Letter Re: Experiencing the Recent Hawaiian Tsunami Evacuation Alert

Jim, I had the recent somewhat surreal experience of going through the Hawaiian costal evacuation during the most recent tsunami alert. It was a near-miss natural disaster scenario that unfolded in slow motion because of the distance from the Chilean earthquake and the presence of tsunami alert sensors and monitoring officials. There are a few observations that I’d like to share. I managed to stay ahead of the Golden Horde phenomena by a few hours and it was interesting to just acknowledge some of the predictable elements: most people were not alerted to the risk of the tsunami until 0600 …


Five Letters Re: Long Term Situational Awareness Can Give You The Edge

Jim: I am horrified by Saturday’s posting by Todd. Okay, if we ever get to a position like in The Road, with the huge majority of mankind dead and civilization totally disintegrated, that is another topic. Really, what are the chances of that happening? Extremely slim. What makes Todd S. think he so God Almighty special that his own personal survival makes it okay to loot, steal, trespass, and pillage? Instead of striving to rise to the occasion, to be a better man and set an example of, not our baser selves, but the free will, thinking, compassionate humans we …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Ready Made Resources is running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now just 7 days left for the sale, so order soon!    o o o Attention Coast to Coast AM radio fans: I will be interviewed by George Noory on Thursday night (March 11th) at 10 p.m., Pacific Time. This interview will be about my book “How …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Believe in your cause. The stronger your belief, the stronger your motivation and per severance will be. You must know it in your heart that it is a worthwhile cause and that you are fighting the good fight. Whether it is the need to contribute or the belief in a greater good, for your buddy, for the team or for your country, find a reason that keeps your fire burning. You will need this fire when the times get tough. It will help you through when you are physically exhausted and mentally broken and you can only see far enough …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 27 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 HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of …


Radio Communications for Retreat Intelligence Gathering, by R.Y.

Situational Awareness is simply knowing what is happening. Information enables us to make more intelligent or informed decisions. Informed decisions could be the difference between surviving or not surviving. Communications is the exchange of information between a sender and receiver. It could be a simple shout, Morse telegraph or a complex computer network. This article will focus on using radios that are available to the general public. All frequencies listed in the following, except AM broadcasting, are in megahertz (MHz) or million cycles/second. Radio and Television Broadcasting There is usually a radio playing in my home and vehicle. The radio …


Two Letters Re: Long Term Situational Awareness Can Give You The Edge

Mr. Editor: Since stumbling across SurvivalBlog a few months ago, I’ve been amazed at the amount of valuable information contained here. This site has become a daily read for me, and I’ve learned much from the contributions here. That said, however, I did find some of what Todd S., the writer of “Long Term Situational Awareness Can Give You The Edge” to be both disturbing and impractical. First, the disturbing part. What the writer does not plainly state, but what is clearly implied, is that when he decides that when a particular societal situation arises, and he wants food, he …


Economics and Investing:

“Card House” sent us this: CBO: National Deficit to Hit Nearly $10 Trillion Over Upcoming Decade GG flagged the latest Friday Follies news: Regulators shut down banks in 4 states, making 26 US bank failures this year Also from GG: National debt to be higher than White House forecast, CBO says Another from GG: Greece is a harbinger of austerity for all–The effects of the stimulus are wearing off, leaving us with a nasty hangover, says Jeremy Warner. E.M.B. sent us this piece by Mish Shedlock: Construction Developer Says Banks Suddenly Playing Hardball, Asks “Mish, What’s Going On?” Items from …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Art suggested this piece by an economist: Stocking up on meds and ammo, NOW!    o o o Norman in England mentioned that he had found 680 tree fact sheets available from University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department.    o o o Ready Made Resources has expanded their 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order increments of full cases! There’s just one week left for the sale, so order soon! James K. sent a link to a humorous little video …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Please note that I’m posting this only as an illustration of what NOT to do, in the aftermath of a disaster. 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 …


Long Term Situational Awareness Can Give You The Edge, by Todd S.

I’ve been fortunate to live in the same general area for my entire adult life, the Rocky Mountains of Utah. I am very familiar with the area made more so by various employments, a variety of interests all centered around the outdoors and twenty years of being a Scout Master. Being familiar with my surroundings for a long period of time increases my knowledge base of useful things to know, information unique to my immediate surroundings.      I have always been curious and a great observer, of both people and things.  Some years ago my brother mentioned something to me …


Letter Re: Afghanistan is 7.62 NATO Country

Dear CPT Rawles: I’d like to bring your attention to a paper prepared at Ft. Leavenworth, titled, “Increasing Small Arms Lethality in Afghanistan: Taking Back the Infantry Half-Kilometer.” Essentially, the old M14 rifle has not yet met its demise, even though Jimmy Carter did order the destruction of 700,000 M14 Rifles. As you have known for years, the 5.56 NATO cartridge is not the best cartridge for a Main Battle Rifle. You have written extensively regarding this issue in your books. For some time now, I have witnessed a sizable number of M14 Rifles, in various configurations, from the original …


Letter Re: Finding Community

Jim, A quick observation about a dog’s ability to judge character or to determine a person’s intentions: They can’t, they have no clue; they are terrible at it. What a dog can do, however, is study their master. Remember, we are their world and the object of their attention 24/7. Your dog knows your thoughts almost as fast as you think them. After all, they have nothing better to do but watch you. So if your dog doesn’t like someone new, they are picking up that vibe from you, and acting on it. Your dog doesn’t care about hurt feelings …