Lou McLeod: June 2019

Sunday 30 June 2019

Common Sense Homestead Open House – October 5, 2019 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The following blog post Common Sense Homestead Open House – October 5, 2019 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. is republished from http://www.totalsurvival.net/

We'll be hosting our next annual Common Sense Homestead Open House on Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. . Our family will be giving tours of the home and grounds during this time. You're welcome to take a quick look or stay for a longer visit during the open house hours. […]

The post Common Sense Homestead Open House – October 5, 2019 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. appeared first on Common Sense Home.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

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5 Venomous Snakes Look-Alikes: Know Your Snakes

Psoriasis on My Hands – My Experience with Home Remedies for Psoriasis

The following blog post Psoriasis on My Hands – My Experience with Home Remedies for Psoriasis See more on: Total Survival

For the last several months, I've been dealing with psoriasis on my hands. It's some sort of pustular psoriasis, possibly PPP (Palmoplantar pustulosis). At its most active, there are small blisters filled with white fluid in the affected areas, combined with flaking skin, oozing and itching. In this post, I'll share the home remedies for […]

The post Psoriasis on My Hands – My Experience with Home Remedies for Psoriasis appeared first on Common Sense Home.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

How to Deal with Property Damage After a Storm

The following post How to Deal with Property Damage After a Storm was first published on Total Survival

This spring has been a higher than average storm season with over 500 tornados in the last few weeks alone, and flooding throughout the South, East, and several states in the Midwest. Insurance companies have been at their busiest in almost every region of the United States. From random lightning strikes to hail damage, flooding and tornados, people are left with the aftermath of a storm and how to recover from losses due to property damage.

One of saddest situations in a community is when a person or family does not have insurance to cover their losses due to one of these storms. For whatever reason, an individual or family do not feel their property hasn’t enough value to carry a policy. No one expects total loss. But when a tornado rages through an area such as the one that leveled Linwood, Kansas 3 weeks ago, some people lost everything. If there is no insurance coverage, there is no money to rebuild.

Helpful Communities

Usually a community comes together to help each other out. People combine households, help salvage belongings, and basically offer as much as possible to bring each other a way to get back on their feet again.

Contact Insurance Company

The first step if you suffer property damage with your car or home is to contact your insurance agent. I have full coverage car insurance for my car. In the wake of the storm season this Spring, I recently had massive hail damage to my car. And what I learned in the process is that some body repair shops do not repair hail damage in-house. They move your car to another location. This means you are paying a middle man, so to speak. Make sure your auto body repair shop is going to do repairs to your car in the repair shop you take to which you take the vehicle. This will cut down on cost.

Be careful not to make frivolous claims. Personally, I would not make any claims for anything less than $2000.00 for a house, and less than $1000 for a car. You want to use insurance if you need it, but at the same time too many little claims might lead to a cancellation of your policy.

Repair Steps

So, after you contact your insurance company and then find a reputable company to do the work on either your house, clearing tree limbs, or fixing your car, the next step is to get that estimate. In the process to get my estimate on my car,

I found out my car roof was so badly damaged, they decided to replace the whole roof. This was the best call due to the amount of damage. The repair shop let me get on a ladder and showed me the roof. It was really dented in badly due to the fact this is the widest part of the car that is unsupported. This was a good judgement on their part. Not the easiest repair. They could have just popped those dents out. But that would not have been the best solution. Make sure whoever you have assessing your property losses is making the best judgment for the repairs to maintain your property value.

Stay in contact with your insurance company. A good agent will check on you. This is the litmus test. However, if they are dealing with people who have lost their homes and you just have hail damage, you may not be at the top of the “need” list. My agent’s office has still called me several times.

Finally, when the repairs are finished on your home or car, make sure repairs are inspected by either the insurance company or in the case of your home, by the county inspector. Make sure to keep all documentation from the beginning of the claim to the completion of the work. Often in the case of home repairs, the insurance company will give you a check up-front to do some of the work, and then will have a two-year deadline to finish the rest of the work with the rest of the funds available upon that completion. Make sure to read all of paperwork in order to complete all of the repairs and get the funds you need to get your life back to normal after the storm.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Originally Published Here: How to Deal with Property Damage After a Storm

Saturday 29 June 2019

Delicious Stuffed Balls with Apricots

Delicious Stuffed Balls with Apricots is republished from http://totalsurvival.net/

Delicious stuffed balls with apricots. Every bite of the Apricots Stuffed Balls delivers an exhilarating rush of flavour.

Ingredients:
12 apricots (small size)
250 grams cheese (fresh cow cheese)
50 grams semolina
Vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
60 grams flour
6 tsps coconut sugar

And for the “coating” you need:
100 grams bread crumbs
50 grams butter
2 tbsps poppy seed
2 tbsps sugar

How to do it

Step 1
Keep butter at room temperature for at least 1hour before starting or place it in the microwave for 20 second to warm it up. Stir the butter with sugar. Add the semolina, the cheese, a little vanilla and the egg yolk and knead everything together. Add flour and shape the mixture into a ball.
Let the dough rest in the fridge while you take the following steps.

Step 2
Start boiling water in a large pot.

Step 3
In a large pan, melt the butter, then add the bread crumbs and poppy seed and fry the mixture. Stir the mixture until it becomes a beautiful golden colour. Finally, add sugar and let the mixture rest, while you take the following steps.

Step 4
Split the apricots in two, remove the kernels and fill them with sugar (I used molasses)

Step 5
Take the dough out from the fridge and shape it into 12 balls, the size of a peach. Flatten the balls and place an apricot in the middle. Coat the apricots with the dough, making sure to cover the whole apricot! (see the picture)

Step 6
Add the balls to the boiling water. The water should boil without any bubbling.
Let them boil until they rise to the top.

Step 7
Take the balls out, one by one, and roll them in the bread crumbs.

PIN IT

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Check Out The Post Here: Delicious Stuffed Balls with Apricots

How to Start a Campfire

The following blog post How to Start a Campfire is available on Total Survival

These 3 steps will help you get a campfire started in very little time!

DIY Campfire

When you think about camping, it’s not unusual to picture a roaring campfire.

This is because a part of our brain remembers our primal history, in a time where fire meant the difference between life and death. For example, vibrant flames could mean warmth and protection from wild animals, a beacon of light to guide wandering tribe members home, or a means of preparing meat from a hunt.

Today, a campfire can still mean warmth on a chilly night or a way to cook meals in the outdoors. However, in modern times, it can also mean a gathering place for friends and family to sit and swap stories, relax, roast marshmallows, or just look contemplatively into the flames.

The “life or death” aspect of it is – usually – no longer a problem.

Of course, to enjoy the modernized meaning of a campfire, you must first build a campfire.

Step 1: Create Your Fire Bed

First, you need to know if campfires are allowed at your campsite. Most sites have this information available online or posted throughout the camp, but if in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask.

After getting approval, it’s time to think about safety. If there’s already a fire ring, you’ll want to clear it of any old ash and charcoal. For cold ashes, you can scoop it into a plastic bag to dispose of it properly. Otherwise, push them to the edge of the fire pit.

If you need to create your own fire ring, you’ve got to pick your area very carefully. You don’t want any stray sparks to start a wildfire, so find a spot where you can clear 8 to 10 feet of any dead or dry vegetation.

Next, dig at least 3 to 4 inches deep in the center of your fire area. The dirt can be kept to one side in case of emergency, or used to create a firewall.

Bonus tip: If there are any loose rocks in the area, use them to fortify your campfire’s wall.

Step 2: Gather Your Campfire Ingredients

There’s more to a campfire than just wood, so it’s time to get foraging.

First, you’ll need some tinder. This is the smallest, easiest burning fire material – things like wood shavings, wadded paper, cardboard strips and dryer lint. Another option is store-bought fire sticks or fire starters to save time and effort.

Second, you need kindling. These are a size up from your tinder, and will keep the flames going after the tinder has burned up. The most common form of kindling is dry twigs, about the size of a pencil. If the only ones you can find are damp, use your survival knife to whittle away the bark.

Finally, you’re ready to collect your fuelwood. Without fuelwood, you have no campfire – so make sure to gather plenty. You don’t need to use larger logs exclusively: save those for when your fire is roaring. Start with some that are about as thick as your wrist. You can even use whole logs later on or split them with your ax.

