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First, Adam Lanza's mom and now this kidnapper in Alabama. The media is making it a priority to point out when characters of a news story are survivalists, as if that explains a motive or reason behind a violent act. Sadly, being identified as a prepper or survivalist is becoming less acceptable in society because a couple of crazies were tagged with the same identification by the media. Being a prepper does not mean you are anti-government, violent, or menacing. Being a prepper means you are prepared for the future and care about those close to you. It disappoints me that being responsible and making sure my family is better prepared for a disaster labels me a threat to the government. The unprepared should be considered the threat because they are another group of victims that must put rescuers in a bad situation in order to save their butts.

Do not let the media or others interrupt your plans to be prepared. Being judged by others for decisions made is part of life. Remember, your family's future is priority and the media will move on when the public loses interest.

Stay always prepared!

Below is a table showing important messages you can deliver to air personnel using code symbols. You would create these symbols as large as possible on the ground with something bright colored or reflective. These symbols would be useful shortly after a disaster if the coast guard or other military unit is looking for survivors from the air.

Part of becoming self-reliant is having the ability to grow your own food. Gardening is an enjoyable way to supply your family with healthy vegetables without spending money at the grocery store. I say having your own garden is healthier because you have the choice to not use genetically modified seeds or pesticides. Having a greenhouse enables you to begin your gardening venture from seeds earlier in the year.

Items you will need include an empty plastic container like a 2-liter bottle, duct tape, scissors, drill, dirt, and an optional planter cup. The optional cup makes it easier to transplant the plant into your garden.

The first step is to empty and clean the bottle. After the bottle is clean, drill at least 6 small holes into the bottom of your bottle. This helps the dirt breath and also allows the bottle to drain. Next, you will use the scissors to carefully cut the bottle in half. Leave a 1-inch section intact so that the bottle has a hinge. See below:

Now you can fill the bottle halfway with dirt. Do not fill above the line where you cut the bottle. If you use a planter cup, then you can add this to the bottle at this time as well. When the dirt and planter cup are level, moisten the dirt with a little bit of water.

The final step is to plant your seed in the moistened dirt. After planting the seed, you will close the bottle up and seal it shut with some duct tape. Be sure to water and watch your little seeds start sprouting.

If you are looking for non-GMO seeds check out this package:
Survival Seed Vault - Heirloom Emergency Survival Seeds - Plant a Full Acre Crisis Victory Garden - 20 Easy-to-grow Varieties

Stay always prepared!

It appears the group Anonymous is calling on the American people to revolt and start a Civil War against our government. While most of us will agree, stuff needs to change, a civil war will solve nothing and will result in at least 90% of Americans dying within the first year.

Let's think about this for a second. Our water supplies, electrical grids, and food transports would be interrupted immediately if the American people began a war against the government. The government can live on without these amenities because they have back-ups of back-ups. All high government officials would be shielded from our attacks in their high-tech bunkers. All of the corporate sluts that have made billions from our stupidity will also be protected, so what would be accomplished?

Mass casualties would be the only accomplishment, because a war against the government would soon be a war against each other as food and water run low. Nothing would be accomplished with this decision and anyone that supports this idea is not a realist. The government would live on with increased power after an incident like this.

Anonymous has done many decent things to right the wrongs in this world, but I think this one is a little out there. There are better ways to accomplish change in the government without loss of American life. Back to the drawing boards.

There are plenty of mistakes people can make as they navigate the less traveled path of prepping. First of all, we don't even know what disaster we are preparing for! Unless you are wealthy, it is impossible to be ready for anything nature or our fellow humans throw at us. Not knowing what disaster to plan for can make us ill-prepared for any other life-changing event.

But there is one mistake I bet even seasoned veterans make when preparing for TEOTWAWKI. When stockpiling food, most people go to the store and throw canned veggies, fruit, and meat into a cart without much side thought. Don't get me wrong, canned food is great for stockpiling because of the shelf life and ease of storing. However, the failure to account for the daily calories necessary for survival is a huge factor many overlook.The average person needs around 2000 calories for optimal survival. This number rises if pregnant or with increased workload.

