The word prepper has gotten a lot of bad publicity because of misinformation. People assume that disaster or doomsday preppers are “crazy,” but the opposite could be true. There’s nothing crazy about being prepared for the worst, even if it doesn’t come.

RELATED POST: Pandemonium Looms as “Everything Shortage” meets “Dark Winter”

Prepping can come in many forms and for many reasons, which is why now might be the best time to start thinking about emergency relief for you and your family. Here are some of the reasons why and how you can become a prepper.

1. Food shortages could be more common.

The possibility of a total collapse of the food industry isn’t that likely, but the cost of food shortages is noticeable. Earlier this year, we saw a glimpse of chaotic supermarkets, which can be totally avoided with food storage prepping. This Augason Farms Emergency Food Storage Kit Review highlights the need for food reserves, which is a growing concern when shelves are empty. It’s also good to have extra food on hand in general.

2. Too many people lack basic survival skills.

The reliance on electricity and technology to do our daily tasks has left a lot of people lacking basic survival skills. Things to know like building a proper fire, hunting, foraging, fishing, building shelter, and so much more have become a luxury for those that choose to learn. This leads to a society that lacks a basic understanding of how to function outside of society, which causes chaos.

3. Living far from cities is becoming more popular.

The big cities offer something for most people. The convenience and entertainment aspects are undeniable, but many opt to fly the coop and find homes in the countryside, away from the metropolitan spaces. This is leading to a need for more necessities on hand because there’s less convenience. You can no longer walk down the street to a store. Instead, you may need to drive miles, so having everything close to home is a big plus.

4. Environmental sustainability helps everyone.

Using too many plastic water bottles, overloading the grid with electricity use, and being wasteful in general is evidently harming everyone. Being able to be a sustainable person or household helps everyone live better, and it helps the environment. If everyone started living this way, there would be less concern about the future, so it’s a good time to start now.

5. There are infinite resources to learn the prepping lifestyle.

Becoming a prepper is a lot easier now than ever. This lifestyle really took off in the 1990s, but there were limited resources just by virtue of the lifestyle itself. Now that the Internet is more easily accessible, people can find forums, websites, and retailers that can offer advice or guidance, like this article, and purchase goods they need.

The stigma around the word prepper and the connotations of what it means is hopefully a thing of the past soon enough, but even if it’s still a buzzword for some, there’s no denying the relevance. Learning how to become a prepper helps people become more reliable and sustainable people, which is great in our modern, hectic world.

By Dr. Mathew Maavak | Activist Post 

A global supply chain crisis is brewing, leading to a full-spectrum shortage of essential items. This is the result of mass centralization, where policies are dictated and synchronized by the aristocrats of the New Normal. The coming years will be marked by extreme socio-economic turbulence. 

The world is reportedly facing an “everything shortage” where essential goods are getting harder, farther, and more time-consuming to find. These shortages affect the entire gamut of the social pyramid structure. The typical production to delivery cycle is repeatedly hammered by a macabre musical chair of woes in tune with Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

If the problem is not a lockdown, then it is a dearth of raw materials. If ports are ready to unload raw materials and finished products, then truckers are unavailable to pick them up. If truckers are available, ports are unable to process freights. Alternately, the problem could be an acute power or fuel shortage. Coronavirus restrictions worldwide have also led to a shortage of essential labor, ranging from garbage collectors to pilots. Under the pyramidical hierarchy of the New Normal, only the capstone representing the Top 0.1% is truly detached and thriving.

The long-festering supply-demand disequilibrium entered a point of no return when the coronavirus pandemic was declared in March 2020. A mass of freight ships bobbing aimlessly off the coast of China is now joined by a similar armada along US coasts. A container that cost $2,500 before the pandemic now commands a hefty $25,000 for the same load. Imagine the snowballing costs to the consumer?

Everything is now conveniently blamed on Covid, with causations and fearmongering reaching epically absurd proportions.  Australia locked down the entire city of Perth (population 2 million-plus) after discovering a single new coronavirus case in late January. Nearly eight months later, another single case resulted in the lockdown of the capital city of Canberra (population 400,000 plus). This insanity is just the tip of the Covid iceberg.

Australia is arguably the most locked-downed nation on earth. More ominously, it is also one of the world’s primary food baskets. After 18 months of socioeconomic disruptions, its agricultural exports are headed for a slump. The situation is worse elsewhere. Food inflation is already at a 10-year high in the United States, with prices in September notching a 32.8% increase on a year-on-year basis.

Scarcities and inflation herald a variety of social woes. An epidemic of organized shoplifting, for instance, has emerged as a $45 billion industry in the United States. This poses an additional whammy to the US retail sector, which is still reeling from the George Floyd riots and coronavirus restrictions. Amazon, au contraire, is doing nicely for itself. This is where goods stolen by day are e-tailed by night.  Lunatic Woke policies in the US also ensure that serial shoplifters are routinely released – often on the same day – to presumably expedite the bankruptcy of established retail outlets, particularly the small- and medium-sized ones.

RELATED POST: Why Now Is the Best Time to Become a Prepper

All the Black Swans, bred specifically for the Great Reset, are coming home to roost. Ripple effects from China’s Evergrande real estate debacle, involving debts of $305 billion no less, have impacted Sweden’s electric vehicle sector. Our global dominoes are set to cascade.

A collapse of Evergrande’s magnitude requires a well-executed whole-of-systems response. However, China is facing highly disruptive power outages due to poor foresight and a global coal crunch.  Recent floods in the coal-rich Shangxi province will likely aggravate matters further. A global energy crisis is already spreading from Brazil to India. As Germany may soon learn at great costs to its industries and society, going green without retaining a robust fossil fuel infrastructure is simply myopic. With winter approaching, the need to operationalize Nord Stream 2 becomes more urgent than ever. Behind the scenes, however, bureaucrats in Brussels remain clueless.

