A
tent heater is a very useful camping goody but not much for raising the
temperature inside a tent which is almost impossible because it’s not
insulated. However what a tent heater can do is dry the damp night air
inside the tent. For me there’s nothing worse than trying to stay warm
and comfortable when the sleeping bag, pillow or blankets are damp from
the condensing humidity. The propane tent heater will burn off most of
that excessive moisture in the air and keep your sleeping gear
reasonably dry and comfy.
I’m
just beginning to set-up my truck as a hunting/fishing and possibly Bug
Out Vehicle. Even though I live in North Florida it does freeze up here
for a few days during the winter. So on my overnight shore fishing
outings and occasional hunts outings having a propane heater inside the
cap of my truck is mighty nice.
A
couple things I wanted from the heater was a long run time using just
the 1 lb. propane cylinders, compact in the overall size and very easy
to light. Coleman makes a catalytic heater that fits the need.
The Coleman Spec’s has some of the features I was looking for:
Electronic ignition for quick and easy matchless lighting.
1,500 BTU output operates up to 14 hours from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder.
Portable integrated handle makes heater easy to carry.
Stable, detachable base provides a strong stand for the heater.
The on/off valve and start button.
Here’s the fold-out feet extended for additional stability.
The test run:
I
set up the heater in the back of my truck (inside the cap) where I
would normally be sleeping. The lowest outside air temp that test night
was 45 degrees. To check the temperature I used a remote digital
temperature reader to monitor the temps inside and outside. The
temperature differential was between 10-15 degrees above the outside air
temp. Naturally the colder it became the narrower the temperature
differential was. Bottom line it was 55-60 degrees inside the trucks cap
overnight. Just about perfect for Florida!
The
actual test runtime was just a few minutes over 13 hours on one 16.4 oz
propane cylinder. I’m happy with that because I can start the heater
3-4 hours before bed time to pre-heat the bedding and cap, then sleep
all night without the heat going off before it’s time to get up.
For lighting the heater, if the built-in lighter fails then matches or a Bic lighter can be used.
The air is crisp, crystalizing around you
with each breath. A twig snaps under the pressure of your foot, echoing
off the surrounding trees. It’s a brisk, beautiful late autumn morning.
It’s great to be in God’s creation.
But for the ill-equipped traveler thrust into
survival mode due to mechanical issues with his vehicle, the same
picturesque morning can be cold, hard, unforgiving, and even
life-threatening.
The right gear makes a world of difference. So what’s the right gear? In previous article, I’ve written about the best way to dress for cold weather. In
this post, I’ll share the 5 ways your body looses heat. Understanding
these methods can help you to reduce your heat loss and stay warm
longer.
Heat Loss Through Radiation
As warm blooded beings, people produce their
own heat. By just being alive, we create a normal body temperature of
98.6F. Most the time that’s warmer than our surrounding environment, so
the two try to equalize. Our body gives off heat through radiation.
That’s when the warmer of the two areas gives off heat to the cooler
area.
To control heat loss through radiation, we
need to insulate the ourselves from the surrounding environment. We can
do this through warm clothing.
A down jacket, for instance, uses our body
heat to warm the pockets of air trapped in the down. That helps keep the
heat inside the jacket and thus keep us warm.
Your head is a major source of heat loss. Keeping your head covered, and the area around your neck can help preserve your heat.
Heat Loss Through Conduction
Another way our bodies loose heat is by
coming into direct contact with another surface that is at a lower
temperature. It’s similar to radiation except rather than loosing heat
to the environment, the heat is transferred to another object or
surface.
Solid objects such as a metal pole or the
ground can steal heat from your body much more effectively than air. In
fact, you loose heat about 30 times faster when submerged in water than
standing in air. 75F in air feels comfortable; 75F in water is feels
cold and can cause hypothermia.
Conduction is why it’s important to insulate
yourself from the ground when sleeping. Body heat will seep into the
cold ground, leaving you cold and miserable. Sleeping on evergreen
boughs will help lift you off the ground and preserve your body
temperature.
Heat Loss Through Convection
As with radiation, convection is when your
body looses heat to the surrounding environment. However, with
convection, the heat loss is through the stirring of the air.
Consider a fan. When you are sitting in your
home and you’re a little warm, you may turn on a fan to help circulate
the air. The moving air brushes by your skin. When it does, it takes a
little bit of your heat with it. Then, having moved along, more air
brushes by, taking more of your heat. The more air, or wind, the more
heat loss.
This is sometimes called “wind chill” and it can be devastating for the survivor in colder climates.
When dressing during cold weather, it’s
important to keep in mind that your outer layer of clothing should
protect you from the wind.
Heat Loss Through Evaporation
Our bodies have a built in system to help
regulate excess heat. When we exert ourselves and our core body
temperature rises, we begin to sweat. On a hot summer day, sweating is a
good thing. In fact when you stop sweating, you should be worried about
overheating.
However in the winter, sweating is bad. In fact it can be deadly. As renowned survivalist Les Stroud
has said, “In cold weather if you sweat, you die.” But the threat is
not limited to sweating. In cold weather survival situations, you must
stay dry. Rain, mist, snow, and other forms of liquid will have the same
effect is sweating.
When water, including sweat, evaporates it
cools the adjacent surface. When that surface is your skin, it removes
much needed heat from your body and makes it harder to stay warm.
In cold weather, you must stay dry. Having
the proper clothing is important. Avoid overexertion. Regulate your body
temperature to avoid sweating by removing layers of clothing when you
do strenuous activities. Stay dry.
Heat Loss Through Respiration
When you breathe, you were bringing in cold
air from the outside into your lungs. As oxygen is transferred to your
bloodstream and carbon dioxide is transferred out, your body warms the
air. When you exhale, you’re releasing the warmed air into the
surrounding environment. That is heat loss through respiration.
Compared to the first four sources, heat loss
through respiration is relatively minor. But still you should be aware
of it. A light covering over your face will help pre-warm some of the
air before bringing it into your lungs.
Summary
As fall is giving way to winter, it’s important to understand how our
bodies can lose heat and how to avoid it. Hopefully if you’re thrust
into a survival situation, you’ll have the proper clothing and gear. But
being prepared is as much about knowledge and skills as it is about
gear.
from Modern Survival Blog - surviving hard timesby Ken (Modern Survival Blog)
Once you get beyond the basics of survival, it helps to think of
actually being able to tolerate a disaster. The over the counter
medication recommendations are pretty self-explanatory, as most people
can read directions and also have some knowledge of these meds already
in their occasional use during their everyday lives.
The following medications should be stored separately from your
regular stock. Meaning… you should buy extra specifically for storage,
as you do for your long term food storage. Medications, like food, need
to be stored in a cool, dry, and preferably dark environment to maximize
shelf life. Note: Regarding the use of any of the following medications, consult with your doctor.
TYLENOL (Acetaminophen)
Helps aches, pains, fevers, and mild headaches. It is better for
stomachs compared to other NSAIDS. It can be taken with other NSAIDS for
more severe pain and makes both medications more likely to control
pain. Arguably, 2 Tylenol and 2 of either: Motrin or Advil, taken
together are as effective as a narcotic (consult a physician).
ADVIL / MOTRIN (ibuprofen)
An NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). NSAIDs are usually
indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic conditions where pain
and inflammation are present. Choose the one that you actually use now
and stick with it.
ASPIRIN
Somewhat magical… and inexpensive. Anyone you think may be having a
heart attack should get Aspirin as soon as possible, as it could
actually help them live. A substitute for blood thinner.
BENADRYL (Diphenhydramine)
An antihistamine that works for allergic conditions and reactions,
and can also substitute for a sedative in the right environment.
VITAMIN C
Used to prevent immune problems and scurvy long-term.
MULTIVITAMIN
The longer regular fresh foods are missing from your diet, the more you need to have a weekly multivitamin.
TOPICAL MEDS and OINTMENTS
Tooth gel, Antibiotic ointment, etc.
GOLD BOND (medicated powder)
A general relief for chaffing rashes that are common with sweat and
work that one may not be used to. It also dries up and treats some of
the uncomfortable foot rashes that can come from long and wet hiking.
Sure, there are plenty more over the counter medications…
particularly once you really start thinking about it. Hopefully though,
this has started you thinking, and you will take action and go out and
purchase extra meds for your long term storage.
If
we can all agree on one thing, it’s that the government and disaster
organizations alike grossly underestimate how dependent the majority of
the population is on them during and after a disastrous event takes
place. We need not look any further than the last major disasters that
have occurred to find our answers: the Haitian earthquake that occurred
in 2010, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2011 super tornado of Joplin,
MO, and even as recently as Hurricane Sandy.
As preppers are well aware, when the needs of the population cannot
be met in an allotted time frame, a phenomena occurs and the mindset
shifts in people. They begin to act without thinking and respond to
changes in their environment in an emotionally-based manner, thus
leading to chaos, instability and a breakdown in our social paradigm.
When you take the time to understand how a breakdown behaves and how it progresses, only then can you truly prepare for it.
The Anatomy of a Breakdown
This glimpse into a systemic breakdown is based on
an isolated, limited disaster or event where emergency responders have
been deployed. I must emphasize that all bets are off if the event is
wide spread, affecting multiple tens of millions of people
simultaneously.
Phase 1: The Warning
Although disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes can come on so
quickly that timely warnings are not always given, for the most part,
governments typically provide adequate time to get a population ready in
advance. Local governments even go as far as to err on the side of
caution and sternly warn the citizens to evacuate.
For one reason or another, there will be a select group that stays
behind. Some of these citizens are prepared and ready for what may come
and may feel the need to stay to defend what is rightfully theirs but
the majority of the population will not be ready for what they are about
to endure. Those that are in this unprepared majority who choose to
ride out the disaster do so because they are either unaware of how to
fully prepare for disasters, have become complacent or numb to the heeds
of warning from the local government and news media, or are overly
confident.
This is the point in this cycle where herds of people go to the
grocery stores frantically grabbing supplies. Most grocery stores will
not be able to meet the demand of the people’s need for supplies, and
many could go home empty handed.
Bracing for the disaster, the prepared and unprepared will be hoping
for the best outcome. What many do not realize is the hardest part of
this event is soon to be upon them. Within days, the descent into the
breakdown will begin. Phase 2: Shock and Awe (1-2 Days)
After the initial shock wears off of the disaster, many will have
difficulty in coping and adapting to what has just occurred. As they are
trying to wrap their thoughts around the severity of the disaster,
their losses and what their future holds, local government leaders are
scrambling for answers and trying to assess the situation.
At this point, the unprepared survivors will be expecting
organizations and local government to step in to meet their immediate
needs at any moment. The reality of the situation becomes more bleak
when they realize that due to downed power lines or debris blocking
roadways and access points, emergency organizations, emergency response
and distribution trucks supplying food, water, fuel and other pertinent
resources will be unable to get to the area. Once the realization hits
that resources are scarce and the government leaders are incapable of
helping them in a timely fashion, desperate citizens will take action
into their own hands.
