what have you done this week for prepardness?

what have you done this week for prepardness?it cn be anything....(examples: like you bought 6 jugs of water, you got some 550 cord, or purchased a new knife)

Well recently i used a ton of grad. money cash and bought a black fighting ka-bar, its very cool,excelent quality and everything. its m first true knife.and i love it. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
also i got a jnife sharpener, got my 550 real parachute cord of ebay, got a small survival book,by john lofty wiseman, got a princeton tec attitutde, and mini malite led <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />,best flashlights i have,the mini mag(i have 2) is incredible. highly recommended. re araranged my kits and took out uneccesary stuff. o and i got my sweet tactical cop/swat gear(assault tactical vest, boots, padded gloves, knee and elbow pads(i could take a rhino down with this gear,i love it all alot <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.and now i have empty pockets for the rest of the year,no more survival gear for at least a couple months,(im still saving for a playstation 3 <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> or a nintendo wii <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. so im saving my dough for awhile. God Bless <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

back to the subject what have you done this week for prepardness?

I added to my food stores.

Me too. I added 9 cans of spinach. Yum! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

not much.... i did get decontaminated by the firedepartment.... for the 3rd time in my life.... Also got received a simple bright yellow bag that might come in handy.

Added a little bit to my food stores, trip to Sams club we were a little bit under budget on the stuff we needed so I bought an extra case of soup.
Bought a used cap for the BOV so I have more room to carry stuff if we do bugout or go camping.
Downloaded Firefox 2.0 and am starting to setup the user profile in it to use the password manager so I can transfer all my stored passwords there to be able to take on a USB flash drive to another machine easily.

Received two surplus Civil Defense items: a survey radiac and a personal dosimeter charger and two dosimeters.

(I was trained how to use them in a previous career.)

Unimogbert

How do you download passwords from Firefox? Been using it for years, but have not found that option.

A good alternative to a shower <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

There is a file that gets created under the user profile you copy off. Since I run linux I can run a hotplug script to automatically copy a file to my flash drive when I plug it in. I'm thinking of getting a larger flash drive and setting up portable firefox on it since were not allowed to install anything on our office PC's but I need to safely check my bank account or something with that PC.

I've spent a lot of time on this website, I learn something new and usefull every time...

im thinking about going to wally world(walmart) and get some chicken noodle soup, and some gallon jug water, its cheap so ill pick up like ten of em for storage.
<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> and i might pick me up a red bull or vault. sounds good right now.lol <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

they didn't properly rinsed me, after soaping me up. Had to use a towel to wipe the soap off... Smelled kinda funcky afterwards...

I've worked with portable Firefox. Two words: sssslllllloooo........oooowwwwww.

It works ok, it just lags. YMMV.

Had my breaks and struts done. Well, my car's. Bought an extra box of rice, an extra box of tea bags, a new ice scraper and... some wool socks. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I'm moving to firefox and perhaps to Linnux....

I tested some new equipment in the field: turns out a new water bottle I like is useless -- water comes out very very slowly. ( no way for air to get into the bottle)

Which is why I test my gear...

( I've also started working out, again. )

Teacher

PS Great topic.

Linux is great, I have no firewall, virus scanner or spyware scanner.... yet had less problems than windows where I had all of that... (router is the best security if you are goin for security BTW)

Also got received a simple bright yellow bag that might come in handy.

PC2K,
what that than? BTW you got any pics to share for the basha holder? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Get yourself a membership for this site, you'll love it too:
http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/index.php?mforum=escape292

I bought some more 100' lengh 550 cord from the Supply Captain, bought another Coleman stove, single burner ApexII model, simmers really well. Bought the NOLS cookbook and a case of water. Pretty much all duplicate items except the particular cookbook.
I am a sucker for backpacking stoves:) I usually only carry the Snow Peak cartridge stove, I like the ease of use and light, compact design.
Anyway, that was about all I spent money on this week.

i was a volenteer for a decontamination exercise for the fire department. Went to 2 exercises last week, but as a guest for one of them, so i didn't had to be decontaminated for one of them. It's interesting to see the diffrence between diffrent regional units.