There are some energy-related details to ponder in this context. Will EU authorities prioritize winter electric heating over electric cars that are supposedly green and climate-friendly? Smart meters within smart grids are supposed to resolve these cascading binary choices but not so in a world “designed by clowns” and “supervised by monkeys” – to paraphrase a Boeing engineer’s depiction of the recent 737 Max fiasco. That scathing pronouncement seems lost on the aviation sector as vaccination mandates are forcing out a good number of skilled personnel, including pilots. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki deemed these mandates “good for the economy“.

It is quite ironic that pilots must get inoculated in order to ferry the aristocrats of the New Normal who are exempted from such trivialities. If critical staff shortages persist in the airlines’ industry, accompanied by one or two aviation disasters, the global supply chain may simply fold.

But the biblical-type woes do not end here. Experts and leaders are regurgitating the prospects of a “very dark winter” ahead. The solution predictably is mass vaccination and booster shots. Now, that should solve our global coal crisis, mass floods, growing hunger, real estate bubbles, shoplifting sprees, and even climate change ad nauseum.

Bill Gates, the world’s most foremost authority on pandemics and vaccines, opines that the world is not ready for the “next pandemic.” The man has prophesied; it therefore must happen. Hopefully, this new outbreak would not be accompanied by pesky curative claims over cheap generics like hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), Ivermectin, or that impressively trialed green chiretta herb in Thailand.

According to Gates, proper preparedness should include the ability to make a vaccine in “100 days” and manufacture enough for the entire world in the “next 100 days after that”. One wonders if Gates knows anything about product development. Vinyl toys, for example, take 4-6 months to progress from design to production phases. Creating and deploying a universal nostrum for a new disease in 100 days is simply preposterous (Covid vaccines are the “miraculous” exceptions). The human body, with too many unknown unknowns, is way more complex than vinyl toys.  Even crappy operating systems take years to develop – that, too, after scuppering the prospects of worthier alternatives!

If Gates’ science appears in dire need of some patches and updates, a pliant media can help along by flipping nonsense into facts as usual. The blame for emerging global crises – from food inflation to climate change – can be squarely laid on the unvaccinated. Call it the Coronapsychosis Effect.

One may reasonably argue that Gates was referring to a centralized global response to new pandemics. On paper, this may speed up the discovery of a remedy. But mass centralization never quite worked for the communist regimes of yore. It only strengthened the hands of dictators and the nomenklatura. Wealth and power today are similarly centralized in the hands of a few who, in turn, dictate and synchronize policies everywhere. Their only concern is wealth fractionation and the preservation of their class; not the fallouts of their machinations.

Brace yourselves for the next phase of the Great Reset.

This article originally appeared in RT on Oct 17

Dr. Mathew Maavak is a Malaysian expert on risk foresight and governance.

Image: The Conscious Resistance

Image Featured: Oceanbird

By Anthony McLennan | Truth Theory

A Swedish company has developed a wind powered cargo ship prototype which has the potential to massively reduce global greenhouse emissions.

While the automobile industry is rapidly evolving to become less reliant on fossil fuel, commercial aviation as well as cargo shipping are lagging behind.

According to a report, commercial shipping contributes to close to three percent of annual greenhouse emissions.

So it’s clear to see why wind powered cargo ships could be such a game changer.

The prototype has been developed by a company called Wallenius Marine. They have been working in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Technology and SSPA, a naval technology company. The Swedish Transport Administration are assisting as a co-financier.

Although the prototype is still in the design phase, its hoped that orders can be taken from 2021 and that the final product will be available in 2024.

SO HOW WILL THE TECHNOLOGY WORK?

As Wallenius Marine state on their website, “The future started long ago.”

“Thousands of years have passed since we learnt to harness the wind so that ocean-going vessels could travel faster and further,” the statement continues. “The wind helped us discover our planet – now it can help us preserve it. Innovative Swedish technology will make it possible to power the largest ocean-going vessels by wind, reducing emissions by 90 percent.”

The wind power will be generated from five huge sails on board the ship, which has been called The Oceanbird.

These sails look like plane wings and will rise vertically from the deck, 80 meters upwards.

Mathematical algorithms will be used to adjust the sail placements in order to achieve maximum speeds. With these ongoing adjustments, a 200 meter long and 40-meter wide cargo vessel will be able to cross the Atlantic ocean in 12 days. This is while carrying up to 7,000 cars – it’s forecast to travel at 10 nautical miles per hour.

Currently, these journeys take eight days, but shipping companies have to pay a high premium for the heavy carbon footprint.

When it comes to docking at harbors, a clean fuel system together with an auxiliary engine will be used.

It’s possible that the wind-powered ships could also eventually be implemented in the Cruise ship industry.

Video Source: Epic Economist

The 2020 economic collapse has demonstrated its ability to wipe out supply chains, drive grocery store prices to sky high, and cause massive shortages of everything from toilet paper to meat to aluminum cans. As we head into the fall, the disaster is only going to intensify, so it is crucial that you take the last days of the summer season to prepare for the worst.

This list from UrbanSurvivalSite details 28 of the most important items to add to your stockpile as the economic collapse wreaks havoc on the United States. Keep watching until the end to make sure you don’t miss a single item. The last thing you want is to notice that key supplies are absent when it’s already too late. After all, although they’re cheap now, as soon as things go south, the value of these supplies will skyrocket overnight.

The good news is that for now most of the supplies that will make the difference between catastrophe and survival when the time comes won’t break the bank. In fact, these cheap goods are things we may take for granted in day to day life. But in a few months, they could be keeping you and your loved ones alive or be used to barter for other necessary items. Here’s the list

1. Aluminum foil

2. Duct tape

3. Plastic sheeting

4. Bandages

5. Baking soda

6. Sunscreen

7. Activated charcoal

8. Batteries

9. Vitamins

10. Soap

11. Rubbing alchohol

12. Chapsitck

13. Rubber bands

14. Zip ties

15. Can opener

16. Cotton balls

17. Salt

18. Fishing lines

19. Over-the-counter medications

20. Candles

21. Nail polish

22. Sewing kit

23. Paper clips

24. Lighter

25. Seeds

26. Socks

27. Ziplock bags

28. Superglue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmDUkhlu8bY

Video Source: Epic Economist

Things have already gotten quite crazy, but they are going to get even crazier. Global food supplies have already gotten tight, but they are going to get even tighter. When even the UN starts using the word “biblical” to describe the famine that the world is facing, that is a sign that the hour is very late. Thankfully, we are not facing famine in the short-term here in the United States, but “temporary shortages” of certain items have already been popping up, and food prices are aggressively shooting higher.

