The prophets have been telling us…..

Doomsday Tips: Welding In The Wilderness

Tips from the Great Depression on how to surviving hard times

I’ve had the benefit and privilege of knowing several people, including family members that survived the “Great Depression”, and of hearing how they did it. Most of my family knew how to farm, hunt, fish, and trade.

Today, however, I want to talk about one man’s experience and the advice he gave me concerning surviving hard times in general.

This man lived just North of Arcadia, Louisiana. His father owned a country store that he later took over. Money and many food items were hard to come by along with some fuel items. Mr. Perritt began to trade with the people in his community. He would trade something he had and someone else needed for something they had and he needed.

The community was mostly farm and ranch. Not everyone grew the same things and Mr. Perritt got them to bring their crops to him. He had a gristmill and could produce cornmeal from the corn grown in the area. One could come there and trade beans and peas for corn and potatoes and such.

Everyone in the community was better off during these hard times because of his efforts. Times were hard enough on some that they would trade some land for supplies. Being a good and honest man, Mr. Perritt would give them a contract allowing them seven years to pay their bill plus 1.0% interest and get their land back. Some folks did and some did not.

The advice Mr. Perritt gave me for surviving hard times was this: “If a man owns at least five acres of land with a descent home that is paid for, he has at least $1000 dollars, he has a ¾ ton truck with a flatbed trailer, and he knows how to farm, he can not only survive, he can come out of the hard times in better shape than he went into them.”

Mr. Perritt also suggested having a ½ to ¾ acre pond so my family would have fish to eat. He was assuming I knew how to plant, grow, harvest, and can various produce for my family to eat at the time and during the winter. Some of this produce might also be used to barter with others. The reason for the truck and trailer was that there is always someone wanting something moved or hauled and that could mean cash money or serious barter for something I really need.

He also suggested if I were to have only one firearm, it should be a 12 gage pump shotgun with 28 inch, modified choke barrel. This would handle buckshot well enough and rifled slugs quite well for defense and large game. It would also handle number six shot for taking small game.

Most in the community had chickens and a milk cow, so eggs and milk weren’t a problem. Many raised cattle and some raised hogs, (folks in those days knew how to can meat in jars that would stay good for a year) so meat wasn’t really a problem either.

Times are different now and for the amount of space and feed used, there are some things that could be done differently.

• Six to twelve chickens (with a rooster) will produce all the eggs (and then some) that a family would need.
• One milk goat (with a Billy of course) would produce all the milk needed and is much healthier than cow’s milk. Plus, you’ve got a young goat each year to slaughter.
• Rabbits take up little space and produce more meat per pound of feed than a calf or hog. Rabbit meat is also higher in protein and lower in cholesterol than skinless/boneless chicken breast. Another rabbit advantage is you can breed and slaughter them as needed as apposed to being stuck with 200 to 500 pounds of meat at one time to have to try to preserve.
• Pigeons are another consideration as they take up little space, little feed and taste much like dove.
• One other suggestion was that raised bed gardening would require less space, less equipment, less maintenance, and a quarter acre could produce as much produce as an acre of row type gardening.

I guess this article is getting a little long in the tooth, but you get the idea. My parents and grandparents along with Mr. Perritt’s family and many others survived the great depression (which was one of the hardest times in American history) quite well.

Remember: The future belongs to those who are prepared both Spiritually and Physically.

Tips for surviving a wild animal encounter

It’s a situation you never want to find yourself in. You’re on vacation, peacefully enjoying the planet’s natural wonders and then – out of nowhere – a wild creature attacks. 

While these encounters are usually very rare, Kyle Patterson, spokeswoman at Rocky Mountain National Park, say it's because people aren't aware of their surroundings or don't use common sense. 

"Any wildlife can be unpredictable," she said. "Sometimes you see a visitor who see an animal and think, 'they’re close to the road, I'll just get out and a take a picture.' This isn’t a zoo where it is fenced off." 

Every animal responds differently to human interaction, but a general rule of thumb for any wildlife encounter is be prepared and look for signs.

"If the animal is reacting to you, you’re too close. All wildlife will give you a sign. Some species will put their ears back. Some will scrape their paws. Some will give verbal cues," said Patterson.

In order to help you, we’ve come up with a list of tips for surviving all kinds of animal encounters, from bison to sharks.

Even with this list handy, remember that it is illegal to approach wildlife at the national parks and no matter how prepared you are, expect the unexpected.

1 Bear

North America’s recent rash of bear attacks should be inspiration enough to want to know how to survive a mauling. At least six people in five states have been mauled by black and brown bears recently. There was the Alaskan hunter who was attacked on Saturday, the hikers in Yellowstone National Park who were attacked by a grizzly last Thursday and 12-year-old Abigail Wetherell who was mauled by a black bear on the very same day, while out on an evening jog in northern Michigan.

"These are two species that you shouldn’t never run from: Black bear or mountain lion," said Patterson. "You should make yourself big, as much as you can. Whether it’s taking your jacket and putting it over your head, or picking up sticks or just waving your arms, you need to fight back."

Here’s a list of bear attack survival tips from Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources:

1.) If you see a bear that is far away or doesn't see you turn around and go back, or circle far around. Don't disturb it.

2.) If you see a bear that is close or it does see you STAY CALM. Attacks are rare. Bears may approach or stand on their hind legs to get a better look at you. These are curious, not aggressive, bears. BE HUMAN. Stand tall, wave your arms, and speak in a loud and low voice. DO NOT RUN! Stand your ground or back away slowly and diagonally. If the bear follows, STOP.

3.) If a bear is charging almost all charges are "bluff charges". DO NOT RUN! Olympic sprinters cannot outrun a bear and running may trigger an instinctive reaction to "chase". Do not try to climb a tree unless it is literally right next to you and you can quickly get at least 30 feet up. STAND YOUR GROUND. Wave your arms and speak in a loud low voice. Many times charging bears have come within a few feet of a person and then veered off at the last second.

4.) If a bear approaches your campsite aggressively chase it away. Make noise with pots and pans, throw rocks, and if needed, hit the bear. Do not let the bear get any food.

5.) If you have surprised a bear and are contacted or attacked and making noise or struggling has not discouraged an attack, play dead. Curl up in a ball with your hands laced behind your neck. The fetal position protects your vital organs. Lie still and be silent. Surprised bears usually stop attacking once you are no longer a threat (i.e. "dead").

6.) If you have been stalked by a bear, a bear is approaching your campsite, or an attack is continuing long after you have ceased struggling, fight back! Predatory bears are often young bears that can be successfully intimidated or chased away. Use a stick, rocks or your hands and feet.

2 Elk

Migrating elk are known to take over towns, especially this time of year. For example, Estes Park, a popular resort town in the Rocky Mountains hosts nearly 2,000 elk for the summer months, and much of the year. With a population of only 5,858 inhabitants, the town is literally overrun by elk. 

Rocky Mountain National Park also has a large population of elk. Patterson said the dangerous times are in the spring, when they're protective of their calves, and the fall mating season, known as the rut. "Sometimes the bulls can be very aggressive," she said. "During the rut, elk are in big groups. You want to make sure you’re not in between the aggressive bull elk and the focus on his attention." 

That's why the park takes preventative measures such as closing meadows and sending out teams of volunteers to patrol.

Here are some tips from The Payson Roundup, a small paper that covers Rim Country in central Arizona, an area that has had its fair share of elk invasions.

1.) Always keep a safe distance and if driving, stay in your car.

2.) Never approach a baby calf; they are not abandoned even if the cow is not in sight. The cow is close by or very likely has gone to water and will return. The maternal instinct could produce an aggressive behavior if something might come between her and her calf, so play it safe.

3.) Elks travel in the reduced light of early morning or late afternoon -- so if you want to avoid an elk, don’t go out during dawn or dusk.

3 Bison

Bison are the largest indigenous land mammal in North America. The bulls can often weigh as much as one ton. Not only are they huge, bison are fast. They can quickly accelerate to speeds up to 35 mph. So if they look majestic and docile out on that plain, just remember bison are beasts and they are much faster than you.

If you encounter a bison, here are some tips from Canada’s National Park Service:

1.) If you encounter bison along the roadway, drive slowly and they will eventually move. Do not honk, become impatient or proceed too quickly. Bison attacks on vehicles are rare, but can happen. Bison may spook if you get out of your vehicle. Therefore, remain inside or stay very close.

2.) If you are on foot or horseback: Never startle bison. Always let them know you are there. Never try to chase or scare bison away. It is best to just cautiously walk away. Always try to stay a minimum of 100 meters (approximately the size of a football field) from the bison.

3.) Please take extra caution as bison may be more aggressive: During the rutting season (mid July-mid August) as bulls can become more aggressive during this time. After bison cows have calved. Moms may be a little over-protective during this time. When cycling near bison, as cyclists often startle unknowing herds. When hiking with pets. Dogs may provoke a bison attack and should be kept on a leash. On hot spring days when bison have heavy winter coats.

4.) Use extreme caution if they display any of the following signs: Shaking the head. Pawing. Short charges or running toward you. Loud snorting. Raising the tail.

4 Mountain Lion

Attacks from mountain lions are very rare, Patterson said, and they’re going to prey on elk and deer--not humans.

But she said the danger arises when people hike alone or families with children let the kids run ahead and make noises.

"If a child is running along a trail they can mimic prey," she said. This is why they tell visitors to '"make like a sandwich" when walking along the trails. 

"Families and adults should think like a sandwich and the parents should be like a piece of bread and the children should be the filling. Have an adult should be leading the pack and should be in the back."

Here is a list of tips for a mountain lion encounter from the conservation advocacy group, The Cougar Fund:

1.) Be especially alert when recreating at dawn or dusk, which are peak times for cougar activity.

2.) Consider recreating with others. When in groups, you are less likely to surprise a lion. If alone, consider carrying bear spray or attaching a bell to yourself or your backpack. Tell a friend where you are going and when you plan to return. In general cougars are shy and will rarely approach noise or other human activities.

3.) Supervise children and pets. Keep them close to you. Teach children about cougars and how to recreate responsibly. Instruct them about how to behave in the event of an encounter.

4.) If you come into contact with a cougar that does not run away, stay calm, stand your ground and don't back down! Back away slowly if possible and safe to do so. Pick up children, but DO NOT BEND DOWN, TURN YOUR BACK, OR RUN. Running triggers an innate predatory response in cougars which could lead to an attack.

5.) Raise your voice and speak firmly. Raise your arms to make yourself look larger, clap your hands, and throw something you might have in your hands, like a water bottle. Again, do not bend over to pick up a stone off the ground. This action may trigger a pounce response in a cougar.

6.) If in the very unusual event that a lion attacks you, fight back. People have successfully fought off lions with rocks and sticks. Try to remain standing and get up if you fall to the ground.

7.) If you believe an encounter to be a valid public safety concern, contact your state game agency and any local wildlife organizations.

5 Shark

While shark sightings are on the rise, shark attacks are still relatively rare. Last year only seven people were killed in shark attacks. Although, in 2011, the number of shark-related deaths was 13. On the off chance you come face to face with Jaws, you should be prepared.

Here are some shark encounter survival tips from Discovery’s Alexander Davies:

1.) Don’t panic. If you find yourself face to face with a shark, you’re going to need your wits about you to get away with your life. So keep calm; remember that while sharks are deadly animals, they’re not invincible. Thrashing and flailing is more likely to gain its attention than to drive it away.

2.) Play dead. If you see a shark approaching, this is a last ditch effort to stave off an attack. A shark is more likely to go after a lively target than an immobile one. But once Jaws goes in for the kill, it’s time to fight — he’ll be as happy to eat you dead as alive. From here on out, you’ll have to fight if you want to survive.

3.) Fight back. Once a shark takes hold, the only way you’re getting out alive is to prove that it’s not worth the effort to eat you — because you’re going to cause it pain. Look for a weapon: You’ll probably have to improvise. But any blunt object — a camera, nearby floating wood — will make you a more formidable opponent. Often repeated advice has it that a good punch to a shark’s snout will send it packing. In fact, the nose is just one of several weak points to aim for. A shark’s head is mostly cartilage, so the gills and eyes are also vulnerable.

4.) Fight smart. Unless you’re Rocky Balboa, you’re not going to knock out a shark with a single punch. Not only will a huge swing slow down in the water due to drag, it’s unlikely to hit a rapidly moving target. Stick with short, direct jabs, so you increase your chances of landing a few in quick succession.

5.) Play defense. Open water, where a shark can come at you from any angle, is the worst position place you can be. Get anything you can to back up against, ideally a reef or a jetty. If there are two of you, line up back to back, so you’ll always have eyes on an approaching attack. Don’t worry about limiting your escape routes- you won’t out swim a shark, better to improve your chances of sending him away.

6.) Call for backup. Call out to nearby boats, swimmers and anyone on shore for help. Even if they can’t reach you right away, they’ll know you’re in trouble, and will be there to help if you suffer some injuries but escape the worst fate. Who knows, maybe a group of sympathetic dolphins will help you out – they’re fierce animals in their own right.

7.) Fight to the end. Giving up won’t make a shark less interested in eating you, so fight as long as you can. If the animal has a hold on you, he’s unlikely to let go. You have to show him you’re not worth the effort to eat.

6 Stingray

While stingray attacks are not usually deadly, they are painful and warrant close medical attention. With a recent stingray invasion along the Alabama coast, now is an important time to learn about the barb-tailed sea creature. The animals often bury themselves in shallow water, so even if you are just wading in the ocean, you are still at risk of being stung.

Here are some tips from Jake Howard, a lifeguard at Seal Beach, Calif. on how to handle a stingray encounter:

1.) Always shuffle your feet when walking out to the surf, sting rays are shy and skitish creatures and will generally flutter away at the first sign of danger. The sting is a self-defense mechanism when they get stepped on or threatened. The Sting Ray Shuffle is your first line of defense.

2.) If you do feel something soft and squishy under your foot step off of it as quick as possible. I stepped on a sting ray last weekend, but got off it in time that it didn't get me...Step lightly in other words.

3.) In the case that you do get stung come to the beach as quick as possible, don't panic because it will only increase your circulation, thus aiding in the movement of the toxin through your body. Also you want to try and limit anything that may bring on symptoms of shock.

4.) Go home, or to the nearest lifeguard or fire station to treat it. The wound can vary in pain. I've had a woman compare it to child birth and seen full-on tattooed gang bangers cry like little sissys, conversly I've seen little girls walk away with relatively little discomfort. Either way it's not going to be fun. Pretty much the only real thing you can do for the pain is soak the sting in hot water, as hot as you can stand, but don't go burnin' yourself. You can also take Advil or something, but no asprin. Asprin thins the blood and allows the toxin to travel easier.

5.) Soak the foot until it feels significantly better. The pain probably won't go completely away, but it should feel dramatically better. A little swelling is normal. Be sure to clean the wound as best as possible. If it looks like the sting ray barb is still in your foot see a doctor for treatment. Actually if anything weird at all goes on go see a doctor.

Just When You Think You're Having A Bad Day...Meet Dean Zimmer

Greenhouse Gardening [Part 1]

With skyrocketing prices at the grocery store and an unstable economy, it’s no surprise people are turning back to the ways of their grandparents and great-grandparents. Self sufficiency is needed now more than ever, and a greenhouse can provide fresh, healthy food for families virtually year round. In the case of a natural disaster, pandemic, or even a government collapse, going to the grocery store may not be an option. Being prepared with a convenient source of healthy food can mean the difference between life and death, and a greenhouse can make all the difference when it matters most.

A greenhouse works by greatly increasing the growing season for a variety of vegetables. It does this by controlling temperatures, light, and even humidity. Although greenhouses increase the amount of time a vegetable can grow, vegetables still need to be grown around the time of their proper seasons in traditional greenhouses. Rotating what vegetables are growing based on their seasons means a family can have a variety of food year round. For example, during the winter months broccoli and cauliflower grow great, while summer can provide cucumbers, lettuce, and eggplants. The variety of vegetables changes with the seasons so families will always have healthy options available.

Before picking out a greenhouse, it’s important to look at both the pros and cons of the various structures. Listed below are different types of structures with their benefits and drawbacks. Determining which one best fits a given situation.

Hoop House

A hoop house is a relatively basic form of a greenhouse. Using limited materials, this type of greenhouse has a wooden framework placed on the ground in a rectangular shape and arched “hoops” starting at one side and going to the other. A variety of covers can be used, such as a shade fabric or polyethylene film. Although it looks like a quonset hut in design, it is much more basic. The benefits to a hoop house are the low cost, relatively easy set up and the ability to move them as needed.

Since the hoop house can only minimally control light and temperature, it is used mostly for crops that are hardier and less susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage grow well in a hoop house, but for more delicate crops, this type of structure wouldn’t be recommended.

Cold Frame

A cold frame greenhouse is much like a hoop house and offers the same benefits, with the exception of being mobile. The ground framework is put partially into the ground, rendering it difficult to move. The hoops that hold up the covering are shorter than in a hoop house, and occasionally you will see one with a flat roof placed on the top.

Cold frames are also good for growing hardy crops starting early in the spring. Cold frames can also provide necessary cold treatments for anyone wishing to grow bulb crops, such as garlic. Bulb crops need to maintain a temperature between 35-48° F for about 13 weeks. Cold frames have no source of heating or cooling in them making a cold frame a good option for these two crops.

Hot Bed

A hot bed is similar to a cold frame except there is some type of heating source, which helps to control the temperature inside. The heat can come from a number of different sources such as: incandescent light bulbs, electrical heating units, boiler steam, or even composting manure. Hot beds are a great way to start seedlings early in the spring.

One drawback to a hot bed is the soil must be checked often to make sure it isn’t drying out too quickly. If this happens, it can be hard for the seeds to germinate or for young seedlings to survive. The hot bed is typically used for this purpose only, and as the plants begin to grow they are then placed in a garden or other type of greenhouse.

A-Frame

A-frame greenhouses are named because of their shape, which is the form of an ‘A’ in design. They are made of a simple construction with posts and rafters that are embedded. This design allows for more space near the sidewalls and also provides excellent air circulation. It is easy to build and more permanent than other greenhouses. The A-frame is a sturdy design and works well in windy climates.

Drawbacks to the A-frame are that it takes much more building material for the supporting trusses, and therefore ends up costing more upfront.

Quonset

A quonset greenhouse has an arched roof which allows stress to be effectively transferred to the base. The quonset has the advantage of being cheaper to build than many other greenhouses.

Some quonsets are built with a lower ceiling, meaning users need to be short or may need to bend over. For the taller quonsets, the covers seem to rip more readily, making replacement costs something to consider.

Gothic

The gothic is also referred to as a gothic arch. It closely resembles a quonset except there is a point at the top. This point works well for people in snowy climates as the snow will just slide off and not accumulate which could cause the structure to weaken. The gothic is typically taller than a quonset, allowing for more headroom.

The gothic is much more difficult and time consuming to construct when compared to other greenhouses, but may be worth the time and effort in colder climates.

Gutter Connect and Free-Span

These types of greenhouses are used for growing things in bulk. The advantages are that it’s like having several greenhouses connected without walls separating them. There is a large, open area with plenty of room to grow many things.

Disadvantages to this are the expensive cost. These types of greenhouses are popular with people with lots of land or even businesses and aren’t really cost effective for a single family.

ONIONS! I had never heard this!!! PLEASE READ TO THE END: IMPORTANT

In 1918-1919 when the flu killed 40+ million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu...
Many of the farmers and their families had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser. She said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu, and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

Now there is a P. S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia, and, needless to say, I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar, and place the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

This is the other note. Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don't know what to blame. Maybe it's the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria is the reason they are so good at preventing us from getting colds and flu and is the very reason we shouldn't eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut open.

LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

Ed, who was our tour guide, is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the summer picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table, and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that, when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the ONIONS, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!). Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

Survival Slingshot

The importance of having a Last Minute Packing List

I know you’ve heard more than enough about packing emergency kits, Bug Out Bags, Go Bags, or whatever else they may be called.

However, in a scenario in which you’re running out the door, that pre-packed kit is going to be missing something. A lot of important somethings, actually, because many items can, and should, only be packed at the last minute.

Another consideration is that whatever you leave behind might end up in the hands of criminals. Homes left vacant after evacuations are targets for thieving low-lifes. Just know that whatever you leave behind may not be there when you get back, so plan ahead as to what you must take with you.
Click HERE for a downloadable checklist you can print out.

*  Cash. You may already have packed a few dollars in your emergency kit, but if you have cash stashed around the house, be sure to take it with you! A vacant home is more likely to be burglarized, plus that extra money will come in handy for travel expenses and food.
*  Medications. Any prescription or over-the-counter medications that you regularly take should be packed at the last minute. If it needs to be kept refrigerated, have a small ice chest and several cold packs in the freezer.
*  Medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, walking aids, diabetic meters, or nebulizer.
*  Special equipment or supplies for a special needs family member.
*  Firearms and extra magazines/ammo. If you have a collection of guns, decide now which you will grab at the last minute. No one likes to leave these behind, but in the case of a house fire or oncoming tornado, you’ll waste precious minutes lugging them to your vehicle.
If your gun safe is portable, then be sure you can transport it out of the house. A furniture dolly would come in handy for this task.
*  The right clothing for current weather conditions. Your emergency kit probably doesn’t contain heavy duty winter clothing or rain boots. In order to stay warm and dry, know ahead of time where these items are located.
*  Heirlooms, valuables. If the house is on fire, you’ll have to leave these behind, but other than the direst emergency, you’ll be glad you packed these along.
*  Photo albums. Over and over people say how glad they were that their photos survived a calamity. Place your most valued photographic treasures in a fire-proof safe.
*  Small safes and/or strong-boxes. If something is valuable enough to be kept in one of these, remember to take these with you.
*  Precious metals. If you have been buying gold and silver coins, please don’t leave them for burglars or for Mother Nature to wash away with flood waters! They can be heavy, so you may want to store them in smaller containers to make transporting easier.
*  The right shoes. Sometimes we have to leave our house in a hurry and in the middle of the night. Plan which shoes each family member will grab, along with socks. (Have extra socks and some moleskin packed in your emergency kit.)
*  Vital electronics. If you keep personal and financial records on a computer, and most of us do, you’ll want to have a plan for securing that information and, if possible, taking it with you.
At the very least, someone should be trained to download information to a thumb drive. It might be easier to just grab the laptop or unplug the desktop computer and make a run for it.
*  Your Grab-and-Go binder.
*  Perishable foods. If you expect to be on the road a while and you have the time to pack it, a cooler filled with food will eliminate the need to stop at fast food joints or restaurants. This will help you get to a safer location more quickly.
*  Comfort items for family members. These could be stuffed animals, favorite pillows or blankets.
*  Family pets and their supplies. Read this Pet Emergency Checklist to help you prepare for your animals’ needs.
*  Camping supplies. If there’s a chance that you may not reach a hotel or other lodging, a tent, sleeping bags, and a few other supplies will provide shelter and rudimentary living quarters, temporarily.

Story on LDS.ORG About New York, New York South Missionaries - AUGUST 14th 2013

SALT LAKE CITY — Since the October 2012 announcement that men can begin Mormon missionary service at age 18 and women at 19, the ranks of Mormon missionaries have swelled. Prior to the announcement, 58,500 missionaries were serving; as of this week, that number is now 75,000.

The following story and videos about the lives of Mormon missionaries provide insights into what these missionaries do and why they do it.

Life of a Mormon Missionary: Teaching Others About Christ

After the rains of Hurricane Sandy stopped in late October 2012, Elder Jordan Walton, a missionary in the New York New York South Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recalls driving with his companion, Elder Josh Munday, to affected areas such as Broadchannel and Rockaway to see the incredible devastation.

“I remember as [we] walked down those streets, [we saw] the look on these people’s faces and they did not know what to do,” Elder Walton says. “We started helping them. We started taking out their floorboards, we started taking out their sheetrock, their dirty couches — all the things that they couldn’t use.”

