Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!
The other day I was reading the NY Times article, We Need Answers’: Hurricane Michael Leaves Florida Residents Desperate for Aid about what is happening on the ground in Panama City, Florida following Hurricane Michael. I am always concerned about people, especially after a catastrophic event like a natural disaster upends their lives. But I just couldn’t help but feel frustrated at all the people complaining that the government was not moving fast enough for them with the assistance that they need….
Read MoreSerg If – The Knifemakers Series
For the fifth installment of Knifemakers From Around the World we will be talking with the western Ukrainian artisan and knifemaker, Serg If. He is known for his incredible mosaic Damascus steel blades with beautiful handcrafted handles and leather sheaths where he frequents many of the custom knifemaking groups on Facebook. It is a real treat to finally meet Serg and talk with him about his craft. Therefore, it is my pleasure to introduce Serg to you…
Read MoreBattling the Elements
Exploring the backcountry comes with its own set of risks: emergency care is often far away, cell phone coverage is rare, and the natural elements can be unpredictable. This risk is often what draws people to wild places, but some natural disasters are so risky that you should make every effort to avoid being caught out in them. Here are tips for avoiding four natural disasters and advice for how to get through to the other side if you are swept up in an unexpected event…
Read MoreDisaster-proofing your personal data
When it comes to emergency preparedness planning, there are many situations to prepare for, each with different considerations. I’ve read numerous articles and watched countless videos discussing the importance of keeping photocopies of your essential personal documents in your bug-out bag like birth certificates and passports, bank and investment accounts, insurance policies, title deeds, wills and the like. The obvious problem with paper documents aside from being paper is the massive amount of weight that they can add to your gear. In this article, I’ll be discussing ways to disaster-proof your personal data without breaking the bank…
Read MoreFREE Kindle eBooks
Since I was a young lad, I’ve always enjoyed getting lost in books. Some of my fondest memories growing up were when I was sitting in my fourth-grade classroom with my teacher reading aloud to the class. Some of my favorites were Where the Red Fern Grows, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Summer of the Monkeys, Old Yeller, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and the list goes on…
Read MoreWilderness Navigation Skills
Why would a prepper need to know about wilderness navigation? Most likely your bug out location is somewhere away from civilization. You’re not going to be in eye sight of your bug out location at all times. You’ll be exploring, you’ll be fishing or hunting or picking berries and it’s very easy to get lost in the woods. Even very experienced woodsmen can get lost in the woods. If the SHTF and you get lost, there probably isn’t a rescue team coming, you might have to rescue yourself…
Read MoreHacks for Homesteading Using Almost No Money
Homesteading is not just a hobby; it is a way of life that many people around the globe are now adopting. Since the Earth’s natural resources are rapidly depleting and pollution is rampant, adopting a self-sustainable lifestyle is really appealing.
You don’t need to be rich to Homestead; by being clever with your resources, you can accomplish this task with almost no money…
Read MoreBoker Plus Tech-Tool Carbon 7 Reviewed
Multi-purpose pocket knives have been common amongst those that carry knives every day for hundreds of years. With the utilitarian in mind, these multi-tool pocket knives come in a wide-variety of options. Boker, the German knifemaker has recently released a modernized version of their widely successful Camp Knife design called the Boker Plus Tech Tool series. Boker USA has kindly provided us with one of their Boker Plus Tech-Tool Carbon 7 knives to share with you…
Read MoreThe WaterBOB Reviewed
Emergency water storage is one of the biggest challenges for most preppers. Especially those living in urban environments like apartments and condos. There just isn’t enough room for large water barrels, much less any type of rainwater catch system. Storage of gallon jugs or cases of water bottles is not very practical either. Today, we’ll be looking at the waterBOB as an innovative alternative for dealing with temporary water containment during short-term emergencies…
Read MoreRapid Application Tourniquet (RATS) Reviewed
As a prepper, I’ve always felt it was a good idea to pack plenty of trauma supplies in my various preparedness kits. But it wasn’t until my EDC included a firearm that I realized I should have been carrying a well-rounded trauma kit as part of my EDC. Not just for firearm-related injuries, but also for other equally pressing medical emergencies. RATS Tourniquet has kindly sent me a couple to see how they might augment an IFAK…
Read MoreHave You Ever Considered Reheating Food?
Are you excited to store, reheat and recycle leftover food and turn them into delicious ‘new’ meals? We’ve prepared an infographic below full of all the essential things you need to know to make sure that you store and reheat your food safely and properly.
Read MoreLuminAID PackLite 12 and PackLite 16 Reviewed
Lighting is an important commodity, especially in an emergency. All to often people have left battery-operated flashlights and lanterns unmaintained with dead batteries. Recent advancements in solar power have spawned a new generation of solar-charged lighting. One such company named LuminAID has taken those advancements and developed a series of lightweight and waterproof solar-powered lanterns that provide ample light when you need it and fold flat when they are packed away. LuminAID has kindly provided two models for us to have a look at…
Read MoreLiving Rational 2-person Survival Kit Reviewed
Preppers and survivalists who have been doing it for a long time typically create their own custom, and often very elaborate bug-out and get-home bags closely tied to their personal emergency preparedness plans. But what about someone who is just getting started? Where is the best place to begin? Living Rational has put together a series of general emergency packs and those specifically tailored to various emergency scenarios like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and so on. Lets dig into one to see what they include and if it is a worthwhile platform to build from…
Read MoreSteel Will Druid 240 Reviewed
This time around, I will be reviewing Steel Will’s Druid 240. While it was part of their 2015 lineup, this was the blade pattern that really caught my eye. Billed as a skinning knife, it has all of the characteristics of a rugged and versatile outdoor survival blade. So let’s take this thing for a spin…
Read MoreNANUK Professional Protective Cases Reviewed
Protective equipment cases can be found in a wide-variety of colors, shapes and sizes to accommodate everything from delicate electronics and medical gear to audio, video and photography equipment, and even used to safely transport firearms and ammunition in some of the harshest conditions. Today, I’ll be taking the Nanuk 960 for a spin to see what it is capable of…
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