Month: March 2022

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

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 “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we delve deeper into the implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine Invasion Updates This is starting to sound like passages from my novels: Ukraine urges citizens to use guerilla tactics. Ukrainian armed …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — March 16, 2022

Today is the anniversary of the Battle at Pound Gap Kentucky. (1862) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 99 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of …


Tornado Preparedness, by SwampFox

You’ve been asleep for about an hour. The fan you keep on in your bedroom turns off, causing you to wake unexpectedly. You glance at your alarm clock on the nightstand and notice that the red numbers aren’t illuminated. Power outage. Unable to get back to sleep, you shuffle down the hall to the kitchen, and light a couple of candles. In the dim light you notice your housecat sitting on a chair, with wide eyes and twitching ears. She’s alert and disturbed. A strong wind is blowing outside, but then you hear something else. An unmistakeable, dull roaring, rushing …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Google’s Character Assassination Committee (or Algorithm) is apparently still hard at work. For the past few weeks, a search on either “SurvivalBlog” or  “James Wesley, Rawles” using the Google search engine results in a link to my Wikipedia biography, but also a 2014 booking mugshot of an Oregon murder suspect. (That is NOT me!) That man …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — March 15, 2022

This is the birthday of General and President Andrew Jackson, in 1767. He was the 7th President of the United States (1829-1837.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 99 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course …


Addictions: Now and During TEOTWAWKI, by Mrs. G.

It’s taken me a long time to write this, but I do so with complete understanding and enormous empathy. No judgment. It’s a plea to address some of the things that may cripple us should, as seems imminent, The End of The World as We Know It occurs. Things that can be very addictive include caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar/carbs, prescription drugs, and miscellaneous unhealthy habits, some unholy, and others seemingly innocent like social media. I can honestly tell you that at one time or another I was addicted to all of the above, so I’m not just preaching at y’all. …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the developing Central Oregon drought. (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.) Idaho Idaho Parents Have Child Medically Kidnapped for Missing Doctor’s Appointment. o  o  o In related news: Police: Ammon Bundy arrested in trespassing case. o  o  o Judge rules on …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 14, 2022

This is the birthday of Marlin Perkins. He was the well-known television host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. He was born in 1905 in Carthage. Missouri. This is also the birthday of fighter ace Major Raoul Lufbery (born 1885). He was shot down and killed in 1918.) — Today, another product review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.


VISM Soft Body Armor, by Pat Cascio

Today, if you’re in law enforcement, military or even private security, body armor is an absolute must-have piece of kit, if you ask me. We are no longer in Kansas, Toto.  It’s a dangerous world out there, and you don’t want to have a target on your chest, especially in law enforcement. Used to be, if you wore body armor under your uniform shirt, many other police officers made fun of you, and said you were paranoid. Gone are those days. Most major police departments now issue and mandate that their officers wear soft body armor. These days, many departments …


Recipe of the Week: Ron’s Oatmeal Bars

The following oatmeal bar recipe is from blog reader Ron X. It makes an 8″ x 8″ panful. Ron says:  “This recipe is a great way to use some of your storage foods, and a good alternative use for your stored rolled oats, when breakfasts of oatmeal get boring and monotonous.  Use a little less oil, if you prefer your bars crumbly.” Ingredients First, mix together: 1/3 c light brown sugar ¼ c white sugar ½ c milk  (or substitute 2 Tbsp powdered milk+ ½ c water) 1 egg  (or substitute 2 ½ Tbsp “whole egg” powder + 2 ½ …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the tumbling Russian Ruble. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Here’s Why US Threats Against Russian Gold Reserves Mean a Monetary Reset Is Imminent. o  o  o Video interview: ‘I’ve never seen this kind of volatility’ in gold; Gary Wagner calls for bigger moves ahead. o  o  …