Written by Wild Bill on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: Since their introduction steroids have received a lot of knee-jerk press, rumors and half-truths. While a complicated science, Kimberly Clark offers the following insight into their proper use. 

When I received my PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors Association) certification in Adaptive Techniques to work with the handicapped the toughest part of the training was learning about the meds my students might be taking. Knowing the last dose received before a lesson, knowing how long before a next dose was recommended, knowing the possible side effects of not only the medication itself, but the symptoms indicating the medication was wearing off, add to this the required first aid to be administered if a reaction occurred.

It could be life or death at 11,000 feet on a snow-covered mountain because you were the first responder, period. A microcosm of an EOTWAWKI where professional medical attentions might not be available or reachable soon enough.  Knowledge is power and I hope this take on steroids helps as it is complicated.

Medical steroids are designed to act like hormones to reduce inflammation. They’re also known as corticosteroids, and are different to anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders and athletes. That said, the graphic below show the confusion that can exist on the subject.

 

In a gist, steroids are human-made chemicals that mimic the natural functioning of hormones in the body. Ideally, they function like the hormones in the body whose purpose is to reduce inflammation. Though they are mainly manufactured for medical reasons, steroids, of course have also been used (or misused) to help athletes and body-builders to boost their body strength. However, other uses of steroids other than the medicinal uses are more often illegal (I will leave the discussion of professional sports vs sports as entertainment to others.) Though the steroids will not cure the inflammation in your body, they will help reduce swelling and ease the symptoms, that is an important distinction to understand, they treat the symptoms by inhibiting some of the bodies natural functions.

What Are Steroids, And When Should You Consider Using Them?

As mentioned above, steroids are human-made hormones that are introduced to the body to help solve various issues. Inflammation is one of the significant problems that you can solve through the use of steroids. Typically, inflammation is the body’s reaction to either injury, bacteria or infection.

To help fight the bacteria, the immune system produces some extra fluid to fight bacteria and viruses, thus resulting in swelling. For this reason, when you have cases where your body is reacting to such conditions, then you can take steroids to minimize the immune reaction.

There are different ways through which you can take steroids into the body. Some of these are:

• Apply to the skin as a cream or gel- this helps reduce inflammation on the skin
• Through the eye as eye drops – it helps reduce inflammation in the eye
• Through the mouth as tablets or liquids – helps reduce inflammation throughout the body.

The time taken for you to notice a difference after taking steroids may vary depending on your condition, and the prescription administered.

Circumstances Under Which You Can Take Steroids

Like any other drugs, steroids have their side effects that may be severe under specific conditions. For this reason, you can find a situation where your doctor will advise against the use of steroids. For instance, in case you have wounds on your body, steroids may delay the healing process.

Additionally, steroids may negatively affect other medical conditions in the body, such as mental health issues, diabetes, blood pressure problems, or heart problems. Therefore, in case you have any of these conditions, you need to seek competent medical advice as opposed to reading WebMD and self medicating.

If you are a person who uses contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing  them and go to your glasses as a fallback, the glasses, while you are receiving steroid eye drops. If you have an infection on your skin, you will not be in a position to apply steroid creams or gel on the skin. Other skin problems such as acne, ulcers, and rosacea, among others, could also become complicated in case you use steroid creams in their presence. Therefore, ensure that you consult your doctor whether it is safe for you to use any steroid treatment to avoid future regrets, and always ask your physician if any of the meds he/she is prescribing is a steroid.

Taking Other Medicines Alongside Steroids and Vaccinations

Generally, you will come across drugs that you cannot take at the same time as they would cause some adverse reactions in the body. However, according to research, it is possible for you to take some steroids alongside other drugs. As with anything, there are medicines that could cause adverse reactions when taken alongside steroids. Therefore, before you start using any new drugs, ensure that you consult your doctor to make sure that you are on the safe side.

In addition, avoid other over-the-counter drugs when you are under a steroid dosage of a drug unless advised by your doctor. Concerning vaccines, for the whole time when you are using steroids, it is advisable to avoid the use of live vaccines; for instance, yellow fever vaccine. However, some of the vaccines will depend on the type of dosage that you are taking. In case you find it necessary to take any immunization, ensure that you do it before you start the steroid dose to avoid any infections. Be safe, always consulted a trusted medical professional.

Steroids and Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

According to studies, there are some steroid tablets such as prednisolone that can be safe for use during pregnancy. When taken during pregnancy, steroids are more often than not used to treat flare-ups for expectant mothers. However, in case you are planning to get pregnant and are still using steroids, it is essential to consult your doctor about that.

When you take steroids while breastfeeding a small amount of the steroids that will get into the milk and be passed onto your child. However, there is no research showing any risks of such amounts to the baby, but do your homework.

Steroid creams are safe for use when you are breastfeeding. However, in case you apply the cream around the breast, ensure that you properly wash yourself before breastfeeding.

Having an Operation or Using Alcohol

In case you have an upcoming operation, it is advisable to quit the use of steroids. However, speak to your surgeon or doctor about it before you stop taking the steroids as some surgeries may actually need you to be under steroid medications prior to the actual operation. In other cases, all you may need to do is to change the dose before the surgery, as always, the doctor needs to manage this. Therefore, in case you are using steroid medication drugs such as Triazide, ensure that your doctor is aware of any step that you intend to take. Such drugs will help treat edema and control moderate and mild blood pressure, which are some of the conditions that may occur in the course of the operation.