The breakdown has begun. Phase 3: The Breakdown (3-7 Days)
Have you ever heard the saying, “We’re three days away from
anarchy?” In the wake of a disaster, that’s all you have is three days
to turn the crazy train around before crime, looting and chaos ensue. In reports during
the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, residents from Staten Island were
pleading for help from elected officials, begging for gasoline, food and
clothing.
“We’re going to die! We’re going to freeze! We got
90-year-old people!” Donna Solli told visiting officials. “You don’t
understand. You gotta get your trucks down here on the corner now. It’s
been three days!”
Similar stories of looting
occurred during the tornado in Joplin, MO of 2011. This time, the
looting occurred from national guard soldiers patrolling the area.
“The night of the tornado, as emergency responders rushed
from one shattered home to the next, Steve Dixon sat outside his
father’s destroyed house with a baseball bat. They wouldn’t see me
sitting here in my chair, I was in the dark,” he told NPR. “I’d turn my
bright spotlight on them and tell them they needed to move on. Then when
the police came by, I’d tell them which way they went.”
Multiple factors contribute to societal breakdowns including failure
of adequate government response, population density, citizens taking
advantage of the grid being down and overwhelmed emergency response teams.
For whatever reason, 3-5 days following a disaster is the bewitching
hour. During this short amount of time, the population slowly becomes a
powder keg full of angry, desperate citizens. A good example is the
chaos that ensued in New Orleans following the absence of action from
the local government or a timely effective federal response in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In such troubled times, people were
forced to fend for themselves and their families, by any means
necessary. This timeline
of Hurricane Katrina effectively illustrates “the breakdown,” and
within three days, the citizens of New Orleans descended into anarchy,
looting and murder (Source).
If this scenario isn’t bad enough, at the end of this time frame,
there will be an increase in illnesses due to cramped living quarters
from emergency shelters, sanitation-related illness, compromised water sources and exposure to natural elements.
In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, sanitation- related
epidemics became a large concern for the disaster victims. In fact, the
outbreak erupted into the world’s largest cholera epidemic despite a
huge international mobilization still dealing with the effects of the
Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake (Source).
Victims from Hurricane Sandy are also beginning to see their share of
illnesses. Due to the horrible weather plaguing the area, many of the
evacuation shelters in Brooklyn were closed last week for sterilizing
due to a vicious viral outbreak that struck. Phase 4: Recovery (8-30+ Days)
Despite what we want to believe, most recoveries are slow and difficult
in progression and require long-term planning. On average it takes a
city around 1-2 weeks after the event took place to start this phase of
the cycle. Every disaster is different and the length of recovery
efforts vary greatly on the nature of the incident.
7 years after Hurricane Katrina leveled parts of Louisiana, the state
is still in the recovery phase.. ”We are in a process of long-term
rebuilding,” said Christina Stephens, Spokeswoman for the Louisiana
Recovery Authority. “There is at least another 10 years of recovery.” (Source)
Within this recovery phase, essential goods and resources could will
still be hard to come by, thus forcing local officials to implement the
rationing of resources to ensure there is enough for the population. We
are seeing this right now with the gasoline rationing in New York.
It could be months before the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy
is cleaned up. Damaged communities are coming to terms with the
devastation that delivered an unprecedented punch to the region’s
economy, causing more than an estimated $50 billion in losses and
forcing hundreds of thousands to rebuild their lives. (Source)
Don’t Be Another Statistic
Now that you understand what we’re dealing with, there are ways you
can use this information to prepare for the next event so that you will
be a part of the population that is ready for what may come. Trust yourself. Learn to be self-sufficient and rely
on yourself. When it is all said and done, you are the only one who can
care for yourself and your family the best. You will be the one who has
your family’s best intentions at heart. Having a stock of your family’s
favorite canned or dry goods, a supply of water and a simple medical
kit can maintain your basic needs for a short-lived disaster. This
simple preparedness supply could set you apart from the unprepared.
If you live in a highly populated area, understand that resources
will diminish quickly, so preparing beforehand can circumvent this. You
can always start out with the basic 10 preparedness items you will need
to skirt through a disaster:
Or, if you want a more comprehensive supply, take a look at the 52-Weeks to Preparedness series. Educate yourself. Learn from the disasters, folks!
Each time there is a disaster, the same pattern occurs: the warning,
shock and awe, the breakdown and recovery. Study the effects of
disasters that effect your area and what items you will need to get
through the event. Further, find the weak points in your preparedness
supply and correct them. Supply inventories twice a year can do wonders in this area. Get into the mindset. Learning what to do in the
face of a disaster or how to care for your family during extended
grid-down emergencies can put you well ahead of the race. The more
prepared you are, the faster you are at adapting to the situation. You
can learn anything
as long as you research, gather and apply the information. For example,
while many on the East coast were still in shock from Hurricane Sandy
and were sitting in their homes panicking and watching their perishable
food items go bad, those that had learned how to survive in off-grid,
cold environments were well prepared for this type of disaster, and had
already begun packing their perishable items in the snow to preserve
them. It’s that simple! Practice makes perfect. Practice using your skills,
your preps and prepare emergency menus based around your stored foods.
The more you practice surviving an off-grid disaster, the more efficient
you will be when and if that event occurs. Moreover, these skills will
keep you alive! For a list of pertinent skills to know during times of
disaster, click here.
