Notes from JWR:

I noticed that we’ve just surpassed 25 million unique visits. Thanks for making SurvivalBlog such a huge success. Please continue to spread the word to family, friends, and co-workers. Just putting a small link to SurvivalBlog in your e-mail footer or on your blog or web page will greatly increase our visibility. Many thanks!

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Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady TAP FPD 2-3/4″ OO buckshot ammo, courtesy of Sunflower Ammo (a $240 value), and E.) An M17 medical kit from JRH Enterprises (a $179.95 value).

Second Prize: A.) 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 $400, B.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and C.) two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing, and B.) a Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.)

Round 32 ends on January 31st, 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.

Introduction to UV Air Treatment, by Michael M.

My interest in ultraviolet (UV) light systems began a number of years ago with the introduction of a UV system in the discharge effluent stream of water at the wastewater plant where I work. If it works in water I thought, then why not air! The removal of pathogens from the water was most impressive and a mystery, So I hit the books and the Internet to learn more.
 
Here is a light summary of what I learned:

The sun generates ultraviolet rays. These rays are natures way of purifying the air. When sun passes thru a prism it’s broken into its component colors, thus giving the colors of the rainbow. Each color in turn has it’s own wavelength.
Ultraviolet light has three specific wavelengths that have particular applications:

UV-A is the source of suntanned skin, With its relatively longer wavelength, can penetrate the atmosphere. Applications include tanning beds and treatment of some skin diseases.
UV-B is in the middle wavelength of the ultraviolet spectrum and has principally been used to treat skin diseases.
UV- C or short-wave ultraviolet radiation, is used to destroy bacteria and other biologic containments in the air, in liquids and on surfaces. This is the area of my interest and study and use!

X-rays, BTW, are adjacent to UV-C on the spectrum. (They have even shorter wavelength).

It should be noted that the aforementioned are not all of the wavelengths available. Certain short-wave UV energies can be created by specially designed UV lamps, such as Ozone.

I learned that for many years the medical industry has been using UV light to sanitize rooms and equipment.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends UV lamps for their germicidal effect.
Through firsthand lab testing, I have seen the effect UVC has on pathogens (bacteria) in water. It renders them sterile.

So How Does it Work?

Using UV lamps provide a much more powerful and concentrated effect of UV energy than can be found naturally.
UV-C rays break through the outer membrane of microbes like yeast, mold, bacteria, viruses, algae. When the radiation reaches the DNA of the microbe it causes modifications. The DNA then transmits incorrect codes, rendering the microbe sterile and thus unable to reproduce.

Many industries utilize this type of process. Understand that  I am not advocating that all microbes are being destroyed or sterilized in this unit! Only that through my use (Private and Professional) that I have seen a reduction in the overall colony count of microbial life forms. I use this system as just another line of defense in cleaner purer air. To put it into a simpler form, would you rather have to deal with hundreds of thousands of bacteria or hundreds?

My research found that UV light air purification systems were available and being used in schools, commercial  buildings, federal buildings, many places.
Now that you have a light understanding ( pun intended ) of Ultraviolet Light you can see how I put this information to use to help better protect all my loved ones.

How I Used UV
The ability to protect yourself and loved ones from biological intrusion is a many-layered thing we all are preparing for: chemical suits, positive pressure safe rooms, filter masks, OTC medications and prescriptions to name a few.
 
Never being satisfied with the amount of space in my safe room (NBC-protected), I decided to see if  I couldn’t incorporate a germicidal Ultraviolet Light System and positive pressure environment in my main living quarters to use as first line defense against poor air quality. I was off and running.

I knew since I constructed it, that my house was sealed exceptional well. Little did I know until I used a Slack tube manometer and did a static test with the air handler running and the house closed up tight. I had a negative pressure of .45″ water column vacuum. I concluded that I needed a fresh air return duct if I was going to use my air handler to try and pressurize the house.

My heating system uses a four speed motor (switchable) on the squirrel cage fan unit. All readings were taken with the fan set on a speed of med-high, resulting in a standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) rate of 1,170 cfm. My home has a combined cubic foot measurement of 4,940 cubic feet, thus resulting in the turnover rate of once every 4.2 minutes.

