Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – August 15, 2017

On August 15, 1961, two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities began building a wall–the Berlin Wall–to permanently close off access to the West. For the next 28 years, the heavily fortified Berlin Wall stood as the most tangible symbol of the Cold War–a literal “iron curtain” dividing Europe. The wall has now been torn down for longer than it stood, but the scars in memory are still there.

If It Works Well, It Is Ours, by Old Bobbert

12

I’m so glad you asked about dealing with these non-preppers. This is a great topic. As a general rule, a non-prepper, most of the time and in most circumstances, simply does not see a need for “our” quality, variety, and/or style of preparing for some potentially serious problem that will, in turn, have an unexpected negative influence in their personal lives. It’s all just vague to them. Or to put it another way, they have heard that sermon before and they ain’t buying it, not then, not now, and not tomorrow.

They are honest, generous, sincerely caring for others, like the ideal fellow prepper, with every aspect of good character and tremendous integrity. They are the great unwashed unprepared majority. Does their preparedness message radiate from every smile and twitch of their inquisitive observant eye and even their body language radiate their preparedness message to us? No! No! And again no. But they will be polite and courteous. If that is your only topic, please go away. And that’s true about most of the good ones– the nice folks.

A Tale: Something “Good” Became “Nothing”

Before we get any deeper into the topic, allow me to share a personal true tale about the very good people in our very small community of about 200 homes and a population of just over 500 hearty souls. Right about 12 years ago, we formed a terrific CERT (community emergency response team). It was well done by the book. I should know, the books and training materials are on the book shelves in my den. Then about five years ago, we had to admit to ourselves that the CERT team actually did not exist at that time. We asked ourselves what had caused the team and the town to no longer care. Did we do something wrong? No. We did our leadership parts quite well. We did almost everything and did it well indeed. It was determined that the collapse was caused by nothing.

Continue reading“If It Works Well, It Is Ours, by Old Bobbert”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

3

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on Idaho bladesmith Robert Martin, the proprietor of Tears of The Sword.

Idaho (Tears of The Sword)

I’ve mentioned bladesmith Robert Martin once before in SurvivalBlog. His Tears of the Sword / Shadow Mountain Forge operation is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I recently met him again at a Redoubt gun show. His metallurgy and craftsmanship have progressed in recent years. He now makes some exceptionally nice pattern forge welded Damascus steel. His heat treating process is par excellance. In addition to producing complete knives and swords of his own, he also makes some great blanks for hobbyists to complete. He has two smelting forges for creating custom steel blends in up to 20 pound batches. He often starts with A-2, D-2, O-1, CPM 10V, CPM 3V, L-6, 15N20, 52-100, 51-60, and 51-50 carbon steels. Stainless steels such as CPM S30V, CPM S60V, CPM S90V, CPM 154, CPM 440C, and ATS-34 (or custom blends thereof) are also be worked by Martin.

o o o

There is now less than one week until the big solar eclipse event. A few travelers are already arriving, for vacations that will span the eclipse day. The traffic in some of the small towns in Idaho and Oregon in the path of totality will be tremendous. (The roads simply are designed to handle that much traffic.) Get there early. Be sure to carry plenty of extra food, water, and fuel if you are heading into the Totality Strip.  There might be a two-day traffic jam!

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

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

23

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”. As the war drum beats louder, many preppers are starting to focus on their nuclear fears. Much of it is just unfounded fear, but it is good to understand it.

Poison Ivy

Reader HL sent in this article on dealing with poison ivy. It lists eight things you should know including what it looks like, recognizing the rash, and treating the symptoms, even with homemade remedies. I would also add that poison ivy isn’t as common as TV would have you believe. If you are one of those who has allergic reactions to the oil in the plant, you should know all you can about it. However, only about 25% of the population is actually affected by it. It’s also worth noting that even if you are not affected by the plant, if you get it on yourself or your clothes, you can transfer it to someone who is affected.

The Plague

A couple of Arizona counties are warning that fleas from the region have tested positive for the plague. This would be the same plague that wiped out a third of the population of Europe in the Middle Ages. Granted that things are different now. We have better hygiene, better medicine, better access to that medicine (despite Obamacare), and better knowledge. However, it would be wise to take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure. If you are going to be out and about in areas where fleas are known to inhabit, you should be wearing protective clothing and possibly insect repellent.

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

Maxxeon’s 2nd Gen WorkStar 620 Headlamp, by Pat Cascio

8

Today we’re taking a close look at the Maxxeon 2nd Gen WorkStar 620 Technician’s Rechargeable Headlamp. We have tested several other lighting products from Maxxeon for SurvivialBlog readers over the years. One still sits on my desk, and I use it all the time when I need extra illumination for a project or looking for a lost gun part.

Maxxeon Varied Intensity Levels

Not all headlamps are the same. With that said, the Maxxeon 620 is quite the light. It has several intensity levels, with the highest being 700 lumens, medium 400 lumens, and low is still a bright 150 lumens. It is powered by a Cree light bulb, which is top of the line, too.

On the high setting of 700 lumens, the light will operate for two hours. On medium, it operates two hours and on low for eight hours. I’m impressed. Recharge time is six hours, and you do get two included batteries with this unit. To help extend the operating time of the 620, you can purchase additional batteries/battery packs. Maxxeon sent me an additional battery back with two additional batteries. You can also zoom the lens from a spot to a flood light, lighting up quite a large area if needed. One outstanding feature is the light’s beam has no rings, shadows, or hot spots when zoomed to a narrow beam.