Nope no pictures of the basha-holder. I generally don't take much pictures of my kit.

Where there any really significant differents?? I know there is a national protocol for a deco-exercise,
but I can imagine there are differences.

a national protocol? well as far as i know, a new one is about to fielded. There will be a set of 3 congresses to be hold about decontamination and other protocols early next year.

And diffrences there are, lots of them. But i'm not going to tell you more about it. They weren't public exercises.

in the future im considering upgrading to a larger backpack. anyone have any suggestions(that are reasonably priced,like under $100) i know sounds crazy. and i need a good survival knife for my medium BOB,any suggestions?

Gracias <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

About the knive question:

low buget: Mora,Frost

high quality: RSK m3

purchaes the following

1000 rounds of ammo (on sale at walmart)
12 cans of soup (chunky <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)
6 uncle benns ready to eat rice
1 gallon of bleach
1 case of water

ordered online
surefie L2 lumamax flashlight (Ilove flashlights)
1 case of batteries

every week i set a budget for purchases not alot $20 or so
i try to save the same amount each week to put twards a large purchase such as the surefire or some other piece of gear. this way its not to much of an expense and slow but sure i build up our stores of supplies.

anyone heard of the jetboil stove thing? it looked sweet, but i didnt get it cause id rather hear how it performs/

btw thanks jim for the suggestions on the knife ill look into it
anyone know anything about it or have experience about the jetboil stove thingy <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />?

I have used the jetboil and it works very well.
used it to heat one of then uncle bens rice bags on a hike, in about 2 minn my rice was ready to eat

I've got a JetBoil and it works great. The one drawback is the Piezo igniter. Reviews on it say it's 50/50 as to whether it will work or not. I've found that to be the case. I just use a lighter, match or whatever. I feel it's still a great setup even with that inherent problem. 2 cups of water to full boil in 2 minutes. Get the pot support and stabilizer for more versatility.

Regarding the JetBoil Piezo: just bend its wire down a bit, and make sure you turn on the gas slowly (it's harder to light if it's full blast, especially as you go up in elevation).

This week: reorganized my car and work kits as I'm now covering 700 miles a week (ugh!) on a new commute. Added some additional emergency clothing, knife, flashlight and personal care items to one bag; moved my PSK, FAK and some tools between some bags; added a mask, gloves, prybar and a few other odds and ends to the office bag (for earthquake/fire evacuation). Added an extra 2.5 gal. container of diesel fuel to the trunk (diesel engine on my vehicle). Next week I'll probably add some additional emergency water to the passenger compartment and trunk.

Always thinking and adjusting...

Thank you for this great subject.

This week I havent added anything to my preps but I started planning for my "retreat" . By the way, it is not a log cabin type. Its actually a guest room in the family house about a 100 mile away.

There is a BOB already in that room ( as I said before: I believe in the CACHE concept, or pre-positioned kits) . But I am planning to add more goodies and prepare the room for longer stays. That includes a TV, tea/coffee maker and a few other items that would allow longer stays more bearable in case of emergency or disaster.

Although I can use the family existing kitchen and other facilities, but I want to plan for possible long sleepless nights without disturbing others in the house.

I still remember one night that my family and I dropped in unexpectedly and had to sleep in that room for the night. I had to go around town at midnight to find and buy five blankets. It was raining and cold and wasnt fun.

ummmm
if it counts, I have bought for my youngest boy ( 10 yo ) a small (keychain) multitool and a memory-stick-sized kit of mini screwdrivers to add to his go-anywhere-bag ..

bought wildshield wipers for my truck ( HA El Camino, but I still call it a truck.) looking on the internet for a fanny pack that will hold two 1 quart bottles Wraped up some 550 cord into bundles. and worked on a design for a survival knife that I am going to have Anza Knife make for me.

