Daily Survival

Book: Fight, Flight, or Hide. The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shooting

2013-04-10T10:55:00.001-06:00

Here's another great read for you.

Sadly, we seem to be having more and more mass shootings these days.
If you are involved in one, do you know what to do?

Read this book and give yourself a chance to survive one.

Fight, Flight, or Hide. The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shooting

This book is an easy-to-read guide to surviving a mass shooting. Mass shootings are a tragedy, but we can prepare for them in the same ways that we prepare for every other disaster.

This book is a simple, easy read that will begin your preparations.

5 Items to Have in Your Possession...That Aren't Associated With Your Name

2013-04-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Code Name Insight by Code Name Insight

It is ridiculously easy to track people these days. Chances are at least of a few of your possessions unobtrusively track your every move without you even realizing it. You may want to consider making it a bit more difficult to be tracked by your possessions.

Have an assortment of firearms that aren't purchased, registered, or otherwise connected to your name.
Have a "burner" phone (a prepaid cell phone purchased with cash) and pre-paid "minutes" for your cell phone also purchased with cash (likewise, you don't want to log into your email or Facebook or otherwise associate yourself with the cell phone if you want to keep it truly private).
Many new digital cameras will invisibly mark each photo with the GPS location of where the photo was taken. You may want to disable this feature and of course, not include yourself in any photos taken.
Basically everything you do on the internet allows you to be tracked either overtly (your every post on Facebook, your every utterance on Twitter) or covertly (browsing history, cache, and cookies on your computer). Be sure to keep your computer/tablet as "clean" as possible or use an anonymous computer if necessary to avoid being tracked this way.
Shield your everyday life. Your address, where you work, the license plate on your car, the RFID chip in your passport, the tattoos on your arm...consider all of the ways that you can be tracked and identified then set to work to disconnect yourself from these entities (ie: have a ghost address, a car registered under a LLC, have location independent work, shield any item that contains a chip, remove--or better yet don't get--tattoos or permanent markings on your body).

The One-Year Pantry, Layer by Layer

2013-04-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

Original Article

from Ready Nutrition by Tess Pennington

When planning for emergencies, layering is an ever-constant theme. I often emphasize when one begins to prepare that you start simply by preparing for small-scale emergencies, and then slowly begin adding onto those existing preps to create a longer term preparedness supply. These emergency layers help you create a reliable foundation, and the same layering approach can be used when creating a food storage pantry.
There are some emergency food considerations to keep in mind:

The amount of people in the household.
Have a good amount of food varieties to reduce food fatigue.
The serving size of the food.
Vitamin content in the food.
The expiration date or “best if used by” labels on the food.
Special health conditions for family members.

Additionally, these essential food pantry rules can come in handy when you decide on which food to purchase.

Your Food Storage Layers

Layer 1 (0- 72-hours) – In the onset of an emergency and the days following a disaster, the first food to go should be from the refrigerator. Keep in mind that refrigerated food will stay cold for four to six hours, assuming the door is left closed as much as possible. In a fully stocked freezer, foods remain safely frozen for approximately two days if the door stays closed. You want to use up your perishable foods first and then begin preparing your foods that are frozen. Plan meals to meet a 1500-2000 calorie diet that are high in nutrients. Once the perishable food has been consumed, it’s time to move onto your secondary layer of your emergency preps. A word of advice – have an ample supply of water on hand!
Layer 2 (4-30 days) - These emergency foods should consist of “just add water” meals or meals that do not require substantial amounts of water, fuel or preparation time. Having some canned, pre-packaged dinners, or meals that are “ready to eat” during emergency scenarios will help you begin acclimating yourself to cooking in a grid-down scenario as well as to help provide some comfort at the same time.
Keep your family’s preferences, any existing health conditions and food allergies in mind when preparing this food storage layer. Another thought to keep in mind, is that a large amount of water will be needed to rehydrate some of these meals. Have a large amount of water stored or a means to filter water during an emergency.
Layer 3 (31-99 days) - I have often said that our preps are our life line. The items we choose should be able to carry us, not only through difficult times, but perhaps through impossible times as well. This layer of pantry foods should consist of multipurpose, everyday pantry items. These foods are relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire. Keep food storage shelf lives in mind and regularly rotate these items in order to maintain a fresh food source. Further, having a fresh source of vitamins will help your body thrive during an emergency. Consider storing a supply of seeds for sprouting – they are cheap, easy to store and require minimal amounts of time for growth.
For those who are preparing for longer term or extended emergencies, at a minimum you should have a 3 month supply of food and build it up to a 6 month supply. This will be the beginning of your longer term food source, and re-packaging these food sources into more durable containers or packages will keep your food’s enemies away. Further it is a good idea to begin storing large quantities of foods that have extremely long shelf lives.
For a list of the 11 emergency foods items than can last a lifetime, click here.
Another method of bulking up on foods with long shelf lives is to invest in freeze-dried foods. These preserved foods have a shelf life of 20+ years! All you need to do is add hot water and voila!
Some foods to consider for longer term storage are:

Carbohydrates: white rice, pasta, wheat, oats, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, sugars, honey, fruits, roots and tubers (cook these well) and cereals. For those with wheat allergies, click here.

Proteins: legumes, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, canned meats and fish, oatmeal, grains, wheat, quinoa, seeds, MREs, popcorn

Fats: whole milk, ensure, peanut butter, oil (preferably plant based oils), nuts and seeds

Vitamins and Nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin powders, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, seeds to grow vegetables and for sprouting, survival bars

Layer 4 (100-365 days+) – If you find yourself in an emergency for over 100 days, it’s time to get real about the situation you have found yourself in. You must assume this could be your new reality. That said it is time to take steps toward long term survival. Having an understanding of essential skills, homesteading and gardening/farming concepts and learning ways to sustain yourself for the long term is of the utmost importance.
Micro livestock is a group of hearty animals that will help you make the most of smaller pieces of land. To read the pros and cons of this livestock choice, click here. For those in suburban dwellings, consider chickens, rabbits and fish stored in aquaponic for a long-term food source.
As a prepper preparing for long term emergencies, you want to continue storing up foods mentioned in the last layer and add freeze-dried or dehydrated foods to your stockpile. Given that you are preparing for an extended or long term emergency means that you will also need to begin looking at ways to prepare or preserve food sources off the grid. Learning how to can, dehydrate and ferment foods will help you maintain your food supply. Moreover, to prevent malnutrition, you will want to concentrate on accruing essential food sources such as carbohydrates, protein sources, fats and essential vitamins and nutrients (see above list of food considerations). Having a vitamin source such as sprouting seeds or stockpiling multi-vitamins during this period will also ensure that you are providing your body with regular doses of needed vitamins.
During an emergency, we are often left to fend for ourselves. Having an ample supply of emergency foods can help your family thrive during the most difficult of times. Take the time now to learn how to make the most of your food supply, learn pertinent skills and the importance of balanced diets and the lasting effects nutritious food has on our body because when emergencies occur, we will need this knowledge the most.

10 Lower Prices Solutions to Survivalism

2013-04-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest by Ryan

A few ways to make preparedness fit your budget a bit better.

1. Prioritize. I know this is is a far bigger thing and really arguably negates the rest of the article but I do need to touch on it briefly. Choosing preparedness stuff instead of other things is a very valid option. I find it easier to have the goal in mind and do the math working towards it. Example doing the math that at 4 bucks a pop you would need to choose drip from home instead of fancy coffee 15 times to get the medium fixed blade knife you want or 10 nights out at $50 a pop to buy a rifle or whatever. For me this makes it a choice to prioritize that specific goal instead of just general budget tightening which kind of sucks.

2. Cut down on your vices. Drink less, smoke less, chew less, gamble less, go from $5 coffee out to drip from home, use that money to prepare. [This is probably #1 for overall life improvement but for saving cash to fund preparedness, which is the topic of the post, I put it at #2. The reason is that prioritization (which also touches on vices) is more all encompassing.]

