SCP Survival

Best Survival Gear and Supplies

A Natural Disaster Can Happen Anywhere (My Life is Proof)

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If you are reading this article, then there’s a good chance you already know this–but disasters can happen any time, anywhere. Here is just a small cross-section of what I’ve seen in my life:

Blizzards, Snow, and Cold Weather

My mother was born in 1925, and she told of many times in the winter when roads might not be opened for a week or 10 days in rural Floyd County, Iowa. When she was 8, she developed appendicitis, and Grandpa took her straight to Charles City-over the ditches full of snow, fence lines, and the river–the snow was that hard crusted and solid enough to carry the sleigh and 2 horses.

In the winter of 1864, the year a great-grandfather moved here from Dane County (Madison) Wis., there was a stretch of railroad near Lawler that was several miles long 11 feet deep in snow.

I can go back and say that George Soule, Mayflower passenger, was 11 times removed my grandfather. And beyond that some unknown Indian woman from Minnesota–10,000 to 15,000 years.

I distinctly remember the winter of ’50-’51 that the snow at our home in Osage, Iowa (N.E. Ia.-Mitchell Cty.) was up to the lower window sill on the 2nd floor of our home, and for 29 days straight the temperature never above 0F and was always -25 to -30F and lower every night.

Extreme Heat

In August ’85, here in Des Moines, we had 8 days straight where it was well over 100F-108F was the worst, and as a road building supervisor, I was on the ground out in it with no shade anywhere.

Floods

Then in ’93 we got hit with record floods–“The Great Flood of 1993”–no water for days, electricity did stay on, extremely serious flooding over the whole state, only 2 bridges in the city open because of geography and we have gobs of bridges–I walked levees on patrol for 13 days straight and lost 25 pounds doing it 12 hours a day.

Earthquakes

We live in what is called the “craton” of the North American landmass, in Iowa. Earthquakes here rate about 2 in probability 100. But there is a very large crescent shaped failed fault that runs in a broad swath from SW to NE that is filled 35,000 feet down with waste rock from the various ancient Oceans and later Ice Ages.

A craton is the oldest and hardest part of a continent. So an earthquake here is very unlikely, but if it should happen it could be truly catastrophic because the fault is so deep and the surrounding rock is very hard. If we look back to the Great Quake of 1811 at New Madrid, Mo. and see that it made the Mississippi run backwards, the seriousness of a like quake here becomes much more understandable. If it should break, it will be a match for anything ever recorded in this nation, probably a 9 or 9.5 at least.

Tornadoes

But weather is the main issue here, that and tornadoes. Quick, get in the basement under the stairs that are bolted to the floor and that should provide adequate protection.

As for the whole Seattle area, not only the Cascadia Fault, but Mt. Rainier, pose enormous challenges. Been there a number of times as an OTR driver, it’s beautiful, but it rains too much for my tastes. And my roots in this state go back to 1864.

Preparedness

I guess these things have impressed on me that “it” can happen here as well as anywhere else, and if you are unprepared, you will suffer. Ever since ’93 we have put a little away, and are now adding seriously to our Mountain House stockpile. Costco has had a very good price on the $125 boxes at $75 or $85, so we grab one of those every 2 or 4 weeks. And water–lots of water.

It’s unfortunate that according to DHS (Homeland Safety) only 1% of the population fits the term prepper, but then, that’s their problem, not mine. The average American simply will not accept that one of the facts of life is that a catastrophe can occur anywhere, and that it doesn’t have to be one you’d expect, although it’s probably the best starting point for beginning.

Lawns Are a Liability, Here’s Why

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GIMME GREEN is a documentary examining American homeowner’s obsession with a beautiful residential lawn.

Here are some of the facts from their website:

  • Lawns are America’s most irrigated crop.
  • Lawns cover 41 million acres.  Every day, more than 5,000 acres of land are converted to lawns in America.
  • Americans spend more than 40 Billion dollars a year on their yards.
  • Americans apply more than 30,000 tons of pesticides to their yards every year.
  • The National Cancer Institute finds that children in households using lawn pesticides have a 6.5 times greater risk of developing leukemia.
  • In an effort to save water, Las Vegas lawn owners are paid a dollar per sq. ft. to remove their grass.
  • On average, Americans use 40 to 60 percent of their water on their landscapes.
  • In order to maintain all the lawns in America, it would take approximately 200 gallons per person per day.

