The high bid for the Survivalist Blog Auction is at $450 - Mark R. Remember if you don't want to bid on the lot you can purchase individual items from the vender's web site.
Together they carry thousands of items - you are sure to find whatever you need to survive. And don't forget to mention The Survivalist Blog when you place your order. Thank you.
This auction is for a mixed lot that includes:
1.) A complete 7-day food unit of Mountain House® freeze-dried foods consisting of three(3) full meals per day - a $116 value courtesy of Ready Made Resources.
2.) A Bury 'Em Tube, Model 6L 6-inch PVC cache tube - a $199 value, donated by Vic at Safecastle Royal.
3.) A Berkey Light™ water purification system - a $209 value, donated by Directive 21.
4.) Victorio Back to Basics grain mill - a $69.00 value, donated by Prepared planet.
5.) A 16 wick 10,500 BTU Kero stove and Oven - a $113 value, donated by St. Paul Mercantile.
6.) A copy of The Survival Library on CD and Brian Kelling's book Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000 - a $30 value both from my personal collection.
This, auction has a combined value in excess of $700.00. Bids are for the entire lot.
Guest post: Survival Skills and Knowledge Checklist
By Bugout Bob - How Prepared Are You?
The debate between skills vs. stuff is a big one. I know many articles have been written on it and I’ve been in many a forum debate about which to focus on. I write this as a fellow preparedness geek and a friend to all those out there who are working towards a secure future.
It is interesting to me how many preppers talk about getting off the grid and having self-sufficiency, but they end up just trusting their existence to yet another set of systems. You may have solar panels and well pumps but what if SHTF and a panel gets shattered by flying debris, or your well pump stops working as the bearings seize? There are a million what if scenarios and many are not that unlikely. You need something to fall back on; you need a final line of defense.
When you have skills that means you have applied knowledge and experience. If your water system fails survival skills and knowledge of water purification techniques can keep you alive. If your livestock dies suddenly from disease, trauma, or whatever else hunting skills can keep some food on the table. If all else fails and you have the skills to make fire from nothing but the materials around you, if you can hunt with traps and simple weapons created from the forest, these things are powerful. Stock up on supplies and establish self-sufficient systems but always have a backup plan.
But skills are not just a fall back, they can help in everything. Skills do two other things: They teach you how to use the things you have better and they open your eyes to alternatives. I hear a lot of talk about bugging out on bikes should things go downhill. As a former bike mechanic and avid mountain biker I can remember one instance after another of the customer who thought it was as simple as… The front derailleur has two set screws, an upper and lower limit and tension to adjust. The set screws rarely if ever have to be tweaked, but even with only a simple turn of a dial it is one of the most difficult skills to master. It seems easy on the surface but training employee after employee there is more than meets the eye. This is but one simple example, and you could continue this with weapons, food storage and prep, water procurement, infection control, first aid, etc.
Let me share another example. One supposed prepper argued adamantly that I was wasting my time focusing on developing skills. On fire starting he told me of his stock pile of several thousand matches he planned to use as his sole source of fire. How many of you out there have tried to start a fire with a match when the wind is high or the air is wet? I say to him good luck. I’ve been an avid outdoors man for years and can attest from firsthand experience that it is far from easy. I know there are windproof water proof matches on the market, but have you ever tried them?
They don’t work so well on good days much less under high wind or when wet. And strike anywhere means you better have a good striker strip nearby. I have matches, standard lighters, butane lighters, flint strikers, steel wool and batteries, and a magnifying glass. And with all that equipment, I have spent time developing the skills to effectively use them in various situations. Even the best equipment is useless unless you know the tricks of the trade. I’m not here to brag, instead I just want to say that for all the time you spend gathering essential stuff, take the time to research it, to learn about it, to try it out and even live off of it to discover any faults before you are in a situation where you have no other options.
Skills to Live By
Knife Skills
It may seem obvious on the surface but skills with a knife go far beyond knowing how to cut. Whittling, carving, and simply understanding correct usage goes a long way. One of the big concerns with lack of knife skills is injury and I have plenty of scars to prove it!
Firecraft
When most people think of firecraft they think of rubbing two sticks together. In reality even knowing how to start a fire with a match can be tough, especially in wet and high wind conditions. It takes knowledge and experience.
