Notes From JWR: Today, I'm covering Nevada, the
tenth of 19 western states in my rankings of states by their retreat
potential.
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Nevada:
Population: 2 million.
Population Density: 18 per square mile (Rank 13 of JWR’s top
19 states).
Area: 110,561 square miles (rank 7 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $937/yr. (rank 7 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $479/yr. (rank 21 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 49 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 76%.
Per capita income: $29,506 (15 rank of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 25 of 50.
Comments: One editor listed in the acknowledgements stubbornly insists
that my ranking below is unfair to parts of Nevada. Nevada is really “a
tale of two states”: Las Vegas and then all the rest. Las Vegas
has the same urban problems as Los Angeles, which affects the insurance
and crime numbers above. Las Vegas has a severe desert climate that
is hostile to agriculture, and most residents are dependent on water
from elsewhere. Las Vegas is not worth of consideration, and its influence
on the state’s statistics conceals a very viable and potentially
desirable relocation alternative in Northern Nevada.
Plusses: No income tax, relatively pro-gun ownership, except for Clark
County's (Las Vegas) handgun registration laws. Northern Nevada, particularly
Reno
and the
Carson
Valley (which will be listed second tier relocation region in my subsequent
posts) have mild summers not requiring air-conditioning, ample water
from snow melt from the Sierra Nevada mountain range,
widespread
ranching and hay production, better schools than Las Vegas, and solidly
conservative political demographics (except for inner Reno). Healthy
economy with many companies relocating from California. Northern Nevada
is considered an ideal off-the-grid solar power location, with plenty
of sun during the moderately chilly winters.
Nevada is not recommended for a survivalist with a
small to moderate budget. However, for someone who is wealthy and who
can stand the climate,
Nevada should be bumped up a notch or two. Taxes will be a big issue
for you—and Nevada has no income tax. As someone “of means” you
will be able to afford lots of food storage, voluminous fuel storage,
and
a large greenhouse to make up for the hot summers/cold winters climate
of the Nevada high country. (See my posts in a week or two for specific
recommendations within
Nevada.)
Minuses: Expensive land in the more desirable areas with plentiful
water. May suffer from the "Golden
Horde" effect--a huge wave of refugees and looters pouring in
from more populous California in in the event of an abrupt TEOTWAWKI.
Water is scarce in Nevada, at least south and east of the
Sierras.Also consider: extremely
high crime rate
(Las
Vegas severely skews this statistic),
minimal
agriculture (except for some hay growing and ranching in the northern
portions of the state), high sales tax, expensive car registration
for newer cars (but a friend in Nevada reports that a 10-year-old vehicle
that was originally purchased for $50,000 costs only $68 per year to
register), exploding population growth (the fastest in the U.S. due
primarily
to Las Vegas), the lowest church attendance rate in the country (ranked
50 of 50 - the state is more libertarian than conservative), and heavy
dependence on gambling for tax revenue. Has a low rating in “education
freedom” (ranked #47 of 50). While Nevada's calculated per capita “tax
burden” is 12% higher than the national average for all 50 states,
much of this comes from tourist gambling revenues, so those non-gamblers in
their prime earning years may still find Nevada to be a relatively
low tax haven. Nevada has refreshingly lax incorporation laws. There
is
a risk
that
statewide political control could shift to the pro-tax
liberals of Las Vegas (although the state Constitution requires a 2/3
majority to create an income tax). Some central and northern regions
of the state with plentiful surface water are recommended—but
with provisos.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 14 of 19 (Note: I’d
probably rank it at 7 or 8 if it weren't for Las Vegas.)
Back in the 18th century, game wardens
in Scotland were engaged in an occasionally deadly game of cat and
mouse with poachers.
These wardens--called "ghillies" in the local parlance of
the day were experts in field craft. To catch a poacher was difficult,
so
the ghillies would cut tree or bush limbs and cover
themselves
with them as camouflage while in
laying in wait.
This was laborious, but worked well. Then a warden whose name is lost
in history came up with a clever idea: A camouflage body suit that
was made of shredded rags in dull earth-tone and foliage-toned colors.
From a short
distance, the man wearing it resembled a bush, and could not be easily
recognized. Thus was born the Ghillie Suit. The first use of ghillie
suits by military organizations recorded by historians was during WWI,
when Scottish ghillies served with
Lord
Lovat's
Scouts, brought their camouflage suits with them for the fighting in the
fields of France. The ghillies in the Lovat Scouts shared their expertise
in stalking,
long range shooting, and camouflage, which spread to other British Commonwealth
armies.
The modern ghillie suit, re-popularized in
the late 20th century in the British and U.S. armies is now standard wear for
sniper teams in most western armies. These modern ghillie suits use
the
same
concept,
providing
four
key
attributes:
they
look
like
like
plant foliage, they occupy three dimensions (unlike camouflage printed cloth),
they
break
up
a
soldier's
distinctive silhouette,
and they muffle noise. There are two common designs:
A full ghillie suit, which is usually made by sewing ghillie garnish (typically strips/bundles of dyed burlap, jute, and/or hemp) to a set of green mechanic's overalls or to a BDU shirt and trousers
A ghillie cape, which is draped over the head and shoulders like a poncho.
(BTW, I prefer the latter, especially in hot climates.) Both designs are nearly always used in conjunction with a camouflage face veil and a boonie-type hat with similar ghillie garnish.
Ghillie suits and capes are commercially made, but these tend to be very expensive (since they are labor-intensive to assemble) and the choice of colors used will not always match your local terrain. Avoid the cheap commercial ghillie suits that are made out of plastic. They are indeed three dimensional but they do not blend in well in the boonies compared to natural materials like burlap and jute. Some commercial sources include:
http://www.survival-center.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/ghillies.html
http://www.ghillie.com/
http://www.bushrag.com/
https://secure.quixion.net/bushrag/store/catalog/default.php?cPath=23&PHPSESSID=ce1ad5e4d6717ea4095a49f5873c41fe
http://www.ustacticalsupply.com/gs_special.shtml
http://www.ustacticalsupply.com/gs_otherstuff.shtml
http://snipersparadise.com/newproducts/ghillieskins.htm
And for our Australian readers, see: http://www.kitbag.com.au/category240_1.htm
Do It Yourself (DIY) ghillie suit/cape construction resources on the web include:
U.S. Army FM 23-10: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-10/ch42.htm
http://www.snipercountry.com/hottips/GhillieMake.htm
http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/product_info.php?products_id=54
There are also fairly detailed ghillie suit making instructions in one
for my favorite books, The
Ultimate Sniper. See: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873647041/103-6870669-0552625?v=glance
If you want to save money and assemble all of the materials yourself, rather than buy a commercially-made assembly kit:
Heavy duty black or brown nylon netting--such as deep sea fishing net material-- (the 1.5-inch square mesh works best) is often found for sale on eBay.
The folks at http://www.gunpartscorp.com sell fairly inexpensive military surplus rolls of 1.5" wide burlap that is already dyed green and brown. Stripping out most of the horizontal crossbars (the Memsahib--who is a weaver--tells me this is properly called "weft") is time consuming, but it is necessary to make burlap frizz up into a proper three dimensional look.
Two more points, in closing: Don't overlook the need to integrate a hydration pack (such as a CamelBack or clone thereof) with a drinking tube when you build your ghillie suit. (This is not a big issue with a cape, but it is with a full ghillie suit.) It is also very important that you thoroughly soak your completed ghillie suit in flame retardant before using it. Without it, all of that frayed burlap is a fire accident that is just waiting to happen! In my experience the FlameCheck brand retardant (made in England) works well, because it does not leave a white residue like some other brands.
The Pentagon has drafted a considerably new strategy on nuclear strike options. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/10/AR2005091001053_pf.html This is some serious FFTAGFFR! From the standpoint of national security, it is probably a sound strategy, but in some instances (such as the emerging threat from North Korea), IMO it will raise the risk of a full scale nuclear exchange. Plan accordingly! (If you live in the blast radius or downwind from a potential nuclear target, then it is wise to move.)
Jim, I'm no expert but I have some limited knowledge regarding the topic of diesel engines and EMP. What you want is a diesel engine with a mechanical fuel injector pump, not an electronic one. Diesel engines don't require ignition systems to run, no spark plugs, distributor, etc. and the old ones used a mechanical fuel pump. All you need is a starter to turn the engine over, it runs or fires by the heat generated by the compression stroke. [JWR adds: A glow plug is also needed for the fuel to reach flash point at low ambient temperatures. Some of the newer diesels use an electronic glow plug control, which could possibly be bypassed if they are someday fried by EMP.] No ignition system, therefore impervious to EMP. Since the mid to late 80's manufacturer's have switched to electronic fuel pumps so even though you don't have spark plugs, etc., the engine has "electronics" for fuel regulation. Now you have EMP problems. Hope this helps. - T.N.
I read the letter you posted from "Mr. Lima" about what
his friend "W" had told him. Other than knowing your blood
type ahead of time, the rest of the letter is wrong.
I'm not sure if "Lima" misunderstood "W." or
if "W." only works
in a lab on samples and machines and has never had any patient contact
or he just mistook one substance for another after so many years in
the lab. FWIW, the laboratories and blood banks in today's hospitals
are two separate and different departments. Short and sweet: EDTA
anticoagulated blood can (and mostly likely always will) kill a person.
EDTA has never been used (at least not since the days of trying to
infuse humans with cows blood) to anticoagulate
donor blood and has never been available in "blood donor bags
from the blood bank". EDTA bonds with calcium (irreversibly)
and prevents clotting in blood sample tubes (vacutainers) and has seen
some use in certain lab machinery. EDTA is a chemical compound and
has other issues that could cause massive problems to a person aside
from coagulopathy, it would alter a persons blood chemistry and I can
only
make educated guesses as to the outcomes since no data is available
on EDTA entering a person's vascular system. EDTA bonds with calcium
because it is a metal ion, which means any metal ions in the blood
(and finally the body) could be bonded. All those 'guesses' would result
in major systemic problems that would invariably lead to death, 99%+
could be assured in a SHTF situation and not much better even with
access to modern medicine. Coumadin (a.k.a. Warfarin) is not an anticoagulant
in the sense of preventing clotting when drawing blood. Warfarin drugs
work by inhibiting certain functions of the body from producing different
factors that make up the clotting cascade. This is why they are commonly
referred to as 'blood thinners'. Obviously giving Coumadin to prevent
immediate clotting won't work, because it doesn't deactivate the clotting
cascade, it just prevents certain factors from being replaced once
they expire normally in the body. It is unlike Heparin in that Heparin
works immediately to interrupt the cascade rather than removing a factor
or two. Getting blood bags with Citrate (CPDA-1 or ACD-A) from the
blood bank is what a person would want and is also my personal choice.
I keep some Heparin as well as a backup, but I wouldn't use it until
I exhaust my supply of CPDA-1 bags. So, never give Coumadin in the
field. If there is some sort of need to 'thin' a patient's blood (high
blood pressure perhaps) then go on an aspirin regimen. Another bonus
of Citrate as an anticoagulant is that once the blood is back into
a person's
body the calcium in there body replaces the bound calcium and you
almost instantly viable platelets again! Thus you kill two birds with
one
stone. Fresh RBCs and more
coagulation factors and platelets to stop the bleeding. It's really
a beautiful thing. If you have any atheist friends, tell them to learn
about blood. Just blood. Once they know it, I would be surprised if
they can still deny
that Divine intervention led to our existence. The complexity of how
everything works just to form a clot a clot, let alone fix the clot
is astounding. That is another topic however. In the future I would
suggest getting some independent people to review some of the letters
you put on the blog before you post them. I don't
know where anyone would find EDTA easily other that breaking open those
vacutainers and just the thought of that sends chills down my spine.
EDTA is used in cases of lead poisoning, but it's
is a sterilized and specific format. The patient's blood gases and
values must be constantly
monitored
to ensure no harm comes to the patient. This is not the same
thing as the EDTA powder in laboratory vacutainers! I would
be more than happy to review the hematology aspects of those posts,
however I like most medical professionals are like insects.
We specialize
and I have already forgotten a lot of that too :( I'm working on that
as part of my preparations as well. I love the blog and keep it up!
P.S.: If you have free time (wishful thinking) drop by AssaultWeb.net,
we have a good group of Christian Patriots on the board.
JWR Replies: Thanks for setting us straight, Buckaroo! I will remove that erroneous post so that nobody mistakenly refers to it in the future.
James,
I debated for four or five weeks about whether or not to write an email
to you, as I know that you must receive too many already, and others
probably offer information and mine only offers praise and thanks.
I finally decided, that everyone could use encouragement and praise,
so here goes…
I read your novel [Patriots] for
the first time many years ago, several times since, and have worked it into
my 5-6 book current reading stack. It was my first exposure
to another way of viewing the world, and it alone, was responsible for opening
my eyes and mind to a looming menace in our present “Koyaanisqatsi”.
["koy-yan-iss-katsi"--meaning "life out of balance" in the Hopi language.]
I grew up on a farm in Kansas and have been living my adult yuppie life in
Kalifornia
for
twenty
plus
years
now.
I
have returned
mentally, to my agrarian roots and self sufficiency that my grandparents taught
me when I was a child on the farm and am PREPARING. I am currently making plans
to leave our suburban existence and move my family to a rural farm setting.
My wife and I are both readying for the transition. I found your blog soon
after you started it by re-visiting bookmarks in by browser folder, titled “TEOTWAWKI”,
that I created when I read your book the first time and what a great resource!
I hope to have information in the future to share with you and the readers
of your blog as another silent member of your blogosphere whose life you have
touched by your creativity, willingness, and drive to share what you imagine
and see. In short, Thanks, God Bless, and keep up the good work. - C.J., Southern
California
"If you can be seen, you can be hit. If you can be hit, you can be killed." - The First Law of the Modern Battlefield
Note From JWR: Today, I'm covering Nebraska, the
ninth of 19 western states in my rankings of states by their retreat
potential.
Nebraska:
Population: 1.7 million.
Population Density: 21.9 per square mile (Rank 12 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 77,355 square miles (rank 15 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $649/yr. (rank 42 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $499/yr. (rank 18 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 12 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 64%.
Per capita income: $27,630 (rank 26 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 5 of 50.
Plusses: Low crime rate.
Minuses: Tornado prone (ranked #4 out of top 20 States). Few local firewood
sources.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 11 of 19.
Proviso: The following is for informational purposes
only. Do not modify radios as described unless it is a dire emergency.
(FCC regulations
do not permit out of band transmissions except under emergency situations.)
One aspect of preparedness that is
often overlooked is secure radio communications. As
I've mentioned
in some of my previous blog posts, buying
a pair
of VHF Marine
Band radios makes sense if you live in an area that is both inland
from the coast and
away from the Great Lakes. You will essentially have a band all to
yourself. Another approach to increasing communications security is
modifying CB radios
to transmit just above or just below the designated Citizen's Band.(The
so-called "Freeband".) Although your
transmissions
will still be vulnerable to interception with
any scanner, they will not be noticed by anyone that has a standard
(unmodified) CB radio. Freeband modification was very popular in the
U.S. back in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Citizen's Band was
very crowded. It also had some popularity in Australia.
The earliest CB
radios used crystals. In those days you could order specially
cut
"bastard" crystals to give your the ability to transmit
out of band. But very few of those radios are still on the market.
Then
along
came
the
early
synthesized
CBs.
These
could be modified for freeband by clipping wires or soldering-in
a few jumpers. (Some modifications were very clever. In one instance
a panel light switch became a freeband toggle so that the freeband
modification was un-noticeable to the casual observer.) The latest
production CBs are also synthesized, but have virtually all
of their
frequency-setting
electronics burned
onto
a chip.
So those are not easily modified for freeband.
Many of the early synthesized
CBs from the 1970s/1980s "golden age" of CB radio are
suitable for out of band modification. One of the most popular of
these is the Cobra
148GTL. (BTW, lots
of other Courier, Galaxy, GE, Midland, Realistic
(Radio
Shack), Uniden,
and President brand CBs from the same era can be similarly modified.)
There is a
lot of information on the WWW if you look
around. Books
like the CB
Hacker's Guide also describe these mods in
detail. You will occasionally find a CB that has already been modified
up for sale on eBay.
But to be sure that a freeband mod is done right,
your best bet is to find a standard Cobra 148GTL
(or similar) with "low hours" and do the modification
yourself.
In closing, I need this admonition: Do not be tempted to install a linear amplifier for illegal transmission in excess of five watts. That would be like waving a red flag to the FCC. Remember: "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down."
Here are links to two interesting articles that were recently posted by Debra over at Claire Wolfe's Blog: One is titled: "Five Nights Alone in the Dark with a Shotgun". The other article is about a Super Neighborhood Watch in New Orleans. (What I like to call a "Neighborhood Watch on Steroids.")
Hi Jim,
On Survival battery on a budget: It doesn't really matter what you
have as long as it is of good quality and you know how to use it.
For instance, an M1 Garand is certainly a viable rifle, especially
in areas where others may not be legal, but it may not be the best
rifle for me. For others it might be the best choice over anything
else. The key reason is training. My father (drafted for the Korean
War in the 50's) would be much better off with an M1 Garand than a
FAL. Why? Because he knows it inside
and out. The same goes for many folks that have military experience.
If I were to choose a 5.56mm, it would be an AR-15 platform, not because
it's the best rifle ever made, but because after ten years in the Army
it's an extension of myself. Training and experience is the key. I've
said it before, and I'll say it again, you're better off buying a cheaper
gun and spending money on training, than buying an expensive gun and
shooting it from the bench once or twice a year. Gizmos, gadgets,
and dollars do not make up for skill. Only skill matters.
Get professional training from one of the many instructors that teach
carbine or rifle classes. Which brings me to J.B.'s question on night
vision, etc. Training is again the key. It doesn't matter if you have
NVG's if you can't use them effectively. It takes training, and a lot
of it to really use the potential of night vision systems. Don't fall
into the expensive trap of buying a night scope and thinking you "own
the night." The scope is just a tool. You have to know how to
use the tool effectively. Now night is just another environment. Since
it can
be half the day or longer farther north, it's pretty important to know
how to operate at night. Again, training is the key. The only way to
get good at night is to train at it. You won't make up for lack of
training, by buying gadgets. Training at night will put you ahead of
those that don't when you're in that environment. Too many people get
hooked on the gear and ignore training. Your brain is your
primary survival tool. - "Doug Carlton"
Mr. Rawles,
I see that when evaluating retreat locations you consider the state's
gun laws. It appears that the more favorable the gun laws, the better
the state as a potential retreat. Your site seems concerned primarily
with the "SHTF" or "TEOTWAWKI" scenarios.
Should either of these come to pass, I don't see where gun laws would
matter one way or the other. Who's going to enforce them? Regards,
- J.G.
JWR Replies:
I strongly disagree. You still have to live and to train/practice
with firearms somewhere in the interim. Why subject yourself to living under
bad laws? And what if
things deteriorate in a "slow
slide" scenario a
la the
U.S. in the 1930s, or Zimbabwe in the present day? Think about it:
In both cases--still a viable government to contend with. So gun
laws do matter.
If you live in a state that isn't gun friendly,
then I strongly recommend that you vote with your feet! Refer to my
previous posts and Boston's
Gun Bible for details on the various state gun laws.
Jim:
See the following string of discussion at: http://members.1stconnect.com/anozira/SiteTops/kits/fukit.htm
JWR Replies: Some FFTAGFFR to
consider here!
"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice Doggie!' while you are looking for a rock." - Will Rogers
Note From JWR: Today, I'm covering Montana, the eighth
of 19 western states in my rankings of states by their retreat potential.
Montana:
Population: 903,000.
Population Density: 6.1 per square mile (Rank 18 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 147,000 square miles (rank 4 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $671/yr. (rank 38 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $451/yr. (rank 26 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 10 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 92%.
Per capita income: $22,518 (rank 46 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 8 of 50.
Montana Agriculture reference: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm
Montana Crops: Potatoes, sugar beats, sorghum, alfalfa, grass hay, and grains.
Plusses: Very low crime rate! Very low population density. Minimal gun laws.
Good schools. A very non-intrusive government. (For example, in the 1990s there
were a few years with no daylight speed limit on most of Montana’s highways
outside of city limits.) Low car insurance rates.
Minuses: Very cold winters, especially east of the Great Divide, and a short
growing season. (The number of frost free days range from 139 days in Glendive
to just 39 days in Ovando!) Insufficient crop diversity. Low wages. Montana's
missile fields are still in the Russian target structure.
Lower elevation areas west of the Great Divide (and upwind of the missile fields)
are recommended.
Note: I probably should have given Montana a lower ranking, due to its cold
climate and short growing season. However, because of Montana’s favorable
gun laws, low crime rate, and light population density, I bumped it up the
list.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 2 of 19.
A Recent Relocatee to Montana Adds The Following:
Jim: I am not a religious nut when I tell you the Holy Spirit impressed my
entire family we were all to leave where we lived and head to Montana. So
I started visiting
the real estate web sites searching for homes that might fit our particular
requirements. We arrived with a list of 46 homes in a binder sorted by area/city
etc. After
spending seven days working out of the Flathead Lake / Kalispell area and looking
at 28 homes we were discouraged. We looked at properties up to $450,000. Price
was not the issue. The issue was being at peace with our purchase. After seven
days my son in law called to say we should go up to Eureka and look at the
houses we had printed out for that area. So I called a realtor's agent and
gave her a list of eighteen properties with the liberty to weed out those that
she thought would not fit. We looked at eight properties and one twice.
