Prepper: 16 Things You’ll Regret Not Having Stockpiled Enough When....

Prepper: 16 Things You’ll Regret Not Having Stockpiled Enough When....

BioPrepper

Numerous articles loaded with suggestions dealing with the area of survivalism/prepping 

 If you begin prepping and a good stockpile is on your list of preps, it will quickly become evident just how many different items are useful to stockpile for a SHTF situation. Your list can be short and sweet at first, but once you really get into things, you’ll see just how enormous a list of gear to stockpile can really get.

Every once in a while, it’s good to go back to the basics: to make sure that out of all those things you’ve already stockpiled, you’ve got enough of the stuff that you’ll really miss the most. Here’s 16 items that instantly make the cut.

Bleach

Need a quick way to disinfect water so you can safely drink?What happens if your septic tank overflows and you’re left with contaminated waste everywhere? One simple and effective way to fix both theseproblems is by using bleach. It’s as cheap and easy as a cleaning agent gets. Once you’re out of bleach, you’ll definitely notice. Get your hands on as much as possible while you still can. One caveat to the Bleach: store bought liquid bleach (Clorox or Purex) begins to degrade the moment it is manufactured. I’ve seen lots of different expiration dates, but they all run from 6 months to 2 years. I have stocked up on Calcium Hypochlorite. You can either find it on the net or buy CH at the pool store. Just make sure it does not have algaecides or clarifiers in it which are said to make you sick. It comes in a powdered form which you mix as needed (1 tsp to 2 gallons of water to make the solution). This solution will then degrade just like bleach, but if you have the powder, you can keep making it for years. There is a learning curve, so do your research on the net first. The ratio is 1:100 (such as 16 oz of solution to 12.5 gallons of water to be disinfected) which is slightly different than the household bleach numbers. One bag will purify 10,000 gallons so the directions are important –a little goes a long way. Keep the bag cool and dry and it has a forever shelf life, not like commercial bleach.

Lighters and Matches
Really and truly, you cannot have enough of these lying around. Sure you can make fire without them, but it’s hard: really hard. Unless you have apt practice in the fire-making field, stock up on these as much as possible. They’re so inexpensive you might as well. Spare wicks and flints for your gas-fueled lighters wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Painkillers

Now, I know what you’re thinking. A bit of pain here and there is the last thing you’ll worry about when the SHTF. Maybe when it comes to a little pain, yes, that’s true, but what happens when you get a cavity and that tooth absolutely has to come out?
Get some reasonably strong over-the-counter pain meds, and make sure you have enough to last you if the SHTF. Though painkillers have expiration dates, they don’t really expire. They get weaker instead, so don’t be afraid to stockpile pain meds just because of the expiration date. Try to mix and match since many painkillers like Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetominophen (Tylenol) have different uses, and can even be take simultaneously. Stronger pain killers like Codeine will become useful too, as medicine will run out pronto, and there’s no real SHTFsubstitute for the strong painkillers without going for more risky natural opiates. It’s also beneficial to keep quite a few of these in a bug out bag if you happen to have one.

Alcohol

There are many reasons why alcohol is an excellent resource. The top two are obvious: its physical impact on us when we consume it, and its ability to disinfect wounds. Whether you’re personally into drinking alcohol or not, you’re going to regret not having enough alcohol when the SHTF. After all, think of all the people who would be willing to trade almost anything for a bottle of their favorite whisky. Or you can stockpile a simple still (or the components to assemble one), as this will make your alcohol for drinking, cleaning, medical use, etc. (don’t forget to learn how to make the corn mash itself, or to have extra parts put back)

How to Make Alcohol at Home

Screws, Nails and Building Materials

You’re definitely not going to regret having stocked up on hardware materials post-collapse. In fact, you’llprobably wish you’d stocked up on more. Nails and screws are essential hardware materials. They go fast and are a giant pain to make from scratch. Make sure you have enough lying around while you still can.

Tools
Saw blades, hatchets, axe heads, hammer heads, hand drills – many of this tools being available from auctions, garage sales, etc. Without tools you won’t be able to build or fix anything or you’ll have to improvise. Having more than one of this tools will be a big advantage as they make great barter items.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics are hard to stock up on unless you have a very understanding doctor. Fortunately, there are sources for antibiotics you can take advantage of now and stock up before the hospitals are overflowing with people.


Blankets
Everyone needs a warm place to sleep. A good blanket is like a good coat. We’ve all planned for clothes (I hope), but when’s the last time you heard someone brag about having a couple of good wool blankets put back? I’ve got two good wool blankets. I paid $40 each for them. Let the power go out, in November, and you not have one. I don’t know how much you’re willing to pay for them, but I know what you’re going to trade me for them, if you don’t want to freeze at night. I won’t trade both at all, but I’ll be looking for what would be several thousand dollars worth of trade for the one I can ‘spare’.

Water containers
Seems simple now, but if things go wrong, one of the hardest things to usually find is a good canteen or water jug. Put enough back for yourself, but put more back for trade. The harder to break, the better. I’ve got a dozen military 1-qt canteens laying around here than there, in a pinch, I have 2-3 I’ll use, but the rest can be had – for a price.

How Long Can You Store Water In Plastic Containers?

Survival information
Survival information is valuable, and in a time when it is desperately needed, being able to have a few copies of condensed information on-hand and barter-ready will be very valuable, indeed. Type up and print a dozen copies of general information that others may not readily have. It may help you too. When fear and panic takes over all the info you learned will vanish from your head. Having the info printed will be helpful.

Ammo

This one’s obvious. Even if you’ve got the guns to hunt or protect yourself and your family with, you can’t without ammo. You’ll probably need more than you expect, so really, you can never have too much ammunition. It would be best to have the means to make your ammo so stockpiling on everything you need to make ammo would be your best choice.
Along the same lines, it’s also beneficial to stockpile arrowheads and bow strings. Just remember that in a SHTF situation, you probably don’t want to advertise your position and the fact you have guns.

How Much Ammo do I Need for SHTF? 

Candles
In the coming winter months, if you get hit by a major ice storm and the light go out, candles will make the difference between having to spend the night in the dark or not. Light gives us a comfort feeling. In case you run out of candles here’s a great alternative. Boiling soup bones to get the fat out of the marrow, then rendering it will make a decent lamp fuel. Keep the wick trimmed low enough to keep it from getting smoky. Make sure that, if the lamp spills, the spill is confined and maintain the ability to smother the whole thing with something that isn’t going to catch fire.

5 Make-Shift Urban Survival Lights When the Electricity Goes Down

Batteries
Even more useful than the candles are the flashlights. So, having a good stock of batteries will be of great help. An excellent prep would be to have some extra rechargeable batteries with a solar charger for when the light stay out for a long period of time.

How to Store Batteries for Emergency Use 

Soap
Along the lines of disinfecting, you’re going to really regret not having enough soap post-crisis. Without basic sanitation, you’re going to get sick fast, and ill is something you definitely don’t want to be when medicine is in short supply and you need as much energy and strength as you can possibly have. The best tip you could possibly have in terms of soap shopping for post-crisis scenarios: try to stock up on soap that’s anti-bacterial.
                                   Alternatives for soap
Again, you’ll be using that fat from the soup bones. Learn to do this as a skill. Even if you don’t apply this for a number of years, you’ll still know how to do it. The lye that is used in the process can be obtained from ash or you can buy THAT by the pound at the hardware store in the plumbing aisle.
Even if somebody doesn’t drink, they might want to be clean once in a while. Make more soap than you’re ever going to need so you can trade it. Even if some dude would trade his left hand for a bottle of his favorite hooch, his wife would probably trade both of her husband’s hands for him to take a bath once in a while.
Don’t get Crystal Drano. It contains other ingredients that are not good in soap. You want 100% potassium hydroxide (otherwise known as lye). There are many good how-to books on soap making and general day-to-day life, but doing it all yourself. I like the one that was written by Carla Emery (ISBN 0-912365-95-1). It primarily addresses modern day homesteading, but what’s going to happen when the SHTF? Modern day homesteading.

Tampons & pads
They’re essential to a good survival pack, and not just for the obvious reason! They indispensable for bandages, good for emergency water filtering, and can be used as tinder to start a good fire. They’re also better than a lot of other methods for stopping a nosebleed that won’t quit.

Multivitamins
One thing that stood out to me is multivitamins. Regardless of what happens, you can’t always ensure you are getting what you need, and if living off the land is your last recourse or you are surviving off whatever you could salt or smoke in fall for winter you will run short of your bodies need.

Baking Soda Survival Uses

Baking soda is capable of doing far more than just reducing food odors in your refrigerator. Rediscovering the skills of our ancestors and learning how to become more self-reliant is an ongoing process of both education and discovery.
During World War II women left waiting on the home front took “doing more with less” to a new level. American families conserved what they had while finding new uses for everyday products. Baking soda was not rationed as many other former staples were during the war.
WWII housewives, to keep their homes functioning as normally as possible, found new ways to utilize baking soda in the kitchen, the bathroom and the medicine cabinet.

Baking Soda Medical Uses

• Bee Stings – Apply a paste comprising equal parts baking soda and water to draw out the stinger and reduce swelling. The same paste can also help reduce the inflammation of bug bites.
• Oral Sores – Mix a pinch of salt, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda together and gargle.
• Common Cold – Make shower vaporizer disks to help relieve a stuffy nose and sinus headache. Mix together 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with 2 cups of baking soda. Add just enough water to create a thick putty. Put the mixture into muffin tins and allow it to air dry for 24 hours. Turn the tins over to release the homemade vaporizer disk and place on shower drain. The steam from the hot water in the shower will activate the disk as it dissolves. You can also place the disk in a bowl of hot water while the ill individual leans over the bowl with a towel-covered head. For such close contact with the disk, breaking it in half is advised.
• Aches and Pains – Relieve common aches and pains by mixing together 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of baking soda. Pour the stirred mixture into a half-gallon of warm water and gently wash and massage onto the impacted area.
• Chicken Pox – Reduce the itching often associated with chicken pox by mixing together one part lukewarm water to two parts baking soda and applying to the pox.
• Splinters – Mix together 2 parts baking soda with 1 part and soak the area of the splinter twice each day until the objects works its way out of the skin.
• Ulcers ¬– Help reduce the pain associated with ulcers by dissolving 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 cup of water and drinking when the symptoms begin.
• Poison Ivy – Mix together the amount of baking soda to cover the rash with just enough water to make a thin paste. Gently apply the paste to the poison ivy to dry out the rash and relieve the itching.
• Heartburn – Relieve the internal sensation of burning by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with four ounces of water and drinking when symptoms appear.
• Sunburn – Soak in a lukewarm tub of water with a 1/2 cup of baking soda added. Allow the skin to air dry after getting out of the bath.

