10 Best Survival Foods to Stockpile for Disaster

Survival Lanyard: How to Make One From Scratch

 Original Article

by Bryan Lynch

The other day I watched an episode of “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” where a man was riding his ATV and lost control of it. He was thrown from the vehicle only to have it land on his back and legs, pinning him to the ground. 

Ironically, he had a lot of emergency supplies strapped to the ATV but due to the circumstances, he could not reach them. However, he did have a necklace or lanyard, with a few items on it. The primary item was a signal whistle, but it looked like there may have been a few other items on there as well.

This got me thinking about survival lanyards and I thought it would be a worthwhile topic to discuss as well as how to make one. 

What is a Survival Lanyard?

How to Survive Dehydration: 8 Tips to Help You Go Without Water

 Original Article

Keeping hydrated should be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about survival. The human body needs a certain amount of water every day in order to maintain bodily functions, let alone operate at its optimum.


It is said that dehydration is the number one cause for midday fatigue. No surprise when we consider that water makes up about 60% of the human body.

We are constantly losing water throughout the day whether it is through breathing, sweating, or digesting. It is very easy to become dehydrated, and thus, important to replenish and rehydrate when possible.

Learn how to identify dehydration symptoms and discover our top 8 survival tips when it comes to surviving dehydration.
How long can you survive without water?

The Importance Of Storing Salt For Survival

 Original Article

By GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

Salt is one of the most common and basic staples and one which every prepper should have in their pantry. While today salt is easily and cheaply purchased, it is also a valuable resource. When used in excess, salt can be harmful. However, it is also vital for maintaining health, as well as providing a range of additional benefits and uses.

Why Salt Storage Is Essential

Eye Trauma Off The Grid

Original Article

Foreign object embedded in the cornea

In survival scenarios, the sense that will have be the biggest determinant of your chances of success is that of vision. Many people have one vision defect or another, and would be wise to have corrective Lasik surgery or, at least, some spare eyeglasses in their medical storage. Others with perfectly normal eyesight may end up with a traumatic injury that damages the eye is some way. In this article, we’ll talk about eye trauma.

How to Prep for a Cyberattack

 Original Article

by Daisy Luther

Author of Be Ready for Anything and The Blackout Book


With cyberattacks becoming more and more frequent, we’re starting to see the exceptionally dangerous vulnerabilities in our infrastructure. From the person who hacked the municipal water supply in Florida to the Colonial pipeline attack to the cyberattack that took out most of the power to Puerto Rico, we’ve been shown that the possibilities are infinite.

And with the upcoming “wargame” of Cyber Polygon coming up next month, a lot of people are on edge, as the World Economic Forum and other rich and powerful folks have an uncanny track record of “practicing” an event right before it happens. Think about Clade X and Event 201, for example.

I’m far from the only person noticing these “coincidences.”

What is Cyber Polygon?

Can You Make Emergency Calls Without a Signal?

 Original Article

by Tim Makay

You will hardly find anybody these days that will part with their cell phones, and completely contrary to the notions of bygone decades that includes preppers.

The modern smartphone is a technological marvel that crams all kinds of useful tools and even life-saving functionality into a form factor that will, quite literally, ride comfortably in virtually any pocket.

Cell phones have saved many lives over the years by enabling people to place phone calls to emergency services during a crisis event. But for all that…

TEN COMMON DEADLY MISTAKES HIKERS AND BACKPACKERS MAKE

 Original Article

Every lost or missing hiker is unique, but there are common mistakes most of them make.

In no particular order of importance, here are ten. (These are from Search and Rescue incidents or personal experience.)

by Leon Pantenburg 

This story comes from a member of the Deschutes County (Oregon) Search and Rescue team:

Mother Nature is not a benevolent entity.

The searchers had been out all night looking for a lost hiker. They regrouped at a trail head to plan their next move. It was getting colder, and the snow was starting to spit and swirl. A group of hikers was unloading and preparing to head out.

