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Former Navy SEAL and Bestselling Author Talks About Surviving an Active Shooter Scenario

5/2/2016

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Whether it’s a movie theater . like in Colorado, a school in Connecticut or a hotel in Mumbai the difference between becoming a victim or escaping an active shooter situation can  come down to matter of seconds. In some cases knowing just a few simple tactics can be difference between those who make it out alive and those who don’t

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Former Navy SEAL, NSA and bestselling author Clint Emerson explain the keys to surviving an active shooter situation in this “Active Shooter Survival” session during the Prepper World Summit 2.

Here are some of the key tactics of maximizing your chances in an active shooter scenario.
  • Don’t panic
    • In a situation like this, frequently people panic and freeze, which is one of the worst things you can do. Also there have been stories of people panicking and running straight into the line of fire towards the shooter.
  • Take cover - take cover behind solid objects that have a better chance of stopping bullets. Drywall and doors aren’t really cover, they are concealment
  • Get low on your hands and knees
    • Don’t “hit the deck” - ricocheting bullets will travel on the ground for some distance, and you don’t want your body and vital organs to be directly on their trajectory
  • Identify where the shots are coming from
  • Increase the distance - Move swiftly, crawl with aggression, move in a ZigZag pattern, and increase the distance between you and the shooter.
    • These will help you, get away from danger, make yourself as smaller target, hence making you harder to hit.

An active shooter situation can happen anytime anywhere and with little to no warning. That’s why it's important to have a plan and the mindset to execute that plan if the time comes.

In this session you will also discover
  • Signs to identify an active shooting situation before it happens
  • How to significantly improve your chances of surviving during an active shooter scenario
  • What to do if you absolutely have to fight back
  • How to improve your chances of surviving an explosion

To get access to Clint’s full session for free got to www.ThePrepperWorldSummit.com to reserve your ticket.

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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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 Top Mistakes When Using Primitive Traps

3/23/2016

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By Robert Blaze
​

Survivalists should take the time to learn how to construct primitive traps. Traps are much more efficient that hunting since they continue to operate while you aren’t there. Once you have learned how to construct them there are a few things that will keep you from catching as many critters as you should.
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​​Poorly Made Traps
There is a reason why professional trappers use store bought equipment. Primitive equipment is inferior in almost every way except for price. With this in mind you will need to read a lot of books, watch a lot of videos and get out and practice making several different types of traps.
 
The trigger system is the key to most primitive traps. If you can master a couple different types you can adapt them to whatever type of set you need to make. (deadfall, snare etc.)
 
Not Setting Enough Traps
There are professional trappers out there making hundreds of sets and catching tens of animals. One or two deadfalls or snares won’t cut it. You might get lucky once or twice but to keep a continuous supply of meat coming in you will need one or two dozen sets, minimum. (50 or 100 would be better) It might take a few days to get that many out, but once they are in place you should only be having to reset a few a day.
 
Setting Traps where there are no Animals
You will need to learn to read the animal sign available. Tracks, trails, dense cover and dens can all be good places to set. Without clear sign always set in or next to dense cover for the best chance of catching something.
 
Setting where it is convenient for you might be nice for you but it will have little chance of catching your supper.
 
Primitive traps can feed you in the wilderness if you take the time to learn to construct a quality trap, set out enough of then in the right places.
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These Survival Myths Are Downright Dangerous

3/7/2016

3 Comments

 
By Robert Blaze
​

​Survival and preparedness reality shows are both good and bad at the same time. Mostly bad. On the one hand, they bring awareness to important topics such as being ready for disasters but, on the other, they propagate a lot of myths to satisfy and delight some of their less informed readers.
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Image source: nationalgeographic.com
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Myth: The most important thing in a survival situation is finding food and water.

Well, it depends. The rule of threes states that shelter is the most important thing, however I’m more of the approach of “what’s going to kill you first”. Like if you have a wound that could get infected, then access to clean water and medical supplies is your top priority.

In situations where there’s a chance your core body temperature will be affected, then yes shelter should be your first priority.

Shelter is more than just unpacking your tent. You also have to find the right place to camp to avoid floods, wild animals and people. You have to build it in such a way so that it protects you from the elements and keep you warm and dry throughout the night.

Hypothermia will kill you a lot faster than lack of food. Your body will last for days on end, even weeks, without anything to eat, but if you’re wet and are unable to get yourself dry and stay warm...


Myth: Starting a Fire is Easy

The bow drill method, using dryer lint as tinder, using a ferro rod... there’re many ways to start a fire. Many of them are depicted in YouTube videos that make everything seem really easy. But is it?
If you’re in a damp environment, if the wood isn’t dry enough or simply isn’t the right one, you could end up wasting your time and energy.

One can also argue that starting a fire is not hard. Anyone can start a fire with a lighter in seconds, and most preppers have at least 2-3 in their survival bags, not to mention blast-matches and even steel wool and a 9V battery. But if your primary methods don’t work for some reason, you could be in serious trouble.


Myth: Eating snow will keep you hydrated.

In reality, your body will have to spend a great deal of energy to warm that snow before it can utilize it. Much better to melt the snow into water and then drink it. You should also filter it with a bandana and even purify it if you have the means. Rain water and water resulting from melting snow is typically safe to drink but the cleaner, the better.


Myth: Water from cactus is safe to drink.

Water from cacti is very acidic and could cause you to get sick, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach. This doesn’t mean you’ll die but it won’t make the survival situation any more pleasant for you or for your kidneys.


Myth: avoid contact with other people once the big one hits.

While you don’t want people knowing you’re prepared, isolation is also not a good solution. The trick is to know who to trust, in what circumstances and for how long. While it’s true that you shouldn’t contact other people unless you have to, when you do have to, you have to be very careful what you say. Lifetime friends could turn into your biggest nightmare if they have desperate families they need to feed.


Myth: bugging in and out are definitive.

Bugging in and out aren’t one time choices. When something bad happens, circumstances can change daily or even hourly, forcing you to change your plans.
For example, you can bug out to your BOL and then be forced to bug out again, have you thought about that? If you aren’t able to flee before everyone else, you don’t want to get stuck in traffic along with everyone else. You can try bugging in until it gets dark outside before you attempt to leave unseen.


Myth: Making camp near a water source in the wilderness is the way to go.

When bugging out, many people are going to do the obvious: they’ll all camp near a body of water. Don’t’ risk your camp site being discovered by looters and camp at least half a mile from any body of water. There are plenty of ways to get water to your campsite without running into other people.


Myth: following a disaster scenario, most people will die within the first three weeks.

Look, I get the flow of thinking but I seriously doubt things are going to be this drastic. No doubt that people will die in the aftermath of a disaster but 90% of them? To me, this is a far-fetched scenario for several reasons.

First off, in case of a natural disaster, there will be other countries out there that would come to the rescue. One must look at the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia to see how people, organizations and Governments across the Globe rushed in to help. Was the intervention perfect? No, of course not. Did people continue to die as help continued to come? They did.

But what kind of disaster would cause 90% of people to die? An EMP that would cause the transportation system to fail, leaving people in cities hungry and killing each other? Over 15% of the US population lives in the country side, then you’ve got folks in the burbs with gardens, people in cities who have relatives and friends in small towns. Add to that the humanitarian help from other countries (that won’t be exposed to the EMP blast) and the number of survivors is going to be higher.

Again, I’m not saying an EMP won’t wreak havoc, I just think that the number of disasters that can wipe off 90% of Americans aren’t that many.


Myth: You need to boil water for X minutes to kill pathogens.

According to the Wilderness Medical Society quoted by a number of survival blogs and articles (including Princeton’s website), all pathogens will be killed by the time the water comes to a rolling boil, even at high altitudes.


Myth: Alcohol warms up your body.

Quite the opposite. Alcohol will get you to feel warmer by sending more blood to your skin. However, this blood has to come from someplace else, which means your internal organs will receive less blood, thus, your body temperature will drop.


Myth: Drinking your own pee is a good idea.

Don’t do it unless you’re an astronaut with access to NASA’s Water Recovery System or if you really, really need to. Just like salt water, urine will dehydrate your body even more.


Myth: Making shelter is all about the roof.

Not really - there’s a lot more to it. You need protection from ALL the things that can harm your body one way or another: damp soil, wind, critters. Plus, your shelter needs to keep as much of the heat in as possible to keep you warm.

In other words, for survival purposes, a bivvy bag, for instance, may make for a better shelter than hanging a tarp over a few branches. You should also consider how to insulate it, using aluminum foil, leaves, moss etc.


Myth: You can suck the venom out of a snake bite.

Not a good idea, even if you’re Rambo. You either nave a snake bit kit plus the knowledge to use it or, even better, seek medical attention immediately. Never suck the venom out as you’ll not only further damage the wound but poison yourself.


Final Word
​

The big takeaway from this article is that the more you read and know, the better prepared you’ll be. Knowledge trumps tools and gear every single time.
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Top 5 Best Self-Defense Techniques

3/4/2016

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By Martin Clarke
​

The modern world is an unpredictable, unstable, and often violent place. Even in the most serene settings the unthinkable can happen quickly, and you may need to defend yourself from theft, bodily harm, or worse. If you find yourself in a position where you’re being mugged, attacked, or provoked into a fight, you need to know how to best defend yourself. Here are the five best self-defense techniques you can employ.

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1. The Best Defense is Prevention

Avoiding situations and locations where an attack may happen is your best defense. Follow common sense safety tips like walking and parking in well-lit, populated areas and being aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes up and your attention alert. Walking with confidence and your head held high lets potential attackers know you’re not easy prey.

Remember, no amount of money or possession is worth your life. There is nothing wrong with handing over your wallet, purse, or keys to someone who is threatening your life. Possessions can be replaced you can’t.

Even when you try to avoid confrontation or prevent an altercation, violence is often unavoidable. If you need to defend yourself, these tips can help keep you safe and get you out of the situation quickly.


2.   Volume and Attention
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The first defensive technique is to bring attention to yourself and your assailant by raising your voice. In situations that feel unsafe, use your voice as your first line of defense.

Shout a loud phrase like, “Get Away!” or even, “Fire!” “Fire” is an effective phrase to use because onlookers are more likely to respond to this than to shouts for help. Loud shouting brings onlookers and attention to your situation and demonstrates that you’re not an easy target.

​Many times, using your voice to draw attention will scare off potential attackers.



3.   Speed and Decisiveness

Not all assailants will be scared off by shouting and the possibility of attention. If the situation continues to escalate, use speed and decisiveness as your next line of defense. Hesitation can be your worst enemy. Quickly target your assailant for a rapid strike and immediately attempt to flee the situation. By acting quickly, you can often catch your assailant off guard and escape the attack.

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4.   Target the Most Effective Locations

Confrontations and attacks on the street can start and finish in an instant, so you need to make every action and move count. If an attacker is attempting to subdue you, your strikes should target the most effective and sensitive areas of the body. Target your attacker's eyes, ears, nose, throat, groin, and knees.

