Prepping / Survival Library
Good luck in your preparations and remember...
It is better to be 5 years early, than 1 minute too late.
Prepping is just insurance. It is better to have and not need it, than need it and not have it!
“A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and makes preparations. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3
“A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!” Proverbs 13:16
"The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down." Proverbs 21:20
“The more you sweat in peacetime the less you bleed in war”(sun Tzu) can be applied to prepping.
During the Great Depression, frugality was considered a virtue and the phrase “Use it up, Wear it out and Make it do” was the guiding principal in most households. Times were tough. This meant that everything from bits of strings to worn out clothing was saved and re-purposed in some other manner. Not only that, but every last bit of food from a can or bottle was swished out with a bit of water and used to flavor a soup or stew.
Coupons for Discounts
Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html
Walmart http://coupons.walmart.com/
Cheap Medical and Prepping Supplies
COSTCO (watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPC84aGxIYc)
Costco coupons (http://www.costco.com/warehouse-coupon-offers.html)
Dollar Tree (everything's $1) https://www.dollartree.com/
Plastic Bottles have survival uses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jUchqJ4lIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxMRpql7Ook
Free Books
http://ready4itall.org/the-free-preppers-library/
http://preppingdays.wordpress.com/free-e-books-to-downloadprepper-library/
http://www.scribd.com/search-documents?query=doomsday+prepping
Free Magazines
https://naturalnews.com/
http://grandmabetty.com/category.php?id=magazine
https://www.offthegridnews.com/
http://prepperandshootermagazine.com/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
http://www.backwoodshome.com/article_index.html
http://www.survivalmagazine.org/
http://survivalweekly.com/downloadable-files/
http://www.homepower.com/
http://www.theprepperjournal.com/
http://moderncombatandsurvival.com/
http://www.backpacker.com/survival/
http://www.backwoodsmanmag.com/archive_feat_article.html
http://thenerdysurvivalist.blogspot.com/
Informative Websites
https://urbansurvival.com/links.htm
Emergency Preparedness Classes (possibly to teach to others)
http://www.iwillprepare.com/eppic.htm
http://www.iwillprepare.com/files/pdf/workshop-pandemic_influenza.pdf
http://www.iwillprepare.com/files/pdf/workshop-keeping_cool_without_electricity.pdf
http://www.iwillprepare.com/files/pdf/workshop-water.pdf
http://www.iwillprepare.com/files/pdf/workshop-fuel_and_cooking_without_electricity.pdf
Is Prepping Biblical?
Christians tend to have two differing opinions on the answer to the question: “Should Christians prepare for hard times?” One camp holds to the view that Christians should simply “trust God” and it cites the command God gave the Israelites in Exodus 14:13 to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” The other camp believes Christians should prepare for trying times in the future and it cites the example of Joseph storing up quantities of grain in Egypt when Pharaoh’s dream warned there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Which approach is the right one for our modern times? I believe the Bible strongly supports the viewpoint that the Bible warns Christians to make preparations when we are warned about approaching dangers.
A symbolic example of being prepared is given in the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-46). Five of the virgins didn't prepare, they didn't have extra oil for the long wait, and as their lamps grew dim, they realized they needed more. The other five had prepared and were not hindered in meeting their bridegroom. Although there's a lot more to this passage, we're really summing it up fast in order to point out that the parable, although symbolic, appears to approve of being prepared with supplies.
And I suspect any Christian would make sensible preparations if they lived on a coastline and knew that a strong hurricane was approaching. If Christians live in tornado country anyone would logically head for a basement or shelter if you knew a tornado was heading for your city. While we hope that our homes will be safe from such hazards as fire, hailstorms, etc., we buy homeowners insurance to guard against such hazards. Many renters buy renters’ insurance policies to safeguard their investment in their possessions. If you were on a coastline and heard a tsunami warning for your city, you would surely “head for high ground” as quickly as possible! If Christians and non-Christians alike would take such reasonable measures to prepare for any impending natural disaster, why should they not also make reasonable preparations for a prophesied danger that is imminent?
