2012 Survival Guide

				rain.

				If you're stuck in a flood, follow your instincts and
				move to the highest ground possible. Exercise
				caution when traveling because it doesn't take
2012 Survival Guideby				much water to float a car or pick up truck.
2012online.org

This Survival Guide is intended as a basic				Earthquakes
introduction on how to prepare for and react to
events that may take place over the course of				The old advice of standing in a doorway or hiding
the years leading up to December 21, 2012.				in the closet or under a table is better than
These skills and techniques are provided for				running around panic-stricken, and it may just
information purposes only and are not intended to				save your life. If you live in an earth-quake prone
take the place of a professional survival or first				area, prepare for it by ensuring your home meets
aid training course. Rather, they are intended to				current building standards and you have plenty of
increase your awareness of the lifesaving				food and water stashed away.
importance of preparation of the coming events,
survival skills and to encourage you to research				If you live through the few minutes of the
the events that may transpire.				earthquake, and your house hasn't collapsed, the
For beginners interested in understanding the				greater damage may be yet to come. Broken
basics of December 21, 2012 and the Earth				gas lines can cause fires and your house may be
changing events, there is unlimited information				condemned, leaving you homeless. Plan for such
available from many sources, and advances of				contingencies by having a plastic (non-sparking)
knowledge and collaboration have led to a growing				wrench available to turn off your gas main and
number of “watchers” and people that				including a good three-day pack including a tent.
are preparing even though they do not believe
something is to happen. Even so, at least they will
be ready, and you should as well. Even if nothing				Hurricanes
is to happen then there will be ample number of
supplies to last you for the coming years. What if				Hurricanes are one of the few disasters for which
the Earth does change rapidly, and you are not				you can anticipate some warning. If your home is
prepared? If you meet the minimal requirements				near the shore and the rising surf is threatening,
to survive through Pole Shift, Volcanic Eruptions,				or you appear to be in the direct course of the
Extreme Cold, Hurricanes, Tornados, Earthquakes,				hurricane, you may be better off evacuating to
Land Shifts, Major Floods, Solar and Gamma				higher ground. Whether or not you choose to
Radiation then you are one more step in the right				evacuate, tremendous structural damage can be
direction.				caused by objects hurled through windows. Once
However, there is no substitute for experience in				a window is open, the power of the hurricane can
any of these extreme situations, and your				actually blow the roof off the top of the
reaction in a survival situation depends on your				structure!
education and training. Always keep in mind that a
survival situation mentioned above can happen to				To protect yourself and your property, windows
you. Be prepared and plan to be a survivor.				should be covered with plywood or commercial
For too long, the term "survivalist" has called to				hurricane shutters. 2012 Online recommends
mind paranoia, and the person that lives out in the				hurricane shutters, made from tough clear
woods. Nevertheless, as we continue on track				polycarbonate and allow light to enter the window,
towards our unknown future, we will not be called				unlike their steel and aluminum counterparts.
“survivalist”, but “survivors” as we				Garage doors should also be reinforced and the
will need every ounce of energy, every thought				door between the garage and the house itself
of our brain, and every inch of muscle to continue				should be locked and secured.
our existence here on planet Earth. The following
pages are for the ones that may or may not				Hurricanes cause damage in multiple ways: high
believe what has been foretold, and what history				winds, flooding, downed trees and utility poles and
has taught us throughout the years.				storm surges. The farther in-land your location,
				the less power the hurricane will have by the time
				it reaches you, so pick your location carefully.
Read at your own discretion
				If you decided to stay in your home, you should
				pick an interior room with no windows. If you plan
				far enough in advance, you can reinforce the
Table of Contents				room with 2x6 boards or otherwise construct a
�				cage to protect you from fallen trees, caved-in
Chapter				walls or other storm damage. Move whatever
�				survival supplies you will need into the room,
pg				especially a battery powered light and radio.


1. The				Tornadoes
�…………………………………3
Food				While tornadoes cannot be predicted as early as
Water				hurricanes, current weather forecasting
Shelter				technology will often tell us when atmospheric
2. Beyond the				conditions are right for their formation. By sticking
�………………………..14				around the homestead during a tornado watch,
Developing a Survival Mindset				you can help protect yourself from the
Survival Awareness				tremendous damage twisters can cause.
3.
�……………………………………..18				A direct hit from a funnel cloud can turn a
Floods				wooden home into a pile of chopsticks, toss a
Earthquakes				minivan around like a tumbleweed and knock
Hurricanes				trees down faster than Paul Bunyon. So if you live
Tornados				in a tornado-prone area, you might be wise to
Fire Storms				invest in an underground shelter, ala the Wizard of
Volcanic Eruption				Oz. (You can use it as a root cellar or nuclear
Asteroid impact				survival shelter as well.)
Radiation
Polar Reversal/Shift				If you live in an area not known for tornadoes,
Extreme Cold/Heat				but suddenly one is baring down on you, your
Riot/Civil Disaster				next-best bet is the basement, preferably in the
Electricity Shortage				corner closest to the direction of the tornado.
Tsunami
Alien Invasion				If you are driving around and a tornado is looming,
4. How				park under an underpass and run up as high as
�…………………………………29				you can under it. If caught out in the open, head
Fire				for the lowest ground possible, even a drainage
Shelter				ditch is better than nothing.
First Aid
5. How can you Afford all
this.............................................................................37				Fire(s)

6. Check				If a fire occurs in your home you may have to
�……………………………..38				get out in dark and difficult conditions. Escaping
				from a fire will be a lot easier if you have already
				planned your escape route and know where to
				go. Make sure that your planned escape route
				remains free of any obstructions and that there
				are no loose floor coverings that could trip you.
				Everyone in the house should be made aware of
				the escape route

				It only takes an unguarded or careless moment
				for a fire to start. A couple of minutes later and
				your home or land around could be filled with
Chapter 1: The Basics				smoke. Smoke and fumes can kill, particularly the
				highly poisonous smoke from some furnishings.
If you've given any thought to survival, you				You will only have a short time to get out. Use it
know that food, water and shelter are the				wisely and try not to panic.
foundation of any long-term survival plan. If you
prepare to provide these three items for yourself				If you can safely do so, close the door of the
and family, you will be farther ahead than 90				room where the fire has started and close all
percent of the public.				other doors behind you. This will help delay the
				spread of smoke.
Many would say water is the most important of
the three, but we'll address them in the order of:				Before opening a closed door, use the back of
Food, Water and Shelter. Below are some				your hand to touch it. Don't open it if it feels
questions to ask yourself to better understand				warm, the fire may be on the other side.
what specifics you will need to prepare for in your
area of the world. (or to be safe, prepare for all)				Get everyone out as quickly as possible. Don't try
				to pick up valuables or possessions except your
What natural disasters or extreme conditions you				what you need for survival.
likely to face in the next four years?
				Make your way out as safely as possible and try
What other disasters or emergency situations				not to panic.
might you face?
				It will help if you have planned your escape route
What are the ramifications of each?				rather than waiting until there is a fire.

What do you have now that you can use in any
disaster situation?				What to do if you're cut off by fire

How much is the minimum for you and your				It is not easy, but try and remain calm. Save
survival situation is an answer you'll have to come				your energy to help you survive
up with after reviewing this survival guide, but
don’t worry we will give a generic minimal				If you are prevented from getting away because
survival pack.				of flames or smoke, close the door nearest to
				the fire and use towels or sheets to block any
Food				gaps. This will help stop smoke spreading into the
				room.
You may be able to survive a few weeks or
even a month without food, but without food,				Go to the window. If the room becomes smoky,
you will become weak, susceptible to illnesses,				go down to floor level - it's easier to breathe
dizzy and unable to perform survival-related tasks.				because the smoke will rise upwards.
Water may be more critical to short-term
survival, but you will need every ounce of energy				If you are in immediate danger and your room is
to get out of harms way, this is why food is also				not too high from the ground, drop cushions or
just as important.				bedding to the ground below to break your fall
				from the window.
Will a months worth of food be enough? Or do
you need a year's worth? 2012 Online cannot tell				Get out feet first and lower yourself to the full
you what's best in your situation, but we suggest				length of your arms before dropping.
that two weeks or more is the minimum for
anyone in any of these potential survival
situations. Why should you stock up on so much				Wilderness Fires
food if the worst you're planning to prepare for is
a just a little out of the ordinary?				If you are caught in the middle of a dangerous
				fire storm, your best option is to seek a water
Several reasons:				source and stay near it. Go under ground if
				possible, but you need to leave an escape route if
It may take a while for store shelves to be				the fire changes course. With any fire situation,
replenished especially as we approach December				you always need to know escape routes and
21, 2012. Think back to a heavy storm that hit				have back up plans.
your area, was there enough supplies for
everyone? Now imagine a whole country, or even
the world needing the same supplies. Now there is				Volcanic Eruption
a problem.
				Keep in mind the center of Earth is molten rock,
You may be asked to feed friends or neighbors.				and a volcanic eruption can occur almost
				anywhere, but there is not much an individual can
You may or may not be protected from price				do to prepare for a volcanic eruption. Be aware
gouging.				of the hazards that can come with an eruption:
				the flying debris, hot gases, lava flows, and
You need to be prepared for a crippling blow to				potential for explosion, mudslides, avalanches, and
our food supply system.				geothermal areas. Prepare provisions, water, food,
				blankets, and medical supplies if you live around a
You will need an existing food supply and a future				volcano before anything happens.
food supply
				Also be ready to get up and outrun flowing lava.
Your existing food reserve should not include food
in your refrigerator or freezer because you				Use caution when around or near active
cannot count on those items remaining edible for				volcanoes.
more than a day (fridge) or three (freezer), at
most.				Do not venture toward any activity, and consult
				local experts on the area.
Examination of your existing foods in your
cabinets will tell you how much you need to add				Follow all recommendations, regulations, or
to ensure you have enough food for a week. A				requests of officials.
suggestion of food storage is generally canned
items (including items in jars) or dried foods.				Here are some things to watch out for:
Review our list of commercial food items and
their suggested storage times when making up				Lava flows - Stay away from lava flows. Not all
your personal list but keep in mind your family's				of them will be red-hot and obvious; some move
eating habits, likes and dislikes. Also, remember				very slowly and appear as dark and solid, but are
that you may not have access to electricity, so				liquid beneath the surface. Also, do not try to
pick food items and packaging that can be				cross an active flow; you might get trapped by
prepared on a single burner of a camp stove or				multiple lava streams.
even over an open fire.
				Pyroclastic flow - Do not visit volcanoes that are
				having or are about to have Pyroclastic
Rotation of Foods				explosions. The high temperature around such a
				volcano can itself be life-threatening.
The main difference between the commercially
prepared foods you buy in the grocery store and				Volcanic domes - Volcanic domes and plugs in
the specially prepared "survival" foods is the shelf				craters may seem harmless, but they can
storage. You can't store grocery store items for				explode without warning. Footing and glassy rocks
five to ten years, as you can with specially				can also be very dangerous. Some cooled lava of
freeze-dried or sealed foods packed in nitrogen or				this sort can resemble jagged pieces of glass.
vacuum sealed. You need to rotate your items,				Wear good, solid hiking boots on the mountain -
either on an ongoing basis or every two to three				never go barefoot. Be sure of your step.
months. This will ensure you have fresh food (if
you can consider canned and dry food "fresh")				Lahars and floods - Be careful when crossing
and do not waste your food and money.				lahars (debris flows), for they can gush in large
				and small floods.
As a general rule, traditional canned foods should
be consumed within a year. For cans with				Gases - Avoid areas where volcanic gas is
expiration dates, such as Campbell's soups, you				released. Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and
may find you have 18 months or two years				hydrogen sulfide can kill quickly and silently. You
before they expire. Cans without a date, or with				may not be able to hold your breath long enough.
a code, mark them with the date purchased and				If you see a location around an active volcano
make sure you eat them before a year passes.				with dead vegetation, carcasses, or bones, do not
				enter it.

Survival Foods				Geothermal areas - hot springs, mud pots, and
				geysers are also very interesting, but don’t
Simple raw materials for baking, such as flour,				go across unexplored areas that contain many of
sugar, baking powder, baking soda, oil and				them. Stay on marked trails, because the thin
shortening can be assets in a survival situation. For				silica crusts over boiling pools can break if stepped
long-term survival storage, honey stores for				upon. If you Fall in, it can potentially cause
years and can replace sugar in recipes. Rather				third-degree burns or even death.
than storing flour or meal, purchase the raw grain
and a hand mill. Then you can mill your own flour
whenever necessary. Red winter wheat, golden				Before an Eruption Occurs:
wheat, corn and other grains can be purchased in
45-pound lots packed in nitrogen-packed bags and				Discover whether there are volcanic hazards in
shipped in large plastic pails.				the area likely to affect you.

Long-term storage falls into several categories:				If you live in an active volcanic zone, always
				assume that you may have to deal with the
Vacuum-packed dried and freeze-dried foods				effects of an eruption.

Nitrogen packed grains and legumes				If you live in an area that could experience a lava
				flow during a volcanic eruption, know a quick
Specially prepared and sealed foods such as MRE's				route to safe ground.
(Meals, Ready-to-Eat) with a five-to-ten year shelf
life				If Vulcanologists agree that a life-threatening
				eruption is likely to take place, a Civil Defense
All offer one main advantage: long storage life.				Emergency will be declared and the danger area
Some, such as MRE's and packages sold to				evacuated. Listen to your radio or TV if all is
backpackers, are complete meals. This is handy				working, for information.
and convenient, but they tend to be expensive on
a per-meal basis. As the name implies, MRE's are				During an Eruption:
ideal for a quick, nutritious, easy-to-prepare meal.
They are convenient to carry in the car, on a trip				Save water in your bath, basin, containers or
or on a hike. They have very long shelf lives				cylinders at an early stage - supplies may become
(which can be extended by placing a case or two				polluted.
in your spare refrigerator). On the downside, they
are very expensive on a per-meal basis and they				Stay indoors as much as possible.
do not provide as much roughage as you need.
(This can lead to digestive problems if you plan to				Wear mask and goggles if you go outside, to
live on them for more than a week or two).				keep volcanic ash out of your eyes and lungs.
Large canned goods, on the other hand, are
difficult to transport. But if you're stocking up				Take your outdoor clothing off before entering a
your survival retreat or planning to batten down				building, volcanic ash is difficult to get rid of.
the hatches and stay at home, the large canned
goods are easy to store and can keep you				Take your Getaway Kit with you if you have to
well-fed for months.				leave. Turn electricity and gas off at the mains. If
				you turn gas off, have a professional check for
				leaks in case of damage before turning gas on
Remember, however, if you have four people in				again.
your family or survival group, purchasing a
one-year supply of food will only equate to three				Keep below ridge lines in hilly terrain, the hills will
months worth for the family. 2012 Online				offer some protection from flying volcanic debris.
recommends purchasing the largest set of these
canned, dried foods your budget can handle. Then				A good pre-planned emergency plan should
supplement the set with items tailored to you and				account for this possibility and provide alternative
your family or survival group. You may also want				routes.
to add a few special items, such as hard candy or
deserts, to reward yourself or for quick energy.
				Near Earth Objects (NEO’s)
While on the topic of supplements, don't forget to
add vitamins and mineral supplements. Fruits,				A reasonably large asteroid of 200 meters (600
green vegetables and other items rich in vitamin C				feet) in diameter crashing into the Atlantic Ocean
and other nutrients may be scarce, so a good				could create a tsunami (a giant tidal wave) that
multi-vitamin is well worth the space it takes up in				would sink both Britain and the entire East Coast
your stash.				of the United States within minutes. If an asteroid
				at least 1 kilometer in size hit Earth, it would
				cause a dust cloud which would block out sunlight
Home Made Survival Foods				for at least a year and lead to a deep worldwide
				winter, exhausting food supplies.
You can try to dry, vacuum-pack and otherwise				So this threat is real, but the chances of an NEO
prepare food for storage. Vacuum pumps are				over one kilometer (3,000 feet) long hitting the
available commercially or can be constructed in				Earth soon are practically 1-100. Even so you do
your own home. You can use them to seal dried				need to have an contingency plan in place if this
food in mason jars and other containers.				was to happen. The evidence of impact is all
				around us. But we will focus on the smaller car
When packing foods for storage, you want to				size asteroids in this section, because if there was
eliminate oxygen. Bugs, such as weevils, and other				a massive asteroid heading our way we would be
organisms that can destroy your food need the				given advanced warning (hopefully).
oxygen to live. That's why commercial companies
who prepare survival food pack grains, cereals,
pasta, beans and other foods in nitrogen-filled
containers. You can accomplish a similar packaging				So what do you do
yourself by using dried ice.				For a land impact, it can be said that an object of
				roughly 75 meters (225 feet) diameter can
Simply take the 10 pounds of noodles (or 25				probably destroy a city and a 160-meter
pounds of rice or other dried food) you picked up				(480-foot) object can destroy a large urban area.
from the warehouse and put them in an				If there is an expecting meteor shower, stay
appropriately sized plastic bucket with a lid that				tuned to local government officials and monitor
can create a good seal. Then add several chunks				the sky.
of dried ice. As it sublimates, your bucket will fill				Impacts from smaller object are almost
with carbon dioxide, which will displace all or most				impossible to predict the impact zone
of the oxygen (since carbon dioxide is heavier,				If you live near a cave system, you may want to
the oxygen should rise to the top and out of the				go and set up a temporary shelter there, or if
bucket). Place the lid on the bucket, but don't seal				you live in the city, go to the lowest point of the
it all the way until you think the dry ice has				building (in an emergency, but not recommended
completely turned to gas. Remember, as soon as				due to possible building collapse). Other possibilities
you open the bucket the air will come back in.				are:
				Nuclear fallout shelters
				Steel structures
Hunting and Gathering in the Wild				Subway systems
				Do not:
It's time to look to nature to help feed you.				Stay outside during a meteor storm
That's great if you have acres of tillable land that				Stay on the top of buildings
was not destroyed. But if not, or if it's too late,				Go to the debris of the Meteor
you will need to turn to hunting, trapping and				Always have your survival stash available
gathering.
				Extreme Cold
If you can identify wild plants that can supplement
your existing diet, good for you. If not, better go				While people do die in their homes due to bitter
out and buy a few guide books right away. Get				winter weather, these deaths are often caused
ones with pictures, you'll need them. If you're a				by kerosene heaters or other sources of heat.
hunter, could you imagine what the local patch of				Fire is a danger with any secondary heat source,
forest would be like if everyone's dinner depended				including wood stoves, fireplaces, kerosene,
on hunting? How quickly would we strip this				propane and electric heaters, but they can be
continent of all edible game? Planning on fishing?				managed to reduce fire hazards. Carbon
So is everyone else.				monoxide poisoning is also a concern which must
				be considered when using untraditional heat
				sources, such as gathering around the gas oven
Tip - Always drink while eating, your body looses				and opening the door.
lots of water while digesting. If you do not have
water to drink – DO NOT EAT!				Another danger is freezing to death if the
				power fails. People often think they will be OK
				because they have a gas or oil furnace. This is a
Water				fallacy, because the gas furnace needs an electric
				fan to move warm air throughout your house
As mentioned previously, water is probably the				while even the oil furnace probably has an electric
most necessary element for human life, with the				starter and/or fuel pump.
exception of oxygen.
				A secondary source of heat is important, and
When planning your water resources for survival				wood stoves are probably the most efficient.
you need to deal with three areas:				While fire places send much of the heat up the
				chimney they share with wood stoves the
Storing water				conveniences of being able to find fuel all around
Finding or obtaining water				you, from books to furniture. (Let's face it, most
Purifying water				of have too much junk in our houses anyway.)
				You can also cook over them in a pinch, and
				when the blizzard is howling around your house, a
Storing Water				cup of hot chocolate tastes twice as good and
				restores the spirits.
For your in-home cache or survival stash, you
should count on two gallons of water per-person				Kerosene and propane heaters can also crank out
per-day. While this is more water than necessary				the BTUs in an emergency but probably require
to survive it ensures water is available for hygiene				ventilation (check the manufacturer's literature for
and cooking as well as drinking.				specifics).

Commercial gallon bottles of filtered/purified spring				A key to keeping warm with these back-up heat
water often carry expiration dates two years				sources is not to try to heat the entire shelter.
after the bottling date. A good rotation program is				Gather everything you think you might need into
necessary to ensure your supply of water				a single space and close it off. Use any blankets
remains fresh and drinkable (see the previous				you can spare over openings, if necessary to
chapter on food for information on rotation).				reduce drafts. Gather together under your
				comforters and share your body heat.
If you prefer to store your own water, don't use
milk cartons; it's practically impossible to remove				If you find yourself in open terrain, a snow cave
the milk residue. If you have a spare refrigerator				will provide good shelter. Find a drift and burrow a
in the basement or the garage, use water bottles				tunnel into the side for about 60 cm (24 in) then
(the kind soda or liters of water come in) to fill				build your chamber. The entrance of the tunnel
any available freezer space. In addition to				should lead to the lowest level of you chamber
providing you with fresh, easily transportable				where the cooking and storage of equipment will
drinking water, the ice can be used to cool food in				be. A minimum of two ventilating holes are
the refrigerator in the event of a power failure.				necessary, preferably one in the roof and one in
For self-storage of large amounts of water,				the door.
you're probably better off with containers of at
least 5 gallons. Food-grade plastic storage
containers are available commercially in sizes from				Extreme Heat
five gallons to 250 or more. Containers with
handles and spouts are usually five to seven				Prepare ahead of time for the hottest days that
gallons, which will weigh between 40 and 56				may come. Freeze gallons of water in big blocks
pounds.				of ice if you have a large freezer (like we
				discussed in the previous chapters). Refilling plastic
A 15 gallon and 30 gallon container used for food				gallon water bottles with tap water and freezing
service such as delivery of syrups to soda				works well. The larger the blocks of ice you have
bottlers and other manufacturers are often				the longer they will take to melt when you need
available on the surplus market. After proper				them so go for gallon size containers if you have
cleaning, these are ideal for water storage as long				the freezer space. These blocks of ice can be
as a tight seal can be maintained. 55 gallon drums				used to cool a fragile person by placing on a thick
and larger tanks are also useful for long-term				towel in a shallow pan and fanning the air with a
storage, but make sure you have a good pump.				hand held fan over the ice and over the persons
Solutions designed to be added to water to				head and neck area. They can also be used by
prepare it for long-term storage are commercially				wrapping them in a pillow case and placing them
available. Bleach can also be used as a last resort				around the head, in the armpit area, and in the
to treat water from municipal sources. Added at				groin area. Be extremely cautious not to allow the
a rate of about 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons, bleach				ice to contact the skin. Place several layers of
can ensure the water will remain drinkable.				material between the skin and ice to prevent
				frostbite and check every few minutes to make
Once you're in a survival situation where there is				sure you are not freezing the tissue.
a limited amount of water, conservation is an
important consideration. While drinking water is				Symptoms of dehydration
critical, water is also necessary for re-hydrating
and cooking dried foods. Water from boiling pasta,				It is very important to recognize the first
cooking vegetables and similar sources can and				dehydration symptoms and act before your state
should be retained and drunk, after it has cooled.				becomes serious. Described below are the most
Canned vegetables also contain liquid that can be				common first symptoms of dehydration:
consumed. To preserve water, save water from
washing your hands, clothes and dishes to flush				Fatigue
toilets.
				Dark urine with a very strong odor

Short Term Storage				Low urine output

People who have electric pumps drawing water				Emotional instability
from their well have learned the lesson of filling up				Delayed capillary refill in fingernail beds
all available pots and pans when a thunderstorm is
brewing. What would you do if you knew your				Loss of skin elasticity
water supply would be disrupted in an hour?
				Trench line down center of tongue
Here are a few options in addition to filling the
pots and pans:				Thirst

The simplest option is to put two or three				Avoid overheating
heavy-duty plastic trash bags (avoid those with
post-consumer recycled content) inside each				When you overheat, your body starts to sweat.
other. Then fill the inner bag with water. You can				This may be good because naturally the body is
even use the trash can to give structure to the				trying to cool itself, but overtime too much sweat
bag. Fill your bath tub almost to the top. While you				wastes your precious water supply. Always
probably won't want to drink this water, it can be				adjust your clothing so that you don’t sweat
used to flush toilets, wash your hands, etc. If you				too much. Open your jacket a little bit or remove
are at home, a fair amount of water will be				an inner layer of your clothing.
stored in your water pipes and related system.
To gain access to this water, you must first close				Wear loose clothes
the valve to the outside as soon as possible. This
will prevent the water from running out as				Do not expose your body directly to the sun
pressure to the entire system drops and prevent
contaminated water from entering your house.				Protect your head
Then open a faucet on the top floor. This will let
air into the system so a vacuum doesn't hold the				Find time to rest under a shaded area
water in. Next, you can open a faucet in the
basement. Gravity should allow the water in your				If you’re wearing your clothes too tight you
pipes to run out the open faucet. You can repeat				may restrict blood circulation. It can also decrease
this procedure for both hot and cold systems.				the volume of air between the layers, which
Your hot water heater will also have plenty of				reduces the cooling value.
water inside it. You can access this water from
the valve on the bottom. Again, you may need to
open a faucet somewhere else in the house to				Solar Radiation
ensure a smooth flow of water.
				On Earth, solar radiation is obvious as daylight
				when the sun is above the horizon. This is during
Finding or Obtaining Water				daytime, and also in summer near the poles at
				night, but not at all in winter near the poles. When
There are certain climates and geographic				the direct radiation is not blocked by clouds, it is
locations where finding water will either be				experienced as sunshine, combining the perception
extremely easy or nearly impossible. You'll have				of bright white light (sunlight in the strict sense)
to take your location into account when you read				and warming. The warming on the body and
the following.				surfaces of other objects is distinguished from
				the increase in air temperature.
Wherever you live, your best bet for finding a
source of water is to scout out suitable locations				Increased solar rays could possibly happen here
and stock up necessary equipment before an				on Earth, and you need to do what ever
emergency befalls you. With proper preparedness,				necessary to stay out of the Sun during the day.
you should know not only the location of the				If there is a possible Red/Brown Dwarf the solar
nearest streams, springs or other water source				ray can be amplified ten fold as the object gets
but specific locations where it would be easy to fill				closer to Earth.
a container and the safest way to get it home.
Preparedness also means having at hand an easily				So what do you do
installable system for collecting rain water. This
can range from large tarps or sheets of plastic to				Previously mentioned, make sure to stay out of
a system for collecting water run off from your				direct sunlight, or if you feel immediate warming
roof or gutters. Onceyou have identified a source				to your skin you need to seek cover. This will not
of water, you need to have bottles or other				protect you fully but lessen the amount of
containers ready to transport it or store it.				radiation you receive.

				Seek your shelter; preferably a cave or
Purification				underground structure will help with the defense

Water that is not purified may make you sick,				Put on your PPE if you need to venture out
possibly even killing you. In a survival situation,				during the day (see the next chapter)
with little or no medical attention available, you
need to remain as healthy as possible. Boiling
water is the best method for purifying running				Polar Reversal/Shift
water you gather from natural sources. It doesn't
require any chemicals, or expensive equipment, all				In the next few years, polar reversal will take
you need is a large pot and a good fire or similar				place on earth. This could possibly mean that the
heat source. Boiling for 20 or 30 minutes should kill				North Pole will be changed into the South Pole and
common bacteria such as Guardia and				South to North. The science can only be explained
Cryptosporidium. One should consider that boiling				by the fact that the earth will start rotating in the
water will not remove foreign contaminants such				opposite direction, together with a huge disaster
as radiation or heavy metals.				of unknown proportions. Or the poles could
				actually shift positions by a few miles which would
Commercial purification/filter devices made by				still cause unwanted disasters.
companies such as PUR are the best choices.
They range in size from small pump filters				See previous disasters which would be caused by
designed for backpackers to large filters designed				this shift (minus the asteroids)
for entire camps. Probably the best filtering
devices for survival retreats are the model where
you pour water into the top and allow it to slowly				Riot/Civil Disaster
seep through the media into a reservoir on the
bottom. No pumping is required. On the down side,				After a disaster, you may have to protect your
most such filtering devices are expensive and				home and belongings from looters. Sure, they'll
have a limited capacity. Filters are good for				probably march out the National Guard, but like
anywhere from 200 liters to thousands of gallons,				the police, they can't be everywhere all the time.
depending on the filter size and mechanism. Some				Just as you are assuming responsibility for your
filters used fiberglass and activated charcoal.				survival by reading this guide, you'll need to
Others use impregnated resin or even ceramic				assume responsibility for protecting yourself from
elements.				human predators.

Chemical additives are another, often less suitable
option. The water purification pills sold to hikers				Tsunami
and campers have a limited shelf life, especially
once the bottle has been opened.				A tsunami is a series of destructive and very
				dangerous waves that result from earthquake
Pour-though filtering systems can be made in an				activity or some other type of underwater
emergency. Here's one example that will remove				disturbance (meteorite, landslide, underwater
many contaminants:				volcanic activity etc.). In order to survive a
				tsunami, you must be prepared, vigilant, and calm.
Take a five or seven gallon pail (a 55-gallon drum
can also be used for a larger scale system) and				Your at risk if:
drill or punch a series of small holes on the
bottom.				Your home, school, or workplace is in a coastal
				region, near the sea
Place several layers of cloth on the bottom of the
bucket, this can be anything from denim to an old				The elevation of your home, school or workplace
table cloth.				is at sea level or fairly low and on flator only
				slightly elevated land. If you don't know the
Add a thick layer of sand (preferred) or loose dirt.				elevation level of your home, school or workplace,
This will be the main filtering element, so you				find out
should add at least half of the pail's depth.
				There are warning signs indicating that your area
Add another few layers of cloth, weighted down				is prone to tsunamis
with a few larger rocks.
				Your home, school, workplace etc. buildings are
Your home-made filter should be several inches				not tsunami resistant
below the top of the bucket.
				Prepare in advance. If your research
Place another bucket or other collection device				demonstrates that you are at risk, prepare both
under the holes you punched on the bottom.				an evacuation plan and your survival stash.

Pour collected or gathered water into the top of				Natural warnings can help to indicate the imminent
your new filter system. As gravity works, the				arrival of a tsunami. Be aware that in many cases,
water will filter through the media and drip out the				these may be the only warnings you will get in
bottom, into your collection device. If the water is				the coming years. Be self-responsible and keep
cloudy or full of sediment, simply let it drop to the				you and your family, friends and colleagues safe.
bottom and draw the cleaner water off the top				Natural signs that herald the possibility of a coming
of your collection device with a straw or tube.				tsunami include:
(If you have a stash of activated charcoal,
possibly acquired from an aquarium dealer, you				An earthquake: If you live in a coastal zone (by
can put a layer inside this filter. Place a layer of				the sea), the occurrence of an earthquake should
cloth above and especially below the charcoal. This				be immediate cause for alarm and evasive action.
will remove other contaminants and reduce any
unpleasant smell or taste).				Rumbling under the ground: Even if there is no
While this system may not be the best				actual "earthquake" but you can perceive sizable
purification method, it has been successfully used				rumbling under the ground, heed this warning.
in the past. For rain water or water gathered
from what appear to be relatively clean sources				A rapid rise and fall in coastal waters. If the sea
of running water, the system should work fine. If				suddenly recedes, leaving bare sand, this is a
you have no water source but a contaminated				major warning sign that there is about to be a
puddle, oily highway runoff or similar polluted				sudden surge of water inland.
source, the filter may be better than nothing.
				Watch for animals leaving the area or behaving
				abnormally, such as trying to seek human shelter
Shelter				or grouping together in ways they would not
				normally do.
Frequently, when we think of shelter, we think of
either our home or emergency protection, such				Take action
as a lean-to constructed out of cut branches.
				If a tsunami is likely to make landfall on your
In many survival situations, shelter may be as				coastal region, react immediately. Put into place
near as your home. If you don't need to				the Evacuation Plan.
evacuate, you may be better off at home, even
if the power is off or the storm is threatening.				Move immediate movement away from the
Remember, your bug-out bag has the bare				coast, lagoons or other bodies of water next to
essentials; your survival stash at home should				the coast is essential.
have enough food and water for weeks or even
months.				Head inland: This means going up to higher ground
				and even into hills or mountains.
If you are at home or in the vicinity during a
natural disaster, your first course of action must				Climb high: If you cannot head inland because you
be to determine where you will be safest. If you				are trapped, head up. Although not ideal, if this is
decide not to evacuate, you must then set about				your only option, choose a high, sturdy and solid
making your current residence as safe as possible.				building and climb up it. Go as high as you possibly
In many cases, this will mean moving into the				can, even onto the roof or sturdy trees.
basement or another protected part of the
house. In an apartment or condominium, your				React quickly if you are stranded in the water. If
best bet will probably be an interior room without				you did not manage to evacuate but find yourself
windows, or even the basement of the				caught up in the tsunami, there are things that
apartment complex.				you can do to try and survive:

While many will find that there home, friend’s
apartment or relative's house is the easiest and				Grab onto something that floats
most cost-effective safe house, the ultimate safe
house or survival retreat would be a second				Abandon belongings
residence located in a very rural location. During
normal times, this survival retreat can double as				Keep away for at least half a day, if not longer. A
your vacation home, hunting lodge or weekend				tsunami comes in waves
getaway destination. But when the flag goes up,
you can evacuate to a safe house fully stocked				Try to get reliable information
with everything you need for self sufficiency.
				A good pre-planned emergency plan should
Safe Home should be:				account for this possibility and provide alternative
				routes. Go into survival mode and be prepared for
Well off the beaten track, ideally reachable by a				anything else that could happen, do not let your
single dirt road. This seclusion will offer you a good				guard down.
bit of protection. For example, you can cut a large
tree down across the road to help eliminate
unwanted guests.				Electricity Shortage

Near a spring, well, stream or other natural source				We have lived without it in the past, and we can
of water.				live without it now.

Equipped with at least a fireplace or wood stove				That is simple to say when we rely so heavily on
for cooking and heat.				the use of electricity. It just make our lives that
				much easier, so in the event of a disaster and
Within 10 to 20 miles of a village or small town				after you have made it to a safe haven, it is time
where you can go (by foot, if necessary) for				now to review the basics.
additional supplies, news and other contact with
the outside world, should the emergency stretch				Generators are a good way to provide energy,
into months or longer.				but awfully hard to lug around and are dependant
				upon a natural resource that may or may not be
Arable enough land to grow your own vegetables				readily available. So you should plan for the worst,
and other crops.				break out the matches.

Near a natural, easily harvestable food source
(usually wildlife for hunting or fishing).				Alien Invasion

Provisioned with enough food to keep your family				At the time this survival guide was written, there
safe for at least three months, preferably a year.				is no information on how to maintain your
				existence if alien invaders showed up to visit. With
Provisioned with tools necessary for long-term				that said, 2012 Online recommends hiding.
self sufficiency, should it become necessary.
				Chapter 4: How To
Stocked with enough weapons and ammunition to
defend it from small groups of marauding				Fires
invaders, should it come to that.
				The ability to construct and know how to make a
If you are worried about caching goods in a				fire can make the difference between life and
unattended house, where they could be stolen,				death in a survival situation. Fire making is one of
you can cache a supply nearby. While most				the most vital survival skills. You should practice
caches are buried in hidden locations, a simple				and learn different methods so you know how to
solution to this dilemma is to rent a commercial				start a fire anywhere, and under any condition.
storage unit in a town close to your retreat. This
has several advantages:				Several needs:

As long as you have access to the facility 24				A fire can fulfill several needs. It can keep you
hours a day (one of those outside storage areas				warm and dry. You can use it to cook food,
where you use your own lock is best) you can				purify water and to sterilize bandages. It can
get to your supplies when necessary.				scare away dangerous animals and its smoke can
				keeps flying insects at bay.
It will be much easier to make a few trips to and
from the nearby storage facility and your safe				To make a fire you have to understand that
house than carry everything with you from home.				there are three components needed: air, heat and
				fuel. The correct ratio of these components is
It's easier to check on the status and add				very important for a fire to burn at its greatest
materials to this type of cache than one buried in				capability
a secluded location.
				Preparation
In a worst case scenario, you can hoof it to the
storage area, spend the night inside and hike back				You will have to decide what site and
the next day with a full backpack.				arrangement to use. Before building a fire
				consider:
Of course, for the ultimate protection, a buried or
other hidden cache is hard to beat. The is				The area (terrain and climate) in which you are
especially true for the long-term storage of				operating
ammunition and weapons that are or may one				The materials and tools available
day be considered illegal.				Time: how much time you have
				Need: why you need a fire
				Security: do you want unwanted attention
Chapter 2: Beyond the Basic
				Look for a dry spot that:

				Is protected from the wind
Based on the previous section, you should have a				Is suitably placed in relation to your shelter (if any)
good idea of the potential survival situations you				Will concentrate the heat in the direction you
might be facing. Now the question is whether to				desire
stay and face them or move to another, safer				Has a supply of wood or other fuel available
location.

At the first hint of trouble and rising prices, visit
the local food warehouse and grocery stores and				If you are in a wooded or brush-covered area,
buy as much as you can afford. Get the 50				clear the brush and scrape the surface soil from
pound bags of rice and the 25 pound bags of				the spot you have selected. Clear a circle at least
flour. Use your credit cards and part of your				1 meter in diameter so there is little chance of
emergency cash stash, if necessary.				the fire spreading. If time allows, construct a fire
				wall using logs or rocks. This wall will help to
Hunker down at home and protect what is yours.				reflector direct the heat where you want it. It will
				also reduce flying sparks and cut down on the
Keep a low profile and avoid contact with others,				amount of wind blowing into the fire. However,
except fellow members of your survival group.				you will need enough wind to keep the fire
Avoid trouble and confrontations.				burning. In some situations, you may find that an
				underground fireplace will best meet your needs.
Hope that within six months the country will have				It conceals the fire and serves well for cooking
recovered or at least stabilized. If not, the				food. To make an underground fireplace:
population will probably be a lot smaller when this
is over.				Dig a hole in the ground.

				On the upwind side of this hole, poke or dig a
				large connecting hole for ventilation.
We all have a strong desire to protect what's
ours. Thankfully, there are times when staying at				Build your fire in the hole
home makes the most sense. If you can wait out
the events of December 21, 2012 at your home,				Battery
batten down the hatches and stay at home, it
may be your best bet. There are many				Use a battery to generate a spark. Use of this
advantages to staying home in a survival situation,				method depends on the type of battery available.
if you can safely do so:				Attach a wire to each terminal. Touch the ends of
				the bare wires together next to the tinder so the
				sparks will ignite it.
The food in your refrigerator and pantry can
supplement your survival stash (see the previous				Flint and Steel
chapter).
				The direct spark method is the easiest of the
If you loose power, you can quickly cook much				primitive methods to use. The flint and steel
of your food and monitor the temperature of				method is the most reliable of the direct spark
your freezer (frozen food will usually keep at				methods. Strike a flint or other hard, sharp-edged
least 24 hours).				rock edge with a piece of carbon steel (stainless
				steel will not produce a good spark). This method
You'll have more time to improve your home's				requires a loose-jointed wrist and practice. When a
chances of survival (move items to high ground,				spark has caught in the tinder, blow on it. The
put plywood over windows, etc.)				spark will spread and burst into flames.

It offers shelter against most elements*.				Fire-Plow

You'll have access to all your clothing, bedding and				The fire-plow is a friction method of ignition. You
other comforts.				rub a hardwood shaft against a softer wood base.
				To use this method, cut a straight groove in the
You won't suffer from boredom as much as you				base and plow the blunt tip of the shaft up and
might in a shelter.				down the groove. The plowing action of the shaft
				pushes out small particles of wood fibers. Then,
You can protect your stuff from looters.				as you apply more pressure on each stroke, the
				friction ignites the wood particles.

