A new section for the skills beyond the sniping. There’s obviously a vast amount of information for Airsoft snipers and that will always be at the heart of what I do, but if you’ve been here before, you’ll know I do take an interest in related areas, such as Milsim events and camping, which I feel all tie together. What I want to focus on more in 2026 though is fieldcraft and survival, not because I think a weekender is ever going to be that dramatic, but because I think it’s good to have a well-rounded set of skills, and it’s interesting to learn about. Additionally in 2026, global politics are certainly getting a little interesting and self preservation just got bumped up the priorities list. It’s certainly something that I’ve discussed with quite a lot of readers as well, so there’s definitely a lot of interest in the topic at the moment. It’s not just camping; camping for me is a comfortable holiday activity somewhere with nice facilities and a bar nearby. This is stripping it back to the basics.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist; I certainly don’t believe in a Zombie apocalypse or that there’s some kind of global “elite” with an agenda. In any case, I can’t control any of that anyway. If shit happens, it happens. What I can control in an emergency though, are my own actions and decisions, and my chances of surviving whatever happens. During COVID-19, whilst sitting around the house I had a play around with a bug out bag and an EDC pouch, in case I had to move anywhere (read about it here), and what I want to do for this first part of the year is develop that from a bag of survival essentials into something a bit bigger and more complete. Not just for global emergencies, but also more frequent bad weather and of course, Airsoft events. It pains me to hear stories of prominent UK Milsim events where participants are rocking up with pop up tents from their local supermarket, multiple shopping bags of food and supplies, pillows, crocs, dryrobes etc. For me, it needs to be neater and more streamlined than that so if you’re not here for Zombies, you might find it useful in terms of having much less to carry through the woods to your camp. And then if you do enjoy bushcraft, stealth camping or backpacking, there might still be something useful in here.

As things progress, I’d like to build up a community of like minded individuals to pool information and experiences. A lot of the prepping groups on Facebook unfortunately seem rather obsessed with flying space stones (Atlas 3I) and live in fear that politicians are going to take everything they own. Good information is very diluted and most forums are just shouting matches, so if we can create that space for a better and stronger community it would be excellent.

The simple art of being able to exist outside of your house for a few days. Whatever the occasion.

2025 saw global conflict threats loom and 2026 already looks like they’re being accelerated. Rumblings of war loom large not only here in Europe, but globally as the major powers look like carving the world up for their own ends. Internally, everyone seems to hate anyone who doesn’t look, act or think like themselves, protests are on the rise (not achieving anything, but creating hostile mobs on both sides) and tariffs are pushing the prices up on absolutely everything.

In addition, we’re all aware that the changing global climate, whatever the cause may be, is resulting in much more extreme and unstable weather. Flooding, violent storms, and wildfires among others are becoming a regular threat to many of us. People die, but many also lose their homes and possessions to conditions they cannot fight or control. It doesn’t matter how much we protest against governments, or climate change, the reality is that we are subject to fan-hitting shit whenever the world chooses to sling it at us. And then you’re in one of two camps – those who are prepared and know what to do in a given situation, and those who join casualty lists.

I’m not ex-special forces, I wasn’t a survival instructor, and I don’t live in the wild in a canvas tent washing my clothes in a nearby stream. So there’s a lot to learn despite years of hiking, camping and milsim experience, but it’s important right now to develop the skills and knowledge to be able to look after yourself and those closest to you. For thousands of years, humans have existed and been able to make fire, build shelter and hunt food, but in the last hundred years, we’ve evolved/devolved (depending on your viewpoint) rapidly to the point that we don’t really need or practice these basic skills any more. I remember the beginning of COVID lockdowns in the UK where, when faced with an abnormal situation, people panicked and stripped supermarkets bare because they couldn’t cope with the prospect of disruption to their daily lives. Indeed, if you cut the power or the internet out, much of society would struggle if they couldn’t turn the heating up or order a pizza.

The goal is to put together a 72hr kit for events that keeps me functioning in all weather conditions, covering all situations, that I can move large distances with comfortably if needed (not lugging four holdalls and two gun bags). Some useful bits and pieces that can help sustain in the longer term if need be. And to look at how to keep yourself alive and supplied in case the worst should happen. For the record, there’s no ambition here to fight off an invading force with my electric bb guns, or crossbow my neighbours for no reason. I know a few prepper channels with guys who live with their curtains closed and have shelves full of zombie knives off AliExpress, rusty medieval replicas and a load of ammo from the local hunting store. It’s just keeping yourself going until you get to a safer location or find help, not fighting off invaders on the beaches – this certainly isn’t the right place to be dispensing good information for that and against a professional military, I know I’ve got no chance. Besides, I’d want to be avoiding trouble and not risking injury if there’s no immediate medical help. Even a good trauma kit will only keep you going for so long until you can get to a hospital.

It might be that your area suffers from extreme weather or is at risk from natural disasters. If you need to evacuate, have you got enough supplies to get you to safety? Having food and water, as well as a place to shelter and sleep until you can get away from danger helps you get out of there alive. Having that bag packed and ready when you need it (or if you need it, of course I wouldn’t wish it on people) saves vital minutes in your response time. You hear a lot of stories about people that survive disasters and it’s the ones who think fast, act fast and make good decisions that get out of there alive.

At the heart of it all is having the tools and gear you need, which as an Airsofter means more shopping time.

Hopefully there’s still enough time before global war breaks out to have a good look at everything before we need it…