5 Legal Self Defense Weapons You Should Consider Buying

Whether you are at home or traveling, safety matters the most. After all, you would not want to be attacked or threatened at any time. The best way to deal with the risks is by having a self-defense strategy in place. While you can learn some physical tactics, carrying a weapon or two can make you feel safer and more confident anywhere. But you would want to carry only the ones that are legally permissible because anything that is not can get you into trouble with the authorities. Here is a list of legal defense weapons you should consider buying for being safe everywhere and at all times.

What are the 5 Legal Self Defense Weapons You Should Consider Buying?

Pepper spray

Perhaps the best weapon that you can carry for being safe while you commute and travel is pepper spray. It is lightweight and easy to carry as you can just slip it into your bag or pocket. Moreover, pepper spray is easy to take out and use when you are in potential danger. There is a good choice available if you want to pick the level of potency, though even the lightest one can be highly effective.

Tactical knife

A tactical knife is small in size yet effective and easy to use when it comes to defending yourself from an attacker. You can choose a flip open variant or one that can be carried in a holder on your side. Flip open knives are easy to conceal while the side-holder ones are easier to access when you are in danger. Tactical knives, though, are not legal everywhere.

Stun guns

Stun guns are effective self-defense weapons that enable you to shock the attacker. Since these are non-lethal, you need not fear legal restrictions in most of the places. While even a basic one would give you good protection, look for an advanced product like TASER X2 if you want to be extra sure. These guns are widely used by law enforcement professionals through even civilians can use it.

Tactical pens

A smart self-defense weapon that you can carry everywhere is a tactical pen. It looks like a pen but is capable of doing much more. The impact edges are designed to dissuade attackers while it has LED lights as well. Moreover, the tip of a tactical pen can cut glass and help you to escape if you are abducted.

Personal alarms

Not exactly a weapon, a personal alarm is still something that can keep you safe in adverse situations. A whistle is the best example of a traditional personal alarm. However, there are high-tech ones that you can use to send across an alert to the authorities when you are attacked. Some alarms are even equipped to share your location so that you can get help on the spot. Look for a small and easily accessible one that you can reach when you need it the most.

Since these weapons are non-lethal, you will not get into legal problems by using them. Still, carrying them makes you feel confident as you can use them for being safe all the time.

 

Survival Skills For Kids

Survival Skills for Kids
 

5 Things You Should Know About Buying Food To Stockpile

For most preppers, safety and food security is of paramount importance. Having your own food supply during an emergency or crisis situation will keep you and your family self-sufficient even during the toughest times. How do you build your own stockpile for survival?

foods list for off grid survival

Here are 5 things you should know about buying food to stockpile.

  1. What Is Your Goal?

Before buying food to stockpile, you will need to set your goal. How much stock do you intend to buy? How long do you want the supplies to last? Ideally, your food and water supply should sustain you for at least 72 hours but for peace of mind during an emergency, go beyond the bare minimum.

Start by writing a list of foodstuff that can sustain you and your family for three days. Once you have achieved that goal, keep building until you have enough supplies to last a few months.

  1. Decide On A Stockpile Budget

When buying food to stockpile, it is important to have a budget from the beginning. Determine how much you can afford and how much money you can spare from your weekly shopping to buy food to stockpile.

Make your budget conservative and reasonable. Avoid getting into debt. Know when to stop. There are times when you will have to pass up a great deal to avoid wasting money. Remember to go over your budget before you start shopping. You can always take advantage of store sales and product rebate offers.

foods list for off grid survival, food storage
  1. Invest In Nutritionally Dense Foods

Sometimes, consuming food from a stockpile can get tiring and boring. This is why you will need to invest in a stock that includes nutritionally dense and tasty foods. Consider your family’s taste and make a list of ingredients they will enjoy. Some of the foods to buy include; multivitamins, dried fruits, cereal, canned meat and chicken, nuts and peanut butter.

Don’t buy food items that your family doesn’t eat. Don’t buy food that will go bad before you eat it. Check all the expiry dates and preservatives used to ensure that your food is safe for consumption for the entire period you will need it.

  1. Prioritize On Water

Water is life. Without it, our bodies cannot survive for more than three days. Buy enough water. You should stockpile and safely store at least two weeks supply of water for every individual in your house.

Commercially bottled water is the best choice since it is safe and does not require sanitizing or disinfecting any further. However, it is advisable to consume or replace the water every six months.

foods list for off grid survival, jars and canning your own supply
  1. Prepare Space For Your Stockpile

Stockpiling on food and water will take up a lot of space in your pantry. Before you head out shopping, ensure that you clean and prepare the space. If you intend to store the food in the basement, ensure that your basement is cool and dry.

