Many everyday household items are helpful for prepping, survival and alternative purposes for which they were not intended. One such item is plastic wrap. From kitchen wrap to stretch wrap or heavier plastic sheeting, its uses are endless. Use your imagination. Keep a roll nearby.

Even my favorite Dollar Store has been inflated to $1.25 but consumables go right down the drain or in the trash. Why spend top dollar? With my shift to a "Conserver Lifestyle", I continue visiting my friend, the Dollar Store (and other money-saving places), to find a deal.

Inadequate nutrition is among the most common causes of a weakened immune system. Supporting optimal immune function begins with consuming the essential vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients necessary for immune health. When our diets fail to provide the necessary nutrients, the next best option is to consume quality supplements. Here are some of the top nutrients and How They Support Immune Health.

A lot of emphasis is put on survival products and building a storehouse of stuff for an emergency. But, what happens when our funds are used up and the storehouse is bare? What's left?

Don’t waste your time, money and energy by repeating the same mistakes many others have already made. Learn from our mistakes here. NUMBER 1 of 22; Your supplies/stockpiles won't last forever. Do It Yourself (DIY). Become Self-Reliant. NUMBER 2; Live Below Your Means Starting Right Now. NUMBER 3; Proceed slowly with goals.

What does the Bible say about Self Defense? Discover Bible verses about Self Defense from the Old and New Testaments. Read through these biblical references of Self Defense to learn more about its meaning and significance. May you find some insight from these related articles:

Anyone can end up in a situation without all the gear needed. Even without that gear you can still save the day. Don't let MacGyver have all the fun. Think outside the box; make a "D" battery from a "AA", an arm sling from a grocery bag. Imagination is your best tool.

There are affordable (or Free) alternatives to commercial Health Insurance. Health Share Programs may be one to consider but read here for other options.

Springs tension for the slide (loading the first round) and loading ammo in the magazine (especially the last round) of semi-automatic firearms are a challenge for many people. Before buying a "cool-looking" semi-auto, think about hand strength and how often the firearm will be taken out of the sock drawer.

Whether you're trying to evade a hostile military force, kidnappers in a foreign land, or a group of looters or rioters in a situation of civil unrest, the following information can help for disguising your movement and remaining undetectable while on the run by Masking, Avoid "Flagging" and being a Gray Man.

Our privacy is constantly being violated with more government control. Our DNA (extracted via nose/throat swab, blood, hair sample) can be used for all kinds of nefarious purposes without our knowledge from Police for criminal investigations to insurance companies to buy Life Insurance. Read more here.

The modern ideas of vertical farming use indoor farming techniques and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology, where all environmental factors can be controlled to use less water, increase yield, and reduce overall costs of conventional farming techniques. Learn about growing Microgreens, inside, for food or profit.

Massive power outages and data systems failures are a result of an aged grid in the US. Unfortunately, most citizens are too reliant on technology. Are you victimized/controlled by technology? When technology fails, will you stop functioning like the machines you rely on? Get off the techno-insanity and back to basics.

For those who prepare for emergencies, exercise should be part of the overall plan. Exercise has a major impact on a person's health. You do nothing, you feel poorly; you exercise, you feel better. Like diet, exercise helps prevent or reduce the effects of illness and injury. Here are some suggestions:

Over the decades, there has been a steady decline of family values; going to church, patriotism and raising children. Former generations have become apathetic, giving up the responsibility to “educators”, government, television and social media and “self” is the root cause of the younger generations. So, how can we reverse these trends?

Many gun owners have had a Family Disagreement About a Gun in the House. Often, it is a misconception due to a lack of education on the part of the opposing party. Here are some ways to help overcome these misconceptions and find a peaceful resolution.

When electric goes out during cold weather, shrinking your living space will help retain body heat and heat generated by backup [fuel/wood] heating sources. Gathering together will also increase room temperature with body heat. Other ways to stay warm are included in this link:

One excuse used for not preparing for an emergency is that it takes a lot of time. True enough. Anything you pursue with passion and intensity is going to take some time. On the other hand, there are plenty of preparation activities that can be undertaken in just five minutes.

The typical wood-frame house provides little protection against firearms fire. Strategically placed "decorative" flower boxes/planters, reinforced window shutters and brick/stone veneer are a good start to bullet-proofing the house. Then consider other options mentioned in this link.

If you've ever thought of simplifying your life, there are likely many things that you haven't considered and a few that you have. Be as it may, there are some things you'll want to ask yourself before you embark on this journey. Answering these questions may help reveal the truth.

Self-preservation is an instinct of every mature creature. By trial and error, instincts improve. And, by personal social integration with others, survival can improve, and be more beneficial, in bad times, than going it alone. But having the right kind of #companions is vitally important.

There are many "quiet" generators on the market. Mine is not one of them. When I bought my first generator, I tried to save a few bucks and didn’t put a lot of thought into it. I ended up going with a large one that was very loud. Here are some ways to reduce their noise.

Protesting (Civil disobedience) is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws, demands, orders or commands of a government. By some definitions, civil disobedience has to be nonviolent to be called 'civil'. Hence, civil disobedience is sometimes equated with peaceful protests or nonviolent resistance. Rioting is a criminal offense involving the destruction of the property of others and/or injuring or killing others.

When the economy is weak, budgets are tight or morale is low, we should still find ways to have fun without breaking the bank. Creative Frugal Entertainment activities are all around us and can be enjoyed together free or at minimal cost. Consider this list (and use your imagination) for fun ideas without boredom.

With these Free Apps, nearly any cell phone, with a built-in camera, can be setup as a security camera to send real-time video activity to the smartphone you always use. Install the app on the old phone then position and power up the phone/camera to monitor from the phone you carry.

First, we experiment. Then it's fun. Then it's a habit. We make bigger sacrifices for it. We're stuck on a hamster wheel but tell ourselves that we have "chosen" the hamster wheel. But the hamster wheel is actually in control. Whatever controls us, is an addiction. But addictions can be overcome!

The Internet can be a source of suitable education and fun for children. They can use it as a resource for school projects, watch fun videos, play interactive games, and learn more about the world. However, it's also possible for them to stumble on inappropriate content or become a victim of cyberbullying and online predators. Here are ways to educate children on protecting themselves, and others, on the internet.

It's perhaps one of the most important and pitched battles of our time. What can you believe? Who's telling the truth? What's real? . . . the media is a free-for-all, where news is faked, and popular sites/programs are subject to manipulation or censorship. Your mind is under attack by all manner of media, government and persons! How will you defend it? Think critically.

1 - Supplies you have (11-Cs), 2 - Skills you have, 3 - Your physical abilities, 4 - Luck, 5 - Your will to live. Link includes 11-cS List and video of Survivorman (Les Stroud) in Patagonia.

Learn to produce Drinking Water from the Air, Ground and Undrinkable Water.

Zealots and extremists exist for every opinion. Outsiders look at these and twirl their finger around their temple to gesture "CraaaZeee". Mostly it's a matter of perception, not fact. Animals store things, and humans get insurance, to prepare for hard times. In the volatile world in which we live, maybe the real Whack Jobs aren't those who plan but those who fail to plan.

Working under the table will, eventually, come back to bite you; most likely at the most inappropriate time and in ways you may not have considered. However, when a sudden job loss occurs, eating and paying bills tend to overshadow paying taxes. Keep Mark 12:17 [Bible] in mind.

This scenario plays out regularly across the country; a legally armed citizen uses a gun in self-defense, and then appears in court to prove that the legal requirements were met. When the court rules the citizen is not guilty of a crime, life just goes on, right? NOT! What can you do to survive?

An Emergency Kit and supplies not only apply to catastrophic scenarios but also prepares us for some day-to-day needs that require immediate attention. Read on to find out how to use your emergency preps for practical, everyday use and keep you in a state of readiness.

A cascade of events, triggered by a sentinel event (not necessarily some end of the world, Hollywood doomsday scenario), will lead to panic and then on to food and fuel shortages, civil unrest, supply chain disruptions and possibly martial law being imposed. Don’t think it can’t happen. Prepare!

Homesteading Can Be Started Right Where You Are: A movement is afoot who have had enough of the race to nowhere and to learn how to live more self-sufficiently and without all the trappings of a "normal" American lifestyle. This movement has inspired some questions addressed here. Make a living from your own private paradise. What’s holding you back? Download Free E-Book from this link.

Living in dangerous times, we should be prepared to defend ourselves in our home, car, at work, or on the street. Before an actual attack, we need to decide to what extent we are willing to defend family and self. Here are some alternatives to using deadly force.

The U.S. Constitution provides for States to organize and train their Militias according to standards established by the U.S. Congress, and to appoint the officers, but it was not the intention of that clause to authorize states to forbid local organization and training of Militia units, but to require that they be organized and trained. Here are some Steps to take:

A generation or so ago parents raised outdoor kids who would congregate in forests, parks, streets and backyards to play for hours on end only to be called in for supper or bed. Our culture shifted. They spend the majority of time indoors [on electronic devices]. “Let’s go outside and get some Vitamin N (Nature)”.

The more we're online, the greater the chance that our ID or financial information will be stolen. It's in the news constantly; a company is hacked and customer data stolen. Here are some pro-active things you can do to protect yourself even when companies, with your information, don't.

Not having this one key component has killed more people in a survival situation than any other issue we can talk about. It’s probably the single most important aspect of survival; The Will to Survive. Don't blame yourself, stay busy, have a routine, think and act positive, do fun things; these are some things to get through it.

Have you ever watched an action or war movie and said to yourself "take their ammo and weapons"? Well, that's exactly what needs to be done (with much caution) in any armed conflict. Immediate confiscation is much less risky than equipment/supplies that have been sitting for a while, unattended, that could be booby-trapped.

Most of us wouldn't CHOOSE to be homeless. But we should never say "never"; life has a way of throwing us curve balls. If you do find yourself on the run to avoid persecution or capture or homeless due to natural disaster, financial ruin and lack of friends/family ties, this information will be crucial to cope (and survive) despite setbacks.

Black Powder Rifles and Cap-and-Ball Revolvers provide a simple solution to sold-out ammunition. While some BP firearms can be converted to use commercial ammo, our ammunition supply is limited only by how much metal we can acquire to melt down for the bullets. When combined with the knowledge of Making Black Gunpowder from scratch, we don't need to rely on modern firearms.

Most preppers are familiar with the sideways looks and awkward situations that arise when they tell others of their emergency plans and readiness. But, when that skepticism comes from within the immediate family, things become much more complex. Do you feel like Noah (in the Bible) when trying to talk with them about prepping? What do you do now?

Urban environments present their own unique challenges when it comes to survival. But if you arm yourself with these "street survival skills," you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to survive. First piece of advice; move to the country. But if you're not going to do that . . .

It never hurts to be prepared with a good shower alternative when clean running water may not be available when you might need one. Feeling clean is a boost to morale. Here are some shower options to consider.

Thousands of people may vacation in a Recreational Vehicle but many have permanently taken to living on the road in an RV. Read about the pros & cons, Mail Processing Services for People on the Move and one couple's challenges & adventures of casting off "the norm" for an RV lifestyle that teaches to value experiences over belongings, and relationships over work.

The Ultimate Level of Preparation has Little to do with Stuff or Detailed Plans but, rather, Heart and Mind and Soul. A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 22:3

Household cleaner, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, laundry booster - Nix the chemicals and make your own. Forget the toxic, store-bought, costly commercial products. Nontoxic cleaning products are all the rage and better for the environment and our health but not always ideal for the wallet. Luckily, there are tons of ways to clean the home using organic products, without breaking the bank.

It takes about 45 empty soda/beer cans to melt down to about one pound of molten aluminum which can be formed to make awesome new objects in just a few steps using a [melting] Foundry and Molds. This technique is a great way to recycle old aluminum cans. Instructions for making a DIY Foundry and Molds are included at this link.

Tuberculosis (TB), Typhoid, Cholera, Disentary and Respiratory Infections (colds, flu, virus) - When the infrastructure is compromised, understanding and preparing for these diseases will help you survive. Preventive measures are good personal hygiene, clean water, clean food preparation, good diet, exercise, Vitamin D and good ventilation in gathering areas.

People have been using vinegar for thousands of years for everything from food preservation to sanitation! There have even been traces of vinegar found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 3000 B.C.! Discover how this one simple household staple is worth more than gold. Learn its many uses and how to make your own.

Before you dump the coals from your fire or grill, read these tips that might save your life, or improve your health, in an emergency situation. Charcoal is the black remains of burned hard wood, not the white ash. Learn how to make charcoal and activated charcoal.

We want to protect them from harm and the cruelties of life. But are we doing them a disservice? Teaching our children good moral values, and helping them learn how to prepare for emergencies, are good things to cope with life and know they can help themselves, the family and community; beliefs and skills they will need to face the realities of life for the rest of their lives.

A survival cache is a secret hiding place with a valuable, emergency stockpile of supplies we need to survive when there are no other options or help lighten the load during that trip to the bugout location. The keys to successfully hiding a survival cache are to hide it where no one else will find it but you and stored so the contents will be preserved. Protect it then hide it.

The concept of "snowshoes" is to make your footprint larger to disperse your body weight over a larger area so you don't sink into the snow. Visit the related link to learn how to make them in the wild or at home.

On average, the human body requires 2000 calories of food per day and 32 ounces of water. We don't need to face running out of water or food, or food quality and taste, when we know what we like, our nutritional requirements and prepare for the expected and unexpected. Here are suggestions for what to buy, how much to buy, where to buy it and how to store it.

The way prepared people spend their time before an emergency is the real key to survival. It's something no amount of money can buy. It’s the small daily habits that become an innate part of our everyday lives – habits that may not be noticeable to someone outside the lifestyle. Skills become more than just knowledge, they become instinctual. Seek happiness but live everyday as if it is "the day before".

The power of simple machines, smartly employed, are capable of moving most anything. Daddy didn’t possess superhuman strength, he simply understood the power of simple machines. "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." - Archimedes

Many tout Colloidal Silver as a panacea for all human ailments, from the common cold to staph, aids and cancer. But the medical community, FDA and many others view this liquid as quackery and potentially harmful to internal organs. Made at home or bought commercially, is it safe to use?

Car batteries are too expensive to just throw them away when they lose their full power. They can be restored to their former glory or repurposed for backup or other DC Power uses with Baking Soda, Epsom Salt and Distilled Water.

If you’re relying too much on modern technology to tell the weather, it’s time to go back to basics. Want to know how to do a weather forecast without gadgets? Learn to "read" the clouds, sky, moon, wind, humidity, air, dew, plants, animals and Insects and more.

Boron is a trace mineral, common supplement and nutrient that is neglected by many. Found naturally in several plants, it offers several benefits, not just to plants but also to all of us. Do lots of research before using Boron products.

Should we assume the water coming out of our faucets is safe to drink? No! Here are ways to test (for lead and other metals, pesticides, bacteria, parasites, inorganics, Volatile Organic Compounds, etc.) and decontaminate (filtering, treating, distilling, etc.) to improve the quality of your drinking water. Includes information about countertop home distillers.

Our ancestors walked woodlands learning to use the resources invisible to the modern eye. Learning to use natural resources can help get out of many "sticky" situations in the woods. Pine trees, for example, produce a sticky resource with many benefits such as first aid, glue, making a torch and starting a fire.

The concept of “cashless” is either a heated debate, the wave of the future, or a term you’ve never heard of. Governments have a love-hate relationship with cash because it is anonymous money which may represent untaxed earnings. This helps explain why the fix is in to outlaw cash. But anything electronic can be monitored so anonymity is not likely. Consider investing in the Barter System and hand-held precious metals. Get 2 FREE reports on how to prepare for what's coming next.

About 25 minutes into the “Dr. No” movie, 007 arrives at his hotel, gets his vodka martini, shakes powder onto his briefcase latches and places a hair strand across the crack between the door and door jamb. Why?; to detect if someone opens the door or his briefcase after he leaves. These are called “tells”. It's a low-tech indicator of unwanted access/activity when observation isn't possible.

Paracord is nylon cordage made up of multiple strands that can be used for climbing or broken down to its smallest strand to sew on a button or suture a wound. There are plenty of creative uses for it. Check out our list and learn a ton of paracord hacks! If you are wondering what paracord is, you’re in the right place to start learning.

- Find the clearest piece of ice about the size of a softball - Chip away at it until it's shaped into a disk; thick in the middle and narrow at the edges - Polish the lens with the heat from your hands to give it a smooth surface - Angle your ice lens towards the sun and focus the light onto your fire tinder

Resourcefulness is an important trait of a great hunter or survivalist, especially when building a STRONG outdoor shelter. 1: Clear ground to the dirt, larger than the shelter size, to discourage critters from sneaking in 2: Build the Shelter Frame 3: Build a dry bed frame or padded area to stay off the bear ground which drains body heat 4: Make a roof with a tarp, survival blanket or leafy branches

In a survival situation, the nuts, fruits, and leaves are more appealing sources of nutrition but, in mid-winter, the bark may be the only available edible part. Getting familiar with, and learning how to harvest and prepare, parts of a tree (for food and medicine) could be the difference between life and death in the wild.

Step by step actions to take for surviving hypothermia if symptoms occur. Read about the hypothermia 1-10-1 Rule, a simple way to remember the first 3 phases of Cold Water Immersion: 1 minute - (if fallen into cold water) an immediate shock of cold will pass. 10 minutes - loss of effective use of fingers, arms and legs for any meaningful movement. 1 hour - unconsciousness will set in.

1. Allow clothes to breathe and insulate better. Keep them clean to stay sanitized and warm. 2. Limit strenuous activities to avoid exhaustion/sweating. 3. Wear clothing loose to breathe. Layer for better insulation. 4. Stay dry. Wear water-resistant clothes. Avoid snow and melting ice. 5. Keep head covered to stay warmer. 6. Avoid frostbite - cover ears and fingers. Put hands under arm pits or somewhere warm. 7. Seek Shelter: build or dig a pit in ground or snow 8. Stay warm. Keep hydrated. Snack on food to keep energy levels and body temperature high.

Here are some options for off-grid and backup hot water heating with commercial products and used parts and a wood-burning Rocket Stove. Rocket Stove Hot Water Heater Coiling Copper Pipe for Thermo-Siphoning for Endless Hot Water Without Electricity or Gas Portable, Commercial Off-Grid Hot Water On Demand Products

With food and supply shortages and the failing economy, stop buying easy-to-make products and start making them on your own. You'll reduce your reliance on external suppliers and have greater control over the quality of the final product. You’ll save money, too. Learn to be more self-sufficient; at some point it will be necessary just to survive. Start NOW!

Reaching for the faucet and expecting water to flow out of it is so ingrained in us that, for many, it seems impossible to imagine a life without that luxury. It is possible. A mindset change is always needed when dealing with an emergency or making a lifestyle change to "go against the norm". Try it. Plan one day to live without turning on the faucet, taking a shower/bath, using the dishwasher or flushing the toilet.

Every adult should consume about 32oz of drinking water a day to prevent diarrhea or worse diseases. Here's how to sterilize water at no cost. Use a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle with water that is not turbid (murky, opaque, cloudy, unclear, muddy, thick, milky, oily).

An Electro-Magnetic Pulse could result in the loss of many lives and a nationwide blackout, lasting a year or more. One thing to do, for personal protection, is to understand and apply "Faraday Cage" principals to protect electronics and digital information.

Like other technical gear you may own, guns need regular maintenance to keep them operating safely and correctly. Firearms are designed to be sturdy and high-performance items, but they still need cleaning to ensure that the components function smoothly and safely. Knowing how to use all of the components of a gun is an important part of firearm safety. You also need to know how to completely dismantle it and put it back together again.

Being on the "grid" usually means receiving electric supplied by a local electrical provider. Today, being labeled as "off grid" can mean a whole bunch of things. No Public Utilities. Oh, no! What's a person to do? Think outside the box. What if . . . ? Here are some things to consider about an alternative "off grid" setup. The longer I live off-grid, the more I learn how to live off-grid longer.

Among the many articles regarding ‘fish antibiotics’ being the same thing as antibiotics prescribed for humans, one of them was written by a doctor (who is apparently into prepping), ordered a variety of ‘fish antibiotics’ for his preps – to discover that these antibiotics were the same that he would otherwise prescribe to his patients.

