I try to post facts, skills to learn, needed supplies. I look for cheap and free prepping ideas. Survival, Prepper, Bushcraft, homesteading, SHTF, Emergency preparedness
Jan 24, 2013
Frostbite- prevent and heal
Dang it is freak'n cold out were I am...I am talking below 0!!
On that note ... is is good to know how to deal with frostbite. I can here some of you saying it never gets that cold were I am at.... we are preppers and remember you never know were you may end up in times of crisis. It is good practice to have some knowledge of it.
Frostbite is when the skin cells become damaged. Sometimes it can be restored sometimes not.
We all remember the scene in Mr Deeds....well that is what frostbite looks like!
Warning signs: If you start to feel number or even the area starts to feel hard and frozen. Even a may have a white or grayish color (see pic above) then you need to get warm NOW!
PDF Facts about frostbite Click Here
PDF Facts about frostbite Click Here
Check every half hour or so for signs of frost bite!! It can sneek up on you!
How to dress:
- Light, loose, layered clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. Top your outfit with a water-repellent fabric. Remember water repellent not water proof...because water proof can make you sweat and that sweat in you clothing is not a good thing!!
- Mittens are warmer than gloves, and two pair of socks (wool over lightweight cotton) will help keep your feet warm.
- If you get wet, get inside and remove the wet clothing as quickly as possible.
- Get to a warm room as soon as possible and call for help if you can.
- Drink teas and chick or beef broth.
- Take off any wet or restrictive clothing.
- remove all your jewelry, helps with get the circulation going again.
- Rest the effected areas, do not walk on frostbitten feet, and elevate them slightly.
- Warm the area by immersing it in warm (NOT HOT) water 30 to 45 minutes, or until it feels warm and sensation returns. During warming, you may feel severe pain and the injured area may swell and change color.
- Leave blisters intact, and cover them with a sterile or clean cloth until you are seen by a physician.
- do not do anything that will further injure the frostbitten tissue.
- No Alcohol- that is a myth it DOES NOT HELP IT MAKE IT WORSE!
- no rubbing the area with your hands, with snow, or with anything else.
- do not start to warm the affected area if there is any chance that it will be exposed to the cold again.
- NO! dry heat, such as from a heating pad, sunlamp, fire, or radiator, to try to warm the area. Because the skin is numb and will not feel the heat, it can easily be burned.
A few herbal remedies to help treat it.
Keep in mind there are two different things that would need to be treated, stopping infection from setting in and the frostbite it self..(olden day amputation may have been the only option and still is)
-Aloe is an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti inflammatory and has been known to have reqenerative properties. Just apply to the area and cover with sterile cloth.
- Simple witch hazel helps with both as well, same thing apply to the area and cover
- Potato ...ou can squeeze the juice of the potato right on the area or you can boil it water and pour that into a tub to soak in
- Massage the affected area with camphor oil if the frostbite is not severe.
- Cucumber help restore the skin blend and spread the pulp as you would a cream.
- Apply a cold mashed onion poultice.
-Horsetail can help rebuilding skin tissues because of its silica
content. Silicic acids form collogen.
- Cayenne pepper pour a cup of boiling water onto a half to one teaspoon of cayenne and
infuse for 10 minutes. A tablespoon of this infusion should be mixed
with hot water and taken when needed to improve circulation.
You can also use ginger or radishes
A few other things
A few other things
-Soda Bottle: Warm frozen toes by filling up a 1- to 2-liter soda bottle with hot water and rolling it back and forth underneath your feet
- Hot and Cold Compresses: Alternate between a hot compress (as hot as you can stand it) and ice cold compress to treat frostbitten skin. Apply a hot compress for three minutes followed by a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat three times each – ending with the cold compress.
-After the initial treatment of frostbite, bathe affected body parts in warm water to increase circulation and aid the healing process.
- I am so feeling this song right now!!!
Jan 21, 2013
Monday Movie - The World According to Monsanto
UPDATE! I put a 45 min link to this and for some reason it is now a 4 min one....trying to find the full one now
The World According to Monsanto
found it! this is the full one
Monsanto is the world leader in genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
as well as one of the most controversial corporations in industrial
history. This century-old empire has created some of the most toxic
products ever sold, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the
herbicide Agent Orange. Based on a painstaking investigation, The World
According to Monsanto puts together the pieces of the company’s history,
calling on hitherto unpublished documents and numerous first-hand
accounts. Today, Monsanto likes to style itself as a “life sciences”
company. The leader in genetically modified seeds, engineered to resist
its herbicide Roundup, claims it wants to solve world hunger while
protecting the environment. In the light of its troubling past, can we
really believe these noble intentions? Misleading reports, collusion,
pressure tactics and attempts at corruption: the history of Monsanto is
filled with disturbing episodes. Behind its clean, green image, Monsanto
is tightening its grasp on the world seed market, striving for market
supremacy to the detriment of food security and the global environment.
Jan 18, 2013
Dollar store security system
4 bucks for an on the go security system!
I say hell ya!
I found these bad boys at the Dollar Tree for a buck each!!
A little fishing string or clear nylon thread and 4 off these can keep you safe. They are pretty loud to. Light weight and takes up little room in your bug out bag!
Yes, they are for windows and if you do not have a house alarm worth having a few of these on hand. Even if you have an alarm great emergency back up if the power goes out. You can even make trip wire alarms with them on your property.
But I am talking bug out bag gear. Even great for campers. Basically these can replace the old tin can and string perimeter system.
