Sunday, June 2, 2013

The Most Important Prepper Book of the Decade!




The Most Important Prepper Book of the Decade!
by F.J. Bohan

Of all the subjects discussed by preppers and survivalists, there is one that has been painfully ignored or completely overlooked. Often, it has been artfully sidestepped because there are virtually no solutions being offered anywhere about it. What has been written is considered rudimentary or dated at best. It’s a subject that is notably absent from the survivalist gurus’ blogs and websites and rarely shows up as a chapter in any of the countless books available on preparing.

While writing Barbed Wire, Barricades and Bunkers, even I shamefully danced in the opposite direction from the subject and omitted it completely. Yet, even as no one offers reasonable solutions to the problem, preppers and survivalists boldly ask, "What about air?”

For the majority here on earth, air has been plentiful; however,  preppers and survivalists realize our supply of  breathable air can rapidly become limited when following FEMA or CDC suggestions when sheltering-in-place using duct tape and plastic sheeting or when closing up a home-built buried shelter for protection. It only takes four minutes without breathable air and you'll be dead, leaving all the prepping, planning, and provisions you have stored up for disasters to the looters or the caravans of government trucks that will be loaded up with your beans, rice, and beef jerky to feed the refugees in FEMA camps. Clearly, this is not what good planning looks like.

Shortly after the events of 9-11, DHS, FEMA, and the CDC all identified various potential threats to the American public and recommended anyone caught in a threat-affected area seal themselves inside a room in their home or office to protect them from the hazardous particles floating in the air. The hazardous particles identified included anthrax, radioactive/nuclear fallout (in the event of a nuclear strike), dirty-bomb dust and particulates, bacteria, and pandemic viruses.

Once sealed in your home or office (having used duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover doors, windows, and vents), you are told to stay put and listen to the media for the "all's clear” signal to be given by officials. Once the signal is given, you are to quickly open all the windows and doors in order to ventilate the room.
This plan set forth by our government has been said by many to be ill-advised or even dangerous. Many people joked that "you might as well tape a plastic bag over your head", realizing how limited the air supply would be for even a small group of people sealed in a room. The only alternative offered by FEMA is to follow another government recommendation and spend thousands of dollars to install a safe room in your home which includes a costly air filtration system that would maintain a constant overpressure in your safe room.
At least this suggestion makes some sense if you have the funds, but in today's economy very few Americans can afford such luxuries. This leaves the notion of safe, breathable air reserved only for the wealthy and elite.

Several additional, yet useless, suggestions were also made to the public including the installation of air-purifiers in your sealed room or an upgraded HEPA in your home or office's HVAC system. At face value these suggestions might appear worthy to some, but considering that both of these types of filter systems only filter the air that’s already in the room both become silly notions and not real solutions. What's the point if you're already exposed to the hazards?

In my opinion the plan suggested by the government is problematic, at best. Clearly, for the majority of Americans in a hazardous region, there will be many Citizens running out of breathable air in their sealed shelters long before any "all's clear” signal is released to the media by officials. For these people there are only two choices. They can either open a door or window and be exposed to the airborne threat, or they can quietly suffocate at home with their families.

It can be imagined that, in some instances, there may not even be a real danger - only the report of a threat - that prompts preppers to seal their homes and perish while waiting for the "all's clear" to be given. There can be no doubt that their deaths would then be reported as casualties of the "attack" or victims of terrorism.  

After much research and consideration, I developed what I believe to be an affordable and easy fix to this problem and perhaps the only real solution to the issues created when anyone seals up inside an airtight, confined space. My goal in writing this book was to offer preppers and survivalists fresh information and up-to-date ideas as to how they can truly be prepared for these types of threats and not fall victim to shortsighted and feel-good measures repeated by many.

In the book I offer several affordable solutions that any individual, family, or group can use for protection from hazardous particles in the air. My solutions can be used for protection from anthrax, pandemic viruses, bacteria, radioactive nuclear fallout, dirty-bomb particles, and many other hazardous solids floating in the air.

Working in conjunction with Paladin Press, all this information is in my new book, Emergency Air for Shelter-in-Place Preppers and Home-Built Bunkers, now available from Paladin Press. (122 pages, $10)

After discussing and demonstrating my ideas to several emergency management officials, they agreed that if the information in my book was used during any of the above mentioned emergencies while sheltering-in-place, my affordable suggestions would save lives.

