Urban Survival Planning - American Survival Redoubt Re-visited

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received a comment from Anonymous on the article.... Urban Survival comments on Rawles' American Redoubt....."We are in a bad recession possibly even a depression. Our leaders seem clueless and will not do what it takes to get us out of it. But that's about it. Nothing I see now or on the horizon that indicates I should run for the hills. I'm sorry to have to say that I seriously question the wisdom and even sanity of anyone who would advise such a "

"Sure if it's already in your heart to move to the country then why not move to someplace where you can be self-sufficient and defend your land. But if you have a job and a family for crying out loud don't go running to the hills. And certainly don't buy this myth that the mountains of Montana or Idaho is going to be safe while everywhere else will be Armageddon. This is ludicrous and naive. Of course if I lived in Detroit I would be looking for a way out but most of the country is as safe as any of the country is. Let's not go off the deep end here......"

UrbanMan replies: If you were in Detroit, there would be alot of competition on the roads leading out of town. It is rapidly becoming a ghost town with a reported 50% of the urban schools now empty.

Anyway, let's say for sake of the argument that this double dip recession leads to hyper inflation with the dollar collapsing. With the resultant skyrocketing of commodities and fuel prices and the availability of those items declining, heading for the hills ain't going to make things better. Safer maybe from two legged threats, but unless you go into a community that is self sufficient then this is not an option and certainly not an option for the majority of Americans.

The sad fact is that things are probably not going to get better. I do not see Congress getting the big recession under control. I see the U.S. credit and bond rating falling taking the U.S. dollar out of World reserve currency status which will of course lead to hyper inflation and rising prices of commodities and fuels. Food is going to be expensive and less available. Fuel the same. No matter where you are at, you are going to have to consider what these threats mean to you. A lot of people are going to be layed off. The 50 million or so people on food stamps and other government assistance will not be able to live off of what the government gives them anymore, creating a pool of people, actually 1/6th of our population hungry and mad.

People will have to resort to family and community gardens just to provide some of what they need to eat. This of course if best done outside of Urban Areas. Best course of action fr people who are not familial restricted or bound to a certain geographical area is to re-locate to outside a small farming or other rural, agricultural based area. Maybe you are a Diesel Mechanic, EMT-Paramedic, Nurse, Doctor or have some other skills that would fit in to the community needs in order to turn a small paycheck and be within that support group,......survival is a team sport. Do you know just how much land it would take you to grow the crops to feed your family for a year, assuming you had the ability and materials to can goods?

I am not planning on getting out of the urban/suburban area I am presently in, unless a job opened up in a rural place I would like to go. I would have to intentionally leave the support system I have so carefully built over the years here. So I am not planning on heading to Mr Rawles' American Survival Redoubt area,....most of it is too cold for my tastes anyway and growing food year round would be very hard to do without having some large heated greenhouses.

Winchester Ammunition Re-Call

From Winchester, an expanded recall of RA223R2. The recall of RA223R2, 64-grain Power Point, has been expanded to include date codes: DM70, DM80, DM90, DM01, DM11, and DM21.

Olin Corporation, through its Winchester Division, is recalling twelve (12) lots of its RANGER® 223 Remington 64 Grain Power-Point® (PP) centerfire rifle ammunition (Symbol Number RA223R2).

Lot Numbers (last four characters): DM70, DM80, DM90, DM01, DM11, and DM21
Lot Numbers (last four characters): DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, and DK51

Through extensive evaluation Winchester has determined the above lots of RANGER® Law Enforcement ammunition may contain incorrect propellant. Incorrect propellant in this ammunition may cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable, and subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury when fired.

DO NOT USE WINCHESTER® RANGER .223 REMINGTON 64 GRAIN POWER-POINT® AMMUNITION THAT HAS A LOT NUMBER ENDING IN DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, DK51, DM70, DM80, DM90, DM01, DM11 or DM21. The ammunition Lot Number is ink stamped inside the right tuck flap of the 20-round carton, as indicated here:

To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the Lot Number. If the last four characters of the Lot Number are DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, DK51, DM70, DM80, DM90, DM01, DM11 or DM21 immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 866-423-5224 to arrange for replacement ammunition and free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition.

This notice applies only to RANGER® 223 Remington 64 Grain Power-Point® centerfire rifle ammunition with lot numbers ending in DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, DK51, DM70, DM80, DM90, DM01, DM11 and DM21. Other Symbol Numbers or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall.

If you have any questions concerning this RANGER® Law Enforcement ammunition recall please call toll-free 866-423-5224, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: RA223R2 Recall), or visit our website at www.winchester.com.

