Economics and Investing:

Ian R. flagged this must-read piece by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Global liquidity peak spells trouble for late 2012.

Bruce Krasting: America is Using Tricks to Hide a Debt Crisis Worse than Greece

Bill Whittle: The Vote Pump

Lee M. sent this: Banks foreclosing on churches in record numbers

Another incipient muni bankruptcy: Stockton residents watch their port city slip away: “Within three months, the Central Valley city of 300,000 could become the nation’s largest municipality to file for bankruptcy…”

Odds ‘n Sods:

Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 14, 2012) is the last day of Ready Made Resources’ sale on Mountain House canned freeze dried foods. They are offering 20% off and free shipping. The sale ends at midnight Eastern time, so order soon!

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The Free Film Girl has created a list of freely downloadable public domain survival and preparedness-related videos that might be helpful.

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Homeless by Choice: How to Live for Free in America. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate G.G. for the link.)

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This has some terse, straightforward wording: House Concurrent Resolution 107. Too bad that our Congress probably won’t have the backbone to enact it.

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File under Wonders Never Cease: A breath of fresh air: Clever gadget transforms the air from your lungs into energy to charge your phone

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"There is no nation on earth powerful enough to accomplish our (the United States) overthrow.  Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter.  From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger.  I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing." – Daniel Webster, June 1, 1837

Pat’s Product Review: SIG Sauer P226 MK25

I still remember the very first “SIG” pistol that I ever saw. It was back in 1980, and I was an FFL dealer. A fellow asked me to order him a Browning BDA .45 ACP. At that time, I hadn’t heard of the Browning BDA. It wasn’t until I actually received the gun for the customer, that I discovered the Browning BDA, was, in fact, a SIG. At the time, this fairly new gun, was being imported by Browning. It just didn’t take off back then, for some strange reason – it was probably a little bit ahead of it’s time. [JWR Adds: The Browning BDA (in 9mm) was developed to compete in the U.S. Army trials for a replacement for the M1911. Eventually the Beretta M92 won out, to become the U.S. M9, and it is still in service. But SIG’s compact P228 did win a later contract, and was designated the M11.]
 
How things have changed! The SIG Sauer lineup of handguns and long guns has really grown over the years. And, it wasn’t too long ago, that SIG handguns were being made in Germany, and imported into the USA. Now, most SIG firearms are made right here in the USA. Part of the reason for making SIG firearms in the USA was a financial decision – the (then) German currency was killing the US Dollar, and SIG firearms were costing a lot of money. I was hoping that when SIG started manufacturing firearms in the USA, the prices would come down a bit, Well, they did, but only a little bit. [JWR Adds: Buying a few spare firearms of popular models in common fighting calibers is a good hedge on inflation. My first Ithaca 37 riotgun cost $180, and my first S&W Model 28 cost $208. Inflation marches on…]
 
What one will find with many SIG handguns is that they have a metal frame (aluminum) instead of polymer. Oh, that’s not to say SIG hasn’t jumped on the polymer-framed bandwagon. They have done so with some of their handguns such as the modular SIG P250. And, today, many people think that only polymer-framed handguns are worth having, or are the ars nova — “the” thing to own. Well, I guess I’m still a little old fashioned in that I still like metal frame handguns, and the SIG Sauer P220/P226 family of pistols is made with aluminum alloy frames. Some of the later ones are made with stainless steel slides. With the SIG Sauer P226 MK25, however, the stainless slide is Nitron coated. This is a dark, blue/black coating. The slide is still stainless steel under that coating.
 
I’ve lost track over the years, of the number of SIG Sauer handguns I’ve owned, but its safe to say, I’ve owned several dozen different versions. My favorite SIG, the P228, isn’t being made any longer – it was replaced with the P229. I thought the P228 balanced better in my hand than the P229 does, but that is just my take on it. Over the past three years, I’ve owned a number of full-sized SIG P226 handguns, in both 9mm and .40 S&W. I prefer my P226 in 9mm, as the .40 S&W versions only hold 12 rounds in the magazine. If I’m going to pack a full-sized handgun in .40 S&W, then I’ll pick one that holds 15+ rounds in the magazine. Again, just my feeling on things. Though the .40 S&W is a better man stopper than the 9mm, if you stoke a 9mm pistol with some good hollow points, a person won’t be able to tell if they were shot with a 9mm or a .40 S&W. (And I don’t care to get into a debate over which round is “better” for self-defense…it’s a debate that has no end, just like the 9mm vs .45 ACP debate that raged for years. It still comes down to shot placement, no matter what caliber you are shooting.
 
I’ve owned the “basic” SIG P226, as well as a factory rebuilt one, also the P226 Combat, with a desert tan frame. I really liked that one. (I wrote the front cover feature article for the Guns magazine Annual 2010 edition with the P226 Blackwater limited edition.) SIG broke away from Blackwater after some unfavorable publicity that Blackwater received in Iraq, and they discontinued the relationship. SIG now produces the Tac Ops, which is basically the same gun as the Blackwater gun – without the Blackwater markings. I’ve also had a SIG P226 in .40 S&W as well – bought it used. The gun under review today is the newly released P226 MK25.
 
