Failing to Prepare is Preparing to fail

"Surviving to Fight means Fighting to Survive"

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Friday 20 February 2015

Show Contents 20th Febuary 2015

Show Notes

This week I begin with Ebola Mutates, the Blizzard Survival 20% Discount Offer, THE TWELTH WILDERNESS GATHERING 2014 14th to 117th August, Adventurers urged to ‘unleash the Dragon’, the Ribzwear 30% Discount Offer, Here is Another Reason to Prepare, Closer to Self-Destruction? Doomsday Clock Could Move, the Wilderness 121 10% Discount Offer, Survival, My Bug-out-Bag, the Midimax 10% Discount Offer, Why Not to Bug-Out, How to Make Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee, the Field-Leisure 10% Discount Offer, Winter Fishing Tips, the Buggrub 10% Discount Offer, My Trail Mix Recipes, the Hunters-Knives 10% Discount Offer, The Get-Home-Bag and the Bug out Plan, The Bug out Week 2015 is Coming.
Ebola Mutates
The deadly Ebola virus could be mutating to become even more contagious, a leading U.S scientist has warned.


The disease has killed nearly 4,000 people, infecting in excess of 8,000 - the majority in the West African nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Communities lie in ruins, thousands of children have been orphaned, millions face starvation but the virus continues its unprecedented pace, invading and destroying vast swathes of these countries.

Meanwhile three nurses, two in the U.S. and one in Spain have caught the infection while treating Ebola patients, despite wearing protective suits.

Now U.S. scientist Peter Jahrling of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease believes the current Ebola outbreak may be caused by an infection that spreads more easily than it did before.

Dr Jahrling explained that his team, who are working in the epic entre of the crisis in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, are seeing that the viral loads in Ebola patients are much higher than they are used to seeing.

He said 'We are using tests now that weren't used in the past, but there seems to be a belief that the virus load is higher in these patients today than what we have seen before. If true, that's a very different bug.

'I have a field team in Monrovia. They are running [tests]. They are telling me that viral loads are coming up very quickly and really high, higher than they are used to seeing.

'It may be that the virus burns hotter and quicker.'

The PM who was in Milan for a meeting of European and Asian nations, said: 'This is the biggest health problem facing our world in a generation. It is very likely to affect a number of the countries here today.

Please do not discount the danger posed by Ebola, just because it is not in the news it has not gone away.
BEAT EBOLA order your Children’s PPE, Bio-Protection Suit and Order you Pandemic Quick Kits HERE http://www.contagionsurvival.com/pandemic_quickkits.htm





Blizzard Survival 20% Discount Offer
 
 
 
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Life-saving technology has never been so affordable.

All you have to do to get a 20% discount is enter the code "PREPPER" at the checkout, it is that simple. Thank you Blizzard Survival.com



THE TWELTH WILDERNESS GATHERING 2014 14th to 17th August
 
The Wilderness Gathering has over the years become a firm date in the diaries of those who enjoy bushcraft, nature and wilderness survival skills. The previous ten years have seen this event grow from a small event in one field with some traders and schools sharing bushcraft skills and knowledge to a festival of wilderness living skills encompassing bushcraft/survival and woodland crafts.

The show has grown into an event with something for all the family with stories and music by the campfire in the evenings and skills workshops and activities throughout the three whole days of the festival.

The Wilderness Gathering has without a doubt become the premier family event for all those interested in bush crafts and the great outdoors.

The show has bushcraft clubs for all age groups of children to get involved in plus more activities for all including den building and wilderness skills classes for all.

There are hands on demonstrations of game preparation, knife sharpening, basha boat building, bowmaking, greenwood working, archery and axe throwing and primitive fire lighting to name just a few. There are talks on survival phycology, classes on falconry and wilderness survival fishing. All of these skills are there for everybody and anybody to participate in.

You can probably pick up information on nearly all the skills needed to live in the wilderness and prosper at The Wilderness Gathering.

There is a wealth of good quality trade stands that are carefully selected to be in theme for the show selling everything from custom knives to tipis and outdoor clothing to primitive tools. The organisers have even laid on a free service bring and buy stall where you can bring along your used and unwanted kit and they’ll sell it for you.

There are local scout and explorer groups onsite promoting the World Wide Scouting Movement as well helping out with some of the classes and site logistics.

The catering is within the theme of the event with venison and game featuring on the menus plus organic cakes and drinks. The woodland and open field camping facilities (with hot showers) giving you the option to visit for the whole weekend or just to attend as a day visitor.
Check out www.wildernessgathering.co.uk or call 0845 8387062 you really won’t regret it.




Adventurers urged to ‘unleash the Dragon’
 
Outdoor enthusiasts are being urged to help kickstart the mass production of a world-beating waterproof and eco-friendly outdoor cooking fuel made in the UK.

160 years old Cardiff-based Company, BCB International Ltd, have developed a ground breaking environmentally-friendly solid cooking fuel called ‘FireDragon’. It can be used to light fires, cook food and warm drinks in all weather conditions. The business is seeking funds from the public through the crowdsourcing website, Kickstarter, to enable it to expand production to meet the fastly growing demand for the fuel worldwide.

BCB International Ltd.’s spokesperson, Philippe Minchin, said: "The FireDragon solid fuel is a world first, there is nothing else like it on the market. In recognition of its uniqueness, it has been granted patented status. FireDragon enables people to cook their food and warm their drinks fast in all weather conditions. It is made from sustainable, naturally derived bio-ethanol which means that it also helps to protect the environment.

"In 2014 we started small scale production of the fuel which went into selected retail outlets. This has now sparked massive interest from large International retailers. We now need to design and fabricate specialized parts and tools to enable us to achieve mass production for worldwide distribution. We don’t have the financial means to do it alone. That’s why we are asking the public to contribute what they can to help us clear the final hurdle to the mass production of a world beating product made here in the UK. They can contribute as little or as much as they like. Every pound donated brings us a step closer to introducing the ‘FireDragon’ fuel onto the world market and making outdoor cooking a safer and more eco-friendly experience"
To help unleash the full potential of FireDragon visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/firedragon/firedragon-fuel or click the link at the top of my site.




30% DISCOUNT FROM RIBZ
 
A front pack is a pack or bag that allows for access of equipment from the persons chest. Front packs first and foremost allow for easy access of gear without the removal of any equipment.

In many adventure outdoor activities it can be critical to the sport to have the ability to reach essential gear fast without the removal of a backpack. Simplicity is the foremost purpose of the front pack but there are many additional benefits as well.

In all there are unlimited uses for the front pack. Front packs are the best compliment to any outdoorsman’s gear when accessibility, functionality, mobility and simplicity are required. From horseback riding, long distance biking, motorcycling and kayaking.

All sports where fast and easy access of gear is essential, a front pack is your best solution and as you can imagine it is going down a storm within the prepping and survivalist community.
Your summer code is "TRAILBLAZE" and can be used in the coupon section within the Store. http://www.ribzwear.com/store/ Have a Great Summer!




Here is Another Reason to Prepare
 
People were forced to ferry water from a river in the freezing darkness after strike action by NI Water workers left them high and dry.

People told how they had to melt snow in what they branded a "third world" situation.

Frustration and fears of disease are mounting in Northern Ireland as 36,000 people were left without water, some for more than a week, after a deep freeze and a sudden thaw caused aging pipes to burst.

With reservoirs running low, water supplies were cut off in many towns and cities, and residents turned to emergency water tankers and bottled water for their cooking, cleaning and drinking needs.

"It's been a nightmare," said James Lawson, a resident in Lisburn, near Belfast, who has gone without water for 13 days. "You can't wash, you can't eat because you can't wash your dishes. I think it's a fiasco,"

One woman complained that she couldn't heat her home as temperatures were forecast to plunge as low as -6C in some parts of Northern Ireland.

Scotland said it was sending 160,000 liters (42,000 gallons) of bottled water to help meet demand.

Doctors warned of potential disease outbreaks if water was not restored, but officials said it would take several days or more to bring back all service.

Some 80 towns and cities have disrupted water supplies.

There was also substantial flooding in Northern Ireland, with some floodwaters contaminated by sewage, raising public health concerns.

Residents have been urged not to wash their cars, hose down their properties or do "anything unnecessary" to waste water during the shortfall.

Many cities have made leisure and recreation centers available to the public so they can use bathroom facilities and have a place to do washing.



Closer to Self-Destruction? Doomsday Clock Could Move
 
The ominous hands of the "Doomsday Clock" have been fixed at 5 minutes to midnight for the past three years. But they could move tomorrow.
The clock is a visual metaphor that was created nearly 70 years ago by The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Each year, the magazine's board assesses threats to humanity with special attention to nuclear warheads and climate change to decide whether the Doomsday Clock needs an adjustment. The closer the hands are to midnight, the closer the world is to a potentially civilization-ending catastrophe.


On the 22nd of January at a news conference in Washington, D.C., The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced where the hands will rest for 2015.

In 1945, shortly after the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a group of Manhattan Project scientists from the University of Chicago created The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, with a mission to help educate the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons. Two years later, the group came up with the idea for the Doomsday Clock. Martyl Langsdorf, a painter and wife of one of the scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project, illustrated the clock for the magazine cover. At the time, it was set at 11:53 p.m.

In 1953, the clock was set at 11:58 p.m., the closest it's ever been to midnight, after both the United States and the Soviet Union conducted their first tests of the hydrogen bomb. The clock's hands retreated to 11:43 p.m., 17 minutes to midnight, in December 1991, after the world's nuclear superpowers signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. But since then, the board's outlook has only been grimmer.

In January 2012, the clock's hands were pushed to 11:55 p.m., 1 minute closer to midnight than the previous year. At the time, the board was particularly concerned about the nuclear meltdown in Japan's Fukushima power plant and the creation of an airborne strain of H5N1 influenza virus. In 2013 and 2014, the clock's hands didn't budge.

As in past years, the board said climate change and nuclear warheads are the two major threats in 2015 that will influence its decision to move the hands of the clock. In a statement, the board listed some events in the past year that have influenced their deliberations: a worrying report in November 2014 from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); "inadequate" international action to cut greenhouse gas emissions during recent U.N. climate talks in Lima, Peru; and a lack of progress in the United States and Russia to shrink nuclear arsenals.

Citing unchecked climate change and the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons, scientists Thursday moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock two minutes closer to midnight.

"It is now three minutes to midnight," said Kennette Benedict, the executive director and publisher of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at a news conference in Washington, D.C. "The probability of global catastrophe is very high. This is about the end of civilization as we know it."



Wilderness121’s 10% discount
 
The new supplier of Purificup to the UK is Wilderness121 and they really mean business, having spoken to the director Rob Williams he has agreed to offer you dear listener a 10% discount just by putting the letters UKPRN into the code box it is that simple.
Now pop along to www.wilderness121.co.uk and check out their great range of survival related products.



I have a message for all UK Preppers check out Preppers UK Monthly Draw on FB as there you will find the most amazing prizes and its only £1 per ticket.


Survival
 
There are four parts to survival and they are Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food

To be honest in an extended survival situation, food is more important than say a shelter or even fire, because without it you can't live.

But before food becomes essential to life you could die from exposure or get attacked by a wild animal due to having no fire or shelter, then you will be dead long before starvation occurs.

And fire is totally connected to water, as you need it to purify your drinking water, to prevent you getting sick which in the wilderness could be a death sentence.

However, the order of importance of the four parts of survival will vary depending on your particular situation. For example, in a cold winter environment, shelter may take precedent over all else. Wind chill is a serious threat in the cold and can increase body heat loss substantially. Next will be fire for keeping warm and melting snow.

In the desert, water will almost certainly be the most important part of survival, followed by either shelter from the burning sun, or fire for sanitizing water and keeping warm on the cold desert nights.

In a jungle, fire becomes important for drying wet clothes, sanitizing notoriously pathogen rich jungle water, and keeping disease carrying mosquitoes and dangerous predators away. Shelter becomes key for staying dry in guaranteed rain.

In a mild woodland type environment, any one of the four parts of survival will become less urgent. Generally speaking, woodlands are the most ideal place for survival living. Water can usually be found easily in rivers, lakes and ponds.

Firewood and shelter are all around, and many edible plants and animals can be found throughout.


Water
Of course water should be at the top of your list. It only takes a day or two of no water for serious and possibly fatal dehydration to set in.

And in a hot arid desert environment you can be dead in less than 24 hours from dehydration if you are not careful. Even mild dehydration will cause a degradation of mental faculties and cause you to make poor decisions which could in the end choose your fate.

Where there is an abundance of snow, water is not even a concern. You can always eat snow if you have to, but be careful not to let it drop your core body temperature.

If you are active like traveling or working, then eating snow is a lot less dangerous than if you are just sitting down ready for a long night at camp. If you feel your core body temperature dropping, then you must exercise! Squats are especially effective.

Always melt snow if possible. In a really dire situation where you cannot melt snow, at least let it melt in your mouth before swallowing, or try to melt it using the outside of your body's heat, such as putting a snow filled container in a jacket pocket.

This will help prevent it from dropping your core body temperature, which is the most important factor when surviving in the cold.

Once your core body temperature starts to drop, that's when hypothermia begins.


Food
Food, is usually the last priority on the list as far as short term survival goes, but obviously is essential for long term survival. A healthy person can survive for weeks, possibly even months without food. Exposure and thirst are much more immediate dangers in the wilderness.

When it comes to getting food in a survival situation, get what you can, don't be looking for a five star delicacy.

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy a delicious campfire meal, but take whatever you can when you can, regardless of the taste.

The hunger pains and lack of energy will be much harder to endure than a few seconds of bad taste in your mouth.

Ensure that you do not spend more calories acquiring a meal than you get from eating it. This creates a calorie deficit, which will eventually kill you if continued.

If food (or water) is a concern, expend as little energy as possible. The more effort you exert, the more water and calories you will use.

In cold environments, food is more important than in warmer climates. Your body burns extra calories to maintain core body temperature. So while food is usually on the bottom of the survival priority list, it can become one of the top priorities in very cold environments.

Beware of "rabbit starvation". If you consume protein without fat, you will become sick with diarrhoea in about a week.

