The Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast

Today I take time to review a survival fiction novel titled "Lights Out".  Originally an online book, "Lights Out" has been redone in the printed word and contains a lot of material that might be of interest to many of our listeners. You can find the book at: Amazon.com page for "Lights Out" BTW... Here is a link to a short story by the same author that is sure to get you thinking: http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-172494.html Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today we celebrate our one year anniversary on the Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast.  Yay!  I want to thank each of you who have been a part of this show's success by spreading the word and by your encouraging messages of support over the past twelve months.  Thanks a bunch and I look forward to what the future holds...  Barring a disaster of course!  (Just a little prepper humor... ;) ) Anyway, today we answer several questions from listeners including: * What to do if you want to grow tomatoes as part of your survival food plan * The value of helping others become engaged in self-reliance (including taking people shooting) * A brief analysis of the debt ceiling "stuff" that has dominated the news for so many weeks * Ideas on renting/leasing a farm for those who can't afford to purchase property at this time * Discussion of the 30/30 lever action for survival (from the forum) Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Previously when I've discussed Survival Medicine it has been with the idea of having well-stocked supplies, some good manuals on various topics, and as much first aid training as you can get.  On this episode I look at the opposite end of the spectrum: What do you do when you don't have any supplies but what you're wearing and what are simple things you can do to deal with most potential health crises that might arise in a disaster? Be warned, I do talk about a few "yucky" things (but in a G-rated fashion) and do mention a few disclaimers that you look further into this topic before just taking my word for it. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today I review a recent program that aired on National Geographic called "Doomsday Preppers".  While they try to make anyone who "preps" look a bit silly or paranoid I actually thought it was an interesting program and was pleasantly surprised by the way the production crew represented each of these four families.  On this episode I discuss some of the things I took away after viewing this documentary.  Also, if I remember correctly it will be airing again this weekend on National Geographic so check it out yourself if you get a chance. Link to program overview: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/doomsday-preppers-6202/Overview#tab-facts Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com/ and our new forum at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/

Today's episode covers the often discussed Survival concept of "caching", that is pre-positioning supplies for later acquisition, often below ground or in other "hidey-hole" placements.  It's important to think through the reasons you would cache, what you would want to cache and how to protect your cache once it's in place.  I also highly recommend the following product for consideration for smaller caches (this company is also one of our first sponsors as well-Yay!): http://www.smallhiddensafe.com/ Some other resources pertaining to caching include: Backwoods Home article mentioned on today's episode Good basic guide to caching A general search in any good online engine for "Survival Cache" should also bring up a wealth of information on this topic

I do not pretend to be any sort of expert on anything related to Survival and Preparedness.  That is the case even more so when I discuss certain tactical things, such as today's topic: Body Armor.  In this episode I look at four different types of body armor, their potential disaster readiness applications and the various cost/benefit analysis points that I hope will help you determine what you might want to procure for your own needs. Here are a couple of links that I hope will be useful for you as well: http://www.survivalblog.com/body-armor/ http://get-urban-survival-skills.blogspot.com/2011/02/reader-question-on-body-armor-for.html And one reputable source (from what I've heard) for purchasing body armor: http://www.bulletproofme.com

On today's episode I briefly discuss the unfolding terrorist attack in Oslo, Norway, then share an update on lessons learned from my son's recent medical emergency, and then respond to several listener questions. Topics covered include: * Terrorist attack in Norway and as many as 30 killed at youth camp outside of Oslo * Medical and dental preparedness * Farm thieves stealing foodstuffs and plants, amongst other things * Interesting stopping power article * .45 ACP 1911 for concealed carry * Choosing a concealed carry piece (in general) * Survivalblog.com posting on supplemental fertilizers, etc. when the Miracle Gro runs out

Today I discuss what must be one of the least interesting but most important topics in Survival and Preparedness: The acquisition and use of hand tools.  I try to keep it as interesting as possible but honestly that's probably asking a bit much. :)  Regardless, this is a useful episode for those who don't have a lot of experience with un-powered tools, but many of you folks who have a lot of background in construction, etc. may find it a bit redundant. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today we look at some of the stone-age survival secrets of the Australian Aborigines living in the desert regions of the Outback.  I discuss a number of the tricks and techniques they have developed over the millennia for finding safe water, securing food sources, and other general methods by which they stay alive in a forbidding part of the world.  My hope is we can take away some basic ideas of how people can survive anything and "translate" those ideas to your specific region. NOTE: Here is a good "general survival" guide for Australia, along the lines of what I discussed today: http://www.big.com.au/koa/koa.pdf Many of the pieces of info in it work for anywhere and are not just specific to "The Land Down Under". Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today is our third episode in a row using the new format.  Please understand I will still be doing the traditional single-topic episodes most of the time, but I did want to "hit the ground running" (as I say on the podcast today) with this new approach so doing a few in a row works well for me. On this episode I discuss: * How to find out what Climate Zone you are in * Have I heard of FerFal? (Long-time listeners have heard me mention him before.  Here is the link to his book at Amazon.com) * How do you prep for pets? * What's a good movie for showing an unfolding disaster? One answer is: Knowing, with Nicolas Cage * Why does Chip like .22s for survival?  Chuck Hawkes says it well: http://www.chuckhawks.com/survival_rifles.htm * What do I think of the Winchester 94? * What can I share about Hurricane Survival steps?  See Episode 58 * What do I think of the little Altoids Tin-type survival kits? Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today is the second-in-a-row episode covering several topics of interest to listeners.  On this episode I discuss: * An update to our experience here on the farm-What's working, what's been difficult and our future plans. * Insects as wild edibles-Sounds gross, doesn't it? What until I tell you how many you ALREADY eat every year!  Yum! * How do I record/produce this podcast?  I think I have covered this in the past but I've had enough questions about it, primarily from people considering starting their own podcast, that I thought I'd cover the topic again. (Link to the Olympus DVRs I use)  (Link to Audacity free download) * HAM Radio/Amateur Radio for survival purposes. * Is .223 enough for hunting small deer and larger wild boar? Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today I launch a new type of episode where I respond to various listener questions.  I've briefly done things along these lines in the past, but this is the beginning of doing these kinds of episodes on a more frequent basis. On this episode I discuss: * Mainstay Ration Bars as a survival food (see recent review at Survivalblog.com for more info) * Fall/Winter planting (link to Territorial Seed Company) * Debt Ceiling issues (some stories from today on that topic: #1 , #2, #3 ) * Current production .308 bolt firearms options (Marlin X7 (I mispoke-the XLR is a lever action) , Savage-Stevens, Remington 770, Savage 110 (see link for Savage-Stevens), Remington 700, Winchester 70, Ruger 77 ) * Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870 * Discussion on Cabela's forum about different slug types Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today you get to hear me briefly discuss a rather interesting (and quite short) survival novel by sci-fi author Dean Ing called "Pulling Through".  The cool thing about the edition I have is that it also contains a lot of additional non-fiction material covering numerous aspects of nuclear survival (amongst other general survival themes) which alone makes it worth the $1.29 I paid for it at an area thrift store. Here is the link to the Wikipedia page on this author: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Ing and the Amazon.com page on the particular edition of this book I talk about: http://www.amazon.com/Pulling-Through-Dean-Ing/dp/0441690505 (I'm pretty sure you will be able to find it for less money at other places than what's listed there at Amazon.com)

About every 20 episodes I try to touch on the topic of wild foods that people can gather for survival purposes. Each time I try to come at the subject from a slightly different perspective and thus today I share some thoughts on scrounging food from nature. Check out our blog at: thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today I discuss various considerations with having kids and how to deal with their needs in a disaster.  I talk about some of their fears and steps you can take to try to make difficult times more manageable for the little ones in your life. Check out our blog at: http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com