In your camping trips are you searching for both beauty and functionality? With the Road Trip Roof Top Tent you can check that off your list! The innovative piece of camping gear can be attached, as its name suggests, on the top of your car and easily folded-out. By doing so you actually extend out a large sleeping area as well as an annex lounging room to use mainly during the day. The people from iKamper designed the tent with modern materials: a 600 D Polyester Ripstop fabric that has a 3000mm waterproofing treatment, the floor is made out of aluminum honeycomb and the side frame out of extruded aluminum.
The biggest advantage of Road Trip is that there is no need to take off the cover of the roof tent when setting it up. One another great feature is the sky view. Through the two of large size roof window, you can see the beautiful sky at day and galaxy at night.
There is a stronger possibility of an accidental shooting that sparks a war between the United States and China than most Americans believe, according to a new report by the Rand Corporation, a global think thank that specializes in military issues.
The nonprofit institution’s report, titled War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable, details why the chances of such a conflict continue to grow.
“While neither state wants war, both states’ militaries have plans to fight one,” the report says. “As Chinese anti-access and area-denial (A2AD) capabilities improve, the United States can no longer be so certain that war would follow its plan and lead to decisive victory.”
China’s anti-access strategy aims to prevent countries, such as the United States, from operating militarily from a fixed land base, while its anti-denial strategy seeks to make the sea so dangerous that the US military won’t enter.
The Rand Corporation is not part of the government, although it is regarded as a major generator of thought for the US military, Reuters Global Affairs commentator Peter Apps noted. Rand is, though, partially funded by the government.
Both sides, the report says, “would suffer large military losses in a severe conflict.”
Story continues below video
“In 2015, U.S. losses could be a relatively small fraction of forces committed, but still significant; Chinese losses could be much heavier than U.S. losses and a substantial fraction of forces committed,” the report said. “This gap in losses will shrink as Chinese A2AD improves. By 2025, U.S. losses could range from significant to heavy; Chinese losses, while still very heavy, could be somewhat less than in 2015, owing to increased degradation of U.S. strike capabilities.”
China’s anti-access and area-denial (A2AD) capabilities will “make it increasingly difficult for the United States to gain military-operational dominance and victory,” the report says.
The report lists several ways a conflict between the two countries could start:
China could try to “intimidate its neighbors below the threshold of U.S. intervention, yet misjudge where that threshold is.”
China could “underestimate U.S. willingness to back Japan militarily in a crisis over disputed territory in the East China Sea.”
China’s claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea and the United States’ insistence that the waters are international “could bring forces into close and hazardous proximity if either side opts to enforce its stance.”
The report notes that China has “been building artificial islands, airstrips, and other militarily useful infrastructure” in the South China Sea — and claiming the areas are China’s alone.
“The United States will not accept this because it runs afoul of several U.S. interests: the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, the principle of freedom of the seas, the fact that some 40 percent of world trade passes through the South China Sea, and the expectations of the Philippines and other U.S. friends that the United States will not condone Chinese unilateral action,” the report says.
As “horrific” as a China-US war could be, the report says, “it cannot be considered implausible.”
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You can never be too prepared when it comes to wilderness safety, but that doesn’t mean your survival kit should weigh you down. Gone are the days of lugging around an oversized utility bag filled with complicated tools, heavy gear, and unnecessary supplies.
This pocket sized kit is one heck of a backup to your go bag! They’re quick, simple, and easy to make. Check out the video below and keep a few on hand at all times! (One in your gear, one at home, and one in your glove box!) For the full, detailed, step by step, instructions
For the full, detailed, step by step, instructions be sure to check out the information below the video:
Follow these steps to create your own wilderness survival kit that keeps things simple – without sacrificing safety.
What you’ll need:
Empty Altoids tin
2 rubber bands
Small ball of dryer lint
Plastic bottle cap
Piece of tape
7-10 water purification tablets
Mini keychain lighter
Mini compass
Whistle
Mini Swiss Army knife
Mini can opener
Signaling mirror
How to make it:
Start with an empty Altoids tin and two rubber bands to hold the tin shut.
Next, add a small ball of dryer lint to your kit.
As we mentioned in a previous article, dryer lint is extremely flammable and makes an excellent fire starter.
