Notes for Thursday – February 19, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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 $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less then one minute without the use of any tools, and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 30 DPMS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. (An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. A Model 120 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a 340 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate, and
  12. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  9. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  10. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. *Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 57 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

BOB(B): Bug Out Bag (Baloney), by R.S.

Many in the prepper community work hard to develop the skills and test the gear that they expect to rely on in a time of collapse. However, I am convinced that many more are “armchair” preppers. These “armchair” preppers are those who are actively involved in reading blogs (including excellent ones like this one, of course!) and purchasing supplies and equipment but never actually using them to verify that they will serve their intended purpose in a time of crisis. I am further convinced that this is nowhere more true than in the oft-discussed area of “bug out bags”.

Preppers generally agree that it is prudent to have a single bag packed and ready in the event of a dire emergency. The contents vary somewhat, depending on the purpose of the bag. An evacuation (bug-out) bag will likely differ from a “get home” bag. However, both are typically intended to serve the same fundamental purpose: to enable the user to sustain life for several days while traveling on foot. Of course, better modes of transportation are preferable, but the method of transport if all else fails is walking.

With this basic requirement in mind, then, many of the recommendations for bug out gear are suspect if not downright dangerous. If you are able to pick up a 40-pound bug out bag, add to it another 25 pounds of gear and supplies that are often excluded from the “dry” bag list (such as water, firearms, and ammunition), and carry that 65 pound load 45 miles in three days, you have my sincere respect and admiration. Also, I know an Army recruiter who would like to speak to you about a spot in the Rangers. When I was a lean, fit, 20-year-old youngster, I may have been able to do this, but I doubt it. Now that I am a less lean, less fit, fifty something man, I am sure that I could not. Despite being in decent shape (for my age), I could not manage more than a few miles a day with a 65 pound load and would almost certainly suffer debilitating injury due to strain, sprain, or fall.

Ask any serious backpacker and they will tell you that weight is key in long distance hiking. I did not believe this prior to my first backpacking experience. I purchased a medium-large backpack with plenty of organizing pockets. I cringe to think of the gear that I stuffed into it for an overnight trip. After all, what is a measly 35 pounds? I can carry that with ease. After six miles over relatively level ground, an overnight stay, and six miles back, I quickly realized the value of carrying less weight. Lightweight and ultralight backpackers will go to great lengths and, often, spend considerably more for gear that is a few ounces lighter after experiencing the toil (or worse) of carrying extra weight.

This raises the obvious question: how much weight can I carry? The answer varies considerably based on factors such as terrain, fitness, and so forth. The “rule of thumb” in the backpacker community is 25% of your body weight. In my experience, this should be refined to read “25% of your ideal weight, less the difference between your ideal weight and your actual weight”. For example, my ideal weight is 185 pounds. On that basis, I should be able to carry 46 pounds. However, my actual weight is 210 pounds, which means I carry 25 pounds of excess weight with me every day! If I subtract this weight from my calculated carry weight, I will begin to suffer if my load is much over 20 pounds.

The obvious response to this computation is simple: “lose some weight, you cow!” Indeed, you would be right, and I hope this realization will motivate me to lose some weight. Every pound I lose is one more pound of useful supplies or gear that I can carry. In fact, it is virtually certain that a disaster scenario would cause me to lose weight. Nevertheless, if I had to pick up my bug out bag today and walk 30 miles in three days, I would be hard pressed to do so with a total load out of much more than twenty pounds. Frankly, I do not believe my situation is all that unusual in the prepper community.

This weight limit greatly constrains what I include in my emergency bag. While a hatchet, a NATO trenching shovel, and a large, fixed blade bush-crafting knife would all be very useful, there is no way I could include all three without sacrificing in another and, likely, more critical area. While I might like to bring a SOCOM rifle, 300 rounds of .308 ammo, a Kimber 1911, and 200 rounds of .45 Auto, I may need to settle for a Kel Tec SU16C, four 30-round magazines of .223, a Ruger LC9, and two spare 9-round magazines. The basic principle is simple; if I attempt to carry more than I am capable of carrying on the day the SHTF, I will endanger my survival through a greatly increased risk of injury.