If you’re being attacked, you’re already in a dirty fight, so don’t hesitate to strike areas of the body that are most sensitive. A solid blow to the side of the knee, an elbow to the nose, or a swift kick to the groin can render your assailant stunned long enough to escape the situation.



5.   Use Every Tool at Your Disposal

There is no etiquette in street fighting. Utilize every defensive tool at your disposal — keys, fingernails, teeth, perfume, elbows, knees, and even high heels can all be defensive weapons to inflict maximum harm to your assailant. 


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Bonus Technique — Train With a Professional

Though these are all useful tips, the best self-defense technique is to train with a professional. Repetition and familiarity with defensive attacks and counter attacks are the best way to avoid and survive a possible altercation.

​Joining a self-defense program or attending classes at your local Krav Maga center will teach you the tools and techniques you need to properly defend yourself. The best defense is preparation. 




About the Author
Martin Clarke is a fitness trainer who dabbles in freelance writing. He instructs his students primarily in the self defense system of Krav Maga. Martin’s hobbies include swimming and cooking for his wife and two daughters.
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Making a Primitive Fire - Video 

3/1/2016

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Survival Ready Blog Contributor

​​BVABC / BRISTOL VA BUSH CRAFTING© Releases their newest survival video. "Making primitive fire with the Yakk" Description: Learn the proper steps in creating primitive survival fire using a fire bow.
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Bugging Out - Evacuating a City During Social Unrest

2/17/2016

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By Dennis Diaz
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​Society can be fragile. There are some hot buttons that can spark tempers and erupt into serious outrage. The outrage among the people spreads like wildfire and before you know it, you have angry mobs tearing things up and making life dangerous. The government will send in police and military forces to try and control the uprising, but this typically makes things more dangerous for a short while. The rage blinds the people and they can no longer tell the difference between friendly, peaceful people and those who wish to take them down.
 
Just recently, I posted a video in our Facebook group (The Bugout Network) about an episode where violence broke out in central Athens, as tens of thousands marched to the Greek Parliament during a general strike. Locally we’ve also seen how easy events like these, can erupt and throw a whole city into chaos.
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If you happen to get caught in a city where social unrest is quickly escalating and it is no longer safe to be in the area, you have to bug out. The danger comes from all sides. The unruly mobs are a risk as are the military and police who are trying to control the situation. Your life is in danger and you have to get out. Evacuating the city without being noticed is going to be tricky. Getting noticed could be deadly.
 
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The following are some key tips that will help you quietly get out of the city relatively unscathed. 
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Be Inconspicuous
 
You need to get out of the city without anybody realizing what you are doing—on either side. It will be important you stay out of sight as much as possible. If you are with a large group of people, it is best to travel in a single file line. Always travel in the wee hours of the morning, between about 2 and 5. This is when it is likely to be the quietest. It also gives you the cover of night.
 
Stay in the shadows and up against buildings. The buildings will provide you with some cover and help conceal you. Wear dark clothing that blends in with the night. Obviously, being as quiet as possible will be a must. If you have young children, make sure they are well aware of the need to be quiet. Make it a game if that works better.
 
Never travel during the bewitching hours, which would be anywhere from dark until about 2 in the morning. Looters and rioters are going to take advantage of the cover of darkness.
 
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Go with the Flow
 
If you are caught up in a mob or there are large crowds brewing, you can use them as cover. Stay along the fringes of the crowd. Don't get caught up in the chanting or any other violent actions that may be happening. Keep your head down and avoid making eye contact with the participants if possible. When it is safe to do so, casually step away from the group.
 
If you are with a group of people, you don't want to all leave the mob at the same time. A few at a time who casually slink away will be less likely to be noticed. Move to the edge and pretend to tie a shoe or simply hide behind a car or building.
 
Avoid getting caught between a fence and the mob or a wall of any kind and the mob. You could easily become trapped and even smashed.
 

Avoid Commercial Areas
 
When you are planning your route out of the city, do what you can to stick to residential neighborhoods. Looters and rioters are going to be more concentrated in commercial areas where they can loot goods. Grocery stores are not going to be a top priority in the beginning, but eventually the looting will get there. Electronics stores, the mall, department stores and convenience stores are going to be the most at risk. Avoid those areas and you will likely avoid the majority of the crowds.
 

Hide
 
Know what buildings are empty and prepare to hide in them if a mob happens to form or make their way down your evacuation route. If you can avoid detection, you will be better off. Keep in mind; police are not going to be a lot of help if they happen to see you skulking about. They don't know who is a part of the angry mob and who isn't. They are more likely to attack first and ask questions later.
 

Avoid Crowded Areas
 
It only take a few people to start a riot. They will encourage others to stand with them and before you know it, a crowded shopping center or a busy street in the city has become a very dangerous place. Riots are more likely to break out in areas where there are a lot of people. If you have an idea things are tense, avoid those areas at all costs.
 
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Be Prepared
 
Because you never know when civil unrest may erupt, you should always be prepared. Have an evacuation plan in place. You don't want to take the most obvious routes out of the city. You want to stay off the beaten path as much as possible. Running into others who are fleeing the city could be dangerous. You never know if they share your same moral values and will not harm you or your group.
 
Part of being prepared means having bug out bags packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. A bug out bag should contain the supplies and gear you need to get out of the city and into a safe place that will not be effected by the unrest. Have a place in mind where you plan on seeking refuge. This can be a relative's home, a retreat or under the open stars in a safe place. Have at least two routes planned out of the city, just in case the first is blocked. You will also want to communicate plans to every member of your family. Have a place to meet up so you can all evacuate together.
 
When civil unrest begins to brew, that is the time to evacuate the city. Pay attention to what is happening in the city as well as across the country. Often times, riots can be predicted. If you hear or sense something isn't right, it is time to react. Don't wait until the city is literally going up in flames before you get out. 

Related:
Home Survival During Civil Unrest
Security Measures to Protect Your Home
Bugging Out with Disabilities

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

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

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Zika Virus - Frequently Asked Questions 

2/11/2016

3 Comments

 
Sourced by Survival Ready Blog Team
February 9, 2016
​

​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?
​

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



3 Comments

Top 5 Mistakes When Selecting a Firearm for Hunting

2/11/2016

2 Comments

 
By Larry Ellis
​
Just like any other activity or practice, hunting requires a solid background based on thorough research in the field. No matter if you are interested in purchasing your first firearm or you want to know how you can take up hunting, you need to do your homework and build your knowledge base.

Before you even begin to consider purchasing a firearm for this purpose, it is fundamental to gather as much information as possible about hunting beforehand. It is highly recommended that you attend an education or safety course for hunting so you can learn the basics about how to stay safe and how to get started with this activity. In addition to this, future hunters are encouraged to learn from an experienced hunter; this is usually regarded as being an apprentice. After you learn the basics, you can proceed with purchasing your firearm for hunting.

If this is the very first firearm you will purchase, however, you need to be aware of several aspects related to the buying process. Selecting a reliable, best value firearm requires background information so you can make the right investment. Amateur hunters tend to make selecting and buying mistakes due to lack of knowledge and this can not only end up in poor shopping decisions, but also in potential safety issues. In this regard, this article aims to present the five most common mistakes when selecting a firearm for hunting.



1. Caliber

By far, one of the most frequent mistakes that beginners make when getting their first firearm is choosing the wrong caliber for hunting. Even though there is not an ideal caliber for hunting in general or for a specific animal, there is a range that you should take into consideration. This means that you need to know the difference between a .17 HMR and a 577 Nitro Exp, as well as when and how to use them. An infographic created by Hunter Ed supports the fact that you should choose the right caliber depending on the animals you will hunt:
  • Varmint hunting: .22 Mag, .22 Long or .17 HMR are all suitable for hunting small animals.
  • Deer Hunting: you can look into .22-250, .223 or .243 Win for hunting deer.
  • Big Game: for hunting bears or elk, choose .338, .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag.


2. Ammunition

Another significant aspect you need to remember when selecting a firearm for hunting is your choice of ammunition. First of all, not all ammunition works for all types of firearms, so you will need to ask what ammunition will be suitable for the gun you are going to buy. Choosing the proper type of ammunition has critical safety aspects involved; if you select the wrong kind you will not only be wasting money on ammunition you can’t use, but you will also be putting yourself and the ones around you in danger. Always double check with the company you plan on buying your firearm from to see if the ammunition you get on the side fits and works for your choice.  

3. Scope


Most beginner hunters get excited when buying their first rifle and tend to forget about an essential component: the scope. You could spend a considerable amount on your rifle, not get the right scope and ruin your hunting experience from the beginning. Optics are just as important as the firearm you choose and also a basic part of the firearm selection process that many tend to overlook. The best way to avoid this mistake is to organize your budget with both the firearm and the scope in mind in advance.


4. Investment


Speaking of budget, this leads us to yet another common mistake when buying hunting firearms. Those who lack hunting experience might end up purchasing a firearm that is way over their budget. This results in not having enough money left for accessories (such as the scope we were speaking about earlier) or for carrying out the practice afterwards. You should always weigh your options and search through various sources before ordering or buying your hunting firearm from a store. If you decide to purchase your hunting firearm online, it is recommended that you search for a particular model through at least three sources to see where you can get the best deal.


​5. Complexity
​

Last but not least, complexity tends to be a trending mistake among amateur hunters. This mistake can equally go two ways; a hunter can either purchase a firearm that is too complex for his or her level of training and knowledge at that moment, or they can get a gun that is too basic and won’t meet their needs. Be aware of your level as a hunter and choose the complexity of your firearm accordingly.

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Image via www.chuckhawks.com
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Image via http://davidshoebridge.org.au

About the Author
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Larry Ellis is a firearm and hunting enthusiast based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in deer hunting and, during off season, contributes guidelines and opinion pieces to various hunting blogs, as well as professional firearm websites such as Riflescopecenter. 


2 Comments

Lessons from Flint, How to Stay Safe when the Water is Contaminated 

2/8/2016

3 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

You may have heard this before, “Water is Life”. I certainly have and I think that it’s a statement that even thou it presents “survival” in an ultra-simplistic manner, it carries a great amount of truth. Water IS critical to sustain life and without clean drinking water, you will certainly perish. It sounds harsh, but it is the cold hard truth.
 
As the world watches how the water crisis in Flint, Michigan develops, it’s hard not to take note of the very real possibility, maybe even probability, of something similar happening elsewhere. In fact, some of our Bugout Network members live in areas near Flint, so we’ve all been watching the situation closely. It is hard to imagine the water coming out of your faucet could be hurting you, but it can happen and in many places it will.


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The water in Flint is loaded with lead which as we know, can be extremely dangerous for humans, even fatal in some cases. High levels of lead in the water can cause high blood pressure, anemia, kidney problems and reproductive problems. Children are more susceptible to developing problems from high levels of lead simply because their smaller bodies can tolerate less lead than an adult.​
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​The people in Flint never expected their water to be contaminated. They assumed their city officials were protecting them. Sadly, they were wrong and now, there is a major water crisis. Water is being shipped in while the city figures out how to remedy the problem. It is going to be extremely costly and as you can imagine, there is a lot of red tape and loopholes that must be jumped through. In the meantime, residents are stuck without safe drinking water.
 
If you suspect your water is contaminated whether it comes from your private well or the city, you should have it tested. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to periodically test the water just to be on the safe side. You can pay for testing by a lab, which will give you an in-depth analysis or buy a simple water test kit at the hardware store. Many metals are not detectable by smell or taste.
 
If you discover your water is contaminated, don't drink it. The following tips will help you stay safe when you are dealing with contaminated drinking water today or after a major disaster.
 

Filters

Filters are a quick, easy and effective way to remove some contaminants from the water. Depending on the concentration of contaminants in the water, you may go through filters pretty quick. A whole house filter or a filter reserved for running water through before drinking can be purchased. They range in price. However, it is best to make a purchase based on the filter replacement cost and not the cost of the actual unit.
 
You could attach a filter to the kitchen sink only if you are not worried about bathing in water with high lead concentrations. These faucet filters are fairly inexpensive and you won't be wasting any water. A countertop filter system is yet another option. Basically, the unit sits on the counter and you either attach a hose from the faucet to the filter or pour the water through the unit.
 
Please note that water softeners are not the same as a filter. They are not effective at removing the lead from the water.
 

Reverse Osmosis

These units are effective at removing lead and other contaminants from the water, but they are not ideal if water is in short supply. The units basically run the water through a tight membrane. Only a portion of the water makes it through and is safe to drink. About three gallons of water is forced down the drain for every gallon of clean water that makes it through the system. The units can also be quite costly. They are generally installed under the sink. The water comes in from the main water line, runs through the filter and then out to the tap.
 

Distillation

The process of distilling water is effective, but it is extremely time consuming. In a survival situation it would not be ideal. The amount of fuel it takes to heat the water to get it to go through the distillation process is usually a deterrent. You would also only be getting a very small amount of safe water. In today's world, distillers are typically electric. You plug it in, fill it with water and wait for the steam to rise, condense and flow into a small catchment container. A distiller is much less expensive to purchase than a reverse osmosis unit, but the electricity you would use to run it makes the cost very similar.
 

Bottled Water

Bottled water is an option, but it is very expensive and isn't practical for long term use. The situation in Flint will take weeks or months to resolve. It would be much easier and more cost effective to purchase a filter or one of the other cleaning methods mentioned above. Please note that water softeners are not the same as a filter.
 
 
It is important to point out that what happened in Flint can happen anywhere. It may not necessarily be lead that is poisoning your drinking water, but some other contaminant. Chemicals, bacteria and viruses can all make your water unsafe to drink. It is a good idea to have a filtration system in your home, just in case the water is contaminated and you don't know it.
 
Unfortunately, you cannot always rely on your government officials to look out for you. Flint residents have learned that lesson the hard way. They were being poisoned without them knowing any different. Don't trust or assume your water source is clean and safe. Take your health and the health of your family into your own hands and do what you can to ensure your water is safe.
 
 
For more updates of the situation in Flint visit flintwaterstudy.org


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. 
​​​​​​

3 Comments

Speed Kills - How to approach you monthly preparation

2/3/2016

0 Comments

 
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.
 
​
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. 
​​​​​

0 Comments

Making An All Night Fire - 40 hours plus

2/2/2016

7 Comments

 
Tending a fire can take a lot of work. You need sleep! This is one way you can build a fire that will last all night so you can get some good shuteye without adding new wood every hour. There are several different ways to do this, but the key is to using round logs and not split wood. 
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1-You need to start by lining up logs side by side across the bottom of your fire pit or wherever you are building your fire. Start with 5 medium logs across the bottom. Then, place another 5 medium logs in perpendicular across the top. On top of that layer, layer another 3 to 4 logs lengthwise. You are basically creating a fire pyramid. Add dirt in between the space between logs
 

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2-On top of the top layer, add some smaller branches. These can go both ways to form a bit of a weave-like construction.
 
3-Build a tinder bundle on top of your small branches.
 
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4-Make a fire teepee over your tinder bundle.
 
5-Light your tinder on fire and feed it as necessary until the first layer of smaller branches is burning. The next layer of logs will slowly start to smolder and burn. 

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You won't get massive flames, but you will get a long lasting, hot fire. Depending on the height of your fire pyramid and the size of the logs, your fire can burn up to 40plus hours.
 
Below you’ll see a full video from one of my personal favorite survival trainers Robert Allen.

7 Comments

Building a fire under difficult conditions 

2/2/2016

2 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

​Would you go camping, when you know there’s a blizzard or storm coming? Have you ever waited for a rainy or windy day to go out into the woods and test your skills? One thing I learned from a friend of mine, who’s a former Navy SEAL, is that to train your body and mind for a survival situation, you have to employ something he calls “emergency conditioning”.

When it comes to a survival situation, emergency conditioning, consists simply of training your mind and your body, and develop skills in a way, to make it as close to a real life survival scenario as possible. One of the skills that at the top of your toolbox during a survival situation, is starting and building fires. Fire is a lifesaver in every sense of the word. It provides you heat, provides what you need to make your water safe to drink, can give you comfort and ward off animals that may stalk you in the wild.
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Chances are you are currently able to choose when you go out and practice your skills, and many will pick days with better weather. Most people don't go camping hoping it will rain or even snow. I think that’s a mistake and you may want to practice your survival skills, including fire making, when the weather is bad.  I covered this topic briefly in a previous article "How to Start a Fire in Harsh Weather"  but I wanted to go a little more in depth in this article.
 
Fire Starting Methods
 
Starting with the basics, there are several different items you can pack in your bug out bag, purse, glove compartment of your car or even your desk drawer that will ensure you can start a fire in an emergency even if the weather is bad. These items are inexpensive and truly invaluable. Look into getting at least one, but preferably, have at least two methods of starting a fire on hand at all times.
  • Magnesium stick
  • Flint rod and steel
  • Waterproof matches
  • Lighter
 
The magnesium stick and flint rod do require some practice to figure out how to get the spark needed to start your fire. Don't leave your tools sitting in the packages. Take them out and get familiar with holding the gear and actually using it.
 
Creating a Tinder Bundle
 
Your next hurdle to creating a fire is constructing a tinder bundle. At home, you would probably use newspaper to get your fire started. When you are out in the middle of nowhere and you don't have newspaper, you need to put together some dry, easily flammable material that will serve as the base of your fire.  This can be a real challenge if its raining or snowing
 
Where you are will determine what kind of material you can find. The following list are some things that make for a great tinder bundle to ensure you get a roaring fire.
  • Pine needles
  • Dry grass
  • Fibrous material inside cedar bark
  • Birch tree bark
  • Dried moss
  • Dry leaves
 
If it has been raining your best bet is to look for dry material under trees. The branches will offer some protection from rain or snow. Material that is exposed to the full sun and is not shaded is your best option. Leaves or grass that are exposed to the wind will also be drier than those that are lying directly on the ground.
 
Use your dried material to create something that resembles a bird nest. You can use a combination of dried materials. Your tinder bundle only needs to be about as big as your hand. Create a small indention in the center of the tinder bundle. This is where your spark is going to land.
 
Collecting Firewood
 
Your next step is to collect enough firewood to keep your fire going for at least 30 minutes. You don't want to get a new fire going and leave it to go find more wood. New fires need lots of monitoring to ensure they do not go out.
 
When collecting firewood, you want to get three different sizes. You need small twigs and branches in the earliest stages, medium branches once the twigs are burning nicely and then finally, a nice log that will slowly burn for several hours.
 
Do not pick up any branches or logs directly off the ground. They will be damp and you will struggle to get the wood to burn. Look for branches on trees that have died. These should be easy to snap off. Trees that have fallen, but got hung up on other trees are another source of dry wood. Branches that have fallen to the ground, but have branches sticking up are okay to use. The wind and sun will have dried the piece that is off the ground.
 
If you do come across some damp wood, collect it and put it close to your fire for later use. The heat of your fire will help dry it out. This can take a day or several days depending on how wet the wood is.
 
Building Your Fire
 
Now that you have everything you need to make a fire, it is time to build a fire teepee out of your twigs. Use six to ten twigs to build a small teepee, leaving an opening on one side. Light your tinder bundle. Gently blow on the tinder to get a nice flame. Carefully put the tinder bundle in the opening of your fire teepee. The flames should catch the twigs on fire. You may need to add bits of dried material to keep the flame burning long enough to catch the twigs on fire.
 
Once the twigs are burning, add a couple small branches. Add more twigs if needed to keep the flames going. Once your medium size branches have caught on, carefully add a larger log or two being careful not to snuff out the flames.


​Making Fire in the Rain

 
Making a fire in the rain is a little tougher, but it can still be done. The tricky part is to find shelter for your fire, without completely blocking the smoke from escaping. Check out some of the following places you can use to build a fire in the rain.
  • Cave—if the cave is small, build the fire right at the opening so the smoke can escape, but the fire will be somewhat protected
  • Under a tree—tall evergreens, birch and cedar provide nice shelter for you and your fire
  • Make a teepee out of a tarp; make sure you leave an opening at the top for the smoke to escape
  • Under a rock overhang
  • Create a lean-to that protects the fire
 
You also need to protect your fire from ground water. You can do this by putting down a layer of rocks and then building your fire. Choose a place that is not likely to be flooded by running water. Do not place your fire in a depression in the ground that could quickly fill up with water.

When You Don't Have a Modern Fire Starting Method
 
If you find yourself without a modern fire starting method, you can still make a fire with items you find in your environment. Primitive fire making is not easy, but it can be done with a little patience and perseverance.
 
Rubbing two sticks together is probably one of the earliest methods and it does work. Use a knife to cut out a small dimple or indent in the wood that will be on the bottom, lying flat on the ground. Cut a small slit or what some people refer to as a pie slice out of the dimpled area so that you can see the ground. Slide some tinder material into the missing pie piece. 

Place your other stick between your hands with one end in the dimple. Rub your hands back and forth, turning your stick, which is referred to as the spindle. The friction from the rubbing sticks will create a spark. The spark will be caught by your tinder and a flame will ensue.   Check out this article for more details Make a Fire By Rubbing Sticks

Practice, will always improve your chances of performing in real life situations. By simulating different conditions that may exist you automatically create that possibility in your plan and can start preparing and refining your skills ahead of time instead of having to improvise from scratch.


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. ​​​​

2 Comments

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
​

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

Top 4 Reasons to Get a Bushcraft Knife

1/28/2016

0 Comments

 
By John West

Bushcraft knives are becoming more popular as of late, and for good reason. High quality bushcraft knives are functional blades that make a great addition to anyone’s knife armory. That being said, many people can be unsure about buying one. They wonder what makes a Bushcraft knife any different from other types of knives. If you aren’t sure about buying a Bushcraft knife, here are the four top reasons for buying a Bushcraft knife.

