Category Archives: DEFENSE

Security – surveillance systems, perimeter systems, locks and alarms. [Fire, smoke, CO, gas] weapons could also go under hunting in the FOOD section

Count down

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Counting down to Christmas — for those of you who do not observe Christmas as such then Happy Holidays to you.

Just when you thought the presidential election was over….and decided and that for good or ill that Donald Trump won, well it taint over yet.

December 19th [today] is when the Electoral College votes on who the next President of these United States of America will be. The results of this vote most likely will not be made public until 2017 January 6th

post election [2016 November 8th] we have seen too many peaceful demonstrations -also known as riots- of the anti Trumpers in the days and weeks. Regardless of how things turn out today I think that it would be reasonable and prudent to be prepared for whatever happens.,.,

things to do today… top off you fuel tank and do not let it get below ¾ for the rest of winter. Avoid large gatherings of people. Keep your eyes and ears open for things out of the ordinary, if it does not sound, look or feel right – leave the area.

Review your family communication plans and test it.

There is less than a week till Christmas. IF you don’t have all of your presents bought yet, consider things related to being ready. Such things as sleeping bags and other ‘camping’ things. Fire starter related items are always good for stocking stuffers. Another great item for each of the older kids and adults would be one of those 4 way water keys – they look like the 4 way tire iron or lug nut wrench and they will work on almost all of the out door water outlet so that you can get city water from outside most buildings as you bug out or walk home during a disaster.

Cross ref http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/general-preps/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/travel-book/ I have found it better to go to her website – product review section to get the books [extended till Tuesday for the free copy] your kids will love the time travel-books!

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/
http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-things-will-happen/  This is book 1 the quick start guide to preparedness.
http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-fun-things-will-happen/ This is book 2 about traveling and evacuation planning.

Sponsor of the day is
*** www.castlesandcruises.com ***
*** Specializing in British Isles Coach Tours and Cruises ***

riots continue

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It is Friday after the election on 2016 November 08 the riots are continuing.

We are listening to a radio station [KXL.com if your local station does not carry Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis] in Portland, Oregon in part reporting on the riots there. There are reports of ‘bombs’ going off [flash bangs are a type of hand grenade] and other non fun things happening. While the regular reporting is interesting the commentary from the talk radio show host is by far MORE interesting and informative as he reports on the stuff happening outside the building he is in.

some of the happenings can be boiled down to a bit of advise.

1. IF you can avoid such areas, stay away!
2. If you actually HAVE to be in such areas OR if you just happen to can caught in a riot or other ‘protest’ leave if you can. If you can not leave OR if your job requires you to be in an area, PLAN to be able to SIP [shelter in place]. Food, water, toiletries, bedding, change of clothes for 3 days stored in your office. This WOULD include needed medications and medical devices such as a spare C-PAP [and or oxygen,] they are easy to find at garage sales and your oxygen company can service and set them as back up devices.
3. If you get caught in a ‘protest’ do NOT engage the rioters. Keep moving with your windows rolled up, doors locked and leave the area. If you are walking move to the edges of the protest and then exit the stream of walkers. [yes that was a ref to ‘The Walking Dead’ and in my mind is an appropriate analogy.
4. Do not draw attention to yourself. Blend in as best you can.
5. If you are working in an area like this have someone outside the area monitor communications and alert you to the situation so that you can make informed decisions.
6. Do not depend on your own vehicle nor public transportation as they can and most likely will be shut down or blocked. Plan on walking [or running] to get anywhere OR plan to shelter in place.
7. This would be a good time to pray for your self and loved ones AND the nation.

Cross ref

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/riots-post-election/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/election-2016-fu/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/comms-part-1/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/convalescent-care/

and some books that explore the topics in more depth
http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-things-will-happen/ This is book 1 the quick start guide to preparedness.

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-fun-things-will-happen/ This is book 2 about traveling and evacuation planning.

Riots post election

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Riots post election ;[

There are several riots going on around these US of A for the second night after the elections. Sounds like a lot of property damage with several people hurt [at least 2 in ICU]

I realize that half of the country is happy how the elections turned out and the other half is pissed. Either way it is getting needlessly dangerous out there.

I have heard some talk of how the ‘protesters’ are paid to be out there stirring up crap. Is this actually the case? I do not actually know. Some observations though. Most of the “spontaneous protests’ seem too well organized and co-coordinated in my opinion. Regardless of if they are spontaneous or not it is NOT safe for you to be around them.

So what do you do if you find yourself in the middle of this crap? OR better yet how do you prevent yourself from being in the middle of it?

Pay attention to your surroundings, avoid large groups of people, plan out alternate routes of travel AND have plans to be able to camp out at your place of work or with friends until the crowds / trouble disburses.

1. Pay attention to your surroundings – know what is ‘normal’ for where you are, be familiar with the area for the time of day you normally are in the spot. Are the people near you behaving as they normally do or are they agitated? Does anyone appear odd or out of place / does not fit in? If so, report it to the ‘normal’ people there [your co-workers, friends, the boss or security if any. Once you have alerted others either take control of the situation or leave.
2. While you are out and about avoid large groups of people especially if any of them seem agitated or angry.
3. Plan out alternative routes of travel AND escape routes. Always know at least 2 ways to exit any area you find yourself in. look for the normal things like front, back and side doors. Consider also windows as points of egress. Discuss this with others in your party so that everyone will be on the same sheet of music should something not good happen, also discuss and agree on a meeting place should any of you get separated.
4. Have a communication plan before hand with those in your party AND people at home. Most of us have cell phones which seem to grow out of our heads now. Consider use of either CB radios, the FRS type radios or the Beofeng radios that I have reviewed elsewhere in the blog.
5. Have plans to be able to camp out at your place of work or with friends until the crowds / trouble disperses. It is sometimes advisable to just stay somewhere until the storm blows over. Right now we are discussing riots and “peaceful protests” but this also applies to snow storms and other such. If you work in an office type setting consider storing an extra set of clothing, toiletries, a days [or 3] of rations and maybe some bedding in or under your desk – I have been snowed in at work before and it sure is better if you have planned ahead.
6. Listen to the news and or local radio station while at work to be able to know what is going on around town. An off shoot of this is to have a friend or family member who is at home pay attention to the local news and alert you to things. People can take turns on this if you have a group and if need be and the group is large enough there could be 24 hour coverage.
7. Lastly, if there is trouble and you do not HAVE to be out and about, do not be stupid and STAY home..

cross ref

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/election-2016-fu/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/comms-part-1/
http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/convalescent-care/

and some books that explore the topics in more depth

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-things-will-happen/ This is book 1 the quick start guide to preparedness.

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/ready-or-not-fun-things-will-happen/ This is book 2 about traveling and evacuation planning.

Election 2016 FU

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Good morning everyone… Election 2016 F/U [follow up]

As I type this at 2146 on election night Tuesday, Donald Trump is at 254 electoral points and Hillary Clinton is at 209 electoral points. The night is still young I would NOT count the chickens YET.
There is nothing more that I can do about this tonight so I am going to bed and get some sleep as soon as this posts.

EITHER way that this election goes there most likely will be trouble with half the country happy and the other half mad. BTW they just played One Tin Soldier – the legion of Billy Jack… great song and fitting for this topic. [listen to the song and watch the movie, it is WELL worth it]

While there is still time tonight or first thing in the morning top up your fuel tank in your vehicle.

Basically cut more wood and carry more water until this thing shakes out.

Will stuff happen this week? Heck if I know, BUT it is best to be ready and not need it than not be ready and have something go wrong.

I am going to repeat recent advice….

Did you vote yet??? IF you have not and you are just now reading this it is TOO late for this cycle, get it in gear next time…… ;] No matter who won this election WE WILL SURVIVE.

With all the unrest in the world over the last few years (9-11-01, Iraqi war, economic recession, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and others) it is a good thing to be ready for anything. Here are some items that may help.
* 1 gallon water per family member or pet per day for two weeks.
* a way to purify even more water in case you must go without fresh water supply for a period of time.
* 6 months (or more) food in your pantry. Include your pets! They need to be accounted for and fed too.
* 6 months (or more) salary in savings. You can do this slowly, no need to panic and save it all at once. Just $5.00 per week in a savings account will add up quickly. Keeping some of this savings in your house is advisable in case of continuing decline in economy or power outage in your area (power is out, the ATM isn’t going to work). Keep it in your kit, this way if you have to evacuate it’s available to you.
* 1 month supply of all medications (6 months supply would be even better).
* camping cook-stove in case of power outage. Remember to use this in a well ventilated area.
* fuel for stove.
* easy to prepare foods, such as un-condensed soups and cans of fruit and such that will be very quick to prepare or can be eaten from the can.
* keep your car above 1/2 tank of gas at all times. This will help if you ever need to be evacuated from your residence. Above 3/4 would be better, but it would be more trips to the gas station.
* phone book in print format of all friends and relatives. Keep a copy of this in your kit so you don’t have to hunt for it if you evacuate.
* evacuation plans so you do not have to be dependent on a shelter if you have to evacuate your home.
* Remember your pets! If you do need to evacuate, shelters will not let you bring them. Check with your local shelter or vet to see where you can take them if you can’t bring them with you.
* Keep your dishes and laundry done. In winter or during an emergency there could be power outages that keep you from being able to do either of these simple chores easily.
* Keep appropriate clothing for each season on hand. If your area gets very cold during the winter, keep enough clothing on hand you can go from 2 weeks to one month without doing laundry in case of power outages.
* Paper goods, such as paper plates, napkins, plastic cutlery and plastic cups will truly help during a time of no power. No washing, you simply deposit them in a trash bag for either garbage collection or, if you are in the country, burn barrel. Non-coated paper plates, bowls and cups may also be burned in a fireplace.
* Keep oil, water, and a shovel in your vehicle. Depending on your area you may also want to keep a few rugs or some kitty liter as well for traction in case of ice or sand. This can be very helpful during winter driving or summer cruising.
* Think about getting a passport. It’s accepted in all places as picture ID. Even when a drivers license is rejected or expired. A passport generally has a 10 year expiration date.
* Scan all important pictures and either save them on disk, or have someone do it for you. Then keep this disk in your kit, then you will never be without those memento pictures that are so important to us.
* Scan all important paperwork. Titles for cars, homes, birth certificates, marriage certificates and the like should all be scanned onto disk and also kept in your kit. These scans are not legally binding, but at least you have the information this way in case the original in your possession is destroyed.
* Keep a kit! Do not store it in your car, but keep it with you at all times in your house. In the living room when you are awake, or other easily accessible spot, and in the bedroom with you when you are asleep. Keep the spots routine, so that even in a “just woke up” state you can find and grab your kit if you have to leave the house in a hurry. If you travel somewhere more than walking distance from your home, take your kit with you.
* Keep your vehicle maintained. Change oil, flush and fill the radiator, flush and fill the transmission and do all recommended maintenance on a regular schedule. Manufactures, put out a recommended schedule that you will find in the owners manual online, or by contacting them. Keep to it. It would be a shame if you had to evacuate and your vehicle broke down at a key time. Not to mention, it could cost your life. Many people have frozen to death in winter when their car has broken down just when they needed to get somewhere.
We can all take care of ourselves and each other if we just think ahead and be ready.
Please share with your friends
www.PrepareSurviveThrive.us

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/russia-current-event/

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/comms-part-1/
http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/convalescent-care/

Field rations 1

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Field rations

There are a lot of conversations going on about field rations, which ones are best and what ‘systems’ are more appropriate or BETTER.

MREs are the best because our military uses them, they are the coolest and most ‘sexy’ foods to eat out on maneuvers. They have a LONG shelf life and are lite weight. MREs also COST a lot more than most other foods of the same calorie count. IF cost is not a factor for you, great, go get a ton of them.

MREs weigh less…. the actual food content is the identical weight per serving as fresh made, frozen or canned. The packaging may weigh less than the metal can and when you are talking about shipping the amount needed for 500 people that IS a factor. In the amount per person for 3 days most people will not be able to tell the difference between a pack with MREs in it V an identical pack with the same amount of food that is packed in metal cans. If you think you can you are delusional and have never done a double blind test of it. BTW the component that adds the most weight to either is the water content.

MREs have a LONG shelf life…. yes they do.. WHEN properly stored. The cooler that they are stored equals longer shelf life. If you store your MRE in the trunk or passenger areas of your vehicle during the summer the temperature can get over 200 degrees F during the day in direct sunlight. It gets so hot that you can bake cookies or bread on the dashboard – or cook your kids / dog to death, but that is another story. The rated shelf life of an MRE over 140 degrees is under 3 months. SAME story for canned goods. Some friends and I when we went through basic military training were eating the old C-Rats which were 40 years old and some of them was just as bad as the day they were packaged, some we liked a lot, it all depends on your tastes and how hungry you are. ;]

canned goods…. as noted above … and they have at least 3 added benefits compared with MREs. 1. we are more familiar with eating them as there is most likely not a week go by that we do not have food from a can. 2. canned goods are more likely to be rotated in part due to the economical cost. 3. you end up with cans to use for other survival projects such as cooking, treating water and they can be used as part of an alarm system.

