15 Ideas to make paracord bracelet for survival
Paracord bracelets are crafted using a versatile and durable type of nylon rope originally used in military parachutes, providing a reliable source of solid cordage for various outdoor activities and survival situations. Paracord, short for parachute cord, is a versatile and durable nylon rope that has gained immense popularity recently. Its incredible strength and flexibility […]
Can a Solar-Powered Flashlight Really Do All This?
Today I want to tell you about one of our most popular devices that you can charge with just the power of the sun. So stay tuned.
When you need light in the darkness, a flashlight is your go-to tool, right? Well, it wasn’t always this way. When men and women needed light before electricity, they used torches.
Those torches were followed eventually by candles, oil lamps, and kerosene lamps. Each involved a flame that had to be carried, so there was always the possibility of danger.
Near the end of the 19th century, the incandescent light bulb and the dry battery were invented.
Flash lights needed to rest
The flashlight was created in 1899 and there’s a good reason the word “flash” was used in its name. The small, incandescent electric light bulb was powered by batteries, with a contact switch turning the light on and off.
But these “flash lights” could not emit light for very long. They ran on zinc-carbon batteries that could not provide constant current for extended periods of time. The user had to give these flashlights frequent rests.
Over time, as batteries improved and tungsten replaced carbon filaments, the flashlight became more dependable and popular.
Most of today’s flashlights run on disposable or rechargeable batteries. They use incandescent light bulbs or LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Incandescent bulbs have a tungsten filament. LEDs are semiconductors that emit light.
Standard flashlights still the same
Today, there are two basic types of flashlights: standard and tactical. We’ve all probably used a standard flashlight at one time or another.
Many still require big batteries and they still turn on the same way and weigh about the same.
These basic everyday flashlights are handy when you’re looking for something under a couch. Or when you’re trying to find something in a dark closet. And, of course, when the power goes out in your home.
Standard flashlights are usually constructed from inexpensive aluminum or cheap plastic and low-grade steel. Many don’t last too long.
A variety of devices
Among the many flashlights we see today are incandescent bulb flashlights, LED flashlights and high-intensity discharge flashlights. Plus pressurized gas flashlights, solar-powered flashlights and headlamp flashlights.
As well as shake flashlights, USB-charging flashlights and utility flashlights. And heavy-duty flashlights and work flashlights.
They all have their place, and some are more effective than others. A high-intensity discharge flashlight, for example, can deliver a very bright light. That’s due to an electrical current that runs through a ball of ionized gas.
A shake flashlight turns on by shaking it. It’s powered by magnets that cause a reaction to produce light. A headlamp flashlight is ideal if you need to shine light on something you’re using both hands to work on.
Tactical flashlights the best choice
Tactical flashlights are far superior to standard flashlights. So why settle for anything less?
Tactical flashlights look and feel much different. They’re more durable and weather-resistant. And they feature a variety of settings, such as strobe and SOS. Once you get used to a tactical flashlight, you’ll probably never use a standard flashlight again.
Most tactical flashlights are made with a higher grade of aluminum and are armor-coated. Normally they are lighter in weight than basic flashlights. And they can resist shocks, corrosion and whatever the weather throws at them.
The average standard flashlight gives you about 10 feet of brightness. That’s approximately 100 lumens. Tactical flashlights provide brightness to about 50 feet. And they give you visibility up to about 100 yards.
What to look for
Here’s what I look for in a tactical flashlight:
- Ultra-bright LED flashlight
- Solar panel
- Power bank
- SOS light & strobe
- Work light
- Seatbelt/rope splitter
- Glass-breaking hammer
- Compass
- Magnet
- Lightweight
- Anti-slip handle
- Adjustable wrist strap
Could a tactical flashlight save your life?
A tactical flashlight is not only superior to a regular flashlight. It could also save your life. Here are six ways that could happen.
Spotting danger in the darkness. If you find yourself walking in a dark area – due to a power outage or if you’re camping in the woods – a flashlight is a big help for finding your way and avoiding pitfalls. You might even spot a human with bad intent or an animal looking for its next meal. Spotting either of them before you get too close could save your life.
Escaping from a hazard zone. If there were a chemical spill near where you live and the power were knocked out, a flashlight might be the only tool at your disposal to help you get out of the region as quickly and safely as possible. The same thing would be true if you were dealing with a fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster that would require you to get away quickly.