I've got some suggestions, so long as you don't mind it not being in bright colors and full of happy fun smily images.

If all you need it to do is to hold a pair of nalgenes, the SAW pouch from SpecOps Brand and the Patriot Performance Matierals "Multipurpose Pouch" (its the same size) both hold a pair of them easily enough. The one from SOB uses thier "fast-back" system, and I've used that with everything from 1" straps to 2.25" ALICE webbing; the PPM uses MALICE clips and those can be set up for a 1.5" belt without trouble. I'm not sure about some of the other pouches that hold the 200 pack for the Minimi, haven't tried vary many, but I know the old ALICE one doesn't becuase of the stiffeners in the sides.

Most dump pouches wil manage.

If you are wanting one with a pack in the middle, look at the Maxpedition Devildog. I don't think the SpecOps SOB will hold Nalgenes, but it will hold a pair of USGI one quarts, but they haven't updated the mounting from ALICE so it isn't as adaptable to what you can put it on.

I bought another 6 gallons of water at the dollar store, a gym-bag type Cordura bag at Goodwill for my pet 96-hr kit (existing kit was getting too small), a new large prybar so I wouldn't have to keep borrowing the ones in the car & truck, and 50ft of braided nylon rope. I also found a medium-sized plastic airline pet carrier for my four chickens, should the need arise. And I got more firewood in (with my brother's help), plus a good supply of firestarters and matches.

Sue

Well, anything running through USB is going to be slow, espically if your running through the poorly written Windows XP USB interface (USB support was so much better in 2000). But weighing the options of slow vs. using IE, I'll take slow anyday.

I use the Mountainsmith Tour Pack (green version) with the optional shoulder straps while hunting and it seems to be holding up well. It will carry two 1 qt. nalgenes along with a nested Campmor cup.

Love my Jetboil stove. Pricey, but very fast and efficent. The whole thing, including the fuel is about the size of a Nalgene bottle.

Teacher

Bought a new 5 gallon Colman water jug for our CampOree last weekend. Taught another Scouter how to start fire by friction with a fire bow. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I gave a talk in church about prepardness, I usually speak at least once a month at different churchs about it, I just study,study and more study, and come to this site for hints and suggestions. I think that in the last 3 months alone I have spoken to about 800 peple about getting ready for disasters <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

This week... I bought some new boots (Danner Light II's) for my feet. Winter is coming!

More than anything, I think I will use this week to get my kits back into shape and re-stocked. I'm going to try to pare down things a bit and make it simpler to just "grab and go". I'm thinking along the lines of, "body, bag, bin." Thanks to the suggestions and answers from all of you folks a little while back, here's what I've got in mind:

1. Body - small PSK and EDC items carried.
2. Bag - backpacks, bug out bags, EDC bags.
3. Bin - plastic tote bins with camping gear and 72 hour+ kit(s).

I also really need to break out the FoodSaver and seal up some fresh batteries, first-aid supplies, etc. And get some more bottled water for my stash. And probably another can opener just for the heck of it!

Phew. I guess my weekend is shot now. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You know, not a darn thing. Thanks for the kick in the pants. I need to get a to do list going for each week.

Organized some of my previous purchases for future inclusion into various packs. Bought water and rotated some stock of the same. Bought bleach, rotated stock as well. Put one of my LED flashlights through it's paces, packed extra batteries for it in my "Ready Bag". And I generally buy some food stocks and keep them rotated every other week or so. I need to pick up some more MREs to stock up. I'm also in the early stages of planning a new storage system to help with rotation. Added/removed/rotated items in my "Ready Bag" for which I recently purchased a new bag... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and Ironraven, try mobile firefox (or any of the other mobile apps) on the FASTEST USB 2 flashdrives you can find - even ones from a year or two ago don't remotely compare to today's fastest drives. There's a large difference. There are some other tweaks you can do to make it load faster if you want to get under the hood as well.