Remove seeds from desired fruit/vegetables. Mash and grind into a puree. Remove more seeds and unwanted material. The consistancy should be so that it stays in place (not runny) when it's spread out to dry. Spread the puree onto a flat surface about 1/8" thick. Leave it in the sun (or dehydrate) to dry (cover with a cloth to prevent bugs) for a few hours until it has a glossy look and texture like soft rubber. Store in a cool, dry place where critters can't get to it. It should have a long shelf life and can be rehydrated to make drinks or as a fruit additive to foods.

Just because the warm weather takes a vacation doesn’t mean gardening has to stop. Garden indoors. Miniature fruits and vegetables and commercial, or DIY, gardening kits can help make it possible.

The most time-honored way to protect wood from rot and decay, over time, has always involved oil. Use animal fats, beeswax, linseed oil, mineral oil, tung oil, Danish oil, even used motor oil (with precautions/exceptions) to preserve wooden hunting tools, hand tools and kitchen utensils. Wood requires a preservative that can harden to prevent water penetration. Use Food-Safe Oils for Wooden Kitchen Utensils. When the tool/utensil is first made or acquired, rub it with oil every day for a week, once every week for a month, then once a month for a year.

It's a fact of nature that everyone needs to take a dump or two or more a day. Consider alternative sources and methods for cleaning up when the deed is done and reliable Toilet Paper is not available.

If the Grid goes down, or I'm out in the middle of nowhere, my highly advanced electric/battery tools are collectively no more useful than a tool bag filled with boat anchors. In a crisis, electric and fuel may be unavailable for power tools so have tools available that will function in any situation.

Taking advantage of alternative energy technologies, like wind, has advanced leaps and bounds over the last 10 years, and even more in the last 2 years. However, we're far off from the ease of use, Plug and Play Systems the average homeowner can pick up at the local store but it's not rocket science. There will be an investment of time and money that may benefit in times of public grid power outages and fuel shortages.

When commercial fuels become unavailable during an emergency, wouldn't it be good to have an alternative source of powered transportation? A Wood Gasifier converts timber or charcoal into wood gas which, after cooling and filtering, can then be used to power an internal combustion engine (vehicle or generator) or for other purposes.

Don't throw away that outdate newspaper or publications or junk mail. Use them to cook or heat the house. Dump waste products (paper, grass clippings, etc.) into a bucket with holes. When the bucket is full of paper, add water to soak and blend to make a paste (like oatmeal) which can then be molded and thoroughly dried into bricks after squeezing out the excess water.

Keep an old cell phone in the car and/or Emergency Kit. Even inactive cell phones may be able to call 911. The battery must still be in the phone and charged so have its charger (car and AC) with the phone. The phone does not need a SIM card and the phone can be locked. Even phones that have not been initialized for service (no number assigned) can call 911. As long as it can be powered on and can locate a network [tower], it can connect to 911. Be aware that some structure building materials may block radio or cell signals.

Whenever a new virus is announced, a bell should go off in our heads to think "this could be the one that gets out of control". Think, for a minute, how often we come in contact with things that others have touched; the list is endless. Unless you continually wear surgical masks and gloves, you WILL be exposed to the germs of someone else who could be infected with any number of nasty communicable germs that could make you mildly sick or worse. Make a habit of these germ protection actions to reduce the chances of getting it, prevent spreading it and treating it.

Winter and a survival or emergency situation can be particular challenges for staying warm, cooking and resolving freeze-up situations. Having a wood stove and propane heater will help and knowing a few survival heating methods is a good skill to have. Keeping the heat in check at home, blackouts, frozen water pipes, cooking and keeping warm are just some of the problems to deal with. Suggestions in the Related Link may make the cold and power outages a bit more tolerable.

Depending on the emergency, you may have only minutes to evacuate. Know what supplies to take. Plan for both on-foot and vehicle evacuation. Keep vehicles in bug-out-readiness. Pre-plan backroad routes to avoid civil unrest and traffic backups. Pre-plant survival supplies along determined routes. Take a compass and detailed road map/atlas (even if it's out of date) in case GPS is unavailable. Contact friends/family to relay your details.

Imagine almost any survival situation. After the initial shock of what just happened, what next? First and foremost, when faced with a survival or traumatic situation of any kind, one must calm down. Then assess: what you have on your person (zone 1) such as a knife, other tools, etc., what's within your immediate surroundings (zone 2) such as your car, wild edibles, etc. and what might be accessible within a short walk away (zone 3) like shelter, stream, etc. Now you have details and are able to make a series of quality and concise decisions about how to effect proactive survival – the only kind of survival there is.

Dehydrated potato flakes are light-weight, highly portable, a convenient source of nutrition, easy to cook and YOU know what's in them.

You may have spent a great deal of time preparing for a disaster, learning critical survival skills and stocked up on emergency supplies. The question is not "do we have all right supplies and knowledge" but "could we actually survive this way in real life if circumstances forced us into it"? Put planning into practice. Nothing will assess the grit and endurance of your loved ones, improve teamwork and strengthen the family bond better than leaving behind electronics, cellphones, modern conveniences, electricity, the roof overhead, and your under–appreciated toilet seat.

Walking into a jail/prison for the first time is frightening. The mixture of adrenaline, fear, anxiety, and confusion is deafening. After the cell doors slam shut behind you it's time to deal with the situation and begin planning survival. Prison life is hard and scary, but if you live by their code and stay out of trouble, you might survive your time without much incidence. Gain a new instinct for danger, avoid gangs, drugs, and gambling, avoid solitary confinement, accept your reality, keep body/mind active, stay positive, realize that others may be worse off than you.

The decision to raise rabbits, for me, came down to a few factors. I wanted an animal that would supplement the usual meats in my diet: chicken, beef, and pork. I also wanted an animal that would be easy to take care of, easy to clean, wouldn’t cost too much, and one where I would not have a big allergic reaction. I found out later that rabbit meat is very high in protein and very low in fat. If you raise or hunt rabbits for food, you need to know how to kill and butcher one. The tutorial will teach the Step-By-Step on how to butcher a rabbit.

For years, newspaper was used as insulation in homes. Shredded and placed in the walls it acted just as the insulation of today. It was even used to wrap water pipes to help keep them from freezing. Part of having a survivalist mindset is visualizing how something made for a specific purpose can be repurposed beyond its former life. What new purposes can you find for Yesterday's Newspaper, magazines, phone books and catalogs?

One of the worse aliments in the world is fear. Once it grabs our attention, our minds take over to imagine an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary, not fact-based. It also weakens our defense against those who would try to manipulate or control us. With all that is happening around us, it's easy to become afraid. Turn fear into Power. Consider the suggestions in the Related Link.

Insulating against cold AND warm temperatures is important. By trapping air between layers of material, the inside temp is protected from the outside temperature. In an emergency/survival situation, basic shelter is vital but insulating against summer heat or winter cold improves protection from nature's elements. In cold temps, multiple layers of clothing and stuffing insulation into our lightweight clothing suddenly makes that clothing more cold-weather-resistant. Keep insulation materials dry. The Related Link lists a variety of emergency insulation materials.

Unfortunately, a crisis is the perfect time to learn. Before all is forgotten, write down the cause and details of the event, the things that went well and those that did not. Make a journal (take notes) as things happen during the crisis. Our note taking may improve our future preparations and handling the next crisis.

A thermoelectric (heat-powered) wood stove fan circulates heat from a wood stove throughout the room without any AC electricity or batteries. Just set the fan on top of the wood stove and let the heat circulation begin.

Blending in to the surrounding environment is key to evade, or hide from, a potentially harmful situation or bag your next meal in the wilderness. In the case of an emergency situation, the gray man tactic is a way of disappearing into the crowd so you can move unnoticed when disaster strikes. The idea is that you can conceal your preparedness by blending in with the crowd before or during an emergency. Learn several techniques to disappear in plain sight.

Among food preservation methods that are so popular with preppers, there is one little known method that stands out. It is by no means unheard of, but it isn’t nearly as popular as it used to be. Pemmican is a mixture of tallow (a rendered form of fat), dried meat, and dried fruit mixed together and cut into bars. A caloric rich food, it can be used as a key component in prepared meals or eaten raw. Depending upon the exact ingredients and method of preparation, the expected shelf life can be anywhere from 6 months to 5 years.

Spider webs and Cobwebs make for an excellent natural treatment for healing cuts and scrapes! This is a long-forgotten natural remedy for sealing open wounds and accelerating healing. Even modern science has embraced spider webs as a great treatment for scrapes and wounds. An open wound will heal faster by applying a CLEAN cluster of webs. Cobwebs have antifungal and antiseptic properties and Spider Webs are high in vitamin K that triggers blood clotting.

Water contamination and shortages can be real threats during an environmental emergency. Prepare by building a permanent stockpile supply of water that will meet the needs of you and your family during an emergency. Calculate One Gallon of Water Per Day, Per Person; 32oz for drinking and the remainder for sanitation. Stored Water does have a shelf life. Refresh the drinking water supply every 6 months.

An emergency fund is a stash of money set aside to cover the financial surprises life throws our way. These unexpected events can be stressful and costly. Whether or not you believe in a breakdown (crash) of the financial structure as we now know it, having a separate fund for emergencies (some listed in the Related Link) is a smart financial strategy.

Modern surveillance technology can be scarily effective, and it’s getting better all the time. Thermal imaging, also called passive infrared, doesn’t need any light to detect you. But, if you know what you’re doing, it is possible to evade detection. Adapting techniques to focus on hiding body heat is the key. Visit the Related Link for more information.

There are situations when not speaking a word means survival and success. Visit the Related Link to start researching how to learn silent Tactical Communications and creating a communications language unique to your survival team members.

Technology changes rapidly and keeping up with it is not, necessarily, a bad thing. However, we've become a throw-away society and new things don't last as long as things used to. Old tools and appliances we still have collecting dust will, probably, last long after today's modern stuff has hit the landfill. "New and improved" is not always better. And, no matter how much technology changes our lives, we should still learn some basic life skills. As the world presses further into technology as its solution to every problem, take a step back and question if that is the best approach.

Cold weather is near and it's no joke to personal health. It can lead to severe injury and even death. Learn how to identify and treat a variety of cold-weather injuries like Chilblains (blisters), Trench Foot, Frostnip. Frostbite, Hypothermia and Heart Attacks caused by cold-thickened blood and exertion.

Despite covering hands and feet during frigid weather, suffering from icy toes and fingers can still happen . . . What's a person to do? Wear thoroughly dry gloves and socks, use chemical or battery-operated hand/foot warmers, keep pulse points covered and warm, use mittens (lobster-claw style) instead of gloves to keep fingers together, avoid tight-fitting shoes that constrict blood flow, wear thick-soled shoes/boots and wool inner soles, cover shoes/boots with a windproof material, use body heat to dry gloves/socks inside sleeping bag when camping. Read other ideas at the Related Link.

Martial law is imposed because of the perceptions of persons in authority. They feel a need to gain control of a situation which they feel is out of control. Typically, some common restrictions placed upon the population are Restrictions on Travel and Public Gatherings, Curfew, Control of the Media, Blocking Personal Communications, Business Restrictions, Loss of Freedom of Speech, Weapons Confiscations and Citizen Relocation. Learn how to prepare for, and survive, these conditions and more.

Improving our survival fitness doesn’t mean perfecting our bodies to fitness model standards. It means conditioning our fitness level to enable our bodies to handle the many physical and emotional tasks necessary in an emergency situation. Some basic goals are to improve endurance, strength and flexibility, learn to swim and defend yourself, stay physically and mentally active, eat well, stay hydrated and get a good night's sleep.

Once upon a time, root cellars were the only way people had to preserve their food. It's still a great way to store fruits and vegetables, especially when you need to store more than you have room indoors and without electricity. Take advantage of nature’s "ice box". A very basic one requires a shovel, a little elbow grease and a trash can. Visit the Related Link for instructions on different designs.

Far into my teen years, my parents always wanted to meet my friends and either encourage or dissuade the relationship. The decision was mine but, ultimately, I would find that my parents were correct that relationships improve or harm my life. An Emergency Plan should include working together with a trusted group of people to prepare for any emergency. Personal survival relationships should be based on moral and upright principals and character. Don't be a "lone wolf". Build a trusted network of friends.

No matter what age, size, or level of fitness; you can benefit from a class on self-defense. A very large part of knowing how to defend yourself is the ability to read a situation (situational awareness) - being aware of your surroundings - and having the tools to avoid risky situations which includes an understanding of verbal deflection, de-escalation and deterrence. It should be obvious that avoiding, preventing and diffusing hostility is a better option than physical conflict.

No knife sharpener? No problem. Here are a few quick and easy tips to make knives good as new in only takes a few seconds. Some of these items can also be used as a wood or metal file.

Multifuel (hybrid) Generators are best to obtain in case of fuel shortages. Additionally, Solar Generators (batteries charged by the sun) are another option. The size (watts) of generator to acquire will depend on what appliances you want to use during a power outage and your budget. Information on the Related Link will help to determine your generator needs.

A latex condom can hold up to a gallon of water when filled carefully. They are over-engineered for their intended use so their strength enables amazing feats such as Tourniquet, Food Storage, Slingshot, Fire Starter, Signalling Device, Container Lid, Fermentation Indicator and others listed at the related link.

Your emergency/survival gear and supplies are not inexhaustible. Save the most precious resources as a last-ditch option. For example, never start a fire with a lighter if a ferro rod is available and don't use the ferro rod if the sun is available to use a magnifying glass. Hunt or gather off the land for food before eating your packaged, long-term food supply. Filter a natural water supply before drinking stored/bottled water.

Critical elements when searching for a site to camp or build a wilderness shelter. Choose poorly and your adventure could turn ugly. Choosing wisely will increase your safety and comfort. 1 - Wind: Impacts ability to keep a fire safely active and warm a shelter. 2 - Water: An area that can supply a steady source of water. 3 - Wood: Good source for firewood, building a shelter and resin trees for fire-starting and medicinal uses. 4 - Widow Makers: Free of large trees or branches that could present a safety hazard.

We all like "stuff" but some of the stuff we acquire has limited and short-lived use or no use at all because it was acquired on a whim. Acquire supplies that will be used and fulfill a real purpose. These guidelines help stretch dollars, limit output of refuse and select items that are easy to transport and maintain should evacuation or relocation become necessary during an emergency event. These are Durability, Multi-Use, Portability, Repairable/Salvageable, Tradeable, Energy Efficient, Redundancy, Utility.

Across the world, our lives are being monitored as never before by government and private companies. Our liberties and freedom are violated. Much of our paycheck goes to government or spent on things we don't need. Some ways to be off the government grid and have less personal information "out there": Reduce your public exposure, become more Self-Sufficient, use cash and Barter for what you don't have or can't do. Implementing these methods all at once is not practical. Phase them in. Use this linked list to take the first step.

Walking along and suddenly the ground beneath starts swallowing you. How do you keep from sinking further? How do you get out? It won't kill you. Walk with a big stick to help you exit. Don't kick or fight; float. Try to remove shoes. Get rid of anything that might weigh you down. Lean back onto the surface and spread out your weight while you slowly and carefully pull your legs up toward the surface. When legs are free, roll to one side and inch yourself to safety using a backstroke or sidestroke swimming motion. Visit the Related Link for more info.

Not only is it's always more fun to go on outdoor adventures with a friend or family member, but it's also much safer. Heading out alone can be a great respite from the everyday cares of the world, but a solo emergency situation is not so nice. The buddy system is a common procedure in which two people, the "buddies," work together for mutual benefit and operate together as a two-person team. Don't be a lone wolf. Visit the Related Link for some good reasons to never go it alone.

No lighter, matches or ferro rod for your campfire? No problem. Start a fire by rubbing sticks together. Fire is created with heat, fuel, and oxygen. Heat is caused by friction between the sticks (spindle & fire board). Fuel is supplied by easy-to-burn tinder and the fire board eroding and creating punk (fine, dark brown powder). Oxygen is provided by nature. Use hard wood for the spindle and soft wood for the fire board. Friction causes the heat. Oxygen and over-heated punk and tinder bundle creates a spark. Transfer burning tinder to firewood pile.

1. Everything thrives in a jungle (germs, disease, parasites, animals). This also means there is plenty to drink, eat, and provide shelter. 2. Weather is suddenly unpredictable. Never venture too far from a safe shelter. 3. Water may be hard to find. Use all senses; listen for waterfall and follow animal trails. Palm trees, roots, and vines provide drinkable water. 4. Animals are a good source of protein. Unless you have knowledge of edible plants, try bamboo, fruits and palms. 5. Watch for quicksand. It won't kill you. Walk with a big stick to help you exit. Don't kick or fight; float.

1. Stay in one place for better chance of rescue. Know rescue signaling techniques. 2. Avoid Exposure and Dehydration. Loose clothes protect from direct sun on head, face and body. Wear hat/goggles/scarf to protect eyes from dust. 3. Ration water by urine color. Light color=fine. Dark color=drink. Purify water before drinking. 4. Stay hungry. Snack. Eating causes thirst-more water intake. 5. Find/Build Shelter to avoid the elements. Day temps can fry; night temps can freeze. Store food/water/materials inside shelter. 6. Watch for critters that can harm you. Seal food to not attract them.

October is National Fire Prevention Month in the USA. Part of a defense and safety plan is the detection, and methods to respond to, Fire, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide. Detectors are available for all 3 and should be installed, as well as Fire Extinguishers, at strategic locations throughout the home or office. Detectors should be tested 2-4 times a year and batteries should be replaced at least once a year (New Years Day). Have an Emergency Escape Plan and test it periodically as well. Take these steps to protect your home and family [and business] from Smoke, Fire and CO.

Houseplants are very efficient at removing indoor air contaminants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides (released by burning wood) and formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene released by interior furnishings like carpet, curtains, furniture, paint and insulation referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Plants that are most effective at removing contaminants tend to have large leaf surfaces, like heart-leaf and elephant ear. A study recommends at least fifteen 10-12-inch container plants for a 1,800-square-foot home located near where you spend most of your time indoors.

Generally, stay where you are if you're lost, especially at night, if you are injured or near exhaustion. Stop, look, listen for familiar signs of civilization. Calmly and methodically devise a plan in that direction. 1. Use basic directional markers, the Sun; rising in the East and setting in the West. 2. Getting to higher ground may help get your bearings and determine the best route. 3. Travel in a straight line, using landmarks between 2 points ahead. 4. Mark your path to stay on your heading and help others find you. 5. Follow drainage or stream downhill/downstream that may lead to civilization.

Face-to-face with a crisis is NOT the time to learn to use your survival gear. Take time to review available supplies and know how to use them BEFORE the need arises. • Look at, and slowly handle, each item to learn how it works. • Rehearse, in your mind, why each item is significant, and what role it will fill in any scenario. • Recall any past experience, information, and training that each item has been used. • Secure Gear. Place each item securely in your pack, in proper order for use. • Exercise and drill with "full gear" to understand personal limits and adjust if needed.

Man-made geometric patterns (straight line, circle, triangle, X) get attention. Universal signs of 3 markers or an "X" indicate trouble. 1. Use noise-makers. Don't shout to conserve energy and prevent throat injury. DON'T use audible signals if you do not want to alert bad guys. 2. Build a signal fire to make dark smoke (rubber/plastic) 3. In a clearing, setup contrasting materials 4. A shiny object to create a flash of sun 5. Flare gun or Sea (water) Dye Markers 6. Spread clothing on the ground or in the top of a tree 7. Shine flashlight at people, boat, plane, car 8. Shoot 3 gunshots into the air

Avoid eating critters raw. Cook/boil for several minutes or noticeably done. Smoke extra food, for later, by drying it close to, not in, a fire. 1. It's easier to find food in/near water than on land 2. Reptiles/Amphibians are an abundant food source 3. Insects: Best food source (always available and full of protein) except those that are bright-colored, hairy or have a potent smell (except stinkbugs) 4. Edible Plants: Much caution is needed to make sure they are not poisonous 5. Hunting with Snares and deadfalls will be the best passive methods 6. Fish using a fishing weir for effective use of time.

