Failing to Prepare is Preparing to fail

"Surviving to Fight means Fighting to Survive"

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Monday, 16 June 2014

Show Content 13th June 2014



Show Notes
This week I start with the Blizzard Survival 20% Discount Offer, then it’s raining and you need a fire, Support these companies, Natural Leafy Soap, 30% DISCOUNT FROM RIBZ, Eggxactly all about free range eggs, why not grow your own mushrooms, Wilderness121’s 10% discount, Silent weapons that will put food on your plate, Field Leisure 10% Discount, Surviving in the wilderness, FireChat, more companies to support, Hunters-Knives 10% Discount, Essential Emergency Survival Gear, Essential Emergency Survival Gear, Honey the super food, If your home is a castle then learn to protect it, Further companies to support, Using a compass, Preppers must, THE ELEVENTH WILDERNESS GATHERING 2014 14th to the 17th August.

Blizzard Survival 20% Discount Offer
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It’s raining and you need a fire
The ability to create fire is a skill that should be practiced in all weather conditions, and I say do so in your back garden/yard as if you cannot light a fire there how will you manage when it really matters.
After all, the times when you most need fire are also the times when fire is most difficult to build. Therefore it is essential to have a solid understanding of what techniques are effective and where to find dry materials.
The confidence you will gain from studying this skill is rewarding, but it should also come with a good slice of humble pie. Just because you can start fire on a snowy day does not mean you could do the same in a rain storm. 
My Big Point: It is your responsibility to constantly push your skills to the next level and to never grow complacent. So how do you push yourself? Leave the bic lighter at home, and grab the ferro rod instead.
When you have grown comfortable, leave the ferro rod and bring only a fire piston, then the same will different other fire lighting aids, like Dragon Fire Gel, Hammaro Lighting Paper, and Live Fire Emergency Fire Starter to name just a few.
Just remember that the path to developing great skill requires a mind-set of making do with “less and less” rather than constantly bringing more gadgetry to the woods.
Tinder First!
The very first priority is to make a tinder bundle. Tinder can be made from anything that burns fast, hot, and easily catches a spark. Most people rush through this stage because of a self-imposed feeling of urgency to get fire.
TRUST ME… it is worth taking a long walk and spending your time on finding the right material. The best places to look are transition areas between fields and forest where there will be diverse vegetation. Cattail down, Birch bark, leaves, and dry grass work very well.
“Pencil size” Fuel
After collecting tinder, the next size fuel to focus on will be grass and twigs that are about as thick as pencil. Gather these in small bundles, and make sure that they are bone dry.
Small Kindling Wood
As you progressively collect larger and larger pieces of wood, you will eventually shift into gathering small branches. All along, keep in mind that that there two conditions that make for ideal fire wood: The wood must be off the ground, and it must be exposed to sunlight. If it makes a clean snapping sound when you break it, then it will be good for fire.
Keep everything Dry
If you need to work with your hands or take a break, do NOT throw your good fire wood down on the snow or wet ground. Instead place your materials into the crotch of a tree where they will be kept high and dry.
Choose your Location
The location of your fire / campsite will depend on many variables, so consider an area like this no large trees that could fall and crush me in the night. The young tree population surrounding this area provides a great structure for building windbreaks. There is a ton of burnable wood in the immediate vicinity that can serve as an emergency supply of fuel.
Preparing The Ground
If the ground is covered with snow, dig down with the side of your foot until you reach the raw dirt. This will greatly increase your chances of success because you will not have to melt through snow just have a fire.
Build a Platform
Another great technique for warding off moisture is to build a small platform of branches. This platform will further isolate your fire from the damp ground…. which is particularly important when your fire has just been lit and is still vulnerable.
The Tee-Pee Fire
There are many ways to build your fire structure, but I often use the Tee-Pee method because it channels the heat into a single upward direction. Simply put your “pencil thick” twigs in the centre and then build a leaning structure all the way around using progressively larger fuel wood as you build it out.
Fire Starters
You can use a Ferro Rod, but I urge you to constantly go more primitive. A ferro rod is a great intermediate step between a bic lighter and something more primitive like the bowdrill. It is a very reliable source of hot sparks but it still requires skill on the part of the user and necessitates good fire materials.
Pull Away – Don’t Push Forward!
When the backside of the knife (or a similar edge) is scraped across the Ferro Rod, a shower of hot sparks ensues. You should actually hold the knife stationary and be certain to pull away with the Ferro Rod rather than push with the knife. This causes sparks to fly without accidentally knocking your fire structure over.
Also beware that blades with a powder coated surface will not produce a reliable shower of sparks.
Bring It To Life
Once the tinder bundle ignites, you may have to gently nudge it in beneath the Tee-Pee. You can also give it a gentle breath and reposition the structure so that the upward channel of heat is igniting more fuel wood. From here, you simply add more wood and maintain the fire… good luck and have fun out there.
The following companies have supported this station and I will support them they are:
You will never need to boil water again
For I-shields UV Protection
For top quality 550 Paracord
For Survival Knives and Survival Kits
For the Nano Striker fire starter
For tasty MX3 Meals
The Lifesaver bottle
For the Knot Bone Lacelock
For the Wild and Edible Nutrition E Book
Browning Night Seeker Cap Light RGB
Multi lite Multi-tool
For the Ghillie Kettle
For the Blackbird SK-5 or his handmade leather sheaths http://www.hedgehogleatherworks.com
For the Farside Outdoor Meals
The Survivor knife
For the Chris Caine companion survival tool
Day Ration Pack
Vango Storm Shelter 400
myFC PowerTrekk
It runs on water, it really does
The Paper Shower
The Life Straw
Purinize is a 100% all-natural solution of concentrated mineral salts and purified water.
