Recognizing and Resolving Common Vitamin Deficiencies, by J.F. Texas

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Ideally every person from birth through old age would get all the nutrients they need from the food they consume, but deficiencies occur. There are times when the optimal amount of nutrients from food intake are not possible. People who consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods can develop a marginal micronutrient intake and low serum concentrations of vitamins. In times of food shortages or limited access to fresh foods, nutrient deficiencies can become even more common, especially vitamin deficiencies. What are vitamins? Vitamins are organic molecules required in small amounts to prevent deficiency signs and symptoms. The most concern is for water-soluble …


Letter Re: Approaching Grand Solar Minimum

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HJL, I have recently heard about the grand solar minimum and am wondering if you guys have any thoughts on it? It seems to have some pretty serious implications regarding more extreme weather and how our climate is changing (which it always has been). I live on the gulf coast so preparedness for me has always been important due to hurricanes. My question is: out of all the climate hype that we have been inundated with over the last decade or so, is this something to really be taken seriously? It is wise to stay prepared nonetheless, however if the …


Guest Post: In A Better World, by Gary Christenson

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In a better world we might expect: Individuals, corporations, and governments spend no more than their income. “Honest” money is used by all, has intrinsic value, retains its purchasing power and is not counterfeited by individuals or bankers. Governments and bankers support and encourage “honest” money. Alas, we live in this world and must realize that: Debt has increased rapidly for the past century. Example: U.S. national debt has expanded from roughly $3 billion to $20 trillion. Currencies are IOU’s issued by central banks who promote ever-increasing currency in circulation, expanding debt, and continual devaluations in purchasing power. The “fiat-currency-game” …


July in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

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Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, by Steven Cochran of Gainesville Coins, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover the price action of gold and examine the “what” and “why” behind those numbers. What Did Gold Do In July? Gold started July off with a bang but not the kind it wanted. A big jump in wholesale prices in the manufacturing sector on July 3rd sent gold plunging to the $1,220 mark. On July 3rd, North Korea successfully tested its first ICBM capable of reaching the United States. …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 3, by Old Bobbert

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Yesterday, we took a look at what we’d need to do first in the event of an EMP and just barely began to look at the possibility of a tsunami or serious flood across the U.S. East Coast, causing complete evacuation and shut down. We’ll continue today to look at this incident and others that might happen. East Coast Tsunami (continued) In the event that the New York City financial service system shuts down, for any reason, that singular event will shut down the entire world banking system. Awe, shucks! And this will happen while the system is correcting itself …


Typeay’s Book Review: The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun, by Matt Bracken

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So, how does one categorize The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun? In my opinion, you simply can’t. Anyone taking a cursory glance at Amazon’s current fiction novel listings will confirm what many folks may have already surmised. The past few years have seen an explosion of what is commonly now referred to as “dystopian fiction”. In the typical dystopian tome, a lone protagonist or group sets out on a quest for survival in what was once the world as he, or she, knew it. I will cut right to the chase.  Matt Bracken’s latest novel is not a work of dystopian …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 2, by Old Bobbert

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Today, we are continuing to learn, whether we are a novice or an expert in preparedness. If experts, we can learn how to guide a novice in their preparation planning. Confidence Key Words We left off yesterday with a group in a pandemic situation going grocery store shopping in teams with lists and cash. We had a reference to use confidence key words at checkout to help avoid being a victim. What are these confidence key words? I know that you know them. Read the following out loud: “Please and thank you. Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am. We appreciate your help.” …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 1, by Old Bobbert

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This article will not make you an expert prepper, but it can help you as you help a newbie prepper get started, It can also help the newbie get a good start, even if they’re without a expert to pick up the broken pieces of a poorly prepared preparedness plan. A Little Pretending As We Plan Let’s pretend today. You are one of the two primary types of preppers. You are either an experienced very competent prepper, one who genuinely cares to help others, or you are the inexperienced newbie who desperately wants someone to help you survive and make …


Guest Article: The MVT Lite Fight Concept- Part 1, by Max Alexander

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This is a follow-up contribution to the two gear posts: The Practical Application of Tactical Gear, Load, and Weight Considerations and Gear System: Philosophy, Set Up, Use, Fitness & Mindset. And as such, it should be read in combination with those posts. Notice that I have updated the gear photo from the one that I used in those posts. There is not a huge difference between the gear displayed. There’s merely a different rifle and Lite Hydration Pack, plus I have added the helmet to the mix for purposes to be explained below. This illustrates the point that this post …


Emergency Checklists, by M.B.

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Where’s your emergency checklists? The worst part about emergency situations and disasters is that they never happen when it is convenient. It’s 2 AM and you awake to find someone pounding on your door. The dam has been breached and you have maybe 30 minutes to get to high ground. What would you do? How do you know what steps to take? What items would you take with you, and how would you prioritize things? Emergency Chaos Maybe you live in New Orleans or one of the other Gulf States. A category 5 hurricane is bearing down on you. Do …


Bowfishing For Survival, by J.W.

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Just as there are many ways of skinning a cat, there are different methods you can employ to catch the fish. And yes, you guessed it right: Bowfishing is one such method. It allows you to hunt all species of fish imaginable without necessarily using the typical fishing rod, reel, and worm baits. Instead, you only require a good bowfishing bow. As much as bowfishing may sound entirely new to most people, it dates back to centuries ago, when it was one of the most reliable techniques of gathering food. Now, fast forward. The technique has evolved into what I’d …


Preparedness Movement History and My Own Preparations- Part 2, by Old Bobbert

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Yesterday, we began part one of this contributed article on the preparedness movement history and Old Bobbert’s own preparations. Today, we will learn some very personal information about him and his preparedness success with regards to finances and persevering. Financial Freedom Through Determined Budgeting Okay, how can someone in that credit trap situation find freedom easily. Sorry, “easy” pays minimum wage and perpetuates itself. Success requires a specific goal, a reasonable time line, and a written list of what, when, where, who, and why. There must be a specific methodology to look at efforts and consider the current position. There …


Preparedness Movement History and My Own Preparations- Part 1, by Old Bobbert

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We will take a look at some history, the preparedness movement history and also some of mine. My goal here is to move you to see happiness and enroute stop off to visit anger, sadness, feeling shamed, and then fully satisfied. We will be thrilled with ourselves, and finally recognize “I’m both right and righteous”. I have been reading and contributing to this blog for about 10 years. So far I have about 76 3-ring binders of preparedness data on the book shelves. I like to read. (I’ll share why I read later.) A Lot of History That Points to …


Guest Post: So Why Would You Do Tactical Training?, by David

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“So why do you do this tactical training stuff?” This is a question I get asked from time to time.  Sadly, the answer does not lend itself to a sentence or two.  Let me lay out my premises and then some conclusions. (This article comes from David, who is a multi-class MVT alumni. He is the organizer of the Idaho Classes in 2016 and 2017. And MVT says, “We have already scheduled Idaho May 2018.”) Assumed Role In our family, I am literally the last man standing of my generation.  Since I am no longer immersed in pursuing “the rat …


A Backpacker’s Perspective on Bugging Out, by Z.M.

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I like to backpack and want to share my perspective on bugging out. I’ve done hundreds of miles out on the Appalachian Trail and have spent a good number of nights out on the trail in the woods as a result. Having the wrong gear while trekking out for any length of time makes life pretty miserable. Bugging In or Bugging Out, With a Comprehensive List With prepping there is a lot of debate on whether one should bug-in or bug-out post-disaster. The answer to that obviously depends upon not only the situation but how well prepared you are with …