Emergency and Disaster Warnings

Besides the things you may observe or experience personally, there are several ways you may be alerted to a disaster or an emergency situation before it occurs. Being aware of what is happening or about to happen can mean the difference in surviving a disaster or becoming a victim of one.


1.) Emergency Alert System

The Emergency Alert System is the one most people are probably already familiar with and begins “ If this had been an actual emergency…" These alerts are heard frequently on radio and TV broadcasts. You need to pay special attention to these broadcasts. There may come a time when the emergency will be for real.

2.) Television and Radio Announcements

Public announcements over radio and television channels provide much of our needed information during a disaster. In some areas, cable companies are equipped to relay emergency announcements during a disaster. But if you lose electrical power at home, you may be out of luck. You can hook up your own emergency generator to power your TV. If your TV service is provided by a cable company, they may lose power also and will probably be out of service and no signal will be available. Keep a small antenna or “rabbit ears” available to use with your TV. This may allow you to receive a signal from outside your immediate area which will help you get additional disaster information.


3.) Warning Sirens

In my area, the same sirens used by our volunteer fire departments also serve as disaster warning devices for the people in town. Instead of the intermittent blasts generally used by the fire department to indicate a fire, the sirens will sound continuously as a warning in the event of a disaster or other emergency. These types of outdoor warning systems may not be as useful if you are indoors and unable to hear them.


4.) Residential Alerts

Police department vehicles, Sheriff department vehicles, fire department vehicles, or in some cases military vehicles are used to alert people to emergency situations or for the need to evacuate. These vehicles are usually equipped with public address systems and may travel through neighborhoods broadcasting notifications to people of an emergency situation. They will generally give instructions on whether you should evacuate or stay inside your home. This may not always occur depending upon the strain that may be placed on emergency services during a disaster or an emergency.

5.) NOAA Weather Bulletins

One of the primary sources of information about possible weather disasters is the NOAA weather broadcasts. These broadcasts are available 24 hours a day and can play an important part in keeping you informed of dangerous weather conditions. Include a good battery powered radio in your emergency kit capable of receiving the NOAA weather broadcasts and alerts. This will help you to survive during dangerous weather conditions.

Being aware of your surroundings, being informed about what is happening and being prepared ahead of time will help you to survive most any disaster or emergency situation.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Emergency Cash

While sheltering in place is generally your best option, if you need to evacuate due to a storm or other emergency, cash will be an essential requirement. Most people live “cashless” lifestyles that depend on plastic. People carry lots of “plastic” money in the form of credit cards and debit cards but normally don't keep any significant amount of cash on hand for a true emergency. Most, if not all, purchases are made with credit cards, debit cards, or personal checks.

During and after a major disaster or in an emergency situation, it's very unlikely that there will be any merchants that are going to be able to process credit cards or validate checks. If people are selling items, they're probably going to accept cash only. This simply means you won’t be able to buy anything if you don’t have cash. Check and credit card machines and electronic cash registers probably won’t be working due to power outages, etc. Don't count on getting change back from a hundred dollar bill. Needed currency denominations to make change may be in short supply. It will be better to have smaller denomination bills ($10's and $20's) and plenty of change (rolls of quarters, etc.) available in an emergency.

Make sure you set enough aside to counter higher prices that may occur due to needed items being in short supply. Hotel and motel rooms will become very expensive in a short period of time, if any are still available. Gasoline and fuel prices can go up in a hurry and food items, including water and ice, will get expensive due to limited supplies and availability. Don’t count on any of your normal routines working during a disaster or emergency.

Got cash?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Emergency Kit Tips

While your home will probably be safest place to be during an emergency or crisis, there may be times when you will need to evacuate the area or leave your home. Here are some essentials tips for your emergency kits.

Emergency Kit Tips

(1) Your emergency kit should be placed in portable containers located near an exit of your house. This is so you can grab them quickly on your way out of the house in a serious emergency or disaster. Do not overload your kit, backpack or portable container. If you wind up having to carry it a long distance to reach safety or shelter you will appreciate the lighter weight.

(2) Each family member should have their own kit with food, clothing and water. You may want to include an extra emergency kit for any relatives or persons visiting you. In an emergency this will give you needed additional items and resources in an emergency. You can distribute heavy items between the emergency kits for adult members to keep the weight of children’s emergency kits at a minimum.

(3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them. Make sure it’s weather appropriate for the time of year. Don’t forget to include raingear. If it's raining when you have to evacuate, you will appreciate having dry clothes.

(4) Keep a small flashlight handy in the top portion of your kit. This way you can find it quickly and easily in the dark. Have more than one! If a flashlight gets lost or broken, you will need another one.

(5) Personalize your kit. Be sure you fill the needs of each family member and don’t forget to provide any needed prescriptions for inhalers, medicines, eyeglasses, etc.

(6) Inspect your emergency kit at least twice a year. Make sure there aren’t any missing items. Rotate your food and water. Check your children's clothing for proper fit and size. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check the expiration dates on all batteries, light sticks, hand warmers, and any extra food items and water you have stored. Be sure to include appropriate foot gear, such as hiking or snow boots.

(7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs. For infants, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, as well as other special supplies.

(8) Be sure to make copies of important personal and business documents and store them in a safe place. Include photos and I.D. for all family members.

(9) Identify an out of state contact person so family and friends can communicate with you during an emergency. Keep the information written down and easily accessible.

(10) Plan for a meeting place if you cannot meet at home. Designate an emergency meeting place if you become separated during a disaster or emergency.

It is difficult to prepare for every emergency situation that you may face. Having an emergency kit handy and easily accessible may give you the needed edge to survive.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Defensive Firearm Accessories - Cartridge Slides

While stocking ammunition is a good thing, having that ammunition readily available for reload is an even better thing! You might not want to find yourself in a situation where a few extra rounds could make a big difference in the outcome of a defensive situation. Fortunately, there is a cheap and inexpensive way to solve this problem.

Cartridge Slides for your belt are relatively inexpensive accessories, most being available for less than $10, and will allow you to carry extra rounds for your firearm quite easily. They are available for most of the common guns that are currently in use. They slide easily onto your belt where your extra rounds won’t get lost or misplaced. Nylon versions are much cheaper than leather cartridge slides and offer good quality for the price. They offer the advantage of being easily carried on your belt where the extra rounds will be quickly and easily accessible when needed for a reload. This also makes it easier for a tactical reload after each shot, which is a common practice with more experienced lever action rifle users. Having extra ammo at your fingertips may give you the advantage you need in a defensive situation.

Most Rifle Cartridge Slides will generally hold 10 rounds. This is enough for a couple of reloads for a Marlin Model 336 Rifle which generally has a five round capacity.

The majority of Handgun Cartridge Slides usually hold six rounds which are enough for one full reload for a revolver like the Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum. You can increase your rounds with an extra handgun cartridge slide on your belt.

Shotgun Cartridge Slides generally have a six round capacity and offer an alternative to those people who are not comfortable with butt cuffs on their shotgun. You can also supplement your available rounds with an additional shotgun cartridge slide.

In any defensive situation, it will be important for you to create or maintain an advantage over an intruder. It is important to make sure that you have readily accessible ammunition at your fingertips. This will help you to maintain the advantage in a defensive situation.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preparedness Resources

A very important item not listed in many emergency or disaster preparedness plans is knowing your neighbors. If it’s “crunch time” you will need to know who you can count on and who you need to avoid in a crisis. We’re not talking about the person next door. We’re talking about everyone in your neighborhood and the ones down the road. You will need to KNOW your neighbors. Neighbors can be a valuable resource for your survival.

You might have a police officer who lives fairly close that could help out with protection and security issues. There may be a doctor or nurse who lives close by that could help with injuries or illnesses if emergency medical services become overloaded or unavailable. There could be a dentist who could assist with minor health problems. Perhaps you’ve got a plumber or electrician living in your area that could help with emergency repairs that would restore your water and power after a disaster. You might even run across a contractor with plenty of tools and a generator who would be a really good neighbor to have around. It might even be a mechanic who could get a vehicle running to provide emergency transportation. Any or all of these persons, and numerous others that haven’t been mentioned, could come in handy during an emergency.

During times when there isn’t a crisis or disaster to deal with, which is probably going to be most of the time, knowing your neighbors wil greatly increase the security of your home. Good neighbors watch out for their fellow neighbors and will see things that don’t “belong” much quicker than a person realizes. You and your neighbors will spot an intruder who does not belong in your neighborhood or area much quicker and can respond faster to any threat they might pose. In an emergency or disaster situation, you and your neighbors will be able to pull together much quicker, a lot more comfortably, and in a much safer set of circumstances if you get to know each other before a disaster strikes. Good neighbors also make good friends!

Granted that there will be some of your neighbors you will probably want to avoid and it will be much better if you know about them ahead of time. Finding out that someone is unreliable and not trustworthy during a disater or a crisis is not the best time. Learn who you may be able to count on in a crisis.

Are all the people around you going to be bad people? Of course not! But what happened with Katrina in New Orleans proved that bad people will take advantage of good people during a crisis if they can.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Wooden Gun Stock Refinishing Tip

With a great many people buying used guns, especially the military surplus rifles, there is sometimes a need to refinish the wooden stocks due to abuse or neglect. There is a simple trick you can use to get that smooth satin finish that is found on new wooden gun stocks. You can turn it into a showpiece with very little effort if done right.

One of the things that I have done frequently is refinish wooden gun stocks for friends and other people. They have either accidentally or through neglect allowed their rifle stocks to become less than perfect and as a result need to refinish them.

To get a satin smooth finish when refinishing a wooden gun stock all you have to remember is that in the process of sanding down a wooden gun stock dust will get inside the grain of the wood. This dust can be hard to remove properly with a dust cloth. The best way to remove this dust is by using a cloth soaked with denatured alcohol. The denatured alcohol will clean the dust from sanding out of the grain of the wood but will dry quickly in the process. Then when staining and sealing the stock you will be able to get a really smooth finish because the fine particles from sanding have been removed with proper cleaning.

