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50 Numbers From 2019 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe

One of the best ways to determine where things are heading is to look back at how much has changed over the past 12 months.  2019 has been one of the most memorable years in our history, and it has certainly set the stage for the critical events of the decade to come.  However, not everyone views this moment in our history the same way.  For example, one “expert” that is being heavily quoted by the mainstream media is claiming that 2019 was the culmination of “the best decade in human history”.  His main argument seems to be that since “the ecological footprint of human activity” appears to be shrinking, the world must be a better place than it was before as a result.  And certainly there are many other voices out there that are boldly proclaiming that we have entered a golden new era of peace and prosperity and that the best is yet to come.  You can buy that argument if you want, but there are other voices that believe that everything that is wrong with our society is reaching a very dangerous crescendo.  For those with that perspective, it appears that we are very close to a societal tipping point and that the years ahead are when we will finally pay the price for decades of exceedingly bad decisions.

So what do you think?

Will the 2020s be the best of times or the worst of times?

As you ponder that question, here are 50 numbers from 2019 that are almost too crazy to believe…

#1 According to a Gallup poll that was just released, Barack Obama and Donald Trump came in tied for “the most admired man in America” this year.  They both got 18 percent in the survey, and no other man had more than 2 percent.

#2 At 10 percent, Michelle Obama topped the list in the Gallup poll for “the most admired woman in America” this year.

#3 Global stocks have increased in value by more than 25 trillion dollars over the past 10 years.

#4 In the United States, 84 percent of all stocks are owned by the wealthiest 10 percent of all Americans.

#5 The U.S. government is now more than 23 trillion dollars in debt.

#6 During the Obama and Trump administrations, we have added more than 12 trillion dollars to the national debt.

#7 Over the past 12 months alone, we have added another 1.1 trillion dollars to the national debt.

#8 Every single hour of every single day, we are stealing more than 100 million dollars from future generations of Americans.

#9 According to the IMF, total global debt has now reached the 188 trillion dollar mark.

#10 U.S. corporations are now close to 10 trillion dollars in debt.

#11 Total corporate debt has now reached 47 percent of U.S. GDP.  That is the highest level in our history.

#12 Total U.S. household debt is about to cross the 14 trillion dollar mark.

#13 A study that was recently released found that 70 percent of all Americans are struggling financially right now.

#14 The average family in the United States cannot afford to buy a home in 71 percent of the country.

#15 58 million jobs in the United States pay less than $793 a week.

#16 According to the Social Security Administration, 50 percent of all Americans make less than $33,000 a year.

#17 63 percent of the jobs that have been created in the United States since 1990 have been low wage jobs.

#18 Roughly 40 million Americans struggle with food insecurity.

#19 70 percent of Americans “have cried about money”.

#20 A recent survey found that more than two-thirds of all U.S. households “are preparing for a possible recession”.

#21 According to the most recent government figures, 24.6 million Americans have used an illegal drug within the last 30 days.

#22 If you can believe it, 46 percent of all Americans have taken at least one legal pharmaceutical drug within the last 30 days.  That is almost half the country.

#23 A New York woman named Alexa Kasdan recently went to see her doctor because she had a cold and a sore throat.  Her insurance company was billed $25,865.24 for the visit.

#24 Americans spend more than 140 billion dollars a year treating cancer.

#25 If you are an American woman, there is a 1 in 3 chance that you will get cancer at some point in your life.

#26 If you are an American man, there is a 1 in 2 chance that you will get cancer at some point in your life.

#27 Over the past decade, the suicide rate among young Americans has risen by 56 percent.

#28 The suicide rate for the overall population increased by 41 percent between 1999 and 2016.

#29 One survey has discovered that 15-year-old students in China are almost four full grade levels ahead of 15-year-old students in the United States in mathematics.

#30 A different survey discovered that one-third of all American teenagers haven’t read a single book in the past year.

#31 According to a recent survey of 2,000 adults, a whopping 88 percent of all Americans believe that the holiday season is the most stressful time of the year.

#32 48 million Americans still have holiday debt from last year.

#33 23 percent of all U.S. children live with a single parent.  That is the highest rate in the entire world by a wide margin.

#34 Today, approximately 40 percent of all babies in America are born to unmarried women.

#35 The U.S. fertility rate has fallen 15 percent since 2007 and is now at the lowest level ever recorded.

#36 One very alarming survey found that the average American spends 86 hours a month on a cellphone.

#37 The average person will watch more than 78,000 hours of television programming over the course of a lifetime.

#38 Today, almost half of all homeless people in the entire nation live in the state of California.

#39 Over half of all California voters have considered leaving the state.

#40 According to an American Bar Association survey, only 38 percent of all Americans know that the U.S. Constitution is the highest law in the land.

#41 58 percent of American adults under the age of 35 agree that some version of socialism “would be good for the country”.

#42 Almost one-third of all U.S. Millennials are still living with their parents.

#43 According to the Pew Research Center, only 65 percent of Americans now consider themselves to be Christians.  That is the lowest level ever recorded.

#44 The bird population of North America has declined by 3 billion since 1970.

#45 Scientists are telling us that at the current rate of extinction, nearly all insects could be gone “in 100 years”.

#46 African Swine Fever has already killed one out of every four pigs in the world, and many experts believe this crisis is still in the very early stages.

#47 Within the last 365 days, there have been approximately 37,000 earthquakes of at least magnitude 1.5 in the United States.

#48 The upcoming election is a “significant source of stress” for 56 percent of U.S. adults.

#49 A survey that was conducted a couple of months ago found that 67 percent of all Americans believe that we are “on the edge of civil war”.

#50 The final full moon of this decade was on 12/12 at precisely 12:12 AM eastern time.  And it turns out that it was also exactly 6,666 days from 9/11.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

The post 50 Numbers From 2019 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

What You Should Always Keep Raw Honey In Your Survival Backpack

When it comes to emergency preparedness, I can always count on my group to function as one squared away team. We spend a great deal of time training and testing out new gear. We keep what works a discard the rest. It is an ongoing process that keeps us proficient with our skills and continually learning new ones. This type of lifestyle is required if we hope to bode well during any crisis. It’s not just practice that will get us where we need to be… It’s perfect practice that will truly make all the difference. One aspect many don’t consider is nutrient-rich foods like raw honey when preparing their go backpacks. Read on to learn why raw honey is so valuable!

Benefits of RAW Honey For Survival

As the leader of my little group, I am continually evaluating what our teams’ strengths and weaknesses are. As humans, we generally like to work on things that we are not only familiar with, but also proficient in. When it comes to the flipside of the coin, and we need to exploit our weaknesses… Well, let’s just say that the process becomes a whole lot more difficult. Knowing this, I tend to integrate the skill sets that our group is lacking in, bundled with the skills that they feel that they have mastered.

I abide by the philosophy of –  Give them what they think they want while integrating exactly what they need!

When it comes to the skill sets that we are lacking in, there are certainly quite a few. But if you held me to the fire and asked me to limit my response to only two aspects… They would be food intake and physical fitness. Luckily, when my group is with me in the field, they get plenty of physical preparedness exercise. But when it comes to their food intake and nutrition, which is difficult for me to monitor, It would certainly top my list of:

“Issues that need to be addressed within my preparedness group.”

I focus on nutrition principles as opposed to diets with my NTC Method. Diets are temporary and nutrition principles are much easier to integrate into a lifestyle. One of the principles that I suggest to my NTC Members is to integrate RAW honey into their diet. RAW honey has an amazing amount of benefits that are important to anyone’s health. However, when it comes to those of us focused on survival and emergency preparedness, it would be difficult to find one complete food, that can assist us in our mission, as much as RAW honey can.

I was in Western Europe a couple of weeks ago. I was there for teaching purposes as well as to catch up on some much needed R&R. Whenever I go to this specific area in Portugal, I search the local markets for their infamous RAW honey. I first had some of this magical concoction nearly a decade ago. I had never tasted anything like it before and have yet to come across its equal. The bees that make this honey feed off of the local eucalyptus trees. Not only is the taste amazing, but the health benefits are something that every survivalist would want to take advantage of.

On this recent trip to Portugal, I was able to track down the beekeeper for this wonderful substance and he offered to teach me a bit about his bee colonies. I eagerly suited up in one of his beekeeping suits and began my educational tour. It wasn’t long before we ran into some wasps that were attacking one of the colonies. I was told that each wasp eats approximately 60 bees per day. As you can imagine, this can wreak havoc on any bee colony. If the wasp issue is not addressed quickly, they can wipe out the specific bee colony and eventually… All of them.

The beekeeper showed me how he not only finds, but also destroys wasp nests. Wasps have a knack for cover and concealment. Within a couple of months, they can build a nest that hosts thousands of wasps. Luckily, my beekeeper friend knows exactly how to address these unwanted visitors. Not only is he proficient at finding and destroying the wasp nests, but he can also battle them one on one like a UFC fighter in the octagon… And yes, my beekeeper buddy Always Wins!  ?

