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<title>Survival Camping Store: Blog Posts</title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description>List of Latest Blog Posts at Survival Camping Store</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<isc:store_name><![CDATA[Survival Camping Store]]></isc:store_name>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ranger Bands]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Ranger-Bands_b_73.html</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Ranger bands are essentially super heavy duty rubber bands. They can be made from bike tire inner tubes or other sources. They have many practical uses for preppers, survivalists, campers and handymen. Find out some simple ways to make a ranger band and ideas for their use...    ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Ranger-Bands_b_73.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ranger bands are essentially super heavy duty rubber bands. They can be made from bike tire inner tubes or other sources. They have many practical uses for preppers, survivalists, campers and handymen. Find out some simple ways to make a ranger band and ideas for their use...   ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[What is a Ranger Band? It's basically a really strong rubber band. Simple enough.How Do You Make One?The instructions are simple:Materials needed include:Old bike tire inner tubeScissorsCut circular strips of inner tube with the scissors.Uses for Ranger Bands:Lashing gear to a packHolding things shutPlace them on Zippo Lighters to reduce fuel evaporationCreate slingshots or slingbowsHold ammo mags togetherUse as grip enhancers for knives, tools, handles, knobs, etc...There are lots more uses for these little guys! Please share your ideas in the comments section... but before you do, check out our latest Giveaway! (Active 5/13/2013 to 6/1/2013)Survival Camping Store's Memorial Day Giveaway Event!SCS has decided to do a massive giveaway in honor of Memorial day. To be entered to win is quite simple. All you must do is:1) Like SCS's Facebook page, if you haven't already!2) Share this post3) Leave a comment saying what prize you want most!This is a progressive giveaway, meaning, the more you share, like, and comment, the greater the prize! If we manage to get 100 Likes and Shares on this post, then we will be giving away literally hundreds of dollars of merchandise. Special Force Rucksacks, knives, fire starters, survival kits, water filters, and many more prizes are to be had! The contest will go from now until the end of May. Make sure you spread the word and win big! Rules and Terms: The progressive intervals are as follows:0-9 Likes &amp; Shares = Be entered to win Mini Survival Kit10-24 Likes &amp; Shares = Be entered to win Mini Survival Kit &amp; Water filter25-49 Likes &amp; Shares = Be entered to win Mini Survival Kit, Water Filter, &amp; Knife50-99 Likes &amp; Shares = Be entered to win Mini Survival Kit, Water Filter, Knife, &amp; Fire Starter100 Likes &amp; Shares = Be entered to win a full out BOB including all of the above, and an internal frame rucksack and much more!200 + Likes &amp; Shares = 2 Grand Prize winners (full BOB), 5 Other Winners (One of the above items at random)   ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[73]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Snake Bite Kit Saves Hunter's Life]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Snake-Bite-Kit-Saves-Hunters-Life_b_72.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 2 May 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sawyer Extractor devices or 'snake bite kits' have often been a subject of criticism. Some medical experts recommend not attempting to suck venom from a bite due to other potential side effects and uncertainty of effectiveness. However, in this situation, the snake bite kit absolutely saved this man's life...    ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Snake-Bite-Kit-Saves-Hunters-Life_b_72.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sawyer Extractor devices or 'snake bite kits' have often been a subject of criticism. Some medical experts recommend not attempting to suck venom from a bite due to other potential side effects and uncertainty of effectiveness. However, in this situation, the snake bite kit absolutely saved this man's life...   ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[The subject of preventing and surviving snake bites is not necessarily conclusive. Our own research at the SCS Labs suggest that the pros of attempting to suck snake venom from a bite outweigh the cons. Some other medical experts disagree, respectfully. However, hunter Chad Cross has saved his life by extracting venom from a rattlesnake bite on May 1st, 2013. Something as simple as this device (Coghlans Snake Bite Kit) was used to remove a large amount of venom before it was able to spread throughout his system and eventually reach his heart and kill him.Chad was out hunting for turkey when a venomous pit-viper rattlesnake bit his lower leg with little or no warning. Chad then proceeded to do exactly what one should do in this situation...He remained calm, took slow breaths to keep his heart rate down and collectively searched for his Sawyer Extractor (snake bite kit). Although he was not very familiar with how the device worked, it was simple enough to figure out and he was able to properly apply the item at the correct spot to then pump venom out of his blood stream where the fangs entered.After a sufficient amount of poison had been reduced, Chad began heading for his vehicle where he was then able to seek further medical attention.Doctors say that they are certain the snake bite kit aided in his ability to survive this bite from a 6 foot timber rattlesnake. Chad described the pain as being hit with a baseball bat. The most important lesson in this situation is that this individual was prepared. He took the time to consider his risks and sought after solutions before he ran into the problem. He stocked up on items he may need and even if he only ever uses this device once in his life, it was well worth the investment.   ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[72]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[5 Ways to Conserve Calories When Food is Limited]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/5-Ways-to-Conserve-Calories-When-Food-is-Limited_b_71.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A few quick tips to help your body get the most energy out of the limited calories you have available. Some of these suggestions may be obvious, but a few of them will certainly surprise you, and get that big energy-consuming brain thinking... (hint!)    ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/5-Ways-to-Conserve-Calories-When-Food-is-Limited_b_71.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A few quick tips to help your body get the most energy out of the limited calories you have available. Some of these suggestions may be obvious, but a few of them will certainly surprise you, and get that big energy-consuming brain thinking... (hint!)   ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[ 1. Don't Sweat it! - No seriously, try not to sweat. Staying hydrated in both warm AND COLD conditions will prevent excess energy loss. How? Well, sweating requires energy, it may not seem like it, but there's a lot of internal processes going on inside your body when it becomes overheated. You also expand blood vessels and capillaries which again require energy. This obviously doesn't mean to avoid drinking water when you're dehydrated! We're just saying that even if you have plenty of water, but are limited on calories, try to keep yourself as cool as possible.2. Eat your food in bigger meals, not spread throughout the day. - A common weight loss strategy is to eat many small meals several times a day instead of a only a few big meals. Even if you're intaking the same amount of calories, your body's metabolic rate will be different; faster when eating more frequently and slower when eating less frequently. To conserve calories, you want to slow down your metabolic rate, hence eat less often. When foraging for food, save everything till you develop a nice size meal instead of eating continuously on the go.3. Don't neglect hydration even when it's cold. - A lot of people assume that in colder conditions (think snow and ice) that hydration is less important. But water doesn't just work to keep you cool, it can help you stay warm too! Water retains heat very well, so when you lack enough water in your system, your body tends to lose heat faster than normal. And how does this affect your energy consumption? When your core temperature drops, your body requires more energy to help keep it thermo-regulated, in the form of increased metabolic rates and shivering.4. Don't just relax physically, relax mentally too! - Did you know your brain contributes to 20% of your total energy expenditure? Stressing out and worrying increases your brain activity in terms of physiological responses. Well just relax man, keeping calm will slow down your heart rate and ultimately save energy.5. Don't eat or drink calorie free foods. - I'm not sure what the chances are that you'll have a diet soda or sugar free gum during a survival situation, but if you do, don't consume it. Digesting things like that simply burn more calories and provide nothing in return. Additionally, certain artificial sweeteners may stimulate your appetite, making your hunger feelings much worse than before.Thanks for reading! What did you think? Got some additional ideas or thoughts? Leave a comment, join our newsletter if you'd like...Skip's Related Survival Gear: Energy Bar - 5 Hour Energy - Water FiltersCliff's Related Survival Gear: Food Bars - MRE - Emergency SeedsThe rule of 3: 3 minutes without air and I'm screwed (well probably even 2 minutes for me). 3 days without water and I feel like I need a shower. 3 weeks without food and I would have given up 2 weeks ago anyway... I think that's how it goes.   ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[71]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[Living Life Free of Energy Costs]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Living-Life-Free-of-Energy-Costs_b_70.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Wouldn't it be nice to live in a society where all the energy we ever used was practically FREE? I mean, think of everything around us that can provide energy... We have continuous sunlight, wind, gravitational effects on water (tides, rivers, damns, etc), biochemical compounds, latent heat sources within the earth, nuclear capabilities and probably more! Why do we only take advantage of one of these on a large scale? And it happens to be the least efficient and most expensive of all of them! Well, maybe this rant will spark some intuitive thought that can help lead to micro changes in the way our society powers itself.      ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Living-Life-Free-of-Energy-Costs_b_70.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Wouldn't it be nice to live in a society where all the energy we ever used was practically FREE? I mean, think of everything around us that can provide energy... We have continuous sunlight, wind, gravitational effects on water (tides, rivers, damns, etc), biochemical compounds, latent heat sources within the earth, nuclear capabilities and probably more! Why do we only take advantage of one of these on a large scale? And it happens to be the least efficient and most expensive of all of them! Well, maybe this rant will spark some intuitive thought that can help lead to micro changes in the way our society powers itself.     ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[What's the Problem and What Should We Do?The entire world must soon make a combined effort to resort to an alternative source of energy, in all aspects of energy consumption, to prevent a severe global economic, health, and environmental crisis within the current and next generations. If a transition to more renewable alternative energy sources is not implemented soon then we will severely pollute our planet, destroy environments, and set ourselves up for an economic disaster when our current energy sources run out.There are too many misconceptions when it comes to fuel and energy. Non-renewable energy sources are often very polluting, hazardous to health, costly in the long term, and will eventually run out (much sooner than many people expect!). The three most common forms of usable non-renewable energy are petroleum (crude oil), natural gas, and coal. (BP) According to certain variables such as daily consumption of each source and the amount of reserves, each of these three non-renewable energy sources will be soon depleted and will have left a terrible effect on the environment, our health, and our quality of living. We Will Soon Run Out!Petroleum is estimated to completely run out in the next 39.5 years! These numbers are not based on ‘junk science’ as some might put it. It is based on a very careful calculation determined by the measured amounts of current oil reserves, global consumption, and predicted undiscovered reserves. Oil will last another 39.5 years assuming we happen to find MORE oil in recently undiscovered areas AND that our current rate of consumption doesn’t vastly increase. (EIA)Coal, although possibly the most health hazardous source of energy, has a considerably longer ‘life span’. Based on the same calculation, coal will likely be available for another 265 years, assuming the rate of consumption doesn’t change. Still, this estimate is not the least bit comforting, considering that oil and natural gas will run out much quicker, forcing coal to become the primary and only source of non-renewable energy. (EIA)Natural gas is believed to be the safest of these non-renewable energy sources. It burns relatively clean, is not too expensive, and is somewhat more abundant than oil. However, there is an extreme danger in the process of extracting natural gas (primarily in the form of shale gas or coal seam gas). This process is called fracking (hydraulic fracturing), and causes natural gas to leak into underground water sources that lead to wells and reservoirs. The natural gas in the water poses health risks and potentially more immediate dangers due to the flammability of the mixed solution of natural gas and water. Homes that have been exposed to water wells contaminated with natural gas have literally exploded or caught fire through the actual pipelines. (Charlez) Another problem is that there is still only enough natural gas to last for an estimated 60 years. (EIA)Regardless of the many negative consequences of these non-renewable energy sources such as pollution, destruction of the environment, and serious health risks during the production process, these sources will run out and we will be forced to move on anyway! Why are we delaying the inevitable? Yes, the alternative is complicated, but still more simple than one might think.The Reality of Non-renewable Energy SourcesImagine living in a society which did not yet use energy for things like fueling our cars, heating and cooling our homes, running electrical appliances and so on. Then someone presented the idea of harvesting non-renewable energy sources. This process would consist of developing an incredibly large, expensive, and dangerous oil rig, constantly