Further, to make your family or group more cohesive, cross-train members so they can compensate for the other during a disaster.
In summation, only until we see the cycle for what it is and the
effects it has on society will we be able to learn from it. There is
always a breakdown in some form or fashion after a disaster. If you can
prepare for this, you will be able to adapt more quickly to what is
going on around you.
The cycle is there and we can’t look past it. Prepare accordingly and
do not overlook ensuring you have your basic preps accounted for.
It's been a long, cold two weeks for some folks on Long Island.
Besides living in a disaster zone, they haven't had power for two
weeks and while it isn't such a big problem when you decide to go
without heat for an extended period of time for say, a hunting trip or
an extended backpacking trip, when you are forced by circumstance to
endure such a hardship, there aren't enough negative adjectives to
describe the misery people can feel when it is as cold inside their
house as it is outside. Here's some ways to keep warm when the power
goes out:
Obviously having a wood stove (best) or fireplace (distant second)
in your home is your best option. A wood stove can keep at least one
room of your home toasty warm and you can usually cook and heat water on
top of it as well. Having a good supply of firewood is also advisable.
I keep a kerosene heater with extra kerosene on hand as one of my
alternative heat sources. You will want to make sure the room you use
this heater in is ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you can heat water (on top of your wood stove, outside on your
camp stove, or if you have a gas hot water tank) a hot bath or shower
will warm you up in a jiffy.
Layers of clothing can help to keep you warm. Yes, you may feel
like the Michelin Man but having multiple layers of clothing (instead of
one thick layer) will help you retain body heat.
Add all of the other goodies you would as if you were going skiing:
hat, neck warmer, ear muffs, gloves, heavy socks, insulated boots, etc.
Note that sleeping with thick socks and a hat on can keep you warm and
toasty at night.
A generator can be a good option if you have the fuel for it. I am
guessing that fuel became an issue a few days into the event since 1)
most people don't think a power outage will last very long, and 2) most
people also don't usually store enough fuel to keep their generator
running for weeks on end.
Sometimes one side of the street will have power and the other
won't. In this case a good relationship with your neighbor who has
power plus a long extension cord plus a space heater can do wonders.
Bring on the blankets. Probably the oldest idea in heating without
external assistance is to wrap up in a blanket...or two...or three.
This is an excellent reason to invest in a 0 degree down sleeping bag.
Sleep together. Body heat generated by three or four bodies is
better than body heat generated by one body. There's a reason you see
five or six people cuddled up together to sleep on the TV show
'Survivor'--it's warmer that way.
Consider a hot water bottle or hot bricks. This was common before
modern heating was invented. Heat water and put it in a hot water
bottle or heat bricks/stones and wrap them in burlap then hold these
items next to you under your blankets (I put them on my feet) and you
will become instantly warm. Note in a survival situation, peeing in a
bottle then holding the bottle next to you is a tried and true survival
trick--98.6 degrees can be cuddly warm when you are freezing.
Chemical hand warmers are also nice. Expensive, but nice. These
little packets generate instant heat but like hot water bottles and hot
bricks, you will want to wrap the warmer in cloth and not stick it right
next to your skin.
Go somewhere that there is heat. One reason the mall and the
library and community cold weather shelters fill up on freezing days is
that the homeless tend to go where it is warm. If you live close enough
to go to a place that has power and central heating (mall, library,
coffee shop, etc) then do so. Even being warm all day can make freezing
nights bearable.
If you have the option (read: money) and the will to leave the area
and stay at a hotel until the power comes back on (or even just sending
the family while you stay to guard the house) that may be a best option
(especially if you have small children or the elderly living in your
home).
Make one small room of your home the "warm room". Seal off the
doors and windows of this room and live in only this room until the
power comes back on. With everyone in one room covered in warm clothes
and blankets the temperature in the room will rise.
Use candles to light up your warm room as these will also give off heat (be careful--candles are a big fire hazard).
Work with the sun to heat your home. Open window blinds in the
morning to let the sun in and close the blinds (preferably heavy drapes)
when the sun goes down to keep the cold air out.
Break out the camp stove and keep the family in warm beverages--this can help warm your body from the inside out.
Eat and drink more than usual since your body will burn more
calories when it is cold than when it is at ambient temperatures. Also,
fatty foods are a good thing in this situation.
Exercise. Do some jumping jacks or other exercises to generate more body heat.
And a couple of warnings: know the symptoms of hypothermia and
frostbite. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, get them
medical attention ASAP. Also, beware the danger of death by carbon
monoxide poisoning. Using combustive appliances indoors (basically
anything that generates fire like a camp stove, barbecue grill, etc) can
cause carbon monoxide to build up and you will probably pass out and
die before you know what hit you as CO is odorless and colorless so use
these appliances in a well ventilated area.
I
was very happy to discover just how easy it is to use dehydrated apples
in apple pies. In fact, not only are they easy…they are DELICIOUS! I
can honestly say I have NEVER gone back to peeling, coring, and slicing
apples for a delicious apple pie. Making an apple pie from dehydrated
apples saves time (takes only 5 minutes to get the apples ready and most
of that time is just the apples sitting in boiling water), makes a
smaller mess, and is just as delicious. HOORAY!! Once again food storage
makes life easier (and just as delicious)! So give it a try at your
Thanksgiving Feast…no one will know you did anything different.
