Saturday, December 19, 2015

Prepper Problem Solving – Creating a Bug Out Bike and Trailer Rig

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from David Paul Smith.   Prepping is an attitude of being prepared. Very few athletes would consider showing up to a major sporting event without training and preparing for it. Few students would show up to take a test without doing any preparations […]

The post Prepper Problem Solving – Creating a Bug Out Bike and Trailer Rig appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

What did you do to prep this week?

Before we get started with this weeks segment I’d like to thank everyone for the Christmas wishes and gifts sent via PayPal – Bill D, Terry R, Peter W, Betty S, Norman A, Mark T, Kim S, Sandy H, David D, Rex C and Mark O, thank each of you it’s greatly appreciated.

Over the past few days I’ve had several people send emails asking me where they can order fish-antibiotics – look over to the right sidebar, there is a banner ad that reads “We Carry Fish Antibiotics” just click on that banner and it will take you to a whole page of different antibiotics...

Read the whole entry... »



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Prep Blog Review: How To Make Anything

 

Prep Blog ReviewOK, “how to make anything” might be an overstatement, but in today’s Prep Blog Review, we gathered 5 articles that will show you how to do 5 different things. Because we preppers know how important our skills are. And you can never know too much of anything, right?

1. How to Make a Survival Casserole

Survival casserole“When I first started prepping, I was totally engrossed in learning as much as I could about survival tactics from the Great Depression.  For one reason or another, I have renewed this interest and have been spending my spare time reading books as well as watching some of the classic films and documentaries that depict the era.

Something I have learned is that women of the era were creative in the kitchen and took dibs and dabs of this and that and in order to create tasty meals as best they could.  That said, it wasn’t until the 50’s that the ubiquitous tuna casserole came into prominence, most likely due to the ease of preparation using pantry staples.  On the other hand, meals created from pasta or potatoes plus a vegetable and a scrap of meat were quite common during the Great Depression.”

Read more on Backdoor Survival.

2. How to Make a Prepper

Prepper“Do you wish a certain friend would start prepping? Are you the only prepper, that you know of, in your area? Are there people who are essential to your end of the world plan that are not preppers?

How do you approach the subject? Is it possible to influence a people who are completely unprepared to become serious preppers? In this article I will explain how I have spent the past year setting up the preppers I need, so that I can survive when SHTF.”

Read more on The Prepper Journal.

3. How To Make Bannock Bread

Bannock bread“Bannock bread, one staple recipe no self respecting outdoorsman/survivalist/prepper can live without. I hate to call this a recipe post, as the bannock recipes are as numerous as flame wars over the best rifle for TEOTWAWKI.

Basically, bannock is a quick bread – it can be applied to any flat roundish food made out of grain. – Scones are wedges cut from bannock. The origin of the term comes from Roman soldiers. Panicium is Latin for “baked dough” soldiers being soldiers shortened it to pannis – over the years panic or panis which got bastardized to bannock over the years.”

Read more on Tngun.

4. 4 DIY Fishing Projects from Upcycled and Reclaimed Materials

fishing projects“Whether you’re a budget-conscious angler or just enjoy someone who enjoys DIY, here are four projects that are budget friendly and highly useful.

All of the materials used here were readily available in one rather large chain store that shall remain nameless. In fact, if you already own a basic tool set (including a drill, tape measure, saw, and so on), then you can do all four of these projects for less than $35 USD total!”

Read more on Fix.

5. How to Make Soap on the Homestead

Homemade soap“Making soap is a labor of love. I have been making soap from scratch, called cold process soap making, for a few years now. Learning how to make soap on the homestead can be fun and rewarding. You can adapt the soap to what your family enjoys and/or what their bodies need.

Even though the soap is made from scratch, today, most people still use purchased lye (Sodium hydroxide) rather than making the lye themselves. Lye is EXTREMELY caustic and must be handled with the most extreme care. This is no laughing matter, it can do your body great harm, but, there are no worries as long as you follow safety precautions.”

Read more on Blue Jean Mama.

newEMP_2

This article has been written by Brenda E. Walsh for Survivopedia.

21 total views, 1 views today

Rate this article!
[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]



from Survivopedia
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Blackhawk Medical Roll Out Kit: Excellent Medical Bag

Blackhawk Medical Roll Out Kit: Excellent Medical Bag

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Friday, December 18, 2015

It’s All Over : GOP just committed financial suicide for America… $1.1 trillion spending bill is final blowout of a fiscally insane empire built on debt…

The GOP just committed financial suicide for America, approving a 2,000 page, $1.1 trillion spending bill that gives away everything and adds hundreds of billions of dollars to the national debt.