3. Buy used. Many things can be had gently used for 50-80 cents on the dollar. Once you take the tags off, use it a couple times and it will have a few scratches or wear marks anyway so save the $$$.

4. Build the same systems but with lower priced (but not junk) items. Common Mans $150 BOB by TEOTWAWKI Blog (though I think it's more of a Get Home Bag) is a great example of this.

5. Get basic guns. A tight budget does not mean to buy cool guns because you like them and then skimp elsewhere. If you can't afford food you definitely can't afford an AR and a Glock, let alone an M1A and a high end 1911 with a bunch of mags each especially with prices these days!. It means you need to get basic but quality guns that will serve your needs but not bust the budget. The odds you need an AR-15 over a bolt action 30'06 or pump shotgun or a Glock 19 over an old SW Model 10 are a lot lower than that your family will start eating drastically less. Honestly if tomorrow our gun collection was a 30-30, a bare bones Rem 870/ Moss 500 pump shotgun, a pair of .38/.357 revolvers (his and hers) and a .22 it would be a decent enough setup. If we had 2 of everything and I had a J frame as well as a bigger revolver (aside from her pistol) it would be a good setup. Bought over time most folks can afford a $400 30'06 or 30-30, a $300 shotgun, a $300-400 pistol and a .22 of some sort along with plenty of ammo to go with them.

6. Get items that serve a lot of purposes. If money is tight it might not work in the short term to have 6 dedicated preparedness knives (huge camp, medium general purpose fixed, small fixed, folding EDC, multi tool and "fighting") a folding saw a hawk or hatchet and an ax. Instead a small ax or hatchet/ hawk (AO dependent), a medium sized fixed blade and a folding EDC/ multi tool (lifestyle dependent) might just be it. Those 3 tools would handle most all of your realistic preparedness cutlery needs.

Coming back to guns because we dudes tend to gravitate there and thus overspend limited resources which should be spent elsewhere. In terms of guns that can do a lot of things compact sized pistols are a good one. A Glock 19 or 3" small/ medium framed revolver can fill a lot of roles adequately. A pump shotgun with long and short barrels can do a ton of things. Toss in whatever center fire rifle fits your lifestyle and budget best then round it out with a decent .22 and you are good to go.

7. Put in the time. Oh you are busy too, well make some choices. Watch less tv or something. Learn stuff from people you know. Helping them is a great way to do this. Ask somebody to HELP YOU fix your car or wall or whatever and just maybe they will do it. Say you will HELP THEM with their next project and you'll get a phone call in a bit. Expect to carry some stuff and do some other nugg work but you will learn stuff. Also once they see you care enough to put in the time and energy most folks will go out of their way to help you learn.

8. Avoid mistakes. Buying items that don't fit your needs/ wants must be avoided at all costs. I have a variety of stuff that has been purchased then cast off to be extras or backups or sold at a loss. Even if you research enough to find out an item is quality there is the ever unquantifiable ergonomics. If money was tight I would only buy items I could personally handle and ideally try out (like borrowing a friends for a week) before purchasing.

9. Trade. There are some balancing acts there as you have to be a bit flexible but can't lose sight of your real needs as you can't afford to get unneeded or significantly lower priority stuff. On the other hand turning your unused guitar and amp (or whatever) into the backpack and sleeping bag you need is just irresistible. Sometimes, though rarely especially with vastly different types of stuff, you can trade strait across. However more often you end up selling the music stuff to get money which pays for the camping gear.

10. Gifts. This isn't exactly a savings but it does help. Instead of asking for stuff you don't really need for birthdays, Christmas, etc ask for preparedness stuff you can use. Many folks would be happy to get you a preparedness item of comparable price than whatever the usual gift might be.

That is about all I can think of right now. Anyway I hope these ideas help give people some ideas on how to become better prepared on lower budgets.

Edited to include: After Snoops comment I went back and put them in what I feel is rank order.

Top 10 Preparedness Items You Own Right Now (and don’t even know it)

2013-04-04T13:06:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Seasoned Citizen PrepperSeasoned Citizen Prepper by Rourke

Top 10 Preparedness Items You Own Right Now (and don’t even know it)
By Wyzyrd, Editor-At-Large

1) Your home-repair tool kit(s). Yes, you CAN get by with a multi tool and a rock, but real tools work a lot better for their intended uses. Get a couple gooseneck crowbars, if you don’t have them already.

2) Your kitchen tools. You CAN peel potatoes with a machete, and cook ‘em in a canteen cup, but why not think up a way to bring along your favorites? (I have a knife/tool roll that I bring to cooking jobs, but a quick yank can pull 2 magnetic strips out of a sheetrock wall to pack them, too…..)

3) Your water heater. About 20 gal. of clean water you can get to, even if utilities are out.

4) Manual pencil sharpeners (the cast aluminum ones from an art or craft work better than the slightly-cheaper plastic ones). Quickly put points on sticks/darts, make your own fire tinder rapidly.

5) Picnic/Party coolers. There’s almost always a need to keep cold things cool, and hot things warm, without external power.

6) Zip-top storage bags–at least a zillion uses.

7) Ground cayenne pepper (or hotter chiles). Season food (obviously), repel deer and various other pests, use as a blood-coagulant on wounds (not fun, but does work), steep in warm veg oil for a day or so and fill a dollar store spray bottle when the commercial pepper spray runs out.

8) Rope, cord, string, twine. Need I say more?

9) Depending on your location, mostly–Your kids’ old BB guns/slingshots/bows and arrows. Cheap and quiet small game-getters, and there’s an old saying “It hurts a lot more to be hit by a BB, than missed by a .44 Magnum”.

10) Electrical extension cords. If there is power available, you’ll need ‘em. If not, more cordage.

The Benefits of Sprouts

2013-04-03T12:59:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from PreppingToSurvive.com by Laura

Everyone can use a little more nutrition in their diets. A lot of the food available on store shelves these days is nutritionally inferior to what our grandparents ate. From the bleached bran-less flours to the tomatoes “developed” for picking and shipping unripe, much of the natural healthy content of common foods is missing unless we eat them in their whole forms. The best way to get the freshest whole foods is to grow them ourselves.
Growing ALL of our own food is a pretty lofty ideal. We strive to make progress in this area every year, but that’s a tall order. One thing everyone can make time and space for is growing sprouts.

What are “sprouts”?

A “sprout” is simply a seed allowed to germinate and grow a shoot. Most people are only aware of bean and/0r alfalfa sprouts. In reality, there are a couple dozen seeds you can eat as developing shoots.
We’ve all heard the arguments for “whole grains” and how nutritionally superior they are compared to the refined and processed choices. Sprouts are all that and more. They provide all the fiber and whatnot, but as a raw (live) food, they are packed with amino acids and enzymes that can help us utilize the nutrients in the other foods we eat.
Take the wheat berry. (As a prepper, you probably have buckets and buckets of that!) Each kernel contains the bran (outer protective coating), germ (the part from which the growing plant will develop), and the endosperm (the food source). Wheat is extolled for its vitamins, minerals, lignans, and other phytochemicals. It is a good source of Vitamins B and E, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Except for those with gluten intolerance or similar conditions, whole wheat is considered a terrific food.
Now consider what happens as a seed sprouts. When water penetrates the bran layer, it stimulates the germ to develop. The starch in the endosperm gives the shoot the energy it needs to grow. As any sprout shifts from seed to growing plant, its nutritional profile is magnified (by up to 600% in the case of vitamin C sometimes!). The percentage of some enzymes contained in the organism is highest at this point too. If allowed to grow until the first seed leaves appear, you can get a nice boost of chlorophyll too.

How to Sprout Seeds

There are many good posts and tutorials on sprouting seeds out there. No fancy equipment is needed. It can even be done in a canning jar. Alternately, you can purchase a seed sprouter. This is what we have and like a lot. With this set-up, I can start a new batch of seeds every day or so and I only have one thing to add water to or harvest.

