Daily Survival

Creating A Battery Bank For Emergency Power Storage

2012-01-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Preparing Your Family by Rudy Kearney

In our last segment we discussed power inverters in the context of medical equipment. That was the main part of this series that was primarily targetted at medical equipment.

For the rest of the series, we’ll cover it from a more general perspective.

Today we’re talking about power storage, specifically storing them in battery banks. Sounds complicated, but it’s really not.

There’s a couple things you need to know and/or decide.

First, you need to know what voltage your inverter needs. This is usually going to be 12V or 24V … we’ll assume for this exercise that it’s 12V.

Second, you need to know what voltage your batteries are. A common battery for these types of systems are 6V Deep Cycle batteries from golf carts. So we’ll use those.

Finally, you need to know how much power you want to store. I’m actually going to be super arbitrary here and skip this. If you want more information about this, there will be more at the end of the post.
Without going all Electrical Engineer on you, the key concept you need to know about is Ohm’s Law. Using Ohm’s Law as a basis, if you wire batteries in Series, you increase the voltage of your system. If you wire them in parallel, then you increase the storage capacity.

Knowing those two design concepts is all you need.

Since we know that we want a 12 Volt system, we know that we need to have two of our 6 volt batteries wired in series. For a larger system we’d actually have two distinct battery banks wired in series instead. This increases our capacity as well as our voltage.

Without belaboring the point for a large system you could have two banks of six batteries, wired together in parallel, that provide essentially six times the storage capacity as a single battery. By wiring these two banks in series, we then increase the overall voltage to 12 volts.

For a more in depth discussion of the topic, I wrote an article a while ago on how to build an emergency power system … if this is something that interests you, definitely check it out. The article also discusses power generation in depth, so I’m not going to go over it again.

This will wrap up our series on emergency power for medical devices. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you have any suggestions for a how to or series post, send me a note!

Think Ahead

2012-01-29T16:34:00.001-07:00

What is food Poisoning?

2012-01-28T14:55:00.002-07:00

Original Article

from Perpetual Preparedness by Gary W Kibble

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."
-Bombeck, Erma

Despite the name, food poisoning does not mean that someone has slipped hemlock or arsenic into your meal. Food poisoning usually means that you ate something containing an infectious agent like a virus, bacteria or parasite. But it can also mean poisoning in the real sense if you consumed a toxic agent like a poisonous mushroom or pesticide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are more than 250 known diseases that are caused by "bad" food. In the United States each year 1 in 6 people (48 million) become sick from a food-borne illnesses resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, fever and chills that occur within 30 minutes to 48 hours after consuming a contaminated food or drink. Most food poisoning is not serious and will run its course in 24-48 hours.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact your doctor if

You have a sick child under age 3
You cannot keep any liquids down
You cannot keep down prescribed & necessary medicine because of vomiting
You are pregnant
Symptoms last for more than two days
You have a low-grade fever
Symptoms begin after recent foreign travel
There is an outbreak where others who ate the same thing are also sick
You have a weakened immune system (HIV/AIDS, cancer/chemotherapy, etc)

Go to the nearest emergency room if:

The sick person passes out, becomes dizzy & lightheaded, or has problems with vision.
You have a fever higher than 101 F (38.3 C) along with the abdominal symptoms
You have sharp or cramping abdomen pains do not go away after 10-15 minutes (might be appendicitis which can be deadly)
Your stomach or abdomen swells
Your skin and/or eyes turn yellow (possible liver failure?)
You are vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements
You stop urinating, have decreased urination, or have urine that is dark in color
You have problem breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
One or more joints swell or a rash breaks out

Bottom Line

No food is every germ free so illness is not caused by consuming a single bacteria but rather from eating something with a concentration of infectious agent too numerous for the body to defeat quickly. When you buy deli meat or cook a meal, the food is safe. But as the leftovers sit in the fridge the few bacteria multiply, slowly to sure, but surely. If the leftover is completely reheated to 160 F or so the new bacteria are killed. But if you eat a week-old item cold, like cold cuts in a sandwich, then your stomach may be in for a rude shock.

It Won’t Be Mad-Max, But It Will Be Mad

2012-01-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Original Article

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

The collapse. Blogs talk about it all the time. Some portray a future resembling the 1979 movie, Mad Max starring Mel Gibson depicting an apocalyptic future of gangs and individuals killing each other for the world’s last resources. In today’s reality, a more likely scenario of apocalypse will be one of economic meltdown, which may occur rapidly or may occur in slow motion – but will occur nonetheless, and will cause pain, hardship, and a given amount of social chaos for a period of years.

Like much of the Eurozone, the U.S. is broke. Although increasing numbers of people are realizing this, the fact remains that many people are not fully aware of the magnitude of the situation and are not aware of the fact that this has been cleverly hidden from them, albeit temporarily.

The consequences of years of over-the-top debt spending and promised financial obligations are catching up with most of the subsidiaries of the U.S. government. What do I mean by that? The cities and towns, counties and sates are running large deficits with mostly zero chance to balance without severely cutting benefits and programs or severely taxing the businesses and citizenry even more than they already are.

Either way, it will only increase the downward spiral as fewer dollars will be available for people and businesses to spend. Politicians absolutely do not have the guts to pull the plug (self preservation) and will absolutely continue to kick-the-can down the road – that is, continue to borrow more money from the FED to keep the government running at current levels of spending.

The thing is, and the the thing that’s going to ultimately cause the implosion, is that the U.S. government can continue to borrow newly printed money from the FED, at will… whereas the U.S. states, counties, cities and towns cannot print their own money to back-fill their deficits. The ONLY way that they can ever hope to resolve their debts is to drastically cut off their spending (they will still owe and have to pay their existing debt) and/or they will have to drastically increase their tax revenues. That’s it. No other way.

When the ratings of these various entities begin to be downgraded due to their excessive debt-to-income on their balance sheets, their cost of borrowing more money goes much higher – which only makes the problem worse. This is happening all over Europe right now, and will certainly happen in the U.S. in the not too distant future. When it does, very painful choices will have to be made, and the middle class will suffer greatly.

The middle class will suffer the most because either way, they will get slammed more than they already have been slammed. Many will have their pensions drastically cut. Taxes will go higher. The spending power of their dollar will continue to diminish as the Federal Reserve loans more money to the U.S. government. More jobs will be lost as fewer people spend a diminishing amount of money. Those who have jobs will continue to slip further behind as ‘real’ inflation far out-paces their wage.

There is NO EASY WAY OUT of this looming mega disaster. NONE.
We can only hope that their is a crash landing rather than an all out nose dive into the ground at cruise speed. The point is, the future may not be Mad Max (except perhaps in pockets), but it will be ‘mad’. There will be those that are going to be entirely stunned when the depression catches up with them, caught entirely unaware. These folks will probably suffer the most since they will have done nothing to prepare or to change their ways now in order to soften the blow later.

So, I’m warning you now, IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. The magnitude and duration is unknown, but the net amount of pain will be severe – either very long and moderately painful or shorter and mind-numbingly painful. My bet is the long version because the government doesn’t want a massive social meltdown which would surely occur given a short and severe outcome.

Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…

Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:

Preparing For The Next Bank Run

2012-01-26T16:47:00.002-07:00

Original Article

from Preparing Your Family by Rudy Kearney

This morning as you’re walking out the door heading to work you decide to swing by the ATM on your way to work. It’s been a long weekend and you haven’t been watching the news like you usually do.

You get to the bank and hit up the drive through ATM. Except when you reach to put your card in the machine you see a notice that it’s out of order.

Fine, there’s another bank on the way. But when you get there, same thing. You drive across the street to another bank. Different bank all together, but you’re willing to pay the fee to get the cash.

No dice.

Now you’re worried, so you turn on the radio in time to catch the news. And that’s how you find out that all of the major banks as well as the credit card networks have shut down all ATMs and credit card terminals in the country. Apparantly you missed a minor bank run over the weekend.

Well, maybe not all that minor, since enough banks were affected that they shut down everything. The banks expect things to be offline for at least a week while things get settled.
And here you are, no cash, your cards don’t work, and since nobody takes checks anymore, you haven’t had any printed for five years.

So now what?

Well, if only you had prepared ahead of time! How you ask?

First and foremost, have cash. And not just walkaround cash in your purse or wallet. You need to have a stash of actual paper cash in your home, preferably a couple stashes in a couple different parts of the house.
How much? At LEAST a few hundred bucks, ideally in 20s, with some smaller bills. Better yet, between $500 and $1000.

Next, having some paper checks around isn’t that bad an idea. I know we use almost exclusively electronic checks through our bank, but having paper checks is still useful for enough that you should keep them around.
Between the two your cash needs will be mostly covered. But you’re not done.

You’ll want to make sure you have food covered. While you probably have long term food covered, for something like this you don’t need to necessarily dip into your long term stash. So try not to let your fresh and short term food stash get too depleted.