Week ending 11/4:
I usually do a lot of preps on the weekend and this being the change of months I have a few regular things scheduled.
Instead I got to do a bug out test. I got the call from my mother around 3:00 that my grandmother was only given a few hours to live. So I ran home and we packed up and hit the road by 5 so we hit all the rush hour traffic. I added a CB radio to my truck and have a handheld as well so I was able ask a couple truck drivers if they would let me in out of the merge lane and check status of traffic ahead. We made the 250mile trip in just over 4 hours and most of the time before we left I spent finding someone to perform the server maintenance I had scheduled that weekend for me. So maybe 30 minutes to pack for unknown number of days. We stayed until Tuesday and returned home.
I did manage to charge all my rechargeable batteries for my normal monthly cycle and am running my laptop backup today.

Bought a 2+ liter Platypus bottle for my PSK CamelBak. It is rolled up on the bottom.

Anyone seen the new in-line water filters that go in the water line of a CamelBak? They are $50 at REI. It is the Sawyer Inline Water Filter. Sawer Filter

I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill ya.

I made an increase in my potable water and dried beans supplies. I have also purchased another backpack, mess kit, and winter field jacket. I will also re-inventory my equipment and identify critical shortcomings

The best luck is what you make yourself

Week ending 11/11:
Not a lot this week, drove back from WV after my grandmothers funeral. I do consider that trip a pretty successful bug out test as I had to fight 5:00 Friday traffic to get out of town, packed up with no notice and made it there on what gas was in the truck and pretty much lived on what we could remember to pack or what was sitting ready for 4 days and 4 nights.
I patched the little hole in my truck cap and stared planning for our first camp out next year.

im sorry man that your grandmom passed. my prayers are with you.

Condolences on the passing of your grandmother.

I bought 2 more Aquatainers. Water is my weakest link. You can never have too much.

Every time I go to my local country store for anything, I pick up a box of #4 or 00 buckshot in 12Ga.

hasn't been a lot lately - life has been in the mode of "using survival stuff", but my wife is now working, and I'm NOT working umpteen hrs of unpaid OT/week, so I bought a foodsaver, and a bunch of meat for the freezer, and packed the meat. Laid in another 5 lbs of beans (even though my daughter hates them). Kitchen freezer is basically full - if I lay in any more food, I'll have to start the 2nd freezer

No hunting this year - Mom and Dad's health is such that I should not be that far away. As I can transfer one of my tickets, I'll hand it to a hunting buddy, and ask him if he can take one for me

bought my new mountiansmith day pack, 2 Nalgene bottles and a new survival blanket the one with the hood. purchased 4 Millennium bars Made some wateproof matches and some vasoline cotton balls. and the week isn't over yet.

Eugene:
Condolence on the passing of your Grandmaother, Thank God we still have memorys.

Been working out, added sunglasses & water filtration to the BOB ( Extreme bottle and pump filter) tossed out some expired meds in my FAK and distributed some knives to kits, rather than keeping in my 'collection box.'

Now off to add to the "winter survival kit' in the car.

Teacher

I'm getting ready for a bear hunting trip so I'm going through all my stuff and replacing what has worn out or expired. Wierd thing is that my map compass dried out. Picked up another one and some other things that I wanted to try out.

I found a good deal on 54 yard elastice bandage.
Purchased a princetonn tec blast to replace my mag lite solitare.-last week
Replaced a few batteries,checked a few kits, cleaned a few knives, thats about it.

Did it still point North?

Gear:
Updated more meds ( threw out the outdated ibuprofin), got a new flashlight, building my winter car kit (where is that sleeping bag?)