Right now we have a window of opportunity before the next wave of trouble comes along, and I would greatly encourage you to use this window of opportunity to buy lots of food and store it someplace safe.

Some people seem to think that if they have stored up a couple of months worth of food that they will be just fine.
Unfortunately, that is not the reality of what we are facing. The truth is that you should have enough food to feed every single person in your household for an extended period of time, and many of you will need much more than that. Because when things get really crazy, many of the friends, neighbors, and extended family members that neglected to prepare will come knocking on your door asking for help.

When you want to grow some vegetables at home or have a few plants to nurture and enjoy their blossoming out, then it’s a bit daunting when you’ve never shown a green finger before. If gardening is completely new, you’re in for a learning curve. However, don’t be put off by that at all.

Royalty-free image

The experience of growing plants (or vegetables that you can consume once fully developed) is an extremely rewarding one. It’s a type of life that’s largely undisturbed by the problems in the world right now, of which there seem to be a good few. So, “veg out” with a new garden, even if you have limited space to start with.

Here are 4 ways to begin your journey.

1.   Get the Right Supplies

When you’re interested in either hydroponics or indoor gardening, then you need specific supplies.

Everything is likely to be on a more miniature scale compared to managing a huge garden. This makes it easier to get going because you need fewer things to get started. It’s also less confusing for a beginner too and prepares you well if you later get access to a large garden or allotment to expand your efforts.

Suppliers such as progrow.co.uk, which is focused on indoor gardening and hydroponics – they can steer you right for appropriate supplies for indoor plants or vegetable growing using limited space.

2.   Learn About Soil Nutrients

The soil has nutrient value. Depending on how nutrient-rich the soil is that you wish to use to grow your plants or vegetables, the results will vary.

All living things require nutrients to grow and remain healthy. The same is true for vegetables and plant life.

Some nutrients will come from natural sunlight through a window or grow lamps, that helps. Plant life also uses oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Plus, clean water too.

However, be sure to use soil that’s rich in nutrients. Plants and vegetables mostly need potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus to grow strong and well, so the soil must be rich in these especially.

3.   Choose the Right Vegetables and/or Plant Species

Not every type of plant grows well indoors. Some also grow surprisingly tall or wide, which you may not realise when purchasing them if you’re unfamiliar with their species. So, do your homework in this regard to get a better idea of which plants to purchase that will be best indoors.

For vegetables, herbs grow well, as do hot peppers. Salad greens grow nicely and fill out a lunchtime salad well. Microgreens are also worth trying to grow because they’re heavily nutrient-rich. Tomatoes you might be able to grow under grow lights. They do need 10-15 hours of sunlight every day, at least, so they’re hungry for it.

4.   Indoor Plants and Vegetables Still Need Your Time

While managing a larger garden is a far more extensive enterprise to get involved with, don’t think that indoor gardening means you are completely hands-off once they’re planted.

You may find that grow lamps need adjusting here and there to tweak the results you’re getting. Also, some vegetables or plants will fare better (or worse) than others. So, they’ll be a little experimentation involved as you learn what works both best for you and the home setup.

It’s a lot of fun and personally rewarding to develop an indoor garden. Especially when you turn a limited amount of space into something really special.

Hurricane Dorian was one of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season’s most devastating storms. NASA

By Olivia Rosane | Ecowatch

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE……

COVID-19 is affecting families worldwide. During these challenging times, we all need love, understanding, and a little bit of hope.

Hope is the first step towards resilience. If we diligently practice physical distancing, the spread can be stopped and eventually, things will go back to normal.

Let’s talk about what you are doing during the quarantine? Picking up a new hobby? Mastering the skills you already have? Or searching gift options for your prepper buddies?

In this article, we are going to share some amazing gift ideas for your survivalist friends.

Gifting something to a prepper is a tricky and complicated affair. They always like gifts that are practical.

Check out our carefully curated gift collection that is sure to lift the spirits and adrenaline rush of your mates.

Emergency Food Rations

What do people do in panic situations like the one we are currently in? They hoard food items.

They lose their cool and empty the shelves way before the news hits the whole town, city or state. Of course, they want to feed themselves and their family. But is hoarding a solution?

Since such unexpected and unfortunate events lead to food shortage; it’s essential to stock packaged goods with you. And that’s exactly what you can gift the preppers.

Non-perishable items that they can use for emergencies is a great option. I am sure you will vouch for it too.

Mini Water Filters 

Bottled water might not be available in emergencies. And the shortage of contaminated drinking water can be really problematic.

That said, mini water filters make a great gifting option. These filters ensure preppers have safe drinking water in the wild.

Mini filters can help them purify water available in their vicinity. That’s not even the best part.

They are inexpensive, compact, and easy to use!

Fire Starter

Matches can ditch you at the moment you need them the most. Yeah, that’s true of lighters as well.

So what can be done?

When nothing works in your favor; trust the old, traditional methods.

Get a flint and steel fire starter because:

• It lasts many years
• It is fast
• It is small
• It is impossible to damage

Your prepper friend will love the gift!

Outdoor Multi-Tool

It’s a sensible gift. Ain’t it?

Why carry the complete tool kit when a multi-tool can do the same work for you?

A multi-tool lets you sand, saw and cut different materials. It is compact, reliable, easy to use and carry, and is a must-have for survivalists.

Compass

A military-grade compass is a life-saving item.

Internet and technology may leave you fending for yourself on a stranded island or in an isolated location, but a compass will be by your side wherever you may go.

