9 Weapons (Besides Guns) That Could Save Your Life

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If the grid goes down, the ability to defend oneself will be invaluable. In fact, the importance of self defense will be right up there with food and water. Of course, a firearm is the most effective way to defend yourself from an attacker, but that might not always be possible. For example, if you find yourself in a place where firearms aren’t allowed.
The purpose of this article is to teach you about the many other types of weapons you can use to defend yourself. You can carry most of these anywhere without drawing any unwanted attention, yet they’re effective enough to take down almost anyone. Here, then, are 9 weapons that could save your life:
1. Knife – We’ll start with the most obvious weapon: the knife. Knives are everywhere, and almost everyone has at least a couple of them, whether they’re Swiss Army knives or big fixed bladed K-bars. Granted, while a K-bar or similar type knife is likely to draw attention to you, a simple folding tactical knife can be kept nicely concealed in your pocket and can be equally as effective. A knife can be even more deadly than a gun in close quarters. For self defense, opt for a durable folding knife that can be opened quickly and has a serrated blade with an ergonomic grip.

Read more at UrbanSurvivalSite.com

10 Ways to Keep from Freezing in the Winter (or How Not to Die at 40 Below!)

10 Ways to Keep from Freezing in the Winter

(or How Not to Die at 40 Below!)

Layer your clothing
A tee shirt (or thermal shirt) a shirt over it, a sweater and another then a coat, hat, mittens, warm socks and boots. If you are too warm remove a layer. You will look fat, just get over it.
Close off rooms
Rooms that have no water pipes or stored liquids, and aren’t where you are spending all of your time don’t need the heat. Close doors and hang blanket over doors. Small areas are best for staying warm in. This also helps conserve your fuel for keeping you warm longer.

Read more at MomwithaPrep

ve heard some people talk about how their survival gear costs hundreds of dollars PER PIECE, easily making their gear total well into the thousands. But what do you do when you’re on a budget and still need survival gear? When you don’t have that kind of money to spare, you shouldn’t feel any remorse about buying your survival gear on a budget! If you’re just getting started with preparedness, bushcraft or survival, you don’t have to start off buying “the best equipment money can buy” — a conundrum in itself since there will always be argument over which [knife, bag, machete, tent, tarp, etc] is “the best”. The fact is, until you have learned how to properly use the equipment, it would actually be better to start with something that costs less money, yet still has some decent quality characteristics.

Copyright © 2016 - Survival at Home - Read more at: http://survivalathome.com/survival-gear-on-a-budget/

ve heard some people talk about how their survival gear costs hundreds of dollars PER PIECE, easily making their gear total well into the thousands. But what do you do when you’re on a budget and still need survival gear? When you don’t have that kind of money to spare, you shouldn’t feel any remorse about buying your survival gear on a budget! If you’re just getting started with preparedness, bushcraft or survival, you don’t have to start off buying “the best equipment money can buy” — a conundrum in itself since there will always be argument over which [knife, bag, machete, tent, tarp, etc] is “the best”. The fact is, until you have learned how to properly use the equipment, it would actually be better to start with something that costs less money, yet still has some decent quality characteristics.

Copyright © 2016 - Survival at Home - Read more at: http://survivalathome.com/survival-gear-on-a-budget/

I’ve heard some people talk about how their survival gear costs hundreds of dollars PER PIECE, easily making their gear total well into the thousands. But what do you do when you’re on a budget and still need survival gear? When you don’t have that kind of money to spare, you shouldn’t feel any remorse about buying your survival gear on a budget! If you’re just getting started with preparedness, bushcraft or survival, you don’t have to start off buying “the best equipment money can buy” — a conundrum in itself since there will always be argument over which [knife, bag, machete, tent, tarp, etc] is “the best”. The fact is, until you have learned how to properly use the equipment, it would actually be better to start with something that costs less money, yet still has some decent quality characteristics.

Copyright © 2016 - Survival at Home - Read more at: http://survivalathome.com/survival-gear-on-a-budget/

Survival Foods: What Are The Top Six?

