Active New Top (30 days) Compact Card News for the week of 2023-10-23 The Prepared Support - October 30, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 1 8 News DYI Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke Hardened - October 30, 2023 Facing the worst air quality in recorded history (and my air purifier temporarily inaccessible in storage) I built my own today using Eric’s COVID Air Defense System kit, also known as a Corsi-Rosenthal Cube. It works for wildfire smoke as well as for Covid. I followed these instructions to build it: https://encycla.com/Corsi-Rosenthal_Cube I was able to have the MERV 13 filters delivered the same day by Instacart so I didn’t have to leave my apartment. Read More 6 8 GearNewsSkills News for the Week 2023-10-30 The Prepared Support - October 30, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 1 1 News Documenting Important Information – Big Book Of Everything Bigwig - October 28, 2023 Lately I have been updating my ‘important information’ document which my family can use in case something happens to me. It contains information on financial accounts, insurance information, location of important items, etc. Recently I came across The Big Book of Everything which has a nice list of information to collect. While I don’t use it, it has given me some ideas on other things to include in my document. What resources have you found useful? Read More 1 1 Home security Claire - October 28, 2023 I just had a break-in in my community. Any recs for protecting doors and windows? And would any of these double as protection from storms? For example, impact-type film over the windows. Read More 1 1 Atmospheric water generators Claire - October 24, 2023 Has anyone heard of atmospheric water generators (particularly for home use)? If so what are you thoughts and is there one you’d recommend? Read More 1 0 Is a portable solar-powered generator practical for powering my home? Kristin Vogel - October 24, 2023 I don’t have solar panels on my house and I don’t have the money to invest in a rooftop array. I want something to power my home…the refrigerator as much as needed, lights at night, our on-demand water heater. Is a portable system with panels I can set up in my backyard practical for this purpose? I like the idea that we can take it with us if we need to. I would love your thoughts and thanks in advance. Read More 3 6 Advice Moooooooo…Can you rec a powdered milk? JBinAZ - October 22, 2023 I have descended into the rabbit hole of instant / powdered milk and my eyes are about crossed with all of the info. Simply, I just need recs from folks who have taste-tested an instant/powdered milk. Looking for: – long shelf life – for cold cereal – for cooking hot cereal – for baking We don’t really just “drink a glass of milk,” here. But, we do prefer whole milk as we use it in baking…and got used to that many years ago. TIA! Read More 2 5 How to clean, sanitize, and properly store portable water filters Robert LarsonContributor - October 22, 2023 I recently saw a post on Reddit where a person is turning on the tap and nasty brown water comes out of it. A few people in the comments were talking about if a water filter would be able to make this potable. Further down in the comments, someone who claims to be a water engineer says that it was from unclean pipes that allowed microbes to grow in them. He then makes the following comment “The same situation happens when people reuse portable water filters when camping. In dry storage it’s perfectly fine to keep a filter around for months. But the instant you get it wet, you put that filter away and then bacteria starts growing on the filter media. The next time you go camping, you get sick and you can’t figure out why because you use the water filter.” I agree that if you use your filter and then just throw it in your bag and leave it wet for a couple months it will get all nasty, but if you properly backflush and dry it out you should be fine right? I emailed some of the main portable water filter companies out there and they said I was correct. You need to take some steps to properly store your filter after use. Their replies will probably be pretty long if I copied and pasted them here, so I’ll sum it up in some bullet points Backflush your filter with clean water after each outing. If you have mineral rich water that you are constantly filtering, soaking the filter in white vinegar for 30 minutes and then backflushing can help restore flow rate. Pump/flush a weak bleach solution through the unit occasionally, any hoses, and on the outside to kill any bacteria living inside. Then thoroughly air dry before storage. Here’s a good video on filter care by Sawyer. Hope this friendly reminder is helpful to everyone to #1 make sure you have the tools and experience backflushing your portable filters and #2 make sure you store them correctly and dryly. Read More 12 3 Gear Game that we don’t usually hunt and eat, but could and would……. Winston Smith - October 22, 2023 Hunters/trappers usually eat pigs, deer, moose, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, doves, quail, geese, and various game animals in different regions. But there are some animals that are not traditionally consumed, but in an emergency, would be gladly eaten and enjoyed for nourishment and taste. A quick rule of thumb is that you can eat just about anything with fur, feathers, or scales as long as it is properly prepared and cooked thoroughly to kill bacteria and other pathogens that would make us sick. That means most mammals, birds, and reptiles are fine to eat, although palatability is never guaranteed. But the hungrier you are, the better all foods will taste. The wrong plants we eat can harm us more than animals. Alligators: Alligator meat has been described as having a mild flavor and a firm texture. It tastes like quail, with a mildly fishy flavor, and is often chewy, depending on the preparation. Alligator meat is lean meat that has high protein and low fat content. It is regarded as a healthy food. Alligator tail meat is white in color and tender. Bobcats (cats): Bobcat (cat) meat is very similar to that of lean pork. It holds many of the same textures and flavors that pork holds. It’s mild, lean, and tender when cooked correctly. At first, the meat is chewy, but then surprisingly light and soft. There’s a certain delicacy to it, almost like fish. It’s not particularly heavy, rich, or strong like dog meat, and the addition of the herbs can give the meat a menthol, licorice quality that makes it taste clean and warm. Birds: We normally don’t eat songbirds or endangered species, but in a SHTF disaster, they’d end up on the menu. Sparrows and Starlings are small but edible and plentiful. It’s been said that crow tastes like wild duck and Mockingbirds have an earthy aroma, and the dark meat is rich, slightly sweet, and flavorful. Raccoons: Despite what you might think, raccoon tastes pretty good when cleaned and cooked properly. Like dark meat chicken or turkey, though it is greasier and more tender. Snakes: You can eat just about any snake, but the most popular snake that people most often choose to eat in the wild is the rattlesnake. Its diet is mostly rodents, plus insects, and smaller reptiles. The meat has an earthy or gamey taste similar to alligator meat, with flesh that’s white and a little rubbery to the touch. Turtles: Almost all turtle is edible except the lungs, gall bladder, skeleton, skull, and nails. The legs and tail are particularly esteemed, but remove the skin before eating. Snapping Turtles are good eating, but they can be a bit of a chore to clean. Turtle meat has a firm texture and tastes a bit like chicken. Opossums: Native Americans enjoyed eating opossums before Europeans or Africans arrived, and they introduced the animal to early colonists. Possum meat tends to have taste similarities to that of squirrel and rabbit meat. The taste is a gamey meat and greasy. Horses: Horse meat is healthier than beef: it’s lower in fat, higher in protein and has a greater proportion of omega-3 fatty acids. Mexico, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Poland, and China are nations where many people eat horse meat without a second thought. While meat from younger horses tends to be a bit pinkish in color, older horses have darker, reddish-colored meat. Coyotes (dogs): Coyotes and dogs are not known for being edible in the U.S., but when properly handled and prepared, it can taste just as good as lean beef. Dog meat is consumed in South Korea, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Vietnam. Each year, around 4 million cats and 10 million dogs are believed to be slaughtered in China. Rats/Mice: In many places around the globe, rat provides much-needed sustenance. As long as it isn’t diseased, it could provide needed nutrition. While rats seem gross to eat in the US there are many countries that include rat meat in their regular diets: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China and Vietnam. As long as the rodent has been sufficiently cooked through at a high temperature to kill off the many pathogens it may contain, it is safe to eat. Wild Boars: Wild boar is very lean and low in cholesterol. Wild boar is an excellent alternative to beef and pork for those who want food that is good for them without sacrificing taste and quality. Wild Boar is high in protein. They are a good source of monounsaturated fats and zinc. My trapping boxes contain 20 Conibear body grip traps, 20 wire snare traps, 10 rat traps, wire, a pack of clothes pins, and misc. items: all for trapping small game. Read More 1 0 Advice Best solar generator for HOT Arizona desert JBinAZ - October 22, 2023 Trying to figure out which small portable solar generator would be best for us. We are in the Phoenix area and get temps up to 120+ F in the summer. Rarely go below 35 F in the winter. I do have several of the small Novoos and Ruffwear solar fold up panels that were rec’d here on the prepared for charging smaller items. Would like to get something bigger with plugs so we can run larger fans, etc. Not looking to run major appliances. And yes, we already have some mid size fans that run off of Li-ion batteries. Cost is not really an issue. Willing to invest in the best product to suit our needs. Looking at Goal Zero Yeti 150 (lead-acid battery) and Goal Zero 200x (Lithium) and their appropriate solar panels.Q1: What type of battery is best for our hot desert environment? Q2: What about Jackery? Better/ Worse/ Same? EcoFlow RIVER? Q3: What would you recommend?Thanks for your help, should you decide to respond. Been having a health issue that has been making me foggy and tired, lately, so researching for me, right now, is draining. Read More 13 10 Gear Sanitation when the grid/water is down Open Space - October 22, 2023 After the winter storm excitement in Texas last week, I realized there is very little on prepping sites about sanitation. Without water pressure, many in Texas lacked flushing toilets and showers. There was a nasty story from a hospital in San Antonio about transferring patients because all the toilets in the building were overflowing. We were caught a bit off guard – we usually fill buckets of water to flush toilets right before a tropical storm or hurricane (if we