New video from Prepper Base 1. I put together a basic bug out bag using items that were just lying around collecting dust most of which I had gotten for free. Watch the video here.
Survival and Camping
Equipment to help you survive “Out there”
SOS Emergency Ration Taste Test
A lot of people buy these for emergency rations. But what do they taste like? Watch the video to find out here.
Luxury Camping with a Cabin Tent
This is a guest post by Tadej Kozar. His website can be found at https://campingtentlovers.com . Although geared for the recreational camper, it has some good information for survival for groups.
Today we will talk about a type of tent that is a perfect shelter for a group of people or families. Cabin tents are one of the most popular large tents available on the market. These tents have walls so it is easy to move inside the tent and also do activities without bending.
If you want to have enough space on a camping trip you should read on to see how this type of tent can change your way of camping. You can also set it on your backyard and invite some friends to have a backyard party around the grill.
Let’s see how a cabin tent can help you to have a pleasant outdoor experience.
Tent’s features
I will cover some features of a mentioned tent which you should know about before buying it.
Large space
Cabin tents are known for its large space and several rooms. In general, tents have just one room where you sleep. However, cabin tents are made for families who need more space and privacy. Think about going camping with the kids. I am sure you would love to have some privacy and your kids as well (especially if you have teenagers).
Tents that look like a cabin can also have more than one door for an easy entrance and exit.
You can pick a tent regarding the numbers of occupants. For example, if you have a 4 member family then you can pick a cabin tent for 4 campers. These types of tents can occupy from four to twelve people or more so choose the one that will have enough space for all of you.
Still, I recommend that you don’t limit yourself with an exact number of campers. A four-member family should pick a five or six-person tent as there is never enough space.
Heavier than other tents
These spacious tents are heavier than hiking or backpacking tents due to its largeness and a number of tent poles. So this is a shelter that isn’t appropriate for one-night camping or if you want to go outdoors on foot.
However, they are perfect for going in nature with a car or some other transportation vehicle.
Setting it up
These tents are not as easy to pitch as pop up tents of course. Setting up a cabin tent takes time and it is the best that you involve other campers to help you with this task. I recommend that you pitch the tent at home before going to the wild. This way you will be sure that there are no missing pieces and will be confident to have a shelter when you come to the campsite.
Season camping
On which season are you going to camp? It is important to know if your tent is a 3-season or 4-season tent. A cabin tent is luxurious and feels like a home in the wild but still, you should pick the one that is appropriate for a camping season.
Camping in the spring, summer, and autumn isn’t so demanding as the weather is milder than in winter. In this case, you could look for a tent that is a 3-season tent. A 4-season cabin tent is a little bit different as it should have a higher hydrostatic head, is waterproof and water-resistant.
An all-year tent is heavier as it should withstand the heavy rain, snow, and strong winds. If you decide to go outdoors in winter don’t compromise on a tent’s price and get a 4-season shelter.
Large windows
Tents with a cabin style have large windows in general. This is another great feature that reminds us of home. Large windows will give you enough light through the day and an opportunity to watch the animals. When you want to have more shade, you can close them as they have this ability.
A tent with screen porch
Cabin tents are made for a camping experience so campers can feel like at home. With this in mind, tent manufacturers make cabin tents with a screen porch. A porch is a wonderful feature to have as it will enable you to have a meal with your loved ones and enjoy watching nature. Get a folding table and chairs and place them here to enjoy throughout the day.
You can open the mesh of the porch or close it at evenings when mosquitos come along. It can be used for storing your camping equipment or personal items as well. This way you will have enough space inside the tent for sleeping and resting.
A Cabin Tent – Your Luxurious Outdoor Home
Dear camper, I am sure that on this point you have enough knowledge to know if this type of tent is what you are looking for. Cabin tents are large tents that are best to use for families or a group of people who won’t move a lot.
Think about tent’s features and how your camping trip will look like. If you want to have a long and relaxing vacation in nature with your friends, family or other campers, you should give a cabin tent a try.