Every home and office that has a shelter-in-place plan needs this book! If you don’t have a shelter-in-place plan yet, you will after learning this information. Everyone can be prepared for the bird-flu or SARs-like viruses by sheltering-in-place and filtering the air before it gets into your shelter. Know what it’s going to take to manage your air and breathe a bit easier while saving thousands of dollars on a home-built system that uses the same basics and shares the same limitations of systems costing far more than the $100 unit detailed in the book.
In fact, the information in this book can also be applied to other breathing hazards such as the Valley Fever fungi, concrete dust (building collapse), and volcanic ash.

The most important prepper book of the decade? Well, I think so. Consider if you’re thirsty, you have about three to four days to find something to drink. If hunger sets in, you can slowly starve to death for up to six weeks as you search for crumbs and morsels along the way; but with air, it’s plan ahead and be ready or spend the last four minutes of your life blue in the face and scrambling for a solution to your problem before you either perish or are forced to breath hazardous air that could lead to a rather ugly death a bit later.

Needless to say I am biased in considering the value of the book, but knowing I really don’t get out too much and don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to tell you in person, I thought I needed a banner that would get your attention. I hope I have.
I invite you to check out this new book at the Paladin Press website:  http://www.paladin-press.com/ or through any of the many Paladin Press dealers, including Amazon. I also invite your questions or comments. You may email me at:  emergencyairmanagement@gmail.com

F.J. Bohan


F.J. Bohan is the author of Living on the Edge: A Family's Journey to Self-Sufficiency and Barbed Wire, Barricades, and Bunkers: The Free Citizen's Guide to Fortifying the Home Retreat. Both are available from Paladin Press.
 

This article may be freely distributed, reprinted or used, providing it is offered in its entirety with proper credits.



Sunday, April 7, 2013

The American Redoubt in the News



The American Redoubt in the News
by F.J. Bohan

A large part of the region often referred to as the “place to be” for survivalists and patriots seeking freedom made the news again today. Wyoming has been identified as being in the top 7 worst drought states in the U.S.
Colorado, South Dakota, and Nebraska - all three states adjoining the American Redoubt region - also made it on the top seven list.
The National Weather Service doesn’t see an end in sight; in fact, things will most likely get worse.
Up to half of the portions of Washington and Oregon that fall into the “Redoubt region” also are experiencing significant drought and water shortage issues, as is most of eastern Montana.
The region’s American Indian tribes have also been in the news recently, having been active in protecting their water rights and bringing into question the only area of the “Redoubt” that has water. The Snake River basin, along with all the water both in the river and the reservoirs, has been claimed by treaties that are many decades old.  The Nez Perce tribe has filed thousands of water claims that could affect water rights for hundreds of miles.
With all the water-related issues residents of the American Redoubt face it’s hard to imagine they want more people coming to the area, but there is no doubt that those arriving will have to be survivalists just to get by. You might want to bring an extra canteen.

Related:






Friday, April 5, 2013

General Update

It is amusing to me when I find other blogs and articles online written in defense of what I have said on any given subject. Are these folks so insecure in their beliefs that they must justify their positions even to the extent of highlighting their errors? I guess so.

Anyhow... 

For those of you interested in a lesser known TV series (at least it was lesser known by me until recently) there is a pretty good series from our neighbors up north in Canada. It's called MANTRACKER.  As the 2nd and 3rd seasons pick up the show really hits a good stride. The Canadian cowboy search and rescue tracker teams up on horseback with a "local" cowboy and chases two volunteers through the back country. At first I thought that it would get boring since each show was essentially the same in both format and goal but for me, they're all different enough to be very enjoying. Well worth watching if you can find it!

This week is looking pretty good weather-wise and we'll be outside doing farm stuff.

Also, tomorrow we are going to a local "Turkey Shoot". Should be fun.

I would like to encourage followers to write and ask about prepper and survival issues if you have any questions.  I'll either have a good answer or do my best to get one for you.

More later.

F.J.

Monday, March 18, 2013

National Preppers & Survivalist EXPO Review

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!