Assuming you have these things covered, you’re good to go for a short term cash interruption.
If the bank run is something serious…well, that’s where your long term preps come into play. Way outside of the scope of this article!

10 Best Survival Movie Lessons

2012-01-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Survival Cache by Joel

Here is a look at the 10 best survival lessons from the big screen. From time to time the motion picture industry produces movies and TV shows which convey a good representation of “worst case scenarios” that mankind could face in a post-apocalyptic world.

By Bama Bull, a contributor to SurvivalCache.com

Here is a list of nine movies and one TV show that, in my humble opinion, are a good portrayal of what life could be like in the future in a TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know it) situation. I have not included any of the reality-based shows – such as “Man vs. Wild; The Colony, Dual Survival; or Man, Woman, Wild” – on this list. These are all good shows in their own right – offering many great survival lessons, techniques and tips. However, they don’t have the budgets and resources to create futuristic TEOTWAWKI environments or provide a deeper look at the darker side of the human condition.
As a disclaimer up front, there are several films that involve aliens and zombies – which I will admit are probably not very likely scenarios leading to the end of the world. However, it is not the cause of the apocalypse that is important; but how people act and react to what is happening to them in the situations they encounter. This is what provides the “food for thought” and lets you think about what or how you might do it differently.
Each film or show contains the title, year of release, run time, audience rating code, lead actors, a synopsis of the plot, and some key highlights to look for when watching. They are not ranked in any particular order. And yes, a good many have zombies! So smile and enjoy.

1. The Road (2009) 111 min, R

Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall
A good film adaptation from the novel by Cormac McCarthy.
Plot: A global trigger event leaves the world burned, cold, covered in ash and lacking of any edible plants or animal life. A man and his young son travel carefully on back roads from a northern state, through the Appalachian mountains, in an attempt to flee the coming winter and head to the southern coast. They work to survive by any means possible. The film portrays a darker side of man-kind, which resorts to cannibalism to survive. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Take care when traveling roads and contact with other people.
* How to haul your survival supplies over long distances.
* Starvation is a long, slow process.
* “Keeping the fire,” and are you one of the “good guys?”

2. The Book of Eli (2010) 118 min, R

Stars: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman
Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale of a “lone wolf” on a personal quest to get a rare book to the west coast. Washington walks across an America depleted of resources, but still full of groups of dangerous and desperate people. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Benefits of carrying both firearms and low-tech weapons.
* How to barter for what you need.
* You have to be prepared to kill bad people or they will kill you.
* Your faith can sustain you and help guide your actions.

3. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) 124 min, PG-13

Stars: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal and Emmy Rossum
Plot: The world experiences climatic change resulting in a new ice-age and a paleo-climatologist (Quaid) must travel from Washington, D.C., across a frozen east coast, to rescue his son and friends holding out in a New York City library against sub- freezing temperatures. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Survival against the cold takes planning and good gear.
* Big urban cities make escape very difficult.
* You have to consider and plan for bad weather conditions.
* Listen to Dad, sometimes he knows what he’s talking about!

4. The War of the Worlds (2005) 116 min, PG-13

Stars: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins
Plot: The Earth is invaded by returning aliens looking to harvest humans. The invasion starts with electro-magnetic (EMP) attacks to disrupt all electronic devices and knock out electrical power and communications. Cruise, a dock worker, with his two kids bug out of urban Newark, New Jersey, and try to reach their in-law’s home in urban Boston. With no plan or supplies, Cruise has to improvise along the way. (Available at Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Importance of having basic bug-out gear and supplies on hand.
* Crowds are dangerous and can get you killed.
* Stock up on food and water at first opportunity; get a backpack.
* Don’t lose your weapon – you may need it for the crazy guy.

5. Zombieland (2009) 88 min, R

Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Woody Harrelson
Plot: After a zombie apocalypse occurs, a surviving college student (Eisenberg) tries to get home to his family in Ohio. To increase his survival chances, he creates a set of rules. During his travels he be-friends a tough guy on a hunt to find some Twinkies, and a pair of con-artist sisters heading to a California amusement park for one last good time. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* It’s good to have a set of basic survival rules – you’ll live longer.
* People will trick you, take your stuff, and leave you stranded.
* Don’t scare people if you don’t want to get shot.
* It is good to remember “Rule 32” when you can.

6. Dawn of the Dead (2004) 101 min, R

Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames and Mekhi Phifer
Plot: A group of survivors takes refuge in a shopping mall during a zombie apocalypse. More survivors arrive and they learn that if they want to stay alive, they need to stick together against the undead. For being unprepared and without a plan, they learn to make do with what they find in the mall and food court. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Malls can be a good refuge if you can secure the doors.
* You need to determine who you can and cannot trust.
* Have a break-out plan and a destination.
* Every group will have a**holes you’ll have to deal with.

7. I Am Legend (2007) 101 min, PG-13

Stars: Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan
Plot: It is several years after a new anti-cancer vaccine mutates into a killer plague which transforms the infected into monsters and kills most of humanity. Smith is a lone military research doctor struggling to survive in New York City while working valiantly to find a cure for humanity. (Available at Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* A dog can be a good survival companion.
* If your defenses are good, you don’t need to sleep in a hard tub.
* Plan to be home or off the road before dark.
* Be careful when scavenging and entering buildings.

8. 28 Days Later (2002) 113 min, R

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston and Alex Palmer
Plot: A bicycle messenger injured in an accident awakens from a coma in a London hospital four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout England. Wearing only a gown, he first struggles to find help and learn what happened. He links up with a handful of survivors, who then flee the city to find sanctuary in country side. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Light and noise discipline is a must at night.
* Buckets on the roof help to collect rain water.
* Short cuts may be worst than taking the long way around.
* Be wary of government troops.

9. The Walking Dead (2010) TV Series – Season 1, Mature

Stars: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Laurie Holden
Plot: Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Grimes (Lincoln) awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital in rural Georgia to discover a real TEOTWAWKI nightmare situation (a very similar start to the movie “28 Days Later”). He embarks to find his wife and son; then ends up helping to lead a group of survivors in a world overrun by the walking dead. While zombies are a minor problem, it’s the problem of dealing with the living that presents challenges. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* People will fight over resources.
* Be prepared to defend your campsite.
* There is strength in numbers and provides for a division of labor.
* You can supplement your food stores with local fish and game.

10. The Postman (1997) 177 min, R

Stars: Kevin Costner, Will Patton and Olivia Williams
Plot: In the year 2013, America is all but destroyed after a war that decimates most of the population and the government. People struggle to survive against starvation and rogue groups of armed men. Costner, a drifter, is forced to join a rogue militia, but escapes at his first chance. He finds an old postal jeep with a postal uniform and mailbag, and starts conning people with old letters that the government has reorganized and order is being reestablished. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* People who band together have a better chance at survival.
* Teach basic survival skills early, others may need them.
* It is hard to argue with the people who have the guns.
* Americans know “freedom is never free” – it’s earned the hard way.

Building a Sustainable Armory - Air Rifles

2012-01-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Small Holding by noreply@blogger.com (PioneerPreppy)

As I have mentioned before I believe every type of (Personal) weapon and technology has a place within the sustainable survivalist armory. The largest restraints we run into are finances, time and space.

Finances is pretty obvious, who can afford to pickup two of everything these days? The sheer number of firearms and other weapons that can fill a niche is overwhelming to say the least. Eventually you would have so many weapons you wouldn't be able to keep up maintenance on them nor log enough practice time with them. Space is pretty obvious as well, it doesn't take long to fill a safe or even a small room with firearms and hand weapons.

One niche that I feel needs to be filled these days is the air rifle. I am no expert on the different brands by any stretch but with the new technology and advances the .177 caliber air rifles can be useful for sustained collapse or off grid hunting and varmint control. They are also so economical that you almost cannot afford not to stock one or two. For any type of defense they are pretty useless of course but the advances in FPS and accuracy can take down small game at a price that cannot be beat.

I decided to fill this niche for the Small-Hold armory with absolutely no knowledge of current air rifles and no in person guru for guidance. The wide range and some pretty heavy duty price tags of some of the rifles out there was surprising to say the least. Since I was just starting out I didn't want to spend the big bucks and I settled on the Ruger Air Magnum. At around $150.00 the price was certainly right and it advertised upto 1400 FPS with the right pellets putting it int he power level of several much higher dollar rifles. The reviews I could find had pros and cons but nothing that convinced me it wouldn't be a good place to start.

Some of the reviews have stated the 1400 FPS is a bit exaggerated and that the scope included in the kit is worthless but overall I can say that I have been delighted with this little toy. My son and I have used it for target practice just stepping outside and it certainly has some power to it. More than enough to bag some small game and my bet is that with a little practice it could be used to take a ground feeding goose, at least until they got wise to your technique.

