Where Should I Live?

Where should I live? Homesteading, Survival and Bug Out Locations.

First, there is no one right place to live. Everyone has different needs and values to consider when choosing a location to put down roots. Many people never move, they live where they are born and that is great. In the U.S., however, many people choose to move around for many reasons; finances, employment, schools, family ect. For those of you that are looking to move in the near future, this guide will help you make some decisions about where to live or at the very least get you thinking about what to consider before making the leap.

There are many factors to consider before moving, we will go over each one individually (in no particular order) with maps and statistics, then combine the most important factors and try to come up with the best locations overall.

1. What country should I live in?

This is a complex question and I am only going to touch on it briefly. It's a wonderful world out there, but not all countries are the same. Lets just say, I would avoid countries with instability, war zones, religious hot beds, high risk of natural disasters, overpopulated, or high disease and crime rates. For the sake of this guide, I will only be examining the U.S. and Canada.

2. Extreme disasters (Infrequent)

For the sake of this list I will not discuss, end of the world events, because lets face it, if it's the end of the world I just want a good spot to watch from and where I live won't really matter if it's all over for us all. However, in the U.S. there are two major threats that would mean danger for many people. 1. The Yellowstone super-volcano http://survivalpreppers.blogspot.com/2012/07/yellowstone-caldera-to-erupt.html and 2. the New Madrid earthquake zone. Each disaster has happened in the past and both are predicted to happen again based on historical recurrences. The impact zones are shown on the map.

3. Natural Disasters (frequent)

A. Flooding - Most of the U.S. lives near water for obvious reasons, unfortunately this means flooding. Sometimes caused by storms, sometimes, winter thaw. This FEMA map shows states prone to frequent flood damage. Be sure to check a particular area for more accurate information. Be aware of local flood planes, 100 year flood planes and rainfall expectations in your area.









B. Drought/Extreme Heat - Global weather patterns, natural topography, jet-stream, ocean currents can all affect climate, including rainfall and drought. Many areas are dry year after year, but any area can experience a drought. The NOAA frequently releases drought reports that look like this typical map.

C. Fire - Wildfires often follow the trends of drought and extreme heat. Many dry areas are susceptible for frequently than others.

D. Storms/Hail/Lightning

E. Landslides/Mudslides/Avalanche

F. Blizzard/Extreme Cold

G. Hurricane - Tropical storms formed over the Atlantic Ocean can become more powerful and turn into a hurricane hitting mainland along the East Coast. Any area along the East Coast is susceptible, however Florida, Lousiana and Texas are hit more frequently.

H. Tornado - Caused by cold air currents from the north along the Rockey Mtns. meeting up with warm air flow from the Gulf of Mexico, tornadoes are found frequently in the area known as Tornado Alley and move East with weather patterns.

I. Earthquake- This USGS map shows fault lines, areas where earthquakes are typical produced.

J. Volcano - Caused by tectonic plate movement, volcano eruptions are mostly rare in North America. The ring of fire area being the most susceptible. Of course, areas east of a volcano eruption can be affected by smoke and ash, depending on weather patterns.

K. Tsunami - Caused by earthquakes under or on the ocean floor, tsunamis occur typically along the ring of fire region. Damage is often located up to 25 miles of the coastal areas. While the west coast is largely susceptible, the east coast is also at risk.

L. Epidemics - Disease and epidemics are spread fastest among highly populated areas, but can often originate from rural farm areas or out of the country.

4. Man made Disasters

A. Nuclear Power (meltdown/leaks/spills) - The U.S. decided to move many of its nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain in Nevada, this map shows Nuclear Power Plants, Routes of waste removal and Nuclear missile sites.