don’t evacuate). In this case we didn’t think of it, and I didn’t want to use up stored drinking water. Aside from breaking down and finally buying a generator to keep our well powered, I’ve been looking at simple composting toilets. These look incredibly easy to set up. Might be worth an article here at some point? The best information I’m finding is from the RV/Marine community who don’t want to deal with black water tanks. Anyway – some food for thought and discussion… Read More 19 36 News for the Week 2023-10-16 The Prepared Support - October 21, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 1 3 News Solar Water Distiller gp - October 14, 2023 https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/02/solar-stills-help-people-obtain-clean-water-using-the-power-of-the-sun/?fbclid=IwAR1wkHu59qTQJ2dhLd6SQbhdeRLbNpUgUYGTjhctV59JxnE5Vl3nUQUdfxA http://www.watercone.com/product.html I post this in hopes someone in the plastic manufacturing field will see the value in a Solar still … no Filters no moving parts 100% pure drinking water easily stacks on top of each other .. Glenn Read More 1 0 Gear Scepter 5 gal jugs for 43 bucks Sherm - October 12, 2023 This is a heads up for you guys that one of the Prepared picks for water storage can be had for 43 dollars at tractor supply. Read More 3 0 Water Preserver replacement MarcusAurelius - October 11, 2023 It’s time to refresh some of my water storage again. Last time, I used a product called Water Preserver Concentrate from 7C’s Safety & Environmental Inc. I think that I bought it from Water Brick or from Ready Store. From what I can tell, that product is no longer sold for whatever reason. Does someone have a recommendation for a similar product? Read More 1 1 What are my fellow urban Canadians doing different about prepping? Here’s some of what I have done and worked. Frozen22 - October 11, 2023 I hope I’m not duplicating an existing thread, but I thought it would be useful to have some discussion specific to Canadian members, given differences in laws, available products, climate, infrastructure, etc. I’m a newish prepper and am interested in how others are setting themselves up. I live a in a city in Western Canada, in a condo, so I don’t have land, a garage, or tons of storage space. Given those limitations I’m still better set up than most people in my city. First, my perspective. I really only focus on a two-week scenario. I’m assuming my plan would involved (1) bugging in, (2) assisting three elderly family members, (3) contending with overloaded public services, and (4) no “societal breakdown,” partly because that is such a vague concept. I have no problems with guns but don’t own any and don’t plan to (though I might get armor). There are very different laws here regarding weapons, self-defense, etc., and it would be good for Canadians to be aware of those. My main scenarios are (1) loss of power during extreme cold or heat, (2) water system breakdown, (3) air contamination largely from fires. I’ve developed my plan by asking, what would I need to get by, and what shortfalls/losses would I find demoralizing. So I’ve planned on the high end for maintaining hygiene and related items. If the water system went down, the prospect of 00s of 000s or millions of people pooping in their yards or plastic bags (ineptly and in a panic) raises concerns about air and water contamination, and obvious panics about supplies. I have food and water preps, medical, and air filtration, so far. I’m investigating solar generators and am debating which one I should get (affordable but also useable over 14 days), as well as a panel. I’d prefer to get a large unit and two smaller ones for elderly family members. For the elderly family I’ll be assisting, the first question is whether they’re safe to remain at home, or join me. In general, I’ll want to stay away from hospitals and any emergency public service centers as they’ll be chaotic and unpredictable, so psychological and medical aid on site is preferable. Because I have limited space and am not planning for a very extreme scenario, I’m not going into my preps in detail because they’re pretty standard. But I’m curious what other Canadians, especially urban dwellers, are doing. Read More 9 3 AdviceScenarios News for the Week 2023-10-09 The Prepared Support - October 9, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 0 1 News News for the week of 2023-10-02 The Prepared Support - October 7, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 2 7 News Lets see your EDC Bill Masen - October 7, 2023 As the header says, how about a threat showing each other your typical EDC daily loadout varying by gender, age, geography, profession etc, that way those of us with similar interests may pick up ideas as to how improve your own gear. Read More 20 59 Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you? Alicia - October 4, 2023 I had prep victory this weekend. What prep successes have you had? A 18-wheeler truck that was driving next to me in a construction zone on a highway either lost a tire tread or kicked one up right in front of my car. With traffic on my left and the truck on my right, I had no option but to hit it (with seconds to decide). The cars behind me had a similar scenario except that the loose tire tread emerged from my car. The construction had closed several exits so I had to drive for a few miles before I could inspect it all the while monitoring my tire pressure (the car has that option). No tire damage. The front bumper was disconnected and drooping on the right side with only the fog light wiring keeping it from being completely free, and a bottom aerodynamic