Hot Disaster Preparation Posts
How To: Tie a perfect round crown sinnet
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie a round crown sinnet. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying round crown knots yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie a knarr viking merchant ship knot
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie a knarr knot. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying perfect knarr knots yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie a KBK bar fusion knot
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie a KBK bar fusion knot. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying KBR bar knots yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie a perfect double plafond knot
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie a double plafond knot. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying double plafond yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie a stitched switchback strap
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie a stitched switchback strap. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying round stitched switchback yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Survive a Deadly Tornado (Preparation Tips, DIY Safe Rooms & Aftermath Secrets)
Deadly natural disasters can happen at any moment— earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, fires and especially tornadoes. That's why you have to be prepared.
How To: Survive falling into icy waters on seemingly frozen lakes
The normal body temperature in humans is 98.6 degrees. At 95 degrees, hypothermia has already set in. At 86 degrees, you're unconscious. Next, is death. So, when you're on an frozen-over lake, use extreme caution on that seemingly solid ice, because if you fall through, it just might be your last swim.
How To: Make dogbane cordage or Indian hemp
In this tutorial, we learn how to make dogbane cordage. Dogbane is also known as Indian hemp, which is a plant which is used to make cordage. Once you identify the plant outside, you can process it into a raw and finished product. First, you will simply peel the bark off of a branch of the dogbane. After this, you will squeeze along the inside of it and start to peel the layers back. You will then get a bushy type of wood that looks like it's hair. After this, you can tie these together or br...
How To: Prepare for an earthquake (before, during and afterward)
Earthquakes are one of the most dangerous natural disasters in the world, especially in states like Alaska, California, Hawaii and even Oklahoma. And you never know when a quake will hit your area, so being prepared is essential for survival. This short animation details what you will need to be prepared for an earthquake, along with what you'll do during and afterward.
How To: Survive the disastrous upcoming earthquake in California
California is struck by earthquakes everyday, but the biggest ones, on average, appear every 150 years, just south of the San Gabriel Mountains. The last super-destructive earthquake in California was over 300 years ago, which could mean a long overdue Californian earthquake is on the horizon.
How To: Modify your machete for the bush
In this video, we learn how to modify your machete for the bush. First, you can sharpen your blade on a piece of wood. You will produce wood shavings that will produce fire as well. Push down on the sides of the knife as well as base and on the tip and middle. Make sure you slightly sharpen the back as well so you can use it to open up coconuts. Once you do this, you will have five useful edges on your machete that you can use for many different purposes while you are out traveling. You can a...
How To: Prepare your vehicle for winter weather
When winter rolls around, you get some pretty unpredictable weather: hail, snow, rain, ice, black ice, nasty stuff. Being properly prepared is extremely important because you never know what can happen to you while you're on the road. In this video you will learn how to prepare your vehicle for winter driving.
How To: Preserve tracks properly during your expedition
Whether it's research, a school project or term paper, going on an expedition, what have you, having to preserve animal tracks should be a part of your bag of tricks that you can do. But don't just grab some random plaster of paris and just start pouring. Check out this video first and learn how to properly preserve the animal tracks that you find in the wild.
How To: Make Welsh laverbread with seaweed (Porphyra umbilical), bacon and oatmeal
Porphyra umbilical. Most know it as laver, a type of edible seaweed found along the Wales coastline, and also other areas in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Porphyra umbilical is best known for the Welsh delicacy of laverbread.
HowTo: Survive a Plane Crash (Demonstrated by Flight Attendant Hotties)
HowTo go viral or HowTo survive a plane crash... take your pick. A bunch of Philippines flight attendant cuties demonstrate flight safety procedures to the tune of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. The company later stated:
How To: Make your home safe and secure with tips from Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn how to make your home safe and secure with tips from Lowe's. You should do a safety check on your house at least once a year. Start with the entryway, making sure you have an insulated wood door in the doorway. Make sure there is a lock and a deadbolt lock on the door as well. Once inside, make sure you have timers to control your lighting, so it can come on even when you're not at home to detract any robbers. In the garage, make sure you have an electronic door ope...
