Notes from JWR:

Today is birthday of Alexis de Tocqueville, born 1805. He died 16 April 1859.

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I heard that ownership of Naturally Cozy has successfully changed hands. The new owners (also a small, home-based family operation) have picked up making the products with no interruption in order processing. They will continue to sponsor our non-fiction writing contest, just like their predecessors.

Harry’s Book Review: The Wayward Journey, by Nathan Hale Jefferson

Book Title: The Wayward Journey (Volume 1)
Author: Nathan Hale Jefferson
Copyright Date: 2013
Publisher: Abundant Future Media
ISBN: 978-0989319904
Audio, e-book or foreign translation avail? Yes–Kindle edition of The Wayward Journey
Suitable for children? Teens and up.

The Wayward Journey is a story in which a natural disaster is piled on top of a growing disaster of financial mismanagement. There is not much in this novel which requires significant stretching of the imagination. In this story John, Margaret and their two children are struggling to make ends meet in an America which is burdened with both high inflation and high unemployment. John has a job, but it entails travel to remote locations for the reviewing of plans and construction of oil rigs. It is not an ideal job for a family man, and Margaret is not at all happy about it when John has to travel, but it is the best they can manage given the circumstances.

The story opens with John having to head out west to check out a string of projects. He has arranged things so that he can use his time as efficiently as possible and be home again soon. Margaret is worried because the national financial situation is deteriorating, and it is a justified concern. While John is on the trip the government decides to give everyone in the country a bonus benefit rebate (read: additional cash in their checking accounts), but then makes a mistake and gives many people ten times the amount of money intended. This of course does wonders for the inflationary cycle, spurred on to even greater heights as people try to spend the money before the government can claw it back. It is on top of this economic mess that a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on the New Madrid fault is added, devastating the midwest and plunging the entire nation into chaos. And of course, John is stuck a long, long way from home.

In reading the story I found myself viewing it as the inverse of William Forstchen’s One Second After. This is what it would be like to be one of the people out on the road, just hoping for a safe place to rest and a bite to eat. But John is a refugee who no one wants, or at least, no one wants for purposes of good. In addition to chronicling John’s journey, the author intersperses chapters which detail what is going on at John’s home while he is not there. The author does a good job of showing how society deteriorates both on the road and at home. What I thought was best done was the depiction of how neighbors who were just fine to live around so long as society was functioning smoothly could so quickly devolve into life threatening menaces.

SPOILERS AHEAD! The family in which the parents have handed off the raising of the children to schools, television and the video game industry reveal their lack of true character development when their spoiled brats become the neighborhood vandals. And the father who hasn’t been a real father responds to his children’s misbehavior by attacking the messenger. Then there is the neighbor whose background we are not given, but whose development of an empire is driven by an unscrupulous, psychopathic mind. His capacity for manipulation and deceit is the sort of thing no one wants to dwell on, but the progression of his acts is within character for human nature. It is on the home front that this book best portrays the descent into chaos. On John’s journey the cast of characters is continually changing, but at home the cast is fixed. While the characters John meets become progressively harder and more violent it is hard to pin down the causes and motivations for this behavior. At home however, the development of aggression and violence can be followed from one fault to the next, all along a path which is within the scope of human nature and which underscores the value of true character. When I got to within the last fifty pages or so I began to wonder how the author was going to wrap this book up in so few remaining pages. Be advised that it’s a good thing the book opens with a note about the sequel coming available: It does not end with a tidy wrap up, but rather leaves the reader hanging, looking for the next chapter. Not entirely a bad thing for a capitalist to do, but consider yourself advised in advance.

My copy of this story was a [pre-release] PDF, and it still needed some final editing touches for the sake of some grammar and spelling details, but nothing was so bad that it seriously detracted from the telling. I believe this is the author’s first book, and as such he is off to a strong start. Language is kept as clean as possible while still portraying bad guys as who they are. The most graphic of violence is largely left to the reader’s imagination (the results of gunshots being the most vividly described violence.) Overall, it is a book which I can recommend to the SurvivalBlog audience, and I hope Nathan Hale Jefferson is already pretty far along with Part II.

Pat’s Product Review: Stevens Model 350 Shotgun

There’s not a week that goes past, that I don’t hear from someone asking me “what’s the best gun for home defense…” and I can’t give a pat answer to that question. First of all, what does a person mean by “home defense?” Secondly, what are your physical abilities – or disabilities – when it comes to handling a firearm? What is your budget? What is your skill level with any firearm? And, the list goes on and on. So, as you can see, there is no single or easy answer to what is the best gun for home defense. And, no matter how I try, I can’t convince most people that there is no one answer to this question – there is no “best” gun for home defense. And, if I recommend this gun or that gun, I’ll enter into an endless debate with someone, and I don’t have the time to do this. We are all entitled to our opinions and views on this subject.
 