Baking Soda Hygiene Uses

• Fresh Breath – Gargle a mixture of 2 ounces of water and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt and a few drops of peppermint oil to thoroughly cleanse the teeth and to promote gum health.
• Retainers and Dentures – Soak the dental appliances in a mixture of 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water.
  Feet – Soothe sore and blistered feet by soaking them in a tub of warm water with 3 tablespoons baking soda.
• Toothpaste – Mix together one part peroxide and two parts baking soda to make toothpaste. To increase the whitening potential of the homemade toothpaste, add in one crushed strawberry and allow the mixture to remain on the teeth for about five minutes before rinsing.

Baking Soda Cooking Hacks

• Chicken – Make cleaning poultry easier and allow feathers to fall off more quickly by placing the bird into a pot of hot water with 1 teaspoon soda added.
• Eggs – Enjoy fluffier eggs by adding 1/2 teaspoon to every three eggs used.
• Tenderizer – Rub the meat with baking soda and place it in the refrigerator for about 3 hours before preparing the meal. Rinse the meat to remove the baking soda before cooking.
• Baking Powder – Make your own baking powder by sifting together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 2 parts cream of tartar.

• Rehydration Drink – Mix together a drink to help the body absorb water and replace electrolytes. Mix together 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 package of a Kool-Aid type drink mix, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Cast Iron Cleaning – Clean your cast iron pots and pans by sprinkling some baking soda onto the item and scrubbing with a cloth. Rinse and season before use.
• Grease Fires – Put out grease fires by pouring baking soda on the flame.
• Baby Bottles – Thoroughly clean and deodorize baby bottles by washing them in very hot water with a 1/2 cup of baking soda added.

Baking Soda Household Misc.

• Laundry – Toss 1/4 cup of baking soda into the wash to remove stains and odors. The laundry booster also helps prevent line-dried items from becoming so stiff.
• Weed Removal – Get rid of weeds in your garden by sprinkling baking soda around their stem or root. Be careful not to sprinkle the soda onto any plants or crops you want to continue growing. Do not sprinkle the soda on a windy day or when rain is expected.
• Skunk Stink – Get rid of that nasty skunk smell from your clothing by soaking the items in a bucket of hot water with 1/4 cup of baking soda added.
• Clogged Drains – Pour in cup of hot distilled white vinegar and 1 cup baking soda down drains to unclog them.
• Insects – Get rid of ants, cockroaches and other insects by sprinkling baking soda under the sinks, around windows, and in the pathways around the home where the critters have been spotted.
• Winter Weather – help speed up the melting of ice by sprinkling baking soda on walkways.

50 Organizing Tips for Food Storage & Emergency Supplies

 

50+ Organizing Tips for Food Storage & Emergency Supplies

Place like items on the same shelf.
Store your most used foods where they are easiest to access.
Devise a system that works for you. I like to keep baking good stogether, fruit storage together (canned and dehydrated), soups together, grains together, etc. Some folks like to alphabetize because it’s how their brain works. Don’t be afraid to try a few diffrent ways until it clicks for you.
Mark Expiration Dates with sharpie in a clearly visible location
Rotate – first in first out is a good rule of thumb. It may be a pain after a shopping trip depending on what your shelves are like, but rotate through your food storage to ensure that you’re not stuck with old food. This even goes for that food you store but might not eat often (SPAM anyone?). Get it out of the cupboard occasionally and use it or donate it and bring in a fresh supply.


Label everything! Have you ever picked up a mystery package from the freezer and can’t identify it? Think back to when you put it in the freezer and thought, “That won’t be hard to figure out later…” LABEL IT! (and let me tell you – you can get totally obsessed with labeling everything in your house with this guy! But I also just use a piece of masking tape and sharpie, too!)
Oldest foods up front to use first – this isn’t just about rotation, but about setting your pantry up in the first place. You should keep the oldest food to the front so that you can use it quickly.
Use totes for organzing same kinds of foods or packing in meal plans. Here are just a few ideas:

• Keep a tote for sewing supplies
• Keep a tote for first aid supplies
• Keep a tote for cleaning supplies, etc.
• Emergency kits for each member of the family

Tip – don’t use the plastic totes for actual food storage unless you are sure that it is completely airtight when closed and free from pest invasion. 

Use Food Grade 3 or 5 gallon buckets to store like items or “categories” or emergency kits. You can use the regular lids or invest in the Gamma Lids which help reduce oxygen and moisture from getting in. Here are just a few ideas:

• Store single grains
• Store emergency kits
• Store like categories
• Create monthly meal plans

Repackage bulk foods in mylar or vacuum seal into bags or canning jars
Repackage boxed items in more appropriate long term storage containers (vacuum sealed canning jars, mylar bags, vacuum sealed bags)
Use 55 gallon drums to store items  – just remember a handtruck may be necessary to move, so be careful what you expect to store. There are a lot of different kinds of drums that can be used for hard goods as well as water. Keep an eye out and you may be able to get them for free! Just be careful to know their history and what was originally stored in them. You’d be amazed at how many clothes or linens you can store in a big drum.
Don’t store everything in one place. Store items throughout your house, in good storage areas where light and temperature fluctuations can’t hurt them.
Don’t store items that are sensitive to weather changes outdoors. Food products should be kept inside, but paper goods can be kept in outdoor storage as long as it is critter proof.
Keep a running list of your inventory always. Not only will it help you not overby in an area and potentially waste money and resources, it will allow you to see weak areas and plan accordingly.
Label buckets, bags and unidentifiable containers not only with names and expiration dates, but cooking instructions, too. You can print out the instructions or write them on an index card and tuck that into your package or tape it to the outside. It’s handy to have it in your food storage binder, but even better to have it right on the package.
Don’t overstuff totes or buckets with more than you can actually carry by hand or by tool.
Utilize unused space to store 

• Behind the sofa
• Under side tables
• Closet floors 
• Under beds

Increase shelf space by putting a shelf above closet doors or adding shelves to dead space.

