JULY, 2014

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7

WHY YOU NEED A “SURVIVAL TIN”

HOW TO IDENTIFY EVERY VENOMOUS SNAKE IN NORTH AMERICA

A comprehensive emergency stockpile, cleverly hidden away within your home’s storage spaces, is one of the main pillars of self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, no matter how well thought-out your SHTF stash is, it won’t do you much good if you can’t access it.

When the weather gets warm and sunny, it's time for hikers, campers, and homesteaders to come out of hiding and enjoy the great outdoors. It also just so happens to be a time when snake activity (including venomous species) surges to yearly highs.

If disaster strikes when you’re on your lunch break downtown… or caught in a traffic jam, you’re going to have to improvise.

First things first, I'll say that I'm not one of those people who believes that all snakes should be killed on sight. If a snake is not venomous, I'll let it slither on it's way every time. If

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8 EASY-TO-GROW SURVIVAL HERBS Survival gardens are a very multifaceted resource, if you manage them properly. You garden isn’t just a source of clean, organic food, but a place to grow barter goods, attract wildlife (and wild game), and of course to grow the raw See

HERBS, 7

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SNAKES, 2

INSIDE

T O P 5 S NA K E SHOOTERS You can identify them, now protect yourself from them! See

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SNAKES

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it is venomous and it’s a little too close to my house or yard, that's when a decision has to be made.

you're in rattlesnake country. Thankfully, these very widespread snakes are also the easiest to identify, thanks to the rattles. The only outliers are juvenile rattlesnakes, which are (as it is in most species) a bit harder to identify, on account of their small, developing rattles and less viperish heads.

In order to make that decision, however, I first need to identify the species of snake and determine whether or not it's a real danger to my family or myself. Despite the fact that we only have 4 major species of poisonous snakes to deal with in North America, it can be surprisingly difficult to calmly ID these snakes in the heat of the moment.

BUT it makes the identification process a whole lot easier (so don’t get too bent out of shape, reptile biologists).

In fact, that's why I'm writing this article, to make it easier for the least experienced snake spotters among us to avoid a dangerous situation. Plus, it’s a good refresher for any shade tree “snake experts” that may be just a tiny bit overconfident.

You see, it doesn't matter much if you've spotted a Texas Coral Snake or an Arizona Coral Snake, a Western Diamondback or a Timber Rattlesnake, all of these are quite dangerous. So stay away.

The 4 Big Ones

Rattlesnakes, just like Copperheads and Cottonmouths, are part of the pit viper family. Thus they each have similarly large, triangular shaped heads. Apart from their color patterns and scales, the disproportionately large head, plus the triangular shape, is the common thread between venomous pit vipers.

There are the 4 major groups of poisonous snakes that you may run across in the US. Most of them are closely related, and most of them belong to the pit viper family. They are as follows:  Rattlesnakes  Cottonmouths  Copperheads  Coral Snakes When I say that there are 4 major species of venomous snakes, that's a bit of an oversimplification,

Rattlesnake

While rattlesnakes have been associated with deadly defiance in American folklore -- i.e. the "Don't Tread on Me" flag -there's something else to take away from that sym-

bol: Rattlesnakes tend to warn those who come too close (by coiling up and shaking their rattles). They don’t always rattle, however, so it’s important to keep an eye out whenever for these guys whenever you’re in rattlesnake country. Rattlesnakes are commonly found sunning themselves on rocky cliff sides, trails, and roadways. The US is home to 16 species of rattlesnakes, all are venomous and all of them have the characteristic rattle on the end of their tails. When it comes to geographic distribution, the rattlesnake's habitat is virtually coast-tocoast, with a few exceptions (most notably Hawaii and Alaska). So no matter where you are going in the Lower 48, chances are

Cottonmouth (AKA "water moccasins") If you spend a lot of time on the water in the Southeastern US, you definitely want to study up on these sometime aggressive boogers. True to their name, the inside of their mouth is a pale pink, almost white. And the reason we know this is because these snakes are known to stand their ground, coiling up Continued next page

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VENOMOUS SNAKES and threatening intruders by hissing with their open mouths, fangs front and center. Thus, similar to the rattlesnake, their common name was inspired by their natural warning mechanism.

more bites than any other US species. You might say they have a tendency to bite immediately when they feel threatened, as opposed to rattling their tails or showing their fangs.

