Submissions     Contact     Advertise     Donate     BlogRoll     Subscribe                         

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Inexpensive and simple Yagi Antennas for VHF/UHF

Original Article

I wanted to share these links to PDf files on how to build some low cost yagi antennas. Enjoy



http://radio.obarr.net/downloads/cheap_yagis.pdf



http://www.wa5vjb.com/yagi-pdf/cheapyagi.pdf



These antennas can be made from just about anything and perform well. With a little fine tuning and trimming they can easily be used for GMRS, MURS and other VHF and UHF radio needs.





People are Owned and Consumed by their Possesions

Original Article

consumed-by-possessions
A recent post comment got me to thinking about how so many people today are truly “owned and consumed by their possessions”, as recently stated by an observant M.S.B. Reader. This ‘condition’ is arguably one of the core root causes attributing to the high stress of modern day life.
Don’t get me wrong. Who wouldn’t like to have more than just the necessities of life, or bigger and better versions of those same necessities. Who wouldn’t enjoy having nicer ‘toys’ to play with. In fact, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the possession of such things in my opinion, provided that you are not owned or consumed by them!



Here’s what I mean…
A possession that owns you may mean that you owe someone or some institution to have possession of that possession. You have it, but don’t own it, and are under contract to pay for it under the agreed terms. Therefore, the possession really owns you.

You are consumed by a possession or possessions when it or they expends you, or uses you up. How? By either the debt that you owe for it or them, or by the emotion, ‘greed’, – the ‘keep up with the Joneses’ syndrome.
For whatever reason, probably my upbringing, I have never been overcome with the emotion of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’, or the mentality of leveraging nearly everything I earn so that I can ‘appear’ to own possessions that are beyond my means. As I have lived life, I have been astounded at the acceptable notion of many that are younger than me, that it is OK and normal to leverage what they earn to purchase possessions that are way beyond their means.
Some may argue with me that this is a ‘bad thing’, since they are perfectly capable of paying their debt each month when the bills come… however they are missing a few extremely logical and important points. What are they sacrificing for having these possessions now (rather than later – or at all), and what if their ability to earn the required sum to pay the bills is taken away from them.
The point is, when you owe, you are a slave, even though you may not feel like it right now. I just heard a news report today that many Americans will now have to ‘work’ into their 80′s before they can retire! Are you kidding me?? What kind of retirement is that???
It used to be that people would live within their means, meaning they would not borrow more than what they knew they could pay off in a reasonable time. Better yet, save the money, forgo the instant gratification of having it now, and pay cash for it later. No debt, and therefore not a slave to the system.
When borrowing money, the interest you pay on that money, over time, will amount to an extraordinary sum… a sum which could have been in your pocket instead.
Don’t fall victim to feeling like you have to keep up with your friends or neighbors who have nice things in their possession. Just know that most of them really don’t own them, and are sealing their fate by burdening themselves with excessive debt and a long life of slavery.
Instead, just smile, and know inside yourself that you will likely build real net worth by simply remaining frugal and happy with the things that you can afford. Your life free of debt will be truly rewarding, and you will have a reasonable chance of retiring at a reasonable age.
…just a thought




If you enjoyed this, or topics of preparedness or current events risk awareness, consider our survival blog RSS feed, new posts by E-mail, or bookmark us at Modern Survival Blog


Modern Survival Blog related posts



Incoming search terms:
  • consumed with possessions




Monday, June 27, 2011

Survival Semantics - Food for Thought

Original Article





While many survival sayings refer to attitudes and mindset, some sayings have a very direct relation to our survival. Anyone can cross certain boundaries when faced with the critical decisions in a survival situation. It is important to remember that some boundaries serve a definitive purpose for our survival and violating these boundaries can have deadly consequences.


Hunger can be a simple but very real threat to your survival. It is an almost automatic response of our bodies. When we feel hungry, we eat. We do this without giving much thought to our food or how we would satisfy this need if situations were to change.


We sometimes eat to excess without any real need but merely because it is there. The problem arises when it is not there. We will still get hungry and we will still need to eat but it may have to be at a vastly different level than that which we are accustomed to doing.


Having a long term food storage program is one of the best solutions to this problem. A long term food storage program can also create problems of its own. This is the problem of food that has gone bad and is no longer useful or safe to consume. In a survival situation where resources may be limited, this can be a dangerous problem for survival. We have a tendency not to waste our resources and often take chances by doing things we shouldn’t.