Of course, there is a downside as well:
				Shelters
You could be putting yourself in unnecessary,
life-threatening danger. (The polar shift, flood,				If you find yourself not around any structures or
hurricane, riot, asteroid, volcano etc. might be				your survival shelter, or if it’s not safe, a
worse than anticipated).				temporary shelter may be raised up in the
				wilderness. A small shelter which is insulated from
You will be without heat, electricity, hot water and				the bottom, protected from the elements and
other services.				contains a fire is extremely important in your
				survival situation. Before building your shelter be
You may feel cut off and alone.				sure that the surrounding area provides the
				materials needed to build a good fire, and a good
				water source.
*will not protect against any radiation
				Wilderness shelters may include:

				1. Natural shelters such as caves and overhanging
When disaster strikes, home isn't the only option.				cliffs. When exploring a possible shelter tie a piece
				of string to the outer mouth of the cave to
In a large building, you can count on a security				ensure you will be able to find your way out.
force that will probably be smart enough to lock				Keep in mind that these caves may already be
the doors and take some action to prevent				occupied. If you do use a cave for shelter, build
access to the building by a crowd. If you think the				your fire near its mouth to prevent animals from
building is being overrun by rioters, pull the fire				entering.
alarm. This will result in all the elevators being
recalled to the lobby and they won't run again until				2. Enlarge the natural pit under a fallen tree and
they are reset.				line it with bark or tree boughs

On your floor or in your suite, bar the door,				3. Near a rocky coastal area, build a rock shelter
check your personal weapon and, if there are				in the shape of a U, covering the roof with
enough people present, assign some people to				driftwood and a tarp or even seaweed for
stand guard. If you are alone on the floor, or				protection
there are invaders in the building, look for a good
hiding place.
				First Aid
Shopping centers, fast food restaurants and other
public buildings also may offer some protection				If an accident occurs in the wilderness it will be
when disasters strikes, but they could be targets				your responsibility to deal with the situation. The
for looting, so you will want to avoid them. In a				specific sequence of actions when dealing with this
severe survival situation, you need to look out for				situation is:
your immediate family. So if you're trying to get
out of the city in an emergency and your car				Remain calm, providing your patient with quiet,
breaks down, who's going to blame you for				efficient first aid treatment
breaking into that empty house and seeking
shelter? In a life-or-death situation, property				Keep the person warm and lying down. Do not
crimes will be the least of your worries.				move this injured person until you have
				discovered the extent of the injuries
No matter how much you wish to stay at home,
there are times when evacuation is the only				Start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately if
choice. These include an asteroid, tsunami, nuclear				the injured person is not breathing
or biological event as well as any impending
disaster that is likely to destroy your home. So, if				Stop any bleeding
the survival situations you outlined in the previous
section show several emergency situations				Watch carefully for signs of shock
requiring evacuation, you'll need to put together a
plan:				Check for cuts, fractures, breaks and injuries to
				the head, neck or spine

The Evacuation Plan				Do not allow people to crowd the injured person

There are several important elements to your				Do not remove clothing unless it is imperative
evacuation plan:
				Decide if the person can be moved to a proper
Where to go				medical facility. If this is not possible, prepare a
How to get there				suitable living area in which shelter, heat and food
What to bring with you				are provided

Sure, you can head to the nearest shelter, but if
sitting on cots at the local high school gymnasium				Shock
or National Guard Armory was your first choice,
you probably wouldn't be reading this.				Shock is a depression of all of the body
				processes and may follow any injury regardless
You need a safe house or survival retreat in a				of how minor. Factors such as hemorrhage, cold
location where the current crisis will not threaten				and pain will intensify shock. When experiencing
you. The easiest way to set up a safe house is				shock the patient will feel weak and may faint.
to coordinate with a friend or family member				The skin becomes cold and clammy and the
located between 100 and 150 miles away,				pulse, weak and rapid. Shock can be more serious
preferably in a different setting. For example:				than the injury itself.

If you're in the inner city, they should be in a rural				Use the following method to prevent and control
area or at least a smaller town, preferably not				shock:
the suburbs of your city
If you're near the coast, they should be inland				1. If there are no head or chest injuries, place the
If you're near a flood plain, the safe house should				patient on his/her back with the head and chest
be on higher ground.				lower than the legs. This will help the blood
Following these guidelines, you can be relatively				circulate to the brain, heart, lungs and other major
sure of several things:				organs.

Whatever disaster you are facing should not				2. If severe head and chest injuries are present
affect them, and vice versa. This allows you to				elevate the upper body. If chest injuries are
trade off, so when they are facing a survival				present, elevate the injured side to assist in the
situation, your home can be their safe house.				functioning of the uninjured lung.

If you plan in advance, you can leave a few				3. If the injured person becomes unconscious,
changes of old clothes, a toiletries kit, necessary				place him/her in a face down position to prevent
prescription drugs, ammunition, some MRE’s				choking on blood, vomit or the tongue.
or anything else you might need at the safe
house. This will make your evacuation easier.				4. Keep your patient warm and under shelter.


Chapter 3: Disasters				Stopped Breathing

				If breathing has stopped, begin mouth-to-mouth
Floods				resuscitation. Place the patient on his/her back and
				follow these steps:
The best way to prevent damage from flooding
is to move before one occurs. Seriously, don't live				1. To open the airway lift the person's neck and
on a flood plain unless you have no choice. If you				tilt the head back
learned anything in the last decade, it should be
floods can and do occur in low-lying areas				2. Keep the neck elevated; pinch the nostrils to
previously thought safe. Rivers and streams rise				prevent air leakage
to record levels, levy's break, and there's just too
much concrete for the ground to absorb all that				3.

Asucrp

2012 Survival Guide

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