This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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.
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FCC fines America’s largest wireless carriers $200 million for selling customer location data. (Thanks to reader C.B. for the link.)
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A Florida television news report: Preppers: Whatever disaster is next, they’re ready.
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A Nanny State Update: Swiss Army Knife Now Available Without the Knife.
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SaraSue sent this snippet:
“I normally don’t stack the To Do list each week to overflowing. But, this past week, it just happened to be things I couldn’t necessarily reschedule when I went down really hard with the flu. Silly me. I know better. It was a doozie of the flu, and I’m just now coming out of it. One of my adult daughters drove here, along with her pile of kidlets, and went straight to work with farm chores, household chores, picking up chicks from the post office, getting feed from the feed store, cleaning up the house, cooking something for me to eat, and plying me with liquids. I’m the type of person that doesn’t request help, but this time around I was totally out of it and couldn’t even refuse. I love my adult kids. Truly kind and caring people. “Mom, just make sure the front door is unlocked. We’ll be there asap.” I was scheduled to pick up my new livestock guardian dogs/puppies, so that definitely had to be delayed.
I am constantly asked why I work so hard rather than “enjoy retirement”. I will tell you why – our country is on the rocks y’all. Satan is running wild. There has never been a time where having a “retreat” and the ability to grow/raise food matters so much. (Remember Joseph!) Small hobby farms to large farms and ranches are under attack by foreign interests and our own government. Food is under attack. Why? Because if they can control the food, they control you. It’s that simple. It’s a very good time to be on a first-name basis with the local large animal vet, and to have established relationships with fellow farmers and ranchers – the friendships are invaluable, and the ability to barter can’t be overstated. I’ve gotten into the habit of offering to trade rather than buy or sell. Some people eagerly agree. Some not. It’s a skill I’m trying to learn. I also make sure that I am generous because generosity and kindness go a long way. I’m too generous though, so I’m trying to find the right balance. I definitely don’t barter with anyone that my gut doesn’t trust. I watch my words carefully and select closer relationships carefully while keeping a cheerful demeanor. I’m probably thought of as that crazy lady who lives up on the hill and has a bunch of animals. LOL. Whatever it takes to become a more self-sufficient homestead. Pray. Prep. And stay Peaceful.”
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Reader R.M. wrote:
“Regarding “T” and EMT/paramedic schooling (and Dana J’s response): having been both an EMT, a Paramedic, as well as an RN and, now a Physician Assistant, may I note that an associate degree, properly structured, leads to eligibility to write the boards for RN licensure? RN pay typically exceeds EMT or Paramedic pay, offers a much wider array of employment opportunities, and can be readily portable from one state to another. Should “T” decide to do so, s/he might find a “laddered” nursing program where, after completion of first-year clinicals, et cetera, one can apply for a license as an LPN/LVN. LPN pay, as well, may prove to be greater than EMT pay. And, options are a good thing!”
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And in response to the same post, R.S. suggested:
“As a practicing AEMT for the past 5 years, I generally concur with the advice of Dana J regarding obtaining a Paramedic certification rather than settling for Advanced EMT. In Pennsylvania where I live and work many agencies have no place for AEMT: they are considered EMTs and compensated accordingly. Furthermore, when I am functioning in the place of a Paramedic I set the standard for myself of taking everything I can to keep our sole Medic (we run two trucks) available for higher level calls which means I typically take two-thirds to three-fourths of the calls (if I was a Medic we would simply alternate calls). Finally, generally speaking, opportunities for Paramedics are much greater.
That being said, I am very glad that I pursued AEMT rather than Paramedic for a number of reasons. First, I am over 60 years old (well past the age that most Medics would be retiring). I have a relatively small number of working years remaining, so the hit that I would take in lost wages as I devoted the required time to obtain my Medic certification would not be recouped in the few remaining years working as a Medic (an AEMT at my agency makes $20.50 per hour; a Medic makes $23.50). Contrary to Dana’s assertion, the cost difference between AEMT and Paramedic certification in my area is substantial: it cost me $850 to become an AEMT; the cost to become a Medic is $6,000 to $8,000. The time required to become a Medic is approximately 15 months with 500 hours of clinical time; for an AEMT it is 5 months with 150 hours of clinical time. As an AEMT I qualify for more shifts at my agency: I can fill EMT spots or, if we do not have a second Medic available which happens frequently, I will be put into the second Medic spot, attending low-level ALS calls in addition to the BLS calls. Finally, I will admit that I do not want the stress at my age of handling the very worst cases which is what a Medic does; as an AEMT I have far fewer patients circling the drain when I arrive on scene. Meanwhile, I can provide far greater care than an EMT which I find very satisfying.
If you choose to pursue AEMT at this time an option to consider in the future is a “bridge” program if it is offered in your area. The program in my area typically trains EMTs to be Medics with the 15 month/500 clinical hour approach. However, if the student is already an AEMT credit is given for what the student has learned: the program becomes 12 months and 350 clinical hours.
In short, however, while there are advantages to being an AEMT, if you are considering EMS as a career I would strongly concur with Dana J and recommend that you set your sights on Paramedic.”
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Reader D.S.V. mentioned this news, at X/Twiitter: Canadian Armed Forces & local police are doing a door-to-door ‘wellness check’. The tweet’s opening lines:
“They’re basically asking, how are you doing and are you prepared in case of a giant emergency? They are also giving out brochures of everything that you should have in case of an emergency. And to be ready because emergency preparedness starts with you.”
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U.S. ‘prepper’ culture diversifies amid fear of disaster and political unrest.
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