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How to Prepare an Emergency Plan for Your Family When You’re Away from Home

10/2/2018

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By ​Conrad Novak 
As parents, we can be hesitant to leave our loved one's home for an extended period. It's our nature to worry. We feel as though our families become more vulnerable without us. If we prepare for emergencies when we are away from our loved ones, we can feel more comfortable leaving them.
Most disasters tend to happen when you least expect it. When you're far away from your family, these 5 ways to prepare an emergency plan will allow you and your family to respond to emergency situations in the best way possible.

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Put Someone in Charge

First, establish a chain of command when you are away. Who is next in line to lead the group? The person to be left in charge should be the most responsible for the bunch and be someone that has the rest of the family's respect. The person in charge should be groomed to do what you would do in an emergency.

This person may be your oldest child or your youngest child, depending on the level of maturity. Without having someone in charge there is no order. To prevent panic, someone should take the lead in case of emergency.

It's crucial that your family understands the importance of working together, as one wrong decision could lead to a life or death situation. Emergency plans only work if your family members execute it out correctly. It's important for them to know that in case of an emergency everyone needs to stick together and not panic.
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Traits to look for when choosing a leader are effective communication, positive attitude, trustworthy, and innovative. Be sure that the person in charge knows that they are in charge and will step up and accept responsibility for the others in your absence. This person should have access to the emergency plan and everything needed to execute it. Knowing that you have a second in command will ease some worries until you can get back to your family.
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Enlist Outside Helpers
Get to know your neighbors. Neighbors may become your closest allies in case of emergency as far as proximity goes. At the least, exchange contact information. If something seems array, have the convenience of calling a neighbor and asking them to check on your family. Ensure that your neighbor knows that you will do the same with them.

Get permission to include their information in your emergency plan and allow them to use your information in their emergency plan. Contact nearby Family and friends. Tell them about your emergency plan and gather updated information to include it in the plan. It is important to have options for people that you can depend on. These people may have different qualities that may be best depending on the emergency. A nearby cousin may be a pediatrician in case a child is sick or a nearby friend may be a police officer which can be an asset when an emergency strikes.
 
It may be something as simple as the electricity going out. You can call your neighbor on their mobile to see if they were affected.

Outside help can be essential in case of emergency. Someone may be home alone or may not have the ability to get out. You may need to use a neighbor's resources. There may be a storm coming that you have no idea about and a neighbor may want to warn you or you may want to warn your neighbors. It is possible to get through tough times alone, but much easier to get through it with others.
 
Be Realistic
Your emergency plan has to realistic to those involved. Be sure to consider emergencies that are likely to occur in your area. It can be impossible to plan for every possible hazard. Being sure to plan for things more likely to happen will give you more preparedness than trying to plan for all disasters. If you live in a flood zone, focus on an emergency flood situation rather than the apocalypse. Visit Happy Preppers for information on planning for natural disasters.

Set realistic expectations of emergency situations. Sometimes an emergency is not as bad as it may seem. Sometimes an emergency situation is worse than it seems. Be sure to access the situation and over prepare a bit. There is no need to cover your home in plastic full time, but it may be necessary to board windows if a storm is approaching.

It is also important to be realistic when planning for an emergency when planning an emergency evacuation. Don't plan to swim to safety without taking into account that someone in your family is unable to swim. It is also important to take into account your family's fitness level. Climbing into the roof or fitting into a tight space may not be an option for certain members of the family.
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You will have to tailor your emergency plan around the characteristics of your family. The goal is to keep everyone safe. It may benefit you to plan with the weakest and most vulnerable in mind i.e. a baby or an elderly person. There is no one plan that works for every family.
 
Have a Drill
Practice makes perfect. Drills are of the utmost importance. Just as drills are done in public places such as schools, drills should be done at home. By doing drill we can familiarize our families and ourselves with the plan, and work out any existing issues. Have a drill based on each type of emergency planned for. These drills don't have to be done all at once. They can be completed of a course of time.

However, it is important to complete the drills as soon as possible. It is not enough to complete the drills once. Drills should be done once a year to remain fresh on everyone's brain.
Be sure that your family takes the drill seriously. We tend to forget what we are supposed to do when disaster strikes and adrenaline rushes through us. Repeat drills until they become second nature. When completing drills, verify that everyone knows their role and acts in their role.

Consider places where you will be able to meet if the house becomes off limits and you are unable to contact each other. Verify that this place is familiar to each family member, and be sure that everyone has access to it.

Create an emergency kit based on the needs of the family. Include necessary medical equipment and items to care for pets. There are many online resources that aid in creating an emergency kit. A good resource is Survivor’s Fortress Bug Out Bags Guide. This source has documents that will aid in building your emergency kit and forming an overall emergency plan.
 
 
Write it Down
This is the most important step in creating an emergency plan. We simply cannot rely on our brains to remember every step of the process. Take the time to produce a physical copy of your emergency plan. Include all information and step by step instructions. Your emergency plan and emergency kit should reside in the same place. Make sure the emergency plan is easily accessible and safe from possible threats.

If you have a safe in your home, this would be a great place for your emergency plan and kit.
Be very detailed in your plans. Write it as if your family knows nothing. Assumptions have no place in an emergency plan. Visit Preppers Survive for tips on building an emergency kit.
Be sure that your plan is easy to read and easy to follow. If you have small children, write your emergency plan with them in mind. Add photos wherever necessary. Include collected contact information in the front.

When completing drills, include and follow the written plan. Make adjustments as needed. An emergency plan should not be set in stone. Whenever adjustments need to be made, make them. You may know how to better handle an emergency in the future than you do now.
Be sure to update contact information as it changes over time. Keep in contact with those on your emergency contact list to know if their information has changed. You may have to remove or add contacts over a period of time. Writing your emergency plan down will give your family the best chance of success should an emergency occur.
 
Conclusion
Now you are prepared to start creating your emergency plan. With careful research and thoughtfulness, you can create a plan that may protect your family in your absence. It can be difficult to imagine disasters especially when we are away from our loved ones. Thoughts of disaster are necessary to properly plan for a favorable outcome. Get your family and friends involved for their input. Creating an emergency plan is a serious matter but can be a fun family activity. The more you include your family when creating the plan, the more likely they will understand its importance.

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About the Author:
Conrad Novak is a proud father of two children. His journey as a prepper began when Hurricane Katrina hit and he lost his job due to the 2008 economic crisis. That made him realize that everything can change for the worst in a very short time. This experience was the detonator for him to pursue learning and becoming better prepared to face the kind of unexpected disasters that may occur at any point in our lives. You can read more of his content at SurvivorsFortress.com
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Survival Essentials for Women: Cloth Menstrual Pads

4/5/2016

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By Amy Napoli
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Reusable menstrual pads are among items you should have in your emergency survival kit in order to be prepared for any crisis or SHTF event that may happen during your lifetime. In addition to clean underwear, a torch and wet wipes, reusable cloth menstrual pads or reusable menstrual cup should be one of the essential ‘just in case’ items you have packed in your survival purse, ready to go.
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If you’ve never used before, cloth menstrual pads are just like your regular disposable pads, except that they are made of fabric and come in a whole bunch of colors, sizes and styles. They are perfectly safe to use in place of the disposable types and provide just as much protection. You simply put them on as you would with the regular types and replace them every 2 – 6 hours, depending on your flow. Instead of discarding, however, you would lightly soak your cloth menstrual pads to prevent stains then you can toss them in the washing machine or hand wash if you prefer, and they are ready to be used again.
With that said, are cloth pads also a good choice in times of crisis when surviving is paramount? Here is why the answer to that is a resounding yes and why you should include a set in your emergency survival kit. They are:
  • Reusable
After a catastrophe, businesses may shut their doors, and even if they are open, stock may be damaged, depleted, or looted. If you run out of disposable sanitary napkins, you might be left in an embarrassing situation. The best cloth menstrual pads can be washed and re-used for as long as you want until things return to normal.
 
  • Safer for you
Menstrual cloth pads contain no chemical by-products that will interfere with your body’s natural chemistry; neither do they have in toxins that have been linked to toxic shock syndrome. In a survival situation, it would be an even bigger tragedy if you had to worry about dying from a bacterial infection or catching an annoying yeast infection, so you should invest in some high quality cloth menstrual pads as part of your survival kit.
 
  • Better for the Environment
Research shows that women can use as much as 11,000 feminine hygiene products throughout their lives, of which disposable pads make up a significant proportion. That in turn leads to a lot of garbage in the landfills, which contributes to pollution. The idea of catastrophes in the world is already based on pollution, but using environmentally-friendly cloth menstrual pads may not only help you survive but possibly prevent future disasters.
With all the different changes your body goes through on a monthly basis, seeing your period is one event that you have to be prepared for at all times, including when there are floods, earthquakes, or  tsunamis. This is a sensitive topic that many women might not be eager to address. But, if you want to be truly prepared for an emergency, it’s one elephant in the room that you will have to face. If you’re not sure where to start, there are many high quality cloth menstrual pads available on Amazon. They come in many patterns and sizes, from light flow to heavy flow or overnight pads.  Be prepared and use reusable cloth pads for all the reason stated above.  It’s an essential item to stock up that also come with little wet bags, which you can use to store used pads in until you can wash them later. Check them out and be prepared for any time of the month.
 
