Your Barter Connection
1 hour ago
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Season's Greetings!
Season's Greetings to all Yukon Preppers! All the best to each of you and your families over the holidays and in the new year!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Scarecrow's cool tool
(originally posted at the OPN by Scarecrow)When I lead a group of paying customers into the bush on a survival course or just family & friends on a camping trip, the first order of business after leaving the vehicles is to procure a solid walking stick (Staff). This is not a walking cane that is just 3 feet long but a staff that approaches 55-60 inches in length from tip to tip.
From a practical point of view a walking stick helps reduce the effort required to put one foot in front of the other on a long hike. A solid staff helps support the weight of your pack and improves your balance on uneven terrain. A walking stick is a real advantage when travelling down hill or crossing a river/creek.
A walking stick has a multitude of uses. You can use one as a support post for an improvised tarp shelter, you can lash a knife to one end and you have a spear that makes for a very effective offensive/defensive weapon against large animals. Without a knife attached, your walking stick can still function as a useful defensive weapon against animals and other people. A long stick is great for poking over and under logs and into brush piles before stepping on that poisonous snake. If you were to fall through the ice while crossing a body of frozen water in the winter, your walking stick should provide you enough support and leverage to pull yourself out of the water unaided. You can use your walking stick to tell time and determine direction if you lose your compass or break your gps. A couple of walking sticks can be used as poles for an improvised stretcher if someone in your party becomes injured and needs to be carried. A stick of a known length (and some basic math skills) is a great way to measure things such as height and slope off in the distance or even up close. If you have a walking stick with you, you always have a fishing rod - if you thought to bring some line and a hook...
When I'm out walking at night, I usually have my walking stick with me. I'll admit that to the uninformed I look a little out of place walking down the street with a 55 inch stick in hand - kind of like Moses leading the masses... but to date no one has yet asked me for my ipod. When I'm not walking, my hiking stick is in my car with my "get home" kit.
You never know when a good stick will come in handy. I'm not a big fan of hi-tech trekking poles because I don't do the type of activities they were designed for, but these will work and are much better than no hiking stick at all. I prefer a wooden walking stick. It feels solid and comforting in my hand. Walking sticks are free to make while passing some idle time in the bush. A good walking stick should come up to your shoulder when one end is on the ground. A circumference of 1.25 to 2 inches is about right. Small enough to grasp comfortably, thick enough so as to not easily break, but not so thick that you feel as though you are carrying a log. Hardwoods are better than softwoods when you have a choice.
So far, a walking stick isn't considered a weapon and you can still take a walking stick on the bus. With a little bit of training and some practice, a good stick is all you need to deter all but the most determined gun carrying thugs you might encounter while you are out and about. A walking stick is a great example of a multiuse survival tool for good times and bad.
[What have you done today to prepare?]
From a practical point of view a walking stick helps reduce the effort required to put one foot in front of the other on a long hike. A solid staff helps support the weight of your pack and improves your balance on uneven terrain. A walking stick is a real advantage when travelling down hill or crossing a river/creek.
A walking stick has a multitude of uses. You can use one as a support post for an improvised tarp shelter, you can lash a knife to one end and you have a spear that makes for a very effective offensive/defensive weapon against large animals. Without a knife attached, your walking stick can still function as a useful defensive weapon against animals and other people. A long stick is great for poking over and under logs and into brush piles before stepping on that poisonous snake. If you were to fall through the ice while crossing a body of frozen water in the winter, your walking stick should provide you enough support and leverage to pull yourself out of the water unaided. You can use your walking stick to tell time and determine direction if you lose your compass or break your gps. A couple of walking sticks can be used as poles for an improvised stretcher if someone in your party becomes injured and needs to be carried. A stick of a known length (and some basic math skills) is a great way to measure things such as height and slope off in the distance or even up close. If you have a walking stick with you, you always have a fishing rod - if you thought to bring some line and a hook...
When I'm out walking at night, I usually have my walking stick with me. I'll admit that to the uninformed I look a little out of place walking down the street with a 55 inch stick in hand - kind of like Moses leading the masses... but to date no one has yet asked me for my ipod. When I'm not walking, my hiking stick is in my car with my "get home" kit.
You never know when a good stick will come in handy. I'm not a big fan of hi-tech trekking poles because I don't do the type of activities they were designed for, but these will work and are much better than no hiking stick at all. I prefer a wooden walking stick. It feels solid and comforting in my hand. Walking sticks are free to make while passing some idle time in the bush. A good walking stick should come up to your shoulder when one end is on the ground. A circumference of 1.25 to 2 inches is about right. Small enough to grasp comfortably, thick enough so as to not easily break, but not so thick that you feel as though you are carrying a log. Hardwoods are better than softwoods when you have a choice.
So far, a walking stick isn't considered a weapon and you can still take a walking stick on the bus. With a little bit of training and some practice, a good stick is all you need to deter all but the most determined gun carrying thugs you might encounter while you are out and about. A walking stick is a great example of a multiuse survival tool for good times and bad.
[What have you done today to prepare?]
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
To Bug Out or Not to Bug Out
(originally posted at the APN by CdnGuy)
So, how do you choose? Well, as Canadians, I would suggest to you
that bugging out is a lot less necessary than it might be for our
southern neighbours. If you live anywhere rural at all, you have
far more space than the average European or American. Don't
believe me? Take a look at a night-time aerial photo of Canada.
Unless you live on a major corridor, you are already bugged-out!
Chances are, for almost any disaster, you are remote enough to
avoid a lot of the troubles. Let's take a look at a few
possibilities:
Weather Disaster: Well, you're probably already aware of what
could happen to you locally, from weather. If you live in Alberta
or southwestern Ontario, you could have tornadoes. If you live on
the east coast, you could have hurricanes. If you live anywhere
but southern B.C. you could have blizzards. You get the picture.
Canadians deal with these problems all the time, without leaving
their homes. Some have gotten away from being prepared, but it
doesn't take much to get back into that way of thinking. General
preparedness will have you ready to 'bug-in' for most situations.
Disease Pandemic: With the exception of Canada's major cities and
thoroughfares, Canadians are generally spread out enough to slow
down, or even stop, the spread of infectious diseases. Even if
you are a city dweller, you can easily self-quarantine and avoid
most of the problems. Look at what happened in the SARS
emergency. Only 8,098 people WORLDWIDE contracted SARS. Of those,
only 774 died WORLDWIDE. The contraction and death numbers for
ordinary influenza strains in Canada eclipse SARS. Most cases
were limited to metropolitan areas.
War or Terror: Again, this would seem to be something that is
more likely to happen in populated centres. Unless it
happens right where you are, chances are you'll be fine anywhere
in Canada. I was in Ottawa for 9/11. It was tough, but even
then, most people weren't that panicked. We just held our breath
for a few days and stayed closer to home. Some of us slept in
uncomfortable places. Small inconveniences, really.
As for war, the only people with the strategic means to invade us
is the United States. With the exception of some tin-hatters out
there, I think we all know this is highly unlikely. They've had a
few hundred years to do that. Why would they now?
Government Collapse: Canada is most likely the most stable
country on earth. A government collapse would not likely affect
us as badly as it would in, say, France. For the most part, our
provincial and local governments would pick up the slack.
So, regardless of the disaster or emergency, most Canadians will
do just fine where they are. As long as they have taken care of
their personal preparedness plan.
However, if you are looking for a bug-out location, that would be
easy to do too. In most of Canada, if you were to drive a
half-hour out of your town, you are in the country side with
access to woods and water. Land is still relatively cheap. There
are already a great number of people who have bug out locations,
only they call them the hunt camp, cabin or cottage.
Perhaps the real answer is to say, "Worry about that later."
Right now, get your home and family prepared for day-to-day emergencies.
Get your finances in order in case someone loses a job.
Get your affairs in order in case of an accident.
These are the emergencies and disasters that are most likely to affect us.
No amount of bugging out will help that. Remember, your home is your castle.
Submitted by CdnGuy...see more of CdnGuy's articles at CanadaPrepared.com
So, how do you choose? Well, as Canadians, I would suggest to you
that bugging out is a lot less necessary than it might be for our
southern neighbours. If you live anywhere rural at all, you have
far more space than the average European or American. Don't
believe me? Take a look at a night-time aerial photo of Canada.
Unless you live on a major corridor, you are already bugged-out!
