Five Letters Re: Welding Oxygen Versus Medical Oxygen

1

James:
Just a quick note, never ever use oxygen under pressure near oil! Never use oil on the thread’s or fittings! The high pressure will cause the oil to detonate,similar to a diesel ignition! If you must,and probably should never need to, use a teflon tape seal!And if you have an acetylene bottle, let it stand for 24 hours as it may have been laid on it’s side before using it, separating the acetone from the gas. – Dean

 

Jim
The letter in response to welding oxygen versus medical oxygen was interesting. Unfortunately [that readers} was wrong on one point. Oil is never used around oxygen, period. Quoting from a Compressed Gas Association safety alert “Liquid oxygen containers must be properly cleaned for oxygen service and must be kept clean and free of grease, oil, or other hydrocarbon materials, which can combine with oxygen with explosive violence.”

The other danger is that the manufacturer does not know what the end use of the gas will be. If they allow any impurities in it, they could be liable for contaminating an end product of causing a substandard weld. I can assure you that virtually all oxygen is safe for human use. – Docliberty

 

Jim:
If you go to a local oxygen supplier and ask, (and they are being honest) they will tell you that they fill the welding oxygen, the aviators oxygen and the medical grade oxygen tanks from the exact same bulk tank, which is to say, they are all medical grade.
The previous e-mail is correct in that it is important to know that if you are using a compressor for breathable air, it should be medical grade, preferably an oil-less compressor.
His/her reasoning is correct but in the oxygen industry, no one I know makes their own oxygen with compressors on premises any more. Rather, they buy in bulk from dealers (You can make oxygen yourself with an oxygen concentrator but then you are back to needing electricity.) and the dealers only make one grade: medical grade.

The difference is not in the quality of the oxygen but the chain of custody of the tanks. If you bring an oxygen tank in to get refilled, they will give you another refilled oxygen tank of the same category (i.e. welding, aviators or medical) that you gave them but not likely the exact one you brought in. Here’s the issue: If a welding tank is used, you don’t know where it’s been and if it has been left open, contaminants may have gotten in at some work site that used it previously.

If you want to save money or avoid a prescription and use welding oxygen (which I have personally done) then here’s the solution: Buy a new welding tank and spray paint your name on it. When you get it filled/refilled, demand your personal tank back. Now you have chain of custody. The oxygen will be medical grade and since you started with a clean tank there will be no contaminants. Make sure that you don’t tell the refill station why you really want it or they may not refill it for you. If they ask, have your cover story, like welding…

Also, you will want a regulator that has a range of about 5 to 15 liters per minute. The oxygen that comes out will need to be controlled so you don’t waste it. Get one that has both liter-per-minute (LPM) and pressure gauges so you know both how fast you are using it and how much you have left. For medical applications, you don’t need 100% oxygen unless you are dealing with something like smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning. Raising the inhaled oxygen content from 21% (normal) to say, 50% will be a boon for your injured mates and make your limited supply of this valuable resource last longer. I would use oxygen with lung injuries or loss of blood, but this is a topic better answered by others.

You will also need to get/make an adaptor with the appropriate male nipple size to fit on the end of the regulator that will attach to the female end of the plastic hose that goes to the mask you will be using.

Welding regulators are not set up to go directly to a mask and medical grade oxygen regulators (which will go right to a mask hose) will not fit on a welding tank (by design to thwart this very thing).
Masks are inexpensive, but medical supply houses can be sticklers for requiring a prescription for them. Online purchases rarely require them. You will want what is called a rebreather mask. They look the the ones you see fall from the airplane ceilings in movies.

