Month: May 2009

Letter Re: Diverters and Pre-Filters for Roof Rainwater Catchment

Mr. Rawles, Regarding the filter design suggested by “Dim Tim”: Consider replacing the modified stockpot with a sink. A deep stainless utility sink would be ideal, would require little alteration, and could be set up outdoors at the downspout to drain directly to a retention barrel or bladder. In a SHTF scenario, an existing indoor sink could be modified by removing the trap underneath the sink. Collected water can then be poured into the sink, filter through, and drain underneath (a food grade plastic five gallon bucket fits quite nicely.) Regards, – Tamara S.


Three Letters Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medicines

Jim- I want to publicly commend “SH from Georgia” on his excellent and concise article on stocking prescription drugs for a TEOTWAWKI scenario. I agree with just about every point that he has made. Adding metronidazole to the list is a great addition, and his comment about having medications on hand so that a physician might use them to your benefit is a point that I was contemplating, as well. Of course, the list of “med-prep” logistics that one could store is lengthy, and will be limited by 1. budget; 2. knowledge base, and 3. storage ability. SH’s list is …



Economics and Investing:

Readers “Bigbird” and Trapper Mike both sent this: Brazil and China eye plan to axe dollar John Hussman warns: Inflation Ahead! The Destructive Implications of the Bailout – Understanding Equilibrium (Thanks to GG for the link) Frequent content contributor GG sent us this: Tax Revenues Tanking. Yikes! Look at the tax receipts for April of ’08 versus April of ’09. I suspect that the panic reaction in Congress will be raise the marginal tax rates. Thanks to DS for sending this: Stocks waver after surprise drop in housing data (This leads me to ask: Why are journalists so surprised that …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader RTK recommended a New York Times Op-Ed piece: All Disasters Are Local    o o o Here is a link to a brief YouTube segment on how to seal foods in Mylar bags, using a Foodsaver    o o o Big-Box Stores Comparisons    o o o Disaster risk increasing, says UN    o o o From Trapper Mike: GPS system ‘close to breakdown’; Network of satellites could begin to fail as early as 2010



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Because I recently dropped Front Sight as an advertiser, the list of contest prizes for this round has been revised: First Prize: A course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day OnPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of $350. Third Prize: …


Unconventional Wisdom for CCW Permit Holders, by Mike U.

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Personal Background: I am 65, have never been active duty military, nor in law enforcement. I have, however, legally (licensed CCW) carried a concealed handgun on a regular, daily basis, for most of my adult life. This includes CCW permits in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Indiana. When specific circumstances justified doing so (in my personal opinion at the time), I have also carried concealed in California “from time to time” without a CCW. I helped teach a concealed weapons class when living in Alaska by demonstrating how to carry effectively, regardless of weapon size. I have also had no fewer …


Letter Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Difficulty Racking Pistol Slides

Dear Mr. Rawles, I recently purchased a Kel-Tec P3AT [.380 ACP pistol] and I am having problems physically pulling back the slide and loading/pushing down ammo into the magazine because I have moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. My doctor advised me to wear wrist splints to decrease the pain of my carpal tunnel syndrome and the numbness that goes along with it. Wrist splints have helped me greatly (in combination with several other approaches), but they have also significantly reduced the strength I have in my wrists and hands. Do you have any specific advice regarding building up hand and wrist …


Mexican Flu Update:

New flu virtually everywhere in U.S. now, CDC says WHO chief kept flu alert level at phase 5+ New York school vice-principal dies from swine Flu (Thanks to KAF for alerting us to this news story) A New, New H1N1 In Mexico? Nations Urge WHO to Change Swine Flu Assessment They want pandemic called only if lots of people are dying (not because it is widespread) because of money: “A pandemic announcement would likely have severe economic consequences: it could trigger expensive trade and travel restrictions like border closures, airport screenings and quarantines, as countries not yet affected struggle to …


Economics and Investing:

From frequent content contributor GG: China holds sway over US Dollar “The U. S. should be afraid, very afraid. China is questioning the dollar’s status as a reserve currency and, at US $1,000 an ounce, gold has become the world’s de facto currency.” – John Ing, Maison Placements in Canada Mike S. suggested a piece titled “Obsessive Housing Disorder” on Michelle Malkin’s blog, that describes the history of our dysfunctional housing market. HPD sent us a link to a piece by economic commentator Mish Shedlock: If You’re Not Petrified of Obama, You’re Not Paying Attention Items from The Economatrix: AP …


Odds ‘n Sods:

EMB suggested this blog piece: Root-cellar plan    o o o Thanks to Scott N. for this link: Critics Deride Bill Designed to Keep Weapons Out of Terrorists’ Hands    o o o JRH Enterprises is running a $2,995 special on new 3rd Generation PVS-14 night vision scopes, with brand-new factory-original image intesifier tubes, complete with certified factory data sheets. If you want the ultimate in retreat security, buy one. Most other dealers sell these same scopes for close to $4,000. You won’t regret it!    o o os Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice. Did I …



Note from JWR:

I provided the manuscript to the publisher just a week ago, but Amazon is already taking pre-orders for my new book “How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It“. Penguin Books plans to release it in late September or early October. BTW, that is considered a lightning fast turn-around for one of the big New York publishers. I suppose that all the economic and H1N1 flu headlines have them quite anxious to publish a practical preparedness book. OBTW, I am tentatively planning on a “Book Bomblet” Day, so please hold off on ordering. Thanks!


Three Letters Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medicines

Jim, In regards to stocking up on prescription medicine your readers may want to use the book “Wilderness Medicine“ by William Forgey, M.D. as a good starting point. A couple of other “beginner books” are “Where There Is No Doctor“ by David Werner and “Where There Is No Dentist“ by Murray Dickson. Amazon.com is running a special on all three books for $42. [JWR Adds: The latter two books are available for free download, but I recommend getting hard copies for your survival reference library.] I took the book “Wilderness Medicine“, to my doctor’s office and discussed the list of …