Cottonmouths generally live around the water, in swamps, rivers, and on the edges of lakes. They can often be found sunning themselves on exposed roots and low branches.

To the right is a map of the Copperhead's range. They tend to live in wooded areas, rocky creek banks, and in woodpiles.

The general coloration of these snakes is dark olive/ black scales on top, pale scales on the belly. Younger cottonmouths have a more recognizable pattern to their scales, and a black mark above each nostril. However these marks fade over their lifetimes, giving way to a more solid, blackish color.

Copperhead So do you want the good news or bad news first? Okay, so the good news about these snakes is they have the least potent venom of the North American pit vipers, and they're distribution is limited. The bad news... these snakes are responsible for

The basic physical description of this snake is a pit viper with a striking cross-banded color pattern that usually has copper tones to it. There are several subspecies with varying colorations, but all species have a similar pattern, almost like a camouflage. The base tone tends to be pale tan to almost a pinkish tan, with the dark brown "hourglass" pattern repeating from nose to tail.

Coral Snake The coral snake has by far the most deadly venom of all North American snakes, a neurotoxin very similar to a cobra's (they're in the same family). On the bright side, they are notoriously reclusive and rarely bite humans. Due to the placement of their fangs, these snakes must bite, hold on for a few seconds, and make a chewing motion to inject their venom. Thus, many bites don't result in any venom injected at all.

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In the old days, it's estimated that 10% of coral snake bites resulted in death. Since the availability of the anti venom, there have been no recorded deaths from coral snake bites in the US. Now, for the identification characteristics, these snakes stand out as entirely different from the others on this list, because they are not vipers. As I mentioned, they belong to the Elapidae family of snakes, which includes the cobra. Unlike vipers, coral snakes don't have especially large heads in proportion to their bodies.

They are also very brightly colored, with a pattern of red and black stripes with yellow (sometimes white) bands in between. In fact the same rhyme can be used to identify the vast majority of US coral snakes, "Red and black, friend of Jack. Red and yellow, kill a fellow." Several harmless species, e.g. the scarlet king snake look very similar to the coral snake to novice snake spotters. The distinguishing factor is the fact that it has red and black bands that touch. Its red and yellow bands do not meet.

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SMALL GAME HANDGUNS: TOP 5 SNAKE SHOOTERS Several years ago, I was walking to a deer blind in South Texas, enjoying the sights and sounds of the brush country afternoon, when I spotted something in peripheral vision that made me freeze mid-step and nearly lose my balance. I remember hearing someone making a gasping sound (could that really have been my voice?) as I realized I’d almost stepped on a snake, and not just any snake.

blind, sunning itself probably… until I walked up and nearly kicked it.

To this day, it was the largest Western Diamondback Rattlesnake I’ve ever seen. Even now I still believe that, at its widest point, the snake was as big around as my thigh. It was lying across the tire ruts I was following to the

My first thought was to try to shoot it with a broadhead. Then I thought to smash it with a rock and take its skin as a trophy. Finally, I realized that I would rather get to the deer blind and spend my precious time hunting

Luckily, it didn’t strike; though it certainly had the opportunity. And all I had in my hands was a compound bow. Of course, the snake responded to my commotion by coiling up and rattling at me from the side of the road. It looked even bigger when it reared its massive head.

what I came for, and not spending the next 12 hours receiving an antivenom in an emergency room. I gave the snake a wide berth, and went about my way. That was the last time I went out in rattlesnake country without a “snake shooter.”

What Makes a Great Snake Shooter I learned two major lessons that day 1.) If that snake had bit me when it had the chance, no gun in the world would have helped me, and 2.) A giant snake story is just like a big fish story, if you don’t

have any evidence to back it up. Now, I’m no big trophy hunter. I don’t have a room in my house dedicated to displaying my various kills. Nevertheless, over the years, I’ve thought about that snake many times and felt like I missed the opportunity of a lifetime… If I’d only had a snake shooter at my side, I would have proof that he was really that big. Still, that’s not the reason I love a good “snake shooter.” Ironically enough, in many ways, shooting snakes isn’t the ultimate purpose of a “snake shootContinued next page

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SNAKE SHOOTERS er.” There are certainly times when shooting at a snake is more dangerous than simply leaving it alone. What makes a snake shooter truly great is that it’s always at your side in case you need it, because you enjoy carrying it so much. First things first, let’s consider the definition of a good snake shooter. A snake shooter needs to be a pleasure to carry, effective at close range, and very safe. Chances are that you will be operating this firearm in a moment of intense excitement. Thus, straightforward and trouble-free operation is paramount.