My newest book is now available from Paladin Press. Emergency Air for Shelter-in-Place Preppers and Home-Built Bunkers is a must have book for all preppers, survivalists, and patriots! A top-level FEMA/CERT trainer agreed that the information in this book will save lives! Don't become a dead government statistic! Anyone considering sheltering-in-place or building a buried or sealed bunker must read this book!


National Preppers & Survivalist EXPO Review

Downtown Nashville was host to the National Preppers & Survivalist EXPO over the weekend at the Expo Center. After a lengthy drive to Music City from our eastern retreat, we were anxious to view the show.  Having timed our 10:30 arrival for just after the crowds, we were surprised to see a huge crowd inside the gates of the Expo Center and cars slowly traveling up and down the lots in search of a good parking spot.

I was piloting our E350 War-Wagon through the fray when I noticed a line of perhaps a few thousand people stretching across the lot and around one of the largest buildings in the complex. After a few choice words about the length of the line, we noticed a forgotten area of the parking lot and were successful in parking  the van.

We weren't parked too far from the full-sized outdoor display of Triton Shelter Technologies' beautiful underground shelter. Glancing back at the line as we made our way to the shelter's entrance, I realized that the long line was for a gun show going on in the next building at the same time as the NPS Expo. The day was getting better already.

Triton's shelter was an eye opener! What a nice job they've done building an underground RV. As I stood inside the center living area I wondered why I even live on the surface of the earth when I could have one of these.

We made it out of the shelter without spending any money and cut through the gun show line to the entrance of the prepper expo. After filling out the raffle forms we started our tour of the show.

There were far fewer people in the prepper show than outside in the gun show ticket line, so we had both the room and the time to get a good look at all the booths and exhibits. There were the booths you'd expect with knives, packs, food, seeds, water purifiers and other typical prepper gear, as well as a couple more underground shelter dealers. My wife found some tomato seeds she'd been hoping to find and some reusable canning lids all at a very reasonable price. I was able to meet some local preppers and learn about some of the local groups, too.

We were able to take it all in in about 2 hours time. Unfortunately, the public address system being used by the guest speakers wasn't the greatest, and they could not be heard from the last row of seats where we sat for about 15 minutes straining to hear what was being said. It was clear that all of the scheduled talks would have had the same acoustical problem throughout the day. In the two hours we had spent there, the crowd had become a bit bigger and getting around was becoming an issue with so many people standing in the aisles taking it all in.

For us, it was time to go. On the way out we passed the Doomsday Preppers casting booth and noticed that there doesn't seem to be any shortage of preppers who want to show the world what they have and where they keep it.

For those who took the time to set up a booth and work the show, thank you! We both enjoyed it. Hopefully it can be better planned next time to include a meeting room with a suitable public address system for the keynote speakers who deserve a bit better than what was there.However, all said it was a great show. The skies were sunny and clear making it a perfect day, and with free admission and only $5.00 to park it was very affordable. I'll be looking forward to next year's show.

As we walked back to the parking lot, we noticed the gun show line was still as long as it had been earlier. I was grateful that guns were not an item we were lacking in.



Thursday, March 14, 2013

Gaye Levy's Backdoor Survival has a good article posted today: 

12 Tips to Use It Up, Wear It Out and Make It Do

http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/?utm_source=BD+News+Flash&utm_campaign=44f2390a67-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

 

The points made are well taken. I often wonder about some of the things I have that I am "saving" for later. Looking back, I should have been using those things all along. Like many other preppers, there have been times I had extra money and other times money has been tight. Either way, I have always sought to buy the best product available for the task. Well maybe not always but at least in the last 30 years or so. I learned early in life how purchasing "cheap" stuff always proves to be a waste of money.   

Most of the tools and equipment I have will last forever and are indeed the "last" of that item I should ever have to purchase. This however, has not stopped me from buying two or three of the same or similar items. I'll always have a family member or friend that needs or can use my extras. I think most preppers are like this too, but you can let me know if I'm wrong.

One item that I use daily is our Berkey water filter. It's the bigger sized counter-top drip model. We use it to filter all our water no matter where it comes from. It's designed to filter muddy slop and provide clean drinking water but actually adding slop to the tank would shorten the life of the filters.

This is why we keep clean food grade 5 gallon pails around the cabin. Any rainwater collected can be pre-filtered to nearly clear before actually placing it into the filter tank. Pollen and other dust will separate and either float at the top or settle to the bottom of the pail and can easily be removed before the water is run through the filter. 