Bonus tips: while fuelwood can be a little damp, it’s very important that your tinder and kindling be bone dry. If a twig or stick bends rather than snaps easily, it’s too “green” (wet).

Always collect at least twice as much tinder, kindling and fuelwood than you think you’ll need.

Never break or cut branches from the trees in your campsite. In many places, this is illegal. Even if it isn’t, if everyone were doing it, we’d have an even more serious deforestation problem than we already do. Either bring your own wood (if possible) or make sure you’re allowed to use fallen limbs.

RELATED: How to Use an Ax in Bushcrafts

Step 3: Build Your Fire

There are 3 ways to build your campfire, each with their own merits.

The teepee fire lay starts with placing a bundle of tinder in the middle of your fire pit. Form a teepee with some kindling, with a small opening on the windward side to allow your fire to get the air it needs. Start adding progressively larger kindling to the teepee until you’re ready to start using your fuelwood. This too will be built in a teepee structure.

Your second option is the lean-to fire lay. Here, you start by sticking a long, sturdy piece of kindling into the ground at a 30-degree angle, with the end pointing into the wind.

After placing some tinder under this support stick, start adding smaller kindling around it. Next, begin laying larger kindling against the kindling stick to form the lean-to. Add a second layer of kindling. Once your campfire is roaring, you’ll be able to add the first fuelwood.

Third, and most popular for long-lasting campfires, is the log cabin fire lay. Start off with a small teepee build (first layer of kindling), then lay two pieces of fuel fire on either side. Place another two logs on top of these, creating a square. Keep building until you’ve got a cabin-like structure, then add some small kindling to the top.

Finally, you’re ready to light your tinder.

Bonus tip: Never squirt charcoal fluid into your campfire, as the flames can travel up the stream – and never, ever use gasoline!

Putting Out Your Campfire

You’re the last person awake and ready to go to bed. You know to never leave fire unattended for any length of time for any reason other than a true emergency. So what do you do?

You can start by sprinkling some water over the flames or coals. Don’t pour – just sprinkle. Otherwise, your fire pit is going to get flooded and you (or the next campers) won’t be able to start the next fire. Stir as you sprinkle, as this will ensure all your coals get coated.

Once it stops hissing, you’re almost done! To make sure, hover the back of your hand over the ash. If you’re still feeling any heat, it’s not safe to leave just yet.

Leave your fire pit as is if you’re going to be using it again in a few hours or the next day. However, if you’re leaving the campsite, leave it as clean as you can for the next group. Scoop up your ashes and any remaining charcoal in a plastic bag to be properly disposed of. You can do this by scattering them across the campsite or in designated areas.

If you made your own campfire area, leave the space as you found it. Use the dirt you displaced to cover your campfire spot.

Bonus tip: Keep in mind that it takes about 20 minutes to get your fire completely out, so plan ahead and start early.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

See Full Article Here: How to Start a Campfire

Friday 28 June 2019

Beekeeping for Beginners – Natural Backyard Beekeeping

Beekeeping for Beginners – Natural Backyard Beekeeping is courtesy of http://totalsurvival.net/

Beekeeping for Beginners by Amber Bradshaw shares tips and ideas to help you create a backyard bee haven. From beehive selection to honey harvest, and everything in between, Amber walks you through step by step. You'll have all the information you need to decide if beekeeping is right for you. Contents of “Beekeeping for Beginners” […]

The post Beekeeping for Beginners – Natural Backyard Beekeeping appeared first on Common Sense Home.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

Post Source Here: Beekeeping for Beginners – Natural Backyard Beekeeping

How to Grow Your Own Food

The following post How to Grow Your Own Food is republished from http://totalsurvival.net/

Growing your own is not only for survivalists, it’s for anyone that wants to save some money at the grocery store! There are also other benefits to growing your own food such as knowing what going into the soil, you get more food for your money, and you can feel good about yourself because you helped something grow. Even if you don’t know the first thing about growing your own food, we have a basic list below to help you get started.

Decide what to grow

The first step in this process is to decide what you want to grow. You may love to get lettuce from the grocery, but it may be worth considering trying to grow your own instead. Once you decide what vegetables you want to grow, you will need to find out a little more information online:

• Does the food prefer acidic or basic soil? Acidic soil is just that: soil that naturally has more acid in it, while basic soil does not have acid in it. Foods like tomatoes love a more naturally acidic soil and putting in soil that doesn’t have natural acids in it will likely invite a poor harvest, if any harvest at all! As a side note, most vegetables tend to grow better in acidic soil, so when it doubt, try more acidic soil.

• What sort of care does the food need? Some vegetable require vastly different things for caring for them. Some vegetables require more upkeep, water intake, and sunlight, than others while other vegetables are fairly hands-off. Consider how much work you want to put into growing a specific food and let that determine what foods you may to invest growing.

• How much space do you need? Some foods only need a small section of your yard to grow while others need an exorbitant amount to have a full harvest. Foods such as corn and watermelon have to have a lot of space to grow, while other foods such as lettuce and carrots only need a garden box, so look into how much yard space you ca devote to growing food.

Prepare your garden area

Now that you have all the information you need, the next step is to start making your garden. Create garden boxes, find the perfect spot in your yard, and plant the seeds or shoots you have for the veggies to start growing.

Plan for pests

Whenever you grow food, you need to recognize that you are not the only one who wants it. Small animals and bugs may also want to taste your food before you get to harvest. Be sure to do some research into what pests like the food you are growing and popular ways to keep pests away. Sometimes it’s as simple as a kind of spray while others may require wire netting, but keep in mind that keeping pests away will give you more food when it’s ready for picking. Fun fact: most pests hate the smell of marigold flowers, so consider planting them close to your garden!

Tend to your food

The next step in this process is to be patient and wait for your food to grow as you help it along the way. Every vegetable has a different harvesting period and different needs in helping it grow to its fullest, so be sure to look into that online to see when how you can help it grow and when you can start picking the food.

Clean the food thoroughly

Even if you didn’t use a spray for keeping things away, you will still want to properly clean your food before eating it. It’s usually as simple as washing it with warm water to get the dirt; you won’t need soap nice water is usually enough. However, you may want to look online and see if there are other necessities for cleaning your specific food.

Prepare the food

How you prepare the food can be wildly different from veggie to veggie. For example, lettuce just needs picked, cleaned, and then you can put it into a salad and eat it. However, some plants require much more preparation.

Research how to store extras

Normally, this is as easy as just putting leftovers in the refrigerator, but it’s also important to know how long you can keep it in there before it starts to go bad. It’s important to only grab what you need for meals so you can continue to grow food in your yard and so you don’t accidentally waste any if there are leftover you don’t get to in time. You can freeze foods, but some veggies may not heat up well after being frozen.

Continue to pick foods

Some veggies continue to grow for many weeks until late summer and fall, so continue to tend your plants and to ensure they keep providing you food. If you decided to try and grow some berry bushes, its easy enough to pluck off berries until the season is over.

Research if they will come back

There will come a time when you can’t pick that food anymore because its season will be over and winter will be coming through. Perennial vegetables will grow back the next season and then you can start the process over again. If you want to move the plant, however, be sure to transplant it properly by digging it up, leaving extra soil around it, and moving it to another location that will allow it to have a good or even better harvest than the year before.

The Work is Worth it

Even though growing food can be a challenge, you won’t find many people that do mind the work they put into it. They get a sense of accomplishment from growing their own food, save money in the long run at the grocery, and provides experience of growing food that you may need if you branch out and try to grow some different foods.

If it doesn’t really work the first time, that okay! Being able to grow food like an expert takes time, but once you master the art, you will be proud that you took the first step.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Read Full Article Here: How to Grow Your Own Food

25 Survival Uses For Leather Belts

The article 25 Survival Uses For Leather Belts Find more on: http://www.totalsurvival.net/

There’s an old saying that knowledge weighs nothing. You can only carry so many survival tools, especially if you’re bugging out on foot or have to leave in a hurry. However, you can carry an almost limitless amount of knowledge – if you take the time to learn.