For all intents and purposes, the MK25 starts out as a basic SIG P226, and some changes were made. The MK25 is the current US Navy SEAL 9mm handgun, and the SEALs gave SIG permission to sell this gun to the public. The slide is Nitron coated, and the frame hard anodized black. All external and internal parts are “phosphate” coated, for resistance to salt water – and the SEALs operate in water, so this was needed. The barrel is also phosphate coated externally. We also have night sights on the MK25, and there is an anchor on the left side of the slide, as well as the Federal Government UID tag on the right side of the slide – the same markings that are on the guns sold to the US Navy SEALs – this is an exact duplicate of the gun issued to the SEALs.
 
As with all later P226 handguns, it has a 4.4″ barrel, weighs 34-oz, and comes with an accessory rail for mounting lasers or lights – or both. The MK25 is ship with three 15-round 9mm magazines. Most other P226 9mms come with only two magazines. Nice to have three mags – one rides in the gun, and you can carry two spares on your belt or tactical holster. For concealed carry, I would recommend the Blackhawk Serpa belt holster.
 
As already mentioned, there are night sights on the MK25. SIG calls them SigLite night sights. They afford a great sight picture in daylight hours, and outstanding sighting in low light. The SigLite night sights really glow brightly, too – brighter than I’ve seen on some other brands of night sights. We also have a 10.0 lbs double-action trigger pull, and the single-action trigger pull is a super sweet 4.4 pounds. That is an outstanding single-action trigger pull if you ask me. It has just a little take-up, and the gun goes “bang” after that. There is the frame-mounted decocking lever. If you have fired the gun, the hammer stays cocked after the first round, for subsequent single-action shots, but you can safely de-cock the gun using the frame mounted decocker.
 
Over the years, I’ve never had a SIG P226 that wasn’t an outstanding shooter in the accuracy department. I’d be hard-pressed to say one P226 shot more accurately than another for the most part. And, the MK25 isn’t any different when it comes to accuracy. I tested the MK25 with 9mm ammo from Black Hills Ammunition and Buffalo Bore Ammunition and the only ammo I used was either +P or +P+ loads for this article. No wimp loads!
 
Now, to give the MK25 a really different type of test, I ran the gun dry – no lube on the frame rails or or slide – the gun was completely dry! I don’t recommend anyone do this as a regular practice, though. However, I wanted to see what the MK25 could do under harsh conditions where lube might not be available. I only had one bobble – that was the first round fed out of the magazine – it didn’t fully chamber for some reason. After that, there were zero problems – the gun just kept running and running.
 
I like a 124 grain JHP round in 9mm, as I feel they penetrate a little bit deeper than 115 grain JHP do, and they usually shoot a tad more accurately in my experience. However, the MK25 shot the new Black Hills 115 grain +P Barnes hollow point best – if I did my part, I could keep my rounds slightly under 2″ most of the time. I’ve been doing a lot of testing with this Black Hills Barnes bullet in different calibers and I’m really sold on it for self-defense work.
 
I fired the Black Hills 124 grain JHP+P as well as their 115 grain JHP +P rounds, and they were great performers – giving me groups about 2 1/2 inches – again if I was on my game and doing my part. I also fired several different +P and +P+ loads from Buffalo Bore…the the SIG thrived on the +P+ loads, it really seemed like it was enjoying those +P+ loads for some reason. I fired both 115 grain JHP and 124 grain JHP loads in +P and +P+, as well as the Buffalo Bore 124 grain FMJ +P+ “Penetrator” load. This is the load you want if you need super-deep penetration from your 9mm handgun.
 
As I already mentioned, I did not have any problems, after the first round didn’t fully chamber. I did note however, that towards the end of the 400 round mini torture test, the slide was getting a little sluggish – but the gun never failed to chamber a round and go “bang” when the trigger was pulled. That says a lot about any handgun – if they can run without lube – there’s not a lot of handguns that can do this – I know that Glocks can, but every other gun that I’ve tested dry, have stopped working in short order.
 
I really like SIG Sauer handguns, and one of the reasons is because they are sooooo accurate. The new MK25 is no different than any other SIG I’ve shot over the years when it came to accuracy. I’m sure if I did more testing, I’d get those groups down to under and inch and a half. I would probably have to resort to non+P ammo for that, as some of the hotter rounds don’t always give the best accuracy. However, the Black Hills and Buffalo Bore 9mm +P and +P+ rounds were putting all the shots where I wanted ’em to go at 25 yards, over a rest, across the hood of my car. As an aside, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I’ve ever shot my car when shooting over the hood. Well, the answer is – yes! It happened once, with a .22 LR rifle with a scope. I put a crease in the hood of my car – but I’ve never actually shot through any car parts.
 
With many new magazines, the springs are stiff in the SIG 9mm handguns. I’ve run across this with quite a few handguns. What I like to do is, load-up all my magazines to full-capacity, and let ’em sit for a couple weeks. After that, the magazines are much easier to load without resorting to using a magazine loader – I rarely use one of those, though.
 
I also obtained some Mec-Gar SIG P226 magazines – these hold 18 rounds, instead of 15 rounds like the ones that the factory provides. I don’t know how Mec-Gar does it – getting those extra 3 rounds in the mag. The SIG factory mags have a flat metal floor plate. The 18 round Mec-Gar mags have a polymer floorplate that only extends a tiny bit below the mag well opening – not enough to really matter. The Mec-Gar mags loaded easier than the factory SIG mags did, for some reason. And, the SIG factory mags are actually made by Mec-Gar over in Italy. The 18 round Mec-Gar mags seemed to feed a little smoother, too – or it could have been my imagination. For my money, I’d go with the Mec-Gar 18 rounds – as they are giving you 18 rounds on-tap instead of 15 rounds. And, in a fire-fight, every extra round you have on-tap might be needed.
 
