Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Mike Turner. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. Forward This article will look at a range of modern tools for […]
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Wow! It’s hard to believe how fast that the past week has gone by. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, but since I’ve not been having any fun I can’t explain it…
Before we get started with this weeks “what did you do to prep this week” blog segment, I’d like to thank and give a shout-out to Bill D, Sherry Smith, Rhonda S, Lars M, George E, and Victoria S for their generous contributions this week.
If you like this site and find it useful and want to be one of the few who give something back then you can do that here. Or use ...
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There’s no season I look forward to more than spring! After a winter that can’t leave sooner, with layers of clothing and juggling the heating bill, I can’t wait for the warm rays of spring sun. And to get back working in my lovely garden.
This year I want to get more organized when it comes to my crops, so I am already planning and prepping and I bet you feel giddy about it too. So let’s take a look at some articles that will quench our gardening craving.
1. 27 Tips From A Master Gardener
“A few years ago, I attended a class taught by Marta Waddell, a Master Gardener in Arizona. I’ve referred to my class notes over and over again, and decided they were good enough to pass along to you!
February isn’t too early to think about gardening! It’s the perfect time to start planning, especially since some plants need to be started inside weeks before the final frost.
Practice eating what’s in season locally. This will get your family used to eating seasonal produce, and, therefore, what you can grow in your own garden.
Learn what herbs might help your family’s health issues.”
2. The Keys To Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors – Spring is Near!
“For us, starting vegetable seeds indoors is a long-awaited signal that Spring is right around the corner!
All of those long Winter months of cold and frosty mornings somehow become more bearable when those little seeds start to sprout through the soil. We spent this week getting our seed starting rack and soil mix ready – knowing it won’t be long until those harvest baskets are filled with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more!”
3. How to Save Seeds from 10 Vegetables in Your Garden
“John from Growing Your Greens shares with you how easy it is to save the seeds from 10 common (and uncommon) vegetables that you grow in your garden. John will share many seed harvesting tips with you he has learned over the years.
In this episode, John will share with you how you can save seeds from Dandelion, Basil, Onions, Parsley, Achira (Canna edulis), Ashitaba, Water Pepper, Hot or Sweet Pepper, Okra, Surinam Spinach and Malabar Spinach.”
“Wondering how to get started herb gardening and what herbs to grow? Unsure about soil preferences of herbs or their growth habits?
Interested in growing your own herbs for herbal healing?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, there are a couple of books I’d like to recommend to you – The Practical Herb Garden and The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal. (There may be others that are just as good, but I have these, and I like them, and they are CHEAP because they are no longer brand spanking new. If you have a favorite you’d like to recommend, please leave a comment below.)”
“When most people finish drinking from a water bottle, they simply toss it in the recycling or trash. After all, what can you really do with an empty plastic bottle? Well, it can actually serve multiple, extremely important purposes- especially in a survival scenario where supplies will be difficult to come by. The 2-liter variety is especially useful because of its larger size.
By the way, if you’re looking for more survival items with numerous alternative uses, I suggest you take a look at the articles about duct tape, paracord and bandanna uses.”
This article has been written by Brenda E. Walsh for Survivopedia.
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Black Scout Tutorials - Building a Grid Down Medical Kit Part 2
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Have an escape plan. This simple concept is one of the most elementary principles of survival. In the most basic sense, an escape plan can be as simple as identifying exits to help children escape the smoky chaos of a fire. More complicated escapes have involved escaping organized crime syndicates, prison systems and even countries.
A restraint escape kit doesn’t have to be a “break glass in case of emergency” kit that is only useful in the event that taken prisoner. It can help you to get your bearings in unfamiliar terrain or help you solve everyday problems such as misplaced keys, forgotten combinations or even provide you with a little backup cash when you need it.
It can give you a means to cut seat belts and knock out side of rear auto glass in the event of an auto accident. You might enjoy the training too. The “snick-click-click” of a defeated handcuff giving way to your assault with a tiny bit of metal can be surprisingly satisfying, even addicting. So can picking locks…especially in today’s world where so many people work with keyboards instead of their hands.
Some argue that they have not needed to escape in the past or that the probability of an individual being illegally restrained is low, and it is true that some of us are at greater risk than others due to our employment, where we live, relative wealth or pattern of life. But that risk increases when things go sideways.
Do not be Nassim Taleb’s turkey who concludes that the butcher has always fed him and never harmed him for the past 999 days, prompting him to project with “ever-increasing statistical confidence” that the butcher will not harm him in the future. What the turkey fails to see is that the butcher is fattening him up for Thanksgiving and is about to slaughter him.
Our world is turning more complicated, fragile and volatile. As it does, the frequency of robbery, home invasion, kidnapping for ransom, rape, murder, sex slavery and a host of other crimes that routinely involve illegal restraint are on the rise. At any moment, you may find yourself in circumstances where the capability to escape may save lives. At such time, any “increased statistical confidence” that accumulated each day you were not illegally restrained will go out the window.
What the Structure of the Kit Is
I developed this kit to give my clients an adaptable, modular kit that doesn’t come in a box that will get found in a pat down or with cheap plastic keys that break when you need them. Even worse are kits that come in a wallet or in a credit card form factor, meant to be stored in a wallet, because your wallet will be among the first things taken from you.
Survival Sensei Restraint Escape Kit (SS REK)
The basic modules of the kit are as follows:
Mini Report Binder Clips (3) – Use in place of money clips. Pinch off handles from one of the clips and place one in a front pocket and one in a rear pocket.
Restraint Escape Module (2) – Two small vinyl tool pouches containing tools to defeat common restraints. One goes where it can be accessed if you are restrained with your hands in front and the other behind you.
Friction Saw Necklace – Technora friction saw can be worn as a necklace, worn around the waist or in clothing. Kevlar friction saw material is cheap enough to sew in into the waist band of each pair of shorts and trousers you own if desired but Technora or sheathed Kevlar is better for a necklace. The necklace looks like a craft project, but can knock out a car window, free you from many high security handcuffs or saw through most disposable restraints, zip ties, duct tape or rope.
