Four Letters Re: Sources for Prescription Medications?

Editor’s Note: As previously mentioned, when this thread was started, the use of anything other than USP Human Grade antibiotics on humans should only be considered in the most dire of circumstances, where there is no other choice. Jim, In reference to the question of sources for prescription medications, I recommend that readers interested in stocking up on medicine take a copy of Wilderness Medicine, Beyond First Aid, by William Forgey, to their primary care physician and show them the list of medications listed in the book. Explain to the doctor that you are preparing and that you would like …



Economics and Investing:

Tom W. liked this piece by Todd Harrison at Minyanville: What in the World Is Going On? Trent H. suggested this video clip: Globe “Overdue for a Currency Crisis”; Why Jim Rogers is Buying Dollars GG flagged this: The Coming Wave of Debt Defaults Items from The Economatrix: Sovereign Debt Defaults the Next Shoe to Drop? House Passes Massive Overhaul of Wall Street’s Regulations US Foreclosures to Reach Record 3.9 Million in 2009 North Korean Won Plunges 96% after Gov’t Reevaluation Venezuela Debt Holders Rush For Exits As Banks’ Woes Surface


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog’s British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson catalogued another article on the descent into Nanny State Britannia: Three -inch pocketknives illegal in the UK.    o o o I was just introduced to a great dry firing trigger kit for Glocks, made by Southwest Shooting Authority. These provide a very realistic feeling trigger pull and trigger reset. Unlike those made by their competitors, the Southwest dry practice kits have a 90 day warranty, and are useful for up to 50,000 trigger presses. Installation and removal are a breeze. (It takes less than a minute for anyone that is familiar …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Sure I am that this day – now we are the masters of our fate; that the task which has been set us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our cause and an unconquerable will-power, salvation will not be denied us.” – Winston Churchill, addressing a joint session of the US Congress, December 26, 1941


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


Growing Your Own Pain Medicine, by David G.

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Editor’s Proviso: Please note the following article is presented for educational purposes only. Implementing the steps described below is illegal in most jurisdictions. This article is presented in the context of total collapse of society and government, in which government has become nonexistent. Pain management is one of the most serious aspects of any medical situation whether it is life threatening or not. Many of us have chronic pain issues which get worse as we age or as our physical workload increases. Pain exacerbates shock when traumatic injuries are sustained. Pain management can comfort us in during palliative care and …


Letter Re: Kevlar Helmets and Head Protection

Most folks focus on vests first when it comes to ballistic protection, but the head should not be neglected. Obviously your brain is one of your most important organs, one of the most sensitive to blunt trauma – and the body part most likely to be exposed when you are behind cover! A helmet is not a “discreet” piece of gear, and not appropriate for everyday use, but helmets are much-needed ballistic protection in a bad to worst-case situation, e.g., a homeowner in a Hurricane Katrina type situation, or a patrol officer rolling up on a potential shooting. In that …


Letter Re: A Prepared Christmas

Sir; I just finished reading a Prepared Christmas by Hunkerdown and it made me smile as I remembered last year. Emergency Essential ran a special on first aid kits and we sent one to each of our adult children. It consisted of two kits – one for the home and an outdoor kit to take in a vehicle. Right after the holidays, our 16 month old grandson put his hands on a stove (those little critters can move faster than a cheetah) and burned the palms of his hands. He was treated at the emergency room (the burns were very …


Economics and Investing:

Regular content contributor GG mentioned this in The Wall Street Journal: Are Your U.S. Treasury Bonds Safe? The price of credit default swaps jumped by more than 50% in the private market in recent months. Frank S. sent this Friday Follies Update: Three bank failures take year’s tally to 133 “3Can” mentioned that the IBD had a good discussion of gold related to purchases by central banks. Items from The Economatrix: Freightliner Moving Truck Production to Mexico, Raising Fears of More Layoffs Australian Lawmaker Warns US Could Default on its Debt Triggering an “Economic Armageddon” Timebomb for the Euro: Greek …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Gun laws are getting looser across much of US. (Thanks to Garnet for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an interesting article for advanced home machinists: The Making of a Rifled Barrel.    o o o BulletProofME.com, one of our most loyal advertisers, is running a 20% – 30% off sale on Kevlar helmets and Interceptor Tactical Vests, ending December 23rd.    o o o Kathryn D. told me about a line of SPF 30 clothing that is ideal for people that live in sunny climates. Kathryn’s comments: “The pieces are permanently …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


A Wilderness Hide Location for a Planned Evacuation, by J.I.R.

A period of lawlessness may prevail after any major interruption of services. We all know this and try to plan. But have we really realistically faced what this means? Once the food trucks stop arriving, US cities and towns have less than a week before food riots and general looting begins. If things get really bad, there are going to be literally millions of people starving, thirsty and sick, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. The simple math points to a huge die-off unless the government can maintain control and re-institute some emergency measures. In the worst case …


Four Letters Re: In Praise of Betadine

Hello Jim, A. Woofer should be commended for his excellent article on Betadine. An excellent way to use/carry Betadine in a small personal first aid kit is Betadine swab sticks. There are normally used for skin prep before minor surgical procedures. Take care, – Jeff in Ohio Jim, I’m writing to take exception with the author’s affinity for using Betadine in open wounds to “prevent infection.” While the liberal application of Betadine was relatively standard practice in the Emergency Medicine community when I started practicing 20 years ago, recent studies have changed this practice considerably. As the author himself points …