Three particular areas of BOB gear deserve special mention. First, there are countless articles and reviews about bag selection, including many recommendations utilizing military surplus gear. Contrary to popular opinion, military surplus bags are almost never a good choice for most preppers. While they are typically durable and easily blend in for discrete travel, they also typically have two serious flaws– they are heavy, and they lack adequate structure to transfer the weight to the hips.

Experienced backpackers quickly learn that it is vital to carry the pack weight on the hips and not on the shoulders. Thirty pounds suspended from your shoulders will become very painful in a short time. Many military and military-style packs include a flimsy belt or, worse still, no hip suspension. Furthermore, military and military-style packs are HEAVY. The pack material is durable but heavy, and the variety of pouches, pockets, and straps, while useful for organization, add still more weight. Indeed, the most important specification of a pack intended for long distance hiking is the weight, but many military packs omit this detail entirely. A military ruck sack is typically 5-6 pounds, while a full-size pack can easily be 8 pounds, and it is very difficult to keep the total load under 20 pounds (or 25 pounds or 30 pounds) when the pack accounts for such a large proportion of the total allowable weight.

By contrast, I purchased a Mountainsmith Ghost model pack in 2003. It is a medium size pack, holding 3000 cubic inches (about 50 liters) and comfortably carrying up to 30 pounds (thanks to an excellent internal frame and very comfortable waist strap/pad) while utilizing a very durable nylon material, yet the pack weighs just 2 lbs 6 ounces. This is accomplished by a very simple bag design with a minimum of organizing options– two mesh water-bottle pockets and a very small zip bag in addition to the large main pack. While this pack is no longer made (the present Mountainsmith Ghost 50 weighs 4 pounds), it provides a blueprint for a more practical backpack for load weight conscious preppers.

The second area concerns food. An experienced lightweight backpacker would be horrified at the idea of carrying canned food, yet this is often recommended for emergency bags, despite the high weight to calories ratio. Even MREs are much heavier than alternative choices. Freeze-dried foods are expensive and contain relatively few calories, but they are very lightweight while a number of ordinary grocery food selections, such as ramen noodles, instant rice, couscous, pepperoni, and dried fruit accomplish the same thing at lower cost. In fact, since the objective is to survive for several days until another (and, presumably, a better provisioned) location is reached, it is entirely feasible to eliminate the weight of cooking gear (stove, fuel, pot, utensil, and so forth) and simply bring foods that require no preparation. Packaged protein bars or a simple plastic jar of peanuts and a box of raisins can provide needed calories at minimal weight.

The third area involves water. Though it is vital to survival, water is inherently heavy. Thankfully, water where I live is always plentiful, so that a modest amount of ready water together with the means to purify additional water reduces the amount of water I must carry in my pack. This differs in other regions, but the principle remains; water is heavy, but it is one of the most critical components of survival and must be accommodated one way or another in any emergency bag.

If you are skeptical about the premise of this article (that we should be extremely weight conscious when assembling a bug-out/get-home bag and, therefore, many of the recommendations by self-proclaimed “experts” are nonsense), there is a simple test. Just strap on that fully-loaded, 50-pound backpack (with extra weight added to simulate the effect of carrying items like weapons) and carry it 10 miles over likely terrain. If you can do so and are able to get up the next morning, capable of doing it again, then you are to be congratulated. You are clearly able to enjoy the benefits associated with having the extra provisions and gear. Many of us, however, would experience a rude awakening as to what we are actually capable of doing as opposed to our theoretical and untested assumptions.

Furthermore, this process will inform other decisions and preparations. Do you think you will bug out to the wilderness with a 20-pound pack and nothing more than your recollection of blog and video information about wilderness survival? Think again! You are far more likely to be starving in a week if you are not already dead from exposure. Instead, it may be necessary to be more careful to provision caches along the way together with a well-stocked destination rather than relying on what we can carry on our back. In any event, do not risk your life on assumed capabilities. Think and plan carefully. Then test your provision before your life depends on it.