E&E/Entry Module – Vinyl tool pouch about the same length of a credit card and half the width. Can be worn inside some belts, pinned or suspended inside clothing. The contents can also fit inside a Go Tube of sufficient length.
Survival Sensei Restraint Escape Kit (SS REK)
This survival restraint escape kit contents:
Mini Report Binder Clip(3) – Use as money clips to spread cash across your person while keeping it compact, organized and separate from ID. The wire handles are the perfect size, shape and strength to sweep most standard handcuffs even when double locked with the right size clip and sufficient practice. I carry these where carrying handcuff keys is illegal or raises suspicion. Worst case, somebody will think you are too cheap to buy nice money clips.
Survival Sensei Restraint Escape Module (2) – One of the bobby pins acts as a folding handle or extension to the shims making what is effectively a tiny escape multi-tool. One carried so it can be accessed if restrained with your hands at your front, the other in back. Alternately, a single kit can be rigged for deep carry using friction saw cordage to retrieve the kit from front or back.
Advanced Handcuff Key 3
Easily concealable.
Opens both standard handcuffs and many models of high security handcuffs even when double locked.
Can be used with “reach around tools” to reach keyways because this can be difficult when properly cuffed with rigid or hinged handcuffs with hands behind your back and even more so when cuffed with your palms facing out.
Steel construction is less prone to failure than plastic keys when turned with too much force due to severe stress, under less than ideal real world conditions when your fingers are cold, wet, muddy, bloody or injured. Plastic keys tend to work fine the first couple of times opening quality, well-maintained handcuffs. I have had many plastic keys fail while attempting to turn the key in the keyway at difficult angles and when attempting to open poorly maintained or cheaply constructed handcuffs.
Bobby Pin(2)
Fashion “reach around tools” for handcuff key to reach handcuff key ways when properly cuffed with rigid or hinged handcuffs.
Fashion expedient lock picks and turning tools.
Manipulate double lock pins and switches on handcuffs.
Sweep single locked handcuffs.
Bypass some padlocks by releasing the locking dog by way of the keyway.
Thread friction saw past tight bonds of duct tape, zip ties Flex Cuffs or rope.
Clip the kit or tools to underclothing or in hair in order to layer gear across body to reduce chance of detection.
Key-type Handcuff Shim, Thin
Shim open handcuffs with thin ratchet arm (typically inexpensive versions criminals are prone to use) when single locked that wider shims on the market cannot open.
Shim open some Zip Cuffs and zip ties.
Stainless Steel Split Pawl Handcuff Shim
Shim open some shim-resistant single locked handcuffs.
Use in combination with Technora friction saw to open some Darby-style handcuffs (largely considered antiques or obsolete in the US, but still in use in many countries) and do not open with a standard modern handcuff key.
Zirconia Ceramic Razor Blade
Cutting edge for defeating duct tape, zip ties, disposable restraints or rope.
Make fine cuts to in clothing or objects in order to hide E&E gear.
Lanyard Hole to aid retention and control.
Extreme hardness and a sharp 90 degree spine make for a good ferro rod striker.
OD Kevlar Thread, 60 Lbs. Test Lanyard
Prevents dropping of tiny tools with fingers that are cold, wet, muddy, bloody, injured or all of the above.
Enables kit to be suspended from a suspender button, button fly, belt loop, belt or tag.
Vinyl Micro Tool Holder, Modified – Keeps the module of tools together and convenient to carry making the kit more likely to be carried.
Fold in half to fit in elastic handcuff key tunnels and pockets that come on some tactically-oriented belts, shirts and footwear or can be sewn into clothing or footwear.
Carry laid open to reduce thickness and prevent printing through clothing or discovery in a pat down.
Spacing of holes enables kit to be pinned inside clothing with a small subdued safety pin which is also multi-use.
Can be suspended from a loop of thread to attach to belt loops, belts, suspender buttons or tags.
Form factor small enough to hide under flag patches, in a Covert Patch Pouch when laid open and fits in .75″ diameter Go Tubes or similarly sized aluminum or titanium pill or stash tubes when folded in half.
.75″ Vinyl Electrical Tape, Black or Coyote Tan
Pinch onto ceramic razor to create more surface to grip the tool in order to cut bonds.
Manufacture tool handles.
Hide tools by taping them to body, under shoe, inside belt or to objects in order to cache them for later retrieval.
Tape a mini light stick to a bobby pin to improvise a work light than clips to clothing or objects to illuminate a work area or to read.
Rust Preventative – When you wear ferrous tools against your body and are active, you sweat on them and they rust.
Escape Necklace, Survival Sensei Mod
It can be worn standalone or with other modules and can be worn as a necklace, stuffed into a stash tube or Go Tube without the LED, suspended inside clothing or inside some belts. There are many designs and modifications of existing designs of escape necklaces.
This one is a design form Oscar Delta that I have modified not look like a bunch of escape tools attached to a necklace or anything worth taking. I have racked up dozens of flights with it in half a dozen countries with mine. A couple of times, I even handed it to security officers to hold and it never received so much as a second glance because it does not look like anything out of the ordinary.
Technora Friction Saw
Para cord works for some of the same tasks but is more paramilitary looking.
Friction saw can be used with a shim to open some Darby-style cuffs.
Advanced Handcuff Key 3 – Concealed handcuff key. Same features as Advanced Handcuff Key 3 above.
Sharp 90 degree shoulder make it a great striker for ferro rods.
Brass liner is non-ferrous the tool will not rust.
Extreme hardness makes it capable of shattering tempered but not laminated glass used in most side and rear car windows when swung by a cord.
It looks like an ordinary craft bead.
No sharp edges, so no problems with TSA.
LED – in the 4-8 lumen range. Positive On/Off makes sure it will work when you need it.
Survival Sensei E&E/Entry Module
It contains minimalist last ditch gear for once you have defeated your restraints to facilitate the rest of your E&E, self-recovery or rescue, even if that means a naked sprint to the nearest consulate.
70mm Diamond Wire Saw
Sometimes I use diamond jeweler’s files which I shorten and flatten.
Will grind through a surprising number of materials given enough time.
Useful in constructing other tools.
EZ Decoder Lock Tool
Open many combination padlocks.
