We here at SHTFblog have asked what YOU would like to read when you come to visit us. Calamity writes about gardening, family stuff, and other topics and our new guy, The Graduate Shootist, pens about firearms. Ranger Man chips in with just about anything and I like to write about outdoor survival, current events, and whatever strikes my fancy as I cruise around the Internet seeing cool or crazy stuff.
Time changes things and I’m wondering if there are certain topics out there you’d like to see discussed here that you haven’t seen yet. I tend to write a lot about my family life to share with you what it is I’ve done to prep or not prep, as the case may be.
Lately I’ve been watching the news and waiting to see what Europe is going to do. Would you like to see more discussion about the economy? I know I’ve enjoyed the discussion on the blog every time I’ve posted something about markets, or money, or anything related to the economy. There’s a lot of smart people out there that comment and I like seeing other viewpoints.
What else could we do to spice things up? More book reviews? More videos? Open discussion about topics of interest? I’m just throwing things out here – feel free to chip in with anything you’d like to hear about.
Thanks for your ideas and a big thank you for reading our site.
-Jarhead Survivor
Articles about water recovery. My rain system is doing fine, but, the water ends up smelling swampy because of the debris it collects at the first downpour that gets by the filter, such as pollen, leaf bits, ants, etc. I keep wondering if bleach would hurt all that much.
Build your own amazing almost free solar panels, if you only send me $50 for a CD-ROM book … I always think it is $1 worth of free information, some real insight might be nice.
Do it yourself geothermal heat pumps for cooling and A/C.
it ain’t broke, so don’t try to fix it.
stay focused on the current events, which could trigger SHTF situations. our best discussions here are usually about “countermeasures”, once each new threat is identified.
The two topics of gravest concern to me are the availability of electricity, and the growing Gestapo-like tactics of law enforcement and the military. Addressing the first (energy availability) is an ongoing pursuit of mine, as I’ve come to realize that most of my comforts arrive at the end of a long wire. The second concern is the one that causes me to lose sleep on a regular basis. As an engineer-turned-cop, I’ve observed, from an educated and fairly objective viewpoint, the metamorphosis of police departments. I alienate some cops with my belief that local police agencies shouldn’t even have SWAT teams. The entire concept of “serve & protect” seems to have died a quiet death, replaced with an obsessive need to control and subjugate.
(And it’s not just cops…….from the local zoning inspector to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, there’s always SOMEONE who’s there telling you how it’s gotta be, and God help you if you don’t comply.
Keep up the great work with this blog. And always look over your shoulder.
i like the current set-up. i like when you go out and test your gear in real world conditions also. keep up the good work.
Dear SHTF: Would like more info regarding the economy and warnings about what to do with bank accounts, etc., when things really look bad!!
Should we stuff it all under the mattress?
Many thanks
lace
-Not to be a smart “A”,-but you can’t eat $
We like nearly everything you choose and your blog never ends up in the “junk pile”. I’d like to see even more on the economy as we’d really prefer not to end up homeless and starving, a fate that seeems likely for many of our older friends and relatives. They’re feeling it, too, and none of us know what to do about it. Your slant on the news in Europe is always welcome. Our local paper (very liberal) turns everything into a foreign policy triumph for Obama, so we discount most of what it says. Keep up the good and interesting work!
I’d like to see article (or series) discussing possible rules of engagement for dealing with strangers/trespassers in various SHTF scenarios. I enjoy reading others thoughts on how they reason out the “shoot” versus “don’t shoot” decision for themselves, but too often there’s not enough background provided on the particular scenario for the article (and the commenters) to stay focused. Maybe something that lays out the details surrounding a particular event, then puts the reader into a situation where unknown person(s) suddenly enter the picture.
Many times I get the impression reading articles discussing looters/scavengers/trespassers/refugees that the writer must have some psychic ability to determine the motives of the strangers on sight, would be nice to see some realistic discussion on the subject.
