Notes from JWR:

Aaron Zelman passed away two years ago, today. He is greatly missed. — The Winter Solstice reminds us that Gardening Season is coming soon! 🙂 Seriously, at least try some indoor sprouting. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 …


Last Call For Full Capacity Magazines!

The Nanny Statists are on the war path, here in the United States. While their incessant calls for a ban on semi-auto firearms will probably fail, I predict that a bipartisan compromise in Congress will result in a new ban on full capacity magazines. This renewal of the 1994 to 2004 ban will likely have a grandfather clause, but no sunset clause. So TODAY is the day to do your best to round out your family’s multi-generational supply of magazines. Even if you’ don’t already own an AR-15 or and AK-47, buy a dozen magazines for each. And for all …


Bare Bones Survival, by Blake R.

With an endless and ever-growing supply of preparedness items and gadgets for TEOTWAWKI, it is easy to forget where we all came from.  Each and every one of us alive on this planet today is in large part due to the sheer will, strength, and survival ability of our ancestors.  We are all, literally, direct descendants of the toughest and smartest humans the world has ever seen.  Our ancestors were the ones who survived plagues and diseases of all types, hunted the largest of beasts, survived harsher conditions than most of us can imagine, always procured food, and still managed …


Economics and Investing:

Guns Out of Stock at Wal-Mart as Magazine Prices Surge on Teacher sole heir of $7.4 Million gold coin fortune Why Reported Inflation Seems Different Than Reality Items from The Economatrix: Silver dip! (Buy on the dips.) We’re Going To Have A World Class Currency Crisis And Global Growth Will Never Return To Its Glory Days Please Prepare Well In Advance:  What’s Coming Next Year Will Be Worse Than 2008 Saxo Bank’s 10 Outrageous Predictions For 2013


Odds ‘n Sods:

The folks at Pantry Paratus mentioned that they can now sell Berkey Water Purification Units to California residents.  California’s previous regulations were very ambiguous and so the company required dealers to omit sales to California to prevent any conflict of regulation.  Now that these have been clarified, people in California can drink the same pure water that we enjoy!    o o o Randy K. suggested a new e-book(let) about starting a mutual assistance group for survival by a former Navy SEAL. Randy says: “Some deep thoughts for just $3.95.”    o o o Sandy Hook massacre: Official story spins …



Notes from JWR:

I’ve previously mentioned the tragic accidental death of Chuck Lamb (the husband of Jenny of The Last Frontier blog.) A Special Memorial Fund has been set up by Wells Fargo bank, to benefit Jenny and her two young sons. The account number is 7348691358. It is in the name “Chuck Lamb Donation Account”. You can make a donation via any Wells Fargo Bank branch. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A …


Field Care For Your Newborn, by T.S.H., MD

Modern neonatal care in a fully equipped and staffed hospital connected to a power grid will be all but a memory in TEOTWAWKI. In the event of SHTF where professional medical services are no longer available it is completely up to the parent(s) to assist the newborn in the traumatic transition from womb to world. Knowledge of basic neonatal field care will increase the chances of survival for a newborn. This article is divided into three sections: Pregnancy, Transition, and First 48 Hours. Pregnancy The first section of this article deals with pregnancy. To begin our discussion of field care …


Letter Re: Hemostatic (Quickclot/Celox/ChitoGauze) Agents

James, In a recent TCCC class, more info was covered on why hemostatic infused gauze is preferred over Hemostatic granules.   The concept for Hemostatic agents was first explored with the use of instant mashed potatoes dumped into a wound. The blood soaked the potatoes thickening them up and helping aid the blood in clotting. This was efficient, until it was realized that the potato “granules” were being carried into the blood stream and causing blood clots. Obviously, this is a very bad thing. When the hemostatic agent was first created in a granule form, it did the same thing …


Economics and Investing:

This does not bode well: SEC Ruling: Active ETFs Now Allowed To Use Derivatives Jim W. recommended this “must read” piece: The Fiscal Cliff Is A Diversion: The Derivatives Tsunami and the Dollar Bubble (Paul Craig Roberts) Items from The Economatrix: The Most Critical 48 Hours In The Fiscal Cliff Melodrama Have Begun Without Deal, Unemployment Checks Stop December 29th US Secret Service Bans Sale Of Silver And Gold Liberty Dollars On Ebay Silver Prices About To Implode: Chinese Demand For Silver Has Exploded


Odds ‘n Sods:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) addresses solar flare concerns.    o o o Judy C. mentioned a link for free maps and travel guides for every US state. Judy notes: “Many also link to DOT sites listing closings and constructions. Order hard copy maps for bugout bags and bookmark the DOT info for states on your route when it’s time to Get Out of Dodge.”    o o o E. Holder Channels J. Edgar: Attorney General Secretly Granted Gov. Ability to Develop and Store Dossiers on Innocent Americans. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.)    o o o Fred The …



Notes from JWR:

This is the birthday of physicist Albert A. Michelson (Born 1852, died May 9, 1931), the first American to be awarded a Nobel Prize in science, for measuring the speed of light. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 …


Some Medical Considerations, by Old Bobbert

Hi James,  Sometimes the easy solution to a serious medical supply problem is hidden right in front of us. I am and adult-onset Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetic prepper. My life depends on a regular and continuous supply of medicines. What will I do when all of the available test strips for my “Accu-chek” Aviva blood tester strips are out of date and will not function in my Veterans Administration-supplied tester? In the military we were taught that the winners  learn to adapt, overcome, and improvise. After the military, as a self- employed father of four, I learned another  basic rule of success …


Letter Re: Automotive Preparedness

JWR; After reading the follow up to automotive preparedness, (I am Toyota fan) I figured I would share a few thoughts. Some background , I use to be a tractor mechanic for several years, repairing all kind of engines, transmissions, and other systems. I have also owned four  1980s-era Toyota trucks since I was in high school  (all 4x4s). I  progressed from no power steering or air conditioning as a kid, to wanting all the extras later in life. I also have many friends and family which have Toyotas that I helped work on. I also have a neighbor that …