Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #181
Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #181. Thanks so much for stopping in to spend time with us at Hope for Survival. It is great seeing so many new readers popping up during the week from west and east coast states.
Seems September 24 is getting lots of attention this week. Stay focused and left of bang. Many are spouting thoughts on potential events to occur. No one knows what could come next and it is all speculation. Remember, you can't change events, but you can remain focused on how events will impact you locally. One big event taking place frequently is the activity taking place around the sun and the solar flares occurring. This could potentially create a coronal mass ejection event. Ask yourself, if a CME occurs and it fries the electric grid, are you ready? This could create an event setting us back to a pre-1800 scenario. Are you ready?
Wow, we are living through the first week in autumn, 2022. Time is passing so quickly. It won't be long till Christmas. Maybe about 96 or so days remaining? Have you put your preparedness list together to share as your gift wishes? Or, maybe you can consider preparedness gifts for others? Water filters? Food buckets? Fire starters? Preparedness books? If you need suggestions drop me a email. Consider the Hope for Survival bundle where you get both of my books and the HFS Digital Stick for $50. That is a $10 savings.
It was another crazy week but exciting and filled with blessings. It is amazing how positive and productive life can be when surrounded by positive and motivated people. I got to have lots of time with likeminded HFS Patriots this week here in my local area so I'm jacked up and anyone who didn't know would believe I'm consuming lots of sugar and caffeine.
On short notice, Author John Dyslin was in East TN for multiple reasons, and we had the opportunity connect, share lunch and conversation on some ongoing projects. Even though time passed quickly, we did get some additional plans in place for the autumn season.
These are exciting times indeed.
By the way, if you haven't purchased a copy of John's outstanding book titled Nehemiah Strong - Life Sustaining Essentials for a Season of Trial, you can still get a 10% discount until midnight on September 30 using discount code HFS1. www.johndyslin.com
John's book is a battle book and a must have for Patriots and Christians living through current times.
HFS 3rd Annual Autumn Rally in Waynesville, NC - November 5, 2022 - More information will be posted on this event in the future.
LOCALIZED TRAINING -
Madison County, AL - CERT Training Opportunity
As the new Vice President of Madison County CERT I want to thank you for your interest!
If we have enough people to sign up, we are looking at setting up a training class for the fall.
The course is twice a week for a total of 8 classes from 6:00 – 8:30.
This training class schedule is as follows:
Oct 4, 6 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Oct 11, 13 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Oct 18, 20 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Oct 25, 26 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Class time: 6:00p – 8:30p
Class location: 320 Fountain Circle. This is downtown Huntsville near Big Spring Park.
You will receive additional details if you are able to attend.
You must attend all classes to graduate and receive your CERT certification.
CERT is an important way to give back to your community. By completing this course, you will have skills and knowledge that could be lifesaving in the event of an emergency.
After receiving your certification, you may also want to use your training to help the community by joining Madison County CERT as an active member.
If you are interested in attending this course, please email your interest to: classes@madisoncountycert.org
Regional Training - Skinny Medic
Trauma Class Oct 8 - Easly SC - Skinny Medic Trauma Class Oct 8th | Medical Gear Outfitters
Trauma Class Nov 19 - Easly SC - Skinny Medic Trauma Class Nov 19 | Medical Gear Outfitters
Regional Training - Fruit Tree Series - Univ Tennessee Extension - East TN -(Greene County) - Small Fruit and Home Orchard (google.com)
HFS Thursday Zoom - There was no event this week
Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:
Facebook – Hope for Survival
YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival
MeWe: - //mewe.com/p/hopeforsurvival2
Odysee - Hope for Survival (odysee.com)
Parler - Preparedness101
Check out the HFS YouTube video at the following link. Hope For Survival - YouTube The latest YouTube video posted was Sept 20, 2022, titled Preparedness - Theory vs Reality can be found at this link https://youtu.be/nuXZy0_a8UU This is a video of my presentation to the North Alabama Prepper Network (NARPNet) in Huntsville, AL on Sept 10, 2022. Thanks to the host and NARPNet for the invitation to speak to their group. It was fun to be back in Huntsville again where it all started out in 2012 ish.
