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

Everyday Carry (EDC)

EDC

Everyday Carry (EDC)

When we talk about everyday carry we simply are referring to what items you have in your bag, purse, or pockets that you carry on a daily basis. Of course for the survival prepper your everyday carry goes beyond just your wallet and watch. The gear you choose to carry is selected not only to get you though an average day, but to get you through an emergency or even a survival situation. Ultimately we are talking about survival gear that you carry everyday.

Chances are most people have common items that they carry with them daily. Items such as, their house and car keys, a wallet or purse with cash, credit cards and identification and maybe a cellular telephone. The survival minded, however, choose to carry these daily items plus a little extra gear. A prepper may consider carrying a flashlight or a pocket knife or multi-tool, multifunction knife or even a gun for self defense. A prepper may carry a handkerchief, a lighter, an emergency whistle or small survival kit or even a small first aid kit.

When deciding what kind of tools you would like to carry everyday, just like any survival preparations, it helps to consider what kind of emergencies you may encounter through the course of a day. Often when I think about EDC, I remember the movie World Trade Center (2006). Thinking about those people trapped in the rubble that may have survived the initial collapse of the towers but died because they were trapped. I try to think of what kind of gear I would have liked to have in my pockets that could have improved my chances of survival. Up until the events of 9/11, it would have been hard to imagine being in that kind of situation, but now I can think of the items that I would have wanted to have such as water, a face mask, a flashlight and a loud whistle. Of course being trapped under a pile of rubble may be an extreme emergency and not something you might encounter in your lifetime or want to prep for, but the idea is the same. Think about the scenarios you might encounter and then think of what tools might help you survive.

Everyday carry is different from an emergency car kit, a get home bag or a bug out bag (BOB) in that it is just the items carried on your person. For women, however, this may include a purse and for men, may include the always attractive fanny pack. Even if your EDC items are carried interchangeably between you and in your emergency bag, because chances are your everyday carry items are just the basics of that more prepared bag. For example, I would consider a water bottle filled with water an important EDC item, but it is not always easy to carry that bottle everywhere I go all the time. So even though I leave my house with my water in tow almost everyday, it does occasionally get left here or there, the car, wherever.

Survival Preppers will be discussing everyday carry gear throughout our blog, including gear reviews and a list of my favorite EDC gear, however, I must share my favorite EDC website, http://everyday-carry.com/. This site has an attractive simple design and is updated with great pictures of many everyday carry items. People send in there own pictures of their gear and describe the functions and compare favorite brands of gear and the moderator gives feedback, suggestions and approval of survival kits. If you need suggestions for what items to carry, what brands or just want to enjoy seeing what other survival minded people are carrying, head on over and check them out. From the introduction on the everyday-carry.com webpage, "Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness." I hope to send my own EDC gear picture very soon, but of course my gear is ever changing.

The following is a list of EDC items I like for carry. I carry many of these items myself everyday. It may seem like there is a lot of gear on this list, but keep in mind many of these items are very small, even key chain size items.

waterproof passport lanyard

leather wallet

key chain flashlight

key chain emergency whistle

key chain Swiss army knife

alternate led flashlight

pocketknife

multi tool

bic lighter

bandana handkerchief

para-cord bracelet

mini usb external hard drive

mini key chain sharpie

mini key cain compass

carabiner

key chain waterproof pill container

wrist watch

cellular telephone

sunglasses

headphones

mini first aid kit

    sterile wipes

    gloves

    face mask

    cpr face mask

    band aids

    medications

pen/writer/glass breaker

mace (occasionally)

gun ammo and holster

water bottle

camping cup

duct tape

food

plastic bag

emergency poncho

See brands on Amazon.com

My Amazon Everyday Carry (EDC) listmania

Movie Theatre Shooting in Aurora, CO

Aurora, Colorado - July 20, 2012.