I often recommend some type of “riot” shotgun for home defense, and we are talking about a 12 gauge shotgun with a barrel length of around 18-inches to 18.5-inches – something that is a bit easier to handle in the close confines of your home or a hallway. Sporting shotguns with long barrels aren’t recommended because you can maneuver them easily in close quarters. I own several “riot” shotguns, and I enjoy shooting them all. I live in a very rural area, and if someone is breaking into my home, the local sheriff might be a long time in arriving, so I take the safety of myself and my family as my own responsibility. And, “yes” I do keep a handgun as my “bedroom” gun, however, within easy reach is a shotgun.
 
Many shotguns made today come with an aluminum receiver, and I own several like this. However, my favorite shotgun is my Stevens Model 350 for several reasons. First of all, it has an all-steel receiver – which means it’s heavier and can take a lot more abuse. Secondly, the 350 is very close to the famed Ithaca Model 37 shotgun, that has a bottom eject feature, unlike other shotguns, that eject from the side of the receiver. Nothing “wrong” with a side ejection shotgun, I just like the bottom ejection feature of the 350. Yes, this makes the 350 a bit heavier than some other shotguns – it weighs in around 8-pounds unloaded, this is good and bad. The good part is, it helps tame recoil, the bad is, well….the gun is heavier to carry. However, I don’t plan on an extended romp in the boonies with this shotgun – it is reserved for home defense. Also, the 350 is a pump-action shotgun, and they are very reliable, and not complicated, like some semi-auto shotguns are to get that first round chambered.
 
The 350 is parkerized in a nice gray/black finish – tough stuff. The furniture is black synthetic polymer, which makes if ideal for my area, where wood stocks can swell from all the rain and moisture in the air. There is also a rifle-style front sight and ghost ring rear sight, and if you’ve never used a ghost ring rear sight on a shotgun, you are missing out on how fast and how much more accurate you can shoot – all things considered – with a shotgun… What a ghost ring rear sight does is, it allows you to focus on the front sight, while the ghost ring rear sight is “ghostly” in appearance – it is a bit fuzzy is maybe a better way to describe it. Still, it is VERY fast to acquire a good sight picture. The safety is easy to reach, and so is the slide release – on some shotguns, you have to change your hold on the gun to push on the slide release – not good! I keep my 350 magazine tube loaded with 5-rounds of 00 buckshot, and the chamber is empty. I also keep the slide closed (locked) so I either have to pull the trigger to unlock the slide (not good) or I can simply push on the slide release to pump the slide and chamber the first round – the smart way to do it.
 
I also keep a side-saddle magazine holder on the left side of the receiver, and it holds 6 extra rounds of 00 buckshot for me. I’m going to add another side-saddle magazine holder on the right side of the polymer butt stock. I could add another on the right side of the receiver, but that will just add more weight that I don’t need. With 5 rounds in the magazine tube, and 6 more rounds on the receiver, and when I add the other carrier on the right side of the butt stock, that will give me 17-rounds on-hand, with reloads. If that doesn’t get me out of trouble, then I’m in deeper than I can possibly be.
 
The 350 is easy to load and shoot, although the trigger pull is a bit heavy, then again, we are talking about a shotgun, and not a long-range precision high-power rifle, where pin-point accuracy is called for. So, the heavy trigger isn’t a handicap as far as I’m concerned. I can fire 5-rounds in about 2.5-seconds from the 350, and that’s fast shooting, and I can hit my target out to 25-yards…no trick to this, other than to practice.
 
I have had zero failures to feed, function and eject with the 350, and the action is fairly easy to operate, too – some pump-action shotguns require a pretty aggressive “pump” to load and ejection rounds and when you tie-up a pump-action shotgun, you are in serious trouble, it takes time – a lot of time – to clear a double-feed. And, I keep the 350 loaded with only 00 buckshot – I live in a rural area, so I don’t worry too much about over penetration – my guest house is next door, however, should I have a break-in, it will come from a direction opposite of my guest house. If you live in a big city or have neighbors next door, you might want to consider using bird shot, or a #4 shot for self-defense – in the confines of your house, this will get the job done – as most shootings take place at very close distances – yes, 00 buck is better, but you have to balance all things, and take into account where you live and the danger of over penetration. Just something to think about – now you see why I can’t give anyone a pat answer, as to what is the “best” gun or ammo for home defense?
 
