Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s G.G. flagged this: Yes, There Will Be a Student Loan Bailout

M.A. sent this from over at SHTFPlan: They’re Trying to Fool You Into Believing That Inflation Is Not a Problem

S.B. recommended this by Charles Hugh Smith: Democracy Is Tolerated Until It Threatens Global Markets.

Yishai sent this: Hoard Peanut Butter as Prices Soar: Four Stocks to Benefit

Items from The Economatrix:

Central Banks Top Up Gold Reserves

19 Facts About the Deindustrialization of America that Will Make You Weep

Unemployment and Crime

Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Thomas S. sent the link to this fascinating piece: The 20 Cheapest Zip Codes In America.

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I usually file public statements by Dianne Feinstein under Vapid Transit, but this one must go under Hegelian Dialectic: Feinstein Uses ‘Fast and Furious’ to Make Case for National Gun Registration. (First, the Federal government creates a problem, then they re-assign blame, for their ultimate goal–bigger government.) And BTW, the “94,000 guns” figure is both specious and laughable. They ran traces only on the guns that they thought might have come from the U.S. There were hardly any traces requested of the US BATFE on the thousands of full auto (select-fire) guns such as M4s and military production AK-47s that have been seized in Mexico.

To answer one of Feinstein’s suggestions: “‘We have to do something to prevent criminals [in Mexico] from getting those guns,’ Feinstein said.” Okay , here is your answer, Dianne: Disband the Federal government’s gun-running agency, the BATFE, post haste!

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B. in Pennsylvania sent this article about a court setting a bad precedent: Jury: Cops didn’t jump the gun in car search. B.’s comment: “Philadelphia, the cradle and deathbed of Liberty.” By the way, things are different in our corner of The American Redoubt. Here, at least we have some semblance of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Amendments. Here in The Redoubt, if you get pulled over for speeding and the topic of conversation with the lawman turns to firearms, it is usually: “What’s your favorite caliber?”, or “How comfortable is that holster?”, or “Did you get your elk yet?”

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Yet another flash mob, this one up to some good: Copenhagen. (Ravel’s Bolero is perfect for this, since it is one lengthy crescendo.) Thanks to Geri G. for the link.

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James A. mentioned a microhydro Pelton wheel generator maker that I had overlooked.

Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotes that relate to preparedness, traditional skills, economics, or individual liberty? If so, then please e-mail properly attributed quotes to us and they will likely be featured as Quotes of the Day. (We’ve now archived more than 2,200 quotes.) Thanks!

—

Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) An M17 medical kit from JRH Enterprises (a $179.95 value).

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol. It is a $439 value courtesy of Next Level Training. B.) 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, C.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and D.) 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.) 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 37 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Prepping For Death, by J.D.A.

Preparing for death is probably not the usual topic discussed on this board, but a recent illness in my family has put this issue squarely in my face.   It is my hope that all reading this blog will live many more years and will leave this earth either via the Rapture or natural causes at a ripe old age.

That being said, death is something we have to consider in our plans.  I approach this topic from two angles: 1) losing a loved one in a non-Schumer situation, 2) losing a loved one in a Schumeresque situation.  I hope to cover the spiritual, emotional and financial aspects of both scenarios.

The situation: My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor for which there isn’t a cure.  Just like a bolt from the blue, this tumor has taken everyone by surprise.  Part of the frustration about this, is that my mother-in-law is in her early sixties and in overall good health.  Her family genetics suggested she would live well into her eighties.
The docs call this thing the Terminator of brain tumors.  It kills plain and simple and there isn’t a Sara Connor to take this thing out.  Our family is taking this pretty hard as one would expect.

Now what does this have to do with prepping you might ask? 
Hopefully we have been following the advice and recommendations we read on this blog about storing up food, water, ammo, etc.  Most on this blog are prepared to ride out a Schumer type situation ranging anywhere from one week to a year or longer.

But are we prepared for the ultimate “bug out” situation?  Death.  The stark reality of this situation is that we will get one chance to be ready for it.  Unlike prepping for disasters, the choice you make regarding the issue of death, and ultimately, of Heaven and Hell is final.  There are no do-overs.  No second chances.

