Year: 2006

Letter Re: The Importance of Identifying Blood Types

Mr. Rawles: Good day to you and yours. I hope they are all in good health. In regards to your submissions in the 9-14 blog, “The Importance for Blood Typing.” A friend wrote is submission in another forum, that I have kept for a while now. This would be a better then nothing option that might actually save a life. But like everything else in life you have to make minimal preparations now for it to work later. If you ever had to use this technique, right then is not the time to have to gather the materials to perform …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Rourke suggested that I volunteer to go on the Oprah Winfrey TV talk show, shortly after the new TV series Jericho airs (September 20th), and discuss the show and the preparedness of American families. (I intend to point our relative lack of preparedness, and recommend that folks get squared away.) I’d greatly appreciate it if SurvivalBlog readers would take a couple of minutes to visit the Oprah show producers’ topic suggestion web page, and recommend this topic. Thanks!    o o o Jeremy mentioned this recent anti-survivalist post from one voice in the Peak Oil camp. I think that this …



Notes From JWR:

The SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a copy “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course ends tomorrow! The current high bid is $155. Please submit your bids via e-mail. Today we present an article for Round 6 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $1,600.) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. If you want a chance to win Round 6, start writing and e-mail us your …


Water, Water Everywhere… by R.J.C. of Pennsylvania

While many people are concerned with food storage options and rightfully so, it would appear that there needs to be more information presented on how to find water in an emergency or after a Schumer Hits The Fan (SHTF) situation. The human body can survive for days or weeks depending on the fat stores and other factors without food intake, but can only survive 3-4 days without water, so finding a source of water is of utmost importance. You should plan on drinking at least two quarts of water a day, more if you are in a hot environment or …


Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Jim, With regards to the mentioned topic, I am surprised no one has mentioned axes, or better yet, tomahawks. I recently purchased one from American Tomahawk Company. The model I purchased was designed by Ernest Emerson (CQC-T) and is a wonderful tool. I have used it to clear brush, pry boards, dig holes, and have thrown it without damage. Our forces in Iraq and the ‘stan are using it today with great success, and even some of our law enforcement officers carry them. Thousands of Native American Indians couldn’t be wrong for using the tomahawk. Early Americans fighting during the …


Letter Re: The Importance of Identifying Blood Types

James: Do you know your blood type and rh value? Without it, even 30 ml of the wrong blood and your dead. Even if you know (and especially if you don’t) you may want to get a bunch of Eldon cards (the liquid reagent is much cheaper but should be refrigerated). If you’re type AB+ (3 out of 100) you’ve won the lottery, you can get blood from everybody but you can only give to another person with the same blood. If you’re type O- (7 out of 100), then you can give to anybody, but you must receive from …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Now this looks at least quasi-practical: The Earthroamer XV Diesel Off-Road RV. (A tip of the hat to David H. for sending us the link.) Readers will note that I do not like the idea of “mobile retreating” as a post-TEOTWAWKI long term survival strategy., but is could practical a s a short term tactic. (See my August 10, 2005 post on “Vehicular Retreating”, for details.) With that said, I think that The Earthroamer might make a great Get Out of Dodge vehicle, as well as a great camping vehicle for more peaceful times.    o o o Vic at …



Note from JWR:

The first post today is from novelist Michael Z. Williamson. You probably recognize him as a frequent contributor to SurvivalBlog. We greatly value his input to the threads of discussion on the blog. BTW, I recommend both his science fiction novels and his recent trilogy of military sniper novels.


Survival Retreats, by Michael Z. Williamson

The subject of retreats is a recurring one. I thought I’d mention a friend’s that I have access to. It is within six hours of my location by both freeways and major secondary highways under normal conditions. I keep sufficient fuel on hand to reach it if need be. Our evac plan calls for taking both our vehicles (car and a large van) plus trailer, with any guests also convoying. This gives plenty of protection, and the ability to transfer vehicles if necessary due to road conditions or deadlined [non-running] vehicles. The location is off a well-maintained major road between …


What Happens After: Observations on Hurricane Katrina

Jim; Just a few notes about my experiences with Hurricane Katrina a year later. On the evening that Katrina passed our retreat, my partner and I began to make our way back to our homes (less than 30 miles) and businesses to secure them – (both firearms related). We chose to take different routes, him on foot, and me in my truck with my dogs & supplies. The routes required pushing and/or cutting trees, poles, fences and all manner of lines and debris from the road ways. The few roads that could be made passable with chain saws and simple …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The Memsahib mentioned something interesting that she stumbled across when reading some ancient history: The ancient Schythians, when traveling, would kill wild cattle for food, or slaughter one of their own cattle herd. They would strip the carcass, use the rib cage as impromptu firepit grill and the stomach stuffed full of beef as a cooking container.    o o o SurvivalBlog reader Rob a.k.a. (“Salsafix”) is the editor of the excellent Surviving the Crash blog. He recently penned a list pairing great depression era quotes with modern day bubble quotes. (See his September 12 posts.) He quipped “I’m not …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"There exists a law, not written down anywhere, but inborn in our hearts; a law which comes to us not by training or custom or reading; a law which has come to us not from theory but from practice, not by instruction but by natural intuition. I refer to the law which lays it down that, if our lives are endangered by plots or violence or armed robbers or enemies, any and every method of protecting ourselves is morally right." – Marcus Tulius Cicero (106-53 BC)


Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Jim: Some corrections and additional points regarding swords, crossbows, leaf springs, etc. 1) The Japanese do not have a monopoly on “cutting” swords; most European swords before c. 1500 (and even after this point) were quite capable of serous shearing blows. See Ewert Oakeshott’s “Sword in the Age of Chivalry” and “Records of the Medieval Sword” for more details. 2) An “epee” or “foil” is utterly useless as a weapon, being for sporting use only. The rapier (which is what the epee/foil is based loosely on) is somewhat useful, but is a somewhat degenerate sword style, introduced after swords were …