I recently received the Alpha Tech Shotgun Flashlight Mount, for testing for an article, and I thought it would make a perfect product to add to my Stevens Model 350 shotgun. Without going into the details, on how easy it is to install this flashlight shotgun mount on your shotgun, you can find complete information on their web site. Now, I’ve tried some other flashlight mounts on my shotguns, and while they worked, they weren’t to my satisfaction – not durable enough, and many simply clamp onto the barrel. The Alpha Tech Shotgun Mount is a bit different, in that, it attaches to the magazine tube – again, I’m not going into details – you can find complete info on their web site, but it only takes a couple minutes to install this mount. And, it is made out of steel, and black in color, with a sling adaptor on it, too. There is a “ring” for installing your flashlight, and you need a tactical flashlight that has a barrel of 1-inch – and that is easy to find. It only takes a few minutes to get this whole thing up and running.
 
Now, this particular Alpha flashlight mount wasn’t designed for the Stevens 350, because of the set-up in relationship to the barrel/magazine/disassembly tube set-up, I was able to tinker with it, and make it fit on the 350, with a shim. While not the perfect set-up, it works. I could have put the mount on my Maverick shotgun – and it fits – however, I wanted it on my 350. Alpha Tech is in the process of developing mounts for other shotguns. Contact them for details to see if they have a mount that will fit your shotgun.
 
If you are planning on using a shotgun for home defense, I highly recommend you  have some type of flashlight mounted on it for several reasons. Firs of all, it helps you ID an intruder, secondly it can blind the intruder, and it helps you get on target in the dark – since you can’t see your front sight in the dark. Right now, the Alpha Tech Shotgun Flashlight Mount is made to fit many shotguns, including the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 and many others. They are in the process of making one that will fit on the Winchester line-up of shotguns, too – check with them to see if they have a mount for your particular shotgun.
 
I found the Alpha Tech mount to be well-built, and very solid. I fired several boxes of ammo through my Stevens Model 350, and the mount showed no signs of coming loose. Full retail for the mount is $48.50 and a worthy accessory to complement your shotgun for home defense. It’s also a great mount for law enforcement officers to have on their shotgun they have in their patrol cars.
 
So, with the Stevens Model 350 and the Alpha Tech mount, and a good tactical (bright) flashlight, I’m pretty confident that should I have to use my shotgun at night, I can ID my attacker(s) and I have a shotgun that is totally reliable. The Stevens Model 350 is hard to pin down as far as price goes – so many sporting goods shops and gun shops discount Stevens shotguns, it’s hard to come up with a price. I believe you can find a brand-new one for around $300 give or take a few bucks, and it’s a great deal, on a shotgun that will give you a lifetime without problems. And, just because this shotgun is made in China doesn’t take anything away from the quality – you can get as good as you want from China. I don’t especially enjoy contributing to the Red Chinese government, however in this case, I’ll make an exception. So, if you’re in the market for a good affordable pump-action 12-gauge shotgun for home defense, take a close look at the Stevens Model 350 for your next purchase. If all you can afford is one gun – then a good shotgun for home defense is hard to beat! – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Letter Re: Storing Foods to Eat for Pleasure

Dear JWR:
You’ve probably heard of the “Mormon Four,” a starting place for beginning preppers wanting to attain a one-year food supply. The Mormon Four prescribes amounts of red hard winter wheat, powdered milk, sugar or honey, and salt to sustain life for one year. That’s a lot of bread making, preserving, and sprouting over and over! Yes, these foods are nutritious, have a long shelf life, and can keep you alive. However, my opinion is that the boredom factor in this diet is huge, even if you love bread.

Here’s an idea: Everyone, and I mean everyone, from around the age of 12 and up, both male and female, develop their own specialty to serve. That is, a delicious dish to prepare that is a crowd pleaser. Your special dish should be based on foods that you can easily access frequently from your garden, orchard, pantry, or stores. In Jim’s book Patriots, one character masters making popcorn over a fire. His particular skill is appreciated at the retreat as a treat and a break in routine.

Your food doesn’t have to be fancy, just special. You will want to know how to make a recipe based on either something you are growing or abundantly have on hand. You’ve got a lot of wheat? Okay, you be the sourdough bread person baking on a stone without using the electrical breadmaker. Or bake pie, cake, or pizza. You live in an apartment? Wonderful salad greens and herbs can easily be grown in pots. People write this idea all the time in their articles, but I really do it. Yes, I have a nice herb garden in a strip long my driveway, but I also have pots of growing herbs. And due to limited space, our lettuce always is grown in pots. Come up with your own signature salad dressing to accompany. Seasonings, oil, and vinegar are keepers. If you don’t have chickens, deviled eggs probably shouldn’t be your special food. Your dish can be simple or involved, a hearty soup or a casserole or a sauce or a food preserved from your garden by fermentation, such as cabbage or cucumbers. Once we lived up north and had glorious cherry and apple trees. For five years I made candied cherries (killer in salads) and tons of apple sauce. Down south you might have citrus trees like we currently do. Preserved candied citrus peel is a yummy sweet I first started making years ago when I was a teenager. The cook just needs to be practical in terms of availability.

Think about a few foods you and your family or friends love and enjoy. Then, see how you can acquire a constant ingredient supply, research and try out various recipes, perfect your substitutions, and eventually declare yourself an expert on a certain dish.

Here are a couple of easy food ideas:

If you grow corn, you probably already know many ways to cook corn, but here’s how we do it:

1. Roasted or Baked Ears: Take whole ears still with silk and husks intact. Trim silk off top that is sticking out of top, about 1″ so it won’t smell burned in the oven. Scrub outside of ears to remove any dirt. Place in a 350* oven for around 45 minutes. Take out of oven, using a kitchen towel and tongs, remove silk and husks. Cover with butter, salt, and pepper, and realize life is good.

2. Grilled Ears: This is how my Girl Scout troop used to eat corn when we camped. Soak and completely submerge ears in a large container for at least one hour. Over hot coals, grill ears, turning frequently until all sides are sufficiently blackened, about 10-15 minutes. Take corn off grill, carefully peel back husk and silk because it’s hot. Use the husks you’ve folded back as a holder. Butter, salt and pepper, eat and enjoy. Then wonder when you are grilling again because your corn tastes fabulous and you are aware that butter dripping down your chin isn’t a bad thing.

3. Grandmother’s Sweet Corn: Cut the raw kernels from each ear. Pan fry in a little butter (like 3 tablespoons), salt, and pepper. When cooked through, add milk to cover (cream is even better) and gently cook the milk down. Add a tablespoon of sugar or 1 Equal or Splenda packet. Adjust seasonings. Listen to the rave reviews.

4. Salted Ears and More: There is a variation on Grilled Ears made with salty ocean water. Another recipe calls for boiling whole shucked ears in 1 stick of butter, milk, and seasonings in a Dutch oven. However, I don’t much care for this recipe as it sounds like a waste of ingredients to me, but I did want to mention it.

100 years ago, many people made their own pickles out of a variety of garden produce. Dill tomatoes taste like dill pickles with a different texture. Pickled green beans and pickled okra please many people. Pickled peaches were a staple at my house when I was growing up. Tasty sour pickles are fermented with salt and time in a crock. My father-in-law was a popular preacher and always would serve a large smorgasbord of home-canned pickles when guests came to eat. These were presents from little grannies from across small Texas towns. The best ones ever were called “Sun Pickles” and were amazingly hot yet amazingly sour, fermented outside over a period of days. I have yet to find a recipe that even comes close.

Fire and Ice Pickles:

dill pickles
2 garlic cloves
2 chile pepper packets, like from pizza delivery or about 2 teaspoons pepper flakes
lots and lots of sugar

There are quite a few similar recipes out there, but here’s my easy recipe. Get a jar or big bucket (if you love pickles) of whole dill pickles, either commercial or your own home-canned. You may NOT ever substitute kosher dill pickles. They must be dill pickles. Drain off juice, but save it for potato or tuna salad. I use and reuse a 1 quart glass jar or spaghetti sauce jars. This is not a bread-and-butter pickle recipe. It’s even better.

Slice pickles into 1/2″ coins. Do not use a mandolin slicer — the slices would be too thin.
Layer 1/2 the pickles, add the garlic and pepper seeds. Add rest of the pickles. Now, start to pour sugar into the jar. Cover the pickles with as much sugar as you can get in the jar. Put lid on tightly and shake to distribute sugar. Set out overnight on counter.

Next day you’ll see that the sugar is pulling out the water and going into the pickles. The pickles will have settled some so you have room to add more sugar. Cover again with additional sugar, but the liquid should not be so saturated that it cannot dissolve all the sugar. Cover and set out again overnight.

The next morning rinse the jar off in case the outside is sticky, give the pickle jar a good final shake or roll on your breadboard, and refrigerate. I have no idea how long they last because they get eaten up so quickly. My guess is a long time. These pickles make phenomenal potato salad. Be sure to save the juice to use in potato or tuna or chicken salad. Now you have sweet, crispy, tasty pickles.

So, grow your garden, store your foods, and own your special recipe that makes your people happy. You’ll give folks something to look forward to. Smile and say “thank you” when they rave. – Elizabeth B.

