REFUGE

Premier 7.5-month Storage Food Package on Sale at $1800; Plus We Welcome Back Some Old Favorites

2012-01-29T14:54:00.002-06:00

We just put together our latest version of the good old USS FoodBundle. This one we call the Comfort-Essentials Edition and it is good to sustain a survivor for 7-1/2 months (at 2000 calories a day).

This may be the very best value package we've ever offered, based on the discounted price, variety range, and premier quality of foods in this 18-case bundle. It is an outstanding mix of foods and beverages that provide the full range of sustence that will not only keep you alive, but content and satisfied as well.

Our sale price is less than $1800! Plus this package qualifies for our Members Mountain House Buyer Rewards program ($150 gift certificate back in the program's current installment). Sale price and rewards offer subject to change in the near future.

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Some other "new-again" listings at Safecastle: Yoders bacon (our all-time most popular product), Organic Green Coffee Beans in cans (the only way to effectively store coffee long-term), and a new favorite, our unique Mega-Protein Meat & Dairy Pack.

Safecastle Now Matches Mountain House Sale Pricing from Other Dealers

2012-01-27T09:53:00.000-06:00

Safecastle can now match Mountain House prices at any time. So, bottom line for you--you find any dealer running a MH sale and we will give you that price, PLUS you will of course also get your free shipping AND any Mountain House Member Rewards in effect. (Right now--that is $75 gift certificates for every three MH can cases!!)

Here are our Mountain House cans listings. If you find a sale price out there that you want us to match on a purchase, just email me with a link to that sale and I will get you a coupon code to use in our store for that purchase.

Background detail: Most of our customers are familiar with the way Mountain House regulates its dealers with regard to sale pricing and practices. However, I'll explain for those who are not aware ...

Mountain House dealer regulations for the last several years have required that dealers sell MH cans at full list price except during limited approved sale periods. MH cans are also precluded from being discounted for our buyers club members due to those manufacturer restrictions--they must be sold at the same price for members and non-members. (MH cans are the only exception in our store to the members' standard 20% discount minimum.) That's why we offer the significant member incentive gift certificates for MH cans.

Now, our ability to match prices allow us to give the best prices out there all the time AND give our loyal customers the incentive packages they have come to count on as they build up their preparedness enterprise.

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Additional FYI ... a brand new program is in the works that will provide our buyers club members with cumulative purchase rewards this year (retroactive to the first of the year), applicable to all purchases at Safecastle in 2012.

Last year, we had the Cache-Back program. This year will be quite different and a lot more fun and rewarding. It's taking a while to get it all put together--we've had to hire a software engineer to get it done, but when it's ready, it should be awesome (and it may even go viral).

So again--stay safe.

2011 Safecastle Freedom Award Winners!

2012-01-23T14:26:00.002-06:00

Thank you to all of you who put together an article or video regarding crisis preparedness in 2011 for our Freedom Awards contest. The collective effort and overall results are encouraging. We are hopeful that more and more will become publicly proactive and vocal about issues that are important to all of us in this arena.

Clearly, the time is now for preparedness. We are seeing strong growth in this field, as well as a good deal of passion revolving around readiness, self-sufficiency, and freedom. Remember--each one of us is a torch-bearer. Carry the flame high.

The Champions

Without further ado ...

Video Category:

1st prize: "Survival and Prepping - The Basics" by Falcon15, Survivalmonkey.com - Katadyn Pocket

2nd prize: "PSK Survival Exercise" by ia woodsman, Survivalistboards.com - Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator

Article Category:

1st prize: "What is a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit" by K.M., Survivalblog.com - Katadyn Pocket

2nd prize: "Preparedness for Young People" by Maria S, Rural-Revolution.com - Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator

Each of the finalists as submitted to us from the participating blogs and websites will receive an engaved Freedom Award trophy, recognizing their achievement. Congratulations to all!

Testimonial for Safecastle: "a ministry to those trying to prepare"

2012-01-21T10:25:00.002-06:00

I certainly appreciate all the feedback we receive from our customers. It helps to know what we are doing right and where we can improve.

I don't normally post or promote the raves we sometimes receive from our thoughtful buyers club members, but in this case, this comment is so heart-felt and on-target with what I've always felt is our mission:

From M. Brooks, Jan. 20, 2012:

I am in the military and first heard of Safecastle about 3 years ago while stationed overseas. If memory serves me correctly I found it at Survival Blog. At that time I placed some orders and had them sent to my mother’s home back in the States. Upon returning to the U.S., I saw the Safecastle advertisement again and the membership offer.

I was quite skeptical to be honest because I figured the “lifetime membership” offer was too good to be true and if I paid the nominal amount for the membership, when I got ready to use it Safecastle would not be around.

I decided to take a leap of faith and join what I hoped would not be a fly by night enterprise. Soon I began to order products and am absolutely amazed!!!!

The service is incredible; each time I have contacted Mr. Vic, I get an immediate response. He has always been kind and considerate and very professional and stands behind his word. Safecastle is a LEGITIMATE company. The membership perks are phenomenal. Because we are at such a critical juncture in our world, preparedness has become big business and there are a lot of folks in it just for the money and provide substandard products and services.

I believe Safecastle is really a ministry to those trying to prepare. I am still in the military and Safecastle continues to help me prepare for the uncertainties of the future. I am not paid by Safecastle nor have I been asked for this testimonial. I just want to reach any who are skeptics and don’t believe Safecastle’s claims. It is truly a first rate outfit, selling quality products at a reasonable price, owned and operated by a man who has a servant’s heart.

John Williams: No Way Out–Hyperinflation by 2014 The warning signs are getting worse | James J Puplava CFP | FINANCIAL SENSE

2012-01-20T15:28:00.001-06:00

John Williams: No Way Out–Hyperinflation by 2014 The warning signs are getting worse James J Puplava CFP FINANCIAL SENSE

John Williams from Shadow Government Statistics sees no way to avoid hyperinflation, as some of the warning signs are getting worse: rising real inflation rates, massive Fed monetization, foreign nations dumping dollars, and the US losing its triple A credit rating.

"Your Wages Will Be Cut in Half"

2012-01-19T15:55:00.002-06:00

Must read from Video Rebel's Blog: "Translating Zero Hedge: Your Wages Will Be Cut In Half"

Excerpt: "... after the 2012 elections the Russians, the Chinese, Iran, Venezuela plus their clients states and a few other nations can and will force a devaluation of the dollar by refusing to accept Federal Reserve Notes in international trade. If Americans balk, China just has to dump a hundred billion dollars and buy commodities driving the price of food out of the reach of WalMart shoppers. Of course I realize the Chinese will just be doing what the bankers want them to do.

"An international conference will be held at which the dollar will be devalued by about 40% as predicted by Bernanke. This will complete that 50% pay cut I have been predicting.

"The Chinese will have dumped most of their dollars before the conference so that their economy will not be harmed by a dollar devaluation. If Americans can’t afford to buy Chinese products, China will just sell them to people whose currencies were revalued upwards.

"I would suggest you buy storable food, silver coins (not collectibles) and household items that will just increase in cost."

Experts Advise What to Freak Out About in 2012

2012-01-16T14:33:00.001-06:00

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks 2012 report is out. There's plenty to set your hair on fire about. Check the interactive report here.

Some of the biggest concerns: Chronic fiscal imbalances, water supply crises, severe income disparity, and food shortage crises.

To get the drift in one overall chart, feast your fearful eyes below. (If you are prone to laying awake at night worrying about things, you might want to skip this one.)

World Economic Forum: "Global Risks 2012," an initiative of the Risk Response Network

Why Mountain House Food is the Best Choice for Long-term Storage

2012-01-14T17:56:00.000-06:00

Last Two Days of 25%-Off Mountain House Sale; Brand New Variety Available Today!

2012-01-14T08:14:00.001-06:00

Last Two Days of the Maximum MH Sale ...
And cool news --

We've got the apples back in time for those who didn't get some the last time around. There are still some cases available at the factory which we will have shipped directly to you. Take your pick: diced apples or diced apples w/ cinnamon.

And just in time for the end of our sale: the brand new, delicious Mexican Style Rice & Chicken.

This Two-Week MH Sale (Shop here)

Ends January15 ...

As always with our MH sales--we are offering the maximum allowed discount on all MH can varieties: 25%.

As always--it all ships free to the continental US.

As always, we are offering buyers club members special reward gift certificates for their MH cans case purchases ($50 for every three cases).

And this time around, we are also offering an early-bird option to the rewards, while supplies last.

For those Royalty Reward details, see: http://www.safecastle.com/jan-12-mh-sale-rewards.aspx

Being Cool Always Trumps Freaking Out—To Douse the Hair, Just Prepare

2012-01-12T09:59:00.000-06:00

Even for optimists, there’s not much to be pleased with these days. Fact is, this is clearly the time to be serious about your preparedness planning and activities.

How much would it take right now to pull down this whole teetering mess and force us to find out the hard way how cooperative, resourceful, and committed to each other Americans really are? (Or would that be committed to "what's mine"?) Clearly, what we have is a plateful of risk, served up flaming hot. But at this point, it’s still just risk. It's NOT the time to be panicking, locking up with worry, or freezing in the spectacle of the growing headlights of the oncoming tractor trailer loaded with trouble Mad Max-style.

No whining, crying or running around with your hair on fire

Right now, it’s enough to recognize that things are getting kind of dicey out there in the world. This is no longer a game of imagining what MIGHT happen IF "such and such" was to happen. Fact is, it may just be that a whole lot of "suches" are jamming up in the doorway right now, needing just the right jolt to come surging through your livingroom.

So what are you doing about it? Watch it unfold in high-def living color? ... or worse yet, maybe blog about it? ;-)
How about instead getting that last big project done that you know you really want completed before things get turned upside down? Or topping off the supplies while you can. Can you think of a better time to do it?

For those who have been quietly, systematically putting aside emergency food and supplies for a while, you're justified in momentarily embracing that twinge of vindication as more and more about economic chaos, food shortages, buyer panic, rumors of war, protests, strikes, riots, and revolutions around the world occupy the headlines.

No one enjoys seeing what is transpiring around the world. Malnutrition and starvation in various populations are still the reality … and circumstances are indicating that may multiply in numbers impacted. There’s a real risk that pain and suffering among millions of innocents is only beginning, given the trickle-down effects of economic collapse, should that come to fruition.

International tensions, political incompetence (or worse), corporate greed, natural disasters, crop diseases, short harvests, water shortages, skyrocketing energy costs, and budding public panic are now colliding in a harsh cacophony that will continue to resonate for years to come.

It’s Late, but Not Too Late

It's all beyond what any individual can impact in a positive way. You can certainly still be community-sensitive, but the important thing to do now is to try to take necessary steps to look out for you and yours. The longer you wait, it becomes exceedingly more difficult and costly.

Prepare by stocking up on good storage food that will keep for decades. Put it away and out of sight. The same with water, purification resources, guns, ammo, precious metals, cash, and whatever else your circumstances require.

Publicly, the responsible approach to the situation before us as a civilization is to economize and conserve limited resources--particularly in the realms of energy and food. Nonetheless, if you have on hand the resources to satisfy and protect your loved ones—you are going to be ahead of the curve.

In wealthier societies such as in the U.S., folks who have done nothing to this point to mitigate their household risks vs. energy crises and runaway food inflation and/or shortages now are in danger of having their backs against the wall. It's a tough way to wake up and to have to just start the journey. If this is you, you likely will want to break into a sprint. Regardless, if you're in that position--do what you can before you can do nothing at all.

For those somewhere else on the preparedness path--just keep on keepin' on. Try to keep your momentum going--nothing more, nothing less.

Whoever you are, whatever you still need to do to get to a satisfactory point of equilibrium for your situation--this rule always applies: Stay Cool.

The Panic Option

Panic will increasingly become the default option. But it never is the smart choice.

Whatever the crisis that presents itself ...

Stop.
Take deep breaths.
Weigh the options.
Pray.
Choose wisely.

These days, the smart money is investing literally in preparedness. The crisis preparedness market niche is a cousin of the insurance industry, sharing a common peace-of-mind forebear. We are there for folks to help mitigate some of the risks we all face in an uncertain world. There are never guarantees, but in spite of the ever-present doom-sayers, our world is, all-in-all, a pretty decent and safe place to call home. In a nutshell, don't sweat the little things.

How-To

My single best, always-relevant, practical suggestion for folks new to preparedness: take decisive steps that are not sole-purpose or specialize for one specific threat, that is unless you have more money than you know what to do with and you have no one else to answer to insofar as how you are spending that superfluous cash.

Examples:

- Buy emergency storage food that is genuinely edible, that you will eat, and that you will enjoy. Make sure it is canned for long-term storage and that the brand and variety is of proven quality. Don't buy stuff that you will have to throw away at some point and replace with more inedible, cheap storage food or grocery store sale items that will spoil quickly ... and surely don't buy stuff that will you will not use before its shelf-life expires. You always will need food ... buy some to store away--stuff that will store well for many years and that you can go and eat and enjoy anytime you need or want to. Did you know that freeze-dried food such as Mountain House will remain delicious and nutritious for many decades? Very true. Mountain House is the number-one choice for those serious about preparedness. It will always be there as a resource for you whenever the need arises, whatever the scenario.

- If you are building a new home or addition and there is some part of you that feels like you ought to have a safe place in your home to go to in the face of threats, then by all means, take advantage of that best-time opportunity to build-in a dual-use safe room or shelter that will protect your family from natural or man-made disaster. Besides serving as an emergency refuge--shelters and saferooms make for ideal storage spaces and even work-spaces or spare bedrooms.

- Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Do you hike or camp? Many of those outdoor pursuits make use of equipment that can double as critically needed gear in the event of disaster. Keep that in mind when you make those recreational purchases, as you may just want to adjust your purchasing decision to cover all your needs.

- How about investing in the means to operate some of the most critical appliances and conveniences in your home in the case of blackout? Most of us have had the experience of having to do without power for some extended period of time, risking the loss of all the food in our refrigerators. A generator (propane powered or diesel or gas powered) can be had for a very reasonable amount of money. Consider also a professionally installed transfer switch in your home that allows for that generator to safely power at least parts of your home. This makes sense for not only shorter-term power outages, but is a life-saver in longer-term crises. Similarly, solar and wind solutions are becoming more economical, practical and available.

The list goes on and on. The main point here is—it’s time to approach preparedness logically, calmly. Be serious about the need, but try not to get too worked up about any particular threat of the hour as yet. The risks are many, but your opportunity to mitigate those risks is still before you.

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Customer Finds 29-year-old Mountain House Canned Food to be in Perfect, Delicious Condition!

2012-01-07T10:30:00.000-06:00

Submitted by Safecastle customer Ed Perry, January 7, 2012: "While up North I opened two cans of Mountain House Freeze Dried food ... a can of freeze dried pears and a can of freeze dried chicken and noodles. Bear in mind these were almost 29 years old and I had taken no special care in storing them. We ate all of each can. They were just as good as the day they were packed ... absolutely no degrading of any kind ... color, texture, taste were perfect. What a quality product! Mountain House says their freeze dried food will store for 25 to 30 years but I am betting that they would store for much longer than that.

"I have probably 60 cans of Mountain House purchased around 1982-83. I opened these two to give me an idea as to how they had fared without any special storage. I am totally impressed with Mountain House. I bought a lot of it that we used for back country canoe trips up in northern Canada and these were just left over. Actually I had forgotten about them and ran across them just by chance."

As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Mountain House is proven again and again the best storage food money can buy ...

Award-winning for best taste freeze-dried food
Oregon Freeze Dry Inc., in business for 48 years, is the world's technological leader in freeze-drying technology.
30-year shelf life (in cans) makes this the kind of tangible, appreciating investment you can eat
Entrees include real meat, unlike many competitors' offerings (careful about buying "long-term" food from companies cashing in on the trend today)
Among the most USDA inspected food around--continuous, multiple government inspectors on-site (especially for the volumes of government contract work OFD does)
Prompt, free shipping when purchased from authorized dealer Safecastle
Club member bonus awards during our current 25%-off sale.
Safecastle has a spotless 10-year record: A+ BBB rating, 0 conmplaints; satisfaction guaranteed.

Safecastle 2011 Freedom Awards Finalist Judging - Please Help Us Decide

2012-01-04T16:56:00.001-06:00

2011 is in the history books. Our Safecastle Freedom Awards contest is in the final stage of deciding who will receive the contest's valuable grand prizes, including two Katadyn Pocket water filters and two Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrators.

And we want your help in making those decisions.

The best qualifying survival-related articles and videos of 2011 as submitted to our many participating contest blogs and forums have been decided by those website administrators. Every finalist below will receive an engraved Freedom Award as pictured here. (Some of the original websites did not deliver finalists to us for various reasons.)

Our best-article finalists, in random order ...

From ModernSurvivalOnline, submitted by RobNPhx: "A Survivalist Mindset Amongst Apathy."

From Bison Survival Blog, submitted by D. Ritchey: "Threat Analysis: Bikers"

From Survivalblog, submitted by K.M.: "What is a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit?"

From Rural Revolution, submitted by Maria S.: "Preparedness for Young People"

From Survivalmonkey, submitted by Bison Forge: "Building Better Bugout Bags"

From ModernSurvivalBlog, submitted by TripodXL: "Situational Awareness and Your Personal Protection"

From SFTFblog.com, submitted by gat31: "Growing Vertical Veggies"

From SurvivalistBoards, submitted by Mtnman Mike: "Year End Report about What Happened Last Summer on my BOL"

Our best-video finalists are ...

From Survivalmonkey.com, submitted by Falcon15: "Survival and Prepping - The Basics"

From SurvivalistBoards, submitted by ia woodsman: "PSK Survival Exercise part 1" (this video has two follow-on videos, but we are only judging part 1 for this contest).

Below, we have posted all the articles and videos so you can easily scroll down and view all the entries. We are limiting images posted here to no more than one per article. Some articles have many more images that you can see in their original posts linked above.

Thank you so much to all the contributing websites and to all the good folks who submitted entries for consideration in this contest. I think we all win as the result of having been exposed to so much survival-related wisdom and insight from all of you.

Please vote for your favorite by January 20, 2012...

We wanted to post a poll for each category to allow for you to quickly select your favorites. However, for some reason, we are being limited in our blogspot gadget admin to a maximum of 4 options per poll. So plan B ...

Please let us know which of these articles and videos are your favorite by posting a positive comment under your selections. (You can vote anonymously.) Your comment will not appear immediately, so do not keep commenting trying to view your comment. We have editorial approval set-up here to protect from spamming. We will approve all positive comments to be seen, but it might take as long as a few hours for your comment to appear.

Your comments will assist our judges in making the final prize-winning decisions.

Freedom Award Finalist: "PSK Survival Exercise part 1"

2012-01-04T16:55:00.000-06:00

by ia woodsman, as originally posted to SurvivalistBoards

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Survival and Prepping - The Basics"

2012-01-04T16:50:00.000-06:00

by Falcon15, as originally posted to Survivalmonkey

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Year End Report About What Happened Last Summer on my BOL"

2012-01-04T16:41:00.000-06:00

by Mtnman Mike, as originally posted to Survivalistboards

This summer - from June to about Nov. began on June 1, 2011.

On that busy day I first picked up Glen from New Zealand at the Greeley, CO bus station at 8:30 A.M.

We first went to Anderson's salvage yard to take a large roll of old metal fencing I had obtained from a neighbor in Greeley. I wanted to show Glen one of the best and most interesting sites / sights in town. At least I think so. I only got eleven dollars for that heavy roll of fencing though.

And I also took Glen around town to get a tent. We went to the Super-Walmart and a couple sporting goods stores. I went to the biggest one first which that sporting goods store had many dozens of guns. Even a couple AR's as well as other guns I was sorta surprised to see.
I thought Glen would buy a gun but not sure how he would get it back to New Zealand, maybe FedEx?
Glen only bought a 500 round box of .22 ammo which he and Steve shot quite a bit on my land in late July.

I picked up Steve from the bus station at 9 p.m. Steve had ridden a bus from Washington D.C. since he lived in southern Maryland. And Glen and Steve camped in my backyard in Greeley for almost a week until we went up to my mtn place on June 7th.

Below are Steve's light brown MSR tent and Glen's $20 blue dome tent although later in the summer he bought a $200 large MSR tent which UPS delivered to a motel in Encampment, WY
After Glen, Steve and I went to a dollarstore and the Super-Walmart and bought over $400 worth of supplies, mainly food then we built a wood box in the back of my truck and loaded it. I did not buy anything that day since all winter I had slowly been buying canned food etc. etc. on sale.

This article is heavy on images and they are integral to the article, so please go here to view the entire article.
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Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Growing Vertical Veggies"

2012-01-04T16:32:00.001-06:00

by gat31, as originally posted to SHTF Blog

Rangerman has been kind enough to let me write an article in response to those of us who would like to have a garden, but don’t really have the space. So I have been looking into alternative gardening methods to help us all out. I’m going to give you a few methods I have found and maybe you can get some ideas. I live near a company called Vertigro. They do hydroponic gardening. Like its name suggests, you grow vertically. Now this is a great method for the space challenged, however it can be pricey to do the initial set up. So feel free to research that method if you’re budget allows, but here’s some more economical yet workable options.

One method I have seen is PVC pipes and chains. You hang two chains roughly 3 to 4 feet apart (depends on space) and you take 4″ and 6″ pipe, cut out the top, and drill drain holes in the bottom. Then put end caps on that have a hole drilled in them. Attach hanging hooks and wal-lah, you have “rows” for gardening.

Top row is for your smaller stuff, radishes, butter crunch or romaine lettuce, bean sprouts, herbs, etc. This is also a way you can start plants for later in ground if you are in colder regions and can’t put plants in the ground yet. Middle rows will hold hanging or vining plants, peas or beans. Bottom layer is for items that has bigger heavier items, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, etc. The bottom layer(s) is better for the 6″ pipe.

Another option is trellis growing. I found a long window type planter at a thrift store for 2 dollars. I filled it with dirt, planted a squash, zucchini, lima bean, and pea plant. Set the planter in front of a strip of lattice board and let them do their trick. As they grow, guide the plants up the trellis and they will be great. Not to mention all those plants make a flower first so the nosy neighbors will just think you have nice flowers.

You could also use one of those little arch things that people have at the end of their walkway and plant beside each foot of those too. If you don’t have lattice board, you can take eye hooks, put them in the ceiling, then wrap twine, floor to ceiling around your planter a couple times and use that for guides as well.

The other day I saw strawberries in a hanging basket, and we’ve all seen the topsy-turvey tomato growing method. Hanging baskets and pots are always options and can be used in conjunction with any of these other methods. I even had a friend of mine plant seeds under his window AC unit. (He lives in a 1 room apt.) Remember you’re not trying to feed the masses, just give your family a few fresh items that will help you survive if stores are closed.

Just a side note here for anyone doing gardens this year. Seeds can be expensive so anyplace you can cut corners always help. Go to your grocery store for your bean and pea plants. In the dry bean aisle, they have several options. All those beans that are not broken can be planted. I found a 9 bean soup bag. Most of those were intact and were plantable. Lot cheaper to buy a 1.49 bag of peas then 2.00 an ounce envelope of peas. Another option I found was the dollar store. At my Dollar Tree, they had seeds that are too late to plant this year for my region on sale for a quarter a pouch. My seed bank for next year is filling up nicely. These can be kept in a cool place or even in the fridge or freezer for next season. Also only plant what you need. Seed prices keep climbing much like gold and silver. I’ve limited my garden to 4 plants or less of each item. We won’t eat anymore than that so I saved the rest for next year.

Happy gardening everyone and feel free to add ideas for those with very little growing space!

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Situational Awareness and Your Personal Protection"

2012-01-04T16:26:00.000-06:00

by TripodXL, as originally posted to ModernSurvivalBlog

In having a personal protection plan (and you do have one, whether you’ve thought it out or NOT), before you make a personal protection plan you have to ask the following question… “What is a survivalist?”.

Now this will sound obvious after the question, but if you get up and manage to get bathed, fed and make it to work without dying and get home the same way; if you can get up, find breakfast, make it to school and back without dying, are you a survivalist? Of course, you are. You survived! That is the definition of survivalist in its simplest form. So, in essence, everyone is a survivalist to some degree or other and is differentiated only in the degree of survivalism that we embrace.

This would come as a great surprise and shock to those who would claim to not be “one of THOSE survivalist people”. Survival is one of the strongest elements in our human nature and perception of life around us. Some think it barbaric to address such an issue and others will embrace it. I embrace it. The freedom to survive, the RIGHT to survive is, as far as I’m concerned, a God given right, or if you are so inclined, a natural right.

Anyone that stands between you and your survival implies that they don’t care if you live or die, they don’t care what your quality of life is, and you are of no consequence or meaning to them. It becomes a key philosophical mountain that you must climb and conquer conceptually, to have a basic survival MINDSET, with which to use for you and your family’s survival. If you do not come to a point where you think that you have a right AND an obligation to your family and self to survive, then you will probably not survive, except by luck, and if that’s how you manage to survive, you may not be happy with the outcome.

So, what does a personal protection plan encompass? First, have a plan. A proper plan encompasses situational awareness, physical and mental preparation, and proper equipment and execution (tactics). The equipment is easy. All you have to do is buy it after researching what is best for YOUR situation.
Situational awareness is a mindset of just being aware of what is around you and the dynamic circumstances related to you.

Expertise is also something that you can buy, sort of, but will require practice, whether it is a classic martial art or some other training by either getting DVDs, or books and/or professional instruction. You have to have the discipline to accomplish it.

Mental preparation is also something you can get training on, or read books and listen to CDs/DVDs. It is something that takes place inside your head. Your psyche MUST change to the point that you understand (in advance of needing it) and will do whatever it takes to survive and protect you and yours. It will require getting past the lame, egalitarian, sheeple crap that you are taught in school, from liberal academia and society in general, about not hitting, not fighting back and just being a cooperative little sheeple in general.

Execution, both mental and physical requires practice, practice and more practice. Practice your plan mentally and brainstorm scenarios as well as hone the physical skills needed to have reasonable physical prowess and execute the appropriate skill sets successfully.

The number one part of a Personal Protection Plan and probably the most difficult to achieve is situational awareness (SA)? Simply put it’s your situation and your awareness of it. The best way to deal with trouble is to avoid it in the first place, which is the purpose of SA. No trouble, no problem!
Next time you go to Wally World, perform this exercise. Sit way out in the parking lot for a while and watch how insipidly and inanely people do things. They will walk down the middle of the driving lane, talking on their phone, completely oblivious to the 8 cars they are holding up, right behind them, motors running. Or they will just walk out in front of oncoming cars, pedestrians have the right of way don’t they, and just walk on in complete bliss and oblivion. No one will look around and they won’t look behind themselves to get some idea of what their situation is, day or night! They will mosey on and never look back. How dumb.

Here are two real-life examples of SA or the lack of it.

A young Wally World employee was walking out to her car after work, in the dark, and you can see on the parking lot video as she walks along, oblivious to all around her. In the dark a guy runs up behind her as she nears her car and abducts her in her car and as you can probably imagine she was found dead some days later. I’m not blaming this on her, it is solely the killer’s fault for killing her, but she does bear responsibility for her own well being, or lack thereof.

This next one is personal. My wife calls me one morning from work and asks me to go home at lunch and see if her purse is there. I do and it isn’t, the purse is gone. After hindsight and thought, we came to the conclusion that when she dropped off the baby (you park, run in, throw the baby through the window and sign the paper and leave), someone in an adjacent parking lot watched her at daycare and noted she did not have her purse with her, ran over and took it out of the running car. Wow, how much worse could that have been? Less than two minutes.

Some people are nothing but trash and you accommodate them (by being easy prey) at your own peril. Others are very opportunistic and will stab you in the back, literally. You will have to learn to be steely hard and be aware of subterfuge and cunning when dealing with everyone, even a “defenseless” mother and child. Beware, who’s watching you? That’s scary isn’t it?

Don’t just daydream and walk along…quit it! We all do it but when you make an active personal protection plan, your ways of looking at the world change and your mind changes the way it functions. You develop a cognizance of the world around you.

Some of the things you need to think about or be aware just don’t occur to you because you’re not a criminal by trade. I remember someone said something about having their rural house broken into and they performed some serious security upgrades to the house. The next time the crooks just chopped a hole in the roof! I remember thinking to myself, “why would they mess up the roof that way”? Oh, they’re criminals and don’t care about the mess they leave. To deal with the criminal world around you, you have to think like a criminal.

Also, listen to the “inner you”. The INSTANT a thought goes through your mind that, “that doesn’t look right”, it probably isn’t. You should do a 360, both mentally and physically right then, just stop, spin around and reassess your situation (I don’t mean bust a dance move or behave in a manner that would cause stress to people, just stop, look at your watch, dig in your pockets like you’re looking for something ALL the while looking around you and taking it in).

You should look around and watch people. I never park by the door at the big box stores. I need the exercise and it lets me overlook the parking lot and see who’s watching whom. What looks odd, out of place and not right? Be observant, it is a learned habit. It should become second nature to look for oddities in people’s behavior.

Not to be sexist, but women are taught to be nice and tolerant. They will climb into a locked, soundproof, isolated, metal box (elevator) with someone that gives them second thoughts, but they don’t want to be impolite or rude, even though they get bad vibes they do it anyway. Ladies AND gentlemen, quit it! In the military it’s called “watching your six” (your six o’clock position, directly behind you).

Be aware of what and whom is/are around you, with out fail. If it doesn’t look right, feel right or you’re just not sure, then BREAK OFF THE ENGAGEMENT (be impolite) with the situation so you can back up, observe, consider the facts and reassess the situation.

The key to SA is to stop, look, assess and then act on that information. The better you get at this, the more likely you are to ACT in advance of some event, instead of REACT to it as it occurs. Which do you think is to your advantage?

Remember, the best way to use your Personal Protection Plan is to avoid using it with situational awareness.

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Building Better Bug-Out-Bags"

2012-01-04T16:09:00.002-06:00

by Bison Forge, as originally posted to Survivalmonkey

The Bug-Out Bag is probably the first thing that you think of when you hear the word ‘preparedness’. Sometimes masquerading under different names such as a BOB, GOOD, NICE, INCH, or whatever else you want to call it, we are talking about the same thing here. A Bug Out Bag is usually designed to get you out of an emergency situation and allow you to survive self-contained for up to 3 days. A lot of people plan their Bug Out Bag to sustain them for much longer than that, but there is always a limit to what you can carry on your back and a 3 day target is a good place to start.

Some questions that are asked frequently run along the lines of: “How do I build an emergency kit, or BOB?” or “How do I know what to pack?” This article is going to help answer those questions.

The process of building a Bug Out Bag can be divided into five easy steps.

1) Determine what you want your BOB to do for you.
2) Research.
3) Select your gear.
4) Testing and Evaluation.
5) Adjust the setup

Step1: Determine what you want your BOB to do for You.
You need to figure out the POU, or Philosophy Of Use. My BOB is designed to support me for 3+ days in an emergency situation, in which I might face hiking over long distances, the need to purify water, procure food, and defend myself against predators both two legged and four legged.

