Author: Wild Bill

At The Prepper Journal we often post about learning first aid, that you and those around you when a injury occurs are the real “first responders” to any incident and that you and they can be the difference between life and death while you wait for trained medical responders. We also believe that you should know exactly how to use every piece of equipment in your medical kit and always keep it current and PRACTICE. We know you care about your family and want the very best for them. You want them to always feel safe and protected. Providing this…

As a homeowner I will be the first to admit that I would rather change out a 220v circuit breaker during a hurricane while knee deep in vermin filled flood waters than work on plumbing. But as a homeowner it is a required skill as the damage from leaks or broken pipes can be extensive so Megan Nichols shares her expertise with us.. And as a prepper it is a required skill to keep your water supply flowing, both in and out of your home, be it any day or in a hunker-down emergency. However, when people are talking about…

I posted last week on having a positive outlook at our current world so now, for the flip side.  I have often wondered if we as a people really appreciate what our founders went through. In 1776 our forefathers and sisters had to come to grips with actually taking a stand, possibly shooting their neighbors, culling the loyalists and shoring up their circles of trust. This stand was a choice between life and death for not only themselves but for their families as well. The British Crown did not become the masters of an Empire Upon Which the Sun Never…

As preppers our vehicles are important parts of our survival gear, whether needed to get home to family and supplies in an emergency, to retrieve family members or to get out of dodge, we depend upon them. So they should get the same scrutiny as any other piece of survival gear, more considering their relative expense. And their security should be considered as important as that to which we give our homes or our bug out locations. In that vain Wendy Dessler has provided some tips on security equipment to consider for your vehicle. Buying a new car can be…

It’s a jungle out there! Yep, that’s the title of a song by Randy Newman. In one of the lines, he sings “there’s confusion everywhere, no one seems to care.” Indeed, to survive, you have to be smart, very smart. The Poisonous Cocktail Look around; people cannot seem to agree on anything. Plus, it’s hard to believe half of what you read in the papers or watch on cable news. It’s not surprising that tempers flare whenever you raise a simple argument. Everybody is seemingly on edge. And then there’s social unrest, and the greedy politicians. The ripple effect is…

If only we had to deal with such a problem….we all hope to have this problem BUT it does bring things one must be prepared to deal with to survive. How to Survive Winning the Lottery So, you hold a winning ticket in your hand, and the shock has yet to set in. What next? Winning the lottery is one of the best things that can happen to you, but only if you do it right. Just take a moment to imagine life after winning millions. Your name would be available to the public, and you may have to make…

I received this over the Memorial Day weekend and found it a short, inspirational story of determination. One worth sharing. I am sure such stories happen often everywhere, they renew our beliefs in each other. I have posted it below unedited, as I don’t see any way to improve upon it. 14-year Old Boy Climbs a Mountain Alongside Adventure App Creator April 24, 2019 – At 6:15 am on Easter Sunday, 14-year old Getúlio Felipe, who has cerebral palsy, began climbing the highest mountain in the Dolomites, Italy to prove that anything is possible and that the outdoors are accessible…

“There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order.” – Ed Howdershelt (Reference Stephan Decatur Miller, circa September 1830). This is the day we honored those who gave their all. The Short Lesson This Federal Holiday in the USA was established for remembering those who died while serving in our Armed Forces. Currently celebrated on the last Monday of May, it originated in 1868 as Decoration Day after the American Civil War, when the Grand Army of the Republic established it as a time for the nation to decorate…

I can set the tone of the article by stating that the following item was returned by Google when I searched “Who Governs our Government”: “Revealing Photos Melania Trump Doesn’t Want You to See” I did not include the link, it is sensationalist garbage, but it is a bellwether of the quality of the News Media and the influence of search engines. Of course I received the boiler plate standards from Wikipedia and The NY Times, and CNN, and The Washington Post, and even one from The White House, but that one was on state and local governments and their…

Fishing is a popular pastime for tens of millions of people. However, this recreational activity — often seen as a great way to enjoy a laid-back day off work — derives from authentic food-gathering practices from generations ago. Catching fish to survive is a practice still in place today in some parts of the world, and on a grander scale to supply the needs of restaurants and seafood connoisseurs the world over. Maybe you’ve had some experience fishing in the past but never caught and cooked your fish, or perhaps you’re entirely new to the concept of fishing for food.…

Oh boy, another “gun debate”. The extension of the “my mommy can beat up your mommy” challenge from our days at recess in Kindergarten. And not to worry, the AR vs the AK has been beaten to death of late, and we all have our opinions and our “religion” when it comes to these discussions. That we have them is a testament that there are still alpha-males, and females, and that bodes well for the Republic. So on a day where the news brings stories of “diversity staffers” at major Universities, the clown car now a clown bus of candidates…

As a follow-on to yesterday’s post on the coming Hurricane season in North America, and as a lesson from an article in the news today about two hikers assaulted along the Appalachian Trail by a man with a machete, one killed, I am again posting about EDC items and essential safety equipment. I had written before that I hiked the John Muir Trail, a popular portion of the larger Pacific Crest Trail, from Whitney Portal to Tuolumne Meadows (Northern Yosemite National Park) back when California was a well-managed and profitable red state governed by reasonable laws. I open-carried the entire…

Or any storm for that matter. Living in certain parts of the world makes extreme weather a fact of life. If you’re not prepared to accept how severe the weather might get, maybe this isn’t the place for you. So you had better be prepared. One of the most devastating natural disasters is the hurricane, and we’ve seen a few particularly bad ones in the last fifteen years. Hurricanes on the scale of Katrina and Sandy (the shining examples of failure at every level of government, though the Mayor of San Juan and the Governor of Puerto Rico continue to…

Editor’s Note: Yes, deer season and other large game seasons are way out in the future now, kind of hard to see them when you have to look beyond the rest of Spring and the Summer, that entire 4-5 month period until there is a chill in the air. However Preppers are planners and the points herein for finding a tree stand can be applied to other Prepper concerns beyond hunting. With escalation the norm of the day from the Middle East to the South American coast and the China Sea, with the open assault on our borders by the…

Editor’s Note: Not your normal Prepper subject but I came across this excellent article by Anthony Duggan at Kitty Insight and was impressed with the detail and construction of the article and the useful information it conveyed. For the life of me I can’t figure out what I was searching for when I found this, I am not a cat person, perhaps it was child safety around the home, in any case I contacted Anthony and he graciously gave me permission to repost it here on The Prepper Journal, something I don’t normally do either. Think I’ll pick up a…

Growing up by the ocean I was fortunate that fishing was an activity that was convenient to not only learn, but to enjoy. Something I lost touch with when military service, college and a new family came to absorb all of my time. As preppers it is an important skill to learn and the changes in equipment have been dramatic over the years. As much relaxation as sport, at least the way I do it, it was my one pastime that afforded me some quiet moments. Time to get back into it, not only as a form or relaxation but…

Editor’s Note: Continuing in the spirit of how others view prepping from a different prospective, an interesting contribution to The Prepper Journal from Stephany Jonson. “Torch” is the British word for flashlight.  A torch is a simple tool, which is often kept in kitchen cabinets in case of a power outage. Sometimes, it is also stored in cars during camping trips. However, you might be surprised to learn that a torch could be a lifesaving tool which should be kept on hand at all times. Read on to find out why. What Is a Tactical Torch? This article doesn’t just…

Editor’s Note: Always a subject I wanted to know more about.   Ready to join the mushroom movement? There are lots of good reasons to grow mushrooms at home. They’re tasty, nutritious and they may even be good for our brains. But they can be pricey at the grocery store. Mushroom hunting in a forest near you is fun but labor-intensive. It can also be dangerous because edible varieties often have poisonous look-alikes. Growing your own mushrooms could be a good alternative. To get started, you need to make a few decisions. First, figure out which type of mushroom you’d like…

I was skiing with a group of friends in January of 1984 at Mammoth Mountain, and on that Sunday we quit early to go back to the rented condo to watch Super Bowl XVIII, it was January 22, 1984. While I could look up who played that year it was lost on us because, all of us being new engineers and budding scientists, we saw the famous Apple Launch Commercial – Apple 1984 . You could hear a pin drop as we watched this and then tried to analyze it. Six single guys in their 20’s do not often have…

Upland bird hunting has always been my favorite, maybe it is the romance of the Normal Rockwell like backdrops, the open fields, the crisp autumn air, the well trained and disciplined dog, the silence of nature only broken by the flutter of a bevy of quail or grouse suddenly flushed from cover, or a majestic pheasant in flight? Maybe. However, on the other side of the pond, it is as much a pageant as a sport and the English leave nothing to chance.  Just look at this site for the “proper” gear, Equestrian Co, and read its explanation of the…

