What if you are in a terrible situation and you need to get away, but your vehicle won't start? What if there are no mechanics, no handymen and no stores nearby? What are you going to do?  Your survival depends on your ability to fix your car, yourself.  Every prepper and  every person should have at least a basic knowledge of; vehicle mechanical systems how to repair a generator how to fix a leaky pipe how to patch a tire how to clean a spark plug.  Learn to troubleshoot small engines, learn how to change oil, tighten belts and unclog fuel lines. You can practice on old lawnmowers, bikes and other small powered appliances.  Study and read about your own vehicle and get a clear understanding of the mechanics. Learn; what the battery does how to install the brakes how to change the air filter how to use a tire jack the fluid systems how to sharpen blades replace fuses repair leaky seals  Know which tools you need for different fixes. A great idea is to ...

Get to know your local environment, because it will be your life line, your resource base and your safe place. The more you know about your neighborhood and surrounding area, the easier it will be for you when that time comes, because you are already informed.  Every prepper should know their local terrain, average seasonal temperatures and weather patterns, for the year and take detailed notes.  Learn where the rivers and natural water sources flow, know which roads flood, what areas freeze first, where the nut trees are and where you can find natural shelter. Take walks and hikes to get to know your region and take notes on; elevation changes wind funnels wildlife corridors potential choke points where the sun rises and sets how shadows move where to find south-facing slopes, for warmth.  Understand seasonal shifts; when storms are most likely to hit how long snow fall lasts when the leave start to change how long it takes for all leaves to fall Track wind patterns...

Things are going from bad to worse than bad and now is the time to get ready for the next shock. Wars are raging and we never know when it will hit closer to home. Prepping is more than just preparing for when a disaster strikes, it's also about being prepared if you lose your job, if your bank account is frozen after being hacked, or if you have to close your business. It's about building sustainability that you can depend on, when your life depends on it.  Prices at the pump and at the grocery stores are rising a lot faster than our income. So, you should take a critical look at your spending habits. You need to let go of unnecessary expenses and cut back, now. Avoid impulse purchases, buying with a credit card, added debt and you need to live within or below your means - if you want your future to be financially stable.  Debt is a debilitating weight that keeps itself wrapped around your peace of mind as drags your spirit  down..  Debt limits your choices, it redu...

No matter how much you prep, you will still need your family and some community support. Family and community are more that just a support system,  they will multiply the skills needed to survive.  A lone prepper can make it but it is a lot easier if there are a group of people available to help. Surviving with a group means more people to share labor, be on the lookout and diverse skills and more emotional strength. In your household, start by building trust and allegiance within. Talk openly about the importance to be prepared. Practice building fires and escape drills, together. Discuss sharing tasks and trade knowledge that will be needed.  Then find like-minded neighbors or prepper groups. Offer value, gardening, first aid, carpentry, communication.  Relationships built before a crisis become your lifeline during one. A strong group can divide roles—security, cooking, repairs, intel—while watching each other’s backs. And beyond tasks, people provide hope, humor,...

It is almost certain that all of us will, one day, be faced with a life-changing disaster or situation. If you have real concerns, you have taken the first step - not toward panic, but toward being prepared for what is to come.  Prepping isn’t about living in fear of what if,  it’s about being confident that you know you can handle whatever the situation turns out to be. You have to be ready and these tips about; food water shelter security medical care communication tools mindset and more will help you prepare But remember, prepping isn't a race - but, it does have a starting line. Don’t try to gather everything you need, all at once - this will lead to food spoilage and confusion.  When you start as a prepper, focus on the essential supplies that are for basic survival. Here are the important items to start with:  Food - Water Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days Non-perishable food items like canned goods, rice, and be...

Knowing how to build a fire is a comfort you need when you are camping or just out in the open, overnight. Being able to build a fire in rain, snow and howling wind, raises your primitive survival rating (PSR😊) close to 10.  If you are spending a nice night in the woods or a night filled with bitter, cold, harsh weather conditions - fire will be your source of heat, water purification, light at night, your cooked food and an overall cozy, safer feeling.  Fire can also signal rescuers and ward off dangerous predators. Start by collecting and storing ; weatherproof tinder dryer lint in a plastic bag cotton balls rubbed with petroleum jelly char cloth, or fatwood You need to carry multiple ignition methods lighters waterproof matches ferro rods and you need to know how to use each one confidently In a wet environment, look for dry wood under trees or break open larger logs to reach the dry core. Elevate your fire off of the damp ground, using bark or stones. Build a small b...

