With Hurricane Season hitting the southeastern coast of the U.S., we thought it would be a good time to go back over hurricane survival and preparedness.

In the following article, you’ll learn what to do before, during and after a hurricane to make sure you, your family and your property stay as safe as possible.

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Hurricane Safety Tips: Before, During and After the Storm

Hurricane season is upon us. Being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of a hurricane, as with any type of storm, is the key to staying alive.

The damage left behind after a hurricane can be devastating and very costly. The most important thing to remember with any type of storm: you and your family’s safety is the number one priority! Material possessions can be replaced — a human life cannot.

To understand just how important hurricane safety is, let’s go over just a few of the most memorable hurricanes in recent history.

Charley (August 2004)

At a category 4 classification, Charley was the strongest storm to hit the U.S. since 1992’s Andrew, which clocked in at category 5. In Punta Gorda, Florida, where the hurricane made landfall, winds clocked in at 112 miles per hour – before they destroyed the measuring equipment, that is. Damages amounted to $14 billion in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Katrina (August 2005)

This category 3 hurricane is the costliest in U.S. history, with damages estimated at $81 billion. It’s also one of the deadliest, with deaths exceeding 1,800 in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Winds reached a maximum of 175 miles per hour, but most of the storm’s devastation resulted from levy failure in the low-lying city of New Orleans.

Ike (September 2008)

Although it was classified as a category 2 storm, Ike remains the third costliest hurricane in U.S. history after Katrina and 1992’s Andrew. Total damage was $25 billion – mostly in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Sandy (October 2012)

Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, and the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. Estimated damage of about $75 billion – a total surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina and Harvey. At least 233 people were killed along the path of the storm in eight countries.

Harvey

Hurricane Harvey did massive damage to places like Houston, most of the rest of Texas, and the South in general.  Hurricane Harvey was responsible for over 100 deaths in total and over $125 Billion dollars in structural damages.  It is the highest costing hurricane on record.  It sustained winds of over 130 mph for at least a minute straight.  More than 17,000 homes were destroyed and up to 5 feet of rain was dumped, more than any other Hurricane on Record.

The deadliest hurricane to ever hit the United States? The Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900

This storm caused between 8,000 and 12,000 deaths. The storm reached the Texas coast south of Galveston on September 8, 1900 as a category 4 hurricane with a storm surge of 8 to 15 feet. The lack of proper warning in 1900 made this storm the deadliest in U.S. history.

Safety measures we’ll cover:

Before the storm

• Stay up-to-date with weather alerts and warnings
• 72 hour emergency kits
• Family meetings on emergency safety

During the storm

• Evacuation – what to do if you evacuate (or if you don’t)
• Flood safety measures
• What to do in the event of a power outage

After the storm

• Returning home and what to do next
• First aid
• Things to watch for
• Assessing damage

Before the Storm

Unlike a tornado, a hurricane can be tracked for days or even weeks before it hits, giving you time to prepare your home, your family and yourself for the storm. Here. are a few things you can do to get ready before a hurricane

1. Know where to tune in for weather updates when a hurricane watch or hurricane warning has been posted. Watch the weather reports on your television or check the weather reports online at Weather.com. Having a weather radio is a great backup resource in the event of a power outage. Make sure to have plenty of batteries.

2. Always have your cell phone charged completely. If you know bad weather is headed your way, charge your phone and try to keep it charged at 100%. In the event of an evacuation, make sure to have a waterproof way to carry your cell phone.  We recommend that you keep multiple portable power packs to maintain a charge or use a solar phone charger.

3. Have a 72-hour emergency kit packed and ready to grab on your way out to safety. Every member of the family should have one. Check out this great article on how you can assemble the perfect 72 hour kit.  You can also purchase one if you don’t have time to assemble it here.

4. Have a family meeting to discuss what you and your family will do in the case of an evacuation. It is important to include EVERY family member, even the little ones.

During the Storm

You may think that once a storm hits there’s nothing you can do, but that’s just not true. Here are a few actions you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the midst of a hurricane.

1.If you are advised to evacuate, don’t wait! The longer you wait the more hectic traffic becomes. Being stuck in traffic can propose a whole new emergency situation.