For a large selection of tents for more that two people at great prices, check out Amazon here
7 Best Survival Gadgets for All Your Outdoor Needs.
This is a guest article by Anthony Maldonado
There are plenty of outdoor activities. Some want to practice outdoor sports, some enjoy just running in nature, some want to go for hunting and some would enjoy just a picnic in nature or camping under the stars. It is very healthy to spend some time in nature. That way we clear our mind from the negative thoughts and release all the negativity. Our muscles relax and our lungs fill with fresh air. With the everyday use of the technology and working all week-long, we try to reconnect with our roots and spend some time in nature in order to recharge our batteries and have plenty of energy for the tasks we have to do. Most of the people want to use the free time they have to spend some time in nature with their friends and family and have a good time. They decide for some outdoor activity and enjoy the benefits they get from spending some time in nature.
Before deciding on any outdoor you need to prepare and take the equipment needed in order to avoid some impediments that will ruin your time in nature. In this article, we offer 7 best survival gadgets for your outdoor needs.
- Gadget number one – Personal water filter – There is no life without water, so you need to take plenty of water with you when you spend some time outdoors. Sometimes it happens that you run out of water, so the personal water filter is a must have gadget with you when spending some time outdoors. Our bodies need to be hydrated so that they can work properly. This tool can be found online or in many shops. It is not very expensive. With the personal water filter you can drink any water you find near you. The filter filters the water and after that the water is safe or drinking. So, when you consider some outdoor activity make sure you do not run out of water or just take the personal water filter.
- Gadget number two – A flashlight and a battery charger – During darkness, you will need a flashlight with you. When spending time camping or maybe doing some other outdoor activity you should have a flashlight and some batteries for it. Rechargeable batteries will need a battery charger in case the ones you have do not work. A solar battery charger will be perfect for charging your batteries for your outdoor needs.
- Gadget number three – A lighter – Whether you smoke or not you definitely should have a lighter with you. It is very useful not only for lighting your cigarettes but also for starting a fire. You may need to get warm or you can use the fire as a source of light.
- Gadget number four – A hand warmer – When your hands are cold you are unable to perform the activities you need to do. When our hands are warm we are able to do important tasks. Hand warming devices are easy to use; they are re-usable and can be used 12 hours straight. They make your hands warm faster than using gloves.
- Gadget number five – Sun oven – This might be a more expensive gadget, but it will definitely serve you if you want to spend some time outdoors and prepare the food in nature by yourself. This oven uses the sun lights as energy and heats up to 200 degrees Celsius. You can prepare some food using this oven and enjoy your time outdoors.
- Gadget number six – A gun – This may not be something that will come to your mind when you want to spend some time relaxing in nature, but it is something you must have with you. There are many animals in nature, especially in the woods. Animals see people as a threat and they just want to protect themselves so you need to have a gun with you in order to defend yourself from the possible danger.
- Gadget number seven – First aid kit – When spending some time outdoors, you must have a first aid kit with you in case of accidents, or maybe if bitten by an insect, if you cut yourself accidentally and so on. Also have some disinfectant swith you and bandages in case you got wounded. You never know what may happen. It is better to be prepared.
Author-Bio
Anthony Maldonado has over Thirty (30) years of experience in the field of hunting, sports and self-defense related fields. Now he keeps on doing it through teaching others about how to prepare and DIY. He is an expert in the area of DIY. He is presently working at his tenbesttipz.com
Guide to Picking the Best Mattress & Sleeping Pad for Survival
This is a guest article by Will Bermudez
“Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!” This already famous truism is the perfect advice for all humanity: the smartest thing to do to ensure our survival is to have a strategy for the times when such planning will be required. One may hope those times will never come, but being ready for any circumstances is a moral duty. One essential detail you need to think about when developing a survival strategy – whether if it is for living in the wild or for surviving a natural disaster – is sleeping arrangements. Depending on your needs, you’ll be inclined to choose between a mattress and a sleeping pad. I tried both options, and I can’t decisively swing over one or another. They both have numerous pros. But in the end, the choice is based on individual preferences. That’s why I put together a short guide to help you consider vital factors when making your purchase of either a mattress or a pad – or both.
Think comfort
Whether you want a thin sleeping pad or a thick air mattress, seek the most comfortable option according to your needs. If you have health issues, allergies or back pains or you just have to sleep in a specific position, choose the product that addresses your problem. Read the descriptions of the products carefully; ask the retailer for more details and, most importantly, read the buyers’ reviews. Test the pad or the mattress, if you have the possibility, for at least 15 minutes, in your favorite sleeping position.
