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Helping Others Help Themselves
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Jan 06, 2012
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Greetings!
OK, HOLIDAY TIME IS OVER! Time to face it... the world isn't ending yet, but you should still be prepared. So, to make it easy we've prepared some light reading...on Ultra Light Bug Out Equipment. And in case you holiday'ed too hard, we got the straight dope from Dr. Bones & Nurse Amy, all about your aching head (complete with headachey pictures). Plus, Ms. Marjory shares some thoughts on growing cabbage and observations on what brings her comfort in trying times. All that and more crammed into one little email...it's freaky!
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 Bug Out Bag built on Ultra Light Equipment by West Falia
In some previous articles I have discussed some possible ways to approach the subject of Bug Out Bags from a light weight perspective. In this article I will focus on Ultra Light Weight Equipment and what type of gear you can go for if you want to build an Ultra Light Weight pack for outdoor activities or as a BOB. The Ultra Light Weight Hiking movement has become very popular and new equipment becomes available all the time. In this article I will give some examples of equipment that is available.
All Bug Out Bags must be adapted to the person that uses the setup, the local climate, seasonal variations and terrain. One Size Do Not fit All and this article is only intended to provide the reader with some inspirations for their own setups. For some of the considerations that should be included see the article Building the right Bug Out Bag for You. Suggestion for an Ultra Light Bug Out Bag
 Weight: 4,155kg without water, 7,235kg including water (around 16 pounds including 3 liter of Water)
Backpack 0,891kg
[ ] Terra Nova Voyager 55 Liter 891g
Shelter and Clothing 1,33kg
[ ] Terra Nova Ultra 1 Tarp 2,5m x 1,5m 70g
[ ] 20m (5 x 4m) meters of Dyneema cord 30g
[ ] Montane Light-Speed H20 Jacket 155g
[ ] Montane Atomic Pants 200g
[ ] Western Mountaineering Summer Light Sleeping Bag (180cm length) 525g
[ ] Thermarest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad 350g
 Survival Knife 0,107kg
[ ] Mora Companion MG Fixed Blade Knife 107g
Fire 0,021kg
[ ] FireSteel Pup 7g
[ ] BIC Lighter 14 g
Light 0.082kg 
[ ] Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp (Including 3 AA Batteries) 81g
Pocket Survival Kit 0,1kg
[ ] Zip Lock Bag
[ ] Fishing line, hooks and sinks [ ] Snare Wire
[ ] Safety Pins
[ ] Sewing Kit
[ ] Wire Saw
[ ] Anti Diarrheal Tablets [ ] Water Purification Tablets [ ] Pen
[ ] Vargo Titanium Whistle 3g
[ ] Fällkniven U-4 Folding Knife 22g
Water 3,080kg
[ ] 2 1,5 liter Soda Bottles (40g+40g + 1500g+1500g) 3080g
 Food and Cooking 1,215kg
[ ] Jetboil SOL Gas Stove 300g
[ ] Jetboil Pot Support and Stabilizer 57g
[ ] 100g Gas Bottle 198g
[ ] 6 Freeze Dried Meals from DryTech 660g
First Aid and Hygiene 0,25kg
[ ] Lifesystems Light + Dry Micro 114g
[ ] Compact bottle of Soap
[ ] Tooth Brush, Dental Floss and Tooth Paste
[ ] Half a roll of Toilet Paper in a Waterproof Bag 100g
Navigation 0.123kg 
[ ] Topographical Map 100g
[ ] Compass: Silva Ranger SL 23g
Other 0,036kg
[ ] Rite In The Rain 3x5 Notebook 36g This setup is centered on different types of Ultra Light Equipment but still provides a comprehensive setup with a weight of around 7 kilograms including 3 liters of Water. Some personal equipment and clothing would most likely have to be included as well but the weight of the pack is still low. A Bug Out Bag does not have to consist of only Ultra Light Weight equipment as in this setup; but by incorporating some Ultra Light Items you can reduce the weight of regular setup or a regular hiking pack.
Since Ultra Light Weight Equipment does not provide the same amount of insulation and protection from the elements as thicker fabrics the clothing you carry is extra important in order to avoid hypothermia. In cold weather settings this approach is not as effective since it leaves you vulnerable to the elements; an Ultra Light Approach can however be a successful concept during the summers even in Northern Regions. The critical aspect is that you know the limitations of the gear and adapt accordingly; experience, knowledge and skills becomes extra important and you must handle the gear with more care. |
 Is Anything More Important Than Fire?
