Letter: Boy Shot in Cleveland

Hugh,

I don’t have much experience with how the police works, considering I am only a few years older than the kid in the article. However, as a person who plays airsoft, paintball, and likes guns, I am interested in the article and your opinion.

  1. I recognize the fact that the kid had taken off the orange tip on the gun, and a good rule of thumb is to leave it on (unless you like to mod weapons like me; then you can’t help it.)
  2. Did the police have any right to shoot the kid? Come on! He is 12 and wasn’t acting aggressively toward them. Guns are a fascination of the youth.

What is your perspective. NJA

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Hugh responds: It really is far too early in the investigation cycle to have a definitive opinion on this one. However, my preliminary thoughts are that this will probably be ruled a justifiable shooting. Tensions are running very high across the nation. We are being bombarded by media encouraging the racists issues and emphasizing, perhaps even magnifying, the conflict between the general populace and authorities. It doesn’t help that many police adopt a militarized attitude of “us vs them”. Cops must make split second decisions, and the emphasized tensions (no matter who is causing them) put tremendous pressure on them. While this child may not have had a “real” gun on him, the airsoft guns are VERY realistic, especially when modified to remove the orange tips. It would be nice to tell the police to step back and take a breather to lower the tensions, but the garbage pouring fourth out of Ferguson is enough to keep that from happening.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Ready Made Resources has announced their new, offshoot company– Sunrise Holistic Solutions: An “All Natural Health & Wellness” website, operated by the owner’s wife, Roxanne Griswold, who is also a Naturopathic Doctor & Certified Natural Health Professional. One of the many benefits of buying from them is that you can actually talk to someone who understands nutrition and can help you achieve lasting health from the inside out. It is Roxanne’s desire to help equip people with the nutritional tools to stand “ready”, whatever the crisis. The website offers all-natural products, including nutritional supplements, skin & hair products, pure essential oils, super foods, organic products, sprouts & sprouters, juicers, and more. Also, be sure the check out Ready Made Resources newly expanded website along with their upcoming Black Friday Sale.

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I just noticed that SurvivalBlog is nearing 70 million unique visits. Thanks for making the blog such a great success. Please continue to spread the word about SurvivalBlog, especially to newbie preppers who might not have heard about it. Thanks! – JWR

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Private Military Contractors Hired to Move Guns and Gold Out of Ferguson. – B.B.

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By way of the Western Rifle Shooters Association: Infection Control for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers in the African Health Care Setting

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Homeschooling family tasered, arrested after being accused of having a ‘messy’ house. – J.H.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

File Under Hypocrisy 101: “I taught Constitutional Law for 10 years. I take the Constitution very seriously. The biggest problems that we’re facing right now have to do with George Bush trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch and not go through Congress at all. And that’s what I intend to reverse when I’m president of the United States of America.” – Presidential Candidate Barack Hussein Obama in March, 2008

Notes for Sunday – November 23, 2014

Today, we present another entry for Round 55 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 hardcase 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 1 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 Warehouseis providing 30 DMPS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448.95) 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 $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  7. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 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.
  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. RepackBoxis 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. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208, and
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  8. SurvivalBased.com is donating a $500 gift certificate to their store.
  9. Montie Gearis donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack. (a $379 value).

Round 55 ends on November 30th, 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 Value of Human Relationships in a Grid-Down or Survival Event, by J.C.

There is an often-overlooked type of disaster preparation, which everyone can make a regular part of their lives, that has the following characteristics:

It costs nothing, except time. It can reap benefits every week, year in and year out. It comes in really handy in a grid-down or other scarce-resource event, and it helps the prepper out in unexpected ways and pays dividends when you least expect it.

I am talking about human capital– the network of relationships we form in our community with those public servants and elected officials that may, in the future, have interactions with us during a survival situation. There are many kinds of networks that can be exploited this way. They include elected officials, public works department employees, judges, law enforcement personnel, and utility workers. Relationships with these types of people at the town, county, and state levels can prove to be very valuable in a disaster event.

