1776PatriotUSA.com

Category: Preparedness

  • Post-SHTF: When the Neighbors Ask For Help

    Post-SHTF: When the Neighbors Ask For Help

    I hear it all the time – “The SHTF and a neighbor knocks on my door I’m putting a bullet in their head and feeding them to the pigs.” Right. When John and Susan drop over with little 6-year old Lisa asking if there is any food to spare these keyboard warriors are going to just kill them? Tough talk when those who you had a few beers with and babysat their kids aren’t standing right in front of you.

    This neighbor lets her dog crap on my driveway?

    “No soup for you!!”

    This topic came up at a Survival & Preparedness Convention I spoke at a few years ago. Several of the guest speakers were standing around talking about different things and someone mentioned what if cousin Bob showed up knowing you had some extra food put back – asking for help. As you can imagine opinions varied based on numerous factors. What was the relationship with those knocking on the door? How desperate is the situation? Does the person have any skills that would provide benefit to having them stay? Are kids involved?

    The truth of the matter is the vast majority of us do not know how we will react should something like this occur. To flat out state that you will help absolutely no one could result in a situation where it could be beneficial to assist someone – and you send them away. To create shoe boxes full of supplies specifically for this situation and start handing them out to every desperate soul that passes by could prove disastrous.

    So – not to burst your bubble here but there is no solid, guaranteed right answer.

    Rourke

  • Rourke’s Recommendations

    Rourke’s Recommendations

     

    Every couple weeks or so I recommend a few things such as movies, books, and an assortment of gear – all kinds of stuff. Some of these are related to survival & preparedness – while others are just stuff I like. Most are on Amazon but not all.

    So – for this week……here is my list:

    Books:

    The Life & Times of the Incorrigible

    The Ultimate Hang: An Illustrated Guide To Hammock Camping

    Day by Day Armageddon

    Emergency LED Power Failure Light

    LifeStraw 1.0 Family Water Purifier

     

    Movies:

    The Green Mile

    Good Will Hunting

    Big

    Good Morning Vietnam

     

    Gear:

    1/2″ x 6″ Ferrocerium Rod – 2 Piece Set

    CRKT AG Russell Sting

    Nebo iProTec 190 Lumen Weapons Light

    Fisher’s Mechanical Yo Yo Fishing Reels – 6 pack

    80% Wool OD Green Blanket

  • Video: 10 Things YOU should consider (NOW) to prepare for CHAOS

    Video: 10 Things YOU should consider (NOW) to prepare for CHAOS

    Just getting started in survival and preparedness? It’s not too late to get prepared for when the SHTF. Pastor Joe discusses 10 things you should consider doing NOW to prepare. He takes a very simple, common-sense approach.

    Overall, pretty good ideas.

     I agree it’s never too late and there is no reason to give up hope. Set a goal, make a plan, and take action.

    By the way – if you are looking for some of those classic Paladin Press books – follow the link for the digital versions.

    Take care all –

    Rourke

  • New To Prepping? 12 Tips To Get You Started

    New To Prepping? 12 Tips To Get You Started

    Getting started in prepping can be a daunting task and one can easily get overwhelmed. With the headlines of today, it is easy to feel a huge sense of urgency to get ready NOW – with many giving up because they just don’t have the money or the time to invest. These myths could mean the difference between having taken the necessary steps to prepare – or not.

    One point that needs to be made is that everything does NOT have to be done at once. While I would not suggest any further hesitation baby steps will get you in a much better position than not starting at all.

    12 PREPAREDNESS TIPS

    1. Store What You Eat – It is not necessary to purchase a years supply of food all at once, nor is it required to buy expensive freeze dried products. When doing regular grocery shopping throw in a few more cans of beef stew, corn, and a couple bags of rice. Build the pantry with every trip and over time.

    2. Store Extra Water & Get a Water Filter – Water is fairly cheap with a case of pure bottled water running under $3.00 for 24 bottles. Stacking 10 in the corner of the garage is a great start. Soft drink bottles can be washed out and refilled with water from the tap. For most who throw these bottles away, this is an ultra-low budget water storage method.

    A good water filter will be extremely useful should water stop flowing from the faucet. A couple of Sawyer Mini Water Filters will filter thousands of gallons of water. Add a Sawyer Water Filter Bucket Kit and filter water for the entire family.

    3. Have a Plan to Bug Out – With the dangers that this world presents the need to relocate or “bug out” is certainly one to consider. If something should occur in your area and bugging out is needed a plan should be made well ahead of time.

    It may be as simple as going to Aunt Besty’s out in the country 30 minutes down the road – or traveling to the State Park located a couple towns over. Regardless, have a plan of action.

    Oh – and make sure everyone in the family knows this plan in case communications are down and not everyone can get home. A secondary meet up point is also a good idea.

    4. Don’t Get Caught Up In Specifics – While you may have had your interest in preparedness peaked after watching a Youtube video on EMP – there are much more likely threats that exist daily. With this in mind cover the basics of preparedness – food, water, medical, defense, shelter.

    5. Don’t Focus on One Area of Prepping – In planning your preparedness effort do not focus on one aspect of preparedness. Do not say, “Well, I’ll get my food stocked up and then go to water.” This is a common practice and all areas should be worked on over time so your preparedness system remains somewhat balanced.

    6. You Do Not Have To Spend a Fortune – Most of the basic supplies needed to be put back can be purchased at the grocery store, dollar store, and discount stores such as Wal-Mart. Think about what would be needed for going camping. A massive solar system costing $10,000 is not needed(but would be nice!).

    7. Educate Yourself  – A boatload of preparedness information is available on the Internet.  Read articles, watch YouTube video’s, and most importantly use some common sense when getting this information. Fear mongering is everywhere.

    8. Keep Your Car at Least Half Full and a Full Gas Can At Home – Gas lines and shortages don’t bode well for an expedient departure when your car is running on empty. Keep it at least half full and have a reserve.

    9. Put Together a Bug Out Bag/Kit – Using the camping analogy again review needed supplies once the bug out location is reached. Typically using a backpack is recommended however I prefer a rugged tote box for storing supplies. This tote could be kept in a car trunk/SUV – or in the home. Point being a kit needs to be put together so that if needed it can be “grab and go” scenario.

    10. Prepare Yourself….Mentally – No doubt you’ve thought of a variety of situations that may occur. Now is the time to visualize them over and over in your mind. The purpose of this is to prepare mentally for what might happen BEFORE it actually occurs.  Should some unfortunate event take place you will be more mentally prepared due to the visualization exercises conducted.

    11. Purchase a Firearm If You Do Not Own One – There are a variety of situations where the need for firearms could come into play. Civil unrest, rioting, crime waves, etc. can cause innocent citizens to become violent crime victims. Even the playing field by having a firearm.

    If you read this and go out and buy a gun make absolutely certain you also purchase training. The mere ownership of a firearm does not constitute the ability to use it and defend yourself.

    12. Alternate Forms of Cooking – If the grid goes down preparing meals will still need to take place. While most of us have gas or charcoal grills at home how much fuel is available? How about a firepit along with enough wood to last? A propane camp grill with a dozen or so canisters is a good start. Extra propane tanks for your gas grill are fairly cheap. Charcoal? Stock up on sale and keep it dry.

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    Although those discovering preparedness at this point in time may be a bit late to the game – there is no better time than NOW to start – so get to it. Don’t go overboard and run up credit card debt. One step at a time will get you to your destination.

    Rourke

    Looking for hunting and fishing gear? Gear Lobo has lots of in-depth reviews and side by side comparisons

  • The Vehicle as Terror Weapon

    The Vehicle as Terror Weapon

    Rourke: This post was originally published over at DoomandBloom.net and republished here with permission.

    In these days of Pokemon Go and other smartphone distractions, you’re seeing more and more people oblivious of their surroundings. In the past, this might get you a bump on the head by walking into a lamp post. In today’s world, however, it could cost you your life.

    As an Anglophile, I have often visited London and walked from my hotel to parliament and other sites via the Westminster bridge. Today, on the anniversary of the terrorist attack in Belgium, someone used a vehicle to mow down pedestrians on the bridge and then, apparently, left the car to continue a rampage that has left a number of casualties in its wake. The British, after some hesitation, have labeled the event a terrorist attack.

     

    Vehicular terrorism is not new, with Israel the scene of multiple attacks in past years. It’s becoming more and more common in the West, however, with attacks in Nice, France on Bastille Day and in Berlin at a Christmas market. In the United States, a Somali student used his car to run over several people at Ohio State University and then perpetrated a knife attack on those who, ironically, ran over to see if he was injured. Many similar events rarely make the news.

     

    Terror attacks are often associated with bombs, but making a bomb requires some expertise to assemble safely. Guns, the other preferred weapon, are difficult to come by in most countries other than the U.S. Owning or renting a vehicle, however, is easy. Trucks and cars can cause mass casualties if wielded as a weapon; obtaining one isn’t an act that evokes suspicion.

     

    Recently, an article titled “Just Terror Tactics” was published by the English-language ISIS magazine “Rumiyah”.  It described which vehicles will cause the most damage and called for attacks on Western crowds. “It is a simple idea and there is not much involved in its preparation,” the article said. “All what is needed is the willingness to give one’s life for Allah.”