Chances are, for almost any disaster, you are remote enough to
avoid a lot of the troubles. Let's take a look at a few
possibilities:
Weather Disaster: Well, you're probably already aware of what
could happen to you locally, from weather. If you live in Alberta
or southwestern Ontario, you could have tornadoes. If you live on
the east coast, you could have hurricanes. If you live anywhere
but southern B.C. you could have blizzards. You get the picture.
Canadians deal with these problems all the time, without leaving
their homes. Some have gotten away from being prepared, but it
doesn't take much to get back into that way of thinking. General
preparedness will have you ready to 'bug-in' for most situations.
Disease Pandemic: With the exception of Canada's major cities and
thoroughfares, Canadians are generally spread out enough to slow
down, or even stop, the spread of infectious diseases. Even if
you are a city dweller, you can easily self-quarantine and avoid
most of the problems. Look at what happened in the SARS
emergency. Only 8,098 people WORLDWIDE contracted SARS. Of those,
only 774 died WORLDWIDE. The contraction and death numbers for
ordinary influenza strains in Canada eclipse SARS. Most cases
were limited to metropolitan areas.
War or Terror: Again, this would seem to be something that is
more likely to happen in populated centres. Unless it
happens right where you are, chances are you'll be fine anywhere
in Canada. I was in Ottawa for 9/11. It was tough, but even
then, most people weren't that panicked. We just held our breath
for a few days and stayed closer to home. Some of us slept in
uncomfortable places. Small inconveniences, really.
As for war, the only people with the strategic means to invade us
is the United States. With the exception of some tin-hatters out
there, I think we all know this is highly unlikely. They've had a
few hundred years to do that. Why would they now?
Government Collapse: Canada is most likely the most stable
country on earth. A government collapse would not likely affect
us as badly as it would in, say, France. For the most part, our
provincial and local governments would pick up the slack.
So, regardless of the disaster or emergency, most Canadians will
do just fine where they are. As long as they have taken care of
their personal preparedness plan.
However, if you are looking for a bug-out location, that would be
easy to do too. In most of Canada, if you were to drive a
half-hour out of your town, you are in the country side with
access to woods and water. Land is still relatively cheap. There
are already a great number of people who have bug out locations,
only they call them the hunt camp, cabin or cottage.
Perhaps the real answer is to say, "Worry about that later."
Right now, get your home and family prepared for day-to-day emergencies.
Get your finances in order in case someone loses a job.
Get your affairs in order in case of an accident.
These are the emergencies and disasters that are most likely to affect us.
No amount of bugging out will help that. Remember, your home is your castle.
Submitted by CdnGuy...see more of CdnGuy's articles at CanadaPrepared.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Best internet access in an emergency or a disaster
originally posted at the APN by CdnGuy)
Have you heard that most Canadians consider Internet access a utility and not just a nicety? I think I heard that on Adler Online or Rutherford. Can't remember.
Anyway, communications are important in times of crisis. I prefer using the Internet to television or most AM and FM radio, since I can access truly independent resources of news. So, how do I make sure that I can have Internet access in an emergency?
Right now, I have landline-based access. That's good. High speed, highly reliable, low price. If you have a laptop with a built-in modem, you can get Internet access, even if the power is out. Yet, I recall in some emergencies where phone lines were completely tied up due to everyone trying to call loved ones or for help. So maybe it's not emergency proof.
Cable-based Internet should prove to be more reliable since it uses a separate line from other communications. Whatever usage is on it now, shouldn't be much less than what would occur in an emergency. However, you'll require power for the modem, so it isn't immune to outages either. Not to mention that cable modems could easily be damaged, if there were a tornado or flood.
How about those new cellular-based modems? You've seen the USB stick that you plug into your computer and it connects you to the Internet over the cell network. The prices are coming down and speeds are going up. Plus, if you have emergency power, you should be able to get a connection. But again, it is subject to outages if the cell you are in is being overused. There may be 10,000 cellphones in your cell and the tower may only be able to handle 5,000 at anyone time. Those are made up numbers, but basically that's how it works. So, what do you do then?
Radio Wireless Internet is becoming quite popular. Good prices and respectable speeds make this a certain contender. It doesn't require wires or cellular connections and has it's own network. So it shouldn't get overused in an emergency. There has to be a downfall. Well, it's not available everywhere. You need a clear line of site between your receiver and the tower serving you. It's also not very portable.
