Letter Re: Extreme Cold Weather Engine Starting Without Electric Heaters

First off, let me thank you for a great web site with lots of practical information. Over the last few months I have taken the liberty to read a large portion of the information i the SurvivalBlog archives. I have, I believe, an untouched tidbit: Many folks live in areas susceptible to frost. Some of us live in areas susceptible to sub-zero temperatures. Cold starting a vehicle, either gas or diesel can become problematic at best, or almost impossible when the thermometer dips into the minus figures. Having lived in an area that sees the minus 70s (without a wind …


Economics and Investing:

From the UK: Coins fall prey to spending cuts. JWR’s Comment: Well, actually, this is just a sign of gradual currency inflation by the government. When even base metal coins have a value that exceeds their face value, then it is obvious that the people are being robbed by their government. The same situation exists in the U.S., where a five cent piece (the “Nickel”) costs seven cents to produce, and has a melt value of more than six cents. Currency inflation is robbery, in slow motion. The government is the perpetrator, and you are the victim. Destroying the purchasing …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A new report calls on NASA to establish a Planetary Defense Coordination Office to lead national and international efforts in protecting Earth against impacts by asteroids and comets.    o o o Bad news from Nanny State Britannia: Every e-mail and web site visit to be stored.    o o o Hydroponics will work almost anywhere you have power for lights and pumps, and of course water and decent temperature range: Now serving fresh garden salad at the South Pole. (Thanks to J.J.C. for the link.)    o o o Backyard Food Production is offering an end-of-the-month special for SurvivalBlog …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 31 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of …


Welcome to the Promised Land, by Rod E.

Over the years, many people have told us that WTSHTF, they are coming to our place in the country. When people say things like this, we hear, “…so that you can take care of me.” This document is presented as a source of information for those who might need a realignment of their expectations, a clarification of ours or both. It should serve as a harsh wake up call for anyone who plans to flee to someone else’s survival retreat should the need arise. If you have neglected, failed or refused to complete your plans for survival, here are things …


Product Review: WileyX SG1 Protective Glasses, by Michael Z. Williamson

I first got Wiley protective glasses as issue equipment when I deployed for OIF. I still have the same pair, and use them heavily while driving, shooting, and working with tools. Let’s start with the most important part, the lenses. These are MIL-PRF-31013 ballistic certified. They are incredibly resistant to scratching—sandstorms, construction, daily wear and carry have not affected them. I even wore out the rubber seals mentioned below, and the lenses were still pristine. They’re still so transparent I’m not even aware of the lens, and I’m someone who has never needed correction. However, if you do, they can …


Letter Re: Supporting the Any Soldier Program

Hello James, I see that you link to AnySoldier.com from your blog site. Any Soldier is a great organization that works hard to support our troops in the time that they need it most. As a Gulf War veteran, I really appreciated the support from Any Soldier when I was over in Iraq. Now that I am back safe and sound, Airsplat, the company that I work for, it doing their part to help Any Soldier. They have pledged to send 5% of all sales to Any Soldier from people who come to the site and enter the coupon code …


Letter Re: Avoid Using Anti-Bacterial Soaps

Mr. Rawles, I’d like to respond to the Cleanliness article by P. J. W.. The author recommended “lather (with anti-bacterial soap).” Readers should be aware of how unnecessary anti-bacterial soap is and how it’s loaded with negative side effects. Although anti-bacterial soap is best at reducing bacteria during hand washing, the use of non-antibacterial soap and water alone are most effective at removing viruses. See this YouTube clip. Also see this Mercola article. (You may need to register to read, though registration is free.) Studies have shown that people who use antibacterial soaps and cleansers can often develop a cough, …


Economics and Investing:

From The Daily Bell in Switzerland: The West’s Pending Paper Money Implosion M.B. sent this: Here Are The Next Countries to Announce a Currency Intervention Also from M.B.: The Real Underemployment Figure is 22.5% Why California is About to Fall Off Into an Ocean of Unpayable Debt Items from The Economatrix: Martin Weiss: G-20 Heads Up: Losing Battle To Stem Currency Wars Tab For Fannie, Freddie Could Soar to $259 Billion Jobless Claims Fall to 452,000, But Remain Elevated Mortgage Rates Rise to 4.21% From Decades Low Natural Gas Prices Tumble as Supplies Grow America’s Bright Future After US Treasury …


Odds ‘n Sods:

G.H. highlighted this article: Hunger & Starvation to Visit Humanity: Into the Ashes.    o o o Observations from Gabe Suarez: The General Purpose Combat Rifle    o o o Bob G. mentioned: Medicinal Herb Uses and Picture Gallery    o o o New to my Blogroll: ModernSurvivalOnline.com



Notes from JWR:

I’m happy to report that “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” will soon be published in Russian. There are now seven foreign publishing contracts in place, for editions in six languages. — Today we present two entries for Round 31 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 between $500 and $600, and …


The Forgotten Skills, by Andrew C.

First please allow me to give you a little background on myself. I have been preparing for TEOTWAWKI for about nineteen years but I have focused (until recently) on wilderness survival. I even managed to get a book published on how to survive when you get stranded in the middle of nowhere (it is called What We Forgot a lesson in survival). About a year ago I heard about this site while I was listening to Coast to Coast one night and I was so thrilled to find out that I was not alone in my thinking. Since then I …


Cleanliness–Maximize Your Productivity and Protect Your Investment, by P.J.W.

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Your preps are complete, your house is bomb proof, you run on alternative energy, and you are on the top of a mountain surrounded by a moat… Who can defeat you? Yourself! It doesn’t matter how extensively you have prepped, how secure your retreat is, or how well you are prepared for a TEOTWAWKI situation, if you let it all fall apart from the inside! So what are some simple things that you can do to set yourself up for success? We’ve all heard the proverb “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and most of us have heard the expression “Don’t …