So, doing the math on the unit’s scfm capacity, and taking advantage of the variable speed motor I came up with a needed 60 to 75 sq. in fresh air duct to compensate for the tight construction [of my house] to bring my static pressure to 0. With full confidence in my math, I started. Next I needed filtration, HEPA filters of course. (I must state here that I’m working on a better filter arrangement than this but it’s sufficient for the time being). I installed one filter through the floor.

I then re-tested the static pressure. The static pressure in the house dropped to zero with one fresh air filter installed. The second took it to .2″ positive.

Here were my results:

  • One filter  = Equalized pressure       
  • Two filters  =.2″ positive pressure              
  • Three = .45″ +  positive pressure   

Things looked pretty good at this point. I installed a third filter and the pressure went to .45″ positive with the in house air return in the full-open position. However, I still had a few concerns about air return temperature through the heat exchanger of the unit during the winter. But I pushed on.
 
I took a pressure reading from the slack tube at this point from the outside ambient pressure against the inside pressure with the air return in the full-closed position.
My pressure system looks pretty good @   .35” positive pressure running state.
 
Next, after researching the various light systems available I decided on the Calutec Blue UV, 72 watt, 2 bulb system. The system was designed for a 2,000 square foot house, but I have only 1,200 square feet. Bulb replacement cost is $18 ea. and the manufacturer says yearly replacement is advisable. Through personal hands-on experience, I’ve found that UV lamp life is reduced significantly after about 5,000 hours and I plan to replace them at that time on my system.

Having a raised platform on my heating system the return air duct was the perfect location for installation. The unit looked easy to install and would give me all the protection I felt could be attained with any such system. The return air and the fresh make up air would both be treated by the UV system before exiting the duct work with the fresh air being run through a HEPA filter. There are various locations for the unit and each has its merits depending on [the climate and] the configuration of the individual’s system.

I received the unit.  I read the manual and then installed the unit. It was a very straightforward installation with minimal electrical work.

Safety Warnings
Here is a good point to tell you that UV-C light is nothing to play with:
NEVER expose eyes or skin to the UVC light from any source. Looking directly at UVC light can cause retina damage or even blindness. Only install unit in a closed area or duct system.
UV Lamps contain Mercury.  As a kid, 50 something years ago mercury was cool to play with. It is a wonder that many of us are alive today. Use all necessary precautions if exposed to possible Mercury contamination from a broken bulb or any mercury for that matter.

So that was that, just another line of defense added to an expanding arsenal of personal protection apparatus.

Avalanche Lily’s Bedside Book Pile

Since marrying Jim, I’ve started watching some of his collection of movies on DVD. Jim says that seeing them will help give me “a common frame of reference”. A few of them he even considers survivalist training films. I suppose that the endeavor will also keep me from giving him odd looks when he quotes lines from his favorite movies out of the blue.

Recently, I’ve watched:

  • Big Trouble in Little China. Parts of this movie really creeped me out. Yes, it seems John Carpenter (the same director who made The Thing) couldn’t resist including horror elements in even this supposed light-hearted comedy. I hated this movie! Let’s face it: Its a guy movie. Oh, and it is one of Jim’s favorites.
  • Blast From the Past. A hilarious film that requires some serious suspension of disbelief. (For example there were not thirty years worth of logistics squirreled away. That would have taken a pantry room at least ten times that size.) I really liked the clean and wholesome parts of it. It had one annoying gay character that was obviously added for the sake of political correctness. It is perhaps unintentional, but this movie makes a very strong case for homeschooling.
  • Buckaroo Banzai. It is a science fiction comedy cult classic that defies description. Jim says that to be fully appreciated, this film must be seen at least three times. I’ve only seen it once and unfortunately by coincidence, I had a very bad stomach ache during it, so I did not get to fully appreciate it at the time. Jim quotes this movie a lot (as much as I quote The Sound of Music :)). He even squeezed the line “So what, big deal” into the first chapter of his new novel. (It is the first sequel to “Patriots”, now in the final editing stages, and scheduled for release in about 10 months.) I need to watch the movie two more times, because frankly, Jim quotes it a lot and I’m not privy to these inside jokes. He just gets a blank stare out of me when he says: “What’s that watermelon doing there?”, or “Hey man, what’s in the pink box?”
  • Defiance. This movie was loosely based on the book by Nechama Tec. It shows (with some typical Hollywood embellishments) the true story of the Bielski partisans in Byelorussia, during World War II. This was an inspiring film and I do recommend it. But it has lots of bloodshed (cover your eyes, block your ears until those scenes are over), so it is not a movie for kids.
  • A Room with a View. Oh my goodness! Now this is movie that ladies can relate to. It is a costume drama/comedy. It has excellent acting, great location shooting in Italy, and a very witty storyline. (It is based on a great E.M. Forester novel.) It has some brief nudity (male nudity, I was surprised to see. In American films you never see fully naked guys!), so it is also not one for the kids.