With the debt already approaching $20 trillion, America is rapidly accelerating toward its own inevitable financial collapse as irresponsible government spending vastly outpaces government “revenues” (taxes on workers and businesses). The GOP establishment — which promised to fight this runaway spending — went right along with the financial blowout, gladly joining with...

Read the whole entry... »



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Vote for Your Favorite – Prepper Writing Contest Round One

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

This is the day! The entries for our first Prepper Writing Contest are in and after a lot of debate I have culled down the many excellent entries to a list of six articles that I believe represent the best of the best. Selecting only six from all of the submissions wasn’t easy but I […]

The post Vote for Your Favorite – Prepper Writing Contest Round One appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

The Proper Guide For Attic And Roof Insulation

big roof

Brace yourselves; winter is coming!

With the winter almost here and record-low temperatures in Kansas, Minnesota and other places that are cold to begin with, you should know a few things about attic and roof insulation.

Why insulate your roof and/or attic? Well, if you care about your comfort during the long and cold winter months, and you also want to save on your heating/energy bill, keep reading.

Theoretically, it would be best to insulate your homestead from the foundation to its roof in order to achieve optimal energy efficiency, but that will definitely put a dent in your bank account.

Since  the most heat dissipates through the roof/ceilings, concentrating upon the most vulnerable areas is the most efficient way to preserve the heat inside your house while protecting your hard-earned dollars in your wallet.

Insulation is one thing, however, you should also consider air leakage and moisture control in all areas of your home.

Let’s Begin With the Basics, Shall We?

For a DIY job, you’ll require the following tools: protective clothing, plywood offcut, a miter box and a staple gun.

As for materials, you’ll need furring strips, adjustable metal clips, blanket insulation, thermal drywall, vapor barrier, adhesive for the wood work, tape, loose fill insulation and storage decking. This is by no means  the ultimate definitive list; you can improvise and use what you have, depending on your preferences.

Typically, people use batt insulation, also known as loose fill, for their attics. As a rule of thumb, this is the insulation of choice for many DIY’ers because it’s cheaper to install and also easier to work with than most of the other methods.

If installed by the book, it even provides you with better coverage. Keep in mind that before proceeding with this project, you should check for and seal any air leaks and make sure the roof is in good standing, i.e. there are no leaks or anything. If you don’t repair any damages to your roof before insulating your attic, you’ll waste your money and your time.

Another thing to take care of is to air seal and insulate all the knee walls and if you live in an area with warm/hot summers, remember to install a radiant barrier to avoid the heat gain during the hot months (check out the videos folks. It’s important).

Video first seen on Crawl Space Ninja

Video first seen Dr. Energy Saver Dealers

What Type of Insulation Suits You Best?

Now, with the preamble taken care of, let’s see what type of insulation will be best for you, shall we?

Basically, you have two choices: blanket insulation and recycled insulation.

The blanket insulation is the “standard” pink type, while the recycled variety is more environmentally friendly. The technique for installing any of them is more or less the same, but since the recycled type is the non-itch alternative, it’s more comfy to work with. Blanket insulation  is also known as batt and roll, as I told you previously, and it’s made using various materials; usually fiber glass but also plastic/natural fibers such as cotton or mineral wool. It comes in lots of widths, and as per length, you can cut it as you like to fit your premises during installation.

As for usability, you don’t have to worry because working with the blanket insulation is no big deal, being the most used form of attic and roof insulation. The only thing is that you’ll have to wear protective clothing at all times and it’s a bit uncomfortable to handle; remember to check the local building/fire codes, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

However, you should always consider using the natural/recycled insulation as an alternative to the “regular” blanket kind. Recycled insulation, also known as blown-in or loose-fill insulation, is made from little clumps of various (recycled) materials like cellulose, fiberglass and/or mineral wool (the latter is made by using metal/mineral remnants) and it usually requires professional installation, because it is sprayed onto the attic’s floor and into cavities using special equipment.

Another thing to keep in mind is the kind of roof space you desire. I mean, you’ll have to choose between a warm and a cold roof space. If you go for a warm one, you’ll have to insulate under and between the rafters of the roof. That means you’ll probably have to increase the depth of the joists if you want to benefit from enough storage space, given the recently increased recommended depth of insulation.

For a cold roof, you’ll need to insulate at joist level, thus preventing the heat from escaping via the empty roof space.

Click on the map bilow to go to this website where you’ll find useful information about how much insulation you have to install, depending upon the age of your house and where you live, i.e. the climate zone.

climate zones

Also, keep in mind that insulating power depends on a factor called R-Value, where R represents the resistance to air flow. Hence, the higher the R value, the better insulating properties of the respective material. Note that the R value is cumulative in effect; for example if the insulation layer has an R value of 19 and the attic already has R 19 insulation, the overall R value will be 38.