2. Avoid flooded roads. Six inches of water is all it takes to float a car. Keep an eye out for flood compromised or washed out bridges.

3. Make sure someone outside the storm area knows where you will be and how to reach you.

4. If you do not evacuate, stay indoors and off the roads. Stay away from windows and doors.

5. If power is lost, unplug all electrical appliances to prevent damage from power surge when service resumes.

6. Keep emergency supplies (your 72-hour kit) ready to go.

 

What’s in your #bugoutbag? Check out our ultimate bug out bag list. https://t.co/fWO5QKsZpR pic.twitter.com/Iy82jbHSPs

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) August 9, 2016

7. Listen to local radio for changes in the weather situation and instructions.

8. If flooding occurs, move your valuable property to higher locations in your home, if time permits. Move yourself and your pets to higher ground or shelter.

9. Be sure to lock your home and take emergency supplies, clothing, and bedding with you.

After the Storm

After the hurricane comes time to assess the damage, provide aid to the injured and figure out how to proceed in the aftermath of the storm. With any luck, your preps before and during the hurricane will help to mitigate the damage. Here’s what you should do after a hurricane.

1. Continue to monitor local radio for information.

2. Return home only after authorities have announced it is safe to do so. When you reenter your home, do so cautiously. Check for displaced wildlife such as snakes. If necessary, open doors and windows to ventilate and help dry your home.

3. Give first aid where necessary. Do not move a seriously injured person unless they are in imminent danger. Call for emergency help.

4. Watch for and avoid downed power lines.

5. Avoid using the phone except in emergency. This will keep the phones free for authorities and those in more dire straits.

6. Check for damaged electrical wiring. Look for sparks or frayed wires. Hot or melting wiring insulation cause an acrid smell. If you notice any damage, cut off the power at the fuse or circuit breaker box, but do not touch the box if you have to stand in water. In the latter case you should check with an electrician.

7. Avoid using candles, kerosene lamps, or other open flame sources for heat or light. Candles cause more fires after a disaster than any other source. If you must use a candle or open flame lamp, take extreme care to keep pets, children, and combustibles away from the flame.

8. If you smell or hear the hiss of leaking gas, leave the house. If you can, turn off the gas line at the cut off valve outside your home. Call the utility company from your cell or from another location.

9. Inspect your water lines and other plumbing. If you think there has been any damage, avoid using toilets and do not drink the tap water.

10. Check your freezer and refrigerator for spoiled food.

11. Don’t burn charcoal in an enclosed area. Doing so can cause buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.

12. Take photos of any damaged items. Place damaged items outside if they cannot be salvaged but try to avoid discarding them until they have been looked at by an insurance adjuster.

Do you live in a hurricane-prone area? What do you do to prepare? Let us know in the comments!

FURTHER READING:

• Safety Tips For Severe Weather
• Hurricane Survival Kit

*this post was originally published August, 2016. We have updated it for accuracy and relevancy in time for Hurricane Harvey. August, 25, 2017*

If hurricane survival is your goal, then preparedness is the solution. Being prepared is the most effective way to increase your chances of surviving natural disasters. We all know the destructive power of hurricanes, with the storm surges and flooding, as well as the turbulent winds.

How to Survive a Hurricane

Getting ready for natural disasters like these always involves having a hurricane survival kit and we have written a brief post on this before, which includes some tips.  These kits are almost always the most underrated and ignored survival tricks, which is a sad thing because these kits are in fact very useful. Have one ready at all times and remember to check the contents regularly and replace those that have expired.

Once you have taught yourself on packing and maintaining a kit, you have taken the first step towards emergency preparedness. Others may find this simple thing difficult to do, much less have the time to do it. We can never stress enough the importance of getting ready for anything.

Here are some tips to guide you in surviving hurricanes. If you have anything more to add, feel free to put them in the comments section.

Before a Hurricane

1. Prepare a supply kit

The most basic things you will need are food, water, clothing, bedding, first aid supplies, battery operated lighting, and tools. Also, consider wrapping all of your supplies in plastic sheets, to prevent them from getting wet should flooding occur. It would also be wise to invest in an inflatable raft large enough to carry your family and some supplies, just in case.