By Amy Napoli
www.periodmate.com
periodmatemama@gmail.com
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Bugging Out With Pets

1/31/2016

1 Comment

 
By Dennis Diaz

​A few weeks back in one of our private Facebook group’s (The Bugout Network) weekly chats  the topic of evacuating with pets came up. This topic is very close to me since, as of the time of this writing we have 2 cats and 2 dogs in our house, and the issue of what to do with them in case of an evacuation has been an important part of our bugout plan. Just like in our family, most people consider their pets as members of their family members. The thought of leaving one of your furry friends behind to face whatever is coming is devastating. It would be an impossible choice for some and that is you need to plan ahead.

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​Let's assume you are bugging out with dogs. These guys can certainly carry their own weight and walk along beside you. If you have a cat or several cats, you are probably going to have to carry the critters unless they are of the personality to follow you of their own accord. If you are headed to a shelter, you need to know that most will not allow you to bring your pets in. If you drove to the shelter, you could leave them in the car, but that is rarely a good option. If you are evacuating and heading for the hills or have a secondary location all planned out, you will be in good shape to take your pets.

These are some things you will need to do to help make the evacuation go easier when it is time.

Prepare a Pet Bug Out Bag

​Your pets need their own bug out bags or a small section in your bag to hold their supplies. With medium to large dogs, you can attach saddle bag type things to their backs. This should only be done if you will be with your pet and can ensure they don't get snagged on a branch.
A pet bug out bag should contain a small bit of food and their own water rations. A collapsible bowl will be handy for pouring the water for the animal. A few treats would be a good idea as well. This may be necessary to call them in or settle their nerves. A blanket would also be useful if you will be sleeping outside.


Have Tags, Leashes and Collars

Before you ever evacuate, you should make sure your pets have collars with identification tags.  Leashes for dogs can help you keep them reined in. Having a reflective collar on your pet will help you see them at night when you run a flashlight across the area. Avoid bells or several metal tags that will alert others to your pet's presence if you are trying to stay off the radar.


Pet Documentation

It is a good idea to keep vet records in the bug out bag as well. If you do happen to go into a shelter that does accommodate pets, you will need to prove they are up to date on vaccinations. If you decide to board them in another city while you travel back home, you will also need the proof. If you happen to lose your pets, having the documentation will allow you to prove ownership.
Your pet may already be chipped, which will be helpful if you the animals if found by someone with access to a chip scanner. In a true SHTF scenario, this isn't going to be likely. It doesn't hurt to have your pet chipped, just in case you are dealing with a situation like Hurricane Katrina where animals were rescued after some time, but there was no way of identifying them and returning them to their owners.


Pet Meds

Pets are like humans and can get sick. If your pet has a diagnosed condition that requires medicine, pack along extra to keep them healthy. Things like flea and tick control medicines or collars will also come in handy, especially if you are going to be traveling through the woods or forested area. Medicines for their ears or any other conditions they may suffer from will be very helpful. A can of Blu-Kote is also a vital part of any pet first aid kit. If your pet suffers a laceration or other wound while you are evacuating, the spray is an antibacterial and healing ointment in one.
Don't forget to pack a supply of heartworm medication as well. Being out in the wilderness increases the risk of your dog being bit by an infected mosquito that can lead to heartworm.
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Image via ready.gov

Pet Carriers

Pet carriers are typically reserved for cats or small dogs that will struggle to keep up with the pace. If you are going to be in your vehicle, keeping the pet crated will ensure a panicked animal is not making the driving hazardous. Pets who are used to their carriers will feel more secure when they are tucked away inside. If you are bugging out in a hurry, you can grab a couple of pillow cases to carry small animals. This will also keep them from seeing what is happening around them. Pets can get just as scared as humans. You don't want them running off in terror.


Photos of Your Pets

Keep a print photo of each of your pets with their documentation. If you lose your pet, you will want to have a photo to show others as you ask around. The photo can also help prove ownership should someone try to claim your pet as their own. If you pet lands in a shelter and you have no other way to prove ownership, a photo with you and the pet together will be enough proof. A photo on your phone isn't going to do you much good if the battery is dead or the phone is broken.
 
Your pets will be your best friend, your early warning system, your source of comfort and your protector should you find yourself in a situation where you are forced to survive in the wild. They deserve to be cared for the best way possible. Do what you can to make sure you can fulfill their needs by planning ahead. Making decisions on the fly is not going to help you or your pets.
 

About the Author
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Dennis Diaz is the Chief Editor of Survival Ready Blog and host of The Prepper World Summit. He is passionate about learning and teaching survival and preparedness strategies. He is the author of the "The 12 Month Prepper & Survivalist Playbook" & Co-creator of many resources offered at Survival Ready Blog and The Bugout Network.
He doesn't consider himself an expert, but a facilitator and he works hard to provide a platform to those with valuable expertise to share their knowledge with as many people as possible.  

​He enjoys helping others prepare themselves for multiple dangerous scenarios, by coaching them on how develop their own customized survival & preparedness plans and develop their survival skills.  
He promotes the core concept of making preparedness and survival knowledge part of their daily lives. 
​​​

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Bugging Out with Disabilities

1/29/2016

11 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

A few days ago I was reading some comments and questions on our Facebook group (The Bugout Network), and I saw a few questions regarding the topic of bugging out or evacuating an area if you or a family member has limited mobility due to a disability or injury. I personally understand this concern. Not too long ago I found myself in a very serious vehicular accident that left me with some serious injuries, none of which were life threatening, but it did throw me into a 6 months journey to recovery before I was able to walk again. Those 6 months felt like a lifetime and for someone like me it was REALLY hard to feel that vulnerable. From my own experience, and with some time on my hands, I made some changes to my bugout plan in order to alleviate the risk if something like this were to happen again. I know this is a common problem and its obvious that not every person, and for that matter, not every family is going to be perfectly healthy and capable of strapping on a heavy pack and walking for miles. In fact, most families will have at least one member who is physically not able to do something so strenuous. Depending on when you have to bug out, you or a member of your family may be ill or injured. This certainly throws a gorilla size wrench in the bug out plan.
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Image via www.survivalsullivan.com

​If you or a family member has a condition that will prevent you or them from being able to keep up or even walk out, you need to plan for that. In addition, whether disabled or not, its sensible to have a contingency plan in place in case someone is ill or injured when it is time to get out of dodge. You are not going to leave anyone behind, but you don't want to put the entire family in jeopardy. Obviously there are going to be challenges that others will not face, but the whole idea of preparing for anything far ahead of time is how you will overcome those obstacles. 


The following are some tips to bugging out with the infirm or disabled. 

Have Aids and Tools Available

Be prepared to handle limited mobility by having the necessary equipment. Sometimes an elderly person may just need a walking stick to lean on. This is something you can keep tucked away with your gear. Knee braces and ankle braces can also provide support if that is an issue. A back brace can also provide some support for anybody suffering from back issues that may slow them down.
If walking is truly an issue, a wheelchair will be helpful. Ensure you have a working strap to hold, yourself or the person in the chair as you travel over rough terrain. It won't be easy to get it up steep, rocky inclines, but with a couple of people, it can be done. It is a good idea to practice and if t’s a family member, make sure you take him or her on the evacuation route to get an idea of how to navigate some of the more difficult terrain. Don't wait until your life depends on it to figure out the best way to carry the chair and person over a rocky path.
A stretcher may also be a good idea to keep on hand, just in case someone gets injured before you bug out. These are fairly light weight and two to four people can easily pack the stretcher and injured or disabled person out.


Pack Light

If you or your family member can physically walk, but is weak or not all that steady on their feet, make it easier by carrying or giving them a very light bug out bag. You don't want to  be strained or strain them anymore than necessary. This applies to children too. Make sure they have the essentials like water, a flashlight and a way to start a fire and divvy up the rest of the gear to the healthier members of the group. If the person is going to be in a wheelchair, it isn't that much more difficult to attach the bag to the chair or have the person carry it in their lap.
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Consider a BOV—Bug Out Vehicle
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If walking or traveling even short distances is going to be extremely difficult or impossible, you may want to put your efforts into creating a bug out vehicle. For those who are bedridden, riding in a wheelchair may be too much. A BOV is one way to get the whole family out without any real effort. The only drawback to a vehicle is the possibility roads may all be blocked. This is why it is a good idea to find a rig that is off-road capable. Make sure it has a good set of traction tires and can take a beating. 


​Limit Your Walk

Although you may have the perfect retreat 45 miles away, if you have someone with limited mobility, you will want to look for somewhere a bit closer. That is a long way to carry or push someone in a wheelchair. If that retreat is the only possible refuge, you will need to make several stops. You may only be able to travel a few miles a day. You must be prepared to sleep outside or have shelters identified along the route. If that is the plan, make sure you have the necessary bedding and shelter to allow yourself or your limited mobility member adequate rest for the following day that will be just as trying.
Ideally, if you can find something that is much closer, you will be doing yourself and the rest of the family a huge service. The strain and frustration on both sides, those who are capable and those that are struggling, will wear you down and make the journey very difficult.
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Focus on Strengths
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The members in your group who have limited mobility or other physical limitations can be real solid assets. You will need to shift around some responsibilities to use those talents. Maybe the person in the wheelchair is an excellent navigator or knows how to start a fire faster than anybody else. Discover what everyone's strengths and weaknesses are and distribute the work load. Every member of your group can and should contribute. This will make it easier and everyone will feel valued.
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While it may be a little unconventional and not typically something you think about when you imagine bugging out, you have to be prepared to deal with anything. If you are escaping a natural disaster or some other calamity, there is a very good chance someone may be injured and need assistance to get to safety. Never assume you all have to stay and hope for the best or that you must do the unthinkable and leave a loved one behind. It just takes a little extra planning and a willingness to put in a little more effort than those families who are all healthy and mobile. Do what you can to get in shape and in good health so you can be prepared to put forth a little more effort. 

