Daily Survival Tips – Vol. 1

The following is a compilation of the survival tips published daily on survivalright.com’s Facebook page.

Starting in late August 2014, survivalright.com began providing practical advice to help readers become more self-sufficient. These tips were then assembled in this easy-to-read format for quick reference.

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Also included below are a few info-graphics or “memes” created for the delight of our Facebook fans. (You’re welcome.)

Each month, we’ll publish a new compilation, so check back regularly for updates.

Remember, if you have any suggestions, leave your glowing praise or scathing criticisms in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy!

Survival Tips

Tip of the Day: Three items to have in your wallet for emergencies- Bandaids, $100 bill, credit card tool.

Tip of the Day: Superglue seals wounds, protects against infection and is waterproof. Reapply daily (or as needed) until wound heals.

Tip of the Day: Share newspapers and/ or magazines with neighbors. For instance, we get the local small town paper twice a week. Our neighbor gets the large metropolitan Sunday paper with all the ads. We read and switch.

Tip of the Day: We all know that to help prevent identity theft, you should shred all sensitive documents (bank statements, credit card statements, etc.). But instead of throwing the shreds away, combine them with lawn clippings in a compost pile. In a few weeks you’ll have a rich potting soil, for free. And there’s no way your information could fall into the wrong hands.

Tip of the Day: Babysitting: If you have friends with small children near the same age as yours, do a babysitting exchange. I watch two extra kids on Tuesday afternoons and my friend takes our kids on Thursdays. That way each caregiver can run errands, go to the doctor, etc. without the added expense of childcare.

Tip of the Day: Always have 10+ feet of paracord on you for emergencies by making, and wearing, a 550 paracord bracelet.

Tip of the Day: Dryer lint makes excellent tinder for fire starting. Store in plasticware, zipper lock bags or any water/air tight container.

Tip of the Day: Reuse old plastic juice containers for inexpensive planters. 2 quart, rectangular containers fit nicely on a window sill, making them perfect for urban gardening. Clear containers allow you to monitor soil moisture and root development.

Tip of the Day: The best, simplest way to remove and kill ticks is with a tweezers and lighter. Press the skin down around the tick with the tweezers, then pinch the tick and pull slowly until the tick releases. Kill the tick by holding it over an open flame.

Tip of the Day: Honey and cinnamon can help treat a number of ailments. Add 2 tsp. honey + 1 tsp. cinnamon to 8 oz. hot water and drink twice a day as a natural remedy for the common cold, arthritis, gas, indigestion, flu, bad breath and fatigue. Combine in equal parts as a paste to treat skin infections and acne.


Tip of the Day: Self-sufficiency is all about simplicity. But that usually means hard work replaces convenience. For instance, if you have a small, level yard, consider switching from a gas or electric to a reel lawn mower. Reel mowers require almost no maintenance and have no ongoing costs (gas, oil, filters, spark plugs, batteries, etc.) unlike conventional mowers. Good brands to consider are Fiskars, Scotts and Earthwise. You’ll save money, reduce pollution and get exercise.


Tip of the Day: Emergency water filters are great at purifying water quickly and easily, but the best long-term water purification system is a distiller. Distilled water is 100% pure, but does require a heat source, like a stove, grill or campfire. However, there are no filters to replace.


Tip of the Day: Called the “universal oil,” pure lavender oil should be a staple of every first aid kit. It has been used for centuries as an analgesic (pain killer), antihistamine, antidepressant, antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, among others. Use it topically or internally, just be sure you’re using 100% pure lavender (not all are created equal – some even say “not for internal use”). Doterra is a good brand.

Tip of the Day: Prior to 1965, American coins were worth something. Dimes, quarters, half and silver dollars were just that: made of silver – up to 90% in some cases. Nowadays, they’re made of cheap metals with little or no intrinsic value. You can purchase 1964 and earlier coins from dealers like APMEX for a few points (or less) over spot. Investing in silver, that is, actually buying and physically holding the metal, insures that your money will always be worth something.


Tip of the Day: Colloidal silver as a curative and dietary supplement has gained popularity with many in the survivalist community for its antibacterial properties. It has been used to treat cuts, burns, infections, acne, cold and flu symptoms and even to purify drinking water. However, in the late 1990s, the FDA banned the sale of OTC colloidal silver products citing that they are “not safe”. While trusting the gubment isn’t my strong suit, beware of potential risks.


Tip of the Day: If you live in tornado alley (or close to it) you probably have a safe room you go to in an emergency. Most people keep flashlights, radios, snacks and water, even important documents, in there, but what about shoes? If the warning siren awakens you in the middle of the night, odds are you won’t remember to bring them. And having to walk across wreckage with bare feet would only make a bad situation worse. Make sure you include one pair for each member of the family.


Tip of the Day: Reduce your dependence on money by cutting or eliminating certain expenses. Instead of popping clothes in the dryer, line dry them inside or outside. A couple of accordion drying racks cost less than $20 and can reduce your utility bills. Plus, there’s no expensive repair or replacement costs associated with electric or gas dryers. Make small changes and they can add up big.