When using this technique you will need to make sure you've allowed the alcohol residue to evaporate fully before applying any stain, lacquer or varnish. This technique can also be used when refinishing a piece of wooden furniture.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Barter Items - Part Two

With a weakening dollar, rising unemployment, and businesses going bankrupt and closing their doors in record numbers, barter may become a real part of your everyday life. Skill and knowledge in how to barter during an economic collapse could become a critical skill that everyone will need to survive.

In Part One of Survival Barter Items it was revealed that the best of all possible situations is to be able to barter from a superior position rather than an inferior one. Being able to get the most value possible for those items you trade is essential for your survival and the survival of your family.

Finding yourself in an inferior bargaining position is not a very good place to be. You need something and yet you may not have anything tangible to barter with that will give you the advantage. This is where intangibles assets will come into play as a valuable barter item. Your survival skills and knowledge may prove to be the winning factor. Your skills may be your biggest asset when it comes down to being able to barter successfully during an economic collapse or a breakdown of normal society. The knowledge and skills you have now could become the only truly valuable thing you could trade with if caught in an inferior bargaining position.

Learn the areas where your skills may be lacking. Know where your skills are the strongest. Learn their true value and know when and where they will be needed most. Realize that the ability to make or repair a needed item or provide a needed service may ultimately have the greatest value in a barter situation.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gear - The Corn Knife

One of the items that is a part of my survival gear is the corn knife. This corn knife is several ounces heavier than a standard machete but is better for clearing heavy brush and cutting down small trees. Corn knives have been around for a long time and, as the name suggests, were used extensively to clear corn stalks from farmer's fields.

The particular one I use has a 6 1/2 inch natural finish hardwood handle with a 15" tempered steel blade. This type of knife falls into the knife category of heavy machetes. This corn knife weighs approximately 18 ounces or just slightly more than a pound. Most standard machetes weigh slightly less at around 12 to 14ounces. The blade on a corn knife widens quite a bit towards the tip for maximum cutting and chopping power. This is ideal for those bigger jobs where you need the extra cutting power.

They are relatively inexpensive and the cost will generally be in the $10 to $12 range, They are a little heavier but are more practical to use than a standard machete when cutting heavy brush. This is due to the fact that most of the extra weight is in the actual blade itself. They are rugged enough that you can cut small diameter trees down fairly quickly with a minimum of effort. The blade on this type of corn knife is extremely sharp and holds an edge extremely well. They are also relatively easy to sharpen.

If you are looking for something that is a little heavier duty than the standard machete, this is the knife you may want to consider. It is a very handy tool and is well made.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preparedness for Pets - Dry Dog Food or Canned

Younger dogs and puppies require a very large intake of protein, calories and nutrients than adult dogs. This is due to the demands of their rapidly growing bodies. Most commercial brands of dry dog food meet these requirements and are usually well balanced to support their proper growth and are designed to meet the age requirements of your dog.

The majority of dog foods that are now available are usually designed so that any additions are usually redundant and are not required for the health of your dog. The majority of ingredients of most dry dog foods are chicken, beef or lamb by products and corn, wheat or rice.

Higher meat content increases the percentage of protein. This will increase the taste and ease digestion. Protein percentages in dog food will vary due to the age and size of the dog. There are certain advantages of dry dog foods over semi-moist and canned dog foods that are available.

One of the best reasons to feed dry food is that it is less expensive than the semi-moist or canned foods of equal quality. Another good reason to feed dry dog food is that the chewing action required with dry dog food is better for the health of your dog’s teeth and gums. Dry dog food generally has a shelf life of approximately one year and the date is usually stated on the bag as a “best by” date.

The addition of supplements to a good dog food is usually unnecessary and might ruin the nutrient balance in your dog food. The addition of calcium supplements could cause improper bone growth. This may result in problems for your dog.

Dogs eating large amounts of canned or soft foods have a much greater chance of having calcium deposits on their teeth or developing a gum disease. Canned or semi-moist foods can be helpful for your dog in certain areas. Its main use is as a supplement. In moderate amounts, canned dog food or semi moist dog foods can be used to stimulate your dog’s appetite. They are also helpful if there is a need for additional weight gain. Unless certain very specific conditions are present, such as special dietary requirements due to a medical condition, dry dog food will generally be the best way for your dog to meet their nutritional needs.

Just as you depend on your dog, your dog depends on you. Don’t forget to include them in your preparedness plans.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Observations of a Prepper - More Prepper Networks

It seems that there are even more prepper networks now. This is a VERY good thing. The more people who are prepared for adversity, the less victims and refugees we will have. Hopefully the lessons learned from Katrina won't have to be re-learned before people realize that self reliance is a good thing.

Check out American Preppers Network for all the different states that now have prepper networks and help everyone become better prepared. Tom has put a lot of hard work into this effort and should be commended for a great job. Thanks Tom from preppers everywhere!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Gear - Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron cookware has been in use for thousands of years and was once considered as valuable as gold. It is the “old timer’s” equivalent of modern “non-stick” cookware. Having a set of cast iron cookware can be an excellent addition to your preparedness items.

Advantages of Cast Iron Cookware

1.) Cast iron cookware is extremely durable and actually improves with age.

2.) Cast iron cookware helps add the essential nutrient, iron, to your diet.

3.) Cast iron cookware is an excellent heat conductor.