Natural Leafy Soap
The common horse chestnut and silver birch will be well known to those who venture outdoors as the leaves make a decent soap as they contain small amounts of saponin.
Saponins are a class of chemical compounds found in particular abundance in various plant species. More specifically, they produce soap-like foaming when shaken.
To use them is simple, First of all, gather a couple of leaves or so to give you a manageable amount of scrunched up leaf in your hands.
Once you've worked them into a more manageable pulp, really give it a squeeze and should see a modest amount of bubbles issue forth to clean your hands.
This method of cleaning hands is actually quite effective but the drawback is that you need to remove lots of pulped up leaf pieces from your hands after they are clean, and I wonder how much of the cleaning action is the rough quality of the leaves themselves.
Give it a go and decide for yourself. The one thing to note is that your hands feel clean and aren't subject to a big dose of 'cleaning agent' like you may be with commercial products.
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.
Weight distribution and balance is a key element in the utility of the front pack. Shifting weight forward in situations when carrying heavy loads can be critical to the comfort and balance of an individual.
Backpacking is a sport where in many situations it is critical to both minimize and maximize the contents of your load for a longer or lighter duration of stay. The ability to move small amounts of weight to the frontal region significantly reduces overall stress on a person’s shoulders and back.
Moving a small amount of heavy equipment forward to a front pack can allow for an individual to either maximize or minimize the overall load contained in a backpack.
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.
RIBZ VIP TEAM DISCONT
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Eggxactly all about free range eggs
If you’ve never had chickens, there are a few things about fresh eggs that you might not have ever known. Fresh eggs are actually quite different from supermarket eggs in few ways.
Not only are they better for you nutritionally, particularly if the hens are free range (and I mean really free to roam). Free Range Yolks Are Darker and Tastier
Depending on how much the hens have been able to range free, the yolk can be considerably darker than we’re used to seeing from the usual supermarket eggs. I remember the first time I cracked a free range I was shocked by a dark orange yolk- very different from the pale yellow I was used to from previous eggs I had bought.
Of course, that darker shade is evidence of a healthy diet of grass and bugs, and is not only perfectly safe to eat, but is much tastier and nutritious than the usual pale versions.
Fresh Eggs Last For Months. Unrefrigerated.
When an egg has just been laid, it is covered with a special protective coating called the “bloom”. You can’t see it or feel it, but it’s there. This coating helps protect the potential developing chick from being exposed to bacteria through the porous eggshell.
When that bloom has been washed off, that layer of protection is lost, and eggs begin to spoil due to bacteria being absorbed through the shell.
Supermarket eggs have been washed before being packaged, so they have a very limited shelf life. Fresh eggs, on the other hand, will last for several months even without refrigeration as long as the bloom has not been washed off, and the eggs are stored in a cool place.
The Float Test
One down-side to having completely free range hens is that those silly girls will lay their eggs in the craziest places. There have been times when I’ve come upon a nest of eggs underneath a fallen log out in the woods, and I have no idea how long they’ve been there. I could have just thrown them away, but what if they were still good? There is a way to test their freshness.
Put the eggs in a deep container of cool water. If the eggs sink to the bottom and stay there, they’re still good. If they float to the top, they’re bad. If the egg sits up on its end on the bottom of the container, and acts like it wants to float but doesn’t quite get off the bottom, it’s a little old but still good enough to eat.
Of course, once they’ve been in the water the bloom has been washed off, so you’ll want to refrigerate them and eat them within a week or so.
Could There Be A Chick In There?
Before they own their own flock of chickens some people think that if they cracked an egg there would be a chick in there.
Yes, it is a possibility. But only under certain conditions. Here’s what you need to know…
Eggs must be fertilized before you can have chicks. If you don’t have a rooster, there is zero chance of a chick being in your eggs.
If you do have a rooster who has access to the hens, chances are very good that the eggs you are collecting will be fertilized.
Fertilized eggs must be sat on, or incubated, before they will develop into chicks. If the egg isn’t kept warm, the embryo will not grow. Fertilized eggs are perfectly fine to eat, even if a hen has been sitting on it for a day or two.
Any longer than that and you’ll begin seeing blood spots and evidence of development. Which is still safe to eat, just not very appetizing.
If you discover a hen sitting on a clutch of eggs, and you have no idea how long she has been there, you can use a method called “candling” to see if there might be a chick developing in there.
Take the eggs in question and a torch into a dark room. Hold the egg, pointy side down, over the light, and cup your hand around the base of the egg so that the light shines through the shell.
If it’s dark in there, or if you see blood vessels or even movement, just put it back under the hen and let her hatch her babies out. If the light passes through the egg, the egg is still fairly new and okay to eat.
The Odd Ones
Sometimes fresh eggs don’t come out as we’d expect. Sometimes they’re very small- particularly when the hen is still young and is just beginning to lay.
Sometimes they’re very small! It’s always fun to find these little “wind eggs” in the nesting box.
Sometimes eggs are laid without a shell, or without a yolk. Sometimes you’ll get a double-yolker. And sometimes the shell might be wrinkled, or speckled! It all depends on the chicken’s diet, her age, and just random flukes her body produces.
That’s the great thing about farm fresh eggs- they come in all sizes, shapes, and colours!
Hard Boiling Fresh Eggs
If you’ve ever tried to hard boil a fresh egg, you might know the feeling of wanting to throw the whole darned thing against the wall. That shell just does not want to come off! You can give them a couple of weeks to sit before boiling them, so that the membrane has time to break down and loosen from the shell, OR… you can use this trick:
Fill a medium sized pot with enough water to slightly cover your eggs, and bring it to a full rolling boil.
Carefully submerge room temperature eggs into the pot.
