Show Notes
I start this week’s
show with The BEST SURVIVAL BRACELET
Review, How to Make a Survival Heater, How to Prep Cost-Effectively, Blizzard
Survival 20% Discount Offer, How to Choose the Best Survival Knife, the
Ribzwear 30% Discount Offer, StrikeFire
Fire Starter and Sporks Review, So You Want Your Own Land, the Field Leisure
10% Discount Offer, An Army Marches on Its Stomach I march ON My Feet, the
Buggrub 10% Discount Offer, Building a Survival Shelter, the Hunters-Knives 10%
Discount Offer, Inland fish for food, When the Power Stops, Reasons to Add a
Pellet Air Gun to Your Survival Gun Arsenal, The Poison in our preps, the
Midimax 10% Discount Offer, the bug out weekend is coming.
BEAT EBOLA order your Children’s
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The BEST
SURVIVAL BRACELET Review
The Best Survival Bracelet or BSB as it is know is an
extremely well thought out idea of exceptional quality, in fact it even has a
US PATENT PENDING US 20130213089 A1 it is that good and innovative.
This very well made paracord bracelet is all you need to
start a fire anywhere as it is not only a source of paracord but it
incorporates a 1” ferrocerium rod, a scraper and tinder in the form of jute
strands woven into the top of the bracelet.
So what is jute anyway, well Dictionary.com defines 'jute'
as: "a strong coarse fibre used for making burlap, gunny, and
cordage that is obtained from two East Indian plants of the linden
family."
The plants grow 10-12 feet high and have long, serrated,
tapered, light green leaves and small yellow flowers. Since ancient
times, jute has been grown and processed in the Bengal area of India and
Bangladesh.
Along with its many industrial uses, jute twine is one of
the best fire tinder’s it is great to have available in your pack or emergency
kit as a very reliable firestarter.
Jute twine when dry, can be pulled apart into many fibres
to create a 'bird nest' that starts very easily with fire starting tools such
as fire steel, Magnesium rod, matches, or lighters.
The scraper roughly ½” x2” can be used in many different
ways, you can have it engraved, you could have an edge put on it, paint it,
polish it etc. In an emergency it can be used as a reflective signal
device.
To start a fire all you have to do is unpick the jute
which runs along the top or outside of the BSB select the length you want and
then tease the strands apart and rub them between the palms of your hands to
further rough them up form a nest and then introduce a spark.
The ferrocerium rod which also acts as a toggle closure
for the BSB is captive on the bracelet so you will not lose it when using it.
As with all fire making you must gather enough dry tinder
and fuel before you attempt to light the jute. I have found once the nest is
alight (which is an instant ignition by the way) I use Birch bark to increase
the heat and then the smaller twigs and build up from there.
Now the best bit about the BSB is starting fires does not
damage the BSB at all, as you simply re place the used jute by threading it
back through the original loops simply and effective.
The BSB is a real asset and a must for the serious
prepper and survivalist as even if you run out of jute the BSB will continue
lighting fires for you anyway.
I love it and with jute costing pennies it is a fire
starter for life.
Order your BSB at http://www.paracordist.com/
How to Make a
Survival Heater
Andrew from Durham texted last week about how to keep warm
in your home and this piece also works if you get stranded in a vehicle in bad
weather and want to get and stay warm, each winter getting stranded in your car
can be a dangerous possibility even here in the UK. Being stuck in your home
during a power cut can be equally as dangerous without the ability to heat your
surroundings. Therefore I suggest that you plan now to have the ability to
provide that lifesaving heat.
This is the equipment you will need
A small empty metal
tin: You want this to be slightly taller but thinner than a standard
roll of toilet paper. My can of choice is an unused 1 quart/ 2 pint paint tin
found in most DIY shops. You can also use an empty food tin that is the same
size.
A larger metal tin
that can easily accommodate the first one: I use a 1 gallon unused paint
tin (again found in most DIY shops). Another option is a coffee tin or a metal
bucket and so on.
Some type of lid
that can be placed over the larger tin: I also like to get a lid for the
smaller can which I will explain later.
Toilet
paper (unscented)
Six bottles of 70 to
91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) seen on Ebay £2.29 for 500ml
Matches or some
other fire starter
This is what you do
Prepare the toilet
paper: The first step is to take out the central cardboard tube from the
toilet paper roll, leaving only the paper behind.
Squeeze the paper
into the smaller tin: Next you’ll want to squeeze and roll the paper
into the smaller tin. If the tin is so small that a full-size paper roll has no
chance of fitting inside it, then you can remove some of the external sheets
(just like you would if you were going to the bathroom) until it does squeeze
into the tin. It’s important that it fills up the entire volume of the can.
Add the fuel:
If you are now ready to use it, simply add the alcohol until the toilet roll
inside the can is completely saturated. One of the benefits of using a 1
quart/2 pint paint tin is that you can store the stove with the fuel already
added by placing the air-tight lid over the can. This saves space and allows
you to have more fuel available. The lid can also be used to control the output
of the flame.
Place the smaller
tin into the larger one and position it in your car or room to be heated: The
larger tin provides an insulating barrier and some protection for passengers
and your car. You’ll also want to position it in a place that’s far enough from
anything combustible. Use the palm check. Put the back of your hand against the
surface you’re worried about and if you can’t keep your hand there without
burning it then it’s either to close or you’ll need to adjust the flame.
Light the stove:
First, open a window just a crack to provide some airflow and then carefully
place a match (or throw some sparks using a firesteel) onto the saturated
toilet paper and voila! You’ve got yourself a burning stove.
Use caution in lighting as it will combust very quickly.
It’s best to partially cover the smaller tin with a lid to decrease the size of
combustion (you can always increase it later).
You may notice if you follow the steps above, that a pretty
sizable flame results from having the smaller tin’s opening completely exposed.
While this is fine if you want to warm up faster, it does tend to go through
the fuel fairly quickly and is not so efficient.
A better way is to partially cover the smaller tin with a
lid. Or if you used a 1 quart/2 pint paint tin, you can make a small hole
(about the size of a 10p piece) in the lid it comes with and place that on top
of the can. Both of these methods control the burn rate and allow the stove to
provide a constant heat.
Another option is instead of completely saturating the
toilet roll you can pour just a few ounces of alcohol on the paper and regularly
add more as it burns up. This will also control the size of the flame and
conserve fuel. I prefer to use the lid method over this one, since you don’t
have to regularly add alcohol (it’s nice to sleep for a stretch of time and not
have to regularly add fuel).
A Word on Carbon Monoxide
A Word on Carbon Monoxide
I’m sure by now many of you are thinking, “What about the
dangers of carbon monoxide?”
Carbon monoxide is produced from the partial oxidation of
carbon-containing compounds. “Partial oxidation” is just a big word for what
happens when combustion (fire) takes place in an area where there isn’t much
oxygen. This is most apparent when one operates a generator inside a home or if
their wood stove is improperly vented.
In the case of this alcohol stove, while there is risk of
carbon monoxide emissions (rubbing alcohol contains carbon: C3H7OH) the risk is very minimal.
Opening your window slightly should provide sufficient oxygen for a
clean burn.
If you still are concerned about it, I would recommend
purchasing a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm and turning it on (putting
in the batteries) when running the stove. This will provide you ample warning
should there be an issue.
How to Prep
Cost-Effectively
Often individuals
watch shows and see others prepping for what is described as doomsday events.
Often the individuals that we watch or hear about spend thousands of pounds on
prepping supplies. If you are like most individuals and do not have thousands
of pounds to spend on prepping supplies, you must find another avenue to
acquire your prepping supplies.