4.) Cast iron cookware heats evenly and quickly and will retain its heat for a very long period of time.

5.) Cast iron cookware can be placed directly on a fire or glowing coals. This makes it ideal for camping or outdoor activities.

6.) Cast iron cookware is relatively inexpensive when compared to stainless steel or other types of cookware.

7.) Cast iron cookware can last a lifetime with minimal or no damage and is often passed down from one generation to the next.

8.) Cast iron cookware can be used for a variety of purposes, such as browning, frying, stewing and even for baking.

9.) Cast iron cookware actually becomes essentially a “non-stick” surface when properly seasoned. This makes it very easy and simple to clean.

10.) Cast iron cookware is now made of iron alloys that give it additional strength that was not found in prior years.


Disadvantages of Cast Iron Cookware

1.) Weight is one of its main disadvantages. Cast iron cookware is quite heavy.

2.) Cast iron cookware requires maintenance to maintain the seasoning and to prevent rusting.

3.) Cast iron cookware will react to the acids in foods. This is normally not much of a problem if the cookware is properly seasoned.

4.) Cast iron cookware should not be used to store food. Food with any acid content at all that is stored in cast iron cookware will absorb the seasoned layer and may even acquire a metallic taste.

5.) Cast iron cookware must be stored properly to prevent rust. This is usually done by keeping the lids off. In unusually high humidity, moisture can build up and cause rust to form on your cookware. This will require cleaning and re-seasoning.

For the excellent value that cast iron provides, along with its durability, cast iron cookware is well worth the time and effort it takes to maintain it properly. You will be able to cook and prepare great meals with it.

Got Dutch Oven?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

A Healthy Marinade for Grilling Meats

Grilled meats are a favorite of most everyone. Most everyone loves to Bar-B-Que! There is a risk factor that goes with grilled food. Grilled meats often contain high levels of carcinogenic compounds called HCAs (heterocyclic amines). There is a special marinade that has been found to limit the amount of HCAs formed when grilling meats. This special marinade will keep HCAs to very minimal levels.

Healthy Marinade Recipe

6 Tablespoons of olive oil
4 Tablespoons of cider vinegar
4 Tablespoons of lemon juice
1/2 Cup of brown sugar (packed)
3 Tablespoons of grainy mustard
3 Medium garlic cloves (crushed)
1 1/2 Teaspoons of salt

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and then place meat and enough marinade to keep it covered in a re-sealable plastic bag. Allow to marinate for a minimum of 4 hours, being careful to keep the meat covered. Grill as you would normally.

The researches are not quite sure as to “how” this special marinade works but it does. Although it works well for other meats, this marinade is especially effective when used to grill chicken.

Source: J. Felton, PhD, Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA.


Got grill?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Dogs for Home Security

While it's extremely difficult to protect your home and possessions from professional thieves, the majority of home burglaries are usually done by amateurs. Many of these amateur thieves are more easily thwarted if you employ some simple security precautions.

Thieves and burglars are often defeated employing their two main fears; attention and time. Anything that draws attention to their activities or causes them to spend an excessive amount of time trying to get into your house may cause them to look for “easy pickings” elsewhere.

Dogs are excellent deterrents to burglars. The burglar’s enemies are time and noise. Anything that makes noise, even a small, noisy dog can be effective. Burglars do not like to have attention drawn to their presence as this may lead to getting caught.

You should also be aware that trained guard dogs do not usually make good pets. Obedience training and attack or guard dog training are two entirely different things. Dogs with obedience training are suitable for home security and as a house pet. (*edit*) Specially trained guard dogs can be suitable as house pets, depending upon the level and quality of their training. Dogs that have been trained as "attack" dogs usually will not make a suitable house pet.

Got bark?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Foods - Oatmeal

January is National Oatmeal Month. There is usually more oatmeal consumed in January than in any other month of the year. Recently, there has been a large amount of interest in oatmeal in recent years. This is due mainly to its beneficial health effects. Daily consumption of a bowl of oatmeal has been shown to help in lowering blood cholesterol because of its high content of soluble fiber. This is an excellent item for your food storage program.

Most oatmeal cereals are made from rolled oats. Rolled oats are cleaned, graded and pearled. This is a process that removes the husk from the oat grain, steam is then used to soften it, and then it is rolled flat between heavy metal rollers. While this process causes the oats to lose some of its protein and vitamins, they have a much longer shelf life than natural oatmeal due to the heat of steaming and rolling. Rolled oats are usually sold in cardboard or paper packaging, while unprocessed oatmeal is usually sold in air-tight, vacuum-packed containers.

Quick or old fashioned oats can be used in baking as a substitute for a portion of the flour called for in various recipes for muffins, biscuits, pancakes, and cookies.

And in case you are wondering about the shelf life of rolled oats, a 2005 study at Brigham Young University found that the quick cooking type rolled oats that had been stored for 28 years in sealed containers were rated "acceptable in an emergency" in taste and quality by 75 % of people involved in a taste test of the rolled oats.

Got oats?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Barter Items for Survival - Part One

In a survival situation where many items may be scarce or in limited supply, you will need to make sure that you place yourself in a superior bargaining position when bartering for needed items for your own survival. The best way to put yourself in a superior position in any type of bartering situation is to take advantage of inherrent human weaknesses and addictions.