     

    The article goes on: “Pick your location and timing carefully. Go for the most crowded locations. Narrower spots are also better because it gives less chance for the people to run away. Avoid locations where other vehicles may intercept you…To achieve maximum carnage, you need to pick up as much speed as you can while still retaining good control of your vehicle in order to maximize your inertia and be able to strike as many people as possible in your first run.”

     

    The writer also suggested attackers weld steel blades onto the front of an SUV: “They do not need to be extra sharp because with the speed of the truck at the time of impact, even a blunter edge would slice through bone very easily. You may raise the level of the blades as high as the headlights. That would make the blades strike your targets at the torso level or higher.”

     

    These tactics represent the new blueprint among terrorists for causing mayhem. Few people pay much attention to traffic unless they’re driving a vehicle themselves or crossing the street. The speed at which a vehicle can accelerate and turn into a crowd leaves little reaction time. Therefore, the “success” rate of this type of terror event may surpass even a gunman’s ability to cause deaths and injuries.

     

    I advocate for a constant state of “Yellow Alert” when in public spaces. By that, I mean a calm but vigilant observation of what’s happening around you. Look for anomalies in behavior that might warn you of nefarious intentions. For example, hopping up and down and screaming may be normal at a rock concert, but it’s an anomaly at Starbucks.

     

    This attitude is useful, but it’s difficult to respond quickly enough to avoid an oncoming car or truck.  When a vehicle moves erratically or leaves the normal pattern of traffic, it’s an anomaly that requires quick action. Mentally noting routes of escape whenever you’re in public will give you the best chance of escaping. Just as knowing the location of exits in a mall or theater is good policy, a heightened awareness is now important at any public area near roadways.

     

    For vehicular terrorists, the target will be crowds of people near the street. Their objective is mass casualties, and those pedestrians nearest the curb will bear the brunt of the attack. Consider walking on the fringe of a crowd away from the road to give yourself the most options. In the center, the masses, not your own good judgment, will dictate your movement.

    Bollards

    Municipalities can protect their citizens from vehicular terrorism by constructing barriers known as “bollards” which stop vehicles from entering pedestrian areas. These can be seen outside many government buildings and airport terminals. Expanding their use to areas that attract crowds would be an important consideration for the future.

     

    I’m not the only one thinking of how to deal with vehicular terror. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security recently issued a release warning of vehicular terrorism and how to identify an imminent attack. The release acknowledges the time issues in reacting to such events, but includes the following things to look for:

     

    • Unusual modifications to vehicles, such as frontal reinforcement.
    • The purchase or rental of large or heavy-duty vehicles, especially if there is nervousness during the transaction, payment in cash, or lack of familiarity with the vehicle’s operations.
    • Commercial motor vehicles or heavy equipment being operated in unusual locations, such as particularly heavy pedestrian areas.
    • Attempts to approach areas closed to traffic, such as street festivals or farmers’ markets.
    • A vehicle operator’s apparent unfamiliarity with operating a commercial vehicle, such as trouble with gear shifting.

    I’ll admit that the likelihood you’ll be in the path of a terrorist using a vehicle, or any other weapon, is very small. Panic isn’t the answer, but these are troubled times; the more situationally aware you are, the safer you’ll be.

     

    Joe Alton, MD

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    Joe Alton, MD has contributed to Survivalist Magazine, Backwoods Home, Self Reliance Illustrated, American Survival Guide, Survivor’s Edge, Prepare, Disaster Survival Magazine, Molly Green, and Survival Quarterly, among others. He is a member of Mensa and collects 19th-century medical books to gain insight on off-grid medical strategies.

    You can visit his website at DoomandBloom.net and shop his medical preparedness store HERE.

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  • An Interview with PrepperWebsite.com’s Todd Sepulveda

    An Interview with PrepperWebsite.com’s Todd Sepulveda

     

    It is my honor to present the following interview with Todd Sepulveda – editor of The Prepper Website and host of The Prepper Website Podcast.

    On with the interview…….

     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

    Questions:

    Can you tell my readers a bit about yourself and your background?

    I guess the main reason I’m doing this written interview is because I’m the editor of Prepper Website.  I started it in 2011 after realizing there wasn’t one central location where someone looking for preparedness information could find it.

    By day, I work in education.  I recently took a job at the district office where I manage the software that holds the district’s curriculum.  Before then I was an assistant principal on an elementary campus.

    I’m also a pastor.  I pastor a small church in Katy, Texas.

     

    What motivated your interested in preparedness?

    Believe it or not, my motivation comes from a time of prayer.  Because I am in education, I have the Christmas break off.  I usually use that time to seek the Lord on direction for the next year.

    In the past, I had come out of that time with positive words for the new year.  But in 2009, I felt the Lord tell me to “tell my people to prepare.”  That was kind of different and weird for me.  But a Scripture came to me, one that I learned when I went through the video course, “Experiencing God.”  The verse is Amos 3:7 – Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His counsel to His servants the prophets. (HCSB)

    God always let His people know what was going to happen and He gave them plenty of time to do something about it.  Unfortunately, like many people today, they were stubborn and didn’t see the writing on the wall.

    Now, let me say this here.  I never felt when the Lord was impressing on me to tell people to “prepare,” that it was about the end of the world, like in THE END.  I felt more like it was about hard times were coming.

    I can say, when the crash of 2008 happened, we didn’t feel it too badly like the rest of the country.  I remember remarking about the price of gas and how stupid Lehman Brothers and the banksters were, but that was about it.  I didn’t realize how close we came to the SHTF!

    I went through the prepping because of fear thing, like a lot of people, and now am a lot more level-headed.

    I never really bought into the be a closet prepper, probably because I felt like I needed to let people know that they needed to get prepared.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not detailing all my preps.  But I talk openly about preparedness.

     

    Is there something – some events or situation – that you are specifically preparing for?

    No, not really.  I think the event that I consider the most is an economic collapse.  

    From a spiritual perspective, we have become a godless country, really post-Christian.  If God would discipline the Israelites, He has to do the same to us too.

    But barring intervention from God, I think we are certain for a spiral downward, one day your money buys you all of this, the next day it buys you peanuts!

    Of course, there is always a Black Swan event that can set things in motion even faster.

    I just want to be aware and ready for whatever happens.

     

    What significance does politics play when it comes to preparedness?

    They’re all idiots!  I think the minute you get to the national level, they are all corrupt.  That’s just my opinion.  

    I believe that the best decisions are made at a local level, no matter the organization or government entity.

    I don’t put too much faith in D.C.  I still stay aware of what is going on because whatever is done on a national level can impact where I live.

     

    What level of importance do you place on firearms when it comes to preparedness?

    It is high up there!  I’m grateful I live here and not in a country where you have to go through heck to own a firearm.  

    You need a means to defend yourself.  Period!

     

    Are there any particular items you consider “must haves” for a survival/bug out/get home kit?

    Water, water, water!  Water is so important.  You must have multiple ways of filtering and purifying it.  

    I like the idea of a LifeStraw because it is so simple to use.  I think if you’re prepping for family members who are not taking it as seriously as you are, that having something simple like a LifeStraw will be a “Life Saver” for you and your family.  

    But again, I think you should have multiple ways of purifying water.

    Besides water, I think every kit needs to be specific to your situation.  I work 10 minutes from home.  My kit might look very different than someone who works 1 hours from home and has to travel through some “less desirable” neighborhoods.

     

    Any advice to those on a budget who are trying to prepare?

    Everyone can prep!  I mean everyone!  It comes down to prioritizing, taking the time to find deals and being wise.  Those on a tight budget need to do a few things though.

    They need to have a budget.  If you don’t tell your money what to do, it will do whatever it wants.

    They need to cut costs as much as possible.  Get rid of cable TV or anything else that is not a necessity.

    They need to get out of debt.  Debt stifles any opportunities that might come up.

    They need to increase income.  I’m not talking about working harder at your current job.  I’m talking about finding other streams of income.  Start a micro-business of some sort.  You are good at something and others are willing to pay for it. I know someone who pet sits. She gets paid to pet sit!!!!!  There is something out there for you!

     

    What do you consider to be the Top 5 survival & preparedness categories in order of importance?

    1. Plan – Prepping aimlessly will just get you acquiring more stuff.  Know what you are prepping for and why.
    2. Water
    3. Food
    4. Sanitation
    5. Medical

    This shouldn’t be a hard and fast list.  It really depends on what your plan is and what you are prepping for.  For example, defense could/should be in there too.  But it depends on if you are prepping for a natural disaster, a slow economic spiral down or a full-fledged breakdown of the world as we know it.  That’s why I have planning as the first category.  That will dictate the rest.

     

    I knew a guy who has all the same concerns as I about the future and when I asked about preparations he stated – “It doesn’t matter.  Why prepare? When the Lord calls me home no preparations will interfere.” What role does Faith play in your preparedness efforts?

    I think I answered this above.  But to add, God gave us a brain to use.  Those Christians who don’t think it is a good idea to prep, I would ask, do they change the oil in their car?  Do they wash their clothes?  Do they go to the grocery store and purchase food?  

    Maybe we should stop calling it “prepping.”  See the last answer.