Connect and give me a shout. Hit subscribe and share with family and friends.
Guest and Newcomers
If you are a guest or newcomer to the HFS journey, please check out this link for additional
information offered through HFS. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/post/guest-and-newcomers-information-page
Hope for Survival books and HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents -: You can obtain information on the two HFS books at this link: Survival, Preparedness, Disaster Management for individuals or family (hopeforsurvival.com)
Hope for Survival - How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life (Book 1)
Hope for Survival - The Mindset (Book 2)
HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents - We just restocked the HFS Thumb drive and have them available now. Follow this link and you will see the add at the top of the page. Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com)
We must make this brief public announcement to protect the innocent.
Ding, Ding, Ding....Attention HFS readers..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site is not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. I do my best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. I take as many precautions as possible and try to remain as nonpolitical as possible, however, there are times when I just can't help but point certain things out. Occasionally I use words only Patriots recognize and understand. It's not personal against any non-Patriot. It's just the truth. Sometimes we must pull up our spenders and suck it up. Just saying. Stay the course, read what you want, and avoid the rest. Avoid fear porn as much as possible and the day will be okay. When all else fails… Keep the faith and always have Hope.
Let’s move along and get to some thoughts...
Thoughts for the week -
Coincidence? - I think not.
Over the past ten days I have been in two church settings in two different states (Alabama and Tennessee) and listened to the message delivered from the church. The first opportunity heard a pastor who is typically reserved on speaking on what is taking place outside the church doors and he voiced concern and alerted church members they needed to become alert and pay closer attention to ongoing events. Later in the morning the life group leader spoke on Amos, Chapter 4. A week later I was attending a revival at a Tennessee church hosting well known evangelist from Atlanta who shared that the current condition in America could be compared to a deadly disease in stage 4. He then preceded to speak on Amos, Chapter 4. He read a long list of yearly qualifiers from 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, where each year set records for natural disasters and events taking place. Fires, earthquakes, floods, droughts, plague, and so forth. He added crime rates, economics, unemployment, unethical acts or crimes against humanity. For anyone not paying attention prior to hearing the statistics, they would probably be alarmed.
What does the book of Amos Chapter 4 say?
4 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
2 The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
3 And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the Lord.
4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God.
6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.
While I continue to come here weekly for 181 weeks to sound the alarm to wake sisters and brothers up to events occurring around them, many remain asleep and often refuse to listen or take steps to be prepared for what appears to be coming to us. While many continue preaching global warming as the cause for these unpredictable weather patterns and events, very few will speak out as individuals and people of faith to what scripture says.
For those who may be new Christians and others who may have forgotten, I would encourage you to travel back in time and think of the Civil War, WWs I and II, and the great depression, and think about the role the church played in helping and keeping many homes and communities fed and functioning. Town mayors would consult with church leadership before making decisions. Schools would include the church in operations and directions of education for our children. We could spend hours on this topic, couldn't we?
We have traveled to the moon and back, fought in wars around the world, and advanced laser technology from the operating room to space warfare. Along this journey our moral guardrails got removed, the home has collapsed, and our children are committing crimes unheard of in our lifetime. Poll and studies over the past years show many of our church leaders are doing it for a job and don't believe in the Bible. Christians are leaving churches across America and starting in home groups because they believe many churches are now buffet style facilities no longer preaching the word of God and catering to the masses for business and political reasons. It is believed churches no longer cater to the congregation and instead to powers and voices outside the church. They don't want to offend voices outside the walls of the church. True?
At the start of the coronavirus in late 2019, churches responded by closing their doors at the governments calling to protect their flocks. Some churches continue to have in place Covid-19 protocols. Yes, many got sick, and many died from the dreaded virus. People got arrested for parking in their church parking lots and listened to Sunday services in a drive-in movie atmosphere while others stood in the pulpit and got marched out by local police authorities in handcuffs. Choirs sang with face diapers covering their mouths, not realizing breathing into the mask created a toxic inhalation to their lungs. Since when would a church close the doors to their flock over a debatable mandate from authorities. Many church members debated and argued against the closures and chastised their church leaders for closing the doors. Some even left their church and not returned.
