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How To Reinforce An Entry Door

2009-10-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Author: MathiasJ
Website: Kentucky Preppers Network

Your home is something that needs to be secure and safe. One of the most important factors in the security of your home is the strength of the entry doors. Burglars who break into homes look for the quickest and easiest way. Most doors can be kicked down with 3 kicks, and in 3 - 5 minutes the criminal is in and out. If a criminal is unable to take down the door with 3 kicks they will usually move onto the next house. With the average police response time at 20 minutes, it's important to make sure your doors are secure.

Whether in a bug in situation or just wanting to keep criminals out it's important to secure your doors. For starters, entry doors need to be solid wood or metal doors with little to no glass and feature a quality deadbolt. Glass might be pretty and decorative but it does nothing for your security. Glass is easily broken and can allow a criminal to get right in. The door frame itself is something that needs to be closely inspected. Most contractors skimp when it comes to securing the door frame to the wall and this can be a critical weak point in the door. The deadbolt might hold but if the frame doesn't hold it comes down just as easy. If you don't think the contractor used enough screws, get some 3 inch wood screws and add them all around the frame.

A beefed up striker plate should also be added along with 3 inch wood screws. Most stock hardware comes with weak 1 inch screws. Replace these with 3 inch wood screws that go all the way into the wall framing. Do the same for the hinges. Replace all the stock screws on the hinges with 3 inch wood screws for added strength. Additionally a door lock guard and striker plate guard can also be purchased to further reinforce the lock from coming out of the door itself and keeping the deadbolt inside the door frame.

A reinforced entry door isn't going to hold up to a battering ram, but could buy you some time and allow you and your family to get to a safe room and get yourself armed. These are some simple and cheap tips that can be used on any door at all entry points of the house. Protecting your home and family should be the number one priority and making sure the doors are secure is the first step in securing their safety.

For more information check out the following videos:

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INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Store What You Eat

2009-07-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Hard-core survivalists could probably get by long-term on a diet of rice and beans, but I know my family would revolt after a day! In an emergency situation, your family will be stressed out enough without, suddenly, being subjected to strange, unknown foods. Comfort foods are called, “comfort foods” for a reason!

My own kids are at their most stubborn when I try to get them to eat something “weird.” Now is the time to begin moving your family’s tastebuds toward what is in your long-term food storage.

Here are a few tips to help guide your family toward eating what you have stored.

* Continue stocking up on what your family already eats and enjoys.
* Add basics, such as beans, rice, and wheat in bulk.
* Research new recipes using these bulk ingredients, and introduce a new recipe every week or two.
* Focus on vegetarian recipes, since meat may become very expensive and/or scarce.
* Keep only the recipes that receive a high approval rating!

As time goes on, your family’s appetites will broaden to include meals using the staples you have purchased in bulk, and so will your recipe repertoire. You’ll have a great Survival Recipe Book for now and into the future.

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Ask The Survival Mom: Hunker Down vs. Bug Out?

2009-07-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Reader DJF read “Organize to Evacuate“, which you can read here, and had this to say.

Good work and great page!

I would like to mention one thing, though. I’ve heard a lot of folks going with the “bug out” idea. Now, if you had a week’s warning that something was happening, it might make sense. So it doesn’t hurt to be prepared BUT!! In general, I think the “bug out” option is not very viable.

First, there will be ten thousand other folks trying to do the same thing. The roads will most likely be impassable.

Second, in the event of empty supermarket shelves or stuff like that, you would be putting your life at risk by traveling, even if well armed.

Third, I think you would be far better off IMMEDIATELY organizing with your neighbors to set up guard watches and divisions of responsibility.

Just my thoughts.

So, which is it? Do you hunker down in an emergency or bug out?

The Survival Mom:

DJF, actually, I agree with you. I’ve heard it said that once the authorities give the word to evacuate, it’s already too late. In other words, you should get out when your own eyes and ears tell you it’s time and not rely on an official directive. Your assessment of road conditions in an evacuation is right on.

Once you leave your home, even if you’re well-armed, you’ve just become another refugee. You are highly vulnerable until you reach your destination. I don’t like that option, but in many cases, there’s no other choice. In the case of natural disasters, for example, potential or actual structural damage to your home and the surrounding areas may require bugging out as the only safe option.

Hunkering down has its’ own pros and cons. It really depends on what type of crisis you’re experiencing or expecting. By staying put, you’re gambling that you will be ABLE to get out later, if need be. In a martial law scenario, you may be prevented from leaving. Also, if the crisis continues long-term, supplies will run low for everyone. You may end up at the mercy of government officials handing out boxes of food and bags of ice, if that. Could be a horrific scenario.

On the other hand, at home you’re in familiar surroundings with neighbors who, hopefully, will be willing to join with you in sharing resources and protecting property. All your stored gear and food will be in one place. You know the neighborhood, the businesses and all the routes to and from. If you have kids, remaining in their own home will almost surely be less traumatic.

A final thought. Consider the home itself. Is it defensible? What is the construction like? If you stay put, can you be sure of a long-term clean water source? Do you have neighbors you can count on or will they be part of the problem? The room I’m sitting in right now has five large windows on three walls. It’s a nice feature, unless you’re concerned about armed groups of zombies roaming neighborhoods in search of food! Critique your own home, and if hunkering down is your first choice, take steps now to “harden” your home against both natural disasters common in your part of the country as well as the criminal element.

Ultimately, our most important survival tool is our brain. If you prepare for both hunkering down and staying put, you’ll be ready for whatever the future brings.

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INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Survival-Savvy Kids Literature

2009-07-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Are your kids wondering why, all of a sudden, they’re seeing buckets of wheat around the house, and Mom is reading up on how to can meat? Our kids are already hearing about job losses, families losing their homes, and it’s no wonder that many of them are pretty anxious about current events.

A great way to talk with them about your own plans for being prepared for hard times is to read together, books like Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain.

The Sign of the Beaver is one of my family’s favorites about a boy left on his own in Indian country. Your kids will be impressed with his ingenuity.

These books, along with many others, illustrate people working to be self-sufficient and prepared for the future. Summertime is a great time to spend reading together. Why not choose a book that illustrates your own values and goals and learn together?

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INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Gymboree Blankets! Who Knew??

2009-07-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Many years ago I bought two Gymboree baby blankets for each of my children. We keep them rolled up and stored beneath the back seat of the Tahoe. My kids are now much older, but these blankets are still indispensable!

They are super soft 100% cotton, about 30″x40″, reversible, very soft, and machine washable. Since they’re reversible, you only need to wash them when both sides are stained!

We’ve used them as changing pads, sunscreens on the car windows, picnic/beach blankets and much more. They make great privacy screens when kids are changing clothes or using the portable potty chair, and we’ve used ours more than once to mop up spills. Wet one corner down, it’s a washcloth! Use the rest of the blanket as a towel! For adults they’re great lap blankets, not too heavy, not too light.

They run about $20 on the Gymboree website, and you can find retired patterns on eBay as well. There are hundreds of designs to choose from, so have fun shopping!

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4 Super-Cheap Prepping Resources

2009-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Our family is simultaneously trying to become debt-free, save as much money as we can, have at least six months of food on hand, and take care of some badly needed DIY home projects. Believe me, I need every cheap resource I can possibly find to help me toward my prepping goals! The four cheapest resources I have found are all available to you, too!

1. Garage and Estate Sales

Been there, done that? Aren’t thrilled about buying other people’s junk? When you’re prepping, your shopping will have a focus, and I think you’ll find these sales a useful resource. Keep a list of items still needed for your 72 Hour Kit or general preparedness. This list will help you visit more garage and estate sales in less time because usually, with a quick glance, you can tell if a sale has what you need.

Even better, use online garage sale locators. Google “local garage sales” or something similar. You’ll be surprised at what pops up! Often, these sites will list items at the sale, and this can help you choose which sales to visit. You can also find estate sales in your area here. I prefer estate sales since everything in the house will be sold, down to half used bottles of Windex. Here are a few things I’ve been looking for:

* tools — I don’t want to count on, “Made in China” if we’re ever truly in a bind. Tools made decades ago will be high quality with lots of years still left in them.
* backpacks, gym bags — I need two more backpacks for our personal 72 Hour Kits and miscellaneous gym-size bags are great for holding all kinds of gear to take camping.
* camping equipment — we have a tent but nothing else. My husband is hardly Grizzly Adams! I would especially like an outdoor cook stove.

Remember, once you know what you want, the search goes much more quickly!

Oh! BONUS TIP! Retirement communities often run their garage sales Thursday through Saturday.. You can get a jump on all the other bargain hunters by heading to these neighborhoods early on Thursday mornings!

2. Freecycle.org

Freecycle is exactly what it sounds like. Recyling things you own by giving them away for free. Once you’ve signed up with a Freecycle email group in your area, you’ll begin receiving regular notices from other members with offers of free “stuff”.

I’ve seen some great items offered on Freecycle that would help out any prepper. Watch for glass canning jars, camping equipment, water barrels, dog crates, and so much more. Usually what is offered is mentioned in the email’s subject line so you can scan through them quickly. Remember to offer things hanging around your house or garage that you no longer want or need!

3. Dollar Stores

Don’t forget to visit your local dollar store! Apparently, dollar stores are becoming quite trendy. Who would have guessed?

I took a stroll through one near my home last weekend, and here are some of the best bargains I found.

* binders starting at just $2
* a package of 8 small memo books for $2. These are great for keeping in your car, your 72 Hour Kits and your purse.
* vinyl shower curtain, $2 Multiple uses for this including a ground cover and a quickie tent.
* can opener, $1.25
* chess game, $4. Would be useful in providing entertainment during a crisis.
* triple antibiotic cream, $2.30, along with a good variety of other pharmaceuticals
* large bottles of spices for $1
* a can of Quick Flat Fix, $3
* a 6-pack of Top Ramen, $1.10

Not everything is a great bargain, but you won’t know that unless you’re paying attention to prices at regular retail stores. Would you believe, I didn’t think my town even had dollar stores until I checked out these websites. What a find!

* Dollar Tree
* Family Dollar
* Big Lots!

4. Friends, Relatives, Neighbors, Casual Acquaintances…

You get the idea! Every one of us has stuff around the house, in the attic, out in the garage, in a storage unit, etc., etc. that we’ll never use again, and so do your friends, relatives, neighbors, and so on. When you get to the end of your prepping list, and you still have items you need, why not ask around?

Consider a casual barter agreement to get what you want, such as a few hours babysitting in exchange for a tent or a set of sleeping bags. Here’s a great article on the age-old practice of bartering.

We don’t know when an emergency will happen, and it just makes sense to get your preparations in order as quickly as you can. If you’re like me, your don’t have an infinite amount of money to prepare for everything, perfectly, all at once. I decided to jump in and do what I can, when I can, and I’ve been pretty impressed with how quickly my prepping has come together with these four money-savers!

Check out these four cheap resources and see if your dollar doesn’t go a whole lot farther! Soon, you’ll be ready for just about anything!

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Instant Survival Tip: Grab-n-Go Updates

2009-07-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Two of my readers offered excellent tips for the Grab-and-Go Binder. Squantos suggests having more than one copy of the Binder. Keep one copy in a home safe or fireproof lock box. To keep it waterproof, double-bag it in two Zip-Loc style bags or use a SEAL bag for safekeeping.

A second copy of your binder should be kept in a safe deposit box in a location at least 50 miles from your home. I think this is a great idea if you find yourself unable to return home to get your hard copy. Additionally, consider electronic storage of your information on something like a USB Fob (can keep it on a keychain or hang around your neck, example here), a mini disk or other storage device. Thanks, Squantos!

Reader Apple Pan Dowdy reminded me of the need for good maps! I can’t tell you how many times we have been halfway to Disneyland only to realize we don’t have any road maps and we have to guess our way there. Maps are vital to a safe evacuation, and I have much to tell you on the topic, but for now have a good road map of your state and the surrounding states. That would be a very good start.

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Organize To Evacuate

2009-07-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

“All for one and one for all!” makes a great family motto when it comes to an emergency evacuation. When everyone has designated jobs and knows what, exactly, to do, your family can be packed and out of town before most other families grab their toothbrushes. To make this happen and avoid panic, chaos, and tears, your family needs a Family Evacuation Plan.

When I first started thinking about the possibility of evacuating from our home, I visualized sheer panic. Immediately, I realized that I needed a written list of procedures posted in two or three locations.

First, I want all our pets contained. I don’t need them underfoot as I rush around, and my daughter would become hysterical if she thought they would be left behind. First on my list is to load the dog crate in the Tahoe and then put each dog inside. We have four small dogs, so they all fit, in a cozy sort of way!

Next on the list is to crate the cat and put her in the Tahoe as well. I can’t tell you how much easier this is said than done! In fact, this summer we’ll be having regularly scheduled cat-in-the-crate drills! I expect to go through plenty of Band-Aids. By the way, I have delegated the job of loading the pets to my daughter. They love and trust her, and this will free me to get busy with other details.

Next, we’ll begin loading necessities. If the concept of a 72 Hour Kit, or a Bug-Out Bag, is new to you, you can find details here and here. It feels so reassuring to know that I have basic supplies already packed. In fact, I keep a well-stocked 72 Hour Kit out in the Tahoe for emergencies when we’re on the road.

As I put our evacuation plan together, the steps seemed to fall into five main categories.

1. Animals and their supplies
2. Food, water, and other personal necessities
3. Preparing the house
4. Documents/Computer
5. Vehicle

Here is my finished Family Evacuation Plan, along with a few comments.

Animals and their supplies

* Put dog crate into car, crate dogs. (I have their collars, leashes, and a water bowl already stored in the crate, along with some dog food double-bagged in two large Zip-Locs. Ants love dog food!)
* Put cat into crate. Keep her away from the dogs!! Pack small bag of kitty litter and her food.

Food, water, and personal necessities

* Load 72 Hour Kits and personal 72 Hour Backpacks.
* Load our strong box. (This contains originals of things like Social Security cards and birth certificates.)
* Load our firearms and ammunition. (Guns are one of the first things burglars look for. I don’t want them getting into the wrong hands, and who knows? In a worst case scenario, we may need them for protection.)
* Cash. I usually keep this in twenties or smaller. (In case of a widespread electrical outage, ATMs and credit/debit card machines may not be working. I want to be sure we can pay for hotels, gas and food.)
* Load the five-gallon bucket with plastic liners. (This also holds a couple of small blankets and extra shoes, but in an emergency, it can be used as a toilet. I’ve read accounts of the Hurricane Ike evacuation in 2008, and I don’t want my family using the side of the road as a toilet. Enough said.)
* Pack my Grab-and-Go Binder and my Survival Mom Binder. (The Grab-and-Go is detailed here. I’ll have details on the Survival Mom Binder in an upcoming article.)
* Load additional food and water, as much as we have room for. (I keep our freeze-dried food separate from everything else, and this is what we’ll pack first. It’s light-weight, and a little goes a long way. It was also pretty darn expensive!!)

Preparing the House

* Turn off gas and water.
* Go out to electrical panel and switch off everything except for the breakers marked for the kitchen.
* Unplug everything in the house except refrigerator, freezer and a lamp. (The lamp is already on a timer. We’ll plug it into an outlet in the kitchen. Even if our entire neighborhood is evacuated, I would just rather my home look occupied.)
* Turn off and unplug the computers.
* Close and lock all windows. Close blinds and curtains.
* Turn off air conditioner/heat.

Documents/Computer

* Use a flash drive to save important business and financial information from our desktop computer. Pack flash drive with laptop.
* Pack our laptop computer.
* Turn off desktop computers.

Vehicle

* load extra gas cans

Depending on how much time we have and how much room is left in the Tahoe, we’ll also pack extra clothing. There’s a change of clothes or two in our 72 Hour Kits, but if we are gone for days or weeks, we’ll need more. We can pack these in large plastic trash bags. Ugly, but they’re not as bulky as suitcases. Hey, they could double as raincoats in an emergency!

When our plan was finished, I discussed each step with my husband, and we delegated each task to a different family member. In a crisis situation, assigned tasks will help defuse feelings of panic and confusion. It’s more difficult to become hysterical when you have something to focus on. Not impossible! Just more difficult!

I’m very aware that an emergency evacuation may happen while my husband is not at home, so I’ve made sure that I know how to turn off the gas, water and electricity in case it’s just the kids and me.

There’s one step missing. Will this really work? How much time will it take, and will there be any room for passengers in the Tahoe once it’s loaded?? Obviously, we need an evacuation drill. Sounds like a great summertime family activity to me!

“Hey kids! Let’s pretend there’s a mountain of red hot lava rushing toward us, and we have to be out of the house in thirty minutes. Everybody know their jobs? Okay! Ready…..GO!!!”

When we have our first drill, I’ll let you know how it goes! In the meantime, I encourage you to make your own personalized Family Evacuation Plan. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and the like, you already know a thing or two about bugging out in a hurry. Share your experiences and tips on this blog.
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Bugging Out / Evacuating

2009-07-13T15:29:00.001-07:00

A Prepping Essential: The Grab-n-Go Binder
Ask The Survival Mom: Hunker Down vs. Bug Out?
Bug Out Bag / Get Home Bag
Bug Out Survival, Bug Out Bags, & Survival Kits
Car Emergency Kit
Get Home Bag / Summer Edition
Instant Survival Tip: Grab-n-Go updates
Most Overlooked Prep - First Aid Kit
Organize To Evacuate

Instant Survival Tip: Busy Children are Happy Children!

2009-07-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

The kids have been out of school for what, a day and a half and already they’re whining about being bored? Busy hands and minds are less likely to get into trouble, so why not teach them two or three practical, lifetime skills?

Fishing, sewing, orienteering and knitting are examples of fun, real-life skills whose inherent value are more satisfying than a high score in a video game.

Skillful people will always be in demand, even in difficult economic times.

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Entertainment and Keeping Busy

2009-07-13T15:09:00.001-07:00

What does entertainment have to do with survival? A lot! Along with disaster comes many emotions such as; grief, despair, hopelessness, and even boredom. Keeping your mind occupied is essential to survival when all hope seems lost. Everyone must maintain a "Can Do" attitude and stay busy when overwhelmed with these emotions. These articles will help with that.

