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Its always good to have flashlights available for when things go wrong.  I my opinion, its even better to have one of these handy.

The classic Maglite 5 cell D is a great flashlight to have.  Its been used by police, fire and rescue, and military units from around the world for decades because of its legendary reliability.  Its manufactured from aircraft aluminum and is remarkably strong yet lightweight for its size.  It comes in many sizes but I’m going to focus this review on the 5-cell D version.

Why get this particular flashlight?  Well, its a multipurpose too; it can act as a flashlight, baton, and hammer when needed.  It is long, heavy, and strong which makes it a handy baton in a defensive situation.  Also, if you have to break glass to escape from a room (ex. during a fire) this flashlight is strong enough to do so.  Oh, and it produces a lot of light too.  The one I have uses an incandescent bulb, which can be focused from a wide cone to a narrow beam by twisting the top.  Maglite also manufacturers LED versions of this and other size flashlights.

The Maglite also has the twin virtues of being manufactured in the USA and widely available.  I purchased mine at Fry’s Electronics for less than $25 and see them at sporting goods stores and other retailers.  Parts are widely available too since Maglites have proven so popular since their introduction.  Their quality is second to none as well, meaning that a well-maintained Maglite will last for many years.

If you have a moment, read the story of Mag Instrument, Inc. and its founder Anthony Maglica.

Overall Rating: 10/10

Click here to purchase a Maglite 5 Cell D Flashlight, Black

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Some of you may have noticed my posts have become sparse over the last few weeks.  There is a good explanation for this, and its not because I am being a lazy bum.  The truth is, I have been spending time with this lady:

Preparing and learning are ongoing activities that should be continually improved over time.  The relationships we have also need to be constantly maintained, lest they whither due to neglect.  Family, friends, spouses, teammates, co-workers, and others deserve some of your time.  After all, strong and lasting relationships are a key component in building a real, robust social network.  This network is crucial to the well-being of communities and societies, which are especially important during troubled times.

While I have reduced my blogging to increase my time with Jennifer, I still make time to fine tune my preparations.  Take a balanced approach towards life and you will be happier, healthier, and more able to handle stressful events.

After all, none of us know the number of our days…

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Hope is not a strategy.  Things may all work out, or they may not, its best to prepare prepare for both possibilities.

Modern society is full of upside in the form of technology, energy availability, creature comforts, health, food availability, and general safety.  However, there is a companion to all these wonders, the downside.  This is what happens when things go wrong and the modern systems we rely on malfunction.  Sometimes these downside events are minor inconveniences (ex. short power outages) whereas others has lasting and painful impacts (ex. aftermath of Super Storm Sandy).  Since life is generally easy and safe for most people, we tend to ignore the downside.  We would be wise to look at it more closely though so we can better prepare ourselves for when things go wrong.

A while back, I clicked on a link that took me to an article on the Downsideblog.  You can read that post by going here but I wanted to mention some key principles of being a “Downsider” in our modern world:

Downsiders are interested in being civil under all conditions, of keeping their heads when all about them are losing theirs. Downsiders have intellectual insurance. Downsiders are about figuring out how to live indifferent to fashion. Downsiders are about maintaing personal integrity tested in the worst of times. Downsiders are the enemy of panic.

Listen, bad things are going to happen from time to time just as they have throughout human civilization.  One of the most important activities you can do to safeguard yourself, your family, and your community is be prepared.  Being ready will enable you to weather the storms that will invariably strike and have the confidence to be strong in the face of adversity.

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One thing you need to have handy is a radio, preferably one that can run from multiple power sources.  This will come in handy during an emergency when power is out, allowing you to get news and updates so you can be informed.  I’ve owned an ETON Solarlink FR360 like this one for a few years:

So what do I think?

Its a really handy item because it can do a lot of things and comes in a nice, small package.  It has a Ni-MH battery that can be charged by the solar panel, the hand crank, or an option AC adapter.  It can also use AAA Alkaline batteries as an additional power source.  All of this means you have multiple ways of powering the unit in the event that one fails.  The FR360 also has a USB plug that you can use to recharge your cell phone or other battery-operated device.