Keep a ball of it in your survival kit for an instant fire. (Pro tip: dipping your dryer lint in Vaseline will make it burn longer.)
Next, grab a plastic bottle cap and fill it with water purification tablets.
These tablets are an excellent alternative to carrying around heavy water bottles – each tablet instantly disinfects about one liter of water, ensuring that your water is safe for consumption.
Use a piece of tape to seal the cap.
Next, add a small fire starter to your kit. We recommend a mini keychain lighter, as they are compact, durable, and easy to light in a time-sensitive situation.
Next, add these four outdoor essentials to your survival kit: a mini compass, a whistle , a mini Swiss Army knife and a mini can opener.
These tried and true tools are reliable and uncomplicated – and they’re also incredibly versatile.
Lastly, the signaling mirror is a must have for any wilderness survival kit – especially for the solo traveler.
(Another pro tip: mirrors made with military glass are more reflective than mirrors made with plastic.)
Add this pocket sized mirror to your kit, and you’ll be more than prepared when disaster strikes.
Do you have a pocket survival kit of your own? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and tell us about your survival must-haves!
Did you know that other than serving our healthy appetites, cinnamon also does wonders for our health? Yes, you read it right! So, grab a handful of cinnamon popcorn and snack away as you read on about the health benefits of cinnamon.
Cinnamon is considered a highly delicious spice. It is available in either stick or powder form. This ancient spice has been used traditionally as medicine for centuries to treat conditions such as coughing, arthritis and sore throats. Find out what cinnamon can do for good health, and how to use it to trim down on potential health risks.
Cinnamon is used widely in cooking as a way to enhance the flavor of many dishes. But could it benefit health as well? Cinnamon has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments. Modern research demonstrates that cinnamon carries remarkable health benefits which could improve energy, vitality and circulation. Join me and let’s take a closer look at the magnificent benefits of cinnamon.
Ancient Egyptians believed that cinnamon had healthful and medicinal properties. They believed that cinnamon was excellent for brain health and some studies have found many neurological benefits that cinnamon offers. Click here to know 5 proven brain benefits of cinnamon.
Controlling diabetes symptoms using cinnamon has been studied in recent years. Several studies have linked cinnamon to control blood sugar levels, so people with type 2 diabetes find it very useful because it allows them to use less insulin. Click here and learn what researchers say about cinnamon and diabetes.
A recent study shows that cinnamon has more antioxidants than many other antioxidant foods that may protect cells against the effects of free radicals in our body that damage our skin.
Cinnamon is a perfect, natural food preservative because of its anti-bacterial properties. It appears to prolong the freshness of any meal you make. Learn more here.
Check out this video from Dr. Josh Axe and learn more about the incredible health benefits of cinnamon:
That’s it! What do you think? Which health benefit of cinnamon is your favorite?Let us know below in the comments!
They keep your feet warm and fashionable. It’s a good idea as a gift for yourself, sister, mother, daughter, wife or other important person in your life.Wear in your home or on the street with sneakers.These knee socks are knitted using special high quality sock yarns. Beautifully knitted knee socks with a nice pattern and in rainbow colours. With crochet flowers. They are very durable. These socks are comfortable, warm and cozy….these are so cute! What do you think ?
There’s no reason why your garden should remain unproductive between fall harvest and spring planting. Planting a cover crop, which isn’t just for big agricultural operations, ensures your garden keeps working hard throughout the offseason.
Plant a cover crop after harvest, about four weeks before the first hard frost, and then till it into the ground in late winter or early spring. The organic matter builds healthier soil, helps smother weeds, loosens compacted soil, helps control diseases, attracts beneficial insects, keeps pests in check and prevents erosion – all for a very reasonable investment of time and money.
Loosen the top 1 to 2 inches of soil, then sow the seeds thickly, much like grass seeds. Rake the seeds into the soil, then tamp lightly so the seeds make good contact with the soil.
Keep in mind that many cover crops can become weedy if they are allowed to set seeds, so plow them under before that occurs, preferably while the plants are still young and easy to work. Don’t worry if it seems that your crop hasn’t been around long enough to be helpful; growing cover crops for a short time provides great benefits.
