Day: May 1, 2008

Note from JWR:

Today we present another article for Round 16 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win two valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificates. (Worth up to $4,000!) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. Round 16 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entries. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the judging.


Homestead Fuel Storage and Rotation, by NC Bluedog

Given that liquid fuel costs are climbing dramatically, and likely to continue rising, I would like to share some of the practices for fuel storage we employ. For our homestead, liquid fuel equates to four items, namely: Propane, diesel fuel, kerosene and last but not least gasoline. For each fuel, there are specific uses, distinct storage requirements and longevity considerations. Let me discuss each in order: The primary furnace in our house runs on propane. Currently, we use electricity for water heating and cooking. Our annual propane usage is between 500 to 800 gallons per year depending on the weather …


Letter Re: Coping with Changes in Diet when Using Storage Foods

If and when you find yourself tapping into your survival food, consider that the change in diet may have some unexpected effects. As an example, I recently increased my protein intake, then noticed a pain in my foot. I thought at first it was just an injury from training (jumping out of a moving car is a little tricky). Later I realized it might be gout. Four gallons of cherry juice later it’s gone and it set me to thinking, how might my food cache effect me. I think the main concerns with stored food would be as follows: Food …


Letter Re: An Overlooked Aspect of Preparedness–Crutches and Canes

Dear JWR; A week ago, I did the first big spring mowing with a push mower “for the exercise” (3 acres). The next morning, my knee was swollen, wouldn’t bend, and the pain was breathtaking. I’m now down to limping around with a cane, and should be fine in a few more days. I discovered a weakness in my first-aid preparedness the hard way: I had no crutches, canes, or aids to mobility for the injured. I now own a fine set of crutches, two durable walking canes/livestock sticks, and have a Cold Steel Heavy Duty Sword Cane on the …


Letter Re: Spare Parts Now Available for XD-45 Pistols

James, Count me as another check mark to add to the “switch to XD” category. I know several shooters who’ve made the switch from [Model] 1911 [pistols] to the [Springfield Armory] XD with almost no issues. Most of them shoot equally well or better with the XD. In my experience, Model 1911s are just too prone to fail. We see too many here at the Un-named Shooting School take a dive. Virtually no Glocks or XDs have mechanical failures, though. Good Providence! – The Pioche Professional Polymer Pistolero (PPPP). JWR Adds: PPPP is the pseudonym for a SurvivalBlog correspondent that …


Odds ‘n Sods:

From Reader CSG: Energy crunch forces Juneau to conserve    o o o Jesse sent this: “Doomsday Clock” Moves Two Minutes Closer To Midnight    o o o Mark in Michigan flagged this article about Nanny State meddling: Canada’s C-51 Law May Outlaw 60% of Natural Health Products    o o o A couple of articles that I found linked at Drudge: Worst UK house price slide since 1996 raises negative equity fears. And meanwhile in the US: Disappearing now: $6 trillion in housing wealth


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The [crude oil] prices are high due to the recession in the United States and the economic crisis, which has touched several countries, a situation that has an effect on the value of the dollar. Each time the dollar falls one percent, the price of the barrel rises by $4 and of course vice versa.” – OPEC President Chakib Khelil (April, 2008)