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Portable Generators

December 14, 2011 by

Portable Generators

To go with the last article Off grid fuels, here is a look at using portable generators for emergency power. I know I had some misconceptions about generators. Maybe this can clear up some you might have as well.
 
 
Price

A portable generator is one of the most economical ways to provide electricity in a power outage. It’s true they can be expensive and the more you spend the more power you’ll have and the quieter it might be. If you’re selective about what you use it for, you can spend as little as a few hundred dollars. This would be great if you just want to run it for an hour in the morning and evening to keep the freezer cold.
 
 
Fuel Types

I mentioned in Off grid fuels that I chose propane as one of the fuels I store. There are generators that are available off the shelf that will use propane and there are companies that will make after-market modifications to permit its use as well. I have read that a generator will go through more propane than gasoline in an hour. If this is true, I can store a large propane tank that doesn’t need to be rotated as it doesn’t go bad; the same can’t be said for gas. I have also read that propane runs quieter. I don’t know if this is true. I was able to find a company that will take the new carburetor and modify it to use gasoline, propane or natural gas. There are kits to do this, but that’s a bit out of my depth.
 
 
Noise

Noise is a factor that many people don’t take into consideration and is often a later complaint. I have read how some people will take the generator to the edge of their property line and run extension cords back to the house, just to limit the noise. Honda generators boast some of the lowest decibel ratings on the market, but Honda’s can be expensive. Review Portable Generators reviews many different generators and they look at noise as one of the factors.
 
 
Security

If your neighbors can hear your generator, you may be asked to help keep their food cold. If Joe Dirtbag can hear that you have a generator, he might try to make off with it. If you have it away from the house, chaining it down might be a good idea, if for no other reason than to slow Mr. Dirtbag down.
 
 
Wattage Calculator

Review Portable Generators has a decent Watt Calculatorbut here is a sample one. There are some items such as a refrigerator, freezer or washer that require more power at start up and require less as it runs.

You might not be able to power everything in your home at one time, but a generator of even 2000-3000 watts can simultaneously power multiple smaller electronics such as a TV, DVD player and microwave for popcorn. Or it could power one or two larger items such as a washer or dryer.

If your main goal is to keep food in the fridge or freezer from going bad, you don’t need to run the generator 24/7. A couple of hours in the morning and evening should suffice. Also, the fuller the fridge and freezer are, the longer they’ll take to thaw out. You can take up empty space with 2-liter bottles of water.
 
 
Connecting to Your Home

There are two ways to do this, either run extension cords from the generator to your appliances, or with a power transfer switch. To connect a generator directly to your home you’ll need to have an electrician install a power transfer switch (As can be seen below). This will allow you to connect the generator to the power transfer switch and then select which breakers you want powered. This will also prevent you sending power back down the line, which could harm a utility worker.
 
 
Final Thoughts

You’ll also want to store oil and filters so that you can do maintenance as needed. I was asked once about whether or not a person should start their generator or just leave it new in the box. My answer was that if you leave it in the box, you won’t know if it works and you won’t know how to use it. If you take it out of the box then you’ll need to run it once or twice a year to exercise it and make sure it runs and you’ll also need to do maintenance on it.

Generator Joe is one resource that you can use to delve deeper into the subject, there is a huge amount of information under the resource and Information tabs at the top.

 
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Filed Under: Energy/Power, Off-Grid

Off Grid Fuel

November 30, 2011 by

Off Grid Fuel

One of the five basic human needs is energy. We use energy to cook, to keep us warm and, in the modern world, to keep our food cold and provide entertainment. In a grid down situation some of the dependencies on this need might be scaled back or removed completely. With some forethought you can provide warmth, hot food and a maybe even a running TV and DVD player to help occupy some time.

All of these needs require fuel in one form or another. Here is a breakdown of some (I know I am missing some) types of fuel, broken up by what need they can help meet. As I am writing this I am thinking of an event such as an ice storm that has brought down the overhead power lines and my entire town is without electricity. The power company will be able to fix it, but it could take as long as a week.
 
Cooking
Wood, Charcoal, Propane and Natural Gas
 

Heating
Wood, Charcoal, Propane, Natural Gas and Kerosene
 

Emergency Power
Diesel, Gasoline, Propane and Natural Gas
 

Wood

Wood can take 6-12 months to “season” or dry out before it is best for burning. You must have a wood burning stove or fireplace to utilize it indoors. If you have an indoor fireplace, please have it inspected and don’t just keep it as the “I’ll use it if I have to” plan. It takes a lot of work to get wood to the usable size sold in local stores. Unless you have the tools and know-how, going out to get wood “if it hits the fan”, isn’t a great fall back plan. You can buy wood now and pile it, let it season until needed, but then you still need to have an indoor method to use it.
 
 
Charcoal

In my opinion charcoal is great for grilling. Having a bag or two stored might not be a bad idea. However, in my opinion, it’s not great for a grid down situation. It is for outdoor use only. You can cook with it outside but that’s about it. I don’t have much experience with storing charcoal for long periods but I have had trouble starting some that was left in the bag from the last season.
 
 
Kerosene

In truth my knowledge of kerosene is limited. What I know is from the little research I have done. I believe you can buy kerosene at Home Depot or similar stores. Other than that I can only think of one place I could buy it in bulk quantities. I have read that it can store for a very long time in a metal drum but in plastic containers, only for months. I think that has to do with the plastic leeching, but that is only a guess. The heaters that I have looked at are expensive and most say they are rated for outdoor and indoor use, with proper ventilation.
 
 
Diesel and Gasoline

Diesel stores better then gas does but neither store indefinitely, even with additives. You could use a rotation system similar to having four, five gallon containers full in the garage. Each week before you go to the gas station to fill up, you pour one of the 5 gallon containers into your vehicle. You would then take that container and put it in the back of the rotation. This way you always have 20 gallons of fuel and it should all last the month it will be in the garage. These two would primarily be used for a generator or extra fuel for the vehicles.
 
