Letter Re: Check Prices When Buying Storage Foods!

Mr. Rawles: I had a shock when I went to the supermarket the other day. I had gotten into a habit of buying beans and lentils in the little one pound clear plastic bags. I had also bought a lot of white rice in two pound bags, just one [bag] at a time. That was convenient, but I wasn’t paying attention to the price tags. When I went to stock up, I found that the difference in price [per ounce] just between the 1 pound bags and the 10 pounds sack was huge. They charge like three times as much …


Letter Re: A Suburban Bug-In Problem (Or Maybe a Resource)

Since the 1950s many homes have had them. Since the 1970s many building codes have required them. What? A sump pump. Yeah, that thing in the hole in the corner of the basement that kind of hums every once in a while. You don’t think about it much do you? But it keeps your basement floor dry. If the electric goes out, for any reason, for very long, you may have a big problem. I have seen over a foot of water in a 30×25 foot basement after just a mild spring rain. They make “battery back up” auxiliary pumps, …


Two Letters Re: The Disappearing Suburban Basement

Jim, Everyone who reads your blog should own and read Nuclear War Survival Skills, by Cresson H. Kearny. [It is available for free download in PDF, but be sure to also get an EMP-proof hard copy!] Chapter 6 deals with ventilation, lets the air out of assumptions about the subject (couldn’t help myself) and explains how to do it without electricity for when the Schumer really Hits The Fan. – R.J.W. Sir: For those planning to use the basement for a retreat, do not forget to test for Radon Gas, a carcinogenic found in many basements throughout the county. Here …


Economics and Investing:

The mainstream media finally raises serious alarm about derivatives: Big Risk: $1.2 Quadrillion Derivatives Market Dwarfs World GDP.(Thanks to JDD for the link.) FWIW, I’ve been warning about this since 2006. Fannie-Freddie Fix at $160 Billion With $1 Trillion Worst Case. (Thanks to Brian B. for the link.) Scott S. call this article at Zero Hedge a “must read”: Extend And Pretend – A Guide To The Road Ahead Reader P.D. spotted this: 20 More Signs of a Full-On Economic Collapse SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, “George Gordon” sent us this: Number of the Week: Default, Not Thrift, Pares U.S. Debt A …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Mike M. highlighted this interesting article from southern California: Wealthy homeowners seeking privacy are increasingly buying adjacent properties.    o o o Reader F.J.R. sent this uber-doom prediction on an Extinction Level Event: The end of the world as we know it; Forget man-made threats – the catalyst for the apocalypse will come from outer space, warns astronomer Chris Impey    o o o For those in coral snake country: Why Snakebites Are About to Get a Lot More Deadly. (A hat tip to Damon for the link.)    o o o Another Medical Corps Field Dentistry class is now …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 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.), and D.) A 500 round case …


Colloquium (CQ) Groups–Part Two–What We Have Learned, by H.B. in North Central Idaho

The first part of this series described the foundation for success in starting a community preparedness group.  If you haven’t read it yet please do so now before proceeding. The first step in implementation is to find a few like-minded individuals with whom you can share ideas, receive counsel and help spread the word about the first CQ.  As I mentioned previously I used the wisdom and connections of a local businessman who saw a lot of like-minded folks come through his door.  I also sought counsel from a few others whose temperament and personalities were complementary to my own …


Letter Re: Bug Out Bags for the Elderly and Those with Bad Backs

Hello Mr. Rawles, I noticed that another bug out bag article was posted to SurvivalBlog. The love affair with the bug out bag is for the physically able. For those of us who cannot shoulder a 50 to 70 pound pack, there ought to be an alternative. My wife and I are both 69 years old and in relative good health. Neither of us could shoulder a 40+ pound bag and go any significant distance. The answer to this is mechanical leverage. We bought two yard carts like those used to move plants around at commercial plan nurseries and greenhouses. …


Three Letters Re: The Disappearing Suburban Basement

Jim: One question comes to mind, does his basement have a restroom, or is he relying on a honey bucket? Also, how does he intend to deal with cooking odors [both good and bad?] Might be a huge tip off in a SHTF situation. Thanks, – Greg L. Sir: Most of us have furnaces, A/C and hot water heaters in our basements, and they require seasonal maintenance by outside contractors. The description from Jeff W. sounds like he may have restricted access to these devices (180 degree turn at the bottom of the steps), or they’re not in the basement… …


Economics and Investing:

The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) continues to grow, just as I predicted: Congress considers more stimulus as economy shows signs of slowing. (A hat tip to David D. for the link.) Also from David: Dallas Fed Chairman: White House (& Congress) “Dead Wrong” on Financial Reform. David’s comment: “Talk about dissension in the ranks, I think this would qualify. I’m surprised Mr. Fisher hasn’t been replaced yet.” Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan warns of ‘collapse’ under debt pile. (A hat tip to Lee C. for the link.) By way of The Drudge Report: Euro to hit dollar parity in …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I just did some business with a small company that sells field gear, and I was very pleased with their prices and customer service. Check them out: Saber Tactical Group.    o o o Ready Made Resources is running another Mountain House sale, from June 15th to June 30th. Ordering any multiple of six can cases (even if mixed cases) gets you 25% off and free shipping. Partial cases are also 25% off, but $17 is charged for shipping.    o o o Paul W. liked this article: Masters of Disaster. It begins: “At Wharton’s Risk Management and Decision Processes …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 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 …


The Disappearing Suburban Basement–Part 2, by Jeff W.

In part one of this article, I outlined the process I used for the exterior of my home to create a hidden retreat for my family, and maybe a few lucky friends, should we experience some event in the nation which would precipitate the need to “go underground” for a short time. With the exterior of our home finished, and the basement retreat fully camouflaged from possible intruders, looters, or those looking to pillage and do harm, I turned my attention to outfitting our basement retreat into a space converted to provide shelter, defense, and storage. The only true access …