Letter to BATF Re: Armor Piercing Ammunition Exclusion Comments

To Whom It May Concern:

It appears that much has come up regarding the legislation and regulations applied as a result of legislation relating to Armor Piercing Ammunition.

The definition of “Armor Piercing Ammunition” per 18 U.S. Code § 921(a)(17)(B), identifies two definitions:

The first definition is: “a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium”

While SS109 / M855 contains steel, it does not contain any of the other materials as enumerated within the statute. Further, it is not “constructed entirely” of steel. In fact, by volume, steel is second to lead (Pb) in this round.

Unless the plain language is being interpreted some other way, this definition does not apply to SS109 / M855 ammunition.

The second definition is: “a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile.”

.22 vs. .223 are different by less than the width of a human hair. As such, while the round is technically “larger than .22”, the difference is so small as to be statistically irrelevant.

Further, the round was not “designed and intended for use in a handgun”; it was designed for use in rifles (specifically, the FN Squad Automatic Weapon), and the AR Pistol (the handgun adaptation of the AR15 rifle) did not come about until long after the design of the SS109/M855 round.

While it *is* a jacketed round, the jacket does not comprise more than 25% of the projectile’s overall weight.

With all three points considered, SS109 / M855 does not meet the definition of the second criteria.

This should suffice to put an end to the issue, as the round is not subject to the the U.S. Code statutes concerning armor piercing ammunition.

When reviewing TM43-0001-27 (the latest version, released in I believe April of 1994), it clearly identifies M855 as “Ball Ammunition”.

Instead, the round designated M995 is listed as “Armor Piercing” and has the qualities as described in 18 U.S. Code § 921(a)(17)(B).

Upon review of all of the documentation released by the ATF, it appears to me that the largest concern is protection of law enforcement officials which I wholeheartedly approve of.

However, standard soft body armor for Law Enforcement tends to be 3a which is only rated for “pistol” rounds and, as previously noted, the 5.56 ss109 / m855 round is not one designed for pistol use.

If this is, in fact, your desire, then a more appropriate solution is not to try to ban the round but instead to recommend that law enforcement officers use level 3 (not to be confused with 3a) armor, which is designed to stop not only pistol but also rifle rounds.

I suspect this isn’t too likely, however, as rifles are not commonly used in the commission of a crime, including AR Pistols. This does occur, I’m sure, but it, like the difference between .22 and .223, is statistically insignificant.

Regards,

Darryl Hadfield

Economics and Investing:

Federal benefit programs to support Apple Pay . – RBS

o o o

Items from Mr. Econocobas:

Audio Interview: David Stockman: The Global Economy Has Entered The Crack-Up Phase

I May Get Out of US Stocks: Nobel-Winner Shiller

With Clock Ticking, Greece May Ask for More Time

Why The Alarms Over A Slight Rate Hike? – While we should have market set rates and not central planners to “set” rates, what is a fact is the U.S. economy cannot withstand higher interest rates, as JWR and many others have pointed out. The author clearly doesn’t understand this.

Odds ‘n Sods:

A review of JWR’s Tools for Survival by John Walker has been posted. SurvivalBlog considers it an honor to have a review written by Walker, who is a legendary figure in the software world as the inventor of AutoCAD.

o o o

NJ Cops Arrest Gun Owner for “Creating a Risk of Widespread Injury or Damage” – D.S.

It is evident from the photo, the majority of that gunpowder is smokeless (nitrocellulose) powder–NOT black powder–and hence represented no significant risk. I’d be much more worried about a poorly-stored five gallon gas can.

o o o

Those who were around in the 70’s will recognize that we are now full circle. Little Ice Age, Here We Come. – T.P.

o o o

Man sues after police turn off dashcam during arrest

o o o

An interesting blog on Edible Weeds. – T.P.

o o o

Jihad v. Crusades – An Inconvenient Truth… a five minute map presentation of Islamic jihad wars of subjugation (580+) versus the couple dozen wars of liberation by the Crusading European Christians…communicates the historical truth real quick! – M.B.