Related:
Can't bug out?Read how you can protect your home (
Security Measures to Protect Your Home)


​ About the Author
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Dennis Diaz is the Chief Editor of Survival Ready Blog. He is passionate about learning and teaching survival and preparedness strategies. He is the author of the "The 12 Month Prepper & Survivalist Playbook" & Co-creator of many resources offered at Survival Ready Blog and The Bugout Network.
He doesn't consider himself an expert, but a facilitator and he works hard to provide a platform to those with valuable expertise to share their knowledge with as many people as possible.  

​He enjoys helping others prepare themselves for multiple dangerous scenarios, by coaching them on how develop their own customized survival & preparedness plans and develop their survival skills.  
He promotes the core concept of making preparedness and survival knowledge part of their daily lives. ​​​

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The Bugout Report: Self Reliance & Homesteading -  Interview with Anthony Urso 

6/12/2015

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Anthony is a professional firefighter and the author of Surviving Disaster - A Family's Guide to Emergency Preparedness.

Anthony consults in the areas of emergency preparedness, homesteading and promotes self-reliance. He also writes for a number of publications including The American Preppers Network. You can follow Anthony on his blog HomesteadandPrepper.com

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Practical Prepping: Putting Your Preparedness Plan To The Test

5/20/2015

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By Dennis Diaz
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Have you ever taken your home prepping plan for a test run?

Just the other day I was talking with a friend of mine who just started working on his preparedness plan. He said he had everything he and his family needed to survive for at least 3 months if they had to shelter in place.  I thought that was great, but he seemed uneasy, I asked him what was wrong and he said: “You know Dennis, I feel really good about my prepping, but I get this knot in my stomach sometimes cause I don’t know if I have enough; how can you really be sure I have everything I need for me and my family?” 

I get this question a lot and my answer is always the same. It’s a 3 part answer really.

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#1 No way to know: There is not one sure way to know with absolute certainty that you have and know everything you need, for every possible scenario. So stop worrying about that. The only thing certain in life is death, EVERYTHING else is a game of chance and probability. Work from a basis of improving your chances and maximizing the probabilities of survival instead of achieving certainty.

#2 Continuous Improvement: Preparedness is not an end goal or a destination, but a process. There are always things you can improve on. Adding skills to your survival toolbox, working on your supplies storage, working on your bug out plan, etc. will always translate to increased probability of survival

#3 The easiest and most practical way to address this question is to take your plan for a test run. The best way to assess your level of preparedness and also figure out what supplies, tools or skills you are missing is to put your survival plan to the test.

The best way to do that is to force yourself to live without the common modern essentials like electricity and water out of the faucet, before you are forced to live without them. 

Try this for a week, turn of your water & electricity, and don’t go to the grocery store for a week. Can you and your family survive for 7 days?, How about 3 days? Can you even make it through 24?
  • How much of your supplies did you consume?
  • Does your consumption match what you had anticipated?
  • What are you missing?
  • What could you do without?
  • Are you fit enough to procure food and water sources in your area?

After a few days you’ll learn really quickly if your current estimates and your level of preparation matches the reality of not having the essential supplies.

Taking your prepping plan for a test run will not only help you determine if you have what you need, it will also help you identify the following
  • Your strengths: This will not only give you peace of mind, but it will identify areas where you can possibly help other with and barter if necessary
  • Areas in need of improvements: Additional supplies & equipment needed, areas of weakness (most people do a good job when it comes to water a food but the missing pieces tend to be in the hygiene and specific health need areas)
  • Your family supply consumption: This will help you estimate better for longer term preparedness.

Testing your preparedness plan is the absolute best way to improve and reduce the uncertainty if you were to need it. You've probably heard the the saying "Practice Makes Perfect", well preparedness is not an exception. And while there is no actual "Perfect" scenario when it comes to your survival plan you can get really darn close.

Now go test your plan.



P.S. If you want to learn about how prepare for a disaster before it happens click here



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Plan For Bugging Out With Your Pets

2/23/2015

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Our pets are loyal and give us unconditional love. It’s only right that we return the favor. Prepping with pets is not impossible, and the fact is they can be good to have around when SHTF. Read on to learn how to develop a SHTF plan that will keep your whole family–including your furry friends–safe.

A SHTF Plan For Your PetsIf you’re a prepper, the thing at the forefront of your mind is keeping yourself and your family safe. You’ve crafted a foolproof SHTF plan, you know where you’ll go and what you’ll take with you.

But does that plan include your pets?

You can be a prepper and a pet lover. There ware ways to help your pet stay alive in emergency situations (and worse), and pets can be as useful in a crisis as they are at home. Dogs especially can make great SHTF companions. They can warn and protect you and your family from attackers, whether it is a human or a dangerous animal. Some dogs can also hunt and track. And of course, dogs and other pets provide great emotional support.

Take a look at the original article here and get started on your pet’s SHTF plan.

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How To Prepare a Pet Emergency Kit
"You probably all ready have a family emergency kit put together with all of the essentials that you and your family would need in case of a emergency. But did you include your pets? Animals have become such a important part of our lives. While your spouse can help you add things to the kit that you may have forgotten your pet can not help you build their kit. They depend on us to care for them. As a direct result of the catastrophes that took place during the evacuation of New Orleans that involved animals President George Bush signed into act PETS (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act). It is now public law therefore, cities have to be sure to include all pets in their evacuation plans. Now that you are allowed to take your pet, you better make sure that your pet has everything that it needs to survive.

Here is a list of items that you should have in your pet emergency kit:

  • Food: Make sure that you have at least enough food for one week. Most agencies suggest three days but, as we discovered with Hurricane Katrina, three days is not enough. Bring the food they are use to eating and keep it in a waterproof container. Don’t forget a bowl to feed them in and a manual can opener.
  • Water: Be sure to have extra water on hand for your pet. Again, don’t forget a bowl.
  • Medicines: Remember to pack up any medications that your pet may need to survive. Always have extra medication in the emergency kit so you don’t forget. Be aware of any medication that may need refrigeration such as insulin and have a plan in place to keep it cool.
  • Medical Records: Be sure to always keep your pets medical records together and with the emergency kit. Records such as proof of ownership, pictures of you and your pet together, vaccinations, and rabies tags are vital especially if you have to cross state lines.
  • First Aid Kit: Have a separate medical kit for your pets with basic medical supplies. Some of the items that should be in your pet’s medical kit are: bandages, tape, cotton, scissors, flea and tick prevention, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, saline solution, alcohol, comb, brush and a pet first aid book.
  • Pet Carrier or Crate: Make sure that you have a carrier for each of your pets. Be sure that the carrier or crate is big enough to comfortable fit your pet with room to stand and lie down.
  • Sanitation Needs: Don’t forget about the other essentials that your pet needs such as: litter box, litter, paper towels, wipes, plastic bags and newspapers. Also include bleach and other disinfectant products.
  • Familiar Items: Emergencies and disaster are not only stressful on humans but on your pet as well. Make sure to make plans to include their favorite toys, blankets, and treats."
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Every Step in Canning Ebook - Free Download

1/22/2015

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By Survival Ready Team
Since the 1800's or so, canning has provided a way for people to store foods for very long periods of time. However this practice has been mostly lost through time. Except for a very small minority of the population, like homesteaders, the large majority of people do not possess the knowledge to preserve their food by canning.
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Canning is a method in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight container.  In canning, the process typically includes applying heat to food in a closed glass home canning jar to stop the natural spoilage that would otherwise take place, and removes air from the jar to create a seal. By boiling the food in the can to kill all the bacteria and seal the can (either before or while the food is boiling) to prevent any new bacteria from getting in.
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Since the food in the can is completely sterile, it does not spoil. Once you open the can, bacteria enter and begin attacking the food, so you have to "refrigerate the contents after opening" (you see that label on all sorts of food products -- it means that the contents are sterile until you open the container).

Below you will find a very old but VERY valuable book, about the steps to take to preserve your food by canning.
You can download the Ebook by Clicking Here

Every Step in Canning - Book By Grace Viall Gray
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Survival Mindset: Prepare to Survive Mentally

1/13/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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Your mission in a survival situation is to stay alive. As you can see in our post Survival Mind Tricks: Understanding Psychological Reactions, you are going to experience an assortment of thoughts and emotions. These can work for you, or they can work to your downfall. Fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, guilt, depression, and loneliness are all possible reactions to the many stresses common to survival. These reactions, when controlled in a healthy way, help to increase a soldier's likelihood of surviving. They prompt the would be survivor to pay more attention in training, to fight back when scared, to take actions that ensure sustenance and security, to keep faith, and to strive against large odds. 

When the survivor cannot control these reactions in a healthy way, they can bring him to a standstill. Instead of rallying his internal resources, the survivor listens to his internal fears. This survivor experiences psychological defeat long before he physically succumbs. Remember, survival is natural to everyone; being unexpectedly thrust into the life and death struggle of survival is not. Don't be afraid of your "natural reactions to this unnatural situation." Prepare yourself to rule over these reactions so they serve your ultimate interest--staying alive.

It involves preparation to ensure that your reactions in a survival setting are productive, not destructive. The challenge of survival has produced countless examples of heroism, courage, and self-sacrifice. These are the qualities it can bring out in you if you have prepared yourself. Below are a few tips to help prepare yourself psychologically for survival. Through studying this manual and attending survival training you can develop the survival attitude.


Know Yourself
Through training, family, and friends take the time to discover who you are on the inside. Strengthen your stronger qualities and develop the areas that you know are necessary to survive.