So, let's look at some favorite canned goods and analyze the calories.

• Tuna - 50 calories/serving or about 100 calories/can
• Green Beans - 20 calories/serving or about 70 calories/can
• Peaches - 30 calories/serving or about 100 calories/can
• Chicken Breast - 60 calories/serving or about 270 calories/can
• Peas - 70 calories/serving or about 240 calories/can

 This list is a short example and it shows how much canned food is necessary to maintain a healthy calorie count for survival. I am pretty sure you are going to hate life within the first day if you are eating a can of chicken, peas, 2 cans of peaches, 4 cans of green beans, and 10cans of tuna every day in order to survive. So let's look at some foods that are high in calories and still have a decent shelf life.

• Spaghetti - 210 calories/serving not including the tomato sauce
• Ramen Noodles - 280 calories/package
• Canned Chili - 520 calories/can
• Canned Baked Beans - 840 calories/can
• Canned Pinto Beans - 385 calories/can
• Rice - 200 calories/serving
• Peanut Butter - 180 calories/2 TBSP

Some of you will say - "But I have one of those dehydrated food kits that include 1500 calories worth of meals every day." To that I say, good job but how often do you eat dehydrated or freeze-dried food in your daily diet? Some families have experimented with these food kits that are purchased online by attempting to survive for a week on the supplies. Fortunately for them, they experimented with these purchases before actually needing them because the result was medical emergencies from diarrhea and other digestive issues. If this would have been a real disaster event, the entire family would have died because their body was not accustomed to these type of foods. I believe dehydrated and freeze-dried food kits are good to have in any prepping plan, but allow your body time to adjust to these foods before you actually need them. 

Stay always prepared!

Photo from http://nolanoles.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/1258575501-canned-food.jpg

The doomsday clock will be left standing at 5 minutes until midnight, symbolizing the destruction of humans in the year 2013. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists believe the end is near because of ongoing climate change, nuclear arsenals around the world, and the increase of extreme weather.

The doomsday clock is more of a warning than a prophecy, because the minute hand can be moved away from midnight if the world makes attempts to change the current direction we are headed in. However, with corporations owning every big government in the world, a change is far out of sight.

We must take this warning as proof that our survival lies only in our hands. Corporations and government do not care about your safety unless there is a profit to be made.The world will most likely not end in 2013, but you need to prepare as if it will. Superstorms have become the new threat to our daily lives, so being prepared for an long-term disruption in electric, heat, water, and food is essential to your families survival.

Stay always prepared!

Image from http://news.yahoo.com/photos/end-near-doomsday-clock-holds-5-til-midnight-photo-232147655.html

Despite the rise of credit card use, cold hard cash still serves a purpose in this economy. During most disasters including financial collapse, American currency will maintain some value for a short time. Imagine if the power grid in your area suddenly fails. Your banks, grocery stores, ATMs, and gas stations all rely on the power to facilitate the transfer of electronic funds. Without cash, no power means no goods for you or others. Having a stash of emergency cash gives you the ability to purchase goods without relying on the electrical grid.

Even in an disaster situation like an EMP, you may have one or two days where you can walk into a grocery store with cash and buy what you want, mostly because no one will know what is going on yet. Of course, this is assuming the stores stay open. The sooner you can arrive at a location you improve your chances of being able to shop. Small businesses and corner shops may keep their doors open for a couple of days, but big stores like Walmart will most likely be locked up after one day. 

How much you set aside is your decision. I like the idea of having enough to double my food and water supplies immediately if something happens. Of course I only recommend this to those who already have a nice stockpile of food and water. Going out after a disaster may be extremely dangerous and risky, so do not rely on this as your only post-disaster plan. You may return home empty-handed and then be without anything.

Stay always prepared!

