All Episodes

From Disaster City, the premiere training facility for first responders dealing with community wide disasters, Michael Bane introduces us to our new series The Best Defense: SURVIVAL! We meet Bob McKee, the director of the 52 acre Disaster City training facility. Bob gives us important information about his facility and, more importantly, some general guidelines for your safety during any disaster. Rob Pincus and Mike Janich return as co-hosts, and introduce us to the SURVIVAL gun range: a 300 square yard disaster area made for firearm training in unique situations. Rob and Mike give us a review of the firearms we will cover during this special ten week series. Finally, we go through what is referred to as the Survival Mindset; how you need to start changing the way you think and consider what you would do if the unthinkable were to happen.

The term “Dirty Bomb” strikes fear into all of us. But what are the realities of a dirty bomb? Is it as easy to assemble as many of us believe? And, if one were to go off in your community, what do you do? Michael Bane introduces us to Chris Gallagher, a 30 year veteran of the NYPD and veteran of September 11th at Ground Zero in New York city. Chris shares with us his first hand knowledge of what to do if a terrorist strikes your area with a dirty bomb or any other device.And Rob Pincus takes us through a scenario of transferring from a long gun to a hand gun if you are forced to travel through an environment that may require both long distance and up close engagements.

If you’ve ever wondered how firefighters could possibly train to fight an urban fire that is constantly fed fuel, the people at Disaster City will show you the answer. We meet Don Roy and Brian Beadnell. Two California firefighters with over 40 years of experience between them. Don and Roy tell us what danger signs to look for if a fire is approaching your area, and the steps you need to take to be ready to deal with such an event.

Recent events have taught all of us that it is not a matter of if a major pandemic will strike, but when. As with many of the terms we hear, pandemic instantly puts a not in our stomachs. To explain what a pandemic really is, and what you and your family can do to protect yourselves, we talk with Dr. Dennis Perotta, Associate Director of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the National Center for Emergency Preparedness. Dr. Perotta has spent his entire career tracking epidemics, and shares with us what he thinks is the most frightening case we may face in the future.

As Michael Bane reminds us of the song that states “ it takes a lot of water to fill up New Orleans”, we unfortunately now know how much water that really is. Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst disasters in U.S. history, and every year hurricanes strike the coastlines. In addition, tornados ravage the mid-west in what we refer to as “Tornado Alley”. Localized weather events are something people learn to deal with, but often times don’t plan for very well. Bob McKee has worked as a first responder during three major hurricanes and countless tornado events. Mike Bane also introduces us to Wayne Ibers, a first responder from California who has been in the middle of some of the most traumatic weather events in recent history.

Dealing with crowds of people can be frustrating. Sometimes, it can even endanger your life. We have all seen how quickly riots can break out. Whether it is due to a perceived injustice, or even when celebrating a sports team victory; large crowds of people can turn into violent forces very quickly. Veteran responder Mark Saxelby, who has dealt with a number of incidents involving urban unrest (including the 1992 Los Angeles riots) tells us what we need to know to avoid becoming a victim.

One of the most famous stories about a pitch line for a Hollywood blockbuster was:“Los Angeles, rush hour…. eARTHQUAKE!” Unfortunately, this type of large scale scenario would play out in real life. Mark Saxelby and Brian LaFave have both seen first hand what large earthquakes can do. They also know the best defenses people can take to survive.

The image of a large mushroom cloud looming over a city strikes fear into all of us. The mere mention of the word “radiation” brings some pretty horrific images to mind as well.But what are the real dangers of a nuclear event; not only a detonation, but an accident or radiological leak? Doctor Kenneth Peddicord, who has traveled to the former Soviet Union to help oversee the containment of nuclear material, tells us what we should be aware of, and how realistic some of our nightmares may be.

Not long ago, the thought of a country experiencing an economic collapse seemed to be relegated to places like Argentina. Now, that possibility has entered the realm of real discussion in our own country. Michael Bane discusses what a collapse really means with a number of experts in the field. Joan Quintana, Program Manager for Texas A&M’s Economic Development team, joins Michael to tell us what communities should do to help protect themselves from such an event.

Having spent 30 years as a police officer and first responder in New York City, Chris Gallagher has seen a thing or two. Something he has seen quite a bit of is hazardous materials released inside of a city. First responder Brian LaFave and Chris join Michael Bane to discuss your best option if the place where you live is threatened with a chemical or biological release.