Whether you are facing a real survival situation or just struggling with surviving on a day to day basis, there is a simple saying that relates to the safe use of food to prevent it from becoming what may be a serious threat to your survival.


When in doubt, throw it out!


Got food for thought?


Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker



5 Ways To Keep Your Vehicle Evacuation Ready

Original Article

Anyone who had the displeasure of evacuating  knows of  the frustration and heightened stress levels you experience.  Not only do you have to ensure you have ample supplies, but you also have to deal with the mass exodus of the city.


Quite simply, it is not fun and not something you want to take lightly.  The longer it takes for you to load up your car and leave, the longer it will take to get to your destination.  When my family evacuated Houston for Hurricane Rita, a regular 4-hour trip to Dallas took them 13 hours!  There were times when the highway was at a standstill for hours at a time.  There were many drivers who had to evacuate their vehicles because they ran out of gas, which also added to the frustration of the evacuees.
The main goal when you decide to prepare for any type of emergency  is to relieve any extraneous stress or frustration.  When planning for an evacuation, look at your vehicle as your lifeline.  Having a vehicle that is well stocked and evacuation ready is your ticket to a less chaotic and stressful encounter. 

Here are 5 ways to prepare for and maintain your evacuation vehicle:
1. Have vehicle bug out supplies.   Keep your basic survival needs in mind and plan to have enough supplies for 3 days.  The items chosen should be light weight and functional so that, if need be, carrying the kit will not be a strain due to unnecessary items.  Initially, the most important part of  preparing is to have a well thought out a plan.  This plan should be in place before you evacuate.  In addition, if you have children, have some child friendly activities or books packed away to keep their attention diverted.  There is nothing more excruciating than the question, “Are we there yet?”

2. Keep your vehicle properly maintained.  That means checking and changing the oil on a regular basis, ensuring the tires are inflated, brakes are working, the headlights work, and that the vehicle has been inspected.  This is pretty self explanatory.  Whatever vehicle is chosen for evacuation reasons needs to be at optimum performance.
3.  Keep your gas tank full.  When my vehicle gets to half full, I typically fill it up.  Not only does this ensure that I could get a far distance from my home, but it also saves on gas money.  Not to mention, in a evacuation scenario, the lines to the gas stations are going to be filled with frustrated individuals which could lead to run ins, thus delaying your evacuation further.

4. Make sure you have extra navigational items. Items such as GPS,  maps and compasses included in your vehicle evacuation supplies can ensure that you know where to go and how to get there.  To take this a step further, having non-electric navigational items can also help if your electric circuits are disrupted.
5. Have multiple pre-planned evacuation locations.  Road blocks, heavy congestion, and even car accidents can delay your evacuation and having a plan A, B, or C will keep your options open.  Therefore, create multiple escape routes that do not require you to travel through any major cities that are largely populated – this will cut down on traffic jams.  Before you leave, listen to the radio and the news to see which highways are open and plan accordingly.  In addition to pre-planned evacuation routes, find evacuation routes that you would have to take on foot.  No one wants to think about evacuating on foot, but it could be your only option in some cases.




Sunday, June 26, 2011

Audio Podcast: Episode-681- Frank Sharpe Jr. on the Harsh Reality of a Dangerous World

podcast_subscribeImage by derrickkwa via Flickr

Original Article

Frank Sharpe Jr. of Fortress Defense Consultants joins us the point man on our interview blitz.  Frank is a sponsor of TSP and has been a firearms instructor for over 10 years. As a senior staff instructor for Defense Training International (DTI). Frank has trained thousands of citizens, police, and military in the art of defensive firearms, and is the author of the DTI Instructors’ Standards Manual. Frank specializes in the effective instruction of female students and regularly speaks on defensive issues for women’s groups and community watch organizations. Join us today to learn from Frank’s years of experience including some frightening predictions he has for America’s future.  Learn about training to “run any gun”, using airsoft for scenario training and more. Overall get ready to “get real” today, leave all Hollywood nonsense out of your head before tuning into this one. Additional Resources for Today’s Show Members Support Brigade TSP Gear Shop ShelfReliance.com – (sponsor of the day) The Berkey Guy – (sponsor of the day) Win a Free AR-7 Survival Rifle from Ready Made Resources Fortress Defense Consultants Website Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture [...]