Preparing is not against God's word. Prepping is what we do every day. For example, your wife goes to the store and gets enough food for a few days worth of meals. She's planned out a menu and knows what to get. That's prepping on a smaller scale. Now, if you came home and there was no dinner and the shelves were bare and your wife said to you that God would provide, well, that's probably not going to happen. Why? Because God still expects us to work and provide for ourselves.
Proverbs 21:20 “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
Christians buy health insurance in case someone in their family needs medical care; they buy home insurance to protect against financial loss if their home is damaged or destroyed; and they buy auto insurance in case they are involved in a auto accident. These are also forms of prepping.
Proverbs 27:12 “A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” This says that a smart person sees danger and takes precautions now and a fool ignores the danger and suffers for it. So, to be smart, we have to know what danger is and be on the lookout for it so that we can take precautions against it.
When it comes to prepping, the Bible specifically tells us to take action and not be lazy. Proverbs 6:6-8 tells us: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” So, even the lowly ant is commended for storing food. How much more should we, who are created in God’s image, do? In contrast to the wise ant, the “sluggard,” or non-prepper is severely scolded: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." (Proverbs 6:10-11).
One of the first times God gave advance warning of a need to prepare was when he warned Noah that a global deluge was going to destroy all life on earth. God told Noah to make preparations for that event by building an Ark (Genesis 6).
And then there was Joseph, the original food hoarder. (Genesis 41:46-49, 53-57)
A New Testament example of prepping is given in Acts 11:28-30. A prophet named Agabus received a warning from God that a “great dearth” (a food shortage) was imminent. The early Christian Church took the warning seriously and made such advance preparations as they could. The elders gathered up food supplies and sent Barnabas and Saul (later named “Paul”) to deliver the food to the brethren in Judea so they could survive the prophesied food shortage. The word received by Agabus must have specified that Judea was to be particularly hard hit by the food shortage for the Christians to direct their main food storage effort to that location. Again, we see the believers took the warning seriously and made advance preparations.
Noah didn’t wait until it started raining to build the ark. Genesis 6:21 (KJV) "And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them."
The Bible encouraged the wise man to study the dangers ahead, and then take precautions to protect themselves and their family from those threats. Proverbs 27:12 (KJV) "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."
You need to be alert, and don’t let society dull your senses. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober."
There are plenty of other passages in the Bible that implore us to prepare for the unexpected, for without preparation how could we grant provision to our families in bad times?
“Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” Ecclesiastes 11:2
“A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!” Proverbs 13:16
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8.
“You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” Genesis 6:21
"The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down." Proverbs 21:20
"The preparations of the diligent surely lead to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty surely to poverty." Proverbs 21:5
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” I Thessalonians 4:11-12
"Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing." Proverbs 20:4
"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer." Proverbs 30:25
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Even Jesus told his disciples to pack a preparedness bag: "He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Luke 22:36
And Jesus himself told us, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. ” (John 9:4). This verse symbolizes truths on several levels, from spiritual to physical. Spiritually speaking, night is coming, when you need to be right with God before you die or the second coming, whichever comes first. You also need to be emotionally prepared for “night,” which could come in the form of an economic collapse, wars, uprisings, famine, disease, and other tribulation events. When it comes to physical preparation, though, keep in mind that night is also coming, when you won’t be able to buy groceries and other supplies any more. You may be able to buy and/or barter with another wise person who lives down the road from you. In so doing, you will help forge a bond of friendship with others in your community to help ensure your mutual survival.
Have you started to make your preparations to provide for your family and for others who will be in need? Those who help others in times of need are promised God’s favor, but those who hoard things for themselves and harden their hearts to the needy in a time of trouble are promised God’s punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). As you make your preparations for the future, prepare to have enough to be a giver to those who will be in need.