Unfortunately, many people are addicted to a great many things. These items to which they are addicted can be great barter items that will place you in a superior position when bartering. Those who lack the necessary willpower to control their addictions will be at a serious disadvantage in any bargaining for needed items to which they are addicted.

The two main items that will be essential to a great many people because of their addictions will be alcohol (the kind you drink) and tobacco products. Wine, beer, and liquor will be in great demand and even more so for those to whom it is an essential part of their life due to a dependence on it. Tobacco products will also be in great demand. Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and other forms of tobacco will make excellent barter items for your survival.

The best way to come out ahead in any trade or barter situation is to place yourself in a position of power. Having an item that a person needs desperately is just one way to do this with a fairly guaranteed rate of success. This may seem a rather harsh manner in which to do business, but remember, we're talking about your survival and the survival of your family.

Got barter items?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - DIY Cold Sore Treatment

Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus. These sores can be very painful and usually last several days to as long as a week. Unlike most viral infections, the cold sore virus is not always completely eliminated by the body’s normal defenses. For this reason, many cold sores often recur on a continuing basis and can be extremely difficult to treat.

Cold sores heal faster and cause less pain when they are treated topically with Pepto-Bismol or any type of antacid containing bismuth. To treat a cold sore is a very simple procedure. Once every four hours, use a cotton ball or swab to dab some liquid onto the cold sore. You can also purchase and use the OTC (Over-The-Counter) amino acid supplement lysine to treat a cold sore. The prescription ointment acyclovir known as Zovirax is another common form of treatment.

Source: M. Lozano, MD – Fresno, CA.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Homemade First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is important to treat minor injuries. A homemade, multi-purpose first aid kit can be used for the home, your car, at work, and when traveling. The cost is generally not much more than a ready made first aid kit which generally has limited amounts of useful items in smaller packages. Although more expensive than some pre-made First Aid Kits, you can purchase quality first aid items and have extra items to spare. Here is a list of suggested items for a homemade First Aid Kit.

First Aid Kit Accessories

1 Pair of scissors
1 Pair of tweezers
1 Self-Adhesive Wrap (Coban)
1 Package of safety pins
1 Small box of cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
1 Package of moist towelettes
1 Lighter or pack of matches
1 Small bottle of hand sanitizer (alcohol-base)
1 Small jar of petroleum jelly
1 Small mirror

Bandages for a First Aid Kit

1 Box of assorted size Band-Aids
1 Box of medium gauze pads
1 Box of large gauze pads
2 Rolls of gauze
1 Box of medium size non-stick bandage pads
2 Rolls of first aid tape (preferably waterproof)
1 Box of eye pads

Over The Counter Medications for a First Aid Kit

1 Small bottle of Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
1 Small bottle of Ibuprofen (Advil)
1 Box of sinus/nasal decongestant tablets (Sudafed)
1 Small package of cough drops
1 Small package of throat lozenges
1 Box or package of anti-diarrheal tablets (Imodium)
1 Box or package of stomach relief tablets (Pepto-Bismol)

Ointments and Creams for a First Aid Kit

1 Small tube of hydrocortisone ointment or cream
1 Small tube of antibiotic ointment
1 Small tube of analgesic cream
1 Small bottle of insect sting or bite relief

Miscellaneous Items for a First Aid Kit

1 Bottle of eye drops
1 Bottle of ear drops
2 Pairs of latex or nitrile gloves
1 Package of moleskin for blisters
2 Feminine hygiene pads for emergency bandages
2 Rolls of elastic bandages - 1 large and 1 medium
1 Large piece of cloth suitable for making an arm sling
1 First Aid Manual

Add any other items that you have found a need for but were lacking in your first aid kit. The contents can be put inside a small tool box or carry bag. Use whatever you have handy. Make sure to label it with a marker as a first aid kit.

Important Cautions

1.) Make sure you are aware of the expiration dates for your first aid items.
2.) Make sure you keep your first aid kit up-to-date.

Even though replacing items that have been used takes time and will cost you money, you can’t put a price on your ability to treat minor illnesses and injuries before they become major problems.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Surviving Food Allergies

Any food storage program must take into account the possible dangers and side effects of food allergies. People can be allergic to any type of food. This may include fruits, vegetables, and meats. While you can have an allergic reaction to any type of food, there are eight major foods that account for the majority of all allergic reactions to food. Knowing which foods and food additives that can put you at risk will help you be better prepared.

Tips for Managing Food Allergies

1.) Milk and dairy products which cause lactose intolerance.

2.) Eggs and products containing eggs.

3.) Peanuts.

4.) Tree nuts such as cashews or pecans.

5.) Fish and fish oils.

6.) Shellfish such as oysters.

7.) Soy and soy-related products.

8.) Wheat which causes allergies commonly known as gluten intolerance.

There are many foods that can be safely eaten if you have certain food allergies, but there are even more that can cause allergic reactions due to cross contamination. Many safe foods can sometimes be contaminated when processed on the same equipment or in the same facility along with foods that can cause allergic reactions. There are also many food additives and ingredients that may contain different forms that can cause an allergic food reaction. This leads to potential problems for people with severe allergic reactions to certain foods.

