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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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Things that convinced me to change my lifestyle choices for good

7/9/2018

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By Jack Billington
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​When does preparation ever become over-reaction?  In my mind, never.  And my guess is: people who have lost their homes to disasters, lost their loved ones to an epidemic, and lost all they have to tragedies feel the same way. The bottom line is: you have to be prepared to survive.
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The “polar vortex” officially became a thing this year as it turned weather conditions upside down. Epidemics and viruses, threats of war, and economic meltdown — these are some of the occurrences no man could stop from happening.  In June 2012, four million people went without electricity when an unexpected summer storm knocked out power across the mid-Atlantic region.  Hardest hit were the Washington suburbs of Northern Virginia and Maryland.  A storm during the summer? Who would have thought?
 
On that fateful day, I decided to never compromise the safety of my loved ones.  On that day, I decided to be a prepper.  Yes, a prepper — a growing community that gave National Geographic its highest ratings ever. The majority of people who saw the “Doomsday Preppers” series were not very kind, calling preppers crazy and wild-eyed people waiting for the end of the world as we know it.  But the thing about preppers is they don’t wait, they prepare and not just for the apocalypse (as most assume) but for emergencies and occurrences that most people don’t take seriously.
 
However, if you were with my family who huddled in the basement as the storm ripped through our neighborhood, tearing our roofs, slamming windows, and blowing down trees, you would probably understand.  More than 20 people died.
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​Photo 1 via Flickr

​The next day after the storm, temperatures reached triple digits again. The extreme heat was hurting recovery efforts. Our house was damaged, we had no power, supermarkets and shops were mostly closed, and we ran out of food.  During those weeks, I thought: I will never let this happen to my family ever again.
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A Prepper In All Of UsIt dawned on me that I was not alone.  I was not the only one who will do whatever it takes to keep my loved ones safe.  I was not the only one who fights hard to survive.
As many as three million Americans call themselves preppers.  They are regular people who like regular things.  They are professionals, couples, rich and poor, old and young. You could be living next to a prepper and not know it.  They are the new breed of survivalists whose preparedness guide and practices go beyond the norm.

A prepper’s emergency management includes not just a 72-hour survival food kit.  Prepping means sustainability.  Keeping a stockpile of food and artillery, getting survival training, and having an escape plan are among prepper practices that make people cringe and laugh.  But the truth is: there is a prepper in all of us.  Preparing for the future, preparing for simple home emergencies, preparing for hurricanes make everyone preppers.  The difference probably lies not in magnitude but the extent and degree of wanting to survive which transcends beliefs, orientation, and practices.
 
Being A PrepperIt is not easy to be a prepper.  The “Doomsday” series was more like a weekly invitation to laugh at us, “lunatics”.  Some imagine preppers as armed zealots hunkered down in bunkers.  When visitors drop by my house, I still don’t have the courage to show them my own survival kit.  We call them bug-out bags: our own array of disaster swag.  Members of the New York City Preppers Network proudly exhibited them at a church in Washington Heights last year.  They contain: compasses, hand-cranked radios, solar-powered flashlights, fire starters, road maps and pills.  Some preppers tweaked bug-out gear to suit their needs and interests.

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Photo 2 via Flickr

Preppers often have their own checklists and preparedness guides. Prepping seems like a tough practice and the common question is: “where do I start?”  If you are the type that will do everything to protect your family, then prepping should not be a difficult task.  Everything will come naturally with training and practice.  There is no single formula for prepping — emergency survival kits must be patterned with what you and your family need and the training required varies with what specifically you are preparing for.
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However, for beginners to have an idea of what prepping is all about, the basics are food kits, the art of stockpiling food and preserving it, first aid kits and skills, keeping your place warm or cold, locating sources of water and power, and disaster training.
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Preppers And Pop CulturePreppers are an ever-growing community, thanks to television shows, documentaries, movies, businesses and dedicated websites that make the idea of preparing popular and common.  Taking after the National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers,” the Discovery Channel launched its own series called “Doomsday Bunkers” and the TV special “Apocalypse Preppers.”

Movies such as “2012,””Contagion” and “World War Z” show viewers that, while fictional, the world is not safe from disasters and epidemics.  Like these movies, preppers do not intend to cast paranoia among people.  They simply remind that complacency has no place in this world.

