Have a Great Labor Day

The History of Labor Day
Info from: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24: 1-14
Signs of the End of the Age

1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,[a]' and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Survival Skills #15 How to Barter in an Economic Collapse

Survival Skills #15
How to Barter in an Economic Collapse
Member By WriterGig
eHow Community Member

Knowing how to barter in an economic collapse could be just an interesting concept -- or it might turn out to be a critically important skill to have. Knowing what to stock up on, in preparation for bartering and trade during tough economic times, is the first step. Also keep in mind that what you know is often even more valuable than what you have. Here's what economic collapse barter looks like.

Barter in an Economic Collapse
Step 1
Develop your survival skills and knowledge. Your skills and knowledge may be your biggest asset when it comes to bartering in an economic collapse or societal breakdown. Can you shoot deer? Identify edible wild plants? Cut and chop firewood? Think of skills you have that could help yourself and others in dire times. Learn as much as you can, now.
Step 2
Acquire hand tools and equipment. Tools of all types, from shovels and pickaxes to cross-cut saws and clippers, will be like gold when they are needed.
Step 3
Purchase extras of essential items. Stock up painlessly by getting an extra pack of waterproof matches or case of soap each time you shop. Personal care items, nonperishable foods and medical supplies are also great barter items.
Step 4
Buy extra tobacco, alcohol and chocolate for bartering purposes. Alcohol is not just a luxury--it is used as an antiseptic and preservative in times of need. Chocolate packs energy and nutrients into a small, tasty morsel. Choose darker chocolates for the most nutritive value.
Step 5
Acquire vegetable seeds, salt and spices, sturdy footwear and other important items. Surplus military items, such as wool blankets and mess kits, are relatively cheap now and buying a few extra will give you extra bartering capacity.
Step 6
Learn the true current value of basic items, realizing that original cost may become irrelevant. Salt, if scarce, will be worth more than you paid while luxury items may be nearly worthless. Plasma TVs don't look so great when the electric grid is down.
Step 7
Recognize your weaknesses and needs so when it is time to barter in an economic collapse, you have a good idea of what services or goods you want in exchange for yours.

Survival Skills #14 Preparing for a Recession

Survival Skills # 14
Preparing for a Recession
By WriterGig
e How Community Member

A shaky housing market, wobbly stocks and inflation have many concerned. Preparing for a recession has become a mainstream topic. While it's hard to know exactly what is in store for the nation, or your state in particular, the warning signs are troubling. Preparation is key to surviving a recession or even worse, a prolonged economic depression. Here's how to get started preparing for a recession.


Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your long-term food storage pantry. You should have enough stored food to last your family six months (ideally, a year) with little supplementing. This is an excellent insurance policy in unstable financial times. In the case of job loss, your family can eat from your food storage while a new job is sought. In the case of crop shortages, you can ride out rising grocery prices until the next harvest brings some relief.
Step 2
Learn how to garden to raise some of your own food. Lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables will cost pennies versus buying at the store. Try container gardening for small spaces or inadequate soil conditions. You might even try keeping a few hens for eggs. Urban farming will likely come back into vogue in hard economic times. If you have acreage in the country, keep a steer for beef and more chickens for meat. You'll save considerably.
Step 3
Buy local produce and local farm foods. Support your local economy and ensure a local source of food when times are hard. You'll often save money, especially as rising gas prices take grocery store prices another notch higher.
Step 4
Get your finances in order. Preparing for a recession will mean different things to you depending on your situation, but by all means, do what you can now to prepare economically. At the very basic level, try to pay down debt and have an affordable housing situation.
Step 5
Consider investing in essential sectors, such as medicine, and in precious metals, such as silver, to weather a recession. There are several very good sites with advice on investing for a recession; do your research and look at track records. Invest for the long term rather than to get rich quickly.
Step 6
Develop your skills. Handymen, mechanics and plumbers are always in demand, especially when people try to fix rather than throw out their appliances and vehicles. If gas prices continue to rise, a side gig as a bicycle repairman and used bike salesmen could turn into a booming business.