1) Non-Schumer Scenario

Spiritual Aspects of Death
It is my prayer that all who read this blog have accepted, or will accept, Jesus Christ as their Savior.  The Hope and Promise of Christianity is that we are made a part of God’s family.  I believe the Bible clearly teaches there is a Heaven and a Hell.  The Bible also clearly teaches the only way one can be assured of an eternity in Heaven is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  In John 14:6 the Bible records Jesus as saying: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (NASB)
To me that is about as clear as it gets.  There is only one way to Heaven.  I want to go on public record as saying Christ saved me when I was eleven years old.   Since then, I’ve tried to live my life the best I can according to His principles; though I must admit I fail Him every day.  The beauty of Christianity though, is that I don’t have to be “good enough” to get into Heaven.  Christ has already paid for my sins and there is nothing I can do to earn my way into Heaven.  Ephesians 2:6-8 tells us:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (NASB)
The decision one makes about Jesus Christ determines which destination you will spend eternity:  Heaven or Hell. 
One of the benefits of Christianity is that we will have an eternity to spend with Him and our departed family members.  I once heard a pastor (Dr. Johnny Hunt) make the following statement regarding part of the Hope that is found in Christianity:  “For those who are Christians, we can take comfort in knowing that when our loved ones go home to be with the Lord, we will be with them longer than we will be without them.”
That’s a profound, but very true statement when you think about it.  It is also a comforting statement that will help with the emotional issues we face during death. But what about the loved ones who have been left behind?  There will be emotional and financial issues to deal with that will place stress on the surviving loved ones.
In dealing with the spiritual aspects of death, my wife and I have found that it has been best to be as up front with the children as possible.  They are Christians, but are still young and have a lot of questions.  Why do people have to die?   Why isn’t God healing my relative?  Am I going to get a tumor and die?  Where is Heaven?
Like me, you probably won’t have all of the answers to their questions so I recommend we bone up on what the Bible has to say about these issues.  Now is a good time to start thinking these through.  Ask with faith in prayer and God will give you the answers as noted in the Book of James 1: 2-8.

Emotional Considerations
Be supportive of your spouse.  Understandably they will not be thinking rationally and will be focused on their dying loved one.    This is where the ‘for better or worse’ part of the marriage vows comes into play.  You must be prepared to pick up the slack around the house.   For guys this means you may have to help get the kids ready for school, get breakfast going, laundry, cleaning, etc.  Make it as easy as possible for your spouse remembering that you will be going through this with your parents one day.  Recognize your own stress level and keep a cool head.  The children will be watching you.  It’s ok to let them see your emotions, but you can’t act hysterical.  You are the glue for the family at this point. 

If your relatives are out of town it is recommended to keep a bag packed and your vehicle ready to go at a moment’s notice.  Like a Schumer event, you don’t know when ‘The Call’ will come and you will want to leave as soon as possible.  It would be a bummer to have your ride in the shop when you need it. There are a lot of issues you need to consider before a loved one dies.  These are not fun topics to think about, but if you haven’t planned for them they come at you fast and furious.  These are not decisions to make when your emotions are bouncing all over the place.

Have you discussed end-of-life care?  Is there a living will in place?  Have you discussed what ‘heroic measures’ the doctors should take…or not take?  Do you know what the wishes are for the funeral service?  Where will the burial be?  Are all immediate family members, i.e., brothers, sisters, etc, in agreement on these questions?
In an unusual bit of prepping, my folks have created what they call the Death Folder.  In it are all of the vital papers, copies of powers of attorney, last wishes, etc.  It is a great idea in that it relieves you of the majority of decisions you have to make in these circumstances.  If you have one of these, be familiar with it.  I highly recommend you put one together if you don’t have one.  Consider it part of your “bug out” bag.