Bypass some keyed padlocks by releasing the locking dog(s) though they are thin for this purpose and often break.
Quick Stick Lock Bypass Tool
A lock knife tool in a compact format that allows of discreet carry.
Quickly bypass many of the most common keyed padlocks.
Bypass many wafer locks (used on some truck shells, tool boxes, file cabinets and storage cabinets).
Bogota Mini Ti Flats Lock Picks
Flat, making them easy to conceal.
Titanium construction.
Fit into a Micro Go Tube (just barely), function as both pick and turning tool.
General Direction SERE Ring Compass
Flat compass the thickness of a couple sheets of paper is difficult to detect.
Float in water inside a bottle cap or in hand to use.
$100 Bank Note – Self-recovery means your goal is to hitchhike or call a cab instead of dialing 911. Self-recovery is easier with money than with social engineering.
Glue Dot (4) – Very thin adhesive dots make it possible to hide tools underneath surfaces or to the sides of objects.
.75″ Vinyl Electrical Tape, Black or Coyote Tan
Pinch onto ceramic razor to create more surface to grip the tool in order to cut bonds or manufacture tool handles.
Hide tools to by taping them to body, under shoe, inside belt or to objects in order to cache them for later retrieval.
Tape a mini light stick to a bobby pin for a work light you can clip to illuminate what you are working on.
The contents of the E&E/Entry module fit inside a Go Tube or stash tube for deep carry. The kit is easily adapted by adding or subtracting tools or modules. Subsequent article(s) will demonstrate the usage of each some of the tools, demonstrate carry options and addition options.
This article has been written by Cache Valley Prepper for Survivopedia.
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The world we live in today is unstable. We face the possibility of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, viral outbreaks, power outages, water shortages, the list goes on and on. Hurricane Katrina showed proved that the government cannot protect everyone in the aftermath of a large-scale disaster. This was a wake-up call for many that in order to survive you must take your fate into your own hands. Regardless of personal feelings about what may be coming or ending, it is growing more and more important to maintain a...
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If you’ve bought and used a great, or not so great prepping related product (tools, books, videos, guns, knives etc.) and would like to share your findings and thoughts on that product with readers of TheSurvivalistBlog.net then please do that today.
You can submit product reviews and how-to-do-it articles to me via my email – and you could win prizes too.
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1.) Fresh fears over Cascadia fault: California is warned ‘the Big One’ could hit at any time causing more damage than San Andreas. Seismologists say a full rupture of a 650-mile-long offshore fault and an ensuing tsunami could come in our lifetime.
2.) On the Run from Everyone: The United States of America is the laughing stock of the world right now. We’ve gone from the US military that nearly blew Iraq off the face of the earth in Gulf War One, to a US military of crying sailors and naval officers who surrender without firing a shot.
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4.33/5 (33) Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Rictor. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. There are numerous survival and prepper websites that sell gear […]
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February 9, 2016
In the last few months we've seen increased awareness regarding the Zika virus. There seems to be a lot of confusion and a lot of questions about it. Below is a compilation of some of the most common questions about the virus and their respective answers. Please be advised that you should do your own research and consult with your doctor if you believe to be infected the Zika virus.
Image via kansascity.com
What is Zika virus?
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been recorded in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In May 2015, Zika virus infections began occurring in many countries in the Americas. It is spread to people through mosquito bites.
What is the incubation period for Zika virus infection?
The incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) is uncertain, but likely only a few days.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus?
The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days. It is uncommon to have severe Zika virus infection that requires hospitalization, and rare to result in death. About one in five people infected with Zika virus develop symptoms.
There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers infected with Zika virus while pregnant.
Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been recent reports of the spread of the virus through blood transfusion and through sexual contact.
What do we know about Zika virus and sexual transmission?
There are three reported cases of male to female sexually transmitted Zika virus infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends men returning from an area with active Zika virus transmission abstain from sexual activity or use condoms, if the partner is pregnant, for the duration of the pregnancy.
For women who can become pregnant, the CDC recommends that men should consider abstaining from sexual activity or use condoms during sexual activity. The length of time for use of these protective measures is unknown. Therefore, consult with your personal health care provider about your potential risk of infection.
Where in the Americas has Zika virus transmission been reported?
American Samoa Barbados Bolivia Brazil Cape Verde Colombia Costa Rica Curacao Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador French Guiana Guadeloupe Guatemala
Guyana Haiti
Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Puerto Rico Saint Martin Suriname US Virgin Islands Venezuela
How is Zika virus infection diagnosed?
It is diagnosed through blood testing. Testing for Zika virus infection is not widely available, and is done within select testing laboratories such as public health department laboratories.
Is there a vaccine to prevent, or medical treatment for Zika virus?
There is no vaccine available to prevent, and no antiviral medical treatment for, Zika virus infections.
What do I do if I feel sick and think I may have Zika virus?
Talk to your personal health care provider or nurse if you develop a fever with a rash, joint pain, or red eyes. Tell your personal health care provider about your travel. Take medicine, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain. Do not take aspirin, products containing aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Get lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids. Prevent additional mosquito bites to avoid spreading the disease.
How do I protect myself against Zika virus?
The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
Use insect repellent.
If using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first, then the repellent.
Wear clothing (preferably light-colored) that cover as much of the body as possible.
Use physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows.
Sleep under mosquito nets.
Empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.
Are there travel restrictions in place?
The CDC advises that pregnant women in any trimester should postpone travel to American Samoa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Samoa, St. Martin, Suriname, Tonga, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela. The CDC advises that women trying to get pregnant should talk to their health providers in advance and strictly follow recommended steps to avoid mosquito bites.
What should I do if I’m pregnant and have traveled to a country where Zika virus has been reported?
If you have recently traveled to a country where Zika virus infection has been reported and have questions or concerns, contact your personal health care provider.
Where can I obtain more information on the Zika virus?
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Just like any other activity or practice, hunting requires a solid background based on thorough research in the field. No matter if you are interested in purchasing your first firearm or you want to know how you can take up hunting, you need to do your homework and build your knowledge base.