Fishing
For survival fishing I recommend practice finding bait in the area around you, know the basic knots and know the equipment. Personally I would set multiple lines with bobbers and tie the line off to objects on shore. Set larger treble hooks on the floor to get the bigger bottom feeders, and use smelly bait. Set smaller J hooks mid level to get the trout, bass and panfish and use bugs, minnows or other live bait you can find. Add a bell to the line to let you know when something is biting, otherwise cross your fingers that the hook will set itself.
Hunting
A great skill to have and one that can’t be learned overnight. You need to know how to use your weapon, tracking stalking and behavior of your game of choice.
Tracking
Goes with hunting but also is useful for tracking people and getting a picture of what’s going on.
Shooting
Knowing how to use a gun is the first step. You also should know the basics of how it functions, how to clean it, and repair. Marksmanship takes time and lots of ammo. The ability to shoot moving targets at range or engage multiple targets with a handgun could be a lifesaver.
Stealth
This again goes back to hunting but could also be very useful against other threats. Stealth involves knowing how to move quietly and staying out of sight as well as the employment of camouflage.
Archery
Unlike bullets good arrows can be reused many times and bows are quiet, light and dependable. But all that is useless if you can’t hit a target with it.
Knots
Knowing a few basic knots can be a big help in many situations.
Morse Code
It allows you to communicate with a variety of methods and in today’s world most sheeple have no idea what it means.
Fitness
Strength, endurance, and good cardio is all important. Living self-sufficiently takes a lot of work, and escaping from hordes of the less prepared that want you’re supplies takes even more. Get in the best shape of your life now!
Self Defense
Martial arts is a subject that takes years to be effective in, but basic self-defense skills can be learned over a period of several months. Focus on disarming and defending against opponents with weapons, but learn basic fighting skills. Your goal is to stop the threat as quickly and safely as possible.
Construction
Knowing how to build stuff could make all the difference. Know basic materials, fasteners and get experience with hand tools and power tools of all types.
Auto Repair
Understand basic maintenance like changing oil, adding fluids, replacing hoses and belts… More info is always better.
First Aid
Know how to “fix” yourself when you do something stupid or end up the product of a bad situation. I recommend taking a formal class. First Aid from the Red Cross is a great start, Wilderness first aid is better, and first responder is even better. Of course anything beyond that, EMT, Paramedic, Nurse is better yet. You may only need to use these skills once or twice, but when you need them you’ll be glad you spent the money and time to get good training.
Ham Radio
If all other communications go down Ham Radio will be the fall back. Knowledge is the power to make an informed decision. In an EOTWAWKI scenario the info obtained by talking to fellow hammers could mean the difference between life and death.
Electronics
Know how to solder and have a basic working knowledge of electronics theory and design. Repairing basic electrical devices could be critical to survival.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t have even half of the skills/knowledge on this list complete, I still have a ways to go myself. There is definitely something to be said for having a group where different people specialize in certain areas, but be wary of relying on one person for a certain skill. Everyone should have a basic general skill set and always have a backup in case one member becomes incapacitated.
I know there are some things I am missing, but that is the beauty of community. We can learn from each other. So please, if you have a comment or addition take a minute and add it. It could just save someone’s life.
The debate between skills vs. stuff is a big one. I know many articles have been written on it and I’ve been in many a forum debate about which to focus on. I write this as a fellow preparedness geek and a friend to all those out there who are working towards a secure future.
It is interesting to me how many preppers talk about getting off the grid and having self-sufficiency, but they end up just trusting their existence to yet another set of systems. You may have solar panels and well pumps but what if SHTF and a panel gets shattered by flying debris, or your well pump stops working as the bearings seize? There are a million what if scenarios and many are not that unlikely. You need something to fall back on; you need a final line of defense.
When you have skills that means you have applied knowledge and experience. If your water system fails survival skills and knowledge of water purification techniques can keep you alive. If your livestock dies suddenly from disease, trauma, or whatever else hunting skills can keep some food on the table. If all else fails and you have the skills to make fire from nothing but the materials around you, if you can hunt with traps and simple weapons created from the forest, these things are powerful. Stock up on supplies and establish self-sufficient systems but always have a backup plan.
But skills are not just a fall back, they can help in everything. Skills do two other things: They teach you how to use the things you have better and they open your eyes to alternatives. I hear a lot of talk about bugging out on bikes should things go downhill. As a former bike mechanic and avid mountain biker I can remember one instance after another of the customer who thought it was as simple as… The front derailleur has two set screws, an upper and lower limit and tension to adjust. The set screws rarely if ever have to be tweaked, but even with only a simple turn of a dial it is one of the most difficult skills to master. It seems easy on the surface but training employee after employee there is more than meets the eye. This is but one simple example, and you could continue this with weapons, food storage and prep, water procurement, infection control, first aid, etc.
