Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on the writings of former U.S. Navy SEAL Matt Bracken. (See the Books section.)
Books:
Reader Allen A. highly recommended the book Forty Years in the Wilderness, by Dolly Faulkner
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The Bracken Collection: Essays and Short Fiction 2010 to 2019
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Also by Matt Bracken: Enemies Foreign and Domestic
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Bushcraft Illustrated: A Visual Guide, by Dave Canterbury. (Thanks to Tim J. for the suggestion.)
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This is worthy of a follow-up mention: Unfreedom of the Press, by Mark Levin. (Now in its fourth week at or very near the top of both the NYT bestsellers list and Amazon’s bestsellers list.
Movies:
Reader M.C. suggested this: Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes. (Free streaming, for those with Amazon Prime.)
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To Catch a Thief. The classic starring Cary Grant, available on DVD or free stream for those with Amazon Prime.
Instructional Videos and Vlogs:
A quite detailed and very useful 10-minute video: DIY Secret Room with a Mirror Door
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And another bit of hidden door fun, with the geekiness amped-up a bit: How to Make a Secret Room (Through a Wardrobe)
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BOTTOMLESS Airgun Air – Nomad 2 / Home / 12V Mobile Compressor – PCP Unlimited Power
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How To Detail Clean Your Glock: Reid Makes It EASY! (Thanks to Tim J. for the link.)
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Reader T.R. in Montana wrote to mention that he enjoyed reading this: A simple life in the Appalachian Mountains – all chapters
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Homemade Portable Air Conditioner DIY – Coldest One Yet!
Music:
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Verdi: Complete Opera Overtures
Gear
IRIS USA, Inc. Ziploc WeatherShield 16 Quart Storage Box, Clear, 3 Pack
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Reader SOG said that he had good results with this: AcuRite 01036M Wireless Weather Station with Programmable Alarms
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Hefty Slider Jumbo Storage Plastic Bags – 2.5 Gallon Size, 3 Boxes of 15 Bags (45 Total)
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And here is a novel expanding sponge wound dressing recommended by Skinny Medic, for large, deep wounds: XGauze by RevMedx. (Here is his instructional video. Be sure to check out his many other very informative videos.)
Re: XGauze… Appears to be a great product and the video was very informative (as are all of SkinnyMedic’s) but once again, at $50 each plus $10 s/h, it is out of my price range. That’s a lot of cash for a family of four’s IFAK’s, let alone stocking up on extras.
They say you can’t put a price on safety, let alone a family member or teammate’s medical survival, especially during SHTF, but similar products such as QuickClot sponges / gauze are available for almost 2/3 the price LESS (and at around $20 each, even QuickClot is not an inexpensive addition to your med supplies).
I purchased some QuickClot through SurvivalBlogs Amazon link and as a Prime member, free s/h, but have also found it at the local Mega-Lo-Mart store in the camping section. Not a constantly stocked item, but have seen it many times over the years.
Once the XGauze has been on the market for a while, the price will hopefully come down some.
And one last bit-o-advice… When purchasing any Hemostatic or wound packing product such as ‘old’ QuickClot, AVOID the granules (which are slowly disappearing from the market place but still found as Military Surplus) and stick with the sponge or gauze only. Remember that each granule of the old style clotting powder has to be removed once the patient has been admitted to the ER or in a SHTF situation, your home/retreat’s Aid-Station. That would be a long and painful procedure especially in a austere environment.
$10. https://activityusa.com/products/xgauze
Thanks for the research and the link. That is helpful to everyone.
RE: music
I heard a new song in church Sunday, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. Our young soloist had us captivated by the words and melody.
Also I read an interesting non-fiction book, This Blessed Earth a year in the life of an American family farm by Ted Genoways. (I know the title should be underlined but my computer won’t let me.) I am from the Midwest, Nebraska and Iowa, and I found the book very real.
I read Forty Years in the Wilderness several years back and was absolutely captivated by it. That started me on a long period of reading all things non-fiction Alaska, and I just noticed that Dolly has a new book out, “Still Kickin’ in the Wilderness”, just grabbed it and can’t wait for my next readin’ session!
https://smile.amazon.com/Still-Kickin-Wilderness-Dolly-Faulkner-ebook/dp/B07JZ6L4QP/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1561029486&refinements=p_27%3ADolly+Faulkner&s=digital-text&sr=1-2&text=Dolly+Faulkner