B. Dam Breaks

C. Infrustructure

5. Water

 6. Climate/Weather/Growing season - http://www.bonap.org/Climate%20Maps/ClimateMaps.html

7. Crime

8. Population

9. Taxes/Cost of land

10. Political Affiliation

11. Unemployment

12. Pollution

Analysis:

Disaster Map

So, where should I live?
 Vancouver
 Toronto
 Washington
 Oregon
 Wisconsin
 Vermont
 New Hampshire
 Maine
 Colorado
 Utah
 Virgina
 Ohio
 Pennsylvania
 N. Carolina
 Georgia
 Michigan

Least appealing:
Oklahoma
Kansas
Louisiana
Florida
Nevada
Los Angles 

http://moving.about.com/od/BestPlacestoLive/a/Best-Places-To-Live.htm
http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html




  There is a lot of information to put together here. Hope this helps.

Sources:
Risks & hazards - A State by State Guide - FEMA196
USGS
NOAA

Star Wars: How to Survive on Hoth

Star Wars: How to Survive on Hoth

Welcome to the Survival Preppers winter edition. Within, you will find tips on how you and your Taun Taun can make it from Echo base to the first marker, how to use your Taun Taun for shelter, and how to fend off a Wampa attack.

Here on the ice planet Hoth, the sixth planet of the Hoth system, it is a dry cold, meaning that the average daily temperature is 14 degrees and there is no thaw. Of course, with wind chill it feels well below zero. Besides hiding from the Empire, ducking probe droids, and watching for Wampa attacks your biggest threats are frostbite and hypothermia. 

Frostbite is when your skin cells are killed off by ice crystals and is marked by changed in skin color red to black. Severe frostbite can kill off muscle and bone causing amputation, loss of hands, feet, ears or nose. Frostbite can be avoided by making sure your clothing doesn't restrict your blood flow, putting your hands over your ears and hands under your arms and getting yourself into shelter. Avoid rubbing and submerging into water that is too hot.

Hypothermia is when your core body heat drops because you are losing more body heat than you can produce. Symptoms include disorientation, talking about Dagobah and/or Obi Wan, slow pulse, and shivering. Seek layers, shelter and medical treatment as soon as possible. Avoid becoming wet or wearing wet clothing. Stay calm, your medical droid will put you inside a warm bath to speed your recovery.

On Hoth you will need shelter to protect you from the cold. If you are lucky enough to have a Taun Taun you may need to cut open his stomach for shelter from the cold. It might smell bad, but it'll keep you wam. Of course, you'll want to have a light saber handy for easy cutting. If not, snow is a good insulator. You will want to dig a trench or find shelter beneath a tree that has a snow bank, and build a wind break. Avoid building near water or areas that may be in risk of avalanche. Be sure to insulate the ground with tree debris, pine needles ect. If no snow is available, build a debris hut using the trees around you. Poke holes in the ceiling and never build your fire inside without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide can be very dangerous.

Hydration is very important everywhere, but you never eat snow. If you have a container put some snow in it and let it warm beneath your layers before drinking, you will still need to filter or boil your water if possible. Otherwise, find fast moving water and filter for sediment. 

Dressing in layers and staying dry are best for keeping warm. Wear water/sweat resistant under layers to protect you from sweat, over that wool is great because it stays warm even when wet, ideally your outer shell should be waterproof and insulated with goose down or similar. Wear nylon socks and layer with wool. Have separate dry clothing to wear at night. And of course, have a good hat. 

After shelter and water are obtained, get that fire going. I am not going into a lot of detail here, but remember that your fire has many survival uses here, including; warmth, boiling your water, drying your clothes, signaling for help ect. ect.  

Wampa

On Hoth you will need to watch out for Wampas. They are a carnivorous snow creature and can attack without notice. They suspend their prey upside down in the icy ceiling of their ice caves until they are ready to eat. You will need to stay calm, remember your training and use the force to recover your light saber, and free yourself. When you visit Hoth it is your responsibility to bring what you will need to survive. Appropriate clothing, a fire start and a quality knife can be essential. 


If you are stuck at Echo base with no power, remember never use your stove or drier as a heat source.