Smart Phones for Survival

Original Article

I have written in the past about the usefulness of smartphones, but have never really taken the time to write anything comprehensive about the subject. Recently, Kelly H. posted a good article at Survivalblog about this concept. Here is an excerpt from the article, listing some useful smartphone apps for the survivor:

The “All-in-One’s”
An Application I draw on time and time again is called “U.S. Army Survival Guide” and it is exactly what it sounds like. This App contains the entire Army survival guide. It includes illustrations and diagrams and is broken up into 23 chapters including a full glossary and appendix. It offers basic to mid-level survival tips, ranging from Shelter construction and trapping, to starting a fire and how to stay hidden. It’s always better to know this information off-hand but as a reference, this is the app you want.
Another infinite possibility app is “Google Books”. This allows you to purchase and store an e-book on almost any subject you can think off. A quick search for survival books netted me hundreds of results. What this offers is the ability to download almost any book that you might already own and to draw on it when needed, or even just to learn more techniques when the time comes. Lugging around half a dozen books can be taxing on both space and energy, especially if survival requires being mobile. Beyond survival purposes this is a great way to keep your mind off any situation you might be in.  E-Books are a great way to utilize multiple SD Cards. With the almost infinite library of information at your fingertips, you can store thousands of books and guides.
An e-book might be too much information to quickly draw upon. For this reason I also use an app called “WikiPock” that can download specific Wikipedia entries that can be viewed at a later time. You can be as specific or generic with this information as you want to be. I have several entries ranging from hot wiring a vehicle to greenhouse gardening. As phone storage improves I wouldn’t be surprised if you could soon download the entire English language Wikipedia to your phone. An uncompressed ‘wiki dump’ is about 27 gigs - compressed comes in at about 6 gigs.
Navigation
There are about a dozen or so free and proven off-line map applications. What this offers is the ability to store and view maps from anywhere in the world without data coverage. The basic principal is that with a little common knowledge of navigation you can find your way. I use an app called “MapDroyd”. I was able to download a vector map of the entire United States at any detail – there are maps for almost any country. A physical map is still going to be your most efficient way to find where you are. But, with these Apps you aren’t limited by size and scope.
Keep in mind this isn’t a topography map. There is an app called “BackCountry Navigator” for topography but costs about $10. Also, without GPS or cell-tower connection you won’t be able to automatically pinpoint your location – this is why basic navigating skills are just as important.
Some offline maps offer tools such as address searching or point A to point B directions. Feel free to experiment with different apps to find the right fit.
First-Aid
Like the other apps, this area of survival has a lot of options to choose from. The Army Survival Guide App also has an entire section devoted to first aid and medicinal plants. For my purposes I use an app called “iTriage”. It has a number of tools to choose from, but is most effectively used as a way to diagnose symptoms. A good guide or reference book is still your best bet for getting detailed information and instructions – both of which can be found with Google Books.
Tools & Miscellaneous
KnotsGuide  - A knot tying reference App with color photos, step-by-step instructions, and recommended usage for each knot. Can’t live without this.
ElectroDroid – Especially useful for TEOTWAWKI scenarios, this App is a great way to learn how electricity and circuitry works, and how to get it working.
Scanner Radio – This App requires a data connection, but allows you to listen to the dispatch radio of almost any city in the country. Get direct information before hearing about it on the news.
Flashlight – By no means a replacement for a sturdy flashlight, but this App is a good backup or tent light. It utilizes the ‘camera flash’ led on most phones when taking pictures.
Google Translate – Need to speak to someone in a different language, or read the warning label on a foreign-made package? This app allows you to type or speak almost any language and translates it to text or speech, especially useful if traveling.
Camera or Video – Your phone’s basic camera or video function is incredibly versatile. It is a way to remember where you started a trail, or to reference a certain plant or building. The ability to keep photographic record is invaluable.
Games – Surviving is not just about keeping your wits, it’s also about maintaining your spirits and fighting boredom. Games are an easy way to take a break from the situation you might be in. It’s not going to get you out of it physically, but mentally it might make a difference.

There is more to the article than just this app list, so be sure to read it in its entirety.



The Modern Day Survivalist

Original Article

the-modern-day-survivalist
Being a ‘survivalist’ these days, does not necessarily or automatically conjure up visions of Rambo trekking through the wilderness with shoulders slung with automatic weapons and belts laden with bullets all the while surviving by eating bugs and edible wild plants…
Instead, there has been a noticeable movement of ordinary folks whose eyes have opened and are seeing for the first time the bigger picture of ‘the system’ which is designed to keep them slaves to the masters who control the money and the world itself.



