Getting Started in Prepping, By Jared B.

As a survivalist/prepper, I hear a lot of, “I don’t want to be a prepper, but I want to be prepared. What should I do? How do I start?” So I compiled a lot of information from FEMA, Red Cross, and other places that have very “basic” information and started typing up a list for them. The four “basic” areas I decided would be a good starting point: getting your whole family involved, what to do before an emergency, what to do after an emergency, and emergency sanitation. I say “basic” because this is only a starting point! This by …


Two Letters Re: Glock 27 .40 S&W Pistol

Dear Sir, I just wanted to point out something that many folks may not be aware of regarding the Glock pistols. I own several and they usually are my “go to” pistol. I carry a Glock 27 regularly. I recommend to my friends and family, if the Glock is their choice of pistols, to only buy the .40 caliber models. When you buy a Glock .40 (22, 23, or 27) you now have the option of purchasing a drop in barrel in 9mm or .357 Sig and having the flexibility to use the ammo that you are able to find …



Economics and Investing:

Sent in by P.W.: Russia’s Growing Regional Debts Threaten Stability H.L informed us of this: Wells Fargo bans staff from investing in P2P loans C.S sent this link in: The Economic Slowdown No One is Talking About. Items from The Economatrix: What The Unemployment And Labor Force Participation Rates Would Be If All Of The Discouraged Workers Came Back IMF Paper Warns Of ‘Savings Tax’ And Mass Write-Offs As West’s Debt Hits 200-Year High Global Freight Data Indicates No Economic Recovery


Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers have informed us of this: Stealing heating wood in NE o o o SA sent this video suggesting that Folks should get rid of their smartphones NOW!! HJL Adds: Take the references to Minority Report with a hefty grain of salt. This really isn’t late breaking news. I’m posting it so that those who are not aware of the implications can decide for themselves if it’s worth it or not. Hand held GPS have used this exact technology for years for geocaching. It is the Holy Grail of retailers, to be able to individually target users with ads …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.” – Isaiah 32:1-4 (KJV)


Notes from HJL:

—– Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) A $300 …


Home Fire Prevention and Firefighting , by P.T.H.

Her name was Dawn. The fire that took her life started in the living room directly below her bedroom and spread quickly. It followed her father up the stairs as he tried to rescue her, setting his clothes on fire as he went. He grabbed the doorknob to Dawn’s room. It was red hot. There was no longer life on the other side of that door. It was 0045, New Year’s Day, 1976. Things like this are never forgotten. The wounds never heal. Dealing with the loss of a loved one this way is horrible in itself. Having it happen …


Doing Things Differently, by Sapo

What happens when your world is turned on end and everything you have planned for in life is now null and void. A little background of what I can say about who I am or was. Without being specific I will say that I used to be a government contractor doing things that I won’t discuss. Needless to say I have a tainted view on life and what I believe is coming down the pike. This has majorly shaped the way I prepare and with what. Due to this previous life, big changes in my health, and many other things, …


Two Letters Re: SurvivalBlogs New Managing Editor

Dear Editor Like other readers have stated, you have a truly amazing set of qualifications. As a former AWANA Commander, welder, machinist, physicist, embedded engineer and technical editor I hope to continue fleshing out my skills and service in the ways you have. Though my estimate is you have 15-20 years on me. 🙂 Not only welcome to SurvivalBlog but thank you for the material encouragement. -D.D. HJL Replies: Thank you and congratulations on a well rounded and broad skill set. A quote from one of my favorite authors sums it up nicely: “A human being should be able to …


Economics and Investing:

G.G sent these two videos: Mike Maloney: The US Dollar WILL Collapse, and A ‘tsunami’ of store closings expected to hit retaile Thanks to C.R. for this: Fed approves Chinese bank purchase of U.S. bank Items from The Economatrix: What If All This Prosperity Was Just An Illusion? Six Things You Should Know How To Improvise Is the International Monetary Fund Hinting About An Economic Reset?


Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J. sent this link, ‘LighterBro’ Turns Common Bic Into Knife-Equipped Multi-Tool, a simple Ten buck tool that looks pretty neat, and reminds us that “one is none.” o o o From G.G.: Reviving a Life Saver, the Tourniquet Article quote: “Only 2 percent of soldiers with severe bleeding in those countries (Iraq and Afganistan) died compared with 7 percent in Vietnam in part because tourniquets were in widespread use and the injured were quickly transported to doctors. “ HJL Adds: Our own Medical Director in the local EMS has notified us that in the next round of protocol updates, we …



Notes from HJL:

January 23rd is the birthday of John Moses Browning, (born 1855) the brilliant designer of dozens of guns including the M1911 pistol, Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and the venerable M2 .50 Caliber Machine gun. The latter is still in service in at least 95 countries. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it is still in service in 2075 or even 2100. — Pat Cascio has decided to cap his pen and retire from his position as SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor. His last reviews will be posted in April. Please don’t send him any more products for test and evaluation. — …


The Poorboy Version: Prepping When You’re on a Tight Budget, By N.S.

Awhile back my husband and I happened to both lose our jobs within a two-week period. (I was doing in-home care and the client decided to enter a Home. Meanwhile, the factory where my husband worked went bankrupt and closed its doors.) Due to some peculiarities of our situation (my work being part-time and his factory neglecting the paperwork) neither of us could get unemployment. So we had literally zero income for around six months of job search. We sold some things, the truck got repo’ed, etc… During this time we learned a lot about frugality, what true luxury is, …