The first step in insulating your attic or roof is to lay the blanket insulation. Next, you’ll have to build up the layers and since many attics harbor pipes and electrical equipment, you’ll have to work around the pipe work and electrical gear and create storage decking (if you want to use the space for storing stuff).

Next, you’ll have to insulate the pipes and finally, you’ll need to lay the storage decking. The next step is to insulate the walls and rafters and the best way is to use recycled batts as an alternative to blanket insulation, since it’s easier to position (blanket insulation tends to sag before being secured in place tightly by drywall) and it’s eco-friendly.

Below there’s a video about adding batt insulation to your attic, and another one which details the installation process.

Video first seen on Monkey See

Video first seen on This Old House

Here’s an attic blown in insulation, the DIY method for using recycled stuff without using professional tools or hiring technicians.

Video first seen on Your New House

Check out this comprehensive tutorial about attic prep and insulation, with the target being an R-50 value to give you sufficient insulation.

Video first seen on WxTV

Also, here’s an interesting video about insulating an old house’s attic with fiber-glass.

Video first seen on This Old House

The Dont’s of Attic and Roof Insulation

Now, let’s take a look at the worst mistakes (the DON’Ts) that you can make while trying to do the insulation job yourself, without calling in the professionals.

Remember that even if many jobs can be done by yourself, a crawling-space insulation job is a complex task which requires skill and expertise in construction, so you don’t have to feel ashamed for asking for help, okay? On to the tips.

  • Never go to work without protective clothing, as inhaling or even touching the insulation material may be dangerous. Skin rashes and lung irritation are common if you fail to wear the adequate protective gear, so skipping this step isn’t an option.
  • Another common mistake beginners tend to make is using unstable ladders and deficient lightning in their DIY endeavor, which translates into possible accidents or personal injuries, not to mention the chances of ending up doing a sub-par insulation job.
  • Yet another rookie mistake to make is choosing the wrong kind of insulation, especially insulation with an inadequate R-Value for your climate zone, which will result in an inadequate insulation job, along with wasted time and money.
  • If you insulate “most of the surface” instead of 100%, you’ll leave tiny gaps that will allow cold air to get through and heat to escape. Again, you haven’t succeeded with your DIY job. If the insulation isn’t installed perfectly, it will  shift away in time and gaps will appear out of nowhere.

If you’re not very good at this, I would highly suggest that you bite the bullet and hire a professional. It’s imperative to get the job done right the first time. There are lots and lots of mistakes that may occur and things that can go wrong.

That’s not a reflection of your character or abilities, it’s just that you lack expertise in this area. That’s why there are professionals; it’s not an easy job if you’re not cut out for it and this isn’t one of those times where you want to learn as you go.

Therefore f, after watching the videos and doing your own research, you don’t feel that you take this project on, it would be best to leave this job to professionals. This isn’t a project that you should tackle just to cut corners; you’ll end up spending more money and wasting your time if you just have to call professionals in to fix your work afterwards.

If you have any other ideas or comments about installing insulation, feel free to express them in the dedicated section below.

Good luck, have fun.

12_620x110

This article has been written by Chris Black for Survivopedia.

1 total views, 1 views today

Rate this article!
[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]



from Survivopedia
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

EMP Reality Check: Can You Survive Without Technology?

By Shane S – Visit his site at www.outdoorsmantime.com

POWER LINESImagine a world where there is no technology. Not because you’ve traveled back in time to the 1800’s but because someone has attacked America’s electric grid. Cell phones and computers don’t work. But that’s the least of your problems.

  • Power is out everywhere. Hospitals are no longer functional.
  • Food is limited and will probably last only a few months – if you’re lucky.
  • Trash and waste build up and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Disease spreads like wildfire....

Read the whole entry... »



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

How to Do a Heel Palm Chin Move | Self-Defense



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Friday Miscellany News Brief

1.) The country was just sold down the river again by your very Republican Party : “White House Declares Total Victory Over GOP in Budget Battle.” That headline’s a misnomer. There was never a battle. None of this was opposed. The Republican Party didn’t stand up to any of it, and the die has been cast for a long time on this. I know many of you are dispirited, depressed, angry, combination of all of that. But, folks, there was no other way this could go. Because two years ago when the Republican Party declared they would never do anything that would shut down the government and they...

Read the whole entry... »



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Countycomm Sat-Com Bag - Personal Survival Kit - Preparedmind101

Countycomm Sat-Com Bag - Personal Survival Kit - Preparedmind101

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Thursday, December 17, 2015

World's Lightest Full Size Sleeping Pad: Klymit Inertia X Frame

World's Lightest Full Size Sleeping Pad: Klymit Inertia X Frame

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

SHTF Gear: Tool Roll (Urban Bug Out Option)

SHTF Gear: Tool Roll (Urban Bug Out Option)

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

New Survival Roll- Bug Out Bag | Canadian Prepper

New Survival Roll- Bug Out Bag | Canadian Prepper

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Urban Survival Tool Roll 2.0 | Canadian Prepper

Urban Survival Tool Roll 2.0 | Canadian Prepper

via YouTube Video Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Bugging out with Someone Who Has Dementia

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

5/5 (2) Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Saffron. We routinely discuss the prospects of leaving our home and trudging off into the wilderness in search of safety from whatever environmental factors make staying hazardous to our health. There are arguments for and against bugging out but we […]

The post Bugging out with Someone Who Has Dementia appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Urban Survival: There Are New Dangers In Town

big urban dangersIf there is anything that 2015 should be known for, it’s the increased danger that has risen up in this year. What started out as a fairly normal year has been marked by a number of events, all of them violent and all of them demonstrating that things aren’t going to continue the way we’re used to.

If anything, as nothing has been done to counter any of the violence in 2015. Some of which traces its roots to earlier in Obama’s reign.

Much of the violence of this year can be laid at the doorstep of the White House, with the policies and rhetoric of Barack Obama being their direct cause. Yet, as usual, Obama refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions or even acknowledge the true causes of the violence. Instead, he blames everything on the “radical right, the GOP and the NRA; claiming that all the violence is their fault.

The one shining light in all this is that Obama is continuing to be the firearm industry’s number one salesman, regularly spurring sales by his rhetoric and threats. The greater number of firearms in the hands of American citizens and the greater number of Americans who own those firearms is a protection to themselves, their families and society in general.

Of course, Obama, ever the liberal idealist, is still trying to do everything within his power to keep those firearms out of the hands of American citizens. He spouts off the usual liberal talking points about how the easy availability of firearms spurs violence and how taking firearms off the street will cause the bad guys to give up theirs.

While that might sound good in a college classroom or in a purely theoretical discussion, the real world doesn’t work that way. The only protection for us is to be ready to protect ourselves.

Fortunately, more and more police chiefs and sheriffs are coming to this realization and publicly declaring their support for an armed citizenship and the rights for citizens to carry concealed. They recognize that they are unable to protect the public from violence, under the restrictions of current laws. So, they encourage citizens to become armed and trained to defend themselves.

There’s really no telling where this will go, but I think it’s fairly safe to say that the days we once knew, when children could play safely in the streets and women could push baby carriages in the park are fading away.

While an armed society may be one which is able to protect itself, criminals will only be deterred so long. Their very natures will eventually cause them to take the risks, even knowing that they might themselves be the ones who are shot. Carrying that to its logical conclusion, it would appear that criminals will become more violent, in order to stay in business. Taking guns away from honest citizen won’t do a thing to stop crime, but may actually cause a rise in violent crime.

So, what are the risks we face?

Radical Muslim Terrorism

There is no question that radical Muslim terrorism is on the rise on a worldwide basis. Nor is there any doubt that it is on the rise here in the United States as well. The recent attack in San Bernardino, California was an act of Islamic terrorism. Even the liberal left is having trouble buying Obama’s assurance that this had nothing to do with Islam.

ISIS is on the rise, regardless of what the Liar in Chief says. They have claimed to have soldiers here in the United States and are actively recruiting more. With their avowed goal of taking over the world to be part of their caliphate, there is no question that they will continue the attack.

If anything, the weakness of the current administration is encouraging ISIS and other Muslim terrorist groups to continue growing and attacking. While Vladimir Putin is following through on his threats, attacking ISIS strongholds and killing ISIS soldiers, Obama is pretending to attack them, while secretly supporting them and their kind.

This puts the United States in a very precarious position, as it is the power vacuum in the Middle East which gave rise to ISIS in the first place. If they sense weakness in the United States or even in our leadership, they will increase their attacks, in an attempt to take us over.

Racial Violence

The racial unrest in this country has increased at least 20 fold under Obama’s reign. His inflammatory rhetoric emboldens black “activists” to attack their cities, burning and looting under the name of “protest.” Demands from these black activist groups grow month by month, mostly based on fantasy, wishes and an attitude of entitlement.