There are also hundreds of websites and blogs, personal or official that are dedicated to preppers.  Top websites such as SHTF Plan and Survival Blog get as much as 60,000 visits a day combined.
Whether for long-term or short-term emergencies, people seem to be taking action and industries cashing in on preppers are proof of this — from ordinary household items to bug out gear.  The demand has made prepping a multi-billion industry.

Prepping is often seen as overly-dramatic but to me it is nothing but preparing to survive.  It is survival revolution.  No one deserves to feel the pain of losing someone we love or losing everything we worked so hard for.  Prepping is more than just a phenomenon; it is here to stay because danger does not discriminate — it can happen anytime, it can happen to anyone. Preppers are regular people who will do everything to keep themselves and their families alive. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
 
Author’s bio:
Jack is an experienced hunter, shooting & self-defense instructor. On Secretstorages.com, he writes about self-defense knives, security camera systems, surviving in the woods, etc.
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Getting Started In Prepping: Be Smart And Cheap

4/6/2016

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By Cal Wilson

Keep in mind that, unlike other new endeavors, becoming a prepper is a goal the beginner may feel a lot of accomplishment right away, because there is a much higher likelihood of shorter-term disasters happening, and shorter-term disasters are easier to prepare for.  So dive right in!  

Start by storing some stuff for you and your family to survive a three-day power outage:  a case of bottled water, some dehydrated food (from the camping sections of Target or Walmart), some flashlights with good batteries, and some clean clothes, coats and blankets are all that would be needed to get most people through a short-term disaster.

Beyond that, it would be a good idea to look into “bug-out bags” for everyone in your family, and for those family members who commute or who may be away when a longer-term disaster could hit, that family member should keep their bug-out bag in their car.  The contents of the bug-out bag depend on your surroundings and what disaster you envision could happen.  I have a bug-out bag in my car, and in it I have a change of clothes, a Berkey Sports water bottle, bottles of water, a few power bars, camping food and pans, a minimal first-aid kit, a flashlight, pup tent, lots of cash, toilet paper, copies of important papers, a tire-iron and a small hatchet (the last two for protection but also for foraging if need be).  All of these items can be bought on Amazon or at Walmart for not much money.

Beyond that, I see no reason why preppers would not plan on anything and everything going wrong, and prepare accordingly.  If you plan on the end of the world with a full-blown survival retreat, survival group members all trained and ready to go, and the end of the world never happens, so what?  You have some extra stuff stored up and friends who have prepared for something that never happened.  No big loss.

I recently wrote a non-fiction book on the subject of prepping, entitled Dirt Cheap Valuable Prepping, by Cal Wilson.  In the book I prioritize the items new preppers should stock up on, with an emphasis on really cheap items you can buy, and where to find them.  For example, a sleeping bag, which is an important item to have on hand, could be bought new at a store for hundreds of dollars, or used on Ebay or at a thrift store.  Even a laundered, used sleeping bag would be a huge savings over a new one.

In the book I also included a lot of ideas that have not been covered anywhere else.  For example, many prepping experts advise stocking up on toilet paper, which could run out of in a prolonged disaster.  I advise buying a travel bidet, which take some getting used to but will still keep you clean after you have run out of toilet paper.  $15 on Amazon, and unlike toilet paper, reusable.

I also wrote about details on the brands of good and inexpensive flashlights (Dorcy) and rechargeable batteries (Eneloop) to buy, what types of containers to use to store stuff in, the importance of electrolytes and recipes, dryer lint to start fires, medicines for skin fungi, and so on.

At the end of the book I also included a list of prepper-themed TV shows, movies, websites and prepper podcasts that I advise the reader watch or listen to.  Prepping is not only something to do, or a series of things to buy.  It is a lifestyle, and the prepper podcasts and other media I recommend get you into that lifestyle pretty quickly.

Become a prepper!  You can do it!  And you don’t have to spend a ton of money or become rabid to do it.

My book, Dirt Cheap Valuable Prepping, by Cal Wilson, is available on Amazon, Kindle and Audible.

--Cal Wilson
Author, Dirt Cheap Valuable Prepping

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About The Author
Cal Wilson is a Christian, patriot, gun-owner, and prepper. Wilson is a professional and has been involved in law enforcement for over 20 years. He lives in an undisclosed location west of the Mississippi River with his wife and various family members.  He can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter.
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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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Zika Virus - Frequently Asked Questions 

2/11/2016

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Sourced by Survival Ready Blog Team
February 9, 2016
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​In the last few months we've seen increased awareness regarding the Zika virus. There seems to be a lot of confusion and a lot of questions about it. Below is a compilation of some of the most common questions about the virus and their respective answers. Please be advised that you should do your own research and consult with your doctor if you believe to be infected the Zika virus.
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Image via kansascity.com

What is Zika virus?

Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been recorded in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In May 2015, Zika virus infections began occurring in many countries in the Americas. It is spread to people through mosquito bites.

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What is the incubation period for Zika virus infection?

The incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) is uncertain, but likely only a few days.


What are the symptoms of Zika virus?

The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days. It is uncommon to have severe Zika virus infection that requires hospitalization, and rare to result in death. About one in five people infected with Zika virus develop symptoms.

There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers infected with Zika virus while pregnant.

There have also been association between Zika virus infection and an unusual increase in a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This is a rare disorder where a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and paralysis.


How is Zika virus transmitted?

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been recent reports of the spread of the virus through blood transfusion and through sexual contact.


What do we know about Zika virus and sexual transmission?

There are three reported cases of male to female sexually transmitted Zika virus infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends men returning from an area with active Zika virus transmission abstain from sexual activity or use condoms, if the partner is pregnant, for the duration of the pregnancy.

For women who can become pregnant, the CDC recommends that men should consider abstaining from sexual activity or use condoms during sexual activity. The length of time for use of these protective measures is unknown. Therefore, consult with your personal health care provider about your potential risk of infection.

Where in the Americas has Zika virus transmission been reported?


American Samoa
Barbados
Bolivia
Brazil
Cape Verde
Colombia
Costa Rica
Curacao
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guadeloupe
Guatemala


Guyana
Haiti
​Honduras

Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Nicaragua
 Panama
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Saint Martin
Suriname
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela



How is Zika virus infection diagnosed?

It is diagnosed through blood testing. Testing for Zika virus infection is not widely available, and is done within select testing laboratories such as public health department laboratories.


Is there a vaccine to prevent, or medical treatment for Zika virus?

There is no vaccine available to prevent, and no antiviral medical treatment for, Zika virus infections.


What do I do if I feel sick and think I may have Zika virus?

Talk to your personal health care provider or nurse if you develop a fever with a rash, joint pain, or red eyes. Tell your personal health care provider about your travel.
Take medicine, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain. Do not take aspirin, products containing aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
Get lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids.
Prevent additional mosquito bites to avoid spreading the disease.


How do I protect myself against Zika virus?

The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
  • Use insect repellent.
  • If using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first, then the repellent.
  • Wear clothing (preferably light-colored) that cover as much of the body as possible.
  • Use physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows.
  • Sleep under mosquito nets.
  • Empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.


Are there travel restrictions in place?

The CDC advises that pregnant women in any trimester should postpone travel to American Samoa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Samoa, St. Martin, Suriname, Tonga, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.
The CDC advises that women trying to get pregnant should talk to their health providers in advance and strictly follow recommended steps to avoid mosquito bites.


What should I do if I’m pregnant and have traveled to a country where Zika virus has been reported?
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If you have recently traveled to a country where Zika virus infection has been reported and have questions or concerns, contact your personal health care provider.


Where can I obtain more information on the Zika virus?

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
http://www.who.int/topics/zika/en/
http://www.paho.org/hq/
http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/zika_virus_infection/Pages/index.aspx
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/infectious-disease-topics/zika



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Speed Kills - How to approach you monthly preparation

2/3/2016

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By Dennis Diaz
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A long time ago, a very smart Chinese philosopher said “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. And when it comes to prepping and building your preparedness plan, stores and supplies is not only true but it’s the most practical approach.

This is true when talking about budget and also prevent getting overwhelmed. There’s a lot of information out there, (not all of it good but that’s a different issue) and many preppers try to do too much too fast; it’s very easy to get overwhelmed.

On the money side, it can also get very expensive very fast. In one of our weekly chats in our private Facebook group (The Bugout Network) we had very good suggestions and a great discussion on the topic of prepping on a budget, a lot of which seems very relevant for this post. I’ll share a few of those in a separate post.

The approach I like to recommend when it comes to prepping, is the gradual progress and manageable increments. Don’t get overwhelmed any progress is better than no progress. This may seem simple but with the information overload from our day to day, is not easy. Here it is in a nutshell

1 . Evaluate where you are – Take a close look at your current situation, your family, your location, your budget, the biggest threats to your area, etc. Make a list of the top 5 areas where you want/need to improve. Then prioritize them in order of importance, then pick the top 3 and really focus on getting those addressed.

2. 
Develop a strategy – Based on what your areas for improvement or your weaknesses are you need to determine if you want to address one at a time or all three in parallel. This will vary based on the severity and your budget. If there’s one that more critical than others, like your 72 hour supplies, or medical supplies, start there. If all three are equally important, and budget is an issue, then work on the more economic options first. From there, make a list of activities on how you plan to address each area of improvement. Is it buying supplies, fixing stuff around the house, taking a class? Whatever it may be make a list and no matter what they are FOCUS on those. I’ve seen more people throw in the towel and quit or never get started, because of lack of focus than lack of resources. 

3. 
Set a budget – Set a monthly budget of however much you can afford. Even if its $10 or $20 a month there are a lot of things you can get on the cheap. You can change dollar amount you put into this but start with something every month and be disciplined about it. If you’re over your monthly budget and don’t need it immediately, get that extra item the following month. This will save you from spending too much on a whim. This monthly budgeting is the same approach many people take when it comes to savings account. If you set it aside every month you’ll slightly adjust your lifestyle so you can live every month without the extra funds and it will build your supplies over time. 

4. Re-evaluate, rinse and repeat – Once you have improved on the previous areas, in maybe in 6 to 12 months, re-evaluate where you are and repeat the process. Keep the same areas or add new ones.
 
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I know this may be simple and intuitive but it’s probably one of the things I’ve found helps people the most. Making a plan and focusing on it is the entire game. Yes you can change the plan but only when it serves your objective. Feel free to comment below or drop me a like on Facebook

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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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. 
​​​

1 Comment

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. ​​​

11 Comments

Using Technology to Build Your Prepper Network While You Still Can

1/19/2016

0 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

​In today's world, we fortunately still have the luxury of technology, and a working power and communication infrastructure. We can still connect with people we have never met, over the internet anywhere in the world, including people in nearby communities. We can turn on our tablets and surf the internet to find people with the same goal of surviving after a disaster without ever leaving the couch. The anonymity that goes with internet connections is one many people prefer.

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Image via www.klickitmedia.com
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​There are numerous places you can utilize to find fellow preppers who would appreciate being a part of your network or welcoming you into theirs. It is important you use this service to your advantage today. After a disaster or collapse, the internet will not be up and you would likely not have the power needed to charge your internet devices, anyways. This includes calling your fellow neighborhood preppers. Use the technology available today to establish signs that will be used to send messages. It would also be a good idea to buy 2-way radios that will transmit several miles. This will allow you to keep in touch with your network when the phone lines are down and cell towers are not functioning.

​Check out some of the ways you can use technology to help you build your prepper network as of the time of this writing.

  • Check Craigslist in the community section. You will likely find information about groups meeting to talk about prepping and survival. The ad may not come right out and say “preppers” but may ask if you are concerned for the future or have you thought about growing your own food. Read between the lines. If you are not sure, email the person and ask for more specifics.
  • Meetup.com is an excellent place for finding local groups and organizations. You can search for preppers and you will likely come up with a number of different groups. This gives you the chance to join online without providing too much personal information. You can choose whether or not to attend functions.
  • Facebook is another great place to connect with other preppers. While the group may include people from all across the country, you are sure to find a few locals. You may even find a local group page depending on where you live.
  • Forums on prepping and survival sites are another excellent place to reach out. You don't have to give your town or city, but a general vicinity. It gives you the opportunity to talk with others about what you are doing and how you can strengthen your own network.
  • Prepperlink.com is another option. There are plenty of preppers out there looking to add or start a network. You just need to find them.
  • Twitter is another way to keep up with what is happening while following preppers and survivalists. It gives you the chance to watch from afar, using a fake name. You will be able to interact with others if you like.

​Right now, the ability to connect with people you don't know over the internet is a very lucrative option. It gives you that anonymity you desire while allowing you to do lots of research about a particular organization.
Although the internet and technology in general gives you a great deal of anonymity, it is still important you follow some basic rules. You wouldn't tell the guy you met on the street your full name, address and everything you have and you certainly don't want to put that information out on the internet.
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Never offer where you live. It is best to keep it general. If you live in a particular neighborhood, that would be safe to mention. However, avoid street names and any particular details about your house. Some folks are okay with using their first and last names, but keep in mind; with technology as it is today, it is very easy to find someone's address.
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​Avoid discussing personal details and especially don't talk about any valuables like guns or gold you have stored away. You have to remember it isn't just your fellow preppers that are looking at the boards. It could be anybody. That includes the people that are looking for places to loot and steal from today.

There are some major advantages to using technology today to build up your prepper groups. It is one way to get to know someone so to speak. Each person in the group will know the others' strengths and weaknesses. This is what makes a community. You don't want to build a group of people who all know the same thing and have the same skill set.

The goal is to use the meetings and internet groups to learn about each other. To discuss what one person is doing and how it works and how it can be improved. Nobody is going to have all the answers, which is why community networks are so crucial to long term survival.

You will want to vet the groups before you make a final decision to join. You may have different ideologies and goals. You may be a peace-loving kind of person who prefers to focus on living and let live while the group you are looking into may be more of a kill the competition. Don't join a group you cannot mesh well with.

Personality conflicts within a group can be a real issue. If you put everything you have into the group, but end up not getting along with all the members, you are forced to make a decision. Leave the group and likely lose what you brought in or stay and deal with the conflict.
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Another benefit to using technology as a lead is the ability to check out what others have said or are currently saying about a group you are considering joining. Many local groups will have online sites or Facebook pages. It is a good idea to comb through current and past posts. Look at what other members are talking about and how the group works with each other. Is there a lot of bickering? Do you agree with the leaders of the group and their values and direction?
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When you join online, you have the freedom to leave a group if it isn't working for you. Easy come, easy go. There isn't an awkward exit. You simply leave and find another. If it is a group you are putting together, you have the luxury of asking another member to leave if it is obvious they are not going to be a positive contributor.

Make sure you ask the hard questions up front and save yourself some time. It is often easier to talk openly when you are only looking at a computer rather than an actual person. Use it to your advantage to ask the questions, research and get to know the other people before you make that initial face to face contact.

Even after you commit to a group, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep some things to yourself. You may all be great friends today, but when it comes down to every man fighting for resources to survive, it can get ugly. Ideally, your group would work together towards the goal of survival, but there are no guarantees in life. Getting into a group now, working together and getting to know one another better will help develop trust. That trust is what will help sustain you and keep your merry band of survivors together.

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. ​
0 Comments

How to make a Buddy Burner: Project from “Preppers Survival Hacks”

12/8/2015

0 Comments

 
By Amy Barker 

​​I recently got the book
Preppers Survival Hacks: 50 DIY Projects for Lifesaving Gear, Gadgets, and Kits by Jim Cobb. I’ve decided to do a few of the projects every few weeks and document my experiences.
 
For the first project, I decided to make a Buddy Burner. In order to do this, I also followed the instructions for melting wax. When I go to yard sales or thrift stores I am always on the lookout for old candles, which I can usually find for pennies. I managed to score this whole box at a yard sale this summer for less than a dollar.
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​​To melt the wax I use a metal coffee can and break the candles into it. Since I am home all day and heat exclusively with wood, I put the can on my woodstove until the wax melts. When doing this
over open flame definitely use the double boiler method, wax can get hot enough to catch fire!

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​​I followed the instructions for the Buddy Burner using a cat food tin. Since we recently moved, we have plenty of cardboard around. Cutting the strips was quick and easy. I filled the tin with the cardboard strips and then filled the whole thing with wax as instructed.


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While I had all this melted wax, I decided to also make some Egg Carton Fire Starters. My partner works in the restaurant industry and brings home huge, restaurant sized egg cartons. If you know anyone in the restaurant industry, see if they can bring some home. A lot of places just recycle them, or throw them away, and they are huge!
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I’ve asked my family to save their dryer lint for me, as I usually line dry my clothes and don’t always have a lot of lint. I really have had any issues with the lint being a mix of natural and synthetic fabrics. I’ve noticed no smell  and no issues otherwise.

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​​These fire starters work just great. They definitely work as well as store bought fire starters and they save a ton of money over the store bought ones. They burn for a long time, definitely long enough to get a good fire going. They are rather heavy, so I will be using them for fires in the wood stoves, as opposed to taking them camping with me.

These are the the first of many projects I’ve tried from this excellent book. Many of the projects are quick and easy, and safe to do with children. It’s a great way to get the children in your life involved! The projects  are also well suited for people who enjoy camping, backpacking and hiking, and I will be using many of these ideas when the weather is better and I get out there backpacking again.
In my next entry, I’ll be sharing the results of testing the Buddy Burner in an outdoor experience. I’ll also be making a mini Buddy Burner, out of a smaller tin, to see if there is any difference in cooking time of things. I will be making a Hobo Stove, Cotton Pad Fire Starters and an Altoids Tin Candle. I welcome any feedback, and hope you have found this interesting!

About the author
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​Amy Barker lives in the wilds of New Hampshire. As child of the 70’s, growing up on the coast of Maine, she was introduced to the concept of self-reliance at a young age.

​She holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of Southern Maine, and works full time for a land conservation organization in Massachusetts. In her free time she can be found hiking the mountains of New England, or more likely in the kitchen!

0 Comments

Creating Partnerships for Bugging Out

12/1/2015

0 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz
There is a very real possibility that a disaster that strikes your area could make it impossible for you to continue to live and thrive there. All preppers know they need a bug out plan. A bug out plan is not complete without a retreat in mind.
Because your immediate area will be compromised or unsafe for you to remain, you need somewhere to retreat to. The ideal location would be within walking distance, but not so close it will be affected by whatever calamity has stricken your area. 
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​Often times preppers make the mistake of assuming bugging out is all about getting out of dodge and worrying about the rest when they get there. Get where? And how hard will it be to build a shelter especially if the weather is cold, rainy or snowing? Bugging out is one of the last things you should want to do. You are giving up your home, your supplies and all of the creature comforts to head off into the unknown. However, when you prearrange to retreat to a friend's house, you are not really losing anything at all.
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Your network should include people who do not live in the same town or neighborhood as you. This benefits you as well as your group. Having a number of contacts in several surrounding towns or locations is ideal. If you happen to be the lucky one who was not in the middle of a siege or natural disaster, the people in your network will come to your house or retreat.

In an ideal situation, you would be able to trust your network contacts implicitly. You could help them build outbuildings, setup firepits, till garden plots and other things that will be necessary in an off-grid, self-sustaining situation. You would help your contact build up a place that will sustain your family as well as their family and any other members of your group.

This is something that will require a great deal of trust, especially if you will be leaving resources at the secondary location. However, it is a tit for tat situation. Everybody in the network would be contributing resources as well as time and energy to ensure there are retreats set up around a given area.

Every prepper knows you don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket. Having options available increases your chances of survival. You may be forced to retreat to location A because your home along with all of the other ones have been compromised. Having numerous options spread out over a region gives  you the flexibility to change your plans based on whatever disaster you are dealing with. If roads are blocked, you are not stuck. You can take another route in the opposite direction to another retreat.
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​Your secondary retreat should be ready to sustain you. If you are walking, which is a strong possibility, you cannot possibly carry hundreds of pounds of food and water. By utilizing a member in your network, you have someone safeguarding your supplies versus leaving your emergency surplus in an isolated retreat.


When you choose to utilize people that live around you, but not next door, you are also going to get the benefit of their knowledge. They are going to know where to find water. They will have an idea of the best places to hunt as well as forage. You will be in their backyard and vice versa. You won't have to go off on scouting missions that could be fruitless. The contact will have already done all the exploring and scouting. It will save time and energy you can focus on rebuilding and taking care of necessary duties.
 

Don't wait until disaster strikes to try and form a community of survivors. Start picking and choosing your members today so you have the best shot at survival in the aftermath.

​​PS: Join our hand-picked team of 15 world-class prepping & survival experts as they reveal how you can avoid common prepping mistakes, take your preparedness to the next level and create a survival plan that WORKS for you and your family.
Click here to register for free
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How to prepare for an EMP attack

7/24/2015

0 Comments

 
By Jesse Jones 

Preparing yourself for an EMP attack can be a daunting task for the unprepared. In today’s worlds almost everything is dependent on electricity or technology in general. From your cellphone to the servos that regulate your cities water pressure, the amount our society relies on these technologies is ever growing. But what can you do to prepare for an EMP attack? Go old school!
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Like with any form of disaster, you should have a well rounded stock of supplies such as food and water. But should and EMP attack be made anywhere remotely near you, all of your normal means of survival are going to change dramatically. Most notably is going to be lighting, heat, communication. 