If you want to give 100% oxygen and not waste any, look at the rebreather bag attached to the mask. Decrease the LPM of oxygen until you see it deflate with each inhalation but not all the way. If it stays fully inflated at all times you are wasting O2, if it goes empty/flat on inhalations, you are dropping below 100% oxygen and forcing the patient to pull in extra air from outside the mask which not only decreases the oxygen level but may be difficult for the injured. If you want to go below 100% oxygen, then make sure that the mask has valves or ports on it to allow air to be breathed in from outside or loosen the mask a bit so air can get in from the sides. Test this by making a tight seal with the mask on your face, plug up the hose and breath in. If you can do this without effort, you’re set up is good. Don’t go with nasal cannulas as they waste 50% of the oxygen and you’re not likely to get a refill anytime soon.SF in Hawaii

 

Sir:
Despite the dire warnings, there is no difference in oxygen purity or suitability for breathing among the four “grades.”

From a major supplier’s web site:

‘There are four kinds of oxygen that are merchandised or sold to users; Aviation, Medical, Welding and Research. There is a ongoing controversy if there is any difference between the different types. Oxygen gas is produced from the boiling off of liquid oxygen. It would appear that the oxygen is therefore the same. Where we obtain oxygen, all the different types of oxygen are supplied from the same manifold system. Then someone says that medical oxygen has more moisture in it. That is partly true. The oxygen going to a hospital bed is plain oxygen that comes from liquid oxygen. At the bed location, there is a unit on the wall that adds moisture. At this moment we now have medical oxygen. If the oxygen is in a pressure vessel or in a manifold system (like inside a hospital) then it is regular oxygen. The cost of medical or welding oxygen is normally much less than the oxygen you get at an airport.
”Also of interest, we have been told by the suppliers of welding oxygen, the purity level required for welding and cutting purposes is more critical than for breathing.
”The bottom line about the different types of oxygen is in the insurance liability of the oxygen supplier. The gas is the same but the insurance liability is different.”

All oxygen is generated from oil-free compressors/liquefiers because any oil (of whatever nature) is highly flammable in 100% oxygen

The bottom line is safety – oxygen makes things burn, even people. Safe use requires scrupulous attention to cleanliness and detail. Don’t do it if you don’t know if it is safe or not. – JB, MD

 

James,
I sent in a letter about using aviation or welding oxygen instead of medical oxygen and another reader replied, objecting that compressor oil could compromise the safety of the oxygen. I don’t want to get into a tit-for-tat over the subject, but I think it’s important to address the reader’s concerns because the lack of a prescription may keep people from obtaining oxygen that could later save a life.

Unlike SCUBA air, oxygen is not pumped with a compressor at the point of bottle filling. It is dispensed from a large tank that has been provided by a supplier like Air Products or Praxair. Oil, whether petroleum based or vegetable based, is not present in the compressed oxygen. Oil and grease can burn spontaneously when exposed to pure oxygen – especially under pressure – so the suppliers take care to remove such impurities before bottling.

When I said that medical, aviation and welding oxygen are all clean, pure and dry, I meant exactly that. They come from the same source! ABO, medical and welding oxygen are all U.S.P. grade oxygen and all are safe to breathe. The only differences among them are that ABO has had an additional drying step to prevent ice formation at altitude and there are slight differences in filling methods (evacuate first or not) and paperwork, all inconsequential when we’re talking about supplemental oxygen delivered through a mask or cannula.

Private pilots have been using welding oxygen for years with no ill effects. If welding oxygen somehow scares you then by all means, buy ABO: We know that’s safe to breathe. My main point was that there is a no-prescription option available.

I just Googled a good resource. This guy is an expert on the subject and perhaps his paper will clarify things and end further debate on this subject. – Matt S.

