In the Beginning, ...

Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

When did you wake up to the fragile nature of our complex society?

Was it urban riots like the one in Watts in 1964 or the one during the New York city blackout in 1977. How about the Miami riot in early 1980, another one again in Los Angeles in 1992, or was it the 2002 Cincinnati riot?

Was it a natural disaster such as a hurricane (Camille in 1962, Andrew in 1992, Katrina in 2005, the Schoolhouse Blizzard in 1888, the blizzard of 1978 and again in 2010, or the earthquakes 1811 in New Madrid, 1906 in San Francisco, or Northridge in 1994?

Was it a financial difficulty such as a financial depression, like the ones in 1857, 1929 and again in 1937, or maybe it was the recessions of '73, the early '80s, or the 90s?

Was it reading a book like Alas, Babylon in 1959, Warday in 1984 or One Second After in 2009 that put that nagging doubt in to your head?

Or is it a potential disaster that might be unfolding such as climate change, Peak Oil, the mass extinction of species, the massive volcano in Yellowstone, another New Madrid earthquake, or the collapse of the world's financial system?

Or could it be some fringe scenario like the Rapture in 2011, Mayan calendar ending in 2012, Zombies, or an alien invasion?

Either way,

Welcome to prepping and survivalism.

Link:
Wikipedia - Urban Riots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_riots

Wikipedia - Hurricane Andrew
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Andrew

Wikipedia - Hurricane Katrina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina

The Post Chronicle - Biggest Hurricanes in History: The Top 14 Big, Bad Storms
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212367849.shtml

Wikipedia - Schoolhouse Blizzard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoolhouse_Blizzard

Wikipedia - North American Blizzards of 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_blizzards_of_2010

USGS - Largest Earthquakes in these United States
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/10_largest_us.php

The Amateur Economist - America's Great Depression: An Overview
http://www.amatecon.com/gd/gdoverview.html

Wikipedia - List of Recessions in these United States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recessions_in_the_United_States

Wikipedia - Alas, Babylon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alas,_Babylon

Wikipedia - Warday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warday

Wikipedia - One Second After
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Second_After

Weapons

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

As some readers know, I enjoy science fiction. The genre allows writers to explore various aspects of our society.

One series of short stories, that I have enjoyed in the past, involves a bartender and his experiences tending a bar visited by many different alien species. One species, a quick and deadly predator, invites the bartender to lunch. (It's not what you think)

During the story, the visiting aliens easily catch their deer-like prey with sharp claws and quick reflexes as the human bartender always misses his prey until he picks up a femur (the long, thick, strong leg bone of an animal) and uses it to kill his prey.

As the bartender roasts his lunch over an open fire, he ponders the differences in evolution between humans and the aliens. The aliens evolved claws, speed, and quick reflexes to kill their prey while Humans evolved a brain with the ability to improvise or build something ...

to kill you.

You as a Weapon
Teeth, nails, fingers, elbows, knees, forehead, and ... are some of the weapons we carry with us every day. If you can reach someone, you can hurt them.

Remember though! That's true about them, too.

PS.
In a fight for your life, you have failed if you allow an attacked to get this close to you.

The "Things" Around You
On our most recent plane trip (We visited my partner's mom and dad) we went through security. Well, they had changed the signs from our last trip, and I wasn't paying attention, so I forgot to take off my belt. This caused an enhanced pat down and a search of my carry-on bag.

The security agent started going through my bag. As he looked through my bag, I started to realize all the weapons that I was carrying. Things like newspapers/magazines that could be rolled up and used as a blunt weapon; sharpened pencils/ball-point pens that could be used as stabbing weapons; and a thick heavy book in the carry-on bag itself that could be used as a club. (I almost forgot my key ring with the three big keys)

Needless to say, they let me on the plane with everything I was carrying and my belt, too (a garrote)

Close Weapons
Most folks are familiar with close weapons such as knives, swords, and spears. These weapons give you a little more reach then your hands and feet. Plus, they are sharp or pointy or sharp and pointy.

There is also another close weapon called a club. These weapon can be blunt or pointy and sharp.