The body cannot handle this diet. You must get fats! Once this "protein poisoning" kicks in, even after gorging on lean meat you will still feel hungry. In addition to diarrhoea, you will develop a headache and feel uncomfortable. After a few weeks of this you can die.

It is called rabbit starvation because rabbits are completely lean, and many northern hunters have developed protein poisoning by eating only rabbits.

You can mediate this by eating the entirety of the rabbit (or other lean animal) such as the brains, organs and bone marrow, in which some fat resides. But you will need to find a better source of fats in the long run.

If you acquire a bounty of meat or fish, you should preserve it for the long term by smoking meat, and drying fish.

Cut slits in a fish to help it dry better. Smoke meat by hanging it on a stick over a fire where it just gets slightly warmed and smoked, and leave it there for several hours. You should not waste any part of an animal you kill.

The organs can be eaten, the bones used for tools, the hide for clothes or shelter, and the guts for bait.

What is available to eat will vary widely on location. It's a good idea to carry some form of fishing equipment, be it just a line and hook. Try to learn the native plants in the area, but never eat anything you cannot recognize. Many edible plants have poisonous look-a-likes.


Fire
Obviously, fire is usually of huge importance in the wilderness. It can do so many things, including sterilize water, cook food, dry wet clothes, warm you, ward off predators, keep insects away, signal for rescue, provide light, make tools and even improve your attitude.

There are many ways to start a fire but to be honest the easiest and most reliable way to make fire is just to carry a lighter with you.

It's a good idea to have at least two methods for starting a fire, in case one fails or isn't suitable for the particular situation.

I like to carry a lighter and a ferro rod, but you can of course practice friction fire with sticks whenever possible. It's good to develop skills that will relieve you of being dependent on modern technology.


Shelter
Don't ever forget the importance of good shelter.

The number one cause of death out there is exposure, usually to cold, wet and/or windy environments.

Anyone experienced in cold situations knows how wetness and wind can compound the pain and danger of a cold situation many times over.

Like survival expert Cody Lundin says, "Cold, strike one. Wet, strike two. Windy, strike three. You're out." Even in temperate climates, wet, wind, and only mild coldness can be very dangerous and even fatal.

In a cold and windy environment, you will want to be insulated on at least 3 out of 4 sides, and have a shelter that reflects and traps heat from a fire. In a warm jungle, you may only need a rain-blocking roof and a raised platform to keep you off the ground, away from dangerous insects and snakes.

Usually the best type of shelter is one that is already built, a "mother nature special". Solid caves, big hollow trees, or the occasional void under an evergreen tree in heavy snow, these natural shelters are the easiest and often the most effective.

I would say that even taking what I have said it will be your PMA that will see you through and is as important as any of the four parts of survival.


Urban survival shelters
Finding a shelter will not be difficult. Getting in one will be difficult. Mainly you will need a place to get out of the elements and rest.

Carry in your urban tool kit a set of lock picks. These can be for assortment of lock types. Just make sure that when not in a crisis situation you are diligent in developing your skills in the use of these tools.


Types of temporary shelters:
Underneath bridges and beside buildings. Train cars and trucks and shipping containers.

Commercial buildings: supermarkets will be overrun. You will want to avoid markets and food shops the first few days of a crisis.

Check out warehouses if there are local to you. Restaurants will be a better option than a market. Most food vendors, like restaurants, have commercial grade outdoor freezers that they have semi long store food items in.

Old farm buildings and garages.


Storage
In addition to the bug out bag itself you will need some portable carrying gear, some easy to store bags that are durable and strong.

In finding a temporary shelter you might have to do a bit of scavenging for supplies.

This will be your way to getting additional gear and food / water provisions. You may not have the ability or time to make multiple trips foraging for resources.

Types of portable bags / storage:

Rubbish bags (commercial grade)

Duffel bag / gym bag/ holdalls


Escape
You must move quickly, quietly and discretely which can be accomplished rather easily if you have been prepared.

Some good gloves that are comfortable and allow you to have lots of dexterity.

A hood would not be recommended (as your field of vision will be blocked) a scarf that can be pulled up over your face in a half mask would work better.

Wear good shoes that allow for quiet steps and the ability to climb and manoeuvre easily.

A good torch/tactical flashlight that has a lower amount of lumens. You will want to see what you are doing but have the light dispersed in a short range so your position does not become given away.

Urban survival is all about moving to shelter, gathering supplies and staying hidden.
Ken at MidiMax.co.uk is offering 10% off any product by using the code Midi10 so check out www.midimax.co.uk






Why Not to Bug-Out
 
 
 
 
The plan seems simple doesn’t it? All you need for the best chance of survival for your family is a bug out bag, a good local knowledge and keeping up with what is happening in the news.


So as a knowledgeable and informed prepper you will be able survive as you have a great head start over the non prepper when SHTF.

You will take your family and your supplies hike off into the wilderness before the approaching death and destruction. You have a plan to bug out.

It sounds perfect, but now I am going to try and convince you how that might not be the best option for your survival.

There are many reasons and situations I can think of why you do not want to bug out from your home. Bugging-in is not exciting TV and therefore gets little press and media coverage, but in my opinion during most (but not all) scenarios, it is the better choice.


You live in familiar surroundings.
I’ll be the first to admit that a lot of these reasons are going to seem incredibly simple and obvious, but I think sometimes that is the best way to approach a problem.

As a prepper you have probably amassed provisions to help you get through short and long term SHTF situations. Some of you have stored a load of supplies because you have been doing this for a long time.

Even if you only have a week’s worth of food and water, that will be more than most people. You have stored your preps in easy to access containers.

When you Bug-in you don’t have to carry your preps and they are protected from the elements.

Bugging-out means leaving most if not all of your survival supplies at home. You could put them all in your BOV that would work but what if it breaks down or gets nicked? What then?

I believe that as soon as you close the front door behind you, then you and your family are simply refugees, and you will be at the mercy of those living in the area that you intend to bug-out too.


Even your living room floor is more comfortable than sleeping in the woods.
As preppers and survivalists we are used to spending time in the wilderness in all types of shelters even ones we build ourselves.

But let’s be honest even a night on the couch beats a night on Stoney ground or a night in a derelict building.

Having the right amount of sleep has a massive impact on our health. It not only affects your moods, but alertness and even immune system.

In a disaster you will be stressed in ways you haven’t even considered. You may be working really hard and have a comfortable and relatively safe place to rest your head, even if that is the living room floor but I think that will be better than the people who think they can just bug out into the woods as they won’t even have that.


Your local support network
During an emergency, you can almost guarantee that communities will band together in some way. You probably don’t consider your small neighbourhood or dead end street a community but let some disaster happen and you will see humans come together for support, safety and to help each other out.

Even neighbours you don’t get along with, will probably overcome grudges if the disaster is severe enough. Of course, there is the potential that your neighbours could turn on you for being the lone prepper but I think in most cases, things won’t go Mad Max for a little while.

If it does you will have to adjust, but I believe that most people would benefit by working with their neighbours for support.

You could have an opportunity for leadership here or compassion by helping out others who haven’t prepared. I think it will be much better to strive for this kind of relationship with people than head out the door and face the world with only what is on your back.


Cold weather kills
We have become soft in our sealed boxes with central heating and running water. I bet that most of you like to keep the thermostat somewhere in the upper 60’s to low 70’s during the winter.

But remember there are no thermostats in the woods. Whatever the temperature is outdoors is what you are going to have to survive in.


Can you start a fire, and in all weathers?
There are some situations where you wouldn’t be able to start a fire. Maybe if it was raining and you couldn’t find any dry wood or tinder, or there were people that didn’t look so friendly following you.

Bugging-in, even without power can give you advantages of shelter that you won’t easily find outdoors. You can seal off rooms and even your body heat will generate a little warmth.

You can black out your curtains with heavy gauge plastic sheeting and even the heat from a lantern or a couple of candles can put out loads of heat.

The problem with most bug out plans are that you don’t have a destination. Where are you bugging out to?

Do you think the National Forest is going to be reserved solely for you and your family? Do you think you will just set up a tent and start hunting for small game?

In a large regional disaster, there could be millions of people leaving the cities. They will be competing with you for natural resources. With even a few dozen hunters in the same area game will be depleted in days if not sooner.

Let’s say you managed to shoot a deer or even a domestic cow, do you know how to preserve the meat you cannot eat there and then?
Bugging in means that you are in an area known to you. However when you Bug-out you do not know what you are walking or driving into.


The best you can do, is to recon the area and that will really slow you down. By staying put in your home, you can set up a neighbourhood watch with your neighbours and monitor who is coming in.

This gives you the opportunity to set up defensive positions and plans that anyone walking in with thoughts of taking advantage of you, won’t be aware of.

If the people in the town do not know you, they will treat you as suspicious, maybe even hostile.

Have you ever been walking your dog and seen someone strange walking through your neighbourhood?

This was someone you didn’t know so obviously they fell under suspicion. Had they been one of your neighbours kids you would have recognized them, but this new person stood out.

That is what you will be faced with if you leave your home and go wandering through other towns and cities. In your area you will be dealing with known people that you can grow a deeper relationship with.

There is a built-in level of trust because they have lived near you for years. If you start walking into a strange town with your bug out bags and say a weapon on your shoulder you may not like the attention you receive.


Gear is heavy and a lot of gear is heavier.
Speaking of walking about, how many of you have walked for 3 days with your bug out bag? OK, now add a full complement of bullets and anything else you think you might need to defend yourself.

It adds up quickly even when you try to reduce the weight of your bug out bag as much as possible.

These weren’t meant to live for a long time out of. Your food will run out, possibly any ammo and that will help you with the weight, but in a disaster where you are walking out the door in full combat gear, do you think the supermarkets will be open when you run out of something?

Even the old timer’s way back in the Wild West had to come into the store to replenish their preps.

Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that have a BOL. If you don’t get out before everyone else starts leaving, you could be stuck on the road.

What if your old bug out vehicle breaks down? All those supplies you stored in the back of that trailer are either going to feed a lot of other people on the motorway or you will most likely die defending them.

If you are not in your BOL before the disaster happens, you will have to be incredibly fast to avoid getting stranded. Let’s say you are ready to go, do you know when you would actually leave?

Do you know when the S has actually HTF and it’s time to leave or will you debate leaving with your wife and mother for two days because they think it will all blow over soon?

Leaving home may put you in a worst situation than staying put.

If you get hurt you want to be near a secure shelter not under a tarp

I have a decent first aid supply kit. I don’t have IV’s and proper medicine but I can take care of most home injuries pretty well.

Imagine you somehow break your leg after the grid is down. Would you rather drag yourself into the house, or be stuck in the woods for weeks unable to move?

Most hospitals don’t stick their patients out in the back garden for a good reason and that is with a good roof over your head you have protection from the elements.

If nothing else, it will be a relatively clean and safe place to get better that beats lying under a log.



How to Make Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee
 
Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee is a surprisingly delicious beverage! It closely resembles coffee in flavour and body when brewed properly. I serve it at all my workshops and presentations and am always amused by the response. People tend to hesitantly sample it with a look of serious doubt on their faces, and the next thing you know the whole pot disappears!

Dandelion Root is a rich treasury of vitamins and minerals, as well as trace minerals and micronutrients. It also contains numerous medicinal components, but one that draws particular attention lately is a substance called inulin, which may be an important ingredient in managing diabetes.

Even the bitter flavour of the Dandelion Coffee is good for you as it helps to stimulate the entire digestive system, from the appetite all the way to the better absorption of nutrients. Truly there is a fine line between food and medicine with this precious herb!

There are no harmful substances in Dandelion Coffee, unlike our commercial coffees that do far more harm than good. I think we would be far better off if we started each day with a hot cup of Dandelion!

The best place to harvest is from a farm field that gets ploughed frequently or a large garden. The soil will be looser, which allows the roots to get really big and also makes for much easier digging. The dandelions in your lawn or other mowed places are generally stunted and yield very small roots.

Look for the biggest, thickest clumps of dandelion leaves, as these are usually fed by a nice, fat root. I also carry a knife with me to cut the greens away from the roots. You will need about one 5-gallon bucket of roots to make 3 or 4 quarts of roasted Dandelion Root. This would yield 10 gallons or so of coffee.

If you have time, take the greens home separately and prepare them for freezing.


Washing the Roots
I used to scrub each root by hand, and believe me this was a lot of work! I have since developed a much more efficient method where I can process large quantities relatively quickly.

To wash the roots, (you’ll probably want to do this step outside) put them in a bucket, fill it with water and agitate the roots with your hands until the water is very muddy. Pour off the water, fill the bucket again and repeat this process a few times until the water runs clear. At this point you should have a pile of beautiful, golden dandelion roots. Don’t worry if there is still some dirt left on them, as you will need to wash them one more time anyway.


Grinding the Roots
With a large kitchen knife, cut the roots into chunks. Put these into a large bowl and fill with water. Agitate with your hands until water gets cloudy, pour off and repeat until water runs clear.

Put about 2 cups of chunky roots into your food processor and whiz them on high until they are chopped into a coarse-looking mixture.

Put these in a bowl and whiz up the rest of the roots 2 cups or so at a time until they are all ground. (Note: Other instructions I have seen for making Dandelion Coffee roast the roots whole, but I find it a whole lot easier and more convenient to grind them fresh.)


Roasting the Roots
Spread the coarse-ground Dandelion Roots on baking sheets about ½ inch deep.

Try to roast as much as you can at one time.

Set the oven at 250° and leave the oven door slightly ajar while they are roasting so that moisture can escape.

You will be both drying and roasting the roots in this step. The roasting process takes about 2 hours. As the roots dry, they will shrink down to about ¼ of the size when fresh.

After they dry they will begin to roast, going from a blonde colour to a dark coffee colour.

Be sure to stir them frequently with a spatula to assure even drying and roasting.

As they get close to desired colour, be careful not to burn them now simply cool and store in glass jars.


Making the Coffee
Some people grind the roots further in a coffee mill so that they are nearly powdered and make it in their coffee pot. I prefer to use them as they are, and make the coffee like a tea in a simmering pot of water.

Use 1 level Tablespoon of Roasted Root for each cup of water. Or use 1/3 cup root for each quart of water or 1-1/3 per gallon. You make need to adjust these amounts to your taste if you like it stronger or weaker.

