Monthly Archives: November 2014

Uses of Peppermint: Candy Canes & Beyond

Peppermint is a great tool in your multi-purpose arsenal that can be used for many things. Using extra candy canes this Christmas will help you save money. Instead of throwing them out – find a second use for them.

Peppermint is a great oil to keep on hand during an emergency but is also a great herb that can be grown for multiple uses around your home – allowing you to be more self-sufficient.

If you grow your own peppermint, be sure to grow it in a pot or bed of its own. Peppermint can tend to overgrow its bounds so it’s best to grow it separately.

Upset Stomachs & Congestion
Peppermint is a great way to soothe upset stomachs. Add a few drops of peppermint to a hot drink. You can also dry out peppermint leaves and then crush and boil them in water to create a peppermint tea.

The tea is also great for relieving head colds and congestion. Many times, peppermint is combined with elder flower and yarrow.

Candy Cane Cake
Instead of throwing out all those old candy canes, make a great-tasting candy cane cake!

You’ll need:

• 1 cup sifted cake or pastry flour
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 12 egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 8 ounces peppermint candy canes
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°. Sift together flour and 3/4 cup sugar. Sift again and set aside.
2. In a large bowl or standing mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt. Beat until soft peaks form. Add 3/4 cup sugar and the vanilla and almond extracts. Continue beating until egg whites are firm but not dry.
3. Sift 1/3 of the flour-sugar mixture onto the egg whites and, with a rubber or silicone spatula, gently fold the mixture into the egg whites. Add remaining flour in two batches, folding gently after each addition. Turn batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan and bake until browned and firm to the touch, 50 to 60 minutes.
4. Invert cake (in pan) on a cooling rack for at least an hour. When completely cool, run a long, thin, sharp knife between cake and pan to loosen, and remove cake.
Put candy canes in a large sealable plastic bag. Crush them into small pieces with a meat pounder, rolling pin, or the bottom of a small frying pan. Sift crushed candy with a fine-mesh strainer and reserve candy dust for another use. Set crushed candy aside.
5. In a large bowl, beat cream with remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Frost cake with whipped cream using a spatula to form swirls and peaks. Sprinkle frosted cake with crushed candy canes. (To get candy on the sides, hold your hand about 1 in. from the cake and gently toss crushed candy at the sides.) Serve immediately, using a serrated knife to cut slices.


Decorative Candle
A great way to add festive designs and scents to your home is by creating a candy cane candle. Glue a row of candy canes around the base of a red or white candle.

As the candle grows smaller and smaller, the peppermint will begin to be heated and start to smell even more festive.

Fudge Recipe
You can also make some pretty great-tasting fudge with the help of peppermint.

You’ll need:

• 2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
• 1 dash red or green food coloring

Directions:

1. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
2. Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
3. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

What makes you rock around the Christmas tree?
How do you use peppermint or extra candy canes this time of year? Comment below and tell everyone your ideas.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via :   thereadystore

First Aid and Herbal Response for Fractures

Post by Agatha Noveille

 

Bone fractures are definitely emergencies that require standard first aid followed by professional medical care from a doctor.

However, there are several ways herbs can be utilized as whole body support after emergency medical care has been given. Before we get started on the herbal side of things, let’s take a look at standard fracture first aid as a refresher.

Fracture First Aid

Always keep up to date on your first aid certifications with an organization like the Red Cross, when possible. It gives you hands on training that will be helpful in this type of emergency. Another great idea is to keep a first aid handbook easily accessible, so that you have a checklist to follow as you wait for professionals to arrive. Still, fracture first aid is usually straight forward.

Do:

  1. Stop any bleeding
  2. Immobilize
  3. Apply ice
  4. Be careful of shock

Don’t:

  1. Try to push any protruding bones back in if they have broken the skin
  2. Try to straighten a crooked limb.
  3. Move the person at all if the injury affects the back or neck. Instead, wait for help to arrive and keep the injured person still.

Once a doctor takes care of the fractures, herbs can be used for after-care as an adjunct to your doctor’s instructions. Be sure to get the all clear first, and then herbs traditionally used for pain, healing, and providing extra minerals for the diet can all be incorporated.

Pain

Bone healing is an inherently inflammatory process. In this case, inflammation is a good thing. NSAID drugs (like over the counter pain relievers) actually inhibit the exact processes the body is trying to use to repair bone. This means that they may help with pain, but using them may extend the overall healing time.

Some traditional herbal alternatives include St. John’s Wort, Jamaican Dogwood, California Poppy, and Valerian. Extract form is often the best form these herbs, rather than a tea. The extract is more convenient and can be taken in a little juice or other beverage to disguise the strong, unpleasant tastes of these herbs. Poppy and Valerian both also offer the advantage of being nervine herbs traditionally used to settle the nerves and promote sleep.

Don’t use St. John’s Wort if you are taking prescription drugs. This herb is notorious for interfering with medications.

Healing

Healing a fracture requires good nutrition. Not only does healing utilize more calories than normal, the body will also need extra protein. Bone is around 70% minerals in total composition, so making sure to get enough calcium and other minerals is another big nutritional factor.

Herbs for Minerals:

  • Horsetail
  • Nettles
  • Oatstraw
  • Dandelion

These herbs can be prepared as teas and steeped overnight to be extra strong. In this case, sipping on them over the course of the day is a better approach than drinking them all in one go.

Comfrey

Comfrey is another herb traditionally used for healing fractures. There is a modern debate about whether or not comfrey should be used internally, but it can still be used topically.

If the fracture requires a cast, it’s best to wait until the cast comes off before beginning to apply a comfrey compress or poultice. A simple compress can be made by preparing a strong tea of comfrey leaves, soaking a clean flannel cloth in the tea, and then applying the cloth to the affected area. Once the cloth cools, it can either be dipped into the tea and reapplied or washed to use again later.

Poultices work in much the same way, but the fresh or dried leaves are mashed with just enough water to form a paste, spread directly onto the skin, and held in place with a cloth. Poultices are usually changed out every four hours.

Wilderness First Aid

If you like to hike or camp, live remotely, or are otherwise often not near medical help, you might want to consider taking Wilderness First Aid. If you can’t find a provider with a quick Google search, you might contact the local Boy Scout Council (even if you aren’t even remotely affiliated). They should be able to help you find a good resource for it because they require leaders trained in it for certain types of outings.

Wilderness First Aid is, among other things, one of if not the only place a person who is NOT an EMT or medical professional can receive training so that they can determine if a person with a back or neck injury can be moved. They also train you in how to splint a broken bone with whatever you have on hand, and how to transport people who are injured. All of that might be very handy if you are with someone who falls and fractures an arm or leg a mile from the trailhead, at the bottom of the great sledding hill everyone loves (the one with no cell service), or when a car slides on the ice or an oil slick and goes into a ditch.

Even if you prefer an herbal approach to managing your health, it’s important to realize that herbs cannot miraculously set a fracture- it’s important to have the break seen by a medical professional who can realign the bones and set the stage for the body to do it’s thing!

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via :   thesurvivalmom

Black Friday Deals

Folks, Black Friday is practically here and there are some great offers. Here are some deals I saw being mentioned in various preparedness and EDC forums.
$20-$10 Range
Leatherman Wingman Multi Tool
$19.96

Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic
$10.00


Kershaw Lifter $9.99

18 bucks was already a great price, 9.99 is a steal.
SABRE Pepper Spray – Advanced 3-In-1 Police Strength
$14.55

$50-$30 Range
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools S66N-CP PowerAssist Multi-Tool
$50.48

Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival
$33.32

Beast 1095 steel survival knife, comes with a great sheath too.
+$100
Casio Rangeman “Master of G”
$208.50

This one is on my personal wish list. I like the name, I like the looks, I like that its pretty much an upgraded solar Protrek which I’m very fond of, but with the added benefit of being G-Shock ruggerized.

Samsung S5 Active $634.99

Do yourself a favor and go Android. The S5 is the rugged version of Samsung’s flagship model. Dust proof and water resistant, intended for outdoors use.

Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic $396.00

Red dot that is always on for 3 years.

 

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via :   ferfal

Self-defense in a “flash mob”‏ / Riot?

Here’s a recent question:
Do you have any thoughts about how a CPL/CCW/CHL holder should react in a flash mob situation that turns potentially violent? I know that the best scenario would be to leave when the mob begins, but say you’re trapped in a store when they start trashing the place, and they see you and decide you’re to blame for their economic troubles and start to come at you. In such a situation, your life is in definite danger, but you can’t just start shooting indiscriminately. Any advice? With the Ferguson ruling expected any day now, things might get interesting in a hurry.

Here’s the response:
It’s an interesting topic. Right now we’re waiting to see what happens in Ferguson but this can truly happen anywhere. Between riots, looting and flash mobs, its important to know how to react, what to do and what NOT to do.

First, get proper training. Even before buying a gun, learn how to use it properly. Shooting cans with your cousin or uncle does not constitute professional defensive shooting training. If you haven’t been properly trained, no matter how well you think you shoot you still haven’t don’t know how to FIGHT with the gun, and that’s very different from target practice and hunting.
Second, its important to actually carry your weapon at all times whenever possible. I have said so many times but its worth repeating. The gun left in the safe will do you no good, it’s the one on your hip that matters when the chips are down.
When it comes to dealing with a mob, the first thing to keep in mind is that drawing a gun is the last thing you want to do. Stay calm, its probably not about you and if its not about you don’t change that by bringing your gun to the equation. Leave it in your holster for now. Whenever possible, leaving, even running is better than shooting someone. I’ve been caught in a number of protests, roadblocks and lootings. In most cases you are better served by remaining calm and moving away from the group. That alone works beautifully well. When it comes to getting trapped, try to avoid that as much as possible. Whenever walking into any room, always identify at least two exit points. The one you just walked through would be one, but find another one. Fire or riot, you still need to know how to escape.

If the violence is directed against you and you can’t escape, we’re talking about a pretty bad series of events where many mistakes were already made. In this case, with your safety at risk and a reasonable fear for your life, you can bring out your gun. This doesn’t mean you start shooting, but it may still help, as guns often do. No one wants to get shot, and with your gun drawn you may have bought a few seconds given the surprise/fear factor guns usually have. Make the most of those seconds, move away fast. If you wait too long those nearby may lose that fear, become more bold and try grabbing you forcing you to escalate. Of course you want to avoid this as much as possible. If that’s the only option left and its either shoot or get killed, shoot the closest, most violent attacker first, quickly move to the second one and assess the situation before engaging again. One guy dropping after getting shot usually causes those around him to reconsider their actions. How cool and in control you remain will decide if they rush you or not, so you better know what you are doing and do your best to stay in control.

Maybe the most important thing to keep in mind regarding such a delicate situation is training. Proper training will be crucial so as to control the situation, have enough confidence, project that confidence towards the mob, and ultimately have self-control so as to know when to shoot and when not to. Untrained, nervous people are far more likely to mess up, maybe even accidentally shoot, effectively escalating the situation.
Get training, carry your weapon and stay calm!

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

 

Via :   ferfal

This Is Why You Should NEVER Trust a Bank: Wells Fargo Refuses To Pay Woman What She’s Owed: “Practically Laughed At Me”

The recent actions of mega behemoth Wells Fargo show us just why so many people are distrustful of large financial  institutions. The bank, which claims it will help you achieve what’s important, has done exactly the opposite in the case of Rosemary Ronstein.

At the height of the 2009 financial crisis Ms. Ronstein was facing a home foreclosure. After her husband passed away that same year the widow was searching through personal records when she happened across a 30-year old CD purchased by her husband in 1984 for the sum of $18,000. The CD, which offered the bearer a 10.9% interest rate and renewed automatically until it was cashed in, was originally issued by First Interstate Bank, an entity that has since been acquired by Wells Fargo.

At the time, Ronstein faced the real possibility of having her house seized for failing to pay her mortgage. The CD was like a dream come true. All her problems would be solved, which is exactly the reason why her late husband originally purchased the CD and gave it to her for safekeeping.

But when Ronstein arrived at Wells Fargo to trade in her financial instrument, she says that not only did the bank refuse to make good on the Cash Deposit, they practically laughed in her face.

But when she tried to get the money that she believes is rightfully hers, she the bank “practically almost laughed at me.”

KPHO claims that Wells Fargo refused to comment on the story but claim in court documents that it had no records of the CD and believes it’s possible that it could have already been paid out at some point in the past, pointing out that First Interstate had a policy of allowing customers to retain paid-out certificates.

The widow insists that her late husband never cashed out the CD, while her lawyer notes that the CD states that it must be “presented and surrendered” in order to be redeemed. He claims that it’s not enough for Wells to cite a lack of documentation on its part as evidence that the CD had been paid.

“Given the passage of the time, the bank doesn’t have a record of it,” says the lawyer. “And so really what needs to be decided by the court is, what’s the import of the lack of a record in the face of the instrument?” (Source: Consumerist)

Video via KPHO:

http://www.kpho.com/clip/10861450/woman-says-bank-wont-pay-old-cd

According to Ronstein’s attorney, the accumulated interest and automatic renewals on the CD amount to over $400,000 today, a claim disputed by Wells Fargo which says it is worth only around $60,000.

In essence, Wells Fargo says that because it doesn’t have a record of the 30-year old legal financial instrument it doesn’t have to pay the sum owed. Moreover, they claim that even if the certificate was legitimate, First Interstate bank used to allow CD bearers to keep the CD after being paid out, so it may have already been paid. But Ronstein disputes this claim, noting that the CD clearly states the instrument must be surrendered to the bank at the time it is paid.

Wells Fargo, like many other large financial institutions, may claim they are looking out for the little guy. They may have vibrant advertisements telling you they’ll take care of you when you need help. But in reality, they are interested in one thing and one thing only – your money.

This isn’t the first time Wells Fargo has had some serious issues with paperwork and record keeping. Last year the very same bank actually showed up at someone’s home with the local police and claimed that the owner had failed to pay their mortgage. They seized everything in the home, boarded it up, and sold the delinquent homeowner’s possessions. Except there was one problem. They seized the wrong house. What’s worse, after they sold the owner’s possessions they refused to repay them the retail value of the goods! According to the homeowner the bank President told her, “We’re not paying you retail here, that’s just the way it is.”

I did not tell them to come in my house and make me an offer. They took my stuff and I want it back.

Now, I’m just angry… It wouldn’t be a big deal if they would step up and say ‘I’m sorry, we will replace your stuff.’ Instead, I’m getting attitude from them. They’re sarcastic when they talk to me. They make it sound like I’m trying to rip the bank off. All I want is my stuff back.

Ms. Ronstein’s case is just another example of how much you should trust your local banking institution to do what’s right.

The short answer? You can’t.

What you can expect is that they will take from you whenever they can and refuse to make good when they make a mistake.

Now, with the introduction of “bail-in” provisions which essentially turn your personal account deposits into bank assets (rather then your assets), should the bank make a mistake on the order of Lehman Brothers in the 2008 financial crisis you can fully expect to lose every single dime you’ve deposited. In fact, the Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve recently warned that this is exactly what would happen to your life savings should your bank ever need to recapitalize itself:

The United States is preparing a proposal to require systemically important banks to issue bail-inable long-term debt that will enable insolvent banks to recapitalize themselves in resolution without calling on government funding–this cushion is known as a “gone concern” buffer.

You’ve been warned.

Your personal deposits and live savings are nothing more than investment vehicles for your bank. And if they screw up, you are the one who will get screwed.

Ms. Ronstein is just the latest example of how America’s large financial institutions are taking everything they can from the little guy to further enrich themselves.

If you have your money at a bank then you should fully expect it to be disappeared at the very moment you need it most.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

 

Via :   shtfplan

New bill passed: Did this just happen in the Land of the Free? Yes, it did.

Post by Simon Black

Science is about truth. It’s about fact.

It’s about forming hypothesis and either proving or disproving that hypothesis through what we can observe, test, and measure.

For thousands of years it’s been through this method that humanity has progressed. And history shows that every time “authorities” get involved, it invariably arrests this process.

Human civilization lost centuries of progress in the “Dark Ages” (a bit of a misnomer, given that societies were flourishing in Asia at the same time).

European governments would burn anyone at the stake who dared to write that the Earth wasn’t the center of the universe.

We’d like to think we’ve come a long way since then. But have we really?

It was just a few years ago that the EPA was slammed in a scandal for putting political pressure on scientists to influence their work.

And just last week, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that effectively kicks the scientists out of the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board, and makes room for industry insiders.

What’s curious is that this bill specifically allows for industry representatives to serve on the advisory board even when they have a direct conflict of interest with the board’s advisory activities.

This makes it yet even easier for a handful of big companies to influence public policy and force everyone else to do their bidding.

By themselves, companies would never be able to set policy. But when you put them in bed with government, they can do so at the point of a gun.

To give you an analogy, this would be the same thing as commercial banks like Citi or JP Morgan getting to choose the representatives that set monetary policy at the Federal Reserve.

Oh wait, they’re already doing that.

Or it would be like the Department of Homeland Security buying completely useless body scanners from a company linked to the former head of DHS.

Oh wait, they already did that too.

Or it would be like the FDA selecting some of its top executives from big agriculture companies like Monsanto.

Oh wait, they already do that too.

Abraham Lincoln famously said at Gettysburg in 1863 that a government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The system we have today is none of those things.

The EPA is not there to protect the environment.

Homeland Security is not there to secure the homeland.

The FDA is not there for the health and safety of Americans.

And you’re far more likely to get shot by a police officer now in the Land of the Free than you are to ever even see a terrorist.

This system isn’t there to support you or protect you. It’s there to extract as much as possible from you through taxes and inflation at the point of a gun, and then force you to follow the rules that they create which benefit themselves the most.

That’s what passes as a free society today.

And it’s the biggest threat to our liberty, the biggest threat to our livelihood, and the biggest threat to future generations that won’t even be born for decades.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via :   sovereignman


NSA Director Confirms: Entire U.S. Power Grid could be Shut down by Single Cyber Attack

It’s something that has been talked about for years, but up until this point nobody in the federal government would confirm it; until now.

Speaking at a House Intelligence Commute hearing, Admiral Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency and commander of the U.S .Cyber Command, admitted that China, and a handful of other countries currently possess the power to launch a cyber-attack that would shut down the entire U.S. power grid.

At the hearing, Rogers said U.S. adversaries are performing electronic “reconnaissance” on a regular basis so that they can be in a position to disrupt the industrial control systems that run everything from chemical facilities to water treatment plants.

“All of that leads me to believe it is only a matter of when, not if, we are going to see something dramatic,” he said.

This comes weeks after the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning that Russian hackers had successfully penetrated, and inserted malware into some of the nation’s most vital infrastructure systems.

The Malware, which experts say has the power to trigger the shutdown of vital public utilities throughout the country, was found in software used to control industrial operations like oil and gas pipelines, power transmission grids, water distribution and filtration systems, wind turbines and even some nuclear plants.

The Coming Cyber Wars that Could Shut Down Everything

The threat has actually been known for some time, this is just the first time someone at this level is actually admitting there’s a problem.

In 2013, two engineers discovered a major vulnerability in the Industrial Control Systems that control our power grid, a flaw that allows hackers to take control of the entire U.S. power grid.

During the course of testing, the engineers found they could penetrate and shutdown almost every major Industrial Control System they tested. This would give hackers direct access to control everything from our communication infrastructure, to our drinking water and our electric power grid.

The two compiled a 20-page report detailing the vulnerabilities they found for the Department of Homeland Security’s Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team. The report was used in a massive cyber drill that simulated the take down of the entire U.S. power grid.

Is the Obama Administration Preparing for a Coming Cyber War?

In his testimony, Rogers admitted the Obama administration was in the process of outlining our military cyber operation’s rules of engagement.

“We need to define what would be offensive, what’s an act of war,” he said.

With people like former CIA Bureau Chief Claire Lopez warning, “9 out of 10 of all Americans would be dead,” within a year after this type of attack, the threat is something we can’t afford to ignore. This country can barely manage a small-scale disaster – just look at what happened during Hurricane Sandy, or the recent Ebola Crisis – what do you think will happen if someone shuts down the entire power grid?

All Hell is going to Break Loose!

America was founded on a spirit of self-reliance and freedom, sadly somewhere along the way the country lost its way. Over the last couple of decades that spirit of self-reliance has all but faded away, replaced by a country full of takers who only exist because they constantly suck off the system.

While this may sound a little harsh, it’s the truth, and sugar coating the sad reality of the situation does nothing to help prepare us for what I believe is coming – the eventual downfall and collapse of the entire system.

Whether it’s a cyber-attack that plunges us into the abyss, or the 18 trillion dollars in debt that eventually pushes us over the edge, the need to prepare should be more than obvious at this point.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via :   offgridsurvival

Deadly Storm Drops 7 Feet of Snow: People Stranded in Homes; Food Supplies running Out

Over the last couple of days Buffalo New York has been slammed by a winter snow storm that has dropped up to 7 feet of snow throughout the area. The storm, which has already claimed 12 lives and collapsed over 30 roofs, has trapped thousands inside their homes, and buried highways under 7 feet of snow. Most major roads and highways into the area were completely shut down, making food and gas deliveries impossible.

Roadways Shut Down; Thousands Stranded inside local Stores.

State Police say thousands of abandoned cars are littered across Interstate 90, which has been completely shut down after being blanketed by over 6 feet of snow. Many residents had no way of making it home, and hundreds were forced to take shelter in local businesses. The snow was so bad in Buffalo that over 70 motorists, including a number of stranded truckers, have been forced to shelter inside a local Walmart since Monday.

Supplies Running Out as Deliveries into the area are Stopped

With over 7 feet of snow falling, and snow drifts covering entire houses, people are getting desperate as many find themselves trapped inside their home with little food or supplies.

 

Those that have managed to dig themselves out are finding grocery stores with empty shelves as deliveries into the area have been turned away because of blocked roads and highways. Thousands of trucks and snow removal supplies have been sent to buffalo from all over the country, but warmer temperatures and rain are expected to make the problem even worse over the weekend.

Thousands stranded inside Homes; Roofs Collapsing from Weight of Snow

This is a prime example on why you should stay prepared, keep stocked up on essentials such as food, water, meds, firewood, and tp. A Ham radio license, a good 2-meter or all band radio, a CB radio, and a good back-up power supply will make life easier and safer.

It’s a No Brainier, prepare in advance, you never know what’s coming your way!

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via :   offgridsurvival

Apps to help you find people during disasters and help for them

Here’s a little technology that can help during disasters. There are many more so look around.

These apps could help reduce panic and aid first responders to where someone might be located.

Apps to the rescue

There is nothing more nerve wracking than not knowing where someone important to you is during a disaster. The emergence of Twitter has provided an avenue of sorts for people to find out if someone has made it out alive. But if it is ever to the point in which loved ones, or employees in your organization, have not yet been found, these apps could help emergency personnel locate them

 


Red Panic Button

By ULTIMATE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE


$2.99

You are required to set a panic number or mail address and the phone will send a message, which contains your address and location. It uses GPS/Network (where available on iPhone and iPad 3G) to determine your location or Wifi (on the iPod touch and iPad Wifi)

According to a few reviews, make sure to check with the company on any extra costs associated with upgrades or customizations.

 

VisionLink OEM Shelter

By VisionLink


Free

Maybe you are frantically looking everywhere for your lost loved one. This app will help you locate the disaster shelters in your area. You can view open shelters by state and also find the latest disaster information via the Red Cross Disaster Online Newsroom.

 

Disaster Alert (Pacific Disaster Center’s World Disaster Alerts)

By Pacific Disaster Center


Free

Disaster Alert provides mobile access to multi-hazard monitoring of and early warning for natural disasters around the globe. The reviews in iTunes were glowing for this app.

 

National Library of Medicine

Disaster Information Management Research Center


Free

ReUnite provides ability to upload missing and found person information for family reunification during and after disasters. It provides structured information to the National Library of Medicine’s People Locator service.

 

SirenGPS

SirenGPS


Free

SirenGPS connects everyone in a community to first responders and allows first responders to communicate with each other, all on a single platform. It allows first responders to determine the precise location of 911 callers.

 

Life 360

Life 360


Free

While Life 360 is portrayed as more of a way for families to keep in touch through their busy lifestyles, it also has the ability to connect someone who might be trapped and needs help.

 

ICE: In Case of Emergency

ICE: In Case of Emergency


$3.99

Stores important information for first responders and hospital staff to use in case of an emergency involving you:

 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/triple-zero-kids-challenge/id679476707?mt=8

 

Guardly Mobile Safety Apps

Guardly


Free

By launching Guardly’s safety app, it will transmit real-time GPS location and indoor location within buildings (for select enterprise customers), and provide two-way communication with private security, 911 authorities and safety groups.

 

Red Cross Mobile Apps

Download Red Cross Apps!

Red Cross mobile apps put help in your hand.

Also check out:

 

Are you prepared for anything? Here’s some links you WILL need!

 

Keeping your family safe – PLANNING FOR THE OBVIOUS

 

Plan Your Escape Routes Before Disaster Strikes

 

IT’S A DISASTER!!! Now what?

 

Would You Survive Doomsday? An Infographic from Nat Geo

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via :    csoonline

The Living Off the Land Fallacy

A common plan tossed around by survivalists and preppers is this idea that in the event of martial law or some other crisis, they are going to head off to the hills, presumably for weeks or months, and just live off the land.  While this sort of plan might appeal to the pioneer and bushcraft spirit, if nothing else, the reality is that for most people, this is just planning to fail.

Even if you have all the skills and experience for doing this, let’s look at the problems you will run into.

Basic Problems

There are a few problems with falling into what I call the Living Off the Land Fallacy.  For starters, while the DNR isn’t likely going to be enforcing fair hunting rules, you aren’t going to be the only goofball out there with a rifle or bow.  If you’ve ever gone hunting with someone brand new to it, you know just how frustrating, even dangerous, it can be.  They don’t know how to be quiet.  They want to take shots that are risky at best.  They just don’t know what the heck they are doing, right?  Now, multiply that times a thousand as there are going to be a ton of other folks, just like that, out there looking for their own dinners.

On top of that, it won’t take long before tens of thousands of house pets are going to turn feral and be competing with you for the small game.  Granted, some folks might look at that as just being an addition of potential targets for lunch.  Even so, competition is going to be fierce.  It won’t take long before even the ubiquitous squirrel is scarce.

Fishing

What about fishing?  Okay, not a bad plan but do you really think you’re going to be the only Babe Winkelman out there wetting a line?  Plus, likely as not you’re also going to have at least a small segment of the population who will sit on the sidelines and wait for someone to reel in a good sized bass, then take it from them by hook or by crook.

I grew up in an area where deer hunting is akin to religion.  The school district darn near shuts down during gun season, given how many students head up north with their parents to see about adding a trophy to the wall.  These people have been hunting for generations and know all the tricks.  Yet, for all of that, only about a third of them are successful in a given year.  Granted, that’s big game, but still, food for thought.

Wild Edibles

As for wild edibles, that’s something to consider, but you need to know what you’re doing so as to avoid poisonous lookalikes and such.  Plus, consider the fact that the crisis may hit in the dead of winter, when not too many things are growing in abundance.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting you abandon all plans for hunting/fishing/trapping/gathering.  Instead, consider those options as ways to supplement what you’ve stockpiled and grown on your own.  Generally speaking, the plan would be to have enough food packed away to get you through at least one, if not two, complete growing seasons.  Have plans in place for growing much of your own food from seeds you harvest yourself.  Raise chickens, goats, and other potential meat sources.  Learn now the best ways to preserve meat if you don’t have access to electricity, and thus freezers.

Above all, abandon the attitude of “Me hunter. Me go kill meat for family.”  That way of thinking will indeed likely result in a death, but probably not of the four-legged variety.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via :    thesurvivalmom