If manufactured knives, spears, and clubs are unavailable, these weapons can be improvised. An improvised club can be as simple as your young daughter's baseball bat. To add to it's lethality a few nails pounded into the end turns it into an improvised morning star. (Watch the 1981 film Escape from New York or do a web search for "Nail-Bat")

An improvised spear is easy to make. Just find a stout tree limb (about 5 feet long) and sharpen one end. To make the point more durable fire-harden the sharpened tip by holding over a fire and slowly rotating the spear. Don't let the tip catch fire, though.

You can also improvise a metal tip for your spear using discarded metal. After you fashion the spear tip, split the end of the spear, insert the metal tip, then wrap the split end with cord.

To learn how to make an improvised knife, all you need is a little research on prison knives or improvised knives.

Primitive Projectile Weapons
Most of us know about bowes and arrows, but we forget about the others such as blowguns, Atlatl, slings, spears, and a multitude of other projectile weapons.

Modern Projectile Weapons
So many other writers have written about firearms (Which ones to buy, how to use them), but they have failed to make an important point.

Indirect Fire
It's funny to be writing about indirect fire until I remember a story from the troubles in the Angola/South Africa area during the '60s and '70s. A family of farmers were attacked by terrorists. The terrorists used mortars in the attack. The farming families had to harden/strengthen their homes' roofs with sandbags to protect themselves and their families from mortar attacks.

Lastly, The Important Points?
We will never get rid of weapons because humans are too imaginative.

The availability of weapons are limited by your inventiveness

Weapons are used to keep our friends close and our potential enemies as far away as possible

Link:

Judo: Information Site - U.S.M.C. MCRP 3-02B: Close Combat
http://judoinfo.com/pdf/USMCcombat.pdf

Global Security - U.S.A. Fm 3-25.150: Combatives
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-150/index.html

Wikipedia - Knife
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife

Wikipedia - Bowie Knife
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowie_Knife

Wikipedia - Sword
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword

Wikipedia - Mace (Club)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mace_(club)

Wikipedia - Morning Star (Weapon)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_star_(weapon)

Wikipedia - Pike (Weapon)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_(weapon)

Wikipedia - Spear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spear

eHow.com - How to Fire Hardened Wood Spears
http://www.ehow.com/how_6188823_fire-hardened-wood-spears.html

eHow.com - How to Make a Spear
http://www.ehow.com/how_2120634_make-spear.html

Sling.org Forum - General: Other Primitive Weapons
http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?board=other

Primitive Ways - Home
http://www.primitiveways.com/

Storm the Castle - How to Make a Spartan Spear (Hoplite Spear)
http://www.stormthecastle.com/how-to-make-a/spartan-spear.htm
Note: Yes, this link uses paper to make the spear tip but it gives you an idea of how to fabricate one out of metal.

Instructables - Prison Knife
http://www.instructables.com/id/Prison-Knife/

Don Rearic.com - Street Weapons from Romania
http://www.donrearic.com/romanian.html

KK.org - The Dangerous Beauty of the Shiv
http://www.kk.org/streetuse/archives/2006/08/the_dangerous_beauty_of_the_sh.php

FAS - Indirect Fire
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/indirect.htm

Military Skills - Rigging Your Gear: LBE

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

First, I would like to point you to a few article, over at Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest, by Ryan. He makes a very good point that must be made many times.

Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest - New Rules For Your Money And Debt
http://tslrf.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-rules-for-your-money-and-debt.html

Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest - Ramblings On Finances
http://tslrf.blogspot.com/2010/10/ramblings-on-finances.html

Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest - Financial Preps for WTSHTF or Your Own Personal TEOTWAWKI
http://tslrf.blogspot.com/2010/12/financial-preps-for-wtshtf-or-your-own.html

Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest - Does Preparing For TEOTWAWKI Cover All Other Scenarios?
http://tslrf.blogspot.com/2011/02/does-preparing-for-teotwawki-cover-all.html

The point (at least the point I get) is that, more then likely, you and I will die peacefully in our beds, and all that military gear, load bearing equipment (LBE), rucksacks, rifles, military manuals, and ... is less important then being financially prepared with a balanced set of preps.

So why am I writing this article? He might be wrong, and this is what I'm interested in, for now.

So lets get started.


As a prepper/survivalist you and your family may have to take up arms to protect yourselves and your community, so you will need basic military skills.

The first skill I going to write about is rigging your gear.