Bring it back to a boil, reduce heat to med/low, and continue a light boil for 15 min.
When finished cooking, pour off the hot water and cover the eggs with ice cold water. Allow them to sit until cool. The shells will slip right off!
Freezing Eggs
When you start getting more eggs and you don’t know what to do with, freeze them! Simply crack them into a large ice cube tray (break the yoke), allow them to freeze solid, then transfer them to a ziplock bag.
During the winter when your hens have stopped laying, or at least slowed down quite a bit, you’ll still have quality eggs to bake with?
Yes. Sometimes They Get Dirty.
It’s true. Farm eggs don’t always get brought into the house sparkling clean. Sometimes they’re muddy. Sometimes they’re even pooped on. It happens.
Just wash it off with warm water (you can even use a little soap if it’s that bad), and put the egg in the fridge to be eaten in the next week or two. If the muck is still fresh simply wipe the egg in the grass before bringing it inside.
Packing your nesting boxes with fresh bedding really helps to keep the eggs clean, as well as having the boxes somewhere away from the roosts (so the hens don’t poop on the eggs overnight). But you can still expect some yuck every now and then.
Why not grow your own mushrooms
When times are hard people will be driven to eat just about anything. While mushrooms are widely accepted as a source of food, trying to consume them from wild sources can be very dangerous. Some can and will kill you and there will be no cure for the poison at all.
On the other hand, starting your own mushroom farm now will give you a chance to select safe, nutritious mushrooms for daily use, as well as ones dedicated to medicinal purposes.
Growing Area and Basic Equipment
Most species of mushrooms grow in dark, damp places. While some species prefer temperatures in the low 70‘s, most prefer in the 60‘s.
No matter where you decide to grow mushrooms, it is very important to make sure that spores from other mushrooms in the local area do not colonize the growth medium.
Aside from taking vital nutrients away from your mushrooms, you may wind up growing poisonous mushrooms and not be able to tell the difference.
It is also very important to keep tools as sterile as possible in order to prevent moulds, mildew, and other fungi from contaminating the growing area.
Most mushroom growers keep a spray bottle with 70% rubbing alcohol on hand as well as sterile gloves.
Even if you are going to spritz the mushrooms or soil with water, you should first wipe down the sprayer nozzle with rubbing alcohol in order to kill off any bacteria or other organisms.
Since you may want to grow several species of mushrooms, it may be best to simply buy pre-designed kits that include the mushroom spores plus all of the necessary tools and trays. If you would prefer not to use a kit, you can set up a growing area using the following tools and supplies:
Sterilize 20 x 20 trays or poly bags depending on species needs.
Fill tray or bag with sterile growth medium. See chart for growth mediums for selected mushrooms.
Make sure growth medium is at a proper temperature to promote growth. A heating pad can be used to raise substrate temperature, or make sure the room stays at the right temperature.
Viable spores may be collected from fresh mushrooms purchased in the supermarket. Just be sure to select a source that is not contaminated with fungus or spores from poisonous mushroom species.
Prepare spores by scraping from spore print paper into sterile, room temperature water in a sterilized flask.
Mix spore filled liquid with sterile vermiculite
Use a sterile syringe to cover the growth medium with spores, but do not place soil on top of the spore material.
Keep compost at approximately 70 degree temperature until white roots appear (mycelium)  in the growth mix.
Once you see evidence of growth, reduce temperature to lower 60‘s and cover box with clear plastic wrap or damp cloth.
Cover mycelium with 1“of fine potting soil.
Compost should be kept moist, but not soaked.
Some species of mushrooms will be ready to harvest in a matter of days, while others may take months or even years.
Mushroom Growth Habits
It should be noted that mushrooms grow in flushes. When you inoculate growth medium with spores, they will not all begin developing right away.
As the first flush is harvested, you will notice smaller mushrooms beginning to take their place.
Depending on the species, and the amount of growth medium available, you may get several flushes from a single inoculation.
Therefore, when harvesting mushrooms, you should always be careful not to disturb the medium. Carefully cut the stem of the mushroom you want to harvest, and leave the roots in place.
Preserving Spores From Generation to Generation
No matter whether you start off with a mushroom kit or spores from known edible mushrooms, it is very important to learn how to collect and preserve spore prints.
While these steps are not complicated, you must always start off with sterile tools and make sure that the spore collection process remains as controlled as possible.  Here are the basic steps:
Cut stem as close to the cap as possible without shaking or disturbing the cap.
Place cap on a piece of paper in such a way that gills are sitting on the paper. The paper should be large enough to accommodate the entire mushroom cap.
Put a few drops of sterile water on top of the cap
Cover the entire cap with a glass bowl or container.
Let sit for 24 hours without disturbing.
After 24 hours, take off the container and lift up the mushroom cap
You will see the gill pattern left behind on the paper. These are mushroom spores.
Carefully place the spore bearing papers in a sterilized air and water tight container.
Store in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use the spores.
If you are particularly interested in crops that grow indoors and require little in the way of light or maintenance, mushrooms will easily meet your needs.
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.
Silent weapons that will put food on your plate
Silent weapons, no, not the kind of silent weapon used by MI5 0r Mi6 or KGB assassins to dispose of targets during the cold war or the type screwed onto the barrel of a long-range sniper rifle, with cross hairs zeroed on the heart of an evil leader or the ex that continues to suck at your bank account year after year forcing you to live like a pauper while they and your replacement live in the lap of luxury at your expense.
No, the silent weapons that I’m talking about are less sinister. The value of silence under certain survival conditions could literally mean the difference between life and death for the survivor. Taking game silently could be essential in keeping your location secret and avoiding potential threats, or frightening away other animals in the area.
Never fall into the trap of being totally dependent upon one fish, edible plants, grow a garden, breed domestic animals etc., you must evaluate your location and personal situation and food source, therefore learning how to hunt is important. Too much can happen to cut off or eliminate your food storage.
Remember old man Murphy and his law will be in full effect and in top form after any disaster.
Plan to supplement your food storage with wild game, plan for at least three independent food sources to meet your survival needs.
Post SHTF don’t forget fields full of trapped livestock.
Of course the best foraging tool is a firearm, but under certain survival conditions silence may be desirable or even essential. For this reason, I have the tools needed to take game without arousing suspicion or attracting unwanted attention because of the sound or report.
These include:
Blow Gun
A blow gun is the epitome of simplicity. It is basically a tube through which a dart is blown. Blow guns offer silence not found with other weapons and the dart can reach a muzzle velocity of 250 fps or more depending on the user. I bought mine years ago from a mail order supplier but they can be made at home for nearly nothing.
Catapult
The catapult is generally seen as a child’s toy but can be very effective on small game and birds out to about twenty yards. The key is to practice enough to become efficient in its use. I’ve used a catapult to great effect on small game - most of the time game is stunned and not killed and must be finished off by other means.
Bow and Arrow
Modern compound bows are great for taking larger game, but are expensive with most models costing more than a comparable firearm.
Primitive bows are easy enough to make from materials found in nature, for me the hardest part has always been the arrows. I have several handmade bows, but for the most part I prefer to use commercial arrows and broad heads.
Air Guns
In my opinion, the spring piston models are the best design choice of the models currently available. They are cocked by a single stroke and the force driving the pellet out of the barrel is consistent meaning better accuracy. Look for a gun with a fully rifled barrel, adjustable sights and grooved for scope mounting.
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
Surviving in the wilderness
When an outdoor accident occurs no matter how slight, or when you realize you are lost, panic is the first reaction we all must encounter and defeat before it brings on more harm. How you handle the effects brought on by panic can determine your rate of success or failure in any outdoor emergency situation.
Anyone can become lost, separated or stray too far from camp as night sets in. Just remember that you have within you the ability to protect yourself.
Survival is a common element in all human beings, we do it every day in the concrete and asphalt jungles of civilization… now you have to do it in the wilderness. The premise is the same, keep your wits, and use your brain. DO NOT PANIC… let your positive self-rule your decisions.
To emphasize the effect that panic has on an individual, let me repeat the "RULES OF 3." Experience has shown that you can only expect to survive a panic induced emergency situation for 3 seconds, you can only survive without oxygen or from severe bleeding for up to 3 minutes, you can survive exposure to excess heat or frigid cold for up to 3 hours and you can survive without water for up to 3 days, and food for up to 3 months. Panic is your major enemy, panic is the one thing you must overcome at once because panic can and will harm you.
To help you deal with panic let’s look at a simple method of handling an emergency situation. Remember the acronym S.T.O.P. Sit -Think - Observe - Plan.
SIT: When you realize that you are lost take the time to sit down and collect your thoughts. You are not lost, you are right where you are, your camp, vehicle and everyone else is lost.
THINK: What do I have at my disposal both physical and mental that can help me in this situation? Take an inventory of your survival kit items and how you will use them. Take an inventory of your mind, remember what you always thought you would do if you got lost. Most of all remain positive, you will survive.
OBSERVE: Look around you, is there shelter, water, high ground, an open area so the searchers can see you. It will be easier for those searching to find you if you can stay in one selected location that will allow you to build a fire, provide shelter, set out signals and be in an area that can be seen at a distance or from aircraft.
PLAN: Now create your plan of action. Be positive and take care of yourself. If it is late in the day, build a fire for heat and signalling, find or make a shelter against the weather, and most of all remain positive, you do have the ability to survive. You have conquered the major danger of not allowing panic to cast your fate, you can now conquer anything else that confronts you.
SUGGESTED SURVIVAL KIT
This is only a suggested outline for a personal outdoor survival kit, customize your kit to meet your specific needs.
*Leave a detailed trip itinerary with someone you trust* with a contact number for you.
A. Never forget that your brain and your ability to remain calm and not to panic are your most important survival tools.
B. Make sure your personal survival kit is waterproof, compact and fairly lightweight, so you will carry it always.
Know how to use each and every item in your kit. Don't wait till you need it. Make your kit fit the appropriate outdoor environment that you are venturing into. No one kit meets every need—customize your kit to your needs. (Cold climate, heat, wet conditions, mountains, desert, one day or longer).
C. Suggested Survival kit components:
  1. Heavy Duty Aluminium foil (cooking, signalling).
  2. Heavy Duty plastic bag—large zip lock (water, food storage).
  3. Space Emergency Blanket (shelter, signalling, personal protection)
  4. Flares, bright coloured bandanna or flag or an Emergency Strobe (visual means of signalling).
  5. Whistle (sound signalling).
  6. Compass (navigation).
  7. Matches, candle (fire starting) one match-one fire, light.
  8. Stock cubes, one small pack of instant soup, salt (cooking, flavour).
  9. Spark Light, magnesium starter (or any other back up fire igniters).
  10. Sewing kit including some tape (repairing clothes and equipment).
  11. Small multiple function knife (general tool needs).
  12. Water filter or purification kit (potable water).
  13. Fishing kit (line, hooks, lures, snares, repairs).
  14. Signal mirror (daytime visual signalling).
  15. Wire saw (shelter building, tinder making).
  16. Sweets/Glucose tablets or high energy bar (survival food).
  17. Rope, string, Duck tape (shelters, snares, repairs).
  18. Insect repellent (personal comfort/protection).
  19. Small first aid kit (suited to terrain, area and personal needs).
  20. Personal need medication.
  21. A picture of your loved ones (will to survive)
FireChat
Surviving the disruption of a SHTF event or in a remote area may have just got easier, well communication wise anyway. There is a new app called FireChat and it introduces a new way to chat: "off-the-grid". That’s right Off grid.