Before you even begin to consider purchasing a firearm for this purpose, it is fundamental to gather as much information as possible about hunting beforehand. It is highly recommended that you attend an education or safety course for hunting so you can learn the basics about how to stay safe and how to get started with this activity. In addition to this, future hunters are encouraged to learn from an experienced hunter; this is usually regarded as being an apprentice. After you learn the basics, you can proceed with purchasing your firearm for hunting.
If this is the very first firearm you will purchase, however, you need to be aware of several aspects related to the buying process. Selecting a reliable, best value firearm requires background information so you can make the right investment. Amateur hunters tend to make selecting and buying mistakes due to lack of knowledge and this can not only end up in poor shopping decisions, but also in potential safety issues. In this regard, this article aims to present the five most common mistakes when selecting a firearm for hunting.
1. Caliber
By far, one of the most frequent mistakes that beginners make when getting their first firearm is choosing the wrong caliber for hunting. Even though there is not an ideal caliber for hunting in general or for a specific animal, there is a range that you should take into consideration. This means that you need to know the difference between a .17 HMR and a 577 Nitro Exp, as well as when and how to use them. An infographic created by Hunter Ed supports the fact that you should choose the right caliber depending on the animals you will hunt:
Varmint hunting: .22 Mag, .22 Long or .17 HMR are all suitable for hunting small animals.
Deer Hunting: you can look into .22-250, .223 or .243 Win for hunting deer.
Big Game: for hunting bears or elk, choose .338, .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag.
2. Ammunition
Another significant aspect you need to remember when selecting a firearm for hunting is your choice of ammunition. First of all, not all ammunition works for all types of firearms, so you will need to ask what ammunition will be suitable for the gun you are going to buy. Choosing the proper type of ammunition has critical safety aspects involved; if you select the wrong kind you will not only be wasting money on ammunition you can’t use, but you will also be putting yourself and the ones around you in danger. Always double check with the company you plan on buying your firearm from to see if the ammunition you get on the side fits and works for your choice.
3. Scope
Most beginner hunters get excited when buying their first rifle and tend to forget about an essential component: the scope. You could spend a considerable amount on your rifle, not get the right scope and ruin your hunting experience from the beginning. Optics are just as important as the firearm you choose and also a basic part of the firearm selection process that many tend to overlook. The best way to avoid this mistake is to organize your budget with both the firearm and the scope in mind in advance.
4. Investment
Speaking of budget, this leads us to yet another common mistake when buying hunting firearms. Those who lack hunting experience might end up purchasing a firearm that is way over their budget. This results in not having enough money left for accessories (such as the scope we were speaking about earlier) or for carrying out the practice afterwards. You should always weigh your options and search through various sources before ordering or buying your hunting firearm from a store. If you decide to purchase your hunting firearm online, it is recommended that you search for a particular model through at least three sources to see where you can get the best deal.
5. Complexity
Last but not least, complexity tends to be a trending mistake among amateur hunters. This mistake can equally go two ways; a hunter can either purchase a firearm that is too complex for his or her level of training and knowledge at that moment, or they can get a gun that is too basic and won’t meet their needs. Be aware of your level as a hunter and choose the complexity of your firearm accordingly.
Image via www.chuckhawks.com
Image via http://davidshoebridge.org.au
About the Author
Larry Ellis is a firearm and hunting enthusiast based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in deer hunting and, during off season, contributes guidelines and opinion pieces to various hunting blogs, as well as professional firearm websites such as Riflescopecenter.
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When winter comes, keeping your heating system operational is more important than ever. Unfortunately, even if you have done most routine maintenance, you may not have prepared for temperatures reaching into the double digits below zero.
Given all of the erratic and wide scale changes in temperature across this planet, it is entirely possible that areas not usually accustomed to freezing temperatures will experience them before temperatures climb out of control.
Under these circumstances, you should take some extra care when winterizing your heating systems so that you can reduce the risk of them failing when you need them most.
1. Know How to Reset or Make the System Recycle
No matter where or why a fault occurs in the heating system, it may cause the entire unit to shut down even though you may have solved the problem. In some cases you may need to shut power to the unit or take some other steps to get the heating system’s computer to reboot and recognize that the problem has been solved.
Make sure that you know how to reset the system so that you do not waste all of your efforts on solving a problem only to have the system refuse to start up again.
2. Use Good Quality Surge Protectors on All Devices
Overall, there is no way for consumers to protect electric power lines from major freeze ups. If you have your own power generating system, you can try buying cables beneath the frost line, however that may not help with connections coming into a building. Regardless of where you get electricity from, you should make it a point to have all electrical equipment plugged into a good quality surge protector.
For computers and other sensitive devices, you should choose a surge system that also includes a UPS or “Uninterrupted Power Supply”. Essentially, these devices can smooth out brown outs and surges, and also use a battery to provide steady power to your devices. Perhaps even better, if you do wind up with a major power failure, the battery pack can give you anywhere from 2 – 4 additional hours of run time.
When choosing a UPS system, always pay attention to the warranty and coverage limits in case the unit fails. Over the years, many people have bought UPS systems that were only supposed to last 2 – 3 years, and then did not understand why their devices were ruined 5 years later, when an actual brown out or surge occurred. It is important to realize that UPS systems utilize rechargeable batteries. Since they are under constant wear, they must be replaced on a regular basis.
If devices on the UPS system are ruined during the warranty period, the additional insurance should cover replacing those devices. Just make sure that all devices hooked into the computer are also plugged into the UPS.
For example, a surge can come through a printer, and then transfer through the data cable and ruin a computer and any other device wired up to it. In these situations, the UPS system manufacturer will not reimburse you for damages because the surge did not come through their product.
3. Make Sure Air Inlets Remain Clear
Most heating systems require air circulation courtesy of vents that lead from the system to the outdoors. While these vents may not be easily visible to you, snow can melt on them and form ice.
Once the vent clogs up, the heating system will generate a fault and stop working. Make it a point to know where these vents are. If your system stops working and the temperatures are below freezing, check these vents out first to see if they are obstructed. In many cases, clearing this obstruction will clear the fault problem and make it possible to restart your heating system.