Notes for Wednesday – February 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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 $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less then one minute without the use of any tools, and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 30 DPMS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. (An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. A Model 120 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a 340 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate, and
  12. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  9. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  10. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. *Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 57 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

The Twelve Pillars of Preparedness: A Leap of Faith, by R.W.

Suffice it to say that much of this information is floating around in books, print, or cyberspace, and it may or may not be new and informative, but here is my outline for being prepared for possible difficult times and is kind of a value or mission statement that my wife and I have agreed to live by. It is by no means all inclusive or complete; rather, it is a work in progress for our group.

  1. Faith/knowledge. I am secure in my faith. I am a child of the most high God. I understand that God is good, holy, just, and faithful, and I know that I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. God promises me that, ultimately, all things work to the good of those called according to His will and purpose. I will strive to gain knowledge in order to have options for myself and loved ones. I understand that I don’t have to live in fear, but as a watchman on the wall I am called to be proactive in educating others, setting aside provisions for my family as well as others who God may call me to protect and/or bring into my home or circle in times of difficulty. I know that it will take courage, tenacity, integrity, faith, training, and hope in order to survive an extended period of lack.
  2. Finances/Be Debt-free. When I owe money to a lender I am indentured to them. The best way to be financially independent is to tithe first of the first fruits and then have a plan to be out of debt and remain that way. If I want to be free to advance the kingdom and to purchase things to be self-sufficient, then my priority should be to be out of debt as fast and as effectively as possible. I try to never pay full price for any item, if possible, and there are ways to do this without causing a spirit of poverty or lack to overtake me. I believe it is prudent to have cash on hand for a rainy day. I also believe there may come a time when precious metals will again be traded as currency and the fiat currencies of the world are no longer worth anything. Plan accordingly to have a supply of these items on hand, if possible.
  3. Water. It is quite possible that I will need to have additional water stored in my home because water is no longer available from normal sources. Therefore, I have gained knowledge and the ability to procure and implement necessary resources to treat water that is not potable. Much can be added to this topic, but procurement, purification/treatment, and storage of water will be critical for survival, and skill sets must be learned in all aspects of this asset.
  4. Shelter. If caught outdoors or away from my primary residence when a situation occurs, I must have a shelter to protect myself and my family from the elements. Shelter is the first priority, followed by water and then food. I understand that, if unprotected without shelter and exposed in nature during extreme weather, my family and I and anyone else with me may last only a few hours unless we find a way to protect ourselves from the elements. I must have the skills and materials on hand to build shelter where none exists. Tarps, cordage, bladed tools, and training in shelter building are critical to surviving away from home.
  5. Food Storage/Resupply. We will strive to have additional food stored for our family, ourselves, and also for others who the Lord may call me to help, for at least three weeks. Food for three months is more desirable in order to survive through a winter, if difficulty requires. In addition to food on hand, have ways to grow your own food, such as gardening, animal husbandry, and so forth. Also have extra of the supplies needed to grow your own food, such as seeds, and other much-needed items to barter. Food storage for additional extended periods of time should be an ongoing activity with the goal of having a long period of food stored. It is my long-term goal to have more than a year’s worth of nutritious, palatable food stored.
  6. Additional Supplies. In addition to food, I will have additional provisions set aside, such as health and medical care supplies, prescription as well as non-prescription drugs, cleaning, laundry, and personal hygiene items for three months or longer, should the ability to purchase them no longer exist. If I have a pet or pets, I will also have their food and other needs covered in my preparations and supply storage.
  7. Evacuation Plan. I understand that staying put in times of difficulty is usually my best option, but there may be times when this is not possible. I will put in place and train my family on an evacuation plan that should include multiple routes, multiple destinations or locations, and/or rendezvous points, in order to aid in our evacuation, should it become necessary. As part of any evacuation plan, each member of our immediate family will have a 72-hour kit with them or available to them in order to help achieve a better level of success when trying to unite as a group or evacuate to an alternative location other than my primary residency.
  8. Lighting Without Electricity. I will have multiple options for lighting, should the power go out. Such layers may include battery-operated flashlights or lanterns; Kero, Coleman, or oil-fueled lanterns; or lamps. In addition, candles and votives, as well as solar or hand-cranked lanterns are a few of the most commonly available alternatives, and they should also be on hand along with extra batteries, matches, and wicks/mantels bulbs, and other replacement supplies for our lighting needs.
  9. Cooking/Heating. We need at least one means of cooking food, should the power go off. Among them should be Coleman stoves, charcoal or gas grill (outdoor use only), Dutch ovens, Jet stove, hobo stove, Sterno or alcohol stove, and similar stoves. In addition, I will have alternative means of heating my home, including a wood stove, LP heaters, kerosene heaters, and so forth. A generator to run a freezer and refrigerator should also be included.
  10. Documents. I have duplicate copies of all my important documents, and I know where the originals are if I should need to take them when I evacuate. I also have a list of all of my valuables, furniture, and appliances or pictures to prove that I had these items should I need them.
  11. Self Defense. I have a working knowledge and means to protect my family, if I should have to, including hand-to-hand combat, firearm ownership/usage, and extra ammunition. I also will have on hand alternative weapons for protection and food gathering, such as bows, slings, crossbows, pellet guns, traps, and snares, and I’ll actively pursue training in force multiplication, tactics, and OPSEC methods to help in my defensive skills.
  12. Communications. I not only have alternative means to communicate with my family and friends as well as means to monitor weather and emergency situations, but my loved ones and I are familiar with their use. I will have a means to charge batteries, such as solar or crank, as well as other electrical power sources like a generator and fuel to aid in the use of these means of communications.