Strategies to form these relationships take many forms. For example, I have made it my practice to get to know the public service workers, both major decision-makers (department heads) and also those at the worker level, in my home town, county, and even at my state level. During my occasional interactions with the various levels of government, I have made a real effort to get to know them. One way to accomplish this is to pay my property taxes in person and strike up small conversations with the clerks in the office. I’m not asking for favors, not complaining about the high rate of taxation, but I’m just making sympathetic chatter, really.

Another strategy is to visit the public works garage or depot for your area and make it clear you have a question on behalf of an elderly neighbor. Maybe it is a clogged storm drain the neighbor is concerned about or leaf bags that you are picking up for the neighbor so that they don’t have to drive over themselves. You win twice this way; you do a good turn for your neighbor AND you form a relationship with the public works guys.

Several times a year, our community conducts open houses– a “National Night Out” or other type of public event. The local police, fire, and ambulance services usually have a booth or table at the event, so I am sure to stop by, ask a question, and make a positive impression.

I attend town council meetings a few times a year and know most of our council members by first name. I also get to know the housing, fire, and health inspectors, not just in my town but in my county, too.

I belong to a business chamber of commerce organization, which employees can join, not just business owners, and I make sure to attend a mixer every few months or so. My goal is to have my name and face become “slightly familiar” to the authorities, in a positive format.

From time to time I volunteer to serve on my community’s civic boards, such as the school system’s education foundation. Who cannot respect a citizen that raises donations for the school children?

Leaving positive impressions with these people has many benefits:

First, in everyday life, events happen where a little courtesy on the part of an official smooths my way and helps make everyday chores easier. Examples include the time the fire inspector wanted me to add an additional smoke detector in the home I was selling, and he took my word that I would install it later that day instead of forcing me to get a re-inspection that costs an additional charge. Also, there was the time I got some advice from a Superior Court judge on how best to approach the prosecutor about a minor traffic violation. Another time the street sweeper made an extra pass down my block because I reported the sweeper’s omission in a positive (not snarky) way.

Another “dividend” that I accrued related to police services not normally given to the general public. When I wanted to apply for a concealed carry permit, I needed to send in a fingerprint card. Our local police do not normally perform that service, preferring to direct the public to “official vendors” that require payment, appointments, and the inconvenience of driving to an office complex on the other side of the county. In my case, I paid a visit to the clerk at our police station, who knew that I had been appointed by the mayor to serve on the town’s all-volunteer Economic Development Commission. She asked a detective to take five minutes of his time to help me, and presto, I was fingerprinted without a fee or appointment!

Second, during a disaster or SHTF event, that’s when the relationships you form may become most valuable. Consider a local or regional weather event that leads to a grid-down condition. Perhaps a hurricane or snowstorm has downed power lines. Perhaps a fire has caused the shutdown of power generating plants or substations feeding the grid. In this event, local commuhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QTXKC4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001QTXKC4&linkCode=as2&tag=survivalcom-20&linkId=UBUV5DYALIUM27M3nications are likely to be severely limited or non-existent. Even if there is a television or radio broadcast from a nearby major city that you are able to hear or see (by way of your battery-powered radio or generator-powered television), there is likely to be no usable local information. Which streets are closed? What areas are affected? Are there governmental or local organizational relief efforts being staged for certain neighborhoods? The national or regional news networks and broadcasters will likely not have that information.

However, a local or county government emergency response is likely to be in place and operational to some degree. In this situation, the local officials will be more apt to have detailed information on the locations of shelters, the status of relief efforts, and so on. You are more likely to hear that information from your contacts in the government offices you have been cultivating, if you are perceived as a sober, mature community supporter. In fact, word of mouth from these officials might make the difference between you being at the food or water distribution point in the right place at the right time, or missing the relief workers and their supplies. Supplies in the earliest days of an event are usually very limited. Those who wait for radio announcements frequently arrive at the distribution points after supplies have been exhausted.