An excellent source for information about food allergies can be found here:

http://www.foodallergy.org/

If you have persons or children that have certain food allergies you will need to devote extra time and effort in to finding safe alternatives. Food safety should be a primary concern for everyone.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Kit Essentials - The Photo

Everyone’s survival kit should include a photo of family or friends. This may give you the additional motivation to survive in an emergency or a crisis. Your will to survive can be greatly enhanced with this simple addition to your survival kit. A simple photo can be an all important reminder of the people in your life for whom you care the most. Your will to survive can be reinforced with this simple action which will only increase your chances of survival.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Stocking Ammunition

Once you’ve provided for the proper amounts of food and water storage, medical and first aid supplies, emergency shelter needs and have seeds stored along with the necessary tools to grow a garden, your next priority should be building a stock of ammunition for use in defensive or hunting situations. There is a simple way to accomplish this without ruining your budget or endangering your safety.

Three Reasons to Stock Ammunition

1.) The main reason you will probably want to have a supply of ammunition is that more ammunition may not be available or simply cannot be purchased if things go bad.

2.) If things go really bad, ammunition will suddenly become a very high demand item.

3.) Ammunition, when properly stored, will more than likely be around longer than you will and will almost always be more expensive later than it is now.

The first thing you will need to do is not panic. Running out and buying a huge amount of ammunition will ruin your budget in a big way. Having 5,000 rounds for a shiny new gun that you hardly ever shoot is not the way to start. You will need to make a few simple decisions before proceeding.

You should first decide whether or not the main purpose of your firearm is for defense or hunting. In some cases, it may be both. Once you determine your firearm’s major purpose, then you can begin your ammunition storage program. For defensive purposes, you will need to buy very specific types of ammunition to achieve maximum results. For hunting purposes, you will also need several different types for the different hunting scenarios. If you are using a firearm for both defensive and hunting purposes, you will need to stock additional amounts in excess of the amount for a firearm used strictly for hunting.

Most guidelines favor stocking a minimum of 500 to 1,000 rounds of ammunition for each of your firearms, while some say even more is needed. You will ultimately have to decide how much ammunition you need to stock.

The simplest way to build your stock of ammunition is to buy 2, shoot 1 and save 1!

Practice is the only way to become proficient with your firearm. Practicing this procedure will allow you to build your ammunition storage as you become more proficient through practice. No matter what size package or type you buy, ALWAYS buy 2, shoot 1 and save 1. One is used for practice and the other goes into your stock of ammunition. Most shooters buy in amounts that already fit into their budget. Example: If you normally shoot a hundred rounds of .22lr when practicing, buy 200 rounds and put the extra rounds into storage.

Eventually, you will be able to build a substantial stockpile of ammunition without wrecking your budget. Remember to rotate your ammunition stocks each time you make a purchase. Ammunition has a very good shelf life when properly stored but should still be rotated to give you the maximum storage life.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Emergency Water Filtration – The Capillary Siphon

The principle of capillary action is that water moves on its own up a porous medium by the action of surface tension. There is a way to move water from one bucket into another of the same height via a capillary siphon. Being able to make and use a capillary siphon will allow you an effective and simple way to treat turbid or cloudy water before disinfecting.

One of the most practical uses for a capillary siphon is to filter cloudy water before disinfecting it. By simply using a couple of containers or buckets, along with a towel, bandana or other piece of cloth rolled up into a tube you can very effectively filter cloudy or turbid water. This can be very effective if safe water sources become contaminated or the quality of your water is unknown.

Source:
http://www.drinkingwater.utah.gov/emergency_water_storage.htm

This method can also be used for “wick irrigation”. By placing some cotton string or cord dipped into a reservoir or bottle filled with water and then burying the string down in the dirt of a potted plant, the resulting capillary action will transfer the water to the soil via the string and keep your plants soil moist.

The principle of the capillary siphon is also used in many forms of clothing to “wick” or siphon moisture away from your body.

You can view a simple capillary siphon here (Figure 5): Capillary Siphon (Figure 5)

Using a capillary siphon doesn’t require any special knowledge or tools to make it work. The items that are required to make a capillary siphon are readily available in most emergency situations. The combination of these two factors make a capillary siphon an ideal survival tool.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - RTFM

Preppers and survivalists are very proud of all the acronyms that they use when referring to many of their activities or the reasons for being prepared. They have their BOB’s and their EDC ready if the SHTF. Learning to RTFM can be another great skill for everyday use in being prepared.

What is RTFM? Simply put it means Read The “Friggin” Manual. Many times problems can be avoided by simply reading the instruction manual, guidebook, or whatever that comes with your gun, your tool, or your appliance. The manufacturer’s, after all they actually MAKE the item, spend lots of time and money on preparing these and they can be a wealth of information. This is information that is right at your fingertips.

Whether it’s a new gun or gun cleaning kit, a new grain mill, or a new tool of some sort, take a little time to actually READ and become familiar with your owner’s guide or instruction booklet. You will be surprised what you can learn about your tools and equipment by doing this simple little thing.