When you need a place to sleep and your home or hotels are not available you need to find a way to cover your head.  Of the most versatile and reliable items you can put in your preppers supplies is large sheets of plastic or a tarp.  If you don't have a tent, these items can mean the difference between sleeping comfortably or sleeping out in the open air.  Tarps are lightweight, waterproof and they can be used in many different ways when you are faced with a critical survival scenario. In cold weather, plastic sheeting can help you retain body heat by blocking wind and trapping warm air.  In hot weather, tarp can create shade.  You can use tarp to;  create a temporary helter insulate a makeshift shelter create a privacy screen for sanitation wrap someone who is injured  protect your gear from rain line the inside of your bug-out bag  collect rainwater.  8 Easy Tarp Shelters/Tents For Survival Anyone Can Build Keep several sizes and types of ...

When you are in a bad situation and you stored water runs out or becomes contaminated, water purification tablets can quickly and easily make water safe to drink.  These lifesavers are small, inexpensive tablets, that are lightweight, portable and incredibly effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa like Giardia.  Most contain iodine or chlorine dioxide and a single tablet can purify up to a liter of water. They’re ideal to pack in your bug-out bags, emergency kits, and they can be used in situation where boiling contaminated water isn’t an option.  Using water purification tablets is simple:  Drop the tablet into the water Wait 30 minutes to 4 hours - according to instructions and your water is safe to drink. Keep several packs and always be sure of expiration dates.  Be aware : These tablets may slightly alter the taste of water. That’s a small price to pay for safety. If you’re prepping for long-term survival, don't make this artificial method of purif...

Water is the most important resource you need, in life and in any survival situation. The human body can survive several weeks without food, but only a few days without water.  That is why a non-negotiable prepping rule is to store at least one gallon of water, per person, per day.  Half of that is for drinking, the other is for cooking and personal hygiene.  If you’re prepping for a family of four for two weeks, you will need 56 gallons - minimum.  Sounds like a lot? It is a lot because, it's best to have to much, than not enough.  Water is heavy, bulky, but it is necessary, if you want to make it through. Use clean, food grade containers, stored in a cool, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade plastic and cause contamination.  Use 5-gallon jugs, stackable water bricks or even repurposed soda bottles.  The Right Way to Store Water For Emergencies Label each container with the date and rotate the containers every six months, if ...

In times of crisis, access to fresh fruits, bread, vegetables and meat may be limited or non-existent. This lack of food will give you severe nutritional deficiencies.  To keep yourself healthier, you should store vitamins and supplements.  Multivitamins Vitamin C Vitamin D Iron Zinc  and magnesium can help fill the nutritional gaps in a survival diet of mainly rice, beans and canned goods.  Even if you have a sufficient stockpile of food, over time, eating a high percentage of only shelf-stable foods, that are filled with non-nutritious chemicals, can leave your body vulnerable to illnesses and diseases.  Supplements help maintain your immune system, energy levels, and overall resilience. The best vitamins to stockpile when you are preparing for a long-term disaster Store the vitamins in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve their potency Rotate them just like your food.  Don’t overlook probiotics, especially if your diet lacks fresh food and fiber.  If...

Learn To Forage Local Edibles Nature is full of good food, free of chemicals—if you know where to look.  Learning to forage can turn a walk in the woods into a free grocery trip. Identify local edible plants, berries, nuts, and mushrooms (carefully).  Use a field guide or take a class from an expert to make sure you don't accidentally pick poisonous plants.  Never eat anything unless you’re 100% certain it’s safe. Some edible plants have poisonous lookalikes Learn what grows seasonally, in your region Foraging is a free way to supplement your food supply, especially when canned goods run low It also builds your connection with the land—an underrated survival asset Foraging Basics for Beginners Edible Weeds in Your Yard

Hobo Popcorn Recipe Heavy Duty aluminum foil Butter 4 Teaspoons of Cooking oil Salt 4 Tablespoons of un-popped Popcorn Cut the aluminum foil into four large squares. In the center of each square, place one teaspoon oil and one tablespoon popcorn Bring the four corners of foil to the center, making pouch like hobo knapsack Seal edges well With string, tie corners of each pouch to long handled barbeque tool or a green stick Place pouch directly on hot coals and shake often until corn is popped Carefully open pouch and season popcorn with melted butter and salt. Make it Into a Sweet and Savory Dessert When you open the foil, add shaved chocolate and allow it to melt onto the hot popcorn. Make it Hot Sprinkle it with cyenne pepper

Camping Seasoning Mix 1/3 c  Salt 1 T  Paprika 1 T  Garlic Powder 2 t  Onion Powder 1/2 t  Cayenne or substitute Curry 1/2 t  Pepper Mix well and store in a double zip-lock bag or a good glass, screw-top container.

  When you go on a camping trip, a backpacking journey or if you are put in circumstances that were beyond your control, that doesn't mean you have to eat beans out of the can, every night. You can easily prepare delicious, homestyle meals, even when you are not inside, sitting down at the table. Here are a few really good camping meal, for you to try.  Potato Dinner Take a raw potato. Hollow out the center of a raw potato leaving about 1/2 inch all the way around with skin attached  Fill the center with spiced hamburger with a bit of tomato sauce or use sausage pieces  Wrap tightly in foil and place on coals Serve with cheese or garlic bread and a salad or some steamed or canned veggies  Steamed Veggies  Slice thinly and make a foil pack and add a little water; seal and place on or over hot coals  Check after a 1/2 hour Potato will take about an hour. Onion Skin Hamburger  Cut a large onion in half cross-wise and remove most of the cent...

  Corrugated Cardboard Box Campfire Oven 1 Brick or flat rock 1 pk heavy duty Aluminum foil 1 Corrugated cardboard box 1 Metal pie pan, old 3 Wire coat hangers 4+ Charcoal briquets Light the charcoal in the aluminum pan Completely cover the inside and outside of the box and flaps with 3 or 4 layers of aluminum foil. Lay the aluminum foil covered box on level ground so that it opens oven-style or front door style. Straighten the coat hangers, then run them from one side of the box, to the other - about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom - to form a rack. Set the brick in bottom.    Use an oven mitt or hot pad to put the pan of hot charcoal on the brick.  Place food to be cooked into a pan and put the pan onto coat-hanger rack, and close oven door. Watch your food carefully by checking it often.   ➡️➡️  Each hot coal makes about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Make An Oven Using a Pizza Box Video

Here are three tips to help you make your backpacking trip less stressful when it is time to eat. Save the powered, packaged mixes from mac and cheese, ramen noodles and salad kits and pack them in food baggies. These flavor packets can be used later to add pizzaz to different dishes.  When you buy the boxed food with the separate flavor packets, do not use the entire packet at one time. A little bit  of that seasoning goes a long way.  You can save and store some of the unopened packets and use an opened packet two or three times.   Take powdered milk in baggies. Use it in your coffee, cereal, instant potatoes and in your cooked dishes. Margarine, even though it is not good for you, will travel well. Just make sure it is tightly paced in a leak-proof container. As an alternative, you can make your own butter, on the trip.  How to Make Butter Using Powdered Milk Freeze-Dried Backpacking Meals

Basic Survival Skills Here are some very simple ideas for dehydrated and light-weight foods you can take with you on your trek. Dehydrated vegetables and full meals are available at camping stores. Try Ramen noodle soups or any of those soup in a cups, packaged in baggies, so they take up a lot less room. Dehydrated bean flakes, cooks in 10-15 minutes, and are available in many varieties can be mixed with some spice and cooked rice. Put it beans and rice in a tortilla and you will see, it is delicious and filling. Yum! Flavor them with onion powder, garlic powder and/or cumin powder. Cheese holds up very well in backpacks. When it is properly wrapped, you don't have to deal with cheese oil dripping on your other items. The fat will do you good if you are hiking for hours. If it's cold, the fat can help you stay warm.  You need a lot more calories when it's cold. Add a cheese to your soup, pasta, rice, or dehydrated veggies you're cooking. Pasta, the King of the backpack...

  Campfire Biscuits These are easy to make biscuits and they can be cooked in a Dutch oven or in aluminum foil. 2 c  Jiffy Baking mix 2/3 c  Water Directions:  Mix well and knead. If too soft, add a little more mix for a dry handling dough. Put flour on aluminum foil and pat dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.  Divide dough into biscuits.  Bake at moderate heat for 15-20 minutes, or until biscuits are done.  Remove from heat and serve hot.

Disaster Readiness When you are on your backpacking trip, one of your most important concerns should be - how to save money, whenever you can. You never know when a cash only emergency will come and stick its hand, deep into your wallet. Here are four ways you can save money on your meals. Instant mashed potatoes can be mixed with powdered milk or water only. Make up an instant gravy to go on top.  For dessert, dried fruit can be cooked in hot water and put on top of a piece of angel food cake. Add some cinnamon and Tang and you have an elegant dessert. Dry veggie burger mix will make a great meal. Most of them are mixed with water only and a lot of them are quite tasty. Bulgar and couscous cook up in only a few minutes with boiling water. Happy eating! and saving! Food Hacks Every Camper Should Know

Do you know what to do if you are suddenly in the middle of a disaster? It could be from unemployment, illness, Nature or something else. But, no matter what, it's best to know what to do - if the time comes. Now is the time to learn how to be prepared for an emergency and how to survive a disaster. We never know when, or for what reason we may find ourselves without the basic necessities of life.