Before I describe what to look for when scouting land, please understand that a retreat isn't just for rich people. Do not rule out looking for your own retreat land. Raw hunting land is typically very affordable, especially if a few families pitch in financially. With that said, here are some pointers to follow when choosing land for your prepping plans:

1. Look for land that is far away (100+ miles if possible) from major cities. It is a natural decision for humans to flee to the mountains for refuge from a disaster situation because it is believed that food is plentiful. As you get farther away from the cities, there is less of a chance of encountering violent gangs looking to steal your supplies or hungry families seeking hand-outs.
2. However, make an attempt to purchase land that is within 1 tank of gas away. Depending on your vehicle, that can be 300-400 miles away from your primary residence. Depending on the emergency, driving to your retreat may be impossible. Not to mention the longer it takes for you to arrive at your retreat, the increased chance someone has found it and claimed it as theirs. Are you prepared to fight for your retreat?
3. Make sure this land has a fresh water source (spring or creek). If there is no water source on the property, is there one within walking distance, and will the land owner permit you using their water? I would stay away from riverfront property if possible because you risk being found by refugees using the river as a guide.
4. Land with natural choke points make better choices because they can be easier to defend. Flat land with 360 degree access is impossible to defend. Rocky terrain is much easier to defend.
5. However, not too rocky! Remember, you need land for gardens and possibly livestock if you choose that route. Gardens don't do too well in rocky soil.
6. Typically, the larger your property the better. If you can buy land next to a National Forest, even better. This land can be used for additional resources post-SHTF. 1-2 acres for each family should be considered the minimum parcel size. 
7. Land that is heavily wooded can be more beneficial for those who wish to build cabins with little expense. Check out how this couple built their Alaskan cabin.
8. Finally, make an attempt to learn who owns the neighboring properties. Can an alliance be formed before SHTF? Also, make sure none of your neighbors are the family from the Texas Chainsaw movies.

Finding the perfect land for your retreat may take some time, but don't rush it. You will know when you have found it!

Stay always prepared!

Retreat image from http://flickr.com/photos/85668120@N00/260788007

After oxygen and shelter, clean drinking water is the next essential component to our survival. FEMA recommends each household have at least 3 gallons of water stored for each resident. This is roughly a 3 day supply of clean water. I prefer to be extra prepared and have a few extra weeks beyond those first 3 days. Here is how I store my water:

My water storing supplies

Used soda and juice containers are perfect for storing emergency water. The steps I follow are:

1. After the original beverage is empty I wash the container and lid very well with some dish liquid soap. Rinsing is extremely important because you do not want any soap residue giving you diarrhea in an emergency situation. 
2. After the containers are washed, I add a few drops of bleach (5%) to each container. Next, I fill each container 1/3 full with water and tightly screw the cap back on. I shake each bottle making sure the bleach solution touches all parts of the container. This allows my containers to get all sparkly clean and germ-free. I allow the solutions to sit in the bottles for at least a half an hour, then empty and rinse. 
3. I like my containers to air-dry for a day or two and then they are ready to be filled with tap water. NOTE: Because my city supplied water is already treated, I do not add any bleach to my stored water. Your situation may be different than mine so you may need to add a few drops of bleach to each container. Typically, if you are filling a 2-liter bottle, 5 drops of 5% bleach solution is enough.
4. My containers of water are stored in trash-bag lined milk carton type containers. The trash bag protects everything from water damage if a bottle fails and leaks water. 
5. I attempt to rotate my bottles every 6-12 months and re-sanitize everything before refilling with fresh water.

Storing clean water is essential to your survival post-catastrophe. If you do not have at least 3 gallons of water stored for each member of your family, this is the moment to get off of your butt. 

Don't forget water filters just in case the help takes longer than expected. Water filters can be a game changer for those who do not store enough water or do not have the room for storage. The Katadyn filter and Lifestraw are highly recommended by all.

Amazon has the best prices for the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter and  LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

If you are like me, it is difficult to throw away those big plastic coffee cans. They look so darn useful, that it would be a waste to pitch them. Thankfully, I have found a use that makes my prepping a little more efficient and cost effective.


