Year: 2009

Disaster Preparedness–Of Lists and Preparation in Depth, by Ed C.

I would like to offer my own experiences in the hopes that they may provide some small amount of practical advice to others. Here in Oklahoma, of course, we face tornadoes, but many do not realize we have also suffered from paralyzing ice storms – three within the past ten years. Lessons gleaned from practical experience are: Have inventory lists; Have ‘Oh-Schumer Lists’ of items and chores for each type of contingency situation (tornado, flood, ice storm, etc.) Prepare ‘in depth’ for each major need, such as heat and light, food, water, shelter, and protection Calmly think through scenarios on …


Retreat Owner Profile: Mr. & Mrs. India

Mr. and Mrs. India Ages: 34 & 33 SOs: Three children 6 and under Profession: U.S. Military Serviceman Background: He: Grew up in Florida, raised in a self-reliant family, attend and commissioned from a military educational institution, married his sweetheart, completed pilot training, and is currently stationed at his sixth military installation. She: Grew up in Idaho, raised by a self reliant and second amendment loving family, moved off to school, took work as a nanny, worked as an accountant, is currently a loving mother and supportive military spouse. For the most part she lives the self reliant lifestyle with …


Economics and Investing:

A couple of years ago, I created the acronym MOAB (for “Mother of All Bailouts”). I predicted that once started, it would “continue to grow uncontrollably”, but even in my worst nightmares, I didn’t fully anticipate this headline: Financial Rescue Approaches GDP as U.S. Pledges $12.8 Trillion. I have trouble imagining the enormity of one Trillion US Dollars. That is quite a pile of money. But $12.8 Trillion? To borrow a line from Bart Simpson: ¡Ay carumba! JHB forwarded a link to this government psychology site: A Guide to Getting Through Tough Economic Times. But I have a much better …


Odds ‘n Sods:

G.G. was the first of more than ten readers that sent this article from The Detroit News: To urban hunter, next meal is scampering by, about a 69-year old retiree who hunts raccoons for a living in Detroit. Her is a quote: “Today people got no skill and things is getting worse. What people gonna do? They gonna eat each other up is what they gonna do.”    o o o D.S. sent us this link, on how farmers made tools over 100 years ago.



Bug Out Vehicle Cooling Systems for Extreme Emergencies, by The Oddshot

Vehicles break down. It’s a fact of life. Most breakdowns can be avoided by following a good schedule of preventative maintenance or with a couple of well thought out modifications. But, try as you might, failures can and will occur, even to the best of us. Anything can put you on the side of the road. Ever run out of gas? Have a flat tire? Bad universal joint on a drive shaft? Charging system go bad? This one happened to me just a few weeks ago. To get an idea of what can go wrong, just drive to work. Look …


Note from JWR:

Today we present the first entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: Two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing Round 22 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills …


Two Letters Re: Livestock for Survival

Jim: I would like to clarify a point in the article, "Livestock for Survival" by Bobbi A. Regarding hens going "broody" – Probably not. There are very few breeds in which the hens will sit on their eggs, and even among broody breeds (such as Buff Orpingtons, which I raise) only a few hens will become broody. The broodiness trait has been intentionally bred out of chickens because a broody hen does not lay eggs. If you plan to raise your own chicks, have an incubator and power source as a backup. Also, a suggestion: I have made arrangements with …


Economics and Investing:

Reader D.D. spotted this: A [GM} Bond Bustin’ Worry From Michael W.: Why gold prices will keep rising – MSN Money Also from Michael W.: What’s a P/E? (And nine other ‘dumb’ questions) Michael’s comment: “The author of this article is too funny, especially when he talks about gold and survivalists. He just does not get it” Items from The Economatrix: Wall Street Begins 2Q Slightly Higher GOP’s Alternative Budget Seeks to Undo Stimulus Spending G-20 Protesters Break Into Royal Bank of Scotland US, UK Fiscal Deficits Cast Long Shadow Over Recovery US Property Prices Down 29% and Still Dropping …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader MPS in Nevada sent this: The True Queen of Frugal    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor-at-Large, Michael Z. Williamson’s latest science fiction novel, Contact with Chaos pits two competing groups from the Freehold of Grainne (that you’ll remember from his novel Freehold ) and Earth against each other during a “first contact” with a sentient species in another solar system. It is now available at Amazon.com. Knowing Mike’s previous work, this promises to be good!    o o o I just heard that Sturm Ruger is now producing 30-round Mini-14 magazines, available to the general public. Ruger’s sales of …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army." – General. George Washington, to his troops before the battle of Long Island, New York


Notes from JWR:

We’ve completed the judging in the most recent round of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The grand prize winner is: Dr. K., for his two-part article: TEOTWAWKI Medicine and Minor Surgery. He will receive two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second prize goes to Eli, for his article “Real World Observations on Fighting Crime and Criminals”. He will receive a three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for his choice of three-day civilian courses. Third prize: goes to Bobbi A. for her article “Livestock for …


My Initial Experiences with Concealed Carry, by AceHigh

As I started my journey into preparedness, one of the areas I pursued was getting my Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) license (sometimes called Concealed Handgun License (CHL) or Concealed Carry License (CCL)). I thought it might be helpful to Survival Blog readers to share my recent experiences related to obtaining my CCW license and getting to a point where I felt comfortable carrying a concealed weapon in public. I know there is some concern regarding obtaining a license that puts you on record as a gun owner/carrier, but that is the trade off of being able to legally defend yourself …


Two Letters Re: TEOTWAWKI Medical Skills: Thoughts on Becoming a “Woofer” (Wilderness First Responder)

JWR: Richard B.’s post is dead-on about how awesome Woofer training is. I’m WFR-qualified, and I agree that it is a great 10-day/night training program. However, there are a few things that WFR training targets that doesn’t quite cover TEOTWAWKI situations. I’ve also taken Medical Corps (the makers of KIO3 and one of your advertisers) “Care in Extreme Situations” course, and two different tactical medicine classes through Suarez International (their TC3 class includes live fire). One key phrase in the definition of Wilderness Medicine is “more than one hour from definitive care,” and many of their techniques are designed around …


Economics and Investing:

Soros: The Recession Will Last Forever. Thanks to Kevin A. KAF sent this: Dinah Lord: The next financial shoe to drop? Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Economist Tim Lee: Gold: ‘How I am hedging my portfolio against hyperinflation’ (a hat tip to G.G. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Wall Street Rebounds on Last Day of Quarter GM, Chrysler Failing to Recover AIG Crisis Tip of Insurance Iceberg? Obama’s Remarks on US Car Industry Auto Producing State Politicians Stunned By Obama “Tough Love“ Oil Tumbles Below $50 First Time in a Week Morgan Stanley Suggests Major Stock Sale Federal Pension …