Here are a few examples of fast-growing cover crops that work well for small gardens in nearly any climate:
Buckwheat. Image source: Pixabay.com
1. Buckwheat is great for poor or unproductive soil, or where weeds are a persistent problem. Plant buckwheat any time between late spring and late summer, and then wait five or six weeks before tilling it into the soil. Unfortunately, buckwheat prefers cool, moist conditions and isn’t the best choice for hot, dry climates. Don’t let this plant go to seed, which usually occurs in six to nine weeks.
2. Clover is a terrific source of nitrogen. Many gardeners prefer crimson clover, a robust plant with colorful blooms. However, other types, including yellow blossom clover, sweet clover, white Dutch clover, arrowleaf clover, berseem clover and others all attract beneficial nutrients, fix nitrogen, suppress weeds and attract bees and other beneficial insects. Do your homework and select the clover that works best in your climate.
3. Oilpan radishes have long, fast-growing taproots that power through compacted soil in a couple of months. Plant the radishes in late summer or early fall and the plants will continue to work throughout the winter months, even if they are killed by a hard freeze. Be careful and don’t let the radishes go to seed, as volunteer plants may create big problems in next year’s garden.
4. Winter rye is a good cover crop for dry, sandy, poor soil, and it works well in cold climates. The seeds are quick to germinate and suitable for planting late in the season. One drawback however, is that winter rye grass doesn’t provide a full slate of nutrients, so you may want to combine winter rye with clover, vetch, or other plants from the legume family.
5. Hairy vetch is a versatile, resilient legume that works well even in cold, dry climates and nearly any soil type. Plant hairy vetch in late summer or early autumn and work it into the soil in spring. Alternatively, trim or mow the vetch before it blooms — a few weeks before garden planting time, and then plant your vegetable seeds directly in the mulch. Don’t let hairy vetch bloom, as it can become very weedy.
6. Favabeans are hardy, relatively drought-tolerant legumes that germinate quickly and tolerate most soil types. However, this cool-season crop doesn’t do as well when temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so wait until temperatures drop a bit before planting. As an added bonus, fava beans are edible, although removing the pods also reduces the nitrogen available to the soil.
7. Garden peas are a dual-purpose plant that provides all the benefits of legumes. For best results, till garden peas into the soil while they’re flowering. You also can combine garden peas with other cover crops such as winter rye or vetch.
8. Oats don’t provide the rich buffet of nutrients as do other plants, but they are good choices for wet soil. The plants are winterkilled in most climates, but the frozen plant matter provides many benefits, including erosion control and loosening of compacted soil.
What cover crops would you recommend? Share your tips in the section below:
Having a comfortable rocking chair in your garden is a dream come true! What can be more relaxing than spending an afternoon in the sun in a comfy chair? Well, the correct answer is: spending an afternoon in a comfy chair together with your loved one. Since most rocking chairs are quite tiny, you will find this next piece a true delight. It is a double chase rocker for those who like to enjoy some romantic and relaxing moments together with their loved one without sacrificing their own comfort. To learn more about this stunning chair, visit the link below and order one right away.
Unidentified foreign hackers in recent weeks penetrated the computer systems that control elections in two states, the FBI has revealed.
The federal government is so concerned about the threat that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson wants federal cybersecurity experts to check state computer systems.
The FBI’s Cyber Division, in an August 18 “flash” alert obtained by Yahoo News, warned that hackers are actively targeting State Board of Election systems. The flash alert, restricted to those in the “need to know,” states that hackers penetrated election systems in July and August.
The breach is significant because between 20 and 30 percent of elections in the United States are electronic-only, with no paper backup.
“This is a big deal. Two state election boards have been popped, and data has been taken,” Richard Barger of cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect told Yahoo News. “This certainly should be concerning to the common American voter.”
Yahoo News obtained the flash alert, which was not intended for the public, from an unidentified source. The flash does not identify the hackers, but Barger noted that an IP address listed in the alert has been seen in Russian hacker forums. The tools the hackers used to scan state electoral systems are also used by state-sponsored Russian hackers, Barger noted.
“The FBI is requesting that states contact their Board of Elections and determine if any similar activity to their logs, both inbound and outbound, has been detected,” the alert reads. “Attempts should not be made to touch or ping the IP addresses directly.”
Image source: Pixabay.com
Intelligence officials are increasingly concerned about the security of the November elections, Yahoo News reported.
Hackers Stole Data on 200,000 Voters
The FBI failed to acknowledge the flash publicly, but Johnson was so concerned that he held a conference call with state election officials on August 15. During the call, Johnson offered to have his department’s experts scan state systems for threats.
The hacking incidents took place in Illinois and Arizona. In Illinois, hackers managed to download personal data on 200,000 voters. In Arizona, hackers installed malware on election computers.
The FBI is now asking state election officials to check their systems for signs of similar attacks. Yahoo News reported that “federal and state election officials say … the prospect of a full-blown cyberattack that seriously disrupts the November elections is remote, but not out of the question.”
“The question remains whether the federal government will subvert the Constitution to achieve the goal of federalizing elections under the guise of security,” Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp told Politico.
A number of state election officials joined Kemp in expressing fears of a federal power grab.
“Elections have always been run and organized by the states,” said Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, a Democrat. “And I think there has always been a fear that there would be federal intervention that would not recognize differences among the states.”
Merrill added, “We’re not happy about anything that serves to make people concerned about the safety of the election at this point. I think it’s wrong to think that there’s some sort of threat that isn’t there.”
Others, though, say the threat is serious.
“These are exactly the same kinds of statements made by every large organization about their security until they are the next Sony, Target, or … NSA,” said Bruce McConnell, former undersecretary of Homeland Security. “I think it’s pretty clear today which is the greater risk to the republic: citizens losing complete confidence in our election system, or the states working carefully with Washington to prevent disaster, while keeping the 10th Amendment well in mind.”
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This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here
My early attempts at dill pickles were not very successful. I followed the FDA guidelines from the Ball Blue Book of Preserving, and ended up with tasty pickles with absolutely no crunch. I love my Blue Book, but these were not the pickles I was looking for. As I understand it, many commercial manufacturers add alum (basically aluminum) to give their pickles crunch. Needless to say, I wasn’t going that direction. These no can dill pickles bring the crunch without the aluminum.
This recipe is from my neighbor Betty. Betty and I have swapped a lot of produce and recipes over the years (she’s also my son’s piano teacher and has become like a grandmother to him ). Betty makes a simple old-fashioned brined dill pickle that doesn’t require canning, and couldn’t be easier to make.
Betty’s No Can Dill Pickles
Ingredients
9 cups water
1 ½ cup vinegar
1/3 cup salt (Do not use salt with iodine, it will give the pickles a brown tint, Real Salt also gives a slight brown tint, canning salt works best)
½ cup sugar
Dill, 2-3 stalks
2-4 inch long cucumbers, enough to fill a gallon jar
Directions
Combine the water, vinegar, salt and sugar and boil one minute. Cool slightly.
Wash the cucumbers and cut off about 1/16”from each end. This gets rid of some enzymes that would soften the pickles, and allows better penetration of the brine. Pack the cucumbers in a one gallon jar with the dill.
Note: I like to curl up some of the dill in the top of the jar to pin down the cucumbers and make sure they all stay submerged in the brine.
Pour the warm brine over the cucumbers. Let stand, loosely covered, at room temperature for three days. (Drape a towel over the jar opening or let lid sit on loosely.) I rubber band everything, especially in fruit fly season. You could also use something like the Picklemeister Glass Fermentor Jar, which in addition to being fun to say, comes with its own airlock built right into the lid.
Cover and store in refrigerator. They are ready to eat after the three days but the flavor improves after a week or two in the refrigerator.
That’s it! No canning, no heat processing of any sort. These pickles stay fresh and crisp tasty for months. We’ve enjoyed them at Christmastime. If you don’t have a lot of small cucumbers, you could cut the recipe in half, or make up a full batch of brine but process pickles by the quart and hold the reserve brine in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Delicious! Thanks, Betty. I love my country neighbors!
Easiest Ever, No Canning Required Dill Pickles 2014-08-29 10:01:45 Yields 1 Super easy no-canning required dill pickles. No canning required, store in the fridge for months. Write a review Save Recipe Print Prep Time 15 min Prep Time 15 min 795 calories 183 g 0 g 3 g 15 g 1 g 4981 g 37864 g 138 g 0 g 1 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 4981g Yields 1 Amount Per Serving Calories 795 Calories from Fat 21 % Daily Value * Total Fat 3g 4% Saturated Fat 1g 4% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 37864mg 1578% Total Carbohydrates 183g 61% Dietary Fiber 11g 46% Sugars 138g Protein 15g Vitamin A48%Vitamin C107% Calcium48%Iron38% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients
9 cups water
1 ½ cup vinegar
1/3 cup canning salt
½ cup sugar
Dill, 2-3 stalks
2-4 inch long cucumbers, enough to fill a gallon jar
Instructions
Combine the water, vinegar, salt and sugar and boil one minute. Cool slightly.
Wash the cucumbers and cut off about 1/16”from each end. This gets rid of some enzymes that would soften the pickles, and allows better penetration of the brine. Pack the cucumbers in a one gallon jar with the dill.
Pour the warm brine over the cucumbers. Let stand, loosely covered, at room temperature for three days. (Drape a towel over the jar opening or let lid sit on loosely.) I rubber band everything, especially in fruit fly season.
Cover and store in refrigerator. They are ready to eat after the three days but the flavor improves after a week or two in the refrigerator.
Notes
I like to curl up some of the dill in the top of the jar to pin down the cucumbers and make sure they all stay submerged in the brine.
By Betty Schleis beta calories 795 fat 3g protein 15g carbs 183g more Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW
Originally published in 2010, updated 2016.Posts may contain affiliate links, which allow me to earn a commission to support the site at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
When it comes to being prepared, there are an infinite number of ways to go about it… each and every person has their own needs and wants and there is no “single solution” that solves all your preparedness problems.
But that being said, there are a 6 “Unbreakable laws” every prepper needs to follow… if they want to survive any crisis.
(Really, you should consider them guidelines to create your own plan…make them the framework of your survival strategy.)
Learn these laws well and put them to good use and in a crisis, you’ll have a much easier time than most. Check out this short video below now…
The 6 “Unbreakable Laws Of Survival” You Need To Know
1. Storing Water
FACT: Your body is made up of 60 percent water… even losing a small amount without having the ability to replenish it can quickly become dangerous.
Water is your #1 priority.
But not just any water, you need clean water… drinking dirty or contaminated fluids isn’t an option you should force yourself to take. With a little forethought, you’ll never find yourself in that situation.
Imagine this: An earthquake or a massive storm hit your town hard and your water main is damaged or destroyed. Ask yourself, “Have I stored enough potable water to last my family for two weeks?”
A prepper sees the importance of having a water backup, and the task of storing water entails several considerations. You should have the knowledge, ability, and tools to filter your water.
Life in an urban or suburban environment does not afford an average Joe the means and opportunity to store as much water as you’ll actually need. Space is a major concern, water can’t be compressed condensed…. which is why planning is so important!
A good start is to identify the exact number of gallons of water you need. Remember that the average person consumes approximately a gallon of water every day. It may be more or less, depending on your activities. Nevertheless, one gallon per person per day a good baseline.
You might not drink that entire gallon of water, but you will need it for other activities like cleaning, cooking, and sanitation. The rule of thumb dictates that a family of 4 (2 kids and 2 adults) needs at least 4 gallons of water to last a day. This number is enough for your drinking and sanitation needs. You will have enough for flushing the toilet and even for taking care of your pets. The next consideration is the number of days you will likely need an extra water supply. An average person can only last up to 3 days without water. Hence, you should start storing 3-day or 72-hour equivalent of water. You can store more if your finances (and space) allow for it. A good goal for your Long-term storage is a one month’s supply, but be sure to set milestones so you don’t get overwhelmed. Start small. Try for 72 hours’ worth, then work toward a week, and finally a month. Over time, your stored water may become contaminated with dirt, dust, or worse. Remember, drinking dirty water is almost as bad as not drinking any water at all. Luckily, you can boil, treat, or filter the water and it should be safe. You can extend the life of your water by using preservatives and stabilizers. These chemicals can help your water stay potable for up to 5 years. Ultimately you want to try and cycle through your water storage once every 6 months just to keep it “fresh”. You need to also make sure that you use a clean and proper container for your storage. Never use milk or juice containers for long term storage the risk of contamination is too high. Stick to well-cleaned 2-liter bottles, air/water tight containers that have only ever held water in them, pre-bottled water, or drums made specifically for water storage. Make sure that you keep them out of the sun to avoid bacterial growth! Once your water has sat for a long time, you may also run into an issue with “stale water,” where there is nothing wrong with it other than on “off” taste. This can be quickly and easily fixed by pouring the water between two glasses to aerate it (add oxygen) and improve the flavor.
2. Storing Food
Compared to water storage, food storage is far simpler and easier. You don’t have to store as much food as much as you need to stock up on water. In addition, the process of preparation in storing food is not as demanding. The trick is to just buy more of the usual food in your pantry. When you go to the grocery store, get some extra pieces of your favorite canned food. If there are food items on sale, seize the opportunity to stock up. Food coupons are also a great way to stock up your storage. In other words, do whatever you can to bulk up your supply. The key to a healthy diet is balance, so when you are working on storing food, be sure to balance these macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fat. Don’t limit your food choices to canned fruits. Obviously fruits and vegetables are nutritious, but they don’t have the energy that animal protein can easily provide. Whether you have tuna or chicken in cans, always think of a balanced diet.
In the event of a disaster, you will be doing more physical work and the protein found in canned meats will help give you strength to keep going and keep moving. However, you need to be watchful with the sodium because canned meats have plenty of it. Canned soup also has a lot of sodium. You will need to drink more water to counter the effects of too much sodium in the diet. Looking back at storing water, drinking more is not a good thing for your preparedness plan.
Always take your macronutrients (proteins, carbs, and fats) into account when stocking up your food supply. A bottle of peanut butter, for instance, is a great source of fats. Actually, peanut butter can be considered the ultimate prepper food because it is rich in calories and is easy to store. When it comes to carbohydrates, brown rice is a good source.
However, brown rice and peanut butter should not be the only foods in your storage. There are fruits, vegetables, eggs and many more. Remember, balance is key. Avoid focusing your diet on just one macro. Even during downtimes or crises, you still need to ensure proper nutrition.
When the power grid fails during a disaster, you will be faced with the dilemma of which food to consume first. It’s simple — just start with the perishables or those that have a shorter shelf life, spoil or rot easily and are usually stored in your fridge.
In case the gas lines are cut off, you will also need something to cook with. Having a gas grill for example will help a lot, so it’s important to keep some extra tanks if you can.
With all the food and water you’ve decided to store, you will have to find a place to keep them. The idea is to keep the storage items dry and cool in order to prevent them from spoiling. If you don’t have a secret room for your food and water, then look for a dark, cool and strong part of the house. If your home has a staircase, use the space under the stairs for storage. Those who do not have stairs can use closets instead.
3. Having Medical Supplies and Basic Medical Skills
Everyone must have a first aid kit in their supplies. Period. But there’s also one more important factor, and that is the four basic medical skills. Without the following 4 skills, your kit would be useless.
1. Creating an open airway and confirming a heartbeat
You need to know if the person’s heart is still beating and that he or she is breathing. If you think CPR is necessary then perform it.
A tourniquet will be the best solution in case there is heavy bleeding or trauma. A RATS tourniquet is one such medical tool, and it is easy to put on with just one hand. An Israeli bandage or Quickclot combat gauze can also do the job. Add these to your first aid kit because they have plenty of uses. You never know when you’ll need them. They can save a life in times of disaster or emergency, maybe even yours.
2. Treating minor wounds
When you or a loved one suffers a minor wound, use a bandage and apply pressure on the affected area for about 10 minutes. The pressure and the bandage will work together to form a clot, stopping or minimizing the bleeding as a result. Make it a point to use running water to clean the wound. Then dress it with sterile gauze, bandage or Band-Aids. Hygienic treatment is crucial to avoid worsening the scrape or cut. Otherwise, the wound can become a major injury. If you think the wound does not need stitching or hospitalization, you can stop infection with an antibiotic like Neosporin.
3. Treating shock
Shock is experienced when your body does not get enough oxygen. This condition could lead to injury or illness, making immediate treatment crucial. A simple loss of body fluids may cause serious, irreversible damage to the body. Therefore, as part of prepping, make sure you have plenty of clean water to drink.
Shock can also be caused by heart disease, sudden intense emotions, intolerable pain, extreme fear, prolonged inactivity, unpleasant experience, and many others. These causes must be avoided or dealt with as much as possible.
If you observe shock in a family member or loved one, increase the blood flow to the heart, which can be done by elevating the feet.