There’s nothing bad I can say about the new SIG P226 MK25, it performed great under the harsh conditions I set for this test and evaluation. The accuracy is better than you get with many other handguns – then again, SIG Sauer is known for producing accurate handguns (and rifles), so it came as no surprise that the gun was so accurate – it’s good enough for SWAT work, and if it’s good enough for the US Navy SEALs, then its more than good enough for me. The full-retail price is $1,142. That is a steep, but then again, you get getting renowned SIG quality and reliability. Personally, I’ve always thought the P226 should have won the US military contract for a new 9mm pistol – but Beretta won. Nothing wrong with Beretta, but I think the SIG P226 is a better gun all the way around.
 
I don’t know how long SIG will sell the P226 MK25, but I’m betting it will be limited. I’ve got mine, and it’s not going back to the factory. I just wish the IRS refund check would get here soon so I can pay off my test sample. – Pat Cascio (SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor)

Letter Re: Cabela’s Recon Hunt Software

James Wesley:
I would like to let everyone know about an application called Cabela’s Recon Hunt. It has a very low cost, gives access to every map that is offered to the public. Lots of maps can be stored off line (depending on the memory capacity of your device) and one of the best features is that you can make notes that say where you saw game at certain GPS coordinates. (Or perhaps where there is a cache of supplies stashed. Though I wouldn’t label it as such.) But on a hand-held device enclosed in a Faraday cage this could be very a very useful way to plan several routes to several potential bug-out spots. I know reliance on electronic items is a liability (needing a way to provide power and such) but this liability can be overcome with any variety of hand crank, solar, or even wood heat USB chargers available. Further, it provides the ability to store large number of [PDF] manuals, guides and references. It can also provide a much-overlooked commodity touched upon in the movie The Book of Eli: music. Music is an excellent way to avoid being overtaken by a foul situation. But I digress.

Cabela’s Recon Hunt, its available for less than $12 USD. Simple and compact, access to a large amount of maps, but the real use would be to store what you need because if the grid goes down you probably won’t be able to access anything you don’t already have stored, so make your choices and key considerations wisely.

I hope I haven’t sounded too much like an advertisement. (I don’t have any financial interest in this product or in Cabela’s.) Be well, – Albertus

JWR Adds: I would call this software “Redoubt Friendly.” It has pre-loaded public land boundaries and big-game hunt unit maps for 11 western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. (Yes, that includes all of the American Redoubt states. Tres cool.)

Letter Re: Sugar and Salt Storage

JWR:
As many of you out there are doing, food storage will be key to survive the future. Mylar bags with food grade buckets are a great way of storing your food and I applaud the recent article "Sugar and Salt Storage. I would like to add my own little experience so that others may possibly benefit from it. Instead of using one 2×4 across the top of the bucket, use two. Gather the top of the mylar bag, then sandwich it between the two 2x4s, using C-clamps if needed. Then fold it over for sealing, using the extra surface of the added 2×4 for ironing, making it more stable. It worked well for me. – Joe Rotorhead

Recipe of the Week:

Notutopia’s Long Term Storage Chicken Ragout 

Serves Four

The dry ingredients for this recipe (everything but the chicken meat and the water) can be multiplied and bulk mixed and then vacuum packed in quart size mason jars with an O2 absorber for long term storage.

1 c dried diced or sliced carrots
1/2 c dried sliced celery
1/2 c dried diced or sliced potato
1/4 c dried sliced mushrooms
1/4 c dried sliced olives
1/4 c dried chopped onion
2 T tomato powder
1 T dried parsley
1 c dried peas
3 cubes chicken bouillon
pinch of anise seed
ground pepper, to taste

2  8 oz. cans of boned chicken (or fresh equivalent)

Directions:
Bring all ingredients in 7 cups of water, to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer and cook until tender for 15 minutes.
Add in the chicken, cook 5 more minutes.

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Bill M. in New York recommended Utah’s Chef Stephanie Petersen’s web site, where she explains and shows how to use Honeyville and Augason freeze-dried / dehydrated ingredients to self-produce pre-mixed long-term (25 yrs) food storage meals in a jar.  Her  “52 Method” web page explains how to do it, and includes downloadable (PDF) shopping list needs, recipe cards, tutorials and features on-line videos showing how to make 12 + different long-term (multi-serving) food storage meal mixed and stored in wide-mouth quart mason jars with oxygen absorbers. She is always adding new recipes. All of this information is contained as you browse this web page. She has many other great recipes included on her web site.

Jen. K. suggested a web site with lot of great antique recipes: FoodTimeline.org

Do you have a favorite recipe that you have tested extensively? Then please e-mail it to us for posting. Thanks!

Economics and Investing:

RBS sent this: Bud Conrad: The Only Way Out Is to Inflate; Austerity not working?more money printing on the way

G.G. flagged this one: Jobs Recession Now 49 Months: Longest Since WWII

Matthew N. noted this article: Harrisburg to skip bond payments due next week. JWR’s Comment: Take a lesson from the sovereigns and just call it a “credit event.” No cause for alarm. Move along, folks. Nothing to see here.