Now, I will be writing about rigging a set of LBE (Load Bearing Equipment); however you can use these techniques with any gear, just not military equipment.

The first thing you want to do is gather your gear and the supplies you are going to need. For this article (your kit might be different) you will need

- - Gear - -

2 - ammunition pouches
2 - canteen covers
2 - canteens
1 - canteen cup
1 - pistol belt
1 - first-aid pouch
1 - "Y" or "H" harness
1 - butt pack

- - Supplies - -

1 - "Sharp" knife
1 - 550 cord or similar cord
1 - lighter or matches
1 - pair of pliers

Next, you are going to have to make a decision. The decision is whether to remove the metal buckles and clips on your gear or leave them in place. This is your choice.

Me, a former infantryman.

I would remove the metal buckles and clips. In my experience, they dig into your skin, come unbuckled or unclipped at inopportune times, and make noise that can attract unwanted attention.

Note:

Don't let me pressure you into doing this because it's your gear and it (your gear) will work with the buckles and clips intact.

To remove the clips is simple. All you do is open the clips and pull them out. The buckles are a little harder. You will need to take the pliers and bend the buckles to undo them from the straps.

I broke the hook off before spreading the "ears" apart to remove the  metal buckle

Once all the buckles and clips have been take off, we are going to attach all of the gear to the pistol belt.

So, first, you put the pistol belt on and adjust it to your waist size.

Be Warned:

There are two sizes of pistol belt, medium and large. A medium fits up to a 34 inch waist, and a large fits up to a 44 inch waist so make sure you have the proper length. Plus, if you're going to wear a plate carrier or body armour, you need to wear this gear as you adjust the pistol belt.

To adjust the belt, you pull up on the end (see the "teeth") until the "teeth" don't catch on the belt then slid the ends back or forth until the belt is the proper size. To finish adjusting the belt, push the end of the belt down until the "teeth" catch then flatten the belt.

Don't worry about those little sliders between the front and end of the belt, yet. We'll be adjusting them latter.

Now, take the pistol belt off and lay it on the table because we are going to attach the ammunition pouches.

Ok folks, because we might have two different methods (buckles/clips and no buckles and clips) I'm going to explain both.

Buckles and Clips
Position the ammunition pouches and clip the ammunition pouches onto the pistol belt then take a 20 inches (50 centimeters) piece of 550 cord and thread the 550 cord through the webbing on the back of the ammunition pouch. Loop the 550 cord around the pistol belt then thread the 550 cord though the ammunition pouch webbing, again this creates a double wrap  of 550 cord through and around the pistol belt and ammo pouch. Next, I tie the 550 cord using a square knot and two half hitches. (The two half hitches "hold" the square knot) Lastly, I tie the other side of the ammunition pouch using the same method.

You can't see the first of two wraps, but it's there

One side completed. Another side to go

Finished

Removed Buckles and Clips
Position the ammunition pouches then take a 20 inches (50 centimeters) piece of 550 cord and thread the 550 cord through the webbing on the back of the ammunition pouch. Loop the 550 cord around the pistol belt then thread the 550 cord though the ammunition pouch webbing, again this creates a double wrap  of 550 cord through and around the pistol belt and ammo pouch. Next, I tie the 550 cord using a square knot and two half hitches. (The two half hitches "hold" the square knot) Lastly, I tie the other side of the ammunition pouch using 550 cord.

I would like for you to notice the differences between the two methods. One method has the clips, and the other method doesn't.

Now, I know you're wondering why I tie both sides of the ammo pouches even though I have clips.

The reason? The clips may come undone, and the pouch will fall off and get lost, usually when you need them the most. (remember smart cords)

Next, do the other ammunition pouch just like the other.

Next, we're going to do the canteen covers. They are tied the same way as the ammunition pouches. Two loops through the covers and around the pistol belt and tied using a square knot finished with two half hitches.

I would like to take a break and talk to you about placement of the ammo pouches and the canteen covers. The ammunition pouches should be centered on your thighs, about one hand width from the main buckle of the pistol belt. The canteen covers should be about where your back pockets are on your pants.

The breaks over!

Next, you're going to attach the "Y" or "H" harness to the pistol belt. You do it the same way as the ammo pouches and the canteen covers except you're going to double loop through a strap then tie a square knot with two half hitches.