Let me share another example. One supposed prepper argued adamantly that I was wasting my time focusing on developing skills. On fire starting he told me of his stock pile of several thousand matches he planned to use as his sole source of fire. How many of you out there have tried to start a fire with a match when the wind is high or the air is wet? I say to him good luck. I’ve been an avid outdoors man for years and can attest from firsthand experience that it is far from easy. I know there are windproof water proof matches on the market, but have you ever tried them?
They don’t work so well on good days much less under high wind or when wet. And strike anywhere means you better have a good striker strip nearby. I have matches, standard lighters, butane lighters, flint strikers, steel wool and batteries, and a magnifying glass. And with all that equipment, I have spent time developing the skills to effectively use them in various situations. Even the best equipment is useless unless you know the tricks of the trade. I’m not here to brag, instead I just want to say that for all the time you spend gathering essential stuff, take the time to research it, to learn about it, to try it out and even live off of it to discover any faults before you are in a situation where you have no other options.
Skills to Live By
Knife Skills
It may seem obvious on the surface but skills with a knife go far beyond knowing how to cut. Whittling, carving, and simply understanding correct usage goes a long way. One of the big concerns with lack of knife skills is injury and I have plenty of scars to prove it!
Firecraft
When most people think of firecraft they think of rubbing two sticks together. In reality even knowing how to start a fire with a match can be tough, especially in wet and high wind conditions. It takes knowledge and experience.
Fishing
For survival fishing I recommend practice finding bait in the area around you, know the basic knots and know the equipment. Personally I would set multiple lines with bobbers and tie the line off to objects on shore. Set larger treble hooks on the floor to get the bigger bottom feeders, and use smelly bait. Set smaller J hooks mid level to get the trout, bass and panfish and use bugs, minnows or other live bait you can find. Add a bell to the line to let you know when something is biting, otherwise cross your fingers that the hook will set itself.
Hunting
A great skill to have and one that can’t be learned overnight. You need to know how to use your weapon, tracking stalking and behavior of your game of choice.
Tracking
Goes with hunting but also is useful for tracking people and getting a picture of what’s going on.
Shooting
Knowing how to use a gun is the first step. You also should know the basics of how it functions, how to clean it, and repair. Marksmanship takes time and lots of ammo. The ability to shoot moving targets at range or engage multiple targets with a handgun could be a lifesaver.
Stealth
This again goes back to hunting but could also be very useful against other threats. Stealth involves knowing how to move quietly and staying out of sight as well as the employment of camouflage.
Archery
Unlike bullets good arrows can be reused many times and bows are quiet, light and dependable. But all that is useless if you can’t hit a target with it.
Knots
Knowing a few basic knots can be a big help in many situations.
Morse Code
It allows you to communicate with a variety of methods and in today’s world most sheeple have no idea what it means.
Fitness
Strength, endurance, and good cardio is all important. Living self-sufficiently takes a lot of work, and escaping from hordes of the less prepared that want you’re supplies takes even more. Get in the best shape of your life now!
Self Defense
Martial arts is a subject that takes years to be effective in, but basic self-defense skills can be learned over a period of several months. Focus on disarming and defending against opponents with weapons, but learn basic fighting skills. Your goal is to stop the threat as quickly and safely as possible.
Construction
Knowing how to build stuff could make all the difference. Know basic materials, fasteners and get experience with hand tools and power tools of all types.
Auto Repair
Understand basic maintenance like changing oil, adding fluids, replacing hoses and belts… More info is always better.
First Aid
Know how to “fix” yourself when you do something stupid or end up the product of a bad situation. I recommend taking a formal class. First Aid from the Red Cross is a great start, Wilderness first aid is better, and first responder is even better. Of course anything beyond that, EMT, Paramedic, Nurse is better yet. You may only need to use these skills once or twice, but when you need them you’ll be glad you spent the money and time to get good training.
Ham Radio
If all other communications go down Ham Radio will be the fall back. Knowledge is the power to make an informed decision. In an EOTWAWKI scenario the info obtained by talking to fellow hammers could mean the difference between life and death.
Electronics
Know how to solder and have a basic working knowledge of electronics theory and design. Repairing basic electrical devices could be critical to survival.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t have even half of the skills/knowledge on this list complete, I still have a ways to go myself. There is definitely something to be said for having a group where different people specialize in certain areas, but be wary of relying on one person for a certain skill. Everyone should have a basic general skill set and always have a backup in case one member becomes incapacitated.