Now you can chat with people around you - even if there is no Internet connection or mobile phone coverage. It just works and it’s free.
Buried within the settings of Apple’s iOS 7 is a feature that could revolutionise how we communicate.
Called the Multipeer Connectivity Framework (MCF), it lets you send messages and photos even when a person has no signal.
Now a group of developers has created a free iPhone app called FireChat that takes advantage of this feature - and it even works over long distances.
The FireChat app was developed by the crowdsourced firm Open Garden. When a user opens the app, they can pick a screen name to start sending messages.
Within the app there are 'chatrooms' with 'Everyone' and 'Nearby' options.
The former will search for all users, while the latter option applies to people within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range who are also using the app.
This is particularly useful when on a plane, or the underground. It can also be used to save money on data plans, for example.
Apple added MCF to its iOS 7 software last year.
It creates what is called a wireless mesh network that connects phones to each other.
This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad
It’s Free
Category: Social Networking
Updated: May 12, 2014
Version: 2.0.0
Size: 5.5 MB
Languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish
: Open Garden, Inc
© Open Garden Inc.
Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References
Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity
Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humour
Compatibility: Requires iOS 7.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.
To get yours simply type FireChat into your search engine.
Here are some more companies to support
72 hour survival pack
Blizzard Survival jacket
Survival Ration Packs
SOL Complete Survival Kit and SOL Bivy Bag
The answer to rough ground sleeping
For all your military equipment needs
NEW MRE’s
The Fire Piston
Great tasty MRE’s
The 95 Puukko Survival Knife
Gold Standard Whey Protein isolates which are 90% pure protein by weight
The RIBZ Front Pack
The LuminAID
Your own water purification system­­­­
Nut, gluten- and milk-free foods for nearly a decade here.
Nigel at www.hunters-knives.co.uk has offered you dear listener 10% on all his products simply by using the code PREP10.
Essential Emergency Survival Gear
Tools and Supplies to Help You Survive Just About Anything
Survival gear essentially breaks down into two groups: home use and bug-out use. Though the tools and supplies will differ in type, quantity and size for bugging-in versus on the move, they all must satisfy your basic needs for survival.
In addition to the emergency food, water, knives, guns and various kits that should be a part of every survivalist’s arsenal, you should not be caught without:
Emergency lighting (lanterns, flashlights/torches)
Heaters (liquid fuel, wood, etc.)
Sewing
Toiletries
Cleaning Products
Medical and Dental Care
Clothing (all seasons)
Shelter and Bedding (tents, sleeping bags, tarps etc.)
Communication (emergency radio, mobile phone, walkie-talkies)
Money (cash, gold, silver, various barter items like booze, cigarettes, ammo, toilet roll)
Survival Tools - What to Avoid
There are also many survival tools on the market. For instance, many veterans swear by the P-38 can opener. While simple, compact tools like this have their merits, I tend to favour tools that serve multiple purposes. They should also be as simple as possible (not that the P-38 could get any simpler). Less to go wrong in an emergency.
I also stay away from survival gear that requires electricity (read: batteries) as much as possible. It is often far easier to fix a mechanical problem in the field versus an electrical one.
However I have two solar charging systems to review and they are real contenders for inclusion as survival gear.
Multi-Tool - The Best Survival Tool Ever?
In my opinion, the single most important piece of survival gear you can own is the humble multi-tool when it comes to EDC/BOB or GHB in the UK anyway.
I like multi-tools for their “What if?” factor. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different applications for the gadgets on a compact multi-tool. They’re also a great addition to a bug-out bag.
At a multi-tool’s heart is a useful, combination set of pliers, wrench and wire cutter. I own several models and like the larger versions that fit well in my hand. (True Utility’s multi-Lite multi tool Bucks multi tool all quality, all-purpose multi-tools for the price.)

The larger models have more room for additional implements that you’d otherwise might not think to pack, like:
Wood saw
Metal file
Fish scaler
Ruler
Scissors
Awl
The larger the multi-tool, the larger the knife blade, although, I’ve found that using the blade can be a bit cumbersome with the large handle. It’s better than nothing of course, but this should not be your primary survival knife if you can avoid it.
Compact multi-tools can be better for delicate work and are lighter and easier to carry than their larger counterparts. However, the tools included are necessarily smaller and prone to breakage in rough survival applications.
Still, because a multi-tool has the potential to solve countless problems, I believe it's an absolutely essential piece of survival gear.
Get one.
Survival Gear & Supplies - Do More With Less
I think of survival supplies as the maintenance items: cleaners, kitchen gadgets, toiletries, etc. When stocking up on survival supplies, items should have multiple applications, be simple to use and store and are, ideally, inexpensive.
For example, in addition to its application in the kitchen, baking soda can be used as an all-purpose cleaner (for the kitchen, bathroom, appliances, and floors) and as a versatile deodorizer.
Here are some more ideas?
12 Unconventional Uses for Baking Soda
Heartburn, upset stomach relief
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Denture, retainer cleaner
Hand cleaner
Shampoo
Razor burn relief
Stops bleeding
Sunburn, bug bite ointment
Drain opener
Fire extinguisher
Plant food
Where to Buy Dirt-Cheap Toilet Paper
Always stock up on the survival supplies you’d be miserable without. Toilet paper is one of those lowly items that we don’t appreciate until it’s gone. Ever rushed into a stall and noticed the roll was empty after it was too late? Or had to improvise with, say, a hand full of leaves while on a camping trip? It’s not pleasant, let me tell you.