For me, I decided to reduce my lawn and incorporate more edible plants after reading books like Beautiful No Mow Yards, and Edible Landscaping.

Then came dreams of a backyard homestead and a front yard garden inspired by YouTube videos, by Growing Your Greens and Garden Girl TV.

At first I was doing my part to preserve Mother Earth.  Then I was growing food to save money and to become more self sufficient.  These days I’m thinking about the lawn as part of my OpSec (Operational Security).  What I mean is, if the day should come when I can’t mow the lawn, whether it be the result of an EMP, peak oil, or the danger of wandering zombies – an overgrown lawn could be a big liability.

First, tall grass invites critters of the creepy crawly kind that you don’t want to be up close and personal with. Also, passing zombies, looking at a path worn in the tall grass can easily see how you routinely travel through your yard.

So, this spring, part of the plan is to reduce my lawn by 25%. I’m planning more vegetable beds while widening existing beds and sneaking a few edibles among front yard shrubs and flowers. I want to have plenty of good soil on hand now.  As part of my layout now, I’m also planning a nice, wide paver-path to yard destinations like the tool shed and the chicken coop.  Last, I’m looking to replace a small portion of the lawn with pavers for safe secure outdoor cooking area and a vegetation ground cover (strawberries?) to make it all pretty.

So whether you’re going green, growing food or considering life after the SHTF, start planning ways to make your lawn serve you instead of the other way around.

How To Make Natural Sunscreen and Skin Protectant [Recipe]

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It’s that time of year, again! Time to get outdoors and enjoy the sun! But, hold on, there there are some things you need to remember, like, don’t rush out and fry yourself!

What’s the worst that can happen with overexposure? Well, the answer to that question is not simple and we cannot do it justice here, but we all know about the link between too much sun and skin cancer.

Suffice it to say that if you get it, you WILL either be covering up and staying away from prolonged periods of direct sunlight, or you will become intimately familiar with “modern medicine practices”. I know which one I want!

You’re probably wondering, “why not just buy sunscreen”? Well, lots of people will do just that. But people who understand the connection between what we put on and in our bodies know it has everything to do with why we are the cancer and Alzheimers generation, and that we do not have to “go quietly” into such a future.

We can “fight back”, and the first line of defense is totally within our control. Read the chemicals list on the backs of these containers some time, and that should do it!

You can buy ready-made all-natural sun screens, if you don’t faint at the price, that is. But you must still do your homework and remember: things are not always what they claim to be.

Think there is an easier and safer way: make your own!

DIY Natural Sunscreen Recipe

So, let’s make our own very simple Natural skin protection:

Ingredients:

You’re going to need a “makeshift” double boiler, unless you’re lucky enough to have a vintage glass double boiler (I do!).  Otherwise, use a glass bowl that will fit partially down inside one of your small cooking pans/pots. Put about an inch of water in the cooking pan/pot.

Directions:

  1. In your glass bowl, combine the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax granules.
  2. Gently melt your oils, while stirring (do not use a wooden spoon here – use stainless steel only).
  3. When oils are completely melted together, remove bowl from heat source.
  4. Add zinc oxide powder, stirring in gently (you do not want it to “fly”).
  5. Gently stir the oxide powder in until there are no “lumps”.
  6. Pour it into a glass jar or container and allow to cool. It will be a creamy white color upon cooling.

Use in delicate areas to prevent burn, such as nose, cheekbones, wherever protection is needed. It goes on “white” but disappears into the skin within a few short minutes.

This is a small batch for “trial”; you may want to double the recipe for larger batches.

Note: This is not intended to be used “all over your body and every time you go out in the sun.” We all need sun. 15 minutes a day in the sun will produce the right kind of Vitamin D, which is so healthy for us all, and you don’t want to block your skins ability to produce Vitamin D (A side note on supplements: if you’re going to rely on supplements for Vitamin D, make sure it’s D3; others will not do the job. I’ll leave you to research. But 15 minutes a day in the sun is a much better solution).

Other Ways To Be Wise About Sun Exposure

Expose yourself to the right amount of sun at the right time of day, and you should not need to “protect your skin” all over. 15-30 minutes a day in the sun will do the job for you; if you must be out longer than that, yes, you should protect your skin, especially in higher heat times of day. Of course, if you’re prone to “freckles” and you really don’t want more freckles, you are going to want to do more to protect your skin, but you still need sun to be healthy.