While nothing in the above list is probably uncommon or unknown to anyone who has been aware of the times we live in, it may be good information to present to those we know or trust who is just getting started in their journey toward self sufficiency.

I believe as Christians in a post-Christian society, we are called to be a peculiar race– a breed set apart– just as it says in the bible. If we want to be people of a peculiar race, we will want also to be able to bring light and hope to a dying land. If we are expecting to survive and thrive in difficult times and to lead others to safety and possibly salvation, we must be ready to share our preps as well as our faith with those who may be literally perishing around us. I believe we must be prudent and use good judgment and discernment to get the message out prior to a cataclysmic event, as well as reaching out, post-event, should it occur.

If things never fade to black and the world as we know it continues to limp along as we are now accustomed to, then I have hopefully helped equip some of the folks I know for their own personal crisis. At the very least, I have given them food for thought that they might not otherwise have gained if I had not taken the time to give them a alternative world view.

None of the 12 pillars has been fleshed out in the outline above, and this document is not meant to be all inclusive or even extensive in its scope. This is a beginning place for newbies or wannabees, and it should be used only as a launching pad, should you so chose.

Prepping is a way of life and lifestyle. It is hard to include all of the vast requirements of preparedness in one small outline, but rather this is a jumping on point that can start the journey of self sufficiency and sustainability, should life as we know it falter or even worse ceases to exist.

Two Letters Re: Washington I-594

Hugh,

James nailed it in his piece, “Learning From Washington’s Huge Background Checks Mistake”. Washington’s statewide election results are determined by metropolitan Seattle, where the majority of the state’s population lives. We all know that big-city voters are mostly NOT property owners, so they have little incentive to think critically about ballot measures, referendums, and initiatives. That, added to the huge numbers of public assistance recipients in Seattle (and every large city) and you have the reason why Democrats and Democrat-led ballot measures win in the state. (Oregon is exactly the same, with metropolitan Portland.) The last two sentences in James’ piece are exactly right, and all those of us in Washington who voted AGAINST I-594 (and FOR I-591) know it, as do the authors of I-594. This is all about incrementally stripping the citizenry of our 2A rights.

Here is a story about how I-594 affected a museum that displayed WWII rifles.

Here is a notice from the Shooting Range I use about I-594’s effect on its firearm rental program.

Also, here’s something of an aside but relevant to the Seattle mindset; the Seattle Seahawks are the ONLY team in the NFL whose political donations go 100% to Democrat candidates.