Oatmeal packets have become one of my food storage staples because they are tasty and cheap. The shelf life is typically around a year and a half after purchase which is long enough for me because I rotate constantly. However, I know that by limiting the oxygen and keeping the temperature constant I can extend the shelf life substantially. Scientists at Brigham Young University found stored 28 year old oats which were still perfectly edible. The story can be found here. I do not believe my storage idea will guarantee edible oats in 28 years, but I do believe they will be edible far longer than a year and a half from now.


I limit the oxygen by removing the individual packets from the box and placing them in a gallon storage bag. Including an oxygen absorber or using a food sealer is even better for long term storage purposes. I then place the bag in the coffee can which will limit the light and also limit the oxygen even more with the 'Flavor Seal' lid.

Obviously, your coffee cans can be used to store any food item you would like. I chose to store my oatmeal because the packets fit nicely into the containers. What do you do with your coffee containers?

Stay always prepared!

How's that 9-5 job working out for you? Remember when we were young and wanted everything at the store? As we became teenagers, a job became the solution to this desire because our parents surely didn't buy it all for us. Years later, we are still stuck in the same cycle. We work every week in order to maintain our lifestyle as consumers. For many, the word 'maintain' is being nice. A couple of large purchases is enough to put the average American into serious debt for 10+ years.

As I mentioned in my last post, the key to self-reliance is owing as little debt as possible to creditors. Unfortunately, our jobs don't supply us with enough income to dig out of this hole or else we wouldn't be here. So what options do you have?

Think about small business ideas. A simple Google search will open your eyes to many potential weekend warrior businesses. Such as:

• Yard Work
• House Cleaning
• Carpentry Work
• PC Repair
• Pet Sitter, etc.

It is easier than you think to earn an extra $100/weekend or $400/month. Imagine the debt you could pay down with that extra cash flow. There are many hobbies that will earn you some money and at the same time further prepare your family. Not only will these hobbies supply your family with income today, they will also supply your family with future bartering goods post-disaster. Hobbies such as:

• Bee Keeping
• Organic Vegetable Gardening
• Goat Milk and Meat
• Chicken Eggs and Meat
• Rabbit Meat and Fur

Let's not forget Ebay as an immediate source of income. If you need some capital to start your weekend business, Ebay is the way to get there debt-free. Get rid of all of that stuff that has put you in this hole and make a few bucks in the process.

 Stay always prepared!

As expected, we are all still here. So what lesson should we take from this? Understand that prophecies are nothing to be concerned with. We will not receive a warning that the end is here. So that means we should be prepared for any disaster. Key to being prepared is to become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is so important because as you rely less on others, there will be less disruptions you will need to plan for.

The very first step in becoming self-reliant is getting out debt. The more debt you have, the more you rely on your job for the money to pay all of your monthly bills, which is a recipe for high stress. Take a look at the combined monthly interest you are paying on all of your debt. Do you feel like puking now? Imagine being able to apply that money every month elsewhere, like a weekend retreat in the woods. You dug yourself into this hole, so start climbing out.

Some people choose the higher interest rate bill to pay off first. Some people choose the highest monthly payment to pay off first. I chose the bill I can pay off the fastest. This may not be the most profitable, but it helps me feel like I am accomplishing something. When that bill is paid off, you apply that money to the next bill until everything is paid off. Create a plan and stick to it. Sure it may take three years, but imagine how great it will feel three years from now!

Take a look at each monthly bill you pay and see which ones are unnecessary. Do you really need cable right now? Maybe sign up for Netflix instead? Can you sign up for a cheaper cell phone plan? Stop eating out, stop ordering a morning latte, stop trying to keep up with your friends and neighbors. By simplifying your life, you are saving yourself money. Any extra money you can find in the monthly budget can be applied to paying off debt. Also, look around your house at all of things you have purchased with this debt. Can you sell anything on Ebay?