Also, remember to keep a winter kit in your X-wing. Extra clothes, blankets or sleeping bag, a gallon of water, granola bars, first-aid kit, and a fire start. 

The At-At's shields will be too strong for blasters, use harpoons and tow ropes and go for the legs. At all costs you will need to protect the shield generator until the last transport is away.  "May the force be with you."


Star Wars "Empire Strikes Back"
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/how-to-survive-the-freezing-cold.htm

Track Hurricane Isaac

Here are some storm tracking sites that are great. Follow Isaac as it makes landfall. Do you live in a high risk Hurricane area. Are you prepared? If so, what do you do?

ABC news report.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/tropical-storm-isaac-nears-rainfall-biggest-concern/story?id=17092364#.UD14QKMyCuI

Follow the storm here:

http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker/2012/isaac
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/

Coastal erosion estimated:

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3383#.UD15S6MyCuJ

Yellowstone Caldera to Erupt

Yellowstone Caldera to Erupt (a possibility?)

Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in the state of Wyoming, is home to some of the most active volcanic activity in the continental United States. The Yellowstone caldera, the most active supervolcano in the world, sits across the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and has been formed over the past 2 million years. Violent eruptions have shaped the region as late as 600,000 years ago, the latest eruption being just 70,000 years ago. Of course, the volcanic activity of the region is responsible for the many geysers, hot springs and mud pots that have brought millions of sight seers to the park over the past few hundred years. Earthquakes are common throughout the region as well. Mainly, low magnitude quakes beneath the surface but as high as 6.1 in 1975 and 7.5 on the Richter scale as recently as 1959.

Yellowstone's geothermic, hydrothermic and volcanic activity is due to a stationary hot spot in the mantle below the Earth's crust. Similar hot spots can be seen throughout the world, the Hawaiian island chain in the Pacific Ocean and in Iceland. Tectonic plates moving a couple of inches a year slide above these areas creating geologic formations and a raising and lowering of the Yellowstone plateau.

The past three catastrophic eruptions have significantly reshaped the area and caused smoke, ash and debris to be spewed across western and central United States. "Ash deposits from these powerful eruptions have been mapped as far away as Iowa, Missouri, Texas, and even northern Mexico".

Could we be due for another eruption?

Fortunately, there is no immediate threat, as there are no signs of impending danger. But, as you can see from Yellowstone's tumultuous history another catastrophic eruption is a real possibly. An eruption of this magnitude would be devastating, worst case scenario, an apocalyptic event, killing billions and possibly changing the global climate forever. Previous eruptions have been about every 600,000 years, putting us about 40,000 years overdue. Geologists, however, continue to study and monitor the area for changes in geothermic activity, changes in toxic gas pressure and other signs of volcanic activity.

Related Articles: National Geographic & USGS

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110119-yellowstone-park-supervolcano-eruption-magma-science/

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3024/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-unlikely_n_1569214.html

If you recall the 2011 disaster film, 2012, scenes depicting an estimation of a cataclysmic eruption of the Yellowstone caldera are shown.

 http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Yellowstone/description_yellowstone.html (1).
http://www.armageddononline.org/yellowstone_caldera.php (2).

Wallet First Aid Kit

Wallet First Aid Kit

In  previous posts, Everyday Carry (EDC) and Theft Prevention: Drop Wallet, I mentioned using an identification size lanyard as an everyday theft prevention technique. Putting your valuable items and money in a safer place. In implementing the use of a wearable neck wallet and drop wallet left me with some space to fill, an empty wallet, so I came up with the wallet first aid kit.