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Image via knifeista.com

​Functionality 

The 1st reason is functionality. Bushcraft knives are designed to be extremely functional. They tend to be relatively small, fixed blade knives. They usually have only one edge that will hold its edge for a long while. These features make the blade highly functional. It is designed to fit in your hand and is comfortable to use. It can be used for heavy work like cutting up wood for a fire or skinning an animal. It can also be used for light work such as whittling or food prep.
They also often prove to be useful in more urban environments. You will often need a knife for opening boxes or cutting tape in the office, and you will feel safer in dangerous neighborhoods with a Bushcraft knife strapped to your belt. Above all, the knife will be durable, designed to take the strain of being used in any environment, which makes it highly reliable. If you are looking for a functional blade to handle both simple and complex tasks, then look no farther than a Bushcraft knife.
 
Simplicity 

The second great feature of a bushcraft knife is its simplicity. There is rarely anything fancy about a bushcraft knife. A true Bushcraft knife is simply a sharp and effective blade with a comfortable handle. It won’t have annoying detachable parts in its handle or fancy engravings on the blade. A Bushcraft knife is a tool, not something to hang on your wall. It is meant to be used and its simple design makes it perfect for doing just that (If simplicity isn’t your style, click here to learn about other kinds of survival knives).

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Survival 


While a Bushcraft knife is a highly functional knife that can be used in a variety of environments, it was designed to be the perfect tool for survival. After all, Bushcraft is the art of survival. It is a name for the skills that will allow you to survive away from the comforts of home, such as fire craft, hunting, tracking, trapping, woodcarving, shelter making, and a variety of other skills. At the heart of each of these skills is the Bushcraft knife.
 
Every feature of the Bushcraft knife makes it perfect for Bushcraft. Its size and simplicity prevent it from being too heavy or awkward to carry in the wild. The high durability of its fixed blade will prevent it from malfunctioning in the wild. And most importantly, the blade holds a sharp edge for a long time, so you can count on it when you need it the most. If you are headed out into the wilderness anytime soon, you will want to bring a Bushcraft knife with you.
 
Cost 
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Perhaps the most important consideration when buying a new knife is its cost. Well, you are in luck when it comes to Bushcraft knives. Although a Bushcraft knife can be over a hundred dollars, you do not need to spend that much money.  A good Bushcraft knife can be as inexpensive as $14.99! For instance, the Morakniv Companion Knife has 1700 5-star reviews on amazon, and it is under $15. This is nearly half of what you would pay for a quality survival knife. As far as price goes, a Bushcraft knife is not a bad purchase in the slightest.
 
So what do you think? Are you going to buy a Bushcraft knife? If not, why? Let us know in the comments below.
0 Comments

Keeping your camp secure in the wild

1/20/2016

0 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

​​Whether you just don’t like being around people while in the wild, or you have other reasons to avoid them, there are ways to keep your privacy while you are on the trail. Security in the wild is more about avoidance rather than active protection.​
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Image via survivingshtfmom.com

Pick your spot

Obviously if you are trying to stay hidden from others, you won’t be pitching your tent on a prominent point that can be seen for miles. It is much better to pick a spot in a thicket or even clear a spot in tall grass to set up your camp.
 
You will want to avoid bodies of water as much as possible. People (even if they aren’t looking for you) tend to follow trials or waterways. Stay away from both if you can. Another disadvantage of camping next to a babbling brook is all the babbling going on. You won’t be able to hear someone approaching your camp due to the sound of the running water.
 
Don’t stand out
Backpacking equipment while pretty decent for use in the wild really stinks in blending into nature. Bright colored clothing, packs, and tents are fine if you want a better chance of being found if you get lost. But if you are trying to drop out you will need to pick your equipment from a different source.
 
Hunting catalogs provide equipment similar to backpacking equipment but usually in more subdued colors, along with being more durable for the most part. Military surplus is the choice of many who want the best in cost, durability and usefulness.
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Don’t sleep where you camp

Much like camping in bear country and setting up a second “kitchen camp” a distance from your main camp to avoid attracting bears to your sleeping area, you can set up a separate sleeping area away from your main camp that you use only for sleeping.
 
This will keep most signs of your presence at your main camp while you are awake, and if you have a hidden sleeping spot you can sleep soundly knowing no one is stalking you.
 
Building hidden fires
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Smoke can be seen and smelled a long distance away, and light from a fire can be seen for miles. If you want to avoid others you need to overcome these two obstacles.
 
Smoke can be cut down considerably by burning only dry wood. The light of a fire can be contained if you have a shelter large enough to fully surround the fire. The other solution is to build a below ground fire in a Dakota fire hole or something similar.
 
This is a hole dug in the ground about the size of your head. You then dig a smaller sideways hole that connects the big hole to the surface. This allows air to feed the fire and keeps the flames below ground level. The airflow also helps the fire to burn hotter and it will give off less smoke as a result. (Related 
Making a Stealth Fire)
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Dakota Fire
Images source: 
​www.pinterest.com/explore/camping-survival

​Staying secure in the wild is usually a matter of just avoiding trouble by avoiding as much human contact as possible.