locating feasible and quickly decreasing drill sites, recruiting vast amounts of physically fit laborers who are willing to not only get severely injured or sick, but also die, and spend billions and billions of dollars and start wars that cost millions of lives over the rights to some additional oil sites. This process would also pollute our own environment which would cause significant long term health problems and destroy other environments completely. *ADDITION UPDATE!: (3/28/13) -  The problem is actually worse than you've described. Not only is the rate of use for oil/gas/coal going up exponentially thanks to both population growth and the desires of developing nations to share our middle-class lifestyles, but also you begin to have problems when production of a resource flattens out, NOT when it is all gone! It's called peak theory, and will happen with oil/gas/coal significantly sooner than when it runs out. Who wants oil that costs $500/barrel? -Christopher de VidalThe Better AlternativeOR, what if someone presented a different idea? This idea would consist of slightly changing the design of our homes that only cost an average of 5% more than a traditional design which is more than made up for in energy cost savings very quickly. (Lundin) It would also consist of developing self sustaining, safe, and relatively easy to build energy farms that depended on the location. For example, in Arizona, solar fields are an extremely practical implementation. On the coast, tidal energy can power entire cities. Areas of high wind can create a tremendous amount of power, and geothermal energy can be harvested practically anywhere to stabilize room temperatures of every structure without dramatic heating and air conditioning costs. This would allow the solar, wind, and tidal energy to be used for less consuming purposes such as running appliances, lighting, and heating water. Simple bio fuels like wood can be used sparingly in accordance to the design of the home with an outdoor or indoor woodstove. Non-renewable energy sources can be reserved for large-scale operations such as military applications, space exploration, and mass transit. Developing these ‘energy farms’ is rather simple. Keep in mind, practically anybody is capable of creating a small scale version of a solar field, wind farm and tidal/hydro powered generator. Applying these techniques on a larges scale is not significantly more difficult, especially compared to the complexities of the oil industry. (Wulfinghoff)The steps to converting to using renewable energy sources is a slow and steady process. It involves not just individuals, but corporations and government agencies making both small and big changes steadily over time. The design of energy consuming structures such as houses and vehicles must be required to meet certain standards that increase the efficiency of energy consumption. Using thermal mass and passive solar to cool and heat housing should be a standard. Vehicles can be engineered more dynamically efficient, run from multiple fuel sources such as hydrogen, electric and even solar. Government and public funding (even in small amounts) can help develop the energy farms that, once built, not only power themselves and our communities, but can power the production of even more energy farms.ConclusionIf our society can someday make a transformation to safe renewable energy to fuel our everyday lives, the economy, our health, and our environment will flourish and thrive to optimal levels. This transformation is highly feasible, but too many people are disinterested or ignorant to the facts. Knowledge is the first step in implementing this change, but unfortunately, that may be the most difficult step of all.Works CitedBP. Consumption By Fuel. Energy Consumption (2006). EBSCO. Web. 20 Mar. 2012.Charlez, Philippe A. Rock Mechanics: Petroleum Applications. Vol. 2. Editions TECHNIP, 1997. Print.Lundin, Cody. Energy Efficient Housing. Personal interview. 20 Jan. 2012.U.S. Energy Information Administration. Independent Statistics and Analysis. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Web. Mar.-Apr. 2012. Wulfinghoff, Donald R. How to Build and Operate a Super Efficient House. Www.EnergyBooks.com. Wulfinghoff Energy Services, 2003. Web. 20 Mar. 2012.    ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[70]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[Bitcoin - The Currency of the Future]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Bitcoin--The-Currency-of-the-Future_b_69.html</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Bitcoin is a virtual currency that does not rely on a centralized location. It uses extremely secure transaction protocol and is on track to replace all currency in major developed societies in the foreseeable future. We highly recommend you get on the Bitcoin track now while stocks are rising! We also accept bitcoin payments here!    ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Bitcoin--The-Currency-of-the-Future_b_69.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bitcoin is a virtual currency that does not rely on a centralized location. It uses extremely secure transaction protocol and is on track to replace all currency in major developed societies in the foreseeable future. We highly recommend you get on the Bitcoin track now while stocks are rising! We also accept bitcoin payments here!   ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[What is a Bitcoin?A bitcoin is like a virtual token. It is currency that you can earn and spend on goods and services just like paper money. Businesses and organizations all across the globe are beginning to accept bitcoin payments as an alternative to standard payment methods. The benefits of bitcoin far exceed benefits of other currency and the risk is also much less.Bitcoin's main purpose is to replace paper money for something more efficient, safer, and easier. It also intends to be a universal currency, eliminating the need for exchange rate calculations across societies that use different currencies.Why Use Bitcoin?Bitcoin is more efficient in every way. It uses very little resources to create, distribute and trade. Did you know that it costs anywhere from 5-10 cents to create paper bills, and often more to create coins. A penny for example, costs nearly 3 cents to make. A nickel costs about 14 cents. This means our society is paying for currency that has less monetary value than it's actual face value. This does not bode well for us, as any wastes in resources can negatively affect our economy in the future. The costs of trading bitcoins is negligible. It merely uses a tiny amount of electricity, often times it uses electricity that would be used anyway running a computer that a transaction is being processed through, thus ultimately costing very close to literally nothing. Sometimes very small transaction fees can be applied depending on the source used, however it is much smaller than that of other transaction fees that banks and merchant gateway providers like Paypal would entail.Bitcoin is safer. Paper money is easily subject to physical damages, theft, and becoming lost. This is basically impossible for a virtual currency. Although bitcoin can be stolen, it is exponentially more difficult, can be more easily recovered, and wouldn't affect the worth or value of bitcoins. Every transaction undergoes an extremely strict set of protocols and encryptions to ensure the legitimacy and security of the transaction.Bitcoin is easier. Transactions can be sent instantly from any computer in the world to another. It does not require a complicated process either. Every individual can obtain a unique virtual wallet which is accompanied by a complex identification number. Using the identification number, money can be sent and received in just a few seconds after logging into one's wallet online. Also, you can always immediately exchange bitcoins for your standard form of currency, no hassle, no costs!Additional benefits of Bitcoin include the quickly rising value. Since it's release, anyone who has invested in bitcoin has reaped the reward of dramatic increases in value. But don't worry, every indication points towards the fact that the value will keep rising for years to come until it stabilizes when a vast majority of individuals have begun using bitcoin. Values are currently on a dramatic rise without signs of slowing.Is there a risk?In short, yes, but it's actually less risky than whatever you're doing now! I can't say with absolute certainty that the stock of bitcoins will never drop and that it's completely impossible to become subject to theft, but I will say it's MUCH MUCH less likely to happen compared to current forms of currency, like the dollar. In fact, I'd rather invest in tradable goods and inherently valuable resources like gold and silver.Save Yourself from Economic Armageddon!There are many reasons why our financial system and economy are on the brink of collapse. Corrupt banking systems and fraudulent production and counterfeiting of money are just two of many reasons. Both of which are completely nullified by using a bitcoin system of currency. There is no central bank that controls the storage and regulation of bitcoin, nor can you counterfeit bitcoin! Read about the Economic Armageddon and what you can do about it.*In addition to this valuable information regarding financial solutions in a time of crisis, you might want to refer to this broader survival guide.*Where Should You Start?To begin using bitcoins, you can simply create your virtual wallet using many different sources. The one we recommend is Blockchain.info. It only takes a few moments to set up and once your started all you need is to convert some dollars into bitcoin. It will walk you through this process, after that, enjoy the benefits of increasing monetary values and easier/safer payment methods with hundreds of thousands of vendors that support bitcoin currency like ourselves!Skip and Cliff's Recommended Survival Gear: Coghlans Wallet - Valuables Dry Pouch - Coghlans PadlockTo understand more about HOW bitcoins actually work we should refer you to a wikipedia page. They get more into the details about things such as bitcoin mining, hash functions, and trade rates.Bitcoins can be readily and immediately exchanged for dollars, so you can 'cash out' whenever you want. Limiting risks even further if you were to need paper currency in a hurry, while having money tied up in bitcoin.   ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[69]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[Top 15 Homesteading Skills for Preppers]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Top-15-Homesteading-Skills-for-Preppers_b_68.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 1 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Homesteading is broadly defined as living a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. Being self sufficient is ultimately the end goal of any 'Doomsday Prepper'. So which of these skills are absolutely essential if you want to survive in the long run, when the grid goes down?...      ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Top-15-Homesteading-Skills-for-Preppers_b_68.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Homesteading is broadly defined as living a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. Being self sufficient is ultimately the end goal of any 'Doomsday Prepper'. So which of these skills are absolutely essential if you want to survive in the long run, when the grid goes down?...     ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[A homesteader is essentially a person who lives a self-sufficient lifestyle, free of reliance on the surrounding society. One thing is for sure, that a true homesteader would be well off in the case of an economic or societal collapse. This is one of many things a prepper might prepare for. So it lends to reason, that any prepper or survivalist can greatly benefit from learning a few homesteading skills.Gardening - I can't stress enough how hard growing your own sustainable source of food actually is, especially for those with little or no experience. Even in good conditions, with healthy soil and ideal weather conditions, plant life can be sensitive. In some regards, raising a family of edible plants can be more difficult than raising a pet, but it is absolutely essential to be able to do. Long term food stocks and storage ultimately run out, but Mother Nature is forever fruitful, if we treat her well.Hunting, trapping, and fishing - This is a pretty broad category, but it all fits in the food procurement skill set. The quest for food is the overriding factor of almost all wildlife, so it may be the same for us when the grid collapses and we're on our own. Passive methods such as trapping and fishing is probably more efficient than active hunting, although if you can score big game then the rewards are greater.Raising livestock - There are a lot of great benefits from raising various livestock. Continuous supply of food is the main goal. Chickens can provide eggs regularly and are relatively easy to raise, cows can provide milk and can be butchered eventually, goats can also provide milk but also double as an effective lawnmower.Skinning and gutting animals - If you're going to be hunting, you better learn this skill set. It's a true shame when an inexperienced hunter gets their first kill only to realize they don't have any idea how to prepare the kill.4.5 *UPDATE!* (3/11/13) - So apparently we didn't mention First-Aid in the original post!.. As several readers have pointed out that having a basic knowledge of a few medical procedures and first aid skills can be extremely beneficial (see comments). We certainly agree. Some essential skills may include stitching, ability to make medications and utilize herbal remedies, CPR, and basic instructions on how to treat common illnesses like cold, flu and rashes.Preserving food - So you learned to grow food, forage, hunt and prepare your foods, but now winter is coming and you have to stock up big time. You can't just stuff things in a tupperware container and hope it keeps. Learn how to properly can and jar foods, as well as utilize salts and acids for preservation purposes.Basic carpentry - The ability to build a quality shelter, even a simple one such as an elaborate brush shelter, is an invaluable skill. You can also make repairs to current structures if they undergo detrimental damages from storms, bad weather conditions or accidents.Sewing - When new supplies of clothing aren't readily available at the click of a button, you will soon realize how valuable good clothing is. Things tear and get thrown out all too often. Simple sewing skills can save years of use from many articles of clothing.Knife sharpening - A knife is one of the most important survival tools, but they don't last forever. When your knife dulls it obviously becomes useless. Get that old whet stone out and start practicing.Building a fire - Sure, anyone can start a fire using some gasoline and a lighter (not recommended) but what about when all you have is some tinder and an old fashioned flint and steel? Get that little fire starter out and start making sparks!Filtering water - There are lots of ways to filter and disinfect water, but you'll want to be able to MASS filter. A big barrel filled with sand and although filter-like substances is a start. And it doesn't hurt to keep a portable filter device available, although they are not a long term solution.Training a dog - I'm a big supporter of the symbiotic relationship between man and dog. We're practically best friends. Dogs can provide a whole lot of benefits for a homesteader. They can assist in hunting and provide a great deal of protection. Perhaps they can assist with #14 as well... Go watch Cesar Milan, dogs don't speak any of our verbal languages, but people don't seem to really get that. Please treat your pet with the respect and honor it deserves by taking the time to understand them better. As I always say, Dogs are people too!Making candles - An important skill is to provide light in times of dark. You may not have electricity so get ready to seek alternative sources of luminosity.Negotiating and bartering - People skills and the ability to effectively trade may make the difference between surviving and dying. I can't exactly tell you how to develop this skill... but at least understand that it would sure help to be able to effectively communicate with others in times of need and compromise.Entertaining yourself - Without modern forms of entertainment like TV, computers, phones and so on, life can get pretty dim and boring rather quick. There are LOTS of ways to have fun however. You just have to test yourself, put down all those tech devices and see what you can come up with on your own or with a friend, in just your backyard.Continuing to learn - The pursuit of knowledge and furthering your understanding is what's ultimately going to keep you developing and improving your quality of life and thus further enhancing your survival abilities.There are of course many other skills that are very important. These are some of the ones we felt were most immediate or very useful in the long run. Feel free to add some in the comments section and we'll be sure to give recognition in the future update article!Recommended Survival Gear by Skip and Cliff: Snare-vival Trap - Blade Trader - Tub CandlesSo I was trying to survive one day, and I realized something. Holy crap this is hard.     ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[68]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[Self Sufficiency and Survival]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Self-Sufficiency-and-Survival_b_67.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ How being self sufficient can aid in your emergency preparedness plans, as well as improve your chances of survival in any scenario. The skills of learning to fend for yourself and supply your own needs can come in use practically anywhere, in any situation.  ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Self-Sufficiency-and-Survival_b_67.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How being self sufficient can aid in your emergency preparedness plans, as well as improve your chances of survival in any scenario. The skills of learning to fend for yourself and supply your own needs can come in use practically anywhere, in any situation. ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[Self sufficiency is not having to rely on any aid, support, or interaction with others in order to survive. Being self sufficient is often analogous to homesteading, simple living, or off-the-grid survivalism.There are several factors that require one to become self sufficient; some of these practices include the following:Autonomous Building - Pertains to a shelter, building, or living quarters that is designed to provide housing without infrastructural support like electrical power grids, municipal water systems, sewage treatment systems, communication services and more.Sustainable Agriculture - Pertains to the act of supplying oneself with enough food on a regular basis to survive for extended periods of time, year after year. May also include harvesting a source of clean drinking water.Renewable Energy - Although harvesting energy sources isn't necessarily a survival necessity, it sure provides a tremendous edge in a self sufficient lifestyle by preserving energy it would normally take to do work. ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[67]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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<title><![CDATA[Random Survival Tips (11-20)]]></title>
<link>http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Random-Survival-Tips-11-20_b_66.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Part 2 of our random tips collection. Thank you participants across all our social media platforms! Google+, facebook, and twitter primarily. Join our discussions to contribute to this series. You can also subscribe to our blog and leave comments if you want to partake in this collection of Random Survival Tips.     ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.survivalcampingstore.com/Random-Survival-Tips-11-20_b_66.html</guid>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Part 2 of our random tips collection. Thank you participants across all our social media platforms! Google+, facebook, and twitter primarily. Join our discussions to contribute to this series. You can also subscribe to our blog and leave comments if you want to partake in this collection of Random Survival Tips.    ]]></content:encoded>