Compactness By necessity, a snake shooter needs to be compact, which pretty much rules out long guns. A snake shooter won’t be of any use if you leave it back at camp when you set out on foot. And, sure, a shotgun will tear a snake in two. A 357 will definitely do the trick. However, if it’s too large to carry with you at all times, then it’s not a good snake shooter.

Effectiveness In the heat of the moment, a snake is a much smaller target than most shooters are capable of accurately hitting (even if it’s the biggest rattler you’ve ever

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seen). That means that a spread pattern is ideal.

might even call it “pocketsized.”

Conventional wisdom says: It doesn’t matter what caliber you miss with, it’s always nonlethal. Simply put, you don’t want to empty a revolver just to kill a snake… and find out you missed with all 6 rounds.

The second thing that makes this such a great snake gun is that it comes chambered for .45ACP/.410 from the factory. That means it has the ability to accept a true three-inch .410 shotgun shell, with buckshot even (if that’s what you desire).

Safety Because a good snake shooter should be extremely packable and portable, it’s also essential that it has some well thought-out safety features built-in. This is a gun that may be carried in a place that’s fairly accessible (backpacks, pockets, or holster), not in a case. Thus, revolvers and single action firearms score bonus points.

With buckshot, this gun can dispatch small game, such as varmints, just as easily as it can handle a cottonmouth. It may even send a bear running. The hefty crossbolt safety also allows you to feel free and confident to carry this gun around wherever you go.

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Smith & Wesson’s “Governor” is pretty much a direct copy of Taurus’ popular “Judge” (also on this list).

To begin with, it’s a highly compact derringer-style handgun, 6.5” from end to end. At 1.5-pounds, you

It goes without saying that, thanks to the .410 cartridge, the Governor can shred small game. Weighing in at 1.85 pounds, it’s pretty comfortable to carry. But at 8.5” in overall length, you’re probably going to want to carry it in a holster or backpack.

Taurus Judge

S&W Governor

Bond Arms Snake Slayer

True to its name, this is more or less the ultimate snake shooter straight out of the box, so to speak. So what truly sets it apart?

It can also accommodate a .45 Colt and .45 ACP shells, which is nice because the ACP is more readily available and comes in more varieties than the Long Colt.

The only major difference is that one is made by one of the most trusted name in firearms history. Taurus, a respected Brazilian manufacturer, makes the other model. Like the Snake Slayer, the Governor can accept .410 shotgun shells (6 of them), albeit in a shorter 2.5” shell.

Like I said, you’re not going to find too much difference between this revolver and the Governor, aside from the price. The Judge came first and heavily inspired the Governor. The Judge is roughly the same weight (1.76 pounds) accepts the same size .410 cartridges that the Governor does (5 of them), as well as the .45 Colt, but not the .45 ACP. As of this writing, there were 14 different configurations of the Judge listed for sale on the Taurus website. In other words, there’s plenty of variety to choose from if you want to go with this revolver. Continued next page

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SNAKE SHOOTERS Obviously, the S&W model has several advantages over the Judge -- an extra round in the cylinder and the ability to accept the .45 ACP -- at about twice the price. Here’s one more thing to consider about both the Judge and the Governor: Both are great “snake guns” but neither are great at anything else. So, in case you were thinking that these hybrid revolvers were very multipurpose, they’re not. They are great at close range, but don’t compare well in accuracy and effectiveness with a shotgun or traditional sidearm. In other words, neither the Judge or the Governor will be a good choice to bring on the dove hunt or the deer hunt.