I wanted to be able to have a simple first aid kit as everyday carry and this empty wallet was the perfect place. Included in my kit is protective equipment, such as a face mask and gloves, basic first aid stuffs, such as band aids, antibiotic ointment, gauze and Purell sanitary wipes, also basic individually wrapped over the counter (OTC) medications, such as Pepto Bismol (Antidiarrheal ), Motrin (Pain reliever/Fever reducer),  Benadryl (Antihistamine), an antacid and some others. Also inside are some matches, tape and some plastic baggies. Attached to the wallet is a small Swiss Army knife with scissors and tweezers and a small LED flashlight. While this isn't everything you might have in a more complete first aid kit, all of these items easily fit inside this wallet and is very portable. I have only used the kit a handful of times, but I am always glad it's there.

Now technically, this is my drop wallet and putting all this equipment in it seems like it might defeat the purpose, but all these items are actually very inexpensive in the small quantities here. The knife and the light being the most expensive items. If I had to give this up to a thief I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Actual kit in an early stage

I will update this with a complete list of items, shortly.

Survival Knife Guide

Survival Knife Guide

 When It comes to blades there are many choices out there. Everything from ninja stars, throwing knives, push knives, bayonets, folding pocket knives, multi-function blades, multi-tools, survival knives, bowie knives, hunting knives, axes, saws,  machetes, and swords. All these blades have their own uses and a variety of specialized purposes. When it comes to picking out a survival blade, I recommend first the survival knife.

"That's Not A Knife..."

What is a survival knife? A survival knife simply is a knife that serves as your tool for survival. If the only knife on you is a Swiss Army Knife, well guess what, that's your survival knife. For the purposes of this article, however, we'll go a step further. A survival knife is a fixed blade, full tang knife made of stainless or carbon steel between the lengths of 3 inches to 1 foot long. Whoa, that's quite the definition, what does all that mean? We'll get to that. But first, don't let anyone tell you your knife is not good enough. Purchasing knives is a subjective experience. There are hundreds of styles of survival knives out there and many of them are just as good as the others. Becoming informed about what is on the market will help you choose the one that's right for you. 

The survival knife might just be the most important survival tool you can have. If it came down to just you and the elements your survival knife will save you a million times over. Great for making shelter, setting traps, chopping firewood, forging a trail, hacking brush, digging, prying, hunting, self-defense and a million other uses. So what should you look for in a quality survival knife?

How to choose the right Survival Knife for you.

1. Tang (Not just a delicious orange flavored powdered drink mix for astronauts)

Tang

Tang is the most important feature of a durable blade. Tang is the piece of metal that extends from the end of the blade and into the handle. Some knives have little to no tang, a medium size tang or a full tang. A full tang will extend all the way down to the very end of the handle. A full tang blade will give you more strength, power and durability. A full tang also means the knife is a fixed blade knife as opposed to a folding style knife. And while folding blade knives have their place, a good survival knife should be a fixed blade. Knives that have no tang and stop at the handle will eventually break with heavy use. So when you are shopping for that survival knife and you see that awesome knife that has an empty handle that will keep your matches waterproof and topped off with a fifty-cent compass at the end, keep on walking. I do not recommend that type of knife for a survival knife.

2. Metal

Most knives are either stainless steel or carbon steel. Both are strong, quality metals. The trade off comes with a personal choice, carbon steel will most likely hold an edge and stay sharper longer, but carbon steel tends to rust a little easier. If you are willing to put in a little bit of care into your knife, this will not be much of a problem, if you are going to leave this in your garage for years, maybe stick with a stainless steel. Just a dab of oil once in a while will help keep any blade form rusting. With the exception of some machetes, however, blades longer than a foot or two long, such as swords, should be heat treated carbon steel.

Doesn't my knife look huge?

