Tag: survival

DIY: Making Waterproof Matches In Two Simple Steps

  While my “Go To” firestarter is a Bic lighter, matches are super cheap and widely available. One problem is they are very susceptible to moisture. Ever try lighting a soggy match? Yeah. Kinda like trying to write on wet paper. Try as you might the outcome is not very desirable. Waterproof matches are available… Continue reading DIY: Making Waterproof Matches In Two Simple Steps

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

Review: Streamlight Stylus Pro Flashlight

  Flashlights are a basic and very important prep item. Who can’t remember the excitement as a kid having a flashlight when the power went out? The experience would have been quite different without the flashlight. Streamlight is a well-respected flashlight manufacturer with high marks for quality and value. Over the years I’ve owned several Streamlights… Continue reading Review: Streamlight Stylus Pro Flashlight

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

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

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

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

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 “NEW” First 100 Things To Disappear After The SHTF

The original “Top 100 Things To Disappear After a Disaster” list has been passed around the internet for a number of years. It remains a viable list of barter items and accurate in every way. Due to the list being fairly old and times have changed a few prepper friends and I have pulled together… Continue reading The “NEW” First 100 Things To Disappear After The SHTF

From the Desk of John Rourke – August 18th, 2017

  Pulled up most everything out of the garden except eggplants, peppers, and okra. The second round of plantings did not pan out too well. The heat and intense sun really did a number on cucumber and squash plants. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ In my area, there are signs on the highway warning of… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 18th, 2017

Video: Living In My Jeep – 1 Year Update

  There is a movement that is somewhat tied to preparedness and self-reliance and it is all about minimalism. Basically getting by and living a full life and existence with as little as possible. I came across the YouTube channel IAmJake  and his video about living in his Jeep for one year.   Being a… Continue reading Video: Living In My Jeep – 1 Year Update

Building a Simple & Inexpensive Raised Bed Garden

Gardening is one of the Top 5 Prepper Skills I recommend people learn. It can be both extremely rewarding – and fairly frustrating. I’ve been gardening for close to 15 years in my backyard using a 25′ x 30′ foot in-ground spot as well as buckets, raised beds, and various containers. For many, space is lacking and… Continue reading Building a Simple & Inexpensive Raised Bed Garden

Survival Recipe: No Bake Survival Cookies

Asteroids could be crashing through the atmosphere and zombies moaning in the streets – many of us will still crave something sweet. Food items like these Peanut Butter/Chocolate No Bake Cookies would serve as a great morale booster in high-stress times. Notice something about the ingredient list below. They can all be stored as part of a food… Continue reading Survival Recipe: No Bake Survival Cookies

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Others

Note: This post was originally published over at DoomandBloom.net. It has been republished here with permission.   Whether you’re outdoors due to a major disaster or just on a wilderness hike, it’s possible that you’ll run afoul of poisonous plants. If you live in the continental United States, expect to find poison ivy, poison oak,… Continue reading Poison Ivy, Oak, and Others

Grab and Go Deluxe Trauma Bag from DoomandBloom.net

  Everyone should keep a good first aid kit in their vehicle. You just never know when something will occur and a compression bandage, tourniquet, or even just a band-aid is needed. My kit of choice is the Grab and Go Deluxe Trauma Bag from DoomandBloom.net. I have two of these kits. One sits at… Continue reading Grab and Go Deluxe Trauma Bag from DoomandBloom.net

American Reformation: Book Recommendations

NOTE: For those not familiar with what the “American Reformation” check out The Coming American Reformation.  It is important information as this is the direction our country is heading and no one will be immune to its effects. *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  … Continue reading American Reformation: Book Recommendations

From the Bug Out Location of John Rourke – June 14th, 2017

  The discussions yesterday revolving around bugging out and bug out locations got me thinking. This has been a major topic for me over the past few years and I’ll share some of what I have experienced. As someone mentioned yesterday many of us just do not have the funds to live in a home… Continue reading From the Bug Out Location of John Rourke – June 14th, 2017

5 Morale Boosting Foods With a Long Shelf Life

Any high-stress disastrous event will create a definite morale issue for most people. The absence of normal life comforts combined with potential life-altering conditions will wreak havoc on people – especially children. Having as part of any food storage system some specific foods to boost – even just a little – the morale of friends and family is… Continue reading 5 Morale Boosting Foods With a Long Shelf Life

Saturday’s – “What’s 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’s on your mind?”

From the Desk of John Rourke – May 9th, 2017

Finished lining the galvanized trash can I bought with foam in preparation to make an “EMP Cache”.  Time to start filling and then sealing. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ Speaking of EMP. The following is a short – approx 13 minutes – podcast excerpt where Dr. Peter Vincent Pry discusses the dangers posed by North Korea.… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – May 9th, 2017

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

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… Continue reading An Interview with PrepperWebsite.com’s Todd Sepulveda

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… Continue reading Free Survival & Preparedness Downloads

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… Continue reading CIMA Knife Table Top Review

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… Continue reading Are North Korean Satellite’s an EMP Threat?

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… Continue reading The Coming American Reformation