Your buddy will love to keep this classic piece in his bug-out kit.

Solar Charger

A portable solar charger is the best gift you can give your friend.

Everyone loves it. Be it a hunter, camper, hiker or traveler. But that’s not why you should get it.

Get it because:

• It is waterproof
• It is about the size of a book
• It is light-weight
• It has a USB charging cable
• It can charge electronic devices like mobile phones, ipads, laptops, etc

Waterproof Sleeping Bag And Blanket

Get an emergency waterproof sleeping bag and blanket for your buddy, and wait for the happy look on their face.

But, be careful. Don’t choose the one that is impossible to store. Rather, look out for those tiny, compact ones that can easily fit in a hiking backpack.

Perfect for emergencies, sleeping bags and blankets come in different price ranges.

Final Thoughts

Survival boots, tactical pants, tactical gear are all valuable to preppers.

That said, all the gift options mentioned above are sure to bring a smile on your buddy’s face.

When looking for any of these gifts, make sure you research thoroughly and set a budget. The rest will all be good!

Most people go about their daily lives without giving a second thought to the possibilities that could change their lives radically. This includes problems such as earthquakes, terrorist attacks, warfare, disease, and other problems that most people simply cannot foresee. While you cannot predict if or when these problems will occur, this does not mean you cannot go some way toward preparing for them.

As seen with the recent COVID-19 outbreak, there are situations that can have a huge impact on the way we live our day to day lives. Sometimes, radical changes have to be made in terms of our way of life, and this could mean having to isolate yourself at home. While nobody wants to dwell on the idea of being in this situation, it is essential to be prepared and having a good home survival kit is one of the ways to do this. You can look at Survival at Home’s survival kit rankings to help you to make the right choice, and this can then provide you with some level of protection in a range of situations.

When Might You Need a Survival Kit?

So, when might you need to have a survival kit handy, and what types of situations are these kits geared toward? Well, the kits available these days can be used in a variety of situations, some of which are outlined below:

Natural Disasters

We have all seen natural disasters occur around the world over the years, from earthquakes and floods to hurricanes, and more. While you may never have experienced it for yourself, you never know when this type of disaster may strike, and you are best to be prepared in case you have to stay inside your home for an extended period. Having a good survival kit at home will make it easier for you to do this and to protect yourself. So, be on the lookout for an urban survival kit for sale.

Manmade Disasters

Manmade disasters cover all sorts of eventualities, and these disasters can also have a profound impact on the lives of huge numbers of people. Many of us worry about things such as civil unrest, warfare, and other disasters that are the making of man, and a lot of people want to be prepared in case something does happen. Having a survival kit at home means you will be more prepared in case something like this does occur and affects your area. 

Epidemics and Pandemics

Epidemics and pandemics can be very frightening, with many people being affected in countries around the world in some cases. The advice can vary based on the disease, but as with Covid-19, those affected are advised to isolate themselves for a period of time. If this is something you have to do, it can be helpful to have all the supplies you need to hand including a survival kit.

Be on the Safe Side

 Having a survival kit means you can err on the side of caution, and you can be better prepared for unexpected and devastating events that may affect your life.

Are you planning an excursion? Yet, you are confused about what to pack for your excursions. Packing excursion essentials is important to make your trip comfortable and successful. These essentials can vary a lot depending on your choice of location for the excursion. No matter what you have planned, there are some common things that you can always put on your list for your next excursion..

Best Excursion Essentials List

Packing for excursion sounds exciting. But what should I pack? Well, there is no limit to that. But, you can take these front line items to make your excursion a memorable one.

1.Map and Compass

Your excursion may turn disappointing if you are lost  in a hike for example. Wasting time on trying to find your way is a waste of the excursion.. This can be frustrating. So, it is wise to add navigation tools in your checklist.

The map keeps you on track to your target destination, and the compass makes sure that you are moving in the right direction. Both come handy when you are entirely lost in an unknown place. Yes your phone compass and map helps, but keep these handy just in case your phone dies or there is no cell reception for google maps to work.

2. Comfortable Shoes

Choose the best comfortable shoes for the excursion. You can take flip flops, sandals, boots or even running shoes. Make sure you have proper footwear for your excursion activity and the weather.. If you are going to a beach, then flip-flops are the best option. Walking shoes if you are going on a hike.

What you can do if you are not completely sure of the activity you will be doing at the excursion? Choose comfortable footwear that you can walk and run in and also won’t mind getting a bit dirty or wet with. You can always pack an extra set of footwear..

3. Sun Protection

You don’t really want a sunburn as your souvenir from an excursion.. So, sun protection items like sunglasses and Sunscreen are a must to pack. Other than that, you can choose long protecting clothes for places with the hot summer heat.

Sunglasses prevent UV rays from directly affecting your eyes. Also, they are trendy and stylish making those selfies pop on Instagram. On the other hand, Sunscreen avoids premature skin aging, sunburn, and possible skin cancer – so safety first!

Try Sunscreen with SPF 30 or above. That is better for outdoor excursions. Apply Sunscreen on your face, neck, arms and shoulders and any exposed part of your skin.. Some people only apply sunscreen on the face and leave the rest unprotected from the harmful UV rays. That does not help much in the scorching heat of the sun.

4. First Aid Kit

First Aid kit is a must-add item in the checklist. It is not unusual to cut, strain, scrap, or scratch your skin in the middle of hiking. You must take some quick medical actions for that. A first-aid kit comes handy here.

A first aid kit must have some common items in it. These include-

• Scissors.
• Medical tape.
• Sterile Gauze Pads.
• Antiseptic wash.
• Disposable gloves.
• Elastic bandage.
• Instant cold packs.
• Tweezers.
• Thermometer.
• Sterile Saline.
• Antibiotic ointment.
• And many more.

5. Pocket Knife
Knives are of real importance for first aid, food preparation, kindling, or any emergency condition. Take a lightweight pocket knife for an excursion. Choose a pocket knife like a swiss army knife. This can be handy in any tough condition.