3. Size

When it comes to survival knives, size does matter. But, you don't have to be like Rambo or Dundee carrying around huge knives. What you want is a size that feels comfortable to you and is appropriate for the tasks you will be using your knife for. Earlier I said a survival knife is 3 inches to a foot long. That's a big difference in sizes. These movie guys seem to have enormous...  knives, looks like just over a foot long blade for Mr. Rambo there. For most uses, except maybe hacking your way through a jungle, that's going to be way too big and you don't want to end up hurting yourself. Besides, if the blade were any bigger these guys may just want to carry a machete instead. On the other hand, a knife less than 3 inches really isn't going to help you do much more than whittle or pick your splinters out. So really I made up my size definitions based on those parameters. Ideally, I would recommend 5 to 7 inches, but again go with what is comfortable for you. When it comes to thickness, about 3/16 to 4/16 of an inch will be durable enough for wood chopping and prying. You will want a blade that does not have a lot of flexibility. My advice, pick up some knives, compare different sizes, think about what your main uses are going to be and how easily you want it to be to carry.

4. Cut

Serrated or straight? A serrated blade can be great for light sawing and cutting rope, but the draw back is that serrated blades often require a special tool to sharpen, whereas, straight cut can be easily sharpened on a stone. In the U.S. most blades are sharpened on both sides but some countries will only sharpen one side of the blade.

5. Handle

The handles of knives are also a very subjective choice. They come in rubber, polymers, wood and many others. Some are ergonomically designed to fit your hand some have tools built in, and ends that are made for hammering. Some have holes to put a holding loop through. I like rubber polymer handles. They tend to have a nice grip, last a long time, prevent blistering and are waterproof. Just do not buy a knife because it has a compass on it! Hollow handles and two piece blades equal bad.

6. Sheath

Last but not least, the sheath. Again a subjective choice, sheaths come in nylon, hard plastic and leather to name a few. And while these all have their pros and cons, my favorite is the KYDEX sheaths for both knives and firearm holsters. Kydex is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material, basically it is used as a substitute for leather but looks and feels like a hard plastic, great stuff. Sheathes can have holes around the sides or bottom for securing the sheath to your leg, clothing or backpack, some have a loop for your belt as well. Many good sheathes will also have a snapping or Velcro strap that prevents the knife from falling out.

7. Cost

Lucky for you a good survival knife doesn't have to cost a fortune. Some cheap blades can be found starting at around $10 that will work just fine, the average prices range from $30 to $60 and up to $100 or more. Prices don't always mean quality, so find what works for you first then compare prices second. If you are on a budget that's OK too, but be sure you are not buying something that is going to fall apart on first use or you are just throwing your money away.

Your survival knife should be your first tool for survival. You have a lot of information now to make an informed decision. Just remember your survival knife should be a fixed blade, full tang knife made of stainless or carbon steel between the lengths of 3 inches to 1 foot long, otherwise you can't go wrong. 

I bought my first survival knife only a few years ago and I couldn't be happier with it. I have put it through a lot of abuse and it's still holding strong with a very sharp blade. Up until now, I've only ever owned a small Buck knife, a Schrade folding knife, small and large Swiss Army knives, a multi-tool and a kitchen fillet knife for fishing. I will post a review of my first survival knife shortly. 

Meanwhile, here is a list of knife manufactures that are known to make quality blades.

Ka-Bar
Cold Steel
Gerber
SOG Specialty Knives
Smith & Wesson
Buck
Remington
Leatherman
Victorinox - Swiss Army Knives

Movie Review: Right At Your Door

Right At Your Door Movie Review

Right At Your Door

Multiple dirty bombs have been detonated in Los Angeles spewing out a cloud of toxic ash. As a husband waits for his wife's return from work, he and a handyman work to seal themselves up in the house. Meanwhile, the city is in a panic as phones are down and transportation is cut off. Isolated and unprepared the husband now has to make difficult decisions to protect himself as his wife returns home and chaos grips the city.

Right at your Door (2007) is a small budget disaster thriller that really hits home. Despite relatively unknown actors and a first time director this movie still manages to have great acting and maintain a grand scope while being a character driven narrative. Right at your Door brings the terror, panic and claustrophobia of a terrorist attack right to your door. This apocalyptic tale will make you think about your own survival should the unthinkable happen. Right At Your Door may just have you stocking up on duct tape and bottled water.