According to reports, approx. 12 killed, 59 more wounded in movie theater shooting. The shooter is said to have had red died hair and calling himself Joker was wearing all black, a gas mask and flack jacket. Apparently, the shooter made his way to the front of a theater via an emergency exit and lobbed a least two gas canisters prior to opening fire. The shooter was armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and two handguns. The shooter alluded to the possibility of explosive devices at his residence upon his arrest and did not resist police custody. Police later found chemical devices and wires in his apartment four miles away, along with a song repeating on the stereo. Authorities also temporally locked down the medical school hospital where the shooter had recently dropped out from a PHD program.

We are saddened to hear about the tragic shooting that took place in Aurora, Co last night. Our thoughts go out to all friends and families affected by this. Vigil held in memorial of the victims over the weekend.

Movie Theater Shooting, Aurora, CO - Denver Post Article

Cinema blend asks you not to blame the movies.
Meanwhile, Gangster Squad movie gets a re-shoot due to theater shooting scene shown in preview before Dark Knight Rises.

Don't Blame the Dark Knight - Cinema Blend Article

Tragedy sparks gun control debate.
 Gun Control Debate Back in Spotlight - CBSNEWS Article

After news of a man thwarting a robbery by shooting back at criminals, many are asking, would concealed carry would have made a difference in theater shooting.

Florida man thwarts robbery attempt in internet cafe

Many reminded of the Columbine shooting in 1999. Looking back at tragic shootings throughout US history.

Deadlist Mass Shootings in U.S. History - KRDO Article

UPDATE July, 24, 2012

Dark Knight Rises star Christian Bale visits victims of Aurora movie theater shooting in the hospital.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20614561,00.html

Guns sales up 60% in the wake of Aurora, CO shooting. A trend seen after many tragic shootings.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21142159/gun-sales-up-since-tragedy

Everyone loves a conspiracy theory so here you go, was the shooter, Holmes, brainwashed and then supplied with gear by some other means?, Would a killer bent on killing everybody in the room just surrender, tell police about explosives in his apartment and then not cooperate with authorities later? Is this a false flag maneuver?
http://www.naturalnews.com/036536_James_Holmes_shooting_false_flag.html

The Dark Knight Rises Wallpaper

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

With the opening of The Dark Knight Rises in theaters starting tonight at midnight, July, 20th 2012, the web is a buzz with the possibilities of Nolan's epic conclusion to his Batman trilogy. Here at Survival Preppers, we have many reasons to be excited for this summer blockbuster, not the least of which is the re-imaging of the classic characters, Catwoman, who apparently is not referred to by name throughout the film, and Bane. From what we know so far, Catwoman seen next to an empty safe, will have at least a hint of the classic cat burglar persona and Bane, a muscle bound warrior, looking like a tactical nightmare with his combat boots, tactical vest and his own camouflage Tumbler, looks to bring Batman and Gotham City to its knees. 

Bane standing atop a camouflage tumbler

We can only speculate as to why Bane has his own camouflage tumbler or why Catwoman can be seen driving Batman's motorcycle. Looks like the Batman misplaced his keys. One thing I do know is Bane has quite the army behind him and it all screams tactical.

On a survival site, tactical preparedness, referring to military tactics,  is one of those fun topics we get to talk about because while it's a more extreme type of preparing involving having military training, weapons and gear it is not completely unrealistic to anticipate needing such preparations. Military training is based on a survival mentality, and involves basic survival skills along side military tactics. 

The entertainment industry has made tactical preparedness look, for lack of another word, glamorous. Movies like Batman, Resident Evil, Book of Eli, Terminator and Battle Los Angeles depict apocalyptic worlds being tamed by survival minded, overtly tactical "badass" characters. These characters have the best weapons and fun gear and of course they can survive anything and that is what makes it so fun.

Stay Tuned: Hundreds of topics to cover, including tactical gear reviews, best survival movies and much much more.

Mentioned in this article:

Theft Prevention: The Drop Wallet

The Drop Wallet.