When groups like Black Lives Matter and the New Black Panthers don’t get what they want, they respond in violence, as we’ve seen in a number of cities. While there are legitimate protesters amongst the black population, these groups always seem to get involved, along with their song leaders, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Their song calls for more violence, rather than the song of Martin Luther King Jr, which called for peace.

It appears as if certain factions, including Sharpton and Obama want a racial civil war in this country. If they truly do, then they are fools, considering the small percentage of the overall population that is black. Such a war would be disastrous for them, regardless of how violent they wanted to act. They are so far outnumbered, that they would lose.

Yet, it appears that these black organizations aren’t going away, nor are they going to be silenced. They are continuing their game, seeking to cause more unrest and threatening more violence.

Mass Shootings in “Gun Free Zones”

Events like the Sandy Hood shooting and others in gun free zones continue, because the root cause of those shootings are not being addressed. Each and every time, the shooting is blamed on guns, right-wing extremists and the NRA. But when it is investigated, they discover that the event was a left-wing liberal who was mentally unbalanced and looking for their moment of fame.

These shootings will continue until two things happen. The first has to be the elimination of their target areas. Gun free zones are ideal for their purposes; giving them a free-fire zone, where they don’t have to worry about anyone shooting back at them. But when the intended victims are allowed to shoot back, these shooters either turn tail and run, or more commonly take their own lives.

Arming and training our teachers would go a long way towards solving this problem. The other issue that has to be dealt with is a mental health one. Medical science needs to determine what makes these killers tick and develop the means to test for those characteristics early. Only then can they be stopped.

Increased Violence from Muslims Immigrants

We are seeing an increase in non-terrorist related violence in Europe, caused by the Syrian “refugees.” I call this non-terrorist related because it is done by men who are not identified as terrorists or acting as terrorists. Rather, these are men who are gang-raping European women, as if it is their right.

From what I understand, these men have been taught that this is their right and so they are only carrying out what their religious leadership has taught them to do. As long as they are going to continue teaching in this manner, these men will continue to rape, like the uncivilized barbarians they are.

Where does this supposed right come from? It is because the women they are raping are infidels. In their eyes, they are beneath contempt and worthy of nothing more than their scorn. Coming from countries where they can’t even see a woman, because the women are covered in burkas, they consider western women to all be whores and treat them as such.

These are the same people that Obama is importing into this country as “refugees.” While I have yet to hear of the gang rapes and other acts of violence from these thugs, I am sure they will be happening. The first of the Syrian gang have just arrived, so it probably won’t take long before they begin.

Increased Violence from Latin-American Gangs

The Latin American “children” that Obama was importing into the country are another source of violence. His refusal to stem the tide of illegal immigration has opened the door to countless gang members and criminals coming into the United States from Mexico and Central America.

Some of these are confirmed criminals, both in the United States and in Mexico. Even after several convictions, they are still on the streets, raping, killing and stealing. Yet, because they are illegal immigrants, apparently our law enforcement community isn’t allowed to deal with them. They all seem to have a “get out of jail free card.”

It’s a Mess

The only thing I can say is that the whole thing is a mess. If Obama’s idea of fundementally changing America is to make it a place where it is no longer safe to live, he’s on the right track. The dangers we see on the streets today are nothing compared to the dangers we will see tomorrow. I can see no reason to think that we will see an increase in violent crime while these things are continuing. If anything, we will see an increase.

Our cities are turning into urban jungles. They remind me of something I once  read in a Robert Heinlein novel, where ordinary people couldn’t go out on the streets without armored cars, body armor and bodyguards. Sadly, this is where our country seems to be going.

It’s not just the big cities, either. Both the terrorist attack in San Bernardino and the one in Garland, Texas were in cities of slightly over 200,000 people. That’s mid-town America, not the big cities. So, we can no longer look at this as only a big city problem.

It’s now an American problem, and before it is over, there’s a good chance that it will touch each and every one of us in some way.

banner_620x100

This article has been written by Bill White for Survivopedia.

4 total views, 4 views today

Rate this article!
[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]



from Survivopedia
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

How to Make a Prepper

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Benjamin Burns. The first round of the contest ends tomorrow at midnight so get your entry in now for a chance to win! Do you wish a certain friend would start prepping? Are you the only prepper, that you know of, in your area? […]

The post How to Make a Prepper appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

How To Use Feathers For Your Homestead

Multipurpose feathersDuring certain times of the year, your barnyard is likely FULL of feathers. It seems a shame to waste them, but what on Earth could you possibly do with all of them? Well, just like with anything else in life, you just need to get a little creative! Today we’re going to give you some thoughts for how to use feathers for your homestead.

