Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (1,344)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (883)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (642)
Prepping with Garage Sales (571)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (523)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (513)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (509)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (492)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (335)- Best Prepper Caliber? (319)
Jefferson’s Top 10 Commandments for Living (316)- Difference Between .223 Caliber & 5.56mm (314)
The Prepper Blood Chit in Spanish
Andrew’s Note: Prepography reader Eduardo was kind enough to provide a Spanish translation for the sample language from our article on creating a Prepper Blood Chit. A Prepper Blood Chit is another way to assure your loved ones make it home safe after a disaster. Thanks Eduardo!
Here’s the Spanish for you…
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FOR DAUGHTERS / FEMALES:
La portadora de este documento (cuya foto aparece en el dorso de esta tarjeta) es mi hija preciosa, [NAME], que ha estado estudiando en la Universidad de [Uni Name]. Ruego que la ayudes con comida, alojamiento, transporte y cualquier otra asistencia adicional que necesite para regresar a casa lo más pronto, y de la forma más segura, posible. Reugo que la trate como si fuera su propia hija.
Todos los que la ayudan a [Name] a regresar a casa serán recompensados. Si puede traerla a [Town & State], le recompensaré con alguno de lo siguiente: $1,000 en efectivo, 20 onzas troya de plata pura (.999) o comida suficiente para dos semanas; usted elige.
Gracias por adelantado por cualquier asistencia que pueda proveer,
SIGNATURE & Name
====================
FOR SONS / MALES:
El portador de este documento (cuyo foto aparece en el dorso de esta tarjeta) es mi hijo amado, [NAME], que ha estado estudiando en la Universidad de [Uni Name]. Ruego que le ayudes con comida, alojamiento, transporte y cualquier otra asistencia adicional que necesite para regresar a casa lo más pronto, y de la forma más segura, posible. Reugo que le trate como si fuera su propio hijo.
Todos los que le ayudan a [Name] a regresar a casa serán recompensados. Si puede traerle a [Town & State], le recompensaré con alguno de lo siguiente: $1,000 en efectivo, 20 onzas troya de plata pura (.999) o comida suficiente para dos semanas; usted elige.
Gracias por adelantado por cualquier asistencia que pueda proveer,
SIGNATURE & Name
======================
Cold Weather Canteen Tips – Top 10
Keeping hydrated in cold weather is just as important as keeping hydrated in hot weather but presents the additional challenge of making sure your water source stays liquid. Here are the Top 10 Cold Weather Canteen Tips
- The only place better to store water than inside your canteen is inside your body…drink plenty of water as staying hydrated helps your body regulate temperature better.
- If possible, select a canteen that allows for some expansion when freezing without breaking.
- When freezing can’t be avoided leave room for expansion by filling your canteen about 2/3 full.
- Carry your canteen as close to your body as possible to keep it from freezing. Canteen can be carried inside your jacket or between your layers of clothing.
- Continue reading
Prepper Blood Chit
One of the scarier situations for a prepper is when the family is scattered to the wind. When everyone is close to home it’s easier to keep them safe and secure but what is a prepper to do when the chicks start leaving the nest? Two of my three kids are no longer living at home. Daughter #1 and Air Force son-in-law husband live just outside a major military base, have good heads on their shoulders and are financially secure enough take care of their own preps…not to mention that Uncle Sugar takes care of his own. What to do with Daughter #2 though…she’s away at college, lives a distance from future son-in-law who’s also in college and they don’t have the storage capabilities, financial resources or experience to go it alone. If a situation comes along that puts Daughter #2′s security or wellness in jeopardy then I’ve got to get her home safe and sound. I’ve equipped her (mentally and materially) with what she needs to get home but the best laid plans can go awry so I’ve come up with a Plan B…the Prepper Blood Chit.
What is a Blood Chit:
Despite its ominous sounding name, a Blood Chit is nothing more than a notice, usually written in several languages that’s carried by Aircrews, Soldiers, Marines and others forced to operate in or over dangerous territory. When the crew is shot down or individual gets separated from their unit then the Blood Chit helps the person seek aid form locals in order to make their way safely back to friendly lines or a safe location.
