Preparedness
Vietnam Vet’s Sharp Defense against Knife-Wielding Intruder Unfolds
An elderly amputee and Vietnam War veteran, Danny Ricketts, recounted the harrowing experience of waking up to a knife-wielding intruder attempting to break into his bedroom in his Albuquerque, New Mexico home. Speaking to KOB-TV, Ricketts shared his quick response to the threat, which involved a gun and a stern warning.
According to Ricketts, the troubling incident unfolded early in the morning when he noticed a knife wiggling under his window, indicating an intruder’s attempt to break in. He stated, “I could see it was a knife sticking under the window, sort of wiggling back and forth, and the window was coming up.”
Given his physical condition, Ricketts, who uses a wheelchair and suffers from PTSD, keeps a firearm within reach for self-defense. He shared his immediate reaction, “I keep a pistol on my nightstand under a hat. I reached and got it and I said, I still don’t know quite what I said, ‘What the f*** you doing, get the hell away from here’ something like that.”
Ricketts fired a single shot causing the suspect to flee, and his first glance at the scene led him to believe his shot had missed. He said, “I looked at the window, and I didn’t see any blood, and I didn’t see any bodies. So I thought I missed initially, and I was kind of grateful at that.”
Albuquerque police, however, found the intruder mortally wounded in the street, as revealed by surveillance footage from a neighboring camera. The suspect was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Albuquerque Police Spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos stated that initial findings suggest Ricketts had acted in self-defense. Gallegos stated, “Sounds like this gentleman the other day he called police, he secured his firearm, I believe, he told them exactly what happened,” He cautioned citizens against pursuing suspects even in threatening situations, noting the legal implications, “You can protect yourself if there’s a fear of harm or protect somebody else. You can’t protect your property by using deadly force.”
The case remains under investigation and the final decision on whether Ricketts will face charges lies with the district attorney’s office.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Because peace of mind beats panic every time
When a big storm’s coming, the news spreads fast. Shelves empty, gas stations fill up, and suddenly everyone’s buying bottled water like it’s gold. The truth is, once panic buying starts, it’s already too late. Real preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about peace of mind. The best time to get ready is when things still feel normal.
Here are ten simple, affordable items you can stock quietly now so you’re not scrambling later.
1. Water and Water Filters
Start with the basics: one gallon per person per day for at least three days. Keep bottled water handy, but also grab a small filter straw or purification tablets for backup. Clean water matters more than anything else when supplies run short.
2. Non-Perishable Food
You don’t need fancy freeze-dried meals. A few weeks’ worth of canned goods, rice, oats, peanut butter, and protein bars go a long way. Choose foods you actually eat, rotate them out as part of your normal pantry.
3. First-Aid Kit and Medications
Every home needs one. Bandages, antiseptic, gloves, and basic medicines like pain relievers and allergy pills can make a huge difference. If you take prescription medication, try to keep at least a few extra days’ supply on hand.
4. Flashlights and Extra Batteries
When the power goes out, light is everything. Stock a few small LED flashlights and a headlamp for hands-free use. Don’t forget extra batteries or a crank-powered option that never needs charging.
5. Portable Charger or Power Bank
Phones are lifelines during emergencies. Keep a charged power bank in your bag or car. Solar versions are great backups if you’re stuck without power for days.
6. Trash Bags and Zip Ties
Sounds simple, but trash bags are a survival essential. They can collect waste, store supplies, or even serve as ponchos or tarps. Pair them with a handful of zip ties one of the most underrated tools for securing gear or sealing openings.
7. Manual Can Opener
If your food storage depends on cans, make sure you can open them without electricity. A sturdy manual can opener can save you a lot of frustration (and hungry hours).
8. Multi-Tool or Pocket Knife
A good multi-tool replaces an entire toolbox in an emergency. Cutting rope, fixing leaks, opening packages you’ll use it more often than you think.
9. Basic Hygiene Supplies
Soap, toothbrushes, wet wipes, and feminine products often get overlooked. Staying clean keeps morale up and illness down, especially when running water isn’t guaranteed.
10. Emergency Cash
If card readers go down, cash is still king. Keep small bills in a waterproof envelope somewhere safe but easy to grab.
Final Thought
Preparedness isn’t about hoarding or panic, it’s about independence and calm. When something unexpected happens, the people who’ve planned ahead are the ones helping others instead of fighting for supplies.