Tip of the Day: The last thing you want is to stand out in an emergency. During a natural disaster or evacuation, your neighbors will be scared and disorganized. Mimic their attitude and behavior. Dress plainly and talk little. If people discover you’re prepared, you’ll become a target for theft or worse.


Tip of the Day: Keep doing things as normal. Fly, drive, write, speak as you would otherwise. The minute we change, the minute we alter our behavior, they win. Terrorists thrive on fear. But we can fight them without ever firing a shot. Protect your freedom – Use it. Do not let them win.


Tip of the Day: To make your own orange (degreasing) cleaner, combine 3-4 drops orange oil and ½ cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Fill with water.


Tip of the Day: A bandana and pack of iodine tablets are a simple and convenient way to purify water in an emergency. First, filter large debris with the bandana, then dissolve 1 iodine tablet and 1 flavor tablet (removes the taste of iodine) per pint of water. An iodine purification kit costs around $10 and can purify up to 25 quarts of water.


Tip of the Day: Due to decreased availability of .22 caliber ammo, one of the cheapest ways to hunt small game nowadays is with a quality air rifle. Pellets can be purchased for about 1 penny per round and BBs are even cheaper. Though pellets are more accurate than BBs, a rifle that shoots both, like the Daisy 880, will give you more options in an emergency. Simple air rifles are relatively inexpensive (the Daisy 880 is around $50, but competition models can cost over $500), are quieter than traditional rifles and don’t require background checks to purchase. Opt for a pump-action or break-barrel over gas-powered. Air canisters and CO2 cartridges reduce time between shots, but are pricy and if you run out, your rifle is useless.

Tip of the Day: Waterways like rivers and large streams, and their banks, are (with rare exception) public property and therefore legal and free to use. A rafting or canoe trip is a fun and cheap family excursion and if you have easy access to a large waterway, it can be a viable bug out route if you plan ahead. Staying clear of congested highways and public transportation could be a real life-saver.


Tip of the Day: Eating a clove of raw garlic or drinking a quart of buttermilk daily can help prevent mosquito, chigger and tick bites.


Tip of the Day: Honey is one of the only foods that don’t spoil. Stock 100% pure honey for some quick energy in emergencies.


Tip of the Day: Lace your shoes with mil-spec 550 paracord to easily keep a couple lengths of cordage on you at all times.


Tip of the Day: When choosing a credit card design, pick one with a reflective surface. This can then be used as a signaling device in an emergency.


Tip of the Day: In a survival situation where food is scarce, grasshoppers can provide some much-needed protein. Pull their heads off (their entrails will come with), then skewer on a long, thick stalk of grass. Roast thoroughly over a fire to kill any parasites.

Tip of the Day: If you wear glasses, always carry a spare pair in your glove box, bug out bag or when traveling. Imagine how disorienting and frustrating it would be to be unable to drive or find your way around in a strange place.


Tip of the Day: Acorns (any nut, really) can make a tasty, caffeine-free coffee substitute. Boil, then shell the acorns, let them air dry, grind them and roast in the oven.


Tip of the Day: Commercially-produced, freeze-dried food is a great emergency prep, but it can be expensive and you don’t really know where your food came from. However, long-term food storage can be done at home with a dehydrator and vacuum sealer. By removing moisture AND air, your home-grown garden produce can last for years, even decades.


Tip of the Day: Motorized tools help us do more work faster, but are subject to breakdowns, expensive repairs or replacements and require a never-ending supply of gas or electricity. In an emergency a low-tech back up can be a lifesaver. Ideas include: an axe for your chainsaw, a washboard for your washing machine, a sun oven for your stove, etc.


Tip of the Day: If you have the space, replace your car’s compact spare tire with a full-size spare. Compacts have maximum weight and speed ratings that make highway travel (especially when towing a trailer) slow and dangerous. Keeping a full-size spare on hand ensures you, and all your gear, will get to your destination as fast as possible.

Tip of the Day: Save old twist ties from baker’s bread to seal partially-used bags of frozen vegetables. They even come in handy around the homestead, like for joining sections of bird netting over berry bushes.


Tip of the Day: One of the most over-looked items to include in your bug out bag is a deck of cards. They offer great entertainment value, but being made of laminated cardstock, they can be repurposed into improvised gear like sunglasses (cut a slit in two and join with string) or even rolled into a blowgun.


Tip of the Day: Instead of buying bulk wine in a box, purchase it in the glass gallon jugs. For a few dollars more, you get a reusable container with a screw-top lid. Use for brewing sun tea or even making your own wine or beer.


Tip of the Day: Dogs are great for protecting your home. Even if they’re 4-pound lap dogs, they can hear and smell intruders well before any human could. Their warning barks can scare off criminals or at least give you the few extra seconds needed to prepare to defend you and your family.


Tip of the Day: Save old phone books for fire tinder and for improvised toilet paper.