Supply kit contents:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 7 to 10 days. Katrina and Wilma should have emphasized the importance of having sufficient water on hand. Don’t forget some for your pets.
• Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
  — non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
  — foods for infants or the elderly
  — snack foods (Peanut butter; mixed PB&J; breakfast bars; crackers; canned fruit; raisins; chips;
  — non-electric can opener
  — cooking tools / fuel
  — paper plates / plastic utensils / paper cups
  — trash bags and duct tape – useful for clean-up, or patching leaks in an emergency
• An ax to use if you stay and need to escape from your house – or other uses
• Blankets / Pillows, etc.
• Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
• First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
• Special Items – for babies and the elderly
• Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
• Bug spray, Cortisone for bug bites
• Sunscreen & Lotion
• Tarp to cover holes if needed.
• Bleach
• Water purification tablets
• Waterless soap, this saves water for drinking
• Flashlight / Batteries
• Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
• Battery operated television, with extra batteries.
• Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods. Make sure you have small bills because it will often be difficult to get change. If you only have a $100 and water is $10 for a case and you are limited to one case, you do not want to have the choice of paying $100 or having no water.
• Keys to house, cars, boats etc
• Toys, Books and Games
• Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
  — insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. Don’t forget your re-entry documents (e.g. stickers or passes). Many barrier islands require some documentation in order to return. Keep important phone numbers here. You may know them, but a loved one may not.
• Tools – keep a set with you during the storm. A pocket knife, nails, a hammer and rope are important elements. Towels and buckets are useful too if you develop a leak.
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Pet care items
  — proper identification / immunization records / medications
  — ample supply of food and water
  — a carrier or cage
  — muzzle and leash

2. Know your surroundings

Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted. See more…

3. Cover all of your home’s windows

Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Another year-round option would be installation of laminated glass with impact-resistant glazing. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. More tips from ready.gov

4. Keep a water supply

Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. Store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation). Click here for the full post.

5. Keep a food supply

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High-energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

See more here.

6. Make a plan

Have a family communication plan so family members know how to let others know they are safe and have a plan for reuniting if separated.

7. Crank up the cold

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting so that food will last longer should the power go out. Keep the doors closed as much as possible to hold in the cold air.

Read more here.

8. Trim trees and hedges

Trim trees, hedges and bushes before hurricane season so that the wind can blow through easily. Limbs can become projectiles, breaking windows and damaging roofs.

Continue reading.

9. Make a list

Keep a list of loose items that need to be brought in or tied down such as patio furniture, garbage cans, plants, pool filter, etc. Don’t forget the mailbox and TV antenna.

To read the whole article click here.

10. Invest in a small generator

A small gas-powered motor can produce small amounts of electricity, providing you with essentials for a few hours at a time if power lines are down after the storm.

Get one before the hurricane hits: if you wait till the storm has come and gone, you’ll be looking for a generator with everyone else. In that case, expect very long lines and seeing empty shelves where generators used to sit in your local hardware store. Read more.

11. Buy a radio

Invest in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio to keep track of what is going on. These broadcasts are sent out via VHF radio waves, so any receiver that can pick up such broadcasts will do.

See more.

12. Make an evacuation plan

Coastal residents should form evacuation plans before a warning is issued to identify a safe shelter and a route to get there.

Read more.

13. Keep a life preserver

Stash an axe and life preservers in the upper story, or attic, of your home. Remember, most of the drowning victims of Hurricane Katrina were people who stayed in their homes and found themselves trapped by rising waters with no place to go. Many drowned in their attics, unable to break through the roof to the outside. A few bucks spent on these items ahead of time could save your life!  It also wouldn’t hurt to have a raft for your family if you need to escape rising waters.

See more.

14. Invest in a waterproof LED headlamp

I highly recommend that you purchase a waterproof back-country type headlamp with LED bulbs. Headlamps leave your hands free to carry things, or work on things. LED bulbs use a fraction of the power, are far more shock resistant, and last far longer than traditional light bulbs, so your batteries (don’t forget to stock spares) last many times longer.

For the full post, click here.

15. Turn off circuit breakers

If power blinks off and on, turn off all of the circuit breakers except the one that powers a lamp in an internal part of your house.

