Lessons from Afghanistan, by W.B.

SurvivalBlog is the best in it’s field because it draws upon the different skill sets and experiences of it’s readers. On that note, I would like to offer up my own experience for the benefit of other readers. I am a former Army Infantry Sergeant with combat service in Afghanistan and am currently a private security contractor. I was not a prepper before my service there. However, witnessing a post-collapse environment first hand made me confront some painful realities. I hope to God that my experiences will aid fellow preppers by giving them insight in to one type of collapse …


When Your Batteries Die, by Jay W.

Some of the most common things that we stock up on for short term emergencies are batteries. Many of our important tools need electrical power to work. Flashlights, radios, many power tools, and night vision gear– essentially anything that uses DC electricity–would need batteries. For Bug Out Bags and short-term situations batteries are almost always included and could save your life.   Virtually any situation lasting less than a few years would be fine with batteries.  You can have a hand or pedal generator, solar or wind, et cetera, to charge your batteries.   But what happens in a TEOTWAWKI situation?  Where …


When You Don’t Know Where To Start, by Angela in Georgia

If you are like me, you want to start preparing for TEOTWAWKI, but you have no clue where or how to begin. Even the shortest list, and list of lists, is a daunting undertaking and the expenses can stack up quickly. We thought we’d be up a creek since we had no real extra money to set aside for this project. Alas, it doesn’t have to be that way! There are many things you probably have around the house that will help save or sustain life. You just have to learn to look at your possessions in a different way. …


Letter Re: Risk in CONUS from Fukushima Radiation Releases?

Howdy, I have a question about the American Redoubt in light of the pending and probable total failure of the Fukushima reactors spent fuel rod pool. When this thing goes, the release will be massive and long term. [I have read that the] radiation release will cover most of the US and Canada and that most of Canada and the northern two thirds of America may be unlivable. How advisable would be moving to the American Redoubt? I’m not one for conspiracy theories. I don’t buy the one about HAARP causing the earthquake and tsunami. However, the sheer lack of …


Letter Re: De-Worming Livestock, Post-TEOTWAWKI

Mr. Rawles, I have just finished reading your book How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It and found it very helpful and enlightening. There is one thing I was wondering and can’t seem to find an answer anywhere.   Owning horses in an extended grid-down situation presents the question of worming. After most worming meds has been used or expired how would you treat your horse for worms? I’ve read about using different herbs but wonder about their safety and dosages.   Thank you, – Michael N. in Arizona JWR Replies: As with most medications …


Economics and Investing:

Those pesky derivatives: Wall Street Journal says Comex has been classified as ‘too big to fail’. (“Taxpayers Now Stand Behind Derivatives Clearinghouses.”) More About Banksters and Derivatives: Taxpayer Supported Gambling How Crumbling U.S. Dollars Bailed Out Zimbabwe. (Thanks to Gregg P. for the link.) Adam Brown of Forbes reports: European Crisis: A Greek Exit Would Only Be The Start, Not The End Spain: Five banks downgraded, Bankia seeks 19 billion euros in aid. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Turn Out The Lights:  The Largest US Cities are Becoming Cesspools of Filth, Decay, and Wretchedness The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The Complete List of Every Prepper Book Ever Recommended. (Thanks to R.D. for the link.)    o o o The town of Coos Bay, Oregon is wisely planning a Tsunami Evacuation Drill on May 31 at 2:00 p.m.    o o o Over at Buddy’s Board, I found a link to this brief how-to video: Tannerite 101    o o o James C. suggested this lengthy YouTube video: The 1940’s House    o o o C.D.V. recommended this site: Pam’s Pride Recommendations. These are my recommendations for free Kindle e-book downloads for homesteaders and do-it-yourselfers.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The essence of ‘going Galt’ in any context is to challenge its ultimate implications by putting them into practice. That is: think through the implications of The System, from its fundamental premises and hypotheses all the way to their furthest stops, and then conduct yourself exactly according to their demands. Consider: Economically, in a System that excoriates creators, producers, and capitalists, it means going almost completely limp: making just enough money to sustain your life, but creating nothing from which others can derive a profit or make further advances. Many men have already chosen this course.” – Francis Porretto, in …