God’s peace to you. – R.G.

o o o

HJL,

As noted, these 18 pages of poorly-written BS legislation was passed due to media support and the idiots on the west side of the state. You might have also noted that since 1998 all FFL dealers have been required to keep records of those who failed a background check, which only be because of a criminal act. I personally spoke to several of the larger dealers in the Spokane area, and they all said the same thing– NO law enforcement, including probation officers, have EVER looked at those records or checked out the felon trying to purchase a firearm. I am guessing those felons got guns the usual way—theft. – D.W.

Economics and Investing:

Video: Silver & Gold Dealers To Be Shut Down? Update On Operation Chokepoint – Mike Maloney

JWR’s Comment: On orders from Eric Holder, America’s gun dealers and precious metals dealers have been targeted as “undesirables”, putting them in the same category as pornographers. It is notable that the apparatchiks have made themselves exempt from oversight and the FOIA, in the “Chokepoint” campaign.

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How much debt does your state have?

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Items from Mr. Econocobas:

U.S. Companies Can Avoid Venezuela Devaluations by Taking One Big Hit

Risk of Greece Leaving the Euro Increases

As Bank Run Accelerates, Greek Depositors Pray To Saint Mario

Video: John Williams-Odds High Hyperinflation Begins in 2015 – Greg Hunter USA Watchdog

Odds ‘n Sods:

There has been an uproar on the Internet (and a significant market rush) caused by the BATFE’s proposed ban of “green tip” M855 5.56mm NATO ammunition, even though it is not truly “armor piercing”, and even though less than 1% of AR-15s are built as pistols. If you oppose this rule change, then please politely send a comment to the ATF.

ATF will carefully consider all comments, as appropriate, received on or before March 16, 2015, and will give comments received after that date the same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given except as to comments received on or before March 16, 2015. ATF will not acknowledge receipt of comments. Submit comments in any of three ways (but do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method):

Fax: (202) 648-9741

Mail: Denise Brown, Mailstop 6N-602, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, BATFE, 99 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20226: ATTN: AP Ammo Comments.

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‘Beware of New Jersey’: 72-Year-Old Man Facing 10 Years in Prison Over an Antique Gun. – D.S.

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Free eBook: ‘Surviving the End’ by James Jay Carafano. – G.G.

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Moscow-Based Security Firm Reveals What May Be The Biggest NSA “Backdoor Exploit” Ever. – H.L.

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Pennsylvania Judge Sentenced to 28 Years In Prison for Selling Teens to Prisons. – D.S.

Notes for Tuesday – February 17, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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 $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less then one minute without the use of any tools, and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 30 DPMS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. (An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. A Model 120 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a 340 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate, and
  12. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  9. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  10. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. *Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 57 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

The World of Bug Out Bags, by D.M. – Part 2

Common Gear to Bring in Your Bag

Now the type of bug out bag I have been addressing is one that you might have to use to travel a great distance and spend the night, depending upon only the gear that you have with you. Each situation is different, and each geographic region and season brings different challenges. In some of the articles I have read, I am amazed at what some people list as “survival” or necessary items, like a heavy, solar charger (remember that you are carrying this on your back!), but they forget to pack other important items, like toilet paper (good for fire starting, as a signaling device, and for bandaging, writing notes, and your behind) or a good water purification system. Some may say toilet paper is not essential; however, if you are in a remote area and come down with dysentery to where you are squatting for hours, trust me, you will be glad you had it and did not have to wipe with stones or leaves, causing you to be susceptible to cuts, which lead to infection in a delicate body area and possibly beyond.

Another point of writing this article is to share how we can thrive with a good bug out bag and not just barely survive. Here is a list of essential/useful items that I bring on most backpacking trips. As every season and situation is different, I hope this mere list will help you with a baseline as to what to bring on multiple-night trips.

  • Shelter

    Tent, bivy sack, hammock, bug netting, tarp, et cetera. Just make sure it matches your climate and expected situation of use. Please don’t be foolish and buy one and put it into your pack without ever practicing putting it together at home. Putting up a new tent, in the dark, while it’s raining, miles away from your car, only to find out that your new tent did not come with stakes, the seams aren’t sealed (water goes through the stitching), and the tent door zipper is broken, makes for a very memorable night.