What to Sprout

Which seeds you turn into sprouts will largely be a matter of what fits your tastes. There are a few things you should not sprout. But there are plenty of things you can use to produce a variety of nutrients and flavors.
You can purchase sprouting seed mixes to get you started in finding your favorites. This is how we started out. We now enjoy things as varied as clover, wheat, broccoli, dill, fenugreek, and radish as well as the more traditional bean and alfalfa. I have learned that I must stick a little masking tape label on the side of the tray to identify what is in it. In the time between adding the seeds and harvesting, I tend to forget which kind I put in each.

A Few Words of Caution

Seeds and the resulting sprouts should be handled carefully (with clean hands, containers, etc). Every so often, a news story breaks about people getting food poisoning from sprouts, but as far as I know, they are from commercial sources. Sprouts thrive in the same environments that some germs do, so always take care to wash everything well, refrigerate or eat them when ready, etc.
Also, here are a couple lessons learned the “hard way” (pun intended). Pick through your sprouted beans carefully! We nearly broke teeth the first time I put bean sprouts on a salad. Even though in my head I knew that it was common for a few seeds in any given batch to not germinate, it did not occur to me to examine them all before tossing them in. Those beans that had not sprouted were like little rocks! Also, we found that adzuki beans tend to stay rather firm even when sprouted and we will probably only use them when we intend to add them to soups or other foods where they may be softened by cooking.
Sometime in the future, I may do one more post on some additional ways you can use sprouts besides the age-old salad. In the meantime, if you have some favorites, please mention them in the comments section.

Audio Podcast: Episode-1080- Glen Tate on Book 5 of the 299 Days Series

2013-04-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from The Survival Podcast by Modern Survival

Glen Tate is the author of the ten-book prepper novel series “299 Days” published by Prepper Press. The books describe an average guy who prepares for, and lives through, a partial collapse of the United States. Glen joins us today … Continue reading →

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Original audio source (epi-01080-glen-tate-on-299days-b5.mp3)

Preparedness Tips for People with Mobility Challenges

2013-04-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Backdoor Survival by Gaye Levy

If you have ever had an injury that limited your mobility, you will understand why knowing how to deal with mobility challenges following a disaster are important. A sprained ankle, a broken leg, a fractured arm – all of these can severely restrict your ability of evacuate or bug out following a disaster.
Now put yourself in the shoes of an individual with a permanent disability – someone who requires a walker, a wheelchair or a scooter to move around. Clearly, an evacuation will be slow and ordinary objects such as furniture, stairs, curbs, and doorways become obstacles or even barriers to escape. Add to this the challenge of moving about during chaos and panic and you can understand why planning in advance for survival tactics is important.
Today I am going to share some preparedness tips for people with mobility challenges. But please take note. These tips are for everyone because when and if the time comes, it may be you with the challenge and not your neighbor, your spouse or your friend. Having an awareness of the obstacles that a person with mobility issues faces will make you a better prepper.
BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
Regardless of any physical challenges, the basics of prepping still apply. Accumulate food, water, first aid, self defense and the other items to get by under dire conditions. Have the gear you will need to stay warm and the means to cook your food when the grid is down. Practice your homesteading skills and develop a community of like minded people to watch your back as you will watch theirs.
These are the things you will do because these are the things that all preppers do. And for now, that is all that I will say about that.
PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES
Store Your Stuff

Store emergency supplies in a pack or backpack that can be attached to crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, or a scooter.
Store the needed mobility aids (canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs) close by in a consistent, convenient and secured location. Keep extra aids in several locations, if possible.
Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, prescriptions, food for service animals, and any other items you might need.

Put Together a Specialized Emergency Supply Kit

Keep a pair of heavy gloves in your supply kit to use while wheeling or making way over glass or debris.
If you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter, consider having an extra battery available. A car battery can be substituted for a wheelchair battery, but this type of battery will not last as long as a wheelchair’s deep-cycle battery. Check with your wheelchair or scooter vendor to see if you will be able to charge batteries by either connecting jumper cables to a vehicle battery or by connecting batteries to a specific type of converter that plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter in the event of loss of electricity. And if so, get some of these cables to keep in your emergency pack.
If your chair does not have puncture-proof tires, keep a patch kit or can of “seal-in-air product” to repair flat tires, or keep an extra supply of inner tubes.
If possible, store a lightweight manual wheelchair.

Know your surroundings

Arrange and secure furniture and other items in a manner that will provide a clear path of travel and barrier free passages.
If you spend time above the first floor of a building with an elevator, plan and practice using alternative methods of evacuation.
If you cannot use stairs, determine in advance which carrying techniques that will work for you. Understand that there will be instances where wheelchair users will have to leave their chairs behind in order to safely evacuate a structure.
Sometimes transporting someone down stairs is not a practical solution unless there are at least two or more strong people to control the chair. Therefore, it is very important to articulate the safest mode of transport if you will need to be carried. As an example, for some, the traditional “fire fighter’s carry” may be hazardous due to respiratory weakness.
Plan at least two evacuation routes; you never know when your primary means to exit will be blocked or inaccessible.
Communication Skills are Important

Practice giving clear, concise instructions regarding how to move you. Take charge and quickly explain to people how best to assist you. Determine in advance how much detail will be needed and drill your “speech” with a trusted friend that will give you some feedback.
You know your abilities and limitations and the best way that someone can assist you or ways in which you can assist them. Again, practice giving these instructions clearly and quickly, not in four paragraphs but a few quick phrases, using the least amount of words possible.

Community

Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate your equipment.
Discuss your needs with your employer.
If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building during a disaster. The more people who know where you are and the need for assistance the better.

Other Important Items

Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration.
Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.
Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify any disabilities that may not be visually obvious to a stranger.
Just like any other survival skill, it is important to practice your emergency plan through regular drills. Imagine the worst and practice for that.

THE FINAL WORD
I want to be clear.
This is not an area where I have first hand experience. Sure, I have helped nurse family members following an operation that limited their movement but other than basic care, I never had to deal with mobility challenges in an emergency. On the other hand, while researching this article a realized how many of these strategies could become important when we least expect it.
Fortunately, while researching this article, I found that there are some really good resources available from government agencies, senior centers and just plain folks that are willing to help formulate preparedness strategies for people with mobility challenges.
One of the better resources I found was the free booklet Emergency Evacuation Preparedness by the Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions. You can download a copy by clicking on the link and I encourage you to do so.
The life that gets saved just might be your own.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye
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Why Should I Learn Map Reading?

2013-03-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from SHTF blog by Jarhead Survivor