Since Greece has now voted and the changes that are to come soon to Europe may-well impact us in the U.S.A. directly soon … I would really like to know some specifics and basics how folk are coping in Greece and of course Spain/Portugal and Italy (those countries next to stumble) … what can we (here in the U.S.A.) do specifically to prepare —- yes of-course most of us reading these posts know what to do – but, there still may be many who are un-prepped as far as how to make the survival better – we all have jobs and families and are committed to many venues = how are the folk in Greece really living without their debit cards, their inability to have funds and goods and services available, their loss of jobs, etc … I know these questions have been addressed many times over and over again —- but ?????????? really ………… !!!!!!!!!
id like to see product reviews, storage ideas, how to’s – Im a newbie, I think Im doing ok, (by ok, I mean steadily improving) we have budgeted an amount each month to spend on supplies (non food supplies, we add to our food each shopping trip, my sister is one of those extreme couponers, so I have a year supply of toothpaste and about a thousand bandaids and we’ve not been doing this very long), but what about solar power? what about cooking with a sun oven, is an RV reasonable as a go vehicle or am I going to be stuck because of its size with traffic, my husband wants a cross bow and wants me to research brands and kinds, Im at the phase where the news just FREAKS me out everyday, and I want to be ready.
Maybe these answers are in your blog and I just havent found them yet, Im must too new.
On the subject of Crossbows;
Like any tool or implement, Crossbows are specific and can vary depending on their role. From hunting small game to an accurate medium ranged silent sniping anti-personnel weapon and everything in-between. I’d personally recommend that your spouse, join a local archery club, where your spouse could explore different types and “brands” of crossbows, without the expense of purchase, finding out that your spouse really doesn’t enjoy the new crossbow, only to sell it at a fraction of what its worth on Craigslist or e-bay. This is how I got into archery, was by joining a club and going from there to what I find is an absolutely necessary skill set, which I practice weekly and in the winter daily.
Welcome to the party, Jennie.
K.C.’s advice regarding the crossbow is sound. Training is paramount.
I’ll go one further. Don’t bother with those fancy complicated, ‘compound’ crossbows. In a survival situation ‘simple’ is always better. Too many things can go wrong and break with all those moving parts. Excaliber makes tough, quality, ‘recurve’ crossbows that will take a lot of punishment and last for years with basic care. In the hands of someone proficient and mounted with good optics, it’s one of the quietest, deadliest killers in the field.
Several things I would like to see discussed:
1.) Bullet proof vest i.e. cost and strength, are they viable and worth the expense.
2.) Casting bullets – can it be done without electricity and where would you get the raw lead.
3.) Night vision products – cost vs strength.
4.) First aid and home emergency medical supplies.
5.) We were discussing SHTF at the local gun range one day and the owner said if we go to a barter system then you will need ammo, booze and tabacco products to trade. Is that still a good system?
I really like what what i read. Saying that, I really like Chefbear’s articles. I am new to prepping so how about a general list of supplies needed.
Oh and I think Israel wants to attack Iran. Any thoughts on that?
I would love to see more articles about how to get neighbors and friends interested in prepping in a practical respectable way. The best way to defend against hungry neighbors is to convert them all into preppers long before the fan gets dirty.
How about practical self-care how to? and not just the common herbs :) would be happy to help :)
Please no book reviews! If you want to recommend a book, just do it. To me, those things are like reading a book report in school. I like the variety of topics that you have already so I wouldn’t change too much. If your just looking for topics I really like frugal living as a survival strategy. I’m always looking for painless ways to save a buck or get closer to being out of debt.
I love everything ya’ll are doin’ even when I don’t agree, ya’ll allways set me thinkin’. Ray in Ky
Keep up all the good work. I enjoy and learn from all the perspectives of your “staff”. The comment section is also enlightening, so thank-you to the “peanut gallery. I got to this site thru backpacking and camping links. Because of that the camping, hiking and gear type posts are helpful. I am also a doomsteader as Calamity puts it. Driving around the highways and byways of Maine some concern grows in me when I see the tractor trailers delivering our food and stuff. We are all thankful and indebted to those truckers. The fragile delivery system and JIT inventories bother me. Being from Maine like everyone around here we are always ready for storms, power outages, unemployment and such. But in the last year we are trying to get more ahead and eliminate debt etc. Eventually it would be a worthy goal to be self sufficient/ working retirement. We can’t depend on the government for that. Wow my thumbs are getting tired and probably your eyes. Anyway thanks to all of you for the help and encouragement! PS hey Rangerman and Jarhead Survivor have you heard about the free light houses the state is giving(?)away. Great bug outs!!!!!