Financial Considerations
If you are the primary bread winner in the house you need to review your life insurance.  Is there enough to cover your mortgage, pay off your debts, provide for college for the children, enable your surviving loved ones to maintain their prepping plans, etc?  Talk to an insurance professional as to whether you need term or whole life.   
You also need to consider how your life would change if your spouse were to die before you.  Depending on the age of your children there may be extra costs for day-care.
If you aren’t a believer in life insurance, be sure you have some form of assets your loved ones will have access to in either scenario.  You don’t want to leave them in a financial bind.
Following Dave Ramsey’s advice, I’ve elected to go with term life to cover these needs.  Term life is very affordable right now. I work in the insurance industry and I’ve seen cases where the surviving family did not have insurance and the financial constraints in which they were left when the breadwinner died.  I‘ve also seen the other side where a family received the proceeds from the life insurance policy which relieved their financial concerns.  (Disclaimer: I do not work with Dave Ramsey or any of his affiliates.  I am not a licensed agent so I cannot sell you anything. I am not disclosing the company I work for as I do not want my company to be mistaken as endorsing, or not endorsing, any content associated with this blog.)

2) Death in a Schumeresque Times

Losing a loved one when circumstances are normal will place an incredible strain on the family.  But what happens if you lose a loved one in a Schumer event?
You will still have to contend with the emotional and spiritual aspects of death.  Most likely, you won’t have to worry about the financial concerns.   But death in a Schumer event presents additional things to consider.

Impact on Plans
 Undoubtedly, you have made your prep plans with the roles your spouse and other loved ones would assume.  Hopefully you each have learned one or more skills you will need in these situations.  The basic survival skills such as building a fire, shelter, water purification should be known by everyone.  But what about the specialty skills?   Let’s face it, we can’t be masters of all topics.
Maybe somebody is very adept at medical procedures.  One may be proficient at animal husbandry.   Have you learned to can food or field dress an animal?   What about security?  If you are trying to provide security with rotating shifts there will be one less person available.
The loss of a family member with one or more of these skills could seriously impair your prep plans; especially if it is just your immediate family.

Burial
There is one other aspect of this that may come off as cold and unfeeling, but it is a reality we have to contend with.  When a loved one passes away under any circumstances we want to have a proper burial and pay our respects.  We will want time to mourn for our loved one.  But time to mourn may not be available right away due to circumstances.  There may be time for only a few words or moments of reflection.
Then there is the responsibility of properly burying our loved one.  This should be done respectfully and quickly with an eye towards both physical and mental health management.  The World Health Organization offers some good advice on how to properly handle these situations. 
Methods to minimize infection when handling a deceased body include:

  1. Use gloves if available
  2. Wrap the body in a plastic sheet or bed sheet if available
  3. Wash hand with soap and water after handling bodies
  4. Avoid touching your face or mouth with your hands

Time and temperature are other considerations to contend with.  The hotter the climate the faster a body will decompose.  In hot climates, the body will decompose to the point where facial recognition is not possible within 48 hours.  In colder climates this process will be slower.
A proper grave should be prepared.  There is no official depth for a grave but typically one dug about six feet deep will be sufficient. 
The location of the grave relative to your home is important as you want to have this located a minimum of 200 meters away from water sources and areas where crops are planted.  It is recommended that the bottom of the grave should be at least two meters above the groundwater table.
There should be a formal service for the departed loved one if circumstances permit.  This will help provide closure for family and/or friends.
If you are in a bug out situation, depending on OPSEC, you may want to mark the grave for posterity and as a means for later visitation.      

Emotional Considerations
A whole new set of emotions will have to be dealt with in this scenario.  To say you are in a stressful situation already is an understatement.  This will only add to it.  The time you have to grieve will vary depending if you are bugging in or out.  It may be hard for the children to understand why you have to keep moving and you can’t visit mom or dad’s grave.  You may not have time right away to answer all of their questions, but you need to promise them you will.

Conclusion
The final message to convey in this article is that even in spite of death, life will continue for those left behind.  We can honor the life of our departed loved ones by living that life as they would have wanted us to.
I am sure there are other aspects of this topic I have not considered and I welcome any input from my fellow Preppers.  If nothing else, I hope these words get us to think about this very real situation.
In summary, a Schumer situation is something we may or may not have to face.  But Death, unfortunately, is something we will all have to deal with.  As with all things, it’s best to be prepared.

The Dexia Bank Collapse Underscores the Fragility of the Global Credit Market and Derivatives

A major bank failure in Europe that began in September didn’t get much press coverage here in the United States. But is bears special mention, because it underscores the fragility of the global credit market and credit default swap derivatives. A victim of the ongoing Greek Tragedy, the Franco-Belgian Dexia Bank failed last month. It had to be bailed out by $6 billion from France and Belgium, and Luxembourg. Inevitably, those bailouts are backed by the “full faith and credit” of their respective governments. Read: French, Belgian, and Luxembourgian taxpayers.

Dexia was formed in 1996 when the Belgian Crédit Communal de Belgique (also called the Gemeentekrediet in Dutch) merged with Crédit Local de France. Their specialty became making loans to municipalities. That is a stable and reliable banking enterprise in good economic times, but very risky when credit markets are in turmoil.

When suspicion about Dexia’s exposure to Greek debt emerged, suddenly all of their short term capital disappeared. Immediately, “Hot money” deposits were suddenly pulled by their creditors. Soon, several governments lined up to bail them out, promising to protect “all investors”. They need to quickly do anything to stop a contagion that could spread to other banks! Governments did their best to soft pedal the bank’s collapse. Once it became clear that the losses would all be quietly covered, the vultures started circling, waiting to strip the bones clean. These included a group of investors from Bahrain, who saw a high yield, low-risk opportunity. (When governments promise to cover a failed bank’s losses, the risk is minimal.) Meanwhile, both HSBC and the Qatar National Bank expressed an interest in gnawing off Dexia’s limb in Turkey.

A few points to ponder:

The bottom line is that we live in a world with tightly-intertwined banking ventures. Their risks are shared, heavily and widely. They also have hundreds of trillions of dollars of derivatives contracts in play on any given day. At present, their Credit Default Swaps (CDSes) are a huge question mark. As I’ve mentioned before in SurvivalBlog, in a perfect world, derivatives are a brilliant device for reducing risk. They are an intricately balanced machine that results in a zero sum gain if all goes well. But when one party goes “poof”, then suddenly a counterparty is left twisting in the breeze. And when an entire nation’s debts go under, the risks are enormous. Buckle up, folks.

Letter Re: Uses of Thermoses and Hot Water Bottles

Hi Jim,
I have been a long time user of the Nissan & Stanley line of stainless steel thermoses, water bottles and coffee mugs and have a couple of things to add to BigSky’s article.  One pertains to TSA’s interest in them and the other is about over-the-fire uses.
 
I have carried the Nissan stainless steel coffee mug (16 oz.) everywhere for years, including airports.  Last Christmas there was a “threat alert” pertaining to bomb making material being carried in stainless steel thermoses.  Ever since then I have been pulled out of line for further inspection by the TSA because of my Nissan coffee mug.  Five times now they have gone straight for it and ran all their tests for bomb making material on it.  They then ran the tests on my hands and recently (2 weeks ago) they emptied my day pack that carried it and did the tests on it.   I love my Nissan TherMax coffee mug and have never dreamed of leaving it behind when I travel, until now.  The threat never panned out but they are still scrutinizing people carrying stainless steel thermoses (coffee mugs included).
 
I have almost 30 years of backcountry wilderness experience and have used the old Stanley stainless steel thermoses a lot.  A number of times on shorter backpacking trips I substituted the thermoses in lieu of a stove, pots and pans. I am quite adapt at making and using fires so I do not always go with the more conventional methods.  My old thermoses lost its handle years ago so I can just put it in or over the fire for heating water and food (no lid while cooking).  I can’t count the number of times I have slept curled up to my filled thermoses wrapped in my wool shirt.  Then in the morning I pour myself a cup of fairly warm coffee and start the day on a happy note.  Even when camping (not backpacking), my ritual every night is to make myself a pot of coffee, put it in the thermoses and then wrap the thermoses in wool.  I am totally spoiled to waking up and just pouring a cup of hot coffee while still in my sleeping bag. 
 
Having used my old Stanley thermoses in or over an open fire for almost 30 years I can report that I have not had any problems with doing so as long as you don’t have a plastic handle on it, leave the lid off while cooking, and don’t fill the bottle all the way up (leaving room for boiling action).  About 4 or 5 years ago I started replacing most of my plastic-type water bottles with the stainless steel ones.  The ones I have tried successfully so far are made by Nissan, Nathan and Klean.  Mine are still fairly pretty in appearance so I have not gotten to the point of actually putting them in the fire but have tested them over an open fire.  They do well as long as you pay attention to the plastic rim around the top and don’t overheat it.  You can also use the old fashioned Army stainless steel canteens and mess kits in the same way.
 