You will not have the luxury of eating what you feel like when a catastrophe hits. In such situations, you should know what survival foods are best in terms of nourishment, vitality, energy and taste.  They should be also easy to carry around in case you need to bug out.
Here is a list of six survival foods regarded as the best by some of the top preppers:

Top Six Survival Foods

Canned Alaskan Wild Salmon

Salmon is rich in protein and sound fats like omega 3s. Many variation of Alaskan wild salmon will come canned with little to none of the contaminants that can appear in cans of other types of fish. The Inuit people (local individuals of Alaska and northern Canada) regularly eat Alaskan wild salmon.  Likewise, they are known for low rates of heart attack and stroke.  This phenomenon is credited to their regular salmon consumption. Like tuna fish, you can eat canned Alaskan wild salmon right out of the can without cooking. Leftovers must be refrigerated and will keep for 3 – 4 days.

Read more at Suburban Steader

The Harsh Truth About Bugging Out of Cities, by Patrice Lewis

This post originally appeared in Survival Bloghttp://survivalblog.com/the-harsh-truth-about-bugging-out-of-cities-by-patrice-lewis/

© Michael Jastremski for openphoto.net


A common concern among rural people in a grid-down situation is the concept of marauding urbanites swarming through the countryside looting and pillaging — the so-called Golden Horde. I addressed this issue on my blog a few months ago when a reader noted, “You can hide yourself, but not your garden. Are you going to take your beef herd into your house with you? In any long-term crisis situation, your cattle and garden will be indefensible and therefore gone in a matter of months. You cannot protect them from a determined large, armed group.”

This reader respectfully listed what he termed a “huge blind spot” among rural preppers. “As an urbanite, I know that millions and millions of people will head for the less populated areas of this country. They will travel in large groups for safety and they will be armed to the teeth. They will not worry about ‘Will the locals welcome you?’ They will do whatever it takes to survive, which likely will include murdering ‘the locals’ for their resources. You cannot hide your garden and livestock and produce them at the same time. It wouldn’t take a very large group for you to be outnumbered and then either pinned down inside while all your outdoor food is stolen, or overrun completely. What then? It seems to me that any prepper scenario only works if you’re willing to kill others to survive, and even then only until the canned goods hold out. The minute you have to plant and tend a garden, you (and your food) will be sitting ducks. I realize this post must sound really hostile, but it isn’t meant to be. I’m just curious about whether preppers think about these eventualities, and what’s the plan then?”

Read the rest here

Solo Stove Titan and Solo Pot 1800

Here is a review of the Solo Stove Titan and Solo Pot 1800 that appeared in Survival at Home

Check it out!

Solo Stove Titan and Solo Pot 1800

Copyright © 2014 - Survival at Home - Read more at: http://survivalathome.com/solo-stove-titan-solo-pot-1800/

GNS Knife by LT Wright

Check out this knife review that originally appeared in Survival Weekly

Readers here know of my great affection for Self Reliance Illustrated magazine. It is one of my absolute favorite publications and I never miss an issue. What some of you may not know is they also sell a small selection of gear. As would be expected, they do not deal in cheaply made equipment that is more likely than not to fail when put to the test. Case in point, the GNS Knife.

Read the rest here

Prepping in Small Spaces

Do you think you don't have enough storage space for emergencies supplies?  Think again - there are lots of creative ways to prep even if you live in an apartment or small condo.

See

Small Spaces Prepping Tips – Building a Stockpile in a Shoebox

Find a Way to Get Home in an Emergency

If an emergency happens while you're away from home, you'll need backup ways to return home if the roads are blocked or if you have to walk home from an unfamiliar area.

- Pre-plan multiple routes including freeways, side streets, public transportation, or on foot.

- Keep paper maps handy at the office, or in the car.

- GPS devices can help as long as the satellites are functional.  See this handy personal GPS device called Bushnell BackTrack Detour - you can pre-program up to five destinations. 

Source:http://apartmentprepper.com  

Get your Coffee Fix even in an Emergency

To all the coffee drinkers out there - wouldn't you still want your morning cup of joe even if there is no electricity?  Sure there are substitutes, but it's good to know how to brew your own.  See this post and try the easy directions:

Self-Sufficient Saturdays: How to Brew Coffee without Electricity

 

Fast Prepping

Got no time to prep?  How about a few quick ideas?

Check out:

13 Preps You Can Do in 120 Seconds or Less

You'll be glad you did!

Which Items Disappear First During a Disaster?

I've seen pay sites that promise to tell you which items you should stock up on in a disaster but you can get this list free if you look.

Here's a good article that will tell you which items will get sold out and disappear during a disaster, so now is a good time to start obtaining them:

 100 Items That Disappear First in a Disaster

This weekend, I am going to pick up some of these items to add to the stockpile.  I am starting with the most affordable:  separating the list on items I can get from the dollar store, discount stores like Target or Walmart.  