Think storage and transportation
Modern pads and mattresses are designed to pack small, especially the outdoors models. Some pads pack to the size of a soda can. Deflated mattresses take little space in backpacks as well. But remember that you should focus on quality: the ultra-light ones may not offer the same sleep experience as the full body length ones. Sometimes too thin can mean a hard bed; too large, and the pad or mattress is difficult to carry. Considering you’ll probably sleep on the ground or the floor of a shelter, you should go for a thicker product, but still easy to transport.
Think materials and durability
The sleeping pad & mattress industry has evolved a lot over the past decades in all aspects – materials, weight, versatility, features. Pads are usually made of dense foam filled with tiny closed air cells. Most airbeds are made of PVC and other leading-edge materials meant to increase their durability. A thicker PVC layer (0.6 mm, for instance) offers better insulation, but can also bring extra weight. Good news is that lately, manufacturers went for fumes-free materials for airbeds, which reduces the safety concerns regarding the chemicals in these products.
Think power source
Consider the fact that you may not have an electric power source or that the one you have might get cut off. Thus, if you want to choose an air mattress, look for a self-sufficient product that can be inflated manually, or that can work on batteries as well.
Think quality and price
Try to find the best brands on the market, the ones that have been around for a long while and have developed a wide range of models, making them better and more affordable. Research thoroughly what others have to say about a particular product or brand; TryMattress recommends checking the website of the manufacturer and even the social media accounts since many people choose to give reviews on these networks. Last but not least, consider the fact that a good and reliable product will not be cheap, but it will be a long-term investment in your safety and comfort.
Publisher’s note: Amazon carries a good selection of sleeping pads and air mattresses.
Valley Food Storage Dehydrated Peanut Powder.
For those wishing to stockpile foods for long-term storage, there are a number of options. There are many companies that specialize in dehydrated foods, and the best advice you can get is to decide what you are going to need, and sample a variety from different companies. And there are a large choice of food types and menus.
Valley Food Storage is one of the major players in the industry. I tested their white bean and lime chili and found it really good. So when I was given another choice of item to test, I decided on the peanut powder. My main interest is in lightweight and easily stored items that would be functional and nutritional either bugging in or out. Peanut butter is a popular staple with survivalists for a number of reasons which I described here where I wrote about the real deal.
Peanut powder is made by compressing peanuts to remove the oil and fats, and then grinding them into powder. This provides a lightweight substitute for the much heavier actual peanut butter. So how does it stack up against the real thing on the two issues I see as most important: Nutrition and taste.
Nutrition
The table below is the label off the Valley Food Storage package. One serving consists of two tablespoons. One serving will contain 7g of protein, 70 calories, and 4g of total fat.
This is the label off of a regular jar of Jif creamy peanut butter. It also has 7 g of protein, but has 180 calories, and 16 grams of total fat
The peanut powder has and equal amount of protein, but a lot fewer calories, fat and sodium. But you are also talking a lot less weight for the amount of protein.
Taste Test
Easy to mix, it is 1 for 1 water and powder. I mixed two tablespoons of powder with two 
tablespoons of water. It mixed easily and rapidly. It wasn’t as thick as regular peanut butter. It tasted good, but needs a bit of sugar for my taste. Easily done in the field with small sugar packets. It is advertised as good to mix in things like yogurt or cereal, or juice. OK in a bug in situation, but maybe not so practical on the move. It would make a lightweight protein additive for such things as crackers, etc. It would also lighten up the blandness of survival food.
Conclusion
Lightweight and tasty protein supplement for a survival situation, but it has the same water dependent drawback that all dehydrated food stuffs have. I have placed one bag in my food stash and will let the wife enjoy the other in her breakfast yogurt.
Available from Valley Food Storage
Survival Hax Survival Shovel
One of the fun things about doing a survival blog is that manufacturers and dealers will often send you one of their items to test. I have some definite policies on this. I do not accept money for the review. I get to keep the item. And I will only write an honest evaluation. When Sara of SurvivalHax offered to send me one of their survival shovels I was glad to test it.
