Comments on: Introduction

By: emergency ration packs

emergency ration packs — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:18:51 +0000

An MRE is not dehydrated so does not require water or boiling water to prepare and provide 1200 to 1400 calories per meal. These are a fantastic choice for your preparedness of family outings and all your emergency packs.

By: Troy Billington

Troy Billington — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:24:44 +0000

I was BORN a survivalist (now before you roll your eyes) it’s because the fight was to survive what I was affected with even before birth and given best prognosis of 3 months. Now, 40 years later, yeah I’d say I’m a survivalist!

Now onto more meaningful qualifications, I lived in Miami, FL for most my life I went through hurricanes (Andrew and Francis my worst) and due to expecting and preparing for the worst, it was pretty much easy goin (aside from mosquitos & the heat).

Now that we’re all pretty much wondering ‘what’ is going to happen, when and how bad, I found myself preparing for a much longer term of ‘survival’ mode. As I’ve always been one to seek and share knowledge. I’ve built a website to be a single point of information on surviving most natural disasters, terror attacks, Civil disorder and things that go along with it.

I’m highly resourceful especially in times of disaster/panic where average people would freak out, shut down and ultimately FAIL. I guess it’s all due to how I came into this world…already in PANIC mode!

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:01:21 +0000

DC, I can’t agree more-and rotation of supplies was covered to include water filters, as illustrated by the Katadyn Pocket filter above.
And also, having a plan-totally agree and that was also mentioned earlier.

Survival in a field situation is going to be very difficult. You find out how difficult it is 24 hours into the exercise after one week of training-I’ve done it.
Survival without a plan is doomed to fail. If you are talking water, you should have primary, secondary and tertiary water sites planned out on a map. I absolutely agree on a high quality water filter-however, even the Katadyn Pocket can only filter out bacteria and protozoa- you have to purify one more step with tablets to destroy viruses.
If you care to read previous comments, you will find that we are aware of rotation, expiration dates, and types of rations to be used on the march such as Mainstay rations. If at all possible, share with us your expertise with the group rather than tearing us down.

By: DC

DC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:46:17 +0000

Nic and Ed,

At home I emphasize implementation of what we have learned. Storing food for years without using it under emergency/field conditions is pointless. Having a plan without testing it, useless. Please emphasize to your readers to drill regularly, modify what doesn’t work so well, only then are you truely prepared. Rotate your supplies as you use them and do use them. Please talk about water filters more, especially DIY filtration systems.

By: Ed Ponist

Ed Ponist — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:53:15 +0000

Going back to water-bad water can make you so sick so fast. Plus, the secondary complication, dehydration thru fluid loss can precipitate a life threatening situation.

You may go rigid at the cost, but ask yourself one thing: is your life worth it?

An excellent product is the Katadyn Endurance Series, Katadyn Pocket, $289.95. Its filter life capacity 13,000 gallons; output: 1 quart per minute.

Replacement ceramic filter $179.95.

For a filter which can easily fit in a backpack, the Katadyn Pocket meets water filtration requirements. I would still purify the filtered water one more step with a chemical to ensure virus destruction. Viruses are probably the most dangerous microorganism around.

By: Ed Ponist

Ed Ponist — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:20:09 +0000

Nic, long storage of dry goods is very important because very small bugs will eventually invade any open stock. I trust Rubber Maid but make sure you clean even a new container before storing any rice or beans. Any rice should be kept sealed in its original bag. Double sealing in Rubber Maid containers ensures protection.
Anything boxed like powdered mashed potatoes must be removed from the box and sealed in big Mason jars. I would throw a teaspoon of rice at the bottom to capture any stray moisture.
Of course canned goods are great but do expire. On the wine example, boxed wine also has an expiration date; sealed, corked wine can last a very long time.
I also have collected, and still collecting seeds from Heirloom Seeds. I think, besides food stockpiles one should have a large collection of seeds, corn, beans, etc., Seeds are going to be a premium treasure if things wipe out and should be one of the things taken if you have to make a move. I would consider seeds more valuable than gold in a long term survival situation. Start your collection as soon as you can, and get lots of them.
I have not touched on the medical issues but what impressed me in One Second After is the rapid deterioration of the medical infrastructure and rapid medication shortage.
I have looked into herbal tinctures and even looked outside the box such as amazon-botanicals.com; there are powerful herbal tinctures which can treat serious medical conditions. As an RN, that aspect interests me very much. If you think about it, most of our medications came, once, from plants. Besides food and water, I would look into a broad spectrum of herbal tinctures for long term storage.
I really believe that medical knowledge besides basic field survival knowledge will be extremely important. For example did you know that if you strip the red bark off Red Willow, scrape the green underneath to the wood, let it dry (it will turn red) it can be used as a powerful pain killer-I had a killer headache once and placed some under my tongue; within seconds the headache was gone. Herbal knowledge will be very important.

By: Nic

Nic — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:13:52 +0000

I must admit that food prep and storage is one area that I need to do more research on. I have some stocks of rice, sugar, etc, but they are simply in the original burlap bags I got them in. I should figure out more long-term storage solutions.Interesting you mention Mainstay 3600 emergency packs -- I had just ordered the 10-pack from Amazon.com (along with the Mainstay Emergency Drinking Water (60 Pack) (7.5L). They arrived last night and seem very sturdy. I will report on their taste shortly :)

By: Ed Ponist

Ed Ponist — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:26:54 +0000

Just a note on emergency rations- 1- Mainstay 3600 emergency food rations; a case of 10 rations is quite affordable. 2- Quake Kare; 2400 calorie food bar and 3600 calorie food bar; also Quake Kare provides emergency dog and cat rations too.

Such rations would be used when on the move. What I outlined earlier is great as long as you’re staying put.

I think that Maistay and Quake Kare provides an excellent choice if one has to be on the move to another safer location where hunting can occur.

By: Ed Ponist

Ed Ponist — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:27:31 +0000

I’ve been reading some posts here expressing many concerns. One is food types.
When storing food items you’re planning to remain at that site. However, that may not be possible as I explained in my last comment. If the conditions are long terms, the site may become less secure as potentially violent elements start moving out of cities into the surrounding country. Some of these bands may be organized under a leader and their numbers could become an overwhelming force.
Setting that concern aside, I find that various rice types and dried beans store very well. Many types of rice can be bought at Oriental Markets in large quantities. Already sealed in thick burlap bags, they can be stored easily in Rubber Maid containers. Dried beans are usually sold sealed in plastic.
Rice and beans I find establishes a base for anything added to them.
Next, powdered mashed potatoes. You have to remove from the cardboard box and pour into large glass containers which can be sealed, like Mason Jars with a rubber seal. Same with powdered milk. But with powdered milk pay attention to the expiration date on the box. This is where it gets tricky-whereas rice and dried beans don’t have an expiration date, just about everything else has such as canned items.
Coffee and sugar dont but must be kept sealed.
Oats, dried cereals, barley all those store very well provided they are totally sealed.
Canned goods will have to be rotated. Same with any dried beef, canned meats, even wine. Pay close attention to the use by date on cans and boxes.
Now if you are forced to move keep in mind that you will need rations which can provide 1600-1800 calories per person per day. You will need at least a two week supply per person until you can supplement with available game.
A side note- they do have available small shotgun shells for handguns; I have found that to be a real good idea if you are hunting fowl/turkeys and small game. Such an item I think would be invaluable in the field.

By: Ed Ponist

Ed Ponist — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:49:12 +0000

Just expanding on my previous comment, and thanks, Nic-even if you stay put, and you have supplies, food, weapons you should always plan for the possibility that your location may become dangerous. In One Second After, people are displaced by roving gangs whose members pillage, rape and kill. If your house is in danger to be attacked and you know that they will arrive in 4 days (by keeping alert and listening) then fall back to plan b-which should include sturdy back packs, a good tent, sleeping bags, weapons. Then move away from urban centers and highways-hit the woods. Gangs are going to concentrate on urban areas because those areas are rich in loot and people. There’s nothing for them in the woods.
While at home get maps, plan where you will be going to if you have to move, plan your route, look for water sources, move at night, use stealth, avoid built up areas and highways, avoid large concentration of people (disease avoidance). There are many national parks everywhere-just in Michigan, you can be out of rural areas quickly.
This is where your survival skills move up a notch relating to hunting, preparing food in the field, sanitation, water purification, and finding a semi permanent area to smoke venison if you do bag a deer. Get maps of your area 1:50,000 and maps of surrounding areas. Be familiar with the terrain.
And, keep training by reading!