About the Author
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Dennis Diaz is the Chief Editor of Survival Ready Blog and hor 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.
0 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
​
​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.
​
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.
​
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

Top 9 Winter Survival Tips

1/18/2016

0 Comments

 
By Walter Hummel 

​Human beings were obviously not built for sleeping in snow or for surviving in cold weather conditions. Unlike most animals, we don’t have a thick hide or a luscious fur to keep us warm and dry when faced with snow, frost or icy winds. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in a winter survival situation, like being stranded on a mountainside after you went hiking or skiing or maybe even stuck in your car on a snowed in road, here are the best 9 tips to help you get through it safe and sound.

#1. High calorie food

​When stranded in such a situation, one of your best weapons against the cold is food and especially the high calorie type. Therefore, before embarking on a trip to the cold regions, pack lots and lots of high calorie foods, such as whole wheat bread, coconut milk, avocados, oils, nuts and seeds, different types of butter, chocolate and fatty cheeses. In cold regions, you will need double the amount of calories you normally intake just so you can keep your body temperature at optimum levels. Another great tip regarding food is to always have a high calorie snack before going to sleep. For example, drink a cup of hot chocolate with some butter melted in it.​
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#2. Beware of ‘widowmakers’
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​Widowmakers are dead trees that have frozen over in the cold and become brittle. This happens mostly when their sap freezes. Being so brittle, they are prone to break and topple over tents at the smallest gush of wind, so make sure you don’t plant your tent near one of these. Widowmakers, apart from whole trees, can also refer to single branches, dead, dry and frozen over, that are simply hanging in a tree, ready to fall at any time, so make sure you are on the look-out for those as well. You can either cut the dead and frozen branches down or you can simply move your campsite. If you elect to cut them down, make sure to use a special survival knife for this. A regular knife will just tear the branch and may cause more to rupture.

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#3. Snow walls
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One great way of protecting yourself and your tent against the freezing winds, in a snowy overnight camping situation is to build some snow walls around your tent. Depending on the area where you’re camping, you can either build yourself some fancy walls, out of cut ice blocks or, if you’re in a forest, simply erect some walls out of the snow using your hands, much like you did when you were a child and were playing in the snow. They will help insulate your tent and block all the wind, which would, otherwise, penetrate or even, if strong enough, tear down your tent.​
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​#4. Use one single door of your tent


​This is for going in and out while you do your things around the tent, like cooking, going to the bathroom or leveling the snow. Ideally, you should have a tent big enough to divide into different sections. Meaning your tent should have at least one vestibule, separate from the sleeping area, where you can organize and store all your clothes and gear and where you can do the cooking. This way, you will minimize the cold and the snow entering your sleeping “room” and keep it in the “vestibule”. You will give thanks for this piece of advice at night, when you go to sleep and it’s nice, dry and toasty in there.
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​#5. Go to
 the bathroom a lot.

Actually, you should try going to the bathroom as often as you can before going to sleep, in order to keep your bladder constantly empty. A full bladder will determine your body to work harder in order to stay warm, which translates into the fact that you’ll feel colder. So make as many trips as you can. However, if you are not a big fan of always going outside in the cold to pee, you can keep a pee bottle with you in the tent, as long as it’s tightly shut and use that to solve your bathroom problems.
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#6. Make sure your dog is dry.

​

For those of you out there who like to go camping in the snow with their dog, you should know that a very important piece of advice is to make sure you get him nice and dry before he’s allowed in the tent for the night. A simple way of doing that is to just let him roll around in the snow or you to rub him with some snow yourself. It will absorb the moisture and you can easily pat it off him. Also, once he’s inside the tent, don’t forget to wrap him in a blanket as well or, if you didn’t bring a blanket especially for him, in a coat. Even though he has fur, he still needs to keep warm at night when he’s motionless.
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#7. Bring a buddy
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If going camping or backpacking, it’s advisable not to go alone. In summertime it’s a lot easier, because the conditions are milder, but in wintertime, both the weather and the environment are harsh and literally anything can happen. So the best solution would be for you to bring at least one more person with you, who can help in case anything goes wrong.
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​#8. Food


If left stranded in a cold region without food, do not despair, there are nourishment sources. Fish and seafood are the easiest source. You can catch and eat snails, clams, crawfish, crabs, oysters, or eat the eggs inside sea urchins, which you can break apart with two stones or a sea cucumber. You can also eat kelp, which are the long seaweed that grow between rocks. As far as animals go, you could try polar bear. The meat is edible, but this should be your last resort. They are very dangerous animals and, unless you have a reliable gun, you shouldn’t go anywhere near them. Always cook polar bear meat before eating it, except for the liver, which is not edible. You can also eat seal and a number of birds.
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​#9. Surviving in your car.


There are a few pointers here you should know, in case you get stuck in the snow, in your car.
  • Never leave your vehicle. It’s the best shelter you’ve got
  • Always notify the authorities, your friends, your family and anyone who could help you
  • When you are done, turn off your cellphone, to save battery
  • Make yourself visible to rescuers, by tying a red piece of clothing on your car
  • Clean the exhaust pipe regularly, so that you don’t get carbon monoxide poisoning
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The most important thing you have to remember when you’re going camping or skiing or simply going for a longer car ride in snowy conditions is to always be prepared. Snow and blizzards should not be taken lightly. Always pack more clothes, water and food than you need. If you’re not going to use it, maybe others will need your help and you can share. Do some research as well about the environment you’re travelling to and find out all you can about the weather conditions, the flora and fauna.

About the Author
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Walter Hummel has been a mountain ranger for the past 15 years. He enjoys camping for long periods of time in the snow, with his friends, alone or with his dog, Colossus. When he’s not out in the snow, he likes to write on his blog, where he knows he can help others via his articles and his advice.
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