Be reassured that
there are other means of acquiring a large storehouse of food and supplies for
a SHTF event than spending thousands of pounds in obtaining them. One way you
can acquire a stockpile of food is by purchasing an extra item of the regular
types of foods that they normally would use.
When shopping
instead of Buying two tins of corn buy three. Take one tin of the corn and put
it in your prepping storeroom. You can then rotate the food as you need the
food and replace the extra food while shopping the following week. This is a
great way to acquire a very large cachet of food over a period of about six
months.
Another way you can
save money on purchasing prepping items is by visiting your local pound shop.
Some may laugh at this idea. Some may think this idea is absurd. The facts of
the matter are that your local pound shop often has first aid supplies that are
normally very costly at other shops, mine also sells food.
Usually most pound
shops offer the supplies for a pound or less. I have personally seen in the
past were the same supplies often cost more than £5 apiece. Things like
Band-Aids, swab sticks, aspirin, and even vitamins are often offered at your
local pound shop. A substantial savings can be amassed by purchasing your items
at this type of venue.
Often individuals
think that a survival kit must have a beautiful label with a beautiful amount
of individually packaged items to be deemed what is called a survival kit. The
real fact of the matter is that as long as the survival kit is capable of
administering treatment to an individual that has been injured the first aid
kit is completely functional.
It doesn't take a
pretty package to have the perfect first aid kit. In actuality, these
pre-packaged first aid kits often contain items that are inferior in quality
compared to the items that you could obtain from a pound shop, in other words
you can design your own kit.
Another factor to
consider while at the pound shop is buying items such as batteries,
flashlights, tools, vitamins, paper products, disinfectants, personal hygienic
items; the list goes on and on. An individual can purchase a small duffel bag
from your local army surplus store and stockpile these items into it creating
one heck of a bug out bag for less than £15.
The same bag with
inferior items contained inside may be offered at more than £100 when
commercially prepared for the public. I am not against buying these
commercially prepared bug out bags or first aid kits.
What I am concerned
with is providing the same opportunities to individuals that are on a
shoestring budget as compared to those that live a lifestyle where money is
abundant. The fact of the matter is that everyone should be entitled to
surviving and having prepping supplies readily available.
To buy good but
cheap food preps I suggest that you check out http://www.approvedfood.co.uk
Approved Food &
Drink is the biggest online seller of clearance food and drink and they deliver
to your door across the UK.
I hope this information
has provided some food for thought and will help individuals that live on a
limited budget.
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How to Choose
the Best Survival Knife
All those who have
ever devoted a quality amount of time in the outdoors will vouch for the
effectiveness of a good knife but to the survival professional his knife is one
of their best friends and the most securely guarded of his survival equipment.
These days most people have forgotten the importance of
always having a survival knife.
Without a doubt it
is now normal to meet those who are scared of knives and question people who
keep them. It is an unfortunate fact that many present day individuals have no
clue regarding the numerous functions of a great survival knife.
When I was a little
boy around 10 years old my father gave me a pen knife and I used it every day
from sitting on my back step whittling to using it every day, all day without
even thinking about it.
I then joined the
boy scouts and was able to wear a “bone handle sheath knife” and I have to tell
you that whichever knife I had it never crossed my mind to stab someone with
it, even in anger on the day my next door neighborough shot my frog with an air
rifle as I released it into a local stream
A great survival
knife is a vital piece within your survival equipment and is among the
essentials that all survivors need to have with him or her.
With a capable knife
you can take or acquire almost anything you need to thrive as well as succeed
in the outdoors. With this in mind, your selection of the best survival knife
for your requirements has to be dependent on solid build quality, correct
parts, craftsmanship, and capability.
To newcomers,
survival knives usually conjure up images of the huge Rambo style knives as
shown in Hollywood cinema.
Though they look
like powerful tools that could take on everyone, these oversized blades really
are a phony from the best of blades used by survival pros.
The big blades have
problems with being tough to handle as they are very hefty and huge.
Additionally, double edged knives are recommended mainly for thrusting. As
their tips are fairly weak they are prone to breaking up.
A number of survival
knives are sold which may have hollow handles – the idea being you can stash
survival necessities like matches, compass, and various strings within the
water-tight handle.
One issue empty grip
survival blades experience is that they are prone to being sluggish compared to
solid handle selection and also they can easily break at the hilt as the handle
or the blade fly’s during heavy use.
There are exceptions, but usually you’re best holding the
survival gear somewhere else.
One benefit is if you should lose your survival knife you
will still have survival kit items to use.
The best survival
knives need to be functional in the number of things they are often called upon
to do. At the same time mass and weight are crucial considerations just like
any survival items.
Some people advise
that the ideal survival knife blade length is approximately four to six inches
long. This particular size blade gives good mixture of size and control.
If a larger sized
survival blade is necessary then you would possibly be best taking a machete or
an axe. Whatever the case, you would still do well with a normal sized survival
knife.
The best survival
knife is constructed of one joint of metal, to which there might be sections of
material joined to create a snug grip. This kind of construction is well known
in the blade community as “full tang” or “narrow tang”.
Full tang survival
knives are manufactured so that the blade fuses the handgrip. Typically 2 parts
of materials attach to each side of the steel to create a secure handle.
To be able to save
money on weight and mass some knives avoid adding grips and the steel remains
bare, these can be wrapped with paracord to make a comfortable hand grip for
example.
Narrow tang survival
knives reduce the proportions of the blade material as it makes its way into
the grip of the knife. A handle is then connected on the smaller bit of the
blade.
Often the knife
handle consists of leather-based disks. Narrow tang knives sometimes use a
pommel attached to the handgrip end of the tang.
Cheap survival
knives tend to be made in order that the metal blade is split from the
handgrip. The weaker point on these terribly made blades is when the blade and
grip are bolted and glued together. You’d do best to stay away from such cheap
knifes in favour of the full tang or narrow tang types.
There are two major
forms of knife blades that the survivor need, specifically smooth and serrated.
Serrated survival knife blades do best at slicing artificial materials,
garments, and skin.
For self- defence and paramedics, serrated sides make the
perfect choice.
A downside of
serrated cutting sides is that they are tough to sharpen effectively in the
wilderness. This is really a major disadvantage in a survival situation where
keeping a sharp edge in the course of tough use is extremely necessary.
In addition, serrated knives don’t have an effective
blade for carving and chopping.
A plain smooth edged
blade is the blade of preference for almost all survival circumstances. This
kind of blade is useful for chiselling, dicing, and sawing.
Although it might
not chop through nylon material webbing, clothes, or flesh as efficiently as a
serrated blade, the straight bladed knives will still make quick work of such
elements.
The added benefit of
the normal blade is that you may sharpen your survival knife on a stone or piece
of cement should you not have a normal sharpening rock on hand whereas the
serrated blade typically needs special sharpening equipment and technique.
Around the back of
numerous survival knives are a saw designed for sawing through metal or solid
wood. In lots of situations, as in the Rambo variation knives, these saws
simply do a bad job at very best.
In the event you
require a small saw in your survival tools you would thrive to add a tool
specifically developed for this instead of use your knife for this purpose.
The best survival
knife will usually have a blade width of around 4mm and 7mm. Any thinner and
the knife will become too bendable. It is crucial that the tip of the knife
sustains its durability, as this is a likely spot where the knife could fail.