We often take for granted the ability to flip a switch and instantly have all these services. When you walk in to a room you hit a switch and have light. You have a control to heat your house or to turn on a burner to heat your food. You hit a button and instantly have access to global communication. You already realize this though don't you? You want to know how to prepare for an EMP attack.
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Image via consciouslyenlightened.com

Basic Needs 
After an EMP Attack Every situation is slightly different, knowing the unique differences for each possible disaster will allow your to cross-prepare for each situation. Don't neglect in one area thinking you will be alright. Make a plan for each situation, have checklist on hand, and make sure your family knows what you plan to do beforehand. When SHTF, every second counts, and every minute spent trying to decide what to do could mean your life.


Shelter
As in all situation's shelter is your first priority. As I mentioned in Home Survival During Civil Unrest it's vital to fortify your home should you choose to stay in town. Make sure your and your family have a plan in place to make this process as quick as possible. The faster you get this done, the quicker you can focus your time elsewhere.


Food and Water 
You already know how important it is to stick to a healthy, well rounded diet. This is even more important when a disaster hits. You will be using far more energy than your probably used too on a regular basis, and not eating properly can extremely degrade your quality of thought. My favorite technique for storing food is canning. Canning Food – The Basics has some great information if you have never canned food. Keep a large store of water, and learn more about Water Storing and Filtering


Heat 
Once you have your shelter situated, your going to need heat. You need a way to prepare your food, and you need warmth to keep your body warm. Remember when I said go old school? One of the most effective ways of heating your food is with fuel. Propane and Kerosene are the two most popular methods, but propane is bulky to store and doesn't last nearly as long. 

Something as simple as a Kerosene candle can be enough heat to prepare your meal, but they make some pretty sweet pressure stoves that run off kerosene. Kerosene is cheaper than propane, lasts a lot longer during use, and can easily be stored safely. If your trying to keep warm, I recommend you wear more cloths or wrap your self in blankets. 
Try not to waste resources just to keep warm unless you absolutely have too.


Lighting 

Lucky for us, in most EMP type conditions, basic small equipment like flashlights will most likely still work. Unless you are relatively close to the EMP's effective radius, technologies like flashlights should still work (They generally have very simple designs and minimal friable components). A great fix to lighting is going to be solar powered flashlights. 

Avoid the ones you shake, as these generally are more vulnerable to failure during a blast. In going old school, something I really enjoy using while camping is my Kerosene lantern. Not only do they look cool, they can last a very long time and are cheap to maintain. If you really want a flashlight and your concerned about it getting fried, build your self a Faraday Cage

Hopefully you have been able to get a better idea on how to prepare for an EMP attack. Although this is one of the most unlikely event's to happen, it can still be a very scary thought and would probably cause the most harm to our standard way of living. Start thinking about the things you do every day that rely on technology. What would you do if you no longer had the technology to support this requirement, and how would you manage without it?

I still appreciate the technologies of the past, non-dependent on electronics and simple in nature. Going old school is the best way to prepare for an EMP attack in today’s world.

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P.S. If you would like to learn more about preparing yourself for disasters like an EMP attack 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 Importance of an Efficient Watering System for Your Garden

7/18/2015

0 Comments

 
By Lauren Thomas

When disaster hits you may be faced with a water crisis as well as a food crisis. Chances are if the disaster was big enough to cause your local grocery store to not carry the food supply you need, then you are probably going to have a measure of difficulty getting water to your plants as well.  When you are relying on these plants to yield a harvest, they can’t die when you need them most because you’re limited on water.  Something that you may want to consider as you grow your own food source is how you plan to water your plants.

There are many methods growers can use to water their garden, but some methods are more efficient in saving water than others.  Homesteaders and preppers need to consider drip irrigation as a way to water their garden.  Drip irrigation is perhaps the most efficient way to conserve water as you tend to your garden.  The reason drip irrigation works so well is because it prevents water loss by evaporation and runoff.  

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Most watering methods apply water too quickly, and water is wasted because it doesn’t have enough time to soak into the soil before it is evaporated into the air or runs off to another location.   With drip irrigation, water loss is dramatically reduced.  As the name implies, the water drips slowly into the soil.  This doesn’t seem very exciting, but because the water has time to actually soak deep into the soil your plants are going to be targeted with more water and less will be wasted.