The Ruger Air Magnum is not a small rifle. It is bulky and heavy and does take some strength to cock. Regardless of their short comings and a weapon status barely above toy level I believe today's air rifles do have a useful niche for a sustainable armory. The Ruger happened to be the one I decided to pick up if any of you are more knowledgeable and have suggestions they would be more than welcome since I will need to pick up a second air rifle for the armory anyway. I haven't calculated the cost per pellet of using them but I can say it will be damned cheap overall.

Dollar for dollar I am quite happy with the performance and potential of the modern day air rifle and am happy to add it to the survival armory.

Keep Surviving Everyone!!!

Cloudy With a Chance of Contagion: Forecasting Station Set Up to Monitor Epidemics and Infectious Diseases

2012-01-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Ready Nutrition by Tess Pennington

We are all aware that medicine is an imperfect art, and forecasting disease outbreaks is an inexact science.

Because epidemics and pandemics can occur suddenly and without warning, a nation’s medical infrastructure can quickly become inundated with the sick, thus causing the contagious illness to further infect and spread throughout the country. That being said, scientists have developed a groundbreaking forecasting system to track infectious diseases in order to keep the general public abreast of any threatening epidemics.

This forecasting station, modeled after our current weather forecasting system, has been designed to flag potential infectious diseases that could overwhelm the country and possibly collapse the fragile medical infrastructure the population is so dependent on.

This bio-surveillance project is operated by Praecipio International, a non-profit international intercept team who is presently working in conjunction with The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to anticipate infectious disease outbreaks that arise from natural disasters on a global spectrum. Praecipio International is responsible for using the Haiti Epidemic Advisory System (HEAS) to track the cholera epidemic in Haiti where the epidemic is still a daily battle.

The scientists at Praecipio International are “more akin to disaster sociology than public health, and monitor social indicators of infectious disease crises and disasters.” Shortly after the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2011:

Praecipio was able to rapidly conduct a “radar sweep” using the Internet and by monitoring Twitter feeds across 6 languages for the island of Hispaniola, which includes the countries of Haiti and Dominican Republic. We knew instantly from media, blogs, and SMS traffic what was being documented in terms of infectious disease. Consultation with peer-reviewed academic literature enabled us to construct a baseline for several diseases of concern and issue the first infectious disease forecast report in the world, for Haiti, on January 17, 2010.
Source

As previously noted, cholera and other disaster related diseases are still a daily issue in Haiti even one year after the devastating earthquake leveled most of the small island. With Haiti being the first country in the world to monitor epidemic activity, they have an upper hand to proactively intervene in order to control the outbreaks and epidemics from exacerbating. This forecasting model is serving as a guideline for the rest of the world. Hospitals and treatment facilities are already beginning to adopt this forecasting system in order to assist with patients who are more susceptible to outbreaks. The Delta County Memorial Hospital “Kids Wellcast”, is one of the first to understand the importance of this biosurveillance system.

HEAS has quickly become the first of it’s kind to empower patients with information to help them stay better prepared. Further, having a forecasting system that monitors infectious disease outbreaks will propel us out of ”dark ages” in terms of epidemics and pandemics. Rather than reacting to the outbreak and potentially subjecting ourselves to others who may be infected, we will be able to anticipate the infectious disease ahead of time in order to better prepare for it.

Baking Soda: Another Wonder Substance

2012-01-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from PreppingToSurvive.com by Laura

A while back, I wrote a piece extolling the virtues of vinegar. I want to focus some attention on another inexpensive multipurpose agent- sodium bicarbonate.
Nearly everyone has a box or two of this humble stuff hanging around. You probably have one in the pantry and maybe another in the fridge to keep it from developing strange smells. I mentioned using it in the diaper pail between washings too. Beyond cooking and diapers, baking soda has lots of great uses. Here are some that may be new to you.

1. Multipurpose Cleaner

Baking soda can be used to clean things all over the house.

It boosts your detergent in the wash.
It loosens burned food - either use as a non-scratching scouring agent moistened on a dish scrubber or dissolve in hot water and allow to soak before scrubbing.
Make a toothpaste out of it- it is great for cleaning teeth and freshening breath, though it will be more pleasing to the palate with a drop of peppermint oil mixed in.
Get the strong smell of onions, garlic, and other potent things off your hands by scrubbing them with some baking soda, soap, and warm water.
Use it in place of scouring powder when cleaning sinks and tubs.

2. Fire Extinguisher

Sodium bicarbonate gives off carbon dioxide when heated. This helps to smother flames in some types of fires. Be very careful not to get too close to the fire when applying it though. Quite a bit may be needed.

3. Add to your soak water when preparing dried beans

One old remedy for preventing gas when eating beans is to soak the beans in water that has baking soda dissolved in it. This is said to pull out some of the gas causing components which you then drain off before cooking.
Also, some say it makes the soak time go faster, especially in hard water.

4. Get rid of the gamey flavor of wild meats

I am not a big fan of venison or wild duck. My husband is a good shot, though and we don’t waste meat. To help to take some of the strong taste out, you can soak the meat (overnight at least, possibly with a change of liquid) in a solution of baking soda and water.
If you think about it, if food gets scarce, you may grateful for whatever the hunters can bring in. To make it more palatable to the picky eaters, this trick may really help.

5. General Purpose Deodorizer

Whether it is stinky gym shoes, wet dog smell, or your armpits, baking soda does a lot to help neutralize odors. You can sprinkle it on as needed. For personal deodorant, you may want to combine with cornstarch. Be careful not to inhale it as that can be problematic for some people.

6. Repel Crawling Insects

I have no personal experience with this one, though I will try it now that I know about it. Some people claim that when sprinkled along baseboards and windowsills, it will deter ants and roaches.

7. Replace Baking Powder

Not by itself, though. There is an infamous story in our house about “someone” putting 3 tablespoons of baking soda in the pancake batter instead of 3 teaspoons of baking powder. Those were some salty pancakes!
If you run out of baking powder, you can use some soda with either cream of tartar or vinegar to replace the leavening.

8. Cure an Acidic Stomach

One of the easiest antacids to make is a spoonful of baking soda dissolved in a glass of water.

9. Treat Bites, Stings, Sunburns, and Rashes

Some people make a paste of sodium bicarbonate and water and apply it to skin irritations and leave on until the next shower.

10. Treat Canker Sores

Canker sores are those spots inside your mouth you may get after accidentally biting into your lip, jabbing yourself with a toothbrush, or just from stress. Gargling with baking soda dissolved in warm water may help them clear up.

11. Remove Cradle Cap

Some babies get very dry scaly scalps when they are young. It is often called “cradle cap.” Some mothers apply olive oil to the spots and then use baking soda to gently scrub the scales off.

12. Take a Sponge Bath

Low on soap or water? Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water and take a sponge bath. It is considered to be gentle, so it may be a better option for those with sensitive skin.

13. Clear the Drain

You will want to save your lye for making soap. To clear a slow drain, try 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. After letting it work for a while, flush with lots of hot water.
And here is the one that I find most interesting:

14. Flu Preventative and Treatment.

An old theory of preventing and treating influenza is to create an alkaline environment in the body that is not conducive for the virus. The treatment is to drink baking soda dissolved in water at least twice a day to raise the pH of the blood. Since most microbes need a more acidic environment, they would not be able to live long or reproduce. It is claimed that even if the treatment begins after symptoms of flu come on, the intensity and duration of the virus is greatly reduced.
Some Notes
Be forewarned that some people should use caution in ingesting a lot of baking soda because of the levels sodium and the possibility of depleting some vitamins and minerals. This would be a short term treatment.
This fantastic agent is quite inexpensive, especially compared to buying remedies for each of the above problems individually. It can be purchased in 5 pound bags in big box stores. (Look near the pool supplies if you don’t find it with the baking items).
Once opened, a package has a relatively short life as leavening in baking, but you can rotate it for other purposes at that point.
So, what are your favorite uses for baking soda? Please share in the comments section.

Quick One – Homemade Glue

2012-01-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from TEOTWAWKIAIFF by natog

If you are going to stick stuff together then you are going to need glue. Here are two ways to make glue from animal byproducts.

Hide Glue

1) Scrape or sand dried rawhide and collect the dust. The smaller, the better, but you could chop it into small pieces.
2) Make sure the hide is defleshed, and clean off as much dirt and grime as possible.
3) Add to a pot with hot water and simmer (just below a boil) forever. At least 24 hours, maybe 36 hours. Keep topping off with water.
4) When you have a honey-colored syrup, strain out any remaining dirt and undissolved bits of hide with cheesecloth.
5) Return the filtered liquid to heat, and simmer it down to the consistency of honey, or maybe a bit thicker. Commercial plants keep this mixture at 160F for this stage, and use a vacuum to help evaporate the excess water off. Do not let it boil – the glue will be ruined.
6) pour the thickened mixture into a pan, and allow it to cool away from sunlight.
7) Once the mixture gels, remove it from the pan and cut into thin squares. It should be the consistency of really, really thick jell-o.
Run a string through the squares and allow to dry away from any sunlight. The resulting flakes last forever if kept away from any moisture and sunlight.
9) To reconstitute the glue, add the flakes to a little water and heat to 140F. It should be the consistency of pasty-honey. keep the glue at that temperature to use it. They used to use glue-pots for just this purpose.