Concerning alcohol, don’t. After you start using steroids, it is advisable to stop or minimize the use of alcohol. Additionally, avoid taking many units of alcohol at a go. Instead, spread the units across several days and have some alcohol free days. This will minimize the chances of a severe reaction between alcohol and steroids.

Conclusion

Steroids are practical and powerful drugs that you can use to help solve several medical conditions in the body. However, like in the use of any other drug, you need to understand their medical application to prevent any harm to the body when you take them. Use the information above to understand all that you need to know about the medical use of steroids.

Be Safe out there and be sure to check out The Prepper Journal Store and follow The Prepper Journal on Facebook!

The post What You Need to Know About the Medical Use of Steroids appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Protecting your home is a Constitutional right. Now more than ever, people are exercising that right across America. That’s because there has been a rise in gang-related activity throughout the southeast coast of the United States. Due to this rapid growth in violence, the best way to exercise your 2nd Amendment right to protect your family is to get one of the 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019.

Why a shotgun for home defense? Shotguns are:

• Easy to control
• Shoulder-length
• Effective

With 5,000 unaccompanied minors flooding in from Central America, the gang MS-13 has taken these lost souls under the wing. Now, crime has exploded from Northern Virginia all the way up to Boston. Let’s take a look at the 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019.

 

Mossberg 590A1

What makes the Mossberg 5901 so effective is that it is a military-grade gun. It comes with night-sight, which is ideal for those late night break-ins. You don’t want to accidentally harm your own family which you are trying desperately to protect.

Mossberg does have your family’s protection in mind as it has two extractors on the bolt. Also, the you can fix the ejector by just removing it with a screwdriver. So, there’s no need for a gunsmith.

Ergonomically, this is an easy gun to handle and maneuver around with. The slide release and safety are all within reach of the shooting hand. Shaving those seconds off the time it takes to save your family gets the Mossberg comfortably in the top five home defense shotguns for 2019.

 

The Classic Remington 870

In terms of sturdiness, the Remington won’t get nicked up and is less likely to become damaged than the Mossberg. This is due to the fact that the Remington is made out of steel. Whereas it’s peer in the top 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019 is crafted out of alloy.

That’s about where Remington’s superiority comes to a screeching halt. This gun only has one extractor. Additionally, the ejector is riveted. So, if it wears out, it’s not an easy fix.

 

Benelli M3

Okay, so we may have saved the best of the 5 best home-defense shotguns for 2019…for 3rd. The Benelli is a pretty sweet shotgun.  With just the twist of a ring, the Benelli M3 can go from a semi-automatic to a pump action shotgun.

When a troop of gang members are breaking into your home, this is a handy feature. The simplicity of switching back and forth can have a huge impact on your family’s survival from an MS-13 attack.

Benelli M3 is built to last. Moreover, this shotgun can also make for a nice family heirloom to pass down to the same children you have protected.

 

Hatsan Escort Aimguard

If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, then this is the gun for you from this list of 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019. It’s inexpensive but durable.

What’s nice about the Escort Aimguard is its easy-to-use for all family members. With either a 7+1 20-inch barrel or 5+1 18-inch barrel, it’s easy to maneuver for those with short arms as well.

 

Mossberg SPX 930

You can’t go wrong with the Mossberg name, as it pops up yet again on the list of 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019. It is an extremely reliable shotgun. Some of its most popular features are the sling swivels and Picatinny rail. These features make it easy to swoop into action and procure your weapon, especially if the MS-13 were to bring their havoc into your neighborhood.

The Mossberg SPX also has a low recoil. This is ideal for a middle of the night attack. If you are still a bit groggy and in a rush, having the kickback under control can help ease the stress of the situation.

Which Of The 5 Best Home Defense Shotguns For 2019 Is For You?

Now that you know what the top 5 best home defense shotguns for 2019 are, which is the best for you? First of all, you need to do your research. Things to take into consideration are:

• Cost
• Size
• Comfort
• Durability

Everyone’s needs are different. A single mother looking to protect her family needs a different shotgun than a retired man who might use it to go game hunting later. Whichever scenario is yours, you now have the 5 best home defense shotguns of 2019 to choose from.

You may also enjoy reading an additional Off The Grid News article: 4 Shotgun Accessories For A Better Home Defense

Or download our free 28-page report on the ultimate guide to extreme self defense: Survival Shotgun

What are some additional shotguns for home defense in 2019 that may not have made this list? Let us know in the comments below.

 

The post 5 Best Home Defense Shotguns For 2019 appeared first on Off The Grid News.

Let me guess…you’re searching for REAL answers to your SERIOUS questions about hazmat suits.

Why? Because there’s a ton of confusion surrounding these weird looking “suits”.

And a Hazmat Suit is not something you buy often – so you want to get it right the first time.

So, you must decide first, do you even need one, and if so, which one is best…

You need someone you can trust to give you some straight answers.

Hi – I’m Jack – I’m that someone, so let’s begin.

Here are just a few of the most popular Hazmat Suit questions we get:

• What Is A Hazmat Suit?
• How Does A Hazmat Suit Work?
• What Exactly Does A Hazmat Suit Protect Me From?
• The Difference Between A Hazmat Suit And A Radiation Suit
• Should I Invest In A Hazmat Suit?
• What Is The Best Hazmat Suit For Survival?

WHAT IS A HAZMAT SUIT ANYWAYS…?