I know there are some things I am missing, but that is the beauty of community. We can learn from each other. So please, if you have a comment or addition take a minute and add it. It could just save someone’s life.
One Second After
by Jim McClarin
What I did today was stay up till 4:30 this morning reading William R. Forstchen's "One Second After
" (Forge, 2009) that deals with the aftermath of an EMP attack from a very hi-altitude nuclear blast over the middle of the country. Got some shut-eye till 8:30 then finished the book.
The novel is more than an entertaining read; it is a plea for our society and our government to safeguard our infrastructure from a possible Electro Magnetic Pulse attack, which would leave all unprotected transistorized and microchipped devices useless, including modern cars, planes, trains, ships, refrigerators, insulin pumps, pacemakers,TVs, radios, telephones, computers, shutdown systems at nuclear power plants, etc. The entire electric power grid and practically every device connected to it would be fried, including water and sewage treatment and pumping facilities, elevators, subways, cargo cranes, and ATM's.
Our just-in-time inventory and delivery system, our total dependence on infrastructure, even our vaunted lifesaving medical/pharmaceutical interventions that keep the diabetic, the heart diseased, the kidney diseased, and the mentally imbalanced functioning as productive members of our society have all set us up for a massive die-off should an EMP attack occur. We would be suddenly thrust 150-200 years back in technology but without the tools we relied on back then: horse-drawn wagons and carriages, horse-drawn plows, draft houses, mules, ice houses, wood or coal stoves in every home, hand-cranked devices, treadle sewing machines, outhouses. Even if we did have all those survival tools, most wouldn't have the skills to use them. And even if we had both tools and skills, our population is too great to be supported by the land without the annual use billions of tons fossil fuel products that could suddenly be neither created nor transported.
America would be years, decades from recovery, all the while vulnerable against rampant disease, pillaging criminal gangs, and conventional attack and invasion by countries that were not affected. America could cease to exist, conquered with little resistance by outside interests such as China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU. The Russians might reclaim Alaska.
An EMP attack is just one of many potential events for which prepping is needed and many of the preparedness measures against it are the same as we would follow prepping for some other calamity. One difference is that electronic devices would be stored away inside nesting Faraday cages to safeguard them from EMP effects, a step I have already taken with some of my gear.
What I did today was stay up till 4:30 this morning reading William R. Forstchen's "One Second After
" (Forge, 2009) that deals with the aftermath of an EMP attack from a very hi-altitude nuclear blast over the middle of the country. Got some shut-eye till 8:30 then finished the book.The novel is more than an entertaining read; it is a plea for our society and our government to safeguard our infrastructure from a possible Electro Magnetic Pulse attack, which would leave all unprotected transistorized and microchipped devices useless, including modern cars, planes, trains, ships, refrigerators, insulin pumps, pacemakers,TVs, radios, telephones, computers, shutdown systems at nuclear power plants, etc. The entire electric power grid and practically every device connected to it would be fried, including water and sewage treatment and pumping facilities, elevators, subways, cargo cranes, and ATM's.
Our just-in-time inventory and delivery system, our total dependence on infrastructure, even our vaunted lifesaving medical/pharmaceutical interventions that keep the diabetic, the heart diseased, the kidney diseased, and the mentally imbalanced functioning as productive members of our society have all set us up for a massive die-off should an EMP attack occur. We would be suddenly thrust 150-200 years back in technology but without the tools we relied on back then: horse-drawn wagons and carriages, horse-drawn plows, draft houses, mules, ice houses, wood or coal stoves in every home, hand-cranked devices, treadle sewing machines, outhouses. Even if we did have all those survival tools, most wouldn't have the skills to use them. And even if we had both tools and skills, our population is too great to be supported by the land without the annual use billions of tons fossil fuel products that could suddenly be neither created nor transported.
America would be years, decades from recovery, all the while vulnerable against rampant disease, pillaging criminal gangs, and conventional attack and invasion by countries that were not affected. America could cease to exist, conquered with little resistance by outside interests such as China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU. The Russians might reclaim Alaska.
An EMP attack is just one of many potential events for which prepping is needed and many of the preparedness measures against it are the same as we would follow prepping for some other calamity. One difference is that electronic devices would be stored away inside nesting Faraday cages to safeguard them from EMP effects, a step I have already taken with some of my gear.