4. Handling broken bones
Treating broken bones can be difficult and risky. However, when SHTF, paramedics may not be around. This is precisely the reason it is important to invest in first aid training. Do not move the person unless you know which part of their body is broken.
Learning these basic life skills is important. You never know when you need them, so take the time to learn them and commit them to memory. Proper training will not only get you a certificate but also an assurance that you will know what to do when someone gets hurt.
4. Having Cash on Hand
Having extra funds is just as important as the other items on this list. When everything collapses, you will still need to buy food, water, medicine and even gas for your car.
Make sure you have enough cash on hand to get you and your family through a week, at least. ATMs and even the internet may be down, so you may not be able to depend on credit cards.
If you live near the border, it would be a good idea to have some cash in the currency of your neighboring country. This way you will have money that’s ready to use in case you have to evacuate and cross the border.
On a side note, it may also be wise to store some gold or silver in case the financial system collapses.
5. Being Able to Secure your Home or Family
On any ordinary day, people go on with their lives without even noticing what is happening around them. They are generally nice and polite with one another. This situation may change when a disaster takes place. When supplies run out, people get hungry and become desperate.
In the aftermath, law and order will also go out the window. You may no longer rely on law enforcers to keep the peace or deal with an intruder. Things will definitely go out of control. These conditions only mean one thing: you are left to your own devices.
It will be every man for himself, and in a lawless society, you will need to defend your life and those of your loved ones against intruders who want what you have. You must defend your home, life and property from these bad elements.
A confrontation may be the last thing on your mind, but when cornered, you have to be ready to fight. Just like your first aid and medical skills, it is important to learn how to use a firearm responsibly and properly. Having a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun will not be enough. You have to know how to use a gun, shoot with precision and maintain it.
After your firearms training, you will become more proficient and most of all confident that if and when the need arises, you are able to provide safety and security to your home and family.
6. Being Ready to Bug Out
Leaving the safety, security and supplies of home is not an easy thing to do. You and your family will have to go into a real survival scenario. No matter how difficult the future might seem, bugging out could be the only way for you to stay alive. This is the time when your survival skills will be put to the test.
As preppers, we need to learn all the survival skills that we can before any disaster comes. From the basic to the high level ones, you will not regret all the time, money and effort spent trying to learn them all. If possible, have your loved ones or family members get survival training as well.
If your finances permit, invest in a bugout cabin. It doesn’t have to have all the amenities that your home does. Just stock up on the necessary supplies like food, water and meds. This way you’ll have another safe place to stay, a second home. The location would be crucial, among other things so you will need to put a lot of thought and research on a bugout cabin.
The simplest way to make life easier if and when you bug out is to have a go bag. Also known as a go bag, it contains the necessary tools and materials to help you get through 3 days in the wilderness. Try to prepare bug out bags for each member of the family so that all your needs are met.
Stop throwing away your perfectly good resources!!! You loved our first post so much: 20 Things You Should Never Throw Away, so we rounded up a whole new list of things you should really think before you toss. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Or in this case, “one man’s trash is actually a great resource to repurpose and reuse,” but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.
20 More Things You Should Never Throw Away
There are some things you have to toss but there are just some things you have to keep for future use. If you’re crafty like me, then this list is 20 more things you should keep around. This list is good for your next craft project or even something you can use around the homestead. You may not have thought about it yet but if you read along, I’m sure it will change your mind about how you look at things.
Instead of throwing your banana peels into the trash bag, throw them out to your chickens. Banana peels make great chicken feed and the minerals are great for your flock!
Keep silica gel packets in your gun safe. This will keep moisture out of your stored weapons, cases, and holsters. It’s also perfect for keeping gun powder dry.
Use old magazines to make all sorts of DIY crafts. Involve your kids and enjoy making pots, bowls and even jewelries on a lazy weekend. Visit this site for cool craft ideas.
Next time you eat an orange or a grapefruit, save the peels. Citrus peels can be used to make flavored seasonings and candies, infused in teas, and as home cleaning remedy. Check out more practical ways to use citrus peels here.
We l00ove Pringles! But the growing stacks of Pringles cans? Not so much. Use recycled Pringles cans to organize pens, pencils, rulers and other desk whatnot.
Paper cups are just all over the place whenever you have a party. But don’t dump them in the trash just yet. Make something pretty with them instead. Click here for paper cup craft ideas.