Anticipate Fears
Don't pretend that you will have no fears. Begin thinking about what would frighten you the most if forced to survive alone. Train in those areas of concern to you. The goal is not to eliminate the fear, but to build confidence in your ability to function despite your fears.

Be Realistic
Don't be afraid to make an honest appraisal of situations. See circumstances as they are, not as you want them to be. Keep your hopes and expectations within the estimate of the situation. When you go into a survival setting with unrealistic expectations, you may be laying the groundwork for bitter disappointment. Follow the adage, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." It is much easier to adjust to pleasant surprises about one's unexpected good fortunes than to be upset by one's unexpected harsh circumstances.

Adopt a Positive Attitude
Learn to see the potential good in everything. Looking for the good not only boosts morale, it also is excellent for exercising your imagination and creativity.

Remind Yourself What Is at Stake
Remember, failure to prepare yourself psychologically to cope with survival leads to reactions such as depression, carelessness, inattention, loss of confidence, poor decision making, and giving up before the body gives in. At stake is your life and the lives of others who are depending on you to do your share.

Train
Through military training and life experiences, begin today to prepare yourself to cope with the rigors of survival. Demonstrating your skills in training will give you the confidence to call upon them should the need arise. Remember, the more realistic the training, the less overwhelming an actual survival setting will be.

Learn Stress Management Techniques
People under stress have a potential to panic if they are not well-trained and not prepared psychologically to face whatever the circumstances may be. While we often cannot control the survival circumstances in which we find ourselves, it is within our ability to control our response to those circumstances. Learning stress management techniques can enhance significantly your capability to remain calm and focused as you work to keep yourself and others alive. A few good techniques to develop include relaxation skills, time management skills, assertiveness skills, and cognitive restructuring skills (the ability to control how you view a situation).

Remember, "the will to survive" can also be considered to be "the refusal to give up."
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The Psychology of Survival

1/13/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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It takes much more than the knowledge and skills to build shelters, get food, make fires, and travel without the aid of standard navigational devices to live successfully through a survival situation. Some people with little or no survival training have managed to survive life-threatening circumstances. Some people with survival training have not used their skills and died. A key ingredient in any survival situation is the mental attitude of the individual(s) involved. Having survival skills is important; having the will to survive is essential. Without a desk to survive, acquired skills serve little purpose and invaluable knowledge goes to waste.

There is a psychology to survival. The survivor in a survival environment faces many stresses that ultimately impact on his mind. These stresses can produce thoughts and emotions that, if poorly understood, can transform a confident, well-trained survivor into an indecisive, ineffective individual with questionable ability to survive. Thus, every survivor must be aware of and be able to recognize those stresses commonly associated with survival. Additionally, it is imperative that survivors be aware of their reactions to the wide variety of stresses associated with survival. This chapter will identify and explain the nature of stress, the stresses of survival, and those internal reactions survivors will naturally experience when faced with the stresses of a real-world survival situation. The knowledge you, the survivor, gain from this chapter and other chapters in this manual, will prepare you to come through the toughest times alive.

A Look at Stress
Before we can understand our psychological reactions in a survival setting, it is helpful to first know a little bit about stress.

Stress is not a disease that you cure and eliminate. Instead, it is a condition we all experience. Stress can be described as our reaction to pressure. It is the name given to the experience we have as we physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually respond to life's tensions.
 
Need for Stress
We need stress because it has many positive benefits. Stress provides us with challenges; it gives us chances to learn about our values and strengths. Stress can show our ability to handle pressure without breaking; it tests our adaptability and flexibility; it can stimulate us to do our best. Because we usually do not consider unimportant events stressful, stress can also be an excellent indicator of the significance we attach to an event--in other words, it highlights what is important to us.

We need to have some stress in our lives, but too much of anything can be bad. The goal is to have stress, but not an excess of it. Too much stress can take its toll on people and organizations. Too much stress leads to distress. Distress causes an uncomfortable tension that we try to escape and, preferably, avoid. Listed below are a few of the common signs of distress you may find in your fellow survivors or yourself when faced with too much stress: 

• Difficulty making decisions.
• Angry outbursts.
• Forgetfulness.
• Low energy level.
• Constant worrying.
• Propensity for mistakes.
• Thoughts about death or suicide.
• Trouble getting along with others.
• Withdrawing from others.
• Hiding from responsibilities.
• Carelessness.

As you can see, stress can be constructive or destructive. It can encourage or discourage, move us along or stop us dead in our tracks, and make life meaningful or seemingly meaningless. Stress can inspire you to operate successfully and perform at your maximum efficiency in a survival situation. It can also cause you to panic and forget all your training. Key to your survival is your ability to manage the inevitable stresses you will encounter. The survivor is the survivor who works with his stresses instead of letting his stresses work on him.



Survival Stressors
Any event can lead to stress and, as everyone has experienced, events don't always come one at a time. Often, stressful events occur simultaneously. These events are not stress, but they produce it and are called "stressors." Stressors are the obvious cause while stress is the response. Once the body recognizes the presence of a stressor, it then begins to act to protect itself.

In response to a stressor, the body prepares either to "fight or flee." This preparation involves an internal SOS sent throughout the body. As the body responds to this SOS, several actions take place. The body releases stored fuels (sugar and fats) to provide quick energy; breathing rate increases to supply more oxygen to the blood; muscle tension increases to prepare for action; blood clotting mechanisms are activated to reduce bleeding from cuts; senses become more acute (hearing becomes more sensitive, eyes become big, smell becomes sharper) so that you are more aware of your surrounding and heart rate and blood pressure rise to provide more blood to the muscles. This protective posture lets a person cope with potential dangers; however, a person cannot maintain such a level of alertness indefinitely.

Stressors are not courteous; one stressor does not leave because another one arrives. Stressors add up. The cumulative effect of minor stressors can be a major distress if they all happen too close together. As the body's resistance to stress wears down and the sources of stress continue (or increase), eventually a state of exhaustion arrives. At this point, the ability to resist stress or use it in a positive way gives out and signs of distress appear. Anticipating stressors and developing strategies to cope with them are two ingredients in the effective management of stress. It is therefore essential that the survivor in a survival setting be aware of the types of stressors he will encounter. Let's take a look at a few of these.

Injury, Illness, or Death
Injury, illness, and death are real possibilities a survivor has to face. Perhaps nothing is more stressful than being alone in an unfamiliar environment where you could die from hostile action, an accident, or from eating something lethal. Illness and injury can also add to stress by limiting your ability to maneuver, get food and drink, find shelter, and defend yourself. Even if illness and injury don't lead to death, they add to stress through the pain and discomfort they generate. It is only by con-trolling the stress associated with the vulnerability to injury, illness, and death that a survivor can have the courage to take the risks associated with survival tasks.
 
Uncertainly and Lack of Control
Some people have trouble operating in settings where everything is not clear-cut. The only guarantee in a survival situation is that nothing is guaranteed. It can be extremely stressful operating on limited information in a setting where you have limited control of your surroundings. This uncertainty and lack of control also add to the stress of being ill, injured, or killed.

Environment
Even under the most ideal circumstances, nature is quite formidable. In survival, a survivor will have to contend with the stressors of weather, terrain, and the variety of creatures inhabiting an area. Heat, cold, rain, winds, mountains, swamps, deserts, insects, dangerous reptiles, and other animals are just a few of the challenges awaiting the survivor working to survive. Depending on how a survivor handles the stress of his environment, his surroundings can be either a source of food and protection or can be a cause of extreme discomfort leading to injury, illness, or death.
 
Hunger and Thirst
Without food and water a person will weaken and eventually die. Thus, getting and preserving food and water takes on increasing importance as the length of time in a survival setting increases. For a survivor used to having his provisions issued, foraging can be a big source of stress.

Fatigue
Forcing yourself to continue surviving is not easy as you grow more tired. It is possible to become so fatigued that the act of just staying awake is stressful in itself.

Isolation
There are some advantages to facing adversity with others. As survivors we learn individual skills, but we train to function as part of a team. Although we, as survivors, complain about higher headquarters, we become used to the information and guidance it provides, especially during times of confusion. Being in contact with others also provides a greater sense of security and a feeling someone is available to help if problems occur. A significant stressor in survival situations is that often a person or team has to rely solely on its own resources.

The survival stressors mentioned in this section are by no means the only ones you may face. Remember, what is stressful to one person may not be stressful to another. Your experiences, training, personal outlook on life, physical and mental conditioning, and level of self-confidence contribute to what you will find stressful in a survival environment. The object is not to avoid stress, but rather to manage the stressors of survival and make them work for you.

We now have a general knowledge of stress and the stressors common to survival; the next step is to examine our reactions to the stressors we may face. In this post "
Survival Mindset: Prepare to Survive Mentally" we go over how you can prepare yourself to deal with these stressors.
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Survival Mind Tricks: Understanding Psychological Reactions

1/13/2015

1 Comment

 
By Survival Ready Blog Team
Man has been able to survive many shifts in his environment throughout the centuries. His ability to adapt physically and mentally to a changing world kept him alive while other species around him gradually died off. The same survival mechanisms that kept our forefathers alive can help keep us alive as well! However, these survival mechanisms that can help us can also work against us if we don't understand and anticipate their presence.

It is not surprising that the average person will have some psychological reactions in a survival situation. We will now examine some of the major internal reactions you and anyone with you might experience with the survival stressors addressed in our post “The Psychology of Survival”. Let's begin.