 
Natural Gas and Propane

Natural gas and propane have a lot in common. Many homes use them as their primary fuel now. Here is an article that explains some of differences between propane and natural gas. One important thing to be aware of is that both gases store indefinitely, without any additional additives.

My home uses natural gas; for the furnace, water heater, stove and dryer. If you’re in the same boat, as long as the gas company has power, we’ll have natural gas. In the ice storm scenario with no electricity, I am faced with some of the appliances having an electric start, such as the stove. I would have to carefully use a lighter on the burner to get flame. The blower in the furnace is electric as is the ignitor, so a means of powering the fan, lighting the ignitor or an alternate way of heating would still be required.

From my research on the two, natural gas is most commonly used to fuel households and some vehicles. Because propane is more easily available in smaller tanks, it is used for both of those as well and small heaters, generators, camp stoves and camp lights. It is also much more readily available. I can think of one place to get natural gas and multiple convenience stores as well as two businesses that sell propane, all within a 5 minute drive.

A warning about using the propane quick exchange machines at convenience stores, often they will only fill a 20lb tank to 15 lbs. My guess is they think they could over fill it and explode. Using those machines would be a good idea if you have a beat up tank and you wanted to exchange it. (A commenter later pointed out that it was federal law that prohibits exceeding 15lbs)

Because of the storage life, the variety of things it can be used for and the availability of it, propane is the fuel I have decided to store.

 
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Filed Under: Energy/Power, Off-Grid

Fire Safety, Before and After the Fan

November 10, 2011 by

Fire Safety, Before and After the Fan

Fire safety is something I think everyone should be practicing now when times are normal and you’re not in a survival situation, so that you can prevent or minimize the danger of a fire. In a survival situation, the danger of a fire starting and the damage it can cause are magnified. The reason for this is that people who do not normally use candles, their fireplace or other alternate heat sources, use a skill set they have minimal experience with. Depending on the situation you may or may not have electricity and if you are connected to city sewer and water, there is a very good chance you will not have running water.

Here is some information to help you develop a fire safety plan now as well as some things to keep in mind should you find yourself in a survival situation.
 
 
Have a Plan

Ideally every room should have two exits, a door and at least one window. In multiple story homes have a plan to safely get to the ground. Make sure everyone knows to check the door for heat with the back of their hand and to not open it if it is hot.

School age children have to do fire drills often multiple times a year at school. Doing them in the home is a great idea as well. Explain the primary exit and the backup ones. Make sure they understand how to unlock the window and get it open as well as getting the screens out of the way.

Have a designated meeting place that is near the home; a neighbor, mailbox, anywhere that is a safe distance from the fire. Make sure everyone knows where it is.
 
 
Sound the Alarm

The code might be different where you live, but in Minnesota it is code to have a smoke detector in every bedroom. If this isn’t code where you live, it is a good idea.

Here is a report that says that ”Only 58% of kids even woke up to the sound of a fire alarm.“. There are fire alarms that record your voice. This is a great idea, as you can say the child’s name and remind them of what they are to do.

It is a good practice to test the alarms every month and to replace the batteries every six months. You can use the old batteries for other non-life saving things, like the remote. Daylight savings is a great time to replace the batteries. There are some smoke detectors that come with carbon monoxide detectors built in, you should have at least one of these in my opinion.
 
 
Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguisher : 101 is a site that explains all things fire extinguishers, including types of fire extinguishers, how to use them and care and maintenance of them. I personally have one in each bedroom, one in the kitchen and one in the basement near the furnace, washer and dryer and one in each car.

Fire extinguishers are not meant for fighting a fully engulfed fire. They are a great tool for fighting small fires, shortly after they have started.

Here is a video to give you some idea of how fast a fire can spread.

Here is a video that covers the important information about fire extinguishers.


 
 
Important Documents

Be they family photos, wills, insurance papers or anything else of importance, it is a very good idea to have these kept in a fire resistant, waterproof container. Another good idea is to have a record of all serial numbers, model numbers and other pertinent information. Here is a Serial Number Recording Form that I created in PDF format. You can write down the important information for your valuables. I also recommend taking pictures of your valuables. You can store them on a flash drive that you use solely for important information. It should be kept in the fire resistant waterproof container.
 
 
Post Smelly Fan Blades (aka. “after it hits the fan”)

In a survival situation, the danger of a non-controlled fire is much higher. The reason for this is that often the electricity will be out and there will be no heat or light. This means that people will use alternative heat and light sources that they might not use often, such as candles, outdoor fires etc. The other reason the danger is higher is that if there is no electricity, there is no water pressure to help fight the fire.

In a short term situation, just practicing extra vigilance should be all that is needed. Make sure that if there are candles going, they are being used in a room that you are in and are not left unattended.

For an outdoor fire, keep burning restrictions in mind; if it’s too dry and windy, it might be best not to burn. If there are no restrictions and the weather is permitting, having an extinguisher nearby is a good idea. If you have a well or the water is running, a close by hose might be a good idea as well. Remember, as Smokey the Bear says “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave”.

If the situation is long term and there is no power, prudence might dictate that the scope of the vigilance be increased. Work with your community to limit burning to a few community areas or have a fire watch posted that can alert the entire community if smoke is seen.

At the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, fire “destroyed six and severely damaged about 25 booths on the grounds” I bring this up because there are no fire hydrants on the festival grounds and if there is no electricity, this means the pumps are not pushing water to the fire hydrants nearby your home, so they are uselss. In the article, it says that at one time there were twelve fire trucks being used to put the fire out. If it has hit the fan, the best your neighborhood might be able to do is get a bucket brigade going and that’s only helpful if you live near a body of water or have a large amount of water available such as a swimming pool or multiple rain barrels.