Letter Re: Firearms Battery Recommendations

Jim,
In reference to the post on September 9th concerning the Mossberg Riotgun–as far as I know the only Mossberg available with the steel safety switch (as well as steel receiver, steel trigger guard, bayonet lug and heavier/thick walled barrel) is the Mossberg 590A1. For a few dollars more it is, IMHO a better choice. They can still be had for around $500–steel trigger assemblies et cetera are available for upgrading the plastic parts but they are pricey, and the trigger assembly has to be shipped to an FFL. Once [all of this is] done it may in fact be more expensive than simply buying the Model 590A1. Best Regards, – Jason in North Idaho

Odds ‘n Sods:

Universal flu vaccine tests start in the UK

   o o o

We can now chalk up another $200 Billion in the Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB). It’s now official: U.S. Seizes Fannie and Freddie. This confirms my suspicion that there is no such thing as “too big to bail out”, but the dictum of “too big to fail” is in full force. I predict that these bailouts will continue in both the public and private sectors, in a “widening gyre.” The bailouts won’t end until the US dollar is destroyed as a currency unit. Get out of any dollar-denominated investments, as soon as possible.

   o o o

Kevin A. sent us a link that illustrates the pernicious effects of inflation: The 99 Cents Only store chain gets ready to break dollar barrier. Of course I can remember the late 1960s when the Motel 6 chain raised their rates above $6 per night for a single room. Few folks now remember what the “6” in Motel 6 stood for. But even though that happened when I was a child, that dates me. As I’ve written before:Currency inflation is little more than robbery in slow motion. You are being robbed of your buying power. Sadly, because inflation is so gradual in the First World countries that few people raise much of a fuss.

   o o o

Ken McC. sent us an article about Veggie Garden Thefts in England.

   o o o

I spotted an article linked over at the Coinflation site that made me chuckle: Razor wire stolen by metal thieves

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The game of chicken that foreigners have been playing with their $[US Dollar] reserves will come to an end. Someone will flinch. The world’s banking system primarily uses Dollars for its reserves. The other currencies used as reserves, Yen, Pounds, Euros, etc. also use Dollars as reserves. Countries are using each other as reserves in a never ending circle of falsely created values. Think of it this way, it is like two people trying to hold each other up off the ground at the same time without either touching the ground. There is no backing or foundation to any currency nor to any banking system worldwide. The last semblance of support was knocked out from under the system back in August, 1971 when Nixon closed the Gold window. Who will be first to sell Dollars? Who will be next? Who will be the first to flinch in this game of chicken? I have no idea, but when the $[US Dollar] selling starts it will snowball. It will probably destroy the entire worldwide banking in less than two weeks time once it begins. Markets will close for unspecified amounts of time, distribution, trade, travel, will all cease for unspecified amounts of time. Foodstocks will be wiped out in a week or less. This will change the world as we know it.” – Bill Holter, Fannie and Freddie in the Lap of the U.S. Treasury

Note from JWR:

The U.S. economy is showing clear signs of disintegration, as the global credit collapse continues to take its toll. The once bountiful Lake of Liquidity has dried up to now resemble the Owens Valley. Corporations are screaming for cash, banks are failing, the real estate market is in freefall, and hedge funds are desperately clinging to the edge of the abyss. The proposed “solution”–The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB)– keeps growing, with no end in sight. It is actually part of the problem rather than the solution. If you haven’t done so already, prepare yourself for a long term layoff, loss of equity in your home, and and possible relocation under duress. A major depression now looks very likely.

Letter Re: The Approach of Tropical Storm Hanna Was a Wake-Up Call

Sir,
I used to think of myself as “Mr. Preparedness.” I read the blogs and often went shopping for preparedness supplies. Then tropical storm Hanna came to the Carolina coast and I realized just how ill prepared I really was.

I didn’t even have my medicines in order. Also, I had no reserve of cash in small bills ready to go. Nothing was packed. It took some time to get all my things together. Had this been a real emergency, I would have been in trouble.

Sir, you mentioned in a previous blog the importance of having that bag already packed, by the door, and ready to carry to the car. I am now taking this instruction literally. I spent most of Saturday repacking. Where I focused most of my attention on was my medicines and toiletries. During evacuations I volunteer for a non-profit where they provide cooked food, have plenty of water, and have a reliable generator for the whole building. They even and a shower. I now have packed clothes for three days including a towel and shower shoes, a spare of all of my toiletries, spare medicines for a week, and what will soon be a hundred dollars in cash in small bills, all in two lightweight, easy to carry bags.