So why not plan ahead? Toilet paper is cheap, especially if you go with the 1-ply, tree-bark variety, and it doesn’t spoil.
Other Uses for Toilet Paper
You can use toilet paper as a substitute for facial tissue (Kleenex) or paper towels for cleaning up quick spills. However, it won't hold up to scrubbing.
Use toilet paper as emergency tinder for fire starting.
Wrap around a wound for an emergency bandage.
Filter water or coffee with a few sheets of toilet paper.
A roll could even be used as an improvised pillow when rough camping.
Keep Your Survival Gear Simple
When planning your emergency supply list, stick to the basics. You need to eat, drink, sleep, and stay warm, dry, clean and safe. Consider what happens if any of your equipment breaks. Remember to include tools necessary to make repairs.
There’s a lot to think about. If you’re serious about disaster preparedness and you’d like to get organized.

Decide what your needs are and how you’ll satisfy them. Selecting the right survival gear can get you through an emergency safely with as little stress and inconvenience as possible.
Peter at buggrub is not only sponsoring the competition on my website he is also offering a 10% discount on all his products. 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.co.uk
The Many uses for Honey
The health benefits of honey had been recognized even in the ancient times. Honey is used for healing many ailments and to strengthen immunity of the human body from time immemorial.
Historical records available from 8000 BC have indicated the use of honey for its medicinal properties. The Egyptians and South East Asian people understood the health benefits of honey. And it has been used in both homeopathy, and naturopathy, honey has a great role in medicinal preparations.
Ayurveda, the Indian system of natural medicine, considers honey as a natural product with high nutritional as well as medicinal value and gives a vital role in it.
Honey is a part of a number of preparations and many of the tabs are to be used with honey. Ayurveda strongly puts forward the fact that the use of honey helps to improve lifespan. It can also be used as a food supplement.
Honey the Super Food
Regular use of honey promotes health and longevity
Drinking honey and lemon juice in equal quantities before breakfast will help in improving immunity of the human body.
Honey gives relief from cough.
Drinking half an ounce of honey with the juice of radish strengthens immunity.
Drink 10 ml honey before going to bed for comfortable sleep
Honey cures food poisoning.
Use honey 15ml regularly to lose weight
Drink one tablespoon of honey mixed with lukewarm water twice a day before food for easy digestion.
Honey cures urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, and bronchial asthma.
It is given to children for improving health and immunity.
Honey strengthens immune system of human beings
It is a rejuvenating drink for the aged.
Honey improves calcium level in the human body.
It is given as the first food to a new born baby.
It improves the blood circulation.
Honey strengthens the immune system of human beings.
It is used as a preservative.
Honey rejuvenates the liver.
Honey rejuvenates the brain.
Use of honey is good for teeth and bones.
Honey promotes blood formation.
Honey rejuvenates your heart
It is used to cure dandruff.
Drinking Honey and vinegar in equal quantities helps lowering blood pressure.
It is used as a disinfectant.
It is used as an antiseptic.
Brush the teeth with honey and charcoal powder for whitening the teeth.
Honey relieves acid reflux, and heals peptic ulcers
Regular use of honey improves hair growth. Honey rejuvenates your heart.
Honey improves eye - sight.
Honey improves memory.
It heals diabetic ulcers.
It is used as a tonic for all.
To heal ulcers in the intestine.
It helps in quick healing of deep wounds
It is used as a pain balm for headache.
Honey and apple cider vinegar can cure eczema.
It is used to heal a sore throat.
It is used to heal ulcers in the mouth.
It is used for facial massage for a glowing skin.
Honey reduces the effects of poison
It helps in quick healing of deep wounds
Honey cures Anaemia.
It is used as a medicine for tonsillitis.
It has anti-cholesterol qualities.
Honey is used as an antacid.
Honey prevents fatigue.
It is an anti-cancer agent and protect the human body against the formation of tumours
Honey improves performance in sports.
It can strengthen white blood cells.
If your home is a castle then learn to protect it
One of the scariest things that can happen to a home holder is a burglary. When it occurs, it’s frighteningly sudden. Often, there is little or no time to react. By the time a robber is in your house, it could be too late to effectively keep him at bay. He may be there to rob you and quickly escape, or he could have other intentions, including kidnapping or rape.
To be honest I think the best way to deal with a burglar is to make him decide — while he’s still outside — that your home is not one that he should try to enter. If you can convince that burglar as he’s scoping out your neighbourhood that he will have a very difficult time accomplishing his goal in your house, you might actually save your life and that of your family members.
Some people believe that their home will never be the target of a home invader because there are more expensive houses in the immediate area that contain more expensive items to steal.
The problem with that kind of thinking is that fact might not matter to a burglar. A burglar is equally interested in determining which houses he can get in and out of quickly without being detected.
Anyway a more expensive house is more likely to have a more elaborate security system that the burglar doesn’t want to mess around with.
Your choice — before something like this happens — is whether to make it easy for the burglar or very difficult for him.
Before I cover what you can do to make a burglar decide to bypass your home, including locks, lights and landscaping, there’s something everyone should know. The weakest link in your home defence could be you or another person living in your home.
Yes, some home invasions begin when a burglar busts through a front door or breaks a window and crawls through it. But many others start with a seemingly innocent ringing of a doorbell.
The burglar might pretend that he’s making a delivery or that he’s collecting money for a charity or informing you about a power cut or gas leak, or is just a person in distress who needs to use a telephone or the toilet.
When these deceivers find someone who buys their story, even for just a moment, they can either push their way into the house after the front door has been opened, or perhaps be invited in by a kind-hearted but naïve house holder.
