Many trees provide nutritional value, medicinal qualities, and a good source of firewood. But which tree is the best? It’s a tough question. Many trees provide value on many levels, and the importance of those qualities can be subjective. For example, a tree might bear a fruit you enjoy, but is it a fruit with lots of calories to help sustain you in a … [Read more...]
Medical Supplies That Will Disappear Fast in a Crisis
It’s the Basic Law of Supply and Demand. When the Demand for Medical Supplies is High, the Supply Runs Low. To put it bluntly, we’re spoiled. Finding and buying just about anything we need is as easy as a quick trip to a store or a couple of keystrokes on the Internet. And while it’s true that we can improvise many of the things we need, medical supplies … [Read more...]
Slingshots for Survival: How To Make Them and How To Use Them
Most Little Boys Grew Up with a Slingshot, and for Many of Them, Their Slingshots Grew Up with Them Unlike many primitive weapons that have been around for millennia, slingshots have only shown up in the last century and a half. It was the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839 that finally provided the critical source material to make a slingshot … [Read more...]
How To Get Your Home Off The Grid And Onto Solar Power
Anyone Can Go Off-Grid and Satisfy Their Power Needs with Solar. California recently passed legislation mandating that all new homes have a solar capability that provides a certain percentage of solar power. Solar is emerging as a necessary and intelligent approach to power generation and is particularly suited to anyone pursuing self-sufficiency. Many … [Read more...]
3 DIY Emergency Heaters That Will Keep You Warm This Winter
Whether It’s a Small Shed, a Garage, or Your Whole House, These Do-It-Yourself Heaters Really Deliver - But Be Careful. Winter is here, and in spite of your best efforts, there's always that one room that is too cold. Electric space heaters are the usual option, but they have some downsides. For one, they really burn up the watts. Most space heaters run … [Read more...]
Build a DIY Emergency Toilet That Will Last
No Matter How Tough or Skilled We Think We Are, When We Gotta Go… We Gotta Go There are a lot of things in life that we take for granted, but there’s one in particular that we rarely think about. It’s the ease and convenience of a bathroom for a biological function that can occur several times a day and has the potential to be a bit messy. A simple flush … [Read more...]
How to Use Tree Bark for Survival Food and Medicine
When We Think of Wild Foraging, We Rarely Think of Tree Bark. But There’s A Surprise Inside. The first people to discover the use of tree bark for food and medicine were Native Americans. The name “Adirondack”, which defined the Algonquin Indians, stands for “tree-bark eaters.” It was a derogatory name given to them by their bitter rivals, the Iroquois. … [Read more...]
How to Build an Emergency First Aid Kit from Scratch
A Comprehensive Guide to Assembling a “Total” First-Aid Kit. It’s standard practice for many people to assemble a 72-hour bug out bag. Part of that bag always includes a small first aid kit. But there’s a problem. It’s small, and while it can deal with most simple cuts, scrapes, and minor burns, it’s mostly a collection of bandages, ointment, and maybe some … [Read more...]
9 Improvised Hunting Weapons for Fish and Game in the Wild
We always assume we’ll have a rifle when hunting, but in a survival situation, we may be lucky to have a pocket knife. A rifle is the standard, contemporary tool or weapon for almost any hunting situation. It’s a highly sophisticated weapon customized with scopes and by caliber for a variety of game species and sizes. But hunting without a rifle is a whole … [Read more...]
Surviving a Massive Power Outage in the City
For a Prepper in a Cabin in the Woods a Power Outage is No Sweat. But It’s a Different Story in the City. Urban environments are heavily dependent on infrastructure to deliver basic comforts and needs like water, electricity, natural gas for heating and cooking, and municipal services for security and medical emergencies. These urban environments can become … [Read more...]
How to Stockpile Prescription Meds from Veterinary Sources
Extreme times call for extreme measures. Here’s one way to manage the chaos. If a major disaster occurs and the supply chain breaks down, many critical items will be difficult to find. Without the power grid and fundamental distribution systems, things like food and water will be hard to come by. That includes life-saving medications. Many missionaries … [Read more...]
Lichens: A Survival Food That’s Probably Growing in Your Backyard
Lichens are a common wild edible, but if you’re not paying attention you might miss them. They usually grow on trees and rocks and have a distinctive appearance similar to a flat, leafy plant. However, they are a unique form of plant related to the algae family. What makes lichens unique is that most algae require fresh water or salt water to survive and … [Read more...]