Another thing I am going to start doing is fueling up the car to “full” a little more often. And any other steps to shorten the time before I get “the call” and I am move out.
Hopefully with these preps I will be better ready the next time a disaster happens. Thanks – Wes

Letter Re: Firearms Battery Recommendations

Mr. Rawles,

Thanks for all of the informative posts at SurvivalBlog. Based on your recommendations, I’ve put together the following list of firearms (all I currently own is a 38 year old .22 rifle):

  • Springfield XD .45 ACP ($568) — for concealed carry, self defense
  • Mossberg Model 500 Special Purpose Mariner 12 gauge Shotgun 9 Shot ($423) — for home defense, hunting
  • Remington Model 700 Varmint Tactical Rifle .308 Winchester, 22 in with Muzzle Brake, Bolt Action ($643) — for hunting, possible tactical/precision use in TEOTWAWKI scenarios
  • Rock River Arms LAR-8 .308 Caliber Standard A2/A4 Rifle ($1,170) — for tactical use in TEOTWAWKI scenarios

I wanted to only have to stock one rifle ammo so I tried to choose a hunting/precision rifle and an AR rifle that could use the same cartridges.

What is your assessment of the selections I made? I would really appreciate any suggestions before I make the purchases.
I never served in the military and have no experience with hunting rifles or ARs, so after I make the purchases I plan to get some training from a good local instructor. However, I wanted to get trained on my own firearms so I can become familiar with them.
So, I need advice about the following related items so that I make wise purchases that all work well together since this is an area in which I have no experience:

1. Sight recommendations for both rifles (I live on 10+ heavily-wooded acres in the Virginia Blue Ridge mountains)
2. Recommendations for LAR-8 magazines (exactly what to buy, recommended web sites)
3. Ammo sources/recommendations. I was considering .308 Win (7.62x51mm) 145 grain Prvi Partizan .
I wanted to lay in a large stock of ammo that I could use in either of the two rifles and didn’t know if this was a good selection or not. I don’t want to buy good guns and bad ammo. I need recommendations and sources that a newbie can follow without getting ripped off.
4. Ammo recommendations for the handgun and shotgun. There are so many choices, it’s hard to decide. (manufacturer, cartridge and shell recommendations)
5. I would also appreciate a concise list of minimum spare parts / accessories I should consider for the firearms I purchase and supplier recommendations.

Thanks again for all of your help.- ALG

JWR Replies: That would make an excellent, quite versatile battery.

IMO, the Remington 700 is a bit over-priced, compared to the Savage Model 10 series, which is functionally identical (every bit as accurate), and costs about $250 less.
Since you live in a heavily-wooded area, you probably won’t need a long-range rifle, but it might come in handy. Consider it your lowest priority purchase.

In answer to your questions:
1.Since you are in heavily-wooded country, leave the LAR-8 set up with iron sights. A scope on a battle rifle only makes sense in open country. However, you might want to get a low-power starlight scope for night security. I recommend the Trijicon 3-9x40mm Trophy Point scope for your bolt action. With a tritium-lit reticle, it will give you better night shooting capability than a traditional scope. Trijicon scopes are available from CGW one of our loyal advertisers.)

2. Buy either standard military surplus 20 round metric FN-FAL magazines, or inch pattern L1A1 magazines. The Israeli metric magazines were made on Belgian (FN) tooling and are some of the best metric magazines. You can get these from several vendors including WhatACountry.com. Inch magazines are more scarce, but they are a bit more sturdy than the metric magazines. If you can find them for under $16 each, then buy inch (L1A1) magazines. Otherwise buy metric. (Which can be had for as little as $8 each, in quantity.) You can often find inch magazines on The FAL Files Marketplace Forum, or on Buddy’s Board.