Personal
Found a knot card and practiced the bowline.
daily workouts

Planning
Researching local area maps ( including bus routes)
Learning about frs/grms radios

Went camping and played with some gear. I am in the process of cleaning and reorganizing.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Mine passed away years ago. Anyway, I made the mistake of driving on the beltway in Washington D.C. After going 2 miles in 28 minutes, I determined to give it a wide berth next time.

Bought the Sawer in-line filter from Sportsman's Warehouse for $39.99 and the Platypus adapter from REI for $3.95.

It fits nicely in my CamelBak, Blowfish, PSK. The water flows by gravity. The filter has a very long shelf life and it is good for 500 gallons. It filters out all the bad bacteria. I wish Doug would review this filter. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />




Learned that a pine dowel and a cedar board work together to make a coal using fire by friction (fire bow) .

I repacked my larger "winter" psk tin to keep in a coat pocket. It just has more room in it. It's a copper-colored (not copper) cookie cutter tin that is real strong and durable, but a little longer lengthwise than a SAS tobacco tin. I can stick many extras that I want in my kit that way.

I stocked more food, lots of coffee and tea Sharpened knives. Am in the process of repacking BOB.

I purchased a 3-gallon plastic water carrier for my main vehicle, to add to my existing water supply. I put a tag on it to remind me when to rotate the water.

Samething I do everyweek Pinky, try and reorganize my kits <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I finally went and bought a sillcock key tonight. My motive was partly because it will come in handy when working sometimes as well as needing it in an emergency.

Three of my four sons and I went to a gun show last weekend. Once a year Cold Steel comes to Phoenix. We bought an SRK($45), Recon Tonto($45), two True Flight Throwers($15), and 4" Voyager Tanto($15). Also got an Ontario TEK ($65) for my wife for Christmas. Got a .22lr mag for my Glock 23 Advantage Arms slide ($20) from the Glockmeister. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I finally bought the SOG Powerlock multitool I have been wanting after finding the best price. I researched it a long time and for what I (repeat "I" -- not necessarily anyone else) want in a multitool it beats any Leatherman save for maybe having an S30V knife blade...but I tote a RSK MkI EDC anyway. Among other things it has the wood saw, awl, 1/4 " drive, and patent pending V-Cutter instead of scissors.

Tested and used propane heater for a bit to keep operation fresh in my head.
Changed oil in both trucks.
Installed and removed snow chains from both vehicles a few times. This was mostly a refresher for my wife if she needs to do it by herself.

bought hand warmers and food for winter car kits
added sleeping bag to car
Testing radios
continuning exercise program

Lets see; first & foremost, I found this site <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Second, I FINALLY found a good pocketknife to replace my almost decade old Benchmade that disappeared into a river in August. I picked up a RSK mini Mk I, should be here tomorrow. I cant TELL you how happy I am to finally have a DECENT pocketknife again!
Lastly, I am teaching my 14 y/o nephew the basics of survival craft. Tonight, I started him on knot tying, and gave him homework. I told him that, come spring, he'll have enough knowledge to go into the woods with me for 3 days & live reasonably comfortably, with only the minimal amount of kit. I'd have to say that the best part of knowing all this, is being able to pass it on.

Absolutley nothing.


I did buy a gerber rip stop folder last week for a good deal.

I revise my old kit. I discard old items and add new stuff :
ropes, new fuel for my stove
add more bandages for first aid kit
buy more lithium batteries for flashlights

Great topic Supermark.... I might get tempted to get windy here.......
-Ordered two needed parts for my Coleman 400 stove (just tonight).
-Bought another desert sand boonie hat and another mil. folding shovel dedicated to truck.
-Received 2 Redflare emerg. bivvy sacks and 3 more emergency heat blankets.
-Bought my daughter (for Christmas) a new med. backpack with hydration (100oz), her own Doan flint/mag, a waterproof matchcase, and a Swiss Army knife.
-Cleaned up the old Coleman 2-burner stove.
-Swapped my old battery for new ni-cad battery from work for Streamlight Stinger (not my favorite but it's free - Govt issue)
-Froze another duck (last week actually... well, Sunday).
-Read about James Kim and other articles here. Read up on shelters at another site.
-Made plans for this weekend to take my wife and daughter to our land and gather/stockpile for storage mesquite firewood.
-Read this post and decided we too could use 10 or more jugs of drinking water to restock.
-Made decision (as you read this) to consider Benchmade Snody 14150 (black partially serrated) or Benchmade Nimravus 140BKSN.