Signaling for help. If you get lost in the wilderness, whether during an escape from a bad situation or just a camping trip, or are stranded somewhere, a flashlight could be used to signal for help. Especially if your flashlight has a built-in SOS component or a strobe function to it. Light carries a long distance in a short amount of time – something like 186,000 miles per second – and it will attract attention if someone is able to observe it.
Self-defense from an attacker. There are weapons that would be more useful than a flashlight if you’re attacked. A gun comes to mind first, of course. But most of us don’t have immediate access to that type of weapon when we’re out and about. And there are usually restrictions on how and when they can be carried. A flashlight can temporarily blind an attacker to allow an escape, while its barrel can be used for a counterattack.
A vehicle breakdown. If you have to get out of your vehicle after pulling off to the side of the road, your hazard lights should help other drivers see your car. But they won’t help you see what’s going on under the hood. A flashlight will come in very handy in this situation, as it would if you were changing a tire. And if you have to abandon the car and walk somewhere in the dark, it will help light your way.
Charging a cellphone for an emergency call. If your cellphone is dead and you need to make a call for help, some tactical flashlights will enable you to charge it. That phone call could allow you to escape a very dangerous situation.
Everybody needs a flashlight. And several of them are much better than having just one. But make sure you have tactical flashlights because they can do so much more.
Now that I’ve told you what to look for in a tactical flashlight, let me also tell you that you don’t need to look any farther. Because I have the ideal one for you. It’s called the HaloXT Tactical Flashlight from 4Patriots.
In addition to several light functions, this flashlight has small solar panels so you can charge it with just the power of the sun. As well as a glass breaker, a seatbelt cutter and a compass. The HaloXT also has an anti-slip handle and an adjustable wrist strap.
Despite the fact that it’s small, lightweight and easy to handle, it’s extremely sturdy. That’s because it’s made from aluminum alloy. It can handle abuse. And that includes dropping it on the floor or ground, and banging it against something.
It will continue to perform perfectly. This flashlight is weather-resistant, shock-resistant and corrosion-resistant. It even includes a magnet so you can secure it to your car and use both hands to work.
[VIDEO] Meet Our 4Patriots Founders 🇺🇸
13 years ago, our Founders Allen & Erin Baler quit their corporate jobs and moved their family from New England to Nashville. On a shoe-string budget, they started with one product. Today, our company offers all kinds of emergency preparedness and wellness products, to help you achieve peace of mind in an uncertain world.
Remember These Fire Safety Warnings When Camping
Camping and fire go together like a hand in a glove. Or as Forrest Gump would say, like peas and carrots.
It’s difficult to imagine a camping experience without cooking your food over a fire during the day. And then sitting around a fire at night after a long day of hiking, enjoying s’mores, beverages, and each other’s company.
But we’ve all heard the horror stories resulting from a fire getting out of control. Millions of acres of beautiful forest have been destroyed – not to mention lives and homes – by wildfires.
And many of those fires resulted from the carelessness of people who built those fires. This is a tragedy that is easily averted. But it takes all of us doing our part.
The 25-foot rule
Today I want to discuss ways to keep your campfire from destroying forestland, homes, and maybe even lives.
Let’s start with where you build a fire. It needs to be at least 25 feet away from trees, shrubs, tents, buildings, and other structures.
But don’t just look in front, behind, and around you. Look up as well. There should be at least 20 feet clearance between your fire and tree branches above you.
Keep your fire area small, especially if it’s a breezy day. You can always expand it if you feel it’s safe to do so. Make sure to carefully watch any children or pets with you so they don’t come too close to the fire. Keep fire-starters out of kids’ reach.
Drown, stir, repeat
Next, make sure you have the proper tools to handle a fire. A bucket of sand will come in handy if you need to quickly smother a fire.
You should also have a bucket of water to submerge a burned log and douse a fire when you’re finished with it. Drown the fire with water, mix the ashes with a shovel, and drown it again.
Fire Pit tools include a poker to move logs and whatever kindling you might be using. Prongs will allow you to pick up and move or discard a burned log. A shovel can aid in extinguishing a fire.
Needless to say, never leave a fire unattended. Even for a few minutes. And when you are finished with it, be absolutely certain it is completely out. Forest fires have started when campers incorrectly thought they’d fully extinguished their fire.
11 more tips
Here are a few more outdoor fire safety tips to follow:
- Acquire the proper permit to build a campfire and learn the fire regulations that are in place.
- Clear grass, needles, dry leaves, and sticks at least 10 feet away from where you will build your fire.
- If available, use a designated firepit. Or dig one a foot deep and surround it with a ring of stones.
- Use local firewood. Bringing firewood from your home area could introduce tree-killing insects and diseases that weren’t already there.
- Build your fire downwind from your tent.
- Never use a flammable liquid such as gas to start a fire.
- Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing while using a campfire.
- Remember to stop, drop, and roll if your clothing does catch on fire.
- Treat a burn immediately. Use cold water on it for several minutes and cover it with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical attention as soon as you can.
- Don’t build a fire if it is an exceptionally windy day.
- You don’t need a roaring fire. A small fire surrounded by rocks will produce plenty of heart for cooking and warmth.
Handling outdoor fire responsibly can make camping one of life’s most enjoyable experiences. Handling it irresponsibly can result in tragedy. The choice is clear.
Surviving the Summer Heat: Illuminate Your Way Through Blackouts
“Oppressive” heat in Deep South states. “Sizzling” temperatures in Arizona and California. “Scorching” temps in New England. “Broiling” heat in the West and Midwest. That’s what The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting for the 2023 summer in the U.S.
If the Almanac is correct, many Americans will be using their air conditioners nearly non-stop this summer. Those massive power draws will result in intentional or unintentional power outages. Or both. And that means dark homes in the evenings.
Today I want to discuss a variety of ways you can create light to break through the darkness. Some of these you’ve used for that purpose. But I’m guessing you haven’t used some of the more unusual ones.
And when I finish with my list, I’m going to introduce you to a product that works great at lighting your surroundings. Whether you’re inside or out.
Flashlights, candles, etc.
Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first. The quickest and easiest way to produce light is with a flashlight. Keep several around the house and take a couple with you when you go out.
Another is lighting candles. While this is also a quick way to produce light, candles can be a fire hazard. They shouldn’t be left burning when you leave a room or walk away from a campsite.
Oil lamps are another option. Using oil as the fuel source, these lamps have been employed for thousands of years. A textile wick drops down into the oil and is lit at the end. The oil burns as it is drawn up the wick.
Of course, your smartphone can also serve as a flashlight. And you can always provide some light while camping (or in your fireplace) with a fire. Headlamps and glowsticks also illuminate your surroundings. As do battery-powered and solar-powered lanterns.
Lighting with some color
OK, now for some lesser-known ways to light up your life in a blackout. Remember those Crayola crayons you used as a kid? And maybe you still join in some coloring fun with your kids or grandkids.
Because crayons are basically wax, you can light them like a candle and they’ll produce light for about 30 minutes.
Break the point off a crayon and light the paper label at the end. The paper will serve as a wick as the wax melts.
If you tie several crayons together, you can get a larger flame going, thereby producing more light.
Glowing water
I mentioned headlamps a moment ago. As the name implies, it’s a light that ties around your head with a strap so you can see in front of you in the dark.
But a headlamp can also be used to produce a glowing light to set the mood at home or in the woods.
Fill a clear plastic gallon jug with water. Then wrap a headlamp “belt” around the container with the light shining inward, toward the center of the jug.
When the water diffuses and diverts the light, you’ve got a glowing lamp to provide some ambiance.
Crisco, sardines & bacon
Would you like to be able to produce a candle-type light that will stay lit for a long time? Maybe a month?
Just get a large can of Crisco. Using a forked stick, shove a natural fiber wick (such as a mop strand or a cotton t-shirt shred) down to the bottom of the thick grease.
Here’s another idea. Once you’ve eaten sardines out of a can containing olive oil, place a natural fiber wick (like that mop strand I mentioned) into the oil that’s left over so it’s completely immersed.
Then bend the strand up at the edge of the can and light it. It should stay lit for several hours. The downside? It will smell like fish. Bacon grease can serve the same purpose – and will smell better.
So… how about this SoLantern?
There are a number of other good ways to create light at home during a blackout or while you’re camping, and I want to share one with you. It’s the 4Patriots SoLantern. It has a long-lasting battery and recharges with the sun.
This powerful light produces 800 lumens. Which is the equivalent to the light produced by 800 candles. It’s lightweight so you can take it anywhere. The SoLantern has five different light settings and can power up your phone and other electronic devices.
Use it at campgrounds, on RV trips, and in your front and back yards. All at the simple push of a button. Carry it with you to light your path or set it down and read by it.
And this is a great time to acquire the SoLantern because we’re offering one free whenever you purchase four.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road – Part 1, by J.M.
