SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Things are happening fast on the African continent. It will be interesting to see who the dictator of the week will be in Zimbabwe.
Tourniquets
Reader G.P. sent in this aptly named article: You Have the Rest of Your Life to Get a Tourniquet. The difference between life and death can be just seconds when you have a major arterial bleed. You never know when you will end up with one of those. The article profiles an Iranian police attempting a “non-lethal” shot in the leg to a bank-robber waving a knife. The bank robber then proceeds to bleed out in just about 20 seconds. My first reaction was “That guy shouldn’t have robbed the bank” and then I started thinking about all the bystanders and the U.S. police propensity to accidentally shoot bystanders. Hmmm, carrying a tourniquet all the time is starting to make much more sense now. (Warning: graphic video.)
Second Amendment
In his latest interview, Joe Biden doesn’t believe the man who stopped the Texas church shooter should have had an AR-15, despite the fact that the bad guy had one also. He then droned on and on about his track record of anti-American gun control laws. Of course, this is coming from the guy who thinks you should just blast away with a shotgun through a closed front door, or randomly fire shots in the air from your balcony. Old gaffe-a-minute is at it again. And this is the man who still has his eye on a presidential run in 2020. Of course, that man (Willeford) specifically says that if he had not had his AR-15, but had run out of his house with only a pistol, he would not have been able to deal with Kelley’s body armor. Thanks to T.J. for the link.
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On another absurd front, Sandy Hook families are asking Connecticut Supreme Court to reinstate their lawsuit against Remington because they believe Remington knowingly marketed its version of the AR-15 to a high-risk group of young men. This merits of this lawsuit still show a profound lack of understanding of not just the Second Amendment issues and the federal law that protect gun-makers from frivolous lawsuits, but of human nature in general. I can certainly understand their anger and grief, but they are sorely misdirected in their actions.
How to Stop Mass Shootings
Reader B.B. forwarded this article featuring Bill Whittle. We know how to stop these types of mass shootings, but we just can’t do it. The only thing all of the mass shooters in the last 20 years had in common is that none of them expected to survive. It’s basically suicide, except the news media makes them famous. If the media would quit covering them so that the person knew they would not make the evening news, they would be far less likely to perform their heinous actions. Of course, the media plasters their faces and actions all over the media because it gives them great ratings. They get great ratings because we watch it – repeatedly. One more reason to pull the plug on your TV or cable.
Dictator of the Week
In an apparent coup, Robert Mugabe (the infamous dictator of Zimbabwe) is now in military custody. While a Zimbabwe army spokesman assures the world that this is not a military takeover of government, he also states that they are only targeting the criminals around Mugabe that are causing social and economic suffering. It’s just temporary. If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s most likely a duck… It should be noted that Robert Mugabe is the oldest dictator in power (or was.)
Socialism in School
Kent State University’s socialist student groups refused to participate in the “capitalists vs socialists canned food drive”because of the “dangerous” views of their political opponents. This shows how government schools are not teaching Capitalism, but brain washing children that Socialism is the best way to live. Parents are also lax in that they do not have an understanding of what is going on, nor do they know how to explain why Capitalism – the free Market – is the best, most productive, most fair way for a nation’s citizens to live. The schools want little robots that will be “slaves” to the Orwellian system that is now being created in America. Thinking people need to fight back! As Winston Churchill said, “Socialism will drag us all down to the same dreary level”. – Reader H.L.
Plague Update
While the plague in Madagascar is nothing new and they have outbreaks every year, this year is becoming more alarming. There is now indications that the antibiotics are not working as well as they should. This year’s version is mostly pnemonic plague and can kill in as little as 24 hours if left untreated. The poor health infrastructure is inhibiting the medical communities ability to treat the disease and it will probably get worse before it gets better. As always, there is also the fear that it could mutate causing additional issues. We are still in the beginning stages of the typical plague season, but they are already seeing cases crop up in the cities and there is some concern that modern transportation could take the disease global. Thanks to H.L. for the link.
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Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via ourContact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Why does anyone care about what happens in Zimbabwe?
This is little more than a news distractor (and now other forums) to keep you from looking at something else. 99.9% of Americans and many others don’t care and will not be effected in any way, shape or form.
You should care for the simple fact that your government, under Jimmy Carter, along with the British government, are largely responsible for the Marxist thug Mugabe coming to power. The US and UK headed up the economic sanctions on Ian Smith’s government. With the crippling sanctions imposed on them, it was only a matter of time before the Rhodesians lost the war they were fighting against Mugabe’s Marxist insurgents.
Suggestion to Christian Prepper M.S. about raising a child: Read To Train Up a Child by Michael Pearl http://www.nogreaterjoy.org
Absolutely not! There have been at least 3 deaths of children linked to the abusive teachings of the Pearls. I am not anti-spank, having raised three children, but there was a couple in our community who beat their son with plastic tubing, citing these teachings. Additionally, they advocate cold baths and denying food to disobedient children. There is a great book called Breaking Their Will that talks about the dangers of child abuse in institutional religion.
Ted Tripp’s book Shepherding a Child’s Heart is so much better, as is anything by Sally Clarkson. The Well Trained Mind is also another good book, as is For the Children’s Sake.
Do not go anywhere near the Pearls or Bill Gothard or Doug Phillips.
“As always, there is also the fear that it could mutate causing additional issues.”
It should have said “problems”, not “issues”. Problems have solutions, issues do not. If there are no solutions to this problem, you are correct in calling it an “issue”. Otherwise, less political correctness please.
Reference this short article
In this case the difference is subtle, but I stand by the usage of “issue”. It is highly unlikely that the health infrastructure can be changed in this third world country in time to implement a solution during this plague season. It is also highly unlikely that anyone will be able to change the cultural practices that exacerbate the spread of the disease. It is highly probable that the disease will die out as it does every year, but the possibility exists that it will not. It is an “issue” without a clear resolution, not a problem that can be quickly fixed.
It’ll be interesting to see if Mugabe gets the Ceausescu treatment, or if they let him rot in a prison somewhere.
I have 4 or 5 first aid kits. One for a day pack, one for a multiple night hiking pack, one for the motor home, one for the car and numerous amounts of first aid stuff at home. I have tried to create good first aid kits but it is difficult. If I put into them everything you “really” need it would be too large and heavy and I would likely leave it behind. Obviously if you are bleeding from an artery you need a tourniquet, perhaps a couple dozen large gauze pads, maybe an Israeli bandage and other things too. But seriously will you carry that with you 24/7? More than likely if you did carry all that with you when you really need some first aid item it will be the other thingy that you decided not to carry. I defy anyone to create a decent first aid kit that can meet all needs and is small enough to always have on you.
I don’t have a tourniquet in my kit, I’ve thought about it. I don’t have an Israeli bandage (or equivalent) in my kit either, I’ve thought about it. I don’t have a lot of things in my first aid kits. But because they are a reasonable size and weight I do have them with me when camping or driving. That is a necessary compromise.
@Gonewiththewind
Look at Dark Angel Medical Kits and the EDC options they have. I do carry mine in my back pocket daily. it’s not the best TK but it’s the best option to carry.
As far as the car and camper when your on the road and the likelihood of needing a TK rises dramatically with vehicles wrecks I would reconsider and the vehicle carries the weight instead of you anyway. In those I put the best TKs like a CATT.
If your hiking in terrain that you can fall and break something where the bone can severe an artery those few minutes might make the difference depending on how far your in.
I can’t prepare for everything but life experience has shown me what I do need to.
I can go for long times without first aid kit ointments or even a band aid but not a TK.
My PSHTF kits don’t have a lot of them because in that event without surgery, blood transfusion etc. you are most likely just prolonging death in a painful manner.
I thought I was the only one that remembered Bidens advice to his wife should intruders come to their home. If I remember correctly he told her to load the double barrel and go to the balcony and fire two shots for attention.
My reaction was he just told his wife to commit a misdemeanor and left her with an empty gun.
This is a particular mind set among some people . Don’t hurt anyone ,and get help from someone else . He really can’t help himself .
Making Biden and all the other neo-liberal-cons extremely dangerous people to listen to. Mindless authoritarian/totalitarian drones to a man (or woman).
@ T.Teetz, that was my first thought too when I heard what he had said. The mouth is at again.
I recall that our medics in VN carried a pair of scissors (medical type) on their left side belt, and a length of surgical tubing. When I once asked my medic (deceased on 24 Dec,1970 KIA) what that stuff was for, he said the scissors were to cut through clothing and equipment, and even flesh, to get at a wound, as GIs were always wrapped up in, and wearing lots of equipment and so on. He said even taking the time to remove clothing and equipment by hand could easily kill a man bleeding profusely. So the scissors (he had several pair with him) were for speed, and he said he used surgical tubing for tourniquets, and that having them out on his belt, along with the scissors was SOP from his medical section. Heckuva responsibility. So you don’t have to have the fancy stuff, just get some surgical tubing, and a coupla pair of medical scissors. Having extra surgical tubing is a good idea, as direct sunlight and warm temperatures can degrade it rather quickly…Having a designated medic in your survival group can make all these things happen, and eliminate “what to carry” problems.