There’s two primary forms of metal used in producing top
quality survival knives:
Firstly
stainless-steel knife blades are decay immune and function really well in damp
settings. They need much less care compared to carbon steel knives. Disadvantages
to using stainless steel in knives is because they tend to be more costly, are
more tough to sharpen, and might not hold an edge as nicely.
Carbon Steel knife
blades however may rust if not used frequently or sprayed. Many people think
carbon steel knives hold an edge much better than their stainless steel
counterparts.
I carry the Chris Caine Companion which is in my view the
complete survival tool
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A front pack is a pack or bag that allows for access of
equipment from the persons chest. Front packs first and foremost allow for easy
access of gear without the removal of any equipment.
In many adventure outdoor activities it can be critical to
the sport to have the ability to reach essential gear fast without the removal of
a backpack. Simplicity is the foremost purpose of the front pack but there are
many additional benefits as well.
In all there are unlimited uses for the front pack. Front
packs are the best compliment to any outdoorsman’s gear when accessibility,
functionality, mobility and simplicity are required. From horseback riding,
long distance biking, motorcycling and kayaking.
All sports where fast and easy access of gear is essential,
a front pack is your best solution and as you can imagine it is going down a
storm within the prepping and survivalist community.
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StrikeFire Fire Starter and Sporks Review
A variation of the old flint and steel concept, ferrocerium
rods produce larger, hotter, and more sparks than their predecessor.
First, why not just use matches or lighters? They're
easier to use and cheaper, right? Well, I do recommend keeping a few lighters
and matches on hand, but no, they aren't always easier to use, and they aren't
cheaper either.
Consider lighting a fire after falling into water, or after
your lighter or matches have been in the rain.
Wet lighters and matches don't work, while ferrocerium rod
fire starters like the StrikeFire are impervious to water, and will easily
start fires while wet. You can buy waterproof matches and lighters but they
will cost a lot more overall.
Be aware that while waterproof matches may be waterproof,
the rough surface they come with to strike on often isn't.
Before we can compare the cost between a StrikeFire and
matches/lighters, we have to know how long a StrikeFire lasts. We get roughly
12000 fires form the large strikefire before it needs to be replaced.
There is a medium version that lights 3,000 fires.
They both produce temperatures of 3,000 degrees Celsius, the
sparks from a StrikeFire will light a huge range of natural and man-made
tinders, including gas and petrol camping stoves.
The StrikeFire is a new British made product using the best
ferrocerium rod available, a hardened steel scraper and reflective paracord
lanyard.
Get yours now at http://www.bushgear.co.uk/
The strikefire
Titanium Spork
What do you get when you cross a lightweight titanium spoon
with a lightweight titanium fork? The ultimate eating utensil for preppers and
survivalists alike the spork.
With a spork you have twice the weight savings—not only is
titanium light, but you need only carry a single utensil cutting the weight you
carry even further
Titanium leaves no metallic smell or taste and will not
rust.
It is also non-corrosive, non-magnetic and hypoallergic
Weight 17 g
Order yours at http://www.bushgear.co.uk/
The Strikefire
Stainless Steel Spork
A genuinely useful spoon paired with a more than adequate
fork and knife. Made of virtually indestructible stainless steel, these sporks
are much less prone to snapping than plastic sporks. Being able to substitute
three utensils for one is a real bonus, allowing you to scoop, prong, cut and
lift virtually any forms of foods you may encounter, in either the great
outdoors or the concrete jungle.
Get yours here http://www.bushgear.co.uk/
So You Want
Your Own Land
Do you hold a dream
to live off of the land and experience the joy of sustainable living? There
really are countless things to consider when living off the land. However, if I
was wanting my own land then these items would be on my list and I think they
should be on yours.
1. Land
2. Natural Fresh
Water Source
3. Food
4. Shelter
5. Power
6. Medical Skills
7. Methods of
Communications
8. Disposal of Waste
9. Positive Mental
Attitude
Land
I put land as the
number one priority on this list ’cause without land, there’s no living off of
it! There is a huge debate about how much is enough. I say, you make do with
what you have.
But in order to
produce enough to truly live off the land, you will need at least 5 acres. This
allows for enough space to produce for your family and your animals. When
considering where to purchase cheap land you must consider things such as
acreage, amount of timber, quality of soil, presence of water, cost of land
taxes, and weather.
Natural Fresh Water Source
We can live days,
even weeks without food, but we will surely die without water in about 3 days.
A fresh water source is crucial to your success in living off the land. Whether
it is a lake, river/stream, spring or well, it must be close by and it must be
drinkable.
The cost of digging
a well depends on your location, water table, and contractor, but you can
expect to pay up to £3,000. Water Storage (tanks, cisterns, aquifers, and ponds
for domestic supply, fire and emergency use) is also a necessary system to
consider and install.
Food
Nutrition, and the
production of food, is super important and a key factor in living off the land
not only for your family, but for your animals as well.
In most zones a
greenhouse for the winter is a must as well as a garden in the summer. Books
such as The Winter Harvest Handbook teach sustainable year-round gardening
methods and will give you a good price point for getting started. Additionally,
you’ll need a working knowledge of traditional food preservation techniques
using salt, oil, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, drying, cold storage, and lactic
fermentation. Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning is a great resource
for this.
Production animals
(i.e. bees, chickens, cows, ducks, goats, pigs, rabbits, and sheep) provide a
fresh source of food, among countless other things.
The start-up cost of
purchasing your animals will vary as will the initial cost of heirloom garden
seed. Depending on where you wanted to start, chickens and goats seem logical
to me, you may be looking at around £500 for animals, garden, and seed. If £500
seems like too much initially, get started with a small flock of chickens; the
eggs alone are enough to sustain and nourish.
Power
When constructing
your home/shelter, positioning it for power efficiency is of upmost importance.
When living off the land, the hope is, our use of power will decrease. Some of
the sources for off-grid power are wood/fire, solar, wind, and hydro. Ideally,
your property and/or your local area should contain enough timber to provide a
heat and cooking source.
The old-fashioned
cook top stove would need to find its place in your home. Solar chargers, wind
turbines, and water powered generators are all rather expensive forms of
generating power, initially.
Which one’s better?
It depends on who you talk to and where you live! Anyway you go, you can plan
on investing around £2,000. Bottom line, the less power you need the less power
you have to generate. Power conservation is your best bet when choosing to
living off the land.
Medical Skills
Basic medical skills
are a necessity for anyone living off-grid. Simply because in most cases you
will be quite a distance from the nearest medical facility and you may not hold
health insurance.
For a £50 start-up
cost you can construct an emergency medical kit.
Purchase books like
Where There Is No Doctor, Where There Is No Dentist, and Where Women Have No
Doctor: A Health Guide for Women.
And for
sustainability’s sake you will need to learn how to make homemade herbal
bandages, tinctures, and syrups; all of which require knowledge of medicinal
herbs.
Methods of Communications
Communication has
been and will always be a very important aspect of our lives. Modern technology
(aka The Internet) has dramatically changed the way we communicate with others.
There are a variety
of Satellite Internet Services providers that are for the most part, pretty
inexpensive. The initial equipment and set up fee will cost you approximately
£200 with a monthly charge of around £30 depending on what provider you go
with.
If you don’t want
the monthly charge? CB radio works well for local use and the Ham radio is
better for long range communications.
Disposal of Waste
In order of least
expensive to most expensive, here are 3 options for the disposal of human
waste.
Humanure.
Composting human waste is free. The most amazing system has been created and
you can read all about it in
The Humanure Handbook. If you are even remotely considering living off-grid this book should be
in your home library.
