7 Best Bear Spray For Self-Defense
The best way to prepare for a bear attack is to make sure you keep those towering beasts as far away from you as possible with the best bear spray you can get. Check out this list of the best bear spray options in the market so you’re equipped to do just that in case […]
WL 356: 7 Challenges For Tactical Mindset Mastery [PODCAST]
This episode of the Warrior Life Podcast talks about tactical mindset. RELATED: Tactical Pens: They “Ain’t” Just For Writing 7 Challenges For Tactical Mindset Mastery How To Challenge Yourself And Become The Warrior You’re Meant To Be Up Next: Are You Tactical or Tacti-cool? Find the Best Tactical Knife | Survival Gear Are Switchblades Legal? Knife […]
Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 18, 2021
The 18th of September is Chilean Independence Day. On this day, in 1810, Chile declared independence from Spain. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing a […]
Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 17, 2021
Today, September 17th, we celebrate Constitution Day in these United States. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the […]
4 Products From 4Patriots You Need During a Blackout
4Patriots is the result of a dream shared by its founders, husband and wife team Allen and Erin Baler. With nothing more than their savings and a whole lot of determination, they created this Nashville-based company to provide their customers with greater self-reliance, freedom, and peace of mind. 4Patriots is now one of the most respected preparedness companies in the industry. Considering how effective their products are in a variety of emergency situations, including blackouts, it’s easy to see why. Here are four essentials you will definitely find useful the next time you’re without power.
A HaloXT Tactical Solar Powered Flashlight
During a power outage or blackout, your first priority is being able to see. A solar powered HaloXT Tactical Flashlight means no more stumbling around in the dark or relying on wax-dripping candles throughout your home. With these solar flashlights from 4Patriots, you’ll also never have to worry about searching for a flashlight only to discover the batteries are dead. You can simply recharge the HaloXT Tactical Flashlight with sunlight, and as an added benefit, it sports nine other super practical emergency functions, like a USB charger and glass breaker.
4Patriots Emergency Food Bars
With no electricity to power the refrigerator, freezer, microwave, oven, or stove, just finding something to eat can be challenging during a blackout. That won’t be the case with 4Patriots Emergency Food Bars. These delicious, hunger-busting food bars require zero preparation while providing you with the nutrients and vitamins you need to stay energized. Not to mention they boast a shelf life of five years.
4Patriots Solar Powered Patriot Power Cell Phone Charger Pack
Without a power source to charge them, cell phones and smartphones can quickly run out of power too. That’s bad news since having a smartphone handy to check for updates and communicate with friends and family during a blackout is essential. With a solar powered cell phone charger four pack from 4Patriots, you’ve got the power you need. Since each 4Patriots Patriot Power Cell features two USB ports, you can use that power to charge up to eight devices at once.
4Patriots Survival Food Kits
As tasty and filling as 4Patriots Emergency Food Bars are, it is also important to include a little variety in your diet. The survival food kits from 4Patriots certainly offer that. With survival food kits capable of keeping you fed anywhere from 72 hours up to a year. Plus, there are plenty of nutritious options to choose from. 4Patriots survival food kits have breakfast, lunch, and dinner covered, plus desserts and a selection of drinks. Being prepared doesn’t have to mean roughing it at mealtime. 4Patriots believes in offering nutritious, affordable food that you’ll look forward to eating.
Find the essentials you need to prepare for a blackout or other emergency at 4patriots.com
Everything You Need to Know About Emergency Equipment Essentials
5 Pieces of Practical Emergency Equipment to Keep Handy
Being prepared for anything, especially natural disasters and power failures, is common sense. More and more people are coming to recognize that reality, and their interest in emergency preparedness has fueled an industry dedicated to that type of preparation. Even if it’s not something you’ve considered before, an investment in a basic level of preparedness is an excellent idea for anyone. Plus, the preparedness and self-reliance industry has produced some extremely useful products that are essential to keep handy.
A Tactical Solar Flashlight with Accessories
The first and most obvious consequence of a power outage is losing electricity for light. No one wants to fumble around in the darkness or relying on a collection of candles. Instead, opt for tactical solar flashlights to do the trick. The illumination and efficiency of modern LED technology make the solar flashlight an effective solution in any scenario. Tactical solar flashlights are also accompanied by handy accessories like a USB charger, glass breaker, compass, and more. All these features could prove useful when you need the right tools for self-reliance.
A Few Weeks’ Supply of Survival Food
Emergencies resulting in isolation and power failures can last anywhere from days to weeks. Having several weeks’ supply of survival food on hand is a smart policy to ensure you’re prepared. Plus, the industry has made some appetizing upgrades in the quality of survival food in recent years. Finding the right survival food kits can provide you with both peace of mind and some surprisingly tasty meals. Tastiness means survival food can serve double duty as a preparedness solution and a convenient camping or on-the-go meal option.
A Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
Cell phones have become a central part of our lives, and that certainly won’t change during natural disasters, power failures, or other emergency situations. In fact, a cell phone can prove even more crucial during emergencies to check the news, stay updated, and communicate with family or emergency personnel. Picking up a solar powered cell phone charger just makes sense. As is the case with other practical emergency and preparedness equipment, solar cell chargers are great for traveling, camping, hunting trips, hiking, or any of your other outdoor hobbies and pastimes.
Stored Water or Water Filtration Technology
Natural disasters and other emergency events can interfere with your access to clean, safe, drinkable water. For instance, a power outage caused by a severe winter storm can lead to frozen pipes. There’s no reason not to have potable water or water filtration equipment set aside for your daily hydration, hygiene, and dish washing needs. Water is absolutely essential for survival and staying prepared, so be sure to make it your top priority.
A Solar-Heated Water Kettle
Nothing reminds us how critical something as simple as boiling water can be until we are unable to do it. Along with sterilization, sanitation, and the opportunity to make warm tea or coffee (a critical necessity for some of us), survival food often requires boiled water. So, you should always make a solar-heated water kettle part of your practical preparedness strategy.
About 4Patriots, LLC
4Patriots, LLC is a story of American success that began in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Tired of the corporate grind and intent on creating something that could truly provide people with real solutions to real problems, co-founders Allen and Erin Baler began 4Patriots at their kitchen table with pen and paper. Relying entirely on their savings, they launched 4Patriots and built it from the ground up, product by product. Today, 4Patriots employs over 125 people and continues to grow by providing their customers with an impressive selection of products to optimize self-reliance, preparedness, and freedom. The secret of their success? From emergency food kits to a solar powered cell phone charger, 4Patriots offers practical, high-quality products you can rely on. At the core of their strategy is the golden rule—they treat customers and employees as they would like to be treated and have been able to cultivate a trusted brand as a result.
Find practical, high-quality preparedness gear and food at 4patriots.com
Children of Fallen Soldiers Enjoy a Camp to Remember
Many children who have lost a parent miss out on some of life’s most important moments. Including receiving valuable instruction on things they’ll need to know as they grow and mature.
A Soldier’s Child Foundation (ASC) is dedicated to making sure that doesn’t happen for children of fallen U.S. military members. Launched in 2008 by Daryl Mackin, the nonprofit organization is based in Smyrna, Tennessee.
They provide meaningful gifts for approximately 3,000 of these children every birthday through age 18. ASC also hosts camps for the kids. And facilitates secondary and college scholarships.
One of the organization’s camps is the brand-new Jack & Jill Camp. The three-day event was held for the first time on a beautiful weekend earlier this month at Camp YI (Youth Incorporated) in La Vergne, Tennessee.
4Patriots, which makes a monthly financial donation to ASC, was also involved. We provided a day’s worth of our branded Survival Food for 28 attending kids, five mentors and six ASC staff members. And arranged for former Navy SEAL Cade Courtney to teach the children survival skills.
Working Up an Appetite
Other components of the camp included lessons on fishing, gardening, chopping wood and axe throwing. Plus birdhouse building and automotive instruction.
The kids, ages 9 to 17, also swam, played games and bowled. They sang around a campfire at night and attended a Sunday devotional.
And, of course, they ate. 4Patriots served a variety of breakfast foods. Including pancakes, eggs and fruit. As well as lunch items such as mac and cheese and freeze-dried meat and vegetables. Plus cookie dough and brownie bites.
For dinner, we served favorites like fettuccini Alfredo and more freeze-dried meat and vegetables. Dessert featured chocolate pudding. The kids raved about the food, including the pancakes, mac and cheese and cocoa. And, of course, the pudding.
Fire, Shelter and First-Aid Lessons
One of the most popular parts of the weekend was Cade’s survival skills lessons. His sessions focused on three main areas: how to build a fire, how to create a shelter and basic first-aid skills.
In these hands-on sessions, the children gathered materials for fire building (dry grass, sticks, twigs and branches). They also built a shelter using a rain poncho and logs.
In addition, they went through various first-aid scenarios. Such as what to do if someone is found bleeding or unconscious. And how to stabilize a broken bone. As well as what’s in a basic first-aid kit and what to do with it.
Cade used various fire-starter materials. Including three different kinds of lighters, fire starter sticks and magnesium. He also demonstrated basic shelter options. And walked through a first-aid kit and its contents.