There was a time when the church had the power to tell their local leadership they would not close the doors, yet we are now living in a period of history where the churches now answer to their local authorities and leadership out of fear to the wrath of the state and federal governments response with punishment and shut off of 501C3 funding. Who answers to who in this struggle for manly control without consideration to the word of God. We must ask and consider when did the church start fearing man more than God.
I think back to the Nazi's and how they told the Jewish people to get on the trains by the millions, that they would be taken to a place offering a better life. They did and history tells us the outcome of that period of history. More recently the church was told to close, and everyone should stay at home wearing face diapers under the control of man. Control and fear had replaced sound leadership from the churches. Now to be fair, many church leaders sought council from their elders and legal voices before making the decision to close. In the current world of liability and lawsuits, many who criticized would likely make the same decision if placed in the leadership position.
It is no secret the Bible and Constitution are major hurdles for a political party to overcome for complete control. Current day the main resistance are these two documents and those who follow same. Many are followers of one, the other, or both. Statements in the past identifies removing the Constitution and/or Bible is a must to proceed forward in the United States and many locations around the world. Locking down the world and closing churches was a great test to how easy it would be in the future to order and control leadership of many churches.
While history was written since the fall of 2019, disasters continued around the world and specifically in America, the writings of Amos Chapter 4 remained as originally documented over a couple thousand years. Is it just a coincidence? I don't think so.
Has the time arrived for Christians who remained locked in their minds and homes and remain silent step out now and voice their beliefs and unhappiness with the current state of affairs in many churches, towns, and nation? Behind the doors and walls of protection and amongst friends many will say yes, the time has arrived. My question is, how many will open the door and step out of their comfort zone to voice what has been missing over the past many years.
For believers and nonbelievers who voice their concerns over the state of our nation, we all can probably agree our nation had far fewer problems when the church had a voice, prayer was in schools, and current day million-dollar athletes made far less and stood taller and prouder for the national anthem of our great nation. The church has bowed to man and history shows how the moral decay started and continues to date.
Evil will continue while all along the scripture was before us to follow and honor over the choices of man. It was a personal choice of many that led us to this point in time and only we, the people of the church, through repentance first, can step out and turn this path around. Is it a coincidence I heard Amos Chapter 4 twice in less than ten days? I think not. The question remains, who and how many will open their doors and step out. Time will tell.
Should we throw in some Revelations 17:17 at this point? Maybe? "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."
Again, what does it take to get our attention?
Next .....
Water - Why worry about water when everyone has it daily, right?
Let us play pretend again......
The storm approached with warning and the populace ignored the warnings from local leadership. The winds picked up and the rain fell like sheets in the wind. Hour by hour the accumulation grew and before long over one foot of water ravaged the area. Many didn't worry because they lived above potential flood zones. While the local news broadcasted the flooded region and homes washed away in clear view, The damage was apparent, and many felt thankful they lived above the damaged and washed away properties. The worst was over and in time things would be back to normal. Or would it?
Within 24 hours, rainwater drainage flowed off the mountains and hills causing higher water levels and clogged drainage paths. By noon on day two, the tap water was brown, and sewer was backing up in bathtubs and shower floors. A public announcement was made to the community to not use the city water because damage had occurred, and several water pipes had been broken during erosion and flowing debris in streams and creeks. Shortly after, another announcement was made stating the city could not procure needed parts immediately and it would take at least seven to ten days. The rain continued to fall, and the water levels increased breaking local records. Roads and passageways closed, and normal traffic flow decreased to a stop. Citizens are now stranded at home and survival was dependent upon what they had on hand. No additional food, no water, and no septic in their homes. Now what?
This is a basic natural disaster scenario most likely to occur for many. Could you survive with what you have at this moment? Most cannot and will not. Most citizens are nonresponsive and only think to respond when directed to do so by authorities. Ninety percent of the nation live day to day and rarely change their routines. Same routes, same shopping needs, and minimal thinking ahead or outside the box. When they decide to think and act, they are like ants flocking to sugar on the kitchen counter. Don't be the ant.