If nothing else, we want to leave our children and grandchildren prepared (Proverbs 13:22), not just with material goods, but with useful skills, tradeable commodities, and strong healthy lifestyles. "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous." Proverbs 13:22
Storing Water
In order to prepare yourself for the water shortage, assuming you’re going to stay in the city, stock at least six months of water at a minimum two gallons a day per person. That’s nearly 400 gallons of water if you have two people.
Of course, even with the best in-house preparations, you may find yourself depleted of water supplies. You can treat river water in other ways (iodine, distillation, silver solution, bleach, etc.). Armed with these items, you can safely use stream or river water (or even pond water) for drinking.
If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.If not treated properly and neutralized, Giardia may cause diarrhea,fatigue, and cramps after ingestion. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to disinfection. It may cause diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps. Boil filtered and settled water vigorously for three minutes. To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. When emergency disinfection is necessary, disinfectants are less effective in cloudy, murky or colored water. If the water is cloudy, first filter it through a clean cloth.
When adding bleach to disinfect water a good rule of thumb is 1/8 teaspoon and 8 drops are about the same quantity. 8 drops are what you would use to disinfect 1 gallon or 2 liters. Double the amount of chlorine for cloudy, murky or colored water or water that is extremely cold. Allow the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or pour it from one clean container to another several times, until chlorine odor is gone.
Prepper’s Solar Still
Find some nearby vegetation. Leaves, grass, branches with leaves, or any other plants. All vegetation must be green and alive at the time of obtaining. Once you have all your vegetation, which should be a fair amount, you can place it in your bucket or trash can. Then place your container or 12 oz. cup in the middle of the bucket on top of and in the center of the vegetation. Take your trash bag and put it over the bucket. Then use some small rocks and put it in the middle of the trash bag which will push the bag down a bit. Use the duct tape or string and wrap or tie it around the bag to keep it in place.
Take your bucket outside and find a sunny spot to leave it in. If it is not a sunny day, place it in a non-shady area. Leave the bucket there for at least a day, if not more. If it is a sunny day it will work faster. After time, go check your bucket. Take the bag off and see if there is any water in the cup. There should be a fair amount of water. Be sure to filter and/or boil any water collect from the wild. You may want to have set more than one solar still at a time.
How does it work? The vegetation has water within its system. Once it is plucked from the ground or a tree it dies. When you put it in the bucket and you seal it, the heat of the sun or day beats on the plastic and sides of the bucket. Inside of the bucket will get very warm, causing the water to evaporate from the plants. The water goes up unto the air and it then hits the trash bag. It then turns into drops of water. The water begins to slide down the bag. It goes down to where the small rocks are weighing down the bag at. It then drops off the bag and falls unto the cup. The cup then begins to fill up.
Guard Dog
The guard dog is certainly a welcome addition to any family trying to defend their house. Although he probably eats a lot of food, the investment is worth if. Dogs also tend to sleep light, so let them sleep right next to the food storage areas, and make sure you sleep within earshot. If the dog barks, don't consider it an annoyance, consider it an INTRUSION.
SECURITY
As a senior citizen, many times you will be considered an “easy target” by looters and burglars, and many times law enforcement may not be able to get to you in time to help.
If you have a security system and have posted the company’s signs, thieves appreciate knowing what system you have. They will be experienced with many systems, and know how to deactivate them long enough to break into your house. Use a generic sign rather than one with the company’s name on it.
Burglars Are Computer-Savvy too. New home security systems utilize your home network to communicate with all of the components. Some systems are still working out their own security issues. Sitting in a van outside of your house, a thief with a laptop could break into your home network and take control of your security system.
Window Film: You can get 3M window film to cover your windows. This will keep others from easily breaking your windows. (www.3M.com/WindowFilm/)
Window wedges and alarms: Another clever idea is a window wedge (Window Wedge). Also consider velcro attached window sensor alarms. (Doberman Security SE-0106-4PK Ultra-Slim Window Alarm (4 Pack)
Secure window air conditioners to prevent burglaries. Burglars will have to lift the window higher to pull the unit out or push it inward. Install a window sensor alarm. Its magnetic controls set above the air conditioner will go off if the unit is moved or the window is opened. Also consider attaching a warning sticker to the side of the unit stating there is an A/C alarm system installed, even if that is not the case.