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s mantra is “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home”, and the entire movie is pretty much about her following a yellow brick road to get there. Many of us spend a good chunk of our lives away from home, whether it’s at work, on vacation, visiting […]
[VIDEO] Smart Americans LOVE this Survival Food Kit 💪
Hear what concerned folks, just like yourself, have to say about our tasty and shelf-stable 3-Month Survival Food Kit! You’ll discover one comment over and over … this survival food provides peace of mind.
Here’s How to Keep Food Cold During a Blackout
What’s the worst thing about a power outage?
The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors. Including where you live and what time of year it is. As well as any health conditions you might have.
Stumbling around in the dark is not fun. But there are worse problems connected to a blackout.
The loss of air conditioning during a heat wave is one. As is the loss of heat during a frigid spell. Either could be life-threatening.
And what if you’re dependent on refrigeration for your medicine? Or on an electrical device to keep your heart beating regularly? That’s pretty serious stuff.
A common goal
We all live in different areas of the country. We experience blackouts at different times of the year. And we have different health conditions.
But one thing we all have in common is this: we want to keep our food cold in refrigerators and freezers.
We worked hard to earn money to buy that food. The last thing we want is for food in a fully-stocked refrigerator and freezer to go bad because our power went out.
Spoiler Alert – The good news is you can keep your food fresh, safe, and cold, even in a blackout. More on that in a moment.
Hitting close to home
There’s a reason this subject is top of mind for me. Not all that long ago, we here at 4Patriots got a big scare.
A tornado outbreak struck downtown Nashville where we’re based. As well as at nearby Cookeville.
The tornadoes killed 25 people and injured 300. With winds reaching 175 miles per hour, the destruction was massive.
More than 70,000 people lost electrical power. The storm caused nearly $1 billion in damage. It was a full week before some folks had power restored.
Tips and tricks
As a general rule, food in a refrigerator should be good for four hours after the power goes out. In a freezer, it should stay safe for 24 to 48 hours.
But when an outage extends longer than those time periods, that spells trouble. You’re in danger of losing the food you need to feed yourself and your family.
Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to help you keep your food safe longer.
Today I want to share some of them with you. They just might come in handy next time a power outage occurs in your neck of the woods.
Keep those doors closed
Here’s something to always remember. When the power goes out, there is a temptation to open the freezer and refrigerator periodically.
Understandably, people want to check on the status of their food. But don’t do it. Every time those doors open, warm air gets in. That shortens the life of your food.
Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed except for removing an item you want to cook or eat right away. Or quickly moving some items from the refrigerator to the freezer.
The magic temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can keep your food at that temperature or lower, it should be safe to eat. Keeping the doors closed will help.
Meat down, vegetables up
Whenever possible, keep your freezer and refrigerator full. Food will stay safe during a power outage in a full freezer longer than in a half-full freezer. Same with your refrigerator.
If your refrigerator or freezer is not full, at least group your foods together. Rather than having them spread out.
Because heat rises – even inside a refrigerator – the bottom portion of your refrigerator is colder than the top.
So, keep meat and fish in the lower levels. Fruits and vegetables can be placed on the higher shelves.
Stock up on ice
The more ice you have available, the better you can keep your food cold during a blackout.
In addition to filling your ice trays regularly, place a couple of bags of ice in your kitchen or garage freezer.
You could even freeze water in Tupperware containers. But don’t fill them, because water expands when it freezes. It might break those containers.
When a blackout extends beyond several hours, you can put ice in coolers. Then move some food from your freezer and refrigerator to those coolers.
And if it’s colder outside than inside, you might want to set those coolers outside your door.
Thermometer beats a taste test
Earlier I mentioned you don’t want your refrigerated food to get above 45 degrees. The best way to ensure that is by keeping a thermometer inside your refrigerator and freezer.
These thermometers are inexpensive. They are a big help in determining whether food has gone bad during and following an outage. Newer refrigerators have displays on the outside of the door to let you know your freezer and fridge temps.
If you don’t have a thermometer, don’t make the mistake of testing your food by tasting it. You’re better off throwing something out than getting sick from eating it.
Refrigerated perishable food will go bad after four hours. Including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers. When in doubt, toss it out.
Free Freedom Fridge from Frank? Yes!
So, if your power is out and you’re approaching the time when food could start to go bad, what do you do? The answer is the solar-powered and portable Freedom Fridge from 4Patriots. And for a limited time, you can get one for free. You heard me right.