  • One change of clothing

    Allows you to change out of wet clothing or add layers, if cold. If your daily work environment calls for inappropriate shoes (high heels or penny loafers), then make sure to pack shoes that will match your intended use that add adequate foot protection and medial and lateral support.

  • Water filter

    Tablets work, but having to wait 20+ min before you can drink limits you. Boiling water is time consuming, plus the smoke from the fire may give away your position, it requires fuel, and some places/situations won’t allow for a fire (like while you are in a canoe). Additionally, having to wait for the water to cool down feels like forever in the hot summer heat. A water filter/purifier makes murky water clear, improves the taste, and removes odors and colors as well as some chemicals, like pesticides and sulfide. It is also not reliant on needing a water bottle if it breaks (you could filter right into your mouth). A good filter is the fastest safe method available however I would recommend a metal water bottle for boiling as a backup or iodine tablets in case your filter gets lost or breaks.

  • Water bottles

    Notice the plural tense used on on the word: “bottles”. Take two, just in case one breaks or if water is sparse and sources are a great distance apart. I recommend a 32-ounce, wide mouth Nalgene bottle. (It is almost unbreakable; however ,I have found out that it will break if it falls off a cliff with frozen water in it, and it won’t survive a tractor running over it either.) I also recommend a similar sized metal bottle, providing the ability to boil water.

  • Knives

    I recommend a quality Kukri or large knife for wood processing, shelter making, and defense. Additionally, for finesse tasks, such as bushcraft and food prep, I recommend a smaller knife (3-5 inches).

  • Sleeping bag and pad

    They go hand in hand with your shelter system. Choose quality! When in doubt, opt for a warmer bag than you expect you’ll need. Being cold in a sleeping bag that is not warm enough is miserable and makes for a long stressful night. If you chose a bag that is too warm, then you can just unzip your bag or use it as a blanket. As for down versus synthetic, that depends on your environment, budget, and type of intended use. As mentioned earlier in the article, don’t forget the pad, as it has many purposes beyond aiding in a comfortable night’s sleep.

  • Food

    Good food uplifts your spirits and makes a trip great. Bad food can get you sick, constipated, or an easy way to run out of toilet paper. Only bring food that you have tried out at home and like. If you get an allergic reaction out in the back country, medical help might not be there. I don’t recommend bringing heavy cans. MRE’s are so highly advertised in the prepping world; however, many don’t realize how heavy they are and how much space they take up. Get dehydrated foods. Backpackers Pantry and Mountain House are a great place to start. You simply boil water, pour it into the package, wait, and eat from the package. It is ideal for stressful, disaster situations. Just remember to check food expiration dates. Eating expired gourmet beef stew is what I think dog food would task like.

  • First aid kit

    Do not buy a pre-made one that you only open in an emergency. Most pre-made ones are inadequate, so you will need to add to them. Every location and trip brings different risk factors, so your kit needs to constantly change and adapt. Make sure it is in a waterproof container! Wet Band-Aids don’t stick, and wet gauze can become moldy. Benadryl has saved a lot of lives. Make sure to pack it, and don’t forget to check expiration dates on any medications you bring.

    Fire starters

  • Bring at least two different methods for starting a fire. My favorite combination to bring is a Bic lighter (they work), Magnesium fire starter (works when wet), and a Fresnel lens (get the page size) for sunny days. Cotton balls with petroleum jelly do wonders, and those trick birthday candles that don’t go out are great (and inexpensive) fire starters, too.
  • Map
  • Compass
  • Bible

    It is the best reading material for inspiration, peace, instruction, and when you’re in trouble. Also, it’s the number one selling book of all time in the world.

  • Toilet paper

    Can be used as fire starter, bandage, for note taking, as emergency feminine pad, or napkins. It can help with chaffing or help wipe debris out of your eyes, as well as to wipe yourself.

  • Water-resistant LED Headlamp(Princeton Tec, Black Diamond, and Petzel make good ones.)
  • Hiking poles

    I used to think they were only for old fogies; however, once I tried them I found that I was able to cross swift rivers and ledges easier. It took much of the load off my back, and my injured knee allowed me to go further in comfort. I have also used a pole to push away snakes, as an improvised tent pole with a tarp, and to fend off wild dogs.