Items from The Economatrix:

Financial Bubonic Plague

Not So Fast On That Whole Economic Recovery Thing

Wall Street Up On Jobs Data, Brushes Off Greek Default

Odds ‘n Sods:

M.H. sent this video: Life in a CONEX. Note that building codes in many states would restrict this, but in most of the American Redoubt states, there is no building code outside of city limits.

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And speaking of the advantages of the American Redoubt, read this: Jeff Knox praises ‘losers’ of Brady Center’s national scorecard.

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Can you spell shrapnel, boys and girls?” Family’s surveillance cameras rolling as tornado hits West Liberty. (Video is from the March 2, 2012 tornado in West Liberty, Kentucky. Thanks to Jay in Missouri for the link.) If you live in tornado or hurricane country, then build a proper shelter!

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“MRSA Me!” Reader Lee M. wrote to mention an article that sheds some light on how easy it is to catch MRSA. The article mentions that you can contract it by just touching an infected wound when you have an open cut or sore on your own body.

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One more strong reason to take Venezuela off of your travel or expatriation locales list: Hugo Chavez: Fighting Crime by Disarming Innocent People. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.)

Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 39 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), and E.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo.

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol. It is a $439 value courtesy of Next Level Training. B.) A FloJak F-50 hand well pump (a $349 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.) two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).

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

Round 39 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

A Community Action Plan, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

Introductory Note: I wrote this plan as the local Neighborhood Watch Captain and instructor for a nearby monthly Preparedness Workshop. I’m convinced of the value of having a written plan to follow in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or crisis. I’m sharing this for those sheepdogs who do not yet have a plan in hand – start with this and edit it. Make it your own. But have a plan. When it gets crazy this may help you get through it all.
Be Prepared. Trust God. We can do both!

FIRST 15 MINUTES
Walk / bike / drive through the neighborhood and call everyone together at the (neighbor’s name) garage/barn. Ask each family to bring a chair and something to write with/on.
Make it clear: “I am not in charge, but will help organize. We will vote on someone to lead when we return in one hour.”

A. Pool what we know:
1. Begin with Psalm 127:1-2 and pray for God’s guidance and protection
2. Discuss speculations and ideas. Write it down on a big tablet: What We Know
3. Immediate problems? Medical, livestock, family, etc. Everyone accounted for?
4. Benefits of cooperation: pool tools, knowledge, encouragement, mutual defense
5. Fire control (candles / heaters) and safety are critical at this point. Slow down, think.
6. Designate a Watch Center (barn, home, shed, yard, vehicle, etc.) as a central meeting point

B. Plan to collect more information, can anyone share the following:
1. Monitor battery / solar-powered radio in Watch Center
2. Monitor TV if power available or someone has a battery powered one
3. Who has handheld radios? One to monitor at Watch Center, one to send with corner/intersection Watch(s), one with scouting party
4. Centralized news post [“What We Know”] on flip chart / large paper and someone responsible for maintaining it. Neighbors gather information from their outside contacts. As information comes in mark the “Reported” information as “Confirmed” (by two or more sources) with Dates (and sources if possible). Post in a common area at Watch Center.

C. Send everyone back to their homes, come back in one hour, one representative per household:
1. Reassure their family members
2. Review available supplies and note what they’ll need in the next 7 days: “Basic Four”: Security, Shelter, Water, Food. Also: lights, medicines, special needs
3. IF they’re going to arm themselves they MUST keep a low profile: handgun concealed, long gun in  vehicle
4. Contact their immediate neighbors who may not have checked in
5. A couple of people volunteer to come back with coffee (?) and cookies / snack (?)

 

FIRST HOUR
D. Upon return, quick vote for temporary Neighborhood Emergency Coordinator. Facilitator and coordinator only, all neighborhood participation remains voluntary!

E. Share and post any new information on WWK. Discuss the possible course as the incident develops for brainstorming and mental preparation. Begin to formulate a plan – write it down.

F. Voluntary family status reports: immediate needs, needs/shortages in the next 7 days
1. Coordinator begins keeping track of neighborhood needs
2. Volunteers to help with immediate neighborhood needs (next 24 hours)?
3. Any family members unaccounted for? Any chance neighborhood group could go find them?
4. Agree to a Daily Meeting time and place? Neighborhood pot luck?

G. Suggested General Neighborhood Watch Rules [Post at Watch Center]. Add to this as needed:
1. Golden Rule! Survival is a team sport, do your part. We are in this together and we need each other.
2. All participation is voluntary
3. Even though this is an emergency/disaster we are not going to break the law, nor the Constitution, nor human rights, nor violate personal or family privacy.
4. Information security: Minimize radio chatter, VERY careful what we say to passersby
5. The Watch Center phone number (if phones available) is: ________________________
Interoperable radio settings?
6. Light and noise discipline until we know what we’re up against
7. Low profile: no rifles or shotguns visible, handguns carried but concealed at all times
8. Emergency signaling with phones, whistles, air horns, or tire rim gongs.
     One, slowly repeating = gather for information           
     Three quick = security emergency
     Five quick = fire emergency

H. Scouting Party: ask for 3 volunteers to check the main roads in each direction, contact the State Patrol / Sheriff’s district / Police precinct / local fire station, look for areas or buildings with power, check the area gas stations to see who can pump gas and what conditions are like there. Contact neighbors who have any overlooks or high points on their property and see what that view is. Radio on only to report and only if it can’t wait. Low profile, weapons out of sight.

