Editors’ Prepping Progress

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As preppers work to make progress to achieve prepping goals, we took some actions this week too. The SurvivalBlog editors made some plans earlier in the week and now reflect upon these. Below, the editors share what we each accomplished. Please write to us in the comments and tell us what you did this week to get your preps in place and to be ready.

JWR

Hello SurvivalBlog Readers,

This week the weather in the northern American Redoubt was cool, cloudy, and mostly dry.

Our prepping accomplishments are as follows:

Jim got a nice start on the plumbing project. He took down the wasp infected, hollowed tree and took down some more dead and diseased trees, gathered slash and burned it. Jim and Lily, together, planted, mulched and deeply watered the eight saplings. We love working together outside.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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NBC

From reader G.P. we learn of this article describing why you should never get in a car if dealing with a nearby nuclear explosion. It’s not something that we want to think about, but if you have survived a surprise nuclear explosion, sheltering in place is probably the best thing you can do. A car offers miserable protections from the fallout, not to mention dealing with the crowded road conditions of others fleeing the scene. The article offers some information about using basements and office/school buildings as protection. However, it does make the assumption that the blast is in the typical 10-20Kiloton yield with the dangerous fallout zone lasting approximately 48 hours. The hot zone will last considerably longer but allow you to travel quickly through it.

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From the New York Times Magazine comes this article on How to Build a Fallout Shelter. It’s a pretty basic description with a number of subjects untouched (such as waste disposal), but it fits in with the last article on sheltering in place. It’s not difficult to create a safe space to get through the worst and most dangerous fallout after a bomb. Thanks to G.G. for the link.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) and thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites: of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: and Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses”. Numbers 4:40-51 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – May 26, 2017

SurvivalBlog Non-Fiction Writing Contest

We are still looking for articles for the SurvivalBlog Non-Fiction Writing Contest. If you’ve been wanting a shot at the $11,000+ worth of prizes, now is your chance! We will consider just about any article from your experience, but How-To articles get preference in the judging. If you have an idea that your thinking about, write it up and send it in. If you are looking for some possible writing subjects, here are a few to consider:

  • Family Fallout Protection
  • Non-Traditional Gardening Crops and Techniques
  • 2 Meter Radio Basics
  • Understanding VPN and Choosing The Right Service
  • The Best Prepper Fiction in Books and Movies
  • How to Drive a Sand Point Well
  • Assembling Your Gunsmithing Tool Chest
  • The Most Overlooked Preps
  • Stockpiling Barter Items — Your “Thinking Outside the Box “List
  • Being Ready for Home Plumbing Emergencies
  • How to Maximize (and Organize) Storage Space for Your Preps
  • 30 Must-Have Books for Well-Prepped Families
  • Medical Supplies: What You Need in Your “Second Aid” Kit
  • Caching Techniques: Underground, In-Home, and Out in Plain Sight
  • Essential Tools for Home and Retreat Carpentry
  • Do-It-Yourself Firearms Camouflaging
  • How to Make Your Own Ghillie Cape and Ghillied Boonie Hat
  • How to Install a Security System
  • Video Surveillance
  • Communications Go-Bag
  • Every Day Carry for Restricted Areas
  • Weekly, Monthly, & Yearly Checklists

Guest Article: The Genesis Of The “Bubble’s Bubble”

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The financial services industry is headed for the greatest debate in recent history.

Regardless of what occurs from here –a continued stock market bullish trend or reversion to long-term averages which chronicles back to 2000 levels, the confines of discussion, the heated verbal and written volleys tossed deep from the roots of philosophical differences will forge a permanent rift between the steadfast buy-and-hold brethren and the stewards who manage risk by preserving capital (the dreaded group with a market escape plan), through the forthcoming bear cycle.

The stakes are higher than I can recall.

Future generations: Those we are depending on to lift the globe from the depths of a demographic malaise, groups nowhere near as ostentatious as Baby Boomers; generations that savor experience over product and have been wary of the risk in stocks, are beginning to relent and take notice of this bull market trajectory.

How they experience the ride in stocks and what occurs from here will shape their investment philosophy. I fear Millennials to Gen Y are going to get fooled, taken out. Smacked in the face.

