Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today - an On going Thread #2]

May 05th,2008

[nw_arizona_granny]

Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? It’s an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training

I’ve been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe that’s why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

That is a terrific idea and even if one did not smoke, they would be valuable in barter situations. Great thinking.

[nw_arizona_granny]

WHO: Summary report of a High-Level Consultation: new influenza A (H1N1)

INTRODUCTION

1. In view of the threat posed by the current outbreak of new influenza A (H1N1), the

Director-General of the World Health Organization convened a High-Level Consultation for all

Member States at the start of the Sixty-second World Health Assembly.

2. The consultation provided an opportunity for Member States to share experiences, to discuss

lessons learnt, and to highlight the challenges that now confront the world community. The list of

main speakers and programme is given in the Annex.

Download summary report [pdf 44kb]

For more information on H1N1 situation, please visit www.PandemicFlu.gov

http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/High_Level_Consultation_18_May_2009.pdf

[nw_arizona_granny]

He now buys 15 pounds of meat at a time and freezes it, and buys wheat in 50-pound bags, mills it into flour and uses it to bake bread. He checks survivalist Web sites for advice at least once a day and listens to survival podcasts.<<<

And when his electric goes out, it will be rotten in less than a week.

The freezer is not the place for storage of meat or food supplies and so few realize it.

If one does loose electric, wrapping the freezer in plastic and piling quilts and sleeping bags will keep it an extra couple days, but nothing helps in long outages, except a pressure cooker to can it with.

Or a food dryer.

Good articles, thanks for finding and posting them.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Learn to shoot.
Learn to hunt.
Learn to grow veges.
Learn to hide.
Keep enough gold on hand to pay your way anywhere.
Learn basic medical skills.

Have a plan in case society breaks down.

Then, go about living your daily lives. Never live in fear. If you fear something, learn how to defeat it, if your fear is realized. Then, you will not need worry about survival.<<<

Excellent advice and I suspect that society is already breaking down, listen to the police scanner for any town and you will see that it is getting worse, daily.

Welcome to the thread, do join in and share your thoughts, for there is much to learn and it takes many teachers.

[CottonBall]

If one does loose electric, wrapping the freezer in plastic and piling quilts and sleeping bags will keep it an extra couple days, but nothing helps in long outages, except a pressure cooker to can it with.

That's my plan ;)

My pressure cooker arrived over the weekend (while I was gone) and I plan on emptying the freezer a bit at a time and canning everything. (Thanks to all of DW's helpful hints!)

[nw_arizona_granny]

Personally, though I love cigars, I would go for pipe tobacco instead.<<<

Excellent barter material, as will be booze of any kind, both for the medical value and those who want a drink.

And the knowledge of how to make it will be worth having, a simple wine made with a gallon on a gallon jug or the more complicated methods.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Are you warmed up by now?<<<

It is warm enough to run the cooler, but the extra moisture causes me problems.

Please don’t stop the prayers.

So goes life, most of the time the computer works ok, but the blasted internet connection is having fits.

so goes real life.

Returning big hugs.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for the information. I have wanted to try making my own paper.<<<

Now that is a path that can consume you, an amazing hobby and so much to learn, I hope I sent you the papermaking book that I found last night, if not let me know and I can send it, for I sent a copy to me.

They make paper out of everything, vegetable skins, as in onion outer coverings, to elephant dung........

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for reminding me to note the oil and roses links.

[CottonBall]

Thanks for the update on your gulch adventures. It’s always interesting to hear about.

I didn’t realize the grain mill you got has both steel and stone grinding thingies (yes, not a truly technical term). Pretty neat!

[CottonBall]

Awwwww, cute ducks!

[CottonBall]

Clam Frappé

hmmmm, well....I don't think I'll be trying THAT one!

[DelaWhere]

/snip/

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. Thus, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission in these settings. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment, the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings for preventing transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses, and on current information on the spread and severity of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

In areas with confirmed human cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These recommended actions are:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and minimize contact with others, including avoiding travel, for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
• Avoid close contact (i.e. being within about 6 feet) with persons with influenza-like illness.

In addition, influenza antiviral medications are an important tool for the treatment and prevention of influenza, including novel H1N1.http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm

[CottonBall]

Speaking of essential oil......I got my ginger oil from Amazon over the weekend. I had hubby bring it up to the mountains so I could try it on the way home. He was driving down the hill (and as usual, tried to get home as fast as possible!). I sniffed the ginger oil about 4 times and didn’t get car sick once! Seems to work as good as the ginger capsules. But the best part is that my cat that gets car sick only drooled a little at the end of the 23 miles of windy roads. I held the bottle about 6 inches from his nose, since I wasn’t sure if breathing it in would be bad for him. He sniffed the air, so I know he smelled that something different was there. Anyway, he did pretty good and I’m convinced it’s because of the ginger essential oil.

[nw_arizona_granny]

My pressure cooker arrived over the weekend (while I was gone) and I plan on emptying the freezer a bit at a time and canning everything. (Thanks to all of DW’s helpful hints!)<<<

Since we are talking about Cal, maybe he needs to be alerted.

Yes, do follow his information, for he is actually doing it and I am sure out of date on canning.

LOL, I am still in the “be sure to put a peach pit in every jar of canned peaches, so they will taste like real peaches”, era.

Go slow and you will be able to can with the pressure cooker, I learned the hard way, by doing it and have not had any troubles.

You will feel much safer, with it all nicely canned, than with it in the freezer.

[CottonBall]

Excellent post. People don’t even realize how our freedoms have been eroded - and over a pretty short period of time too. I find the lack of awareness pretty scary.

[CottonBall]

You will feel much safer, with it all nicely canned, than with it in the freezer.

For sure. I've had a full freezer go out twice - once when the power went off about 10 years ago and another time about 5 years ago when something was wrong with the power cord to the freezer.

With beautiful Mason jars all lined up and pretty - no worries! Oh, wait. I do live in earthquake country. But I'll put the little guys back in the boxes they came in and that'll help with that ;)

[DelaWhere]

>>>They make paper out of everything, vegetable skins, as in onion outer coverings, to elephant dung........<<<

Hmmm, don’t think I would like the last one for the fish-n-chips....... As youngest daughter would say - Eeewwwwwww!

[nw_arizona_granny]

I sniffed the ginger oil about 4 times and didn’t get car sick once! Seems to work as good as the ginger capsules. But the best part is that my cat that gets car sick only drooled a little at the end of the 23 miles of windy roads. I held the bottle about 6 inches from his nose, since I wasn’t sure if breathing it in would be bad for him. He sniffed the air, so I know he smelled that something different was there. Anyway, he did pretty good and I’m convinced it’s because of the ginger essential oil.<<<<

There you go, that is how easy it is to convert to the use of essential oils.

I have not used Ginger, will try it, for I get seasick, from the lack of oxygen and all the meds that I take and am getting tired of crackers and 7up for a diet.

I have had cats that wanted to smell it and that is what I did, hold the bottle a few inches away and let them determine how much they wanted.

Had one that I brought in and it was so hyper and scared that I used my lavender on me and clothes and then picked him up and he calmed right down and slept peacefully in my lap.

Another, had allergies and I shared the Lavender and Eucalyptus oils with her, she would smell for quite awhile and when she had enough, was happy and appeared to feel better.

Don’t put it on them, for they will lick it off and a little goes a long way.

Thanks for the report, I am so glad it worked.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Hmmm, don’t think I would like the last one for the fish-n-chips....... As youngest daughter would say - Eeewwwwwww!<<<

Paper makers will use any thing, it is a race to see what works.

The lady that used the e. dung, only intended to try it out, she shared the results and soon a local gift shop was ordering it for sale, LOL, tourists will buy anything.

Since 9-11, I have not kept up with my crafts groups, so do not know if she is still making it or not, but she did for a year or more that I knew of.