9 Weapons (Besides Guns) That Could Save Your Life

297

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

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/

How to Waterproof your Bug-Out Shoes and Gear

If you had to evacuate in an emergency, you'd definitely want to waterproof your shoes, clothes and gear, especially if you are having rainy weather, as we are right now.


Here is a great article that shows you how.

How to Waterproof Fabric

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

Other Uses for Baby Wipes

From One Good Thing by Jillee

Baby wipes are so useful they would be a good addition to your emergency supplies.  They can be used to freshen yourself up when there is lack of water, quick wipe downs and as a toilet paper substitute.

For more ideas on what to do with baby wipes, see

33 Uses for Baby Wipes that have Nothing to Do with Babies!

Charge up your Electronics in a Disaster

Do you have a way to charge your electronic devices in a disaster?  A lot of people keep emergency apps in their smart phone, but you'll quickly lose access if you don't have a way to charge them.  Fortunately there are some options.

See these articles for some ideas.

GoalZero Guide 10 Adventure Kit Review: Keeping Your Electronic Devices Going During an Emergency

Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar charger

 

BioLite CampStove Review

 

The Real Solar Charger Test

 

Will You have Enough Water in a Disaster

I saw that NatGeo special American Blackout and it made me think about what my situation would be if it really happened.

The disaster lasted 10 days in the show but in that amount of time, chaos reigned and people had to move to emergency camps because they did not have enough to live on.  I may have enough food for 10 days, but I sure don't have enough water which made me worry.  I don't have a huge amount of space to store water, but I started revamping my water storage after seeing that show.  I ordered a Berkey water filter to ensure I can purify water if tap water got contaminated or if I had to find another less desirable source.

This is a good article on how to store water in a hurry.  See Modern Survival Blog's

Ways To Quickly Store Water At Home During Disaster

I am going to take these ideas and make a note for myself.

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

 

Stay Safe in a Hotel

Many times, people who are traveling, especially on vacation, let their guard down.  Many travelers who normally prepare for emergencies at home would not even think about it when going on a trip.  Unfortunately, the consequences can be serious.

10 Personal Security Tips for Hotel Stays

Don't Leave Home without Your Preps


have great tips and reminders for all of us. 

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!

Doing Laundry Without Electricity

 

Have you ever washed clothes without electricity?

It could be challenging if you don't plan ahead.

Read The Truth about Doing Laundry Off-Grid from Apartment Prepper.

The comments from people who have washed clothes without power are interesting too.

A Doable List to Start a Food Storage Plan

 
Starting out with food storage can be confusing and intimidating.  You may have picked up a few canned foods and ramen noodles, but where do you go from there?

Found a nice article over at Backdoor Survival:  20 Items to Kickstart your Food Storage Plan

The list is well-rounded and doable.

Check it out!

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!

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!

Do You Have a Get Home Bag

If an emergency happens while you are at work, do you have the things you may need to get yourself back to your family?

If you have not considered this possibility, read The Prepper Journal's article

Prepping 101 - Get Home Bag

The get home gag is not the same as a bug out bag.  The bug out bag is for a longer term scenario, when you need to evacuate your home, whether you are planning to come back or not.  The get home bag is for a short-term purpose, to get you home.

Why You Need Cash for Survival

 

A lot of prepping sites recommend gold and silver but this article from Off Grid Survival has a different view:

CASH IS STILL KING: Why Preppers Need to Stop Worrying about Gold and Start Keeping Cash

I would have to agree.  I've been in a grocery store when power went out.  All the credit card processors were offline and they were only accepting cash for transactions.  

One of my goals this year is to increase the emergency cash fund.   Even if you only keep $50 to $100 around, something is better than nothing- just get started.

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.