Once they’re on the inside, you’re pretty much at their mercy because they will probably have a weapon and there will be no tell-tale sign of a forced entry that a neighbour or passer-by might spot.
So, you and your family members should have a plan in place for every time someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your front door. And that strategy should include not opening the door until you are absolutely sure you know who that person is.
Make sure that a delivery person shows you an ID, and call the company if you have any doubts about that person.
Let’s move on some ways that you can turn your home into a fortress. Remember, these are crucial for convincing a burglar that your home will be too much trouble for him.
Always keep your doors locked, whether you are home or away. Install solid wood or metal-clad doors, as these are the most likely entry points for an intruder. In addition, upgrade your locks. Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts, accompanied by heavy-duty brass strike plates, should keep doors from being kicked in.
Keep your windows locked. You don’t want windows that can be manipulated from the outside, so keep them from opening more than six inches. Consider installing mounting brackets now so that you could quickly install window bars later if necessary.
Install a security system with a loud alarm and advertise that system with signs on your property. Even before your security system is in place, a loud alarm could scare away an intruder. Post a sign regarding your alarm near the entrances. Make sure everyone living in the house knows how important it is to keep alarm codes confidential.
Make sure your front door has a peephole that gives you a good view of anyone on your porch. Your porch light should be bright enough to enable you to recognize the person before you open the door.
Keep the inside of your house well lit at night. Put your inside lights on a timer when you are away. Make sure newspapers aren’t delivered while you’re gone, and try to keep a car in the driveway.
Take a walk around your home — inside and out — and look for areas where someone could enter without a great deal of trouble. Assess these potential breach points and secure them. If there is a seldom-used door to the outside, install a 2 x 4 barricade on the inside.
Safeguard the perimeter of your home by installing motion-sensor lights on your property. A fence can be climbed, but having one might be enough to make an intruder choose a different home. Keep your shrubbery trimmed in order to reduce the number of hiding places on your property.
Whether or not you own a barking dog, plant a “Beware of Dog” sign near your house’s entrances. Dogs can be trained in defence, or at least to bark when they hear a noise outside.
Keep tools that could be used to break into a home (ladders, crowbars, etc.) away from open view.
Have a family emergency plan. Every family member should know exactly what to do, in advance, if an intruder enters the house. Getting out of the house quickly is best, but if that’s not possible, a previously designated “safe room” is where they should head. Always keep a pair of tennis shoes, a torch/flashlight and a mobile/cellphone by your bed.
Further Companies to Support
Uses natural fuel
EDC steel tools
Highlander Trojan Hydration Pack – Multicam
CUDEMAN HEAVY DUTY OLIVE WOOD BUSHCRAFT KNIFE - 111L
Alum Crystal and natural spa products
Tool logic Survival 11 Credit Card
BackHawk Web duty Belt
Guppie Multi=tool
Go Survival Pack
Beautiful Handmade Catapults
1 Person BASIC Backpack Survival Kit, the back pack that does it all
DD Hammock –The ultimate in Travel Hammocks
Elzetta ZFL-M60 Tactical Weapon-Grade LED Torch
Ultimate Adventurer Survival Kit everything in one kit
Adjustable Knife Lanyard Review
Handmade knives by James D. Sanders
Mini alarm Device with an Ultra bright White LED
Lightload towels
The LUCI light
Fire Dragon Gel
TBS Boar Folding Pocket Knife
Live Fire Emergency Fire Starter
THE ultimate Emergency Survival Fishing Kit
Gerber Mini Remix - Drop Point, Fine Edge
The Mule Light
The BodyGard is the Rolls-Royce of keychain emergency tools. Its two essential (and life-saving) tools are its seat belt cutter and door glass breaker.

The BodyGard also includes a sonic alarm (to attract attention and ward-off a would-be attacker), LED flashlight, and distress flasher (a bright red flashing light).

The BodyGard is compact and smartly attaches to your keychain so it's within reach during an emergency. You owe it to yourself and to your family to carry a BodyGard.
Using a compass
Here's the most important thing you need to know about a compass: There's no point in having one if you don't know how to use it. Your compass should come with directions on how to use it. Read them.
Because the needle of a compass is magnetized, it will always point toward magnetic north. You can use a compass without a map, if you just need to go in a very general direction in a straight line. But when you're in the wilderness seeking out a specific destination, you'll need a little more direction than that.
To navigate successfully you will need to use your compass alongside a map – so first make sure you are comfortable with reading maps first. In urban areas and lowland countryside in good visibility, good map readers can navigate well without using a compass.
For walking we recommend an orienteering compass with a rectangular base, which is marked with km/m scales that can be seen even in poor light.
Uses of a compass
A compass helps you to:
Know which direction you are travelling in – this is called your heading
Align or orientate your map with your surroundings – setting the map
Work out which direction an object or destination is from you – its bearing
Follow a straight line of travel – called following a bearing
Main features of a compass
Baseplate - the plastic base
Compass dial - also known as the compass wheel, with a mark every two degrees covering 360 degrees, and the four main compass points N-S-E-W
Magnetic needle - red end for north, white for south
Compass lines - on the bottom of the base. These are also called ‘orienting lines’
Orienting arrow - fixed and aligned to north within the dial
Index line - extension of the direction of travel arrow
Direction of travel arrow - the big arrow at the end of the baseplate
Map scales 1:25 000, 1:50 000 and metric measurer (known as Romer scales)
Magnetic north
The key thing about the compass is that the needle always points to magnetic north. This is slightly different from grid north, and the difference between them varies in different areas of the world and over time. Information about this ‘magnetic declination’ is usually printed on walkers’ maps. Over short distances it should make little difference to your navigation but if you are walking on a single bearing for a very long distance in open countryside you need to compensate for it in order to navigate accurately.
Checking your heading
Hold the compass in front of you with the direction of travel arrow pointing in the direction you’re walking
Rotate the dial so that the N aligns with the red end of the compass needle
The figure on the rim of the housing at the index line is your heading
Setting the map
An excellent use of a compass is to help you set the map, aligning it so that it corresponds to the surrounding landscape. This makes it much easier to relate the map to what you see on the ground.
Put the map as flat as possible in front of you
Put the compass anywhere on the map
Turn the map and compass until the needle on the compass aligns with the north-south gridlines on the map, with the red needle pointing to the top of the map
Following a bearing
Find a distant feature on the map that you want to walk towards
Identify this feature on the ground
Put the compass on the map so that orienting lines on the compass point line up with your route towards that feature, as it is shown on the map
Without moving the map or compass, rotate the dial so that the orienting arrow points towards north on the map - the figure on the rim of the housing at the index line is the bearing you need to follow
Take the compass off the map and hold it with the direction of travel arrow pointing straight ahead away from you
Rotate your whole body, including the compass, until the red end of the needle lies parallel with the orienting arrow
The direction of travel arrow should now point towards your distant feature
Walk in the direction indicated by the direction of travel arrow until you reach your destination, checking your bearing along the way
The same technique can also be used to check the direction of a path on the ground after taking its bearing from the map.
Preppers must
Water Preppers must store as much water as possible in the event that a SHTF
event happens.
We can only live a few days without water, then we die. Did you know that water can last indefinitely in commercially sealed bottles? It is very important to learn how much to store for each family member per day.

Storing tinned foods. Every time you go shopping you should look for tinned foods with the longest shelf life. In addition to the usual tinned tuna, don’t forget canned salmon, crab, mackerel,
and sardines for essential Omega 3 oils.
Now simply rotate everything and mark it with the date using a felt tip and please don’t forget those favourite comfort foods.

Store freeze dried foods some freeze dried foods have a 25-year shelf life. They know freeze dried foods in plastics may last only up to five years each.
Their preps include stocks of readymade meals MRE’s, in combination with long term essentials, such as freeze dried ground beef, powdered milk, butter and eggs; dried herbs and spices including extra measures of iodized salt for preservation.

Have a system most Preppers are organized people who make room for new
prepping supplies. Sooner than later, they start cleaning up cupboards and getting rid of unwanted rubbish Knick-knacks and brick-a-brack that they do not want and sell them at car boot sales or online to bring more money in.

Fire and light: Fire provides fuel for cooking, water purifying plus warmth and also provides
comfort of light.
However do not forget that open fires can be a dangerous signal in a world where the "have not’s" will be on the hunt for who to steal from.
They know that it may be better to eat silently, food that's cold than to alert the "have not"
zombies of their stockpile.
You must never let your fuel tank drop below half full and you should be prepared with emergency candles, fuel for cooking heating and lighting. Or modern alternatives, like camping stoves, solar lights and solar radios etc.
 Alternative sources of fuel and transport are a constant thought whether its human or
solar power.
OPESEC The first rule is say nothing about your preps. Silence is a golden and among the first lessons a prepper must learn. Never reveal the full extent to which they are prepping. Partially, this is because it advertises to the masses of unprepared "zombies" about where to go which the SHTF.
Confiscation and looting would be very real threats. And while you want to let the world know of the threat geomagnetic storms and other scenarios, they also know this information will fall on deaf ears to the "zombies" who don't see the very real need to prep.
Why advertise?  At some point your preps become defensible in the quest for sustaining life. Why risk it all?
Survival Sanitation as Preppers we must prepare for our sanitation needs.
At minimum they buy a toilet bucket with a seat and bags for sanitation disposal. Stock
the bucket with wet wipes or antiseptic gel, a first aid kit, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and enzyme
products.
Your preps should be a “One stop shop” Preppers store antibiotic medications,(human, animal, fish) fever reducers and emergency electrolyte products in addition to their first aid kit.
Preppers store luxury comforts ranging from sweets to comfort foods, cosmetics to condoms. Preppers should think about what they simply couldn't live without and use that list to start their own “One stop shop).
Toilet paper and sanitary towels may not seem luxurious, but if you don't have them,
then you'll understand the luxury. Sanitary napkins can also double up as a sterile pad
for deep wounds, should the unfortunate happen. A lip balm cosmetic or lotion could
be an essential comfort and can also be used for fire lighting.
Filter and collect water. It's one thing to store water, it's another to know where to find new sources of water. You should find out about hidden water sources available in your area, you must know various ways to prepare, filter and collect water. Preppers must know about water purification tablets, water filters, Berkey filter, calcium hypochlorite, Purificup, Watertogo, Purinize
Never stop learning Preppers enjoy the full time activity of prepping. There is always something more to do.  Preppers are happy to learn and practice a Prepper skill remember practice makes perfect, as with Marksmanship or Horsemanship for example.
Perhaps they start one week to learn how to tie knots, make bread from scratch, or preserve their own wholesome foods.
Maybe next, they take on first aid, attend a Martial Arts class, or register for firearms
instruction. Maybe they get a license for Amateur radio. You could always learn how to mend
clothes or knit new ones.
Without sounding prejudice women who prep should learn how to hunt or fish or just go camping. Sign language can be an essential skill for preppers in a hostile situation to communicate a defensible strategy. Learning to identify edible plants might be another survival essential.
For those skills they don't want to learn, they create a library of books on subjects such as plant identification, first aid, farming, control, food preservation. The list is endless, but Happy Preppers take it all
on, one skill or book at a time.
THE ELEVENTH WILDERNESS GATHERING 2014 14th to the 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 group’s 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.
 








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