Fish Glue

1) Collect a bunch of fish scales. Rinse them about a billion times to remove any fish smell from them. If you don’t the stink will be unbearable. 12oz of scales makes a couple of ounces of glue.
2) In a sealed, heatproof container, cover the scales with water.
3) Toss the sealed container into a pot of boiling water. Make sure the container doesn’t let water into the container.
4) Allow the scales to boil, then cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
5) the scales should have dissolved, giving you a clear, strong glue. Keep cool in a sealed container when not in use.

Working with Animal Glues

Keep your joints tight. These glues have no gap-filling properties.
Hide glue needs to be kept at 140F while working with it. When done, allow to cool and just re-heat to continue. You might have to add a little water every now and then to the glue pot.
Open time for these glues is about a minute – plan your glue-ups accordingly, and use dry runs to make sure you can pull it off.
An advantage to hide glue is you do not need a lot of clamping power. The glue naturally pulls the joint tighter.
Fish glue is thinner and less sticky than hide glue.
Both glues have poor moisture resistance, use a wax to protect it.
The strength of the glue can vary widely. The temperature used to cook down and the amount of water used to reconstitute are the primary factors.

Hide glue can be purchased in granules and kept indefinitely. Five pounds of crystals sell for ~$35. All other woodworking glues have very short shelf lives. Urea formaldehyde and yellow woodworking glues lose their strength after a year. I’ve stored yellow glue carefully, and managed to squeak it out to the two year mark. I have not had much luck with CA glues – they go bad after 6 months once opened. storing the sealed containers in the freezer does extend the CA glue’s life.
Hopefully this helps! As always please contribute by adding comments or an e-mail.

Survival Skills for Barter

2012-01-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Food Storage and Survival by Angela

image by Bekathwia

When preparing for an emergency or long term survival situation, it is good to think about items that will be useful for barter. Maybe there is someone who will have all the supplies he or she needs and all the know how to use them so they can be totally self sufficient, but I’m guessing that will be pretty rare. The rest of us will have to barter some of what we have for the things we need.

You could barter with physical goods. Extra food and survival gear will be desirable. However, how much “extra” do you have? And at what point do you decide that you really have “extra” food, medicine, toilet paper, etc.?

Here is where your skill set comes into play. If you have survival skills that you can barter with, you will never run out. And skills don’t take any extra space in your food storage room (although some may require some types of equipment to perform properly). Many survival skills are lacking in today’s general population and someone may gladly trade you something you want or need if you’ll perform a service for them. Of course, survival skills may keep you or your family alive as well, so they’re worth having even if you don’t want to barter with them. So here are some valuable survival skills for barter–feel free to add to the list in the comments.

1. Medical skills. From first aid to use of herbs to minor surgery, medical skills are way up on the list of barter skills. May require specific equipment, so make sure to have the items you need.

2. Gardening. Someone has seeds but doesn’t know what to do with them? Trade them garden work for a portion of the produce.

3. Construction. Working with hand tools, wood, metal, etc. to build shelters, tools, and whatever other implements are necessary for survival. Have the tools you need to accomplish the work.

4. Sewing/mending. If I can provide you with a “like new” pair of pants by patching the ones you own, what’s that worth? You’ll need basic sewing supplies like needles, thread, buttons, extra fabric, etc. Also look into supplies capable of handling heavy jobs for repair of canvas, coats, or other thick materials.

5. Off grid cooking. Your neighbor has a bunch of wheat in buckets in their basement, but doesn’t know how to make it into real food their family will eat. You cook their food for both of you to eat. Good deal.

6. Manual labor. Some folks may not be able to physically dig themselves out of the rubble or get rid of that tree that fell in their yard. Here’s where a strong man or woman could use a basic skill that really doesn’t require much training other than being reasonably physically fit.

7. Reloading ammo. This will require some specialized equipment and supplies. Not sure how many bullets, how much powder, brass, etc. you can store, but reloading could come in handy.

8. Vehicle repair. Cars, bicycles, etc. This will probably also require some specialized tools.
In general, any ability to make, build, produce, or repair something of use is a potential barter skill. Skills can be traded for physical products or for other skills. And, unlike extra toilet paper, you can trade your skills again and again without the concern of running out of them.

So what skills do you have that you could barter with? What skills would you trade for if someone else had them?

Audio Podcast Episode-819- Billy Joel’s Allentown – History Lesson, Prophecy or Both

2012-01-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Original Article

from The Survival Podcast by Modern Survival

Today we are going to do something completely different and look at the old Billy Joel hit from 1982, “Allentown”. My hope is after you hear today’s show you will fully understand what I mean when I say, “history, prophecy … Continue reading →

Popout

Original audio source (epi-00819-allentown-prophecy-history-or-both.mp3)

Avoiding a Survival Crisis - The Importance of Routine Maintenance

2012-01-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

Original Article

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

Many times a crisis is one that we have unwittingly created ourselves and our actions will often determine whether or not we will survive that crisis. It’s the little things we often ignore or fail to give proper attention that will quite literally turn a small disaster into an even bigger one.

One thing that is easily forgotten is routine maintenance. There is a reason why they call it routine. It quite literally means what it says...routine. The routine maintenance of your vehicles, equipment and other items should be included as a part of your daily routine. It will make surviving a crisis a lot easier.

Items have a tendency to wear out, break or simply go bad and then they will fail to work properly when they may be needed most (i.e., Murphy’s Law). The solution is to avoid that happening at the worst possible time. Things will last longer and work a lot better if you give them the proper care and provide it with adequate maintenance on a regular basis.

There is going to be a cost factor that is associated with regular maintenance but it will usually be far less than the cost of the needed repairs that may be incurred otherwise. Many times simple maintenance will allow you to recognize a problem before major and very costly repairs may be required. Failing to do the proper maintenance on your equipment is a disaster waiting to happen.

The most important benefit of routine maintenance is the ability to avoid costly repairs and a breakdown at the worst possible time. Things will still break and wear out but it shouldn’t happen as frequently. As a result, you might just make it easier to survive with a little routine maintenance.

Got routine maintenance?

Riverwalker

Stealth vs. Open Defense in a TEOTWAWKI Scenario

2012-01-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from TEOTWAWKI Blog by TEOTWAWKI Blog / Alexander Wolf

The Two Strategies
At a high level, there are two different strategies that one can take when trying to survive aggressors when TEOTWAWKI rolls around.

On one hand, you can lay low and try to remain unnoticed/hidden, or at least be so elusive that an aggressor can't mount a direct attack against you. You operate from concealment and have, generally, a run/hide mentality when trouble runs around. If you engage the enemy, it's going to be using sniper or guerrilla tactics; you won't survive a standup fight. But mostly, you hunker down, stay hidden and survive.

On the other hand, you can maintain an open defensive posture, where you directly confront aggressors. In this case, you would have things like open patrols, check points and other obvious defensive measures. Your organization would have ability to project obvious power and control within your area of operations, allowing you to maintain some level of law/order. When trouble comes around, you stand up and fight.

These two different strategies go back to the natural instincts of fight versus flight--sometimes, it makes sense to stand and fight, other times it makes sense to run and hide. You can see these play out in conflicts today and throughout history--the U.S. against insurgents/Al Queda, the DEA against drug smugglers, Anne Frank and the Nazis and so on.

Open Defense
This is the defensive posture we'd all like to take -- no one wants to live in secrecy and in constant fear of attack or discovery. You want to stand up for yourself, your family and what is yours. Unfortunately, it takes a good amount of power to be able to live this way. You've got to be strong enough to scare away potential attackers and defeat any who are brave enough to test their luck. That means that you need manpower and firepower.

A small survival group is not going to be able to take this stance--you'd need a larger group--a neighborhood or a small town, most likely. The community would form some kind of neighborhood watch or town militia for mutual defense, probably with the aid of intact law enforcement or military personnel. With the bodies and some fire power, a community could defend their homes and maintain order.

In survival fiction, the towns in One Second After and the neighborhood in Lights Out take an open defense posture. The town in Jericho does, too.

In a collapse scenario, I think this would be the response of most communities. When a larger community breaks down (nation, state, city, etc.), it's a somewhat natural transition to fall back onto a more immediate community--the people next door and across the street. There's huge advantages to community--it's civilization and safety. A sustainable community would provide the best quality of life, post-TEOTWAWKI--but it would have to be sustainable. That means things like local water, food, probably some kind of fuel, and decent people who don't already hate each other.