An average person should consume about 32 ounces per day to stay hydrated. Physical activities and food intake create the need for more. 1. Follow game trails, animals and insects to water sources. Lush vegetation may indicate an underground source. Eating/drinking clean snow/ice is OK. Find water on the surface of, or inside, plants. 2. Collect water: Build a rain collector, Solar Still or container, soak up morning dew with a cloth, use a Transpiration Bag or other water 3. All water collected can be purified by filtering then distillation, boiling, bleach, iodine or charcoal

Light from a torch provides comfort, protection and mobile signaling. Without a lantern or flashlight, building a torch from trees, plants or other available materials is an option. The best tree to use is fresh Pine but others with flammable sap (like Birch) will work as well to allow for slow burning. Cut off a 3-4" diameter branch close to the trunk. Split the cut end into a "X" about 6-8" down and stuff with burnable material.

Log Cutting Tools are useful for making a difficult task easier. Learning how to properly use these tools will make the task even easier and safer. The following tools are recommended to learn for proper use: Axe, Sledgehammer and Wedge, Hatchet, Bow Saw, Chainsaw, Saws-All (Reciprocating Saw) and Log Splitter.

Acorns, the fruits of Oak Trees, are edible, all of them. Depending on the species, acorns range in fat content from 1.1 to 31.3 %, protein from 2.3 to 8.6 %, and carbs from 32.7 to 89.7 %. Most need special processing to remove the bitter tannic acid ("Leach" by boiling or crushing and soaking). Gathering from Sept. thru March, many prefer sprouting's during Feb. and March. There are three ways to eat acorns; as nuts (a lot like chestnuts) and making acorn flour or acorn oil for cooking.

- Birch (drink, container, fire starter, adhesive) - Basswood (food, cordage, fire drills, carving) - Pine (patching, adhesive, antiseptic, wound covering, stop bleeding, fire tinder, food, Vitamin C, treat sore throat, insulation, bedding, shelter roof, waterproofing, lamp, cordage) - Oak (bread flour, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-diarrhea, squirrel trap bait, leather tanning, ax handle, digging stick, shelter framework, tinder bundle) - Maple (energy drink, food, cooking utensils, hunting bow) - Willow (pain reliever, cordage, baskets, fire drills)

Knowing how to tie the correct knot for the situation keeps things secure and in control. 1. Bowline - to hang away from predators and securing animals 2. Clove Hitch - to lash anything together 3. Figure-Eight - for climbing, where safety is paramount and most widely used tie-in knot by mountain climbers 4. Sheet Bend - tie different ropes together despite varying rope thickness and material 5. Tautline Hitch - most useful for tents and lashing things down so that they don’t move

Wooden pallets are common near stores, industrial parks and dumpster areas. Their size, shape, durability and construction make them ideal for nearly any project as-is or broken down for other purposes. They can be used as a deck or fashioned into more elaborate furniture, shelving, structures or nearly anything with a little imagination and the desire to save hard-earned money by recycling.

Mistakes can be costly. Injury/illness makes bad turn worse. Don't take chances or cut corners on safety/sanitation. 1. Avoid body parts, except hands, to break wood 2. Re-think before eating/drinking anything wild 3. Keep wounds clean, dry & covered 4. Keep skin (especially feet) dry 5. Improvise First Aid with what you wear, carry, find or plants 6. Pine sap: disinfect/cover wounds, stop bleeding, chew for sore throat 7. Plain sugar in a wound keeps it clean, aids healing 8. Activated Charcoal: water/airborne filter, treat wounds, diarrhea & gut poisoning

When crap hits the fan: S = Size up the situation - What's going on? Identify your threats and strengths U = Use all senses - Consider all aspects of the situation - no quick decisions R = Remember where you are - Focus on what's around and direction to go V = Vanquish fear and panic - clear your head and stay calm I = Improvise - think of unique ways to use what is available V = Value living - you need the will to survive A = Assess uses for what you are wearing, carrying and what's around you L = Live by your wits - remember (or learn) basic survival skills

In life, curve balls always come out of nowhere. Something unexpected happens that throws us off our game. When this happens, we suffer fear, disappointment, vulnerability, and a loss of control. In general, life sucks. But there are ways to recover. Building Morale is Crucial in any challenging situation. Build a fire, take a bath/shower, dry out, put on clean, dry clothes, have fun, play a game or instrument for a psychological boost. Get good sleep. Rejoice in small victories. Shrug off failures.

Always be prepared to defend yourself. Attackers don't care if they hurt you. Don't be afraid to hurt them (no rules) and fight until the threat stops. Carry items that are immediately available to stave off animals or human predators at a safe distance; Consider Everyday Carry Items That Can Also Be Used for Self-Defense. Practice with, and test, thoroughly before needed. ON THE STREET - Pepper spray, knife, cane, umbrella, anything in hand to swing or throw. Take self-defense lessons. IN THE WILD - walking stick, shave a point to make a SPEAR, a simple ROCK or one lashed to a stick to make a club.

When an emergency happens, don't panic. STOP and calmly analyze the situation. THINK of what you need to do to survive the situation. OBSERVE surroundings and look for familiar landmarks. PLAN out the next best course of action.

A method used to score how safe it is to continue a course of action. "Lemons" are bad circumstances like injury, illness, exhaustion, bad weather, damaged equipment, etc. At 3 lemons (bad circumstances), stop and re-evaluate the decision to continue onward, fix the conditions, if possible, or discontinue (get out) if necessary. Video: https://youtu.be/-Y69WKvtfH4

Before you wear that new shirt or when your first see a button thread fraying, use this to prevent the button from falling off. Apply nail polish or Crazy Glue on the front and back threads of the buttons. Prepare4Tomorrow is more than showing cute little tricks, it's helping you use your head for more than a hat rack; to think beyond the obvious. Learn to do things in unconventional ways.

Survival, at the most basic level, is staying alive despite circumstances. Those who want to improve their survival chances, must concentrate on the main factors of human survival. To help guide this thought methodology, there is the "Rule of Threes" regarding Air, Shelter, Water, Food and Hope.

We can never be too prepared when it comes to safety, but that doesn't mean our Emergency Kit should weigh us down. Pre-packaged "Pocket Emergency Kits" are, obviously, available online but there are tutorials to make the perfect DIY pocket-sized kit to keep with you at all times. Keep one in the glove box, purse or backpack, on the belt, in the tackle box or in the kitchen drawer; anything you always have with you and anywhere you spend your time. It should contain all the supplies (11 Cs) needed in case of emergency to always stay prepared.

The "basics" of a camping/emergency/survival bag should include these "Eleven (11) Cs" tools. They have multiple uses by themselves and, when used in combination with other "Cs", accompanied by basic survival skills, common sense and a level head, solutions are possible for nearly any situation. Gather, and always carry, the 11-Cs.

The "outside" world is insane. Situational awareness and heeding warning signs are key to understanding circumstances and options that can reduce the risk of becoming a victim. What are people doing? What threats are in the area? What resources are available for personal safety and defense? Take out the earbuds and stop looking down at the smartphone. Look people in the eye as you pass them by. Pay attention to what's going on around you and think of "what-if" scenarios where you are at any given time. Your safety is your responsibility.

To prevent metal shavings from contaminating the contents and injury with sharp tools, rub the can on concrete/rock until the lid/bottom rim seal is broken. Other options are revealed at the Related Link. Prepare4Tomorrow is more than showing cute little tricks, it's helping you use your head for more than a hat rack; to think beyond the obvious. Learn to do things in unconventional ways.

A Risk Analysis is a method by which a fairly accurate assessment can be made of determining your preparedness level. It helps identify all of the possible threats that can disrupt our way of life and helps prepare for those threats, including supplies and things that can be done, to reduce damage and impact. It's not a difficult process and it helps to prepare, not only our lives, but our minds as well. A sample prepared spreadsheet is available, at the related link, for download to begin your personal customized Risk Analysis.

Gather (and read) MUST HAVE manuals on Keeping Personal Information Safe, Food Storage, handling a Martial Law situation, designing a Home Survival Plan to transform the home into a rock-solid bunker and lots more. The first three (3) recommendations are a good general Wilderness Survival manual, an Advanced First Aid manual and a Wild Edible Plants manual in printed and electronic forms. Printed in case of a power outage and electronic for easy access and search capabilities when power is available.

Many homeowners, around the world, use firewood to heat their homes and cook. It may be a bit less convenient, but there are benefits and options to improve convenience and safety and integrate with existing heating systems. Wood-burning is a dry heat and provides a relaxed, comforting ambience when the flame is visible. With rising prices of other home-heating and cooking methods, firewood is, usually, a better value and a renewable source of fuel available nearly everywhere. Consider adding a wood-burning stove as a backup for home heating/cooking. Visit the Related Link for more information.

You are 8 times more likely to be involved in a home invasion attack than a house fire. A home invasion is when intruders forcefully enter your house, whether for the thrill of it or to rob you and take your family hostage. They do not take place only in high-crime areas. They also occur in suburbs and rural areas. These attacks are more common than most people think. Always be aware of your surroundings and apply home defense measures. Use the Related Link to plan a home defense strategy against a violent home invasion.

The body uses Urine to flush excess salt and toxins from the body. It is not sterile. Drinking it puts the salt and toxins back inside the body and will accelerate dehydration and may cause other health complications. Never drink pee unless it is, first, distilled. But there are some surprising survival uses for it: To keep warm, to keep cool, as a laundry stain remover and household cleaner, as a plant fertilizer, to tan animal hides, for toothpaste, mouthwash and cavity prevention and making gun powder.

So, what can be the most useful survival or prepping hacks and skills that can get you out of any hitch? There just isn't one, not two but a lot of them. We will never know what nature, or humans, can throw at us on any given day wherever we are and whatever we may be doing. That's why we should learn to be skillful in so many things and pass them on to our children for their safety and benefit.

Have you established a Plan B source of income? Have you thought about what you would do if you lost your job in today's volatile and uncertain economy? Unlike the days when our grandparents worked for the same company for 30+ years, today's world is a very fickle place. No matter how long you have been at a company, or where you are in your career, losing your job is always a possibility. Make a Plan-B; at least one part time job or self-owned business for income to sustain you if other options take a dive.

If matches or other man-made fire-starters are not available, starting a fire with friction and natural materials is quite difficult. So, once a fire going, it's not "disposable" but rather something to "recycle", if possible. The goal with fire carrying is to allow a preexistent ember to potentially last for hours on the journey from one place to another. Practicing methods beforehand will help refine the process and provide an idea of how long the ember will last. Visit the Link for details.

Don't just read about preparedness, practice it; live it. How long can you survive without grocery store shopping? Take this 30-Day Challenge. How long will you last? You don't have to start today but you are challenged to start preparing now to live without grocery shopping for 30 days. How's your level of food storage? Do you grow vegetables/fruits garden/trees? Do you raise animals that can produce food? Do you have things you can barter/trade to obtain the food you need? Use the Related Link to get started. You can do it! Good Luck!

In a world prone to instant gratification and bombarded by marketing tactics to buy things I don't need, I must ask myself the question "do I NEED this or do I WANT it?" Is it a necessity for my survival or to perform an important task, or is it something I want, just because? This usually saves lots of money and prevents accumulating unwanted junk to maintain a minimalist lifestyle.

The world is scary. At best, all we can do is to continue to learn to be self-reliant and independent to keep our sanity and ability to think rationally under stress. These survival commandments were set down to help cope with the anxiety and sense of uncertainty about our future. #1: Have the will to live, #2: Be self-sufficient, #3: Seek truth & knowledge (research), #4: Adapt to the surroundings, #5: Embrace decisiveness, #6: Channel fear into positive actions, #7: Defend your right to freedom, #8: Respect others, #9: Pursue love & laughter, #10: Be authentic.

They've been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. Their uses range from aromatherapy, household cleaning, pest control, personal care, natural medicine treatments and more. Learn to harness the power of the world’s most proven therapeutic compounds.

It is recommended to deal with medical issues BEFORE a societal collapse occurs that could prevent professional medical treatment. Bad eyesight [correction] might be one of those issues. It also helps to know how to self-treat many eye injuries and ailments.

They can prove to be very useful when it's time to batten down the hatches. But they can quickly throw a wrench into survival plans if they aren't designed and built properly. The main weaknesses of an underground bunker are a Weak Entrance, Poor Air Circulation and proper Waste Management (sewage and garbage). Here are some designs and recommendations to review if you are inclined to consider this level of survival shelter. Buried Shipping Containers not recommended.

Web-based security cameras have become popular to keep an eye on our homes, children or pets while we are away. But they could be vulnerable to hacking and risk providing criminals visual access to the premises or having images of homes and loved ones published online. First, and foremost, buy cameras with Advanced Encryption, Secure the Home Network Router, use a strong password for accessing the camera/system/router, limit the number of network devices, Upgrade Camera Firmware and Install Firewalls and Antivirus Software.

It’s not just for squeaks and rusted metal anymore; WD40 has proven to be a great cleaning and adhesive-removal product and so much more. A tool worth keeping in stock.

Preparing for an emergency includes the ability to recover from a loss. If homeowners need to file an insurance claim, they need to be able to prove all the valuable items they own, if they want to get their money's worth. So, it's important to have an updated inventory of their home. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Use a smart phone to video the home and contents and do a commentary on what is being viewed. Save to a USB drive or the Cloud for safe keeping. To stay current, promptly record and save new valuable purchases information.

Along with school supplies, it's as important to provide our children with the knowledge and tools that could save their lives and those of their classmates and faculty in an emergency. Don't assume the school will take on this important responsibility. Provide them with some physical protection (like a bullet-proof backpack) and basic mini survival kit and teach them Situational Awareness, Self-Defense, good Health and Hygiene practices and how to respond with an Active Shooter or Environmental Disaster. Visit the Related Link for tools to consider.

Eat more FAT, reduce Protein intake and stop eating Carbohydrates. Dr. Sarah Hallberg, Nina Teicholz and others explain.

Millions of Americans, with joint pain and stiffness, most likely rely on some type of painkiller, whether prescription or over-the-counter, just to get through the day. Unfortunately, some drugs come with very nasty side effects. Visit the Related Link for some natural alternatives.

It's a simple way everyone can contribute to making a cleaner environment. But there are more benefits than just reducing the amount of trash we throw out and it takes time and effort to collect, separate and send away the trash. The fact is, there are many ways recycling can save us money and time by repurposing, for our own use, things we use every day; newspapers into fire bricks, aluminum cans and plastic bottles melted into tools, composting, etc. Before trashing something, think first of how it can be reused for your own personal benefit.

Reduce Use of Social Media and Technology. They can be quite addicting, time-consuming and full of the drama of others. While social media can be a great force for good, when misused, it can affect one negatively including reduction of privacy and anonymity. Are you victimized by technology; is technology controlling you? When technology fails, will you stop functioning like the machines, on which you rely, or will you have the skills and tools to live life as usual? Get back to basics and off the techno-insanity.

Get ready to learn some life skills – Here are a bunch of different ways to escape from hand restraints in an Escape and Evade scenario.

The tiny house movement has been growing steadily for years. But living in a tiny house has not been fully realized. Check out these articles to learn more.

Nearly any food you can buy at the grocery store can be made/grown/raised at home often with the tools and equipment you already have. It can be less expensive and always tastes better – but it takes a little practice. Breaking commercial food dependency is important and another step to self-sufficiency and a way to control what goes into your family’s food.

Keeping personal information out of the hands of unauthorized persons is a must for an overall defense plan. While security of electronic information is obvious, daily actions must be adjusted to protect trash, snail-mail, vehicle information, residential security, family protection and more.

When SHTF, transportation will be at an all-time demand. Odds of getting away from danger to a safer location may improve with access to a vehicle. The # of U.S. drivers that can drive a stick (manual) shift vehicle, is as low as 18%! To improve the odds of being able to find transportation when you need it, learn to drive a stick shift vehicle. Those who can't, will bypass those vehicles. This also means that stick shift vehicles are less likely to be stolen. Older stick vehicles may also be easier to maintain because of fewer electronics.

(1) The Emergency Plan MUST be shared with every member of your family/team (printed and on a USB drive for each member). (2) It must be Practiced by every member with every other member. (3) Everyone must know how to respond to any of the "what if" scenarios: (3a) How to get in touch with one another when an emergency happens when you are apart. (3b) Places to meet even if you can't communicate with one another at the moment of the emergency. (3c) List of friends/family who can coordinate communications or a destination to gather.

The answer is Yes. Water is the Essence of Life but there can be an overindulgence of H2O. It’s called hyponatremia, or “water intoxication”. The effects range from uncomfortable to quite serious. The Related Link provides details.

Severe weather or civil unrest situations may warrant a full-fortification stance of the home. Like other plans, details and equipment of how this is to be accomplished should have already been developed, acquired and practiced. Board-up options should take into account that Exterior protection can be removed by intruders so, while outside board-up may be fine for severe weather, it is not for intruders. Doors, windows and any other vulnerable areas must be fortified from the inside. Avoid making the house look like a fortress to help prevent intruders from detecting all security methods. Visit the Related Link for some considerations for a full barricade posture.

A solar still provides 100% pure water without purification or boiling before drinking. It will work nearly anywhere with enough sunlight. Place a container, to collect water, at the bottom of a hole in the ground, or bowl of undrinkable water. Add live vegetation to improve moisture content. Loosely cover the hole/bowl with plastic and anchor in place. Place a small rock in the center of the covering to sag over the opening of the container. Moisture will condense on the inside of the covering, drip down toward the center of the covering and collect in the container.

When scraped with a metal "striker", Flint or Ferrocerium (Ferro) rods create sparks that ignite a tinder pile to produce fire. Practice to produce consistent sparks. Once learned, they are reliable fire starters in nearly any weather condition. Magnesium is a volatile metal that ignites quickly with any spark and burns very hot (2200 °C, 4000 °F) to catch nearly anything on fire. In and of itself, it cannot burn without an ignitor (flint or ferro). Always carry backup ignitors (lighter/matches). Details and proper use @ the Related Link.

Having a first-aid kit in the home is a smart way to stay healthy and safe in times of emergency. However, these kits are often old, missing items or lost altogether. Luckily, there are basic items around the house (like milk, oatmeal, diapers, pepper, sugar, honey and more) that can be used if this kit isn't available. Visit the Related Link to take a different look at these simple household items; they can save a life. Turn everyday items into life-saving tools.

When clothing needs to be made or is torn or a serious open wound injury happens, both should be repaired (sewn or sutured [not recommended]) to prevent further damage. If a basic sewing kit is not available, alternatives may need to be made or acquired such as thorny and fibrous plants, bone, sinew and other options found in the wild and identified at the Related Link.

Never should it be assumed that things will always be as they are. Jobs are lost, vehicles break down, electric goes out, weather can stop us from getting to the store. It's the prudent thing to do to think of what I need to live and implement/purchase methods that will back that up and then come up with a 3rd [or 4th or 5th] backup option. And if an electric vehicle is being considered, buy a hybrid for a gas backup. As a Prepper, I not only prepare for emergencies from external sources but also for when my own preps fail or are depleted. Redundancy is one of the high marks of being a prepared person.

If you are interested in getting into mushroom foraging, but are (justifiably) afraid of poisoning yourself, this article is worth reading. Survival food or gourmet treats, it contains lots of advice to help people get started with foraging. Once you start, you are likely to be hooked!

Batteries in sport utility vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) and power generators can die simply because they aren't being used frequently. Connect a Battery Tender/Maintainer (Trickle Charger), which keeps the battery charged when not in use. Leaving a regular battery charger connected all of the time will ruin the battery by overcharging. Another option is to disconnect the negative battery terminal, to avoid discharge of batteries that will not be used longer than 3 weeks.

While most Americans may not need to learn military time, it's quite useful and easy to learn. Unless you work in an international industry (global airline, etc.) most Americans never fully grasp military time. It's based on a 24-hour clock, which is why the numbers on the clock go from 00 to 23. Most people, however, use the 12-hour clock, which is why the numbers do not go past 12, and "a.m." and "p.m." are used. Basically put, once the hour hand passes 12:59 PM, the military clock starts; 1:00 PM becomes 1300 (thirteen hundred [hours]), 3:45 PM becomes 1545 (fifteen 45 [hours]) and so on. Visit the Related Link for more details.