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Fear
Fear is our emotional response to dangerous circumstances that we believe have the potential to cause death, injury, or illness. This harm is not just limited to physical damage; the threat to one's emotional and mental well-being can generate fear as well. For the person trying to survive, fear can have a positive function if it encourages him to be cautious in situations where recklessness could result in injury. Unfortunately, fear can also immobilize a person. It can cause him to become so frightened that he fails to perform activities essential for survival. Most people will have some degree of fear when placed in unfamiliar surroundings under adverse conditions. There is no shame in this! Each survivor must train himself not to be overcome by his fears. Ideally, through realistic training, we can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to increase our confidence and thereby manage our fears.

Anxiety
Associated with fear is anxiety. Because it is natural for us to be afraid, it is also natural for us to experience anxiety. Anxiety can be an uneasy, apprehensive feeling we get when faced with dangerous situations (physical, mental, and emotional). When used in a healthy way, anxiety urges us to act to end, or at least master, the dangers that threaten our existence. If we were never anxious, there would be little motivation to make changes in our lives. The survivor in a survival setting reduces his anxiety by performing those tasks that will ensure his coming through the ordeal alive. As he reduces his anxiety, the survivor is also bringing under control the source of that anxiety--his fears. In this form, anxiety is good; however, anxiety can also have a devastating impact. Anxiety can overwhelm a survivor to the point where he becomes easily confused and has difficulty thinking. Once this happens, it becomes more and more difficult for him to make good judgments and sound decisions. To survive, the survivor must learn techniques to calm his anxieties and keep them in the range where they help, not hurt.

Anger and Frustration
Frustration arises when a person is continually thwarted in his attempts to reach a goal. The goal of survival is to stay alive until you can reach help or until help can reach you. To achieve this goal, the survivor must complete some tasks with minimal resources. It is inevitable, in trying to do these tasks, that something will go wrong; that something will happen beyond the survivor's control; and that with one's life at stake, every mistake is magnified in terms of its importance. Thus, sooner or later, survivors will have to cope with frustration when a few of their plans run into trouble. One outgrowth of this frustration is anger. There are many events in a survival situation that can frustrate or anger a survivor. Getting lost, damaged or forgotten equipment, the weather, inhospitable terrain, enemy patrols, and physical limitations are just a few sources of frustration and anger. Frustration and anger encourage impulsive reactions, irrational behavior, poorly thought-out decisions, and, in some instances, an "I quit" attitude (people sometimes avoid doing something they can't master). If the survivor can harness and properly channel the emotional intensity associated with anger and frustration, he can productively act as he answers the challenges of survival. If the survivor does not properly focus his angry feelings, he can waste much energy in activities that do little to further either his chances of survival or the chances of those around him.

Depression
It would be a rare person indeed who would not get sad, at least momentarily, when faced with the privations of survival. As this sadness deepens, we label the feeling "depression." Depression is closely linked with frustration and anger. The frustrated person becomes more and more angry as he fails to reach his goals. If the anger does not help the person to succeed, then the frustration level goes even higher. A destructive cycle between anger and frustration continues until the person becomes worn down physically, emotionally, and mentally. When a person reaches this point, he starts to give up, and his focus shifts from "What can I do" to "There is nothing I can do." Depression is an expression of this hopeless, helpless feeling.

There is nothing wrong with being sad as you temporarily think about your loved ones and remember what life is like back in "civilization" or "the world." Such thoughts, in fact, can give you the desire to try harder and live one more day. On the other hand, if you allow yourself to sink into a depressed state, then it can sap all your energy and, more important, your will to survive. It is imperative that each survivor resist succumbing to depression.


Loneliness and Boredom
Man is a social animal. This means we, as human beings, enjoy the company of others. Very few people want to be alone all the time! As you are aware, there is a distinct chance of isolation in a survival setting. This is not bad. Loneliness and boredom can bring to the surface qualities you thought only others had. The extent of your imagination and creativity may surprise you. When required to do so, you may discover some hidden talents and abilities. Most of all, you may tap into a reservoir of inner strength and fortitude you never knew you had. Conversely, loneliness and boredom can be another source of depression. As a survivor surviving alone, or with others, you must find ways to keep your mind productively occupied. Additionally, you must develop a degree of selfsufficiency. You must have faith in your capability to "go it alone."


Guilt
The circumstances leading to your being in a survival setting are sometimes dramatic and tragic. It may be the result of an accident or military mission where there was a loss of life. Perhaps you were the only, or one of a few, survivors. While naturally relieved to be alive, you simultaneously may be mourning the deaths of others who were less fortunate. It is not uncommon for survivors to feel guilty about being spared from death while others were not. This feeling, when used in a positive way, has encouraged people to try harder to survive with the belief they were allowed to live for some greater purpose in life. Sometimes, survivors tried to stay alive so that they could carry on the work of those killed. Whatever reason you give yourself, do not let guilt feelings prevent you from living. The living who abandon their chance to survive accomplish nothing. Such an act would be the greatest tragedy.

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3 Little Known Things Your Urban Survival Kit May Need

1/13/2015

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Compiled by Survival Ready Blog Team
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One of the few certainties in life is that uncertainty is always present. Although we would like to choose a scenario where we have to deal with emergencies and disasters, in reality we have very limited control over where we’ll be or when they’ll occur. It is very challenging to be “ready” at all times, but we can definitely minimize the risks and vulnerabilities by creating a plan and having the tools/skills we anticipate we’ll need. In an urban survival scenario, especially near large cities, there are circumstances that are quite unique. 

For instance if you work downtown or take public transportation from and to work, you probably share your space with several hundred people a day. Perhaps you work in a tall office building or near coastal areas. All these factors have to be taken into consideration when putting together an urban survival kit. 


Many people have an urban survival kit at home, assuming they’ll be at home when they need it. What happens if you are in transit to work when an earthquake hits? What if you are in the 20th floor of your office building?How are you going to get down the street? How are you going to get home?

Below are 3 things you can do to your urban survival kit today  to greatly reduce your vulnerability during an emergency.


1. Get Home Bag (GHB)
Via Survival Cache

Imagine for a minute that you work downtown in a large city, maybe you ride the subway or take a bus to work everyday. You are in a large office building with many floors, thousands of people, and you are on the fifteen or twentieth story. If a disaster strikes how are you going to get out? I mean literally. If there is an earthquake, or a catastrophic man made event how are you going to get out of your building? How are you going to get down the street? How are you going to get home? Do you want to be one of the people covered in dust wandering around in shock? I sure don’t.

But I have my Bug out Bag you say!

Oh really, where is it? Even if it is in your car it is useless to you at this point. The parking garage is at street level and possibly blocks away. That could mean life or death in this situation and you need to act now.

Even if you could get to your Bug Out Bag, how much good would it do you in this environment? Most people’s B.O.B. is packed for survival in the wilderness. Camping gear, food, clothing, etc.

A Get Home Bag contains an entirely different set of tools and serves one purpose: To get you from wherever you are to your Home.

Your GBH should contain things that are going to get you out of the building like a prybar. Things to help you make it through the aftermath like water and breathing masks. Things you might use to help rescue others like flashlights or radios. Things that will help you on what could be a very long walk home such as food and maybe shoes.

Clearly a GHB is not a Bug Out Bag. Sure they have some overlap, but a GBH can be much smaller, less weight conscious, have more specific tools, and be planned for one purpose. Do you have one cached in your office or place of work?

2. A Bug Out Plan
Via Survival Cache

So you made it home, now what? Let’s assume that the SHTF out there. You have surveyed the situation and determined that the city is in mass chaos and you need to get out now. What do you do ? Again, you have your Bug Out Bag, but you still have to get out of the city. Do you have a Bug Out Plan?

For our purposes here lets assume that your Bug Out Plan needs to get you from your home to your serious survival cache or Bug Out Location outside of the city. I understand that not everybody has caches hidden in various places, and even fewer people have a dedicated But Out Location. While you should probably be working on that, you still need a Bug Out Plan.

There’s no way I can go through all of the various problems you might encounter while trying to bug out of your city so you will have to plan for yourself. What I will give you are some questions to consider and one rule: Contingency. Is your way out double, triple, and quadruple backed up?
If the highways are shutdown do you have a surface street route?
If no roads are passable do you have an off road route?
If driving is out of the question do you have a planned walking or riding route? (Do you have maps of your area in your Bug Out Bag?)
Do you have a rendezvous point with other family members?

3. A Bug In Plan
Via Survival Cache

Lets back up a minute. Pretend you just got home again, but this time you surveyed the situation and decided that you are not in immediate danger but are still not at situation normal. Now what do you do? A Bug In Plan is for emergency situations where you can stay in your own home but have to rely on your own preparations to survive. This might just mean that you will be without power or water for an extended period. Maybe it means you actually can’t leave your home at all for whatever reason.

What plans do you have in place to live like this? A Bug in Plan should include food and water preparations first and foremost. What will you eat since all of the food in your refrigerator is going to be bad soon? Do you really want to live on the backpack meals out of your Bug Out Bag when you don’t have to? (Be sure to stock the Top 100 items that will Disappear First).

How much water do you have stored? Do you have a sewage system set up. (No water=no sewage: its always the little things….) Do you have unprepared neighbors to worry about? (To help or guard against?)

Starting out a survival situation in an urban environment is almost an immediate set-back compared to those bugging out from more rural areas, but with a Get Home Bag, a Bug Out Plan, and a Bug In Plan you are better off than most people.