<isc:description><![CDATA[These tips have been gathered from followers among our social media pages, our blog, and our newsletter. Some contributors are also friends and affiliates of ours within the survival and prepping community. Here is the 2nd edition, which features random survival tips #11 through 20. Enjoy!  (Read 1-10 here)11. Your knife can 'run out'. Basically, if you really want to plan for a survival situation, don't use your knife to the point it becomes dull. Les Stroud pointed out the mistake he made once when he used his knife for everything, and by day 3 or 4 of his expedition, his knife became dull and useless, preventing him from completing certain necessary tasks. He advises now, that if you don't need to use your knife, and have another tool or technique at your disposal, use that instead. (Les, interview)12. A stick is a great multi-purpose tool. Not every stick is efficient, so when you find one that is just the right length, the right thickness, and not too dead or brittle, save it. Some uses can include digging, trekking assistance, reaching, protection, hammering, or sharpen to a spear, use as part of a trap or shelter, etc... (Dustin, blog)13. Field test items you may actually need in a survival scenario. When developing your own survival kit, or even if you've purchased a pre-made kit, the one thing to do which is essential is to make sure each item is checked and when possible, tested. Familiarize yourself with each item - check &amp; test EVERYTHING as your life may depend on it. (Paul Morris, G+)14. When preparing for a long trek, heavy boots provide stability, light boots provide mobility. Not every person would require the same footwear on the same trek. Well, some people don't require any footwear at all! (Cody Lundin...) So, even in a rocky, rough terrain, one might need the ankle support and protection a heavy duty boot would provide, while the next person would be better off with lighter boots to more easily maneuver around obstacles. This is all dependent on personal preference and ability. Don't let anyone else demand otherwise, there's a 50-50 chance they could be wrong if they aren't familiar with your own ability, comfort level, and preference.15. Dont drink your pee, there are better ways to reuse it! If you have the knowledge to build a simple solar still, then urinate into the region of the still where moisture is being evaporated from. (PA Preppers, facebook) - Read more on 'Drinking Urine'.16. Everyone deserves a luxury item. You know, being in a survival situation doesn't mean your'e constantly busy, in fact it's quite the contrary. You usually have nothing to do, especially once you took care of the essentials. Some people recommend bringing something that simply passes the time. A deck of cards, a book, set of throwing knives for fun, the list goes on. (SCS Newsletter)17. Don't put TOO MUCH effort into food procurement. Joe Teti says it well, every decision is based on a risk/reward premise. Although he takes extreme measures to hunt game and climb tall slippery trees for a few nuts, you have to make sure you get out more than you put in, otherwise it's totally not worth it. Remember, the main purpose of food procurement is to gain energy. Active hunting and taking extreme measures to procure food uses significant amounts of energy. Instead, use passive methods such as trapping, fishing and gathering. (Joe and Cody, Dual Survival)18. Hygiene is extremely important to your health, don't ignore it. Insanitary conditions can greatly weaken your immune system, which is already compromised in a stressful situation. Getting sick can exponentially hurt your chances of making it out alive. Don't use dirty utensils and dishware, keep even minor cuts and scratches clean and covered, this seems obvious but is too often overlooked. (SCS blog guest post)19. A pencil sharpener makes useful fire tinder. Add one to your fire starting kit! (Nate Youse, facebook)20. Mother Nature provides lots of insulation. When you suffer from cold temperatures and your immediate shelter and clothing is insufficient just look around. Lots of soft plant material, dead or alive, can act as great insulation you can stuff in your bedding and clothing and around your shelter. Dead material is best due to the low moisture levels and because the act of decomposition creates a small amount of heat that can be absorbed. (Matt Strunk, user video)Thanks for reading and contributing to our 2nd edition of Random Survival Tips! These tips have been gathered and collected from many sources and individuals of the survival and prepping community. You can contribute your own by submitting comments and following us on our social media.Recommended Survival Gear by Skip and Cliff: Bivouac Shelter - Weather Alert Radio - Fire StartersA true survival scenario will tax you beyond belief on all levels of your humanity, and one of the first things to go down the toilet will be your fine and complex motor skills - Lundin   ]]></isc:description>
<isc:productid><![CDATA[66]]></isc:productid>
<isc:author><![CDATA[Devin Peterson]]></isc:author>
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