Surviving Your Fears - A Walk in the Dark

from Stealth Survival by noreply@blogger.com (riverwalker)

Darkness creates a fear that is unique. It seems that we always fear that which we cannot see and when it is hidden by darkness our fear grows even more. Many people seldom experience true darkness but it can be discomforting all the same. With the darkness can come danger, many of these dangers are real and some are merely products of our own imagination. The darkness can also be your friend.
The darkness signals the end of the day and the beginning of a time for rest so that our bodies can renew their energy. It can also come in the form of shade that protects us from the harsh light of the sun. It can also hide us from unwanted attention and allow us to remain unseen and undetected when the need arises. There is a quiet comfort that can be found in the darkness, darkness which is a part of nature and one that is often misunderstood.
Our natural instincts make us seek a source of light almost immediately when the darkness suddenly comes upon us. We don’t see very well in the dark and will quickly seek any source of light available to banish that darkness. A candle, a flashlight or the simple flip of a switch is used to turn the darkness into light. Yet many times we fail to realize our own unique abilities. We have a very unique ability when deprived of one of our senses.
There are a lot of people known as “night owls” who seem to thrive and are often most comfortable at night. They seem to prefer the darkness of night and find it a more comfortable place for them. They embrace the darkness as a part of nature and have become comfortable with its presence. While some people stumble around in the dark, others will quietly move through the darkness as if it were a walk in the park.
Our other senses will begin to compensate for that which we lack. What we cannot see can often be heard or smelled as our other senses becomes more acute so that we can banish the darkness and overcome our fear.
The next time the power goes out or you can’t find your flashlight try taking a walk in the dark.
Got dark?
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker

Preparing for Winter

from Perpetual Preparedness by Gary W Kibble

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow"

"With winter right around the corner, it's never too early to start preparing for snowstorms, icy roads, and other types of severe weather," says FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  "Whether you live in an area that is used to severe winters or not, there are three simple steps all Americans should take to get ready: put together an emergency supply kit, develop a family communications plan, and stay informed about the risks and emergencies in your community." For helpful tips and recommendations see http://www.Ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook forecast is that the Pacific Northwest could have a colder and wetter than average winter, while the South may be warmer and drier than usual.  Severe winter weather can include snow or subfreezing temperatures, strong winds and ice or heavy rain storms.  An emergency supply kit both at home and in the car will help prepare people for winter power outages and icy or impassable roads.

According to FEMA, an emergency supply kit should include a three-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and extra flashlights and batteries.  Thoroughly check and update your family's emergency supply kit and add the following supplies in preparation for winter weather:

• Ensure your home and car are prepared for the winter weather
• Buy rock salt to melt ice on walkways
• Buy sand (we use kitty litter) to improve traction on ice or snow when the car is stuck
• Purchase snow shovels and other snow removal equipment (keep a small shovel in your car trunk)
• Have adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm.
• Update your family preparedness plan and contacts list
• Test your family plan
• Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government and your children's schools

Bottom Line

Keep informed of weather alerts via TV, radio, email, blackberry, etc. Ensure that you follow at least one of these to get advance notice of the following winter hazards:

• Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
• Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
• Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.

Related articles

• Now's The Time to Get Ready for Winter Weather (socyberty.com)

Deliberate Water Storage, Part 2

from Getting Started In Emergency Preparedness by Someone You Know

1 person liked this

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

A couple of weeks ago, I gave you some tips on Deliberate Water Storage. I would like to add some more information.

First, any #1 or #2 plastic beverage bottle will work; color doesn't matter. As you can see in the picture to the left, I have three soda bottles, two water bottles, and one Gatorade bottle.


Next, if you can, use only clear plastic beverage bottles. I know, I just said any color will work. That's true.

But

A clear beverage bottle will allow you to easily see the water in the bottle. When a bottle of water is exposed to light, any light, algae will start to grow. The algae will give the water a light green tint. In a green or blue bottle, you won't notice the water change color.

Next, I used a clean 48 quart cooler to disinfect my containers. First, I washed the cooler with soap and water, rinsed really well with tap water then filled with tap water. Next, I added 12 tablespoons of bleach, since 48 quarts equals 12 gallons.

If you are using your sink to disinfect bottles, you need to wash the sink with soap and water first, rinse, then fill with water and add bleach. Just like above, but watch your amount of chlorine.

Remember, 16 drops of bleach for each gallon of water.

After you make up the sterilizing solution, you need to submerge the bottles and caps (don't forget the caps) in the bleach water for 30-minutes. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the bottles. Air bubbles will allow microorganisms to survive. Yes, this includes the little itty bitty bubbles that seem to form after you have walked away because you have better things to do then look at bottles soaking in a bleach solution.

This

Not This

Next, a full five-gallon container will weigh 40 pounds (18 kg). You will need an adult or an older teen to carry it from place to place. A 2-liter bottle only weighs 4 pounds (2 kg), so a child could carry the bottle for you.

In the above photo, there are three 5-gallon containers, two jugs and one bucket. The blue jug has a neat feature. It has a spigot that is stored inside the cap, but there is a problem with the design. The cap has a recess that allows dirt and dust to collect in the cap.

To stop the possible contamination of the cap/spigot from dirt and dust, I placed some tape over the recess in the cap.

Lastly, you are going to need something to remove the water from your jugs and/or buckets because a full jug is hard to empty when it is full.

The pump on the left; I bought from Walton Feed for about $13. (You have to download the catalog then search for "pump") The pump on the right; I bought from our local farm and home store for about $3.00.

Stove in a Can

from Self-Reliant Sisters by Lisa

Stores for 5 yrs and burns for 6 hours

Supplies:

• 1 new quart size Paint Can with lid (can be purchased at ACE, Lowes or Home Depot)
• 1 roll Toilet Paper (cheap kind and NOT jumbo sized)
• 1 bottle 70% rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl not ethyl)
• 12 oz can (chunk chicken type) with holes drilled in and vents cut around bottom, or #10 can w/vents (we used a #10 can)
• paint can opener (free from Lowes or Home Depot)

Directions:

1. Remove cardboard roll from inside toilet paper and discard
2. Fold toilet paper to fit inside the paint can
3. SLOWLY pour rubbing alcohol over toilet paper until covered.
4. Cover tightly with lid. Tap it down with a rubber hammer and it won't leak.

The first page of this PDF is a printout of the Stove in a Can. You can cut the bottom off and glue it to your can for future reference.

Here you can see how the stove (the small can) can fit inside a #10 can.

Your cooking pan will fit right on top. Make sure your #10 can has enough holes for ventilation. The PDF pictures shows a 12 oz can used for cooking.

Snap on your lid from the #10 can and it can hold your matches and a small paint can opener. You'll need the paint can opener to get your stove open.

Make sure you hammer down your top with a rubber mallet. It will create a seal, so the alcohol won't leak out of your stove when it's being stored.

More Books To Download

from Catman's Litterbox by Catman

Ever want to be a cobbler?

How To Make A Shoe

The Art Of Boot And Shoe Making

For those of us who never learned the proper manner in which to pack a horse or dog.

American Boy's Handybook Of Camplore And Woodcraft

I must admit this is one of my favorites. The language used is an endless source of amusement.

One thing to keep in mind is the age of these tomes. Language has changed a great deal in 150 years.

Please take the time to read through them before something goes wrong while you still have the internet available to define such terms as "treacle". I understand that many on here will already know what treacle is, but here in California, I've never heard anyone utter that word except for my late father.

Also, I understand that some of the language may prove to be offensive to some. Describing native peoples as "painted savages" is unacceptable today, but again, please take into account the age of the books when you read them.