3. The Prvi ammo has had mixed reviews, possibly because of un-even quality control, so I don’t recommend it. A good factory load that can be used in both your rifles is the ubiquitous white box Winchester “USA” 150 grain full metal jacket 7.62mm NATO. (Although it won’t have quite the peak accuracy of 168 grain match grade, in your bolt action. But that isn’t a big issue unless you are shooting more than 400 yards.)

For all of your ammo purchases, shop around for the best prices. It is best to buy each caliber all at once, so that the ammo will come from the same manufacturer’s lot. (for consistent accuracy.) For recommendations on discount ammo vendors, see this SurvivalBlog post. Once you’ve identified the best prices by mail order,do some comparison pricing at a major gun show. Bring cash so that you don’t leave a paper trail.

4. For the XD-45: Federal HydraShok .45 ACP, 230 grain
For the riotgun: Winchester or Remington #4 Buckshot 12 gauge, and a much smaller supply of 12 gauge Brenneke Rifled Slugs

5. A spare firing pin, extractor, and ejector for each gun is a good starting point. OBTW, if your Mossberg comes with a plastic safety switch, then upgrade it to a sturdier aftermarket steel switch.

For a source for spare parts for Springfield Armory XD pistols, see this SurvivalBlog post.

Buy the LAR-8 parts directly from Rock River Arms.
For the LAR-8 rifle, in addition to the aforementioned spare firing pin, extractor, and ejector, you should also buy:
1- firing pin retaining pin
1- extractor retaining pin
1- ejector retaining pin
1- buffer retaining pin
1 pr.- handguards (the most fragile part of the rifle, in my experience)

To get your XD .45 pistol free with some top-notch training, highly I recommend that you take advantage of Front Sight’s “Get a Gun” training and gear package offer. It is worth flying across the country to take Front Sight’s Four Day Defensive Handgun course. The Memsahib and I have both taken it, and it outstanding.

Letter Re: Welding Oxygen Versus Medical Oxygen

Jim,
In one of the letters about acquiring oxygen, the following statement was made by a SurvivalBlog reader: “Aviation, medical and welder’s oxygen are all pure, dry and inexpensive. There is a deadly difference between oxygen made for use by a machine and oxygen made for use by people. Compressors, like any other machine, must be lubricated. Air compressors used in a dive shop [or a medical supply company] will use a natural oil, like peanut oil. Compressors used to inflate a car tire, or produce air and oxygen for welding and manufacturing processes, generally use a light machine oil. Breathing air containing trace amounts of machine oil can cause serious health problems or even death. Leaking oxygen can also cause normal chemical process to become explosive.

We all need to keep in mind that some things, like oxygen, explosives, and chemical storage are best left to experts. If someone is dead set on doing something, then they should spend the time and take the training to become an expert.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Just as I predicted a more than a year ago, and again more explicitly in October of 2007, the hedge fund failure rate is about ready to turn into an avalanche, in agonizing quarterly installments: Hedge funds ready to blow as positions liquidated. (A hat tip to Mike McD. for for finding that link.)

   o o o

For all of you that have been waiting, after many months of shortages, Mountain House has finally resumed selling their freeze dried foods in #10 (one gallon) vacuum-packed cans on the civilian market. My advice: Get them while you can. When the next disaster comes along, the thin available supply will be quickly exhausted, and Mountain House will probably shut off the tap. (Just like this last time, so they can divert production to the more profitable small serving mylar-foil packs, and for government orders.) The larger #10 cans have a 25+ year shelf life are now available from Ready Made Resources and from Safecastle. (Both are very reputable dealers that have continuously been SurvivalBlog advertisers since our early days.)

   o o o

A helpful reader alerted me to a useful article over at the Section Hiker blog: The Limitations of Water Filters and Water Purification. There are plenty of other useful articles there, including Seam Sealing a Tent or Tarp and Sleep System Tactics for Staying Warm.