  • Firearm

    Whether you like it or not, the historical fact is that there are evil people who, especially in a disaster situation, will take advantage of others and steal, murder, and rape. I helped out those effected by Hurricane Katrina two days after it hit the USA and saw firsthand how the military m-4’s had to protect us (volunteer workers) from the pillaging mobs. If you are adequate with a firearm, then I will suggest you safely pack one with you. If you are not familiar with firearms and do not have proper training or are hesitant to use one (and I respect that), then I suggest you carry a can of bear spray. It is very effective against animals (wild dogs and rabid animals) and will turn the burliest of men into a crybaby for three hours or more. As for what type of gun and what caliber, I could only recommend these words of wisdom: Choose a gun that you can handle well and shoot the most accurately, and then practice, practice, practice.

These are the main items I bring. However, the most important thing to bring is a level head. With God and the right mind set, you will be able to handle every situation that comes your way.

Other Thoughts

Most people in a disaster situation will be in need. If you have a backpack or anything valuable, you will become a target. I believe it is very important to be incognito and not stand out in a world without rule of law (WRL) or disaster situation. Here are some plus and minus thoughts.

  • Military/Common bug out bags

    + Have neutral colors with little to no logos. Some are very “plain Jane”.

    – These bags scream to military and police that you have a gun or weapons. This look might make you seem like you’re in the military and to not mess with you.

    – Many people view these bags as nitch/prepper bags, and thus you have expensive gear inside (gold, electronics, weapons).

  • Backpacking bag as a bug out bag

    + Look like plain camping backpacks and not like you’re in the military

    – Most come in many colorful colors that stand out. To combat this, you could order a black version, or if they don’t offer one then just take some dye or Sharpie markers and change it to any color you want.

    – Many of these bags have more compartments and make items more accessible for quick deployment like for your first aid kit, food, and water.

Please don’t be that guy that has 12 bug out bags and is still not satisfied. Do your homework. A good sight for backpacking reviews is www.backpacker.com. They have in the past, filled backpacks and dragged them from the back of a pickup truck just to test the durability and the stitching quality. Now that was a review! I am very thankful for the Internet, because there are so many reviews online and videos on YouTube that it is easy to make thoughtful decisions on gear.

Cost Factor

I have had people ask me, “How much should I spend on this?” I am not going to tell you, the reader, that if you don’t spend this or that much money that your bag is no good, like some advertisers do. Every person is different, and each person has different needs. My first suggestion is to use what bag you have now, for it is better to have something than nothing ready. Or as the Bible says “…for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (Ecc 9:4 KJV).

I will emphasis this: Don’t be cheap! You might be trusting your life and your family’s life to this bag. Some prepper stores I visit I do find myself saying, “$300 for what? That small, little bag?” I would agree that there are bug out bags that are astronomically over priced; however, a quick online search should help you to determine if you are getting what you paid for or if it is just a logo that you’re paying for.

I have friends that have said to me “that bag is too expensive”, and then they buy an inferior, less expensive knock-off model only to find their bag is uncomfortable, has poor quality control or falls apart sooner (made in China), and then they buy another bag only to find out that they have spent more money on two poorly-constructed bags than I spent on my nice bag that has a lifetime warranty. I am not suggesting going out and spending $500-8oo. I am saying don’t buy poor quality; you usually do get what you pay for. Just save your money until you can afford to buy what you need. It would be worth it in the end.

Conclusion

Go backpacking or talk to a backpacker. Chances are that the things you need to survive and thrive for two to three days in the wilderness are the same things you don’t want to leave out of your bug out bag. If your bug out bag is too small, like most, then I would suggest upgrading to a bigger one. If you’re interested in backpacking and don’t have a bug out bag and are looking into purchasing one, then I would suggest you save yourself money and just buy (you might already have one) a high quality backpacking backpack. Use it for camping and backpacking, and when not in use, keep all of your gear in it at the ready for an emergency. Just don’t buy the neon yellow ones.