The drop wallet is an anti theft measure you can implement to help protect yourself from criminals, muggers and pickpockets. This tactic mainly applies to those who carry wallets in their pockets or in their purses. The concept involves obtaining a cheap, though not necessarily crappy, wallet and using it as a decoy or throw away wallet. This trick is especially great for travelers and urban city dwellers.

First, obtain a cheap wallet. A cheap velcro wallet will work fine. I prefer to use a chain wallet. Even though the wallet is expendable, the chain may make a criminal think that there is something there he/she may really want, plus I don't like losing my wallet, even if it is a throw away.

       
Drop Wallet

Second, Fill the wallet with some business cards, maybe a dollar, and return wallet to your pocket or purse. Now if you are ever mugged or pick pocketed, you simply hand over the decoy or drop wallet and then get away. Now, if you are in situation were your life is threatened, the drop wallet may give you an extra second to formulate a plan, be it, self-defense or running. Usually, the robber will only want the wallet and will run away himself after they have relieved it from you. Make sure you do not put anything valuable in the wallet, including ID's with your address on it, also be sure to get a good description of the suspect for the police.

   
 Real Wallet

Personally, instead of keeping my drop wallet relatively empty, I have put together a small first aid kit inside instead. Just some gloves, some sterile wipes, band aids, ointment, a CPR mouth guard and some emergency medications. It's nice to have for small emergencies and it doesn't feel like I'm carrying around a waste of space. The first aid kit isn't worth much so if a criminal gets his hands on it, who cares. Maybe he can use for the emergency he's going to have if I ever see him again.

Lastly, I recommend keeping your valuables on a lanyard around your neck. It is easily concealed  here, making it difficult to steal. Neck wallets are great, or even just an ID holder should fit your ID, credit cards and some cash. Remember to be discrete when pulling anything out from your now concealed wallet and make sure the lanyard material or chain is sturdy enough to take some pulling and tugging, so it does not fall off.   

Don't let petty theft get you down, protect yourself from burglars.

Disaster: Colorado Wildfire 2012

Here at Survival Preppers, we are happy to report that the Waldo Canyon Wildfire is now 100% contained. If you have been following this National news, you may know that the fire burned around 18500 acres, destroyed 350 homes and killed 2 people. A horrible disaster. Our thoughts go out to all those in the Colorado Springs area who have lost homes, lost jobs and were evacuated for a prolonged period of time. We also celebrate the hard work and cooperation of the many forest service workers and firemen who helped save their community.

For many the affects of the fire are still felt. Soot and black ash have poured into the local waterways and recent rain storms have created mudslides and flooding around the area. Major populations of wildlife have been displaced creating an increase in wildlife encounters, especially bears. It will take years for growth to return to the area and anchor the loose soil. Not to mention that over 30 homes were looted and robbed during the tragedy.

Here is a link to the Huffington Post Article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/11/waldo-canyon-fire-contained_n_1664372.html

June 26, 2012.

Would you have been prepared? What would you have done to prepare for a mass evacuation and wildfire?

Water: Homemade Water Filter

How to Make a Homemade Water Filter.

You will need:

1. A washed out 2 liter bottle.

2. Sand/Rocks.

3. Charcoal.

4. Cheesecloth or handkerchief (See 100 uses for a handkerchief.)

                          Instructions: (See fig 1.)

Water: How to Make a Solar Still

How to Make a Solar Still.

A Solar Still is a great way to get water in the wild. You will need three items:

1. A water collecting container. Nalgene Tritan Widemouth 1 Quart Bottle - Blue

2. A piece of plastic or tarp. 16 ft. x 20 ft. Ripstop Woven Polyethylene Tarp

3. Something to dig with (optional) if you can dig with your hands or other tool.

U-Dig-It Trowel Shovel or Gerber Blades 22-41578 Gorge Folding Shovel.

 Instructions:  (See fig 1.)