We have some travel planned over Christmas, so that will give me a chance to delve back into my stack of books. I’ll have another update on my latest books, next week.

Letter Re: Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile

Sir:
This was an excellent article.  I was on the right track but it was reassuring to see an M.D. confirm it.  Thanks.    I just wanted to pass along a warning of sorts as it relates to Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) because I know Preppers like myself tend to have unusual shopping habits.  We not only buy a seemingly odd assortment of items all at once, but we probably buy them in larger quantities and with greater frequency than the average shopper.  This is simply for the fact we are stocking the products for future use rather than replenishing them as we use them.   Some people in society manufacture an illegal drug called methamphetamine and they use Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) as one of their primary ingredients. 

To help curb the production of the illegal drug many retailers across the nation now keep it locked up and require ID with signature to purchase it.  Some states have even passed laws which impose daily or weekly purchase limits of this cold remedy.  Legally purchasing a box or two under such tightly-controlled conditions will not put us at risk of being in trouble with the law, but buying more than a few primary “meth lab” ingredients in the same shopping trip can put us at risk of arrest.  According to Methpedia, some of these other ingredients needed for a meth lab are lithium batteries, steel wool (a great fire starter), starting fluid (ether), plastic storage containers, duct tape, coffee filters, aluminum foil, funnels, rubber (or surgical) tubing, thermos bottles, propane tanks, camp fuel, portable heat sources like hot plates and camp stoves, Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, acetone (fingernail polish remover), sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner), salt, and cat litter.   It’s not easy to spot a meth lab operator on the street, but they need supplies to stay in business so they are most vulnerable when standing in the checkout aisle.  Store security staff are the tipsters who actively work with police to catch potential meth lab operators who are known to buy certain products repeatedly and frequently.  Unfortunately, Preppers also buy many of those same products repeatedly and frequently.   

If you (as an innocent Prepper) earn the attention of Store Security through your unique selection of purchases then they will start building a case file complete with credit card information gleaned from the cash registers and license plate numbers acquired with store security cameras.  Those cameras at the checkout will also be used to acquire an image of your physical appearance.  A simple phone call tip to the police could result in you being investigated by a city, county, or state-level police detective as being a possible meth lab operator.  What other purchases will your credit card reveal to an investigator?  Firearms?  Large quantities of ammunition?  Tactical gear?  If enough evidence exists, a search warrant could be obtained and served upon you.  How is it going to look when they find many of these “meth lab” ingredients stored in your home at quantities which far exceed what is “reasonable and customary” for the general population?   Law enforcement officers have also been trained to identify the makings of a meth lab when conducting traffic stops.  They will probably not be concerned with a box or two of Sudafed, but they will go on high alert if they see a certain combination of key ingredients in the back seat after a shopping trip.  If law enforcement has a reasonable suspicion to do so, based on the combinations and quantities of certain items being present in the vehicle, they can make an arrest under the charge of “intent to manufacture”.  In all likelihood, it would be difficult for them to convict an innocent Prepper having no prior criminal history based on such little evidence; yet the time in jail, loss of income, legal expenses, and tarnished criminal record could have a negative impact on preparation plans.  If a conviction were to be handed down by the courts then know it would be a felony which can severely impact freedom, including gun ownership rights.   

