This article was originally published by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge. 

Michael Bloomberg isn’t making any friends in the agriculture industry, after a video of the former NYC Mayor surfaced of him describing farmers as having simple jobs that don’t require much intelligence, according to the Washington Times.

“I could teach anybody, even the people in this room” to be a farmer, said Bloomberg during a 2016 talk at Oxford University in a now-viral clip in which he called agriculture a “process”

“You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, add water, up comes the corn, he added.

Bloomberg then described metalworkers similarly.

“You put the piece of metal in the lathe, you turn the crank in the direction of the arrow, and you can have a job,” he continued.

Mr. Bloomberg then said working in the information economy is “fundamentally different, because it’s built around replacing people with technology and the skill sets that you have to learn are how to think and analyze. And that is a whole degree level different. You have to have a different skill set, you have to have a lot more gray matter,” he said. –Washington Times

Billionaire Bloomberg claims he "could teach anybody to be a farmer," even implying that farmers don't have the same level of "skillset" or "grey matter" as folks in tech jobs.

So demeaning, elitist, and out-of-touch it's appalling. pic.twitter.com/Auplmdq56m

— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKellyWI) February 17, 2020

Bloomberg is also making strides with elderly voters with his casual ‘death panel’ banter.

Bloomberg explaining how healthcare will “bankrupt us,” unless we deny care to the elderly.

“If you show up with cancer & you’re 95 years old, we should say…there’s no cure, we can’t do anything.

A young person, we should do something. Society’s not willing to do that, yet.” pic.twitter.com/7E5UFHXLue

— Samuel D. Finkelstein II (@CANCEL_SAM) February 16, 2020

Not to be outdone by his efforts to appeal to… well, we’re not quite sure:

What the fuck is going on pic.twitter.com/VzQrIqLaei

— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) February 16, 2020

I bought the Gerber shard as an attempt at a gift. Unfortunately I couldn’t help but open it and try it out.

At first look, the shard appears to be a good solid piece of metal with a nice matte black coating.  Unfortunately that is where the shiny toy syndrome wore off.  I took the shard out to give it some real world experience and it while it did have a few good key points, this is more of a novelty key chain than a true tool.

Let’s start with the good:

The one piece solid steel body makes the pry bar very sturdy and strong.

The bottle opener is about the best part of this tool and performs as expected

The matte black coating looks good on a key chain and doesn’t stand out too much

According to Gerber, The shard is fully TSA compliant, but I have not traveled with it yet and as such cannot attest to the truthfulness of that statement

Coming in with a MSRP of 7.00 direct from Gerber (I got mine for a little over $5.00 via amazon) makes this a cheap and easy gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who doesn’t already have ten other items on their key chain.

 

The bad:

The flat head screwdrivers are much too thick to fit into most normal flat head screws.  You would have to file them down much thinner in order for them to work on standard flat head screws but seeing as these also function as the tips of the pry bar, doing so would make them much easier to break.

The Phillips head screwdriver is so thin that it will only work effectively on small Phillips head screws.  The small size of the head also makes it rather sharp and if put in a pocket the wrong way can cause a painful stab.

The lanyard hole…. REALLY?  The fact that Gerber puts this in as a feature of the product is just bad form.

The “titanium nitride” coating on this tool looks good, but started to wear off to within an hour or so of using it.

The wire strippers work better as a small nail puller as there is no edge to cut the sheath on a wire.

 

The bottom Line:

The Gerber Shard looks like it is a broken or leftover piece of a bigger and better tool. With that being said, it makes a great novelty gift and a pretty decent bottle opener.

While the pry bar may open a can of paint with ease the short stature of the tool gives it very little leverage. I have found that if you have a tactical pen or a small bolt, you can insert it into the lanyard hole and get a good deal more leverage out of it.

At its price I would recommend it as a stocking stuffer or maybe a father’s day present.  It has a quality build but needed a little more effort to be put into the multi tool aspect. I am still looking for a good key chain multi-tool.

Do you have any suggestions?

Check out these related articles from our site:

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Review

Gerber Suspension Gets the Job Done

Gerber Gator Jr Has Teeth

Save

Originally posted on: October 18, 2012 @ 3:45 AM

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

Virginia Democrats: “We’re passing the most draconian anti-gun measures in the nation!”

Arizona Democrats: “Hold my beer!”

Well, the madness (and Bloomberg’s money) has come from the East coast to try and worm its way into Arizona.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen anti-gun legislation here in Arizona, and it certainly won’t be the last. But coming on the heels of Virginia, it appears Arizona anti-Constitutionalists were emboldened by Virginia’s ‘success’ at forwarding the anti-gun agenda.

The Fight is On!

At particular interest in Arizona are Senate Bills 1624, 1625 and 1626, which are written to require government intervention in private transactions (1624), ban pretty much any firearm with a magazine (1625), and emplace red flag laws that will be used by vindictive exes to strip the law-abiding of their property.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) has been working tirelessly for more than 15 years to stop bad gun laws and promote good gun laws…they’re the people who gave us in Arizona “Constitutional Carry”, reduced training requirements and burdens for CCW permits and permit renewals and strengthened our state preemption laws.

Track legislation

AzCDL tracks gun-related bills each session, and you can see the summaries and links to all the bills currently introduced in this legislative session.

Also, there will be a Second Amendment Rally at the Arizona Capitol on Saturday, 15 Feb, 2020, from 10am – 2pm. You can get more info at www.2ndAmendmentRallyAZ.com

Don’t let Arizona become California.

The post Arizona 2nd Amendment News appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Since 1973, magnesium bar fire starters have been around. A simple, waterproof, arguably unbreakable, fire starter that can get hot enough to light wet tinder. The bar can produce many shavings to make quite a few fires. Here though, is possibly the only downfall to the magnesium bar: making the shavings. It takes awhile and one has to be very careful not to allow all the shavings they have scraped off to scatter to the wind. Can it be done? Of course, I myself have done this many times on my bug out adventures, but it did get me thinking on how one could improve upon the design. Hence I bring you the Improved Magnesium Bar.