To become a modern survivalist, it’s really pretty darn easy, and sensible. By my own definition, I would dare say that the majority of people just a handful of decades ago would be considered modern-day survivalists by today’s standards. Does this mean that to be a survivalist or prepper, or preparedness minded, that we have to live like they did – way back when?
No, of course not. Being a modern day survivalist, we can continue to work within the same system that is trying to make us slaves, but instead we simply outsmart it. It’s really quite easy to do actually. Want to know how?

All you have to do is rid yourself of all debt. Period. End of story. I’m sure that most of you reading this have debt in one form or another. That’s not meant to be a dig on you, it’s just a reality that has been subconsciously forced upon most people by various calculated means. Debt is the life blood of the system. It needs debt to even exist. If you can find a way to rid your debt, you will be stunned by the liberation that you will feel in your gut. Without debt, you are entirely in control of your destiny.
To be a modern day survivalist, you don’t need to have a bug-out location, or a survival retreat, or an arsenal of weapons, or a years worth of food storage, or…
Although these things are insurance towards survival under certain conditions, the primary path to survivalism is not to be beholden to anyone else (no debt), and, you need the ability to adapt.



The way to get out of debt is pretty straight forward. It involves will power, and cannot be done unless you really want it. It will require sacrifice, time, and lifestyle change, but the end result will be orders of magnitude better than the sacrifice you will suffer.
The ability to adapt however, is a different story. This is more of an ability to execute actions based around common sensibility, open mindedness, and strategic planning. To survive, you need the ability to adapt. It’s that simple.
Some people think that all you need is money and supplies. This is true up to a point. Once the supplies are gone though, unless you have the ability to adapt, you will be ‘done’. The ability to adapt is a mindset and general skill that is learned over time. It’s not as hard as you think…
Most people are programmed to think a certain way. People are taught to accept a particular way of doing things and to not question the rationale. Those who question are often chastised. This becomes so ingrained in your psyche that you fail to realize that there is more than one way to get from point A to point B, so-to-speak.
Keeping a ‘healthy skepticism’ is a very good thing. Don’t automatically believe or trust what you are told. Use your own sense! The rule-of-thumb is, if something is true or right, it ‘usually’ will ring true. In other words, trust your gut – it’s usually right. The older you get and the more life experience you have, the more often your gut is absolutely ‘right’.




Well, you get the idea. It’s food for thought. Open your eyes, and look around you. Dig a little deeper into the ‘why’ things are happening. ‘Follow the money’. Don’t automatically believe that the main-stream is giving you the story in context. Think. Know what it is that is important to you. Consider what it is that really makes you happy. Motivate yourself. Imagine what it will be like when you’re out of debt. Picture yourself in control of your own life with those that you love, doing what is important. It’s about life. Not things. It is the exact opposite of what ‘the system’ is trying to convince you. You may not know it or believe it now, but one day, you certainly will. Let’s hope that it’s not too late.



If you enjoyed this, or topics of preparedness or current events risk awareness, consider our survival blog RSS feed, new posts by E-mail, or bookmark us at Modern Survival Blog



Modern Survival Blog related posts



Incoming search terms:
  • comments for sunday 6-6-2011
  • modern day survivalist
  • Modern Survivalist Channel
  • survivalist
  • yellowstone eruptions today




Friday, June 24, 2011

Pickled Okra

Original Article

The gentleman decided to come over to my house to show me how to make his very delicious pickled okra, instead of me hauling everything over to his house. There's only a few ingredients, and the recipe can be adjusted from one jar to a hundred easily. Here's what we did.



Boil your jars lids and rings to sterilize them, and in the meantime gather your ingredients:

One clove of garlic

Dill seed


White vinegar

non-iodized canning salt (optional)

peppers (I used jalapeno)



Wash okra well and dry it. Stuff as many in one of your sterilized jars as possible, leaving enough room to add a few slices of peppers, a teaspoon of dill, and a peeled clove of garlic.

put 1 cup of vinegar to one cup of water PER JAR into a saucepan and add about 1/8 cup of canning salt per jar. Bring to a boil.

At this point it's a good idea to put your jars into a pan of hot (not boiling) water to help adjust for the shock of pouring boiling liquid into it.

Pour your vinegar concoction straight into the jar leaving as little headroom as possible and while it's still good and hot, use a towel to tighten the lids and rings on, then turn upside down and allow to cool.

Don't open or eat for 21 days.




