Spare keys: People all across the nation think they’re being clever and smart when they leave a hidden key somewhere on their property. Guess what, criminals know to look for these, and in many cases criminals will observe you over a a few days or a few weeks to notice your habits. Your best bet is to hide your spare key in the most inconspicuous of places more than 50 feet from your home and/or in a coded key vault (like real estate agents use).
Hide Guns in Your House
If possible, have a shotgun for home defense, and a concealable pistol to carry if you have to go outside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R09a91kIqg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecM414jqBwU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiauXwrepTg
Hide Valuables
1. Decorative candles—the kind you don’t usually light. Hollow one out and stash some valuables inside.
2. Open up a half-used can of paint. Take a ziplock bag, place your coins in the bag, and push all the air out. Put the ziplock back inside a second ziplock bag, then submerge in the half-used paint can, and reseal the top. The metal of the paint can will foil metal detectors, and no thief is likely to steal used paint cans sitting in your garage or basement. (Be sure to inform your spouse to prevent a costly "spring cleaning" when she empties the garage/basement).
Sun Drying Vegetables
Blanching is the most important step in the preliminary treatment vegetables (do not blanch fruits). It involves partially cooking something by plunging it into 180 degree boiling water for a minute or two, then “shocking” it in ice water to stop the cooking. If you’re not able to prepare a cold immersion for your vegetables, putting them in a colander under cold running water will do.
If the products are not thoroughly blanched, they will not retain their flavor, color, or nourishing qualities. To blanch, place the prepared (evenly sliced) vegetables in a wire basket that is submerged in boiling water in a large pot with a lid on it. Agitate by stirring gently or by raising and lowering the wire basket in and out of the boiling water.
If the food is to be dried in the sun, place the tray containing the food in the sun where there is a breeze. Take the tray indoors if it rains. Also bring the tray indoors just before sunset.
When first taken from the drier and cooled, vegetables should be rather brittle and fruits rather leathery and pliable. One method of determining
whether fruit is dry enough is to squeeze a handful; if the fruit separates when the hand is opened it is dry enough. Another way is to press a single piece; if no moisture comes to the surface the piece is sufficiently dry.
After the food is observed for several days and found to be moist, it must be subjected to another drying process for a short time. After the second drying, it should once again be treated as directed above. The lower the moisture content, the longer the keeping quality is.
How old are your MREs?
http://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-date-converter/
- All MRE”S have dates stamped or printed on all individually wrapped components
- All Boxes have a born on Date and an Inspected date.
- The Inspection date is always 3 years after they are packaged
- The born on date is always a group of four numbers
- The four numbers break down as follows: The first number is the last number of the year it was created ie 7 would mean 2007 or 97. The last three numbers refer to the day of the year. For example 234 would be on the 234th day of 2007.
If stored at the proper temperature, you'll have approximately 7 years' shelf life from date of manufacture.
Approximate Nutritional Values ( based on the average of 6 menus) Protein:25g Fat:32g Carbohydrates:149g Calories:933.
The Most Scarce Commodity
Precious Metals? For sure Gold, Silver and Platinum will be of considerable value in the early days of a doomsday situation as people will expect that everything will return to normal soon enough. When society doesn’t rapidly rebound, watch for the value of precious metals to slowly be eclipsed by the following items.
Gasoline? Without mechanics to keep the cars running gas will slowly lose value. Unless we learn to make more, this will eventually run out regardless of what we do.
Ammo? Similar in scope to gasoline, this too will eventually run out unless we have the knowledge to make more.
Water? While water will always be of considerable value as it doesn’t take very long to die of dehydration without it. Those who control the water supply will certainly be in a position of great strength.
Charcoal? Anyone without access to firewood will begin hoarding this immediately as they will see it as the only way to cook their food.