Some viewers may have a problem with the pacing, the lack of Hollywood special effects or the twist ending, but I think the movie brings home something special and I recommend it easily to fans of the apocalyptic and disaster movie genre. Especially if you enjoyed films like Testament, The Day After, The Crazies or On the Beach.

Available on DVD from Amazon.com

By the way, I don't yet own a DVD copy of this movie, so if you want to donate me one I will send you my mailing address.

Basic Survival: Fire

Basic Survival: Fire

We all know what fire is and we have all had some experiences with fire in our lives. The discovery of fire dates back before any record of history. Presumably the early development of man, prehistoric times or caveman days, if you'd like. Fire can occur naturally in nature when heat causes a material to combust or it can be man made such as rubbing to sticks together, causing combustion from friction. Your experiences with fire may be positive, such as, keeping a wood stove hot during the winter months, roasting marshmallows while camping or Mom's cooking in the kitchen. Or they can be negative, such as a structure fire or threatening wildfires that can cause damage to personal items and people.

When we talk about fire from a survival stance, we are thinking about using fire as a tool for survival. Fire has many uses in survival scenarios. Fire can be used to decontaminate water through boiling, it can be used to heat up food, reducing harmful bacteria and bringing out flavor, it can be used as heat to prevent hypothermia or light to see in the dark, fire can be used to signal in an emergency by using smoke, it can be used to forge tools, protect you from people, animals and insects and to dry your clothes. 

The BIC Lighter

You can see by the many uses of fire why having a way to make fire in an emergency can be very useful. Naturally, following the rule of two is one and one is none, you will want to have multiple ways to make fire in an emergency. One way to make fire is by rubbing two sticks together. Anybody who has tried this before can tell you it is not as easy as it looks, but you can learn from others who have experience starting fire this way and then practice it yourself. We have come a long way from the rubbing of sticks method, however. These days most people using fire simply flick a metal wheel and out from their lighter comes a shooting flame. Lighters are simple and simply amazing if you really think about it. Having that kind of tool at our disposal is one thing that keeps mankind at the top of the food chain. Of course, in an emergency you had better make sure you have one.

The lighter is my number one recommendation as a fire starting survival tool. They are small, easy to carry and relatively reliable. The only draw back being they can run out of fuel or possibly break. Buy a dozen and put one in the car, a drawer at home, your Bug Out Bag, your camping gear, and of course one in your pocket at all times. See Everyday carry. It's funny to think that all this time smokers were some of the most prepared for emergencies just because they carried a lighter on them all the time.

Of course, one can not simply rely on one form of fire starting, so here are a few more for consideration.  The ol flint and steel. This is another tool that takes a bit of practice to master. Basically, you create a spark that ignites some tinder and then cultivate it until you can spread a small flame to a larger fuel source. Some fire starts like this require you to shave off small shavings of magnesium, then use the sparking technique to start the fire. Many people like the the Zippo brand lighter, however this does require that you have wicks, flints and fuel to keep it running smoothly. The long plastic kitchen style lighters are great for starting a fire while being able to keep your distance. Matches are an old trusted source of fire, they make long matches, strike anywhere matches and even waterproof matches, which is what I would recommend as a great back up fire start.

One aspect of fire that is important to keep in mind is that and fire requires fuel to keep burning. So you will most likely need wood or some kind of combustible liquid, gas, propane etc. to keep your fire burning. Also, when starting a fire by spark, you may find it easier to already have some sort of tinder other than dry twigs and leaves. Pocket lint and dryer lint can be great tinder, some people use cotton balls soaked in Vaseline as tinder. You can store the cotton balls in an old film canister or waterproof pill container. Next time you take your clothes out of the dryer instead of throwing away that big ball of pink coloured lint, save it and store it in a small container, then put it in your BOB. Be resourceful and you will think of more. 

