Whether you’re taking a trip off the grid or preparing for an emergency, you’ll find the camping and survival articles you need to stay ready here. From topics like choosing the right prepper weapons to tips for dealing with severe weather, prepare for any potential disaster with advice shared by our experts.
All of the material needed to make these do-it-yourself fire starters can usually be found for FREE. We all like free and easy do-it-yourself projects and this one really comes in handy. Lightweight and easy to carry, long-burning fire starters are perfect for backpacking, camping or home use.
Movies such as Hunger Games proved to not only be entertaining, it was a bold reminder we need to start thinking about our daily must-haves for survival such as food and water. Also, what we might have to go through if those items do become scarce.
In the movie, one of main characters favorite pieces of equipment was a bow and arrow. If you are unfamiliar with archery equipment—or tackle as it is sometimes called—here is a quick overview of archery equipment.
Floods are one of the most costly of all natural disasters. In the last 10 years, flooding cost the U.S. more than $2.9 million dollars in damage. Of all presidential-declared U.S. natural disasters, 90% involved flooding. It can and has happened in all 50 states. Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes as is the case with flash flooding. Or you may have several days of advance warning of a threat from a flood, such as the type caused by spring thaws. Although you may live in a low-risk area, emergency preparedness officials want you to remember this, if it rains where you live, even a minimal amount each year, than it has the potential to flood.
If a catastrophic world-wide event happened that wiped out a large portion of our population, infrastructure and destroyed many of our natural resources, what skills do you have that would be useful in rebuilding? What skills would you like to learn? You might have stockpiled food, water, ammunition and guns, but thinking beyond a few days of disaster can put you ahead of the game. Knowing a little bit about all those essential skills means you can not only provide for your family, but also be a good bartering tool. Any trade skill makes an excellent hobby—do you like to tinker with cars? Then you have some basic mechanic skills. Do you like to grow your own vegetables? Why don’t you expand that knowledge and raise some chickens?
Being an urban or apartment dwelling prepper presents many challenges. Storage space and privacy is always an issue. If you have always wanted to be self-sufficient, but your location prevents it, you can start by growing your own supplemental food supplies in even the smallest spaces. Called container gardening, herbs, vegetables and some fruits can grow on balconies, patios, front porches, fire escapes, and even windowsills. Some of the best survival foods such as beans, kale, berries, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach will grow in containers. Squash, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, radish, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs also require a small amount of space to thrive. Small-rooted vegetables are best for container gardening.
Sit down and ask yourself some important questions. What is my first priority? Should I
make a shelter or should I start a fire first? What do I need to do to survive tonight? How
far is help? Can I maneuver this terrain after dark?
I recently had the opportunity to visit a friend’s bug-out property. What started out as a dream for land outside of the city for a nice get-away to keep animals and a shooting range turned into the perfect place to start a bug-out plan in motion. My friend lucked out on their purchase. With a few additions and tweaks, this bug-out location not only provides safety and security, but comfort as well for months if need be to ride out a SHTF storm. As silly as the National Geographic show Doomsday Preppers can get, there is something to say for the ratings that they give each prepper at the end of each segment. Based on the same rating system on how well each prepper has planned for water, food, shelter, security, and X-Factor, I’ve rated my friend’s place for each category as an example for what makes a good bug-out location, as well as tips for how to improve it.
When supplies are limited, it will be imperative for you to think outside the box and think of alternative uses for the gear you have. Many preppers already utilize food-grade plastic buckets for their food supply; however, these five-gallon buckets provide a lot more uses than just food storage. Here is 101 ways to use a plastic bucket in a survival situations.
The surplus medical box is ideal for storing valuables such as IDs, money, food, and even ammunition. The gasket seals spillage inside if something breaks during transport and the steel latches secure the gasket in place. These things can roll around in the back of a truck in any climate, and the heavy-duty construction will hold up to the elements.
The most important thing to know is that the government will most likely not be of any use; you need to be prepared to help yourself.