Simply tie the tread or string to each side of the alarm thingy (a small bit of duck tape may be needed for the bigger side) . Tie the other ends of the thread to trees around your camp area. If trees are not an option put sticks in the ground or pile some rocks. And I would have them no lower than knee high to the ground.
Make sure these are far enough from your camp area to give you enough warning time.
and Tada!!!!
Oh and because these are dollar store things a few extra battery's are suggested just in case.
I mean, this would be a much more secure system.... but it could cost more than 4 bucks......
Song for this post has to be..... Birds of a Feather - Phish.... you have to listen to the song it is definitely a song for a security post! ok maybe just to me :)
Jan 14, 2013
Survival purse/ cosmetic bag
and for the dudes.....a murse...or man bag
Ok.... so after watching Doomsday Prepper's Bug Out from NY I did learn a few things. One I need a mini bag. I have my bug out bag in my trunk. but because my car is always right were I am I do not really carry anything on me.
I watched each of the guides all say "You have to much" "You do not need all this". And they made sense. Now we are not talking about suburban and rural people this is about getting out of the city fast and being able to survive on your know how till you get to your bug out location.
What do you need :
Now my prepper peeps will say gun. But in my state that is not as easy as that.
But .....
I got a cosmetic bag.... in it I have a rescue knife. Now I understand that a hunting blade is a better choice; but for this purpose a fold-able knife is just better.
Knife
When looking for a rescue knife I looked for several things.
-Window breaker (because you may come across supplies you may need in locked cars.) And it is just good to have god forbid you do come across an accident where it is needed.
- Serrated and flat blade. The serrated is a must to saw and cut things if needed.
The blades material is a matter of preference. I like a carbon blade. They are easy to sharpen but the blade is more pron to rust and staining. Stainless steel is harder to sharpen but rusts less. Then you have what I have. High carbon stainless steel, the best of both worlds. You can get into more complicated metal mixtures ect. But this is for cost sake. These are the basics and you can find them at good prices if you look around.You can even go with a small swiss army knife..but I am talking getting out of the city and you may need a real weapon. You have to find the one you are ok with.
Wiki has a good post on knifes Click Here wish I had found this before I did all my research! It is very informative.
ID!
Have a copy of your drivers license (even an old one) birth certificates, and photos of your family.
Passports are the best ID if you can get an extra one.
Ziplock bag or two
A light weight way to collect water or hold foraged food. If you are on the move leaving a city you can find a water bottle in the trash bin on your way out. And remember in that bag put a folded piece of foil (great for make shift cooking)
Plastic drop cloth or 2 garbage bags
First... ladies this can be fashion wear if need be :)
You can roll these up really tight with some para cord. Great to keep dry, warm and build a shelter.
Here is a great link to 40 uses for garbage bags Click here
Bandana
Now I am a mega scarf collector so I always have one on so this I would not need but it is a must have. Uses for a Bandana Pdf Click Here 140 uses!!
Small flash light, paper clips needle and fishing wire! I taped these smaller things to my little flashlight!
Activated charcoal
A small amount goes a long way. And yuu can always build a fire and use that charcoal...but if on the go this is good to have a pill bottle of in your bag for water purification. Click Here for my water purification page for ideas. You can also carry some tablets or bleach. Or all. But I am talking about a cosmetic bag and the must must haves. BUT it is not just for water purification check out my last post on the uses for it Click Here
Protein bars
Food is important but you can not carry 3 days worth in your purse. But a few Protein bar can carry you. I have granola bars only because I eat them all the time so I can rotate them.
Salt and pepper packets
Get some next time you are at a restaurant. If you are on the go and all you could grab is this small purse this will help make road side forage taste better. And it takes up no room in your cosmetic bag.
Bic or zippo lighter and some water proof matches
I say bic or zippo because if you were ever a smoker you know that the cheap lighters can break easy and become useless...Bic and zippos are far more reliable and last far longer.
Emergency whistle and small mace
We are women so these should already be on your key chain
A weeks supply of your meds including some aspirin and any other pills you deem a must
I have mine in a small compact with a mirror. A mirror can come in handy.
Alcohol wipes and regular wipes
Light weight pre wrapped ones. Some people say baby wipes. I have those and these. The alcohol ones can be used as a fire starter, to clean yourself a bit and for wounds.(box of 50 at the dollar store)
Cash
Have some bills and coins (not really sure why coins because I never see payphones anymore but ya never know) . Once you are moving take a moment to put some bills in each of your shoes and in one pocket. Do not keep it all in one spot.
A package of tissues
All women know how handy this can be if you every were out with the girls and went in the rest room only to discover there was no TP :) Who knew grandma was always right to carry these.
Gum
Now they use to have a Gatorade gum but no more. But if you go to Dicks or any other sporting goods store they sell Muller Quench Gum. Trust this gum is a life saver, I have used it and the potassium in it can keep you going. The store may have other brands but I like this one. (I ate mine so I have to get more )
Knowledge
I am a firm believer in learning basic foraging. Because if you know what is edible along the road in all seasons you stand a better chance than most. My basic post on foraging Click Here and my Pdf tab up top has online books about it as well. Learn the basics. This knowledge can save you and who ever you are with and it is a skill that can be shared as trade.
YES this can all fit in that little bag...if you are a women I bet you can squeeze even more stuff it it!! It is an art!!!
Song for this post has to be Stereophonics - Handbags And Gladrags