Ask anyone who is debt-free and they will tell you it is amazing. Work becomes more enjoyable because you get to keep the money each payday instead of divvying it up amongst the bills.

Getting out of debt is the first of many steps to becoming self-reliant. I will post new steps over the next week that are realistic and affordable.

Stay always prepared!

Tomorrow 12/21/2012, is what some believe to be the end of the world. I am not one of those people. There are many beliefs that surround the end of the Mayan calendar which I will not bore you with. In short, I am sure life for most of us will continue for many years past tomorrow. However, I do believe that tomorrow is a day to be extra prepared. This world is full of crazies looking to make a name for themselves, as we saw with the tragic event in Newtown last week.

Just in my area, I have seen reports of numerous schools being shutdown because of bomb threats or threats of violence. I know many more people that are calling off of work or pulling their children out of school tomorrow because of a peaked level of paranoia. I don't blame these people quite honestly. When it comes to survival you can't go wrong with trusting your instincts.

So don't expect fire to rain down upon the Earth tomorrow. But do expect more violent acts in public as some people attempt to be a news story. If you can stay within the security of your home tomorrow, I would choose that route. Let's just hope the crazies stay indoors tomorrow as well. Stay safe and keep preparing your family for real disasters!

Still image from the movie - Constantine

Unless you are a part of the top 1% in our economy, your financial situation doesn't allow you to purchase mass amounts of food and supplies to stockpile. However, bartering with others after a disaster might be a solution to any shortfalls in supplies.Bartering is a method of trade that will rise after a disaster, especially if currency is worthless. Many people will use bartering as a means for survival as supplies get low.

By choosing a specialty item or service, you can make yourself more valuable to society as rebuilding takes place. Using these goods or services allows you to trade for valuable items to increase your survival rate. Some examples of goods I will barter include medical supplies, clean water, ammo, garden vegetables, and honey. I even wrote an article about liquor being a prime bartering item. Medical doctors, gunsmiths, leatherwork are an example of services that are easily traded for supplies.

Those that have not prepared will dwindle in numbers from disease, hunger, violence, and thirst the first couple of months after a disaster. Even the people that have prepared will see hardships, though less common. When the population begins to decline, it is perceived that the threats will too. Because humans are pack animals, survivors will begin communicating and forming villages in order to improve survival. Your role in society will be determined by the skills and goods you bring, so make sure you are valuable.

As you stockpile, choose some items to stockpile more of for bartering opportunities. Also learn about hobbies like beekeeping or gardening so that you can provide renewable goods as well. Renewable goods will be invaluable to your survival because you will hopefully never run out.

Well this horrible tragedy in Newtown, CT. has brought gun control to the forefront of political debate. There is no way around it now. Many people across America are going to be banging down Obama's door to re-institute the ban on assault rifles. However, it certainly doesn't mean a ban will happen. Obama knows this is a dangerous subject, so we have no idea what will happen in the next couple of weeks with gun rights.

Just like when Obama was elected in 2008, people freaked out and started buying guns and ammo under the false belief he would take guns away. This drove prices through the roof and those prices haven't dropped much in the past four years. Most likely we will see another mass stockpiling of these weapons by Americans which will cause the prices to increase more. For some, this is the time to buy an assault rifle for your prepping plans before the prices jump, if you don't already have one. For those that have plenty of assault rifles, this may be a nice investment opportunity. Your guns may turn you a nice profit in the coming months when prices increase.

While we are on the subject of Newtown, CT., please show some compassion and Christmas spirit and donate some money for the families affected by this tragedy. They will need the help of their fellow Americans in order to get through this.

http://www.crowdrise.com/SHSRelief

Our children are supposed to bury us, not the other way around. Unfortunately, some families in Connecticut will need to bond together as they bury their children just one week before Christmas. As news continues to filter out about this horrible tragedy in an elementary school, we must send our thoughts and prayers to the families in Newtown.

This story will bring gun control to the center of everyone's attention now and will become a hot topic in the government and media. But that is a conversation for another day.