Time of day for exposure to sun is very important. Morning or late afternoon/early evening sun will produce Vitamin D very well; being out in the hot sun in the worst heat of the day is simply not wise.  It’s important not to “rush into” sun exposure, either, particularly if your skin has not been subjected to sun in quite some time. Work into it slowly, to prevent sunburn, which is skin damage. Skin that is damaged today will come back to haunt you tomorrow – make no mistake about it!

I’m sure none of us wants to burn the skins of our wee ones, either. Here are some helps:

  • A wide-brimmed hat is an absolute “must”, for babies, children, and adults
  • A good pair of sunglasses to protect the eyes – absolutely!
  • Light color clothing, as dark colors attract and hold heat. Long-sleeved white cotton or natural linen shirts to cover up when you want to stay “out” but know you’ve had all the sun you need on arms, and long pants of equal fabric that you can “slip on” at will.

You’ll still be cool and comfortable; you’ll still be enjoying time outdoors, but you won’t be damaging your skin (sunburn).

Wearing sandals? Your feet can get burned, too; be prepared to change shoes or protect your skin at the top of your feet, ankles, etc. White cotton socks may not be “sexy”, but neither is sunburn or sun poisoning up your ankles.

Do not neglect your hands – the backs of your hands are more likely to have sun damage (referred to as “age spots” as time goes on)  than any other part; as you age, you WILL care about this.

DO NOT subject yourself to sunburn, and certainly make sure your children don’t get burned. It’s more than just temporary misery, it’s permanent damage to our delicate organ we call “skin”.

Don’t be afraid to carry a large umbrella, particularly on the beach or outdoors for long periods; it once was quite fashionable, and should be again, IMHO. Asian and European women still carry an umbrella (parasol, if you prefer) to protect their skin from the damaging effects of sun, while still being able to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine outdoors. Start a wave!

Eat your fruits and veggies! Those antioxidants will be powerful in producing the right things for skin and avoiding the wrong things. And don’t forget that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants! Happy! Happy! Happy!

With all of this, I hope you’re ready to have safe and carefree fun in the sun!

Preparedness: Common Sense or Craziness?

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Ever since I was a teenager there have been numerous times when I have “come to the rescue” in a situation. Not literally rescued someone but just had what was needed at the time.

One of the most memorable was when I was going to Winthrop College back in 1989 and Hurricane Hugo swept into town. Even as a teenager I was into preparedness. I awoke at 4:00am to the power out and incredible wind and rain. I was in my dormitory and walked into the hallway outside my room and people were trying to get news and check on people. Hardly anyone had a flashlight and as far as news there were no cell phones back then.

I went into the Army footlocker I had brought to school with me and fetched a radio along with a couple of flashlights and several cyalume light sticks. I passed the extra items out.

I was not surprised by the lack of preparation. I had seen it all before.

Another example was a storm rolled through the South and killed power in my area. I cranked up my generator and plugged in my fridge and freezer – along with a box fan, cell phone chargers and a TV/DVD.

My neighbor was talking to my wife, saying that they didn’t know what they were going to do as the power was supposed to be out up to 4 days. I told my wife to run ONE extension cord over there and to make sure that ONLY the fridge was plugged in. I didn’t want to overload the genny.

There have been numerous other situations where the power went out, a band-aid or first aid kit was needed, someone needed some rope – whatever. Point is and not trying to pat myself on the back but I come through because I am prepared.

So – is preparedness common sense or craziness?

5 Steps To a Prepper’s Money Management

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An important part of prepping is wise budgeting. After all, our homes and families will never be secure if we ourselves are not financially secure. For a prepper, keeping a careful eye on your finances should be of the utmost importance.

Drawing Up a Budgeting Plan

A money management plan can be as simple or complicated as you like, but should always include details of both your income and outgoings. Many people like to use an Excel spreadsheet to manage their finances, but others find it simpler, and easier, to use a ledger.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to include all the relevant details which will help you to manage your budgeting checklist. This might mean looking weeks, months or even years into the future, to get a comprehensive overview of how much you have coming in and going out.