Fletch Your Arrows

feathers arrowsA bow and arrow is a weapon that you should become adept with, if for no other reason than that it’s a fairly easy weapon to craft from items you’ll have available if SHTF. We’ve written articles about this from how to make them to what wood is best to use for them, but what about the arrows? Feathers are perfect for making the fletch for arrows.

Fletch is what makes your arrow fly true by balancing the shaft. Turkey feather work wonderfully but you could use other feathers as well. Just match up the right and left wing or tail feathers.

Fishing lures

There are as many ways to tie a fly as there are people who tie them. Chicken feathers, duck feathers, turkey feathers and even goose feathers are great for making fishing lures. I don’t claim to be a professional in this area, but I watched my grandfather tie them all the time. He always used smaller ones, and seemed prone to using small ones that were shiny and colorful.

Tinder

Dried feathers are great to use to start a fire. Just like hair, when they dry, they’re extremely flammable. If you want to throw a bag of feathers into your survival bag, they’re lightweight, won’t take up hardly any space, and they’ll help you get a fire going in a hurry when you need one.

Pillows

You’ve surely had a feather pillow, and it was comfortable, fluffy and lasted for much longer than a pillow made from that fuzzy quilt batting stuff. Usually, goose feathers are what are used to make pillows but there’s no reason that you can’t use the little feathers from any bird, including ducks and chickens.

To wash the feathers to get them ready to stuff into a pillow, just tie them up in a pillow case and run them through the wash. I dry mine, my grandmother doesn’t. She swears they last longer if you don’t dry them and I swear they get fluffier when I dry them. It seems to be a matter of opinion!

You may have to collect for quite a while before you have enough of those little down feathers to make a pillow, but it’ll be well worth it. Have you priced a feather pillow in a store lately? Besides that, stores may not be available if SHTF.

Comforters

Down comforters are tremendously expensive but boy are they warm and comfy! If you have a significant number of barnyard birds or ask your neighbors to collect feathers for you, you can save up enough to make a comforter.

One thing about this, though. Every good down comforter that I’ve ever owned had pockets sewn into them, kind of like a quilt, so that the feathers were contained to small areas throughout the comforter instead of falling to the bottom.

Hair clips

I’ve seen some incredibly intricate hair clips decorated with feathers. You can buy the clips for practically nothing, then either glue or tie the feathers to the clip.

Since this is an art project, you can make it as simple or as elaborate as you want and you can use any combination of colors that you have in your barnyard. Not only will you save the feathers from waste, you’ll also have some beautiful clips to wear, to give away as gifts, or to trade for other goods.

Picture frames

This sounds weird, but I’ve actually seen some beautiful picture frames made from duck feathers. They were the blue-green ones, but I would imagine that chicken feathers, goose feathers or turkey feathers would work, too. Different color and texture combinations could be really beautiful.

Writing Quills

OK, this may be stretching it a bit but feathers were used as writing quills for eons until the modern pen was invented. Typically, long feathers such as turkey feathers work best. Just dip them in your ink and use it like a pen.

Compost them

Feathers are organic matter. As long as your birds are clean and don’t have lice or other parasites, they’ll be perfectly fine in your compost pile. For that matter, this goes for hair, too.

Christmas Ornaments

Holiday Ornaments

Tree angels, Easter eggs, Thanksgiving decorations and even Halloween costumes are all better with a few feathers! Use them to add wings to your angel ornaments or decorations, or to paint your Easter eggs. Of course, at Halloween, a feather boa or headband dresses a costume up nicely and Thanksgiving is ALL about turkeys!

Stencils

I saw this idea on a book bag and thought that it would transfer well to T-shirts or even walls. The lady told me that she had poured some paint into a shallow bowl, then dipped her duck feather into the paint, smeared off the extra on the edge of the bowl, and then pressed the feather to the canvas of the bag.

I tried it and it worked fairly well but I went through several feathers. It gives a pretty cool look though!

Make Bows with Them

Feathers are beautiful; they’re fluffy and exotic-looking and are a great way to dress up a gift in lieu of a big bow. Or, for that matter, use it along with a bow to make the gift look super fancy!

Feathers come in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors, which makes them amazing for craft projects. Since they’re flammable, you can use them for tinder, and your arrows will fly straighter when you use feathers to make the fletches. When I searched for crafts using feathers, literally hundreds of ideas popped up, some better than others.

The important thing is that we, as homesteaders and preppers, hate to waste anything. Feathers certainly apply and with so many cool ways to use them, you won’t run out of projects!

If you can think of any other ways to use feathers for your homestead or for survival, please share them with us in the comments section below.

newEMP_2

This article has been written by Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia.