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Here’s the “official” (longwinded) definition provided by Wikipedia:

A hazmat suit (hazardous materials suit), also known as decontamination suit, is a piece of personal protective equipment that consists of an impermeable whole-body garment worn as protection against hazardous materials. Such suits are often combined with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to ensure a supply of breathable air. Hazmat suits are used by firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, researchers, personnel responding to toxic spills, specialists cleaning up contaminated facilities, and workers in toxic environments.

So, let’s untangle that complex web of jargon. Basically, a hazmat suit is a garment that, when worn, creates a barrier between you and the rest of the world. It’s as simple as that.

Why would you want a barrier? To protect you from any number of hazards, such as:

• Chemicals Agents (i.e. chemical attack or warfare)
• Biological Agents (i.e plague)
• Nuclear Agents (i.e. fallout)
• Fire/High Temps

You can even consider an astronaut’s space suit as a specially designed hazmat suit. Because space is not survivable without one!

And while the suit protects your skin, it won’t protect your eyes or breathe for you. So if you want to avoid breathing toxic air and protect your eyes – you’ll want to wear the hazmat suit with a quality gas mask.

Simple enough? Let’s move on.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

HOW DOES A HAZMAT SUIT WORK?

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Ok, now we’re getting into a topic that’s a bit more interesting…

Hazmat suits are typically made with special airtight, chemical resistant materials. Different materials are used for different hazardous scenarios. Some of the most popular “fabrics” are:

• Teflon
• Heavy PVC or Rubber
• Tyvek
• Insulating or Reflective Materials

These materials create a personal barrier of protection – individual isolation. They are made to be flexible, wearable, and mobile so you can move around and accomplish some tasks.

However, don’t expect to enjoy a yoga session in one or run a marathon. They are cumbersome to wear and tend to get warm inside as well because they DON’T “breathe”.

They’re not designed for comfort – they’re made to block all harmful molecules from coming into contact with you.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES A HAZMAT SUIT PROTECT ME FROM?

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It depends.

Different hazmat suits are designed to protect you from different harmful environments.

So it’s important to understand which environment(s) a hazmat suit is made for…

For example:

A suit designed as a heat shield would be a lifesaver in a blazing fire but a very poor choice in a biological disaster. However, wearing a PVC based suit near a fire is just as bad (maybe worse) – it’ll melt!

So, donning the proper hazmat suit depends on the emergency circumstance at hand.

This is where the idea of Hazmat Suit Levels comes in. Suit levels were created by OSHA to match the proper suit with the danger. So, let’s go over each level in detail.

Level A

Level A is the ultimate in skin, eyes, and breathing protection.

For a suit to meet the Level A requirements it must include:

• a full-face shield with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• a two-way radio system
• footwear with steel-toe boots
• chemical-resistant gloves

The key to meeting level A is the self-contained breathing apparatus. It must be fully contained within the suit. That’s why these suits, when donned, look so freaking enormous!

I think they look like a yellow sumo wrestler and a turtle had a baby…

These suits create complete separation between you and EVERYTHING else – even the air.

A passive air filtration gas mask is not good enough for Level A.

Instead, level A requires you to carry an air tank within the suit.

It’s the suits you sometimes see in the movies. The huge suits donned by frightened scientists who are meeting aliens for the first time. Or doctors tending to patients with deadly contagious diseases.

Level A is a suit that’s designed to take zero risks in contamination. They are the ideal choice when dealing with something hazardous and of unknown origin.

However, they are overkill for the common man.

Level B

Level B suits are like Level A suits with one notable exception – the breathing apparatus does not need to be fully encapsulated. Instead, you can wear it on the outside of the suit.

However, level B still requires an active air supply. Again, passive gas mask respirators do not meet level B’s requirements.

It’s also still necessary to wear steel toe boots and carry two-way radio communication.

However, even Level B is more than most people need to prepare…

Level C

This is the most common type of “hazmat suit.”

If you are looking to get a set of hazmat suits for your family – this is likely the level you will be purchasing.

Level C has most of the same protections as a Level B suit. But it does not require the same level of respiratory protection.

This is the level most suited for regular folks.

This hazmat suit allows you to wear a gas mask as opposed to an SCBA breathing mask/tank.

It’s a general-purpose hazmat suit to protect against Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Agents. So that will be our focus for the rest of this article.

And the good news is – there are several airtight suits you can buy today. We’ll get to those shortly…but first.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HAZMAT SUIT AND A RADIATION SUIT?

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First off, protection from radiation is complicated. Why? Because there are two types of radiation to worry about:

1. Ionizing radiation
2. Particle radiation

And there are no known suits that can protect you against ionizing radiation (i.e. gamma rays, x-rays, etc.) However, a suit can minimize exposure to radioactive airborne particles (i.e. fallout).

Side note: standard protocol to protect yourself from ionizing radiation is a shield of concrete 6.6 feet thick or about 1.3 feet of lead… you need a building – not a suit – for that!

Ok, as far as a hazmat suit vs a radiation suit – they are essentially the same thing. They both create a barrier to isolate you from a hazardous environment.

SHOULD YOU INVEST IN A HAZMAT SUIT?

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If you believe, as I do, in living a resilient life, then yes, you should invest in a hazmat suit. Ideally, you should have at least one for each family member.

Plus, a gas mask for each family member and two-way radio communication for everyone.

Why all this gear? Could it be an unnecessary expense? What are the odds of needing it?

You could read a ton of books about probability, statistics, and uncertainty. But history tells us enough to know that bad things happen. Sometimes really bad things happen. And modern technology is NOT helping to lessen the reach or reduce the impact…

So, you can either, bury your head in the sand and hope the lion does see you. Or you can take intelligent measures to reduce your exposure to future risks and hazards.