     

    Care you give a prediction on what the next 5 years will look like?

    No.  That would be foolish.  I’m not a prophet.  However, if things continue to limp along like they are now, I foresee our purchasing power diminishing.  We will spend more to get less.  That is if everything continues without anything major happening.

     

    Many of my readers are gun nuts – myself included. Any particular favorites?

    I will say this.  Growing up, my dad owned property in East Texas.  He owned many firearms and I shot them all and enjoyed shooting.  When he sold the property, he also sold off many of his firearms because we just didn’t have a place to go shoot like we did.

    From the time he sold the property in East Texas, to the next time I pulled a trigger on a pistol was over 20 years.  The second pistol I fired at the gun range was a full-size Px4 Storm.  I liked that Beretta.

     

    Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

    Yes.  I recently started The Prepper Website Podcast. It is a weekday podcast.  I feature audio versions of articles that I have posted on Prepper Website.  I have had many people support the podcast and it is doing really well.  

    I’m also shifting away from “prepping” to living a more self-reliant life.  This means that I want to put systems and procedures in place to help me and my family not be so dependent on the grid, government and grind.

    As a result, I started a Facebook group specifically for this.  It’s still in the infant stages, but I’m hoping that it will become a community of people who want to share ideas and strategies for becoming more self-reliant.  You can get to the Facebook page by going directly to www.amoreselfreliantlife.com.

    I also have a free e-course that I’m working on.  But I will have more info. on that soon.

     

    Thanks for the opportunity to share with your readers John!

    Rourke: Thank you, Todd!

  • Rourke’s Recommendations

    Rourke’s Recommendations

     

    Every couple weeks or so I recommend a few things such as movies, books, and an assortment of gear – all kinds of stuff. Some of these are related to survival & preparedness – while others are just stuff I like. Most are on Amazon but not all.

    So – for this week……here is my list:

    Books:

    George Orwell – 1984

    Killing the Rising Sun

    The Survival Medicine Handbook

    The Encyclopedia of Country Living

     

    Movies:

    The Goonies

    Courageous

    Twister

    V: Season 1

     

    Gear:

    Nylon Cable Zip Ties, 8″, Pack of 100

    MIZOO LED Flashlight & Lithium Ion Battery System

    Anker 21W Dual USB Portable Solar Charger

    50 Cal Ammo Can Foam Insert – Pistol plus Magazines

  • From the Desk of John Rourke – April 21st, 2017

    From the Desk of John Rourke – April 21st, 2017

    I tend to look at preparedness overly complex. Solar panels, inverters, walkie-talkies, 2M ham radio, HF ham radio, single-sideband CB, scanners, LED CREE flashlights with backup chargers, etc. Some of this stuff might be more expensive than complicated but you get my drift.

    Preparedness really doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve been thinking about the saying – “beans, bullets, and band-aids”. That’s pretty simple. Stockpile extra food, buy a shotgun with some extra ammo and have medical supplies to handle general injuries. Not very complicated.

    Some of my favorite preparedness items:

    • Fresnel Lens – love these things. If the sun is out it is so easy to start a fire given the right flammable source. They are flexible, durable, and easily fit in any pack.
    • Matches – so cheap and a lifetime supply can be put back in a plastic tote.
    • Aluminum foil – so many uses and difficult to find any kind of substitute for. Available at the Dollar Store.
    • Plastic sheeting – available at Wally World in the paint section. This can be used in a variety of ways including expedient shelter. There are different thicknesses. Don’t get too thin or it tears easily.
    • Toothbrush/Toothpaste – another Dollar Store trip can get years worth of brushes and toothpaste for $20.00.
    • Soda Bottles – soft drink containers can be rinsed out and reused to store water.
    • 5-gallon buckets – there are entire books dedicated to bucket projects.
    • Triple antibiotic ointment – yup…Dollar Store. Stuff works great.
    • Pens/pencils
    • Cord – doesn’t have to be paracord but any kind of cordage/line is extremely useful.
    • Zip Ties – tons of uses and they are so cheap.

    There’s a thousand more to add to the list. Come on – what do you think?

    Rourke

    There are many reasons why so many love their Kindle and Amazon Fire tablets. One huge advantage is you could literally go years without every buying a book to read as there are tons of free eBooks available. Don’t have a Kindle or Fire? No problem. There are apps that can be installed on most any cell phone or computer for free. No excuses!

    Today’s Freebies

    Survival Guide: A Beginner’s Guide to Help You Survive in the Forest

    Ebola Pandemic Survival List

    Bug Out Vehicle

    Safe House: Build and Manage Your Secure Survival Home

    On the Cheap…..

         

    NOTE: If you see a free preparedness eBook that you’re interested in get it now. Prices change often and there is no way to tell how long the book will remain free. Before purchasing a free Kindle book on Amazon make certain the book is still free by making sure the price is $0.00. If it lists a price or says “read for free” or has a price for prime members the book is not free anymore.

  • Interview: Dr. Joe Alton of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour

    Interview: Dr. Joe Alton of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour

    It is my pleasure to provide the following interview with Dr. Joe Alton. Dr. Joe – also known as Dr. Bones – runs their website DoomandBloom.net with his wife Nurse Amy Alton. Beyond the excellent preparedness information, they provide with their blog they also host the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour podcast. As accomplished authors, their book The Survival Medicine Handbook is popular among preppers.

    For all your preparedness medical supply needs visit Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy’s store at https://store.doomandbloom.net/.

    SHTF, survival, prepper, preparedness, medical, bloom, doom, store, Alton

     

    Can you tell my readers a bit about yourself and your background?

    I’m a retired physician (M.D.), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Life Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. I delivered a lot of babies early in my career and morphed into more of a surgical practice as my patients got older with me. I still carry an active medical license in my home state. Now I write and speak about topics related to disaster medical preparedness.

    What motivated your interest in preparedness?

    I’ve always been a “Hurricane prepper”, with extra supplies for the storms that sometimes pound the East coast. I helped out after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, but didn’t really get started writing about medical preparedness until after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In that storm, many of the medical personnel converging on the scene were unable to reach people due to extensive flooding. It became clear that, if every family had a medically-prepared member, there might have been some deaths prevented. My mission is to populate the country with medics held in reserve for when their people need them.

    Is there something – some events or situation – that you are specifically preparing for?

    Not really, other than weather events that might occur in our area. I’ve been through hurricanes, floods, heat waves, and even had a tornado sideswipe my house some years ago, knocking down trees and sending roof tiles flying.

    What significance does politics play when it comes to preparedness?

    As a medical person, politics don’t enter my mindset for preparedness, as I would help the ill or injured regardless of their political stripes. Disasters spare no ideology. Of course, during the Obama years, it was mostly conservatives concerned about the uncertain future. Now, folks on the Left are beginning to wake up to the need for self-reliance because of their issues with President Trump.

    What level of importance do you place on firearms when it comes to preparedness?

    Guns make wounds, but my focus is healing wounds. Certainly, anyone who doesn’t look to the common defense of their home and personal safety is ignoring an important aspect of being prepared. For most, firearms have a place in that defense. Just be sure you practice gun safety and pass on your knowledge to the next generation.

    Are there any particular items you consider “must haves” for a survival/bug out/get home kit?

    Firestarter, a good knife, non-perishable food, water, and a decent medical kit”. You’ll find list of what medical supplies I want you to have in our book “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way”, our medical supplies DVD, or in various free articles on our website at DoomandBloom.net. Look at our freely published list of supplies in our kits and, if you can devote some time and effort, make a kit that makes sense for you and your family.

    Any advice to those on a budget who are trying to prepare?

    It doesn’t take a lot of money to put together some supplies. You can still get a big bag of rice for $20 or so at a big box store. You can improvise bandages out of old sheets. A packet of seeds isn’t expensive. You don’t have to do it all at once: Just be sure to regularly make additions to your survival storage, learn how to garden, deal with common medical issues, and plan for disasters likely to affect your area.

    What do you consider to be the Top 5 survival & preparedness categories in order of importance?

    Clean water, food, shelter, medical, and tactical.

    Care you give a prediction on what the next 5 years will look like?

    A slow downward spiral economically for the average person, increasing civil unrest due to worsening political division and more frequent attacks by emboldened terrorists on U.S. soil.

    What is your #1 tip when it comes to medical preparedness?

    The average citizen may find themselves one day to be the highest medical resource left to their family, whether it’s a natural disaster, a man-made event, or just being a witness to an accident. With some knowledge and a few supplies, that citizen can make a difference. If you take some time and devote some effort to being a medical asset to your people, have no doubt: You will save lives.

    Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

    We always have something going on, whether it’s traveling from coast to coast speaking on medical preparedness or designing new kits for store.doomandbloom.net such as our public access bleeding control kit. We’ll continue writing and talking about medical preparedness in articles, videos, and podcasts that discuss strategies for long-term survival.

  • Free Survival & Preparedness Downloads

    Free Survival & Preparedness Downloads

    We’ve discussed putting together a digital survival & preparedness library using Kindles, Amazin Fire’s – whatever. The free ebooks available on Amazon periodically are great but there are tons of other material available online. Military manuals, guides, white papers, university papers, articles, and books are all available.

    I’ve started organizing and transferring my huge library onto a separate server. It is a summer project for me to create a page here with a list of all downloads. This should be a great resource. I’m also playing with the notion of having a secure area requiring a password. This would still be completely free. The only reason for the password is this area may have some “interesting” material.

    Here are a few survival & preparedness downloads if you are interested:

    The 1881 Household Cyclopedia

    The Effects of Nuclear War

    First Aid For Soldiers FM21-11

    US Army Survival Manual FM 21-76

    LDS Preparedness Manual

    Nuclear War Survival Skills

    Survival and Austere Medicine: An Introduction

    Urban Farm Magazine – Issue #1

    Dry It Like You’ll Like It

    AR-15 Builders Guide

    Have a great weekend folks!

    Rourke

  • CIMA Knife Table Top Review

    CIMA Knife Table Top Review

    This was originally published August 23rd, 2016. My CIMA knives continue to do extremely well today.

    I ordered this CIMA fixed blade knife a couple months ago when it was on sale for less than $20 and was shipped free. I really wasn’t expecting much. This is Chinese-made and at that price point how good could it be? As usual, when ordering from GearBest a package was waiting for me when I arrived home approx 3 weeks later.

    CIMA-3

    This review is going to be a short one and a true “table top” rather than “testing & evaluation”.  I love this knife. I have not taken it out in the woods and feathered sticks, stabbed it into dead carcasses, or zombie eye sockets. No – it has remained in the box in mint condition. I have since ordered two more which at least one will come under regular use.

    Here are a few specs:

    • Blade Material: 7Cr17MOV stainless steel
    • Hardness: 58 HRC
    • Blade Length: Almost 3.5″
    • Handle Length: 4.5″
    • Overall: 8.5″
    • Color: Black
    • Handle Material: Flax/Linen

    Quick Summary: This is a smaller knife that feels great in the hand. Balance is towards the handle which doesn’t lend well to batoning but let’s be realistic – the blade is less than 3.5″ long. Full tang thickness is 4.5mm which is acceptable for a knife this size. The sheath is great and the knife retainment is excellent via an audible “snap” when the knife is interested. No straps needed.

    Check out the pictures below that will scroll across the screen. They are a combination of photo’s I took and ones used for advertisements.

    Oh – did I mention that the CIMA fixed blade knife is a clone of the respected ESEE 3 which cost around $100? No?Well, it is and a very close clone at that.

    Recommended. For more information click HERE.

    Rourke

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  • Are North Korean Satellite’s an EMP Threat?

    Are North Korean Satellite’s an EMP Threat?

     

    The following was originally posted June 22nd, 2106. It is just as relevant today – and slightly edited for current publication.

    North Korea now has two orbiting satellites that periodically pass above the United States. Many are concerned that one or both of these satellites could contain a nuclear weapon. Is it possible? Could North Korea in an act of insanity launch a nuclear weapon from one of these satellites and detonate it high above the United States? This is the EMP nightmare that many of us dread.

    It is uncertainty that motivates many of us into taking action to prepare for whatever awaits us in the future. These satellites are just another item to add to the possibility list. With the recent threats against the United States from North Korea and their continued nuclear weapon technology progression the threat is growing.

    Lot’s of information out there on EMP preparation and much of it follows common sense preps. Beans, bullets, and band-aids lead the pack. Protecting some electronic equipment such as radio’s requires some specific steps.

    Curious where these satellites are right now?

    KMS 3-2 Map

    KMS-4 Map

    How real is the threat?  We – that means you and me – have no idea.

    JR

     

    Sawyer Bucket Kit, Sawyer water filter, water, food storage, water storage, survival, prepper, survival kit

  • The Coming American Reformation

    The Coming American Reformation

     

    The following was originally published September 20th, 2016 – prior to the last election. Regardless of the election’s outcome, the American Reformation is all but certain to greet us in the future. When? No one knows for certain. If anything Trump’s election has provided some time – but not without drawbacks.  Make no mistake about it this country is becoming more divided by the day with those who used to promote peace and understanding becoming radical, violent and arming up. Now is not the time to relax on preparedness efforts.

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    It’s coming. Like dark clouds off in the distance slowly moving across the horizon. Flashes of light signal the impending danger along with deep growling booms. There’s a storm coming. Everyone knows it.

    The exact trigger is unknown. The circumstances which cause the commonly referred “SHTF” to occur is somewhat unimportant. The precise conditions which will exist cannot be determined but they can be somewhat predicted. What will the conditions of the American Reformation be like? Good topic for a future article.

    The American Reformation is already underway and has been for some time. How much longer before conditions exist much like what is read about in “prepper fiction” and discussed on internet forums? Hard to say.  We have been on a slow and steady decline for years and now the degrading of America is accelerating with each passing day. Things are getting worse.

    Over the coming weeks and months, a discussion regarding The American Reformation will continue. We will explore things such as:

    • How did we arrive at this point?
    • Becoming the “Gray Man”
    • Steps to Preparing
    • The economic impact
    • Networking for the American Reformation
    • Involvement of Military and law enforcement
    • Critical skills and training
    • Who is the enemy?
    • and more

    It is important to understand this is a serious turning point. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention that discussing some of these topics potentially could attract unwanted attention. No doubt from my various endeavors attention is already there.  If things go the way I fear I’ll keep going as long as possible. It is important to get this information out there. It is important that each and every one of you do your part not only for yourself – but for your family and people you care for. Bring people into your circle. Network with others.  Get serious. Build a team……now.

     

    The Population During the American Reformation

    While there are theories as to what will happen when it all comes crashing down many believe we are in for a 2nd civil war or another American revolution. What is coming will be a combination of both.

    This country is made up primarily of four different groups – Patriots, Loyalists, the Undecided, and the Oblivious. Author Glen Tate coined these terms while describing the American population in his book series 299 Days. The events which will make up the American Reformation will involve these four groups.

    Patriots – Patriots are those who believe in the Constitution and the founding principles which this country was created.  They believe that the United States is more than a country – it’s an idea. Freedom, liberty, and personal responsibility. Patriots are willing to stand up for what they believe in. Most Patriots are Christians. The United States is made up of only about 5% of Patriots.

    Loyalists – Loyalists are those who depend on and are loyal to the government. They believe big government has a responsibility to take care of the people rather than people being responsible for themselves. The Constitution is often considered outdated by Loyalists. Loyalists make up close to 10-15% of the population.

    Undecided – These folks don’t really care about politics. They often sit back and watch the show and just go along with whatever happens regardless of how they personally feel about an issue. This group represents the majority of the populace. The Undecided make up 50%-60% of the population.

    Oblivious – The Oblivious are those who care more about what is on TV and when the latest cell phone will be released than their own country. The oblivious range from young to old with varying distractions keeping them preoccupied. Most criminals and those with opportunist criminal intent are in this group. Ignorance runs wild through this segment of the population. Go to your local Wal-Mart to discover the very definition of “oblivious”. They make up approx 20-25% of the country.

    The coming war – and yes it will be a war – will include multiple sides made up of these four groups. Patriots will be targeted by the government – and Loyalists. The Undecided will often go for whatever side is winning – or makes things the easiest. The Oblivious will only care if their modern conveniences and precious caffe’ lattes are interrupted – or if there are opportunities to take advantage of. The Oblivious are extremely dangerous.

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    It does not take much imagination to see these four groups in today’s society.  Liberal’s are Loyalists while Conservatives and Tea Party members are Patriots. A growing segment of those receiving entitlements such as food stamps and welfare are the Oblivious. The Undecided? Most everyone I meet is part of this group. They pay little attention to politics and largely feel voting – whether for local, state or national – is a waste of time. They can, however, be convinced with facts and logic to become Patriots – or Loyalists when using fantasy and emotion.

    While this piece may not contain any substantive “how to” information it is important to get an understanding who will be involved. Consider your friends, family, co-workers – what group do they fall into? Can you pull those who are Undecided away from the Dark Side to the Light?

    Up next……”Conditions During the American Reformation“.

    Rourke

     “Patriot”

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    roybu6k

     

  • Q & A Day……food storage, water filtration, .223 versus 5.56 – oh my!!!

    Q & A Day……food storage, water filtration, .223 versus 5.56 – oh my!!!

     

    Ask a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, or “Is it OK to yell MOVIE in a crowded fire house?“ – whatever.

    Go ahead – “make my day.”

    JR

      *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED ACTION MOVIES

    Twister

    Dante’s Peak

    Volcano

    The Core

    Into The Storm

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    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Selection from The Ready Store.

    The Ready Store has been an industry leader for years. Founded in 2002 they have grown to be one of the largest survival & preparedness supply companies by providing excellent prices and superior customer service. 

    From food storage products to camping supplies The Ready Store carries it all.

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    Need clean water? 

    SAWYER MINI WATER FILTER (1)

  • An Interview with Prepper Ralph

    An Interview with Prepper Ralph

     

    It’s my honor to present the following written interview with Prepper Ralph. Ralph is extremely active and involved in numerous survival & preparedness related Facebook groups and has a YouTube Channel.  Ralph is a very good friend of mine and even saved my ass performing the Heimlich after I overstuffed my face while eating at a local Cracker Barrel.

    Yes – I paid for his lunch.

     

    On with the Interview with Prepper Ralph…..

     

    Can you tell my readers a bit about yourself and your background?

    Sure! I’m an EMT  that’s been in the field for 7 years now. Married, and live in South Carolina. Before working EMS, I did plumbing, welding, and pipefitting.

     

    What motivated you’re interested in preparedness?

    I grew up hunting and fishing. Was a Scout as a kid and have always enjoyed the shooting sports and camping. Eventually, when, I became an EMT, I realized after an emergency call that no one was really prepared for anything. It all leads to a natural progression as I see it, with the end result being a prepper. I would say I was in the mindset for years before ever actually saying I was a prepper.

     

    Is there something – some events or situation – that you are specifically preparing for?

    Not really. Every day there are storms, power outages, disease, and accidents. SHTF can happen at any time to anyone. I could lose my job, get sick, or my wife could. Those food stores sure would come in handy on a limited budget. There’s also the ever-present civil unrest that’s been happening as a result of the divisions in this country.

     

    What significance does politics play when it comes to preparedness?

    For me, not as much as some others. I know folks that got into it because of this or that candidate. Regardless who is in office, you can always face personal disaster. With that said, I believe that the Obama administration was a leading push towards preparedness for many people. The possibility of another Clinton administration pushed people as well. Now Trump is causing many Libs and Dems to look into securing their future.

     

    What level of importance do you place on firearms when it comes to preparedness?

    I’m a gun fan. I’ve been around them since I was a kid and am an AVID 2A supporter. For me, I see guns as a tool. You need to protect yourself and family first and foremost. with your family protected from danger, you can focus on shelter. With shelter, you can stockpile food and water. Your weapons will be essential to protecting your supplies and yourself in the future. I’m a big advocate for lady shooters and getting your kids involved as well.

     

    Are there any particular items you consider “must haves” for a survival/bug out/get home kit?

    Oh yea hahaha… A concealable firearm in at least 9mm. Large bladed knife. BIC lighter and a ferro rod. Tarp, and a water bottle. Water filtration as well. Having a compass, map, and radio wouldn’t hurt either. I’m a minimalist when it comes to a BOB, so I rely more on skill than gear.

     

    Any advice to those on a budget who are trying to prepare?

    Don’t panic! Preparedness can be as inexpensive or costly as YOU make it. We grocery shop at Aldi’s. I hunt and fish. The biggest advice I’d say is to not fall for gimmicky gear. Store what you eat normally, and read. A LOT! Reading and research will provide you with a wealth of knowledge that will give you insight to the best routes to take in preparedness on your own terms.

     

    What do you consider to be the Top 5 survival & preparedness categories in order of importance?

    Self Defense – you are the reason you are preparing after all

    Food/water

    Shelter

    Medical

    Communication

     

    Care you give a prediction on what the next 5 years will look like?

    A mess! With the Trump administration taking over, and the Left becoming fanatical in some of their beliefs, I see this nation continuing to divide. You’ll see more Civil Unrest, and overseas I look for another war. If war doesn’t come, I look for an increase in economic strife.

     

    Many of my readers are gun nuts – myself included. Any particular favorites?

    I’m not very lucky to be honest. As I said before, guns to me are tools with designated purposes. I love a tight shooting bolt-action. Mine is a Ruger American in .30-06. I like my AR as well in case of social work. Fast shooting and extremely reliable. My Glock 17 is simple and efficient. I could go on. Even my 10/22 has a host of jobs it can perform. So with guns, I like mine to serve a purpose and have a job. Some can do more than one job. Others, not so much.

     

    Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

    Paramedic school is coming so that will take a lot of my time over the next year+. I want to buy a house to be better secured in my dwelling as well as do gardening. I’m also working on the conversion of an ’86 Ford F-150 into an EMP worst-case-scenario-proof mode of transportation.

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    Check out Prepper Ralph’s YouTube Channel HERE.

     

  • Atlanta Hwy 85 Bridge Fire – What Prepper’s Need to Know

    Atlanta Hwy 85 Bridge Fire – What Prepper’s Need to Know

     

    This past Thursday a fire was purposely set under a bridge in Atlanta on Highway 85. The fire has destroyed the bridge and rendered it inoperable. For those of us that have traveled through this area know the tremendous disruption this has created. Over 250,000 people each and every day travel over that bridge – but now need to find another way.

    Survival and preparedness websites for decades have talked about the possibility of supply chain interruptions and non-passable highways all caused for one reason or another. This event in itself certainly shows an existing vulnerability in our infrastructure that could be exploited. That exploitation – if widespread – could truly create a devasting economic event throughout the United States.

    The Atlanta bridge fire is a reminder that we all spend a lot of time away from home and on the road. What if something occurs and we cannot travel our regular route? What if we have to walk? Are there “bad” sections to travel through? How much gas is in my vehicle at any given point? Is it enough?

    A lot of questions.

    5 Preparedness Recommendations When Traveling:

    1. Don’t let your gas tank drop below half full.
    2. Keep a supply of water such as a case of water bottles in the vehicles trunk or storage area.
    3. Have at a minimum a small food supply such as nutrition bars, MRE’s, crackers, etc.
    4. Toilet paper – a few rolls for when the “S” true hits the fan.
    5. Keep a couple of portable backup battery chargers to keep cell phones operating

    A plastic tote or backpack holding the above supplies – plus more – is advisable. Although cell phones have GPS capability an assortment of maps is a good idea as well

    Be careful out there and drive safely.

    Rourke

     

  • Video: How to Change a Flat Tire

    Video: How to Change a Flat Tire

     

    Changing a tire is a skill that everyone should have. Eventually, everyone finds themselves on the side of the road staring at a flat tire and to make matters worse usually wearing some very nice clothes.

    Changing Tires: Recommended Supplies

    Before we get started it’s a good idea to cover some basic supplies to keep in the car. As prepper’s we plan ahead so a box of the basics in the trunk should be a no brainer.

    Supply List:

    Although I’m sure most of us have immense common sense let’s get some safety items out of the way. If on the side of the road make sure the vehicle is well off the road as not to expose yourself to passing traffic as the tire is being changed. A road flare or reflector is not a bad idea to alert traffic of your presence.  Lastly do not get under the vehicle for any reason while the car is lifted using a regular car jack. Getting squashed like a pancake will make a bad day worse.

    Let’s get to it!!!

     

    There you have it. If you’ve never changed a tire give it a shot now before you’re on your way to the bug out location and end up having to test your abilities. That would be some seriously bad timing.

    Rourke

  • Dirt Cheap Thermal…..and it works!!!

    Dirt Cheap Thermal…..and it works!!!

     

    Thermal optics and imaging devices have long been sought after but priced out of reach for most preppers. I make no claims to have any expertise in thermal nor any other kind of night vision. Night vision – including thermal – provides the ability to at least monitor what exists in the darkness while others can only listen and guess.  This is incredibility important and cannot be overstated. Knowing what goes “bump” in the night provides a tremendous benefit. In particular, thermal can be very expensive and for most of us not more than a dream.

    Until now.

    Inexpensive Thermal for Prepper’s

    Enter the Seek Thermal XR. The Seek XR is a very small, highly portable device that attaches to Apple and Android compatible devices. Running between $240 and $275 it is very affordable(maybe not “dirt cheap”). My particular model uses a Lightning adapter allowing it to be connected to my iPhone 6S.

    survival, night vision, thermal, budget, preparedness, prepper, Seek thermal, review

    Once the camera is connected to the phone an App allows access to viewing. There are a variety of modes – called filters – that can be used depending on the environment and your personal preference.  I’m not going to go through all the specifics of the software, however, there are a couple critical things to know:

    First – Pictures and video can be taken within the App to allow for viewing later. This is excellent for surveillance record keeping and being able to actually show someone what has been seen rather than just describe it.

    Second – This device is not mountable to a firearm. Well – it is possible however mounting to a firearm is not its intended purpose.

    Seek, thermal, iphone, prepper, preparedness

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    To show some of the thermal capabilities a few video clips and still images follow:

    ABOVE: Approx 30 yards away an intruder peeks around a shed and then moves to a tree for cover.

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    ABOVE: Approx. 30 yards away an intruder walks behind the fence along the property perimeter. There is a 1.5″ inch gap between the 6″ boards in the fence.

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    ABOVE: An individual walks around the side of a house approx. 100 yards away.

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    ABOVE: Still image with a maximum distance of approx 175 yards.

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    ABOVE: Approx 80 yards away to the wood line.

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    Benefits of Thermal for Preppers:

    Consider the incredible benefits of thermal. Hunting wild game could be made much more successful. Not only could hunting commence at night but even during the day, thermal could assist greatly in finding animals hidden in deep brush.

    The biggest benefit of thermal usage is identifying potential threats in the dark of night. Expanding the number of surveillance hours per day from around 12-16 to a full 24 hours is huge.

    Search and rescue is another area that the Seek XR Thermal would provide benefits, Imagine a lost dog – or kid – somewhere out in the woods. Thermal would provide great benefits over a flashlight beam.

    The Bad:

    At this price point, there is not a lot that is truly negative about the Seek XR. There are a few points to keep in mind th0ugh…..

