Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation. In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts. If you’re not actively involved in getting what you want, you don’t really want it.” – Peter McWilliams

Notes for Wednesday – October 29, 2014

October 29th is the birthday of Vermont Garrison, fighter pilot, an American who fought in three wars– WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was born in 1915 and died February 14, 1994, in Mountain Home, Idaho. This is also the birthday of World War II cartoonist Bill Mauldin (born 1921, died January 22, 2003).

o o o

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.

Kids Can Earn Their Keep, by T.B.

There are so many things to consider when making your plans for when we arrive at TEOTWAWKI that it seems overwhelming at times. One of my own concerns is being able to take care of my grandchildren. My wife and I have five grandchildren (soon to be six) that live close enough that we would be expecting them to join us in the event of an economic or societal collapse. Thinking about that possibility has motivated me to stock up on books, games, crafts, toys, and so forth in order to keep them entertained and maybe a little distracted while we deal with the most serious issues at hand. However, just keeping the little ones entertained is not a viable and well thought-out plan. For kids to have a healthy view of themselves, just like adults, they need to experience setbacks as well as accomplishments, set and achieve goals, see themselves as needed and valued, and feel like they’re contributing. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of 25 things any kid can do to “earn their keep”. There are no doubt many more, but this might be a good start. With a little forethought and planning, you can provide an environment that will be healthy for kids in spite of the bad things happening all around them.

So here we go. Let’s start outdoors:

  1. Planting seeds and bulbs.

    Our grandkids absolutely love planting seeds, bulbs, and seedlings. They are more careful in their technique than many adults! Also, just the act of planting something gently and carefully gives them a feeling of accomplishment, especially when the first green shoots break through the soil.

  2. Pulling weeds!

    If you can develop the frame of mind in which the kids are “protecting” their seedlings, like a mother protects her baby, the kids will weed with a vengeance. One word of caution, however, is that the youngest children will have to be taught what’s good and what’s bad! The look on the face of a child when they find out that they pulled a “good” seedling is heart-wrenching! We use raised beds, and I swear we only have to give our garden two good weedings a year to keep our garden “clean”. So the dreaded job of weeding isn’t too bad, even for kids.

  3. Watering the garden.

    Again, valuable lessons can be learned about doing things appropriately and not to excess. Different plants have different needs, and children can learn these facts even while doing something as simple as watering the garden.

  4. Foraging for wild edibles.

    This job will require some training. If you do “hands-on” training, the kids will learn about taste and texture at the same time. If the area in which you live is relatively safe, the kids can forage on their own, although personally, I even escort our grandkids to the restroom when we’re dining out in a restaurant. So exercise good judgment.

  5. Feeding the poultry and/or livestock.

    What kid doesn’t like to feed the animals? It’s yet another opportunity to teach the lessons of kindness and protection, as well as appropriateness. We feed not too much, not too little, and in the right combinations. It’s a good chance to learn that there is a right way and wrong way to do just about everything. I’m not sure how to handle the issue of butchering your livestock. Do you let the kids name them? Have they become pets? These are issues you should consider before assigning the job of feeding to the children.

  6. Cleaning up the animal pens/chicken coop.

    This will probably never be considered “fun”, which means it can lead to a very valuable lesson for kids of all ages. There’s a reason they call it “work”! However, if you can show the kids the value of a clean pen or coop– healthier and happier animals, clean eggs, and safe meat– maybe they’ll be able to grasp one of the harsher realities of life. Good results require effort.

  7. Harvesting fruits and vegetables from the garden.

    This is probably the most rewarding activity that our grandkids enjoy at our house. In fact, whenever they visit, the first thing they want to do is race out back to the garden and start picking (and eating) whatever looks ripe. If we don’t call them in, they’ll just happily graze out there on their own. We’ve taught them about size and color and where to look for hidden treasure. Our grandson once hoisted in a huge zucchini that we had both missed. He was so proud of his trophy! Even for adults, this is the best part of gardening. It’s no wonder our ancestors celebrated harvest time with feasts!

