Alvin's Emergency Prep List

06/17/2022

03/14/2022

An extreme way to do things, but still is worth reading, just to see what really is essential for some, then learn what is essential for you.

What’s the bare minimum you need to survive comfortably for 72 hours? Kevin Estela, Director of Training for FieldCraft Survival, was challenged by his boss Mike A Glover to try packing everything he needed into a quart-sized Ziploc bag before heading out into the Utah desert for 3 days. The lessons he learned from this intentionally-restrictive challenge can help you prioritize your own survival gear and skills. Read the full article here: https://www.offgridweb.com/gear/fieldcraft-survival-72-hour-ziploc-bag-challenge/

02/27/2022

Pretend you are in Ukraine this morning. Now look at your gear and preps and take note of what are you lacking. The enemy is at the gates.

02/19/2022

Who's getting some prepping done this weekend?

08/13/2021

Personal Protection: (Main subsection 5 of 11)
This category overlaps with the Shelter category, in that some items are protection from environmental problems. One also needs to keep in mind that this world is normally a dangerous place. All the efforts to make the United States as civil and peaceful as possible is actually quite an enterprise.

* Dust Masks:
- Department stores
- Home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight

* Sunscreen:
- Department stores
- Grocery stores

* Lip Balm:
- Department stores
- Grocery stores

* Work Gloves:
- Home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight
- Some military surplus stores

* Sunglasses

* Hard Hats:
- Home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight
- Some military surplus stores

* Insect Repellent:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Mosquito Headnet:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Stores I've visited to purchase these items:
- Harbor Freight for dust masks and work gloves

Notes on Personal Protection: Yes, there are other tools to consider for other kinds of personal protection. The scope of such needs to be dealt in another venue.

07/22/2021

Remember your pets!!

07/21/2021

Shelter: (Main subsection 4 of 11)
This category is protection from the elements. This is derived from the survival rule of three:
- 3 minutes without oxygen
- 3 hours being exposed to extreme weather (desert heat or icy blizzard)
- 3 days without water
- 3 weeks without food

* Extra Clothes

* Garbage Bags:
- Grocery stores
- Some department stores
- Home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight

* Nylon Cords and/or Ropes:
- Department stores
- Some grocery stores
- Home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight
- Military surplus stores

* Survival Blanket:
- Camping section of department stores
- Military surplus stores

* Poncho:
- Camping section of department stores
- Military surplus stores
- Harbor Freight

* Tarps:
- Military surplus stores
- Harbor Freight
- Home improvement stores

* Headnet:
- Some department stores with camping sections
- Some sports specialty stores
- Military surplus stores

* Mosquito Netting:
- Some department stores with camping sections
- Some sports specialty stores
- Military surplus stores

* Rain Gear:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Some home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight

* Sleeping Bags:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Pillows:
- Department stores

* Ground Pads:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Heavy Duty Thermal Blankets:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Tent:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores

* Tent Pegs or other type of Spikes:
- Department stores with camping sections
- Military surplus stores
- Sports specialty stores
- Some home improvement stores
- Harbor Freight

* Stores I've visited to purchase these items:
- Harbor Freight for:
* Poncho
* Yellow slicker rain gear
* Tarps
* 55 gallon 1.5 mil contractor thickness garbage bags
- Walmart for:
* 4 person tent
- Target for:
* Inexpensive travel blankets and pillows

06/28/2021

Since we are getting into high temps here in San Diego…

INTENSE temperatures happening now and extending into the next week. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. WATER + AIR FLOW + SHADE are your best friends when combined. :)

LINK TO "16 Primitive Ways to Stay Cool": https://thesurvivalmom.com/instant-survival-tip-primitive-ways-to-stay-cool/

06/26/2021

Light: (Main subsection 3 of 11)
Why: Humans are sight based creatures. Trying to adapt to become a no vision entity is a long difficult process. Better to just have several available light sources.

* Flashlight:
- Many kinds of flashlights available
- For free electronic light sources, some companies give out stuff at
* Conventions, like Comic Con
* Some schools, when giving out tours, along with other give away freebies as well
- For electronic light sources that you pay for, try:
* Department stores
* Grocery stores
* Home improvement stores
* Sports specialty shops
* Military surplus shops

* Extra Batteries for the above flashlight/s:

* Chemical Lightsticks:
- Camping & Outdoor part of most department stores
- Sports specialty shops
- Military surplus shops

* Electrical based Lantern & Batteries:
- Camping & Outdoor part of most department stores
- Sports specialty shops
- Military surplus shops

* Other Kinds of Electrical Flashlights and Batteries:
- Some places offer hand cranked flashlights for camping.
* Some of those are also are combined with radios for survival purposes.
- Where to get:
* Camping & Outdoor part of most department stores
* Sports specialty shops
* Military surplus shops

* Stores I've visited to purchase these items:
- Harbor Freight Tools for a crookneck mini flashlight powered by AA batteries that also has a small compass on the bottom; some may call this a military style mini flashlight
- Found a Comic Con souvenir toy light saber that actually produces light
- Found a miniature hand cranked mini flashlight in the Getty Museum souvenir shop that stores the cranking as an electrical charge

* Extra thoughts about light sources:
There are some times when not being seen is desireable. So, how to do that while holding a light source? Well, for those who at least served in the US Navy or the Marine Corps, they had to use lights with a red filter lens to conduct low light exercises on ships. Most 90 degree angled military styled flashlights have several colored filters like that bundled with them.

Another more expensive option is to get low light or infrared goggles or scopes. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money if that is something you really want to buy. You can easily be looking at several hundred dollars for one such item, compared to whole and filled emergency preparedness backpacks of average quality on sale for just $100.

A side note, if you want such a pre-fabricated pack, verify that it does address your anticipated needs with the summary list provided earlier.