Remember, seepage, mice or mold can make your entire stock of food unsafe. You can invest in additional storage shelving or identical boxes that take up minimum space.

Conclusion

There you have it. 5 important things you should know about buying food to stockpile. To find out more on foods list for off grid survival go to simplyoffgrid.com for more information.  

 

Survival of the Ready – Preparation is Paramount

Millions of people around the world have to face the trauma and consequences of an unforeseen disaster every year, and tens of thousands lose their lives.

You can rarely predict or avoid a disaster happening but you can often improve your odds of survival.

Ammo.com have put together a comprehensive guide for emergency preparation and looks at key reasons why you need to prepare for an emergency and what steps you can take to prepare.

The guide can show ready you are if disaster strikes.

 

Add Some Paracord to Water Bottles or Make a Paracord Can Koozie

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Here are a couple of examples of adding paracord to water bottles.

A 25 foot length was used for the one in a ‘whipping’ pattern on the aluminum water bottle. And a 40 foot length was used in a woven pattern on the white stainless steel water bottle. Both started off with coiling the cord around the bottles, with the starting end just held in place with a rubber band and later tucked to finish.
 
The ‘whipping'(snaking) version, an example is seen in Geoffrey Budworth’s ‘The Complete Book of Knots‘, is easily zigzagged and looped around a couple of coils on each end of the paracord coiled wraps, and tucked to finish.
 
 
The woven version resembles ‘grafting’ type knot work, as seen in Stuart Grainger’s ‘Creative Ropecraft’, but is instead a single length of cord. After coiling the cord around the bottle, one end is then worked in an over/under pattern, back up then down, all the way around the bottle. For this pattern, I went under three coils, over three coils, but like ‘grafting’, you can vary the pattern to your own tastes
 
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I used a Perma-Lok Jumbo Lacing Needle to feed the paracord over/under as I worked, as well as a pair of hemostats/forceps.Here’s a woven paracord can koozie, done with a 25 foot length of cord. The weaving is just like that done on the water bottle, but with the vertical over/under part done closer together for a tighter weave before changing to half hitching on the bottom.
 
 
I didn’t have much paracord on hand to work with, so I reused some from the previous project. I would have made the can koozie a little bit taller and fully closed up the bottom, if I’d started with a 30 foot length, and a couple more feet for a cinch cord/drawstring with a cord lock for alternate use as a pouch. It still works alright as it is for holding a soda/beer can…

Top Tip:

For cleaning paracord on a water bottle, hat, or paracord bracelet, I use a little anti-bacterial liquid soap and an old soft bristle toothbrush to get the cord clean, then let air dry or I’ll sometimes take ’em in the shower with me to get everything done in one trip, lol… 🙂

Or,  I just throw my wrapped thermos/cup into the dishwasher. I’ve had it for about 5 months now and it hasn’t been a problem.

 
 

5 Valuable Tips for Surviving a Natural Disaster

Have you or any of your loved ones ever been caught in a natural disaster? Natural disasters can occur in many different forms including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods among others. Whatever form it may take, a natural disaster has disruptive and destructive effects in any individual’s normal life. The following tips can help you and your loved ones to overcome some of the problems you may face during a natural disaster.

 

  • Make enough family preparation

Preparation is the best way to keep one at ease in the event of an emergency. Take time to discuss with your family what they wish to carry to remain calm when a natural disaster occurs. Give your children time to share what they would not like to leave behind when evacuating. Give them few ideas on how to go about in the crisis to ensure their safety. Discuss the news from the meteorological department with your family to enhance your preparedness.

 

  • Prepare a survival kit

It is difficult to tell the duration that a natural disaster may last. Some can take few hours while others may take several days to last. Equip your survival kit with enough supplies that can last you for at least three days. Include important items such as food, blankets and water. Consider the number of people who will need to use the kit to avoid depleting the supplies long before the emergency is over. Ensure that you carry a kit that can zip up when evacuating.

 

  • Give attention to medications

If you have any condition that requires medical attention, remember to take care of it. Carry your spectacles or hearing aids with you. Many people face medication problems whenever an emergency occurs. Ensure you have enough pills to last you for few days if the disaster lasts for days. Even when you think you are fine carry some painkillers and antibiotics in case need arises. The pressure and confusion that you and your loved ones may face during a natural disaster may make it necessary to take some painkillers.

 

  • Avoid using elevators

In case you get caught in a natural disaster while in the tenth floor, let the elevator be your last option. Disasters increase the chance of power failure. You can easily be trapped in an elevator once there is power failure. Staircases will take more time to reach the ground floor but they are much safer during a disaster. Don’t put yourself in more confusion by getting stuck in the elevator.

