Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Survival Psychology

Simple Survival Psychology




When I was in the military and involved with search and rescue training, I often saw messages or reports pertaining to survivors and non-survivors. These cases were both civilians and military personnel. I was amazed while reading both types of correspondence. (We received this information to hopefully improve our survival training program). I read about people who had lots of gear, plenty of food and water, and they still did not make it. Or, on the other side of the coin, those who survived with little more than literally the shirt on their backs. Why the difference? Well, it is not that simple. There were many factors that contributed in both cases. There are many variables to consider when reading about survival situations. Nonetheless, in most of the reports I read the difference was usually survival psychology.


Take the case of the civilian pilot in Alaska that experienced aircraft problems and put his plane down on a frozen lake. The temperature was about minus twenty. When rescuers arrived at the site they were able to determined what happen easily. The pilot, now dead, had left a note. I cannot remember most of the note, but it read something similar to; "I cannot survive in this temperature. I am a dead man. I am going to smoke a cigarette and then end it all." It was very unfortunate. The aircraft controller had seen the aircraft go off radar and had been able to communicate with the pilot just before he landed on the lake. Once on the lake the pilot had shut down his aircraft power and the controller was unable tell him that help was on the way. When the rescuer team arrived, they found two cigarette butts, a .38 caliber pistol in the pilots right hand, and blood not yet frozen on the side of his head. He had not even left the cockpit of the aircraft. Why? Why would a man take his life without a fight? I suggest he gave in to panic. He was not prepared mentally to face the situation.


I also read once about a man who crawled for more than 100 miles across the Arizona desert to safety. His car had broken down on a rural road and he attempted a shortcut to safety. It was over 100 degrees during the five days of his travels. He was burned black from the sun, very dehydrated, and near death when he walked out. He stated he was determined to be with his family again and used this determination to keep himself moving. Doctors and survival experts were surprised of his survival. The man should have by all rights died. He had done everything wrong (traveling during the heat of the day, not covering up exposed parts of his body, and not being properly prepared) and yet he made it. Now, I don't recommend you attempt that for obvious reasons, but it does show how human determination can aid your survival efforts.


So, what is the big difference in the two stories above? I propose it is frame of mind. One, the non-survivor, gave up before the battle even started. The other, the survivor, was determined to live. Of course pure determination may not keep you alive, but it sure adds to the odds. Lets discuss the steps you can take to stay alive when you realize you are in a survival situation.


Panic is a real killer. When you actually realize you are going to have to survive, keep you head about yourself. Stop. Find a place that offers you temporary shelter and think things out. Do not go stomping around in the woods looking for your way out. Stop. Consider the, who, what, when, and where of your situation. Who knows where you are? Did you, as I always recommend, tell someone about your trip? This should always be done, even if you know the area very well. Tell a any person (a boss, friend, wife, husband, etc.) the what, when and where of your trip. They should know what type of trip it is (fishing, hunting, hiking, or travel), when you left and when you will return (i.e., I will leave on Tuesday morning and will return seven days later on Tuesday evening), and where your trip is to be (to the Knockemstiff National Forest or to Lake Swampy). Make sure if you change your trip in any way to call or contact the person you informed. Many rescues are started each year because of a change in plans and no notification. If you have handled the who, what, when and where of your trip, rescue should be fast.


Get your thoughts organized. Unless you are suicidal, this step is a must. Take an inventory of what you have on hand. This step serves two purposes. First, it calms you down. The time it takes to inventory your gear will assist in deescalating your panic. Second, most of us carry a lot of "junk" as well as needed items with us and this is a time to see exactly what you have. All items on you can be used toward survival.


Keep busy. An active mind is less likely to dwell on the situation as hopeless. Notice I wrote hopeless and not helpless. In a helpless situation, there is no help. While you very well may feel helpless, you can help yourself. But, in a hopeless situation there is no hope. I think you always have hope, as long as you are breathing. Keeping that hope is what makes a survival situation develop into a story of success. Concentrate on the little successes you experience and let the failures slide off. And, don't start feeling sorry for yourself. See, the more little successes you have the better you will feel. Start with something small, like a fire and a shelter.


Find a shelter and start a fire. Yep, even if you don't need either. Why? Well, once again for two reasons. The first is to keep you busy as I stated above. The second is they may be needed later when you are too exhausted or weak to make them. Additionally, there is a deep primal need for safety satisfied when you have shelter and fire. Ever notice how comforting a campfire is at night? The fire may not even be needed, so the comfort is usually just psychological. Anywho, get a fire going, construct a shelter, and sit for a bit.


Oh, I almost forgot, avoid alcohol when in a survival situation. If dulls your thinking processes and that is one thing you don't need (additionally alcohol dehydrates) . Second, avoid cola's, coffee, and tea if you do not have a sufficient water supply. They can aid in your dehydration.


Now comes the difficult part, waiting for rescue. You noticed, I hope, I wrote waiting for rescue. Yep, I meant it. Let them find you. Nothing is more frustrating to search and rescue crews than looking for a person meandering somewhere in the woods. It is really like looking for a needle in a haystack and may lead to your death. Stay where you are. Once you realize you are lost and have establish a survival camp stay there. Being rescued is often compared to looking for someone in the mall. If you wonder around looking for them, they are more difficult to find. But, if you plant yourself on a bench in the mall walk way, they will come by sooner or later. Wondering blind in the bush just uses up energy that you cannot afford to lose. Stay put.


The only exception to this is when you realize exactly where you are and know beyond any doubt how to walk out. If you do decide to leave a survival site, leave a note stating when you left (date/time), where you were headed (location you are attempting to get to), when you expect to get there, your heading (compass heading if you can), your physical condition (broken bones, cuts, overall general condition) and your full name. Make sure you post your note where it can easily be seen and in a water proof container/bag. This info will aid the rescue team greatly. Remember, I recommend you leave the survival site ONLY if you are sure of where you are and know how to safely get out.


Well, now you are in a more prolonged survival situation what comes next? Well, first stay off of your pity pot. Don't dwell on how rough you have it. Don't play the "poor little me" mind game with yourself. Make things happen. Let's look at what you really need to survive. First, you need air and water. Hopefully the air thingy is taken care of for you (if not, the next steps are not very important to you). Next, water is a primary concern. Purify all water not brought from home or purchased for your trip. All water. Even if the stream looks like a dream photo from the cover page of an environmentalist magazine. Much of our waters in North America are polluted or have "critters" (micro organisms). Don't take a chance.


You should always have a survival kit with you. These kits can be purchased commercially or made up at home. They can also vary greatly in size and weight. The kit I carry is very small (I use an old metal Bandaide box), but I have given great thought to the contents. It is just exactly what I need to survive on. I have included:


1. A good quality pen knife.
2. Condoms for water storage, unlubricated.
3. Wooden matches in a water proof container.
4. Flint and steel and a metal match.
5. Water purification tables.
6. A long strip of heavy duty aluminum foil folded up to cook with.
7. Fishing kit, i.e., hooks, sinkers, and some line. Nothing fancy. It can also be used to set snares or many other uses if you are landlocked and not near the water.
8. A small commercial first aid kit (with instructions).
9. One small pack of gum and one of hard candy for emergency energy.
10. A small survival pamphlet or book--keep it small and light.
If you have a survival kit with you it aids in your sense of well being. With the kit and your usual camping/outdoors gear, you know you have the minimum to survive. It helps you realize the situation is not hopeless at all. Do yourself a favor and practice using your survival items before you need them. Also, know your survival and first aid booklets. All of this preplanning will make you more relaxed when you need to use the equipment.


What about food? Let's be honest here. Aren't most North Americans just a little overweight? Now, I am not saying a sudden starvation diet is healthy, but most of us could go a couple of days without food with no medical affects. And, why do most people immediately think of food when they think of survival? Keep in mind that most folks are rescued before serious hunger develops. It is psychological. If you think about it, it makes sense. Imagine a nice shelter, a warm fire, and a full stomach. Comforting isn't it? While no shelter, no fire and an empty stomach... I think you have the idea. Well, remember, people have survived for weeks without food but only days without water. You figure the priority out. (Before I forget, if you take prescription medications, always have them with you when you go outdoors. Not having them in some cases could be a killer). Nonetheless, if it makes you feel better trap, hunt, or catch something to eat. Make sure if you eat you increase your water intake, if your water supply allows for it. Keep an eye on your urine. If if becomes darker in color, increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.


Survival is never easy. If things can go wrong they usually will. I know people can survive in temperatures as low as minus thirty and as high as 110 degrees. How do I know? I have done it during training. The key is to stay active, concentrate on the tasks at hand, build up your successes while down playing your failures, and to face each obstacle with determination to overcome. Survival psychology is simple, when you think about it before you need it. I believe with the right psychological approach to any survival situation, you too can survive.


Gary L. Benton

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Don't Skimp on the Inverter

Solar Inverters


A solar inverter is a piece of the solar energy puzzle. Its purpose is to change the direct current (DC) electricity that is generated from a photovoltaic panel into an alternating current (AC) that can be used by in-home appliances and the community electricity grid. Because all photovoltaic panels produce electricity in DC, an inverter is required for all solar power systems to make the electricity usable.


The solar inverter is often one of the most expensive parts in an alternative energy system. Because of this, many people fall into the trap of underestimating the structure's needs for a solar inverter and purchase one that handles a smaller capacity than necessary in order to save money. One of the recommendations to avoid making this mistake and keep the up-front costs of a solar energy system down is to initially purchase fewer solar cells and add more later rather than skimping on the inverter.


There are many manufacturers that are competing in the solar inverter market. While there have been a lot of American-made inverters in the past, in recent years it's been discovered that they're not always operating at their advertised efficiency, resulting in several companies going out of business. This has opened the market up to several international companies, and many of the most recognized solar inverter brands are European.


One of the biggest issues of a solar power system is efficiency. The cost of building and installing a system is often expensive, and those who are willing to make the financial investment in solar energy want to be sure to get their money's worth. Not only do the solar cells need to convert the sun's energy to electricity efficiently, but the solar inverter has a responsibility in efficiency as well. Manufacturers of inverters are working to improve their products' efficiency in order to make the products more marketable and attractive to those interested in solar power. Any possibility of saving more money in the use of a solar power system will increase the odds of people converting to solar power and easing the demands of the fossil fuels and oils on which American society so heavily relies.


Solar inverters that are tied to the community's electricity grid help regulate the currents between the building the solar energy system is powering and the power lines of the grid. Grid-tie systems that feed into and from the grid are usually required to have anti-islanding protection built in. The anti-islanding ensures that if a fault occurs within the grid, the solar powered system will disconnect from it immediately to prevent feeding more electricity into an already hazardous situation. Reconnecting to the grid can sometimes be complicated, but in order to have a completely safe system, it is required to follow the anti-islanding regulations set forth by local power companies.


One who is considering designing and installing a solar energy system for his or her home should hire a professional to assist in making sure the system is built properly. There are many variables to take into account, including the size of the home, the electricity use of the home, possible future fluctuation in the energy use of the home, as well as the types and sizes of the photovoltaic cells and solar inverters necessary to keep the system running smoothly.


SolarHome.org

Monday, September 27, 2010

Forced to take a stand and defend home with rifles

Forced to take a stand and defend home with rifles.
Aside from natural disasters, man made events such as riots or looting can take place in which survival skills are put to the test. In this survival story, Andy P recalls the chaos that were the Los Angeles riots.


If you have never been in a manmade or natural disaster you may not realize how quickly our cities go from civilized communities to an unorganized mess. In a very short time you find that you and your family are on your own - with no protection or civil order provided by any government agencies. This is mainly due to the unexpected nature of both manmade and natural disasters. I have experienced this twice. I lived in Los Angeles for many years and those years included the LA Riots in 1992 and the Northridge earthquake in 1994.


This story relates to the Los Angeles Riots in 1992. The catalyst for the riots was an incident caught on video tape where 4 police officers were seen beating a motorist. The police officers were put on trial.


The trial was watched by millions of people in Los Angeles (many of which expected a guilty verdict). When the 4 officers were acquitted many people in Los Angeles decided to express their frustration by burning down buildings, looting, assaulting innocent civilians, and committing murder - there were over 50 murders during the LA Riot.


Within 2 hours of the verdict I received a phone call from my screaming wife telling me that there was gun fire in the mall where she worked and I needed to come to get her immediately. I was with my brother at the time and we immediately armed ourselves (legally) and went to pick her up. As we were driving through Los Angeles we could see fires erupting in every direction and people were running through the streets. The smell of burning buildings was intense. Simultaneously a fellow pilot and good friend was in the process of filming the now famous video of a truck driver being dragged from his truck and nearly killed by an angry mob from his helicopter - it was considered a miracle that he survived the brutal beating. When we arrived at the mall people were running out and we were attempting to run in. The mall had been evacuated by security guards to allow management to close the mall to protect the stores from looters. My wife was gone. She was ordered to leave her store with nowhere to go. We finally made contact when I conducted an emergency phone patch on my ham radio - she had received a ride with her girlfriend and was home traumatized by the event. By the time my brother and I got home the city was in the grips of a full blown riot and people were filling the streets and running by with stolen TV's, stereos, and other merchandise (an interesting note was that the book store near our place was not looted). We finally made it back to my place and began to get ready to defend our home against looters. My first thought was to gather my wife, my brother and his girlfriend and get to the Santa Monica Airport and fly us out of there, but that was impossible. The riot had gone out of control and you could not drive through the streets. Also, we had reports that people were shooting at airplanes going in and out of Santa Monica Airport and LAX. I later heard that airliners landing at LAX were directed to land (with the wind) with their final approach over the ocean to prevent being shot at - I do not know if that actually happened. Our block was completely overrun and we were actually forced to take a stand and defend our home with rifles - in Los Angeles! Several times we had to take aim at looters and thank god they ran - because I had every intention of shooting. It was literally like a war zone. The riots lasted days and did not stop until the National Guard showed up. I have since read that it was the 7th infantry division and additional Marines from Camp Pendleton that were deployed to Los Angeles. From our perspective it didn't matter where they came from they were a welcome site. It was surreal to see US Soldiers walking through our neighborhood. We could not travel more than a block from our home for days without the chance of major conflict. Police cars were overturned when they arrived at the scene of a crime and were forced to retreat. It really was complete chaos in a major American city. Luckily I was prepared for this scenario and had everything we needed to both survive and defend ourselves for an extended period of time. I had water, freeze dried food, guns, ammo, and radio communications via ham radio. The grocery stores were impossible to get to and if you could it didn't matter. They were closed or already looted and were empty. It is very difficult to relate how large of an event this was (historic really) unless you were there. There were over 3000 fires burning throughout Los Angeles, thousands injured, nearly a billion dollars in damages, and over 50 murders. At one point during the riots we were standing on our roof top and it looked like the world had gone insane - I could not believe I was looking at Los Angeles. The bottom line is expect the unexpected and be prepared for as many scenarios as possible. I will never forget how good it felt to be prepared to protect myself and my loved ones. Being prepared paid off again when the Northridge Earthquake hit several years later in 1994 and again Los Angeles was tested.


Andy P

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

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Economic Predictions For The Rest Of 2010

Bob Chapman


First 6 months of 2010, Americans will continue to live in the 'unreality'…the period between July and October is when the financial fireworks will begin. The Fed will act unilaterally for its own survival irrespective of any political implications …(source is from insider at FED meetings). In the last quarter of the year we could even see Martial law, which is more likely for the first 6 months of 2011. The FDIC will collapse in September 2010. Commercial real estate is set to implode in 2010. Wall Street believes there is a 100% chance of crash in bond market, especially municipals sometime during 2010. The dollar will be devalued by the end of 2010.


Gerald Celente


Terrorist attacks and the "Crash of 2010". 40% devaluation at first = the greatest depression, worse than the Great Depression.


Igor Panarin


In the summer of 1998, based on classified data about the state of the U.S. economy and society supplied to him by fellow FAPSI analysts, Panarin forecast the probable disintegration of the USA into six parts in 2010 (at the end of June – start of July 2010, as he specified on 10 December 2000.


Neithercorps


Have projected that the third and final stage of the economic collapse will begin sometime in 2010. Barring some kind of financial miracle, or the complete dissolution of the Federal Reserve, a snowballing implosion should become visible by the end of this year. The behavior of the Fed, along with that of the IMF seems to suggest that they are preparing for a focused collapse, peaking within weeks or months instead of years, and the most certain fall of the dollar.


Webbots


July and onward things get very strange. Revolution. Dollar dead by November 2010.


LEAP 20/20


2010 Outlook from a group of 25 European Economists with a 90% accuracy rating- We anticipate a sudden intensification of the crisis in the second half of 2010, caused by a double effect of a catching up of events which were temporarily « frozen » in the second half of 2009 and the impossibility of maintaining the palliative remedies of past years. There is a perfect (economic) storm coming within the global financial markets and inevitable pressure on interest rates in the U.S. The injection of zero-cost money into the Western banking system has failed to restart the economy. Despite zero-cost money, the system has stalled. It is slowly rolling over into the next big down wave, which in Elliott Wave terminology will be Super Cycle Wave Three, or in common language, "THE BIG ONE, WHERE WE ALL GO OVER THE FALLS TOGETHER."


Joseph Meyer


Forecasts on the economy. He sees the real estate market continuing to decline, and advised people to invest in precious metals and commodities, as well as keeping cash at home in a safe place in case of bank closures. The stock market, after peaking in March or April (around 10,850), will fall all the way down to somewhere between 2450 and 4125 during the next leg down.


Harry Dent (investor)


A very likely second crash by late 2010. The coming depression (starts around the summer of 2010). Dent sees the stock market–currently benefiting from upward momentum and peppier economic activity–headed for a very brief and pleasant run that could lift the Dow to the 10,700-11,500 range from its current level of about 10.090. But then, he sees the market running into a stone wall, which will be followed by a nasty stock market decline (starting in early March to late April) that could drive down the Dow later this year to 3,000-5,000, with his best guess about 3,800.




Richard Russell (Market Expert)


(from 2/3/10) says the bear market rally is in the process of breaking up and panic is on the way. He sees a full correction of the entire rise from the 2002 low of 7,286 to the bull market high of 14,164.53 set on October 9, 2007. The halfway level of retracement was 10,725. The total retracement was to 6,547.05 on March 9, 2009. He now sees the Dow falling to 7,286 and if that level does not hold, “I see it sinking to its 1980-82 area low of Dow 1,000.” The current action is the worst he has ever seen. (Bob Chapman says for Russell to make such a startling statement is unusual because he never cries wolf and is almost never wrong).




Niño Becerra (Professor of Economics)


Predicted in July 2007 that what was going to happen was that by mid 2010 there is going to be a crisis only comparable to the one in 1929. From October 2009 to May 2010 people will begin to see things are not working out the way the government thought. In May of 2010, the crisis starts with all its force and continues and strengthens throughout 2011. He accurately predicted the current recession and market crash to the month.


Lyndon Larouche


The crisis is accelerating and will become worse week by week until the whole system grinds into a collapse, likely sometime this year. And when it does, it will be the greatest collapse since the fall of the Roman Empire.


WALL STREET JOURNAL- (2/2010)


"You are witnessing a fundamental breakdown of the American dream, a systemic breakdown of our democracy and our capitalism, a breakdown driven by the blind insatiable greed of Wall Street: Dysfunctional government, insane markets, economy on the brink. Multiply that many times over and see a world in total disarray. Ignore it now, tomorrow will be too late."


Eric deCarbonnel


There is no precedence for the panic and chaos that will occur in 2010. The global food supply/demand picture has NEVER been so out of balance. The 2010 food crisis will rearrange economic, financial, and political order of the world, and those who aren’t prepared will suffer terrible losses…As the dollar loses most of its value, America's savings will be wiped out. The US service economy will disintegrate as consumer spending in real terms (ie: gold or other stable currencies) drops like a rock, bringing unemployment to levels exceeding the great depression. Public health services/programs will be cut back, as individuals will have no savings/credit/income to pay for medical care. Value of most investments will be wiped out. The US debt markets will freeze again, this time permanently. There will be no buyers except at the most drastic of firesale prices, and inflation will wipe away value before credit markets have any chance at recovery. The panic in 2010 will see the majority of derivatives end up worthless. Since global derivatives markets operate on the assumption of the continued stable value of the dollar and short term US debt, using derivatives to bet against the dollar is NOT a good idea. The panic in 2010 will see the majority of derivatives end up worthless. The dollar's collapse will rob US consumers of all purchasing power, and any investment depend on US consumption will lose most of its value.


Alpha-Omega Report (Trends Forecast)


Going into 2010, the trends seemed to lead nowhere or towards oblivion. Geo-politically, the Middle East was and is trending towards some sort of military clash, most likely by mid-year, but perhaps sooner…At the moment, it seems 2010 is shaping up to be a year of absolute chaos. We see trends for war between Israel and her neighbors that will shake every facet of human activity…In the event of war, we see all other societal trends being thoroughly disrupted…Iran will most likely shut off the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. This will have immense consequences for the world’s economy. Oil prices will skyrocket into the stratosphere and become so expensive that world’s economies will collapse..There are also trend indicators along economic lines that point to the potential for a total meltdown of the world’s financial system with major crisis points developing with the change of each quarter of the year. 2010 could be a meltdown year for the world’s economy, regardless of what goes on in the Middle East.


