Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #217. Welcome to June 2023. Can you believe it? Blink and the year is half over. Do you ever conduct self-evaluations on yourself quarterly or maybe semiannually? Is that good or bad to do? Hey, I want to shout out a big HFS "thank you" for all the readers last week. You set the record for the most readers in a single week. We appreciate it.
This was a really short week on this end. Ms. Lucy and I took a week off and had multiple things to accomplish in a busy week in VA and WV. We did manage a couple days semi off grid in southern WV with family. It may seem crazy or not fun in the world we live today but I must tell you having minimal to no internet or phone access was super. The only negative it makes for a very short week on this end to prepare this newsletter in 36 hours. Because last week's edition #216 was 30 minutes long to read, I'm going to keep this version lighter.
Part of the family time was visiting the grist mill at Babcock State Park. The HFS Book 1, How food, water, shelter, and security, could save your life, original cover was at this grist mill. You can see it below. The 1st 100 copies of the book shared a cover photo of the mill. After 100 copies we replaced the cover photo. This was our first visit back to the park and mill in 17 years. Not saying this because I grew up in WV, but it is a beautiful state with some very enjoyable parks and countryside.
Ms. Lucy and I also got engaged during a visit to this park years ago. So, this also made the return trip more special.
I will be on the road again most of next week but will do my best to post the weekly PENL on time next Friday.
Let us move along....
Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:
Facebook – Hope for Survival -Join us for daily posts on preparedness.
YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival
MeWe: - //mewe.com/p/hopeforsurvival2
Odysee - Hope for Survival (odysee.com)
HFS Thursday Zoom Session - No Zoom Rally this week.
Check out HFS YouTube. - The two newest HFS YouTube videos are:
- A chat from the garden on current events and having hope. He also shares a couple video clips from a recent trip to Southern, WV at Babcock State Park posted today, June 2, 2023.
- Bravo Echo shares thoughts about things occurring in America and around world. He also discusses the importance of building a community team. Check it out below. Posted May 25, 2023. Please helps us grow our YouTube channel.
If you have not, please consider subscribing to the HFS YouTube channel by hitting like and then subscribe. Connect and give me a shout. Again, hit subscribe and share with family and friends.
Upcoming Training Opportunities -
Heritage Life Skills - Lite July 21-23, 2023
- Haywood Community College - Hope for Survival will be teaming with Carolina Readiness Supply (CRS) to put this event together and offer some mid-summer preparedness training in Clyde, NC. You can find the class schedule below for two full days of training on many preparedness topics. Get your tickets at the following link. Heritage Life Skills 2023 Event – Carolina Readiness or call 828-456-5310
NOTE: We will soon be adding a block of classes for Friday, July 21, 2023 in the 5 - 630 pm slot. We will post these classes as soon as they are locked in. Please take a close look at the schedule below to note a couple class changes, primarily on Sunday afternoon.
- Project Appleseed - Project Appleseed | Project Appleseed (appleseedinfo.org) - This is a great program and opportunity to learn and spend time with a loved one, especially children. The link offers viewing for which states offering the Appleseed program. (Thanks Festus, for this submission)
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
The ship isn't coming - Have you ever watched movies about disasters or even the film footage of Hurricane Katrina, or maybe another disaster with flooding? You know, the one where ten people are trapped on a roof with ravaging waters rising and about to wash their home off its foundation? A helicopter flies over and drops a lifeline and they wave it away saying a boat is on its way. Yep, they drowned.
Same story, over and over again. Repeated mindsets of those dependent on something or someone else. How is that working out for everyone? How's it working out for our nation? We just added another $4 trillion to our debt. We have fewer people working to pay into taxes and retirements. The government gives massive tax breaks to big tech and large corporations. The middle class is crushed. We have seniors working at fast food places at 80 years of age. The good guys are being crippled while the moochers and takers are sucking the system dry. Our government grew another 40% in size since the start of Covid-19 in March of 2020. Roughly 70% of our college freshman read and write at the 7th grade level. Are you getting the picture here? To make matters worse, we are bringing in millions of non-English speaking illegals to add to the problem nationally. I'm not saying these people are bad. But, the national infrastructure can't support this ongoing problem and our grandchildren are suffering.
A few readers told me I was a bit hard on the reader last week for being so blunt. Was I blunt? I hope so. That was my goal. I know good people who are still on the roof waiting on the magic dust ferry to float by and roll out the floating red carpet to take them to their safe haven. Patriots, please, please, please...do not get on this boat with them or you will be doomed.
If you have been aboard from the beginning of this journey you would probably agree with me. No, I'm not being hard on anyone. If the truth hurts, then so be it. I could have laid more on ya but what is the point. Seriously. We are on the same team with the same desired goals and outcome. To survive, right? To keep our family alive.
Before moving on to our preparedness section for the week, I want you to imagine or think about something. Imagine something that wipes out all existing weapons systems delivery systems. Artificial Intelligence can already do so. Imagine a person taking a handheld device and swiping over your body from head to toe and then sending a script to a screen telling the operator everything you are thinking and where your loyalty is at. Imagine a world where man's thinking, and logic is no longer required because AI is controlling the world.