Today, know that families have been destroyed by a psycho. Parents will never get to hold their child again because of a coward. Hug your loved ones because you just don't know when it's the last. Learn how to protect your family during active shooter situations because it appears these shootings are becoming a weekly activity.

Stay always prepared

It looks like North Korea will be proceeding with their scheduled missile test despite warnings from Russia, China, and the United States. North Korea claims the launch is peaceful and only a satellite.

North Korea Missile Launch

I have two problems with this launch. The obvious first problem is allowing North Korea to test the capabilities of their missile technology. A test allows scientists to see what tweaks need to be made and then brings them one step closer to firing on the U.S. My second problem is even if this missile test is meant for satellite launching, I do not trust the motive. North Korea placing a satellite above our heads will not end well for the West. A satellite has the potential to detonate a nuclear weapon far outside of Earth's atmosphere and the protection of the missile defense system (EMP damage). However, reports state that North Korea does not have the technology to build a rocket that can reach space or build a satellite that can fire a nuclear warhead. But these are reports based on assumption since no one has access to the highly secretive country.

This may just be a peaceful test by North Korea or this may be a more sinister step towards becoming a legitimate threat. I would rather be prepared for them becoming a threat so that I'm not surprised.

Do you think we should take this launch as an act of war and stop them before they proceed further?

A survival bag is a backpack that contains the necessary items to survive 2-3 days after a disaster until help comes or you receive more supplies. Other names include bug-out bag and get-home bag. This post will show you what I include in my bag and give you a baseline of what should be in yours.

First of all, this is not my bug-out bag. This is more of a get-home bag because I designed this bag as a survival item when I am away from my primary shelter where a majority of my supplies are stored. Because I do not know when an incident may occur, I feel better prepared knowing I have some supplies ready to grab in the trunk of my car. I expect that my car will be useless in a panic situation so having a get-home bag in my trunk allows me to flee on foot. I assume that in my current physical state, I should be able to travel at least 10-15 miles per day. There are many unknowns which force me to lower my potential travel time. This means I need at least 2 days of supplies to reach my home if I am about 25 miles away. These supplies are the bare minimum needed to improve my chance of survival until I reach my home. I built my bag around the necessities for survival and I will order my list in this way.

Some of the items in my survival bag.

Water

I suggest 2-4 bottles of water in your bag. This amount can be altered depending on how far you plan on being from your home. I don't carry purification tablets or filters because I believe that I will either make it home within my time frame or be dead from an attack. Either way I won't need them.

Shelter

Shelter has different levels. First, your clothes are your primary protection. Most of us don't wear work clothes that could also double as hiking gear so you should have a back-up set. Have at least one extra pair of pants and shirt and 2 pairs of socks with either waterproof boots or comfortable walking shoes. I would suggest that your clothes are not camo because if everyone is in panic mode, a person in camo with a backpack will look like someone with supplies and become a target. You need to blend in as much as possible. A heavy duty rain poncho is also necessary. Plan according to the current temperatures. If you live where winters become cold, then update your bag with warmer clothes. When the seasons change, you can change what clothes are in your bag. Another tip is to pack each article of clothing into a gallon Ziploc bag and squeeze the air out before sealing the bag. Not only will this protect your clothes from getting wet, it also compacts the size.

Your next shelter is where you will be sleeping if your trip will be longer than one day. I suggest a tarp and some paracord (not shown above) because a tent and sleeping bag is way too bulky and will slow you down. There are many guides online on how to build a shelter out of a tarp. A space blanket can also help maintain your heat if the nights are cold.

Fire is the final component of shelter. Maintaining a fire throughout the night might be necessary to your survival if something happens during the cold months. Have at least 3 methods of starting a fire available. I have fire sticks, lighters, waterproof matches, and a magnesium emergency fire starter. I also carry a hand axe so that I can quickly cut up some wood for burning.