I highly recommend taking the time to learn about survival uses for everyday objects. That way if you’re ever in a survival scenario but don’t have your tools, you’ll be able to make do with what you have.

Belts are something probably half of you wear every day. Since it’s always with you, you may as well learn how to use it. In this video, Sensible Prepper goes over 25 survival uses for belts.

Now keep in mind, he’s talking about leather belts. A cloth belt might not work for some of these. Here are some of the ideas he suggests:

Roll clothes into an easy-carry bundle.
Hang food off the ground to keep critters away.
Wrap up and carry firewood.
Create a strap / longer handle for buckets.
Create a sling in case your arm is hurt.
Use it as a tourniquet.
Use it as a rope to lower supplies.
Use it as a rope to pull someone up.
Use it as a lifeline for someone stuck in the water.
Use it as an improvised weapon.
Use it as a strop to keep your knives sharp.
Use it as a pot holder.
Use it to pull yourself up when climbing a tree.

Be sure to watch the video below to see these ideas demonstrated and to learn some other ideas. He also talks about various types of belts and which ones are best for survival.

Marvelous Milkweed – Answers to 21 Common Questions

Marvelous Milkweed – Answers to 21 Common Questions is republished from Total Survival

Milkweed is a “must have” for butterfly gardening, but the right milkweed plants are good for people, too. We’ll share answers to some of the most common questions about growing and using these beautiful native plants. What is a milkweed plant good for? Most people know that monarch butterflies rely on milkweed to survive, but […]

The post Marvelous Milkweed – Answers to 21 Common Questions appeared first on Common Sense Home.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

This Article Was Found Here: Marvelous Milkweed – Answers to 21 Common Questions

12 Essentials To Bring With When Camping

The following article 12 Essentials To Bring With When Camping was originally published to Total Survival

Camping is one of the oldest and most time-honored traditions. However, without these essential items, it can also lead to disaster!

1. Weather Appropriate Clothing

You’ll want to stay warm, even on days that promise hot and humid weather. Moisture-wicking or dry-fit clothing is the perfect solution, as it helps you stay dry regardless of the temp. Additionally, pack extra layers of clothing to ensure comfort if the weather does grow chilly (especially at night).

2. Sleeping Bag(s)

Shelter is one of the first things you’re supposed to seek if you’re ever stranded. When you’re out camping in perfect weather conditions, shelter can be as simple as bringing the right sleeping bag.

Sleeping under the stars is an awesome experience, but without a season-appropriate sleeping bag, it can either be an overly warm or a deadly cold experience instead. Sometimes, it can even be dangerous or fatal to pack the wrong one!

This Abco Tech Sleeping Bag is perfect for all 4 seasons.

3. Tent

You’ll need to have a tent that’s easy to set up and 100% waterproof. The size and type will naturally vary depending on how much space you need, which in turn is based on how many people you’re sharing with during your camping trip. You should always opt for a reliable, well-ventilated model.

4. A Solar Lantern

If there’s a fire ban, having a solar lantern is especially important. The moon and stars make for beautiful natural lighting, but unless it’s a clear sky with a full moon, you’ll likely end up stumbling in the dark.

Fortunately, solar lanterns are incredibly long-lasting, and their initial cost is greatly offset by the fact they require no batteries. As long as you remember to charge them during the daylight hours, you’ll be sorted all night long. The best kind are the ones you can collapse; making for incredibly easy packing.

5. Hammock

Relaxing in a hammock is something out of this world, especially when you’re looking to relax after a long hike. Luckily, we have the perfect guide on How To Make A Hammock In The Rainforest And Elsewhere.

6. A Water Bottle

Water is one of the most important elements of survival – and no less so when camping!

Reusable water bottles are an absolute must, as you can easily refill them by your campsite’s water spigots, with natural mountain water or with your own back-up supply.

7. Snacks

Snacks aren’t just for relaxing in front of the TV – they’re a super important way to keep your energy up while hiking too. And who doesn’t hike on their camping trip?

8. Food Supplies

Deciding on what to eat is one of the trickiest parts of planning a camping trip. Whether you’re planning on making a campfire or bringing a portable gas stove, having a planned menu and all your necessary cooking supplies is essential.

9. Camping Stove

Some campsites don’t allow for fires, so a camping stove is a great way to ensure you’ll have warm food when camping. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, check out this Coleman Gas Stove on Amazon.

10. Solar Charger

Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery can happen to almost anyone – but with a waterproof solar charger, you can charge all your electronics with the power of the sun.

11. First Aid Kit

Never, ever go anywhere without a well-stocked first aid kit. There is a lot that can go wrong when camping, and having a kit in your backpack makes it easy to take care of almost all emergencies.

12. Hiking Boots

Even if you aren’t going hiking on a proper trail, having a good pair of shoes is an absolute must for the outdoors. It’s always best to break in a new pair of hiking boots before you go camping, or you’ll end up with a lot more blisters and foot-ache than necessary.

BONUS: What NOT To Bring

While there are plenty of things you should always bring with on a camping trip, the same can be said for things you shouldn’t. Here’s a quick list:

• Denim
• Jewelry or nice clothing
• Unnecessary electronics
• Any products with strong perfumes or odors
• White clothing
• Anything you’re not willing to lose

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

See More Here: 12 Essentials To Bring With When Camping

Thursday 27 June 2019

Build Your Own Potato Growing Box

Build Your Own Potato Growing Box See more on: http://totalsurvival.net/

The first step is cutting the 2×2 inches board into pieces of 33 inches in length; four pieces will be enough. Then, take the 2×6 boards and cut those into 12 lengths of 21inches and 12 lengths of 24 inches. Make some screw holes in these and attach the bottom row on the 2×2 boards. Place this part of the vertical garden over the soil, fill with mulch and plant potatoes about 4 inches deep. Remember that each layer which you plant must have its sides boarded up. Now, let them grow a bit.

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Originally Published Here: Build Your Own Potato Growing Box

Bt Corn – What it is, and Why Should You Care About it

The following article Bt Corn – What it is, and Why Should You Care About it is courtesy of http://totalsurvival.net

Most of the corn grown in the United States is Bt corn, but what is it, and why should you care? In this post, we explain the basics of Bt corn and some pros and cons. What is Bt corn? Bt corn is corn that is genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium […]

The post Bt Corn – What it is, and Why Should You Care About it appeared first on Common Sense Home.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

Learn More Here: Bt Corn – What it is, and Why Should You Care About it

10 Survival Tips for Everyday Life

10 Survival Tips for Everyday Life was originally published on http://totalsurvival.net/

Some people may think that survivalists can only use their knowledge for when they are out in the wilderness, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Survivalists can take all their knowledge and apply it to everyday life, and these tips can help anyone from simple situations to potentially life-threatening ones.

1. Car brakes not working

This is not likely going to happen, but it doesn’t hurt to know what to do if this were to ever occur. If your brakes don’t work, you should act like you are in the snow and do not accelerate. Pump the brakes and see if that works. If it doesn’t, try engaging the parking brake. Worst case scenario, if that doesn’t work, you may need to find something you can scrape against, such as a guard rail. It is not recommended that you try and find a ditch unless you know it doesn’t have a sharp drop.

2. Car stuck in the snow

This has likely happened to you before if you live in an area that has winter, and this has a simple fix: use cat litter to give your car some traction. If your tires are spinning in the winter, try pouring some cat litter around the wheels. When you do this, be sure to accelerate slowly and realize that you may need to pour a little extra litter in the direction you need to go instead of just around the tires.

3. Door locked when you don’t have a key

If you are lucky enough to have doorknobs that have a small opening in the knobs, you can simply use a bobby pin to insert it into the lock and turn the lock itself. This will likely take some practice, but opening a door with a bobby pin should only take about ten seconds to figure out.

4. Tire blowout while driving

This is yet another car problem that likely wouldn’t happen, but this situation can be just as dangerous as having your brakes not work. If a tire blows out, turn the car in the opposite direction the car is veering. If the car wants to turn left, keep the car turning right to keep it going straight. Be sure to keep both hands on the wheel since it may be hard to turn the wheel once the tire is blown out. It is also important that you pump the brake to start to slow the car down and come to a halt.