Join my new Facebook group!
Just launched a new group "The Survival and Preparedness / Discussion Group" on Facebook to help jump start dialogue and create a plan of action. Here everyone can ask questions and give advice on survival and preparedness related issues.
Please feel free to join the group. We’d love to hear from you.
Please feel free to join the group. We’d love to hear from you.
Be Back Monday
Have a safe July 4 everybody - don't get dunk, drive and dead or anything stupid like that. I'm taking the weekend off, I've got a lot of work to do and this looks like a great weekend to do it.
I'll be back Monday - until then if you get bored take a look at my Survival 101 series of posts, or at the most popular preparedness books and gear as bought by Survivalist Blog readers.
And yes, I know drunk is spelled wrong - pun intended...
I'll be back Monday - until then if you get bored take a look at my Survival 101 series of posts, or at the most popular preparedness books and gear as bought by Survivalist Blog readers.
And yes, I know drunk is spelled wrong - pun intended...
What did you do to Prep this Week?
Well it's that time again; time to tell you what I did this week to become better prepared and more self-reliant and for you to tell me what you did. You did do something, right?
I want you to complete at least one goal per week, this can be anything from learning a new skill to putting up another can of spam to building a super bunker.
The point is to do something, other than sitting on your butt drinking beer and watching football. This Disneyland for dummies is coming to an end and you will either prepare to survive or procrastinate and die. It's that simple.
So what did I do to prepare this week? I bought a pack of butane lighters and a box of #6's for the 12 gauge. Worked in the garden - pulling weeds, watering etc. Picked blackberries and dug up some cattails. Dug out the spring for better access to water and the normal stuff that I do everyday, like cooking and tending to the goats, chickens and rabbits.
Enough about me - I want to talk about you. What have you done this week to become more self-reliant?
I want you to complete at least one goal per week, this can be anything from learning a new skill to putting up another can of spam to building a super bunker.
The point is to do something, other than sitting on your butt drinking beer and watching football. This Disneyland for dummies is coming to an end and you will either prepare to survive or procrastinate and die. It's that simple.
So what did I do to prepare this week? I bought a pack of butane lighters and a box of #6's for the 12 gauge. Worked in the garden - pulling weeds, watering etc. Picked blackberries and dug up some cattails. Dug out the spring for better access to water and the normal stuff that I do everyday, like cooking and tending to the goats, chickens and rabbits.
Enough about me - I want to talk about you. What have you done this week to become more self-reliant?
Only 12 days left!
The high bid for the Survivalist Blog Auction is now at $450 - Mark R. This auction is for a mixed lot that includes:
1.) A complete 7-day food unit of Mountain House® freeze-dried foods consisting of three(3) full meals per day - a $116 value courtesy of Ready Made Resources.
2.) A Bury 'Em Tube, Model 6L 6-inch PVC cache tube - a $199 value, donated by Vic at Safecastle Royal.
3.) A Berkey Light™ water purification system - a $209 value, donated by Directive 21.
4.) Victorio Back to Basics grain mill - a $69.00 value, donated by Prepared planet.
5.) A 16 wick 10,500 BTU Kero stove and Oven - a $113 value, donated by St. Paul Mercantile.
6.) A copy of The Survival Library on CD and Brian Kelling's book Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000 - a $30 value both from my personal collection.
This, auction has a combined value in excess of $700.00. Bids are for the entire lot.
1.) A complete 7-day food unit of Mountain House® freeze-dried foods consisting of three(3) full meals per day - a $116 value courtesy of Ready Made Resources.
2.) A Bury 'Em Tube, Model 6L 6-inch PVC cache tube - a $199 value, donated by Vic at Safecastle Royal.
3.) A Berkey Light™ water purification system - a $209 value, donated by Directive 21.
4.) Victorio Back to Basics grain mill - a $69.00 value, donated by Prepared planet.
5.) A 16 wick 10,500 BTU Kero stove and Oven - a $113 value, donated by St. Paul Mercantile.
6.) A copy of The Survival Library on CD and Brian Kelling's book Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000 - a $30 value both from my personal collection.
This, auction has a combined value in excess of $700.00. Bids are for the entire lot.
Auction ends on July 15th. Please e-mail your bid.
Swine flu infections in the U.S.
US swine flu by state
A state-by-state look at where the swine flu has spread and number of cases in the U.S.
A state-by-state look at where the swine flu has spread and number of cases in the U.S.
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