   o o o

The latest flurry of economic news and commentary, courtesy of Cheryl N., our Economic Editor: UK Reporting Huge Rise in Food Costs, Take a Load Off Fannie: Bailout or Nationalization for the Mortgage Giants?, Next Hot Zone: Home Equity Delinquencies, Merrill Shares Rated “Sell” By Goldman Sachs, Gold Demand Soars. Prices Fall. What’s Going Wrong?, World Markets Reel on Recession Fears, Russian Central Bank Pays $4bn to Prop Up Ruble, and Main Bank of China In Need of Capital.

   o o o

Hurricane Ike blasts Turks and Caicos as Category 4 storm

 

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“[John Connor is] ‘the leader of the resistance, fighting artificially intelligent machines determined to annihilate the human race’ Did he strike you that way? Leader of a scrappy band of rebels? Luke Skywalker type?” – Richard T. Jones as FBI Agent James Ellison in the pilot episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. (Script by Josh Friedman)

Letter Re: West Virginia as a Retreat Locale

Sir,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on West Virginia. I live in Huntington which is at the conjunction of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. My family lives in a valley where we are related to nearly everyone there [by blood or by marriage]. We have industrial equipment in our business in the valley. Also a US Corps of Engineers lake covers one end of our road. This leaves just one roadway in or out. The only other approaches are to cross the heavily wooded hills. – Doug in West Virginia

JWR: Replies: As I’ve often written in my blog, you can’t put a price tag on having deep roots in a small rural community. I strongly recommend that you stay right there, and encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbors to get squared away, logistically. Also encourage each family to buy a couple of rifles in a common caliber, such as .308 Winchester. Even though you are fairly close to a high population density region, in the event of a sudden-onset “worst case” you will have the the opportunity to block that road (perhaps by positioning a piece of heavy equipment as a mobile road block) and setting up a Neighborhood Watch on Steroids. The looters will then most likely go elsewhere, in search of easier pickings.

Four Letters Re: Pistol Holster Recommendations for Women

Jim,
Bill from Ohio has a number of great observations about carry issues for females. Among the issues he mentions about hip holsters built for men:
1) Because of a woman’s hips they tend to cause the butt of the weapon to dig-in to a woman’s waist
2) Because women have hips, upon which they wear their belt they have less room to lift the weapon before it impinges into their armpit.
3) Because of factors 1 and 2 the FBI cant further complicates a natural draw for women.
I’d like to mention a holster made by Blade-Tech that addresses all three of these issues.

The offset allows for a normal vertical weapon carry by offsetting the distance from waist to hip. The drop isn’t a dramatic drop like a thigh rig — it just gives the woman a holster to armpit distance more comparable to what a man experiences. Finally the cant is fully adjustable to include straight drop, FBI, and even muzzle forward.
I have no financial relationship (other than being a customer) with Blade Tech. Just wanted to point out this groundbreaking product. – Keith in the Inland Northwest

 

Jim,
As a follow-on to Pistol Holsters for Women, my wife had good luck with a Galco Lady Gunsite for a full-size 1911. This holster has an angled belt attachment, holding the gun vertical with the grip away from the body. This is not an effective concealment rig, as the gun sticks out from the body. It can get in the way until you get used to it. And of course, they don’t make ’em anymore. – Simple Country Doctor.

 

Sir,
In the recent letter regarding Holster Recommendations for Women, I found that I could understand that there is a problem, but was having a hard time visualizing it. A quick Google turned up an article on the subject. It does not offer the exact same solutions to the problem, but it does have diagrams.

As a guy, I found this very useful to understanding the problem. It is probably a lot safer than harassing the next female police officer I see with endless questions about her firearm. Somehow I doubt the officer–or my wife–would appreciate me pointing/shifting/tugging on the officer’s gear and person just to satisfy my curiosity about this problem. – Jeff

 

James:
Bill in Ohio brings up nearly everything I was going to write about yesterday (but killing blackberries and renovating the spring got in the way). His descriptions of the various holsters and how they fit on women is spot on and I doubt I could have described them as well. Everyone needs to read them very carefully, and learn!