How To: Stay safe during a lightning storm
Lightning storms are beautiful to watch but deadly to be out in. If you find yourself caught out in a thunderstorm there are several easy guidelines you can use to stay safe, and this video will teach them to you.
News: Boob Support = Life Support
Dr. Elena Bodnar proposes a silly idea. Why not wear a bra that double as a gas mask? No point in being ill equipped (in the event of fires, terrorist attacks, dust storms or a swine flu outbreak). The instructions are simple: In the event of an emergency, remove bra.
How To: Defend yourself and your plants from a swarm of locusts
A swarm of locusts might be a biblical plague, but they really can't hurt people directly. They can destroy your farm or garden in no time though, so watch this video for tips of protecting your garden or farm from a swarm of locusts.
How To: Tie a snake belly bar knot
The snake belly bar, in essence, is a product of multiple snake belly knots, tied together in series. This great bar makes a great bracelet or strap and is easy to make if you know the right pattern. In this video you will get an up close look at how to tie this knot from start to finish.
How To: Tie a genoese zipper sinnet knot easily
The Genoese Zipper Sinnet is actually a fusion of both the single Genoese Bar and the Zipper Sinnet, obvious reasons for the name. This knot can be great for making a strap, bracelet, or necklace. In this video you will learn how to tie the knot up close and personal, giving the video great detail and insight into the knot tying process.
How To: Harvest amaranth grain (aztec rice)
Amaranth grain is somewhat like rice and was a staple food of the Aztecs. But most seem to grow like weeds and they are tough to harvest as well. If you've found some Amaranth plants and are looking at how to harvest the grain out of them, check out this video. He gives you an explanation of what Amaranth is and how to harvest the grains from it.
How To: Make sign posts and marks for indicators and also trapping
When going into an area that you're unfamiliar with, the first thing you need to learn is where the animals are and what you can use to bring them in, trap them, and well, you know the rest. In this video you will learn how to create sign post traps that use visual and smell based attracts that will bring in curious animals giving you the time to strike.
How To: Tie a bent solomon bar on a line
The Solomon Bar is one of the more versatile ties in the paracording genre of knot tying. Although most prefer the straight line, in this video you will learn how to tie a bent line in your knot. You will get a full tutorial of the entire process with each step shown up close with extreme detail.
How To: Use a recurve bow and a beginners guide to bow hunting
Sure, you could start hunting with a rifle, but the true hunters do bow hunting. If you're interested in getting into bow hunting in general, this video has all the info you will need. You will learn the anatomy of a recurve bow and also the proper way to fire, hold, and knock your arrows. This video is designed with beginners in mind!
How To: Make wooden snow goggles to prevent snow blindness in a blizzard
If you get caught out in a blizzard, snow blindness is just one of the many dangers you face. If you want to keep your vision, which will be very helpful in escaping, and don't have goggles with you, follow the steps in this video to make wooden temporary goggles that may save your eyes.
How To: Use a parang knife (Malayan machete) in the tropical wild
If you're ever stuck in the jungles of Southeast Asia, then your only hope for survival is the parang knife, which is a Malayan type machete. This is the ideal tool for the jungle, especially in Malaysia, where the typical vegetation is more woody, and needs something thicker for stronger chopping action. A parang has three different edges: the front is very sharp and used for skinning, the middle is wider and used for chopping, and the back end (near the handle) is very fine and used for car...
How To: Make an emergency fire with bamboo friction
In this video, you'll learn about friction fire lighting using wild bamboo sticks. So, if you're ever stuck out in Thailand on a cold and damp night, cut down some bamboo and light your own campfire to stay warm! This video shows you this very common technique in Southeast Asia, but takes a little work… and a sharp knife!