[ What other uses can you come up with? Please share your thoughts with the rest of us in the comment section of this post]

Stinging Nettle

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Stinging Nettle aka Great stinging Nettle, Common Nettle

Genus: Urtica
Species: Dioica

Parts Used: roots, leaves and stems
Nettle is high in iron and vitamins C and K

Nettle is very common all over the world. It is often found in moist shaded woodlands but does grow in the prairie too. Plants grow from 2 to 6 feet tall and is propagated from root runners and seeds. The Nettle plant consists of a long, flexible stem that has serrated leaves opposite of each other. When I was a kid we used to encourage the growth and propagation of stinging nettle on the homestead.

The thin hairs on the Nettle plant contain Formic Acid which causes the Stinging effect. Redness, itching, burning ect can last a few hours to a week. This can be somewhat less than fun.

Prevention / protection from Stinging Nettle reactions is best accomplished by learning to identify it and staying away from it ; ]

If you must OR should you decide that you want to make use of this very helpful plant the best way to handle the Nettle plant is to wear long sleeves and gloves to prevent skin contact with the plant until it has been processed.

How do you process Stinging Nettle for use? The most common uses are for consumption as either a pot herb or tea. The younger the plant the more delectable it will be to eat or to make tea. Younger leaves can be striped off the stem and either boiled or sauteed with salt or pepper to taste or mixed in with vegetables or meats.. basically any way that you would use mustard or turnip greens in cooking. The young leaves can also be minced to make a tea with the pulp consumed with the drink not strained out.

Older leaves can be dried [which inactivates the formic acid] and later crushed before steeping for tea, the pulp can be consumed as with fresh young leaves. The stems can be be used fresh or dried for tea with the fibers strained out before consuming.

Some people apply the fresh leaves directly to an arthritic area as a poultice and report that this temporarily relieves the discomfort of the condition.

Dealing with the skin reactions and stinging:

Some references recommend OTC remedies such as analgesic creams or pills, steroid creams [and RX pills] and antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine creams or pills OR Ranitidine aka Zantac. OR –ominous music– you may need to seek medical treatment*.

[*MOST people are not actually allergic to this plant and will not have an anaphylactic reaction which does need intervention]

It has been my experience that the ‘old wives’ who tell the tales are correct and that Stinging Nettle is best treated FIRMLY and not with a light touch. Meaning if you brush against it, it will sting you. But if you grab it firmly the area will go numb and not bother you.

Other uses for stinging nettle include making it into string, rope or weaving it into a rough fabric or baskets.

Stinging Nettle can also be used as a deterrent to dissuade people from coming into your yard when planted in strategic locations.

What memories of using stinging nettles do you have?

Battle of Athens

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It is hard to believe that it has been 70 years since the Battle of Athens…… this was one of the most important battles surrounding WWII and it is hardly talked about, much less actually discussed today.

The following movie tells the story WAY better than I can or have the space to tell.

A gentile reminder to ALL Americans to get out and vote this year. ESPECIALLY VETERANS

The Battle of Athens – 1946 Athens, Tennessee – Full Movie

A small town in 1946 feeling intimidated by local, corrupt politicians, especially concerning voting issues – took up arms against their aggressors and turned the tide for the community.
The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution worked very well!

Discussion of the Battle

Blending in 3

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Trash.

ALWAYS pick up after yourself do NOT be a pig. If you have enough that you can throw something away, then you have stuff others may want to take from you. Or leavening trash is like the old tale of leaving bread crumbs as a trail marker. It is most always best to leave no trace that you were ever there. An example of this from my military days was that we did not carry TP as the locals did not use it, also we would go a bit off the trail and dig a ‘cat hole’ to go in and us leaves to wipe and then bury everything so it did not show. In that area it took less than a week for the worms to convert our droppings and remove all trace of us. As a side note, KNOW what kind of leaves you are making us of. Do not be like a relative who did not know what poison ivy looked like and use that to wipe. I am sure it was NOT fun recovering from that.

Footprints

Travel on hard surfaces if possible as this will cut down on the tracks you leave. Travel single file to diminish their ability to count how many people are in your group, on the other hand everyone making their own path does not leave as much of a trail. You have to decide which you think is best in your situation. If you can wrap your footwear in rags to obscure what kind of shoe you have. Back when I worked Search and |Rescue we each had a laminated cheat sheet which had the common tread patterns on it so that when we discovered prints we could radio the info into command to log locations.

What are your thoughts on this?

What other suggestions can you make?

