Survival Scout Tips
The Great Blizzard of 1888: How Cities Survived a Whiteout Disaster
In March 1888, one of the most ferocious winter storms in history pummeled the northeastern United States. Known as “The White Hurricane,” the Great Blizzard of 1888 buried cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia under mountains of snow. Over the course of three days, hurricane-force winds whipped through the...
Frozen Peril of 1871: Survival Lessons from the Legendary Whaling Escape
In 1871, a fleet of 32 whaling ships from New England, California, and Hawaii became trapped in Arctic ice near Alaska. After several weeks of watching the ice draw nearer and close in on their ships, the captains were forced to make a survival decision. On September 14, 1871, they...
7 Items Most Likely to Be Stolen First in a Crisis (And How to Hide Them)
In times of crisis, theft reflects Maslow's hierarchy of needs, with immediate survival items like food, water, and safety taking priority. Looting and theft are unfortunate realities following natural disasters. After Hurricane Milton hit Florida, WFLA in Tampa ran a news story titled, “‘Simply Despicable’: Homeowners who evacuated during Hurricane...
Cold War Preparedness: The Fallout Shelter Movement and Modern-Day Survival
During the Cold War, the looming threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union gripped the nation with fear. The United States government, in an effort to prepare its citizens for the unthinkable, promoted the construction of fallout shelters—fortified spaces designed to protect families from the...
The Siege of Leningrad: 872 Days of Survival Lessons
One of the longest and deadliest sieges, the Siege of Leningrad, occurred in the Soviet Union during World War II. Not only were those trapped within Leningrad in danger from military forces, but they were also trapped in some of the most extreme conditions imaginable. Those who survived...
How to Find Safe Haven in Massive Unrest
Even the safest communities can experience massive unrest. Your neighborhood may find itself in the middle of an activist protest that turns into a riot in a matter of minutes. Your normally safe apartment complex may be stuck in the middle of looting and violence following a major natural disaster....
10 Ways FEMA Will Brainwash You This Preparedness Month
While we appreciate September as National Preparedness Month, we do not appreciate the advice FEMA shares. Let’s be clear: Everyone should prepare for emergencies. If the National Preparedness Month promotions encourage more people to be self-reliant, then excellent! However, FEMA’s messaging brainwashes people into believing the government will come to...
10 Signs You’re Living in a Collapsing Society
Throughout history, mighty civilizations have risen and fallen. Their collapse wasn't sudden, but a gradual process driven by internal decay. As historian Will Durant noted: A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her...
The Survival Conversation You Don't Want to Have (But Need To)
“If SHTF, I’ll just come to your house!” I can’t tell you the number of times someone has said this to me—or how mad it makes me when I hear it. Unfortunately, we live in a time when people feel entitled to take what isn’t theirs. It’s very common for...
Navigating the Aftermath: Hiding Signs of Life after Disaster
Recently, I saw a dish towel that said, “Mr. Rogers didn’t prepare me for the people in my neighborhood.” It’s good for a laugh, but there's also a bit of truth to it. Community is important—even for those who strive to be self-reliant. Yet, time and time again, history...
Roman Siege of Masada: Ancient Engineering for Modern Preppers
The Roman Siege of Masada is one of those fascinating stories that continues to teach future generations. If ONLY we listen… Masada is a fortress in Israel, built over 2,000 years ago on top of a mountain above the Dead Sea. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist...
The Danger of Smart Cities: They May Cost You Your Freedom
Once upon a time, the cartoon The Jetsons, the movie The Terminator, and the computer game The Sims all were viewed as entertainment. But with the rise of smart cities, these forms of entertainment seem more like a prophecy. As the government utilizes more advanced technology and the Internet of...