During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, I put these strategies to good use to make sure my friends and family were well-cared for and able to minimize the inconvenience from the 11 days without power in our neighborhood. I learned from a neighbor, who was a member of our town’s elected board of education, that a fire house in our neighborhood had been designated a water distribution point for citizens that had been flooded out, or lost power to operate well pumps. I was able to discover the times, protocols, and quantities of supplies available– information that was not publicized anywhere in the media that was operating. This information was not available through any media– not the national news outlets on TV, not the radio station broadcasting from the large metropolitan city 45 miles to the north, not even the “state” radio station, nor the “local” radio station broadcasting from the county seat a mere six miles from our town. I was able to contact family members and friends that needed the water with the information that made their life easier.

Similarly, when a church nearby set up a collection point for donations to assist the flood victims, the way I learned about it was from a member of a local political organization that was responsible for the elections in our county. Because it was a “private relief effort”, there was no official way the information was publicized initially.

I then used the information about the water distribution to pick up cases of bottled water that I kept in my vehicle. I am a real estate broker, and I needed to check on rental and commercial investment properties that we manage for out-of-state landlords throughout the towns affected by the storm. During the storm, and in the weeks and months following, the local police and Emergency Management personnel blocked off access to neighborhoods affected by flood waters. If I needed access to those neighborhoods for business, I usually drove up to the officers manning the roadblocks, broke the ice by offering them a bottle of water, and explained my reason for requesting passage into the area. Officers tasked with manning roadblocks for an entire shift usually run out of beverages sooner than planned. Sometimes, stores are not open nearby to go to during a break from their post.

In all cases, I was waived through the roadblock. A small courtesy and a “vaguely familiar face” smoothed the way to allow me to get my clients’ needs served during a disaster scenario. Presenting the appearance of a helpful professional frequently pays dividends. One can easily imagine this strategy paying off in a snow emergency or other natural disasters.

I am not trying to give the impression that my strategy will get you off the hook after you commit some egregious violation or cause some problem. Nor should you expect favors from the police or emergency workers that run counter to the law. Frequently, though, during times of uncertainty and stress, such as riots, disasters and such, an officer has discretion that may be of a benefit to you and your needs. In such cases, the cultivation of these relationships may make the difference between your needs being met and your request being declined. The goal of the building of these relationships should be for you to be perceived as a community asset– an “insider” if you will– and not to be perceived as a problem. If you frequent town council meetings to rail publicly against the policeman’s pay, the mayor’s perks, and the salary of the public works staff, then you can forget about any sympathetic benefit from them when the SHTF. By all means, if you feel that way, and want to do something about it, be sure to vote for the candidate that wants to cut needless public programs and slash bloated salaries. Just don’t announce how you voted at the town council meetings!

Economics and Investing:

Russia Grabs Another 18.7 Tonnes Of Gold In October From The Market

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Gold Repatriation Stunner: Dutch Central Bank Secretly Withdrew 122 Tons Of Gold From The New York Fed

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Items from Mr. Econocobas:

Peter Schiff: The Abenomics Death Spiral

If You Are A US Investor Who Is Bullish Japan, Look Away

3 Of The 10 Largest Economies In The World Have Already Fallen Into Recession – Is The U.S. Next?

Behold The Surge In Real October Earnings

Odds ‘n Sods:

Sometimes the old way actually is the better way. Automation Makes Us Dumb – G.G.

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Taurus Curve – A Contoured, Wearable Pistol

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One Quarter of all Americans, aged 17-24 are too Obese to Enlist – T.P.

If you are too obese to enlist, you are pretty close to being too obese to survive. Now would be the time to fix that, before the SHTF.

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The parents refusing to vaccinate their children against polio – Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog Editor At Large.

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One of the many reasons gun sales are soaring. – T.P. Warning: strong language content.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:3-6 (KJV)

Notes for Saturday – November 22, 2014

Today is remembered as the birthday of the late Eugene M. Stoner. (Born 1922, died April 24, 1997.) He was the designer of the AR-7, AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, the Stoner 63, and several other firearms. (The AR-10 was the basis of the AR-15 which in turn spawned the very widely used M16 and all of its variants including the M4 Carbine). It has been estimated that as many as 3.7 million rifles from the AR-15 family are owned by civilians in the United States, and military production M16 vatiants well exceeds 8 million rifles.