This probably should have been the first post on the orienteering series, but it fits well here too. The next post or two deals with some concepts that are a bit tricky and you’ll actually have to put your thinking caps on and maybe do a few examples of your own.
Map reading is hard. You have to remember stuff. You have to practice. Hell, you even have to do some math.
Why should I learn it when I’ve got a GPS in my pocket that will tell me exactly where I am and give me directions on where I need to go?
Let’s go to a pretend world for a bit…
———————-
The grid is down. The global economy went to hell three months ago and despite all the promises by the government and news media things aren’t getting better. After the first month food deliveries were sporadic at best and despite a police presence outside most of the supermarkets in town there are very few supplies left. Rioting has been reported in some of the larger cities.
After the first month of not getting paid a growing number of people stopped showing up for their jobs and without skilled engineers and workers the power plants supplying electricity slowly went off line. It’s not out completely, but with rolling brown outs and black outs electricity just can’t be depended on.
It wasn’t like everything crashed at once. It was more like the frog in the pot where the water is slowly brought up to boiling. Things deteriorated slow enough that it prevented you from triggering your bug-out plan and now you’re stuck in your apartment with your wife and two sons. Luckily they’re old enough to walk long distances and you feel like you’ve raised them right and can rely on them in case of an emergency.
Well, now it’s an emergency.
You’ve decided to head for the doomstead you have set up with two other families and you kick yourself for not going right away. There’s no more gas for vehicles, so that means you’re going to bug out on foot cross country. Your GPS tells you your destination is 88 miles northwest as the crow flies. You figure you can do it in four days with your family if you push them hard enough.
Three days later you realize you’re still at least four days away. Nothing has gone right. You had to ditch some gear from the packs because they were too heavy for walking. There have been roadblocks not mentioned by the media and you’ve had to take the family off the road and circle around them praying you don’t get spotted.
And this afternoon the batteries in your GPS died and you discover the spares you packed in your BOB two years ago are dead too. Didn’t the manufacturer claim these batteries would last ten years in storage? You make a mental note to write a strongly worded letter to the company.
Now what? You’re a little more than halfway to the doomstead, food is running low, and now you’ve lost the only means of navigation you had.
You break the bad news to the family, but your 16 year old son – the boy scout – does something strange. Instead of panicking he grabs his pack and pulls out a map and compass. You show him where you are on the map and he plots a direction to your bug-out location. Then he picks up the compass and declares he’s going to take point and leads the way.
Four days later you arrive. Hungry, tired, and foot sore, but you made it.
You tell your son how proud you are of him and thank him for saving the day.
———————–
Oh, maybe the story is just a little dramatic, but you get the point. GPS batteries only last for so long and if you’re trusting your life to a piece of electronic wizardry you’re gambling with your life and the lives of whoever is with you. If you think you won’t run out of batteries in an extended emergency you are dead wrong. Just don’t get dead because of it.
And what happens if the satellites fail? Oops.
GPS is Cool!
I was on a mountain with my smart phone recently using it as a GPS and it was fantastic. When you can look at a device and know exactly where you are and what’s over the next rise it doesn’t get better than that. But I was using it heavily and after just a few hours the battery was very low.
Of course I had a map and compass and went back to doing it the old fashioned way.
I’ve read many stories where someone has followed GPS directions blindly down back roads only to wind up stuck for days and sometimes even got themselves dead because of it. Always have a manual backup and the knowledge of how to use it.
Like I said earlier, map reading is hard and it will take some work to get proficient at it. You don’t have to get to the point where you’re looking for a ten meter square clearing in a huge forest, but if you can point a compass and follow an azimuth there’s a good chance that you’ll eventually get to where your going. And you don’t have to worry about the batteries dying.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying don’t use a GPS. They’re awesome devices. What I am saying is learn the skills necessary to stay alive in case something happens to your device, whether you drop it in water, break it or the batteries die it’s always good to have a back up.
Just in case.
Next week we’ll talk about direction and how to shoot an azimuth on your compass.
How about it, Prepper?
Questions? Comments?
Sound off below!
-Jarhead Survivor

Paranoia or Prepping - Maintaining a Proper Balance

2013-03-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Stealth Survival by noreply@blogger.com (riverwalker)

Everyone prepares to a certain degree but there are those that sometimes let their prepping activities go to extremes. Try as you might, it is almost impossible to prepare for every possible scenario. If you maintain a proper balance in your prepping activities, you will have a better state of preparedness than you might think. Sometimes the simplest things are overlooked because we don’t see them as obstacles until it is too late.

You’ve got a bug-out bag, a bug-out vehicle and a bug-out location but do you have the skills to put your bug-out plan into action. Can you change a flat tire? It’s a simple process but it is also one which many people have never done. Can you change a drive belt on the motor if it breaks? These are simple skills that are easy to practice and develop but which can leave you stranded and vulnerable at the worst possible time if you lack these simple skills. Simple skills can go a long way in helping you be better prepared.

A box of survival seeds won’t do you much good if you lack the gardening skills to make them grow. A stockpile of canned goods and freeze-dried foods won’t last forever and you will need gardening skills to properly balance your food storage program. You will also need to stock your food items accordingly. Excess food storage can increase your chances of having items that expire or go bad before you can use them. Simple gardening skills can help you be better prepared.

Don’t forget to have a plan to maintain the safety and security of your family. Don’t sacrifice your family’s safety or security because simple items were left unattended. Realize that maintaining security should also be a part of your preparedness plans.

Include plenty of family activities that can help to strengthen the trust and loyalty among your group or family members. Make sure to include both younger and older members of your group in your activities. While their knowledge and skills may vary, they can only help to strengthen your efforts. Remember that everyone is capable of making a contribution to your preparedness efforts.

There are numerous aspects to proper prepping and maintaining a proper balance will be critical. You may be unknowingly increasing your costs and utilizing resources you may need elsewhere if you don’t maintain a proper balance in your preps. Know how many in your family or group you are preparing for and adjust your preparedness plans accordingly. Know which skills you are lacking and make an effort to learn them and continue to practice those skills you already have. Balance your prepping efforts with the actual needs of your family or group.

Got balance?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Being In Good Physical Condition as a Prepper

2013-03-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Food Storage and Survival by Angela

photo by Ed Yourdon

Being in good physical condition is one area of preparedness that is often overlooked. Physical fitness cannot be purchased like toilet paper or a jug of water when there is a forewarning of impending disaster. Nor is it something like sealing food in a bucket that can be done once and it will be ready for you when you need it twenty years later.
Physical fitness is a preparedness area that needs constant attention. It is something that needs to be worked on and kept up on. Just because you were a long distance runner on the high school track team doesn’t mean you can outrun the zombies at age 35. And you do want to be able to outrun the zombies, right?
Actually, outrunning the zombies is only one reason to be in good physical condition. In a grid down situation, there will be plenty of manual labor to be done. Everything from clearing debris, to building shelter, to hiking yourself and your family and all your gear to a safer location.
I’m not saying you need to be a marathon runner or super body-builder (unless you already are–then you’re ahead of the game). But being out of shape will not help you a bit when your physical abilities are being tested in what could be a life and death situation.
There are a few things to consider when you are thinking about conditioning your body for work harder than sitting at a desk in a cubicle eating jelly doughnuts.
1. Start slow. Especially if you haven’t been doing much physical activity in the recent past. If you have health considerations, you may need to consult your physician about which activities and exercise programs would be best for you.
2. Don’t quit. Exercise is only good while you are doing it regularly.
3. Just because someone is lean doesn’t mean they are in shape. I have a crazy fast metabolism, so rarely look like I’m out of shape. However, I know that I have been. And I know there are people who look out of shape that could outwork or outrun me pretty easily.
4. “Good physical condition” is not the same for everyone. It is not the same for me now as it was when I was 19 or as it will be when I’ll be 65. Our bodies give us certain physical limitations depending on age, genetics, etc. The idea is to be in as good a physical condition as you in your present circumstances can be.
5. Is a little fat good? Maybe so. It could act as a buffer against disease, or lower the food intake you will need. But don’t go believing an extra 100 lbs of weight you don’t need on you qualifies as “food storage”!
6. You will lose weight as you begin exercising. If you are exercising before a disaster, you can go buy new clothes that fit! But if you don’t start exercising until after the disaster (or even if your exercise level intensifies–especially if your food intake decreases), you’ll probably shrink out of your clothes. Consider stocking smaller sizes of clothes, overalls (they always fit, right?) or suspenders. Another option is having the skills to alter clothes to fit your new smaller size.
Your physical condition could be one of the most important parts of your preparedness efforts. It won’t do you any good to have lots of supplies if you’re going to keel over from a heart attack when you need to relocate it all quickly. And the extra energy and strength you will have will help you even if disaster never strikes. So go ahead and get off the computer and go for a walk. If it’s just too cold out there for you, there are plenty of exercise videos available online, or you can even probably check some out for free at your local library. Find something that you enjoy and stick with it!

Being Street Smart

2013-03-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Modern Survival Blog - surviving hard times by Ken Jorgustin

Whether you are set to travel into a bad neighborhood or if you are preparing for a societal collapse in which most neighborhoods will turn bad, knowing how to be street smart may save you trouble or your life. You cannot just learn it by reading about it and then saying to yourself that you will do those things if and when you have to… instead you must practice it in your daily life and apply it in appropriate degrees of purpose for your given location. It should be part of your situational awareness and response thereof.