The best example I can give of the problems you can have by NOT reading the instructions is the child’s swing set. If you have ever tried to put one together and DIDN’T read the instructions, you probably had to disassemble and re-assemble it a couple of times before you got it right. I learned the hard way a long time ago, about 30 years, when my children were a lot younger than they are now.

Do you RTFM?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Types of Knives and Their Use

Knives are generally composed of two basic types. They are either working knives for common everyday use or fighting or combat knives. There are a few knives styles which can function in either a utilitarian capacity or a combat role. Most knives are usually specific to a particular activity, occupation, or use. Knowing which type of knife to use will help you be better prepared.

1.) A bread knife is a special knife with a longer, serrated blade especially designed for cutting different types of bread. The blade is usually straight with a blunt end. The serrations, or teeth, allow it to cut bread using less vertical force, i.e. downward pressure. This keeps the bread from being compressed or “squashed”. They also leave fewer crumbs than most other knives.

 

 

2.) A dive knife is one that is specially adapted for underwater use. Dive knives usually have tough thermal plastic handles, durable sheaths, and convenient blade release mechanisms.

3.) A hunting knife is normally a fixed blade used to dress game animals. It is often one with a normal blade, one with a mild curve or a curved and clipped blade. The length can vary and may include what is normally referred to as a “gut hook”.

4.) A stockman's knife is a very versatile folding knife with three different blades. These are a clip blade, a spey blade and a normal blade. It is one of the more popular types of folding knives.

5.) A scalpel is a medical knife commonly used to perform surgery. It is perhaps one of the sharpest types of knives that are available. These are found in some of the more advanced first aid and trauma kits.

6.) A boning or fillet knife is used for deboning meat, poultry, and fish.



7.) A utility knife is normally used in carpentry or construction work for cutting sheetrock and shingles. They generally include a compartment for carrying spare blades.

8.) Bowie knifes are also a specialty type of fixed blade knife that can serve in a number of capacities. It is normally 6 inches or more in length with a inch and a half to two inch wide flat blade.



9.) Multi-tool knives may contain several blades, as well as additional other tools such as wire cutters or pliers. Examples of multi-tools include Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, Wenger and Victorinox (The "Swiss Army knife").

10.) An electrician's knife is a specially insulated knife designed to decrease the chance of electrical shock when performing electrical repairs.

 

11.) A Kukri is a Nepalese fighting and utility knife that has a deep forward curve.

12.) A machete is a long wide blade that is normally used to chop through dense undergrowth or brush. This knife is a great deal larger than most knives. It depends more on its weight than a razor sharp edge for its main cutting force.

13.) A survival knife is one which usually has a hollow handle filled with equipment. The best types of hollow-handled knives are those in which both blade and handle are cut from a single piece of steel. The end usually has an O-ring seal on the pommel cap to keep water out of the handle.

14.) There are also a large number of special purpose type knife blades that include military style knives or bayonets. There also certain special types of knives that are not made of metal. They can be made of different types of materials including plastic, wood or ceramic material. Most of these knives are very fragile and their main purpose is to avoid easy detection.

Making sure you have the right type of knife for the job will make it easier and safer for you to achieve the desired results. You could slice a loaf bread with a machete but the cutting board will probably suffer some damage as well as the bread!

Keep your blades sharp and your knife will serve you well!

Got blade?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Foods – Pinole

Pinole is often called "La comida del desierto” and is a form of parched corn. Translated it means the food of the desert. When pinole is considered along with many modern concentrated foods, it will beat most all other food items because of its nutritive value and long lasting effects on hunger, even during periods of intense physical activities. It is a very convenient form in which you can carry a source of nutrition which can support a person for weeks without suffering any major intestinal or stomach disorders.

Roasted, ground corn was used mainly as an emergency food source. In an emergency or survival situation drinks such as coffee and most food sources will be unavailable and Pinole can be a great option to bring along with you. 

Parched corn is 11.5% protein, 8.4% fat, and 72.3% carbohydrate with a food value of 1,915 calories per pound. This is approximately 60% higher than wheat. This compares to wheat bread which has 9.2% protein, 1.3% fat, 53.1% carbohydrates and a value of only 1,205 calories per pound. Parched corn owes its “staying power” to its relatively high nutritive value. When only 4 ounces are combined with a pint of water instead of cooked, it swells in the stomach to give your hunger a very satisfied feeling for a long period of time.

Traditional Pinole

Native Americans roasted corn kernels in hot ashes until brown and then cleaned the ashes, pounded it in a mortar, sifted it, and then mixed it with sugar. They ate about approximately 4 ounces diluted in a pint of water as a traveling meal.

How to Make Pinole – The Modern Way

1.) Heat commercially available masa harina in a wok or frying pan, stirring constantly, until it is just barely brown. Be careful not to burn it.

2.) You can also bake the masa harina for 4 to 5 minutes on a baking sheet in a moderate to hot oven while stirring occasionally.

You can add ground ginger, cinnamon, brown or white sugar as a supplementary ingredient. Browning adds a very pleasant nutty flavor and helps prevent the need for drinking a lot of water when combined with pinole. This is due to the fact that the corn is cooked in the parching process. Cool the pinole and then store it in an air tight and moisture resistant container. It has a shelf life similar to corn meal when properly stored and requires no refrigeration.