As in everything we prepare for, in a long term situation, it might be wise to do what you can to mitigate the danger beforehand. I read a fictional story once, the name of which escapes me. In the book, the characters knew they were at high risk for a fire. They took some pretty drastic measures to save their homes. They cut down any trees within 50 or so yards, dug up grass near the homes which left the earth exposed. I don’t think that I thought much about it at the time, but if there was imminent threat of a fire, who knows what might sound like a good idea.

 
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Filed Under: Off-Grid, Preparedness, Shelter

Overlooked Preparedness Items.

October 25, 2011 by

Here are some items that are often overlooked as preparedness items. Some of them you use often, some maybe not at all, but all of them would be missed if you needed them in a pinch.
 
Toilet paper

This is something that is frequently used and yet many homes have just enough to get through the week. It doesn’t have to be expensive or the kind you use every day, so stack it high and wide. Even the cheap stuff is better than making due with a phone book. Since TP isn’t subject to drastic temperatures it can be stacked in the attic or in the rafters.
 
Feminine hygiene products

Another item that often doesn’t have a large supply. If any of you gentleman have had to run to get more, then you understand how important having a good supply is, to make sure that this never, ever happens…ever.
 
Shoe laces

A broken lace can make a shoe worthless; having some cheap laces on hand can save a bug out, a hike or moonlit walk gone awry.
 
Stomach aids

One very common way that the human body reacts to stress is varying types of upset stomachs. An upset stomach can make a difficult situation unbearable, so having some Pepto, Rolaids, Imodium and Colace can help things get back to normal.
 
Duct Tape

From sealing a broken window to impromptu cordage, it’s impossible to list all of the things duct tape can be used for.
 
Oral Numbing Agent

There is no pain like a tooth ache. I recently had a friend that had a nasty tooth ache on a Friday and couldn’t be seen until Monday. Imagine having no option but to go longer. Well, you could always use an ice skate (Castaway reference).
 
Eye glass repair kit

Anyone who wears glasses should have one of these. The extra small screws and small screw drivers are a must.
 
Work Gloves

I mean heavy duty gloves; the kind that can stand up to downed timber or broken glass. I paved the dogs kennel this year and couldn’t do everything I needed to with my good work gloves on; I ended up destroying two pairs of cheaper gloves. While I couldn’t wear my good work gloves for this task, it made me appreciate them all the more.
 
Bandanna

There are many uses for bandanas; protecting your mouth and nose from dust, head-wear, wound dressing, getting them wet and wrapping them around your neck to keep cool. (Oh, you can blow your nose with them too.)
 
Shoe Glue

In normal times buying a new pair of shoes when the sole comes loose is an easy decision. When times aren’t normal, being able to fix a worn shoe might be the only option.
 
Cough Drops, throat spray

A sore throat is bad, but an untreated cough can irritate your throat and lead to bronchitis.
 
Have More?

If you have a good item to share, post it in the notes and share it with everyone. If you would rather be anonymous, e-mail it to me and I’ll post it.
 
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Filed Under: General Preparedness

Primer for Precious Metals (part two of two)

October 19, 2011 by

What Types Of Precious Metals Should You Buy?
This is really two questions; which kind? and in what form can/should you purchase precious metals? Wikipedia has a good explanation of precious metals and it explains bullion as:

“Precious metals in bulk form are known as bullion, and are traded on commodity markets. Bullion metals may be cast into ingots (bars), or minted into coins. The defining attribute of bullion is that it is valued by its mass and purity rather than by a face value as money.” The (bars) was added by me.

To answer the first question about the kinds of precious metals that are available to purchase, there is gold, silver, platinum, rhodium or Icantafforditium to name a few. For a few reasons it is my opinion that silver and gold are the best choices. They are easily recognized, so that the layman can recognize them and have some idea as to their worth. Secondly, until this year, when the price of gold skyrocketed, they were much more affordable. Silver is still considerably cheaper. In my opinion gold has enough other reasons to make it a better choice than platinum or rhodium.

The second question is in what form should you purchase bullion? I have read opinions on preparedness sites and forums and have seen people say they are storing gold and silver jewelry, bars and coins. When it comes to coins there are two types of denominations. The first comes in tenth ounce, quarter ounce, half ounce and one ounce. Then there are pre-1965 coins. These coins were 90% silver. I have seen pre-65 coins available in a wide range of options.

Unless you’re wealthy and going to invest in large amounts and buy bars, from a preparedness standpoint coins make the most sense to me. They are easily bought and sold both on-line and in coin stores. One of the reasons prepper’s buy PM’s is in case the economy fails.

One of the questions I have seen asked is “what do we do with it then?” It’s a fair question and in part my answer will be conjecture, as, in our modern economy American’s don’t (in large part) use gold and silver as currency. However, I have read a few articles written by people in other countries whose economies have collapsed and often gold and silver are used for barter. I read an article from a gentleman in Argentina that said that after the collapse of their economy (after 2002) there were black markets where you could trade in PM’s. As things stand right now, I know I could take a gold Eagle and sell it at a pawn shop, take it to one of many “I buy gold” stores, a few jewelry shops that buy gold and a coin store. Silver might be harder to sell, but not much.

It can also be used as currency itself. Let’s say that the economy is really bad and the dollar is worth 25% of what it is today. You own a potato farm and I own a chicken farm and you come to me with potatoes wanting to trade. I don’t want any potatoes but if you happen to have an ounce of silver. I can trade for it and use the silver to get .22 ammo or something else I need.

The other benefit of coins is that, because they are minted, it’s harder to counterfeit them. I read a story about gold bar’s being hollowed out and filled with another metal. A one ounce gold coin is pretty small so I’m not sure that would be possible. If it was, would it be worth it for the small amount of gold you would be able to hollow out? I’m not sure this is a huge worry for bars but just another small point for coins in my mind.
 
 
Dangers of Owning Precious Metals

Precious metals like any investment can lose their worth. As I have mentioned, they have always had some value. I have covered confiscation and not being able to use it as currency above and in part one of this article.
 
 
Hyper-Deflation

Since gold is a hedge against inflation or hyperinflation, in a hyper-deflation scenario, the gold is worth little and cash is strong. I’ll be the first to admit that I am no economist, but this scenario doesn’t seem likely.
 
 
How Much Should I Invest In?

That is something you are going to have to answer for yourself Here are a couple things to think about. How are your other preps? Do you have at least 3 months “eat what you store” food put up? What about water purification, BOB’s, self-defense or other preps? I do think having PM’s is a good idea, but not at the cost of your overall preparedness.

If your other preps are squared away and your family can afford it, I think 5-10% of your overall investments are a good idea. As far as kind, at the time I am writing this article gold is at $1663 an ounce and silver is at $32 an ounce some of both is a good idea, but silver is so much cheaper.
 
 
Gold and Silver Parity

Gold and silver have usually gone up or down at a fairly close pace to each other. If gold goes up 10%, silver does too. A year or so ago, gold started climbing and silver only rose slightly. That can only mean two things; either gold is overvalued and will come down or, silver is undervalued and should go up. Take this with a grain of salt; I have seen predictions of silver being over $200 an ounce. Even if it doesn’t go that high, in my opinion, silver is a safer option.
 
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Filed Under: Finance Tagged With:

Primer for Precious Metals (part one of two)

October 12, 2011 by

A reader and new friend recently asked me about precious metals. I don’t claim to be an expert in PM’s (precious metals). In fact, I have only recently begun to invest in them. However, I have been researching them for some time, mostly so that when I did purchase them, I made informed decisions. As I said, I am not an expert in PM’s or in the economy in general If I make any misstatements please let me know and I will correct them.
 
 
Why Invest in PM’s?

There are many reasons people invest in PM’s. One such reason is that precious metals have always had a value as currency. Many people use PM’s as a hedge against inflation. The value of gold is static. As an example; 100 years ago, an ounce of gold could buy a high quality suit. Today you could still get a high quality suit for that ounce of gold. The value of the gold remained the same. However, the value of the dollar is worth less today than it was 100 years ago.

Another reason some people invest in PM’s is that gold and silver coins are universal. Whether the coin is an American eagle, South African Krugerrand, Canadian Maple Leaf or another countries’ currency, an ounce of gold is an ounce of gold. If you have to go to another country, you could easily carry a small fortune in gold coins relatively unnoticed. The ounce of gold will have value, even if it is in another countries’ denomination, whereas the paper dollar might not.
 
 

Things to Consider

Ways to Invest In Precious Metals

There are ways to invest in gold; ETF (exchange traded funds), mining stocks, IRA, etc. The purpose of this article relates to ownership. If you buy gold take ownership of it. Don’t just get a certificate saying that you own it. I have read about companies that were selling gold certificates for gold that they did not have.
 
 
Online or in Person

Since you’re going to take possession of it, should you purchase it online or in person? This is a personal choice. I suggest you research the company you plan to purchase from. There is one reason to purchase in person and that is paying cash, if you can find a local dealer that will take it. The reason for this is the lack of paper trail.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102 forbidding the Hoarding of Gold Coin, Gold Bullion, and Gold Certificates within the continental United States.” There are individuals who think that since it was done once, it could be done again. I don’t know if this is a rational concern or not, here are my thoughts;

We live in a different age. I can’t see many Americans today selling their gold at a debased rate of possibly 10-25% of the price they paid for it. I however would like to see them try to get it out of all those gangsters’ teeth! (haha)

For confiscation to be effective, they would have to count on Americans turning in the gold. The last time, many people sent their gold to other countries to protect it. It would be much easier to go after people’s 401k’s or other electronic investments. They could implement a tax on retirement funds and your investment company could send them the payment, all without your being able to do anything about it.
 
 
IRS Form 1099

There is a post on the Investing Blog that explains this better than I could. It says that “Starting after December 31, 2011, the 1099 will function as a tax form for ALL business to business transactions of over $600.”

Here is why this matters for precious metals:

“One industry was quick to turn against the new 1099 provision, the physical gold bullion dealers. And while they may have been very loud, and very “extreme” about the law and its effects, they did have a very good point: this law affects individuals as well.

You see, any and all transactions with a business are to be documented with a 1099-Misc form. Thus, if I were to walk into a coin shop after the law takes effect, it would be required of me to fill out a 1099-Misc and leave my tax identification number (my social security number) to sell the proprietor a single Krugerrand.

And while it is easy to defend the law on the basis that many companies and sole proprietors do have a “DBA” (Doing Business As) tax identification number, individuals are almost always dependent on their social security number.

To further drive the point: a number of states and municipalities require gold dealers and coin shops to copy the license of anyone selling gold or silver of a certain threshold value.

Consider, for just one moment, the possible dangers of giving someone your license (which has your address) and on a 1099 your social security number. Sounds like identity theft.”

After this change takes place, fractional gold coins or silver with a cost of less than $600 or silver might be your best option.
 
 
Spot Price

The spot price is the current price at which a commodity such as PM’s can be bought or sold at a specified time and place. You can expect to pay a bit over spot price, for handling fees, etc.

Primer for Precious Metals (part two of two)

 
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Filed Under: Finance Tagged With:

Altoids Tin or Mini Kit

October 4, 2011 by

Every year I see at least one story about someone sliding off the road and into a ravine or getting lost in the mountains or some other unfortunate act.  These people are often found alive, days or sometimes weeks later.  Many are not so fortunate.  It was one of these stories that got me carrying what I call a mini kit in our vehicles.  This was actually an article I had planned on writing later this fall.  That is until I saw this story about a California man survives after his car plunges 200

“La Vau, 68, said he survived for six days after the crash by eating bugs and leaves and drinking water from a creek. He said he spent nights in his wrecked car and his days outside, yelling for help every 30 minutes or so. He could hear cars on the road above him, but none stopped.”

There was another car not far from Mr. La Vau, that driver had crashed two weeks prior and was only found because Mr. La Vau was.

I carry other gear in my car but this kit is kept in my console and is, in large part, supplemental.  The stories I mentioned above are the reason I carry it at all.  One of the stories involves a woman who had her pelvis broken and was stuck in the driver seat, this is why I keep the kit withing reach of the driver seat, console or glove box should be ok.

      • Altoids tin is the container for the mini kit
    • Tinfoil; I think it’s 12” x 12”.  This can be used to catch rain, boil water or make a fancy hat (LOL).
    • Lighter and matches for making fire.  If you have your battery, you have another way to make fire.  (the matches are “strike anywhere” , I think they changed the makeup of these, they used to light if you gave them a dirty look, I couldn’t get these to light on anything short of the strike plate.)
    • Cotton balls with some Vaseline; these are fantastic for starting a fire.  If you plan to use this, spend some time making sure they’ll light.  I did and found I was using too much Vaseline and the flame wouldn’t hold.  I actually pulled this kit out and tried to use the cotton and a flint to start a fire, the Vaseline had dried out.  Lesson learned; check all kits yearly, not just the BOB’s.  (Dryer lint or char cloth are also good here.)
    • Razor blade; I always carry a pocket knife, but I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
    • I also carry a small fishing kit, a few hooks, sinkers and 25 or so feet of line.  In one of these stories I read that a man was stranded near a lake and could see small fish, with no way to catch them. 
  •  One item I just thought of as I am writing this that I need to add is a whistle. Yelling can quickly wear you out and do a number on your throat, while blowing a whistle all day long takes next to no effort, just ask my neighbor kid.

Here is a good article from ield and Stream that shows make a Survival Kit out of an Altoids Tin

Here is a picture of how I keep the kit in my car.

    • $.99 first aid kit (you can supplement this with some meds)
    • Cheap knife; my thought or this is to be able to cut the seatbelt if needed.
  • I might wrap a section of Para-cord around these two instead of the rubber band, that would give a good length of rope.

 
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Filed Under: Kits

Severe Weather

August 13, 2011 by

Some of you may be guilty of this. I know I was. We live in an area of the country that permits us to have a basement; this is our default spot when the sirens go off. I have been so busy this year that I was chomping at the bit to get out of the basement and back to whatever the sirens interrupted. My wife pointed out that we shouldn’t be telling people to take shelter, if we aren’t. Humbled, I have changed my point of view about severe weather. As preppers we prepare for “what may come”, yet when it’s “just a thunder storm”, many of us either ignore it or go out and watch.

Severe weather is the “stuff hitting the fan” scenario for countless families every year. This year has been worse than most. There have been hundreds of casualties and thousands affected by tornadoes, floods and straight-line winds. We still have hurricane season and several months left in the year. Understanding severe weather and knowing when and how we can mitigate its affects are an important preparation. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’ll list some great resources found and also give some of my own thoughts.
 
 
Watches and Warnings

From NOAA Severe weather website:
“When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado WATCH is issued. Weather Service personnel use information from weather radar, spotters, and other sources to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado WARNINGS for areas where severe weather is imminent.”

As I mentioned above, I have found myself chomping at the bit to get out of the basement. I have decided instead to set a better example for the kids (avoid angering my beautiful wife) and stay in the basement until all tornado warnings have passed. Under certain circumstances we’ll be in there for thunderstorms as well.

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning…Nature’s Most Violent Storms (This is a big file. Please be patient while it loads.)
This is a very informative document created by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It covers facts about thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail, straight-line winds, flash floods and creating a severe weather plan.

Just some of the information found inside:

Why Worry About Thunderstorms?
Lightning…
■ Causes an average of 55-60 fatalities and 400 injuries each year
■ Occurs with all thunderstorms
■ Costs more than $1 billion in insured losses each year

Tornadoes…
■ Cause an average of 60-65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries each year
■ Can produce wind speeds in excess of 200 mph
■ Can be 1 mile wide and stay on the ground over 50 miles

Straight-line Winds…
■ Can exceed 125 mph
■ Can cause destruction equal to a tornado
■ Are extremely dangerous to aviation

Flash Floods and Floods…
■ Are the #1 cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, more than 90 fatalities each year

Hail…
■ Can be larger than a softball (5 inches in diameter)
■ Causes more than $1 billion in crop and property damage each year.
 
 
Ice Storms

Ice storms are caused when freezing rain or sleet falls and coats whatever it lands on in ice. These ice storms can last for hours or in some cases days. The longer it lasts, the more damage it causes. An ice storm can make the roads un-driveable. The real danger, it seems to me, is from the added weight to trees and over-head power lines.

Where I live in Minnesota, we had a fairly mild ice storm and my wife’s cousin was without power for two days. We have underground power lines in my neighborhood so losing power wasn’t a huge concern but I had to knock ice off of the branches on one of our trees to keep them from breaking under the added weight. I have seen multiple reports where ice storms have caused large-scale power outages lasting weeks in some cases. Though I think the ones lasting weeks were in rural areas.

If you live in an area where snow is possible, you live in an area that can have ice storms. Having a stocked pantry is always a good idea but in this circumstance it could be a lifesaver for you or a neighbor. Having a means of alternative heat and power are ideal as well. Make sure your alternate heat source is meant for indoors or asphyxiation by carbon monoxide is possible. If a generator is your means of alternative power then only use it out doors.

I recommend having a winter kit in your car. I plan on covering this in more detail before this winter. For now jumper cables, some extra food, a container to melt snow in and an extra blanket are a good start. If you have to drive in this type of weather, make sure someone knows your route and the time frame you think you’ll be there.
 
 
Hurricanes

I don’t live in an area that deals with hurricanes, so my knowledge of them is limited to what I have read and watched in documentaries . The National Hurricane Center is a great resource for any current hurricanes or other tropical weather dangers. I’m sure we all remember hurricane Katrina and the huge amount of damage it caused but much smaller hurricanes are still capable of causing a large amount of damage.