5. Dog ate chocolate

It’s fairly common knowledge that dogs cannot digest chocolate and that compounds in are poisonous to dogs in large amounts. If your dog gets a hold of a lot of chocolate and you can’t get a hold of your veterinarian for an emergency consultation, then you may want to consider giving your dog a hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Be careful to only give your dog one milliliter of 3% solution for every pound of bodyweight. Your dog will likely fight you putting this into their mouth, but it needs to be done. This will make your dog vomit up whatever they ate and though it may be a mess to clean up, it’s much better than saying goodbye.

6. Make sure car never gets stolen from parking garage

This is a reasonable concern that people may have when going into parking garage or lot. However, there is a relatively simple solution to making sure that even if someone does take your car that they can’t leave the garage: take the parking ticket with you. Garages will not allow anyone out unless they can pay the toll and it’s not likely that the perpetrator will want to shell out the cash or risk getting caught.

7. Extinguish grease fire

Cooking with grease is not unheard of, just as having grease fires from cooking aren’t uncommon. People may think to throw water onto a fire, but with a grease fire, that will not work. You will need to put a lid on the fire and get rid of the oxygen feeding the flame. If the pot you were using did not have a lid, then go ahead and pick any lid from a large pot, just to make sure the entire fire is covered.

8. Remove skunk spray from a car

For anyone who has smelled skunk, they can remember the sickly sweet and unpleasant odor of its spray. There are times where skunks may spray your car and it can seem almost impossible to get the smell off. However, there is a quick trick: make a hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Use this solution to wipe the area where the skunk may have sprayed, but be sure to wipe it off quickly to make sure the solution doesn’t damage the paint job on your car.

9. Stop an open wound from bleeding

There are some cuts than can be handled with small Band-Aids, but there are times where you may get a deep cut. If you are with someone and if you think the cut is deep enough, have them call 911 or start to drive you to an emergency room and get lots of gauze. Wrap the wound with gauze and apply pressure to make it stop bleeding. Be sure to elevate the area where the wound is to keep blood flow to a minimum.

10. Identify Lyme disease

Lyme disease is usually contracted from ticks who fed off of a deer who had the disease. The disease is identified by its unique and disturbing shape: a large rash surrounded by a red ring with a blister or blue spot in the center of the rash. Once you have identified the rash, be sure to visit the emergency room because this disease can be very harmful if not treated early.

Knowledge is Power

Even though some of these situations may likely not happen, it is important to know them anyway. It is always better to have the knowledge to survive a situation rather than to not know and eventually need it. Survivalists have a lot of knowledge that can be applied to daily life, it just takes a natural curiosity to discover what you can use to help you in your daily life, and possibly save your life.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Read Full Article Here: 10 Survival Tips for Everyday Life

3 Shipping Containers Turn Into Epic Cabin. This is so beautiful!

3 Shipping Containers Turn Into Epic Cabin. This is so beautiful! was originally seen on Total Survival

Designed by Copenhagen-based studio, this project called WFH House is developed in China by Arcgency and Teknologisk Institut for their client World FLEX Home. As we all know, recycling is one of the major issues nowadays. Especially when it comes to architecture and sustainable design. We’ve seen a lot of creative ways to build a home from stretch using eco-friendly materials or recycled ones, but we’ve never seen a house entirely build of shipping containers.

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

check out the full article Here: 3 Shipping Containers Turn Into Epic Cabin. This is so beautiful!

Wednesday 26 June 2019

8 Things to Know Before Buying a Gas Mask

8 Things to Know Before Buying a Gas Mask Read more on: http://totalsurvival.net/

Gas masks are becoming something of a pop-culture phenomenon lately. This is partially due to the popularity of post-apocalyptic fiction, but it doesn’t end there. People are starting to realize preparation is necessary for the day those imaginary stories turn into reality. And not just “a” reality.

Our reality.

Before you rush out to grab the first gas mask you find, take the time to go through our list of 8 important things to consider beforehand.

EDITOR’S DEAL: We are looking for Americans who want to test and review some of the newest survival, camping, and tactical gear.

Surplus Supplies Aren’t Always Your Best Friend

If you’re contemplating purchasing a gas mask, you’ve probably come across at least one advertisement for military surplus. And if you’ve been a prepper for some time, one advertisement probably converts to 10,000.

After all, Army/Navy surplus stores are a prepper’s best friend. Right?

Well… not exactly. You see, the items stocked in these outlets are surplus for a reason.

The military doesn’t sell what they’re not using because they’ve bought too much of it. They keep it ready for when their personnel need replacements or they need to kit out the next batch of recruits.

Military items end up in a surplus store for one of two reasons: they’re either defective (to varying degrees) or they’ve been replaced by an upgrade. Because of this, they’ll never have a guarantee of performance attached either. In fact, you can pretty much expect the filter to be expired.

So while surplus gas masks are great for your Halloween costumes or man cave displays, keep them out of your prepper gear. Instead, save up and spend a little more money on a quality gas mask.

Invest In An NBC Gas Mask

Honestly, if you’re going to buy anything less than an NBC gas mask, you may as well be making your own.

Why?

Because gas masks that carry the NBC rating are designed to protect you from Nuclear, Biological and Chemical exposure – hence the name. Anything less and you’ll need a mask for each scenario. And when SHTF, you better cross your fingers you have the right one with you.

Another thing to look for when shopping is the Chemical Blowing Agent and Riot Control Agent (CBA/RCA) rating. Here’s a bonus tip for you: if the mask and its filter are NBC rated, they should have the CBA/RCA rating too.

Ideally, you want to know if your mask was tested by more than just the manufacturer. Third-party testing is a sure-fire way to ensure you won’t be ripped off.

Personally, I prefer buying a mask with the best possible field of vision. If the situation warrants the use of a gas mask, you better believe you’re going to need the biggest field of view you can get. Another reason to avoid surplus gas masks: they tend to have small goggle-type eye holes.

Again, cool for Halloween, but not for survival.

Finally, try to get one with two filter connections rather than just one. This way, you can optimize your mask so the filter doesn’t get in the way of your gun stock. Just as importantly, you can properly secure a fresh filter before removing the expired one.

Spare Filters

Speaking of replacing an expired filter, you need to stock up on those.

This can be a little tricky; not to mention expensive. Look at the ApprovedGasMasks.com article I linked to earlier (here it is again): unless you’re buying surplus (don’t), you’re going to spend over $30 a canister.

And that’s for the 40mm NATO threaded models – which, by the way, I recommend. They’re far easier to get hold of and cheaper than the alternatives. Make sure you buy a mask that accepts them.

Also keep in mind all filters have a shelf life AND a usability time limit.

Speed Is Of The Essence

Here’s a bit of bad news: if you aren’t wearing a gas mask before you technically need one, it might already be too late. Even a moment of exposure to biological or chemical compounds can be fatal.

So when you’re out shopping for a gas mask, get more than one. Store them at work (yes, you’ll probably have to sneak it into the office), at home, in your shelter, in your car… You get the picture.

That said, you can also prepare by keeping the makings of an improvised gas mask on you at all times.

The Problem With A Manly Beard…

If you have any facial hair, whether it’s a scruffy beard or barely-there 5 o’clock shadow, it will prevent a gas mask from sealing properly.

And a compromised seal renders the mask useless.

Luckily, there are 2 viable solutions: you can either get a hooded mask or follow this WeAreTheMighty.com guide detailing how to save your beard by covering it with Vaseline.

Remove the Plug

Movies make everything look way easier. And that’s fine – I’m not expecting Tom Cruise to do anything wrong in Mission Impossible. From a movie-making point of view, it’s just not practical (or all that cinematic).

Just realize it’s not that easy in real life.

Practice, practice and practice some more. Correctly deploying and strapping a gas mask on takes some deft hand action. If you do it wrong, you may as well not wear one at all. And please remember to remove the plug from the filter canister before screwing it on – or you’ll suffocate.

If you have any expired filters lying around (or you really can’t resist going to the surplus store), use those to practice with.

Location, Location, Location

In an end-of-the-world scenario, it’s probably not going to matter where you are.

But for every other kind of disaster, location is going to play a major role in your chances of survival. It’s also going to play a major role in the type of gear you ought to be spending money on.