Bartering
What will happen when the day comes when paper money is no longer issued or backed by the government? What will happen when our credit and debit cards slide for the last time? Commerce and industry will never disappear, there will always be people buying, trading and selling. The only difference will be how they will be doing it once today’s money looses its value.
Take this example: the world has turned so bad that you have no money, no home possibly, no food or shoes. Do you really think you would trade anything you had for a toothbrush? If you are so destitute and the world has devolved so completely that no stores are open anymore, do you really think anyone is going to find value with a pair of scissors?
So, below we’ve put together a list of 10 bartering items that will be worthy of trading for those days ahead.
Fabric, precious metals, guns, ammo (bullets), alcohol, shoes, survival goods, canned goods, dried foods, and information/knowledge. If you know how to do something and another person doesn’t, and the other person needs to know how to do that thing, then you have something of value that you can trade for something you need.
Other bartering items to consider:
Water filtration kits – Can you imagine the value of having clean, disease free water would be in a post-collapse world? Even if you didn’t trade for it, you could give these to family and save a life.
A good knife – Many people won’t have their own rugged survival knife on hand so if you have several extra you could trade, these would seem to make great bartering items.
Coffee and Tea – This is from the same type of list as whiskey. It isn’t necessary, but it sure makes life better for someone coming out of caffeine withdrawals.
Spare batteries – For people who didn’t have any, small 4-packs of batteries would be very valuable. Remember to buy rechargeable batteries and a solar battery charger.
Condoms – Need we say anything more?
Seeds - Having extra heirloom seeds for the people who haven’t thought as far ahead of you could be a relatively cheap barter item that would be very valuable.
What is a Desiccant?Starting with its most basic definition, a desuccant is a substance that absorbs water. It is most commonly used to remove humidity that would normally degrade or even destroy products sensitive to moisture.
As an oxygen absorber is to air, a desiccant is to moisture. That means items that may be subject to mold and mildew if left unprotected in a damp area will be safe from those nasties if stored with a little pillow or packet of desiccant on board.
Salt: Salt is a desiccant. If it cakes in the shaker and won’t come out, that means it’s soaked up moisture from the air and the little grains of salt have glued themselves together. To prevent caking, calcium silicate is added to table salt.
Rice: Rice is added to salt shakers to keep the salt flowing freely. So if salt is a desiccant, maybe rice is an even stronger desiccant.
Powdered Non-Dairy Creamer: A bowl of powdered non-dairy creamer will gradually harden if left on the table unused.
Natural Remedies for Diabetes Type 2
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon contains several substances, including some insulin-like compounds, that may lower blood sugars in type 2 diabetics.
Cinnamon
Research suggests that regular intake of cinnamon may help reduce levels of blood glucose by augmenting the action of insulin.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) is needed for normal blood sugar metabolism. Type 2 diabetics have been shown to have lower Co-Q10 levels than non-diabetics, suggesting that supplementation may be helpful in control.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek may improve glucose control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. It may even lower cholesterol in those with coronary artery disease.
Ginseng
Studies have shown that American Ginseng (there are several kinds) gives some sugar-lowering effects as well as a decrease in A1c levels (Hemoglobin A1C is a blood tests that measures long-term glucose control).
Glucomannan
Glucomannan is fiber derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). It delays stomach emptying, which leads to slower absorption of dietary sugars which results in lower glucose levels after eating.
Quercetin
Quercetin can help diabetics by reducing levels of sorbitol—a sugar that accumulates in nerves, kidneys and eyes of type 2 diabetics.
Vitamin C
Like Quercetin, vitamin C may reduce levels of sorbitol (see above). Also, 500 mg of Vitamin C twice a day decreases loss of protein in the urine in diabetics. High levels of protein in the urine are associated with poor outcomes among those with glucose issues.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed to maintain normal blood levels of insulin. The cells that produce insulin in the pancreas have receptors that accept vitamin D, suggesting that supplements might help improve sugar control.