I make the coffee in a pot on the stove, simmering the roots gently for 10-15 minutes or until it yields a rich, coffee-coloured brew.

Serve hot with cream and sugar or however you like your coffee.
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Winter Fishing Tips
 
When the temperature plummets and the days are at their shortest, Stillwater coarse fishing takes a noticeable change in direction and can leave many Anglers scratching for bites as well as their heads.

But with a little careful planning and knowledge you can make the most of your fishing session on even the coldest of winter days, here are a few things to think about and try next time you decide to brave the elements at this time of year.


Fish Activity
It’s probably the single most important factor to realize that in cold weather fish tend to become lethargic, moving around much less to conserve energy than they would in warmer weather.

The result is they need less food and are likely to feed less often. To save energy fish will often "hole up" in a spot they know is beneficial to them, places which are warmer, contain natural food items or plenty of cover are all likely sanctuaries you will locate fish in the cold winter months.

Good knowledge of your peg will help you find the fish holding features


Locate the fish
A good knowledge of the water you intend to fish can pay massive dividends, fish holding features in summer are often great fish hideouts during winter, however it is at this time of year that vegetation such as weed and lily beds die back, leaving their root systems submerged well below the water and often invisible from the surface.

If you know such features existed in summer then give them a go as these are great natural food sources for winter fish.

Other great areas to look for are deep water and drop offs as these too can hold natural food stocks which the fish will take advantage of during harsh weather.

Areas protected from cold winds or that get the miniscule amount of sunshine available at this time of year may also hold a few extra fish.

Try to find areas of the fishery that have some, if not all these options available to you when selecting your peg.


A pre-bait can be great
As we know fish are less active and need less energy when temperatures are low, so it follows that fish need less food in lower temperatures.

That said fish will feed and feed harder if conditions are right for them.

To give yourself the best chance of catching fish at this potentially tricky time of year you may consider pre-baiting your swim in advance of your session, by introducing a few loose offerings into your chosen spot over the course of a week or so you will effectively create an artificial larder for the fish to feed on.

If pre-baiting is not a practical option for you, choosing pegs which are fished regularly are a great alternative, ask the bailiff, other people fishing, walkers or anyone who might be able to indicate recent fishing activity, in the absence of this then look on the bank for discarded bait, mud patches, brolly holes or dare I say even litter.

Fish these pegs and find to the fish holding features within them to increase your chance of catching.


Tackle
Keeping your tackle light where possible will help get extra bites, the reason is that as fish activity drops, so does the water colour. As the water clarity improves, fish rely less on their sense of smell and more on vision to locate food items and avoid potential threats, so keeping rigs simple and small will prevent the fish from spotting your trap.

Identify the size of your target species to give yourself the best chance of landing the fish when you hook them, scale your line and hook to your target fish.

For example if the fish you are after are Carp and the majority of Carp in your fishery are around 3lb, use a 3lb line with say a size 18 hook, for fish double that size, say 6lb line with size 14 hook, there are no hard a fast rules and you can change to smaller hooks if you fail to get bites, you can even reduce the line breaking strain or diameter although it is advisable to use hook lengths to avoid leaving large fish trailing rigs should you have a break off, particularly when fishing swims with snags hook lengths are better for the fish and will save you the cost of losing your whole rig.
Food for thought Whether Carp fishing or general coarse fishing, giving yourself several options to catch fish will always increase your chances of a result. Choose your swims carefully and fish as many as you feel comfortable with, not forgetting that you will need to feed all the swims little and often throughout your session. Starting to introduce bait into your swim can make or break the swim, the old adage you can put in but you cannot take out is extremely important in winter and starting with very small amounts of bait say 3 maggots or casters every 5 minutes is plenty to start, you can always increase slightly as you start to catch fish, introduce too much feed and the fish that are in your swim may well become full and not feed for several hours if at all.



Hamper not Hampered
The correct choice of bait is another critical factor in ensuring you catch well, a good selection of baits in your hamper will not hamper your catch.

Smaller more natural baits will work better in the colder clear water conditions, as the fish are more wary and feeding more by vision, smell will play a factor too, the use of highly soluble additives may help although natural baits that move such as worms, various colour maggots or their smaller cousins pinkies are essential, once you start to catch on these then increasing the bait size and use of static baits could produce larger bonus fish.

Particular bright baits such as bread and corn can catch the eye of fish as they drop through the clear water and tempt a few extra bites on even the hardest day.

Ground-bait can be a great attractor in winter and tailoring your ground-bait to the colour of the lake bottom is key to prevent wary fish from being an obvious target to its predators, imagine a white whale on a black background, obvious really that a lethargic fish wouldn’t want to waste un-necessary energy escaping from a predator that it could have hidden from, had the bed of ground-bait not been so bright.

By taking into account some or all of the points mentioned you too can increase your chances of catching in cold weather.

Rather than put off that fishing session until the weather improves why not grab your tackle and go, as a wise man once said there is no such thing as poor weather only poor clothing so wrap up warm and get yourself on the bank.
Peter at buggrub is also offering a 10% discount on all his products, simply by using the code PREPPER. So have you got the gonads, can you walk the walk, dare you, I dear you to buy some buggrub and then eat it, go on I dare you. Peter’s website is www.buggrub.com






My Trail Mix Recipes
 
 
 
 
Trail mix these days goes way beyond basic the good old raisins and peanuts.


From sweet to savoury, there are thousands of combinations to appeal to any palate or snack craving. Combine any favourite (dry) ingredients and stash the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry location to prevent spoilage, it really is that simple.

Trail mix was invented (according to legend, in 1968 by Hadley Food Orchards) to be eaten while hiking or doing another strenuous activity.
It’s lightweight, portable, and full of energy-dense ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, and chocolateperfect for trailside noshing.


For those same reasons, trail mix can pack a hefty caloric punch, especially when we mindlessly munch while sitting around at work or home.
Mix ‘n’ Matchthe Ingredients


Nuts
 
These pint-sized nutritional dynamos are loaded with healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin E, and other essential vitamins and minerals.


Whether they’re raw or roasted, go for unsalted, unsweetened nuts to keep sugar and sodium under control.

My healthy favourites include: Almonds, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, and walnuts. Higher-calorie macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and pine nuts.


Seeds
For those with nut allergies (or just looking to mix things up), seeds provide many of the same nutritional benefits as nuts. Hemp seeds, for example, are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, gamma linolenic acid, protein, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

I sometimes sprinkle a handful of pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flax, or hemp seeds in trail mix for an extra boost of nutrients.


Dried Fruit
This surgery treat in moderation will provide much needed energy, dried fruit can be also a great source of fibre, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K.

Look for dried fruit options with as little added sugar and preservatives as possible (some varieties, like cranberries, are naturally quite tart and almost always sweetened with cane sugar or apple juice). It’s also pretty easy to make your own dried fruit at home in the oven.

My favourites are: Dried apples, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, apricots, raisins, banana chips, figs, pineapple chunks, mango, and dates.


Grains
Add some complex carbohydrates to your custom blend for extra fibre, which boosts overall energy and helps to keep you full, and of course regular.

Choose whole grains whenever possible and avoid highly processed cereals that add unnecessary sugar and sodium.

Shredded wheat cereal, pretzels, whole-grain cereals like Cheerios or bran flakes, whole-wheat crackers, granola, toasted oats, puffed rice cereal, and air-popped popcorn can all add a little bit of crunch.


Sweets
Sometimes we all need a little something sweet to round out the mix. Just remember to add treat-like options sparingly (unless you’re making dessert instead of a snack).

Add a sprinkling of M&Ms, crisps of various kinds (chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch), yogurt-covered raisins, chocolate-covered coffee beans, mini marshmallows, or chocolate-covered nuts. When going the chocolate route, choose dark varieties for extra antioxidants.


Savoury Extras
Once the building blocks are all set, adding spices is a great way to change up the flavour a bit. Season the mix with sea salt, curry, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or cayenne pepper, garlic salt. Or create your own mix of spices.

Keep taste buds guessing with wasabi peas, coconut flakes, sesame sticks, dried ginger, and coffee beans.


My favourite basic recipe I put in zip lock bags.
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried tart cherries

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1/2 cup dried pineapple pieces

1 cup candy-coated dark chocolate pieces (such as M&M's Dark Chocolate ®)

2 1/2 cups salted deluxe mixed nuts (without peanuts)


My favourite luxury recipe I put in zip lock bags.
1/4 cup walnut halves

1/4 cup pecan halves

1/4 cup cashew nuts

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup pine nuts

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup raisins (dark)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Your trail mix recipe will of course be different to mine and so it should be but as you can see the choice really is yours.



My Bug-out-Bag
 
I’ve carried a bug-out-bag (BOB) with me for many years, so you would think that it would be an easy topic to write about, on the contrary it’s a very complicated subject.


You see my BoB is designed just for me, not you!
Perhaps that’s why there are numerous articles across the Internet from people asking what a bug-out-bag is, what the contents should be, and do I really need one.

To make the subject even more complicated people use loads of different names for bug-out-bags, such as, Bail Out Bags, Ditch Kit, Go Bag, 72 hr. kit, Get Home Bag, Get Out Of Dodge. (G.O.O.D) and the list goes on.


And then there is Every Day Carry (EDC),
In its simplest form, a bug-out-bag is literally a bag of emergency supplies/gear that "you" believe would sustain you in an emergency situation or catastrophic event to get you from point A to point B.


It is in real terms a Survival Bag.
Is your bug-out-bag going to save your life, maybe, maybe not? I don’t know if I’ve ever read where a person stating that a bug-out-bag absolutely saved his or her life.

Nonetheless, in the event of an emergency if you have a bug-out-bag I can almost guarantee you, that you will be more prepared than 99% of the other individuals in the same situation. You will also have a psychological advantage as well, so while the majority of people may be frantic because they are unprepared, you able are to move in a confident manner because you took the time to prepare.

You have a survival bag filled with what you need you have a very good chance of coming out of this disaster alive.

So what’s my philosophy on bug-out-bags? When I design and build bug-out-bags I build urban bags. The reason is quite simply, I live in the suburbs and need to get from the city back to the suburbs or from the suburbs to my bug out location.

In either event, I’m not heading off to the woods, so my bags will consist of items for that particular task. My bags will look like any other bag, I want to blend into the crowd and be just another brick in the wall.

Sit down and think about your average day and where you spend the majority of your time. For me, I spend the most time in my home, driving in my vehicle.

In reality I spend about as much time away from my home as I do in it. So, it might make sense to have a bug-out-bag located in your vehicle and your home.

For some that might not be practical, it may be better to carry one bag to each of your locations. This is totally up to you, but it’s something to consider.

So what’s inside a bug-out-bag? I promise, that no two people will agree on the contents of a bug-out-bag. Why? Because each one of us has different opinions on what’s important and each of our situations is different based on things such as location, geography, personal needs, where we are going, etc.

Having said that, I do believe that most people (not all) will agree on certain "basic" elements of a bug-out-bag. After you obtain your basic items what you add after that is entirely up to you.


Basic items should include the following:
Light

Fire

Communications

Navigation

Water

Food

Clothing

Signalling

Shelter

Tools

First Aid

Money

You will notice right straight away that I did not add a weapon to my basic list. From a security and liability stand point; this bag will generally be lying around possibly unattended or in a vehicle, so it’s probably not a wise idea to keep a weapon in the bag. But, here again this is entirely up to you.

You can easily buy pre-made kits off of the Internet to get you started, but I personally prefer to build my own kits from scratch.

The problem I have with pre-made kits is, how can you buy a whole survival kit cost only £20 when you can’t even purchase a good backpack for less than £50 now a days.

It just doesn’t add up, it doesn’t make good sense to me Plus, in the event that a disaster does strike, I don’t want to have to guess if my equipment will work or stand up to harsh conditions. A bug-out-bag should be something like an investment.


The main things that I consider when building a bug-out-bag are:
1. Weight

2. Durability

3. Cost

You will inevitable have a number of problems related to an emergency situation and the weight of your bug-out-bag is going to top your list, not at first mind you, but later when you become exhausted.

To help with this, you need to "field strip" everything in your bag including the bag itself. Remove anything that is unnecessary to your survival such as packaging surrounding your gear. Don’t stop there, go through your entire bag and do the same with everything in the bag. I mean as an example why carry a multi-tool with a bottle opener and a bottle opener.
Nigel at www.hunters-knives.co.uk has offered you dear listener 10% on all his products simply by using the code PREP10.




The Get-Home-Bag and the Bug out Plan
 
WTSHTF maybe you are prepared for an extended survival scenario away from civilization, but you have to get out of the city first (maybe). In a disaster situation that might not be so easy. However If you have these three things in place you will greatly increase your chances.

Get Home Bag (GHB) imagine for a minute that you work downtown in a large city; maybe you take the underground or take a bus to work every day.

You are in a large office building with many floors, thousands of people, and you are on the fifteen or twentieth floor.

If a disaster strikes, how are you going to get out? I mean literally.

If there is an earthquake or a catastrophic man made event how are you going to get out of your building? How are you going to get down the street? How are you going to get home?

Do you want to be one of the people covered in dust wandering around in shock? I don’t.


But I have my Bug out Bag you say!
Oh really, where is it? Even if it is in your car it is useless to you at this point. The car park is at street level and possibly hundreds of yards away. That could mean life or death in this situation and you need to act now.

Even if you could get to your Bug 0ut Bag, how much good would it do you in this environment? Most people’s B.O.B. is packed for survival with wilderness Camping gear, food, clothing, etc.

A Get Home Bag contains an entirely different set of tools and serves one purpose: To get you from wherever you are to your Home.


How to Choose an Urban Survival Bag
Your GHB should contain things that are going to get you out of the building like a crowbar. Things to help you make it through the aftermath like water and breathing masks.

Things you might use to help rescue others like torches/flashlights or radios. Things that will help you on what could be a very long walk home such as food and maybe walking shoes.

Clearly a GHB is not a Bug 0ut Bag. Sure they have some overlap, but a GHB can be much smaller, less weight conscious, have more specific tools, and be planned for one purpose. Do you have one cached in your office or place of work?

OK you have a Bug out Plan and you made it home, now what? Let’s assume that the SHTF out there.

You have surveyed the situation and determined that the city is in mass chaos and you need to get out now. What do you do? Again, you have your Bug out Bag, but you still have to get out of the city. Do you have a Bug out Plan?