If you’re living far from the cities, save the gas mask for when you can afford to start stocking up on luxury prepper gear.

It’s folks in and near densely populated urban and industrial areas who should have such items pretty high on their survival shopping lists. Those areas are the most likely to experience a nuclear, biological and/or chemical attack.

Don’t Put Your Full Reliance On Your Gas Mask

You won’t need to wear a gas mask over your face forever. Besides the major expense of trying to keep that many spare filter canisters stocked, it’s just not practical.

Sure, you might be able to drink with one on, if it’s equipped with a straw. But how are you going to eat?

Let’s face it – if you haven’t got a more permanent shelter to retreat to and the NBC attacks won’t let up, your chances of survival look dismal. With or without a gas mask. These babies are meant to be temporary solutions to get you safely out of the danger zone.

So in addition to purchasing a gas mask, be sure to practice potential doomsday outcomes on a regular basis. After all, preparation is key to survival.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

check out the full article Here: 8 Things to Know Before Buying a Gas Mask

10 Weird Canned Foods That Are Surprisingly Good

10 Weird Canned Foods That Are Surprisingly Good Find more on: http://www.totalsurvival.net/

For those who are preparing for tougher times, canned foods are invaluable. Of all the food storage methods, few are more convenient or long-lasting than canned food.

If all you’ve ever done is browse the canned goods aisle of your supermarket, you may be surprised to learn just how much variety there is when it comes to canned foods. There is a lot more than just canned meat, veggies, and soups. All sorts of foods can be canned.

These canned foods probably sound weird, but they’re actually very good. If you’re looking to add some variety to your food stockpile, check these out.

1. Canned Bacon

If you are one of the many people who consider bacon to be the world’s finest delicacy, you’ll be excited to know that it is possible to stockpile bacon in a can. Canned bacon comes fully cooked, which means that it is ready to eat right out of the can.

And while it may not taste quite as fresh as the bacon you are used to buying, canned bacon is certainly a passable substitute. Just heat it up in a skillet and enjoy.

2. Canned Bread

Of all the foods that might come to mind when you think of canned foods, bread is probably at the bottom of the list. However, there is such a thing as canned bread, and it’s actually quite popular in certain parts of the country such as the Northeast.

As you might imagine, canned bread isn’t something you can use to make a sandwich. However, it can be a tasty addition to a number of recipes. I personally like slicing it up and adding butter and jam.

3. Canned Haggis

If you’ve never had haggis, you’re in for a treat. It’s a Scottish dish made of sheep entrails mixed with oatmeal, suet, and seasonings. Now I know that probably doesn’t sound great, but you have to try it for yourself.

If you already love haggis and want to enjoy it post-disaster, you’ll be thrilled to know that haggis is available in cans. Just pour it into a saucepan and heat it up.

4. Canned Hot Dogs

The fact that “fresh” hot dogs are able to last up to six months is, for many people, cause for concern. If you need even more shelf life out of your hot dogs, though, you can always purchase them in a can. Several companies offer cans that are packed full of individual hot dogs. Not Vienna sausages, but actual hot dogs.

Figuring out how to acquire hot dog buns in a post-disaster scenario is a different matter, but at least you’ll have the hot dogs themselves. Or you could slice them up and mix them with the next canned food on our list.

5. Canned Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is an American classic, and if you are worried about having to give up this food when SHTF, worry no more – Heinz along with a couple other companies offers macaroni and cheese in a can.

Canned macaroni and cheese isn’t that much of stretch when you consider the fact that many types of pastas are sold in cans. However, given the popularity of boxed macaroni and cheese, canned macaroni and cheese is a food item that many people don’t know about.

6. Canned Pancake Mix

Purchasing pancake mix in a box is a convenient way to prepare this breakfast treat. However, boxed pancake mix doesn’t have a particularly long shelf life.

Canned pancake mix, on the other hand, lasts much longer and arguably works just as well. If you stockpile canned pancake mix along with maple syrup stored in glass bottles – which has a near indefinite shelf life – you can always have the makings for a breakfast classic.

7. Canned Pork Brains

Yes, this is exactly what you think it is — pork brains in a can. And it’s delicious! However, you can’t eat it out of the can. Cook it up first, and for a great breakfast, try mixing it with scrambled eggs.

One thing that should be noted is the amount of cholesterol: 1060% the daily recommended value! So if you’re trying to watch your cholesterol intake, don’t eat this. Otherwise, enjoy.

8. Canned Potato Salad

A summertime classic, potato salad is known for spoiling rather quickly. Seal it off in a tin can, though, and potato salad is able to last for quite a long time. Outside of disaster prepping, we’re not sure why anyone would want to purchase canned potato salad.

If you still want to put together all the fixings for a summertime picnic after disaster has struck, stocking up on canned potato salad is certainly a viable option.

9. Canned Reindeer

As one of the reviewers on Amazon said, “Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ like a can of reindeer meat.” The Newport Jerky Company sells Alaskan reindeer chunked in gravy. It’s good enough to eat right out of the can!

Given the price, it’s probably not the best food to stockpile for doomsday. However, it makes a really great gag gift or stocking stuffer.

10. Canned Whole Chicken

Canned chicken is a relatively common food item that you would likely have no trouble finding on the shelves of your local supermarket. A canned whole chicken, however, is another matter. Thanks to a company called Sweet Sue, you can purchase a 50 ounce can that contains an entire whole chicken stuffed inside it.

Whether you find this idea appetizing or not is ultimately a personal preference. However, there’s no denying the appeal of being able to cook an entire chicken at a time when canned foods are the only thing you have available.

Monday 24 June 2019

Marksmanship Tips: How To Shoot Like A Pro

Sunday 23 June 2019

A GRAIN SILO turned into a GAZEBO

A GRAIN SILO turned into a GAZEBO is available on http://www.totalsurvival.net/

Building a gazebo from a grain bin

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Post Source Here: A GRAIN SILO turned into a GAZEBO

Friday 21 June 2019

Alternative Energy: Get 1500 Watts Of AC From Solar

Alternative Energy: Get 1500 Watts Of AC From Solar is republished from Total Survival

Interested in alternative energy sources? Our resident energy expert Robert Brenner will explain how you can get 1500 watts of AC power from solar renewable energy.

Alternative Energy Solutions | Emergency Power Backup

(Based on the book: Power Out! How to Prepare for and Survive a Grid Collapse by Robert Brenner)

Generating Power

A newspaper article described a local homeowner who uses a “trial version” of the Tesla Powerwall in his home for battery backup power if the grid goes down. Several comments in the article piqued my interest—he said his Powerwall could be used to charge cell phones and run his refrigerator.

In essence, the Tesla battery bank could “keep lights on and the kitchen fridge cool for several hours.” As an engineer, whenever I see or read about innovations like this, I immediately wonder how much power it actually generates, how many amps it can provide and for how long?

I don’t need another iPhone or iPad charging station. I want to keep my refrigerator running and my food cold until the power comes back up.

So I started digging. The Tesla Powerwall provides 7 kWh for daily cycling or 10 kWh for backup.

The Tesla Company claims the battery bank can generate 2,000 watts continuously and 3,300 watts for peak use.

The typical house consumes about 30 kWh every day. At a Powerwall discharge rate of 2 kW per hour, a 7kWh battery driving an inverter will generate AC for this home for under 4 hours before the battery is drained.

This may be acceptable at night when there are no other alternative energy sources available. It’ll give you some AC to operate at minimum load, but the conversion efficiency of 0.94 during the charge and discharge cycles leaves me with more questions than answers.

Powerwall Cost

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An installed 7 kWh Powerwall will set you back over $7,000—the initial advertised price of $3,000 didn’t include installation and permits.

How long will one of these keep the lights on and the furnace or refrigerator running? What can or cannot be operated?

It seems the Powerwall is charging ten activates when local electricity is lost to power an entire house for a couple of hours. Then the battery in the Powerwall must be recharged to 7 kWh—currently using a 4 amp (1.6 kW) charger.

That will take 5 hours assuming local electrical power was restored.

An alternative is to use a $500 gas generator but the noise may be unacceptable. Some homeowners in Louisiana have had thieves sneak in early in the morning with a running gas lawn mower, set it next to their generator, then turn the generator off leaving the mower sound while they steal away with the homeowner’s emergency power source.

Advanced Solar Power Inverter

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The article implies that solar power won’t work when local grid power goes out. This is no longer correct.

After the Fukushima magnitude 9 earthquake, 49-foot tsunami, and meltdown at a large nuclear power plant, people in that country without power are demanding the Japanese government to get the electricity.

Many own solar systems so an inverter manufacturer in Japan has the authority to sell an inverter. The inverter has a secure power feature that directly converts solar DC into grid-quality AC.

For years, Sunny Boy (SMA) had been trying to get U.S. government and utility bureaucrats to let them offer a solar-to-AC backup system they had already designed.

Based on the precedence set by Japan, the U.S. stopped stonewalling SMA and today thousands of homes are getting solar with a TL inverter that provides a socket for 1500 watts (12.3 amps) of AC directly from the solar system.

Many homeowners with existing photovoltaic solar are investing about $2,400 to replace their own inverters with an SMA TL secure power product. They want that power loss insurance.

Photovoltaic Definition: The conversion of solar energy from an array of cells into electric current.

If the grid goes down on a sunny day? Switch to secure power and get up to 1500 W (12.3 amps) that can easily drive a 700W 6 amp refrigerator to keep the drinks and deli meat cold.

Just turn the refrigerator temp up to the max, unplug the unit and plug it into a power strip. After that, slowly rotate the temp setting down to your desired temperature.

You shouldn’t have a surge problem, and your refrigerator should continue to hum along nicely.

Watch this amazing video from ColdFustion about how the Tesla Powerwall works:

Now imagine what you could do with a 7.4 kW solar system comprised of two arrays and two identical inverters. Using two SMA TL inverters can give you 3,000 watts of power protection as long as the sun shines on the panels.

Oh, sunny days!

Backup power solutions are out there, and the cost of ownership continues to decrease. What a great time to be alive and enjoy technology.

What do you think about this emergency backup power technology? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

UP NEXT:

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 15, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Original Post Here: Alternative Energy: Get 1500 Watts Of AC From Solar

How To Deal With Non-Preppers After SHTF

The following post How To Deal With Non-Preppers After SHTF is republished from http://totalsurvival.net/

Have you ever thought about what you will do if the SHTF and friends and/or family start knocking at your door, asking for help? During a local, temporary disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane, it would make sense to help them. I know I would.

But what if it’s a long-term disaster with no signs of abating? What if you only have enough food to last your family a few months? If you start letting in friends and relatives, then next thing you know, your food will be gone in a week. Then the people you helped will be right back where they started, only they’ll have dragged you down with them.

That’s why a lot of preppers keep their stockpile a secret, as well they should. However, if you have a chatty friend or family member who spills the beans about your preparedness plans, then a lot of people might end up finding out anyway. If that happens, then you could end up in a situation where you have to turn people away–people you care about.

This is easier said than done. If people are banging on your doors and windows, begging for help. You or one of your family members are likely to cave and let them in. And even if you still don’t let them in, these people will get so desperate that they might try breaking into your home. Could you really shoot a friend or relative?

In this video, Ethical Preparedness discusses this problem and talks about what you should do. This is one of the most interesting and practical discussions of this topic I’ve ever seen. Watch it below.

Thursday 20 June 2019

The Challenge Of Rural Prepping

The article The Challenge Of Rural Prepping Read more on: http://totalsurvival.net

Rural prepping may require a different approach when it comes to managing resources. Know how to deal with the situation as you read on!

Rural Prepping | How to Survive in a Rural Setting

Challenges in a Rural Environment

Who we care for, the resources available, and where we’re from can make a big difference in our prepping approach.

Since we all have different circumstances to determine post-disaster success, there is no such thing as a perfect prep. However, those who take the challenge in a rural prepping community experience perhaps the greatest risk-reward trade of anyone.

When in a rural environment, we lose access to plenty of commodities that might make other areas more survivable. It can be the availability of supply centers and the assistance of others.

We lose the ability to incorporate certain features into our preps. An example is a bug-out location when we have to care for the needs of livestock and crops.

And while we lose these abilities, the rural prepper gains a key strategic benefit: sustainability.

Here are a few ways that rural preppers can tackle the difficulties particular to their environment. This is to make sure that their homestead weathers the worst that the world can offer.

Dealing with Security Threats

The security issues with living on a rural property can be something of a contradiction. While it may be common knowledge that rural areas enjoy a hugely reduced rate of crime compared to neighboring suburban and urban regions, there are a few caveats that can make rural life more challenging to stay secure than living in a crowded city.

First, while there are fewer instances of reported crime, instances of violence can go undetected in rural areas.

Secondly, those in rural areas frequently lack the benefit of a neighborhood watch. This is proven to be effective in deterring crime and reporting it as it occurs.

Finally, rural life mostly involves living in large, open expanses.

While crime is less likely to occur, the odds of successfully deterring home invaders is reduced significantly. This is due to a wider space to cover with fewer means of detecting threats.

The most effective way to account for this is by establishing a parameter with adequate fencing. It should be at least 6 feet high and unscalable to ward off people.

Consider adding wire and other such defenses if allowable by local laws.

Finally, it can help to keep criminals away using what I term the “scarecrow” strategy. By maintaining a façade of surveillance even when you aren’t available, you can help deter criminals in a larger area.

Spread out security equipment throughout the grounds, along with conspicuous signage indicating your security. Ideally, any security equipment should run with a back-up generator.
Hook up sensors to activate floodlights and noise alarms – this can actually also help in keeping away threats such as coyotes, as well.
And for an extra security bonus, you can’t go wrong with the old standby of a tough well-trained dog. Locating impending threats in the pitch dark of night is something that your trained dog can handle much more competently than an entire search party.

Caring for Your Livestock and Garden

When long-term prepping comes at play, resources such as luxury items come second to vital resources such as food.

In a disaster situation, your livestock and garden might become far more tantalizing than any goods inside your home. There are some practices that can help defend these precious resources just as effectively as you might defend your goods indoors.

Before considering ways that you can defend your livestock from others, think first of ways to help them overcome the elements.

Use electrified fencing or wire around all potential entry points to eliminate small pests and predators from accessing your livestock.
Various garments and coverings can be equipped to avoid freezing and certain pests. Make sure any shelters for your livestock are well-maintained at all times.
Avoid resorting to too much artificial feed, which can be nutritionally hazardous and result in heightened illness.
Keeping a surplus of livestock first aid equipment is also a wise investment; for some ideas on what might be good to stock up on, look into this prepping list.

Once their basic needs are met, the next threat you can meet is that of others who might steal or harm your livestock.

A herding dog can serve as a natural guardian, but only goes so far when it comes to potentially armed invaders. However, they can serve as a helpful alarm for if anything does go awry.

Keeping a noise detector nearby livestock shelters can be a helpful way to keep tabs on these areas. Just make sure it has precise calibration to avoid excessive false alarms.

Finally, firearms and a well-sealed parameter to limit access points on your property can be useful ways to turn your range into a fortress.

Much of these tips are applicable for keeping your garden safe, though you must take extra caution to keep gardens out of reach from the parameter. Any resources reachable through your fencing will be more difficult to defend.

Given that, livestock and crops placed near fences can more easily be stolen or harmed. While it can be labor intensive, it is worthwhile to push your parameter fencing several feet back if they come within several yards of these resources.

Here's a video from Survivalist Prepper that discusses the difference between urban and rural prepping:

These are just a few ideas to help preppers in more out-of-reach areas handle the challenges of prepping to survive. While it can take more effort and resources, you’ll be able to sustain a household much longer than someone in the suburbs.

It certainly isn’t the easy way to prep, but it’s one of the most effective ways if you follow the right practices.

What else do you think complicates rural prepping, and what would you recommend to overcome it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

UP NEXT:

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 31, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Original Post Here: The Challenge Of Rural Prepping

Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes

The following post Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes was first published to http://totalsurvival.net

Summer nights are upon us, full of the chirping of crickets, the blinking of fireflies, and the buzzing of… mosquitoes.

How to Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

These nasty little critters, along with ticks and a few other bugs are responsible for the spread of diseases like the West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, and plenty of other nasty ailments.