  8. Processing the harvest.

    With some supervision, kids can learn to can the fruits and vegetables that have been harvested. Let them create their own combinations– soups, beans, sauces, veggie mixes. All sorts of possibilities present themselves. Also, don’t forget about drying your produce, such as herbs, fruit slices, tomatoes. Again, there are all sort of possibilities. Let the children use their imaginations. It won’t be the end of the world if they experience a few failures along the way. It’s all part of the learning (and growing) process.

  9. Saving seeds.

    This is one of those long-count learning experiences for kids. Not only do you have to collect and store the seeds, but then it’s another winter before you can plant and harvest the rewards for your efforts and patience. It’s similar to planting a fruit tree sapling. You can expect a long wait before you enjoy the fruit! However, this is another opportunity to teach patience and delayed gratification, which is something most children don’t seem to have anymore.

  10. Going fishing!

    I know, this is an easy one, right? However, there is a difference between “goin’ fishin’” and fishing to provide protein for the family/group, especially if society has collapsed and the environment is dangerous. You may have to enlist the kids to help with “stealth” fishing activities. This might mean quiet fishing at night. It might mean setting gill nets one night and then coming back the next to collect your catch. The point is that fishing might be a critical part of your family’s/group’s survival plan, and as such it would be an important contribution for any kid to make. For this one, I’d recommend practice. Practice now, while things are relatively peaceful and calm. You might have to exercise your skills someday under different circumstances.

  11. Hunting for small game.

    I own a .22 rifle, and I have also purchased a pellet rifle (stealthier), with the thought of someday allowing my grandkids to hunt for small game (if the area was sufficiently safe). In the tradition of the early settlers and even the Native Americans, I think any boy or girl would feel proud to come home to the homestead or encampment with meat for the pot. In our area, there are a lot of squirrels and rabbits and thousands of geese. We’ve been out to the gun range; once they got the hang of it, my grandsons shot the middle out of the target! I have no doubt that in TEOTWAWKI, they’ll be ready to contribute.

  12. Gathering firewood.

    We have stored away a few hundred pounds of charcoal, several tanks of propane, some kerosene, and firewood. When I talk about the kids collecting firewood, I’m not talking about logs; I’m talking about sticks! Have you built yourself a rocket stove yet? That, or something similar, will burn simple sticks and enable you to boil water or cook in a pan. So, yes, kids can contribute by collecting firewood. Their sticks can be used for cooking or even for building bigger fires by supplying the kindling. Every storm that blows through the neighborhood should be a signal that it is time to get ready by collecting sticks, everybody!

    We’re about half-way there! Now, let’s move inside:

  13. Building things.

    Do you need a step stool? Have the kids build one! Need a place to sit while weeding? Have the kids build you a small seat. Want a live trap to catch the chipmunks who are getting into your grain? Give the kids some screening and some boards, and see what happens. Yeah, when they get out the saw and hammer, you might want to do a little coaching, but I can still remember building boats as a kid and floating them in the ditch across the street in the springtime. Need a shelf built? Need a box to store things in? Need poles tied together for your beans? Ask a kid!

  14. Washing dishes.

    This one, and the next few, are generally considered “ugh” jobs. However, if you think about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness when we reach TEOTWAWKI, the following jobs are critical. Washing dishes is probably near the top of the hygiene list for a family or a group of people. If you have the opportunity, take your kids to a restaurant and let them tour the back kitchen. Let them see the steps that businesses have to take to protect their customers from bacteria and viruses. It’s sure to make an impression. This is a serious contribution to the health and well-being of the family/group!

  15. Drying dishes.

    The “dryer” is the quality control person. They are the last line of defense for the family/group in keeping germs away from the people using the dishes. The dryer may irritate the washer sometimes, so it might pay off to rotate the jobs on a regular basis!

  16. Washing clothes.

    This one might only work with older children, simply because it’s a pretty physical task. Washing clothes by hand isn’t easy! Wringing them out by hand is even harder. We have bought a commercial mop wringer just for this purpose. You need to get as much water out of the clothes as you can before hanging them out to dry.

  17. Hanging clothes out to dry.

    We’ve stocked up on clothes pins and clothesline for TEOTWAWKI, based on the assumption that we won’t have power to run our electric clothes dryer. Kids might have to work together to get this done, but that will just promote teamwork.

  18. Folding clothes and putting them away.

    I know it doesn’t sound like much, but I guarantee you the kids will feel a sense of accomplishment when the neat piles of clothes are done!

