A man who was described in court documents as a self-trained survivalist was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a remote bunker in Washington state last week, several days after he murdered his wife anddaughter. (Full story here).

What are the lessons that we as preppers – not survivalists – can learn from this?

From our perspective as long-time advocates of being prepared for a wide range of possible catastrophes, we find it completely shocking that anyone can become so deranged that they would kill their own family, and then commit suicide.

Such incidents are always front page news, and this in turn tends to create the impression that survivalists, including perhaps those featured on the Doomsday Preppers TV series, are not only eccentric, they’re also dangerous nutters.

This in turn, we’d suggest, can put readers and viewers off the idea of becoming prepared themselves, because they do not want to be ostracized by their families and peers. So they do nothing.

Clearly, those who approach the concept of preparedness from a level-headed point of view are never going to become the aggressor if and when a state of chaos occurs.

Yes, they are legitimately prepared in many ways to defend themselves and their loved ones. But they are not the sort of people who will go on the offensive, because that is not what preparedness is about.

Sadly, incidents such as that in Washington state suggest that there is a widespread feeling of unease, discontent and even fear that society is breaking down very rapidly. Genuine concern over the constant imposition of new laws designed to take away more and more freedoms seems to have driven some people into a state of paranoia.

How can we change this scenario? How can we proactively protect those freedoms that were considered sacrosanct by the Founding Fathers but seem of little concern to our legislators today?

We’d suggest that it has to start at the local level of politics and that means within one’s own neighborhood. Team work is essential. Helping each other in an emergency is a natural response.

Therefore, if we see the erosion of liberties as an emergency in its own way, we should be countering such moves with moves of our own – fair-minded, well thought out strategies that are totally within the law in order to ensure that new laws are not drafted and crafted in ways that take away longstanding rights and liberties.

Suggestions:

Attend your local council meetings. Write to your representatives. Sign petitions. Use every possible avenue to have your voice heard. You have that right, but the way things are going, ifyou don’t use it, you’ll soon lose it.

Those who are featured on Doomsday Preppers are obviously sincere in their beliefs. Some are concerned about the Yellowstone volcano erupting. Others are worried about an economic collapse, a pandemic, the New Madrid Fault, an EMP from the sun wiping out the grid, or major earthquakes and tsunamis.

Hopefully, this series is inspiring many more people to make their own self-sufficiency preparations, because it must be obvious that no government agency will be able to assist the millions of people in total who will be in jeopardy when any one of those events occurs.

While we would never personally go on national television and reveal anything about our own preparedness plans, we should commend those who have done what they thought was right in helping others to reconsider what “survival” and preparedness are about.

Whether we live in cities or in rural areas, we should get to know our neighbors. We don’t necessarily need to reveal everything about what we are doing, but when the time seems right, it would do no harm to ask how you would co-operate in the event of any emergency,

starting perhaps with the idea of finding ways to help each other in something as simple as a storm and power outage.

Why not join your local CERT or Neighborhood Emergency team.

And learn First Aid so you can help those in need when the time comes.

Quietly continue preparing to weather whatever sort of storm is coming – and there will be quite a variety as 2012 continues to unfold.

We live on a dynamic earth that periodically goes through major upheavals. We are also seeing social and economic turmoil in many different countries – which is why we suggest, very seriously, that this could well be the year of the Great Collapse. Not to mention the fact that the sun hasn’t yet reached the peak of this particular cycle, so the electric grid remains a real source of concern.

Sure, the rest of 2012 might be a bumpy road – so we’d suggest you hold on to your tinfoil hat:-)

Sincerely.

Michael Knight

It seems to often we forget about children and babies when planning out 72 hour kits… Children are so emotionally fragile and resilient at the same time.. Tess has prepared a wonderful article I encourage you to read.

Image from: http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ch0/

#1 Strange Things Happening On The Sun
#2 Fukushima
#3 Mount Fuji In Japan About To Erupt?
#4 Stunning Rise In Volcanic Activity Around The World
#5 Global Food Prices Rising Again
#6 U.S. Government Debt Downgraded Again
#7 500 Million Dollars To Help The IRS Implement Obamacare
#8 Go To Jail If You Offend Someone On The Internet In Arizona?
#9 Passport Suspended For Not Paying Taxes
#10 Preparations For War In The Persian Gulf
#11 Mysterious Mass Deaths
#12 The Federal Reserve Monetizing U.S. Debt
#13 Giant Sinkholes
#14 Increase In Global Earthquakes
#15 Increase In U.S. Earthquakes
#16 Evacuation Drills At U.S. Public Schools
#17 Strange Sounds In The Sky
#18 Crazy Tornado Outbreaks
#19 Obama Signs Disturbing Executive Order
Sound anything like one of Michael Knights newsletters? Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis Has recently talked about almost all of these..

On to our most recent newsletter from Michael knight

Too Close For Comfort

Earthquakes Ignored By Mainstream

Updated April 12, 2012 09:24:32

Have you noticed how the mainstream media has all but ignored a series of big earthquakes that happened over the last couple of days – and in fact made little or no mention of one that occurred off the coast of Oregon?

It was a M5.9 on the Cascadia Subduction Zone fault line. But because it was well off the coast and didn’t do any damage, it didn’t make the news in Oregon. It should have, because it was one of a flurry of earthquakes on the Ring of Fire  over a period of 48 hours.