📝 Starter Supply Checklist
☑ Water (1 gallon per person per day)
☑ Food for 3–7 days
☑ First-aid kit and medicines
☑ Flashlights + batteries
☑ Power bank or solar charger
☑ Trash bags + zip ties
☑ Manual can opener
☑ Multi-tool or knife
☑ Hygiene essentials
☑ Small cash reserve
Your kitchen drawer might just be the best survival kit you never built
You don’t need to live in the wilderness or have a fancy bug-out bag to be prepared for an emergency. Most people already own half the tools they’d need to survive they’re just scattered across kitchen drawers, garages, and bathroom cabinets. The secret is knowing what you have and how to use it creatively. Here are ten everyday items that can turn into life-saving tools when things go sideways.
1. Garbage Bags
A simple trash bag can do more than hold waste. Use it as a rain poncho, emergency shelter, ground tarp, or even a water collector. Heavy-duty contractor bags can be stuffed with leaves for insulation or turned into makeshift sleeping bags.
2. Aluminum Foil
Foil is basically metal in your pocket. Wrap it around food to cook over open flame, fashion it into a bowl or wind guard, or use it to reflect heat toward your shelter. You can even fold a small square into a mirror for signaling.
3. Shoelaces
Strong, lightweight, and easy to find. Shoelaces can tie gear, hang food from trees, fix broken zippers, or become makeshift tourniquets. In survival situations, cordage is priceless and you’re probably wearing some right now.
4. Bleach
Unassuming but powerful, regular unscented bleach can disinfect surfaces and purify water. Add just 8 drops per gallon of clear water, mix well, and wait 30 minutes. (If it smells faintly of chlorine afterward, it’s safe to drink.)
5. Coffee Filters
Coffee filters aren’t just for caffeine lovers. They make excellent pre-filters for dirty water, help start fires when dry, and can even work as disposable plates or wound covers. Lightweight and cheap, they’re worth tossing in any emergency bag.
6. Duct Tape
If something’s broken, duct tape can probably fix it. Patch holes, secure splints, seal windows, or twist it into rope. It’s waterproof, durable, and compact a survival MVP in any scenario.
7. Plastic Bottles
Empty water bottles are more useful than they look. Use them to carry and purify water, as makeshift funnels, or to store dry goods. Fill one with water and set it in sunlight for a few hours the UV rays can kill bacteria naturally.
8. Vaseline and Cotton Balls
Together, they’re an instant fire starter. Coat a few cotton balls in petroleum jelly and store them in a small bag. Even in rain, they’ll ignite easily and burn long enough to get a fire going.
9. Paper Clips
A tiny metal multitool. Paper clips can pick locks, fix zippers, clean small gear, or act as hooks and fish lures. They’re proof that even office supplies can have survival value.
10. Hand Sanitizer
Besides keeping your hands germ-free, sanitizer with alcohol doubles as fire fuel. A small squeeze on kindling makes damp wood catch flame faster. Keep a travel bottle in your car or pocket, it’s hygiene and ignition in one.
Final Thought
Survival isn’t about buying gear it’s about using what’s already around you. The next time you open a junk drawer, look again. You might not see a mess; you might see a ready-made emergency kit hiding in plain sight. Being resourceful isn’t just thrifty, it’s one of the best survival skills you’ll ever have.
It’s almost hard to imagine life without your phone. It’s your map, flashlight, camera, clock, and your link to everyone you care about. But imagine this: a long power outage, a road trip gone wrong, or a massive storm that knocks out towers and Wi-Fi. Suddenly that tiny glowing screen in your hand turns black and so does your sense of direction.
When your phone dies, it’s not just inconvenient. It can make you feel lost and cut off. But you can still stay connected and in control if you know a few old-school, low-tech tricks.
1. Go Old School: Know How to Use a Map and Compass
GPS has made traditional navigation a lost art, but it’s one of the most valuable survival skills you can learn. Keep a paper map of your local area or the places you travel often printed maps never run out of battery.
Learn to read topography lines, landmarks, and road grids. A basic compass is cheap and reliable. Even without one, you can find direction using the sun (it rises in the east, sets in the west) or at night by locating the North Star. Knowing these simple things can help you walk to safety when your phone can’t guide you.