Also, this unit has AM, FM, and NOAA band capabilities.  The digital tuner is used for the AM/FM radio while the NOAA weatherbands are on a side dial.  You only get about five minutes of radio time per 90-second crank so keep that in mind if the alkaline batteries aren’t available.

Lastly, the Solarlink has some LEDs built into one side of the unit that provide some illumination.  They aren’t particularly bright but they are good enough in an emergency.  The lights have multiple modes which can be used in an emergency to signal for help.

I keep one of these handy in my safe room and have taken it camping with me in the past.  Its a great tool to have and I strongly suggest you either purchase this unit or something similar to it.  Being in touch during an emergency is a great capability to have, especially when there is no power.  The ETON Solarlink FR360 is worth the $50 or so you will spend on it, particularly since it does well as a radio, charger, and light source.  I use it and recommend it.

Overall Rating:  7/10

Click here to purchase the Eton FR360B Solarlink AM/FM/NOAA Radio (Black)

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Alas, this Blackout requires electricity to amplify the instruments.

What do you do during a real blackout?

I read a helpful article over at Resilient Communities a few days ago that addresses this topic.  It is a worthwhile read and has some good perspective on how more blackouts and brownouts may happen in the future.  There is a lot that goes into power distribution, management, and service, all of which affect its availability.

One other helpful hint, sign up for Twitter and find the accounts for your utility companies.  This can come in handy when there is a blackout and you aren’t able to use your computer, router, and monitor.

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One of the documents I have spent some time reading recently is US Army Survival Guide FM 21-76.  It covers a wide range of topics related to various survival situations soldiers may encounter in the field.  A lot of this information is applicable to civilian life too, which is why it warrants our attention.  In fact, the very first chapter spells it all out for us in an easy to remember way.

The letters S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L spell it out what you should do in a survival situation.  Chapter 1 expands on the meaning of each letter but here are the top-level headings for each letter:

S-Size Up the Situation

U-Use All Your Senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste

R-Remember Where You Are

V-Vanquish Fear and Panic

I-Improvise

V-Value Living

A-Act Like the Natives

L-Live by Your Wits, But for Now, Learn Basic Skills

While the audience for this document is soldiers, ordinary civilians can still apply the principles contained within this guide to their emergency preparations.  It’s a great foundation with a lot of practical information you can use now.  Over time I will go into more detail about some of the important sections of the guide so we can learn how to effectively use the information contained in it.

By the way, you can download the full US Army Survival Guide on your smartphone.  Just do a keyword search on the title or number (FM 21-76) and you will find it.  If you want a PDF of the document, you can find a copy here to view or download.  You can always search your local Army Surplus Store, bookstore, or Amazon for the hardcopy of this document.  I’ll cover some of the topics in this guide in future posts but feel free to read this guide on your own if you have the time.

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What sort of gun should you own?  That’s a simple question with a lot of different answers.  I asked myself this question a few years back as I got ready to purchase my first firearm.  Pistol, rifle, shotgun…which is the best starting point?

You could do a lot worse than this:

This is a Mossberg 500 Tactical, which is a short-barrel 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.  You can find more details by going to the manufacturer’s site or looking up the specs online.  I chose it because its a great tool for home defense, ammunition is readily available, and pump-action shotguns are VERY reliable.  Plus, the adjustable stock and side saddle are great features to have.  It cost me around $400 back in early 2011 and has been a great first firearm.

So why a pump-action shotgun?  Well, its a versatile tool that can be used for home defense, target shooting, or hunting.  Mossberg barrels and accessories for the 500-series are interchangeable and fairly common, so changing a barrel or stock is relatively straightforward and inexpensive.  I can put virtually any 12-gauge round through it too, which isn’t always the case with gas-operated shotguns like the Mossberg 950.

I won’t get into the debate over which is best for home defense, that is another subject for another post.  For me, I have my Mossberg 500 Tactical loaded with 5 rounds of #4 birdshot in a Cruiser Ready configuration (loaded, chamber empty, safety on).  I store it upright on a Gun Grabber Home Defense Quick Release vertical gun rack in my safe room so its ready to go if I ever need it.  I keep five slugs in the side saddle and a box of #4 birdshot within arm’s reach in case I have to reload.

