In This Day and Age, Self-Reliance and Preparation Skills Are for Everybody

By Matt Deutsch, Guest Writer Let me tell you why, even though I don’t necessarily enjoy camping or relish the outdoors, I am actively working toward improving my self-reliance skills.In 2007, I was at the library and I saw a book that caught my eye. The book was titled Crash Proof: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse, and …

What’s the Best Flashlight to Buy?

With Flashlight technology is changing so fast I’m not sure what is the best flashlight to buy.  What is your opinion?   You absolutely right with you comment on the technology with flashlights changing very fast, however the industry is running into a wall that they may not be able to get past anytime soon….that wall is HEAT and POWER …

Tricks to Make Yourself More Likeable and Charming (for when SHTF)

OK, SHTF, people gather up in small groups for safety, protection and sanity.  Your on your own but prefer to join a group.  It sure would be helpful if they “liked you” and found you “charming” on top of any skills or benefits you bring with you for their group.  Here”s how to get them to “like you” a little …

What’s a “Lumen” and how does it relate to Flashlights?

(Editor’s note: Welcome to the next installment of our “Ask a Survival Guy” series of blog posts. We encourage you to submit a question. The founder of Midwest Native Skills, Tom Laskowski, might just answer it as part of this regular feature!) Question: I want to buy a flashlight, but the advertisements I see all talk about something called “lumens.” …

Picking the Right Survival Gun for Your Bug Out Bag

There are a few topics that are so controversial and that they should not be discussed at the holiday dinner table. Those topics are politics, religion, and survival guns (including caliber and type of gun) you should carry.  The debate typically ranges from stopping power vs. weight of the extra ammunition, accuracy of the weapon vs. size, and ease of …

How Sayings and Proverbs of the Past Can Help You With a Weather Forecast

Today with the 24-hour news cycle, getting a current weather report is no more challenging than turning on the television. But how often are those forecasts wrong? Or what if there is NO television to turn on, like when you’re on a five-day hiking trip. Then what?  In a survival situation, knowing what the weather will be like tomorrow may …