Be especially mindful of retailers who offer a plastic discount card which is scanned at the register.  Those discount cards often require a name and address be submitted by the card holder, meaning they know exactly who you are and where you live.  Every time the card is scanned the card holder is authorizing the recording of all their purchases.  The retailer uses this information to study the shopping habits of customers and to make legitimate business decisions, but law enforcement has been known to acquire and use this purchase history to investigate meth lab suspects.  If an innocent Prepper is falsely arrested for “intent to manufacture” following a routine traffic stop, law enforcement could easily obtain a conviction if the suspects recorded purchases includes a higher-than-normal purchase quantity and frequency of the items mentioned above.  Again, Preppers are at a disadvantage here because they often do buy these things in higher numbers and with greater frequency than the general population.    

If at all possible, when purchasing emergency supplies, don’t use discount cards which record the transaction and link it to you by name.  That information can later be used against you, even if you are innocent of all charges.    Use cash rather than credit card, debit cards, or personal checks.  Approach shopping just as you would “no impact camping”, meaning there should not be any evidence or paper trail  linking you by name to a particular purchase.    This becomes difficult if products are ordered online, but at least be aware the transaction is being recorded for long-term reference.  If you need, say, 4,000 rounds of .22 ammunition; then it might be a better idea to buy it with cash in smaller quantities from several stores over a longer period of time.  Likewise, if you need 500 Sudafed pills, consider buying them with cash as single-item purchases from several stores over a very long period of time.   When purchasing emergency supplies take care not to acquire too many of the above listed items in the same shopping trip.  The [“plain view”] contents of your shopping bag can be used against you during a traffic stop, so keep them covered up from prying eyes. – M.E.R.

Economics and Investing:

Ol’ Remus writes In Praise of Junk Silver.

Frequent content contributor John R. suggested this: Derivatives: The Quadrillion Dollar Financial Casino Completely Dominated By The Big International Banks

Paul W. mentioned: China Overbuilding to ‘Hit a Wall’: Chanos

The Human Toll of America’s New Ghost Towns. With its incredibly high foreclosure rate, Las Vegas has become the Poster Child of the housing bust.

New Madoff lawsuits seek $40 Billion …from banks and hedge funds.

Recession Lasting Until 2018 Is Worth Exploring: William Pesek

Items from The Economatrix:

Stocks End Mixed Ahead Of Senate Vote On Tax Deal  

Oil Prices Settle Higher After OPEC Meeting  

Treasury Prices Get A Lift After Fed Buys Bonds (“Gee, if I pay my VISA bill with my Mastercard, then my financial problems will be solved!”) 

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard:  Eurozone In Bad Need Of An Undertaker  

Roger Weigand:  Phase Two Of This Greater Depression Begins Now

Odds ‘n Sods:

I recently mentioned the good news that my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” is presently on sale at Amazon.com for just $6.98. But the bad news is that due to its popularity, they are limiting customers to just three copies per order.

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Reader Ben. S. sent a reminder for readers in the U.S.: Anyone enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA) should expend their set-aside funds for 2010 on OTC medical supplies before December 31st.

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My recent mention of the proposal to make the Model 1911 the State Gun of Utah inspired a SurvivalBlog reader in Tennessee to write his legislators, asking that the Barrett M82A1 .50 Caliber Rifle be proclaimed as the State Gun of Tennessee.

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Hooray! U.S. Health-Care Law Requirement Thrown Out by Judge

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“If the Democrats believe Clinton’s tax increases led to a boom economy and Bush’s tax cuts destroyed the economy, why do they want to extend the Bush tax rates?” – Rush Limbaugh

Two Letters Re: Force Multipliers for Retreat Groups

Dear Jim:
Regarding force multipliers, you touch on early warning with SIGINT, HUMINT and night vision, but I would argue that more immediate early warning through intrusion detection or perimeter security should be stressed as well:

If you are not aware of the bad guys approach, then all your other defensive measures are for naught.  Even just having a minute to muster a defense, instead of 10 seconds, could make all the difference.  Imagine an early warning on the approach of intruders at O-dark-thirty, with your entire team wide awake and suited up in defensive positions, vs. waking up to the sound of gunfire to mount a defense.