For our purposes here, let’s assume that your Bug out Plan needs to get you from your home to your serious survival cache or Bug out Location outside of the city.

I understand that not everybody has caches hidden in various places, and even fewer people have a dedicated Bug out Location. While you should probably be working on that, you still need a Bug out Plan.

There’s no way I can go through all of the various problems you might encounter while trying to bug out of your city so you will have to plan for yourself.

What I will give you are some questions to consider and one rule: Contingency. Is your way out double, triple and quadruple backed up?

If the motorways are blocked or closed down do you have an A road route?

If no roads are passable do you have an off road route?

If driving is out of the question do you have a planned walking route (Do you have OS maps of your area in your Bug out Bag?) have you a compass, can you use it?

Do you have a rendezvous point with other family members?


A Bug in Plan
Pretend you just got home again, but this time you surveyed the situation and decided that you are not in immediate danger but are still not at situation normal.

Now what do you do? A Bug in Plan is for emergency situations where you can stay in your own home but have to rely on your own preparations to survive.

This might just mean that you will be without power or water for an extended period. Maybe it means you actually can’t leave your home at all for whatever reason.

What plans do you have in place to live like this? A Bug in Plan should include food and water preparations first and foremost.

What will you eat since all of the food in your refrigerator is going to be bad soon? Do you really want to live on the backpack meals out of your Bug out Bag when you don’t have to?

How much water do you have stored? Do you have a sewage system set up? Do you have unprepared neighbours’ to worry about? (To help or guard against?)

Starting out in a survival situation in an urban environment is almost an immediate set-back compared to those bugging out from more rural areas, but with a Get Home Bag, a Bug Out Plan, and a Bug In Plan you are better off than most people.

Survival Preparedness is a process or a condition of being prepared to survive.
To Survive. The phrase could be taken literally that is, to stay alive. The words, to survive, could also be interpreted less literally more like staying healthy or healthier than otherwise.

In the context of survival preparedness, some will describe this notion to its very basic core like the ability to survive in the wilderness without any modern help whatsoever, you are on your own, life and death circumstances, black and white.


Others will describe survival preparedness more-or-less in the context of living within today’s modern society parameters, and utilizing the modern tools available today in order to prepare or be prepared for various problems that may occur tomorrow.

What I’m trying to say is that there are some ‘survival preparedness’ "preppers" that are more hard-core than others and I’ve noticed that the movement has been coined with two labels in an apparent attempt to delineate their core values.

I’m not so sure that I agree with labels and definitions, knowing that there are all sorts of ‘shades of grey’, but having said that, the two labels are Survivalists and Preppers.

Survivalists are seen to be hard core while the Preppers are the soft core. Again, I do not agree with the labelling here, but the fact is that it exists.
The Prepper is thought of as someone who is fully functioning within the system of modern society, preparing for minor disruptions that may come their way, while the Survivalist is considered to be on the edge, perhaps already hunkered down in their bunker or survival retreat ready for Armageddon.


As in all walks of life, there are truly the extremes, and lots of in-between.

When it comes to survival preparedness, I believe that the spectrum is all pretty much OK, so long as it’s within the law of the land.

Since there are so very many different types of people, personalities, skills, and interests, there will likewise be a multitude of variety when it comes to how one prepares, and what they are preparing for.

People will interpret risks differently from one another and people will be in varying vicinities of the risk themselves. Some face much higher risk than others based on their geographical location, their occupation, their own current financial and preparedness situation, etc.

Personally, I think that it’s great how more and more ordinary people are waking up and realizing that things are not all Rosy out there and that there are very real risks facing us all as the world’s economic systems are teetering on the brink of failure while the rumour of wars fill the air.

There will always be ‘newbies’ to survival preparedness and there will always be veterans of the same. There’s room for everyone.


Just remember this… by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.


The Bug out Week 2015 is Coming
Details and information.
Please read the information on their FB page before you say that you are going as there is a £5 deposit to pay for your place and all the places are limited.

They are now taking deposits; £5 per person

All deposits are non-refundable.

You must say what the deposit is for in the notes on paypal before you send payment and what system you are using to bug out.

Here is the paypal address to make payments to;


ijc1197@yahoo.co.uk

Community of UK Preppers (Bug out Weekend)
Come and join us on the 2nd to the 4th may 2015 to share and learn ideas with other likeminded people.

Location is near Scunthorpe Winteringham Lane, West Halton. DN15 9AX

The location is nice 16 acre spot with a variation of different types if terrain, from a wooded area, good for hammocks, tents and bug out vehicles. Then an open area used for summer grazing that is also good for tents and tarps with poles and bug out vehicles.


Just follow your sat nav and pick up the signs to the meeting as you approach, the signs will say BUG and there will be an arrow that will point in the right direction.
Here are the spaces that are still available.

All spaces are designated specific areas of the Bug out Weekend location that are suitable for that type of bugging out system as the location is a wild managed area and has a range of different types of ground.

All the places listed here are for the tree covered areas of the location.

Hammocks 15 spaces. 09 left

Tarps and tents 30 Places 27 left

4x4 and off road vehicles 20 places. 16 left

Campervans and trailers 15 places 12 left

There is a large open ground area of the location for the Bug Out Weekend to use whatever system you choose, but this area will be limiting to 40 spaces.


Admission Fee
£20.00 for adult over 16 years

£10.00 for child under 16 years

Free for child under 10 years

Traders and promoters are welcome for no extra cost to the entrance fee.

Anyone who says they are going to the event must pay a non-refundable £5.00 deposit per person to secure their place.

Once payment has been made you will receive your payment receipt reference number. This number is to be presented on entry to the Bug out Weekend where the deposit will be deducted from the admission cost that is to be paid upon entry.


Arrangements
Please arrange any train Tickets to Scunthorpe as soon as possible (ASAP) as this will save you money and could be cheaper than your own car.

The organisers can arrange to pick you up from Scunthorpe Train Station and drop you back off for a fee of £3.00. Please let them know as soon as possible if you require this service.


Facilities
There will be a toilet facility in place.

There will be ranges for Archery, Crossbow, Air rifle, live round rifles and shotgun too.

There will be a solar Shower available with hot water available if needed.

There will be a Marquee set up in case of any wet weather so it won't stop people who want to do a bit of socialising

There will be a BBQ for anyone who wants to have a good old meat feast at the cost of £5.00 per head


UK Firearms Licensing Act
For anyone who wishes to bring along a gun or rifle that requires to be licensed under the UK Firearms licensing act 1968.

It is every owner’s responsibility to ensure they are covered under the UK Firearms licensing act and proof of cover for any such firearms must be shown before you are allowed entry to the Bug out Weekend meeting.

The organisers or associates will not be held responsible for any transportation of unlicensed Firearms to or from the Bug out Weekend.

See the link below and click on it or copy and paste it to your browser.
https://www.gov.uk/firearms-licensing-police-guidance





Ranges
 
 
 
Strict safety rules and timing guidelines at the range points must be followed at all times.



Disclaimer
All guidelines and disclaimers will be presented on entry to the Bug out Weekend meeting by security staff.

All guidelines and disclaimers must be read and understood before signing and entry to the Bug out Weekend.

 

 

 

Just a quick one

I do hope to see you there as we had a great time with the Bug out Weekend meeting Back in May 2014.

The weather was amazing even though the Met Office said it was going to pour down with strong winds and low temperatures,

That put a lot of people off. That was annoying as it takes a bit of effort to say the least to organise the thing and make it work.

So just come along and Bug out Weekend with us and try out your survival systems and learn some new things along the way.

Even if you have never done anything like this before, just bring your camping gear and see what people do.

There are plenty of us to help and give advice. That's what the Bug out Weekend is all about.

If you need to borrow anything I am sure we can help.

Just let us know in advance.

Make some friends and have a laugh in the sun or in the marque and the Bug Out Weekend will be what we make it.

We do appreciate your support.

Bug Out Weekend (CUP)

CUP

 


 

Sunday 1 February 2015

Show Contents 2nd Febuary 2015

Show Notes
This week I begin with the Sharp Shooter Keychain Review then The Deadly Enemies to Your Survival, The Blizzard Survival 20% Discount offer, The KeySmart Review, Organizing your every Day Carry, The U.K mock SHTF scenario DX w/e (part 3), The Ribzwear 30% Discount offer, Catapult or Slingshot Small Game Hunting, The Enspire Body Cleansing Towel Review, The Wilderness121 10% Discount offer, Are you Prepared to Survive, Could you live the Prepper Lifestyle? The Midimax 10% Discount offer, Biox Aqua Tablets Review, Can you Afford to Prep, Making a Winter Car survival kit, The Fieldleisure 10% Discount offer, Get Ready for Bad Weather, The Buggrub 10% Discount offer, Survival Communication, The Hunters-Knives 10% Discount offer, Prepared for Disaster, The Bug out Week End is coming.

The Threat of EBOLA has NOT Gone Away
BEAT EBOLA order your Children’s PPE, Bio-Protection Suit and Order you Pandemic Quick Kits HERE   http://www.contagionsurvival.com/pandemic_quickkits.htm

Sharp Shooter Keychain Review
This is the only self-defence device that is patented and legal in all 50 states in the U.S.
Easy to learn
Deploys quickly - speeds of 60 to 150 miles an hour
Consists of 550 tested paracord, this will last for a long time.
Retention ring to prevent the device from falling out of your hand, and prevent the device to be pulled out of your hand.
Durable shaft to grasp and also transfers the force away from the retention ring if an attacker were to get a hold of the keys.

4 in 1 Device
Short distant impact device (similar to a kubaton)
The cord can be used for choking or blocking
Flailing similar to the nunchaku
Most importantly has the ability to shoot out unlike a kubaton or nunchaku/ goes from a short range device to a long range device.

Voted Best Versatile EDC Gear of 2014 by social media Facebook & Instagram
Comes with Free Instructional DVD and a 1 year guarantee and your money back

Note: This product is patented, no resale or duplication is permitted. Any duplication of this product is not a Sharp Shooter and you may be jeopardizing your safety -Robert Moran/Inventor Patent No. US D558, 446 S

Bushido Productions Product Warranty

We are dedicated to your complete satisfaction and are confident you won't find better quality self-defence keychain so we offer a full 1 year money back guarantee for your complete satisfaction. Our goal is to ensure your safety and make you feel safe and happy with your purchase. If you don't like your device in any way simply return it for an exchange or full refund within 1 year. That's our guarantee! - Grand Master Moran


So what do I think?

This is a superbly designed and very well made self-defence tool. OK, it is illegal here in the UK but it is not in the USA and in I would imagine many other countries as well.

I fail to see why we as law abiding British citizens are denied the right to be able to defend ourselves against society’s low life. Surely it is a human right to be able to defend ourselves, as to do otherwise are we not simply bending to violence and threat? And in real terms standing on a high ledge just waiting to be pushed off?

The Sharp Shooter can of course be used offensively, but so can a rolled up newspaper, kitchen knives, and bricks and of course the oldest weapon of them all the human body.

I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Therefore I am as a responsible adult simply preparing for the what if, event by carrying the sharp shooter.

After all it is just a very well made key ring with some paracord attached to it. If it is totally legal to carry a bunch of keys on a chain as truckers and bikers do then how can it be illegal to carry this sharp shooter key ring?

I now have a Key Smart in which my keys are held, not unlike a Swiss Army knife, this makes the keys totally silent by the way and stops them from catching on clothing and or wearing holes in my pockets.

I cannot advise you to carry the sharp shooter, I can only bring it to your attention and leave it to you the responsible preppers and survivalists that I know you to be.

The least you can do is go to their website and check them out http://www.bushidoproductions.com/

The Deadly Enemies to Your Survival

When putting together survival kits, there are 8 enemies of survival to consider – no matter whether the kit is for someone going into the bush, or if the kit is being made for a teotwawki situation. Taking care of these eight issues by stocking up your kit well will go a long way to ensuring your survival in just about any survival situation.

 Fear:

Fear often leads to panic and panic does no one any good…in fact it often kills. The best way to temper fear is by preparing with proper survival skills and survival gear.

Survival skills help reduce fear because you know that you can take care of yourself in a survival situation. Without those survival skills people who are lost are often so scared they don’t know what to do. They’re scared of the animals, scared of the dark, scared of being without all of the comforts of civilization.

Survival gear helps combat fear because it gives you the tools that makes surviving easier.

Complacency:

Complacency is a bane of modern life. Complacency is dangerous because it lulls you into believing everything is alright and causes you to ignore clear signs of danger. A good way to combat complacency is by practicing the art of relaxed awareness.

Relaxed awareness is similar to the art of meditation….it is achieved by being fully immersed and aware of your surroundings. A good example of relaxed awareness is when you are practicing defensive driving. After you practice defensive driving, you remember the entire drive because your mind was fully engaged and active the entire trip. Unfortunately relaxed awareness isn’t something you can pack in a bag, but you can practice it constantly to help ensure your survival.

Hunger:

Hunger can nag at you, slow you down, and eventually kill you. Combat hunger by learning primitive hunting and fishing skills. Make sure that you have snare wire, survival knives, paracord, a fishing kit and anything else you can think of that will help you find and secure game and fish. Also, learn what wild plant in the area are edible.

Thirst

You will die in only a few days without water. Depending on your activity level and the environment, you will need at least a gallon of water a day. Knowing how to locate, store and decontaminate water is essential. Always carry a way to store and decontaminate water.

98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

If you can’t keep the core temperature of your body at 98.6 degrees, you are in a world of hurt. Cody Lundin of “Dual Survival” fame covers this reality very well in his book “98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive“.

You need to be able to protect your body from both heat and the cold. Always have a way to make a quick emergency shelter in your survival kit. Bivy bags are lightweight and take up very little room. You also need several ways to start a fire in your kit. Also, always have clothing in your survival kit that is rugged and made for the weather of the season that you are in.

Pain

Avoid pain at all costs. It can cripple or at the very least slow you down to the point that you are in imminent danger of losing your life. If possible, carry medications to deal with it. Injuries are more likely when one panics or is fatigued.

Fatigue

Getting overly tired or fatigued makes the chances of injury greater and increases the dangers of exposure. One important thing to understand is that fatigue affects your mind just as much as it does your body.