plate was dragging on the ground on the right side. Obviously I couldn’t drive it like this. Because I had prepped for car emergencies and a GHB, I wasn’t stuck for too long. Items that were put to use: Cell phone and non-emergency number for Highway patrol: I called to get the obstacle removed so others didn’t have this issue. There were shoulders or side in the construction zone. Bonus is that I now have a police report of the incident for insurance which wasn’t necessary. Paracord to tie the bumper to the body of the car. Paracord was strong enough and thin enough to not mess up the hood or panel when I closed it. It was in a survival type bracelet. A bit more to tie in more than one place would probably be better in future. Knotting Skill: how to tie that paracord so it didn’t slip. Small sharpie: used as plumb bob to get the twisty paracord down through the hood to the bumper on the inside the side clip held the cord. Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool to remove the dragging bottom panel. Flathead screwdriver to pop the plastic rivet connectors and the serrated knife blade to cut it free at the axle. Headlamp – even in daylight, that panel was black and in shadow. I would not have seen how to cut it and certainly not while I was cutting it. I could barely reach it. Alcohol wipes: These are in the car for pandemic reasons and were used to clean my hands and the tool of all the black soot from that bottom panel. I used about 6 of them. Large Sheet – in the car by chance and wrapped that large panel before putting it inside the car. It was coated in brake dust and exhaust fumes from nearly 5 years on the road. Read More 28 120 Framework for Prepping Carolyn - October 3, 2023 I’ve always loved survival stories. It’s fun to see how people face adversity. Then I started prepping, and, just like that, I was overwhelmed. Each expert, class, or book had great advice for making things work under this circumstance or that. There were ideas on how to run away if necessary, and how to build a compound to run to. It was all very authoritative, and intense. As a suburban mom of preschoolers, I was more than a little intimidated. I looked for a unifying framework. Prepare by scenario? Focus on the immediate crisis or the aftermath? How long will the aftermath last – forever? How will I learn all those survival skills? Then, yesterday, I watched a video on YouTube by Dr. Emily Schoerning of American Resiliency. Her message is: be alert for challenges and opportunities, then let’s get ready! She suggests three levels of preparedness: three days, three weeks, and three months. First, get ready to be stuck at home, without help from the grid, for three days. It’s easy to imagine and we probably already have most of the stuff we’ll need. Have extra water, food, baby formula, diapers, flashlights, etc. on hand. Then think about getting by for three weeks. This takes a bit more forethought. A longer food list, more first-aid supplies, more awareness of what’s most likely to happen in the local neighborhood, city, or region. Create go bags that will be useful whether bugging in or out. Finally, three months (and longer). At this point, it isn’t about rugged individualism anymore. It’s about surviving as a community. The question is, have you found or built a community ahead of time? How will you contribute to the well-being of your fellow survivors? Preparation at this level is, yes, about having a water source, food, and supplies. It’s also about knowing how to work with folks, playing to your strengths, and supporting theirs. If you’ve already worked with these folks before, all the better. This is the best strategy I’ve found for organizing my approach to getting ready. Do you have a framework that really works for you? How do you organize your thoughts around preparing? Read More 2 3 Meta News for the week of 2023-09-25 The Prepared Support - September 30, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news. Read More 3 8 News Mountain House freeze dried food – Sep 2023 30% off pouches, Limited Time sale 50% off #10 cans wildfireexpert - September 30, 2023 Mountain House #10 can sale Wonderful prices on the #10 cans. Examples: Ground Beef $44.67 Diced Chicken $36.59 (lowest prices on #10 cans ground beef/chicken in about 8+ years) Mountain House pouches Pouches 30% off, but this isn’t a huge deal like the #10 cans. Read More 3 1 Prepping books Winston Smith - September 28, 2023 I enjoy reading and collecting prepping books (nonfiction). I’m also making a prepping journal (supplies, gardening, what to do kind of stuff). I have collection of magazines (Mother Earth News, Grit, Country Side). Hardcopies are beneficial for me and my grandkids in case we ever loose power for an extended period of time, i.e., SHTF. The below pic is most of my books. Please recommend books you find useful. Thanks very much. Read More 18 15 Advice < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 … 57 58 59 Next > Recently Active Has anybody blood tested the Oroweat keto tortillas? - 2 days agoNews for the Week 2024-04-22 - 2 days agoNews for the Week 2024-04-15 - 4 days agoWhat is the best camp stove for an emergency power outage or camping? - 5 days agoChickens for preppers: Important considerations - 6 days ago RULES This forum is heavily moderated to keep things valuable to as many people as possible. Full community policies are here. The basics: 1. Be nice to each other. 2. Stay focused on prepping. 3. Avoid politics, religion, and other arguments. 4. No unfounded conspiracies, fake news, etc. 5. Debate ideas, not people. FILTER Show all Advice Gear Meta News Scenarios Skills

News for the week of 2023-10-23

The Prepared Support - October 30, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

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News

DYI Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke

Hardened - October 30, 2023

Facing the worst air quality in recorded history (and my air purifier temporarily inaccessible in storage) I built my own today using Eric’s COVID Air Defense System kit, also known as a Corsi-Rosenthal Cube.  It works for wildfire smoke as well as for Covid.

I followed these instructions to build it: https://encycla.com/Corsi-Rosenthal_Cube

I was able to have the MERV 13 filters delivered the same day by Instacart so I didn’t have to leave my apartment.

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GearNewsSkills

News for the Week 2023-10-30

The Prepared Support - October 30, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

Read More

1

1

News

Documenting Important Information – Big Book Of Everything

Bigwig - October 28, 2023

Lately I have been updating my ‘important information’ document which my family can use in case something happens to me.  It contains information on financial accounts, insurance information, location of important items, etc.  Recently I came across The Big Book of Everything which has a nice list of information to collect.  While I don’t use it, it has given me some ideas on other things to include in my document.

What resources have you found useful?

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1

1

Home security

Claire - October 28, 2023

I just had a break-in in my community. Any recs for protecting doors and windows? And would any of these double as protection from storms? For example, impact-type film over the windows. 

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1

1

Atmospheric water generators

Claire - October 24, 2023

Has anyone heard of atmospheric water generators (particularly for home use)? If so what are you thoughts and is there one you’d recommend?

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0

Is a portable solar-powered generator practical for powering my home?

Kristin Vogel - October 24, 2023

I don’t have solar panels on my house and I don’t have the money to invest in a rooftop array. I want something to power my home…the refrigerator as much as needed, lights at night, our on-demand water heater. Is a portable system with panels I can set up in my backyard practical for this purpose? I like the idea that we can take it with us if we need to. I would love your thoughts and thanks in advance.

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Advice

Moooooooo…Can you rec a powdered milk?

JBinAZ - October 22, 2023

I have descended into the rabbit hole of instant / powdered milk and my eyes are about crossed with all of the info. 

Simply, I just need recs from folks who have taste-tested an instant/powdered milk.

Looking for:

– long shelf life

– for cold cereal

– for cooking hot cereal

– for baking

We don’t really just “drink a glass of milk,” here. But, we do prefer whole milk as we use it in baking…and got used to that many years ago.

TIA! 

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How to clean, sanitize, and properly store portable water filters

Robert LarsonContributor - October 22, 2023

I recently saw a post on Reddit where a person is turning on the tap and nasty brown water comes out of it. A few people in the comments were talking about if a water filter would be able to make this potable. Further down in the comments, someone who claims to be a water engineer says that it was from unclean pipes that allowed microbes to grow in them. He then makes the following comment

“The same situation happens when people reuse portable water filters when camping. In dry storage it’s perfectly fine to keep a filter around for months. But the instant you get it wet, you put that filter away and then bacteria starts growing on the filter media. The next time you go camping, you get sick and you can’t figure out why because you use the water filter.”

I agree that if you use your filter and then just throw it in your bag and leave it wet for a couple months it will get all nasty, but if you properly backflush and dry it out you should be fine right? I emailed some of the main portable water filter companies out there and they said I was correct. You need to take some steps to properly store your filter after use.

Their replies will probably be pretty long if I copied and pasted them here, so I’ll sum it up in some bullet points

Backflush your filter with clean water after each outing. If you have mineral rich water that you are constantly filtering, soaking the filter in white vinegar for 30 minutes and then backflushing can help restore flow rate. Pump/flush a weak bleach solution through the unit occasionally, any hoses, and on the outside to kill any bacteria living inside. Then thoroughly air dry before storage.

Here’s a good video on filter care by Sawyer.

Hope this friendly reminder is helpful to everyone to #1 make sure you have the tools and experience backflushing your portable filters and #2 make sure you store them correctly and dryly.

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Gear

Game that we don’t usually hunt and eat, but could and would…….

Winston Smith - October 22, 2023

Hunters/trappers usually eat pigs, deer, moose, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, doves, quail, geese, and various game animals in different regions.   

But there are some animals that are not traditionally consumed, but in an emergency, would be gladly eaten and enjoyed for nourishment and taste.  A quick rule of thumb is that you can eat just about anything with fur, feathers, or scales as long as it is properly prepared and cooked thoroughly to kill bacteria and other pathogens that would make us sick. That means most mammals, birds, and reptiles are fine to eat, although palatability is never guaranteed.  But the hungrier you are, the better all foods will taste. The wrong plants we eat can harm us more than animals.

Alligators: Alligator meat has been described as having a mild flavor and a firm texture. It tastes like quail, with a mildly fishy flavor, and is often chewy, depending on the preparation. Alligator meat is lean meat that has high protein and low fat content. It is regarded as a healthy food. Alligator tail meat is white in color and tender.

Bobcats (cats):  Bobcat (cat) meat is very similar to that of lean pork. It holds many of the same textures and flavors that pork holds. It’s mild, lean, and tender when cooked correctly.  At first, the meat is chewy, but then surprisingly light and soft. There’s a certain delicacy to it, almost like fish. It’s not particularly heavy, rich, or strong like dog meat, and the addition of the herbs can give the meat a menthol, licorice quality that makes it taste clean and warm.

Birds: We normally don’t eat songbirds or endangered species, but in a SHTF disaster, they’d end up on the menu. Sparrows and Starlings are small but edible and plentiful. It’s been said that crow tastes like wild duck and Mockingbirds have an earthy aroma, and the dark meat is rich, slightly sweet, and flavorful.  

Raccoons:  Despite what you might think, raccoon tastes pretty good when cleaned and cooked properly. Like dark meat chicken or turkey, though it is greasier and more tender.  

Snakes:  You can eat just about any snake, but the most popular snake that people most often choose to eat in the wild is the rattlesnake. Its diet is mostly rodents, plus insects, and smaller reptiles. The meat has an earthy or gamey taste similar to alligator meat, with flesh that’s white and a little rubbery to the touch.

Turtles: Almost all turtle is edible except the lungs, gall bladder, skeleton, skull, and nails. The legs and tail are particularly esteemed, but remove the skin before eating. Snapping Turtles are good eating, but they can be a bit of a chore to clean.  Turtle meat has a firm texture and tastes a bit like chicken.

Opossums: Native Americans enjoyed eating opossums before Europeans or Africans arrived, and they introduced the animal to early colonists. Possum meat tends to have taste similarities to that of squirrel and rabbit meat. The taste is a gamey meat and greasy.  

Horses:  Horse meat is healthier than beef: it’s lower in fat, higher in protein and has a greater proportion of omega-3 fatty acids.  Mexico, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Poland, and China are nations where many people eat horse meat without a second thought. While meat from younger horses tends to be a bit pinkish in color, older horses have darker, reddish-colored meat.  

Coyotes (dogs):  Coyotes and dogs are not known for being edible in the U.S., but when properly handled and prepared, it can taste just as good as lean beef.  Dog meat is consumed in South Korea, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Vietnam.  Each year, around 4 million cats and 10 million dogs are believed to be slaughtered in China. 

Rats/Mice: In many places around the globe, rat provides much-needed sustenance. As long as it isn’t diseased, it could provide needed nutrition.  While rats seem gross to eat in the US there are many countries that include rat meat in their regular diets: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China and Vietnam. As long as the rodent has been sufficiently cooked through at a high temperature to kill off the many pathogens it may contain, it is safe to eat.

Wild Boars:  Wild boar is very lean and low in cholesterol. Wild boar is an excellent alternative to beef and pork for those who want food that is good for them without sacrificing taste and quality. Wild Boar is high in protein. They are a good source of monounsaturated fats and zinc.  

My trapping boxes contain 20 Conibear body grip traps, 20 wire snare traps, 10 rat traps, wire,    a pack of clothes pins, and misc. items: all for trapping small game. 

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Advice

Best solar generator for HOT Arizona desert

JBinAZ - October 22, 2023

Trying to figure out which small portable solar generator would be best for us.  We are in the Phoenix area and get temps up to 120+ F in the summer. Rarely go below 35 F in the winter.

I do have several of the small Novoos and Ruffwear solar fold up panels that were rec’d here on the prepared for charging smaller items.

Would like to get something bigger with plugs so we can run larger fans, etc. Not looking to run major appliances.  And yes, we already have some mid size fans that run off of Li-ion batteries.  Cost is not really an issue. Willing to invest in the best product to suit our needs.

Looking at Goal Zero Yeti 150 (lead-acid battery) and Goal Zero 200x (Lithium) and their appropriate solar panels.Q1:  What type of battery is best for our hot desert environment?

Q2: What about Jackery? Better/ Worse/ Same?  EcoFlow RIVER?

Q3: What would you recommend?Thanks for your help, should you decide to respond. Been having a health issue that has been making me foggy and tired, lately, so researching for me, right now, is draining.