Well, you might be wondering about satellite Internet on the Ka band. It's a good option if you live in the boonies already, where there are no landlines or cell signal. However, it is costly and can't really be used for voice communications. Also, the dish isn't very portable. The Telesat Ka band dishes can be moved and re-aimed fairly easily, however the Hughesnet dishes can take up to 8 hours to aim properly. Then there is the little matter of being required to be a certified satellite Internet installer by the service provider.
What about those satellite dome things that they use on ships and motor homes? Those are great, if you can afford them. Remember the motor homes and yachts those are on typically cost about a quarter-million dollars. You need that kind of money to get a self-aiming dish. They start at around $8,000 and quickly go up.
Now, there is an Internet option I have only heard of, and really know nothing about. This is where I ask you, fellow preppers, to contribute something. Tell me about Internet access via HAM radio. I've heard it can be done, but I don't really know if that is true. Can it? If so, how would one go about setting that up? That's the challenge preppers - give the rest of us some knowledge so we can all benefit.
Those are somethings to think about as far as maintaining Internet communications in an emergency or disaster. If you haven't already chosen a provider, I hope this helps you. If you have chosen a provider, but don't think they are for you, in an emergency, maybe this will give you some alternatives. Either way, I sincerely hope I have helped you somehow get prepared.
Submitted by CdnGuy...see more of CndGuy's articles at CanadaPrepared.com
Have you heard that most Canadians consider Internet access a utility and not just a nicety? I think I heard that on Adler Online or Rutherford. Can't remember.
Anyway, communications are important in times of crisis. I prefer using the Internet to television or most AM and FM radio, since I can access truly independent resources of news. So, how do I make sure that I can have Internet access in an emergency?
Right now, I have landline-based access. That's good. High speed, highly reliable, low price. If you have a laptop with a built-in modem, you can get Internet access, even if the power is out. Yet, I recall in some emergencies where phone lines were completely tied up due to everyone trying to call loved ones or for help. So maybe it's not emergency proof.
Cable-based Internet should prove to be more reliable since it uses a separate line from other communications. Whatever usage is on it now, shouldn't be much less than what would occur in an emergency. However, you'll require power for the modem, so it isn't immune to outages either. Not to mention that cable modems could easily be damaged, if there were a tornado or flood.
How about those new cellular-based modems? You've seen the USB stick that you plug into your computer and it connects you to the Internet over the cell network. The prices are coming down and speeds are going up. Plus, if you have emergency power, you should be able to get a connection. But again, it is subject to outages if the cell you are in is being overused. There may be 10,000 cellphones in your cell and the tower may only be able to handle 5,000 at anyone time. Those are made up numbers, but basically that's how it works. So, what do you do then?
Radio Wireless Internet is becoming quite popular. Good prices and respectable speeds make this a certain contender. It doesn't require wires or cellular connections and has it's own network. So it shouldn't get overused in an emergency. There has to be a downfall. Well, it's not available everywhere. You need a clear line of site between your receiver and the tower serving you. It's also not very portable.
Well, you might be wondering about satellite Internet on the Ka band. It's a good option if you live in the boonies already, where there are no landlines or cell signal. However, it is costly and can't really be used for voice communications. Also, the dish isn't very portable. The Telesat Ka band dishes can be moved and re-aimed fairly easily, however the Hughesnet dishes can take up to 8 hours to aim properly. Then there is the little matter of being required to be a certified satellite Internet installer by the service provider.
What about those satellite dome things that they use on ships and motor homes? Those are great, if you can afford them. Remember the motor homes and yachts those are on typically cost about a quarter-million dollars. You need that kind of money to get a self-aiming dish. They start at around $8,000 and quickly go up.
Now, there is an Internet option I have only heard of, and really know nothing about. This is where I ask you, fellow preppers, to contribute something. Tell me about Internet access via HAM radio. I've heard it can be done, but I don't really know if that is true. Can it? If so, how would one go about setting that up? That's the challenge preppers - give the rest of us some knowledge so we can all benefit.
Those are somethings to think about as far as maintaining Internet communications in an emergency or disaster. If you haven't already chosen a provider, I hope this helps you. If you have chosen a provider, but don't think they are for you, in an emergency, maybe this will give you some alternatives. Either way, I sincerely hope I have helped you somehow get prepared.
