preps

Tactical Flashlight

A tactical flashlight is one that can be used along with a firearm to assist in low light target identification, allowing aiming and illumination of the target at the same time. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore. Tactical flashlights also serve as a means of non-lethal force, used to temporarily blind or disorient targets, and may include design features for blunt force.

The features associated with tactical flashlights include shock resistance, reliability, lightweight and powerful batteries, and high light intensity. The light is typically activated by a push-button switch which may include momentary contacts and may switch various levels of intensity. Tactical lights may have optional filters to produce colored light. They often come with the ability to attach a lanyard – allowing the light to be secured to the hand holding it; this allows the light to be dropped if the hand is needed (for a magazine change, for example) and quickly retrieved.

Tactical flashlights have become popular for more than just gun enthusiasts. Their compact design and feature set is beneficial in many ways for other applications including camping, backpacking, survival kits, in the car or around the home. They are typically better designed and built than ordinary traditional flashlights.

Lithium batteries are commonly used with tactical lights, because of their long shelf life, high energy, better cold weather performance, and gradual voltage decay over the battery’s lifetime. Rechargeable batteries, such as low-self-discharge NiMH, are economical solutions for lights with heavy usage.

Many tactical flashlight bulbs are now the recently developed high-power LEDs which are brighter and more efficient than comparable xenon-filled incandescent lamps used in the past. A very important benefit, LED bulbs are not subject to filament breakage due to the shot recoil of a firearm or from dropping. LEDs also provide maximum battery life due to their energy efficiency.

Weapon mounted lights are most commonly seen on rifles and shotguns, but they are becoming more common on handguns as well. These lights are often a lot more expensive than ordinary handheld lights, since they must withstand the recoil of the firearm, and the dedicated mounting hardware also adds to the price. One downside of the weapon mounted light is that it is always aimed parallel to the bore, so illuminating an object means that it is also targeted. Some tactical light manufacturers make specific lights for specific firearms. Many modern firearms are now incorporating ‘Picatinny rail’ systems, allowing any appropriately sized Picatinny compatible system to be attached.

On Amazon, the most popular LED tactical flashlight for under $25 is the Nebo Redline Tactical Flashlight. This compact flashlight, 4 3/8 inches long and 1 3/8 inches in diameter, puts out 220 lumens of white light and has 5 modes including 3 choices of light levels. Although the light isn’t a true tactical in pure form, it’s physical style and some of it’s features land it in that category.

The most popular LED tactical light between $25 and $50 is the Streamlight ProTac 2L Professional Tactical. The best part is the switching system. You switch between modes using just the pushbutton on/off click switch in the tailcap. At 4.68 inches long, 0.90 inch at its largest diameter, it’s lightweight and small enough to not be bothersome when carrying and the pouch that is included is well made.

Between $50 and $100 is the most popular UTG 2-in-1 Tactical LED Flashlight with Red Laser. It includes a 16-position adjustable, removable, red laser. The flashlight has a tail push-button momentary switch and end cap twist-on switch, while the laser has an ambidextrous push-button switch. An integrated clamp-on mounting deck fits most tactical pistols and firearms with or without rail slots.

There are hundreds of styles of flashlights to choose from. The tactical flashlight has many useful features for a survival preparedness minded person and will make a great addition to your prep possessions. As a prerequisite, I would definitely be sure that the bulb is LED, and I would use rechargeable NiMH batteries (with a solar battery charger) to ensure usability for an extended period of time, and charge-ability when the power is out.

Search for a tactical flashlight, and reviews on Amazon

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Yard Carts And Wagons For Survival Preparedness

As a followup to Tammy’s post, Don’t Forget To Stock Mobility Aids, I agree that some preppers may be overlooking the need for equipment that will assist in carting around ‘stuff’… equipment that is NOT motorized, but instead intended to be pedaled or pushed.

Many folks with rural property will probably already have a tractor of one size or another, but how will you transport supplies from here to there if your fuel runs out? Are you going to carry or drag everything? I doubt it… Some things are just too heavy or cumbersome.

How about folks who live in suburbia, or anywhere else for that matter? What if you have to haul drinking water from some other location? Do you know how heavy water is? About 8 pounds per gallon. So, simply hauling a 5-gallon pail of water will weight about 40 pounds!