Building An Urban Survival Kit
Urban Survival Kit Planning Factors

Via The Bugout Bag Guide

Bug out situations that occur in urban centers have a number of unique factors to consider when building your Bug Out Bag packing list.  These urban survival factors include:
  • Having to deal with building debris and glass in the wake of the disaster event
  • Increased likelihood of opportunities to scavenge water and food from abandoned buildings
  • Possibility of finding supply caches in abandoned buildings – looting is not endorsed by this site but if abandoned supplies mean the difference between life and death, go for it
  • Increases likelihood of encountering humans – This can be both good and bad based on the disposition of the people encountered and how you handle the situation.  Other survivors can be bartered with and be valuable sources for information as well as dangerous criminals.  Approach them with caution in mind.
  • Less need for emergency shelter as there should be many buildings around and debris available to cobble a shelter together if need be.

Some urban survival kit gear that will help you deal with these factors:
  • Crow bar/pry bar – For scavenging and removing barriers and debris as well as hammering out glass.
  • Tool for Fire Hydrants/Gas Mains – This is useful if you find yourself in a house with gas leaking or if you want to access a fire hydrant for some clean water.
  • Work Gloves – If you have to break glass or move debris these will save your hands and keep you working and moving much longer.  These can be picked up in any hardware store.
  • Dust Mask – If there are collapsed buildings in your area this will protect your lungs from airborne debris particles.  These can also be picked up in any hardware store.
  • Permanent Marker – The nature of the urban environment will give you opportunities to leave markings or notes for yourselves or others in your party.
  • Can opener – In an urban survival situation there will be many more opportunities to scavenge food than in a rural locality.  A can opener will enable you to easily access preserved food that you come across.
  • Metal Spork – Scavenged food will need a way to get to your mouth.
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Emergency Food Storage: 22 Best Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency

1/12/2015

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Compiled by Survival ready Blog Team
Every other week, it seems there’s a new fringe group forecasting the end of the world as we know it. But even for those who don’t believe the apocalypse is imminent, there are plenty of reasons to worry about the future. The employment market isn't recovering at a very rapid pace, and for many, the threat of unemployment and job loss is real.

And, of course, rising food prices have been a hot topic as a result of natural disasters, unexpected weather patterns, and inflation. With these very real concerns weighing on your mind, you don’t have to be a survivalist to see the value of increased self-reliance. One of the best strategies to prepare for an uncertain economic future is to create a long-term emergency food storage system.

Why Should You Consider Emergency Food Storage?
Having non-perishables on hand for use in a variety of situations is a good way to increase your food security. It can provide a safety net designed to catch you if you feel you are about to fall due to circumstances out of your control. Here are a few suggestions for food staples that you can stock up on. As always, though, it is a good idea to adjust your storage to fit your family’s needs:
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Via Real Simple

​These items have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months to keep things fresh. And don’t forget to have a can opener on hand at all times—all that food won’t be of any use if you can’t open it.

​
Peanut butter
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A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Unless the jar indicates otherwise, you don’t have to refrigerate after opening.

Nuts and trail mixes
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Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re healthful and convenient for snacking. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.


Whole-wheat crackers
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Crackers are a good replacement for bread and make a fine substitute when making sandwiches. Due to their higher fat content, whole-wheat or whole-grain crackers have a shorter shelf life than their plain counterparts (check the box for expiration dates), but the extra fiber pays off when you’re particularly hungry. Consider vacuum-packing your crackers to prolong their freshness.

Cereal
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Choose multigrain cereals that are individually packaged so they don’t become stale after opening.

Granola bars and power bars
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Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates. “You can get more energy from carbohydrates without [eating] tons of food,” says Andress.

Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins
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In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. “Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories

Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey


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Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein. Vacuum-packed pouches have a shorter shelf life but will last at least six months, says Diane Van, manager of the USDA meat and poultry hotline

Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas
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When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients.

Canned soups and chili

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Soups and chili can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients. Look for low-sodium options.


Bottled water

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Try to stock at least a three-day supply--you need at least one gallon per person per day. “A normally active person should drink at least a half gallon of water each day,” says Andress. “The other half gallon is for adding to food and washing.”

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade
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The electrolytes and carbohydrates in these drinks will help you rehydrate and replenish fluid when water is scarce.
Via Real Simple

In addition to these supplies, did you know that with proper storage techniques, you can have a lifetime supply of certain foods? Certain foods can stand the test of time, and continue being a lifeline to the families that stored it. Knowing which foods last indefinitely and how to store them are you keys to success.

The best way to store food for the long term is by using a multi-barrier system. This system protects the food from natural elements such as moisture and sunlight, as well as from insect infestations. Typically, those who store bulk foods look for inexpensive items that have multi-purposes and will last long term.
 

Listed below are 11 food items that are not only multi-purpose preps, but they can last a lifetime!


Via Ready Nutrition
Honey

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Honey never really goes bad. In a tomb in Egypt 3,000 years ago, honey was found and was still edible. If there are temperature fluctuations and sunlight, then the consistency and color can change. Many honey harvesters say that when honey crystallizes, then it can be re-heated and used just like fresh honey. Because of honey’s low water content, microorganisms do not like the environment.

Uses: curing, baking, medicinal, wine (mead).

Salt
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Although salt is prone to absorbing moisture, it’s shelf life is indefinite. This indispensable mineral will be a valuable commodity in a long term disaster and will be a essential bartering item.

Uses: curing, preservative, cooking, cleaning, medicinal, tanning hides.

Sugar
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Life would be so boring without sugar. Much like salt, sugar is also prone to absorbing moisture, but this problem can be eradicated by adding some rice granules into the storage container.

Uses: sweetener for beverages, breads, cakes, preservative, curing, gardening, insecticide (equal parts of sugar and baking powder will kill cockroaches).

Wheat
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Wheat is a major part of the diet for over 1/3 of the world. This popular staple supplies 20% of daily calories to a majority of the world population. Besides being a high carbohydrate food, wheat contains valuable protein, minerals, and vita­mins. Wheat protein, when balanced by other foods that supply certain amino acids such as lysine, is an efficient source of protein.

Uses: baking, making alcohol, livestock feed, leavening agent.

Dried corn
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Essentially, dried corn can be substituted for any recipe that calls for fresh corn. Our ancestors began drying corn because of it’s short lived season. To extend the shelf life of corn, it has to be preserved by drying it out so it can be used later in the year.

Uses: soups, cornmeal, livestock feed, hominy and grits, heating source (do a search for corn burning fireplaces).

Baking soda
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This multi-purpose prep is a must have for long term storage.

Uses: teeth cleaner, household cleaner, dish cleaner, laundry detergent booster, leavening agent for baked goods, tarnish remover.


Instant coffee, tea, and cocoa
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Adding these to your long term storage will not only add a variety to just drinking water, but will also lift morale. Instant coffee is high vacuum freeze dried. So, as long as it is not introduced to moisture, then it will last. Storage life for all teas and cocoas can be extended by using desiccant packets or oxygen absorbing packets, and by repackaging the items with a vacuum sealing.

Uses: beverages, flavor additions to baked goods.


Non-carbonated soft drinks
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Although many of us prefer carbonated beverages, over time the sugars break down and the drink flavor is altered. Non-carbonated beverages stand a longer test of time. And, as long as the bottles are stored in optimum conditions, they will last. Non-carbonated beverages include: vitamin water, Gatorade, juices, bottled water.

Uses: beverages, flavor additions to baked goods.


White rice
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White rice is a major staple item that preppers like to put away because it’s a great source for calories, cheap and has a long shelf life. If properly stored this popular food staple can last 30 years or more.

Uses: breakfast meal, addition to soups, side dishes, 
alternative to wheat flour

Bouillon products
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Because bouillon products contain large amounts of salt, the product is preserved. However, over time, the taste of the bouillon could be altered. If storing bouillon cubes, it would be best repackage them using a food sealer or sealed in mylar bags.

Uses: flavoring dishes

Powdered milk
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Powdered milk can last indefinitely, however, it is advised to prolong it’s shelf life by either repackaging it for longer term storage, or placing it in the freezer. If the powdered milk develops an odor or has turned a yellowish tint, it’s time to discard.

Uses: beverage, dessert, ingredient for certain breads, addition to soup and baked goods.

Via Ready Nutrition


P.S: There several ways to improve your food supply security. One way is "aquaponics", which is a system of aquaculture where the waste produced by fish supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. It sounds very complex, and it can be, so research is critical if you want to get started. Here's a course that significantly cuts the learning curve and simplifies the whole process of getting going and maintaining an "aquaponics" system. Learn More Here
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Emergency Essentials: 101 Ways to Prepare for Emergencies

1/11/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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The time to prepare for emergencies is now. Not only you'll need supplies in an emergency, you will also need to have a plan you can implement at a moment's notice. We have put together a report that reveals 101 Ways to Prepare for Emergencies.   
Download Full Report Here

Here's a quick Summary of the top 10 ways to prepare for emergencies
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1. Remember to prepare for everyone in the home. When you are putting together a plan to prepare in the case of an emergency, it is very important to remember to plan for not only yourself and your children, but also for your family pets and any guests who could potentially be with you at the time of the emergency. Many people fail to plan for their pets, and unfortunately many pets are lost each year as a result. Sometimes, you have to act in the best interest of the people, and there is nothing that you can do. But it is definitely worth putting together an emergency plan for your pets. 

2. Have meeting places lined up, and make sure that everyone knows where they are. You should generally have three-five locations that everyone in the home knows about where you can meet up in the case of separation during an emergency. This could be a neighbor’s front yard, a local business and possibly a relative’s home a few miles away. This way, you will not have to wander around looking for family members because they too will make their way toward the pre- determined locations. 