Food

I carry canned food because it lasts longer and the packages can take a lot of punishment. Two cans of tuna, a can of baked beans, and a can of soup is enough for me to eat on the run for two days. This is a small amount of food, I know. But when looking at the bigger picture, I can live around 3 weeks without food and would rather save room in my bag for other needs. If you choose the canned food route like me, don't forget a can opener!

Everything Else

Make sure you have a good strong knife that you trust as protection from others without breaking. Being on the run for only 2-3 days, there shouldn't be any other uses for the knife other than protection. Depending on your local laws and personal feelings, a handgun stored in your bag would be a more intimidating form of protection.

A simple travel first-aid kit may also come in handy. It's better to have bandages and antiseptic than not, so add this to your bag.

Finally, a powerful LED flashlight will come in handy if traveling at night. The brighter the better because you can blind attackers and even use the shaft as a club if it is large enough.

Conclusion

My bag is not a one size fits all example. Your situation is different from mine so your bag may have more or less supplies. If you are a slower hiker or out of shape, you will need more supplies than me. If you are typically within 5 miles of your home, you will need less supplies. You know which adjustments to make.

Lastly, please don't forget your family! If you have children, make sure you have enough supplies for their survival as well.

So what's in your bag?

Electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are a pulse of energy typically found during a nuclear explosion. This pulse destroys anything electrical by overloading the circuits with energy and frying the devices. EMPs can be a serious threat to our country. So much so that our government assessed the impact an EMP blast would have on our nation by appointing a commission in 2008. The results can be found HERE. A nuclear blast miles above America is all that is necessary to wipe out a majority of the infrastructure and result in a 70-90% loss of life within the first year after an attack.

So who would explode a nuclear bomb above the United States? I believe North Korea is a considerable threat within the next 5 years. North Korea continues to test missile technology under the guise of launching satellites. The scary part about their cover is the potential to launch a nuclear missile from a satellite instead of from Earth (most likely outside the range of our missile defense system). The nuclear explosion could be well outside of the Earth's atmosphere, up to 300 miles away according to the commission report and cause significant damage.

Preparing for an EMP is like preparing for the worse case scenario. Every electronic will most likely be destroyed from the blast. That means no electric, no water, no cars, no generators, no flashlights, no batteries, no radios, etc. If it runs on electric, you won't have it. On the positive side, being prepared for the worst means you are prepared for everything else.

What's worse? Our country in not prepared for such an attack. No government could respond fast enough and restore power as necessary. Restoration would take months into years. Imagine the loss of life as hospitals are without power because the generators are fried. Mobs will form within days as hunger begins to set in.If you want to read a chilling account of what may happen, then read One Second After

Faraday cages are believed to be one way to protect your electronics from such an attack. However, there isn't much research on the subject because you need a nuclear explosion in order to test the hypothesis. There are many plans on how to build a faraday cage so just Google it if you are interested in building your own. I believe it is better to be safe than sorry so I will be beginning my project very soon.

Remember, preparing for an EMP attack means you will be prepared for any other disaster. 

I had a productive weekend in which I added some more supplies to my stockpile. I have been extremely excited to get back outdoors for some camping after my last post, so I bought a new tent from Amazon. If you can't tell, I love ordering my supplies from Amazon. Mostly because I can read other people's reviews and do research before submitting my order.

I ordered an 8-person tent because I appreciate a little bit of leg room. I also do not know who else may be sharing this space with me so I allotted as much extra space as I can afford. The price is great as well because I continue to see tents half this size for at least $150. I can't wait to fall fast asleep in this bad boy!

The remake of Red Dawn was actually pretty cool!And if you need some motivation to prep, this movie is even better.

What I liked about the new plot was the updated threat. They actually appeared to borrow the somewhat realistic idea of North Korea becoming a military threat to the nation from the recent video game, Homefront. By causing an EMP above America, most of the nation's defenses are down, allowing millions of North Korean troops to invade and take over each town.

Even though this movie is fictional, we need to take a serious look at this type of threat. An EMP would devastate our current living situations and it would take years to correct all of the power grids, communications, vehicles, etc. They scary thing about an EMP is it could cause a slow death for millions because we are so reliant on the system now. Everything we rely on, relies on the electrical grid in one way or another.

