This is Part 2 of a Two-Part Series on 10 Ways of Using Drones for Survival Security Monitoring

6. Drones That Have the Range and Endurance Capabilities You Need

As your needs evolve, the functions you require from your drone may change. Initially, you may require a drone to explore the city and find a secure bug-out site. You’ll need a device to guide you on where to go and what obstacles you may face.

In the future, you might need an aircraft that can move quickly and cover long distances, providing sufficient time to manage various situations. Range and endurance are crucial for your future needs, so consider them when selecting a model.

Related – Women’s Edition – Beginner Survival Strategies, Part 2: Survival Safety

Some more affordable drones need you to remain within a specific range of the aircraft, which can be inconvenient. It’s ideal if the drone can fly freely without requiring you to relocate.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I will get a small commission for qualifying purchases at no extra cost to the buyer.

The strength of the signal, the frequency band, and normal weather conditions will determine this. You might find a drone with an extender built in to give you more depth of range so that you don’t have to be in the line of sight when using it.

Pay close attention to the battery life of the drone you’re considering buying, and make sure you purchase one or more backup batteries. If the battery drains and the drone falls out of the sky, it could result in damage and loss.

There are drone parachutes sold for this purpose, but it’s always best to have a drone that can manage a return trip to your base thanks to its efficiency. The heavier or more complex your drone is, the more energy it will consume.

Some drones have built-in solar recharging capabilities, which will help extend the flight capabilities and help your drone travel further and return to you quickly. If you can find one with a backup battery, that will also work.

NOTE: The Federal Aviation Administration requires registration of many drones flown in the US for hobby or commercial purposes. To learn more about drone registration requirements, visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s drone page.

7. Budgeting and Planning for the Investment of a Survival Security Drone

When you shop for a drone for survival purposes, you will see a wide range of price points. Some, which are perfect for kids, are under $50. But you’re shopping for survival security, which is usually insufficient for long-range surveillance.

Related – Women’s Edition – Beginner Survival Strategies, Part 2: Survival Safety

Ideally, you can save up and budget for something better. Choose based on functionality and the features that are most important to you. Later, you can add accessories and replace certain parts, such as propellers that make less noise.

You don’t want to buy the cheapest one to save money, or the most expensive just because you assume it’ll be the best. Your purchase needs to align with your goals.

Always consider the repair tools and replacement parts you may need to buy. As you budget, you might set aside money to purchase those backup parts so they’re on hand before you need them.

If you have the money to do this, get a cheap version to learn how it works before you upgrade to something better. If you’re on a very tight budget, prioritize the features you need, like battery life or thermal imaging, over flashy add-ons.

You may also find discount deals whenever you buy a drone bundle. This can include carrying cases, backup batteries, additional propellers, and more instead of buying them a la carte.

8. Beginner Drones and Knowing When to Level Up

The entry-level drones you want to start with may mostly be quadcopters, but you might be able to find a fixed-wing UAV that fits within your budget. If you plan to alter it later with upgraded accessories, ensure it has that ability.

Not all drones can have parts swapped out. Take some time to learn how drones work. You may struggle initially, but you’ll get the hang of it if you know what to pay attention to before you let your drone take flight.

For example, pay attention to battery use so your drone has enough power to return to you before crashing. Learn how the controls work so you don’t cause your drone to run into anything or fall to the ground.

Related – Emergency Communication Survival Devices Checklist

You may have to calibrate your drone for stability and navigation purposes before you send it on its first mission. You must also pay attention to the weather and ensure it won’t result in a lost drone.

In the beginning, don’t fly the drone outside your sight line. You may want to attach an AirTag to it in case it crashes into someone’s backyard or an unknown location and you need to retrieve it.

Once you get the hang of using a beginner model, you may want to level up or go from automated flights to being in complete control. With a better drone, you might go farther distances and learn how to navigate in tight spaces.

If your drone works great for you and does everything you need, don’t feel you have to level up with a more expensive model. It’s not mandatory.

Watch this – 10 MAJOR Ways To SECURE – DEFEND Your Home (YouTube)

Level up if the performance isn’t up to par or the features (like camera quality) are less than you want for survival security. You can also keep the existing beginner drone for things like surveillance right around your home and use a stealthier version for more extended reconnaissance.

9. Know the Rules for Using Drones

We won’t dwell much on this topic, but it deserves a prominent spot in covering it. You must become aware of FAA regulations regarding the use of drones.

Read this – FAA Drone or UAV Regulations

You must also know local privacy laws that could get you in trouble. For example, you don’t want to be hovering over a neighbor’s backyard with your drone or flying into air space that could cause an accident.

Don’t just learn the rules, etiquette, and laws right now. You have to stay up to date with this so that you’re always in accordance with the law.

You may need to get a drone pilot license to operate your drone. Sometimes, this will depend on the drone’s size or the purpose you want to use it for. They may have rules for how high or low you fly it, whether you’re capturing photos and videos, etc.

10. Conduct Routine Checks to Maintain Your Drone Properly

Once you have your drone, you must take good care of it so it lasts. This is true of your survival gear – whether a garden tool or generator. A drone can suffer from wear and tear; maintaining it for operational purposes is up to you.

Before you send it up, conduct a routine check to inspect it for any damage or problems. Ensure every part is in working order – the batteries, propellers, sensors, and more. If you have software installations for your drone, update it before each mission.

Go through a calibration check to ensure the cameras and sensors function correctly. You don’t want the compass to be off or the Gimbal not to work correctly and cause a shaky visual result.

After every flight, before packing the drone away, make sure you clean it to remove any dew, dust, or debris that has settled on it. You don’t want it wearing down the gadget or getting inside the parts and causing a problem.

Check out the HOVERAir X1 Self-Flying Camera, Pocket-Sized Drone. It’s a high-end rectangular drone with the propellers covered in a fully enclosed design. It’s so cool how it folds up to fit in your pocket. Takes off from your palm with one click. It’s lighter than an iPhone and without the need for FAA registration. It comes in both black and white.

There may come a time when something has to be repaired or replaced. You might have an easy time repairing something simple, but you may have to get a professional to help with more complex issues.

Call upon your warranty if anything severe happens, and don’t put this off until you’re already in a survival event because those services may not be able to help at that time if it’s a big event.

Always keep a log of the repairs and replacements you’ve made, just as a log or record is kept for an airplane mechanical system. That way, you know approximately what is causing specific issues and how long parts typically last.

The potential for a survival disaster ranges from natural weather events to man-made catastrophes. You want to be able to handle everything your family needs. That doesn’t just mean stocking up on food, water, and first aid supplies.

It also means having a solid strategy in place to thwart any threats. In a SHTF event, people get desperate, and those who may have been model citizens in an ordinary world can turn into people who put your family at risk in a survival scenario.

Having a survival drone can mean the difference between escaping with your supplies and your life and being unaware of the dangers lurking nearby. With a drone, you can operate in stealth mode and surveil your surroundings without going out and putting yourself at risk on foot.

The speed at which it can operate can help you make a swift decision to help your family navigate any situation. If needed, you could even attach a light item like a first aid item to the drone and have it delivered to someone in a spot where you can’t immediately get to them.

Many gadgets can’t provide the versatility of a survival drone, including its ability to protect you from nefarious people or allow you to find good food and water sources.

It’s one thing where the price tag is well worth the investment for short- and long-term survival events. With the right equipment and knowledge on how to use it, your family will have the upper hand in meeting their needs and gaining peace of mind.

Let’s Hear From You!

Have you bought a drone? If so, what are you using it for? Will you use your drone for survival purposes? Share your ideas, tips, or questions below! What are you doing to stay ready? Your insight might be precisely what another prepper needs.