In my case, I'm using pint jars and had enough pickle to make one more jar, but this is as much okra as I've picked yet.

The Gentleman invited me to his house to pick plums for jelly, so that's today's project.. Plum jelly, and jam (If I don't eat em all before we get done!)




This recipe makes very crisp and delicious okra pickles. The flash boil is supposed to stop the enzyme action while not making the okra soggy. The Ball canning guide I mentioned in another thread says that some of these practices are "inferior or obsolete" but this man has been making pickled okra this way for 50 years, and since I already ate two jars he gave me, I'm certain that this method works just fine.



Induction Generator Load Test

Original Article



As promised on the no-load vid of this induction generator, here is a video of the first load test. I have both a 120 volt and 220 volt connection; the 120 is powering the light bulb (which is 100 watts; these will soon be outlawed so stock up) and the 220 is powering a heating element from an oven. As you can see and hear, the single belt and lack of a belt tensioner is the limiting factor. When I switch on the heating element, the voltage drops to 160 or so, with a corresponding dimming of the light bulb. But when I shove the 2x4 in there to tension the belt, the bulb brightens again and the high voltage rises to about 210 volts. At this voltage, the current into the heating element is about 7 amps, which equates to a bit under 1500 watts. Add the 100 watt light bulb and you get almost 1600 watts, with no sign of any problems.
I ran this setup with both loads connected for about 20 minutes. The water was boiling, but that's ok. I didn't want to run it any longer without a larger cooling hopper, though.
One thing I neglected to check during filming was the frequency. I remembered to check it after I had put the camera away but while the generator was still running, and I found that it was only 54 Hertz. So I increased the speed of the engine, reaching 58 cycles and 218 volts under load into the heating element. Because I was checking the frequency with the same meter I had been using to monitor the amps, I didn't get a current reading at that voltage. But it was definitely increasing its power output, because I could not reach 60 cycles. When I increased the speed beyond the 58 cycle setting, the single belt reached its limit and started slipping even though I had pounded a short chunk of 4x4 between the motor and generator so it would hold tension.
So why am I out here messing with this thing in 100 degree weather (literally. I was gonna say something like it wasn't really that hot, it was only 98 degrees; then I went and looked at the thermometer to get an accurate reading, and it is 102 degrees outside)?
Because the electricity was off when I was shooting this. It was off when I woke up this morning, then it came back on for about an hour, then went back off again. Typical day here. So I really need to put this engine on the 7.5 KW generator that is sitting beside it, because I need a generator that can run the air conditioner, refrigerator, deep freeze and all that stuff, and the engine that is currently (no pun intended) on the generator needs a rebuild. So I needed to get this experiment out of the way to free up that engine. Don't worry though; I am sufficiently pleased with the outcome of this test to want to do some further testing and use it for some practical applications as well; just with a different engine. I have a little 6.5 hp Kubota diesel engine that is not currently employed...



Generator From Electric Motor

Original Article



Here I have a 208/220V; 440V, 5 horsepower 3-phase motor that I am experimenting with converting to an inductive generator, powered by my Changfa S195 Chinese 12 hp diesel engine. I'm learning here; I have never done this before. In both clips, the motor is wired for low (208/220) voltage. That means it is wired Wye-Wye (two sets of windings paralleled), whereas it would need to be wired Wye (both sets in series) for 440V. Does this mean I could produce 440 volts with this setup? Undoubtedly. Rectify that to DC and power the plate circuit of a tube linear amplifier without the big transformer normally required. Add a small transformer for the low voltage stuff, and this would make a good power supply for a legal-limit ham radio station.

So anyway, in the first clip I am using only one capacitor, and it is the only capacitor I could find in the microFarad range that was rated for high voltage AC. It has nowhere near enough capacitance; I think it was 0.75 uF or something like that. As you can see, it didn't work.
Digging around in cyberspace, I found reference to C-2C wiring for this specific purpose. Unfortunately the guy who was describing it didn't have a firm grasp of what he was describing, having simply followed someone else's directions. Thus, although it would seem that "2C" would imply double the capacitance of "C", the narrative did not leave me with a feeling of confidence that that was what he meant. Not disrespecting the guy or anything, just telling it like it is.
So I searched further and ascertained that, indeed, 2C means 2C and not merely C2. I found other stuff about it too, which gave me the confidence to actually spend a bit of money.
Basically, it works like this: imagine a delta-wound, 3-phase motor. There are of course 3 legs to which the power connects; L1, L2 and L3. L1 and L2 will be the output. C, the first capacitor, connects in parallel across L1-L2. 2C connects in parallel across L2-L3. Nothing connects across L3-L1.
2C can be either a single capacitor of double the value of C or, as you see here, two caps of the same value as C, connected in parallel.