I’m squarely in the “resilient camp” – the ostriches are in the “fragile camp”.

THE BEST HAZMAT SUIT FOR SURVIVAL 

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MIRA Safety HAZ-SUIT Protective CBRN HAZMAT Suit

The MIRA Safety HAZ-SUIT was designed to provide protection for a wide range of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents.

You can order a suit in a variety of size options from children 4 years in age to large adults.

Also, they are proudly made in the U.S.A.

The fabric used for the HAZ-SUIT is a durable, lightweight film composite. It can protect you from over 125 different chemicals including CWA’s and TIC’s.

The fabric has been tested in a variety of storage situations for long periods of time. It shows no signs of degradation if stored in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight.

HAZ-SUIT List Of Key Benefits 

• Available in a wide range of sizes (even young children)
• Ideal for any and all civil defense applications
• Same fabric materials used by professional first responders (and the U.S. Military)

Is this suit more expensive than other cheap disposable brands? Yes. But this suit is built to last and is one you can depend on.

Consider it an investment for a lifetime.

Check Out Today’s Price

Gas Masks

The gas mask is also an important investment when it comes to preparing for chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks. Because air is THE most important critical survival need.

Why a get a standard gas mask and not go all out with a full Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus? Cost.

SCBA’s are extremely expensive – click here to get an idea on the price.

The good news is – a quality gas mask is much more affordable. AND I also recommend MIRA Safety for your gas mask needs as well. They only sell the best gas masks with full face shields and quality NBC air filters.

One stop shopping and you’re protected for life (click on any image below to learn more about these products).

Boots / Gloves

A hazmat suit is only as good as the boots and gloves you choose to go with it. But they don’t come with them – (i.e. sold separately). So here are the gloves I currently recommend:

Showa Atlas 772 M Nitrile Elbow Length Chemical Gloves

These hazmat gloves go up past the elbow – which decreases the chances of chemicals or toxins from breaching your hazmat suit.

They are tough nitrile coated gloves that will protect your hands and arms from chemicals, puncture, and abrasion.

Excellent protection with dexterity – what’s not to like?

ONGUARD 97591 Latex 12″ Hazmat Men’s Boot and Shoe Cove

For the most part, rubber boots are a commodity. Just make sure they fit your feet well and are reasonably comfortable.

These OnGUARd Latex Books work.

WRAP UP

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Hazmat suits are one of those items people rarely buy until a really bad event starts to spiral out of control.

For example, finding a good hazmat suit was nearly impossible in the aftermath of the Ebola scare…And that incident didn’t even turn out to be much of anything.

What do you think happens if we have a legitimate chemical attack, a biological contagion or a nuclear explosion. These suits will be gone and you’ll be out of luck. 

The time to purchase items like there are when times are calm, otherwise, you’re going to pay a whole lot more or many can’t get any at all…

Remember: 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 here to see the Closest Natural Nuclear Bunker to Your Home?

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

 

The post Best Hazmat Suit For Survival On The Market Today 2019 appeared first on Skilled Survival.

What IS a survival backpack?

Well…it’s a backpack tough enough for survival – it’s as simple as that. And a backpack is just a durable container, for your gear, you take everywhere.

Because in an emergency, there’s nothing better than having the right tool for the job.

And nothing worse than having to make do with the wrong tool…

Why? Because your odds of success are significantly better with the proper gear.

Sure, expert survivalists can often make do with what nature provides. Bushcraft can come in handy.

But carrying survival tools like a tactical knife, paracord, a Ferro rod, and a compass are difficult items to “craft” under duress.

So what’s the best way to ensure you always have the right survival tools nearby?

There’s only one way I know of – carrying a survival backpack.

My survival backpack allows me to carry all my emergency gear and tools just about everywhere I go.

But the choice in survival backpack matters – A LOT.

With so much riding on your pack, it would be an epic shame to grab an old cheap back-to-school book bag you had laying around in the back of a closet. Sorry Jan Sport, your bags are wimpy…

If the survival backpack you choose isn’t up to the challenge of constant use and abuse, you could be risking it all! 

And the process of selecting a quality survival backpack is not as easy as it seems. You need a tough, durable, survival backpack (a.k.a. a tactical backpack). One made to withstand the rigors of difficult terrain and dangerous conditions.

So, it needs to be insanely reliable, extremely comfortable, and easy to use or it’s going to slow you down.

So today, we’re going help you find a legitimate survival backpack by covering the following topics:

• Things To Look For In A Worthy Survival Backpack (a.k.a features)
  • Size Does Matter (avoid too big)
  • Comfort Startings and Ends With Padding
  • Throw It Down A Cliff And It Survives Cuz It’s Tough As Hell
  • Quick Retrieval Systems (a.k.a small exterior pockets)
  • Thirst Quenching On The Go? – Yes, Please
• How To Find The Proper Size Pack For YOU
• The Best Survival Backpacks On The Market Today
• Gear You Should Put In A Survival Backpack

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SURVIVAL BACKPACK (a.k.a key features)

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Trust me, it’s an overwhelming experience scrolling through hundreds and hundreds of packs. There IS such a thing as TOO many choices – it’s called Analysis Paralysis…

And what’s worse is most survival backpacks look similar in appearance.

How can you tell a quality one from a crap one? Seriously – they all look so cool!

Sure, there’s the occasional attempt at a unique feature here and there. But for the most part, they’re carbon copies of each other.