Thinking critically is an important skill. It is not thinking negatively but the ability to reason and being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information. Those who passively accept everything they read or hear are missing the concept of propaganda. Critical Thinkers are able to assess the information provided and distinguish the difference between facts and manipulations. Survival depends on determining truth from fiction. So, when you hear or read your next bit of information, Think about it Critically.

Growing medicinal herbs (like Basil, Rosemary, Mint, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Sage and others) indoors can spice up meals and could save a trip to the doctor for minor illnesses like rashes or coughs. Wouldn’t it be great to have these herbs at your fingertips when you need them or in case of medicine shortages?

Many fruits and plants produce natural dyes. For examples, raspberry will make red, goldenrod will make deep brown, pokeberries (poisonous) make purple and bloodroot makes orange to reddish. Dyes made from berries can be soaked in a hot fixative (to make the color permanent) of salt water while most plants will require vinegar as a fixative. Learn how to make your own natural fabric dyes.

Anything that will ferment (turns to alcohol) will, eventually, turn to vinegar. Make a punch from anything containing sugar (berries, apples, grapes, etc.). Let it ferment, then leave it in the open air for a few weeks and it will turn to vinegar.

Distillation creates the purest form of water. It involves boiling water and collecting only the vapor that condenses [back into water]. The condensed vapor will not include salt or most other impurities. To make distilled water, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot's lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the pot lid is flipped upside-down in a funnel shape. Make sure the cup is not dangling into the water in the pot. Boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled. Contaminants stay behind in the pot.

If a fire breaks out and air gets smoky, cover your face with a bra cup to keep harmful particles from entering your lungs. Most cups are sized perfectly to cover the nose and mouth, and you can tie the bra straps around your head for hands-free use. Once this DIY mask is in place, quickly move to safety.

At home, you can restock the pantry by a trip to the grocery store or ordering online. But in the great outdoors, opportunistic wildlife abounds and will find their way to your food stash. Unless you are an expert in hunting or foraging for wild edibles, chances are that you brought food with you; food that wildlife will want to partake. Generally, hang food from a tree branch 12 feet up from the ground, 5 feet down from the supporting tree branch and 5 feet from the trunk. Visit the Related Link for details and other suggestions to protect your camping food from wildlife.

Included in the topics of emergency preparation and survival, two aspects of their success are personal health and managing finances. If we aren't healthy enough to survive, why bother preparing and when we should be conserving our resources (including finances) and reducing our debt/spending to prepare, why waste money on things that produce no tangible benefits? And, of course, how will our family members be affected? If you are a smoker, how often have you thought of quitting? Maybe it's time to think about it again, with sincerity.

The methods behind kidnapping are as varied as their motivations. While kidnapping, especially for ransom, can be a crime of opportunity, foreigners are often targeted due to their high-profile appearance, vulnerability, and assumed wealth. Situational Awareness, keeping a low profile and not travelling alone are necessary to reduce the chances of becoming a victim but knowing how to survive is also important if the unthinkable happens. Visit the Related Link for details.

The goal of trail marking is to communicate where a hiker is currently, and where they need to go. In a survival situation, marking trees is essential to communicating direction of travel to rescuers and help the hiker stay on course. Common marking methods used are charcoal, ribbon, chalk, rocks, logs/sticks. Regardless of the marking being used, make sure they are visibly obvious, aren't easily destroyed and can be clearly visible from the last marker.

When life takes a dump on the lives of the unprepared, be THE prepared. Visit the Related Link for lists of things to stockpile such as ammo, booze, cigarettes, toilet paper, cleaning and personal care items and more.

In an emergency, our pets will be even more dependent on us for their safety and well-being. Because our pets are part of our family, including them in our Emergency Plans will help ensure the survival of our entire family. Things like a Pet Emergency and First Aid Kit (even one they can wear), evacuation drills, collar ID, "Pet Rescue" Stickers, animal shelter/sitter plans, food, water, meds and other considerations, listed on the Related Link, will help our pets be prepared for, survive, and recover from, a disaster.

Not only is PVC pipe a valuable and incredibly versatile survival tool, but it's also super affordable. It can be found in any hardware and home improvement stores and even junkyards all across the nation. You may get it from a friend or neighbor; it's so common that they likely won't have an issue selling/bartering it to you or letting you have it for free. If this stuff isn't in your bug out bag yet, you're going to want to throw some in once you've read this list at the Related Link which also contains a video describing available components, cutting and gluing (if needed).

Often, there is actually no shortage of fuel, only the means by which suppliers (and/or government) control its distribution. Nevertheless, we are affected by their greed, control, manipulation and lack of forethought. Carpool, work @ home, combine trips to the store & appointments, use fuel-efficient vehicles, improve driving habits, keep vehicles in good repair, shop for best fuel prices, buy online (home deliver), share shopping with friends/neighbors and consider other things, listed on the related link, to cope with their games and deficiencies.

When thinking survival, building fires, shelters and hiking miles of wilderness may come to mind. But these aquatic survival skills are important for the other 70% of the planet's surface in order to survive places like rivers, oceans, and other larger bodies of water. Learn to swim and survive in water.

Hydroelectric power generation uses the power of gravity to harness electricity from moving water. Learn how to design, produce and apply this power source for personal use.

Job loss or when things go south, particularly in an economic collapse where the dollar is nearly worthless, a number of non-monetary goods will be more valuable than a fistful of dollar bills. Stockpiling these things, a little at a time, is good planning. Having something of value to others can get stuff that is of value to you. Things you can trade, to get what you want, will be invaluable. Others will trade what you need for items you don't consider useful (booze, cigarettes, etc.). Visit the Related Link to review a sample list of items and some useful tricks of the trade.

When you don't have a commercial vise or clamps to hold a project in place while you work on it or need to glue it, build your own Rope Vise or Viking Clamp or improvise using other household items like a tire jack, caulk gun, bungie cord, ratchet strap or mouse trap.

When sending our children to public, government-controlled school is against our beliefs or not feasible, homeschooling is a great alternative. You can do a much better job than public school teachers, regardless of your level of education, so long as you can read. Just do what teachers do; buy books, with a year's curriculum (program), and follow the instructions. Don't let our children's education be stunted by public education indoctrination. When the opportunity arises, take advantage of homeschooling. There are lots of helpful resources and support groups.

Whether by choice or necessity, living in a car is even more challenging than living in an RV; space and basic amenities being the main factors. First on the list is to prepare it for an Emergency as any good prepper would do. Then consider things like, efficient use of available space, locations to park/rest, camping/cooking/sleeping setup/equipment, personal care products and staying clean, seasonal clothing, food and drink, privacy from prying eyes, communications (cell phone, WiFi/hotspot), staying warm and keeping cool. Visit the Related Link for details.

If in deep water without a floatation device, your pants or shirt can be inflated by your breath to create a make-shift temporary floatation device. Visit the Related Link for instructions.

Lost in the wilderness, near bodies of water, stumbling upon a canoe, rowboat or kayak, along the shore, might not be too farfetched. But, when that kind of find doesn't present itself, and getting back to civilization is best done by water, making a survival watercraft may be the best option. Visit the Related Link for options.

Formerly considered as some kind of witchcraft, dowsing is a type of pseudoscientific divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, gravesites, malign 'earth vibrations' and many other objects and materials without the use of any scientific apparatus. Using a "special" tree branch, or 2 metal rods, held in the hands, water is detected when the branch bends or the rods cross.

Cryptocurrency has made its mark in a "cashless society". It's a form of digital money that is designed to be secure and, in many cases, anonymous. View these videos for a better description:

What if all of your favorite coping mechanisms (ways of getting through sucky circumstances) were GONE? Nature has some helpful ways to cope with and eliminate pain without the side effects of man-made drugs.

Wherever you reside, take walks through, and around, the community. Get familiar with houses, neighbors, streets and their names, escape routes, security shelters, cover and pinch points, fire hydrants and swimming pools (water sources), locations of emergency shelters, neighbors with items or services to barter with, areas where "undesirables" hang and other strategic info. gathered from those walks. Build relationships with residents throughout the community, not just next door or across the street, but, especially, with "the gatekeepers"; those who live at community entrance roads.

One of the best ways to help people, learn something new, improve your skills or empower goodness and freedom in this world is to volunteer. Sometimes viewed as an entirely selfless act of sacrificing time and resources to help others without receiving any benefit, most volunteers experience that they receive more than they give. Before volunteering, ask yourself what you would like to learn or accomplish from the experience then ask if the opportunity aligns with any of those expectations. Sharing your life with others in your community may just change your life, and theirs, for the better.

Wilderness-Improvised tools like a Throwing Stick or [David] Slingshot are very formidable in skillful hands. Lots of practice is recommended before actually needing them. They are quick to ready for use and easy to transport in backpack or pants belt. A Throwing Stick needs less accuracy because of its large surface area as it rotates and flies toward the target; even marginal throws may bring down a rabbit, squirrel or bird on branch or ground. An Atlatl or modified Arrow-Slingshot can bring down larger game.

Strapping something to your back, over the shoulder or around the waist is, usually, easier to carry than holding it in your hands. Survival or hiking, free up the hands to hack through brush, move branches, hold a compass, carry a walking stick, etc. When a useful pack isn't available, make one by lashing a frame together with cordage then fill the frame with some kind of bag or tarp or just tie a bag shut and sling it over your shoulder or tie it around your waist or make a pack or pouch from scratch with the materials on hand, like tree bark, animal skin, vines, clothing, whatever. The Related Link will help your brain ponder many ideas.

In a survival situation, "the best part of waking up" may not be coffee in your cup. Even a warm/hot cup of plain-ol-water can boost morale in a stressful situation. But it's not always necessary to do without the luxury of a warm beverage when things are a bit upside down. Steeping Pine needles, Sassafras, Dandelion or other edible plants in boiling water can add some pleasant and unique flavoring to your hot cup of plain-ol-water. So, when you're in the middle of a survival situation, look around you; there may just be something growing nearby that will make the day a bit brighter.

From a wilderness practicality perspective, we can see it is a great skill to learn to make wilderness candles from plant oils and waxes, animal fat/tallow, pine tree resin, tree oils and honeycomb. Visit the Related Link for details.

Preventing snow blindness or eye burn is crucial for outside activities. Bare cheeks reflect the sun into the eyes. When commercial eye black product is not available, reduce sun glare in the eyes by crushing charcoal to powder and mixing with some kind of wax or petroleum-based product. Smear the greasy black "paint" on the cheek bone just beneath the eyes. If no wax or petroleum-based product is available, mix the charcoal with a small amount of water to make a paste or use dark-colored mud, both of which may require frequent re-application when it dries and falls off. Can also be used for face camo.

At that time (Revelation 19:6-16) the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. [the lamps of the foolish ones died out] . . . Therefore, [always] be ready, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25

Most backpackers and bug-out-bags will carry a small, foldable shovel to dig a latrine, fire pit or cover fire coals to put out a fire. A Not-So-Primitive cooking method is using a shovel as a skillet when no pots, pans or griddle are available. The metal shovel is excellent for cooking meats, veggies and breads. The [usual] long handle, makes it convenient to maneuver the food in and around the fire for different temperatures. Other kinds of makeshift cooking tools can make cooking a bit more convenient and safer in the wild.

In the old days, the blacksmith was like our "engineer" of his time. He needed to make precise tools for his community from the farmer to the hunter and trapper to the doctor and others. The ability to manipulate metals has always been the mainstay to survivability. Learning this skill will help yourself to make tools you need as well as becoming a bartering skill for off-grid trading.

Stone Caves can be great shelters when they are safe. Inspect before use. Check for signs of critter inhabitants/visitors. Look for water leaks/wetness making it damp for miserable sleeping, sap body heat, promote bacteria & mold growth & weaken stone integrity. Loose rocks on ceilings & walls & fissures or cracks can be made worse by heat from a fire. Lower ceilings improve structural integrity and safety but higher ceilings improve ventilation. Check for Carbon Dioxide (CO2), especially in volcanic regions, that can suffocate humans/animals in minutes. A flame will not stay lit if CO2 exists.

Honey is the only natural sweetener not made from plants. Many fruits, trees and plants contain natural sugar. Sugars from flowers and plants are mostly gathered by bees to make honey. Removing the moisture (by cooking or dehydration) from the sap/juice, then crushing the dry residue, produces granulated sugar to use for sweetening. Visit the Related Link for details.

Many plants have natural saponins; steroids that occur naturally and dissolve in water and create a stable lather. Often, it's just a matter of breaking off a piece of the plant (often in the roots) or berries and rubbing between the hands to make the lather. Make sure NOT to introduce the soap into open water sources such as lakes and streams. Saponins are poisonous to fish and other marine life. Also, do not eat these plants as some are poisonous if taken internally. Visit the Related Link for plants to consider and additional information.

There are any number of "what if" scenarios that could play out, preventing access to emergency supplies. Regardless of how it happens, you could suddenly find yourself standing in front of a wreck of a building. Once upon a time, it was a convenience store. Near as you can tell, it isn't occupied by anyone. Odds are pretty good you could find at least a few canned goods, possibly a bottle or two of water. What do you do?

Many types of plant material can be made into ink. For this project, smash about 1/2 cup of pokeberries (poisonous) in a cooking container. Add just enough water to cover the smashed pokeberries. Slowly bring to a boil then remove from the heat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of vinegar (if available). Simmer for 15 minutes. Stir to mix well while simmering. Filter the liquid into a storage container that can be sealed. Use a large feather as a pen for writing. Use the Related Link to research other options.

Salt (Sodium) has many uses, not the least of these is curing and preserving meat/food. When you can't buy it, extract your own from seawater, some plants and vegetables and even animal blood. Visit the Related Link for useful extraction methods.

Understanding what NOT to do in an emergency is as important and helpful as planning and knowing what to do. More often than not our instincts will make us do things that are counterproductive to our survival like don't panic or get depressed, don't obsess over sensationalized newscasts, don't go to stores, banks or gas stations, don't share info about your preps and more listed on the Related Link.

Half the fun of embarking on a DIY project or maintaining your home is choosing the best tools for the job. As the years go by and your projects get more ambitious, you'll likely accumulate hundreds of tools. But these are the essential tools you can't live without and will turn to time and again for general upkeep, repair jobs, DIY projects and specialized jobs.

Our Anonymity is a Thing of the Past. Why? Because government and "big tech" want to control the population and they want a complete audio and video surveillance of every person to know where they are going and what they are doing. The Related Link provides suggestions on how to defeat this surveillance.

Life Straw is a portable water filter that removes 99.9% waterborne bacteria in an easy-to-carry container that is about 12" long and about 1.5" in diameter. Like the name implies, it is used like a straw to suck water from its source through the device and into the mouth. Every backpack should include one.

Here's a step-by-step process documented from video on 2 ways to make moonshine; by still or pressure cooker.

A Sillcock Key is a simple device used to open tamper-resistant (handles removed to prevent theft and vandalism) Sillcocks and hose bibs (water spigots). The absence of a [spigot] handle means you need a key to operate the valve. These outdoor water faucets are on almost every residential, commercial, and industrial building. Even if the power is off, water remains in the pipes. For any prepper, that means a vital step towards survival water. Though not specifically designed for survival situations, a sillcock key is a handy item in the bug-out bag.

Lock picking can be tricky even when you have all the right tools and expertise. Here are several approaches which use unique tools to crack locks.

Around the world, nature creates a diverse, stable community of plants and animals that efficiently captures the sun's energy, cycles nutrients and conserves water. Every niche is filled; every resource is used and recycled over and over again. Hopefully, as part of your self-reliance efforts, you have built an abundant garden of vegetables and fruits. Now, like nature, round out your personal ecosystem by raising some kind of livestock that suits your environment. They can serve as producers of food, clothing, security and companionship.

The watch/clock method for navigation is useful for finding the cardinal directions of: north, south, east and west. While not being 100 percent accurate, it is handy for crude navigation when a compass is not available and can head you in the correct general direction in camping, bushcraft, backpacking and survival situations. It is also useful in combination with other natural navigation methods. Visit the Related Link for details.

Garbage is abundant everywhere you look and a large percentage of that garbage consists of plastic bottles.  This may be sad for our environment, but there are many ways to repurpose them instead of trashing them.

Bandages are a luxury in a survival scenario. Make the best possible use of them when necessary. Cut a center slice through each of the adhesive strips long-ways, from the ends up to the bandage portion to make them more flexible for stubborn body parts like fingers, elbows and knees. Cut the bandage area narrower to use as a Butterfly bandage in place of sutures for laceration wounds.

When SHTF, or if life just throws you a curveball and you find yourself in a survival situation without being prepared (should never be the case but...), one of the first things on the survival to-do list is to find water. Once a water source is located, though, there are two important factors to consider. First, making sure it's clean/drinkable/safe/purified. Second, a method to transport it. A water container should be transportable and able to heat/cook over a fire. Consider tree bark, animal skin, bamboo, etc. Visit the Related Link for suggestions.

Ants and their eggs are tasty and nutritious. And, with the help of a plastic tarp, they can be easily collected. Fold over the edges of the tarp. Then find an ant hill, dig it up, and dump all of the contents (ants and dirt) onto the center of the tarp. The ants will scramble to save the eggs — and carry all of the eggs into the "safety" of the folds around the tarp. After they are done scrambling, unfold the tarp and gather up the eggs and eat them and the ants.

Cutting Small Fire Logs can be challenging and dangerous (especially when using a chainsaw). Keeping the log secure, and not moving around, can be done with a Log Cutting Holder. There are many commercial versions but P4T is all about self-reliance and DIY so this A-shaped one fits the bill.

A combination of Pine Sap and [black] Powdered Charcoal (1 part charcoal powder with 3 parts pine sap) creates a very strong natural epoxy. Slowly melt the pine sap (prevent burning), let it simmer for 5-6 minutes to evaporate the turpentine, so it doesn't catch on fire, stir in the charcoal powder and apply the epoxy mixture, with a stick, to the project to harden. The unused sap/charcoal mixture can be gathered on the end of a stick (like a popsicle for easy transport) and re-heated and reused indefinitely.

This might seem to be a strange thing to consider in a home defense plan, but this is one of the easiest ways to inflict injury without the perpetrator actually 'being there'. Knowing the signs of a suspicious letter or package could save a life.

If the handle breaks on a knife or hand tool, don't "buy" a new one. Make it yourself with paracord/rope, corn cob, wood or by melting HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic in a metal container then molding it to the desired size and shape. HDPE plastic is identified by a 2 (resin identification code) inside the recycle symbol. The fumes from other melted plastics are noxious and can cause illness.

In the unlikely event of civil unrest, having, or making, items to reduce bodily injury will be good to have readily available. Any injury, to any part of the body, has a negative impact on mobility and/or survival. When professional-grade bulletproof clothing and equipment aren't available, nearly every piece of sporting equipment, from hockey sticks and baseball bats to motorcycle and football helmets and pads can be repurposed for self-defense. A trip to the local sports (poor man's riot gear) store can prepare for the worst scenarios.

Duct tape has become so popular because of its versatility. Ask anyone who is familiar with the polyethylene-coated, pressure-sensitive roll of adhesive about how they have used it and they will tell you about the many ways it has helped them. Have at least one roll handy wherever you go.

In normal times, it's difficult to argue taking the risk of making yourself sick if the upside will only amount to a couple of dollars saved. But, what about when times are not normal? Would you be so quick to toss out "expired" cans of green beans if calories were as scarce as water in a desert?

It's frustrating when I can't find something I need to work on a project. When the SHTF, it's crucial to know where preps are and their condition. Here are tips to help organize.

Solar power provides cleaner, more sustainable electricity, but few people can afford to mount solar panels on their houses, and few power providers have invested significantly in solar power generation. It’s time to take solar power into your own hands. These devices won’t let you take your house off the grid, but they will help reduce your power bill and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

My grandparents didn’t have air conditioning and my parents didn't have it until I was 14. So, how did we stay cool during the Summer? Here are some basic things to consider when the temperatures and humidity increase to uncomfortable levels.

During a long-term power outage or living off the grid, preserving refrigerated foods can be challenging. I have collected these ideas for contemplation. Take a look at some alternatives and reply with other solutions you have used with success.