15 Types of Bug Out Bag Gear You Can Make Yourself

 Original Article

By Tom Marlowe

Every prepper who has been getting ready for any length of time probably has a bug out bag, that one piece of survival gear that we all know and love. And furthermore any prepper who owns a BOB has probably been tinkering with it, adjusting it and filling it with all the many survival items that they anticipate needing when The Big One™ finally occurs.

If that sounds like you, you don’t need me to tell you just how expensive it can get tracking down and acquiring just the right piece of kit to round out your survival load.

A fully packed BOB can easily cost upwards of several hundred dollars if you are buying brand new, middle-tier gear, and a top of the line pack appropriately loaded with the best kit that money can buy can run you several thousand dollars.

Basic Food Storage--Oats

 Original Article

Oats are a great source of B vitamins, protein, and minerals like calcium and iron. They make a terrific breakfast cereal and can be prepared in a variety of ways. And eating oatmeal 4-6 times per week can reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by nearly 40%.

Before going any further, let's review the different forms oats come in:

Prepare for a Civilization Ending Cyberwar

The Complete List Of Medical Supplies Every Prepper Should Own

 Original Article

One of the side effects of the pandemic is that Americans sharply curbed their visits to the hospital and the doctor’s office for non-COVID-related complaints last year.

Beginning in March 2020, concerns over hospital capacity, social distancing measures, and fears of contracting COVID-19 led people to delay or even cancel many exams and procedures. For example, according to research published by the Kaiser Family Foundation, spending for health care services (not including pharmaceutical drugs) was down by more than 32 percent in April 2020 over April 2019.

Although hospital admissions rebounded throughout last year, they remained nearly 9 percent below the predicted annual volume by year-end.

It would be optimistic to think that people were getting less sick last year with ailments other than COVID, but experts say that the statistics tell a different story. People were just not seeking medical treatment and were dealing with many health issues at home. For good or for bad, many people learned to be more reliant on home treatments.

How to Raise Ducks – The Perfect Survival Livestock

 Original Article

by CHARL M

Why are ducks better than other types of yard fowl? The answer is simple.

They will take up less time and resources while providing you with better nutrition and higher yields.

The bottom line is that if two people start in a survival situation, and the one has 20 chickens and the other 20 ducks, I would bet on the guy with the ducks.

Ducks give you more for less.

9 Hypothetical Bug Out Situations to Consider

 Original Article

By Derrick James

I’ve been at this prepping thing for a long time now. I’ve seen it go from a fringe idea talked about in whispers to something wildly accepted as reasonable and discussed around the office water cooler. One of the things that inevitably gets people started in prepping is envisioning how they’d respond to hypothetical bug out situations.

It might start with hearing news of a pending natural disaster, witnessing street protests, or – for some – just imagining a zombie apocalypse and the need to get out of Dodge (GOOD).

LOAD UP WHILE YOU CAN! Stockpiling Supplies for Grid Down Emergency

How to Keep a Positive Mindset While on a Tight Budget

 Original Article

By 

By Jennifer Monroe

It’s not always that we have enough money. Sometimes we have to stretch our finances further to make ends meet.

These are times when we have to think carefully about what we spend our money on, lest we find ourselves deep in debt. You can agree that when there is barely enough to cover bills, frustrations can set in. It is hard to keep your spirits up when you can’t even see the end to the current predicament. You will always be yearning for a breakthrough, which can leave you really depressed.

However, having a negative mindset can only make you feel more stressed. The more you see that the situation is unchangeable, you will not find the inspiration you need to make things better. On the other hand, keeping a positive mind when money is tight can go a long way in making the burden lighter on your mind. It even becomes easier to find creative solutions to your tight budget. If you are finding it hard to stay positive because of a tight budget, here are 5 tips that can help you.

Post-Collapse Management of Spider Bites

 Original Article

Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health practitioner. This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible. No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician. Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


"Bite Me!"

It's a sign my husband has taped to his back. Of course, only the creepy crawlies can see it, but they all feel obliged to attack. It's kind of nice for me, since whenever he's around they pretty much leave me alone.