Urban Survival Planning - Gold and Silver just an Anchor?

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received a comment from Anonymous on the article Survival Planning - Validity of Gold/Silver in Trade or Barter....."I have purchased more gold and silver then you can carry, twice as much as you can carry. I held it for 20 years, no exaggeration. When prices went up I sold it and was so happy to get my money back and make a profit. Even so I could have made more if I had invested it or put it in CD's. A little gold or silver bought at a bargin price is insurance or even an investment. A lot of gold and silver at any price or a smaller amount at a high price is like an anchor."

UrbanMan replies: Have to disagree with you here for the most part. Sure, if you sink all of your available liquidity into Gold and Silver then it can become a problem several ways: finding vendors to cashing it in or accept it in trade in this current economy; or even moving and/or safeguarding a weighty amount.........unless your primary reason is that you have bought your Precious Metals in support of a collapse survival plan.

That's what I have bought my Silver for. Last month when Silver was briefly $50 an ounce, I could have sold all the silver I bought for less than $5 an ounce and made a 500% profit (someone please check my math!). However, I bought that silver and continued to buy small amounts over the years so I would have some way of purchasing necessary items when cash, or what we call fiat currency, failed.

But it certainly is interesting that some financial institutions and higher institutes of learning have taken physical possession of the PM's. In some cases that weight amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars of annual storage and security fees. Why would they do this if they felt Gold and Silver were an anchor? Why would they incur the storage and security costs unless they thought there was a possibility of not being able to take possession at a later date?

Just food for thought and of course all this depends upon one's definition of how much, weight wise, is enough,...or how much weight wise is too much to safeguard or transport. Certainly if you were located in your final Safe Location than storage in safes and hidden below ground caches would be an option.

Thanks for your comment and chance to think. After all, if we do not analyze the problems and develop workable solutions, considering the threats and the environment, then we have a good chance of missing something.

Urban Survival Planning - Another Portable Solar Solution, Guide 10 Power Pack

When most people think of solar power they envision larger solar panel's on roof tops providing power to lights or refrigerators. UrbanSurvivalSkills.com has written several times about the need to consider alternative power sources in depth, meaning having the capability to recharge and/or power items at your Safe location and on the move.

Power requirements in a base camp setting will be much bigger than when you are on the move simply because of size constraints and time restraints.

I have several solar power options. One large, really non-manportable (unless in a vehicle) solar power system that charges deep cycle batteries for use with a power inverter so 110/115v tools can be used and small appliances such as refrigerators can be powered.

My other man-portable solar charging systems is a fairly expensive (around $1,000) kit that I can carry in a Bug Out bag or a rucksack in order to charge radio, flashlight and lantern batteries when I am on foot.

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com recently found out about another small man-portable solar panel provider from a company called GOAL ZERO.

From their website, GOAL ZERO states they are innovators of portable solar power systems that power a variety of USB, AC and DC devices anywhere and at anytime. Providing a perfect blend of portability, power, and ease-of-use, GOAL ZERO products feature full solar energy systems -solar panels, power packs and accessories - each designed to work in concert with each other.

Guide 10 Power Pack
Guide 10 Power Pack is an Ultra-Lightweight USB solar charging system that fits in your pocket. Use as a single unit power pack to power your device or as a power source to recharge the batteries for use in AA or AAA battery powered devices. Recharge you cell phone 1-3 times per charge with the Guide 10 Power Pack. Charge up the Guide 10 Power Pack with the Nomad 7 Solar Panel in 1.5 hours or via USB in 6 hours.

The Guide 10 Power Pack consists of two components:

Guide 10 Battery Pack
- Charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun in 1.5 hrs with Nomad 7 solar panel
- Recharge your cell phone 1-3 times per charge
- Built-in LED flashlight that runs 20+ hours per charge
- Stores power for charging devices day or night
- Very small, about the size of a cell phone
- Can also charge via USB
- Includes 4 pack of AA rechargeable batteries
- AAA Battery insert available with AAA battery purchase

Nomad 7 (folding) Solar Panel
- Collect 7 watts of power from the sun
- Use solar power with USB or 12V devices
- Solar charge cell phone is 1 to 2 hours
- Protect devices with built-in pocket
- Foldable rugged design
- Weather resistant

Watch the video below to learn more about this manportable solar charging technology.



For more information contact:

Goal Zero
14864 Pony Express Road
Bluffdale, UT 84065
phone: 1.888.794.6250
e-mail: support@goalzero.com
web site: http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/79/Guide-10-Adventure-Kit/1:1/