Ruger LCP/LC9 One gun in this lineup (the LCP) was made famous, infamous in some circles, when Texas governor Rick Perry used it to dispatch a coyote while he was out for a jog. Perry was apparently jogging with his daughter’s dog and the coyote was getting a little too close for comfort, as the story goes. If you’re not a Perry fan, don’t hold that against the LCP. The key point of that little anecdote was that Perry was apparently carrying the small pistol in his running shorts. Weighing in at just over half a pound, this little

gun makes a very nice carry weapon -- one of the 3 pillars of a good snake gun. When it comes to safety, the LCP doesn’t have one. Instead it has a very longpull trigger, which is sufficient as long as it’s kept in a holster. So keep a round chambered at your own risk. Then, there’s the question of effectiveness. The LPC has a capacity of 6+1 rounds, chambered .380 round that’s more than capable of taming a rattlesnake. But as we’ve discussed, a snake is a small target and the LCP can’t chamber a traditional shotgun shell. The solution to that problem is of course “snake shot” or “rat shot,” except that no .380 shotshells are commercially available. Thus, you may want to go with the slightly larger, slightly heavier (1.06 lbs) Ruger LC9 model. This segues nicely into the next and final selection…

Your Favorite Handgun with Shotshells

If you already own a favorite carry gun in .22lr, 9mm, .40 S&W, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, or .45 Auto, the cheapest option is to buy a box of CCI Shotshells.

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Unlike a true shotgun shell, these miniaturized shotshells are kind of the same concept, only they’re designed to fit into a rifle or handgun round. They have a lot less shot (aka the tiny pellets inside a shotgun shell) in each round and an entirely different application. You’re not going dove hunting with these rounds. These shells have a spread pattern that is only effective up to about 12 feet, which is ideal for snakes, rats, etc. The advantage is that you can use a handgun that you already own and that you’re already familiar with. Whenever you’re going to carry your weapon in snake country, simply load a few shotshells and “old faithful” is transformed into your snake gun.

Non-Firearm Snake Getters Lastly, I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you’re under no obligation to dispatch all venomous snakes you see with a firearm -- if you choose to dispatch them at all. Even the most ruthless venomous snake does not view a human as a meal. If given the chance, the snake will find a

way to escape almost without exception. However, if you find a venomous snake coiled up underneath your children’s swing set, you probably won’t feel comfortable letting it go. Nine out of ten times, a shovel or a hoe will be just as effective as a firearm, and a heck of a lot quieter.

Conclusion Once again, I stand by the notion that a snake gun isn’t entirely about shooting snakes, but filling the need to be armed when the unexpected happens. Any compact firearm that can take out a rattlesnake, rat, coyote, skunk, zombie, etc. will do the job, as long as you can get your hands on it in a hurry. If you enjoy carrying a holstered sidearm, shotshells are commercially available in most popular calibers. That’s what I typically use because its so convenient. However, if I was going to recommend a purpose-specific “snake gun,” there’s no doubt that I’d go with the Snake Slayer. With true 3-inch shotgun shells, it could drive back almost any aggressive animal in North America. Plus, there’s something about the derringer that brings back childhood fantasies about the Wild West.

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HERBS

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materials necessary for dozens of home remedies.

fresh herbs will be worth their weight in gold.

Truth be told, I’m not an evangelist for the alternative medicines movement. I eat white bread, red meat, and I’ve found that Advil works way better for headaches than chamomile tea.

The following 8 herbs are well worth the space they take up in your garden or aquaponic system.

Still, I do very much believe herbal remedies have their place. In a crisis situation, where regulated over-the-counter remedies may be hard to come by,

German Chamomile As you already know, Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs around. Its flowers are commonly used to make infusions, teas and salves.

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SURVIVAL HERBS These chamomile concoctions are used to treat maladies like indigestion, anxiety and skin inflammations. As a tea, it serves as a mild sedative to help with sleep. German chamomile can be purchased as a mature plant from many nurseries. However, it grows prolifically and easily from seeds. You can make a fantastic chamomile jelly. Simply add chamomile flowers to any recipe for apple jelly. Strain them out with the apple pulp. The chamomile gives a honey like flavor to the jelly.

Feverfew This perennial has been used for centuries in Western folk medicine to remedy headaches, arthritis, and of course, fevers. In fact, the name feverfew is actually derived from a Latin word meaning “fever reducer.” A member of the sunflower family, one of its many uses include easing headaches, particularly migraines. Unfortunately, it doesn’t produce delicious seeds that you can chew on at baseball games.

You can also make frozen popsicles to soothe sore throats out of sweetened chamomile tea.

Relief is achieved by simply chewing on the leaves. In addition, tea made from the leaves and flowers is said to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

Chamomile can usually tolerate a wide range of soil types, but sandy soil is ideal. This plant prefers a sunny spot, but will tolerate some shade outdoors. German chamomile will tolerate dry conditions but will bloom more frequently if watered consistently. Don’t overwater.

Feverfew is very cold hardy evergreen perennial and can withstand a temperature down to 5°F. Feverfew will bloom almost all summer if you keep it deadheaded. If you allow the blossoms go to seed, then scatter them in your beds, you’ll end up with Feverfew growing all over.

German chamomile is easy to grow indoors. I’ve had it grow from seeds that were accidentally mixed in with potting soil. Outside it can grow to 2' tall, but inside it often blooms at about 10". Once again, keep you chamomile on the dry side and you shouldn’t have any problems.

This herb can be grown indoors in containers, as long as you keep it pruned back. You want it to grow out and not up. Of course, Feverfew can be successfully grown using an aquaponic system. Full sun is recommended for Feverfew, but this hardy plant can tolerate

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a little shade. It actually likes poor to average soil just fine, but will thrive in potting soil as long as it’s well drained. Feverfew is fairly drought hardy and can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or dividing.

Lemon Balm This member of the mint family is considered a calming herb. Lemon balm has been used in European folk medicine for hundreds of years to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion. Prior to the Middle Ages, there’s evidence to suggest that lemon balm was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings. Like the mint, lemon balm is fairly invasive in the garden, which is why many people grow it in containers. Watch out, though, because this freeseeding plant can spread outside its contain easily.

Lemon balm can be grown successfully indoors, but indoor specimens tend to be weaker and less vigorous than those grown outdoors. If you choose to grow this herb indoors, give it as much light as possible (5 hours is not at all excessive). When it comes to watering, lemon balm likes a steady supply, but good drainage is a must. Since this plant recovers quickly from wilt, it’s best to err on the side of dry, rather than overwatering. Conventional wisdom says that lemon balm leaves lose much of their potency if the plant is allowed to flower. That’s why most herbalists prefer to prevent their lemon balm from setting seeds, growing new specimens from seed packets.

Sage Here’s a little known factiod: “Salvia,” the genus to which sage belongs means “to heal.” In the First century, Greeks actually used sage leaves to treat

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SURVIVAL HERBS wounds and for cleaning ulcers and sores. Sage tea is commonly used to sooth inflammation in the mouth and gums. This is because sage has excellent antibacterial and astringent properties. When grown indoors, sage plants needs direct sun, the more the better. In fact, sage tends to grow toward a light source, so you’ll need to turn the plant once in a while to keep it from growing lopsided. If you’re using indoor grow lights, keep the light 6 inches above the plant and leave it on for 14 hours a day. Water your sage thoroughly, but allow the top layer of soil to dry out between watering. Sage does not do well with soggy soil conditions. Go with a fast-draining potting mix, even a cactus mix. Or, use 2 parts allpurpose potting mix with 1 part sharp sand or perlite. Feed monthly with herb fertilizer. Take stem cuttings in spring or divide older plants in spring or fall.

Thyme

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-making it a potential substitute for cough syrups or Gas-X. Because this perennial is rich in thymol, a strong antiseptic, it’s a good treatment for wounds and even fungal infections. Thyme is fairly hardy and prefers bright light or full sun. East-facing windowsills are ideal so your plant can get the morning sun. Thyme can also be grown fairly easily under standard or compact fluorescent lights for a yearround supply. Water this droughtresistant herb regularly, but not excessively. You want to allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering. Thyme is fairly easy to propagate through leaf-tip cuttings or division of mature plants.

Rosemary There’s a reason that ancient Greeks and Romans wore Rosemary wreaths on their heads. Rosemary was believed to stimulate memory and concentration. Oddly enough, recent studies have actually proven this to be true -- it really can improve memory function.

During the medieval ages, thyme was thought to promote vigor and courage. In fact, it was actually given to knights before going in to battle.

Rosemary needles can be used to make a tea that treats digestive problems. This same tea can also be used as a decongestant as well as to sooth headaches.

These days, thyme is used to relieve coughs, congestion, indigestion, and gas -

Grown indoors, your rosemary will benefit from consistent pruning, to

keep it restricted to its potted size (these plants can get huge). Rosemary thrives under heavy sun conditions, so a bright window with morning sun is perfect. Grow lights are fine too, the brighter the better. Rosemary is much more likely to be killed by overwatering than underwatering. Use terracotta pots to increase evaporation and allow the soil dry out between watering. Use liquid fertilizer, or supplement the soil with controlled-release pellets. For organic rosemary, use an organic fertilizer or fortify soil with compost. Contrary to common wisdom, indoor rosemary ben-

efits from regular application of fertilizer.

Peppermint Peppermint has long been a part of the folk and patent medicine tradition, but it goes back much farther than that. Archaeological evidence shows that it was used as early as ten thousand years ago. In today’s world of alternative medicine, peppermint is used to remedy symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, irritable bowel, bloating and more. BaContinued next page

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SURVIVAL HERBS sically, it’s your herbal replacement for PeptoBismol or Pepcid AC. Peppermint leaves and stems contain menthol, you’ve probably heard of it. In addition to its medicinal uses, menthol is used to flavor foods and fragrances. The peppermint plant is prodigious, growing best in damp areas with lots of morning sun and afternoon shade. This herb’s roots are pretty aggressive and can take over a garden bed, so you may want to grow it in a container. The easiest way to acquire a peppermint plant? Find a friend or neighbor that is growing peppermint to break off a stem. Place it in a glass of water and in a very short period of time, roots will form and you will have your own peppermint start. Indoors, locate your container where it will receive good morning light but beware of environmental elements that will dry your peppermint out, such as furnaces, vents, and intense light bulbs. Simply put, it’s better to err on the damp side with peppermint, without overwatering of course. It’s best to harvest mint sprigs before the plant flowers. You can extend your harvest season by pinching off flowering buds as they appear.

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Lavender Lavender flower tea is an extremely popular folk remedy. It’s thought to reduce stress and promote a sense of wellbeing. You could say it’s kind of a natural mood booster. Lavender has been shown "to slow down heart rate, slow blood pressure and put you in a parasympathetic state, which is a relaxed state," according to University of Miami School of Medicine scientist Tiffany Field. Thus, it’s often used to treat insomnia. Lavender tea is also a strong antiseptic when applied topically, a possible substitute for rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. This tea can help disinfect and speed up the healing process for cuts, wounds and sores. It smells good too. Lavender is one of the easiest herbs to grow in pots, but it’s not particularly well suited for indoor conditions. But that doesn’t mean growing lavender indoors is a lost cause, as long as you select a variety the does well indoors and you provide the conditions it thrives in.

Homes typically have dry air, inadequate sunlight, and very little fresh air circulation. Lavender can handle the dry conditions but it can’t handle the trifecta. Make a special effort to give your indoor lavender plenty of sunlight and fresh air whenever possible. French Lavender is one of the better indoor varieties and it has very cool looking serrated leaves. Make sure to pot it up using a well-drained potting mix. Keep your lavender on a sunny windowsill where the top layer of soil can dry out between each watering. Don’t forget to rotate the container regularly, giving all the leaves a chance to take in the sunlight. Don’t let it grow completely lopsided.

Getting an indoor Lavender plant to bloom is pretty difficult without leaving it outdoors for a portion of the day to jumpstart the process. Remember to acclimate the lavender to the outdoors a little at a time. If you set the pot out in the direct sunlight and got to work, chances are you’ll return to a blackened dead lavender plant. Lavender likes a little moisture, but it’s better to err on the side of dryness. One of the biggest problems and causes of Lavender dying is overwatering or excessive soil moisture for those plants grown in the ground. Lavender needs loose, slightly sandy or gritty alkaline soil that is fast draining.

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TIN

PATRIOT CALLER 11 page 1 That’s why the concept of a “survival tin” has become a mainstay for those who live by the Boy Scouts motto: Always be prepared.

What is a Survival Tin?

It’s time to consider something very critical for a moment: How much of your time do you really spend at home? For some of us, it’s all but a few hours each day. For others in the self-reliance movement, that’s an hour in the morning, an hour after work, and however long we’re asleep. If you are self-employed or do a lot of traveling for your work, you probably fall into the second category. Many people who drive for a living keep a bug-out bag stored away in their vehicle at all times. That’s great for those situations. But what about those who spend most of their day in an office, flying around the country, or are otherwise on the go? They need a compact SHTF resource that they can carry with ease.