  19. Sweeping and mopping.

    This is another one that falls into the hygiene category. Especially if the family is working in the garden, canning, or even cooking, the house is going to collect dirt, grease, dust, et cetera. With our HVAC down because we have no power, our windows will be open, allowing all sorts of things to reach our floors. A white-glove test will probably encourage (and enlighten) anyone! So, stock up on bleach.

  20. Re-charging the batteries.

    This is a simple task, but it’s one that everyone hopes gets done! We have a small solar charger and a big box of re-chargeable batteries. Someone needs to be “in charge of charging”!

  21. Babysitting.

    You can use your own judgment as far as how old the babysitter needs to be. That might depend on individual maturity, experience, length of time the sitter needs to be on duty, proximity of the responsible adults, et cetera, but this is something a lot of older kids do already, so it definitely makes the list.

  22. Tending to the sick.

    This may involve reading books to them, feeding them (like soup or broth), helping the patient get more comfortable (extra pillow?), or just getting them a drink of water. The doctoring/nursing needs to be done by a trained expert, but there are lots of little things that can be provided by a brother or sister; they fill an important role just being good company.

  23. Cooking!

    Kids can start small by heating up a can of soup, for example, but as they are trained in safety and techniques kids can actually do a lot in the kitchen. Let them have a crack at the cookbooks. You might be surprised!

  24. Writing.

    I’m talking about keeping a log– a family diary. Have a kid or kids write down the history as it happens. ”Today the power went out, and we lit the oil lamps. The lighting is softer than electric.” “Last night, we caught 23 fish in our net. We had a fish-fry tonight with our cousins. They are all living with us now.” Get the idea? Not only will it be an opportunity for the kids to express how they are feeling in this upside-down world, but it will provide the family the opportunity down the road to look back and see where they’ve been and what they’ve lived through. It is your family’s history, written as it happened.

  25. Finally, learning.

    Done right, all of these things will be learning experiences, but there’s more. Don’t forget math, science, and reading, and all of the other school-type lessons. We have flash cards, a microscope, a telescope, and a whole library of books on all sorts of subjects. We have technical manuals, a drafting table and tools, and a manual typewriter. Don’t overlook education for after TEOTWAWKI. It may be our only hope for the survival of our species!

Well, there you have it. My list of 25 things kids can do to earn their keep. I’m sure there are more, and I hope to hear some of them from other contributors!

Letter Re: Question on Audiobook Formats for Liberators

Hello Jim, I purchased your latest novel Liberators last week and have just now received it. Forgive my lack of modern tech-no-media; however, the CD I ordered was the new MP3 format, which none of my older devices can play. Do you offer a traditional CD set? Dealing directly with Amazon is a pain sometimes, so I was hoping you might be able to advise me. Best Regards, – Steve G.

JWR Replies: Sorry, but I don’t sell any CDs directly. You can listen to your existing MP3 CD with just about any laptop computer, or on newer car stereos. Or, if your car stereo has an iPod cord jack, you can copy the book MP3 files onto your iPod, and then plug it in to your car stereo’s external audio source jack.

You MIGHT be able to have a large bookstore (such as Borders) exchange your MP3 CD for a multi-CD (standard CD) boxed set. There is about a $10 price difference. If the package seal isn’t broken, you can also ask Amazon.com for a UPS “call tag”, to exchange it.

Economics and Investing:

In some regions, a top quality metal detector might be a good investment:

Massive 6.07 Pound Gold Nugget Found In California

o o o

Here’s a major risk you’re probably taking without even knowing it (and how to stop it) – S.B.

o o o

Items from Mr. Econocobas:

ECB – 25 Banks Not Strong Enough To Withstand Another Crisis

Can’t Find Any Inflation? Here’s A Place To Start

Pending Home Sales in U.S. Increase Less Than Forecast

Hundreds Give Up U.S. Passports After New Tax Rules Start

JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books

The Foxfire Book series (in 11 volumes, but the first five are the best.)

When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance, Sustainability, and Surviving the Long Emergency by Matthew Stein (SurvivalBlog’s Backcountry Editor)

Fiction

Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys (Plague total wipe-out scenario. This book influence me as a writer.)