DUTCH APPLE PIE
One pre-made pie crust (you can make your own or I like those pilsbury ones that aren’t in a pie crust)
Filling: 2 cups dried apples firmly packed 2 cups boiling water. Pour over apples and let set for at least 5 minutes. Mix together: 1/3 cup sugar 2 tbsp. Flour ½ tsp. Cinnamon Add to the apple mix and continue cooking until thick. Stirconstantly to prevent scorching. Pour mixture into pie shell and dot with 1 tbsp. Butter
Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup whole wheat flour ¼ cup butter Cut in till crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple mixture and place in 350ºF oven for 55 minutes.
from Modern Survival Blog - surviving hard timesby Ken (Modern Survival Blog)
It’s a scary proposition to realize that someone might be following
you. There are precautions you need to take to make sure that you stay
safe. Here are a few ideas of what you might do if you think that
someone is following you in a car.
It doesn’t take much effort to make sure that you’re not being followed. Since most
criminals are amateurs, simply drive around the block if you think
you’re ever being followed. Drive a complicated route, or take a few
corners to make sure you’re not just imagining that someone is following
you.
Don’t panic and don’t drive reckless.
Calm yourself so that you can think clearly. Get your mind on looking around you to see if there is someplace safe you can go.
NEVER stop and get out of your car.
NEVER go straight home. You do not want the ‘nut job’ to know where you live.
Be sure that all of your doors are locked. Someone can gain access to
a car that’s stopped at a red light or stop sign in a few seconds.
Be sure that your windows are rolled up.
Stay on well traveled roads, if at all possible. People looking to
hurt people in their cars are looking for people who are the most
vulnerable.
NEVER stop to let a car that’s following you pass. Pull over to
another lane to let someone pass, but don’t come to a stop. If there’s
only one lane of traffic, don’t pull over at all. If the person wants to
pass and there’s no traffic, they can go around you if they want to
pass that badly.
If you are convinced you’re being followed, dial 911. They will
direct you to the nearest police station. It helps to have a charged up
cell phone with you…
Drive to a police station. The guy behind you is not likely to stop
there. If he or she does, don’t get out of your car until there are
policemen outside your door to escort you. Another choice is to go to a
fire station, hospital, or an all night superstore. Don’t go anywhere
where there are not a lot of people. Keep driving until you come to
something well lit and populated. Never get out of your car unless you
know that you are safe.
Don’t assume things are safe because they look that way. Don’t assume
someone is safe because they’re well dressed, female, young or old or
because there’s a child in the car. Criminals often go way out of their
way to appear as ordinary and trustworthy as possible. Many, many crime
victims thought someone was safe because of the way they looked or
because someone was with them. Crooks even use young kids to do their
dirty work. (Home invaders are famous for this one – using a child to
knock on a door selling something so they can get you to open up and
then rush you. Don’t assume anything. If someone is following you assume
that it’s dangerous and err on the side of caution.
If you carry a handgun, you MUST stay completely calm. NEVER get
steamed up. It is the responsibility of the Gun-Owner to DE-Escalate the
situation. In most states, you cannot “flash” your handgun unless you
are in peril of bodily harm… else spend time in the slammer. People that
carry, are expected to be above ‘acting out’ on the road. They know
that it is a privilege and that it can be revoked for the slightest
infraction.
Have
you ever shipped a packaged containing something extremely fragile? One
year, we mailed a fragile, blown glass ballerina. We wrapped the little
dancer first in a few layers of tissue paper, carefully winding it
around her outstretched arm and leg. Then we nestled her into a small
box filled with Styrofoam “popcorn”. We closed that box, wrapped it in
tissue and then bubble wrap before sliding it inside of a bigger box. We
stuffed all the openings in the bigger box with more tissue, sealed it
up and sent the package on its way. When the little ballerina arrived at
her destination and was carefully unwrapped, she was still in one
lovely sparkling piece.
When you are well prepared, you are cushioned by layers, somewhat
like that delicate little ballerina. If the outer layer of tissue and
bubble wrap doesn’t protect you successfully, the danger still has to
get through the second box, the Styrofoam popcorn and more tissue paper.
Every layer of preparedness that you add shields you and your family,
placing them just a bit further out of the reach of danger.
Build a Foundation
I have found that when starting your preparedness measures, it is
best to start at the beginning in order to ensure you have everything
you need to build up your foundation. Start your preparations with a 72-hour kit and then create a vehicle 72-hour kit.
Once that is complete, you can begin ensuring your basic needs are met
for longer periods or begin targeting other layers of preparedness. The 52-Weeks to Preparedness series offers a complete list of getting your home and family ready for unexpected disasters.
Having multiple emergency plans is another example of layering up.
Not only do you always need a Plan B, you need Plan C, Plan D and on
through the alphabet for every situation. Keep the following tips in
mind when beginning your preparedness foundation:
Keep family members and any medical or special needs in mind when planning
Don’t forget your pets
Continually adding onto your layers will makes for a more economical approach to preparing
Many preps have multiple uses and can be used for multiple disasters
Let’s look at some other examples of how you might layer your preparedness. Water
Your initial line of defense would be the two week supply of bottled water that is recommended in Week 1 of the 52 Weeks to Preparedness series. If the danger lasts longer than two weeks, you could fall back on your water treatment preparations, mentioned in Week 17,
such as water filtration systems, distillation, or the addition of
bleach or water treatment capsules for water that is not potable as is.
If the issue continues as a long-term problem, water will have to be
collected and purified on an ongoing basis, requiring the steps you took
in Week 24 to be put into action. Food
Most preppers have some short-term food
stored to be used for things like a power outage, being snowed in for a
week, and those things that are more “inconveniences” than actual
disasters. Many of those foods require little-to-no cooking and can be
eaten at room temperature.