Robin Landry (Market Expert)


I believe we are headed to new market highs between 10780-11241 over the next few months. The most likely time frame for the top is the April-May area. Remember the evidence IMHO still says we are in a bear market rally with a major decline to follow once this rally ends.


John P. Hussman, Ph.D.


In my estimation, there is still close to an 80% probability (Bayes' Rule) that a second market plunge and economic downturn will unfold during 2010.


Robert Prechter


Founder of Elliott Wave International, implores retail investors stay away from the markets… for now. Prechter, who was bullish near the lows in March 2009, now says the stock market “is in a topping area, “predicting another crash in 2010 that will bring stocks below the 2009 low. His word to the wise, “be patient, don’t rush it” keep your money in cash and cash equivalents.


Richard Mogey


Current Research Director at the Foundation for the Study of Cycles- Because of a convergence of numerous cycles all at once, the stock market may go up for a little while, but will crash in 2010 and reach all-time lows late 2012. Mogey says that the 2008 crash was nothing compared to the coming crash. Gold may correct in 2009, but will go up in 2010 and peak in 2011. Silver will follow gold.


James Howard Kunstler (January 2010)


The economy as we’ve known it simply can’t go on, which James Howard Kunstler has been saying all along. The shenanigans with stimulus and bailouts will just compound the central problem with debt. There’s not much longer to go before the whole thing collapses and dies. Six Months to Live- The economy that is. Especially the part that consists of swapping paper certificates. That’s the buzz I’ve gotten the first two weeks of 2010.


Peter Schiff (3/13/2010)


"In my opinion, the market is now perfectly positioned for a massive dollar sell-off. The fundamentals for the dollar in 2010 are so much worse than they were in 2008 that it is hard to imagine a reason for people to keep buying once a modicum of political and monetary stability can be restored in Europe. In fact, the euro has recently stabilized. My gut is that the dollar sell-off will be sharp and swift. Once the dollar decisively breaks below last year's lows, many of the traders who jumped ship in the recent rally will look to re-establish their positions. This will accelerate the dollar's descent and refocus everyone's attention back on the financial train-wreck unfolding in the United States. Any doubts about the future of the U.S. dollar should be laid to rest by today's announcement that San Francisco Federal Reserve President Janet Yellen has been nominated to be Vice Chair of the Fed's Board of Governors, and thereby a voter on the interest rate-setting, seven-member Open Markets Committee. Ms. Yellen has earned a reputation for being one of the biggest inflation doves among the Fed's top players." Schiff is famous for his accurate predictions of the economic events of 2008.


Lindsey Williams


Dollar devalued 30-50% by end of year. It will become very difficult for the average American to afford to buy even food. This was revealed to him through an Illuminati insider.


Unnamed Economist working for US Gov't (GLP)


What we have experienced the last two years is nothing to what we are going to experience this year. If you have a job now…you may not have it in three to six months. (by August 2010). Stock market will fall = great depression. Foreign investors stop financing debt = collapse. 6.2 million are about to lose their unemployment.


Jimmy "Doomsday"


DOW will fall below 7,000 before mid summer 2010- Dollar will rise above 95 on the dollar index before mid summer 2010- Gold will bottom out below $800 before mid summer 2010- Silver will bottom out below $10 before mid summer 2010- CA debt implosion will start its major downturn by mid summer and hit crisis mode before Q4 2010- Dollar index will plunge below 65 between Q3 and Q4 2010- Commercial real estate will hit crisis mode in Q4 2010- Over 35 states will be bailed out by end of Q4 2010 by the US tax payer End of Q4 2010 gold will hit $1,600 and silver jump to $35 an oz.


George Ure


Markets up until mid-to-late-summer. Then "all hell breaks lose" from then on through the rest of the year.


Reference: MorningLiberty.com

Choosing Your Survival Knife

There are many factors that should influence your choice of survival knife. Purchasing a knife can be quite an expenditure- you can spend hundreds of dollars on a "custom made" survival knife, or you can spend the equivalent of a couple weeks' coffee money on a serviceable and functional knife. Before you go looking for your knife, ask yourself these questions: How often will you be using your knife? WIll it sit on a shelf most of the year and only come out for a couple of backpack trips in the summer? If this is the case you may want a smaller, lighter knife for a survival situation only. Will your knife be used for extended periods of time, in primitive living situations for example? If you plan to use your knife for weeks at a time throughout the year, you may want to consider something larger and more robust. Do you prefer a folding or fixed blade? A locking folder as a survival knife is perfectly acceptable especially if your knife is in a survival only kit. I keep a folding locker in my PFD survival kit for river trips. Otherwise I prefer a fixed blade. A fixed blade is safer, and often longer and therefore easier to use than a folder, and more suited to "everyday" or extended wilderness use.


Knowing what kind of a knife you need is the starting point. Whichever route you choose to go, as with all survival gear, be sure to use your knife, get familiar with it and know its limitations before you need to use it. Following is a list of considerations to keep in mind when searching for your survival knife.


- Cost
- Handle length, girth, material
- Overall weight
- Blade length and thickness
- Blade edge or style, single edge, double edge, clip pointed blade, tanto-style blade
back style- the edge of the knife that is opposite the blade, may have a sharpened edge (as in a double edge blade), a false edge (having a beveled back), or serrations (sawteeth)
- Composition, type of metal
- Construction, half tang (blade material ends shortly after entering handle), full length tang (solid piece of metal entire length of knife), rivets, screws, moving parts
-Sawteeth or serrations
- Butt or pommel style
- Guard style, may be integrated as on Frosts Mora, or separate as on USAF knife
- Sheath, material, security, tie downs, storage features




My personal choice as the ultimate survival knife especially for primitive living exercises is the USAF Survival Knife, seen in the photo to the right. The knife is a bit heavy for ultralight backpacking, but otherwise meets all of my personal requirements in a blade. It is available at most military surplus stores for about 35 dollars. Make sure you get the real thing, and not a cheap imitation. The best price I have found recently for the USAF Survival Knife is about 35 dollars at a website called Bestglide.com. The latest version is known as the SP2 Air Force Survival Knife and has a polymer handle and mostly cordura sheath. The overall knife design seems to be unchanged. It will cost closer to 50 dollars.


The sheath is leather, the snap is very secure, it has a number of holes where 550 cord can be tied for securing the knife to your body, and it has a pocket with a small sharpening stone. The raw leather sheath was kind of bright for me; mine is dyed with black shoe dye. The handle end of the knife, the butt, is a piece of solid steel and can be used as a hammer. There are sawteeth on the back of the blade- something I use a lot.


I keep a cordlock compass, a Hot Spark metal match and a piece of 550 cord tied on mine. The 550 cord acts like a sling to carry the knife over the shoulder and is long enough for use on a bow for a bow and drill fire kit. Also wrapped around the sheath and covered with a Ranger band (a 1 1/2 inch length of bike inner tube) is 30 feet of 63 pound test nylon fishing line.


Reference: SouthwestGuideBooks.com

Survival Kits

Essentials for the office
- Read your company's evacuation plan and know where to meet after an emergency.
- Know where exit routes, stairways, fire extinguishers, and medical kits are located.
- Assemble supplies in a single pack and have them stored in your desk. Along with your supplies, store a pair of walking shoes.
- Carry a list of important phone numbers in your wallet.
- Keep the area under your desk free of waste-paper baskets, etc. This 6 square foot area might be home for a few traumatic moments. If you are not at your desk when something happens, don't count on being able to make it back. Store additional supplies in your car (see below).


Essentials for the car
Even if you are at home when a disaster strikes, and your home is well stocked, you may still need the supplies in your car when you have to evacuate at a moments notice. Your house may not be safe to enter, or may catch fire after a disaster like an earthquake.


Your car will be one of your most important resources after a disaster strikes. Keep it mechanically sound, and pay close attention to the exhaust system. A leaking exhaust system could kill.


- Always keep your gas tank full! Fill it when it reaches 1/2 a tank. You will thank yourself the first time you are stuck in a traffic jam in bad weather.
- Think of your car's trunk as a big steel supply cabinet. Keep your supplies in the trunk along with other items like tools, jumper cables and spare tire.
- Keep the car mechanically sound and ready to use.
- Keep supplies in the car for use in an emergency.
- Replace your battery every 3-4 years. In an emergency, your car battery will need to run the radio and heater for extended periods.


Home Storage
Water
- 30 gallons per person (2 gallons per person per day for 1 week). This might sound excessive, but look at your water bill this month! This figure assumes that when at home, you will eventually want a sponge bath, or will cook pasta or rice. You might even wash your hair or clothes, and will eventually flush a toilet. Safety Central carries 2.5 and five gallon size food grade plastic containers that are ideal for emergency water storage. A good location is in a detached garage (single story) or away from any heavy structure that may topple over onto them. Remember that your water heater in the house is typically 50 gallons, and may be used as a secondary (only) water supply if your dwelling survives. Additional water should be stored in 5 gallon plastic containers and should be stored in separate locations away from your main water supply (not all your eggs in one basket).


Food
- Each person or family should have on hand an emergency food supply other than your weekly store bought food. people tend to consume their emergency food supply to easily when it's to readily available like canned foods, mixes, soups etc. That is why we recommend purchasing freeze dried , dehydrated, MRES, type of foods that have an extremely long shelf life that are nutritious and can be stored in the same area for accessibility ,while still maintaining your weekly store bought food supply. Plan for a minimum of one week of food per person, Don't forget a manual can opener! No power, no way to open cans!
- MREs - Meals ready to eat. These are ideal for inside and outside storage conditions. Remember, the key is to distribute your supplies at various locations. These may be stored in the worst of conditions. Long shelf life with no rotation.
- Freeze Dried Food- this superior storable food is available in #10 cans Approx. (one gallon) size cans that have many servings in them, and is a great choice for your main (bulk) storable food supply (available in individual cans or complete family and business systems. Freeze dried food has a shelf life of up to 30 years. while the pouched meals are a great choice for distributing your food in various locations (just in case you can't get to your main food supply. The freeze dried food pouches are also a great choice for storing in your vehicle, and for camping, hiking, flying or anyplace where a lightweight hot meal is desired. They have a 5 year shelf life, taste great and retain nutrition, texture and aroma. Freeze dried foods are available in our food section.


Cooking
- Barbecue, 40 pounds charcoal, and two cans of starter fluid. Or a propane unit with two 20 pound containers of propane. A propane camp stove may also be used.


Cooking Supplies
- Pot and pan for cooking.
- Kitchen knife.
- Silverware. Spoon, fork.
- Styrofoam cups.
- Water proof matches or lighter.
- Zip lock bags.
- Aluminum foil. A must! Can be formed into just about anything you might need.


Shelter
- Two person tube tent minimum, larger size better.
- Wool blanket or sleeping bag.
- Emergency Space blanket.
- Instant hand/body warming pads.
- Propane powered Heater, 20 pound cylinder mounted.


Medical
- First aid kit. Safety Central has several First Aid kits available. One is ideal for your car supplies and another is ideal for the home.
- We also recommend taking a first aid class including CPR.

Additional items

- First aid manual.
- Extra prescription medications.
- Aspirin or Ibuprofen.


Light
- Flashlight with 2 sets of spare alkaline batteries and one spare bulb or an emergency light.
- Lantern, battery, kerosene or propane powered. Store fuel or batteries, but never use fuel based lighting until you are sure gas leaks are eliminated.
- Long life candles.
- Water proof matches or lighter.


Communication
- AM/FM radio. Store at least 3 sets of alkaline batteries for standard units. The best radio is one that has rechargeable NI-cads built in, and may be charged with the built in solar cell, or by cranking on a built in generator handle. We recommend this radio for your supplies in your car as well.
- Pen, pencil, and paper pad. Store in zip lock bag.
- Stamped postcards. Store in zip lock bags. Your house might be gone, but if you still have a mailbox, the mail will continue service. An easy way to stay in touch with family far away.
- List of important phone numbers, including your out of state focal.
- Weather radio or police scanner. A bit expensive, but a weather radio is a must in tornado and hurricane country.


Tools
- Fire extinguisher large 5-20 pound, type ABC.
- Crow bar, 1 ft min.
- Leather gloves.
- Multi-function pocket tool or knife.
- Plastic tarp, 9x12 ft min.
- Nylon rope, 100 foot.
- Duct tape.
- A multi-purpose tool for shutting of gas and water main valves.
- Portable generator. Make your selection based on what really needs to be powered and the run time of the model. Our recommendation is for a maximum size of 5 HP, 2250 Watt 120vac only. To get a 230vac generator will require an 8 HP motor, and your run time will drop in half. Typically, the only items in your house that will require 230vac is an electric heating system, an electric water heater, or an electric range. What you really need to power is a refrigerator, a few lights, and a radio.
- Power converter for running 120 volt items from car battery.


Sanitation
- Portable chemical toilet and disinfectant crystals. Store in garage away from house. You will only need this if your dwelling is damaged, or if your water supply is limited.
- Toilet tissue rolls. Store inside portable toilet. Garbage bags. Can also be used as toilet liners.
- Pre-moistened towelettes.
- All purpose liquid soap.
- Tooth brush and paste.
- Disposable razor.
- Feminine hygiene items.
- Latex gloves.
- Gallon of disinfectant.


Baby stuff (if needed)
- Baby formula and plastic bottles.
- Large box disposable diapers.
- Pre moistened wet wipes.
- Baby blanket and knit cap.
- Two or three complete change of baby clothes.
Misc.
- One complete change of clothing for each person.
- Emergency poncho.
- Pair of boots each person.
- Phone change. $6.50 in quarters fit in a plastic 35mm film container nicely.
- $50 cash min, in ones, five's, and tens.
- Duplicate credit cards.
- Photo copies of ID.
- Spare checks.
- Playing cards. We recommend our line of informational survival cards.
- Spare keys.


Reference: safetycentral.com

Purifying Household Water

The treatments described below work only in situations where the water is unsafe because of the presence of bacteria or viruses. If you suspect the water is unsafe because of chemicals, oils, poisonous substances, sewage, or other contaminants, do not use the water for drinking.


Storing water safely
- Store one gallon of water per person per day.
- Store at least a three-day supply of water per person.
- Collect the water from a safe supply.
- Thoroughly washed plastic containers such as soft drink bottles, these are the best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.
- Seal water containers tightly, label with date, and store in a cool, dark place.
- Replace water every six months.
- Never reuse a container that contained toxic materials such as pesticides, solvents, chemicals, oil or antifreeze.


Water purification
- The two best ways to treat water are boiling and adding bleach. If tap water is unsafe because of surface water contamination (from floods, streams or lakes), boiling is the best method.
- Cloudy water should be filtered before boiling or adding bleach.
- Filter water using coffee filters, paper towels, cheese cloth or a cotton plug in a funnel.


Boiling
- Boiling is the safest way to purify water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute.
- Let the water cool before drinking.


Purifying by adding liquid chlorine bleach
- If boiling is not possible, treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox™or Purex™ Household bleach is typically between 5 percent and 6 percent chlorine. Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives. Be sure to read the label.
- Place the water (filtered, if necessary) in a clean container. Add the amount of bleach according to the table below.
- Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before using (60 minutes if the water is cloudy or very cold).


Treating Water with a 5-6 Percent Liquid Chlorine Bleach Solution
Volume of water to be treated       Clear/cloudy water      Very cold, or surface water
1 quart/1 liter                                             3 drops                             5 drops
½ gallon/2 quarts/1 liter                              5 drops                            10 drops
1 gallon                                                      1/8 tsp                              ¼ tsp
5 gallons                                                     ½ tsp                               1 tsp
10 gallons                                                   1 tsp                                2 tsp

Communications Are Vital

Communications are another vital aspect of emergency preparedness. In any major emergency, one must assume that the usual means of communication will be non-existent or, at best, of limited use. The telephone system might not be working for a variety of reasons; or if it is working, the circuits may become overloaded, making it extremely difficult to get your call through.


Your television and radio that plugs into an electrical socket will also likely not work, especially when the electrical power has failed. Cellular telephone networks may also fail after the first few hours as their battery back-up power runs down.


Your emergency communications plan should begin with a battery- powered radio. At a minimum, this should have both AM and FM bands. Better yet, obtain a radio that covers additional frequencies, such as the NOAA Weather Channels. This will allow you to tune into local news and weather for as long as your batteries last. With this in mind, you should always have spare batteries for your radio. You might even consider buying a radio that operates on solar power or one with a wind-up dynamo.


The ability to listen to local broadcasts will solve only part of your emergency communication needs. The next step is to secure some type of device by which you can communicate with members of your own family or survival group. This is perhaps best accomplished using radio technology.


If you do not wish to obtain a HAM radio operator's license, then you have three possibilities. Citizens Band Radio (CB), the Family Radio Service (FRS), and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Although the GMRS does not require an operator's license, it does require an equipment license.


CB radios have been around the longest with literally millions of them already in the hands of the general public. Effective communication is possible through a CB radio, but the transmission range is often limited to only a few miles. With a base station and a directional antenna, however, you can transmit further. Because of the widespread availability of CB radio you will find lots of users acting like total idiots on the air, playing music or other noises to block a channel, and generally disrupting communication. However the same widespread availability of CB that results in these problems can be an asset when the radios are used properly. With that in mind a CB radio should be considered for your emergency preparedness plan.


The GMRS was established for use by groups who need effective communication in an area of up to about five miles. A GMRS radio is a useful addition to your preparedness communications package, giving you additional frequencies and communication capabilities, it will allow you to stay in touch with others in your immediate area during an emergency situation.


The FRS operates at a low power (1/2 Watt maximum) on channels within the GMRS frequency band. FRS radios are effective up to about two miles and are intended for use by families and groups who want to maintain communication in fairly close areas. Even these low-power, short-range radios can be a lifesaver in an emergency.


For those with greater communication needs, there is always the Amateur Band Radio (HAM Radio). To become a HAM radio operator requires that you pass an examination on basic radio theory and practice. For some classes of license, you are also required to take an International Morse Code Test. The basic examination is fairly simple; children regularly pass this segment of the examination to receive their HAM radio operator's license. If you find yourself in need of long-range communication capability, or you have other special communications needs, you should seriously consider HAM radio.




Reference: Mick Chesbro

Survival Gardening: Learn The Difference Between Non Hybrid Seeds And Hybrid Seeds

What Are Hybrid Seeds?




Hybrid seeds are produced by companies through careful pollination of two specific varieties. Normally, this highly selective plant breeding is done to bring together two traits in each of the chosen varieties so that the resulting seed has both of the traits.


So, for example, one tomato plant may be very drought tolerant and another tomato plant produces vigorously, the two plants might be cross pollinated to produce a drought tolerant tomato plant that produces a lot of tomatoes.


Plants grown from hybrid seeds typically do not produce seeds that can be used to grow the same type of plants, and can even produce seeds that will not grow at all.


Though the term “hybrid seeds” is often used in relation to vegetables, any kind of plant that produces seeds can be bred into a hybrid variety.


What Are Non Hybrid Seeds?


Non hybrid seeds are also called open pollinated seeds or heirloom seeds. Non hybrid seeds come from plants that are naturally pollinated. Some of these varieties have been around for centuries.


Non hybrid seeds will produce plants whose seeds will produce more plants that look the same as the parent plant.


Should I Use Hybrid Seeds Or Non Hybrid Seeds?


Despite the debate on the internet as to whether you should use hybrid seeds or not, this is actually a personal question for a gardener. Both hybrid seeds and non hybrid seeds have their pros and cons.


The positives for hybrid seeds are that they tend to perform better in your garden in terms of more fruits and vegetables produced, more plants surviving disease and pests and more flowers. For a gardener, this can mean an increased return for all the time spent in caring for a garden.


The negatives for hybrid seeds are that they tend to be more expensive to buy due to the specialized pollination process and the seeds you collect from them will not grow the same plant next year and, in some cases, have been bred so that no plant at all can grow from the seeds of a hybrid plant.


The positives for non hybrid seeds is that they come in a wonderful variety. For example, with tomato plants, there are literally thousands of non hybrid varieties that you can try and each have their own look and flavor. Because of the cost and time involved in producing hybrid seeds, there are only a few dozen varieties so your choices are limited.


With non hybrid seeds, you can also collect seeds from the plant and use them again next year to grow the same variety of plant.


The negatives for non hybrid seeds is that they are not as well rounded as hybrid seeds. Many non hybrid seeds are much more susceptible to disease and pests than their hybrid counterparts. They also tend not to produce nearly as much as hybrid seeds do.


Which is right for you depends on what you would like out of your garden. Consider carefully which type of seed is best for you.


Reference: Gardening Know How

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Bread Recipe

Here's a quick recipe for white bread. It's truly a necessity for the retreat!


Ingredients:
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour


Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.


Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.


Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.


Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.


KC