Infographic: Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Courtesy of NaturalNews.com comes this Infographic representing a basic checklist of preparedness supplies to stock up on in case of a disaster. A lot of times these types of checklist appear to be very general in nature – which is the intent. Often looking at these lists ideas will be generated and sometimes even something that … Read more

Survival Fishing and Snares

fishing kit next to Altoids tin

Recently Rourke posed a question for his readers regarding inclusion of fishing tackle in the survival ruck. My thoughts follow. Inclusion of fishing gear in your survival rucks is likely situationally dependent. If your primary/expected travels are all in desert regions, likely not – but living in a land of many lakes and abundant fish … Read more

7 survival lessons from The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows on television. It is fiction of course and I catch myself often saying – “Oh come on man……what about ??????” But hey – it’s entertaining. What the apocalyptic show does do fairly well is offer up situations to consider when looking at your preps. Here are 7 … Read more

First Impressions: Ganzo G704 Folding Pocket Knife

I could easily develop a serious knife collecting problem. So far in my 45 years I have managed to keep my fascination with knives in check. One of my most recent additions is the Ganzo G704 folder. If you are not familiar with Ganzo they are a Chinese manufacturer of knives with a decent reputation. … Read more

Top 10 Survival Items for a Survival Kit

This is a popular topic among survival & preparedness forums all over the ‘net. The list of items and different ways of ranking them are probably endless. There are a huge variety of factors that could go into deciding on what to include in a survival kit -including but not limited to weather, geographical region, hostile terrain or not, … Read more

Priorities of preparedness…..

I recently left a comment on someone’s FaceBook wall concerning preparedness – and left a list of “Steps to Preparedness”. Here is what I put:   Food & Water Shelter Medical Supplies Firearms Shortly thereafter a comment was left disagreeing (which I have no  problem) with the order which I placed the list in. The comment stated … Read more

Survival Food: Peanut Butter

One of my biggest priorities in Preparedness is increasing my food stores. Although not difficult – for me it is a matter of money, space, organization and planning. One of my favorite food storage staples is peanut butter. Peanut butter can be eaten right out of the jar, on crackers, on bread – it just … Read more

Getting Started With Paracord

Paracord is a wonderful tool to have at your disposal and has a great many uses. It can be used for a number of projects ranging from weapons and tools, to everyday home use, lashing and tying and even paracord belts and clothing! (Check out the list of 101 paracord projects – our favorites from … Read more

What meds would you want in your personal SHTF pharmacy?

DISCLAIMER: Always consult a medical doctor before using any new medications, prescription or not. This information is intended to be used as a general guide of what types of medications would be most useful in a post-societal breakdown situation where there is no formal access to medical care, and you are forced to become your … Read more

Bartering after TSHTF

In the event that there is some type of cataclysmic situation that reduces society and the economy back to the stone ages (or close to it) – bartering will become a common method of commerce. With that in mind – I have been putting some additional items in my preps with “barter” in mind. Here … Read more

The 72 Hour Kit – How to Build Yours

hatchet map compass gloves flashlight

I have been into emergency preparedness for more than 14 years. It all started when a family member asked if we wanted her friend’s #10 cans of wheat. It wasn’t just a few cans either. We accepted and have since added to it again and again. As part of our preparedness plan, we have a well stocked 72 … Read more

Book Review: BUG OUT by Scott Williams

Scott Williams book BUG OUT – The Complete Guide for Escaping a Catastrophic Disaster Before It’s Too Late has been on my nightstand for quite some time. A review is long over due.  Bugging out is not a major aspect of my preparedness system however this book has certainly provided some perspective. “Bugging in” should the SHTF … Read more

7 Essentials During a Power Outage

by Lee Flynn The grid disruption database from Inside Energy compiled their data and found an average of 200 reported grid outages per year from 2010 to 2013. This numbers continues to increase. There is not always an impending storm or a sudden natural disaster to warn that a power outage may be in the … Read more

The Evolution of Night Vision Technology

By Cherie Invented in the 1930s, night vision was just one of the many modern innovations brought to life by German inventors. Shortly after the first night vision devices (NVD) were developed, American military scientists began working on their own versions of night vision technology, which made a debut during World War II and later … Read more

Review – Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre

My brother bought me the book Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre a while back. He knows my passion for gardening as well as a desire to learn everything “homesteading” that I can. I live in a typical suburban community – so I am maximizing my property within confines of the Rules and Regulations of the community … Read more

Hunting Skills for Preppers

by SP Many preppers invest a lot of time and money into food storage.   I have seen and read many instances where some folks have been able to accumulate as much as 50,000 pounds of food.  Although this is admirable, and a good way to prepare, I tend to lean towards an old saying that … Read more

Preparedness: Things you can do right now

Many people are becoming more and more concerned with the future. At this same time they are discovering an interest in preparedness – or as many call it – “prepping”. If you are new to prepping – or even if you are experienced – I would like to make a few suggestions to “sure up” some … Read more

How to Make A Basic Bug-In Survival Plan

All you ever read about is bugging out, and bugging-out if the ‘’Stuff Hits The Fan’’, or ‘’It’s The End Of The World As We Know It. Whether your plan is to bug-out to your second home in the country, your cousin’s farm that you visited once when you were eleven, or some random spot … Read more

Flashlight Review: The Sunwayman C22C

I am a flashlight junkie. With the continued improvements in LED technology and power efficiency, lights are getting more powerful and and lasting longer. This bodes well for those of us who prepare for power failures and grid down events. I received an offer to review the Sunwayman C22C from GearBest.com. It was provided to me … Read more

Homemade MREs

snacks and MREs cocoa mix Jif can lentils and rice

MRE’s, or Meals Ready to Eat, are a common sight in the military and camping world. They offer a lightweight, convenient and calorie-rich meal that can be eaten on the go. However, they can also be expensive and difficult to find. For those looking for a more affordable and DIY option, making your own homemade … Read more

Review: Streamlight 66118 Stylus Pro Black LED Pen Flashlight

Flashlights are a critical item in prepping supplies. Every member of your family should have AT LEAST one flashlight with extra batteries. Over the past few years I have seen a huge performance increase and cost decrease in flashlights using LED technology. Steamlight is a major brand name in flashlights. Known for their high quality … Read more