Month: January 2010


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 26 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.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


A Preparedness Plan for a Single Woman With Children

I’ve been reading SurvivalBlog for almost a year.  I am thankful for the advice that I receive each day.  I have had a “be prepared” attitude for about 30 years, although the past two years have thrown several speed bumps and roadblocks my way.  Two years ago my son and his family were in a life threatening accident.  I spent almost every penny I had saved toward retirement to help my daughter-in-law recover.  This year I fought for and won custody of three of my grandchildren from my daughter.  So now, instead of planning for TEOTWAWKI for just myself, a …


Two Letters Re: Lessons From The Twilight Zone

Jim, Sean in Malibu mentioned watching the episode of The Twilight Zone called “The Shelter”. Your readers might like to know that the full episode is viewable online [free of charge] at the CBS web site. Best, – Matt R. James Wesley, That episode of of The Twilight Zone a reader mentioned was one of the reasons that prompted me to be very quiet about my preps. I (and my family) use the “need to know” rule. I’m all for charity, but I agree with your approach of doling it out anonymously, through our church. (We’re Baptists.) The characters in …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Thomas B.was the first of several readers to reference this article by Jim Jubak: Anarchy in the UK (and US, too)? Al wrote to mention that just as I predicted, the base metal value of US five cent pieces (“Nickels”) have again risen to above their face value. ($1.01 for $1.00 face value) I stand by my position that nickels are a good hedge against future inflation. If you have sufficient secure storage space, then gradually accumulate nickels! Items from The Economatrix: 10 Jobs That Will Get a Raise in 2010 Greece Faces Intrusive EU Surveillance Amid Reports of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

By way of Tamara’s View From The Porch blog, comes an interesting article about Magpul Industries.    o o o Reader Dean G. reminded me to again mention of the copious links and references made available by The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA). Take a look!    o o o Ferdinand found a little Gerber sharpener mentioned on KK Cool Tools. Ferd notes: “It fits perfectly in my knife sheath’s sidecar pocket and cost just a few dollars. It measures 2-1/4 x 1-3/4 inches, and is easy to use, with one side marked “coarse,” the other “fine,” and a little …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 26 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.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


Six Survival Necessities That Don’t Fit in Your Kit, by BOB in S.A.

So it’s the end of the world.  No problem.  Don’t panic.  Just grab your handy bug-out kit, sit back with some popcorn, and try to make the most of Armageddon.  I just have one question for you: what in the world did you put in that bag that makes you so confident you’ll do any better than the unprepared masses around you?  (Don’t answer that… it’s a trick question!) Do you remember that old cartoon “Felix the Cat”?  There was a line in the theme song that went, “…whenever he gets in a fix, he reaches into his bag of …


Letter Re: The After Armageddon Documentary

Mr Rawles, Thanks for all you do for the Prepper community. It is always a pleasure to see what is new on your site. Just for the record, I was the black shirted “Tracking and Survival Expert” quoted on After Armageddon. I consulted fairly extensively with the production company on the direction of the script early on, but did not know what was going to happen until I saw it. We filmed my interview up in Harlem in an old condemned apartment building in August. The epidemiologist from England was there also. They filmed three hours of interview with me, …


Economics and Investing:

A bit more of the truth comes out: Geithner’s Fed Told AIG to Limit Swaps Disclosure. (Thanks to Shale for the link.) From GG: U.S. regulators warn banks on interest rate risk Brett sent us this bit of confirmation for the prevailing sentiment amongst Rawlesians: Krugman: 40 Percent Chance of Double Dip Recession Items from The Economatrix: Fed Wants Florida Bank to Boost Equity or Find Buyer Construction Spending Down Seven Straight Months Bank Lending Poised to Pick Up Bernanke Says Confident in Fed Strategy for Exit Blackstone’s Wien Sees Strong 2010 US GDP, Profits Fed’s Kohn Says Economy, Jobs …


Odds ‘n Sods:

As a follow-up to previous mentions in SurvivalBlog, Nanci M. suggested this article: Finding Dolly Freed.    o o o Reader Trent H. spotted this interesting article: An Amish Entrepreneur’s Old-Fashioned Approach; Without electricity, a car, or a cell phone, Amos Miller turned his dad’s Pennsylvania farm into a $1.8 million national food retailer. Oh, and speaking of locally-grown foods, Jason W. sent us the link to Well Fed Neighbor.    o o o Yishai flagged this: IDF to blanket Israel with gas masks. Yishai’s comments: “To show the chemical threat is real, and to point out to your readers …



The “After Armageddon” Docudrama is Scheduled to Air Again

SurvivalBlog readers Len and K9 both mentioned the two hour special docudrama “After Armageddon” will soon air again on The History Channel. The program shows in graphic detail just how fast normal society can break down, and even has a small segment on the importance of amateur radio to be able to communicate without infrastructure. While the program uses the flu virus as the reason for the breakdown, It could just as easily be any one of a number of other causes.that “After Armageddon” re-runs: What have past acts of destruction taught us about what will happen to mankind after …


Letter Re: Lessons From “The Twilight Zone”

Sir: I’ve just watched an original episode of [the 1960s television series] The Twilight Zone called “The Shelter” from 1961. It’s interesting to notice how some tenets of preparedness haven’t changed much in almost 50 years. In the episode, a group of neighbors is gathered at a birthday party when a report of unidentified flying objects, alluded to as nuclear missiles, comes over the radio. As the guests depart for their homes to gather food, medicine and water, we learn that the protagonist, Dr. Stockton, has a recently completed fallout shelter in his basement. He secures his family in it …