Note from JWR:

  Tomorrow will be my last day as a salaried technical writer. Henceforth, I will be blogging and freelance writing full time. I’d appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance and providence. I am hopeful that SurvivalBlog will continue to gain readership and advertisers. This will require greater public awareness that this blog exists. Please help spread the word about SurvivalBlog by adding one of our banners to your e-mail footer. Thanks!

From Buckshot Bruce: Take Advantage of Every Food Source

I was recently talking with a farmer friend and said “You are surrounded by food!” He said “Sure wheat and corn fields.” I smiled. “No I mean wild foods. Oh you mean ducks and deer. It is a societal mind set. Farmers, like hunters, think in the only ways they have been taught. He wanted to get rid of a problem beaver that was taking out his shelter belts trees. Being new to North Dakota and seeing very few trees I thought there isn’t much food for a beaver. “Must be a little one that wandered up here.”

He takes me over. Walking the creek, sure enough, I see that this beaver had just helped himself to the few trees around. In fact in one spot the beaver completely killed off every single tree. There was a small 30 tree section, gone. The farmer said “You know I had not been down here for a few weeks and drove by and all my trees were gone. I drove down to my neighbor’s house and asked if they had seen anyone cutting down all my trees and hauling them out for firewood? I want put that SOB in jail!” The neighbors replied no one has hauled any firewood past me. He drove back and walk down to the creek edge and saw all the trees were laying on the ground with chew marks on them. He came down later just before dark and shot at one beaver that swam off. He wa hopeful that was the end of the beaver problem. I smiled and said “Nope.” He said “You’re right. He went farther up the creek and started on the next section of trees. Can you get rid of him for me?” I answered, “Sure, no problem.”

A week later the ice broke and one of the traps was missing. Floating under the surface was this large brown spot that looked like mud. The farmer asked “Is that the beaver?” “Could be”, I answered. Pulling on the trap wire, the first thing I saw was a monster beaver tail. Yep there was our problem beaver. How big? 60 pounds. I could not believe my eyes here I am in a place I thought I would not being trapping beaver hauling a monster out from the this tiny creek with few trees. I commented, “You know, these are good to eat.” So we headed to his place and cleaned, fleshed and tacked out the hide. Then we popped the back legs off. He parboiled them. He cooked just the meat–slow cooked with cream of chicken soup, all day. We had it the next night for dinner, over noodles. His comment: “I didn’t believe you but your right that is real close to beef.” His two sons joined us and enjoyed it. Surely they’d be telling all their friends at school they had a Mountain Man dinner.

We were talking after dinner and I told him: “Look at all the food around you. Look at the potholes ( they call ponds potholes here) with all the cattails. There was six muskrat dens you could trap 15 muskrats a year out of that pothole. Your shelter belts are loaded with squirrels and rabbits. He added: “Deer, too.” I added, “You have plenty of cattails for flour, potatoes substitute, fresh like cucumber-tasting stalks. You have raccoons running all over the place.” He said “I never thought about it, but you are right. All my farmers friends are really going to like you. Yep, I have feeling this fall I going to be very busy cleaning out problem critters.”

People get in a mindset and only see part of the picture. When your long term survival depends on bringing meat home you are going to want to do it silently. I passed a pothole today that was next to a dirt road, and 20 ducks flew off. If I would have snuck up with a shotgun I might have got two or three of them. But you know what? Ducks don’t like getting shot at. Chances are they would find a safer place to feed or rest for the night. But with six model 110 conibear  killing traps, in a total collapse situation (note that it is presently illegal to trap ducks) you could easily add two to three ducks a day. But the good news is the traps would not spook the rest of them so they would keep coming back. That is just one example of using your head to make sure your family had meat on the table. Small game snares would have worked the same way. Set the trap where the ducks are feeding. Tie off a weight to the snare and once caught it would pull the duck down out of sight.

Any animal, bird, or fish can be caught more efficiently with traps, snares and gill nets than with the sportsman’s methods. Sportsman chances are nowhere near as good. Think about it: You put out a gill net and leave, the net is doing the fishing for you. You are not standing there casting for hours. You just come back in a few hours and collect your catch. What about a “bug out” situation? You can easily deploy a gill net, or snares or traps just before dark. Check and pull them in the morning. You have fresh caught breakfast hopefully extra for lunch and dinner. You move on. If you did it right no one has a clue that you harvested your food. No gunshot to broadcast that are in the area. No standing on the river or lake banks exposing yourself for hours.

If you are in a secure location you could easily snare a deer and then spend a day or two smoking the meat. I cover wilderness smokers in my Survivor Vol 3. DVD. Smoking is going to reduce the weight of deer and you could have 2-to-3 weeks of food to get you where your going. Being mobile and having the knowledge–not only how to obtain food but how to preserve it–is life saving. How many of you remember the 20-20 TV documentary with the young man in Alaska nicknamed Super Fly. He shot a moose but didn’t have the knowledge to properly smoke the meat. It was bad in a week’s time. He ended up eating some poison berries and dying alone in the wilderness. A sad tale. But with just a little bit of knowledge it could have been totally different. If he had survived he might now be writing books on how to survive in the wilderness.

Knowledge is power. Proper training can turn hard times into something you can survive. Think about it. I have trapped beaver in Arkansas, Texas, Michigan, Colorado, and North Dakota. Tons of food is waiting to be harvested.

Small pocket size gill nets or larger gill nets for your retreat can be found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Gill-Net.htm
Snare kits can found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Snare-Kits-Sales.htm
Size110 conibear traps can be found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Traps-Sales.htm\

As Duncan Long said it so well in his book Survival Guns: “A good garden and traps will provide more food then a wealth of hunting rifles.”
In order to survive you must be able to adapt, change your thinking, and take advantage of every food source you can. – Buckshot

 

 

Letter Re: Thermal Scopes Versus Light Amplification Scopes

Dear Jim:
I know your site talks about night vision [“Starlight” light amplification technology], but thermal night vision if you can afford it is far superior for hunting/perimeter defense/tracking. It doesn’t matter about movement or camouflage [since these can literally see body heat.] See: http://www.imaging1.com/thermal/Thermal_weapon_sight.html and
http://www.imaging1.com/thermal/MX_1000.html
– S.F.

Letter Re: Too Good to Be True? Nationally Advertised Radiation Detector for $60?

Hi James,
Just wondering if you have a recommendation for or warning against this surplus (but “brand new condition”) CDV-720 portable radiation detector from the Sportsman’s Guide Catalog: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=256259
It looks snazzy, but I thought (with the exception of the Kearny Fallout Meter) that viable radiation detectors ran in the hundreds of dollars…? – David in Pleasanton, California (One of your $100 contributors)

JWR Replies:  A CDV 720 is a Civil Defense surplus survey meter. If it is truly working, then at $60 it is a bargain. I recommend that you go ahead and order one. When it arrives, immediately inspect it inside and out. (Corrosion caused by battery acid is one of the worst culprits.) Then test it. Some of the better detectors come with their own small built-in radioactive test source. If you don’t have a test source, then you might get a reading from a tritium firearm sight, or a beta light. If the unit doesn’t work, then return it immediately for a refund or replacement. You may have to sequentially order two or three in before you get one that works well. If the company guarantees the meter to work, then take full advantage of their return policy until you have a one that works. Your only extra expense will be the cost of return shipping. Who knows? You might get one that works the first time.

First, to explain some basics:

Geiger counters measure point sources of radiation, such as grains or flakes of radioactive fallout.

Dosimeters measure your cumulative radiation dose.

Rate meters (also known as survey meters) measure the rate at which you are receiving radiation at any given time.

To have a fully equipped shelter, you would need all three.  (But if you have plenty of supplies, you can probably get by with just a dosimeter and ratemeter.) 

To explain the $60 price: Civil Defense organizations bought rate meters in huge numbers back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Uncle Sugar’s original cost was probably around $120 each (in 1960 dollars!) Most of them just sat around in warehouses for decades. Those are now hitting the surplus market. For a good general background on dosimeters and and rate meters, see this FAQ: http://www.radmeters4u.com/ as well as Bruce Beach’s excellent article:  http://www.ki4u.com/nuclearsurvival/survival/detectors/index.htm  True Geiger counters are a much more sophisticated device, designed for finding point sources of radiation. Because they were much more expensive initially, and made in much smaller number, these do cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, unless you get lucky. In general, if a meter has a separate hand-held probe (typically a nickel-plated rod), then it is classified as a Geiger counter.  (Although their quality/sensitivity varies a bit.) Unlike dosimeters and and rate meters, Geiger counters are what is needed for decontamination of someone that is entering a fallout shelter that is possibly contaminated. (So you can identify and brush/hose off bits of radiating fallout.) However, for those with a well-stocked home fallout shelter, where you plan to “button up” for the duration of a radiological event, rate meters (also known as survey meters) will be your most important radiation monitoring tools. You will also need a pen-type dosimeter to measure your accumulated dose while sheltered. Together, they will be how you determine when it is safe to exit your shelter. (Initially for just short periods of work, and then when the radiation level has fallen considerably for all but sleeping hours, and eventually when the radiation has dropped to near background level, you can quit shetlering altogether.)

In closing, I strongly recommend that you get a copy of Cresson Kearny’s book, Nuclear War Survival Skills. It is available from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.

Letter from Mr. Kilo Re: Medical Training – A Course Review by J.N.

Jim:
OK, just my $.02 on the wilderness EMT article…

The thing I see that’s missing from this article, and many like it is the focus on practice. I’ve been doing EMS long enough; and run enough calls to know that any EMS certification is a LICENSE TO PRACTICE medicine. People who get the training and don’t use it might be kidding themselves. “The body does well what it does often” — I can’t remember who said that, but it’s true.

Most newly-minted EMTs that I work with aren’t worth squat in the field. Not until they have survived their first 100 calls or so. Maybe it is like the difference between taking a class on technical writing versus doing it for a living. Best Regards, – Mr. Kilo in the Northwest

Odds ‘n Sods:

One disparate view on Asian Avian flu worth considering as FFTAGFFR: The Threat of an Avian Flu Pandemic is Over-Hyped, by Michael Fumento, JD. See: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16106.html

   o o o

Richard Benson comments on the coming Housing Bubble Implosion

   o o o

A new mumps outbreak in the U.S. Midwest.

   o o o

A report from Scotland on America’s Cyber War.

   o o o

SurvivalBlog reader S.F. recommended this great resource: http://www.buildanark.net

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“America’s social entitlements, created as a safety net to keep its citizens out of the pit of despair when they were down on their luck, has now for too many become a hammock to lounge in, as a lifestyle. The opposite of entitlement thinking is survivalist thinking.” – Rourke

Medical Training – A Course Review by J.N.

This past month, I attended a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician W-EMT class put on by Wilderness Medical Associates at a local university. I can say that this is by far the best survival-oriented medical training I have received to date. This particular class was geared towards those who are already certified at the EMT level. The class was intense, and I learned a lot of things that were never brought up in my regular EMT classes.
To start, here is a bit of background on what levels of medical training are out there. Most of these are accessible to the average person willing to put in the time and money.
Basic First Aid – This is what you are typically taught in school, Boy Scouts, or a one-day class offered by the Red Cross. The most basic life-saving skills are taught, such as how to manage bleeding, how to recognize when someone should not be moved due to a possible spinal injury, etc. Everyone should at least get themselves to one of these classes. Many times, they are offered for free or at low cost at a community center, college, etc.

Wilderness First Aid – This is another class that goes over the basics, but in more depth. The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses will cover topics like altitude sickness, heat/cold emergencies, and wound care in more depth than a regular (urban) first aid class. These classes are typically two days or so.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) – Similar topics to a WFA class, but goes into much more depth. Typical class is 4 days.\

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – This is standard training for professional outdoor guides and group leaders. A lot of emphasis is placed on patient assessment, evacuation, etc. These classes are around 8 days, and will be intense. I would recommend a class like this to anyone who is serious about survival and/or outdoor travel.

Emergency Medical Technician – EMT is the certification level that is recognized at the county and state level, and is the entry-level certification for working on an ambulance crew, as a tech in an ER or other basic EMS work. It typically involves 150+ hours of training, plus hands-on contact with patients at an ER or on ambulance ride-alongs. You will learn basic anatomy, the critical body systems, how to identify common medical emergencies, extrication, patient packaging, trauma, delivery of some medications such as Oxygen, and get a basic grounding in emergency medicine.

Wilderness EMT – This class is EMT plus another 40-50 hours of training. The additional training covers topics that are specific to the back country (hypo/hypertherima, altitude, etc) in more detail than regular EMT or WFR training does and also introduces six new protocols. These include administering epinephrine injections for allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), managing sever asthma, reducing simple dislocations, advanced wound care, cessation of CPR, and clearing patients for spine injury. This would be about the best level of training most of us not working full-time in a medical field would be able to get to.
Note that EMT training is typically offered in evening or weekend format in most areas. I think a good bang-for-bucks training strategy would be to go for a first aid or better yet WFR class to get the basics plus wilderness training, then think about enrolling in an EMT program at your local community college. Mine took a semester of night classes to complete, and cost about $300, including enrollment, rooks and uniform.

The upgrade from EMT to W-EMT is a voluntary class that is not recognized by the state or county agencies in many cases. However, many employers recognize it and allow WIlderness-trained EMTs to use that extra training when they are away from a hospital/standard EMS.
The class that I took was five full days, and very hands on and intensive. It was taught at a level of training that assumed students knew basic medical terminology and standard EMT skills. We started with classroom review of the important body systems needed for survival, went over differences in assessing patients in the back country, then went right into the wilderness protocols. Each day was 9-10 hours long, and the class included three full-scale disaster simulations, with made-up patients needing assessment and treatment. The simulations were videotaped and critiqued in class. There was definitely no room for big egos here, as everyone made lots of mistakes, and improved their skills from one simulation to the next. They worked us pretty hard, and expected 100% from everyone.
The instructors were both outdoors people, one a working flight paramedic and the other a mountain-school instructor. Their insights and stories helped flesh out a lot of detail as to how and why a lot of this stuff is done. Additionally, a lot of discussion was had about medical topics not in the EMT protocols, such as applications for OTC and prescription medications for personal use, and what to expect from ALS (paramedic/advanced life support) crews, aircraft and search and rescue. Unlike the urban EMT class, they placed a lot of emphasis on making do with what’s on hand, and using hands-on skills in place of equipment you may not have.
I think an important thing I learned is that just about anyone can be taught how to do even advanced medical procedures. The hard part, is knowing when to do them (and when not to).
I would encourage anyone concerned about being prepared to look into one of these classes. I went to the WMA school but we also heard good things about the other two schools included in the following links:

Wilderness Medical Associates
http://www.wildmed.com

SOLO Schools
http://www.soloschools.com

Wilderness Medical Society
http://www.wms.org

Regards, – JN

Letter Re: New Zealand as a Retreat Locale, and New Zealand vs. U.S. Gun Laws

Dear Mr. Rawles,

You wrote the following lumping NZ in with two other countries “The downside in all three countries is that their citizenries are unfairly subjected to draconian gun laws. (At least by American standards.) If you can live with registering all of your guns and some ridiculous restrictions on full capacity magazines, then by all means take a look in New Zealand. By reputation, the real estate firm to consider there is Bayleys”.

I would like to clarify a few points. First of all our gun laws are better here than some of your cities and states. There is no registration of sporting weapons, only MSSAs [Military Style Semiautomatic rifles or shotguns], Collectors (full auto), and pistols. If you have MSSA’s or pistols your magazines are not restricted at all. Any licensed gun owner can buy a suppressor from the local gun shop with no paperwork. By the same token, I could say the US has draconian gun laws because you can’t buy suppressors without ridiculous fingerprinting and outrageous tax penalties by the [American] BATFE. Also, our tax collectors don’t burn children for their own good like the ATF.

Bayleys is a fine real estate firm but they specialize in the premium end of the market. Those wishing to move here would be advised to spend some time determining where they want to live before plopping down serious money for a property as we have a huge range of climates and lifestyles (rural through urban). Cheers, – B.

Odds n’ Sods:

Rev. R.J. Rushdoony on the Biblical Gold Standard: http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/article.php?ArticleID=281

   o o o

JPFO Talkin’ to America recently interviewed Fred of Fred’s M14 Stocks regarding the RWVA Appleseed Project educational program. For downloadable audio, see: www.jpfo.org/talkamerica.htm

   o o o

A “must read” piece of economic analysis:  “Central Banks, Weimar Germany and Gold” by Richard J. Greene. See:
http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_05/greene033106.html

   o o o

Interesting article about possible societal responses to terrorism in the USA (written by an ex-SOG(?)commander) :
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/103/essay-security.html

   o o o

Peak Sugar, Fuel, or Food?
http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2006/3/30/174434/223

Odds ‘n Sods:

A professor at the University of Texas proposes that a plague wiping out 90% of Earth’s population would be a good thing. (I’m dubious.) See: http://story.seguingazette.com/drudge.html, and  http://www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues_2006/2006-04-07/feature1p/index.html

   o o o

I just heard that Ready Made Resources is now offering free shipping on their freeze dried food!

   o o o

To our U.S. readers: Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the lowest (and the highest) gasoline prices in your zip code area. It’s updated every evening. Be sure to scroll down after getting a map of your area.  See: http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

 

 

Letter Re: Out-of-Print Bushcraft Book Now Available Online

James:

I just found my way to this site and thought it would be another good source of survival information for your readers, especially as it had been compiled with military rescues in mind at the time. I have no affiliation with the site, author, etc. Just wanted to pass on a link: http://tions.net/CA256EA900408BD5/vwWWW/outdoor~03~000

Here is a snip from the site: “The section is home to an on-line edition of a classic text that is sadly now out of print, ‘The 10 Bushcraft Books’ by Richard Graves. Richard Harry Graves was born 17th July, 1898 (some sources list year of birth as 1897 or 1899) in Co. Waterford, Ireland. He died 3 days before I was born, on the 3rd of February, 1971 in Sydney, Australia. He is credited with the authorship of several books and is formerly a Commanding Officer of the Australian Jungle Survival & Rescue Detachment on active service with the U.S.A.A.F.
‘The 10 Bushcraft Books’ are the seminal texts on bushcraft and this on-line edition (based on the first edition of the book set) has been released to share this unique source of knowledge. Originally written as wartime information for conducting rescue missions, the notes were later revised and prepared for a School of Bushcraft which was conducted for nearly 20 years. Almost all the quirks of the original text have been retained (illustrations by the author, inconsistent word usage, strange punctuation, etc.) although I have removed 50% of
the commas (believe it or not). I have also converted all imperial measurements into metric.
Each web page in this section is quite large (typically 100 to 150 Kb, including images). All large images have a ‘thumbnail’ place holder that can be used to access the full-size version of the image (by clicking on the thumbnail image).”
Book 1. – Ropes & Cords
Book 2. – Huts & Thatching
Book 3. – Campcraft
Book 4. – Food & Water
Book 5. – Firemaking
Book 6. – Knots & Lashings
Book 7. – Tracks & Lures
Book 8. – Snares & Traps
Book 9. – Travel & Gear
Book 10. – Time & Direction