Month: June 2022

Mass Body Disposal, Post-Collapse, by Don Shift

This article discusses disposal of dead bad guys or large numbers of dead strangers, not disposal of “your” dead. You will obviously treat your loved ones and friends differently. The health protocols and technical aspects will also apply to the burial of loved ones. In my discussions of less-lethal force and crowd control, I advise against “just shoot everybody” as a tactic in all but the direst of circumstances because lots of dead bodies have to be disposed of. In Iraq, oftentimes the wives and mothers of dead insurgents would come out to claim and remove their loved one’s body …


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 look at various viral threats on the horizon. The Emerging Viruses of the 21st Century First up, over at Medical Express: The emerging viruses of the 21st century.  (Thanks to reader C.B. …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 22, 2022

On June 22, 1633, Galileo Galilei was coerced by Pope Gregory XV to recant his belief in heliocentrism–that the Earth orbits the Sun. The Vatican did not concede that it was wrong until October 31, 1992. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 101 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 …


Dehydration, a Killer, by K.B., M.D.

About a century ago, the top five causes of death in the United States were the following: 1. Pneumonia 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. and 5. Heart attack and stroke. Diarrhea (dysentery) has always been a problem in the military with 995 out of 1,000 soldiers in the Civil War being affected by it. Diarrhea alone accounted for two-thirds of all deaths on both sides during that war. A reader, B.K., recently expressed interest in learning more about rehydration after reading my medical cabinet article. This article is for her and for anyone else interested in this topic. I would …


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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Tracy M. sent us the link to this fascinating study: Mapping a Magnetic Superstorm: March 1989 Geoelectric Hazards and Impacts on United States Power Systems. Here is a brief excerpt: “Electric fields induced in the Earth during magnetic storms can drive uncontrolled currents in electric-power systems, interfering with their operation. Geomagnetically induced currents realized …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 21, 2022

June 21st is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998), author of Kill or Be Killed. He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. — A Special Request from JWR:  I’m in the process of re-organizing my workshop, so I’m looking to buy several sets of used, reasonably-priced heavy-duty storage shelves with metal frames, from here in the American Redoubt. I’m willing to travel as far away as Spokane, Washington, Kalispell, Montana, Lewiston, Idaho, or Colfax, Washington, to pick them up. They can be up to 12 feet tall, …


Preparedness Planning: The Business Trip, By Mr. Zipph

From time to time, my job requires that I travel for meetings with vendors or clients and to attend conferences. Some of these trips require air travel, which brings unique challenges over automobile travel. You can’t carry many common prepping items on an airplane. Also, legal restrictions and lack of reciprocity create challenges when it comes to firearms. For a decade or so, I have carried various prepping items with me on trips, but have not spent a great deal of time planning what that kit should look like. During my most recent trip, I decided to plan better and …


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, a special look at the proliferation of data centers and bitcoin mining operations that have set up shop in the American Redoubt, to take advantage of inexpensive hydropower. Idaho Latest Trends of Bitcoin Mining in Idaho. o  o  o Gov. Little signs disaster declaration for …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 20, 2022

June 20th is the birthday of Audie L. Murphy, America’s most-decorated veteran. He was born in 1925. He died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971. — The Last Day! We are ending our summer sale, at Elk Creek Company at midnight, Pacific Time, tonight. We’ve reduced the prices on all of our percussion replica guns, and nearly all of our pre-1899 cartridge guns. With the recent dip in the spot price of silver, this is a great time to buy. Note that we have our prices listed in both pre-1965 silver coinage  and in current rapidly-inflating Federal Reserve …


CRKT Assisted Opening M16 Folders, by Pat Cascio

I have followed CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool) since they first came on the cutlery scene many years ago. CRKT was actually formed by a couple of former executives from another knife company. It is now solely owned by Rod Bremer. We’ve been great friends ever since I first met him. Rod is now mostly retired. However he has an outstanding management team who runs CRKT and I’ve met most of them – all great folks to work with. As a disclaimer of sorts, CRKT produced my OC-3 double edge fixed blade fighting knife that I did as a …


Recipe of the Week: Pot Roast of Veal or Pork

The following Dutch Oven or Stock Pot recipe is adapted from The Scout’s Cookbook, published in England in 1959. In England, a Stock Pot is commonly called a “Billycan” or “Billy”. This roast recipe can be cooked on a stovetop, or over an open fire, if you are careful.  A large Dutch Oven or Stock Pot with a lid is required. You’ll need about 2½ lb. of loin of veal or pork (or if you’re partial to beef about 3 lb. of topside which you must ask the butcher to roll for you). 1. Put a knob of fat into …


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 some effects of rising interest rates. Precious Metals: Gold rises in the face of more market turmoil. o  o  o Gold hasn’t lost its luster even as the Fed continues to raise rates – State Street’s George Milling-Stanley. o  o  o Alasdair Macleod: A Perfect Storm in Banking Is …