4. Use Insulated Stove Pipe and Keep Exhaust Vents Clear
Just about any heating system will release water vapor as part of the exhaust. Once this vapor hits cold air, it will turn to ice. This ice, in turn, will collect on the inside of a chimney or exhaust vent and eventually block all flow of exhaust out of the system. As with a clogged air inlet, this problem will also cause a fault that causes the system to shut down. If this happens, you will have to clear the exhaust pipe and then restart the system.
Because this is such a common problem, you can, and should look for ways to avoid it. There are insulated stove pipes that will not freeze up, as well as other items you can purchase to keep exhaust vents clear. Even though it may cost a bit to replace external stove pipe or refit a chimney, it will be well worth it in the long run.
5. Install Filters on the Fuel Line and Keep Them Clean
If you have ever worked on a car, then you also know that gasoline is not entirely free of debris and other particles that would cause damage to the valves and other delicate parts of the engine. Various particles found in fuel oil, and water vapor in propane gas can also foul up the system or cause it to stop working.
Surprisingly enough, more water vapor will be released during freezing temperatures, which means that there is a greater chance of fouling the system. As such, you are best served by installing fuel filters. At the very least, if the system does fail, you will have an easier time cleaning the filter than you will trying to clean the burner and other elements of the heating system.
It should also be noted that fuel filters are more prone to clog up when they are in a freezing cold environment. You can avoid this problem by putting the fuel in a sheltered area of the fuel line and still get all the benefits from it. Just remember that the fuel filter can still be a main culprit for system failure, and it will be one of the first things you will need to check.
6. Keep Your Fuel Storage Tank in a Sheltered Area
Even though fuel storage tanks are designed to last for decades, that does not mean the contents inside of them can withstand freezing temperatures. In fact, even diesel blends designed for ultra-cold temperatures will thicken in a tank that is exposed to freezing cold temperatures. Also, once propane liquefies, it cannot be used until returns to the gas phase.
All of these problems can be avoided by keeping your fuel tanks in some type of well-ventilated shed or other type of shelter. If the temperatures still get too cold, there are special, non-explosive heating bulbs that you can use to keep the fuel shed warm.
When you have a whole tank of fuel that cannot be used because of the cold weather, it can be very tempting to use blow torches, candles, or other flame based heating devices to thaw the fuel out. On the other hand, fuels also heat up very quickly, and flames can still cause the fuel to ignite very quickly. Always be on the safe side and use only devices and methods that are safe for the fuel under consideration. There are no safe shortcuts to bring fuel up to an appropriate temperature.
7. Make Sure Fuel Tanks are Full Before a Freeze Occurs
No matter how hard fuel manufacturers try, water is always going to get into the final product. In addition, as time goes by, water vapor and condensation will also build up in tanks and fuel lines. When temperatures drop below zero, even more water vapor will be released by the fuel.
Under these circumstances, the fuel going into the heating system will either have so much water it clogs the filter, or it will cause the system to misfire. In both cases, the system will shut down until the fouled parts are cleaned up and restored. While this may seem like a simplistic answer, one way to avoid condensation problems is to keep the fuel tank as full as possible before freezing temperatures occur. In this case, you can try topping off the day before, or even within hours of a major cold snap.
8. Keep a Smaller Container of Fuel Indoors for Emergency Needs
Depending on where you live, fuel delivery companies may not be willing to supply more fuel unless you order a minimum of 100 gallons.
In these situations, they are not likely to be willing to deliver anything less just so that you do not have system failure because of condensation building up in the fuel tank. So you might be best served by removing some fuel from the external storage tank and bringing it indoors. From there, you can feed the fuel system directly from the container.
Here are some tips for doing this as safely as possible:
Do not allow the fuel to be stored in areas where sparks can reach it.
Keep the fuel container fully covered so that pets and children cannot get into it.
Make sure the container is stored in a location where it will not tip over.
The fuel container should be kept in an area where it is warm enough for the fuel to flow properly, but not so warm that it can be ignited.
The area should be well ventilated so that hazardous fumes do not build up.
If you must cut into the fuel line, make sure that it is sealed properly. It is also important to use pipe, valves, and other items that are safe to use with the fuel in question. This includes making sure that metal used in the line will not be corroded by the fuel.
9. Use Larger Diameter Pipes or Tubing for Outdoor or Unprotected Pipes
Chances are, you already realize that liquids will flow faster and more easily through larger pipes than small ones. As such, you might find it of some use to install larger pipes from the fuel tank and through any areas that tend to be harder to insulate.
Even if the fuel is thicker and moves slower than usual, the larger pipes can help offset that problem. This is especially important to consider if you cannot afford large quantities of heating tape or other forms of insulation.
At the very least, you can use these items on fittings that cannot be changed for larger sizes, and then rely on the larger pipes to keep the fuel moving. Once the fuel reaches warmer locations, you can always scale the pipe size back down so that it matches the fittings on the heating system. Today, there are all kinds of adjustment couplers that you can use to achieve this goal.
No matter how cold temperatures get, insulating pipes, regulators, filters, and tanks remains one of the best things you can do. In most cases, even if temperatures reach 20 degrees or more below zero, the cold will not be able to reach the lines. As long as they were warm enough before the cold snap hit, they will remain warm enough for some time. When choosing insulation for fuel tanks and lines:
Make sure that the insulation is non-flammable.
Choose insulation that is specified as safe for the fuel type stored or being transported through the lines.
Try to choose insulation that is as flexible as possible so that it is easier to cover bends in the fuel line or other complex areas.
Make sure that you observe all ventilation instructions that come with the insulation. Failure to take these precautions can cause an explosion that will do far worse than the cold temperatures.
When temperatures reach the double digits below zero, snow can actually be warmer than the surrounding air. As such, it can also act as an insulator if you have nothing else available. In this case, if you have a propane tank, or even a tank of diesel that is too cold to use, the snow may help raise the temperature in the tank without posing a fire risk. If you decide to use snow as an insulator remember that:
Any warmth will cause the snow to melt, and then form ice as the temperatures drop again. As such, you may wind up with a fuel tank encased in ice if you leave the snow in place for too long.
