Letter Re: A Practical, Reliable Bug-Out Vehicle

A brand new Hummer or Jeep Wrangler, decked out with every available option may sound like the best, most capable vehicle in an emergency situation. The harsh reality is that they could be one of the worst. Don’t get me wrong, they are both very nice, with proven track records, but in an emergency, can leave you and your loved ones stranded. The problem lies with the tremendous amount of electronics needed for the vehicle to operate. The average newer vehicle (especially within the last ten years) has several computers on board that control not only the engine, but also …


Letter Re: An Exception to the Upcoming U.S. Light Bulb Ban

Jim: You recently posted a link to an article titled: “Time to Stock up on Light Bulbs”. I appreciate very much the helpful instruction I receive on SurvivalBlog. You put a lot of effort into credible and accurate information. It is with that in mind that I share the following with you. I have been selling light bulbs into the Commercial / Industrial market for 17 years. While it is true “most” 100 watt A19 incandescents are outlawed as of January 1st 2012, NOT ALL are. One quick search under “EISA 2007” category “lighting” will yield the real story. The …


Economics and Investing:

John R. recommended this: Perpetual QE Without the Billboard (Jim Willie) K.T. sent a link to a video of Chris Martenson’s presentation at the Gold & Silver Meeting in Madrid. This is a great lecture and hence a hour well-spent! A key question: Are you living in a state that is a energy exporter or an energy importer? (Think: Geothermal, coal, natural gas, and oil.) Plan ahead, and relocate your family strategically. G.P. suggested: IMF rescue of Italy will spark global uprising Michael A. alerted me to this: US gives money to Eurozone. (And much of it will come out …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Stephen F. flagged an article about a spiral pump at the The No Tech Magazine web site. They have a wealth of information and links.     o o o Rand Paul warns preppers that the government considers you terrorists. (A hat tip to Joseph R. for the link.)    o o o Furious at Latest U.S. Attack, Pakistan Shuts Down Resupply Routes to Afghanistan “Permanently”    o o o Horse meat may be back on the menu. (The number of horses already being shipped to Canada for slaughter was already huge. Ditto for the dog food trade here in the …



Announcing the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Prize Winners for Round 37

We’ve completed the judging for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest: First Prize goes to Paul B., for Staple Foods Storage By The Numbers, posted on November 10th. He will receive: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


How to Find a Doctor to Help You Prepare, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Last week I received disturbing news from a reader.  His physician was ready and willing to help him prepare for a protracted sailboat cruise.  He planned to be gone several months, and requested medicine to take along, just in case he or his family became ill – sounds reasonable to me.  However, before the doctor wrote the prescriptions, the practice manager stepped in and vetoed the idea.  Turns out, the doctors were salaried, hence subject to the constraints of their employers. In thinking back to my earlier article on SurvivalBlog (How to Get Your Doctor to Help You Stockpile Medicine), …


A Grandfather’s Advice on How to Survive and Thrive, by M.R.B.

I have managed to learn about two really important things in my lifetime.  I’m not talking about plumbing, math, how to tie my shoes, how to make waffles, and the countless skills I have acquired.  I’m talking about really important things.  The first is understanding money. Think about the game Monopoly?  Each player is given some paper money (ones, fives, tens, etc.) with instructions that this money can be used to buy property and pay fines, rent, and get out of jail.  With our game hats on we enter the world where these pieces of paper are money.  We roll …


Letter Re: Gauze and Water: A Combat Medic’s Guide to Preparedness Medicine

Background: I converted my wife to prepping, working on the “kids”. Thirty Five years in EMS and 22 as an Emergency Medicine physician: prior work with Appleseed and Western Rifle Shooter’s Association travel course on Grid Down Medicine at its inception. Some austere medical and rescue training and operations, no military (I failed the physical).  I fully endorse your previous recommendations for the various medical education/training resources cited.   I would like to confirm Walker’s position, that for a mobile/bugout situation humping the ruck, his kit and strategy make a lot of sense. Protection from environmental factors, sanitation, water, and …


Economics and Investing:

MF Global: Proof that the U.S. government is not able or willing to protect investors. (Thanks to Jeff H. for the link.) Karl Smith: The Euro-Crisis is Much Worse Than It Looks Just as if they were cranking up the printing presses: Top central banks move to avoid global liquidity crunch. Meanwhile, overseas: China cuts reserve ratio in move to inject cash. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.) Harrisburg: a city at war with itself. (The first major U.S. city to declare bankruptcy. The first of many, I fear.) Items from The Economatrix: Prepare For Riots In Euro Collapse, Foreign …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) sent this: More Women Are Canning, Becoming Domestic Homesteaders    o o o Vamoose to the Rural Retreat! Crisis-hit Greeks leave the cities for a new rural life    o o o Stephen F. sent this: Handy farm devices and how to make them    o o o Also from Stephen F.: Cable plowing, where a winch pulls the plow by cable.  (“Energy efficient because you just move the tool.”)



Note from JWR:

Today we present the last entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. (We had a few too many entries to post in this round. The extras will be posted and judged in the next round.) The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. …


How to Make Lye Soap, by Masquita

WARNING: Lye is highly caustic and will degrade organic tissue. Do not allow lye to touch your skin, breathe in the fumes or be taken internally in any way. It will cause chemical burns, permanent scarring or blindness. Do not ever combine lye with aluminum, magnesium, zinc, tin, chromium, brass or bronze. When using or making lye, always wear protective equipment including safety glasses and chemical resistant gloves, and have adequate ventilation.     Basic homemade lye soap is useful for so much more than cleaning up the language of wayward children. Grandma used to rub it on dirty stains …


The SPLC’s Demonization of SurvivalBlog and “Montana Extremists”

I’ve heard from several readers about the absolute hatchet job that was recently inflicted upon me. The statist Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) issued a wholesale smear against me, Pastor Chuck Baldwin, and Stewart Rhodes of Oath Keepers. This was well-documented here: Brandon Smith: SPLC Labels Montana Patriots as “Extremist”. The SPLC is is famous for interspersing legitimate conservative public figures amidst lists of assorted racists, neo-Nazis, xenophobes, anti-Semites, criminals, and Grade A Whackamos. This is the classic “Guilt By Association” smear technique. In my case, it could better be called “Guilt By Non-Association”, since I have no connection with …