Day: February 4, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 39 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 …


Preparing To Be Prepared, by Patricia K.

Preparation, by definition, is this: “1. the act of getting something ready. 2. a state of getting ready.” So what is it you are getting ready for? Are you taking action and making a plan? Are you stocking-up? “Sure!” you say with enthusiasm “I am a prepper!”  You boast, as you align yourself with the great people of the past that were also prepared for catastrophes and unseen calamities of their day. Today is my opportunity to give you some insight on a topic that might easily be overlooked. I want to touch on the subject of “preparedness”, specifically a …


Layering: A Practical Approach Survival and Preparedness, by J.C.

We are all survivors.  I can prove it.  If you are reading this, then you are alive and surviving.  We all survive every day.  Our home is our shelter.  We use cars for transportation.  We barter our skills in a workplace in exchange for money.  That money is then used for supplies.  And so on and so on.  Our lives are comfortable.  So what happens when that comfort is disrupted?   Chaos, insecurity, fear, anxiety, despair, alcoholism, etc…not a pretty picture. To prevail in an unfortunate situation, I believe the most important skill one must possess is the ability to adapt.  …


Three Letters Re: Canning Food in a Grid-Down World

Jim: In response to the question on wood stove canning. The short answer is ‘yes’. However, to can on a wood stove means being able to regulate the heat for extended periods. (Irregular temperatures, especially with the pressure canner, will cause your jars to siphon the juices.) This means a good assortment of dependable wood, a stove that will hold a steady heat and if you’re lucky enough, a separate summer kitchen. (The wood stove in summer will turn the kitchen into an unbearable sauna. That said, I have canned over wood heat for many years with excellent results. And, …


Letter Re: A Combat Gear Primer

Mr. Rawles, This a reply to the reply to “A Combat Gear Primer” by WildcatActual.  While it is true that a direct hit from a high-powered rifle such as a Russian Dragunov firing a 7.62x54R will not/should not penetrate military grade body armor I would like to add to the comment of “These are but two examples of the fallacy that blunt force trauma from a bullet hit will incapacitate an individual wearing body armor”: I have a personal experience in this.  I was in Mosul, Iraq in 2006.  Our unit was tasked to clear and old cement factory in the city.  This cement factory …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A good video: Four Things A Man Must Have. By the way, I’m really looking forward to seeing Cody’s upcoming homesteading compilation video.    o o o Kevin S. sent us this, from an English newspaper: Forget global warming – it’s Cycle 25 we need to worry about (and if NASA scientists are right the Thames will be freezing over again.    o o o A new television show pilot planned: J.J. Abrams sells sci-fi apocalypse pilot to NBC. Is it post-EMP, or post-solar flare? Regardless, it is TEOTWAWKI. (Thanks to Jake K. for the link.)    o o o …