As snow melts into water, and then refreezes back into ice, it will expand. If you have the snow tightly packed around a tank or fuel lines, it is possible for the external ice to damage or even crush the lines. Always monitor the snow carefully to make sure that it is not turning to ice and leading into an even bigger problem.
11. Use Heat Tapes and Bulbs Appropriate for the Fuel Being Used
If you have ever owned your own well in a cold climate, then you already know that electric heating tapes are indispensable during the winter months. Today, you can buy specially made electric tapes that are safe for propane and other fuel lines. As long as you have electricity, you should be able to run these tapes without any problems.
When you are optimally prepared for freezing temperatures, your fuel tank should already be in some kind of shelter. Depending on the fuel type, you may also need special heating bulbs that will keep the enclosure warm without causing an explosion. Even though these bulbs may be a bit more expensive, they are well worth it in the long run.
Overall, you will find that heat tapes can last for decades once installed. On the other hand, the last thing you will want is to have heat tapes fail during a cold snap and not have any spares on hand. You should have double the number of tapes needed on hand just in case you need them.
While it may be a bit time consuming to retape fuel lines, at least you won’t have to worry about trying to acquire new heat tapes during the crisis period. Needless to say, you should also store away plenty of heating bulbs so that you have them onhand. Just store these items in a dry, cool place so that they do not become corroded or damaged by moisture or other environmental factors.
It is important to realize that during a cold spell, you may also lose power. No matter whether ice forms on power lines, trees fall on them, or other problems occur, heat tapes and bulbs will not work without electricity.
Under these circumstances, it is very important to know how much power the heat tapes require. You should always keep at least some kind of rechargeable battery onhand and in a safe location so that you can generate electricity to run the heat tapes and bulbs.
12. Using Hair Dryers and Hot Water to Unfreeze Lines
As with water pipes, it may be a bit difficult to find out just how large a stopped up area of fuel line actually is. It can truly be frustrating to discover that you can’t use propane torches, candles, kerosene space heaters, or other flame based devices to warm the lines up.
Depending on the fuel type, you may also have to avoid using hair dryers. Typically, hot water will be the safest option you will have for warming up frozen fuel lines, regulators, and fuel filters. If you cannot get the fuel lines to thaw out, then you will more than likely need to do the following:
Burn wood, paper logs, or other materials in a store that is safe for this purpose. If your home does not have a backup heating system, then it may be a good idea to install one.
Use multi-fuel heaters. If you do some research, you may be able to find heaters that will take diesel as well as kerosene. Just be aware that different fuels produce different amounts of heat. You should store enough fuel away to last several weeks.
Close off rooms and use candle heaters to heat up small areas of space.
Don’t forget that sunlight on even the coldest day can bring heat in through the windows. Open up curtains to let the sunlight in, and then close them back up at dusk to keep as much heat as possible in the room.
Use extra layers of thin clothing to help retain body heat
Make sure that your windows, doors, walls, ceilings, and floors are properly insulated. There is truly nothing worse than “efficient windows” that let heat out when a simple sheet of plastic over the window can solve the problem. At the very least, if you don’t want to put plastics over your windows, keep some material on hand for a time of need. No doubt, you will be amazed when you see just how much cold air was getting through those energy efficient windows and robbing your home of vital heat during the winter months.
Most people that have lived in cold climates already know that preparing for the winter months goes well beyond storing up some extra fuel and having the burner serviced. In many cases, being prepared for a cold snap can involve a number of maintenance items that must be carried on during episodes of freezing temperatures.
No matter whether you need to drain fuel filters, clear exhaust and intake vents, or ensure heat tapes remain functional, they are all very important elements of keeping the heating system functional during freezing temperatures.
That being said, no matter how much you prepare for freezing cold temperatures and blizzards, there are times when your best efforts will fail. Do not hesitate to keep wood, coal, kerosene, and candles on hand so that you can generate as much heat as possible.
This article has been send by Carmela Tyrell for Survivopedia.
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Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Chuck. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. Let me first say that I have both an adult air rifle and […]
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In the midst of a ham-radio 2-day “bootcamp” license exam course, I wanted to help the group recognize just how easily and cheaply they could make much of their own ham radio station. People today are so used to BUYING everything, that they have lost touch with their ability to MAKE small pieces of equipment for their own use. Licensed ham radio operators are unique in that they are specifically authorized to construct their own radio equipment. I decided to make a simple antenna tuner mostly out of homemade components – literally making the components, not just the...
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1.) Brazilian government nullifies private property rights in fight against Zika … Homes and property no longer ‘private’: The latest act of political terrorism on the illusory world stage is yet another alleged disease epidemic – this time the “Zika Virus,” which officials are warning (just like they did with Ebola) might turn into a global pandemic. And the martial law pandemonium has already begun in Brazil, where government officials have now declared that they can “legally” break and enter into people’s homes and private property if...
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In today’s world there are a number of reasons why a building can collapse. An act of terrorism, a leaky gas main, earthquake, flooding, landslides/mudslide, hurricanes, tornadoes, or an avalanche can cause even a brand new, sound building to collapse.
Regardless of why the building collapsed, there are certain ways to survive and to escape the building.
One of the most important things you must have is an emergency plan that covers the collapse of your home or where you work. This plan should cover what to do if there is a partial or a full collapse of your home or workplace.
If you live in a high risk area where buildings have been known to collapse, it is also to your advantage to do drills at least twice a year. The drills should cover finding an easy way out as well as scenarios in which you are totally cut off and there is no escape.
Basic Contents of Your Emergency Survival Kit
In the event of building structural damage, taking care of your family at a time where food, clean water, health care, and modern amenities are in short supply is a very high priority. There should be enough supplies to feed everyone in your family for a minimum of 72 hours. Hopefully this will allow time for the authorities to organize disaster relief efforts.
These supplies should be kept in airtight/watertight containers of about a 5 gallon capacity. This makes them easier to use while you are trapped, and also while taking them along during your escape and on the journey to a safe location.
Water- At least 1 gallon per person per day.
Non perishable food- Canned or dried fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Portable Radio- With AM/FM and Weather bands.
Cell phone.
Flashlight with extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle
Waterproof matches and emergency fire starters.