Incinerator Toilet. The waterless incinerator toilet can be set up anywhere and is the
perfect alternative to a septic system. One of these lovely things will cost
you approximately £1.000.
Septic System.
The septic system is the most expensive costing anywhere from £5,000. This
system requires modern electricity and running water in addition to routine
maintenance.
Positive Mental Attitude
If you are going to
live off the land and thrive, you have to have your mind right. A positive
mental attitude, and a willingness to learn, will see you through the tough
times of sustainable living.
However, living off
the land is no joke. It’s not romantic or sexy. It’s blood, sweat, and tears.
It’s up with the sun and working for hours.
It’s unpredictable.
An agrarian way of life is a willing submission to the laws of nature and to
the Creator. This will cost you everything!
Don’t ever give up
on your dreams of living off the land! I promise there is a way…you just have
to find it.
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An Army Marches
on Its Stomach I march ON My Feet
Out of all the
challenges, difficulties and obstacles that you face during selection, training
or on operations, there are very few problems that lay claim to actually stopping
a person more than a busted foot.
From shin splints,
to back problems, sprains and blisters, these and numerous other problems can
make a difficult challenge in the field downright miserable. However,
proper foot care seems to be the most vital when it comes to surviving in the
field. You must always remember your feet are your primary mode of
transportation, treat them well!
During a march in
Holland, one of the nastiest things I witnessed was a blister that covered a
guy’s entire bottom foot. In the end, the worst part wasn’t just that he
had this massive blister, but the fact that he neglected to treat the wound
immediately.
He waited until
after it burst, which led to a nasty infection, before treating it.
Needless to say, this was the end of the road for his march attempt that
year. Can you imagine a year's worth of training only to be defeated
three days into it, for something as simple as a blister? This
unfortunate scenario he experienced could have been easily prevented...devastating!!
As a soldier, it’s
imperative that you make the choice to be proactive when it comes to taking
care of your body. Being reactive means taping hot spots and fixing
blisters as soon as they develop. It requires you to make fixes to your
feet under less than ideal conditions and sometimes it will be with inadequate
material. Being proactive on the other hand means learning what works for
your feet and knowing how to treat any potential problems before they develop.
You need to become aware of what resources are available, ensuring you use
preventative measures to keep blisters from occurring in the first place.
Your training should
be done in the gear you typically use, even down to the weight of the backpack.
By training as realistically as possible you give your body the time needed to
adjust and avoid subjecting your feet to new stress during actual competitions
or missions.
Blister Care
Special Forces
selection is the ultimate test of a soldier’s endurance, training, tactics,
mental resolve and proper body maintenance. A common obstacle faced on
the field that often prevents many from finishing selection results from
blisters occurring to soldier’s feet.
Of course anyone can
slap on a piece of moleskin and Vaseline, hoping for the best! However, the
key to proper foot care is being aware of how to actually fix a blister so you
can keep soldiering on and this takes practice.
Blisters form when
the membrane connecting your outer skin layer (epidermis) and the underlying
layer (dermis) becomes separated due to heat and friction. As a result,
the space between these layers becomes filled with fluid.
Here are some tips on how you can help prevent blisters
from forming:
File down any
calluses with a pedicure file so that if a blister develops, you can access it
to properly treat it. If you allow thick calluses to remain, they will be next
to impossible to get underneath in order to fix.
Tape:
Taping is a great
way to prevent blisters from forming as it provides your skin with an extra
barrier of protection. I recommend taping the night before so the tape
has time to conform to your feet. By taping the night before, it’s one
less thing to worry about the next day and if it does come loose, it will take
less time to fix.
Micropore works well, conforms well to the foot’s shape
and is breathable
Tape any areas that
have blistered before or you know may be a friction point. Spread Tincture of
Benzoin over the area to be taped. Allow the Tincture to become tacky, and then
tape as flatly and neatly as possible. Cut off any wrinkles or corners of the
tape.
I recommend
hardening the soles of your feet by rubbing on white spirit daily which will
gradually make your soles harder.
Socks:
Having appropriate
socks is another great asset in preventing blisters. Make sure you’ve
tried your socks out prior to the event. With regular socks, seams are
sometimes a problem (it can help to turn the seam-side out). Any sock
needs to fit well, with no wrinkling.
Cotton socks provide
no wicking, tend to make balls and be irritating. Also, ensure your socks
are cleaned well of any dirt or sand, as any amount of sand or dirt tends to
cause blistering. Find the best socks for your feet, preferably ones that
wick moisture away from the skin, with seamless toes. Some soldiers prefer
single-layer socks, others like double-layer, and still others use a two-sock
combination.
Remember, if you
choose a thicker sock it means hotter feet, which leads to sweaty feet and
moist skin. Voila, sweaty feet and moist skin is the perfect recipe for a
blister! While in the field, change your socks regularly and always keep
an extra pair in your pack. Socks…you can never have enough!
Shoes and boots:
It goes without
saying that appropriate footwear is essential. Make sure you have shoes or
boots that fit properly, are broken in, and are appropriate for the terrain and
weather you will encounter. Make sure shoes aren’t black; they absorb too
much heat (not much you can do about combat boots).
Ensure insoles are
insulating. I wear padded orthotics that also provide insulation against
the heat but I don’t recommend trying something you haven’t trained with
before. You need a good outer sole for traction (with a combat boot if you can
get away with it, have them modified with a VIBRAM sole), enough room in the
front/toe area so that toes aren’t crammed close together.
Remember that in hot
weather and over long hikes your feet will swell. You can use socks of
different thickness to accommodate an initially looser fit, so remember to pack
various types of socks.
Gaitors are very
useful and a light piece of gear. They go over your socks and the top of
your shoe to prevent grass seeds, sand, stones, sticks and grit from sneaking
their way into your socks and shoes.
By preventing these
irritants from entering your shoes, you prevent blisters because these
irritants will cause friction and blisters.
Therefore, the
cleaner you can keep your socks and the inside of your boots, the better.
It’s absolutely essential that your gaiters fit correctly, i.e. not too tight
on your skin and that they stay around the top of your boot. Make any
other of your own adjustments as you find necessary.
Treating Blisters After They Develop:
First, clean the
area with alcohol. Second, drain the blister by cutting a hole in it.
Don’t use a pin prick to drain the blister, otherwise, it will refill.
Next, place Second Skin over the blister.
Try to leave the
skin intact over the blister; otherwise, the blister becomes more susceptible
to infection. Treat the area with Tincture of Benzoin, once again, so
that the tape will stick and then tape over the Second Skin.
Make sure that
the foot is dry, because once the skin is moist from sweat it becomes harder
for the tape to stick. I use foot powder to dry the feet after the
benzoin before I go ahead and tape the foot.
The number one
factor in appropriate foot care is being aware of what your feet need and how
to take care of them, before you have to do it. I've fixed my feet
hundreds of times over the years and the best results always happened when I
took the time to prep my feet long before heading out.
To have and keep
healthy feet, you have to know what works for them in different environments
and the terrain you'll find yourself in (desert, jungle, mountains,
muck). You also have to know what to do when suddenly what seemed to have
worked in the past no longer works. In other words, you’ll need a fall
back plan with the equipment to back it up and the knowledge of how to use it.
Lubricate your
feet. Reapply lubricants frequently making certain that you clean off the
old layer before applying. Make certain that your feet are clean and dry.
Dirt will irritate the skin, making it a hot spot for a potential painful
blister.
Remember that lubricants have a softening effect and
could make your skin tender and more prone to blistering.