Pinole can also be purchased ready made in some specialty food stores in many areas.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tools - The Stick

Sometimes the simplest items can have the most uses. Gear or tools that can serve a variety of purposes or have multiple uses can be invaluable in a survival situation. Simple things like bandanas which have a variety of uses are hard to compete against when it comes to versatility and multiple uses. It has a very strong competitor in the form of the stick.

A common, ordinary, everyday run-of-the-mill stick can have a myriad of uses that, like the bandana, are limited only by your imagination. The stick may even have more uses than a bandana.

They’re great for teaching your dog to fetch things and they come in all shapes and sizes!

Put enough sticks together and you can make a shelter. A stick or combination of sticks can be used to make a tent from a tarp.

Tie a line and hook on it and you can fish with it! Put a point on it and you can spear a fish if you don’t have hook! Use it to make a simple dead-fall trap if you don’t like fish.

It makes a great club to hit stuff with to give you some added protection. You can use it as a hiking staff to steady yourself or push briars and bushes out of the way. If you’ve got some leisure time after the crisis is over, you can even play a little baseball.

Tie a bunch of sticks together and you can build a raft to avoid the flood waters.

A couple of sticks and a tarp can make a good stretcher if someone gets hurt or injured.

If it gets really cold and you’re really desperate, you could even burn it to keep warm. You would probably only want to do this as a last resort. It would probably be better to burn pine cones and use the stick to heat your can of sardines.

Sticks are even famous in our history:

‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.’

Teddy Roosevelt

Sticks even make great toys for the little ones. My grandson, who is almost four years old now, even has a favorite stick that he uses to “hunt bears” with in my backyard. It’s his favorite and he knows it by sight.

I even know a lot of grown men who still like to play with sticks. They’re a bit fancier and usually have a metal barrel and a trigger attached. They call them ”thunder sticks”!

You could probably write a book on all the uses for a stick. I’ve covered just a few but can think of many other uses for the stick.

Don’t forget about the simple things, sometimes they’re not as simple as they seem.

Got stick?

Staying above the water line (on my raft of sticks)!

Riverwalker

Murphy’s Laws of Gravity

Having a bad day? Did Murphy decide to visit you more than once this week? Is Murphy putting in a little overtime at your house? In order to help you survive, here is a list of Murphy’s Laws of Gravity.

1.) A falling object will always land where it can do the most damage.

2.) A valuable item when dropped will always fall into an inaccessible place.

3.) Anything dropped in the bathroom will always fall into the toilet.

4.) A paint drip will always find the hole in the drop cloth and land on the floor.

5.) A dropped power tool will always land on concrete instead of the soft ground.

6.) Any item dropped while driving in your car will always be just out of reach.

7.) A shatter-proof object will always fall on the only surface hard enough to break it.

8.) Dropping a dish being taken from the cabinet, will chip the sink but not the dish.

9.) Any item that’s not water-proof will always fall in water when dropped.

10.) Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed and will go in all directions.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft Blogs

Everyone needs to learn a little bushcraft. You never know when you might get stuck in the boonies. If you know some bushcraft, it makes things a little easier to handle the situation. You can find some great Bushcraft Blogs over at Canadian Bushcraft.

If you're into bushcraft or are just looking to add to your skills, take a little time and check out the different Bushcraft Blogs you can find over at Canadian Bushcraft.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Common Food Storage Mistakes - Insufficient Water Storage

The average person needs to drink approximately a gallon of water each day. This is water for drinking purposes only. Many people also store a gallon of water to help fulfill their daily hygiene needs. It is important to remember that you will also need sufficient amounts of water to cook or prepare your food. Avoid this common food storage mistake by taking a few simple precautions.

Your predominant method of food storage will determine how much extra water you will need to store. If you are relying on canned food items as your main type of food storage, your additional water requirements will be much lower. If you are dependent upon dry bulk items, such as grains or beans, or dehydrated food items your need for additional water storage will be much greater.

The advantage of having canned foods in your food storage program is that most of them already have the water needed for cooking. This water content is one of the main differences between canned food items and dry bulk foods or dehydrated food items. Your water supply can be supplemented in a variety of ways.

The easiest way to supplement your water storage is by stocking different types of liquids to conserve your water supply for use in cooking. Canned sodas, bottled drinking water, bottled juices, and “other” types of canned or bottled beverages will help conserve drinking water for use in cooking. You can also store cans of soups and broths to supplement your dry food storage items. This will also give you a greater variety in your choice of liquids for cooking and something besides “plain” water for drinking. This will also help to retain some normalcy in your life during an emergency or crisis.

A little more difficult way is by simply storing an extra gallon of water per day for preparing meals. An extra gallon of water will allow you a sufficient amount to prepare several meals. This will require extra storage containers and space.

Properly storing adequate supplies of other beverages or additional water will help you avoid insufficient amounts of water for cooking during an emergency or crisis. It is also important to remember that during a crisis or emergency that sufficient water may not be available and that even if the water is on, many times it may not be suitable for drinking or cooking and will probably need to be filtered and purified before use. Keep a water filter and a means to purify your water on hand in your emergency supplies.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker