International Preparedness Network

By Aton Edwards, Founder Of The IA-DO Life-Defense System

It’s been two decades since I started my self-reliance and disaster preparedness classes.  In the mid 90′s, I began to realize that my students and clients would benefit tremendously if I took all of the disciplines and combined them into a system similar to a martial art, like the type I’d trained in since I was a child. However, I knew this had to be much different.

Martial arts are, after all, combat training regimens and I needed something far more sophisticated and multi-faceted.

Martial Arts are specifically geared toward combat

Not only did it need to include self-defense techniques, it also had to cover self-reliance, disaster preparedness and survival, including, health and physical fitness, (in the end, the most important component) sustainable “green” living methods, and everything else that lies in-between along with a very well defined “Tao” (meaning, path and flow) that defined its purpose. 

I began to investigate if there was already a system of this type available to prevent me from wasting time “reinventing the wheel.” I did find a few, but none quite appropriate for the task.  So, I decided to commit myself to creating something completely new.  I wanted it to be a synergistic blend of many different types of related disciplines molded together and shaped into a new cutting-edge science that the late, great R. Buckminster Fuller or, even a Shaolin priest would be proud to practice.  

Buckminster Fuller Stamp

A daunting task, but fortunately, all the components and knowledge I needed to get it done were readily available.  I just had to piece it all together and then, incorporate my own fresh ideas.

The first thing I did was define the most important aspects.  The top five are listed below.

1. Physical fitness and health — the foundation.

2. Self-reliance.

3. Disaster preparedness and response.

4. First-aid

5. Outdoor survival

It would also feature organic farming & urban (micro “square-foot”) gardening techniques, renewable energy systems use, water treatment and storage, geodesic, steel reinforced dome & Earth-sheltered green disaster resistant home (shelter) construction methods, mechanics, carpentry, welding, and, a large number of other related skills.  

My second step was to design a highly efficient O/S (operating system), the source from where all of the patterns of activity originate.   I used organic models such as the human cell, and, brain as my templates.  They both have elegant behavioral dynamics that I decided to repurpose for use in my new construct.  Human cells are highly efficient machines and the human brain is constantly etching out new neural networks to store information and improve itself.  I wanted this system to operate in the very same way.  Finally, to maintain a uniform operational standard, I created a rating system similar to the martial art Black Belt or, the military stripe.  I used numbers and, a badge I designed many years ago called a “Dangershield.”

The Dangershield Badge

The numbers range from 1-7  with 1-2 being a Dangershield Basic rating, 3-4 intermediary and, 5-6 advanced with the number 7 as the highest level of all, Protector.  When compared to a martial art, levels 5-6 would be considered Black Belts and 7, master.

My second challenge was to develop the Tao.  This was extremely important because, just like a martial art, a number of the skills could be used for destructive purposes by unscrupulous practitioners.   I knew from experience that a very well-defined operational philosophy could help to discourage misuse and this one needed to be quite direct. I wanted it to be similar to Isaac Asimov’s “three rules of robotics” (from his ground breaking book I-Robot) and, the physicians Hippocratic oath; infused with wisdom from a number of what I felt to be the most useful elements of Buddhism, Gnosticism, along with a few other practical viewpoints drawn from several other similar disciplines. 

After a lot of reading and even more thought, I created a philosophical “mission statement” called “the seven basic rules of purpose“  that I knew covered every aspect of what I wanted this practice to be.  At that point, all I needed to complete my new creation was to name it.   I’d been calling my teaching protocol Improvisational Adaptation (IA for short) for about 12 years.  It was adequate, but, just a bit too clinical for what I was trying to achieve.  I wanted something more vibrant that could motivate people to not only give it a try but even develop a lifestyle around it; as they do with Rock & Roll, and Hip-Hop.

Like Godfather of Soul James Brown once said,  “wassinever it is, its got to be funky.”

The Godfather Of Soul James Brown 

That’s what I was aiming for!

I searched everywhere for something appropriate, but still couldn’t find anything that I felt would work.   Then one day, it came to me … through a most unlikely source.

While relaxing and watching a classic “I love lucy” episode, Ricky Ricardo began to sing “Babalu Aye,” his popular song about the Afro-Cuban God of healing.  As he sang and played his conga drum, I took notice of the second word of the name Aye. pronounced “Eye Yay” — exactly like my IA except it was a name, not as clumsy and awkward as improvisational adaptation or, plain as the letters IA.  

Eye Yay … why not!

All that was needed  was something to add that gave it a little more kick.  I instantly thought of Karate.  The complete name “Karate-Do” literally translates as “the way of the open hand”  so,  I decided to add the suffix-DO at the end of IA to signify the “way” as it does in Karate.  At that moment, IA-DO , the 21st Century micro-macrocosmic science of life-defense was born … and,  yes it was funky!

THE IA-DO SEVEN BASIC RULES OF PURPOSE.

1. “IA-DO is for the betterment of all humanity, the protection of our living Spaceship Earth and, all of her life forms.”

2. ”IA-DO must never be abused, only improved.” 

3. “IA-DO grows with knowledge, and, knowledge grows with Ayedo. 

4. ”Like a wave, IA-DO moves with the flow and force of nature’s oceans.  It does not resist, it shifts and adapts to the landscape of our cosmos.  it never takes root, always rests atop. and its only constant is diligence“

5. ”IA-DO requires study, patience and humility.”

6. “The wise IA-DO stylist only takes what they need to maintain balance and safety to comfortably survive within their respective environments and, as a consequence only needs what they take.”

7. “IA-DO encompasses all things, and its temple is the mind and body.   

I needed a powerful image that represented the energy of the form so I designed a symbol that I believed embodied the message and spirit.  The two letters IA arranged in analytical equation form to represent the scientific aspects of the craft.  The wave behind it symbolized the flow.

IA-DO Symbol
 

I created detailed standards for every aspect of our lives that involves safety, survival, health and fitness. For example, all IA-DO stylists must at all times carry with them small sturdy pouches called E-Kits. These contain a number of items that can be used during a disaster or any type of emergency, such as a flashlight, multi-tool, whistle and lighter.  They are also instructed to carry personal hygene items such as a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes and deodorant.

IPN/Global Meltdown Clinic IT Guru RJ Cote wearing the official IA-DO E-kit bag, the Civilian Labs Gear Traveler LT.

Civilian Labs is one of the first items on our official IA-DO gear list along with the OSHO travel toothbrush.

OSHO Travel Toothbrush

This also extends to:

FOOD:

Vegetarian, semi-vegetarian or Vegan diets are strongly suggested for all IA-DO stylists to maximize physical health and performance. 

CLOTHING:

Serious IA-DO  stylists wear comfortable, durable clothing made from natural fibers and durable footwear.

PHYSICAL FITNESS:

IA-DO stylists will always choose to walk or, ride bicycles whenever they can.  Daily exercise routines are incorporated into their lifestyles.  Folding bikes are best because of their light weight, and versatility.  The bike pictured below is the IPN official Montague Paratrooper.

SELF-DEFENSE

Jiu-Jitsu, The Israeli art Krav-Maga, Aikido, Hapkido,  Shuai Jiao, gong fu (“Kung-Fu” grappling styles) are among a few of the IA-DO  approved martial art styles.

WATER

Pure water is one of the most important elements in the Ayedo health maintenance program.  Stylists are urged to closely monitor the quality of their water and, use filter/purifiers. 

Zero Water Pitcher

These are only a few of the many different IA-DO  protocols.   The list continues to grow, and improve on a daily basis.  For example, in answer to our rapidly escalating global economic crisis, I’ve consulted with a number of financial experts to create a comprehensive financial action plan based on my IA-DO  methods.  A several medical doctors have signed on to use IA-DO -themed health and fitness programs for their patients, and even a Boy-Scout troop is using it as part of their outdoor survival and disaster preparedness training.  

Given the extremely volatile and unpredictable conditions across our planet, people need a potent tool they can use to help them maintain their safety, health and … balance.  I believe IA-DO  is that tool, and I look forward to teaching it to anyone who is ready to learn and share their knowledge.

RFA

(Ready For Anything!)