But what if the outage lasts longer than expected? Then it is time to dig into the long-term food storage as well as looking at alternative methods of cooking it.
If it turns into a true TEOTWAWKI event, then at some point you are going to have to begin producing your own food supply through raising livestock and gardening.
As another example, you need a plan in place for what you would do
once your stored food is gone – so, you would prepare to learn to hunt,
to raise livestock and to grow food. Security
Most people strive to make their homes safe and secure.
We install motion lights, fence the yard and make windows difficult to
open. We have good quality locks on the doors and sometimes burglar
alarms as well.
In a disaster situation, this may not be enough. We need only to look
at the situation on Staten Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
to see that looters are out in full force, taking advantage of the
people who have already lost so much. As we’ve said here before, “If you can’t protect it, you don’t own it!” Most preppers have guns and ammunition with which they will defend their homes and families.
In an even longer-term situation, more plans for defense would need to be made, with perimeters, night watches and an organized plan. Build Layers
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are our preparations. It
takes time to research and plan what your family needs to be disaster
ready. When you invest in your preparedness foundation, you are slowly
adding preparedness layers that your loved ones to rely on. Each time
you add to your preps, always think ahead to the day when the item you
just bought runs out and begin planning now to solve the problem before
it happens. In every situation, increase your protection layer by layer,
just like preparing that spun glass ballerina for her journey through
the mail.
In
our everyday lives, if we need something done we usually break out the
wallet or credit card and take care of the problem. It's coming to the
point for many people, however, that they need other options besides
cash or credit, to obtain the things they want and need. Enter the
concept of bartering.
Bartering has been used for centuries and only went away from common use
within the last century or so. These days many people feel
uncomfortable with the concept of bartering (not ALL people as many
communities have thriving underground bartering networks). Among the
issues: they think they lack anything to trade, they are uncomfortable
with the whole process, they don't know how to approach people about a
trade, etc.
While much of the bartering process simply requires a bit of nerve and
people skills, you will also need something (or many somethings) to
trade. Note that trading things--like a rifle or a car or something
smaller--is perfectly fine for bartering but once the item is gone, it's
gone. With skills and services you can barter these things repeatedly.
Here are 100 barterable skills and services that many people are happy
to trade for:
Car repair
Sewing
Computer repair
Computer setup and networking
Construction
Plumbing
Electrical work
Finish carpentry
Tree trimming/cutting
Butchering
Food production (meat, vegetables, fruit, etc)
Cooking/baking
Babysitting
Elderly sitting
Dog walking
Website design
Doctor
Nurse
Home health aid
Home improvement (build deck, clean gutters, etc)
Yard maintenance
Fire wood
Legal services
Dentistry
Logging/lumber
Hair cutting
Party/wedding planning
Tutoring
Teaching (dance, music, English, etc)
Furniture making
Reloading ammo
Artist (painting, sculpting, etc)
Animal husbandry/animal breeding
Well drilling
Heavy equipment operator
Foraging/dumpster diving
Wine making/beer brewing
Defensive skills training (karate, tactical shooting, etc)
We
all know that when the weather begins to turn cold, it’s time to get
ready for the cold and flu viruses to start emerging. Approximately 5 to
20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu during the late fall
until the early spring.
Bear in mind that some groups of the population are more prone to
contracting illnesses than others. Groups such as those 65 years and
older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, those with
certain compromised immune systems, as well as health care workers. If
you live with or work around people in one of these groups, take some
proactive steps to get your immune system ready for the flu season.
Take your vitamins. A good multivitamin will do the
trick in keeping your immune system thriving, however,specifically
taking Vitamins A , B, C, D, and E has been shown to promote a health
immune system.
Speaking of Vitamin D, many are unaware that during the winter months, their body becomes deficient in Vitamin D.
A deficiency of vitamin D triggers infections, autoimmune diseases
(multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and
inflammatory bowel disease), cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Further, Vitamin D has been shown to be more effective in preventing the
flu than a flu vaccine. The best source of vitamin D is sunshine!
It’s important to get out and enjoy at least 10-15 minutes of sun per
day (without sunscreen). As winter approaches, and it becomes harder to
get natural sunlight, it may be necessary to take a daily vitamin D
supplement. Eat Healthy Foods. Everyone knows it’s important to
eat healthy, but I think that most people underestimate the power that
food has on the immune system. If you’re eating healthy and are exposed
to certain illnesses, you have a greater chance of not catching
it. Some foods that will provide you with optimum health are:
Healthy fats, such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, nuts.
Avoid sugar, especially refined sugars. Sugar weakens the immune
system. If you need sweeteners, use raw honey, maple syrup, &
stevia.
Drinking teas high in antioxidants such as green tea can stimulate production of immune cells.
Raw honey has antibacterial, antifungal, & antiviral properties (LOCAL raw honey is best, especially for allergies).
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar per day.
Eating nuts such as almonds have an immune-strengthening antioxidant.
Drink lots of water. Simply put, water helps to
filter the impurities out of your body. Over time, this keeps your body
functioning and in optimum health. Get plenty of sleep: You workaholics out there need
to pay attention to this. If you body does not get the needed amount of
sleep each night, your health depreciates. Get a minimum of 7-8 hours
per night. Further, if you feel your body coming down with an illness,
stop pushing yourself and give your body what it needs: rest. Exercise: Staying active 3-5 days a week for 20-30
minutes has been shown to not only help you stay healthy, but also
increases your resistance to illness and helps you reduce stress all at
the same time. How’s that for making the most of your time?
