Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of WD-40 (2,105)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (661)
Prepping with Garage Sales (650)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (639)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (587)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (574)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (501)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (392)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (361)
Physical Security and the Forms of Protection (306)
Beware the Butt Bomb (275)
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (266)
Making an Improvised Compass – Field Expedient Direction Finding
Andrew’s Note: Today we present another lesson from our Military Pedagogy series. This discussion, from FM 21-76, the U.S. Army Survival Manual [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited] is on making an improvised compass for Field Expedient Direction Finding.
In a survival situation, you will be extremely fortunate if you happen to have a map and compass. If you do have these two pieces of equipment, you will most likely be able to move toward help. If you are not proficient in using a map and compass, you must take the steps to gain this skill.
There are several methods by which you can determine direction by using the sun and the stars. These methods, however, will give you only a general direction. You can come up with a more nearly true direction if you know the terrain of the territory or country.
You must learn all you can about the terrain of the country or territory to which you or your unit may be sent, especially any prominent features or landmarks. This knowledge of the terrain together with using the methods explained below will let you come up with fairly true directions to help you navigate.
MAKING IMPROVISED COMPASSES
The Watch Method of Field Expedient Direction Finding
Andrew’s Note: Today we present another lesson from our Military Pedagogy series. This discussion, from FM 21-76, the U.S. Army Survival Manual [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited] is on using the Watch Method of Field Expedient Direction Finding.
In a survival situation, you will be extremely fortunate if you happen to have a map and compass. If you do have these two pieces of equipment, you will most likely be able to move toward help. If you are not proficient in using a map and compass, you must take the steps to gain this skill.
There are several methods by which you can determine direction by using the sun and the stars. These methods, however, will give you only a general direction. You can come up with a more nearly true direction if you know the terrain of the territory or country.
You must learn all you can about the terrain of the country or territory to which you or your unit may be sent, especially any prominent features or landmarks. This knowledge of the terrain together with using the methods explained below will let you come up with fairly true directions to help you navigate.
The Watch Method
You can also determine direction using a common or analog watch–one that has hands.
Preparedness Uses of Baking Soda – Top 10 Uses
Today we add another article in our Top 10 series…this time it’s the Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Baking Soda
What is Baking Soda?
Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate is a naturally occurring compound but can also be produced using the solvay process.
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Baking Soda
- Odor Neutralization: There’s a reason your mama kept an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator…it absorbs and neutralizes odors by neutralizing the pH of odor producing nastiness. It can do the same thing when sprinkled on odor producing garbage, spills or even carpets (let stand for at least 15 minutes). It can also be used to remove an odor from a container…use with hot water and leave the water and Baking Soda mixture in the container overnight. Add to animal litter or bedding to reduce odor.
- Personal Hygiene: Apply directly under arms or mix with warm water and apply with a cloth after bathing to reduce body odor smells during the day. Mix with hydrogen peroxide or use directly as a toothpaste substitute. Wash your hands with Baking Soda to remove odors.
- Medicinal: Soothe heartburn with a teaspoon of Baking Soda added to six ounces of water. Mix into a paste with water to soothe skin if mildly sunburned, bitten by insects or suffering from poison ivy. It can also be added to bathwater to soothe mild rashes. A paste made from Baking Soda will reportedly extract splinters. Mix with water and gargle to soothe canker sores (reportedly freshens mouth as well). Continue reading
Transportation in Full Spectrum Preparedness
Today we return to the our series introducing each of the 10 Foundations of Full Spectrum Preparedness in more detail. In these articles we’ll start fleshing out the Fundamentals of Full Spectrum Preparedness. Essentially, this series will discuss each Fundamental’s place in our Full Spectrum Preparedness cognitive model and briefly discuss how each Fundamental interacts with the other nine. These articles are about the concepts, in later articles we’ll provide practical tactics, techniques and procedures for each Fundamental. We continue this discussion with Transportation in Full Spectrum Preparedness:
Why is Transportation Preparedness Important
Transportation preparedness serves a key support role in your preparedness efforts. In the event of a breakdown of modern transportation networks, a fuel distribution interruption, an electro magnetic pulse or even societal or personal economic difficulties you will need a transportation plan. For transportation planning you should consider a layered approach with backup and alternate plans. Some of the potentials requirements you should plan primary and backup transportation plans are: Continue reading