Continue reading“Maxxeon’s 2nd Gen WorkStar 620 Headlamp, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Mom’s Meatless Friday Recipe, by JAA

This is easy to make and excellent.

Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts of cooked navy beans (undrained)
  • 3 lbs potatoes (fresh is best, but you can substitute canned, though canned potatoes do not store well.)
  • 1/2 stick of butter
  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • Flour

Directions:

  1. You can adjust the portion of beans and potatoes by the number of people that will be at the meal.
  2. To the navy beans add the butter; then separately mix milk and flour together. If there is not enough fluid in beans, add saved water until beans are barely covered. Bring pot to a boil. Then simmer, thickening the beans with flour mixture until it reaches the consistency of runny applesauce. Be careful not to scorch the bottom of the pot.
  3. Slice and fry the potatoes.
  4. Put a goodly portion of the fried potatoes on your plate and smother with the beans.
  5. Salt and pepper to taste.

o o o

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

8

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 “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in antique radios. (See the Tangibles section, near the end of this column.)

Precious Metals:

First off, both silver and gold jumped last week, as the headlines were filled with fears about possible nuclear war with North Korea.  I hope that you bought low.

o o o

Next, from Hub Moolman: Silver Price Forecast: Silver Boom Time?

 

Stocks:

Jim Rogers says the ‘biggest crisis in his life’ is less than a year away.

o o o

World’s Top Stock Market Really Just a Handful of Top Stocks.

 

Commodities:

Metals: Prices Remain Upbeat, Even as Geopolitical Tensions Pick Up.

o o o

Oil Price Forecast 2017 – 2040

 

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Getting Ready For the Long Walk- Part 3, by Lone Wolf and Cub

27

Today, we are wrapping up this series. We’ve already discussed the importance of prayer and are looking at what we need to take with us, most recently discussing first aid and medical supplies. We’ll continue with a few health care notes and move on with other items that need to be prepared and ready to go when it’s time to head to your retreat.

Preventive Measures Against The Triad of Death

The “triad of death” is the condition were your patient has hypothermia, excessive blood loss, and acidosis, which is a condition where the body is unable to clot. This triad of death is a vicious cycle where one condition causes the other, with death as the final result. Yet two of these are easily preventable for those skilled in standard first aid.  A properly applied tourniquet applied two inches above the wound will suffice for extremity wounds. Turn until it hurts for tourniquet application, then turn two more times. A tourniquet can also be left on for two days without risk of permanent injury to the limb.

Remember to record the time the tourniquet was placed. Your emergency blankets and sleeping bags can also be used to prevent hypothermia in your patient. Direct pressure must be used to prevent excessive bleeding in the torso, neck, and head. If that doesn’t work, then direct pressure above the wound applied to the area where there are major arterial pathways should suffice. The SAS Survival Manual has detailed pictures of these pathways. As mentioned, acidosis is a nasty condition where the blood becomes acidic, which will prevent blood clotting. This will result in excessive blood loss, hypothermia, and further acidosis.

Continue reading“Getting Ready For the Long Walk- Part 3, by Lone Wolf and Cub”

Letter Re: Walking to the Retreat

49

Gentlemen:

In recent days SurvivalBlog has published two articles that heavily feature the “Shank’s Mare” option– walking to Get Out of Dodge. I consider walking to a bugout location a last resort but one that must be included in the planning process.

To that end, I’ve been looking for a device that could provide assistance in such a trek. In the movie “The Road,” made from the Cormac McCarthy book of the same name, the father eventually comes into possession of what looks like a Strongway Yard Cart (available through Amazon and others) or similar cart, which is a 4 foot long and 31 inch wide super size plywood wheelbarrow with a large diameter spoked wheel on each side mounted amid ship and having an extended tubular handle to the rear, all with a 400 lb capacity.

Yard Carts

Some years back I had an identical cart, and it was extremely useful. But the user must carry some of the weight. He supports it with the extended handle, similar to the operation of a standard wheelbarrow. Over long distances, this can be extremely tiring.

Continue reading“Letter Re: Walking to the Retreat”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

12

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”. North Korea is making headlines again as the beat of the war drum gets louder.

Second Amendment

Australia has no such protection of their right to keep and bear arms. As a result, after the 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, they basically removed all firearms rights. However, the authorities still estimate that there are approximately 300,000 firearms still on the streets. While suicides and murders by firearm have indeed gone down, violent crimes have actually increased. Now the population has no way to protect themselves. The UK’s response to self-defense is a public service announcement called “Run, Hide, and Tell”. Many armed Americans prefer the mantra “Stand, Fight, and Quell” though. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

War on Cash

Reader Organic Mama sent in this link showing where bake sales have now been banned in government facilities. Instead, people are expected to donate through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) which has an annual solicitation for charitable donations. This has several implications beyond just removing the handling of cash over donations though. Only approved charities can get on that list, which usually means lots of paperwork. There will be no more donations to “little Johnny’s camp fund” even if you wanted to. Second, all donations are now tracked. They know which charities you gave to and which ones you didn’t.

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

Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)