  Neighborhood Watch is an organized effort by concerned residents to look out for one others safety, and to help law enforcement officers protect people and their homes against criminals. If your neighborhood has not yet become a crime statistic, consider crime preventive measures by starting a Neighborhood Watch Program. At the very least, call the police any time something looks suspicious or out of place. If your neighborhood has already become a crime statistic, a Neighborhood Watch Program can tackle this problem. Ignoring the problem will not fix it.

Supplies don't need to be expensive. Dollar Stores, Pawn Shops, Surplus Stores and Yard Sales are some local options. Search for free stuff web sites. If you're adventurous, take a Dumpster Diving excursion. Don't just get stuff because it's free unless you can barter (trade) it for stuff you actually need/want before, or during, a crisis when stores will run out of inventory and people will run out of their supplies. Store, organize and prioritize supplies in easy-to-move containers for quick access and relocation if evacuation is necessary. Electric and fuel may be unavailable for power tools; get hand tools for repairs. Brainstorm about ways to stretch dollars to get the most bang for the buck.

Water should never be wasted. A greywater system is used to take used water, from places like your laundry, shower and sink, and divert it for other uses like watering plants and, even, drinking when distilled. Here are some resources for installing and using a greywater system.

Now is a great time to get the wood stove in shape for next year. Proper maintenance is crucial to a top-performing, long lasting stove. Without it, the stove will not function as intended. A poorly functioning wood stove can lead to health risks, smoke damage or cause a fire.

Having a method to call for help is always helpful in an emergency. Yelling will soon wear out your voice and injure your throat. Carrying a small whistle is ideal but if a ready-made one is not available here are some ways to make one with what's around you like bamboo, rifle cartridge, soup can lid or an acorn top.

With inflated costs of everything, it's good to save where we can. Electrical Vampires are appliances and devices in the home/office that use massive amounts of electricity or suck 50 to 100 watts when they're not even being used. Turn off the lights and see what's glowing in the dark; they're, probably, your Electrical Vampires. Visit the Related Link to find and kill them.

Drones can be useful for monitoring activity on your property but can also violate personal rights of privacy and peace. Shooting Down a Drone is not difficult. They are very fragile and nearly any projectile (slingshot/rock, bb/pellet gun, etc.) will take them out. An FAA license may be required to fly a drone.

There are many uses for survival cement (a mixture of Clay Mud and Grass). If you are trying to survive in the wilderness or if a disaster destroys your home, it could be your saving grace. It can also be a useful skill and tool for projects around the home.

Every prepared person should have a knife or other cutting tool on their person at all times. If the knife is lost or destroyed, this tool can come in handy. Remove the can lid with a can opener or by smashing the can level with the can lid to remove the lid rim holding the lid in place or rub the can on a rock until the seal breaks. Fold 1/3 of the lid over to create a flat folded edge for holding the tool. Sharpen the exposed rounded edge on a stone. This tool can be used as-is or a handle can be added to the folded part for a better grip.

Bedding down at night in the woods or survival situation can make the bravest person feel vulnerable and prevent a restful sleep. Set up a primitive perimeter alarm around camp as an open watchful eye while you rest. String cordage around the camp perimeter close to the ground. Then tie cans/bottles together to clank together or add small rocks in each can/bottle to rattle. When the perimeter line is touched not only will you be warned but the intruder may be scared off as well.

3 Minutes of FULL Boiling is the safest and most effective primitive method of treating/purifying water. When a pot is not available, other containers can be used. This is possible because of conduction; the heat from the fire is conducted away from the container and into the water. Other parts of the container may get burned but the areas touching the water will not. The container must be filled with water. NOTE: Boiling water does NOT filter out heavy metals or chemical contaminants.

Every family or close-knit group of friends should have at least one way to convey information and messages to each other secretly, silently and even, internationally. What are these languages? American Sign Language, Gregg Shorthand and International Morse Code. Making up your personal family language is even better.

Dental care is about far more than keeping those chompers looking good so you can feel confident and polite in society. Failing to keep teeth clean or not fixing any oral maladies can eventually lead to excruciating pain and turn life threatening far more quickly than one would think. When a toothbrush with toothpaste is not available, clean teeth in other ways; make toothpaste alternatives, use a washcloth, the end of a thin green twig from a non-poisonous tree, even your finger will work. Removing food from between teeth (flossing) will prevent decay and reduce bad breath.

If you can't find matches or a fire starter, don't freak out. There're probably plenty of items around your house that you never realized could start a fire. Once you know what they are and how to use them, you're guaranteed a fire. Here's our list of items from around the house to get your fires started anytime.

Want to sleep off the ground because of dampness, insects or a host of other reasons? A hammock can serve this purpose very well. Don't have one? Make one from a plain old bed sheet, tablecloth, tarp, poncho or a sleeping bag. Visit the Related Link for detailed instructions and videos.

Wooden pallets are common near stores, industrial parks and dumpster areas. Their size, shape, durability and construction make them ideal for nearly any project as-is or broken down for other purposes. For a simple shelter, a triangle shape works just fine for the floor, sides and roof with a tarp covering or boards from other pallets to block the slat openings.

In an evacuation (bug-out) situation, a bicycle, motorcycle or scooter is ideal to maneuver through congested traffic and around areas where other vehicles may be challenged. In the case of a bicycle, its lightweight frame, handlebars and easy-remove front wheel are excellent to create a makeshift shelter by placing a tarp over the bicycle components. If you are so inclined, small pop-up tent trailers are available to pull behind a bicycle. Equipping your 2-wheeled, or ATV, vehicle prepared for an emergency is a great backup alternative to have in place.

Kerosene is one of the first by-products of shale or coal. When coal or shale is heated up, it begins to "sweat" which can be collected and distilled; this is Kerosene. While making Kerosene at home can be challenging, using [k1] Kerosene, in a Diesel or Gasoline engine, is an alternative in an emergency situation.

A taut-line hitch is used to keep tension on a guy-line that is attached to a tent or tarp. However, if you don’t know this knot or forget how to tie it, and don’t have a tensioner included in the tie-down kit, you can make an impromptu tensioner using a soda can pull-tab as shown in the photo and described in the Related Link.

Tight boots or shoes can injure your feet (blisters, pain). Stretching them may make them more comfortable. This can be done by placing a plastic freezer bag of water (1/4 - 1/2 full) in each shoe/boot and placing them in the freezer. The water will expand as it freezes (4-8 hours) and stretch the boots/shoes.

From cordage to water filtering and many things in between and both sides, pantyhose have awesome potential as a multi-purpose tool and deserve a place in every Emergency Kit.

This is likely not something to do with a brand new car but in a survival situation, you do what you have to do. When the sun is bearing down on it, the enclosed interior of a car gets pretty toasty on a sunny day, even with cool outside temps. Place pre-dehydrated food on the dashboard under the windshield to dehydrate meat and vegetables. Cut the food no more than 1/4" thick. Raise it off the dashboard to allow air to circulate above and below the food. Crack the windows a bit, for required cross ventilation, but fill the open windows space with screen or mesh material to keep bugs out. Meats will dehydrate in 6-8 hours and fruits/vegetables sooner.

If planning to fillet a fish and leave the skin on, the scales (depending on the type of fish) may have to be removed. Find a strong 8" stick, about 3/4" in diameter. Gather some bottle caps and screw or nail them onto the stick. The sharp, ribbed texture of the bottom of the caps will make quick work to remove the scales from the fish.

In an attempt to protect children from the “real world”, parents often fail to teach important lessons about money and finance. Discussing the topic of responsible money management openly can help children understand the “whys” and “hows” of budgeting, saving and investing with real-life examples. Here are some resources for teaching children the important life concepts of money and financial responsibility . . .

Transpiration is the process plants collect, distribute and evaporate moisture from parts of the plant (the leaves). Transpiration bags work similar to a solar still, but with much less effort. Place a clear plastic bag around a leafy branch, in direct sunlight. Seal tightly with cordage. Throughout the day, water vapor that will be collected and condense on the inside and will form a puddle at its lowest point. Drinking water right from the bag should be safe but it's best to filter and boil it first. Avoid poisonous trees/plants to prevent illness.

An old school mower may sound kind of boring, but I was excited to acquire one when my friend pulled it from a dark corner of his shed. So why do I think mowing the “old school” way may be better than a self-propelled or riding mower? It's free to use, easy to use, they don't pollute, maintenance is simple, fewer accidents and you get a surprise workout. Additionally, it will still run during fuel shortages and power outages.

The Sun is a great benefit to a home – it’s good for the environment, it can save money on home electric, a source of lighting, backup power during a power outage and a source of heat for the home's interior or water.

Emergency planning is mostly about education and developing a think-outside-the-box view of what most would consider obvious. Learn to visualize things, not only for what they actually are, but what they could be. For example, visualize an aluminum can fashioned into a stove, lantern, cooking pot, canteen, cutting tool, a scoop, fishing lure, perimeter alarm, signal mirror, a whistle or melted to form other tools. Can you think of others? As you see objects in your everyday travels, visualize them as something they are not.

As one of the stealthiest critters on earth, many who live in the suburbs or trek through the woods have, probably, come in close proximity to them, aware or unaware. Understanding snakes is crucial in survival from their physical makeup to their habitat. Being able to identify a poisonous from non-poisonous could be life-saving and in a survival situation they many be a necessary source of food. It will be helpful to research the native snakes to the area where you are located. Visit the related link for details.

Here are some solutions wherever a toilet is needed without connecting to a septic tank or public sewer. Compost, electric, propane and DIY options are considered here.

It may sound unappetizing but pound for pound, insects are more valuable and nutritious than any meat. But knowing how to identify edible insects and stay away from the ones that could kill is a skill worth learning. Sometimes it pays to think small . . . especially when it comes to eating in a survival situation.

We all know that purchasing a weapon can cost a lot of hard-earned money. Fortunately, you can make your own brutal weapons without breaking the bank. When commercial weapons or ammo are scarce or you're forced to leave your supplies behind, improvised weapons may be your only choice for self-defense. We can never be sure that we are safe or complacent about our security so it’s better to be protected than sorry. Use your imagination and what's around you and practice for efficiency.

Here is research about how homes ignite during wildfires, and the actions homeowners can take to help their home survive the impacts of wildfire flames and embers. Basically, keep grass cut, structures, trees and flammables 30-100 feet from the house and keep a 100-feet long garden hose attached to an outside faucet at all times. Visit the Related Link for details.

During an emergency, you may need to decide whether to stay where you are or leave (Bug Out). Too soon could waste time and resources. Too late could find yourself in a worse position than if you had stayed. Stay informed of the situation (via news) to make an educated decision. The acronym "R.E.D.O.U.T." may give some idea of when it's time to implement your bug out plan. Resources are gone. Environment is not safe. Destination is safer. Overwhelming forces. Unprepared. Threat is increasing. Any one, or combination, may send you packin'.

Observing animals in the wild can be a great experience, but an encounter with a wild animal can turn dangerous quickly. Many wild animals in the forest will attack humans if provoked. The best way to avoid an attack from a forest animal is to leave them alone. However, if you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, there are tactics you can use to escape and get to safety. Visit the Related Link for details.

Carrying a long stick, made from hard wood, like Oak, helps with walking rough terrain but sharpening the end into a point also makes it a formidable defense weapon to keep potential dangers at bay or catch food. Hardening the point with fire will help keep it sharp. Rotate the point area just above the flames of a small fire to dry out the wood and get a "toasted" look. Sharpen again after hardening then rub with plant or animal oil. Re-harden if the point becomes dull with use.

It’s simply common sense to take measures to prevent rodent infestation in the home and eliminate those already there. Once an infestation has occurred, much more effort is required to dislodge these unwanted guests. Rodents are very effective carriers of many diseases in their nests, droppings, saliva, bites, etc. Controlling them is essential for a clean environment. Only a 1/4" opening is enough to allow these pests to enter. Rodent-proofing a home requires careful evaluation for points of entry from the foundation to the roofline.

Useful things can come from any abandoned vehicle such as tools, wiring, tires, battery, fuels, mirrors, cushions and the body itself (for shelter and projects). In a serious emergency, your car may become the victim as well as a life saver.

While most medical supplies come sterilized, that is no longer the case once used. Some medical supplies (even disposable items) can be reused but should be re-sterilized before reuse. Visit the Related Link for some methods for re-sterilization including alcohol or hydrogen peroxide soaks, boiling, steam, ultra-violet and more.

[1] Minimize risk. Conserve energy. [2] Stay Afloat: Life raft/vest, any floating debris. [3] Only paddle for land if you know where you're going. Stay put if you know someone will be searching. [4] Scavenge anything to protect from wetness, wind, sun, & temps. Dip clothes in water to keep cool in hot sun. Shade eyes or make goggles. Use grease as a sunscreen. Stay out of sun. [5] Stay Hydrated: Collect rainwater. Make Solar Still to make potable water from seawater. Avoid drinking seawater. Avoid sweating. [6] Birds indicate land is near. Wind blows towards land @ day & out to sea @ night.

We live and die by our feet and, unless the bottoms of your feet are made of shoe leather, you'll need to know how to make foot protection in case something happens to your shoes or boots. Visit the related link to learn how to make them out of items found in the wild or urban setting.

Bug season is in full swing. Learn natural ways to stop the bites, annoyances and destruction. Unwanted critters can make their abode in our abode during all seasons but no more obvious and active than the warmer time of year. Use these resources to Be Proactive to Prevent critters from entering and rid yourself of annoying and destructive critters. Make your own natural Pest Control and Insect Repellent products.

Tis the season for planting. What are you going to grow in your garden this year to be more self-sufficient? Gardening may seem like a chore to many people, but for those who love to get our hands in the dirt, it can be a rewarding, zen-like experience. But the actual growing part is easy. The steps taken when planning a garden are key to a successful season. Because the secret to a bountiful garden starts long before blooms or fruit produce. Let's garden!

In a hunting or survival situation, knowing what animals occupy your area is not only good for food but safety as well. Their scat, tracks and markings can help identify them.

As with any plan, it's worthless unless it is communicated, tried and practiced regularly with everyone involved. Practice is essential to preparation. Don't rely on memory or ability to calmly handle an actual emergency when anxiety and panic are normal responses. Like anything, practice makes perfect. When the time comes and the brain wants to panic, a well-documented and rehearsed plan will provide structure, calm and clear thinking; reducing anxiety during an actual emergency. - Include provisions for those with special needs, the elderly and pets. - Share, and periodically review and practice it, with your support network. Adjust and update as needed. - Review your plan when current events are happening that could escalate into a real bad situation.

Diet, no doubt, has a major impact on a person's health. You eat poorly, you feel poorly; you eat better, you feel better. But is there a formula for eating better? There are many environmental, physiological and psychological factors that contribute to one's health and a "diet-for-all" is impractical. But there are some basic universal guidelines to attain and maintain healthy bodies and brains. Researching the regimen that works for you should be an on-going journey to find your perfect diet and as the body changes with age.

Long-Term preservation of surplus foods is essential for preparing for a food shortage event. Research is highly recommended for proper food preparation and storage and it's important to know and record/label the shelf life of the foods prepared using these techniques.

Learning to cook with a campfire, without man-made utensils, can be one of the most relaxing and rewarding experiences. Whether you're camping or in an actual emergency situation, common primitive cooking methods (ash, broiling, hot stone, plank, steam pit, spit or clay) are skills worth knowing. The first skills necessary, however, are knowing how to start and build a fire. Then choose the primitive cooking method appropriate for the situation, available resources and weather.

There are many detailed resources available in bookstores and on the web to learn how to make clothing as well as preliminary skills needed before making the clothes. Growing and preparing fabrics and hides are excellent self-reliance skills. Additionally, making clothes from pre-made materials is an art unto itself which can be assisted with prepared patterns. These skills take lots of time and patience to achieve the final product but also produce a grand sense of accomplishment.

The great outdoors is tons of fun, but you shouldn’t be skipping out on sun protection when you’re out there. Before you feel the burn or see how the heat has damaged your skin, protect your skin with the help of these important tips and Natural Sun Block and Burn Remedies.

When every other source of food is depleted, look to the ground; look to the things that creep. Reptiles and Amphibians, collectively called "herpetofauna," (creeping things) are extremely abundant in many areas and can provide a ready and stable food source. On the whole, aquatic environments are much more productive [to find food] than terrestrial (land) habitats so finding a body of water like ponds, wetlands or any other standing or slow-moving water will produce quicker food source results. Be educated on wild food sources to survive while avoiding illness or death.

Even during seemingly harmless situations, travelers need to be, what security professionals describe as, "situationally aware." It's the foundation of personal security. It extends to every minute you're away from home -- whether walking down a street, riding a bus or shopping in a crowded market. Predators look like us and act like us but they are, actually, looking for their next victim.

Read about some bathing options to stay clean even when taking a shower or bath is not available or practical or time and resources are at a minimum or the place is inconvenient.

Fortifying home security doesn’t mean the home should look like a fortress. The best security is actually when it doesn’t look like a fortress. Practical softscaping, hardscaping, and few other tricks can keep would-be intruders at bay better than a moat.

If your home is like most, you have a few boxes of baking soda laying around; one in the refrigerator, one in the cupboard, and maybe one in the pantry. It may be one of the least costly things you have in your home that will do so much. Let’s take a look.

Attract bats to your property and enjoy the natural insect control they will provide this insect season. Existing bat colonies, in undesirable locations, can be encouraged to roost elsewhere with the right attraction.

Found in nearly any environment, moss has many properties for survival use including food, water, fire and first aid.

The wilderness isn't known for grocery stores and restaurants, so if you accidentally wander off to the woods without a trusty fishing pole, are you out of luck? Tie and wrap thin cordage (fishing line) around the can as a reel. With your multi-tool, cut the pull-tab into a hook with a barb and punch a hole into the drinking hole seal flap as a lure on the line near the hook. Tie a small rock (sinker) below the hook and lure and a floating piece of wood a foot or so above the hook as a float/bobber. Then shove a stick into the drinking hole as a handle.

Harvesting rainwater is the process of catching rainwater in tanks for use in the home and landscaping. It is a process that has been around for thousands of years and, as our distant ancestors knew, it’s one that has many benefits, including an emergency water supply and Water Bill savings.

Green Bamboo and non-poisonous vines are good sources of fresh drinking water during late winter, spring and summer when the sap is running. But there are some rules to follow before drinking this water and a skill to help the water flow better. Visit the Related Link for details.

It's concerning to still find empty shelves at grocery stores, constant price increases and government saying it will get worse. Would you know how to hunt for food during a long-term emergency, grid down scenario or wilderness survival? Hunting with Snares and deadfalls will be the best passive methods for acquiring meat to eat; working for you when you're not there. Here's how.

Building a fire in a hole in the ground is useful for windy conditions, reduces detection (if stealth is desired) and can be closer to heat a shelter. It's also easy to put the fire out, filling the hole with dirt, when ready.

In a crisis, make the most of everything you have; that means getting a little creative. Things like paracord and duct tape have fairly obvious uses, but other items may require a little more critical thinking. Today let’s take a look at one of the most common items in the kitchen — aluminum foil. Make containers to eat/drink from, collect or boil water or cook, solar oven, fishing lure or signal device, sharpen knives/scissors, scrub cookware, resize batteries, transport fire coals, ground cover, insulation, and more.

Surviving a natural disaster with safe points in the home may vary depending upon different regions of the country. It's important to be aware of safe points in the house and prepare for surviving there during a natural disaster of any type. Know, or build, your household safe point.

Most buildings have an evacuation plan. But when the initial plan falls apart, you need to have a ready-to-go emergency kit nearby. Even ground-level structures may require unconventional exiting when exits are blocked. Having a kit with the right items can make a huge difference in getting out of a building and avoiding injury or death.

When planning for emergencies, we must consider every scenario that could possibly take place. Seniors, persons who are mobility-challenged or their Caregivers must prepare for, and know how to handle, a disaster situation just like anyone else with the understanding that there will be additional considerations.

During a crisis, public water sources could become contaminated accidentally or intentionally. And an off-grid water source can be challenging. A long-term water storage program should include a renewable water source in an overall Emergency or Off-the-grid Plan. Additionally, it's helpful if there is an automated method of moving the water from the source to a better-accessible location. Here are some options to consider.