If lubricants don’t
work for you, then I recommend that you try powders. Powders help to reduce
friction between your feet and socks by absorbing moisture. Dry skin is
more resistant to blister formation than soft, moist skin.
Powders can cake in
the presence of moisture (this includes sweat), causing blisters, so lightly
dust your feet with powder and don’t go overboard!
Another great source
of protection for your feet is the use of skin strengtheners.
Strengtheners work by coating the feet for protection and drying the skin. The
most commonly used is a tincture of benzoin, also known as FRIAR’S BALSAM.
Learn how to tape
like a pro! Practice taping and then practice some more. Keep
taping until your taping is perfected and you will have happy feet and an
easier time in the field.
When taping your
toes if you tape one, you must tape them all. The tape is certain to irritate
and create friction on the neighbouring digits creating blisters on all your
toes.
Trim your toe nails
to avoid toe blisters. Cut them straight across and file them so the front
edges are smooth and will not catch on your socks.
Keep well hydrated
to reduce swelling of the feet. When you are fluid and electrolyte deficient
your skin will more easily rub and fold over itself causing blisters.
Take off your shoes
and socks to air your feet whenever you rest so that they dry out and elevate
them above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
Understand the
benefit of taking a few minutes early on to deal with hot spots and minor
blisters before they develop into a serious problem. If you push on not wanting
to hold up your team, remember that within a few hours you, or a teammate, will
be in pain, will travel even slower and ultimately may not be able to complete
the training.
Peter at buggrub
is not only sponsoring the competition on my website he is also offering a 10%
discount on all his products by using the word PREPPER. So have you got the
gonads, can you walk the walk, dare you, I dear you to buy some buggrub and
then eat it, go on I dare you. Peter’s website is www.buggrub.com
Building a
Survival Shelter
Knowing how to build
a survival shelter can save your life.
While lack of food
can kill you in 3 weeks, and a lack of water kill you in three days, exposure
can kill in a matter of a few hours!
Regardless of what
type of outdoor survival situation you find yourself in, you may need to build
a shelter until a more permanent solution can be found.
Lean-to shelters are
the easiest to build and can be constructed from almost any material. A blanket
or tarp suspended on one end and weighted down on the other is considered a
lean-to.
Wood supported by
any upright is also a lean-to. All of these will provide some protection from
wind, sun, rain, snow and all can be made with items that can be found or
carried in a survival backpack.
Conical structures
will also provide emergency shelter and while they are a bit more difficult to
create can be made from items easily located.
Branches, sticks,
lumber and pipe are all materials that can be used to construct a conical
shelter. Arrange your support material in a circular motion. Starting with two
poles on each side, prop them up so that they help support each other.
Working on a
north/south and east/west grid, create a circle of supports. As you fill in the
gaps on each directional side you will find that the structure becomes more
stable.
Choose one area to
leave open for your entryway. You can place a few branches or sticks sideways
at this area weaving them into the outer supports to reduce the height of this
opening.
You can close up this opening with a blanket, backpack or
rubbish bag once you are inside.
When the basic shell
has been constructed you can cover this conical structure with smaller
branches, cloth such as blankets, curtains, carpet and so forth. Leaves and
grass also work as a covering.
If your structure is
constructed in an area where there is no danger of escaping natural gas or
propane you may build a small pit fire inside. There will be a natural centre
hole in conical shelters that will allow the smoke to rise and escape from
inside.
A tipi structure is
also an option for some. Taller supports are tied together at the top forming
an inverted ice cream cone shape. Around these poles, fabric such as sheets or
blankets, carpet or plastic is placed.
Again if this
structure is in an area where no danger of escaping natural gas or propane is
present, a small pit fire for warmth and cooking may be placed inside.
Tents and other types of pre-made shelters are useful as
well.
Many modern tents
are small, lightweight and some are designed for very cold temperatures. While
these modern shelters have specific types of stoves and heating equipment that
must be used they can be a valuable shelter option for some.
Canvas was once the
fabric of choice for many temporary outdoor structures. Unfortunately, it is
heavy and is a poor choice today for the survival backpack. However, it is
possible to pack one of those lightweight silver tarps in a backpack and then
have it available.
Drape it over a pole
lodged between two trees, so that each end touches the ground. Anchor the ends
with rocks and logs and close one end with branches, twigs and leaves.
Providing shelter
during an emergency is as important as water and food will be.
Before you find
yourself in an emergency situation you need to practice making a survival
shelter. Having the supplies for an emergency without having the skills to use
them is like not having the supplies in the first place.
Be prepared. Practice your skills before you need them.
Nigel at www.hunters-knives.co.uk has offered
you dear listener 10% on all his products simply by using the code PREP10.
Inland fish for
food
Millions of anglers
catch fish only to put them straight back again. Isn't it time were discovered
the culinary potential of freshwater species?
It seems to me that
it is a good time to cast an eye inland to our native freshwater species: the
pike, perch, zander, chub, carp, bream and gudgeon that swim largely uneaten in
our lakes and rivers.
Britain has a rich
history of consuming freshwater species. In the past those who didn't live near
the sea ate whatever they could coax out of inland waterways. Monastic gardens
and manor houses almost always had a fish pond or moat where freshwater species
were farmed for Friday fish suppers and feasts.
You would struggle
to find any of the species above displayed on a fishmonger's slab in the UK
these days, but they all make a worthy feast. Some cultures have never
forgotten this - the British angling press is frequently peppered with tales of
resourceful eastern Europeans taking prize carp, something of a delicacy in
their part of the world, home for tea.
With an estimated
three million anglers in the UK regularly pulling fish out of the water only to
put them straight back, why is it that we don't we eat more of our native
freshwater species? One of the main reasons must be that we are a nation of
sporting folk; freshwater species are targeted on both quality and quantity
criteria.
Specimen hunters
invest plenty of time and money in the pursuit of large individuals of species
such as pike, carp, barbel and the non-native catfish. The reward is twofold:
an epic fight and the possibility of a new personal best or even a
record-breaker.
On the other hand,
match fishermen go for quantity and any species is welcome regardless of size.
All these perfectly edible fish are put into a keep net to be weighed up at the
end of the day before being released back into the water.
Many cultures would
view this practice as verging on insanity, but it is our quality of life and
today's convenience culture that has turned fishing in the UK from a necessity
into a mass-participation sport. Only those fishing for trout, sea trout and
salmon seem to take something home for the table.
People are also
nervous about the legality of fishing. There's no need; in England and Wales as
long as you are in possession of a £27 rod licence and have permission from the
water's owner, the Environment Agency states that on any given day an angler
may remove 15 small (up to 20cm) native species including barbel, chub,common
bream, common carp, crucian carp, dace, grayling, perch, pike, roach,rudd,
silver bream, smelt, tench and zander (non-native) as well as one pike of up to
65cm and two grayling of 30-38cm.
Another reason this
subject is often approached with apprehension is that many people believe
freshwater fish will taste muddy. Fish from free-flowing waters don't tend to
suffer from this problem, although those from still waters can. As seening an
episode of River Cottage Forever, the only antidote is to cleanse the fish
through a de-mudification programme of 3-4 days in a spring-fed tank. I'm
afraid the bath tub just won't do.
To ensure these fish
find their way into your kitchen, you have to catch them yourself. So what to
catch? I've been fishing since childhood and over the years I have eaten my way
through a number of freshwater species. My favourite used to be eel, but as the
number of young eels returning to European rivers has fallen by 95% it is now
illegal to remove any caught by rod and line, but there are plenty of other
options.