Hurricanes are one of the few things, when dealing with severe weather, that we are given a fair amount of notice about. The information we receive in advance includes where, when and how bad the damage will be. For this reason I would absolutely have a bug out plan, just in case. In “Bugging Out or Battening Down? Bugging Out or Battening Down?” I cover some information on building a bug out plan, even if you don’t have a BOL (Bug Out Location).

The same preparations for ice storms, such as a stocked pantry and alternative heat and power apply to hurricanes as well.

When it comes to severe weather, what can we do?
We can stay informed, we can be prepared and we can take shelter if needed.
 
 
Stay informed

There are a few different ways we can stay informed, one is to alert us of the weather (if we’re not outside in it), the second is more detailed information when we are aware of it. A couple of great ways to get alerted to severe weather are weather alert radios and having a text sent to your phone.

We have a couple different types of weather alert radios, each serving different purposes. I would recommend either. The first is a Reecom R-1630 and works great as a stationary base.

You can program it for single or multiple counties and it has different sounds for watch vs. warning. It has a screen that will tell you the type of alert and the time it expires.

The second weather alert radio we have is a Midland HH50.

It has fewer features but is great for times when you’re out and about. It can be set to alert you if either a watch or warning is declared but also has a radio feature so that once the alert has sounded you can find out what is going on.

Another way to get informed about oncoming severe weather is to have a text message sent to your cell phone. I don’t use this service but I wanted to find an example in case this would be of interest to you. The Weather Channel provides this service but it tends to be buggy because it is new. I am sure there are others.
 
 
Be Prepared

When we started prepping we had accrued various supplies, but it hadn’t dawned on us until the tornado sirens were sounding and we were in the basement that we didn’t have what we needed down there. This brings up a great point, document anything you discover you’re missing in the moment. This will help ensure you’re not missing it again at a later date.

I mentioned in the sections for ice storms that having alternate power and heat are a good idea. This can mean a generator and propane heater (with necessary precautions followed) but it can also mean extra batteries and extra blankets. One very good prep is a power failure flashlight . It stays plugged into an outlet and if you lose electricity it will turn on. You can then pull it out of the outlet and make your way to your “lights out kit”.

Having a “lights out” kit is a good idea but if you have one, learn from my mistake and put it in your severe weather shelter. I recommend having alternate light sources and extra batteries in them. We have candles in ours but I need to make a special note on candles here: A friend of mine said recently that she had seen that candles were not recommended, as people who don’t use them regularly end up starting fires or getting burned accidentally. It might be a good idea to only include candles if you use them regularly. We keep a fire extinguisher in the basement, if you choose to, make sure you know how to use it.

I have seen some recommendations to be prepared to eat cold food; I recommend a backup way to cook and covered a few of these in Food Boredom to Survival Cooking. When in the Navy I lived on cold food for a time. A hot meal can really raise the spirits. However, as with candles, this should be a means of cooking you’re familiar with. A non-electric can opener is also a good idea.

Other items you might want to include are the shake flashlight or a wind up radio/flashlight/cell charger. I have one of these, but it’s not a good one so I won’t name the brand here. A radio (weather or otherwise) is a good idea so that you can stay informed. We have also started to bring our cell phones and iPods for the kids. There are other things you might want to keep in your lights out kit, but you get the idea. It needs to be specific to your family’s needs.
 
 
Take Shelter

At Home

When weather is at it’s worst and we have to take shelter, for many of us that means we head for the basement or a storm shelter. I’ll give some ideas to those of you that don’t have access to either of those. One of the biggest dangers in severe weather is flying debris. A room with no windows is the safest place to be. Ideally this would be the bathroom, you can get in the tub and drag a mattress or couch cushions to cover you. A closet is also an option..

If you don’t have a room without windows or a sufficient closet, a hallway will work. If you don’t have a hallway that will work but have a couch, you can turn it over and get in the space underneath. You can also turn it upside down against a wall and get in the space in between.

Fox news did a story called Kevlar Bunker Provides Safe House for Tornado Survivor. They told about a women who had a 4ft x 4ft Kevlar box. For those with no other solution and who can afford it this is a great idea.

Driving

If you’re driving and get caught in severe weather, stay informed by listening to the radio. If you’re caught in a thunderstorm, pulling over and waiting it out might be the best idea. For the men reading this, put your machismo aside, your family needs you more than you need to prove that you can handle driving in it.

I have pulled over and waited out storms on the side of the road. I have always worried about visibility; someone else not being able to see me and pulling over to wait it out, hitting me. If you do this, remember to put your hazard lights on. If possible I suggest waiting it out in a parking lot. When possible go into a nearby building instead..and DO NOT pull over under an overpass.
 
 
Tornado

A tornado is a completely different beast. I have seen some recommendations about parking under an overpass. Having just become a trained spotter, I was informed that this is DANGEROUS, not just insufficient. An overpass works as a wind tunnel. You are NOT safe there. The absolute best thing to do is take shelter inside a solid structure. If that is simply not an option, find the lowest place you can get to and assume “the position”. If that happens to be a ditch, lie as flat as you can with your hands covering the back of your head.

 
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Filed Under: General Preparedness

Preparedness for Diabetics

July 27, 2011 by

According to the American Diabetes Association there are 25.8 million people with diabetes and 79 million people with pre-diabetes; I am one of the 25.8 million. For a few different reasons, diabetes is also one the hardest diseases to prepare for in terms of a survival situation.

I have done plenty of research and I was able to find some good information, in bits and pieces, scattered across the web. I’ll try to put it all together, in hopes that I can help those with or those caring for someone with diabetes learn how to prepare for living with diabetes in a survival situation.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; all information provided is based off my own research and personal experience. I would advise you to use the information I give here as part of your research. Instead of covering what diabetes is, what insulin is or the different kinds of it, I am just going to cover the difficulties in term of preparedness.
 
 
Insulin

Insulin is the chief reason this disease is difficult to prepare for. Many of the modern delivery systems (pens) make it very handy, but also cause a very short shelf life. Because of this, building a supply of insulin can be difficult. Insulin also has to be kept in temperatures less then 86F and above freezing at 32F.
 
 
Shelf Life

Here is a Chart for Insulin Storage and Expiration. The top chart is for the insulin pens, some of which have a shelf life of as little as 7-10 days, with the longest going as far as 28-30 days. The bottom chart is for bottled insulin; the left column is the one that is most interesting to me. It points out that insulin that is refrigerated properly (not frozen) will last until the expiration date on the package, which is often 1-2 years after purchase.
 
 
Keeping It Cool

As I write this, the Midwest is going through a nasty heat wave, with temps in the low 100’s and a heat index of around 115 F. Right now we’re sitting in an air-conditioned room (praise God). If there were an extended loss of power, it could take as little as a few hours or as long as a few days for the insulin to reach temperatures that make is unsafe for use.

Here are a few ideas that I have come across through my online travels and a fantastic product that could very well be a game changer in terms of preparing for diabetes in a survival situation.

One option is to buy a small fridge that runs on propane and a few cylinders of propane. Another option I saw was to store it in the toilet tank, as that water is often cooler then the air around it (that’s why toilets sweat). If you have no other good option, as a last ditch plan you could dig a hole a few feet deep as the temperature should be within limits.

The option that I like the most is one I discovered recently, FRIO Insulin Cooling Wallet

“The principle is simple. To activate the wallet, immerse it in cold water for 5-15 minutes. Crystals contained in the panels of the wallet then expand into a gel, which remains cool for several days — relying on the process of evaporation for cooling. Just towel dry the outside and it’s ready to go! To use it again, put the FRIO® back in water — it can be reactivated over and over again”….” FRIO® wallets keep insulin safe for a minimum of 45 hours”

I don’t own one of these, mostly because I’m not insulin dependent, but I might be buying one as a gift.

New insulin requires no refrigeration
Everything I know about this I have learned from this article. If their claims hold true, this discovery is huge. Here are just the first two paragraphs.

“A young Monash University chemist and her colleagues have successfully strengthened insulin’s chemical structure without affecting its activity. Their new insulin won’t require refrigeration.

They have just filed a series of patents with the support of their long term commercial partner ASX-listed Circadian Technologies who are now negotiating with pharma companies to start the long process of getting the invention out of the laboratory and into the homes of people with diabetes.”
 
 
What Kind of Insulin?

When it comes to building up a supply of insulin, while convenient, the pens’ short shelf life throws them out. This leaves the vial. As stated above, vials of insulin that are not punctured can last one to two years. If preparing for insulin dependent diabetes is a big concern, you may want to talk to your doctor about switching to this type of insulin.
 
 
Purchasing Insulin

I came across a chart that shows state-by-state requirements on whether you need a prescription for insulin or syringes. I want to preface what I am about to say with this: I am not making a brand recommendation; I am just passing along something I read while researching this article. That being said, on one of the forums I saw, there was a user that mentioned they have found that Walmart sells a generic brand of Novalin called Relion. They claimed that Novalin is normally $45+ a bottle while Relion is only $24. I checked a few on-line sources and found this to be true.

This insulin should be rotated just like anything else. Start out slow and increase your store of it as your budget and fridge space allow. I think it would be a good idea to have at least a 90 day supply on hand, but seeing as the shelf life is a year or two, you could get a year supply and just keep rotating it.
 
 
Can Syringes Be Reused?

I think we all know that sharing a syringe is a dangerous thing to do, but can you reuse it yourself and, if so, for how long? Here is a six page article called “A Look at the Reuse of Insulin Needles”. Here is a study done on “Multiple Use of Disposable Insulin Syringe-Needle Units”. Here are some of the details:

“Fourteen insulin-dependent diabetics were asked to use their insulin syringe-needle units three times in succession to determine the efficacy and safety of this practice. The mean duration of time each patient participated in the study was 20.4 weeks, and a total of 2,000 injections were taken. No signs of infections at the injection site were observed. Multiple use of disposable insulin syringe-needle units appears to be safe and cost-beneficial.”

While researching, I also found instructions on how to sharpen used syringes. However, I can’t find the site now and doing a search directly brings up way too many drug related sites.
 
 
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics

Doctors have told me that if your parent has diabetes you have a 50% chance of getting it and if their parent has it, you have a 75% chance. That being the case, I have also heard two doctors say most type two diabetics do not need to be diabetics. There is a real chance that with life style changes the diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise or even completely reversed. I kick myself for not making the lifestyle changes that I have had to make because of the diabetes sooner. I fall into the 25% that is genetically predisposed but I am really trying to reverse it with diet and exercise.

I have heard doctors say that the medications for type 2 diabetics only help a little, that the real help comes from, you guessed it, diet and exercise. The plus here is that storing up a large supply of type II diabetes meds isn’t nearly as important as storing insulin for our type 1 brothers and sisters. I recommend that you have a store of type II diabetes medication on hand. I have also read that Cinnamon as well as Apple Cider Vinegar can aid in keeping blood sugar levels low.
 
 
Another Useful Site

Bay Medical has an article on their site that has some good information. It is called “Caring for Diabetes During A Disaster”. Some of their food storage items they selected could be improved, but over all it’s good info. They also mention a glucose tablet or hard candy, I think this is a must for any diabetic. I carry the tablets as part of my EDC (Every Day Carry).

 
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Filed Under: Medical and First Aid

Terrorism: Lone Wolf and Swarm Attacks

July 20, 2011 by

There are two types of terrorist attacks that are very effective and very difficult to stop. The first is the only successful terrorist attack on American soil since 9-11; the lone wolf attack. The second type; the swarm attack. We have not yet seen a swarm attack in America but it was used in India with great effect.
 
 
Lone Wolf

There have been some elaborate attempts, such as the infamous “Underwear Bomber” and the ”Times Square Bomber” that have failed.

As I mentioned, it is my opinion the only terrorist attacks that have been successful in America since 9-11-01 have been lone wolf attacks. The reason these attacks are successful is that the terrorist can act alone with little to no support network. A lone wolf attack involves a firearm and as much ammo as they cam carry, possibly some crude explosives and a location to begin the attack, no synchronized coordination, no elaborate plan, just an evil and hate-filled heart, shooting anyone and everyone in range.
 
 
Is The Threat Real?

Fox News wrote an article called “Alleged Texas Jihad Plot Underscores Threat of Lone Wolf Terrorists Inside U.S”, that covers the Saudi National who planned to bomb a series of targets. He wasn’t discovered by police or the FBI but by a chemical supplier who was suspicious about the amount of a certain chemical he ordered and they tipped off the authorities. The article goes on to say:

“The lone wolf scenario is seen by many counterterrorism officials as one of the most concerning. The larger the plot, the more individuals who are involved, the more likely it is to find a lead and unravel the operation.

If a suspect is not e-mailing or phoning anyone to develop the plot, it can be virtually impossible to thwart. In the Texas case, it is alleged that the suspect slipped up as he was gathering the remaining components to make IEDs”

An article from ABC News explains that American-born al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn has said in the newest al Qaeda video, that American Muslims Should Buy Guns, Start Shooting People.

“Do Not Rely on Others, Take the Task Upon Yourself”, produced by al Qaeda’s media arm, as Sahab, the tape mixes Gadahn’s new message with clips from old videos of Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri and other al Qaeda leaders praising one-man attacks. They call on jihadis in the West to carry out lone wolf operations.”

I mentioned that there have been successful lone wolf attacks. The shooting at an Arkansas recruiting center, where one soldier was murdered and another wounded is one successful attack. The attack at Fort Hood is another successful attack. Twelve people were murdered and thirty-one wounded. These types of attacks are not just limited to jihadis. The shooting in Arizona by Jared Loughner proves this.
 
 
Swarm Attacks

A swarm attack consists of multiple small groups of just a few men attacking several targets at once. This type of attack was used in Mumbai, India in November of 2008. Five two-man teams were able to murder 179 people over the course of two days.

The Coming Swarm is an article by The New York Times that gives a very good explanation of what a swarm is and how this tactic has been used around the world. It hints that America should get ready for the coming swarm.

“While the specifics of the federal counterterrorism strategy are classified, what is in the public record indicates that the plan contemplates having to deal with as many as three sites being simultaneously hit and using “overwhelming force” against the terrorists, which probably means mustering as many as 3,000 ground troops to the site. If that’s an accurate picture, it doesn’t bode well. We would most likely have far too few such elite units for dealing with a large number of small terrorist teams carrying out simultaneous attacks across a region or even a single city.

Nightmare possibilities include synchronized assaults on several shopping malls, high-rise office buildings or other places that have lots of people and relatively few exits. Another option would be to set loose half a dozen two-man sniper teams in some metropolitan area — you only have to recall the havoc caused by the Washington sniper in 2002 to imagine how huge a panic a slightly larger version of that form of terrorism would cause.”
 
 
Is The Threat Real?

As I mentioned, terrorists like grand events and a swarm attack on multiple targets either in one city or multiple cities is defiantly grand. I also mentioned that the reason lone wolf attacks are so effective is that there aren’t many people involved in carrying the attack out and there isn’t a large support network for those who carry it out. I would say we are more likely to see more lone wolf attacks but a swarm attack is still a possibility. I can also see a lone wolf attack encouraging more lone wolf attacks and it turning into an unorganized swarm attack.
 
 
What can we do?

The things that you can do are the same in both of these, mainly because you likely won’t know if it was a swarm or lone wolf until afterward. That being said, what can you do? The most important thing you can do is practice situational awareness. When you are in public, be aware of what is going on around you. You should also be aware of the nearest exit.
 
 
Cover and Concealment

Cover and concealment are two important things to keep in mind. Concealment is having something big enough to hide behind and cover is something that you can hide behind that will stop bullets. As an example, the walls of most homes are built with sheetrock and studs. While you can hide behind this wall, it’s not going to stop a bullet. If you have a fireplace made of bricks or stones, this is sufficient cover to stop a bullet.
 
 
Fight or Flight

I think everyone knows about the fight or flight instinct. I don’t think there is anything wrong with either response. I have mentioned this article about Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs. The article is worth reading. It explains that most people are sheep and do not have the capacity for violence, except under extreme duress. Wolves have a capacity for violence and prey on the sheep. Sheepdogs also have a capacity for violence, but love and protect the sheep, keeping them safe from the wolves.

If you are a sheep, find cover if possible but concealment at the least, get to the nearest exit and call 911. If you are a sheepdog, you have a judgment call to make. You don’t have to use violence just because you have the capacity for it. However, if you decide to show the wolf your fangs (and have your CCW), keep in mind that you don’t know how many shooters there are. Find some cover and make a plan. Also keep in mind that the police are on the way. They have no real way to know that you’re on their side and not one of the wolves.

I have thought about what I might do in this situation. I have to say that the options are not great. A call to 911 can tell them that you have your CCW and are engaging the threat. Be sure they know what you’re wearing. Another option is to have someone else call police and let them know, or inform them as they come in.

There is also a company that has developed a Don’t Shoot Me Sash. I like this idea and have thought of purchasing one but there is nothing keeping the wolves from wearing one. If you see police, drop your gun; do NOT try to explain that you’re on their side.

The last thing I want to mention is something I brought up in the article about Rising church crime. I have held the belief since shortly after 9-11 that terrorists saw how churches swelled after 9-11. Should there be another attack, churches would be a second attack. American-born al Qaeda spokesperson told jihadis living in America:

“to do major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, and things, and brethren,” says Gadahn. “This is a golden opportunity and a blessing.”

Keep alert at worship; they see it as a potential target.

 
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Filed Under: Signs of the Times
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