Hot Disaster Preparation Posts
How To: Use cotton wood bark to light a fire with a ferro rod
When building a fire in the wild you'll need some hard steel, a sparking tool, such as a ferrocerium rod and something to actually light on fire. If you have access to it, cotton wood is a great choice. It's dry fibers light easy when exposed to a ferro rod spark and this video shows you how it's done.
How To: Ignite a piece of charcloth with a knife and flint
Building a fire in the wild is key to survival. A simple way to get the job done is with a piece of charcloth (carbonized cotton fiber). Charcloth makes for a highly effective piece of tinder to ensure you'll have a warm fire tonight. You'll need your hardened steel, your sparking stone, dry leaves or sticks and of course your piece of charcloth. Get cooking!
How To: Make and use an improvised bola using a cord and 2 lug nuts
Originally used by Spanish cowboys for rounding up cattle, the bola is a simple and effective hunting tool. This video shows how to construct and use this weapon so that you can defend yourself, or hunt something, while trying to survive in the wild. You'll need a piece of cord and two equal weights, like some heavy lug nuts.
How To: Construct and set an Asian bird trap from Laos
Here is a clear, step-by-step guide for building and setting a an Asian bird trap from Laos. This simple and effective trap requires some seeds, a small piece of bamboo, 4ft of cordage, and a young sapling. This trap can catch everything from small birds up to a jungle chicken.
How To: Use your flashlight's parabolic lens to start a fire in the wild
OK, your flashlight just died, but wait, don't throw it out! In this quick and simple video, you can learn how to use the parabolic lens from that dead flashlight to start a fire in the wild. You'll need a parabolic lens, some dry ignition material for kindling and you'll need a bright, sunny day.
How To: Make and set an Asian bird trap snare
All North American birds are edible and therefore a good source of meat if you're trying to survive in the wild. This detailed video shows how to construct and bait an Asian bird trap snare. You'll need some 150lb test bankline, some twigs, an available young sapling and something to bait your trap, such as wild berries.
How To: Put together a 10-piece emergency survival kit
Wilderness survival requires smarts, know how and a well equiped emergecy kit to make sure you stay dry, warm and fed. This excellent video tells you what you need to know to put together the essential items of your personal emergency/survival kit. The items include:
How To: Build an emergency portable car heater for emergency situations
If you've ever gotten your car stuck in a blizzard or been lost on a wilderness drive in winter, you know that keeping that car warm is vital to your comfort and even survival. Using the heater means keeping the car on though, and that means consuming precious fuel. And what if the car breaks down? Watch this video for instructions on how to make a portable emergency heater for your car that will keep it between 60-70 degrees for about 24 hours burning only rubbing alcohol. It could save your...
How To: Prepare a bug out bag for escaping a disaster
A bug out bag, or BOB, is a prepared bag, usually a backpack, designed to sustain you for up to 72 hours while your escape wherever you are in case of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other catastrophe. This video will teach you everything you need to know to prepare an effective BOB that will help ensure your survival.
How To: The FBI on How To Sniff Out Satanic Cult Members
Below, learn to detect the markings of a Satanic cult member. Hard to believe, but yes, this is a bonafide HowTo (truly, it's on the FBI's official list of resources on “Beheadings & Ritual Murders").
News: Rule #1 for Surviving Somali Pirates: Lay Off the Doobie
Though it's unlikely you'll ever have a need for hostage survival skills, it never hurts to take in a few tips on what to do in the event of being accosted by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa. Wired has tracked down a HowTo guide that addresses such a scenario. Though most of the advice is fairly general, one important point addresses the dangers of lighting up with the enemy:
How To: Save your life by sawing your trapped arm off à la Danny Boyle's 127 Hours
How far would you go to save your life? For James Franco, who plays real-life hiker Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours", staying alive means cutting off your own arm with a dull pocketknife. If you've seen the movie (or even heard about all the people who fainted and threw up after watching it), you know that it presents one of the most grueling self-amputation and bone breaking scenes in movie history.
How To: Drink water while wearing a Guy Fawkes mask without showing your face
If you've ever participated in a Anonymous protest against scientology or celebrated Guy Fawkes day, you probably know that drinking through a Guy Fawkes mask is tough, especially if you're keeping your identity a secret. Watch this video to hear an Anonymous member explain how to drink water without compromising your anonymity.
How To: Tie an emperor's hat knot with paracord
For all of you who are knot fans, here comes a video tutorial showing step by step and in detail how to tie an Emperor's hat knot that realistically resembles one of the hats worn by Chinese emperors in the old days. In this video, a white piece of rope hanging from a hook is used against a black background. You will see each one of the twists and turns in slow speed (not in slow motion) so that you can easily follow what is being shown. The final result is a complex knot done in less than fi...
How To: Tie an elastic Solomon bar bracelet with paracord
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie an elastic Solomon bar bracelt with parcord. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying round stitched switchback yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie bush bar and belt (alternating KBK bar) knots with parcord
In this handy knot-tying tutorial from JD of Tying It All Together, we learn how to tie bush bar belt and belt knots with parcord. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started tying these knots yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Tie a perfect "good luck" knot
In this knot-tying tutorial, we learn how to fasten a perfect "good luck" knot—a knot so named because it is said one requires quite a lot of luck to tie it properly. Not so, says video creator TyingItAllTogether. For all of the relevant details, and to get started tying this knot yourself, take a look.
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.