Day: August 25, 2009

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Inventory Control for Retreat Logistics, by Rob C.

There is often a good deal of attention paid to the accumulation, storage and usage of critical supplies performed in the process of preparation, but one thing I rarely see discussed is proper management of your carefully gathered inventory before, during or after a critical event comes into being.  It’s important to consider viewing your family or team as a quasi business entity and recognize that one of the top cited reasons for small business failure is poor inventory management.  Inventory issues can cause nightmarish headaches for any business, and the consequences for your family will only be magnified if you do …


Letter Re: Laser Protective Goggles

Sir: When I was a young Marine in the first gulf war I heard that it was quite common for tank crews to blind the enemy with the tanks laser. Do you know of any protective glasses/goggles that would prevent retina damage from lasers? Thanks, – Keith JWR Replies: The problem is that you need a separate filter for each ranges of wavelengths (measured in nanometers). By the time that you stack enough filters to stop all of the non-eye safe laser threats, you end up with something about as opaque as welder’s goggles. I guess this explains why the …


Letter Re: Advice on Water Barrel Pumps

Hello, I am in Houston, Texas, and I just purchased two 55-gallon plastic drinking water drums here semi-locally, but my problem is that the pumps were not included! I am wondering if you have some you are selling, or you could tell me where to get several of them. The threaded openings are 2 inches in diameter, and the drums are just short of three feet deep. I’m looking for hand-operated pumps, of course, not electric! Could you please get back with me on this? Thank you! – Donna C/ JWR Replies: I’ve had good experiences with Pacer drum pumps. …


Letter Re: The Usefulness of the AK-47 as a Survival Rifle

Dear Jim, I have multiple ARs and AKs, and enjoy both. I would definitely recommend the AK for a truck gun, or for less experienced shooters. I’d like to debunk the “clean an AR several times a day” myth. I have 24 years of service, USAF and US Army, active and Guard, two combat deployments, have served as armorer, weapons courier, PMI instructor and range safety NCO, and have 24 years of unbroken Expert ratings with the M16, M16A1, M16A2, M4 and GUU5P (an M4A1 with a USAF accent), including 15 perfect scores (three of them while wearing a gas …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Does virus vaccine increase the risk of cancer? US Reports 522 Swine Flu Deaths with Nearly 8,000 in Hospitals No Sides Effects So Far in Swine Flu Vax Trials [ JWR Adds: Do your homework before taking any vaccination. There are risks!] H1N1 Could Kill as Many as 30,000 to 90,000 in U.S., Whitehouse Report Says (A hat tip to KAF for the link.)


Economics and Investing:

Analyst Bove sees 150-200 more U.S. bank failures (Kudos to Krys in Idaho for the link.) Jeff D. flagged this: Remember me? Wall Street repackages toxic debt From DD: There’s No Will to Fight Inflation Also from DD: Housing crisis set to enter new stage Nouriel Roubini warns: The risk of a double-dip recession is rising Items from The Economatrix: Fed to Steal State Pension Funds Insurers’ Biggest Writedowns May Be Yet to Come Celente: 2.5 Million Jobs Lost Since Obama’s Presidency The Travails of Small Business Dooms the Economy By the always insightful Charles Hugh Smith: So Long, California …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Eric S. sent this: A storm brews over food, water & power    o o o Greg H. sent us this article: Clock ticks down on a deadly chemical stockpile in Kentucky    o o o From frequent content contributor DD: Without prospects, they’re prospectors: Metal’s high price and economy’s low ebb create new California gold rush    o o o British Residents Bring Back Bartering