-from preparingtosurvive.com
When it comes to prepping and survival, there are many important skills that the prepper can and should learn. Administering first aid, foraging for wild edibles, navigating difficult terrain, and preserving food, immediately come to mind. READ MORE |
 Food Preps and Recipes
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A Woman's Perspective on Prepping
by Marjory Wildcraft
It's night (it gets dark so early - oh yeah, duh! - winter solstice) and I am getting to my rounds. I notice the garden really needs some water. Its been quite dry. As I stand there magically able to offer moisture to the plants I notice how soothed I am by the big healthy heads of cabbage growing.  I like to grow cabbages in big bunches every few years and make loads of kimchee. I've got jars of kimchee that are four years old that are still good to eat. There is lots of good reasons to eat fermented foods (let me know if you are interested and I'll write about it). Making kimchee is a super simple process that doesn't involve 'canning'. And it has stored fine in my Texas pantry all these years without any special cooling. To find a food that is easy to grow and stores like that is an accomplishment.
As I stand in the garden I wonder if it is the comfort of knowing I have food growing that is so soothing to me? I've been soothed by my plants and livestock many times (someday I'll write about which ones I've noticed are the most soothing). But perhaps I am feeling a kindness the plants send towards me. My dogs have comforted me many times. Maybe it is simply because it is quiet and peaceful out there. Maybe I feel good in the garden because it is something I can do. You know the wisdom in that little prayer "do what you can, and let go of things you can't control".
No matter. I feel better in the garden. This little place of sanity in a crazy world. This place where right action is rewarded well and stupidity is punished harshly. I love it. Whew, and thank Creation for it.
The winds are still blowing. But they are from the south carrying water and it smells like it might rain. That would be really good.
 Marjory Wildcraft is the creator of the video set "Grow Your Own Groceries" available at www.GrowYourOwnGroceries.com.
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 Easy-to-make pickled seasoned cabbage / 막김치 / Mak kimchi
Categories: banchan, kimchi, spicy
Made with: carrot, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, green onion, hot pepper flakes, Korean radish, leek, napa cabbage, onion, salt, squid, sugar, sweet rice flour, water, CLICK HERE |
SELL YOUR STUFF CHEAP!
Actually, don't sell your stuff cheap, sell your stuff efficiently with an APN CLASSIFIED AD! We have ad space just right for you! Affordable, Expressable, Successful! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Drop Jenny an email now RIGHT HERE! |
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical...and Fire Safety Tips
Brought to you by ILC Dover
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Collapse Medicine
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 Headache in Austere Settings
by drbonesand nurseamy
Headaches are one of the most common medical symptoms that you will see in your role as medic. The brain matter itself doesn't have pain receptors, but there are several structures around the brain that are sensitive. Muscles, blood vessels, sinuses, lining tissue, and others can be the site for significant discomfort.
Many consider headaches to be, well, more of a headache than an actual danger, but headaches can be associated with a large number of medical conditions, not to mention traumatic injuries.
There are almost more causes for headaches than you can reasonably write down; in a collapse, however, common causes will be:
+ Hunger
+ Dehydration
+ Stress
+ Infections
+ Fevers
+ Elevated blood pressures
+ Caffeine or Alcohol withdrawal
+ Fumes
Headache pain is the interaction between the brain, blood vessels, and local nerves. Nerves associated with blood vessels and muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain. Headaches that occur suddenly may be related to infection or colds/flus, but may be the herald of a life-threatening event such as a stroke. Ear and sinus infections are particularly likely to cause headaches.
 Tension headache
By far, the most frequently-seen type of headache is the tension headache. This is caused by spasms of the muscles of the neck and head. Tension headache is usually seen bilaterally (on both sides) and/or the back of the head and neck. They may be related to stress, anxiety or depression, a head injury, or even just time spent with the head or neck in an abnormal position. Lack of sleep, teeth grinding, and poor posture are also factors.
Tension headaches may last a half hour or they can last a week. A sensation of pressure or tightening is the most common symptom. This type of headache may be improved by massaging the back of the neck and temples. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are old standbys as treatment. Identifying the situation that triggers the headache may help avoid future episodes.
