Back to the First Survival Knife

I've had a two year obsession with survival knives and recently ended up falling in love with the Opinel No8.  Ironically this was the first ever survival knife I was introduced to.  Sixteen years ago my dad and his friend payed to have a survival expert take them and their sons on a survival over-nighter.  This was his knife of choice and after all these years I finally know why.  Here are some of it's features:

• Carbon Steel Blade (can strike a spark from flint)
• Special edge (the whole blade is an edge)
• Squared blade top (perfect for scraping a fire steel)
• Locking Blade
• No sharpening stone needed (a sharpening steel is all that's required)
• The handle can be used for a bearing block (for bow drill fire)

Yes it's not a full tang fixed blade, but for a survival situation where a folding knife is required, this is the one!

The Many Survival Faces of Iodine

Iodine can be used for:

Drinking Water Disinfectant

Hearing Loss Preventative

Treatment of Styes

Starch Test (Iodine turns dark blue when contacting starch)
Boosts Thyroid Health
Helps Radiation Exposure
It is a Sterilizing Agent
Prevents Goiters
BoostsMetabolism
Helps Kill Bacterial Infections

Promotes Breast Health

Promotes Ovarian Health

Promotes Neurological Health

Helps Treat Vaginitis

Promotes Eye Health

Naturally Blocks UVB Radiation (Helps Prevent Sunburn)

Honey: Why it's One of Four Best Survival Foods

Honey is the only food in the world that never, ever goes bad.  On top of that, honey can heal some wounds faster than other ointments with fewer scars, can be used to treat topical burns, wash skin and hair; treat stomach ulcers, flu, colds, liver problems, eye injuries, irritable bowel syndrome, coughs, and diarrhea.

Why wouldn't it be one of the best survival ingredients ever?

Saving Money Around The House, For Young Families

Saving Money Around The House, For Young Families.


Cleaning Supplies

I basically only use three things: White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Honey. The vinegar can be used for cleaning of toilets sinks and floors and can be mixed with baking soda to make a paste (this also eliminates the odor). The paste can be used for shampoo and body wash. Vinegar can be used in place of fabric softener and will eliminate the need for dryer sheets with most materials. Baking Soda easily replaces tooth paste and deodorant and is much cheaper and healthier, use it as you would cleanser for cleaning. Honey is a good replacement for hand soap and facial soap and costs a little more but lasts much much longer and is also an antiseptic.

Diapers

Make your own baby wipes, several formulas can be found online, or coupon for these and diapers. Buy bigger boxes of diapers when u find a deal or if u can handle it and have a washer and dryer, use cloth diapers.

Cooking

Becoming a better cook with save you money and health because you will be able to implement leftovers and random food items into nutritious meals. Invest in some cooking training even if you can only learn from TV. Freeze, Freeze, Freeze food and invest in a food saver or similar Walmart brand food sealer so you can freeze leftovers and meat before they go bad. Invest in a food dryer so you can dry fruit, meat and vegetables before they go bad. You'll eliminate waste and allow yourself to buy fresher and cheaper fruits and veggies knowing they won't go bad.

Money

1. Get and keep large amounts of life insurance, it does something to the brain and you will feel better about yourself and life. It is not expensive when young and will free you to live more fully.

2. Always keep 1000 in a savings account for emergencies only and only use it for emergencies. This could be called first line of defense insurance.

3. Buy good food first. No matter if you can pay your bills. You are "dissing" yourself if you put food off until the last. You can replace ruined credit, a repossessed home or car, but you can't always replace lost health. It's a mental thing. Take care of the absolute basics first thing.

Clothing

Buying one quality piece of clothing can be more wise than 3 cheap pieces. Buy clothing that will last and then make it last. Become familiar with a needle and thread. If you buy cheap shoes see if it is cost efficient to replace the insoles rather than buying a new pair when they're worn down.

Raccoons on the loose

Just wanted to show a great example of urban survival. These raccoons are on top of an animal cage at the zoo. There was a mom and three babies all getting more attention than the caged animals. Well why not, right? If you're a hungry animal in the city go to the zoo!

Mustard Miracle

So here's one I've been hesitant to share but it works too good not to. So I've worked the last ten years in occupations that involve walking, from missionary to military, and I suffer from athletes foot. I've tried all the over-the-counter stuff with no permanent fixes and all the while searched for a natural solution to no avail. That is until I tried mustard. Regular table mustard applied to the irritated area seems to give just as much or more relief as over the counter medicines and it costs practically nothing. To anyone who's battled with athletes foot I hope it works as well for you because to me it is heaven sent. Good old American mustard!!!

A Primitive Water Filter

This is a photo of a water filter/drinking straw I made from a hollow section of a dead plant, and a piece of charcoal from my campfire. I sucked water from the river and into my mouth all day with it. Charcoal is the great natural filter. In fact even most filters you attach to your kitchen sink contain charcoal.

Life Giving Aluminum Foil

Did you know that a simple piece of Aluminum Foil could save your life?  Let's say you get stranded somewhere and you need to signal for help.  Use the shiny side of the foil to reflect the sun to get people's attention.  What if you have a fire but only rancid water to drink?  Fold the foil into a bowl and you can boil and drink it.  What if you grow extremely cold but only have some batteries from your flashlight or radio?  Wrap the batteries in the foil one at a time and squeeze the ends so the foil presses tightly to the - and + ends and they will heat up just like a hand warmer.

Substitute Hygene Items. Save $. Save the Planet

Here are some substitutions for personal hygiene items that are 100% planet friendly:

Shampoo/Body Wash: Baking Soda and Vinegar (mix together to make a paste)
Facial Wash: Honey
Toothpaste: Baking Soda
Deodorant: Baking Soda
Hand Soap: Apple Sauce and Baking Soda
Hair Gel: Concentrated Lemon Juice

The Secret to Staying Awake

I've looked for an all natural substance to help me stay awake for a long time and finally discovered a great combination. I've found that sipping orange juice increases my blood sugar, which wakes me up and doesn't drop me like cane sugar (If I take anything containing regular sugar, 5 min later I'm asleep) Then I supplement the orange juice with peanut butter. This helps neutralize all the acid in the orange juice and it gives me protein. I've had lots of time to test this since I pull approx. 2 all-nighters a week.

The Many Uses of a Cheap Flashlight

A cheap flashlight can be used for it's light but also the parabolic lens can be used to start fires, the batteries can be used with steel wool to ignite fires or overheated by connecting the ends with wire to make hand warmers. The plastic case can be modified and stuffed with charcoal to make a survival straw for water purifying and the spring can be used as a fish hook.

Cattails Could Save Your Life

Cattails are one of the best survival resource you can find. All parts of a cattail are edible, raw or cooked. The roots are very starchy and taste like a potato on steroids. The fluff in the head of a cattail can be used as fire tinder, diaper fluff, or flour.

Honey Rocks!

Honey is a wonderful antiseptic. You can put it on cuts and even use it as face wash or gentle body wash. It also makes wonderful cough syrup. I was told this by a doctor and it works! A half a teaspoon seems to suppress coughing for about an hour and a half.

Survival Skills

When you really need survival skills it is probably too late to learn them.

The Perfect Survival Food

I've done some serious research and have found several sources that would back me up in saying that one of the best foods to carry with you wherever you go are ALMONDS. Granted they are not the most satisfying entree in the world but they have few rivals when you analyze the effect eating almonds has on your body. First, they have an almost perfect PH which means they can never give you canker sores or throw off your bodies PH no matter how many of them you eat. Second, they are said to be a mood picker-upper that helps your brain and makes you feel better. They are a source of protein that won't go bad like meat or eggs. You can soak them, sprout them or grind them into flour.

Items you can always rationalize buying

Here are some items that are always a good investment in your physical survival:

-Canned Food
-Propane (grilling gas)
-Ammunition
-Fishing Supplies
-Fuel (gasoline/diesel for your vehicle)

All of these are an indirect source of heat for your body and the #1 rule of survival is maintaining your bodies temp of 98.6!

Alternative Mosquito Repellant

Here are a few natural mosquito repellents that are suppose to be very useful. I have tried a couple with success.

#1 Citronella Oil
#2 Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
#3 Cinnamon Oil
#4 Castor Oil
#5 Rosemary Oil
#6 Lemongrass Oil
#7 Cedar Oil
#8 Sage
#9 Smoke
#10 Mud

Survival Bracelets

An easy way to carry cordage is to wear a survival bracelet. This means you can carry up to 25' of cord with you every where you go. Some of the main uses of "para-cord" type cord are: Shelter ridge line, Tent guy out string, Boot laces, Belt, Arm sling, Fishing line, Snares and traps, Rock sling/staff sling, Gear repair,Gun sling, Lashing cargo, Log pull, Crossing rivers, Descending cliffs/crags, Pole lashing, Knife lanyard, Necklace, Sewing repairs, Hang food from a tree in bear country, Tourniquet.

30 Uses for a Bandana

1. Signal (also see signal mirror)
2. Neck Gaiter for cold weather
3. Tourniquet (But for Snake Bites use a Sawyer Extractor)
4. Pot Holder
5. Collecting Wild Edibles
6. Sun block for neck
7. Sling (first-aid – also see medical kits for you BOB)
8. Sling (as in David and Goliath)
9. Sling (for a staff )
10. Cordage (strips or as is)
11. Washcloth/Towel (Bathe out of a Collapsible Bucket)
12. Sweatband
13. Waist pack/pouch
14. Hobo Pack
15. Padding a hotspot
16. Cleaning Patches for Firearm
17. Bullet Patches for Muzzleloader
18. Gun Wipe Cloth (with oil)
19. Toilet Paper
20. Mark a Trail
21. Dish Rag
22. Napkin
23. Eye patch
24. Pre-water Filter (like Coffee Filters)
25. Clean Glasses and other lens
26. Ear Muffs
27. Bind a stone and toss a line over a limb
28. Dust Mask (in Urban Survival)
29. Wet and wear for Hot Weather
30. Sneezing

Carry Water, Save Money

You won't believe how much money you can save by carrying a case of bottled water in the trunk of your car. Not only is it great for emergencies such as situations when city water becomes unreliable, but you always have a drink when you need it. How many times a week do you purchase soda or bottled water on a whim just because you're out running errands and you get thirsty.