Year: 2022

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  …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 13, 2022

Today is the anniversary of The Great Quebec Blackout. On March 13, 1989, the Hydro-Québec power grid failed after a solar storm — a coronal mass ejection (CME) — struck the Earth’s magnetosphere. The blackout lasted nine hours. “It was the biggest geomagnetic storm of the Space Age,” says Dr. David Boteler, head of the Space Weather Group at Natural Resources Canada. “March 1989 has become the archetypal disturbance for understanding how solar activity can cause blackouts.” A much smaller solar storm — but with some great Northern Lights — is due to arrive tomorrow. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today …


Using 10 Basic Knots – Part 3, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.) 11. NECK CORD KNOT This isn’t one of the 10 basic knots but since it’s nearly impossible to untie, it’s useful for tying a cord to hang around your neck for carrying a small ferro rod, hand lens, compass, or anything else small you don’t want to lose. The interesting part is that it’s just two intertwined overhand knots. I don’t know the real name of this knot and it’s not well known but I learned it many decades ago after reading a story in Newsweek about a new knot discovery (Photo …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet …