Fully Practicing Your Preps, by A.C.

In our world of unpredictable emergencies, from natural disasters to personal crises, a common saying always holds true; “You don’t rise to the occasion, you revert to the level of your training.” This isn’t just my cynical view of human nature; it’s a powerful call to action, especially to us self-described preppers. It emphasizes that true readiness isn’t about spontaneous heroism or “hoping for the best”.  Instead, it’s actually about the deliberate, often unglamorous work of turning preparation into an ingrained, automatic response. When the “stuff” hits the fan,  our carefully laid plans are only as good as our ability to execute them under pressure. That ability is forged through consistent and realistic practice.

This principle applies to every facet of preparedness, starting with your home. So here are some simple, pragmatic things you can do to practice your preps. One place to start is a simple fire drill. It might seem like a basic, even childish exercise, but its value is immense. A plan on paper might tell a family member to exit through a window, but a drill forces them to discover if that window is stuck, if the screen is difficult to remove, or if a child can’t reach it.Continue reading“Fully Practicing Your Preps, by A.C.”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Video: Abandoned Underground Bomb Shelter Sealed For 50 Years Under My Grandparent’s Garage! (You may want to skip forward to the 9:40 mark, for the actual opening.) JWR’s Comments: I saw and heard about a lot of similar shelters when I was growing up in Livermore, California. Many of them were around  200 square feet. Their popularity in our town was certainly because nuclear weapons were designed at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory (LRL) — later renamed  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). My father started there as a cyclotron technician and retired as a particle physics administrator.  Many of our neighbors were physicists. When I saw the home shelters in the 1970s, many of them were still stocked, but sadly, many of them had been converted into rumpus rooms.  In this video, it is amazing to see a shelter in Florida that is still “dry and tight” after 64 years!  Now, he needs to restock it!

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And here is another one, built circa 1961: Albuquerque’s Cold War Blast Shelter. JWR’s Comments: I have an identical Bendix pen dosimeter, pen ratemeter & charger kit that I inherited from my father. (Mine is minus the nifty box, that was lost long ago.)  Insert a fresh D-Cell battery, and it still works just fine...

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$2,000,000 Drive-In Bunker from Atlas.

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Reader L.E. wrote us:

“After having thrice failed to decently clean out my (closed top, tiny bunghole type) 55-gallon white plastic water barrels enough to avoid them almost instantly becoming fouled again with blue green algae once filled with clean water and colloidal silver, I gave up and had them cut in half and will make them into potato planters next spring. By the way, these type of drums/barrels are much harder to find, I think more folks are using them for this very purpose.

Possibly more can be obtained from car wash facilities as they use them to hold their soaps, or from factory food production facilities. Once cut in half by an obliging relative and the edges ground smooth [and after they are thoroughly pressure washed several times] they make excellent large planters. Because our weather is extremely hot in summer, the white plastic reflect more heat and doesn’t “cook” the plants roots the way the black planters would.”

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New bio-inspired medical glue seals bleeding wounds in seconds. (Note: Ignore the AI-generated illustration.)

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 26, 2025

On August 26, 1346: The Battle of Crécy. Edward III‘s English longbows defeated Philip VI’s army south of Calais in northern France. At Crecy, cannons were used for the first time in battle.

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August 26, 1946 was the official release date of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”

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Today’s feature piece was too short to qualify as an entry for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running the contest.  Round 120 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

The A.I. Danger Approaching, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

It was amazing to see St. Funogas’ article today (8/22/25) entitled “My Concerns With Artificial Intelligence.” Hopefully my thoughts below will add to his insights! Great minds think alike! 🙂

I deny being a Luddite, but I must confess I’m concerned about the rapidly growing utilization of A.I. in our lives. It’s kind of shocking how many devices are connecting to some A.I. flavor or the other, and I suppose – eventually – just one or two super-A.I.s, directly or indirectly. Smartphones (for all their utility, essentially a government eavesdropping device), home security systems, Alexa, cars, and even computers/laptops are coming pre-wired (as it were) with A.I. “for our convenience”!

But what if there is a strategy of Satan to so influence the modern human race in these End Times to the effect that they become slightly other than human? Not fully human in the same sense as people have been human for millennia?
What would be the point? Well… (I know, I know, lots of hypotheticals here…) what if extensive participation in this overall strategy causes humans to turn away from God, to turn against God, and to become hardened to the Gospel, without even realizing what is happening? How would that happen? Like developing a callus from repeated hard handling of a tool? Gradual, unnoticed? Spiritual hardening.Continue reading“The A.I. Danger Approaching, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, updates on the Travis Decker manhunt.  (See the Central & Eastern Washington section.)

Region-Wide

Scorching heat and smoky skies grip the Inland Northwest before a mid-week cool down.

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Wildfire Updates: Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

Idaho

“Swatting” Call: False hostage report prompts major police response in Rexburg.

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Sunset Fire in Idaho burns 3,208 acres, only 6% contained.

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Driving a Portion of The Milwaukee Road near Avery, Idaho.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 25, 2025

On August 25th, 1609, astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers, including the Doge of Venice, Leonardo Donato.

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August 25th,1898: 700 Greeks and 15 Englishmen were slaughtered by the Turks in Heraklion, Greece.

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On August 25th, 2010: Panic caused by an escaped crocodile being smuggled aboard a domestic Filair flight led to the crash of a Czech Let L-410 Turbolet passenger aircraft near Bandundu Airport, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing all but one of the 21 passengers and crew.