Survival Skills #13 Nutrition Information for Emergency Food Storage

Survival Skills #13
Nutrition Information for Emergency Food Storage
In a crisis, it will be most important that you maintain your strength. Eating nutritiously can help you do this. Here are some important nutrition tips.
Plan menus to include as much variety as possible.
Eat at least one well-balanced meal each day.
Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day).
Take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work.
Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition.
When deciding what foods to stock, use common sense. Consider what you could use and how you could prepare it. Storing foods that are difficult to prepare and are unlikely to be eaten could be a costly mistake.



Vitamin A, (retinol). We get this vitamin from milk products, animal fat, carrots, and leafy green vegetables. Why do we need this vitamin? It helps keep your vision working well, your immune system up and working, and assists in the functioning of most major organs. Where do you find it? From animal fats, contents of the stomach of plant eating animals, wild green plants in the field.

Vitamin B complex, (B1, B2, B3, B5, and B12). All meats, green plants (vegetables), dairy products, gains and cereals (you can get them elsewhere as well, but they are not a source readily available to most survivors, i.e., brewers yeast). Why do we need this vitamin? They are needed for the nervous system, maintaining healthy skin, the cell production process, digestive process, respiration, bone marrow production, and to assist our metabolism. Where do you find it? Once again, by eating green leafy plants (try dandelions or banana leaf), the flesh of wild animals (including the stomach contents if the environment does not allow you to forage for fresh green veggies), pine nuts, walnuts, and perhaps even wild grains or rice.

Vitamin C, is found in fresh fruits, vegetables. Remember that citrus fruits and tomatoes have high levels of vitamin C. Why do we need this vitamin? It helps to build healthy tissues, tendons, and assists in absorbing iron. It is essential for healthy teeth and gums as well as for healing wounds or fractures (which may be experienced by survivors). Where do you find it? If you are lucky enough to attempt survival in a jungle, then citrus fruits may not be much of a problem. One source I use in mountains or in general locations is pine needles. The needles on pine boughs can be brewed to make a rough tasting tea. While not that tasty, it does the job of providing vitamin C as well as keeping the drinker warm.

Vitamin D, can be found in eggs, dairy products, and fish with fatty flesh (tuna, salmon, sardines, oysters, and others). Why do we need this vitamin? It assists in the building of bones and cartilage. Also, it is used to regulate the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in the body. Where do you find it? During your searches for food look for bird nests. While the eggs you find will not belong to a chicken, they will serve the same purpose as far as vitamin D is concerned. As far as I know, all eggs are eatable and should be eaten if available. Additionally, set fish traps, make a dip net for smaller fish and try your hand at fishing. There may not be much of a problem procuring salmon if you are along streams and rives they run on. Thousands of salmon move on our nations waterways each year. If you catch too many of them, make a drying rack and save them for future needs.

Vitamin E, is in rice and green leafy vegetables. Why do we need this vitamin? This is one of the least understood vitamins, but it is known to assist in the prevention of muscular dystrophy. So, it seems this vitamin may be associated with muscular functioning. Where do you find it? Look for wild rice. Surprisingly, it is out there. Remember, rice grows in wet locations so check long the banks of small ponds or lakes. You may get lucky and find a source. Keep in mind to constantly search for sources of food and vitamins around your survival site.

Vitamin K, is produced by our intestinal tract. It can also be found in egg yolks, leafy green plants, fish liver oils, and other sources. Why do we need this vitamin? It assists in the clotting of blood. The last problem a survivor needs is the inability to clot a bleeding injury. Where do you find it? Look for eggs as we suggested earlier, search for various green leafy plants, and it need be, build up the courage to eat the contents of an animal’s stomach. The contents of the stomach can be added to soups without affecting most people very much, especially if you don’t tell them or they don’t ask.
Other Considerations are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals.

Carbohydrates are found in a variety of food sources. They are found in sugars, honey, fruits, roots and tubers (cook these well) as well as in cereals. Why do we need them? They are excellent sources of energy and help prevent the nausea often caused by the breakdown of body fats in the body. Where do you find it? Look for bees (honey), wild apples, cattail roots, or even wild potatoes. Cattails will most likely be the easiest to find.