Or,
Crime continued increasing locally and nationally at an alarming pace and rate. Tensions in your community escalated by citizens when it appeared leadership was doing nothing to stop the crime or protect the citizens. Looting, fires, car jackings, and attacks against anyone caught in and around the community to the point many refused to travel throughout the community. Some citizens started carrying firearms in the open and tensions escalated further. Local leadership demanded citizens stop carrying firearms to threaten those committing crime. Local criminals started posting pictures and addresses of local elected official, the police chief, fire chief, and all supporting employees to these departments. The governor was discussing deployment of the national guard in 25 surrounding counties as tensions reached the highest level to date. Things culminated when local gangs started stopping school busses to rob children of their possessions. Parents took matters into their own hands.
The local major put out an emergency broadcast locking down everyone to their homes and to stay off the roads. With the exception of local water treatment facilities, city employees could no longer go to work until further notice. After three days the water stopped running from faucets and toilets no longer flushed. Workers decided it was more important to stay home and protect their families. Neighbors stepped out and started stopping cars entering their streets, looters and rioters attempted to march not only in towns but also through residential areas. As issues mounted and it appeared things had grown to the point of a community without rule of law, each home and neighborhood would have to survive on their own until further notice.
Just when it appeared it couldn't get any worse, the local 911 center stopped accepting calls and the local hospital announced the hospital was locked down and would not respond by ambulance due to crime and attacks against ambulances and hospital workers in the parking lot. It was total chaos in less than 72 hours. No food supplies, no water, no septic, and the news continued to get worse. You are now on your own. Will you survive?
Wait, this is America. Things like this can't occur because the governments of the local, state, and federal level will always respond. They always do, right?
Hey, you over in the corner laughing. what's up your sleeve? You think just because you have a drilled water well you are not vulnerable to losing ability to fetch water from your well? What if you lose power? What if your pump tanks and you have no backup plan? What if your backup plan uses solar to power a backup pump and lightning strikes and not only fries your utility box that powers your main pump, but also fries your ungrounded solar setup. You leaned forward to have a backup plan and in one natural event you now have no plan. Now what? No water and no ability to pull well water for your family, your animals, or your garden. This is critical don't you think? What is your plan now?
One of our HFS Patriots from Western NC sent this video in overnight and it applies to this situation. Homebuilt manual water system. Perfect. This will resolve the issue of having no power to extract your water. Check this out.
There are many scenarios to be written to take away your food, water, septic, and nice things we are spoiled with in life. This is America. Land of the free, and home of the dependent on others.
You must have water to survive. You need water more than food. Fact.
(The following information on water is taken from Book 1 - Hope for Survival - How Water, Food, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life)
Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, or hurricanes may damage water sources and render water mains or water sources unusable. At this point, your water source may be contaminated or unavailable. Now what? What will you do if you have water, but a boil order is put in place, and you do not have electricity to boil the water as required? Maybe you live in an apartment and are prohibited from building a fire to boil the water. What will you do? Do you have a water filtration system such as a Berkey? Or bleach? Worse case do you have the supplies and ability to build your own water filtration system with buckets, rocks, sand, and cloth? Remember, self-reliance is the goal. If you still aren’t convinced, research and read about the illnesses and pandemics that can occur from contaminated water. Now you not only need clean water, but you also need a doctor and medication to treat the symptoms of the waterborne illness.
Government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross recommend suggested water amounts to have available at all times in case of a disaster. Did you know the average human requires roughly 1055 gallons of water per year? You can search and cross check the numerous recommendations. In short, it is recommended you have one gallon of water per person in your household stored and ready for use. Now, a gallon a day is for basic use, not showers, laundry or pets. It is suggested you have a minimum of two weeks of water stored for potential emergencies or disasters. Personally, I would have 30 days of water available and continue to work towards a larger amount collected. There are numerous ways to collect and store water depending on your available storage space. Remember, as a last resort and if time allows, fill the bathtub, sink, pots, or whatever else is suitable with water. A hot water heater also holds roughly 30 plus gallons of water. So, when doing your water plan, consider how much water can you store, how will you store it, where will you store it, how will you filter it and where will the water come from when you run out. Never store your water in the heat or sunlight. Also never use your water after roughly six months without a treatment to the water. Just because it looks clean, it can still make you sick. What is your plan?