Some examples of perimeter security to give you early warning:

• Electronic motion detectors, or ground sensors. [Typically either passive IR or seismic.]

• Electronic hearing amplification. [JWR Adds: The Walker Game Ear hearing aids are very compact and have automatic noise suppression, so they work like electronic ear muffs.]

• A trip wire connected to tin cans, or a chemical light stick (visible light or IR) or blank cartridge. [JWR Adds: Magic Cube photographic flash cubes can also be set off, using a paper clip and a trip wire. It is quick and easy to use clear packing tape to attach them to a post, tree, or large bush. Magic Cubes are no longer manufactured but are still often sold on eBay and Craigslist.]

• Military grade thermal imaging scopes would be the ultimate for your OP, but are still $10,000 plus, the last time I checked

• Don’t forget the obvious – a cleared field to approach your homestead versus an overgrown field. How have other folks dealt with this issue?  What worked, what didn’t?

Regards, – OSOM

 

James,
Regarding force multipliers, I would like to mention body armor.  Obviously, protecting the main target area on the body “puts the odds in your favor” as we say.

Being in the business of selling body armor (I run BulletProofME) I am obviously partial to ballistic protection, but no less an authority than Boston T. Party lists body armor, along with night vision and secure radio communications as “… An order of magnitude advantage”. (See his book Boston on Surviving Y2K .) – Nick

Notes from JWR:

As of Monday, December 13, 2010, my preparedness course is now officially out of print.

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Today we present a guest article by Dr. Cynthia J. Koelker, a frequent content contributor to SurvivalBlog.

Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs really worth stockpiling?  As a family physician my answer is a resounding yes.  Most of the following were actually prescription medications when first released.  (In higher dosages, several still are.)  Although other OTC drugs are worth considering, these ten have been selected due to their ready availability, affordability, safety in both adults and children, and multi-use potential.  Used alone or in combination, they can effectively treat dozens of conditions including:  headache, fever, sore throats, ear ache, menstrual cramps, heartburn, arthritis, ulcers, diarrhea, allergies, hives, congestion, dizziness, mild anxiety, nausea, vomiting, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, ringworm, eczema, insomnia, backache, gout, diaper rash, yeast infections, and many more common illnesses. 

1.      Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) – Among the OTC anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen is probably the most versatile.  Primarily indicated for pain and inflammation, it may also be used to relieve headaches, earaches, sore throats, sinus pain, stiff neck, muscle strains, menstrual cramps, arthritis including gout, and back pain.  It is also effective at reducing fever and is generally safe for use in children.  It is not advisable for most stomach-related pain, although may decrease the pain of kidney stones, kidney infections, and possibly bladder infections.  The most common side effect is stomach irritation or heartburn.  When combined with acetaminophen it is nearly as effective as codeine, tramadol, or hydrocodone in relieving more severe pain. 

2.      Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Acetaminophen is the only OTC pain-reliever that is not an anti-inflammatory drug.  It will not irritate the stomach like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.  It is useful for the same conditions as ibuprofen, though effectiveness varies according to patient.  As mentioned above, it may be combined with ibuprofen in full doses for more severe pain.  Side effects are very few, though in high dose, especially when combined with alcohol, it can lead to liver failure.  It is available in several pediatric dosages, both for pain relief and fever reduction.

3.      Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – An inexpensive antihistamine, diphenhydramine is primarily used for drainage due to respiratory infections and nasal allergies, in both adults and children.  It is also indicated for hives and itching, including itchy rashes such as poison ivy.  Although not all patients become drowsy when using diphenhydramine, many do so, making this medication useful for insomnia as well.  Some people find the drug relieves nausea or mild anxiety.

4.      Loperamide (Imodium) – The most effective OTC medication for diarrhea is loperamide, which is available both as tablet form and liquid for children.  It is often useful for relieving intestinal cramping.   

5.      Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) – Pseudoephedrine is effective at relieving congestion of both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to most common causes including infection, allergy, chemical irritation, and mild asthma or bronchitis.  It frequently has a stimulatory effect, similar to caffeine.  The most common side effects are those resembling a burst of adrenaline:  rapid heart rate, palpitations, and increased blood pressure.  Years ago this drug was used in young children, even babies, though now most pediatricians do not advise it in patients younger than about six years old. 