Problems come when things like food and water run out, internal strife tears the community apart, the community runs into an aggressor they can't contend with, or if disaster renders the community unlivable. How fast that will happen is going to vary wildly based on your location.

The Stealth Approach
If you can't beat aggressors in a stand-up fight, then it's run and hide or become subject to the aggressor's will. In general, this survival strategy means, surprise, a lot of hiding out and going unnoticed. If fighting must be done, it's using sniper and guerrilla tactics. If movement must be done, its probably at night or at least in thick cover and well camouflaged. If your hide site is located and threatened by a superior force, then you bug out to somewhere safe, maybe with a sniper or guerrilla attack to slow the baddies down and allow you some breathing room. You get the picture.

This kind of existence is difficult to sustain long term. Survival is hard enough without having to worry about doing everything in secrecy. For example, how do you farm or raise a vegetable garden in secrecy? How do you cook or keep from freezing to death without drawing attention? How do you deal with waste? Now compound these problems with multiple families. Very difficult.

Living way out in the hinter-boonies would offer some advantages, but in a collapse scenario, every remote farmhouse or cabin will have a good number of visitors looking for a place to hole up or scavenge. If there's a road, people will find it. And yes, you can make a house look abandoned or burnt out, but desperate and curious people will still check it out. Crowds certainly will be smaller way out in the middle of nowhere, but your chances of having backup from neighbors/the community are also going to be lower. If your group can't deal with whoever comes knocking, then you've got a problem.

A real hide site is going to be, well, really difficult for anyone to find. Hard to access and hidden. In a rural setting, a remote and well-camouflaged camp that's not accessible by road; maybe a cave or excavated hide. In a more populated setting, a concealed bunker or hidden safe room. Spider holes and hideouts, that kind of thing.

As mentioned, a hide is going to be very difficult to sustain long term, so it will probably need to be a temporary situation. You will need to emerge and resupply eventually, whether that is through pre positioned caches, barter, hunting/gathering, farming or relocating to another area entirely.

In survival fiction, the man and his son in The Road generally follow a stealthy approach to survival, avoiding contact and hiding when trouble comes around. They have it best when they find the concealed and well-stocked underground bunker. In Patriots, the Group adopts this strategy when confronted by the evil U.N./black helicopter invaders and retreat to their wilderness hide and begin their guerrilla war. In the Survivalist series, John Rourke's concealed retreat/cave complex is an elaborate and well-stocked hide.

Use Both
It would be narrow-minded to only think through one strategy or the other. An open, community or large group-based approach to defense and security is going to be preferential for most of us, but it may or may not work out. The back-up plan in that case would be a stealthy approach--if the community is done for, you bug out to somewhere safe and hunker down until things blow over.

In more common prepper terms, if your local neighborhood/community is a viable option, then an open, community based approach may make sense. If that fails, then you still have the opportunity to bug out and hide. Consider and plan for either possibility and I think you'll be better off.

Food Storage Demystified

2012-01-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Ready Nutrition by Tess Pennington

Storing food for long-term emergencies is not without it’s challenges. Many preppers who are beginning this task want to ensure they are packaging foods correctly.
I can honestly say, the more you do it, the easier it gets. At first, it can be intimidating, but once you understand the ins and outs of the process, it becomes second nature. Listed, are 8 common food storage questions asked by beginning preppers. Perhaps these questions can help you.

1.Food Storage and Oxygen Absorbers: What size of oxygen absorbers should I use in a 1 gallon bag? 5 gallon bags?

Answer:
Here’s a handy oxygen absorber cheat sheet to go by when packaging food for long-term:
20 cc – 20cc and 30cc are ‘preferred’ sizes for 2oz and 4oz beef jerky packages.
50 cc – Good for containers of a quart size or smaller. Perfect for 6″x6″ mylar bags.
100 cc – Suggest using 3 of these in a #10 can or equivalent size container.
200 cc- Use with medium sized bag when not vacuuming .
300 cc- Use one for a #10 can or equivalent size and for 1-gallon bags. You can also use a number of these in a larger container, depending on residual air volume.
500 cc – An appropriate size when using three per 5 gallon bucket.
100 cc – Medium to large canning jars will use.
1500 cc – 5-6 gallon containers.

2. Re-packaging Food: Do you have to re-package food items in mylar bags or can you just throw them in a 5-gallon storage bucket with some oxygen absorbers?

Answer:
You do not have to re-package food items or use mylar bags if you are putting them in a food grade bucket. However, the mylar bags add an additional layer of protection from outside elements and reduces the oxidation process. If you choose to not use a mylar bag, then place your oxygen absorbers on top of the pre-packaged food and seal up the bucket. The food will still be good for long term as long as the elements or insects do not get into the bucket. To learn more about long term food storage, click here.

3. Oxygen absorbers and desiccants: What’s the difference?

Answer:
Oxygen absorbers are used to prolong the shelf life of stored food. They absorb the oxygen from the container, and by doing so, inhibits the growth of aerobic pathogens and molds. Oxygen absorbers begin working the moment they are exposed to oxygen. Therefore, it is best to work as efficiently as possible. Oxygen absorbers are not edible, not toxic and does not effect the smell and taste of the product.
Desiccant packets, on the other hand, moderate the moisture level when placed in a food container. They do not absorb the moisture. Please note that desiccant is not edible. If the packet somehow breaks open and spills onto the stored food, the entire contents of the container must be thrown away.
Note: There are certain food items that desiccant should not be added to. Specifically, flour, sugar and salt. These items need a certain amount of moisture to stay activated, and if desiccant is added to it, they will turn into a hard brick.

4. Flour vs. wheat storage: Which is better to store for long-term?

Answer:
When wheat is grounded in to flour, it has a shelf life of 6 months to 2 years. Wheat berries, on the other hand, can be stored indefinitely. There versatility is also what makes them so appealing. Wheat berries can be used for bread baking, sprouting, to make hot cereal, or steamed and dried to make into bulgur wheat, making alcohol, and of course can be planted for a wheat crop. Ensure that you properly store wheat berries to protect it from natural elements and insects. To learn about other emergency food items that last indefinitely, click here.
The only additional accessory you will need is a grain grinder to grind the wheat into flour. If you are preparing for long term emergencies, a grinder would be an important tool to have around.

5. Are there any wheat free options for long-term food storage?

Answer:
Since wheat allergies are one of the top 10 allergies in the United States, many will need to find alternatives for their food storage endeavors. There are many gluten-free alternatives that you can store for your long-term food supply. Some alternatives to wheat to consider are:
Arrowroot Flour- This type of flour is ground from the root of the Arrowroot plant. It is tasteless and ideal to use as a thickener.
Brown Rice Flour – Brown rice flour has a higher nutritional base compared to white rice flour. It is much heavier in comparison to white rice flour. And is suggested not to buy this in bulk as it is better used when it is fresh.
Buckwheat Flour – The small seeds of the rhubarb plant are ground to make this flour type. It has a strong nutty flavor that tends to overpower itself in the recipes.
Corn Flour – Corn is ground into a very fine powder. It has a bland taste and is therefore good to use for multiple recipes.
Corn Meal – Cornmeal is much heavier and courser than corn flour.
Nut Meals – Such as almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts can provide rich flavor as well as a good flour substitute for cookies and cakes. Their shelf life is brief and should be stored correctly. Most nut meals require a bonding agent such as eggs. Note: chestnut flour has a longer shelf life.
Potato Flour – potato flour is not potato starch flour. It does have a stronger flavor compared to other wheat alternatives. Due to the heaviness, a little can go a long way. The shelf life for this type of flour is not very long, so long term storage could be a problem.
Potato Starch Powder – This has a lighter potato flavor which is hardly detectable in recipes. This type of flour keeps very well.
Quinoa Flour – “The Mother Seed” as the Incas call this has a large variety of vitamins and is high in protein. Quinoa flour is not readily available in many stores, so locating this could pose a problem.
Soy Flour – This flour is a fine powder ground from soy beans. It adds a pleasant texture to different recipes and is also high in protein and a good vitamin source.
Tampioca Flour – Tapioca flour adds chewiness to baking and is a good thickening agency. It also stores well.
White Rice Flour – this type flour does not have a high nutritional value. The taste is bland and ideal for recipes that require light texture. The shelf life is adequate as long as it is stored properly.
Keep in mind that the consistency and taste of these flours will be different compared to wheat. Also, more of the alternative flours will need to be added to recipes. Try substituting 1 cup wheat flour with one of the following:
Barley 1-1/4 cups
Oat 1-1/3 cups
Rice 3/4 cup
Soy 1-1/3 cups
Corn 1 cup
Potato 3/4 cup
Rye 1-1/3 cups
Tapioca 1 cup

6. Why is everyone telling me that I need to store all this wheat?

Answer:
Wheat is one of those healthy, multipurpose preps that can help sustain us during long term emergencies. It can be used as a breakfast cereal, ground into flour, used to make bread, added to soups, cooked and added to salads or sprouted for a healthy snack and even sweetened for desserts. Too see some recipes on incorporating wheat berries into your diet, do a simple search online for “wheat berry recipes.”
They are also a true whole grain. A cup of cooked wheat berries has about 300 calories and is packed with fiber, protein and iron. Tasty sprouts are loaded with vitamin E, a cell-protecting antioxidant, and magnesium, which is good for healthy bones and muscles. In an extended emergency, having a diet that is calorie and vitamin rich will help you withstand the increased physical demands of surviving a long term disaster, as well as keep you healthy.