So I went to everybody's least favorite online auction site and bought three identical, new, 55 uF 440V motor run capacitors. As you can see, this works; at least as far as producing voltage. Stay tuned, because next I plan to load it with some heating elements to see



Thursday, June 23, 2011

Sorry for the lack of posts

I've been working 14-16 hour shifts out of town.

I'll try to get something up ASAP.



Bax

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Something We Don’t Like to Think About…

Original Article

There’s something we don’t like to think about in the midst of our prepping for survival. But it’s the undercurrent that flows with all we do to be prepared.
We’re trying to beat the Grim Reaper. In other words, we don’t want to die.
We want to prolong life as long as possible. After all, that’s what survival is about, isn’t it? Aren’t we aiming to outlive others around us when we’re in the midst of adv ersity?
But the fact is, you and I are going to die someday. And before that happens, we may see many others die around us. And it will be painful.
Perhaps those who die will be friends or beloved family members. Perhaps cherished pets.

Perhaps neighbors will die in a tornado, flood or fire. Many deaths will result from a societal and economic collapse the likes of which we’ve never seen before. It could be a One Second After scenario.
I’m not predicting anything. I can’t know the future, and neither can you. I believe the prophecies found in Scripture give us the big picture, but the exact details are yet to unfold. Obviously, Harold Camping and others of his ilk who went before him got it wrong.
Moving through the mists of tomorrow is one of the most difficult challenges of prepping. We’re preparing for the unknown. But to ignore it is folly.
Once it was human nature to practice self preservation. To do anything other than what we think of as prepping would have been laughed at as foolishness. Has self preservation been conditioned or bred out of us?
Ignoring death is to be in denial. It simply postpones the inevitable. Our ancestors acknowledge death as an ordinary, inescapable part of life. It’s time we do the same.
Yet, we prepare. It’s one of those nagging dichotomies we face as long as we draw breath.
Prepping should be an acknowledgement that death is real, but we’re making the choice to face it with wisdom and courage.

Someone who calls herself the Patriot Nurse shares thoughts on the deaths that will happen if or when we face major calamity throughout the country. It’s sobering to say the least.
Are you ready to think the unthinkable? Watch these videos. Then why not share your thoughts with a comment below?

Who will die first?

Popout

Who will die in the next wave?

Popout



Saturday, June 18, 2011

Short Term Emergency Check List

Original Article

 

ESSENTIALS: 

 Flashlight
Battery-operated radio
2-way radio or other form of communication
 Extra Batteries
 First Aid Kit (one for your home and one for each car)
Note: As a precaution, do not include candles. Candles cause more fires after a disaster.

WATER:

 3 gallons of water per person, minimum, in a food-grade, plastic container.
Water purification tablets
 Additional water for sanitation

FOOD:

 Minimum 5-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration or preparation and little or no water.
 Dry cereal
 Peanut butter
 Canned fruits
 Canned vegetables
 Canned juice
 Ready-to-eat canned meats
 Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated)
 Quick energy snacks

SANITATION:


  
Disinfectant
 Household chlorine bleach
 Soap, liquid detergent
 Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
 Personal hygiene items
 Cloth towels (at least 3)
 Feminine supplies
 Plastic bucket with tight lid
 Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation use)

CLOTHING:

Plastic garbage bags, ties
 Sunglasses
 Rain gear

 Sturdy shoes or work boots
 Blankets or sleeping bags
 Complete change of clothing and footwear per person

TOOLS & SUPPLIES:

 Whistle
 Aluminum foil
 Crowbar
 Compass
 Paper, pencil
 Plastic sheeting
 Medicine dropper
 Needles, thread
 Signal flare
 Matches in a waterproof container

 Assorted nails, wood screws
 Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
 Plastic storage containers
 Heavy cotton or hemp rope
 Cash, traveler’s checks, change
 Map of the area
 Non-electric can opener, utility knife
 Cell phone with charger
 Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
 Tape, duct tape and plumber’s tape or strap iron
 Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires
 Shut off wrench, to turn off household gas and water

FOR BABY:


Formula
 Diapers

 Bottles
 Medication
 Powdered milk
 Baby food

PETS:


Food, water
 Non-tippable food and water containers
 Leash, harness, carrier
 Records of vaccinations
 Pet medications

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:

Important telephone numbers
 Record of bank account numbers
 Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

 Inventory of household valuables
 Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stock and bonds
 Records of credit card account numbers and companies
 Copy of passport, social security cards and immunization records

FAMILY MEDICAL NEEDS:

Insulin
 Prescription drugs in original containers
 Heart and high blood pressure needs
 Denture needs
 Extra eye glasses
 Contact lenses and supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:


Family photos

 Jewelry
 Irreplaceable personal items



Friday, June 17, 2011

Wilderness Survival: Shelters

Original Article


Wildernes Survival Shelter
Image by frankdouwes via Flickr

Here are blog posts and videos on constructing and using wilderness survival shelters.
Wilderness Survival: Shelter, Fire, Water, Hypothermia. Paul

50 Responses to Wilderness Survival: Shelter, Fire, Water, Hypothermia. Paul Tarsitano. PaulT1960 says: May 12, 2011 at 2:28 pm. Yes..using a small limb as a mallet works well…have you ever used wedges made out of wood
Publish Date: 05/11/2011 19:41
http://www.verb-it.com/wilderness-survival-shelter-fire-water-hypothermia-paul-tarsitano/
Survival Shelter | Flickr – Photo Sharing!

Up the Hill · Shelters in the Trees · Survival Shelter · ‘Small Animal Shelter’ · Chickadee on a Bucket. License. All Rights Reserved. Privacy. This photo is visible to everyone. keyboard shortcuts: ← previous photo
Publish Date: 03/31/2011 15:45
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crustyshoes/5578251804/



9 Different Military Poncho Survival Shelter Configurations |

Use a military poncho as a survival shelter! Here are 9 Different ways to do it!
Publish Date: 04/10/2011 10:20
http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/featured-wilderness-survival-blog-entries/9-military-poncho-survival-shelter-confirguations-how-to-set-up-a-military-poncho-shelter/
Basic Survival Skills 101-6: Survival Shelters | eFoodsDirect Blog
Wither surviving lost in the wilderness or after a disaster when your home is destroyed, knowing how to build a safe and sturdy shelter to protect your family from the elements is vital for survival.

Publish Date: 05/02/2011 23:00
http://www.efoodsdirect.com/Blog/basic-survival-skills-101-6-survival-shelters/
Emergency Shelter and Sleeping Gear | Survival Planning
When a crisis occurs the basic survival elements that are required by the victim include supportive medication or treatment, water, food, shelter and clothing. It is always best to keep a first aid kit and some emergency

Publish Date: 05/09/2011 18:04
http://survival-planning.com/blog/emergency-shelter-and-sleeping-gear
Guide to lightweight emergency shelters for wilderness survival
An survival shelter is an important component of an wilderness emergency kit. Here’s a list of several light-weight tarps that can be packed away and easily carried.

Publish Date: 04/06/2011 4:29
http://strayoutdoors.com/lightweight-emergency-survival-shelters
Survival Series – Priorities for Surviving
Mrs. Jarhead in front of a survival shelter – our first igloo! Despite being a little lopsided it worked great. Click photo for a closer look. To start with we’ll talk about the Rule of Threes.
Publish Date: 05/06/2011 4:00

http://www.shtfblog.com/survival-series-priorities-for-surviving/
survivalist gear: Wilderness Survival: Shelter, fire, water
Keywords: Wilderness, Survival, Shelter, Fire, Hypothermia, kit, Paul, Tarsitano, man, vs, wild, survivor, mental, boughs, stay, alive, in, the, bush, find, water, knife, canada’s, cool, hot, winter, snowshoes, starter,
Publish Date: 05/19/2011 23:30

http://survivalistgearr.blogspot.com/2011/05/wilderness-survival-shelter-fire-water.html
How Wilderness Survival And Urban Survival Skills Fit Together
In both wilderness and urban survival, the most important common factor that will determine success or failure is your mindset. The basics of survival are also common to wilderness and urban scenarios: shelter, water,

Publish Date: 05/08/2011 22:01
http://www.personalliberty.com/conservative-politics/liberty/how-wilderness-survival-and-urban-survival-skills-fit-together/
Wilderness shelter
Shelter should be the first consideration when faced with a Wilderness survival situation but may not be number one if you are simply trail walking at the moment. Anytime a survival question comes up you must stop and
Publish Date: 05/17/2011 17:00

http://www.realwildernessskills.com/?p=39
How To Build A Shelter In The Wilderness Without Bringing Any
In some wilderness there are natural pits created by animals or trees falling. You can use this for a shelter. Just line it with tree boughs or bark. Just make sure that there are no snakes or small animals within the