5 total views, 5 views today

Rate this article!
[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]



from Survivopedia
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Obama’s Attacks On Our Second Amendment Rights

Obama gun controlIn the wake of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Obama is once again on the warpath against our right to bear arms. Since he can’t get Congress or the people to do what he wants, he has decided to go it alone, resorting to executive action to get what he wants.

Along with his right-hand woman (who happens to be Iranian by birth), he’s drafting new orders to tighten the noose a little bit more on gun owners.

Rumor has it that this semi-secret action is focused on closing the supposed gun show loophole in the laws which require background checks for gun purchases.

This fictitious hole has been talked about by gun control advocates for quite a while. But anyone who has ever tried to buy a firearm at a gun show knows better. The sellers at gun shows are professional firearm dealers. As such, they are required by law to call the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) for a background check and they do.

So, what is this upcoming executive order actually going to do? It’s going to make it impossible for individuals to sell firearms privately, without a background check. That’s right, private gun transfers are going to require calling the NCIC, before any firearms can be sold or even given as a gift. That probably means that this background check will even be required for guns which are passed on as part of one’s inheritance.

So, what real difference is this going to make? None. The only way that the government can police background checks is to create a national database of gun ownership; in other words, establish gun registration. Of course, this action could be nothing more than a step towards making that happen.

Federal Firearm Registration

Currently, it’s illegal for the federal government to keep any records on firearm ownership, with the exception of Class III firearms, suppressors, short-barreled rifles and a few other rare categories of collectors firearms. But that doesn’t mean that the government is faithfully obeying that law, does it? They could be obeying the law just as well as felons obey the law about not buying firearms.

I have seen some evidence that makes me think that the government is actually tracking firearm purchases. It is not conclusive, but it is enough to make me suspicious. Allow me to explain.

All firearm transactions, other than private sales, must be carried out by a licensed firearm dealer. This includes shipping firearms across state lines, even if you are shipping it to yourself in another state. These dealers are all licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

The dealer uses a federal form to verify the buyer’s right to buy a firearm and to record their call to NCIC, verifying that the individual doesn’t have any history of crime or isn’t under an indictment. That form is kept in the dealer’s files, logged in a register and assigned a local tracking number, merely for reference. If the police want to find out who a firearm was sold to, they contact the dealer, asking for a copy of the applicable record.

So far, so good; no federal register. In order to ensure that the dealers are doing their paperwork and keeping their records, they are audited yearly by agents of ATF. That seems like a reasonable precaution. But nobody, including the dealer, is allowed to witness one of these audits. They are done behind closed doors, meaning that the ATF agents could do anything.

A friend of mine, who happens to be a firearm dealer, was sent a memo and spreadsheet from ATF some time back, asking for information about all their AR-15 sales over a specific period of time. The spreadsheet included the name and address of the various customers and the dealer was to put in their local tracking number for that record. There’s just one thing… the spreadsheet already had that number, in another column.

This raises some serious questions; specifically, how did ATF know who had bought AR-15 rifles from this dealer and how did they know the tracking numbers for those records? The only way they could have known was to have copied the store’s records during an audit. Nobody else had access to that information.

So, is there a federal gun register? Legally, I’d have to say no. But it appears that there is one that is being kept by ATF, it’s just being kept secret. That means that if the government wanted to confiscate guns, they’d at least have a starting place to look.

Obama gun control

Then There’s Australia

Lately, liberal politicians have been holding up Australia as an example for the United States to emulate. In 1996, Australia passed sweeping firearms legislation, outlawing all semi-automatic and automatic firearms. People who owned these firearms were to turn them in through a massive nationwide firearms buyback program. About 60,000 weapons were confiscated and their owners paid the fair market value.

All this was in reaction to a mass shooting; you know, the type that Obama says doesn’t happen in other countries. This particular incident claimed the lives of 35 innocent people shocking the nation and setting up the opportunity to pass that law.

One would expect that such a law, being held up for emulation, would have had sweeping effects on murders and violent crime in Australia. After all, why hold it up as an example, if one can’t point to results? The problem is, to get the results, liberals have to be very careful about what figures they point to. Otherwise, it’s not so good.

Liberals state that Australia’s gun-related homicide rate and suicide rate have plummeted 30% since the enactment of that law. You know something, they’re right.

But what they don’t tell us is that the total homicide rate in the United States dropped by a similar amount, in the same period of time. Not only that, but the U.S. rate is total homicides and the Australian is just gun-related. If you add in homicide by other means, the Australian rate has dropped less than the U.S. one… oops.