Know Where You Are

It is quite easy to pick out someone who is a tourist, lost or confused. These people will be targets. Know the streets that you are on, or will be on; the way in and the way out. Look at a map ahead of time so that if you get lost, you will know the direction to get out.
Don’t start a trip without a full tank of gas, particularly if you are planning to go into an unfamiliar area. Never let your gas tank go below half full, for more reasons than just one.
Learn everything you can about the public transportation system in the area, if there is one, because you might need to use it. Understand the routes and fares. Know the hours that station attendants are working, as these are the safest places to wait for your ride. A train, subway, ferry or bus station can be a dangerous place late at night, and not knowing what you’re doing will make the situation more dangerous.

Blend In

Dress to blend in and avoid clothing and colors that may cause you to stand out from the crowd. Plain and neutral colors are often best, worn in an understated fashion. Don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing jewelry, looking ‘too good’, or being individualistic in any way.

Act Like You Don’t Care

While you need to be at peak situational awareness, you need to look like you don’t care… flowing with the crowd. Do not stare. Do not look all around as though gazing at new surroundings. Do not run. Do not engage in loud conversation or laughing or fooling around. Just be quiet and go where you are going in a purposed direction.

Avoid Contact With Strangers

Again, use situational awareness. Look well ahead as you move. If you see that you will be meeting with potentially questionable individuals or a group, then cross the street or change direction if it will not look obvious that you are intentionally avoiding them. If you must cross paths, then stay at your pace. Don’t speed up. If you were talking with a companion, don’t stop talking or suddenly talk real quiet.

Eye Contact

The best way to deal with this in a bad neighborhood is to treat the situation exactly the same as you would in what you consider a safe neighborhood. Don’t stare. Don’t look away too fast. If you make eye contact, then a quick pleasant smile should suffice. Even if you are nervous, you must come across as comfortable.

Responding To A Talking Stranger

You’re walking down the sidewalk and pass a stranger who says “How’s it going?”. Simply respond with “It’s going well, thanks”, and keep on walking at your existing pace. Do not say “It’s going well, how about you?”. Don’t invite conversation in a neighborhood where you feel unsafe. While it is true that some people are being genuinely friendly when asking, unfortunately there are those with darker intentions. Sometimes it is more obvious than others.

Street Smart success begins with situational awareness and going about your business in a purposeful manner that does not attract undue attention. Problems arise when people who have not practiced Street Smarts suddenly find themselves in an environment where they need to be careful… they are usually very easy to identify in a crowd. The next time you are out and about, imagine to yourself what you look like to others as you go about your business. Picture yourself from across the street or someone who is sitting or standing still watching you. What do you look like? Do you fit in with the environment you’re in?

How To: Gather Info on a Local Disaster Fast

2013-03-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Original Article

from Code Name Insight by Code Name Insight

A few days ago we had a mini disaster in Las Vegas. Turns out a couple of thugs decided to take their aggression out on the Las Vegas Strip, complete with racing cars and firing guns. It culminated in an explosion, fire, and three deaths. Generally when you hear that something is happening--whether from a breaking news announcement on TV, a text from a friend, or a Tweet from the fire department--your first instinct is to find out more. Is the event happening in your neighborhood? At a school or workplace of a family member? Will it impact you, either by changing your route to work or creating the necessity to lock down your home or office?
In all of these cases, you want to find out as much information as quickly as possible. Here's how:

Check Twitter. I follow a number of first responder agencies in our city, a few news outlets--both local and national--and when in doubt, I simply search the most likely terms in Twitter and can usually come up with people tweeting about what is going on.
Check Reddit. If your city/area has a subreddit, this is often one of the first places that people post "what the heck is going on?" posts quickly followed by others commenting on what they have heard/seen/know.
Check your local news services. This may include tuning in to TV news, checking the local newspapers online, or turning on your car's radio and picking up the local news.
Check the national news. If it is a big enough event, CNN and other national news services will probably pick up on it pretty quickly.
Check with the appropriate agency. If the event has to do with a fire, I can check out our local fire department's website/Facebook page/Twitter account. If it is something larger--like a storm or earthquake--I would check with NOAA or the USGS website.

Text a friend. If you know an event is happening where you know a friend or family member may be, simply sending them a text may get you the answers you need. Likewise, check their Facebook page/Twitter feed/Instagram/etc if they are likely to be posting instead of making them take the time to answer you back.

The bottom line is that you need to be able to gather pertinent information about a disaster as quickly as possible so that you will know how to respond. Using these popular news and information sources can provide just the information you need even faster than traditional news outlets.

New Book From Glen Tate

2013-03-24T10:43:00.001-06:00

Another great book (#5 in the series) in the 299 Days series has been released,
299 Days: The Visitors.

If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it.

The Visitors, the fifth book in the 299 Days series, follows Grant Matson, the Team, and other Pierce Point residents as they adjust to a rapidly changing post-Collapse reality. When the Team is summoned to bust a meth lab and protect their neighbors, they find themselves in an intense crime scene that results in the community having to decide innocence, guilt and punishment.

Adjusting to this “new normal” is a challenge to Grant and others as they navigate a world where Pop-Tarts cost $45 a box, neighbors die from easily preventable conditions, and what remains of the former U.S. Government is deliberately choosing who they will and will not help.

As tensions grow in Pierce Point and the Team begins to face organized opposition, they are presented with an incredible opportunity by the arrival of Special Forces Ted and his game-changing proposal. Grant finds himself at a crossroads as he must decide whether he and the Team will formally join the Patriots and train to become guerilla fighters against the growing forces of the Loyalists or standby and watch events unfold. Grant knows one decision could risk his marriage and family, while another would mean letting others decide their fate.

Learn your area of operations

2013-03-14T14:29:00.000-06:00

original article

Abraham's Blog

Learn your area of operations. I was out the other day strolling about and I realized how well I know my neighborhood and the town that I live in. I know the streams, ponds, rivers, lakes, creeks and seasonal water. I know the woods and fields. I bet you could blindfold me set me down anywhere within a five mile radius and I could point to it on a map. You should be able to do the same too.
You have to learn you neighborhood well. You should know what wild foods are edible and where and when they grow. There is only one way to do it. Walking is best because you see much more than you do driving. When you are in a car you don’t even notice all of the little hills that you go over. When you are walking or riding a bike you notice each and every hill.   Similarly, when you are whizzing by at 45 mph you can’t really check out the landscape, flora and fauna (15 points using flora & fauna in the same sentence).

When you are walking you’ll begin to notice what the same plant looks like at different times of the year. I usually walk a lot, but with the sun setting so early during these short winter days it’s tough. Still walking is the best way to learn the area. Take your time. Look around. Really open your eyes. When you see something don’t just look at it and take it for what what it is, but ask why or why not. Zen. Keep an eye out for where water may be, places to stash stuff or hide if need be, places to camp or forage, keep an eye out for things you can use now or at some time in the future.   When you see those red canes leaning over in the winter remember to come back in the summer for sweet berries. Figure out where the electrical substations, powerlines, water and sewage treatment, refineries, chemical plants, factories, police, hospitals, fire stations, reservoirs all are.
You should own some map books of your state and the surrounding states. I’m not a big fan of the folding state maps. They’re ok, but they don’t show enough detail for me.



I like these Delmore maps by state. They show all the detail you really need, but it doesn’t list the name of every side street and it’s not a real detailed topographic map. Delorme maps do have topo lines, roads, highways, campgrounds, natural and man made attractions, state parks, recreational areas, lakes, rivers, streams, railroads and trails. You should own a map book like these Delorme ones for your state and each of the contiguous (5 points) states. You also need a book for each of the states that your bug out plans call for you to traverse. Like I said these map books are great all purpose maps, but for going afield I like the the old 1:24000 USGS maps. The USGS topo maps are what I use when I go hiking. They show as much detail as you could ever want. They even show seasonal water.

If you don’t know how to read a map that is one skill you don’t want to delay learning.   Having a map and knowing how to read it can mean the difference between sweet, sweet life and a cold and shivering or gaunt and starving death. GPS units are great, but have a compass and know how to use it.

I guess what I am trying to say is GET OUTSIDE EVERYDAY!!©
Doing what I now do. Notice all the seals in the water and moi is the only one standing?

