Recently in Questions and Answers Category
April 2, 2008 8:45 PM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click here to meet them.
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here.
Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com.
QUESTION: MAKING A FIRE
Can you give some suggestions on how to start a fire? More specifically, if I've only got my survival pack, what should I include in there. Will regular matches do the trick?
Always, always have three ways to make fire. This is your most important survival skill and equipment. Start with small roll-type cigarette or pipe lighters. Get the good ones that can be refilled, with an adjustable flame height. Don't count on the cheap throw-aways. I have found this out the hard way. Second, have good waterproof kitchen/camping type matches, kept in an air and watertight container of your choice. Third, have a magnesium bar and striker type fire starter. I always carry recycled vitamin bottles stuffed full of pre-made, very flammable fire starting tinder , stuffing as much as I can in the bottles. This is the secret to fire starting even in difficult situations, which is when you will need it the most.
This is just a brief overview on how to make a fire. If you live in this area, (Yelm & Rainier Washington) take my upcoming survival and preparedness classes. One whole day is on fire making. It's that important!
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Abigail Haddock responds:
Oh, I hear strains of Kumbaya in my head and see visions of all the Girl Scout camping trips I went on as a youngster!
Simple answer ...get a magnesium fire starter and always have a jackknife handy. Learn to find tinder (dried grass, pine needles, tree fibers etc.), scrape off some magnesium, create a spark with the flint side of the
In an emergency, under stress, or in the pouring rain, you are not going to rub sticks together to make an ember and ultimately create a fire. Only in good conditions are you going to have the fortitude to accomplish that task. I know how to do it. It is impressive but it takes time and energy better spent elsewhere, in my humble opinion. I am glad I have the skill locked away in my neuronet, but give me something simple when I am hungry, wet and tired, to start my fire any day. Yes, I do have a magnesium fire starter and jackknife in my briefcase. Just ask Louise!!
Thank you experts! I would like to comment by saying PRACTICE THESE FIRE MAKING TECHNIQUES BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO USE THEM!
NEXT WEEK: Powdered Milk. Rumor has it, it tastes a lot better than it used to.
Be well. Be happy. Be outrageous.
Louise
January 30, 2008 9:14 AM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click here to meet them.
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here.
Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com.
QUESTION: MOISTURE AND STORING FOOD
I've been canning some things, little by little, and buying canned goods. There's so much moisture where I live that there's already signs of rust beginning to appear on the containers. Will that affect what's inside? What do you do about storing in this kind of climate?
Pam Paizs responds:
Grains, beans and other food items for long term storage are packed using Nitrogen or Oxygen Absorber packets. Foods packed in air without the benefit of nitrogen or an oxygen absorber will oxidize many of the compounds found in the food, thereby spoiling all the contents of your buckets. Several agents which make food go rancid also need oxygen to grow, not to forget that with the displacement of oxygen, no bugs can survive!
Foods packed in natural air do not store as long as those packed in an oxygen free environment. If you have purchased your grains and beans from the local farmer, the grains may have unfriendly bacteria and be just too moist for long term storage- not an ideal situation. There is nothing worse than opening a home packed bucket to find a nasty black mass of mold that now must be disposed of and buried deep so as to not be a contaminant.
Most seed saving agencies use liquid nitrogen to store seeds for the future, so your wheats and legumes will benefit by a better growth in nitrogen, especially if you plan on sprouting or growing your own crop in an uncertain future.
How you can displace oxygen to store your foods:
Nitrogen is usually used because it is the most inert gas known. As much as we use it in our products it is difficult to amass all the equipment needed to do this procedure correctly. Therefore we advise folks who want to do their own packaging that it is cheaper, easier and quicker to use the oxygen absorber packets.
We do recommend you begin with a good food storage bucket, which has an excellent seal and is a safer plastic product for food storage. Pour into your food storage buckets the dry wheats and beans, place one oxygen absorber in the foods and quickly seal the bucket tight. As the absorber packet goes to work it quickly displaces all the oxygen between each grain. You may notice that the bucket will look "caved in" after a while. This is the displacement of oxygen happening.
However, one thing to be aware of is that once you open the package that contains the oxygen absorbers, they will begin to absorb the ambient oxygen in the air, and become ineffective rather quickly. We suggest you be prepared with all your buckets filled with grains etc. so you can quickly place an absorber in each one and have a friend or family member close the lids tight behind you.
Using an oxygen absorber with dry goods is also a great idea. You can store dry goods from your local market, such as potato flakes, dry milk, pasta, all sorts of goodies. Just remember to remove the boxes and only place the product into a food storage bucket with 1 oxygen absorber packet, seal and you are set!
Happy Packing!
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Steven Knopp responds:
Nitrogen packed means nitrogen gas was released into the container with the foodstuff, displacing the oxygen and possibly some moisture. Then the lid is applied and not removed until ready to use. Oxygen =oxidation and is undesirable. You do not have to do this, but it is better to do it. Food was put up for thousands of years without it, and I know of some wonderful ancient methods, but it will last longer and preserve its nutrients longer.
Yes, you can do it yourself. I have done many tons myself this way. You will have to get gas tanks, hoses a wand, and a mallet to hammer on the lids. It's relatively simple, but time consuming. I also have grains that weren't packed in gas going back to 1986,that I sometimes use now. They still sprout and are delicious.
Bay leaves and olive leaves can be placed in grain containers to help preserve them. There is also, canning, dehydrating, vacuum sealing, freeze drying, smoking and curing. WARNING! MICE can spontaneously generate from the morphic field, and it appears as if they can bio-locate as well, and can chew through anything except steel, glass and ceramic. Trust me on this!
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Abigail Haddock responds:
Over the years we have all learned so much about packing food for long term food storage. Nitrogen packing is a process of inserting nitrogen (an inert gas) into a bucket to push out the oxygen and make an inhospitable environment for growth of insects and bacteria. Nitrogen packing can be accomplished with the use of dry ice or with a metal wand specially created to push the nitrogen gas from a tank into the bottom of the bucket, under the food. The gas pushes out the oxygen and the lid is securely tightened down with a rubber mallet.
There are many 'old fashioned" ways of bucketing food but these days it is best to go with tested and proven, safe methods. The easiest way to home bucket grains, beans, seeds and legumes for economy and convenience is:
1. Clean heavy duty food-grade high density polyethylene buckets with solution of 2% bleach and water in a 1:10 ratio.
2. Dry thoroughly.
3. Pour dried food into buckets from plastic/paper bags.
4. Add a 500 cc oxygen absorber and tightly close the lid.
5. Store buckets off the floor in a dry cool room.
Stack buckets 3 high or if you need to go higher insert a board between layers to disperse weight. Some buckets can weigh up to 60 lbs. Store up some Gamma Seal lids for easy access to food, and bucket lid removers. Always carefully label buckets with indelible markers.
December 6, 2007 9:53 PM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click here to meet them.
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here. We'll be posting one or 2 Q & A's per week. Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com.
QUESTION: KNIVES
I want to get a good knife or handy tool for my emergency backpack. There are so many interesting knives out there. Do you think the Swiss Army type knife is the best? Is there a better knife to use? I'm thinking about what I'm going to need the knife for, other than cutting cheese or string or bandages. Because I've never been in a situation that would require an emergency backpack I don't know what some uses of the knife would be. Do you have any suggestions?
Steven Knopp responds:
I could write a library on knives. Good knives are an essential preparedness tool and are indispensable for fire-making, cooking, many aspects of emergency shelter construction, improvised clothing, camp preparations, making traps, snares, and improvised weapons; for butchering, and preparing game and gathering food and medicine, emergency first aid, and self defense, many uses in escape and evasion tactics, emergency car repair, and the list goes on an on.
I ALWAYS carry a real Victorinox Swiss Army multi function knife with me at ALL times [really] as well as in preparedness packs. They are wonderful. I recommend the Swiss Army SwissChamp or the next smaller model. The Leatherman or Gerber Multi-tools are also nice.
But I INSIST on combining it with a small 6 or 7 inch FIXED BLADE laminated or high carbon steel survival knife. (A fixed blade knife does not fold or slide, and is typically stronger due to the tang, the extension of the blade into the handle, and lack of movable parts) Frost Mora Cutlery is a good inexpensive one. (I always made these knives available in my survival, and wilderness classes.)
Stay away from the large stainless steel ''RAMBO'' type knives, unless you're Rambo. They are too large for most people and most ''bushcraft'' uses, and too small to be a good machete. If you want a machete get a real machete. They come in many sizes and have many uses.