One option is to have some large plastic containers or barrels for water storage. Often these are available locally for very little money and just need cleaned out with bleach and water. Prices vary on barrels, but you can sometimes locate used olive or pickle barrels from local restaurants. Clean them and use for water collection and storage. If you have a larger area to store the tank and water collection, obtain a larger 275- or 330-gallon tote container from a barrel store or local farmer who hasn’t used it for farm chemicals. These are the large white containers normally housed inside what appears to be a silver metal cage. These work great for rain collection systems. The larger water collection container would be too big for an apartment however a smaller 55-gallon or 30-gallon container would work. Decorate it as a table and most people will not even notice it. It may be handy to have a smaller water container to keep around your kitchen area or laundry room. Consider storing filtered water in the smaller container. Your choice. You can obtain 5, 10, 15, 20, and 22-gallon plastic containers. However, once filled with water the weight could make it impossible to move. Also consider how you will get the water from the container once filled. Does the container have a spigot to drain the water? If not, you may wish to obtain one beforehand. Remember, water doesn’t stay clean for long periods of time. Know your water source and how and when to purify it.
Filtering your water
Every water plan will be different simply because of space, storage capabilities, water sources, and availability to filter the water. Your water may be clean and pure to the human eye, but could be contaminated with E. Coli, cryptosporidium, and other contaminates. As previously discussed, you must filter the water effectively or you will have another huge problem on your hands. Sickness. We use a Berkey filtration system in our home as a backup to our installed water filtration system when the water comes into our home. Another excellent water system is the Katadyn Drip Filter system. Like the Berkey, the Katadyn system is a countertop system. Both the Berkey and Katadyn systems use internal charcoal filters. Aside from the countertop system, these companies offer other types of filtration devices from mobile hiking bottles to filtration systems one keeps in their auto. I keep a filtration survival straw in each ready bag and in each glove box in the vehicles.
There are no words I can write to stress the importance of clean water availability. People often confuse the importance of food over water. How you consume food when you have no water could be the death of you or a loved one. Drinking bad water will bring you to your knees if you are lucky because I have witnessed the human impact on those who fail to follow instructions and drink bad water.
When thinking about the importance of clean water and trusting your source, I often think back to my former life in the military. At one period I was working as a Security Advisor to Air Force Special Operations supporting U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR), and my job was to be responsible for all facets of security and Force Protection. On this particular mission to Dakar, Senegal, the pre-brief advised our forces to not drink the water or eat any raw fruit. One evening we gathered around the dinner table to discuss the day with key components of our team (Finance, Communications, Medical, and Operations). As we started looking at the menu, I noticed one of our team members lay his menu down and grab his stomach. His head raised and his eyes were as wide as saucers. As he darted up from his chair and turned to depart, he said over his shoulder “I have to leave, and I probably won’t be back.” Everyone looked around to our departing member and wondered what was going on. Then we realized he fled to the bathroom upstairs in his room. I asked the other members if they knew where our member had been that day. One member told me they had been assessing the local market, and the member in question consumed a mango. Light bulb went off in our heads, and we knew the problem. Our member, against pre-deployment guidance, had consumed local fruit without washing it in clean water. The fruit had been cleansed with local water, and thus the problem for our member started. Sadly, our member was out of commission for several days and could not leave the vicinity of the bathroom for about 48 hours. Our team medic treated him and got his health back to normal, however, we lost a key member of our deployment team for failing to follow instructions. He was so sick he laid in the bathtub for the first 24 hours. Do not drink questionable water!
During the same trip, we stopped at a local corner market. To most it appeared we intended to shop, however, we performed a basic assessment of what was available in the store and the clientele. This store was within walking distance to our lodging facility. Often our troops would stop by a local store to grab some basics before heading to the airport or upon returning to the lodging facility for the evening. So, it was important to assess the location. We always deployed with pallets of bottled water, but sometimes our people would forget to restock and grab water off the shelf. In this case, one of the things we discovered was dirty plastic bottles outside the rear of the store, dirty wire brushes, and a water hose. Get the picture? They swabbed the bottle making it appear clean, then refilled it from the water hose, shelved it, and sold it. The cap seals around the top of the bottles had been broken. Your efforts to be observant to your environment are critical. Could this happen in in America? Absolutely.