Arctic explorers discovered that if you sleep when you need to rather than pushing on, you will wake up when you become cold. If you push on till you collapse from exhaustion you’ll freeze to death instead of waking up.

Boredom

Boredom is like a cancer that slowly eats away at morale. It is always a good idea to keep a way to entertain you in your survival kit. Something as simple as a deck of cards can do wonders for fighting boredom. To this one you can add loneliness…if you are alone. Loneliness can be devastating.

As you can see, these enemies of survival can all make surviving an emergency much more difficult…if not impossible. By understanding them you will have a much better chance of getting out of your next survival situation/emergency alive.

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All you have to do to get a 20% discount is enter the code “PREPPER” at the checkout, it is that simple. Thank you Blizzard Survival.com

The KeySmart Review

The KeySmart goal is to save the world from bulky, annoying keys

Are you constantly annoyed with thigh poke, key jingle, and damaged pockets?

Well Mike the company’s owner set out to design a solution to the bulky key ring.  After months of prototyping, testing, and redesigning, KeySmart was born. 

The frame was crafted out of aluminium to be ultra-lightweight, and the hardware was milled from stainless steel to survive anything life threw at it. 

After launching on Kickstarter in early 2013, KeySmart was one of the most popular products ever launched. 

Mike quit his job to take KeySmart on full time and has been making happy customers ever since.

Well good job very well done I say Mike, thank you, the KeySmart is just what the doctor ordered as it literally does what it says on the tin.

Now my keys are not only secure and very easy to reach but as they are not hanging loose there is no jangling so they are now silent.

Now that is a great bonus for preppers and survivalists alike is it not? Plus if you have ever scratched your car door when using the car key you will appreciate this new solution to that problem.

I have lost count of the trouser and jacket pockets that have needed sewing up as a result of having a bunch of sharp edged keys placed in them.

Another great bonus with the KeySmart is that as you keys are now enclosed you can carry them in a suit pocket and there is no appreciable or noticeable bulge either.

In fact there is a KeySmart that will hold 100 keys, they come in different colours too. You can even customize your KeySmart 2.0 with 19 different accessories, from blades, pens, usb, bottle opener and even a glow fob.

I have taken it a stage further and have attached the KeySmart to my Sharp Shooter key ring which works just as well as before but is not totally silent too.

To get your KeySmart go to http://getkeysmart.com/

Organizing your every Day Carry

Having a proper every day carry (EDC) setup is one of the most important things you can do to be prepared, well, every day.

While you can get separated from your bug out bag and might not be able to get home quickly, your everyday carry is always on you to help you survive and get things done.

I have covered some basics on the best every day carry setup before, but that’s really only useful if you’re starting from scratch.

If you just want to fine-tune your EDC however, there isn’t a lot out there to help. Lucky for you, I have compiled a list of five ways to fine-tune your EDC setup so it’s more useful and always at hand.

When starting out with every day carry items, it’s common to start with things that go in your pockets. This is great until you run out of room and your EDC makes you uncomfortable.

Once you’ve got some EDC experience, try moving to other locations on your body for keeping items. The most common upgrade is moving to your belt.

By keeping your knife or multi-tool on your belt along with other small items, you can free up space in your pockets while keeping everything you need on you.

You don’t have to go crazy here and have a belt that would rival an SAS Trooper, but simply keeping your knife, fire starter, and multi tool on your belt can give you a lot more space than you had before. Moving past your belt, think about your trousers and shirts with additional pockets that can hold items, too. By spreading your EDC out over your entire body, you ease the burden and make it far more comfortable.

Weight vs. Usefulness

If you’ve had an EDC setup for some time now you probably realize that not everything that you think is vitally important really is. It’s easy to go overboard and fill your pockets with things you MIGHT use at some point.

If you’re feeling weighed down by your EDC it might be time to take inventory of what you’re carrying and see if the weight of each item is really worth it.

For example, you might carry a small water filter straw with you in a cargo pocket, but you could lighten the load by using a small pill container with some water purification tablets in it.

Another weight-saving idea is the use of a small LED light instead of a standard torch/flashlight.

While the torch/flashlight is better, the keychain light can free up space for other more important items.

KISS

If you only follow one tip in this list, make it this one. KISS stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don’t overthink your EDC setup by trying to plan for every possible scenario. Your EDC is meant to give you a leg up on everyone else, not to be a mini bug out bag.

Keep things simple and don’t stress out about it. Keep the essentials like a source of fire, a knife, a multi-tool, watch, and a weapon if you’re able to.

Beyond this just include items that make you feel safe and comfortable without trying to plan out scenarios. Trust me, even the most basic EDC setup is far more than the average person has.

Less is Sometimes More

Having an elaborate every day carry setup is great, until it’s so elaborate that you stop using it. The idea of an EDC is to have it with you every day.

If it takes 15 minutes to load yourself up chances are you’ll leave the house from time to time without it, and that’s not good at all.

It’s often better to have less items with you that you carry all the time than a lot of items that you only carry every now and then.

Think about what you need and ask yourself what would happen if the SHTF and you didn’t have the item in question? Would it make a difference? If not, ditch it and free that space up for something else.

The less items you have the less chance you have at forgetting something or losing something, and that means the pieces you do use are more valuable and overall better.

Trial and Error

Finally, don’t be afraid to change things. I have talked about changing your EDC for colder weather, but you can make changes to it every day if that suits you.

Try items out and if they don’t work, ditch them and find something new. Don’t put up with pieces in your EDC that you’re not in love with.

These are things you have with you 24/7, so you better love them or else you’ll hate carrying them.

Try a few setups out to see how they work and if you like them or not. Try your knife in a front pocket, back pocket, belt…try it all.

You won’t know what you really like unless you try a few different ways.

The U.K mock SHTF scenario DX w/e (part 3)

The U.K mock SHTF scenario DX w/e (part 3) will be holding their 3rd year event on June the 27th.
It is an event for preppers and people like minded to get together over the air through CB and PMR for a weekend.

They have chosen CB and PMR as they are license free and simple to work and legal for anyone to use in the UK.

All people taking part get listed on a google map on line and giving a call sign for the weekend.

There will also be a time table so people can find each other over the 2 days and the night.

Most people take part and BUG OUT for the weekend but some just join in from a parked car on a hill or from home if they are not able to get out and about.

On their Face Book page you can see past events at
Uk shtf preppers and all so one or two uploaded to you tube.ent in the past.

the plan is.....
its a SHTF scenario of your choice.... zombie attack, a world war or a flood has took out your town/city and all land lines,mobile networks and the internet is down due to what ever you are prepping for and you need to make a call for what ever reason...

so what do you do????

grab your BUG OUT BAG and head for the hills!!!!!!

radios normally work better from high ground so the plan would be to bug out to high ground and see who you can find on the radio.


more info will be handed out closer to the weekend.

but there are a few rules......

1..if you bug out please make sure you have permission to be on that land.

2..after the weekend please clean up your location before going home (LNT)

3..the radios we will use are open for any one to use in the uk so please be polite and respectful to ALL other operators.

4..make sure you are safe, you do not want to call out for help for real.

The idea is as follows.

It’s a SHTF scenario of your choice.... zombie attack, a world war or a flood has took out your town/city and all land lines, mobile networks and the internet is down due to whatever you are prepping for and you need to make a call for whatever reason...

So what do you do????

Grab your BUG OUT BAG and head for the hills!!!!!! radios normally work better from high ground so the plan would be to bug out to high ground and see who you can find on the radio.

More information will be handed out closer to the weekend.

But there are a few rules......

1if you bug out please make sure you have permission to be on that land.

2after the weekend please clean up your location before going home (LNT)

3the radios used are open for anyone to use in the UK so please be polite and respectful to ALL other operators.

4make sure you are safe, you do not want to call out for help for real.ent in the past.

the plan is.....
its a SHTF scenario of your choice.... zombie attack, a world war or a flood has took out your town/city and all land lines,mobile networks and the internet is down due to what ever you are prepping for and you need to make a call for what ever reason...

so what do you do????

grab your BUG OUT BAG and head for the hills!!!!!!

radios normally work better from high ground so the plan would be to bug out to high ground and see who you can find on the radio.


more info will be handed out closer to the weekend.

but there are a few rules......

1..if you bug out please make sure you have permission to be on that land.

2..after the weekend please clean up your location before going home (LNT)

3..the radios we will use are open for any one to use in the uk so please be polite and respectful to ALL other operators.

4..make sure you are safe, you do not want to call out for help for real.

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In all there are unlimited uses for the front pack. Front packs are the best compliment to any outdoorsman’s gear when accessibility, functionality, mobility and simplicity are required. From horseback riding, long distance biking, motorcycling and kayaking.

All sports where fast and easy access of gear is essential, a front pack is your best solution and as you can imagine it is going down a storm within the prepping and survivalist community.

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Catapult or Slingshot Small Game Hunting

Like most British kids I played with a handmade catapult, hand made by me that is. Now OK, I say handmade but in truth it was a cut “Y” shaped branch of the right size with elastic bands, but you know, it actually worked.

The upgrade then was for a steel caty with bands fitted by the manufacturer.

Last year I was sent the Survivalslingshot from www.survivalslingshot.com and I fell in love again with this form of hunting.

We as members of the preparedness community should consider slingshots and their effectiveness as a small game hunting tool, especially in a large-scale disaster scenario where food stockpiles may run out.

So let’s talk about slingshots and their usefulness as a disaster prep.

 Before we even get into this topic, we need to make a couple things very clear.

First, a slingshot is not a toy, it’s a weapon.

You should be taking just as many precautions and safety procedures with a slingshot that you would with any other weapon.

In fact, due to the inherent design of a slingshot, you will want to take even greater precautions, especially in eye protection. If you don’t believe me, go to YouTube and search for “slingshot accidents”. Warning: some of those videos are quite graphic.

Secondly, before the clever emails roll in, yes there are several other weapons that are better suited for hunting than a slingshot.

Depending on the situation though, there can be several advantages to using a slingshot over other types of hunting tools, which I will cover later.

The benefits of using a slingshot for hunting

On the surface it might seem that slingshots would be one of the worst choices for a hunting weapon.

They’re not nearly as powerful as a bow (let alone a firearm), they take a lot of practice to be accurate with, you have to be much closer to your target and they’re usually pretty limited as far as what kind of game you can really go after with it.

However, there are actually quite a few benefits for using a slingshot instead of a normal hunting weapon, including:

They are easier to use in an urban areas – IE you’re unlikely to get reported to the police for shooting a slingshot in your backyard.

They are legal to openly carry in most areas

They don’t attract nearly as much attention as a firearm or bow

They are one of the quietest ways to hunt game

Finding ammo for a slingshot can be as easy as picking up a rock off the ground

They have very few parts and can be made and maintained very easily

You don’t need any sort of documentation or licenses to own a slingshot

A commercial slingshot is a fraction of the cost of any other hunting tool

Slingshot hunting is very challenging and can teach you to be a better hunter all-around

In a SHTF, long-term disaster scenario, slingshots will be perfect for hunting small game when ammunition and gun parts are scarce and you want to be as quiet as possible.

Follow the seasons  

Just because you’re hunting with a slingshot doesn’t mean you’re exempt from hunting seasons. Although in many areas small game hunting is legal year-round, some countries have specific seasons when you can hunt specific small game.

 Safety- slingshots really can kill you

 A slingshot is simply a modified form of a Sling, which has been used for hunting and even defensive purposes for literally thousands of years. It’s not a toy. It can kill someone.

Most commercial slingshots can shoot projectiles anywhere from 150-300 feet per second. Specialty hunting slingshots can actually reach over 400 feet per second.

Combined with the heavy weight of most slingshot ammo, this is more than enough power to kill someone.

Types of slingshots

There are several types of slingshots on the market today ranging from a simple plastic fork with cheap bands, all the way to top-of the line hunting slingshots outfitted with super-strength bands, stabilizing bars and even laser sights.

Usually with gear, the rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for, however it’s been my experience that slingshots are kind of an exception to that rule.

Some of the most expensive commercial hunting slingshots out there are pure JUNK.

They’re inaccurate and wear out faster than even traditional, forked stick, backyard-made slingshots.

It almost seems like the designers were much more concerned about making the thing look cool instead of actually making it functional.

In my opinion, the best slingshots are homemade. I’m not talking about a simple “Y” shaped stick in your backyard, but actually designing a slingshot out of high-quality material that fits your hand perfectly and experimenting with several band and pouch options until you have something that is tailor fit just for you and serves your purposes.

Types of slingshot bands

There are several types of pre-made bands you can buy for your slingshot. Most are made out of decent quality rubber and will last for at least a few months of normal use before noticing any decrease in performance.

That being said, a lot of people don’t actually recommend buying pre-made bands for slingshots. For one, they’re overpriced.

Secondly, slingshot hunting is, unfortunately, not that popular. Slingshots in general aren’t all that popular. When you buy a package of those replacement bands, it’s very likely they’ve been sitting on that shelf for over a year. For slingshot bands, that’s not good.

Your slingshot bands need to be changed regularly. Not only will they deliver a more consistent shot and velocity but it’s much safer this way.

Bands that have been sitting around a while will dry out and could even be cracked straight out of the package. There’s a real chance that it could break on your first shot and cause injury.

 So why not buy band material and make your own. It’s extremely simple.

The most common band material is called TheraBand Gold. It’s the industry standard for custom slingshot makers. 

Hunting Slingshot ammunition

Yes, you can shoot rocks and pebbles out of your slingshot with no problem. It’s been done for generations. That being said, natural materials shouldn’t be your usual ammunition for a slingshot.

Rocks and pebbles are oddly shaped, have edges that could hurt your pouch and bands aren’t usually weighted correctly to give you consistent, accurate shot placement. Your best bet is to go with steel or lead shot.

Personally I like steel shot better for hunting. I believe it’s just a better round for the distances I like to shoot. Your experiences can and will be different depending on your setup. One major advantage steel shot has though is that it is magnetic, which makes it easier to collect after shooting it.

Don’t hunt if you can’t hit your target reliably

Hunting with a slingshot isn’t easy. You have to be much closer to your target since the slingshot doesn’t generate enough energy to keep the heavy projectile from falling mid-flight.

You also have to be experienced with approaching small animals without spooking them.