Submitted by CdnGuy...see more of CndGuy's articles at CanadaPrepared.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cooking Gear for the Long Haul
(originally posted at the APN by CdnGuy)
If you are preparing for the worst, there is only one way to go with
cooking gear - Cast Iron.
There are a few downsides to cast iron, however they are far
outweighed by the upside. First I'll share the downsides, which many
of you already know even if you don't own cast iron pots and pans.
They are heavy. Good Lord, they are heavy!!! Lug even a small pan in
your backpack for an hour and they seem to get even heavier!
They are not as pretty as other cookware. Big, bulky and black. What
more can I say about that? Who doesn't love a beautiful stainless
steel saucepan with a copper clad base, hanging over your kitchen
island? Everyone feels a bit like Martha or Jamie when they have that.
Food sticks to them. Yes, that is true, but only if you don't know how
to take care of them. If taken care of properly, they are just as
non-stick as Teflon.
They're hard to clean. Well this is like the point above. You will get
nasty blackened tea towels and such, unless you know how to clean them
properly.
Okay, that's enough bashing of the cast iron. On to the good stuff!!!!!
Durability - I was using the cast iron pans my grandmother had up
until a few years ago. They still work, they're just with my ex-wife.
I'm sure my son could inherit them and use them for ages too.
If you should happen to boil them dry or leave them on the burner too
long, you can sand off any rust or damage and reseason the ware.
Appearance - What? Didn't I just say they were ugly? No, some people
think they are ugly. I think they are beautiful. The great thing is
that no matter who makes them, they all match! Big, bulky and black!
Plus when they're being used I like to think of a witches kitchen like
Griselda from The House of Frightenstein. Are you old enough to
remember her?
Nutrition - Cast iron imparts a bit of iron into everything you cook
or boil in it. Iron is a very important mineral to our bodies. This is
true that all other cookware imparts metal to the food too,so you
might want to rethink your aluminum or Teflon pans.
Non-stick - Properly prepared, a cast iron skillet is as non-stick as
a Teflon coated pan. Of course if you're like me, you prep your
skillet and then use a pat of butter to cook your breakfast with. In
which case, they are WAY more non-stick than Teflon - and tastier too!
Price - We recently bought a 12 inch pan, 8 inch pan, dutch oven with
basket (so we can deep fry if we want) and kettle. Our total outlay
was around $150. How much does the same cost in Lagostina? $300? Yes,
we did get a few of these things on sale. I'll tell you how we did
that. Most cast iron goods are now marketed as camping supplies. keep
visiting the hardware store or Ukrainian Tire around September and
you'll find that they go on sale. We got ours at Peavey Mart for 30%
off. For you easterners, that's kind of like TSC or the Co-op.
Now, for the most important part about cast iron. Let's take care of
it. Seasoning is the word here folks. Your cast iron ware has to be
properly seasoned. Even if the ware says it was preseasoned, I like to
do it myself. That's just me.
First, make sure the ware is clean. This is the only time you should
use any detergent on your cast iron ware.
Second, coat the ware thickly with oil - inside AND outside. I like to
use canola oil, but butter, vegetable oil or margarine works well too.
Third, open your oven and cover the bottom of it with tinfoil or
cookie sheets or whatever you have that will catch the oil that will
drip of your wares.
Fourth, warm your oven up to about 350. When it's preheated put your
cast iron ware in the oven and leave it there for at least 30 minutes.
I let it go for more like 2 hours. Again, that's just me. All that oil
seeps right into the pores of the metal, quite deeply. That will keep
it from rusting and makes it non-stick.
Fifth, take the ware out of the oven and wipe clean with paper towel
or newspaper.
When you next use or cast iron ware, the best way to clean it is to
just wipe it out right after you use it. If there is anything stuck in
it, fill it with water, bring it to a boil, dump the water and wipe it
out with paper towel or newspaper. Maybe use a little salt to scrub
with.
Do not let your cast iron ware soak in water or use detergent on it.
If you do, then you'll have to re-season the ware.
I hope you've found this article to be helpful and I encourage you to
get your cast iron ware soon. You'll be glad you did! Every meal
tastes as good as if you were at the campfire.
Submitted by CdnGuy - make sure to check out CdnGuy's website at CanadaPrepared.com
If you are preparing for the worst, there is only one way to go with
cooking gear - Cast Iron.
There are a few downsides to cast iron, however they are far
outweighed by the upside. First I'll share the downsides, which many
of you already know even if you don't own cast iron pots and pans.
They are heavy. Good Lord, they are heavy!!! Lug even a small pan in
your backpack for an hour and they seem to get even heavier!
They are not as pretty as other cookware. Big, bulky and black. What
more can I say about that? Who doesn't love a beautiful stainless
steel saucepan with a copper clad base, hanging over your kitchen
island? Everyone feels a bit like Martha or Jamie when they have that.
Food sticks to them. Yes, that is true, but only if you don't know how
to take care of them. If taken care of properly, they are just as
non-stick as Teflon.
They're hard to clean. Well this is like the point above. You will get
nasty blackened tea towels and such, unless you know how to clean them
properly.
Okay, that's enough bashing of the cast iron. On to the good stuff!!!!!
Durability - I was using the cast iron pans my grandmother had up
until a few years ago. They still work, they're just with my ex-wife.
I'm sure my son could inherit them and use them for ages too.
If you should happen to boil them dry or leave them on the burner too
long, you can sand off any rust or damage and reseason the ware.
Appearance - What? Didn't I just say they were ugly? No, some people
think they are ugly. I think they are beautiful. The great thing is
that no matter who makes them, they all match! Big, bulky and black!
Plus when they're being used I like to think of a witches kitchen like
Griselda from The House of Frightenstein. Are you old enough to
remember her?
Nutrition - Cast iron imparts a bit of iron into everything you cook
or boil in it. Iron is a very important mineral to our bodies. This is
true that all other cookware imparts metal to the food too,so you
might want to rethink your aluminum or Teflon pans.
Non-stick - Properly prepared, a cast iron skillet is as non-stick as
a Teflon coated pan. Of course if you're like me, you prep your
skillet and then use a pat of butter to cook your breakfast with. In
which case, they are WAY more non-stick than Teflon - and tastier too!
Price - We recently bought a 12 inch pan, 8 inch pan, dutch oven with
basket (so we can deep fry if we want) and kettle. Our total outlay
was around $150. How much does the same cost in Lagostina? $300? Yes,
we did get a few of these things on sale. I'll tell you how we did
that. Most cast iron goods are now marketed as camping supplies. keep
visiting the hardware store or Ukrainian Tire around September and
you'll find that they go on sale. We got ours at Peavey Mart for 30%
off. For you easterners, that's kind of like TSC or the Co-op.
Now, for the most important part about cast iron. Let's take care of
it. Seasoning is the word here folks. Your cast iron ware has to be
properly seasoned. Even if the ware says it was preseasoned, I like to
do it myself. That's just me.
First, make sure the ware is clean. This is the only time you should
use any detergent on your cast iron ware.
Second, coat the ware thickly with oil - inside AND outside. I like to
use canola oil, but butter, vegetable oil or margarine works well too.
Third, open your oven and cover the bottom of it with tinfoil or
cookie sheets or whatever you have that will catch the oil that will
drip of your wares.
Fourth, warm your oven up to about 350. When it's preheated put your
cast iron ware in the oven and leave it there for at least 30 minutes.
I let it go for more like 2 hours. Again, that's just me. All that oil
seeps right into the pores of the metal, quite deeply. That will keep
it from rusting and makes it non-stick.
Fifth, take the ware out of the oven and wipe clean with paper towel
or newspaper.
When you next use or cast iron ware, the best way to clean it is to
just wipe it out right after you use it. If there is anything stuck in
it, fill it with water, bring it to a boil, dump the water and wipe it
out with paper towel or newspaper. Maybe use a little salt to scrub
with.
Do not let your cast iron ware soak in water or use detergent on it.
If you do, then you'll have to re-season the ware.
I hope you've found this article to be helpful and I encourage you to
get your cast iron ware soon. You'll be glad you did! Every meal
tastes as good as if you were at the campfire.
Submitted by CdnGuy - make sure to check out CdnGuy's website at CanadaPrepared.com
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Have you overlooked anything?
