Day: December 1, 2011

Announcing the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Prize Winners for Round 37

We’ve completed the judging for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest: First Prize goes to Paul B., for Staple Foods Storage By The Numbers, posted on November 10th. He will receive: 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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


How to Find a Doctor to Help You Prepare, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Last week I received disturbing news from a reader.  His physician was ready and willing to help him prepare for a protracted sailboat cruise.  He planned to be gone several months, and requested medicine to take along, just in case he or his family became ill – sounds reasonable to me.  However, before the doctor wrote the prescriptions, the practice manager stepped in and vetoed the idea.  Turns out, the doctors were salaried, hence subject to the constraints of their employers. In thinking back to my earlier article on SurvivalBlog (How to Get Your Doctor to Help You Stockpile Medicine), …


A Grandfather’s Advice on How to Survive and Thrive, by M.R.B.

I have managed to learn about two really important things in my lifetime.  I’m not talking about plumbing, math, how to tie my shoes, how to make waffles, and the countless skills I have acquired.  I’m talking about really important things.  The first is understanding money. Think about the game Monopoly?  Each player is given some paper money (ones, fives, tens, etc.) with instructions that this money can be used to buy property and pay fines, rent, and get out of jail.  With our game hats on we enter the world where these pieces of paper are money.  We roll …


Letter Re: Gauze and Water: A Combat Medic’s Guide to Preparedness Medicine

Background: I converted my wife to prepping, working on the “kids”. Thirty Five years in EMS and 22 as an Emergency Medicine physician: prior work with Appleseed and Western Rifle Shooter’s Association travel course on Grid Down Medicine at its inception. Some austere medical and rescue training and operations, no military (I failed the physical).  I fully endorse your previous recommendations for the various medical education/training resources cited.   I would like to confirm Walker’s position, that for a mobile/bugout situation humping the ruck, his kit and strategy make a lot of sense. Protection from environmental factors, sanitation, water, and …


Economics and Investing:

MF Global: Proof that the U.S. government is not able or willing to protect investors. (Thanks to Jeff H. for the link.) Karl Smith: The Euro-Crisis is Much Worse Than It Looks Just as if they were cranking up the printing presses: Top central banks move to avoid global liquidity crunch. Meanwhile, overseas: China cuts reserve ratio in move to inject cash. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.) Harrisburg: a city at war with itself. (The first major U.S. city to declare bankruptcy. The first of many, I fear.) Items from The Economatrix: Prepare For Riots In Euro Collapse, Foreign …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) sent this: More Women Are Canning, Becoming Domestic Homesteaders    o o o Vamoose to the Rural Retreat! Crisis-hit Greeks leave the cities for a new rural life    o o o Stephen F. sent this: Handy farm devices and how to make them    o o o Also from Stephen F.: Cable plowing, where a winch pulls the plow by cable.  (“Energy efficient because you just move the tool.”)