The hobby of beekeeping, also called apiculture, started on a wide scale in the U.S. during World War II when sugar was tightly rationed. Now it can be a very profitable, healthy and environmental venture. Honey is also a valuable bartering item.

The average person may have a memory lapse of personal survival skills, especially during times of stress. While everyone should regularly practice their survival skills, always keeping a Survival Guide nearby will come in handy to help others or to refresh the memory during a stressful situation or just brain farts. My 2 favorite Survival Guides, due to their comprehensive content and compact size, are the SAS Survival Guide and the wallet-size Tiny Survival Guide.

When I was a child, I was given a Pellet rifle to learn to shoot by plinking cans and targets. Then, when I was a teenager, my father bought me a .22 rifle and my pellet rifle was quickly forgotten when I saw that real bullets were superior to pellets. Now, older and wiser, I can think of several reasons why my old pellet rifle can be a useful tool for me. A pellet rifle is nearly silent but can dispatch small game for food or impart a physical warning to larger animals to discourage them from returning.

For some, a pet may be the only Survival Companion they will want or will be included as a valued member of the team. Dogs, and other animals, are natural guardians and can be trained for other tasks. Unlike humans, pets are not likely to turn against you and are not lazy if treated well.

With our First Amendment freedom of speech and expression, a crowd of people can flood the streets as a form of civil/peaceful protest. However, a civil protest can turn into a full-scale riot as tensions build, usually fueled and led by out-of-state antagonistic radical groups, brought in from other parts of the country, whose sole intention is to incite violence within an already tense situation. Here's what to do if caught in the midst of all this chaos.

Some people display their homes as if waiting to be featured in Homes and Gardens magazine. If you are not one of these, maybe the preference is to keep some things out of sight as people pass by. Whether a goal includes camouflaging your home completely, diminishing your home and yard's visibility or putting limitations on people's ability to enter your yard, there are a wide variety of natural and artificial options to consider.

A fog catcher is a stretched-out piece of mesh/screen over copper piping which allows fog to condensate into droplets of water and flow down to be collected into a bucket. Additionally, loose pieces of cloth, tied to the leg calves can absorb dew on grass while walking through a grassy field. More ideas are included in the Related Link.

Reloading ammunition can be a real money saver if you are an avid shooter or storing up for "that rainy day". But it is also a nice skill to have when commercial ammunition becomes scarce or you're not near a store. Here are some videos and articles on reloading, casting your own lead bullets, opportunities to buy your own equipment and information on Black Powder Firearms.

. . . an easy-to-make hard cracker made from flour, salt, and water will last for years and through temperature extremes. Once taken on long sea voyages and carried by soldiers on long military campaigns it was called things like sea biscuit and sheet iron.

The Greeks had an uncanny ability when it came to healing the body, and the medicinal purposes of many of nature’s wonders. Bees were at the top of the list when it came to natural wonders that also contained healing powers. Honey is an important ingredient in Emergency Planning for food and healing.

With fast-rising inflation, the rash of riots, governments dictatorships, invading illegals, and the mental anguish of being forced into hiding our faces, isolation and "social distancing" in fear of the Wuhan, chinese communist party (ccp) virus pandemic these past few years, the chances of this happening are very high. Learn to be Situationally Aware and, if this happens to you, Run or Hide or Fight. Read on for details and watch the video from DHS.

21 feet may seem far away, but the 21 Feet Rule (Tueller Principal) proves that an attacker can reach an "aware" target victim in less than 2 seconds from 21 feet before the victim can react. Being Situationally Aware and understanding Pre-Attack Indicators should help keep a safe distance and get ready to retreat/defend. Keep a safe distance, run, scare away, or take out the attacker before they get that close. Watch the videos for details.

When we do not have a stove to heat with wood or turn on with the flip of a switch, we have to find a way to cook. Additionally, using natural cooking solutions saves money and reduces dependence on "the grid". Our ancestors found a way to cook . . . even in winter. These Videos, Podcasts and articles explain how to cook good healthy food for a fraction of the cost of conventional cooking methods.

Knowing how to weld with batteries can be a very useful skill in an emergency off road situation or when there is no AC power.

Edible landscaping refers to mixing food plants in with your ornamental ones, to create a setting that is not only visually appealing, but productive as well. The related link will provide suggestions for How to Design It and What Plants to Choose.

We see this scenario play out regularly across the country. A legally armed citizen uses a gun in self-defense, and then appears in court to prove that the legal requirements were met to justify using deadly force. When the court rules that the citizen complied with the law and is not guilty of any crime, life just goes on, right? NOT! What's next could devastate that citizen's life but there is help available as an ACLDN Member. Learn how to protect yourself.
What is ACLDN? (https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzGUABBjESI)

From injury to disease, pain is a very common ailment or symptom that can take down the toughest of the tough. Alternative solutions help to fight the epidemic with opiate dependency. Here is one alternative.

Learning how to purchase a Professional Gas Mask or making my own (from a 2 or 3-liter plastic soda bottle or full underwater snorkel mask) is a tool worth having to filter the air in an emergency environmental situation or protect against projectiles.

Sheltering in place is [hopefully] a short-term solution to address a biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological or civil unrest threat. The objective is to protect those of us inside, from the bad stuff outside. Pre-planning should stock the "shelter" with water, food and other supplies for, at least, a 2-week stay without venturing outside. Additional tips, in the Related Link, will help take the necessary actions to effectively shelter in place.

  What happens when your next meal moves faster than you? Build a faster weapon! Here are detailed instructions on how to catch meat and defend yourself for survival.

With the world in turmoil and rogue nations gathering plutonium for nuclear warheads, nuclear preparedness should never be ignored. Learn to stay safe before, during and after "the blast". Gather supplies now. Find or build an emergency shelter now. Get to the lowest level, and center, of the strongest building and away from windows. If unable to find shelter, lay flat, face down, with hands on head. After the shockwave, seek shelter to avoid the coming fallout. Do not leave shelter until it is safe. Wash clothes and body ASAP to limit contamination.

Not having this one key component has killed more people in a survival situation than any other issue. It's, probably, the single most important aspect of survival. Regardless of the survival scenario, there is one hidden peril that threatens our lives in all situations, and we can't outrun or hide from it; our own thoughts. Stay busy, think positive, have fun and consider other tips and tricks, at the Related Link, to keep the mind healthy, rested, and in peak condition no matter what happens.

With a bit of wick and household items like crayons, shortening/lard, butter, vaseline, olive oil, orange peel, chapstick or any items that contain oils, alcohol, kerosene, tallow or paraffin, you can make an emergency candle or lantern.

Precious Metals are always a good [hedge] investment that should be part of a diversified portfolio to pay/barter for goods and services in case of a financial crisis. One of the best reasons for investing in precious metals, instead of conventional monetary vehicles, is that they are, usually, Not Monitored by, or Reported to, the IRS. Buy it to keep in your possession (hands), not vaulted. The Related link will include information on Gold VS Silver, Coins VS Bars, the value of Junk Silver and more.

When you are homesteading in your backyard in the suburbs or even in a small town, there is only one thing as important as egg quality when deciding what breed of chickens to raise – how much noise they make. Quiet chicken breeds do exist, and you do not have to sacrifice egg quality to raise them! If you don't want angry neighbors pounding on your door or stopping you in the driveway over the constant chatter of your beloved flock, invest in a breed known for its polite demeanor.

While not the most accurate, and certainly not what they are designed for, a Marine or Aviation Flare Gun can not only signal for emergencies but can be used for defense and can inflict a serious, if not deadly, injury to an attacking predator.

With every emergency or natural disaster that comes, the know-how and tactics of survival are improved, based upon ideas and knowledge handed down from survivors. Anyone can find themselves in a sticky situation without all of the gear they would like to have. But just because you aren't prepared doesn't mean you can't save the day. Don't let MacGyver have all the fun. Consider these projects to become more self-sufficient in a survival situation; thinking outside the box. Imagination is your best tool by learning to visualize things, not only for what they actually are, but what they could be. Some examples are making a "D" battery from a "AA" battery, a rain poncho from a garbage bag, a medical stretcher from clothes, a bed from cardboard boxes, an arm sling from a grocery bag, and many more ideas explained in the Related Link.

Preparing for an emergency means storing, among other things, medical supplies including life-critical prescription, and over-the-counter, medications that may become unavailable during an emergency. Visit the link for recommendations.

Knowing how to track, to find a lost person or food source animal, may save a life but it can also help in evading an enemy. Free, no obligation PDF Download - SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) Student Handbook - available at this link.

It is not enough to just collect food and stick it away somewhere until it's needed. Knowing where and what it is and when it will expire is essential. A little planning ahead of time will save a lot of space and organizational problems in the future.

There are things we can forego when public emergencies occur and things we cannot do without. Among the latter is fuel. So, when the usual local distributors have run dry, knowing how to create fuel can be an advantage.

Glow sticks are OK for emergency lighting but they really shine as an emergency signaling device when used properly. Holding and shaking a glow stick is not a very effective way to signal for help. The best way is to tie a string (about 2-3 feet long) to the glow stick and swing it (like a buzz saw) in front or over you depending on the location of target you are trying to attract. Learn the big difference between Glow Sticks and Chemical Lights.

Generally, squirrels would rather climb a tree at an angle, to save energy, rather than go straight up. This is where this snare pole comes in. Attach the noose (more than one is better) to a pole placed at an angle from the ground and propped against a tree where squirrels are active. The squirrel will be caught as it climbs the pole and passes through the noose.

Anyone who relies on wood heat for the home, camping or survival needs to understand precautions in cutting, splitting and breaking wood to prevent injury and save time and physical energy.

When a cooking pot or pan is unavailable in the wild, the ashes of a campfire will do just fine to cook an egg that may have been found in a nest. With a knife or rock, carefully peck a hole (1/4 - 1/2 inch) in one end of the eggshell. Place the egg (hole up) on hot campfire [white] ashes (NOT red coals). When the egg in the hole turns white, it's ready to eat.

A wall safe can be simple to install and a secure way to hide valuables. However, if installed incorrectly, criminals can simply cut out the safe and take it with them. Following these steps will provide a safe and secure location to store valuables and keep firearms from criminals and curious young children.

Whether in an accident or locked in the trunk, escape pre-planning starts with knowing the vehicle(s), what type of glass is installed, potential exit points and thinking through escape scenarios. Some Vehicle Escape Tools may not work on all cars. Here are some other things to consider:

Whatever you want to call it, an "Emergency Bag" is an essential tool in any emergency planning and preparation, whether staying where you are or evacuating. Everything is together in one container to grab-n-go and easy to transport or store. Each person (and pet) should have their own as well as each vehicle. Each bag should have a minimum of the "Eleven Cs" supplies inside. In the event of an Emergency, this bag should be one of the first things to grab and stay with you through the entire emergency event. Visit the Related link for details on preparing your Emergency Bag.

The purpose of a bug out location is to get away from the chaos and potential danger a SHTF situation can generate. Here are some things to consider when choosing a bug out location.

Having bad habits that stand in your way could be just as detrimental to your survival as not arming yourself with the proper skills and equipment. Habits are not limited to killing us by harmful health addictions but the things we do to kill our financial freedom and self-sufficient potential. ALL habits can be overcome starting with an admission and then a determination to win the battle to overcome. Visit the Related Link for some resources of encouragement. Determine to overcome!

The body needs rest to function at its best. After building a survival shelter from the elements, constructing a sleeping space is recommended inside the shelter. Generally (with few exceptions), any bed for sleeping in the wild should be built off the ground to avoid creepy-crawlies, on the ground, from invading your sleep space. Visit the Related Link for some suggestions:

Our home is our castle; a safe place from the outside world. The homes of many rich, famous people have a secret that makes their home like a castle. Somewhere, in the depths of the home, is a secure room where the residents can retreat in case of home invasion, violent intruder or severe weather. But you don't have to be a movie star or a multi-millionaire to build your own version of a safe room.

Small and compact to carry, it serves as emergency cordage for many unconventional uses. Using multiple strands, it rivals the strength of rope. The waxed version can be used as fire tinder. Visit the related link for other alternative uses.

Creating a fire starter from whatever you have around you is an essential skill. One option is to make a “prison lighter” by contacting both terminals of the battery with a single piece of foil. Visit the link for details.

Survival means more than shelter and food. It means not having to keep looking over your shoulder for the creditors. Debt can be the single most debilitating "disease" we can have in our lives. We are, truly, a slave to it as it affects every part of our lives. Getting out of debt, frees us from the bondage it has on us. If debt is affecting your joy of life, you can free yourself from it. If you have gotten into the habit of spending more than you make, it won't be easy. But the habit that you made, you can break and create new and better ones. Start now!

Drinkable water is always a priority anywhere you go. This emergency water filter will suffice if you lack other filtering supplies. Run a strip of cloth between a container filled with dirty water to a clean empty container that will receive the filtered water migrating through the cloth. Boil the filtered water, for 5+ minutes, to kill many bacteria. NOTE: Distilling is required to remove heavy metals or chemical contaminants. Filtering/Boiling water does NOT.

Forgot or lost your compass? No problem! Grab a leaf, a thin metal wire, a knife or piece of wool and find a puddle of water to make a Needle-Leaf compass to find your way. Stroke the knife or wool against the wire, in the same direction, 50-100 times to magnetize the wire. Place the wire on a leaf, floating in still water, to point North.

You don't want your fire-starting materials to fail when you need them most. Ordinary matches don't mix well with wet conditions. Having waterproof matches is essential to outdoor activities gear. Buying them is expensive. Learn how to waterproof matches for outdoors using turpentine or melted wax or fingernail polish.

Security doesn't come from having more but from needing less. "a man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had." - John Bunyan. In the world of convenience, it's difficult to say "NO" to ourselves. Using less is a big way to help achieve self-sustainability. Even if you don’t NEED to cut back now, one day you might. Learning the best ways of doing this is huge for emergency preparedness and a self-reliant lifestyle. Start trying to make do with a little less at a time. Making smaller, easier changes will make you more likely to succeed.

The colder seasons bring a new set of survival scenarios. So, you need to find new ways to make it out alive if you're caught in the wilderness. Knowing how to build a survival snow shelter is essential. Find out how to build one that is strong, sturdy and durable to withstand all winter weather situations.

Contrary to the traditional fire building method, this technique burns from the top down, starts the fire quicker and allows the fire to burn longer before having to add more wood.

Truth be told, clothes will always get dirty and, eventually, stinky. Research options to reduce everyday costs and chances of harmful bacteria and illness and improve morale during an emergency or living off the grid. Make a washing tub from a modified 5-gallon bucket and toilet plunger or discover less-manual options. Visit the Related Link for other Laundry Plans to consider.

Roughly 50 percent of all fresh produce in the United States is thrown away — some 60 million tons (or $160 billion) worth of produce annually. Mostly, food that is perfectly good to eat. What can we do? Give it to charitable organizations or down-and-out neighbors or learn how to preserve it for longer periods of time by dehydration, canning, curing, smoking, etc.

It's recommended to have a minimum of Seven (7) Days Supply for each person in your household. Water and Shelter should be priorities. Hard as it may seem to imagine, consider a worse case scenario of being completely cut off from the outside world, including public utilities, and what you will need to live for 7 days alone. Build your supplies a little at a time to lessen the impact on your spending and finances. Gradually increasing supplies to 2 weeks, a month, 3 months or more, is a good goal. And, If you think you have enough, get more.

When facing an emergency situation, the focus is so often on meeting physical necessities. Stress can become a major issue. Undergoing too much stress has been shown to be detrimental to physical, mental, and emotional health; something to certainly avoid during a crisis. Including forms of entertainment, in the emergency preparedness plan, can help to cope, reduce stress and lighten the mood and stay busy in an emergency or unpleasant situation. Consider non-electronic games and other forms of entertainment, easily transportable if bugging out becomes necessary.

Gather, organize and protect these documents in one location, in a waterproof and fireproof container, for easy access and retrieval if bugging-out is necessary. Both paper and digital [docs & photos] are recommended. Visit link for a complete list of documents to consider.

Keep cash on hand. Consider Silver & Gold & bartering items. Diversify (not all eggs in one basket). Banks & ATMs may be affected by an emergency. Improve your financial condition (get out of debt, reduce everyday expenses). Create an Emergency Fund for unexpected expenses. Prepare options for Job/Income Loss.

Everyone has experienced some form or level of public utility outage. It's inevitable. During those times, maybe some notes were taken to prepare for the next inevitable outage? Here are some things to consider doing and acquiring BEFORE the next outage. There are many alternatives for electric power in an emergency; fire, generators, solar, batteries, fuels, water and wind are all options for being able to create electricity when the grid goes down. Acquire and keep reserve fuel containers full. Use fuel stabilizer to keep fuel fresh.

Chances are, if you are not at home when an emergency strikes, you will be in, or near, your vehicle. So, for the majority of us, our everyday vehicle will need to be ready to serve us in nearly any emergency big or small. Stocking all vehicles with emergency, including self-defense, supplies & keeping them well maintained will serve you well in an emergency. Never let the gas tank get below 3/4 full.

Regardless of why and how times are spent in the great outdoors, it is essential to know the basics of map and compass navigation and basic orienteering. Also, during an emergency, along with cell phones and the grid, GPS systems may be unavailable. Knowing how to read a map and use a compass are skills that could help navigate out of a bad situation to a safe location in unfamiliar areas. Pre-Plan multiple access and escape routes. Visit the Related Link for a thorough, yet simple, explanation of how to navigate with just a compass and map.

During a major catastrophic event, cell phones, telephone land lines and even satellite communications may not be available. What are your options to summon help, stay in touch or monitor what is going on in your area? Portable 2-way radios, an AM/FM/Weather Band Radio and Emergency Response Personnel (Police, Fire, Ambulance) Scanner are recommended to stay in touch with one another and the outside world. Have methods of recharging your communications electronics. Don't rely on an electronic personal phonebook. Have a printed copy of phone numbers and addresses of family, friends and important contacts.

My everyday life defends against events that could negatively impact my life. I have insurance. I reinforce my house with better locks & window/door board-up options. I have alarms, cameras, security lighting & self-protection. And I have backups if first lines of defense fail. Defending ourselves, family & home or business is a right and responsibility. Harden your living/work area. If firearms are included, stockpile ammunition. Consider joining/organizing a Neighborhood Watch group. Monitor, and participate in, government. Be aware of what's going on around you. Get better protected.

When disaster strikes, people will be injured along with the normal sicknesses & injuries. A public emergency will overwhelm, medical facilities & first responders. Whether in crisis or routine living, everyone should be ready to handle their own personal medical condition(s), first aid & serious injuries without the aid of medical personnel. Stock up on basic first aid medicines/supplies & prescriptions for family members/pets. Invest in a Survival Medicine Handbook. Know Home Remedies & grow medicinal plants to help if conventional medications are unavailable.

Staying clean is not just a civil nicety. Good hygiene is a mandate for good health in good times or bad. It improves self-worth and self-confidence and helps you stay healthy, clean-looking and attractive. Poor hygiene offends others, affects interpersonal relationships, social interactions and job or school performance. It can result in debilitating illness, disease or other maladies which can sap morale or lead to incapacitation. Stock up on soap and personal hygiene products to stay clean and healthy in any situation. Wash hands frequently.

Power outages & emergencies disrupt our routine lives, are unpredictable & can last an hour, a day, a week or more. Foods with a long shelf-life & don't require heat or cooking are ideal for stocking the pantry for an emergency. Supplement your usual shopping list with canned & dehydrated (dried) food & beverage alternatives to provide necessary nutritional needs during an emergency. Buy food to eat normally but quickly replace what you eat to stay stocked up. Estimate 2000 calories (+/-) per person per day.

Water is the essential element to survival and necessary in every emergency plan and emergency supplies kit. The average person can survive only three (3) days without water. Knowing how and where to gather water and properly store, filter and decontaminate water can supply you and your family with enough safe water during an emergency. The recommended Water Storage Supply is a minimum of One (1) Gallon of Water per person, per day for drinking (32 ounces per day) and sanitation. Store up; public water sources may become unavailable or contaminated during an emergency.