There are knives with additional features. They can have a corkscrew, bottle opener, small blade, toothpick, reamer, tweezers, and many more. You can also take other items along with a knife if you are up for a camping adventure.

These items can be tent poles, duct tape, cordage, sleeping pad, snowshoes, crampons, skis, and many more. Again pack according to what the excurcion calls for.

6. Food and Water

Take some high-calorie light foods like walnuts, energy bars, dried fruits, etc. which can provide the energy you need on the go. Other than that, you should also carry some freshwater.

How much water should I carry for my adventure? It is better to carry at least a litre of freshwater. Other than that, do not take two to three sips at a time. Walk slowly and breathe to cut your water demand.

7. Fire Starter

Your excursion may require a campfire after dusk. Also, a campfire is important for cooking, or to get warm when it gets chilly out after sunset. A fire means you need a fire starter for that. You can take disposable butane lighter or a matchbox for that.

If you are up for a trip where there are least chances of getting firewood, then you can take skewers and smores for treats on the campfire.. In the case of a matchbox, try to keep it dry at all times.

8. Extra Clothes

It would be wise to take an extra pair of clothes on an excursion. Conditions can turn wet with an unexpected rain shower, or there could have been a situation where you cut your clothes.

You can also take extra items of clothing to keep you warm. Yes, a lite jacket, gloves, socks can insulate you from the cold wind. Other than that, carrying a hat can prevent sunburn and keep you cool in the scorching sun.

9. Binoculars

Binocular is amazing to view the natural scene from a long distance. Also, it is handy to locate your target destination from far. If you are cruising through a river, then this may come handy to enjoy some natural beauty.

Binoculars come with wide variations. Among those, there are six major types to look at while you are up for an excursion. They are-

• Roof prism binoculars.
• Porro prism binoculars.
• Night vision binoculars.
• Marine binoculars.
• Astronomy binoculars.
• Opera glasses.

10. Flash Light

This is important if your excursion leads to an overnight stay. Even in daylight, you may need a flashlight in a cave or under a tunnel. Most travelers take a headlamp or torch for that purpose. Make sure you have an extra pair of batteries for the flash light.

The excursion list can be long, depending on your needs. But, the above-listed items are the most common in every excursion. So, make a list and then pack your bag for an exciting excursion adventure. Now go make happy memories!

Nothing can be worse than waking up in the middle of the night just to find out the electricity is gone and it’s not coming back anytime soon. The power may come back in an hour if you’re lucky. But if it happens due to an accident or critical weather, it may take weeks for everything to become normal.

Whether it’s unexpected or previously announced, a blackout is no fun and can be dangerous to you and your family. You might be out of food, water, and necessary accessories if you’re not prepared.

No matter whatever the reason is, you can survive the power outage with a good backup plan. Continue reading if you want to learn about these plans.

How to Survive a Power Outage

Leading a normal life during a power cut is more than an inconvenience if you don’t take enough precautions. If you are lucky enough to plan ahead, you can get a home battery. This is like a generator but running completely on batteries. If not, here are some tips that will help you survive when there’s no electricity. Although, having the best 5000-watt generator near you is a must if you live in an area where the electricity goes out often, as 5000 watts is enough to power most of the electronics in your home.

Store Food & Water

One of the worst things that can happen is that you may run out of food and water. The foods in your refrigerator are likely to be spoiled if there’s no electricity. That’s why you need to store a good amount of food for you and your family.

It’s best to fill your closet with foods that are non-perishable. These are basically canned or dried foods that don’t require refrigeration and can be stored for a longer time. However, do check their expiration date.

Also, store a good amount of water bottles as it’s very normal to have a shortage of drinking water during a blackout.

Have a Backup Power Supply

You can only realize the importance of a backup power supply when there’s a power outage. However, it’s a must-have for every home. You can’t even charge your battery if there’s no electricity.

Things can be worse if most of the appliances in your home run on electricity. Electric ovens, water heaters, and even the heating system of your house depend on electricity.

One of the best options to survive during this situation is to buy a generator. If you’re confused about which one to buy, go to ablesales.com.au. There are generators of different types and sizes based on the size of your home.

Also, don’t forget to buy some portable lamps and batteries in this situation.

Keep a First Aid Box

You and your family members, particularly children and older people, can be injured when trying to move in the dark. That’s why it’s essential to keep a first aid box on-hand.

According to the American Red Cross, your first-aid kit should contain absorbent compress dressings, adhesive cloth tape, bandages, antibiotic ointments, wipe packets, aspirin, instant cold compress, non latex gloves, tweezers, sterile gauze bandages, oral thermometer, etc.

Fill Your Cooler with Ice

It’s possible that your refrigerator may fail to work due to power shortage, and even your generator may not be able to fix this problem. There’s a high possibility that all your foods will be spoiled in this situation.

Whether you have a generator or not, you can still keep your food safe. Just fill a cooler with ice and put your frequently used food inside the cooler. Doing so will also cut down the number of times you need to open the refrigerator.

Keep Your Devices Charged

You might not get enough electricity to charge your phone or laptop during a blackout. But there’s no harm to keep them charged before any disaster happens. That’s why you should always try to keep your devices and gadgets fully charged.

You can also keep some power banks, which you can use to charge the devices during a power cut. There are different kinds of power banks available in the market.

Make Sure There’s No Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that appears whenever anything burns. It’s so extremely toxic that it can even kill animals and humans during a power outage.

Make sure you are not running the generators in an open space or near the window. It’s highly likely to produce this toxic gas. Do not forget to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and check regularly to see if it’s working.

Keep Yourself Warm with the Water Heater

Consider yourself lucky if your water heater is a gas model without power venting. Things like these may work during a blackout, meaning that you will get enough supply of warm water.

Fill your tub and sink with warm water and use them whenever needed. It may not be comfortable enough, but it can save you from getting frozen if there’s a power cut during winter.

Stay Alert

A blackout can happen for many reasons, such as accidents or for environmental issues. While you can’t be prepared for an accident, you can be alert if there’s a weather issue ahead.