Step 2: Research.
From this perspective you will first have to do some research in order to find items that can allow you to perform these tasks. Picking the tools that can provide you with food, water, shelter, and fire is a long process. You need to consider factors like price, weight, quality and function, and determine what tools serve multiple purposes in order to reduce the amount of tools you carry. I suggest that you try to check out equipment like clothing, tents, knives and other gear in a physical store before you purchase them, or check out what equipment friends, family or professionals that work in your area use.

Step 3: Select your gear
After you decide what items you want to get, you still have the process of finding the items and buying them. You might already have some of the equipment needed or you might have to buy the equipment. Make sure that you check with your family, friends, eBay, and your local flee market before you buy a piece of equipment. You can often save a lot of money by doing some research.

Looking at Maslow's listing of the priorities for life can help you determine what gear is really necessary. You can also use the Rule of Three’s, which is often taught in wilderness survival courses. This rule states that in extreme circumstances the human body can survive:

3 minutes without air/medical treatment
3 hours without protection (clothing/shelter/fire)
3 days without water (clean/pure)
3 weeks without food

Let's look at how we can address each of those needs.

MEDICAL
Despite the fact that this is one of my favorite topics, I cannot afford the space to linger on it. Simply put, only carry what you know how to use. This is a very important topic, so be sure to get good training and a medical guide appropriate to your situation. I recommend that you get advice from people who know what they are doing, and if at all possible, move to their house post-collapse :-)

Clothing/Shelter
The concept of layering is very important here, but I don’t have the space to expound upon it (darned word count). A quick internet search will help you figure it out. As a rule I try not to use any natural fibers other than wool in my clothing choices, just to save on space and weight. I am always found wearing a hat of some kind, and in severe cold I will sleep with a watch or knit type cap on. My best advice on clothing, as in everything else is to be the “grey man”, and try to blend in with your surroundings.

FIRE/ LIGHTING
Fire is very important to survival. With it, I can dry my clothes, keep myself at the critical temperature of 98.6F, boil water, cook my food, keep predatory animals at bay, and raise my morale. You get the point, it does a lot. I keep multiple disposable, adjustable flame lighters stashed throughout my gear.

Going hand in hand with fire is a source of artificial light. This part is both the easiest, and the most fun. Be sure to read lots of reviews on the light that you plan to buy. Go for high output LEDs, but keep in mind that flashlights are like computers, a better one is born every minute.

Water
Your goal for water is to have 1 gallon per person per day. Water is heavy, so having a way to treat it instead of carrying all that you may need is important.
My water treatment plan is redundant like most of my other important items. This is an area in my kit that needs improvement, I will be upgrading to a MSR Hyperflow Microfilter soon. As a back up, I always carry Auqamira tabs. Coffee filters, or a bandana can go a long way to extending the life of your filter, and are multi use items.

Food/ Cooking Regarding food, simple, light weight, and filling are the only requirements that I have. The three big types of food that you are likely to find in mine, or any other persons BOB are MRE’s, Backpackers Meals, or Mainstay Rations.

Because my main ration is self contained in either MRE or Mainstay form, I do not have to do a lot of cooking. But when it comes time to do some cooking of supplementary food sources, the lightest weight solution that I have found is a roll of aluminum foil. Just wrap your food and pop it straight on the coals.

What are some other things that contribute to your survival besides those already mentioned? Let's take a look:

Tools
The challenge here is to balance how much you need verses how much you want to bring with you. A good target is to try to keep your number of tools at five or below. As we know, the three basic functions of a cutting implement are to chop, saw, and stab/slice, and we need to include all of these in our planning. These tools would fill the places of 1) a folding pocket knife, 2) a multi-tool, 3) a fixed blade knife, and 4) a muscle powered method to process wood. My suggestions:

Another consideration is weapons. Obviously a firearm of some sort is best for this, though not in all situations. I will not go into specifics about what type of gun you should bring because that is hotly debated and really a personal choice. Take what is comfortable for you.

Pack
While far from a survival priority, something that needs to be addressed is your pack. While it may not be a necessity, it sure is a nicety. Your options here are pretty much endless. There are an amazing number of resources out there that can help you determine what bag to get for your needs. I recommend your bag meet these criteria: comfortable and light weight, durable and big enough to carry all of your gear, and finally it has to blend with whatever environment you plan on being in. Please remember that while there are a huge variety of fantastic bags out there, you do not need to get too wrapped up over what bag you use as long as it works for you.

Step 4: Test the Bug Out Bag
After you have put everything together, you still have to test the kit so that you actually know if it performs as intended. Taking the bag for a longer hike in your local terrain can give you the chance to practice skills and see what items are really necessary.

Step 5: Adjust the Setup
After you have tested your Bug Out Bag, make adjustments to the setup as needed. After you have adjusted, take it out for another test run, and repeat the revision process as necessary untill you are happy with your final setup. Remember, the items contained within may be the only items that you have to survive with in the future.

This article is written to give you some ideas of what factors to consider when building a Bug Out Bag. The important thing is that your BOB reflects what you need and is designed for your particular situation. One size does not fit all; this is something that applies to all kinds of crisis preparedness and survival situations. Others can often provide good suggestions and feedback, but in the end you have to make the decisions for yourself.

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Preparedness for Young People"

2012-01-04T15:59:00.001-06:00

by Maria S., as originally posted to Rural Revolution

“I’m fifteen years old and I’m worried about the future, but my parents don’t seem to notice how bad things are getting out there, and I can’t convince them.”

All over, young people are waking up to the precarious state of the world in which we live, yet are still living at home under their parents’ authority, and those parents do not agree that it’s important to be prepared. So I am writing this article to you, young people who want to prepare yourselves. What can you do to be prepared at this stage of your life?

I’ll start by telling you what preparedness means to me. Preparedness is being adaptable and resourceful, keeping oneself and those who are precious to one safe and happy.

I suggest to you that whatever your plans are, they should include your family. We need our families and they need us. So realistically speaking, your first option should not be to grab your bug-out bag and disappear, leaving your family behind to face whatever comes. Your family members can be your greatest assets, even though they may not look like it right now, and you can be theirs.

If you are hitting a brick wall when you talk with your parents about preparedness, it could be because they do not think “normal” people are prepared, that it’s only for weirdo extremists. If that’s the case, tell them the government wants them to be prepared! Show them the website ready.gov. It’s sponsored by the Federal government and explains why and how to prepare. It’s a nice, mainstream, non-weirdo-extremist source of information.

Take every opportunity to learn survival skills. Learn to light a fire, to pitch a tent, to hike through a valley without leaving any sign that you passed. Learn to break camp in silence. Learn archery. How do you find a teacher for skills like these if your parents are not interested? The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are wonderful programs for learning things that you can keep with you always, in your head. No scout troups in your area? Getting a little too old for that? - Get a Boy Scouts manual, it has the same instruction you’d get as an actual scout, though you’ll have to practice on your own. Then there are wonderful books out there to teach you more. Search “how to become an outdoorsman” on Google and you’ll find books, on-line courses, even college extension courses to teach you.

Make sure to involve your parents in this. They should know what you’re doing, and who you are doing it with. Set their minds at ease by being up front with them so that they don’t fear for your safety. It’s what we do, we parents; we fear for our kids’ safety. It’s hardwired into us. But if you tell us what’s going on and we don’t feel like you are sneaking around or tricking us, we feel much more at ease.

Once you have gained skills, see if your parents will allow you to teach them. Offer and see what they say. Your family’s financial resources are probably already committed somewhere, so try to suggest ideas that do not require a big outlay of funds, like a day spent hiking at a nearby park, with everybody carrying part of a picnic lunch, to start things off.

In the survivalist world, you will hear a lot about stockpiling food against future scarcity. It’s one of the easier ways to begin preparation and is where a lot of people start. But your funds are limited, and you do not have the right to insist that the family set aside a chunk of the family food budget OR the storage space in the home for food preps.

Here are some things you CAN do. First, change how you eat. If you are saying “This family really needs to eat more rice and beans because you can store them long term,” but you are consuming all the snack foods your parents can bring home, and you complain when nobody puts more soda pop in the fridge and you have to drink it warm, you are sending mixed messages. If you are asking for and eating fruits, vegetables, and, yes, rice and beans, then you are showing that you are willing to make changes.

Teaching people works much better if you show them how to do things and not just tell. So show that prep style food can taste good. Try making a meal of Spanish rice and refried beans. I’ll get you started: In a pan with a lid, mix 1 cup of rice, ½ cup of salsa and 1-1/2 cups of water. Put on the lid and turn on the heat to medium first, then down to low in a few minutes when the steam starts coming out. Meanwhile, in another pan, mix 2 cans of refried beans with a little bit of water and heat it up. Warm up some corn tortillas (or better yet, make some yourself, but that’s a lesson for another day). When the rice has cooked for about 10 minutes, take the lid off and give it a stir. If most of the liquid is gone, turn off the heat and put the lid back on for another 3 minutes or so. If there is still quite a bit of liquid, keep the heat on for another few minutes and check again. When it’s cooked, serve up the rice, beans and tortillas with some more salsa. This is a tasty, wholesome meal, and all of it can be made easily with foods that most preppers consider good storage foods. Next week, try another meal that you can make that’s delicious, healthy and prep friendly.

Once you have gained your family’s confidence, they may be more willing to allow you to make some choices on what food the family buys at the grocery. At that point, you can suggest buying larger quantities of foods to save money. Teach your parents to store the food properly (if it goes bad and is wasted, it was not a good deal in the first place).

Another area of preparation is your career. You have a lot of choice in what you do for a living as long as you keep your options wide open as a young person. There are not too many careers I can think of that will be completely useless after “the end of the world as we know it” - maybe politics! - but certainly some are going to be more needed than others. People will always need medical care, homes, food, and good water. They will always need to learn, and they will always need beauty to inspire them. Think in terms of what you can do that will improve other people’s lives as your career, and you will always be needed.

I’ll wrap this up with a five-part challenge for you. Each of these is a useful preparation tool. My challenge is for you to find:

One place you and your loved ones agree to meet if there is a crisis, in case your home is damaged or compromised
Two sources of clean water that do not depend on turning a tap
Three ways to start a fire using just what you have on your body at any time
Four kinds of food growing wild that you could obtain within an hour’s walking, gathering or hunting time
Five different routes to get home from your school or place of work

Sometimes the world looks like it could fall apart tomorrow. But chances are, it won’t; people have been thinking things can’t possibly get any worse for centuries, yet time continues on. In other words, be ready for the worst AND the best. You may be around to have a career and a home and a family. You may even be around to see your grandkids. So while you are thinking of how to be ready should the power grid fail, or for there to be no food available at the stores or for martial law to be declared or for pandemic or any other disaster you can imagine, keep doing what you need to do in case it holds off for a year or two or five or more. Learn all the skills you can, and practice them. Take the ACT or the SAT and apply for college. Get a summer job and save some money. Become an excellent driver. Be healthy. Exercise. Have fun. Keep yourself and your friends safe. Not one of these things will hurt you if society goes down the toilet - and each of them will help you if it doesn’t.

You will be 18 soon and then your choices will open up wider. Until then, do what you can within the bounds of what a young person can and should do within his or her family constraints. Learn. Your sharpest tool can be your mind.

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "What is a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit?"

2012-01-04T15:52:00.001-06:00

by K.M., as originally posted to Survivalblog

We've all heard the admonition: “You need to have a well-stocked first aid kit!” The first step to following that advice is an understanding exactly of what “well-stocked” means.

Recently, I read an article on SurvivalBlog about a man who treated his wife for a serious arm laceration during an ice storm. After running out of bandages, he was forced to drive to the store in dangerous weather conditions to get more supplies. I posted a response to the article that elicited an e-mail asking, “Well, what does a good first aid kit contain?”

Let me start with some background information. About six years ago, I started a company that supplies businesses with CPR training, first aid, and emergency products. This experience has taught me some valuable lessons. First, the number of bandages used in an average office is staggering. Either there must be a terrible problem with paper cuts and stapling accidents that I just didn't know about, or workers choose to use their office’s first aid kit instead of the one at home (if they even have a kit at home). Second, some items that should only be used on rare occasions are disappearing from office kits needlessly. For example, alcohol prep wipes should primarily be used for cleaning the skin before injections or for eliminating the sticky residue after bandage removal (If you have a laceration or abrasion and use an alcohol prep wipe to clean it, you must be a masochist!). Third, and more to the point, I was surprised to learn that there is no such thing as a “standard” first aid kit. Although there are a few organizations that make recommendations or list minimum requirements (OSHA, AMA, ANSI, US Coast Guard, Red Cross), they refrain from using the word “standard.”

So there are guidelines to help us, but we often want additional advice. Indeed, when I am teaching my CPR/First Aid classes, I am often asked. “What kind of first aid kit should I have?” As a general rule, your kit should match your training, plus a little extra. When I sell first aid kits, I always ask the prospective purchaser two things. First, I want to know what kind of training they have received (and how long ago). Then I ask the big question….
“If someone were severely injured and or bleeding, would you come to their aid?”

If the answer to this question is no, or if they haven't been trained in first-aid, then I sell them your basic over-the-counter 150-piece first aid kit. These kits are available anywhere and are little more than boo-boo kits, to fix life’s little cuts and scrapes. As an example of this type of kit is available from CVS Pharmacy and manufactured by Johnson and Johnson™; its self-described purpose is for the treatment of “Cuts & scrapes; Minor burns; Pain & swelling; Itch.” This 170-piece kit has 138 Band-Aids™, a few ointments, pads, wipes, and little else. If you were counting on this kit to save someone's life in an emergency, then both you and the victim are in deep kimchee!

Preparedness and survival are our ultimate goals, so we need a larger variety of supplies that will actually be useful in a real life-or-death emergency. It is my hope that more people start investing in kits with more than just Band-Aids, and here's why. If you've taken a first aid course in the last five years (and if you haven't, shame on you), your instructor should have told you that after you've taken care of the victims’ primary needs (their ABCs - airway, breathing, and circulation), you need to look after their secondary needs (serious bleeding, shock, and spinal injuries). Your first aid instructor should have prepared you for the worst case scenario: when advanced emergency care is either delayed or unavailable, and you are the one who must provide extended care to the victim.

In addition to acknowledging what you know, consider where you live and what you do for recreational and vocational activities when gathering your supplies, a well stocked first aid kit should reflect your geographic region, activities, as well as, how many people you may need to treat. Of course there is a basic minimum for every occasion, but if it’s a kit you are building for a boat that sails off the coast of Florida, do you really need a “snake bite kit” or a “tick kit”? If you live in the desert southwest, do you really need vinegar for jellyfish stings? You wouldn’t take an eight pound “Mega Trauma” kit while backpacking, but you would certainly want a comprehensive kit at a survival retreat. A blister kit would be as out of place on a boat as an ice pack would be at the North Pole. Just as there is no single gun to fit all needs, so there is no one kit that will fill all medical necessities. But there is a place we can start. So let’s explore what an appropriate kit looks like.

I like to see these items in my ideal well-stocked first aid kit. Your kit may look different, but should generally include most of these items.

Note: With few exceptions, quantities are excluded because they will vary with the size of the kit, and people served. This list is not intended to be all inclusive, nor the only list should you consult.

A durable case – preferably with compartments for storage and ease of access.
A good First Aid reference manual – as a reminder of practices and protocols.
A card with emergency numbers (Poison Control, out-of-state contacts, etc.)
Gloves (latex or nitrile) – at least 2 pairs, to protect against contamination and pathogens.
CPR barrier – to protect against disease transmission.
Large absorbent dressings/AB pads (5”x9” or larger) – to stop or control bleeding.
Sterile gauze pads, various sizes – to stop bleeding and dress wounds.
Roll bandages, various sizes– to dress wounds.
Ace™-type roll compression bandage – for sprains and strains.
Self-adhesive bandages (Band-Aids™), various types and sizes – to dress minor wounds.
Steri-strips (butterfly bandages) – for closing wounds.
Adhesive tape – to dress wounds.
Non-adherent pads, various sizes – for burn wounds
Triangular bandages – for immobilization of dislocations and fractures.
Cotton-tipped swabs – for cleaning wounds, applying saves and ointments.
Bandage Sheers/EMT sheers – cutting bandages or victims' clothing.
Tongue depressors – for checking throat issues and as small splinting applications.
Tweezers – for splinter removal.
Needle – to assist in removing foreign material.
Penlight – for emergency lighting and for examination.
Oral thermometer (non-glass) – to check vital signs.
Syringe or squeeze bottle – for irrigation of wounds.
Splinting material – for dislocations and fractures.
Emergency blanket – for warmth and treatment of shock.
Instant cold pack – for treatment of hyperthermia, sprains, dislocations and fractures.
Instant hot pack – for treatment of hypothermia and some stings and muscle strains.
Bio bags – for disposal of gloves and medical waste.
Eye cup – for aid in removal of foreign matter in the eye.
Eye solution – for eye contamination and aid in removing foreign matter from the eye.
Antibacterial soap – for cleaning wounds and hands after treatment.
Antiseptic solution or wipes – to clean wounds.
Antibiotic ointment – for wound treatment.
Hydrocortisone cream – for stings and irritations.
Burn gels and ointments – for treating burns.
Burn pads – for treating larger burns.
Ibuprofen – to reduce swelling and for patient comfort.
Antihistamine tablets – for allergic reactions.
Blood stopper powder – for stopping severe bleeding.
Pen and index cards – for annotating victim’s vital signs.
Hand sanitizer – when you can’t wash your hands with soap and water.
Mole Skin – for treatment of blisters and abrasions.

In addition to the above items, there is a list of “add-ons” that could be added to your first aid kit. These can vary greatly depending on your needs, locations, and activities. Some of these may require additional cost, training, or certifications:

Separate complete Burn Kit – for treating multiple or very serious burns.
Snake bite kit – for treating snake bites.
Israeli Battle Dressings– one of the best on the market for serious trauma.
Stethoscope – for listening to breathing and heartbeats.
Cervical collar – to immobilize the neck from possible further harm.
Foldable stretcher – for carrying victims unable to walk on their own.
Blood pressure cuff – to determine victim’s blood pressure.
Sutures – to close serious wounds.
Hemostats/Forceps – for closing major bleeding vessels or aid in suturing.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – to help with sudden cardiac arrest.
Scalpel – for removing tissue, minor surgery.
Blood borne pathogen kit – to assist in cleaning up.
Surgical masks – to prevent disease contamination and blood borne pathogens.
Eye shields / goggles – for eye protection.
There are also items / medications your victim may need (some of these may require a doctor’s prescription):
Asthma inhalers – for treatment of asthma.
Nitroglycerin – for the treatment of heart patients.
Aspirin – for treating heart patients.
Sugar pills – for diabetic stabilization.
Salt pills – for treatment of dehydration.
Imodium – for treatment of diarrhea.
TUMS – for gas and heartburn.
Epi Pen – for treatment of severe allergic reactions.
Eye drops – for tired or irritated eyes/contacts.

There are also non-medical items that can work well in a first aid kit:

Head lamp – for clearly seeing your work area.
Instant (Super) glue – to close wounds.
Tampons – for penetration or gunshots wounds and their primary function.
Glasses repair kit – to repair broken eye glasses.
Multi tool/Swiss Army knife– for multiple tasks.
Insect repellant wipes – to keep the bugs away.
Sun block – to prevent sunburn.
Lip balm – to prevent chapped lips.
Hand lotion – for dry and chapped hands and feet.
Talcum powder – for treatment of rashes and foot care.
Desitin™ ointment – for treatment of rashes and sore areas.
Hair comb – for removing items from victim’s hair and for hygiene.
Disposable razor – for cleaning treatment site or for personal hygiene.
Duct Tape – who couldn’t find a use for it?
Paracord 10’ – same as duct tape.

Now that we have everything and the kitchen sink, what items would I consider to be essential to any kit no matter what size?

Triangle bandage – has so many uses that it is a must have!

Sling, bandage wrap, splinting wrap, bandana, hat, baby diaper, water filter, sarong, halter top, face shield, shade covering, blindfold, dust mask, tourniquet, pressure bandage, ankle wrap, foot covering, gloves, handkerchief, washcloth, wet and use tie around neck, belt, tie up a pony tail, basket, cold compress…Why do you think every cowboy wore a bandana?

Self adhesive bandages (Band-Aids™) in multiple sizes – there really is no good substitute.
Antibiotic ointment – secondary infection of a wound can be fatal.
Sterile gauze pads (various sizes) – many things can be improvised to slow or stop bleeding, but to properly dress a wound, a sterile covering is vital.

Now that you have gathered every conceivable medical essential, you will need a place to put it all. Ironically, your choice of container is almost as important as what goes into the kit. The size of the kit will be determined by several factors. Is it stationary, or will it be carried? Where will it be going? Where will it be stored? How much room do you have for the kit? Will its environment be wet or hot, or will it be jostled about? Here is a list of possible “non-standard” containers for your first aid kit.

Fishing tackle box
Tool kit
School lunch box
Electronics box
Ziploc™ bag
River rafting “Dry Bag”
Pelican™ “type” waterproof container
Rubbermaid™ “type” Storage container
Plastic office drawers
Zippered Nylon pouch/bag
Army surplus bag
Ammo can (painted with a big white cross so you don’t take the wrong can to the range)
Tupperware™ type containers
Cigar Box
Fanny pack
Small nylon/canvas backpack

A few final thoughts: Rotate, rotate, rotate! Just like food on your shelf, some of your first aid kit supplies have a “limited” shelf life. With frequently changing and expanding information on expiration dates, I will not advise you when to discard your “out of date” ointments, creams, and medicines. But what I would like to address are those items that people don’t often realize have a limited life span. Gloves are notoriously short lived, especially in hot environments like a car, RV, or boat. Check them at least once a year and replace when necessary. It is very frustrating to be half way through putting on a glove when it tears, and if you’ve done this a couple of times, the cut on your victims arm may be the least of his worries! Another item with a frustratingly short life time is the self-adhesive bandage. As Band-Aids™ get older, heat and age tends to breakdown the adhesive and it loses its cohesive strength. If a self-adhesive bandage can't “stick,” it really serves no purpose.
Another consideration, your kit is as good as your training. If you haven't taken a CPR/first aid course in a while, seek out a reputable instructor and take a comprehensive CPR/First Aid course. Also, once you assemble your kit, make sure it goes where you go. Like so many other aspects of preparedness, I follow the general rule, “It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” Now that you have a well-stocked first aid kit or two…or three, seek out opportunities to use it. If you show up to the company picnic or a family function carrying your first aid kit, there will be a few who ask sneeringly, “Hey are you expecting a disaster?” but when they need a bandage for a minor cut, or burn cream for a child’s finger, to whom do you think they will sheepishly turn to? They will turn to you, the nut that brought the first aid kit. And as you become more comfortable using your first aid kit in life’s little misadventures, you will be better suited to handle a big emergency if it is ever thrown at you.

Last, but certainly not least, is backing up your supplies. I keep large quantities on hand of most of the supplies I listed (Okay, well I sell first aid kits and supplies for a living, so I'd better have a few extra). If you have followed my advice and used your kits often, then you will occasionally need to re-stock. Having a larder somewhere to draw from makes the whole process easier. About once a year (more often if I’ve had a medium or large need), I will gather all of my kits into one place and do an inventory and re-stock my kits as needed. I gather them from my family's cars, the BOB, the 72-hour kit, the range bag, the RV, and anywhere else I have them, and re-inventory, re-stock, and rotate out long expired meds and non-sticky bandages.

Many people assume that in a panic they may forget what they have learned and not be able to rise to the occasion if an emergency occurs. One of the things that I teach each of my classes is the Emergency First Response (EFR) axiom: “Adequate care provided is better than perfect care withheld.” If that is a little too esoteric for you, then how about a quote attributed to General Patton: “A bad plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” Or if that's still above your level of understanding, I like Larry the Cable Guy's “Git ‘Er Done!” Truer words have never been spoken.

References:
Emergency First Response Corp. – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Washington, DC
American National Standards Institute – Washington, DC
International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "Threat Analysis: Bikers"

2012-01-04T15:46:00.001-06:00

by D. Ritchey, as originally posted to Bison Survival Blog

A “biker” is a marauder on a motorcyle. A marauder is a plunderer, killer, slaver and rapist. So a “biker” in this text is one of the threats we should look for during anarchy. A biker will do what criminals do, and use the opportunities of anarchy to plunder. We should expect marauders from all angles, using every technology, appearing in many forms and strategies.

The biker is a powerful image in the American mind; we have a firm idea of what he is. The main image is the pack raider, made popular by films. The bisexual Marlon Brando wasn’t the true type to round up all the maidens and carry them off. But that’s what the American public is tuned to expect from bikers. The film “Easy Riders” is an exception to this genre; but it was meant to be political. You will note in these films, however, that the locals are always sheep. The few who step up are cut down. The bikers get what they want. Nobody can stop ‘em.

Which won’t be true. Those who decide to resist will find that bikers are easy to neutralize. We need to study the bikers more. Let me start by saying what they are, and not. They are exaggerated in several ways, hence over-rated. The ones we have to worry about are the 10 percenters; the five percent that have criminal minds, and the five percent who are sociopaths. Sociopaths aren’t necessarily criminals, but they will roll with criminals in order to carry out their destructions on society.

So that eliminates 90 percent of the bikers you see out there. The 90 percent are the wannabes and part timers. We might call them, unkindly, fantasists. They are misfits or carry grudges; they are weekend tourers, bar hoppers. Generally they are harmless because they don’t have criminal minds. In anarchy we can count on this 90 percent to melt away. For now, I focus on the 10 percent—the “white” gangs, the Harley-Davidson type. These will be primarily working class guys. They are very good with technics and machines, they are physical, many are military veterans; and they will be marginalized more than any other group. By marginalized I mean they will have been pushed to the edge of secure life by decades of economic streamlining and displacement by immigrants. They will hate the government and the upper middle class and rich. Some will be race killers, some anti-racist.

In conditions of anarchy our event horizons will shrink. Your subdivision, your frontage road, will be your world. Your ZIP will be way too big. If you arrange a defense force you will be prepared; you can drive marauders out. They will look for softer targets. They will thunder away.

Here I should ask, why would criminals choose bikes? It is the worst technology for crime in several ways. Bikes are unstable and they carry very little plunder. More on that later. But not all “bikers” will use a bike. Many will be sensible and use something practical—like a one ton van. On raids they might deploy bike outriders for security and recon. But of course some criminals will prefer to raid on their bikes. This will be the highest exercise of their ideal, the mounted outlaw. The frontier is strong in the American mind. It won’t go away; this is why gun control has been stalled for 20 years and will remain stalled. Gun culture is good for the prison and intelligence-military industries. Americans like outlaws and guns. Romantic as hell.

But we know that the serious criminals will drive four wheels, especially vans and trucks. On the other hand, the dick-cutters, not out for loot but pleasure, will ride bikes. There is a psycho-sexual connection with the “freedom” of the bike and the mounted raider fantasy. There always is in all-male outfits. But in criminal biker gangs there will be females, too, and some will be frightening psychopaths. Some will be under the influence of pornography.

On the positive side, bikes can outperform a police cruiser in a city environment. The biker who knows the alleys and shortcuts intimately, can lose pursuers, if he has a plan. A biker courier could bypass electronic surveillance, and move more easily and quickly than a car. Bikes are easier to hide, too. Bikes are incisive. But in open country, bikes lose. Street bikes don’t last long off-road.

From those lame-ass “biker” pictures we have a solid image: bikers rolling into town en masse and taking whatever they want, starting with your wife and daughter. Of course, the local population are always sheep. They don’t organize, they don’t shoot the bikers, who are easy targets. The image of the locals as sheep is lodged in the biker’s mind as well. Thus, both parties, in anarchy, are likely to act according to this model.

A “survivalist’s” response should be to act outside this meme. He will have built up a disgust for marauders and so be mentally prepared to terminate them. He will know when a gang is approaching. He will have put out videttes and a core defense force. He will have marked attack zones, and shoot the bikers down when they enter. A motorcylce is easily neutralized. If you are so foolish that you don’t have firearms, you could deploy caltrops, lubricants, balks, cables, burning oil, to stop them. You can throw rocks. Determined resistance will drive them off.

The birth-event of the biker is not well known: the 1948 Hollister “riot.” The media has exaggerated the affair. One text described them, “the pissed off bastards of Bloomington.” I don’t know where Bloomington is; California, I think. It doesn’t matter, because was a metaphor in the minds of those young men. What it meant to them, I don’t know. I am pretty sure that these veterans “rioted” against the consumerist cage that was being built around them. I suspect that a future as an economic widget horrified them. After all, they were just out of military slavery, for which they were rounded up and forced to fight in a cataclysmic war. They sensed what was coming.

Gelling this resistance, giving it details, inflating it, was Hunter Thompson’s book “Hell’s Angels” (1965). This is what implanted the “biker” meme that we hold now. Read it. And this is when the “altered state” phenomenon came into the culture. Alternative reality and the outlaw rider have combined into an escapist model. Can’t stand it any more? Ride away, take drugs to alter your perception. Get a gun. (This works for some people.) So you see that we are dealing with a complex issue. Bikers are criminals—but romantics, too. Should we expect they will have a code of ethics? Yes. Will it dispense mercy? I don’t want to test it.

In a prolonged anarchy (five plus days) the bikers will start amalgamating. This will be to access fresh territory (market); competition will quickly use up the local territory. The gangs will start killing each other off. Some will disintegrate and their survivors will join other gangs. There will be mergers and defections. The hybrids will be more efficient and some will endure. The process could take months. If LE reestablishes control, the hybrids might fight LE and defeat it; (I doubt it); else they will disband and desist, or go underground. At this point the biker marauders will no longer be a threat. So you see, the mounted raider will be the first sort of gang eliminated.

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Freedom Award Finalist: "A Survivalist Mindset Amongst Apathy"

2012-01-04T15:41:00.000-06:00

by RobNPhx, as originally posted to modernsurvivalonline.com

Apathy is described as a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, and passion. Over the course of these last couple of years I’ve found myself more inclined, empowered by a sense of urgency and righteousness in my beliefs, to speak with others, sometimes at great length, about my views concerning preparedness and the necessity of possessing a survivalist mindset. Often, my concerns seem to be better received outside of my most intimate inner circle of friends and family. Perhaps that same intimacy that brings about the emotional and physical bond we often share, is a detriment to my ability to convince those I most wish to convince: my truly apathetic loved ones, of the real perils that await the unprepared. Familiarity does, indeed, often breed dissent.

Casual strangers, or mere acquaintances, will usually indulge my opinions about the impending decline of our world as we know it–at least until they get that “glazed-over look” that tells me they have since tuned me out, and are concentrating their focus on something more important…like who the latest front-runners for American Idol might be; or what Snookie (Jersey Shore) said or did on their latest trashy episode. Now don’t get me wrong–I seldom, if ever, initiate any conversation regarding the virtues of preparation with anyone I don’t know well; I have simply found the task to be far too frustrating in most cases. It has become my conclusion that the uninformed prefer to stay that way, believing instead that all will turn out well in the end, and that our government won’t let them down when disaster once again strikes. Even pointing out the somewhat recent “Katrina/New Orleans” debacle does little if anything to deter their unwavering faith in the system. They simply see the general lack of preparedness by both the citizens of New Orleans and our federal government as an aberration, a glitch, a hiccup that will never happen again. I cannot help but wonder if the people of New Orleans–those that suffered through the storm and it’s terrible remnants, and choose to remain there to this very day–still have as much faith in their elected and appointed officials as they did pre-Katrina. Hmm…I wonder?

The informed and apathetic are, however, a different breed of cat. These people are generally educated and well informed of what goes on, globally as well as at the local level. They cannot, sadly enough, be classified or pigeon-holed into one neat little compartment of naysayers and denialists any more than Survivalists, Preppers, New World Order Theorists, and Neocons can be all categorized as End-of-The-World Kooks or Chicken Little Alarmists. They have the truth; the handwriting is on their wall just as it is on ours. The difference of opinions, I believe, can be boiled down to one basic and most fundamental tenet: since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and, most recently, the September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of The World Trade Center, and The Pentagon, most Americans have never had their White Castle dreams of isolation and insulation–thus protection from the evils of the rest of the world–put to any real test. They have seen the tragedies and horrors of wars taking place thousands of miles away, in lands and cultures unrecognizable to their own. But those wars would NEVER happen here! We are the U.S. of A, for God’s sake!

Truth be told, I don’t even mind the skepticism and the mocking raised eyebrows of both the informed or uninformed. They have their choices, as do I. What really hurts are the comments from those whom I love the most, would give my very life for, and whom I intend on protecting, despite their lack of belief. When I hear my wife say to a friend or neighbor or fellow family member, when speaking of my passion for all things preparedness, “Oh, that’s just Rob doing his little hobby thing,” I want to scream out, “Wake up, honey! This isn’t my “little hobby.” This is me maybe saving our skins when the SHTF!”

I will continue with my preparations. I will persevere despite the majority of people thinking I’m the crazy one. I will invest as much as it takes to offer my family and loved ones as many opportunities to survive as I possibly can. And, if it never comes to that, then all the better for all of us. Better to be prepared and not need it, than to need it and not be prepared.

Help us determine the best survival-related article of 2011 as written for Safecastle's 2011 Freedom Awards contest. See all the finalists in the article and video categories: www.safecastle.blogspot.com

Maximum Mountain House Sale, w/ Member Rewards (& MREs are Available Again Too!)

2012-01-01T11:34:00.002-06:00

Congratulations--you made it to 2012!

What's next? Who knows. It sure does NOT look to be a year of turnarounds and improvement ahead, does it?

Regardless, we're going to get you off and running in the most timely and prudent fashion, given all the uncertainties and concerns around the bend. This year, we are allotted just three Mountain House cans sales. Our first sale cranks up tonight at midnight, Eastern time, and runs thru January 15.

Food prices are skyrocketing. These MH list prices are still from early last year. My expectation: Mountain House can prices will go up significantly this year--I'm sure of it--just like every other quality food out there these days. Many wise folks today are viewing quality long-term food storage as just about the most certain tangible investment available. We fully agree. Think about it. Decide if this isn't maybe the last best opportunity you might have to get it all squared away.

This Two-Week MH Sale (Shop here)

From January 2-15 ... As always with our MH sales--we are offering the maximum allowed discount on all MH can varieties: 25%.

As always--it all ships free to the continental US.

As always, we are offering buyers club members special reward gift certificates for their MH cans case purchases ($50 for every three cases).

And this time around, we are also offering an early-bird option to the rewards, while supplies last.

For those Royalty Reward details, see: http://www.safecastle.com/jan-12-mh-sale-rewards.aspx

MREs!

Many of you will be very pleased to see that we now have some quality MRE cases to offer again. It's been years since we had access to good-quality MREs like this.

Have a blessed, safe, and secure new year.

This is what democracy looks like - from 300 feet in the air

2011-12-30T10:20:00.002-06:00

Early this year, I added a Parrot AR Drone to my personal inventory of preparedness tools. Some folks ask, "What?--how is that about preparedness?"

In an acronym, it's ISR, baby: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.

Here is a great example of how this can be useful ... as demonstrated in Poland in November when a civilian filmed riots and police action from above the fray.

http://youtu.be/o3OB_4BT1LA

http://youtu.be/FmhV-ymivJk

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

"Anonymous" plans for violent revolution

2011-12-27T12:15:00.001-06:00

Hacking group that helped organize Occupy protests warns of "bloody mess," provides online survivor guide for citizens ...

Read more: 'Anonymous' plans for 'violent revolution' http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=381477#ixzz1hlAEepSL

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

2011-12-24T12:18:00.002-06:00

Amy Grant: "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" - Have a Blessed Christmas

2011-12-24T11:31:00.000-06:00

A Very TSA Christmas: Grandma Got Indefinitely Detained

2011-12-22T14:41:00.000-06:00

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Faber: Diversify ... Lucky Ones In 5 Years Will Have 50% of What They Now Have

2011-12-21T18:41:00.000-06:00

Act Fast - While Supplies Last: 40% Off for Members on Select Items

2011-12-16T16:50:00.000-06:00

Shop here.

We're moving product out as fast as we can at the end of the year at outstanding savings to you. The following linked products are 25% off for non buyers club members and 40% for club members when logged in and you iuse the coupon code below!!

Just be sure to use this coupon code when you checkout (enter it in the coupon field in the checkout; gift certificate codes can be used simultaneously if you have one--enter that in the gift certificate field).

This coupon code is good thru December while supplies last on these products below:

BLOWOUT11

All listed Optimus Products

All listed Maxpedition products

3M 1860 N95 Masks

Potassium Iodide

Steripen Traveler

8-in-1 Multi-Function Pocket Tool

Katadyn Mini

Katadyn Drip Ceradyn

Katadyn Hiker Pro

The Quest: Safecastle Mission Rig

Prepared.pro 48-Hour Kit

Shaker Siphon

Assorted Pepper Spray

Pink Pen Pepper Spray

Rex, the Electronic Watchdog

K8 Personal Radiation Detector

Yoders Hotdogs

Mega-Protein Meat & Dairy Pack

And don't forget our current Mountain House freeze dried food offer while supplies last.

Acute Butter Shortage in Norway has Butter Up to $465 per Pound!

2011-12-12T11:53:00.001-06:00

Norway is one of the world's richest countries. But that has not prevented an acute butter shortage in that Scandinavian country. Store shelves are emptied of butter and prices for butter online have skyrocketed to 350 euros ($465).

Supply is down due to a rainy summer, and demand is up by about 30% over last year.

For more, see: http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2011/12/12/norway-butter-shortage-threatens-christmas-treats

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Mountain House Freeze Dried Apples Now Available

2011-12-09T17:13:00.001-06:00

Free Stuff w/ Qualifying Purchases - Inventory Blowout!
We're looking to move out inventory over the next few weeks and we have come up with some ways to get some of these great products free to you with qualifying purchases.

Our first couple of offers should come as no surprise to you--they involve our ever-popular Mountain House freeze-dried foods ...

1. For many years, we were known for offering a three-case MH can package that included 18 different varieties. Today, we're making available a limited number of those 18-can kits again. But in these kits you are getting a free can of the new MH diced apples AND you are getting a free MH Best Sellers kit for your emergency bag or your car trunk. This is a rare and unique offer and I fear these available packages will go very quickly.

2. I just mentioned the new MH diced apples. We made a special purchase to get them here--they are available only for a limited time. We now have them in stock and we want to get them into your hands. We are not limited on these apples by the standard MH dealer pricing rules, so we are going to give them to you for free. That's right--a free full case of MH diced apples OR a free case of diced apples with cinnamon (your choice) with any three--case purchase of MH canned foods listed in our store. (Only full, non-variety cases qualify for this offer.)

Some things to note--this time around, our available MH inventory is very limited. Anything listed today is available and ready to ship to you from our warehouse, including the free apples and the free MH Best Sellers kits. So make your choices promptly and you will get your best selection--while supplies last.

Safecastle LLC is a leading crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Jim Rogers: The End of the World as We Know It

2011-12-08T21:22:00.000-06:00

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Get Ready Seriously ... www.safecastle.com

Submission Deadline Approaches for the 2011 Safecastle Freedom Awards – A New Media Survivalist Contest

2011-12-08T10:07:00.003-06:00

Minneapolis, MN--The Safecastle Freedom Awards is a contest of skill, recognizing the best original, web-based content of the year that is related to survivalism and preparedness.

"We’re down to the last three weeks of the 2011 contest’s entry period." said Vic Rantala, president of Safecastle LLC, the crisis preparedness outfitter. "We aim to find and recognize the best, original, web-based content of the year, as submitted to several hand-selected websites in the genre."

Specifically, Safecastle's Freedom Awards program aims to reward logic, ethics, and knowledgeable insight demonstrated in a compelling way, in both non-fiction articles and in short online videos.

Said Rantala, "Increasingly people from all social circles are being drawn to the common sense appeal of reasonable, 'just in case' preparedness planning and activities. We've found that everyone is essentially looking for some measure of peace of mind in a world at risk. They are turning to the web for information on how to be better prepared for disaster and danger. There are some excellent resources and websites out there, and we want to encourage the continuation of the high-quality work that is appearing out there with regard to readiness planning."

Eligible entries will include new non-fiction articles written and originally posted online by Dec. 31, 2011, at a participating blog or forum. New short videos posted at the participating websites will also be eligible for Safecastle Freedom Award recognition. All finalists will be awarded an engraved, bronze-plated Safecastle Freedom Award. Top prizes will include such treasures as Katadyn Pocket water filters and Excalibur Dehydrators.

For more details on the contest, including links to the websites that are participating as sponsors, see "2011 Safecastle Freedom Awards."

UBS Advises Investing in "Precious Metals, Tinned Goods, and Small Calibre Weapons"

2011-12-07T12:28:00.002-06:00

Excerpt of report by UBS analyst Larry Hatheway:

Simply put, linear thinking doesn’t work in a non-linear world. And break-up is likely to produce a very non-linear set of outcomes.

Which brings me, lastly, to the question I sometimes get about what is the ‘right’ asset allocation in the event of break-up.

I suppose there might be some assets worthy of consideration—precious metals, for example. But other metals would make wise investments, too. Among them tinned goods and small calibre weapons.

Break-up runs the risk of becoming one wretched scenario. Sadly, however, it can’t be ruled out, just as it would have been improper to rule out the horrors of the first half of the 20th century before they happened.
But it is very hard to see break-up as a solution. Let’s hope Europe’s politicians and policymakers agree and take action this week to fix what is broken before itall really breaks up.

Read the entire editorial at Zero Hedge.

Vic Rantala is owner of Safecastle LLC, crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

Will You Run or Gut It Out?

2011-12-02T13:21:00.001-06:00

There's a fundamental “either-or” decision that often has to be made in the face of impending crisis. That is, flight or fight ... bug out or dig in ... run or gut it out.

We all need to be prepared for either side of that equation. It's great to have stacks of stored food, tools, and supplies in the basement, because there are plenty of scenarios where all those resources will serve you well. But there are also a myriad of cases where the smart money picks up and gets out of Dodge. In that kind of situation, it's often going to need to be done on a moment's notice, so we need to have some resources packed and ready to go.

It's not easy making the right decision. Some folks have a hard time leaving their homes and possessions behind if there is a risk everything will be lost or destroyed. One memorable example was an old fellow named Harry Truman who, in 1980, refused to leave his lodge on Spirit Lake in the shadow of the building eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington. He had run the lodge since 1928, and his stubborn refusal to abide by evacuation orders was given much media attention at the time. Of course he and his beloved lodge were lost in the catastrophic eruption ... his body was never found.

Stubbornness, fear, or ignorance often prevent folks from recognizing the nature of impending risks and to fairly weigh their options. Or perhaps it is courage that differentiates one man’s action from another.
Clearly, paralysis is far easier to give in to than to overcome. How many folks lost their lives to Hurricane Katrina because they did not evacuate, in spite of the most urgent warnings given by authorities? Certainly thousands.

Sometimes, warnings leave no time for thought or doubt. Imminent dangers leave logical, instinctive survival responses to rule. For example, there in the last several years, there were two devastating tsunamis in Asia. Telltale natural clues and as well as last-minute urgent warnings from authorities allowed many to take immediate evasive actions that saved their lives. Wildfires or forest fires often provide some small window of opportunity for evacuation for those in their path. People who see an approaching tornado do not dally and over-think their options--they either get into their available shelters or they flee if none are available, depending upon their proximity to the funnel cloud.

A list of potential threats would be endless. Sometimes, we are given days to mull over our course of action. Other times only minutes or seconds.

Of course, there are plenty of events where no warning is given ... such as major earthquakes, industrial accidents, terror attacks, and on and on. In those events, survival can be affected by instantaneous reactions. Basic survival instinct can spell the difference between life or death.

The bottom line is, when we are given fair warning of impending disaster, we must be physically and mentally prepared to make the right moves.

Basic Choices and Pre-Positioning Your State of Mind

We can boil down our basic choices in an effort to apply them to most situations and to help you get yourself into a ready position for potential dangers.

Most important--you will ALWAYS be best served by keeping a clear head and calm demeanor in order to rapidly work through what must be done when you are faced with a potentially life-threatening situation. BEFOREHAND, do regular thought-pattern drills …think about the need for self-control and practice that at all times. Mull over basic emergency options in general terms periodically before you are actually presented with an emergency and you will be more apt to react wisely in the chaos of crisis.

Then, when the moment of truth arrives, you will be functional and capable of responding in logical fashion to the circumstances presented. Given your predilection to preparedness, you will also have adequate physical assets, tools, and resources available so that you do actually have a full range of options at your disposal.

In man-made or natural disasters, you will need to either …

1. “Dig-in.” If you are at home or work or on other familiar ground and you know your available resources will provide you with what you need, this is often the wisest choice to make (and the one we often spend the most time building up in our preparedness activities). If you have a hardened, storm-proof shelter with supplies in stock, and you do not face a flooding or fire risk, or there is not an air quality situation that makes staying put a losing proposition, then you may very well opt to "stay home." After all, if most others are having to evacuate the area, you could find yourself in a dangerous gridlock or panic situation out there secondary to the major risk, but just as dangerous. The other major advantage here is community support available that is lost when you hit the road. So, if you are well positioned to stay right where you are and the risk is appropriate to your preparations, then stay put.

2. Or “Bug-out.” If you have no decent shelter and supplies available where you are, or the threatening situation will overcome your position (as in fire, flood, toxic gas), then you must pick up and go. If you are adequately prepared for this kind of event, you will have some needed resources packed and ready to go--in your closet, under your desk, and/or in your vehicle. Commonly called a bug-out bag, you'll want to have at a minimum: some drinking water, food, a change of clothing, cash, credit card, ID, a contact list, flashlight, first aid kit, needed medications, a surgical mask to filter airborne particles, a multitool, and cell phone. This list can be greatly expanded depending on your situation. (In the north, smart folks have blizzard bags in their vehicles that include blankets, food, matches, hand warmers, etc., in case we are ever stranded in our cars in the cold.) Figure that everyone should have at least a 24-hour emergency bag with them wherever they are. Many have a few bags ready to go that provide care and sustenance for a week or more. The Hurricane Katrina aftermath was a good example of the wisdom in that approach.

In any case, “react well.” No-warning disasters or threats require some mental acuity more than anything else. If there are adequate physical preparations on hand, that can often be of great use as well. I am thinking here in terms of a violent assault, a home intrusion, or a sudden geophysical act of God. Other potential scenarios could include a major transportation or industrial accident that releases toxicity or radiation into your area ... or an act of war that would include a chemical, biological, or nuclear event. If you have previously trained or prepared or thought through your options, you will be ahead of the game. If you are surprised with a situation that you have no ability to deal with, good luck. Don't obsess, but give some thought to your potential risks and figure out now what you might be able to do.

Above all, stay calm and within your capabilities as you try to deal with a situation. A human's heart rate reaches a certain level usually seen in "panic situations" when normal brain activity is impossible. (Think mass crowd panic.) Understand that you will not always tend to think or react rationally. Preparation, mental and physical, can help and will often mean the difference between life and death.

Vic Rantala is owner of Safecastle LLC, crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

How to Persuade Others to Prepare Now, Avoiding Ruination

2011-12-01T17:38:00.008-06:00

A majority of the U.S. population understands that a global depression is in process. Yet so many seem not to understand the practical basics of what it is they can do to enhance their ability to pull their household through and survive the chaos and despair that is on the horizon.

Fortunately, millions have seen the cautionary signposts for years. Really, none of what is happening economically, culturally, or geopolitically should be a shock to anyone. After all, so many have taken productive steps to prepare for this or a similar catastrophic event to ensure at least a chance at providing for the needs of loved ones through very difficult times.

If there has been a surprise registered among these observers, it is that the whole process of collapse has been such a gradual, plodding progression—not to be deterred. Many envisioned disaster that would come instantly, perhaps overnight--with a clearly recognizable sign from the heavens signaling it's time to pack up the moped, head for the hills, and never look back. The apocryphal all-out nuclear exchange that decimates the civilized world in minutes is what some doomers had in mind … or in the event of an economic collapse scenario, a financial implosion distinguishable by a hailstorm of stockbrokers leaping from tall towers and pitchfork-wielding peasants storming all the banks and convenience stores for their final entitlements.

But historians tell us that even in the Great Depression of 1929 (and beyond), folks didn't understand it for what it was until they were maybe midway through it. That is, years into the debacle ... one day perhaps realizing, “Hey, boiling up shoe-leather soup is not what we used to call normal dinner-table fare ... when did this happen?”

Fact is, it is a blessing that today’s slow-developing period of pre-ruination allows for so many more folks out there to urgently lay in supplies and gear for the long, cold nights ahead. The more of us prepared for mass shortages and suffering, the better off we all will be. So this is the hand we have been dealt—a last great opportunity to encourage those around us to prepare.

Oozing Persuasive Wisdom

Through the years, one almost-universal complaint I heard from fellow preparedness activists was that they were often unable to convince even those nearest and dearest to them that crisis readiness is important. After all, for many who sailed smoothly through the calm seas of the American Dream, there was the conventional perspective that only kooks and "racist survivalists" prepared for a disaster that would probably never come. It was a view that was cultivated in the public mind by the corporate-driven media for decades. So in spite of the obvious common sense inherent in a balanced approach to life and being prepared for rainy days, there was a wall that needed to be breeched for some folks to recognize the full breadth of reality’s highs and lows.

Indeed it was a tough sell. Discouragement in getting the message across to a spouse, siblings, buddies, or coworkers was a common woe. The spouse factor alone was seemingly insurmountable for some.

Those who were more successful in sharing the pursuit of preparedness were usually those who had the aura of satisfaction and confidence.

How-To Get “the Aura”

This won't work for everyone, but in my personal, extensive experience, this is your best bet. I've been involved in preparedness of various kinds, professionally as well as personally for decades, and with time, you learn that there IS a way to at least get folks to listen to what you have to say.

Anytime you are first bringing up the issue of preparedness with someone (and perhaps EVERY time you discuss it) ...

1. Lose the emotion. Fear, anger, paranoia ... those are the emotions and "danger signs" many people out there would be turned off by and probably alarmed about. Show it and the cause is already lost.

Be patient, wait for the right clue to bring it up … then take a calm, uncommitted, intelligent tack in which you almost casually relate the view that crisis preparedness is common sense. Be dispassionate, non-threatening ... that's how you need to bring the issue forward. If there is no sign of your companion being in the least bit receptive, drop it. Maybe the next opportunity that arises will be different. Just don't make it an obvious priority in your interactions with the person.

2. No target-lock on any one threat. This is a big problem for many. It's easy not only to inadvertently zero in on one big threat of the hour when talking about crisis preparedness, it's just as easy to allow it to become all-consuming in one's own actual approach to preparedness. When raising the issue of preparedness, be knowledgeable, but not necessarily "expert." Talk about crises in general if appropriate, unless your friend is needing to talk over an issue that is bothering them today (i.e., the economic collapse today is a likely topic).

Most important, talk more about solutions, not so much about difficulties. Trying to scare someone into seeing things your way never really hits the mark.

3. Don't play oracle, proclaiming THE END. Want to be seen as a crank? Set a deadline and start telling folks that you know something ominous they don't. Throughout history, dates of doom have come and gone as have their promoters. Even if you see some risk ahead, keep it to yourself until it becomes painfully obvious to even the most obtuse.

4. Don't talk about TEOTWAWKI. See #3. "The End Of The World As We Know It" became a common acronym circa the Y2K computer-scare era. Of course, it is also widely applied to post nuclear-war exchanges, and so on. What most people know in their heart is that life goes on. And that change is inevitable and continuous. To try to counter either of those axioms is to ask to be pigeon-holed into a niche where few can be taken seriously.

5. Eventually drop the mystery about your own preparedness efforts. Today, more and more people are openly into preparedness, particularly with others who are of like mind. The preparedness market niche in business is practically mainstream at this point. Of course this runs counter to the tendency many have to protect access to and knowledge of their preparedness resources. But to encourage someone else to embark upon a personal campaign toward greater readiness by being more open about your own efforts, is a powerful way to go about it. When it comes down to it, folks are more easily inspired by demonstrated actions over hollow words. Use common sense deciding when it might actually prove to be wise to take this path with someone and to what extent.

If more folks were forthcoming about their own preparedness efforts, then the public impression that normal people don't do this would be immediately laid to rest.

6. If you are trying to “build your case,” limit the reference points you share to sources in the "alternative media." There are a lot of very enthusiastic parties out there focusing on specific, preparedness-related issues. They may be off the beaten path and all have their own adherents and do often contribute in their way to crisis readiness in the general population. However, before you refer fence-sitting preparedness prospects to a website or to a book of interest, etc., be sure you consider the kind of first impression they will likely have, given all aspects of that reference work and ALL the content and themes being projected there.

Vic Rantala is owner of Safecastle LLC, crisis preparedness provider. Emergency storage food such as Mountain House freeze dried foods, Safecastle steel-plate shelters and saferooms, and other unique survival gear solutions are available at www.safecastle.com

If You Can't Beat it, Rhyme it

2011-11-27T11:07:00.001-06:00

Prep like you mean it.

The world is on fire.

Alternatives receded,

we have to climb higher.

Feel free to add your own verse in the comments below.

Give the Gift of Preparedness & Get a FREE MH Best Sellers Kit

2011-11-26T10:06:00.001-06:00

Looking for practical, eye-opening, memorable, and even life-changing for your gift-giving?

Safecastle is now offering eGift Certificates that allow you to easily offer friends and family the chance to embark on the kind of crisis preparedness journey you know is so important these days.

Our eGift Certificates are available in a wide range of denominations for any budget.

And for a limited time, for our buyers club members who purchase eGift Certificates totaling at least $150: we are throwing in a FREE Mountain House Best Sellers Kit.

Tis the season to be ready.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:37:00.000-06:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

Safecastle Mountain House Sale EXTENDED thru Nov. 21

2011-11-19T08:25:00.000-06:00

MH Cans Sale--Our Inventory is Blowing Out the Door--We've Arranged with the MH Factory to Ship Product as Well For Us

I don't need to tell you what's going on out there in the world. There are no bailouts that can rescue us anymore. Your future well-being is solely in your hands today. Prepare for the worst, because that's what's coming.

We are blowing thru all our in-stock Mountain House foods as well as our other food varieties and packages. Folks who know the score are taking advantage of our discounted food prices and free shipping before the looming price hikes that are coming next year (not to mention the societal chaos that also seems assured).

If you are not fully squared away by now--I advise you to get it all together now. The experts I interact with agree that time is now measured in days and weeks. I hesitate to connect such "scare-mongering" with our Safecastle sales, but today, it is what it is. We are all playing the cards that are dealt to us, right?

This is one current silver lining -- Our "Bunker-up" Mountain House cans sale is still in process--we have extended these maximum discounts thru Monday, Nov. 21. You have some great opportunities to maximize your resources and convert them into valuable supplies that are going to seriously appreciate in value in the future if expected food inflation and food shortage predictions are on target..

We are offering the maximum-allowed 25% discount on all MH cans.
Our buyers club members can capitalize on our current MH Royalty Rewards program and our 2011 Cache Back program.
Needless to say, EVERYTHING ships free to the lower 48 all the time.

More good news: The MH factory has agreed to immediately ship to customers the foods we run out of so that we can continue to offer you all the available MH varieties, even as our inventory is depleted. (The only item out of stock at the factory at the moment is Bananas and that will be available in early December.)

Shop the sale now.

Reminder: Mountain House pouches are going up in price across the board--an average of 7%--January 1, 2012. So if you need MH pouches--get 'em now.

Last MH Sale of 2011-Max Discount, Freebies, All in Stock & Ready to Ship Promptly

2011-11-14T07:57:00.007-06:00

We're running a four-day 25%-Off Mountain House sale this week--Wednesday, November 16 thru Saturday, November 19.

Shop the sale now.

Note that we're only selling MH cans that are in stock. We're bringing in lots of extra help to get your order out pronto. So there are no worries about long delays on your Mountain House delivery. The last thing you want is to get your order jammed up in the "mails" with the holiday season about to begin--hence--we are getting shipments out within a few days of order receipt to beat the holiday shipping crush.

Of course, everything ships free to the lower 48 all the time.

As for this week's sale-period Mountain House Royalty Rewards Incentives program--we have pumped it up this time around over previous MH sale Rewards, so the time is right for you to make sure your bunker is stocked up going into what everybody is agreed is going to be a very tough year ahead.

Have a look at these new sale-period Royalty Rewards.

And this news just got to us today: Mountain House is raising pouch case prices across the board for 2012 at about 7%. So if you need to stock up on MH pouches--do it now.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

A Limited Number of Canned Bacon Cases Available Today

2011-11-08T09:09:00.001-06:00

We've been waiting MANY weeks for our bulk shipment of Yoders bacon to arrive from the factory. The Yoders factory is backed up untold weeks at this point - due to an epic surge in demand for canned meats over the last several months.

Yesterday we received our first bacon shipment in a LONG time. We are now filling some of our own recent bacon backorders and setting aside a number of cases for our many food packages. We've also taken in many orders for the bacon already in the last several hours. So what that leaves us with at the moment is a grand total of 15 cases of Yoders bacon on hand to ship for new orders. Then, we also have 20 more cases arriving in two weeks. After that, we're again at the back of the line in terms of getting more in.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

We Remodeled and Brought in New Products

2011-11-05T07:42:00.000-05:00

A New Dried-Food Line in Buckets
and a Mega-Protein Meat & Dairy Variety Pack

1. Have a look at our modestly streamlined, remodeled store. Like it? Don't like it? Let me know. (Notice that we are refocusing our identity on our Safecastle name. The PREPARED.PRO domain still works to get to our store, but we are now using that name as a brand for some special products we make available in our store.)

2. Budget concerns are huge these days. That's why we've brought in a new line of dried foods with lower prices than the Mountain House foods everyone is so familiar with. We are now offering Lindon Farms freeze-dried and dehydrated foods packaged in zipseal mylarfoil bags and plastic buckets. We did our homework with these folks. The food line is new , healthy, and meat-free. Check our low member pricing on these foods (all the packages are based on 2000-calories a day).

3. Speaking of meat, protein in a survival situation is a big necessity. It's also of course the most expensive kind of nutrition out there. In fact, right now, some meats in the grocery store are inflating in price at the annual rate of 10%. Well, we thought this is the time to do what we can to make sure you, our best customers, have a shot at a Mega-Protein Meat & Dairy Pack at a price that soon will be but a fond memory. (Shhh ... check our member price on this.)

4. As many of you know, renowned survival trainer Ron Hood passed away a few months back. Ron was a great resource for us here in his role as a member of our Safecastle Board of Advisors and we continue to look for ways to offer our support to his wife Karen and young son. In that concurrent vein of pride, appreciation, and encouragement, we are offering a handful of the survival knives Ron designed and perfected--which are now getting a great deal of attention and acclaim in survival and blade-crafting circles. Check out the Buck Knives - Ron Hood Hoodlum Survival Knife.

We've got more we could talk about but I'll let you poke around and find a few new gems in the store.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

Your Food Prices Today and Tomorrow - Prepare Prudently

2011-10-29T18:45:00.002-05:00

The USDA keeps tabs on food-cost data, using a number of different parameters. If you're interested in such things, here's a nice place to start on their website: a table of Food CPI and expenditures.

From that table, you will find, among other things, that in 2010 the average total per capita food expenditure in the US was $4016. The USDA also just came out with a statement to the effect that they anticipate the 2011 number will be up to 4.5% higher. That means when the 2011 data is in the books, they expect the per capita number could reach $4197.

The most current rate of food price inflation is actually showing higher than 5%, with meats and dairy leading the way (for instance, beef prices are up better than 10% from September 2010 to September 2011).

Your mileage may very well differ from these numbers. Most folks I know would see 5% annual food price increases as far more moderate than what they are personally experiencing. Much depends on what and how you eat. Also, if you have a number of mouths to feed, those per capita increases deliver a magnified impact on a household budget.

Boiled and Mashed

I like to boil these numbers down to cost per day and then cost per meal. The assumption is not that these food costs equate to three meals per day. I know that in reality, Americans snack and eat and drink at times other than at mealtime. But I am in the preparedness food business, and looking at the cost of daily sustenance is pertinent to our marketplace.

The USDA seems to be expecting that our 2011 per capita daily food costs are at $11.50. A family of 4 is spending $46.00 a day on food. You can easily do your own math based on your own household size to cost per meal.

That USDA per capita number is averaged across all income brackets. If you are upper middle class or better, your food cost is no doubt higher--significantly.

Preparing for Higher Costs Tomorrow

There is no doubt that food price pressures are increasing. Growing global populations and emerging markets where populations are entering the competition for limited food supplies will lead to higher food costs down the road. Weather disasters causing crop failures are expected to continue to grow in significance. We won't even go where the USDA does not tread in their forecasting ... such as what might happen in the case of economic collapse or the eruption of major warfare, and how that could affect food supplies and prices.

Needless to say, more than ever, a quality food storage program is the foundation for any serious-minded household preparedness effort.

Preparing by the Numbers

Some folks new to preparedness shy away from making major food investments, even knowing that food which stores well for decades is going to be be far more valuable and critical when the time comes for its consumption.

But the USDA data actually helps some folks to put it all into perspective. Bottom line--do not expect that quality food--the kind you are accustomed to eating--and especially food that is specifically canned and packaged for long-term storage, is going to cost less than what you are spending today for your food. You know--the food that is processed and packaged in volumes meant for prompt consumption in massive consumer-driven quantities.

In other words--if want to be confident in building a truly adequate and satisfying food storage program for your family, start with the $11.50 per day per person number and go from there. Spend less than that, and something somewhere is wrong and you are likely not getting what you may believe you are getting.