Perch are a
beautiful fish, green scaled with black stripes down their flanks, an
impressive spiked dorsal fin and a ferocious pack-hunter mentality. Although
nearly wiped out in UK waters in the 1970s and 1980s by a lethal virus,
thankfully they have made a remarkable comeback. Perch have firm white flesh
similar to bass. To cook, simply de-scale, fillet, toss in seasoned flour and pan
fry with lemon juice: a recipe the French refer to as filet de perche.
The chub is deemed
to be an inedible fish, Izaak Walton referred to it as being "full of
forked bones, the flesh is not firm, but short and tasteless". And I could
not agree more.
If any freshwater
species is guilty of tasting muddy, then it is the carp. Due to increasing
pressure on our saltwater stocks and adoration from Eastern Europeans in the
UK, consumption of this fish is beginning to rise for the first since the
middle ages. Again, the flesh is firm and meaty and stands up to a variety of
different ways of cooking, although baking is the best method.
The sinister pike is
another excellent eating fish, I have had a few in restaurants in France Not
only are they cannibals, regularly feasting on other pike often more than half
their own size. Their mouths contain a series of backward-pointing teeth: once
something goes in, it's not coming out. Pike can also grow to alarming size -
the British record presently stands at a mighty 46lbs 13oz.
Even dead pike have
a secret weapon; once cooked they possess a substantial number of Y-shaped
bones along the fillet. Once removed they have a mild taste which is quite
pleasant.
As with growing and
eating your own vegetables, catching and cooking a fish you have wrestled out
of the depths gives a feeling of deep satisfaction. With the pressure on our
oceans at an all-time high, perhaps it is time to look at less familiar
options. For those who do fish, please consider tasting your catch. And if you
don't, consider taking it up: you'll be in a position to get your hands on some
of the freshest possible fish.
Many of the fish
I've mentioned above have been staple foods in the past, so why are we so put
off by them now? If you've tucked into some of our lesser-known freshwater fish
you will know what I mean.
When the Power
Stops
It is a fact that
our country is more reliant on electrical power today than at any time in its
history. Our way of life – from everyday conveniences and the security of local
emergency services to commerce and communications – is contingent upon an
always on, always available flow of electricity.
But an aging
infrastructure coupled with a rise in natural and man-made disasters threatens
our entire modern day digital infrastructure. According to many experts from
the private and public sector, we’re just one major catastrophic event away
from a complete meltdown of life in the United Kingdom as we know it today.
So, what happens if
and when the grid goes down for an extended period of time? Aside from the
aggravation of not being able to determine what is happening through
traditional media channels, for the Average person, his problems have only just
begun.
Our dependency to the power grid doesn’t just
stop at the lack of electricity in our homes to power our appliances or an
inability to charge our mobile phones; it is much broader and affects every
aspect of our lives.
We are regularly
inundated with news reports covering power cuts that last several days or weeks
resulting from bad weather or snow storms. During those times, when entire
towns or regions experience power cuts, we get a glimpse into what a truly
widespread emergency might look like.
It is often the case
that the first thing residents of affected areas do is rush to the supermarket
and DIY stores hoping to acquire critical supplies like food, water, batteries,
flashlights and generators.
And while these
supplies acquired at the onset of crisis may provide short term sustenance, any
long-term power cut situation that lasts for many weeks or months will prove
dangerous, and perhaps fatal, to the unprepared.
Consider, for a
moment, how drastically your life would change without the continuous flow of
energy the grid delivers. While manageable during a short-term disaster, losing
access to the following critical elements of our just-in-time society would
wreak havoc on the system.
Challenges or shut
downs of business commerce
Breakdown of our
basic infrastructure: communications, mass transportation, supply chains
Inability to access
money via ATM machines
Payroll service
interruptions
Interruptions in
public facilities – schools, workplaces might close, and public gatherings.
Inability to have
access to clean drinking water
The last widespread
outage in the Northeast with over 80,000 homes without electricity, showed how
intimately interconnected and alarmingly fragile our power grid is.
If our society is
more reliant on power than at any time in history – without it, we’ve got no
commerce, no communications, and no clean water – and if power becomes less
reliable in the future, the big question is: Will we be able to hack it?
THE TROUBLE with the
future of power isn’t that there is one big problem that could knack us. It’s
that there are a host of them, any one of which could knack us.
These things that could knack us I would class as Extreme
Natural Disasters
This includes
earthquakes, hurricanes, snow storms, thunderstorms as well as massive solar
storms that have the potential to seriously damage the electrical grid. You
don’t think it could happen?
“It took just 90
seconds for a 1989 solar storm to cause the collapse of the Hydro-Quebec power
grid, leaving 6 million Canadians without power for up to nine hours.
A 2008 NASA-funded
report noted the risk of significant damage to our interconnected grid in light
of the forecast for increased solar activity. The 11-year solar cycle is
expected to peak in 2013, and just two weeks ago we saw one of the biggest
solar-radiation storms in years.
Acts of Terrorism
This category
includes, but is not limited to a physical attack on the bulk power system,
either at its source of generation or somewhere along its transmission route,
cyber-attack on the computers controlling our interconnected grid,
electro-magnetic pulse, or an EMP, weapon.
Have you read me
“effects of EMP” article. EMP’s will create long-lasting damage that would
incapacitate electronic systems across the country and forever change our way
of life. Cyber-threats are another concern and someone with serious hacking
skills could easily take out computers, networks or information stored therein
to cause lasting damage to our way of life.
The Ailing Grid
Our ailing power
grid is almost as sick as our failing economy. With one malicious event, be it
manmade or by natural means, it is down. Our power delivery system is as old
and stooped as a pensioner. As it is upgraded and its capacity is expanded, our
rapacious need for more electrical power races to max it out once again.
A wide-spread
emergency, such as a massive power surge, solar flare or a rogue electromagnetic
pulse (EMP) detonation have the capacity to render our entire power
infrastructure useless. Transformers and other key elements on which the grid
depends could be permanently damaged as a result of massive electric surges.
In an event such as
this our immediate problem will be finding a way to order, manufacture and take
delivery of the components needed to replace the faulty ones.
Most of the parts
made for our electrical grid are made in China – and many are decades old. It
would take months to get the parts shipped to this country and replaced.
During the power
cut, millions would be adversely affected; some even suggesting that within a
year 9 out of 10 Britons would be dead from starvation, disease and violence.
Ladies and
gentleman, if there’s one thing that can cause the veritable “S” to hit the
fan, this is it.
So how do we remedy
and/or prepare for a grid down scenario? Think retro – like pioneer retro- and
by that we have to go way back to when we were not so dependent on the luxury of
on-demand energy in its various forms. When preparing for a grid-down scenario,
we must comprise different contingency plans for short-term and longer-term
issues.
That being the case,
we have to admit to ourselves that it could last longer than we expect and much
more than just a minor inconvenience. Therefore, the best way to prepare is to
start with your basic needs. That is the need for light, heat, water, and food.
Some preparedness items to stock up on are:
Alternative fuel
sources such as solar and diesel, wood for burning.
Food preservation
supplies – dehydrators, canners, smokers, fermenting/pickling supplies. To
learn more, click here.
Bulk food – Canned,
freeze-dried, dehydrated or dry goods.
Water filtration
supplies, rain harvesting supplies and large quantities of stored water.
Light sources:
Lanterns, flashlights, candles and matches and alternative light sources
Batteries and
chargers
Emergency stove –
solar oven, rocket stove, camping stoves, etc.