Sinus Headache Sinus headaches are associated with constant pain in the front of the face. A sinus is an air-filled cavity in the bones of the skull. The forehead, cheeks or the bridge of the nose are the areas affected most by sinus infections; oftentimes, they may be one-sided, which will help you to make the diagnosis. Sudden head movement may intensify the pain. 
Antibiotics may be helpful to treat the infections that can cause this type of headache. Amoxicillin (Fish-Mox Forte) 500mg three times a day for a week is a reasonable first choice. If you are allergic to Penicillin family drugs, consider Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxasole (Bird-Sulfa) 160mg/800mg twice daily. Nasal decongestants such as Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) may give some relief; so may sterile saline nasal rinses.
Migraines
 The other common cause of headache is the migraine. The exact cause of migraines is uncertain. It is thought by some to be related to spasms in the blood vessels. Migraines may be genetic in nature, as they seem to run in families. Women are more susceptible than men.
A specific pattern of symptoms is seen in this variety of headache:
Pain behind the eye (usually one-sided)
Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
Nausea and vomiting (causing loss of appetite or stomach discomfort)
Vision changes (blurring, light and color phenomena)
Bed rest in the dark will be helpful here, as well as Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen. Some migraine medications use caffeine, and sometimes are effective. Teas and Coffee might be alternatives in an austere setting. If you are a chronic migraine sufferer, ask your physician for Sumatriptan (Imitrex), a strong anti-migraine medication, to stockpile.
Other causes
 Headache is a symptom of many different medical conditions. Here are just a few:
In women, hormonal changes may be responsible for headaches. Pregnancy, menopause, menstruation, and the use of birth control pills have all been implicated as risk factors. Cranberry juice and other natural diuretics may be helpful to limit swelling that may cause some headaches in these cases. Limiting pre-menstrual salt intake may also help.
Headache caused by dehydration will be rampant in a long-term survival situation. This variety will also present bilaterally and is commonly made worse by standing up rapidly from a lying position. These patients need fluids, which will gradually improve their symptoms.
Less common causes of headache would include an infection of the central nervous system called "meningitis". Along with headaches, meningitis presents with a stiff neck, fever, and possibly a rash. This condition may be caused by bacteria or viruses. Without modern medical facilities and labs, you could treat this condition with antibiotics and antivirals in the hope of improvement. Expect variable results.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure or a burst blood vessel in the brain may cause a stroke (medical name: cerebrovascular accident or CVA). Besides the sudden onset of a severe headache, you will notice that your patient has lost strength in the arm and leg on one side; you will also note decreased motion on one side of the face and absent or slurred speech. Loss of vision in one eye is sometimes seen.
This condition, in a collapse, will be treated only with bed rest. There is often some improvement over the first 48 hours or so. Beyond this point, further recovery may be limited. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important for you as medic to treat all cases of high blood pressure.
Natural Relief
 If you would like a strategy to deal with a headache without drugs, try the following:
Place an ice pack where the headache is.
Have someone massage the back of your neck.
Using two fingers, apply rotating pressure where the headache is.
Lie down in a dark, quiet room. Get some sleep if at all possible. If your blood pressure is elevated, lay on your left side (pressure is usually lowest in this position).
Track what you were doing or perhaps what you ate before the headache started, and avoid that activity or food if possible.
A number of herbal remedies are available that might help headache. Feverfew is an herb that stops blood vessel constriction and is anti-inflammatory. This can be taken on a daily basis (1-2 leaves) for those with chronic problems (warning: Feverfew should not be ingested during pregnancy or nursing). Gingko Biloba has a similar action.
The pain of tension headaches can be relieved if you utilize herbs that have sedative and antispasmodic properties. Teas made from Valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, and passion flower have both. Herbal muscle relaxants may also help: rosemary, chamomile, and mint teas are popular options.
For external use, consider lavender or rosemary oil. Massage each temple with 1-2 drops every few hours.  Joe and Amy Alton are the authors of the #1 Amazon Bestseller "The Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Handbook. See their articles in Backwoods Home, Survivalist, Self Reliance Illustrated, and Survival Quarterly magazines, and at their website at www.doomandbloom.net
Twitter: @preppershow
Facebook: drbonesand nurseamy
Doom and Bloom Hour Podcast:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/preppernationradio |
Keeping it funny! 
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