Keeping your body in balance and following the five listed tips can
assist you in keeping your immune system strong during the months it is
under attack.
from Modern Survival Blog - surviving hard timesby Ken (Modern Survival Blog)
There are two types of EMP bombs, nuclear and non-nuclear. Nuclear EMP: The
nuclear explosion generates ‘ionizing radiation’. Ionizing radiation is
radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom,
it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom. It is
the instantaneous explosive pulse of these spinning dislodged electrons
which creates the Electromagnetic energy that causes the damage from the
EMP effect. Non-nuclear EMP: The
result is a a huge electrical current that is ‘made’ in a very short
tick of time. This huge current will pulse through a coil, which in turn
creates a massive pulse of Electromagnetic energy that causes the EMP
damage.
The pulse of Electromagnetic energy (regardless of what produced it)
induces currents in circuits (just think of circuits as anything with
‘electronics’ inside). Depending on the amount of Electromagnetic
radiation, the current that is induced in these circuits can be huge or
small. If the current is large enough, it will burn out a circuit due to
internal resistive heating.
Circuits are everywhere, and they are in most every ‘thing’
that we use today. Anything that has a connected loop of wire is a
circuit (including the power grid power lines and grid transformers).
EMP does not affect living organisms because we (and other living
organisms) are not conductive in a way that will cause damage… we do not
have a connected loop of wire in us. However if a person depends on a
circuit to live (pace-maker, life support) then that would obviously be a
bad thing.
It is important to remember that a circuit can be protected by
building a Faraday cage around it. A Faraday cage is a conductive casing
that prevents the Electromagnetic radiation from reaching the circuit.
This type of protection is likely nullified if there is anything
connecting the inside of the cage to the outside of the cage (power
cords, circuit touching cage, etc.).
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) in effect destroys the junctions of
the transistors in electronic circuits. It is a high voltage, high
frequency, high energy pulse. It has little or no effect on living
tissue, due to its extremely short duration. Having said that, it WILL
have a potentially terrible effect on humans and human civilization due
to the dependencies that most of us have on electronic infrastructure to
keep us fed and alive.
There has apparently been considerable and renewed interest in EMP
Weapons today, by many nations. Unfortunately, indirect consequences of
using such weapons will be just as, or more devastating than other
weapons of mass destruction given the reliance that developed nations
have on electronic infrastructure. EMP: It Can Happen
Many
people are still reeling from the after effects of Hurricane Sandy. As
I write this post, thousands are still without electricity and many
areas are still so flooded that supplies cannot be brought in. Food
and water have become scarce in many areas. People may take a fresh
interest in getting prepared for emergencies. But it can quickly get
overwhelming for someone who is new to preparedness. I know, because I
felt a lot of confusion when I first got started.
I also started buying up supplies and gear at a rapid pace and ended
up regretting some of my rushed purchases. In hindsight, I would have
gone a lot slower and more methodical. Before going out and spending
money on emergency supplies, consider developing a few easy to adapt
habits that not only will help you prepare for emergencies but will help
you in everyday living.
1. Keep your gas tank at least at half full.
I used to let my gas tank run all the way down close to empty. Then
the nerves would start getting frayed as I searched for a gas station
wondering if my car would stall. Not anymore. Since I started
preparing, I never let my gas tank run below a quarter, I prefer at
least half a tank. This way if there is ever an emergency, I know I can
get in the car and at least get out of the city. And if the gas lines
were too long, I don’t have to worry about having to fill up right away.
2. Two is one and one is none. It’s an
old saying about stuff you use all the time- don’t let yourself run
out. If your family eats something all the time, let’s say peanut
butter, then pick up two when you go to the store. Same thing with
toilet paper. Never wait until you are down to the last one before
going out to buy more. Ever since I adopted this habit, I never have to
make last minute trips to the store.. And if we ever have a hurricane
warning, I know I have at least a couple of week’s worth of items that
we use all the time.
3. Keep some cash at home. Many people no longer carry cash but use their debit cards for all purchase. A bank glitch
or any other disaster with a resulting a power outage will cause ATM
machines and card readers to go down, leaving you without access to
funds. Set aside a few dollars that can help tide you over in case you
can’t use debit or credit. The emergency cash stash does not need to be huge, just enough to get you food and other necessities.
4. Store what you eat, eat what store. If
you buy extra food for emergencies, keep track of expiration dates and
use them up before they get old. Resist the urge to buy things just
because they are on sale. Buy only what your family eats-there is no
point in stocking up on sardines or raisins even if they are on sale if
your family does not eat them. A friend of mine found out the hard way – don’t let this happen to you.
5. Have a paper backup of all your important documents including your address book.
I once had my cell phone charge completely run out in the middle of a
conversation. I wanted to call the person back on a landline when I
realized her phone number was contained in the cell phone that now won’t
turn. Dumb! Luckily I had written her number down on a piece of paper
earlier and I was able to find it and call her back. Lesson learned.
The habits described above won’t cost you anything but can save you a
whole lot of headaches. At the same time, these habits are helping you
get started preparing for emergencies with ease. This list is not all
inclusive- what habits are you glad you acquired? Please share in the
comments.
We all have perishable food sitting in our refrigerators or freezers.
When an emergency comes and disrupts our power sources, that investment
of perishable food is threatened.