At the bottom of this entry I will point you to some resources about starting fire using the two sticks method and the flint and steel method, but first we have to discuss fire safety.  Fire can be our best friend, but if you are not careful fire can be your worst enemy. That is why we employ citizens to be firemen, because every once and a while we are careless with our fire. Not mentioning the horribleness that is an arsonist, a person that purposely starts fires with the intention of hurting people or things. Some things about fire safety you need to remember. I know you learned some of this way back in grade school but listen up again. Every place you go including your own home should have a working smoke detector, a fire extinguisher and an evacuation route at the bare minimum. Anywhere you go you should be thinking about where your closest exit is and how you are going to get there in an emergency. This does not just apply to fire. Also, remember in the event of a fire stay low to the ground, smoke rises up and can kill you faster than the fire itself. Feel doors and doorknobs quickly for warmth to determine if the next room has a fire, if you open a door you may be providing more oxygen for the fire to consume putting yourself in danger. If you catch fire remember to stop, drop and roll to extinguish the flames. If this does not work have someone get a water soaked towel and smother the fire out, do not run while on fire it will only spread the fire faster. Be sure you have a fire escape if you live above a first floor. Make sure you and your family have a fire evacuation plan, write it down, practice it and have a meeting place predesignated. Have important papers and belongs always ready to go. Keep a record of valuables and if possible have fire insurance or property insurance of some kind. When you are outdoors have a way to put your fire out before you ever lite it. A bucket of water or dirt to smother the fire out should be within reach.  Whether you live in a dry climate or not, be careful not to throw cigarette butts or other small fires out the window of a car, you may start a fire and not even know it. Never leave a fire unattended.

Start a fire with two sticks: youtube video 

Start a fire with flint and steel: youtube video 

Water Storage

Water Storage

Water storage is a cinch. But I have some ideas I'd like to share on the subject. As a preparer and someone who lives in an arid climate with very little rainfall and the current drought conditions throughout the United States, water storage is an important and relevant topic. I recommend everyone use some sort of water storage system.

Bottled Water

The easiest way to store water may be the store bought bottled water. Bottled water is an 11 billion a year industry. When I was little we always drank from the tap and I thought water was free, then I lived in a place where we used well water and never thought twice about buying bottled water. Now the average bottle of water costs about $3, from the tap about one cent. In the late 70's glass Perrier bottles were a special drink but due to plastic bottling techniques the market exploded around 1987 and now just about everyone drinks water from a bottle. Even tap users often use filters. Of course most travelers will use bottled water because some countries have water that contains more bacteria. Sickness from water causes around 3.5 million deaths a year, a staggering statistic and just another reason many prefer bottled water. Reasonably, bottled water has less bacteria than tap and depending on plumbing less metals from piping. Also, chlorine used to disinfect water, varies in levels and there is still debate over the added Florine content in water. Of course, a down side is the pollution caused by countless plastic bottles, even with recycling programs in place.

Anyway, I still recommend bottled water, not just for everyday drinking, but for long term water storage and bug out bags. Having a case or two of bottled water around is a great idea and it should keep for a very long time if stored properly. Now, I say stored properly, dark cool places are the best, basements and refrigerators ideally. The water shouldn't ever go bad, but the plastic can degrade contaminating the water. Even so I recommend rotating out your bottles with use.

From Wikipedia:

 Bottled water is often stored as part of an emergency kit in case of natural disaster. Commonly, disaster management experts recommend storing 1-US-gallon (3.8 L) of water per person, per day.^[5] This amount is intended to include water for drinking and cooking as well as water for hand washing, washing dishes, and personal hygiene. Factory-sealed containers of water have an indefinite shelf life, as long as they remain unopened and undamaged.^[6] The sell-by date is voluntarily and individually set by manufacturers to indicate the length of time that they believe the water will taste and smell fresh, rather than to indicate any issue of contamination or food safety.