And when someone comes out with a new “unique feature”, how do you know it’s not just a bunch of hype? How can you tell if it’s worth spending the extra money for the latest backpack gimmick?

The bottom line is:

Sorting through all the options to find a survival pack you can trust is a daunting task. You need a way to quickly filter down your options – fast.

That’s why I recommend starting with key features.

So, let’s go through the critical features to help make your decision a bit easier.

Size Does Matter (avoid going too big)

The most crucial aspects of picking the right survival pack for YOU is the size.

I’m not talking about how it fits (we’ll get to that later) but rather how much stuff can it hold. Packs are usually measured in volume, with units of either cubic inches or liters.

This number helps to compare different packs and get a sense of how much gear it should hold.

However, they measure this by filling every pocket of the pack with small plastic beads. Every nook and every cranny with small plastic beads. They do this until the whole thing looks like an overstuffed beanbag.

Then they dump all the beads out into a measuring container. This gives them the total volume of the pack. All without having to measure the internal spaces of each pocket individually.

Of course, your gear doesn’t pack as tightly as those little beads do. So you’re left with some empty spaces here and there around oddly shaped items.

However, it’s worth the time to try to reduce that empty space to get your load as compact and efficient as possible.

While your first impulse might be to get the biggest and largest pack you can find, that’s a terrible idea.

Even if a giant pack allows you to add every survival tool known to man, YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT. Unless, of course, you can afford to hire a golf caddy to haul all your survival gear around? Otherwise, YOU’RE the mule.

How far do you think you could really walk with a 100 lbs pack on your shoulders? If you cut down your gear to the essentials, how much space will that take?

I’ve found that the 30-40 liter range is about the perfect survival backpack for me. No, that’s not massive but it’s light and comfortable! So I’m very deliberate about what goes into it. I don’t take everything but what I do take, goes with me nearly EVERYWHERE.

You see, the problem with heavy survival backpacks is they suck to haul around. So naturally, after about 2 weeks of wearing it daily, you decided to take a day off. Leave it at home just this once…

Then you realize how nice the break was and take another day off. Then one day you realize you haven’t taken your pack with you for 6 months!

BUT, with my lighter pack, I’m able to hike all day through rugged terrain and still have plenty left in the tank. I’m also able to get through small spaces without snagging the pack on branches and rocks.

That kind of maneuverability is important. Especially if you’re trying to make good time, save energy – or when you’re in fight or flight mode.

So do yourself (and your back) a favor – keep it reasonable – keep it nibble – keep it light.

Comfort Startings and Ends With Padding

When I hear the word “comfort” I cringe. I can’t help it. Being a self-reliant and resilient human is the exact opposite of “extreme comfort”. Being resilient is all about intentional challenge and purpose.

But today I’m not talking about obscene societal comforts and luxuries – such as day spas, conditioned air, and motorized sofas (a.k.a cars).

When it comes to survival backpacks comfort should rank high on the priority list.

Why? Because if it fits properly and comfortably it will reduce discomfort and distraction. That way you’ll be more focused on the task at hand.

Pack comfort helps to increase endurance and speed by avoiding frequent overload and adjustment stops. So in this instance comfort is a REAL tactical advantage.

Get a pack with well-built and generously padded shoulder straps. Your shoulders are the main point of contact between your body and the pack, so they’re pretty freakin’ important.

If you ignored my advice about size and weight – and your backpack weighs over 40 lbs – make sure you get a pack with hip straps as well. That way, most of the weight of your pack should ride on the hip belt.

These hip straps transfer the load directly to your legs instead of your shoulders.

But, that’s only for heavier packs. For lighter survival packs, which I recommend for daily use, a good set of padded shoulder straps is more than enough.

Just make sure the shoulder straps have good risers.

Risers, you ask? That’s just cool-kid lingo used by pack manufacturers. Risers are the adjustment straps above your shoulder. They help to keep the pack snug and close to your back for better balance.

An adjustable sternum strap across your chest is also a nice comfort bonus. This prevents the shoulder straps from sliding out and pulling back on your arms.

For women, contoured shoulder straps can be a lot more comfortable. Women often need a bit more space around their chest area – so keep an eye out for women’s specific packs. They’re harder to find, but sometimes you can swap the straps from another pack.

Throw It Down A Cliff And It Survives Cuz It’s Tough As Hell

All design features are pointless if the pack falls apart at the seams.

You want:

• High strength webbing straps
• Heavy duty zippers
• Abrasion-resistant materials
• Double stitching in key locations

YKK “self-healing” zippers are an industry leading standard. I’ve never had one blow out on me, even on packs I’ve had for over 30 years.



Cordura and ripstop nylon are great choices as well.

While I love lightweight silicone coated nylon, this isn’t the proper application. It has lower resistance to abrasion, punctures, and tears – not good enough for survival.

Waterproof materials are nice, but I’ve never seen a pack that didn’t leak. I’d rather save the money on “waterproof” and invest it somewhere else in my kit.

A durable pack with a heavy-duty trash bag as a waterproof liner is a far more cost-effective option. Plus, you can swap in a new trash bag liner if yours ever starts leaking.

Quick Retrieval Systems (a.k.a small exterior pockets)

There just might be more unique pack pocket layouts than there are manhole covers in New York.

Recently, it’s been like an arms race between manufacturers. It seems like the one who can add more special pockets than anyone else wins.

Sure, I appreciate additional organization – but to a point. It’s getting out of hand.

Remember, each additional pocket requires more material and more zippers. This adds up to more weight. Unnecessary pack weight is a bad thing – just ask your back – it agrees!

So instead of a pack with 30 different pockets, look for one with:

• 1-2 main compartments for clothes, freeze dried food, and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc)
• a few medium pockets for things you “might” need during the day while hiking
• a couple of small pockets for those easy to lose items

I’m a fan of a few strategically placed small pockets. Either directly on the hip belt, on the shoulder straps or near the top of the pack.

These provide a place to stash small items while on the move. Yet keep you from having to take the pack off to get to them.

A lighter, a knife, some sunscreen, snacks, a compass, and a topo map live in the small exterior pockets.

If you carry a gun, stash a few rounds of extra ammo in an exterior pocket for quick, easy access. You can’t afford to go rooting around the bottom of your pack to reload mid-combat!

MOLLE and other exterior mounting systems have a place here as well. They provide easy attachment points for all kinds of items. They allow you to expand carry capacity and customize your pack.



However, keep in mind – exterior items are easy for others to see. So you might want to keep your loaded pistol in a concealed pouch.

Also, exterior items tend to catch on branches and other obstacles and are easy to lose if knocked loose.

Thirst Quenching On The Go? – Yes, Please

A hydration system can be a huge timesaver while on the move. Most can carry 2-4L of water in a flexible plastic bladder.

You drink from the bladder via a hose, eliminating the need to carry a separate water bottle.

Place the bladder in the center of the pack, right against your back. This provides the best load distribution and balance.

Of course, be sure to keep any sharp objects away from the bladder. If you pop a hole in it, you may not know about it until it’s too late. Like when you eventually feel the water dripping out the bottom of your pack and soaking everything inside.

One cautionary note – water bladders are plastic so, obviously, you can’t boil water in one. So you might want to stash a small single walled stainless steel water bottle – in case you’re forced to boil water to purify it.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

HOW TO FIND THE PROPER SIZED PACK FOR YOU

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Like clothing, packs come in many sizes to fit many different body types – from Xsmall to XXlarge. Picking the correct size is a crucial step to making sure the pack fits properly and is comfortable with a load.

Packs sizes are determined by torso length. A measurement of the distance from the base of your neck to the small of your back.

Have someone use a flexible measuring tape. Start at the large vertebra at the base of your neck to the top of your hips.

When you’re looking at packs, check the sizing and find the one that best fits your torso length.

Most packs come with adjustability built-in. Usually by changing the mount points of the hip belt and shoulder straps to fine-tune the fit.

THE BEST SURVIVAL BACKPACKS ON THE MARKET TODAY

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Here are a few of the best survival and tactical packs we’ve found on the market.

They represent a wide range of prices and options. But each one has some great features and might be the right one for you.

1 – EVATAC Combat Bag

The EVATAC™ Combat Bag is a badass bug out bag and an ideal pack for anyone serious about putting together a legit tactical backpack.

It’s the pack that our founder (“Just In Case” Jack) personally owns and wears.

It’s constructed of 600D Polyester which makes it tough as nails.

The Combat Bag’s zipper and clips are heavy duty and long lasting.

The padded shoulder straps make carrying this bug out bag very comfortable and there is a chest strap that can sinch this bag down tight to keep it in place if/when you need to run.

There are a total of 10 compartments that can help keep you and your survival gear organized. By the way, these compartments are waterproofed to keep your gear dry.

There’s even a padded compartment that can fit a laptop or other sensitive gear.

The best news is that, at the time of writing, this tactical backpack sells for a fraction of the price of similar bags.

Interested? Check out my detailed review of The Combat Bag by EVATAC:

2 – 5.11 RUSH 12/24/72

A huge name in tactical gear, 5.11 makes some of the most popular survival backpacks out there today.

The Rush family of packs (Rush 12, Rush 24, and Rush 72) are burly, well thought out, and completely bombproof.

They cover a wide range of sizes (both in volume and in torso length). It can handle just about any situation – short of an expedition to Everest.

Of course, this type of quality doesn’t come cheap!

3 – Reebow Gear Tactical Military Tactical Backpack

On the other end of the price spectrum, The Reebow Gear Tactical is a basic pack with some great features. It includes MOLLE webbing, durable fabric, and a simple pocket layout.

Some reviews mention the straps falling off. But you’re supposed to double them back through the buckles which seems to be confusing people.

If you need an inexpensive pack to serve as a bug out bag or evacuation kit, this might be perfect.

4 – Condor 3-Day Assault Pack

The Condor 3-Day pack lands between the 5.11 and Reebow packs.

It’s a bit more complex than the Reebow and priced accordingly. Yet it’s not the expensive bomb shelter that 5.11 makes.

It’s a solid, well-built pack with a large main compartment.

If it’s not full, that single large compartment can be a little floppy and shapeless. But you can manage that with the compression straps.

The internal straps help keep gear in place while on the move. The MOLLE webbing allows you to add anything you want to the exterior panels.

5- Gearrifc Pre-Loaded Survival Backpack

Of course, if you don’t already have any survival gear, you could look into a pre-packaged kit that includes a pack.

These are very basic survival kits but serve as a good base on which to start your collection of gear.

And if you’re in a serious rush, and cannot afford to spend the time building your own bag, then it’s better than nothing!

Just keep your expectations in check on the quality of the gear.

GEAR YOU SHOULD PUT IN A SURVIVAL BACKPACK

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OK, here’s the deal. We’ve covered the gear to put into different bags several times before – actually a lot of times before.

So instead of rehashing the same lists again, I’ll just refer you to a few of those high-quality articles:

• How To Build A Get Home Bag From Scratch
• Bug Out Bag Checklist – 104 Items To Build The Ultimate Bug Out Bag
• How To Build An Ultimate Go Bag For Any Emergency
• How To Build The Ultimate Emergency Survival Medical Kit
• 54 Item Survival Gear List – The Most Complete Life Saving Checklist
• How To Build An INCH Bag “I’m Never Coming Home”

So as you can see, we’ve covered this topic a lot and I’m not keen on regurgitating the same info again here.

So if you want advice on what to add to your survival backpack, choose a few of the ones above and you’ll be good to go!

WRAP UP

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Choosing a survival backpack is no easy task.

This investment will contain most of your critical survival gear, so don’t skimp. Get the most durable and comfortable pack you can afford.

Then you’ll find you’re much more prepared to face the challenges of an emergency situation.

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 here to see the Closest Natural Nuclear Bunker to Your Home?

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

 

The post 5 Best Survival Backpacks To Hold All Your Survival Gear appeared first on Skilled Survival.

This article was originally published by Aaron Kesel at Activist Post.

A recent article in CNN tells the tale of teens whose friends think they are spying on their phone conversations because they work for the National Security Agency (NSA) at the complex at Fort Meade in Maryland.

CNN expresses that three 18-year-old teens who graduated from high schools in Maryland — Summer, Brianna, and Simon —  are among more than 150 high schoolers in a work-study program at the NSA. These students are then given TS/SCI or Top Secret security clearance access to U.S. secrets.

“Recruiters at the NSA (and other intelligence agencies, like the CIA, have similar programs) know that when it comes to hiring smart, driven, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)-minded young people, they are competing with the flashiness and deep pockets of Silicon Valley. So, they aim young and try to dazzle the teens with the work, rather than the paycheck,” CNN wrote.

CNN tries to give lightheartedness to the subject but fails to address the concern about giving teens the responsibility of handling such highly classified information and the other problem at hand. The fact that teens in schools in Maryland and possibly elsewhere are being taken into the NSA and brainwashed into working for the establishment while attempting to balance their studies. The NSA and agencies alike also use the Web, social media and job fairs to recruit students. Although, some of the students filled out a long application on intelligencecareers.gov.

“Once they’re here they get that sense of purpose from what they’re doing every day and they see that they can do things here that they can’t do anywhere else,” Courtney, an NSA recruiter told CNN. (Her last name withheld for security reasons.)

“We want to get them in and get them hooked early to the mission so they can have a long career here. There’s more emphasis now on student programs than I think there’s ever been to try to get them when they’re young. Get them hooked young,” Courtney added.

According to the article, the students are required to intern and go to Fort Meade every summer during college; in exchange, the NSA pays a year-round salary and guarantees them a full-time job at the NSA when they have finally graduated.

CNN’s article paints the NSA as a fun job experience while ignoring the absurd constitutional abuses that were exposed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. In fact, the piece reads like a promotional press release for the NSA.

Snowden quickly rose to prominence in 2013, after leaking classified information on widespread warrantless NSA surveillance programs like XKeyscore and PRISM to The Guardian and The Washington Post. In fact, the first Snowden leak was a FISC order issued to Verizon under Section 702 that required the company to turn over all of its calling records to the NSA.

FISA was enacted in 1978 as a response to illegal domestic surveillance operations revealed by two Senate committees in the 1970s, including President Richard Nixon’s use of federal intelligence agencies to monitor his political opponents. It was brought into law “to authorize electronic surveillance to obtain foreign intelligence information.”

The law requires the government to obtain a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court before setting up an electronic or physical wiretap targeted at foreigners and foreign agents. However, that law is not always followed.

Congress amended FISA in 2007 to let the government wiretap communications that either begin or end outside the United States jurisdiction without Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) approval; in a stronger 2008 overhaul, they further limited that power to non-U.S. persons. The last reauthorization of the Act was in 2012, which set the current expiration date of Dec. 31, 2017.

The FISA law has long been criticized by privacy and civil liberties advocates like the EFF who say the order allows broad, intrusive spying without oversight. The section first gained renewed attention following the 2013 disclosures by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden that the agency carried out widespread monitoring of emails and other electronic communications through PRISM, XKeyscore, Upstream, and other NSA surveillance programs.

Activist Post covered XKeyscore and PRISM in extensive detail when the revelations happened. XKeyscore, which in 2008 was on 750 servers on 150 sites around the globe, served as the point of entry for most of the information that was collected by the NSA.

NSA agents would easily be able to gather information using XKeyscore’s system the operator could then trawl through billions of emails and online chat sessions, or check sites visited by specific computers by using IP addresses.

It’s worth noting that this author recently wrote an article on Palantir, the company that was accused of providing the technology that enables NSA’s mass surveillance PRISM. In that article, we went into extensive detail about Palantir’s history as a company and the development of software used at Fusion Centers across the U.S.

Some of the other programs that Snowden leaked include the following – MUSCULAR, CO-TRAVELER, Dishfire, and Tailored Access Operations.

Snowden has recently announced a new forthcoming memoir called Permanent Record, due out in September, which will tell all his secrets. Snowden has also released a YouTube ad for the book and stated that he would begin exposing social media surveillance of Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, as Activist Post reported.

As a free society, we can only hope that these students involved in the NSA programs will do the same as Edward Snowden and whistle-blow if they encounter abuse of civil and privacy rights.

 

This is an interesting video in that it is impractical for traditional camping methods but certainly possible for a survival situation. Heating a tent with a Swedish fire log is an easy concept. The long pipe goes through the fire log and collects fresh air from the bottom. The fresh air is heated by the fire. The chimney effect forces the warm air out of the pipe and into the tent. The temperature of the pipe as it enters the tent is low enough to not cause any damage.

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Heating a Tent With a Swedish Fire Log

On the YouTube channel Advoko Makes, Advoko is a lawyer living in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is an avid Bushcrafter with a huge following. He films creative how-to videos and DIY projects, mostly relating to outdoor survival. This particular one tackles a common problem: heating a tent. Providing a safe and reliable heat source in a lightweight tent can be a challenge. Open-flame sources are dangerous, and other methods could damage the tent.

If your situation is being trapped in the forest during the winter and you lack a reliable heat source, this method could work for you. By providing an easy-to-build heat source, according to the video, the temperatures inside the tent, could easily be as high as 60 degrees.

For the most recent copy of Survivor’s Edge or American Frontiersman or to subscribe, go to OutdoorGroupStore.com

 

If that headline sounds really bad to you, that is because the situation that we are facing is really bad.  Over the past few months, I have written article after article about the unprecedented crisis that U.S. farmers are facing this year.  In those articles, I have always said that “millions” of acres of farmland did not get planted this year, because I knew that we did not have a final number yet.  Well, now we do, and it is extremely troubling.  Of course there are some people out there that do not even believe that we are facing a crisis, and a few have even accused me of overstating the severity of the problems that U.S. farmers are currently dealing with.  Sadly, things are not as bad as I thought – the truth is that they are even worse.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, crops were not planted on 19.4 million acres of U.S. farmland this year.  The following comes directly from the official website of the USDA…

Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time last year.

So this is the largest number that the USDA has ever reported for a single year, and it is nearly 17.5 million acres greater than last year’s final tally of less than 2 million acres.

If you have been following my articles on a regular basis, then you know exactly why this has happened.  The middle of the nation was absolutely pummeled by endless rain and unprecedented flooding throughout the first half of 2019, and this new USDA report shows that the vast majority of the acres that were not planted come from that area of the country…

Of those prevented plant acres, more than 73 percent were in 12 Midwestern states, where heavy rainfall and flooding this year has prevented many producers from planting mostly corn, soybeans and wheat.

“Agricultural producers across the country are facing significant challenges and tough decisions on their farms and ranches,” USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “We know these are challenging times for farmers, and we have worked to improve flexibility of our programs to assist producers prevented from planting.”

Of course the 19.4 million acres that were not planted are only part of the story.

Most farmers were able to get seeds in the ground despite the challenging conditions, but in much of the country the crops are not in good shape.

In fact, according to the latest crop progress report only 57 percent of the corn is considered to be in “good” or “excellent” shape.

Unfortunately, the nation’s soybean crop is in even worse shape.  At this point, only 54 percent of the soybeans are in “good” or “excellent” shape.

In addition, only 8 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop has been harvested so far.  That is “sharply below the 30% five-year average”.

So what does all of this mean?

Well, it means that we have a real crisis on our hands.  A lot less crops are being grown, and a substantial percentage of the crops that are being grown are not in good shape.  Yields are going to be way down across the board, and that means that U.S. agricultural production is going to be way, way below initial expectations.

In other words, we are going to grow a lot less food than usual.

One bad year is not going to be the end of the world, but what if things don’t bounce back next year?  As I keep telling my readers, our planet is becoming increasingly unstable in a whole bunch of different ways, and global weather patterns have been shifting dramatically.  Many experts are issuing very ominous warnings about what is ahead as weather patterns continue to shift, and some believe that what we have witnessed so far is just the very beginning of this crisis.

Almost every day, there are new headlines about extreme weather and records being broken.  For example, one community in Colorado just got pummeled by hail the size of softballs…

Monster hail fell from the sky and hammered areas of the central United States on Tuesday, shattering a state record. Earlier on Tuesday before the storms developed, AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer warned that Colorado’s state hail record could be in jeopardy given the intensity of the storms that he saw developing.

His prediction came to fruition on Tuesday afternoon when a hailstone with a maximum diameter of 4.83″ fell in Bethune, Colorado, on Tuesday afternoon. The record was confirmed on Wednesday evening by the Colorado Climate Center and the National Weather Service office in Goodland, Kansas.

For some of my readers, this freakish incident is going to set off major alarm bells.

We are regularly seeing things happen that we have never seen before.  In other words, the seemingly impossible is happening so frequently that it has become mundane.

Despite all of our advanced technology, we are still completely and utterly dependent on the weather.  If the weather does not cooperate, farmers cannot grow our food, and we will not eat.

Hopefully harvest season will go smoothly, but even if that happens, food supplies will be a lot tighter in the months ahead and that means that prices will continue to rise steadily.

This is a crisis that is going to affect all of us.  I wish that I could get everyone to understand this, but unfortunately there are still a lot of people out there that are not taking this seriously.

About the author: Michael Snyder is a nationally-syndicated writer, media personality and political activist. He is the author of four books including Get Prepared Now, The Beginning Of The End and Living A Life That Really Matters. His articles are originally published on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News. From there, his articles are republished on dozens of other prominent websites. If you would like to republish his articles, please feel free to do so. The more people that see this information the better, and we need to wake more people up while there is still time.