Jarhead;
I for one would love to see some articles on constructing and implementing traps, nets and snares for both small and large game. I know some of the basics, however I’d really like to try my hands with some of the more complicated snares which could trap anything from a mountain lion to a grizzly bear, in the event that one could only do so using stealth as opposed to superior firepower. Additionally I’d really like to see an article on aquaculture in northern climates, since I’m attempting to re-locate from my current location to something more acceptable both environmentally and politically speaking. Thanks
Hmm… I did some aquaculture in my school days here in Iowa, I remember quite a bit of it. But, finding the equipment to set up something in my current house would be a stretch with my budget. I’ll try to whip up a basics/how-to/get started post about it, and I’ll watch garage sales for aquariums and pumps. Maybe I’ll find what I need cheaply and I can get something setup to run some performance evaluations.
Do you do aquaculture in your current climate?
Calamity;
Right now the aquaculture, that a couple of my associates and I are doing is in my opinion just kid stuff, for want of a wetter climate, since the desert Southwest isn’t conducive to large scale anything involving water and private property. Right now it’s just three 1500 liter stock tanks, using a solar powered recirculating pump to keep the water fresh. Since my associates are originally from Southeast Asia, they were the ones to show me the viability of farming Rainbow Trout and Dwarf Mekong Catfish, which we are experimenting with. In addition to the fish, we started experimenting with growing herbs hydroponically like Basil, which helps it grow fast. Again because of the extremely small scale, I feel it’s kids stuff, but in the event that I can get to a location with a pond or small creek/stream, then the knowledge learned here in the Southwest, will come in handy, for larger scale operations elsewhere. Needless to mention I would like information on Northern Climate Aquaculture operations since I know that winter is obviously longer and harsher than I’m used to. I was thinking about possible inside aquaculture like what the people at the University of Vermont, Burlington have done with their “Living Water” system. Just ideas that I’m “fishing for” in the literal sense.
First of all, thanks for the great job you guys (and gal!) are doing, keep it up!
Some topics worth discussing IMO are……
Walt spoke about determining the motives of strangers. I’d like to second that and add another complicated discussion, the motives and abilities of your close neighbours. The example of suggesting that someone get prepared only to be responded to with something like “I’ll just come to your house” comes to mind. But then there are the countless personalities, skill sets, beliefs and egos that would complicate a SHTF scenario. The TV show “Survivor” may have been one many of you never saw, but I did get a pretty good idea of the BS I’d have to deal with in a group of people. The recent TV show “Lost” had a Neurosurgeon who assumed a leadership role only to let his ego trip him up and alienate people. Lots to think about.
KC mentions traps. I was thinking along the lines of primitive security measures and alarms. Like a trip line that causes a bunch of empty cans to tumble.
The current setup is really solid. But, since asked, how about some “how to” posts.
I think more “how to” videos would be a good idea, there’s book learnin’, and there’s DOING. Ask for youtube type submissions (without the youtube link) that are small task specific and SUCCINT. I can’t tell you how many video’s I’ve just stopped watching because the presenter just babbled on and took 8 minutes to show a 30 second task. Some stuff can be learned in this method easily – for instance…
Simple Suturing. Get a whole pig, cut it in weird and unusual ways, and show how to do some of the different types of sutures. HOW TO is emphasized, not “what I’m using”.
Urban discrete movement. Equip some movers with portable video headsets, and see if they can move through an urban environment without incident – edit for brevity.
SCENARIO drills. The “roadblock” scenario where up ahead there’ s an official roadblock and you want past. The “Distraction” drill, movement past by use of misdirection and obfuscation. All scenario drills will not involve any or much prep ahead of time, assume all you’ve got is your simple BOB or nothing. Show how to obtain and craft simple impact weapons while in movement. etc…
As much as possible it shouldn’t concentrate on the personality doing the task – in fact blur the face.
An interesting video would have been an urban escape and evasion class I took, final exercise was you being driven around in a trunk with your hands zip tied. This uses up a lot of taillights BTW. Must evade for ten city blocks at minimum.
Everybody will want to demo a solar still, etc… That’s doable too. Just make sure the ingredients are all listed on a text screen in the video. As much as possible all how to videos should list the items needed and a source for them with price.
I like the trip line ideas. I would love to practice them on my next camping adventure. (bear country) Also I hear alot about storing seeds for later use, I would like to know more about that. Thank you.
I love the site!
But ideas for the renter on what to do to keep a roof over our heads if things get really ugly with the economy – landlord will still want his money of course.
We’ve already got the multi-generational thing down . . .
The site is fine , if anything , perhaps more product reviews by the community .
What topics? I’ve read through many of your old posts, and you have been thorough. I would like to see some articles on survival medicine, though. Where and how to research for alternatives to pharmaceutical cures (I have very bad reflux, and know of no alternative to pharmaceutical treatment ). Also, agree with others on how to’s. However, this is my favorite blog, out of about ten, because it is so well written and informative. So in the end, whatever you do, I will be happy.
I’d be interested in small DIY projects. The kind that can be done on a buget and could add up to into setting up a small decent BOL/homestead.
As some have mentioned, a rain barrel set up. Water distilation for purification. Small solar set up, by the same token something on wind and water generating. Building a compost bin/barrel. How do you use different animal menure without killing off your garden?
Beer and wine making as post shtf cottage industries. Cooking oil !
You can get a small hand press for 150$ or so, but are there DIY alternatives. What else can you make that could be in demand, Soap, candles.
Laundry in post-shtf,? Theres few nice Youtubes videos. You post some of these or videos about other topics and have a discussion/review just like you do about books.
For your gun guy: whats a Lee loader, pros and cons! Reloading
on a buget. Best low cost deer rifle Remington 770 or Savage (XP?)
How to use stuff you grow. Grain is easy to grow (I do it in containers) but what do you do with it. Wheat into flour/bread , what about Barley or Flax. Uncommon fruits/vegetables that migth be worth a look at. Particular medicinal plants. Easy jams, cheese, preserves.
Decent/realistic/affordable medical kit/chest (without going into fish antobiotic and what not).
Mininal tool box you should have with various alternatives to power tools. Any good books DIY on hand tools only carpentry?
So do any of these have a potential for an article?
P.
I’d love to read about technological innovations especially the latest mobile phones and their reviews, if you could help out.
I would like to see groups form from this site. This by far is the best site I have come across. (There does not seem like a bunch of gun happy and go it alone folks on here)
Maybe set up local clubs where we can share ideas, maybe network and form a new community after the SHTF. I have been to some so called “Expos” but it seems those are all about doing it alone. Strength comes in numbers. To beat the evil doers we must be smarter and have the numbers to survive.
Hey TI – what do you have in mind? I’m interested in your idea, but I’m not sure if people would make the effort to get together seeing as how we’re a fairly paranoid bunch to begin with.
Maybe I’ll put it out to the group to see if anyone is interested in this idea.
I’ve known since childhood that squirrels stored nuts for the winter.
Four years ago in the Fall ,there was a big wind that came through Ky.(remnants of a hurricane).-It knocked out power to my home and tens of thousands of others for several weeks.We just fired up our woodstove and used candles.I decided to use this time to teach my four kids still at home some “gathering” skills.I drove my young clan all over the local country roads one afternoon.Black walnuts are plentiful here,but not many folks want to be bothered with them these days and they let us gather as many as we wanted.We ended up with 2 fifty lb burlap sacks full.
Though not as plentiful,Pecan trees grow here as well,and even though by this time of the year they had’nt reached full size,the big wind had blown them out of the trees,and we found a property owner that was willing to give us all we wanted.-So we filled up two MORE 50 lb. burlap sacks.
Now,-all that is fine and good.-Not a really “big” story..
EXCEPT,-we are STILL enjoying those same walnuts and pecans FOUR YEARS LATER.
Granted,there is an occasional “bad one”,but stored in a cool/dark/dry area,most of them are still “fresh”.
I forgot to mention that the nuts first have to be “prepped” for storage,-for the walnuts,we let the outer hull turn black and soft then remove them and let the remaining hard shell nut dry in the sun before storing.
For the Pecans,we spread those out on the ground to let thier outer hulls split open while drying,-this process makes it easy to remove the inner “hard”shell nut.
I dunno i just had to share,and maybe a topic of natural food gathering and storage would be a good idea.
-Also,how about a peice on (proven) effective herbal medicine?