We’ve completed the judging for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest [1].
First Prize goes to Dan in Alabama for Make Your Own Retort Style Charcoal [2], which was posted on September 19, 2012. He will receive: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand [3], B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical [4]. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses [5]. (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 [6], courtesy of Ready Made Resources [7]. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize [8], for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator [9] from Safecastle.com [10] (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. [11] and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance [12].
Second prize goes to Dr. S.V. for When the Antidepressants Run Out [13], which was posted on September 2, 2012. She will receive: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol [14] and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt [15], courtesy of Next Level Training. [16] 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 [17]. 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 [18], and E.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) [19], courtesy of CampingSurvival.com [20] (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 [21] from JRH Enterprises [22] (a $200 value).
Third Prize goes to Sam D. for: From Timber to Lumber: A Beginner’s Experience [23], which was posted on September 20, 2012. He will receive: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, [24] courtesy of Directive 21 [24]. (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 [25], with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy [26]. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! [27] emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections [28], a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security. [29]
14 Honorable Mention Prizes ($30 Amazon.com gift certificates) are being awarded for these fine articles:
Let’s Talk About Calories Per Dollar [30], by Mississippi Girl
Preserving The Harvest [31], by N.T.M. in Nevada
The Kamajors of Sierra Leone: A Model for Survival, by CYA
Making Your Own Chest Rigs [32], by Jeff J. in Arizona
Alternative Treatments for Auto-Immune Disorders in the Absence of Traditional Health Care [33], by J.F., RN
Constructing a Triple-Strand Concertina Wire Obstacle [34], by CPT Blackfox
Fabric Choices in Survival Clothing [35], by Emma C.
A Guide to Load Carrying Equipment [36], by Tony X.
Lentils: The Super Food of the Prepper [37], by Brad H.
Camouflage Painting Firearms [38], by Kyrottimus
Do-It-Yourself Rocket Stoves [39], by E.B.
Aquaponic Gardening [40], by D.P.
Survival of the Un-Fittest — What to Do for the Ill, Disabled and Elderly [41], by Echo A.
Severe Weather Vigilance, by Shawn J. [42]
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 [43].
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.