Survivalist Anthologies Volume 1

by George Shepherd

  Two things to remember in collecting rain:

  1) Always wait at least 34 minutes after a heavy rain has begun before you put out your rain catchers. This allows most of the impurities to be washed out of the air, and most of the impurities to be washed off your roof.

  2) Always cover the full containers as soon as possible to avoid breeding mosquitoes and other contamination.

  LOCAL SOURCES OF WATER

  Wherever you live, you should get to know what local sources of water you have in your area. These could streams, wells, lakes, the ocean, even swimming pools. If you have a swimming pool in your back yard, you have a pretty good water storage that will last you for some time after any emergency.

  WATER HEATERS

  The average water heater contains about 30 to 50 gallons of water. If you had no more water coming into your household (for whatever reason), don’t forget about that water.

  If pipes were broken due to an earthquake, and there was no water pressure coming into your home, you would probably need to drain the water from the water heater. There is a valve near the bottom of every water heater. It is put there so you can periodically drain the water heater of the rust and sediment on the bottom, and that’s how you’d get the water when needed.

  TOILET TANK

  Drink toilet tank water? Hey, as long as you don’t use those blue purifying tablets, there is nothing wrong with the water stored in a toilet tank. If nothing else, use it for washing or for your dog.

  SOURCES OF FOOD

  Let’s get real basic here. Some folks can pop down several hundred to several thousands of dollars for boxes of food from the companies that sell “food storage systems”. But, many more people simply cannot afford to spend large sums of money all at one time. Then what?

  SUPERMARKET BUYING

  We strongly suggest that you watch for specials and sales at your local supermarket, and buy two, three, four times what you would ordinarily buy. We have used coupons as well, and have routinely saved 30 to 50% from the retail prices of the food items. The general rule of thumb for food storage is STORE WHAT YOU EAT and EAT WHAT YOU STORE (meaning, rotate).

  Don’t buy frozen goods when considering long-term storage. Everything must be dried or canned. Most modern canned goods will last up to 10 years, with the exception of tomato products, which often leak after 3 or so years.

  MREs

  Then there is the military food in retort packages. MRE means Meals Ready to Eat. You might consider having some MREs in your storage. Read the ingredients, as some are better than others. There is a shelf-life of around 10 years, and you can actually just drop the pouches into boiling water and they are ready to eat. I have laid an MRE pouch on a hot rock in the summer and the contents were hot in 30 minutes. Since the contents are already cooked, you could also eat one without heating if necessary.

  If you use these, we recommend using them as part of a balanced meal, and adding fresh greens and other food items to them. MREs can be a good part of your food storage if you feel that the ingredients are acceptable to you, and if you can get significant discounts by buying a box at a time.

  WILD PLANTS

  We strongly encourage you to learn the basic dozen or so wild foods that can be found worldwide in most environments. Our book, GUIDE TO WILD FOODS, shows you how to identify these plants. And while a book is good, we strongly urge you to find a local teacher and go on nature walks IN YOUR AREA and learn to accurately identify and use the foods that are already growing there.

  If you have a garden, at least half of what is normally pulled up and discarded as “weeds” is actually good food!

  GARDEN

  Yes, plant a garden! There are garden clubs all across the country to help you with what is best in your part of the country. And there must be thousands of books on gardening to help you with all aspects of producing food in your own backyard.

  HOW TO STORE FOOD

  Canned goods last for years, and you can allocate a special place in your garage or cupboard for as much as you need. It is often a good idea to buy large cans in bulk for long term storage, though you should always carefully consider your situation. For example, in large families, or at camps, large cans of food get used up quickly, and refrigeration is not a problem. We have heard from some folks who have told us they purchased large cans because that is what they thought they should do, but when they finally opened the can for a household of two, they found that it took them a very long time to eat it all.

  In such cases, small families are much better off with smaller containers. To save money, you can buy bulk bags of beans, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, and such things as flour, powdered milk, powdered eggs, etc. When you pack these for storage, you are chiefly concerned with preventing mice and rats from getting into the containers, and you want to prevent the growth of any insects inside the containers. There are numerous ways to accomplish this.

  DRYING

  Drying your own fruits and vegetables is not that difficult. We have a small electric model dehydrator and we are frequently drying something. We have dried bananas, persimmons, cranberries, deer meat, squirrel meat, apples, pears, wild herbs, watercress, etc. etc. Then we just pack the dried food in a quart jar, tightly seal the jar, and store in on a shelf.

  HYGIENE

  If water is scarce, we must find ways to use less, use it more efficiently, and recycle it. But we also, want to keep the pores of our body open and “breathing,” all the while getting the most mileage out of that water. You can take a soft brush and brush your entire body – a “dry bath” – when water is scarce. It will help remove dead skin cells and you’ll feel almost as good as a water bath.

  THE TOILET

  In an emergency, you must find a way to deal with human waste so it is not a problem and health hazard. I once exclusively used a simple RV bucket toilet in my Los Angeles home for a period of three months. The test’s purpose was to ascertain the practicality of such a toilet after an earthquake. When full, I emptied the bucket into a trench in my yard, which was then layered with straw, worms, and worm castings. Eventually, I planted tomato plants in the trench, and ate the tomatoes a few months later.