Building a fire for staying warm, light, cooking and signaling is a skill everyone should know. Having the tools and knowledge will make fire-building easier and effective. Without electricity, a well-built fire will build morale and provide heat and light.

Even more important than having a source of drinking water, shelter is a top priority in most emergencies. Without shelter, severe weather conditions can kill within a few (3) hours. Shelter defends from the elements and intruders. Luckily, there are many techniques and materials (wherever you may be) for building and enhancing a shelter. Additionally, under "normal" conditions, it's helpful to learn techniques for heating, cooling, cleaning and filtering your indoor environment.

Prepare properly (physically and equipment), walk silently in a single file, avoid attention by others, stay hydrated, maintain positive thinking and stay motivated.

Made from tree bark, wood, duct tape, animal skin or cloth, these emergency goggles protect eyes from blowing sand, dust, wind, desert sun or snow blindness.

In a dire situation in the wild, a piece of string can become an important survival item. But making cordage from animals and common plants is a forgotten skill; a good skill to master to help in the construction of almost any need; a skill being kept alive thanks to survivalists and bushcraft enthusiasts. Having, or knowing how to make, cordage is one of the necessities of survival. The benefits of cordage are endless. When in a wilderness situation, gather these materials as you find them so you have them BEFORE you need them.

Need to hide some money? Documents? Keys? Maybe meds. The first rule; don’t talk about things you want to keep private. The second thing is to use your imagination and research ideas to hide private things. Here are some ideas:

It's obvious that water is produced from melting snow or ice. That doesn't mean they are safe to consume and melting them may not be as simple as one might think. Consuming snow or ice can cause hypothermia and the water should be boiled, after melting, to reduce the chance of bacteria. And, what are the melting ratios from Snow/Ice to Water? Visit the Related Link for details.

Chances are GOOD that something BAD will happen to you during your lifetime. Do you prefer not to think about that or choose to be prepared for it? Thinking through possible scenarios can prepare you to think on your feet when the bottom falls out and keep a cool head when the heat is on. You don't need to know everything if you train your brain to envision solutions that your eyes can't see.

Whether hunting for food or protection against an attacker, learning how to effectively use multiple types of weapons is essential in preparation for survival or an emergency. You are encouraged to attend a formal firearms training course usually offered by local firearms merchants. Information here includes the use of different kinds of firearms, ammunition and related topics.

The second in priority of the list of survival/emergency equipment to obtain is a "Combustion Device". Simply put, anything that creates a flame or spark that can start a fire. A lighter, fire-starting rod or matches fit the bill. A Combutsion Device should be another of your Every Day Carry (EDC) items. Do your research on the many products available to select the one(s) that suit your EDC specifications. As with any tool you acquire, learn how to use it before you actually need it.

At the top of the list of survival/emergency equipment to obtain is a "Cutting Tool". While a knife is good to carry with you at all times, a Multi-Tool combines a knife along with other useful tools (pliers, scissors, saw, file, screwdriver, etc.) to help in an emergency/survival situation. There are many sizes and configurations to suit anyone's needs. Selecting the size and configuration that suits you will help make it one of your EveryDay Carry (EDC) items. As with any tool you acquire, learn how to use it before you actually need it.

When the ultimate catastrophe occurs, there will be a huge group left that will be doing everything they can to survive. Learning Skills is more important than gathering stuff. You are a stranger surrounded by enemies and everyone around you feels the same way. What should you know before this happens?

One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to share planning ideas and help others with their emergency planning and prepping. By doing that, we may reduce the number of people knocking on our doors when a disaster happens. The more people who are prepared for an emergency, the better.

When a disaster happens, some may feel they will role right into a survivalist mode with ease because they have been doing a lot of planning and prepping. Most likely, the disaster will be sudden and "ease" will not be part of its description. However, it's amazing to see just what we are capable of living through, and of accomplishing, when we depend only on ourselves [with God]. So, let's take a look at what reality might actually be like:

Preparing for an Emergency, long before one is actually realized, is not only a good idea, it's the responsible and mature thing to do for oneself, family, friends and community. A common misunderstanding to preparing is for some end of the world situation or Hollywood doomsday scenario. Truth is, it's not about preparing for some statistical anomaly, but for the real life challenges that we are all going to face at some point in our lives; the kind of situations that feel like the end of your world if you're not prepared. Consider these reasons to have a real, documented plan:

When we say “I could never…” we are limiting the possibilities for our lives.

I conclude that Hoarding is not a good thing and Stockpiling is a prudent and responsible thing. But today, with food and other goods so conveniently close to home, stocking up seems unnecessary. However, crap does happen, so just how much stocking up should we do?

An electromagnet can be made using common items. A magnet is always a magnet. It always attracts. Sometimes you want that, such as with a fridge magnet, but not always. Because the magnetic field, of an electromagnet, can be turned on/off at will, the potential uses for electromagnets are endless.

Of all the pleasures of camping, sipping a freshly brewed cup of joe around the morning fire is, as the old TV commercial hummed along, the best part of waking up. Can't you just smell it? Here's how to make the best real coffee.

Through visiting areas of stunning natural beauty, seeing animals in their native habitats and meeting members of local communities, travelers can increase their awareness of the importance of conserving resources and avoiding waste, experiencing traditions and cultures of their destination without missing out on adventure, excitement and relaxation. Ecotourism helps protect natural habitats and pristine environments and benefits the local job markets. Give Covid the finger; get out and travel.

Whether it's the economy, a desire to be more careful with your money, you're burnt out on getting and giving gifts that just clutter up your house and theirs, or a combination of everything above, it may be time to reconsider gift giving traditions.

A great survivalist knows how valuable a paracord bracelet can be in a survival situation. This double-wide bracelet allows carrying of nearly ten feet of paracord around your wrist at all times. Other tools (compass, fire starter, whistle, cutting tool) can be built into the bracelet. Check out this link to learn how to make or purchase your own.

He is the single most successful investor of the 20th century. Time magazine named him one of the most influential people in the world. Here he shares his Top Ten Rules for Success.

When it's chilly outside, the temptation might be to hunker down and stay indoors until Spring. However, staying indoors during colder months won’t do anything to improve mood or health – in fact, research suggests the opposite is true.

We live in an age where our electric infrastructure is half a century past its prime... From freak storms to targeted terrorist attacks, we are never more than a minute away from an outage. Are you ready for a power outage? When it comes to off-grid energy, solar might seem like the ultimate stand out option… But consider these things before investing time and money...

When many people hear "DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects", they think cute and fun crafts. The fact is, DIYing can be a truly lifesaving & moneysaving skill. Many DIY enthusiasts have other interests that include homesteading, survival and preparedness. DIY and self-reliance go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise that so many DIY-ers are survival and homesteading enthusiasts, as well. With the direction the economy is going, consider DIY instead of stores, contractors and more. Learn to be more self-sufficient. You can DO this!

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy, are the two most popular speakers in the country regarding crisis medicine. Their entire focus is to put a medically prepared person in every family; preparing the average person to handle medical issues during or after a disaster, either short term or long term.

It's a jungle out there in Cyberspace. Everyone is after your information to steal everything you own, including your personal identity (who you are). The only sure way to prevent this is to stay off the internet and get rid of your cell phone. So how inconvenient is that in todays world? Very. So what can be done to mitigate the potential, and probable, attacks?

You can't help the world, but you can help ONE. Some people choose to be lazy. A few minutes with them proves they have no desire to better themselves. But when we find those with a determined spirit, it is worth the time to empower them and foster responsibility and accountability to help improve their dignity and productive life purpose. Work is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread . . .

When planning a hike, keep in mind to have a solution for the following. . . even highly experienced mountain packers can get into trouble – in a heartbeat.

How did the Native Americans survive? How were they so deftly able to sustain themselves in the unforgiving North American wilderness? Here are some skills to consider adopting.

Resources and Recipes for canned meats with a shelf life of nearly 10 years for your emergency food storage.

Blending in to the surrounding environment is key to evade, or hide from, a potentially harmful situation or bag your next meal in the wilderness. Learn several techniques to disappear in plain sight.

I not only carry these tools but give them as inexpensive, useful gifts.

But seriously . . . Americans of all ages are, for the most part, eating poorly. Consider these guidelines if you feel your diet needs improvement.

. . . breaking down the Food Storage process into EASY and FUN Baby Steps.

Here are some camping survival tips and tricks to make your [camping] experience a little more manageable and enjoyable.

In reality we prepare ourselves for things every day without thinking. We put gas in our vehicles today, so we don’t have to walk tomorrow. We buy groceries so we don’t have to go out and forage for food. We buy insurance just in case. Think of "prepping" as insurance to have necessary items at times when they may not be available.

Shuriken, commonly referred to as ninja or throwing stars, were commonly used to slow down attackers or as a distraction. Evidence shows that they were sometimes partially buried in the ground to maim attackers when stepped on. Here's how to make them:

Being prepared and knowing what to do, in the event of any type of storm, is key to staying alive and limiting property damage. Here are some things to consider:

This free service allows U.S. citizens, traveling abroad, to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy for emergency family contact & safety condition alerts in your destination country, helping to make informed decisions about your travel plans and to help the U.S. Embassy and family and friends contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.

An outbreak can travel from a remote village to any major city in the world in less than 36 hours.
7,000 new potential outbreaks occur each month.
80% of countries can't prevent a epidemic.
"We will not be ready for the next outbreak without deeper and more comprehensive change"
The world isn't ready. You have to be!

The Proverb goes "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". Meat Eater or Vegan, the road to self-sufficiency begins with hunting, gathering, raising & preparing your own food to feed you as long as you live. Ditch the stores, learn to fish, teach others.

More than ever before, electronic fraud and hacking is as common as breathing. The only way to protect against financial loss is to frequently monitor and setup alerts for ALL of your financial accounts.

Shelter is the #1 priority in survival. But, in an Escape and Evade situation, other factors need to be considered for shelter. That's where B.L.I.S.S. comes into play.

When our health is impaired, the only thing we can think about is getting better. Suddenly nothing else matters. Commit, this day, to change any lifestyles or stop any habits that negatively impacts the health of your body. You will feel [physically] better for it.

A basic first aid kit should contain items listed in this article and stored in a waterproof container in a cool, dry place. It should be easily accessible, properly labelled and reviewed on a periodic basis to make sure all contents are present and not expired.

United States Army Ranger Handbook SH 21-76. FREE PDF file for download or online reading. Not for the weak or fainthearted. Add this to your preparedness library.

Just because the children are in school, doesn't mean you're off the hook! Whether you consider yourself a prepper or not, it's a good time to review some skills, learn some new ones, stock-up on supplies, get prepared and help your children learn the need to prepare for emergencies.

. . . embracing self defense as our "natural born" right.

What are you paying for your energy utilities? Many states have deregulated utility pricing making for competition between energy companies. Start researching here to see if you can get cheaper rates.

United States Army Survival Manual FM 21-76. FREE PDF file for download or online reading. Add this to your preparedness library.

Aside from the comforts of home (yeah, I still bring my pillow with me), safety is also a concern. There are lots of things needed to have in a safety kit. That’s all the more true if an RV doubles as a bug out vehicle. Here are essential items to survive an emergency in an RV or Camper.

While it’s possible to make automobile fuel at home, there are some other options to consider. If one method does not fit, others may also work and provide better options when it is impossible to buy gasoline or other fuel types.

The hygienic substitute for toilet paper & reducing environmental waste by using less/no toilet paper. Americans use 57 sheets of TP on average every. single. day. Learn the benefits, how to use & product variety here:

Poverty is a state of mind, visible through an individual's actions, accountability, and personal/professional choices. The consumption of our most valuable assets - time and money. To win the war on poverty we must share our knowledge - become a living example of how to break the poverty mindset.

Survivalists know preparation is key. Outliving our money is part of that preparation. We’re used to preparing for the worst-case scenarios, but don’t forget about prepping for when the sh** DOES NOT hit the fan. In the best case scenario, here’s the survivalist retirement guide on how to smartly make your money outlive you.

. . . before everything got amplified with endless and useless chatter. It's been said that people are afraid to be quiet because they do not know how to enjoy their own company or are afraid of what they may hear, or not hear, in their minds.

Knife laws vary wildly by state. Knives like switchblades, spring-assisted knives, butterfly knives and others are legal in some states and illegal in others. Getting caught or crossing state lines with an illegal knife or switchblade can lead to serious consequences. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so arm yourself with the right information on knife laws by state.

. . . nearly half of all antibiotics prescribed may be inappropriate. Overuse of antibiotics reduces their effectiveness, can cause antibiotic resistance and adverse effects on the body's immune system.

Every person and creature speaks "body language". Knowing how to read a person, animal or situation is hugely beneficial in everyday life and survival situations. Body language is one of the best ways to do this.

There is a steadily increasing climate of disrespect in the family and society. Lack of respect is a problem the majority of people don't seem to mind even though it poses a serious threat to our values and character. When we tolerate disrespectful behavior, it can lead to crime and violence. Clearly, our present society lacks the perception about respect.

Being prepared for an emergency is more than a gathering of stuff packed in a duffle bag sitting on a shelf in a closet. It's a mindset that must be fed by everything we do; a habit that must be developed so it's second nature.

In hard situations, people learn to live & survive with very little. Learning how to do this now, instead of when disaster strikes, will only help you survive the more difficult situations. Here are some tips to get rid of your money addiction and live life without the pressure of money.

Robocallers invade our homes and privacy. They circumvent the Do Not Call list. And they cost us real money – an estimated $350 million a year is lost to phone scams. Now, make them pay you.

Water damage from frozen pipes, ruptured washer hoses, leaking supply lines and dripping water heaters costs billions every year. This checklist will help you avoid water leak problems in your house.

Automobiles; they are mobile money pits. Let's look at its most basic form and function; it's a box on wheels that conveys us from point A to point B. Is it really necessary to dump a lot of money into it?

Most of us believe that humans are, basically, good. That perception needs to change. Here's help to keep from falling victim to those who prey on the careless and naive.

Violent crime increases when summer temperatures soar. But many law-abiding folks admit that when it’s hot, they find it too difficult to carry a concealed gun for self defense. Here are some hot weather concealed carry strategies. What is ACLDN? (https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzGUABBjESI)

This pocket-sized kit may be small, but don’t let its size fool you. It contains all the supplies needed in case of emergency to stay prepared at all times. View the List Here:

Nothing is guaranteed to last. That includes your job, your finances, the condition of the government to name a few. These planning-ahead-tips will help strengthen and improve your financial way of life.

Knowing some heart attack treatments and recognizing warning signs can save a life or reduce heart damage; maybe your own. Read on ...

Tomatoes are some of the healthiest foods you can eat and may lessen the chance of many cancers, help lose weight and many other benefits.

. . . the theory that you attract the energy you exude. Your current thoughts are creating your future life. What you focus on the most will be your life to come. Think your way to a better you.

So what can be the most useful survival hacks and skills that can get us out of any hitch? There just isn’t one, not two but a lot of them. We will never know what nature, or humans, can throw at us on any given day wherever we are and whatever we may be doing. That’s why we should learn to be skillful in so many things and pass them on to our children for their safety.

This common weedy plant is found growing throughout the world. It's edible with a history of medicinal uses including treatment of insect stings, blood clotting and more.

Natural medicine and remedies have been around a lot longer than this current fad. One of the most popular ingredients for home health is garlic, and for good reason. A study from Washington State University shows that garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting disease-causing bacteria commonly responsible for food-borne illness. Talk about healing power.

Read about one Homesteading Family's story of living without Refrigeration and a collection of alternative refrigeration ideas for contemplation.

Cold helps limit swelling of injuries. If you've priced gel ice packs, you know they're not cheap and one is not enough. Here are several easy-to-make DIY moldable cold-pack recipes in one article.

. . . state that you should not accompany stupid people to stupid places to do stupid things at stupid times. This should be one of the first Rules for protecting oneself. Review the 5 Laws of Human Stupidity . . .

. . . when I first got the news, for about a minute I thought, "Oh crap". But the Backup Plans I had made started coming to mind. I did not freak out. I could visualize how much of a good thing this would be.

Moral decay is, and always has been, one of the major reasons for the failure of a civil society (Roman empire). Stopping it is the responsibility of "the people", more specifically, "the family", not government.

Rabies is still a mystery illness without a cure once the illness "sets in". So, what if this illness, contracted after being bitten by an infected animal, was genetically manipulated (like COVID) or mutated into an airborne virus? Of all the things that have caused a wide-spread Public Emergency, a virus is the most probable. Shouldn't we prepare?

The 2016 list includes estimated pricing and where you can get each part. 2016 links may be out of date. Instructions for putting the parts together is included in this link.

Many interesting uses are listed; as a concrete substitute and more, and how to clean the can nozzle for re-use.

Buying when ammo is cheap and BEFORE a crisis makes sense, but stockpiling shouldn't only be for the crisis but also for regular practice before the crisis. Here are several reasons for stockpiling ammo:

Household mold is more than unsightly. In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Here's what you can do to combat mold problems, and take care of yourself and your home.

Just as the North & South Poles will, eventually, swap places, I believe Alaska will become the new Florida. The earth is always changing. Always has. Always will. It will be here long after humans aren't. Be responsible but live life & quit being scared by the "green movement's" tactics to further their agenda.

Chiggers are members of the arachnid family. They're extremely tiny; you may not even see them as they jump from tall grass onto your skin and/or clothing.

A nocturnal panic attack wakes you from your sleep for no apparent reason. They can disrupt daily life and cause chronic sleep anxiety. Here's how to rid them from your life.

Learn different ways to generate electricity at home in case you can no longer rely on the power grid.

Here are reviews of my 2 favorite Survival Guides due to their comprehensive content and compact size: The SAS Survival Guide and the wallet-size Tiny Survival Guide.

For those who have never experienced this, it must be very difficult to comprehend the affect it has on those who do. It's not as simple as "just get over it". Here is Andrew Solomon (Depression, the secret we share) with his very articulate explanation.

CDC warns of the Powassan disease that kills 10%, permanently disables 50%

Dandelion wine is hard to find, unless you make it yourself. Fortunately, it is very simple to brew at home. It is easy to gather enough dandelions to make this delightful beverage. It is a rare treat made from a common plant, that most Americans consider a nuisance!

There's one simple reason why you should learn how to fall properly; you will have a bad fall one day. Even insanely high falls are survivable. Whether it's a small or ridiculous fall, the secret is understanding how to fall correctly. A well-executed fall can save your life or, at the very least, save you from breaking a bone or two. Here's how to fall . . .

Pull off with tweezers. Don't try smothering it or burning it off. Most ticks do not carry diseases (read about POW and Lyme), and most tick bites do not cause serious health problems. But it is important to avoid and check for ticks, and to remove a tick as soon as you find it.

Everybody has a plan 'till they get punched in the face. -Mike Tyson-
Complacency leads to the death of planning. Reinforcing Prepping Habits increases awareness.
When you think you're ready, think again

Isn't there enough worthless chatter? Is it really necessary to add to it? My thoughts on talking for the sake of just talking.

One of my least favorite house cleaning tasks is the toilet. So when I found these easy solutions that worked, I wanted to document and share.

Are You Living In A Storm-Proof House? Here are some trouble-free tips to make that happen.

. . . you’d be surprised to know how the most simple of items and ideas can save millions – yes, millions – of lives. Check out these surprisingly ordinary everyday items that can have unordinary uses.

Whatever you might want to believe, it is strongly suggested that Millennials and Beyond start, as quickly as possible and stay diligent, to build their own personal financial future and retirement nest egg. Relying on companies and government to pay retirement benefits is fast becoming a thing of the past.

Skin rashes are frequently caused by issues like eczema, psoriasis, allergies, insect bites, mites, acne, excessive sweating, contact with certain poisonous plants, or soaps, detergents, shampoos or cosmetics that do not suit your skin. Here are some natural home remedies for rashes and Essential Oils to help relieve itching.

3 minutes without AIR
3 hours without SHELTER
3 days without WATER
3 weeks without FOOD
3 months without HOPE

Homemade remedies for hay fever can quickly reduce seasonal allergy reactions, providing relief from symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, congestion and coughing.

Herbicides are generally expensive and contain dangerous chemicals that get rid of weeds plaguing your garden and landscape. Learn how to make homemade Weed Killer that is effective and Environmentally Safer.