If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to get needed supplies (regardless of what they are), wouldn’t it be quite convenient to be able to transport more than only what you can carry?

I think you get the idea, which is simple enough. Once you start thinking about it, I’ll bet you could think of a zillion use-case scenarios for a having a cart with wheels.

Since humans began using the wheel (in one form or another) many thousands of years ago, there have been untold numbers of applications and designs put into practice. Now might be a good time for you to consider how you could take advantage of this circular device attached to a cart or bicycle or other, in the event that you lose your ability to fuel your ‘machines’.

It seems to me that having a few sizes and varieties of carts/wagons for around the yard would serve the purposes of most intermediate supply transportation tasks.

I like the idea of 4-wheeled carts that you can pull. A single-wheeled wheelbarrow is great for short distances, but if you had to haul something for a distance, holding up the handles of a wheelbarrow will become tiring. Wagons are good.

Here are a few ‘yard cart’ ideas…
Northern Tool & Equipment Steel Cart – 34in.L x 18in.W, 400-Lb. Capacity

Heavy Duty Towing Nursery Wagon Garden Cart With Lawn Tires

Here is a clever idea for hauling around a heavy 5-gallon bucket. Perfect for hauling water from a nearby stream or pond, etc.
Broll 5-Gallon Bucket Cart

Even having something as simple as a shopping cart could be a life saver. How about one of those 2-wheeled hand truck’s – pretty much available in any hardware or warehouse store? There are all sorts of luggage carts, garden carts, wagons, heavy duty carts, and even carts that can be attached to a bicycle. The point is, without fuel, you will need a way to move things around from location to location. It will be a good idea to add this (these) to your list of things to have. Besides, they will certainly be useful around the yard anyway, even during good times!

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Don’t Forget To Stock Mobility Aids

Guest post: by Tammy

You may not need crutches or a wheelchair today, but…….

If you have no access to doctors or hospitals, there are bound to be injuries that may diminish your mobility, or that of someone in your family or group.

What are you going to do if you break a leg? Of course you know first aid, so the break can be set. But what are you going to be able to DO? Sit in one spot and wait for someone to help you move to another spot when you need to?

No, because you thought ahead and added crutches, a walker and maybe a wheelchair to your preps. Or at least have a couple of things on-hand that can be re-purposed to serve as mobility aids. Things like a desk chair on wheels, while not perfect, are better than nothing. Even a wheeled garden cart can be useful in this case.

It’s a good idea to look at what you have on hand already, with an eye towards things that can help you get around if needed. Try those things out, see if they would actually be helpful. If you can’t find anything, I urge you to acquire at least a couple of items. At the top of my list is a wheelchair, as that can really be helpful if you need to move quickly.

Having mobility issues myself, I have stocked up on aids:
Two manual wheelchairs
Electric wheelchair
Electric 3-wheeled scooter
Folding aluminum walker
A pair of crutches

I have solar chargers for the electrical appliances so they should be good for a number of years (unless something breaks). I also have a rugged plastic garden cart that will do in a pinch, plus it makes a great trailer to haul behind the wheeled chairs. I haven’t bought extra batteries yet, but that is at the top of my list.

There are a lot more issues to discuss on the subject of mobility but I feel the most important one is having something to help you get around if you need it.

(submit your own guest post here)

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List of Preparedness Items For: Doing Laundry

In a world without a functioning electrical power grid, a post apocalyptic world, a world knocked back in time, you will need to perform tasks that were once assisted by modern technology. You will need items that will help accomplish the job, and you will need to know how to do it yourself.

Most modern hardware will become ‘boat anchors’ and the conveniences they brought to your life will vanish when their energy source is removed. Some of these things you will be able to live without, while others will have to be replaced with alternatives along with a new way of doing things.

One of these is doing laundry. Wearing filthy clothes will present a health risk, possibly leading to infections. You will find it necessary to find another way to wash your clothes.

10 Items for washing clothes and doing laundry

…by hand, without electricity or a washing machine and dryer.

Laundry soap-detergent
You can make your own laundry detergent (for cheap) using a combination of Borax, Washing Soda, and Bar Soap. Or you could stock up on regular laundry detergent.
Laundry soap recipe and a how-to video

Wash tubs
You will need conveniently large wash tubs to do your washing and rinsing. Some people recommend using two rinse tubs in addition to the wash tub.

