A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

Even in an age where it seems that we have every conceivable convenience, people are constantly working to bring us more. No matter how many choices we already have, in everything from pet food, to outdoor furniture, to automobiles, and beyond, there’s always someone, somewhere, getting ready to offer us another great option.
Of course, this kind of thing has been going on since humans first appeared on the scene; that’s how we got to this point. The only difference is that, back then, it was a necessity. After all, when people were out in the middle of nowhere, struggling to survive, and having to somehow find shelter and food on their own, there was nothing else to do except to start inventing things.
These days, the closest we get to that situation is when we go camping, and even then, it’s really nowhere near the same thing, as that, too, has gone upscale. Many people drive luxury campers and mobile homes to parks, where they settle into a community of other people with similar vehicles, and they all “rough it” together.
Certainly, there are still those who prefer to camp in the woods; but they can bring all of the necessities with them, including tents that practically put themselves up. Sure, a lot of people do enjoy fishing and cooking the catch of the day for dinner, but many times, it’s on a portable grill, instead of over an open fire. Furthermore, they have it with the side dishes that they brought from home, along with a bottle of wine, and top it off with dessert.
Moreover, because the world has gone chiefly wireless, many spend the evenings just as they do at home, watching DVD’s, surfing the Internet, or chatting on the phone, instead of singing or telling ghost stories around the campfire (a lost art).
Indeed, it’s interesting to see how far things have progressed, and how they continue to advance. It’s especially fascinating when you consider certain things that seemed to have remained basically the same for years, then suddenly exploded with new varieties. Outdoor furniture is among the leaders in that category. As far back as many of us can remember, our only choices were cheap aluminum folding chairs with woven plastic backs and seats, splintery wooden porch swings, and rusty, squeaky gliders with uncomfortable plastic-covered cushions.
Fortunately, there have been several stunning improvements over the past several years, especially at CedarStore.com, where they’re always working to bring you more great options. Along with classic cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak, you’ll find beautiful aluminum, polywood, and vinyl furniture, that’s nearly indestructible. Best of all, there are dozens of comfortable folding chairs, lounges, hammocks, and hammock chairs, that are perfect for taking along on camping trips (to make living in the wilderness even cushier).

A 72 hour survival kit for each person in earthquake country has been goal for not only the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) but also for the local Southern California based Survival Kits Online. As the â??Golden Guardianâ? earthquake drill approaches in November 2008, Californianâ??s are urged to sign up at www.shakeout.org and to participate in the largest earthquake drill ever.  On November 13, 2008 at 10 AM the entire state will be asked to duck and cover to simulate the â??Big oneâ? that is seemingly very over due.

After the year long study the USGS (United States Geological Survey) has concluded and presented a scenario of a 7.8 earthquake on the San Andres fault.

The study comprised eight counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Its results will be used as the basis of an emergency response and preparedness exercise, the Great Southern California ShakeOut, and for this purpose we defined our earthquake as occurring at 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2008. As members of the southern California community use the ShakeOut Scenario to plan and execute the exercise, we anticipate discussion and feedback. This community input will be used to refine our assessment and will lead to a formal publication in early 2009.

 

â??Another way that Californians can make sure they are fully prepared is to write their disaster plan and get a 72 hour survival kitâ? says Scott Kastner owner/partner Survival Kits Online. â??We opened our business with the goal of helping to save lives and this disaster drill will reach millions. If we just reach one person with the message and one life is saved this world will be a better place.â?

Each year in September â??Emergency Disaster Preparedness Monthâ? is observed by our nation. It stresses, as does the California ShakeOut, for citizens to make a disaster plan and get survival kits. But the ShakeOut puts a more urgent twist on preparation. It is not the unexpected that makes Californians prepare, just the contrary, the time bomb which runs through California is called the San Andres Fault and it is ripe for the shaking.

Each year California has thousands of earthquakes mostly under 3.0 on the Richter Scale. It is the once in a century or two type of earthquake which has the potential of killing hundreds if not thousands. These are the types of earthquakes which make preparations vital.

There has been some confusion in the past whether to stand in a doorway or duck and cover. These issues are spelled out very carefully on the www.SurvivalKitsOnline.com website. Following recommendations made by the OES and the USGS, Survival Kits Online points out that duck and cover is the most effective way to survive a temblor.

â??Making a disaster plan, purchasing a survival kit and practicing your plan increases your chances of survival exponentially. At www.SurvivalKitsOnline.com we are here ready to help you get prepared to surviveâ? Kastner.