10 Steps to Harden Off Plants

 Original Article

by Adrienne

Whether you're starting your own plants from seed or buying seedlings or transplants from a local greenhouse, you need to prepare your little plants for their new home in your garden. This preparation process is called "hardening off". In this post we'll talk about how to harden off plants including some different ways to do it.

Hardening off seedlings is vital to your tender plants' health. While growing plants indoors from seeds is a great way to get your garden started early and save money, it also teaches your plants that life is easy.

Survival Essentials: Choosing Terrain Wisely

 Original Article

By By Bill White

Whether setting up a permanent survival retreat or just setting up camp for the night, choosing the suitable terrain can have a significant impact on your chances for survival.

The spots that might seem intuitively like those you’d want to choose often have some fatal flaw or other, making them less than suitable. Yet without thinking the process through, most of us would choose one of those instantly, seeing the advantages while overlooking the disadvantages.

Maintaining And Repairing Your Gear For Wilderness Worry-Free Travel

 Original Article

by Bob Rodgers

If you don’t properly care for and maintain your gear, even expensive gear won’t serve you well for long.

Tips on caring for your gear

For any piece of gear you buy, read—and save—the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for it. It’s frustrating to waste money by damaging gear through improper care, but even worse, improperly functioning gear could put you at risk.

For example, leather hiking boots should be occasionally cleaned and conditioned. Camping equipment stores sell footwear-cleaning gel and leather conditioner.

For soft goods—such as sleeping bags, rain gear, tarps, tents, and backpacks—the most important consideration is making sure they’re stored properly. The fabric needs to be clean and completely dry before being stored away.

When you come home from a trip, it’s tempting to just pull your tent out of your backpack and toss it, still in its storage bag, into the basement. But, if it’s at all damp or if it’s very dirty, it might start to mildew, or the waterproof coatings might get damaged.

Dental Trauma

Original Article

Tooth decay weakens enamel and can lead to 

dental fractures, but many are due to trauma.

By Joseph Alton MD

Many believe that they can handle any emergency if the grid goes down. For those who are trained to stabilize and transport, that may be true for typical injuries due to trauma. Experienced medical professionals faced with dental trauma, however, are often unsure how to proceed. In a long-term austere setting, the group medic must be ready to deal with as many dental problems as medical.

These 20 Chicken Coop Must Haves Will Keep Your Birds Happy

 Original Article

By Rebekah Pierce

It doesn’t matter whether you plan on raising five chickens or fifty – it’s essential that you outfit your coop with the right gear.

The ideal chicken coop will not only be safe from predators, but it will also be easy for you to access. It will ensure that your flock can remain happy and healthy throughout all of the four seasons.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, unfortunately, knowing exactly what it takes to set up a safe, productive chicken coop isn’t as easy as it sounds. Chickens are pretty basic creatures, but you still need to do your due diligence to make sure they have what they need to thrive.

5 Year Survival Food Supply: $7,000 and 2.5 MILLION Calories

SHTF Survival in the Mountains: What You Need to Know

 Original Article

by Tim Makay

Bugging out is a core tenant of prepping, and integral to the concept of bugging out is having in mind one or more bug out locations, places where you and your loved ones can head to in times of trouble so that you can better ride out whatever the problem is in safety, or at least relative safety compared to where you are.

Throughout history, threatened people and populations have fled into the mountains seeking a bastion against dangers big and small.

Sometimes, the mountains served as the backdrop of a valiant last stand and other times it served as a sanctuary, proof against all harm. More often, it turns out that the mountains themselves are an even bigger danger than what the refugees were originally fleeing from.

Firearms: Pros and Cons for Home Defense

 Original Article

By Bob Rodgers

You’ve seen in the news how criminals are getting fearless and how break-ins are becoming a common occurrence. Seeing how things are unfolding and hearing stories from neighbors and friends about unpleasant encounters with the criminal element are probably the main reasons you decide to get a firearm.

You are one step closer to keeping your family safe, but you still have to decide if you should go with a handgun, automatic rifle, or shotgun. You ask around, and you notice that everyone has a strong opinion regarding one of the three weapon systems, and even if the final choice is yours, there are still some questions you need to ask yourself. So before you ask your gun supplier which firearm he recommends, you should do a little bit of research on your own.