2. Keep a Backup Way to Communicate
You don’t need a cell signal to reach people. A hand-crank or battery-powered radio can pick up local broadcasts for updates and weather alerts. For person-to-person contact, two-way radios (walkie-talkies) still work great over short distances they’re affordable and don’t rely on towers.
In group situations, establish meeting points ahead of time. If you’re separated, everyone should know where to regroup. Simple, clear planning beats panic every time.
3. Create a “No-Tech Contact Tree”
If your phone dies, do you actually know anyone’s phone number by heart? Most of us don’t anymore. Write down key contacts family, friends, doctors, and emergency numbers on a small card and keep it in your wallet or car.
Create a quick “contact tree” on paper: who to call, who they’ll contact next, and where to meet if lines are down. It doesn’t need to be fancy; even a handwritten plan keeps communication flowing when technology doesn’t.
4. Use Signals and Landmarks
If you can’t talk or text, visibility becomes your language. Bright colors, mirrors, or flashlights can signal for help during the day or night. Three short flashes of light, three blasts on a whistle, or three knocks on a wall, all are standard distress signals.
Learn to identify major landmarks like rivers, bridges, or towers. They help rescuers find you and guide you to safety.
5. Power Smart When You Can
If you get a chance to recharge, make it count. Keep a small power bank charged and ready in your bag or car. Switch your phone to airplane mode, lower brightness, and close background apps to stretch every percent of battery life.
Final Thought
Technology is amazing until it isn’t. Losing your phone doesn’t have to mean losing your sense of connection or safety. Real independence comes from knowing what to do when the tools fail. Think of it as digital detox with a survival twist: when the world goes quiet, the smartest thing you can do is stay calm, use your head, and rely on skills that don’t need a signal to work.
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Don
August 15, 2024 at 12:07 pm
Isn’t that nice that he is not being charged as of yet. If they find a MAGA hat in his position things will change.
Daniel Quigley
August 15, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Not just Veteran’s. Every single American has the Right to Defend themselves against Harm. The second someone brings any kind or type weapon along that’s when the use of Deadly Force should immediately be used. As for the Gun Grabbers their immediate response is always but there needs to be more training and stricter laws. News Flash you Mental Midgets a Criminal doesn’t care about Laws and the harder you make it for the Law Abiding Citizen to possess or carry a firearm the easier time the Criminal has. Case in point. Back quite a few years ago a man named Bernard Getz was minding his own business on the subway. Just after they pulled away from the station 12 kids started to taunt him with crowbars and sharpened screwdrivers. They told him they were going to rob him and cut him as well as beat him. So good Ole Bernie pulled his gun and started shooting them. He killed 2 or 3 and maimed a few others plus hitting several other’s with bullets but not causing severe injuries. Well Ole Bernie fled and for over 20 days the NYC Subway System was virtually crime free because the Criminal didn’t know who else might be packing heat. Bernie finally turned himself in somewhere in Connecticut and within 1 hour Crime was back in the Subway System. Statistics Prove that everyone a Law Abiding Citizen can easily obtain a CCL or Concealed Carry License the crime rate is way less than half of the areas where its pretty much impossible to get a CCL. We all know the Blue run Cities are the worst for crime and the reason is because the Liberal Democrat doesn’t believe anyone should carry a Gun except the police who they are trying to get rid of. I’m a Disabled Veteran and my Gun is never further then 1 foot away from wherever I happen to be sitting or laying down
MEP
August 15, 2024 at 5:16 pm
ALL Citizens Have The Right to Protect Themselves when confronted by a Criminal Breaking the Law and Threatening Society what’s Wrong with our Country under the Current Regime is they themselves have No Respect for Law and Order with All the Illegals coming into our Country bringing with Them the LAWLESS of where they came from with them AMERICANS Need to be READY to PROTECT themselves when the Woke will NOT lets Elect Conservative Politicians Judges Prosecutors who Respect Law and Order and rid Our Country of the Crap we See and hear about EVERY Single Day
Cosmo Aussie
August 15, 2024 at 5:17 pm
i AM IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS MAN SINCE HE WAS DISABLED, HOWEVER HE SHOULD HAVE LET THE GUY CRAWL THROUGH THE WINDOW BEFORE HE SHOT, TO BE ON THE INSIDE FO THE HOUSE WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.