How To: Survive on a cold and snowy mountain with a storm shelter
If you can't find your way back from your hike up the snow covered mountain, and there's a winter storm brewing, you better hope you have your storm shelter in your sack! This video will show you what a storm shelter can do for you when stuck up high on a mountaintop with a windy snowstorm coming in. There's not much to it. Just have one on you, any size, rip it out of the bag and cover yourself up.
How To: Find wild food and wood in a city setting for urban survival
Forget surviving the wilderness— surviving the city is hard enough! This video talks about herbs, bushes, plants and trees that you can use in a survival situation in an urban environment. If you're down on your luck, forget about coins on the street corner and survive off your natural environment.
How To: Build a lean-to if stranded in bad weather while hiking
The lean-to is one of the most basic shelters imaginable, but if you're out in the wilderness and bad weather strikes unexpectedly one can save your life. This video will teach you how to use supplies you have in your backpack to build a lean-to shelter.
How To: Stay safe in your home during a winter storm or blizzard
If you live somewhere where winter storms and blizzards are a threat, watch this video. It will give you several great tips for riding out a winter storm or blizzard safely inside your house. These include running water continuously so your pipes don't freeze and wearing layers of clothing to adjust to changing temperatures.
How To: Tie cylinder, mat and ball Turk's head knots
In this Disaster Preparation video tutorial you will learn how to tie cylinder, mat and ball Turk's head knots. To tie the cylinder, first tie the double coin knot as shown in the video. Then put it around a staff and make the 3-lead 4-bight Turk's Head. After you finish with this, tighten and trim the rope. To tie the 3L4B Turk's Head as a mat, remove the Turk's Head from the staff and follow the steps as shown in the video to make the mat. You can watch the video and learn how to tie the ball.
How To: Make a shirt out of a wool blanket
In this video, we learn how to make a shirt out of a wool blanket. This is great if you need something really warm to sleep in or wear out around. First, design the shirt so it's longer on the back than it is in the front. That way, when you sit down you will have extra wool to help keep you warm. You don't need to sew a collar on it,, because it will just take too much work. Make the arms extra long, depending on how large your blanket is. If it's too long, you can fold the ends over, or cov...
How To: Prepare yourself for a major disaster
In this video, we learn how to prepare yourself for a major disaster. If you haven't planned ahead for storing water, you are going to be in big trouble. Your first option is to go purchase liters of water from the grocery store. The recommended quantity to store is 1 gallon per person per day. If you don't want to spend money at the store, you just need to fill up empty bottles with water from the tap and store these after cleaning. You can also fill the water in a large jug, just make sure ...
How To: Make a homemade fire extinguisher with items from around the house
If you're planning on making a fire and don't have a big fire extinguisher laying around, you may think that you're all out of options. But if you've got a water bottle, some baking soda, vinegar, dish soap and a little water you're all set to go! This video shows you how to create a short term, home made fire extinguisher and also demonstrates its effectiveness.
How To: Build a wooden house with a concrete wall that is safe from hurricanes
Hurricanes are a constant threat to many Americans, and many homes are not constructed properly to be safe from hurricanes. In other countries with less money, these problems are even worse. This video from the International French Red Cross will show you how you can construct a cheap, effective shelter against hurricanes out of concrete and wood. If your home is unsafe and you don't want to retrofit, you might want to consider one of these.
How To: Prepare a financial first aid kit for a natural disaster
In case of a natural disaster, computer networks are often disabled, rendering the record keeping at most institutions useless. It's important that you make a financial first aid kit to ensure that you are able to get by and keep track of your personal information after a hurricane or fire. This video will show you what you should put in your financial first aid kit, which you should go make right now.
How To: Make a cheap billy can out of an empty paint can
A billycan can be used as either a water tight container, or as a pot for cooking food or boiling water. You can make a billy can for less than three dollars using an empty and clean paint can, a drill and a few small pieces of hardware.
How To: Make an outdoors survival shelter out of mud, soil and clay
Oh no! You're lost in the wilderness without an adequate survival shelter! Protect yourself from inclement weather by using soil, clay, mud and other materials found in nature to build your own mud hut for protection from the elements.