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Gear

Sanitation when the grid/water is down

Open Space - October 22, 2023

After the winter storm excitement in Texas last week, I realized there is very little on prepping sites about sanitation.  Without water pressure, many in Texas lacked flushing toilets and showers.  There was a nasty story from a hospital in San Antonio about transferring patients because all the toilets in the building were overflowing. 

We were caught a bit off guard – we usually fill buckets of water to flush toilets right before a tropical storm or hurricane (if we don’t evacuate). In this case we didn’t think of it, and I didn’t want to use up stored drinking water. 

Aside from breaking down and finally buying a generator to keep our well powered, I’ve been looking at simple composting toilets.  These look incredibly easy to set up.  Might be worth an article here at some point?

The best information I’m finding is from the RV/Marine community who don’t want to deal with black water tanks.  Anyway – some food for thought and discussion…

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News for the Week 2023-10-16

The Prepared Support - October 21, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

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News

Solar Water Distiller

gp - October 14, 2023

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/02/solar-stills-help-people-obtain-clean-water-using-the-power-of-the-sun/?fbclid=IwAR1wkHu59qTQJ2dhLd6SQbhdeRLbNpUgUYGTjhctV59JxnE5Vl3nUQUdfxA                  

http://www.watercone.com/product.html

I post this in hopes someone in the plastic manufacturing field will see the value in a Solar still … no Filters no moving parts 100% pure drinking water easily stacks on top of each other .. Glenn

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Gear

Scepter 5 gal jugs for 43 bucks

Sherm - October 12, 2023

This is a heads up for you guys that one of the Prepared picks for water storage can be had for 43 dollars at tractor supply.

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Water Preserver replacement

MarcusAurelius - October 11, 2023

It’s time to refresh some of my water storage again.

Last time, I used a product called Water Preserver Concentrate from 7C’s Safety & Environmental Inc. I think that I bought it from Water Brick or from Ready Store. From what I can tell, that product is no longer sold for whatever reason. 

Does someone have a recommendation for a similar product?

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What are my fellow urban Canadians doing different about prepping? Here’s some of what I have done and worked.

Frozen22 - October 11, 2023

I hope I’m not duplicating an existing thread, but I thought it would be useful to have some discussion specific to Canadian members, given differences in laws, available products, climate, infrastructure, etc. I’m a newish prepper and am interested in how others are setting themselves up. I live a in a city in Western Canada, in a condo, so I don’t have land, a garage, or tons of storage space. Given those limitations I’m still better set up than most people in my city.

First, my perspective. I really only focus on a two-week scenario. I’m assuming my plan would involved (1) bugging in, (2) assisting three elderly family members, (3) contending with overloaded public services, and (4) no “societal breakdown,” partly because that is such a vague concept. I have no problems with guns but don’t own any and don’t plan to (though I might get armor). There are very different laws here regarding weapons, self-defense, etc., and it would be good for Canadians to be aware of those.

My main scenarios are (1) loss of power during extreme cold or heat, (2) water system breakdown, (3) air contamination largely from fires.

I’ve developed my plan by asking, what would I need to get by, and what shortfalls/losses would I find demoralizing. So I’ve planned on the high end for maintaining hygiene and related items. If the water system went down, the prospect of 00s of 000s or millions of people pooping in their yards or plastic bags (ineptly and in a panic) raises concerns about air and water contamination, and obvious panics about supplies. 

I have food and water preps, medical, and air filtration, so far. I’m investigating solar generators and am debating which one I should get (affordable but also useable over 14 days), as well as a panel. I’d prefer to get a large unit and two smaller ones for elderly family members.

For the elderly family I’ll be assisting, the first question is whether they’re safe to remain at home, or join me. In general, I’ll want to stay away from hospitals and any emergency public service centers as they’ll be chaotic and unpredictable, so psychological and medical aid on site is preferable.

Because I have limited space and am not planning for a very extreme scenario, I’m not going into my preps in detail because they’re pretty standard. But I’m curious what other Canadians, especially urban dwellers, are doing.

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AdviceScenarios

News for the Week 2023-10-09

The Prepared Support - October 9, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

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News

News for the week of 2023-10-02

The Prepared Support - October 7, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

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News

Lets see your EDC

Bill Masen - October 7, 2023

As the header says, how about a threat showing each other your typical EDC daily loadout varying by gender, age, geography, profession etc, that way those of us with similar interests may pick up ideas as to how improve your own gear.

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Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you?

Alicia - October 4, 2023

I had  prep victory this weekend.  What prep successes have you had?

A 18-wheeler truck that was driving next to me in a construction zone on a highway either lost a tire tread or kicked one up right in front of my car.  With traffic on my left and the truck on my right, I had no option but to hit it (with seconds to decide).  The cars behind me had a similar scenario except that the loose tire tread emerged from my car.  The construction had closed several exits so I had to drive for a few miles before I could inspect it all the while monitoring my tire pressure (the car has that option).  No tire damage.  The front bumper was disconnected and drooping on the right side with only the fog light wiring keeping it from being completely free, and a bottom aerodynamic plate was dragging on the ground on the right side.  Obviously I couldn’t drive it like this.  Because I had prepped for car emergencies and a GHB, I wasn’t stuck for too long.  Items that were put to use:

Cell phone and non-emergency number for Highway patrol:  I called to get the obstacle removed so others didn’t have this issue.  There were shoulders or side in the construction zone.  Bonus is that I now have a police report of the incident for insurance which wasn’t necessary. Paracord to tie the bumper to the body of the car.  Paracord was strong enough and thin enough to not mess up the hood or panel when I closed it.  It was in a survival type bracelet.  A bit more to tie in more than one place would probably be better in future. Knotting Skill:  how to tie that paracord so it didn’t slip. Small sharpie:  used as plumb bob to get the twisty paracord down through the hood to the bumper on the inside the side clip held the cord. Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool to remove the dragging bottom panel.  Flathead screwdriver to pop the plastic rivet connectors and the serrated knife blade to cut it free at the axle. Headlamp – even in daylight, that panel was black and in shadow.  I would not have seen how to cut it and certainly not while I was cutting it.  I could barely reach it. Alcohol wipes:  These are in the car for pandemic reasons and were used to clean my hands and the tool of all the black soot from that bottom panel.  I used about 6 of them. Large Sheet – in the car by chance and wrapped that large panel before putting it inside the car.  It was coated in brake dust and exhaust fumes from nearly 5 years on the road. Read More

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Framework for Prepping

Carolyn - October 3, 2023

I’ve always loved survival stories. It’s fun to see how people face adversity.

Then I started prepping, and, just like that, I was overwhelmed. Each expert, class, or book had great advice for making things work under this circumstance or that. There were ideas on how to run away if necessary, and how to build a compound to run to. It was all very authoritative, and intense.

As a suburban mom of preschoolers, I was more than a little intimidated.

I looked for a unifying framework. Prepare by scenario? Focus on the immediate crisis or the aftermath? How long will the aftermath last – forever? How will I learn all those survival skills?

Then, yesterday, I watched a video on YouTube by Dr. Emily Schoerning of American Resiliency. Her message is: be alert for challenges and opportunities, then let’s get ready!

She suggests three levels of preparedness: three days, three weeks, and three months.

First, get ready to be stuck at home, without help from the grid, for three days. It’s easy to imagine and we probably already have most of the stuff we’ll need. Have extra water, food, baby formula, diapers, flashlights, etc. on hand.

Then think about getting by for three weeks. This takes a bit more forethought. A longer food list, more first-aid supplies, more awareness of what’s most likely to happen in the local neighborhood, city, or region. Create go bags that will be useful whether bugging in or out.

Finally, three months (and longer). At this point, it isn’t about rugged individualism anymore. It’s about surviving as a community. The question is, have you found or built a community ahead of time? How will you contribute to the well-being of your fellow survivors? Preparation at this level is, yes, about having a water source, food, and supplies. It’s also about knowing how to work with folks, playing to your strengths, and supporting theirs. If you’ve already worked with these folks before, all the better.

This is the best strategy I’ve found for organizing my approach to getting ready.

Do you have a framework that really works for you? How do you organize your thoughts around preparing?

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Meta

News for the week of 2023-09-25

The Prepared Support - September 30, 2023

Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.

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News

Mountain House freeze dried food – Sep 2023 30% off pouches, Limited Time sale 50% off #10 cans

wildfireexpert - September 30, 2023

Mountain House #10 can sale 

Wonderful prices on the #10 cans.   Examples:   Ground Beef $44.67    Diced Chicken $36.59

(lowest prices on #10 cans ground beef/chicken in about 8+ years)

Mountain House pouches

Pouches 30% off, but this isn’t a huge deal like the #10 cans.   

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Prepping books

Winston Smith - September 28, 2023

I enjoy reading and collecting prepping books (nonfiction).  I’m also making a prepping journal (supplies, gardening, what to do kind of stuff).  I have collection of magazines (Mother Earth News, Grit, Country Side).  Hardcopies are beneficial for me and my grandkids in case we ever loose power for an extended period of time, i.e., SHTF.  The below pic is most of my books.  Please recommend books you find useful. Thanks very much. 

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Advice