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Today, we present another entry for Round 55 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 hardcase 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 1 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 Warehouseis providing 30 DMPS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448.95) 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 $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  7. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 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.
  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. RepackBoxis 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. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208, and
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  8. SurvivalBased.com is donating a $500 gift certificate to their store.
  9. Montie Gearis donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack. (a $379 value).

Round 55 ends on November 30th, 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.

Survival Information Binder, by C.L.

Introduction

I am assuming that, since you are reading this, you are either prepared for the uncertain future we face, in the process of preparing, or curious about the subject of the preparedness lifestyle. You may have supplies on hand or have a support group of like-minded people to help when TEOTWAWKI occurs. You may have thought about possible scenarios that could occur and what you will do when they do happen. Do you have a backup plan? Do you have a second backup plan? Did you train others to do your job or jobs? Does everyone know how to do everything necessary to survive? I doubt that you could answer “yes” to all of these questions. So, what can you do to help your entire family or group survive?

I have done my best to see that everyone in my group is trained, but I know that individually, we still do not know everything needed to survive. I have compiled a small library of resources to help. This includes one resource, which I have compiled on my own. It is a binder with things we may need to know when TEOTWAWKI occurs. I want to share this process with you so that you may do the same.

What Is This Survival Information Binder?

My Survival Information Binder is an ongoing, ever-changing volume of information I have compiled. It contains material from a wide variety of sources on an even wider variety of subjects. The one thing they have in common is survival. I have printed resource pages from the Internet that give details about specific skills or tasks, and I have included my own personally-created materials. Some of these are things that some members of my group already know how to do, such as planting corn. Others are things that we have the skills to complete but need information about how to do it, such as building a windmill. Some of the subjects may seem quite simple, but we may need reminders of the steps needed when in a stressful situation. I do not want to think about it, but it might be necessary for younger members to survive without the older adults, who currently help to care for them. My hope is that this binder will give them the information they may need to live.

I have listed some of the topics covered and questions answered in my binder. I realize that some of the areas may seem vague. That was completely intentional. I do not feel it is wise to reveal everything about the extent of one’s survival plans. I am sure you understand.

How Do I Get Started?

If you choose to make a “Survival Information Binder,” how do you begin the process? I would begin by looking at what you already know. Write those things down, or print the information from the source where you found it. Be sure to not violate any copyright laws. Be detailed in your information. Never assume that others know to what you are referring. You never know who in your group will be doing the task. I would also include any measurements and drawings or diagrams that could help those individuals who are visual. Have someone who knows the skill about which you are writing proofread your data. Something as simple as “never,” “always,” “not,” or “do” in the wrong place, or a misplaced decimal point could have disastrous outcomes.

You could also take notes from this article, survivalist blogs, or Internet sites. I by no means think I have all of the answers, and neither does anyone worth their salt. What works for me may not work for you. I have made my plans for my specific needs, in my specific environments, to be used with my specific resources. Your Survival Binder will need to be tailored to meet your needs. Beware of anyone arrogant enough who feels they have all of the answers. This person probably has what I refer to as “prepper tunnel vision”. They are unwilling to learn from others. Even “baby survivalists” can teach us a thing or two.

Another thing I have found useful is reading survivalist fiction. Take notes as you read. Put yourself in the scenarios of the characters, and note the supplies and skills you would need in order to survive. I did this recently. In fact, this is what motivated me to make my binder. While reading Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles, one of the characters was making and selling soap. This triggered the thought that my stockpile of soap would eventually run out, and I needed to know how to make more. I made soap once with my grandmother when I was a teenager, but I do not remember all of the specifics on making it. I decided I needed to print out the directions on soap making. As I was looking over the list of ingredients, I noticed that lye is needed for all soaps. So, I also included a detailed description on how to make lye. I hope I never need to do this, but you never know what may happen. This was the beginning of my “Survival Information Binder”.

On a side note, I would highly recommend reading Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles. There are other good books, but this one is extremely informative. You will probably discover things that you had not thought about and skills that you need to know. The previous soap-making example is only one of the things I had failed to plan for and was listed in this book. Remember, you may have a huge stockpile, but what will you do when that is gone?