Notes From JWR:

Monday, May 28, 2012 is Memorial Day in the United States, the day set aside to honor our war dead. We are deeply indebted to them, and recognize their sacrifice. To the families of those who have fallen in combat, you are in our prayers. Personally, I have also been spending some time in prayer in remembrance of the sacrifices of our allied soldiers. — This past weekend, our server in Sweden was put under a “ping flood” Denial of Service (DOS) attack that at times resulted in 65% packet loss. The attack was timed for a three-day holiday weekend, …


DMSO: Pain Relief Without a Prescription?, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

A reader of SurvivalBlog wrote to ask whether dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is safe and effective for use in humans. The chemical is well-known in veterinary circles for its soothing effect on swollen, inflamed equine (horse) muscles.  But would it have the same effect on people?  Unrelieved pain is a great fear among survivalists and preppers.  Few have access to narcotics or anesthetics.  Wouldn’t be great if there were a readily available, safe and effective over-the-counter remedy?  That is the primary question with DMSO. What is DMSO anyway?  The chemical dimethyl sulfoxide is a potent solvent, produced as a by-product of …


Pat’s Product Review: Benchmade Adamas Folder

I still remember the very first Benchmade Knives folding knife I ever owned. I don’t remember which model it was, but I still remember at how “shocked” I was at the super high-quality of the knife. Without a doubt, it was every bit as well-made, if not, better made than custom folding knives I had seen. It continues to this day, Benchmade Knives are of the highest quality you’ll find. This comes as no accident, as I’ve toured the Benchmade factory a couple times, and I’ve seen what is involved in making their knives. To be sure, Benchmade even has …


Letter Re: Optimized Corn

Sir: The recent SurvivalBlog article recommending Painted Mountain Corn as a valuable addition to survival gardens, as well as the stirring article at Rocky Mountain Corn by “New Ordinance” entitled “The Secret Weapon,” encouraged me to purchase this amazing variety for planting this spring. I already raise the usual potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, squash, beans and a smattering of other vegetables and fruits, and wanted to add robust, non-GMO corn to help protect against crop failures and diversify the nutrition of my hobby-farm crops. For most of my life I’ve only eaten whole corn as boiled ears (with butter, y-e-s!) and …


Jon in Arizona’s Navy Bean and Ham Soup

I like to shop Costco, they offer a spiral sliced ham for about $20 which kept in the fridge has a very long storage period, however I have found that cooking the ham, and then dividing up serving portions in zip locks works great, the big treat for myself is to leave a portion of meat on the bone and freezing until ready to cook.   My recipe, requires a large crock pot, I unfreeze the ham bone with the residual meat, overnight I soak a large bag of navy beans per directions, I like to prepare the soup early a.m. by starting out putting  …


Economics and Investing:

Jim W. forwarded this link: Gerald Celente: EU Collapses In 90 Days, Bank Holiday and War B.B. sent this: Real Federal Deficit Dwarfs Official Tally Also from B.B.: Marc Faber: 100% Chance of Global Recession Three items from SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, G.G.: 100 Million Americans Without Jobs Peter Schiff: The Housing Bust Was Just A Preview For The Coming Catastrophe Mogambo Editorial Genius (MEG) Items from The Economatrix: The Top Five Gold Commentators Google Trends Show Why The Status Quo “Powers That Be” Should Be Scared Why Gold Prices Could Be Going Below $1,430, And Possibly $1,390 May Consumer Sentiment …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Umatilla Chemical Depot transformation includes Red Cross supplies stored in igloos. (Thanks to J.S. for the link.)    o o o Some good news, mentioned over at Cheaper Than Dirt’s blog: Oklahoma Governor mary Fallin Signs Open Carry Law. The new law goes into effect on November 1, 2012.    o o o Hands-on Survival Medicine Classes taught by Dr. Cynthia Koelker (SurvivalBlog’s Medical Editor) are now being calendared for the Summer of 2012. Topics covered include casting, suturing, medical labs without electricity, and treating both acute and chronic illnesses.    o o o These lighthouses are built stout, and might even …