 1. Start by digging a hole, size determined by the size of the tarp.

 2. Place leaves into the bottom of the hole.
 3. Place the water collecting apparatus into the hole.

 4. Place the tarp over the hole and secure at the sides.

 5. Place a small rock directly above the water bottle.

   Moisture from the leaves should condense under the tarp and slide down the underside of the tarp toward the rock and drip into the water bottle. Just one way to collect water in the great outdoors.

 fig 1.

Basic Survival: Water

Basic Survival: Water.

After discussing Maslow's hierarchy yesterday, I decided to start talking about basic survival need #1, Air. Here is a quick exercise. Take a deep breath, now exhale slowly,  there all done. That was easy. Hopefully you were able to complete that basic exercise easily, if not seek medical advice. Now on to basic survival need #2. Some will say shelter is your number two basic need, and in some circumstances that may be true. You certainly could hypothetically, die of exposure or hypothermia before water become a survival issue for you, but for the sake of this excerpt we are going with water. (Shelter will be discussed in a later post.) Here are some quick facts about water:

•  Earth supports water in three forms; solid, liquid and gas. 
• ~70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
• ~70% of an adult’s body is made up of water. 
•  Pure water (H2O) has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither acidic nor basic.  
• The average person in the U.S. uses 80-100 gallons of water per day.  
• ~85% of U.S. residents receive their water from public water facilities. The remaining 15% supply their own water from private wells or other sources.  
• It is recommended that you have one gallon per person per day minimum in a survival scenario. A gallon being about 3.78 Liters. For drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

 In an emergency, being without water can be extremely dangerous. Ask yourself, how long can I survive if I don’t have access to water? How long will I be without water? What can I do to make sure I have water in an emergency? Here are some options:

• Buy two cases of bottled water from the store, cost $5-10 a (12) case, remember to rotate through your water, while keeping at least a case on hand. 
• While we haven't yet discussed evacuation scenarios or "Bugging Out" (See future post) you may need water on the go. Use a hydration bladder or a Camelbak and some water bottles, a Nalgene Tritan Widemouth 1 Quart Bottle - Blue and a metal bottle (for boiling water in)
• Use a water cooler service. Store a few 5 gallon bottles. Cost around $120 a year. Primo 3-Temp Water Cooler - Water Dispensers
• Rain collecting: Use large plastic rain barrel "Rain Wizard 50 - 50-Gallon Rain Barrel", as allowed and/or collect rain and dew with tarps. Texsport Camping 17430 10 ft. x 12 ft. Reinforced Rip-Stop Polyethylene Tarps - Blue. 
Water Colletion: How to Make a Solar Still

• Live near a fresh water source and have a hand pump well.
• Learn how to make a homemade water filter, 
• Use coffee filters, a Handkerchief or store bought filter systems or filter straws. Mcnett 117576 Frontier Emergency Water Filter
•  Learn how to Purify water. 
• 1. Boiling. (5 minutes +1 minute for every 1000 feet you are above sea level.) (See Survival need: Fire) 
• 2. Purifying tablets. Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Emergency Germicidal Drinking Water Tablets
• 3. Iodine. (great for wound care, nuclear radiation sickness). 
• 4. Bleach. Ultra Clorox Germicidal Bleach, 1/96 oz Bottle - Bleach & Starch (12 drops per gallon of Plain Bleach, 1/8 teaspoon or 8 drops per gallon lasts 11-12 months stored in a cool dry place.) Remember to filter, aerate or use powdered drink mix if taste is objectionable. Crystal Light On-the-Go Pack, Lemonade

FYI: In an emergency you may be able to fill your bathtub up with water or use water from the back of your toilet or even your water heater.

Don't be without water in an emergency, The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and other government agencies won't always be able to provide water to you, protect yourselves. 

A quick note about this blog entry. You may notice (see future post) next to some topics, these will eventually become links to future entries, so Stay Tuned. Also, you will notice links to gear on Amazon.com, these links are here as recommendations to products that are being discussed. I personally love Amazon.com and use its services frequently and feel like they offer a lot of items relative to this blog. Don't feel pressured to purchase any item on a whim. Read the reviews, compare prices and make informed choices.