We’ve completed the judging for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.
First Prize goes to Dan in Alabama for Make Your Own Retort Style Charcoal, which was posted on September 19, 2012. He will receive: 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 $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.
Second prize goes to Dr. S.V. for When the Antidepressants Run Out, which was posted on September 2, 2012. She will receive: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).
Third Prize goes to Sam D. for: From Timber to Lumber: A Beginner’s Experience, which was posted on September 20, 2012. He will receive: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.
14 Honorable Mention Prizes ($30 Amazon.com gift certificates) are being awarded for these fine articles:
Let’s Talk About Calories Per Dollar, by Mississippi Girl
Preserving The Harvest, by N.T.M. in Nevada
The Kamajors of Sierra Leone: A Model for Survival, by CYA
Making Your Own Chest Rigs, by Jeff J. in Arizona
Alternative Treatments for Auto-Immune Disorders in the Absence of Traditional Health Care, by J.F., RN
Constructing a Triple-Strand Concertina Wire Obstacle, by CPT Blackfox
Fabric Choices in Survival Clothing, by Emma C.
A Guide to Load Carrying Equipment, by Tony X.
Lentils: The Super Food of the Prepper, by Brad H.
Camouflage Painting Firearms, by Kyrottimus
Do-It-Yourself Rocket Stoves, by E.B.
Aquaponic Gardening, by D.P.
Survival of the Un-Fittest — What to Do for the Ill, Disabled and Elderly, by Echo A.
Severe Weather Vigilance, by Shawn J.
Note to the prize winners: I will need UPS and USPS addresses for the top three prize winners, and current e-mail addresses for all of the Honorable Mention prizes. Please let me know via e-mail.
Round 43 begins today, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.