Kids Are Now Better Prepared
In addition, he taught them what to include in a “go bag.” Including the HaloXT tactical flashlight, multi-tools, rope, paracord, etc.
The kids showed considerable interest, asked great questions and had a lot of fun. Cade also made all the children promise that in one year they will have completed a CPR course.
He told them about two separate times when CPR knowledge allowed him to save a life. One was in a restaurant. The other was when he came upon a car accident.
The kids definitely picked up some important skills and knowledge. They will now have a better understanding about what to do if they’re lost or hurt. Or if they find someone else who is.
‘Convicted in my spirit’
Daryl came up with the idea for ASC while preparing for his own 6-year-old son’s birthday party.
While typing out the invitations, he looked up at a photo of his neighbor’s son, Christian. Christian’s father, Marc Golczynski, was a fallen soldier from the Iraq War.
Daryl had been looking at the work he was doing for his son’s invitations as a “chore.”
“I looked up at my wall and was immediately convicted in my spirit for my negative attitude,” he said. “My heart turned to Christian, who will never be able to have a party planned by his dad.”
99% benefit from the 1%
“There are many children like Christian that will never receive another birthday from their father/mother. Because they gave their life while defending our freedoms.”
Daryl realizes he can never change that fact. But he also knows those children deserve much more than they receive.
“Ninety-nine percent of Americans never defended the freedoms that they get to live out in this country,” he said. “One percent of our population volunteers to do that and when they don’t come home, their children suffer for it.”
“We’re caring about a population of children that nobody in our country is really thinking about. Part of our mission is to educate our country that these children – these families – exist. And really, they should be No. 1 on our list of giving.”
How You Can Get Involved
ASC helps these kids live more courageous lives and makes sure they don’t feel forgotten.
They will carry this burden for the rest of their lives. But ASC tries to bring a positive outlook to a bad situation.
4Patriots is proud to be associated with A Soldier’s Child Foundation. The children of fallen U.S. soldiers deserve everything this fine organization supplies for them as they cope with a major loss in their lives.
Anyone wishing to donate to ASC may visit asoldierschild.org and click on “Ways to Donate.”
Turning a Hero’s Hardship Into a Home
Soon after his 18th birthday, U.S. Army Sergeant Ethan LaBerge followed his lifelong dream of enlisting in the Army. He was deployed twice to Afghanistan during his five years of service.
In May 2012, Ethan arrived at Fort Campbell and was placed in the storied unit of 1st battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. During a combat mission, his life was forever changed.
Ethan’s platoon was leaving a meeting with a local official in Afghanistan when a civilian detonated a suicide vest about 10 feet from his group. The blast resulted in two deaths and multiple casualties. He was left in critical condition.
Ethan suffered a concussion, many broken bones and head-to-toe shrapnel wounds. He still battles post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. To date, he has undergone 11 surgeries, and still struggles with memory loss, intense pain and cognitive challenges. He medically retired in 2016.
For his service, Ethan was awarded a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantry Badge, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, and more.
Army Vets Ethan and Arin Have a New Home
The challenges Ethan and his wife, Arin – also an Army veteran – will face for the rest of their lives are obvious. And this is exactly why Operation Finally Home was established.
Recently this organization based in New Braunfels, Texas informed Ethan and Arin they would be recipients of a brand new, mortgage-free home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
In August 2021, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the couple, their young daughter and infant son moved into the home.
It was a dream come true for the LaBerges, thanks to Beazer Homes, Ashlar Development and Operation Finally Home.
Grateful Family Excited About the Future
“When we first found out about receiving the free house, I was shocked,” Ethan said. “Immediately my mind began racing with everything we needed to accomplish before moving.
“And that was quickly followed by the possibilities this opened up for my kids. My excitement quickly grew when Arin and I began talking about everything this means for our family.”
“When we were able to see our home completely finished,” Arin said, “I was so excited. This home is where our kids will grow up and play. Our safe place.
“Picturing family meals, holidays, birthdays… I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude. We can’t thank everyone involved enough.”
Mt. Juliet Community Responds
Rusty Carroll has been the executive director of Operation Finally Home since 2013.
Here’s what he told WTVF, the Nashville CBS television affiliate following the ceremony.
“We just felt like they were a model for the type of veterans and families that the community wants to come together, support and provide them the foundation so they can continue to move forward.”
Rusty said what really stood out to him regarding the event was how enthusiastic the community was. “From the city manager to police officers to the fire department, they were all there to honor Ethan and Arin with their presence and flag presentations. That was what was unique.”
4Patriots Donates Preparedness Bundle
Based in nearby Nashville, 4Patriots did not want to miss an opportunity to help these folks get started in their new home. 4Patriots employees attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and presented the family with an emergency preparedness bundle to cover their basic food, water and power needs.
The items included a 4-Week Survival Food Kit, a Survival Sweets Kit, two Solar Sentry Security Lights, three Blackout Beacon Emergency Lights, two HaloXT Tactical Flashlights, a Patriot Power Sidekick generator, an Ultimate Water Filtration System and a USB-Basic Rechargeable Battery Kit.
Lori Naylor is an account payment specialist at 4Patriots. Arin and Ethan are her daughter and son-in-law.
“I want to thank 4Patriots and my co-workers who came to the ceremony and showed tremendous support for my family and other veterans as well,” Lori said. “I have never been so proud to work for a company than I am 4Patriots. Thank you again.”
Lifting a Financial Burden
Operation Finally Home is a national nonprofit organization that brings together homebuilders, remodelers, building suppliers, and supporters to provide custom-built, free homes and home modifications for America’s wounded, ill and injured veterans, first responders, their spouses and families.
It was founded in 2005 by Dan Wallrath, a longtime builder who had responded to a request to remodel the home of a wounded Marine, working with the community to do the work at no cost to the Marine’s family. Rusty and Dan met at the International Builder’s Show.
Operation Finally Home realizes that when these veterans return home, they often confront extreme hardships. One of the most pressing needs is where to live.
Providing a home or home modifications removes a huge financial burden from these soldiers, allowing them to focus on healing and preparing for their family’s futures.
‘A Hope in Their Eyes’
“For many of these veterans, we’re meeting them at the worst or lowest point of their lives, with housing being a big part of it,” Rusty said. “In the past, some of them have owned an unfit home or they’ve been renting, but they can’t obtain a mortgage.
“When they learn they’re getting a new or remodeled home free of charge, you really see a physical weight lifted off their shoulders and a hope in their eyes that wasn’t there before.”
Operation Finally Home has three case managers who utilize a network of military resources, veteran service organizations and non-profits to proactively identify home candidates. Most of the home recipients return from service with the most severe, category 3 injuries and are unable to continue to serve in the military.
To date, Operation Finally Home has more than 350 homes in 30 states that have either been completed, are under construction or are currently in the planning stage. The goal is to expand the program to all 50 states and build hundreds of homes for wounded veterans.
Recipients Experience the Build Cycle
Rusty said Operation Finally Home takes the home recipients’ needs into consideration while building or remodeling a house.
“We bake that in as we go through the vetting process to understand what their needs are,” he said. “We want some level of surprise there, but the customization is often in the form of wider doorways and hallways, and roll-in showers.
“They typically have the ability to make some choices, and the building community goes out of their way to provide things for them, and build their personality into the design and amenities of the home.
“We typically surprise the new home recipients as we’re breaking ground so they can experience the build cycle. That surprise also invokes an emotional response from the community that wants to honor these families.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Caps Pillar Events
“Another pillar event is the ribbon-cutting, including the notes of love the recipients see on the walls of their new home and the dedication involving the turning over of the keys,” Rusty continued.
“These types of events also allow us to talk about the needs of these vets and others, and help other vets reach out for help. And the community comes together for them. In reality, we’re helping to bring the community together, including the builders and donors.”
The organization unites everyday Americans who respect and value our country’s military heroes and the sacrifices they make to defend our freedoms, as well as the widows of the fallen, in the unique opportunity to honor these heroes with a home.
The work of Operation Finally Home is made possible through its network of supporters providing monetary and gift-in-kind donations. From donated building materials to in-kind labor and gifted land, local projects are driven by industry and community support.
Home Where They Belong
For some time now, Ethan and Arin have enjoyed going to the zoo and the park with their children. Ethan also enjoys attending car shows and attending sporting events.
Now, when they return from those ventures, they walk into a brand new home that’s all theirs.
Anyone interested in making a financial donation to Operation Finally Home may visit OperationFinallyHome.org and click on “Donate.”
Rusty also recommends following the organization on social media channels, including Facebook (facebook.com/OperationFINALLYHOME). “That’s where you’ll get to see life-changing events through the eyes and voices of our veterans,” he said.
Is a Flashlight Just a Flashlight?
We take many things for granted these days. Including flashlights. When you need light in the darkness, a flashlight is your go-to tool.
Of course, 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.
Early flashlights 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 haven’t changed much
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 wide 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 rule
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 and 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.
Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 9, 2021
On September 9, 1492, the fleet of Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo / Cristóbal Colón) set sail west. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing a store-wide […]
