Mike’s Product Review: Pro Ears Gold Predator Earmuffs

I love these muffs. I’ve had a pair of Pro Ears Gold Predator earmuffs for 18 months, and I haven’t found a flaw. So let me tell you what I’ve found that’s good: The first thing one needs from muffs is noise suppression, obviously. The Gold series have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 26. There are several factors that contribute to an NRR, one of which is frequency dependent. Pro Ears seems to have picked frequencies that are specific to shooting. The muffs have proven adequate for large bore rifles, .44 magnum revolvers and even make standing in the …


Six Letters Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

JWR: As a long time camper, backpacker, outdoorsman, and now K-9 SAR Tech, I understand that temperature regulation at night can be a problem.  Here are some of the tricks I’ve used: I almost always use a silk bag liner.  This has multiple advantages: 1) silk feels warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot (2) silk protects the sleeping bag from dirt, minimizing the amount of needed washings and prolonging its life (3) in the winter, silk will make you bag about 5-10 degrees warmer (technically speaking, this “drops” you temp rating number- a 35 degree bag becomes …


Economics and Investing:

This may be our last “big dip” buying opportunity for silver: Gold to drop in Q1, far from retesting record high: Reuters poll Thief Injured Attempting to Steal Copper Wire From School. Solar Power becomes cheaper than diesel generators in India. (Thanks to F.J. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Pathogenesis of Central Bank Ruin 12 Bullish Factors Driving Gold to $2,000 and Higher Despite Recent Setback Public Confidence in California Falls as Economy Improves The Sacrifices I Made to Survive Sharp Drop in Shopping Since Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Sales Up, But Returns May Set Record Illinois Debtors Thrown …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thinking Outside the Box Barn: Those Clever Nebraskans. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson for the link.)    o o o Gingrich Collapses in Iowa as Ron Paul Surges to the Front. I urge SurvivalBlog readers in the U.S. to keep up the momentum in Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign by supporting it financially, and by displaying campaign signs and bumper stickers.    o o o Corey B. wrote to tell me that Self Reliance Illustrated has temporarily made their past issues available for free download.    o o o An interesting read: Retroactive Surveillance and The Digital …



Notes from JWR:

My sincere thanks to the readers of SurvivalBlog, for your generous support of Anchor Of Hope Charities, in memory of my late wife, Linda (“The Memsahib”.) You’ve donated more than $5,800 this year alone and more than $45,000 in all to the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund. This fund benefits a Christian mission and boarding school and other charities in rural Zambia. Anchor’s team from Indiana recently returned from Zambia, where they were busy putting new shoes on the feet of more than 9,000 children. (That trip was from November 24th to December 11th.) Anchor Of Hope is a fully qualified …


Bug-Out Bag (BOB) Levels, by Bob M.

I’ve been a prepper for over 40 years, starting back when we were called survivalists. I still have the .22 rimfire AR-7 rifle and Ruger Mk. II pistol bought in the 1970s, as well as other gear. I’ve also always had a bug-out-bag (BOB) in my vehicles, and still do today, even though I’m retired to my retreat. Over the years, the contents of the BOB changed as new items came out or old ones were discontinued (or discredited — remember the Aqua Timer?). My BOB got larger, as I was now packing for two and my bug-out location got …


Letter Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

Dear Mr. Rawles, Would you please address outdoor sleeping gear for women?   I feel like I am very prepared. However, the one glaring problem I have had my whole life is sleeping comfortably outside in about any season.  When I was 20, I just didn’t care but now that I am 40 and have five kids, not getting enough sleep is not an option.   I would love to hear how others, especially women, stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  The biggest problem I have is that I either sweat too much and freeze (doesn’t …


Economics and Investing:

It is time to cue up “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana: Fitch says comprehensive solution to eurozone crisis is ‘beyond reach’ – statement in full. (Thanks to Jim McC. for the link.) J.B. sent a new article about Alabama Rate Increases: “These people are going to end up rioting about this.” Norwegian city to adopt The Vilnius Solution to panhandling? ‘Fine people who give beggars money’. Items from The Economatrix: Is The Gold Bull Really Dead? Massive Downward Revisions Imminent:  National Association Of Realtors Miscounted Millions Of Home Sales Over Last Five Years. Europe’s Crisis:  Goldman Warns of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I was interviewed by John Jacob Schmidt, for a Radio Free Redoubt podcast that just aired on Sunday. The theme of this podcast hour was “Taking The Gap”. It should soon be available for download.    o o o Reader D.B.C. sent some good news: Congress overturns incandescent light bulb ban. JWR Adds a Bit of Humor: It would have been a shame to see incandescents banned. BTW, reporters missed mentioning that enforcement of the proposed ban would have constituted racial profiling of people from South America. (Many of whom are of Incan descent.)    o o o How I …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Emergency Preparedness for the Frugal Beginner, by Paratrooper John

The incredibly large volume of information available regarding emergency preparedness and survival is both wonderful and terrible at the same time.  There’s enough information to keep an enthusiast occupied for years and enough information to keep beginners away for the rest of their lives. It can be a very daunting task for a new or inexperienced person to try and decide where and how to begin.  Should a beginner attend survival training, have a year’s supply of food, have their home hooked up with backup generators, move to the country, live off the grid and have stockpiles of firearms with …


Letter Re: Some Comments on Safe Room Design

Mr. Rawles, I read with interest the blog today and then clicked over to the link suggested by Brittany K.: Deconstructing a Safe Room (infographic)” I appreciate all the information your site gives. I wish the writers of the Allstate Blog had consulted your site and listed it in their sources. One glaring item in their graphic is that the door opens outward. If debris falls in front of the door a person may not be able to open it. [As has been mentioned several times in SurvivalBlog, inward-opening shelter doors are the norm,] Another point worthy of mention: In their …


Economics and Investing:

I warned you that this was coming, folks: Legislation Seeks Steel Cents and Nickels. Stock up on nickels, before the composition changes and you have to start sorting coins! IMF warns that world risks sliding into a 1930s-style slump. (Thanks to C.W. for the link.) G.G. flagged this: China trims holdings of US Treasury debt. Karl G. sent this headline: Texas Drought Takes Cow Numbers Down By 600,000. Items from The Economatrix: For Europe, the Only Way Out is to Break Up The Coming Collapse Might Be Your Final Chance to Legally Buy Physical Gold this Decade Existing Home Sales …