Year: 2010

Letter Re: Advice on Storage Food Shelf Lives

Mr. Rawles: There is so much in your blog about stocking up, and it is appreciated, I can tell you. But I haven’t seen all in one place any big reference on how long I can expect things to last. Some of the “shelf life” info out there [on the Internet] is unrealistic. (Do they pull these numbers out of the sky?) This info is also scattered on dozens of websites, not all in one place. Can you recommend any one good reference? Is that info in any of your books? Thanking You In Advance, – Lydia. J. JWR Replies: …


Letter Re: Small Propane Cylinders on Sale at Wal-Mart Stores

JWR, I noticed that the 1-pound propane cylinders are currently on sale at “2 for $5” at Wal-Mart stores. This is the equivalent of paying $50 for a 20-pound tank, which are normally between $40 and $50. The economies of scale have made these 1lb. propane cylinders relatively inexpensive, and they have numerous benefits [in some applications] that you don’t get with the larger 20-pound cylinders. One of these 1-pound cylinders will run a Camp Chef oven for 7 or 8 hours for baking bread. – Jeff M.


Letter Re: Two-Legged Snow Mobility

Mr. Rawles, This letter from Friday 4 June, plus a few other recent articles, prompted me to chime in with a plug for cross-country skiing (alternately, nordic skiing) for the preparation-minded individual. Cross-country skiing’s benefits for preppers include: – An alternate method for getting from A to B in adverse conditions – An outstanding physical workout – Another way to get outdoors in the winter – An inexpensive activity for couples and families R.M. in Iowa wrote a very interesting and thought-provoking letter about having to solve a winter mobility problem. There are winter situations in which snowshoes are not …


Letter Re: Fit to Survive, Part Two: All the Other Stuff

JWR, First, this is a great write up with some excellent ideas. It certainly raises awareness about the need for physical training. However, two quick clarifications need to be made. 1. Re: “The stronger you are the faster you can run, the further you can jump, and the harder you can hit.” This depends on which type of strength you’re referring to. For example, low repetition heavy squats will develop only slow twitch muscle fibers. The meat-head you see at the gym who squats 700 and benches 500 is probably the slowest guy in the room. To run faster, jump …


Economics and Investing:

Frequent content contributor R.B.S. sent us this: How a Bursting Housing Bubble in China Could Slam the U.S. Also from R.B.S.: China Freaks Out The World By Announcing Restrictions On Export Of Metals Crucial For National Defense Chad sent us this: Hungary warning heightens sovereign-debt fear; Default concern rises as new government says predecessor lied about finances G.G. suggested this interview: Jim Rogers on Currencies and Inflation Items from The Economatrix: Gold’s Record-Breaking May Madness The Central Banker’s Dilemma No. European Nations Preparing to Slaughter the PIIGS Student Loans: Another Debt Crisis Brewing Four-Day School Week Due to Budget Cuts …


Odds ‘n Sods:

NASA reports: The Sun Has Reawakened. (Robert R. was the first of several readers to send me this link.)    o o o Brian B. and SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson both mentioned this video clip of a new robot-deployed bangalore torpedo.    o o o Ferd spotted this practical link: Build a Simple Off-Grid Laundry Machine    o o o North Korean Envoy Says War Could Erupt Soon



Notes from JWR:

The special sale price for the Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course will be discontinued on June 21st. So order yours, soon! — Today we present another entry for Round 29 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 …


How to Get to Your Retreat, by Tony Y.

You have spent large amounts of time and money getting prepared for the day that we all hoped would never come.  You have found a retreat, kept it stocked and have been prepared to leave when TEOTWAWKI strikes.  It’s now here, but have you prepared how to get to your retreat? One of the most critical tasks for survival in TEOTWAWKI is getting to your retreat in a safe and efficient manner.  I was a US Army soldier who completed two year- long tours in Iraq working convoys.  I have written the following for civilians with no military or tactical …


Letter Re: Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment Documentary Series

JWR: Thanks for your great work! The following video series is available through Netflix and with a membership can be viewed instantly on your computer. Very good stuff. Normal people in a wilderness survival situation. Shows how important mental attitude is in such a scenario. Here is a description from Netflix: Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment (2009 TV-PG 2 discs / 8 episodes) "Deserted in the harsh Alaskan interior, nine outdoor enthusiasts must rely on their resourcefulness to make it back to civilization alive, foraging for food, building makeshift shelters and battling plummeting temperatures along the way. Over …


Letter Re: Fit to Survive, Part Two: All the Other Stuff

Mister Rawles, I really enjoyed reading a fitness article that made sense to me from a prepper’s perspective. But building sensible body mass is important for much more than fight, flight and health reasons. In a collapse situation jobs will be at a premium and equal opportunity hiring will truly be a thing of the past (as will most desk jobs). If you find yourself needing work, you’ll want to be bigger and stronger than the guys around you. Also, it will be apparent to any employer that you are no stranger to toil and self discipline. In short, you’ll …


Economics and Investing:

Joseph C. sent a link to this: Why U.S. debt matters to you Trent H. flagged this: For Some Homeowners in Foreclosure, a Rent-Free Approach. Trent’s comment: “This attitude is astonishing and disappointing. The attitude that ‘the banks are crooks’, and thus its okay to behave similarly is frightening.” From Brian B.: Federal debt tops $13 trillion mark. (And that doesn’t include the massive future obligations like government pensions) Why a ‘new euro’ could be the saviour of the European dream. (Thanks to L.R. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: First-Time Jobless Claims Drop for Second Week Retailers’ Reports …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff B. reminded me about this useful article by Grandpappy: How to Preserve Food for Future Consumption Using Three Simple Old Fashioned Methods.    o o o Phoenix-area hospitals fight highly toxic ‘supergerm’. (Thanks to S.M. for the link.)    o o o Douglas wrote to mention a Guatemalan web site that has downloadable examples of pedal power that can be harnessed which would otherwise require electricity or hand power (which is far more effort). Pretty neat stuff.    o o o Bill M. thought this article would be of interest: Vanishing Farmland: How It’s Destabilizing America’s Food Supply    …



Notes from JWR:

A reminder that the special sale on the Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course ends on June 21st. Get your order in soon! — Today we present another entry for Round 29 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 …