Before I discuss the shovel, let’s define what a survival shovel is. For my purposes, it should be lightweight and small enough to fit in a bug out bag. It should be sturdy enough to perform some basic functions. These would include digging a cat hole, digging a fire pit, digging a water run off trench around your shelter, driving tent stakes, and shoveling snow or sand from around a stuck vehicle tires. If you are planning on doing more heavy-duty digging, then you will need a larger tool. The SurvivalHax survival shovel will perform it’s intended functions very well.
This little shovel is basic military style with a folding spade and pick. This design was initiated by the Germans in WW2 and quickly copied by the United States and many other countries. The shovel has a two piece hollow handle which screws together and the end 
cap unscrews and has a ferro rod fire starter. Both handles are hollow. It also comes with a carrying case, as well as a lifetime warranty. When the shovel is unfolded it is 24 inches (2 feet) long. Its collapsible size is 8.6 x 8.2 inches. The head of the shovel is made out of manganese steel with a rigidity rating of 42-46. The handle is made out of steel as well, while the orange adjustment nut is aluminum alloy. It weighs in at about 2 pounds.
The blade is serrated on one side like many other shovels of this size. And like most of it’s counterparts, the serrated edges as well as the blade edge need to be sharpened with a file. This is not a criticism. A few minutes with a file and the serrations and flat edge are nice and sharp. Again, most shovels of this type need to be sharpened. The three rivets that hold the blade to the mount seem solid. At 2 lbs. weight, it is solid enough to pound tent stakes in soft to moderately hard soil. I took the shovel out back and used both the pick and the blade to dig around a bit. The soil here is gravely on top, sandy under. Both the pick and blade worked well and the locking nut stayed tight. There were no dings or bends to the blade.
The handle is a two piece hollow affair that screws together. The threads for both the handle and the end cap are cut clean and screw together with no problems. I recommend lubricating the threads lightly. The black finish is smooth, actually slick. I solved this problem by wrapping the handle in paracord.
This not only adds no real weight, but gives a more solid grip on the handle as well as providing additional paracord for my kit. As the end cap is a ferro rod fire starter, I decided to use the hollow space to enhance fire making capability. I took 5 Vaseline impregnated cotton balls and wrapped them in a plastic bag. I attached a piece of paracord to one end and a military p-38 can opener to the other. It works like a pull through with the p-38 being the weight that allows the sack to be pulled into or out of the tube. In addition, I have found a p-38 to be an excellent striker to use on a rod. I tested it on the rod that came with the shovel and got good sparks. I haven’t decided what to use the space in the upper handle for yet. Perhaps kindling.
The carrying case is adequate to store the two pieces nicely in a rucksack, but only has one belt loop and would probably not be too durable for long-term wear on a belt. If you wish to carry it that way, a very inexpensive military surplus e-tool holder can easily be found.
Summary
The SurvivalHax Survival Shovel is a well made, lightweight shovel of a proven design that is small enough to fit in a bug out bag, or under a vehicle seat and comes with a lifetime warranty. The hollow handles give you the option of storing additional items of your choice, which most other shovels of this type do not have. Mine is now in my get home bag in my jeep. Available on Amazon or SurvivalHax
SnugPak Softie 3 Merlin Sleeping Bag
Every one should have a bug out bag packed and prepared to go with at least three days necessities. Since sleeping is definitely a necessity in a stressful situation, it requires careful planning in the selection of gear. Weight in a bug out bag is a serious consideration. Sleeping gear can become a large portion of that weight. The SnugPak Softie 3 Merlin is a potential answer to the problem.
Luci Solar Powered Inflatable Lantern
Every ounce you save in your bug out bag is important, and having a proper light source whether bugging in or out is essential. This inflatable, waterproof , lightweight solar powered lantern fills the bill. The Luci Solar Powered Inflatable Lantern is truly an amazing invention.
Maglite Tactical Flashlights
A flashlight is a flashlight is a flashlight. Well, maybe…….
Paracord. It’s not just for skydiving!
One of the concepts of personal survival preparation is the principle of redundancy. Having one item that will do two things and having two items that will do the same thing. Some things however have so many multiple uses it takes a book to list them all.
Gerber’s Nifty Little Shovel
Recently I was updating my emergency preparedness equipment and decided to buy another small shovel for my Jeep. I have one of the excellent Glock (yes, same company) shovels, but decided to do a little research.
Azweaponcraftprepper 