7. Are there alternatives to using oxygen absorbers?

Answer:
Using diatomaceous earth when prepping and sealing food containers will keep the bugs off your food. They are organic and are safe to use on food. Use 1 cup to each 25 pounds of food. Some have had success with repelling bugs by using bay leaves. They add a few bay leaves to their food stuffs before sealing the food. Also, a lot of people who can dip their finished cans in wax to seal the edges to prevent bugs from getting in.

8. How do you keep bugs from getting into your food supply?

Answer:
I have found that using a multi-barrier approach to storing food helps a lot with this. I have also heard of people freezing their flour for 3 days to kill off any bugs that may already be in the flour. Some people have even cooked the flour at a very low setting on their oven for the same reason.
If you want to learn more about your foods worst enemies, click here.
A little foresight can go along way in terms of food storage. Understanding the different methods, tools and uses for your emergency food supply will help you get the most out of your food investment.

KEEP FOOD COOL IN SUMMER

2012-01-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Preparedness Advice Blog by admin

Here is a simple way to keep food cool in the summer. I found this in an old book on farming. A plastic or metal barrel or a waterproofed wood box could be used in place of the wooden barrel.
A very convenient and serviceable place to keep dairy products may be formed by sinking a large barrel in the ground. A shady spot should be chosen, or the heat of the sun will affect the temperature.
Fill in around the barrel with small stones, gravel and sand, dampened in order to maintain coolness.

Construct a box around and above the top of the barrel, and bank up with solid earth, preferably clay. This drains off the water when it rains. It also makes the bottom of the barrel farther down from the top of the opening, which further promotes coolness. Next, shape a light, inner lid to place on top of the barrel, and then make a strong, hinged lid for the box, and arrange it so it may be fastened down tightly.

Sprinkle a little dampened sand on the bottom of the barrel, and your little barrel cellar is ready for use. By being careful several vessels may be arranged one above the other in this handy little receptacle. Air out occasionally to prevent mold and odors from collecting.

Howard

The 5 Most Common Dental Emergencies

2012-01-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Original Article

from Ready Nutrition by Tess Pennington

Because dental issues can exacerbate quickly, many are taking necessary precautions and storing emergency dental supplies in case this issue arises.

Having necessary emergency resources to turn to can help you provide adequate care, as well as be able to fall back on knowledge if there are any additional signs to look for regarding infections, secondary infections, etc. Resources such as “When There Is No Dentist” by Murray Dickson has a wealth of knowledge that one could use during a disaster (Click here to download a PDF version of this resource). Familiarizing yourself with the most common types of dental emergencies, and knowing what dental supplies would be best to invest in will hep you be more efficient in your preparations.

Here’s what to do if you face one of the following dental emergencies in a short-term emergency:

1. You lost a filling. The first thing to do is to rinse out the cavity with warm water. Take a cotton ball or a special dental filling product like Dentemp and press it firmly into the cavity. Arrange for someone to treat you soon.

2. You lost a crown or cap. Missing crown won’t trigger “immediate pain,” but it definitely can if you don’t do anything about it, especially as you eat and food gets in the exposed area. Don’t wait more than two days to get this treated if a cap or crown is displaced. Placing dental wax or a temporary cap can help aleive sensitivity while you eat.

3. You have a toothache. A severe toothache is one of the most painful forms of trauma you can face with a dental emergency. If it happens to you, immediately rinse your mouth out with warm water and place a cold compress against your cheek for 20 minutes to alleviate swelling. Remove the compress and let the afflicted area warm up again or use a hot pack, then re-apply the cold compress. One mistake people make with a toothache is to apply pain medication directly against the gum. Dentists say that could inflame the gum and potentially do more damage to the teeth. In any case, make sure to visit your dentist to check for a bacterial infection that might have caused the toothache in the first place. If left untreated, bacteria can lead to serious problems.

4. You chipped or broke a tooth. The first thing to do is to save the chipped or fully dislodged tooth. Then, once again, rinse the area inside your mouth with warm water. Also make sure to rinse the tooth that’s been displaced. If there is bleeding, apply some gauze or cotton to the area for five to 10 minutes. Then apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth, over the impacted area, until the swelling goes down.

5. You knocked a tooth out of your mouth. Dentists say that your best chance of saving a tooth that’s been fully removed from your mouth is to visit a dentist within one hour. Until then, keep the tooth safely tucked away – in a small container of milk, or in water with some salt added. Then head straight to your dentist.
Tips courtesy of Main Street

Oatmeal Hard Tack

2012-01-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Suburbhomestead's Blog by suburbhomestead

Image via Wikipedia

2 cups oatmeal (not instant)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vanilla sugar
1 teaspoon Sea salt
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon fresh homemade baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
Preheat oven to 375F. Mix dry ingredients together then cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Add in hot water and stir until mixture sticks together. Turn out onto floured surface and press mixture together. Roll out to approximately 1/2 inch thick. Cut into squares or circles and use a skewer to create holes ½ inch apart. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with white sugar. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, until golden around the edges

Pumpkin oatmeal cookies (lolablueblog.com)
Homemade Oatmeal 9 Ways (abeautifulmess.typepad.com)

Yes, Stockpiling Firearms for Future Bartering/Selling Is a Good Idea

2012-01-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Original Article

from Code Name Insight by Code Name Insight

I got a couple of comments from this post which I thought I would address here. Seems some people think it is a crazy idea to stockpile firearms for future use--such as bartering and selling--which on the one hand does sound kind of crazy (why arm people who could use the arms against you?) but on the other hand makes complete sense. Here's why:

Firearms are easier to value and sell as compared to, say gold. I have yet to ever sell gold to a random person but have bought, sold, and traded firearms with people many times in the past.
I can shoot exactly two firearms at a time. So even if I stockpile a couple hundred firearms, I will only be able to shoot two at a time. With the spouse, that would make four. The other 180 firearms will be just sitting there doing nothing. Might as well make them usable...by holding them as hard assets that could be used to provide for the things I need via bartering or selling.
The possibility of total societal collapse where I would use my firearms as barterable/saleable items is about 2%. The possibility of personal collapse (extended illness, extended job loss, divorce that leaves me with nothing, etc) where I would use my firearms as barterable/saleable items is about 98%. It is the 98% that I mostly prepare for.
Should the 2% happen and societal collapse is upon us, I would still be able to decide who to sell/barter my firearms too. It's at that point that I would hope to be living in a community/with people as a "tribe" so to speak who would (most likely) be people who I could trade/barter my firearms with and who would be unlikely to use them against me.

Of course there is always a downside to stockpiling firearms, namely the need to maintain them, secure them, etc. but in the grand scheme of things, I would much rather put my money into usable assets such as firearms, food, tools, etc. than into, say, a pile of US bonds which may eventually be worth less than the paper they are printed on.

Get and Use Your Ham Radio License, by Mrs. R.L.B.

2012-01-09T11:54:00.002-07:00

Image by Joshua Fuller via Flickr

Original Article

from SurvivalBlog.com by James Wesley, Rawles

Just because there is a sewing machine in my house doesn’t mean I think any of my family members can sit down and sew a dress. The same goes with your ham radio. If you are one of those folks who bought one for when the SHTF thinking you will be able to just set it up and use it, you might be unpleasantly surprised. Why not make sure you have a ham radio license and become proficient with your radio? It’s probably a good idea to dust it off anyway and make sure it is still working. Some have internal RAM chips that die after so many years (ICOM 745 and 751A) and should be upgraded internally.

There are many good reasons to get your ham radio license now for the practice and camaraderie you can enjoy now before the SHTF. As a ham radio operator, I have had a lot to learn even after getting the license, including which equipment to acquire and radio and antennae set up.   Despite fears of losing OPSEC, there are ways to manage location issues and I think the benefits of practice now far outweigh OPSEC risks.

Getting the technician license is not “technically” difficult. For all levels of ham licenses, the technician, general and extra, ham radio stores like HRO (ham radio outlet) have study guides with the questions and the answers in the back. When taking the test, it will be the same questions from the same question pool. You can Google your local ham radio clubs to find a point of contact on the exams. Usually there is a small fee (about $5) for the exam. After you pass, the examiner will send your application to the FCC and a few days later your license comes. The license is good for 10 years, regardless of if you upgrade before then, and you simply get online to renew it.