What Areas Of Information May Need To Be Included?

I put some thought in the areas in which I need to include information. I looked at my life now and included those main topics. Then I thought about the scenarios I had read about in survivalist fiction, and I included those also. I have information on the following main topics.

  • Water
  • Food
  • Protection From The Elements (This includes security and protection.)
  • Healthcare
  • Sanitation
  • Communication
  • Transportation
  • Bartering
  • Emotional Well-being

My binder is divided into these main topics and contains subtopics in each area. Some of these areas have their own separate binders and even reference books on the subject. For instance, I have books on gardening, first aid, herbs and natural healing, repair manuals for our specific vehicles, and books to assist with security. I also keep the owners manuals for any of the items I have. A large, plastic, *****AMAZON?****accordion folder is a good place to store these. You may want to include the manuals for your generator, heaters, firearms, ammunition reloaders, water filters, et cetera. I am constantly on the lookout for any reference materials that may be helpful. I am currently looking for a booklet identifying edible and healing plants native to my area and good books for raising and caring for the animals we have and those I plan on adding next spring.

What Information Could Be Included In Each Subject Area?

Now we can look at each of the main topics for information that I have included and could be included as subtopics in your Survival Information Binder. Remember, this is by no means a complete list, and the information you include will need to be specific to your needs. Due to the nature of being a survivalist or a prepper, I am also going to be deliberately vague in some areas. I am doing this for my own protection and for the protection of my family and friends. I am sure you can understand.

Water

Water is a necessity. Consider the following. You must stay hydrated. How many people are in your group? How much water will each person need to drink? How much water will you need per day to supply your group’s needs? How much water will be needed for sanitation?

  • Water sources: You may not be able to turn on the faucet and get water. What will you do then? Include information on;

    • Ways to get water from a natural spring.
    • How to build a windmill to pump water.
    • A list of plants that are good sources of water.
  • Ways to purify water: The water you get may not be potable. How will you purify it?

    • Boiling. How will you do this? How long will it need to be boiled?
    • Chlorine. How much is needed to purify water?
    • Distilling. How do I distill water? Include information on making a simple distillery. You may want to have the supplies on hand for this task.
    • Iodine. How much per gallon? Does anyone in your group have an iodine allergy? If so, that person cannot drink water purified with iodine. You must have an alternate form of purification.
    • Filtering. What filters do I have available? How do I use them? How much water can I filter before they need to be replaced? How do I backwash them? How do I replace the filter?

Food

You must provide sustenance for your group. The food you have stockpiled needs to be nutritious. In addition, it must be something that will be eaten by members of the group. Consider the likes and dislikes of your group as you prepare. Also consider any allergies your members may have. Two members of my group have life-threatening food allergies. When we store foods, we are careful to keep these allergens away from other foods.

What will you do when you have depleted your stockpiled foods? What do you want to supplement the nonperishables you have? Do you know how to make simple main dishes, sides, breads, and pasta? Do you know how to make some of those fun and special treats that lift our spirits?

  • Gardening:

    • How do I plant the heirloom seeds I have stored?
    • What are some natural ways to deter pests?
    • Is there a practical way to irrigate my garden?
    • How do I preserve my crops? Will I can, freeze, or dehydrate?
    • How do I do these?
    • How do I dry herbs for cooking and for medicinal purposes?

I have separate books for gardening. I felt this was too much information to be included in my Survival Information Binder. The only gardening information I have in it is that which is not covered in the gardening books.

  • Livestock and Animals:

    • How do I raise chickens, ducks, geese, cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, and swine?
    • What does my livestock eat? What information do I need to breed these animals?
    • What common illnesses or injuries does my livestock get, and how do I care for them?
    • How do I slaughter the animal, and how do I process the meat?
    • Do you know how to sharpen your knives?
    • How do I render lard? (Lard has many uses including cooking and as an ingredient for soap.)
    • How do I tan the animal hides?
    • Will I smoke, salt, dehydrate, freeze, or can the meat?
    • How do I make sure the eggs and milk are safe to consume?
    • How do I make cheese or butter?
    • Do you know how to raise bees?
    • Do you know how to make an efficient harvest of an animal when hunting and fishing?
    • Do you know how to safely dress and preserve the wild animals you have harvested?
  • Recipes, Cooking, and Baking:

    • Do you know how to make yeast breads, biscuits, and quick breads?
    • Do you know how to make pasta?
    • Can you make a cake or cookies from scratch?
    • Do you know how to make piecrust?
    • Do you know how to make cider vinegar?
    • Can you make pectin?
    • Do you have a good recipe for energy bars?
    • How do I cook outdoors?
    • How do I make and use an outdoor oven?