I. Use signaling / phone calls to call a brief meeting when the Scouting Party returns.
1. Based on information available decide whether or not to start an Observation Post, Quick Response Team, or Roving Patrol.
2. Pick a time to meet the next day. Morning? Evening? Both?
3. If information is available by radio or TV consider asking for a volunteer to monitor them at least every 2 hours overnight. If there is information that cannot wait until the next day’s meeting, this person should contact the Neighborhood Emergency Coordinator by runner/phone or sound the general “Gather for Information” signal.

 

NEXT DAY
J. Open every general meeting with a brief Bible verse and prayer. Summary and update of what we know.  Agree when to meet next.

K. The first night should be pretty quiet. If trouble starts overnight begin an improvised armed Roving Patrol until morning. Discuss the rules of engagement so everyone understands what’s expected, and we don’t break any laws. Discuss the Force Continuum or pick people who already know what that is. Decide whether or not to staff the Watch Center 24 hours a day. Based on updated information decide whether or not to start an Observation Post, Quick Response Team, or Roving Patrol:

L. Observation Post (optional): Ask for 2 persons to park a vehicle for four hour shifts at one or more intersections controlling access to the neighborhood 
– Supply with: paper, pencils, handheld radio, cell phone/air horn, binoculars (firearm)
– Send with TWO “Neighborhood Watch” signs and wire to post/hang them.
– Will need something to occupy themselves (books, magazines, articles).
– Write out instructions (Post Orders), list supplies to pass on to the next shift: Contact passersby who stop to get more information and/or direct them to the Watch Center. Watch for anything unusual, groups in vehicles. Radio on only to report. Report to Watch Center.
Get volunteers for the next “relief” Observation Teams so that Post is manned until sunset and a new team takes their place at sunrise.
If OP approach is helpful or informative consider continuing it.

M. If circumstances warrant the Observation Post people could also function as a Quick  Response Team to check out activity they see on the road or in the fields, to respond to requests for help / alarms for security, medical, and fire. Will require a vehicle, bicycles, or people who are fit for quick response. Consider centrally pooling firefighting equipment.
QRT could also function as an armed continuously Roving Patrol if we’re getting a lot of people on foot or there has been a high level of trouble without outsiders. Intensive Patrol could cover neighborhood at random intervals, perhaps at a minimum of once an hour.

N. Anyone who would like a refresher on safe firearm handling, simple IFF rules, and Use of Force, and combat handgunning could voluntarily get together for a quick class / orientation. Everyone carrying a firearm into the Watch Center or performing any “official” duty needs this refresher.

O. Review in greater depth the Four Basics (Security, Shelter, Water, Food). Discuss options for: sanitation, keeping insulin cool, developing medical problems, trash disposal, etc.

P. Carpooling / team / group for trips into town? (security in numbers) Obviously depends on the incident and needs…

 

THREE TO SEVEN DAYS LATER
Q. Issues. If the incident has lasted several days, if circumstances warrant, or if the nature of the incident makes it clear it will be long lasting or generate civil unrest, discuss the following issues at one of the Daily Meetings:
1. Repeat Scouting Parties, or ongoing Roving Patrols?
2. Establish a continuously-staffed Watch Center?
3. Non-family/friends as Refugees: Screening/Probation? Space? Integrate/Separate? Save as many as we can! Growth is healthy. Uncontrolled growth is cancerous.
4. Escort people passing through the neighborhood?
5. Community bartering needs? Daily/weekly meetup for bartering?
6. Potential need for evacuation, family decision, pros and cons of entire neighborhood evacuation / bugout, distribute a Recommended Bugout List so people will take essential items and aren’t loaded down with non-essentials [People should assemble BOBs now!]
7. Switch to weekly informational meetings?
8. Contact with / coordination with other adjoining neighborhood groups / organizations?
9. Make plans for contact with hostile gangs / looters? Hide / Confront? Low/high profile? Caching. Rules of engagement. Signaling. Weapon and movement training. IFF. Checkpoint / roadblocks?
10. Long-term issues on the horizon: cold, rain, food preservation, special needs, supplies holding out (Security, Shelter, Water, Food)?
11. Distributing charity / food and water assistance. Centralized distribution is safer!
12. Plan for ecumenical worship services?
13. Plan weekly potlucks?
14. Expanding the number of families included in our group? Merging with other existing groups? Reporting to or being supervised by outside government agencies?
15. Identify to the group who is available to help with gardening, maintenance, livestock, food storage and preservation, etc.
16. Set up a centralized daycare to free up parents to work? Daycare area could be extra secure location for children during expected encounters with raiders.
17. Plans for detention / punishment for thieves, raiders, etc. Set up basic legal process.
18. Agree on outer neighborhood perimeter, inner perimeter. No “fort” mentality – fixed defense will fail. Central location for children and livestock when warned of trouble?

