The Survival Rucksack (Backpack) – Part 1, by FDG

The information contained in these writings represents the opinions of the author. The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of the information contained herein What if tonight you had to get up and walk out of your home for an undetermined period of time with only those items you carried in your hands and on your back?. Before 9/11 it was unlikely, today it is quite probable. This article is dedicated to: Jesus Christ who gave his life for me, My Father who taught me honor, My Mother who gave me life, All of my Children, My …


Odds ‘n Sods:

MSNBC reports on “unschooling”, a variation on home schooling.    o o o Study finds that the climate in the Northeastern U.S. could be considerably warmer by 2100.    o o o Norman in England sent the link to this: Gangs of “yobs” make life miserable in disarmed English cities. A brave few stand up to them. Meanwhile, law enforcement is becoming a joke, with two out of every three ASBOs being breached. I wonder: What life will be like in English cities, post-TEOTWAWKI, when only the gangsters have guns? My advice to UK urbanites has not changed: Take the …



Letter Re: Mossberg Mariner Pistol Grip Shotguns and Underground Cashing

Jim, Just curious – would the Mossberg Mariner [one variant of which is now sold in the special waterproof canister packaging] make a decent tube that I can bury on land? Thanks, – Redclay JWR Replies: Yes, they will work for underground caching since the canisters have an o-ring seal. They should seal well, but it is advisable to add another layer of protection. If nothing else, add a couple of layers of trash bags alternating with cardboard boxes then another trash bag. That way when you dig up the canister, it will have a little protection–and advance warning–when you …


Letter Re: FAL/L1A1 Thumbhole Stock Conversion and Vendor Feedback

Hello Mr Rawles, I wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I recently did some business with the Gun Parts Guy, whom I discovered on your site. The experience was a pleasure. I’m very new to the survival mentality, and even newer to the wonderful world of battle rifles. I read your book, loaned to me by a friend that I’ve had since high school (in the eighties, I’m 36), and it got me, well, motivated. The friend in question, I’m happy to say, has undergone a far more important conversion experience to Christ, and recently …


Letter Re: Advice on Swedish Military Surplus Fallout Survey Meters

Hi Jim – You probably get an e-mail like this 10 times a day, but since reading that the Radetect and Nuk-Alert are worthless, I’m shopping for something to supplement the CD V-700 [Geiger counter] that I have. From what I’ve read the CD V-700 is good for checking if people or objects have become low-level contaminated, a different meter is needed for alerting and monitoring high-level exposure risks. Sportsman’s Guide currently lists three different meters, including a Swedish one that looks interesting. Do you have any intel on these? Thanks For Your Time – Steve M. JWR Replies: To …



Notes From JWR:

Wow! More than 700,000 unique visits in just over a year, from all over the planet. Thanks for making SurvivalBlog such a huge success. Please keep spreading the word. Please remember that SurvivalBlog is supported primarily by our advertisers. (See our right hand scrolling “ad bar.”) Take the time to visit each of the advertiser web sites and check out their products. If and when you do make a purchase, please patronize our paid advertisers first. (We also have a lot of affiliate advertisers, but those ads result in just a few sporadic and small “piece of the action” commissions.) …


Letter Re: Advice on a Combination Self Defense/Hunting Long Gun?

Mr. Rawles: I’m a college student living in Western Washington. My budget is very tight. I am looking to purchase my first–perhaps only–long gun before the proverbial Schumer Hits The Fan. This one gun must be able to provide “sure stopping” self defense and be able to provide food. (Deer, rabbits, and maybe birds.) I presently only have about $300 to spend. What is your advice? – C.&W. JWR Replies: For a tight budget “one gun” solution, given the short ranges that you’ll encounter in western Washington, nothing beats the versatility of a shotgun. If your budget is $300 and …


Letter Re: 20 Pound Propane Tanks and Differing Valve Designs in the U.S.

Jim, I have seen discarded 20 pound propane tanks discarded by the road for a couple years now. The trash guys don’t pick them up, either. (At least not in my area) They are tossed out because they have the “old style” valve in them. At Wallyworld [Wal-Mart], they were swapping the old tank for an up-dated one for a pretty reasonable price. I discussed this with my local propane guy, and he said they are losing about $1.00 each doing what they are doing. Now I found out why. The local Indian reservation has gas stations, and one of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

From the New York Times Op-Ed page: Leafy Green Sewage    o o o There is an interesting thread over at The Claire Files: Gulch Housing–A Taste for the Primitive    o o o Our friend Kit in Missoula currently has some well-penned commentary–including some on the new Jericho TV series–at her blog site.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." – Sun Tzu, (the 6th century B.C. Chinese general) in "The Art of War"


Note from JWR:

Today we present the first article for Round 7 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $1,600.) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. If you want a chance to win Round 7, start writing and e-mail us your article. Round 7 will end on November 30th. Remember that the articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the …


What to Expect at an Appleseed Shoot, by MKH

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA) Appleseed Shoot. What in the world can that possibly be? Well if you don’t know, you need to read on. What you can learn from those “Revolutionary War Vets” could save your life! The Appleseed Program is one that is dedicated to preserving our American heritage as a Nation of Rifleman. So what is a Rifleman? The RWVA web site tells us that “The obvious answer is that a Rifleman is an individual with a rifle and the skill and experience to use it, presumably well.” But let me tell you from experience it is …


Odds ‘n Sods:

P.H. flagged this web page of scary stuff for us: Planning Scenarios. These are executive summaries created by the The Homeland Security Council planning group for the Department of Homeland Security, in 2004. The scenarios were developed “for use in National, Federal, State, and Local Homeland Security Preparedness Activities.”    o o o The bidding is still at $180 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a fully tested and recently professionally calibrated U.S. government surplus Civil Defense CD V-717 fallout survey meter with remote sensing capability. The meter was donated by Ready Made Resources (one of our first and most …