Tag: SHTF

From the Desk of John Rourke – October 27th, 2017

  Stay tuned…..Sunday night I’ll announce a little giveaway we’re having. An audio edition of Fight Like a Man: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller will be up for grabs.  Narrated by the excellent Kevin Peirce. If you’ve never tried audiblebooks this is a perfect opportunity. An audiobook regular like me? A good book to add to the library.… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – October 27th, 2017

Recommended Resource: The Survival Medicine Handbook

MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS: Mentioned the other day that there are often supplies that we fail to stock up on because although useful – they are just not fun and exciting. Books often sit in this category. There is one MUST HAVE book in particular that I highly recommend due to its invaluable information. The Survival Medicine… Continue reading Recommended Resource: The Survival Medicine Handbook

From the Desk of John Rourke – October 26th, 2017

  We all prepare for different – but similar reasons: Love for family and friends is a popular one.   Wouldn’t it be great if we could all come together for a common cause to help each other should some disaster occur? Imagine a network of people who have a variety of skills and talents… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – October 26th, 2017

Azithromycin as a Survival Antibiotic

NOTE: The following was previously published over at DoomandBloom.net.   One of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics is Azithromycin, known in the U.S. as Z-Pak, is now in a new veterinary version known as Bird-Zithro. In survival situations where you’re off grid and there no modern medical care for the foreseeable future, the medic for the family… Continue reading Azithromycin as a Survival Antibiotic

The Effective Survival Medic

  NOTE: This article first appeared in American Survival Guide, and also over at DoomandBloom.net.   After water, food, and shelter, many consider personal defense to be the most important priority in a long-term disaster. They’ve got the beans and bullets, but what many of these rugged survivalists don’t realize, however, is this: You can have… Continue reading The Effective Survival Medic

Tactics for the American Reformation Part 4: The Operational Cache

There are many that believe history will show we are in the early stages of a new civil war – or an American Reformation. How exactly this war will play out is certainly up for discussion and dispute. Many believe there will be areas of severe civil unrest, guerrilla warfare, and scattered battles of varying sizes.… Continue reading Tactics for the American Reformation Part 4: The Operational Cache

Vehicle Prep: Vgate VS600 OBDII Car Diagnostic Tool

How many freak out when that check engine light comes on? Thoughts of hundreds or thousands of dollars start going through your head or even being stranded. How much will it cost? How long will it take to fix? How will I get to work? Get the kids to school? No fun! While there are… Continue reading Vehicle Prep: Vgate VS600 OBDII Car Diagnostic Tool

SHTF Communications: Homemade Simplex Repeater

  Handheld radios are great devices and perfect for short distance communications. Within the typical 1-2 miles clear and fairly reliable communications can be carried on. Raise the radio/antenna up higher and transmit(Tx) and receive(Rx) distances start to increase. While I am not going to get into tremendous detail what a repeater is here I’ll… Continue reading SHTF Communications: Homemade Simplex Repeater

Tactics for The American Reformation Part 3: Basic AR-15 Duty Set Up

Let’s take a look at setting up a Duty AR-15. What is “Duty”? Anything from patrolling property, home defense, as well as battling brigands and other evildoers. Now – a good Duty rifle does not have to cost an arm, legs, and unmentionables. Especially with the current firearm market duty AR’s can be purchased with… Continue reading Tactics for The American Reformation Part 3: Basic AR-15 Duty Set Up

Trajectory of the .223/5.56 Round in a Carbine

  With the popularity of the AR platform and the .223/5.56 round I thought it would be a good idea to review the trajectory of the round and common sighting ranges. Being a high velocity round the trajectory is relatively flat within a few hundred yards – past 400 the drop-off is significant. There are… Continue reading Trajectory of the .223/5.56 Round in a Carbine

Chris Costa on Why We Train

  Prior to founding Costa Ludus in 2011, Chris Costa spent 4 years as the President of Magpul Dynamics. Before founding Magpul Dynamics, Costa spent 7 years in the private sector at Applied Marine Technologies Inc. (AMTI) on assignment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Risk Management Division (RMD). Also known as “The Beard”… Continue reading Chris Costa on Why We Train