The same method can be used whenever you're forced to use creek, lake, or river water. Let the pail rest overnight and allow the sediment in the water to separate and settle. Allowing the pail to sit two or three nights will make the water even more clear and be less harsh on the life of your filters.

While the Berkey tanks are clearly made to last, the filters will only last when treated kindly.

So be kind to your water filter and make it last a long time. Only add the cleanest water you can find.

More later. Thanks for taking the time to look here.

F.J. 

  

 

    

  

   

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I wish I'd worn my Muckmasters!


Today, I went down to the river to see how the banks have fared over the winter. We have had a few good storms, and the river has gone over flood stage twice since fall. I also wanted to check on the canoe. I had a bicycle combination lock securing the canoe to a tree and forgot the combination. Last week I called my son, since he has always had a keen ability to remember these types of things. He told me where the bolt cutters where in the shed. So, after retrieving the bolt cutters I headed out. It was a sunny day here, about 60 degrees, and quite nice!

When I got to the head of the path that led to the canoe, I decided to drop the bolt cutters and continue down the trail that runs parallel to the river so I could view the far bank and see how much work it's going to be before I can do any paddling this year. The path itself was riddled with broken branches and windfall from the winter's storms. In years past we have just tossed them off to the side, but this year they look a bit larger in size. I might have to bring the chainsaw down. Since the leaves have yet to begin to sprout, my line of sight was clear through the thicket and I saw several trees that had fallen from the far bank and across the river. Further on down I saw a very large oak that also had fallen from the far bank. I'd bet it was 30 inches at the base and not an easy one to move.

Enjoying the bushwhacking, I continued to the path's end and cut through the brush to the river. The beaver dam that had been there last fall was gone, washed away with one of the winter's storms. This explained why the water looked to be lower. I decided to head back, following along the river to the canoe. The ground was a sloppy mess. It was slow going just to keep my balance. I went further along the river and saw where it had taken a large tree from the bank that we used to fish alongside of. Water is a powerful force. There was not a sign of that tree ever being there.

Carefully stepping on branches and rocks, I kept along the river and found animal tracks in the mud. It was clear a coyote had just come through, and there were fresh deer tracks, as well. I had been hoping to find bear tracks but didn't come up on any. It still may be a little early for the bears.

It wasn't until I turned to go back to the trail through the thicket that I realized  this would have been the day to break in my Muckmaster boots. I was only three steps into the briars between the river and the trail and found that my work boots were sinking down into the muck up to my ankles.  I took aim at a fallen branch to step on with my next move, but as I did my boot lace caught on a briar and the step fell short, landing in the muck as well. The step was, however, a success in untying my boot. With both feet now planted firmly in the muck, a loose boot lace wrapped in a briar, and my socks acting like sponges drawing water towards my toes,  I thought about how my Muckmaster boots didn't have any laces and came up over my calves. Fortunately, there was a tree both close and large enough for me to keep my balance on while I pulled my boots free from the muck and untangled my bootlace from the briar. At least I had remembered to wear my leather gloves, otherwise there would have been blood, as well. I was able to get free and back to the trail without any further adventure.

After finding the bolt-cutters right where I left them, I went down the path to where the canoe was left last fall chained to a tree. As good fortune would have it, the tree with the canoe was still there. The cutters worked fine, and I quickly had the canoe free and was turning it over to drain the water that it had been collecting throughout the winter. Not that it really mattered since my socks were wet anyway, but I did try not to pour the canoe water out on my boots.  Here again I realized that, had I worn my Muckmaster boots, my feet would have been dry even if I had.

I pulled the canoe up the bank and dragged it to the cabin for a good inspection and cleaning which I scheduled for sometime in the next week or so. I didn't want to work too hard, and besides, I needed to dry my feet.

I wish I'd worn my Muckmasters!

http://www.muckbootsandshoes.com/?gclid=CMT1mJnz9bUCFRGqnQodCTsADw

Saturday, March 2, 2013

How to catch wild pigs!

I found this article posted on BIN this morning. I was actually interested to  know how it was done.

http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2013/03/do-you-know-how-to-catch-wild-pigs-2591292.html