I have found many resources on the internet that give great information about food storage, shelf life, and nutritional values. I implore all who read this (including myself) to educate yourself on these things and ultimately begin stockpiling your food and water supply. Global economic woes, natural disasters, or a full fledge wartime invasion would have devastating effects on the supply chain. As a father or husband we need to learn how to become self reliant and get past our natural tendencies to put stuff off until later.

There is so much to learn and so much TO BUY that if you don’t start now you will regret it down the road. This is precisely why we started this website… to get people (and ourselves) on the track to self reliance and survival readiness.

Big Stick, out.

LINKS on FOOD STOCKPILING:

Food Stockpiling by Grattan Woodson, MD FACP

FEMA- Food

One Pot Recipes for Non-perishable food

Why Buy Dehydrated Food (7-30 year shelf life)

Prudent Food Storage

US DEPT of Ag- Old Stockpiling Pamphelts

Alpine Survival Foods

8: 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. I Timothy 5:8 HOLY BIBLE (KJV)

Many articles have been written on Survival Digest and elsewhere on the various tools and gear available for surviving in just about any situation. Some of these articles are good, some are bad (the bad ones, of course, have not appeared on SD). Yet for all the attention given to lights, tents, campstoves, water purification, knives, firearms, and everything else under the sun the most critical tool often goes overlooked: your brain.

All the tools in the world are useless in the hands of an unprepared or ignorant person. You would not trust your finances to an untrained accountant or your eyesight to an untrained laser surgeon, would you? Neither should you trust your (and your family’s) survival to your untrained instincts.

Get the Right Type of Training

Google “survival training” and you are instantly overwhelmed with information about this DVD or that former Spec-Ops Ranger wanting to teach you how to craft shelters out of deer hides you tanned yourself. For some, that kind of training makes sense (some of it may have helped the Kim family last winter). For others though, focusing solely on that may leave them for want of more useful information when disaster strikes. Each person needs to assess their own situation with respect to geography, locale, and what kinds of disasters they are most likely to face when putting together their training regimen. However, there are a few kinds of training that will help everybody when they need it. I am talking about preparedness courses from the American Red Cross in First Aid / CPR / AED, and Community Emergency Response Team training from the Citizen Corps (a partnership with FEMA). Let’s take a closer look at both.

American Red Cross First Aid / CPR / AED

American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED programs are designed to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency situation with skills that can save a life. They are designed for the casual citizen, and are mostly centered around the administration of life-saving medical care while waiting for help to arrive on the scene. The American Red Cross has a chapter near you, and they offer preparedness classes for all age ranges. I recommend that all members of your family over the age of 12 certify in First Aid every two years and CPR annually. Contact your local chapter of the Red Cross today, or find them on the web at http://www.redcross.org.

Citizen Corps / FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The CERT program is specially administered by the Department of Homeland Security, and seeks to educate the American public about disaster preparedness while training them in “basic disaster response skills” such as fire safety, elementary search and rescue (SAR) operations, and first aid.

The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period. The training consists of the following:

• Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster. As the session progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.
• Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
• Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
• Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.
• Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.
• Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.
• Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.

Because CERT graduates become permanent members of a team and are “deputized” to respond to emergencies, perform rescues and treat injuries and perform other duties when emergency services are unable to respond, not all cities/counties offer the program at this time. Those areas which do not offer CERT usually offer a Community Emergency Preparedness Academy (CEPA), which consists of mostly the same training but lacks the official team designation. As of this writing there are 2,911 CERT programs in the United States, including programs in every state. You can find more information about CERT and the Citizen Corps (including training locations) at https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/.

Develop Your Plan

The above training will provide a foundation for you to go further. You should not stop here. Each person’s circumstances are unique, and the combinations are myriad. After incorporating the above training into your plan, you should build on top of that, adding specialized training that will suit your individual situation. Know your threats, your risks, and your strengths, and plan accordingly. Then be prepared to act on your training when the time comes.

I know that if you are survival enthusiast you have seen the list of 100 Items that would disappear in a TEOTWAWKI situation on other sites. If this is your first time seeing this list then great! What I want to stress is that if there is ever an event that results in a “Jericho” type of situation, paper money will be useless. Gold and silver may even become worthless. Your best bet is to stock up on these items and use them to barter. Find a hidden, safe, dry place to stash your surplus. Remember, during a economic collapse on a national scale, there is going to be a sudden surge of crime. Anarchy could be the law of the land… at least until the baby blue helmets of NATO arrive to take away our guns. People will turn to crime in order to survive. Look at what happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Multiple the chaos 1000 fold. I’ll let that sink in a bit… now go start your stash.