Publish Date: 05/05/2011 15:51
http://wintercarkit.org/how-to-build-a-shelter-in-the-wilderness-without-bringing-any-supplies%C2%A0%C2%A0/
How to make different types of shelter-wilderness survival mb
How to make different types of shelter-wilderness survival mb. 04/20/11. How to make different types of shelter-wilderness survival mb · Permalink 04:15:35 pm by nick, Categories: Monthly Theme / MB

Publish Date: 04/20/2011 13:15
http://bsatroop123.com/b2evolution/index.php/2011/04/20/how-to-make-different-types-of-shelter-wilderness-survival-mb?blog=9

YourTube Videos on Wilderness Survival Shelters

Wilderness Shelter
We show you how to build a Wilderness Shelter should you ever be caught out in the wilds. The quality has been significantly reduced from the original footage.
Popout
bushcraft survival long term wilderness shelter 7 of 7 heating the shelter.wmv
heating the shelter with hot stones

Popout
bushcraft survival long term wilderness shelter part 1 of 7 making a bowsaw.wmv
making a bow-saw handel from hazel
Popout
Buidling Winter Wilderness Shelter & Fire in Maine
Buidling Wilderness Shelter & Fire in Maine and demonstrating some simple methods to start fire
Popout

Wilderness Lean-To by Nutnfancy: Part 1
PART 1 OF 3: Building a lean-to wilderness shelter in snowy and cold conditions…good times! There are numerous shelters that you can construct in these northern, mountainous woods and this is one of them. It does require a fair amount of time, calo…
Popout
Survival Shelter- Basic Scout Pit
primitiveskills.com At the Scout Basic course build a survival shelter emphasizing low profile.
Popout
Winter Wilderness Shelter
Building shelter with a basic plastic tarp and para cord in winter.
Popout

Spencer Two Dogs; wilderness shelters that work “A Tale of Two Shelters”
Wilderness survival is often taught by people who have read a lot of books. Here you get a look at shelters built by someone who long ago passed the Boy Scout merit badge, the Army survival test, and simply living in the woods. Here are two shelters …
Popout
Wilderness Survival Tips : Wilderness Survival Shelter Tips
Building a shelter in the wilderness is key to survival, especially in harsh conditions, so consider using rain gear, sticks and debris to create a lean-to or tent for protection. Create some insulation to make the most of a shelter with life-saving …
Popout
Bushcraft Practice – Wilderness Emergency Shelter Frame
We build a very simple wilderness shelter frame in this video. We start by constructing two Amazing Wilderness Camp Chair frames, install one cross beam and the basic frame is complete. Add a waterproof tarp and your done. To see this shelter startin…
Popout

Basic Survival Shelter Using An Emergency Blanket
Demo of how to create a shelter using a Mylar blanket. Every survival situation is different(climate, Weather, location, ETC.). The shelter you make would depend on those factors. This is a basic shelter that would be great for certain conditions and…
Popout
Survival Shelter–Inexpensive Geodesic Domes
www.destinysurvival.com presents this short feature on a couple of inexpensive, easy to build geodesic domes for use as shelters for survival, storing belongings, or mini-greenhouses..
Popout
Building a Shelter – Ray Mears Extreme Survival – BBC
Ray Mears shows us how to make a strong shelter in wet forest, and the right and wrong ways to strike a match.
Popout

Survival Shelter – Debris Hut Part One
Maine Primitive Skills School instructor Mike Douglas teaches how to construct the Debris Hut Shelter.(Part I of II) Visit us online at www.primitiveskills.com
Popout
There you have a good number of sources for wilderness survival shelters. Be smart. Be prepared ~Richard Davidian
Tired of paying full price for outdoor gear?









Click here now for the latest REI deals.








Give this post a boost on StumbleUpon. Click this button. Thanks.

———-
We welcome comments. Please join the conversation.

Please subscribe to our RSS Feed for more great outdoors tips and issues (top right corner).
Lost? S-T-O-P
8 Trails with Views of Mount Saint Helens
Acquire survival skills quickly with Survival Playing Cards.
Jansport Backpacks
Follow me on Twitter for more great outdoors tips and issues.

Outdoors and Hiking Tips
Enhanced by Zemanta