Continue reading“Guest Article: The Genesis Of The “Bubble’s Bubble””

Review of Max Velocity’s Defensive Concealed Handgun Class

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I am in my 50s and have been carrying a concealed handgun on and off since 1990.  Consistently every day for the last six (6) years.  I have read a number of books by Massad Ayoob, John Farnum, Jeff Cooper and others. I’ve studied a number of instructional DVD’s as well. I also practiced what I thought were the correct ways to draw and shoot. My training even included how I thought through the reasons behind why I carried a concealed weapon.   But I had a nagging fear that I couldn’t shake that I’d missed something or things weren’t as they seemed.

On April 20, 2017 I read SurvivalBlog.com (SB) like I do almost every day. I read the editor’s post on the upcoming training events that Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) had scheduled for May and June.  I went to the MVT website via the SurvivalBlog link, and was impressed with what I saw and read on the MVT website. It was enough that I immediately registered for the Defensive Concealed Handgun class that was scheduled for May 13-14, 2017.

The Class

The first couple of hours on the first day (Saturday) was a presentation / discussion that covered safety, holsters, belts, magazine carriers, “dressing around the gun”, etc.; topics that I’d read a lot about and had worked to incorporate into my daily routine.  Though I was impressed by the depth of Scott’s (the instructor) knowledge and his delivery, I began to think that I’d been doing things right and that I was in a “good place”.  I couldn’t have been more wrong…..

Continue reading“Review of Max Velocity’s Defensive Concealed Handgun Class”

Economics & Investing for Preppers

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Shale oil production is now in the headlines. Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the quirky “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor):


Precious Metals:

First, over at Gold-Eagle: Arizona Ends Income Taxation On Gold And Silver Coins. So here is JWR‘s Comment:  Other States that presently tax bullion coins should follow suit.

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Hubert Moolman just published this commentary: Silver Price Forecast 2018: The US Dollar Breakdown Clears The Way for a 1970s Style Silver Rally


Commodities Economics:

Nick Cunningham reports: Goldman: Oil Glut To Return When OPEC Deal Expires

Continue reading“Economics & Investing for Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“The clearest marks of this prudence are stamped on the proposed Constitution. The Union itself, which it cements and secures, destroys every pretext for a military establishment which could be dangerous. America united, with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat. It was remarked, on a former occasion, that the want of this pretext had saved the liberties of one nation in Europe. Being rendered by her insular situation and her maritime resources impregnable to the armies of her neighbors, the rulers of Great Britain have never been able, by real or artificial dangers, to cheat the public into an extensive peace establishment. The distance of the United States from the powerful nations of the world gives them the same happy security. A dangerous establishment can never be necessary or plausible, so long as they continue a united people. But let it never, for a moment, be forgotten that they are indebted for this advantage to the Union alone. The moment of its dissolution will be the date of a new order of things. The fears of the weaker, or the ambition of the stronger States, or Confederacies, will set the same example in the New, as Charles VII. did in the Old World. The example will be followed here from the same motives which produced universal imitation there. Instead of deriving from our situation the precious advantage which Great Britain has derived from hers, the face of America will be but a copy of that of the continent of Europe. It will present liberty everywhere crushed between standing armies and perpetual taxes. The fortunes of disunited America will be even more disastrous than those of Europe. The sources of evil in the latter are confined to her own limits. No superior powers of another quarter of the globe intrigue among her rival nations, inflame their mutual animosities, and render them the instruments of foreign ambition, jealousy, and revenge. In America the miseries springing from her internal jealousies, contentions, and wars, would form a part only of her lot. A plentiful addition of evils would have their source in that relation in which Europe stands to this quarter of the earth, and which no other quarter of the earth bears to Europe.” – James Madison, The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 41. General View of the Powers Conferred by The Constitution 

Notes for Thursday – May 25, 2017

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May 26th is the birthday of  Hank Williams, Jr. (Randall Hank Williams, nicknamed Bocephus.) He was born in 1949. When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, so he qualifies as a Redoubter. He reportedly has a large gun collection which is heavy on Sharps rifles and rifles that have factory letters showing that they were originally shipped to Montana. His song A Country Boy Can Survive is of course practically a survivalist anthem. His father was just 29 when he died, and despite a couple of close calls, Hank Jr. is now well into his golden years, so he may yet live to a ripe old age.