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part XI, Conclusion
Today we finish up the longest article series in the history of Prepography…but ‘Building a Bug Out Bag’ is an important topic and a great place to start if you’re new to prepping and something to circle back to periodically if you’re an advanced prepper.
Let’s begin with a quick review of where we’ve been on this topic. In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III it was Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements, in Part VI we considered Communications options, in Part VII we discussed Security Preparedness, in Part VIII we explored Financial & Identity preparedness, in Part IX we covered Health & Medical considerations for your Bug Out Bag and most recently in Part X we discussed Family & Community Support while building a Bug Out Bag.
Today we’ll briefly review Cognitive Preparedness as well as some of my favorite multi-use items and just as important…some items commonly recommended for Bug Out Bags that I suggest you leave behind. As always, remember that when we discuss a Bug Out Bag we’re talking about your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or Landmaster makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part X, Family & Community Support
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III it was Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements, in Part VI we considered Communications options, in Part VII we discussed Security Preparedness, in Part VIII we explored Financial & Identity preparedness and yesterday we in Part IX we discussed Health & Medical considerations for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Family and Community issues to consider while building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or Oshkosh TPV makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part IX, Personal Health, Fitness & Medical Preparedness
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III it was Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements, in Part VI we considered Communications options, in Part VII we discussed Security Preparedness and in Part VIII we explored Financial & Identity preparedness for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Personal Health, Fitness and Medical preparedness and Bug Out Bag elements to consider. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or Ford Falcon Coupe/Interceptor makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part VIII, Financial & Identity
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III we explored Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements, in Part VI we considered Communications options and yesterday in Part VII we discussed Security Preparedness for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Security preparedness and some Security elements to consider while building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or Daimler Ferret makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part VII, Security
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III we explored Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements and in Part VI we considered Communications options. Today we’ll discuss Security preparedness and some Security elements to consider while building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or gyrocopter makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part VI, Communications
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III we explored Water preparedness, in Part IV we explored Food preparedness, and in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Communications preparedness and the communications elements to consider while building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or DUKW makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part V, Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the Elements
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III we explored Water preparedness, and in Part IV we explored Food preparedness for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the Elements preparedness considerations for building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or bugout ultralight makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part IV, Food
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, and in Part III we explored Water preparedness for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Food preparedness and Food items to consider including when building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part III, Water
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Water preparedness and Water items to consider including when building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or semi-submersible speedboat makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part II
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. Today we’ll discuss what Transportation items to include when Building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or deuce and a half makes it.
Continue reading
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part I
Prepography reader MG asked for some help putting together an intro to prepping class for his church and one of the easiest places to start is with building a Bug Out Bag.
What is a Bug Out Bag?
Before we break into our discussion bag selection and the contents of your Bug Out Bag let’s define it:
A Bug Out Bag is a grab-and-go container that has everything you’ll need to survive for up to three days (72 hours) if you have to suddenly leave your home. Bug Out Bags are also referred to as 72 Hour Bags, 72 Hour Kits, Go Bags, Emergency Bags or Emergency Kits.
Ammo Saver Pouches
Prepography reader KAW71 was kind enough to share the following preparedness tip with our readers…Ammo Saver Pouches.
I have started packaging ammo in magazine quantities in food saver pouches. I think it is useful for several reasons.
1. Ammo is protected from the elements.
2. There is no wasted space in the packaging because it is basically shrink wrapped. Sometimes there is a lot of air in the original ammo boxes that takes up valuable space. Continue reading
Emergency Kits From Ready Army
Andrew’s Note: The following information on Emergency Kits is from the Ready Army Website. Ready Army is an organization almost like the Army’s own little FEMA. I thought you might enjoy a military take on a Family Emergency Kit. Enjoy Emergency Kits from Ready Army.
All personnel should maintain a basic level of preparedness for all potential hazards.
You are encouraged to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about what might happen.
EMERGENCY KITS
To prepare your family for an emergency, assemble one or more emergency kits that include enough supplies for at least three days. Think of items that have multiple uses and are long lasting. Keep a kit prepared at home and consider also having kits in your car, at work and a portable version in your home ready to take with you.
These kits will enable you and your family to respond to an emergency more quickly. Your various emergency kits will be useful whether you have to shelter in place or evacuate.
What to Put in Your Basic Home Kit Continue reading
Preparedness Alert Code – Alas Babylon
If you’re a military veteran or a fan of the book Alas Babylon you’re likely already familiar with the term or at least the concept of an ‘Alert Code.’ Simply put, an Alert Code is a trigger to move from peacetime, business-as-usual to deployment for war (in a military context) or survival mode in the case of a preparedness alert code.
In the military an alert code is an unclassified, ‘for official use only’ phrase that tells the service member to grab designated items, a deployment bag for example, and report to the unit for deployment within a set number of hours (or minutes). There are usually two types of alert codes, the real alert code and a practice code for ‘exercising’ an alert roster to make sure that the roster is accurate and sometimes perform a dry run of selected actions.
If you’re familiar with the alert code concept from Pat Frank’s (pen name used by Harry Hart Frank) 1959 novel, Alas Babylon you may recall that the name of the book was taken from the alert code that Colonel Mark Bragg, a U.S. Air Force STRATCOM Intelligence Officer worked out with his brother, Randy so that Randy would know that nuclear war was imminent.
Why Establish a Preparedness Alert Code
Packing a Bug Out Bag, Get Home Bag or Rucksack
Andrew’s Note: I recently took my Get Home Bag / Bug Out Bag for a ruck march and realized I’d forgotten a few basic keys on how to pack it…nothing catastrophic but it’s worth going back to basics periodically…and of course don’t forget to test drive your preps. The following comes from an Army manual on cold weather operations but is also excellent advice for packing a Bug Out Bag. I’ve also added some important considerations for selecting your Bug Out Bag or Get Home Bag at the conclusion of the article.
PACKING YOUR RUCKSACK
When you load your rucksack for skiing or climbing, pack heavy items at the bottom and next to the frame. This places the weight on your hips, which is necessary for good balance. Place hard or sharp objects inside the load where they will not rub on the bag and your back. When walking or snowshoeing, raise the center of gravity and take more of the load on your shoulders. Articles that are often needed are placed in the outside pockets for easy reach. Keep maps and other flat objects in the flap pocket. Continue reading
How to Field Strip A MRE (Meal Ready To Eat)
Many survivalists, hunters, preppers and outdoor enthusiasts buy commercial Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE’s). These commercial MRE’s are very similar to the military MRE’s that the Department of Defense (DOD) provides to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines for field use (for some reason the DOD doesn’t allow the manufacturers to sell the same meals to the public). In this short article we’ll discuss what an MRE is and an easy way to cut down on the size and weight of MRE’s…or as we call it in the military…how to field strip a MRE.
What is an MRE:
The MRE has been the primary field ration of our troops since the early 1980′s. It’s a self contained, calorie dense (over 1,200 calories), shelf stable (up to five years under optimal conditions) meal designed to keep you fueled during labor intensive activities. While it’s designed as ‘a’ meal I found that even during the toughest field exercises it was just too much food/calories to be consumed as ‘a’ meal. Depending on the nature of the exercise and work involved I usually carried and ate 1-2 MRE’s per day. I’ll leave the discussion of the culinary ‘delights’ of the MRE for another time but you should know that these meals aren’t just heavy, they’re also bulky.
Note: The MRE is heavy by backpacking food standards not in relation to the MRE’s predecessor the C Ration. Continue reading
Bug-Out-Bag Papers and Documents (Modern Survival Blog)
Lauren & Ken over at Modern Survival Blog (which I’ve followed for years) did a great piece on what documents to include in your bug out bag. No one wants to be a refugee, but if it happens… having the right documents can make putting your life back together a little easier. Click the link below and check it out.
A bug-out bag or kit should include more than just some food and supplies, it should also contain important papers and documents which would make your life easier should you need to refer to them later.
If your home has been wiped out by disaster or whatever circumstance… you could potentially lose whatever was in it, including important papers and documents that prove or verify personal information of your identity, credentials, holdings, and other critical or time-saving records.
via Bug-Out-Bag Papers and Documents (Modern Survival Blog).
Only thing I’d add is to use the magic of lamination where appropriate and include a copy of your DD214(s) if you are a military veteran.