The technician license allows you to use the 2 meters and higher frequencies found on repeaters everywhere. Hook up a mobile radio in your car or truck and you are in business. Your local store or club will most likely know someone who can do an installation if you are uncomfortable installing one in your car. The radios for use at technician level will give you some range locally, but some repeaters are linked together on a system and will give you an extended range. For instance, in California there are groups of connected repeaters so when a net is held, you can hear people from the Los Angeles area down in San Diego. A net, by the way, is when one person acts as a control operator and ham operators check in from all over the area and say hi, give news, and also can advertise ham equipment for sale.

The next level up is a General Ham license. This is the level I have and recommend as a minimum to serious preppers. Now you can broadcast worldwide and with that comes the practice of setting up some serious antennas, measuring SWR (standing wave ratio) and other important skills for being able to operate a radio. While Morse code is no longer a required skill for attaining this level, it’s something I’ve chosen to learn and practice. It adds a layer of privacy. By FCC rules, we cannot not legally conceal the meaning of a message. But having a little Morse code under your belt when no one else is required to learn it helps reduce who will understand it. Having said that, be mindful that there are plenty of old timers out there who still know Morse code. Enough said.

Going the next step to get an Extra Ham license does give you more frequency privileges. Trust me, studying up for this exam is tough. You may not need this level for prepping and knowing how to set up your equipment, but you can decide for yourself after you’ve attained the General level. There are plenty of ham radio books to supplement what you might need to know, including books on basic electronics.

So let’s talk equipment: There are several sites on the internet to buy a used radio if you are on a budget. I am hesitant to recommend buying a radio on EBay unless you carefully check seller feedback and/or are doing it for spare parts. Some sites for used equipment are www.eham.net or http://swap.qth.com/. Also check the web site www.qrz.com/. Do your research. But I think the best source of used equipment is through the contacts you make in a ham radio club or on a net.   You are more likely to get good reliable equipment or good information on equipment because after the sale you are still in contact with that other operator, and they know they will hear from you if something goes wrong. I was able to get a wonderful ICOM set through another ham, because he knew an older ham whose health was failing and needed to sell the equipment. I saved big bucks, and the gentleman got the money he needed. Equipment also gets sold when a ham operator passes away (called a “silent key”) and family members don’t know what to do with the equipment. I have seen ads for large radio towers that are free, but someone has to disassemble and move it. As some of the towers are huge and weigh a few thousand pounds, it’s not always an easy thing to do. Many hams have extra equipment that they’d like to sell as they upgrade to other radios, and the older equipment is still very viable I recommend to anyone who is looking to buy used equipment to do their research and talk to other hams. Find a mentor or an “Elmer” as we call them. I have an Elmer and he has been superb! He got me into a club and on a net, and I plan to branch out a little more in the future. The club and net are an invaluable source of information.

I have also bought some new equipment through the local ham radio store. It’s nice to go in, learn about the options and see the equipment. I get help with my purchases if I come back with questions about set up. I have found that Yaesu radios are a little harder than ICOM radios to “understand” their set up, and it’s not because I’m blonde. They also sell computer software on the side for programming Yaesu’s. Supposedly that’s easier. Glad I am not learning how to do this in TEOWAWKI.

For an antenna, the simplest one to install is a dipole. Simply running an elevated wire horizontal to the ground, a length depending on a wavelength ratio, with a feedline is the cheapest way to go. But there are so many other types of antennas, there may be one that is better suited to your situation. A Yagi, or directional antenna can assist you on tuning in to a more distant frequency. There are a variety of portable antennas available as well, and many hams pack up and travel to distant locations for the fun of working remotely from places. There are specialized antennas for vehicles. ARRL has a an entire book devoted to just antennas.

You may want to consider starting with hand held radios, UHF/VHF. If you get your General license, you can get hand held radios with upper HF range. Remember, the lower the frequency the greater the range as a general rule. Repeaters add to the UHF/VHF range, but are less private than using simplex frequencies. I have a hand held that goes to 6 meters, the range is better and there are some 6 and 10 meter repeaters out there, too, just not as many. I have used my hand held in one of my cars with a larger antenna outside the car, and when I am not in the car, I screw on a smaller antenna for walking around. Some hand-helds as well as “desk style” ham radios transmit data as well. There are so many applications in ham radio and so many ways to configure for your personal preferences.   If the internet goes down, you can still transmit a message! It can get expensive, so do your research as you go into this to be sure how you would best see yourself using a radio to get your needs met. This is where a good Elmer can really help.

Other skills picked up from ham radio like soldering and understanding electronic theory has come in handy when repairing other household items. Like many things in my life, the skills learned in one application have come in handy in other applications.

Encourage your family members to get their licenses as well, and make Christmas and birthday presents of ham equipment where you can. Practice with those family members just as you would try to reach them in TEOTWAWKI. This will help you know what frequencies work best for that distance, solar conditions, time of day, etc. Yes, it all changes! Isn’t this a better time to find out how to use your radio like a pro rather than when you really need it?

Being part of the recent San Diego blackout, I can tell you it was hard to get through on the cell phones, but I got on my VHF radio and could communicate. (Yes, I’m moving out of Southern California!)   On the local repeater I was able to hear why we had a blackout, how extensive it was and what was happening on the roads.   My neighbors knew none of this, as even the local radio stations went down for awhile.   I heard one gentleman with medical problems asking for help because he needed electricity for his medical device. The emergency net was hard at work getting emergency care to him. Wouldn’t this be a great option to have for your family?

After the blackout, one of the tasks I took to heart was identifying several repeaters that were annotated in a repeater directory as having emergency backup power. I made a comprehensive list and passed it to family members. Yes, emergency power may be time limited, but it’s a few extra hours of communication with family that may make all the difference in a bad situation. A repeater directory can tell you what repeaters may be most helpful. Again, practicing with the repeaters is important. I have dialed in many a repeater to learn that no one else appeared to be using it, it was inoperable or that it had incorrect tone information. Glad I know now. Also learning which repeaters are physically accessible to your location is important, for instance, if you are in a valley or dip, you may not be able to hit it.

A bit about OPSEC: when you put down an address on your licensing application, it is one more thing that becomes public record. If you are worried about future uses of that personal information, (i.e. equipment confiscation) then using a different address than your retreat address may be something to consider. [JWR Adds: Consider any mention of your callsign in any public venue essentially the same as giving someone your street address, since all licensee addresses are available in a matter of a few moments, by visiting QRZ.com. And if you have an unusual surname, you can have your address found there, as well.] The address has to be [a physical] one the post office can deliver to. Also you can plan to take an exam in a different region as call signs are assigned based on regional areas. If someone really does want to find your radio, they can do so using DF (direction finding) equipment. You can make this more difficult for locating by limiting the time on the radio, having preset times and frequencies planned ahead for when you feel you might be at risk of this. Knowing the distance your signal has to cover, and using appropriate bands now will better your chance at effective, concise communications when you really need them. Another thought on OPSEC with regard to your radio, some come with features that allow another user to display location.    This feature is called APRS, for Automatic Position Reporting System.   Depending on your situation, it could be an asset or a liability. I choose to avoid this feature. Also consider how you buy your radio: is there a record of the purchase? Some stores track who the radio is sold to and of course there’s a record with a credit card purchase. New equipment means there is a warranty registration, etc. Here is where buying a used radio can be a real advantage.

There are many roles that ham operators can play in disaster preparedness, whether it’s just for your family or operating in a disaster scenario on a larger scale. It’s a personal choice. The main point I hope to drive home to you is that it is not a simple thing to just set up a radio and antennae and operate it. Like many of the skills we practice now for survival tomorrow, it must be exercised, practiced and learned. When you need to reach family and agree it’s time to get out of Dodge, you will want to be able to hear them answer you back. 73 to all.

What Would You Say To These Questions?

2012-01-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Patriots Against The NWO by Pete Smith

What is better to store Food or Gold and silver?

What is better to have Guns and ammo or Pepper spray?

Is it better to Bug out or Stay in place in a city or town?

Will you share your preps with unprepared people?

Do you tell people about your preps? And if you do tell them, do these people know where you live?

What would you do if the people you told about your preps show up to take or steal your stuff will you have the heart or girth to stop them from taking your stuff? Would you be able to shoot or kill friends?

Could you turn away a mother with a baby and no food or water?

If you would help the mother with the baby, what would you do if more and more show up to your home? When would you say, "no I can't help"?

Who do you prep for?

Who are you trying to save or keep alive after the collapse?

Some of the questions have been asked of me from co-workers and friends and some of the questions I just came up with. Post a comment and tell me what you think and how would you answer the questions.

Tex Mex Millet

2012-01-07T20:06:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from feed/http://myfoodstoragecookbook.com/feed/ by myfoodstoragecookbook

Millet is a great grain to store! It can be popped, or as in this recipe, treated like rice and cooked. Gluten free and high in amino acids, it’s has the highest iron content of all grains besides amaranth and quinoa. It’s very mild and easy to digest and recommended by doctors for people with ulcers or other digestive problems.