(Click on any underlined word above for links to these particular items)
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Abigail Haddock Responds:
There are 100's of varieties of Swiss Army knives with multiple combinations of tools and blades. My favorite Swiss Army knife is simple with a couple of blades, screwdriver, scissors, and bottle opener. It is red so I can locate it easily, hangs off a ring so I could attach it to something for safe keeping, and usually resides in my purse (except when I fly of course). I have a
Knives are tools and are designed to do a job. Identify what your personal needs will be and get the best tool for the job. Before you buy knives, learn their anatomy. Knives are made up of four parts: the blade, the handle, the bolster, and the tang. Buy from an expert who knows knife-ology. Don't be seduced into the biggest scariest knife that will do 32 different actions. You are not Rambo and you do not need a Ginzu. When choosing a knife ask what it was designed for, hold it, check the fit, then practice using it, cleaning it and taking care of it. A good knife will be a friend for life.
November 29, 2007 8:55 AM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click to Meet our Experts
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here. We'll be posting one or 2 Q & A's per week.
QUESTION: EMERGENCY BACKPACKS
I have begun putting together an emergency backpack for my car and I'm finding that I am including so many things, I really need a suitcase. But if I have to leave my car and walk any distance, the suitcase doesn't make sense. It seems that I want to include everything I could possible need for any situation, but that's probably unrealistic. I'm a bit overwhelmed, and it's actually keeping me from putting anything in the car. I would love some guidelines on what to do, to make it so I put something together. Thank you so much for your response.
Abigail Haddock responds:
My car emergency kit is packed in a large fanny pack! A backpack or a knapsack with wheels can be handy. Now here is what I suggest.
Sit down and visualize being at work or at the mall and a disaster occurs. You must abandon your car and walk home. Keep your list simple because you are going to carry what you pack.
I suggest sturdy shoes or hiking boots stuffed with socks, knit hat, mittens and leather work gloves, windup flashlight with radio and possibly cell phone charger (the more options for powering flashlights and radio the more opportunity you will have to use it i.e. solar, wind up, batteries, ac/dc), light sticks, space blanket, whistle (hang it on the outside of your pack of choice), compass (learn how to use it of course for you actually need to use it), street map and topographical map (so you can traverse the terrain as the crow flies when streets might be damaged or dangerous), good Swiss army knife with assorted gadgets, water proof matches and a lighter, bandana, 3 day 3600 calorie food bar, water in Mylar bags, a metal cup, hard candies, 4 plastic garbage bags (can be used for rain gear and to protect feet), toilet paper, small first aid kit including necessary medications, currency, phone car and ID information (list of phone numbers, names and addresses of family members, medical information, copy of license etc...).
I keep a complete change of warm polar fleece clothing bundled in my car and seasonally change some of it to accommodate the weather. Think minimally. In all probability you are not going to stop and fish or cut down a tree along the way. You are going to get home or to your family meeting place. Personalize your kit to meet your own personal needs. I always have a warm blanket in the car and some energy bars.
I do not choose to carry a 40 lb pack so I keep mine simple. There are many products for an emergency kit and many different kits to prepare for different needs. I have a work kit in my desk, car kit (fanny pack for me and car kit for vehicle needs) pet kit, home family kit, bug out kit or grab 'n go kit. Each kit is designed differently for different needs.
The first step is to make a plan and know how you and your family will respond to each possible emergency. Second step is to prepare a kit. Be sure to involve children in planning and kit making. Doing so will make them part of the team and will inspire confidence and reduce fear.
Take self sufficiency classes and learn about self protection, foraging, using a compass, first aid and CPR, search and rescue (C.E.R.T.), basic car care and learn other skills that would make you and your family self sufficient and ready to face any emergency.
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Steven Knopp responds:
For years I have taught a wonderful 72hr. survival backpack class. There is a saying in the survival training world, "the more you know the less you need to carry". Here are the contents of the waterproof, military surplus 72 hr pack I have in my car.
2 piece lightweight, breathable rainsuit; survival knife; firestarter and firestarter materials; 50yds. of military paracord; 3 large plastic trash bags; compass, signal mirror,
lighter, water bottles with built in filter, swiss army knife or multi-tool; sunglasses.
I carry a small folding firewood saw and strap a machete on the back. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Gloves and hat; boots and additional clothing in the car to put on or strap on the pack. Trying to put all the clothing in the pack is what makes it too large and heavy.