  The simple bucket was not difficult to use. The real challenge involved finding an effective and ecological method to combat the odor. After various experiments, we found that the most practical and economical method for eliminating the “toilet odor” was adding lemon juice and baking soda into the toilet after each use.

  ELECTRICITY

  Each of us who live in predominantly sunny locales should be daily exploring the ways in which we can practically add more and more solar electrical panels to our roofs so that we become freer and freer from our electrical umbilical cords which also serve to enslave us. One excellent research source is the Real Goods mail order catalog.

  How would you handle normal tasks if there was no power? Let’s break it down by each task.

  LIGHTING

  These are some emergency solar (photo-voltaic) systems which are designed strictly for lighting.

  Other possibilities include the old standards. Candles and oil lamps and flashlights. Purchase as many candles as possible from the hardware store (don’t waste your money on ornamental candles – just buy the simple utility candles). Lights: Oil lamps, candles, flashlights, solar lamps.

  Do you already have plenty of flashlights? We have flashlights throughout the house, and several are mounted in different rooms for easy access. Buy and store batteries also. We have several battery chargers that are powered by the sun. This means you are self-reliant with batteries, since – if you follow the recharging instructions – you can get up to 10 years of use from some of the modern rechargeable batteries.

  You must make certain, however, that you are buying the right recharger for your batteries. In some cases, it will not matter which batteries go into which recharger, so you need to ask and find out. Generally, for home use, you will be purchasing either nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, or the
new generation alkaline batteries.

  RADIO

  Again, battery-operated radios, though not critical to your life and health, can keep you informed if the power goes out due to earthquakes, or whatever. We are very impressed with the solar-powered and hand-crank radios now on the market. You crank for one minute and you can listen to the radio for about 30 minutes.

  COMMUNICATIONS

  This, of course, is a major subject, and you should take the time to consider what would happen if your home phone or cell phone went out. How would you meet your family members? Do you have a well-communicated emergency plan?

  FIRST AID

  The practical knowledge of emergency first aid is a skill that you will always need. We strongly urge you to enroll in a Red Cross Emergency First Aid course. It is always wise to obtain a good medical reference book, especially one that focuses upon what you can do at home to treat certain medical problems.

  GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

  Whether you are worried about blackouts, earthquakes, or social unrest for whatever reason, or a comet hitting the earth, your preparedness should begin by getting to know your neighbors. Neighborhood Watch forums are ideal ways to have a regular opportunity to exchange phone numbers, meet new folks who have moved into your area, and to share solutions to whatever problems may be impending.

  All the guns and dried food and bomb shelters in the world are not as valuable as developing trust and cooperativeness among at least a few neighbors. Remember, in a serious emergency, whoever is living close to you automatically becomes your “extended family.” Like it or not, for better or worse.

  Get to know who has what skills (doctor, carpenter, plumber, electrician, etc.). Get to know who carries firearms. Since there is so much irrational fear about firearms, perhaps you could form a neighborhood shooting club, and once a month or so go to a local shooting range and practice and socialize. And this should definitely NOT be “just for the guys.” You women must get familiar with firearms safety and competence as well.

  In summary:

  None of the advice given above is specific to 2012. As I’ve stated, I do not expect any catastrophes to occur simply because the Long Count of the Maya Calender is turning a cycle. But it is all useful information that you should put into practice. It will make you more alert and aware, and more ready to deal with any emergency that might arise one day.

  Chris Nyerges is the author of “How to Survive Anywhere,” “Guide to Wild Foods,” and other books on self-reliance and survival. He leads regular outdoor field trips, and does a weekly podcast at Preparedness Radio Network. He can be reached at http://www.christophernyerges.com/, or Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041

  Surviving a Super Eruption

  by Corcceigh Green

  Before its use as wintering grounds by mountain men and trappers, Yellowstone was well known to Native Americans as a land of warm waters and shaking ground. It is well known today as one of Earth’s natural wonders. There is a newly discovered, vast geological formation in Yellowstone that brings delight in the form of geysers, hot springs and rugged mountains. It may also, one day, bring disaster on a global scale. For this newly discovered geological formation is a super volcano.

  A super volcano is defined as an eruptive event that has deposited lava, ash and/or expelled earth of 240 cubic miles or more. The caldera, which is the formation that makes a super volcano at Yellowstone has qualified for this designation through eruptions in the Earth’s prehistoric past. The caldera begins as a hot spot in the Earth’s crust. A weak point where magma from closer to the Earth’s core can collect nearer the surface. The magma in Yellowstone is a massive pool approximately 30 miles by 50 miles across. The pool is more than 100 miles below the surface, but swelling ground in Yellowstone has shown that pressure from the magma pool is building. This pressure comes mainly from the type of magma involved. Because there are large volumes of gasses dissolved into the magma, it is said to be pyroclastic. The dissolved gasses within will explode as pressure on the magma is released, adding to the explosive force of the caldera immensely.