Emergency poncho with hood for each family member.
1 dozen light sticks
1 pair work gloves for each member of the family.
1 utility knife
Swiss Army Style knife.
Can openers.
Candles
Emergency blankets.
Plates, pots, pans, and collapsible drinking cups.
Enough water purification tablets and filter straws to get you through the disaster.
Have extra clothing and shoes for each member of the family.
Be sure to have any needed special medicines or other medical supplies for any members of your family.
As in all emergency situations, do not forget your pets. They have to eat and drink too. The following is a list of things to bring in waterproof, 5 gallon buckets:
Dry food and canned food for your cats or dogs.
Any medicines or vitamins that they take daily.
Enough water for your pets to drink and a collapsible water bowl.
Office Emergency Kits
Depending on the number of employees in your work area. There should be enough supplies to meet the needs of all employees in this area. Office emergency kits usually contain the same supplies that you would have in your family kits.
Office emergency kits should have approximately 72 hours of food, water, and filtration supplies.
The supplies should have at least a five year shelf life.
Personal Survival Kit
If you live in an area that avalanches, landslides, earthquakes or other acts of nature, they can totally wipe out a town, leaving nothing but collapsed buildings in its path. Aside from a larger emergency kit, it is wise for you to have a personal survival kit that you can keep with you at all times. For men this survival kit should be kept in a small belt pouch. Ladies can carry this complete urban survival kit in their purse.
The following is a list of the minimum items that your kit should contain.
How to Escape a Collapsed Building With Dig Out Tools.
There are other things to consider that would be life threatening. If this was an older building the air quality could be dangerous because of lead paint dust and asbestos particles in the air. Another problem would be metal ripped and torn apart leaving sharp edges that could be lethal. Open electrical circuits that are exposed in the debris are also very dangerous and can kill people and animals that come into contact with live electrical wires.
To make matters worse, broken water pipes and sewer pipes can cause flooding and expose you to any number of dangerous diseases. You might have survived the initial collapse, but the above-stated dangers could kill you or critically injured you before help could arrive.
With this in mind it is imperative that you have an emergency rescue tool kit on-premises. Home owners and businesses should have a dig out tool set that can be used to help trapped individuals escape from a collapsed building. If you are trapped in a collapsed building, digging out from the rubble and breaking through to safety will be very important. The following tools are a minimum of what should be in the kit:
Several sets of heavy work gloves.
Several sets of goggles for eye protection.
A standard crowbar that can be used for general prying and leveraging. Remember the longer the bar the better the leverage. The crow bar should have a hook on it that can be used to pull materials out of the way that might be otherwise not safe to handle with a gloved hand.
A small sledge hammer or heavy framing hammer. These hammers can knock metal or wood studs out of the way as well as open locked doors if encountered. For safety sake, you need to be wearing heavy gloves and safety goggles. Most importantly you must have adequate space to swing these tools. Remember, use the weight of a tool and do not muscle it. These hammers, like axes and hatchets, required discipline to use. It is almost impossible to redirect them if swung in a path in line with your body. When used incorrectly, they can be as dangerous as the situation itself.
18 inch bolt cutter and other heavy duty wire cutters. They should be insulated from electrical shock, be sharpened, and have handles as long as possible to fit into your emergency tool kit. These tools would be very helpful in cutting through all types wire messes that might be obstructing and blocking your escape route.
A good hacksaw or a multi-purpose blade can cut through objects such as sheet metal, heating duct work or aluminum siding. Also have extra blades for the hacksaw or multi- purpose saw. These saws can cut through objects more effectively than heavy duty snips. They all leave behind clean cuts, which limits the risk of lacerations if re-entry or repeated trips are necessary.
An ax with a non-conducting handle. If a hole is needed in a flat surface this ax should be used. Punching through a sheet of plywood or through a roof is easier when a cutting edge creates the initial hole to saw through. Warning! Be careful when penetrating any wall, ceiling, or floor, as conditions on the other side may be more dangerous than those on your side. Remember to look, listen, and feel before breaching any wall with an ax.
A headlamp allows you hands-free use of a light source. If there is a gas leakage problem, it would be to your advantage to have a head lamp or a flashlight with non-exploding bulbs, or one that is rated for the mining industry. Also don’t forget extra batteries and bulbs for your portable light systems.
There should also be a set of screwdrivers that could be used for disassembling objects and getting them out of the way.
What To Do If the Building Begins To Collapse
In most cases there will be little or no warning that a collapse is imminent. The most important thing is for you to stay calm and to get out of the building as quickly as possible. Do not hesitate to go out of a open door or window if that is your nearest exit.
If you are in a building with an elevator, do not use the elevator. The elevator is a death trap! If the building were to collapse, the elevator could jump off its pulley system or snap the elevator cables. Either way the elevator would free fall to the bottom of the elevator pit, most likely to your death.
If the elevator was to get stuck in the elevator shaft, you and anyone else would be stuck in the shaft with a building falling down around you. The elevator may stay at the level at which it is stuck until rescue operations can reach you or the elevator shaft may collapse like they did in the World Trade Center.
You will be much safer and possibly live longer using the stairs. The sad thing about the World Trade Center collapses, was the employees and visitors were conditioned to take the elevators not the stairs. These people did it every day and never thought to use the stairs in an emergency. In this emergency, if more people had not panicked and used the stairs, even from the higher levels, more people could have survived. Instead, during the cleanup operations, the elevators were found packed with human remains.
If You Cannot Get Out
Step 1: You must assess the situation and remain calm
Usually disasters occur very quickly and it’s imperative that you act as quickly as possible. You could be stunned, disoriented, or full of adrenaline. Most people are frozen by fear and begin to act irrationally.
You must take a second and assess the situation. You may only have a few seconds for escape, and making the wrong move in a crisis could be your last. Check to see where the nearest stairwell is and try to use that to get out as fast as possible.
Remaining calm throughout the building collapse is easier said than done. Try to conserve energy and use it only when you hear a rescue party is near. One of the biggest mistakes that people do is to scream and shout for hours only to quickly become exhausted. Not only does this raise your heart rate and breathing, but you will be inhaling more toxic fumes, dust particles, and other micro debris that can quickly have a negative effect on your lungs and airways.
Step 2: The Proper Way to Take Cover
For many years the best way to save your life in a collapsing building was the use the old “duck and cover”. In this life saving system an individual will get under a heavy item like tables, beds, furniture, and mattresses. The idea was that falling debris would fall off the furniture and land on the floor. The truth is that during the collapse of the building, the ceiling or the walls would come straight down crushing the people who are hiding under these items to death.
If you cannot get out, look around for a sturdy piece of furniture that will not compact if something lands on it. Some good furniture types include a heavy desk, sofa, or large overstuffed armchair. For safety sake, do not get under any of these. Rather, position yourself next to them (this area is known as the triangle of life), lying on the floor in the fetal position.
The less the object compacts, the larger the void, and the greater the probability that the person who is using the void for safety will not be injured. This is also a spot where it is unlikely that debris will strike you. The furniture will be able to support a collapsing wall or ceiling and create a space adjacent to it where you will be relatively safe. You may get injured, but the chances are that you will come out of the wreckage alive.
Fire in the building
In most disasters, fire can quickly break out and spread throughout the building. Smoke inhalation can slow you down if not kill you. Remember you may only have a limited amount of time before the fire spreads and cuts off any remaining exit options you have.
Stay low to the ground and avoid smoke inhalation at all costs. Wet a cloth or your shirt to cover your nose and mouth. This will help filter some of the smoke. Plastic moldings and metal fumes are often released into the air during a fire, they are extremely toxic and must be avoided as much as possible.
Things to do before opening doors.
Sometimes people accidentally assist the spread of the fire because they open doors when trying to escape. Always use the back of your hand to touch the door to see if it’s giving off heat. Touch the top, middle, and the bottom of the door, as the fire could be on the ceiling or the floor. If the door is hot avoid opening it, or you may cause a backdraft that will only accelerate the spread of the fire.
Always check stairwells.
If you find yourself trapped because a fire is below you, or you have no other exit, check the stairwell first. Find out if there is any smoke billowing in the stairwell or if something is blocking off the smoke from entering through the cracks in the door.
Most stairwells in modern buildings are fireproof and can improve your odds of survival. Fire rescue teams will also be able to reach you faster than if you were in random rooms in the building. If there are large amounts of smoke in the stairwell you will need to avoid the stairwell or risk dying from smoke inhalation.
What to do if you are stuck under debris.
After the building has stopped collapsing, you may find yourself stuck under an object or trapped under a pile of the debris. Your main goal should be attracting rescue workers and dogs to your location so they can help get you out.
Use a flashlight, or a cell phone to signal rescuers.
In the dark environment of a collapsed building rescue workers will be trying to pick up on flickers of light or anything out of the ordinary. If you can reach your cell phone or flashlight you can create a signal to help speed up your rescue. Light can travel a long way and can be seen quite easily especially by dogs or robotic cameras.
Avoid making noise
Loud noises such as from a high pitch whistle or air horn can cause the building to start collapsing again. Use sound with caution, and try to use light for signaling whenever possible to avoid this problem.
That being said, if you must, then tap (try not to bang) on pipes or the floor. Rescuers and rescue dogs are trained to listen for any sound. Tapping on a large pipe will result in an echo moving throughout the pipe. This means that even if you are trapped well below the surface rescuers can hear the beat on the pipe and figure out how to get you out. Rescue dogs use their sense of smell, but also their sense of hearing to pick up on the subtle clues. So if you possibly can move your fingers or tap on the walls or pipes you can improve your odds of being found.
You must avoid unnecessary movement at all costs.
If you know you are stuck under a large object or under a pile of the debris, you should try to avoid any unnecessary movement. If you need to move for any reason, try to keep your movements slow and steady. Do not under any circumstances make fast jerky movements or you could possibly bring down large amount of debris, which could worsen injuries or even kill you.
Be careful of what you breath in the collapsed building.
There will be likely quite a bit of dust from the collapse of the building. To protect you from the toxic dust and sharp debris, cover your mouth eyes and nose with a handkerchief or some of your clothing. It is very important to stay as still as possible to keep from stirring up more dust. If you breath in such debris, you may risk an internal infection or other breathing complications.
Here Are Tips For Earthquake and Other Causes of Building Collapse Survival.
Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake or other building collapse because wood is flexible and moves with the force causing the collapse in the first place. If a wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, wooden buildings have less concentrated crushing weight.
Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
If you are in bed when a building begins to collapse, simply roll off the bed (but do not go under it). A safe void will exist around the bed.
Do not linger under a doorway. If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backwards, you will be crushed by the ceiling above.
Get near the outer walls of the building or outside of them if possible. It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building, the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls and crushes their vehicles. This is what exactly happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz freeway. These victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles and they were all killed. These victims could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. All of the crushed cars had a void of 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had the columns fall directly across them.
If you work inside of a newspaper office or other offices with a lot of paper, remember that paper does not compact. As weak as paper may seem, it can make a safe place for you to take shelter behind.
In conclusion it is very important for you not to panic in the event of a building collapse. In those cases where people panic, there is a greater loss of life and more people injured than if they had kept a cool head and thought things out.
Remember after the building has settled, rescue workers will begin to search what is left of the collapsed building or buildings in the hope of finding survivors. If you make and follow a survival plan, your chances of surviving the incident will be greatly increased.
This article has been written by Fred Tyrell for Survivopedia.
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“A few years ago, I attended a class taught by Marta Waddell, a Master Gardener in Arizona. I’ve referred to my class notes over and over again, and decided they were good enough to pass along to you!
“For us, starting vegetable seeds indoors is a long-awaited signal that Spring is right around the corner!
“Wondering how to get started herb gardening and what herbs to grow? Unsure about soil preferences of herbs or their growth habits?
If you have a favorite you’d like to recommend, please leave a comment below.)”
“When most people finish drinking from a water bottle, they simply toss it in the recycling or trash. After all, what can you really do with an empty plastic bottle? Well, it can actually serve multiple, extremely important purposes- especially in a survival scenario where supplies will be difficult to come by. The 2-liter variety is especially useful because of its larger size.