6.      Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine) – This antiemetic drug is available both over the counter and by prescription.  It relieves nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and vertigo-like dizziness.  For some patients it causes drowsiness, and therefore may be used as a sleep aid.  It is related to medications for anxiety and may help with this as well.

7.      Ranitidine (Zantac) – Although several medications are available OTC for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers, and other acid-reducing conditions, ranitidine is among the best-tolerated, is inexpensive, and is also useful for relieving hives. Doctors often advise an acid-reducing medication such as ranitidine for patients who experience stomach upset when taking ibuprofen, though this must be done with caution.

8.      Hydrocortisone cream – The 1% version of hydrocortisone is the strongest steroid cream available over the counter.  It is safe for use in both adults and children in treating inflamed and/or itchy rashes such as eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and other minor genital irritations. 

9.      Bacitracin ointment – This ointment is best used to prevent skin infections when the integrity of the skin has been breached, as by an abrasion, laceration, insect bite, or sting.  It also may be used to treat a superficial skin infection such as a mildly infected wound or impetigo.  It is less likely to produce a topical skin allergy than other topical antibiotic preparations that contain neomycin.  It cannot be used to treat deeper infections, however, which generally require an antibiotic by mouth.

10.  Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) The same antifungal medication, clotrimazole, is contained in both Lotrimin and Gyne-Lotrimin.  Gyne-Lotrimin may be used to treat both female yeast infections and any other yeast or fungal infection that Lotrimin would treat, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, diaper rashes, and skin fold irritations.

Conclusion
For under $50 total a good supply of all of the above can be purchased.  Several of these medications are also available at higher doses by prescription, and may actually be less expensive if obtained from a physician (ranitidine, meclizine, loperamide, and diphenhydramine), even paying full price.  All of the above drugs and many more are discussed in detail in my book, 101 Ways to Save Money on Health Care. The book includes dozens of sections on treating yourself.  Available for under $10 online, the book offers practical advice on treating: respiratory infections, pink eye, sore throats, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, urinary infections, allergies, arthritis, acne, hemorrhoids, dermatitis, skin infection, lacerations, lice, carpal tunnel syndrome, warts, mental illness, asthma, COPD, depression, diabetes, enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and much more.

JWR Adds: Dr. Koelker has recently started a new blog on TEOTWAWKI medicine at www.ArmageddonMedicine.net.

Force Multipliers for Retreat Groups

In the past 60 years military organizations of First World countries have often dominated their foes in combat because they’ve taken advantage of Force Multipliers. These are technologies or tactics that dramatically increase (“multiply”) their combat effectiveness. These multipliers are typified by electronic communications, aerial bombardment, intelligence gathering, rapid troop transport, electronic warfare, force concentration, and the use of precision guided “smart” munitions.

Similarly, I suspect that in a post-collapse world, Constitutional law and order will best be reestablished by those who stand ready to employ force multipliers of their own. These will likely include:

  • Uninterrupted radio communications to provide a rapid response security network. (I dubbed this The Neighborhood Watch on Steroids.)
  • Night vision (Starlight) equipment.
  • Flares. 26.5mm flare guns and Czech military surplus flares are presently fairly cheap and plentiful, but will become a precious commodity in TEOTWAWKI,. Stock up, especially on parachute flares to provide illumination that will give you the when defending ground at night.
  • Human Intelligence (HUMINT). Know what is going on in your neighborhood and region. Keep informed, and always keep your ears open. Take advantage of existing social networks.
  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). At the minimum, buy a couple of multi-band scanners. Having a spectrum analyzer that will allow you to visualize (and rapidly tune to) the spikes of your opponent’s communications would be a huge plus.
  • Long range weapons. In the civilian world, the .50 BMG is the clear choice for “Reach Out and Touch Someone” situations. Here in the U.S., .50 caliber is the bore diameter limit for military chamberings, unless you pay a $200 Federal transfer tax.
  • Guerilla tactics. Acquire key reference books, such as Total Resistance, Guerrilla Strategies, and Guerilla (by Charles W. Thayer).
  • Legal explosives and flame weapons. To start, do web searches on Thermite and Tannerite. Depending on the situation, these can be used in less-than-lethal or lethal modes.
  • Psychological Operations (PSYOPS). At the minimum, be prepared to use pamphleteering. Refrain from using heads on posts.
  • Off-grid power. Develop photovoltaic and micro-hydro power so that you will have electricity, even when everyone else in your region is living by candlelight.
  • Secure communications. Organized opponents may monitor CB, FRS, and GMRS communications, but using MURS or Marine Band can make interception less likely.
  • Operational Security (OPSEC). Stay hunkered down at your retreat and what and you have, and what you are doing private.
  • Cached food, fuel, and ammunition supplies. Stored food will give you the ability to avoid risky travel. Stored fuel will give you a mobility edge on your opponents, if and when you do travel. If you still have vehicles but your opponents are on foot, then you can “get there fustest, with the mostest.”