I knew how important bees were to the existence of humans and our ecosystem in general. I realized that bees are our major pollinator. Without bees, many of our crops would be lost and the world would cease to exist; At least in the way that we currently know it. Pesticides are also another culprit that are jeopardizing our bee population. As I toured the bee colonies the beekeeper, Joaquim, showed me various crops that he was growing in the area. He explained to me that he will never use any foreign pesticides on his crops. Not only would those toxic chemicals devastate his bees but they are also detrimental to our health.

Let’s Get Back To The Magical Honey…

My tour was coming to an end and I was overwhelmed and even saddened by much of the information that I learned. We tend to take many things for granted, but on a whole, We truly need to start addressing these matters that affect our health.

Without our health… What do we truly have?

Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My BackpackWhy I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Backpack

As we got back to the starting point of my educational tour, Joaquim had a few items for us to taste. As you can imagine, I was excited since I already knew a bit of what he had in store for us. Joaquim laid out a tray of delicacies and if I attempted to explain the taste, I would just be wasting words on paper. He had locally sourced cheese, freshly baked bread, a homemade red wine that any sommelier would approve of -and of course… The prized honey that makes me drool just by thinking of it.

I was certainly privileged to have had this experience. Not only was it educational, but it was also surreal in many ways. What we take for granted on a daily basis can make all the difference in the world for our current and future population. I had a detailed list of reasons why I keep RAW honey in my go bag at all times. Once I was done with this experience, I was able to add to that list and also solidify my other reasons for honey’s inclusion in my pack.

I would like to share a few of my reasons for having RAW honey on me at all times while in the field.

Reasons Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Go Bag

1. Honey Is Filled With Phytonutrients:

The honey that I am referencing here is RAW. This means that the honey is 100% pure and has never been heated, pasteurized or processed. Many people feel that honey is honey and head to the local grocery store for a small jar shaped like a bear. Please keep in mind that this type of honey is basically refined sugar. RAW honey contains health-boosting phytonutrients that get destroyed during the refining process in most honey currently available at the grocery store.

Phytonutrients are basically compounds produced by plants in order to protect themselves from disease, germs, bugs and other negative issues. When we consume these phytonutrients, it gives our immune system a boost and helps to protect us from disease. RAW honey has a plethora of phytonutrients that when consumed and even topically applied in some instances, can go a long way in keeping us healthy.


Raw Honey (20 oz.) by Artisan Rocky Mountain, Resealable Tub, Cold Pressed, Unpasteurized, Unfiltered

5 Reviews


Raw Honey (20 oz.) by Artisan Rocky Mountain, Resealable Tub, Cold Pressed, Unpasteurized, Unfiltered

  • PURE, RAW, COLD PRESSED, UNPASTEURIZED, UNFILTERED HONEY.
  • HIGH POLLEN CONTENT.
  • FREE OF FILLERS AND CHEMICALS.

2. Honey Soothes A Sore Throat

When spending the night in the field, I sometimes wake up with a sore throat. It could be caused by the weather or even a bunch of yelling that I did the day before. I prefer coffee in the morning but if I feel the onset of a sore throat, tea with RAW honey is always my first choice.

Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Backpack

The RAW honey has a way of instantly coating the throat, giving me immediate relief. It also has the health benefits that we have been mentioning in this article that will give my system a boost and help to fend off any other symptoms that I may experience from an oncoming cold.


Basic Beekeeping Starter Kit, Completely Assembled, Painted, Made In The USA

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Basic Beekeeping Starter Kit, Completely Assembled, Painted, Made In The USA

  • Made in the USA
  • Completely assembled and ready for bees
  • Kit includes one painted 10 frame 9-5/8-inch assembled hive body, ten 9-1/8-assembled wood frames with yellow waxed RiteCell foundation, painted bottom board with entrance reducer, and painted telescoping cover with inner cover

3. Honey Doesn’t Spoil Or Expire

Once again, I am referring to RAW honey when I state that honey does not spoil or expire. As long as it is sealed correctly and is kept away from direct heat, your honey can last forever! I realize that some RAW Honey brands in the grocery stores affix expiration, or best used by labels. However, this is a requirement by our government. Even salt and pepper have an expiration label at the grocery store.

Since I have been aware of this info for quite some time, RAW honey has been a part of my go bag for years! I do not have to worry about spoilage and I know that I can count on my RAW honey to make my mission a bit healthier and of course, much tastier!

4. Honey Is An Antibiotic/ Antimicrobial

Since ancient times, RAW honey has been used to accelerate healing. When RAW honey is applied to a wound, its antibacterial properties keep the wound moist and helps it to heal much faster. RAW honey also has a high viscosity which helps it to form a protective layer which aids in deterring infections.

Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Backpack

“There are many reports of honey being very effective as dressing of wounds, burns, skin ulcers and inflammations; the antibacterial properties of honey speed up the growth of new tissue to heal the wound”(1)

Realizing how effective these antibiotic properties are in RAW honey make it a no-brainer when it comes to it being a staple in all of my go bags.


VIVO Professional Large Cotton Full Body Beekeeping Suit with Veil Hood (BEE-V106)

179 Reviews


VIVO Professional Large Cotton Full Body Beekeeping Suit with Veil Hood (BEE-V106)

  • SELF-SUPPORTING collapsible Veil with Heavy Duty Zippers provides ample protection for beekeeping
  • OPENINGS – Elastic Wrist Openings and Ankle Openings seal suit and provide extra protection
  • MATERIAL – This suit is made from a comfortable, lightweight, protective fabric

5. Honey Is A Preservative

Once again, our ancient society had a pretty good grasp on many of the benefits of RAW honey. One facet is that the ancients realized that honey makes a great preservative. Since there is such a high amount of concentrated sugar in RAW honey, it combats bacteria and yeast and keeps it from contaminating the honey. The process is known as osmosis and is certainly a benefit of having RAW honey with you during a SHTF scenario.

Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Backpack

6. Honey Is An Energy Booster

Whether you are out on the trail in a recreational or emergency situation, an energy boost is usually welcomed. It helps with morale as well as getting the mission completed in a timely fashion. RAW honey is packed with energy giving carbohydrates. Honey’s natural sugars help to combat fatigue while work is being performed. Glucose, which is contained in honey, gets absorbed rather quickly by the body which turns into immediate energy for us.

7. Honey Adds Flavor To Bland Foods

Along with all the health benefits, RAW honey happens to taste incredibly good! By having a jar of RAW honey in my backpack, I have countless recipes that I can use to make food that generally tastes bland, into something that tastes like a piece of gourmet dessert. I have used honey to dress up a bland piece of fish. I have used it in stews to give them a bit of sweetness when other seasonings were not available. Of course… It also turns a regular cup of tea into a much sought after treat; especially on those rainy and lonely days in the field.

Why I Always Keep RAW Honey In My Backpack

Bottom Line:

The list of RAW honey benefits is vast and seems to grow each year. We need to realize the great benefits that we receive from honey but we also need to be aware of what is going on with its source. If we continue to turn a blind eye to the destruction of our bee population, we will be getting rid of a lot more than just a superfood… We will also be jeopardizing life for not only us but also for the ones that we love.

*(1) Work Cited: Lusby PE, Coombes A, Wilkinson JM. Honey: A potent agent for wound healing? J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2002;29:295–300.

Check out What You Should Always Keep Raw Honey In Your Survival Backpack at https://blog.gunassociation.org/raw-honey/

Video Demonstrates How to Break Into a “Smart” Home with a Laser

This article was originally published by B.N. Frank at Activist Post.

Adults and children being spied on, taunted and threatened continue to be reported because of how easy it is to hack wireless “Smart” devices including baby monitors, home assistants, and home security systems (see 1234).  Because people seem to still be interested in buying these hackable products anyway, companies have no plans to stop making them.

If you’re thinking about investing in “Smart” home devices, here’s a new video you may want to watch first:



FYI:  The FBI has also issued new warnings about “Smart” TVs too.

Another bummer about hackable “smart” and wireless devices – they emit Electromagnetic Radiation (aka “Electrosmog”) like Bluetooth, cell phone radiation and WiFi which is harmful to people, animals (see 12345) and even plants.



Activist Post reports regularly about unsafe technology.   For more information, visit their archives.

What People Eat During the Great Depression to Survive?

Since 2009, Lisa at The Survival Mom has been one of the most read and respected voices in the prepping community. We are excited to be sharing some of her most popular articles right here on Survival Life. Check back every week so you never miss any of Lisa’s expert knowledge!

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With all the talk about food storage and growing our own food, I did a little digging around to find out what some people ate during America’s Great Depression of the 1930’s.  Surprisingly, a few of these were made by my mother and grandmother, traditions, I’m sure, from a more frugal era.  I still have a soft spot for Chipped Beef on Toast!  How many of these are familiar to you, and do you have any others to add to the list?