Sign up for the alert and warning system of your locality. Always stay updated about the weather and make preparations accordingly.

Think of an Alternate Location

Things can be extremely difficult at home during a blackout, especially with kids, the eldery, and sick family members. The temperature might be critical, and the ambulance may not arrive at your home in time due to a lack of enough light in the road.

Think of a different option. Is it possible to move somewhere safer? Then move there with your family. Your local government may arrange some shelter during adverse weather where you can go with your family.

Think of an Alternative Use

There are lots of things in your house that you can use during a power cut. For example, the battery of your car holds enough power to charge gadgets like mobile phones and power banks.

So, if your phone is out of charge during a blackout, don’t panic. Use your car’s battery to charge them.

Take Care of Others

You might be fully prepared to deal with a long power outage, but what about your next-door neighbor? It’s worth checking if your neighbors are also prepared for the blackout. Also, provide them with the necessary resources if you have extra.

Conclusion

Accidents can happen anytime, and power outages pose a double risk. You need to be extremely careful as you’re less likely to get any immediate support from the hospital or fire service.

Always have a backup plan for situations like blackouts to keep you and your family members safe. And when the power comes back, prepare yourself for future outages.

Part 1: The Disaster Prepper’s Guide to Disaster Readiness

I know you’ve watched at least one episode of Doomsday Preppers and thought to yourself, “These people are insane. The world isn’t going to suddenly fall into epic chaos. And even if it did, I’d just go straight to Costco.” Am I right? Maybe that’s just me. But there have definitely been moments in my life, since watching that show, when chaos has struck and I couldn’t think straight long enough to plan my route to that mega store. Much less, survive the pandemonium that would ensue after “Doomsday.”

One of those events was the 2017 fires in Ventura, CA, less than a quarter mile from my home. I sat on my bed trying, desperately, to remember what those crazies had said was the first thing you should do and what things were most important to grab. I ended up with a duffle bag stuffed with random clothes that didn’t match, a loaf of bread, a pack of lunch meat, a few books (in case I got bored), my entire lock box with important docs (who has time to take all that stuff out??), and a water bottle (with nothing in it).

If you’re a prepper and you’re reading this, I know I let you down. I’m sorry. I should’ve watched the show more closely. I should’ve believed you. So here’s my chance to make it up to you. Below is a very concise guide to disaster readiness that would make any prepper proud.

Before we get into the guide, though, let me give you a few basics to keep in mind. The following guide is for individuals, families, and places of business. Wherever there are people, there is a need for disaster prep. Also, there are a million prep guides out there that are going to contradict one another. That can become confusing. And if you’re suddenly feeling very serious about preparing yourself, your family or your business for disaster, you might find yourself stressing over the differences. Don’t. This disaster guide is going to prepare you for 80% of all disasters, which is probably 80% more prepared than you were before, and that other 20% is for the least likely disasters actually coming to fruition.

• Finances and insurance policies. The best first step (before you begin to prepare for the actual disaster situation), is to make sure you’re set for AFTER the aftermath.If you haven’t already, start saving a few dollars every paycheck. Also, make sure your renters/homeowners insurance is up-to-date and that you have copies of the policies in a safe place.
• Be conscious of cost and importance of the items you’re purchasing. Don’t go broke in your everyday life trying to prep for something that “might” happen. To save money, buy things one at a time, in order of importance. Should a disaster hit, it’s better to be halfway prepared with the things that are absolutely necessary (like water and food) than to have things that are useless to your basic needs (like a machete and 20 gallons of body wash).
• Don’t skimp. Because you’re trying to be cost-conscious, it might be tempting to cut corners. Most “Doomsday” preppers will recommend that you have 3 categories of prep (home, “I’m never coming home,” “I’m trying to get home”). You’ll need to purchase some of the same items for each. Don’t assume that just one of that item will suffice or that you’ll have the opportunity to go grab it from your car in the instance that one of the other two categories happens.
• 2 weeks. Outdated prep disaster guides (even Ready.com) will recommend that you prep for only 72 hours, but even the most novice prepper would recommend that you prep for 2 weeks. And more recently, the Red Cross has updated its recommendations to prepare for a “3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home.”=

Now that we’ve covered those 4 basics for pre-preparation, read “Part 2: The Disaster Prepper’s Guide to Disaster Readiness” for the nitty gritty of “Doomsday” prepping. I’ll cover all the items and things to consider as you prepare yourself or your business to make it through even the craziest disaster.

Part 2: The Disaster Prepper’s Guide to Disaster Readiness

As a kid, you attended all of the disaster drills and your parents sent you to school with snacks (read as “non-perishables”) and water and things you knew you’d never get to eat or use. But now you’re an adult. Let this guide help you kill it in the game of #adulting. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

When I first began researching this topic, I thought that “prepping” was for things like earthquakes and hurricanes and the zombie apocalypse. I hadn’t considered that prepping was also for unexpected costs or sudden unemployment. Preparing yourself financially, as well as having a plan in place to save money, will put you at the top of your game in #adulting.

Prep, Step 1: There’s no place like home.

Follow the tips below to prepare your home and I’ll make sure you’re never as caught off guard as Dorothy was in that tornado.

Stock up on these things in this order (order of importance):

• Water – for a 2 week period, each person you’re providing for needs 15 gallons.
• Food – non-perishable (like the stuff your mom sent you to school with, but not just granola bars… think, freeze-dried camping meals).
• Fire – matches, firestarter, lighter…calm down, ya pyromaniac, this is just in case.
• Light – flashlight, candles, lanterns (so you can feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark)
• Heat – blankets/survival blankets, propane heaters, and ya know… clothes.
• First aid, medication – not your basic first aid kit… also have a list of the pharmaceutical names for all of your medications
• Hygienics – camp soap, wipes, and hand sanitizer will go a long way in a disaster scenario.
• Communication – two-way radio, whistle, extra phone chargers, flare gun, pigeon.
• Cash – you know all the change you’ve been saving in that jar? Go to your nearest coin exchange and turn it into singles. Also, keep saving.
• Important docs – birth certificate, passport, copies of car registration, insurance policy, house deed, etc.
• Tools – gloves, wrench for appliances or things that need to be turned off, axe, zip ties, duct tape, sewing kit, etc.
• Protection/self-defense – guns and ammo, plus, take a couple classes so that you have some moves in your back pocket, in case SHTF (sh*t hits the fan).