Are there better configurations out there?  I’m sure there are, however for around $500 you can start with the configuration (shotgun, ammunition, and Gun Grabber) I just described.  Remember that preparation is a process and getting your first firearm is just one step in a long journey towards building a useful set of weapons and skills that will be ready when you need them.  I’ll cover firearms safety, education, and best practices in upcoming posts.  For now though, use the information in this post to make an informed decision on purchasing your first firearm.

UPDATE:  Thanks for making this the most popular post on the blog!

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What happens when TSHTF?

You can read what one Argentinian experienced in his country’s recent past by going here.  The information in his post is useful because he lived in South American during a time of economic and social upheaval that changed people’s lives significantly.  He writes as an educated, middle-class person living (and surviving) in an urban environment during troubled times.  Give yourself some time and read what “FerFAL” has to say, it may help you someday.

*Acronym for when “The S*** Hits The Fan”

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Its a good idea to have some extra fuel on-hand for when the need arises.  Automobiles, chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, ATV/UTVs, tractors, and anything else with an internal combustion engine needs fuel.  If there is an emergency, chances are your local gas station will;  be out of fuel, be unable to pump fuel, or have very long lines of people waiting to get fuel.  So its better to get some extra fuel BEFORE you need it.

But how do you safely store and dispense fuel at your home?  Two words dear reader “Jerry Cans.”

These 20-liter German-designed containers have become the de facto standard for militaries and off-road enthusiasts for decades.  They are easy to handle, can quickly dispense their contents, and are VERY rugged.  If you have a moment, read up on the history of this utilitarian marvel.

So what kind of Jerry Cans should you buy?  Well, one of my college roommates has done all the research and written a very thorough article on the subject.  You can click here to find the post, it will well worth your time and will help you make the right purchasing decision.  After you have read the article, purchase some Jerry Cans and fill them up with the fuel you will need in an emergency.

Order new, steel NATO 20L Jerry Cans (Made in Europe!) by clicking here

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If I were to guess, most of you reading this article save money through IRA or 401(k) plans.  In most states, you have to carry insurance in order to drive an automobile legally.  The majority of you also have some form of health insurance or medical savings account to cover medical expenses too.  These are just a few methods of financially protecting yourself from uncertainty.  Stocking up on everyday items as a part of your preparation supplies is necessary too.

Let’s say you were out of work for a prolonged period of time, would you have enough supplies to last until you got another job?  How about if there was a major disaster that disrupted supplies from getting to your neighborhood?  What if the cost of many items suddenly shot up because of a unforeseen event that constrained supply or drove excessive demand?  The concept to keep in mind here is the notion of stockpiling a certain quantity of supplies to see you through disruptions.

Stockpiling should start with examining what items you currently use on a daily basis.  This includes food, medicine, household supplies, and other consumable items you already have on-hand.  Then determine how long you want to be able to sustain an interruption of that item, for example 30 days.  Now ask yourself how much of a given item (ex. toothpaste) do you use during that timeframe?  If you have enough to get you through the next 30 days, congratulations!  If not, purchase what you need to ensure you have an adequate supply on-hand.

Need some examples?  Here are some things I keep at least a 6-month supply on-hand:

  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Razor blades
  • Shaving oil
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Ibuprofen
  • Bleach
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dish soap
  • Dishwasher soap
  • Clorox cleaning wipes
  • Much more…

Keep this in mind, I am single and live alone.  If you have children, a spouse, or relatives living with you, take those other people into account when determining your stock levels.  Also, if things are bad for a long time many of these items can be used to barter with.  We’ll cover that subject in another post but keep that in the back of your mind.

I recommend stocking up on supplies when there is a sale on them.  You can stock up for less when you do this and be able to use your savings to purchase other items.  Also, warehouse stores like Costco regularly run sales on bulk packages of certain items (ex. soap, toothpaste, peanut butter) that are great to have additional amounts on-hand.  The key is to stock up before there is panic buying going on, you want to make sure you have what you need before you need to have it.

So take a look around and start to think about what you will need if things get rough for a while.  You can start with 30 days and move on from there, the key is to start NOW so you have a foundation to build on over time.  If you shop wisely, you can become more insulated from supply and price fluxuations when they come.  This will happen from time to time, but unlike many others, you will be prepared for it.