I am getting goats and honeybees next spring. Since I have no experience with either, I will get a book to help me with their care. I also have a camping cookbook. It contains simple recipes, and was a nice addition to my library.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: I have information listing the “shelf life” of the foods I have stored, and how I can identify when the food is no longer safe to consume.

Protection From The Elements

I have included all forms of protection in this section.

  • Shelter:

    • Heating and cooling

      • How do I build a fire?
      • How do I use and maintain my generator?
      • How do I use and maintain my kerosene heater?
      • How do I make simple repairs on my home and furnishings? (You may want a book for this.)
      • How do I repair a tent?
      • How do I build a simple shelter?
    • How do I use and maintain my oil and kerosene lamps?
    • How do I make candles?
  • Clothing:

    • How do I repair shoes, boots, and socks? Don’t forget to have extra shoes and boots, and anti-blister socks. You may be doing a lot of walking.
    • How do I make moccasins? (I just added this information. Thank you, James Wesley, Rawles. It had not occurred to me to add this.)
    • Can you sew, knit, or crochet? You may want a few patterns to help. Remember your clothes will wear out, and children grow.
  • Security: You need to decide what information to include here. Once again, please consult Patriots and popular blogs to assist you with this.

    • What do you need to know?
    • What might you need to make or build?
    • How will you maintain your security supplies?
    • The ability to coordinate security with other like-minded groups would be helpful.

    Please excuse my vagueness. I am sure you understand my reasons.

Healthcare

This is one area where a book or books will probably be necessary. I have books on basic and extended first aid; natural remedies; and booklets on asthma, which a few members of my group have. Remember, having a medical professional is best, but you may not have that luxury.

  • How do I make a homemade electrolyte drink?
  • Which foods and herbs have medicinal properties, and how do I use them?
  • What vitamins and supplements have healing properties? How do I use essential oils?
  • How do I recognize different types of infections, and which antibiotics cure them?
  • How can I heal infections without antibiotics? How do I care for a wound?
  • How do I stitch up a laceration? Can you diagnose common ailments?
  • Can you make a splint? What blood type does each individual in your group have?
  • Which blood types are compatible with which types? You hope you never need this, but you may. Be prepared. Minutes count.

Sanitation

Many illnesses are a result of poor sanitation. Make sure you are not a victim of this.

  • What will you do if your indoor plumbing is not functioning?
  • Can you build an outhouse, composting toilet, or other alternative?
  • Do you know how to make soap for dishes, laundry, and personal hygiene?
  • Do you know how to obtain the ingredients for your soap? Can you make lye?
  • Do you know how to render lard? How will you wash your clothes?
  • Do you know how to clean without store-bought cleaning products?
  • Do you know how to make homemade baby wipes?
  • Do you know how to make cloth diapers for any infants?

Communication

Communication will be crucial when TEOTWAWKI occurs. Once again I will be vague.

  • Keep written information on how to maintain and repair your communication equipment.
  • The ability to coordinate communications with other like-minded groups would be beneficial.

Transportation

It is important that we are able to quickly and efficiently move from one location to another. You may need to go on foot, by horse, or in a vehicle. Can you maintain and repair all of your vehicles?

  • This includes everything from changing a tire to engine repair.
  • How do you get fuel, and how is it best preserved?
  • Do you know how to care for your horses or other transportation animals?
  • How do you look for signs of a problem?
  • Do you know how to shoe your horse, or care for the hooves?

I have manuals for the maintenance and repair of all of my vehicles.