As much as food is needed, consuming certain foods when you are dehydrated and exerting yourself could be your downfall. Equally, certain foods will dehydrate your body. A human can go more than a week without food, but only three days without water.
Your body is seventy-five percent water by weight. Our bodies require water for circulation and other bodily processes to include respiration and converting food to energy. Dehydration causes lethargy, headaches, dizziness, and confusion. If you are on foot or driving, you don’t want to be confused and dizzy or you could end up lost or dead. Drink small amounts of water regularly to prevent dehydration. If you are mobile on foot and suffer a shortage of water, move during the cool periods and rest during warm periods to slow dehydration. Also layer your clothing. When drinking, do so slow and with sips to maximize water intake.
You should be drinking 2 to 3 quarts of water daily. Be careful to monitor your water intake and your exertion level against your urine output. If you discharge brown or dark yellow urine, it is a diagnostic indicator of dehydration. When your water availability is minimal and impacts your intake, eat minimal food. Food consumption burns up your body’s supply of vital fluid faster.
Your ease to water access is dependent upon your prior planning, location, and situation. What do I mean? Just turn on the tap and the water flows, right? Not exactly. As situations elevate from day-to-day to Level 1 – 3, your ability to depend on public water services will likely fail, and quickly. Depending on the level of the event, you may wish to not use water from your faucet unless you can treat it.
Whether you are bugged in or bugged out will also provide some level of ability to have or not have instant access to water. What water sources are available to you? What is threat between you and the water? Can you obtain the water without risking your life? This is another area where prior planning for your water access could to some degree prolong your life.
To ensure you have the ability to treat unsanitary water you must have a method. Remember, one is none and two is one. Boiling, water purification tablets or drops, bleach, or a water purification system are a few of the easiest basic methods of cleaning your water. Do not drink unsanitary water or else you or family members will pay the price. You do not want yourself or a loved one battling a water borne illness during this period of tension. Like food, water storage can be a major problem in limited or elevated living conditions. If you are mobile, you can only carry limited water supplies so a water filtration bottle of sorts is a must. Include a survival straw that filters water as well as purification tablets and a small bottle of bleach as a backup plan. You may not be able to boil water because of security concerns so you better have the ability to filter it.
Ways for Water Purification
If possible, it is better to spend a little bit of time finding cleaner water sources (running water) than trying to purify a dirty one (stagnant water).
Basic Filtration: Filter murky or colored water through a clean cloth or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter.
Boiling: Surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which are frequently found in rivers and lakes. To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled. Water temperatures above 212 degrees F baseline will kill all pathogens within 30 minutes. Boiling only kills living contaminants like parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Chemical contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, toxins produced by rotting material, sewage, etc.) will not be affected.
Chemicals: Certain chemicals will kill most harmful or disease-causing organisms. Chlorine (in the form of unscented bleach) and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water. Use a non-scented, household chlorine bleach that contains a chlorine compound to disinfect water. Use 1/8 teaspoon or 8 drops per gallon of water. You can use tincture of iodine to disinfect filtered and settled water. Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water. For cloudy water, add ten drops of iodine and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.
Carbon Filters: Removes pesticides and chlorine and is inexpensive. Activated carbon filters are best suited for removing organic pollutants like insecticides, herbicides, and PCBs. Carbon filters also remove many industrial chemicals and chlorine. Activated carbon allows water to easily pass through an activated carbon filter which provides an almost unbelievably large surface area (125 acres per pound). Carbon filters will not remove most inorganic chemicals, dissolved heavy metals (like lead) or biological contaminants. It also will not remove bacteria. Carbon filters are not long-lasting.
Carbon filters provide a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. If water hasn’t been treated with chlorine, ozone, or some other bactericidal method before undergoing carbon filtration, any bacteria in the water will become trapped inside the filter and further contaminate the water that runs through it.
Ceramic Filters: Great against parasites and physical impurities and easy to clean. Rust, dirt, parasites, and other impurities can be easily removed from drinking water through the very fine pores in ceramic material. Ideal for travel and backpacking, since they can be repeatedly cleaned by simply scrubbing the outside of the ceramic material. Ineffective against organic pollutants and pesticides. The ceramic filter should be paired with the carbon filter.
Ultraviolent (UV) Light: This type of purification kills bacteria and viruses and certain chemicals are triggered which kill the organism. This makes it a very efficient method of destroying pathogens like E. coli and salmonella without having to add chemicals like chlorine. It is one of the few purification methods that gets out viruses, which is particularly important if you live in a rural community or have well water. It is not effective against all organisms and does not affect heavy metals or pesticides.
Copper-Zinc Systems: Effectively removes chlorine and heavy metals. It is sold under the name KDF and uses granules of copper and zinc alloy to purify water. Additional chemical reactions will take place which releases ozone and other compounds that kill bacteria and other organisms. This method is ineffective against pesticides and organic contaminants.
Reverse Osmosis: This method is highly effective against metals, bacteria, viruses, organisms, and organic and inorganic chemicals. It is a process where water is forced through a semipermeable synthetic membrane. It was originally used to transform saltwater into freshwater. Under the right conditions one can remove anywhere from 90% to 98% of heavy metals, viruses, bacteria and other organisms, and organic and inorganic chemicals. The cons to this method is that it wastes lots of water and the synthetic membrane degrades when exposed to chloride and physical contaminants. Most systems can breed bacteria which requires a carbon filter in between RO treatment and storage and does not work well with hard water.
Distillation: When used correctly, distillation provides the purest and safest water available. There are critics of distillation, but many believe this to be the very best way to go when it comes to all-around water purification. Water is heated until it boils and turns to steam. The boiling action kills the various bacteria and other pathogens and as the steam rises it leaves behind waste material, minerals, heavy metals, and other heavier contaminants. The steam is then cooled and returns to water.
Ten Water-related Diseases and Contaminants in Public Water:
1. Giardia – Causes diarrheal illness – infected feces 2. Legionella – Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac Fever – Pneumonia (Lung Infection)
3. Norovirus – Contagious. Infected people, food or water, or by touching contaminated surface. Stomach and intestines inflamed with severe stomach pain
4. Shigella – Causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. A person can pass virus to others without showing symptoms
5. Camplylobacter – Diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever. Bloody stool with vomiting and nausea. Can spread to blood stream and cause life-threatening infection 6. Copper – Low levels essential for good health. High levels can cause harmful effects such as irritation of the nose, mouth, and eyes
7. Salmonella – Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Lasts 4 to 7 days
8. Hepatitis A – Transmitted by the fecal-oral route, either through person-to-person contact or consumption of contaminated food or water
9. Cryptosporidium – Diarrheal disease. Infects animals and humans. Can survive outside the shell and on the surface for long periods of time. Can be tolerant to chlorine disinfection. Mostly spreads through water (drinking and recreational). Leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the U.S. 10. E.Coli – Bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. Most strains harmless, but others can make you sick. Can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, and pneumonia
NOTE: Do not drink vine water if milky, sticky, or bitter tasting
So, here are some basic thoughts and things to stock your home with while you build your food and water plan:
1. Immediately you need water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. How much? The estimate is roughly 1150 gallons of water, per person, per year or 2.9 gallons per day.
2. For food that is shelf stable, buy a minimum 30-day supply or more. Think protein and nutrition. If you plan to buy a dehydrated type survival kit, you need to augment your meals with either some type of canned vegetables and canned meat (tuna, chicken, turkey) that can be purchased at most box stores such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Costco and others. Remember, dehydrated food will require water to rehydrate.
3. A way to cook and heat water when there's no power. Fire, propane, gas, and solar.
4. Lighting that doesn’t depend on electricity. Solar, battery, or fire
5. Alternative sanitation facilities (CRITICAL). Consider five-gallon buckets with attached toilet lids, bags of cat litter, and collected small plastic bags. Do not ignore this step. Lack of acceptable hygiene and/or sanitation will make you sick and potentially kill you.