100 Items to Disappear First in a National Disaster

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy.target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes.buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {”Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles.Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors/BEER! (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

Big Stick’s 101. LOTS OF BIBLES!

People Run in Herds and Packs, but Both Follow Natural Lines of Drift. Most people are sheep (”sheeple”). A few are wolves that prey on others. But just a few of us are more like sheepdogs–we think independently, and instead of predation, we are geared toward protecting and helping others. People naturally follow natural lines of drift–the path of least resistance. When the Schumer hits the fan, 99% of urbanites will try to leave the cities on freeways. The highways and freeways will soon resemble parking lots. This means that you need to be prepared to both get out of town ahead of the rush and to use lightly-traveled back roads. Plan, study and practice.

Now lucky for me, I live in a less dense populated area. But even so, one must still plan a route and have a “Exit Strategy.” Recently a friend of mine said that he has a “Small Exit Strategy Survival Kit” stashed in a bucket, in a hole in the ground, down the road from where he lives. This might be wise. There may be reasons that you should not be in or around your home during a G.O.O.D scenario.

The person who snapped this photo talked about the Power outage of 2008:

On August 14, 2003, the power went out at 4:12PM across the Northeastern United States and Southeast Canada. Caused by weaknesses in the North American electrical grid, the blackout affected an estimated 50 million people, covered an area of 9,300 miles, shut down 100 power plants, and eventually caused $6 billion in damages. It was the single largest blackout in North American history.

Almost immediately, the traffic in affected areas came to a standstill. With the traffic lights no longer working, and police unable to get to intersections to guide traffic, cars were forced to go one at a time through intersections. Busy roads were packed bumper-to-bumper with commuters, and conditions were made even worse by not just the incredible heat caused by the warm air and car fumes, but also the rush hour traffic.

I live about 15 minutes from where I worked. On the day of the blackout, it took me three hours to get back home.

I snapped this photo after arriving home from work that day. This is the street I live on. I’ve never seen it this busy in all my life. We were subsequently without power for a full week after the blackout. We were forced to live with relatives in an area that still had power. Looking back, it was quite an experience. At the time, however, it wasn’t very enjoyable.

Be prepared for anything!

Big Stick, out!

Smith & Wesson has assembled an “Emergency Survival Tool Kit” that revolves around their 460PD or 500PD revolvers, it is available with either. S&W’s Herb Belin, who developed this kit, emphasizes the short and very powerful .460 S&W and .500 S&W Magnum handguns as defense against bears. The idea of the snub nose is that it allows easy use even if attacked while in your sleeping bag in a tent, according to Herb. A longer barrel would make it more difficult to use in such a confined place and at point blank range, accuracy isn’t that much of an issue. That’s not an unheard of occurance, so he has a point.

The revolvers is equipped with a 2.75 inch unported barrel and a bright yellow Hogue Recoil Reducing Grip. Unless they are truly magic, best be prepared for a very sore hand after firing this one on the range. Anyone with a weak grip need not apply.

S&W Survival Kit

The remainder of the kit includes: an Ultimate Survival Blastmatch firestarter and four packages of WetFire tinder, Ultimate Survival Saber Saw, Jet Scream whistle and 2 x 3 StarFlash signal mirror, a Silva Polaris baseplate compass, two MPI Mylar Space Emergency Blankets (Note to Herb, see above article) and a Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops liner lock folding knife. Also included is the book, “Bear Attacks of the Century - True Stories of Courage and Survival” by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss; just in case you weren’t paranoid enough about bears. All this is packed into a fitted bright yellow Harddig Storm Case. A ballistic nylon holster for the revolver is included. MSRP is $1150.

S&W Survival Kit 02

How practical is this kit? Well, individually, the componets are generally very good and ought to be carried on your person for use if needed. If you are traveling into bear country, a powerful firearm is advisable. While a rifle or shotgun with slugs is preferred, most of those we know that travel in such areas also carry a powerful handgun and you’d be hard pressed to find one more powerful than these two.

Welcome to Survival Digest! If you take a look at both definitions of the the two terms, SURVIVAL and DIGEST, you will understand exactly what we are about here. We are fathers, husbands, brothers, and uncles who care about our loved ones enough to understand that SURVIVAL training and preparation is key. Whether its just a simple power outage, a natural disaster, or full on economic collapse, we want to be prepared to keep our families safe and alive.

Here at Survival Digest you will find organized resources, commentary, and instruction on surviving the most volatile senario. May God bless you and keep you safe!