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If you’re caught on the water without a barometer, look for nature’s clues to approaching weather.
 | Survival Q&AYou've got questions, our survival expert's got answers. |
 | Surviving a WildfireEscaping a forest fire demands keen awareness and quick thinking. |
 | Stranded and AloneWhat to do if you become stuck with your vehicle in the middle of nowhere. |
 | Snow and Ice SurvivalIf the winter weather has you trapped, would you be able to make it out alive? |
 | Hurricane GuideOur comprehensive guide will teach you how to stay safe when a hurricane hits. |
 | Flood SurvivalStatistically, floods are the most devastating natural disasters. |
The carrying weight of your Bug Out Bag can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the bag needs to be lightweight enough so that you can move quickly while carrying it. And on the other hand, the bag needs to have enough supplies (including heavy things like water and food) to last you a few days or even a few weeks in a pinch.
Since every ounce counts, let’s look at some constructive ways to make the best use of the weight you need to carry.
Assuming the standard Bug Out Bag contains shelter, water, first aid, food, clothes, and other supplies, you should consider losing weight from each group of gear. My personal BOB weighs 40 to 45 pounds, depending on the season. It’s about as lean and mean as I dare to make it. [ Read Full Post ]
How do you manage medical problems until medical care is available?
Impressively, folks survive all the time with very little in the way of supplies, training, or equipment, but not everyone is so lucky. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, many people were cut off from the normal medical care that they need. Worse still, many were injured by the storm and had few places to turn for help.
Help can be difficult to reach through a variety of situations, not just hurricanes. Those in rural areas and wilderness areas may be far from help on a good day. Natural disasters and terrorist attacks can also create a delayed-help scenario anywhere or anytime. What can you do when you or someone with you cannot get the help they need?
First, you need to get yourself and your patient away from any dangers that may be present. Second, call for help or send someone to get help, if doing so is possible. In remote areas, this might mean signaling for help after treating the patient. Third, treat the wounds as best you can with a first aid... [ Read Full Post ]
“Do I have enough stuff? Is there a way to make do with what I have right now?” I’m sure many folks in the path of Hurricane Sandy are asking themselves these types of questions right now.
Not 30 minutes before starting this blog post, I ran out to the local drug store to get a few last-minute books and snacks before the wind and rain of Sandy become hazardous. A young man in the store was searching frantically for lamp oil, after he had tried unsuccessfully to find it all over town. As I looked around I noticed that there wasn’t a “D” or “C” cell battery, jar of peanut butter, jug of milk, or loaf of bread in the place. The store shelves were looking bare, which is good in that It means that at least some people are thinking ahead. But it’s also bad. It means that the stores weren’t planning ahead for the demand.
So what if your stash of goodies is not good enough? How do you make do with only what you have? [ Read Full Post ]
With Hurricane Sandy, aka: Frankenstorm, barreling down on the entire Eastern seaboard, now is a good time to review some commonsense hurricane safety tips. We've compiled our best survival tips below, so you can stay safe and ride out the storm. [ Read Full Post ]
Fall is a great time to consider how you should get ready for cold weather emergencies. Blizzards, deep cold snaps, ice storms, late season hurricanes—and combinations of all four, like the Frankenstorm that is predicted to hit the northeast next week—can leave you sitting in the cold, literally, if you are not ready ahead of time.
When you’re not busy hunting, a few nice days of “Indian summer” give you a great chance to stock up on a few cool weather preparations to keep you and your family safe and warm, no matter what kind of weather the next few months might throw at you. Now’s the time to think about stocking up with the following: [ Read Full Post ]
With news stories about bubonic plague in squirrels and hantavirus in other rodents, cleaning and eating small game may not look like such a smart survival solution anymore. But these diseases are not new.
So how did our ancestors, with limited knowledge of biological hazards, process game to avoid these illnesses? [ Read Full Post ]
For those of us with functional fireplaces or working woodstoves, the impending cold weather doesn’t seem too bad. But most people in America don’t have a stove or operating fireplace. For those who rely on electric heat, or a system that needs electricity to burn fuel, the thought of utility outages and winter storms can be scary.
Here are some important things to consider when heating your home without power. [ Read Full Post ]
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