Letter Re: Buying an AR-15 During the Gun Control Scare of 2013

Mr. Rawles,
I wanted to share my experience regarding this situation. When the great scare began in December, I knew that as a prepared individual I did not need to panic buy and so I decided to perform an experiment.

The goal: To acquire an AR-15 for the lowest possible cost during a time with the highest possible demand.

Total cost for my AR-15: $654 (For perspective, the bulk of the component parts that I purchased was when complete rifles were easily selling for $2,000+)

How I did it:

When the scare began in earnest, I knew that the odds of getting the Rock River Arms tactical operator 2 that I had been eyeing went out the window, so I decided the easiest method of acquiring would be to buy the key components (the ones most likely to be banned) and then lay low for everything else.

Purchased during the scare:

Lower: Milled lowers were in short supply and those that were available were testing the $400 range, this was not an acceptable price. Based on many positive reviews online, I knew that Palmetto State Armory carried lowers produced by ATI that were polymer (and would not be on the top of anyone’s purchasing list). Cost $49 + $20 FFL transfer fee

Upper: Clearly, any of the high dollar uppers that one would normally buy were in the realm of crazy prices at this time. Again, Youtube and Google came in handy. A small operation known as Blackthorrne sells AR uppers at very reasonable prices online and I was able to acquire an M4 style 16″ upper (assembled) for $300 shipped.

Stock: As “Evil Adjustable Stocks” were going to be squarely in the crosshairs, I went on to a local firearms forum and offered to trade a 500rd bulk pack of .22LR (at this point more endangered than African Elephants) in exchange for a stock, tube, buffer and spring (Mil Spec not commercial as that is what the lower had marked on the box). Estimated value: $27 (including shipping)

Lower parts kit: Needed to complete the lower. And it included the “evil” and potentially banned, pistol grip. RGuns in Carpentersville, Illinois provided it for $80 (Including Shipping + Sales Tax — I am in the People’s Republic of Illinois.)

Total expenditure during the Crisis: $466

Purchased after the scare subsided (Items that had the feinstein ban passed (With no changes), we still would have the ability to purchase):

Bolt carrier group: Cosmetically blemished, but otherwise fine Auto profile BCG from Palmetto State Armory: $99

Charging Handle: $19

Professional Assembly by a gunsmith: $70 (Headspace checked, test fired, etc..)

Expenditure after the crisis: $188

What have we learned during this crisis:
Some of the good that has come out of this crisis are actually very interesting web sites. Gunbot.net allows you to search for “In stock” ammo sorted by price per round. ARPartsFinder allows you to find “In stock” AR components, again at the lowest possible prices. Additionally, and I think this is the most important thing, if you can afford to stock up more than you see yourself needing, do it. If nothing, when the next scare comes, you will be positioned that you can turn a handsome profit. Last summer I had purchased Tapco AK mags for $6/each, not out of any need but rather just to have them… I sold 10 of those magazines in January at a staggering $15/each, this may not sound like much but in six months I had a 150% return on my investment… when was the last time you had an annual return of 300% on your 401(k) or IRA? – K.A.

Letter Re: The Bug Out Boat

Dear Editor:
Lean Jimmy’s bug out boat idea is good, but on most rivers of North America you’ll have “pirates” set up at strategic points along the watercourses — as in yesteryear — and have a tough time getting by them. It’ll only be a matter of time before they take control of those defined travel lanes and lighten the load of fleeing refugees. Slave trading might also come back into vogue.
 
How could you outfox them? Travel at night? Maybe. But if your craft was small, almost silent and light enough to carry or collapse into portable pieces, you’d obviously hold some advantages up your watery sleeve:

A Folboat (See a video of some being assembled and paddled.)

The native people of the continent were using stealthy deerskin folding craft in the late 1700s and often broke them down to hide their presence while scouting or traveling waterways. Commandos in WWII used the very same tactics and still do to this day. Why not follow in their wake?
 
A Greenland II tandem kayak from Folbot — Made in the USA — will take a large payload and two paddlers. Dr. Hannes Lindemann made an amazing voyage across the Atlantic in a tandem folding kayak in the 1950s so they can handle the big stuff, too. Long Haul is another USA based manufacturer while Feathercraft is based in Canada. For the money, though, Folbot tops my list and I’ve had their 2-man version (at the time it was called a Super Folbot) since the early 1980s. And it’s still going strong!
 
Since I live on an inland river – as many North Americans do — and that watercourse connects to others that run all the way across the country to the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, I have several folding boats stashed away. Did I mention that they also make fine craft for weekend forays and extended holidays?
 
Get one now! Cheers, – Wayne W.

