Best Defense Survival – season lineup

Best Defense Survival premieres on July 1st on Outdoor Channel. In the weeks to come, you can watch 10 brand new episodes with Michael Bane, Michael Janich and Rob Pincus. They continue their success from The Best Defense Season 1 earlier this year.  The hosts will give you a landmark look at keeping your family safe in an increasingly unsafe world. They unhesitatingly take you to scary places and put you in scary scenarios, then show you how THE BEST DEFENSE model – awareness, avoidance, planning, response – is your best defense in the face of large-scale catastrophes. 

Airtimes: Wednesdays at 8:00PM and 11:00 PM. Thursdays at 1:30AM. All times Eastern.

Episode 1:  Welcome to SURVIVAL!
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.

Episode 2: Dirty Bombs and Terrorism:
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.

Episode 3:  Wildfires and Urban Fires
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.

Episode 4: Pandemic 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.

Episode 5: Hurricanes and Tornados
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.

Episode 6: Riots and Urban Unrest
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.

Episode 7: Earthquakes
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.

Episode 8: Nuclear Event

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.

Episode 9: Economic Collapse
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.

Episode 10: Chemical Spill and Hazardous Materials
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.

For more information and previews, look up our Best Defense Survival Section.