Letter Re: Bug Out Contingency Planning

[Introductory note from JWR: I normally send detailed letter replies only to their intended recipients, but in this case, I thought that this letter was a great example of terrain and obstacle analysis,a s well as “outside the box” planning, so I’m positing it for the entire SurvivalBlog readership to ponder. Do you have similar plans for off-road mobility, and contingency plans, folks?] Mr. Rawles, A note for Diane about her relative living on-post at Fort Riley, Kansas: First thing to obtain if you want to bug out of Ft. Riley is to get a Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer map …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

WHO warns of severe form of swine flu. The article begins: “Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people and requiring expensive hospital treatment, the World Health Organization said on Friday. Some countries are reporting that as many as 15 percent of patients infected with the new H1N1 pandemic virus need hospital care, further straining already overburdened healthcare systems, WHO said in an update on the pandemic.” Gregor spotted this in an Australian newspaper: “Swine Flu Spreading at ‘unbelievable’ rate: WHO Chief” Swine Flu’s Worst …


Economics and Investing:

Brad H. sent this from Capitalism magazine: The Collapse of America? The Dire Message of Mr. David Walker Detroit sets record for unemployment–28.9% (Thank to Paul B. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Arnold Holds Great California Garage Sale To Help Economy How Goldman Sach’s Problems are Hurting You US Economy: Spending Climbed in July Due to Clunkers Program Japanese Economy Hit by “Double Nightmare” Bankers’ Excesses…At Our Collective Expense Tsunami of Broke and Desperate Americans Fed urges secrecy on banks in bailout programs (A more accurate headline would be: “Fed Warns The Truth Will Destroy The Economy”) Japan …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Our friend Tamara posted a link to an article that illustrates that a very large quantity of ammunition can be stored in a relatively small, waterproof space.    o o o Failing Camouflage 101: Robbery suspect spray-paints face for disguise, dies. He should have listened to the warnings of his Greek girlfriend, Anna Phalaxis. 🙂    o o o Readers that enjoy finding coupon bargains might find the Coupon Chief web site worth bookmarking. This site is one of the better ones. (There are several others that you can quickly find with a web search,and the links at this SurvivalBlog …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 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.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Forest Fires and TEOTWAWKI, by J.B. in Florida

Often in reading survivalist material, one comes across instructions on how to use fire in a camping or retreat setting for cooking, cleaning, sterilizing, and the like.  There is also quite a bit of information on how to protect ones self and belongings from the threat of fire, particularly wildfires.  Much of the information I have found is good information, and will be useful in a The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) scenario.  The purpose of this writing is not to further expound on those things most of us already know, but rather to use us …


Economics and Investing:

From Reader GG: Poll: 34% of U.S. Workers Surveyed Have Only One Week or Less of Savings to Cover Expenses if Laid Off from Work. We are a nation of debtors, not savers, and someday that’s going to bite us. Regulators Shutter Three U.S. Banks, Bringing 2009 Total to 84 Reader A.C. kindly sent all these items that he gleaned from News Max Money News: Not All Stimulus Needed Global Recovery Not the Same as Equity Recovery The Deflationists Just Do Not Get It Germany and France Not So Hard-Hit by Recession China Meltdown Could Boost the Dollar And these …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A reminder that the new Surviving Disaster series premieres on Spike TV on Tuesday, Sept. 1st. Meanwhile, I’ve been enjoying The Colony, on The Discovery Channel (via online streaming–I don’t own a television.) Four full episodes of the latter are still available online.    o o o Eric S. sent us this every useful link: How to Move Heavy Objects with Simple Tools    o o o Bill would give president emergency control of Internet. (Thanks to H. for the link.)    o o o Ben M. flagged this: Fresnel Lens Solar Distiller. JWR Adds this Proviso: Keep in mind …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 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.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Real-Life Inspiration for Preparedness, by K.P.

Background Information: My interest in preparedness started in earnest really just a few months ago.  Before that, I had been an avid backpacker, rock climber, and other sports which require self-sufficiency and forethought.  I am also a Red Cross volunteer.  I was at hurricane Wilma, and I have done local search and rescue, amongst other things.  This February I was dispatched to the south-western region of Kentucky for the Ice Storms.  What I learned there changed me in a lot of ways. I was aware of the pending economic collapse, but hadn’t really thought of practical things to do until …


Letter Re: Bug Out Contingency Planning for Relatives

James, Good morning . I have a question in regards to bugging out. I have a niece stationed on Fort Riley [, Kansas] (the waiting wife of nephew in Iraq) that I was wondering how would be the best way to get their little family out of there in a bug out situation . We are retired AF so we could get on base and get her but what about getting stuck . I do not believe the hundreds of thousands of people stationed there are anymore prepared than the rest of the (sheeple ) around this area . I …


Economics and Investing:

Bill T. sent us this: 2009 Nickel & Dime Minting Stoppage. “The editors of Coin World have reported that the U.S. mint, as of April 23, has ceased minting 2009 nickel and dime issues. The mint has claimed that a precipitous drop in demand from the Federal Reserve for circulating coinage was the primary reason to cease production.” I found this linked at Drudge: ‘Problem’ Banks Rise to 15-Year High on Bad Loans, FDIC Says From Karen H.: Dollar May Surpass ‘Established Lows,’ Goldman Says GG sent us this: Preparing for a major bank shakeout; Rising failures and a weak …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to Damon for sending this: More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price    o o o From TLG: Potato blight confirmed in Dane County, Wisconsin    o o o Survivalists, Town Clash Over Craftsbury Road. There are two lessons to be learned here: 1.) OPSEC, 2.) Fully research any right-of-way and easement issues before buying a retreat property! Unfortunately, the body of case law that has accumulated on prescriptive easements does not bode well for the new land owners. If a road is used “openly and notoriously” with continuity for many years–in this instance for 150 years–then …