The other thing one would expect is that the number of mass killings would have dropped. While it is true, the number of mass shootings has dropped to a total of five in the 19 years since the enactment of that law, the total number of mass killings has been 12.

It seems that the criminals just found other ways of killing, most specifically, arson. Oh, and, the total number of mass killings in Australia in the 19 years before enacting that law were… you guessed it, 12. Doesn’t look like it changed a thing.

Murder is murder and it will happen with or without guns. Liberals act as if outlawing guns will eliminate the guns themselves. If that’s the case, then why has France managed to confiscate 3,000 fully-automatic AR-15 rifles from three mosques in one week? Those are totally illegal in France, yet the Muslim community in France had enough to outfit a couple of battalions of infantry.

On the same day that the Sandy Hook massacre happened, a Chinese man entered into China’s equivalent of an elementary school and killed 32 children with a knife. He outdid Adam Lanza by a long shot, and did so with an inferior weapon.

The fact of the matter is that violence is part of the human condition. As much as any of us would like it to go away, it’s not going to. Eliminating violence would require changing human nature, eliminating our free will, curtailing emotions (especially anger) and controlling the thoughts of people. Perhaps that’s what Obama and his liberal cronies are really after.

The fact that 130 people were killed recently in France shows how fruitless gun control laws really are. The only way anyone can own a firearm in France is to apply for a permit to own each and every hunting rifle they want, individually. Along with the application, the individual must pass a psychological evaluation, which then must be repeated every year. Failure of the evaluation eliminates your right to own any firearms you own.

Yet, the criminals managed to get their hands on firearms, as criminals always do. Unless every firearm on the face of the earth were destroyed or the laws of physics changed, criminals will always get guns. It’s up to us, the honest law-abiding people of our country, to protect ourselves from them.

The New York Times recently published an article  about how killers obtained weapons illegally in countries that have strict gun laws. This appeared in a Page 1 editorial, something that the New York Times hasn’t done in 100 years. Little did they realize it, but they essentially said, “the gun control debate is over, and the gun owners won.”

The things they talk about as challenges are the reasons that the liberals will never get their way. Gun control doesn’t stop crime. There are constitutional challenges to regulating guns and determined killers still find weapons. Those reasons make it impossible to enact the kinds of gun control laws that liberals want.

Perhaps they will eventually realize this; but I doubt it. Liberals live in an ideal world, like college professors sitting around a table, debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. While they don’t believe in angels, they do believe in the debate. So, they’ll continue to argue, sure that they are right, simply because of who they are.

1_620x110

This article has been written by Bill White for Survivopedia.

References:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/opinion/end-the-gun-epidemic-in-america.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Jarrett

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Australia

1 total views, 1 views today

Rate this article!
[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]



from Survivopedia
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

The Patrol / Guard Duty Kit

Guard Duty KitThis kit is a light weight kit that will allow you to be extremely mobile, yet well-armed when patrolling your property line, or while stationed at an LP/OP (listening post / observation post). This is also the kit that you would “grab and go with” when you know that a threat is approaching… Take this kit and your weapons and move into position at your predetermined defensive position.

This kit will include water, binoculars, flashlight, night-vision if you can afford it (I can’t) Quikclot, high energy food, cable ties or zip ties in case you have to secure a prisoner, folding...

Read the whole entry... »



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

National Geographic Documentary 2015 UK Preppers Surviving Armageddon



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Conflicted Tuesday

Conflicted game

We have worked out an exclusive deal with the publishers of the survival card game “Conflicted” where we will be posting one question per week from the deck for open discussion here on TheSurvivalistBlog.net. You can buy your own Conflicted Deck here and play it with your friends and family… Okay here we go…

What is your greatest fear when it comes to the collapse of civilization?

Looking forward to the discussion in the comments below.



from TheSurvivalistBlog.net RSS Feed
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. Are you ready for any situation?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Prepare Your Weapon: Easy Steps to Zeroing Your Rifle Scope

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from AH.   When you own a long-range shotgun, it’s all about taking those perfect, accurate shots. But it’s not always easy, not even if you’re a seasoned shooter, but especially if you’re a novice. So mounting a scope on your rifle seems […]

The post Prepare Your Weapon: Easy Steps to Zeroing Your Rifle Scope appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

Monday, December 14, 2015

P3Solar Dynamo Plus Review – Backup Power

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

I am always refining my prepping plans and the associated tools and gear I think will help improve my situation if the worst should happen. Some people go through life believing that nothing bad will ever happen but that isn’t the audience of this site. You are here because you want to proactively take steps […]

The post P3Solar Dynamo Plus Review – Backup Power appeared first on The Prepper Journal.



from The Prepper Journal
Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies?
#SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag