Outdoor Adventure USA

URBAN SURVIVAL

CONTINUING NET PREVIEW
This will be the third and last session of the Urban Survival Net (the previous two being March 15 & 22.) We've reserved this session for a discussion of some of the nuts and bolts of survival.

Regardless of where you live, there will be an emergency or a disaster you will need to face at some point in time. Your comfort, your safety, and possibly your life, may be at risk. The extent to which you are prepared, can make all the difference in the world.

The scope of this discussion is enormous, and despite the fact that we have allotted three sessions for this topic, we realize that, at best, we can only hope to touch on some of the more important points. So, if this is of interest, then the most important thing we can do, is to get you some of the basics and point you in the direction of sources where you can get more information, identify places that can provide you with the necessities of survival, and groups and websites that can answer your questions as well as put you in touch with others who are similarly motivated.

The Boy Scouts say: Be Prepared
The LDS Church says(D&C 38:30): If you are prepared, you shall not fear.
The Bible says (Proverbs 27:12): A cautious man sees danger and takes cover. A simpleton strolls on - and pays for it.
Benjamin Franklin said: By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Benjamin Disraeli said: I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.

Common sense and wisdom demand that one prepare for the inevitable. Whether it be wild fires, floods, civil unrest, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, toxic chemical spills, extreme weather, or the like, there is virtually no part of the country which will be spared from some sort of disaster or emergency. With no disrespect toward various government programs that are meant to “help”, it is foolish to think that you can count on them to the total exclusion of your own efforts to be prepared. Here is your chance to get ready.

Our plan for all of these sessions is to bring in as much expertise and information as possible. If you can contribute, feel free to post here on the website and join us for the net.

URBAN SURVIVAL

PLACES TO GET INFORMATION

For those who are just starting out, and even for the advanced prepper, having good sources of information is critical. The whole idea of what to do, what to buy, how to store, etc., can seem overwhelming and almost feel like an impossible task. Fear not however, as there are a number of excellent sources that can help you get started. We will mention several on the nets and you will eventually find, as you become more prepared, where to turn for help.

The most common question we hear is, where do I start. This post will address that. The list starts with one of the best books I have discovered:

1. LDS Preparedness Manual 2012 Edition.

The author, Christopher Parrett, states, at the very beginning, that it is not his original work, but rather a compilation of different author's works that have been gathered from the public domain and the internet over the course of many years. The book is just slightly over 500 pages and is one of the most comprehensive works on prepping. It could be the best $22.00 you ever spend.

Parrett also make the following observations:

1. The book is WORTHLESS if you put it in your book shelf with the intention of only reading it after the emergency/disaster strikes. It IS NOT an emergency manual to be used after the fact.

2. the book is an emergency preparedness manual and will only help if it is read before the disaster and follow it's suggestions.

3. At some point while reading the manual, you will have questions, and he (Parrett) offers assistance to families, churches or preparedness groups (REGARDLESS OF RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION). Members of ALL Judeo-Christian denominations are welcome!

Available here:


2. Another Voice of Warning (AVOW)

AVOW is a members only forum (much like OAUSA) and it contains a wealth of information, AND HELP, for those who want to prepare. AVOW is owned and operated by Christopher Parrett, the author of the Preparedness Manual. Membership is $5.00 a month or $35.00 per year. Here is the website: https://www.ldsavow.com/vbilling/order/ ... ml?coupon=.


3. American Preppers Network http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/

4. The Organic Prepper https://www.theorganicprepper.com/

5. The Survival Podcast http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/

6. Survivalist Boards.com http://www.survivalistboards.com/

URBAN SURVIVAL

SOURCES FOR FOOD AND WATER STORAGE

1. Emergency Essentials, https://beprepared.com/

2. Food Insurance, https://www.foodinsurance.com/?SID=k6tg ... m9i0is6u42

3. Wise Food Supply, http://www.wisefoodsupply.com/

4. Daily Bread, https://www.dailybread.com/

5. The Ready Store, https://www.thereadystore.com/

6. My Patriot Supply, https://www.mypatriotsupply.com/Default.asp

URBAN SURVIVAL

When it comes to food, knowing what to store is as important as knowing what not to store. Putting your food preps together does not necessarily mean spending huge amounts of money. To a very large extent, much of your food can be prepared at home with some simple equipment. Making your own meals can save a bundle and it can be tailored to meet you and your family's particular tastes. Godfrey and Kent have authored a book entitled "Store this Not That." A very good read.

Water

• Why you need water
• How you acquire water
• How you use water
• How much water do you need
• Where you get water
• How to store water
• How to make water safe
• My plan

Why you need water
Human body is 60% water (brain 70%, lungs 90%, blood 80%)
Constantly losing water through breathing, perspiration, digestion,

• Transports nutrients, including oxygen
• Keeps temperature stable
• Forms saliva, helps digestion
• Gets rid of waste products through urination (95% water) and bowel movements (75% water)
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Protects sensitive tissues (eyes)

Rules of 3

• 3 Minutes without Air
• 3 Hours without Shelter
• 3 Days without Water (and seriously taxes your body after 1 day)
• 3 Weeks without Food

When do you need more water

• Urine is dark yellow
• Feel thirsty
• Mouth is dry
• Skin at back of hand is less resilient
• Tired
• Headache
• Constipated

How you acquire water

• Drinking water and beverages (80%)
• Eating food (20%)
• Intravenous infusion

For 70 kg (155 pound person)
2500 ml = 85 oz How you use water

• Drinking (people and your animals)
• Making prepared drinks
• Preparing food (especially freeze-dried)
• Bathing / hygiene / brushing teeth
• Washing dishes
• Staying cool (wet cloth, misting system, swamp cooler)
• FIghting fires
• Watering plants / crops

Water used outside your body for bathing can be lower quality than water ingested
How much water do you need

• Varying recommendations, and varies by person
• Typical recommendation: 8 x 8 ounce glasses per day = 64 oz = ½ gallon
• Alternative: 2/3 ounce per pound of weight
• 200 lbs => 133 oz = 1+ gallon
• Probably safe at 1.0 gallon per day, 1.5 - 2.0 better for dealing with harsh conditions
• FEMA: 1 gallon per person per day for two weeks

Increased need for water

• Exercise
• Environment (hot,humid)
• Illness
• Pregnancy / Breast feeding

Camelbak Hydration Calculator
Where you get water

Where will you be?

• sleeping (33%)
• working (24%)
• commuting (3%)
• whatever (40%)

Should have plans for home, work, and on the road

Swimming Pool / Hot Tub

• Pool: 5,000 to 20,000 gallons
• Hot tub: 200 to 500 gallons
• Generally safe if maintained (filtered and chlorinated)
• Chlorine 3 to 5 parts per million (ppm)
• FDA says safe to drink with chlorine at 4 ppm

Potential Problems with Pool

• Earthquake might crack and drain pool
• Airborne contaminants (dust, chemicals, ash)
• Powered filtration and chlorination systems may fail during disaster
• Sunlight UV will deteriorate chlorine in a few days
• Your entire neighborhood knows your pool is there

In Emergency

• Turn off any water sources to avoid compromised water
• Cover pool immediately to keep clean
• Verify not too much chlorination
• Purify before drinking (any outdoor standing water)

https://www.amazon.com/Poolmaster-22260 ... 00107039U/ Water Heater
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Emergency-D ... ter-Heater

• 30 to 60 gallons
• Limited chlorine breakdown since not exposed to sunlight, but may be warmed by sunlight
• Most are now earthquake strapped
• Everyone has one or two

In Emergency

• Turn off electricy or gas
• Close supply valve (avoid supply pollution)
• Find drain valve (near bottom of heater)
• Allow air to get in by turning on any hot water faucet
• Dispense with drain valve spigot
• May need to filter sediment
• Purify before drinking

Toilet tank (not bowl)

• 2 to 3 gallons per toilet
• Only if strong chemicals not used for cleaning
• Turn off supply value
• Purify before drinking

Bath tub

• 40 to 100 gallons
• Immediately fill if water supply might become compromised
• Purify before drinking

Other Sources

• Canned foods - eat food (55% by weight) then drink water
• Ice trays
• Rain collection, snow melt - have collection trays, basins
• Local river, stream, pond (that everyone else knows about)
• Learn about local water table - may be able to dig just a few feet

How to store water

• Water weight 8.4 pounds per gallon
• One cubic foot of water contain 7.5 gallons

Container Storage

• Store in cool, dark place (preserve chlorinization)
• Don't store near chemicals, gasoline
• Chlorine will dissipate after six months, allowing bacteria and algae to grow, especially if warm
• Rotate (sterilize and refill) every six months (possibly up to two years)
• Restore taste of stored water by infusing oxygen, pour back and forth between sanitized containers

Article on Water Storage

Containers
Vary greatly in cost and capacity
Good Article on Water Storage Containers

Large 55 Gallon - 462 pounds Transportable? 7 Gallons - 59 pounds 5 Gallons
Top rated for value Sanitize/Disinfect Containers

• Use unexpired bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon)
• Add 1 teaspoon of household liquid bleach to 1 quart (32oz) of water
• Pour this into a clean storage container, close and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container
• Let sit at least 30 seconds, and then pour out solution
• Let air dry OR rinse with clean water that has already been made safe, if available
• Don't touch water or opening after sanitization

Water Preserver
ph-Balanced Sodium Hypochlorite
5-Year Water Storage Pre-Packaged Pouch
5-year shelf life
564 oz @ $54.45 = $12.35 / gallon Pre-Packaged Can
50-year shelf life
576 oz @ $73.99 = $16.44 / gallon
Sterilized in can Kirkland Bottles (Costco)
676 oz @ ($2.99 + $2.00 CRV) = $0.95 / gallon
"Best if used within " 18 months
Sterilized when packaged - the FDA considers bottled water to have an indefinite shelf life
Not sure about plastic containers How to make water safe
"Purify before drinking"

Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
PDF to print and save
Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods

Hazards

• Chemical
  • There is no practical solution to chemical pollution
  • Can not be detected by visual inspection
  • Distillation may work only if pollutants have higher boiling point
• Dust / dirt / solids
• Biological
  • Parasites
  • Fungi
  • Viruses
  • Algae
  • Protozoa

Purification Techniques

"Boiling"

• Best method for killing pathogens
• Boil rapidly for 1 minute (3 minutes over 6500 ft elevation)
• 185 degrees – kill all pathogens within 3 minutes
• 160 degrees – kill all pathogens within 30 minutes
• Consider a solar oven to keep water hot enough for long periods (save fuel/power)

Chemical Treatment

How is water treated by utilities?
Primary - chlorine, ozone, UV, chlorine dioxide
Secondary - chlorine, chloramine

Chloramine

• Used by many utilities to treat water
• Longer lasting disinfection properties as water moves through miles of pipes
• Made by combining ammonia with chlorine in water
• Forms toxic vapors - for industrial/utility use
• Not removed by boiling water
• Charcoal filter removes both chlorine and chloramine

Chlorine
Cl2 + H2O ⇌ HClO + HCl
Addition of chlorine to water gives both hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HClO)
HClO is the primary disinfection agent in chlorine solutions

• Use pure chlorine bleach, unscented, no "color safe" - check label!
• Bleach will contain 6 to 8.25% sodium hypochlorite
• Disinfect surfaces: one tablespoon bleach per gallon of water (200 ppm); more than 500 ppm may corrode some metals and plastics
• Drinking: Add four drops of bleach per gallon and wait 30 minutes before using (note: ~300 drops per tablespoon)
• Disinfect water storage containers (below)
• Use to clean dishes
• Bleach mixed with water 1:9 ratio (10%) is potent for 24 hours
• Bleach stored at 70°F has shelf life of one year from the manufacture date

Removing chlorine (not chloramine)

• Sunlight UV or higher temperature quickly breaks down chlorine
• Boil for 20 minutes
• Let water sit for 24 hours

Granular Sodium Hypochlorite

• Used commercially to make bleach
• Explosive
• Not readily available
• Available in solution as Water Preserver

Granular Calcium Hypochlorite
Best way to store chlorination (disinfection) capability?

• "Pool Shock"
• 1-pound bag will treat up to 10,000+ gallons
• Store in cool, dry place
• Airtight container
• May be stored up to 10 years with minimal degradation

Article: Better than Bleach: Use Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water

• Make chlorine solution by dissolving 1 heaping teaspoon for each 2 gallons of water
• Add one part of chlorine solution to 100 parts water (8 tsp per gallon)
• Let mixture sit for at least 1/2 hour before drinking

Chlorine Dioxide
Shelf life 4 years
Potable Aqua Aquamira Iodine

• More effective than chlorine for Giardia cysts
• Some people are allergic (especially people allergic to shellfish)
• Crystals have indefinite shelf life
• Affects taste
• July 2, 2007: Iodine became classified a controlled substance when manufacturers of methamphetamine were buying huge quantities of the Polar Pure product.

Potable Aqua
Shelf life 4 years
Includes iodine neutralizer to improve taste Other

Purinize
Indefinite shelf life
Free of chemical disinfectants
Eliminates some pollutants
No aftertaste, improves water taste Filtration
Berkey Filter Sawyer Filter Lifestraw Filter
GRAYL Filter Ultraviolet

• No chemicals or taste, effective
• Some models recharges via USB (my Adventurerl uses CR123 battery)

Steripen Solar Powered Water Purifier
Filtration plus Ultraviolet Solar Disinfection (SODIS)

• Sunlight UV and increased temperature from sun exposure disinfect water
• Just leave a clear glass or plastic bottle out in the sun for six hours or for two consecutive days under 100% cloudy sky
• Cool the water, shake vigorously, and drink
• Touted by the World Health Organization for areas where access to clean water is limited

Solar Disinfection (SODIS)

Distillation and Osmosis

• IMHO: Equipment specialized, power/fuel consuming, slow

My Plan

• Maintain 2-week supply of Kirkland water at home for entire family (12 trays of 40 x 16.9 oz bottles)
• Maintain 2-day supply of Kirkland water at work for myself (16 x 16.9 oz bottles)
• Maintain 2-day supply of Kirkland water in vehicles for entire family (60 x 16.9 oz bottles)
• Rotate in some convenient way that doesn't require hefting a stack of bottles
• Store more canned food, not just freeze dried
• Purchase calcium hypochlorite as disinfectant
• Travel and backup: Sawyer filter plus Purinize purifier

KK6CTT for the check-in and additional information to contribute to the net. Just the water procurement and storage is very impressive...looking forward to the net!

The "school of survival" is a hard lesson learned BIACH! You can learn as you go and the learning curve is not graded on the "Bell curve." You either get it and get it quickly or you "circle the drain" and die along side your family and friends with no consolation of leaving this place in peace. The equation is more simple than you give it credit and the pieces that add positively to your situation start yesterday and need to be added to each and everyday after.

Rule of Law: Where we operate on any given "normal" day. You are either a law abiding citizen and protected by a thin shell of civility or you fall prey to those who work outside of the rule of law and even outside the rules of mankind because darkness and evil flourish whenever the SHTF or we allow evil to progress unchecked. This is such a vast topic that it is hard, I'm sure, to moderate the direction of such a net. Looking at this, I don't know where to start so i will jump in with some random thoughts:

Tools you need in your tool box between your ears:

1. Fieldcraft: The ability to adapt, improvise and overcome in all facets of survival and day to day life.

2. Skills: The ability to trade services for goods and items you might need. They can be both physical ability and "street smarts" driven or totally cerebral, like an MD or even a veterinarian when a medical situation arises.