Wood burning fire
place – Central air heating systems, even if they use natural gas or propane,
depend on electricity for the blower that will circulate the heated air. When
the grid is down, this system will not work. Having a wood burning fire place
is an alternative to central heating systems.
Cash money and/or silver or gold currency
The vulnerability of
our grid is nothing new to preppers. Some have seen this problem coming for a
long time and changed their entire ways of life by going off-grid. They have
found alternative sources such as solar, wind and diesel to power their homes
and machinery. A majority of us, who have not gone off-grid, are making a
concerted effort to avoid dependence on this ailing infrastructure and
preparing for life without it. That being said, all we can do is stay the
course, prepare accordingly and continue on.
Reasons to Add
a Pellet Air Gun to Your Survival Gun Arsenal
You heard me
correctly, I said Pellet Gun. Yes, the kind powered by air I have a good
quality Pellet Air Gun and it’s not just because I still have it from when I
was a kid.
I INTENTIONALLY have
added this gun to my survival kit for very specific reasons…which I have
detailed below. If you’ve never
considered a Pellet Gun as a survival rifle option, you might change your mind
after reading this post.
As a student and
instructor of survival living, I take my gun choices very seriously I recommend
a “Break Barrel” rifle as it will never run out of air.
Here are my reasons
why a Pellet Gun deserves to be including in your Survival Rifle selection:
A pellet gun is an
excellent Small Game Hunter especially .22 calibre, is a great weapon to take
down small game. While people have taken
larger game such as wild boars with air guns, they are best suited for small game. Hunting small game is perfect for any
survivalist. Rabbit, squirrel, dove,
quail, duck and the like are excellent food sources and are readily available
in most of the country. With practice,
hunting small game with a pellet gun is absolutely no problem.
I have taken many
small game animals with my .22 cal pellet gun.
It requires better stalking skills, but that is a good skill to learn
anyway. It requires better shooting
skills, but that is also a good skill to hone in on. Hunting with a pellet gun will force you to
be a “Better” hunter and it will also put dinner on the table.
Secondly the Pellet
Gun’s ammo is one of the more convincing reasons to have one on hand. Pellets, no matter the calibre, are very
cheap.
You can buy 100s of
pellets for just a few pounds. Spend £30
and you’ve got enough to last a lifetime of small game hunting. If all hell breaks loose, traditional
ammunition will become increasingly difficult to get your hands on.
Not to mention that
it will be ridiculously expensive. If
the world we live in ever gets this way, why waste your traditional ammo on
hunting squirrel or other small game?
That would be wasteful and careless if there was a smarter way. There is – pellets.
1000’s of Pellets
Fit into Small Spaces
Not only are pellets
“Dirt Cheap”, they are very small. You
can carry 1000s and not even know they are there. You can store 10s of 1000s in just 1 shoe
box. To top it off, pellets have a shelf
life of pretty much forever! Traditional
ammunition can go bad over time.
Especially with the talks of giving ammunition an expiration date,
stocking a few 1000 pellets isn’t a bad idea.
Thirdly an air
weapon is a silent shooter so forget the earplugs. These guns are silent. In many survival scenarios, a silent weapon is
a good thing. Not only can you hunt
without drawing attention to yourself or your family, but shooting a silent
weapon often means you can get off more than 1 shot if there are multiple
targets. Both of these are
positive. People pay 1000’s of £££’s to
make their guns silent. No extra charge
for the pellet gun.
Lastly they are
powered by air and you don’t have to buy air.
And, it’s never going to be out of stock. For this reason, I prefer either a MULTI-PUMP
or BREAK-BARREL Pellet Air Gun. I will in
future sell my CO2 powered air gun, and buy a break barrel. Needing to refill canisters or tanks doesn’t
make any sense in a survival situation.
You want to keep it as old fashioned as possible. It’s hand pump all the way for this
survivalist.
There are tons of
options when it comes to Hand Pump or Break Barrel guns. They both come in .177 and .22 calibres. The fps varies depending on the gun.
So there you have
it, solid reasons why you should keep a Pellet Gun in your survival arsenal.
The Poison in
our preps
Sawdust in Everything
Extra fibre. You see
it in large friendly letters on cereal boxes, orange juice cartons, everything,
but you probably wouldn’t touch the box if you saw the word “sawdust.” From
crackers to cocoa mix, cellulose (a.k.a. wood pulp) is used as filler in
everyday foods.
While the FDA deems
wood pulp safe for consumption, the USDA limits cellulose to 3.5% of the total
food mass. Maybe it’s time to go on that paleo diet.
Apple Seeds
An apple a day keeps
the doctor away — unless you eat the seeds. Apple seeds (along with cherry,
peach, and apricot pits) contain amygdalin, a compound of cyanide and sugar.
Luckily, the human body is able to handle small doses of cyanide, so you won’t
be keel over after crunching on a Granny Smith. Still, it’s probably best not
to snack on a bowlful of seeds.
Cancer-Causing Artificial Colourings
Rainbow cake, neon
popsicles, fruit punches and macaroni and cheese — they’re fun to eat because
partly because they have such fun colours. But does that fun outweigh the risk
of thyroid, adrenal, bladder, kidney, or brain cancer? Artificial dyes such as
blue 1, red 3 and yellow 6 have been linked with all five of those cancers.
Correlation doesn’t
equal causality, but you might want to think again before slurping down that
next blue raspberry slushy. (It’s better than the olden days: originally food
was coloured with natural compounds that included dangerous toxins like
mercury, copper, or arsenic.)
Contaminated Bottled Water
Drinking water is
one of the best things you can do for your health — but not all water is safe.
While municipal tap water is tested and inspected on a regular basis, bottled
water is only examined at the source on a monthly basis, Business Insider
reports. After being checked once on masse, bottled water tampered with or
partially opened may leave you exposed to a host of terrible substances like
mould, kerosene, bacteria, glass particles, and even faecal matter.
Beetles in Frappuccino’s
Last year, Starbucks
came under fire from angry, caffeinated vegans who found out that the mega
coffee chain colours their pink-hued Strawberry Frappuccino’s with crushed up
cochineal beetles, according to CBS News. At least they’re all natural. The
company is not alone in their colouring practices. The beetles are used to dye
many food products from yogurt to toaster pastries and have been used
throughout history to dye fabrics in Central America.
Poison Potatoes
If you have a green
potato in your kitchen, sadly you haven’t won a prize. (Unless the prize you’ve
been wanting is poison.) Green on a potato is an indication of a concentration
of solanine, a toxin that causes nausea, headaches, and neurological issues and,
in rare cases, death. Rule of thumb for potatoes: if it’s green, it’s mean.
Toxic Metals in Lipstick
Researchers have
found that along with that vibrant hue, lipstick may contain dangerously high
toxic levels of metals like lead, chromium (a carcinogen), and aluminium in
some lip products. These results were found in all levels of lipsticks and
glosses from $6-24. Researchers say that these substances can damage the brain,
nerves and kidneys, and are linked to multiple cancers. “Just finding these metals
isn’t the issue; it’s the levels that matter,” said the study’s principal
researcher. “Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could
possibly have an effect in the long term.”
Mercury in Fish
It’s not just tuna
anymore: mercury is on the rise in all varieties of fish around the globe. Some
scientists believe that just a small amount of the toxic metal, which is deemed
safe by the government, can pose a threat to brain development or cause other
health problems. The danger is especially high for pregnant women and children.
The safest bets are cod, salmon, shrimp, and sardines.