Additionally, slingshot ammunition doesn’t cause piercing damage, it causes blunt force damage. This means that you have to put your shots in an area that isn’t going to cause internal damage to your animal which can spoil your meat. This means headshots only guys.

 My rule of thumb for this is simple. If you can’t hit a target the size of a 2P piece consistently, keep practicing and don’t go out hunting. Killing an animal humanely is a responsibility of every hunter.

Continue practicing at varying distances from your target. Once you get proficient enough that you can hit a target the size of a 2P piece reliably, then you’ll be ready to take those headshots on small game.

The Enspire Body Cleansing Towel Review

Enspire manufacture a pre-moistened towel, in essence a shower in a pouch that is used by the US Forest Service Firefighters, Phoenix, Dallas and Austin fire depts. and have just received orders from the Fairfax, VA EMS group. 

And they see their use expanding too many companies that have people in the field exposed to toxins and other elements.

Enspire® Body Cleansing Towel was created by a serviceman serving in the Far East and was unable to shower for days.  He returned home and the Enspire towel was created.   Currently the towel is sold by the USMC company store in Okinawa and has been presented to other USMC company stores. 

The Enspire towel provides a portable freshness when you don’t have access to fresh water for a shower.

Each HUGE, 24” x 48” pre- moistened towel is individually packaged and will fit perfectly into your emergency kit, gym bag, hiking backpack and more. 

Enspire Towels are alcohol free, fragrance free and safe for use on both children and pets.  Each wipe is enriched with soothing Aloe and made of a durable fabric that will not fall apart while in use.

They are actually strong enough to be used as an improvised sling or bandage in an emergency situation.  

Only one wipe is needed to clean the whole body and can be disposed of after use.  Ideal for use by Military, Medical, Preppers and survivalists, Outdoor Sports, Camping, Boating, Traveling and more! 

Each towel is proudly made in the USA.

Portable, packaged individually

Fragrance Free, safe for children and pets

Enriched with soothing Aloe

Durable fabric will not fall apart during use • Can be used as improvised bandage or sling • Alcohol Free • HUGE, 2’ x 4’ Wet Towel • Disposable

Ideal for Military, Emergency Kits, Medical, Outdoor Sports, Construction crews, Camping, Boating, Traveling and more.

If you have any thoughts of wet wipes then forget them.

The Enspire Body Cleansing Towel is the solution to survival hygiene problems, using it will reduce water usage, with it you can wash easier and even inside a tent/shelter.

It does not take very long at all for the average survivor to begin to basically stink, now being a solo survival may not be a problem but as we all know when in a group offensive smells can make for an uncomfortable experience over all.

I have to say also that survival hygiene is not only about not smelling, but in my opinion it is more important than that, it is about maintaining good health and over all cleanliness which will contribute to you chances of coming out the other end in good health, alive and well.

It seems very simple to me that the clear solution to survival hygiene problems is the Enspire Body Cleansing Towel and you can order yours at http://enspireproducts.com/

Wilderness121’s 10% discount

The new supplier of Purificup to the UK is Wilderness121 and they really mean business, having spoken to the director Rob Williams he has agreed to offer you dear listener a 10% discount just by putting the letters UKPRN into the code box it is that simple.

Now pop along to www.wilderness121.co.uk and check out their great range of survival related products.

Are you Prepared to Survive

The most important part of the survival is being prepared to survive for an extended period of time whenever you leave the comforts of civilisation and the nearness of travelled roads.

Many of us either are - or will be - involved in wilderness activities of one kind or another, whether as part of your job or as recreation.

Survival preparation is just as - if not more - important when you are flying from one place to another and your flight plan takes you over untracked wilderness, deserts or snow caped mountains.

Most of the following suggestions in this section are geared towards land survival.

There are some key areas you need to be aware of in order to survive over a long period.

Yes it is true that most people who survive are rescued or find their way back to civilisation within three days of becoming lost or being injected into a survival situation through illness or accident while in the wilderness.

But - and this is what is most important to you - there are some people who have to survive for weeks or months before they return to the comforts of modern society.

If you ever have the misfortune to become one of those people, a strong background in survival knowledge and technique may just save your skin, as surely as ignorance will likely cost you your life.

There are still significant numbers of wilderness fatalities who would still be alive - if only they had learned the skills they needed to survive.

What do you need before you are really prepared for survival? A positive attitude, training and practice, and a few essential pieces of equipment.

ATTITUDE!

You need to want to survive and you need to believe that you can. Otherwise, you become too easily depressed and willing to give up the fight - and it really is a fight - against the worst that circumstances, climate, weather, terrain, natural enemies (like wild animals and mosquitos) and remoteness can throw at you.

As we sit in front of our computers – we have things pretty good, although we may be getting further and further out of shape if we spend TOO many hours here!

Things can be a whole lot different if you are faced with an airplane that will never fly again, the beginnings of a three-day blizzard, and two hundred kilometres to the nearest road, with injured companions.

Things are also a lot different if you are lost having finally figuring out that you are not where you are supposed to be - and that you haven't the foggiest idea of just where "here" is!

Think it can't happen? Ahhhh, but it does! Nearly every day...

People who spend a great deal of time in wilderness areas will probably never admit to being well and truly lost - though they may confess to having been "a bit confused for a couple of days a time or two".

A positive outlook, no matter how bad the situation, is one of the keys to keeping you alert and aware of what's going on around you. If you become depressed and give up, your chances of long-term survival decrease drastically.

Training and Practice

No matter how positive your attitude, you will not do well in a survival situation without the knowledge and skills you need to live off the land with only the barest minimum of equipment and supplies.

It takes time to gain these, and you cannot learn everything you need to know from books or websites alone, no matter how good the information or how reputable its author(s).

Your primary survival tool is your brain, and it can never be fully effective without the experience of actual survival living situations and skills practices.

There is absolutely no substitute for starting a fire in the rain without using a lighter or any matches, any more than there is a substitute for preparing food you have obtained by collecting plants or killing animals... Some of the essential tasks of survival are rather less than pleasant, but you need these skills to keep yourself and your companions alive and healthy enough to continue surviving.

Survival courses require a combination of classroom-style work and hands-on experience with the techniques and tools. While some of the training can take place during your usual meeting time, you will need at least a full outdoor weekend for the practical side of even an introductory course.

More time will be required for survival training courses that will help you build your skills to a level where you will be able to survive a majority of situations.

Your skills will also improve if you haul them out and use them frequently. You can also challenge yourself from time to time by spending a weekend with a planned survival camp.

Equipping to Survive

There really is not space enough here to tell you how to build survival kits, and doing so in this format would leave you without the training you will need to be able to effectively use the items in the kit.

However, there are a few basic principles involved in building a survival kit for yourself that I can mention to get you thinking.

Before you begin building your survival kit, you need to decide what its purpose is. Will it need to be small enough to put in your pocket, or will you be able to carry it in your backpack or a small daypack?

If it's for your pack, what will you have left over if you lose the pack in a stream crossing or through some other misadventure?

Your survival kits (the one in your pocket and the one you add to your pack) should change in content with the season.

For instance, you will need more ways of getting fires started really quickly in the winter-time than you will in the summer, when you will want to trade out some fire-starters for insect repellents.

In addition to whatever else you put in the kit, you should consider getting a miniature survival guide - one that has a good plant-identification section. While this may seem to be a trivial recommendation, there are plants that mimic each other in appearance, with one being edible, and the other, well, not...

Your best source of information for building an appropriate set of survival skills for yourself will come from a combination of good research and quality survival information.

Could you live the Prepper Lifestyle?

Living a prepper lifestyle is not only good for preparing for the future, but it’s a great way to live a less stressful life. Many people get tired of the rat race and long for something more calming.

A few give up their suburban lives and head for remote locations. That’s not what being a prepper is about.

Being a prepper is not about pulling yourself away from society and living like a hermit.

It’s simply living a life that doesn’t rely on the others to see you through a short term or long term disaster. While being a prepper is a great way to live, it’s really not for everyone.

So how can you tell who’s a good fit and who will absolutely hate living the life of a prepper? First, living the prepper lifestyle takes a complete commitment. The life is not for you if you think you want to dabble in it and see how it goes.

You’re either into it, or you’re not. If you’re ready to give up the way you’ve been living until now, and you’re ready to break free of the capitalistic mentality taught by society, then the lifestyle is for you.

If you know that you’re ready to walk away from being dependent on others for your needs, then this is for you. You have to believe that what you’re gaining is a better life for yourself and your family.

If you know that you’re ready to get organized and are committed to building your short term and long term list of goods and supplies, then the prepper lifestyle is something you’d find to be a good fit.

Being ready to become totally self-sufficient is a good clue that you’re ready for a life change. If you’re ready to learn about self-protection and first aid and how to take care of yourself and your family through anything, then you’re ready.

Being a prepper is not about living to the extreme the way the wacky survivalists you see portrayed on television live. It means you accept that there are things outside your control that could impact your life greatly, such as disasters, government collapse, etc. – and you want to be ready for whatever comes.

That’s when you know you’re ready for the prepper lifestyle. But not everyone who thinks they are, actually is ready.

If you’re in a relationship and your partner is dead-set against it, hates it, wants no part of it, you’re not ready if you don’t want to risk ruining the relationship.

You’re not ready if there are certain things in your life that you feel you absolutely can’t give up – such as a daily trip to the local pub or that expensive cup of coffee.

You’re not ready and the lifestyle is not for you if you set aside money for supplies but then spend it on going out to eat or shopping for a new pair of shoes or the latest video game.

You’re not ready if you have a deep attachment to the conveniences of life and rely too heavily on technology. You can’t imagine your life without modern technology is a sign you’re not ready.

If you have an unwillingness to learn how to prepare for the future or aren’t interested in sustainable living, then you’re not ready for the prepper lifestyle.

But most people can I think see a day when the worst case scenario happens, and if it happens to you, you’ll have to deal with it – ready or not.


Biox Aqua Tablets Review

A powerful water treatment in convenient tablet form for when travelling in areas where safe drinking water may not be available.

Once dropped into a water bottle, the tablets take effect immediately, killing a wide spectrum of bacteria and pathogens. Perfect for treating water sourced from rivers, wells and yes even taps. 

Add one tablet to one litre of water in a bottle.

If the water contains visible dirt or particles strain the liquid first through fine cotton or t-shirt material.

If the water is suspected to be heavily contaminated or contain Crytosporidium or Giardia add two tablets to the water.

Let the water stand for 10 minutes, or where heavy contamination is suspected 40 minutes before drinking.

Dose rates and contact times vary with temperature. One pack treats up to 30 litres of water.

Once treated with Biox Aqua water will be safe to drink for 24 hours. After this period water should be discarded.

If you are looking to reduce the weight of your backpack then here is one solution that you may want to consider.

The Biox Aqua is one of the most effective water disinfectants on the market today and they are safe and easy to use. By not having a water filter and just carrying these tabs you would of course save weight but not in any way put yourself at risk when it comes to treating sourced water before drinking.

Using the Biox Aqua water treatment tablets means that you do not need to light a fire and boil water to make it safe to drink.

I think the big question is what does it taste like and the answer is, there is no nasty aftertaste or water colouration and it tastes very nice and refreshing to be honest.

Now another great use for the Biox Aqua tablets is the purification of emergency stored and collected water, for example, if you have filled the bath full of water for an extra water source during an emergency, or if you have a big rain butt full of rain and roof run off water.

If this is the case do not treat the full bath or butt but simply take the amount of water you really need then treat it.

Please remember to cover these extra water sources to help prevent any or further contamination.

I really like these Biox Aqua Water Treatment Tablets, order a pack and try them for yourself.


Can you Afford to Prep

Prepping can be quite expensive. If you choose to build up, say a one year supply of emergency water, food, emergency first aid equipment, tools, etc., you can easily spend thousands over time.

In fact, it would not be hard to spend more than £10,000 on prepping supplies over a period of years as you keep gathering “must have” and “good to have” items on your prepping list.

In fact some people can even afford to spend millions on preparing to survive.

Here are some tips to help you justify the investment in prepping supplies and education. They will give you ammunition in your discussions with people who just don’t understand why you are wasting money on preparing for future disasters.

By the way when I am asked “Why do I prep” my reply is why do you not?

Compare Prepping to Insurance

You buy insurance to cover you in case of emergency. You have car insurance, home or health insurance and life insurance.

If you have a business, you will have a few other types of insurance as well.

Some of the insurances are mandatory by law (like car insurance) and some are required by your mortgage company (like home insurance) others you choose to get to protect yourself against any sort of future issue that may arise.

If you are like most people, you go years without any claims against any of your insurance policies. I know I’ve had car insurance for over 30 years with no claims. I’ve had home insurance for over 20 years with no claims. And on and on.

Needless to say, lots of money was invested (and will still be invested) to protect me just in case something bad happens.

Well, prepping is just like insurance – but even better.

Your extra food purchases protect you against future price inflation of food and if you hit hard times in the future (job loss, disaster, etc.), you have food that you can eat.

In fact, unlike other insurances, you are guaranteed to get 100% of your food insurance investment back as long as you eat it before it expires.

Your investment in tools and other supplies also gives you physical things for your money. You can use your tools when you need them. And you can even sell them if you decide at some future time you no longer need them. (And if you are like most handy people, you probably would buy many of these tools anyways in case you needed them for a future home repair project.)

In fact, the only area where you may not make use of a prepper type investment is if you purchase medicines that you don’t need before their expiration date.

Compare Prepping to Education

People invest huge sums of money in education and I would say that investment has been showing a poor return for most people.

When employment improves, that will reverse itself somewhat but for many people, they need to work for several years to recover the cost of their education, as we now charge to educate our students in universities leaving then over £9,000 in debt before they even start work.

But very few people will tell a college student or an apprentice that the investment in education is wasted. People can see the future value of the investment.

Prepping is also a current expense that delivers future value. As I have said before just about everything you purchase as a prepper. Like an education, you make an investment today that pays off in the future.

And talking about education, you can also look at the value of any skills you learn as a prepper.

For example, if you invest in a good first aid course with regular updated training then this education could literally save someone’s life. I’d call the value of that education priceless.

You may take courses in crafts and home repair skills and mechanical skills. This may be knowledge that you don’t apply directly to any money recovering situation but having hobbies that you enjoy pay off in happiness dividends.