Recipe of the Week:

Notutopia’s Coffee Concentrate

This recipe will make 1 Qt. of coffee concentrate that can be used to make both iced or hot coffee from one batch, and can be safely stored in the refrigerator for a whole month.

Ingredients:

1 cup finely ground roasted coffee grinds, caffeinated, or de-caf
32 oz. filtered cool water

Equipment:

1 32oz. mason jar with lid
1 fine mesh sieve or 2 paper filters

Instructions:

Finely grind 1 cup of roasted coffee beans, you can even use pre-flavored ground coffee, but it will not be quite as potent a concentrate as when using freshly ground whole beans.
Add the cup of fine grounds into the clean mason jar.
Slowly add the filtered cool water over the grinds.
Apply lid, and gently shake well.
Set on cabinet top and do not disturb for 12 hours.

Place the sieve or use the 2 paper filters with a rubber band to secure them, over the top of another clean wide mouth mason jar.
Slowly pour the coffee concentrate over the filter.
Once the dripping ceases, remove and dispose the paper filters, and cap the concentrate. It’s now ready for use.
Store the concentrate in the refrigerator.

For Iced Coffee:
Choose a tall glass or carafe and add 4 to 6 cubes of ice.
For every serving of coffee, pour 1/2 cup of concentrate to an equal amount of filtered water.
Add your choice of milk, almond milk, soymilk, or horchata.
For coffee flavoring, add one half cap of extract. Try vanilla, caramel, rum, mint, banana, etc.
Sweeten with your choice of sweetener. Try honey, agave nectar, stevia, sugar, or sugar substitute.

For Hot coffee:
Chose your cup. Again pour 1/2 cup of concentrate to an equal amount filtered water. Microwave for 2 minutes, or heat in a saucepan on the stovetop or grill.

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Flavored Coffee Recipes

Easy Iced Coffee Recipe

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics and Investing:

Reader “Racefan” sent a link to some tax data that is helpful in evaluating retreat locales: Property Taxes on Owner-Occupied Housing, by County, 2005 – 2009, Ranked by Property Taxes Paid.

I don’t often used the words “conspiracy theory” and “delightful” in the same sentence, but take a look at Bix Weir’s latest essay: The Hidden Meanings in the New $100 Bill!

Items from The Economatrix

Stagflation: The Fed’s Worst Nightmare

Ron Paul Talks Gold

Ron Paul On Gold And Why We’ll See More Detroits

What’s Up With Inflation?

Odds ‘n Sods:

One of my long-time friends mentioned that he has recently been experimentally hiking with a LED Mini Maglite carried in a Nite Ize headband, and equipped with a relatively waterproof TacStar brand pressure tape switch that he can clench between his teeth.  For regular trail hiking, the light’s head can be cranked down for “continuous on” operation when the standard tail cap is installed. But when operating tactically with the tape switch tail cap installed, the light can be activated just “on demand” by clamping his teeth down on the tape switch.  He has even experimented with a wire stiffeners, positioning the tape switch and the mouthpiece of his Camelbak hydration pack on either side of his chin. That way he can selectively bite down on one or the other, by just slightly tilting his head. Clever. He jokingly calls this “the combat pacifier effect.”  This is a clever way around the dilemma of how to activate a flashlight on demand and hands-free, regardless of what weapon is in his hands. Obviously this technique will require some practice. And of course the periods of time that the light is on should be minimal, to avoid making yourself a target.

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G.G. flagged this: Even Powering Down A Cell Phone Can’t Keep The NSA From Tracking Its Location.

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Seed for Security has announced another bonus offer: With the purchase of their Super Survival Pack you will receive a free packet of Soldier Beans (approximately 150 seeds), and a free 1 pint pouch of Winter Rye Grain approximately 13,280 seeds). Their Super Survival Pack includes 5,500 open-pollinated, Non GMO vegetable seeds, plus a pint each of Hulless Oats and Winter Rye. There is a total of 18 varieties of vegetable seeds. The shipping weight for this Pack is 4 pounds. This is their most popular product and comes with a four-page Seed Saving Guide. This offer is for a limited time and will be automatically included with your order.

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Another link from G.G.: Maine man recovering in Canadian hospital after being mauled by polar bear as electric fence fails to ward off violent attacker. In this particular case, Joe Biden was right: “Get a shotgun.” They were very lucky to have frightened off the bear with just a flare gun.

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If I lived in Iowa, I’d jump on this pedal grinder. (Available for local pickup only.)

Notes from JWR:

Camping Survival 23% off sale on all Backpackers Pantry Freeze Dried Foods ends today (July 28th, 2013), so place your order before midnight.

