Month: April 2010

Plentiful Water, Right at Your Feet, by Matt H. in Washington State

I want to bring up a topic that should be critical to those trying to prepare. I am one of the folks that wants to survive in place in a suburban environment. The serious weak link in any survival program is that of water. We have all read the endless articles about finding and preparing potable (drinkable) water. The endless stories of filtering, boiling, bleach-treating. I believe one area has been overlooked. Proviso: The following is presented for educational purposes only, and should only be considered in life and death situations! Can I tell you all a little about my …


Letter Re: An Earthquake Wakeup Call in Australia

Greetings! I’m a SurvivalBlog addict who lives in the coastal suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, and last night at roughly 11:25 p.m. my shower was interrupted by an earthquake! It wasn’t strong enough to move furniture. In fact, as earthquakes go it was pretty weak (later revealed as a 3.8), but since we’re near the coast I wasn’t taking any chances, and neither was my wife! Seconds after it was stopped I was drying off and we were both getting dressed. We locked the doors, shut the windows, grabbed our phones and our boy, put the dogs in the car …


Economics and Investing:

By way of the Appenzell Daily Bell: George Soros Warns that the EU May Collapse. From Damon S.: 14 Pieces of Really Bad News for the U.S. Economy The number that I mentioned in the blog on Saturday was too low. Here is the correction: U.S. shuts eight more banks; 50 total have been closed this year. Items from The Economatrix: Consumer Mood Unexpectedly Worsens in April US Housing Starts Up Bill to Restore Jobless Aid Clears Senate Hurdle Pensions Crisis “Threatens Entire UK Economy” $4.00 Gas by the End of 2010?


Odds ‘n Sods:

Yishai sent this Instapundit item: U.S. Military Warns of Oil Shortage by 2015.    o o o Reader Damon S. suggested a web site with some free plans for building beehives.    o o o Matt B. mentioned a clever “stealth” house built into a grain silo.    o o o David R. was the first of several readers to mention this: MIT Student Develops Cutting Edge Low Cost Healing for the Developing World



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 …


Optics — Seeing Is Believing, by Littlebird

When you think of all of the needed equipment during or after an emergency, I am willing to bet that optical devices aren’t at the top of the list.  We will think about and plan for just about everything except seeing what is around us.  While pondering things to prepare for, I had the thought: What would be some items that would take some doings to replace?  While it is highly doubted that FEMA would come to your rescue I am almost certain that they will not arrive carrying the items that I’ll point out. Glasses If you wear glasses …


Two Letters Re: Icelandic Volcanic Ash

James, As a geologist (masters degree) I have written for 30 years on issues of geologic hazards for numerous publications and made presentations to governmental entities regarding same. I preach preparedness for disaster as a way of mitigation for the inevitable. This is my heads up for your readers. The unpronounceable Icelandic volcano (Eyjafjallajokull) that is currently erupting and disrupting air traffic mostly over Europe is becoming quite a demonstration of natures ability to mess with our technology. A much bigger worry is a nearby volcano called Katla which is also located under a huge ice cap on iceland. Katla …


Letter Re: The Broke Survivalist — A Learning Experience

James: Vaerity mentioned, in her valuable post, that she would like to pursue some rifle training. I’ve got one word for her: Appleseed! Ladies shoot free, and she already possesses the preferred “Liberty Training Rifle” – the Ruger 10/.22. She will experience two full days of high quality rifle marksmanship instruction, for the cost of a bargain box of .22 LR ammunition. The bulk-packed ammo is still under $20 per box [of 550 cartridges.]. You just can’t find a bigger bang for the buck!! Check out teh Appleseed web site for scheduled events in North Carolina. Best Wishes, – S.H. …


Economics and Investing:

GG flagged this piece by Tyler Durden, over at Zero Hedge: Why Are Silver Sales Soaring? That is significant news. Think about it: Annualized, that means that effectively, the entire US silver mining production is being devoted to producing Silver Eagles planchets. The law of supply and demand is inescapable. So I’m I standing by my long term price predictions for silver. Also from GG: 33 states out of money to fund jobless benefits. Reader Chad S. notes: The Federal government deems all $5, $10 and $20 Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) minted before the 1996 series to be unfit for …


Odds ‘n Sods:

 The latest from Nanny State Britannia: Caravanner, 61, prosecuted for having Swiss Army knife in his glovebox… to cut up fruit on picnics.    o o o Meanwhile, in the Land of the Free, we read these two news items: Heat builds on both sides of open-carry gun debate and Arizona to allow concealed weapons without permit.    o o o J.D.D. sent this: Single Mom Uses Straw to Build This Week’s Greenhouse for $500.    o o o Ferd forwarded this: Earthquake in Tibet – Amazing Photo Gallery



Note from JWR:

non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 Federal 5.56mm XM193 55 Grain FMJ ammo, courtesy of Sunflower Ammo. …


Letter Re: Questions on Long Term Gun Storage

Sir, I have a secure retreat with a hidden cache that I visit very infrequently. I plan to keep half of my guns there. What is the best way to long term (3-5+ years between checks) store firearms? Specifically, Glock pistols and Springfield Armory M1A rifles. This system will be shared with others who have some other pieces (M1911s and AR-15s), but, as they are not the agreed upon group [standard] arms, they are less of a concern from a standard preservation system standpoint. Light, humidity, and temperature can probably be regulated to whatever is necessary. JWR Replies: The precautions …


Letter Re: The Westchester Burglaries as a Home Security Lesson

James, I found this article interesting: Professional Gang On Burglary Spree In Westchester. The homeowners spend so much money on their houses (prices start at $600,000) but fail to install any kind of security system. The other thing I thought about while reading this is that there are people who don’t take the threat of gangs seriously during a TEOTWAWKI event. Yet here is a professional gang breaking into affluent homes during ‘peaceful’ times. What do people think these gangs will be like when there’s no electricity? No grocery store? No fuel? The mantra is as always: hope, and pray, …