R. Ask for volunteers to assist the Coordinator – or have the Coordinator pick – who will form the Leadership Team. The titles below are meant to be solely functional, pick your own! (The less they resemble military or police or government position titles the less these volunteers are likely to get carried away with their role.)
1. The neighborhood should elect an Assistant Emergency Coordinator to be involved in all leadership discussions, fully briefed, and be able to fill in for the Coordinator if he/she is (1) incapacitated or (2) offsite. Authority falls to the AC only under those two circumstances and then only if it is a time-sensitive decision.
2. The Coordinator (and staff) must select a trustworthy and experienced Security Advisor for internal welfare to watch for people who are not handling the stress well and might crack, become violent / abusive to family, leave to contact raiders/gangs/drug dealers. Watch for internal theft, coercion, scams, keep an ear out for rumor control. This person would enforce light and sound discipline.
3. Designate a volunteer Medical Advisor for neighborhood medical oversight. Will discretely monitor individuals for malnutrition/dehydration and illnesses. Organize neighborhood health emphases, training, clinics.
4. Designate a volunteer Defense  Advisor to begin implementing defense plans agreed on by the Neighborhood or by the leadership (depending on how fast leadership develops, how fast the neighborhood boundaries expand to include new families, and how fast defensive capacity needs to be available).
5. At some point an Operations Advisor might need to be chosen by the Coordinator to oversee the general function of the neighborhood, food distribution and preparation, sanitation, etc.
6. Someone should volunteer to be the Neighborhood Chaplain to facilitate worship services and see to the spiritual health of the neighbors.
7. If and when the Watch Center is continuously staffed 24/7, and there are potential identified threats, the general staff above could “officially” create the position of the “Staff-in-Charge” in the Watch Center to coordinate and oversee immediate responses to security or fire emergencies until the Defense Advisor can arrive to take charge. The SIC will oversee the Observation Post(s), the Quick Response Team, and any Roving Patrols and will notify the Watch Coordinator and Defense Advisor of any emergencies.

 

A PERSONAL NOTE TO THE EMERGENCY COORDINATOR

“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” – Edmund Burke

1. Expect new pressures when you take on a leadership role. Be prepared for old struggles, temptations, and spiritual warfare to intensify and new issues to come up including struggles with self-image, self-esteem, and self-doubt.
2. Be careful not to take on more responsibilities than you can handle, or to take yourself (and your ideas) too seriously. Humility and perspective are absolutely essential to leadership. Delegation to capable persons is the secret of good leadership.
3. Don’t get in a rut. What worked in the past might need to be modified for your present situation, or might not work at all. No two experiences are identical. And for that matter try to let go of the guilt and fears from your past leadership experiences. Be fresh and creative.
4. Even though you’ve got “inside information” now doesn’t mean you’ve got all the facts about everything going on in the neighborhood. Go ahead and share your concerns and questions with those in leadership with you. Your input is important, but accept the possibility that they, not you, have got the “big picture.”
5. You were chosen to lead, not to be the moral and political watchdog of the neighborhood. It is a dangerous thing to try to read the inner motives of others. “Watchdogs” can easily and accidentally sow suspicion, kill trust, and destroy any good they could do as leaders. Instead, treasure relationships, and show love and mercy to all. (But know when to be firm! 🙂
6. Everything changes sooner or later. Sometimes change is rapid, at other times imperceptible, but this always requires flexibility. Keeping your head, not taking things personally, and not advertising your insecurities will help the rest of the group feel better about the transition.
7. Watch out that you don’t “share” problems with the wrong people. Some things might not be appropriate at the time to tell even your spouse or family. Get your facts straight and avoid misunderstandings.
8. Your identity is more than your job description. Whatever God wants, wherever he puts you is the best place to be. You don’t have to feel threatened when someone else does a great job too, or when you’re asked to change jobs. This isn’t a contest, its life in community, serving God and others. Surrender that competitive spirit to God.
9. Sooner or later you’re going to discover that those in leadership with you are human too and have their share of struggles and shortcomings. We’re all in process, all growing in Jesus, and all at different stages.
10. Frustration, anger, a constantly critical attitude – these are signs that you are expecting too much out of others and have taken your focus off God’s sovereign leading. Have faith in Jesus that he is at work in the people around you. Get your expectations in line with scripture.
11. The Constitution is still the rule of law and the Bible is still the standard for determining right and wrong. You’ll make difficult gray-area calls that you may regret later, but keep your foundation!
12. Odds and ends: the crazier the crisis the more structure it needs. Make lists and follow those lists when bad stuff happens and it will help you stay focused and not miss something important. Seek God in everything. Trust God with the outcomes. It’s not all up to you. No plans are foolproof. Anticipate as much as possible the shortcomings of human nature. Recognize mob psychology. Expect Murphy’s Law failures, always have a Plan B. Long-term strategy is essential. One-time solutions can be traps. Swallow your ego. Leaders serve. Treat others like you want to be treated. Cut people some slack. Delegate, but hold people accountable. Don’t give people too much responsibility too quickly. You don’t have to know or do everything – let other people shine. Be genuine. Lead by example. Communication is absolutely essential! Communication starts by listening. Without communication hatred and resentment will be the natural outcome even in good people! Keep morale high, but tell the truth. One lie will undo your credibility and undermine your efforts to save as many as you can. There will be a terrible price for lying… Do the best you can. No one can ask for more.
You can do this.