I carry a small, lightweight personal bivy (like a miniature tent); a small bag with toiletries; small survival food like jerky, Ultimate Meal powdered superfood, protein bars, etc. small lightweight head lamp and hand crank flashlight; self defense pepper spray.
All this and more goes in my backpack. It weighs about 35 lbs. Not a full size backpacker's pack. All stuff is lightweight and versatile.
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We've just touched on this very important subject today. More to come! We'll be covering different kinds of kits, classes, and 'how-to's in future postings, along with links to find what you need.
Thank you experts!
NEXT WEEK: What's the most useful knife in a backpack?
Be well! Be happy! Be outrageous!
Louise
November 24, 2007 4:41 PM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click Meet our Experts.
The issue of water could be covered for days. Have you been paying attention to the news? Here are a couple of links pointing to the increasing concern about the availability and safety of water. Just click on any word that's underlined.
National Weather Service U.S. Drought Update
QUESTION-Water filters/purifiers
I'm looking for people's recommendations for water filters and water purifiers based on their experience. Won't I need more than one kind for home and if I'm away from home, and for different types of water? From the research I've done there are so many choices, from carbon elements to ultraviolet light 'pens". Can you give some guidelines? What about just using chlorine, or water purifying tablets?
Steven Knopp responds:
This one could definitely be a book. FILTERING AND PURIFIYNG water are two different terms and processes that get used interchangeably, though some equipment does both.
Filtering water spans the territory from your bandana in the field to complex carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet machines capable of removing almost all microorganisms, chemicals metals and chlorine.
Purification can be done as simply as boiling , or oxygenating or adding herbal, mineral or chemical substances, like oxy pure, tea tree oil, lechenya meera, olive leaf extract, colloidal silver, or EM/Effective Microbes and some minerals like pascalite clay, certain flints or carbon rich stones, or chemicals like iodine or chlorine which may remove harmful microorganisms, but not accomplish filtering out debris, sediments or metals. I have used all of these with great success. If I had to choose one out of all of them it would be colloidal silver. But, do your own research.
In terms of filter equipment, the differences have to do with portability, like backpacking pump filters and drinking water bottle type filters vs. stationary in-line equipment which requires plumbing and pressure.
Price differences have to do with the ability to do multiple processes and remove even the smallest of organisms. It's wise to have all these types, though it's not wise to use chlorine, iodine or hydrogen peroxide, except for emergency or short term use. They are toxic. Chlorine in all public water supplies is a sinister, toxic nightmare. I won't go into that here. Another time I will discuss 'living' water vs. 'dead' water , and vortex and implosion, technologies.
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Pamella Paizs Responds:
Water Purifiers: Clorox is often suggested as a purifier but it is a halogen which simply means it is a carcinogen and obviously very harmful to your body. Iodine is another method but very dangerous to use and can make you ill if not done correctly. Food grade Hydrogen peroxide (not the kind in brown bottles you buy at the drug store) is actually a good source for stabilizing water but it must be considered as short term storage only. Hydrogen Peroxide breaks down in 6 months rendering it useless after that. The only product that stands the test of time and is good for you is Aerobic Oxygen. This is a very stable product and actually has an extra molecule of oxygen that enhances the life span of water for up to 5 years.
By adding Aerobic Oxygen to storage water, the following occurs:
1) Destruction of any infectious bacteria
2) Guarding against future contamination
Aerobic Oxygen has been around for nearly 25 years, sold into 30 countries worldwide, used in the world's largest HIV clinic in
Water Filters
Most people think that water filters will STORE water safely, that is not true. Filters will assist in the removal of small particulates that may be harmful to your body. It will not make the water stable or storable.
Abigail Haddock Responds:
The most important item to purchase for emergency preparedness is a water purifier. The cadillac of all water purifiers/filters is the Katadyn brand from
Click for More info on water purification and filtration. This is very detailed info for those who want to know more.
News about An inexpensive, practical water filter.
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here. We'll be posting one or 2 Q & A's per week.
Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com
November 15, 2007 10:38 AM
Welcome to the first of our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click here to meet our experts.
It is my desire that the Weekly Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here. We'll be posting one or 2 Q & A's per week.
Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com
Question: Water Storage
I keep reading about droughts happening in different parts of the world, including the southeastern part of the
Abigail Haddock Responds:
Excellent question! There are many solutions to storing water.