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Monday Morning Monsoon Update: Map shows flash flooding warning issued for eight states. (Our thanks to H.L. for sending the alert.)

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Reader H.L. alerted us to a noteworthy obituary: Last American fighter ace from World War II dies at 103.

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Today is the 20th anniversary of when Ready Made Resources became SurvivalBlog’s first advertiser. They have also been a generous prize donor for our non-fiction writing contest since the early days. We appreciate their loyal support. They deserve your patronage! Please take a look at their website and consider placing an order.

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Today’s feature piece is by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.

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We are in need of entries for Round 120 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 120 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

Victorinox Swiss Army Trailfinder, by Thomas Christianson

Victorinox is the most prolific producer of pocket knives in the world. Although most of their knives are made for the international civilian market, it is the knives that they make for the Swiss Army that supply the inspiration and cachet that drives the sale of the company’s nonmilitary models.

Since 1890, Victorinox has manufactured five different knife models for issue in the Swiss Army: the 1890, 1908, 1951, 1961, and 2008 models. Prior to 2008, the models that Victorinox produced for issue to the Swiss Army lacked the three essential features of a modern everyday carry (EDC) knife. Those features are ambidextrous one-handed blade deployment, a locking blade, and a pocket clip. The new “soldier knife” that was adopted in 2008 incorporated two of these three EDC features: ambidextrous one-handed blade deployment and a locking blade.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Trailfinder (also known as the Trailmaster or the One-Hand Trekker) appears to be identical to the military issue knife of 2008 with the exception of the scales.Continue reading“Victorinox Swiss Army Trailfinder, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week:

The following recipe for Frozen Banana Smoothies is from SurvivalBlog reader St. Funogas, who writes:

“My most important summertime day-to-day survival food is frozen banana smoothies. When the temperature is 95 degrees and the humidity is 110%, it takes all the fun out of working outside. These banana smoothies twice a day are a big help.

A Banana smoothie can be kept to its most basic form, which is how I enjoyed them for most of my life.”

Basic Recipe:

2 frozen bananas broken into 4 pieces each

1 to 2 cups of milk

Blend until thick

You’ll have to play around with the proportions to get it to the perfect consistency that you like.

The flavored banana smoothie recipes have a limitless number of permutations. Here’s my favorite, mint mocha smoothie. I finally discovered a use for instant coffee.

2 frozen bananas broken into 4 pieces each

1 to 2 cups of milk

1 scoop protein powder

2 teaspoons instant coffee

mint flavoring to taste

With the protein powder, the longer you let it blend the smoother it becomes. Personally, I prefer it a little more coarse, so play around with it to see what you like best.

There’s also vanilla protein powder combined with coconut flavoring which is a good combination. The other I make uses strawberry protein powder with some of my homemade blackberry or raspberry jam added in.

These also work well with powdered milk. I use the whole milk kind made by Nestle and generally found in the Mexican food section of the store in #10 cans. I add one scoop using the protein powder scoop.”

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 24, 2025

On August 24, 1847, Charlotte Brontë sent the manuscript of her novel “Jane Eyre” to the publisher Smith, Elder & Company in London under her pen name “Currer Bell”

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August 24, 410: Rome was overrun by the Visigoths in an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the known world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy. This could conceivably be the beginning of the dark Middle Ages.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 120 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  2. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  3. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  4. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.
  5. Preparedness author Jennifer Rader is offering a $200 purchase credit for any of her eight published food storage and medical preparedness books, including the Good Eats at the TEOTWAWKI Café series, the Armageddon Pharmacy series, and the Medicine Surrounds Us series.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. A $269 retail value survival-ready power package from Solar Power Lifestyle. This includes two Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels, plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com.
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 120 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

My Concerns With Artificial Intelligence – Part 3, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.)

AI WRITING

While there are many brain developments, AI will be shortchanging our youngest single-digit aged youth on, they’ll also be robbed of learning many of the skills that are learned later in life as well.

I’ve always enjoyed writing and creating things with pencil and paper since that poem I wrote about the Pilgrims in second grade that my teacher loved so much. It’s something I’ve continued to develop since then and even after all these years, I’m still learning. I don’t know what a dangling participle is and I can basically only tell you what a noun, verb, and adjective is, but the names of the different grammatical pieces aren’t as important as learning how to use them and string them together in meaningful ways regardless of what they’re called.

When I hear that the modern way for kids in school to write a report is by using AI, I can only shake my head. While the younger generations will tell me to get with the times, I reply that our writing skill doesn’t develop well when we merely have to say to a computer, “Write me a 1,000 word report on peanut farming.” When AI is doing all the work, no writing skills are developed on how to put a written sentence together. The way we write and the way we talk are not the same. No creativity skills are developed when we don’t have to figure out which angle to take it from, on what level to write it, or how broad or specific to make it. No organizing skills are developed when AI hands us a well-organized final product ready to hand in to the teacher.Continue reading“My Concerns With Artificial Intelligence – Part 3, by St. Funogas”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme generated by JWR. (Not an original concept, but with my own choice of photo, and layout):

Meme Text:

Did You Know That If You Hold A Squirrel Up To Your Ear…

…You Can Hear What It Is Like To Be Attacked By A Squirrel?

Video Link:

Man Attacked By Squirrel

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.