 

  • Be cautious when moving around

Natural disasters such as earthquakes bring along aftershocks. When moving to evacuation areas, be careful of any possible falling objects and debris. Watch out for unstable grounds when walking. If you have health problems such as poor vision, you are advised to stay where you are until the rescue comes. Moving around will expose you to more risks of being hit by falling objects such as broken grasses or debris from buildings. The only safe place to move to is a certified evacuation center.

 

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Leona is part of the content and community team at Specialty Fuel Services – providers of emergency fuel continuation services, in locations affected by catastrophic events.

Home Emergency & Disaster Safety Resource List

be ready for major storms and disasters

Weather can change dramatically and often quite suddenly too, causing severe destruction, injuries, and even fatalities. In the last few years especially, we have been witnessing increasingly violent weather phenomena. Fortunately, today’s improved weather services are often able to warn us of impending natural disasters well before they occur. This advance warning allows people to prepare themselves and their homes so that they can come out alive and safe.

In some cases, the best means of defense is to evacuate the area. This is often done when the scale of the disaster seems too tremendous to cope with. However, at other times people may not be able to evacuate, or during lesser emergencies, they may choose to stay at home and wait it out. In the latter situation, being properly prepared is essential. This means that at least some stages of preparation should be done well in advance, even before there is any warning about a natural disaster.

How to prepare your home from a number of natural disasters including tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and more.

A key part of disaster safety is having a sufficient amount of supplies, as well as an emergency kit. A basic version is usually built to sustain each member of the household for a minimum of three days. The purpose of this is that people can very easily be trapped within a building without any signs of help for quite some time. A disaster kit typically includes a bountiful supply of water for drinking and cleaning, along with non-perishable canned or packaged foods, a can opener, a first aid kit, flashlights and batteries, cell phones and chargers, emergency phone numbers, and a radio. Other useful items to have are prescription medications, supplies for infants and pets, cash, matches, and personal hygiene items.

By creating this kit and packing it ahead of time, emergency preparation becomes much easier and quicker when a natural disaster is announced. It is equally important to have a predetermined action plan so that each person in the house knows exactly what to do when a disaster strikes. Without a proper action plan, people often tend to first panic, and then act illogically, which may put them directly in the path of danger. Examples of emergency plans include fire drills or deciding on an emergency meeting spot. At least two people in the household should be trained in CPR and know how to deliver first aid in case of medical emergencies. Learn more about home preparedness during natural disasters with some of these helpful resources.

Floods

Hurricanes

Tornadoes

Earthquakes

Heat Waves

Fires

Severe Thunderstorms

Winter Storms & Blizzards

General Disaster Preparedness

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Hurricane Irma Disaster – A Huge Damage to the Economy

RMA is the name of a category 5 hurricane, one of the worst hurricanes formed in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017. The last horrible hurricane of such intensity, experienced by the U.S in 2005, was when Katrina shook its coastal areas.

Hurricane Irma Damages

It started on the 30th of August 2017 and raged at 185 miles/per hour for 37 hours. It is recorded to be the longest and fiercest hurricane of the Atlantic Ocean.

Irma originated in the deep tropics near the islands of Cape Verde and quickly intensified.

Regions Affected by Hurricane Irma:

The most catastrophic damage caused by Irma as a category 5 hurricane was experienced by the following regions:

  • Barbuda
  • Saint Martin
  • Anguilla
  • Virgin Islands
  • Saint Barthelemy

Impact of the Tropical Hurricane Irma

Overall Damage of this hurricane is calculated at more than $30 billion in 11 days. Some of the Catastrophes are mentioned below along with regions:

  • Florida: 3 million Floridan lost the power supply. And more than 6.5 million people migrated.
  • Irma caused a massive destruction in the Caribbean.
  • Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc in British and American Virgin Islands.
  • The ST Martin, Islands on the Dutch half, Island of Barbuda were devastated.
  • Puerto Rico was safe from the direct encounter, but still suffered from electricity and power shortage.

For more detailed facts and figures, check very comprehensive infographic produced by HuntingMark.com.

HuntingMark
 

Irma Broke the Records:

 

This tropical hurricane broke many global records:

  1. This was the first storm with wind speed of 185 miles/HR in the Atlantic Ocean, and it remained for more than a day. (1 day and 17 hours to be exact).
  2. It broke the records of low pressure, that is, 914 millibars.
  3. 7th September was the most active day for the Atlantic hurricanes on record.
  4. Storm Irma raged as 5th category storm for 3 days turning into the 4th category.
  5. This hurricane turned into a category 2 storm and finally dissipated on the evening 12th of September.