For long term storage:
- Storage is limited for you, so my first suggestion is to relocate to a place that has abundant water availability via aquifer, rivers or lakes. Put in a well with a hand pump (depth can be approximately 200 ft) or pump with a generator. Generators can be powered by wind, solar, gas, diesel, propane or electricity. Always have a backup alternative for pump.
- Purchase water storage tanks or cisterns. Mount them at a higher location from your dwelling to gravity feed.
- Purchase a high quality water purifier/filter. I recommend the Katadyn products.
(Ed. Note: More on water purifying and filters in next week's Q&A)
For short term storage:
- Store water in plastic containers. Note: bottom of container will be stamped with a triangle with a number. Choose containers stamped #7 or higher. Most will have a blue tint. Do not use milk jugs as they will break down in 6 months and will leach into the water. Best solution is 55 gallon plastic water barrels. New or used barrels are ok if cleaned properly. Barrels can be left outside. Bottom line: store water in any clean container i.e. pop bottles, gallon wine bottles or lidded buckets/pails. Mark water according to potable (drinkable) water and grey water (used for toilets, washing ).
- For apartment storage, smaller water containers can be purchased BUT you will only be able to store small amounts of water, so plan on relocating. For now store what you have room for!
- In an emergency, water from water heater, water beds (untreated with chemicals) or toilet can be used. In emergencies, shut off water inside at the water shut off valve (go locate it now...might be next to water heater or in basement). Do not shut off at the street source because you want to save water in the house pipes that has not been contaminated. Exterior water mains may have ruptured causing contamination in underground water pipes.
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Pamella Paizs Responds:
Storing water is not negotiable. You must have your own water and have access to it. Water is one of the fundamental basics for survival
How much water?
The average water consumption per day per person is said to be 3 gallons. I advise looking at 1 gallon cooking, 1 gallon washing, 1 gallon drinking. You must realize that you can live for 3 weeks without food, but you can only live 1 week at best without water.
Bottled water or not?
Pre-bottled water actually has a short life span. Water will keep its life force for only 6 weeks, after that the oxygen within the water will dissipate. Even with the now vitamin or mineral enhanced bottled waters in the market, they will still loose their oxygen and oxygen is the primary reason why we drink water to sustain the human body. In times long gone, most gathered their water from moving streams. This water was filled with an abundance of oxygen.
Water Sources
Best advice is to start with a good water source, from a clean well or conversely use your own water from your faucet. The only difficulty with city or county water sources are that they can have several different types of chemicals already added to the water to keep it so called clean. This is where a good water filter would be required.
Water Containment
I would advise that you begin your water adventure with seeking some useful containers; 5 to 10 gallon plastic containers or even 50 gallon plastic containers can be obtained and I would suggest you start with searching Google or your local phone directory for these items.
You can also obtain a larger water tank that can be placed either indoors or outside at the back of your home. These can be purchased any where from 50 gallons all the way up to several 1000 gallons. This method of containment is bulky and as some folks live in apartments, these larger sizes may not be the best solution.
Where to store your water
Keep your water stored in a secure and cool place. Basements are a great place to store your water but if you do not have a basement, choose the coolest place in your home, a spare room, a garage or outside at the back of your home in a secure shed. In coming times ahead, it will be important for you to keep your water storage close to you and your needs. At this time I would highly recommend that you keep your water in a very secure place and not out for the world to see.
Lastly, in living securely in uncertain times, always travel with a small water supply in the car, that way you can be at least comfortable knowing that if anything unusual happens, you will have water to keep you going until you arrive safely home.
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Steven Knopp responds:
Water, yes I understand this difficulty. Store a reasonably moveable amount in good food grade plastic barrels, the 4-5 gallon drinking water containers, or in the good quality plastic water bottles, not the milk jug kind.
If you're going to buy it, buy natural spring water, the best you can get with nothing else added. Don't buy distilled for long term drinking as it's not healthy to do so. You can also purchase the blue drinking water containers and fill from a tested well or natural spring source. Filter it if you're not sure of your source's purity.
If you see yourself moving from your rental, have at least a 3 month supply for each person in your household. This can be done without taking up too much space. When you get to a more permanent, and hopefully rural situation, then add larger storage tanks to the above recommendation.
Thank you experts!
NEXT WEEK: Water Purification and Emergency Backpacks
Be well. Be happy. Be outrageous.
Louise