  • Milk toast
  • Chipped beef on toast
  • Cucumber and mustard sandwiches
  • Mayonnaise sandwiches
  • Ketchup sandwiches
  • Hot milk and rice
  • Turtle/tortoise
  • Gopher
  • Potato soup – water base, not milk
  • Dandelion salad
  • Lard sandwiches
  • Bacon grease sandwiches
  • Sugar sandwiches
  • Hot dogs and baked beans
  • Road kill
  • One eyed Sam – piece of bread with an easy over egg in the center
  • Oatmeal mixed with lard
  • Fried potatoes and hot dogs
  • Onion sandwich – slices of onion between bread
  • Tomato gravy and biscuits
  • Deep fried chicken skin
  • Cornbread in milk
  • Gravy and bread – as a main dish
  • Toast with mashed potatoes on top with gravy
  • Creamed corn on toast
  • Corn mush with milk for breakfast, fried corn mush for dinner
  • Squirrel
  • Rice in milk with some sugar
  • Beans
  • Fried potato peel sandwiches
  • Banana slices with powdered sugar and milk
  • Boiled cabbage
  • Hamburger mixed with oatmeal
  • American cheese sandwich: ‘American’ cheese was invented because it was cheap to make, and didn’t require refrigeration that many people who lived during this era didn’t have.
  • Tomato gravy on rice
  • Toast with milk gravy
  • Water fried pancakes
  • Chicken feet in broth
  • Fried bologna
  • Warm canned tomatoes with bread
  • Butter and sugar sandwiches
  • Fried potato and bread cubes
  • Bean soup
  • Runny eggs with grits
  • Butter and grits with sugar and milk
  • Baked apples
  • Sliced boiled pork liver on buttered toast (slice liver with potato peeler)
  • Corn meal mush
  • Spaghetti with tomato juice and navy beans
  • Whatever fish or game you could catch/hunt
  • Tomato sandwiches
  • Hard boiled eggs in white sauce over rice
  • Spam and noodles with cream of mushroom soup
  • Rag soup: spinach, broth and lots of macaroni
  • Garbanzo beans fried in chicken fat or lard, salted, and eaten cold
  • Popcorn with milk and sugar – ate it like cereal

Lessons learned from this list?  Stock up on ingredients for bread, including buckets of wheat.  Bread, in some form, is one of the main ingredients for many of these meals.  Second, know how to make different types of bread.  Next, have chickens around as a source for meat and eggs, and if possible, have a cow or goat for milk.  Know how to make many different foods from scratch.

Another lesson is to have a garden that will provide at least some fresh produce, and plant fruit trees and bushes. You may be interested in this article with tips for Planning an Edible Landscape. Finally, don’t waste anything, even chicken feet!

Check out What People Eat During the Great Depression to Survive? at https://blog.gunassociation.org/great-depression-meals/

Read the original article here.

Click here to learn more about life in the Great Depression.

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9 Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About

You may have witnessed a shipwreck in the movies, in the news, on television, or the internet. But have you ever thought that if you do get shipwrecked, will you be able to survive it?

Surviving a shipwreck starts from the moment the vessel starts to take in water unnaturally – where it tilts and sinks in the process. There can be two scenarios you can find yourself in. Either you will be adrift at sea or you will end up on land. The end goal is to survive either one to the point where you can get rescued.

Shipwreck Survival Skills: Surviving the Deep Waters

 

1. Be Ready

Be Ready | Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About
Always hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Have a bug out bag with you before taking a sea trip. There are tons of ways to build your own survival bag where you can be comfortable bringing it around with you. It will contain all the necessary essentials for your survival at sea. In case you might not be able to grab a life vest, learn how to stay afloat by taking swimming lessons.

2. Be Informed

Read the emergency signs all over the place once you board the ship. There are a few things you need to do before the ship heads out to sea. These are:

  • Determine where the nearest exit is from your room.
  • Familiarize yourself with the insides of the ship.
  • Find out where the life vests and life rafts are. Don’t forget to read the instructions on how to use a life vest and deploy a lifeboat.
  • Locate where they place a first aid kit.

3. Stay Calm

Stay Calm | Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About
Stay Calm Photo by Wikimedia Commons

You have to stay calm when evacuating the ship. You must keep a sound mind when doing this as there will be a lot of screaming and shouting going on. Pay attention to the instructions of the captain or crew over the PA system. If you’ve done the first step, you may already have a life vest on you and would be heading to the life raft. Make sure you leave everything else except your bug-out bag.

4. Jump up Top and Stay Away

If you fail to get on a life raft and you have to jump off the ship, do this at the topmost part of the ship and at a spot away from everybody else. If you jump at the lower sections, someone might land on you hurting you or knocking you unconscious. Once in the water, swim farthest away from the ship and onto a raft or floating debris. Just watch out because there might be other people trying to grab you out of panic pulling you underwater.

5. Perform First Aid Treatment

Perform First Aid Treatment | Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About
Perform First Aid Treatment Photo by Marcin Wichary via Flickr

If you have cuts or wounds, you can wrap them up to minimize or stop the bleeding. Add some extra layers of clothing on you to help your body cope with temperature changes in the water. Hypothermia can set in if you have very less clothing on you.

6. Stay Together

Tie all life rafts together. Staying in a group will increase your chances of survival. If life rafts are unavailable, put your arms over each other’s shoulder and form one huge ring of people. This will ease the efforts of floating on your own and be able to help those who don’t have life vests. It will also make you a bigger target for search and rescue teams above and on sea level.

7. Be Ready to Defend Yourselves

Being together will also give you the capability of defending each other especially from predators of the sea like sharks and killer whales. Grab any pole or a stick you can use to poke at them. If worse comes to worst, aim for the eyes and the gills.

8. Signal Rescue Units

Signal Rescue Units | Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About
Signal Rescue Units Photo by Military.com

This is where your bug-out bag will come in handy. It will contain flares, light sticks, waterproof flashlights, and a signal mirror. It may also contain a cell phone and a two-way radio. You can use any of these to call or signal for help. If you’re on an uninhabited island, you can start a signal fire using the fire-starting kit in your bug out bag. You can use leaves and brightly colored clothing to form an SOS sign.

9. Head for the Nearest Island

If an island is in view, head off and start swimming or rowing for it. Other survival skills like starting a fire, building a temporary shelter, foraging or hunting for food, and acquiring drinkable water will come into play. If you’re on an uninhabited island, that is. If you are fortunate and land on an island with even the smallest of populations, then you’re more than blessed because an inhabited island will mean there may be forms of communication and a hospital.

 

Watch this video by AWE me on how to survive a shipwreck – EPIC HOW TO:

There are a lot of survival methods for castaways at sea or on an island. Ultimately, be of sound mind and never lose hope. Never allow your circumstance to weaken your morale or will to live. A person with a broken spirit is already a dead one.

Do you have any more suggestions or comments you might want to add about how to survive a shipwreck? Please add them in the comments section below!

Check out 9 Shipwreck Survival Skills You Should Know About at https://survivallife.com/shipwreck-survival-skills/

Up Next: Survival Skills | The Psychology Of Staying Alive

 

The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on March 21, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

 

Featured Image by Want some Moore??!

10 Things That Just Happened In America During The Holiday Season That Will Make You Cringe

Everything is great in America, isn’t it?  After all, the new Star Wars movie just came out, stock prices just hit another all-time record high, and Americans spent more money on Christmas gifts this year than ever before.  According to some people, this is the greatest time to be alive in all of American history, and the years that are ahead of us are going to be even better.  Of course if you are gullible enough to believe that there is a giant bridge in California that I would like to sell to you.  We live at a time when our society is literally falling apart all around us, and throwing even more money at our problems is not going to fix them.  As I noted the other day, “the suicide rate is at an all-time high, we are fighting the worst drug crisis in our history, according to the CDC more than 110 million Americans have an STD, and we have the highest percentage of children living with a single parent of any nation in the entire world.”  In other words, anyone that is attempting to argue that this is a golden era in America history is being more than just a little bit delusional.

Yes, the stock market has been soaring in recent days, and that is a good thing.

But investors are pouring their money into stocks because they believe that America has an exceedingly bright future.

When that optimism disappears, stock prices will collapse, and then what will we have to brag about?

Everywhere around us, the fabric of our society is deteriorating, and our decline seems to be accelerating with each passing month.

In this article, I am going to share yet more examples of our stunning societal decline with you.  The following are 10 things that just happened in America during the holiday season that will make you cringe…

#1 Two real life grinches were trying to ruin the holidays for as many people in Roseville, California as possible before the police caught up with them.  According to one media report, they were caught “with approximately 100 stolen packages” in their van: Two men are behind bars after they were found with approximately 100 stolen packages in Roseville, according to the Roseville Police Department.

#2 This is known as “the season of giving”, but one 65-year-old guy in Colorado decided it would be more fun to do it with other people’s money: Just after noon on Monday, a 65-year-old man walked into a downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado bank and stole thousands of dollars before running outside and tossing the cash up into the air while yelling “Merry Christmas!”

#3 Speaking of Colorado, one group of high school students was recently forced to recite poetry that contained worship of Moloch.  Apparently that whole “separation of church and state” thing does not apply to pagan deities: A school in Steamboat Springs is under scrutiny after a parent reported an assignment in which students were required to recite sexually explicit and/or distasteful poetry that includes worship of the pagan deity Moloch as well as conveying the topic of “sexting” in society – which was assigned to eleventh grade students without parental consent.

#4 Considering the fact that the streets of San Francisco are constantly littered with human waste, one homeless man decided that it must be okay to defecate in the middle of a grocery store too: The picture shows a disheveled gentleman in a man-bun with his pants around his knees, feces clearly visible on the floor near a chip display as he prepared to wipe.

#5 Don’t let your kids hear about this or you will be sorry.  This holiday season, “fart launchers” became one of the most popular toys in America: The Fart Launcher’s reek, “while incredibly accurate … is organic, plant-based, doesn’t get caught in fabric and dissipates in minutes,” WowWee brand manager Andrew Yanofsky tells The Post.

#6 It just wouldn’t be the holidays unless “Florida man” did something really crazy.  In this instance, a Florida man was trying to bust down a bathroom door with a hatchet: A Shalimar man is charged with trying to attack another man with a hatchet after using the weapon and his feet to bust down a bathroom door. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested 39-year old Jason Godwin Christmas Day for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and culpable negligence.

#7 You may have been safe, warm and well fed this holiday season, but more than half a million Americans didn’t have a home at all: While millions of Americans celebrate Christmas this year with loved ones, carving turkey and sharing gifts, others are not so fortunate. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, over half a million of us will spend Christmas on the streets. The government agency estimates that on any given day, around 553,000 Americans are homeless. A third of those are families with young children. African Americans and those with disabilities are particularly likely to become homeless.

#8 One rapper in Los Angeles decided that the best way to address the problem of homelessness was to climb on top of a tall building and throw cash down on to the homeless people living on Skid Row so they could fight over it: The 22-year-old rapper known as Blueface climbed onboard a black Mercedes SUV in Skid Row before throwing money out of a bag while dozens of people below scramble to catch the flying cash and pick it up from the ground. The artist, whose real name is Jonathan Michael Porteris, is known for the Benjamin Franklin tattoo on his cheek and a handful of hit tracks that reached viral status in recent years.

#9 Providing daycare for working parents is apparently quite lucrative if you pack them in like sardines.  When police investigated a suspicious residence in Colorado Springs recently, they found 26 children and two adult workers hidden behind “a false wall”: Not finding any children, officers spoke with Faith, who, according to Sokolik, “refused to cooperate.” While still in the home, officers said they heard the sound of children, Sokolik said. Eventually, they found “a false wall” leading to a finished basement, where they discovered 26 children — 20 more than the license allowed — all under the age of 3, and two adults, police said.

#10 This last item on the list should definitely break your heart.  For many Americans, this is one of the most difficult times of the year.  And when the pressure becomes too much, unfortunately some people completely snap.  On Christmas Day, a 40-year-old mother in Boston threw her two young children off of the roof of a nine-story parking garage before killing herself as well: A Boston woman who pushed her two young children from the top of a parking garage and then killed herself in a double murder suicide has been identified. Erin Pascal, 40, was named on Thursday as the woman whose body was found on the sidewalk next to those of her two young children; four-year-old daughter Allison and 16-month-old Andrew.

It is such a tragic thing when someone commits suicide, because that is never, ever the solution to anything.  There is so much to live for, but our society trains us to relentlessly chase things that don’t really matter.

Sadly, even though the suicide rate is already at a record high, it is likely to go even higher as our society continues to deteriorate in 2020 and beyond.

What we need is not more money.

What Americans really need is more faith, more hope and more love, and those three are in very short supply in our society today.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

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EMP Protection – How To Plan For A Massive Magnetic Pulse Attack

EMP Protection - Electro Magnetic PulseIt’s Time To Take Action.

Because a massive electromagnetic pulse attack is a very real possibility.

That’s why you desperately need an EMP protection plan.

Don’t believe everything you’ll hear.

Kim Jong Un will continue his North Korean nuclear tests. 

Meetings and fake handshakes will not change the collision course we’re on.

And if it’s not North Korea, it will be some other terrorist organization or country.

That’s why it’s long overdue to protect yourself from a massive EMP attack.

  • But what would an EMP attack really look like on United States soil?
  • How bad could the destruction be?
  • What are your EMP protection and survival options?
  • What’s the best EMP Emergency Management Plan?
  • What is EMP anyways?

In this guide, we’ll answer all these questions and more.

Specifically, I want to educate you by discussing the following EMP topics:

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WHAT IS EMP – ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE EXPLAINED


When a conductor moves through a magnetic field it produces an electrical current.

This useful technology is how generators work at your local power plant.

Likewise, when a moving magnetic field passes a conductor, it creates current.

This phenomenon is called Electro-Magnetic Pulse, or EMP for short.

It sounds technical; it seems complicated.

But at first, it doesn’t really sound all that scary.

It sounds like something you’d hear a boring physics professor talk about.

Not a serious national security concern.

But don’t be fooled, it’s real and it is scary.

Because what happens if the magnetic field produced is much stronger when it passes through a wire?

Perhaps a pulse large enough to damage the wire.

A pulse so intense that it could fry the microscopic wiring in small circuitry.

Given a strong enough magnetic field, microelectronics are destroyed by an electrical burst.

By destroyed, I mean entirely burned out.

The destruction of electrical components in this manner is called an EMP attack.

Nuclear Attack Bomb Explosion

THE WEAPON THAT CAN PRODUCE AN EMP ATTACK


One way to create a broad-scale EMP pulse is to detonate a nuclear warhead like a hydrogen bomb.

The energy release of a nuclear blast creates a sizeable electromagnetic pulse. This pulse radiates outward in all directions.

Any electrical wiring in the path of the pulse will burn out.

The nuclear explosion does not have to be very large to generate a dangerous EMP. At least one hazardous for our computer friends, not so much for us.

Unlike the radiation from a nuclear explosion, an EMP is not dangerous to people. Unless you have a pacemaker installed.

But it will destroy most unshielded electrical components.

A nuclear EMP pulse is fairly complex and is often broken into three component pulses:

E1 Pulse

An E1 pulse occurs when gamma radiation from detonation ionizes atoms in the upper atmosphere.

The E1 pulse is the fastest component of nuclear EMP. It’s brief but intense.

As the E1 pulse moves through the earth’s magnetic field, it creates microwaves. These microwaves strike the surface with an intense surge of power.

It induces high voltages in electrical conductors. Thus causing significant damage by electrical breakdown voltages.

The E1 pulse can destroy computers and communication equipment.

E2 Pulse

The E2 pulse is comparable to the pulse created during lightning strikes.

Fortunately, our national infrastructure is (for the most part) already prepared for an E2 pulse.

E3 Pulse

The E3 component is different from both E1 and E2. E3 is a much slower pulse.

The E3 component has similarities to a geomagnetic storm caused by a solar flare.

Like a solar flare, E3 can produce powerful currents. Intense enough to damage power lines and transformers (i.e., critical infrastructure).

INTRODUCING HIGH ALTITUDE DETONATIONS


An EMP pulse travels line of sight. So it can cover a vast area if the nuclear detonation occurs high in the atmosphere.

Most nuclear military weapons are not intended for high altitude detonations. Because high altitude detonations do little damage to the enemy and less fallout.

However, at high altitudes, the EMP would travel towards everything in its line of sight. Covering thousands of square miles!

It’s true that an EMP diminishes with distance. But it may still be strong enough at thousands of miles to fry most microelectronics.

Making the nuclear EMP a near-perfect weapon for a terrorist group or a rogue nation.

Here’s an interesting question.

If you were a terrorist organization and could only lay your hands on one nuclear weapon. Would you want to blow up one city? Or detonate it high enough to wipe out the electrical systems for thousands of cities?

Aside from nuclear weapons, there are EMP-generating devices. These are called “explosively pumped flux compression generators.”

These use electromagnetic physics to generate large pulses of electromagnetic energy.

The basic idea is to generate an electromagnetic pulse in a coil surrounding a metal core. While at the same time compressing the coil into the core using explosives.

This change in core geometry causes a compression of the electromagnetic field.

EMP’s (whether nuclear or flux compression) have the potential to change the world.


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Circuit Board

EMP DAMAGE – HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING? 


Any devices not shielded against a large EMP attack is likely to be damaged or destroyed.

We’re talking damage to the following:

  • Power Grids
  • Laptops
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Smart Phones
  • Cell Phone Towers
  • Telephones
  • Desktop Computers
  • Mainframe Computers
  • Routers
  • Automobile Engine Management Computers
  • Jet Aircraft Systems
  • Air Traffic Control Systems
  • Banking Systems
  • Hospital Diagnostic Machines
  • Televisions
  • Internet Servers
  • Refrigerators
  • Thermostats
  • Plus Anything Else With A Micro Chip

Which is damn near everything these days.

Can you imagine everyone within a thousand-mile radius losing all power and technology?

How about a city like New York or Los Angeles? We are talking about 8-10 million people finding themselves in a pre-industrial world without power!

The only things that still work are mechanical in nature (i.e., guns and bullets).

Near-instant anarchy.

EMP PROTECTION PLAN TO PROTECT YOUR ELECTRONICS


There are several ways to protect against an EMP attack.

One EMP protection technique is known as electrical shielding.

If an electrical cable includes a grounded shield, the electromagnetic pulse won’t penetrate the shield.

It will induce a current in the shield and release that current harmlessly into the ground.

This is great for cables, but what about smaller devices, such as microelectronics?

Galvanized Trash Cans

INTRODUCING THE FARADAY CAGE


You can shield entire devices using something known as a Faraday Cage.

Named after Michael Faraday, an early scientist in the field of electromagnetics.

Faraday discovered electromagnetic fields won’t penetrate a container made out of certain metals.

Instead, the field impinges on the exterior of the cage. Since all sides of the cage are electrically connected, there’s no induced electrical current.

For current to flow, there must be a differential in electrical potential.

It’s as if there is a short-circuit before the current even begins to flow.

Devices held inside the cage are then protected from damaging currents.

Nested EMP Faraday cages are even better for EMP protection. Essentially, nesting is a cage within a cage.

You can buy a faraday bag or build your own.

You can build a simple Faraday cage by covering a box in aluminum foil. If you want to protect your devices, wrap them in a layer of aluminum foil.

But take care, they must be completely covered with no gaps in the foil.

Also, if you wish to use multiple layers of foil, place a layer of insulation between them. Insulation is any material that won’t conduct electricity – like cardboard.

Adding the extra layers of thickness to the foil means nothing. The only reason to double wrap is to prevent gaps in the foil.

A galvanized trash can is also a great solution to store several devices.

Or use both foil and a trash can. Just put your electronics inside a foil-lined cardboard box and place the box inside a trash can.

Ensuring the trash can lid closes entirely and creates a perfect seal.

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MASSIVE EMP STRIKE – THE AFTERMATH 


Now that you have all your devices protected when the terrorist EMP event strikes you’ll be ready.

Assuming you knew in advance an attack was coming and took these defense precautions.

So let’s say you did.

The “Event” Happens, And The Lights Go Out

You quickly retrieve your fully functional cell phone from your foil-lined trash can, a.k.a. Faraday Cage.

And presto, you have one of the very few functioning cell phones in the Northern Hemisphere. Congratulations!

  • Did your EMP protection plan pay off? Yes and no…
  • How many bars do you have? None?
  • Can you hear me now? No?
  • You pull out your protected laptop or IPad and boot up. Internet connection? Nope.

You’ve got a four-hour charge on the device, great.

Now, where are you going to plug in your charger (because you remembered to add a charger to your Faraday cage, right)?

  • No sweat. I’ve got a home generator – nope – it’s fried by EMP.
  • Oh, but I have home solar panels (or a solar phone charger) – nope – fried by EMP.
  • I installed a windmill – nope – the inverter is fried.

Bottom line: The power is out, and it’s going to stay out for a very long time (maybe even years).

  • The utility distribution system has been fried.
  • Cell phone towers are fried.
  • The water company’s filtration and pumping systems are fried.

Food will quickly begin to spoil, and we just lost a war without firing a single bullet.

YOUR 3 EMP PREPARATION OPTIONS 


So the way I see it, you have 3 EMP protection options:

EMP Preparation Option 1

Plan for an Amish future.

Plan to revert to an 1860 agrarian society. One with the same survival skills our great-great-grandparents lived by.

The sort of skills our modern society has long since forgotten.

EMP Preparation Option 2

Store all your devices and appliances inside a Faraday cage or a Faraday bag.

EMP Preparation Option 3

Installing EMP Sheild devices on your home and vehicles.

These EMP Shields are designed to shunt massive electrical surges to protect your home electronics that are plugged in. We’re talking about extremely expensive appliances and devices such as:

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Clothes Washers / Dryers
  • Dish Washers
  • Televisions
  • Computers

Sure, the power grid may get fried during a massive EMP but at least you can protect your home’s electrical systems and devices. Once power is restored, you’ll still have working devices, unlike most of your neighbors!!

Plus, if you happen to have solar panels on your roof, you can get an EMP shield shunting device to protect those as well! So you may be one of the few people who actually make it through an EMP attack with a power source and appliances!

Worth the small investment in EMP shield devices if you ask me…

Oh, and you can get an EMP shield for your vehicle as well – so your vehicle doesn’t become a massive hunk of junk due to the electrical components in your vehicle becoming fried.

Here’s a quick overview of how EMP Sheilds work:



So those are your three options, and I believe you should invest in all 3!

Why? Because for only a few dollars, you can protect yourself in a well-rounded way from any EMP attack!

  • You can use EMP shielding to protect your large home devices and appliance.
  • You can use Faraday cages or Faraday bags to protect backup devices (especially mobile devices…)
  • Learning survival skills is ALWAYS a good thing. But even if YOU are one of the lucky few that has power, it’s still gonna get rough if nobody else does for weeks or months.. you’d better be ready to defend it.

You’ll likely be the only one on your block (maybe your town) with any electrical power.

An EMP blast from a single nuclear device at 20 miles altitude will cover a significant portion of the US with an EMP.

An enemy doesn’t have to destroy the entire nation to destroy its society. It only needs to kill off large portions of the population!

Even the US Government admits as many 9 of 10 Americans could die within one year of an EMP attack on our homeland!

There are too many people, with too few survival skills. The majority of the US population would quickly perish with no power for a year.

Looting, rioting, and murder will be rampant – everywhere. Epic chaos.

That’s why it’s time to take EMP protection seriously and learn some real survival skills.

FINAL THOUGHTS – THE BEST EMP PROTECTION PLAN


Step 1 – 

Install EMP Shields on your home, vehicles, and solar system (if applicable). These devices also protect your appliances and devices from lightning strikes.

Step 2 –

Aquire backups for all your mobile devices – smartphones, emergency crank radios, tablets, flashlights, phone solar chargers, etc. Put each of these devices into a homemade Faraday cage or buy a Faraday bag.

Step 3 – 

Brush up on your off-grid homesteading skills. You’ll at least want a book that can help you figure out how to live without power for an extended period of time.

EMP Protection is like most other long-term emergency disaster preps in many ways.

You should have a massive stockpile of prepper food and lots of water. And the self-reliance survival skills to continually replenish your stocks.

Throw in some defense skills as well – to protect your resources and some basic medical supplies.

Food, water, and medicine.

Yes, it’s really as simple as that, but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy.

The best way to describe the survival skills you need to learn to prepare for an EMP attack is this:

The skills our great-great-grandparents called everyday life we now call survival and prepping. So look backward in time for inspiration via The Lost Ways.

That’s how you prepare for life without power long term.

By investing in all 3 steps, you’ll begin your journey to becoming one of the resilient few and avoid becoming one of the fragile masses!

Prepare, Adapt and Overcome,
Just In Case Jack

P.s. Do you know where the closest nuclear bunker is from your home?

There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home.

Click on the image above to find out where you need to take shelter.

Photo Credit Circuit Board / Garbage Cans

The post EMP Protection – How To Plan For A Massive Magnetic Pulse Attack appeared first on Skilled Survival.

War Is Over If You Want It: Pointers for Spreading Some Christmas Cheer

This article was originally published by John W. Whitehead at The Rutherford Institute. 

“And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young.
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear.
War is over, if you want it
War is over now.”

― John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

What a year.

It feels as if government Grinches and Corporate Scrooges have been working overtime to drain every last drop of joy, kindness, and liberty from the world.

After endless months of gloom and doom, it’s hard not to feel like Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas as he struggles to feel happy and find the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of rampant commercialism, political correctness and the casual cruelty of an apathetic, self-absorbed, dog-eat-dog world.

Then again, isn’t that struggle to overcome the darkness and find the light within exactly what Christmas—the celebration of a baby born in a manger—is all about? The reminder that we have not been forgotten or forsaken. Glad tidings in the midst of hard times. Goodwill to counter meanness. Innocence in the face of cynicism. Hope in the midst of despair. Comfort to soothe our fears. Peace as an answer to war. Love that conquers hate.

As “fellow-passengers to the grave,” we all have a moral duty to make this world (or at least our small corners of it) just a little bit kinder, a little less hostile and a lot more helpful to those in need.

No matter what one’s budget, religion, or political persuasion, there is no shortage of things we can each do right now to pay our blessings forward and recapture the true spirit of Christmas.

For starters, move beyond the “us” vs. “them” mentality. Tune in to what’s happening in your family, in your community and your world, and get active. Show compassion to those in need, be kind to those around you, forgive those who have wronged you, and teach your children to do the same. Talk less, and listen more. Take less, and give more. Stop being a hater. Stop acting entitled and start being empowered. Learn tolerance in the true sense of the word. Value your family. Count your blessings. Share your blessings. Feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and comfort the lonely and broken-hearted. Bridge bridges, and tear down walls. Stand for freedom. Strive for peace.

One thing more: make time for joy and laughter. Shake off the blues with some Christmas tunes, whatever fits the bill for you, be it traditional carols, rollicking oldies, or some rocking new tunes. Watch a Christmas movie that reinforces your faith in humanity.

Here are ten of my favorite Christmas movies and music albums to get you started.

First the movies.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). An American classic about a despondent man, George Bailey who is saved from suicide by an angel working to get his wings. This film is a testament to director Frank Capra’s faith in people. Sublime performances by James Stewart and Donna Reed.

The Bishop’s Wife (1947). An angel comes to earth in answer to a bishop’s prayer for help. Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young help energize this tale of lost visions and longings of the heart.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947). By happenchance, Kris Kringle is hired as Santa Claus by Macy’s Department Store in New York City for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Before long, Kringle, who believes himself to be the one and only Santa Claus, has impacted virtually everyone around him. Funny, witty and heartwarming, this film is stocked with some fine performances from Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and young Natalie Wood. Edmund Gwenn won the Academy Award for the best supporting actor for his role as Saint Nick.

A Christmas Carol (1951). This is the best film version of the penny-pinching Scrooge’s journey to spiritual enlightenment by way of visits from supernatural visitors. Alastair Sim as Scrooge gives one of the finest film performances never to win an Oscar. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) provides a wonderful glimpse into how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Story (1983). Ralphie is a young boy obsessed with one thing and only one thing: how to get a Red Ryder BB-gun for Christmas. Ralphie’s parents are wary, and his mother continually warns him that “you’ll shoot your eye out.” Based on Jean Shepherd’s autobiographical book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, at the heart of this timeless comedy is the universal yearning of a child for the magic of Christmas morning. A great cast, which includes Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and a voice-over narrative by Shepherd himself.

One Magic Christmas (1985). If you grew up in a family where times were tough, this film is for you. A guardian angel comes to earth to help a disillusioned woman who hates Christmas. This tale of redemption and second chances is a delight to watch. And Harry Dean Stanton makes a first-class offbeat angel.

Prancer (1989). This story of an eight-year-old girl who believes that an injured reindeer in her barn is actually one of Santa’s reindeer is one of the most down-to-earth Christmas films ever made. It’s a testament to the transforming power of love and childhood innocence. Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman are fine in supporting roles, but Rebecca Harrell shines. Filmed on location in freezing, snowy weather, this film is a treat for those who love Christmas.

Home Alone (1990). Eight-year-old Kevin, accidentally left behind at home when his family flies to Paris for Christmas, thinks he’s got it made. Hijinks ensue when two burglars match their wits against his. A funny, tender tribute to childhood and the bonds of family.

Elf (2003). Another modern classic with a lot of heart. Buddy, played to the hilt by Will Ferrell, is a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole. Determined to find his birth father, Buddy travels to the Big Apple and spreads his Christmas cheer to everyone he meets. This film has it all: Santa, elves, family problems, humor, emotion and above all else, a large dose of the Christmas spirit. One of the best Christmas movies ever made.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018). The story of a sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about. Kurt Russell’s star turn as Santa makes for movie magic.

Now for the music.

Out of the hundreds of Christmas albums I’ve listened to over the years, the following, covering a broad range of musical styles, moods, and tastes, each in its own way perfectly captures the essence of Christmas for me.

It’s Christmas (EMI, 1989): 18 great songs, ranging from John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” The real treats on this album are Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas,” Kate Bush’s “December Will Be Magic Again” and Aled Jones’ “Walking in the Air.”

Christmas Guitar (Rounder, 1986): 28 beautifully done traditional Christmas songs by master guitarist John Fahey. Hearing Fahey’s guitar strings plucking out “Joy to the World,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” among others, is a sublime experience.

Christmas Is A Special Day (The Right Stuff, 1993): 12 fine songs by Fats Domino, the great Fifties rocker, ranging from “Amazing Grace” to “Jingle Bells.” The title song, written by Domino himself, is a real treat. No one has ever played the piano keys like Fats.

Christmas Island (August/Private Music, 1989): “Frosty the Snowman” will never sound the same after you hear Leon Redbone and Dr. John do their duet. Neither will “Christmas Island” or “Toyland” on this collection of 11 traditional and rather offbeat songs.

A Holiday Celebration (Gold Castle, 1988): The classic folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, backed by the New York Choral Society, sing traditional and nontraditional holiday fare on 12 beautifully orchestrated songs. Included are “I Wonder as I Wander,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” and “The Cherry Tree Carol.” Also thrown in is Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

The Christmas Album (Columbia, 1992): Neil Diamond sings 14 songs, ranging from “Silent Night” to “Jingle Bell Rock” to “The Christmas Song” to “Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Diamond also gives us a great rendition of Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” A delightful album.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Fantasy, 1988): 12 traditional Christmas songs by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The pianist extraordinaire and his trio perform “O Tannenbaum,” “The Christmas Song” and “Greensleeves.” Also included is the Charlie Brown Christmas theme.

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (Fuel Records, 2003): If you like deep-rooted traditional holiday songs, you’ll love this album. The 16 songs range from “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” to Ian Anderson originals such as “Another Christmas Song” and “Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.” With Anderson on flute and vocals, this album has an old-world flavor that will have you wanting mince pie and plum pudding.

A Twisted Christmas (Razor Tie, 2006): Twisted Sister, the heavy metal group, knocks the socks off a bevy of traditional and pop Christmas songs. Dee Snider’s amazing vocals brings to life “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Deck the Halls,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” among others—including “Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas).” Great fun and a great band.

Songs for Christmas (Asthmatic Kitty, 2006): In 2001, independent singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens set out to create a Christmas gift through songs for his friends and family. It eventually grew to a 5-CD box set, which includes Stevens’ original take on such standards as “Amazing Grace” and “We Three Kings” and some inventive yuletide creations of his own. A lot of fun.

Before you know it, Christmas will be a distant memory and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming of politics, war, violence, materialism and mayhem.

As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, there may not be much we can do to avoid the dismal reality of the American police state in the long term—not so long as the powers-that-be continue to call the shots and allow profit margins to take precedence over the needs of people—but in the short term, I hope you’ll do your part to “spread a smile of joy” and “throw your arms around the world at Christmastime.”

This Is America: 10 Examples That Show How Dramatically The U.S. Has Changed As We Approach 2020

One thing that you can count on in life is that things are going to change.  And these days the pace of change in America is absolutely breathtaking.  Our culture is in the process of being radically transformed, and the direction of that change has not altered very much at all no matter which political party has been in power in Washington.  Many of the values that are now embraced by a solid majority of the population run directly counter to the values that once dominated our society, but only a small minority of Americans seem alarmed by that fact.  It appears to be exceedingly unlikely that there will be any deviating from the path that our nation has chosen, because at this point the American people seem quite satisfied with the dramatic “progress” that is taking place.

So what do you think?

Are we on the right track as a nation?

As you ponder that question, here are 10 examples for you to consider that show how dramatically the U.S. has changed as we approach 2020…

#1 The ACLU has started a campaign to make tampons available in all men’s restrooms across America

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling for men’s restrooms to include tampons in order to prevent discrimination against “every person who menstruates.”

“While free menstrual products are not uniformly provided in women’s restrooms, they are almost never available in men’s restrooms, even for pay,” the group said in a statement Tuesday.

#2 Senseless violence is on the rise all over the country.  On Sunday, we witnessed the worst mass shooting in the city of Chicago “since at least 2013”

Chicago police are questioning a person of interest after 13 people were wounded, four of them critically, during a shooting inside a memorial gathering early Sunday in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, authorities said.

More people were wounded in the shooting than at any other in the city since at least 2013, when 13 people were shot in Back of the Yards, according to data gathered by the Tribune.

#3 It has been another banner year for homicides in the Baltimore area, and 7 more people were shot outside of a hookah lounge very early on Sunday morning

After seven people, including three teenagers, were shot outside a downtown hookah lounge early Sunday morning, Baltimore leaders are again looking for answers to stem what police are calling a “brazen” level of violent crime.

Two unidentified men — one armed with a rifle and the other, a handgun — approached a crowd of people standing in line outside the iVilla Hookah Lounge at 225 Park Ave. around 1:45 a.m. and opened fire, striking and wounding seven people, Baltimore police said.

#4 State legislators in California keep talking about how much they love “education”, but once again California has the highest percentage of residents that “have never completed ninth grade”

California once again ranked No. 1 among the 50 states for the percentage of its residents 25 and older who have never completed ninth grade and 50th for the percentage who have at least graduated from high school, according to new five-year estimates (2014-2018) released Thursday by the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

#5 Speaking of California, Dr. Marc Siegel says that San Francisco has become a city that is “awash in human waste” because of all the drug addicts that are pooping wherever they feel like doing so…

Fox News medical correspondent Dr. Marc Siegel says San Francisco residents should be worried about the homeless crisis‘ effect on their health after video surfaced of a homeless man defecating in the middle of an aisle at a local grocery store.

“Isn’t it ironic that a city of germaphobes, of exercise-conscious, environmentally conscious [people] … are now in a city that’s awash in human waste, which is spreading hepatitis A outbreaks every year,” Siegel said on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Tuesday. “Big outbreaks of hepatitis A, rats in the streets feeding off of the garbage in sewage, typhus, typhoid fever, rotten bacterial infections and even the plague may be coming.”

#6 In our “if it feels good, do it” society, all of the traditional rules regarding sex, marriage and family have been discarded.  This has paved the way for completely new “arrangements” that would have seemed extremely bizarre to past generations of Americans.  For example, one polyamorous woman in Florida has decided to raise her coming baby with all four of her “partners”

Tory Ojeda, 20, from Jacksonville, Florida, met one of her partners Marc, 18, in high school and then started a relationship with Travis, 23, two months later.

Their love story began three years ago and she has since announced her engagement to Travis in July.

She also found love with their long-term mutual friends Ethan, 22, and Christopher, 22. While seven months ago, Tory and Chris found out that they were pregnant with a baby girl.

#7 Last week, the fact that a man was just sentenced “to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag” made headlines all over the nation

A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa.

Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records show.

#8 Meanwhile, illegal immigrants can commit serious crime after serious crime in the state of California and just keep getting released.  The following comes from the official White House website

A citizen of Guatemala and alleged gang member was arrested by SFPD more than 10 times between 2013 and 2017 for charges including rape, domestic battery, second degree robbery, assault, and vehicle theft. On each occasion, ICE requested notification of his release or transfer of the individual to ICE custody. Each time, ICE’s request was declined.

#9 In her brand new Netflix stand-up special, Michelle Wolf told America that getting an abortion made her feel like a “god”

“You can feel any way you want after an abortion,” Wolf said, before imploring members of the crowd to “get one” and see how they feel afterward.

The comic went on to describe her own emotions after getting a termination. “You know how my abortion made me feel? Very powerful,” she boasted,” according to the Daily Wire. “I walked out of there being like, ‘Move over Morgan Freeman, I am God!”

#10 30 years ago, about two-thirds of the population of the country attended church services at least somewhat regularly.  But today, only about one-third of all Americans say that they attend church services regularly

About one-third of Americans now say they worship weekly and two-thirds say they rarely or never attend a service.

The decline in attendance is real. The northern states are seeing much more decline than southern states.

Of course the examples I have just shared with you are just the tip of the iceberg.

In America today, the suicide rate is at an all-time high, we are fighting the worst drug crisis in our history, according to the CDC more than 110 million Americans have an STD, and we have the highest percentage of children living with a single parent of any nation in the entire world.

I would love to hear someone out there try to make a coherent case that America is actually moving in the right direction, because up to this point I have been completely unable to find anyone that can make the other side of the argument.

And that is because it has become glaringly obvious that we are in the process of committing national suicide.

The change that our country needs is not going to happen in Washington.

What we really need is a fundamental change of direction in our hearts, because it is in our hearts where the real problem is festering.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

10 Best Tactical Flashlights To Make You Fearless Of The Dark

Best Tactical FlashlightsA tactical flashlight is one of the most crucial items found in a survival gear list.

Sure, there are several other pieces of gear of similar importance, such as:

But none of those can do what a tactical flashlight can; create a massive amount of light at the click of a button.

And the dark can be an extremely dangerous element in survival and emergency situations…

But here’s the good news, there are tons of tactical flashlights on the market today. And more options are better, right?

Yes and No.

You see, with so many choices comes something called analysis paralysis.

The more choices you have, the more time you spend researching those options. You find yourself agonizing over every small detail and struggle to make a purchase.

That’s why nowadays, finding the BEST tactical flashlight FOR YOU is no small task.

But today I’m going to share everything I know about tactical flashlights, including the types, the features, and the ones I like best:

Note: feel free to skip ahead to any section by clicking any of the headlines above.

The bottom line is this: The right tactical flashlight comes down to finding the proper mix of features, uses, and prices.

But first, you need to decide which type of flashlight to get…

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High Powered Flashlight

3 MAIN TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT CATEGORIES


I find it easiest to break down the wide range of tactical flashlights into categories based on size.

Large Tactical Flashlights

Large tactical flashlights are the workhorse of the tactical light market.

These larger frame models often include a higher capacity battery and better optics that allow for more accurate beam focus.

Plus, most large tactical flashlights have several light modes. And some even include different sets of LED batches to support high and low-output settings.

This new technology can dramatically increase light output levels. For example, tactical flashlights now regularly reach output levels of more than 2000 lumens!

We’re talking about lumen output levels usually found in emergency service and search and rescue operations. These are the large tactical flashlights that first responders carry because they require the most intense light output possible.

An output level that can stretch over several football fields in length, because that’s what’s necessary to help save lives.

Not everyone MUST own one of these larger tactical flashlights, but it’s not a bad idea either. Most family leaders can take comfort in owning something this bright.

It can also come in handy if you find yourself in an emergency.

But maybe you don’t want to invest in such a large, expensive flashlight – that’s where smaller, EDC flashlights come into play…

Small “Everyday Carry (EDC)” Tactical Flashlights

Small tactical flashlights are, by definition, small. These lights are often the best bet for everyday carry.

They’re the flashlights that fit easily into your pocket or bag without weighing you down.

They feature smaller batteries. But they often lack some of the advanced beam focusing features found on larger models. But they can still sport an extremely bright beam up to 1000 lumens.

This output level is still excellent for everyday tasks, such as:

  • all sorts of work situations
  • checking out a noise in the backyard
  • hiking into a favorite hunting spot before dawn
  • signaling for help in a survival situation

I believe everyone should own at least one EDC tactical flashlight, especially with today’s technology where you can get a whole lot of lumens in such a small device.

OK, now let’s talk about the smallest of the smallest, microlights…

Micro Tactical Lights

Micro tactical lights are the smallest of the small.

The extra small batteries prevent these to have the massive lumen outputs of their big brothers. You’ll typically find them at under 100 lumens.

But the amount of lumens is NOT what makes them great. Micro tactical lights can fit into nearly any space.

They can give enough light to search for dropped keys, find an outlet in the dark, or slowly make your way down a trail.

And they take up nearly zero space and weigh next to nothing. So while the high output is NOT their superpower –instead, it’s their tiny size and weight.

The bottom line is: micro tactical lights are 100% worth adding to your gear strategically, such as adding one to your keychain or tactical backpack.

Tactical EDC FlashlightKEY FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN THE BEST TACTICAL FLASHLIGHTS


Now, how do you go about choosing the best tactical flashlight for YOU?

Well, it’s best to understand all the key features available first. That way, you know what strikes you as a “must-have feature” vs. a “nice-to-have feature” before you even start comparing flashlight models.

So here’s a quick rundown of the most important ones so you can weed out the tactical lights that don’t measure up.

Affordability

As much as we like to think otherwise, price is ALWAYS a factor in choosing gear. Make sure you know your budget and personal needs before researching.

  • Maybe you’re ok with one very expensive, full-featured tactical flashlight.
  • Or perhaps you’d like a more budget-friendly EDC tactical flashlight instead.
  • Or maybe you’d like one of each (for redundancy) and are looking for good deals on both.

The good news we’ve got you covered no matter your specific situation. Because we cover lots of options below at different price points.

Light Output

You measure the light output power of a tactical flashlight in something called lumens.

So how do you know how many lumens is enough? It depends on how you intend to use it.

If you only need a flashlight to check under the car seat on occasion, you can get by with only one hundred lumens or so.

If instead, you ever need to shine light across a small canyon, it’s best to upgrade to the thousands of lumens range.

Power Source Options

There are tactical flashlights with just about every type of battery imaginable.

Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they are so easy to use. Plus, they are rechargeable via solar, USB, or external battery packs, making them highly versatile.

Removable batteries such as AA/AAAs are ubiquitous. Removable batteries allow you to share and swap power among several devices. Plus, you can always reload fresh batteries without the need to stop for recharging.

Don’t overlook this feature for emergency situations. It’s the reason I prefer my tactical flashlights to utilize removable, replaceable batteries.

Different Light Modes

Most tactical flashlights have at least a high and low output mode. But you can also find models with variable light output, strobe, and SOS modes.

Some even have different colored LEDs as part of their “mode” feature.

Switch Type

While the “switch type” seems like a minor detail, it’s NOT. The type of switch used on a tactical light can make a significant difference in how easy it is to use.

Simple push-button switches are durable but they don’t give you the ability to have extra control modes.

Twist on/off switches are fairly foolproof. But they aren’t always the easiest to use one-handed or with slippery or cold hands.

Soft-touch digital switches can control lots of modes and still operate with one-hand. But they’re not as intuitive and can take a bit of learning to control all the options.

Durability

Durability is another critical feature of any piece of survival gear.

But some tactical flashlights can take durability to a whole other level. Even to the point of doubling as a close-quarters weapon.

First off, they can blind a threat with the super bright LEDs and they can act as a crude club if worst comes to worst.

As you can guess, success as a melee weapon depends on it being solidly built to take intense impacts.

Even without use as a weapon, your light will be subject to all kinds of drops, bangs, and dings in your pack and during use.

So insane durability is an absolute must. And avoid purchasing any tactical flashlights that have durability concerns.

Water Resistance

While waterproof construction isn’t a “must-have feature” for everyone, I wouldn’t buy one that wasn’t.

Electronics don’t respond well to water, whether from a torrential rainstorm or an accidental drop into a toilet.

The bottom line is: waterproofing measures protect the sensitive electrical circuits inside a flashlight. So you should think of waterproofing as a specific form of flashlight durability.

OK, now that you know all the different features, it’s time to start looking at some of my favorite tactical flashlights.

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10 BEST TACTICAL FLASHLIGHTS ON THE MARKET TODAY


Let’s go over 10 of the best tactical flashlights on the market by category.

We’ll start off with several EDC flashlights, then move on to the largest super-bright category and wrap up with microlights.

EDC Tactical Flashlights

It seems the majority of people looking for a tactical flashlight want to use it for everyday purposes. That means they want a compact but bright light that fits in their pocket.

Because, as we all know, “the best flashlight in an emergency” is the one you have with you.

EDC flashlights tend to have a light output in the 300 to 1000 lumens range. They also have decent optics and most common flashlight features.

Here are a few of the best EDC tactical flashlights that fit the bill nicely:

1 – FireHawk Tactical Flashlight

The FireHawk one of the best all-around EDC tactical flashlights.

It has the near-perfect balance of lumens, durability, beam control, waterproof design, AND extreme affordability.

Not only is it bright, but it’s tough as hell and can be used as a small fist-sized melee weapon in a pinch.

FireHawk In Hand

FireHawk In Hand

Plus, it has a simple slide beam control and uses a single AA battery. That means its overall size is compact – ideal for everyday carry!

This is one tactical flashlight you can put in your pocket or purse and barely even noticing it’s there – until you need to use it!

Sure, in some situations, more lumens can be helpful but that can comes at the cost of more weight and a much higher price point.

Instead, this EDC flashlight is one of the best in “lumens per ounce” AND “lumens per $” you can find.

Pros

  • Small, Light & Compact – Fits In Pocket or Purse
  • Tough – Aluminum Alloy Construction
  • Easy / Intuitive To Use
  • Great Price

Cons

  • Not USB Rechargable

Check Out Today’s Price

At the time this article was published, you could get a FireHawk Tactical Flashlight for FREE. Just help pay shipping and handling and it’s all yours…


2 – Fenix FX-PD35TAC (1000 lumens)

The FX-PD35TAC is one of several Fenix models that made our list. And this model shares many of the best features Fenix is known for, such as:

  • rugged construction
  • high output light
  • top of the line materials

This 1000 lumen light can reach out over 600ft, enough to cover two football fields.

Plus, it runs on either rechargeable or CR123A lithium batteries. This optionality helps to add a level of versatility not found in most other EDC flashlight models.

Pros

  • Rugged
  • High power
  • Versatile power options

Cons

  • Batteries are expensive

Check Out Today’s Price



3 – Nitecore P12 Flashlight (1200 lumens)

Nitecore is a brand with a solid reputation and a loyal following. That’s why it’s no surprise this is one highly-rated flashlight.

A compact 1200 lumen flashlight, the P12 is only 6 inches long and easily fits in the palm of your hand.

Yet, it throws a beam of light nearly 800ft!

It comes with a lot of great accessories as well, including a hard holster and an adjustable pocket clip.

Pros 

  • Comes with accessories
  • Bright light

Cons

  • Not USB rechargeable

Check Out Today’s Price



4 – SureFire X300 WeaponLight (1000 lumens)

One of the first requests from a tactical light is a weapon rail mount. Well, a weapon rail mount is one of the best features you get with a SureFire X300 series flashlight.

It mounts to a wide variety of weapon rails, allowing you to lock a super-bright beam of light onto a target.

Making the SureFire a SUPER bright gun light, with an intense center focused beam to put as much light downrange as possible.

Now, it’s not the most inexpensive option. But this is a more technical light than most other tactical handheld flashlights.

Why? Because it must endure the punishing recoil of a firearm without flinching. So you know it’s got extreme durability!

Pros

  • Mounts to firearms rails
  • Has a strong center focused light beam

Cons

  • Expensive

Check Out Today’s Price



High-Output Tactical Flashlights

Now, if you need one of the brightest lights out there, it’s time to take a look at the following high-powered options.

They’re the next best thing to a light-saber and will cut through the darkness just as well.

5 – Streamlight 88060 Pro Tac HL 4 (2200 lumens)

I keep a Streamlight 88060 Pro Tac HL 4 flashlight in my vehicle gear cache.

It’s there with the rest of the search and rescue gear I own. And it has been an enormous help searching rugged canyons where the 1000ft beam can cover a lot of ground.

At 2200 lumens, it’s one of the most powerful flashlights on the market.

It can run on either rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or disposable CR123A lithium batteries. This “optionality” makes it one of the most versatile tactical flashlights.

The ability to swap out batteries makes it much easier to keep it powered up. But swaps will rarely be necessary because when it’s fully charged, it can last nearly 150 hours on low. But only 90 minutes on high!

It’s also water-resistant and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Replaceable batteries
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Rugged rubberized body

Cons

  • Not USB rechargeable

Check Out Today’s Price

6 – WISSBLUE H1 (3800 lumens)

As if the Streamlight wasn’t powerful enough, the WISSBLUE H1 clocks in at an incredible 3800 lumens!

It can also use several different removable batteries, including 18650 and CR123A cells.

I’ll be honest; I don’t have hands-on experience with this model. But the claimed range of over 1200ft is impressive!

It’s also fully waterproof and comes with a holster, charger, and lanyard.

Pros

  • Holster included
  • Can be used as firearm light

Cons

  •  Bulky

Check Out Today’s Price


7 – Fenix TK75 (5100 lumens)

Fenix makes some of the most potent lights (of all kinds) on the market – and several of my caver friends swear by them.

These are people who trust Fenix lights with their lives, so that’s not a small endorsement.

The TK75 boasts a range of nearly 2800ft. And it uses replaceable batteries to make recharging easy.

It also has a longer working life at high-power than most other lights on this list. But that comes at a price, as this is, by far, the most expensive light on this list.

Pros

  • USB recharging built-in to the battery carrier
  • Incredibly bright

Cons

  • Expensive

Check Out Today’s Price

8 – Bestsun Super Power LED Flashlight (15,000 lumens)

The Bestsun might be a bit questionable as an official “tactical flashlight.” But I decided to include it because of the ridiculous 15 THOUSAND lumen rating!

Yes, I agree, this seems ludicrous at first glance. But this light sports 16 individual T6 LEDs driven by four 18650 batteries.

That’s a tremendous amount of power with a ton of high-output LEDs. But there are no focusing optics.

So you can’t direct or focus the beam of light. That’s why it’s hard to judge the actual range for this flashlight.

Due to the lower price and the unknown reputation of the manufacturer, you may want to be careful.

You may not want to use this as your primary tactical flashlight, but it might be a nice one to snag as an experimental backup.

 Pros

  • INCREDIBLE lumen rating
  • Uses standard battery sizes

Cons

  • Build quality may not be the best

Check Out Today’s Price

Micro Lights

Having at least one quality EDC flashlight is a must. But it’s also nice to have a microlight on your keys or a zipper pull when you have limited gear space.

These are some great options for a sub-100 lumen light that you can count on when all other lights go out:

9 – Pelican Progear Keychain Flashlight (16 lumens)

Only 16 lumens? I get it. That doesn’t seem like much compared to the rest of this list. But this is a light for close-quarters work and backup.

It runs on coin-cell batteries and is water-resistant.

The Pelican Progear is a great little backup light and can fit ANYWHERE in your gear.

Pros

  • Tiny
  • Solid construction

Cons

  • Only for close task lighting

Check Out Today’s Price



Streamlight 73200 KeyMate (35 lumens)

The Streamlight KeyMate is an ideal addition to your keychain and will be with you at all times.

It provides just enough illumination for some close-in work. And it includes several light modes, including strobe.

Pros

  • Area lighting mode
  • Direct USB recharging

Cons

  • The clip can pop off your keyring
  • Thick for a “key”

Check Out Today’s Price

10 – ThruNite Ti3 EDC Light (120 lumens)

For such a small package, the ThruNite Ti3 packs a lot of light. Making it an ideal solution to add to your keychain.

It also comes with a pocket or hat brim clip, allowing it to function as an improvised headlamp.

The textured barrel helps with the one-handed operation of the twist switch.

Pros

  • Hat clip mode
  • Intuitive twist design
  • High 120-lumen output

Cons

  • Larger than other “micro” lights (too big for a keyring)

Check Out Today’s Price



FINAL THOUGHTS


Tactical flashlights are a vast segment of the flashlight market today. And the number of new features and functions seems to be growing daily.

But with careful consideration, you CAN find the right one (or ones!) for your needs.

And once you’ve found them, they should have a prominent spot in your EDC gear, your vehicle kits, and all your other survival kits as well, including your:

So, when in doubt, go with several sources of light. Why? Because a dependable light source is a critical resource in emergencies and life-threatening situations.

You can’t afford to stumble around in the dark when success depends on being able to see.

And there are no “do-overs” in survival or emergencies. That’s why it’s wise to invest in a high powered tactical flashlight today.

Jason K.

P.s. Do you know where the closest nuclear bunker is from your home?

There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home.

Click on the image above to find out where you need to take shelter.

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