The waves are supposed to be 10 foot tall this weekend because of Ida.
Scrapings from a woodpecker. This stuff id light up pretty well with just a firesteel I bet. You’d never see this pile of sawdust driving around.

Emergency Preparedness Kits

2013-02-17T21:56:00.005-07:00

Original Article

from Modern Survival Blog - surviving hard times by Ken (MSB)

Emergency Preparedness Kits:
HOW LONG UNTIL HELP OR RECOVERY

You may have to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having in sufficient quantity, your own food, water and other supplies because you don’t know if you will get help in hours, days, weeks, or longer. The disaster will define the emergency response time; meaning the type and severity will impact the resources and ability to get help to you.
A typical Prepper will have prepared in some way for disaster scenarios that could lead to being on your own for a relatively long period of time. Even if you do not consider yourself a Prepper and are not so concerned about major collapse scenarios, you can still be readily prepared for the most common and likely emergency situations by simply building an emergency preparedness kit that will keep you in reasonable condition until help or recovery.

Emergency Preparedness Kits:
HOW TO DECIDE WHAT’S INSIDE

When choosing what to include, consider how you would manage without the basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephone for a period of days, or even a week or longer. It’s as simple as that.
It may not be so simple to get along without those basic services, but it is simple to analyze and choose what it is that will help you through it.
Go through the process one at a time. What is it that you do each day that depends upon… electricity (fill in the blank), and then try to come up with solutions for your basic needs.
Building emergency preparedness kits can be fun. It is a personal set of choices that determine what goes inside. In fact, you could build a kit today, and then build another one in a few months to discover that you have included some different items.
While I won’t burden this with long lists of items (which can be found in plenty here on this site and others), it is helpful to look at the lists of others, many of which will give you great ideas. Start simple. Something is better than nothing.
Consider the seasons. Add or subtract based on typical weather conditions and changing needs.
Change your water storage every six months as a general rule of thumb. Rotate your food too, especially for car kits.

Emergency Preparedness Kits:
WHERE TO KEEP IT

These kits do not necessarily have to be contained in a pack, case, bin or other constraint. You could easily keep the items you would need in your home in locations wherever it makes sense for you. On the other hand you should seriously consider building a kit that fits in a pack or bin for the trunk of your vehicle. This could be an additional emergency preparedness kit that is solely for you car, while you also keep items at home.
Having a car kit will cover you for while you are at work (assuming you drive to work), which when you think about it is a significant part of your day… meaning that you are nearly as likely to encounter a disaster while at work as when you are at home. This is a serious thing to think about and may impact what you decide to keep in your car kit.
If you commute to work with someone else or take public transportation, you should tailor an emergency preparedness kit that you keep at work, and one that fits on your person or inside a shoulder bag or briefcase that you typically carry around with you. This will require special thought with regards to items of practicality versus bulk, weight, and carry-ability.
I personally like the idea of the ordinary backpack / shoulder pack for simple emergency preparedness kits because it’s easy to grab and go, and it is easy to carry if you have to walk out. Even if you are building a serious kit for home which involves lots of items, bulk and weight, it remains a good idea to keep a bug out bag at the ready (although having one in your car may negate this necessity).

So what are you waiting for? Start building yours today!

Appreciate topics of survival, preparedness, risk awareness – or planning for disaster?
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Prep Tip #8: 25 Questions About the Outside of Your Home

2013-02-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Code Name Insight by Code Name Insight

One of your first lines of defense is the exterior of your home. Here are 25 questions to answer about the exterior of your home to judge what kind of message your home is sending to potential burglars/et al:

Do you have your name on your mailbox? If so, take it off so that strangers who come up to your door won't be able to address you by name as part of a ruse.
Do you have a locked mailbox and/or only send mail via a secured mail box? Mail theft is still one of the easiest ways to steal an identity. By securing your mail as much as possible you can deter this type of theft.
Is your house number clearly visible from the street? On the other hand, you do want to be able to call for emergency aid and have them respond to your house as quickly as possible; a clear address will assist with this.
Do you have favorable landscaping in front of lower level windows? Rose bushes, cacti, and other spiky plants will deter burglars from breaking in through lower level windows in your house.
Is all overgrowth and debris removed from the areas surrounding your home? This will not only help block wildfires but will also discourage people from stealing your unsecured property and/or providing concealment for lurkers.
Do you dispose of packaging from various high end items (TVs, computers, etc) somewhere other than at the curb for your weekly garbage pick up? Leaving this type of packaging laying around outside your home lets potential burglars know what kind of items you keep inside your home.
Do you have adequate lighting all around your home? With the flip of a switch you should be able to illuminate all of the areas around your home.
Are exterior stairs and walkways secure and free of debris? This is more for your benefit as it will provide a safe place for you to walk and avoid falls.
Are all upstairs windows inaccessible from the outside? This means no trellis or trees that would allow someone to crawl up and into your home.
Do you keep all outside property secured? This means no keys left in the truck or the tractor, all motorcycle and bicycles locked up when not in use, etc.
Do you have a garden hose and fire extinguisher easily accessible from outside? These items are useful for fighting unexpected fires.
Does the outside of your home look well maintained? Sloppy landscaping and a generally unkempt look can make you home look unoccupied and be an invitation to burglars.
Do you have an exterior security system complete with remote access cameras? This type of system can be very useful for both discouraging thieves AND for identifying them after the fact.
Do you regularly inspect large trees in your yard and remove them if they are in poor condition? Better to take down sick and dying trees on your timetable rather than to wait for a storm to do it for you.
Are your outbuilding secured? Outbuildings often contain tools, spare gasoline, and other valuable items that thieves are looking for.
Is your property fenced? This is a small deterrent but a deterrent nonetheless, to keep out unwanted people.
Do you walk your property regularly to check for problems that need to be fixed? By walking your property regularly you will notice when fences need to be repaired, when shrubbery begins to look over grown, etc.
Do you have warning signs posted? No trespassing and beware of dog signs let people know you are serious about protecting your property.
Does your home look "lived in" both during the day and at night? By having a car parked in the driveway it makes people think someone is home during the day. By having interior lights go on and off at various times during the evening, it makes your home look like it is occupied whether it is or not.
Do you always close and lock doors when you enter or leave the house (including the garage door)? Leaving doors and windows unlocked or leaving the garage door wide open all day is an invitation to have your home burgled.
Do you hide a spare key outside just in case someone in your family forgets theirs? Burglars know where all of the hiding spots are so this is yet another open invitation to have your home burglarized.
Do you keep your drapes or blinds set so that it will make it difficult for people to see into your home from the outside? No use leaving all of the valuable items in your home on open display for anyone who walks by.
Do you make arrangement for package pick up/drop off? A note on the door telling the delivery person that you work from 8am to 5pm does nothing for your packages or your home security.
When you go on vacation do you have someone to pick up you mail/the newspaper as well as ensure your home remains secure and the yard is mowed? If you are gone for an extended period, it is a good idea to have an actual person coming around regularly to check on your home.
Do all family members abide by the rule to not talk about the items your family owns (guns, gold, etc) as well as not talk about vacation plans or other times that your home will be unoccupied? Blabbing about valuables in a home can make you a victim of either burglary or home invasion.

Need a new read?

2013-02-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

*Edit: There is now a paperback version of this great book available.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just became aware of a new book, Getting Home, that is currently on sale in Kindle form for .99

I've lately been reading many fiction books along the same concept & will be giving this non-fiction one a read.

Get it before it goes back up to full price.

What will you do when disaster strikes?
How will you get home to your family?
What should you have with you to survive?

Getting Home addresses these, and many more questions.

