrda and shoot a lot of ammo you are a problem?! Dude this is American. We target shoot at what ever distance we want with however much ammo we like and as long as it is safe and legal at that location, there is zero problem. Target shooting at distance is a hobby and a skill and there is no need to try and make it some scary and dangerous, especially from some Brit that’s not even allowed to carry a pocket knife in public.

[@DrGamingDude]

He needs a word with Mr. Harrell

[@boejiden1942]

I think he meant shooting at bipeds. I don't think there's anyway to put down precision shooting, it's a valuable skill and a fun hobby.

[@Echo_Mike]

Seems that line is being misunderstood as I didn’t communicate it well. My apologies. what I mean is if you are actively looking for a fight. And being beyond 100 yards was just a random number that came to mind because it implies a pre planned and targeted engagement. If you are attacked at any range then by all means of course defend yourself. Those of us that are into this stuff know what the 2A is for, but this video is for people on the fence or are new. So it’s important they see and hear someone give a logical explanation within a very understandable and reasonable set of parameters I love long range shooting, training with all firearms and skills Hope that clears it up, cheers

[@boejiden1942]

Could just be my misunderstand, but you seem very negative about offensive action which is 100% why the 2A was created (as well as defense). Unless you think we smoked the bloody British by defensive actions alone... I think this is a very difficult/situational thing and can't be blanketed by "you're part of the problem if the enemy is past 100 yards". Obviously we are not going to be immoral and attack people for our own selfish gain, but if there's an enemy operating in your area, it is prudent to make their lives as unbearable as possible.

[@Echo_Mike]

Seems that line is being misunderstood as I didn’t communicate it well. My apologies. what I mean is if you are actively looking for a fight. And being beyond 100 yards was just a random number that came to mind because it implies a pre planned and targeted engagement. If you are attacked at any range then by all means of course defend yourself. Those of us that are into this stuff know what the 2A is for, but this video is for people on the fence or are new. So it’s important they see and hear someone give a logical explanation within a very understandable and reasonable set of parameters I love long range shooting, training with all firearms and skills Hope that clears it up, cheers

[@boejiden1942]

@@Echo_Mike fair enough. It's a very nuanced thing to navigate and hopefully we never have to decide in real life.

[@4kmeme_funny]

Bo'Oh'O'Wa'Er 😂

[@srbontrager]

Saying you don't need a firearm(or any other legal self defense tool) in your home because that's what the police are for is the same as saying you don't need a fire extinguisher in your house because that's what the fire department is for or you don't need any first-aid equipment in your house because that's what paramedics and EMTs are for.

[@Echo_Mike]

Yes

[@Poopoopeepee925]

i see that bible son christ is king

[@tylernathan7985]

You break out that kind of kit and you become offensive.

[@thunderpunkradio]

Your face is offensive.

[@skydivingcomrade1648]

As it should be. "The power of the sword, say the minority…, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every terrible implement of the soldier are the birthright of Americans. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments but where, I trust in God, it will always remain, in the hands of the people." -The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788. - Tench Coxe

[@Echo_Mike]

@@tylernathan7985 what you wear doesn’t equal the actions you do with it, a tank can invade a country or defend a position. All up to how you use it