(originally posted at the PEIPN by Jennifer)
Kymber has kindly asked me to share some prep tips here. I am reposting my first post from the New Mexico Preppers Network. It is almost silly to write about prior to a crisis situation, but once a crisis arrives these issues will be soon to the forethought.
The Nitty Gritty Details of Your Storage
In preparedness some things are overlooked because of priority. Most preparers think of the Big Three: Food~ Shelter~Clothing, which are extremely important and brush over the details. Today I am going to go into one of the details, that if overlooked will cause problems in a stressful time. You see preparing for all manner of situations makes the best Prepper, whether it is natural or man-made, some things overlooked will tax even the most determined prepper.
What could be overlooked that could cause such duress? Well we cannot shut off going to the bathroom...When you stock up on foods and meds, have you stocked up on toilet paper? No matter how much you stock up, toilet paper goes fast. So then what?
Now I will not go into digging an outhouse today, but here is a link for you to go over, if times come to where you may need to build your own. But I am going to go over something that I first laughed at. Cloth wipes! Yes, we must never forget staying clean, even in a crisis, as if we don't our health and well being is at risk. Cloth wipes are an alternative to disposable toilet paper and in a crisis may be something good to have in the storage room. Here is a link that shares some easy wipes and how to use them(the picture gives you an idea of how to make your own). I would also suggest having one separate color wipe for each person in your group, so even after washing the wipes they go back to the same person.
Now on to another part often overlooked in a crisis: feminine products. If the world changes overnight then knowing that one can use an outhouse and use cloth wipes will make all the difference, such is the same as cloth menstrual pads. This link shares how to make your own, or have on hand for your family. Once again, we can stock up until we spend all we have, and it is not as impacting as knowing another method to bypass the need for a refill.
I am not sure what tomorrow will bring with government so frantic with the race towards socialism, I prefer to learn as much as possible that makes me prepared without spending money I do not have.
Save space and add to your storage, cloth wipes, feminine products(if you have women in your group) and even cloth diapers(if you have youngsters or are in the child birthing years).
Once again I stress that knowing this is an option and having the cloth products on hand is exactly like knowing how to plant and grow your own foods...it gives you the knowledge and understanding to take care of yourself!
Jennifer
Kymber has kindly asked me to share some prep tips here. I am reposting my first post from the New Mexico Preppers Network. It is almost silly to write about prior to a crisis situation, but once a crisis arrives these issues will be soon to the forethought.
The Nitty Gritty Details of Your Storage
In preparedness some things are overlooked because of priority. Most preparers think of the Big Three: Food~ Shelter~Clothing, which are extremely important and brush over the details. Today I am going to go into one of the details, that if overlooked will cause problems in a stressful time. You see preparing for all manner of situations makes the best Prepper, whether it is natural or man-made, some things overlooked will tax even the most determined prepper.
What could be overlooked that could cause such duress? Well we cannot shut off going to the bathroom...When you stock up on foods and meds, have you stocked up on toilet paper? No matter how much you stock up, toilet paper goes fast. So then what?
Now I will not go into digging an outhouse today, but here is a link for you to go over, if times come to where you may need to build your own. But I am going to go over something that I first laughed at. Cloth wipes! Yes, we must never forget staying clean, even in a crisis, as if we don't our health and well being is at risk. Cloth wipes are an alternative to disposable toilet paper and in a crisis may be something good to have in the storage room. Here is a link that shares some easy wipes and how to use them(the picture gives you an idea of how to make your own). I would also suggest having one separate color wipe for each person in your group, so even after washing the wipes they go back to the same person.
Now on to another part often overlooked in a crisis: feminine products. If the world changes overnight then knowing that one can use an outhouse and use cloth wipes will make all the difference, such is the same as cloth menstrual pads. This link shares how to make your own, or have on hand for your family. Once again, we can stock up until we spend all we have, and it is not as impacting as knowing another method to bypass the need for a refill.
I am not sure what tomorrow will bring with government so frantic with the race towards socialism, I prefer to learn as much as possible that makes me prepared without spending money I do not have.
Save space and add to your storage, cloth wipes, feminine products(if you have women in your group) and even cloth diapers(if you have youngsters or are in the child birthing years).
Once again I stress that knowing this is an option and having the cloth products on hand is exactly like knowing how to plant and grow your own foods...it gives you the knowledge and understanding to take care of yourself!
Jennifer
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