Recently shared by the NRA:
A. Preppers & Hunters more similar than you think? https://www.americanhunter.org/articles ... paign=0318
B. 6 Cheap Tips To Secure Your Home Right Now https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018 ... paign=0318
C. 5 Bug-Out Bag Essentials https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018 ... paign=0318
D. Dogs for Home Protection https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2016 ... rotection/
E. 10 Survival Items For Under $10 https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017 ... -under-10/
F. Brownells ESG Essentials Kits (Cost $$$) https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2014 ... ials-kits/

View point from Selco, caught in Sarajevo: http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-prepa ... e_10252011
Viewpoint of Amila, a teenager during the siege: https://www.primalsurvivor.net/war-story/
Farmers in South Africa claim they are being targeted in 'horrific' attacks: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/worl ... 62306.html

Intelligence gathering and usable information:
STRATFOR: https://www.stratfor.com/
Breakdown on the Austin Bomber: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/ ... ext-killer
Sign up for GOV.UK for travel information: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

3. The art of barter: Getting what you need by using what you have to get what you want or need.

4. Understanding the OODA Loop. A product of the Air Force combat experience in Korea by COL Boyd who's observations helped to explain how our pilots out-fought the Soviet aircraft of the era that for all purposes where faster and more maneuverable than what we had in the field.
A. Observe
B. Orient
C. Decide
D. Act
E. Examples based on action is always quicker than reaction for example, a cowboy whose firearm is holstered meets a knife wielding assailant within 21 or less feet. Techniques for dealing with domestic issues.

5. My thoughts: I want to conserve energy and set myself and my family up for success. A well rounded friends and family plan is a great place to start and to constantly add knowledge and skills. The trick is adding to their knowledge and skill without them know you are working on those traits. It is a lot more palatable for everyone if you make it fun and relative.
A. Conserving energy: Everything you do should be based on the cost in sweat, tears and supplies.
1) Sweat and strenuous work equals burning calories. What gets burned needs to be replenished. Do you have the supplies commiserate with the amount of work you set out to do; "work smart not hard" is truly the watch phrase to live by here.
2) You stand to lose friends and family and you stand to have things happen to your friends and family you can not imagine. Understand this and orient and decide NOW how you will meet evil.
3) Supplies: Start now! Understanding risk and how to calculate risk mitigation is an art just like knowing who your enemies are, what the most probable events will be and which could be the most catastrophic.
Then, how you need to prioritize them before they show themselves.
B. "Do not put all your eggs in one basket.'

6. Understand and use the "Rule of Three" principles in everyday life. Once you understand how it works, you understand how to prioritize your actions from most to least critical.

7. First Aid and wellness now will go a long way under duress. Duress-stress will own you if you do not build on your coping mechanisms now. Rest plans and maintaining normalcy in your life can help relieve the stress that is common with change. Change is sometimes very counterproductive.

8. Nesting gear as well as gear that has more than one purpose makes a case for positive consideration. Get good gear and unfortunately well built gear is usually heavier and bulkier than not and if you are watching your load plan weight there are trade-offs that have to be made.

9. Bug-in vs. Bug-out...how does your plan address this issue. Caches for bug-out?

10.Advantages of understanding the mechanics of survival in any situation:
A. Means of self-defense, active and passive. The optimist vs. the pessimist's view of the world and your neighbors.
B. An old standard:
1) Planning: Plan in depth, "One is none, two is one and three or more adds to the score."
2) Reconnaissance/surveillance: Understand what you are dealing with before you commit. If your plan is not supported by what you see and know about the situation, change your plan before you execute, "Semper Gumby." Optics, stand off providing more chance to act rather than react.
3) Security: Active and passive measures. Active: You physically create a bubble of security around you by whatever means you have to do so, be it the way your site is laid out, fences, security system, cameras, door that open in or out, length of screws you use in the hinges... Passive, how you operate keeping things on a need to know basis. Security through simple disciplines. Communication plan and hardware.
4) Control: If you have family members that you can't get a hold of during critical moments, read as "loss of control." If you are moving in several vehicles and you lose sight and communication with your parties because someone zigged while everyone else zagged...what is the gathering plan if this happens? Contingency planning, see 1) and shore up the holes in your plan.
5) Common Sense

There's a start.

1)Training Courses

1-A)Online
Emergency Communications Training (KY Ham Course)- http://www.kyham.net/emcomm/training.html



ARRL’s ARES Training- http://www.arrl.org/ares


FEMA ICS Courses for NIMS (National Incident Management System)- IS- 100, 200, 700, 800 https://training.fema.gov/nims/

NOTE/FYI: Courses 100, 200, 700 and 800 are usually required to take if you’re going to get involved with ARES due to their local government communications coordination. Worth the time to take.

Study up on the best practices of QRP radio operation (low power)? Great place to start is QRPSchool- http://qrpschool.com/


Get motivated and work you way up with your ham license either with Gordon West’s or ARRL’s training series. You can do so listening to courses as you’re driving, and then take practice exams on most mobile devices-
Gordon West’s Ham Radio School- http://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/


ARRL’s Licensing, Education & Training- http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training


If your family isn’t a radio enthusiast (geek) like you, then get an FRS/GMRS family license and put a radio in every vehicle…and practice using it on fun trips!

Definitely my very close second recommendation for anyone who is attempting to come up with their own plan for Urban Survival after the LDS Preparedness Manual.
surviveinplace.com
- The site may seem a bit "scammy" with how the site is setup, BUT I’ve done it and it’s worth it and I have a GREAT plan now that I’m confident in using wherever I am. I STILL review it 8 years later and update it on a regular basis. This is a great course to go through with family members who may be just getting interested in being prepared.

HINT: To get past the video clip, click as though you want to close the window/tab in your browser that you’re viewing it in, then click “stay on page” when the pop-up confirmation asks you if you want to leave or not.

CarbonTV’s Ultimate Survival Tips (with David Morris guy who built suriviveinplace.com series)- https://www.carbontv.com/shows/ultimate-survival-tips/


NOLS Wilderness Medicine Resources- https://nols.edu/en/resources/wildernes ... resources/




2) Things You Should Do In Person

2-A) Paid Courses Worth Their Investment
First Aid-NOLS
First Responder- NOLS
https://nols.edu/en/coursefinder/course ... s+Medicine

NOTE: Don’t panic by the cost of some of the upper tier courses. Scroll down, or search within your region to find courses that suit you. ALSO, check with your local REI (if you live near one) to see when a NOLS course might be done with them in your area.

Firearms, Tactical and Self-Defense-
Frontsite- Pahrump, NV https://www.frontsight.com/


2-B) FREE or Cheap and Worth The Time Investment
Get involved in Field Days! Great way to connect with other hams while practicing your skills “out in the wild!”

Get involved in ARES/Skywarn/CERT in your area-
-If they have impossible pre-requisites for people that have normal busy lives, STILL prepare and do your training and find others with similar mind-sets and desires to be prepared.

Skywarn Training (Classroom & Online)- https://www.skywarn.org/training/


CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)- https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team


Attend local emergency planning commission meetings at your City Hall
-This will give you a VERY good idea as to how prepared your community leaders and support teams REALLY are.

