70 years isolated and living off the land

Very interesting documentary. Escaping communism, the Lykov family settled in the middle of nowhere in Taiga, hundreds of miles from the nearest settlement.  Agafia Lykova was born there in isolation with her family. She lived her entire life there. Now 70 years old, she’s the only survivor of the family.
It’s very interesting to see how such conditions affect a person. The survival and preparedness community often fantasizes about such things, romanticising what is in fact a very harsh, in many ways a very sad way of living. Being ostracized, isolated all the time, it clearly has an impact on a person.

Car Emergency Kit: Setup and Content Details

 Car kt content

I was recently asked to show my Car survival kit.
This gave me the chance to go through everything I keep there and sort a few things out.
Its amazing how in what it seems to be no time food and meds expire, batteries go bad, water bottles get used up and the spare clothes no longer fit the kids!

I even managed to misplace and lose some of the stuff along the way. No doubt brought out to be used at some point only to be left God knows where.
Your Car survival/emergency Kit works as a system, of which your actual vehicle is the foundation. I believe that your daily driver is your “first responder” when there’s an emergency so it’s much more important to have that vehicle ready than to have a loaded up off-road truck at home while driving a compact sedan with just a spare tyre and little else for emergencies.

The car must be very reliable, well serviced, large enough yet practical enough. Have 4x4 or AWD. Not necessarily an off road truck, but capable of dealing with some snow, mud or doing some light off roading if the situation requires it.

In my case I believe the Honda CRV balances these very well. Being diesel it also means I get considerably more miles per gallon of fuel. It’s also safer in case of an accident, diesel stores better than gas and diesel cars have roughly twice as much torque compared to similar cylinder engines.
I would also like to point out that both the vehicle and kit depend on the specific location, climatic conditions and family group. Living in the middle of nowhere in Alaska probably means your daily driver needs to be a 4x4 truck, in cold climates the spare clothes would be more winter oriented or if you have a baby in the family you’ll need a baby bag.
I used the list from my book “Bugging Out and Relocating” as a guide to make sure I was covering the important points.
Here’s the list:

• First Aid Kit
• Food (I'll be including some of the long term rations)

SOS Food Labs, Inc. Rations EMERGENCY 3 Day/ 72 Hour Package with 5 Year Shelf Life $8.95

• Clothes and footwear
• Water
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• AM/FM radio
• Tool Kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct Tape
• Spare Tire, Lug Wrench and Jack
• Jumper Cables
• 50 Feet of 550 Paracord
• Tow Strap
• Lighter
• Work Gloves
• Map
• Compass
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet Wipes
• Sunblock
• Bug Repellent
• Toilet Paper
• Cell phone with charger
• Shovel (managed to lose my shovel, so I bought a folding E-tool to replace it)

Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, Serrated Edge $44

• Ice Scrapper
• Tire inflator
• Emergency Flat Tire Repair
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Reflective vest
• Reflective triangle or road flares

I also included a Cold Steel Kukri machete and keep a can of Sabre Red OC spray on the driver's door storage compartment for quick access.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Black Friday Week: Deal Alert on Amazon

Some nice discounts and Deal of the Day in Amazon you may want check out. Stock runs out pretty fast and there's more deals showing up so look around. If there's something you like, grab it while you can.

Gooloo 800A Peak 18000mAh Car Jump Starter (Up to 7.0L Gas or 5.5L Diesel Engine) Portable Power Pack Auto Battery Booster Phone Charger Built-in LED Light and Smart Protection  $52.49
Price is good? Check. Good reviews? Check. Good idea to keep one of these in your car, especially in colder climates.

Fairwin Tactical Belt, Military Style Webbing Riggers Web Belt with Heavy-Duty Quick-Release Metal Buckle $18.99

Tactical Riggers belt with Cobra belt similar to the one I wear every day. This is what you want in a gun belt for CCW and the price is great.

SureFire 6PX Series LED Flashlights $51.88

Surefire going for almost half the usual retail price.

LG Electronics OLED65C7P 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2017 Model) $2,696.99
I’d tell you how much I paid for this same TV just a few months ago… yeah, should have waited until Black Friday.
Anyway, 65” OLED from LG. I did a ton of research before buying and it's simply the best TV currently in the market. Doesn’t get any better and yes, it is awesome. Totally worth it if you can afford it.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Reality Check: 5 common problems in your survival Kits

I was recently asked about my car kit so I took the opportunity to go through it.
What I found brought me very little peace of mind, the opposite of what preparedness is supposed to do.
After several months of neglect, my car kit was a mess and a reality check is in order.
Here are five of the most common fails found in kits.

1)Water
I had used up most of the water in my car for different reasons and only had one 2 liter bottle left in it. Hardly enough for my family if stranded in summer out in the road.
Water is so important, you end up using it up often. The problem is that sometimes we forget to resupply what we use.

2)Expired Food
While water gets used up, with food the problem I often come across as years go by is that is simply expires. Some types of food and some packaging is better than others but it’s still important to check. I just threw away several energy bars that came in individual mylar pouches. Mylar works well but it isnt magic and food can still go bad in them. Check the expiration date and replace as needed. Its cheap enough insurance.

3)Clothes
Spare clothes for each family member are an important part of the kit. For me it has saved the day more than once.
The problem is, kids grow and clothes don’t fit them anymore. I just realized we need to replace the ones we have for some that actually fit if/when needed.

4)Medical supplies
Just like food, your meds expire too. Check those vehicle first aid kits and make sure they haven’t expired. This goes for other supplies that have an expiration date or other items that require regular check, such as batteries or your fire extinguisher. Make sure it still has enough pressure.

5)Missing stuff
Oh, it sure is useful to keep a kit with gear handy. Now, you need to make sure you return everything back to its place because if not you end up with a kit missing many vital components. I just checked and cant seem to find the small folding shovel in my car kit. Who knows where that thing is now? I’m sure there are other items missing too.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Two Cheap DIY knife sheaths: $0.99 and $9.99

The $9 Leather sheath: Quick, easy, and actually good!

So today I finally went for it and made a leather sheath for my Sykco Dog Soldier.
Making a leather sheath is something I’ve wanted to do for many years. Seemed simple enough yet when watching tutorials and looking at all the stuff needed for leather work, the techniques, time… it kind of gets overwhelming.
Well, today I just went for it. Did a sheath the most simple, straight forward way possible. I expected very little given the basic method and tools used yet I couldn’t be happier with the results. Yes, I bought a cheap leather tool kit but didn’t use any of it, other than some of the waxed thread.
All you really need for this project is some thick leather, 2 or 3mm thick. I got some buffalo leather. It was 9 bucks shipped and the colour was pretty :-) .
Keep in mind this isnt by any stretch of the imagination the correct way of doing this. Its more of a redneck/ Jerry-rigged approach to it.

1)You should make a paper template although to be honest I didn’t bother and marked on the piece of leather the shape of the blade. Buy one that is at least 4 cm wider than the knife itself. Mark up to what point you want the sheath to cover the blade and where you want the belt loop to end up. I just did the best I could with the piece of leather I had, given that I use rather wide, riggers shooting belts daily in my pants. Leave about 5mm for the welt, meaning the piece of leather that goes between the two layers.

2)With the knife wrapped in plastic film, I placed the other piece of leather under the faucet and got it soaking wet. Once softened I placed it on top of the knife and moulded it with my fingers and using a spoon to mark the curvature of the grip. I gave it about 10mm overlapping the grip, over the choil and the finger guard so as to hold the knife in place. This would save me from having to use any snap buttons which I didn’t have.  I also placed a hair dryer and left it pointing towards the formed leather for it to dry up and harden.

3) On the bottom leather piece, the one I draw the shape of the blade, I soaked a bit the top section of leather that folds to form the belt loop and kept it down in place with a couple clips. I also used some sand paper on the section I would later glue and sew, so that the leather glue got a better grip on the surface. Once glued I kept it in place for a few minutes until it dried, then used an electric drill to drill a few holes with the smallest drill bit I had. I didn’t use any fancy stitches, just made an eight figure knot to keep the end of the thread in place, passed the thread to the end and then back on the same holes. I know this isnt the way you’re supposed to do it but oh well.

4)Now that I had my belt loop ready, I glued the welt to the bottom piece (sandpaper on the area before the glue), then glued the top one with the knife form on top of it and kept the three players in place with several clips. Before gluing check if the knife fits just keeping the pieces in place with the clips. This should give you somewhat of an idea of how it fits. Once glued and with the clips keeping everything in place I let it try for another 15 minutes or so.

5)Now I drill the holes along the edges, leaving a drain hole at the bottom of the sheath. I measure four lengths of thread per side of the sheath and sew all the way, then back the other way using the same holes. You’re supposed to use a technique using two needles but I just did it this way making sure everything was nice and tight. When I was done I hammered the thread to flatten the stitches.

6) I used a Dremel to sand down the sides, then using the hair dryer and some beeswax I worked the sides of the sheath, rolling a wooden handle to even and flatten the sides of the leather sheath. The wax presses and flattens the leather, keeping it from coming apart.
And that’s it. Not the best most sophisticated way of making a leather sheath but its cheap and relatively fast. Give it a try!
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

More questions about Bitcoin

Message:
Hello, Fernando. I was wondering more & more about Bitcoin, but I can't find too much clear information about it- everything starts in the middle & doesn't seem too concerned about telling you how not to get snagged-up with it (ex: looking like a drug dealer or a money launderer). Would you people tell me some more about it? I would hate to miss a good investment, but I don't even get how it IS an investment- it doesn't seem like there's any company that distributes it, so how can there be any stock? And why not just make your own?
A-

Hello A,
Again, I’m no Bitcoin expert by any stretch of the imagination but I’ll try to answer some of your questions.

Bitcoin is a currency, a virtual one at that but some Bitcoin does not make you a drug dealer any more than having a roll of 20s in your pocket makes you one. Don’t let the mainstream media agenda intended to stigmatize Bitcoin get to you. In any case, ALL large financial groups are into Bitcoin at this point, so don’t feel bad about doing it yourself.
Second, it is not an investment. Investments generate profit. Buying Bitcoin will only get you… Bitcoin. Like gold, it can go up or down and you selling at the right time may leave you with a profit but it’s a currency, not an investment.

Finally, you CAN make your own. You can mine Bitcoin with your computer. The problem is that by its own nature Bitcoin is HARD to mine, meaning you need a lot of computer power to mine it so that its profitable and compensates the electric power you are using to generate it. People used to buy mining computers to mine Bitcoin and many still do. How profitable it is today is hard to say. All I know is that you need some initial investment for the mining computers and electric power better be rather affordable where you are.

As I said before, I think Bitcoin is extremely interesting but it’s not on the same line as gold and silver, which have been around for thousands of years. Can it be the gold of the future generation? Maybe, but don’t put into it anything you can’t afford to lose. That would be my advice.
As for buying Bitcoins, I suggest you do a lot of google and reading first. Chances are you’ll end up in Coinbase or maybe Localbitcoins. No, I don’t have any association of any kind with either one, they are just some of the most common names that pop up.
Good luck!
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Manuals for Every Firearm

Steve’s pages is famous but well worth remembering. A ton of good info, gun manuals but also many manuals for optics.

http://stevespages.com/page7b.htm

Download any manuals you may be missing for some of the guns you own.

FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Where to buy Bitcoin?

Ferfal,
I just saw your bitcoin article and have been looking into it.  Can you explain who exactly you use to set this up/the easiest process as it seems to be sort of complicated for the average guy.  I assume I open an account with a bitcoin broker, link a normal bank account, buy bitcoin, and hold in their "wallet".  Is there a company you use/recommend?
A-

.
Let me say this first, I’m no Bitcoin expert.
I understand enough to believe it has potential, maybe even great potential, but please by all means do a lot of research and make up your own opinion. Wikipedia is actually a good place to start. Google it and read up some of the many good articles out there about Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies in general.
Long story short for those looking for a straight answer would be that after looking up and checking safe places to buy, in general they will point towards Coinbase as one of the most reputable places to buy and keep an account in. Again, I’m no expert. I’m not affiliated in any way to that site and it’s not the only place for buying Bitcoin. Remember, only spend what you can afford to lose.
Good luck!
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Survival Finances: So, did you buy Bitcoin when I told you to do so?

No? That’s ok. There’s still time.

I try to be very careful with my advice. You don’t see me telling people to run for the hills (or relocate to areas where a real estate broker friend of mine will sell you property and giving me a cut) When I firmly recommend a product, it’s because I truly believe it’s worth it.
Now from a practical survival perspective, Bitcoin is a powerful tool. Not in theory, not in the future. Today, bitcoin is used in places like Venezuela, where the entire society has basically collapsed into a nightmare of inflation, crime and corruption, ran by a dictator. If in that environment people find Bitcoin useful, then its empirical information, not theory.

I like empirical. Its not supposing, guesses or assumptions, it’s observation of facts.
A few weeks ago I did that thing I rarely do and gave actual financial advice by saying “some precious metals, investing in reliable stocks, investing in good real estate. And yes, putting some money in Bitcoin.” If you did put a few bucks in that Bitcoin basket back then, Bitcoin was around $3.400… Today its worth  $7.300.

As I said back then. Bitcoin is just one more tool to work with, but it may well be a game changing tool if it fulfils its prophecy as the global currency of the internet era. If it becomes that, if it becomes the gold of the digital era then the sky is the limit.

Or not. Don’t spend (like Gold, Bitcoin isnt an investment) more than you can afford to lose.
I like to see Bitcoin going up but to be honest I’m betting on it for the long run. Some people sold thinking that it peaked at $1000, then at $2000, Then $3000 and so on.  Like precious metals, but it and store it for that rainy day.

My advice remains. When funds allow it, buy a bit of precious metal here and there, same for some actual cash for a rainy day because cash is still king, and also put some in Bitcoin every now and then.
Enjoy the weekend folks.
FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”