I was scrolling through yahoo the other day and found this article that shows the efficacy of different brands of insect repellents.

Take a look and let me know what you think:

A good insect repellent can protect you from mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, ticks, and other biting insects.

Insect Repellents Review Procedure

Concerned about West Nile virus or ticks? Or just want to enjoy late-summer and fall outdoor gatherings, camping, hiking, and hunting without biting bugs?

If so, you're in luck.

For this insect repellent review, brave testers at an outside lab bared their arms in mosquito-filled cages and also let ticks crawl on them. We recorded how long it took for mosquitoes to start biting and for ticks to crawl over treated areas.

Our bugs were free of disease, but wild mosquitoes in the U.S. can carry West Nile virus or St. Louis encephalitis.

Travelers outside the U.S. might encounter mosquitoes carrying malaria, yellow fever, or dengue fever.

Ticks can spread Lyme disease, human babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. (Stay on top of the news related to West Nile virus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's West Nile page.)

What is Lyme disease? Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium-carrying ticks, a person with this disease experiences symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and skin rashes.

Effective Insect Repellants

Several tested repellents (see ratings below) protected against deer ticks and two common types of mosquitoes for 8 hours or more.

Four of those contain deet in varying levels:

Off Deep Woods Sportsmen II (30%)
Cutter Backwoods Unscented (23%)
Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry (15%)
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8 (25%)

The active ingredient in some insect repellents is oil of lemon eucalyptus. (It's not recommended for children under 3.) Almost as effective was Natrapel 8-Hour with picaridin, which protects with picaridin.

Our five top choices worked for at least 7 hours.

While the effectiveness of the best insect repellents is similar they feel and smell somewhat different.

Cutter Backwoods leaves little scent or sensation.
Off Deep Woods has a citrusy odor and filmy residue panelists wanted to wash off.
Off FamilyCare has a fruity odor and dries quickly.
3M Ultrathon has a strong odor and leaves an oily feeling on the skin at first.
Natrapel has a floral odor and is a little greasy.

Ingredient Issues

The Environmental Protection Agency judges deet safe when used as directed, but it has caused rare toxic reactions when misused. Don't use it on infants less than 2 months old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents with deet concentrations higher than 30 percent on any children. We think that no one needs a repellent with more than 30 percent deet.

Also note that national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you avoid products that mix sunscreen with deet insect repellent. Unlike repellents, sunscreens are meant to be applied liberally and often, so using a combination product could result in unnecessarily high exposure to repellents.

Another reason not to use a combo: Many mosquitoes tend to bite long after the highest risk of sun damage has passed.

Bottom Line

Most of the tested products will do the job if you're going to be outside for only a couple of hours, but look for a highly rated product to protect you on longer excursions.

The insect repellents in our ratings, below, are still available; prices reflect what we paid when we tested these products in 2010.

How to Apply Repellent and Protect Yourself

When applying any repellent, follow directions.

Use your hands to apply it to your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth, and don't apply it to cuts.
Use just enough to cover exposed skin.
Some directions suggest using it on clothes, but most tested repellents damaged leather and vinyl, and some of them stained synthetic fabrics.
Wash repellent off your skin and launder treated clothes.

For extra protection:

Wear light-colored, loose clothes and avoid using scented products when outdoors, especially at peak feeding hours—dusk to dawn for most mosquitoes.
Remove standing water near your house. It can be a mosquito breeding ground.
To avoid ticks, tuck pants into socks and wear closed shoes and a hat.
Inspect yourself for ticks after venturing into wooded or grassy areas.

Check out these natural ways to keep mosquitoes away from the BRIGHT SIDE:

These are all Mainstream repellents available, but have you found any slightly less toxic alternatives that keep these critters from nipping at your heels (and various other places)?

What insect repellant do you use to ward off mosquitoes? Let me know in the comments section below.

UP NEXT:

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on May 27, 2013, but has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

See Full Article Here: Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes

Wednesday 19 June 2019

Home Brewing: Fun Hobby Or Vital Skill?

The following article Home Brewing: Fun Hobby Or Vital Skill? Read more on: Total Survival

Curious about home brewing? Discover why you should consider some knowledge about one of the most wanted beverages in the world!

RELATED: Hold My Beer And Watch This!

Home Brewing | What You Need to Know About Craft Beer

Widely Consumed Beverage

We don’t typically think of beer as something that’s absolutely essential to human survival. And while it’s true that securing items like water, food, and shelter should be prioritized above enjoying a cold beer in a survival situation.

Mastering the art of home brewing and simple homebrew recipes sure would be a handy skill to have when the SHTF. You see, alcohol is a constant throughout history.

And whether or not you enjoy drinking beer, wine or spirits, the demand for these items will always be strong. In fact, that demands skyrockets when times are tough.

Beer is currently ranked as the third most consumed beverage on earth, coming in just behind tea and water. The fact is, home brewing is far more than just a satisfying hobby.

In a long term survival situation, this skill along with home brewing supplies can be the difference between feast and famine. There's no doubt about how people love beer in any part of the world.

It's bartering value is the most significant reason why people should brew their own beer. A lot of people would readily trade valuable items for beer even in survival mode.

Food is considered a crucial thing in these situations and there's always someone who would give you food in exchange for your precious beer.

Brew for Your Life

No matter what disasters lurk around the corner, just waiting to knock civilization off of its axis, people will still want their cigarettes, booze, chocolate bars, and other vices regardless of how long the crisis lasts.

In fact, when comfort is hard to come by and escaping reality is the only way to stay sane and make it through the day… they’ll pay ridiculous prices for these items.

This knowledge has almost become a cliché among the prepared, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

The unprepared will be willing to pay or do just about anything to get a fix when it is hard to come by. This has been proven true again and again throughout history.

Every single time a dictator outlaws a vice, every time an economic crisis leaves these items in short supply, and every time a war cuts off supply lines. Items like alcohol always find their way into the hands of those who want it, provided of course they are willing to pay dearly for it.

Unlike wine or spirits, beer has an expiration date. Therefore, stockpiling huge quantities of Shiner Bock in your basement wouldn’t do you much good when the SHTF. Unless you enjoy the taste of flat beer…

If you happen to be the only person in your community that knows how to brew a delicious Pale Ale, you would be a very popular trading partner indeed. You would be at a HUGE advantage in a barter economy.

Think about it. How much could you trade a six-pack for? Could you trade a pony keg for an actual pony? It’s highly possible…

A Useful Hobby

Heating water to make home brewed beer | Home Brewing: Fun Hobby Or Vital Skill?

We all need a hobby. But the best hobbies are those that help us prepare to be self-sufficient in a way that’s also fun and gratifying.

So that if we ever need to depend on the skills we’ve acquired while tinkering around on the weekends, we will be fully proficient. Learning about home brewing instructions is one of these life skills.

Brewing beer is just as fun in the here and now as it would be indispensable in a SHTF scenario. It’s also economical.

Once you’ve purchased your equipment, a lot of which you probably already own, you can crank out high-quality beer for as little as $3 a six-pack.

The Ins and Outs of Legal Brewing

Homebrew honey brown beer | Home Brewing: Fun Hobby Or Vital Skill?

In times of crisis, you never know what kinds of draconian laws or taxes may suddenly arise. But as I write this, brewing beer in your home for personal consumption is more or less “legal” in all 50 states… but laws vary widely.

As you can imagine, alcohol production is a heavily rated enterprise at almost every level, even on the smallest scale. And even though prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment, the authorities are not big fans of those they deem “bootleggers.”

In most states, alcohol is regulated by the volume you produce. In Texas, for example, home brewers can brew “no more than 200 gallons” of beer without a permit from The Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).

The American Home Brewer's Association has put together an easy-to-use database to find out what’s permissible in your home state.

Watch this video for an introduction to home brewing by Default Name:

Learning to brew beer is a rewarding skill on every level. You’ll be a hit at parties, your friends will think you’re a genius, and you’ll have an extremely valuable skill should you ever need to thrive in a barter economy.

My advice is to dive in straight in then invest in some equipment. Good luck and Cheers!

Do you agree about home brewing being useful when SHTF? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 28, 2013, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

check out the full article Here: Home Brewing: Fun Hobby Or Vital Skill?