Observations From a Rookie Prepper, by Silver

I am a rookie prepper, too bad for me. This underlying lump of fear of bad times coming has been residing in the pit of my stomach for a long time, ignored and deprived of the necessary attention it is well deserved of. Recently I have awakened to the call of cover your own ass or someone or something else will force me to become non-existent. So to heed the warning sign of government irresponsibility and bad times coming I let the monster of fear come to the surface, and so I have begun my journey of self-reliance.

This is my story. Several months ago in September of 2011 is when this all started to surface for me. I began paying more attention to the nonsense and idiots in the world around me, so I decided to do some searching on the net for survival information and try to find out what the hell was going on in the world because the news stations weren’t telling anything other than cruise ships and the legs of superstars. SHTFplan.com is one site I visited and liked very much. I started reading all the news articles that we don’t see in real life. This was scary stuff and helped me with releasing the fear monster within. So I started with some survival research and worked on a plan that seemed to be functional for myself, this took a few weeks before I actually did anything. I began with an inventory of all things that I thought would help in a bad situation. Things that I have on hand right now, a complete and honest budget, and what I know personally for survival, being ex-Air Force and a Life Scout. I took all things into account and Guess what; I was already in the Schumer. Not a good starting point for me. I can cook on an open fire and even start one without a lighter or match, I know about keeping a low profile or walking quietly in the woods, always be aware of your surroundings, I know enough things almost well enough to make it, can build a shelter in the wilderness, canoe, and hike even been growing a small garden for the past several years. But being prepared for the worst situation you can possibly think of is a whole other story.

The very first thing I did after my personal assessment was to make a list of things that I found on the net and in books and magazines and from personal experience  that would help me in a survival situation, no small task. After several lists and several more lists and panic attacks and headaches and then deleting some things and adding other things, I kind of got my starting point. I decided that I did not have enough money to get where I wanted to be, and was too deep in debt to have a monthly fund for my journey.  To begin with I inventoried everything in my house that was useless and served no function to life or survival itself. These items would be sold for survival funding and debt reduction, if only I can keep the money secret from my non believer girlfriend whom will complain more than anyone that we have no toilet paper while trying to wipe in the dark after the power is gone for good. To keep things on the straight and narrow, all the items for sale were and are my own items and collections of society induced unnecessary items that served no purpose whatsoever, and fortunately I have a lot of “stuff” to get rid of and sell or trade.

The first step involved three things, one I must list 10 to 20 items per week on the Internet for sale, I have done pretty well keeping on task with this step selling every impractical or un-needed thing possible, coin collection (except silver coins), Hot Wheels, comics, old watch collections stacks of useless books and other unneeded items. I feel that all bases cannot be realistically covered being a late starter to the prepping world, so I had to make some hard decisions. I feel that if things were to get bad like a SHTF situation I would be better off having the ability to can my own garden food and be able to dehydrate food than trade coins. This step has proven fruitful in paying all my small credit cards off and putting them away for absolute emergency’s only, so far so good. Debt reduction has been more than 50% not including the house payment. I realize that in a SHTF situation debt probably would not matter, but we are not quite there yet, so I have to pay these off to get to where I want to be. This has freed up about $300 per month in credit card bill money no longer being tied up, money toward the next process of my prepping journey. The second step was the rule of buying at the minimum two extra items at the grocery store on every trip, no exceptions regardless of why I was there, even if I went to get some milk and the Sunday paper, I bought at least one extra item to put up. Anything was better than nothing, coffee, tea, powdered milk, spam, rice whatever just get it. At this time I have a pretty good head start on food extras, not a lot, but enough to keep me happy and moving forward, if it works don’t fix it.

The third part was personal health and animal care, so far I have been able to afford some minor dental work and started walking for some exercise, trying to quit smoking, gave up the soft drinks and cut back on sweet stuff, I don’t eat fast food so I’m good in that department. I have also taken some of the pets to vet for checkups and shots, can’t do it when the SHTF, so get it done now while I can.

While all this is an ongoing everyday process I have initiated the second part of my prepping journey, home defense. Because of my situation I will not be bugging out, this will be a fight to the end, they will have to kill me, and  I know it would be very hard to harm another human being but I am sure when it comes down to it I can hit that switch and take care of business, I hope. I took inventory of all weapons and ammo on hand, pretty sorry situation. On hand I have , a few shotguns, each with about one box of shells, a small .25 semi auto pistol and a Western six .22 revolver. I also have about 270 rounds of 7.62 x 39, 150 rounds of 22LR and a few boxes of .357 and .38 cartridges. This was stuff I got during the Y2K scare and haven’t touched it since.  So I began researching guns on the net and with my financial constraints I have decided it was best to try and get the money up for an AK-47, a Ruger 10/22 rifle, and a .357 revolver. This decision came from the fact that I won’t need to spend much more for ammo, well maybe, but it gives me a head start with the ammo I have on hand now, and if the world takes a dump before I get more ammo at least I have something. So some of the guns on hand  are up for sale and trade and hope that I will be where I want to with the gun situation by the end of March. So far so good, a few bites on the guns and have already spotted the ones I plan getting as soon as the money is in my sweaty palms.