  Yellowstone last erupted an estimated 640,000 years ago. According to geologic dating, the Yellowstone caldera is estimated to erupt on an average of every 600,000 years. Though it seems we are overdue for another eruption, we must consider that estimated dates in geological dating may vary widely due to the relatively large measures of time involved. The Yellowstone caldera may not erupt for another thousand (or several thousand) years. Of course, it may erupt within our lifetimes, as far as we know. As with any threat, survivalists should estimate its danger and prepare accordingly. The old survivalist adage: “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” must be followed as in all cases of potential threats.

  The first signs of a super eruption in Yellowstone will be a swelling of the ground until relief for the magma is found through a fracture in the surface. Magma will flow through this fracture and a volcano will erupt at that point. This fracture will be created on the edge of the magma pool and will expand around the roughly circular edge of the pool, giving rise to further volcanoes. The fracture, at some point, will eventually circumvent the entire magma pool. When this happens, the ground will give way, falling inward. This will relieve pressure on the magma pool causing an explosive release of the dissolved gasses within the magma, resulting in an enormous explosion on an almost unimaginable scale.

  Ejecta from the size of small rocks to the size of shopping malls will be blown tens of miles across the countryside. Two hundred and forty cubic miles of ash, pumice and rock-size ejecta will be blown 30 miles into the atmosphere. The blast wave will affect a radius of around three hundred miles. Ejecta may be falling from the sky as far away as four hundred miles or more. The enormous ash cloud will follow the prevailing winds. Most will be blown eastward covering vast tracks of land as far away as Iowa in ash several feet thick. Ash and pumice will collapse roofs, coat farmlands, fell trees, down power lines, choke streams and clog engines - bringing much of society to a standstill.

  Poisonous gasses, formally dissolved in the magma will choke most living things for perhaps hundreds of miles or more in radius. Ejecta will act as bombs falling downrange for hours after the explosion, damaging structures, starting fires and killing those they strike. Enough ash will circle the globe in the atmosphere to reflect sunlight, causing crop failures and famine. Wildfires caused by the eruption, ejecta, and damage done to power and gas lines will burn through tracts of forest and grasslands, as well as communities and cities.

  The question for survivalists is; how are we to prepare for this disaster? While a super eruption is an incredibly destructive event, it is survivable. Much of the threats presented by this disaster are somewhat similar to the threat of nuclear war. By ramping up and modifying our plans for nuclear war survival, we can successfully make preparations to survive the next super eruption.

  First principal is distance from ground zero. For those near enough to the caldera, the blast wave will be one of the first concerns. Fortunately, the beauty and uniqueness of the landscape created by the caldera has inspired people to create a national park on the area. This, coupled with the remoteness and rugged terrain, has kept population densities low. If you are very concerned about a super eruption occurring soon, you should position yourself at least three hundred miles distant from the caldera.

  The second principal is protection from blast, ejecta and fallout. Designs for blast or bomb shelters will work well in this case. Fallout shelters are designed to use shielding material to reduce the effects of ionizing radiation, not to protect against blast, so be certain to specifically utilize plans for blast shelters. Blast shelters are reinforced structures designed to survive the overpressure and blast wave from a nuclear detonation. They will protect survivors of a super eruption at reasonable distances from ground zero.

  You will want to save outbuildings and your home where possible. Ash fallout is most likely to be very heavy. During ash fallout, clothe yours
elf with MOPP gear (military protective gear designed for use in toxic environments) if you have it. If not, wear a respirator, hood, goggles, and boots over your regular clothing. Use a janitor’s push broom to keep ash off the roofs of your buildings. Fallout could last for days, depending on where you are positioned downwind. Work in shifts with your neighbors to accomplish this.

  Fortunately, you do not have to worry about radiation from a super eruption. Or do you? Nuclear power plants could be damaged by the blast, ejecta, wildfires and heavy ash fallout. Supply your blast shelter with shielding material by building it below ground and doming packed earth over its roof. This will also help to deflect ejecta falling onto your shelter. Be able to seal off and filter your air. This will help protect against radioactive nucleotides, poison gas and ash. I can foresee the need to seal off even your filtering system and using air tanks to supply air to your shelter in some areas. Factor this into your plans as well. Have the means to detect radiation on hand. A geiger counter, dosimeter or fallout meter should be a necessary tool in every survivalist’s tool chest anyway.

  The third principal is to provide yourself with the ability to eat and drink. As ash blocks out sunlight, global temperatures will drop and an ice age could begin. Growing seasons will definitely be shortened. In many areas growing seasons may disappear altogether. You will need the means to grow some food. Storage food will extend your life as long as it lasts, but it will eventually run out. Although you must always have storage food, you will need to store non-hybrid garden and food crop seeds, as well as green house supplies and a means to heat and light your greenhouses. Building your greenhouse onto your home will help to heat it. Also store some florescent light bulbs to give your plants some extra light.