The first step in survival planning is planning the main room in your home that you are going to “hunker down” in during a disaster event; something Michael Janich has already done in his own home. And the first thing people think of when the power goes out is having a generator. Michael Bane discusses the do’s and don’ts of purchasing and installing a generator for home use. And Rob Pincus shows viewers how best to train with a .22 semiautomatic pistol in the event that this is the one firearm you have at your disposal during the worst case scenario.

After water and shelter, food is the next, most important resource you need. Mike Janich discusses what types of food to store and how to store them, as well as how to do the math when figuring out how much food you need on hand. And if you are one of millions who own a model 1911, Rob Pincus will show you how to train with the classic .45 auto to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Michael Bane visits Picher, Oklahoma to introduce us to the idea that having to purify your water isn’t necessarily a far fetched idea.Michael Janich takes us through alternate water sources, such as your home’s water heater. He will also give step-by-step instructions on how to go about purifying water. And if you’ve ever thought about owning a rifle in a pistol caliber, Rob Pincus will show you why having a rifle and pistol with the same caliber is a good idea – as well as what you need to do to train how to use them.

In this episode, we’ll show you what types of items to put into your survival medical kit, and what you should consider before placing something in there that you may not be qualified to use. Also, we’ll look at the classic .38 snub nose revolver. If this is the only gun you have in a survival scenario, you need to know the best way to use it effectively.

The Best Defense Survival always deals with firearms for defensive use in a disaster situation. But your security during these times goes well beyond having a gun.From gun storage to physical barriers, this episode will show you what to consider around your home, as well as when moving out in the open, that will keep you and your family safe during a disaster.

The worst time to practice what you are going to do if you have to leave your home in an emergency is when the event is actually happening.In this episode, we’ll take you through the things you need to prepare in advance, as well as how to practice loading it to be sure you and your family get to safety in time.

Many of us have had to “hunker down” in our homes during snow storms, earthquakes and power outages. But what if you and your family have to stay in for a whole week, month or even longer? In this episode of The Best Defense Survival, we’ll show you how to prepare yourself to “Bug In” during a survival event. From food and water to heating and cooking, you’ll be better prepared to keep you and your family sustained after this episode.

In this first episode of season 3, Michael Janich covers ways of fortifying your home. Dr. Tom Loomis shows you some field kits for dentistry. Rob Pincus is showing you some balance, speed and precision drills with the AR-15. In this season 3, we will have a regular segment with Ed Head from Gunsite showing us the use of the Ruger Scout Rifle as a tool for the survivalist.

In episode 2 we’re going back to Gunsite to talk about the right stands when shooting the long gun. Michael Janich shows you how to purify water using only the sun. We are also covering more on field dentistry and Rob Pincus talks about defensive shotguns and the use of a rifled barrel with a designated scope.

In episode 3 of season 3, we’re showing you how to quickly aquire targets up to 300 yards with the Ruger Scout Rifle. Michael Janich will show you how to build a solar oven, Chuck Fenwick talks about suturing and Rob Pincus talks about the revolver as a defensive tool.

In episode 4, we’re showing you some critical skill sets when using the Ruger Scout Rifle. Michael Janich talks about how to make sure that we have the things we need in a crisis and where they are located. We also talk about nuclear preparedness and the long distance pistol.

In episode 5, we’re once again taking you back to Gunsite for more on using the Ruger Scout Rifle. Michael Janich talks about preparedness and how the family can learn by having a Camp-In. Rob Pincus is using the lever action rifle as a self defense tool and Chuck Fenwick from Medical Corps demystifies diseases in a worst case scenario.</p> <p>As a companion show to the hit program MidwayUSA’s The Best Defense, the survival edition of the series travels the United States visiting military and civilian training centers to educate the viewer through life-threatening scenarios.

The Scrambler is a challenging course at Gunsite, but it is a good test on how you are able to manipulate the Scout rifle in a survival scenario. Michael Janich talks about having an air rifle in your survival kit. On the medical segment, we talk about broken bones and Rob Pincus talks about the 9mm pistol.

In episode 7 We bring you the best from this season based on feedback from our viewers. As a companion show to the hit program MidwayUSA’s The Best Defense, the survival edition of the series travels the United States visiting military and civilian training centers to educate the viewer through life-threatening scenarios.