3. Attach your appliances to the floor. Particularly in flood prone areas, it is recommended that gas appliances be attached to the floor. Your appliance will most likely be destroyed in the case of a severe flood; however the risk that you are alleviating is that of your gas line rupturing, presenting a possible explosion risk within your home. You can use straps, mounting bolts or another method for attaching the appliances to the floor, or even to a wall. Just remember that is you attach to the wall, the wall should be constructed of solid material. 

4. Buy plenty of flashlights and even more batteries. It is always important to have a flashlight on hand. In general, most people use flashlights ten or more times during the course of a year. A good quality flashlight should be on hand in the kitchen, or other central room of the home. In addition, everyone should have a flashlight near their bed in case of a middle of the night emergency. There are now a lot of emergency flashlights that do not require batteries. Instead, they are powered by a hand crank and have a halogen bulb for added brightness. 

5. Inspect your home carefully. One of the first things to do when planning for emergency preparedness is to get to know the ins and outs of your home. At a minimum, you should know where all of your utility shut-offs are located. You should also take a look around to see if there are heavy objects which could fall on someone and result in an injury. Take care to check the handrails on your stairs to ensure safety in a situation where the stairs are unstable.

 6. Reconsider your storage areas. Take some time to look through your storage areas to ensure that the heaviest items on shelves are at the bottom, near the floor. Make sure that any storage shelving is secured to the wall in some way. Consider whether there is any risk of a fire, or if your storage area contains little more than fuel should a fire start. Clean out old things that you do not plan to use, in order to reduce the fire hazard.

7. Find all of the chemicals in your home. It is important to know where your chemicals are stored, and whether they present an additional risk in the event of an emergency. For example, you should never store ammonia and bleach in the same location! Many people do not consider this, however should the two combine the results could be very dangerous due to the emission of toxic gas. Paint, paint thinner and other chemicals should NEVER be stored near your furnace, water heater or any other appliance with a lit pilot light.

8. Find a safe spot in your home. Depending on the type of natural disasters to which your location is prone, this spot can range from the basement to the attic. Generally, everyone should have a high ground location in the case of a flood. However, if your area is prone to earthquakes you would most likely want to be somewhere like under a sturdy door frame. If tornadoes are common, you should have a below ground location, with little that can fall on you from overhead.
 
9. Have a written plan. Many people spend a lot of time putting together an actual emergency plan, but they never put it in writing. Well, in the case of an emergency there is a good chance that someone will miss a critical step in the process of evacuation, etc. Therefore – always have a copy of your plan for each member of the house. Perhaps the plan can be stored in a nightstand drawer with a flashlight.

10. Review your emergency plan. You are not the only one who needs to be familiar with your emergency plan unless you live alone. Make sure that everyone knows his or her responsibilities according to the plan. And, make sure that you review the plan upon occasion to make sure that it still works for you and that everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of an emergency.

Download Full Report Here: 101 Ways to Prepare for Emergencies


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Lessons From An Off Grid Living Expert

1/6/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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Off grid living means shunning these public utilities in favor of creating your own energy and resources. Some homeowners choose to be partially off the grid by supplying their own electricity and ditching their phone line, while relying on the convenience of city water and sewage. 

Others choose to live completely off-grid by digging wells or using a cistern system to collect water. A septic tank takes care of the sewage and, just like that, no more water bill either. 


It's impossible to get an accurate count of exactly how many people in the United States practice off the grid living, but in 2006, Home Power magazine estimated that more than 180,000 homes were supplying their own power. 



Here are a few lessons from a real world off grid living expert:
 
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Follow this advice about off the grid living from a 20-year veteran of producing utility-free electricity.

Lesson: Purchase additional solar panels as soon as you can afford them.


 In hindsight, I wish we’d had the money to purchase more photovoltaic panels sooner. Each additional solar panel has made off-grid living more comfortable — ah, the simple joy of a toaster! — and has given us more confidence to use less propane and more solar-powered electricity for our cooking and baking.
Read more.


Lesson: Build a root cellar for electricity-free food storage.

We have a cistern below our kitchen, which we use as a root cellar. The cistern is cool but never freezes, and it has a high level of humidity, which is optimal for storing our garden vegetables. We put up a significant portion of staple crops this way and continue to experiment to find vegetable varieties that keep well.
Read more.

 Lesson: Multiple Methods to Heat Water. 

About 60 percent of our hot water comes from our solar hot water system. During cloudy days in late fall and early winter, neither of our systems produces enough hot water for us, so we rely on our woodstove. We always have large kettles of water on the woodstove to keep about 10 gallons of hot water on demand. During winter, we fill large stockpots with water and heat them up on our woodstove for baths. We bathe in a cast-iron claw-foot tub that absorbs the water’s heat and radiates it back into the bathroom throughout the night."
Read more full story here

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5 Simple but Effective Booby Traps

1/3/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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Booby traps are devices intended to threaten, disable, or kill a person by using the element of surprise to your advantage. These devices are usually unknowingly triggered by the victim.

Booby traps typically operate for these purposes:
1. Delay the enemy.
2. Channelize the enemy.
3. Harass and demoralize the enemy.
4. Supplement firepower.


Here are some of our favorite creative booby traps that will almost guaranty to neutralize your enemy when things go wrong:


1. Feather Spear Trap

2. Cartridge Booby Trap

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3. Punji Stake Pit

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4. Punji Bear Trap

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5. Paracord Snare Trap

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(See full instructions at DIY Ready)


Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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Filtering & Purifying Water

12/21/2014

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By Survival Ready Blog Team

With a few exceptions, like rain water and water collected through a solar still, the water collected from most water sources in a survival situation will need to be treated before it is safe to consume.

Filtering Water

If you don’t have a device that filter and disinfects the water, you will have to accomplish the same task in two stages. Before purifying the water, you will have to filter it to remove any debris.

Filter Frame or Tripod Filter

If you are not carrying a filtration system with you such as a “Lifestraw Personal Filter”, you could construct an improvised water filter. A water filter frame or tripod filter uses pouches of contrasting natural materials to remove unwanted particles from natural water. Pour the water into the uppermost pouch, and allow it to filter slowly down into a container at the bottom.

This water filter is a three tier system. The first layer, or grass layer, removes the larger impurities. The second layer, or sand layer, removes the smaller impurities. The final layer or charcoal layer (not the ash but charcoal from a fire), bonds and holds the toxins. All layers are placed on some type of straining device and the charcoal layer should be at least 5-6 inches thick. Layers should be changed frequently and straining material should be boiled. Remember, this is not a disinfecting method, cysts can possibly move through this system.

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Hanging water filter

A hanging water filter works in the same manner as the filter frame or tripod filter, by allowing the water to pass through the layers of filtration. The contrasting layers of rock and sand inside the cloth bag or bottle will each strip particle of debris from the water, leaving in clean enough to be bottled for purification.

To make a hanging water filter you can either use a piece of cloth as a pouch or a bottle to stack the layers and hang it from a tree. Fill the pouch or bottle with layers of different materials working from coarse to fine as you go your way down the container. Pour the water into the top end of the pouch or bottle and allow it to work its way down through the layers

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Disinfecting Water

If you consume untreated water, you run the risk of becoming infected with a water-borne disease, so it’s vital that you treat any water first. If you have the ability to start a fire, the most effective way of making water safe to drink is by boiling it from at least 10 minutes. However if you are unable to make a fire, there are several devices available that are capable of filtering and purifying water to make it safe for drinking.

Mini Portable Water Purifiers

These are specially designed units that filter the water and then purify it, by pumping the contaminated water through either micro filters, chemicals or a combination of both. Sized vary in these devices from small pumps able t purify 10 gallons to units capable of purifying large quantities of water.

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Gravity/Pressure Filters

These devices are incorporated within drinking bottles. The water is either allowed to flow naturally through the system via gravity, or is squeezed through by the operator. All bottles of this type typically employ: a filter to remove sediments and organic contaminants; a micron filter to remove protozoa; and a chemical that kills water-borne bacteria and viruses.

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Survival Straws

Compact emergency water filters, survival straws usually contain a filter system and employ either carbon or iodine resign systems to eliminate water-borne diseases and harmful chemicals. You need to get the water at the point where you can reach it with your straw. If you want to draw a supply of water to carry with you, you’ll have to draw water into your mouth and decant it into a container.

Larger units, that provide safe water to multiple people and that use the same technology, are now commercially available.

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Other Methods

If you can’t boil water, or if you don’t have a water purification device, you’ll have to rely on non-mechanical methods. The concentration and contact time required for some of these methods is dictated by the quality and temperature of the water being treated.

Iodine (Liquid and Tables)

Iodine, which destroys bacteria, viruses and cysts, can be used to disinfect water effectively and conveniently. Its action is dependent on concentration, the water temperature, and the duration of the contact. A concentration of 8mgs per liter at 68 F will destroy pathogens if left for 10 minutes.

Chlorine Tablets

Chlorine based tablets will destroy most bacteria but are less effective for viruses and cysts. They are more effective when used in combination with phosphoric acid and will destroy both Giardiasis and Cryptosporidium.

Potassium Permanganate

Potassium permanganate can be bought at most pharmacies. Mix a few granules with your water until it turns light pink. Leave for at least 30 minutes before drinking

Bleach

Adding unscented household bleach is the cheapest way to add chlorine to water. Be careful to just add one drop of leach per liter of water, two if the water is cloudy, and leave for at least 30 minutes before drinking. This method is not always effective against Giardiasis and Cryptosporidium.


