Posts Tagged: Survival

Basic Preparedness Strategy

Basic Preparedness Strategy

This is the document that I used for a recent podcast about a forming basic preparedness strategy. It was taken from a correspondence that I had with a friend of mine, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It’s only one example of how to go about creating a strategy for getting better prepared. Adjust and modify for your needs.


Start with the current analysis of what you feel is the most likely situations or events that threaten your well being and safety (see previous podcast on Threat Analysis  ).  This Threat Analysis covers those circumstances and events that we need to make sure that we can cope with; either through physical preparation, mental preparation, or both.

Brief note on the threat analysis.  It was mentioned before, but I want to say it again, just in case I failed to properly explain it before.  The Threat Analysis is just a thinking tool to get you started.  There is little to be gained by making up a separate plan for each threat that you identify, as most situations have a common denominator that you need to provide for.  Things like food, water, shelter, warmth, safety, defense, etc. are needed in most situations that last longer than a few hours.  But there are some threats that have special conditions that you’ll need to address, and that’s where listing the threats comes into play.  Go over the list and check to make sure that you can handle anything that isn’t covered by the basics.  For example, radiation or a cloud of toxic chemicals.  You can be exposed to both either by accident or design, but you should be prepared to handle them.  The Threat Analysis list is exactly what you use to identify these sort of things.

Okay, onto a basic preparedness strategy.   (more…)

National Ammo Shortage

Glock Muzzle BrakeAuthor Bob Owens has written an interesting article analyzing the national ammo shortage.  Ownes makes three arguments and dismisses the military as the prime cause of the shortages.  Most of the blame is placed on Civilian law enforcement agencies, both local and federal.  As the level of militarization increases within these agencies their ammo consumption has risen to meet the demands.   Lastly, Owens makes the claim that it’s us every day people causing the shortage as spurred on by his last two arguments:  Economic instability and fear of draconian firearm and ammo legislation.

I can’t say that I disagree.  I do believe Civilian Law Enforcement is the major contributing factor in the rise of ammo prices over the years.  This is an industry that has had large growth over the last decade coupled with changing missions, something I do not agree with.  I don’t like the militarization of our Civilian Law Enforcement, it changes the focus from the community and that of service to that of a military unit conducting combat operations.  If the federal government would and had done its job, our law enforcement agencies wouldn’t have the need or justification to militarize to meet the increasing threats (percieved or otherwise) they are faced with today.

Owens argument about American’s fear is also spot on as far as I’m concerned.  People are scared.  Americans are currently faced with an administration and legislators that are as fervent about banning guns as fat kids get about cake, and our so-called “checks and balances” are essentially nonexistent because of the current political make up of the above mentioned.  It’s a ploy, brought in under the flag of safety and well-being.  Do not be fooled, it’s nothing more than another piece of the puzzle designed to erode our rights and freedoms.

People see the writing on the wall, they see the strong likelihood of loosing the ability to purchase, posses, and use firearms.  People also see the economic instability and envision what it could become.  It’s also impossible to watch the government fixes and measures designed to fix and stimulate the economy being done so badly that it inconceivable that it’s anything but deliberate.   I liken it to someone painting over rusted metal and hoping that the rust will go away.  I’m so frustrated that I feel like pulling my hair out.

I hope I’m not right

Mike@prepcast.info

Betadine, Providone-Iodine, Iodine

I Learned something new today, Betadine and Providone-Iodine are the same thing, and it can be used for water treatment.  Something I just didn’t know, I had never asked the question before, it had never came up.  If you are like me, a “prepper,” I consider information as something that will be the difference between life and death.  I like information and I’ll take it when ever I can get it.  Well, this is more information to add to the ol’ filing system in the head.

Sources for iodine

NBC attack “likely” by 2013

It’s something many have decided will happen. Now there is a report from a bipartisan commission stating it publicly and with enough candor that it sounds like they are certain.

Fox news article

Commission report

Still wondering if preparedness is something that needs to be done? With everything else going on, these types of reports and urgings from officials act like a bunch of roadsigns pointing to the need to be prepared. Honestly, did anyone really think with all the misguided people out there that we’d never experience another attack on our soil. The scary part is that when it happens is less likely to be a concventional attack, but more likely one involving NBC.

Do you have the ability to protect and isolate yourself from NBC threats?

  • Tyvek suits
  • Duct tape (not the cheap stuff)
  • Plastic sheeting (cheap and works wonders)
  • Respiratory protection
  • Filtered positive pressure air flow to your house
  • Ability to “DECON” before entering your house

All the above items can be found easily and inexpensively with the exeption the ability to provide filtered postive pressure air to your home. An option for this is what’s commonly referrd to as a “fan in a can.” It may not fit your needs exactly but it should get you started in the right direction.

-Mike

Three Major Threats We Face

There are three major threats that we face in this nation, and globally.  You should keep these threats in mind as you go about preparing.  Unfortunately, as individuals, there is nothing we can do to reduce the likelihood these threats, as they are already in motion.  All we can do is make preparations to mitigate the effects of these threats.

The threats are Economic Crash, Food Shortage and Terrorism. The first two are happening now and the third will happen eventually. Each of these events, on their own, would be bad enough, but their occurrence during one of the other events makes it that much worse. For example, without the economic woes of the word right now, we could more readily solve the global food shortage crisis that has some mothers having to choose which of their children will die.  But not many are paying attention to it because keeping their eyes on other things, like the gearing up in Washington D.C. to start culling our freedoms away.  Likewise, another terrorist attack in this country like that of 9-11-01 will further push the economy deeper down the hole.

There is much discussion among people who are much smarter than I am about this economic crash lasting for years, probably for the better part of a decade, possibly longer.  I strongly urge you to watch the 30 minute mini-movie I.O.U.S.A at http://www.iousathemovie.com as it’s incredibly important that you understand what we’re facing and why this isn’t going to end anytime soon.  Pay particular attention to how this is a long term problem, and that by 2040, the Federal Government will only be able to pay Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the interest on the debt.  Nothing else.  Nothing.  No military, no payroll, etc.

You should be researching this now, and doing what you can to learn more about what’s happening and how it relates to history, as many societies have been down this road before.  Research the Weimar Republic and see what hyper-inflation will look like. Oh, think that can’t happen in today’s world?  Check out what’s happening in Zimbabwe, WHERE PRICES ARE DOUBLING EVERY 1.3 DAYS! They may be a small African country, but the economics are exactly the same.  Read that article closely.

Also, download and listen to podcasts, like Glenn Beck or Don McAlvany, while you’re driving to work or working out, to get broader perspective on the situation.  Soak up as much information as you can, so you know what to expect.

Then sit down with your family and make a plan for your future. Start preparing now. Prepare hard.

Listen to The Preparedness Podcast and other preparedness and survival focused podcasts to learn more about how to prepare.  Time is running out, so you need to start today.

Are you scared?  You should be.  I am.

– Rob

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