Movies

Raiders of the Lost Ark (The later installments in the Indiana Jones movies aren’t nearly as good.)

Groundhog Day

Odds ‘n Sods:

Ebola can survive on surfaces for almost TWO MONTHS: Tests reveal certain strains survive for weeks when stored at low temperatures

o o o

This is the nurse that was angry that Gov. Christie mandated a quarantine for her and others returning from Africa: Ebola Nurse’s Ties to CDC Scrubbed From Website – Is Far Left Progressive & Obama Supporter – T.P.

o o o

Video: Dr. Samati: We’ve Had 230 Doctors Die From Ebola in Africa – Don’t Know Why. – R.G.

o o o

Ebola Virus Outbreak. – ShepherdFarmerGeek

“The group was stoned and found hidden in the village’s septic tank,” according to the dispatch, which did not say how many people died in the incident. “The reason for the killings is unknown. It is likely the villagers murdered the group fearing they would be diagnosed with Ebola and removed to quarantine…”

Hugh Adds: How does a country effectively fight an epidemic among such a superstitious population? It’s a hard position. Do you violate a person’s God-ordained rights and force them to receive medical care or do you just wall the village off?

o o o

More Evidence the Government Hacked Sharyl Attkisson’s Computer. – M.P.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” – Winston Churchill

Notes for Tuesday – October 28, 2014

Sadly, the end of an era is upon us: Ol’ Remus has decided to retire from the Woodpile Report.

o o o

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.

Ebola Unafraid: A Preliminary Ebola Treatment Protocol, by ShepherdFarmerGeek – Part 2

1

PROPOSED EBOLA TREATMENT PROTOCOL Disclaimer: There are many foods and supplements with antiviral properties; some of them are common (Garlic[2]), some of them are exotic (Star Anise[3]). What I’ve tried to do with the recommendations below is focus on the most common and highly recommended. Nobody knows what will work against Ebola, so try your own favorites to see what you can tolerate when ill. None of this is “medical advice” for purposes of federal obfuscation and interference. Consult your doctor, who will have no idea what to do. The information below is not exhaustive; it is not authoritative; and it is untested. Do your own research and be responsible for making your own decisions. I have no personal interest or investment in any product or item mentioned.

I wrote this up for my own use and for my family’s use. If it can help you, then great, but these are my personal notes that I’ve modified a bit for others to use. You have a favorite herb or supplement? Make your own treatment plan. If new research comes out about some product, add it to your protocol. If the CDC or WHO or UN announces dosage recommendations for melatonin or some other medication, follow those guidelines. However, until then, we’re on our own.

Before Exposure

Before exposure, once Ebola is in your region / town[5], review hand hygiene practices[6] and begin taking the following:

  1. Elderberry extract, low dose (1 or 2tsp or lozenge), daily
  2. Daily multivitamin (includes zinc)
  3. Vitamin D3 @ 4,000 units/day (2 gel caps with Costco brand)[7]
  4. Vitamin C @ 1,000mg/day (2 500mg tablets, divided morning & evening)
  5. 5. Milk Thistle / Silymarin[8] 1 capsule at bedtime
  6. Probiotics[9]
  7. Garlic oil capsules as directed or desired (fresh crushed garlic with food is best![10])

List musical preferences, audio books (Bible reading), radio stations, books, games and hobbies, et cetera for morale if incapacitated. (You will need to dispose of equipment and books afterwards.) Review your Will and Power of Attorney paperwork for medical care. Make sure you have plenty of blankets and sheets on hand, bed pads, pillows, thermometer, heavy re-usable rubber/plastic gloves, trash can, and construction-sized trash bags, towels and paper towels, and bleach. Review hygiene plans[11]. Pick a spot to burn/bury your medical waste. If you really want to be efficient, dig the hole in advance, keeping it as far away from your well head as possible. Have lime on hand to dust waste. Have small water bottles on hand (lightweight) with caps with straw holes, bottle holders, straws, and 11 one-gallon water bottles to make ORS. Then, fill small bottles in the hot zone. (Discard gallon; don’t reuse!)[12]