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Seed for Security is having a special sale. All of their 8 collections are now 20% off. Plan ahead-plant a garden-learn how to save seeds or store FRESH seeds for future gardens. This offer is for a limited time.

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I just noticed that #1 Son’s SurvivalRealty.com spin-off site now has 225 property listings.  Many of these are fantastic retreat properties, with great features. Check them out! – JWR

Get Home Bag for Teenagers- Part 3, by N.R.

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We’ve talked about the important of a Get Home Bag for Teenagers in a crisis situation and the basic necessities for this bag in the previous two parts of this article. Now, in this last part of the article, I began to tell you about the secondary elements that could still be critical in some situations. I left off on knives, in particular a larger sheathed knife.

Larger Sheathed Knife (continued)

Now, I want to stress one thing before we go on. Pulling out a weapon, such as a knife, in a fight with another person should be a last resort. If you do this during a disaster situation where law enforcement still exists, you can get in a lot of trouble if you end up seriously injuring your attacker or killing them. If it isn’t apparent you pulled it in self-defense, you could be charged with murder and sent to jail. That would be a very bad idea during a serious disaster scenario.

Continue reading“Get Home Bag for Teenagers- Part 3, by N.R.”

Letter: Stop the Bleed Training

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Stop the Bleed

HJL, Recently the University of Washington’s Harborview Hospital  has begun teaching bleeding control to healthcare providers as well as ordinary citizens. WHH is the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center in most of the northwest, including Idaho and Montana. The class is called Stop The Bleed. The idea is that-just like everyone should know CPR- everyone should know how to stop severe bleeding. The class is about 2 hours, divided between lecture and hands on training.

The class teaches how to recognize life threatening bleeding and proper usage of tourniquets. Which ones to purchase, and how to properly use wound packing/compression bandaging is also covered. I thought it was extremely well done and a “must do” for anyone who may be on their own when someone might bleed to death (it only takes 3-5 minutes). Right now in the northwest, I believe that it’s only being offered in Washington State. But the plan is to take it regionally and nationally.

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods – a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”.

Terrorism

By this time, most of us are familiar with the Manchester terrorist attack at a concert. But here is something: Manchester Attack: What They’re NOT Telling You. Excerpt: “Which do we value more? Protecting the feelings of Muslims or protecting our children from being blown up?”

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Apparently, Muslim atrocities against women are no big deal in Europe. Last week, two Turkish nationals barged into a 13-year-olds home and raped her. Even the victims seem to want to hide the ethnicity of their attackers for fear that it might trigger reprisals against the refugees.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

Get Home Bag for Teenagers- Part 2, by N.R.

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Review

We looked at one scenario where a Get Home Bag would be critical for teenagers away from home when an emergency occurred. While there are many types of bags that will work, expensive bags are not necessary. We have already looked at the bag itself. So let’s now move on to the other critical elements, the interesting part, which are the things to go inside the bag.

Food

Not MREs or Canned Food

Now, I’m going to say something so we can get this straight from the start. I would not recommend packing MREs Why? They are simply too expensive. They weigh too much and take up a great deal of space. While less expensive, the same goes for canned food. And you simply don’t want a bag that is too heavy to carry long distances or potentially hazardous to your health. I mean, let’s be real. If the mess hits the fan and a disaster struck, you may have to walk wherever you have to go. It may require you to get there before your supplies run out. The lighter the pack, the easier it will be to get to where you need to be. I speak from experience.

Light Foods

I recommend you stock it with light, energy providing foods that replenish strength and stamina. These foods are things like granola bars, food bars, trail mix, nuts, raisins, et cetera. Depending on how far you have to travel to, I also recommend packing instant meals. I’m talking about dried soup mixes, potatoes, oatmeal, grits, or freeze dried products, like beef stroganoff or spaghetti. Consider anything that requires only hot water to prepare.

Continue reading“Get Home Bag for Teenagers- Part 2, by N.R.”