I got the idea a gazillion years ago that it was probably okay to do this from my habit of not liking to dirty a pot while camping if I didn’t have to.  I am notorious for just opening a can of whatever and putting it in the fire to heat then eating straight from the can.  Look Ma, no dishes! 
 
I have the thermoses, water bottles, mugs and vacuum bottles in every size and kind.  When backpacking or hiking I have not had a problem with the added weight of the stainless steel because I can just choose a smaller size depending upon need or carry less equipment (stove/pot) due to the multi-functionalality of thermoses.  I also do not mind the extra weight because I do not carry 2 or 3 gallons of water, as previously recommended in one of the recent articles on your blog.  The most I have ever carried is 2 quarts because I always have 3 or 4 methods of purifying water on me at any given time.  Who carries 2 gallons of water??  I would humbly suggest losing the dependency and acquiring some skills.
 
I worked professionally for Outward Bound for 10 years and acquired a healthy amount of wilderness experience.  I no longer carry a 60-to-70 pound pack.  With ingenuity and some of the light weight equipment that is now out there the most my backpack or multifunctional BOB weighs is 40 pounds or less.  I am beginning to feel more comfortable sharing some of my experience with your readers due to an openness to the “wilderness” component of bugging out that I have perceived in your blog recently.
 
Thank you for all you do and provide.  May you always have dry powder & socks.  Multitudes of blessings to all. – Skylar

Economics and Investing:

Day of reckoning for shadow inventory and distressed properties – 40 percent of properties in foreclosure have not made a payment in two years or more.

Bill Fleckenstein interviewed about gold and the European credit debacle. (Thanks to J. McC. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Trucks, SUVs Power Strong Auto Sales in October

No Major Fed Moves Expected Despite Europe Fears

Factory Activity Slows as Economy Stays Sluggish

Bill Whittle has some biting commentary on the “rich” and “poor” in America.

Odds ‘n Sods:

p>By way of Tam’s blog: World population hits 7 billion. Overpopulation always leads to war over scarce resources.

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Gee, how many rights does this violate, all at once? Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, … FCC cracks down on religious broadcasters: If a church broadcasts the word of God on TV without closed captions, it risks incurring the wrath of the FCC

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Ian R. sent a news headline that came in the wake of some east coast power failures: Long Lines Form for Gas. Ian’s comment: “The Golden Horde comes immediately to mind: Drivers headed to nearby towns to get fuel-stripping what resources they can find.”

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Evidence that we are moving a little further down the societal glide slope: Smithfield, North Carolina Police May Ignore ‘911’ Calls If Not Provided More Gas Money

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49, and counting: On November 1st, Wisconsin became a ”Shall-Issue”state, for concealed carry permits. This leaves only Illinois and and the District of Criminals as hoplophobic hold-outs. (BTW, you gotta love watching this animated graphic, which must make Chuck Schumer and his cronies squirm.) The next phase will be the renaissance of both the right to open carry nationwide, and then eventually no-permit concealed carry. (Also called Constitutional Carry.)

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Regulators here and in Europe have no idea — repeat, no idea — of the full extent of the derivatives exposure that could be triggered by an “official” Greek default, or by the failure of a major French bank. And if the people in charge have no clue as to the fallout from what may be trillions of dollars in side bets waiting to be triggered in a catastrophic cascade, they’re basically flying blind.” – Matt Miller, in a Washington Post editorial on derivatives titled: Europe’s debt crisis and the danger we can’t see

Notes from JWR:

We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Pantry Paratus. Even though they had been our advertising waiting list for many moons, our staff didn’t get the chance to meet the owners of Pantry Paratus until the recent Denver Preparedness Expo. They have a friendly sales team, excellent customer service, and a great line of preparedness products with an emphasis on food preservation–including vacuum sealers, dehydrators, and home canners. They also offer bulk wheat, peas and lentils grown in The Palouse Hills. Be sure to visit their web site and their blog.

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Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) An M17 medical kit from JRH Enterprises (a $179.95 value).