Bed bugs are nasty little creatures that like to hitchhike from public places, garage sales, thrift stores, and even houseguests, into your home. They are easily detected if you know what to look for and where. Here are some effective natural home remedies to eliminate bed bugs permanently from your home.

Make sure your social media profile doesn’t work against you. A survey of job recruiters found that 63 percent of respondents said they screen potential job candidates by perusing their profiles on social media sites in search of warning signs that a candidate might not be a good fit.

Have you taken your multivitamin today? Well, you might want to reconsider that decision. A number of studies have shown that not only is synthetic vitamin supplementation unnecessary but it may also be a potentially harmful habit altogether.

The mad rush to do everything. The brainwashing that we need it all and need to do it all. The demands of others to do what they want. The frustration, depression and emptiness because it couldn't be done. Stop the pursuit of everything and find the "one thing" that causes joy, peace and fulfillment.

There has been a movement sweeping across the country. Average citizens are taking destiny into their own hands by using the initiative process to pass 2nd Amendment Sanctuary legislation. Many counties across the country have passed this type of legislation but, on April 8, 2021, Arizona became the first 2nd Amendment Sanctuary STATE.

Studies linking cell phone use to health problems bring mixed results. Cell phones emit non-ionizing, electromagnetic radiation. Human tissue closest to cell phone antennas absorb some of this energy. Using the speaker or hands-free device may prevent/reduce health problems suggested to be associated with cell phone use.

Would you know how to survive if you were lost or wounded in the wilderness? Each survival scenario is different and requires unique skills. Let's see what you've got.

Fertilizers can be synthetic or organic. Synthetic fertilizers can deplete beneficial microorganisms. Organic builds populations of helpful microorganisms.

Grass clippings may seem a nuisance but, after reading this, you may find they are so useful, you may be asking other people to bring theirs over to your house.

  . . . don't come knocking on my door expecting a handout when you have done absolutely nothing to prepare for an emergency. Take a basic step to buy or build your own one person 3 day emergency kit (Bug-Out Bag).

For those seeking to improve their physical survivability as well as their spiritual growth, fasting helps detoxify the body, speeds up healing and has other health benefits. Additionally, it helps the body and mind train for the possibility of having no access to food due to some kind of emergency situation, giving confidence to know survival is possible through our fasting experience.

Next to mastering fire, a knowledge of picking edible and medicinal plants is considered one of the most difficult and complex, yet rewarding, survival skills. Here are some learning options:

I started trading in the stock market with about $1500. I gradually increased my investment as I made money on the stocks I bought. There are several "rules" I adopted over the years by learning the hard way and still learning.

In less than a microsecond a lightning discharge can generate upwards of 200,000 amps of electricity. Preventing lightning from hitting your home is not always possible, but protecting your house and electrical appliances is. Read how.

Heat exhaustion comes in two forms: 1) salt depletion, where your body loses important salts by sweating and urination; and 2) water depletion, which is simply the medical jargon for dehydration. Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke, a much more serious and possibly deadly condition.

Garden pests can turn a beautiful looking garden into a damaged, gnawed-on mess. Here are effective ways to get rid of common garden pests:

The dandelion contains a wealth of vitamins and nutrients, as well as naturopathic applications that are astounding. It is edible in its entirety. Its tinctures and teas can be used to help the liver and gall bladder, and the root can be tinctured and used as a diuretic, especially good for women with excessive water weight caused during the normal course of menses.

Looking through dumpsters for useful items that people throw away can yield just about anything; building materials, furniture, books, tools, clothes, food and even CASH!

A problem that most of us have in common, no matter where we live, is trying to rid ourselves of pesky and bothersome insects like mosquitos, flies, fleas and ticks. Certain plants have the ability to repel different types of insects.

Remote Area Medical (RAM) provides free medical, dental, and vision care to hundreds of thousands of people. Every RAM roving clinic is free and open to the public. There are no qualifying questions and ID is not required.

Too much emphasis is placed on talent when trying to explain how people achieve great things. Talent plays a much smaller role in the success someone has compared to their attitude.

It seems that when life gets busy, the real important things (like family activities) fall by the wayside. Be it a scheduled day or time or just on a whim, making time for fun with the family brings us closer together and the world a little nicer. Having fun activities, to lighten the mood, can be especially useful during a natural disaster or other type of emergency. Undergoing too much stress has been shown to be detrimental to physical, mental, and emotional health; something you would certainly wish to avoid during a crisis.

Recently I cut my cable internet in favor of a larger data plan on my smart phone for the flexibility of having internet access at my remote cabin or permanent home. There are some things I have learned about this arrangement that I will try to share:

While posting photos on social media sites and other photo sharing sites has become commonplace for many people, there are certain risks associated with it that can come back to bite you.

AI or artificial intelligence has been around for some time now… probably longer than many of us realize. AI is everywhere. Though the idea of an AI world domination may have a SciFi movie status, the concept is closer to the truth than you might think. What can we do to prepare?

Remember Home Alone? Little Kevin had to come up with some creative and innovative ways to booby-trap the house against the burglars. This flick serves as a great reminder that just about anything can be used for home security if you put your mind to it.

There are a number of reasons why a person has the potential to be stalked or under surveillance in everyday life. Having the skills of detecting surveillance and thwarting it is an underappreciated survival skill many don't learn. It is an important tool to help you prevent becoming a victim. Those wishing to do you harm follow the rules that all predators do; they watch before they attack and wait for the opportunity to get you alone. Be a survivor, not a statistic. Here are some things to do:

In 2016, there was a 400% increase in tax related phishing and malware attacks, and 969,000 potentially fraudulent refunds claiming up to $6.5 billion. You may be unaware that you’re a victim until you try to file your taxes and IRS tells you something’s wrong.

The benefits of living in a healthy family are too numerous to mention. The family impact on society includes how people socialize, the beliefs people have, communication, lawfulness and economic activities.

We all know the significance of clean water in our body. Without clean water, it would be difficult to survive or persevere especially in an emergency. So, what happens if you find yourself in a survival situation with no access to clean water?

Disasters come in a variety of forms and can strike anytime, anywhere. People of all ages should have a plan of action in place and in their heads.

Survival communities are a new and fast-moving wave. While there have always been doomsayers among us, the world (and population) seems to have become more unsettled and volatile over the past several years and survival is on the minds of many people. From shoestring budgets to multi-billion-dollar investments, there's a "survival community" out there for nearly anyone. But a survival community is more than just building structures, it's about building relationships that can come together in an emergency.

Cell Phones can do much more than check emails and take pictures; they can do CPR too (well, almost). With thousands of apps coming out each day the smart phone can be more useful in an emergency situation than you may realize.

Finding Your Place in the World - begin your journey by doing things that naturally harmonize with your values, skills, abilities, and God-given talents. Create a vision—your game plan for your personal path through life—then map out how you'll get there. If you haven't found out already, you'll learn that the things you do right now affect who you will become in the future.

Generally, every vehicle should be ready for bugging out because we never know where we will be when a "get outta Dodge" situation happens. Here are a few things to consider when selecting and preparing a vehicle:

Sometimes, we can superficially remove the tell-tale signs of indiscretions but the effects are indelibly etched in the soul.

You’re likely already familiar with the effects of an EMP on electrical components (power grid failure and so on), but what effect does an EMP actually have on people?

Here's a method for making the best possible choices to avoid negative consequences.

Have you had a foxhole moment; a time when you felt your world was at a complete end with no possible relief in sight; a time when you cried so hard, your stomach hurt and you felt as if your brain was going to explode? I have. We can be prepared before we face these moments.

The fear of being alone is a powerful motivating force in life, maybe the most powerful . . . most people will do just about anything to escape from.

A few years before my retirement, my frugal way of thinking was led by a need to survive or scrimp to pay off debt. Being mindfully frugal allowed me to save money which was redirected to paying down my debt faster. Reducing monthly expenses, reduced spending and eliminating some bad habits helped.

God gave us a conscience to help us know right from wrong; good from bad. Guilt is God's way of telling us we did something wrong and we need to "fix" it to get back on the right path with Him (redemption). However, man has other uses for guilt; usually to manipulate or enslave us and rarely is it ever forgiven; this is "false guilt". Refuse to accept, and live with, this kind of guilt.

. . . many people are finding themselves splitting off from things that have been considered mainstream, including medicine, and seeking new or improved ways to live. Discover new ideas to live naturally.

“Every battle is won, or lost, before it is ever fought.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War. This well-known quote refers to the preparation, positioning, and planning that make the difference in the success or failure - prepare and plan well in advance - be ready - be prepared. Are you?

Often, individual citizens find themselves overwhelmed by the threat of coercive power and bureaucratic excessiveness. How can one person confront government? It's much easier to simply go passive but don't be intimidated. There are a number of things you can do.

Close friends who visit, inevitably say the same things like "very relaxing", "peaceful", "what, no internet, no HBO, no running water . . .?!" Oh, how the world's noisy, fast-paced, social media, money-grubbing, stuff-collecting, gourmet coffee lifestyles have invaded so many souls.

The terms servant and leader are considered opposites of each other but this quote from Robert K. Greenleaf lead to the term "Servant Leader" which means that one must first have a desire to serve others which then pushes to want to lead others. Matthew 20:25-26

Most security systems require electricity and a large budget. But anything that depends on the grid and money isn't a solid plan. Switch up your home security to solar-powered systems (lights, cameras, alarms) for more assurance.

86 burglars were asked how they broke into homes. Read/hear what burglars said were the biggest deterrents, what didn't stop them and how to protect your home. Watch the video and read the responses to the 17 questions asked.

Tips for preparing for an emergency situation wherever you are located, home or away.

Excessive addiction over an elongated period can result in serious damage to the brain, internal organs, in addition to other health issues. But never assume defeat when it comes to Reversing the Effects of Addiction. The body has amazing self-healing powers if the mind is determined to change habits. The good news is that a portion of these negative effects can be reversed.

For thousands of years, long before they knew about germs or viruses, people have known of copper's disinfectant powers. It is truly a gift from Mother Nature in that the human race has been using it for over eight millennia.

It's always best to keep vehicles properly and regularly maintained and stocked with emergency supplies but there are things that just can't be avoided that can bring a vehicle to a grinding halt, like electronics. If the unfortunate happens, consider these things to stay safe and get you back on the road.

Prepare a fully stocked pantry of foods with a long shelf-life and don’t require heat or cooking. Check out this list. Suggested Reading: https://www.5six7.com/survival/P4T/P4T_Blog-PowerOutage.htm

There are lots of foods that store well for a very long time under the right conditions, however there are foods that do NOT store well for long term (1 year or more) storage. Do your research before considering a long term food storage plan.

Too many of us trade our happiness and well-being for the reliability of a steady paycheck. When that paycheck turns out to be not so reliable, we panic. Unemployment terrifies us. Is there a way out of this dilemma? Security doesn't come from having more but from needing less.

. . . while many firearms on the market are perfectly suited for home defense, there are some firearms that are absolutely terrible for this purpose. Here are the lists.

Refilling propane tanks, instead of buying new ones or tank exchanges, will save money. Here are some links to help DIY:

All data that is captured via a computer or smart phone is saved on the web/internet. Here are some links to help keep your business your business instead of it being plastered all over the internet without your permission:

Everyone has experienced some form, or level of, public utility outage, intentionally (living off-the-grid) or by accident (public utility outage). It's inevitable. The quality of life after a long-term power outage or grid collapse depends on the choices made today. Take the opportunity and initiative, right now, to make life comfortable and worry-free or one of constant struggle to survive after the grid. Solutions are available and there are people who can help. What is done after reviewing this information could determine the lifestyle of tomorrow.

The weather forecast is calling for snow. Lots of snow. How do you prepare for a snowstorm?

Companies spend millions of dollars protecting their customers while those same customers spill the beans about themselves and others on social media.

I am not a fan of "The News". Unfortunately, if I am to be prepared for times ahead, I need to be in tune with the pulse of the world.

If it becomes necessary to Bug-Out during an emergency or prepare for a carefree vacation and homecoming, what is done before leaving home can be as important as what is done while away. Here's a checklist to consider for planning before leaving home for extended periods of time. Additionally, it's good to have a Grab-n-Go list of things to take with you.

The human body can last three weeks without food but only a few days without water. The worst case scenario is you only have undrinkable water available and no resources to filter or boil it. Your best bet is to make an improvised water distiller from the simplest materials to extract pure drinkable H20.

Methods to carry a firearm while avoiding to draw attention to oneself.

We all want to save money on laundry, right? Even if you aren't living on a tight budget, finding ways to save $$ in every department is the responsible thing to do. Here are some ideas and recipes that anyone can do to save money on laundry:

Concealment cabinets are designed to hide valuables, firearms, or other things you want to keep away from thieves, but they do so in plain sight, usually in a decorative way.

I have a "cutting edge" security system. I can control my alarm from my phone, turn lights on and off, and even control my air condition if I am feeling too lazy to get out of bed and change the temperature manually. So, does it make any sense to you that my entire security system can be compromised by a single $10.00 piece of equipment that can be bought on amazon.com?

A self-defense firearm must be within easy and quick access when you need it but secure from those who should not have access to it. Regardless of the preferred security option, controlling who has access to your firearms is fundamental to gun safety. Additionally, proper storage helps keep firearms and ammo rust-free, functional and dry.

Easy to carry document provides very basic reference material for surviving nearly any situation. Download free PDF and print to carry.

Even if you have the best home security cameras, you still need to install them in the right spots to make sure your home is protected against crime.

While assertive communication can sometimes be misinterpreted as arrogant, selfish, or unhelpful, by learning how to establish clear boundaries and communicate your needs and ideas clearly and respectfully, you can enhance your relationships with others, whether they’re work colleagues, friends, or romantic partners.

To save money at the grocery store and reduce waste, consider reusable alternatives to many disposable products, such as paper towels, paper napkins, storage containers, and bags. With those items not on the grocery list, it makes more room in the grocery budget for actual food and other necessities. And it helps the environment.

After a Solar Power Setup is built, it is possible to run an air conditioning unit. There are 3 things you need to know about the AC System itself.

Mostly in the form of U.S. Silver Coins minted before 1965, "junk silver" coins have a high silver content (90%) that makes them many times their face value and a good investment (and purchasing tool) if the current [paper] monetary system fails. As a purchasing tool, most people will recognize a 'real' coin they can feel is a legitimate payment method.

Learn the secrets of urban survival to keep you alive after man-made disasters, natural disasters, and breakdowns in civil order.

A discussion with 2 defense attorneys on what to expect immediately after a shooting, What do prosecutors look for, Why you should worry if you are not arrested, and much more . . . What is ACLDN? (https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzGUABBjESI)

Stress crops up in many situations, not only when you’re out in the wilderness, but also in your everyday life. Adaptogens are natural substances known to empower the hormonal response of your body to stress.

My favorite breakfast includes eggs but, in a camping situation, they can be a space-consuming and messy situation. Several commercial freeze-dried options are available but are costly. While a bit time-consuming, DIY Freeze-Dried Eggs Can be a Cheaper alternative.

No one is immune from being a victim of some sort of calamity or another. While you can't be ready for every possible scenario, you can be prepared for basic responses and avoidances of most situations.

PV Direct Water Heating - Reduce your water heating bill by having Solar and Electric Power work together inside your existing Electric Hot Water Heater.

There will be times when you have projects to be finished or need to stay alert on the job and there just isn’t enough time to sleep. When that does happen, there are some easy tips to help you stay awake and alert.

"Don't put all of your eggs in one basket" is good advice for income as well as investments. Just as putting your money in multiple investments is good, having multiple ways to make money is just as good.

Cabin Fever, usually occurs around the time that spring begins, after a period of being stuck indoors during the cold winter months. But, regardless of the weather outside, being cooped up at home due to concerns over going out and socializing is no less irritating. Here are some ways to combat it.

Some will never wake up until TSHTF (the stuff hits the fan) ...and they will likely be one of your biggest problems. Count on it. Can you convince them otherwise?

8-year-old Martin Richard lost his life in the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. He believed in peace and kindness, values he proudly displayed on a poster he made at school. How do we honor Martin’s wish for No More Hurting People? We start by teaching children to care about others every day throughout the year and setting the example by practicing it ourselves.

Camping offers a unique experience, and whether you are going with friends, family, or alone, you are sure to make lasting memories while you are out on your trip. With this guide, every novice will find the art of camping (and preparing for it) is actually a lot easier than it appears.

Living in the city offers many advantages, but food storage space is, usually, not one of them. Here are some tips to maximize available space.

Forget the chocolate and flowers! What better way to say I love you than to commit to staying safe with your partner as a vital skill everyone should learn.

In self defense, the goal is to STOP the attack as quickly as possible. The attacker MUST be discouraged from attacking, or incapacitated such that they cannot continue their attack.

Designing and building an off grid house for a survival retreat is an exciting endeavor . . . Only a small percentage of homes in America are off the grid, but they enhance a level of self-reliance, while saving money on a daily basis.

In the end, what is the "goal" of being prepared; what's the purpose for all this stuff? Ultimately, it is the responsibility of an adult to take care of their family, community and themselves to reduce the impact of an emergency event. But there’s more . . .

Growing fruit trees is very beneficial for food and the environment but involves looking at a number of factors. It is not as easy as growing non-fruit bearing plants. You need to keep these factors in mind:

Calcium plays an important role in everything from your nervous system to your muscle control, making it important that you are consuming enough of this mineral. Most people turn to dairy when it comes to their calcium intake, not realizing that there are actually a number of plant-based calcium sources.

In an emergency or survival situation, Hope may be the only thing that will get us through. Hopelessness leads to powerlessness. And powerlessness (the inability to affect change in our lives) leaves us desperate and sad. So how do we become more hopeful when things look bleak? Let's look at ways to tap into.

Supporting U.S. manufactured products made by 'legal' U.S. citizen employees, benefits all U.S. citizens. Before purchasing something, it's important to search the packaging to confirm it is made in the U.S.A.

Like any skill, practice not only makes perfect, it produces confidence. Hi-Tech, Laser, Ammo-Less Systems for in-home Training are now available.

If you choose to take a hike or have to escape to the wilderness, it's likely that the pack on your back might not contain everything you need to survive an extended stay. Here are some tips that could save your life or make the stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

No Public Utilities. Oh, no! What's a person to do? Think outside the box. What if . . . ?

Just ask Clifton Vial of Nome Alaska, who was stranded for more than 60 hours outside of town on Nov. 28, 2011. Mr. Vial survived his ordeal thanks to turning his attention to an unlikely hero - a beer can.

As post-suburbanites move back into cities, escalating housing costs are forcing low and middle income folks and people of color out to the suburbs. The result is that the diverse communities that make cities resilient creative centers are being displaced or forced to find new, affordable housing options.

Not only do herbs add so much depth and flavor to dishes, but they also contain more antioxidants than just about every fruit and vegetable out there. Read about growing herbs indoors and with limited space.

  I believe that if everyone physically and mentally prepares for inevitable catastrophic events, there will be less shock and more calm when emergencies happen.

Herbs are not only a tasty addition to meals, they are packed with essential medicinal properties proven beneficial for many ailments and to help boost immunity and overall health.

The wet season is here with the usual cold, cough, and excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the nose or throat (catarrh). The best way to prevent cold and any wet season infection is through natural remedies that boost the immune system, fight of virus, bacteria and fungi, and help the body cleanse toxins.

On Android 7+ Rescuers can have access to emergency contacts and other vital information without unlocking the phone or entering any password or PIN. For those without Android 7+, emergency info can be placed on a locked screen using the text field under Settings/Security/Owner Info

Handling food, and food packaging, properly and safely is essential to preventing food-borne illness and flu contamination on packaging. Washing hands frequently and wiping down food packaging and fresh vegetables and fruits, with soap or sanitizing liquid will reduce infections. Here are some Safe Handling Guidelines for groceries and food deliveries.

There’s a reason everyone from elite athletes to 8-year-old soccer players relies upon energy drinks and electrolyte drinks for vitality, energy, or replenishing nutrients lost while sweating. But commercial energy drinks are pretty bad for you. Stock up on these few ingredients for the same beneficial effects of energy drinks or sports drinks but are much healthier.