Unfortunately, I learned all that the hard way. For over 30 years, I have carried a pistol when horseback riding, and I can assure you that as a 5’3″ woman, with hips and breasts, it is no easy thing. And over the years I have come to the conclusion that the traditional thigh-tiedown type holster works best. The cowboys had that one right!

There are a couple of reasons why I use this set up. First off, it’s easy and comfortable, even if you carry a good-sized pistol (in this case, a Dan Wesson .357 with a 6.5-inch barrel.) The only problem I ever had with it was that the Pachmayr grip rubbed a hole through the lining of my long riding coat. So I covered that place with Cordura.

The second reason is that while I was trying out various ways of packing that pistol, I had that big pistol at the small of my back. That worked okay, once I worked out how to get rid of the “bounce” when going faster than a walk. (I had to wear the belt so tight it was uncomfortable) But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was taking a bad fall one day, and landing on the damn thing! Ouch!

So, I nixed the belt/small of the back idea, and went back to the thigh holster.

I do sometimes carry a smaller pistol (9mm Ruger with a 2-inch barrel) at the small of my back. I rigged a fanny pack with a synthetic holster, and that works well.

I have often wondered if anyone has tried to modify (or if someone already makes) a holster integrated with one of those neoprene back support belts. It would seem to me that this would work very well. Something like a pancake holster sewn onto the belt at the small of the back. It would be comfy, wouldn’t bounce, and if done right shouldn’t be too difficult to draw. So, unless someone comes up with a better idea, I’m sticking with my thigh tie-down.

Oh, something else in regards to packing a weapon when riding. You should always keep your weapon on your person! If you get dumped (or your horse takes off while you are taking a leak.) you do not want to be without your defense. I also carry water, a couple power bars, a small first aid kit, and a Leatherman in my fanny pack as well.

Many of my riding friends have made fun of me over the years because of all the stuff I carry with me. I have big saddlebags, stuffed with everything I might need. But all that teasing sure stops in a big hurry when someone needs something that I happen to have! ( Like toilet paper, a tampon, a shovel, or even my gold pan!) I also take a lot of flak for usually riding the smallest horse with the most gear.

Take care, and my thoughts are with your family. I hope Memsahib is on the mend! – Mrs. JD

JWR Replies: Like you, I am not an advocate of “small of back” (SOB) holsters. They are particularly risky when riding a bicycle, motorcycle, ATV, or horse! You are fortunate that you didn’t take a harder fall, or you might have suffered a spinal injury. I have read accounts of a few law enforcement officers that had severe injuries because of SOB holsters. I’m not willing to take that risk.

Odds ‘n Sods:

We saw this one coming: U.S. Rescue Seen at Hand for Two Mortgage Giants. The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) continues to grow!

   o o o

Season 2 of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (TSCC) begins tomorrow (September 8, 2008). In agreement with the fans at The Sarah Connor Society, I consider it is the best quasi-survivalist show on television. Don’t look for many useful preparedness tips, but at least it is entertaining and motivational for those of us with the preparedness mindset. Meanwhile, the fourth feature film in the Terminator movie franchise (“Terminator: Salvation”)–starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington–is now in production and is scheduled for release on Memorial Day weekend, 2009. This new movie is set almost entirely in a post-nuke future, as the human race battles Skynet and its Terminators. It should be good.

   o o o

Eric sent us some more “punch to the gut” economic news: U.S. House Price Decline Could Be Worse than Great Depression, Credit Crunch: The Sequel, Banks: Dominoes Ready to Fall, Banks borrow more from Fed; Wall Street takes pass, and FDIC chief is facing exceptional challenges. Somehow, the premise of my novel is starting seems less fictional, with each passing day.

   o o o

Blazer sent us this: Another Friday, Another Bank Collapse. Nevada is one of the states suffering the most from the housing market collapse, so this comes as no surprise.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” – John Wesley

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 18 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include:

First Prize: The writer of the best contributed article in the next 60 days will be awarded two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value!
Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses.
Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing

Round 18 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entries. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the judging.