Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"There exists a law, not written down anywhere, but inborn in our hearts; a law which comes to us not by training or custom or reading; a law which has come to us not from theory but from practice, not by instruction but by natural intuition. I refer to the law which lays it down that, if our lives are endangered by plots or violence or armed robbers or enemies, any and every method of protecting ourselves is morally right." – Marcus Tulius Cicero (106-53 BC)

Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Jim:
Some corrections and additional points regarding swords, crossbows, leaf springs, etc.
1) The Japanese do not have a monopoly on “cutting” swords; most European swords before c. 1500 (and even after this point) were quite capable of serous shearing blows. See Ewert Oakeshott’s “Sword in the Age of Chivalry” and “Records of the Medieval Sword” for more details.
2) An “epee” or “foil” is utterly useless as a weapon, being for sporting use only. The rapier (which is what the epee/foil is based loosely on) is somewhat useful,
but is a somewhat degenerate sword style, introduced after swords were becoming secondary weapons on the
battlefield.
3) “Great Swords” are not all that heavy – 3 to 5 lbs is typical.
4) For quality modern reproduction swords, go to Arms and Armor or Albion Armorers. These tend to be high-end, but are made not only of top notch material, but are exact reproductions that have all of the fighting capability of the original Mediaeval arms that saw real combat, including proper balance, weight
distribution, etc. Other quality manufacturers include Cold Steel (as mentioned), Del Tin, and Lutel in the Czech Republic. Moral: you get what you pay for.
5) The above being said, some lower end reproductions from China and India are of adequate quality, especially Hanwei Forge and Windlass Steelcrafts. I avoid the Hanwei simply because it is out of China.
Neither is perfect, but they will be adequate.
6) This poster, alas, knows little about European swordsmanship. Go to Chivalry Bookshelf for solid information on this subject. Also, check their links section for sites that perform training, etc. in true European martial arts.
7) I suspect a European sword can be drawn as quickly as a katana…
8) Bows are simpler to make than crossbows. Unless your foes are running around in chainmail or heavier armor, there is little need for the penetration power
of the crossbow. Don’t forget you need to make arrows/bolts for these weapons! This is a separate skill.
9) Blackpowder is a sustainable resource, so there is considerable payoff in researching pre-smokeless powder weapons… I was working on an article for
SurvivalBlog, and still am, but have found that it is going to take awhile to write it to do it justice.
10) While one technically can use a leaf spring for a crossbow prod, it is a much more difficult proposition than most realize. Simply attaching a spring to the end of a block of wood will not do it. It requires
fairly precise design and especially heat treating to pull off. For additional problems vis-a-vis leaf springs see below. For those still interested in crossbows, consult New World Arbalest and UC Crossbows
11) Swords are not all that easy to make, either. Well, at least to make correctly… Spend some time exploring the FAQs and articles on Arms & Armor or Albion, along with SwordForum or myArmoury.com to learn some of the pitfalls. I have forged a couple of Celtic sword blades (one from a leaf spring and the other from a bar of 5160 spring steel) and it is tough
work. But it can be done.
12) While mail is easy enough to make by using simple butted rings, it is difficult to make correctly (i.e. with overlapped and riveted rings alternating with solid rings that are either punched from sheet, or
overlapped and forge welded) so that it really works.
13) Swordsmithing and armoring are quite fun, I highly recommend getting into it, if you have interest. But don’t neglect gunsmithing…
14) Finally, while leafsprings are good steel, there are a couple of pitfalls. First, they often have some degree of fatigue induced microfracturing, which can naturally cause problems, and second tend to “remember” their curvature, making simply flattening them out and reshaping them problematic at best. For this reason I usually relegate scrap leaf springs to shorter swords or knives, since these problems are less apparent on shorter lengths. Note that the above problems can be mitigated or eliminated, but you really have to know what you are doing. Too long to
explain here, I’m afraid.
P.S. Do not neglect simpler melee weapons, such as spears, axes, maces, etc. Spears, in particular, were really the dominant battlefield weapon, and maintained more importance than the sword, even into modern times (think:: bayonet on end of rifle) – GFL

Retreat Potential Analysis: Bonner and Boundary Counties in North Idaho

Here is my analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Bonner and Boundary counties in north Idaho:
Advantages:
1. Very large tracts of undeveloped land under the stewardship of the Idaho Department of Lands and the US Forest Circus with considerable amounts of game and fish.
2. A variety of microclimates can be found here. Parts of Bonners Ferry can get half the snowfall of the Sandpoint area. Normally, the weather is more moderate proximate to Lake Pend Oreille but heavier snowfall occurs next to Lake Cocolalla and Priest Lake.
3. Our growing season is approximately 110 days.
4. Mountainous terrain with heavy forestation is historically optimal guerilla country.
5. Contiguous to a porous international border.
6. No building departments in either Bonner or Boundary County (for now).
7. There is a curious self-selection of emigrants to North Idaho who have a self-reliant attitude and a vigorous skepticism toward any level of government. The Palouse attitude is diluted due to the transient population of students and the tendency of universities to produce enclaves of state-worship.
8. Huge amounts of water both above ground and resident in giant aquifers.
9. Temperature in the teens and below are virtually unheard of yet even summer nights tend to be in the 40s and 50s.
10. Crime is extremely low.
11. One single major arterial (Highway 95) and minor arterial (Highway 41) run north-south.
12. Very small comprehensive law enforcement presence.
13. It is possible to travel just north of Priest River and have access to over 40 miles of travel north to the Canadian border over state and federal land without touching or traveling on any private land (trespass).
14. Heating fuels are practically unlimited.
15. Access to Montana for tax free goods.
16. Vibrant horse culture for emerging transportation needs.
17. Major source of hay for the region, critical for horses and cattle.

Disadvantages:
1. Huge influx of People’s Republic of Kalifornia (PRK) refugees (55% of all new Bonner County vehicle registrations) is causing a shift in the local polity to dampen skepticism of government.
2. Winters are presently following no pattern but snowfall is inevitable. Snowpack concentration tends to be Schweitzer mountain and points west
3. High housing and land prices (Bonner County has the second highest values in Idaho out of 44 counties). The immediate Sandpoint/Schweitzer axis is especially spendy. Although since the housing and lender bubble has burst, prices are careening downward at a wicked pace.
4. Tendency for overcast days November through February for solar energy usage.
5. US Border Patrol jurisdiction is 60 miles south of any border.
6. Transcontinental railroad systems throughout Bonner and Boundary with approximately 60 trains per day.
7. The Rocky Mountain states tend to have the highest fuel prices.
8. Proximity to Fairchild Air Force Base.
9. Economy dependent on tourism and approximately one of every three jobs is government employment.
10. Proximity to large populations centers in Coeur d’ Alene and Spokane.

 

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

The following quote is in honor of the anniversary of the battle at Fort McHenry, on September 12, 1814. Please direct your attention, in particular, to the third and fourth stanzas, which are usually omitted in modern performances. (My apologies to our British cousins who might take offense at the third stanza.) :

Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mist of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep.
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream
‘Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation,
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven – rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto –“In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

– The National Anthem of the United States, lyrics by Francis Scott Key, 1814

Note From JWR:

Today we remember the fifth anniversary of the 9/11/01 radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the eastern United States. We still live in a very dangerous world. It is rational to still be fearful. Be prepared.

Staying Prepared at All Times, by Christian Souljer — September

As I remember my personal 9-11-01 experience, I am reminded that it is smart to always be prepared for the unexpected. Many of us have some kind of story regarding that day in September of 2001. I was out bow hunting about 200 miles from home. One of the hunting party had a radio and heard the news. When we got back to camp from the morning hunt, that person excitedly proclaimed, “There have been several plane attacks on the world trade centers and the Pentagon!” We determined that a new type of war had begun.
We did not know what the extent of the attacks would be that day and it was still early on the western side of the county. We had planned to head for home that day after the morning hunt since at least one of us had to work the next day. We did not know what we would possibly encounter on the way home. I took a quick inventory of the equipment and supplies we had with us: food enough for 3 days at normal meal levels, water for 2-3 days if conserved, cook stove fuel for a week or more. We all had backpacks, and binoculars, and between us we had two rifles, three handguns, and several hundred rounds of ammunition four FRS radios, and one CB radio, pocket and field knives, mechanics tools, flashlights and spare batteries, fire starting supplies, and normal outdoor-survival equipment. We had camping gear for all, a good first aid kit and each of us had a bow and a dozen or more arrows. We also had camouflage clothing, rain gear, and extra under-clothes for several days.
We hurriedly packed up camp and made ready to travel. By noon or so we left camp. The roads were busy, and the talk radio stations were filled with chatter about the events. When we got to the first town we stopped to top off our fuel tanks and they had a TV going which we just happened to catch scenes of one of the tower imploding down. The scene was quite chilling. We drove the 200 plus miles and we encountered no problems on the road. It was interesting when we pulled into town – the local National Guard station had all its Humvees and trucks surrounding the Guard property.
In this case we had a significant amount of gear and equipment with us. There did exist some overlap between our hunting gear and the survival gear we normally carry with us in our vehicles. We were much better prepared than the average traveler for the day. As it turned out the attacks were limited to the East Coast so we did not need our gear that day but we sure felt good about having it with us.
Things we did not have with us that would have been desirable if terrorists had hit the west coast would have been a scanner, some extra cash for travel expenses if delayed getting home, body armor, web gear, night vision, more food and water, and spare fuel for the vehicles. If there was an attack on the west coast and we had become involved in a long and serious firefight by crazed terrorists then we may have needed more ammunition to make it back home as well.
As news and events remind you of 9-11, check and inventory your emergency gear and make it ready to go. Keep your G.O.O.D. bags and survival equipment with you at all times – especially when you are traveling far from home. Expect the un-expected in this day and time.
“A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3, and 27:12.

 

Letter Re: ARM Twisting and the Nascent Real Estate Market

Mr. Rawles:
I’ve been following the articles you post about the impending housing bubble burst, and I happened to see this article about Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMS) that backs up some info you had posted not too long ago. One interesting statistic I saw on page 4: “More than a fifth of option ARM loans in 2004 and 2005 are upside down — meaning borrowers’ homes are worth less than their debt. If home prices fall 10%, that number would double.” So 40+% of mortgages would be upside down, in an only 10% depressed market? Not looking good.

I rent an apartment in Reno, Nevada, and would love nothing more then to buy a house, but only read with the disgust the “houses for sale” classified ads. People think they are sitting on gold mines, but I think reality is about to come crashing down.- Jason in Reno

 

Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Jim,
Arrows are basically fragile. The aluminum XX75s are pretty durable, for what they are, but they still bend. The ‘game-getters are even softer, and bend easier. There are ways of straightening them, but is is pretty hard to get perfect. I like to say, “something can be bent 1000 ways, but there is only one straight”
Graphite arrows are more durable, and skinnier, thereby giving better penetration.
The big arrow companies are working hard at making better arrows, but of course, the latest is always the most expensive.
Wood is out, for shooting from a compound bow. If they get cracked, and this does happen sometimes, and you shoot it out of a compound bow, the fierce thrust on it can cause it to break, and drive the rear half of the shaft into the arm holding the bow.
(Honestly, I have always heard this, but never seen it)
The American Indians used some kind of grass stalks for arrows. I considered trying cattail stalks, after I found that out. They might be okay, till they dried out so much that they got brittle. The only reason the Indians got away with this, was because they were shooting relatively low poundage bows.
Broadheads are another whole study. There are mechanical broadheads that the blades are supposed to pivot upon hitting something, and then cutting whatever. For the most part, they can be pretty un-reliable, and fragile. There are at least dozens of different broadheads out there. For hunting, it must be shaving sharp, or you are doing a great disservice to the game animal. There are broadheads that have replaceable razor inserts, but the edge is pretty fragile. The ones that have permanent blades take some skill to sharpen, as anything. Some folks just don’t seem to be able to learn how to sharpen things. All these broadheads are sold by weight, in grains, like bullets. You can’t very well shoot a mixed bunch and plan on hitting anything consistently. Then, with the more hi-tech arrows, you can unscrew the broadheads and replace them with the same weight field points, or practice points. This saves the broadheads for serious stuff, but you should make sure the selected broadhead will fly for you. Sometimes, you will find they might ‘plane’ on you, and not go where you want them to. I like the two-blade type for ease of sharpening, but those are the ones that might tend to plane, too. I still think they are the most efficient, like the old Bear broadhead. Fred Bear killed an awful lot of critters with a recurve and that style broadhead, but then again, what else did he do? He spent decades doing little else.
You would not believe the accessories available to the archery industry! It used to be pretty basic, a big stick with a string, a little stick with a point and a couple feathers, and you could hurt something. Now, with all the tech. stuff, you can easily spend more on a bow than a good rifle. Then, the more complicated things get, the easier it is to mess it up. Sure, with sights, a peep sight, a mechanical release, properly tuned bow/arrow combination, and a fixed distance, it don’t take a tremendous amount of experience to be able to shoot pretty well, given enough money.
The re-curve and longbows are much more reliable. You must still match the arrows to the draw weight of the bow, (spine of the arrow) but it takes a considerable amount of practice to get competent.
Archery is a discipline. A new shooter should go to someone who knows how, before they teach themselves bad habits, and then have to ‘unlearn’ them later, if ever. If you can practice enough, you ‘become the arrow’ as one of the greats once said. I am embarrassed to admit I can’t remember which of them said that. It might have been Howard Hill. He was a phenomenal shot. He wouldn’t shoot a recurve, he said he wasn’t “good enough”. He shot the longbow. I believe, if one is serious on learning archery, stay away from all the paraphernalia!! You get to depending on it.
Then, when the need to shoot something, you just do it, without worrying about the mechanical release, sight, peep sight, which pin should I use,,, makes me want to just get the shotgun!
Then, when it is all said and done, you have to think as the arrows as expendable.
Sure, while you are practicing, you will re-use them many times, but there is always an attrition rate. You break knocks, (easily replaced with glue, if you have spares),
you mess up fletching, be they real turkey feathers, (which are most forgiving) as they clear the rest, the part of the bow that the arrow ‘rests’ on, or plastic vanes, which are great in the rain, but can kick the arrow out away from the bow, if the rest is not designed for them. The rest can be a very fragile part of the whole thing too. There are dozens of rests to choose from. That is another reason to keep it simple. Hi tech is okay, but it only takes one piece to malfunction, and you are out of business. A friend of mine missed a deer on opening day because he left his mechanical release on the seat od his truck, while getting all the other ‘stuff’ together.
With a compound bow, you just about have to use a mechanical release, if you are only holding back 15 or 20 lbs. draw weight. It is awful hard to (near impossible) get the arrow into flight the same way every time without ‘plucking the string’ and sending it off on a tangent. I have heard of using a ‘bowlock’, I believe it is called, as a release, but that is just another piece of equipment you have to depend on.
I just take an old leather boot and cut out a finger tab to draw the bow. Then, when you are ready, let you fingers on the drawing hand relax just a little, and the arrow is on it’s way. You can’t hold it back as long with a recurve of longbow, for sure, but you seldom have to. Just a steady fluid motion. Once you get the drawing hand back to your ‘anchor point’, let er go! I use my index fingertip to the corner of my mouth as an anchor point. I have seen those who try to use the thumb of the drawing hand, but you can rotate the thumb around too much, and there you have a bad habit in the making.
Most ‘traditional’ shooters use the index finger to the corner of the mouth, it is easiest, and most natural and consistent. It does tend to pluck a few whiskers out of the mustache sometimes though.
Well, I didn’t intend on writing a whole textbook on archery, but I have been shooting bows for at least as many years as anything. I hope you can glean some good out of it. There is still more, bow fishing, for one, and wing shooting, which I have never done, but have seen it done. I almost got a pheasant with a bow once!
Thanks for the blog. It is almost as much required reading for me as The Word. – Sid, near Niagara Falls

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." – Patrick Henry 1765

Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

James:
In a multigenerational TEOTWAWKI, consider having a good set of swords (and crossbows). Unlike ammo which may only last 50 years, a good sword will last hundreds. You can choose a Japanese style cutting sword, an epee or foil style piercing sword or a hacking style great sword. All other swords are some variation and combination of these types. A great sword for hacking will take the most abuse but be the heaviest. You should have great arm strength for this. A European style fencing stabbing sword requires speed over strength. If you are a wiry and fast but not overly strong person, this is for you. It is also easy to carry but will not end a fight immediately. The recipient will die from a puncture but it may take at least 60 seconds before he runs out of steam even with a heart shot. A Japanese sword has the advantage of being the fastest to draw and you can take off a mans head before he can get his gun pointed at you or cut off the hand holding a weapon.(Think of the Japanese sword as the quick draw style of gun fighting.) The edge however will not take a lot of abuse. Short swords as in the Barong in the Filipino tradition are another option. It has the hacking/cutting style but in a lighter smaller sword, better for carry and smaller framed people.

In the event of a MGTEOTWAWKI (multi generational), we must concede the possibility of running out of functional ammo, either because it’s all used up or it just gets too old to work. While some of us with access to caves full of guano and a volcanic source of sulfur can recreate black powder, for the rest of us it’s the time warp.
The most feared weapon pre-1247, (the first recorded use of gunpowder at the the siege of Seville) was a crossbow. Capable of going through plate armor at considerable distances, accurate and easy to learn, this was the ‘equalizer’ from 400 BCE (first representation of a crossbow in China) until the common use of gunpowder
The crossbow was outlawed by both Pope Innocent II in 1139 and the Magna Carta. Consider them the assault weapons of their age. It seems the authorities are always looking for ways to prevent the common man from defending him (or her) self.
A strong piece of wood, a truck leaf spring, an anvil, hammer, tongs, forge, some wood working and metal working tools and you should be able to make one yourself.
For hand to hand combat, it’s the sword. Swords too were outlawed for farmers (Japan) and peasants (Europe). In Medieval England a peasant caught with a sword would be stung up on a gibbet and left for the crows. Only members of the ruling class could have weapons…
Easier to make than crossbow, requiring only a forge, leaf spring anvil and hammer. I’ll be trying my hand at both within the year.
If you’re looking for a MGTEOTWAWKI career, perhaps you could be the local armorer/weaponsmith. Armorer…hmm. Some wire bent into circles could make some nice chain mail, but that’s for another posting… – SF in Hawaii

JWR Replies: I agree that the Japanese katana is a great design. Either buy a quality antique sword or buy a replica from Cold Steel. Don’t bother with a Chinese replica. Most of those are garbage, strictly made for looks–not strength or for holding and edge. I have a friend in Finland that owns a wakazashi length Japanese sword (circa 1650, but in modern mountings) that is wickedly sharp. I found it for him at a gun show here in the States. He keeps that sword at home for counter-burglar duty. He also has the kendo training to go with it, so burglars beware!

For hunting, crossbows have some utility, but for combat, recurves or compounds rule. It is true that someone can be taught to accurately shoot a crossbow in less time than they can be taught to shoot a long bow, recurve, or compound (which can take years of practice). However, crossbows have a grossly inferior rate of fire. (It was the fast training time that made crossbows popular for arming peasant levies in Europe in the late Middle Ages. They made up for the slower rate of fire by simply massing crossbowmen.) Granted, a compound, recurve or long bow is not as powerful as a crossbow, but they can be fired four to six times for each shot that is loosed by a crossbow. Also, not nearly as well known is the fact that modern crossbows eat their strings, through friction. The widely touted Barnett brand, for example, is known to require string replacement as frequently as every 200 shots. (Some other brands of crossbows, such as the Benedict, are easier on their strings, but are still relatively high maintenance.)

Perhaps some of our readers that are ardent archers would like to add their two cents worth. Specifically, I’d appreciate your recommendations on specific brands of recurve or compound bows, as well as durable arrows and “pointers” (pardon the pun) on arrowhead selection. Keep in mind that the most efficient points for killing deer are not necessarily the best for penetrating armor.

OBTW, my friend in Idaho, Joey Vaughan, commercially manufactures bow strings. If you want to stock up on a quantity of top quality spare strings for your bow, he would appreciate your business. Contact: Clearwater Archery Supplies, P.O. Box 1074, Orofino, Idaho 83544 phone: (208) 476-4342. Be sure to have the exact model specifications of your bow handy before you call.

One side note: An interesting piece of FFTAGFFR on “post” firearms era weaponry is the science fiction novel Dies The Fire, by S.M. Stirling.The author did some great research for the book. It gives a glimpse into what life might be like in an age after firearms are viable. If you can get past the implausible premise of the book (an overnight change in the laws of chemistry which renders gunpowder non-explosive) and get past the pagan/wiccan philosophy that the book espouses, then I consider it a good read. Coincidentally, Dies The Fire is one of the favorite novels of The Werewolf–our SurvivalBlog correspondent in Brazil. Coincidentally, one thing that Stirling mentions in Dies The Fire is that motor vehicle leaf springs can also be re-arched to make crossbow limbs. If flattened they can be made into swords. There will be countless springs left around un-used in TEOTWAWKI. Perhaps we ought to discuss what else can be re-used from cars under such “worst case” circumstances. Batteries, alternators, and 12 VDC light bulbs also come immediately to mind. Speaking of car batteries, given proper safety precautions, they are also a ready source for lead for casting bullets. For proper bullet hardening, wheel weights can be mixed. in.

Letter Re: Inexpensive CBs for a Car Emergency Kit?

Jim:

You might perhaps solicit some information from other readers relating to inexpensive CB rigs that could be carried in a car emergency kit? Kind Regards, – James C.

JWR Replies: My general advice is that I’d rather spend $100 on a used (but guaranteed) SSB rig than I would a brand new-in-the-box rig that doesn’t have SSB capability. Your thoughts, folks?

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Nature appears fragile but as a whole it is robust and has historically survived the eons; whereas civilization may appear strong but is actually fragile and has historically not survived any great length of time.” – Rourke

Two Letters Re: Personal Hygiene in a Biowarfare World

James:

Peter Hardt tis correct about hand sanitation. To which I would add that auto-inoculation (putting your fingers in your nose, eyes or ears) is now scientifically proven to be the #1 way you get a cold. See the work of Kenneth Seaton. It is basically impossible to clean the underside of our fingernails and this is the most infectious part of our body. Learn not to pick your nose or use your fingernails to rub out sleepyheads. Use a napkin or your shirt. If not, at least use your knuckles…
When in public and concerned about infection, carry your own pen for writing checks and use a credit card over cash.
For public restrooms, don’t be there long when you flush (with your foot, not your hand) as it will make the germs go airborne.
When using toilet paper, discard the first few rotations so airborne bugs that get on the outer part of the roll won’t get on your rectum (a mucus membrane). Before using, put some TP down to reduce splash back. Don’t sit on the toilet if possible but squat over it so only your feet touch the seat. When opening and closing stalls, doors, and using faucets, use a napkin.
Try sanitizing your toothbrush now and again with H2O2 and replace every few months.
Also, if someone doesn’t look well, don’t shake they’re hands. If they are offended, tough. If your hygiene program is working well, you will see your albumin (a blood test value) go up to 4.6 or better. If your albumin is 4.0 or lower and you practice good hygiene, you are likely to either have a chronic infection of the beginnings of cancer. – SF in Hawaii

 

James,
The hygiene article Peter Hardt was excellent. Are you sure he’s not one of the writers for he TV show ” Monk”? I, personally could relate to about 80% of what he suggests, the other 20% was a great learning experience. The only thing I might add. is to avoid touching things like shopping cart handles, store door handles, places where many have been there before you. And, never accept that pen your smiling waitress or store clerk is offering you to sign your name, use your own.- C.B.

Two Letters Re: Get Out of Dodge Considerations

Mr. Rawles,
I know this is not really any kind of revelation, but it seems worth saying again. If you can’t live at your retreat, have a loaded bug out trailer or pre-position a substantial amount of provisions at your retreat. Thus, you put yourself in a far superior position. My family decided to take a spur-of-the-moment camping trip last weekend. The whole time I was getting ready, I was thinking “What if this were a bug out situation?”. Although I have most of the equipment conveniently situated in my basement, it took me almost 3 hours to load the gear we eventually decided to take. We took too much for the length of the trip and forgot a few things. Admittedly I was waiting for my wife to make some decisions about what she wanted to take, but it’s easy to think there would be confusion that would use up that much time in a real emergency. My plan for most emergencies is to hunker down at home, and if I had to evacuate quickly, I would grab a few essentials and go. My big concern is being able to get everyone home after an emergency. But having a bug out trailer pre-packed or living at your retreat is optimum. – C.G. in NC

Dear Jim:
I moved recently, and the parallels to bugging out were pretty obvious – a lot of stuff to move in a fairly high stress situation. Fortunately the deadline was not nearly as severe as bugging out, but even so, I got a good reminder on several lessons that are so easy to let slide.
1) If your stuff is organized it’s a lot faster and easier. If it’s a jumble, it’s time consuming nightmare. It took very little time when my stuff was well-packed and labeled, but it seemed to take forever when I had to organize and move at the same time. Keep it all organized in plastic tubs (not cardboard boxes that fold in the rain) and clearly labeled to avoid confusion. Don’t raid your BOB for one item, and leave it unpacked, etc., etc.
2) Don’t move too much stuff! The preparedness mindset can also be a pack rat mentality, and we definitely had too much stuff to move. Twice as much stuff takes twice as long to load and tires you out twice as much. It reminded me of the folks in your novel “Patriots” who tried to pack too much, too late, and only Got Out Of Dodge on foot, and under fire. Pre-positioning is a lot easier than moving under stress.
3) If your equipment is well-maintained you might be okay. If not, Murphy’s Law will bite with a vengeance. I took my truck to the shop in the last week before, and, of course it took longer than expected, wasn’t done right the first time, and then they couldn’t get the right part, etc., etc. Keep all your vehicles and tools ahead of the curve on maintenance. If we do have a TEOTWAWKI situation, you will have a cushion while your vehicles and equipment still works while you adapt to the new situation.
4) If your fitness is not up, you will suffer. I’m in pretty good shape, running 20+ miles per week, but moving several tons of stuff, and all the stress of moving, still wiped me out by the end of the day. If you aren’t on a physical fitness program, it will be a short, sharp shock to find out how badly our sedentary lives prepare us for hard physical work. Even just walking briskly for a half hour a day is a good start.
5) Keep ALL of your body maintained – moving, or bugging out, is not the time for an illness, a toothache, or a backache. Don’t let yourself get in a sleep deficit, eat your veggies, see the dentist every six months, and get proactive on any physical weaknesses. Keep your body ahead of the curve on maintenance.
I have had some minor back problems in the past, so I got on my back maintenance exercises and pulled through with only minor soreness.
These two books are absolutely excellent to get fast results correcting the root causes – and avoid wasting time and money with doctors that only treat symptoms:
Treat Your Own Back
The Back Power Program
My bet is a lot of older folks who try to bug out will also put their back out, and really be in serious trouble.
6) Get strong mentally. Expect screw-ups and prepare mentally to deal with them. About half of the various services and contractors we arranged with, showed up late and/or didn’t do everything they were supposed to do.
So don’t plan or relying on anyone but yourself to get it done right, and make a conscious choice that you will face the inevitable stresses with a can-do attitude – even better, with good humor. Monitor your own behavior and discipline yourself to make the right choices. This is something we can all practice every day.
7) Build slack time into the plan. Between too much stuff, and truck repair problems, and contractor screw ups, my original idea of how long it “should” take was a fantasy. Think how long it “should” take, double it for a more realistic estimate, and then plan around a worst case of doubling the time again.8) Practice by taking a camping or backpacking trip. You’ll find out your strength and weaknesses, and get a chance to correct before you have to do it for real.Hope it helps, – OSOM

Odds ‘n Sods:

The online magazine Slate recently featured a piece on surviving a terrorist nuclear attack.

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The price of oil has sagged, (down to $66 per barrel!), dragging gold and silver down a bit. So this dip might be a great time to buy metals if you have been dragging your feet. I’m still predicting substantially higher silver and gold prices before December.

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We’ve been driving a lot of back roads in recent days, looking for property on behalf of a consulting client. Yesterday, we drove past a ranch that had set up a huge (life size) bull elk statue on a ridge line, about 250 yards from the nearby county road. They must get some good laughs hearing the out of state hunters banging away at it on opening morning of deer and elk season.