Blending in 2

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Noise discipline

Typically the bigger issues with this come from children, dogs and Untrained adults which can be way worse than the kids and animals. EVERYONE should be trained in quiet mode operations. This is easier done IF a house hold member is a shift worker. My wife and I both had parents who worked other shifts so we were raised being quiet. WE both worked shifts [evening and nights] and so raised our kids to be quiet. This was so ingrained into us that on hard wood or tile floors walking ‘normally’ for us in combat boots we often got accused of ‘sneaking up on people. The grandkids’ donor was NOT raised to be quiet and even in stocking feet we could hear him walking in the house. He often bragged of what a great hunter he was [from the road] and ALL the things he learned in Marine boot camp.. [The whole WEEK [7 days] ] that he was in boot camp before he got the boot…

The short of this discussion on noise discipline is START early teaching the kids about it and it will be WAY easier to do. You can make a game out of it.

Along with all that has already been discussed is LIGHT discipline. Keep lights low and shielded so that it only extends at most a few feet from the source. Sound is hard to track due to echoing unless it is a constant noise like equipment [generators or music]. Light once seen can be followed EVEN if it was only a flash like from a camera. All they have to do is mark the direction and then plot it on a map. IF 2 or more people witnessed it your exact location is easy to triangulate. Along with LIGHT discipline is REFLECTIVE discipline which is light reflecting off of equipment and thus giving your position away. Remove or cover reflective items with cloth, flat paint or mud to cut down on this issue.

Conversely if you are trying to be noticed make noise, start small controlled fires which smoke a lot and use something reflective to catch the sun light and redirect it toward searchers.

All things being equal the one thing which attracts attention the most is MOVEMENT. If you are attempting to travel without being noticed move slowly and deliberately without acting as if you are sneaking about. Stop often and survey your surroundings.

OUTLINES disrupt your outline so that you do not look human [same thing for equipment make is so that the outline does not look like a car or truck or whatever. Also be very aware of your background so that you do not stand out such as avoiding the ridgeline of a hill or building.

Like noise and light discipline you have to watch the color of your attire and equipment. Avoid bright un-natural colors unless you WANT to be found. Reds and oranges are out for blending in. also avoid camouflage and tactical black as they shout ‘I have stuff, come and take it!’ Browns, tans, light greens, grays and cream colors work well for blending in in most places. Look to see what the dominate colors are around you and go with that. Some times a muted plaid or flower shirt works well.

School Emergency Kit

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School Emergency Kit Contents List and something to carry it in.

• Water bottles, reusable, I recommend 3 L in 750ml or smaller increments
• 10 feet para cord x 3
• Deck of cards or other small activity
• duct tape
• Emergency blanket
• Emergency whistle
• Face masks – particulate
• Family contact numbers
• Feminine sanitary products
• Granola/protein bars
• Hand warmers
• Hand-crank flashlight / am-fm radio with ear phone
• hard candy and mints
• Kleenex or roll of TP
• Mini first aid kit (band aids, cravats x 4, ect ,)
• PB crackers or similar in hard plastic case [2,000 cal]
• spare phone charger and extension cord with a 3 way spliter x2
• Wet wipes

Discussion of the Emergency Kit for School Contents List what ever you decide to use to carry all this stuff in should be durable and easy to carry without using your hands.

In addition to helping to keep your kids comfortable should something happen at school it will also help impress upon them the idea that preparedness is a way of life. Size, items and amounts should be adjusted for the kid’s size and maturity.

• Water bottles, reusable, I recommend 3 L in 750ml or smaller increments
This amount will last for a while and is intended to be able to share if you have not been able to convince your friends to build a kit.

• 10 feet para cord x 3
This has many uses some of which include tying the door shut. This length pre-cut works great and this way you will not need a knife which most likely be prohibited.

• Deck of cards or other small activity
This will save your battery ;]

• Duct tape – Just because.

• Emergency blanket to stay warm and act like a pillow too.

• Emergency whistle -this is in addition to the one that should be on your person.

• Face masks – particulate to keep dust and bugs out of your lungs

• Family contact numbers this copy is in case you lose the one that should be on you.

• Feminine sanitary products – periods are bad enough, think if you start unexpectedly or in the middle of a lock down.

• Granola/protein bars – it makes the wait easier if you are not ‘starving’.

• Hand warmers – the power may go out or for use in first aid

• Hand-crank flashlight / am-fm radio with ear phone – in case it goes dark and to get news reports.

• hard candy and mints – morale buster and to ease a sore throat.

• Kleenex or roll of TP – blow your nose, ect

• Mini first aid kit (band aids, cravats x 4, ect ,) – obvious

• PB crackers or similar in hard plastic case [2,000 cal] the plastic case will protect the crackers

• spare phone charger and extension cord with a 3 way spliter x2 – obvious

• Wet wipes – to clean yourself and others wounds.