If you see the Ring of Fire as being like a bow, then we in Oregon and Washington are at the center – so it seems reasonable to assume that the pressure on the Cascadian Subduction zone is continuing to build up. But when it will be released could be anybody’s guess – even though it is inevitable, and we can be sure it will happen at the most unexpected moment.

There was an 8.6 and an 8.2 off Sumatra within hours of each other on Tuesday – and a few hours later, a 6.5 in Mexico.
And today, ABC is reporting that…..

“A strong earthquake has hit Mexico, shaking buildings and sending people running out of offices onto the streets of the capital.

“The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.0 quake was centred off Mexico’s Pacific coast.

“It struck at a depth of 65 kilometres and was 26 kilometres west-south-west from Arteaga.

“”Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard said on his Twitter account there were no initial signs of serious damage and that key services in the capital, including its subway system and the international airport, were functioning.

“It is the third major quake to hit Mexico in less than a month. A magnitude 7.4 quake struck on March 20, damaging hundreds of buildings in the south-west.

“Just moments earlier, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon in the north-west United States.

“It was followed a minute later by a smaller quake off the coast of central California, the US Geological Survey said.”

If you’d like to do your own ‘quake research, this link is a good starting place for finding sites that update their earthquake data almost as they happen.

We are now selling MREs in single pouches for only $9.25.

Also new in stock, Gerber knives and machetes, Silva compasses, Sawyer filter water bottles, Midland radios with NOAA channel and crank, pressure cookers (ideal for a quick meal over an ethanol gel stove in a power outage), stainless steel coiffee perk, Rothco ropes, and much more.
Don’t forget we have discounts for First Responders, military etc (with i/d).

Check out our web site at getreadyportland.com

Best wishes.

Michael and Joshua.
The Portland Preparedness Center
Cnr 72nd and Glisan
Portland Oregon.
NOW OPEN Monday – Saturday 10 – 6.

Phone 503 252 2525 om Michael Knight

Bandage Materials
16	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1″ x 3″
1	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 2″ x 4.5″
4	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
12	Bandage, Adhesive, Plastic, 3/8″ x 1 1/2″
4	Bandage, Butterfly Closure
4	Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4″ x 4″, Pkg./2
2	Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterlie, 2″ x 3″
Bleeding
1	Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe
Blister / Burn
1	Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (11 pieces)
Fracture / Sprain
1	Bandage, Elastic with Clips, 2″
1	Cold Pack
Instrument
2	Safety Pins
1	Scissors, Bandage with Blunt Tip
1	Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
2	Thermometer, Disposable
Medical Information
1	Caring for Children in the Outdoors Manual
Medication
3	Acetaminophen (500 mg), Pkg./2
3	Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
3	Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
Other
1	After Bite Kids, Tube
2	Natrapel 8 hour Tick & Insect Repellent Wipe
Wound Care
12	After Cuts & Scrapes Antiseptic Wipe
1	Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
1	Tape, 1/2″ x 10 Yards
4	Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use

We reserve the right to add, substitute, or delete items if necessary

Bandage Materials
16	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1″ x 3″
1	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 2″ x 4.5″
4	Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
4	Bandage, Butterfly Closure
2	Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2″ x 2″, Pkg./2
2	Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 3″ x 3″, Pkg./2
2	Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4″ x 4″, Pkg./2
2	Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterlie, 2″ x 3″
Bleeding
1	Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe
1	Trauma Pad, 5″ x 9″
Blister / Burn
1	Moleskin, 3″ x 4″
Fracture / Sprain
1	Bandage, Elastic with Clips, 2″
1	Cold Pack
Instrument
2	Safety Pins
1	Scissors, Bandage with Blunt Tip
1	Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
Medication
3	Acetaminophen (500 mg), Pkg./2
2	After Bite Wipe
3	Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
2	Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
3	Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
Survival Tools
1	Compass, Button, Liquid Filled
1	Mini Rescue Howler Whistle
Wound Care
12	Antimicrobial Towelette
4	Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
1	Tape, 1/2″ x 10 Yards
4	Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use

• With supplies organized into injury-specific pockets, anyone can give fast and effective first aid.
• High piece-count means there are enough supplies for large groups.
• Wide elastic bandage plus instant cold pack .
• A wide array of medications to treat pain, inflammation, and common allergies.
• Coated nylon outer bag with waterproof plastic inner bags.

We reserve the right to add, substitute, or delete items if necessary

Please note: Some medications may not be available in products sold outside of the US, additional items may be substituted.

Cyalume’s industrial grade 6 in. SnapLights provide 360 of illumination. They are foil wrapped for light/moisture protection, maintenance free, non-toxic, non-flammable, and waterproof.

Stock Code: CY-908017

Our detailed Trails Illustrated recreation map of the Columbia River Gorge contains carefully researched trails, campsites, forest service roads, and points-of-interests and adjoins our Mt. Hood map.

Backcountry users will find the UTM and Latitude/Longitude grids, mileage charts, and other accurate navigation features perfect for exploring the region confidently and safely.

Areas included on the map:
- Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness Area
- White Salmon, Klickitat, Sandy, and Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic Rivers
- Pacific Crest and Oregon Trails
- Mount Hood, Columbia River Gorge, Historic Columbia River Highway, and Yakima Scenic Byways
- Hood River County Northwest OHV Area
- National Wildlife Refuges
- Washington and Oregon State and County Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas
- Popular Waterfall Locations
- Recreation, Safety, Contact and Wilderness Permit Information
- Overlap with the portions of the Gifford-Pinchot and Mount Hood National Forests

Approximately 4 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ folded; 27″ x 39″ fully opened
Scale = 1:75,000
Map Revised – 2009