Think through some likely situations and the force multipliers that you could prepare to employ. And, as always, avoid breaking the law. A Federal prison is a very bad place to be when TSHTF.

As you read my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” and as you work your way through the SurvivalBlog archives–best accomplished with the Search box–be sure take notes on potential force multipliers.

Once you have a list of force multipliers that are within your budget, then gather the references, lay in the tools and supplies, and finally practice the requisite skills.

Letter Re: Assembling a Survival Library

Dear Editor:
There is a wonderful source for free e-books called Project Gutenberg.  The books are free because the Copyright for these books has expired in the United States. (They may still be copyrighted in other countries). So anybody may make verbatim or non-verbatim copies of those works.  

This is a wonderful source of information.  They will even send free cds and dvds that have as many as 29,000 books each if you request.  You can find books on a multitude of ‘How To’ subjects from a time when doing it yourself was the only option.   

Of course you can find many of the literary classics including Shakespeare and original writings by and about our Founding Fathers as well.  

When I ordered my DVD, I received two copies.  One for myself and one to give away to a friend.  They encourage making copies and giving those away too.  Check out the CD and DVD Project link at the bottom of the page to download or request copies to be mailed to you.  

They offer many opportunities to contribute if you aren’t in a situation to donate money (neither of which are required).  It definitely is worth anything that you can do to help this project that is working to provide knowledge to everyone who wants it at no charge.  

Regards, – Teka

Economics and Investing:

Several readers pointed us to this New York Times article: A Secretive Banking Elite Rules Trading in Derivatives

Patron Mark mentioned some commentary about the debt problems in blue states that makes a compelling case that severe hard times are inevitable.

Cheryl N. sent this: Why Use Gold As Money?

Social Security advocates fear payroll tax cut. (Thanks to Sue C. for the link.)

Bram flagged this news item: Australia Overhauls Banking Rules

Odds ‘n Sods:

Dr. John Waterman will be hosting a two hour show on The Prepper Podcast about herbal medicine. That show will air on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Central Time.

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I just noticed that Amazon.com has dropped the price of my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” to just $6.98. This is their lowest price ever, so it would be a good opportunity to get a short stack, for Christmas presents. (Hint, hint.)

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H1N1 virus returns, already claiming lives of 10 British adults with early signs that illness has spread to other European countries. (Thanks to KAF for the link.)   

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F.G. sent this: Representative Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman [, Utah], wants to declare the Browning model 1911 .45-caliber pistol Utah’s state gun. F.G.’s comment: “What’s not to like? (A lot, if you’re a anti-gun Tribune reporter.)” FWIW, your editor would like to make the birthday of John Moses Browning a National Holiday.

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Also courtesy of F.G.: Top 10 States People Are Fleeing: New York, Illinois and Louisiana are expected to lose more residents than they gain this year. Given California’s budget crisis, I suspect that California will soon join the list. Speaking of fleeing, I’ve had five different blog readers and consulting clients mention that they are making mid-winter relocations to Idaho or Montana. That sort of action only comes from strong conviction. This by the way parallels the recent moves by Chuck Baldwin’s entire extended family, also in the dead of winter, to Montana. Obviously, some folks are feeling the need to move, immediately.