If Someone Is Showing Possible Signs of Illness

Consume high-nutrition, low/no sugar foods and coconut oil (at least 1 Tbs/day)[13]. Also, eat fresh garlic, follow excellent hydration practice, and engage in moderate exercise1. If medical care is still available GO TO THE HOSPITAL. (Call first to see where they want you to go, which entrance to use, et cetera.) Take your supplements with you and insist that the hospital allow your patient to take them; they should not interfere with the supportive treatment they will provide. Take along the melatonin treatment article, in case they are unfamiliar with that approach. Someone should stay with the patient (outside of isolation) to be a patient advocate (be prepared to stay). Be firm with the hospital staff. If treatment collapses, be prepared to take your patient back home and continue treatment there.[4] Pray. No, seriously, pray. If you don’t know where to start, just talk with God about what these verses say to you: Philippians 4:6; Psalm 18:2, 27:14, 46:1-3; Isaiah 41:13, 43:2.

Upon Suspected Exposure but No Symptoms

You may not have symptoms for 8-10 days after exposure to the virus. (On average, symptoms could be delayed for as long as 21 days)[14] Begin taking the following:

  1. Elderberry to full recommended dosage (usually 2 tsp four times a day, depends on the brand, might add more)
  2. Daily multivitamin
  3. Vitamin D3 @ 10,000 units/day
  4. Vitamin C @ 5,000 mg/day[15] (NOTE! A lot of Vitamin C can trigger diarrhea or loose stools, so lower your dose until the diarrhea stops)
  5. Increase Milk Thistle / Silymarin to 2 capsules (morning and evening),
  6. Probiotics
  7. Fresh crushed garlic with meals, as much as can be tolerated[16]
  8. Vitamin A, follow directions
  9. Olive Leaf extract capsules, follow directions[17]

Add to the supplements being given above:

  • Colloidal silver solution as directed on bottle, separated from probiotics by several hours or you’ll just kill off your probiotics[18]
  • Zinc @ 50mg/day
  • One gel cap of Vitamin E (no dosing recommendation), AND
  • a Tbs of granulated Lecithin[19] with your twice-daily Silymarin capsule
  • Seriously consider other supplements such as Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astragalus, Kan Jang, Andrographis Paniculata, Feverfew, et cetera. Follow the directions on the bottle or package.

Consume high-nutrition foods, coconut oil (4 Tbs/day minimum), fresh garlic, and pure water for excellent hydration. Also engage in moderate exercise (walking).

Live in semi-quarantine environment: dust mask WITHOUT exhalation valve (unless walking outside by yourself), no touching items outside of sick room, temperature checks throughout the day, unless outdoors walking for exercise or reading/fresh air/sunlight, should be in sickroom.

Symptoms Present or Positively Exposed

When symptoms start or when positively exposed to Ebola, symptoms are mild and non-specific to Ebola for 5-6 days. The symptoms may just resemble a cold or flu, and you won’t know for sure (without testing) until around day six.

  1. Stop Elderberry after you’ve had symptoms for four days[20]
  2. Daily multivitamin, if tolerated
  3. Vitamin D @ 50,000 units if tolerated[21]
  4. Vitamin C (If you already know what dose triggers loose stools, do not exceed that dose.)
  5. Increase Milk Thistle / Silymarin to four capsules/day (two morning, two evening) + Vitamin E + 1 Tbs Lecithin
  6. Probiotics
  7. Fresh, crushed garlic with meals, as much as can be tolerated. If fresh cannot be tolerated, then try garlic capsules.
  8. Colloidal silver, follow directions
  9. Zinc @ 50mg
  10. Vitamin A[22] @ 8,000 IU (160% RDA)

Grind tablets between two spoons (or use a mortar and pestle). Mix crushed tablets with soups/broth or Oral Rehydration Solution (recipe found later in article). This should be tolerated better than swallowing a bunch of pills. Spread supplements out throughout the day.

Add the following to the supplements being given above: (Note: there are prescription medications that probably do a better job, but these are the over-the-counter meds that are available to all of us now.)