Note: Before employing any commercial device for water treatment, you should do your own research to ensure you are using appropriate devices to achieve the necessary level of treatment.
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Home Survival During Civil Unrest

12/19/2014

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By Jesse Jones

When the world starts feeling uneasy, and civil unrest is right on the brink, there will be many people who are unprepared for what's about to happen. With the economy in a weakened state, there are many nations approaching the edge of civil unrest, and knowing how to keep your home safe during civil unrest can safe your life, and your family.

Home Survival During Civil Unrest 

Most people will choose to stay in their homes during times of civil unrest. 
This is understandable as people are more comfortable in areas they feel are familiar. 


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The problems comes with keeping others out of your house when they are in need of supplies that you may have.

Fortifying Your Home 

It's vital that you fortify your house as soon as you are aware of a potential problem. Waiting until after someone has broken in for the first time can be very costly, and it might be too late to gather supplies before it gets worse.

Having pre-cut materials on hand before a problem arises is your best bet. You should have sheets of plywood prepared to place on the inside of your windows. Yes, it's best to screw these boards in from the inside of your house. This will prevent outsiders from removing the boards easily, and allows you to remove them if needed.

Another important area to prepare for are outside facing doors. Most household doors aren't designed to take high amounts of abuse. You can sturdy a door with a few easy items. As most man doors open to the inside, having some 2x4 boards can be handy. You can lay a chunk on its side, and screw it to the floor against the door, preventing the door from being opened.

Although this is a good temporary means of blocking a door, it's not going to stop someone who has decided to fight to enter your household. Using 2x4's again, you can cut to length 3 boards that when set across the door, will reach about 3-4 inches over your trim. Put on board on its side in front of the door, securely screwing it to the floor. Place a second at the top of your door where it goes across your door, and overlaps on either side. Screwing the board to the door directly, into the trim package, and into the doors frame studs. Do the same with your third board, but put this one just above your deadbolt.

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Secondary Defenses 

Ideally, you will have set up enough defenses and deterrent's to ward of any person looking to enter your home for supplies. Unfortunately, there is always the chance that someone figures out a way inside. Having a secondary plan for intruders is also very important. Have a code word for your family that signals they need to get to a pre-set safe room, and hunker down. Having firearm's, bladed, or blunt weapon's available to deal with intruders is also recommended. We suggest you also become fluent in the use of the weapons you choose to keep around. 


When the SHTF ruthless predators will roam about seeking their next target. And sooner or later, they’re gonna find you too…

Last Resort 

Although we do not want to easily hand over our shelter and supplies, in some cases a tactical retreat is all you can do to save your and your family's life. Have a plan setup with your family on where to go if you get split up during the course of escaping your property. Once you have escaped safely, you can reassess the situation and decide if trying to retake your house is the best tactical decision.

In most cases, poorly trained invaders will not suspect a retreat and then a counter attack. Attackers tend to focus on a single objective once the position has been taken. Unless they took the position for long term holding, they will be focusing on gathering your supplies and leaving. Catching them off guard as they scrounge your supplies will give you a huge advantage. That, and you know the terrain better than them hopefully. Use it to your advantage.

Keeping your family safe is important. Always have plans for as many scenarios as you can, making sure your children understand the basic components of each. Don't scare your children with these plans, but rather make the planning and execution a game. The faster and more accurately they execute these plans, the bigger their reward.

As always, Thank you for stopping by!

P.S. If you want to learn more about how to protect your home and your family during civil unrest, here's a simple, yet little known method that teaches how to implement these unusual home defense strategies and also warns about exactly why conventional preparedness can be deadly. Click Here

About the author
Jesse Jones has been writing for over 8 years for many news outlets and online media sources. He is an avid survivalist and prepper who can be found writing articles on his personal survival blog www.365preppers.com go check him out!

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The Key to Urban Survival - How to Stay Safe At Home

12/14/2014

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By Jesse Jones 

More often than not, you will be preparing for urban survival as that vast majority of population live in high density areas. There are many important factors to analyze to prepare yourself, your home, and your family for proper urban survival. Being able to understand where your weaknesses and strengths are will help you find techniques and tools to keep your home a safe place to stay.

The key to Urban Survival

The key to urban survival is understanding your environment, and having a long term food and water storage and replenishment plan in place.  The most dangerous position you will find yourself in is trying to gather food and water for the first 72 hours after a disaster hits. Within these 72 hours every unprepared person will be fighting to gather supplies for them and their families. There is no store that carries enough supplies for everyone, so eventually people will start hurting others to get the supplies they need.

The best survival tip that I can give you, is stock up on food and water. Don't leave the safety of your house for the first 72 hours if you have the ability to bug in.

How to stay safe at home 

The key to keeping your home safe when thinking about urban survival, is also preparation. It is suggested that if you plan on bugging in in a urban environment, that you have all the supplies necessary to not have to leave your property to defend it. Keeping plywood handy to cover your windows, 2x4 boards to secure entrances, and the supplies needed to put them securely in place.

Keeping bad people out requires more than just boarding up windows and doors however. The best way to defend your property, is to make the potential loss larger than the potential gain for marauders and scavengers. Weapons as a necessity even if you are against violence. Guns are the preferred weapon, but as you know ammo is not unlimited, so having some primitive combat tools such as a knife, axe, or sword is important.

Another helpful tip for urban survival is knowing your surroundings, having a map is with key locations marked is important. In the case that you have to actually leave your property, knowing the fastest and shortest routes to where you need to go is vital. It's also important to plan multiple routes, and know where to go and meet if your party gets separated.

Using common sense can get you a long way. Think before acting. When you’re tired, hungry, dehydrated and stressed, making critical decisions will save your life.


About the author
Jesse Jones has been writing for over 8 years for many news outlets and online media sources. He is an avid survivalist and prepper who can be found writing articles on his personal survival blog www.365preppers.com go check him out!
2 Comments

Water Sourcing: Finding Water Outdoors

12/12/2014

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By Survival Ready Blog Team


Finding water is at the top of your priorities in any survival situation, ranking well above food. The reason is simple, you can survival far longer without food than without water. Without water, there’s a high chance of dying in just a few days.

The regular intake of water essential to life is about 2 to 3 liters a day. This is the minimum required to keep your water balance and prevent dehydration. In a survival situation, you should always filter and purify. In this post we’ll cover different ways to source and procure water. We’ll cover filtering and purification methods and gear in a separate post.

Here are a few method to find water:

Dew Collector

Dew collectors can be improvised from sheets of plastic, but commercial version are far more efficient. Condensation gathers on the sides of the collector, eventually running down into the central reservoir. Dew collectors are especially useful as the fluids collected can be safely drunk without the need of filtration or purification.

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Harvesting Dew

 In areas with moderate to heavy dew, dew can be collected by tying rags or tuffs of fine grass around your ankles. While walking through dewy grass before sunrise, the rags or grass will saturate and can be rung out into a container. The rags or grass can be replaced and the process is repeated.

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Rain Collector

If you are in an area where rainfall is scarce, you want to maximize the amount of water you collect every time it does rain. A simple tarp rain collector, like the one shown in the image below, will channel large volumes of rainwater down into a bucket or container. This will type of collector will obviously need to be constructed in advance of the rain. Looks for signs of gathering clouds and pick and area with minimal obstructions to maximize the amount of rainwater collected.

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Solar Still

Solar stills are designed to supplement water reserves. Contrary to belief, they will not provide enough water to meet the daily requirement for water.

Below-Ground Solar Still. Materials consist of a digging stick, clear plastic sheet, container, rock, and a drinking tube. Selecting a site where you believe the soil will contain. The soil should be easy to dig, and will be exposed to sunlight. 
See our post solar still construction for more details.
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Transpiration Bags. 

The mechanism a transpiration bag employs to source/collect water is the same as the solar still. That is why they are also known as “Above-Ground Solar Stills”.  This device allows the survivor to make water from vegetation.  To make the aboveground solar still, locate a sunny slope on which to place the still, a clear plastic bag, green leafy vegetation, and a small rock. See our post solar still construction for more details.

Digging for water

Digging down into damp earth can often lead to significant water deposits. Create a hole several feet deep and about 1 ft wide and allow water to seep in through the earth, collecting in the hole. ALWAYS filter ad purify such fluids before you drink them. In flat agricultural land, look for irrigation ditches between fields

Melting Snow & Ice 

The environment may sometimes provide you with opportunities to acquire water. In a cold water can generally be located in the following:

Snow. Snow can be melted for potable water. Melting snow will result in a higher fuel usage. Uncontaminated snow does not need to be disinfected.

Ice. Ice can be melted for potable water. Melting ice is preferable to melting snow due to the higher concentration of water per volume.  However, since ice is frozen water it needs to be disinfected.

Sea Ice. In time, sea ice loses its salinity. You can identify this ice by its rounded corners and bluish color. Gray ice has not yet lost its salt content.

Here are some general considerations when using snow and ice for water.

(1) Never melt snow or ice inside your mouth. This removes body heat and increases the chance of cold weather injuries.
(2) When on the move, use body heat to melt snow. Place snow or ice in a water bag and place the bag between your layers of clothing, not directly on the skin.
(3) Do not waste fuel to melt snow or ice when drinkable water (i.e., stream) is available.
(4) If melting snow in a container by a fire, utilize a hot rock to speed up the process and conserving fuel.

With very few exceptions, like rainwater or water immediately collected after water vapor condensation, most water sources that are procured in a survival situation should be treated before it is safe to drink. We will discuss the topics of water treatment, filtering and purifying in a separate post.
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