All of the properties appeared to belong to Christians of one flavor or another.
Some we met just outright stated they were believers. After leaving the realtor
we discussed the merits of one property some more. It had all the things we
require: five bedrooms, two for offices, 2 plus acres, multiple bug out routes,
two tillable acres, about two feet of snow per year, plenty of wood nearby,
a lake filled with ducks and geese. Plus we have plenty deer, elk, bears, game
birds, chickens in the spring, and more available land in the general area.
The growing season is 158 days. The land is sub irrigated and we have a deep
thirty gallon per minute well. Water is just seven feet down. After several
hours of contemplation, some prayer the Holy Spirit simply said you will be
safe here. After purchasing we learned the seller failed to disclose the presence
of a questionable unrecorded easement and spring. These undisclosed issues
will work themselves out in time. We are about 20 miles from the Canadian Border.
I am an American, so I will stay here regardless of what happens. This is a
very nice home, but it may just prove to be our base camp while establishing
something more remote. In the coming times of confusion, I believe that boldness,
good planning, stealth and mobility will be key to retaking our nation. The
wind currents are favorable to protect us from most fallout. We are situated
on the edge of a valley between two mountains. I can close the roads with chain
saws and some old vehicles stored nearby without trouble. The hillside provides
three good LP/OP positions with
places for many spider holes. Bug out into the National Forest is behind the
home or down the road. The plus side of living here is that most of the people
profess to be Believers without ever asking them. There are the drug pushers
and users in the high school and we will gather their names for future reference.
Everybody works hard at whatever they do. The down side of
moving to a non-affluent area is that the people do not have the wherewithal
to prepare for what is coming. Some are on welfare. So if they do not leave
they will eventually become part of the problem. The only thing I will be able
to help them with is seed and prayer. Unless we get a windfall my family of
twelve is all I can prepare for.
I am 64 years old and splitting six cords of wood. We have sufficient food
to carry us for a good while plus seed, game, and fish. We will be putting
in
a garden and canning vegetables and storing, smoked meats (am building a smoke
house in the spring). We are putting up enough fuel to last us for at least
two years. My priorities are water, food and seeds, fuel, fire heat, natural
medicine, clothing, shoes, trade goods, tools, trade coins etc. We have sufficient
weapons and supplies. Our choice of weapons are .45 ACP, .22, .223, .308, plus
other hunting calibers. We would like to see things remain stable for two more
years so I can pay this place off, but can get by if things crash ten minutes
from now. All of us need to remember if we have a real financial crash as the
result of any disaster, all of us will be in the same boat. This includes the
bankers as well. The crash will be worldwide. We who survive the crash, food
riots, anarchy, civil war and the attack on America that follows can purchase
property for reasonable prices with real money. My home insurance is about
$1,000 per year but my rural auto insurance just went down. License plates
for vehicles twelve years and older are a onetime $76. Food costs are not too
bad yet. We make a weekly trip to the larger stores in Kalispell to buy in
bulk. We are filling our fuel tanks quietly. I recently learned that before
911 there were sixteen Border Patrol in the area. Now there are about seventy.
They appear to have police powers twenty five miles south of the Canadian border
and they act like we Americas were the enemy. Something to remember when you
move close to the Canadian border.
Lord bless you and your family with happiness and joy. - M. in Montana.
Jim, just to let you know, for anyone on a budget like me,
the surplus G3/HK-91 magazines for sale by Tapco function
very nicely in my CETME.
No hangups or malfunctions. I bought 100 of these and some require
a little cleaning, but at $1.99 each they are a good bargain. With
all the recent news
of gun confiscation in New Orleans this may be just the "crisis"
the feds are looking for to 'slow down' or stop entirely surplus
gear. I suggest
everyone buy 'in quantity' any firearms supplies of this nature.
JWR Replies: In case Tapco has sold out, the same alloy G3 magazines are also sold by Cheaper Than Dirt. At that price, everyone with an HK-91 or CETME should buy at least 50 of them. OBTW, one important proviso: G3/HK-91 magazines fit and function in most CETMES, but not vice versa!
Hey,
I am Mr. Sierra, and yes I bought a SurvivalBlog
T-Shirt...
as well as survival Freeze Dried Foods and Water Barrels and Pump...so
following the advice of the Blog have done that. I do have a
surplus Military Winter Sleeping Bag with a Gore-tex cover. Carrying
my
snubbie around as a concealed carry firearm while returning a
video to store etc, is
comforting, concealable, and better than my pointed index finger
in my jeans pocket. ;-)
One thing I read on the Blog today was about Stress Reduction [David
in Israel's article, posted on 12 Sept. '05] which I found
very helpful. On the one hand, by buying the SurvivalBlog T-shirt
with
Robert
A.
Heinlein
quote
of
what
a human
being should
be able to do...and I thought, one of those things, if one has
a faith in the great beyond, heaven etc...is that we are all
going
to meet our maker someday. No matter how much we have in stock
to prepare for the worst or whatever, being obsessively survival
minded stresses out the spiritual sensitiveness and has the tendencies
to keep us thinking we are only a human piece of meat and nothing
more that needs to survive.
That produces stress, and keeps are mental focus on just the
physical. We are more than physical bodies and matter right?
I desire to
keep a balance of being able, like Heinlein, to weed a garden,
program a computer, change a diaper, and shoot nine holes in
a pie plate at 100 yards with my M1A, and meditate and connect
with that greater source of myself to be calm and peaceful, with
a clear mind and able soul. Survival and preparedness is a important
factor, and we should be able to work thru most any emergency
that
threatens our lives, homes, and families...while connecting to
that spiritual source within us that can transcend the negative
evil in this world,
and give us peace and happiness and thankfulness for having what
we got. Great Blog! - Mr. Sierra
Leathermans are great, but I also have two different ones from Sears Craftsman. My favorite one has its main tool as lineman's pliers that are slip joints, replaceable screwdriver tips, and very functional wood saw (which I think is important). Their other one that I like is a vise grip style needle nose. I bought these about 3 years ago and either they stopped selling them in the People's Republic of New York or they discontinued them all together. I wanted to buy an extra of each. BTW--your book is great, as is your website, I bought it from Fred’s M14 Stocks as well as a few copies for friends--that love it also. Will you be writing another one? - D.F
JWR Replies: All of the major U.S. made brands (like Gerber, Leatherman, and Craftsman) each have their strong points. Personally, I like the Leatherman, but some folks swear that the pliers on the Gerber Multi-Plier tools are superior. To each his own... But regardless, be sure that you get an American-made tool, since the ones made in mainland China are flimsy junk, and are made with lao gai system slave labor!
Yes, I have more book in the works. The first will be a book titled Rawles on Retreats and Relocation.That should be available for ordering in early Aught Six.
Dear Mr. Rawles,
I post as "Preacherman", one of the moderators on The
High Road (www.thehighroad.org),
a forum for firearms enthusiasts and the Second
Amendment. I wanted to draw your attention
to two threads I posted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,
containing "lessons
learned" on the
ground (I live in Louisiana). There have been many member responses,
often including good points and valuable information. The threads
may be found at:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=153978
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=154894
There are a number of other threads in our Strategies & Tactics
forum dealing with lessons learned after Katrina, particularly
bug-out and survival needs. I hope you'll find them of interest.
Thank you for your interesting and informative Blog. I'll be a
regular reader! God Bless - Reverend.
P., Louisiana
Dear Mr. Rawles,
I have followed your writings and bought your
book Patriots which I have read several times. Now I am enjoying
reading your blog everyday and all the profiles and exploring
your links. You have lots of great ideas and have obviously
spent a lot on equipment and supplies. Not everyone has many
thousands of dollars every year to put into preparations, so
I am wondering if you could say something about a low-cost
strategy.
For example, a no-holds barred firearms battery may include (in
various quantities):
* FAL .308 ( most are $1,000 - $1,500) plus 20 or more magazines,
plus spare springs, extractor, firing pin, ejector, etc., plus
1,000+ rounds of ammo
* .308 bolt action such as Rem M700, plus a few extra magazine,
spare parts, scope, and another 500+ rounds of .308 ammo
* 12 ga. pump shotgun such as Rem 870 Police 7-shot (about $400),
plus spare parts, and 500+ slugs and shotshells
* 1911 .45 ACP (about $600), plus 10+ magazines, spare springs,
extractor, firing pin, ejector, and 1,000+ rounds of ammo
On the other hand, a lower cost version might be:
* .308 bolt and scope such as a Savage 110 for less than $500,
plus spare parts and 1,000 rounds of ammo
* 12 ga. "Plain Jane" Mossberg or Remington pump or
double barrel coach gun (such as Stoeger) for about $250, spare
parts and 500 shotshells; or even a lever action carbine such
as a Winchester or Marlin in a pistol caliber (.357, .44, .45
LC)
* .357 Ruger GP100 plus 1,000 rounds of ammo, or perhaps a Hi
Power clone such as from FEG, or even a Makarov (under $300)
Practically every defensive situation I can think of except all
out war seems as though it could be handled primarily by the
shotgun with slugs or buckshot, with a handgun for “always
there” carry, and the scoped rifle for hunting and defensive
beyond 50 yards. Magazines can be a huge expense so eliminating
as many
of those as possible would keep costs down.
Another example: I like the idea of “owning the night” in
a chaotic situation. But what can those of us who cannot afford
many thousands of dollars for multiple sets of night vision goggles
do that
would give us an advantage without all the technology?
Anyway, I would appreciate reading your thoughts along these
lines. Especially if you could include the “ideal” and
the “low cost alternative” for each factor you discuss
in the future. Many thanks for your inspiration and ideas. You
have taken a bold step to sound the warning and help others.
Sincerely, - J.B.
JWR Replies:
Yes, budgets do vary. But prioritizing is the key. What is more important? That big screen HDTV or jet ski in the garage, or the lives of your wife and children? TANSTAAFL.
Your "lower cost version" battery would definitely do in pinch. As I often
say, it is the man or woman behind the rifle that determines its
effectiveness.
In the right hands a $150 sporterized WWI vintage bolt-action
Springfield or Mauser rifle is much more to be feared than a $3,000 Steyr AUG
or SIG-AMT.
Regarding Handguns: You mentioned FEG Hi-Power clones and
Makarovs. But for about the same amount of money you could buy a used military
surplus Argentine
M1911 clone (M1927 "Systema Colts".) Do consider that .45 ACP is much superior
to 9mm Parabellum or 9mm Makarov for stopping two legged predators!
Regarding Night Vision Gear: If you are on a very tight budget, think in terms of tanglefoot wire, concertina wire (sometimes available at scrap metal prices at U.S. Army DRMO auctions) and trip flares to give you an advantage in defending your retreat at night.
Regarding Magazines: I am of the firm opinion that six magazines per weapon is a bare minimum. If you can't afford that, then perhaps you need to consider a less expensive rifle.As I pointed out in previous posts, some rifles such as Valmet .308s, Steyr AUGs, and AR-10s (from some makers) are essentially limited to accepting only very expensive OEM magazines. One reason that I like FALs and L1A1s is that the magazines can usually be found for $6 to $8 at gun shows. HK-91/CETME magazines are even less expensive than that! (See the letter on this subject in today's blog entries.)
Regarding Lever Action Rifles/Carbines Chambered in Pistol
Calibers: I do not recommend these, except perhaps as secondary
small game hunting/marksmanship training guns. IMHO, they are underpowered
for stopping both deer-class wild game and men. The advantage of having both
a handgun and a long gun chambered in the same cartridge is far outweighed
by
the disadvantage
of
having an under-powered long gun! If you want a lever gun, I recommend that
you make it a .30-30 or .45-70!
Mr. Rawles,
I thought you might be interested in this
article from the LA Times
today:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rustle12sep12,0,5207254.story?coll=la-home-business
With $3.25 per gallon diesel,we now have “fuel rustlers” stealing
from ranchers. In your writings you always point out that our fuel
storage tanks should be underground and the pumps disguised. Sound
advice!
Jim, after checking out the articles on the best transportation
during EMP, I'm a little confused. I read, but may not have
understood, that the older pickups (1988) with diesel engines were
best. Also that 1994 and older were best, and that
the newer trucks are protected today. Can someone help since I
am looking for a diesel pickup? - G.C.
JWR Replies: Frankly, I'm also a bit befuddled
by the conflicting data. Perhaps some kind soul out there that
has more knowledge on the subject than I do can clarify exactly
which
makes/vintages
of diesel engines are EMP resistant, and which are not. (I have
never owned a diesel, since the exhaust fumes give the Memsahib
headaches. So I've never studied this subject in detail.)
Note From JWR: Today, I'm covering Louisiana, the
seventh of 19 states in my rankings of states by their retreat potential.
Note that I wrote the following a year ago--long before Hurricane
Katrina arrived. I certainly was right when I warned "Coastal
Louisiana and +/- 50 miles inland is in the hurricane zone"--but
I didn't need to be any sort of sage with arcane knowledge to figure
that out...
Louisiana:
Population: 4.5 million.
Population Density: 94.2 per square mile (Rank 2 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 47,751 square miles (rank 8 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $928/yr. (rank 30 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $721/yr. (rank 2 of 50)
Crime Safety Ranking: 50 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 94%.
Per capita income: $23,090 (rank 45 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 34 of 50.
Plusses: Mild climate. Low property taxes. Firearms freedom.
Minuses: Coastal Louisiana and +/- 50 miles inland is in the hurricane zone.
Very high population density (by western U.S. standards.) Louisiana has the
lowest crime safety ranking the U.S.! (New Orleans is ranked one of the least
safe cities in the country: It is ranked #13 in the “Top 20 Most Dangerous
Metropolitan Areas.) The second least well-educated population of any state--ranked
49 of 50. Very high car insurance rates. Extremely high home insurance rates.
(Average of $721 per year. Ranks #2 in the country!) In a true TEOTWAWKI situation,
folks in some rural areas may see non-Cajuns as expendable “outsiders.” High
humidity (over 60% in the southern half of the state.) Low wages.
Some northern portions of the state are recommended, with strong reservations.
Note: I probably should have given Louisiana higher ranking, due to its favorable
gun and tax laws and favorable climate--at least in the northern half of the
state. However, its extremely high crime rate and high insurance costs pushed
it far down the list.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 18 of 19.
If you want to see a full scale "slow slide" economic collapse in
action--one that rivals the severity of what I portrayed in my novel Patriots--then
just look at modern day Zimbabwe. Comrade Mugabe and his ZANU-PF cronies
have absolutely ruined a once prosperous
nation. Please take the time to read the August and September letters
archives at the Cathy
Buckles
web
site.
IMHO, Zimbabwe
needs
our prayers,
and a vigorous counter-revolution!
In my days as EMS system
director I had to do quite a bit of psych and stress management on
my firefighters and medics. We were living
the survivalist lifestyle where every day was TEOTWAWKI for
the people we responded to when we were on shift. Humans and animals
share a common bond deep in our nervous system. Deep below out intellect
and ego we
have two basic modes fight/flight or rest/digest. We live our whole
life sliding in between these two areas. When you feel stress form
being shot at by terrorists or worrying about your credit card bill
the same processes take affect the sympathetic nervous tone increases
adrenaline release increases, blood pressure, pulse and breathing rates
all rise, pupils dilate blood flows from the digestive organs and rush
to the skeletal muscles and brain.
Long term living in stress causes a weakened immune system, lack of
proper rest, chronic cardiac issues, digestive problems, and increased
fat retention or loss. While I have had to deal with crew members who
suffered from the opposite of the fight/flight symptoms it was often
due to emotional stresses which lead to a chemical/neurological condition
known as depression this is in my opinion the most likely problem on
this end of the scale. Throwing away all feelings of bravado and coach
inspired speeches depression becomes a real medical issue which the
patient cannot just "snap out of" in
stressful situations. Patients can endanger their teams safety by having
lack of mental clarity, disregard for personal or team safety, and
sometimes suicidal intentions. There are times when a person may swing
between the two extremes of high and low this is known as bi-polar.
The patient may seek stressful
or dangerous situations and these "adrenaline junkies" if
lacking basic responsibility can endanger their team.
Stress
and associated adrenaline release is not caused strictly by an immediate
threat in humans but can be caused by fear or dwelling on perceived
future threats. One of the most powerful chronic stressors is the worry
of things that the stressed person feels they have no control over.
In
some survival situations the loss of radio, Internet, cellular, and
normal social networks is a sudden shock. Since you have no idea what
is happening away from your direct area of observation the stress can
be quite acute. Hindsight 20/20 will also be cause for a stress, replaying
a personal failure during an incident or just the priceless item you
forgot that only cost a few
dollars can cause sleepless nights, you cannot relive the past, analyze
for learning purposes and then drop it. In many people stress and the
associated
symptoms can be mediated with a proper diet including green vegetables
and fiber as well as a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic rate exercise
daily.
The ideal candidate for stress resistance. Studies show that people
who have the following traits will be more resistant to stress disorders
and depression following traumatic events. Having a functional relationship
with a loving spouse and family is very important. A religious faith
which recognizes the creator as having ultimate control for the best
of his creatures gives meaning to the temporary suffering we may feel
or see. Sense for mission and a clear purpose motivates a team even
if they are not sure of all the details for tactical reasons. A healthy
body supports a healthy mind. Get a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic
level exercise (that means hard enough you can't sing but easy enough
that you can
talk), a proper diet including green vegetables and fiber avoidance
of relying on refined sugar and starch, saturated or animal fats, and
processed foods to meet your energy and nutritional needs. Junk food
is bad for you and will make surviving harder. Proper amounts sleep
and exposure to bright light during the day keep your somatic system
in check.
Kol Tov, David
James,
I noticed that you asked for some input on knives. Well, I just wanted to tell
you that I have been using a Leatherman Wave tool since they came out...what,
six years or so?....And the last year it has been used everyday on my job as
a Handyman. I just don't know what I would do without it. It is a fine tool
and knife, that will stand up to some hard use. Though I have always tried
to use it within reason, and not abuse it to much (the day I tried to make
it
work as a small hammer, maybe was a bit over the top) it really seems to stand
up to a lot of hard use. BTW, I now own two Waves and one of the new Ti Charge
models, which comes with all the changeable bits. IMHO in a SHTF type situation,
they will be worth their weight in gold. Now I do not care for Tim Leatherman's
politics, (he endorsed Kerry) but he does make a fine product. - Gung Ho
Hello,
This link is to a newspaper story from Johnson County, Iowa, regarding a huge
pack of feral dogs that is terrorizing a small town, West Liberty, about 15
miles southeast of us. Iowa City, the "capitol" of Johnson County
is an extremely anti-gun, liberal town and this is an interesting battle about
wild dogs, self protection, property rights etc. Thank you for everything that
you write and promote.See: http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050909/NEWS01/509090313/1079
Jim
It has occurred to me that someone staying in a zone where authorities are
going to harass gun toting survivors ought to consider having at least one
or more covert sidearms. If a survivor has to step out in a no-gun carrying
zone,they can still be armed. I currently own one J frame Model 36 Chief's
Special and
may well seek out another. This might possibly be one of those new Scandium
357 snubbies. A couple of five-shot snubs hidden in matching pocket holsters
are
better than a full-size service pistol that cops will hassle you over. It seems
to
be an acceptable alternative for someone who has to step out from their
home to collect food or make repairs. They would be good enough to fight ones
way back to the serious guns secured at home. - L.K.
JWR Replies: I concur that there is a need for
compact/concealable handguns for some circumstances. Since my primary
handguns are .45 ACPs,
I personally prefer the AMT Backup .45 ACP. (A very compact .45
ACP automatic
pistol, with a 5 round magazine.) It is a lot of gun in a small
package. It is no larger than many .380 ACPs yet is chambered
in a fairly potent caliber. Its sights (actually just a "sight
rail"
inlet)
are marginal
but
the gun was hardly designed for long range shooting, anyway.
If
you are going to opt for a snubbie revolver, make it a .357 Magnum.
(Since .38 Special snubbie is a marginal stopper, at best .) But do keep in
mind that a .357 magnum with a 1.5" barrel generates a muzzle velocity
that is roughly comparable
only to
a .38
Special with a 6" barrel! "Sound and Fury..."
Notes From JWR: Thanks to the graphics talent of my #1 Son (age 13 and home schooled, naturlich), you can now order SurvivalBlog logo T-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, mugs, tote bags, and bumper stickers. This serves two purposes: Showing our URL will help spread the word about preparedness, and it generates a little cash to pay for the site bandwidth. Wearing a SurvivalBlog T-shirt is a great conversation starter and is the height of fashion at the range, at gun shows, or anywhere on the Gulf Coast! Tacking up a SurvivalBlog bumper sticker in your cubicle is sure to make your liberal co-workers squirm. (And it just might attract like-minded co-workers that you never knew existed.)
Today, I'm covering Kansas, the sixth
of 19 states in my rankings of states by their retreat potential.
Kansas:
Population: 2.6 million.
Population Density: 31.7 per square mile (Rank 10 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 82,000 square miles (rank 14 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $688/yr. (rank 36 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $593/yr. (rank 8 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 23 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 68%.