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol. It is a $439 value courtesy of Next Level Training. B.) 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, C.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and D.) 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.) 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 37 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Uses of Thermoses and Hot Water Bottles, by BigSky

I have long believed that quality hot water bottles and steel vacuum thermos bottles and are very valuable survival tools. They are a wonderful intersection of high and low tech that can serve in a number of helpful roles.

THERMOSES

Fireless Cooking (retained-heat cooking) – I have cooked in WIDE-mouth thermoses many hundreds of times since the 1970s. There are a couple of other articles on this sight covering that fuel-saving application. I would amend the recommendation given re: Aladdin Stanley vacuum bottles, and I will cover that below. Using WIDE-mouth thermoses for “fireless cooking” is one very useful role for thermos bottles that saves fuel and allows mobility even while your food cooks. Summarized, fireless cooking in a wide-mouth thermos involves immediately transferring boiling-hot food into the thermos which is then sealed up for approx. two to three hours. It won’t burn or over cook the food. If the food temp drops over time  into double digits fahrenheit, the food will eventually begin to spoil. If cooking grain, leave a half inch space empty at the top for expansion. If it is to be carried in a pack it should be maintained upright and placed within a plastic bag which can be secured against leakage. I’ve learned that the hard way.

Because of a long-term interest in vacuum bottles I have tested the heat-retention abilities of every brand I could lay hands on. The winner consistently is the Nissan stainless steel line with their premium vacuum technology marketed as “Thermax” insulation. “Thermax” is also available in the higher-end Thermos brand products, from the formerly American-owned Thermos Co. now owned by the same Japanese conglomerate that years ago acquired the Nissan line. (Not connected with the car company). Stateside, the Nissan products are marketed as Thermos-Nissan while the lower-end lines have the “Thermos” name as a stand-alone. The Nissan line incorporates tensilized stainless steel which allows them to be lighter weight than other metal bottles on the market while also being more thermal efficient.

The venerable, heavy old Aladdin-Stanley bottles worked pretty well and were built like a tank. Now they are Stanley-PMI, made in China, and their online reviews are deplorable. I have only tested the old A – S models which performed pretty well against the Nissans, for someone who didn’t mind the extra size and weight. Search out old, used American-made models and replace the pour-through stoppers with a solid stopper that must be removed to dispense the contents (available in some hardware and outdoor stores).

JWR Adds: Look for the older Aladdin-Stanley stainless steel bottles on eBay or through Craigslist. These are available with scuffs and minor dents for the fraction of the price of the new bottles , yet they are better made!

Having hot water readily available for warm drinks or for preparing instant foods throughout the day or night, whether at home or on the move, is a comfort and convenience. It may be more than just convenience in frigid weather. In a situation where hot water requires a wood fire – or, in some cases, solar devices — having the ability to maintain a goodly supply of hot water for immediate use over extended periods without starting a new fire – or waiting for the sun – can be a treasure. Having hot water for washing first thing in the morning, before a fire is started, can be an invaluable comfort. Having hot water to refill a hot water bottle which you’re using to stay warm on a frigid night is another comforting convenience.
In a situation where starting a wood fire is necessary to heat water, having the means to store a gallon or more of hot water, without the fire start-up and fuel use, is a no-brainer, esp. when hot water is the only reason for burning the wood. (This is a scenario where having a “rocket stove”, e.g. the Stovetec, makes a lot of sense since the fire goes right into heating the water rather than also heating up several hundreds pounds of a woodstove’s steel and firebrick, something you especially don’t want to do in warm weather.) Working with a finite supply of any fuel, it makes good fuel sense to heat some extra water to put into a thermos rather than restarting a stove later on.

I have not found glass-insert thermoses that will perform anywhere near the efficiency at which high-quality steel units will function. Don’t throw the glass ones out if you have them, but be aware that there is a large performance jump with Nissan or the old Stanley steel units. Glass thermoses are, of course, considerably more fragile, too.

Two-quart thermoses will maintain higher temps for longer periods than one quart units so, for a family, a couple of these might be a wise choice. One ‘two-quarter’ is also a cheaper investment than two one-quart units. If it’s going to be carried in a pack though, choose what will make sense for you or your group.

The Thermos-Nissan one liter “Compact Bottle” thermos (FBB1000), besides being more efficient than the Stanleys (new or old), is also lighter weight and smaller. The Nissan WIDE-MOUTH “Food/Beverage Bottle” (FDH1405) is a 48 oz (1.5 qt.) unit as opposed to the Stanley’s one qt. which does not have a very thick stopper – the critical design element for maintaining heat long term in a thermos.

Efficiency of the any thermos can be increased by wrapping it with closed-cell sleeping-pad foam or other good insulating material. Concentrate extra insulation around the cap as this is where most heat is lost from a thermos.

DIY expedient thermoses can be made using a sturdy glass bottle thoroughly wrapped with closed-cell foam, Thinsulate, packaging foam, or various other insulators. An inner layer of heavy duty aluminum foil, shiny side in, will add the insulation factor of a radiant barrier which  reflects heat back to its source. A radiant barrier needs a little air space between it and the hot object to work properly. A couple layers of onion bags (or similar open, lattice material) inside the foil layer should adequately meet this airspace requirement. Do not allow the foil any direct exposure to the surrounding air as this creates a point of conduction-convection heat escape. Over the foil is placed your standard insulation. All-weather duct tape should keep it all nicely intact. Preheat for a couple minutes with hot water, dump that out and fill with freshly hot water. If they are well-insulated these improvised thermoses may actually outperform some so-called thermoses currently on the market.

HOT WATER BOTTLES

Good quality hot water bottles (HWBs) can help with much more than pains, upset stomachs, and flu chills. They might even save a life in frigid situations. I would recommend two minimum per person, especially in cold climates.

One brand I’ve found to be particularly versatile is Fashy out of Germany. They make a tough thermoplastic hot water bottle that can resist repeated sanitizing in hospital sterilizers.
I’ve lived in cold houses where in winter I have sometimes gone to bed with two HWBs on nights some of which probably qualified as ‘Three-Bag Nights’ for those who remember the reason for having three dogs around you on such cold nights. With a good HWB (should have a very trustworthy stopper or be put inside a sturdy zip-lock bag) you can place near-boiling water in it and wrap it with terry towels to protect your skin and retard the bag’s heat emission so that it will provide heat for you throughout the night. Holding one HWB between the thighs may work as a good placement because most of the heat is transferred to the body. Against the spine and kidneys, backed up with a pillow, may work for side-sleepers. Experiment to find what works for you. If you haven’t tried a HWB (or two) on a cold night, you’re in for a real treat. Not quite as lovable as a couple of big, friendly dogs, but they’re a lot easier on the budget.

Diverging slightly here, in Chinese and Japanese medicine it has been known for centuries that maintaining the warmth of the kidney area of the back helps to maintain strength, alertness, resistance, and efficiency in the cold. Hara belts, scarves wrapped around the trunk to cover the kidneys, have been a common clothing accessory in these countries for centuries and are something for westerners to consider seriously (a German company called Medima, has nice, elasticized ones that are fashioned into a step-into garment). Our military has found the same benefits but adds the whole spinal column into the equation. There is clothing marketed now that is insulated with this awareness in mind and even has small behind-the-kidney pockets into which hand warmers can be inserted.

Strapping a HWB over the kidneys with a scarf inside a shirt may be a trick to consider in cold weather when a lot of movement is not anticipated. Putting the HWB inside the front of one’s shirt so it is bottom-supported above the belt may work with greater levels of activity. Experiment. Keep the stopper up (maybe padded, too) and remember the Ziploc bag if uncertain about the stopper’s integrity.

A back-up thermos of hot water can dovetail with this stay-warm trick to refill your HWB when it cools down to the point of not providing warmth. As with use in your sleeping bag or bed, near boiling water can be used providing the bottle is wrapped with a towel or other  insulation which protects the skin and slows down the bag’s release of heat.
I look forward to hearing what tricks others have found for using these valuable tools for everyday use and survival applications.

Two Letters Re: A Different Perspective on Packing a Bugout Bag

James,
I have to take issue with the last post concerning the contents of a persons B.O.B. The writers experience of humping large loads up mountains under fire notwithstanding, I have to say that the majority of bags and packs being prepared today aren’t for natural disasters,even though they certainly would suffice for that situation.
 
I live in a Hurricane Zone and survived Katrina, although without having to relocate. And I agree with the writer that I didn’t know of anyone starving to death .I also have read the latest figures showing FEMA is broke and aid to impacted areas could be slowed or otherwise affected.
 
Having said all that,why not have TWO BOBs for each family member? The first would be a smaller one with the required 72 hrs subsistence–although I’d substitute the water with a good quality purifier and use that extra weight penalty for a sleeping bag and tent. Granola bars,other types of cereal bars and the so-called “Lifeboat” bars fit in nicely with this sort of situation,allowing for one freeze dried meal per day for variety.

Then for those who wish to prepare for some other sort of G.O.O.D. situation, the second pack would be a nice 6,000 cubic inch pack with all the trimmings can be right alongside. Since my family’s Gore-Tex rain suits are rolled on the outside of the big pack,they can easily be transferred to the smaller pack if I think its a needed thing to take one and not the other.
Just an idea for those who are on the fence about how to prepare. – Ed S. in Mississippi

James,
Thanks for your blog, I read daily and it has changed my overall perspective by no small measure.  I am sure that you will get flooded with an incredible amount of emails pertaining to the BOB article.  Apologies, but I just must add my 2 Centavos. 

Prioritizing the contents of a BOB and abandoning some items is indeed crucial for all who would have one.  However, the author jumps right into paramilitary gear as if AR-15s and thousands of rounds are weighing down all our BOBs.  I know most preppers have more gear than they ever plan to carry, which can make the situation that much worse when trying to choose.  Of course fitness and individual ability to carry weight are key factors as well, which means that maintaining or improving fitness to carry what you need is also very important.  However, let’s look at the author’s example: 160 lb fit male with 25% load in the BOB (40 lbs).  I myself happen to be a fit male of around that build and I feel that 40 lbs is far too short for the intended purpose.  I don’t walk out my front door to work without a 40lb day pack, much less bug out!  Let’s take the authors whole entire bag of food, water, medical, and fill in that last 5 lbs with your camp, a small metal pot filled with a camp tarp / knife / firesteel / compass / map / water tabs or filter, just what you need to set up camp and sleep outdoors during those initial days and maybe make your way in the woods.  Now I am “maxed out” at 40lbs.  Next, how many of us will beat feet with no form of self defense in the bag?  I am not talking about any form of rifle, but even the handgun with a few clips will add some heft to the pack.  In fact, a .45 ACP with 200 rounds easily hits 40lbs, doubling the bug out weight total right there. 

If I were a minimalist, I would stop there and just deal with carrying 50% of my body weight just like any other camping trip.  That is the absolute bare minimum for me personally.  But that’s not good enough yet.  By the time we add an emergency radio to keep up with what’s happening out there, some rope or paracord, a little cash and junk silver, a couple pieces of spare or layer clothing for night time or weather changes, and the ebook reader we are quickly approaching 100 lbs in my BOB.

Now one could argue that the whole last paragraph is all optional stuff, and they would be right, but all also potentially life saving and well worth the few pounds to me.  Now I am sure there would be many suggestions on the firearm / protection configuration that keeps weight lower.  Sure, one could take a smaller caliber or (gasp!) less ammo but the bottom line is that anything chosen will add a significant amount of heft to your overall setup.  Grabbing this bag would require (obviously) a real bug out scenario where we would potentially be abandoning everything we have and know.  With no guarantee that my home / supplies will be there when I return, or that  I would even return at all, I plan on carrying everything I can and then some! – Nate V.

Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this for the I-Told-You-So Department: Home prices heading for triple-dip. Mark you calendar for June, 2022. That might be a reasonable date for price recovery, barring a mass currency inflation. But even that of course wouldn’t be a genuine market recovery, when gauged in real home values (adjusted for inflation).

Don’t miss this great piece by Thomas L. Friedman: Did You Hear the One About the Bankers? (Thank to Jed F. for the link.)

Ben S. sent this: The Inflation Shock and the Fall Melt-Up of 2011

Despite Debt Deal, Europe May Slide into Recession

John R. sent this: Papandreou’s Power Weakens as Lawmakers Rebel on Vote

Greek vote would be on euro membership: Finnish minister

G.G. flagged this: US Food Stamp Usage Hits New Record