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Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) Two BirkSun.com photovoltaic backpacks (one Level, and one Atlas, both black), with a combined value of $275, G.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and H.) A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com. The current value of this roll is at least $225.

Second Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. C.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. D.) $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P.), E.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials and F.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) 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, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value. E.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value), and F.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 47 ends on July 31st and the queue is full, but you can e-mail us your entry for Round 48. 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.

Dealing with the Dying, by A Healthcare Couple

This essay is a joint effort from a healthcare couple.  My wife is a hospice nurse and I work at a long-term care facility.  Together, we have witnessed numerous patients die.  The purpose of this essay is to educate you in helping to take care of a dying group member (will use the term patient for this writing).  The first time that I experienced death up-close and personal was when my best friend B. died a few years ago.  We were both in our 20s and he had cancer.  Over the course of more than a year I was with him as he went through chemo, radiation and surgery.  At that time my experience with death was limited to my elderly grandfather and a few friends of my parents.  Death seemed pretty sterile and did not happen directly in front of my own eyes.  Now in my early 30s, I’ve experienced the death of more friends, their newborns/young children, more grandparents, and numerous patients of ours of all ages.  I’ve learned a lot since then and would like to share it with you.

In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, the reality is that people are going to die.  People you cared deeply for as well as people you never met.  Depending upon the scenario, the death-rate could be high and the possibility that you may have to help with the care of a dying person is likely.   
Take for example some of the current big killers for the U.S. population:

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Influenza

Now add in potential TEOTWAWKI scenarios and the list could be expanded to also include these potential deadly killers:

  • Gunshot and other puncture wounds
  • Lack of availability for life-sustaining medication
  • Influenza epidemics
  • Worldwide diseases that are relatively low here in the U.S. but may increase do to unsanitary conditions and/or lack of access to quality health care (such as AIDS, Cholera, Hepatitis, Malaria, Meningitis, Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, etc.)
  • Labor complication
  • Drowning
  • Burns
  • And the list could go on and on…

Whatever the case, if you are called upon to help with the care of a dying person, it is best to know a little about the subject. 
In this essay I’m not going to write about emergency room procedures or survival medicine that you can use in the field to save lives, but rather, I want to focus on when medically you can do no more for your patient.  Depending upon the preparation of your group, the threshold could vary widely for when you can do no more.  It is my hope that you have taken necessary steps to prepare and practice lifesaving techniques for you and your group. 

For hospice patients, they usually are given six months life expectancy or less.  In your case, the patient may have those few months to live, but more likely they will have much less time than that.  Know that when the body is going through the dying process, many changes are happening.  I understand that each person and situation is different, but I am going to try and cover the dying process in general terms.    

In hospice, when a patient is getting close to dying, it is referred to it as active dying.  Leading up to this active dying stage, the patient may have reduced appetite and you may notice weight loss.  Don’t force the patient to eat food.  The body is dying and has not need for the nourishments.  I’ve seen all too often family members trying to get their loved one to eat, only causing that patient to become nauseous.  In addition to the reduced appetite, the patient my sleep more and be very tired.  They may become disoriented, have delusions, or hallucinations (speaking to people who aren’t there).  This is very common and may times if the patient is talking to someone that is not there, it is highly likely that they are speaking to someone who has already died.  These hallucinations are a very interesting phenomenon to me.  I usually try not to change the subject, but rather gather information from the patient such as who they are talking with, and what they are talking about.  Don’t miss this opportunity as the patient may be trying to tell you or a loved one something.

Currently in hospice, we have many methods to use to make patients more comfortable.  For patients suffering from pain, we have a whole host of drugs available.  Many of these stronger drugs are opiates which diminish the experience of pain by the patient.  Some of the more common drugs used are Oxycodone (Oxycontin), Morphine (Roxanol), Fentanyl (patch, Actiq), Methadone (Dolophine), or Hydromorphone (Dilaudid).  In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, it will likely be difficult to obtain these drugs and you may be left with more common household drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to help relieve pain.

For patients suffering from breathing problems, we currently have oxygen [concentrator] machines that we can hook-up directly to the patient [typically via a nasal cannula.]  In addition, many of the opiates also help relieve breathing problems.  Without either of these two resources, you can try to reposition the patient by placing more pillows under their head or having them sit at an incline.  You can also try creating a light breeze directed at the patient’s face to see if that helps.  If the patient’s lips become dry, try using a lip balm.  If the inside of their mouth become dry and they are conscious, try giving the patient ice chips if available (if not, you can wipe the inside of the mouth with a cotton swab, cotton ball or damp washcloth.  This dryness in the mouth can cause irritation to the patient, so make sure to provide ice or dab the inside of the mouth every two hours.  For patients lying in the same position for any length of time, they may develop pressure ulcers (sores).  Try to reposition the patient if possible every few hours.
When a person is actively dying, there are some signs you can look for to know that the person is close to death:

  • The body has a difficult time regulating its temperature, so you will notice the body temperature beings to gradually lower (normal body temp is 98.6 -98.2F if taken orally) or if an infection is present, the temperature may spike
  • The pulse begins to become irregular, sometime speeding up with other times slowing down (normal pulse is 60-100 beats per minute)
  • Blood pressure begins to lower (normal pressure is 120/80)
  • The patient may begin to perspire and feel cool to the touch
  • Skin beings to change color as blood circulating within the body begins to diminish (you will usually notice it in the lips or fingertips as they begin to turn a bluish/purplish color)
  • Breathing usually becomes more difficult, sometime rapid and shallow and others time gradually slowing to just a few breaths per minute (normal is 12-20 breaths per minute)
  • While not as noticeable, it is very common to have a surge of energy for a short period of time (the patient my want to get up out of bed, may want to talk to friends/family, eat after going days without eating, etc.)

When pulse, blood pressure and respirations cease, the patient has died.  The deceased should always be handled with the utmost care and respect.  We are all going to die someday, so treat the body as you would want someone else to treat your body.  It is appropriate to do a small ceremony at the bedside with all who are present.  I typical being with a prayer and then have those gathered say something about the deceased.  Due to infection control, I would recommend that the deceased be buried immediately.  If at all possible, have everyone coming into contact with the deceased, the bed, clothes, etc., wear rubber gloves.  If possible, wrap the body in a blanket or sheet.  You may then want to wrap the body in a plastic trap, as body fluids may begin to be excreted from the body.  You will want to wash bedding in hot soapy water and then use a bleach solution to wipe down any infected areas.  If you are in a location to bury the body, dig an area away from water sources.  The typical grave is 4 feet deep, 8 feet long and 3 feet wide.  Use whatever measurements fit for the deceased.  If you are unable to bury the body, the next best solution would be to burn the body.  Make sure to have plenty of your fire source, as you want to dispose of as much of the body as possible. 

On a final note, throughout this the dying process, don’t forget how powerful human interaction can be.  Especially for patients who are experiencing high levels of anxiety, human touch can do wonders to help calm a person.  Touch helps to convey care, solace, and comfort.  Even if the person is no longer conscious, talk to them.  Many times the patient can hear you even if they are not alert, awake and conscious.  Have people introduce themselves as they enter the room.  Have them talk directly to the patient.  Encourage visitors or those gathered to talk directly to the patient.  Lastly, take time to mourn the loss of life.  In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, you may not be able to have much time to mourn, but make it a priority when you have the time to remember all those that died.          

Letter Re: The Most Important Preparedness

Dear James,
Recently, a friend of mine just took his own life, leaving behind a wife and three young children.  He loved to talk about being prepared and would spend hours reading survival blog.  As far as “preparedness” goes, he seemed to be very prepared for TEOTWAWKI, having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on guns, ammo, a bug out vehicle, all the medical and survival supplies you could think of, etc.  He also had military training, martial arts training, and was an excellent marksman, if anyone was prepared, he seemed to be ready.  However, in the end, he would take himself out, leaving his wife and three children, without a father, protector, or bread earner.  I believe that while he was so focused on preparing for TEOTWAWKI, that he forgot to take care of himself and his family.  I believe that instead of looking to God to be his protector and to take away his burdens, he looked to himself.  Disillusioned, he turned to alcohol and marijuana for comfort, which lead to marital problems, depression, anxiety, and ultimately he chose to take himself out, rather than face his problems.

Alcoholics have high rates of major depressive disorders, and the risk of suicide is 5 to 20 times higher.  Further, one out of every three suicides under the age of 35 is related to alcohol.  Alcohol works on the prefrontal cortex, inhibiting the areas of the brain related to self-control and judgment.   “Chronic alcohol misuse can cause psychotic type symptoms to develop, more so than with other drugs of abuse. Alcohol abuse has been shown to cause an 800% increased risk of psychotic disorders.”

Marijuana is also associated with worsening of paranoid symptoms, with its effect on the pre-frontal cortex and amygdala.  Thus, those under its influence are more likely so see patterns that don’t exist leading to schizophrenic like paranoid symptoms.

My friend often would talk about his faith in God, but trying to work out his own problems and turning to substance abuse, he forgot some of the Bible promises like Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  and Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”  Thus, in preparing for TEOTWAWKI, he neglected the most important preparation, that of learning to trust in God, who will be our ultimate source of protection and salvation. –  S.I.