Where to Find Free Camping

US and Canadian national, state, and provincial parks may be beautiful, but if you’re planning an extended camping trip, the cost of campground fees can quickly mount up. Wouldn’t it be great if there were free areas you could camp?
There are, and their existence has led to the development of a culture of free camping enthusiasts. Known variously as boondocking, dispersed camping, dry camping, and wild camping, free camping offers a chance to take full advantage of nature’s bounty […]

First Aid Essentials You Should Have in Your Home

A first aid kit is a little like home insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but if you do, it can make an enormous difference. While many commercial first aid kits are well-stocked, few contain enough material to cover every eventuality, particularly in an emergency or survival situation. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of essential first aid items every home should keep in stock.
Before we start listing kit supplies, however, let’s discuss […]

Submit Your Taxes & Check Your Supplies

April 15th is D-Day for US taxpayers. The only other time you see lines as long at your local post office is during the winter holidays. Whether you’re part of the last-minute crowd or submitted your taxes back in March, your upcoming tax refund offers a chance to improve and revitalize your emergency supplies.
Many people already use April 15th as a reminder to check their smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety supplies, so why not use it for […]

Why You Should Bring a Water Filter on Your Next Backpacking Trip

If you’re heading out to do some backpacking, some form of water filtration should be in your emergency kit, even if you don’t plan to be far from treated water. The reason is simple: injuries, wrong turns, or severe weather could leave you out on the trail with no access to clean water and your own water supply running low. With a water purifying system, you can use natural water sources with a minimum of risk.
Natural Water Threats
Drinking untreated […]

Survival Essentials to Keep Stocked at Home

In an emergency, you’re not going to be able to pop out to the local store if you run out of essentials. Instead, you must make do with what you’ve got until normal life can resume. That means having access to a well-stocked emergency larder, water, and other provisions.
Below is a list of supplies you should have handy in case of emergency. How much you need to stockpile depends of course on your location, your storage space, and the […]

Essential items to Keep in Your Car

Breaking down on the road isn’t any fun. Breaking down without any emergency supplies can be downright dangerous, especially if you’re on an isolated road in harsh environmental conditions. Be prepared by packing these fifteen essentials.
Car / Truck Repair Kit
It won’t be pretty, but sometimes you can jury-rig a solution to your vehicle’s woes long enough to get it to a mechanic. Your car repair kit should include:

Duct tape
Fix-a-Flat
JB Weld cold weld epoxy
Jumper cables
Motor oil
Parachute cord
Road flares
Tire reamer / […]

7 of Our Best Fishing Tips and Tricks

Every angler has their own private mental list of the best fishing tips and tricks. Some they’re willing to share. Others, like the location of their favorite fishing spots, are jealously-guarded secrets. We’ve complied seven of our best fishing tips to help you next time you’re on or by the water.
Controlling Snaps and Swivels
Snaps and swivels are to tackle bags what socks are to washing machines. You’d swear you put them in there, but they disappear like magic. Instead […]

How to Survive in Insane Heat and in Unbearable Cold

Extreme weather can turn a camping trip or hike into a serious emergency. Both high heat and extreme cold are life-threatening, and need to be taken seriously. As with almost all emergencies, a little planning and the right gear makes all the difference when confronting dangerous temperatures.
How to Survive in Heat
When the temperature soars, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke become your worst enemies, and water your best friend. If you know you’re going to encounter high temperatures, plan […]

How to Prepare for a Blackout with Confidence

Usually caused by severe weather or natural disasters, an extended power outage puts you, your family, and your possessions at risk. Understanding how to prepare for a blackout allows you to ride out a power outage safely and comfortably.
Proactive Prevention
You do not want to be the guy who causes a neighborhood blackout, so make prevention part of your regular yard chores. Keep trees pruned and branches well away from power lines. Not only does this lower your risk of […]

First Aid Tips for Common Accidents

First aid kits are essential for any family’s emergency supplies, whether you’re preparing for a natural disaster or just heading out to the beach for the day. Accidents and mishaps can happen anywhere, and being prepared for the eventuality allows you to respond faster and provide the injured party with much-needed relief.
While some people build their own first aid kits, with so many premade kits available on the market there’s really no need. Commercial first aid kits provide all […]