Brett

What are some of the things you take with you for preparedness when you fly far away from home? I’ll get it started with some of what I used to take.

Original source: Do You Fly Often? | Stranded Far Away From Home After SHTF Event

I’m sure a lot of our readers have heard this muttered, “if I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Well, I can certainly relate to that phrase. When I was younger – much younger – I was totally indestructible, nothing could stand in my way – except for life itself. I will readily admit that, before I became a born again Christian, I didn’t lead the most honorable life – it was actually pretty wild in a lot of ways. Roger Simon, a newspaper reporter in Chicago, Illinois, once wrote …

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This week’s recipe is for Health Cookies. It is a recipe excerpted from the scarce book Nine Hundred Successful Recipes, by Lulu Thompson Silvernail. This book, from my own book collection, was published in 1923. A recent change in U.S. copyright law now puts most pre-1925 books in the public domain. Lulu Thompson Silvernail’s emphasis in this book was recipes that included hard red winter wheat flour. This entire recipe book will be just part of the more than 4,000 pages of bonus content that is being added to the SurvivalBlog archive waterproof USB stick. That should be orderable within …

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Most preppers are a little too fond of gear and information gathering. What we all tend to lack is practical application of skills. Make an honest comparison of your ammo cache with the practical skills gained from applying half those dollars to training. Skill building does not need to be expensive. When was the last time you built a fire in poor conditions? Have you ever taken an evasive route…

Source

A Guest Blog Post by Ashley Glinka

Ashley Glinka is a former Federal Agent, mom to 3, personal security instructor specializing in families, and the creator of Luxe Life With 3 a blog focused on family and safety. http://www.luxelifewith3.com/

You are
going on a hike through the woods; your 6-yr. old is lagging because the keep
finding “amazing” stones/branches for their collections.  You are talking to your wife and 4 yr. old as
you walk along the twist and turns when suddenly you realize you don’t hear
your oldest.  What just happened? Is your
family prepared? How are your situational awareness skills? Is this something
that you work on teaching your children?

Before I became a mom, I was a covert Federal Agent conducting missions internationally and domestically.  My ability to blend in and sense any change in the atmosphere are what made me extremely good at my job and kept me alive.  After becoming a mom to 3 (twins included) my natural desire to protect was increased and I realized how vulnerable families are.  I knew as an adult all the ways to “train” situational awareness but had to get creative in thinking how to best translate those techniques to teach kids (my own being only 6 and 3.5 years old).

What is Situational Awareness?

Situational Awareness at its core is being aware of what’s in your environment and any changes that could potential be a threat to you physically or to your health. By being aware of any change you give yourself the advantage of time; time to act and asses if you need to leave the area. In many cases your survival will depend on that advantage of time. What you notice can be simple like a change in the wind signaling an incoming storm, a smell of smoke away from your fire pit, or in the middle of summer a person entering an establishment dressed for winter.  Situational Awareness is not about creating a state of paranoia that you operate in but rather an awareness that becomes second nature just like walking and reading.  As a parent we teach our children life skills everyday why wouldn’t we want to teach them about awareness.  A great way to work on a child’s (and adults) situational awareness skills is through play; the following games are easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Memory

This is an easy game that our family plays daily. As I am going about my routine running errand’s I will randomly ask the kids questions.  “What color car is parked next to us?”, “How many people were in the aisle when we got trash bags?”, “How many exits did you see in the store?”, “What color shirt was our cashier wearing?” as you see the questions are endless and you can start off very basic and progress as your child and you become more proficient.  You can make it into a family challenge too with the kids trying to stump you!

Lost

Understanding how to read street signs and having a sense of direction are critical skills for children.  In this game I (mom) announce “Oh no I am lost how do I get home?” I start this from a close easy location such as school, grandparents’ house, etc.  They guide me home using landmarks and road signs.  They will tell me to turn left on Monroe St, look there is the playground we need to go past that and turn at the next, etc. This game can be done while bike riding, hiking, driving (obviously obey traffic laws) and is great for teaching both situational awareness and direction. 

5-Step Seek

This is a great way to work on situational awareness skills for all ages.  The concept is simple take 5 steps, look around and find 3-5 items (mom or dad call out things; like something green, red, square, etc.), then 5 more steps, repeat. This not only teaches how to really look around but because you are limited on your ability to physically move it teaches you how to use items to look further (reflective objects like windows and mirrors).  You can do this game both inside and outside along with adding other elements like a sibling who is hiding in the room.

The games above can be played with all ages; we start introducing them around toddler age.  They are fluid and allow for you to make the adjustments needed to fit YOUR family; but don’t just limit them to the kid’s parents need to work on these skills as well.  Situational Awareness is a tangible skill that we all need to continuously work on; nobody has ever regretted being more aware.  Like Creek Stewart always says, “It’s not if but when.”

The post Teaching Kids Situational Awareness with Games appeared first on WillowHavenOutdoor Survival Skills.

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the Not QE phenomenon. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Silver Price Forecast 2020 o  o  o I see that Perpetual Assets has re-launched their business web site, with the phrase: “Americas First Cryptocurrency and Precious Metals Dealer.” They are headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming. Economy & Finance: …

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Today on The Survival Podcast I answer your questions on disinformation, social media, road kill, land management, storing ammo, anarchism, raised beds, homeschooling and more. Make sure if you submit content for a feedback show that you put something like … Continue reading →

To win a RoSPA Health and Safety Award is by no means an easy feat. Last year alone, we received close to 2,000 entries from across the globe. To achieve one gold achievement award is a fantastic accolade for your organisation… however, to continue that winning streak year after year is outstanding. In 2019, Nottingham based civil and electrical engineering firm J. McCann & Co. Ltd did just that and achieved their fourth RoSPA Gold Achievement Award (and they couldn’t be more delighted).

An Achievement Award truly is the accolade that safety professionals across all industries aspire to. In our latest interview with four-time Gold Award Winner, J. McCann & Co. Ltd explains how winning a RoSPA Award has impacted their organisation…

What motivates you/your organisation to enter the RoSPA Awards?

Entering the RoSPA Awards motivates our organisation to drive improvements for our safe systems of work, year upon year. It also allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the safety of our staff, contractors and all others affected by our work, whilst enabling us to showcase and celebrate the success of our workforce, who work to an award-winning standard.

Winning a Gold Award for the fourth consecutive year is proof of how entry into the awards process drives and develops our systems.

What benefits does winning a RoSPA Award have for you/your organisation?

Winning a RoSPA award supports our strong health and safety culture that we have here at McCann and helps to provide great supporting evidence to a client’s Pre-qualification Questionnaires (PQQs).

We also display that we are a RoSPA Gold Award Winner in all of our email signatures, which helps to promote us as an organisation that works to extremely high standards, especially when it comes to health and safety.

What do you enjoy most about the RoSPA Awards process?

We always look forward to the awards dinner because it is a great opportunity for our support staff to receive recognition for the very important work that they do. We arrange for as many of them as possible to be at the dinner where they can relax and meet with other employees from our sites and celebrate shared success.

What do you think the applicant could do over the year to keep drafting an awards submission simple?

To guarantee a straight forward submission, it is important to remain organised. Initially, you should read the RoSPA submission guidance and take the time to digest all the information and thoroughly understand it.

Assigning the responsibility to one person ensures that they are focussed on the submission and can take control of what is needed at each stage. The designated employee should then make folders for each of the submission headings and collate evidence as they go, for example, saving any relevant emails. When filing evidence, it is useful to categorise the evidence early on as this will help to prevent a repetition of evidence across the different categories.

What advice would you give to organisations considering entering the awards for the first time, or how would you convince organisations not entering the awards to start entering?

First of all, the awards are about telling the story of what is going well using information you already have, which can be simpler than you may assume, so it is always worth entering. Also, don’t avoid entering if you have had an incident at work. The RoSPA Awards are a great opportunity to show that you have developed mature safety processes, but can also show how you learn from such incidents to prevent them from happening again. This can also lead to opportunities to demonstrate key learning and share findings with the rest of your wider industry.

We would advise not repeating the same evidence within the categories, which is where preparation and organisation play a huge part. It’s also good to remember that less is more with your written submission. Draft your document and check the word count, you will likely exceed the word limit the first time you do it but keep working on it until it’s as succinct as possible.

So what’s stopping you? The process of joining the global RoSPA Award-winning community couldn’t be simpler. Simply visit www.rospa.com/awards, register online, and submit your entry via our online portal. First-time entrant? Don’t worry, as support and guidance is available through our mentoring scheme – read this blog to find out more.

 

On January 14th, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Second Treaty of Paris, ending the War for Independence. In the document, which was known as the Second Treaty of Paris (because the Treaty of Paris was also the name of the agreement that had ended the Seven Years’ War in 1763), Britain officially agreed to recognize the independence of its 13 former colonies as the new United States of America. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 86 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First …

The post Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 14, 2020 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

It’s that time again – to look back at 2019 and recall some of the best hikes from the year. Long-time followers of this site know that it is a tradition to list the top hikes of each year and for the second year, we are spotlighting the hikes whose write-ups received the most traffic.

As with last year’s list, what follows is not a definitive list of Los Angeles’s most popular hikes, which would be subjective anyways, but a sampling based on the approximately 125,000 unique visitors who came to Nobody Hikes in L.A. in 2019 (thank you all!) There is a lot of carryover; 12 of the 19 hikes are returnees from the 2018 list. Among the new entries are Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, Griffith Park’s Suicide Trail and the Bowen Ranch approach to Deep Creek Hot Springs, one of two routes to that site to make the list.

The hikes on this year’s list include historic destinations, unusual geological formations, rivers, summits, landmarks and more. The difficulty ranges from easy family walks to challenging San Gabriel Mountain summits. Areas represented include the western San Fernando Valley, Griffith Park, the South Bay, the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests. These hikes are proof positive that Los Angeles has an incredibly diverse array of natural areas to explore.

#19) The Road to Nowhere

Though it dropped from #13 on last year’s list, the Road to Nowhere remained a well-visited post in 2019. Whether it’s the history, the views of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness or the mysterious tunnels, the Road to Nowhere is a popular hike, enjoyable for newcomers and veterans, offering an escape into the Angeles National Forest just a short distance from the San Gabriel Valley. (Originally published: 2011; #13 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#18) Big Dalton Canyon

Like the Road to Nowhere, Big Dalton Canyon offers an escape into nature, conveniently located to millions of San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire residents. The park features several steep trails – Mystic Canyon, Wren Meacham and the notorious Poopout and Punkout routes, but this gentle walk up the canyon is the one that made the list. (Originally published: 2012)

#17) Strawberry Peak

Though it dropped seven spots from last year, the write-up of Strawberry Peak continued to get a lot of traffic in 2019. The peak’s popularity is no surprise, considering its prime location in the Angeles Forest front country. Only a short drive from civilization, Strawberry Peak offers excellent views from its steep slopes. (Originally published: 2015 – #4 on the Top 15 of 15; #11 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#16) Two Harbors to Little Harbor (Catalina Island)

This hike on one of the more strenuous portions of the Trans-Catalina Trail also finished at #16 on last year’s list. Whether you hike it as a long day trip from Two Harbors or spend the night at the scenic Little Harbor Campground, it is sure to be a challenging and scenically rewarding adventure. (Originally published: 2012; #16 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#15) Hummingbird Trail

With its oddly shaped rocks, panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and steep drop-offs, it’s no wonder the Hummingbird Trail is a popular hike. (Originally published: 2013)

#14) Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bowen Ranch

Deep Creek runs from the north slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains to the Mojave Desert. Along the way, the creek passes some naturally occurring hot springs that are a popular destination for So Cal hikers. The approach from Bowen Ranch is the shortest and arguably easiest, although it does present the challenge of an exposed up-hill climb when it’s time to head back to the car. (Originally published: 2015)

#13) Suicide Trail (Griffith Park)

It seems fitting that unlucky #13 would be this ominously named trail in Griffith Park. The short but steep Suicide Trail is one of Griffith’s more sparsely visited routes, providing more solitude than one typically finds in the park. Attractive views of Mt. Chapel, the San Fernando Valley and the Verdugo Mountains are part of the appeal. (Originally published: 2017)

#12) Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

From a search engine optimization perspective, this post got a boost by being updated and expanded in October of 2018, but it has several intrinsic strengths: like the Hummingbird Trail, it offers a good workout conveniently located to the San Fernando Valley while still feeling fairly remote and it also has a historic flavor, following the route of the Old Stagecoach Road. The plaque marker on the steep Devil’s Slide Trail commemorating the road is a commonly photographed and recognizable site on this hike. (Originally published: 2014; revised and expanded, 2018)

#11) Lower Bear Creek

Another newcomer to the year end list, this hike provides a taste of some of the most remote terrain in the San Gabriel Mountains. The route written up on this site is a moderate, 4-plus mile round trip trek with some light boulder hopping in the creek, with the destination being a campsite with some interesting cabin ruins. Adventurous hikers can continue upstream, bushwhacking and boulder-hopping their way up to Smith Saddle. (Originally published: 2017)

#10) Dominguez Gap Wetlands

This returnee from last year’s list had an even stronger showing this year. Tucked between a golf course and a freeway, Dominguez Gap Wetlands occupies an area that might not seem like an ideal hiking destination, but it provides half a million Long Beach residents and people from other nearby communities a taste of nature in the midst of urban sprawl. Highlights include spring wildflowers, water fowl and sunsets. (Originally published: 2014; #18 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#9) Terranea Beach Sea Caves

Another returnee from last year’s list, the sea caves at Terrenea Beach on the former Marineland site are understandably popular. Easily accessible and fun to explore, they rival the Portuguese Bend Overlook as one of the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s most popular hikes. (Originally published: 2010; #5 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#8) “M” Trail

The most popular post on the site in 2018 dropped seven spots this year but still proved to be a favorite among readers. Many hikers drive by it on the way to Palm Springs or Idyllwild and it’s hard to not want to climb up to the “M” and enjoy the views. (Originally published: 2011; #1 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#7) Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bradford Ridge Path

This adventurous hike in the northwestern San Bernardino National Forest, where mountains meet desert, moved up several spots from last year. It is popular among hikers who don’t want to navigate the dirt roads necessary for the Bowen Ranch route or the hiking distance required for the P.C.T. option. As with Bowen, however, don’t forget about the steep climb out of the canyon on the return. (Originally published: 2011; #11 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#6) Potato Mountain

Last year’s runner up didn’t do as well this year, but Potato Mountain is still a big draw for Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley hikers. Though it’s views aren’t a substitute for those of the higher peaks of the eastern San Gabriels. (Originally published: 2012; updated 2017; #2 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#5) Eagle Rock Canyon Trail

This short but enjoyable hike made another strong appearance on this year’s list. In addition to visiting the distinctive boulder that gives Eagle Rock its name, this trail features panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles. Its convenient location makes it understandably popular and it’s easy enough that it can be done even on hot summer days. (Originally published: 2016; #7 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#4) Azusa River Wilderness Park

Here’s another hike that might not be a “bucket list” destination – but for the second year in a row, NHLA readers have made its write-up among the top 5 most visited on the site. Mountain views and history (the trail follows the current-day Highway 39’s predecessor) make this hike an understandably popular one, especially among San Gabriel Valley residents. (Originally published: 2015; #3 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#3) Stoddard Canyon Falls

With Sturtevant Falls, Trail Canyon, Black Star and Eaton becoming more and more popular, it’s not surprising that hikers are looking for less crowded alternatives. One is the waterfall just below Mt. Baldy Road that is known as Stoddard Canyon Falls (the officially named Stoddard Canyon Falls is on private land). Though some rock scrambling is required to reach it, Stoddard is a fairly accessible waterfall that is at low enough altitude to avoid much snow during the winter but also provides a cool swimming hole in the hot summer months. (Originally published: 2016; #12 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#2) Haunted Table 29

We return to Griffith Park for one of L.A.’s most infamous sites: the picnic table where, according to local lore, two young lovers were crushed to death by a falling tree. This hike once again proved to be a favorite among NHLA readers, besting its strong performance in 2018 to earn this year’s silver medal. In fact, Haunted Table 29 might have taken the gold had it not been for heavy spring rains…. (Originally published: 2015; #4 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

And the number one most viewed hike write-up in 2019 is…

#1) Walker Canyon

(Originally published: 2017)

Heavy spring rains put the quiet Inland Empire community of Lake Elsinore on the map in March, 2019. Suddenly, the hills on the north side of Interstate 15 were bright orange. The sight of millions of California golden poppies drew crowds beyond what the city of Lake Elsinore was equipped to handle and the resulting debacle was dubbed the “Poppy Apocalypse.” When it was all over, there were rattlesnake bites, heat stroke cases, disgraced Instagram influencers who were called out for trampling the flowers and a city of 65,000 that had to absorb up to 150,000 tourists.

Was there a good side to the Poppy Apocalypse? Many restaurants in Lake Elsinore saw business boom in March; many people who might not have otherwise been inspired to explore nature did so, and when reports of out-of-control conditions in Lake Elsinore started circulating, judicious hikers were inspired to explore other areas to observe the poppies, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and Chino Hills State Park.

Only time will tell if hikers learn from the lessons of Poppy Apocalypse, but for better or worse, the episode has become part of So Cal lore. While we are waiting to see how Poppy Apocalypse will be remembered, I want to take this opportunity to thank NHLA readers for another great year of supporting the site. Best wishes for a happy, safe and successful 2020 on and off the trails.

To view the best-of lists from years past, click here.