Simply put, a survival tin is a pocket-sized version of a bug-out bag. A survival tin is a small can, usually an empty breath mint tin or a can of snuff, stuffed with a few select items that may come in handy during an emergency. Obviously, not much can fit in a tin of Altoids, but that’s what makes the “survival tin” so intriguing, the personalization process. You can’t fit water in your tin, but you can fit a few purification tablets. You can’t fit food, but you can fit a small fishing rig. These creative modifications are what make your survival tin indispensible for YOU. Common items carried in a survival tin are: Pocketknives, can openers, lighters, dry tinder, compasses, fishing kits, bandages, suture kits, and sewing kits. As you can see in the nearby image, space is limited in

your survival tin. The selection process involved in building your own survival tin is part of the fun.

Why You Need a Survival Tin Achieving total preparedness is a process of never ending adjustments, because just as soon as you resolve one problem, another one reveals itself. Many of these issues revolve around the fact that you never know where you will be when you’re thrust into an emergency situation. Read: you may be separated from all or most of your most important supplies. That gear you were counting on to help you make it through a

crisis, it may be damaged or inaccessible (along with your home). A bug-out-bag is one solution for this problem -and it’s a good one -- but a backpack is a little bulky for an “everyday carry” item. An Altoids box, on the other hand, is designed to fit comfortably in your pocket. Thus, if you have an empty Altoids box in the house, you already have Continued next page

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SURVIVAL TIN the foundation for a custom survival tin. And as I said before, the process of deciding what goes into your tin is half the fun.

What Should Go In YOUR Tin Will you spare the space for a cigarette lighter? A magnesium fire starter? Or a few waterproof matches? If you typically carry a pocketknife, putting one in your tin may be redundant. Then again, can you really ever have too many knives? A strand of strong 40lb test fishing line can serve as an alternate for paracord in many applications and it takes up much less space. The trick to building a great survival tin is to strike a balance between SHTF survival and practical utility. A truly great survival tin will come in handy on a regular basis, not just during a societal collapse. Below is a list of typical survival tin items, just a few quick ideas just to get the wheels spinning:         

Compass Bandana Paracord Keys to your storage unit Suture kit Matches Pencils Zip ties Bandages

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A needle and thread Fishing line and hooks Tinder Cash Backpacking can opener Credit Card Knife Water Purification Tablets  Pain relievers  Encrypted USB drive

More Practical Than a Bug-Out Bag? The primary reason I recommend the “survival tin” approach is on account of its irrefutable practicality. It fits in your pocket, it’s useful in many nonemergency situations, and it’s not something a thief would target or value. The inherent problem of the bug-out bag (or “gobag”) is that it’s bit impractical for most lifestyles. A fully loaded backpack is just too bulky to carry around 24/7. Are you really going to bring that bag on a business lunch? Or through airport security? On the other hand, do you really want to leave your go-bag sitting around unattended, with all of those valuable supplies in it? Handbags and backpacks are common targets for thieves in public or even in the workplace. Petty criminals know that backpacks often contain laptops, smartphones, and other valuables, not to mention wallets and credit cards sometimes.

Many experts recommend keeping bug-out bags in several locations, such as your home, car, and place of business. While that’s a good idea, the expense of such a plan can really add up fast. If you have a fully customized bug-out bag, chances are that its replacement cost is at least $100-200. Thus, you don’t want to risk it being lost or stolen. The survival tin, sitting in your pants pocket, is unlikely to be stolen. Even if it is, you’re out a grand total of, what, maybe $15 and your time?

Everyday Utility A survival tin would no doubt come in handy in a crisis, but perhaps the best feature of the survival tin is its usefulness day -to-day. If someone needs a BandAid, you’ve got it covered. Need an aspirin? Here you

go. Need to sew a button back on? Yep, here’s a needle and thread. Forgot to bring a can-opener? Here you go… When it comes to prepping, the greatest enjoyment generally comes when your clever preparations actually save the day… or are instrumental in averting a minor catastrophe. With a survival tin, that’s highly likely. With a bugout bag, that enjoyment factor ranges from rare to exceedingly rare. This is not an argument against creating a bug-out bag for each member of your family. Go-bags are always a good insurance policy. What I’m arguing is that many preppers tend to build bug-out bag after bug-out bag, when a survival tin is what they really want.