Buckets
For convenience, ordinary buckets are useful to bring water from the source to the wash tubs.

Washboard
The key tool for washing clothes is the traditional washboard.
Washboards are amazingly effective.

Rubber gloves
Protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved rubber gloves.

Scrub brush
An invaluable item for assisting with dirt or stain removal.

Clothes Wringer
To speed up drying times, although not a necessary item.

Clothesline
You will want to have plenty of clothesline rope to hang your clothes to dry.

Clothesline Pulley
Although you can tie rope around trees, having two heavy duty clothesline rope pulleys, Pulley hooks, and a Clothesline tightener will make the job of hanging clothes much easier.

Clothes pins
To avoid clothes blowing off the line, you will need plenty of these. Don’t forget the clothespin bag for convenience sake.

Other considerations:

Having a water source nearby is an obvious consideration. If you don’t live near a natural water source, you may want to consider a well with a hand pump or a pump powered by alternative energy (solar?). You could also ‘travel’ to a source of water on laundry day, provided it’s within reach.

You don’t need hot water to wash clothes. However heated water will be more effective. If your buckets are metal, you could heat the water over a fire or burner.

Remember that you should always have spares. One is none two is one.

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Prepping For Your Pup

There are so many of us that have a dog/pup. They are very much a part of our family. This is one of the reasons why you should be prepping for your pup just as you prep for any family member. Not only do they love you unconditionally, but their natural instincts will make them a very good ‘protector’ for you and your family. They don’t ask for much in return, just something to eat, the ‘good boy’ pet and a warm place to sleep.

Now, some of you may be thinking that your golden retriever or your beagle might not be a good protector. If anything they would open the door for intruders! Yes, certain breeds of dogs may be better ‘physical’ protectors, but let’s expand our thoughts and look at some different ways a dog can be a protector.

What are the benefits of having your dog with you during a SHTF scenario?

threat deterrents – Dogs are great threat deterrents. If an intruder is trying to get into your home, and your dog starts barking and growling, the intruder may rethink the situation and move on to a home without a dog.

‘alarm’ protection – No matter how secure you feel your home or bug out location is, your dog will more than likely, be the first one to notice something amiss. No matter what breed of dog you have, they are an excellent extra set of eyes and ears. And let’s not forget their super sense of smell. If anyone is lurking around, they will know. Their early ‘awareness’ could very well give you the quick moment to grab your weapon.

physical protection – Your dog loves you unconditionally. No matter what breed, if you are in harm’s way, your dog will place themselves with you, to help you. Now, yes, some breeds will be better at physical protection than others, but they will all put out an effort. Perhaps a distraction caused by your retriever might be all you need to grab a weapon or pull a defensive maneuver. Other breeds may jump, attack and bite, giving you the opportunity to get a weapon and help them.

comfort and companionship -  these are other benefits of having your dog with you. They love you. They will be there to protect you and your family. They will be by your side, waiting for the moment that you need them to help. And they don’t require much in return.

What should you stock up on to prep for your pup?

food – Think of your dog as your family member. Treat them as such when you are prepping. Start buying dog food when it’s on sale and start stocking up. Canned food or dry, whatever you normally feed them, can be stocked. Even in a SHTF scenario, they can eat human food you have stored, if necessary.

medications – again, your dog is a family member. If they are on medications, try to stock extra just like you would for a person.

leashes, collars and harnesses – always have extras of these since you don’t know what kind of scenario you may encounter. You may want your pup close to you. Make sure you have a set in your car as well.

comforts – all dogs have their toys or their own blankets they lay in. These things are a comfort to your dog. They are your dog’s possessions. During a SHTF scenario, these will provide comfort for your dog and show him that you still love him.

nail clippers – these are an essential for dogs. Make sure you have several pairs. For many dogs, if their nails get too long, severe health problems can happen. You don’t want that because you’ll lose your protector.

So remember, that when you are prepping for your pup, treat them like the family member that they are and prep for them like you would a person. Think of every aspect in their lives and prep for them. Be there for them. Remember, they won’t leave you as long as there is breath coming from you.

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