I've NEVER Seen Anything Like This: Its Bad... REAL BAD

9 Group Bug-Out Ideas that Worked in the 1800s

 Original Article

By By Bill White

The idea of bugging out in the case of a disaster isn’t new. There have been many times when people left their homes throughout human history due to one disaster or another.

While some disasters came on so quickly that people couldn’t run, there were also those which gave people some opportunity to escape. For example, wars, volcanoes erupting, and droughts might offer a chance to escape for those who chose to take the risk and do so.

Bugging out from a disaster wasn’t the only reason people left their homes and migrated to some distant land unless you call lack of economic opportunity a disaster. Just like today, history is filled with examples of people who “bugged out” from their homes in search of a better life. This country exists because of that. The westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s also happened because of it.

Oil Pulling – Does it really work? (Plus How to Do It)

 Original Article

ByLaurie Neverman

Does oil pulling really work? For some things, the benefits are clear, for others, it's questionable. I'll share how to oil pull, and what benefits you may see from the practice.

Oil pulling is a dental hygiene practice that involves swishing a spoonful of oil around the mouth for 15-20 minutes, forcing it back and forth (pulling) through the teeth. When you finish, spit out the oil in a waste bin or compost pail. (Coconut oil down the sink or toilet drain may lead to clogged pipes.)

Amateur Radio – The Beginner’s Guide for Preppers

 Original Article

Amateur Radio is a very interesting prepper hobby

By GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

You’re in a deadly tornado’s path and can’t get through to 911 because the power is out. The good news is that you have options. Amateur radio (or ham radio) is an alternative means of communication during emergencies.

Although ham radio is a fun hobby for many, instant communication can also save lives. If you live in disaster-prone areas, you will appreciate the importance of contingencies. We can’t wholly depend on our phones or the internet for communication in emergencies.

So, how can an educational and entertaining pastime be so handy in dire situations? Let’s look into the exciting world of amateur radio.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Step On This Plant

 Original Article

by RACHAEL BLASBALG

So many plants we are taught to think of as weeds are actually super helpful. One way we can prepare for when the SHTF is to learn as much about those beneficial weeds as we can.

A great example of this is mullein. Considered a weed by most people, mullein has many medicinal and survival uses.

So if you find mullein growing in your backyard, don’t step on it- harvest it!

The Basics Of Making Fruit Wine – Step By Step Guide

 Original Article

by Rhonda Owen

The pleasure of wine is doubled when you make it yourself for a few cents a bottle, using your own fruits and without unnecessary additives.

Home winemaking

Home winemaking is an excellent way to preserve any type of excess fruit, from apples to strawberries, and you also can make wine from herbs such as sage and parsley.  I have even heard of tomato wine!

With a little imagination, whatever fruit you have too much of can be made into some kind of wine.

How to Build a Panic Room – Original Designs

 Original Article

by Derrick James

This article will look at how to build a panic room that will keep you alive when faced with deadly, human threats. This emphasis on human threats is what will distinguish a panic room from a safe room, the latter being a room for more general safety, namely natural disasters.

If it’s a more general safe room that you are interested in, see our comprehensive article on how to build a safe room in your home. That article can be seen as a sister article to this one, and you may very well find helpful information there for a safe room. There are, after all, many similarities between a safe room and a panic room, but here we will look at an original panic room design idea that you can use as a template to modify or build upon in your own home.

How To Can Bone Broth At Home With 2 Years Shelf Life

 Original Article

by REBEKAH P.

Whenever I see someone throw away a chicken carcass after making a nice roast, I cringe a little bit.

Just because you’ve picked all the meat off, there’s no need to waste those bones!

Making and canning bone broth is a great way to become more self-sufficient. There’s a misconception out there that it’s difficult to do but that is simply not the case. This is something you can do easily in just an afternoon, allowing you to always have broth on hand for soups, stews, sauces, gravies, and more.

A great way to save money while also improving your health and self-reliance, learning how to make bone broth at home is a smart choice.

Here’s what you need to know.