Good stuff for sure!

This recipe using millet is one that I’ve made and shared at food storage tasting tables before and has always gotten a lot of praise. I originally found it posted online, adjusting it a little to be a food storage recipe, and discovered it was a keeper. Later, I found out that the recipe I’d found had come from the cookbook “Veginomicon“, a popular vegan cookbook I’d recommend checking out. I really like this cookbook but unfortunately with my son’s bean allergy there’s not a lot I can use from it since a majority of recipes involve beans. Check it out though if you’re trying to find a good way to use beans!

You can make this side dish into a meal by adding some homemade tortillas (find my favorite recipe right here) and any toppings you like. Enjoy!
Prep time: 5-10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 – 2 TBS oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup millet
1/2 cup freeze dried onion flakes
1/4 cup water
1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken or vegetable broth
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander (optional)

Instructions:
Rehydrate the onion using 1/4 cup of water. Heat the oil and garlic powder in a medium sized pan over medium heat. Add the rehydrated onion, diced green chilies and finally the millet and stir together. Allow millet to saute 4-6 minutes (if you use 2 TBS of oil the millet will turn lightly golden, 1 TBS it will not). Pour in the broth, add half of the can of tomato paste along with the salt, cumin and coriander.

Bring the mixture to a boil, stir once, and cover. Lower the heat to low and cook for 25-30 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.

Remove from the heat and allow to sit, covered for 10 minutes, then fluff the millet with a fork. Serve.
Rehydrate onion, heat oil and garlic powder.

At our house everyone fixes their soft tacos separately. On mine I like adding black beans, tomatoes and olives.

Yum!

Survival Fitness: What's Your New Year's Resolution?

2012-01-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Original Article

from Bug-Out Survival by Scott B. Williams

This is the time of year when lots of people make New Year's resolutions, and many of those resolutions involve commitments to get back in shape. A lot of those thoughts are fueled by guilty feelings brought on by eating rich holiday foods in excess, as well as general increased levels of depression from being stuck inside a lot more during the winter months. Unfortunately, most people don't stick to their New Year's resolutions any more than they do most fitness goals they may set at other times of the year.

The reason is that most people see getting back in shape as a temporary problem that they think they can solve in a few weeks. When it doesn't happen, they just give up and go back to their old ways, quickly undoing any fitness gains they may have made. To be successful at long-term fitness, you must change your way of thinking about it and make it a permanent part of your lifestyle. This doesn't mean you have to join an expensive gym and go work out with a bunch of sweaty strangers in public, but you've got to make a conscious effort to get regular exercise and eat sensibly if you expect lasting benefits.

I've written about this before, but when it comes to survival preparedness, nothing you can buy in the way of gear or equipment can make as much difference in your odds of getting through a disaster as having the proper mindset and the physical conditioning to deal with adversity. Many people don't want to hear that, as it is easier to purchase a bunch of stuff than to actually get outdoors and subject themselves to rigorous camping trips, hikes, bike rides or survival skills training exercises. But the more challenges you put yourself through physically, the more confidence you will gain in your abilities, and it is that confidence that gives you the mindset you need.

We live in a time when everyday life is easier than it has ever been, in terms of physical effort needed to accomplish necessary tasks. For many people, seeking comfort is a primary goal and they have become so accustomed to always experiencing comfortable temperatures, safe and secure living and working environments and a limitless supply of infinitely varied food and drink that they would go to pieces if these things were taken away.

Rigorous exercise is one way to quickly snap your body out of the comfort zone. By stressing your muscles and aerobic capacity you can gradually condition yourself to become comfortable with increasing levels of activity to the point where you will actually begin to enjoy it and want to push harder. The key to this enjoyment though is to find exercise activities that you actually like doing. For me, hiking, paddling a canoe or kayak or riding a bicycle are all things I look forward to. I may not get as much enjoyment out of the dumbbell workout routine I do three times per week, but by keeping it sensible and limiting the amount of time it takes to complete it, it's been easy to stick with it. I've also been involved in the martial arts since my early teens, and while I'm not actively practicing Kenpo in a school these days, I still do a daily stretching routine first thing in the morning and often go through forms, techniques and basics to maintain at least some of my ability.

This year one of my main fitness goals is to increase my weekly mileage on my road bike and participate in several century (100-mile) rides. I've found that long-distance bike riding is one of the most enjoyable aerobic workouts for me, and I like it much better than running, which seems like drudgery. If I can get in a decent ride a few times per week I feel a whole lot better, have much more energy and can eat just about anything I want without worry. If I had the time to do it, I would prefer to spend my days canoeing or kayaking or back country hiking in some stunning mountain wilderness, but that's just not feasible nearly as often as a one or two hour bike ride. I'm fortunate to live in an area where I have many miles of quiet country roads with little traffic, good hills and smooth pavement right outside my door.

With two major book projects to complete in the next few months, I'm forced to spend a lot of time sitting in a chair with a keyboard in front of me as are many people in this strange lifestyle our modern technology has enabled. For me, it's essential to take frequent activity breaks and use other parts of my body besides my fingers. Fitness has to be more than a New Year's resolution. It has to be a lifestyle, especially as you get older, if you want to continue doing the things that were effortless in your teens and twenties.

A lifestyle of fitness is also essential you are to have any hope of surviving the kind of major upheaval many preppers are concerned about. If you're reading survival blogs such as this one, you've probably at least given some thought to scenarios that could snap you out of a high-tech life of ease in a heartbeat. If so, what are you doing to keep your mind and body prepared to deal with it? Have you made a New Year's resolution to get back in shape? If so, will you give up on it by February or March, or are you ready to go beyond temporary resolutions you can't keep and change your lifestyle permanently?

Get Tools. Get Skills.

2012-01-06T17:26:00.002-07:00

Worries?

2012-01-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

Daily Survival

Creating A Battery Bank For Emergency Power Storage

Think Ahead

What is food Poisoning?

When to Seek Medical Care

It Won’t Be Mad-Max, But It Will Be Mad

Preparing For The Next Bank Run

10 Best Survival Movie Lessons

1. The Road (2009) 111 min, R

2. The Book of Eli (2010) 118 min, R

3. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) 124 min, PG-13

4. The War of the Worlds (2005) 116 min, PG-13

5. Zombieland (2009) 88 min, R

6. Dawn of the Dead (2004) 101 min, R

7. I Am Legend (2007) 101 min, PG-13

8. 28 Days Later (2002) 113 min, R

9. The Walking Dead (2010) TV Series – Season 1, Mature

10. The Postman (1997) 177 min, R

Building a Sustainable Armory - Air Rifles

Cloudy With a Chance of Contagion: Forecasting Station Set Up to Monitor Epidemics and Infectious Diseases

Related Reading:

Baking Soda: Another Wonder Substance

1. Multipurpose Cleaner

2. Fire Extinguisher

3. Add to your soak water when preparing dried beans

4. Get rid of the gamey flavor of wild meats

5. General Purpose Deodorizer

6. Repel Crawling Insects

7. Replace Baking Powder

8. Cure an Acidic Stomach

9. Treat Bites, Stings, Sunburns, and Rashes

10. Treat Canker Sores

11. Remove Cradle Cap

12. Take a Sponge Bath

13. Clear the Drain

14. Flu Preventative and Treatment.

Related posts

Quick One – Homemade Glue

Hide Glue

Fish Glue

Survival Skills for Barter

Audio Podcast Episode-819- Billy Joel’s Allentown – History Lesson, Prophecy or Both

Avoiding a Survival Crisis - The Importance of Routine Maintenance

Stealth vs. Open Defense in a TEOTWAWKI Scenario

Food Storage Demystified

1.Food Storage and Oxygen Absorbers: What size of oxygen absorbers should I use in a 1 gallon bag? 5 gallon bags?

2. Re-packaging Food: Do you have to re-package food items in mylar bags or can you just throw them in a 5-gallon storage bucket with some oxygen absorbers?

3. Oxygen absorbers and desiccants: What’s the difference?

4. Flour vs. wheat storage: Which is better to store for long-term?

5. Are there any wheat free options for long-term food storage?

6. Why is everyone telling me that I need to store all this wheat?

7. Are there alternatives to using oxygen absorbers?

8. How do you keep bugs from getting into your food supply?

Related Reading:

KEEP FOOD COOL IN SUMMER

The 5 Most Common Dental Emergencies

Related Reading:

Oatmeal Hard Tack

Related articles

Yes, Stockpiling Firearms for Future Bartering/Selling Is a Good Idea

Get and Use Your Ham Radio License, by Mrs. R.L.B.

What Would You Say To These Questions?

Tex Mex Millet

Survival Fitness: What's Your New Year's Resolution?

Get Tools. Get Skills.

Worries?