Utilize attic space for non-food items as long as stored in pest-resistent containers.
Utilize the back sides of doors with hanging racks to store more items.
Use a tackle box for emergency medical supplies and store under sink.
Use your stored coolers to store items in when not in use
Use a kid’s wagon to store and move storage throughout house (here’s our lesson on why we keep it!)
Use odd space in  your home to install shelves and have extra storage space.
Line your open shelves. If you like using the pretty metal kitchen storage stations, use a thin sheet of styrafoam or plexiglass or other rigid material to line the shelves with to keep things from falling in between the slats. There are some specially made liners,  but you could also use some of the inexpensive cutting boards you can get at the dollar store to convert, too (I did that for my Nesco Dehydrator, too!)
Try to use square storage canisters to not waste space – or at least try to organize with the same system to make storing on shelves easier.
Create  shelving units unexpected places to add more storage. Think bin storage on your garage ceiling, removing the drywall and storing between studs, finding cubby holes in your house and putting in shelves. (Check out my Pinterest board all about organization in the garage)

Use bins from other storage systems (think garage or automotive) – Look how we used this magazine holder in our pantry.
Alphabetize things to make them easier to find.
Keep a notebook full of information on:

• What you have stored
• Where you have it stored
• Expiration dates or purchase dates especially for things like fuel, equipment, etc.

Use a color coding system for things like food, water, first aid, camping equipment, etc. If you’re doing something like bucket storage or tote storage, you can choose the Gamma lid or tote color for each segment of your storage.
Use a bookshelf with a pretty fabric covering the front to store things in boxes and baskets.

Use sturdy shelving units. Cheap ones will bow, warp or break

• Don’t store more on shelving units than suggested
• Don’t store heavy items on top of shelving units
• Brace shelving units to the wall, if possible, to keep them from falling

Alternative Uses for Food Storage as Furniture!

• Create a ‘box spring’ of food storage containers for your mattress
• Create a tower of food storage items and drape with cloth, or place a square or round of MDF as a topper to create a side table.

5 Liquids That Can Be Used as Alternative Cleaning Solutions

Disaster preppers and the like believe on the importance of self-reliance, which is initially a necessary attitude in life since we need to be able to prepare ourselves not just for disastrous events but for an impending economic collapse as well.
For one, many people consider being prepared firsthand for all situations an advantage for when there is shortage in supplies; expect that prices will skyrocket as well. Most times we take a second look on cleaning supplies, but here in this article you don’t need to buy so much of the commercial cleaning solution.
Here are some of the natural liquid cleaning solutions that can be of much greater use.

Distilled White Vinegar

White vinegar is popularly known as ythe all-purpose cleaning ingredient and a neat trick on carpet cleaning in Brisbane is that they mix vinegar with water as their cleaning base. This ingredient has proven that it has countless uses for you in your household other than cooking; and with that reason it should hold the top spot for your essential ingredients to have as a priority item when restocking items.
Cider Vinegar
Another acidic ingredient that proves its versatility is the cider vinegar. From cooking, beautifying up to disinfecting as well as cleaning, cider vinegar should be one of the things that you need to include in your everyday stock of supplies. In addition, it also has helpful health benefits since it aids in digestion, and bloating while also curing sore throats and nasal passages for when you are experiencing coughs and colds.

Lemon Juice

Lemons, limes, and oranges! These citrus fruits work wonders for your stainless steel kitchen stoves, kitchen sink and even kitchen counters. Naturally, their acidic elements known as citric acid or citric acid crystals are a great disinfectant which kills bacteria and germs 99% of the time. It is commonly used in removing grimes and rusts from sinks and faucets.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This liquid solution should be added to your medical supplies as well since not only does it help in cleaning and disinfecting your wounds, it also a great green cleaning addition to the household. You can use it anywhere, in cleaning your cutting board and the interior of your refrigerator and dishwasher. Because this ingredient is non-toxic, hydrogen peroxide is mostly used for cleaning storage spaces where you place your dishes and food.

Water and Baking Soda Mixture

One of the primary ingredients may not be liquid but it works just as effectively when mixed with water. In addition you can also add a bit of cider vinegar for this and it doubles the efficiency of disinfecting the dirty countertops and works well as a substitute for laundry detergent. Adding ½ cup of baking soda with water for your wash is a natural way to deodorize the clothes and neutralizes the odor from all your clothes.
We need to teach ourselves and take a disciplined action of making plans to keep their food supply stocked and their essentials in top condition. We will never know what the future brings us but it never hurts anyone to be prepared for such events.

Places To Hide Food

Quick update: This article pertains to long-term stored food. Food that has an expiration under 3 years should be actively rotated in your day-to-day food preparation. The food that you hide away should have a shelf life of 10 years or longer.
There is a lot you can improvise when you are a knowledgeable, skilled prepper. Among what you cannot improvise is food, water, and firearms. As I have suggested in previous posts, a single person should store at least 3 months of food and a family should store at least one year’s worth of food. These are minimums. And I recommend that you continuously build up your food storage program until you reach three years of stored food.

 http://www.prepperfortress.com/places-to-hide-food/

How To Make The Right Fire Type

The ability to make and maintain a fire is a significant psychological factor that will push you to go further and survive. You won’t give up if you manage to build a shelter and make a fire, to make a temporary “home”. Making a fire can be simple, but making the right type of fire and knowing how to use it is something totally different.

There are many different types of fire to choose from and it all depends on what you need the fire for. Each fire type described in this article suits a particular kind of needs. You have to know how to craft it and how to make the best use of it.
When you are making a fire in the wild, your primary consideration shout be the function of the fire and for some, warmth is the most urgent requirement. Depending on the fire type, you can also use it for: cooking, drying wet clothing, signaling or even disposing of waste.
Before you make a fire, you should also consider the availability of the elements you need to build it. Is the fuel enough for your needs? Is the ground prepared for making a fire? Estimate how much you think you need and double it, just to make sure you succeed.
Below you can see how to make a certain fire type and what to use it for:

Fire Type: Teepee

How to make it: You put a tinder ball on the ground and you surround it with kindling in the shape of a teepee. In order for the fire to last you have to arrange small, medium and large fuel logs in a square at the food of the teepee. When making a teepee fire, we have to keep in mind that this fire type requires lots of fuel, so firewood has to be abundant.
Why should you make such a fire type and how to use it: This fire type is quick to light and you have the advantage to burn wet wood. The inner fire will help to dry and burn the wet wood so you don’t have to worry and search for dry firewood. This fire type is used mainly for warmth and cooking, but if you are in distress you can also use it for signaling (if you burn green vegetation).
Related reading: How to signal for help in the wild

Fire Type: Long Log

How to make it: To make this fire type you will have to dig a 6 feet (2m) ditch that will house the tinder, kindling and fuel wood. Once you light the fire and it starts burning constantly you have to lay two long fuel logs on top of it. You have to be in a forested area in order to build this fire type. You will require long logs and it works best if the fuel logs are dry.
Why should you make such a fire type and how to use it: The long log fire is ideal to keep warmth during cold weather and many hikers used this method to stay warm since this fire type emits a great deal of heat. You can build a fire either side of you, just to be sure you’ve done it the right way. This fire type is a long-lasting one and it can stay a light all night. It can also be used for cooking once embers have formed.
Related reading: Improvised survival cooking

Fire Type: Stone-lined

How to make it: In order to build this fire type you need to find some large non-porous rocks and arrange them in a circle. Once you have a nice round shape you place the tinder ball in the middle with kindling around it. Once the fire is established you can add fuel logs for as long as you consider. This fire type is ideal for windy locations and it has a minimal impact on the environment.
Why should you make such a fire type and how to use it: By using this type of fire you will be able to reduce the fire’s impact on the environment. The stones will shelter fire from wind and you won’t have to pay close attention to it. It is the most common fire type and it is used for warmth and cooking. Just like the teepee fire, it can also be used in case you need to signal for help.

Fire Type: Automatic

How to make it: To make this type of fire you have to dig a hole that is 3 feet (1m)deep. Once you have the hole ready you have to line it with non-porous stones so that it doesn’t collapse. Put tinder and kindling inside and make sure to rest large logs against the sides of the hole. These logs will drop down as they burn, creating more fuel for the fire.
Why should you make such a fire type and how to use it: This fire type is made in an environment with sandy earth where digging can be done easier. It’s a self-feeding fire that once lit, will no longer require you to add fuel. Its main use is for cooking but also for signaling. Some people prefer to cover it with large rocks once the fuel logs dropped and use it for baking.

First-aid kit – Never Be Without These Things

http://www.prepperfortress.com/first-aid-kit-never-be-without-these-things/

 

40 Dirt-Cheap Items That Will Be Priceless After The SHTF

Note: I removed one of them for moral reasons. Here is a great list of items that you will no doubt find invaluable after the SHTF.

Obviously stores will be picked clean in a hurry during an economic collapse or EMP or any unforeseen mega-disasters.  Once people catch on and realize what has happened, they will then rush out to the store in search of food and other supplies.

Best be fixing to stock up on supplies now, because the time to do so appears to be running out quickly and the window of opportunity is narrowing?! There are just way to many warnings of economic collapse on the way for anyone’s liking.

From Urbansurvivalsite.com - Although some survival supplies can be pretty expensive, most of the things people will need after the SHTF are dirt cheap. For example, right now toilet paper only costs about 50 cents a roll. But once the store shelves are bare, most people will trade a lot for a single roll of toilet paper. And that’s just the beginning.

When you think about disaster preparedness, keep in mind that a lot of cheap stuff we take for granted in today’s world will be extremely valuable and desirable after SHTF. This is the stuff you want to stock up on now. Not only will you need it for yourself and your family, you could also use it for bartering.
Here are just 40 examples of cheap items you’ll want to stock up on while they’re still available. Now on to the list…
1. Toilet Paper is pretty self-explanatory, unless you are fond of leaves and what-not.
2. Hand Sanitizer will be very useful when water is in short supply and you need to keep your hands clean.
3. Soap is so cheap today that we tend to take it for granted. But when it’s gone, people will miss it badly. It is crucial to maintain cleanliness after the SHTF to keep diseases from spreading.
4. Lighters will be useful as well as an excellent barter item. Buy them in bulk and keep them on hand.
5. Duct Tape has all sorts of uses. Buy several rolls because you’ll need more than you might think.
6. Glow Sticks can serve as night lights, trail markers, or signals. They are very cheap, but very useful. (Bonus tip: These are really cheap right after Halloween.)
7. Kleenex or some tissues. You’ll continue to get colds or have allergy problems after the SHTF, and you don’t want snot everywhere or a raw nose.
8. Vitamins will help keep your immune system strong. Remember, most survival food isn’t very high in vitamins, and your body desperately needs vitamins to stay healthy. Especially Vitamin C.
9. Aluminum Foil has dozens of usess. Buy lots so you can use it for gardening, cooking, cleaning, etc.
10. Cigarettes may not be healthy, but after SHTF they are going to be in high demand. A single pack could be worth a great deal of supplies, and they actually have some survival uses.
11. Cheap Wine is easy to come by and will store forever. After fighting all day, a nice glass of wine will go a long way toward calming the nerves.
12. Bandages are only a few bucks for dozens of them. Buy lot so you can treat minor wounds without being stingy.
13. Ammunition is fairly inexpensive right now for certain kinds, so buy it while you still can. Folks who are looking for .22 will tell you the benefit of buying when it is plentiful and cheap.
14. Condiments like ketchup and mustard can sit on the shelves for a while and make an ordinary meal taste a lot better.
15. Spices like oregano, garlic powder, and the like will turn that bland soup or stew into a delicious meal.
16. Candy will be an excellent way to keep the kids happy and reward them for helping out during hard times. It’s fun for adults, too.
17. Lotion can help prevent cracked and chafed skin, which can become a serious problem if left untreated.
18. Chap Stick is more important than many people realize. When you are outside working in cold or windy weather, your lips will become chapped and it can be very painful. Plus, there are many otheruses for chap stick.
19. Ziploc Bags will be helpful to store leftover breads and other treats you make, or for keeping socks, tinder, small electronics, etc. dry.
20. OTC Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen do expire eventually, but the first few years of a post-apocalyptic world will be a little easier if you have them.
demand as women get used to a new way of living without the luxury of feminine hygiene products at the ready.
25. Seeds to grow a garden will be crucial to creating a sustainable life. Store a large variety of heirloom seeds so you’ll also have seeds for next season and so on.
26. Matches can be purchased for just a few dollars. Store hundreds or thousands if you can. You will have a lot of fires to start after the SHTF.
27. Pens, Pencils and Paper can provide entertainment as well as a way to send information and document your new way of life. In fact, if it’s the end of the world as we know it, you should definitely keep a journal. Not only will it be valuable to future generations, it will be therapeutic.

29. Baking Soda isn’t just for baking. You can use it for many things such as cleaning, deodorizing, and more.
30. Ponchos can be picked up at the dollar store. You can’t afford to get wet when it is cold out. If you have a heavy-duty poncho, there are several other things you can do with it.
31. Cotton Balls can be used for cleaning, treating wounds, and protecting the ears when you have to be outside in the bitter cold.
32. Zip Ties are versatile and extremely useful for putting up a quick shelter, holding a door closed, or fixing small things around the house, and much more.
33. Salt makes food edible and can be used for cleaning, taking care of pests that are invading your camp, de-icing in the winter, etc.
34. Candles are fairly cheap and you will be surprised at how many you will go through. Candles can be used in place of flashlights to conserve battery power.
35. Shoe Strings aren’t just for keeping your shoes on. They can be used as cordage for all sorts of things.
36. Activated Charcoal is a cheap yet potentially life-saving item that many people overlook. It helps treat poisonings, purifies water, and relieves gas and bloating.
37. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste should be stored in bulk. Good oral hygiene is important when there are no dentists.
38. Fishing Line isn’t just for fishing. Use it to hang items, make a snare trap, and set booby traps around your camp.
39. Towels can be picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Use them as intended, to make slings, or to seal up a drafty door.
40. Sewing Supplies will be needed to mend your clothing when you can no longer stop by the mall or Walmart any time you need new clothes.

How to Make Bread the Easy Way

 

7 Items Your Great-Grandparents Stockpiled That You Should, Too

It’s easy to think that the modern preparedness movement is a unique phenomenon. Most of us grew up during a time when the economy was growing, the government seemed to be more responsive to the will of the people, and everyone was busy chasing the American Dream.
But if we go back farther, to the time of our grandparents or great-grandparents, we find that what some call “prepping,” they called life. They didn’t have a movement, they had a lifestyle. And that lifestyle assumed that bad things would happen, so they’d better be ready.

Emergency Seed Bank Provides THOUSANDS Of Pounds Of Food

So it is useful to understand what others did before. After all, they had generations of experience backing up their actions, not just the voices of a few survival instructors and writers. Many of the things they did came out of years of experience, as generation after generation faced calamity and learned from it. So, when we learn from our grandparents, we learn from that accumulated knowledge.
1. Heating fuel
Anyone who heated with wood learned to start stockpiling it early. Felling, bucking, hauling and splitting trees for firewood is a long, difficult process. They couldn’t get by with having just a little on hand, either; they needed a lot. When wood is your only way to heat, you want to make sure you’ve got enough.
Working on the firewood pile was something that was done whenever there was time. Once the spring crops were in and there was a break in the farm’s schedule, they’d start cutting. That would continue, as their work schedule allowed. The earlier the pile could be built, the better, as the wood needed time to season and dry before it could be used.
This meant that they always had an ample supply of firewood available for their cooking and heating. It was rare to find a home without a stack of firewood behind it, and that stack was often piled up to the eaves of the home.

2. Candles

When your only light is coming from the fireplace or from candles, you don’t want to run out. Past generations largely relied on sunlight and went to bed earlier. And people slept more in the cold winter, simply because of the shorter days and lack of light. But there was still the need for additional light, and candles were important.
Candle making, like cutting wood for the fire, was something that was done whenever there was an opportunity. You never knew how many candles you needed. So in a sense, there were never enough. When you had the necessary materials, you’d look for an available opportunity to set aside time to build up your candle stock.
Some people would actually set aside a candle-making area, keeping their wax melted so that they could dip them every couple of hours, throughout the day. Dipped candles take time and by interspersing that task with others, they would get more out of their day.
3. Tools
This may not seem much like a stockpiling item, but it is. In our modern society, we are used to having other people do things for us. We call a plumber when we need one and hire a carpenter when the screen door is broken. And few of us know how to change the oil in our cars, instead asking a mechanic to do it for us.
In the generation of our grandparents, people did more for themselves. While there were plumbers and mechanics around, they were hired by the wealthy, not by the average person. They would try and do it themselves, unless the job was more than they could handle. Hence the joke among plumbers about charging a higher hourly rate for jobs where the person tried it themselves first.

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It was normal for a boy to grow up learning a little bit of plumbing, a little bit of carpentry and a little bit of auto mechanics from his dad. By the time he reached adulthood, the average American boy had his own tool kit built, ready to tackle those jobs on his own. Then, when disaster struck, he was ready.
4. Scraps of stuff
I clearly remember my grandma and other women of her generation being hoarders. They would save all sorts of things, from scraps of fabric to candle stubs. It wasn’t so much that they wanted to have those things, but that they could still see value in them. That old shirt could be cut up and the good parts used in making a quilt, while the rest could be used for a rag. The candle stubs could be melted down and used to help make new candles.
Throwing containers away was almost unheard of. Few people bothered buying plastic storage containers for their kitchens. Instead, they would use a container that something else came in. Everything from barrels to burlap sacks had a use, making the containers almost as valuable as what had come inside them.
This also greatly eliminated the pollution caused by throwing things away. When old things can be turned into useful things, there’s no reason to throw them away.

5. Money

Maybe you’re not old enough to say this, but my grandparents lived through the Great Depression. They were children then, but nevertheless it impacted them greatly. They knew what it was to be without and they knew how hard it was to live without money. So they were careful with its use, never wasting.
The idea of spending seven dollars for a cup of coffee would probably give most people of that era a heart attack. Even the dollar and a half or two dollars they charge in a restaurant for a normal cup of coffee is a lot. They’d order water and enjoy that, having their coffee when they got back home.
While this attitude of frugalness may seem a bit strange to people today, there was good reason for it. There also was great benefit from it. Those people always had money. Maybe they didn’t make a lot and maybe they didn’t live like kings, but they always had money. When a need came up, they had the money in the bank to pay for it. I’ve seen those people buy cars and pay cash for them.
6. Food
The idea of stockpiling food is probably older than civilization itself. As long as mankind has been able, we have stockpiled food to get through the winter. In many parts of the world, one’s very survival depended upon having enough food stockpiled to make it through the cold and snow of the winter months, until game animals were out in abundance again.
All of our food preservation techniques were developed as part of this annual challenge. Food that couldn’t be kept was just about as bad as food that had never been found. While preserved foods may not be as tasty as fresh foods, they will keep people alive.
As far back as ancient Egypt we find evidence of people preserving food. The tombs of the pharaohs always contained food for them to consume in the afterlife. The Bible records this, showing how Joseph was promoted to Prime Minister of Egypt for interpreting the Pharaoh’s dream and his wisdom in knowing what to do to prepare for the oncoming disaster.
At a minimum, canning food was common in our grandparents’ day. They would can produce from their garden or produce that they had purchased at the store. Many also would smoke meats as well as making their own sausage. These were all means of preparing foods, so that they would have enough to make it through the winter or whatever else came.
7. Goodwill
Finally, the most important thing I remember my grandparent’s generation stockpiling was goodwill. What? That doesn’t sound like something to stockpile to you? Well it is. You see, when you stockpile goodwill, it’s like money in the bank. Then, when you befall a calamity, people run to help.
As a society, we have become more self-centered in general. We don’t bother ourselves with other people’s problems. We leave them to take care of themselves. Oh, occasionally we hear a story of a community gathering around someone who is hurting, but those stories are too rare. In my grandparent’s generation, that was common. When one person was hurting, everyone who could lent a hand.
Lending a hand like that is how you stockpile goodwill. Then, when you have a need, others remember what you’ve done for them. They are more likely to help you out, simply because you have done so for them.

Top Survival Tips From Preppers

A few years ago, there wasn’t much help for anyone looking to prep up for survival, following a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or anything that could lead to massive destruction. However, with the increasing awareness and help from the Internet, there is a lot one can do to make sure they’re prepared for any calamity that may strike.

Here are some of the top Survival Tips from preppers:
Take it easy:

• Just get started with a deep breath. Do not allow your lack of experience or fear to get the better of you. Once you make up your mind, all you need to do is take the first step. There are plenty of articles and blogs online, that you can learn different techniques from. Don’t let lazy cynics tell you that it’s not worth the hard work.

Stick to the basics:

• Don’t stress out about long term supply. Plan for a 3-7 day emergency provision initially. With more experience and confidence, you can increase your plans for a month’s or even year’s emergency supply. For now though, stick to the basics, go easy on yourself and start modestly. This translates into water (around one gallon per person, per day), first aid supplies, non-perishable or canned food items, and some prescription pills.

Prepare a transport and communication plan:

• Imagine a normal day at work, and suddenly a disaster strikes; with no communication or transportation plan, how do you think you’re going to contact your family at home? For this reason, you and your family need to have a plan that all of you can use, regardless of where you are, to connect with each other in case of an emergency. Think of a meeting place that will be easy for all of you to reach, and run a couple of drills so you are familiar with the whole process and are aware of any obstacles and how to overcome them.

Prepare for the most likely natural disaster:

• Every geographical location is exposed to natural disasters in some way. No matter how prepared your government thinks it is to deal with such crises, it can never be sufficient. Additionally, you should always be prepared to deal with a crisis on your own. In such a case, it is necessary for you to know what to prepare for. Do you live in an earthquake prone zone? Or if you live close to the sea, you should be more prepared for a hurricane or tsunami.

Acquire Basic Skills:

• This is one of the most important things you may need in the aftermath of a disaster, terrorist attack, or any other event that may hinder the normal way of life.  Acquire basic skills such as gardening, cooking, hunting, fishing, etc. Go camping in order to learn how to live in the outdoors, how to build a fire, how to cook without the luxuries you find in a normal kitchen, among others. Camping in the wild will also help you recognize some of the obstacles and you may learn how to overcome them. Camping and hiking with your family can also help increase awareness about how to survive outdoors and you will be able to identify your family members’ weaknesses.

What you need to know about storing seeds

Most preppers already know that it is vital to have an ample supply of stored food and water on hand. It is equally important to keep and maintain a healthy seed bank precisely because the food supply may become disrupted, and it will be necessary to grow your own emergency food. Properly implemented, a good seed bank can provide for a lifetime of food.

Below are 5 tips on implementing and maintaining a good seed bank as part of your emergency preparedness and the importance of storing seeds:

Tip 1 – Understanding the Function of Seeds
Even an inexperienced gardener knows that seeds go in the ground, and from there plants will grow, but it’s worth taking a moment to understand the purpose of seeds from a plant’s perspective.
Every year, each plant will produce seeds, essentially the offspring or “children”, to be propagated during the next cycle into new variants of the plant. Seeds might be produced by the plant during spring, summer, fall, or even winter sometimes, but all (non-tropical) seeds are designed to blossom and grow in the spring.
Therefore, the vital function of any prepper’s seed bank is to “trick” seeds into thinking that it is winter, so the seeds stay in their dormant phase. Spring is a time for warmth, light, and wetness, while winter is a time for darkness, cold, and dryness. Your first goal in maintaining a personal seed bank is to keep seeds away from heat, light sources, and moisture.

Tip 2 – Open-pollinated, Non-hybridized, and Non-GMO

It’s a sad fact that many of the fruits and vegetables we eat today are not as nature intended, and their seeds are often designed to be sterile and therefore useless in the future if you try to grow a garden from them.
When buying seeds for your seed bank, always buy non-hybridized and non-GMO seeds to ensure that you’re getting a healthy, heirloom variant that will grow as nature intended. Seeds that are open pollinated are versatile enough to be pollinated by a wide variety of insects, or even by hand, if necessary.

Tip 3 – Seeds for Growing and Saving
Take a look at the foods you enjoy eating, and then buy seeds that will grow those plants. A critical part of long term food storage is buying enough seeds that you can grow a year’s supply of your favorite plants.
One important function of your seed bank is to grow enough plants that some can be harvested primarily for their seeds, known as saving seeds. There are special techniques for how to extract, dry, and safely store seeds, so be sure to budget enough seeds in your seed bank to grow plants for the purpose of saving seeds.
It’s also important to understand how plants propagate, and that some, such as onions, garlic, and potatoes, are not grown from seeds but from re-planting cuttings from the original mother plant.

Tip 4 – Self-Pollinating Seeds

Depending on your projections for the future, it may be difficult to find pollinating insects like bees to help your plants grow. Many preppers therefore choose to store up seeds for self-pollinating plants, which can grow on their own without external help.
Excellent self-pollinating seeds include: chicory, peas, lettuce, mustard, endive, beans, and tomatoes.

Tip 5 – Storage and Orthodox Seeds
When building up your seed bank, it’s important to understand exactly how to store seeds, and which varieties can last for longer periods of time.
The term “orthodox” refers to seeds that can be dried and frozen for years, kept in any ordinary home freezer. Some of the most popular varieties of orthodox seeds are: peas, corn, and tomatoes, but approximately 80% of all plant seeds are considered to be orthodox. Even without a freezer, all plant seeds must be kept in a cool, dry, place out of direct contact with the sun or light sources.
The hardest seeds to store are those of tropical plants like coconuts, coffee, tea, mangoes, and papayas, as they are designed for a year-round hot climate and must be planted immediately or very soon after the plant produces them.