    • Image and video resolution are not the greatest. This affects the ability to see details. You can tell a man is a man even at a few hundred yards – if moving. Animals can be identified as animals, however, knowing their specific species depends on how far away they are and their actions. I’ve seen rabbits hopping around at 40-50 yards however if they were still I would have just known there was an animal there.
    • The Seek XR Thermal is a quality item, however, it does not feel like the most durable piece of equipment. Care needs to be taken not to drop it or drop it in water.
    • When connected to a cell phone the screen emits quite a bit of light when used in total darkness. This obviously would be an issue when trying to detect potential intruders. One possible solution is darkening the screen however this may limit the ability to see details. Making some type of shade to hide the emitted light would be helpful. The most plausible solution is using a remote cable so that the Seek XR can be placed outside or a building while the cell phone connected to it is inside. I’ve not tried this yet, however, the cables are sold.

     

    Let’s Wrap It Up

    The Seek XR Thermal has limitations – but it’s $250! I have demonstrated this device to several prepper friends and they were blown away – especially using the WHITE filter – the level of detail observed. It is a game changer for those who cannot afford more expensive and capable thermal.

    Well worth the price.

    Rourke

  • Review: Schrade SCH101L Folding Liner Lock Knife

    Review: Schrade SCH101L Folding Liner Lock Knife

     

    The Schrade SCH101L – an EDC Knife

    Leave home without a knife and inevitably you’ll end up needing one. Incorporating a knife into your EDC can prove to be beneficial and even cause you to reach the status of “HERO” when a friend needs one and you’re there for the rescue! Knives are an integral part of any prepper’s stockpile. Over the last several months I have carried several knives including the Schrade Stainless Liner Lock Folding Pocket Knife.

    Specifications:

    • Blade Length: 3.2″ (8.1 cm)
    • Blade Steel: 9Cr14MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel
    • Overall Length: 7.6″ (19.3 cm)
    • Handle Material: G10
    • Weight: 4.6 oz.

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    The Schrade SCH101L – the Review

    This Schrade folder is what I would call a medium-sized. Perfect for pocket carry and when using the included clip is easily deployed. There are thumb studs on both sides of the blade for easy opening with either hand.  The blade opens very smoothly. The blade to frame fit is very tight with no wiggle or play.

    I really like the drop point tip of the Schrade which is a very strong design. I have had some other knives that are a bit too “pointy” and damage to the fine tip comes too easily. The blade contains no serrations and the 3″ blade does well with small to medium chores such as carving, slicing, feathering, general cutting – but leave batoning to the big boys. The blades stainless steel material will resist rusting and is a decent hardness for keeping an edge.

    The Schrade’s handles are made from G10 material. If you are not familiar with G10 it is a fiberglass composite that is very lightweight and strong. G10 is known for being extremely rugged. There is nice checkering molded into the handles to better the grip. I would have liked a more aggressive checkering but it is pretty good.

    If desired a lanyard can be secured via a hole at the bottom of the knife. That’s not my cup of tea but options are good.

    Once open the blade is locked into place via a liner lock. Liner locks are very common and generally work very well. I’ve had no issues with the Schrade.

    The Schrade SCH101L – Final Thoughts

    I love this knife. For around $10 you just can’t go wrong. A friend of mine stopped by and I had it on the kitchen table. He picked it up and was checking it out and then pulled out his Benchmade. Talk about two opposite ends of the price spectrum – but he really liked the Schrade!

    If you are looking for a very good and inexpensive EDC pocket knife – the Schrade SCH101L is it.

    Rourke

  • Video: EMP Testing (Garbage Cans and EMP Bags)

    Video: EMP Testing (Garbage Cans and EMP Bags)

     

    Dr. Arthur Bradley walks through the testing of metal garbage cans and anti-static bags against a RF energy from an EMP. Recommendations include how to properly seal the cans and which bags offer best protection. Using a more scientific approach than “stick a radio in the trash can and see if it loses signal” this is some great information.

    I would recommend watching the video at some point over on YouTube and read through the comments. Dr. Bradley responds to many comments and answers questions. Good additional information there.

    If not aware – this is the very same Dr. Arthur Bradley who has authored numerous books including the widely popular The Survivalist series – one of my absolute favorites.

    Go get that trash can…..

    Rourke

  • Rourke’s Recommendations

    Rourke’s Recommendations

     

    Every couple weeks or so I recommend a few things such as movies, books, and an assortment of gear – all kinds of stuff. Some of these are related to survival & preparedness – while others are just stuff I like. Most are on Amazon but not all.

    So – for this week……here is my list:

    Books:

    The Disaster Survival Handbook

    Prepper’s Instruction Manual

    EMP: Equipping Modern Patriots

    Patriot Dawn: The Resistance Rises

     

    Movies:

    Hillary’s America

    America: Imagine a World Without Her

    Agenda: Grinding America Down

    Agenda 2: Masters of Deceit

     

    Gear:

    Condor 25 Round Shotgun Reload Pouch

    Tac-Mag Gun Magnetic – 25lb Rating

    Columbia Knife & River Tool AG Russell STING Knife

    Vinsic 22-watt Portable Solar Panel Charger

    Don’t forget to vote for this website over at the Top Prepper Sites. Click HERE to vote.

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  • Taurus Millennium G2 9mm review

    Taurus Millennium G2 9mm review

     

    by Prepper Ralph

       I was looking for a 9 millimeter subcompact that would not break the bank but would also make a good carry gun for my wife and I. We looked all over the place from the Kahr CM9 single stack 9 millimeter to the Kel-Tec P11, and even used a SCCY CPX-2 for about 6 months. The new Glock 43’s were nice, but we really wanted a double stack that would fit in either of our hands, and also be comfortable. My wife has never enjoyed a Glock 26 so that was out of the question. I wanted something that wouldn’t break the bank or my wallet. That eventually lead me to my local gun shop where I ran across the Taurus Millennium G2 in 9mm. A lot of you may remember the old Taurus PT-111 Pro’s… this is the Gen 2 of that weapon.

    First Impressions…

       My initial shock was the fact that this weapon was sitting in the glass case at a meager price of only $199.99! I was stunned that someone would put a tag like that on a handgun and expect it to function. More on that later. I asked to hold the gun so the salesman pulled it from the case. I was amazed by how it felt in my hands. The grip has a texture unlike anything on the market that I could think of; almost like sandpaper, but nicer. It also fit in my hand like it was made for it. I have large hands, and wear a large sized glove, and this felt great – almost like it was glued into my palm due to the texturing. FYI, though the texture is rough, it isn’t painful, or too abrasive. I never knew what the perfect texture was until I held the G2. It’s light weight, a subcompact, and was double stack just like we wanted. Another thing I noticed was the attractive and modern lines of the G2. It’s rounded in the rear of the slide/frame for comfort while carrying, while slightly wedge shaped in the nose for holster insertion. The front of the slide also has a “scallop” on both sides to lighten the gun which I also found attractive. The finish on the slide seemed to be as good as any higher priced weapon on the market with no blemishes. Machining was perfect in my opinion, with zero tool marks to be found. As always, I had some research to do before I took the gun home finally so I handed it back over to the salesman.

    Specs…

       Taurus’s website has the specs on the G2 at http://www.taurususa.com which is where I did my research. MSRP of the G2 is listed at $301.52 though I’ve seen it as high as $250, and as low as the price I paid: $199. I found that the gun was 6.24” long with a barrel of 3.2”. It weighs 22oz. without the 12+1 rounds in it. Did I mention that it came with 2 magazines? That was a shocker to me. Both have a high gloss bluing and drop freely from the gun when the mag release is pressed. It holds 2 more rounds than a Glock 26, with the G2 weighing .29 ounces more. Since I’m comparing it to the Glocks, it’s roughly the height of a 19, but roughly the length of a 26 if that helps. The barrel is stainless steel, as well as the slide. Frames of G2 handguns are polymer as is typical of modern handguns with one other color option that I have found: desert tan. Sights are the typical 3 dot system, though the rear is adjustable. Both front and rear sights are polymer. Taurus has placed several safeties in the G2 which include a Loaded Chamber Indicator on the top of the slide, a thumb safety on the left (up is safe, down is fire) Taurus’s iconic Security System that utilizes a key, as well as a Trigger Safety. I’m not a fan of all that, but I can say that the thumb safety was easy to get used to and it reassured my wife since I carry with a loaded chamber. The chamber indicator never gets in that way, and when sighting along the slide it is below the sight plane. Lastly, the G2 carries another Taurus icon; the double/single action trigger. The initial trigger pull is SA, and if a dud is in the chamber, you can release the trigger and pull a second time in DA. Basically, it allows a second strike capability in times of high stress. The SA is slightly mushy but with a fast break/reset, while the DA is long with a definite breaking point that is easy to feel when firing.

    Reliability and Accuracy…

       The Taurus Millennium G2 has proven to be highly reliable and accurate since I went back and picked up one for my wife and I each. With the adjustable rear sight, hitting a 6” plate at 25 yards becomes routine with easily 10/12 hits on target. Within 7-10 yards (typical gun fighting distance per FBI) it’s easy to place all 12 rounds in about a 2” pattern. Hostage drills, El Presidente, and target shooting are great with the G2. I found with our particular examples that they would not reliably chamber hollow point ammunition. I’ve tried Hornady, Winchester, Remington, and even some cheaper discount brands such as Independence and ZQI. I did find one self defense round that would work all the time. Those are the 100 gr FTX® Critical Defense® Lite from Hornady. They work all the time, every time and are polymer tipped in pink for the ladies.