Per capita income: $27,374 (rank 27 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 4 of 50.
Plusses:
Minuses: Little crop diversity. Few local firewood sources. Tornado prone (ranked
#2 out of top 20 States). High car insurance rates. High home insurance rates.
The flat terrain is difficult to defend. (Because there are too many avenues
of approach.)
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 12 of 19.
Don't miss David Kopel's editorial "Defenseless on the Bayou" --about how the Mayor of New Orleans, has grossly exceeded legal authority by ordering both forced evacuations and gun confiscation for the few remaining residents of the city. Can you spell lawsuit, boys and girls?
In the area of knives: I carry a Swiss Army Knife with me at
all times, along with a Gerber Multi-tool. When I go into the field
(Hunting, camping, whatever) I carry a fixed blade knife from Anza
Knives. I've owned a lot of knives and used even more and I have
sold every sheath-knife I owned and bought Anza's. These things are
sharp as razors, tough as nails, and as easy to sharpen as any knife
I've ever had, and at $60 or less for each of them they are on of
the best bargains I've ever run across as well. The one problem I
have with them is the high-carbon steel starts to rust if it rains
on television. I'm getting DuraCoat ( http://www.lauerweaponry.com/ )
applied to all of them shortly which will cure this problem, and
I've talked to the owner of Anza and he is considering providing
it as an option. DuraCoat is my second choice for refinishing as
I prefer hard black Chrome, but the Anza knives have wooden handles
which are stuck on with a space-age glue that simply cannot be removed,
the DuraCoat can be applied over the metal and the wood and needs
no heat curing.
Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading. - W.
JWR's Reply: I have heard good things about Anza knives from other sources. I appreciate hearing recommendations about other brands of both fixed blade and folding knives from SurvivalBlog readers who have first hand field carry experience. OBTW, be sure to bead blast or otherwise remove all of the oxidation before you apply a finish. Most people don't realize that rust can continue to do damage underneath a protective finish!
Mr. Rawles, do you have a list of gear that we should all have say on our persons or in our cars at all times? I finished your book, and more recently Boston [T. Party]'s Molon Labe and with what is happing down South, I need to prepare.
JWR's Reply: I think a workable baseline is the list that is recounted in my novel Patriots, where the Doug Carlton character appears for the first time, and he is searched. I encourage readers of this blog to e-mail me their suggested G.O.O.D. Kit / Bug Out Bag (B.O.B.) packing lists. I think that by working together, we can come up with a combined list that is far more comprehensive than one that is based on just my individual experience. Engage synergy mode, folks! OBTW, the letter below has a link that is another good point of departure.
The suggestions (for example, a car emergency bag) in this
list prepared by the emergency preparedness people on the Puget Sound
peninsula
See: http://www.pep-c.org/emergencykits/ ...will
be helpful for any number of minor setbacks that can occur anytime without
producing TEOTWAWKI. - B.B.
Here is a hot topic. I'm not sure how a person is to post it on the blog with the liability issues. (Please don't mention my name)
Disclaimer: The following is for veterinary use only.
See: http://lambriarvet.com/Antibiotics.php This
company had the best prices I have found for antibiotics, the last time that
I checked. These are the most useful for human use. They don't sell the really
expensive cipros or i.v. antibiotics to mere mortals like us.
During the three years before we moved we were on a microscopic budget and
without insurance. Using veterinary antibiotics saved my wife three times:
once from a kidney infection and twice from bladder infections. The Merck Manual
has all the info you need for dose, etc.
OBTW, I seem to remember you mention the fish medications in your novel [Patriots].
- U.G.
Dear Mr. Rawles,
I'm a CA resident and a CA high school history teacher, and just read your
retreat observations regarding my state. My experience with out-of-state
critics of CA is that they often exaggerate wildly about conditions here
as well as frequently blame voters here for the conditions we have (I've
voted against all aspects of the present socialist nightmare but look what
we have). In your case, however, I can honestly say that your analysis and
summary are 100% accurate and spot-on. I regret only that your summary isn't
printed in the Op-Ed section of the Los Angeles Times and circulated.
FWIW, I am looking for a teaching job elsewhere so I can get the heck out [of
California] before TSHTF. When it happens here, it will make Katrina's
aftermath look like
a kindergarten dance.
Take care and keep up the great work, - S.
Mr. Rawles,
I love your site. It is the first thing that I read in the morning now. I just
wanted to point out Alameda County [California] sales tax is now 8.75%, the
highest in the state except for Catalina Island! I drive to Monterey (the
nearest county with the state minimum 7.25% sales tax) for any decent sized
purchase, except autos because the DMV charges you by the county of residence.
BTW, the county listed on the registration determines your insurance and
whether or not you need a smog inspection. (yes some counties don't require
smog tests or not as stringent tests) if you have property or a friend with
an address you can use. Modoc County car insurance will be much cheaper than
Alameda County, I guarantee you.
Since the hurricane, I have doubled my efforts and consolidated down my BOB,
working on one for my wife's car. I picked up three times the amount of canned
goods this last weekend at our regular shopping trip (stuff we actually eat
on a regular basis). I sold a few more of my excess firearms, put the funds
towards supplies and hard money investments (no debts except mortgage) one
benefit of CA gun laws is that no 'out of production' guns can legally be brought
into the state for sale This includes vintage Smiths and Colts and even recent
stuff like Colt Delta Elites. So the price of these in the People's Republic
of Kalifornia (PRK) is way out
of whack compared to the rest of the country, as seen by prices on the firearm
auction sites. I sold a few old S&Ws that I was into for $200 and $300
for $650 and $750.. just because you can't 'legally' get them here! After I
move to free America, I can repurchase at lower prices if I want. Acreage properties
in Modoc, Plumas and Trinity or Sierra counties up in extreme northern CA as
you suggest are way too expensive (relative to acreage on the Oregon or Nevada
side of the line) now. There is little to NO industry or jobs up there and
logging is being legislated out of existence. Unless you have money or have
a home-based job that you can do from your computer, good luck up there. Possibly
as a retreat location but you are still sometimes 4-8 hours drive to some of
those places on Friday night from the [San Francisco] Bay area. Double or triple
that time in Katrina like escape traffic on I-5 or I-80. Though fishing and
hunting up there is second to none!
BTW some of your profiles are awesome. If I had even 1/100 of Bill Gates' budget
mine would be even better. - T.L.
James,
You sure hit the nail on the head when you wrote about California, and the
northern counties of Humboldt and Trinity. Life IS different up here, but you
still have to contend with the lunatics down south, and the stupid laws they
make. (Not to mention that some parts of Humboldt (Arcata) are just full of "hippy" types....Yes,
there are many left, and this is where they pooled.) Many people up here just
do not seem to understand that they ARE subject to these laws. I have been
told not to worry so much about certain things, because even the cops (up here),
just don't care. But the bottom line is the fact that this creates a huge "if
they want ya, they got ya" type situation. Now most people already live
with this to some extent, but it is FAR worse out here. Then there is the fact
that the people that were born and raised out here, if they are under 30, just
have no idea what it's like to live in a semi free state. Some just cannot
believe it when I tell them what is still legal in a state like Florida or
Wyoming. It is very sad. This is a beautiful part of the country, with a great
climate...but I know I will not be able to stand it long. - Gung-Ho
Reading your blog for 9-10-05, I was reminded of what I read in
your book Patriots a
few months back about transfusions. In Patriots blood is
drawn off into a sterile bag with no mention of anticoagulation.
There is a huge risk here IMO. I am a director with a major university
hospital . Here are some things to consider and what I
plan on doing for transfusions WTSHTF. You are correct that person
to person transfusion is too risky. Depending on vein size and the
size
of the needle / catheter
you could have a flow of 1 ml per minute to 5 or 6. Also, once the
line is de-aired, without a optical fluid analyzer you have no way
of knowing how fast it is going, let alone if it has stopped -which
it can and does. Blood does clot! Moving through a system that has
not been anticoagulated will cause many microaggrete clots at best.
This
is
very dangerous
IMO. Of course if someone is going to die anyway, why not risk it.
Viable options for anticoagulation drugs:
Citrate: AKA CPDA-1, ACD-A
Ratio: 1ml of either ACD-A or CPDA-1 per 7 ml of blood. These forms
of citrate are premixed, unlike Heparin.
Risks: Aside from transfusion reactions, citrate is readily neutralized
and absorbed by the body. Calcium negates Citrate. Risk of mis-dosing
the PT (via over anticoagulated blood) is minimal. DO NOT use any IV
fluid such as LR (lactated ringers) to prime or 'chase' this blood
because it contains calcium and could clot
in the IV line. No worries once the blood is in the patient (PT), LR
is fine after the line is cleared. Use .9 NACL during infusion. Once
blood is drawn off into a pre-citrated
bag,
you have
6 hours to reinfuse it at room temp. of 72 degrees.
Bonus: In some areas outside the USA, CPDA-1 blood bags can be purchased
without a prescription (RX). The bags store for a printed shelf life
of about 24 months. A "must have" if it is legal in your AO.
Heparin: A very distant second choice, EASY to overdose (OD).
Basically impossible to properly fix in the field (unless you can
wait it out)
without PT and PTT tests from a lab or mobile device.
Heparin: Porcine or bovine. (Note: most bovine is expired or nearing
expiration, porcine is the current standard)
Ratio: 30 units per 7ML of blood. Here is where it can get VERY confusing.
Heparin comes in many different concentrations. From 1,000 units per
ML to as high as 20,000 units per ML (some may be around in higher
concentrations, but it is rare to see nowadays because of overdosing
issues). You must
pay strict
attention.
Risks: Many. Using Heparin in the field means you must PRECISE. Under
anticoagulate and the blood clots before it goes in. Over heparinize
the blood and the PT could become anticoagulated. Unlike citrate, heparin
attaches to the platelets. You have to wait out the heparin in order
for it to go away. Theoretically
you could give protamine, but if you knew how much you OD'd your PT
you wouldn't have to give it anyway. NEVER give protamine in the field.
Blood can only be stored for an hour once
drawn off into heparinized bag.
Negatives: As stated, risk of OD and your PT bleeding out because of
it. You must have a pen and paper or calculator to determine how much
heparin to use. You also must have a spare bag of .9nacl (preferably)
to dilute the heparin in. There is just a lot of room for error at
the moment when your most likely to make an error.
Advice: Don't use it unless it's truly life or death, make out all
you calculations and such ahead of time and keep them with the heparin.
Also, heparin requires a RX in the USA.
Afterthoughts:
Blood Volume (in MLs)= Weight in kilograms x 65
6500ml=100Kg x 65
1ML=1CC
1ML=1 gram (if you have a scale and want to weight the transfer pack,
that comes in handy).
A full transfer pack looks like it is going to burst.
A 40 micron blood filter would be a big plus to have along with your
other transfusion equipment. Running non-anticoagulated blood through
one isn't a good idea.
Keeping iron pills on hand (legal in the USA) is a great idea to boost
red blood cell (RBC) production after a transfusion or before it.
I hope this info helps... - Dr. Buckaroo Banzai
Note From JWR: Today, I'm covering Idaho, the fifth of 19 states in my rankings of states by their retreat potential. I rank it as my top choice for buying a survival retreat.
The Al Qaeda terror network tends toward maximum psychological impact for their attacks, so it stands to reason that there is a higher than usual likelihood for an attack tomorrow-- September 11th. (9/11/2005). Be ready. Although the statistical chances of Der Tag are very low, I still recommend that you do the following today:
Put your extra NiMH batteries in the charger.
Refamiliarize yourself with with where you've stored your radiation monitoring gear and antibiotics.
If you don't already have a hard copy, print out a copy of Nuclear War Survival Skills from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine web site.
Top off you truck or car's gas tank.
Make "Just in Case" coordination contact via phone or e-mail with anyone who you expect to rendezvous at your retreat in the event of deep drama.
Replace the perishables in your G.O.O.D. packs and/or your vehicular G.O.O.D. kits.
Disconnect from power and external antennas any radios or computers that you don't uses on a daily basis. Store them in steel ammo cans to protect them from EMP. Or, if you are short of ammo cans, at least wrap them in aluminum foil. (The poor man's Faraday cage.)
Pray.
Idaho:
Population: 1.3 million (and about 2.1 million cattle.)
Population Density: 15.5 per square mile (Rank 15 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 83,437 square miles (rank 13 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $608/yr. (rank 48 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $326/yr. (rank 50 of 50).
Average Home Price in Clearwater County: $112,725
Average Home Price in Idaho County: $109,500
Average Home Price in Kootenai County: $112,849
Average Home Price in Latah County: $118,325
Crime Safety Ranking: 9 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 97%.
Per capita income: $23,727 (rank 41 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 15 of 50.
Plusses: Low Very low crime rate. (For example, it ranks second from the bottom
in car thefts of the 50 states.) Low property taxes. Inexpensive building
permits. Minimally intrusive government. Inexpensive car registration ($20
to $50 per year, plus a one-time-only $15 plate fee.) Low car insurance rates.
Low health insurance rates. Extremely low home insurance rates. (An average
of $326 per year. Ranks #50 in the country!) The most wilderness area in
any of the 48 Continental United States. (Only Alaska has more.) 21.6 million
forested acres. Minimal gun laws. Class 3 guns (machineguns short barreled
rifles and shotguns, and suppressors) are legal to own after the $200 Federal
tax and background check. Open carry of handguns is legal and fairly commonplace. CCW permits must be
issued unless someone has a prior criminal record. (“Non-discretionary.”)
No CCW permit is required for concealed carry outside of city limits. Vehicular
carry of loaded guns is legal and very common. Automatic knives are legal
to own and carry. Minimally regulated home schooling. Low population density.
Low elevation portions of the state have a fairly mild climate. Hunting and
fishing are excellent in many parts of the state, so there will be no shortage
of protein WTSHTF. High ratio of horse ownership, so I anticipate that transportation
will be available in the event of a long term TEOTWAWKI. By 2025, Idaho is
projected to be the 40th most populous with 1.7 million people. (It is currently
the 39th most populous state.) Affordable property: The median home price
for all of Idaho is $105,403. One useful web site: Idaho
Department of Commerce Community Profiles.
Minuses: Has a relatively high state income tax. Sadly, 63.7% of Idaho’s
lands are owned by federal government. (Mostly National Forest and BLM land.)
But at least that provides a "really big back yard" for hunting and
cutting firewood. Cold winters at the higher elevations. (Look for property
in the low river valleys if you can’t stand snow!) Low wages compared
to most coastal states.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 1 of 19. (JWR’s top choice!)
Last week Abigail and I were out picking elderberries. After harvesting
all we could find at our place we stopped and asked the neighbor
if we could hunt for some on their farm. My neighbor's'30 year
old son, who has spent a lot of time in the woods, sent us to one
spot his Dad to another. When we got to the son’s spot we indeed
found a huge batch of berries, but they were pokeberries, definitely
not what we were looking for! Lesson learned: Make sure you know
what you are picking and eating.
It did get me to thinking about variety in our diet if the “event” happens.
At the Adams house we currently supplement our diet with what we can
find in the wild. blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, elderberries,
all make great cobbler and jelly. We also harvest walnuts, hickory
nuts morel mushrooms, ramps, dandelion for greens and gravy, nettles,
clover, and violets for greens. All these are seasonal of course but
make a
pleasant break in our current fare. If someone was on a constant diet
of wheat and beans the ability to identify and cook these wild plants
would be a godsend for the palate, and a nutritional gold mine. Naturally
different places will have different “wild
fare” that will be out there to harvest. Now is the time to be
learning what nature is providing in your own part of the world. This
web site has over 187,000
recipes, basically if you can kill it or pick it, you will find a way
to cook it here.
I would caution anyone that is new to foraging to find someone that
is very knowledgeable with the plants in their immediate area. Someone
that has picked their own plants and eaten them too! Don’t get
started with someone like my neighbor’s
son, who thought he knew what he was talking about but had never eaten
his own harvest! - John and Abigail Adams
James,
I am a fan of your work and am glad that you are now doing a regular blog.
I found something that might be of interest to your readers while going
through my regular slew of catalogues in the mail today. I remember reading
in your novel Patriots about
how one of the characters jerry-rigged a person-to-person blood transfusion
setup. I noticed that Deutche Optik, a militaria surplus dealer, is carrying
a new in the box German
surplus person-to-person blood transfusion device. I went ahead and
ordered one, on the off chance I may need it one day and have someone around
who is medically qualified. Here's the description:
Blood Transfusion Device “Assa” [NS011] $45.00 (Very
Limited Availability) Yeah… we know! Sounds bizarre and macabre,
but a damned useful, brand-new, 25ccm instrument. As the German description
states: for the use of blood transfusions from vein to vein; infusion
and extraction of fluids from body cavities (pleuritis exsudativa); irrigation
of serious, bloody and septic joint injuries. Gorgeous tool. 200° C
glass with nickel-plated syringes and hardware. Surgical rubber tubing
enclosed. 7.5”
Just in case some SurvivalBlog readers might be interested. - D.H.
JWR Replies: I do not recommend person-to-person
transfusions, except as a last resort. Under the stress of an emergency
surgery, it is too easy to lose track of time and the next thing
you know, you have two patients! It doesn't take that much longer
to draw blood from a type-matched donor into sterile packs and then
transfuse by gravity from those packs. Proviso: Don't attempt any
sort of transfusion unless it is a dire emergency and until you've
been taught the proper techniques by an M.D. or other medical professional.
(BTW, a phlebotomist or surgical nurse with regular daily experience
is probably the best teacher for how to find a vein and set up a
Luer lock. A lot of non-surgical docs tend to get a bit rusty.) Blood
typing and all of other typical precautions (for shock, embolism,
etc.) must also be observed. In the absence of other equipment, one
of these Deutche Optik kits would suffice.
Dear Jim:
I am thoroughly enjoying your web site and appreciate very much all of your
quality information. Recently you had an article about storing coins and
ammo for barter and trade purposes. I would like to ask several questions
about this subject.
1.) You mentioned pre-1965 silver dimes, but what about silver quarters and
half-dollar coins?
2.) Do you recommend gold coins? I understand the inherent problems with gold
bars and bullion, but what about .10, .25, and .50 ounce gold coins for barter?
3. What types and quantities of .22 ammo do you suggest? Stingers, hollow points
or FMJ? and in what quantities
of each?
4.) Do you recommend storing up primarily hollow points or FMJ in the other
calibers?
I'm sure that the other blog readers have similar questions and we thank you
for your help.
B'shem Yahshua Ha Moshiach, - Dr. Sidney Zweibel, Columbia P&S
JWR Replies:
In answer to your questions...
1.) I mentioned pre-1965 silver dimes only because they are the smallest
denomination U.S. 90% silver coins. Dimes will be perfect for
barter transactions like a can of beans or a loaf of bread. Quarters,
half-dollars, and even silver dollars are also good to keep on hand
for bartering--but only for larger items/quantities, unless you want
to use a cold chisel. BTW, U.S. silver dollars are much more expensive
per ounce, but since silver coinage has been out of circulation in
the U.S., for 40+ years and public knowledge of them is fading, silver
dollars are undeniably the most recognizable silver coins
for barter with the Generally Dumb Public (GDP). I recommend that
you get a mix of coins, but mostly dimes.
2.) As I illustrated in the Barter Faire chapter of my novel Patriots,
I do not recommend gold coins for barter.Even the
smallest gold bullion coin (1/10th ounce) is still worth about $50 at present
and will probably be worth at least four times that When the Schumer Hits the
Fan (WTSHTF). They are much too compact a form of wealth for most barter transactions.
However, gold coins do serve two useful purposes: Firstly, due to their compactness
(per dollar), they are ideal for a last ditch "I need to flee the country, tonight" form
of portable wealth. (I couldn't imagine lugging a bunch of $1,000 face value
silver bags (at 55 pounds each) or 100 ounce silver Engelhard bars under such
circumstances. Secondly, gold coins are good long term store of wealth to protect
the value of your savings from one side of a monetary crisis to the other.
(The "time machine" effect that I mentioned in a previous blog post.)
But again, don't buy gold coins for barter. But you should first buy
a $1,000 face value "junk" (circulated pre-1965) silver bag each
member of your family, for barter purposes. Only then should you consider buying
any gold coins or silver bullion.
3.) Stingers tend to have erratic velocity, so I don't recommend them. I do
recommend storing standard factory (Remington or Winchester) .22 Long Rifle
hollow points for barter. Buy as many as your budget allows. I personally have
15,000 .22 cartridges set aside for small game hunting and target practice,
and another 25,000 set aside for barter. The nice thing about .22 rimfire ammo
is that it is relatively inexpensive and very compact. You can fit 4,500 rounds
in just one ammo can. They are also divisible for smaller purchases.
As a barter item, 50 cartridge boxes of .22 LR will be very desirable. (They
will mean "meat on the table" for a lot of hungry families.)
4.) I recommend storing primarily pointed soft point ammunition for hunting
rifle calibers, (with perhaps 30% in FMJ loadings for calibers like 5.56mm
NATO and 7.62x39). Buy nearly all hollow points for your pistol calibers. WTSHTF,
people are going to want to acquire man stopper loads rather than
plinking ammo.
Hi, Jim,
Just adding some thoughts on your assessment of Arizona. There are
two Arizonas, the lower half at an average elevation
of less than 3000 feet, and the half up on the Colorado plateau at
5000-8000 feet,
and the two are totally different. You are absolutely correct about
Southern
Arizona being too populated, too close the border, and too much crime,
almost all of which is in metropolitan Phoenix. If ones does their
research
(and I am not going to spell it all out here), there are some locations
that
come in very high. First check your groundwater availability, some
areas have intermittent surface water, and no aquifer. Other areas
have excellent, clean, well flowing, deep aquifers. You will probably
have to put in a well, either wind or solar powered. Solar power has
an advantage in that it can be hidden better, but it had the disadvantage
of being more technologically complex. [JWR Adds:
The folks at Solarjack/SunPumps
of Safford, Arizona are both knowledgeable
and reputable PV powered
pump dealers. I first did business with them in 1991.] With
a good well, you not only have drinking water, you can
grow crops. There are large concentrations of LDS members
in some areas, this is a good thing to look for, crime is low, and
they make good neighbors, even if you are not
LDS. Land is reasonably cheap ($200-$500/acre) out of the towns a few
miles, but you will have the added expense of your well, which will
cost $12-$15K including the windmill or solar, and solar electric generation
for lights, and other power, which can add that much again, for a modest
system. Game is available, and the population density is these localized
areas is measured in square miles per person. My nearest neighbor
is 3/4 of a mile away, the next closest is two miles in the opposite
direction, and more than 3 miles each in the other two directions,yet
there is a town of about 5000 people, only 9 miles by rough road, away.
(The place I selected, allows my retreat to not be seen from the little
traveled rutted dirt road in front of my place; the only indication
that someone is even there, is a slightly overgrown track leading over
a low ridge through some trees, from a nondescript barb wire fence
gate. After one rainstorm, the track looks like it hasn't been traveled
for
months. The CONEX boxes
are painted olive drab, and hidden by trees. blackout curtains are
used at night
in the neutral colored dwelling, you cannot see the place, day or night,
from 40 yards away, even though there are large meadows on two sides,
as I made sure at least some trees were between
the open areas and the structures.) Cattle and crops are grown in the
area, and there is game, ranging from rabbits to antelope to elk. Topography
ranges from savannah, to juniper to tall pines, depending on the elevation.
You are close enough that you can work/live in Phoenix, if needed,
yet
have a retreat available less than 200 miles away, just know ALL the
ways out of town, and have stuff propositioned. And, if you have the
money for $20-40K an acre,
there are a few select areas in the 4000-5000 foot elevation that have year round
running surface water, good flat ground for crops are isolated, surrounded by
high mountains and easily defended, as the only two roads in, can be easily defended,
or blocked - AZDoug
Dear Nationwide:
SIGARMS® is responding to emergency requests from law enforcement in the
hurricane ravaged areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and is expediting
orders to agencies in those states. Already SIGARMS has shipped extra pistol
magazines for the Louisiana State Police who carry the P220 pistol, and at
the agency's request will be sending all available remaining P220 magazines.
As a result, SIGARMS has suspended sale of the P220 pistol magazines to the
commercial market. Commercial sales are expected to resume in October. Additionally
SIGARMS is working closely with officials at the ATF to expedite required paperwork
for law enforcement agency transfer of the SG 551 and SG 552 select-fire rifles.
Already, SIGARMS has made preparations to ship several hundred rifles to one
Louisiana agency. Due to the magnitude of the emergency facing law enforcement
in the region hit by hurricane Katrina and the surrounding states which have
taken in thousands of refugees, SIGARMS will give immediate priority to requests
from area law enforcement agencies and expedite shipments of firearms, parts
and accessories. Agencies in other parts of the country that are sending personnel
and supplies to the region will also receive priority status to assist them
in their efforts. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our
commercial dealers and customers. We deeply appreciate your understanding in
this matter. Thank you. - SIGARMS
Reader MH. Adds: I thought everything was "under control
..."
JWR Adds: This is evidence that there will be shortages of firearms, accessories, and ammunition WTSHTF. In this isolated instance, SIGArms is devoting its entire inventory for a full month just for one region of the country. Think about the implications of a more widespread emergency. FFTAGFFR, folks! Stock up.
"Oh how cruel is the interval between the conception of a great
enterprise and its execution! What vain terrors! What irresolution!
Life is at stake---much more is at stake: honor!
- Schiller
Notes From JWR: My #1 Son has added a new "Link to Us" button in our navigation bar. This makes it easy for you to add a SurvivalBlog.com image link to your web page/site. Many thanks for helping to spread the word!
Today, I'm covering Colorado, the fourth of 19 states in my rankings of states by their retreat potential.
Colorado:
Population: 4.3 million.
Population Density: 41.3 per square mile (Rank 8 of JWR’s top
19 states).
Area: 104,000 square miles (rank 8 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $881/yr. (rank 11 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $571/yr. (rank 12 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 26 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 74%.
Per capita income: $32,434 (rank 7 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 15 of 50.
Plusses: A low “total tax burden” of 8.4%. Has a high rating
in “education freedom” for home schooling (ranked #8 of
50).
Minuses: Fairly high population density (by western U.S. standards.)
The emerging Nanny State mentality is also troubling.
Parts of the state are recommended.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 10 of 19.
I started writing about this topic after reading that there are 100 millions
dogs in America, back in the fall of 1998. Every year people e-mail with
more true
dog attack
stories.
Since that time I have put them in my newsletter. The first three articles
are still posted here: www.survival-center.com/buckshot/dogs.htm
Now, in today's climate of terrorist attacks, hurricanes that could cause an economy collapse changing America into chaos I think it might be something interesting to share. The premise is the majority of the people in bad times would let their pets go to fend for themselves. These pets would soon revert back to becoming predators. [JWR Comments: I portrayed precisely that in my screenplay Pulling Through--available for free download.] Once the chaos hit the cities and people start killing each other the dogs would start feeding on the dead bodies. These packs will then have a taste for human flesh and you will be considered food.
Canines
like fresh kills the best. Something about the blood letting turn it into
a frenzy like in a shark attack. If you want to see for yourself next time
you've unthawed some meat save the bloody water in the foam tray. Carry this
outside and spread it across your lawn. Let your dog out and watch what
happens. To really open your eyes have two dogs checking it out
at the same time. But I'd better
let you know up front I am not responsible for the vet bills or human injuries--so
be careful if you do this. In other words you'll do so AT YOUR OWN RISK.
To get a glimpse into what an attack would sound like read this. This
was posted to a forum and later e-mailed to me. Pretty graphic bone chilling
descriptions.
I am sorry I don't know who the author is to give him/her credit.
"That is true primal fear ...."I don´t know what it
is about dogs but there is a built in something inside of me that when
I hear a pack
of dogs attacking .....especially attacking another lone helpless dog (lets
just stay with dogs for now)....there is something that goes click in me
and every fiber of my being is set on the highest tension a person can experience....all
hairs standing on end....stomach churning, panic/fear/tears/screams.....everything
reactive instantly and at once. There are some folks alive who have never
actually
heard this except on t.v. and let me tell you it does not do justice to
hearing these sounds for real and seeing the fangs/blood, flying flesh, gouged
out
eyes and horrific screams...yes screams of bloody murder coming from the
dog being attacked....well, if you ever have this experience it will stay with
you forever....most assuredly
if in that experience you were totally helpless to stop/control/defend/run-from/drive
off
the pack and those long horrific minutes became unending video stuck on
reply....forever. I guess it brings back a deep deep species memory of long
ago when the nights
were terrifying and not made for sleeping but rather for surviving until
the dawn/daylight.... I guess that is why dogs still sleep so soundly during
the
day though they don´t remember why and I don´t
sleep during the night....though I can´t forget. Keeps one alive
when civilization is long dead and gone."
I would like to add a few things every time this posted someone will always
say "no way dogs will become food" or "coyotes will kill the dogs." While
it is true that coyotes do kill dogs mostly smaller ones or loners. Now
you take a
pack of 15 dogs against a normal coyote pack of 2 to 6 and the
coyotes will become the food. Even though there is a number of
coyotes in almost every state
last time I heard the population average for coyotes in the Lower 48 was
10 million. That is a far cry from 100 million dogs.
The key point most people
miss in
this is what I call the rule of 50. At any given time the normal city
person has about 50 miles worth of gas in their vehicle, less then $50
cash, less
then 50 hours of food in the house, and less then 50 rounds of ammunition.
If you research into what happen after 9-11. ATM shut down most people didn't
have any money, how many gas
station were sold out within hours? How many rounds of ammunition were
bought that
day? How many could not buy any food? The funny ones are the people that
think a club will be all they need against a pack of attacking dogs.
Ever hit a Rottweiler in the head with baseball bat? Nope, me neither,
but I saw
it once and all it did was make the
dog really
mad. Now try it against a pack of 15 dogs attacking you... They will
find your bat next to your torn up body.
Here is part of story in one of my Newsletters. Note this was after fighting
and killing off most of a feral dog pack:
"The whole walk home I had the feeling I was being watched. I didn't know by who until I went out to my jeep later that night. The last dog followed me home and attacked me as I was walking to my jeep. I think that was the alpha male because he was a ballsy and got me to the ground on his own. I ended up stabbing him about 25 times with my pocket knife before he quit biting me. I found him in an old rusted out car that was in a field about 2 days later."
There are some really important points to be made here. One this is
after killing off most of the pack, the Alpha had no fear of humans, the
dog thought this human was trying to be the new Alpha and he was not going
to let that happen until the two fought it out. What is very startling
is the number of wounds
from the pocket knife; 25 times. I'm just guessing it was small pocket
knife with a 3 inch blade. Still it was a "to the death" fight in the dog's
mind. Also,
even
after all of those knife wounds the dog still got away and died out of
sight.
These dog packs will range in size from 6-to-50 dogs. I don't care how good
a shot you are--if 20-to-50 dogs are attacking you are deep do-do. Have
you ever tried to shoot a running coyote or deer? How many times did you
miss? Now
imagine
trying to hit running dogs coming from all directions? A simple effective
solution is to have 10 dozen coyote snares on hand. This is for a homestead-retreat.
With some basic snare knowledge you can have 120 guards watching every
animal path into your homestead. This will also be a great deterrent for
coyotes
and other vermin coming to feed on your livestock. Now I am NOT talking
about homemade wire snares. Once a 20-to-70 pound feral dog hits one
of these he will break it right off. Just like hot knife through butter.
This is very bad for a couple of reasons. You just taught
the dog to avoid snares making him warily and 10 times harder to catch
the next time. No I am talking about real professional grade self locking
snares
made out aircraft cable rated up to 1,080 pounds of strength. But the large
dog is only 100 pounds why so strong? Well the first thing you learn trapping
is animal fight the trap or snare. They
roll, twist
bite, chew and used their strength to escape. Wild coyote have showed they
could put 5 times their weight into breaking free. Simple math a 100 pound
animal can put 500 pounds of breaking strength on a snare. Next rolling
and twisting our snares come with a swivel to help prevent kinking or twisting.
Biting ,coyotes can chew through the cable if you
are not diligent
in checking the snare every day. But this cable is perfect for a 24 hour
check. Even with all it's strength a coyote can still [eventually] chew
through it. That is pretty amazing to me. - "Buckshot"
JWR's Comment: I've known "Buckshot" Bruce Hemming
for about eight years. I highly recommend his traps, snares, scents, and videos.
(I have quite a few that I've bought from him over the years.) Buckshot will
sell you 10 dozen professionally made coyote snares and a video for
around $200. In a real long term grid-down TEOTWAWKI situation, traps and
snares will be
worth their weight in gold. You'll be glad you have them for both the food
and the protection that they will provide. To learn
more, visit Buckshot's Camp at: www.buckshotscamp.com,
or call (in the U.S. or Canada) for a free catalog: 1(888) 600-6869. If nothing
else, at least sign up for Buckshot's free newsletter at his web
site. Disclaimer: I haven't been paid or given any merchandise to write
this. I'm in awe of the depth of his
knowledge on trapping. (If you've seen any of his videos, then you know what
I mean!) Lastly, I should mention that Buckshot is a new SurvivalBlog
advertiser. But I would have run his letter, regardless!
Here are some useful specifications:
Katadyn
Drip Filter
0.2 micron ceramic depth filter (Note: This is the ABSOLUTE filtration specification,
NOT the Nominal filtration rating.)
British
Berkefeld Big Berkey
With filtration rating efficiencies of >98% down to 0.2 microns >99.9%
at 0.5 microns >99.99% at 0.9 microns (Spectrum Labs).
Note: Berkefeld's ABSOLUTE filtration specification is 0.9 microns. (See the
above line.)
I 've watched the PR advertisements regarding Berkefeld and just sat there
shaking my head. I was sent some Berkefeld filter replacements which were touted
as equal to Katadyn's but a much better price. NOT! When I read the spec's
on the filter, I sent them back and bought Katadyn's. (Actually, it's just
as cheap to buy a new complete drip unit as to buy replacement filters. Well,
within $15 bucks anyway.) Don't get me wrong, Berkey's do filter .....but Katadyn
does it a lot better.
Oh, I tried the Gravidyn filter element by Katadyn, which has the carbon filter
built in but they are to be changed every six months. Not worth the cost for
me unless I lived in a city. With the Ceradyn filters, you use them until they
are worn out. That's a lot better for a long run need and mine generally last
6 years.
I should mention that when you buy a complete new Katadyn replacement unit, you still have the old one which wasn't totally useless. Eventually you end up with ones you could give to the needy neighbors who could get by on it. Just a pet peeve where I think the American consumer is being misled. Gosh, like that's uncommon, huh? I hope that Berkefeld isn't supporting your blog ;-) - The Army Aviator
"Put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket!" - Mark Twain
Note From JWR: Today, I cover California--the third of 19 states in my rankings of retreat potential.
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California:
Population: 34 million+.
Population Density: 214 per square mile (Rank 1 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 158,706 square miles (rank 3 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $765/yr. (rank 23 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $592/yr. (rank 9 of 50),
Crime Safety Ranking: 39 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 30%.
Per capita income: $32,149 (rank 8 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 37 of 50.
Plusses: Mild climate and a long growing seasons in most parts of the state.
High wages.
Minuses: Excessive population density, high crime rate, copious smog, high
cost of living, aggravating traffic, earthquake prone, over-inflated real estate
prices, expensive building permits, restrictive zoning, high sales tax (as
much as 8.5% in some counties!), draconian gun control laws, MTBE-tainted municipal
and well water, high income and property taxes, multiple terrorist and WWIII
targets, mediocre public schools, a cluttered radio spectrum, a state budget
crisis that has reduced the state’s bonds to junk bond status, a proliferation
of anti-small business and environmental regulations, exploding illegal immigration,
anti-home schooling legislators, expensive car registration, high car insurance
rates, the highest worker’s compensation insurance cost in the nation
($5.23 per $100 in payroll!), high health insurance rates, a very litigious
and biased court system, and an ever-expanding socialistic Nanny State. California
K-to-12 students ranks 48th of the 50 states in academics. California is definitely not recommended,
except perhaps for those committed to the anti-gun pacifist school of survivalism
and willing to home school their kids, and then only in the most remote
portions of the state--far northern California. (Such as Humboldt, Modoc, or
Trinity County) or perhaps the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.(Such
as the Bishop or Lone Pine areas.)
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 19 of 19.
JWR adds: I included California in my rankings of 19 states partly to show some contrasts to the other states listed. Because so many SurvivalBlog readers live in California, I hope that this serves as encouragement for them to "vote with their feet."
Jim:
I see that Missouri is not on your list. There are a
lot of good things to say about the Ozarks of Southern Missouri (and
Northern
Arkansas). Self reliant culture which is pro gun and private
property and which respects people's privacy. There is very low
population density in many counties (such as Shannon population 8,300,
Reynolds
6,700, Oregon 10,300, and Carter 5,900). Very low cost of living and
a very homogeneous population (mostly Scotch-Irish). You find people
from California moving to Missouri since they can live on just their
Social Security there. Regards, - "Nearnorth"
JWR Replies: Your point is well taken. however, as a whole, Missouri is too populous to be recommended. It has a population of over 6 million which equates to 1448.4 per square mile. That is more than four times the population density of California, which just barely made my list. Take another look at the "Lights of the U.S." photo maps at: www.darksky.org.
Missouri also has an increasingly intrusive government. Even if you
live in a lightly populated county, you still have to contend with
the
state regulations. (This, BTW, is the same predicament faced
by people who live in the rural counties of Colorado, eastern Oregon,
eastern Washington,
and
northern California.) Also, consider the number of nuclear targets
in the state (The following list is courtesy
of Richard Fleetwood at SurvivalRing.org):
Primary Targets: Whiteman AFB complex
(Minuteman missiles, area within a line connecting Freeman, Richmond,
Arrow Rock, California, Gravois Mills, Osceola, Stockton, Sheldon,
Rich Hill, west to state line to Freeman again).
Secondary Targets: St. Louis, Kansas City, Fort Leonard Wood.
Tertiary Targets: Columbia, Springfield, St. Joseph.
Mr. Rawles,
Many thanks for an excellent web site! I read it daily with much
anticipation. Your book Patriots is
a first-class work as well.
Storing fuel is a must for a survival retreat. Having said that,
how do you get delivered several hundred gallons of diesel (or gas)
without raising eyebrows? I live in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains
of North Carolina on a mountain top. Very private and quiet,
but not a farm. Maybe
it is easier than I presume and nothing would raise flags to delivery
folks filling a couple of above ground tanks. Is there an
approach that has worked for you or your readers?
OBTW, your Retreat Owner Profiles are super--keep up the good work! - S.P.
JWR Replies: As mentioned in previous blog posts, I recommend getting the largest underground fuel tanks that you can afford, but of course no larger than the maximum allowable under your local law. I also recommend that you purchase the tanks from a company that is a long distance away, and that you have workmen from that same company handle the delivery and installation. That will keep local rumors to a minimum. For example, one of my good friends in Clearwater County, Idaho ordered his gas and diesel tanks from a company in Missoula, Montana, more than 100 miles away. The shipping was expensive, but this was offset by the fact that Montana has no state sales tax. OBTW, the fiberglass fake basalt rocks covering the filler necks and hose stands are a nice touch.
As for the local companies that fill your tanks, there are a couple of obfuscatory statements that might prove helpful: "I only got this big tank because I want to be able to ride out large price fluctuations." Or, "I need to keep this much diesel on hand because I'm co-owner of a (fill in the blank) company." (Trucking, logging, et cetera)
The most expensive but most discreet approach is available for "Secret Squirrels" with a big budget: As I just described, have your large underground tanks installed by a company from at least 50 miles away. Then order your fuel in small increments (200 gallons or less) from several different vendors, preferably from 30+ miles away. There is no way for them to know the capacity of your underground tank just by looking at the exposed filler neck--unless of course the curvature of the tank also shows. Shelling out for multiple delivery charges is a high price to pay for privacy, but TANSTAAFL. Parenthetically, I have one acquaintance in Wyoming that has an 80 gallon diesel "L" shaped tank (the under tool box type) in the bed of his his dualie F350 diesel pickup. He buys diesel 90+ gallons at a time on his weekly trips to Cheyenne. Once he gets home, he pumps it into his 3,000 gallon diesel tank at home. It is a slow process, by very discreet.
"I didn't say it would be easy, Neo. I just said it would be the truth." - Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus in The Matrix (1999)
Note From JWR: Today, I cover the second of 19 states in my rankings of retreat potential.
The situation on the Gulf Coast is still fairly grim. The evacuation is nearly complete, and much needed supplies are now pouring in. But the communities that are still hurting the most are the small inland towns that were cut off from communications and that still don't have power restored. The power utilities are making Herculean efforts to get power restored, but is is a slow process. Their crews are working around the clock. These are good men doing a commendable job.
The bureaucrats at FEMA are getting mostly bad reviews for their performance in coordinating the disaster relief effort. Who ever dreamed up the concept of managing an emergency? Methinks that in the long run it will be religious charities and small private charity organizations that will do the most good for the most folks, using funds with the greatest efficiency. Large charity organizations and government bureaucracies always tend toward high overhead costs, misdirected efforts, and gross inefficiency.
There have been some interesting exchanges about the implications of Hurricane Katrina over on The Claire Files (The discussion forums at Claire Wolfe's blog.)
Over at Keep and Bear Arms there are some tidbits about firearm used for self defense, post-Katrina. I'm sure that it is just a matter of time before that hopeless Hopolophobe Josh Sugarman and the rest of the civilian disarmament crowd get around to claiming that privately owned guns somehow caused the looting problem. I have news for them: Guns aren't the cause of looting. They are the solution.
And don't miss the 20 Most Stupid Quotes About Hurricane Katrina
Arkansas:
Population: 2.67 million.
Population Density: 50.2 per square mile (Rank 5 of JWR’s top
19 states).
Area: 53,187 square miles (rank 27 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $721/yr. (rank 30 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $494/yr. (rank 19 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 8 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 66%.
Per capita income: $21,995 (rank 49 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 23 of 50.
Plusses: Low property taxes.
Minuses: High population density (by western states standards.) Tornado
prone (ranked #5 out of top 20 States). Poverty. The Arkansas economy
barely scrapes by, even in good times. The state has a fairly large
welfare dependent under class. This could prove problematic in the
event of TEOTWAWKI.
Poorly educated populace. For example: High school graduates, percent
of persons age 25+,
(2000 stats): 75.3%, versus 80.4% nationwide. Bachelor's degree or
higher, percentage of persons age 25+, (2000 stats): 16.7%, versus
24.4% nationwide. Note: Look for natural gas producing areas so that
you can run your pickup on “drip” oil. (See my posts in
the Archives on alternate
fuels.)
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 16 of 19.
A Recent Relocatee to Arkansas (and Regular SurvivalBlog Contributor) Comments:
I researched for several years and made five trips to Arkansas in 18 months or so and as a "retreat" area North Central Arkansas wins on many levels for my needs. The statistics you quote, I'm sure, are valid as an overall state average, BUT most of the population seems to be in the Southern and West/East portions of the state and that seems to be where most of the tornados occur, and also where welfare recipients live. [JWR adds: This adds credence to my theory that tornadoes are mysteriously guided by some unseen force toward single-wide trailer parks.] There is a very homogenous population in this area with lots of well-attended churches and close family ties. One does not need a Bachelor's to take over Dad's logging or sawmill business or river/fishing guide business. Up here in the North Central area in the Ozarks things are really not fitting your averages. My criteria on a new AO was an sparsely populated area, a longer growing season than the maybe 90 days I had [in northern Nevada] for the last 16 years, better/shorter winter season, water availability, less expensive cost of living for basics, and lack of bureaucratic interference. The northern counties of Arkansas seem to fit the criteria perfectly. So far my propane, building supplies, fencing, food costs, and car insurance/license/tags are far less than I had been paying. Yes, the education system is poor and conventional jobs are scarce. However, the folks are friendly to newcomers without being nosey, one does not seem to need a permit for doing any improvements to property, and self-employment (under the table income) is rampant here and the work provided to customers is excellent. Land is, in my opinion, very cheap here to buy compared to lots of other areas in the U.S. - averaging $500-to-$1000 per acre with the higher pricing on lakeside properties. Good fishing, good hunting, good weather, good friends - just what I was looking for. Cities are cities anywhere one goes and that seems to be where the "problems" or potential problems congregate. Rural is rural, by the same token. I know your focus is/has been communities of like-minded folks banded together for safety and survival. I, personally, think that will happen much more shortly after a SHTF scenario than before such an event(s). I, like many others I know, have been laying the groundwork for that latter scenario, but it's not that comfortable to do it now, in advance. The plans are there, ready to put into action, but in the meantime, we are all working on our own plans for now and in the future and we stay in communication regarding such plans while still maintaining our privacy and property, if that makes sense to you. We, amongst my friends, know who will/can do what and provide what in most any disaster and we keep those plans in mind while we develop our individual projects.
JWR, It may be of some assistance for you to check out http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/united_states.php. It
will support your position on locating west of the Mississippi by showing
Nuclear Power Reactors in the United States in map form. It also is
an eye opener!
One of your "Bloggers" recently suggested that more information
on primitive subjects should be looked into. Since I have been
taking so much information from your Blog, I felt that I must
contribute! See: http://www.bagelhole.org//article.php/Food/127/ -
G.C.P.
Hello All,
I have two of the size that fits in your shirt pocket. That’s
where this little product endorsement starts. I was out in the bush
one weekend and used my note pad extensively. As usual I got really
dirty and forgot to retrieve my Rite in the Rain
note book from my shirt pocket. Well, I washed it in the washing machine
and dried it in the dryer as well. Upon discovering this I felt really
silly, however, to my surprise the note book and all my hen scratching
was still intact and readable. I could still write on the paper and
it is still water proof. So, this stuff really works in my “book”.
Regards, Larry
Memsahib:
In your spare time (LOL) you might want to check
out this book,
downloadable free at http://www.aussurvivalist.com/downloads/AM%20Final%202.pdf or
hard copy at http://www.cafepress.com/austeremed.23362365
Survival and Austere medicine would be a REALLY handy thing to have
in a SHTF situation as it's practical info, field tested, and doable
by a non-medical person. All the authors are in the medical field
either as MDs, EMTs, RNs, etc. They knoweth what they are doing
and talking about. Chapter 8 is really good on herbs, preps,
uses, and the content is approved by the above listed medical personal. I
think Chapter 8 is really good for beginner or experienced herb users
(I should think it's great - I wrote it).
Anyway, try to find time to give it a peruse - it may be helpful to
lots of your readers - the authors do not get any kickback or anything
- this was a labor of love and caring, and is a free download for anyone. Best,
Norma aka Goatlady
"In this world you've just got to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and take whatever God sends." - Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne Of Avonlea
Note from JWR: Today, I begin a series of
articles that compare 19 states
in the
western
U.S. for
their retreat potential. I hope that
you find this useful. I would appreciate your comments and suggestions
to balance my admittedly subjective assessments.
If nothing else, Hurricane Katrina has verified my long-held belief that we live in a very fragile society with just a thin veneer of civilization. And it is evident that it doesn't take much to peel back that veneer. A "must read" article recently ran in USA Today.
And consider this from yesterdays' Daily Reckoning: "Katrina was the rainy day for which people are meant to save. But Americans of the Greenspan era saw no need to save. The latest figures show them saving in July at the rate of MINUS 0.6% of income. Oh la la...laissez les bon temps rouler!" ("Let the Good Time Roll!")
The data in this series of posts describes 19 western states. (Note: Much more detailed retreat locale recommendations will be provided in subsequent blog posts, following this series of articles.) After much consideration, all of the eastern states were intentionally excluded from this analysis because they are either downwind of nuclear targets and/or are in areas with excessive population density. (See my post on population density, back on August 5th.) This wasn't just the result of subjective bias. I try to use the dispassionate mindset of an actuarial accountant.
As evidenced recently with Hurricane Katrina, population density is perhaps the most crucial factor to consider when selecting a safe haven. The big cities on the Gulf Coast are hell holes, whereas the small towns are getting by fairly well. I know that this will cause acrimony with a lot of my readers who live east of the Mississippi River, but the plain truth is the East has too much population! Unless you are among the uber-rich and can afford to buy an elaborate fully hardened bunker with HEPA filtration deep in the Smoky or Appalachian Mountains with a five year food supply, I firmly believe that you will be safer west of the Mississippi. That is just my opinion, so your mileage may vary (YMMV). However, before you write me a tirade about how wrong I am and how safe you'll be in upstate New York, please re-read my August 5th through August 10th posts. Also, take a long hard look at the "Lights of the U.S." photo maps at: www.darksky.org. A picture tells a thousand words.
When thinking about where you’d prefer to buy your retreat and/or retirement home don’t just look at climate. Look at all the factors. Depending on your age and interest in true independence from “the system” you might also consider factors like home schooling laws and home birth laws.
Here is my overall Retreat Potential ranking of 19 western states, which I will explain in detail in forthcoming blog posts:
1 Idaho
2 Montana
3 Oregon
4 Washington
5 Wyoming
6 Utah
7 South Dakota
8 North Dakota
9 Arizona
10 Colorado
11 Nebraska
12 Kansas
13 Texas
14 Nevada
15 New Mexico
16 Arkansas
17 Oklahoma
18 Louisiana
19 California
As a point of reference, here is an excerpt from Boston T. Party's Gun Law ranking (for the 19 states on my list), from Boston's excellent book Boston's Gun Bible.
1 Idaho
2 Louisiana
3 Wyoming
4 Montana
5 Arizona
6 New Mexico
7 Texas
8 Oklahoma
9 Nevada
10 Utah
11 Colorado
12 South Dakota
13 Kansas
14 Arkansas
15 Oregon
16 Nebraska
17 North Dakota
18 Washington
19 California
And as yet another point of reference, here are the same 19 states, ranked
by the length of their growing season (in the warmest part of each state):
1 Arizona
2 Texas
3 Louisiana
4 California
5 Nevada
6 Oregon
7 Washington
8 Idaho
9 Utah
10 Kansas
11 Arkansas
12 New Mexico
13 Oklahoma
14 Colorado
15 Wyoming
16 Montana
17 Nebraska
18 South Dakota
19 North Dakota
Why not Alaska?
A year ago, I heard one “expert” on the radio
recommend Alaska as a retreat destination because it has the lowest
population
density of any State, and low taxes. IMHO, he couldn’t be more
wrong! The biggest problem is that from an economic standpoint, Alaska
is essentially a big offshore island. Many essential items are shipped
or flown in. What happens when the ships and planes stop arriving?
It
won’t be pretty--at least not in Alaska's cities. (Ironically,
although it is the most lightly populated state, Alaska has the second
highest
crime
rate
in
the country!)
Coastal Alaska is also earthquake prone. Further, you may think that
because of the North Slope oil that the state will have plentiful fuel.
Bzzzzzt! Wrong answer! There is insufficient refinery capacity of meet
Alaska’s “domestic” needs,
and insufficient transport to get refined fuels where they are needed.
(Current transport is geared to distributing fuel and lubricants brought
in
from the Lower 48--not locally produced fuel and lubricants.)
So the little fuel left in Alaska post-TEOTWAWKI will be jealously
guarded--doubtless saved
for critical tasks like running farm tractors and chain saws. So there
will be virtually none available for fishing boats or between-town
commerce.
In a long term collapse, the residents of Alaska's densely populated
coastal cities will likely starve and/or freeze to death. Meanwhile,
those
in inland
towns,
albeit
better
fed, will be geographically isolated so that commerce with the coast
will be difficult if not impossible. Bush pilots will eventually
be grounded due to lack of fuel, lubricants and spare parts. The only
people I foresee surviving are a few seasoned Sourdoughs and
native
tribe members that still have well-honed outdoor survival skills and
are still capable of reverting to a self-sufficient mode. The best
set up for this would be a small settlement on a clear water (non-glacial)
stream with an active salmon run and a couple of productive “fish
wheel” salmon traps.
Another consideration is that the Alaska Pipeline is vulnerable to
frost heaving and rupture if the power grid goes down. (It is not widely
known, but grid power is used to run thousands of refrigeration elements
that
keep the permafrost frozen around the pipeline supports.) My prediction:
In the event of TEOTWAWKI, the Al-Can highway will have heavy traffic
with heavily-laden pickup trucks carrying beau coup gas
cans, going in both directions: Greenhorns from the
lower 48 thinking that Alaska is the place to be and Alaskan Citizens
who realize that Alaska
is not a viable place to stay in a long term Crunch.
And Hawaii?
Just as in Alaska, what happens when the ships and planes stop arriving?
Too much population (1,250,000 and growing!) and too little self-sufficiency.
Lousy gun laws, too. The only thing that Hawaii has going for it is
a mild climate and the fact that each island produces its own power—albeit
with imported fuel. If and when the North American grid goes down,
it will be something that Hawaiians will see reported on the evening
news. Yes,
I know, fish are plentiful and you can walk through the jungle and
forage enough fruit in just an hour to feed your family for a day.
But the two-legged predators will be out in force. It
won't be safe to go out fishing or foraging. Perhaps the residents
of some of the smaller islands will pull through a Crunch.
Certainly they might on Ni`ihau--the small western island reserved
for natives only and their traditional lifestyle--subsistence agriculture,
and fishing. But of course: “Haoles need not apply…”
Arizona:
Population: 5.1 million.
Population Density: 44.7 per square mile (Rank 7 of JWR’s top
19 states).
Area: 114,000 square miles (rank 6 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $438/yr.
(rank 30 of 50).
Crime Safety Ranking: 48 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 91%.
Per capita income: $24,988 (rank 37 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 25 of 50.
Plusses: Mild winters at lower elevations. Has the nation’s top
rating in “education freedom” (the state is at the forefront
of the charter school movement.) Open carry of handguns is legal and perhaps
the most commonplace in the Lower 48.
Minuses: Intensely hot summers at lower elevations. Fairly high population
density (by western states standards.) Water is scarce in much of the
state. Very high crime rate! Expensive car insurance rates. Nuclear
targets. Proximity to the Mexican border. Some northern parts of the
state are recommended (with provisos). Has a high ratio of illegal
aliens. Note: I probably should have given Arizona a higher ranking,
due to its favorable
gun laws and long growing season. However, its very crime rate, high
insurance costs, and proximity to the Mexican border pushed it down
the list.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 9 of 19.
Note: Details on 18 other states will be posted on a daily basis. Stay tuned.
Rite in the Rain is truly waterproof paper. You can even write on it underwater! I tested their Field Binder. They also make binders and paper for many other uses. The paper comes in several templates: Universal Grid paper, CAS Briefing Form (9 Line), Standard Range Card, Call for Fire, Warning Order, Soldier's Personal Data, MEDEVAC (9 Line), and UXO/IED Report (9 Line). The grid paper is useful for writing and graphing/mapping.
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Recommendation: A highly recommended product, especially if you live in a damp climate or on the water. It is ideal for field tactical operations, or for something as mundane as leaving a note on someone's car window (pinned under their windshield wiper). If you can afford to, buy one for each of your vehicles and each tactical or G.O.O.D. pack. Rite in the Rain field binders and refills are available from Ready Made Resources and several other Internet vendors. (Reviewed by #1 Son--A 13 year old Home schooled kid.)
Jim,
Reading through the reams of articles and blogs concerning New
Orleans,
this
AP piece stood out. Notice that the person profiled is apparently
a Vietnam veteran who had stockpiled food, fuel and firearms, lived in the
war zone, and seemed to be just fine without bugging out. And
it made me think...
Yeah, we all want a 'retreat' - but this may be possible for
less than 1 percent of Americans. Are we as survivalists ignoring
the efforts of the folks that are prepared to sit in place in an urban
setting? What
training or informational resources would be appropriate to their situation? I
realize it's just about the same as for those of us who can buy/stock
a retreat - but are there any specific things an urban dwellers needs
to do differently? Just a few thoughts on this matter:
Blackout curtains
Generator noise reduction (if used)
Disease risks with sewage/garbage system failures
Plans for an urban privy
Rooftop or backyard cisterns
JWR Adds: Don't forget a method for drawing, transporting and
purifying water!
Just a side note... I have attempted to volunteer to work as
a police officer in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish providing my own
food/shelter
and doing so without pay. I have not been rebuffed, but even
FEMA has/had NO IDEA what to do with my offer or suggestions on a
point of
contact. I am a peace officer in Colorado, and can get the
time off. Telephonic attempts, e-mail, all without answer.
Nobody seems to know who would coordinate these things. It had
been suggested to me that I simply show up to volunteer - but this
didn't seem to be the best course - I kept telling myself that SOMEONE
would
contact me. Apparently there is no administrative infrastructure
left at these two police agencies.
Contrast this attempt with that of a buddy of mine who contacted Gulfport
PD in Mississippi - got asked by a deputy chief to 'come on
down' the same day he contacted them to volunteer. -
L.D. in Colorado
Jim,
You might want to have a section dedicated to the lessons we can learn
from this. If you do, my two cents worth would be:
1-The authorities may cut off the water and phones-even if you are a
politician. The Feds want you to go to an approved shelter-and they want
control of all information. Your life is not really that important to them.
2-The shelter may lock you up for five days or so with no water, food,
or medicine. And you can't get out-and charities won't be allowed to
come to you.
3-The shelter may have druggies in need of a fix or even stray prisoners
let out from a local jail.
4-Charities, the police, or just relatives may be prevented from coming
across the only road into the area. Your need for water is not that important
to the authorities.
5-You may or may not be allowed to leave on that one road depending upon
how soon you try. It may become impossible once the Feds get there and
declare that they are going to put down an insurgency. Your need for
water is not that important to the authorities.
6-Your neighbors may save your life.
7-Stock up with everything, and store it well. Make that water-proof.
8-Have an extra water filter or two for your neighbors or friends.
9-Don't count on the government, at any level.
Best Regards, - "Patrick Henry"
"Along the debris-choked Mississippi River, pharmacist Jason Dove watches as people scramble in the parking lot of the downtown convention center for cases of airlifted water and shakes his head. 'We created this Frankenstein,' he says. 'It's showing how fragile this society is.'" -as quoted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, USA Today, Sept. 2, 2005.
Law and order are still scarce commodities on the Gulf Coast. It was reported yesterday (Sunday, September 4th) that police shot eight armed people, killing at least five of them, after gunmen opened fire on a group of contractors that were traveling across a bridge near New Orleans on their way to make repairs. Meanwhile, 200 of the formerly 1,500-strong New Orleans Police department have either formally resigned or have deserted, and two have committed suicide. WorldNetDaily and other sources have reported that looting and assorted acts of lawlessness are continuing in inland areas of Louisiana and Mississippi that were spared the worst of the hurricane's effect but that are still without power. I'd appreciate hearing some accounts from SurvivalBlog readers close to the scene that would confirm, deny, or clarify the foregoing.
If you want to donate to the relief effort, here is a fairly
extensive list of relief organization contacts, courtesy of our
friends of Little
Green Footballs. I believe that it is best
to donate to church-sponsored charities like ADRA,
since their overhead is much lower than
bloated bureaucracies
like the
Red Cross.
If and when it comes, TEOTWAWKI will
certainly mean a disruption in food production and distribution. You
should have
enough food stored for your family to last a year,
and much longer if you can afford it. Keep in mind that: you will
need extra to dispense as charity, to your "head-in-the sand” relatives,
to neighbors, friends, fellow church members, and refugees. So store
lots of extra wheat, rice, beans, and honey. They are cheap now,
but may be very expensive later.
You can “do it yourself” for nearly everything required
for home food storage except canned powdered dry milk. It is messy
to re-pack yourself, and because of milk’s butterfat content
it only stores well for long periods with commercial nitrogen packing.
As previously mentioned, I sharply disagree with the LDS (Mormon)
church on their religious doctrines, but I commend them for their food
storage philosophy, practice, and infrastructure. Your local LDS ward
probably has a cannery, and they will let non-LDS members
use
it on
a “space
available” basis.
Members are usually on hand to train “newbies” how to operate
the equipment.
Bulk wheat, rice, and beans are best stored in 5 or 6-gallon food grade
plastic pails. Walton Seed in Montpelier, Idaho has excellent prices
and they have top quality products.
If you use your own pails, make sure that they are certified “food
grade” (buckets made for paint are not.) And if you
re-use food grade buckets, make certain that they were only used for
non-smelly foods.
(Re-using
pickle pails for rice will give you pickle-flavored rice!)
Alan T. Hagan has written an excellent FAQ on food storage. It describes some excellent methods. See: http://athagan.members.atlantic.net/PFSFAQ/PFSFAQ-1.html
Date mark all of your storage foods. Consistently use FIFO (First In,
First Out”) rotation.
Buy replacement cooking oil and Crisco every two years. This will be
your biggest “recurring loss” food storage expense. (Donate
the old oil and Crisco that is nearing its expiration to your local
food bank. If you have any vegetable oil that has gone rancid, it can
be saved for use as biodiesel. See my previous posts on this subject.)
If you can adapt your diet, buy more stable oils such as peanut
oil
and
coconut
oil
that
have a
longer
shelf
life.
They
re
also
more healthful than Crisco or liquid vegetable oils.
Canning lids and rings—buy plenty of extras for barter.
Salt—stock up in quantity, particularly if your retreat is more
than 30 miles inland!
Sulphur for drying fruits.
Vinegar-Buy a couple of cases of one-gallon bottles.
Don’t forget:
Spices.
Baking soda.
Yeast.
Food storage (freezer and vacuum) bags.
Aluminum foil (Buy lots! 101 uses, including making improvised solar
ovens.)
Deer bags.
Dog Food. Note: One of my old high school buddies, Scott T. who is
now an attorney once quipped “A
real survivalist would eat his dog.” But seriously, if your dog(s)
will be useful for providing security, then store two years of dog
food. Make sure that the dog food has a low fat content (for better
long term storage) and that you store it in vermin-proof containers.
Galvanized trash cans work fine for this purpose. You can get away
with storing much less dog food if you live in an area with profuse
deer, bear or elk; or if you raise a lot of livestock. Rotate your
dog food just like you do the rest of your storage food.
Date mark all perishable foods with a medium point Sharpie
pen. If you have a lot of canned goods to mark, then a date
stamp will
work.
Rotate your foods consistently. Always place the newest cans
at the back of the shelf. Keep a multi-year rotation calendar.
Long term storage multi-vitamins and other food supplements: You should
plan to supplement with a good quality
double
encapsulated multi-vitamin, a good quality B-complex
tablet, and a 500-milligram vitamin C tablet. See Vita
Cost for some of the least expensive vitamins and nutritional supplements
available via the
Internet. They should
be consumed and replaced at least every three years. Store them in
a cool, very dark place. (Light kills vitamins quickly!)
Natural laxatives. (Your diet may shift heavily toward meat,
and this could cause problems. Plan ahead.) Bulk Metamucil is one option.
Preservation Methods:
Most families should do their own wet-pack canning and dehydrating.
We also buy commercially canned (nitrogen packed) foods, some freeze
dried foods, and some MREs (retort packaged.) As I will describe, some
methods are more appropriate than others for certain foods.
See Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living (published by Sasquatch
Books)--a MUST for every survivalist's bookshelf. The basic guideline
for edibility is 2 years for meats and other "high acid" foods,
and 4 years for all others. (See Carla’s book for a complete
chart.) Edible, yes, but keep in mind that the nutritional value won't
all be there in four years. So store as many vitamins as you can rotate
without going past expiration dates. (Roughly three to four years worth,
unless you have an ultra cold medical freezer--I'd love to find one
of those, used. They cost $3,000+, new!)
Nitrogen Packing is good for roughly 8-to-10 years for most foods and
much longer for whole grains. I do not recommend storing flour.
It only keeps two or three years.
Whole wheat stores for 20+ years with 80% or more of its nutritional
value. Buy whole grains and a hand wheat grinder.
I recommend buying commercially nitrogen-packed cans only for the items
that don't store well otherwise (e.g. dehydrated peas, powdered milk,
peanut butter powder, and textured vegetable protein (TVP).
You are better off buying some items in bulk (honey, whole grains,
beans, and rice) and canning or otherwise "containerizing" them
yourself. Canned nitrogen-packing of these items is ridiculously expensive,
and there is very little advantage in storage life. Pack bulk grains
and legumes in 5 or 6-gallon plastic buckets by yourself, and you will
save a lot of money! Note: Make sure that you use oxygen-absorbing
packets available from Walton's or the dry ice displacement method
to kill all the bugs/larvae before you seal up each bucket. (Again,
see Mr.
Hagan's Food Storage FAQ.)
Commercially canned “year’s supply type units are needlessly
expensive. (Even the salt comes canned. Talk about overkill packaging!)
In the instance of wheat, you are paying two to five times as much
for
the
product because of the packaging. (My most wheat purchase
was at just $11 per hundredweight! Of course, I had to re-pack it all
in six-gallon buckets.)
I do recommend MREs as a supplement to a well-rounded food
storage
program. Because they are fairly compact, lightweight, and require no cooking
, they are ideal to pack in your "Get Out of Dodge" (G.O.O.D.)
backpack
(or "BOB").
My old friend who has profile under
the pseudonym Mr. Tango had a round of correspondence with the U.S.
Army's Natick Laboratories in Maryland,
on the potential
storage
life
of MREs. Like all other storage foods, MREs must be stored
at low temperature to maximize their shelf life. The data
that they sent him was surprising. Here is
the
gist of
it:
Degrees F / Months of Storage (Years)
120 / 1 month
110 / 5 months
100 / 22 months (1.8 Years)
90 / 55 months (4.6 Years)
80 / 76 months (6.3 Years)
70 / 100 months (8.3 Years)
60 / 130 months (10.8 Years )
Note 1: The figures above are based on date of pack,
rather than
inspection date.
Note 2: MRE’s near the end of their shelf life are considered safe to eat
if:
A.) They are palatable to the taste.
B.) They do not show any signs of spoilage (such as swelled pouches.)
C.) They have been stored at moderate temperatures. (70F or below.)
Note 3: Not enough data has yet been collected on storage below 60 degrees F.
However, projections are that the 130-month figure will be extended.
Note 4: Time and temperature have a cumulative effect. For example: storage at
100 degrees F for 11 months and then moved to 70F, you would lose 1/2 of the
70F storage life.
Note 5: Avoid fluctuating temperatures in and out of freezing level.
JWR’s Comments on MREs: The above-cited figures are for
palatability, not nutritive value. You should plan on storing vitamin
supplements. Again,
vitamins should be stored in a cool, very dark place for the
longest
shelf
life.
(Many tablets are light sensitive—this explains why they are usually packed
in dark brown bottles rather than clear glass.) I recommend rotating your vitamins
every two years. The bottom line is that most of the fat, carbohydrates, and
protein will still be available in MREs, even after many years of storage,
but
the vitamins will not. Plan accordingly.
Because MREs and other emergency foods are relatively high in bulk and low
in fiber, I also highly recommend storing a bulk fiber supplement with each
case
of MREs. Don't overlook this precaution! Also, get yourself some sprouting
supplies, and practice sprouting before The
Crunch. Sprouts are an ideal source of vitamins and fiber!
Jim,
I wanted to let you know that a correction needs to be made in
your statement that copper is toxic to sheep and goats. I own dairy
goats on our homestead.
Copper is indeed toxic to sheep, BUT COPPER IS CRITICAL FOR THE GOOD
HEALTH OF GOATS. In fact copper sulfate is given as a supplement
at times, especially with the darker goats to keep them from turning
chocolate brown instead of the black coat color they should have. The
belief that copper is toxic to goats is a common misconception and
I have had nearly knock down drag-down fights with different feed store
employees who didn’t want to sell me the copper salt blocks when
they knew I had goats. See David Mackenzie’s excellent “Goat
Husbandry” for more information, or “Natural Goat Care” by
Pat Coleby. Both available from Amazon.com. - Midwest Farm Mom
JWR's Reply: I defer to to your experience and study on the subject. I have corrected my original post. Many Thanks!
Hi Jim and Memsahib:
An overlooked area for putting meat on the table is trapping and snaring.
Perhaps the reason is it is an almost lost skill because most people
live in cities or the suburbs today. However, WTSHTF it may mean the
difference
between having meat on the table or none at all when, if the supply
runs out. Those who live in cities and suburban areas normally have
squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, deer, raccoons and other edible animals
available if they have the knowledge and equipment to obtain them.
Many in rural areas who are preparing plan on using a firearm to obtain
their meat because they too lack trapping and snaring skills and equipment.
I am attracted to trapping and snaring for manifold reasons. One, it
provides a means to obtain food without drawing attention by the sound
of a firearm going off, thus providing an almost silent means of acquiring
meat in almost any environment. Two, traps and snares can be used repeatedly
year after year making them one of the cheapest investments in long
term food gathering. Three, IMHO, traps and snares will be high on
the list of bartering items in some areas when, if TEOTWAWKI occurs.
Four, using traps and snares increases your firepower by saving bullets.
"Buckshot"
Bruce Hemming, one of the best trappers in North America can teach
everyone in their own home by using the same videos the United States
Rescue & Special
Operations Group uses to teach their students. The knowledge
from the videos may save your life. The professional grade traps and
snares sold here were chosen for military aviator survival kits through
extensive testing of several commercially available traps and snares.
There is a wealth of survival information and products to check out
for knowledge and ideas whether one lives out in the boondocks or in
the heart of the city. See: Buckshot's
Camp - "F1"
JWR's Reply: I agree wholeheartedly with all of the
points in your letter. I have done business with Bruce Hemming for
more than 10 years.
He really knows
his stuff, and he sells top quality products at great prices. His
videos are a must for every serious survivalist.
I just checked with both Amazon.com and ABE books and there's probably a couple hundred copies of The Alpha Strategy by Pugsley available from used book sellers around the country. I just ordered mine and thanks for a great blog! - J.K.
Jim:
I know you get a lot of email! But I found an
interesting web site. It is one man's experience with handguns,
yet very practical. It covers lots of issues with handguns. Fun to
read if you have the time. Fred (The Valmet-Meister)
"It's downtown Baghdad," said tourist Denise Bollinger, who snapped pictures of looting in the French Quarter. "It's insane." (as quoted by The Associated Press, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina)
The floodwaters have not yet subsided, but the Monday Morning Quarterbacking, finger pointing, and general recriminations about the FedGov's handling of Hurricane Katrina relief effort have already begun. For example, see the quotes posted Chrenkoff's blog.
Meanwhile, the MSM is frantically backpedalling, apologizing for having been so insensitive. They've realized that in their haste to report the news that they actually televised images of black people breaking into stores and taking other people's property and referring to it as looting. I have news for them: It was looting. It is both a crime and it is a Biblical sin. And it wasn't just blacks that were doing it. Whites and Hispanics were looting too. But since the New Orleans population is predominantly black, the TV camera crews just didn't happen to catch folks of other races in the act. Shame on the looters, and shame on the MSM for being so spineless and Politically Correct.
Stocking a retreat is a complex series of tasks that should be done dispassionately. It will be expensive and may take several years, so make your purchases systematically and in strict order of priority.
At present, the only items that I would recommend bumping
up in priority would be the private acquisition
of your core firearms battery. (One rifle, pistol, and shotgun for
each adult family member, and a .22
rimfire rifle for each child.) With talk these days about “closing
the gun show loophole” (requiring a paper trail on all gun purchases),
this should be one of your top priorities!
For Starters...
Go through your cabinets with clipboard in hand and calculate what
you use at home every month. Everything: from envelopes to toothpaste
to paper towels to motor oil to teriyaki sauce. Everything! Then do
some multiplication, depending on how long you expect to have to hunker
down. Then double or triple those numbers, depending on how many extra
people are likely to show up at your retreat on TEOTWAWKI+1.
And there will almost certainly be newcomers! Just look at the number
of people from the Gulf Coast displaced
by Hurricane Katrina last week that just drove a thousand
miles or more and are ending up on the doorsteps of their relatives.
Some
of
them
have
very few possessions. I imagine that a future full scale TEOTWAWKI
will create dislocations and refugee mass migrations an order
of magnitude larger.
So be prepared to dispense lots of charity, and be prepared
to have a lot of people under your roof.
Keep shelf life in mind. (You can’t store 10 years
worth of vitamins, because they won’t store that long unless
you buy an ultra-cold medical freezer.) You will soon find that you’ll
need a lot of shelving, plus metal mouse-proof lockers for the items
that come in paper or plastic
packages.
Buy your shelving and lockers used, from a surplus office or industrial
supply house.
One key reference on stocking your retreat is the book The Alpha
Strategy,
by John Pugsley. Sadly, this book is long out of print, but it should
be available via inter-library loan. Borrow a copy and make yourself
photocopies of the most important sections.
Start your retreat stocking effort by first composing a List of
Lists, then draft prioritized lists for each subject, on separate
sheets
of paper.
(Or in a spreadsheet if you are a techno-nerd like me. Just be sure
to print out a hard copy for use when the power grid goes down!)
It is important to tailor your lists to suit your particular geography,
climate,
and
population
density as well as your peculiar needs and likes/dislikes. Someone
setting up a retreat in a coastal area is likely to have a far different
list than someone living in the Rockies.
As I often mention in my lectures and radio interviews, a great way
to create truly commonsense preparedness lists is to take a three-day
weekend “TEOTWAWKI Weekend Experiment” with your family.
When you come home from work on Friday evening, turn off your main
circuit breaker, turn off your gas main (or propane tank), and shut
your main water valve (or turn off your well pump.) Spend that weekend
in primitive conditions. Practice using only your storage food, preparing
it on a wood stove (or camping stove.)
A “TEOTWAWKI Weekend Experiment” will surprise you. Things
that you take for granted will suddenly become labor intensive. False
assumptions will be shattered. Your family will grow closer and more
confident. Most importantly, some of the most thorough lists that you
will ever make will be those written by candlelight! (Note:
I've posted the two preceding paragraphs before, but it bears repeating.)
Your List of Lists should include: (Sorry that this
post is in outline form, but it would take a full length book to discus
all of the following in great detail)
Water List
Food Storage List
Food Preparation List
Personal List
First Aid /Minor Surgery List
Nuke Defense List
Biological Warfare Defense List
Gardening List
Hygiene List/Sanitation List
Hunting/Fishing/Trapping List
Power/Lighting/Batteries List
Fuels List
Firefighting List
Tactical Living List
Security-General
Security-Firearms
Communications/Monitoring List
Tools List
Sundries List
Survival Bookshelf List
Barter and Charity List
JWR’s Specific Recommendations For Developing Your Lists:
Water List
House downspout conversion sheet metal work and barrels. (BTW, this
is another good reason to upgrade your retreat to a fireproof metal
roof.)
Drawing water from open sources. Buy extra containers. Don’t
buy big barrels, since five gallon food grade buckets are the largest
size that most people can handle without back strain.
For transporting water if and when gas is too precious to waste, buy
a couple of heavy duty two wheel garden carts--convert the wheels to
foam filled "no flats" tires. (BTW, you will find lots of other uses
for those carts around your retreat,
such as hauling hay, firewood, manure,
fertilizer, et cetera.)
Treating water. Buy plain Clorox hypochlorite bleach. A little goes
a long way. Buy some extra half-gallon bottles for barter and charity.
If you can afford it, buy a “Big Berky” British Berkefeld
ceramic water filter. (Available from Ready
Made Resources and several
other Internet vendors. Even if you have pure spring water at your
retreat, you never know where you may end up, and a good filter could
be a lifesaver.)
Food Storage List
See my post tomorrow which will be devoted
to food storage. Also see the recent letter from David in Israel on
this subject.
Food Preparation List
Having more people under your roof will necessitate having an oversize
skillet and a huge stew pot. BTW, you will want to buy several huge
kettles, because odds are you will have to heat water on your wood
stove for bathing, dish washing, and clothes washing. You will also
need even more kettles, barrels, and 5 or 6 gallon PVC buckets--for
water hauling, rendering, soap making, and dying. They will also make
great barter or charity items. (To quote my mentor Dr. Gary North: “Nails:
buy a barrel of them. Barrels: Buy a barrel of them!”)
Don’t overlook skinning knives, gut-buckets, gambrels, and meat
saws.
Personal List
(Make a separate personal list for each family member and individual
expected to arrive at your retreat.)
Spare glasses.
Prescription and nonprescription medications.
Birth control.
Keep dentistry up to date.
Any elective surgery that you've been postponing
Work off that gut.
Stay in shape.
Back strength and health—particularly important, given the heavy
manual tasks required for self-sufficiency.
Educate yourself on survival topics, and practice them. For example,
even if you don’t presently live at your retreat, you should
plant a vegetable garden every year. It is better to learn through
experience and make mistakes now, when the loss of crop is an annoyance
rather than a crucial event.
“Comfort” items to help get through high stress times. (Books,
games, CDs, chocolates, etc.)
First Aid /Minor Surgery List
When tailoring this list, consider your neighborhood going for many
months without power, extensive use of open flames, and sentries standing
picket shifts exposed in the elements. Then consider axes, chainsaws
and tractors being wielded by newbies, and a greater likelihood of
gunshot wounds. With all of this, add the possibility of no access
to doctors or high tech medical diagnostic equipment. Put a strong
emphasis on burn treatment first aid supplies. Don’t overlook
do-it-yourself dentistry! (Oil of cloves, temporary filling kit, extraction
tools, et cetera.) Buy a full minor surgery outfit (inexpensive Pakistani
stainless steel instruments), even if you don’t know how to use
them all yet. You may have to learn, or you will have the opportunity
to put them in the hands of someone experienced who needs them.) This
is going to be a big list!
Chem/Nuke Defense List
Dosimeter and rate meter, and charger, radiac meter (hand held Geiger
counter), rolls of sheet plastic (for isolating airflow to air filter
inlets and for covering window frames in the event that windows are
broken due to blast effects), duct tape, HEPA filters (ands spares)
for your shelter. Potassium iodate (KI) tablets to prevent thyroid
damage.(See my recent post on that subject.) Outdoor shower rig for just
outside your shelter entrance.
Biological Warfare Defense List
Disinfectants
Hand Sanitizer
Sneeze masks
Colloidal silver generator and spare supplies (distilled water and
.999 fine silver rod.)
Natural antibiotics (Echinaecea, Tea Tree oil, …)
Gardening List
One important item for your gardening list is the construction of a
very tall deer-proof and rabbit-proof fence. Under current circumstances,
a raid by deer on your garden is probably just an inconvenience. After
the balloon goes up, it could mean the difference between eating well,
and starvation.
Top Soil/Amendments/Fertilizers.
Tools+ spares for barter/charity
Long-term storage non hybrid (open pollinated) seed. (Non-hybrid “heirloom” seed
assortments tailors to different climate zones are available from The
Ark Institute
Herbs: Get started with medicinal herbs such as aloe vera (for burns),
echinaeca (purple cone flower), valerian, et cetera.
Hygiene/Sanitation List
Sacks of powdered lime for the outhouse. Buy plenty!
TP in quantity (Stores well if kept dry and away from vermin and it
is lightweight, but it is very bulky. This is a good item to store
in the attic. See my novel about stocking up on used phone books for
use as TP.
Soap in quantity (hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap, cleansers, etc.)
Bottled lye for soap making.
Ladies’ supplies.
Toothpaste (or powder).
Floss.
Fluoride rinse. (Unless you have health objections to the use of fluoride.)
Sunscreen.
Livestock List:
Hoof rasp, hoof nippers, hoof pick, horse brushes, hand sheep shears,
styptic, carding combs, goat milking stand, teat dip, udder wash, Bag
Balm, elastrator and bands, SWOT fly repellent, nail clippers (various
sizes), Copper-tox, leads, leashes, collars, halters, hay hooks, hay
fork, manure shovel, feed buckets, bulk grain and C-O-B sweet feed
(store in galvanized trash cans with tight fitting lids to keep the
mice out), various tack and saddles, tack repair tools, et cetera.
If your region has selenium deficient soil (ask your local Agricultural
extension office) then be sure to get selenium-fortified salt blocks
rather than plain white salt blocks--at least for those that you are
going to set aside strictly for your livestock.
Hunting/Fishing/Trapping List
“Buckshot” Bruce Hemming has produced an excellent series of videos
on trapping and making improvised traps. (He
also sells traps and scents at very reasonable prices.)
Night vision gear, spares, maintenance, and battery charging
Salt. Post-TEOTWAWKI, don’t “go hunting.” That
would be a waste of effort. Have the game come to you. Buy 20 or
more salt
blocks. They will also make very valuable barter items.
Sell your fly fishing gear (all but perhaps a few flies) and buy practical
spin casting equipment.
Extra tackle may be useful for barter, but probably only in a very
long term Crunch.
Buy some frog gigs if you have bullfrogs in your area. Buy some crawfish
traps if you have crawfish in your area.
Learn how to rig trot lines and make fish traps for non-labor intensive
fishing WTSHTF.
Power/Lighting/Batteries List
One proviso: In the event of a “grid
down” situation, if
you are the only family in the area with power, it could turn your
house into a “come loot me” beacon at night. At the same
time, your house lighting will ruin the night vision of your LP/OP pickets. Make plans and buy materials in advance for making blackout
screens or fully opaque curtains for your windows.
When possible, buy nickel metal hydride batteries. (Unlike the older
nickel cadmium technology, these have no adverse charge level “memory” effect.)
If your home has propane appliances, get a “tri-fuel” generator--with
a carburetor that is selectable between gasoline, propane, and natural
gas. If you heat your home with home heating oil, then get a diesel-burning
generator. (And plan on getting at least one diesel burning pickup
and/or tractor). In a pinch, you can run your diesel generator and
diesel vehicles on home heating oil.
Kerosene lamps; plenty of extra wicks, mantles, and chimneys. (These
will also make great barter items.)
Greater detail on do-it-yourself power will be included in my forthcoming
blog posts.
Fuels List
Buy the biggest propane, home heating oil, gas, or diesel tanks that
your local ordinances permit and that you can afford. Always keep
them at least two-thirds full. For privacy concerns, ballistic impact
concerns,
and fire concerns, underground tanks are best if you local water
table allows it. In any case, do not buy an aboveground fuel tank
that would
visible from any public road or navigable waterway. Buy plenty of
extra fuel for barter. Don’t overlook buying plenty of kerosene.
(For barter, you will want some in one or two gallon cans.) Stock
up on
firewood or coal. (See my previous blog posts.) Get the best quality
chainsaw you can afford. I prefer Stihls and Husqavarnas. If you
can afford it, buy two of the same model. Buy extra chains, critical
spare parts, and plenty
of two-cycle
oil. (Two-cycle oil will be great for barter!) Get a pair of Kevlar
chainsaw safety chaps. They are expensive but they might save yourself
a trip to the emergency room. Always wear gloves, goggles, and ear-muffs.
Wear
a
logger’s helmet when felling. Have someone who is well experienced
teach you how to re-sharpen chains. BTW, don’t cut up your
wood into rounds near any rocks or you will destroy a chain in a
hurry.
Firefighting List
Now that you have all of those flammables on hand (see the previous
list) and the prospect of looters shooting tracer ammo or throwing
Molotov
cocktails at your house, think in terms of fire fighting from start
to finish without the aid of a fire department. Even without looters
to consider, you should be ready for uncontrolled brush or residential
fires, as well as the greater fire risk associated with greenhorns
who have just arrived at your retreat working with wood stoves and
kerosene lamps!
Upgrade your retreat with a fireproof metal roof.
2” water line from your gravity-fed storage tank (to provide
large water volume for firefighting)
Fire fighting rig with an adjustable stream/mist head.
Smoke and CO detectors.
Tactical Living List
Adjust your wardrobe buying toward sturdy earth-tone clothing. (Frequent
your local thrift store and buy extras for retreat newcomers, charity,
and barter.)
Dyes. Stock up on some boxes of green and brown cloth dye. Buy some
extra for barter. With dye, you can turn most light colored clothes
into semi-tactical clothing on short notice.
Two-inch wide burlap strip material in green and brown. This burlap
is available in large spools from Gun Parts Corp. Even if you don’t
have time now, stock up so that you can make camouflage ghillie
suits post-TEOTWAWKI.
Save those wine corks! (Burned cork makes quick and cheap face camouflage.)
Cold weather and foul weather gear—buy plenty, since you will
be doing more outdoor chores, hunting, and standing guard duty.
Don’t overlook ponchos and gaiters.
Mosquito repellent.
Synthetic double-bag (modular) sleeping bags for each person at the
retreat, plus a couple of spares. The Wiggy’s
brand FTRSS
(Flexible Temperature Range Sleep System) made byWiggy's of Grand
Junction, Colorado is highly recommended. (See my recently posted
review.)
Night vision gear + IR floodlights for your retreat house
Subdued flashlights and penlights.
Noise, light, and litter discipline. (More on this in future posts--or
perhaps a reader would like to send a brief article on this subject)
Security-General: Locks, intrusion detection/alarm systems, exterior
obstacles (fences, gates, 5/8” diameter (or larger) locking road
cables, rosebush plantings, “decorative” ponds (moats),
ballistic protection (personal and residential), anti-vehicular ditches/berms,
anti-vehicular concrete “planter boxes”, razor wire,
etc.)
Starlight electronic light amplification scopes are critical tools
for retreat security.
A Starlight scope (or goggles, or a monocular) literally amplifies
low ambient light by up to 100,000 times, turning nighttime darkness
into daylight--albeit a green and fuzzy view. Starlight light amplification
technology was first developed during the Vietnam War. Late issue
Third Generation (also called or “Third Gen” or “Gen
3”) starlight scopes can cost up to $3,500 each. Rebuilt first
gen (early 1970s technology scopes can often be had for as little
as $500. Russian-made monoculars (with lousy optics) can be had for
under
$100. One Russian model that uses a piezo-electric generator instead
of batteries is the best of this low-cost breed. These are best used
as backups (in case your expensive American made scopes fail. They
should not be purchased for use as your primary night vision devices
unless you are on a very restrictive budget. (They are better than
nothing.) Buy the best starlight scopes, goggles, and monoculars
you can afford. They may be life-savers! If you can afford to buy
only
one, make it a weapon sight such as an AN/PVS-4, with a Gen 2 (or
better) tube. Make sure to specify that that the tube is new or “low
hours”, has a high “line pair” count, and minimal
scintillation. It is important to buy your Starlight gear from a
reputable dealer. The market is crowded with rip-off artists
and scammers. One
dealer that I trust, is Al Glanze (spoken “Glan-zee”)
who runs STANO
Components,
Inc. in Silver City, Nevada. Note: In a subsequent blog
posts I will discuss
the relationship
and implications to
IR
illuminators
and
tritium sights.
Range cards and sector sketches.
If you live in the boonies, piece together nine of the USGS 15-minute
maps, with your retreat property on the center map. Mount that map
on an oversize map board. Draw in the property lines and owner names
of all of your surrounding neighbor’s parcels (in pencil) in
at least a five mile radius. (Get boundary line and current owner
name info from your County Recorder’s office.) Study and memorize
both the terrain and the neighbors’ names. Make a phone number/e-mail
list that corresponds to all of the names marked on the map, plus
city and county office contact numbers for quick reference and tack
it up
right next to the map board. Cover the whole map sheet with a sheet
of heavy-duty acetate, so you can mark it up just like a military
commander’s
map board. (This may sound a bit “over the top”, but
remember, you are planning for the worst case. It will also help
you get to know
your neighbors: When you are introduced by name to one of them when
in town, you will be able to say, “Oh, don’t you live
about two miles up the road between the Jones place and the Smith’s
ranch?” They will be impressed, and you will seem like an instant “old
timer.”
Security-Firearms List
Guns, ammunition, web gear, eye and ear protection,
cleaning equipment, carrying cases, scopes, magazines, spare parts,
gunsmithing tools, targets and target frames, et cetera. Each rifle
and pistol should have at least six top quality (original military
contract or original manufacturer) full capacity spare magazines.
Note: Considerable
detail on firearms and optics selection, training, use, and logistic
support will be covered in a forthcoming SurvivalBlog posts. In the
interim, read my FAQs.
Communications/Monitoring List
When selecting radios buy only models that will run on 12 volt DC
power or rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery packs (that can
be recharged
from your retreat’s 12 VDC power system without having to use
an inverter.)
As a secondary purchasing goal, buy spare radios of each type if
you can afford them. Keep your spares in sealed metal boxes to protect
them from EMP.
If you live in a far inland region, I recommend buying two or more
12 VDC marine band radios. These frequencies will probably not be
monitored in your region, leaving you an essentially private band
to use. (But
never assume that any two-way radio communications are secure!)
Note: More detail on survival communications gear selection, training,
use, security/cryptography measures, antennas, EMP protection, and
logistical support will be covered in forthcoming blog posts.
Tools List
Gardening tools.
Auto mechanics tools.
Welding.
Bolt cutters--the indispensable “universal key.”
Woodworking tools.
Gunsmithing tools.
Emphasis on hand powered tools.
Hand or treadle powered grinding wheel.
Don’t forget to buy plenty of extra work gloves (in earth tone
colors).
Sundries List:
Systematically list the things that you use on a regular basis, or
that you might need if the local hardware store were to ever disappear:
wire of various gauges, duct tape, reinforced strapping tape, chain,
nails, nuts and bolts, weather stripping, abrasives, twine, white
glue, cyanoacrylate glue, et cetera.
Book/Reference List
You should probably have nearly every book on my Bookshelf
page. For some, you will want to have two or three copies, such
as Carla Emery’s
Encyclopedia of Country Living. This is because these books are so
valuable and indispensable that
you won’t want to risk lending out your only copy.
Barter and Charity List
For your barter list, acquire primarily items that are durable, non-perishable,
and either in small packages or that are easily divisible. Concentrate
on the items that other people are likely to overlook or have in
short supply. Some of my favorites are ammunition. Jeff Cooper refers
to it as “ballistic
wampum.” WTSHTF,
ammo will be worth nearly its weight in silver. Store all of your
ammo in military surplus ammo cans (with seals that are still soft)
and
it will store for decades. Stick to common calibers, get plenty of
.22 LR (most high velocity hollow points) plus at least ten boxes
of the local favorite deer hunting cartridge, even if you don’t
own a rifle chambered for this cartridge. (Ask your local sporting
goods shop about their top selling chamberings). Also buy at least
ten boxes of the local police department’s standard pistol
cartridge, again even if you don’t own a pistol chambered for
this cartridge.
Ladies supplies.
Salt (Buy lots of cattle blocks and 1 pound canisters of iodized
table salt.)
(Stores indefinitely if kept dry.)
Two cycle engine oil (for chain saw gas mixing. Gas may still be
available after a collapse, but two-cycle oil will probably be like
liquid gold!)
Gas stabilizer.
Diesel antibacterial additive.
50-pound sacks of lime (for outhouses).
1 oz. bottles of military rifle bore cleaner and Break Free (or similar)
lubricant.
Waterproof dufflebags in earth tone colors (whitewater rafting "dry
bags").
Thermal socks.
Semi-waterproof matches (from military rations.)
Military web gear (lots of folks will suddenly need pistol belts,
holsters, magazine pouches, et cetera.)
Pre-1965 silver dimes.
1-gallon cans of kerosene.
Rolls of olive drab parachute cord.
Rolls of olive-drab duct tape.
Spools of monofilament fishing line.
Rolls of 10 mil "Visqueen", sheet plastic (for replacing
windows, isolating airspaces for nuke scenarios, etc.)
I also respect the opinion of one gentleman with whom I've corresponded,
who recommended the following:
Strike anywhere matches. (Dip the heads in paraffin to make them
waterproof.)
Playing cards.
Cooking spices. (Do a web search for reasonably priced bulk spices.)
Rope & string.
Sewing supplies.
Candle wax and wicking.
Lastly, any supplies necessary for operating a home-based business.
Some that you might consider are: leather crafting, small appliance
repair, gun repair, locksmithing, et cetera. Every family should
have at least one home-based business (preferably two!) that they
can depend
on in the event of an economic collapse.
Stock up on additional items to dispense to refugees as charity.
Note: See the Barter Faire chapter in my novel Patriots for
lengthy lists of potential barter items. I will have lots more on barter
in a forthcoming blog posts. (BTW, I would greatly appreciate your
suggestions via e-mail to add to the preceding list!)
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food and clothing and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free" - Thomas S. Monson, "That Noble Gift--Love at Home," [LDS] Church News, 12 May 2001, 7).
I again recommend reading Interdictor's blog --direct from the central business district of New Orleans. There is nothing quite like reading something from the perspective of someone who has "boots on the ground". Please keep all of those affected in your prayers!
Next, a letter from our regular correspondents, "John and Abigail Adams" in Ohio:
It looks like we will be seeing some relief in regards to gasoline
and diesel supply and prices in the very near future. Crude oil is
now being shipped into Ohio and the refineries are producing product
once again! Supply is opening up and prices are dropping! Some stations
in our area have run dry, but they should be re-supplied shortly.
Our cost on 87 octane is currently at $3.41 per gallon,
it will drop around 23 cents per gallon this evening. Hopefully nothing
else will take a swing at us, if not we
should be looking at normal prices and supply within a week or two.
Also the federal government has made steps to easy supply on diesel
fuel. See the following message that I received this afternoon.
IRS WAIVES DIESEL FUEL PENALTY DUE TO HURRICANE
KATRINA: The Internal Revenue Service, in response to shortages of
clear diesel fuel caused by Hurricane Katrina, will not
impose a tax penalty when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used
on the highway. This relief applies beginning August 25, 2005, in Florida,
August 30, 2005, in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and August 31,
2005, in the rest
of the United States, and will remain in effect through September 15,
2005. This penalty relief is available to any person that sells or uses
dyed fuel for
highway use.
Many states have been rationing diesel to truckers on the interstates,
hopefully this too will pass shortly! Things are looking up. - John & Abigail
Adams.
JWR Adds: Isn't that just like a Federal bureaucracy to formulate
differing dates for the suspension of the tax penalty. Oh well,
at least
it is some goods news for a change!
Deciding exactly where to relocate is not an exact science. You can
gauge the potential threat and plan accordingly. But you can never
be sure what will happen and where you will truly be safe. But you
can sleep well, knowing that at least your percentage chances will
be higher if you make the move.
There is an apocryphal story about a man who was living in Virginia
in the late 1850s. He could see the U.S. Civil War brewing, and he
wanted no part of it. He realized that his native Virginia was likely
to be
heavily contested territory, so he set about finding the safest place
possible where he could shelter his family during the coming war. After
much searching and deliberation he finally found a peaceful place that
was far, far away from where the anticipated the battles would
occur. He moved his family up to Pennsylvania--a little farming town
called Gettysburg.
Basic Criteria
Once you have selected a potential region to concentrate on, select
an experienced local real estate agent. Odds are that you won’t
be able to find one that specializes in retreat properties. So it may
take a while and a few false starts before your agent starts showing
you the right type of properties. The following is a basic criteria
list that you can give a real estate agent. (Tailor to suit your particular
needs):
Plentiful water--preferably spring fed or an artesian well. (Pumped well water would be an inferior second choice.)
Good exposure for gardening and photovoltaics.
Not on a flood plain.
Southern exposure (for those reader in the northern hemisphere, naturlich)--particularly important at higher elevations"Panoramic views”. This usually means a hilltop location with open fields of fire and defendable terrain.teh concept of holding high ground goes back to pre-history. Yes, I know, that this is mutually exclusive with the concept of having a house that is not in line of sight of any major road. TANSTAAFL. Decide on one or the other. But don't buy a place that has neither attribute.
A diverse and healthy local economy.
Minimal noxious weeds. (Russian Thistle, Teasel, Russian Knapweed, Yellow Star Thistle, etc.)Not in the path of real estate developers. Look at where suburban developments have been established in the county. Suburban tracts tend to follow a “line of march” in certain directions—especially where there is level terrain. Note that in most regions row crop farmland and orchard land is at the greatest risk because it is easy to subdivide. Put on your thinking cap and do some extrapolation. If your intended area is in the path of the sprawl within 10 to 15 years then start looking in a different direction in less advantageous terrain, or a little further out of town.
If it has an existing house, a house with fireproof/ballistically-protected (e.g. masonry) construction. Note: If it is also in an earthquake prone area, you might weigh the odds in this regard and opt instead for more earthquake safe timber-frame construction.
Low housing costs. As discussed in detail in some of my previous blog posts, don’t overlook examining as many factors as possible including home and car insurance rates, property taxes, and so forth. This useful Internet tool compares cost of living in two cities.
My personal preference is to select a retreat in a mixed farming/ranching/timber
region in low-humidity western state, preferably in the inland northwest.
I generally discourage folks from living in coastal regions for health
reasons, risk of tidal waves or hurricanes, oil tanker mishaps, visits
by foreign terrorists, and the outside chance of dramatically rising
or falling sea levels in the event of a climate shift. I also discourage
relocating to anywhere within 150 miles of the Mexican border. (Note:
I'm not a
racist--just a realist. The crime rate is higher near the border, and
in the event of civil war in Mexico or any number of variations on TEOTWAWKI
there could be a huge influx of illegal immigrants.)
Consider giving priority to a rural region where you have deep family roots. Even if you have just a few scattered relations in the area, if your surname is familiar then you will have the instant cachet of an “old timer“ in the eyes of most locals. So if you have relatives living in a rural area in any of my “Top 19” western states (you can refer to my posts about these states next week), then you might start your search there. That is something that would otherwise take a decade or more. To enhance these familial ties, get busy researching your genealogy and how you are related by blood and marriage to other local families. Share that information widely, and you will build extremely valuable bonds that will be remembered when The Crunch comes.
I have been searching through our tiny food storage auditing its contents. We have been slowly adding to the contents since we moved but it still is enough for only about two weeks. Since we eat what we store it is much more mixed than the econo basic mix of:
Flour or red wheat
Sugar or honey
Salt
Oil or Crisco
Powdered milk
The price tag for my laying in a supply of all of the above was
$200-300 when I bought in the USA, years ago. The items on this list
are fine
if
you
are
going
to
go
buy a
year
supply
today
for emergencies while you are building a proper food larder, they
are also perfect for helping out neighbors in need. Red wheat properly
packed in sealed oxygen free containers lasts longer, retains more
nutrition, and is able to be sprouted for part of it's useful life.
A good grinder is among the top items to buy for your family, cheap
grinders are on the market but the burrs and parts will not survive
the year you are expecting to survive off of your reserves. The highly
touted Country Living grain mill [hand powered/convertible to electric]
is over $300 that is
a months rent for me! I have a Back to Basics mill which seems to
be the lowest rated on the market.
The other end of the spectrum of survivalist buys several pallets of
MREs to live off of, price
tag over ten thousand dollars for just 3 people. The payoff to MREs
is that after a day of exhausting work
drop a few packets into boiling water or a MRE heater and you have
dinner, throw everything away and get some sleep.
We have decided to take the middle road. Prepared canned food that
can be eaten with a spoon is cheap storable and can be included into
our weekly food rotation. If there is a family in need we can give
freely without having the weirdness of handing out military grade goodies.
Packing away olives, corn, crackers, Graham crackers [aka digestive
biscuits, for those of you in the British Commonwealth], peanut butter,
tomato
sauce, pasta, you get the idea now--stuff you eat every
day
but rely on your own just in time delivery system. If you have successfully
stored an item for too long [without eating any of it] cross it off
the list, you are unlikely to eat it unless starvation sets in and
unwelcome
food
is
a good way
to destroy morale during hard times. Rotate and consume your food stores,
but keep track of popular foods and boost their quantities in your
pantry.
The sanitation problem may be one of the worst
aspects of the tragedy in New Orleans. Polluted water is full of parasites
which once ingested inhabit the digestive tract causing dysentery or
even cross over into other organ systems. In a flooded world people
are
dying of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. The best way to
combat bad water is with a large gravity filtration system like the
Big Berkey [British
Berkefeld ceramic water filter, in a stainless steel housing, made
in England] or
its plastic cousin filter for a whole family with little effort. Hand
filters are good for camping but require a person to spend time every
day at the water collection point pumping for all of the days water
needs, in an emergency especially when food is restricted plans to
eliminate extra exertion must be put into place.
Clean water is not just for drinking but also for food preparation
washing of hands and face and washing surfaces and vessels which contact
food. If you fear that there are larger parasites such as Giardia or
Cryptosporidium.
Longer treatment periods are required to kill these parasites. Often,
if infected,
the treatment for these parasites is Flagyl
aka Metronidazole. Speak to your
doctor about a prescription for Metronidazole.
Sodium hypochlorite--better known as household
bleach--can be used for the following purposes: A 1 in
5 dilution of household bleach with water (1 part bleach to 4 parts
water) is
effective against many bacteria and some viruses, and is often the
disinfectant of choice in cleaning surfaces in hospitals. The solution
is corrosive, and needs to be thoroughly removed afterward, so the
bleach disinfection is sometimes followed by an ethanol
disinfection.
For shock chlorination of wells or water systems, a 2% solution of
household bleach is used. For larger systems, HTH is more practical
because lower rates can be used. The alkalinity of the sodium hypochlorite
solution also causes the precipitation of minerals such as calcium
carbonate (lime), so that the shock chlorination is often accompanied
by a clogging effect. The precipitate also preserves bacteria, making
this practice somewhat less effective. Sodium hypochlorite has been
used for the
disinfection of drinking water, at a concentration equivalent to about
1 liter of household bleach per 4000 liters of water is used. The exact
amount required depends on the water chemistry, temperature, contact
time, and presence or absence of sediment. In large-scale applications,
residual chlorine is measured to titrate the proper dosing rate. For
emergency
disinfection, the U.S. EPA recommends the use of 2 drops of 5%ac household
bleach per quart of water. [JWR Adds: Be sure to stock up on
PLAIN household bleach. Check the label before you buy! The only ingredients
should be sodium hypochlorite and water. Formulations with scents
added or any other ingredients are probably toxic.]
If infected with intestinal parasites the treatment
is Flagyl (aka
Metronidazole) Speak to your
doctor
about a prescription
for Metronidazole or the other meds mentioned in the Wikipedia articles.
James,
A request for your comment on best hand powered grain grinder for
us poor folks. The Back to Basics? The Corona? (The Country Living
is $350!) - D.J.
JWR Replies: A hand grain grinder is an important tool to have on hand. They are essential for grinding corn and wheat, which are of course indigestible unless ground. (Soaking wheat in water overnight to make "wheat berries" will suffice, but flour is what you'll need for most recipes.) If you can possibly afford one, buy a Country Living mill. They work well hand powered, and they are also set up to take a V-Belt so that they can be converted to be powered by an electric motor or even from a bicycle frame for someone that has mechanical skills. They are available new from Ready Made Resources and several other Internet vendors. You might look for used ones on eBay. They don't come up for auction in used condition very often, but you might be fortunate enough to get one for under $250.
For someone on on a tight budget, the Corona is probably the best bet. They are not designed for a lifetime of use, but they will do the job. You can occasionally find them at thrift stores in the western United States. Otherwise, new, they are typically around $75. For those of you Down Under, these are also available in Oz.
“God gives all me all earth to love,
but since man’s heart is small,
ordains for each one spot shall prove,
beloved over all.” - Rudyard Kipling
Note from JWR: I'm amazed that in just the blog's
first 28 days we've had 23,500+ unique visits and
over half a million page hits! Thank
you, folks! Please continue to spread the word about SurvivalBlog.com.
When your friends, neighbors, and co-workers bring up the subject of Hurricane
Katrina and its after-effects, please mention SurvivalBlog to them. Hopefully,
reading
this
blog will get them motivated toward some concrete preparedness and substantive
charity.
I'm sorry that I can no longer send many personal replies to your emails. I hope that you understand that I have to concentrate my effort and make the best use of my time. I'll try to primarily cover the aspects of Hurricane Katrina that are getting overlooked by the MSM.
First and foremost, the following brief e-mail from
B.D.B. in Baton Rouge:
Jim:
I just found this site. It’s a
blog from a guy down in the central business district of New Orleans
that still has access to the Internet. I think he also has a web
cam that he’s trying to keep available.
JWR Adds: A simply amazing blog. Talk about "first person" reporting! Follow the photo link URLs. Its like looking at news footage of Beirut in the 1980s...
Next, this e-mail from regular blog contributor B.H.:
Just spoke to my father who is a driver out of
Birmingham, Alabama. He is gassed up and ready to get to South Georgia to a
small town of Thomasville to pick up ice. They are making and bagging
around
the clock. He will caravan with five other trucks to Meridian, MS
where the Army is staging 200+ semi’s
at the state fairgrounds. They have set up a secure temporary truck
stop with showers and three squares-a-day.
They must wait to be deployed with full armed escort vehicles to deliver
to disaster zone. There is no diesel fuel from Mile Marker 50 at
near Atmore, Alabama until you get to East Texas. Ice and water are being
brought in from Missouri, Arkansas and as far away as Illinois.
The only access to NawLens is from the West-Zero access from
all other sides.
Lastly, a tip of the hat to Claire Wolfe's blog for pointing me to this interesting discussion on the nationwide ramifications of Hurricane Katrina.
More tomorrow... Stay tuned.
When doing radio interviews or giving lectures, I'm often asked where
the "perfect" place
is for a survival retreat. The short answer is: There is none. Granted, there
are a lot of places that are much better than others, but there is
no single "one
size fits all" perfect place. Like buying a pair of boots, the decision
has as much to do with the size and shape of the foot as it does the
maker of the boots. Everyone has their personal needs and expectations. Some
people prefer dry climates while others can't stand them. Some folks like the
feeling of privacy provided by a wall of trees where others would feel claustrophobic.
Some need the stimulation of exposure to the arts, while others could care less.
And some have good health, while others need to live close to medical specialists.
Even more importantly, before deciding where you might move, you have to weigh
the Risks and Benefits of moving at all. From an actuarial standpoint,
you might have nearly as good a chance of living to a ripe old age if you stay
in the suburbs.
It all depends on your personal "worst case scenario". If your worst
case is an economic depression similar to that of the 1930s--with a relatively
intact infrastructure--then you might conclude that there is no need to relocate.
(You can just "stock up" and stay put where you are.) But if your worst
case is a full scale whammy--such as a terrorism campaign that levels cities
and/or causes a long term grid-down societal collapse, then you will probably
want to move to a remote, lightly populated farming region with plentiful water.
I'm not in the business of making scenario-based decisions for people. Those
decisions are up to you, as an individual. Once you decide that you definitely
want to move, then, yes, I certainly have some good suggestions on potential
locales for you.
Lastly, as a Christian, I believe that any major decision should be preceded
by prayer. Seek God's providence for your life. You can only do that if you have
repented of you sin and have begun a Christian walk. In deference to the nature
of this forum and the wide range of views held by my readers, I won't go into
great detail about this. But you know where I stand.
You may have concluded by now that while my husband is a "guns
and groceries" style survivalist, I can more accurately be called
a homesteader. A modern homesteader is a
person who tries to live self-reliantly on their own land. Our
satisfaction and peace of mind come from growing our own food, heating
with our own fuel, and even knowing how to make our own clothes if
necessary! Happily survivalism and homesteading dovetail nicely.
My homesteading mindset was developed early in my childhood as I
listened to parents and grandparents talk about living through the
Great Depression. My father’s
parents were town people. His Dad soon lost his job at the newspaper. They had
meager savings. My father said after that they ate potatoes--just potatoes.
At
harvest time each year they found a bit of work picking fruit. Then they ate
whatever fruit they were picking, and only that fruit. Then it was back to potatoes
again. And forget about money for new clothes, or gas for the car, or doctor's
bills, or anything else.
Meanwhile, my maternal Grandpa worked in town as a machinist, but they always
lived out in the country on a small farm. Grandpa cultivated a large garden and
orchard, had a few milk cows, raised a couple of hogs, and Grandma raised 100
chicks every year to sell as fryers. My mother’s father lost his job during
the Depression too. But they had fresh milk and butter from their cows, eggs,
chicken, and beef and pork, fruits and vegetables in season, and lots of canned
produce. (Plus my mother’s family still had a small income and a ready
source of barter from the farm produce.) It so happened that their house was
next to a church on a rural highway. And many times Grandma fed “poor folk” who
had come to their house thinking it was the church parsonage. And she could--because
of the bounty of their farm!
My Dad had a miserable youth through the Depression. He suffered a profound change
in quality of life as they experienced extreme poverty. My Mother on the other
hand, did not experience much of a change because her parents were self sufficient
on their farm. I intend to emulate my self sufficient grandparents. And with
God’s grace, my family will have a good quality of life--no matter what
the economy does.
How
to Find your Ideal Country Home by Gene GeRue. 1999 Edition, Warner
Books. ISBN 0-446-67454.
I had my first look at this book back in 1994, when the author contacted
me after having read the draft edition of my novel The Gray Nineties.
(Which was then available as shareware.) At the time, Gene GeRue had
just come out with his first edition. I was impressed with how thorough
he was. His premises were sound, and his research was excellent. Imagine
my surprise this year when I found an updated edition. It is even more
thorough, and even more detailed!
GeRue systematically details the criteria to look for in a country
home. He hits all of the key factors: climate, topography, soil, vegetation,
water, demographics, agriculture, services, taxes, land/home prices,
and so forth. He includes a lot of fairly detailed maps.
The author also includes a section on analyzing you. This
is important and shouldn't be overlooked. It is important to understand
your personal
needs, expectations, and personality. Some people just aren't cut out
for living in the country! The book also delineates between wants,
needs and fantasies. Sometimes people have preconceptions that require
a "whack upside the head."
This book is not all "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." There
are some great doses of reality--such as finding a job or developing
a home-based business before you move to the hinterboonies. He also
discusses risks such as flood plains, fire prone regions, prisons,
toxic waste, radon gas, incineration, and so on. he also describes
the factors in choosing an existing home versus building on bare land.
I highly recommend this book. Referring to the content of GeRue's book
as a baseline, you can add the factors that you find important for
a true survival retreat. (See my previous blog posts for some suggestions.)
Jim:
Not looking good these days. It is chaos down south. Those poor people,
may God be with them in their time of need. What is your opinion on
the
current state of
the union? Gas prices, oil supplies in doubt. Do you think this could
be the harbinger of an economic 9/11? I hate to admit it, but I do.
JWR's
Reply: Perhaps you might be right. There is the outside chance
that this could be "it": You know, The Big
One. WTSHTF.
Total wipeout. The Day. TEOTWAWKI.
The Crunch. But something that drastic would surely take several more
dominoes falling first. (Read my August 5/6/7 posts for details on
my conception of
a full scale TEOTWAWKI sequence of events.)
Something big such as a major earthquake or a major terrorist
incident could
tip several dominoes all at once. The next likely domino after something
like a fuel crisis would be a major
jump in interest rates. I think that because of
Katrina the
Federal Reserve may stop its current cycle of raising interest rates,
and could in fact start to nudge them downward. That could keep the
housing
bubble
inflating even longer. (So when it does
pop, it will be worse.) Also, consider the home construction and home
supply sector (the latter including companies like Home Depot and Lowe's)
which had been faltering, may actually benefit from Katrina.
The big imponderable is the drag on the economy caused by the present
upward spiral of fuel prices. At the minimum, I think that this could
throw
us back into a recession. Worst case is that it could cause a depression,
exacerbated by the concomitant pop in the housing bubble. (Read: A
very painful and a long term economic whammy--perhaps a decade or more.)
Buckle you seat belt. We are in for a roller coaster ride. IMHO the
Hurricane Katrina disaster means that the likelihood of a hyperinflationary depression
(a la my novel Patriots)
has increased. (That would be Uncle Sugar's expedient solution to
a dollar crisis. They could just inflate their way out of it and conveniently
wipe out the national debt in the process. (Along with everyone's life
savings--virtually anything invested in anything denominated in U.S.
dollars. That explains why I emphasize investing in tangibles.)
But regardless, try to get out of debt, because if
things tip into a deflationary depression,
it will be even more severe than the 1930s.Being a debtor in the midst
of a deflation is a Very Bad Thing (VBT).
Most importantly, pray for God's guidance, providence, and protection.
That is our only real hope. Trust in God to put you in the right place
at the right time, with the right friends. Blessed assurance is the
best insurance of all.
"My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a New Creation. Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
it sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing? When tyrants tremble in their fear
and hear their death knell ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near
how can I keep from singing? In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging,
when friends by shame are undefiled
how can I keep from singing?"
-The Traditional Shaker Hymn How Can I Keep From Singing, popularized
by Enya
Notes from JWR: Please continue keep all of the folks in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and surrounding states in your prayers! Please donate generously to your local church relief agency or to the American Red Cross. Charity is our Christian duty!
You can use the current Hurricane Katrina situation to emphasize to
your relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers just how fragile
our society is. Do your best to convince them that it is prudent to stock
up. I'd appreciate it if you could also tell them about SurvivalBlog.
Things have gone from bad to worse on the Gulf Coast. Here are some tidbits that were phoned to me on Wednesday by a regular SurvivalBlog reader who is currently in close proximity to New Orleans. (He cannot currently send e-mail.):
1.) In New Orleans, looters are shooting at police stations, in one instance with a semi-auto AK-47. The looting is completely out of hand, and spreading.
2.) Jefferson Parish Louisiana Sheriff Harry Lee has issued a "shoot to kill" order.
3.) At the Super Dome (cum Relocation Center) there have been countless armed robberies, suicides, rapes, and three murders in the past 72 hours. Conditions are intolerable there (with no running water and no sanitation, so it has been ordered evacuated. Several thousand Super Dome evacuees are being bussed/trucked to the Houston Astro Dome. At least the electricity is working there...
4.) The level of the 13th Street has now essentially equalized with Lake Ponchartrain. Huge 7,000 pound sand bags are being lowered from Chinook helicopters into the levee breaches, but no success yet.
5.) New Orleans residents are caravanning in large numbers to Baton Rogue, and are now putting a tremendous stress on that city.
6.) A local radio reporter that was airlifted to safety from a badly flooded region reported that he saw "hundreds of bodies" floating the water when his helicopter was en route.
7.) Locals in have cleared the roads of fallen trees in many areas around New Orleans (using chainsaws), but no normal commerce has resumed.
7.) All of the local television stations are off the air.
Well, I was lucky enough to be outside the edge of Katrina’s
rampage here in Baton Rouge. I can attest that is was no picnic here
and the devastation is widespread and intense.
Beginning on Sunday morning refugees came pouring into town fleeing
New Orleans and by mid-day traffic westbound on I-10 was crawling.
People were swarming the stores buying supplies and fuel. Gasoline
disappeared
very quickly but diesel fuel seemed readily available (no surprise
there.) Many people were buying useless supplies though, things such
as dairy products, meats, vegetables, and such. There was a distinct
tension and sense of near panic in the shopping centers in this area.
As the
day progressed, the clouds started picking up and the wind began blowing,
and refugees clogged the major roadways. Many of them had no plan of
action; they were just driving west away from the storm but had no
plans on where they would go or stay. Many of them had no clue that
there
were other roads besides the interstate or other major highways.
As of today, there are at least 100,000 refugees in shelters here in
Baton Rouge, and probably that many staying with friends and family
here in town. There are refugees in every other southern city within
driving distance of the coast. Anywhere within say 300 miles of the
affected area will have large numbers of refugees--some with with nothing
but the clothes on their backs--and nothing to return home to. We have
power
and water here, but communications channels are choked. Fuel is in
short supply but holding out. There is a definite tension in the air,
and it’s going to happen soon…refugees will get frustrated
and hungry to the point that they may riot or begin looting. There
is widespread looting and lawlessness in affected areas of New Orleans
and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Looters are firing on the police, police
officers trying to help them are getting hit, helicopters and planes
are coming under small arms fire. Areas of New Orleans are now under
martial law and I’m fully expecting that case to be expanded
to other areas such as Gulfport and Biloxi. This disaster will directly
impact not only our local economy, but the economy of the rest of the
nation.
Oil production is shut down not only offshore, but in the refineries
as well; transportation systems are damaged; businesses are under water
and their employees are out of a job for an unknown duration; the Ports
of New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Mobile are not functional; and
the list goes on. If this isn’t a SHTF situation,
I don’t know what is.
Here is a quick update on the gasoline and diesel fuel supply situation
in Ohio. As I write this there are 15 oil refineries down in the US,
either from storm damage or
lack of power. There are 3 pipelines down due to lack of power, limiting
the flow of crude oil to the north. One refinery in Canton, Ohio, our
main supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel in this area, has been closed
since Monday, because there was no crude oil to refine.
Abigail and I work for a company that is a bulk supplier of gasoline
and diesel fuel. Today (8/31) we are out of "On road"
diesel fuel and have feet of "off road"
diesel fuel in our tank. I have had several semi loads on order since
Tuesday morning, but none have been delivered. We are rationing out
the remaining product, as our supplier has no idea when he will be
able to deliver us any product. I have contacted other suppliers and
received the same answer
The industry “word” is that supply interruptions can
be expected to last from one to six weeks. If this continues
for more than a few days then stations will be running dry.
Our cost on 87-octane gasoline today is
in excess of $3.00 per gallon. I do not want to raise a panic here;
however I think your readers should be making whatever arrangements
they can to get their tanks topped off.
This may not, and should not last very long, and I certainly hope not,
but one thing is for certain…for now the fertilizer has struck
the ventilation system.
As always if there are any questions feel free to send them our way.
- John & Abigail
Adams.
I'm a big fan--I have read your novel (Patriots)
several
times and consider it vital to every home library. I have extensive
family in
the south. I gave a copy of your book to my cousin T. in Pensacola.
They have weathered the last two hurricanes and have come out on the
financial up side-they specialize in commercial garage doors. They’ve
made a killing after each storm. They have several generators and months
of MRE’s for employees, family
and neighbors. They used swimming pool water to flush toilets after
Ivan.
I also have two cousins in central Mississippi. No word yet but they
are both armed well and quite survival minded. One manages a Wal-Mart
Supercenter-if it’s still there and stocked.
I’ll get some intel on central Mississippi later today.
My father is in Birmingham and they are running out of diesel
fuel.
He is a long haul driver who has been summoned to Huntsville, Alabama
because their power is down and a large food distribution center is
out. They
need him to get there ASAP so they can transfer frozen food to Nashville
before it thaws and spoils. Power is out intermittently over most of
Alabama and parts of North Georgia. Cell phones are also sporadic.
We have cousins in Louisiana who have evacuated to Kalifornia to be
with family. One cousin is a school counselor-word is no school until
after Thanksgiving, if they are lucky. One cousin returned home to
Eastern Louisiana and the flood waters had receded but their Acura
was gone-floated away. My great aunt’s small town is still
under water-a total loss.
Just spoke to my cousin in Madison, Mississippi. Power is back on and
phones are down. Cell phone on but some towers are down. Things getting
back to
normal pretty quickly- he called me from work. Most of the damage is
downed trees and every ‘good ol boy’ with a chain saw
got busy as soon as the storm passed. But the coast line is a completely
different
story. No access or economy for months.
As if you needed any more proof what you wrote in Patriots is
correct, consider these snippets from Fox News:
New Orleans' homeland security chief, Terry Ebbert, said looters were breaking into stores all over town and stealing guns.
He said there are gangs of armed men moving around the city. At one point, officers stranded on the roof of a hotel were
fired at by criminals on the street. The Times-Picayune newspaper reported that the gun section at a new Wal-Mart had been cleaned out by looters.
Authorities said an officer was shot in the head and a looter was wounded in a shootout. The officer was expected to
survive.
The Schumer has hit the fan in the South. - B.H. in Spokane
Hi,
I have read you blog for a couple of weeks now. Since shortly after you started
it, I believe. In any case I do enjoy it. I noticed that you listed some Natural
gas explosions from the past. There was a large
explosion of another sort in 1947 in Texas City, Texas. It was caused
by a fire on a ship filled with Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer. It killed almost
600 people and pretty much leveled the town. It is an interesting story and
shows
just how devastating even accidents can be, let alone deliberate acts!
Thanks for keeping us all on our toes. - T.P
The Mississippi Militia just went to Defcon 2. I am from the devastated area in South Mississippi. I am E&Eing back there tomorrow to the house. I have been preaching and preaching about TSHTF scenarios and using your book as the guide.
The real story has not been told. Hancock County still has not been surveyed and bodies are in trees. This will surpass 9/11 in death toll. Pray and prepare. We will keep up the good fight. Pray for us! - G.G.
I checked and REI was cheapest @ $10.50 ea. Called my local REI
and they had none, but they checked and found that they had 244 in
their one and only distribution center. They quoted two weeks for
delivery. I ordered my six. But assuming perhaps 2 in stock at each
store [JWR
adds: Unlikely, given recent events] that's less than
500 available nationwide. That's
less than 1 for every 12 SurvivalBlog readers... I
wonder which future ransacked city their distribution center is in?
Hope it wasn't New Orleans. Kind of unsettling how some things are
really pretty scarce already.
Oh, I also have a Product Report: The MSR Chlorine
Maker is GREAT as long as you have 6 VDC or a good supply of 3 volt
lithium batteries.
It came
to mind
while
thinking of "Mr. Coffee" in Costa Rica. The MSR
MIOX Water Purifier
Still the "old reliable" is what I have the most faith in, since I've
used one since 1976 and that is: The
Katadyn Pocket Filter with Output Hose
Regards, - The Army Aviator
Hi Jim and Memsahib:
Have you ever wished you could go back in time to a hardware store
circa the late Forties, early Fifties? Imagine finding almost any
style of kerosene or oil lamp including Aladdin (creates 60 watts
of light using either kerosene or lamp oil) and the fuel for the
lamps sold right in the store! Looking for hand powered tools? There
are here! Crosscut saws? Yep, they got them. What about timber framing,
logsmithing and wood carving tools? Look no further. Looking for
self-sufficient dairy supplies? Come and get them! There are many
garden tools to choose from too. Some tools you may never heard of
before. Have you planned gas for mowing the lawn at
the retreat? Forget it! Use one of those old fashion push mowers, except
this one is brand new! Exercise and save fuel at the same time.
When I was a kid, I liked to watch the grass fly as I mowed the lawn
using one of these babies. Maybe yours will too. They have many other
hand tools for lawn care available. Wouldn't be nice to have highly
efficient electric washing machines and refrigerators? There are here
too. Imagine having an old fashion kitchen fully supplied just like
great grandma's. Everything you need to make it happen is here. Looking
for wood heating stoves? There are several to choose from. Wondering
what toys the children can play with when there is no electricity?
Here are some old fashion ones that will bring back memories. Have
you thought of a composting toilet? Read about the benefits and you
might purchase one. There are about 14 types to choose from
including
a 1 pint flusher. Wondering which propane stove and or refrigerator
to purchase? Check out what the Amish use for possibilities. If you
are planning your retreat with antique flare, check out Heartland and
Elmira kitchen appliances. They are awesome! There are books on every
subject. Some are blacksmithing, canning, herbs used by the Amish,
the secrets of starting a homestead
or farm and the list goes on and on. If you are looking for something
for self-sufficient living, chances are you will find it. No matter
where you live it can be shipped right
to your door. International orders are a specialty. There are so many
items not listed many people plan a stop at the store while vacationing.
This is a must check out Web
site and store for
all interested in self-sufficiency. I have made three trips and I am
going
back again! A scenic vacation can be planned by traveling the Old Lincoln
Highway (US Route 250) to the store. It is in Kidron, Ohio. The store? Lehman's
-Products
for Simple, Self-Sufficient Living - F1
JWR's Reply: I have been doing business with Lehman's for 20+ years. They have a sterling reputation. They are our kind of people. OBTW, they should be advertising here! (Hint, hint.)
Dear James:
I have read in your book and in the blog site that you do not recommend
the .223 round for a battle rifle. What do you think about the effectiveness
of the 7.62 X 39 cartridge? I own an SKS and would like your opinion
on the 7.62 compared to the .223 and also the .308. Also what is your
opinion of the SKS as a battle rifle? As always, I appreciate your
valued input. - Dr. Sidney Zweibel, Columbia P&S
JWR's Reply: Ballistically, the Soviet 7.62x39 (the
standard cartridge for the SKS, AK-47, and clones) is almost identical
to .30-30
Winchester. So it is better than .30 Carbine
or
.223, but
not by very
much. .308 Winchester is in whole 'nother class, ballistically. I only
recommend SKS rifles as an interim rifle for someone that is
on a very tight budget. The biggest limitation of the standard SKS
is its top-loaded 10 round (stripper clip filled)
fixed magazine. If you
opt
for an SKS then you should take some extra time shopping around to
find one of the thumbhole stock models that were imported in the late
1980s--these are the SKS variants that use standard
detachable 30
round AK-47
magazines. These are scarce but can sometimes be found (used) for around
$225 to $275.
If you can afford a .308--even just a $300 to $400 CETME, then you
should forget about
getting
a SKS or other semi-auto chambered in 7.62x39! remember that .308 Winchester
/ 7.62 mm NATO is a flat shooting man killer with 500+ meter range.
In comparison, 7.62x39
is a barely capable man stopper with a rainbow
trajectory
and an effective
range
of only about 250 meters. For anyone that can afford $600 to $2,000
for their
MBR, see my previous blog
posts about FALs and L1A1s. Those are my preferred tools for serious
social work.
Hello sir. My name is John [Surname deleted for OPSEC],
and I'm an 0351 in the U.S. Marine Corps. I'm about to deploy with
[unit designation deleted for OPSEC] to
Ar Ramadi, and I wanted to open a line of communication before going.
I read Patriots several
years ago, and it truly changed my life. I only recently became aware of your
blog, and having a lot
of training [going on] and limited access to the Internet I was unable to contact
you. However, I do wish to thank you. It introduced me to an entirely new mindset,
and has helped shape my plans for the future.
I have a small favor to ask. If you feel it is unreasonable please don't feel
bad about refusing. There is a free service called MotoMail that allows emails
sent to the troops to be printed in-country and delivered in a sealed, bank
type envelope within 24-to-48 hours. I would be greatly obliged if you could
send periodic updates of your blog to me in this fashion. I'll have very limited
computer usage time over there, and I intend to spend as much of this as humanly
possible communicating with my wife. If you could send me your blog I wouldn't
be tempted to spend time looking at it. :) The website for this is http://www.motomail.us/
Any letters over 1K words will merely arrive in multiple envelopes.
Thank you again, and I'll be writing you from in-country. - John
"Pressure makes diamonds." - Gen. George S. Patton.
For previous SurvivalBlog posts, see the Archive 1
Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved by James Wesley, Rawles - www.SurvivalBlog.com™
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.