Fats are an excellent source of energy and are found in most animal and fish. Additionally, some plants may contain fats, as well as eggs and nuts. While some “survival experts” suggest fats can be found in fungi (mushrooms) I do not recommend eating them. They are not easy to identify by most people and overall, have very little nutrition. They have the disadvantage possibly of being poison if the survivor is unsure of its identity. Why do we need them? Fats give us our energy in a concentrated form. A key consideration here is the availability of water. Fats take water to digest, so make sure you have sufficient water when you ingest fats. Where do you find them? Animal fats are the easiest way. Keep in mind, wild game has less fat than farm animals. Also, during the winter months or early spring, wild animals may contain less fat. In the fall, after eating well all summer, wild game is usually the fatter.

Proteins are found in meat, eggs, fish, nuts, and grains. While also found in dairy products, you are unlikely to find a cow in a survival situation. Why do we need them? They supply amino acids, which are necessary for good health. Where do you find them? Attempt to locate wild eggs, fish often, gather nuts and grains if possible, and eat wild meat.
Minerals, minerals are need for good overall health. Some, not all, of the minerals we need are sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, and sulfur. Why do we need them? They all play a role in maintaining good overall health. Where do you find them? Salt water may be boilded to produce sodium, or the eyes of the animals you kill will contain salt. Other minerals will be in the foods you eat and it should not be a problem as long as you eat a variety of foods.

Info in this post found at
http://www.simplesurvival.net/nutrition.htm

Survival Skills #12 Storage and Preparation of Food Supplies

Survival Skills #12
Storage and Preparation of Food Supplies

All dry ingredients or supplies should be stored off the floor in clean, dry, dark places away from any source of moisture. Foods will maintain quality longer if extreme changes in temperature and exposure to light are avoided.
Grains
If you purchase bulk wheat, dark hard winter or dark hard spring wheat are good selections. Wheat should be #2 grade or better with a protein content from 12 - 15% and moisture content less than 10%. If wheat is not already in nitrogen-packed cans, it can be stored in sturdy 5 gallon food-grade plastic buckets or containers with tight fitting lids. If the wheat has not already been treated to prevent insects from hatching, wheat may be treated at the time of storage by placing one-fourth pound of dry ice per 5 gallon container in the bottom and then filling with wheat. Cover the wheat with the lid, but not tightly, for five or six hours before tightening the lid to be air tight. Other grains to consider storing include rye, rice, oats, triticale, barley and millet. Pasta products also satisfy the grain component of the diet. Milled rice will maintain its quality longer in storage than will brown rice. Many of the grains may require grinding before use. Some health food stores sell hand-cranked grain mills or can tell you where you can get one. Make sure you buy one that can grind corn. If you are caught without a mill, you can grind your grain by filling a large can with whole grain one inch deep, holding the can on the ground between your feet and pounding the grain with a hard metal object such as a pipe.
Non-fat Dry Milk/Dairy Products
Store dry milk in a tightly covered air-tight container. Dry milk may be stored at 70oF for 12 - 24 months. If purchased in nitrogen packed cans, storage time for best quality will be 24 months. Other dairy products for long term storage may include canned evaporated milk, pasteurized cheese spreads and powdered cheese.
Other Foods or Ingredients
Iodized salt should be selected and stored in its original package. Dried beans, peas, lentils, etc. provide an inexpensive alternative to meat and are easy to store in glass or plastic containers tightly covered. Those purchased from the grocery shelf are normally the highest quality.
Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. Wrap cookies and crackers in plastic bags, and keep them in air-tight storage containers. Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or airtight food storage containers to protect them from pests. Inspect all food containers for signs of spoilage before use. Commercially canned foods are safe to eat after long periods of storage unless they are bulging, leaking or badly rusted. Quality, however, will diminish with long term storage. Changes in flavor, color and texture may be observed and nutritional value will decrease. For best quality, use within one year. If stored longer than one year, rotate canned goods at least every two to four years.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
To help compensate for possible deficiencies in the diet in emergency situations, families may wish to store 365 multi-vitamin/mineral tablets per person. Careful attention should be paid to expiration dates on packages.
Shelf Life of Foods for Storage (Unopened)
Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods to ensure the best quality of the products.
Use within six months:
Powdered milk (boxed)
Dried fruit (in metal container)
Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
Potatoes
Use within one year:
Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables
Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts
May be stored indefinitely* (in proper containers and conditions):
Wheat
Vegetable oils
Corn
Baking powder
Soybeans
Instant coffee, tea
Cocoa
Salt
Noncarbonated soft drinks
White rice
Bouillon products
Dry pasta
Vitamin C
Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)
*Two to three years

Survival Skills #11 Stocking a Long-term Emergency Food Supply

Survival Skills #11
Stocking a Long-term Emergency Food Supply

One approach to long term food storage is to store bulk staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods.
Bulk Staples
Wheat, corn, beans and salt can be purchased in bulk quantities fairly inexpensively and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for years on small daily amounts of these staples. The following amounts are suggested per adult, per year:
Item Amount*
Wheat 240 pounds
Powdered Milk 75 pounds
Corn 240 pounds
Iodized Salt 5 pounds
Soybeans 120 pounds
Fats and Oil 20 pounds**
Vitamin C*** 180 grams
* Best to buy in nitrogen-packed cans
** 1 gallon equals 7 pounds
*** Rotate every two years

Stocking Foods for Infants
Special attention would need to be paid to stocking supplies of foods for infants. Powdered formula would be the least expensive form of infant formula to stock. Commercially canned liquid formula concentrate and ready-to-feed formula may also be stored. Amounts needed would vary, depending on the age of the infant. Infant formula has expiration dates on the packages and should not be used past the expiration date. Parents should also plan to have a variety of infant cereals and baby foods on hand. Amounts needed will vary depending on the age of the infant.
Other Foods to Supplement Your Bulk Staples
You can supplement bulk staples which offer a limited menu with commercially packed air-dried or freeze-dried foods, packaged mixes and other supermarket goods. Canned meats are a good selection. Rice and varieties of beans are nutritious and long-lasting. Ready-to-eat cereals, pasta mixes, rice mixes, dried fruits, etc. can also be included to add variety to your menus. Packaged convenience mixes that only need water and require short cooking times are good options because they are easy to prepare. The more of these products you include, the more expensive your stockpile will be.

The following is an easy approach to long-term food storage:
Buy a supply of the bulk staples listed previously.
Build up your everyday stock of canned goods until you have a two-week to one-month surplus. Rotate it periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking.
From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods. Although costly, this is an excellent form of stored meat, so buy accordingly. (Canned meats are also options.) Another option is to purchase dry, packaged mixes from the supermarket.
Consider stocking some of the items listed as examples below. Amounts are suggested quantities for an adult for one year.
Flour, White Enriched 17 lbs
Corn Meal 42 lbs
Pasta (Spaghetti/Macaroni) 42 lbs
Beans (dry) 25 lbs
Beans, Lima (dry) 1 lb
Peas, Split (dry) 1 lb
Lentils (dry) 1 lb
Dry Soup Mix 5 lbs
Peanut Butter 4 lbs
Dry Yeast 1/2 lb
Sugar, White Granulated 40 lbs
Soda 1 lb
Baking Powder 1 lb
Vinegar 1/2 gal

Survival Skills #10 How to Store Food for Long Term Survival

How to Store Food for Long Term Survival
By WriterGig at (E-How)


Knowing how to store food for long term survival is an essential skill that few have. In early America, food storage was necessary and practiced by all. As cities grew and grocery shopping became the norm, food storage fell by the wayside for many. But now, in uncertain times as the potential for financial crises, food shortages and political unrest becomes more real, many are learning how to store food and other necessities for times of emergency, man-made or natural. Here's how to store food for long term survival

Store Food for Long Term Survival
Step 1
Create a pantry list detailing what your full home food storage should include, what you already have, and what more you need. Consult the steps below for basic recommendations, although further reading is suggested (book list below).
Step 2
Make a shopping list detailing what you need to purchase (consult your pantry list from step 1). After researching prices and availability, list the best sources next to each item. As you learn how to store food for long term survival, it will get easier and more natural.
Step 3
Purchase and prepare containers for your home food storage. For storage of whole grains and other bulk foods (wheat berries, rice, lentils, beans, raisins) use 5- or 6-gallon storage buckets, available online and in some home supply stores. Smaller (1-3 gallon size) are suitable for sugar, salt, baking powder, etc. Some food items will come in storable containers, such as canned goods.
Step 4
Compare prices and sources as you shop, noting any changes on your shopping list. For example, I purchased 35 pounds of natural peanut butter from an online food supplier for $2.30/ lb., but I later found natural peanut butter at Trader Joe's for $1.69/lb. I noted this on my shopping list, so as I build my stock of peanut butter (and replace what we eat), I'll head for Trader Joe's.
Step 5
Buy a variety of items as you build your emergency food storage pantry. For example, if your budget is $100 per month, split it between several categories, rather than just buying salt one month and sugar the next. If you were to need your supplies sooner than expected, you'd want a little of everything.
Step 6
Store water, at least 14 gallons per adult, to last two weeks. Rotate this water storage as water only has a shelf life of 6-12 months. If you have a well with a hand pump, you won't need to store water, while water storage its critical for someone dependent on a town water system. In any case, be sure to store a heavy-duty water filter/ water treatment system and spare filters.
Step 7
Choose grains, flour and beans for your home food storage. The good thing about grains is that, when stored properly in sealed containers, they can last for decades or longer. Try food co-ops, health food stores and bulk food distributors. My local health food store gives a 20% discount on bulk orders. Suggested amounts are for one adult's one-year supply:
Whole grain wheat berries, 350 lbs.
Other whole grains (barley, corn, oats, popcorn, rye), 100 lbs.
Rice (whole, brown, wild) 45 lbs.
Pastas (lasagna, egg noodles, spaghetti, wheat, veggie) 35 lbs.
Step 8
Add cereals, 75 lbs. per adult, choosing from the following: granola, oatmeal, grits, Quinoa, processed cereals ready-to-eat.
Step 9
Acquire the necessary supplies to use your food storage items. If you purchased whole grain berries, you need to buy and learn to use a grain mill. For emergency preparedness, I recommend a manual (hand crank) grain mill in case of power loss. A water filter, fire starter, medical kit, lanterns and warm blankets are also key. See link for grain mill, water filter and other supplies under Resources, below.
Step 10
Purchase 75 lbs. of legumes and beans per adult. Buy kidney beans, lentils, pinto, navy beans, split peas and other varieties as per your taste.
Step 11
Add 75 pounds of frozen beef, chicken and fish per adult to your deep freeze. Purchase a side of beef if possible, to save money. Also stock up on pemmican, beef jerky and dehydrated and canned meats.
Step 12
Build up your store-able dairy products to about 150 pounds per adult of powdered milk, dehydrated butter & cheese and buttermilk powder. Store the equivalent of 25 dozen eggs in powdered form for each person, as well as 24 cans of evaporated and condensed milks.
Step 13
Procure 100 pounds of sweeteners (honey, molasses, cane sugar, raw sugar, maple sugar, maple syrup) for each adult in the house.
Step 14
Store cooking catalysts, to the tune of 60 lbs. oils and fats (olive oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, etc.) and 5 pounds salt with 2 pounds leavenings (yeast, baking powder, sourdough starter) to round out your food storage for long term survival.
Step 15
Include goodies such as dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, coffee, drink mixes and other treats in quantity for your family to enjoy. If things are so rough that you are relying totally on your home food storage, a candy bar or cup of tea may bring comfort.

Survival Skills #9 What is Your Backup Plan? Rules Of Three!

What is your backup plan for food and water?

We all need backup plans to every part of our survival. Years ago I read about the Rules of Three, this is a set of rules that say you should have three backups to everything in your survival plan. Like your water plan, lets say you are planing to survive with two adults you will need a gallon a day per adult. So 14 gallons a week times 4 weeks gives you 56 gallons, so if you have two 30 gallon water barrel with water Preserver in it that gives you a month of water. But you still need two more backups to your water supply to stay within the rules of three. So lets say you have well for you indoor water and you have a electric water pump. You could do two things for this set up, one is rig your electric pump to be able to run on solar power and the second is to put in a hand water pump so you never need power for your water again. But to be safe you still need the 3rd backup to your water for survival, so lets say you have a stream 1/2 a mile from your house or retreat so make sure you have a small wagon with good tires and 5,10 or 15 gallon barrels to put into the wagon to pull to the stream. You will need a good water filter to filter the water and then you will need to boil the water to make sure it clean.
So now you have the rules of three all you have to do is apply it to all your survival plans and you will be more ready than you every have been before.

Remember the New World Order never sleeps, so keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground. Because they are coming and the only people who can stop them are you and me with the help of other great Patriots of this country. Stand strong and be ready!!! And Question your leaders, now and forever!!!

Survival Skills #8 Inventory for Basic Survival Kit

Inventory for Basic Survival Kit
by Daniel C. Friend
Originally published in American Survival Guide, March 1990
Shelter and Warmth
"Emergency" space blanket or bag
Heavy duty plastic trash bag (2.5 mil)
550 parachute cord 25'
9' transparent vinyl mending tape (wrap around flashlight)
Water
Heavy-duty plastic water bag (large heavy-duty Ziplocs bag will do)
Iodine-based water tablets
Large cotton bandana or triangular bandage
Heat, Light, and Signaling
9-hour candle
Waterproof match case
Waterproof strike-anywhere matches
4 birthday candles
Disposable lighter
Magnesium fire starter
Card-type magnifying lens
Police whistle on lanyard [beware of metal whistles they freeze to lips in cold]
Stainless steel double-surface signal mirror
AA or AAA flashlight with fresh batteries (Mag-Light with LED)
One note pad with pencil
3"x5" cards and pen

Knives and Tools
Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool
Good fixed blade knife
Knife sharpener (opposed tungsten carbide tips)
Hemostats
Small "ignition point" file
6" sharpened piece of hacksaw blade
4" extra-heavy duty sewing needle
6 heavy duty rubber bands
Direction Finding
Good quality liquid-filled luminous compass
First Aid
Clean cotton bandana or triangular bandage (see WATER)
Hemostats (see KNIVES and TOOLS)
Flexible fabric band-aids of various sizes
Handiwipes
Purell hand sanitizer
Insect repellant
Aspirins and Tylenol
Moleskin or mole foam
Steri-strips
Pepto Bismol
General
Mosquito head net (for fishing or insects)
Safety pins, 2 large 4 medium
Telephone change
Snare wire, brass or copper
Survival cards
In Addition to the Basic Survival Kit Always Include the Following Items in Your Pack
Individual ready-to-eat canned food (sardines, etc)
Detailed map
Separate first-aid kit, including prescription medications
Small transistor radio
Extra pair eyeglasses in unbreakable case
Inventory for Augmentation Kit
First Aid
4 3"x3" sterile pads
Small Bottle of eye drops
1 roll 2" cling bandage
Trial size pack Coricidin D decongestant tablets
Blister pack of 9 Cepacol throat lozenges
Blister pack Pepto Bismol tablets
Neosporin antibiotic ointment
Extra safety pins
12 flexible fabric band-aids
Shelter and Warmth
4'x7' blanket and extra space blanket
(2) 9-hour candle
25' 550 parachute cord
Small disposable lighter
Food and Water
3- 3600 Cal Food Bars
Heavy duty nylon spoon
Snare wire
Mosquito head net
Iodine water purification tablets
Plastic water bag
Signaling
Spare batteries for flashlight