Bartering

Although it is not how-to information, I keep an ongoing list of items I have which may be used for bartering purposes.

Emotional Well-Being

The stresses of life can be difficult in the best of times. When TEOTWAWKI happens, we need to pay special attention to our own emotional health and the emotional health of our group members. This will be different for each person and group. Here is the list of supplies I have included in the “I’m Bummed” section of my binder to assist with cheering us up.

  • A pocket-sized Bible (This is also part of our BOBs.)
  • Inspirational books
  • Books for entertainment and enjoyment
  • Movies
  • CDs
  • Board games and card games

    You could list all of the books, movies, CDs, and games you have. I have not chosen to do this. I have each of these in their own place, so we always know where to find them.

  • I have a list of fun, old-fashioned games, and the directions for them.
  • I included recipes for some special treat foods that may be mood-boosters. These include easy, eggless cakes, cobblers, and cookies; and few-ingredients candies and icings.

Conclusion

Review your binder often, and laminate any documents that may need to be protected from the elements. (Will they get wet, bloody, or greasy? If so, laminate them or put them in plastic sheet protectors.) I try to think of how my grandparents and great-grandparents lived, (think Laura Ingalls and the Waltons and throw in a little Walking Dead for TEOTWAWKI good measure) then include this information in my Survival Information Binder. Every week I find more information that I need to add. By spending just a few minutes every few days on the Internet, I discover a new topic or skill that I feel is necessary to add. Sometimes I find a better resource for things I have already included. For instance, sometimes I find a better diagram that I include with the topic I already have covered.

Have someone who is unfamiliar with the task, read the information you have written. This person can tell you if you are being too vague or confusing. If so, make revisions. Do not argue with them. What is obvious to you was not obvious to them, and so it may not be to others either. Remember, you want the information to be simple enough to follow during a very stress-filled time. Do not let your ego get in the way of the survival of your loved ones.

Basically, your Survival Information Binder (or binders) has all of your how-to information in one easy-to-get-to place. Label and organize it in a way that is useful to you and your group members. You might even assign each member of your group to make his or her own section of information to include. I hope this article will inspire you to write down your information, and organize it in one convenient place. Have fun and make it your own, personal resource. May God bless you as you prepared for our unknown future.

Letter: Solar Sidewalk Lights

Hugh,

Preppers encourage others to buy several Aladdin lanterns, along with mantels, fuel, and more for the collapse. I think that is now old technology. It would be better to get a number of the solar lights people use along their sidewalks. Just over the last year or so, the technology has substantially improved, with lithium batteries, et cetera. They will last forever. In the great collapse, put them outside to collect solar power (making sure no one steals them), and then bring them in at night for light by which to read a good book! Incidentally, they will make good barter items. Preppers encourage others to collect 22 LRs, TP, and lots of other things, but I think these solar lights would make the best barter item of all. God bless and keep up the good work. – Chap

Economics and Investing:

$4.15 Per Pound: Ground Beef Climbs to Another Record High. – G.G.

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Multiemployer Program Posts Record Deficit, Single-Employer Shortfall Shrinks, PBGC Says. – G.G.

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Items from Mr. Econocobas:

Deformations On The Dealer Lots: How The Fed’s ZIRP Is Fueling The Next Subprime Bust

David Stockman: Take Cover Now – They Don’t Ring A Bell At The Top

Part-Time Jobs Putting Millions in Poverty or Close To It

Odds ‘n Sods:

The FBI Is Very Excited About This Machine That Can Scan Your DNA in 90 Minutes. – T.P.

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This is how preppers are treated in Germany. This guy built his basement as a safe bunker for his family, including food, air and water filtration, and other stuff. Some neighbor told the police (OPSEC!) and destroyed everything, because he stocked up on ammo. That’s not allowed there. He had no license. The site is in German, but you can use Google Translate to read it. – CDV

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New DHS immigration rules: Drunk drivers, sex abusers, drug dealers, gun offenders not top deportation priorities. – P.M.

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Intel boss’ warning on cyber attacks no joke, say experts. – M.H.

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When Guns are Outlawed, they go after Knives. – T.P.