It is still in your power to be ready for what is coming.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

Total Collapse - The Build-up to WWIII

2011-10-29T08:26:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.safecastle.com

Ongoing Bosnia Survival Q&A Thread

2011-10-23T12:24:00.001-05:00

Very interesting thread at www.survivalistboards.com: http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=189395

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

One More Day of 25%-Off MH Cans - and Check Our New Inventory

2011-10-18T15:55:00.000-05:00

1. Thru Oct. 19, Safecastle is offering the maximum-allowed 25% discounts on all MH cans in stock!

2. No matter what quantity you order, you get FREE SHIPPING (to the lower 48).

3. Plus, Buyers Club members reap substantial benefits from two separate incentive programs ... first--the Royalty Rewards program which this time around offers $50 gift certificates for every three MH can cases ordered -- no limit. Second, as with all purchases in our store through 2011, purchases count toward our unique Cache Back program for members.

NOTE: We just added MH canned inventory of Lasagna and Oriental Spicy Chicken--so if you were missing those items--cheer up--we have them again in time for this sale now.
.
ALSO--some other brand new items just listed today:

A case 6 different dried veggies including Jalapenos, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Carrots, and Scalloped Portatoes

A case of assorted dried fruits to include Kiwi, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Blueberries, and Raspberries

We've many more new food items coming, so stay tuned ...

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Wow! - See How 90% of Americans Have Gotten Shafted Over the Past 30 Years

2011-10-16T09:46:00.000-05:00

The Economic Policy Institute has put together an amazing interactive chart that shows the growth of incomes in the US over the past 90 years--broken down by who the gains went to.

Read this short article by Henry Blodget! Good historical context there, as well as shocking evidence of elite greed.

Bottom line, "In the past 30 years, 96% of the growth of average incomes in this country have gone to the richest 10% of the country. And in the past 10 years, the incomes of the other 90% have declined."

Wonder why global unrest is igniting?

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Which Side Are You On?

2011-10-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Watch "180"

2011-10-10T17:53:00.002-05:00

Maximum 25%-Off Mountain House Cans Sale: Oct. 16-19

2011-10-09T09:59:00.009-05:00

Click:

Click: Shop Mountain House Cans Here

Heads-up on this coming opportunity ... your chance to get a hold of the best storage food fast, at maximum discount--absolutely fresh from the factory. (We are fully stocked on all MH canned varieties for this sale.)

And you can save three ways! ...

1. October 16-19 only, Safecastle is offering the maximum-allowed 25% discounts on MH cans!

2. No matter what quantity you order, you get FREE SHIPPING (to the lower 48).

3. Plus, Safecastle Royal Buyers Club members reap substantial benefits from two separate incentive programs ... first--the Royalty Rewards program which this time around offers $50 gift certificates for every three MH can cases ordered--no limit. Second, as with all purchases in our store through 2011, purchases count toward our unique Cache Back program for members.

.Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Ratigan Video Shows Tea Party Solidarity at "Occupy Wall Street"

2011-10-05T13:10:00.001-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"Meltdown": Watch All Four Episodes

2011-10-02T20:39:00.001-05:00

Very important viewing here--a documentary produced by CBC Canada regarding the grim global impact of the financial crash of 2008, which is now returning with a vengeance.

Part 1: The Men Who Crashed the World

Part 2: A Global Financial Tsunami

Part 3: Paying the Price

Part 4: After the Fall

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Free Copy of Rawles' New Novel, "Survivors," w/ Qualifying Purchase

2011-09-29T14:04:00.001-05:00

It's been about 15 years since James Wesley, Rawles' novel Patriots appeared on the scene. Through the years, that book and the author have taken on iconic status in the preparedness community. Now Jim's long-awaited sequel is about to be unleashed, and we're providing free hardcover copies with qualifying purchases of our new Mountain House 3-can packages ... a practical package that also includes an Aurora Firestarter!

These full packages will begin shipping complete October 4--the official release date for "Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse."

We have a limited number of copies of the book ... orders will go out in the order they are received. The queue begins here, now. Get your order in early.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Trader: Market Will Crash Within 12 Months; Prepare Now or Lose All

2011-09-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Global Revolution Livestream: "Occupy Wall Street"--Day 9 Now

2011-09-25T08:50:00.001-05:00

Watch live streaming video from globalrevolution at livestream.com

Gov. Rick Perry vs. President Zero

2011-09-21T18:37:00.003-05:00

I'm a long way from zeroing in on any politician to support in next year's presidential election ... but I do know who has zero chance of getting my support ...

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

A Repeat of the Great Depression is Our Best Case Scenario

2011-09-21T12:10:00.002-05:00

President of the Ayn Rand Institute Yoran Brook says that we’re essentially out of solutions for the economic, financial and monetary crisis facing America. He joins The Daily Ticker to discuss the general sentiment from the institute’s recent Atlas Shrugged Revolution dinner, which featured attendees like Euro Pacific Capital’s Peter Schiff and John Tamny of RealClearMarkets:

The mood in the room was definitely that this country is heading towards some kind of collapse, some kind of significant disaster. That everything kind of is lined up and nobody, really, in the political realm, out there in the culture seems to have solutions…
…
If we look long-term. If we look at the structural problems of the United States, at over $100 Trillion in unfunded liabilities, of ongoing deficits, of no political solutions, of nobody talking about real cuts, where does this all lead?
…
Unless we have real structural change I think it will [lead to disaster]… Unless you change the approach to government, unless you’re willing to challenge the very notion of what government needs to do, you’re not going to change it in a fundamental way.
…Unless you make a fundamental change in our approach to entitlement, in our approach to government, we can buy time, but we’re not going to change the outcome.
…
Unless there’s alternatives, unless people come up with real solutions, the crisis could be anywhere from a major economic depression and we learn our lesson and we climb out of it, to what happened to Rome, which really is the dark ages…
…I think we have to remember that…civilizations in human history have declined, they’ve disappeared…Sometimes in human history mankind has gone through long periods of time of just struggling, of it being very hard to survive.

Based on the assessment of Mr. Brooks, and that of other analysts and commentators (including ourselves), our best case scenario appears to be a major economic depression, not a short-cycle 18 month recession (or even double dip), but a long-term cyclical depressionary bust that occurs roughly every 70 – 80 years. It’s not just Yoran Brooks and alternative media that is warning of this possibility, but well respected and influential economists and business figures like Nouriel Roubini, who just today in an opinion piece for Reuters writes, “the risks ahead are not just of a mild double-dip recession, but of a severe contraction that could turn into Great Depression II,” and George Soros who recently wrote that more centralization is the “only way to forestall a possible financial meltdown and another Great Depression.”

In fact, it is our strong belief that, based on the high rate of unemployment (~23%), food stamp participation (~17%), foreclosures (officially in excess of 4 million home thus far), rising food prices (13.2% annualized), and negative GDP growth (~ negative 2.0%), speaking of another Great Depression as if it is a future threat is inaccurate.

We are now well within Great Depression territory. It may not seem like a depression to the masses because of modern day digital currencies, centrally planned and managed economies, near tyrannical government control, the power of the global mainstream media to control perceptions, and the never ending bread and circuses doled out by politicians. But, make no mistake, we are already in the midst of Mr. Brook’s ‘best case scenario.’

Our only hope is that it does not go full-on worst-case scenario, because then we’ll be talking about the widespread collapse of entire nations, similar to the Roman example cited.

Author: Mac Slavo
Date: September 20th, 2011
Website: www.SHTFplan.com
Copyright Information: Copyright SHTFplan and Mac Slavo. This content may be freely reproduced in full or in part in digital form with full attribution to the author and a link to www.shtfplan.com. Please contact us for permission to reproduce this content in other media formats.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Celente: Things are Going to Get Much Worse

2011-09-16T21:26:00.001-05:00

Reclaim the Constitution from Scofflaw Government

2011-09-16T13:48:00.000-05:00

From Richard Viguerie & Mark Fitzgibbons:

Dear fellow conservative,

We wanted you to be one of the first to receive a copy of something we believe could change the 2012 election -- and many elections after that. It's about reclaiming the Constitution from scofflaw government.

The political establishment is now openly contemptuous in its disregard for the Constitution. Elected officials, judges and bureaucrats have corrupted the law that is supposed to protect society and our freedoms. Many private lawyers commit the moral equivalent of legal malpractice by aiding lawbreaking by the political establishment.

In some political campaigns we now hear talk about American exceptionalism and constitutional conservatism, but too few candidates explain the link between these important ideals. The left wants to destroy American exceptionalism, and attacks constitutional conservatism. We need candidates who understand and can articulate what constitutional conservatism is all about.

We've written what we think is a comprehensive and defining pamphlet of principles, purpose and proposals for constitutional conservatives. It articulates some key ways to reclaim the Constitution from scofflaw government, and to preserve American exceptionalism.

The pamphlet starts this way: "Government is the oldest, largest and most pervasive lawbreaker in America."

We take on the entire political establishment in our no-holds pamphlet describing how government is now society's biggest lawbreaker; so big that nothing is a close second.

Based on decades of experience fighting government lawbreaking in the name of free market conservative principles, we set forth some new ways of thinking, and perhaps confirm what others already know, about why America's exceptionalism is in decline, and how the constitutional conservative movement is the last, best chance to save our country.

We put these ideas in the context of what constitutional conservatives know to be true. Our pamphlet links great thoughts and ideals from the 18th Century English giant, Sir William Blackstone, through James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, to the modern conservative movement that began in the 1950s, and now to the Tea Party. We have set forth these ideals in a way that applies right now.

It's called "The Law That Governs Government: Reclaiming the Constitution from Usurpers and Society's Biggest Lawbreaker."

Here is a link to an excerpt from the introduction, which we call "The People's Opening Argument."

The entire pamphlet itself, which is available at ReclaimtheConstitution.com, includes one appendix with 30 questions people may ask candidates for federal and state office to test their knowledge of, and fidelity to, the Constitution and constitutional conservative principles. We provide another appendix with over 200 items showing government lawbreaking, but that doesn't even scratch the surface of our scofflaw government.

Our pamphlet describes how the political establishment shows contempt for the Constitution, how it rigs the rules to protect and hide its lawbreaking, and why reclaiming the Constitution as the law that governs government may be the most important goal for conservatives if we are to govern effectively.

Above all else, our pamphlet is about what James Madison described as the remedy obtained from the people for the violations of law, the theft of our rights, and usurpation of constitutional authority.

Our principal goal in writing this pamphlet is to help launch an effort to push the Constitution into the center of the 2012 election.

We're planning a major marketing, PR, and advertising campaign to make the failure of most of our political leaders to follow the Constitution an important issue in the 2012 primaries and general election.

To begin this effort, we're writing to people of influence such as yourself, urging them to do what they can to inform and educate others.

To encourage you and others to get this message out, we're not copyrighting our pamphlet. We want to encourage you to make whatever use of it you wish with or without attribution.

Saving America is what's important -- not who gets credit for this or that. The selflessness and the sacrifices of our Founders should be an inspiration and encouragement for all of us.

This Constitution Day, it's time to do more that curse the problem. It's time to reclaim the Constitution.

Please join us in this endeavor to save America from lawbreaking government.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Hyperinflation is Here: 37% Money Printing Hike!

2011-09-16T11:33:00.001-05:00

Excerpt:

"Fri., Sept. 16: I'm going to have to start off with a four letter word this morning, so if you're offended by hard, brutal truth being spoken, then skip this part: New data just posted by the Fed shows we are totally, irrevocably fucked: The Federal Reserve M1 3-month printing rate is up to 36.7 percent annualized!!!! What's more the 3-month M2 printing rate is screaming along up 23.3% basis the three month rate annualized.

"Where the hell is our MSM cadre of so-called business reporters and editors when abominations like this are rising up in the economic data?"

Read George Ure's Urban Survival post.

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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

The Most Stirring Performance Ever of the National Anthem

2011-09-14T08:08:00.001-05:00

Immediately following the worldwide broadcast of the emotional, heartbreaking 10-year commemoration of the 9/11 attacks, Jim Cornelison performed the most amazing rendition of the National Anthem ever ...

Wow!

9-11 Ground Zero: Paul Simon Plays "The Sound of Silence"

2011-09-11T20:12:00.002-05:00

Golden Report: If You Aren't Ready - Get Ready

2011-09-10T12:46:00.003-05:00

Excerpt:

The next three weeks in the Middle East - namely Israel, Cyprus and Turkey, may well provide far more excitement than any of us want. With the High Holy Days beginning on the 29th, this always seems to cause Security to go into high gear in Israel, but this year even more so than usual. The so-called "Palestinians" asking the Arab controlled General Assembly of the United Nations to recognize them as a State is certain to cause riots, if not war, to break out here in Israel. And if Obama betrays Israel and does not veto this in the Security Council the bloodbath could begin right away. Hamas and Hezbollah will cut loose with all they have to back-up the PA in their determination to destroy the State of Israel.

It has also become obvious that Turkey is playing a very dangerous game to gain the upper hand in the Arab and Muslim World.

Read the whole report from Jerry Golden in Israel.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

September 6-8 Mountain House Sale; 3 Ways to Save!

2011-09-02T14:52:00.011-05:00

CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE SALE NOW

Here's your chance to get a hold of the best storage food fast, at maximum discount--absolutely fresh from the factory. (We are fully stocked on all MH canned varieties for this sale.)

And you can save three ways! ...

1. September 6-8 only, Safecastle is offering the maximum-allowed 25% discounts on MH cans (and on pouches too)!

2. No matter what quantity you order, you get FREE SHIPPING (to the lower 48).

3. Plus, Safecastle Royal Buyers Club members reap substantial benefits from two separate incentive programs ... first--the Royalty Rewards program which this time around offers $50 gift certificates for every three MH can cases ordered--no limit. Second, as with all purchases in our store through 2011, purchases count toward our unique Cache Back program for members.

.Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

The End Game of New World Order Chess

2011-08-29T21:19:00.001-05:00

The End Game of New World Order Chess

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

wewontfly.com

2011-08-29T21:09:00.000-05:00

Stop flying until the scanners and gropers are gone.

See: http://wewontfly.com/

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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Casey: "Exiting the Eye of the Storm"

2011-08-23T21:36:00.000-05:00

Please read this entire interview of professional investor, author, and financial expert Doug Casey.

Excerpt ...

"I’m not sure that many people really ever believed there was a recovery under way. Wall Street acted like there was – but only somewhat, since banks never started lending again. But unemployment has remained high; it’d actually be about twice the official 9% level, if it was calculated the same way it was 30 years ago. And outside of the price collapse of certain asset classes – like real estate – the cost of living has increased greatly for most people; the calculation of the government’s CPI is as corrupt as its unemployment numbers. I think it’s a mistake to talk about a double dip in the economy; we entered the Greater depression in 2007 and are still in it. A 'jobless recovery' is not a recovery. The only thing that’s recovered is the stock market, to some degree. Aside from government hocus-pocus, the mirage of corporate earnings, and foolish investors wanting to believe it was safe to get back in the water, things have not gotten better. And they are about to get much worse."

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Prophetic Warning - A New Pearl Harbor Coming to America?

2011-08-21T10:07:00.001-05:00

A four-hour interview on OmegaMan Radio with Nathan Leal in which Nathan shares a prophetic vision:

1. Nathan shares a prophetic vision of a coming attack to Hawaii and Spokane, WA
2. Would North Korea do this? Why would Hawaii be a target?
3. Is a false flag coming?
4. A look at America's coming fate
5. The horrible aftermath of an EMP attack!

Part 1: http://www.watchmanscry.com/audio/Nathan_Omegaman_081811_prt1.mp3
Part 2: http://www.watchmanscry.com/audio/Nathan_Omegaman_081811_prt2.mp3
Part 3: http://www.watchmanscry.com/audio/Nathan_Omegaman_081811_prt3.mp3
Part 4: http://www.watchmanscry.com/audio/Nathan_Omegaman_081811_prt4.mp3

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Sticker Shock: Food Prices Soaring!

2011-08-17T17:25:00.001-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Food Prices Could Hit Tipping Point for Global Unrest

2011-08-17T11:24:00.001-05:00

Excerpt: When food shortages and rising prices drive people to desperation, social unrest soon follows. It’s as true today as it was in 18th-century France. According to a new analysis of food prices and unrest, the 2008 global food riots and ongoing Arab Spring may be a preview of what’s coming.

Read all about it and see the graphs.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"Has the Crisis Era Begun?"

2011-08-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

Read it here:
http://constitutiontimes.com/has-the-crisis-era-begun/

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Investment advisor Austin Fitts suggests moving your money out of all big banks into local banks

2011-08-13T14:02:00.000-05:00

This makes a lot of sense to me ...

Please read the full article.
Excerpt: We need to each understand that this is… we’re dealing with economic warfare and we’re a target, and we need to learn how to play. We have to learn how to outwit the system. The world is changing and we need to change with it.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Investment advisor Austin Fitts suggests moving your money out of all big banks - National Finance Examiner | Examiner.com

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Is This It?

2011-08-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

I've been around the block a few times ... riding the preparedness warhorse for most of those go-rounds.

As you have, I've seen a lot of suffering and experienced a little of it myself through the years. Plainly, bad stuff happens all the time in this life. Yes, even major, far-reaching catastrophes happen all too often--sometimes natural, occasionally at the hand of man. Either way, both ways, you live it. You learn from it.

Experience and the not-so-long odds are what make preparedness logical.

Now today, one can't help but notice a trending of major crisis events around the globe, a pattern of events out there that over time lead from one increasingly painful juncture to the next, and then on to something even worse. It doesn't require a sophisticated sense of awareness or an ability to analyze obtuse, convoluted data points. Today, the reality has become a ringing bell in the town square for most.

It?

I can't count how many times in the past I've been asked if I think this is "it." You know ... is the crisis du jour going to be the trigger event for the big one, the end ... TEOTWAWKI.

My standard even-keeled response has usually been something like, "I don't know what the future holds, but I always see plenty of evidence that makes me feel justified in preparing my family for potential trouble ... and in doing what I can to help others do the same."

It usually worked to help folks to slow down and take a breath.

That was then, this is now. Presently, there are far too many systemic issues, ongoing percolating crises without solutions, fundamental foundational questions, aimless self-serving leaders, and scared hurting people out there to be able to convincingly promote the calm, easy approach to our situation--yes the situation we all find ourselves in today.

Hell--it's not just a few people wondering. More and more folks are wondering here and now, asking each other that same question ... is this it? Worst of all, no one has a reassuring response. No one.

That point alone should be enough ... enough to realize that we are up the proverbial creek without a paddle. There is no viable plan or recourse for recovery out there on a macro level. At least no other than a major war. Yes--that is being bounced around a little in some circles. That may indeed be conventional wisdom's Plan X (after Plans A thru W have resulted only in ever more dismal circumstances).

So What Now?

Bottom line is, we are all on our own. It's always been clear that in a worst-case scenario, personal self sufficiency is advisable. Or being a part of some kind of qualified, trusted group dynamic with adequate facilitation in place.

How will the great demise go down? It will be a little different for everyone. In general, I expect most will experience, perhaps in this order or close to it:

1. Violence
2. Hunger
3. Illness
4. Sorrow
5. Rage
6. Hopelessness
7. Violence

More detail than that and this becomes a novel, which I may not have time to complete. Thankfully, we do yet have more time to prepare and to pray.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Righteous Ratigan Rant Eviscerates TPTB

2011-08-10T13:12:00.001-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Even Before Today's Market Destruction, Rasmussen Poll Showed Americans are "Pre-Revolutionary"

2011-08-08T15:48:00.001-05:00

Only 17% of the population believe the US has consent of the governed. And that was measured before today's Wall Street implosion. I think we can whittle that number down a bit more now.

Read the wrap up on the poll here.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Canadian Mountain House Food-10% Off, Free Shipping

2011-08-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

Act Fast--Just Got Word Prices are Going Up

Thru August, Safecastle is discounting Mountain House cans and pouches 10% in Canada. (List prices will need to be adjusted upward when we get our new wholesale pricing sheet sometime this month.)

No, U.S. buyers cannot purchase this food. It is labeled for Canadian nutrition laws. It is already in our distributor's warehouse in Ontario, ready to ship out within one to two business days.

Prices for these listings are all you pay. Shipping, taxes, duties, etc. are included in the price. Prices are in U.S. $.

Shelf life on the world's best freeze dried food: 7 years in pouches, 25-30 years in #10 cans.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Our Biggest Sale Ever: 25% off MH Cans, Pouches, Other Foods & More!

2011-08-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Now that our future has been secured and we have been saved by our fearless leaders in Washington, I have decided to run a huge inventory closeout sale.

OK--sorry. Lame attempt at humor out of the way, we have been planning and working toward this big sale for a long time now.

In total, this is the biggest sale we have ever run.

I could go on and on about everything that is on sale, but I'll nail it down to a few cogent points ...

1. 25% Off all U.S. Mountain House listings for members and non-members alike--only for TWO DAYS: Wed. Aug. 3 and Thursday, Aug. 4. That's for cans AND pouches!

2. As usual, buyers club members have special free buyers incentives for MH can purchases, but this time we've got some cool NEW gear in the program.

3. We have shaved our margins on a slew of other food products and gear as well. We've got 25%-off discounts on a lot of stuff. And we are offering other major discounts as well, up to 33% off! Of course everything ships FREE. See our sale category here.

The non-MH discounts are already activated in our store and many will extend beyond the two days that we are limited to for the MH sale. (Wait till midnight Eastern time tonight for the MH discounts to be activated.)

Please note--inventory is limited on most products. As always during these sales, things will move fast and inventories will be depleted.

So, hats off to D.C. for ... ummm ... well, whatever it is they think they're accomplishing.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

The Agenda - Grinding America Down

2011-07-31T12:15:00.000-05:00

For more on the full award-winning DVD, see: http://agendadocumentary.com/

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Free Buyers Club Membership at www.prepared.pro

2011-07-27T14:38:00.002-05:00

We are now making a very rare public offer of FREE lifetime memberships in the Safecastle Royal Buyers Club.

The offer is good for up to 250 memberships, or through August 5, whichever comes first.

- To take advantage of this offer, make your membership purchase here (add the membership to your cart): http://store.prepared.pro/buyersclubmembership.aspx

- Then click "Checkout Now" in the right column. Go through the three-step checkout process (clicking the "Next" button twice after filling out the required info).

- Be sure to add the following code in the COUPON field in that checkout process:

ITSFREE

- Wait until you receive an email that says your membership has been completed (we have to manually set you up for your discounts and incentives). After receiving that membership-completed email, you can log-in to the store and see your discounted pricing on our many preparedness-related listings.

For more info on why you need a membership, see this: http://store.prepared.pro/why-safeca...yers-club.aspx

7/28 Update: This may be the last call. Survivalblog posted this offer last night and we blew thru our 250 membership cap and then past our next added cap and now again we have upped our cap for the last time to 600 memberships. We may have to end the offer by tonight or sooner if the orders keep flowing in like they have been.

BTW, it's going to take a good long while for us to manually activate all these memberships, so your patience is appreciated. .

.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Top 10 Reasons America Depends on Survivalists and Preppers

2011-07-25T07:52:00.000-05:00

Nice piece on preparedness posted at Bob Livingston's Personal Liberty Digest.

My two cents:

I’ve been in the preparedness business for 10 years (www.prepared.pro). What I have seen and experienced throughout that time (and for the decades prior when I was in related activities) is that there are two key “deliverables” to a serious preparedness avocation that are not necessarily apparent on first blush …

1. Peace of mind. There comes a balance in life when one has a solid foundation of “life” insurance. Bad things happen out there daily, to some degree or another … from personal setbacks to community catastrophe or worse. Knowing that you personally are well situated for most anything life can throw at you means you sleep well at night–even when the headlines are at their most frightening. To say the least, folks who are at peace are not a problem for their neighbors or for the authorities.

2. Responsibility. Not only are folks who embrace readiness not a problem, they are often part of the solution when issues do arise due to natural or manmade disaster. But even before disaster strikes, citizens who put forth the effort to personally mitigate risks are also extremely likely to take their sense of community and responsibility to others and as citizens very seriously. They are often active and materially involved in initiatives of real value– politically, socially, commercially, and professionally.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Who's Out of Touch?

2011-07-22T12:19:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"This is Why We Fight"

2011-07-22T11:39:00.003-05:00

By The Decemberists ...

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Econ Professor: We'll Have a Never-Ending Depression Unless We Repudiate the Debt, Which Never Should Have Been Extended in the First Place

2011-07-20T19:24:00.002-05:00

This has been my personal position for as long as I can remember. I ask that you read the entire blog piece linked here. It gets to the crux of the matter, yet in full context, so cleanly that you just may want to kick yourself for not having realized it all before ...

Excerpt: Most revolutions, more revolts in human history have been about debt. It’s the most perennial tool that’s been used by people who are powerful to make the victims of structural inequalities feel that it’s somehow their fault. So I wanted to unveil that and show that we’re actually part of a very very long history. There’s also a lot of hope in it. Because the other thing I realized is that much of the world religions grew out of social movements, which were exactly about “problematizing” debt. Basically saying, who owes what to who?

That made me think that we’re actually at a very strange historical moment because they’ve managed to convince people around the world that debt is somehow something sacred. I mean, a debt is just a promise, right? It has no greater moral standard than any other promise that you would make. Yet, here we have people accepting that it’s perfectly reasonable to say well, we can’t possibly keep our promise to the public, politicians say, to give you health care because it’s absolutely unthinkable we could break our sacred promises to bankers to give them a certain percentage of interest every year. How did that become a convincing argument? It’s utterly odd if you think about in terms of any kind of principle of democracy. As I say, if you look at the history of world religions, of social movements what you find is for much of world history what is sacred is not debt, but the ability to make debt disappear to forgive it and that’s where concepts of redemption originally come from.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

How Many Once-Middle-Class Americans Will Be Sleeping On the Streets Tonight?

2011-07-20T09:14:00.004-05:00

Read it and weep for our nation:

Outcasts: Tonight Tens of Thousands of Formerly Middle Class Americans Will Be Sleeping in Their Cars, In Tent Cities Or On the Streets

Excerpt: Economic despair is beginning to spread rapidly in America. As you read this, there are millions of American families that are just barely hanging on by their fingernails. For a growing number of Americans, it has become an all-out battle just to be able to afford to sleep under a roof and put a little bit of food on the table. Sadly, there are more people than ever that are losing that battle. Tonight, tens of thousands of formerly middle class Americans will be sleeping in their cars, even though that is illegal in many U.S. cities. Tens of thousands of others will be sleeping in tent cities or on the streets. Meanwhile, communities all over America are passing measures that are meant to push tent cities and homeless people out of their areas. It turns out that once you lose your job and your home in this country you become something of an outcast. Sadly, the number of "outcasts" is going to continue to grow as the U.S. economy continues to collapse.

(click the "Outcasts ..." title above to continue reading)
.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

7 Vitals of Survival

2011-07-18T17:41:00.001-05:00

7 Vitals of Survival

Do you feel the urgency? Get your bases covered in a hurry with Safecastle's own "7 Vitals of Survival" ... consisting of some of the most critical products we offer.

More ...

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"Contagion" Out in September

2011-07-16T21:00:00.001-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Safecastle's "As the World Burns Sale"

2011-07-12T21:10:00.002-05:00

Does anybody really know what time it is? It seems to us to be very late. Smoke is in the air. Who knows what the night will bring.

What we at Safecastle bring right now is a new sale opportunity with discounted prices on our replenished food packages, on our new Goal Zero portable solar products, and on Katadyn water filters ... necessities of the highest order.

Also, we are temporarily doubling our Mountain House Royalty Rewards gift certificates to $100 for every three MH can cases purchased!

Preparedness is largely about peace of mind. That's what we offer--the chance to be at ease, even when the world seemingly is ablaze.

See: As the World Burns Sale Overview

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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

A New World Order: When Demand Overtakes Supply

2011-07-09T12:23:00.001-05:00

Must-read analysis and time-frame forecast by Societe Generale:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59489177/When-Demand-Outstrips-Supply-Copy

This is a very solid, data-centered approach, not only explaining the coming market crises but inevitable social upheavals as well.

You can't be ready if you don't see it coming.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Buchanan: "An Establishment in Panic"

2011-07-09T11:10:00.001-05:00

Read this timely piece by Pat Buchanan.

Excerpt:

"... The Republican Party has not said it will refuse to raise the debt ceiling. It has an obligation to do so, and will.

"The House has simply said it will not accept new taxes on a nation whose fiscal crisis comes from overspending.

"If the GOP keeps its word, raises the debt ceiling and accepts budget cuts agreed to in the Biden negotiations, the only people who can prevent the debt ceiling's being raised are Senate Democrats or Obama, in which case, they, not the GOP, will have thrown the nation into default.

"It is the establishment that is resorting to extortion, saying, in effect, to the House GOP: Give us the new taxes we demand, or Obama will veto the debt ceiling and we will all blame you for the default.

"They're bluffing.

"The GOP should stand its ground -- and fix bayonets."

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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration

2011-07-04T09:33:00.001-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Celebrating Freedom: VJ Day, Hawaii-1945

2011-07-03T12:25:00.001-05:00

In the spirit of the holiday--Independence Day--please enjoy this short, restored film of the spontaneous celebrations erupting around Honolulu when WWII finally ended.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

The Declaration of Independence

2011-07-01T15:57:00.000-05:00

"Economic Armageddon and You"

2011-07-01T07:54:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"War is in the Air"

2011-06-29T09:05:00.001-05:00

"There is no point in deluding ourselves any longer or smugly dismissing apocalyptic scenarios as mere unbridled fear-mongering. War is going to break out in the Middle East, possibly later this year and almost certainly in 2012, and eventually in South Asia. There is a stark likelihood that these may be WMD wars."

[snip]

Read entire article at Frontpagemag.com.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"Top 5 Places Not to Be When the Dollar Collapses"

2011-06-26T22:01:00.001-05:00

Very interesting ...

"The dollar collapse will be the single largest event in human history. This will be the first event that will touch every single living person in the world. ..."

Read the article by Silver Shield.

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

"Rich Dad Advisors": Food Storage, Guns, and Preparedness for the Coming Depression

2011-06-25T20:59:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

June 23: 24-Hour Mountain House Sale - 25% off, Free Shipping!

2011-06-20T10:51:00.002-05:00

We're pleased to announce the first Mountain House cans sale of 2011. It's been a long while, but supplies are finally coming back.

Mark your calendar--This Thursday--June 23, 2011--(and into early Friday) we will be discounting all U.S. Mountain House can cases that we have in stock. That day we will be selling all available Mountain House freeze-dried food in cans at the maximum allowed discount of 25% (for buyers club members and non-members alike).

We have several hundred cases in stock and they will go very fast.

Our sale runs from 8am Thursday to 8am Friday (ET) ... or until our available stocks of MH cans are depleted.

(Sorry--Canadian MH food will not be on sale.)

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro

Shiller: Global Economy at a Tipping Point

2011-06-15T17:41:00.000-05:00

Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro