Thread: BASIC LIST / SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR LONG TERM SURVIVAL

Gaucho bead paracord lanyard... Click on the Photos to enlarge the image

I used gaucho knot beads, made with 1.4mm cord, for this paracord lanyard. The gaucho knot starts with a 5x4 turk's head knot. I started with a 10 ft length of black paracord, from the center making a two inch loop, then tying series of two strand wall knots, adding a knotted bead, then alternating that pattern for the lanyard, finishing with a swivel snap hook.

At a total finished length of 18 inches, from snap hook to loop end, this one is for use with a key chain, flashlight, knife, multitool, or as a wallet lanyard.

Attachment options let the loop end fit over a belt and clip to an item, or clip to a belt loop, bag, pack, or other gear and loop onto a gadget...

A longer length version would make a nice neck lanyard, decorative hat band, or necklace, and a shorter version for a paracord bracelet. A custom paracord pet leash could be done for a lengthy project...

I'd tied some similar variations last year for lanyards, fobs, and zipper pulls.

Stormdrane's Blog: Gaucho bead paracord lanyard...

Loud Focus at Stake... Click on the Photos to enlarge the image


Loud, as in the slim and lightweight Vargo Titanium Emergency Whistle to add to my keychain or maybe my jacket as a zipper pull.


A Long 3 Bight turk's head knot is tied around it, with three passes of 0.9mm braided nylon cord.

The Focus is a 6" neck knife made by Meyerco, of a Dirk Pinkerton design, with a short gutted paracord 2 bight turk's head knot grip wrap. I may add something to the sheath, but haven't decided yet since it would affect the use of the belt/pocket clip mounted on the backside of the Kydex sheath. I probably should put some paracord over that ball chain too, since it feels cold around the neck this time of year, lol...

And the Titanium Vargo Ascent Tent Stake (ultralight) can also serve as a hollow fid for knot and rope work. I tied a lengthened two strand diamond to secure a loop of tether cord, which makes it easy to pull the stake out of the ground.


This knot is seen in 'The Ashley Book of Knots' as #782, with the diagram on the bottom of page 140....

Stormdrane's Blog: Loud Focus at Stake...

The Drop-Line Rapid Line Deployment System ... Click on the Photos to enlarge the image

County Comm now offers 'The Drop-Line RLD System'. The Delrin Drop-Line roll is a definite improvement over the PVC pipe and recycled plastic spools that I used with my projects a few months ago.


Some folks like to have readily accessible cord that's not knotted, kinked, or tangled up when they need to use it. Having one or two of these attached to your gear is just being prepared.



I wound up some cord on a couple of them, and was able to get 50 ft of 550 paracord on one, and 100 ft of 3/32" tether cord on another.


The Delrin roll has just enough give in it so that it can be removed/replaced, but it's not going to come off the carabiner until you want it to. The load rated Omega locking carabiner can also be put to use when the cord is emptied off the wheel .

*Note this is just a device meant for storage and dispensing of cord, not a life saving/support piece of equipment, so use responsibly.



Stormdrane's Blog: The Drop-Line Rapid Line Deployment System

WAR OF THE GODS RICHARD C. HOAGLAND C2C AM 30.112011 B.mov - YouTube



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THE NEW HISTORY OF MANKIND'S CREATION ADAM the MISSING LINK
http://www.latenightinthemidlands.com/main/sharing/share?id=5685834%3ABlogP...
Richard C. Hoagland Images - Coast to Coast AM
The Enterprise Mission

Richard C. Hoagland, shares some images of Mars which he will discussed on the 11/30/11 edition of the program. Richard says ...
NASA's latest, NUCLEAR-powered "breakthrough" unmanned rover mission -- aptly named "Curiosity" -- is now safely on its way to Mars, arriving next August, 2012; while, in striking contrast, the equally"breakthrough" unmanned Russian "Phobos-Grunt" mission (carrying a Chinese satellite!), destined to explore the exotic inner Martian "moon", Phobos--

Is still mysteriously "stuck"-- In low-Earth orbit! Or ... is it?

For my "Coast" fans and friends, here's a preview of tonight's show ....

This (below) is what's at stake, waiting for the Russians to solve their "parking orbit problem."

For the World is Hollow ... and I Have Touched the Sky!

And, for the American mission, its intended target -- Gale Crater -- has an equally astonishing "surprise" awaiting its successful landing next August--

A full blown, ancient, 3-mile-high "tetrahedral arcology" ... on Mars (see image #1)!

On tonight's "Coast," I will be discussing extraordinary details of a potential, three-way, "21st Century Space Race"--

As to who will be the FIRST--

To first to FIND -- and then ANNOUNCE ... in 2012 --- first-hand scientific PROOF of "ancient Life at Mars?!"

The second, close-up image (image #2) is a recent Mars Reconniassance Orbiter (MRO) close-in view of an exposed small section of the "Gale Crater arcology's" lowest-level ROOMS -- which "Curiosity" will be INTENSELY exploring, with a variety of super-sophisticated instruments ... over the next several YEARS ....

Note the incredible "right-angles" and even "3-D pyramids) in this tiny section of a MUCH larger, official NASA "Gale Crater Arcology" image.

And ... stay tuned.

C2C Science Advisor and head of the Enterprise Mission, Richard C. Hoagland, discussed the latest American and Russian unmanned efforts to reach Mars and what may be the true nature of those missions. He suggested that the agenda behind the Russian Phobos-Grunt craft is not to travel to the Martian inner moon, but to actually journey to the YU55 asteroid that recently passed by Earth. He theorized that the Russians are interested in this object because it is not merely an asteroid, but is actually a craft. The origins of this craft, Hoagland said, could be from an ancient civilization that once populated the galaxy but was destroyed in a massive war.

While the dueling Martian missions of the US and Russia may appear to be a new space race, Hoagland put forward the idea that it is really "a covert cooperation with the illusion of a competition." In this scenario, he said, the Russians are hoping to land their craft on the YU55 and take samples of it. Meanwhile, the Americans may have used their secret spy plane, known as the X-37B, to "rendezvous with YU55 as it comes through the system" and take detailed images of the object. Hoagland pointed to news that the X-37B was ending its latest mission early as a potential sign that "it's bringing something home." He cited a BBC report which quoted a Russian astronomer who described "strange structures" on YU55 as well as the repeated comparisons of the 'asteroid' to an aircraft carrier as potentially leaked clues to what the object really is.

Regarding NASA's Curiosity Rover, Hoagland surmised that, if his theories are correct, it will ultimately lead to the disclosure that there was once an ancient race of people on the Red Planet. He explained that the planned landing site for Curiosity is inside the Gale Crater on Mars, where a mysterious mountain sits in the center. The origin of this mountain, Hoagland noted, baffles astronomers. Based on his study of photos of this land mass, he contended that it is "an ancient structure." Noting that Curiosity is nuclear powered, rather than solar powered like previous Mars rovers, Hoagland speculated that perhaps NASA plans on using the vehicle to explore inside this ancient structure. Beyond that, he revealed that Curiosity's nuclear design will also allow for it to potentially be used to journey to Cydonia and examine the infamous anomalies found there.

THE DOOM AND BLOOM(tm) HOUR with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy


Dr.Bones is an M.D. and Nurse Amy is A Nurse Practitioner who want YOU to be prepared. We're also certified Master Gardeners! Please link to us using The Doom and Bloom(tm) website and podcast, with prepper, urban homesteading! to bookmark, as we are building a NEW WEB SITE as we speak. Twitter is @preppershow. We use integrated medical strategies to keep you healthy in times of trouble. To create a link,scroll to the bottom of a post and push "links to this post".

HOW TO PERFORM A NERVE BLOCK

Hey Preppers,

Our articles often mention the traumatic injuries that we will be at risk for in a collapse situation; when our physical workload is increased and modern medical care is no longer available. When a person is injured and a wound must be sutured, the area will be sensitive and difficult to repair without causing significant discomfort to a person already in pain.

Therefore, I am often asked about the use of Lidocaine (brand name Xylocaine), and other injectable local anesthetics for the purpose of preparing an injured area for suturing. Lidocaine may be placed around the actual wound superficially (local infiltration) or may be directed to “block” a specific nerve that serves the area to be repaired. This procedure is known as a nerve block. Each nerve block is intended to numb a portion of the course of a nerve as it travels through the body, in an effort to numb the injured area.

Relatively small and superficial lacerations are best anesthetized with local infiltration. In other circumstances, nerve blocks are more appropriate. As each area of the body and wound is different, the corresponding nerve block is different as well; let’s take the example of a hand injury. In this case, these situations would include:

· Multiple lacerations to the hand or fingers
· Injuries with multiple embedded foreign objects and debris
· Large lacerations
· Burns where extensive removal of dead tissue (debridement) is required
· Poisonous bites that involve the removal of significant foreign material, such as a stingray spine
· Areas that are sensitive or calloused (e.g., the palm of the hand)

There are various injectable local anesthetics on the market, such as Procaine (Novocain), Bupivacaine (Marcaine), and Mepivacaine (Carbocaine). Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is, however, the most widely used these days, due to the rapidity and effectiveness of its anesthetic action. Lidocaine also comes in the form of an ointment, jelly, patch, and aerosol spray. Injecting the drug gives, of course, a much stronger effect. You can obtain 1% or 2% Lidocaine; the more concentrated dosage is useful for longer procedures.

You can expect full effect about 10 minutes after administration, and the effect should last 1-2 hours. Epinephrine 1.200,000-1,000,000 has been used in conjunction with lidocaine to help decrease bleeding and prolong the effect further. This combo should not be used in areas with limited circulation, such as the fingers or earlobes. The epinephrine could constrict the blood vessels excessively and cause lack of blood flow to the tissues (also called “ischemia”).

Before you consider the use of local anesthetic, you should be aware of your patient’s medical history. Some, such as those with liver disease, cardiac disease, or the elderly, should receive less quantities of the drug.

Of course, you’ll need some equipment: Sterile towels and gauze to create a sterile field in which to work,an antiseptic such as Betadine, at least one 6cc or 10cc syringe, and a thin gauge needle (25 or 27 gauge will do fine). You can decrease the “sting” of the injection by warming the local anesthetic somewhat and/or adding 1cc of sodium bicarbonate solution to 10cc of medication.

Performing a local infiltration with injectable Lidocaine is relatively simple. Position your needle at one end of each side of the laceration and insert superficially at a 45 degree angle to the skin. Pull back on the syringe (“aspirate”) to make sure you haven’t entered a blood vessel by mistake (Intravenous or intra-arterial injection of Lidocaine can cause seizures or cardiac arrhythmias). Then, inject the drug slowly as you withdraw the syringe. A swelling should form (called a “wheal”).

Repeat until each side appears slightly swollen. You can decrease the discomfort of multiple injections by entering in an area already anesthetized by a previous injection. To see this procedure in real time, check out my YouTube video “How to Suture with Dr. Bones”.

To describe every type of nerve block would take an entire medical textbook, so let’s pick a specific one and go through the procedure. We’ll use the example of a laceration on the back of hand.

The nerve we want to block is the radial nerve, as it supplies sensation to that area. It’s helpful to have a book on anatomy in your medical library, so you can see where the nerve travels in that area. For now, see the image below:

You’ll start with the patient’s hand in the palm-up position. Clean the entire wrist and back of the hand with Betadine. Feel the radial artery pulse; this is the one that the doctor takes your pulse with when you have a physical exam. Then feel the radial styloid, this is the part of the wrist that protrudes slightly below the thumb area (see image below).

Insert your needle between the radial artery and the styloid near the crease of the palm, and inject 2-3cc of the anesthetic (aspirate first).

Next, you will turn the hand over and, using the same insertion site, inject another 5cc or so of Lidocaine along the back of the wrist to about the midpoint area. Use a longer needle than the one in the images if you can; this will decrease the numbers of injections you’ll have to do.

Finally,wait 10 minutes and then test the area for anesthetic effect by lightly touching the area to be sutured with a needle.

Complications of injecting local anesthesia include:

· Nerve injury – a sign of this is severe pain during the injection
· Vascular injury – usually with Lidocaine in combination with epinephrine
· Hematoma – blood accumulating under the skin due to puncture of a blood vessel
· Lidocaine toxicity – accidental injection of anesthetic into a blood vessel

Lidocaine toxicity presents with lightheadedness, visual changes, numbness (often in the tongue), metallic taste, and ringing in the ears. Severe cases can progress to unconsciousness and convulsions. In rare instances, a patient could develop heart arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, and even go into a coma.

Finally, it’s important to remember that, while we have the luxury of modern medical care, injuries and wounds should be treated by medical professionals. There are doctors with a lot of experience performing nerve blocks; take advantage of their expertise while they’re still there for you.

For more info on nerves blocks, a good site to check out is emprocedures.com
Dr. Bones

Are you ready to deal with medical emergencies if help is NOT on the way? Make the DOOM and BLOOM(TM) SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK part of your survival library! Check out our trailer at:

SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK - YouTube



THE DOOM AND BLOOM(tm) HOUR with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy: HOW TO PERFORM A NERVE BLOCK

Codex Alimentarius Explained in 6 min - YouTube

China Rejects Genetically Modified Rice in Opposition to GMO Crops

Andre Evans
NaturalSociety
February 2, 2012

As awareness of genetically modified food and the dangers associated increase, actions are being taken to eliminate the issue entirely. With countries destroying their GMO crops, scientists showing the facts, and individuals voicing their discontent on the matter, there is a large and growing contingent across countries that are taking action to preserve the integrity of our food supply. China is the latest nation to take a stand against GMO crops.

China recently suspended the distribution of genetically modified rice within its commercial food supplies.

Rice, being perhaps the most common and prominently used food within Chinese diet makes its safety and reliability very significant. Acting as a staple food for over 1.3 billion Chinese people, any compromise to the integrity of their food supply should be accordingly assessed and acted against based upon the interests of the population.

This action helps to preserve the sovereignty and safety of their food supply, something that largely must still be addressed in our own country. In the United States GMO foods are not only accepted by loose regulation standards, but are not even labeled appropriately.

The dangers of GMO foods are so great that they are still not — and may never be — fully assessable. With a large number of documented negative effects on its consumers, GMO foods are a highly dangerous threat to individual health alone.

If this weren’t enough, genetically engineered crops actually threaten the integrity of the food supply altogether by devastating the environment with powerful superweeds and mutant bugs. The nature of genetic engineering is so volatile that unless properly handled, the integrity of the entire world food supply could be ruined.

As such, any form of action that a government takes to prevent or eliminate GMOs from the equation is significant. Reassessing the nature and scale of the threat in light of new evidence should compel even more action in even more locations around the world.

Explore More:

1. Vatican Condemns Monsanto Genetically Modified Crops as “New Form of Slavery”
2. Take Action Against Genetically Modified Foods Right Now
3. Congress Bans FDA from Approving Genetically Modified ‘Franken’ Salmon
4. Genetically Modified Potatoes: Scientists Unleash New Monster
5. Genetically Engineered Rice Pushed Through by Bill Gates & Monsanto
6. Genetically Modified Chocolate to Consume 70% of Global Cocoa Supply

China Rejects Genetically Modified Rice, GMO Crops | Natural Society

THE DOOM AND BLOOM(tm) HOUR with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy


Dr.Bones is an M.D. and Nurse Amy is A Nurse Practitioner who want YOU to be prepared. We're also certified Master Gardeners! Please link to us using The Doom and Bloom(tm) website and podcast, with prepper, urban homesteading! to bookmark, as we are building a NEW WEB SITE as we speak. Twitter is @preppershow. We use integrated medical strategies to keep you healthy in times of trouble. To create a link,scroll to the bottom of a post and push "links to this post".

Thursday, February 2, 2012

MUST HAVE ANTIBIOTICS, ANTIFUNGALS, AND ANTIVIRALS

Hey Preppers,

A couple of months ago I wrote a series of articles on antibiotics and their uses in a collapse situation. Since that time, I’ve gotten a number of requests as to what my must-have medications are for your storage supplies. Last week, we went through the over-the-counter drugs you should have, and now we’ll look at medicines that are meant to fight infection.

You don’t have to be a doctor to know that we'll have issues with water and food contamination in a societal breakdown. We can, therefore, expect periodic outbreaks of epidemics of infectious disease in the surviving population. As such, anyone expecting to survive long-term will have to provide for this eventuality. Even the clearest mountain stream in a National Park might have organisms like Giardia in it; many of these organisms lead to significant diarrheal disease, dehydration, and even death without appropriate treatment.

Of course, we should start with antibiotics. Here’s my list of antibiotics you should have stockpiled, along with their veterinary equivalents:

Amoxicillin 250mg/500mg (FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE)
Ciprofloxacin 250mg/500mg (FISH-FLOX, FISH-FLOX FORTE)
Metronidazole 250mg (FISH-ZOLE)
Doxycycline 100mg (BIRD-BIOTIC)
Sulfamethoxazole 400mg/Trimethoprim 80mg (BIRD-SULFA)
Azithromycin 250mg, 500mg (AQUARIUM AZITHROMYCIN)
Clindamycin 150mg/300mg (AQUARIUM CLINDAMYCIN)

All of the above, with the exception of Amoxicillin and Ampicillin, are acceptable in those with Penicillin allergies. With the above antibiotics in your medical supplies, you’ll be able to treat 90% of the bacterial diseases that will appear on your doorstep in times of trouble, even some forms of Anthrax.

Unless you live barefoot and naked in the middle of Death Valley, you will also have to beware of fungal infections. Common ones like Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, and Jock Itch will be rampant in wet climates or in situations where you might not be able to change socks or underwear often. Therefore, it makes sense to keep some antifungal medication around as well.

Clotrimazole (lotrimin) is a good choice here, as it comes in cream or powder, and doesn’t require a prescription. Medications like Miconazole (Monistat) would be useful for vaginal yeast infections. There is an oral tablet as well called Fluconazole (Diflucan), which may be more convenient than creams or powders, but requires a prescription.

Finally, anti-viral medications will be useful as well. Many of the infections, especially respiratory, that we consider to be bacterial in nature are more likely to be viral in nature. Antibiotics have no significant effect on viruses; despite this, many patients will demand an antibiotic prescription from their doctors as soon as they feel the first symptom.

One of the most popular anti-viral drugs is called Tamiflu (Oseltamvir).

Tamiflu gives effective relief against symptoms of influenza and decreases the amount of time you would be sick. If taken when you first realize that you have been exposed to someone with the flu, it could even prevent the illness altogether. In a pandemic, those with without an anti-viral drug and a good supply of masks and gloves will be at major risk.

Don’t throw away that expired Tamiflu; the government has given a 5 year use extension beyond the date of “expiration” through the Shelf Life Extension Program. Like many medications in pill or capsule form, Tamiflu remains effective long afterwards. Other antivirals include Valtrex, Relenza, and Famvir.

Although we’re mentioning pharmaceuticals today, don’t forget that natural products such as Garlic and Honey have significant antii-infective properties.

Garlic, for example, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti0viral effects.

Many people report significant antibacterial effect with colloidal silver, as well. Before there were antibiotics, there was silver, and it is still used in topical creams to prevent infection.

For more in-depth information, refer to our article which starts the series on how to use antibiotics:
http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspo...-collapse.html

For our list of over the counter medications:
http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2012/01/over-counter-drugs-for-when-youre.html

Dr. Bones

Are you ready to deal with medical emergencies if help is NOT on the way? Make the DOOM and BLOOM(TM) SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK part of your survival library!

Check out our trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM



http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspo...ngals-and.html

David Icke

SHTF Planning: 20 Lessons from the Streets of Cairo

Mac Slavo
February 1st, 2012
SHTFplan.com
Comments (247)

In a previous post we shared a story from SHTF School founder Selco in which he discussed his experience of Living Through SHTF In the Middle of A War Zone during the conflict in Bosnia in the 1990′s. This yielded an extensive discussion from our community about preparations, strategies, and the reality of what it’s like when the system around you collapses into conflict.

In the following post we present another experience, this time from Cairo, from someone who was there at the height of the riots and violence that would eventually lead to the collapse of the entire political structure of Egypt and imposition of military rule.

As is generally the case, first hand experiences offer an often informative and realistic view of what you can really expect, the challenges you’ll face, the thoughts that will be running through your mind, and actionable steps to take in the midst of crisis.

Via John Rolls, pierrelegrand.net, M4Carbine.net
Originally published at The AK Forum by Eightbore

From the somewhat guilt filled comforts of Greece, I have been thinking about what I learned from the recent Cairo SHTF experience. I am not putting myself forth as an expert of any sort and, frankly, many or even most items on the list below might be flat out wrong….who the hell knows. We were in Cairo from Jan 25th until late Feb 3rd when the neighborhood gunfire became full-auto and regularly occurring. At that point, we decided that Friday prayers (the next day) might not yield a pleasant experience. We had no way of knowing that we had already seen the worst.

Lesson #1….the best weapon for SHTF is truly whatever F*&$ING firearm you can lay your hands on and it does not matter the slightest bit what it is! I had a borrowed three shot semi-auto Beretta 26″ bbl trap grade shotgun. I LOVED IT. It was my baby and I truly miss it now!.

That said, I would have given my left nut for my Yugo underfolder or SGL-21. Frankly, I am now of the opinion that if, in the moment, you are being AT ALL picky about firearms then by definition the shit has NOT truly hit the fan. One guy on our street only had a nice little S&W J-frame .22 and he seemed a lot more relaxed than the guys with baseball bats I can tell you that!

Lesson #2…..Good will with one’s friends and neighbors has the power to greatly enhance or even make unnecessary ABSOLUTELY ANY prep you can make (including having money). Bad will with ones neighbors similarly has the ability to completely nullify any prep (again, including having money). I am and was the lucky beneficiary and supplier of the former. As an example, one night on the street a local young cop who lived in the neighborhood asked me “where did you get that shotgun”. I winked and said, “I found it”. He just smirked and said, “Oh…OK”. End of conversation. That’s what is achieved by six years of being the “Cool American” who takes the time to chat with everyone from street vendors, doormen, and neighborhood kids to villa owners and businessmen.

Lesson #3….Bugging out is really only an option if you are lucky enough to be psychic and see the shit BEFORE it truly hits the fan. The bug out plans you have will almost certainly physically be blocked when SHTF. Good luck getting to Alexandria after SHTF in Tahrir square or to Aswan when the government shuts down the rail network! Frankly, we almost realized we had those options before they were blocked off but by they might have been more dangerous than bugging in with our friends and neighbors and banding together to protect the neighborhood. Further, I did not want to be a “refugee” so bugging in was perfectly fine since we prepped wisely. That said, and in spite of the above, when you see an escape route, RUN (see Lesson #4 and #11)!

Lesson #4….Do NOT be too proud to become a “refugee” if you can manage it comfortably. There is a world of difference between being a penniless “refugee” and taking a “strategic vacation” (new term I just invented!) on a commercial flight with a fat wad of cash (see Lesson #13).

Lesson #5…People are stupid. There MAY (repeat…MAY) still be time to prep the very day and even the second or third day the shit is “kinda” hitting the fan (SKHTF! another new term!).

Grocery stores MAY still be open and things MAY be as normal for a short time. Now is the time to stock up on little things you may need more of or on comfort items. I saw this happen in Cairo even the first days of the worst rioting. Stores were open even a couple blocks from Tahrir strangely enough….for a while. Day three of the revolution, when Tahrir looked like a legitimate war-zone, the Souq two blocks from the square was selling us vegetables and canned goods and, amazingly, was not all that busy! We cleaned them out and distributed surplus to those in our building who could not or would not go out (See Lesson #2)

Lesson #6….Murphy’s law applies. Preps will fail or break or prove impractical when you least expect. For example, the sat phone I just replaced worked just fine for all of the last five years. I wanted to upgrade and bought the new model that arrived in Cairo a week before the riots when my wife returned from the US. The brand new com equipment that would have totally bailed us out when the govt cut cell and internet….you guessed it….had a bad battery shipped with it!!

Moral of the story: Invest in MULTIPLE redundancies! I am now also buying a handheld HAM system.

Lesson #7….Marry well! Perhaps this should be Lesson #1. My wife was calm and collected for the 10 days we were in Cairo during SHTF. She was organizing things around the house and with neighbors and even making improvised weaponry (clubs) even better with the addition of protruding nails etc. She rocks! She also cooked for the “neighborhood watch” and is now absolutely LOVED by the people around us! She helped with Lesson #2 immensely because NO other wives in the neighborhood were bringing tea and food to the guys on the street.

Lesson #8….You don’t have to “bug out” to MOVE and make things a great deal easier for yourself! Just because the shit is hitting the fan where you are does NOT mean it is hitting the fan even 10 miles away. This is not bugging out…just moving. When we were driving to the airport on day ten or eleven, I was amazed that a short 10 minute drive away there were no tanks or APCs and people were calm. The whole vibe was so different that it kinda made me suspect that something was wrong. SHTF had become “normal” for me to the point that “normal” now looked scary and suspicious. We even passed a wedding that was taking place where everyone looked totally calm. We didn’t realize for 10 days that all we really had to do was find a new apartment or take a nice hotel room 20 miles away from our current location. Lesson learned! Don’t become married to your “role” in SHTF.

Lesson #9…When the players in a conflict become ill-defined, it’s time to step aside. If you know who the bad guys are, you can play this game but when it becomes a war of all against all, it becomes imperative to stay out of the game where EVERYONE loses. The Feb 2 riots that took place the night before we left were a perfect example of this. It was no longer just looters we were worried about, it was EVERYONE. Buildings were being occupied in Tahrir presumably by both sides of the conflict and I didn’t want to wait for this phenomenon to come 5 blocks south to us. If SHTF starts to look too much like civil war, it’s “game over” and time to make a change.

Lesson #10…Stockpiling is 100% rational. Even if you wind up bugging out or SHTF is short enough to not use everything you have stashed, your foresight will help others and will contribute greatly to your ability to adhere to Lesson #2. Just because you are able to bug out does not mean others will have the same luxury and these people WILL need your help.

Lesson #11…People WILL sell you out. Be prepared for it and know that it might come from anywhere….”Friends”, Relatives, or employers. Someone will almost assuredly ditch you or put you in a tight spot while covering their own ass. The toughest part of this lesson is coming to terms with the fact that at some point, it’s totally justifiable and yes even forgivable. Understand that at some point your OWN family will be the priority and that you will be the one who is selling out people you know and likely care for. I know that this is not at all a comfortable thought, but it is realistic.

Lesson #12…Some people will surprise you. People from whom you might expect animosity, will sometimes provide you with the help you need and incur substantial risk or personal cost to do it. Just like you will at some point very likely be embodying Lesson #11, you will (or definitely F($**ING should) be embodying Lesson #12 as well.

Lesson #13….Diverisfy your financial position. Gold will not buy groceries (but see Lesson #14) and cash won’t buy an emergency flight over the internet. Similarly, your big neighborhood Christian grocer will get freaked out over the religious implications of SHTF and close. Guess what, he is the only guy in a 10 mile radius who takes credit cards…so have cash! Further, diversify your currencies in international terms by holding foreign currency for the place you intend to bug out too (and maybe even one or two others since you never know where you might be going). From now on I will hold Egyptian Pounds, Dollars, Euros, and Jordanian Dinar….at a minimum.

Lesson #14…Gold….OWN IT! It may not work with the grocer you barely know as a medium of exchange but it damn sure makes great collateral eg. “OK…you keep this gold sovereign and I will buy it back from you for the 200 Egyptian pounds I owe you as soon as the ATMs start working”. It’s great bribe material too, though I didn’t have to resort to it, when you want to get your beloved dog on a “no-pets” flight.

Lesson #15….Silver….Keep some but only buy it in major quantity with your gold when things have calmed down and you know you wont be bugging out! Silver had taken a good dip about a week before SHTF and I was this close to buying a few kg bars the day or two before the protests started. I didn’t and am VERY glad. Silver is of course bulky and heavy and I would not have needed those extra kgs when we were finally on the move ten or eleven days later. Silver is a great medium of exchange when things have settled down after SHTF but it is not a great prep UNLESS you keep it confined to maybe a single kg of junk silver or small rounds.

Lesson #16….Be flexible and creative. SHTF will be unique to the surroundings and people and cause thus necessitating quick thinking that is outside the box and the formulation of solutions to problems that may work today but not tomorrow. Do NOT become married to a situation, your role in it, or the solution to a problem that may not work for you tomorrow.

Lesson #17….Be intimidating when you think it will work. Develop a war face! Be loud and fearless and look like someone capable of anything…it minimizes negotiation and whining in other parties. Simultaneously, know when to fly under the radar and when to say “Katy bar the door!” The nature of SHTF changes over time and necessitates that YOU change who you are to a very substantial degree.

Lesson #18….Stock your liquor cabinet. Do so partially for barter and good will purposes, but also understand that when a curfew is imposed during SHTF, the impromptu “revolution party” will become common. I was teargassed on day 3 or 4 and scooped up six random study abroad journalism students who were literally trapped by police in my neighborhood. The police had blocked off all entrances and exits so these red-eyed kids could literally not get home. We all went back to my apartment where, over the next 6 hours or so, my wife, these kids, and I did some serious damage to a bottle of red label. On top of that, the realistic reason for stocking up is that after a few days of staying up all night enjoying what SHTF has to offer, you will have trouble sleeping and a wee dram never hurts.

Lesson #19…When SHTF is over, be prepared for a LOT of odd behavior on the part of people you know. There will be lots of unnecessary crap about “who did what” during SHTF and arguments about how we can avoid SHTF in the future or how we can rebuild or “unify” in the wake of SHTF. Everyone will think their ideas are the best and the very real conflict between people you know will push you and those around you back toward a SHTF situation to some degree. The moral of this story is, if you are a foreigner, keep your damned mouth shut. Even if you are a local, the arguments are just not worth it.

Lesson #20…You learned who your friends are during SHTF…now treat them that way! For example, I no longer visit my big neighborhood grocer who closed and locked sh!t up tighter than a drum for the FULL DURATION of SHTF. I do, however, now regularly frequent the tiny-a$$ little grocery store with the mediocre selection around the corner. Why? Because it is owned and operated by a 50 year old guy who was open every single day of SHTF and I saw him regularly at 2:00am guarding the front of his store (and others) armed with nothing more than a hippo-hide whip (sjambok). He was doing this when the very reliable rumor was that looters had stolen police vehicles, uniforms, and guns. I don’t care that this guy doesn’t have the shampoo my wife likes, I am buying my groceries from him!

SHTF Planning: 20 Lessons from the Streets of Cairo