Nalgene Bottle with Cup

Reusable Water Bottles

If you are worried about pollution, then the reusable water bottle is the way to go and even if you don't use it everyday, I, again, recommend having at least one or two on hand. Like many, I like the Nalgene brand bottle. It has markings on the side for volume and is BPA free. (Most new bottles are now bpa free) 2012. Another reason I like the Nalgene brand is because you can buy a titanium camping cup and with just a little duct tape, always useful, it will fit snugly under the bottom of your bottle. The second water bottle I would recommend is a metal one. Why metal? Because in an emergency you can use it to boil water in to decontaminate your drinking water. Remember to wash out your bottles after use.

 

Portable water storage

Another reason to use water bottles is they are portable. One of the most important things to bring with you in the event of an evacuation emergency is portable water. Unfortunately, water is heavy and difficult to transport. Even carring two full Liter bottles can be cumbersome. Nevertheless, I recommend you try to carry 3 liters to a gallon. Those of you that have a Bug Out Bag will know that finding places to put your water can be a pain. Many choose to attach bottles to the outside with carabiners. The most convenient way to carry water with you that I have seen so far are water hydration pouches. Often called Camelbaks due to the popularity of the brand. The military uses these now, especially for soldiers fighting in desert climates. Many soldiers have pouches that attach via Molle straps to the back of their tactical vests so they have access to water when they need it. Many backpacks are made to include a special place to attach a hydration bladder.

Large container - Long term storage

Here's a little trick I use to store a larger amount of water. I buy the 20 lb Tidy Cat brand cat litter for my cat and after the large plastic bottle is empty I wash it out thoroughly, soap and water, dry.  I then fill up the bottle with tap water or filtered water and then add 20 drops of normal bleach, non-scented, no additives. Two drops per quart holding 10 quarts or 8 drops per gallon, holding 2.6 gallons. If unused, it's a good idea to change out the water once every year even if stored properly and filter and/or agitate/shake water before use. Rationed, this water will last about 3 days per jug for one person. I currently have 3 jugs lasting me around 9 days. Not a huge amount of water, but a good start for short term emergencies.

FYI - in winter conditions kitty litter can be a great way to melt snow and provide traction for your vehicles tires as well as, having absorbent properties.

Otherwise, you can purchase larger containers for a longer storage time. 

FYI - You already have large capacity water storage in your home. Sinks, bathtubs, the back of toilets, washing machines and hot water heaters can be filled up with water in an emergency, often allowing you to store hundreds of gallons of water, but you may have limited time to do so. 

UPDATE:

cheaperthandirt.com sells a "WaterBOB" Emergency Drinking Water Storage system, made by WaySafe Florida, essentially this is a 100 gallon bladder for use in your bathtub. This is great to have and store in your bathroom. 

 Link: Bathtub water bladder http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/CAMP-205

As suggested by a reader: myfoodstorage.com sell 5 gallon Mylar bags stored inside a box as an emergency water storage alternative. 

Link: http://www.myfoodstorage.com/other-products-1/water-filters-kits-and-storage/5-gallon-water-box.html

Rain Barrels, Water Coolers and Hand Pump Wells

Rain barrels are a great way to collect water during an emergency, figuring that rain will be available at some point. Check your local government, as some regions do not allow you to even collect rainwater due to water rights. If you do have water rights on your property you may want to look into digging a hand pump well on your land. Hand pump wells are not seen as frequently these days, but in a survival situation you would be able to access the water beneath you as most drinking water comes from deep within the ground, not rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Lastly, if you are concerned about your daily drinking water you can look into getting a water cooler for your house. This can cost around $130 a year or more but you may be able to store large 5 gallon jugs of water at home.

Remember you may have to filter or disinfect your drinking water yourself. Two is one and one is none, so have multiple ways to do both. (For more information see Water: Filtering and Purifying) Currently, you count on others to provide water to stores or clean your water to send to your pipes, being responsible is being prepared and water is the most important survival need.

 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92222327
http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottled_water