6. First Aid supplies. Has one or more of your family members attended a basic first aid class?
7. Basic tools for repair and rescue
8. Extra warmth. Purchasing and stocking extra seasonal clothing can be inexpensive. Consider shopping at your local Goodwill, thrift shops, garage sales, or Habitat for Humanity stores
9. Emergency shelter. At a minimum you should purchase several mylar emergency blankets.
10. Protection against viruses, looters, and other threats. Monitor local and regional news for types of threats possibly impacting you and your family.
Until next week, be at peace and know each of us can make tomorrow a better day for someone else.
And that's my thoughts for the week....
Preparedness News –
1. From Guest Contributor - The Prepper Journal - Tertiary Prepper Skills – Reconnaissance - The Prepper Journal - Reconnaissance is another overlooked required skill to effectively protect your five-mile radius. Just remember, just because you are sneaking to see them doesn't mean they aren't already watching you. Pick and choose wisely.
2. From Prep School Daily - Prep School Daily: Two DIY Tests for Food Allergies During TEOTWAWKI - This is good information. Maybe check out some essential oils, medicinal plants and local remedies to stock and keep available.
3. From Tom Marlowe - Survival Sullivan - 19 Bugging Out Survival Downloads for Your Survival Library (survivalsullivan.com) - Here's some great information one should consider at least reading and possibly printing out the information for your paper library.
4. From Kristen Bradley - Milkwood - Pickled Mushroom Recipes: Probiotic + Lacto-Fermented - Milkwood - For those interested, here's some good information for pickling mushrooms. I know some of our Patriots in Western NC do a lot with mushrooms.
5. From Laurie Neverman - The Common Sense Home - How to Store Potatoes Long Term (commonsensehome.com) - This is a need that folks must adjust to based on their living location and available capabilities. A person on the 5th floor apartment building will have to adjust differently than Farmer Walrus over in rural Arkansas. Adapt and adjust. Can you do it?
Other News -
1. From Sons of Liberty - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8fpg4-12c5837 - Tim Ryan Calls To Kill Conservatives, DHS Labels ’Domestic Extremists’ an Enemy on 9/11
2. From Paul Dragu - The New American - Glenn Beck Withdraws Support for a Modern-day Constitutional Convention - The New American - Interesting take from Beck's position.
3. From Carlos Garcia - Conservative Review - Ron DeSantis issues scathing response to Democrat accusing him of human trafficking - Conservative Review - Is DeSantis the man? Could he be the next Donald?
4. From Robert Spencer - Front Page Magazine - The Defense Department Has a ‘Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.’ Here’s Why She Hates You. | Frontpage Mag - How on earth did things get so jacked up so fast?
5. From Haley Strack - The Federalist - National Archives Slaps 'Harmful Content' Warning On Constitution (thefederalist.com) - I believe the title of the article says it all. Fellow Patriots, we are labeled by our own government as a threat to our future. I will simply ask, "if we are so bad and our nation was built by strong labor, Sunday church, and waving our flag, then over the past 100 years why did so many non-citizens travel from around the world to America to become part of our journey?
Drum roll...........
That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.
Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. We pray for good health and wisdom. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. May your faith remain strong and answers to the unknown provided. God is good and may our prayers blanket and protect you and your circumstances. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots.
May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world. We must continually pray for the unsaved, our family and friends who live each day without the protection for eternal life and salvation.
Please remember our Patriot brother in Western NC in his recovery from heart procedures this week. Praise to God he is home and in good spirits. Prayers to his dear wife as well. This has been a trying ordeal. Please pray for our Patriot sister in Western NC as she continues her struggle with vertigo. Please lift her up in prayer. We pray for our Patriot brother in Northern Alabama in his ongoing health ordeal. May you all be lifted in prayer and spirit in the days ahead. Get well soon.
As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community, and nation need us now more than ever. Stay focused on your local community and things that will impact you around the nation. Don't allow the events around you to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on faith and hope. Remember we are a blessed nation, and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging.
Blessings,
Bravo Echo Out,
Preparedness101@protonmail.com