Food safety is vital at all times
We want to ensure that our food is safe for consumption. That said,
if our food becomes contaminated in some way due to temperature
fluctuations, cross-contamination or improper handling, food-borne
illnesses can occur and symptoms have the possibility of becoming
severe. Moreover, due to the delayed response from overwhelmed emergency
medical teams, food poisoning could actually become fatal.
As the power begins to come back on and the clean-up begins in the
aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many of us will be attempting to salvage
items from our food supplies. More important than saving money is
ensuring that the food is safe to eat. The USDA and the CDC have provided some guidelines to food safety after a disaster.
In this specific incident, the risk is not only from the power
outage, but in many areas people also face the risk of contamination
from flood waters.
After a flood, throw away food that may have come into direct contact with flood water, without exception.
Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop
bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should
be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater because
they cannot be disinfected.
If store-bought cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm
water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a solution of
1 cup (8 oz/250 mL) of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Re-label the cans
with a marker. Include the expiration date.
CDC recommends discarding wooden cutting boards, baby bottle
nipples, and pacifiers. These items cannot be properly sanitized if they
have come into contact with flood waters.
Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils (including
can openers) with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse
and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for
15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine
bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water
available).
Thoroughly wash counter tops with soap and water, using hot water if
available. Rinse and then sanitize them by applying a solution of 1
tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking
water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). Allow to air-dry.
Others are dealing with extended power outages. If your
refrigerator and freezer were loaded with food, you may be wondering if
any of it is still safe to eat.
So how long will your food last when the electricity goes
out? Refrigerated food will stay cold for 4-6 hours assuming the door is
left closed as much as possible. After that time, many of the items in
your refrigerator should be discarded. This chart from the USDA offers guidelines. In a fully stocked freezer, frozen foods will remain safely frozen for approximately two day.
FOOD
Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours
MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes
Some other helpful hints for protecting your food investment are:
Items from the freezer that thaw can be cooked and then refrozen safely or canned.
Covering the fridge or freezer with blankets can help keep the temperature colder for longer.
Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop
bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should
be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater because
they cannot be disinfected.
If cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove
the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a solution of 1 cup (8
oz./250 mL) of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Re-label the cans with a
marker. Include the expiration date.
Never use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash
and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.
If you have any doubt as to whether a food is safe or spoiled, throw it out – it’s not worth the risk.
Sanitation during Disasters Can Be a Nightmare
Another challenge during a disaster is basic sanitation. You will
need to have clean hands, clean cookware, clean food prep areas and
clean dishes and utensils. By planning ahead you can have many things in
place that will allow you to do this more simply and efficiently. In a
short-term disaster, disposable items are incredibly useful, partly
because you don’t have to use valuable clean water for washing them.
Paper plates
Disposable cups
Plastic utensils
Paper towels
Baby wipes
Disinfecting wipes
Aluminum foil to cover cookware and cooking surfaces
Garbage bags
Following many natural disasters, local water supplies and garbage pickup services tend to be delayed. Adding a simple sanitation kit
to your emergency supplies can make a huge difference in terms of
keeping your family safe. Additionally, learning how to properly dispose
of waste not only promotes good hygiene, but also minimizes
sanitation-related illnesses.
Even if you don’t have running water, clean your hands carefully with
baby wipes and/or antibacterial hand sanitizer after using the
restroom, changing diapers or dealing with garbage.
Take care not to cause cross-contamination when preparing food.
Surfaces that have been in contact with raw meat must be immediately
cleaned and sanitized before other food is prepared there. After
touching raw meat, be sure to wash your hands to avoid contaminating
other surfaces.
In a longer-term emergency, cleaning supplies may begin to run low.
Many cleaning supplies can be made with everyday household items. Be
certain to stock a big supply of basics like white vinegar, baking soda,
and lemon juice.
Citrus Cleaner
Peel from any citrus fruit
1 quart of white vinegar
Instructions:
Add the peel to vinegar and place in a closed container for two
weeks. Mix half and half with water in a spray bottle and use for
cleaning floors, tiles, fixtures, kitchen surfaces and bathroom
surfaces. Soft Scrubbing Cleanser
1/2 cup baking soda
4 tbsp. white vinegar
1-2 tbsp. liquid dish detergent
½ tsp. fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and make into a paste.
Store in a small container.
Glass Cleaner
1 c. rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 c. water
1 tbsp. of non-sudsing ammonia (clear ammonia)
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well and apply to glass surfaces, then wipe dry. Homemade Spray Cleaner
1 c. white vinegar
1 c. water
Instructions:
Shake well and apply. Use on kitchen counter tops, toilets, bathrooms, bathtubs. Produce Wash
To remove toxic pesticides from produce, use the following method:
2 cups of white vinegar
1 cup of baking soda
Big squirt of all natural dish soap
Instructions:
Add the above ingredients to the sink and then fill it with hot water.
Allow your produce to soak in the solution for about 20 minutes.
You may see a white film rise to the top – this is pesticide being
lifted from the produce. (Note: if your produce is something that will
wilt, like lettuce, use cold water for this process.)
Drain the sink and rinse your produce well under running water, if possible.
Take a clean cloth and scrub the outside of the fruit of
vegetables. If you can still see a film on them, clean out your sink
with vinegar and repeat the process.
To conclude, when emergencies occur, they can disrupt the power
supply long enough to threaten our perishable food investment and cause
illness. Although a non-refrigerated food supply for emergency purposes
is strongly advocated, we will want to find ways to save our perishable
goods. Using the suggestions and tips provided will help you preserve
and protect your perishable food sources and maintain sanitation during
times of power disruptions.