A contribution from Nicole Lewis. a proud member of the U.S. Army on Military Education – How To Get Promoted Faster in the Army. Many of us preppers have served in the military and it has benefited us in numerous ways, I for one still encourage it as a way to take that leap from cared for child to self-sustaining adult. There are many reasons why people choose a career in the US Army. There are big opportunities, the desire to serve the nation, the atmosphere and spirit, and many other aspects that attract young men and women to become a…

A magnesium fire starter is one of the most standard and popular outdoor tools available in the market. They’re often used by people on survival missions and military personnel, and are available in various shapes and sizes in gear shops all over the country. Magnesium fire starters are reliable, affordable and waterproof. Due to these characteristics, they are seen by many as effective alternatives to matches. For others who go on camping trips often, they prefer to take magnesium fire starters with them for emergency situations. Unlike many methods of starting a fire, the magnesium fire starter doesn’t require particularly…

Another guest contribution from Scott to The Prepper Journal. Serious survivalists are becoming more prominent in modern society, especially as nuclear treaties change and the threat of war is omnipresent in everyone’s minds. Having a household bunker became popular during the Cold War, and while they have fallen out of favor in recent years, with the present state of the world, it might be a good idea to consider building one. Assembling one of these safety refuges is easier than you might think, even if you’re not an engineer. Here are some simple ways to build a backyard bunker to…

A guest contribution to The Prepper Journal from Brennan Valeski, a writer for SurvivalTechShop.com who loves gear and technology that allows him to be ready for any situation that arises. He shares his personal experiences and recommendations to help you be prepared for your next adventure. 5 Ways To Stay Safe On The Road There are many different ways to approach road safety. At the end of the day, it begins with you and your actions behind the wheel. According to ASIRT (the Association for International Road Travel), “nearly 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year, on average…

Gearing up with all the essentials as soon the hunting season come around the corner is good.  However, at the same time knowing how to protect yourself from any mishap during a hunting trip is equally important. It is not just the right gun, the right boots and most apt clothes that make sense but detailed information on how to take care of you on the ground as well.   Deer hunting is considered as one of the most popular meat hunting or sports hunting events. Dating back thousands of years, it is still a widespread practice that attracts many…

Editor’s Note: I have to admit that I sometimes (often) cringe when I find out people are from places that poison everything they touch with their politics and I am often lumped in with those people as California is my home state, the state where my two (2) children were born and raised, the state where my wife’s ashes were scattered and where mine will be as well (even if they come up with a law against that as well.) I speak of New York where, outside of the City and Albany, live some very decent, solid Americans. While at…

Prepping is practical, but it can also be a costly endeavor. Not only do you need to stock up on food and supplies to last you an indefinite amount of time, but you must also acquire additional resources, which can be expensive in their own right. Purchasing and stocking firearms to protect your bug-out shelter, for example, will impact your wallet. But there is a way you can mitigate the cost, or at least cut down on the number of supplies you’ll need to buy. The solution is to use the things you already have. Step One: Take Inventory You…

Today the term ‘preppers’ has a negative connotation because most people associate it with the so-called doomsday preppers instead of  what it really is – people who actively prepare for emergencies. No matter which side of the aisle you’re on, we can all agree that we are living in stressful times. Earlier, people only worried about their jobs and their families but according to the American Psychological Association, the most common cause for stress today is the future of our nation. This is followed by money, work, our political climate and the rise in crime – that’s plenty of stress!…

“From a little spark may burst a flame” – Dante Alighieri “The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”  – Dante Alighieri Are you aware that in the past two (2) weeks: The Indian Air Force has struck ground targets within Pakistan The Pakistan Air Force shot down two (2) of India’s warplanes Pakistan shut down all commercial air traffic into and out of the country for 2 days The Pakistan Navy has intercept Indian Submarines within its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea The Indian airstrikes were in retaliation…

Editors Note: Another timely contribution from Cat Murphy to The Prepper Journal. Spring may seem like its eons away, but it will be here before you know it. Starting your seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump start on your growing season — and to keep your green thumb busy. It’s also a fantastic gardening alternative for starting plants when you have limited space and are restricted to your patio or balcony. Consider these tips as you begin seeding indoors now for your spring garden. Pick the Right Containers You can start your seeds in just about…