    The G2’s have had zero problems running round nose ball ammo. I’ve not had a stove pipe, FTF, FTE, light strike, or magazine malfunction. For $199, that’s a lot of reliability for such an inexpensive price.

    Final Thoughts…

       The Taurus Millennium G2 9mm has proven to be an inexpensive though high quality handgun. It’s lightweight, accurate, and what we were looking for. Though it has had issues using other brands of HP ammunition, the Hornady rounds have proven to be 100% reliable. Between both guns, we’ve placed several hundred rounds through them. If you are a new shooter, on a budget, or small statured, then this will make a fine weapon that you can carry with confidence. I know many people that have them including my friend John Rourke, my father, as well as several other friends and family members. Everyone I’ve talked to who has a G2 love the guns, and have minimal complaints. Most people who get on G2 tend to go back to their local dealers to pick up one or two more. One guy I heard from the salesman I picked ours up from stated that a man walked in and bought one, then the next week obtained 4 more for his family because of the price and reliability.

    Prepper Ralph

    Images used were sourced from the manufacturer’s websites. Article is original content by Prepper Ralph.

  • Stocking Up For Type-1 Diabetics

    Stocking Up For Type-1 Diabetics

     

    Let me start by saying that if the practices I will describe offend for some reason please just move along. For most anyone with Type-1 diabetes COST and MONEY are factors involved in the treatment – and daily life – of those with the disease.  The bottom line is those with Type-1 diabetes MUST have insulin in order to survive. Without it their glucose levels will skyrocket and they will die. My oldest son has Type-1 diabetes and I am very aware.

    Here are a few ways to stock up on supplies:

    Insulin:

    Insulin is extremely expensive and can only be obtained with a prescription.  I am not familiar with government provided insurance and prescription plans however getting the doctor to overwrite the prescription amount is key. If two vials of Novolog are required for a month convince the doctor that three or four are really required.

    How to convince the doctor? One way is to tell the doctor a larger amount of insulin is administered per day than what really is. Yes – it is a lie. Unless you ask for A LOT more than needed he will likely write it for an extra bottle or two. This is also lifesaving required substance that if something were to happen the patient will die. Period. If the doctor writes the prescription for only the amount absolutely needed call the doctors office towards the end of the month and tell them you’ve run out and need more. They are NOT going to decline giving what is needed to sustain life.

     

    Test Strips/Glucose Meters/Batteries:

    The same system used with insulin can be used with test strips. If blood sugar is checked 5 times per day tell the doctor it is checked 10 times per day. Another method is to purchase what you can with insurance and then look to ebay for more. If no insurance is available ebay can be a huge help. Depending on brand a months worth of testing can be purchased for under $30. This is cheaper than many insurances.

    Another option is to talk to the doctor or pharmacist. They often will have a discount card and/or samples. This is especially true of glucose meters. Search online by the brand meter used and contact the company. They will often send out free ones as they make their money on test strips.

     

    Batteries:

    Most glucose meters use CR2032 lithium-ion batteries. Buying these at the pharmacy is not cheap. I purchase mine at the Dollar Tree – you guessed it – for $1.00.

     

     

    Cartridges:

    Those with a pump require cartridges to dose insulin. Typically these cartridges are disposed of after one use. I use them up to three times with no issues. This allows a building of inventory as prescriptions and shipments are controlled fairly tight.

     

    Syringes:

    Those who take insulin via syringes know that they must use it only once – and throw away. Well – maybe not. Looking at the tip of a syringe it dulls with each use thus severe bruising and scarring can occur. In the past, I have used syringes up to twice – and no more. These shots were done fairly close to each other time-wise and of course were sterilized.

     

    Insulin Delivery Sites:

    Pump users require “sites” to deliver insulin just under the skin. These are supposed to be changed every few days. I typically get a week out of one. Thus rather than a box of 10 lasting 30 days, it lasts 60-70 days. Being these cannot be bought over the counter stocking up is not easy unless extending its usage time. The backup plan for a running out of these is syringes.

    Diabetes is one of those diseases that the reality of any long-term SHTF situation is grave. Believe me, it is not something I enjoy thinking about. The first step is to stock up on needed supplies to prevent any short-term supply interruption from turning into a long-term disaster.

    Rourke

     

         
     

     

     

     

     

  • Q & A Day……Glock. M&P. XD. …….Hi-Point. Oh My!

    Q & A Day……Glock. M&P. XD. …….Hi-Point. Oh My!

     

    Ask a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, or “How do you know when you run out of invisible ink?“ – whatever.

    Go ahead – “make my day.”

    JR

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    From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED ACTION MOVIES

    The Wraith

    Nighthawks

    Eye See You

    Wanted: Dead or Alive

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  • Pak-Lite: The 9 Volt Battery Flashlight

    Pak-Lite: The 9 Volt Battery Flashlight

     

    The 9 volt battery seems to be the redheaded stepchild in the battery family. Beyond the common smoke detector and remote control car the 9V battery is rarely seen. One unique item that preparedness-minded folks should be interested in is the 9V battery powered flashlight.

    Several years ago I came across the Pak-Lite flashlight and read many stories of users who used it to hike literally thousands of miles as well as utilize it during hurricane induced power outages. I ordered a Pak-Lite and have used it periodically ever since.

    The Pak-Lite LED flashlight is a tiny light that mounts directly on top of a 9 volt battery and has a lever-switch to select either of the two illumination levels. In a world of high performance flashlights the Pak-Lite may be considered meek and under-powered however there is more to performance than just lumen-level.

    As stated the Pak-Lite is a tiny LED flashlight approx 1/3rd the height of a standard 9V battery. It snaps directly on top of  a 9 volt battery so the “body” of the light ends up being the battery itself. I do not know the lumen-level for the low and high setting however they are very low. The huge benefit of the Pak-Lite is the extreme life of the battery.

    On low setting a standard alkaline will provide up to 600 hours of light. Switched to the high setting upwards of 30 hours of light per 9 volt alkaline. There are hikers that have completed the Appalachian trail using only the Pak-Lite for their entire trip.

    Above: Low setting on lawn

    Below: High setting same lawn

    Below: Corner of garden on High setting

    The beam sent out in both low and high settings is a wide-angle flood. The low setting is excellent for reading, maneuvering inside a tent, or looking nearby for something. The low setting is barely bright enough to reliably walk around in total darkness.  The high setting is considerably brighter and is plenty powerful to even go for a jog in total darkness. In no way is this a “tactical” light to light someone up at 100 yards – but it works for general moving around.

    So – why would having a few of these Pak-Lite’s be a good thing to do? First off the battery life is flat out fantastic. Second is if a hurricane is coming and you head to Home Depot to pick up some extra batteries there is a good chance 9V batteries will be found while all other sizes are sold out. Lastly – the operation is extremely simple. Choose the brightness level and it is a simple On and Off.

    Many describe the Pak-Lite as the perfect survival light. Those that have used it through hurricanes and hiked thousands of miles with it would probably agree.

    Rourke

     

     

     

     

  • Rourke’s Recommendations

    Rourke’s Recommendations

     

    Every couple weeks or so I recommend a few things such as movies, books, and an assortment of gear – all kinds of stuff. Some of these are related to survival & preparedness – while others are just stuff I like. Most are on Amazon but not all.

    So – for this week……here is my list:

    Books:

    Lights Out by David Crawford

    Locker Nine

    White Fang

     

    Movies:

    The Longest Ride

    Independence Day

    Independence Day Resurgence

    Sully

     

    Gear:

    Olight M Series Tactical Firearms Flashlight Holder

    AG Russell Sting Knife

    American Flag OD Green Stickers

    OD Green Shemagh

     

  • American Reformation – There Is Reason To Be Concerned

    American Reformation – There Is Reason To Be Concerned

     

    Current events are inspiring discussions on Internet forums about the possibility that history will show we are in the beginning stages of a second civil war. The growing division in this country is alarming. I’ve discussed the entire “civil war” and “revolution” perspective before and have named what I call the coming event the American Reformation. While the recent election of outsider Donald Trump have given many hope that the government will be given back to the people, however the reality is while improvements may be made his election is triggering a new, more radical movement in the United States.

    Since 2008 the country has become more and more divided. A large percentage of the population has woken up to the destructive actions taken by our out of control government. Government has grown far too large and far too overbearing. Racial tensions have increased, political infighting is at an all time high, and journalism is dead while agenda-based reporting rues the day. If you are reading this article you already know.

    Related articles…..

    A Second Civil War or American Revolution?

    The Coming American Reformation

    Conditions During the Coming American Reformation

    The Coming American Reformation: Going Gray

    So – if Patriots have come together in such numbers that they elect a political outsider why is there not certainty that true political change will occur and the risk of an American Reformation be diminished?