Over the next six weeks, the New York New York South Mission helped orchestrate over 120,000 hours of service from more than 11,000 volunteers. Although not all Mormon missionaries around the world participate in such extensive community service, the story is a reflection of the core purpose shared by each of the Church’s 75,000 missionaries in 405 missions: to invite others to come unto Christ through word and deed.

Following the pattern Jesus Christ established in the New Testament, full-time Mormon missionaries are sent out two by two (see Mark 6:7) to teach the gospel through lessons and service for 18 to 24 months. Men can serve at 18, women at 19; each funds his or her missionary service (an approximate cost of $10,000 to $12,000), sometimes with the help of family and friends. As Christ taught, these missionaries find greater purpose in their lives as they focus on the needs of others — a process that New York New York South Mission president Kevin Calderwood says “dramatically changes their hearts.”

A Typical Day

Missionaries are up by 6:30 every morning. They spend all day, every day with an assigned companion (companion changes occur every couple of months). Each companionship spends several hours every morning studying the teachings of Jesus Christ and discussing that day’s planned teaching appointments. “We’re really thinking about each of the people we’re going to see that day and how we can help them come closer to the Savior,” Elder Walton says.

The morning routine also includes language practice for those missionaries assigned to speak a second language. In the New York New York South Mission, Sister Kimberly Bradfield and her companion, Sister Shianne Allen, teach others in Spanish. Like many missionaries learning a foreign language, they didn’t know Spanish before their mission, creating a kind of baptism by fire in language learning.

“Neither of us knew Spanish prior to our mission, and so for nine weeks we studied Spanish [at a missionary training center],” Sister Bradfield says.

After the morning routine, missionaries meet with individuals in a wide variety of settings until 9 p.m., with a short break in between for lunch and dinner. Depending on location, they can travel by foot, bike, car, bus or other means. They talk with people on the street and in their homes, discussing basic Mormon beliefs and answering questions. And because many people prefer to connect online, missionaries also use the Internet and digital devices in their ministry.

Missionaries visit those of other faiths and Church members in need of an uplifting message. Sister Bradfield says missionaries don’t force their beliefs on others; rather, “[We] invite them to come unto Christ — not to change the faith they have, but to strengthen that faith.” Elder Munday adds, “[We’re] here to strengthen and give a little bit of hope to people. Our ultimate message to the world is that through the Savior Jesus Christ you can overcome trials.”

Missionaries provide community service such as disaster cleanup (like the aforementioned Hurricane Sandy effort), teaching English and visiting the elderly. “We help anybody and everybody,” Sister Allen says. After Hurricane Sandy, Mormon missionaries made an effort to not only help fellow Mormons but also, Sister Allen says, “to help their neighbors and to help anybody within their area.” The collective number of yearly service hours given by these 75,000 young men and women is in the millions.

Missionaries also take a few hours one day a week for personal tasks, such as laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and writing to family via email.

Finding Themselves by Serving Others

Elder Munday says the beginning of his mission was perhaps the most difficult time of his life. He found himself far away from his home in England, struggling with homesickness. The turning point came when he began to look outside himself. “That’s when I was able to feel comfortable here, when I stopped caring about myself and start caring about others,” he says. “It helped me to grow so much.”

Focusing more on others is not easy for anybody, especially teenagers and young adults. “That’s usually a period of our lives when we’re quite self-absorbed,” President Calderwood says. “These missionaries give up all of that.”

This results in missionaries becoming more concerned about what’s happening to their fellow man than they are about themselves. Such service builds a “good foundation for their lives to become good spouses, good fathers, good mothers and very good in their communities,” President Calderwood says.

“It’s just one of the most rewarding things you can do,” Sister Bradfield says of missionary service. “True happiness is really in helping the people around you.”

8 Common Mistakes of Wilderness Survival

1.  No Shelter

This is a two fold mistake that will cost you your life in a Wilderness Survival Situation.  The first fold of this mistake is not having a proper shelter with you, the second fold is not having the knowledge to build a shelter from nature’s tools which are all around you.  When talking about someone or a group of people who died in the Wilderness there is a common term that you will hear come up, exposure.  Whether it is hypothermia or heat stroke, the bottom line is you either did not have shelter (tent, tarp, sleeping bag with bivvy) or you didn’t have the knowledge to build a suitable shelter to shield yourself from the elements.  Remember, Staying Dry is the first rule of Survival.

2. Lack of Good Navigation Tools

People who venture into the Wilderness without a map, compass, and GPS are flirting with disaster. Anyone who has spent time in the woods knows that within seconds even the best woodsman can get turned around in thick trees and bushes and begin to walk the wrong way.  The key to navigation is having a back up method to find your way to safety, remember “Two is One and One is None” never rely on GPS alone.  Having a good understanding of cardinal directions using the Sun and Stars is also beneficial if you are thrown into a situation where prior preparation wasn’t available (plane crash, boat wreck).

3. Poor Knowledge

“Be Prepared” is the motto of the Boy Scouts, unfortunately most people who find themselves in a Wilderness Survival situation have very poor knowledge on how to survival and are usually totally unprepared.

4. Miscalculating the Risk

Most Wilderness Survival situations start off very innocent; like a fishing trip with friends, a day hike on a familiar trail, or a planned father & son hunting trip.  Then things go terribly wrong and suddenly you are faced with a life and death scenario.  The only thing you can do is plan for the unexpected.  Sit down and go through contingencies before you set off on your trip.  Once you leave, it is too late.   There is an old military saying “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail.”  Make sure you have done this same process with your emergency car kit.

5. The Wrong Clothes

As a rule you should always dress one layer warmer than you need.  You can always take stuff off and wrap it around your waist, stuff into your pockets or put it in your backpack if you get hot.  But once you leave an article of clothing behind there is nothing worse than being cold knowing that you left your jacket in the closet.  Also remember the outdoor sayings about Cotton. (Cotton Kills, Friends don’t let friends wear Cotton, and Cotton is Rotten) Find and wear clothes that retain their warmth even after they become wet.  Also have a shell jacket and pants of some kind for rain and snow.  Remember, most cases of hypothermia happen in temperatures over 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Getting Drinkable Water

We all know that the human body doesn’t last long without water.  The question you have to ask yourself in a Wilderness Survival situation is “Will this water make me sick?”  Waterborne organisms such as cryptosporidium and giardia can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting that increases dehydration and reduces your ability to carry on your other survival efforts such as building shelter, finding food, and signaling for help.  On the flip side dehydration will kill you in a matter of days.  Without a good supply of pure drinking water, the body can become dehydrated very quickly.  Along with dehydration comes poor judgment, loss of energy, and eventually you will lose the will to survive.  There are several methods for purifying water (Boiling it, Chemical tablets, & Water Filters) and there are several methods for catching rain water or dew.  Learn these strategies and be prepared.

7. No Signal Plan

Being able to signal for help is a key trait in Wilderness Survival.  If you go to almost any outdoor store they will have a whole section dedicated to these devices.  The most common ones are whistles and signal mirrors but you also have to think about being able to use fire starting devices and high beam flashlights.  Other good tools to have are radios, bright clothes, and emergency beacon devices such as ACR or SPOT.  If you are caught in a Wilderness Survival situation without any of these tools, have an understanding for creating an emergency signal using rocks, trees, snow, or dirt.

8. Fire

It is only one word but in Wilderness Survival it has many meanings.  Warmth: a good fire can keep you and your loved ones warm in some of the worst conditions.  Protection: a strong fire can keep you safe from predators and a long burning stick has scared more than one animal away.  Signal: a blazing fire can be seen for miles away at night and the smoke can be seen during the day.  Purifier: a hot fire can be used to boil water and keep your drinking water safe.  Keep several methods of making a fire with you when traveling in the Wilderness and also learn how to make a fire the old fashion way……with two sticks.

Know the 5 keys to Wilderness Survival 
1. Know how to build a shelter
2. Know how to signal for help
3. Know what to eat & how to find it
4. Know how to build and maintain a fire
5. Know how to find water and prepare safe water to drink.