Written in a clear and concise manner, with the reader that has beginning or intermediate knowledge of survival and disaster preparedness in mind, Getting Home explores the following topics:

1. Creating a robust Every Day Carry (EDC) kit
2. Supplementing your EDC with a Daypack (DP)
3. What to store in your office (or other facility while you are away from home)
4. Selecting and outfitting your vehicle
5. Selecting and outfitting a Get Home Bag (GHB)
6. Creating Caches
7. Getting Home: Tips and Tactics for Survival

100 EDC Items

2013-01-28T17:45:00.001-07:00

Original Article

from Code Name Insight by Code Name Insight

I'm always fascinated with EDC stuff...the stuff I carry, the stuff other people carry, new stuff that looks useful, etc. I get lots of ideas from this subreddit, as well as from this website and this website, among others.
Each person will devise their own EDC based on their own unique circumstances and needs, but in case you need some ideas, here are 100 items you might consider for everyday carry:

Protection

Small firearm
Holster
Extra magazine/ammo
Fixed-blade knife
Knife sheath
Kubotan
Pepper spray
Stun gun
Razor blade
Steel baton

Tech

Cell phone
Flashlight
Headlamp
USB drive
Earbuds
Pocketknife
Multi tool
Folding knife
Watch
Keys

Medical

Bandaids
Wet wipes
Alcohol wipe
Latex gloves
Packet of aspirin
Moleskin
Super Glue
Bandana
Packet of Benadryl
Acidophilous tablets

Outdoor Survival

Whistle
Compass
Matches
Lighter
Flint/steel
Sunglasses
Carabiner
Paracord bracelet
Mylar "Space blanket"
Fire starter (ie: small tube of petroleum jelly)

Office stuff

Business cards
Fisher space pen
Mini Sharpie
Small notebook (ie Moleskein)
Wallet/ID
Magnifying glass
Stamps
Deck of playing cards
Digital camera
Spare memory cards

Fix-It Stuff

Zipties
Duct tape
Floss
Electrical tape
Work gloves
Aluminum foil
Ziploc bag
Snare wire
Pocket survival guide
Mini sewing kit

Food and Water

Bottle of water
Granola bar
M & Ms/chocolate
Breath mints
Gum
Tea bags/packet of instant coffee
Beef jerky
Hard candy
Packet of raisins
Condiment packets: salt, pepper, Tabasco, etc

Currency

Cash
Coins
Credit card
Debit/bank card
Gold coin
Cigarettes
ShotPak (alcohol shot in foil pouch)
Challenge coin
Foreign currency (for country you are most likely to go to)
Prescription pain killers (prescriotion in YOUR name)

Emergency Stuff

Laminated list of emergency contacts
Condom (non lubricated)
Tampon (OB)
Folding "spork"
Flat can opener
Micro prybar
Foam ear plugs
Goggles
Surgical mask
Passport

Other stuff

Necessary prescription medication
Hand lotion
Safety pins
Rubber bands
Nail clippers/nail file
Stuff you need: denture adhesive, hearing aid batteries, eye drops, contacts, glasses, etc
iPod/MP3 player
Emergency alert bracelet
Umbrella
Key chain backpack/tote bag

The Skinny: 6 Everyday Uses for Dry Milk

2013-01-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Ready Nutrition by Tess Pennington

Powdered milk… I know what many of you are thinking, “Never in a million years will I substitute dry milk for the real thing.” Up until a few years ago, I was right there with you, but I have since seen the light. Let me begin by saying powdered milk has gotten a bad rap.
Powdered milk is a prepper staple that all prepper sites suggest we stock up on. To calculate how much your family needs, click here. Bear in mind that if you have small children or are a nursing mother, it is important to have even more powdered milk stored.
Not many know of the versatility of the nutritional value of our little powdered friend. One cup of dry milk provides you with a good source of protein, vitamins A and D, calcium, magnesium and essential fats.

To reconstitute dry milk:

To reconstitute one quart nonfat milk, sprinkle ¾ cup (3.2 oz) non-instant dry milk powder on top of 3¾ cups water at
room temperature. Beat with mixer, rotary beater or wire whip until dissolved.
To reconstitute one gallon nonfat milk, sprinkle 3 cups (12.8 oz) non-instant dry milk powder on top of 3 qt 3 cups
water at room temperature. Beat with mixer, rotary beater, or wire whip until dissolved.

Tips on preparing powdered milk:

Mix it very well. Using a clean egg beater or mixer helps to break up the clumps.
Mix powdered milk with very cold water. When mixed, keep it very cold.
Make powdered milk the night before use. This helps the flavor come out.
Mixing equal parts of fresh milk to reconstituted milk to help ease fussy drinkers.
A little sweetener can go a long way. Adding a spoonful of sugar, chocolate syrup or vanilla extract can help enhance the flavor.
If your family still doesn’t like the taste of reconstituted milk, use it for cooking purposely only and save your real milk for drinking.

For those of us trying to find more economical ways to deal with the ever-increasing grocery bill, powdered milk is your best friend! Many of our diets are centered around dairy products: milk, cheese, sour cream, coffee creamer, and heavy cream. All of these products can be made with powdered milk!

Storing powdered milk:

According to USA Emergency Supply, “Dry milk products are probably the most sensitive to environmental conditions storage foods there are, particularly to temperature and moisture content. Their vitamins A and D are also photosensitive and will break down rapidly if exposed to light.
The area where your dry milk is stored should be kept as cool as possible. If it is possible to do so, air-conditioning or even refrigeration can greatly extend the nutrient shelf life. After opening a package of dry milk, transfer the powder to a tightly covered glass or metal container (dry milk can pick up odors from plastic containers) and keep it in the refrigerator. Unsealed nonfat dry milk keeps for a few months; dry whole milk for a few weeks.

My family stores powdered milk in sealed Mylar bags (In my opinion, this is the best long-term storage method). Adding desiccant pouches to minimize moisture will also prevent “lumping” in the powdered milk. Once opened, we store the unused powdered milk in the refrigerator for prolonged freshness. Use the instructions outlined in this article to store powdered dry milk in Mylar bags.
Aside from using powdered milk as a substitute for the real thing, there are other ways that you can use this essential pantry item when cooking. The following are just a few of the recipes found in The Prepper’s Cookbook: 365 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Equivalent to 14 ounce can

1 tablespoon butter
½ cup hot water
1 cup nonfat dry milk
¾ cup sugar

In a small saucepan, add the butter in the hot water and stir until combined.
Pour into a bowl and stir in the dry milk powder and sugar. Mix well until the sugar and milk powder are dissolved.

Evaporated Milk Recipe
Equivalent to 12 oz. can

1 1/3 cups water
1 cup nonfat instant dry milk

Place the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously.

Hot Cocoa Mix
Makes 6 cups
Ingredients:

2 c. dry milk powder
½ c. non-dairy creamer
¾ c. sugar
½ c. cocoa
Dash of spice such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cayenne or pepper

Mix all ingredients together and store in a cool, dry space.
To make drink, add 1 cup of warm milk or water to 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa mixture.

Heavy Cream Substitute

1 cup milk
¼ cup nonfat dry milk

Whirl the milk and dry milk powder in a blender until thoroughly mixed. Use in baking or cooking dishes that call for heavy whipping cream.

Instant Oatmeal Mix
Makes 14 – half cup servings

6 cups quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup dry powdered milk
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried fruit or nuts

In a large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Then store in airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 month.

To prepare oatmeal:

Place 1/2 cup of mix and add 1/2 cup boiling water or milk to the mix and stir until oats are softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Pudding Mix
Serves 4

3 cups nonfat dry milk
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

Stir all the ingredients together until well blended. Store in a covered container or in individual 1-cup packages.
To make pudding, place 1 cup pudding mix in a small saucepan. Slowly sir in 2 cups boiling water. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened. Let the mixture cool slightly and then pour into individual containers to make homemade pudding cups or into a single container. Cover and keep refrigerated.

Vanilla pudding—Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon butter once the pudding has thickened.
Chocolate pudding—Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to 1 cup of dry mixture before cooking. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon butter once the pudding has thickened.
*Place plastic wrap on top to prevent a skin from forming – me, I love pudding skin, but maybe I’m weird. Cool for 15 minutes till room temp and then spoon into individual bowls if you want, refrigerate for at least an hour
For more delicious recipes, The Prepper’s Cookbook: 365 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals is available in bookstores now.

Book Review: "77 Days in September"

2013-01-09T11:51:00.002-07:00

Another great book in the "Survival Porn" genre that I have recently read.

I love a good storyline. The type of book that you just can't put down and will read in just one day.

On a Friday afternoon before Labor Day, Americans are getting ready for the holiday weekend, completely unaware of a long-planned terrorist plot about to be launched against the country. Kyle Tait is settling in for his flight home to Montana when a single nuclear bomb is detonated 300 miles above the heart of America. The blast, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), destroys every electrical device in the country, and results in the crippling of the power grid, the shutting down of modern communications, and bringing to a halt most forms of transportation.

Kyle narrowly escapes when his airplane crashes on take-off, only to find himself stranded 2,000 miles from home in a country that has been forced, from a technological standpoint, back to the 19th Century. Confused, hurt, scared, and alone, Kyle must make his way across a hostile continent to a family he’s not even sure has survived the effects of the attack. As Kyle forges his way home, his frightened family faces their own struggles for survival in a community trying to halt its slow spiral into chaos and anarchy.

77 Days in September

Book Review: "Going Home"

2013-01-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

One of the better books I have read recently.

A great storyline with a great amount of detail on the gear used by the main characters.
I'd almost call it a reference book disguised as excellent fiction.

*EDIT:
Just had a nice conversation with the author and was informed that book 2 is well in the works.

You can check out the author's official website here: http://www.angeryamerican.com/ or follow on Facebook here: Angry American Facebook

Going Home

Tent Heater, Propane

2012-12-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from --- Living Prepared --- by Mike Yukon

A tent heater is a very useful camping goody but not much for raising the temperature inside a tent which is almost impossible because it’s not insulated. However what a tent heater can do is dry the damp night air inside the tent. For me there’s nothing worse than trying to stay warm and comfortable when the sleeping bag, pillow or blankets are damp from the condensing humidity. The propane tent heater will burn off most of that excessive moisture in the air and keep your sleeping gear reasonably dry and comfy.

I’m just beginning to set-up my truck as a hunting/fishing and possibly Bug Out Vehicle. Even though I live in North Florida it does freeze up here for a few days during the winter. So on my overnight shore fishing outings and occasional hunts outings having a propane heater inside the cap of my truck is mighty nice.

A couple things I wanted from the heater was a long run time using just the 1 lb. propane cylinders, compact in the overall size and very easy to light. Coleman makes a catalytic heater that fits the need.

The Coleman Spec’s has some of the features I was looking for:

Electronic ignition for quick and easy matchless lighting.
1,500 BTU output operates up to 14 hours from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder.
Portable integrated handle makes heater easy to carry.
Stable, detachable base provides a strong stand for the heater.

The on/off valve and start button.

Here’s the fold-out feet extended for additional stability.

The test run:

I set up the heater in the back of my truck (inside the cap) where I would normally be sleeping. The lowest outside air temp that test night was 45 degrees. To check the temperature I used a remote digital temperature reader to monitor the temps inside and outside. The temperature differential was between 10-15 degrees above the outside air temp. Naturally the colder it became the narrower the temperature differential was. Bottom line it was 55-60 degrees inside the trucks cap overnight. Just about perfect for Florida!

The actual test runtime was just a few minutes over 13 hours on one 16.4 oz propane cylinder. I’m happy with that because I can start the heater 3-4 hours before bed time to pre-heat the bedding and cap, then sleep all night without the heat going off before it’s time to get up.

For lighting the heater, if the built-in lighter fails then matches or a Bic lighter can be used.

Bottom line, I happy with it!

Happy New Year 2013!

2012-12-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

A big thank to all my readers who have stuck with me for the past year

and continue with me into the new.

5 Ways Your Body Loses Heat and How to Avoid Them

2012-12-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from PreppingToSurvive.com by Joe

The air is crisp, crystalizing around you with each breath. A twig snaps under the pressure of your foot, echoing off the surrounding trees. It’s a brisk, beautiful late autumn morning. It’s great to be in God’s creation.

But for the ill-equipped traveler thrust into survival mode due to mechanical issues with his vehicle, the same picturesque morning can be cold, hard, unforgiving, and even life-threatening.

The right gear makes a world of difference. So what’s the right gear? In previous article, I’ve written about the best way to dress for cold weather. In this post, I’ll share the 5 ways your body looses heat. Understanding these methods can help you to reduce your heat loss and stay warm longer.

Heat Loss Through Radiation

As warm blooded beings, people produce their own heat. By just being alive, we create a normal body temperature of 98.6F. Most the time that’s warmer than our surrounding environment, so the two try to equalize. Our body gives off heat through radiation. That’s when the warmer of the two areas gives off heat to the cooler area.

To control heat loss through radiation, we need to insulate the ourselves from the surrounding environment. We can do this through warm clothing.

A down jacket, for instance, uses our body heat to warm the pockets of air trapped in the down. That helps keep the heat inside the jacket and thus keep us warm.

Your head is a major source of heat loss. Keeping your head covered, and the area around your neck can help preserve your heat.

Heat Loss Through Conduction

Another way our bodies loose heat is by coming into direct contact with another surface that is at a lower temperature. It’s similar to radiation except rather than loosing heat to the environment, the heat is transferred to another object or surface.

Solid objects such as a metal pole or the ground can steal heat from your body much more effectively than air. In fact, you loose heat about 30 times faster when submerged in water than standing in air. 75F in air feels comfortable; 75F in water is feels cold and can cause hypothermia.

Conduction is why it’s important to insulate yourself from the ground when sleeping. Body heat will seep into the cold ground, leaving you cold and miserable. Sleeping on evergreen boughs will help lift you off the ground and preserve your body temperature.

Heat Loss Through Convection

As with radiation, convection is when your body looses heat to the surrounding environment. However, with convection, the heat loss is through the stirring of the air.

Consider a fan. When you are sitting in your home and you’re a little warm, you may turn on a fan to help circulate the air. The moving air brushes by your skin. When it does, it takes a little bit of your heat with it. Then, having moved along, more air brushes by, taking more of your heat. The more air, or wind, the more heat loss.

This is sometimes called “wind chill” and it can be devastating for the survivor in colder climates.

When dressing during cold weather, it’s important to keep in mind that your outer layer of clothing should protect you from the wind.

Heat Loss Through Evaporation

Our bodies have a built in system to help regulate excess heat. When we exert ourselves and our core body temperature rises, we begin to sweat. On a hot summer day, sweating is a good thing. In fact when you stop sweating, you should be worried about overheating.

However in the winter, sweating is bad. In fact it can be deadly. As renowned survivalist Les Stroud has said, “In cold weather if you sweat, you die.” But the threat is not limited to sweating. In cold weather survival situations, you must stay dry. Rain, mist, snow, and other forms of liquid will have the same effect is sweating.

When water, including sweat, evaporates it cools the adjacent surface. When that surface is your skin, it removes much needed heat from your body and makes it harder to stay warm.

In cold weather, you must stay dry. Having the proper clothing is important. Avoid overexertion. Regulate your body temperature to avoid sweating by removing layers of clothing when you do strenuous activities. Stay dry.

Heat Loss Through Respiration

When you breathe, you were bringing in cold air from the outside into your lungs. As oxygen is transferred to your bloodstream and carbon dioxide is transferred out, your body warms the air. When you exhale, you’re releasing the warmed air into the surrounding environment. That is heat loss through respiration.

Compared to the first four sources, heat loss through respiration is relatively minor. But still you should be aware of it. A light covering over your face will help pre-warm some of the air before bringing it into your lungs.

Summary

As fall is giving way to winter, it’s important to understand how our bodies can lose heat and how to avoid it. Hopefully if you’re thrust into a survival situation, you’ll have the proper clothing and gear. But being prepared is as much about knowledge and skills as it is about gear.

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To reconstitute dry milk:

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Tent Heater, Propane

Happy New Year 2013!

5 Ways Your Body Loses Heat and How to Avoid Them

Heat Loss Through Radiation

Heat Loss Through Conduction

Heat Loss Through Convection

Heat Loss Through Evaporation

Heat Loss Through Respiration

Summary

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