Using the Survival Still to Distill Salt Water

Gear Review: Survival Still for Salt Water
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When I did the first survival still review I heard two types of comments

  1. its neat, but too expensive
  2. its cool, but the commenter had a filter, and therefore had no need.

Those are both valid concerns, but – at least in my situation (and probably many of yours) they aren’t accurate.

I know $279 seems expensive, but when looking at durable goods you have to balance cost with benefits.  The price of the still is very competitive with filter systems like Berkeys – but unlike filters – they never clog, break, or need maintenance.

As a firearm instructor – I see students try to skimp on quality – and when they come to class with cheap guns trying to save a few dollars on guns and end up with malfunctions and problems – until they end up buying quality the second time.

I would not expect anyone to only have one piece of equipment for such a vital need.  At my house we have stored water, multiple chemical purification means, filters, and the materials to make filters.  But each has its own pros and cons.

Distillation takes energy, but it its 100% effective.  Filters can clog, chemicals don’t work on toxins, and sodis doesn’t work on chemicals.

In the video below we purify salt water- filters won’t work on chemicals in solution – so salt water will be a problem if filters are your only means of water purification.

How to Make Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

 

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream
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Today’s post is more baby medicine. Not only is this Homemade Diaper Rash Cream a great ointment for diaper rash it can be also used as a full body cream as well as healing ointment.

All ingredients promote healing and healthy skin.

  • coconut oil – antiviral, antifungal, anti-yeast
  • olive oil – antibacterial, antioxidant
  • shea butter – anti-inflammatory, moisturizer
  • cocoa butter – antiseptic, moisturizer
  • beeswax – anti-inflammatory

Here is the procedure, and like the other ointments we have made it is not much more than melt and stir.

Ingredients

  • Coconut oil (all one ounce except the beeswax)
  • Olive oil
  • Shea butter
  • Cocoa butter
  • 1/2 ounce beeswax

Procedure

  • In double boiler, add all ingredients and heat until melted.
  • After all ingredients have melted take off heat and move to a container that is safe for mixing.
  • Mix well
  • Let the mixture cool.
  • Using a wisk, your stand mixer or handheld blender (not a regular blender), mix on high speed until completely cool and in “whip” form. (f your mixture is runny or not turning into solid form, add more beexwax or cocoa butter – both are solid at room temperature).

Use within one year of making this cream!
This cream is cloth diaper safe!

Our boy has not had any diaper rash problems, most of this is due to his mommy being fanatical about changing his diapers, but I like to think this cream also helps.

How to Make a Family Disaster Plan

PRN Episode #12 What You Can Do

52 Unique Techniques for Stocking Food for Prepper
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In this episode David discusses what you can do in a small piece of land.  Its much better to start where you are then wait for the perfect situation.

Next David walks through the steps to making Mozzarella cheese.  This simple 30 minute recipe is one of his first projects, and it gave him the confidence to tackle much larger tasks.

Lastly, Dave shares his personal precepts for preparedness – 27 simple guidelines that helps David stay on the right track when it comes to living a self reliant lifestyle.

What is important is that you don’t wait for perfect opportunities, but rather get off your tail and do things to improve your situation.  Anyone can do better with what they have because anyone can work harder.

It is not always easy or fun, but prepping can be done by everyone and in any situation.  Don’t be limited by your situation.  Use your imagination and exercise your self discipline.

Preparedness is about discipline.  Doing the stuff today so you can be safer later.

The show is scheduled for Monday at 10pm central time at this link.

If you cannot listen on Monday, you can always download the podcast for listening at your own leisure.

 

Magazine Wear Tip

Magazine Wear Tip
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Firearm magazines are the weakest link in the gun reliability formula. Watch for magazine wear and when you see it you know they need to be replaced.

In the video below we take a set of calipers to show how a magazine flexes as it is loaded and unloaded. This shows that there is a potential for fatigue.

I know that as I started in firearms I was taught that spring wear meant that I should not keep magazines fully loaded for long term. This translated to my having two sets of magazines and quarterly I would rotate my mags.

However, after talking to people that make magazines for a living, I was told that it is not the compression that causes magazine wear, but the repeated compression and decompression of the springs. I have heard of 1911 mags being found loaded, and that after 40 years of loaded storage functioning properly.

Just something to think about, and you may want to consider having some new mags stored or at least some new springs and followers because if the mags do not function then all you have is an awkwardly loading single shot.

*Update:  At the current time, the rush to buy guns is low because we have a R in the White House.  Now is the time to buy all the gun stuff.  Buy now, stack deep.

Dillon Precision Warranty Review

 

Gear Review: Dillon Precision Warranty
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Gear Review: Dillon Precision WarrantyThe other day while reloading, I broke a part in my press, I knew better, but I was in a hurry and pulled the lever down to force my way past an obstruction.

What I did was break off a spacer pin and rounded out the hole in the press so that a new pin would not fit.

I called Dillon precision, and they responded just as they promised on their site.  They have a no “BS” policy, and simply gave me a return authorization number and I sent them the machine – this lived up to the famous Dillon Precision Warranty.

Dillon presses may be more expensive than other companies, but they have the best customer service.
I have used their warranty twice on the same machine, both times they worked with me to solve my problems, while they can be a little slow, I have to say they do honor their word – at least in my experience.

I have cheaper presses like the lee brand, and am happy with them, but nothing beats the Dillon progressives for pure joy of kicking out a lot of rounds in a short amount of time.  Add in the dillion precision warranty and they can’t be beat.