By Grimm, contributing author to SHTFblog and Survival Cache

With a little modification one can give their magnesium bar and themselves an edge in a dire emergency. If fire is needed as soon as possible the magnesium bar suffers. No matter what, one will have to do the proper preparations to have the materials to build a fire from a small flame, but in the case of the magnesium bar you also have to take extra time to scrape the shavings. Now what if I told you that you already had a good amount of shavings ready to go with your bar? Then you would simply set up your fire, pour out the shavings and spark them to life. This is what the improved magnesium bar does. As you will see in my video I show you step by step how you can use a few simple tools to modify your magnesium bar.

Also read: Survival Gear Review: Doan Magnesium Bar

The benefits of this modification are not just limited to the shavings. Having the ranger band on the bar provides a better grip on the bar. After the shavings chamber is empty the band could be used for a multitude of things. Once your fire is roaring you could even sit and shave new shavings to be stored away in the chamber and resealed with the band. Perhaps you found some new tinder and it could be stored in the chamber. Of course the ranger band doesn’t keep it fully waterproof but it is better than a pocket. Even though I have showed you one way of improving your magnesium bar I encourage you to experiment. I only drilled one chamber, but that doesn’t mean you cant have more. Having a magnesium bar is a good start to ensuring your ability to make fire but why not do a little preparation and make it an Improved Magnesium Bar?

If the coronavirus is spreading this rapidly among hospital workers, what chance do the rest of us have?  What we are witnessing in China right now is absolutely unprecedented.  Despite the lockdown of major city after major city, this mysterious new coronavirus continues to spread like wildfire, and Chinese government officials are becoming visibly frustrated.  The number of confirmed cases has nearly doubled over the past seven days, and that is extremely concerning.  But even more alarming is the unofficial information which has been leaking out of China.  According to the South China Morning Post, “at least 500 hospital staff in Wuhan” have now been infected…

At least 500 hospital staff in Wuhan had been infected with the deadly new strain of coronavirus by mid January, multiple medical sources have confirmed, leaving hospitals short-staffed and causing deep concern among health care workers.

While the government has reported individual cases of health care workers becoming infected, it has not provided the full picture, and the sources said doctors and nurses had been told not to make the total public.

There have been numerous reports that indicate there isn’t enough equipment to sufficiently protect medical personnel in Wuhan, and that is probably the biggest reason why this number is so high.

But most of these workers are not completely unprotected, and this just shows how easily this virus can spread.

Ultimately what all of these workers probably need are full hazmat suits, and right now there aren’t many to go around…

A doctor from a major hospital in Wuhan, who requested anonymity, said the development had hit morale, adding that many medical workers were “devastated” when they saw the CAT scans of colleagues who had been infected.

“That is why we have been crying out for more donations of medical supplies, especially hazmat suits,” one doctor said, describing how a quarantine area set aside for sick medical workers was now full. “We have seen too many colleagues falling ill because of insufficient protection.”

Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang was one of the first to try to sound the alarm about this outbreak, and when the virus killed him it sent shockwaves all over China.

Here in the United States a lot of people are still not taking this crisis very seriously, but over in China people are literally dropping dead day after day.

And if urgent action is not taken, the same thing could soon start happening all over the globe.  In fact, WHO advisor Ira Longini just completed a study that concluded that “more than 5 billion people” could ultimately catch this virus…

In yet another sign of the World Health Organization’s about-face on the coronavirus outbreak, a top epidemiologist and advisor to the organization said Thursday that if the virus isn’t contained soon, it could infect 60% of the global population – or more than 5 billion people – echoing projections made by a Hong Kong scientist who was once labeled an alarmist despite his pioneering work in the fight against SARS.

According to Bloomberg, that’s what WHO advisor Ira Longini said after finishing a study of the virus’s transmissibility. His estimates suggest that the virus could one day infect billions of people, far more than the ~60,000 or so cases as of earlier on Thursday.

And he is far from alone.  In fact, Hong Kong epidemiologist Gabriel Leung is also warning that 60 to 80 percent of the entire global population could become infected.

In addition, an AI-powered simulation created by a technology executive named James Ross has determined that this virus could wind up killing 52 million people.

We hope that such scenarios do not become a reality, but at this point I am greatly frustrated with those in the western world that are treating this crisis as if it was no big deal.

It is a big deal, and if we don’t get our act together it could kill an enormous number of people.

Unfortunately, so far we have seen quite a bit of incompetence.  For example, one woman that caught the coronavirus recently showed up to a hospital in London in an Uber…

The first person diagnosed with coronavirus in London turned up unannounced at a hospital in an Uber taxi after falling ill.

Two staff from Lewisham hospital in south London are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the woman, a Chinese national who had recently arrived in the city from China.

She probably didn’t understand that she should have called an ambulance.  But the worst part of the story is that the hospital actually sent her back home “pending the results of her tests”…

The woman was then sent home pending the results of her tests. On Wednesday she was taken to another London hospital, St Thomas’, for treatment.

By not taking her case seriously, that hospital could have potentially lit the spark that will spread this virus all over London.

Here in the United States, we just learned that the coronavirus testing kits that the CDC was sending out to local communities don’t work.

In fact, they were coming up with a completely wrong result much of the time…

Earlier this week, we reported how China rushed biotech industry virus testing kits into production, compressing the normal 2-3 years of testing and validation into just 2-3 weeks. The result? The test kits are a joke, producing 50% – 70% false negatives, which means people who have the coronavirus are falsely confirmed to be virus-free.

Now, the CDC is admitting that its own test kits which were widely distributed to hospitals and clinics across all 50 U.S. states, are also failing. They producing both false negatives (missed infections) and false positives (saying people are infected when they really aren’t), both of which lead to horrific errors in deciding who should be quarantined or treated.

So there could be people running around all over the United States that “tested negative” for the disease but that are now spreading it to countless others.

That is just great.

And the cavalier attitude that many of our officials have toward potential cases is just mind blowing.

For instance, in King County, Washington those that are suspected of having the coronavirus are being put in local motels.

Please remind me never to stay in a motel in King County.

What a nightmare we are facing.  I had a feeling that this year was going to be chaotic, but I don’t know anyone that imagined that things would already be this bad in mid-February.

And a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration is warning that the number of cases that have been confirmed in the U.S. so far is just the tip of the iceberg…

The U.S. has now reported 14 confirmed cases of the deadly virus. But health experts believe the real figures are much higher as the virus can be transmitted even while undetected for 10-14 days.

Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said there are “certainly cases we don’t know about,” and that we’re only “capturing 25 percent of cases at best.” He urged the committee to expand testing and warned them to expect a wider outbreak.

Perhaps this outbreak will fizzle out eventually, but the lack of urgency that I am seeing in this country right now is deeply, deeply alarming.

If we can’t get our act together to respond adequately to a potential killer pandemic that is causing people to literally drop dead on the other side of the globe, what is going to happen when an even greater crisis is facing us?

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

If you’re on the hunt for a kayak but are struggling to figure out the BEST kayak for YOU – you’re in the right place.

Today, I’m going to break down everything you need to know to find the kayak that will best meet your needs.

• Maybe you’re looking for a damn good fishing kayak
• Perhaps you want a kayak to use as a rescue vehicle in a future floodwater emergency
• Maybe you’re interested in using a kayak for epic backcountry camping trips
• Or perhaps you’ve been thinking about using a kayak as a bug-out vehicle in a disaster…

But regardless of the reason why you want a kayak – I’ve got you covered either way…

Because buying a kayak should NEVER be an impulse purchase. For example, just because you see one on “sale” at a big-box retailer doesn’t mean it’s right for YOU.

Plus, there are so many kayaks to choose from today; you need someone you can trust to help you wade through the overwhelming confusion. And that’s precisely why I wrote this article.

So today, I’m going to share everything I know about kayaks and even recommend a few I feel worth an investment. Here’s what I’m going to cover:

• Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Invest In A Kayak Today
• Explaining The Differences Between The 5 Main Types Of Kayaks
• 7 Best Kayaks On The Market Today (with Video Reviews)
• Expert Tips and Advice On Gear Loading and Kayak Storage
• The 8 Fundamental Kayak Strokes Every New Kayaker Should Learn
• How To Keep Your Kayak Gear Clean and Dry
• A Brief Note On Navigating In A Kayak

Note: click any of the links above to skip ahead – but make sure to check out our 7 detailed “Best” Kayak Reviews

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.

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Invest In A Kayak

---

1 – Recreation / Fun

The number one reason why anyone gets a kayak is that they’re fun!

Getting out on the water is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a beautiful day.

Whether it’s a pristine lake, calm sea, or extreme rapids, they’re a freakin’ blast!

I mean, it would be such a shame to buy a kayak and never use it. So make sure you find time every year to take yours out of the garage and get out on the water.

2 – Remote Camping

With the right kayak, you can go beyond day trips out on the water to overnight excursions.

With a kayak, you can take a lot of essential camping gear with you WITHOUT having to carry everything on your back.

I know a lot of people who love the feeling of freedom and remoteness than backpacking provides. But don’t want to hike 10+ miles with 35 lbs of gear on their back. So they’ve taken up overnight kayak trips instead.

It allows you to escape into the REAL wilderness without breaking your back.

2 – Fishing

Kayaks are becoming more popular among fishermen. Why? Because they are an incredibly lightweight alternative to the traditional aluminum Jon Boat.

I don’t relish the days of yesteryear struggling to maneuver my father’s Jon Boat in and out of the water.

Instead, with a kayak, you get much of the same fishing experience with much less hassle.

You can even go extremely lightweight with an inflatable fishing boat!

Nowadays, many inflatable kayak models are designed with fishing in mind from the ground up.

3 – Emergency Rescue Device

We’ve all heard the term “up sh*t creek without a paddle.” And typically, this famous “saying” is used to describe all sorts of bad situations – not just water-related ones.

Unfortunately, it often becomes a reality in flooding emergencies!

Did you know, in the US, the most deadly natural disasters usually involve flooding?

On average, U.S. flooding kills more than 100 people a year — more than any other single weather hazard, including tornadoes and hurricanes, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

For example, in both Houston and New Orleans, hurricane-induced surge and rain caused unprecedented urban flooding. Rising waters swamped homes, decimated businesses, and shut down entire cities.

Not to mention all the chemicals, fuel, sewage, and other dangerous pollutants that dumped into the rising water.

Many people became instantly trapped, waiting around for rescue.

But those who owned small boats or kayaks were far better off in the immediate aftermath. Why? Because they could evacuate, search for supplies, and move around as needed.

But, even much less dramatic flooding happens all across the nation – wreaking disruptive havoc and dangerous conditions.

It only takes a couple of feet of water to cause roads to be impassible for cars, SUVs, and trucks.

For example, during a recent flood in my hometown, the police asked for civilian help. They needed anyone with boats to evacuate a neighborhood due to just 18 inches of floodwater.

Kayaks, canoes, and small fishing boats saved the day.

It allowed them to get to dry land and on with their lives until the water receded.

4 – Stealthy Bug Out Transportation

In a worst-case emergency scenario, a small, discrete boat can get you off the streets and away from crowds

Moving away from danger to safety is called “bugging out.”

And even the tallest, bulletproof bug out vehicle can’t overcome deep dangerous floodwaters. But a kayak can.

A kayak is a quiet boat that requires no fuel and leaves no tracks behind.

• It slips stealthily through shallow water and floating vegetation.
• You can easily haul it up on shore when you reach a safe camp.
• It can be easily hidden from view by others on the water during a rest stop.

If you want the ultimate in stealth capability, look into duck hunting kayak setups. These kayaks are a floating blind camouflaged with netting and woven vegetation.

A well-concealed kayak blind can hide you from more than just your prey, but also anyone who might be hunting YOU!

Here’s a video of a kayak that’s been turned into a stealth machine for duck hunting. It shows you what’s possible:

---

Exclusive Bonus Content – Skilled Survival’s 104 Item Bug Out Bag Checklist – the only bug out checklist worth using. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

Explaining The 5 Main Type Of Kayak You Can Choose

---

The right kind of kayak for YOU depends upon:

• the type of water you’ll be using in on
• how you plan to use it (whitewater, lake, fishing, bugging out)
• how much equipment you want to bring along

Here’s the deal, there are thousands of unique kayaks on the market today (making research overwhelming). But the good news is – they all tend to fit into just a few categories.

So, if you can figure out which category of kayak you want, you’ll be able to focus in on the right one for you fast.

Here’s a video that goes over each of the different kayak categories in detail (or you can read more about each category below):

---

1 – Whitewater Kayaks

We’ve all seen videos of extreme kayakers dropping 100+ foot waterfalls and surviving. Chances are they’re in a very specialized whitewater kayak.

These are highly reinforced, extremely durable boats. But they’re not designed for much more than running whitewater rapids.

Why? Because They’re small (up to 7 feet long), have very little storage, and are not very comfortable in the long term. Plus, whitewater kayaks require very advanced paddling techniques and a lot of focused training.

So this is NOT your type of kayak – unless your plans include “extreme sports,” and you can accommodate these drawbacks.

Otherwise, you don’t “need” these capabilities, and a whitewater kayak is NOT the type of kayak that’s best suited for you.

2 – Inflatable Kayaks

If your kayak plans include some lake fun, gentle whitewater (not huge rapids), and fishing, then an inflatable kayak is your best bet.

These 10′-14′ foot boats are designed and built the same way as whitewater rafts, except they include several durable inflatable chambers.

These inflatable chambers provide the main structure and floor of the boat.

Most are also self-bailing, so any water that splashes in can drain out the bottom.

You can load your gear in waterproof drybags and lash it down in the bow and stern. And, best of all, they can be inflated when needed and deflated when you’re off the water!

3 – Touring Sea Kayaks

When kayaking long distances in open water (whether at sea or on big lakes), a touring sea kayak is likely your best option.

These boats are designed for efficient paddling and covering distances quickly.

The sit-inside design keeps your center of gravity low which helps to prevent tip over. Sitting low also helps to keep your lower body protected by a spray skirt. A spray skirt is a waterproof cockpit cover that fits snugly around the waist.

Many models have:

• integrated flotation
• gear tie-downs on deck for small, frequently accessed items
• sealed cargo hatches over internal large gear compartments

The long (16′ foot and up) and narrow profile makes them cruise through the water with ease. And the retractable rudders and skegs keep you tracking straight towards your destination.

One drawback of gear compartments is that everything has to be able to fit through a small hatch. So you’ll have to figure out how to pack your boat efficiently to ensure everything fits.

4 – Surfing Kayaks

Most touring sea kayaks do well with smaller surf. But not if your coastline has some bigger gnarly waves.

In such cases, a surf kayak is ideal for handling and piloting successfully through large breakers – which is vital when launching and landing in rough seas.

Surf kayaks feature a hull design that’s more agile than a touring boat. But it still maintains some cargo holds which are lacking in a traditional whitewater boat.

Again, these are more specialized models and take some specific training and techniques. So don’t expect to pick one up and be a pro the next day.

5 – Recreational Sit-On-Top Kayak

Finally, one of the most versatile types of kayaks is a recreational sit-on-top.

These have similar durability and use rotomolded plastics (similar to whitewater boats). However, rather than sitting down inside the kayak, the paddler sits on top.

That’s because the seat is molded directly into the upper deck of the boat.

Now, this seat location does have it’s drawbacks. For example, it’s not nearly as stable as other kayak styles so they are best suited for calm waters. However, the seat location does make getting in and out of the boat a breeze.

More extensive models feature internal cargo compartments with waterproof hatches.

They also include cargo areas to lash down drybags on deck, and some can even carry hundreds of pounds of gear.

There are some models with accessory attachment points. These attachment locations are ideal for adding a small electric trolling motor and fishing rod holders!

Note: Most fishing kayaks are of the “sit-on-top” variety. I’ve also seen a few decent inflatable kayaks used for fishing as well.

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.

7 Best Kayaks On The Market Today (with Video Reviews)

---

So, what’s the best kind of kayak for you?

It depends a lot on your specific usage plans. But versatility, durability, and ease of use are all things to keep in mind.

Here are a few of the best-rated models out there and what makes them stand out:

1 – Wilderness Systems ATAK 140

The Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 is a stable kayak fishing platform with a bunch of modern features.

It’s stable enough to stand up but still agile for paddling. It has a suspension seat and large padded foot braces to keep you comfortable while paddling.

The storage options are great, including a live-well for fish!

PROS

• Stern and center mount storage
• Great, comfortable seat
• 400lb cargo and paddler capacity

CONS

• Expensive
• Heavy (95lbs)

Check Out Today’s Price

Here’s a much-watch walkthrough video of the Wilderness Systems Premium Angler fishing kayak:

---

2 – Perception Pescador 10

Perception has been in the business of making kayaks for a long time, and this one lives up to their quality name.

The Perception Pescador 10 is a sit-on-top fishing kayak designed to be one of the best kayaks for the money.

This kayak includes a large open storage area, a covered dry storage box, plus two individual rod holders.

It also includes multiple gear tracks and a Solo Mount recesses to make it extremely easy to add lots of fishing accessories.

PROS

• Convenient seatback positioning
• Quick-adjust footrests

CONS

• Not as much storage space as other models
• Gear mount rails not as good as other models

Check Out Today’s Price

You’ll get a real sense of the real value of this budget-friendly fishing kayak in the following review video:

---

3 – Old Town Topwater 106

Old Town is one legendary canoe and kayak maker. They’ve spent a century building a reputation of quality and craftsmanship.

This Topwater is a purpose-built fishing kayak. But the features that make it well suited to that task also make for an excellent bug-out boat.

But the standout here is the pedal drive. Being able to maneuver the boat forward and backward WITHOUT putting down the rod is a major bonus!

This feature also makes this kayak an ideal option for those with limited arm strength or mobility.

PROS

• Stable platform
• Great storage and mounting options
• Comfortable deck pads and seat
• PEDAL DRIVE!

CONS

• Very expensive

Check Out Today’s Price

The following walkthrough video does a nice job highlighting all the unique features of this excellent fishing kayak:

---

4 – Lifetime Tamarack Angler

Lifetime is a newer brand on the kayak market, but they make quality sit-on-top kayaks at a reasonable price point.

The Tamarack Angler is a stable fishing kayak platform boat. But it doesn’t have all the storage options that more expensive models offer.

Yet, with a good set of drybags and some proper packing, this can be overcome.

PROS

• Inexpensive
• Quality gear lash down points
• Lightweight

CONS

• Limited internal storage

Check Out Today’s Price

The following video not only reviews the Lifetime Tamarack but provides many smart modifications as well:

---

5 – Driftsun Rover 120/220

At only 28lbs, this inflatable kayak is perfect for those who want mobility both ON and OFF the water.

When rigged as a single person boat, it has more than enough storage for gear lashed down in drybags where a second person would normally sit.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Can be packed small for storage and transportation

CONS

• Can be punctured
• Challenging to pack down into a case

Check Out Today’s Price

This video shows how easy it is to grab this kayak, throw it in a vehicle and get on the water without breaking a sweat:

---

6 – Riot Escape 12

The Riot Escape 12 is another excellent fishing kayak that would serve well as an emergency bug out boat, especially with a  name like “Riot Escape”!

It has all the options you’d expect on a well-rigged fishing boat. This kayak includes ample storage, mounting brackets, comfortable seats, and a stable profile.

PROS

• Great rudder system
• Five-rod holders
• Center console storage

CONS

• Doesn’t track as well as other models

Check Out Today’s Price

---

7 – Pelican Argo 100XP Angler Kayak

The Pelican Argo 100XP is another budget-friendly fishing kayak.

First off, this fishing kayak has ergonomic carrying handles to make hauling this relatively light 41 lbs unit around a breeze.

You’ll also be thankful for its adjustable footrests and Ergofit G2 Seating System. This means it comes with an adjustable and ergonomically padded backrest and seat cushion.

Anyone who’s spent a lot of butt time in a kayak will appreciate it.

As far as storage options go – it has a convenient front Quick-Lock hatch and a rear hatch with a storage bag.

It also has an open rear tank well that’s equipped with mesh deck cover.

So with all these storage options, you’ll have plenty of room to bring along all your most critical gear.

Finally, this Pelican Argo comes with a cockpit table with compartments and a smartphone holder, as well as a bottle holder built-into the seat to keep things within easy reach.

PROS

• Budget-Friendly compared to models with similar features
• Decent overall storage options
• Lightweight kayak (41 lbs)
• Comfortable seat

CONS

• Limited amount of internal “hatch” storage options

Check Out Today’s Price

---

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.

Expert Tips and Advice On Gear Loading and Kayak Storage

---

One of the best parts of any boat trip is letting the boat take the load rather than your back.

You can bring heavier items and some luxuries that would never fit in a backpack (such as a lightweight camp table).

Many kayaks have load ratings in the 300-500lb range, including the paddler. This extra capacity leaves you with several hundred pounds of gear storage (fishing gear, camping gear, or even survival gear).

And when you get off the water at the end of the day, you’ll still have fresh legs and not a sore back!

Think of kayak camping as car camping, but away from the vehicles! Of course, you still need to load your boat correctly to keep it balanced and stable.

There are a lot of options for loading. But in general, try to keep the heavy items low in the boat and towards the center.

This loading technique goes for both front-to-back and side-to-side storage.

If you do this right, it will help keep you from tipping while maintaining maneuverability.

Each boat design is different, so it’ll take some practice to see how everything fits.

I recommend starting with smaller loads and spend a couple of hours on the water to test it out. Then move up to weekend trips to shake down your gear and skills.

Taking shorter trips will also allow you to learn the paddling skills needed for your boat.

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.

The 8 Fundamental Kayak Strokes Every New Kayaker Should Learn

---

There are several basic paddle strokes and rudder/skeg controls you should learn. Because paddling more efficiently will help you with maneuverability and endurance in any situation.

You can learn a lot online and take those skills to shallow, calm water for practice. But always have a friend or an instructor to help you in case of an emergency.

1 – Forward stroke

The forward stroke is the most used of all the strokes in kayaking; you’ll be using it ALL THE TIME. That’s why you’ll need lots of endurance in these arm muscles and a lot of power to keep forward motion.

You also need solid core and back muscles to do the heavy pulling that powers the stroke.

You’ll want to keep an upright body position and braced foot and knee. Maintaining the correct body position helps with both balance and efficiency.

---

2 – Reverse stroke

The opposite of the forward stroke, the reverse stroke. The reverse stroke technique is essential to stop your kayak in an emergency.

It requires many of the same muscles, just applied in the opposite direction. It means pushing instead of pulling and rotating your hips and shoulders in reverse.

---

3 – Sweep stroke

The sweep stroke allows you to apply a full, wide turn without a rudder.

It’s like the forward stroke, but with the paddle extended further out away from the boat to pivot.

When applied with a rudder, the sweep stroke can affect a quicker turn.

---

4 – Draw stroke

Draw strokes allow you to move your boat straight to the side.

It’s particularly useful when you want to tie several boats together. Because tied together, kayaks allow for more comfortable conversations or even enjoying a communal lunch on the water.

But the stroke is just as necessary when you’re pulling up alongside a dock or steep bank landing.

---

5 – Rudder Stroke

The rudder stroke is useful to keep control over the direction you’re heading.

Unlike the other strokes, the rudder stroke ends with the paddle blade, giving you indirect control over the gliding path forward between strokes.

If you plan to surf or whitewater kayak, you’ll need to use the rudder stroke. It allows you to maintain control without spending all your energy course correcting.

In fact, you can even use it if the wind is at your back and propelling you along without paddling.

---

6 – Edging

Edging is a maneuver that allows you to tilt your kayak slightly to one side.

Edging lets the curve of the hull act in a carving turn. The key is to learn the balance point of your boat and not over-rotate until you capsize.

---

7 – High/Low Brace

Bracing is an emergency maneuver. It helps you correct the momentum of a boat that has rolled past its tipping point.

It’s the first step in recovering a tipping boat. Bracing is also the primary technique of rolling up a kayak that has capsized entirely.

Keep in mind that it puts a lot of force on your shoulders and can cause injury if done incorrectly.

The difference between high and low braces is in hand and paddle position, but the purpose is the same.

---

8 – Self Rescue (if kayak flips over)

Finally, what if the high/low brace doesn’t work and you flip? Well, you’re now in the territory of a self-rescue…

This is one technique you should master before you stray too far away from shore – as it could save your life. 

In freezing cold water temperatures, you won’t have enough time to swim to shore – unless you’re very close. So you’ll need to get back into your kayak and out of the water fast. Here’s a video showing you how:

---

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 Keep Your Kayak Gear Clean and Dry

---

No matter what kind of kayak you choose, it’s imperative that you keep all your gear dry and safe from water.

Saltwater is a big concern for corrosion – since salt is highly corrosive. But even freshwater can ruin your tools, food, sensitive/expensive electronics, and ammunition.

Hard cases (Pelican), as well as kayak dry bags, are the first line of defense.

Pack all your gear in waterproof containers and double wrap the critical stuff. I like to line drybags with heavy-duty trash bags, just in case a slight leak makes it into the outer bag.

Heavy-duty Ziploc bags are also invaluable inside the larger packs. These help to keep critical maps, batteries, and other supplies dry even if the compartment becomes swamped.

Quick Note On Navigating In A Kayak

---

While you may have a great sense of direction on land, it’s easy to lose your bearings on the open water.

That’s why it’s crucial to practice navigation on waters you know well first — with a map/chart and compass.

Your GPS may be great (and should be your primary navigation tool), but it’s not any use if it gets dumped overboard.

Make sure your compass skills are up to the task, so you’re not stuck on the water with no backup plan.

It won’t take long to become familiar with picking out navigation landmarks from the water. You’ll discover that these techniques are like navigation on land.

Final Thoughts

---

Kayaks are a fun, versatile, efficient mode of transportation in all sorts of situations. Kayaks allow you to cover marathon distances or cross murky waters with ease.

So if your idea of fun includes water travel, a kayak is a wise option to have at your fingertips.

It’s stealthy, discrete, and can carry a ton of gear and supplies without putting a strain on your back.

Think about how they can fit into your life and give kayaks a try – you might find they’re your perfect bug out vehicle!

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 7 Best Kayaks To Make Your Friends Insanely Jealous appeared first on Skilled Survival.

This coronavirus outbreak just keeps getting weirder.  With each passing day the number of confirmed cases and the number of deaths continue to rise, but not all demographic groups are being affected equally.  That seems very odd, but it may also give researchers important clues about how to fight this very deadly virus.  On Tuesday, global health officials finally gave this mysterious new coronavirus an official name.  From now on they will be calling it “COVID-19”, but I doubt that moniker will really catch on with the general public.  In any event, what everybody can agree on is the fact that this disease has the potential to rapidly spread all over the planet, and let us hope that the extreme measures that are being taken to prevent it from getting out of control will be enough.

One of the things that we have just learned about this virus is that it does not seem to affect men and women equally.

According to two different studies, it appears that men are significantly more likely to get infected than women are…

More men than women seem to contract coronavirus, several recent studies of patients at the heart of the outbreak suggest.

Among the Wuhan University hospital patients documented in one study, 54 percent were men. Another earlier study of hospitalized patients was made up of 68 percent men, Business Insider reported.

Scientists do not currently understand exactly why this is happening.

But researchers have pointed out that there was a similar pattern during the SARS outbreak…

The 2003 outbreak of SARS struck more women among younger adults (20-54), but was more prevalent among men in older ages (55 and up).

When University of Iowa researchers exposed male and female mice to the virus, the males were more likely to contract SARS.

Could there be something about male physiology that makes us more vulnerable to a coronavirus outbreak?

This is something that scientists should investigate further.

Another thing about COVID-19 that seems quite strange is the fact that children seem to be a lot less vulnerable to the disease.  The following comes from CNBC…

The new coronavirus that has already killed more people than the 2003 SARS epidemic appears to be sparing one population group: kids.

Of the more than 43,100 people it’s infected since Dec. 31, World Health Organization officials say the majority are over 40 years old and it’s hitting those with underlying health conditions and the elderly particularly hard.

Some researchers are theorizing that a lot of kids are actually getting infected but that their stronger immune systems are preventing severe symptoms from manifesting…

The apparent lack of children among confirmed coronavirus cases could also be because they are getting infected but developing more mild symptoms and aren’t being reported to local authorities, according to Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. World health officials say they are working to improve surveillance of the disease and expect more mild cases to be reported. It could be a while before we have a clear picture on cases, Lipsitch said.

With any disease, those that have weaker or compromised immune systems are always going to be more vulnerable.

And if this outbreak starts to spiral out of control all over the globe, the number of victims could potentially be absolutely staggering.

In fact, Hong Kong epidemiologist Gabriel Leung is warning that 60 to 80 percent of the entire global population could potentially end up catching this virus if urgent action is not taken…

Prof Gabriel Leung, the chair of public health medicine at Hong Kong University, said the overriding question was to figure out the size and shape of the iceberg. Most experts thought that each person infected would go on to transmit the virus to about 2.5 other people. That gave an “attack rate” of 60-80%.

“Sixty percent of the world’s population is an awfully big number,” Leung told the Guardian in London, en route to an expert meeting at the WHO in Geneva on Tuesday.

The official death rate is still fairly low, but if billions of people end up catching this bug it could result in tens of millions of deaths…

With the global population currently at more than 7 billion (7,577,130,400), that means that the virus has the potential to infect more than 4 billion (4,546,278,240) if Professor Leung is correct and its spread continues to accelerate.

And if one percent of those people die, that means there will be more than 45 million deaths.

A death toll of that magnitude would put this crisis on par with the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.

Once again, I want to stress that there is absolutely no guarantee that such a scenario will actually unfold.  The SARS outbreak in 2003 was eventually brought under control, and my hope is that this outbreak will eventually be brought under control as well.

But even if this outbreak ends tomorrow, life is not going to go back to normal.  In fact, the truth is that our problems are just getting started.

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, we would be in far better shape if the Chinese had locked down the entire city of Wuhan much earlier.  By waiting as long as they did, it allowed five million potential carriers to leave Wuhan for other areas of China…

EXPERTS fear it is too late to stop the deadly spread of coronavirus as FIVE MILLION people left the outbreak epicentre before it was even put on lockdown.

Millions continued to pour out of Wuhan – now dubbed zombieland – long after the first reports about a deadly new virus broke.

Now there are confirmed cases in every single province of China, and we will wait to see if this virus ultimately spreads all over the globe.

Thankfully, world health officials are taking this threat very seriously.  On Tuesday, the head of the WHO warned that “a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack”…

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva the vaccine lag meant “we have to do everything today using available weapons” and said the epidemic posed a “very grave threat”.

“To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack,” Dr Ghebreyesus said.

And he is right.

This virus has the potential to absolutely turn the entire planet upside down.

I am still hoping that does not happen, but I am also encouraging all of my readers to get prepared for the worst.

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

Dogs are commonly discussed as being a part of various preppers’ preparedness plans, but those discussions are typically centered on whether you’re better to have a dog or not; and if you have a dog, which dog is the best for survival. Less commonly discussed is how to actually use that dog in a survival situation; and ultimately, how to train it.

By Rangerman, contributing author to SHTFblog and Survival Cache

Dogs in Survival Situations

It should be no surprise to anyone that dogs have many uses, particularly in survival situations. Soldiers have known their value since ancient times. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used dogs in warfare. Dogs were trained in combat, as scouts, guards, and as trackers.

In ancient times, dogs, often a large mastiff, would be strapped with armor or spiked collars and sent into battle to attack the enemy. They were (and are) also commonly used for search and rescue duties. Intimidation is another use, and – of course – therapy. The latter is becoming increasingly popular – therapy dogs. And after the apocalypse hits, everyone will need some therapy.

Dogs and Prepper Fiction

Dogs have long had a place in prepper fiction. Think of the post-apocalyptic movies with a dog as a prominent character. Mad Max had his Australian Cattle Dog in Road Warrior. Will Smith, playing Dr. Neville in I Am Legend, had Abbey, his German Shepherd who was both a loyal companion and defender. Hell, there was even the odd 1975 post-apocalyptic classic A Boy and His Dog where the dog was one of two main characters. You even get a dog, Dogmeat, in the popular video game Fallout 4. It’s clear that the idea of surviving the apocalypse with your dog at your side is widely shared.

Training Your Post-Apocalyptic Pooch

So, assuming you’re in the “have a dog” camp, how do you actually train that dog so it can best assist you in a survival situation? Teaching your dog to “stay,” or “beg,” or even bark at strangers are pretty easy tasks that don’t require much know-how on the part of the trainer. But when you start getting into more advanced security-type training, that’s when the trainer needs training. Where better to look for that training than from the U.S. Military Working Dog (MWD) Program?

Military Working Dog Program

The U.S. military has a distinct and critical dog training program for their K-9 comrades. An Army.mil article states:

“They make this job look easy. But make no mistake, without extensive and continuous training, the Army wouldn’t have any military working dogs.

Many consider the dog-handler profession to be an art form as there are so many nuances that the human must be able to interpret. Indeed, not just anyone can step in and perform the job. The hours are long, and the missions require the kind of autonomy that not everyone is mature enough to handle. Then, there are the dogs, which have distinct personalities just like humans do.”

This Military Working Dog Program comes with its own manual, of course – the U.S. Military’s Dog Training Handbook. This is a paperback version of the United States Air Force Working Dog Program Manual (31-219), and short of actually going to school for training, this is about the best information you’ll find on the subject.

The Good

You can find countless books on how to train your dog, but this one is unique in that it is specific to combat-related training. For preppers, this is the type of training you are most likely to want for collapse and post-collapse skills you want your K9 to have. The reader will gain knowledge on the different types of conditioning and behavior modification. There is a chapter on patrol dog training that covers obedience commands, agitation, tracking, building search, etc. You can learn how to use decoys, rewards, address learning curves, and more.

The book has training for you, too. More than just knowing how to train your dog, the book has an entire chapter devoted to veterinary skills. It’s not as complete as the U.S. Army’s Guide to Veterinary Care of Military Working Dogs, but it does cover the basics: performing a physical exam of your dog; first aid for a bleeding wound, heat injury, abdominal wounds, etc.; how to induce vomiting; applying bandages; first aid kits; and more.

The Bad

Military manuals are not always written in the most reader-friendly manner. They are dense and often reference various military programs and use unique acronyms. Short of a book like the US Army Survival Guide, which assumes you are trying to survive on your own, military manuals are also written in the context of a large support system. This book is no exception. For example, the book describes how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a dog (good to know), but also describes the administration of subcutaneous fluids. That’s great if you have a medic in your party, but for the post-collapse dog owner, only if you have access to such medical equipment.

The book could have used more diagrams and instructional photos. These aren’t entirely necessary for most topics discussed, but they would help in some instances. Prepper Press did add several photos (that are not in the original version of the book) to break up the content, but they are images of military working dogs in action, not on the actual instructional content of the book.

The Verdict

This book can’t be all things to all people, and while I don’t care for the few pages devoted to things like completing administrative records, the book does cover important training know-how for serious dog owners who see their dog as an integral part of their preparedness plans. But the reality is that dog owners see their pet as being more than just a part of one’s preparedness plans. They’re not water purifiers or portable generators. Dogs become part of the family, and dog owners see them as such. This makes giving them proper training more than just an act of self-preservation or preparedness.

Dog owners put considerable time and money into their pets. From that perspective alone, the book is well worth the purchase price when compared to the years’ worth of dog food and veterinary bills you’ll inevitably incur.

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s note: This is the last in the series of articles by guest author Kyt Lyn Walken on tracking and its applicability to prepping. — Wild Bill

In the previous article we learned some of the “tools of the trade” for the Art of Tracking, and we discovered that proper observation can lead to significant deductions and to the correct interpretation of an entire trackline, either in daylight or night, either in the great outdoors or in an urban environment.

Now it’s time to discuss about two further aspects: movement and, consequentially, the principles of stalking.

Since the ground is “the oldest newspaper in print” (David Michael Hull, 2015), by the correct use of all the tools this Art provides us, we can understand what happened at a certain time and place.

Move silent, move deep

But what if we are literally approaching our prey, either if it is a human we are tracking or a animal we are hunting? What mechanisms do our brains and bodies activate in a moment like that?

In this article we will get more deeply into this inner dimension.

“The tragedy of life is not what men suffer, but what they miss” (Thomas Carlyle, quoted by Tom Brown Jr. in “Tom Brown’s Field Guide – Nature Observation and Tracking”, 1983). Taking this as a starting point, it is crystal clear that observation of tracks does not only involve a good pair of eyes, but also a brilliant brain and an inquisitive approach. We covered in previous articles about the employment of all five senses, plus instinct. We have now to consider how we should move during our follow-up.

This might sound odd, but I believe we really need to learn how to move in the outdoors. The chaotic life most of us live inside metropolitan areas has stolen our capacity to move at a slow rythm. Nature, however, requires it, especially if we are tracking animals.

Slowness and deliberation, in fact, offer several benefits:

• we can catch many more details of our surrounding environment
• attune us to more of the sounds and noises in our area
• allow our brain to adapt to the inner rythm of Nature, as suggested by Tom Brown Jr in “The Science and Art of Tracking” (1999)

Blend in

Fundamentally, it is a matter of being able to blend inside the forest or other outdoor area you are in. I often admonish my students as their eagerness to learn tracking pushes them into a much hectic (and rapid!) walk while on the Trackline, telling them, “If you miss out, you mess up!” In fact, once the tracks have been contaminated…by other prints, as one example…they gone for good. The chances of picking up the correct tracks and sign again will be very small, especially for absolute beginners.

Haste and ego are your worst enemies in Tracking. You don’t stand alone and fierce in your surroundings, but blend into it. Quite simply, you disappear, a concept anyone acquainted with the art of camouflage will understand.

Move slowly, stepping to the outsides of your feet and then rolling quietly on the inside, staying silent, and proceeding with the palms of your hands upon your knees, or even crawling (or slightering, if needed!)..are all useful when it comes to tracking.

To blend into the environment even more, especially if you are a hunter, you should avoid products or actions that would leave a strong smell on you (deodorant, perfume, colone, toothpaste, chewing gum, alcohol, tobacco and so on).  In the same manner, you should be aware of wind direction in order not to give away your position. Starting a camp fire is, obviously, strictly forbidden.

All the above mention aspects for approaching prey fall under the category of “Stalking techniques.” Freezing in place is also a good technique to use, if you’re in a situation where you’re liable to be spotted.You immediately and silently freeze in your position, waiting to hear and/or see more.

Apply what you’ve learned

Now that you are one with the environment, you are should apply what you know about Tracking to the trackline you are creating by yourself. By that, I mean be conscious of your actions; do not break what you can overcome, do not tear what you can bend.

In other words, leave the minimum damage to the surrounding vegetation, but pass through it reducing any sign, creating the smallest alteration. Blend in with it and keep on being on track!

REFERENCES

For more information on tracking techniques, here are some books and websites you may find resourceful:
https://man-tracking.com/free-download-tracking-docs-texts/

To purchase Mike Hull’s book:
https://www.amazon.com/Man-Tracking-Law-Enforcement-www-hullstrackingschool-com-ebook/dp/B07NPVB13W

On historical backgrounds & news on Tracking:
www.Facebook.com/tributestotracking

Kyt Lyn Walken is the official European representative and instructor for Hull’s Tracking School (Virginia, USA), and is a certified Conservation Ranger for C.R.O.W. (Conservation Rangers Operations Worldwide). She has been an outdoors and tracking enthisast since childhood. Kyt lives and works in Europe, and can be contacted at www.man-tracking.com

The post MOVEMENT IN TRACKING AND THE PRINCIPLES OF STALKING appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s note: Post by guest contributor Jenna King — Wild Bill

Traveling off the grid is an incredible way to enjoy nature. The sights and scents of native plants and wildflowers are hard to ignore. But those scents also attract nature’s worst. Whether you’re hiking through woodlands or relaxing in your backyard, there’s no escaping those darn mosquitoes. And unlike human intruders and squatters, it’s tough to fence out these critters.

Hey Mosquitos, Why Me?

There’s no denying mosquitoes prefer to bite some people rather than others. Scientists think genetics, the skin’s surface, and a person’s unique body chemistry make some people mosquito magnets. Mosquitoes have an excellent sense of smell and are attracted to carbon dioxide — especially to people who release large amounts of it. When you’re hiking, playing or walking outdoors, the heat, and humidity activates the sweat glands. The skeeters get a whiff and then chomp down! 

These bloodsuckers are annoying and sometimes deadly. Most cities rank them as the worst insect pestbecause they spread viruses and diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile Virus, and Zika. Many commercial bug repellents contain Deet, a chemical that’s effective at masking humans’ presence from mosquitoes. While the Environmental Protection Agency has found it poses no risk under normal use, it does recommend you wash it off as soon as you come indoors.

Permethrin is another common repellent. It kills the mosquitoes but is also toxic to bees and fish. Cats can also be susceptible to permethrin. The EPA has listed permethrin as a carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer — but only if you eat it.

Natural Mosquito Repellents

If you are considering natural mosquito repellents as an alternative to the chemicals, you have several options:

Cinnamon Oil. This oil acts as an agent to kill mosquito eggs. It’s also effective against adult insects. Mix ¼ teaspoon (24 drops) of cinnamon oil into 4 ounces of water for a diluted solution. Spread evenly when spraying the spicy water on your skin and clothes.

Citronella. Oil of citronella is made from a combination of citronella plants and herbs and sold in many forms. It works by masking the scents that attract mosquitoes and other insects. Citronella plants are also excellent for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Plant them around the perimeter of your patio for a pest-free zone. Keep in mind, citronella is a repellent, not a bug killer.

Geraniol. This alcohol-based substance comes from plant secretions like lemongrass, citronella, and rose. It only works for two to four hours, so it’s best applied just before a hike. Geraniol may cause skin or eye irritation.

Lavender. The sweet-smelling floral fragrance of crushed lavender can ward off adult mosquitos. It’s also soothing to the skin after the bugs bite. If you don’t want to search for a lavender-based product, try growing the flowers in containers or an outdoor garden. Crush the blooms and add to vitamin E oil.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). Scientists found this oil is nearly as effective as Deet in repelling mosquitoes. It’s been used since the 1940s and is now on the list of ingredients approved by the CDC for ingredients to be used in bug repellents. – You can apply it every 3 hours, but oil of lemon eucalyptus is not recommended for children under 3. 

Neem oil. Generally used for protecting plants against munching pests, neem oil can be rough on sensitive skin. Studies show it might be effective for about three hours after application.

Thyme oil. It’s time to try thyme. Just toss the herb’s leaves into your campfire to help keep mosquitoes away. To mix up your own solution, add 4 drops of thyme oil to one teaspoon of base oil – olive or jojoba works well. Two drops of thyme oil with 2 ounces of water makes an effective spray.

The scent of these oils really bugs mosquitoes. Several plants will also keep the bugs at bay including peppermint, basil, catnip, and rosemary (Carry a pouch of catnip in your pocket and watch the mosquitoes head in the other direction.) The same spices you use in your meals could prevent you from becoming the next meal for a mosquito.So spice up your next hike with these natural ingredients, and watch the mosquitoes take a hike. While enjoying Mother Nature’s best, you’ll be able to avoid her worst outdoor pest and the deadliest creature on the planet.

Jenna King is a writer, avid hiker, and self-proclaimed survivalist. She spends most of her time backpacking and using organic elements within nature.

The post How to Deal with Mosquitoes Without Using Chemicals appeared first on The Prepper Journal.