got almost half way through my Air Force Survival Training (AF Regulation 64-4) one of the best books i've ever read! much better than the army survival manual IMHO.

cleaned some flashlight contacts with Deoxit.

repacked/resupplied my travel FAK

added emergency poncho, matches, and cigarette lighter cell phone charger to my car kit.

...doing research on what goes in a BOB, Locating area maps, buying batteries, continuning the workout schedule.

Well, among other things this weekend I de-wormed my dog and gave him other routine care like grooming. After owning him for over six months I realize I value him even more. If TEOTWAWKI ever occurs, I keep finding how much more of an asset he will be to me.

Bought some Datrex rations and water pouches to store in the car.

Thanks RedFlare!

SRMC

Checked & repacked the car BOB. Charged up handheld scanners. The new Grab & Go Bag arrived, been playing with that. Ordered 3 pouches to go on the outside of my BOB pack.

Dave

Since I was cleaning out the back of the Jeep today to make room for carrying Christmas gifts to the grandkids next week I brought my GHB in and inventoried it along with repacking it. I added some extra food and a film cannister of dryer lint. Checked my flashlight and GPS and make sure I had new fresh batteries for them both. Checked my Bic lighter (still plenty of fluid and it works) made sure I have plenty of waterproof matches.
Then put it back in the Jeep right where it belongs.

Ordered a headlamp for the BOB.

Dave

I'm taking my kids camping on Friday and we'll be back for Christmas dinner.

I decided to go price and possibly buy some new tires for my car. I could go another couple thousand miles on the ones I have easily, but I figured I'd buy myself a Christmas present. Before I left the house I went to the trunk to take out the donut so they could put a real tire in there when they removed my old tires and replaced them with the new.

I know... What would've happened if I got a flat on the way to the garage?

When I tried to open the trunk I found that the key wouldn't go all the way in the lock. That didn't bode well, but I could get around it in the mean time so I popped the trunk from the latch in the car. Everything looked fine until I started rooting around and opened up the plastic box in the trunk that held a good chunk of my gear.

When all was said and done I realized that nearly all of my emergency roadside equipment was gone.

The box that held some of the equipment was still in my trunk, but it had been looted. I also found out that some of the equipment I had in the spaces behind the wheel wells and directly behind the back seat was gone. Needless to say I'm a little cheesed as I really don't have a lot of money to replace it all immediately since I need to get new tires as well.

At least I know it's gone...

Some of the stuff needed to be changed out because it had been in there so long, but dang, I really don't feel like shelling out the money for new tools. The tools I had, though old, were still in good working order.

Then later, as my anger subsided somewhat I got a little psyched about the prospect of putting another emergency kit together... I like the idea of upgrading from what was in there previously as well...

Am I sick? It's a sickness right?

Replaced all of the strike-anywhere matches in my kits with some REI Stormproof matches.

While wandering around as my Darling Bride got some last minute Christmas shopping done I picked up a couple of propane bottles for the Coleman stove and lanterns.

Just bought all available strike-anywhere matches in my metro area <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Including the tiny boxes of half-sized matches (32 count each).

Hey...I was _forced_ to take six days off. What else am I gonna do but shop ?

I haven't seen the small sized ones around here.
today I picked up a 4 pack of waterproof matches to replace the ones I use on camping trips.

Dave,

What headlamp did you get?

I picked 'em up at a local hardware store in the BBQ grill section. Go figure.

Thanks! I'm tryin'!

I stayed at the Holiday Inn. Does that count as preparedness? LOL that's the line used in commercial. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Now you know how to do anything the next day, you stayed at a Holiday Inn the previous night....but don't bet your life on it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I went to my local outdoor-shop, army surplus store and pharmacy and got a bunch of stuff there,
wich I used to make my BOB fully operational again.

Now my daypack...

Doing some shopping yesterday and picked up a few travel size bottles of Purell Hand Sanitizer, 1 for GHB and 1 fot FAK that I keep in the back of my Jeep. Alos got a bigger bottle for my camp kitchen bag.

Mark, In recognition of Red Flares generous offer I bought 4 DR PSK's for the family
Mike

Got a 6-gallon Jerry-can-style plastic water container and a lockback Rapala filet knife w/ 5" blade today from Wally World. I know I can use them.

The usual workout plus charging my car spotlight ( and updating the contents of my car kit beyond the 12 hour expected use.) Updating maps and teaching my cell phone to send text messages...

TRO

New brakes for the front of my El Camino and Tue. 2 new tires up front. Hopefully will be able to order my Air Bags for the rear. Need more springs to haul the load I run around with.

I spent about 20 minutes showing my wife and son what was actually in the orange backpacks that are in the back of both of our cars. My wife looked kinda horrified at first, but, then she started to realize why people always seem to find me when anyone gets hurt or something breaks. At least they know where to look. My son has had plenty of training on camping and hiking trips. My wife...well, at least if a well intentioned good samaritan arrives, there are things that they might be able to use to help her.

I spent my christmas SEARS gift cards (100$ worth) on a portable jumpstarter/air compressor/light/backup power (their 1150 DIEHARD model) Then i went through my toolbox in my truck and cleaned it out and changed out meds in FAK and reorganized it to put the jumpstarter in there but now have decided to keep it under the Ex-cab seat behind the driver's side. Started to work on my BOB but didn't find the time today.

The rebate for my cell phone finally arrived in the mail in the form of a VISA Gift Card so I went down to the Home Despot and started to rebuild the Emergency Roadside Kit/BOB gear that was stolen out of my car.

I bought a Fiskars Chopping Axe, a Wrecking Bar, and a Shovel. Next I'll spend a gift card that I got for X-Mas on a ratchet set, fire extiguisher, and tow strap.

I have replenished my water supplies (we live near an artesian spring), added some clothes to my BOB, and I'm trying to quit smoking.

Ordered a set of Idaho waterproof, high resolution 1:36,000 quad maps with degrees/UtM codes in a hard case.

Reprogrammed an MT1000 to Idaho SAR frequencies and state communication channels.

Installed four Kimpex tracks on a Yamaha Rhino.

Hooked up a US Marine Cargo Sled behind Rhino.

Planned survival outing on Garmin 60CS and plotted on Google Earth.

Filled out the "AMERICAN SURVIVAL CHECKLIST" for the trip.

Bought 2007 Idaho small game license.

Reprogrammed varmint call.

Over the weekend I added some food to the freezer and pantry, got an oil change, and added some stuff to my wife's BOB.

Speaking of the wife, I got her a 12V electric blanket (for the car) for Christmas and we love it. She stays nice and toasty and doesn't burn me up with the heater. Our marriage will last longer as a result. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Home De**t had a sale on 3/8" "tactile rope" so I bought 100' ($8.00) for my DW's car
BTW I carry 250' in my car
Mike

Why don't we lock this one and start a new thread something like "what have you done this week in January 2007 for preparedness"

I just now noticed that was spelled wrong when Firefox underlined it as I was typing it <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Two days ago I purchased my first GPS, a Magellan Explorist XL. Allso purchased a PLB with GPS. More topo. maps also.

I took a first aid class, added some MRE's to my BOB, and reorganized the gear in my car.