As an extra precaution, don’t forget to stock up on things like batteries for the flashlight, propane for the heater, and portable water filters (in case you run out of water and need to use a natural or untested source).

Prep, Step 2: (Cue Dora) “Backpack! Backpack!”

The typical prepper keeps 3 separate backpacks ready, for 3 different scenarios (mentioned in Part 1, under “Don’t skimp.”). These backpacks are intended for scenarios where you need to leave the safety of your home. They will contain all of the above materials, divided into each bag, by priority. Size and weight matter. Put as many of the things from the first part of the list into Bag #1, paying special attention to how much it weighs. You need to be able to take this ONE bag in an emergency that leaves you little time to choose between the 3. Bag #2 will be filled with the middle items. Bag #3 will contain the last few items.

Each bag will be decided on in the event that there is a disaster, depending on how much time you have and how many people there are to carry them. Also remember, you may get them all into the car and then need to abandon your car. In that case, you would reevaluate how much time you have to grab them, how far you’ll need to carry the backpacks, and how many people are present to help carry them.

Prep, Step 3: Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.

Both Step 1 and Step 2 assume that you’ll be at home when disaster strikes. This step is in preparation for the events when you’re trying to get home during a disaster or when you’re out in the world and you’re in a bind. You’ll usually need the items in these bags at the ready, pretty quickly.

The “Get Home Bag” (or GHB) is a version of Bag #1 from above, plus a few things that are car specific. Things like: window-breaker and seatbelt-cutter, flare kit, jumper cables, wrenches, tire patch kit, foldable shovel, mini fire extinguisher, and kitty litter for winter traction. If you don’t happen to have a car, stash this backpack in a locker or at your desk at work, minus the car specific items.

The other kind of bag is your “Everyday Carry” bag (or EDC). The items in this bag are meant to help in everyday emergencies (i.e. being mugged, a car accident, a power outage, etc.).This bag contains fewer items than any of the others and should typically be carried on your person:

• Knife or multi-tool
• Light
• Fire
• Paracord
• Personal medications
• Laminated card in your purse or wallet with emergency info
• Concealed carry pistol (along with a pistol case) or non-lethal options such as pepper spray

Practice Makes Prepared

 Anyone can claim that they’re a prepper, but only the most thoroughly invested person actually is one. Understanding that planning, preparation, and practice are all key components of disaster readiness is most important when you begin your pre-prepping efforts. The good news is, you don’t have to believe in the zombie apocalypse or believe that a huge tidal wave is going to wipe out the entire coast to prepare yourself for a crazy scenario. As I’m sure you’ve heard, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Author Bio:

Megan Glenn is a brand consultant and content blogger who loves words, but loves a good story even more. Telling stories through branding is her favorite and thesaurus is her best friend. She obtained a degree in Interpersonal Communication so that she could learn the depth of personal, business, and communal relationships… but also so she could psychoanalyze herself and the people she is connected to. She is a lifelong learner and thus, loves using research as part of her writing and consulting. She specializes in branding for female-owned startups and in her free time she writes and performs slam poetry.

Forest landscape restoration in Ethiopia. CIFOR / Mokhamad Edliadi

By Erik Hoffner | EcoWatch

Amid a deluge of news during the U.N. Climate Summit last month, one major announcement went largely uncovered, yet is among the most important initiatives aimed at reducing the effects of climate change revealed during the events in New York City.

FMNR in action: a farmer removes side stems from resprouted Guiera senegalensis, the first step in encouraging a strong trunk. Image courtesy of P. Savadogo / World Agroforestry

By Dr. Joseph Mercola | mercola.com

Image Source: Pixabay

By Conrad Novak

So you decided — like the estimated 1.7 billion others in the world — to live off the grid, now what? Have you considered the steps needed to take to live off the grid?

This transition is not easy, but it is doable and well worth it, for some. There are many factors involved that depend on how much funds you have to invest in the change. For numerous individuals this can be a major setback as setting up for an off-grid living can be quite costly. However, multiple tips and tricks can be used to keep costs down and make the transition run smoothly.

1) Find the Perfect Location

First, you will need to find the perfect location, which can be quite daunting since there are many facets involved especially when taking safety into account. Before deciding where to live, you must decide how you want to live and under what conditions. Everybody has different preferences, so only you can make this choice. A few things to consider are:

• Planting; Growth and Vegetation

Will you be able to grow things like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more? Is the soil rich and the weather right for planting?

• Fishing, Hunting, and Breeding

Is there a lake, river, or pond nearby to fish in? Is there a lot of game in the area to hunt? Moreover, can you raise cattle and breed other animals at the location?

• Disasters

Is the location prone to certain disasters that pose a major threat? For example, an area with major fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault in the California area; the New Madrid Seismic Zone that stretches from Arkansas to Illinois; the Yellowstone Volcano in Wyoming; the Cascadia Subduction Zone that affects the Pacific Northwest; coastal areas prone to hurricanes, tsunamis, and flooding; low lying areas below lakes, rivers, and dams with potential flood risks; locations like Kansas, where strong tornados often occur, and more.

2) Gardening: Producing Food

If you have never planted before, it is important that you learn how to use a variety of methods and experiment with them now as plants basically take long to grow and you don’t want to wait several weeks just to find that you did something wrong when hungry. It can take some people years to fully understand the processes and get things to grow right. If need be, you can begin by growing indoors.

Start gathering seeds needed for planting. Your gardening plans should include foods that produce their own seeds and don’t require too much treatment to store them. This will allow you to regrow your fruits and vegetables continuously. Some suggestions are peppers, peas, beans, and tomatoes, which all contain self-pollinating flowers.

Once you know what foods you will grow, you should learn how to prepare a variety of meals with them that you like. You may also want to learn how to mill corn flour and wheat for making bread, pasta, or tortillas. Another thing that’s important is to be able to pickle and preserve foods.

3) Supplying Water to your off-grid homestead

Water is essential for many things, including drinking (for you and your livestock), bathing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and canning produce. Take note that in some counties it is mandatory that you hook up to their city water supply so be sure and check on that first.

If you’re lucky there will be a well already set up on your property, or you might be able to dig one. Another option is to harvest rainwater. You can collect rainwater in big tubs; however, it would be wise to harvest and store the water where you will use it. For example, water for feeding your livestock should be gathered and stored near the livestock; water that will be used in your household should be collected and kept near the home, etc. Also, to take advantage of gravity flow, try and place the tubs as high as possible.

If your water is stored in a tank with a gravity-driven system, then you can use a battery operated pump to supply water to your home and other areas, if not, you can set up a pressure system, which is most commonly used off the grid.

4) Providing Power Sources

Keep in mind that disconnecting from a public utility system in or near the town, is illegal in most counties, therefore, to stay out of trouble, stay far away from rural areas.

Solar, Hydro, geothermal, and wind are some of the power sources used for off the grid living. These systems operate independently to power your appliances without relying on power lines. Off-grid solar systems only use gathered solar energy to power up appliances within the system, where an off-grid hybrid system may utilize a combination of solar, wind, and hydropower to supply a system with energy.

Although these systems may differ in how they supply power, they basically use the same methods to harness solar energy. Solar panels are commonly used to absorb solar energy from the sun that can be converted into usable power.

To generate energy, hydropower systems utilize the force of falling or moving water. These systems range from small systems that provide a sufficient amount of electricity for one home– to very large hydropower systems that can generate enough power for millions of houses.

5) Obtaining Internet Access

Just because you are living off the grid, doesn’t mean you have to lose all connections with the real world. You can still use modern technology to access the internet.

• Cell Phone Internet Access

Your cell phone can be used by itself to browse the web or as a hub to access the internet on other computers with bigger screens. However, the connection is usually very slow, so you might have to refrain from gaming, watching videos, and downloading large files.

• Connecting to the Internet via Satellite

This source is the most reliable as the only way to lose the signal is if something were to get between your system and the satellite out in space like being underground. Even if the power grid were to go down, satellite access will still be operational.

• Ham Radio

This process was used to surf the web before the internet was introduced. It’s usually used in emergency situations.

Note: Personal information should not be sent using this method as it is not secure.

• Dial-up

You can still use dial-up to go online, but because it is so slow it is not recommended.

 6) Installing a Septic System

Because you can’t just bury your waste underground, you will need a septic system to dispose of it properly. Before creating a septic system, some counties require that the ground is tested with a percolation test (perc test) to determine the soil absorption rate for a septic leach or drain field.

Depending on the county, you may also need to hire a licensed contractor to install or build the system as opposed to trying to install or build it yourself.

“Blackwater” systems: uses water that contains human waste such as toilet water. You can use anything from a bucket that cost a few bucks to a more elaborate toilet that costs much more with this system.

Thus, “Greywater” systems use water that does not contain human waste such as water from washing machines, tubs, sinks, showers, and more. Although tub and shower water is questionable since they contain human cells and possibly human feces as kids tend to lay waste in the bathtub or shower. You can either purchase a greywater system or create your own, which is less costly.

7) Gathering Tools, Appliances, and other Resources and Supplies

In order to transition from modern day living to live off the grid, you must first gather some important items needed to be self-sufficient and live comfortably.

Tools

Power tools are convenient to have and use, however, it takes power or fuel to generate electricity to use these tools, therefore, to save energy you should always have hand tools available to use for light jobs. Some suggestions are:

• Chainsaw
• Handsaw
• Drill
• Ax
• Screwdrivers
• Ratchets
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Pliers
• Wrench
• Socket set
• Staple gun with plenty of staples
• Scissors
• Machete
• Rake
• Shovel
• Hoe
• Wheelbarrow
• Dolly
• Lawnmower
• Tiller
• Tractor
• Level
• Tape measure
• Drill Press
• Vice
• Welder
• Torch
• Grinder
• And more

Appliances

Appliances are also convenient to have and great time savers, but if you are going to use appliances they should be small energy savers. Some suggestions are:

• Washer and dryer
• Refrigerator
• Portable heaters and coolers
• Coffee pot (if you are a coffee drinker)
• Can opener
• Blender
• Hand mixer
• Microwave
• Water purifying system
• And more

Other Resources and supplies

While tools can come in very handy, there are other resources and supplies needed for homesteading such as:

• Seeds
• Fertilizer
• Tape
• Glue
• Writing utensils and notepads
• Silverware
• Bowls, cups, dishes, pots, pans, etc.
• Sewing kit
• Coffee maker
• Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, etc.
• Pillows sheets and blankets
• Towels and washcloths
• Curtains/drapes
• And more

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Conclusion

Transitioning to off-grid living doesn’t have to be exhausting, expensive, or time-consuming. It is something you chose to do and it can be fun and adventurous, but it all depends on what you make of it. According to techbuilder.com, there are currently 180,000 families in America who have made the transition, and you can to.

Just remember to stay out of trouble by checking county rules and ordinances for permits and zoning regulations. Keep in mind that every county has its own terms that you must abide by in order to live problem and penalty free. Always do a complete check on properties that you are considering, since once you move in or begin building, it will be hard to move again or rebuild somewhere else.

About Conrad:

Conrad Novak is a proud father of two children. His journey as a prepper began when Hurricane Katrina hit and he lost his job due to the 2008 economic crisis. That made him realize that everything can change for the worst in a very short time. This experience was the detonator for him to pursue learning and becoming better prepared to face the kind of unexpected disasters that may occur at any point in our lives. You can read more of his content at SurvivorsFortress.com