10 Things You Must Do Before The Dollar Collapses

The following article 10 Things You Must Do Before The Dollar Collapses is republished from http://totalsurvival.net/

A hallmark of economic catastrophe for a country is the collapse in the value of its currency, otherwise known as ‘hyperinflation’. Cases of hyperinflation abound throughout history, with two of the most famous happening in Weimar Germany in the 1920s and, more recently, Venezuela after the oil price collapse in 2016.

Typically, inflation rates occur in conjunction with economic growth rates. As the economy grows, it becomes slightly more costly to buy goods and services, leading to a gradual decrease in the value of the currency.

Occasionally, governments that are deeply in debt with no way to raise their income levels start printing money in order to pay off the number value of their debt. Owe $20 billion in Bolivars worth of debt to a creditor? Just print out $20 billion Bolivars and pay them back, easy peasy.

The problem with this is that, because every currency today is ‘fiat’ and not backed by any particular commodity like gold, the increased supply decreases its value. Once the value begins to decline, any foreign investor that has any amount of the currency in their holdings rapidly begins to throw it away in favor of a currency that has a higher value, flooding the market with even more supply.

This begins a runaway effect on the value, so where a commodity like a loaf of bread cost 2 units of currency at the beginning of the process, it can start costing 50, 500, 5000, and even 5 million units of the currency to buy that same item. Soon, everyone’s savings become completely worthless, and unless they’ve prepared beforehand, they’re completely and utterly broke.

For Western countries, this seems like an unlikely event. The U.S. dollar, while still a fiat currency, has been backed by the cost of oil since the Nixon administration. Thanks to our close ties to the wonderfully stable Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, oil is traded using only the value of the dollar as an exchange rate.

This means that the U.S.-backed Kingdom is necessary for continued U.S. dollar valuation. If they should fall and the next ruling party should select a different currency, the currency would go back to being based on next to nothing. Combine that with our $20 trillion-and-climbing debt, and you get a potentially disastrous situation.

So, if we find ourselves in a situation where the inflation rate is starting to climbing into double-digit levels, we want to be prepared for a situation where our money isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.

Hyperinflation preparedness can be broken down into three different time spans – what to do leading up to the crisis, short-term ability to bug out and survive the initial wave of chaos, and long-term asset production.

The Preparation

We need a plan of attack for when disaster strikes – where are we going to go? How are we going to get there?

If you’re looking to escape the country, you’re going to want to divest yourself from your country’s currency and economy. There are a few methods to do this:

Invest In Foreign Assets

You have the option of investing in foreign economies rather than your own. This can mean buying foreign real estate, keeping your money in foreign banks, investing in the equities of foreign companies that do NOT depend on the U.S. economy, or just keeping a reserve of that country’s currency.

Make The Jump To A Primarily Digital-Based Income

With the advent of the internet, there are near limitless opportunities to start a digital business or find gainful employment that is entirely remote. Find a niche on Upwork, Fiverr, or an entirely independent business, and begin moving towards a digital nomad lifestyle.

Invest In Digital Currencies

Often hailed as the currency of the future, Bitcoin and similar digital blockchain-based currencies offer a potential safe haven for your money, as their worth is not tied to any particular currency. However, their value is extremely volatile, so venture into digital coinage very carefully, as you can very easily lose everything.

If you’re going to stay in-country (maybe this is a world-wide economic collapse), you’re going to need to start investing in high-value items and in-demand skills to ensure both short- and long-term survival.

Stockpile Barter Items

High-value trade items include weapons, ammunition, food, and drugs (tobacco, medicinal, coffee, alcohol, and marijuana). Here’s a list of barter items to consider.

Develop Essential Skills

People need certain things to survive and thrive. Your job is to provide them with the items or services that allow them to do that. This includes carpentry, blacksmithing, farming, or warfare.

Acquire Asset-Producing Items Like Arable Land

The value of having a plot of land that has ready access to flowing, fresh water cannot be overstated. People are going to need to eat, and the ability to get away from high-population areas that will be the epicenter of civil strife will increase survival chances a dozen times over.

If you go this route, try to make sure it’s at least ready to start producing crops at any given time. Pigs and chickens are also high-value assets to keep on your land for fertilizer and food.

Build A Reference Library

If you lack the experience or know-how upon arrival, readily available information is essential. Hardcover books kept in a sealed container should give you everything you need once the situation deteriorates. Here’s a list of survival books.

Short-Term Mobility

Mobility is absolutely key, whether you’re getting out of town or getting out of the country.

Leaving The Country
- If you’re heading out of the country, you need to make sure you have enough of whatever assets you’re keeping outside the bounds of your country’s currency for a plane ticket out of there. Once the ticket is secured, get to the airport, then watch as your home country devolves into chaos from the safety of your new home.
Staying In The Country
- The usual bug out bag with food, supplies, etc. will be necessary.
- A car that has some off-road capabilities is a wonderful asset to have. A small stash of extra parts for it – like extra tires – and some extra fuel will provide you with a safe ride to your out-of-town destination. (Remember, gas has a 6-month useful life expectancy, so change out stored fuel regularly.)
- Bring the bartering items and any materials for a productive life that you haven’t already moved to your destination with you.

Long-Term Survival

If you’ve prepared accordingly, a post-money life may not be so bad. If you’ve stocked weapons, food, water, and basic luxury goods like drugs, you’ll more than likely have everything you need to get started.

Produce, Produce, Produce

Once you’ve arrived at your new primary residence, you CANNOT wait to get started on producing.
If you developed a skill, begin offering your services to your neighbors.
If you bought arable land to produce food, start fertilizing it, plowing it, or otherwise preparing it for the growing season. Your existence now depends on your assets to start producing value.

Build Your New Community

Whether you’ve chosen to invest in a skill or in productive assets, you’ll need to either join or create a community of like-minded individuals who can watch each other’s backs and provide for one another. This community is your lifeline, and a solitary life is not only an exceedingly difficult one, but one that is hardly worth living at all.

Sunday 30 June 2019

Helpful Communities

Contact Insurance Company

Repair Steps

Saturday 29 June 2019

DIY Campfire

Step 1: Create Your Fire Bed

Step 2: Gather Your Campfire Ingredients

Step 3: Build Your Fire

Putting Out Your Campfire

Friday 28 June 2019

Decide what to grow

Prepare your garden area

Plan for pests

Tend to your food

Clean the food thoroughly

Prepare the food

Research how to store extras

Continue to pick foods

Research if they will come back

The Work is Worth it

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1. Weather Appropriate Clothing

2. Sleeping Bag(s)

3. Tent

4. A Solar Lantern

5. Hammock

6. A Water Bottle

7. Snacks

8. Food Supplies

9. Camping Stove

10. Solar Charger

11. First Aid Kit

12. Hiking Boots

BONUS: What NOT To Bring

Thursday 27 June 2019

1. Car brakes not working

2. Car stuck in the snow

3. Door locked when you don’t have a key

4. Tire blowout while driving

5. Dog ate chocolate

6. Make sure car never gets stolen from parking garage

7. Extinguish grease fire

8. Remove skunk spray from a car

9. Stop an open wound from bleeding

10. Identify Lyme disease

Knowledge is Power

Wednesday 26 June 2019

Surplus Supplies Aren’t Always Your Best Friend

Invest In An NBC Gas Mask

Spare Filters

Speed Is Of The Essence

The Problem With A Manly Beard…

Remove the Plug

Location, Location, Location

Don’t Put Your Full Reliance On Your Gas Mask

1. Canned Bacon

2. Canned Bread

3. Canned Haggis

4. Canned Hot Dogs

5. Canned Macaroni and Cheese

6. Canned Pancake Mix

7. Canned Pork Brains

8. Canned Potato Salad

9. Canned Reindeer

10. Canned Whole Chicken

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Monday 24 June 2019

Sunday 23 June 2019

Friday 21 June 2019

Alternative Energy Solutions | Emergency Power Backup

Generating Power

Powerwall Cost

Advanced Solar Power Inverter

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Thursday 20 June 2019

Rural Prepping | How to Survive in a Rural Setting

Challenges in a Rural Environment

Dealing with Security Threats

Caring for Your Livestock and Garden