Six months into my journey and I feel that I have been doing quite well for myself. Two weeks ago I found seven brand new still in plastic wrapper disaster relief blankets at a local thrift shop for three dollars each, and grabbed them all. That was a great find. I have also spent about $600 on over the counter medicine, bandages, sutures, first aid items, hand sanitizer and wipes, energy bars, hard candy for the bad times and trade (need to have something for morale booster) and enough seeds too start my garden in the spring, adding a few new crops to the list this year. I have also gone through the house and started gathering tradable items to store in one place, extra pocket knives, lighters, candles, etc. I also found old eyeglasses to put in my emergency stock, they are about three years old but if need be I can still see with them. I found a local store that deals in coins and hot wheels and pocket knives and started trading some of the hot wheels for zippo lighters and case pocket knives, not much luck selling the hot wheels but they seem to be a good trade for something I can use for trading later on.

This seems to be a never ending headache inducing process of figuring out the next step while keeping up with the game plan. I feel that I am on the right track, we have chickens, have had them for about a year now so that is a good thing, fresh eggs and also tradable. I will have a good size garden but still need the tools for canning and dehydrating. Have all supplies in one area for now but still trying to figure out placement for dividing it up in case some of it is found or taken. Still need to get a lot of items like plenty of toilet paper, trash bags, disposable plates, and utensils, don’t need to be dealing with dish washing while trying to survive. Have figured out trash disposal for sanitary reasons, live by a creek so water will not be a problem only making it drinkable, have a septic system so we can still flush with creek water, that is a good sanitary point. I would like to get a small solar charger and some rechargeable batteries for the small stuff; internet probably won’t be up so starting to print first aid and safety and survival information to keep in a note book. Also want to get Mylar bags, oxygen packs for sealing a lot of the food stuff. Need to get some alcohol for wound cleaning and trading, so many things to do, so much to get so little time so little money. Every day brings new ideas along with concerns, stress, headaches and new items for the survival list. I have figured out one thing, I will never be able to get enough to survive on forever or even for a whole year, and probably not be able to get everything on the list. So I have sort of prioritized the list with things I know we cannot do without to things that would be nice to have.  I have also divided up my categories and lists into a three month plan, six month plan, nine month plan and twelve month plan, with a section at the bottom of each list for new add items on and items that were missed for that time period for carry over to the next three month list. Here is part of my six month list.

Get all fishing gear out, clean, adjust and prepare and store it, go through all camping gear, clean, adjust, prepare and store, purchase items – two very large packs of toilet paper, paper plates, spoons, forks, knifes, one month’s supply of cat food x5 cats (dry and can), ruger 10/22, ammo for same, ammo can for storage, emergency solar/hand crank radio, two  bottles whisky, one bottle vodka, one bottle Baileys Irish cream  ( got to have something for myself, the Irish cream ), two box 12 ga. Shells, two box 16 ga. Shells, fill all propane tanks, other guns if trading and selling permit, peroxide, quick clot, sealable Mylar bags, oxygen packs and heat sealer.

Now I take this information put it into groups like liquor, decide when it looks like I have the funding for such and put it on the calendar, I pick a weekend or two or three and do the fishing and camping stuff, decide what day I will do the propane probably one per week for a month, when the gun trades are finished I will do the gun stuff, it’s not too difficult if you come up with a plan and try and stick to it, I think it’s called commitment.  I spend my weekends taking photos of stuff to sell, than I post it, than I wrap and ship it, I load things in my truck and take it to places to sell, I look for small stores that trade and sell in the things I have to get rid of, I post on the local trading posts and papers, take phone calls wheel and deal all for the means to an end, hopefully not my end.

At this time I am coming up on the end of my six month list. I have not been able to get everything on the three and six month list but I keep moving things around to accommodate the situation, sometimes I come across a good deal for something that’s on a latter list and have to trade off. I hardly ever have any extra money but have found that I don’t miss buying all the unnecessary society induced nonsense that piles up around the house. If I want to go see a movie with my girlfriend or something like that I put it in the monthly budget. I keep my vehicle full of gas and this month I will be filling all four of the propane tanks for the two gas grills, along with getting the rest of the garden needs along with whatever else is on the list that I have missed so far to date funding permitted. I think about this situation all the time, it influences a lot of the daily decisions that I make. I don’t regret any of this and it’s actually quite exciting to see myself become more independent and responsible. The reason I am writing this is because I feel that everyone in the world should pay more attention to what is going on around us and pull their head out of the sand. Everyone and anyone can be self-reliant and dependent and we/they have the ability to do so if it is chosen, if we just start somewhere, anywhere just start. It’s never too late until it’s too late, and then guess what happens? I eat and you don’t.

Letter Re: A Poor Man’s Guide to Prepping and Food Storage

Hello Captain,
I just read “A Poor Man’s Guide to Prepping and Food Storage,” by T.P. He mentions getting free meat by way of road kill and says “It helps to be able to tell how long an animal has been dead.”
 
I can help. Having been a bricklayer in the Southwest and the Northwest for 35 years, I have worked with and become friends with many native Americans. Years ago one of my pals told me that he ate road kill all the time. When I asked how he knew if it was fresh or not he replied:
 
“That’s easy. When I’m on my way home from work I look for dead animals on the road. Whenever I see one I stop and draw a circle around it. [Most of us in construction carry lumber crayons] Then, when I go to the store to buy a pack of beer, I stop and pick up the ones that don’t have a circle!”
 
Happy Hunting, – Maddog