Prepper: Is the world about to be knocked back to the 18th century? Some experts think so

Is the world about to be knocked back to the 18th century? Some experts think so

SOURCE 

Nearly every nation exists in constant fear that a rogue power (like Iran or North Korea) could someday explode a nuclear missile over their territory, with the resultant electromagnetic pulse (EMP) wiping out nearly all modern technology. The good news is that great powers like the United States have at least some capability to defend against such attacks.

But no nation on earth can withstand a major EMP event that came from out of this world – as in, the sun. As it stands, there are some experts who believe just such an event is not merely likely, but on the way.



As reported by the UK’s Express, experts believe there is a one in eight chance that earth will be hit by a major solar storm before 2020, which would wipe out nearly all technology that is not hardened against EMP events – so, pretty much every piece of technology that is not owned and operated by governments.
The report noted further:
Researchers have warned that there is roughly a 12 per cent chance that a solar storm could smash into Earth by the end of the decade.
The powerful event would likely be as huge as the Carrington Event, which occurred on 1859.
The solar storm which hit 150 years ago was so powerful that its southern auroras could be seen as far north as Queensland in Australia.
Today, in a modern world so dependent on technology, the implications would be far more severe.
Far more, indeed. Not much in the way of electronic technology existed the year before the American Civil War began. Everything tech would be affected – Internet service, GPS navigation, satellite TV and mobile phone signal.
The Express noted further:
Additionally, increased currents in the Earth’s magnetic field – or magnetosphere – could theoretically lead to a surge of electricity in power lines, which can blow out electrical transformers and power stations leading to a temporary loss of electricity in a region.
The prediction of a huge solar storm by 2020 was made by Pete Riley, senior scientist at Predictive Science in San Diego, California, who was surprised to see that the chance was so high.
The implications of a storm of this magnitude on the civil society are equally huge. Imagine the panic – the chaos that will ensue. The usual authorities – police, the military, government agencies – will be so overwhelmed as to be essentially worthless. Literally, everyone will be on their own – those who survive, anyway.
And based on the estimates of other experts, there won’t be many people left. One put the U.S. death toll alone at 90 percent after one year without electricity.
Naturally, the time to prepare is now. Any high tech electronic gear you were going to depend on should be replaced by a low-tech equivalent. Food, water, weapons and ammo are always a must. And so forth.
Plan now. Plan often. Update those plans. Train. Exercise. Eat right. Do everything you can to get over chronic health conditions or, at least, find a way to deal with them without having to rely on medications (or stock up a lot on them, if you can).
We’ve been warned.

Things To Look Out For When Starting A Homestead

Josh Stockton

 

Starting a homestead can be tough work and you need to be ready for that.  That being said, it will also be the time of your life if you do it right!
It takes a lot of courage to move off the grid and start up your own homestead.  The last thing you want is to fail and have to return to society and start all over again.  Make sure that you do your homework before you get started so that you are as prepared as possible.
If you have ever considered getting started, don’t let anything getting in your way.  I hope that this article will help you avoid these common homesteading pitfalls from the start.

Secure Your Animals Well

Most homesteaders need animals for labor and food.  They are a vital piece of you operation and you would not be successful without them.  Losing just a single animal can be devastating when you only have what you need to survive.
One of the biggest mistakes a new homesteader will make is not securing their animals properly.  Whether that means that they are using inadequate fencing or not checking their existing fencing, it always ends in a bad day.
We have had our alpacas escape twice now, so I can tell you what it means first hand.  Luckily, I have some good neighbors that were very glad to say hello and herd them back into my pasture.  If I lived in a busy area or didn’t have neighbors that liked alpacas, that could have gone in a different direction completely.

Not Preparing For Winter Properly

Preparing for winter is in the back of every homesteaders mind all year long.  Everything that we do throughout the year is to make sure that we are set up to survive the next winter.
When we grow our produce, we aren’t just growing enough to feed us through the warm months.  We are looking to grow enough produce to can and store away to feed us all winter.  This is the only way to truly remove grocery stores from the equation if that is what you are looking to do.
We are also always looking for more meat to stuff in our freezer throughout the year.  From the livestock that we are raising to the animals we are hunting, we just keep stacking it until it’s full.
You never know what you, or a neighbor, might run into over the winter.  Having a little extra to help out is much better than being on the other end, and needing someone to help.  We store as much food as we possibly can before with hits.

Continue To Learn New Skills

When we first got started, the burning desire to be the best homesteaders on earth was very bright.  We set out to be the best gardeners and alpaca farms on the planet.  We made a lot of it up as we went along, but learned quick and mastered our skills.
From that point, we plateaued for about two years before we started taking off again.  Not learning new skills is one of the biggest pitfalls for those just getting started because they get complacent.  You should always be looking for more way to learn and more ways to be successful.
I always tell people that you need to treat homesteading like a job.  Do the best you can do and continue to learn new skills so that you can be more valuable to your company.  The more you can do on your homestead, the more adaptable you can be.  Being able to quickly adapt will seriously increase your chance of success!

10 URGENT Preps You Need to Do ASAP

 

We should always be prepared for what might happen, but where do you begin? As I write this, the 2016 US election is a week away and tensions with Russia are greater than they have been since the Cold War and growing. Where does this leave you? Are you prepared?
What if you are just starting out with prepping? What if you have been prepping for a while, but don’t know whether you have the most important preps? What if you were handed $200 or $300 to go out and get what you need now? Here are 10 urgent preps you need to do now to be ready for what comes.

1. Water

Do you have enough water? For how long? Weeks? Months? You need to determine how much water you need for each person for an absolute minimum of two weeks. Fortunately, water is fairly cheap. In fact, you can even go to Walmart and buy four or five 5-gallon water jugs and fill them with tap water to increase your supply.

2. Rice

Food is the first thing anyone thinks about when they think of prepping, but what food? You need foods that are inexpensive, that you can buy in bulk, and that is nutritious and will store for the long-term. Rice is perfect. You can grab a 20-pound bag for a decent price and store it away. Most people get white rice, which has a longer shelf-life, but brown rice is more nutritious, so you need to decide what works best for you.

3. Beans

Just like rice, dried beans are an ideal food to store away for hard times. They have an incredibly long shelf-life and provide you with protein and other important nutrients. You can get 5-pound bags of various types of beans, whatever you fancy. There are pinto beans, navy beans, kidney beans, chick peas, and so many other types. Other types of dried foods are good, too, such as oats and wheat and corn flour.

4. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is such a great prepper food. There are 6,000 calories in a large jar of peanut butter and it has a shelf-life of two years. But since it’s a staple in many households, it is easy to rotate your stock of peanut butter and always have it on hand for emergencies. Get at least two 40-ounce jars.

5. Honey

Honey is another must. In fact, it is the perfect prepper food because it has an indefinite shelf-life. Honey will not go bad—ever! Plus, it has so many benefits, including:

• Antibacterial and antifungal properties
• Nutrition
• Sweetener
• Aids the healing of burns and wounds
• Acts as a probiotic
• Improves the immune system
• Decreases inflammation in the throat

Honey is a miracle substance that will be welcome when the world goes sideways.

6. Salt

Who can live without salt, especially if you are eating a lot of rice and beans? But salt is so much more than just a seasoning; it also preserves food, replaces sodium the body loses through sweating, helps heal wounds, and can repel pests such as ants. It also acts as a great barter item if you get the opportunity to trade with others. Pick up one or two 5-pound bags and maybe some smaller amounts for trading.

7. Vitamins

After the SHTF, you need to stay as strong and healthy as you can and your diet is not always going to be ideal (heck, it probably isn’t now for many of us). Having a good quality multivitamin is critical to help you get the level of nutrients your body needs. Plus, a couple of bottles of vitamins are easy to carry around, even if you have to stuff them in your BOB, which you should.

8. Seeds

Sure, you have your preps that you are tucking away for the first weeks and months of a SHTF event, but what about when all your food runs out? What about when you survive past a year and need to start looking at other ways to feed yourself? Seeds are small, light, inexpensive, and can keep you alive in the long-term. They are invaluable and you should stock up on a few different types.

9. Fire Starter

You need at least one method of starting a fire. Getting yourself a good fire starter kit is critical for your survival. With fire you can stay warm, cook your food, and boil water to purify it, all of which will literally keep you alive. This might be a magnesium fire starter or a ferro rod, so choose what works best for you.

10. Radio

Information is your new best friend once the SHTF. If you know what is going on in the world, in your city, and in your neighborhood, you will be far better able to deal with it and survive. A radio that will work without electricity, either a hand-crank radio or a solar power radio, is critical.

11. Walkie-Talkies

Let’s face it, when the SHTF, there is a good chance cell phones won’t work. Do you have a backup? Communication is critical during any disaster, whether it is short- or long-term, and you need to be prepared with a method of communicating with the other members of your group.
Ham radios are pricey, but it is easy and inexpensive to pick up a high-quality set of walkie talkies. Add some Sharpies and a system of symbols and pre-planned message locations and you have a backup form of communication that works when you are on the move.

12. LED Flashlight

You absolutely need at least one flashlight for each member of your group. It helps you see in the dark and can be used to deter animals and attackers and signal for help. You can also set up a system of signals to use in your group, providing you with a backup communication system. Plus, having a source of light just makes us feel better when we are scared.

13. Weapon & Ammo

You need some sort of defensive weapon. You have your loved ones to protect, which means also protecting the food, water, and supplies you have gathered. A gun is the best thing to have on hand. You should purchase a gun and the ammo to go with it, although if you don’t have your firearms license, no one will sell you one. You can also purchase a crossbow or another form of projectile weapon. They aren’t as practical as a gun, but they don’t require a license, either. Ideally, you should get your firearms license as soon as you are able to do so.

14. Physical Preparedness

Get yourself in good physical shape! Like I said above, people think so much about the things they need to prep, the items they need to stock away so they have enough, but often little thought is given to your own physical ability to deal with the shock of what comes after the SHTF.
When an event happens, you will be under a lot of emotional, mental, and physical stress. You will get less sleep and will have a lot more physical exertion. You will possibly have less food to eat and what you eat won’t be what you have been used to. Even if you have a full stock of familiar foods for a few weeks or months, it will run out and you may need to ration at some point.
Get plenty of exercise—now! Build your endurance and muscle mass—now! If you aren’t currently in good physical shape, then start slowly, perhaps by walking every day, but start a regimen of exercise that will ensure you have the physical strength and endurance to handle what will come.
When it comes to eating, you are literally what you eat, so be sure to eat well. You should also simplify your meals. Once things go sideways in the world, you will be eating more simple foods and meals. Foraged greens, some meat or fish you have caught, perhaps with rice you have tucked away. Do you have to give up all your favorite foods? No, but adjusting your diet now to get used to eating these types of simpler meals will make the transition easier later on.

15. Mental Preparedness

Your survival in any SHTF situation is going to be largely a mental game. The stress of the situation, of always having to think five steps ahead and how you are going to take care of everyone, will take its toll. It’s that simple.
The people who will survive will be the people who have the mental capacity to not only refrain from panicking, but to stay positive. You will need to keep your emotions under control, think clearly, and do what needs to be done.
You can train your mind through meditation, relaxation techniques, mental exercises, and even a rigorous physical training program that will push your mental limits, as well as your physical limits. Plus, just being as prepared as possible in all of the ways listed above will help alleviate fear and stress when disaster strikes.