The Budgeting Checklist

Budgeting as a prepper will never be the same as budgeting for a non-prepper. Preppers have so much more to think about, in terms of obtaining and storing supplies which can be used in a disaster scenario. Creating a manageable budget will help you to allocate your prepping finances wisely, and may reduce the cost of your prepping.

  1. Take stock of your household expenses, including all utilities. Discover ways in which these can be reduced. Don’t forget that sometimes you have to spend money to save money. This might mean investing in solar panels to reduce your energy costs. Solar panels will also be of enormous benefit after TSHTF!
  2. Vehicle costs, including fuel and repairs, can be high, but you can reduce this cost by learning about auto mechanics. This is another great skill to have in an emergency situation.
  3. Food costs can be lowered by buying in bulk. Instead of purchasing supplies as and when you can afford to, put some money aside each month and make one big purchase every quarter. You can also save money by growing your own food, and knowing how to live off the land is an invaluable skill for preppers.
  4. Reduce the cost of clothing by shopping around. If you’re after survival gear, places like the Regatta Outlet sell some amazingly low cost clothing which is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
  5. Reduce your debt (food storage can be a great tool to help you do this) (food storage can be a great tool to help you do this). This may not sound like it’s terribly important – after all, money won’t be a factor after TSHTF – however there are plenty of things which can go wrong for a prepper in debt. If you don’t pay what you owe you may be in danger of losing your home, and all of your hard work will have been in vain.

10 Things That Should Be Found In A Senior Citizen’s Home Emergency Kit

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Accidents can and do happen even if you have taken measures towards preventing them, but having the necessary materials on hand greatly increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Because many senior citizens tend to live on their own, and are also more susceptible to injuries like fractures or health scares like strokes or a sudden drop in blood pressure, it is all the more important that they have a well-stocked home emergency kit that is easily accessible during the panic that ensues after an emergency.

Following is a list of ten things you should stock in a senior’s home emergency kit, and although this list is by no means comprehensive, it does cover the essentials.

1. Central file with emergency contacts and medical information

It is extremely important to have a file on hand that caregivers or health care workers can access quickly during an emergency. The file should contain contact information for a senior’s doctor, pharmacy, insurance company and emergency contact person.

Other important information, such as allergies, power of attorney, and a list of all medications they are taking including the dosages and times should be included.

2. Blood pressure monitor, glucometer and/or AED

If a senior becomes unwell, it is important that caregivers have access to a blood pressure monitor and glucometer in order to correctly assess the situation.

An AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) is pricey, but it could save your loved one’s life, as most sudden cardiac arrests lead to death if not treated within minutes. Make sure regular caregivers have adequate training in the usage of an AED.

3. Basic first aid materials

Of course, the emergency kit should contain all the basic first aid materials that a regular one would, such as adhesive bandages, disinfectant, gauze, scissors, alcohol wipes, tweezers, cotton balls and swabs, safety pins and gloves.

4. Medication

Medication is also important in an emergency. This can include things like fever reducer, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, and antibiotics (if you can get them). Pain reliever is also a welcome addition, as sprains, bumps and bruises can be extremely painful even if they aren’t life-threatening.

5. Battery powered flashlight

If there is a blackout or the senior is unable to reach the light switches due to an injury, a flashlight can be extremely useful finding the necessary emergency supplies and medications.

6. Cell phone with external battery pack

Along with a regular cell phone, it is a good idea to include a simple emergency cell phone in the kit, in case a senior is unable to get to their other cell phone. This should be stored along with an external battery pack or a car charger.

7. Cold compress

Simple sprains and bruises caused by falls can be eased immediately with a cold compress, and can prevent excess swelling later on. Chemical type compresses can be stored with an emergency kit and are easy to dispose of and replace.

8. Blanket

Although most homes will have blankets, it helps to have everything in one place during an emergency. If a senior goes into shock after a fall or scare, it will be necessary to keep them warm and calm until emergency services arrive, and an emergency thermal blanket can easily be stored along with the other supplies.

9. Magnifying glass

Seniors often have trouble reading the small lettering on medications and other important emergency supplies, and including a magnifying glass can make it easier for them to make out the directions or ingredients on packaging, even in poor lighting.

10. Antibiotic ointment and burn gel

When water and soap is not immediately available, antibiotic ointment can clean out a wound and prevent infection. It should, however, not be used on burns, so a good burn gel is also useful to include.