16. Bring outdoor objects inside

Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools, and secure objects that cannot be brought inside, the Red Cross says.

Read the full post here.

17. Gas up your vehicles

Make sure you have jumper cables and flares, along with your evacuation kit in your car.

Read more…

18. Download the Emergency App from the American Red Cross

Sometimes all you need is an app for enhanced hurricane survival. Available on the App Store as well as on Google Play.

During a Hurricane

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Moor your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

When to Evacuate

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
• If you feel you are in danger.
• If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

Stay Indoors

• Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

After a Hurricane

1. Beware of heights

Almost half of the people who died during cleanup fell from a roof, ladder or tree. If there is any chance that you will be off the ground after a storm, invest in safety equipment and learn how to use it now. Harnesses, lifelines, lanyards, anchors, slip-resistant shoes and ladder safety devices will help. Remember, the chaotic days after a storm are a bad time to learn how to use unfamiliar equipment. See more…

2. Watch your step

Avoid standing water, which may hide broken glass, sharp metal or a downed power line, and don’t allow children to play in puddles. Be careful using metal tree trimmers or metal ladders around power lines, and make sure appliances are dry before plugging them back in. Electrocution is a very real risk after storms. Click here to learn more.

3. Use a portable generator with caution

Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open. Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions. Any electrical cables you use with the generator should be free of damage and suitable for outdoor use. Continue reading.

4. Beware of fallen wires

Stay away from any downed wires, including cable TV feeds. They may be live with deadly voltage. If you are standing in water, do not handle or operate electrical appliances. Electrical components, including circuit breakers, wiring in the walls and outlets that have been under water should not be turned on. They should be replaced unless properly inspected and tested by a qualified electrician.

Natural gas or propane valves that have been under water should be replaced. Smell and listen for leaky gas connections. If you believe there is a gas leak, immediately leave the house and leave the door(s) open. Never strike a match. Any size flame can spark an explosion. Before turning the gas back on, have the gas system checked by a professional. Click here for more info.

Additional Hurricane Safety Information:

Saffir Simpson Scale:

Being aware is another hurricane survival trick.

Infographic:

Hurricane survival tips simplified. Click here to see the whole image

For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Want to know more? Check out these related articles:

Hurricane Safety Tips: Before, During and After the Storm

Emergency Hurricane Survival Kit List & Preparedness Tips

Hurricane Evacuation for When It’s Needed Most Provided in Gone Before Gridlock

Written by Wild Bill on The Prepper Journal.

All of us at The Prepper Journal want to wish you and your families a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

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This article, written by a woman and for women, is mainly about situational awareness in an urban scenario where the “follower” can quickly turn into an aggressor. Knowing what to…

This article %What To Do If Being Followed on Foot or By Vehicle% appeared first on %SHTF Blog – Modern Survival%.

Written by Wild Bill on The Prepper Journal.

All of us at The Prepper Journal want to wish you and your families a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

The post Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

The California wildfires may easily get out of hand. How prepared are you if that happens? Plan ahead and keep the family safe with our wildfire preparedness kit and checklist below!

How to Build Your Wildfire Preparedness Kit

Fleeing a wildfire can be a terrifying experience, and you don’t want to wait until the last minute to get ready for evacuation. In fact, you may want to evacuate before being told to do so by authorities, if you feel that your property is threatened or if you have pets or livestock that will make evacuation difficult.

Be methodical in your preparation and packing, and place everything that you’ll need in arm’s reach so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Print out our wildfire preparedness checklist and follow each line item so that you don’t forget anything important.

Your Bug Out Bag

You’ll want to pack a Bug Out Bag for each member of your family and keep it by the front door. Plan to be away from your home for a while when you pack it.

• Face masks or coverings
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water for each person
• Physical map marked with at least two evacuation routes
• Prescriptions medications and a basic first aid kit
• Clothing
• Eyeglasses and/or contact lenses
• Your extra set of car keys
• Cash & credit cards
• Flashlight, Headlamp if you have one
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Toiletries: toilet paper, wipes, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
• Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, passports, and insurance policies
• Pet food and water
• Small valuables you don’t want to leave behind, such as wedding rings
• Photos and other items that cannot be replaced
• Personal computer information on hard drives and disks, your laptop
• Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.
• A list of emergency contact numbers

Whenever you leave the house, bring your Bug Out Bag with you, just in case you will not be able to return home to pick it up. It is also a good idea to keep a cooler on wheels accessible to you. You can quickly fill it up with food and drinks as you’re leaving.

Evacuation Checklist

Before you leave your home, you’ll want to put in a little effort to come back to a liveable space if you’re able to do so. There are steps to take both inside and outside of your house. You’ll also want to contact your insurance agent immediately, since they may cover your lodging and other evacuation expenses.

1. Inside Your House

• Have your Bug Out Bag ready to go.
• Keep a Bug Out Bag of learning materials for your children so you can reestablish structure for them.
• Have a family plan prepared ahead of time, and communicate it with your family prior to evacuation.
• Know your community’s emergency response plan, and know your own plan on where to go when it is time to evacuate. Have multiple routes ready for leaving your location.
• Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked. Wrap your A/C units to help reduce smoke damage.
• Remove all flammable window shades and curtains.
• Close metal shutters.
• Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
• Shut off gas at the meter and turn off the pilot lights.
• Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
• Shut off the air conditioning.
• Walk through your home and take a video, talking through everything you have, including in drawers and closets.
• Throw away everything in the fridge and freezer that you’re not taking with you, and take the trash outside. Your power will likely be turned off, and this way you won’t return to the stench.
• Keep pets inside and close by so that you can evacuate them quickly.

2. Outside Your House

• Fill up the gas tank of your car to at least ¾ full and maintain that level until all fires are extinguished.
• Gather up flammable items from outside the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, doormats, trash cans, etc.) or put them in your pool.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Move propane BBQ appliances away from home and any other buildings.
• Connect hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.
• Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, as they can affect critical water pressure.
• Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters.
• Put your Bug Out Bag in your vehicle.
• Keep your car windows and doors shut, and keep the keys in your pocket at all times.
• Place a ladder at the corner of the house for firefighters to use to access your roof.
• Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals.
• Continue to monitor the situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened. Leaving early will also help to keep you out of traffic.
• If you have livestock, keep them nearby and evacuate early with them.

Be Prepared with a Wildfire Preparedness Kit and Checklist

Don’t return to your home until it has been determined that it is safe to do so. When you do get home, don’t sweep or blow the ash, as it can create toxins in the air. Instead, wet the ash with a hose or wet towel. Be sure to replace all of the filters in your home and car.

Stay as calm as you can, and begin your preparations early so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

How are you preparing for the wildfires right now? We’d love to hear some tips from you in the comments section!

Up Next:

• 10 Medications To Stock In Your Bug Out Bag
• How To Prepare For and Evacuate From A Wildfire
• How To Turn Your Bug Out Bag Into A Minimalist Backpack

While out in the woods, it would be nice to be able to make bushcraft chairs for your own comfort by just using materials from your surroundings. Here’s how you can do that.

How to DIY Bushcraft Chairs

It’s hard to discount a good chair at the camp. The crackle and pop of a fire at the end of a long day of hiking is like magic. To watch straying sparks, spit up in the air and disappear into the darkness above is something that puts us in touch with people who have long past but were responsible for us getting this far.

If you can have this experience in a nice comfortable chair that you built from the forest around you, well, now you are just adding levels of awesome.

There are essentially two kinds of chairs that you can fashion from the world around you. Well, you also have limitless options because of the simple tweaks and ingenuity that you can apply to basic techniques like square lashing.

We are going to focus on two designs that are easy to make and highly effective. They both built on a couple of techniques. You are going to need to have lashing and knot skills and if you can make a simple tripod that will help.

1. The Two V All Wood Bushcraft Chair

For this chair, you are going to need some tools

• A good knife or woodsman’s axe
• A folding saw
• A roll of Bankline or paracord
• A strong tarp with grommets
• Square lashing techniques

Of course, a simple chair made from harvested wood is the pride and joy of a bushcrafter. We want to be able to take our woodsman’s axe, a small amount of cordage, and create a chair from it.

• Begin by finding a couple of sturdy and strong branches. These should be at least 6 inches in diameter.
• Depending on the weight you plan on seating in that chair they might even need to be thicker. You will need 5 of these that are at least 5 feet long.
• Lash two of these together at the point where the two meets to create a V.
• Be thorough with this lashing as it will decide the strength of your chair.
• Once you have two Vs you are ready to source 5 or so branches that are a little smaller in diameter but to about 2 – 2 ½ feet long. These will become the seat of your chair.
• To assemble the chair, you are going to lay one V down on the ground and then use the other V pointing upward and standing upright.
• The standing V is used to straddle the V that is laying and then you can lift the legs of the V on the floor up a bit and angle the standing V backwards a few degrees.

The bottom V becomes your seat and the standing V becomes the back of your chair. Now they can be lashed together with cordage and adjusted before tightening the lashing down. Now you can lash your smaller cuts of wood to the seat portion. To add stability, use your 5th pole to support the back of the seat. You can lash this to the point of each V in the chair’s design.

Or

You can affix this to the V on the back of the chair and then drive the other end of the stick into the ground.

Many people also affix a small tarp to the back of the chair as a means of adding support to the chair. Depending on how you like to sit you will want this tarp tighter for more support or loose for less support. There will be limits to how much weight your tarp and chair can handle so be careful using this chair at first.

This is also a great chair design for kids.

2. The Tripod and Tarp Chair

For this tripod chair, you are going to need some tools

• A good knife or woodsman’s axe
• Folding saw
• A roll of Bankline or paracord
• A strong tarp with grommets
• Tripod lashing technique

A less complicated chair can be made by simply building a large, sturdy tripod. You will have to understand the basics of tripod lashing, and then find three 5-6-foot poles that can be used to create this.

• Once you have your tall, sturdy tripod, you are going to find another branch, stick, pole, that is about 4 feet long. Lash this between two of the sticks on your tripod, horizontally.
• Then you can wrap a tarp several times on this stick and pull that tarp tightly towards the top of your tripod and then affix that to your top lashing.
• You now have a type of hammock style tripod seat that is wonderfully comfortable.

Live Comfortably in the Wilderness

Whether you are hiking, hunting or out for a bushcraft adventure, having a sturdy seat after a long day makes a big difference. Both are great designs and easy to execute, even if you have basic skills with your bushcraft knife or woodsman’s axe.

When you think about your perfectly crafted bushcraft camp, what are the things that you see? Maybe a tripod over the fire with a chain hanging, a simple A-frame shelter and a square lashed bed to top with a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag.

Add to that camp a set of bushcraft chairs and you will be living large in the wilderness!

Have you ever tried making your own bushcraft chairs? Let us know how it went in the comments section!

Up Next:

• How To Make A Spear | DIY Survival Spear
• The Original Weapon: The Kylie/Rabbit/Throwing Stick
• How To Prepare For and Evacuate From A Wildfire

Feature Image via amazingwildernessproducts.com

If you could go back to 1950, would you do it?  There would be no Internet, no cellphones and you would only be able to watch television in black and white.  But even though they lacked many of our modern conveniences, people genuinely seemed to be much happier back then.  Families actually ate dinner together, neighbors knew and cared about one another, and being an “American” truly meant something.  Today, we like to think that we are so much more “advanced” than they were back then, but the truth is that our society is in the process of falling apart all around us.  Could it be possible that we could learn some important lessons by looking back at how Americans lived 70 years ago?

Of course there has never been any era in our history when everything has been perfect.  But without a doubt, things are vastly different today than they were back in 1950…

In 1950, Texaco Star Theatre, The Lone Ranger and Hopalong Cassidy were some of the most popular shows that Americans watched on television.

In 2020, a Netflix film entitled “Cuties” is so trashy and so disgusting that four states have sent a letter to Netflix asking for it to be removed because it is “fodder for those with criminal imaginations, serving to normalize the view that children are sexual beings.”

In 1950, television networks would not even show husbands and wives in bed together.

In 2020, “adult websites” get more traffic than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined.

In 1950, people would greet one another as they walked down the street.

In 2020, Americans are too enamored with their cellphones to be bothered with actual human contact.

In 1950, gum chewing and talking in class were some of the major disciplinary problems in our schools.

In 2020, kids are literally gunning down police officers in the streets.

In 1950, people would make an effort to dress up and look nice when they would go out in public.

In 2020, most of the population has become utter slobs and “People of Walmart” has become one of our most popular memes.

In 1950, the typical woman got married for the first time at age 20 and the typical man got married for the first time at age 22.

In 2020, the typical woman gets married for the first time at age 27 and the typical man gets married for the first time at age 29.

In 1950, a lot of people would leave their homes and their vehicles unlocked because crime rates were so low.

In 2020, many that live in urban areas are deathly afraid of all the civil unrest that has erupted, and gun sales have soared to all-time record highs.

In 1950, Americans actually attempted to parent their children.

In 2020, we pump our kids full of mind-altering drugs and we let our televisions and our video games raise our children.

In 1950, Baltimore was one of the most beautiful and most prosperous cities on the entire planet.

In 2020, Baltimore regularly makes headlines because of all the murders that are constantly occurring.  Of course the exact same thing could be said about many of our other major cities.

In 1950, 78 percent of all households in America contained a married couple.

In 2020, that figure has fallen below 50 percent.

In 1950, about 5 percent of all babies in the United States were born to unmarried parents.

In 2020, about 40 percent of all babies in the United States will be born to unmarried parents.

In 1950, new churches were regularly being opened all over the United States.

In 2020, it is being projected that 1 out of every 5 churches in the U.S. “could be forced to shut their doors in the next 18 months”, and the mayor of Lubbock, Texas just said that opening a new Planned Parenthood clinic is like starting a church.

In 1950, we actually had high standards for our elected officials, and people actually did research on the candidates before they cast their votes.

In 2020, more than 4,000 people in one county in New Hampshire voted for a “transsexual Satanic anarchist” in the Republican primary, and she is now the Republican nominee for sheriff in Cheshire County.

In 1950, children would go outside and play when they got home from school.

In 2020, our parks and our playgrounds are virtually empty and we have the highest childhood obesity rate in the industrialized world.

In 1950, front porches were community gathering areas, and people would regularly have their neighbors over for dinner.

In 2020, many of us don’t know our neighbors at all, and the average American watches more than five hours of television a day.

In 1950, Americans used words such as “knucklehead”, “moxie” and “jalopy”.

In 2020, new terms such as “nomophobia”, “peoplekind” and “social distancing” have been introduced into the English language.

In 1950, the very first credit card was issued in the United States.

In 2020, Americans owe more than 930 billion dollars on their credit cards.

In 1950, one income could support an entire middle class household.

In 2020, tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment, and more than half of all households in some of our largest cities are currently facing “serious financial problems”.

In 1950, the American people believed that the free market should govern the economy.

In 2020, most Americans seem to believe that the government in Washington and the Federal Reserve must endlessly “manage” the economy.

In 1950, “socialists” and “communists” were considered to be our greatest national enemies.

In 2020, most of our politicians in Washington have eagerly embraced socialist and communist policy goals.

In 1950, the U.S. Constitution was deeply loved and highly revered.

In 2020, anyone that actually admits to being a “constitutionalist” is considered to be a potential domestic terrorist.

In 1950, the United States loaned more money to the rest of the world than anybody else.

In 2020, the United States owes more money to the rest of the world than anybody else.

In 1950, the total U.S. national debt reached the 257 billion dollar mark for the first time in our history.

In 2020, we added 864 billion dollars to the national debt in the month of June alone.  In other words, we added over three times more to the national debt in that one month than the total amount of debt that had been accumulated from the founding of our nation all the way to 1950.

In 1950, most Americans were generally happy with their lives.

In 2020, the suicide rate is at an all-time record high, and it has been rising every single year since 2007.

***Michael’s new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.***

About the Author: My name is Michael Snyder and my brand new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available on Amazon.com.  By purchasing the book you help to support the work that my wife and I are doing, and by giving it to others you help to multiply the impact that we are having on people all over the globe.  I have published thousands of articles on 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 always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  In addition to my new book, I have written four others that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned)  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.  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.  During these very challenging times, people will need hope more than ever before, and it is our goal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we possibly can.

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