3) Good Reads
The LDS Preparedness Manual (Free PDF) online w/ over 600 pages worth of valuable content. Great even if you’re not a Mormon https://ldsavow.com/PrepManualGeneral.html


Patriots and subsequent book series- By James Wesley Rawles (the original survival blogger) https://www.amazon.com/Patriots-Novel-S ... ey+Rawles


“This Time It’s Different” (8 Centuries of Political Folly)- By Carmen M. Reinhart and Kenneth S. Rogoff https://www.amazon.com/This-Time-Differ ... cial+folly


“Surviving The Economic Collapse”- By Fernando Ferfal Aguirrehttps://www.amazon.com/Modern-Survival- ... pse+Ferfal

Any of the “Storey’s Country Wisdom” Bulletins or their Country Wisdom & KnowHow books- by The Editors of Storey’s Publishing’s Country Wisdom Bulletins https://www.amazon.com/Country-Know-How ... try+wisdom


4) Spiritual, Physical/Medical, Musical Resources, Board & Card Games-
Ask yourself these questions:
-What do you have that you can do with others, and enjoy doing so without the internet or technology involved?
-What do you have that provides you solace in time of distress or concern?
-How can you better shore up yourself mentally and physically so that you can be better prepared when needed?
-Better exercise, eating better, spiritually and mentally grounded?

5) Ham and Outdoor Recommended Resources (What you can rely on when your App isn’t available, or doesn’t work)

Paper Repeater Directories (Can find at Ham Radio retailer Ham Radio Outlet)

ArtSci- https://www.usaone.net/artsci/index.asp


Southern California Repeater Directory (great for SW US and available ONLY IN STORE at HRO [Ham Radio Outlet])

ARRL Repeater Directory (Used to have a pocket directory, but no longer…)

NOTE: Call or e-mail the ARRL. Ask them why they have stopped providing a valuable resource for those desiring to stay ready and prepared to help in a time of emergency?

W5YI.com (Gordon West’s and other’s study materials-http://w5yi.com


ARRL’s Amateur Radio Handbooks for every year- http://www.arrl.org/arrl-handbook-2018


Benchmark’s Road & Recreation Atlas Series for each state (WARNING site will only work from US IP's)- https://www.benchmarkmaps.com/


Pocket Naturalist Guides- Weather and seasonal pattern books & pocket guides- https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Folding- ... 1583551123


Falcon Guides and other Plant and wildlife books and booklets and pocket fold-out guides- https://www.amazon.com/Scats-Tracks-Des ... outhwest


National park service detailed “grid square” maps- https://www.nps.gov/hfc/cfm/carto.cfm


BLM Maps- https://www.blm.gov/maps


State Park Maps- https://www.stateparks.com/usa.html


Tom Harrison Maps- https://tomharrisonmaps.com/


6) Community Resources
-Check with your Health District, County Fire Department, or Sheriff’s Office for their
60-90 Day Preparedness Budget Calendar and other preparedness resources.

Go to your local Red Cross and ask what their preparedness resources are- http://www.redcross.org/#


7) Ideas for engaging others in the conversation-
-Volunteer with organizations in your community that help out with large events (marathons, swim meets, races, tournaments, etc.) or provide crisis support.

-Gain experience with crisis support and helping others. It will engage you with questions as you debrief yourself from each situation with, “how would I have responded? If I were in their shoes, how could I have been more prepared?”

-Ask your neighbors, church, local ham club, family members “What is your plan when there is a local disaster? How are you prepared to handle our needs, and those who may come to us in need?”

-Find out when and attend one of your local ARES emergency practice drill days, and attend their events if/when they’re open to the public. Not all are, so check.

Keep in mind you won’t be prepared unless you practice being so as you live your life.

Do ALL of this with prudence, caution, discretion in your conversations and a core understanding that it’s a mindset, not a one time thing to check off your list in life.

What will you commit to taking a first step in doing as soon as you finish listening to this ham radio net and/or reading this forum post?

Early xheck in please KN6FPT. Question, will you be covering comms. Next week? Is so, i have some insight to AMRRON and the ch.3 project.

Please check-in John, KN6VL and Bruce, KD6GCO

Check me in please - Thanks - Bernie