What are you waiting for- start making your list now!

How to Make a Solar Oven

The instructions given in this article are easy to find and are easy to follow.  A sun oven would come in handy if you have no electricity especially if you live in a warm climate. 

Check out:

OkSolarBox Oven!

 

 

Source: http://www.oksolar.com/samples/sunoven1.html

I plan to try using a solar oven in the summertime, but in the meantime I am going to assemble the materials.

 

What to Do If you Haven't Prepared

I ran across the Granpappy blog and found this great post that was written a couple of years ago, but is still really timely and "hits the nail on the head."

See this article:

What to Do Right Now if the Hard TimesHave Begun and You are Not Prepared

You will find a lot of great tips on preparing and focusing on items you will need the most.  Check it out!

The Emberlit-Stove Looks Easy to Use

I am always on the lookout for light-weight and easy-to-use survival stoves so this article: 

Sherpa Gear Review: The Idiot Proof Emberlit-UL Stove

caught my eye.  Idiot-proof is a good quality for a survival stove:  during a high stress situation, you need your equipment to be reliable and with very easy instructions.   Understanding the equipment directions should be low on your list of worries!

The Emberlit Stove looks to have performed well according to the article.  At $37.99 it is priced reasonably too, and that is why I am adding it to my survival equipment wish list.

A New E-book for Preppers Who Are Watching Their Pennies

 

If you are a beginning prepper who is worried about how to come up with money to spend, this book is for you.

Bernie Carr, writer of Apartment Prepper, announced the release of her new e-book, “How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget.”  It is available now on Amazon.

According to the article, it is for Beginning Preppers who are interested in getting started, but don't have a huge budget to buy gear and supplies.


You do not need to own a Kindle to be able to read the book.  If you download the free Kindle app, you can read it on your computer.  The e-book is $2.99 on Amazon. 

Inexpensive Ways to Start Prepping

In the aftermath of monster storm Sandy, many people are taking a fresh look at preparing for emergencies.  But it is not always easy to get started, especially if money is tight.  You can get started with a very limited budget.  The important thing is to just get started.

Here are some good articles to get you thinking:

18 Low Cost Ways to Start Prepping

Prepping Supplies for 99 Cents

Budget Prepping for a Buck

$5 a Week Shopping Challenge

These articles provide great ideas to get prepping supplies inexpensively.  And with all the uncertainties facing us today, we'd better get our emergency supplies in order.

New Book Out - Beyond Collapse

I heard about a new book about preparation and survival and it is available as a free download or paperback.  The author is kind enough to provide the free download here:

(Please note, the free version is not for commercial distribution but for personal use and can be distributed to friends and family.  I recommend you print it out for future use.)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6e3oH1LuRvzeGZlTHRkeHZQSkk

You can find the paperback here:




http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Collapse-Joseph-Miller-Jr/dp/1480140805/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351565239&sr=8-1&keywords=Beyond+Collapse

This promises to be a good book to have.

Survival Tips from a Doctor

Many times you wonder about health issues but can't get to a doctor right away.  This site answers a lot of common questions that have come up especially in families with kids:

- Does green mucus mean you have an infection?

- What is the best way to clear out ear wax?

- How to deal with a child's rash

- Is it safe to irrigate your nasal passages?

Go to The Survival Doctor to find these answers and more.

The site is full of information and is written for readers with a non medical background.   He's got a couple of e-books out that are worth the price. 

Good information!

Extreme Cheapskate Tactics May Actually Work

Interesting article over at reThinkSurvival:

Extreme Cheapskates: That Could Be You! I've caught one episode of Extreme Cheapskates and was appalled at some of the actions of the featured cheapskates such as scrounging other people's leavings in restaurants, dumpster diving for flowers to give the wife on a big anniversary..  Got turn off the show and never caught it again.  Well it sounds like some of the tactics described in this article may actually work for preparedness purposes.  Some of them don't sound bad at all, especially if water and other necessities get scarce.  I may give the show another chance!

Take Precautions when Storing your Supplies

I saw this article over at Whatifitstoday:

Be Careful. Your preps can kill someone

A lot of people do store miscellaneous items in sheds and garages, not realizing danger could be lurking with all the combinations of chemicals, gases and flammable materials.  This article made me think about being careful where to store stuff.