Flu Pandemic has hit US!

Well here it is folks. According to various news sources and the CDC the 2013 Flu outbreak this year (2013) is expected to be the worst to hit in at least the last 10 years! People are lining up at the ER's and people have already died from it. I wrote an earlier post on how to prepare for a Flu epidemic and what you should do if one should break out. I also detailed how to try to help prevent your family from getting sick and how to try to keep from spreading the flu. Today, I'm going to put up some helpful links to sites that will also detail this information and keep you up to date on the situation.

http://www.flu.gov/#

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2012-2013.htm#recommendations

If you look on the left hand side of the screen on the CDC site there are links to just about everything you need to know to help you out and keep you informed!

I'm going to end this post with my usual advice. We don't know exactly how bad the flu season really will be but it is always, always advisable to have at least a 3 to 6 month supply of food and water for your family just in case "Shit" does hit the fan! Always think ahead because the government can't do it for you! There are just way too many people for the government to help everyone! Be responsible for your own life and the life of your family and be prepared!

A note on doomsday bunkers.

Someone said something the other day that I feel deserves a comment. They basically stated that if they had a doomsday bunker they would be safe from anything and no one could get to them. This is basically a false statement.

1. No matter how well you have your bunker stocked you have to come out sometime.

2. No matter how well you think your bunker is defended or how deep you are buried, there is always a way in if you try hard enough.

Here's another hard truth. What are you going to do if they block your exit? What are you going to do if they wedge your door closed and you can't get out? What are you going to do if they break your generator? What are you going to do if they block or stop up your ventilation system? Are you still going to be able to stay underground if you can't breathe?

I talked the other day about having an emergency evacuation plan. Here again is another area where you need to have a backup plan.  First things first. If you have a doomsday bunker that is underground or above ground, you need to have an escape exit. If someone finds your bunker and manages to sabotage it you are going to need another way out. If for no other reason than to defend your bunker once it has been found. But if the impossible happens and they do manage to find a way in, block your door, or stop up your ventilation shaft then you have a way to escape. That's the bottom line. To be able to stay alive.

Great Raw Cookie Recipe!

This is a great Raw Cookie Recipe! Give it a try! I think you will like it! The original can be found on this site. http://www.raw-food-diet-inspiration.com/raw-cookies.html

Great Fishing tip if you don't have a hook.

If you are fishing and don't have a hook you may think you don't have any options. However that is not true. There is a really easy way to make a homemade fish hook that will catch a fish. This tip is so simple even a kid can do it.

Directions:

1. Find a stick and cut it or break it into a piece that is about  1 to 1 1/2 inches long.
2. Sharpen both ends of the stick into points.
3. Tie your fishing line to the middle of the stick.
4. Put your bait on both ends of the pointed stick (you can use fishing line or something else to tie the bait onto the stick to help hold it on if you need too).

Now your fishing line is done. The way this works is that the fish will swallow the stick when it swallows the bait. When you pull in the fish the stick gets lodged in the fishes stomach or throat and the points of the stick hold it securely. It is remarkably strong and a very effective way to catch a fish if you don't have a hook. 

Another way to stay warm in a survival situation!

I found this great article on the Survival Cache website and wanted to pass it along. http://survivalcache.com/dual-survival-emergency-blanket-heat-shelter/

A Reason to Actually Use Emergency Blankets

If you read my review of the AMK Emergency Bivvy Sack you know I’m not a big fan of Mylar Emergency Blankets but the AMK Emergency Bivvy is awesome. Sure they’re cheap, small, and light but they are also just a square and not conducive to wrapping up or shelter building. Now I’ve found a reason to carry them anyway.

Reflective Heat Source

If you watch Dual Survival on the Discover Channel you know where I’m going with this.
In this episode Cody Lundin, of When All Hell Breaks Loose, used a Mylar Emergency Blanket as a heat reflector to warm up his shelter.
He managed to get his shelter to a smoking 70 degrees even though it was in the low 30′s outside. That’s some serious heating power and the mylar blanket was big part of that.
Mylar sheets are highly reflective and this is obviously a much better use of an emergency blanket than simply trying to wrap up and sleep in it. Build a fire and get your own heating system.

Get Some

So now you actually have a good reason to get some Mylar Emergency Blankets. On Amazon you can buy a 4 Pack for about $5.00 with free shipping or you can get a 12 Pack for about $15.00, also free shipping if you spend over $25.

Emergency Evacuation Plans or Escape Plans

Emergency Evacuation Plans (or as I call them EEP's)  are very important for your survival. Sure, having a safe place to go to in an emergency is essential, but it won't do you any good if you can't get there! That is why an EEP (Emergency Evacuation Plan) is important. You need at least two different escape routes out of any given area. If one way is blocked, then you have the backup plan. You can never be too careful in my opinion and even a 3rd pr 4th alternate route out in an emergency is not a bad idea.

The whole idea is to get out. Your preferred route may be blocked by debris, or there may be a traffic jam,  or it might be overrun by hostiles. Having another way out can save your life and the lives or your loved ones.

Here are some steps to take to prepare for getting out in an emergency evacuation situation.

1. Make sure you have detailed maps (especially road maps) for your state and the states around yours. Make sure you have a good road map of the city you live in and the cities closest to you.

2. Make a plan to get out and a final destination place. Your minimum safe distance from your current location to your final destination or bug out spot should be around 100 miles away from your current location further if possible.

3. Use your maps to mark alternate routes to take to get to your bug out location. That way if something gets in your way you have another way to go to get to your safe place.

4. Make sure you have three or four different routes marked on city maps of how you can get from work to your home in an emergency situation. It won't do you any good to plan an escape route out of town if you can't make it home from work to get your gear  and your family together.

5. Practice makes perfect. Practice your routes from work to home and your routes out of town. You want to be as familiar as possible with your routes so that you will be prepared for anything out of the normal that might affect your progress.

6. Make sure to label your routes on your map. Route 1, route 2, route 3, and so on. Keep track of any potential problem areas on the way. Low water crossings, bridges that might go out, etc. Have a plan on what to do should you hit a problem in one of the areas.

7. Go over your routes and plans with our family. Make sure all of your family is familiar with your plans and your routes. If you are accidently split up, this will help you all get back together again safely.

8.  Make sure you have more than one copy of your map and evacuation plan! If your first one is lost you will be in deep shit if you don't have a back up. Make sure each of your family members has a copy of your plans. Again if you are split up this will help your family reconnect. Also make sure your have copies in all vehicles, all bug out bags, at your home, at your work place, and in potential safe spots on your route to your bug out location.

9.  Have drop points or other potential safe spots along your route to rest, to refuel, and to store supplies you might need on your way to your final destination. It is always a good idea to have extra fuel and food/water stored in an additional safe area along your route in case you need it.

EEP's or Emergency Evacuation plans can save the lives or you and your loved ones! Be prepared and make one today and explain it to your whole family so they know what to do and know what to expect in an emergency situation.   

Dehydrated Tomato Chip Recipe

If you like tomatoes then this dehydrator recipe is for you! I love Tomato Chips and I bet you will too!

Ingredients:

·        4 - 6 Roma Tomatoes

·        Garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, basil, oregano, or any other seasoning you like. (I also like lemon pepper)

Directions:

Slice the Roma Tomatoes in 1/4 inch slices and place on dehydrator tray. Sprinkle your choice of seasoning on top of Tomatoes. Dehydrate for 12 - 24 hours until they are crunchy and no longer soft. These make a great healthy snack!