Instant Survival Tip: Busy Children are Happy Children
Instant Survival Tip: Survival-Savvy Kids Literature

Instant Survival Tip: Beans, Spam, and Corn, Oh My!

2009-07-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

If you’re well on your way to your food storage goals, search the internet for simple recipes using those food items. Print out the most promising recipes and begin your own Survival Mom Cookbook.

Trying to get fifty cans of Ranch Style Beans down your family will be a whole lot easier if you have a variety of ways to serve them! Here are a few sites to get you started.

Ranch Style Beans

Spam

Canned Corn

Canned Tomatoes

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A Prepping Essential: The Grab-n-Go Binder

2009-07-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

In a panic situation, which happens around my house quite often, actually, people lose their wits. The extra adrenaline produced by the human body at such a moment causes confusion and the sense of events happening in slow motion.

It can even cause some of the same symptoms as a heart attack.

Can you imagine the level of adrenaline in your body if you suddenly got news of a dangerous chemical spill in your area or of a wildfire that had taken an abrupt turn toward your neighborhood?

Officials tell you to evacuate now.

Where on earth do you start??

Being prepared beforehand will calm your nerves and give you focus. A Grab-and-Go Binder is a vital part of your Family Preparedness Plan, and is one of the first things you should put together. This binder will contain all of the most pertinent information in one place for any type emergency.

You can be at least one jump ahead of all that adrenaline because you’ll have your important documents all together in one place. It may take some time to gather all the records you need, but start now with what you have. In my opinion, “prepping” is no time to be a perfectionist. Do what you can, when you can, and you’ll be far more prepared than the average person.

For this project you’ll need a 1-2″ three-ring binder, a set of tabbed dividers, and a copy machine. A box of plastic page protectors will keep your documents clean and unwrinkled. Your binder will be unique to your family, but here are some suggestions to get you started.

Financial Documents:
1. copies of the fronts and backs of debit/credit cards
2. copies of house and car titles
3. copy of your will
4. names, addresses and phone numbers of all our banks
5. other important documents related to employment and/or a family business
6. copies of your insurance policies (life, health, auto, homeowners, etc.)

Personal Documents:
1. names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of relatives and close friends
2. include copies of:
* marriage license
* birth certificates
* drivers licenses
* CCW permits
* pet vaccine records
3. a list of firearm serial numbers
4. legal documents pertaining to child custody matters
5. recent photos of each family member and each pet
6. color photos of your house and each room in the house
7. photos of anything of particular value
8. passports — put them in a plastic page protector and seal the top with tape

Medical Documents:
1. copy of health insurance cards
2. a list of blood types for each family member
3. names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors
4. medical histories of each family member
5. immunization records

With your finished Grab-and-Go Binder, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your family can focus on a quick bug-out, without trying to retrieve important family records.

What’s in your Binder? I’d love to hear of anything unique to your family that you included!

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Define Your Disaster

2009-07-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

Author: The Survival Mom
TheSurvivalMom.com

Until several months ago, the most likely disasters in my life involved my nail tech quitting or my husband insisting on a homemade dinner! How times have changed. Now when I think of disasters, I’m thinking more along the lines of The End of Days scenarios with an unsettling feeling they could happen now, in my lifetime.

For which disaster, or disasters, should I prepare? These days of hard, uncertain times it’s a little like playing the odds. Hmmmmm, should I prepare for a nuclear attack? If so, I’ll need an enormous amount of sheet plastic, duct tape, and I read somewhere that you’re better protected if you have a few feet of earth piled up against your outside walls.

Wouldn’t our HOA love that?

Really, is my very first concern a nuclear attack? No! The odds are much better for a dramatic increase in crime and riots in certain parts of our city. Even better odds favor a deep decline in our incomes and possibly losing our home to foreclosure. It just makes sense to, first, define the most likely disasters, and then prepare for each as best you can.

Since the catastrophic event most likely to affect us is loss of income, that’s where my focus has been. Some time ago I turned our spare room into a pantry, and my goal has been to store at least six month’s worth of food. We may lose our home, but baby, when we slink out in the middle of the night, we’ll have full tummies! I’ve also fought hard to save every penny I can.

If we lived in an area prone to earthquakes, that would be near the top of my priorities. Urban dwellers may put personal and home protection at the top of their lists.

If you’ve been into the survival mode for a while, life changes over time and so will your concerns and priorities. It’s worth taking a second look, now, to see if your prepping needs adjusting.

Here are a few possible disasters to consider. Which ones are most likely to affect you?

* natural disasters — Mother Nature at her worst: wildfires, floods, earthquakes, drought, hurricanes, and more

*personal disasters — loss of job, decreased work hours, illness or injury affecting your ability to work, your mother-in-law moving in

*nuclear events — including, but not limited to, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse and actual mushroom clouds

*terrorist attacks — use your imagination. Terrorists certainly do!

*social unrest — riots, car-jackings, increased violent crimes of all types, prison escapes

* war of any kind

*biological catastrophe — spread of diseases/pandemics

*loss of your sense of humor ;o)

After thinking it over and talking with my husband, here is the list I wrote for our family.

1. loss of income
2. loss of home
3. an event of any kind that occurs while my family members are scattered at different locations around the city
4. violent crime against my children, my husband or myself
5. pandemic disease (The recent H1N1 has me a little concerned, still.)
6. decrease in water supply (We live in the desert.)
7. Electro-Magnetic Pulse (everything electronic gone in a moment, forever. Hello, 10,000 B.C.)

With some planning and prepping, you realize you have more control over how these events will affect your family than you might think. The key is to identify likely calamities and then take action.

What is Number One on your list? The first item will be whatever you believe is most likely to happen. Once you’ve made your own list, you can begin planning what to do to prepare for each one.

Simply taking this step puts you light years ahead of millions of people, and I believe it will give you and your family some peace of mind no matter what happens.

Share your list with the readers of this blog, when you’ve finished. I’d love to see how your planning is coming along!

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The Survival Mom

2009-07-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Website: TheSurvivalMom.com

Contributed Articles:
4 Super Cheap Prepping Resources
A Prepping Essential: The Grab-n-Go Binder
Ask The Survival Mom: Hunker Down vs. Bug Out?
Define Your Disaster
Instant Survival Tip: Beans, Spam and Corn, Oh My!
Instant Survival Tip: Busy Children are Happy Children
Instant Survival Tip: Grab-n-Go updates
Instant Survival Tip: Gymboree Blankets! Who Knew??
Instant Survival Tip: Store What You Eat
Instant Survival Tip: Survival-Savvy Kids Literature
Organize To Evacuate

9 Things You Must Know to Survive a Mumbai Like Attack

2009-07-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Author: Nomad
SurviveTheWorst.blogspot.com

During the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, India, The lives of 200 people was saved by the actions of the restaurant staff at the Italian restaurant located near the Oberoi Hotel. The Staff members quickly locked the doors and ushered the patrons through the kitchen into a large banquet hall where they rode out the attacks until police were able to rescue them.

Derek Bock, one of the potential victims, stated in this article ,that the hotel security was not manning the metal detectors at the doors and that the hotel security staff were all unarmed.

In this current world, security standards must be raised. Lax security along with the notion of,"it won't happen here," opens the doors to the unexpected. Had the terrorists noticed a well armed, well trained security staff, maybe they would have looked elsewhere for their targets.

Personal Security awareness must be raised to new levels. Gone are the days where one can drift blindly through life, paying attention only to the roses. Throughout you day to day operations you must become ever increasingly more vigilant. As the saying goes, "it's the details that'll kill you." By following the simple steps below you will be much more prepared should a terrorist attack happen in your area.

* Be aware of your surroundings.

* Leave the area if you feel uncomfortable or if something doesn't seem right. Trust your instincts.

* Take extra precautions when traveling. Heed any Department of State Warnings. Beware of anyone acting suspicious or unusual.

* Do not accept any packages from strangers.

* Do not leave your luggage unattended.

* Report anything that is unusual, suspicious, or unattended packages, or strange devices to the Police or Security Personnel immediately.

* Know exactly where the emergency exits are for all buildings you are in. Plan how to get out during an emergency.

* Be prepared for all electricity to be shut off, along with Natural Gas, Phones, Computers, etc.

* Always keep and maintain a small battery-powered radio and a small flashlight along with extra batteries for both. Also a small, first-aid kit and manual should be kept on hand at all times.

By following this list you will be better equipped to deal with a terrorist situation should you find yourself trapped in one. One very important tactic to follow is to remain calm. Clear thinking will enable you to prevail.

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Surviving Terrorist Attacks

2009-07-09T16:29:00.001-07:00

9 Things You Must Know To Survive A Mumbai-Like Attack

Surviving Economic Collapse - Budget Prepping

2009-07-09T16:14:00.001-07:00

$100 Food Storage List
$100 Prep List
4 Super Cheap Prepping Resources
Cut Expenses and Prep at the same time!
Five Steps To Avoid Getting Caught With Your Pants Down During The Great Depresson II
Food Storage Calculator From LDS
Free Water Storage
Frugal Food Storage
Instant Survival Tip: Beans, Spam and Corn, Oh My!
Instant Survival Tip: Gymboree Blankets! Who Knew?
Instant Survival Tip: Store What You Eat
Prepping for College Students Part 1
Prepping for College Students Part 2
Prepping for College Students Part 3
Prepping for College Students Part 4
Save Money and Build Your Food Storage With Coupons
Were all in this together: Make It Streatch

5 steps to avoid getting caught with your pants down during the Great Depression II

2009-07-09T16:04:00.001-07:00

Author: Nomad
SurviveTheWorst.blogspot.com

The global financial situation is grim. Prior preparations are the key to your ability to endure an eventual collapse of our global economies. Without this prior preparations your only hope will be to rely on the same corrupt organizations that got us in this mess in the first place. Namely are governments.

I have prepared a quick list of 5 steps you can take NOW to avoid the embarrassment of being caught with your pants down when the end of the economic world as we know it finally arrives.

Track your spending and cut the fat. The majority of people are spending way more than they earn. A truly sad tale of this whole experience is that most people do not even have a clue as to how much they are actually spending. You should track all of your spending for one month. This way you will be able to identify patterns in your spending habits. After you have identified your habits it is just a simple lesson in self control to eliminate your bad habits. Spending controlled, problem solved.

Eliminate Clutter. Take the time to go through your closets, garage, basement and attics. Evaluate every item you come across against your ability to use the item for survival. If it will not aid you in your efforts, sell it and use to money to purchase items you actually need. If you can't sell it try to either trade it, donate it or give it away. The key is to make room for the stuff you truly need.

Systematically acquire what you need. Create a master list of items you need in order to survive. Inventory your possessions and develop a shopping list from the master list. There are numerous places where you can acquire items at discounted prices. From brick and mortar establishments like Walmart, Salvation Army and good will to the cyber-world of EBay, craigslist and freecycle, persevere until you find what you need.

Stock up the Pantry. Shop wisely. Use coupons. Purchase items on sale. Purchase more food than you can actually consume from week to week. Always mark the date of purchase and the "use by date" with a permanent marker. Rotate your stock using the first in, first out method which allows you to always use the oldest products first. If you come across an item in your pantry that just doesn't seem right, throw it out. Never eat anything that doesn't look right or smell right. It will do you more harm than good.

Top off all fuel tanks. Make sure your fuel tanks are always full. Regardless of the type of fuel you are using top them off whenever possible. During a crises, fuel becomes nearly impossible to acquire. Be sure to add fuel stabilizers and anti bacterial solutions to all storage tanks.

By following the 5 steps presented here you will ensure that you and your family will be able to endure the worst conditions possible. You will always stay several steps ahead of your neighbors who, more than likely, will not be any where near the level of preparation required to survive the worst.

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Bug Out Survival, Bug Out Bags & Survival Kits

2009-07-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

Bug Out Survival Essentials 1/4

Bug Out Survival Essentials 2/4

Bug Out Survival Essentials 3/4

Bug Out Survival Essentials 4/4

EDC Tactical Bug Out Bag: Explanation of Contents

Condor Bug Out Bag: Review

Bug Out Bag: Additional Survival Gear 1/2

Bug Out Bag: Additional Survival Gear 2/2

72 Hour Survival Kit Items

Basic Wilderness Survival Kit

Wilderness First Aid Kit: Essential To Your Survival

Video Library

2009-07-09T05:06:00.001-07:00

Bug Out Survival, Bug Out Bags, & Survival Kits

Four Easy Ways To Avoid The West Nile Virus

2009-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Nomad
SurviveTheWorst.blogspot.com

West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that is spread when mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds bite humans. Eighty percent of the humans infected with the virus show no symptoms at all. However, according to the Center for Disease Control the remaining twenty percent have experienced the following symptoms: fever, head and body aches, swollen lymph glands, and rashes on the chest, stomach, and back. These symptoms have been known to last from just a few days to several weeks. Also, in as few cases as one out of every one hundred and fifty, people have experienced severe reactions to this virus. Their symptoms have included high fevers, headaches, neck stiffness, stupor, coma, tremors, disorientation, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms have been reported to last several weeks and some of the neurological effects appear to be permanent.

This virus can be life altering if you happen to be the one out of one hundred fifty who experience the most severe reactions therefore, it is imperative that you take these four easy steps to avoid getting bitten by an infected mosquito.

When you know you are going outside always use an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. While repellents containing DEET are the most common, the CDC also has recommended products containing Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD, and a chemical known as IR3535. Remember, regardless of which substance you use, always read and follow the directions. They are there for your safety.
Avoid the outdoors from the periods between sunset to sunrise. This is the most active time for a majority of mosquitoes. If you must go outside during these periods wear long sleeve pants, shirts, and socks. Your goal should be to cover up as much of your skin as possible. Apply the above mentioned repellents to your clothes and limit your exposure outside as much as possible.
Check the screens of all the windows and doors of your house. Repair or replace them as necessary. These are your best defense against unwanted house guests.
Mosquitoes lay there eggs in water so make sure your property is not mosquito friendly. You can do this by removing any standing pools of water on your property. Do a through search and correct any potential problem source.

Following this quick steps will help you avoid the potential exposure to this serious illness. Paying attention to the details and using the right products just might save you life.

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Epidemics and Pandemics

2009-07-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

West Nile Virus
Four Easy Ways To Avoid The West Nile Virus

Nomad

2009-07-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Website: SurviveTheWorst.blogspot.com

Contributed Articles:
9 Things You Must Know To Survive A Mumbai-Like Attack
Five Steps To Avoid Getting Caught With Your Pants Down During The Great Depresson II
Four Easy Ways To Avoid The West Nile Virus

Gear Review -- Venturer Survivor Shoulder Bag

2009-07-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

As I stated before, I was looking for a smaller musette bag than the WWII M1936 musette bag and ran across this one:
http://www.soldiercity.com/venturer-survivor-shoulder-bag/p/9410/?utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=ci&utm_keyword=5251&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=24-40393971-2

I really like the heavy duty construction and the twist locks for securing the flap. Mounted on the flap are 4 pockets, two of which have snap flaps and fit an en-bloc clip for the M1. The third has a zipper and works for loose shotgun rounds. The fourth larger pocket at the bottom fits several different items, including stripper clips and en-bloc clips.

Inside the flap are 3 more uncovered pockets sewed to the front of the main pouch pocket. The upper pocket runs the full width of the front of the bag and about 90% up the height. The two pockets sewed atop the first pocket run full width and about 50% in height. A series of five loops is sewed above the right hand pocket. These are a tight fit for 20 ga. and won't fit 12 ga. but work well for a stripper clip or two. The interior of these pockets and the main pocket of the bag seems to be a rip-stop nylon type of material.

The main pocket is actually secured by it's separate strap closed by a snap. Very well constructed. Would hold several magazines, or other gear like any bag. A small expandable pocket deep enough to carry an M10 cleaning rod with attachments is sewed onto the side panel and closed by a snap.
A deep pocket makes up the back of the bag, suitable for various items such as maps, etc.

The website carries them for $22.99 and is shipped in USPS flat rate shipping box. P&I total cost me $28.94 which beats the M1936 on E-Bay or the knock off imitations that won't stand up to any wear.
I think I'm going to like this bag as I can use it for a range bag or just a tote.

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Equinephobia 2

2009-07-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Or maybe that should be Equusphobia? Any way, sometimes an experience produces a fear of the horse. Usually occurring to the person or being observed by the person affected. This a normal reaction and is best overcome through knowledge seasoned with experience.

First example that occurs frequently is a "run away" type scenario. What happens here is the rider has lost control of the horse and the horse decides to take off at full gallup. DON"T PANIC!!! You really haven't lost control. Anyone can ride just as fast as the horse runs. STAY ON!!! Falling or jumping off is almost a guaranteed injury. The mass of your body is traveling at speed and coming into contact with the ground which is moving at a lot slower velocity will have a tendency to put some bruises or breaks on you. Lean forward to stay in balance with the horse, grasp with your legs and HOLD ONTO THE REINS. Just hold onto them so you don't lose them. Let the horse run a while, he'll get tired. A horse is smart enough not to run into a wall or tree. They can see obstructions and will divert around them. JUST STAY ON.
OK, so you've stayed on, now how do you get back into control? Do you feel the horse slowing down? Well, DON"T LET HIM!! Make him run a little further, maybe another 100 yards. This re-establishes your dominance over him and now he knows he's running because YOU told him to, it's not just his idea. When YOU feel it's time to stop, reach way down on one rein and start pulling his head around, just a little at a time. At this point he feels unbalanced, so he'll start circling. Might take the whole pasture but you don't care at this point. Keep GRADUALLY increasing the bend in his neck and the circles will get smaller. DON'T TRY TO DO THIS ALL AT ONCE, you don't want him to trip and fall.

Horse carry 85% of their weight in their front legs. When they are off balance they tend to stumble, just like we do.

At some point when the circles are really small, the horse will stop and he'll be breathing hard through his nostrils. (A horse only breathes through their nostrils, they don't breathe through their mouth like some other animals). At this point, you can restart the ride, ride back to the starting point or get down and walk back leading the horse, what ever is comfortable for YOU.

A second scenario is when a horse bites: This is disrespectful behavior on the horses part. They may be mad, scared or even just attempting to be dominant. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE HORSE!! EVER!!! Don't place your self in a position of being bitten. Don't play "kissy-face" with a horse. Place all treats onto your flattened palm when offering them. Best to just place them in the feed bucket and save your fingers. A horse that puts it's mouth on you or licks you is being disrespectful. When horses are grooming each other, they use their mouth and the DOMINANT horse always instigates the grooming session. If a horse puts it's mouth on you, slap it away. Slap the mouth or head and drive the animal away from you. Let it know that the behavior is not acceptable. I don't let my horses mouth me or kick at me. THE WRATH OF GOD SHALL DESCEND UPON THEM IF THEY EVEN TRY!!! Even now, I watch them while I'm in close proximity. They can "forget" I'm between them and another horse they're kicking at. I don't even let them lay their ears down around me, even when there is other horses around. I AM THE DOMINANT HORSE!!!

Kicking horses: On trail rides it's traditional to put a red ribbon on a "kickers" tail to let everyone know that this horse kicks and you should stay well back. So what about out in the pasture or paddock? Well, we've already covered the part about not coming up to a horse from directly behind because they can't see you. Always approach a horse from the side or front. Most people get kicked because they are behind the horse. Kinda obvious I know, but happens all the time because people aren't paying attention.

One of my sisters-in-law got kicked because she was standing directly behind a horse (talking to another person) and another horse wandered up and reached past her and bit the first horse in the labia majora. So, how did that happen. She had been grooming the first horses tail so the horse knew she was there, but my SIL got distracted and turned to the other person while still standing in the danger zone. She also didn't pay attention to the other horse coming up and getting too close and missed the "telegraphed" intentions of both horses. She didn't get anything but a bad bruise out of it because she did several things right. One she had started out letting the horse know where she was at all times by approaching the horse and then going down the side of the horse to the hip, maintaining contact through a hand on the horse the whole time. As she went to the back of the horse she maintained contact until she was holding the tail. She maintained a close distance to the horse which lessened the strength of the kick. When she got distracted and lost contact with the horse, the horse lost contact with her and where she was.

A couple of relevant points in regards to kicking horses: A horse must bend it's leg forward prior to kicking out behind. It's gotta "cock the hammer" first. A horse will also lay it's ears down in warning most of the time. When it's suddenly frightened it's more likely to jump forward. If you are touching the horse, you can feel it's muscles bunching up prior to cocking the hammer and the horse can determine whether you mean to do it harm and where you are in relation to it's body. If you are behind the horse, stay as close as you can to it to lessen the intensity of the kick and you can also step off to the side quickly enough for the horse to miss you completely.

A bit of horse etiquette here: Don't let a horse crowd you, make them keep a distance. Crowding you is disrespectful and should never be tolerated. Maintain your personal space. (Now a days we have to give up personal space because of all sorts of situations and have gotten used to not maintaining our personal space). Horse on the other hand, have and maintain a personal space all around them. A dominant horse will encroach upon another horse space to enforce it's dominance. If a horse crowds you, slap it away.

Strikers are horses that strike or paw you with their front feet. These horse have learned how fragile people are and easily dominate. They can be cured of this but it takes lots of time and effort. My advice is to pass them by as there's too many good horses out there.

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Some of My Horsey Background and Equine Language

2009-07-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

"Green on Green Equals Black & Blue" or "Novice Rider plus Novice Horse Equals Hospital Bills":
Purchased my first horse in 1985 (when I was in my mid-thirties), a 2-1/2 year old filly that had never been handled. (Taming & training her would take a whole separate post & I don't want to go into too much depth at this point). Now I'd been riding stable horses and friends horses that had already been trained. (Fat lot of good that did me). It was a comedy of errors and what NOT to do. Ended with me being in hospital with a multiple compound break of the lower leg and a surgical pin installed. Kept the horse and "devoured" everything I could find about horses and horse training.
When I was able, I started all over again and did a whole lot different & better. Still have that old mare and we've had a lot of adventures together.
Fell under the tutelage of an old cavalry officer and learned a whole lot more from him. Horses just LOVED that old man. At 77 he could squat jump into the saddle from the ground onto a sixteen hand horse. (One hand equals four inches measured from the ground to the withers).
Started several young horses over the next few years in West Texas and Florida (including a filly out of my mare). Retrained some older horses in Oregon, Washington and California. A couple of them had real bad faults like running away and flipping over backwards. That'll kill you.
Trapped and trained a mustang filly out in New Mexico. Used her for "gathering" wild horses in the Four Corners area. What a gal !!! She stayed when I left and the Navajo family that took her treats her with respect as part of the family.
Currently, we raise paint horses and put them up for sale at about 3 - 6 months old. We teach them all their ground manners and how to be respectful around people. We have kept them past 2 and 3 year old status mostly because we didn't think the people that wanted to buy them were knowledgeable enough for a green horse. We've sold horses to the Border Patrol here in Texas, sold show stock to California, working stock to Michigan, Louisiana and Florida and Texas.
If a horse is trained for saddle work, it can be trained also for harness work. It's kinda like knowing one skill set and learning another that's slightly related.
RULE # 1 -- NEVER, EVER deal with a horse when you are angry. You ain't going to "make" an animal that's a thousand pounds (give or take 200 lbs) do anything. "Cowboying" a horse will get you hurt. If you get angry, stop the lesson, walk away, breath deeply and get control of yourself, then go back and START OVER. If you aren't getting the result you want, it's because you aren't communicating properly.
Most of what I do can be used on mules, jacks/jennies and donkeys. They have a longer memory of abuses than a horse so take your time with them.
Equine Language:
Horses have a hierarchical system within a herd. The dominant mare is usually the "lead mare". She "pushes" all the other horses around. Horses communicate with body language including ear placement, head placement and mouth manipulation.
Ears are a great tip off. A horse will advance it's ears toward what ever catches it's attention as well as lay them down against it's neck to threaten. It will flare them out to the side in question or subjugation. If a horse lays it's ears down against it's neck at you, it's warning you it will bite, kick or strike if you don't leave it alone. This behavior is disrespectful to you and let's you know the horse thinks it is dominant over you. This can be corrected without losing your cool and almost in an absent minded way.
A horse's eyes are placed into the sides of it's head to allow an almost 360 degree view. I say almost because there are two "blind spots" a horse can't see. One blind spot is directly behind it because it's pelvis blocks the view and is usually the reason someone gets kicked if they approach from that angle. Walking behind a horse means at some point you disappear and suddenly reappear on the other side. Unnerving for a horse most of the time. A horse can narrow it's eyes or spread them wide open in terror or consternation and even wrinkle the "eyebrows" if it's asking a question.
The other blind spot is directly in front of the nose for about twelve inches because the muzzle blocks the ability of the horse to see. A horses mouth and lips are extremely sensitive. They can tell the difference between a blade of grass and weed just by texture and smell. To a horse you smell like a meat eater (because you do eat meat) and horses KNOW they are a prey species so you scare the heck out of them to begin with.
Couple the smell of a meat eater with a dominant posture, ears permanently against your neck like you're gonna bite and claws at the end of your forearms and a horses first thought is "CRAP, I"M GONNA DIE UNLESS I RUN AWAY OR FIGHT!!!
I'll go further into horse language in the next post. If you get a chance, watch a herd of horses and see who pushes who around and how they do it. They are always jockeying for position in the herd, especialy when they are out in the pasture. Most stables would welcome a visit by someone interested in horses. You'll hear a lot of advice, some good, some bad. Take it all with "a pound of salt". Think about it, but, most impotantly, observe the horses as they interact with each other.
More next time.

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Equinephobia

2009-07-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Commonly known as "Fear of Horses" (and their related cousins).
Some people are afraid of horses in varying degrees. From simple distrust to actual terror. Except in severe cases, this can be overcome through knowledge and experience.
It's a natural response considering the size of the animal and the potential for damage. A horse can literally kick your head off, or bite through your arm, or give you a mastectomy down to the ribcage as well as other "lighter" damage. A horse can "bust you up".
So, why a horse instead of a bicycle? Because, you can load a horse with 300 pounds of gear and it's the original 4-wheel drive. A horse can go places a bicycle cannot even conceive of going. You don't have to have a trail or roadway for a horse. Where bicycles get stuck on wet, muddy grounds, a horse just walks through. A horse can go anywhere a bike can go and more places than a bike, carry heavier loads and, if worst comes to worst, you can eat it. Sorry, I digress. I should save that for another post.
Being afraid of horses is pretty common and can be rectified by simply knowing the subject and experience. When a person has a bad experience with a horse it's almost a given that the person will develop a fear of horses in general. Just remember that a horse has two main "outs" of any given situation. Fight or flight. They are a "flight" animal in that they will run first (if given the opportunity) rather than fight. Not to be forgetting the real outlaws out there that have learned to combat humans. Those types have learned how weak humans are in relation to themselves and will use the knowledge to cause you harm. Pass them up when encountered, they are only good for dogfood (or real professional help).
Now, horses go on the principal that they don't have to out run the predator, they only have to out run the slowest member of the herd, who will in turn become "lunch". This instinct can be used for training and we'll get into that later. If a predator doesn't "chase", then they don't need to run.
Horse philosophy:
"Never run when you can walk, never walk when you can just graze."
"Playing keeps you fit to run from a predator".
"Eat whenever you can, it may be a long walk to the next meal".
"If you ain't the boss of me, then I'm the boss of you".
Another bit of horse language: A horse shows annoyance by twisting its tail and slapping it up and down forcefully. Not the switching from side to side to get rid of flies. Aggressively, wringing the tail and slapping it up and down. Usually accompanied with ears partially set back towards its neck.
So how to overcome a fear of horses?
First off: Stay away from green (untrained) horses until you have developed confidence and can "read Horses body language. Only learn around horses that have already been trained, this will lessen the chances of you getting hurt.
Let's start with a simple case of "They're big and might hurt me. I don't want to get close to them in case they step on me or kick me or bite me." We'll address fears from prior experiences later on.
The following is based upon the presumption that the horse is in a large round pen, paddock or similar open area at liberty and not being restrained or led by a person.
Approach a "new to you" horse until you are about 20 feet away and stop. Don't face the horse straight on. Turn your body sideways and relax. Let your shoulders slump, bend your knees a little and quit looking like YOU are ready to run. Lower your head. Breathe deeply and slowly. Look at the horse and evaluate it's posture, ear placement stance and tail position. Chances are the horse is evaluating you too. It will probably be looking at you with it's body canted so it can spin and run away if necessary. The ears are forward and pointed at you as it watches you. The tail is switching back and forth in a relaxed manner. If the head is way up and pointed at you then the horse is distrustful of your intentions. Patience here is necessary. The horse may be evaluating if you have treats for it. Once, the horse has made a decision about you, it may start to approach you. If you are not ready for a "close encounter", step away sideways just a few steps. DON"T turn and run. If the horse continues to approach and you are not ready, then face the horse squarely , raise your arms out to your sides and wave them while making shoo sounds or any noises similar. Wave the horse away. The horse will stop and re-evaluate you or even spin around and leave. (Note; It will be harder to approach the horse again for a couple of hours if you chase it away). Do this until you feel confident that you can make the horse go away when YOU want it to.
Now YOU are ready for a a closer encounter. Wait a day or two and start over again approaching the horse, but this time don't move away if the horse approaches. If the horse doesn't approach, make short side steps towards the horse while being relaxed. APPROACH THE HORSE TOWARDS ITS SHOULDER. This allows the horse to determine that you mean no harm and keeps you away from the back end (kicks) or front end (bites). Approach to about 3 feet and stop and wait, stay relaxed. The horse will be curious about you and shouldn't feel threatened so it will approach you at this point. Watch the ears and posture, you will see the ears pointed at you and the head will be raised to just above the shoulder height as the horse extends its nose to sniff you. Slowly raise one hand (closest to the horse) and extend your hand towards the horse. Not directly towards its nose but off to one side so it can see it. The horse will sniff your hand first (to see if there's anything edible being offered, which you can do if you feel comfortable at this point). Let the horse smell you. At this point you will be slightly facing the horse and the horse will be facing you and off slightly to one side. Take one step back slowly and then step to its shoulder. DON'T do this fast or suddenly, take your time and move softly and slowly like honey in mid August. Let the horse see what you are doing, give it time to evaluate what you are doing. Stand next to the shoulder, facing the same way as the horse only slightly turned towards it. This allows the horse to see what you are doing as you do it. Reach up in a slow, lazy manner and scratch the withers just behind the point of the shoulder where it slopes towards the back. This is grooming characteristic of horses in the pasture. It's a place where they usually itch and can't get to. Their best friends get to scratch that itch, not just any horse. Think mosquito bite and scratch appropriately. Then quit and walk off at an angle just a few feet. This is a good point to quit for the day and come back later. Repeat until YOU feel comfortable, then quit until a later time.
On the next post, I'd like to address justified fears, like having been thrown, bit or kicked or runaways. So let me know what's got you frightened of horses.

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Switch Hunting

2009-07-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

I may have posted this before but I think it's worth doing again.
My grandmother got me started on this and it works if you pay attention.
First cut a 6 foot switch (narrow, flexible tree branch or young tree about as big around as your finger. Strip all the little branches and leaves from it except the very end and leave a bunch about the size of your fist.
Next, using the switch, stalk a wild animal. I've used cats, dogs, squirrels, even deer. (No bears, so far). Stalk then to where you can reach out and hit them with the switch end without them noticing you. SURPRISE!!!
This polishes your stalking abilities even during the "off-season".
Sounds pretty simple, but it's tough to do because "wild" animals are extremely vigilant and will see or hear you if you mess up and then they're gone. You can go all cammie or ghillie if you want but you have to move slow and be aware of your noise factor and watch your prey like a hawk. Maybe even better. I get all zoned out during a stalk and focused on what I'm doing. All the petty day to day just goes away.
Oh, DON"T STALK SKUNKS!!!!

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Hunting

2009-07-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

Switch Hunting

Home Garden Construction

2009-07-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Now, before I read any other blogs and get off on a tangent!
We decided to go with a "raised bed" type of garden, so construction is a little different than an "in the ground" garden.
We had determined we wanted a 16ft X 16ft garden (so you may determine a different size for your needs). Placement was behind the garage (west side) so there would be a little shade in the early morning and gradually get more sun as the day developed. Then we laid down an old used plastic tarp we had that had seen better days, to discourage grass development. Then we scored a couple of kid's sandbox frames which gave us the 16ft by 16ft size . These are made of plastic 2X4s with linkage loops and pins screwed onto ends. (You can also use old 2x4s spliced together or otherwise nailed to configure how you want it.)
Once having set up the frames, we got some river bottom silt from the Little Brazos (it was approximately 12 cubic yards which was overkill, but wanted some for flower beds and other uses). (The garden used approximately 9 cubic yards).
Then over the course of two half days, working in the morning while it was cool, we moved the dirt from the dirt pile into the framework. We took our time, took frequent breaks and maintained our "cool". Each wheelbarrow load was only 20 shovelfuls.
We placed some old animal panels we had around the garden to discourage the dog and other animals. Once we get the seeds in the ground we'll probably place a net or similar cover over the top to keep the birds out.

Got lots more pictures, but this gives you an idea.

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Brain Tanning Hides

2009-07-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

There used to be a derogatory statement about someone, “You don’t have enough brains to tan your own hide” meaning you’re pretty stupid. The truth is that every animal has just enough brains to use as a hide tanning method.

First you take the entire brain matter and place it into a pot or tub and add just the same amount of water. Then slowly heat this mixture and stir until you have rendered all the brain tissue into a thick soup.

Stretch the hide and scrap it of all fat , muscle and tissue. Leave the thin tissue next to the hide to retain the hair or scrape it off for hairless buckskin. Next soak it in a solution of lye or hardwood ashes for a couple of days. The hair should then scrape off fairly easily with a serrated edge device.

While the hide is fairly supple, apply the brain mixture evenly and rub it into and through the hide. Ensure the mixture coats the hide evenly and is well rubbed into and through the hide.

Allow the hide to stay stretched for several days as it dries until it thoroughly dry. It should resemble a stiff piece of cardboard.

Now comes the real labor. This is called “breaking” or suppling the hide. Remove hide from stretcher and start flexing it. The more you flex the hide, the suppler it’ll be. A smooth post set into the ground at an angle helps as well as a line set at an angle. The idea is to use friction and flexing to supple the hide. Don’t use anything sharp or has an edge, you’ll cut the hide.

After suppling the hide, it’s best to smoke it by building a frame and wrapping the hide around the frame. Inside the frame build a smokey fire and allow it to permeate the hide. Damp hardwoods work best or continued application of water on the fire to keep it smoldering. Using cedar or sage helps deter bugs and gives a pleasant aroma.

After smoking the hide it can then be tailored for clothing or whatever as needed.

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Sustainable Living

2009-07-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

Brain Tanning Hides

Gardening
Green Houses
Ultra Micro Green House

Raised Beds
Home Garden Construction
Raised Bed Gardening

Waste Treatment and Disposal
Out Houses
Septic Systems

Water Procurement
Condensing Water From Air
Off-Grid Water-Cisterns
Rain Barrels
Water Filtration
Water Strerilization
Water Treatment

Preps

2009-07-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Let's talk about the other end for awhile, now that we've got the crap out of the way. As other people have said, the less debt the better. As far as money goes, keep no less than 3 to 6 months mortgage/property tax money in cash stashed where you can get it quickly. You shouldn't have any more debt than that. You can keep a lot more money in the bank, but if something happens and you can't get to it?
Food-- at least a couple of weeks food & water or even more if you can. A lot depends on what it is and how you store it. Just get what you really eat. It all comes either canned now or in those long-shelf packaging. Pick up two or four instead of one, next time you're out shopping. I don't think you can get C-Rats any more (ones I ate in the Army were marked 1944) but there is MREs if you want to spend the money. Start patronizing the little Farmers Markets in small towns in your area. Buy stuff and get known, stand and talk with the people, make friends.
Guns--(AHHHH my precious, my precious)--Pick a pistol, rifle and shotgun that suits you. If you're into semi-autos, then that should be what you go for. If you are new to the game then stick with a revolver or single action, a bolt action rifle and pump shotgun. Actually, this has been extensively covered by a whole lot of people with sound advice. I personally can and have shot just about everything made, I grew up shooting and reloading as my Dad was a "gun nut" and shade tree gunsmith. I've shot competively and "still got it".
Remember the community or neighborhood you are in is probably what will help you through hard times. Get out there and get known. Be cheerful and honest. Talk with people.

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Out Houses

2009-07-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

I remember the old out houses. Drafty affairs that smelled bad in summer and froze you in the winter. Full of spiders and webs and various other insects.
However, I have seen a couple that were imaginative. One person took an old Port-A-Potty and cut the floor out in the strategic spot and stuck it over the hole in the ground. (You should remember to tie the outhouse down so it don't "fall" over). He then installed a hibachi for heat and a manual crank fan on the side.
Don't forget to dig the hole DEEEEEP and leave a couple of feet for fill dirt at the last. Some lime or crushed limestone thrown in every time is a good thing too.
Trouble with outhouses are you have to move them from time to time and remember where you've already been. There was this one time, when we were out doing Living History reenactment at a place we'd been before and one of the fellers found a nice soft spot to dig the hole......You know the rest of the story.as Paul Harvey would say.
Also I should say, put it down hill from the house!!

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Septic Systems

2009-07-07T17:32:00.001-07:00

Author: YeOldFurt
YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Regardless of what type of septic system you use (except for the out house) it has to be cleaned out every few years. Of course, if you use a sewer system, it all goes to the treatment plant, but if you are out in the country or the sewer system ain't working? Even a cess-pit has to be cleaned out or filled in. Chest high waders and a bucket on a rope? What do you do with the "sludge"? Here has been my experiences (mainly because my family didn't have any money so we did it on the cheap). Using the oldest & tallest child (me) dressed in as little as possible, bail out the septic tank and put the "sludge" in a 55 gallon barrel. Rod out the entry and exit pipes so the liquid will flow out to the drain fields. Transfer the "sludge" to a smaller barrel and "cook" it over another 55 gallon barrel to sterilize. Spread resulting goo over pasture land to encourage grass growth for cattle/livestock. Granted this may not be the way everyone would do it, but maybe something to think about.

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YeOldFurt

2009-07-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Website: YeOldFurt.blogspot.com (Old Lightning)

Contributed Articles:
Brain Tanning Hides
Equinephobia
Equinephobia 2
Gear Review -- Venturer Survivor Shoulder Bag
Home Garden Construction
Out Houses
Preps
Septic Systems
Some of My Horsey Background and Equine Language
Switch Hunting

Waste Treatment and Disposal

2009-07-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

Out Houses
Septic Systems

Gear Review: Fire Starters

2009-07-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Making a fire is the most important thing in a survival situation. It can provide you with warmth, food, and a huge moral booster. Fire is also useful when camping and for fellowship of friends and family. There are many different ways to start a fire and knowing different ways to start a fire is important whether you're in a survival situation or not. A fire needs 3 elements to burn (fire triangle) heat, fuel, and oxygen. Sufficient heat is needed to start any fire, and the proper fuel to oxygen ratio is needed to keep a fire going.

First off is the trusty lighter or matches. Every prepper should have a few packs of quality Bic lighters put back, and a few thousand matches. This is the easiest way to start a fire. When starting any fire you will need something to burn to get the wood going. Newspaper is good to use to start a fire, and those free want ad papers at gas stations are great to have on hand. You want to stay away from using fuels to light a fire, especially if you plan on cooking over the fire. You run the risk of getting those chemicals on your food.

The next best thing to a lighter or matches is a firesteel. A firesteel should be part of every preppers survival kit. Whether it's your get home bag, everyday carry, bug out bag, or camping supplies; a firesteel is invaluable. If you're lighter runs out, or your matches get wet, your fire steel is your last line of defense so to speak. A firesteel works by moving a metal blade across a magnesium alloy to create sparks that can get up to 5,500°F. Those hot sparks can be thrown on a number of different types of tinder to start a flame that will light your fire. Firesteels can even be used in the rain or snow and will last for around 12,000 strikes.

Here are some ideas for tinder:
-Vaseline Soaked Cotton Balls
-Hand Sanitizer Soaked Cotton Balls
-Dryer Lint
-Pine Needles
-Dried Grass
-Unraveled twine

There are a lot of ways to start fires in the wilderness if you don't have a lighter or firesteel. I will do a part 2 to this post detailing some ways to start a fire without them. This post is to show that you need to have these things on hand so you don't have to rub sticks together to try to keep yourself warm at night. A firesteel can fit in your pocket and is a crucial part of your everyday carry.

Discuss this at the KPN Forum

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Communication

2009-07-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

Cellphones As An Emergency Communicator

Cell Phones As An Emergency Communicator?

2009-07-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Research in Motion's (RIM) mobile communicator, the Blackberry, has set the standards for a business device. Only recently have Blackberries turned mainstream since the introduction of the Blackberry Curve into the consumer market. Countless corporations issue Blackberries to all their employees for up to the second email and secure messaging system (PIN Messaging). Federal and local governments also use Blackberries as their primary communication devices.

PIN messaging is an encrypted messaging system that is sent over the internet from the device. **You must have a data plan enabled on your Blackberry for these features to work. Minimum data plan on most providers is $30 a month for unlimited access and up to 10 email accounts. Each Blackberry has a unique PIN number. That number allows you to securely communicate with other internet-enabled Blackberries. The PIN messaging system is called Blackberry Messenger which is preloaded onto all Blackberries. PIN messages get sent instantly and along with an instant messaging platform you can send emails through the PIN system which are also just as secure.

These PIN messages are so secure that it's the preferred device for criminals because police can't monitor the PIN messages. The government uses Blackberries for communicating during a disaster. The local and federal government have them in case the cell system is overloaded you can still get PIN messages out. This held true when my town was hit by a tornado last year. The cell systems were jammed, and nobody could get a call out but I was able to PIN message my brother and make sure he was okay.

They would be useless along with all cell phones in the event of a mass blackout or total signal loss, but in the event of a smaller scale disaster they could come in handy for you and your family to be able to communicate with each other. I own a Blackberry and have the internet package, my PIN number is 20F999DA. I started a KPN group on my Blackberry Messenger as I already have one individual added. If you have one send me an invite and let me know its from Kentucky Preppers Network.

Discuss this at the KPN Forum

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Most Overlooked Prep - First Aid Kit

2009-07-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

It seems that the most overlooked item for a preparedness kit would be a first aid kit. There are a lot of preppers and non-preppers alike who don't have any first aid supplies in their home. A first aid kit is very important to keep because when you need it, it's handy to have. I know some people who don't keep any first aid supplies in their home until someone needs a band aid. Emergency situations that require first aid usually won't allow you enough time to head down to the store to purchase the stuff. You want to have a kit ahead of time so if the time comes and you need it, then you will have it.

A first aid kit is just as important as your food storage, and your water storage. When you're talking about getting your 3 month supply built up, you not only want to have your 3 month supply of food and water, but also your other necessities including first aid supplies. Most common and minor injuries can be treated with a good first aid kit and save a hospital trip and the hospital bills. There are many different first aid kits on the market, although most include the same stuff. You just want to find one that is large enough and includes the items in it to fit your needs.

I purchased a first aid kit from eBay a few months ago and after some issues with the kit I purchased being out of stock, I lucked up and got sent two of the same first aid kit. I received the 327pc. Deluxe First Aid Center, the kind you can buy from Sam's Club. These kits are very nice and include plenty of first aid supplies. They are designed for use with up to 30 people in a manufacturing setting. This kit meets OSHA and ANSI guidelines for business use and comes with a study hard case for storage or wall mounting.

The Kit Includes:
Clean:
-27 Antiseptic Towelettes
-27 alcohol Prep Pads
-9 Povidone Iodine Prep Pads
-1 Eye Wash 1 oz.
-20 Cotton Tip Applicators
-6 Examination Gloves
Treat:
-1 Hydrogen Peroxide Spray Pump
-10 Antibiotic Ointment Packets
-12 Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)
-5 Burn Cream Ointments
-10 Antacid Tablets
-12 Ibuprofen Tablets
-12 Non-Aspirin Tablets
-1 Instant Chemical Cold Pack-6"x9"
-1 Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Pack 6"x9"
Protect:
-40 Adhesive Bandages-3/8"x1 1/2"
-30 Adhesive Bandages-3"x3/4"
-10 Antibacterial Bandages-3"x3/4"
-15 Adhesive Bandages-1"x3"
-10 Antibacterial Bandages-1"x3"
-5 Butterfly Closures Bandages
-12 Wound Closure Strips-1/4"x1 1/2"
-4 Knuckle Bandages
-1 Adhesive Tape Roll-1/2"x2.5 yds
-1 Adhesive Tape Roll-1/2"x5 yds
-3 Non-Adherent Gauze Pads 2"x3"
-8 Sterile Gauze Sponge 2"x2"
-1 Sterile Trauma Sponge-5"x9"
-2 Gauze rolls-2"x4.1yds
-1 Triangular Bandage 40"x40"x56"
-2 Round Eye Pads 2"
-5 Insect Repellent Packets (1 gram)
Additional Supplies:
-4 Finger Splints
-3 Disposable Thermometers
-1 Metal Tweezer 3"
-1 Metal Scissor
-3 Splinter Removers
-1 English First Aid Instruction Guide
-1 Spanish First Aid Instruction Guide
More Items of Value:
-Antibacterial Bandages Disposable
-Thermometer
-Hydrogen Peroxide Spray Pump
-Larger Sting Relief Pads
-Thicker Sterile Gauze Sponges
-Instant Chemical Cold Pack 6"x9"
-Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Pack 6"x9"

I'm not sure what the price of these kits are at Sam's Club, but you can get one off of eBay for about $40 shipped, and the same at Amazon. First aid kits are vital to your total preparedness, at the least I would pick up one of these to put back, and a couple if you have a family. These kits will never go bad and most people could make it last a long time.

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Vision Impared? Stock Up On Eyeglasses

2009-07-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

If you're like me and require vision correction to complete your day to day tasks then eyeglasses should be your number one concern when considering what to store and put back. My eyesight has always been bad. I started wearing glasses in the 7th grade and once I graduated high school I switched to contacts. Survival would be a lot harder, if not impossible, if I didn't have my glasses or contacts. If you rely on your glasses on a daily basis then getting a couple pair put back is just as important as putting back food, water, and firearms.

I went to the optometrist yesterday to pick up a new pair of glasses I had ordered about a week ago. In the event of a disaster or a SHTF scenario, you wouldn't be able to head down to the eye doctor and pick up a new pair of glasses if yours broke or you lost them. The time to stock up on glasses is now. If you know your prescription you can order glasses off of the internet for very cheap from Zenni Optical. They sell prescription eyeglasses from $8 and if you have contacts your prescription is on the box. You can also call your eye doctor and get your prescription.

Lasik surgery is another option for permanently fixing your eyes. Although an expensive option, you would never have to worry about glasses or contacts again. I have kept all my old pairs of glasses since I started wearing them. I have 4 pairs of glasses, and even though some are an old prescription, they are still better than not having them. I keep a pair in my bug out bag, a pair in my car, and the rest in the house.

Your survival would depend on your ability to see, and if you require vision correction, stocking up on eyeglasses is a must. Dig up your old pairs and dust them off. If you only have a couple pairs, call your Optometrist, get your prescription, and order some cheap ones offline. Now is the time to be tying up the loose ends on your preps. If you don't have your glasses put back, get them as soon as possible.

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How To: Hydration Bladder in ALICE Pack

2009-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

The ALICE pack isn't pretty and it isn't fancy, but it's tough, rugged, and it gets the job done. It's big enough to carry all your get home bag, or your bug out bag gear and its big enough for camping and hiking needs. It's proven to hold up to even the roughest conditions and was used by the Army for decades. I purchased my ALICE pack used from Ebay and even though it is used it's still in great shape and ready for years of use.

There are many different companies and people on the web that modify and upgrade the ALICE packs. One useful and inexpensive upgrade you can do yourself is adding a hydration bladder to the pack. The radio pouch inside the main compartment of the pack is a perfect place to add your bladder.

Step 1:
You will need to purchase a hydration bladder to go inside your pack. Wal-Mart sells a 2L hydration bladder for $9.99. It comes with the bladder and hose for drinking from. You will also need a couple of (black preferably) zip ties.

Step 2:
Make sure you clean the bladder and hose thoroughly with a vinegar and water solution and let it dry completely. (It might take a couple days for it to completely dry out, but you don't want it getting moldy or stinky!)

Step 3:
Once dried, add the bladder into the radio compartment. Lay it down horizontally with the hose on the side you want to drink from. (I took some electrical tape and blacked out the hose to give it a more camouflaged look, this is not required.)

Step 4:
Route the hose out from under the flap, and along your left or right shoulder strap; whichever you prefer. Add a zip tie to the top buckle of the shoulder strap and slide the hose through it. *Don't tighten it yet!

Step 5:
Now you want to try on the pack and get the length of the hose right. You want enough to be able to get it in your mouth for a drink, but not anymore than that. Keep as little length of hose on the strap as possible so it doesn't get snagged on something.

Step 6:
Tighten up the top zip tie to keep the hose snug, but not so much that you still can't adjust it or that it pinches the hose any. Then you can add a zip tie to the bottom buckle on the strap, but keep this one open to about the size of a half dollar piece. This gives you a place to keep the mouthpiece when not in use. It will keep it from flopping around when walking or hiking, and make it easily accessible if you needed a drink. Once your hose is in the right place, stuff the remaining hose into the radio pouch with the bladder to give it a clean finished look.

And that's it! For around $10 and 30 minutes of your time, now you have a hydration bladder equipped ALICE PACK. This modification is cheap, easy, and useful. There are lots of other great packs out there but for the price and toughness, you can't beat an Army surplus ALICE pack.

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*Click the thumbnails for a full size view

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Gear Review: LED Flashlights and Batteries

2009-07-06T10:28:00.001-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Light is very important for humans. Our vision at night is limited, so we have to rely electricity and light bulbs to light up the darkness. Over the last few years we have seen LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes, come onto the scene. LEDs are far superior to traditional light bulbs that use a piece of resistive wire inside a glass bulb. When a current is applied to the wire, it gets hot and begins to glow; this creates the light. LEDs require no resistive wire, and are simply diodes that produce light when a current is passed through it. LEDs are far superior to traditional light bulbs in that they consume less energy, last longer, are stronger, smaller and faster switching.

Now that LEDs are more mainstream, you can purchase LED flashlights for the same price as regular flashlights. It's a no brainier that LEDs are the only way to go if you're purchasing flashlights for your emergency kit. You can purchase battery powered LEDs, or some companies are now making hand-crank LED flashlights that are powered by a dynamo motor which uses your hand to generate the electricity. A lot of the Chinese made hand-crank lights are cheap and won't last very long, but there is one company that makes quality hand crank lights and that is Freeplay Energy. I have never had any personal experience with Freeplay lights, but I have read good reviews and they're suppose to be quality lights that will last for years. They are somewhat expensive so I opted to just go for battery powered lights.

I purchased my LED flashlights and headlamp from Meritline. Meritline offers great prices on lots of different styles of LED flashlights. They even have some that have 100 LEDs in one flashlight! I have (2) 20 LED flashlights from Meritline, a 21 LED headlamp, and a 24 LED tent light. All of these do take batteries and although they have extremely long battery life, in a SHTF scenario you can't rely on the local store to supply you with batteries. This is why it's important to stock up now on the batteries you need. I have around 400 batteries; 200 AA and 200 AAA. I purchased them in bulk from Meritline for very cheap, around $.25 a piece. This is the only way to purchase batteries because buying them in the store is a lot more expensive, and the cheap alkaline batteries are just as good as the expensive ones.

I choose to go with alkaline batteries over rechargeable ones for economical reasons mainly. Rechargeable batteries can be recharged but without electricity you would have to have a solar charger for them. Even at that, they only have so many charge cycles until they go bad. I figured for starters a few hundred alkaline batteries were good, and in the future I will probably invest in a solar charger and some rechargeable batteries.

LED Flashlight
-20 LEDs
-Use 3 x AAA Battery
-Chrome Metal
-Water Resistant
-1-1/4" diameter x 5" length
-Extensive lifetime of LED (100,000 hours)

The LED flashlight is really a great light for the price. It's super bright, very long battery life, and small enough to fit in your pocket. I keep one in my car and one in the hosue and regularly check them to make sure the batteries are still good.

LED Headlamp
-Silver plastic housing
-Water resistant
-Ultra bright LED light
-Beam projects up to 50-foot
-Extensive lifetime of LED (100,000 hours)
-Alternate between 1 LED, 7 LEDs, 21 LEDs and Flashing Mode
-Adjustable straps
-Tilting lamp
-Use 3 x AAA Battery

The headlamp is another great product for the money. It's made of plastic, and feels a little cheap, but as long as you take care if it it's going to last. I don't keep batteries in it while in storage to keep them from going bad or corroding. It's important to keep batteries out of your electronics when not in use. The beam is super bright, and you can alternate how many LEDs are turned on to keep the light down or save battery life.

LED Tent Light
-24 White LEDs brings perfect illumination indoor and outdoor
-Comes with a hanger, magnet and hanging hole
-Alternate between 15 LEDs, 6 LEDs, & 3 LEDs
-Use 4 x AA Battery
-Extensive lifetime of LED (100,000 hours)
-Battery last for up to 50 hours
-Water-Proof

The tent light is not only good for outdoor use, but great for indoor use. In a power outage a tent light could light up a whole room; you would need multiple candles to do the job of the tent light. It also has the ability to set the number of LEDs that are on to save battery, and at full power it lasts 50 hours. It has a hook to be hung on the wall, or hung from the ceiling or top of a tent.

Lighting is very important and with today's technology advances, there's no reason to be using conventional bulbs. LEDs are 10x better and when looking for flashlights for your emergency preps, only purchase a quality LED flashlight. And don't forget, flashlights are useless without batteries, so whether you like rechargeables or alkaline, make sure you have plenty of them and the means to charge them!

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Free Water Storage

2009-07-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Preparedness is all about ingenuity and gumption. You have to look at everything like it's a potential prep and evaluate if it would be worth saving; this includes your plastic juice jugs. Sometimes best preps are ones that you don't have to pay a lot for and your spare juice jugs are an example. Water barrels, the Reliance jugs from Wal-Mart, or the water machine jugs from Sam's Club are great ways to store water, but you can supplement your main water storage with your old bottles.

I drink a lot of juice, mainly Simply Orange orange juice, and grape juice. The bottles that the juice come in are made from good plastic and are pretty thick. Once I'm done drinking all the juice I rinse the bottles out with hot water and dish soap. Once the bottles are cleaned and the soap is gone, just fill with cool tap water and store. I have some I stored from the first of January and the water still tastes great. I have accumulated over 14 gallons of water over the past few months which would be a whole two weeks worth of water for one person. If you're already throwing away your bottles, the only cost is the water from the tap, which would be minimal. I might put back one a week but it really adds up.

Note: Don't use milk jugs, they're near impossible to get clean enough to use, and if any milk residue is left over in the jug it will ruin the water when you try to store it.

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Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

2009-07-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

After realizing that fluoride is bad for you, and that using conventional toothpaste which is made from fluoride is bad, I started making my own homemade toothpaste. I have been using this toothpaste recipe for a few months now and it works great. It makes your mouth feel fresh, tastes good, it's cheap, and makes me feel better knowing I'm taking better care of my teeth. Traditionally toothpaste was made from mainly baking soda. It has only been the last few decades that toothpaste has fully switched over to fluoride based. Now when you're shopping for a new bottle of toothpaste, you would be hard pressed to find a toothpaste without fluoride. There is a company that makes a fluoride free toothpaste that is sold at some Wal-Marts. Tom's of Maine sells toothpaste without fluoride added that can be purchased from Wal-Mart for less than $5 a bottle.

The Tom's toothpaste is great, but somewhat expensive. Making your own toothpaste will help your teeth, your wallet, and give you the knowledge to make your own toothpaste if you were unable to purchase any from the store, due to a disaster. The homemade toothpaste recipe is below:

Ingredients:
-6 teaspoons baking soda
-1/3 teaspoon salt
-4 teaspoons glycerin
-15 drops peppermint or wintergreen extract

Directions:
Mix thoroughly. Should be a toothpaste consistency. Store in an airtight container.

The baking soda, salt, and peppermint flavor can all be purchased at your local Wal-Mart. Baking soda is around $1 a box, most should already have plenty of salt, and the wintergreen flavoring is in the arts and crafts section of Wal-Mart; 2 small bottles for $2. I was unable to find glycerin at Wal-Mart and ended up finding some at Rite-Aid. It was around $4 for a bottle, which brings the total price up to around $7. For $7 worth of ingredients and a couple minutes of your time to mix it up, the ingredients will last you months. I have been making it for around 3 months now and I'm still using the $7 worth of ingredients I purchased when I started.

I got this recipe from PioneerThinking.com. There are a lot of other great recipes for homemade products on their site including a good mouthwash recipe.

Here is a picture of my ingredients, and what the toothpaste looks like. For best results, use a butter knife to spread it on your toothbrush and keep it sealed in an airtight container.

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Car Emergency Kit

2009-07-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

As a follow up to the Get Home Bag post that went over pretty well, I will also post what items I keep in my car outside of my Get Home Bag. I don't take my Get Home Bag unless I'm going on a longer trip, so for the shorter trips I have things in my trunk that could get myself, or someone else out of a pinch. There are many different things that could happen on the road, and it's important to be prepared for emergency situations even if your just 30 minutes or an hour from your home.

Year around it's important to keep jumper cables, a basic tool set, some extra engine fluids and a working flashlight in your car. There are also some seasonal items to keep in the trunk which include warm clothes in the Winter and cool clothes in the Summer. And going even beyond that, it's important to keep a couple days worth of food and water, and a good first aid kit in your vehicle.

Another thing to keep in mind is your spare tire and jack. Checking your spare tire air pressure needs to be as regular as you check your car tires pressure. It needs to be kept at pressure in case you ever need to use it. The stock jack and lug wrench are decent at best, so if your looking for something better than the stock one, a hydraulic jack and heavy duty lug wrench can be purchased at any store for pretty cheap.

Above is a picture of my trunk with the emergency items that I keep in it. Most people don't use their trunk for much other than collecting junk, and even with the preps in mine there is still room to put a few other things in there if I needed too.

To keep things organized and from flying around the trunk while driving I use a UTG Duffle bag to keep my extra clothes and smaller things in.

Below is a chart of the things inside the duffel, with thumbnail photos underneath of the contents. Click on the thumbnails to open the full size picture in a new window.

Outside of the duffel bag I also keep a small tool box with tools in it, a small emergency kit, a large 206pc tool set, and some engine fluids and in a plastic crate do they don't roll around in the trunk. Below is the chart and thumbnails for all the trunk items.

So there you have it, a pretty complete car emergency kit. There could be a few things I left out, but prepping is an ongoing activity. Outside of the trunk I keep a small hand powered LED flashlight and my Leatherman Wave multi-tool in the cab with me. I try to get things when they're on sale, so if you see a good deal snatch it up, and add it in. Car emergency kits are important because they could get you out of a pickle, but you could also use your preps to help someone else who's broken down or needs a jump at the grocery store. Part of being a prepper is using our knowledge and intuition to help others who are in need.

Also, here's a picture of my trunk with all my emergency preps and my Get Home Bag in it to show that it all fits with room to spare.

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Get Home Bag: Summer Edition

2009-07-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Summertime is here and it's time to re-organize my Get Home Bag for the change in the season. For my pack, the main difference is what clothing I will be packing. I went ahead and did some additional organizing of my Get Home Bag after re-evaluating its purpose and intended use.

The purpose of my bag is to provide me with the means to get home on foot if I'm up to 200 miles away from home. The pack is light and includes all the necessary (and some unnecessary) gear to make it back to my home.

I call it a Get Home Bag over a Bug Out Bag for the simple fact that I don’t plan on bugging out. My preps are all at my house, and the only time I would need a so called Bug Out Bag would be to make it back to my house if I was unable to make the drive. A Get Home Bag includes all the essential items to make it home by hiking. This is a bag that I throw in the trunk of my car when making long trips in case of a breakdown, or any other type of emergency.

The pack itself is a military surplus large ALICE pack. It features an aluminum frame with a waist strap for proper weight distribution. It also has 3 large external pockets, and 3 small external pockets. I rigged up a hydration bladder that fits inside the radio pocket inside the main compartment. This could be used to carry additional water and mates with my Katadyn Combi hiking filter. I also keep my Midland XT511 Radio in the radio pouch.

Below shows the contents of the external pockets:

Below is the break down of my First Aid Kit and Hygiene Kit:

The top of the pack is covered with a waterproof flap that has storage inside it.

The chart below shows the contents of flap:

The main compartment is pretty good size and could probably hold 2 large sleeping bags rolled up. I try to keep what's inside the main compartment organized with some plastic storage containers and zip-loc bags. For food I choose to keep 6 days worth of food bars. If I'm away from home and on foot, getting back asap will be the top priority. Food bars are something you could grab on the go, they're small and lightweight, and you could eat a quick meal for energy and keep moving. Water is heavy and bulky when trying to carry it on your persons. I decided to go with a Katadyn Combi hiking filter and water bottle for quick and easy hydration on the go. There is a ton of water in Kentucky and if I was on foot I would be able to find a decent water source, and filter it with the Combi for clean drinking water.

Shelter is also important if you were forced to spend the night out in the elements. For this I have a medium sized tarp, a tube tent, and an emergency sleeping bag. It wouldn't provide much comfort, but would keep me warm and dry under the tent and the tarp. Safety is also really important when in the middle of an emergency or disaster. I keep a couple N-95 face masks, a few sets of ear plugs, and a pair of quality safety glasses. I wear contacts and the safety glasses would be important to keep debris out of my eyes and conserve the contact lenses. Speaking of bad vision, it's also important to keep an extra pair of prescription glasses in case what you're wearing breaks or you run of out contacts.

Some items in my Get Home Bag are dual use items, which are items that can be used for different things. Baking soda can be used to keep feet dry and also could be used as a cleaner. Duct tape has about a million uses and could be used for just about anything from first aid to shelter building. Bungee cords also have multiple uses and could be used for shelter building or attaching things to your pack.

Below are pictures of the main compartment contents and a chart of the items:

As stated above, the purpose of the bag is to help me get home in the event of an emergency or disaster. It also is something I could grab and go if I had to leave in a hurry (bug out). This is what I think would be important to include in any personal bag. Yours might be a little different, but this should give you a good idea of what to include in a Get Home Bag. I take it with me when I go on long trips and it would even come in handy if you broke down on the side of the road.

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Gear Review: Midland 2-way Radios

2009-07-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

*UPDATE: The range what was I expected, about a mile in town depending on how many buildings and homes there are. In optimal conditions, like an open field, you could get probably 5+ miles.

Communication devices are an important part of anyone's survival kit. There are many different options to choose, such as HAM, GMRS/FRS, CB...ect. I opted to go for the GMRS/FRS 2-way radios. They are popular, inexpensive, and easy to use. First off I have the Midland XT511 Base Camp radio. This is a great emergency radio with a ton of features. The one thing that sold me on the radio is the Dynamo Hand Crank. This allows the user to charge the power pack with the hand crank for use when the power goes out.

Other features include:
-Built In Alarm Clock
-AM/FM Radio
-All 10 NOAA Weather Channels with Alert Function
-22 GMRS/FRS Channels
-3 LED Flashlight
-Voice-Activated Operation (VOX)
-Water Resistant
-USB Port for Charging Electronic Devices (iPod, Cell Phone)
-Accepts AA Batteries along with Rechargeable Battery Pack
-121 Privacy Codes

If you're looking for an all in one weather radio, GMRS communicator, flashlight, alarm clock with a built in crank charger, this is the best unit on the market. It is durable, and in ideal conditions you could get 20 miles of range with the radio. It can be charged with DC adapter for home use, AC adapter for car charging, Dynamo hand crank, or AA batteries. This helped me out a whole lot when we were hit with the Ice Storm early this year.

The main reason I chose this radio is because of the Dynamo hand crank on it. The battery packs that it charges, are the same packs in some of the hand-held radios, and by having the Base Camp, and a couple hand-helds, you could essentially charge all the radios with the one Base Camp.

I went with the Midland GXT800VP4 2-way radios. These accept the same battery pack as the Base Camp, and also match the color and style. The hand-helds include most of the same features as the Base Camp, and mate with it perfectly. The hand-helds are also water proof.

Other features include:
-22 GMRS/FRS Channels
-All 10 NOAA Weather Channels with Alert Function
-Voice-Activated Operation (VOX)with Vibrating Alert
-Accepts AA Batteries along with Rechargeable Battery Pack
-121 Privacy Codes
-Keypad Lock

These radios work great together, and give you three communication devices. The privacy codes allow you to keep transmissions private, and have a low power setting to conserve battery life. These are a great addition to your hunting, camping, or survival gear and will provide you with years of use.

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Prepping For College Students Part 4

2009-07-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
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The final part in my Prepping for College Students series will deal with the other supplies that one would need in a disaster-type event. Food and water are essential to any prepper's supplies but you also need a way to defend them, a get-home from college plan, and plenty of first-aid supplies.

When I say defense I'm not talking about starting a war, but in my opinion, any and all citizens should own firearms for home and personal defense. Shotguns are great for home defense because of their deadliness at close range, and their low velocity compared to rifles. A good used Remington 870 with a short barrel could be purchased for around $200. This would be my suggestion for a primary home dense weapon. A good side arm is also great to have for the concealability and to have a firearm to carry with you. Hi-Point makes some good handguns that can be purchased new for less than $200. Shotgun and handgun ammo is cheap compared to rifle ammo, and a few hundred rounds for each weapon would be a must. For a college student wanting some added protection for their food storages back at home, a good shotgun and side arm should do the trick.

The next and possibly most important question is "How do you plan on getting home from college?" This is where your get-home bag comes into play. I made a more in depth post back in January about Get Home Bags. All bags are different, but all serve the same purpose; providing you with the supplies you need to get home from college in the event of a disaster. Worst case scenario is you would have to trek it on foot. If this is possible for you, then you would want to keep a good pair of hiking boots, change of clothes, some food bars, water, a compass, map, and other things you think might help you get home in a backpack, ready to go at all times. My Get Home Bag might contain a lot of stuff I might not absolutely need, but I can fit it all in my large ALICE pack so I'm fine with it. Like I said before, you want to tailor your Get Home Bag to fit your specific needs, and you can use mine as an idea of what you would need.

First aid seems to be an important part of prepping a lot of people overlook. First Aid supplies are essential to your total prepping supplies, and can be had for very cheap. There are tons of resources for creating your own first aid kits , and there are also lots of pre-made kits you can purchase for nearly just as cheap. These kits can be purchased from Amazon for less than $30 and include all you need to treat your minor and even moderate injuries.

There are also other supplies that would come in handy in the event of an emergency or disaster. In the event the electricity goes out, you would want to make sure you have the flashlights and batteries stored that you need. I learned this lesson from the Ice Storm that happened earlier this year. Flashlights won't do you any good without batteries to power them. You can purchase batteries in bulk from lots of places including Meritline.com. If you catch them on sale, you can get them for around $.30 a piece. They also sell nice LED flashlights that use very low power and provide a really bright beam of light. A few LED flashlights, a LED headlamp, and a LED tent light will allow you to work and function at night after the power goes off. Candles are also important and emergency candles can be purchased for really cheap. Propane lanterns are also a great way to light your home in the dark of night. Another thing people overlook is hygiene products, specifically toilet paper. I know hygiene would be one of the least important things to worry about in a disaster, but we all still have to wipe our butts and toilet paper will be a valuable commodity if a disaster struck. You want to keep a good supply of toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and toothbrushes. If you are visually impaired like me, a supply of contact lenses and a few pair of extra glasses will allow you to function if the optometrist isn't available. Communication is also important and a few hand held radios that accept the batteries you already have stored would be a good way to keep in touch with family if you had to leave the house for something.

There are still lots of things I haven't mentioned, but this is just a guide to show college students that even on a small budget they can prepare and create themselves an insurance policy against the coming economic collapse. In this series I have discussed and provided ideas for food storage, water storage, and the necessary supplies that would go along with your food and water stores. Anyone can prepare, there are no excuses. It just takes time and patience by getting a little here and there and before you know it, you're prepared!

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Save Money and Build Your Food Storage With Coupons

2009-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Part of the prepper mindset is cutting back on expenses and saving money. Most realize you can turn lights off when you leave a room or take shorter showers and conserve water, but most don't realize how much money you can save by using the coupons that supermarkets provide customers with. Coupons are a great way to cut your food budget down and start building up your food storage. The Huff Family blog made a post about deals they got using coupons and gave the link to a great coupon website, Pinching Your Pennies. This website is a place where people can post local coupons, internet coupons, and even exchange coupons that come in the local paper. There are a lot of coupons out there, and a lot of money to be saved with not much work involved. Most Sunday papers include lots of coupons that most throw away, but Pinching Your Pennies has a great write up about how to use coupons to save money and build up your food storage. It's worth a read and is posted below.

Coupons 101

Is clipping and using the grocery coupons in the Sunday newspaper a waste of time? No! Using coupons, smart shoppers have learned how to live on a grocery budget of $50.00 a week! Savings may be small in the beginning but with knowledge, time and practice coupon shoppers are saving more than ever imagined. Even if you don't NEED to pinch your pennies, you can still have more than you ever thought you could!

Accumulate Coupons

The first step to these terrific savings and successful coupon use is accumulating coupons. Each week there are usually two different coupon inserts in metropolitan newspapers with a third insert available once a month. Having multiples of each coupon enables a shopper to take advantage of the great deals in bulk. This helps build a food storage. Obtaining multiples of coupons is not difficult. Family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are great sources for obtaining multiple coupon inserts. There's a great trading forum here at PinchingYourPennies.com, where you can trade the coupons from Sunday paper that you can't use, for coupons that you can.

Another source of coupons is the internet. Printable coupons and coupon offers can be found at many manufacturer and coupon related websites. Many manufacturers also offer coupons which are sent post mail.

Additional coupons and in-store savings can be found at most grocery stores. Coupons commonly called blinkies are available in red machines set up in aisles in the stores. Also, apply for grocery store courtesy cards. Most grocery chains have these complimentary cards which provide extra discounts and savings at their stores. These discounts can be combined with coupons for maximum savings.

Get Organized

The second step to successful coupon use is organization. There is a variety of ways to organize and maintain coupons. Successful coupon users have a place to keep and organize the coupons. This can be a box, binder or flexible file. Plastic flex-type coupon organizers can be purchased at many stores. Many coupon users make their own binders using a zippered binder filled with photo pages or sports card pages. A box with dividers can be made or purchased. Whatever is used, the coupons are divided and placed in categories which provide for easy location while shopping.

There are many methods to saving and cutting the coupons and inserts. Some coupon users will cut all coupons and file them in their coupon organizer. This way all of the coupons are available when shopping. If a surprise deal or sale is found, the coupon is ready. Others cut only the coupons they are sure to use and leave the rest in the coupon inserts. When a sale or deal on a specific item occurs, they can go back to the insert and cut the needed coupons. If doing this, find a way to file and organize the inserts. Print or write out a list of which coupons are in each insert.

What is Food Storage?

The third and most powerful step to successful coupon use is called building a food storage. When a great deal is found, buy in bulk. This is why accumulating multiple coupons is necessary. Buying a lot of one thing at a great price can lead to never having to pay full price again. For example, buying six months of cereal at a great price means cereal will not need to be purchased again until you run out. This can be done with many food items and most household goods.

Use Coupons Wisely

Using coupons wisely is another key to successful coupon use. There are many ways to do this and maximize the savings. The first way is to avoid using a coupon just because it exists. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and is not needed, do not use it. Unused coupons can be traded. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.

Watch the sales at different grocery stores. Pair the sales with the coupons to get great savings. Many times items are just a small fraction of their original price when this is done. Here at PinchingYourPennies, we compare ads and coupons for the grocery sales each week. This takes less research by the coupon user and provides a place for other coupon users to share deals they find each week.

Know the coupon policies at local stores. Stop at the customer service desks and ask about their coupon policies. Some stores double and triple the value of coupons. Some stores will combine a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. If a store has a coupon in their ad or in store and there is a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, both can be used. Two manufacturer's coupons can not be combined. There are some stores that accept competitor's store coupons.

Read each coupon carefully. Most state "one coupon per purchase". Each item bought is a purchase. If 10 of an item is purchased, 10 coupons for that item may be used. It is rare for a coupon to state "one coupon per customer".

When coupons are collected, organized and used in these ways it is easy to slice your monthly grocery budget in at least half. One PYP user has done just that.

Misti's Story

“When I first started using coupons our monthly grocery budget was around $700. That included food, cleaning supplies, paper products, diapers, etc… It took a while before I really started to see my budget go down. I don't think I noticed a difference in the amount of money I was spending for 5-6 months. But there was a huge difference in what I was bringing home. Over time, I started to see my budget come down. It was slow at first but I decided to cut $50 off each month and see what happened. After another 7-8 months, I had the budget for the same items down to $250 a month. After having a fourth child I increased the budget to $300 a month and that is what I spend now.” Misti M. of Toole, UT

Tips of the Trade

Successful coupon shoppers also use the following tips to maximize their savings.

* When at item is Buy One Get One Free, often two coupons can be used.
* If the coupon says "off any size", its often more profitable to use it on the smallest size.
* If the store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck. Use it later with coupons.
* Keep a list of needed items.
* Plan your meals around items in your food storage.
* Avoid trips to convenience and corner stores.
* Don't shop when hungry. This will reduce impulse buys.
* Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on everything.
* Check expiration dates on food items, especially when stockpiling.
* Watch for price discrepancies as checkout. Make sure all coupons are deducted.
* Try different brands. Eliminating brand loyalty increases savings.
* Have fun and be proud of the savings!

Grocery coupons are not the only way to save money while shopping. There are many ways to save money when shopping for almost everything.

Shopping Online

Shopping online provides a new shopping experience for many consumers. Many retailers have websites where they offer the same products found in their stores. There are also many retailers who just sell products online through their websites. Many times items can be found online at great savings. Many online retailers off free shipping or have free shipping promotions.

Most internet retailers offer discounts by providing discount coupon codes for things like free shipping, percentages off or fixed dollar amounts off a purchase. There are many places online that compile lists of these codes for shoppers. There are lists of discount coupon codes for most of the popular online retailers at www.pinchingyourpennies.com. Along with discount codes, many websites like this have areas devoted to sharing internet shopping deals. Recently smart shoppers were able to take advantage of a toy sale at a major internet retailer with discounts of 75% of more and free shipping.

With a better price, no shipping charges, increased internet shopping security, no hassle of going to the store and further discounts available with coupons codes, online shopping is growing in popularity. It has become a first stop for many smart shoppers.

Even with online shopping, smart shoppers do not give up shopping around town. Smart shopping around town can also provide great savings. Planning ahead saves shoppers money when shopping locally. Watch for sales and clearances. Know where local stores keep clearance items. Watch for end of season sales. Shopping at the end of a season for items needed the next year provides huge discounts. Become familiar with the sales cycles, know when different things are typically on sale. For example, many things such as mattress sets are typically on sale for the best discounts in the fall.

Shopping Around Town

Knowing the pricing policies of local stores is also important. Some stores have low price guarantees or match other store's advertised sale prices. Know where to find information about sales and clearances around town. Again, websites like www.pinchingyourpennies.com can help with this. Many local deals and sales at stores are shared between readers. Even shopping locally can be a money saving experience.

Whether it is using grocery coupons, internet shopping or shopping locally, simply knowing how to shop and where to shop is the key to shopping smarter and realizing amazing savings. With the right knowledge, shoppers can pinch their pennies and never pay full price again.

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Survival Preps (Gear)

2009-07-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Bug Out Bag / Get Home Bag
Cellphones As An Emergency Communicator
Car Emergency Kit
Gear Review: LED Flashlights and Batteries
Gear Review: Fire Starters
Gear Review: Midland 2-way Radios
Gear Review: Venturer Survivor Shoulder Bag
Get Home Bag / Summer Edition
Got Duct Tape?
How To: Hydration Bladder in ALICE Pack
Most Overlooked Prep - First Aid Kit
Preps
Test Your Gear Before You Need It
Vision Impaired? Stock Up on Eyeglasses

Test Your Gear Before You Need It

2009-07-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Author: Mathiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Having a closet full of survival and camping gear is a great insurance policy facing the current economic collapse. I have accumulated a good supply of assorted supplies, as well as the needed items to go camping. So I decided to take a couple nights and camp out in the field behind my house to give my gear a good field test. I got the chance to test out my new tent, sleeping bag, flashlights, and a lot of stuff in my get home bag. It was a great learning experience and was a lot of fun getting to somewhat "rough it" with my pack. It's important to be familiar with your gear, including how to pack it into your ruck and how to set up and take down your tent, so if the day comes that you actually need the stuff, you will be familiar with it.

Fire:
I went out on a Friday afternoon and cut plenty of firewood with my folding Sierra Saw. These saws work great and will cut through branches like you wouldn't believe. I cut a large pile of wood with only the saw and it worked great. I started my fire with my fire steel and cotton balls soaked hand sanitizer. It quickly created a flame which lit the small branches that got the fire going.

Tent:
I went out with my pack, and set up my tent a few hours before dark so I could take my time and get familiar with how to set it up. My tent is a High Peak South Col, 4 season/3 person tent. It comes with the tent itself, and a full rain fly. It had plenty of room for 3 people to sleep in, and fit myself and my gear with no problems. I have an all purpose tarp that I put underneath the tent for extra protection from the ground It did not provide much insulation but kept the wind out and is a good quality tent.

Sleeping:
I have a High Peak Summit 0 degree sleeping bag that I used on both nights along with a foam sleeping pad underneath me. The bag kept me completely warm even when the temperature dropped into the mid 30's. It was pretty cold in my tent but my sleeping bag and the sleeping pad kept me warm and comfortable. It's important to know what the temperature is going to be when going out for a camping trip. This ensures that you bring the correct sleeping bag, and the right clothes that you need. When outside at night around the fire I had on my 3-layer Army ECWS and never got cold sitting outside.

Gadgets:
A few things I have purchased and took with me really made things a lot easier. They aren't necessary but are cheap and will really come in handy. The first item came in handy is a LED Headlamp. I purchased a 21 LED Headlamp from Meritline.com. It is extemly bright with a long battery life and makes doing things at night so much easier because you have both hands. I also got a 33 LED Tent Light from Meritline, it might seem like a waste but it really comes in handy if you wanted to read or when your doing things in the tent at night, one of those will light up the whole tent and they have extremely long battery life.

Food:
For food I took a couple MRE's with me to eat for dinner along with my cheapo Mess Kit and Hobo Utensil Tool. I cooked the meals over my Alcohol Stove with the mess kit and also was able to make coffee and tea.

All in all it was a great learning experience and I got a chance to test out my gear and everything went surprisingly well. Most would call my supplies "cheap" but if you know how to use what you have then it works just as well as the expensive gear. It's essential to know how to use your gear in the field and testing out what's in your bug out bag or your camping gear is the best way to learn. You don't want to head into the woods never having set up your tent or getting a chance to try out your supplies. Part of having the prepardness gear is actually knowing how to use the stuff you have. This will make it a lot easier to make decisions if the situation came where you had to use the supplies.

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Prepping For College Students Part 3

2009-07-04T11:14:00.001-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Part 3 of this series will review the importance of water in a survival situation. Water is MORE important than food; you can go a while without food, but wouldn't survive a few days without a clean water source. Storing water for a student might seem like a daunting task but it's very simple and not very expensive. Most won't have the ability to store 55 gallon drums in or around their homes, so smaller, storable containers will be the best way to store it.

Along with the 3 month storable food supply, students should move towards also having a 3 month water supply on hand. Wal-Mart sells Reliance 7 gallon Aqua-Tainers that are BPA free and safe for water storage. Sam's Club sells the 4 gallon water jugs for water dispensers and these are good to buy and store up also. Aside from buying containers you can save your plastic juice jugs to clean and fill with water for storage, I fill up all my juice jugs for storage, just don't use milk jugs. Tap water doesn't need any additives to be storable, it comes out of the faucet ready to be stored for up to a year and still be clean and drinkable. In a survival situation one should have at least a gallon of water each day for drinking and cooking. Water is important with your supply of dried foods because they lack the water content that other foods contain. Staying hydrated means staying alive whether you're caught in an ice storm with no running water or in a SHTF type situation.

We take water for granted because all we have to do is turn a knob and it flows right out. The running water is dependent on electric pumps to get it to your kitchen sink, but in a blackout those pumps would fail and water wouldn't be available. The majority of the population doesn't have access to water from a well or stream, so keeping plenty on hand is key. For 3 months one would need around 90 gallons of water to have a gallon per day per person. As long as the water is put in a location that doesn't get below freezing it will be ok to store there. If you don't have the inside space, your crawlspace underneath your house is a good place. Our crawlspace in KY usually doesn't get below freezing in the winter so your stored water should be safe, any further North and I'm not sure. Even it would freeze, you could just leave a space at the top for expansion. It's important to also remember to rotate your water every 6 months to a year, the same with your stored food supply.

Not only storing on hand water and food, having a way to filter water that you could collect is also important. There are lots of good water filters on the market including Berkley and other brands. You want one that is either hand pumped or gravity filtered, so you won't have to rely on electricity. I opted for the Katadyn Combi water filter. It is a well made backpacking filter that features a hand pump and a ceramic filter that lasts 13,000 gallons. These will filter a liter per minute and would be great for a survival situation. If you had to you could probably find a water source, and filter it to make it drinkable.

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Prepping For College Students Part 2

2009-07-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

In part 2 of the "Prepping for College Students" series, I'm going to focus on the 3 month food supply for the student living at home. It's impractical for the average student to store pounds of rice, beans, or other bulk food items in buckets in their parent's home, and not to mention expensive. The best plan that I could come up with was to stock up on things like small quantities of beans and rice, canned soups, chili, fruits and veggies, noodles and other cheap items. A couple weeks worth of food is better than nothing, and I know ideally we would all like to have at least a year's worth but again we have to look at what's practical for a student still living at home. I decided that having a 3 month food supply would be best for a student still living at home, and I feel that a 3 month supply will put anyone, student or not, in a great position facing these tough economic times.

A 3 month supply of food needs to be easy on the wallet, and include a variety of meals that are quick and easy to prepare. Below is a list of food, the current prices, the total servings, and amount of the foods. This is to serve as a guide for someone else who is looking to put together a similar kit. You can easily get by for 3 months with this food by combining and creating meals. The canned soups are a complete meal and could be ate with crackers, the ramen noodles with spaghetti sauce, or the oats with sliced apples. This supply includes foods that can be prepared easily with water and heat. It is very complete and includes 3 full meals for 90 days, and could be stretched and rationed to last a possible 120 days. The price is very low being a little more than $200; you can't buy a storable 3 month food supply for that price anywhere.

This list was made out of things that I like and that I wouldn't mind eating for 3 months. Your personal supply needs to be made up of foods that you eat on a daily basis. This will ensure that you have food that you enjoy and that you won't have to try beans for the first time the day you really need them. Canned soups, fruits, vegetables, and meats are ideal for a short term food supply. Dried rice, beans, and noodles are also great and not to mention very cheap. These items store well, and have at least a year shelf life. It's important to be familiar with your food supply, and have an idea of what foods would go together. This way you can check your recipe sheet, get your ingredients, and throw a meal together if you didn't have a lot of time to be cooking and preparing. There are some food specific items that would go with your supply such as a heat source for cooking, can opener, utensils, cookware, recipe hard copies, and kitchen conversion charts. Shown below is a few pictures of these food supply gadgets that can be clicked to the original album. The can opener is an OXO Smooth Edge Can Opener (link in Amazon slideshow) and cuts without any sharp edges and leaves a lid that can be put back on for a decent seal, just like the Pampered Chef one. The Sterno alcohol stoves will last 2 1/4 hour a piece and can be used to cook, and the alcohol stoves with the denatured alcohol is also for cooking food indoors. A few other good things to have are measuring cups, a funnel set, and something to store food like plastic containers and zip lock bags.

Most people would already have these items in their kitchen or parent's kitchen but if not they would be very helpful when preparing your food preps and measuring out each serving to make sure you weren't using too much. For about $2 a day, a student can have a good size food supply and will sleep better at night knowing that you have your bases covered concerning food. This would all fit in a couple large plastic containers, inside your closet after some spring cleaning. I'm sure everyone could spare a little space to make room for your insurance policy. In later parts I will discuss water storage options, staying warm, and protecting and defending your food supplies.

CookBookPeople.com - Kitchen Conversion Chart

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Prepping For College Students Part 1

2009-07-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

I'm going to start a series titled "Prepping for College Students." It will be a guide for a prepper in college that is just getting started. I haven't read much about college students prepping but hopefully this will show some on the fence how easy and cheap it really is. Prepping when you're in college and still living at home is a lot different than prepping if you own your own home. It makes a big difference when deciding how to prep, and making the decision on what to buy. After lots of research and countless hours on the internet, I started making my prep item purchases and over the course of a couple months, built up what I think is a good insurance policy for things to come. Most college students are too involved in meaningless and useless activities to worry about prepping or even the economy for that matter. But there are some students out there that are wanting to prep, but don't see how they can do it, or how they can finance their preps. The good news is that buying a few preps is really cheap and by not eating out, or not buying a bunch of crap you already have, you could have the money to buy a good amount of preps by working a part time job.

I started prepping with little direction in where I wanted to go, and how much I wanted to get for myself. Ideally, I would like to have 5 years of food, water, thousands of rounds of ammo, multiple guns...you get the picture. The problem of being in college is that you A. don't have a lot of disposable income, and B. Don't have your own place to store these items. I decided that my best bet would be to secure a 3 month supply of food and water for myself. All the food would be fairly easy to prepare, needing only heat or water to be ready to eat. It would need to be easily storable, with long shelf lives. Rice, beans, canned goods, and other dried foods filled my lists of what I wanted to buy. As I was finding out, these foods that are storable and long lasting are really the cheapest foods you can buy. Junk food is the most expensive, so when making out a list of food preps, bulk and canned foods are the cheapest and best to get.

Three months of food honestly won't take up that much space. I'm sure everyone has a closet in their room back at home that is full of junk. First you must clear the space to put your food stores. About 6 months ago I went through all my junk and took it all to the salvation army. Anything of value I sold on ebay for extra cash. This is the first step because you have to have a place to store your supplies. Next if you don't have the money or a job, then get a part time job. I work part time and before I woke up to what's going on I wasted most of my money on clothes and gadgets. Since then I have stopped spending a dime on eating out, any additional clothes, shoes, or gadgets. This might not sound like much but over the course of a couple months this will really add up. You will be surprised how much prep items you can buy just by saving the money you would spend at Wendy's, Burger King or American Eagle.

So you've got your space cleared out, and your money saved up. How much money would you need? I will get into more detail in upcoming parts of this series, but for 3 months of food alone I only spent $200. This includes some extra things that will add additional taste and variety into the diet if I had to solely rely on my food storage. My 3 month supply is very complete, and with rationing and saving, I could easily stretch it to 4 months or even more. In a survival situation, you can't rely on any outside forces to support you or help you. You're going to need warmth in the winter/nighttime, a way to cook/heat the food, and a source of light in the dark. The basic human needs are food, water and shelter. I'm going to cover the basics through this series. I plan on bugging in at my parents house because it's where my preps are and I have nowhere else to go. There are many people in this situation and it's possible for us to prepare also. You can't stay in your dorm so getting home and having the means to survive is important.

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Authors

2009-07-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome! How To Use The Prepper E-Book

2009-07-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome To The Prepper E-Book! From surviving any immediate situation to a 72 hour plan to long-term sustainability, find and exchange information here at the Prepper E-Book. ALL information on this site is FREE to copy (See copyright rules) Teach...Learn...Share!

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$100 Food Storage List

2009-07-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Prepping is NOT expensive and it doesn't take rocket science to figure it out. Storing food is a question that is very often brought up on the survival message boards. There are good ways to store up years worth of food (buckets, mylar, and O2 absorbers) but you can get a couple months supply of food for your self or each member in the family for right around $100. After searching Wal-Mart for the best deals and best prices, I've come up with this list. This is a $100 list of groceries that would keep one alive for 2 months comfortably. I personally have all these items stored, along with water for 2 months for myself. I think that a 2 month supply of food and water would be a good start for any beginner wanting to get a stash back. $100 won't break the bank and you can put these item's in a closet and they will keep for a least a year in the original packaging.

Once you get your 2 month supply, you will need a way to cook the food if/when the power goes out. This is where my alcohol stove comes in. This thing runs off of HEET (Methyl Alcohol) or Denatured Alcohol. It burns very pure, and very hot. This will boil a cup of water in just a couple of minutes, and 1 oz. of fuel will run the stove for 15 minutes. More than enough time to cook most stuff.

Finally, you need water. Most people will tell you that water is MORE important than food. You can go a good while without food, not you won't last long without water to drink. I get these Reliance 7 gal. Aqua-Tainers from Wal-Mart for $12 a piece. Just 8 of these and you have 2 months of water for yourself (1 gal per day.)

And that should have you ready for any disaster that heads your way. Food and water are the two most important things. You would also want some cold weather gear/warm weather gear, candles, guns and ammo, flashlights, and batteries. If you can eat, keep warm, and have a little light, you're going to be in a lot better position than your average sheeple begging FEMA to feed them and their families.

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Winter Survival

2009-07-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Winter Storm Survival Tips

2009-07-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

*UPDATE: Looks like we finally have the official word on the storm. Parts of Kentucky (including the area I live) have an Ice Storm Warning. The National Weather Service is calling for up to 1 inch of ice Monday night, and another inch of ice Tuesday night. Ice accumulations of this magnitude will cause significant damage to power lines and trees. Roads will be heavily impacted, and travel is not recommended. Last minute preparations should be completed TODAY! Prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

The rest of the state, including where Bullseye is located, is under a Winter Storm Warning. Tonight, 2 inches of snow and sleet accumulation is possible, with up to 1/4 inch of ice. Total snow and sleet accumulations should be around 1 to 3 inches, with a 1/2 inch of ice. Residents should prepare for possible power outages, and travel will be extremely hazardous or impossible.

Bullseye and myself wanted to give everyone a heads up about the winter storm that the National Weather Service is predicting will hit most of Kentucky from Monday night to Tuesday night. Tonight should be mostly clear, I just got out and there is a slight dusting on the roads but they are okay to drive on. Tomorrow night will be a different story though. We are under a Winter Storm Watch now through Tuesday night; this means that there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations. For most of Kentucky sleet and freezing rain are likely, and possibly some snow. Although it is uncertain, we could see significant sleet and ice accumulations. As of right now they are calling for 0.1 – 0.3 inches of ice, with little or no snow. This will make travel very difficult and dangerous.

*On a side note, two years ago I went out to get a bite to eat in icy conditions and ended up getting rear-ended by a Dodge Durango. I would consider myself a good driver, but it’s the other motorists that you have to watch out for.Here are some tips from FEMA on how to deal with a winter storm.

If you are indoors:
-Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
-Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
-Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.
-If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).
-Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

If you are outdoors:
-Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.
-Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.
-Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
-Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
-Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.
If symptoms of hypothermia are detected:
1. get the victim to a warm location
2. remove wet clothing
3. put the person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket
4. warm the center of the body first
5. give warm, non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages if the victim is conscious
6. get medical help as soon as possible.

If you are driving:
-Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following:-Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule.
-Stay on main roads; avoid back road shortcuts.
-If a blizzard traps you in the car:
-Pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.
-Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful; distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow.
-Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
-Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket.
-Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.
-Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
-Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply.
-Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you.
-If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area by airplane.
-Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes

Author: Bullseye
Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com
CodeNameBullseye.blogspot.com

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Got Duct Tape?

2009-07-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

I can't begin to tell you all the times Duct Tape has saved the day for me. I have used it for just about anything and everything you can think of. I will never be without several rolls in my supplies. I keep a few rolls in each car too.

Why Duct Tape?

Duct tape is a great item to have in your survival kit. It has a number of uses and can help you make emergency repairs on just about everything.

What can you do with Duct Tape?
Make emergency repairs on, tents, gear, tarps, pack, sleeping bag, clothing, rain gear, etc….
Medical Uses - making large bandages, adding padding to blisters, and making slings. It can also be used for wrapping sprained ankles in an emergency.
Sealing Windows
Making emergency temporary repairs to you vehicle.
Stopping Leaks
Repairing Torn Clothing and Warn out shoes.
Waterproofing
Wrapping plastic water bottles to prevent cracking and leaking.
Duct Tape Tip: When you want your repairs to last longer, ironing the Duct tape to your torn fabric will help it last a lot longer. In the field you can use a Hot Rock heated in a fire to get the same effect.

Here are just a few of the real life stories that I found here. Please go and read all the uses and praise that can be found on this site.

WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS 5 SHE WAS SPINNING AROUND IN OUR HOUSE AND SHE HIT HER HEAD. IT WAS A BIG GASH ,WE LOOKED FOR BAND-AIDS AND WE DID NOT HAVE ANY, SO WE TOOK A WAD OF TOILET PAPER AND SOME DUCT TAPE AND WRAPPED HER HEAD. 7 STITCHES THAT TIME
ROBERT J.WILLMAR, MN

My friends and I were on a camp out recently and were distraught because we had all forgotten our flashlights, except for a very small one that didn’t work very well at all. So I suggested we try wrapping a stick with Duck Tape (no one forgot to bring this) and lighting it. It worked great, and burned for hours.
Aaron B.Springfield, MO

One day I was at my friends farm riding a 4-wheeler and the 4-wheeler broke and I ran right through a barbed wire fence and cut my neck 10 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, and also my ear,hand and leg very badly. I got over 300 stitches in me. But before I went to the ER the people that were with me put duck tape over my wounds to stop the bleeding because we had a hour and a half ride to the hospital. The doctors told me afterwards that if I didn't duck tape my neck I would have bleed to death. Thank you God and Duck Tape!!!
Rachel H.Garland, TX

While hiking on Stone Mountain in the summer my brother and I ran out of water. There was a chance of a light rain shower that night so we duck taped a poncho into a large bowl to collect rain water. Then we prayed it would rain. It worked, we had so much water we dumped most of it out. Then we peeled the duck tape off, rolled it back up and clipped on the caribener. Thank you duck tape, you saved this Marine and Boy Scout's life. The rest of the hike was great.
Mitch E.Raymond, IL

Bug Out Bag / Get Home Bag

2009-07-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

**UPDATE: I've got a new Bug Out Bag post up with pictures CLICK HERE

I travel to see my girlfriend a couple times a month. She goes to college about 200 miles away from where I live. A few weeks ago I completed what some might call a Bug out Bag (BOB) or a Get Home Bag (GHB). This bag contains the necessary items I would need to keep myself alive in the event of a breakdown on a cold winter night, or a hot summer day. Many times I drive back late at night where if I had to call my parents or someone to get me it would take a couple hours depending on where I was at. I don’t plan on bugging out in the event of a disaster; taking off into the woods with my BOB would not last very long. I plan on digging in at my home, but if I’m not home I need a plan to get back home, and get my girlfriend back home. This is where your BOB comes in. I keep a fully stocked BOB that contains food, water, shelter, and the necessary supplies to keep me going for at least a week. My girlfriend also keeps a stocked BOB in her car that includes food and water for 3 days, and an extra fuel tank. If SHTF while she was up at school, she has the means to make it back home where the bulk of our supplies are.

My BOB would also be helpful in the event of a local emergency where everyone had to be evacuated. It contains everything I would need in the event I had to evacuate quickly, I can grab it and go. Food and water are the most important items in a BOB, but some other important items are: a spare change of clothes, some cash, first aid kit, hygiene kit, flashlights, and a good multi-tool are other important items to keep in the bag. I keep a road map of Kentucky, and on top of the drinkable water I carry around 250 water purification tablets that will purify 1L of water per tablet.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pTTmeBxuzRty37lxocb64Hw&gid=0

That link is the full list of my Bug out Bag items, along with a list of the items I keep in my car at all times. Feel free to use this list as a guide when preparing your own BOB.

Author: matthiasj
Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

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$100 Prep List

2009-07-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

I went to Wal-Mart 01.19.09 to get a few prep items and thought I would share. I ended up spending right under $100 and I got about a month’s worth of food and a couple week’s worth of water. This is the start of my preps and others are welcome to use it as a guide to getting started prepping.

Food Items:
-Long Grain White Rice 5 lbs. $5
-Lentil Beans 5 lbs. $5
-Ramen Noodles (Chicken) 24 pks. $4
-Canned Mixed Vegetables 2 lbs. $3
-Canned Chicken Noodle Soup 4 cans $3
-Tuna Fish 4 cans $3
-Unsalted Crackers 1 lbs. $2
-Peanut Butter 2 lbs. $5
-Quick Oats 2 lbs. $3
-Dehydrated Banana Chips 2 pks. $3
-Raisins 2 lbs. $3

Water:
-7gal. Water Container 2 jugs $24

Misc.:
-3 LED Flashlight (6AA) $8
-30 AA Batteries $12
-12 D Batteries $12
-HEET 2 bottles $3

This isn’t a complete list, but enough to get someone through a few weeks if the need arose. Some other important items would be toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and body soap.

Author: matthiasj
Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

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Off Guard and Off Grid

2009-07-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Off grid means many things to many people but for this post we will be addressing off grid as not have any electric power from an outside source, electric power company, ect.. Most of us depend on this outside source to provide all of our electric needs and wants. Many dream of living off grid, I'm one of them, but it's not for everyone I know. But what happens when the electric company is unable to provide you with your electric power for what ever reason. I have, and I'm sure many of you have too, been left in the dark due to a power outage, downed power lines are common during winter storms, even summer storms for that matter. Fire, auto accidents and flooding are just a few of the many other things that can and do interrupt electric service. What I'm saying is that you could be caught off grid unintentionally. But you don't have to be caught off guard during this time. Power outages can last only a few minutes or in some cases a few weeks. You can go here to read one families adventure during a power outage and some of the things they wish they had prepared for. Here are a few things you can do to make this time a little more pleasant or at least comfortable.

First, don't panic. It's not the end of the world, you are not going to die. Keeping your head during this time is the most important thing you can do for your safety.

Know where your flashlights are and have fresh batteries in them. You do have a flashlight??

Gather all family members in the same room to make sure all are accounted for and assure them that everything is and will be ok. Give each family member a flashlight to use as necessary. Candles are always important during an emergency, find them and light them to provide light for all to move freely and safely around the house.

I always shut off my main power breaker and you need to make sure any gas appliances are shut off too. Some use an electric thermostat or pilot light and may not perform as they should without electricity. This is for the safety of the whole family.

Check to see if your neighbors or family close by have electricity. You may be on a different power grid than they are and they could have power when you don't. If conditions are favorable you could go to their house and wait out the power outage. If road conditions, the weather or you vehicle is not up to par, STAY PUT !!

Next, if it's a cold weather situation you need to stay warm. Put on your socks and shoes or boots. Layer clothing to stay warm. Put on a jacket or coat, gloves and hat. It's much easier to stay warm than it is to get warm again.

Do you have an alternate heat source? A wood stove or kerosene heater, small propane stove. Any of these will help keep you warm through this outage. Make sure to provide ventilation for any gas burning heater.Once you have a little heat and some light this situation will be feel much better for all.

Do you have some water stored?? I hope so because many times water service will be lost during these times too. You will need water to drink to help keep you hydrated during this outage.

Now, where's that battery operated radio. Listening to the radio will give you some idea of how long this outage may last and inform you of any road conditions as well as provide some form of entertainment.

Speaking of entertainment, how about those board games. This will keep everyone in a little better spirit until things get restored. If this outage doesn't last too long it can be really fun for the whole family. Sort of a camp out of sorts.It's a good idea to keep a note pad and pen or pencil handy too.

This is a good time to make notes of things that you should have had ready for an emergency. You will think of many things that would have made this time much more comfortable for you and your family.

So, let's review the basics that we need to be safe and comfortable.

Light source-- flashlight, candles, battery operated lantern, ect..

Heat- Wood stove, kerosene heater, warm clothes, ect..

Radio-- Weather Radio, AM/FM radio will do fine to keep you informed of the situation.

Batteries, Batteries, Batteries. You can never have too many extra batteries.

Entertainment--board games us no power source at all and are a lot of fun for everyone.

Sit back and relax until the electricity comes back on. With these few simple ideas you can be safe and secure during this time. Get a few preparations in order and don't get caught off Guard and Off Grid.

I know these are not all the things that may be useful during these times. I also know that many readers will have other ideas as to what to do. Let me know your ideas and anything I may have left out of this small list. We would love to hear from you. Be sure to leave us a comment.

Author: The Scavenger
Visit: johnsonfamilyfarm.blogspot.com

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Cut expenses and prep at the same time

2009-07-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Author: matthiasj
Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

The idea of storing food and water for an emergency might be very foreign to some. What do I buy? How much? How will I pay for this? These are some questions that many might ask themselves when they realize they need to prepare for a natural disaster or most of all, economic collapse. Most Americans rely on weekly or even daily Wal-Mart trips. What if there wasn’t any food at Wal-Mart? The answer is simple; keep a long term food supply for emergencies.

What do I buy?

Store what you eat, eat what you store. This should be the motto of any survivalist. You don’t want to store beans, rice and wheat if you don’t eat these foods. The first step in preparing to store food is to change your diet. Start eating foods that you can store for long term such as beans, rice and making homemade bread from your own wheat. This way when disaster strikes your taste buds won’t be shocked when your diet changes. Beans and rice are not the only items to store, but are staple foods and contain tons of nutrients that your body needs. Fruits, and vegetables are also very important and freeze dried or dehydrated fruits or vegetables is the way to go. In a survival situation, having a variety is the key to keeping a strong apatite and not getting bored with the same meals every day. Having a few good recipe books on hand that will show you how to make different homemade recipes from your raw materials will allow you to have a variety in your meals.

How Much?

This is another important question many would ask when faced with the fact they need to store food. Personally, I would start out small. Get a week or two worth of food and water for the whole family. Once you see what foods you need and the amounts you consume on a small scale, you can increase your quantity for longer periods on up until you have a year’s worth of food for the whole family. There are a lot of different opinions of how much of which foods to store. Most would agree that around 300lbs of wheat per person would be enough for a whole year, 200lbs of rice, and 50lbs of beans. These are the starting point of any long term food storage. 100lbs of salt, and sugar would also be other items to add for your year supply. From there you can judge how much on a weekly basis your family eats, and purchase accordingly.

How will I pay for this?

This question could be the most important question of all. When you hear 300lbs of this, 200lbs of that you think there’s no way I can afford that. In reality buying your basic survival foods in bulk is extremely cheap and will SAVE you tons of money in the long run. It might take a larger initial investment, but at the end of the year it will pay off tremendously. For example, 300lbs of wheat would cost you $100, and 200lbs of rice will cost only $60. Sam’s Club and Costco are great places to purchase bulk food on the cheap. There are many websites that offer freeze dried foods and dehydrated foods sealed in #10 cans for very cheap also.

Storing food, eating healthier, and cheaper is not hard and just takes a little work to figure out how much you need and which foods you would prefer. The bottom line is to try these foods out before you go out and spend money on them. Try eating pinto beans, black beans, and lentils and see which ones you like the best. From there you can choose which ones to store. Learn how to make homemade bread from raw wheat and decide what your favorite type of wheat is. Storing food is an insurance policy, just like we have car insurance and home insurance…why not have food insurance?

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mathiasj

2009-07-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Website: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com

Contributed Articles:
$100 Food Storage List
$100 Prep List
Bug Out Bag / Get Home Bag
Car Emergency Kit
Cellphones As An Emergency Communicator
Cut Expenses and Prep at the same time!
Free Water Storage
Gear Review: LED Flashlights and Batteries
Gear Review: Fire Starters
Gear Review: Midland 2-way Radios
Get Home Bag / Summer Edition
Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
How To: Hydration Bladder in ALICE Pack
How To Reinforce An Entry Door
Most Overlooked Prep - First Aid Kit
Prepping for College Students Part 1
Prepping for College Students Part 2
Prepping for College Students Part 3
Prepping for College Students Part 4
Save Money and Build Your Food Storage With Coupons
Test Your Gear Before You Need It
Vision Impaired? Stock Up on Eyeglasses

Food Storage Calculator From LDS

2009-07-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in my own opinion some of the most well prepared people on this planet. They have a wealth of information that they willing share with all others. Sounds like the Christian thing to do to me. I am providing a link to a site that has their food storage calculator for any number of family members. You simply put in the number of adults and children and the calculator does the rest. Regardless of your religious beliefs this is great information for all. Don't let this one pass you up.

Author: Bullseye

Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com
CodeNameBullseye.blogspot.com

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for more great articles visit: prepperbook.blogspot.com

A Little Food Storage Information

2009-07-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

The idea of home food storage for most people has never crossed their minds. Convenience foods, take out or a quick trip to the corner grocery store satisfies our impulse for a bite to eat. However in today's economy, the concept of home food storage is now more than ever at the forefront of people's interest in order to save money. For those beginners at food storage it can be a vast undertaking as to where or how to start. Apartment dwellers or those with limited space may feel that it is impossible to have any type of pantry stock. A few of the following tips is all you will need to begin and from there the possibilities are endless.

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Repackaged large quantities of dry goods into smaller containers or bags if bought in bulk then store in a closet, under the bed, or even an end table if there is no room in the kitchen. The main thing when storing food stuffs in an unusual area is to start a reminder list of what and where you have placed the items. It could be hung next to your grocery list or on the back of a cupboard so that you do not over buy one particular food and also have the opportunity to use it before it expires from a forgotten storage area.
Buy only items you will actually use. There is no sense in buying a 5 pound bag of beans if you rarely eat this item. Not only is this a waste of money but it will occupy the limited space you already have. If this is an item you use occasionally, buy the smaller bag. Should you have a network of friends and family check up front before buying that larger bag at the cheaper per pound price, if you can barter or trade someone a pound of beans for a pound of pasta.
Stock up on foods that can be used for multiple dishes and have a long shelf life. Buying three heads of lettuce because they are on sale is not going to make them last any longer than one. Additionally, even on a diet, one can only take so many salads in a week. On the other hand, the special buy one get one offer on a can of tuna can be used in salads, sandwiches or casseroles and has a long shelf life and takes minimal space.
It doesn't have to be a daunting task to learn how to store or stock your pantry at home. Start small with your purchases and open your mind to the idea that food storage is not limited to the kitchen. A few tips and a little organization and you are on your way! The added plus to home food storage is that you may find that this will save you money in the long run.

If you have very limited space check out this blog for a lot of good ideas.

Author: Bullseye

Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com
CodeNameBullseye.blogspot.com

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Managing Emergency Fuel Stocks

2009-07-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

With fuel at a 2 year low we may want to consider some storage both short and long term. Here's a few tips and tricks to help in your preparation efforts.

Managing emergency fuel stocks

In addition to vehicles, you may need extra fuel for an ATV that you might scout on, and you probably have a generator set that runs on either gas or diesel (some Kohler whole-house fixed gensets run on propane).
Regardless of what it's for, emergency fuel (defined as any fuel beyond what's in the main fuel tanks of the vehicle/generator/ATV/Boat) needs to be stored properly, transferred properly and preserved properly.
Read on.
STORING FUEL
There might be a difference in storing fuel depending on what type of fuel it is. Gasoline is difficult to store, but diesel isn't. Depending on how much you are going to store, you might use steel barrels, plastic fuel tanks, fuel bladders or just jerry jugs, either steel or plastic.
For diesel, you don't need to vent the storage tank, but it's a good idea. Diesel doesn't evaporate, but it does attract water out of the air more than gasoline. You need to have some ability to remove that trapped water, which lies in the bottom of your tank and grows algae in it, which then clogs up your fuel filters, usually at a critical time. Use two additives in diesel that is stored for longer than 2 months: an anti-gel (anti-wax) and a fuel biocide (kills the algae). If you live far North, you may wish to add up to 15% K-1 Kerosene to your diesel for easier starting of your equipment.
For gasoline, you have to deal with the volatility issue. Gasoline creates vapor pressure at fairly low temperatures, and can pressurize a sealed tank to the failure point. You have to provide for venting the vapor off. Problem: the vapor is heavier than air and explosive, so it seeks low ground and will blow things up if it ignites. Solution: keep the tanks cool (in the shade), keep their vents cracked to allow them to vent, and make sure the vented vapor isn't going to be trapped in a low place or have a source of ignition. The classic garage fire is usually started by vapors from a jerry jug of gas venting, with the vapors accumulating, and rising up high enough to reach the pilot light on a hot water heater or furnace, or get into a fridge compressor motor, or some other source of spark. The fire is prevented by storing the gas outside, away from anywhere it will accumulate in low places (under a toolshed, for example). Use a gasoline stabilizer (Stabil by Gold Eagle is what I use) if you are keeping the gas for over two months.
Barrels: try to cover the tops of barrels with a tarp to discourage standing water in the rimmed tops. That water will eventually seep past the barrel bung and get into the fuel. Keep the barrels off the ground, so they don't rust. Use wooden pallets of good quality, or interlocking rubber matting sections that are designed for this use. Depending on your area, there may be fire regulations on storing more than a few gallons of fuel above ground, and there are DEFINITELY regulations on storing it below ground (permanent tanks). Follow the regulations. Make or buy ground leads (at least #10 wire with copper-plated toothed spring clamps) and connect all the barrels together and to a ground rod driven 3 feet into the ground. Barrels can take some sun, but shade is best. If gasoline is stored in barrels, provide a vent.
Bladders: These are a way to store fuel in collapsible containers. Very nice. Very expensive, they can cost hundreds of dollars. Pay attention to the temperature limits of the bladders, both upper and lower limits, before you buy them. Bladders are best stored full in a plywood box made for that particular size bladder. Attach all the hosing for the fill, drain and vent before filling (gets real messy to do that with a full bladder). Sun is not good for these tanks, so store them in the shade.
Plastic tanks: Rotomolded plastic tanks are probably the best compromise for storing diesel fuel, and aren't bad for gasoline, either. Make sure the plastic is the right density for diesel or gas, as the composition of these tanks varies. They cost about a buck a gallon (over 25 gallons) to buy, and come with several locations for fill, drain and vents, which you install yourself. Most plastic tanks (Tempo is the best known brand) handle temperature extremes well, but check anyway before you buy. The downside of plastic tanks is that they can't be grounded, so extra care must be taken when filling or draining, both actions create static electricity in the fuel mass. Try to keep the sun off plastic tanks. Outboard gas tanks come with all the fittings, and handle easily, and can take more vapor pressure than jerry jugs, so they are really the best choice in a 4-to-6 gallon tank, but they cost $30 or so, compared to $7 for a plastic jerry jug.
Jerry jugs: anything 6 gallons and under with handles for pouring. They come in plastic (color-coded for the type of fuel, diesel ones are yellow), or steel (Blitz is the only manufacturer left, I think). Don't fill them to the rim, leave at least a half-gallon of extra room in them. keep them out of the sun, and storage on pallets is best.
TRANSFERRING FUEL
This is where most fires start in fuel supplies. There is only one proper way to do it, and that does NOT involve pouring the fuel into a funnel positioned in the fill opening of the tank being fueled.
The only proper way to transfer fuel is by fuel hose. Get an appropriate length of Coast-Guard rated fuel hose, at least 3/8" ID if you are going to siphon. Push the hose into your storage tank slowly, so it fills, then cap off the transferring end with your finger and pull the hose out of the storage tank enough to put into the mouth of the tank to be fueled, which must be lower in elevation. Remove the finger and the fuel should flow. When it is flowing, put the transferring end down into the tank being filled, the lower, the better.
The way I prefer is to use an outboard-tank hose set. These sets come with a priming bulb and sufficient hose to transfer fuel from apickup bed into the pickup's gas tank. I buy a 12"X3/8" pipe nipple (galvanized iron), and a 45-degree Street Elbow of the same size. Screw the elbow onto one end of the nipple, tightly (with vise or vise-grips), and put the other end into a Tempo outboard hose ser of 3/8" size, in the SHORT END OF THE SET. Fasten a hose clamp over the joint to keep it together. To use this set-up, just drop the nipple end into a tank or jerry jug, put the ling end into the vehicle fuel tank, and squeeze several times on the bulb until you feel and hear fuel flowing.
I once had an electric fuel pump set up for this purpose, but quit using it when I realized that there was a potential for sparks, and that is not good.
Another important consideration here is tank capacity. Don't try to empty a 6-gallon jerry jug into a truck fuel tank that has 5 gallons of room in it. You'll make a mess, create a hazard and waste precious fuel. Know your tank capacities before you start refuelling.

Comments are always welcome. We want to hear from all of our readers. Let us know what you're doing to get prepared.

Above All, Get Ready !!

Author: Bullseye

Visit: Kentucky-Preppers-Network.blogspot.com
CodeNameBullseye.blogspot.com

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Storing Preps (supplies)

2009-07-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

Fuel
Managing Emergency Fuel Stocks

Prepping For Economic Collapse

2009-07-02T12:17:00.001-07:00

How To Prepare For Next US Economic Depression

How to Prepare for The Next Economic US Depression

2009-07-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Step1 Change your thinking. An economic change need not cause unnecessary stress to you and your family. Thinking more of the value of people instead of possessions can lead you in a positive direction.

Step2 Hold a family conference to discuss the economic status of your family. Compare the economic status of your family to the status of the country and of the world. Ask yourselves. "How are we doing?"

Step3 Trim your budget. Take a look at the expendable purchases in your budget. Eliminate purchases that are not absolute necessities.

Step4 Simplify your spending. Start now. Begin to do activities that require little or no money.

Step5 Store food and necessities for hard times. Depression could mean little or no money for food. Stock up on canned foods and non-perishable items. Things like rice, oatmeal, flour, sugar and oil are good staples to start with.

Step6 Start gardening. Indoor and outdoor gardens are beneficial.

Step7 Look up information on canning and storing food supplies.

Step8 Store extra medication.

Step9 Keep a little cash handy. In case it is your institution that may happen to be at a loss for your money when you need it.

Step10 Depression means higher unemployment rates. Sell unnecessary items for extra cash.

Step11 Acquire a job skill that will be in demand like plummer, handy man, electrician, carpenter, law enforcement, health care. These are services that will continue to be in demand in a depression.

Step12 Join a support group. A little support goes a long way.

Step13 Being Content Is The Key. Remember that life does not result from the things that you possess

And I would like to add step 14 Buy a Gun and learn how to use it.

Above all, Get Ready !!!!

Prepping Should Start In The Home

2009-07-02T12:02:00.001-07:00

We all love the image of Rambo, Guns, Ammo and large stock piles of food when it comes to prepping but in reality it's just not that way. I found this out myself after a conversation with a dear friend this past weekend. This friend, let's call him Bob, was a hardcore prepper. Bob had some of the best guns on the market along with thousands of rounds of ammo for each. He had Gas masks, Water purification systems, you name it Bob has it. It's like a military surplus store at his place. After a tour of the "compound" Bob and I sat for some coffee and conversation on the back porch of his well equipped home. We talked about world events and the seemingly hard times that we face as a nation. We sat quietly for awhile, to let the words bounce around and settle on our eager ears and into our minds.

The conversation moved, as they all do, to the weather. Bob was complaining about his recent electric bills and was dreading the ones to come. I ask if he had a wood stove to help offset the heating costs and provide backup heat in an emergency. It was at this time that Bob had a "come to Jesus moment" you might say. In all his preparing for a worldwide SHTF type situation, he had over looked some needs in his own home. Here is a list of things that Bob and I found out that he didn't have.

Backup Heating source: No wood stove, generator or solar system in place to provide for his family's need during a power outage. These could also be used to heat water and cook food when the need came.

Vehicle Preps: Although Bob had a 72 hour bag for each member of the family, he didn't even have a basic set of tools in either of his vehicles. Both were pretty new and in excellent condition but 1 busted hose or loose belt, 1 nut or bolt that needed adjustment could have left his family stranded by the roadside in a time when every minute counts. On inspection, neither of the 2 family cars had over a 1/4 tank of fuel and he had no extra fuel stored. This is included in Home prepping because that is where most of us keep our vehicles, at home.

No Home Owners Insurance: Bob and his family had a wonderful home and thousands upon thousands of dollars invested in long term SHTF preps. Bob had NO home owners insurance or even a fire alarm or fire extinguisher. All could have been lost in just a few minutes and a small flame. Bob would be left with nothing but a pile of ashes in the event of a fire. We need to be ready if the SHFT in our daily lives too. Sometimes the poop just hits you and your family. Think of it in terms of your own world first. None of the preps could have prevented or replaced the things that could be lost.

Water catchments system: Even though Bob had a very nice gutter system in place on his home he had not considered a way to catch this was for drinking and bathing in an emergency situation. Rain barrels could provide this need very inexpensively. Bob is on a public water system and could be left high and dry in a SHTF situation.

These are just a few of the things that Bob and I thought about and found at his home in an afternoon. I'm sure there are many more personal preps that need to be looked at as well. The thing that Bob and I discovered is that some people, if not many, may be too concerned with purchasing guns and food and not concerned enough with the personal emergency's that can devastate a family on a more local scale of things.

This post is to ask our readers to think about what personal preps they have or need to have in place. I ask that you let us know what else we or you may be overlooking as we all prepare for the worst and hope for the best. You comments and opinions are always welcome. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Above all, Get Ready!!!!!

General Prepping Articles

2009-07-02T12:01:00.001-07:00

$100 Prep List
A Prepping Essential: The Grab-n-Go Binder
Bug Out Bag / Get Home Bag
Car Emergency Kit
Define Your Disaster
Get Home Bag / Summer Edition
Got Duct Tape?
How To Prepare For Next US Economic Depression
Most Overlooked Prep - First Aid Kit
Off Guard and Off Grid
Prepping for College Students Part 1
Prepping for College Students Part 2
Prepping for College Students Part 3
Prepping for College Students Part 4
Prepping Should Start in the Home
Test Your Gear Before You Need It
The Basics of Being Prepared with Food & Why We Should Do It
Vision Impaired? Stock Up on Eyeglasses

Bullseye

2009-07-02T11:59:00.001-07:00

Websites:
CodeNameBullseye.blogspot.com
Kentucky Preppers Network

Contributed Articles:
A little food storage information
Food Storage Calculator From LDS
Got Duct Tape?
How To Prepare For Next US Economic Depression
Managing Emergency Fuel Stocks
Prepping Should Start in the Home
Winter Storm Survival Tips

We're All In This Together - Make It Stretch

2009-06-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

Author: Another Prepper
liveonyourfeet.blogspot.com

We’re All in This Together

When I went shopping recently, I was stopped in the aisle by a gentleman who had a question. He was making some kind of taco dish, and wanted to add rice to the ingredients, and wanted to know what I thought about how that would work. We discussed it, and he mentioned that he was trying to, as I recall, "make it stretch."

We talked about using ground turkey as opposed to beef, which can sometimes be cheaper. He wasn’t aware that it was available, but it turned out he had gotten a comparable deal on hamburger anyway. The thing that I found disturbing was that towards the end of the brief conversation, he said something along these lines: that it was embarrassing, or he was embarrassed, because he was having to make things stretch because things were bad.

Interestingly enough, I had only begun my shopping, and only had two items in my cart at that point--a can of Spam, and a can of canned chicken. I indicated that, and told him there was nothing to be embarrassed about---that we are all in the same boat. We talked about a couple things you can do with Spam. That was about the extent of the conversation, but it left a lasting impression.

There may be many people who are too embarrassed to talk about the fact that they need to "make things stretch" right now, rather than stocking up for an emergency. There are lots of sites that people can go to in order to find inexpensive recipes that would work in an emergency, or right now. In fact, it would be incredibly wise and useful to learn about and actually use recipes like these before an emergency so there is less stress when it comes to meal preparation during an emergency situation.

So I put it to you: when it comes to food, how do you "make it stretch"? His idea was to add a flavored rice mix to tacos so that it would stretch the food. I thought this was an excellent idea. The thing is, this gentleman asked. There may be many, many more who would love to find ways to make their food stretch, but are too embarrassed to ask. So I am putting out a call on their behalf. What I would like to know is:

--Do you have particular recipes that you can "stretch" to make the food last longer, or stretch to include more people?

--Do you have recipes that are especially inexpensive but also nutritious for those who are trying to stay healthy while watching their finances?

--Do you author a blog or have some favorite blogs that specialize in making your food budget stretch, or have recipes that would help out in an emergency situation? Links to particular recipes would be especially helpful, whether they be found on your blog or someone else’s website.

--Do you know of books that contain helpful recipes such as this? If you could give title and author in a comment, then perhaps someone who has access to a computer only at the library would be able to get such a resource and learn more at home.

Like I told this gentleman, we are all in this together. And even those who are currently in more fortunate circumstances need to know how to cook in an emergency, because emergencies come regardless of one’s financial situation. If you don’t need such recipes now, you may need them in the future. If you use such recipes now, you will be more likely to have more money to spend on emergency preparation.

Please leave comments, with links or recipes that could help. Everyone benefits, perhaps especially those who may need it the most, or don’t know where to find what they need., or are struggling because they are too embarrassed to ask. After all, we are all in this together.

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Another Prepper

2009-06-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Website: liveonyourfeet.blogspot.com

Contributed Articles:
Were all in this together: Make It Streatch

Hot Box

2009-06-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Solar cooking is neat, but there are many times where it just won't work. After all, it is dependent on conditions beyond our control, and time constraints also apply. Still, there are other ways to reduce the amount of energy that you use cooking (and then cooling). For simmering and crockpot meals, I recommend making a 'hot-box'. Take the largest pot that you will use for cooking like this. Find a cardboard box that is at least two inches larger on all sides than that pot. Now put insulation (I recommend hard foam, but even newspaper can be used) in that box on the bottom and sides, so that the pot fits snugly. I then cut the box top flaps off and glue them together to make a top, put on a handle, and glue foam insulation to the underside of that top. Now we have a box that is highly insulated on all sides. To cook beans, a roast, etc., heat up the pot and it's contents to boiling temperature, then remove it from the stove and put it in the box. Put the top on, and it will continue cooking for hours, since there is nowhere for the heat to go. Some folks wrap the pot in cloth or stuff cloth into the corners for a tighter fit, but I'm lazy and don't bother.
This is used all over the world. Africans use baskets lined with leaves for the 'hot-box'. If you're not through cooking on the solar oven and night is falling, a hot-box will save the day, or at least your meal.

Posted by tweell
Visit: Arizona Preppers Network

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Aloe Vera

2009-06-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

A medicinal plant growing in my side yard that I prize highly is aloe vera. Aloe vera is a succulent plant that deals well with low-water conditions. It isn’t quite a desert plant, but it’s close. It does need a little supplemental watering here, and cannot take full sun.
Aloe vera sap is excellent for sunburn, burns, minor scrapes and bruises. Cut off a chunk and rub it on the damaged skin, it relieves pain and dries to make a natural bandaid. Some folks drink aloe vera juice for arthritis relief and diabetic blood sugar control. Unprocessed sap does give you the runs if too much is ingested, so another possible use is for constipation. Aloe vera looks like ornamental cactus, and has been planted as such in many areas. If kept in a pot, the pot needs to drain well.
This is a plant that does not look out of place in ‘desert landscaping’ as well as the suburban grass lawns. Why not have some growing at your place?

Posted by tweell
Visit: Arizona Preppers Network

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Plants, Herbs, and Trees

2009-06-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Medicinal Plants
Aloe Vera

Adam

2009-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Website: EasternMissouriHomestead.blogspot.com

Contributed Articles:
This spring's meat chickens, and their demise...GRAPHIC PICS

This spring's meat chickens, and their demise... GRAPHIC PICS

2009-06-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Adam
EasternMissouriHomestead.blogspot.com

Two weekends ago I butchered my meat birds. We had 7 cornish x that were old enough (10 weeks old) to process. I had never done this before, but it was time. The plan was to bleed them out, skin them, and quarter them up into freezer bags.

Cornish X chickens are genetically bred to mature very fast. They go from chicks to full size birds in 8-12 weeks. IF you wait any longer they begin having leg problems and then heart attacks. So, keeping them was not an option.'

These were my 6 year old son's chickens that we got from his kindergarten class (I know, what school district gives meat chickens to kindergartners, right). He had finally come to understand that these birds are designed for eating. We explained it all to him and he was ok with it, might even decide to come out and see the processing, but he has already decided that he will not be eating any of this chicken meat. HA!

So, the first step was to go off to the store to get trash bags and ice, then I was ready to start setting up for the big event.

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC!!! SCROLL DOWN AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Here's my set up, back by the barn where the kids and neighbors can't see. Built the stand with some spare wood:

The meat birds are hung upside down so the blood will drain well:

The breasts weren't as large as I had figured on, but I'm happy with them. I did 7 birds in about 2 hours. Overall it was easier than I had expected, except for the killing part.
MAKE SURE you have a SHARP knife beforehand. Not just a little sharp, VERY VERY SHARP! I had to cut the first birds' throat 3 times before the blood really started flowing. I felt bad for him.
Advice for anyone trying this for the first time, be sure you cut deep the first time. My birds' necks were tougher than I thought they'd be. But I got there.
Here's the resuling meat from just one bird:

There you have it. My experiences with meat chickens. We didn't know we were getting meat birds from my son's school, and probably wouldn't have taken them if we knew what they were. Overall, though, the experience was good. We will likely be getting more meat birds this fall.

If this offends anyone, sorry, but you should see how the big companies treat their birds!

Until next time...

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Submit Articles To the Prepper E-Book

2009-06-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

At the Prepper E-Book we are looking for your best prepping articles to post.

Why post your articles here? The number one reason is to get information out to others. The more people who are prepared and self-sustaining the more lives will be saved and the more free we will all be. More self-reliant people means less government dependency, which means less taxes and less control over everyone.

Is there anything in it for you? Yes. other than the fact you are helping others out by providing useful educational information that will help them survive, you also receive links back to your website. By allowing others to copy your work, you are getting your articles in front of the eyes of people who might not otherwise have seen it, also, you are receiving links on other peoples websites which will help you generate traffic (See our Copyright Policy) . Do you have affiliate programs that you earn commissions through? Link to them in your text. This is a great way to earn a little extra cash. Don't submit articles for the sole purpose of pushing a product, This is a book not a catalog. However, simple text links in an article can help you earn commissions. For example; if you are discussing how to build a chicken coop, you might include a link to a popular lumber yard (assuming they have an affiliate program) where people can shop for materials they may need.

To Submit your articles, email me at AmericanPrepper@yahoo.com. Please include "Prepper E-book submission" in the title of your email

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