UPDATE -- SALE: Life Gear Backpack w/3-Day Food/Water Supply and Safety Kit

Update: The Geeks.com sale on a backpack that contains a 3-day supply of food and water plus safety gear dropped in price today to $16.99. This is an inexpensive solution for 3-day emergency supplies for your family. Each backpack only weighs 8 lb. Keep in mind, you will need one backpack per person. (Store Link)

Survivalism Wallpaper Friday

Today's Survivalism desktop wallpapers are:

Browning (1920x1200)

Henry Repeating Arms (1680x1050)

Gizmodo: Are Cameras the New Guns?

Tech-blogger site Gizmodo has a fascinating and incredibly troubling story about the new trend to criminalize the videotaping of police officers on duty. The article, "Are Cameras the New Guns?," discusses how states are using existing wiretapping laws to justify the criminalization of videotaping arrests, even if the tape would be crucial to your defense in court. Wendy McElroy, the author of the article, aptly points out why we should be worried:

"When the police act as though cameras were the equivalent of guns pointed at them, there is a sense in which they are correct. Cameras have become the most effective weapon that ordinary people have to protect against and to expose police abuse. And the police want it to stop." (Read Full Story)

How to Use a Chain Saw from Echo

Echo, the developer and manufacturer of professional-grade hand-held outdoor power equipment, has an informative (and free) 20-minute video on "How to Use a Chain Saw." This information might be useful one day in case you need to fell a tree, remove road obstacles, or fight shambling hordes of walking dead. If you do not know how to use a chain saw or want some professional tips, then check out the full video.

NRA-ILA: FBI Data Again Shows More Guns = Less Crime

The NRA-ILA reported Monday that the FBI has released new statistics showing the murder rate for the US has decreased as gun sales have increased within the last few years.

"Monday the FBI released crime statistics that should cause the applauding anti-gunners to sit on their hands. The statistics indicate that between 2008 and 2009, as gun sales soared, the number of murders in our country decreased 7.2 percent. That amounts to about an 8.2 percent decrease in the per capita murder rate, after the increase in our nation's legal and illegal population is taken into account. And it translates into about a 10.5 percent decrease in the murder rate between 2004, when the ban expired, and the end of 2009. And finally, it means that in 2009 our nation's murder rate fell to a 45-year low." (Full Story)

Azcentral.com Reports Phoenix-Area Hospitals Fight Highly Toxic 'Supergerm'

Azcentral.com is reporting a new, highly-toxic bacteria linked to recent deaths and illness.

"The germ, known as Clostridium difficile, has long plagued the medical profession and is blamed for an increasing amount of illness in patients.

"But this is the first time the new strain, known in medical circles as "NAP1," is believed to have been linked to patient illness and deaths in Arizona, health officials said. It carries at least 20 times as much toxin as the original strain." (Read More)

FT.com Reporting New Alarm as N Korea Threatens Attack

FT.com is reporting rising tensions in Korea as North Korea threatens military action.

"North Korea threatened to scrap all military assurance agreements with South Korea on Thursday and warned of an immediate attack should Seoul intrude on the disputed maritime border, further raising tensions on the peninsula."(Read the Full Story)

Survivalism Wallpaper Friday

Today's Survivalism desktop wallpapers are:

Knife and Tactical Pen (1920x1080)

Kel-Tec (1600x1200)

How to Unlock Your Garage Door from the Outside (and How to Prevent It) from LifeHacker.com

Lifehacker.com posted a great guide on how to unlock your garage door from the outside, and a quick easy tip to keep thieves from unlocking it.

"We all have those rare (or not so rare) occasions where we lock ourselves out of our house. While you could learn how to pick your own locks, reader ilovetofu shows us how to open a garage door in seconds. More »"

How to Survive a Fall Through Ice - wikiHow

Over at wikihow.com they have a great article on surviving a fall through ice.

"A fall through the ice into frigid waters is a harrowing experience that can easily result in drowning or hypothermia. If you know what to do, however, you can escape safely."

Check out How to Survive a Fall Through Ice - wikiHow

As sanctions loom, is Iran sending peace signals to the US?

from Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories

"Beyond the usual anti-American rhetoric, some analysts say that Iran is trying to avoid sanctions and resolve tensions with Washington over its nuclear program."

Survival Gear Sale — Motorola Talkabout SX900R Two Way Radios

Buy.com is having a sale on a pair of Motorola Talkabout SX900R Two Way Radios. The radios are on sale for $26.99 with free shipping. Having a pair of radios will always be useful in any survival situation. Here are the listed features:

Motorola SX900R 2 way radio includes rechargeable batteries, but can also run off standard 3 x AAA Alkaline batteries, if a charger isn't present. Also comes with the Quiet Talk filter and the battery save features, to help with longer battery life and quiet 2 way radio communications.

• Up to 18 mile range.


• 22 channels with 121 privacy codes for 2662 possible frequency combinations.


• iVOX hands-free communication without the need of an audio accessory.


• Features 11 weather channels and 7 NOAA alert channels to provide you with warnings of incoming weather and protect you from the dangers of a sudden storm.


• Motorola QT (Quiet Talk) functionality allows the radios to be set so they can communicate with other compatible Motorola products.

Articles You Might have Missed

• How to Wrap Large Cords and Hoses [FineHomebuilding via Apartment Therapy via Lifehacker]
• Darik's Boot and Nuke is the Nuclear Option of Secure Data Shredding [ReadWriteWeb via Lifehacker]
• Real 19th Century Vampire Killing Kit Is a Must In Current Economic Climate [Antiqueandthearts via Dark Roasted Blend via Gizmodo]
• Save Money by Converting Your Lawn Into a Garden [via Lifehacker]
• Safer Places to Stash Your Cash at Home [Consumer Reports Money Blog via Lifehacker]
• Houdini Pro Emergency Rescue Tool Busts You Out Of a Wrecked Or Drowning Car [Houdini Tool via Gear Diary via Gizmodo]

Potentially Recession-Resistant Jobs

The blog Get Rich Slowly had an article earlier this week on recession-resistant jobs. I do not believe any job is recession-proof," but some industries fare much better and even thrive in a recession. During a recession, think of the necessities people need. In a recession people still need health care,laws, education, food, clothing, banking, and transportation. However, these industries will see a sharp decline in the luxury items and service, and a steep increase in the value and economy items. For instance, used car sales will do better than new car sales. Read the full article. [via Lifehacker]

Ted Nugent on Current U.S. Politics

I know it is not related directly to survivalism. However, I thought the rant Ted Nugent went on during the Jaz McKay's show was too enjoyable not to pass along. Here's an excerpt:

"You know rush hour? What a pain in the *ss rush hour is? Do you have rush hour in Bakersfield? I bet you have rush hour. You know what that is? You know what that is? Those are people with alarm clocks. Those are people who get up because they have a burning fire in their soul that says, 'You must be productive. In order to be a good, decent human being, you must be an asset. You must work hard before you play hard.'"

Click the link to read the entire rant on RightWingNews.com.