If you stop and realize how massive this coming movement is, you will probably scream and close your eyes in defeat. It is not impossible if you understand it and brace yourself for it. Each week seems to be ten new things on top of the rest.
Check out this video of the Cloward Piven strategy. "If it isn't broke, break it." https://madmaxworld.tv/watch?id=6468be7222e852671fc74c6e
As I wrote in last week's newsletter, I do believe without a doubt something evil is coming very soon and possibly in the next 30 days. I pray not but sometimes my gut talks to me and makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I will do my best to tell you something more soon, but in the meantime, let us move on to preparing, part 2.
Water - From Hope for Survival Book 1
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 back up to our installed water filtration system when the water comes in to our home. Another excellent water system is the Katadyn Drip Filter system. Like the Berkey, the Katadyn system is a counter top 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.
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.
Short Term Water Storage Solutions
(Bottled Water, Portable Water Jugs, Swimming Pool)
Mid + Long-Term Water Storage Solutions
(Creek, Stream, Lake, Pond and River)
Water Barrels Aqua Tank 100 Aqua Tank 300
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 infections.
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
Water Storage While Mobile
If you are away from home and your water filtration system, how will you filter water during an emergency? Every family vehicle should have a “Ready Bag” in the trunk or rear of the vehicle that includes a water filter of some type. Your choices are many and it depends on the size you want, the amount of money you want to spend, and if it will be used strictly around your car or possibly carried with a back pack when you go mobile on foot. Katadyn and Berkey makes portable filters that are lightweight and good for thousands of gallons of filtering, and they are the most field maintainable portable filters. As a last resort, your Ready Bag should include a package of Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification tablets. Worse case, if time permits, boil the water. You will need to know the estimated altitude you are at for the appropriate boiling times and boiling temperatures. Remember, you can go days without food, but an estimated three days maximum without water. If you don’t have water you should seriously consider cutting back on your food consumption. Your body has to work to digest food and this means you are internally dehydrating yourself.
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.
We will cover sheltering in next weeks PENL Edition # 218
Thats all Patriots...
Preparedness News -
1. From Bob Rogers - Preppers Will - How To Organize Your Community After The Apocalypse (prepperswill.com) - Plans, checklists, how are you doing things based on threats? Food, water, security, communications..... Organization will save you time and lives to boot.
2. From Katherine Paterson - Ask a Prepper -Deinfluencing You: 14 Items You Should Stop Stockpiling Right Now - Ask a Prepper - Interesting perspective and suggestion on things to stop stocking.
3. From Tom Marlowe - New Life on a Homestead - Pumpkin Growing Stages: What You Should Know (newlifeonahomestead.com) - Do you grow and use pumpkins around your place?
4. From Prep School Daily - Prep School Daily: The Medicinal Uses of Passionflower and Passion Fruit - More additional information to consider for your medicinal purposes.
5. From Linda Loosli - Food Storage Moms - A Prepper's Not-To-Do List - Food Storage Moms - I have to laugh at this because when most preparers are honest, they covertly tell you the other 1000 things they still need to do.
Other News -
1. From J.W. Rawles - Survival Blog - Skynet May Soon Not Be Fiction: The Coming AI Singularity. (survivalblog.com) - Outstanding article on AI and the future. This one is a time consumer to get through but worth the time to get educated. (Thanks, Festus, for this submission.)
2. From John Whitehead - The Rutherford Institute - The Rutherford Institute :: Conspirators for the Constitution: When Anti-Government Speech Becomes Sedition | By John & Nisha Whitehead - This is a great read. If you haven't been following how fast and damaging the anti-government speech will be, you are going to be shocked, and it's getting worse. (Thanks, Festus, for this submission)
3. From Revolver News - Most important story in America: climate zealots try to confiscate South Dakota family farm... - Revolver News - If you haven't been following this story in South Dakota you may want to catch up because this is likely coming to a community near you. Imagine getting arrested on your own farm because you denied others to enter your land to survey it, not at your request.
4. From Alex Nitzberg - Blaze Media - Mike Pence will reportedly launch presidential bid next week, and two other Republicans are also expected to announce - Conservative Review - Say it isn't so.....and I was a big MP fan 20 years ago. Yikes.
5. From Tristan Justice - The Federalist - Federal Government Paid To Study Cats On Russian Treadmills (thefederalist.com) - Are you like me? Yea, nothing surprises us any longer. Yep, just more of the same and we smile and go on our way.
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.
The HFS family needs lots of prayers right now. We have several sisters and brothers in great need of uplifting. Prayers are needed in Central AL up to Huntsville, AL and our Patriot brother who remains with serious health issues. Prayers are still needed in northern GA, MD, KY, NC and TN. Please keep our Patriot family in western NC in your prayers for uplifting, strength, wisdom and direction. Our HFS brother has endured two surgeries in the past 10 days, and we pray his recovery and each day forward is healthy. This family has amazing faith and strength but could use more prayers from the prayer warrior team.
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.
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,