An ammunition pouch with no clips or buckles

Notice, that I loop the 550 cord, for the "Y" or "H" harness, between the two loops for each ammo pouch. The harness straps in the back are just to the side of the canteen covers. This helps distribute the weight of your ammo and water, and it allows you to remove your ammo pouches (if you change to a different weapon) without having to remove the "Y" or "H" harness.

The next step is to attach the butt pack. By now you know what I'm going to write.

Two loops through the butt pack and pistol belt tied with a square knot and finished with two half hitches then do the other side the same way.

Lastly, we are going to attach the first-aid pouch. The pouch will be mounted to the "Y" or "H" harness on the non-firing shoulder. So, if you're left-handed, the pouch goes on the right side. If you're right-handed, the first-aid pouch will go on the left side of the harness.

The first-aid pouch shown open
It is upside down to
allow easy removal of first-aid dressing

Yes, it's tied just like everything else, but the first-aid pouch is tied upside down.

Why?

It's easier to remove the bandage when the pouch is upside down.

Links:
U.S. Calvary - New Issue Pistol Belt
http://www.uscav.com/prod_7684_tabid_548_New+Issue+Pistol+Belt+
Note: U.S. Calvary has extra large belts for a 50 inch waist and an extra-extra large belts for over 50 inch waists.

U.S. Sailing - Square Knot
http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/square_knot.htm

Animated Knots by Grog - How to Tie Scouting Knots
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php

PS.
I finally added some pictures.

And

As always there are pictures that don't fit the narrative, so I have posted them below with some explanations

This picture shows the ammunition pouch and "H" harness tied together with it's original buckles but no clips.

Even though I used a square knot and two half-hitches, you can use any knot that will hold your gear in place. If you are using the clips and buckles.

Notice the rows of wedding on this plate carrier.

The rows of webbing allow you to attach different pouches to the front and back of the carrier. You can use either the "old" metal ALICE clips or the "new" plastic malice clips.

  

On the left is an ammunition pouch using the "old" style of clips to attach to your pistol belt. They can still be used on MOLLE gear like the plate carrier above.

The ammunition pouch on the right uses the "new" style of plastic malice clips. As far as I know, if you're using "old" ALICE gear, the new malice clips will only work on the thin nylon strips found on the rucksack or butt-pack.

Survival Vest

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

After I got out of the Army, my folks suggested/wanted me to be a cop. They said it would be a good secure job.

I listened and told them "No way! I just spent part of my life with a target on my chest, and I wasn't going to spend the rest of my life with a 'shoot me' badge on my chest."

So, why am I telling you this?

Because wearing a military-style survival vest might put a target on your chest during a disaster.

Think about it, for a minute.

So what's a prepper to do?

Wear a vest! Just don't buy one that screams "SURVIVALIST"

My wife bought me this lined vest, from Duluth Trading Co., as a present for Christ's Mass. It has two hand warmer pockets on the outside. The pockets have little flaps that will help keep my gloves in my pockets when I'm not wearing them.

Above is a picture of the vest's inside. It has two big pockets (bottom, both sides) with zippers, two pockets (right side, top) with velcro tabs over the pockets, and three pockets (left side, top) two small ones and one large pocket.

Using the 3 to 5 Rules of Living, let's look at what might go in the vest.

Shelter - two to four large contractor garbage bags, 25 feet of 550 cord (large bottom pocket)

Water - two large freezer-style zipper bags (Ziplock bags) and a small water filter (large bottom pocket)

Food - a couple of snack bars, a few peppermints, a couple pieces of gum (top large pocket)

Protection - a folding knife (top right small pocket)

Fire - fire steel/metal match and some tinder (the other top right small pocket)

Needless to say, you will want to buy a vest that will blend in with your work environment because this vest won't work if you work in a big-city high rise office building.

Link:
Duluth rading Co. - Home
http://www.duluthtrading.com/
Note: Do a search for "Vest"

PS.
This is the type of vest I was talking about, from the Cowboy Action Shooting prospective, in Week Fifteen - Kit.

Storing Sugar Using Plastic Buckets

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

For some reason or another, I can not think of a good opening to this article. At first, I was going to start with: "According to the Latter-day Saints, a year supply of sugar for one person ranges from 35 to 100 pounds," but that opening didn't work very well. So I changed it to: "Sugar in the last few years has doubled in price. Plus, sugar can be stored indefinitely (forever)," but, that didn't work either, so I started writing the article and as you can tell, I still don't have a decent opening.

Materials Needed:
1 - 5-gallon Plastic Bucket with Lid
1 - Mylar Bag
1 - 25 pound bag of Sugar
1 - 10 pound bag of Sugar

Tools Needed:
Clothes Iron
Rubber Mallet
2X4 wrapped with a Bath Towel

Safety Equipment:
Your Brain

First, you will need to gather your supplies and material. In this picture, I have a 25-pound bag and a 10-pound bag of sugar, a 5-gallon plastic bucket with a lid, and a mylar bag.

Next, I take the mylar bag and fold it into a "S" shape before placing it into the bucket. The "S" shape allows the bag to expand to fit the bucket as the mylar bag fills with sugar.


Next, I pour the sugar into the mylar bag.

I pour the 10-pound bag of sugar into the mylar bag then the 25-pound bag of sugar. I do it this way because it is easier to control a 10-pound bag (Imagine juggling to hold the bag open as you pour the sugar into the bag without spilling any) Plus, this allows me to shake the bucket to shift the sugar, so it spreads the mylar bag open to make pouring the 25-pound bag of sugar a whole lot easier.

Once, all of the sugar has been poured into the bag; I shake and roll the bucket to compact the sugar. Next, I take a clean dry towel and wipe the top inside edge of the mylar bag. (Both of these steps are important)

Next, I take a short piece of wood wrapped in a towel and place it on the edge of the bucket. I fold the edge over, and with an iron set on medium-high, I iron the edge of the mylar bag.


I leave a small opening, at one of the corners, to suck some of the air out of the bag. (another important step)

Once I remove the excess air, I seal the bag and iron a 2-inch seam. Now, I make sure that I seal the mylar bag at the very top because I can reseal the bag if I have to open it for some reason.

Next, I use a permanent marker and print on the seam "Sugar." Next, I fold the bag over making sure all of the bag is inside the bucket (This is real easy, if you remembered to suck most of the air out of the bag) and put the lid on using a rubber mallet. After the lid goes on, I print the contents of the bucket and how much is in the bucket.

Next, I place a label on the bucket's side. The label has the contents, weight, the date it was packaged, and the best used by date.

Yep, this picture shows a bucket that was packed back in 2007.

Lastly, this method can be used for any long-term storage of basic food such wheat, rice, and/or beans, but you will need oxygen absorbers to insure a long shelf-life.

OK. Really lastly. I store the filled bucket in a cool dry place, on pallets.


As always, there are pictures and things I wanted to say that don't fit into the article.

To the right is a picture of the mylar bag with the edge folder over the towel with the seam ironed almost to the corner, and the excess air sucked out of the bag, just before I sealed the bag completely.

Yeah, for some reason the picture didn't upload the way I wanted it to, but you get the idea.

This is a close-up of the 2-inch seal with the corner still unsealed.

To suck the air out of the bag, I stick my finger in the bag and make a opening (like a tube) all the way to the sugar then I put my mouth on the opening and suck the air out.

Now, don't suck too hard because you'll suck-up some sugar. Plus, don't slobber because you want the sugar to stay clean/dry.

Here is a side view with the towel wrapped 2X4 laying on the top of the bucket and the just sealed mylar bag.

Lastly, this picture illustrates how tall the mylar bag is compared to the 5-gallon plastic bucket before filling with sugar. Trust me, you will need all of that excess length once you start filling the mylar bag with your long-term food.

Finally, instead of buying a 50-pound bag of sugar, I buy a 25-pound and a 10-pound bag of sugar because a 5-gallon bucket will only hold 35-pounds of sugar. Trust me, again. I tried to fit more sugar in the bucket; It didn't end well. Plus, it's easier to track how much sugar you have put in the bucket.

My suppliers are:
* mylar bags and oxygen absorbers - Walton Feed. A good company with competitive prices

* sugar - Costco, and/or a local grocery store

* plastic buckets - Sorry, it's a secret, but United States Plastic is an internet source that I have used in the past.