With the purchase of a Patriot Power Generator 1800, you will receive a Freedom Fridge free of charge. It weighs only 17 pounds and it can either cool or heat your food – your choice.
Which means the food it contains does not have to be shelf stable. You can run this food locker for up to 30,000 hours over its lifetime. And while it’s perfect for an emergency situation, you can also take it with you for RV trips, camping, or even the grandkids’ soccer games.
If all that weren’t enough, Freedom Fridge also features a USB outlet so you can use it to power up your phone, tablet, GPS unit, flashlight, or radio.
You probably already know all about the Patriot Power Generator 1800, but just in case, here’s a quick reminder. This generator, which you can charge for free with the sun or with an electrical outlet, is fume-free and silent. So, it’s safe to use indoors.
This is an amazing deal you can’t afford not to take advantage of. And to make it even sweeter, I’ll throw in two free solar panels to charge your generator and Freedom Fridge. Plus free shipping and handling, an easy payment, and a money-back guarantee. You literally can’t lose.
Some Options for AR Pistols, by Legal Eagle
Several years ago, I ran across an article on the versatility of the .300 AAC Blackout round. One of my hobbies is hand loading ammunition. The adaptability of the cartridge was interesting. In the summer my wife and I live near Yellowstone on the Wyoming-Montana border. We often enjoy camping and fishing in the area […]
Do You Have Covert Cooking Skills?
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Everyone knows that, including looters and those who would rather steal than work.
At some point, you may find yourself needing to cook food covertly. Whether in your yard during a blackout, during a camping trip in an unfamiliar area, or out in the wild after bugging out.
But how can you quietly cook food outdoors without attracting attention from humans with bad intent or animals looking for their next meal?
That’s the purpose of today’s communication. I want to share some ways for you to do exactly that so your outdoor cooking can be “looter-proof.”
Keep your spatula under the radar
If you’ve done a significant amount of camping in the past, cooking outdoors will be nothing new for you. But perhaps you’ve never bothered to try to keep a low profile while doing this.
During a blackout or bug-out situation, however, you’ll want to stay under the radar. You never want to alert a looter to your location.
The very thing that might send you bugging out – such as a natural disaster – is what will make some others desperate enough to want to steal your food and possibly do you bodily harm.
The key is making sure your outdoor cooking is done in a stealthy manner. There is an art to avoiding smoke, fire, and the smell of food you’re cooking. And I want to make sure you’re both able to do it and ready if you need to do it in a hurry.
7 tips for stealthy cooking
If you want to lessen the odds that your outdoor meal will be interrupted by uninvited guests, here’s what I recommend:
- Find a hidden spot away from main roads. Even though it will be inconvenient, make sure your cooking site is at least a 10- or 15-minute walk from the road. Because roads are easiest to navigate, most people will stick to them. Cooking your meal far from roads will increase your chances of not running into trouble. If you are worried about animals, try to cook your food away from your campsite and/or downwind of where they are located.
- Stick with pre-cooked meals. Emergency food, often featuring long shelf lives, will emit weaker smells than cooking fresh meat and some other foods will. Emergency food bars are a great option because they’re tasty and need no prep. They require no cooking, water, or heat, and they’re easy to throw in your bug-out bag.
- Douse your campfire. This is always important, but in this case it will help keep other people from noticing it and either finding you there or following you to your campsite.
- Use sealed canisters for transporting food. In a perfect world, you’ll consume all your cooked food at the cooking site. But you don’t want to waste leftovers, so if you transport them from your campsite, use sealed canisters to hide smells rather than plastic baggies, which are less effective.
- Clean your utensils. Smells will linger on knives, forks, spoons, and other utensils you use for cooking and eating, so wash them thoroughly before you leave your cooking site.
- Cook using a solar kettle to avoid building a fire and being spotted by troublemakers. Cooking food often requires boiling water, so make sure you have a solar-heated water device as part of your preparedness strategy. You’ll have hot water without fuel, flames, or smoke just by using the power of the sun. You can also use a solar kettle to boil water for sterilization, sanitation, and the opportunity to make warm tea or coffee.
- Assume the worst. Always assume that unwanted visitors and/or animals will be arriving at your cooking site soon. That will keep you motivated to eat and clean in a timely fashion before returning to your campsite. It will also remind you to keep your head on a swivel and always be prepared.
By taking some of these precautionary steps, you will reduce the odds that your eating will bring unwanted people or animals your way.