Another benefit of drip irrigation is that it is developing your plants to better withstand a drought.  Because the water has time to soak in deeply, it helps plants develop deep roots that reach further down away from the surface, where more moisture is located.  With other watering systems that don’t deliver water down deep to the plant, the water stays near the surface and the plant’s roots tend to reach towards the surface to retrieve water.  However, when it gets hot, the water near the surface of the soil is going to be the first to leave, and if your plant’s roots are near the surface they will not be left with much moisture besides what you continually provide them.

Drip irrigation works even better to save on water when combined with a rain barrel.  As long as there is enough elevation difference between the rain barrel and your garden, there should be enough pressure to water with drip irrigation with a rain barrel.  If you are really lacking on water, this might be your best option.

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It doesn’t take much to disrupt a water source.  Even in the United States people in California are experiencing one of the worst droughts in state history.  New water restrictions have been put in place that residents must follow when it comes to water usage.  But even with the new restrictions, many cities still allow residents to use drip irrigation to water their plants while other watering systems can’t be used.  Drip irrigation has a reputation for water efficiency and is a very useful tool during a water crisis.

There are many options available to use for drip irrigation.  One downside of many drip irrigation options is that they can be kind of complicated to set up.  If you want a simpler drip irrigation option I would suggest checking out gardendripsystem.com for more information about drip irrigation. You don’t have to wait for a disaster before you reap the benefits of drip irrigation.  You can save money on your water bill as well as develop healthier plants.

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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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Off Grid Solar Systems vs. Grid Tied Systems

5/19/2015

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Solar energy is an infinitely renewable resource that uses the sun’s rays to generate electricity for use in your home. By going solar, you can reduce your energy costs and also lower your dependence on fossil fuels, thereby making your own contribution to a cleaner environment. However you can choose to go completely off the grid or have a grid tied system. 

"While the solar panels themselves work identically in a grid-tied and off-grid system, the method of both storing the solar power and integrating that power into the home’s electrical system have some marked differences between the two, so much so that their paths diverge substantially. It’s not so much the panels themselves that we’ll be looking at; rather, it is what happens when the electricity leaves those panels and heads for your home that we’re examining."
Via offthegridnews.com

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GRID-TIE SYSTEMS

If you take a drive down your average suburban street and spot a home with solar panels on the roof, you can almost be certain the system is a grid-tied system, which is by far the most common solar-powered system in use today. As the name implies, the system is tied to the grid – what grid, you ask? The electrical power generation and distribution grid – essentially, all it means is that the home is connected to the power grid that feeds it, which isn’t earth-shattering until you understand the implications thereof. Here’s how it works:

  • The home is already connected to the power grid regardless of solar panels. What most people don’t realize is that this connection is a two way street – power doesn’t just flow from the grid into the home; it can also flow from the home back into the grid.
  • Solar panels on a grid tie-in system generate electricity when the sun is shining, and this electricity is routed to the home’s primary electrical distribution panel. If the home produces more electricity than it uses, the excess electricity is funneled back into the grid.
  • If the home frequently produces more power via solar panels than it uses, the homeowner will realize a credit on his or her power bill representing a payment from the power company for the electricity that the home produced.

Grid ties have one fatal flaw however; one Achilles heel that most people don’t know about: Your grid-tied solar panel system will not be able to power your home during a power failure. This is because the power company will put a lockout box on the output of the solar panels such that if the power is off, the box will disconnect the solar panels from the home’s electrical panel to prevent a back-feed situation. As we discussed earlier, electricity flows both ways, and the power company is concerned that the output of your home’s solar panel system could inadvertently shock a power worker halfway down the block who is working on the power lines and assumes they are inactive.

OFF-GRID SYSTEMS

Off-grid systems take solar panel technology to a new level. Essentially, they use the same solar panels as grid-tied systems, except they actually store the power they make, usually in batteries. This is an important distinction; the off-grid solar power user isn’t interested in generating power for some faraway utility; he or she is interested in keeping the power that is produced. The way the power is retained is by storing the output of the solar panels in an appropriately sized battery bank, and this provides another benefit most people don’t realize: You can use the solar power you generated during the day – at night. As the solar-powered system soaks in the sun’s rays during the day, it funnels this electricity into a purpose built battery bank which then can be drawn from at night or on overcast days, meaning that the off-grid system will be able to bank or save its output, whereas the grid-tied system will be running at a reduced capacity, or perhaps not at all."


Via offthegridnews.com
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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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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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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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