And having knowledge of basic repair skills will let you know how to talk to a tradesman if you don’t do the work yourself. And this can save you big money.

Compare Prepping to Investment

There are many people who invest. The stock market, rental houses, precious metals, collectibles, etc. are all places where people park their cash hoping for a future return.

As we’ve seen time and again, future return is not guaranteed. If your timing is good, you can cash in your investments at a market high.

If your timing is bad because of some need (medical expense, retirement, etc.), you could be forced to cash in at a market low and lose a significant portion of your original investment.

All of that is a fancy way to say that any investment carries risk – sometimes substantial risk.

Just in case you did not know financial investment is simply another form of gambling.

Investment in prepper supplies and knowledge, as I have said, gives value back when you use the supplies/knowledge.

This doesn’t make it a superior investment. But it is certainly a very low risk investment.

As you can see, there are many ways to look at your investment in prepping supplies and education and justify the expense to others (if you ever feel that is necessary.)

Making a Winter Car Survival Kit

Winter can be cruel in some parts of the world; cruel, and very dangerous.

That danger exists for everyone who is away from home when a winter storm hits…and that includes the motorists.

It isn’t unusual for winter motorists to suddenly find themselves in a life and death situation because of a sudden winter storm. Their very survival can depend on whether they have kept survival gear in a winter survival kit in their vehicle.

You need to have a winter survival kit in every working vehicle you own.

Here are some guidelines before you experience a winter storm.

Keep your vehicles petrol tank at least half full at all times.

Before winter hits prepare your vehicle for winter.

Keep your winter survival kit inside the passenger area if you can. There is no sense leaving the vehicle if you don’t have to, as you might not be able to access the boot/trunk to get it in an emergency.

Winter car survival kits save lives every year.

So what should be in a winter car survival kit?

It’s cold, you need something to keep you warm. I like to have sleeping bags for everyone in the vehicle of course they will work but they can be bulky. If space is at a premium you can pack bivy bags or space blankets.

It is always a good idea to have a couple of ways to start a fire. Lighters, waterproof matches, fire-steels, they all work. Some small candles are a good idea too.

Extra hats and gloves don’t take up much room but will be appreciated by everyone in the vehicle.

A shovel.

A bag of cat litter or sand. It can help the tires gain traction.

Drinking water.

A large empty tin. This can store lots of the smaller items and will also serve well to melt snow over a fire for extra drinking water.

Energy or survival bars.

A good first aid kit.

Duct tape. Always carry duct tape.

Large plastic bags. These can insulate the body or cover a broken window. Here the duct tape will come in handy.

A survival whistle. Whistles can be heard much further than the loudest shout.

A signal mirror.

A red handkerchief, bandana of piece of cloth for signaling. Tie it to your ariel or to a stick to alert rescuers.

Survival knife.

Compass and Local Street maps, motorway maps and a local OS map.

A powerful LED flashlight. I like the Elzeta range plus extra batteries.

Vehicle emergency kit with jump leads, tow chain, emergency triangle etc.

100 feet or more of paracord. It has many uses, but can be a lifeline back to your vehicle if you have to venture outside in a blizzard.

Windshield de-icer and a good ice scraper.

Tool kit and or a good multi tool.

Some advice if you get stranded in your vehicle during the winter.

Don’t over exert yourself. The last thing you need is to add a heart attack to your problems.

Stay in your vehicle and only venture outside when you must. You want to stay as warm and dry as possible.

If you have to leave your vehicle during a winter storm, attach the paracord from your kit to you so you can easily find your way back during the blizzard.

Only run the vehicle 10-15 minutes per hour to conserve on fuel.

If a snow drift covers the vehicles exhaust there is a chance of CO2 poisoning. Open a window a little on the side of the car away from the wind while you are running the vehicle.

Doing so will help protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.  Also, whenever you go outside the vehicle make sure the exhaust is clear of snow.

As you can see making a winter survival kit for your vehicle is easy.

It just requires you gathering items that you should already have together in a box.

Remember that you need to make one of these winter survival kits for each one of your vehicles. If you don’t have enough for all of your vehicles it is easy enough to buy a winter survival kit already made. Just 15 minutes of preparation can save your life.

So that is what you should keep in your vehicle 24/7 365. Don’t forget that in the summer weather your kit should reflect the warmer weather and have sun block, sun glasses and perhaps extra water.

When you intend to venture out onto the road in your vehicle as yourself one question, “Do I actually need to go in the first place”, can it wait? Is it really that important?

If you then decide that you must go you must add some extra items and actions before you set off.

Check you mobile phone is fully charged and you have a car charger in your vehicle, tell someone your intended route and ETA. Make a hot drink for your thermos flask.

Check fluid levels especially screen wash, check your tire pressure, lights and fuel if under ½ a tank then fill up a.s.a.p. Remember spinning wheels is using even more petrol than normal driving.

Finally please let the person you left know that you have arrived safely.

Now thanks to the Managing Director Paul listeners visiting Field Leisure - The Bushcraft & Wilderness Store  at  http://www.fieldleisure.co.uk/ can get 10% OFF by entering the code UKPRN at the checkout now Paul guarantees next day delivery all over the UK and fast European and US delivery and that is reassuring and refreshing too.

Get Ready for Bad Weather

Winter storms can bring freezing rain, ice, snow, high winds, or a combination of these conditions. They can cause power cuts that last for days, make roads and paths very dangerous, and can affect local community services.

Planning and preparing can help you manage the impact of a winter storm and keep you and your family safe.

A sustained power cut can have a significant impact on people who require electricity to power medical equipment, so make sure that you have a plan to take care of yourself and your family during an outage.

A winter storm occurs when there is significant precipitation and the temperature is low enough that precipitation forms as sleet or snow, or when rain turns to ice.

A winter storm can range from freezing rain and ice, to moderate snowfall over a few hours, to a blizzard.

It can lasts for several days, or be a combination of several winter weather conditions. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures.

Winter storms can occur from early autumn to late spring depending on the region of the country.

Winter storms and colder than normal temperatures can happen in every county of the country.

Extreme winter weather can immobilize an entire region. Ice and heavy snowfall can knock out heat, power, and communications services, sometimes for several days.

Driving and walking can become extremely hazardous due to icy conditions, snowfall accumulation, low visibility, or extreme cold. People may need to stay at home or work without utilities or other services, until driving is safe. Pipes and water mains can break.

The majority of deaths caused by winter storms are from vehicle accidents due to ice and snow. In addition, people can die from carbon monoxide poisoning when using portable generators indoors, including in attached garages.

Generators should be used only outdoors and should be located at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, or vents. Individuals also suffer cold injuries, such as frostbite or hypothermia, from being outside too long and by not being well protected from wind and cold.

Your family may not be together when a winter storm hits, so it is important to know how you will contact one another in an emergen[zcy, and how you will get back together when it is safe to travel again.

A storm may overwhelm landline and mobile phone networks.

You may need to use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. Keep important numbers written down in your wallet in case you cannot access the contact list in your phone.

As the wind increases, your body is cooled at a faster rate causing the skin temperature to drop. This is why it “sometimes feels” colder than the actual temperature.

Windchill is the temperature it “feels like” when you are outside. A Windchill Chart will show the difference between air temperature and the perceived temperature and the amount of time until frostbite occurs.

Plan now to be able to stay where you are when a storm hits. If you are not at home when the storm starts, you may need to stay where you are until the roads are safe.

This means having basic supplies of food and water in several locations, including your workplace, vehicle, and, if possible, other places where you and members of your household regularly spend time (e.g., church, community centre, and school).

You may be without power and heat for several days. Have a family discussion; think through what three days without power, water, or heat would feel like. Gather the basic supplies your family would need if you could not get to the shops or other services were unavailable e.g. if power, water, and gas is interrupted; or if you cannot leave your home.

Be sure to review your emergency supplies each autumn before they will be needed. Basic emergency supplies should include the following, most of which you probably already have in your home.

Ensure you have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days. (Store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). An average person needs to drink about 3/4 of a gallon of fluid daily.

Individual needs vary depending on age, gender, health, level of activity, food choices, and climate. You may also need stored water for food preparation

Store at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food for members of your household, including pets. Consider special dietary needs (e.g., baby foods). Include a non-electric can opener for canned food

You will need to be able to charge these items without electricity. Your torch/flashlight and radio should be either a wind up type, or solar or battery-powered, and stored with extra batteries.

Your mobile phone charger should be wind up, solar, or able to be charged from a car socket.

Include first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter medications, and medical supplies.

Pack supplies for sanitation, such as hand sanitizer, wet wipes, loo roll, nappies, and plastic bags, for use when water resources are limited.

Include battery backup power for power-dependent mobility devices, oxygen, and other medical equipment.

Dress in layers to keep warm if you lose power. Ensure you have enough clothing, hats, mittens, and blankets or sleeping bags for everyone in the house.

Stock up on rock salt to melt ice on pavements and around you home or sand or cat litter to improve traction and snow shovels or other snow removal equipment.

Store a supply of dry, seasoned wood if you have a working fireplace or wood-burning stove with a safe flue or vent.

It is important to consider the unique needs of your family, including access and functional needs, and the needs of children and pets.

You may need to include: extra water; special food, such as baby food or pet food; and supplies or equipment, such as nappies, glasses, or medical equipment. BEFORE WINTER APPROACHES, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE

Winter driving conditions can be extremely dangerous. Before winter weather sets in, make sure you or a mechanic completes a winter weather check on your vehicle.

Ensure antifreeze levels are sufficient to avoid freezing.

Keep the battery in top condition and clean the terminals.

Check for wear on breaks and fluid levels.

Check for leaks on the exhaust and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.

Replace air filters and keep water out of the system by using additives. Maintain a full tank of fuel to keep the fuel pipes from freezing.

Ensure the heater and fans work properly.

Check all lights including hazard lights for serviceability.

Check for oil level.

Repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.

Make sure the tires have adequate tread and are inflated to the correct pressure for that vehicle.

Peter at buggrub is not only sponsoring the competition on my website he is also offering a 10% discount on all his products by using the word PREPPER. So have you got the gonads, can you walk the walk, dare you, I dare you to buy some buggrub and then eat it, go on I dare you. Peter’s website is www.buggrub.com

Survival Communication

I see a lot of discussion on survival forums and blogs about the options available for radio communication among small groups in a post-SHTF situation. 

There are many types of radios that can meet some or most of the communication requirements, including FRS (Family Radio Service), GRMS (General Mobile Radio Service), in the states and CB (Citizen's Band) and VHF (Very High Frequency) marine-band radios elsewhere. 

Those who live in coastal areas or along major navigable inland waterways who are planning to bug out by boat will already be familiar with VHF radios, as they are standard equipment for most vessels, whether hand-held or fixed-mount units.

While it is illegal to use channels in the marine VHF band for communication on land in normal times, in any scenario forcing you to bug-out in the first place, this will not likely be something to worry about. 

The advantage of marine VHF radios over most of the alternatives is that this band offers a large range of channels and hand-held units have two power levels for the transmitter, usually 1 watt for low power and 5 or 6 watts for high power.  This gives good range, especially on the water or in open country.

Another advantage of hand-held VHF units is that they are now more rugged than ever, and several models are available that are not only waterproof, but submersible as well. 

However when the grid goes down there will be a great many people who will make a big mistake one day by assuming the ever present cell phone will remain in use as a viable communications tool.

Now think about the circumstances that will cause you to grab your bug out bag. Now contemplate whether or not it is just possible that the mobile networks might be under the control of the very people you are inclined to protect yourself and your family from.

So what you need is a communications PLAN just like you have the food, firearms, bug out bag, escape plan in effect.

You need to think about and plan for the eventual disruption of the Internet and the mobile phone network. People who are putting survival communications plans into effect now are going to be very pleased with the results one day.

I think it goes without saying that both CB radio and amateur radio are going to be two of the biggest players when people begin learning about radio communications.

Some keywords to begin your own search on include, frequencies, antennas, license, radios, power, ham, and of course CB (there are others as well but these are the most popular).

Just like you prepared as a survivalist or as a prepper the simplest alternative to mobile phones and the Internet, is radio communications. It stands to reason that 2-way and shortwave radio cannot be controlled by whatever government agency has caused folks to bug out.

Sure they have the FCC in the states and OFCOM here in the UK but no one will be listening to these bodies WTSHTF. So start working a communications plan that will allow you to replace that mobile phone with communications gear that YOU understand.

 

CB or HAM?

That's a discussion that will never be settled as there are proponents on both sides of that argument that can make some pretty good points about how their preferred communications systems is the better of the two.

Let me give you a little bit of an explanation without going overboard with radio jargon and stories about how far away a radio signal can travel.

Enter the CB Radio

Three things make CB radio attractive to preppers and survivalists, and they are:

  • PRICE
  • AVAILABILITY
  • LEGAL ISSUES

Starting with the first item price, leads us to discover that you can find CB radios available for as little as $5 in working condition at local flea markets, swap areas, and even garage sales in the states and around £10 to £20 here in the UK.

There are higher priced, base and mobile, units but a survivalist will general trend towards the least expensive gear. One of the main issues with CB operation it that of its low power output.

Granted there are modifications and amplifiers available but these are generally beyond what your average survival focused operator is looking for.

As for the availability of CB, we have already mentioned flea markets and garage sales. And then you have Craigslist(tm), eBay(tm), and a host of other online sources for CB equipment.

The only real legal issue concerning CB radio is that you are no longer required to have a license to operate either a base station or a mobile operation. There are other legal issues such as being on frequencies a CB is not authorized to operate on and the use of excessive power output. But these issues pertain more to the operator of the CB station than the CB equipment itself.

Ham Radio

Let's talk a little bit about ham radio. Ham radio has many frequencies available to those who hold an amateur radio license (ham radio license). The more popular HF (high frequency) bands have characteristics that allow people to communicate with someone in the next county or another ham in another part of the world.

The highly popular 2 meter ham band includes all frequencies between 144 megahertz up to and including the 148 megahertz frequencies.

Not wanting to go too deep into any form of radio technology I would encourage you to learn the phonetic alphabet.

Simply write it down as I did then read car number plates as you drive around or street sign etc. and practice it, this way you will soon master it.

