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, …


The Importance of Calories in a Survival Situation, By Keith W.

In this modern world the term “calorie” is almost a bad word. They are things to be limited, controlled and shunned whenever possible. We use terms like “empty” and “wasted” in regards to the consumption of calories. Obesity, the result of the over-consumption of calories, is one of the biggest dangers that we face as Americans. If and when TEOTWAWKI occurs, our thinking needs to change immediately. The average man doing minimal amounts of work needs about 2500 calories per day to maintain weight and full functionality. Doing moderate physical labor or survival activities can easily increase that number to …


Letter Re: Dental Preparedness

Jim, In "Dental Preparedness, by Pat" the author mentions "using 400mg of Ibuprofen taken with 800mg of Tylenol at the same time, every 4-6 hours." That could result in taking 4,800mg of Tylenol in a day. Online resources state the maximum safe dose is 4,000mg per day, or liver failure could result. [JWR Adds: Thanks for pointing that out! Clearly, at that dosage, that course of treatment must either end or the dosage be reduced after just18 hours.] – SunDog


Two Letters Re: An Interesting 19th Century Formulary Book

JWR, First off, love your site! It’s level headed and full of wonderful information. It’s now part of my required reading in the mornings along with the news and email. Google Books has Dr. Chase’s Third, Last and Complete Receipt Book, it’s free, it’s PDF format and downloadable. Keep up the good work! – Herman N. James, I’ve been reading the blog for about a year now, I think this may be my first email to you. In searching for Dr. Chase’s Third, Last and Complete Receipt Book, I stumbled across this web site from MSU of downloadable cookbooks and …


Economics and Investing:

California debt rating cut as cash crunch looms. (Thanks to GG for the link.) World Health Organization Eyeing Global Tax on Banking and Internet Activity Items from The Economatrix: UK: Consumer Confidence Takes a Dive US Jobless Rates to Stay High Until 2012 Barons of Wall Street to Face US Crisis Panel Consumers Are Squeezed as Inflation Outpaces Wages Obama Mortgage Relief Program Fails to Deliver


Odds ‘n Sods:

Trent H. sent a link to Pack and Saddle Shop’s horse packing tips.    o o o Troy H. sent these links, about an energy-independent farming own in Germany. He comments, “These folks already generate their own heat and electricity (enough in fact to sell surplus wattage back the grid!), and seem well positioned for long-term independence. A ‘covenant community’ or ‘retreat township’ model might benefit from these sorts of systems.” There are two articles, an overview, and a detailed photo essay, with more technical details.    o o o From the British Medical Journal: Surgeon performs self-apendectomy in Antarctica. …



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, …


Two Letter Re: Some Observations on Fortifications Versus Camouflaged Retreats

James: Just a quick observation about the wisdom of sheltering in a missile base or some other Cold War-era fortification. While Chris is correct that history demonstrates that fortifications can and will be breached by enemy forces with the resources and determination to maintain a well-conceived siege, I question whether after TEOTWAWKI the marauders most likely to be challenging such a retreat will have the resources to see a siege through to a successful conclusion. Presumably, the scarcity of resources is precisely what would make a fortress such an inviting target. Unlike the armies that successfully overran ancient fortifications, there …


Letter Re: Advice on Convincing a Spouse to Prepare

Mr. Rawles, I am not sure if you can help me, however I was not sure who else I might be able to turn to for advice. I have always been a “prepared” type person, that stems from growing up relatively poor and living/working on a cattle ranch in southern Arizona, for a good portion of my life. We had to be prepared, living so far away from town! My wife and I were married almost three years ago, and currently live in southern Idaho. Being quite a few years my junior, eleven to be exact, she grew up with …


Economics and Investing:

GG flagged this: Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: A global fiasco is brewing in Japan I spotted this piece by Pat Buchanan over at WND: Is America’s financial collapse inevitable? Items from The Economatrix: Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: A Global Fiasco is Brewing In Japan Fitch Warns US Must Cut Spending to Preserve AAA Rating How Nation’s True Jobless Rate is Closer to 22% Stocks Fall on JPMorgan Results, Sentiment Survey Oil Drops on More Signs of a Struggling Consumer Platinum to Beat Gold, Says Goldman Sachs Warning of Further Economic Crises Ahead


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this New York Times story:. Here is a quote: “She said a Coast Guard helicopter flew over the United Nations compound and could see that there were people there trapped under building debris. Thousands of residents were seen assembled outside the gates at a government facility in the city, and large groups were also assembled in other streets and public areas. The pilot of her ship’s helicopter reported seeing people working in several areas to dig out survivors. But for the most part, she said, the city appeared to be waiting …



Notes from JWR:

The aftermath of the recent earthquake in Haiti has underscored the fragility of modern societies. In the event of a major disaster, it doesn’t take long for “the thin veneer” of civilization to be peeled back. And please keep in mind that headlines like the following are not exclusive to Third World countries: Gangs Armed With Machetes Loot Port-Au-Prince; Central Business District Resembles Hell On Earth As Bodies Pile Up And Armed Men Battle Over Food, Supplies. Here is a key quote from another recent news story from Haiti: “Money is worth nothing right now, water is the currency,” one …


The Ishapore 2A1: A Budget Battle Rifle, by JIR

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For budget preppers, I think the Enfield bolt action rifle is an excellent choice for a main battle rifle. Most of them are British weapons chambered for .303, which is an obsolete caliber. I don’t recommend a .303 weapon, but it would be perfectly adequate if you could get ammunition. A better choice is the Ishapore 2A1 rifle. It’s a redesigned Lee Enfield SMLE Mk III (one of the best rifles ever issued to an army) but chambered for 7.62×51 (7.62 NATO) and has a 10 or 12 round magazine. (The later production 2A1s have a 12 round magazine. Mine …