Take the necessary steps to become less reliant. Wind turbines and solar power is an excellent idea if you can afford the technology. The prices continue to come down as the supply increases to meet demand so maybe we will all have these backup power sources shortly in the future.

Until then, keep prepping!

Have you ever gone camping? Now, I don't mean RV camping or camp-site camping with bathrooms and showers and electric. I am talking about miles away from the city; just you and the supplies you thought of for a couple of nights. It is much tougher to experience a hardship than just thinking about it. Camping is a great way to experience some the hardships we may be forced to live in.

What if you had to run from your primary shelter tonight? Do you even have a rough idea of what to grab? Is a bug-out bag enough? Probably not if your secondary shelter is a tent in the woods somewhere. For most of us, this is all we can afford in our prepping plans. Have a bug-out plan that consists of you leaving with a majority of your supplies, and PRACTICE!

I know we are closing in on the winter months, but it would serve you well to take a weekend and venture into the wilderness of America. See what it is really like to be alone in the cold with no other options. Obviously I don't suggest trying to camp out in freezing temperatures because you are asking for trouble. While this may be a realistic situation, it is a dangerous one you shouldn't choose to put yourself into. Choose a weekend when the temperatures are warm enough at night where frostbite isn't a concern. In other words - Don't be stupid!

Camping also gives you an opportunity to try all of those fun camping supplies you have purchased. Test all of these supplies so that you know which ones will actually benefit you. Some may be junk. Wouldn't you rather know now? Experiment with fires, cooking, chopping up firewood, etc. There are so many things you can learn in one weekend in the woods.

Remember, prepping isn't just stockpiling supplies. It's knowing how to survive when all of those supplies are gone.

Camping image from http://bloggerspherepedia.blogspot.com/2012/07/escape-hustle-and-bustle-with-these.html

I am asking myself this question every day. As I continue to build upon my food and water storage I know I am preparing for something. I just don't know what and that can be demoralizing. Imagining how uncomfortable life will be when something happens keeps my eye on the prize though.

Right now we keep hearing about this fiscal cliff and how it can effect each one of us in the middle class if the issue doesn't get resolved. The fiscal cliff is my number one concern because relying on our politicians to make a decision is never a good thing. The only way to protect yourself and your family from these effects is to be better prepared and more self-sufficient.

Storing supplies, learning survival skills, starting a garden, buying chickens and even a goat are all fantastic ways to better prepare yourself for the end of our simple lives. Remember, just storing a month supply of canned protein and veggies will have you better prepared than your neighbors, which is slightly scary.

Don't advertise that you are a prepper either. Only disclose to people you trust, because if times get bad, you know who will be knocking down your door.When I first began prepping, I remember each person's response when I told them what I was doing. "Well I know where I'm going if something happens!" This response got so old that I stopped telling people.

People don't want to admit that our current first-world lives are hanging by many strings. Any of which can snap at anytime causing us to fall quickly back into a third-world status. By not preparing, you are guaranteeing a spot in the bread line for your family. You are guaranteeing hungry nights and thirsty summers. Sadly, you are guaranteeing an early grave for each person in your family. Don't let your stubbornness win this one.

Go to the store tonight or tomorrow and start building up your supplies. If you already have a start, find your weakness and fill it immediately. This may be your last opportunity to decide your future.

A volcano in Indonesia has began erupting this weekend continuing what seems to be constant activity throughout the "ring of fire". The ring of fire is a highly volatile area surrounding the pacific basin which can be seen in the map below.

http://video.elijahlist.com/images/ring-of-fire-proper.jpg

What does this mean? No one knows really but I would take it as a warning sign if I am living anywhere close to this area (hint Californians). Geologists have confirmed that California will either disappear or separate from North America in the future. Maybe tomorrow or maybe 20 million years from now. Either way, prepare yourself and if you are a betting man, buy your beachfront property in Nevada now.