When it comes to PMR communications I recommend the GXT1000VP4 2-Way Midland Radios from http://www.buytwowayradios.com you will not be disappointed.

And referring to Marine Radio, well I am already licensed to operate anywhere in the world while at sea, the license cost me £75 but it may have gone up in the last four years.

Nigel at www.hunters-knives.co.uk has offered you dear listener 10% on all his products simply by using the code PREP10.

Prepared for Disaster

Are you prepared for a disaster that could affect the daily function of your life or the lives of your family members? Or do you even believe a disaster will ever affect you?

Blizzards, floods, power cuts, and who knows what else happens all the time. Still, most of us ignore the warnings. "It can't happen here," some say. "The government will take care of me if it does," others think.

But not only do they happen, they can happen to you. And when they do, you will be on your own. The recent UK flooding events have proved this. Look at the total disruption of transportation when it snows for example. 

This was followed by the immediate and complete paralysis of air transportation at major international airports. Thousands were stranded for days on their own in strange cities.

As serious as these events were, they pale in comparison to the possibilities. Consider a major biological or nuclear attack or accident. Hundreds of thousands of casualties are predicted in some scenarios.

These disasters or attacks would overwhelm local, regional, and national emergency resources and cause widespread panic. Transportation would stop, markets would be stripped of food within hours, essential emergency services would be overwhelmed, and food, medical supplies, and emergency service workers would be sent to the disaster area, leaving critical shortages in local areas.

Are you prepared?

Now, more than ever, you need to prepare for the possibility of disasters or attacks on a scale and type never before imagined. It is your duty to yourself, your family, and your country to be prepared.

Some of us need to be prepared for being at "ground zero." Certain areas are the most likely direct targets of terrorists or natural disasters. All of us need to be prepared to be indirect targets, those affected by the temporary collapse of our nation's infrastructure.

In short, we all need to be able to live self-sufficiently for a period of time.

What to prepare for will depend on your geographical area. Natural disasters and the risk of major terrorist attacks vary by where you live. The first thing you need to do is make a list of the possible disasters for which you need to prepare.

Some of the things you will want to consider include natural disasters, such as blizzards, floods, and even wild fires, as well as technological disasters, such as nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) attacks, and hazardous material accidents.

Don't forget cyber-attacks, the possibility that an enemy could attack our computer systems, shutting down electrical, gas, communications, transportation, and emergency and medical services. What about attacks on our farms and agricultural processing plants? While they would likely affect only a small number of people directly, they would completely shut down food production and distribution systems.

While there are many things to plan for, your response to all of them is one of two things: stay at home or evacuate. For blizzards, earthquakes, cyber-attacks, nuclear fallout, quarantine after biological attacks, and collapse of the infrastructure, you will want to stay at home. 

For floods, hurricanes, or with some advance notice of NBC attacks, evacuation may be your course of action.

Whenever possible, staying at home in your own environment and with your own emergency supplies is the best choice. 

When you evacuate, you are essentially a refugee at the mercy of government evacuation centres or the compassion of the local population.

In a major disaster, don't expect to be welcomed by the locals who are struggling with their own survival.

In all situations, you will need to be able to think for yourself. Confusion always accompanies a major disaster and initial information and instructions may be conflicting and incorrect.

So, monitor the radio and television for official instructions on what to do, such as whether to evacuate or not, but don't assume they are correct. Make your own decisions based on your plans and preparation.

Bugging-in

Key to your survival is preparing a disaster supplies kit, essentially the stockpiling of all materials that you would need to live on if you are cut off from outside utilities, water, and supplies. Once a disaster occurs, there won't be time and materials may not be available.

How long you will need to be self-sufficient is hard to say. My advice would be that everyone store enough food, water, and supplies to take care of their family for three days.

Preparing a "72-hour kit" is a good idea. It can be used for immediate evacuation and part of your overall disaster supply kit. Place items in a portable, easy-to-carry container, such as a large plastic box or duffel bag, ready to grab at a moment's notice.

But, is it enough? A blizzard, earthquake, quarantine, or nuclear fallout could confine you for much longer. You need to be able to take care of all the needs for your family for a period of at least two weeks and possibly longer. 

Having supplies for one to three months is not all that unreasonable or hard to accomplish.

There are six basics that should be part of your home disaster supplies kit: water, food, first aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, clothing and bedding, and special needs items.

Tools and emergency supplies Tools and emergency supplies should include such things as battery-operated radio and flashlights with extra batteries, cups/plates/utensils, non-electric can opener, matches, lantern, fire extinguisher, hand tools for repairs and to turn off household water and gas, a whistle, and plastic sheeting. 

For sanitation, include toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, personal hygiene items, disinfectant, and household chlorine bleach. Many more items can be added. 

Think through the things you use on a daily basis.

Clothing and bedding Clothing and bedding would include a change of clothing and footwear for everyone in the household, rain gear, cold weather clothes, hat and gloves, and blankets or sleeping bags. Remember, a house or car can get very cold without heat. 

Prepare for the worst weather that you might encounter.

Store your disaster supply kit in a convenient place that is known to all family members and make sure they know your family's disaster plan. Evaluate your kit once a year and update it according to family needs.

Evacuation

You may not have much time to prepare when you need to evacuate. A hazardous materials spill could mean instant evacuation, so always have a smaller version of your home disaster supply kit in the boot of your car.

When you have advance warning of an evacuation, bring your portable "72-hour" disaster supply kit, along with additional food, water, and clothing. Keep important family documents in a waterproof, portable container, ready to bring with you in an evacuation.

These may include your will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security card, bank and credit account numbers, family documents (birth, marriage, and death certificates), inventory of valuable household items, and important telephone numbers.

It would be a good idea to always keep some cash in this container, so you have it for an emergency. If there is time, valuable family heirlooms or photographs can be added.

Now that you have a basic plan for any emergency, let's consider plans for some specific risks.

Nuclear attack/accident

A nuclear disaster could result from an accident at a nuclear power plant, a detonation of a nuclear device by terrorists or a rogue nation, or an explosion of a "dirty" bomb, an explosive surrounded by radioactive material. Individuals at "ground zero" will have little chance of survival.  

The risk for others is the exposure to radiation.

Radiation is dangerous because of harmful effects on the body. In large amounts, radiation can cause radiation sickness, thyroid and other cancers, and death.

These effects are greater the longer a person is exposed to the radiation and the closer the person is to the source. If radiation is released into the atmosphere, it can travel for thousands of miles, contaminating the ground and living organisms as it settles back to earth on dust or rain.  

This is called fallout radiation.

Time, distance, and shielding are the factors that minimize exposure to nuclear radiation. Most radiation loses its strength fairly rapidly, but it is important to limit the amount of time spent near the radiation source.

The farther away an individual is from the radiation source, the less exposure. Shielding is a barrier between an individual and the radiation.

Concrete, earth, and structures are good shields. Depending on the distance from the source, the best protection from radiation fallout may be to remain indoors.

After a nuclear disaster you may be advised to evacuate. If so, remain calm, pack your evacuation survival kit in your vehicle, and follow the evacuation routes out of the area. If there is time before leaving, close and lock windows of your house, close fireplace dampers, turn off air conditioning, vents, fans, and furnace.

Doing these things will make your house safer when you return by minimizing exposure to the inside of your house to fallout.

If you are advised to remain at home, bring pets inside, secure your house from fallout by closing and locking doors and windows, closing fireplace dampers, turning off air conditioning, vents and fans.

If your emergency supplies are stored in a garage or barn, bring them inside and, if there is time, store additional water in tubs, sinks, and available containers. Inside the house, the safest area is a basement or underground area, followed by an interior room with no windows.

Stay inside until authorities say it is safe to go outside. When coming in from the outdoors after exposure to fallout, shower and change clothes and shoes. Put the contaminated items that were worn outside in a plastic bag and seal it.

Open water sources (streams, creeks and lakes), fruits and vegetables from outdoor gardens, and livestock will all be contaminated. Do not eat or drink products from these until you know it is safe.

Bioterrorism

Very few people were actually infected in the anthrax attacks in the USA after 911 because it took direct physical contact with the bacteria to develop the disease. Other biological agents are contagious (passed from person to person), however, and are much more dangerous.

Biological agents are microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) or toxins that produce diseases in humans. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) lists 17 biological agents that may be used as weapons, including anthrax, smallpox, plague, and botulism. They are not immediately detectable, may take days to grow and spread, and it is impossible to know when an attack occurs. While preparations are being made for defence against such attacks, nobody really knows what to expect.

Fortunately, most of these biological agents are hard to make into weapons. Worst-case scenarios, such as suicide terrorists infected with smallpox traveling through metropolitan areas, are staggering, however.  

Thousands of victims would overwhelm medical services and die.

Likely? Hopefully not, but who knows? Those at "ground zero" who are infected will need professional medical help.

With air travel, people will spread the disease all over the country before we even know an attack occurred. The rest of the country will shut down as soon as authorities realize what happened.

Expect widespread closure of the country and mandatory quarantines. Transportation, food, and vital services will stop. Plan to stay at home if advised or ordered and avoid exposure with outsiders who may carry disease. 

Your stockpile of food and supplies should get you through this disaster. You may want to have some medical-type masks and gloves on hand.

Should you stockpile antibiotics in preparation for such attacks? Authorities say no and this may be practical advice. 

A large number of different types and amounts of antibiotics would need to be stored to protect your family against all likely biological weapons.

Many of the diseases are viruses, not treatable with antibiotics, and those treatable by antibiotics might be altered to make them resistant to available antibiotics. Besides, you will need professional medical care if you are exposed.

Chemical terrorism and hazardous spills

Chemical agents are gases, liquids, or solids that are poisonous to humans. Depending on the type and amount of the material, exposure to chemical agents can cause illness or be fatal.

Chemical agents include chlorine or ammonia gases that are transported on trains daily, other hazardous industrial chemicals, and chemical warfare agents, such as nerve agents, blister agents, blood poisons, and others.  

The CDC lists 58 known chemical warfare agents.

Some nerve agents, such as Sarin, used in the attack in Japan, kill quickly. If you are at "ground zero" in such situations your only chance is to evacuate immediately.

A hazardous materials spill is probably more likely than a terrorist chemical attack. For gases and other chemicals that spread in the air, evacuation to avoid exposure is critical.

Leave the area as soon as you are aware of the incident. Full face respirators (gas masks) may be useful for escape in such situations. Buy good quality, new masks designed for industrial or rescue use, not army surplus masks.

Natural disasters

Natural disasters are somewhat easier to prepare for—you either get out of their way (evacuate) or you protect yourself indoors.

In floods Sandbag doors and windows, move furniture and other items to higher ground, and evacuate if necessary. Do not drive or walk through flood waters and stay off bridges when they are covered with water.

Be prepared

Bad weather Preparation should include boarding up windows and flood-proofing your home. Bring in outside furniture, bicycles, and rubbish bins. Listen to recommendations of emergency officials and evacuate if advised. If not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows.

Blizzards Stay indoors and use the telephone only for life-threatening emergencies. Use fires safely and properly ventilate. It there is no heat, cover windows, close off un-needed rooms, and stuff towels in cracks under doors.

Wear layers of warm clothing. Eat and drink plenty. Food generates body heat and water helps circulation to keep the skin warm.

It is important to know what to do and have a plan before a disaster strikes. The internet can provide additional information for preparing for and dealing with natural disasters and terrorist attacks. 

Consider your risks, develop a plan, prepare your disaster supplies kit, and discuss with your family what to do in case of an emergency.

Remember, the future belongs to those who prepare. You must be ready before disaster strikes.

The Bug out Week End is coming

Community of UK Preppers on FB are having a (Bug out weekend)

So why not join them on the 2nd to the 4th may 2015 to share and learn ideas with other like-minded people

Location

The location is Winteringham Lane, West halton. DN15 9AX

Available Spaces

All spaces are designated specific areas of the Bug Out Weekend location that are suitable for that type of bugging out system as the location is a wild managed area and has a range of different types of ground.

All the places listed here are for the tree covered areas of the location.

1. Hammocks: ---------------------15 spaces.

2. Tarps and tents----------------10 Places

3. 4x4 and off road vehicles----20 places.

4. Campervans and trailers----15 places

There is a large open ground area of the location for the Bug Out Weekend to use whatever system you choose, but I will be limiting these spaces to 40 spaces.

Admission Fee

£20.00 for adult over 16 years

£10.00 for child under 16 years

Free for child under 10 years

Traders and promoters are welcome for no extra cost to the entrance fee

Anyone who says they are going to the event must pay a non-refundable £5.00 deposit per person to secure their place.

How to make deposit payment.

Only if you wish to attend say you are going and I will message you and give you the Paypal address with a payment reference number.

Once payment has been made i will send you your payment receipt reference number. This number is to be presented on entry to the Bug out Weekend where the deposit will be deducted from the admission cost.

Arrangements

Please arrange any train Tickets to Scunthorpe as soon as possible (ASAP) as this will save you money and could be cheaper than your own car.

We can arrange to pick you up from Scunthorpe Train Station and drop you back off for a fee of £3.00. Please let me know as soon as possible if you require this service.

Facilities

There will be a toilet facility in place.

There will be ranges for Archery, Crossbow, Air rifle, live round rifles and shotgun too.

There will be a solar Shower available with hot water available if needed..

There will be a Marquee set up in case of any wet weather so it won't stop people who want to do a bit of socialising

There will be a BBQ for anyone who wants to have a good old meat feast at the cost of £5.00 per head

UK Firearms Licensing Act

For anyone who wishes to bring along a gun or rifle that requires to be licensed under the UK Firearms licensing act 1968.

It is every owner’s responsibility to ensure they are covered under the Uk Firearms licensing act and proof of cover for any such firearms must be shown before you are allowed entry to the Bug out Weekend meeting.

The organisers or associates will not be held responsible for any transportation of unlicensed Firearms to or from the Bug out Weekend.

See the link below


Ranges

Strict safety rules and timing guidelines at the range points must be followed at all times.

Disclaimer

All guidelines and disclaimers will be presented on entry to the Bug Out Weekend meeting by security staff.

All guidelines and disclaimers must be read and understood before entry to the Bug out Weekend.

To be sure of a place go to FB and find the bug out weekend “CUP”