Kidney Beans
Beans, beans the
magical fruit, the more you eat the more… likely you are to get sick from high
levels of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a toxin that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Just five raw or undercooked kidney or cannelloni beans can be bad news.
In the 1970s, there
was an outbreak of kidney bean poisoning when hundreds of Brits used their new
slow cookers to make beans and toast, a popular breakfast. Simmering kidney
beans on low actually increases their toxicity. Luckily, after being boiled for
just 10 minutes, the chance of poisoning is almost zero.
Chemicals in Packaging
Keeping food and
drinks fresh used to be a bit of a gamble — goatskin sacks were quite popular
back in the day but apparently left a musty aftertaste. Then science developed
tin cans and plastic and the world changed — for the better, it seemed. Now,
BPA (Bisphenol A), which is used in clear plastic bottles and as food can
liners, has been linked with reproductive abnormalities, prostate cancers,
diabetes, and heart disease.
Though the use of
the chemical has been restricted by Canada and some U.S. states, Consumer
Reports found evidence of the chemical even in cans that were labelled BPA-free.
Rat Fur and Insects
According to many
scientists, one of the best things we can do for our ecosystem is to eat bugs
instead of meat. Even if you think you could never stomach a creepy crawler,
chances are, you’re already eating a lot of them and don’t know it. As dictated
by the FDA, food and drink manufacturers are allowed a certain amount of bugs
and rodent hair in their products.
Peanut butter is
allowed to contain one rodent hair per 100 grams. Pasta can have 225 bug parts
per 225 grams of pasta. Canned mushrooms should probably be avoided at all
costs. Only if there are more than 20 maggots per 100 grams of mushrooms will
the FDA take notice.
Fungus Free — At a Price
In many ways, modern
farming has been a boon to humanity. Production is up and incidences of famine
are down. But the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides come at a
price. In order to keep the fruit growing healthily, farmers spray apples with
fungicides such as diphenylamine and thiabendazole. The former can cause long-term
damage to your kidney, liver, and bladder, while the latter has been linked to
nervous system damage. A recent study found that nearly 80% of all
conventionally grown apples had traces of these pesticides on them, even after
washing. Unless you’re buying organic, chances are you’re eating these poisons.
Ken at MidiMax.co.uk is offering 10% off any
product by using the code Midi10 so check out www.midimax.co.uk[TL1]
The Bug out
Week End is coming
Community of UK
Preppers on FB are having a (Bug out weekend)
So why not join them on the 2nd to the 4th may 2015 to share and learn ideas with other like-minded people
So why not join them on the 2nd to the 4th may 2015 to share and learn ideas with other like-minded people
Location
The location on the East coast of Humberside
Available Spaces
All spaces are designated specific areas of the Bug Out Weekend location that are suitable for that type of bugging out system as the location is a wild managed area and has a range of different types of ground.
All the places listed here are for the tree covered areas of the location.
1. Hammocks: ---------------------15 spaces.
2. Tarps and tents----------------10 Places
3. 4x4 and off road vehicles----20 places.
4. Campervans and trailers----15 places
There is a large open ground area of the location for the Bug Out Weekend to use whatever system you choose, but I will be limiting these spaces to 40 spaces.
Admission Fee
£20.00 for adult over 16 years
£10.00 for child under 16 years
Free for child under 10 years
Traders and promoters are welcome for no extra cost to the entrance fee
Anyone who says they are going to the event must pay a non-refundable £5.00 deposit per person to secure their place.
How to make deposit payment.
Only if you wish to attend say you are going and I will message you and give you the Paypal address with a payment reference number.
Once payment has been made i will send you your payment receipt reference number. This number is to be presented on entry to the Bug out Weekend where the deposit will be deducted from the admission cost.
Arrangements
Please arrange any train Tickets to Scunthorpe as soon as possible (ASAP) as this will save you money and could be cheaper than your own car.
We can arrange to pick you up from Scunthorpe Train Station and drop you back off for a fee of £3.00. Please let me know as soon as possible if you require this service.
Facilities
There will be a toilet facility in place.
There will be ranges for Archery, Crossbow, Air rifle, live round rifles and shotgun too.
There will be a solar Shower available with hot water available if needed..
There will be a Marquee set up in case of any wet weather so it won't stop people who want to do a bit of socialising
There will be a BBQ for anyone who wants to have a good old meat feast at the cost of £5.00 per head
UK Firearms Licensing Act
For anyone who wishes to bring along a gun or rifle that requires to be licensed under the UK Firearms licensing act 1968.
It is every owner’s responsibility to ensure they are covered under the Uk Firearms licensing act and proof of cover for any such firearms must be shown before you are allowed entry to the Bug out Weekend meeting.
The organisers or associates will not be held responsible for any transportation of unlicensed Firearms to or from the Bug Out Weekend.
See the link below
https://www.gov.uk/firearms-licensing-police-guidance
Ranges
Strict safety rules and timing guidelines at the range points must be followed at all times.
Disclaimer
All guidelines and disclaimers will be presented on entry to the Bug Out Weekend meeting by security staff.
All guidelines and disclaimers must be read and understood before entry to the Bug out Weekend.
The location on the East coast of Humberside
Available Spaces
All spaces are designated specific areas of the Bug Out Weekend location that are suitable for that type of bugging out system as the location is a wild managed area and has a range of different types of ground.
All the places listed here are for the tree covered areas of the location.
1. Hammocks: ---------------------15 spaces.
2. Tarps and tents----------------10 Places
3. 4x4 and off road vehicles----20 places.
4. Campervans and trailers----15 places
There is a large open ground area of the location for the Bug Out Weekend to use whatever system you choose, but I will be limiting these spaces to 40 spaces.
Admission Fee
£20.00 for adult over 16 years
£10.00 for child under 16 years
Free for child under 10 years
Traders and promoters are welcome for no extra cost to the entrance fee
Anyone who says they are going to the event must pay a non-refundable £5.00 deposit per person to secure their place.
How to make deposit payment.
Only if you wish to attend say you are going and I will message you and give you the Paypal address with a payment reference number.
Once payment has been made i will send you your payment receipt reference number. This number is to be presented on entry to the Bug out Weekend where the deposit will be deducted from the admission cost.
Arrangements
Please arrange any train Tickets to Scunthorpe as soon as possible (ASAP) as this will save you money and could be cheaper than your own car.
We can arrange to pick you up from Scunthorpe Train Station and drop you back off for a fee of £3.00. Please let me know as soon as possible if you require this service.
Facilities
There will be a toilet facility in place.
There will be ranges for Archery, Crossbow, Air rifle, live round rifles and shotgun too.
There will be a solar Shower available with hot water available if needed..
There will be a Marquee set up in case of any wet weather so it won't stop people who want to do a bit of socialising
There will be a BBQ for anyone who wants to have a good old meat feast at the cost of £5.00 per head
UK Firearms Licensing Act
For anyone who wishes to bring along a gun or rifle that requires to be licensed under the UK Firearms licensing act 1968.
It is every owner’s responsibility to ensure they are covered under the Uk Firearms licensing act and proof of cover for any such firearms must be shown before you are allowed entry to the Bug out Weekend meeting.
The organisers or associates will not be held responsible for any transportation of unlicensed Firearms to or from the Bug Out Weekend.
See the link below
https://www.gov.uk/firearms-licensing-police-guidance
Ranges
Strict safety rules and timing guidelines at the range points must be followed at all times.
Disclaimer
All guidelines and disclaimers will be presented on entry to the Bug Out Weekend meeting by security staff.
All guidelines and disclaimers must be read and understood before entry to the Bug out Weekend.
