Month: December 2011

Odds ‘n Sods:

To temper this sensationalistic news reporting on the man-made H3N2 flu variant, consider: On Research Ethics    o o o A reminder to readers in the US that you have less than one week left left to purchase Primatene Mist Inhaler(s) over the counter, after 12-31-11 it will no longer be available. As most of you know, this is nothing more than Epinephrine in an inhaler and can be used for any type of anaphylaxis. The cost is around $21.    o o o NYT Smears Gingrich Over EMP Threat Comment. (Thanks to Yishai for the link.)    o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Each man of the three companies bore a rifle-barreled gun, a tomahawk, or small axe, and a long knife, usually called a ‘scalping knife’, which served for all purposes, in the woods." – John Joseph Henry, An Accurate and Interesting Account of the Hardships and Sufferings of That Band of Heros, Who Traversed Through The Wilderness in the Campaign Against Quebec in 1775


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Emergency Shelters From Materials On-Hand, by SnoMan

The key to building an emergency shelter is knowing how to improvise. Whatever the situation, whatever materials you have, if you need shelter from the elements, you’ll have to make do. Be efficient; every calorie spent is a calorie you’ll have to replace, so build your shelter using the least time and energy you can. For the purposes of this series of articles, we’re assuming you’ll be on the move, and that your shelters are truly just for temporary, perhaps even one-night use. If you’re going to be in place for awhile, then the rules about minimalist construction are off, …


Two Letters Re: How I Survived an Attempted Murder

James Wesley: Regarding the recent article “How I Survived an Attempted Murder, by A. in Ecuador”, I’m praying that A. has seen a ophthalmologist (not optometrist) about that flash in his eye.  Retinas can deteriorate quickly – if they can be fixed it is quite an intensive surgery and recovery – speaking from experience.  Consider the prospect of being blind in one eye for the rest of your life, not just while climbing a cliff to safety. It is wise to pay for the doctor visit! – F.W.   JWR: In A’s article he says he suffers from a flashing in his …


Letter Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

JWR: Okay, I hesitated to write, but here it is. I want the gal with the questions to get some good solid advice. First, I do not always agree with James Wesley Rawles, I read his site every day, I agree with lots, but not all of what he says. As for the sleeping bags, I do agree. I’m a 5’2” female at 140 pounds. I’ve lived in Alaska for as long as my memory goes back. I camp, hunt, trap, all winter long. I’ve tried a lot of things, two sleeping bags, liners, bivvy sacks. I’ve slept out in …


Economics and Investing:

AmEx (American Expat) sent us this: The Silver Rush at MF Global G.G. sent this: Missing $4,155? It Went Into Your Gas Tank This Year   Items from The Economatrix: Global Economic Crisis:  The US an Insolvent and Ungovernable Country IMF Warns that World Risks Sliding Into a “1930’s-Style Slump” Celente’s Trends Prove Accurate; What Will 2012 Bring? Price of Oil to Remain High as OPEC Limits World Production at Oil Price


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Dale C. mentioned that he was poking around on the net and found a great resource for many different topics. For example, he found a very informative piece about harvesting trees for firewood. (See G1554 in the forestry section.)    o o o Evacuation plan for Brits in Spain amid warning euro collapse could leave them stranded. (A link suggested by my darling wife, Avalanche Lily.)    o o o Connie W. mentioned that there are thousands of new job opportunities in The American Redoubt, as oilfield service contractors like Schlumberger and Halliburton are ramping up their operations in …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


How I Survived an Attempted Murder, by A. in Ecuador

I am an American in Ecuador, and I have a story to tell.  This happened in July and I should absolutely be dead.  A little introduction to the kind of person that I am.  Growing up in Alaska and playing in the great outdoors has always been a huge part of my life.  When I was a couple of years old, my wonderful father would strap me on his back and take my sister and I fishing.  I absolutely love him for that.  The beauty and serenity of the great outdoors has always been a stress reliever for me.  My …


Mike’s Product Review: Pro Ears Gold Predator Earmuffs

I love these muffs. I’ve had a pair of Pro Ears Gold Predator earmuffs for 18 months, and I haven’t found a flaw. So let me tell you what I’ve found that’s good: The first thing one needs from muffs is noise suppression, obviously. The Gold series have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 26. There are several factors that contribute to an NRR, one of which is frequency dependent. Pro Ears seems to have picked frequencies that are specific to shooting. The muffs have proven adequate for large bore rifles, .44 magnum revolvers and even make standing in the …


Six Letters Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

JWR: As a long time camper, backpacker, outdoorsman, and now K-9 SAR Tech, I understand that temperature regulation at night can be a problem.  Here are some of the tricks I’ve used: I almost always use a silk bag liner.  This has multiple advantages: 1) silk feels warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot (2) silk protects the sleeping bag from dirt, minimizing the amount of needed washings and prolonging its life (3) in the winter, silk will make you bag about 5-10 degrees warmer (technically speaking, this “drops” you temp rating number- a 35 degree bag becomes …


Economics and Investing:

This may be our last “big dip” buying opportunity for silver: Gold to drop in Q1, far from retesting record high: Reuters poll Thief Injured Attempting to Steal Copper Wire From School. Solar Power becomes cheaper than diesel generators in India. (Thanks to F.J. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Pathogenesis of Central Bank Ruin 12 Bullish Factors Driving Gold to $2,000 and Higher Despite Recent Setback Public Confidence in California Falls as Economy Improves The Sacrifices I Made to Survive Sharp Drop in Shopping Since Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Sales Up, But Returns May Set Record Illinois Debtors Thrown …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thinking Outside the Box Barn: Those Clever Nebraskans. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson for the link.)    o o o Gingrich Collapses in Iowa as Ron Paul Surges to the Front. I urge SurvivalBlog readers in the U.S. to keep up the momentum in Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign by supporting it financially, and by displaying campaign signs and bumper stickers.    o o o Corey B. wrote to tell me that Self Reliance Illustrated has temporarily made their past issues available for free download.    o o o An interesting read: Retroactive Surveillance and The Digital …