  • Melatonin 20mg every 6 hours (4x/day). This supplement could be a big deal in treating Ebola. Read the Endnotes![23]
  • Opiates, if available, for muscle pain (NOT aspirin, Aleve, or Ibuprofin, as these all cause bleeding.) Tylenol’s normal dose (but see important Endnote!)[24]
  • Loperamide for diarrhea, follow directions[25]
  • Meclazine for nausea[26], follow directions (Ginger root tea might help as well! Or try Emetrol, a phosphorated carbohydrate solution[27])
  • Consider starting Vitamin K2 supplementation (see Point 5, below)
  • Push hydration, not just water but Oral Rehydration Solution (see the recipe below)
  • Use portable potty (and liners, on a tarp) in sickroom

During illness, maintain full isolation and proper hygiene. Also, assist as needed with music/morale support. Patient should consume easy-to-digest, high-nutrition food, served in frequent small meals, if possible; include coconut oil and eggs, as well as Bone Broth.

Recipe for WHO Oral Rehydration Solution[28]

  • Table Salt (NaCl) 1/2 tsp.*
  • Salt Substitute (KCl) 1/2 tsp.*
  • [Potassium Chloride] Baking Soda 1/2 tsp.
  • Table Sugar 2 tablespoons
  • Tap Water 1 Liter (= 1 Qt. + 2 tablespoons)

Chill. This solution can be served with fresh lemon squeezed into it. One can also mix it with Crystal Light or “sugar-free Kool-Aid”. (Don’t use regular Kool-Aid, as it requires extra sugar that can worsen diarrhea.)

If Patient Dramatically Worsens

At about day six, some people begin to get better while most dramatically worsen. As of this writing (October 2014) the mortality rate is 7 out of 10 die, but that is based on the large number of basically untreated patients in Africa. We do not know enough about what the mortality rate can be for a patient who is receiving excellent supportive care. Do NOT give up hope!

  1. Discontinue the elderberry, if you haven’t already. Ebola stimulates your immune system to release dangerous amounts of immune system cytokines, and elderberry may make that worse. Continue all supplements and drugs, as tolerated.
  2. If all food/ORS is being vomited up, then experiment with eliminating one supplement/drug at a time, and then multiples, to try to identify if the problem is one or a few of the supplements. Give as many as can be tolerated.
  3. Increase melatonin to 20mg every 4 hours (6x/day), ground and mixed with ORS.
  4. Give Oral Rehydration Solution in small sips as frequently as possible. Also, use IV rehydration, if possible

Add the following:

  • Superoxide dismutase (SOD), follow directions[29]
  • Oxygen supplementation if possible
  • “Cholera bed” if diarrhea is uncontrollable or patient is too weak to use portable toilet by bed[30]
  • Antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. Don’t let them get away from you and make things worse, but realize that antibiotics do NOT treat Ebola virus infections.
  • Vitamin K2[31], follow directions. The human body uses it to regulate blood clotting. Note also if you’re giving antibiotics, they can reduce the levels of Vitamin K and Vitamin C in the blood. Don’t wait for uncontrolled bleeding to start, supplement with K2 when you start antibiotics.

Maintain hygiene: wash to prevent rash[32], treat secondary infections topically and internally Frequently turn patient (every couple of hours during the day) to avoid pressure sores[33]. Provide music and morale support.

Provide patient with liquid food supplementation, such as bone broth[34], soups, Ensure[35] or similar medical liquid food[36], coconut oil, and mashed or blended easy-to-digest food.

Warnings

Be aware of three more things:

  1. Ebola patients in the final stages of this illness can become confused and agitated. They might grab at your face/respirator or your gloved hands or thrash. They might still be able to get up and move around somewhat. This is an added complication that you’re going to have to prepare for, and one more reason to have your equipment firmly attached to your body.
  2. The body of an Ebola patient is highly contagious for many hours and maybe longer, and every fluid that comes off it and out of it is deadly dangerous. Don’t assume that if they’ve died that the virus is dead as well.
  3. If your patient has died, I’m very sorry for your loss. This has been a traumatic experience for you, but you must stay focused long enough to finish decontamination and make no rash decisions. It will take time, up to a year or so, for you to sort out your loss and work through your emotions. Give yourself time. Get help; find a pastor or counselor. No one should have to face the death of a loved one alone.[37]

PLEASE READ THESE ENDNOTES. There is valuable information here, and at least give a quick look over the pages that the Internet links lead to:

References


[1]http://www.naturalnews.com/047232_ebola_natural_immunity_virus.html


[2]http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00364


[3]http://www.livestrong.com/article/367860-health-uses-benefits-and-risks-of-star-anise/


[4]http://www.biodefense.com/ is an audio series you can download as MP3 files to listen to offline. They will give you an exhaustive look at preparing for and treating Ebola in a non-hospital setting. See also http://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21878


[5]The measures in this first category might need to be done for many months while Ebola works its way through the population. We just want to prime the immune system, not keep it at Red Alert level.


[6]http://clinidirect.co.uk/knowledge-centre/21/hand-washing/0/16/patient-carer-section AND http://www.pathtoradianthealth.com/PathToRadiantHealth/For%20Your%20Health/Health%20Tips/Most-Frequently-Missed-Areas-Hand-Washing.html AND https://survivalblog.com/personal-hygiene-in-a-biowarfa/


[7]http://www.naturalnews.com/024982.html


[8]http://www.lef.org/magazine/2014/1/novel-method-boosts-milk-thistle-liver-concentration-10-fold/page-01


[9]http://www.naturalnews.com/026265.html keeping your good bowel bacteria healthy is essential


[10]Take a garlic oil capsule when your meals that day cannot include fresh garlic


[11]Make a written PLAN, step-by-step, of how you’re going to “gown up” and enter the sickroom and how to take your protective equipment off so it doesn’t get contaminated. This usually takes two people. Focus on good respiratory protection, good eye protection, good gloves (and Nitrile disposable under-gloves), and splash protection for your clothes.


[12]As much as possible we want disposable items that go into the hot zone and don’t need to be taken back out, but can just be discarded once contaminated.


[13]http://www.naturalnews.com/026624_oil_coconut.html


[14]http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/clinician-information-us-healthcare-settings.html gives information about the symptoms and the course of the disease


[15]http://blog.drbrownstein.com/what-can-you-do-to-preventtreat-ebola/


[16]Fresh is always better than capsules!


[17]http://drhoffman.com/article/olive-leaf-extract-2/


[18]http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/hi-ho-silver/ while there are NO studies that would support the use of silver as an antibiotic (read the article), with Ebola we’re in uncharted waters. Since moderate doses aren’t going to harm you it’s probably something I would try if I knew I was infected. Lots of people swear by it.


[19]To add the phosphatidylcholine referenced in endnote “viii”


[20]We’ve used Elderberry to prime the immune system with cytokines but once (if) symptoms turn severe it’s partially due to an OVERproduction of cytokines and we don’t want Elderberry to contribute to that problem


[21]Long term high-dose Vitamin D can start to accumulate in a person’s body and become toxic. Use this high dose only when symptoms are severe.


[22]Vitamin A is another oil-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in the body, it is not as strongly associated with fighting viruses as high dose vitamin D, but it has a role in fighting infections.


[23]http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpi.12186/pdf AND http://books.google.com/books?id=945qBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78&dq=%22Melatonin:+Therapeutic+value+and+Neuroprotection%22+sepsis&source=bl&ots=H2BOQDXhmZ&sig=pX9F8qrN-Mhe5d3EzJIvZj5l604&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YE09VO64Io6togT1iIHQBA&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Melatonin%3A%20Therapeutic%20value%20and%20Neuroprotection%22%20sepsis&f=false AND http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5838/rr/765484


[24]Fever helps inactivate viruses, but too high of a fever is a destructive over-reaction by the patient’s immune system. Keep their temperature under 103 with Tylenol, cool towels or fans. Exceeding the maximum Tylenol dosage is toxic to the liver under normal circumstances. It. Kills. Your. Liver. There are no studies of administering Tylenol to Ebola patients, whose livers are already stressed and diseased, so it’s possible that even normal Tylenol doses could become toxic. If the patient is not getting pain relief from a regular dose, I recommend just stopping Tylenol all together. What they really need (I suppose) are opiate painkillers to do any good.


[25]We don’t want to stop the diarrhea entirely. It’s the body’s tool for flushing the virus and toxins from the digestive tract. But too much diarrhea can seriously dehydrate your patient, and that can be deadly all by itself.


[26]http://www.drugs.com/comments/meclizine/for-nausea-vomiting.html and http://ear.emedtv.com/meclizine/what-is-meclizine-used-for.html It’s not just for motion sickness!


[27]http://emetrol.com/


[28]See http://clearingmyemptynest.blogspot.com/2009/02/oral-rehydration-solution-homemade.html You can also buy it premixed, in packets, if you have a huge budget, at places like http://www.moreprepared.com/emergency-preparedness-supplies/oral-rehydration-salt-packet.html?gclid=CLbA1p6Hr8ECFQemaQodfGoA7w


[29]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9071427 Notice it needs to be combined with lecithin (which you should already be taking with your milk thistle.


[30]A “cholera bed” (Google it for a picture) is a cot with a large round hole cut into the fabric to allow the patient to discharge their diarrhea into a bucket or tub placed below the cot. Commercial cholera beds have reinforcement around the hole to be sure the material doesn’t tear. Some commercial beds are padded – you might try a foam camping pad glued to a plywood sheet. Make sure the cot is tall enough to put a bucket under it!


[31]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_K


[32]A zinc oxide cream like Desitin might help prevent or treat “diaper rash”


[33]http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/pressure-sores-treatment-overview


[34]http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9890/10-benefits-of-bone-broth-gut-healing-recipe.html


[35]Ensure is mostly corn oil and sugar, NOT ideal. But it might be the only thing you have on hand that your patient will sip.


[36]http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/resource-2.0-medical-food-complete-liquid-nutrition-vanilla/ID=prod3085033-product


[37]http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-death/

Letter Re: Meat Prices Soar While Deer Populations Explode

Hugh,

Regarding the article on deer hunting and the taste of venison:

The taste of venison is highly dependent on field handling, competent processing of the meat, as well as cooking technique, as the writer noted. It is also dependent on the sex and age of the animal; younger is better, does (female) are better. It is also dependent on the diet; I have heard that sage in the diet worsens the taste.

Both mule deer does we have shot in the past several years were delicious and not at all gamey. Both were reasonably clean kills (no adrenalin pumped through meat due to wounded animal running away), field dressed (gutted) immediately, cavity and external body packed in ice within two hours, and deer was at the game processor within six hours. Ideally, they should have been skinned to cool the meat further, but if you are not skilled this can be difficult.

Both processors we have used have been great; we got nicely trimmed meat and no gristle in the burger. Ask other hunters who is good. We prefer 15% beef fat to 85% venison ground meat ratio; you can get 0%, 5%, or 10% also. Lower fat ratio is fine for chili/soups, but it is not that good for a hamburger, since venison is very lean. No salt water or other type of soaking has ever been needed for taste or tenderness purposes. Get a good game cookbook and do not overcook your steaks/roasts. (Ground meat in chili/soups and hamburger patty with fat added is fine to cook to well done.)

I would encourage giving deer hunting and venison a try. It does not have to taste gamey!

Thanks for all the great articles. – Colorado hunters

News From The American Redoubt:

Hunters Be Cautious While Hunting Near Marias Pass

A wounded grizzly bear in HD 415 near Marias Pass is cause for hunters to take extra caution while hunting and removing animals from the field.

o o o

Special Ebola team and ambulance ready for patients in Ada – RBS

o o o

Officials say 3 teens downed power lines in Kuna – RBS

o o o

Troopers used cell phone to track human trafficking victim

o o o

Montana man shoots and kills 3-year-old while playing game of ‘gun tag’

o o o

Judge fines irrigation district and manager $600K

Odds ‘n Sods:

For our readers who speak Spanish, here is a recent fairly sensationalized article from Spain’s El Periodico:

Listos para el fin del mundo

La América conspiratoria

Gobiernos mundiales totalitarios. Campos de concentración para internar a la ciudadanía. Políticos que son la encarnación del Anticristo. Parecen elementos de una película de ciencia ficción, pero millones de estadounidenses creen que estas ideas son ciertas y algunos se preparan activamente para sobrevivir al colapso de la civilización.

A choppy automatic translation is available here.

o o o

Off-grid German village banks on wind, sun, pig manure – G.G.

o o o

15 Signs That We Live During A Time Of Rampant Government Paranoia. – B.B.

o o o

Black Panther hails ax attack on cops. – T.P.

o o o

21 Days – E.B.

“An expert in biological warfare warns against complacency in public measures against Ebola.”

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” – Frank Zappa