Retreat Arrival Checklist

I’ve been asked several times about when something happens and people first arrive at a retreat location. Questions usually come up regarding who does what and when. Granted situation details will dictate quite a bit but having some form of checklist will help remember things, decrease stress, and allow people to use their brains for… Continue reading Retreat Arrival Checklist

The Panhandle Rancher’s Long Range Travel Kit

  Readers might be interested in the amount of equipment the wife and I travel with. Depending on how far/where we travel, the M4/M1A is traded out so that we just travel with one long rifle. My EDC includes a 1911 platform, Surefire Chroma, Emerson folder, 4″fixed blade, fire materials, and compass. I’ve laminated the… Continue reading The Panhandle Rancher’s Long Range Travel Kit

First Hand Report: Conditions In Florida After Hurricane Irma

  A few of us on the 1776 Telegram Group have been in communication with frequent 1776-commenter “Clark”. Located in the heart of destruction in Florida he is living his own personal SHTF. Make no mistake about it those of us that think about what a SHTF situation would be like don’t know the half of it.… Continue reading First Hand Report: Conditions In Florida After Hurricane Irma

Rourke’s Recommendations

Every Thursday 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: Cyberstorm Lights Out… Continue reading Rourke’s Recommendations

FALLOUT FROM KOREA – WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Rourke: The following post was originally published over at PrepperRalph.com. Consider it a “scenario” post with a possible narrative of events that could transpire should war break out relating to North Korea.  The North Koreans have been on the minds of the US literally for decades. From the first onsets of the Korean War when… Continue reading FALLOUT FROM KOREA – WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Rourke’s Recommendations

Every Thursday 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: Homesteading from Scratch… Continue reading Rourke’s Recommendations

The Ultimate Retreat Communication System

Communications after the SHTF within several miles around a retreat – or even your neighborhood – can range from easy to almost impossible. Terrain plays a big role and of course the type of devices being used to communicate. I was sent a link to a new product soon to be released that may provide… Continue reading The Ultimate Retreat Communication System

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 29th, 2017

There’s been a lot of discussion over the past 6 months or so regarding people not taking preparedness as serious as they once did. I get a short reprieve as the election results were so unexpected but that’s it….a short pause in prepping efforts. Now? There are so many examples and so much evidence the… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 29th, 2017

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 28th, 2017

  Changed the “What’s Rourke Reading…” at the bottom of the page. It has been years since I read Patriots – by James Wesley-Rawles. Listening to the audio version and it is very good. This is a book written so that when read a pad and paper should be present. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ The flooding… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 28th, 2017

Saturday’s – “What on your mind?”

Here is a place to share things you’ve been thinking about lately. What kind of things? Recent accomplishments in preparedness. Projects being worked on. Thoughts on world events. Recent purchases & recommendations Current events related to politics, terrorism, crime – whatever. Go on an adventure or have fun? Share it! Whatever is on your mind….… Continue reading Saturday’s – “What on your mind?”

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 25th, 2017

Note: Just found this post failed to publish – so here it is quite late. I think the “rabbit apocalypse” is well underway. This entire summer I have seen hundreds of rabbits. My back yard is fenced in and plenty of scents from two big husky’s and the rabbits continue to come in. I let… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 25th, 2017

Basic Hurricane Preparedness

While many preppers look to North Korea and a zombie apocalypse to prepare let’s not forget events like hurricanes are much more likely to endanger us. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes preparing is a common sense step to take. With hurricane season upon us let’s review some basic tasks to prepare.… Continue reading Basic Hurricane Preparedness

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 24th, 2017

  Trump made a 77-minute speech in Arizona. I listened to some of it and while predictable – it was very good. Outside law enforcement was pelted with rocks and water bottles. That was also quite typical as the snowflakes began to melt. Also at the “protest” in Phoenix, the John Brown Gun Club showed… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 24th, 2017

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 22nd, 2017

  Beginning September 11th a weekly series titled “Tactics for the American Reformation…” will begin. Every Monday for 8+ weeks a variety of topics will be covered with an emphasis on “tactical readiness”. While tactical is an overused term when it comes to product offerings it fits well for the defensive nature of an existence… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 22nd, 2017