    Let’s consider a few things:

    • Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 2.1% – or 2,865,075 votes.
    • Trump won the Republican primary though he received only 44.9% of the vote – thus 55.1% voted against him.
    • Trump won 30 states while Hillary won 21 states/districts.
    • In the Republican and Democratic primaries Trump received a total of 14,015,993 votes. All those running against him? 47,288,998.

    The point is the entire country did not not get behind this political outsider in fact the vast majority of those politically active was against Trump and his message/movement. Obviously many came together to support Trump however his support was NOT a mandate as many suggest. While an outsider such as Trump certainly appears to bode well to act for us against the political establishment it does not erase the massive establishment and the Loyalist movement that is currently erupting.

    There are serious reasons to be concerned.

    Be Concerned:

    The Liberal Progressive(Loyalist) movement is becoming more and more radical, hateful, and violent.  Frequently threats of death and violence are seen all over social media. Celebrities, journalists, and even some politicians are actively promoting radical actions and violence against those who disagree with them(Patriots and often police). Folks – the division is growing and the list of incidents is growing.

    • President Obama has supported violence by lending understanding and compassion to the Black Lives Matter movement.
    • Racial tensions continued to grow throughout the past 8 years as President Obama continued to speak on numerous incidents without having all the facts and provided credence to those who felt victims were targeted due to their color.   In almost every single case Obama’s initial take on the situation turned out incorrect.
    • Riots and “protests” in Liberal areas are allowed to be violent where people are injured and even killed. Property is destroyed and local politicians order “space” to be given so that the rioters can express their “feelings”.
    • While Liberals state that Patriots “cling to their guns and religion” and promote that Trump supporters are violent – the reality is that Liberals invaded Trump rally’s and have attacked supporters on numerous occasions.
    • Anti-Patriot Liberals continue to attack Trump supporters and burn the American flag on a regular basis.
    • Look at the mass shootings that have taken place over the last 8 years. Who carried out these horrendous deeds? Psychopaths who have a Liberal ideology.
    • The anti-police movement has been supported – or at a minimum condoned – widely by the Progressive/Loyalist movement.
    • The Mainstream Media(MSM) has blatantly misrepresented facts and under-reported stories that were either critical of the Progressive movement or positive towards Conservatives/Patriots.
    • ….there are many more.

    To sum it up Loyalists are becoming more and more hateful and violent. The recent post-inauguration protests and riots as well as the Women’s March is a perfect example of this.  It is only a matter of time before more conflict and violence erupts.

    WARNING: The video below contains profanity.


    What the Future Holds:

    Awaiting us in the future is a growing trend of division between Patriots and Loyalists. Loyalist groups, special interests, and politicians will stop at nothing to further their agenda’s. The 1st Amendment will come under attack. The 2nd Amendment will come under attack. The Left will begin to embrace the 2nd Amendment for themselves in an effort to “arm up” against the “Alt-Right”. Social justice and alternative logic will be used to label Patriots as racist, sexist, homophobes, hate mongers who want to hurt children and old people. The MSM will be the tool used to brainwash the populace.

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5076′]

    “Protests” at UC Berkeley  – protesting against Conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos.

    Predictions:

    • Civil disorder and prejudice against Patriots will become more commonplace as time goes on.
    • Sophisticated cyber attacks and hacking against Patriot-friendly political targets.
    • Protests and riots will grow in frequency.
    • Armed confrontations will become more commonplace etween Loyalists and Patriots.
    • Mass disruptions to transportation routes and public venues
    • Blatant media bias against Patriots will become more widespread.
    • Direct violence against Patriots resulting in serious injury and death.
    • A massive campaign to take back Congress and the White House in 2020.

    Pre-Election Social Media Postings

    Conclusion:

    Things are unpredictable and happening fast. No one knows precisely what the future holds. What is certain the Loyalist will stop at nothing to gain power and attempt to create an America very much different than what the Founders intended. To what extent these Progressives will go is not fully known. They are organized, well funded – and extremely motivated.

    We must respond by preparing for what awaits. We must be politically active and support Constitution-supporting politicians at every level of government. We must spread the word and bring others into the fold to increase our numbers.

    We must know that we are on the right side.

    Rourke

  • Video: The Violent Unraveling of the LEFT: Get Ready!

    Video: The Violent Unraveling of the LEFT: Get Ready!

     

    The Patriot Nurse comes unraveled in her discussion of how the Left is becoming more radical and violent and what a possible future may bring us. She does an excellent job providing specific examples of how those that accuse American Patriots of being the hate mongers and having violent tendencies – when reality is quite different.

    Finishing her discussion with logical advice on how to counter this growing movement and potential threat.

    My Take: She is right on the money.  The survival of our country has been and is continuing to be threatened not only by those with a different opinion on fundamental political beliefs but by those who wish to extinguish anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. The Patriot Nurse comments something about she has no desire to work with or to compromise with these radical Progressives. I agree. Right is right – and wrong is wrong. We should not willingly compromise to a wrong position. Period.

     

     

  • Review: Zanflare F1 LED Flashlight

    Review: Zanflare F1 LED Flashlight

     

    Introduction:

    The Zanflare F1 LED Flashlight is a brand new entry into the high performance flashlight market. Throwing in excess of 1200 lumens the Zanflare’s narrow beam penetrates the night like a hot knife through butter – just like a flashlight should.  Its ability to charge via common mini-USB without opening the battery compartment is a welcome feature. The F1 is turned on by a tail cap button and then modes are selected via a barrel button.

    Running in the mid-price($40) range it is affordable for most but not all.

     

    Specifications:

    Brand: zanflare
    Model: F1
    Emitters: Cree XP-L V6
    Emitters Quantity: 1
    Lumens Range: >1000Lumens
    Luminous Flux: 1240LM
    Mode: 7 (Turbo; High; Mid; Low; Moonlight; Strobe; SOS)
    Battery Type: 18650, CR123
    Battery Quantity: 1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123 batteries (not included)
    Mode Memory: Yes
    Rechargeable: Yes
    Waterproof Standard: IP-68 Standard Water-resistant
    LED Lifespan: 5000h or more

     

     

    Power, Modes and Output:

    The Zanflare F1’s beam is created via a CREE XP-L LED and an incredibly smooth reflector.

    Modes: The are 7 in total

    Turbo(1240 lumens)

    High(590 lumens)

    Mid(290 lumens)

    Low(50 lumens)

    Moonlight(1 lumen)

    Strobe

    SOS

    I had no way of verifying the levels listed above other than comparing to other lights of known lumen levels. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the stated lumens.

     

    Power: The Zanflare is powered by two CR123 batteries or a single 18650 rechargeable Li-Ion battery.

     

     

    Operation:

    Two switches – The tail cap switch turns the unit on and off while the button mounted on the side of the case allows mode manipulation. Selecting the desired mode is not difficult. Basically pressing the side button moves from one mode to the other.

    The brightest mode – or Turbo – is accessed with a quick double-click. This throws the maximum 1240 lumens for approx 30 seconds then automatically diverts to High. Single taps goes through the standard brightness modes. A long press bring up the Strobe mode – and while in Strobe a single click will access the SOS mode. These two modes – for me – are a waste but they are there if needed.

    Charging:

    Beneath the side switch there is a metal ring which conceals the charging port. Unscrewing the ring reveals a micro USB port used for charging. Any standard USB charging cable will work to charge the internal battery. A small light turns red when charging and green when charging is complete.

    Obviously make certain a rechargeable battery is being used prior to trying to recharge.

    Notice red charging light above.

     

    Performance:

    I like a bright penetrating beam versus a flood light. The Zanflare F1 is right up my alley.

    Here are a few pictures of the F1 in action:

    ABOVE:  Using the Zanflare F1 heading into the woods while hunting.

     

    ABOVE: Headlights from my Jeep Wrangler after arriving to hunting area. 

    BELOW: Same headlights on the right-side with the addition of the Zanflare F1 on the left.

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    A picture is worth a thousand words……

    Final Words

    The Zanflare F1 is one of my favorite flashlights. The combination of simple operation, fairly narrow barrel size,  recharging capability, and 1240 lumens is an excellent combination.

    High recommendation.

    For more information visit the Zanflare F1 product page.

    Rourke

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • What If You Had To Stay In a Bunker For 2 Weeks?

    What If You Had To Stay In a Bunker For 2 Weeks?

     

    From the “Q & A” post yesterday Methane asked the following question:

    If you had to stay in a bunker for 2+ weeks due to nuclear attack, what would be some of the supplies you would ensure to have besides food/water? After watching “ALONE”, I wonder if I could survive with only 1 other person in solitaire.

    Questions like this can really get you thinking. Now the question specifically references nuclear attack so there are certainly items revolving around that situation. Beyond that many items could be useful for numerous unfortunate events.

    Here are a few things I’ve thought about…..

    Radiation detection equipment

    entertainment – PSP game system, portable DVD player with DVD’s, games, etc.

    flashlights

    batteries

    radio

    pictures of loved ones

    Bible

    comfortable bed

    pen and paper

    Chuck Norris

    cold beer

    clean clothes

    deodorant

    chocolate

    place to go to the bathroom

    spare glasses

    toothbrush/toothpaste

    Bacon……lot’s of bacon.

    Just a few ideas’s. How about you?

    Rourke