Category: Prepping

Posted in Prepping

Why Knowing How to Defend Your Family Is Critical in a Disaster

Posted on by holyhomestead

When disaster strikes, people’s true nature is revealed. Some will come together, helping neighbors and strengthening their communities. But history has shown that when resources become scarce—when food, water, and safety are no longer guaranteed—there will always be those who turn to desperation, violence, and looting.

If you’ve taken the time to prepare, stockpile supplies, and secure your home, you’re ahead of the curve. But that also means you could become a target for those who failed to prepare. This is why knowing how to defend your family and safely using firearms is not just a right—it’s a responsibility.

Why Defense Skills Matter in a Disaster

In a collapse scenario, law enforcement may be stretched too thin or may not come at all. When seconds count, you won’t have time to call for help. The responsibility for your family’s safety falls entirely on you.

Here’s why self-defense skills and firearms training should be part of every prepper’s plan:

1. Desperate People Do Desperate Things

Disaster changes people. When grocery stores are empty and desperation sets in, even normally law-abiding citizens can become a threat. If your home is known to be stocked with food, water, and supplies, you could quickly become a target.

Having the means and ability to defend your home could be the difference between keeping your family safe or becoming another victim of looters.

2. A Gun Is Only as Good as Your Training

Simply owning a firearm isn’t enough. In a high-stress situation, if you haven’t trained, you could fumble, freeze, or worse—cause harm to yourself or a loved one.

Regular firearms training, dry-fire practice, and situational drills will help you:
• Build muscle memory so you can respond without hesitation.
• Improve accuracy under pressure.
• Learn proper safety measures to avoid accidents.
• Understand when and when not to use force.

Training isn’t just about shooting; it’s about developing the mindset to handle life-or-death situations calmly and effectively.

3. Operational Security (OPSEC) Is Just as Important as Firearms

One of the biggest mistakes new preppers make is telling too many people about their stockpile.

Think about it—if your neighbors, friends, or even extended family know you have months of food, medical supplies, and gear, where do you think they’ll go when they’re hungry and desperate?

Even if they don’t mean harm, word travels fast. All it takes is one person mentioning your preparedness to the wrong person, and suddenly, your home is on the list of places to raid.

Keep your prepping low-key. Only a trusted inner circle should know exactly what you have. If someone asks about your preparedness, keep it vague—“We have a few things set aside, just in case.”

How to Secure Your Home Against Looters

Beyond firearms training, it’s important to harden your home against intrusion. A layered defense gives you time to react and deters criminals from choosing your home in the first place.

• Physical barriers: Reinforced doors, security film on windows, and motion-detecting lights.
• Alarm systems: Battery-powered or solar security systems to alert you to intruders.
• Defensive positioning: Understand where to take cover in your home if shots are fired.
• Community awareness: If possible, have a trusted network of neighbors who can look out for each other.

Stay Ready, Stay Smart

Being prepared isn’t just about stocking up—it’s about having the skills to protect what you’ve built. A well-trained, well-prepared person is far less likely to become a victim.

Firearms are a tool, and like any tool, they must be used with knowledge, respect, and responsibility. Combine your training with strong OPSEC and home security measures, and you’ll greatly increase your chances of keeping your family safe in an emergency.

Prepare wisely. Train often. And remember—what people don’t know, they can’t come for.

Follow us on Instagram for regular updates, upcoming Skills & Drills events and more resources to help you get prepared.

Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 9

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding (see pt 4)
5. Fire/Heat Source (see pt 5)
6. First Aid (see pt 6)
7. Hygiene (see pt 6)
8. Tools (see pt 7)
9. Lighting (see pt 8)
10. Communications (see pt 8)
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Protection and Self-Defense

Having a gun for protection goes without say. You don’t necessarily need to keep this in your Bug Out Bag but if it is not on your body as an every day carry (EDC), it should be in an easily accessible place to grab as you go, same as your boots. If you choose not to carry under normal circumstances you may want to have a firearm in your bug out bag as well as a holster, magazines, and ammunition.

We understand laws are different in different areas/regions, but in a SHTF scenario that requires you to BUG OUT, that all goes out the window and your main priority should be survival and sustainment. Bug out situations can be a little more volatile than normal circumstances. We’re not saying to go on a rampage and be violent toward people you come across, but a gun could save your life if you encounter large game such as a bear, or someone who is truly irate and intends to do harm to you or your family. It could also be used for hunting if necessary in a long-term bug out situation.

Gel Pepper Spray is also a good option to keep in your BOB.

Pepper Spray
Non Lethal Projectiles

Miscellaneous Supplies

You may want a few extra items in your bag in case you are not able to return to home base such as identification, passports, cash, conceal carry license, vaccination records, keys, or extra glasses if you wear corrective lenses.

We keep a couple bottles of Oxygen and a Fire Extinguisher near our bags. While they are not exactly necessary, we choose to keep these on hand and have used them from time to time. They don’t take much space and are very light weight. Toilet paper is also not a necessity, but can be a nice thing to have in a bug out situation to make yourself feel more “human” which helps keep you calm and rational.

Oxygen
Fire Extinguisher

Many people think they just need to throw everything and the kitchen sink into their bag and forget about it. That is absolutely the wrong way to think! Only pack the items you need and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM to keep your bag at a manageable weight. Keep a close relationship with your BOB and make sure electronics are charged at all times and ready to go and food is rotated to keep as fresh as possible with long shelf life items. Finally, keep relevant clothing items within your bag that are weather appropriate and fit comfortably.

In the event you do have to grab your BOB and hit the road, you most likely will have at least a few minutes to gather your items and go. However, expect these minutes to be high-stress and probably a little chaotic. It would be good to periodically consider the additional items you would want to grab before you bug out. Maybe grab an extra bag to throw items from your pantry into or an extra sleeping bag that can be rolled up and attached to the outside of your bag. Your bag is never truly “complete” we just urge you to have a plan and have a bag ready to go with the basic categories covered.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 8

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding (see pt 4)
5. Fire/Heat Source (see pt 5)
6. First Aid (see pt 6)
7. Hygiene (see pt 6)
8. Tools (see pt 7)
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Lighting

How many times has the power gone out in your neighborhood? Most people don’t think much of it because the power is typically restored within hours. What if this weren’t the case. Imagine the entire town is out of power for days… or even weeks. You should always be prepared for this possibility, it has happened around the world more than we realize.

You should always have backup lighting and be sure to check that lighting is in working order regularly. Battery operated lanterns are a great choice for lighting your home in an emergency. Each member of the family should have their own headlamp, a small lantern or a flashlight, and glow sticks or bracelets within their emergency bags.

Headlamp
Flashlight

There are many great multi-function options with built in chargers, radios, solar panels, hand cranks and more.

On of our favorite lantern options for a bug out bag is the Streamlight Seige X Rechargeable Lantern. This fits great in a bug out bag and provides 360° of light. It is also waterproof to 1m submersion and has 4.5 hours on a full charge.

Lantern
Lantern

Another great compact lantern option is the Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern. This offers dimmable output and can run for over 500 hours in the lowest setting. It has a USB charging port to charge other electronics as well.

Communication

In a SHTF situation with the grid down, cell phones will not have signal. Make sure your family knows how to utilize satellite radios, or handheld radios to communicate with each other. Also having a plan in place on where to meet goes hand-in-hand with communication preparation.

HAM Radios are a great option, but they do take more knowledge and time to set up. They are much more beneficial if you take the time to learn them though. Once they are set up, you are good to go! However, if you want a simpler option, there are many great options available.

In addition to communicating within the family or community around you, you will also want to be able to receive any transmissions from emergency personnel or city authorities to keep updated on the situation. Assure your radios are always charged and ready to go. It’s also helpful to keep them stored in your BOB within a faraday bag, for extra protection.

HAM Radio
Multi-Function Radio

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

Matthew 5:16
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 7

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding (see pt 4)
5. Fire/Heat Source (see pt 5)
6. First Aid (see pt 6)
7. Hygiene (see pt 6)
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Tools

Tools are very important items that some people may overlook or not think they need, while others will get carried away with unnecessary items. Being in an “off grid” situation will require tasks that are completely out of the normal daily routine for the vast majority of modern society. Without the proper tools, even the simplest of survival duties can be extremely difficult, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. A small assortment of specialized tools is a critical addition to every BOB.

Survival Knife: Your survival knife is without question one of the top three most important items in your BOB. (An ignition device and a metal container are the other top two.) For many, choosing a survival knife is a very personal decision. With thousands of knives on the market, the choice can be somewhat overwhelming. Don’t be fooled by what you see in the movies. The fancy knives seen in survival movies are more for prop collectors than for real survivalists. By design, a survival knife should be fairly simple. Full tang is most trusted and preferred by most survivalist. Full Tang means the metal knife blade and handle are made from one solid piece of metal. The metal handle is then sandwiched with knife scales to form a grip. You don’t need a fancy, flashy knife. Again, keep it simple. Also you want to make sure it’s a well made knife, and sometimes that might be a bit on the pricey side, but you do NOT want your knife to fail you at any point. I’ve had my fair share of cheap knives that looked cool but were absolute crap.

Knife
Knife

Your knife is probably the most multifunction piece in your entire BOB; its list of survival uses are endless. You don’t know how much you need a good, sharp cutting tool in a survival situation until you don’t have one. Some tasks a knife can assist you with include cutting, hunting, dressing game, hammering shelter anchors, digging, self-defense, splitting/chopping, making fire, carving, signal mirror (if blade is polished steel), building shelter, and food preparation.

Multi-Tool: A good multi-tool is like having a compact, lightweight toolbox in your BOB. Many multi-tools have up to ten different tools built into one unit. Like your knife, these tools can and will be used for countless tasks in a survival environment. The sky is the limit with all of the situations you could face during a disaster Bug Out. Having a small assortment of tools on hand can save you valuable time—not to mention wear and tear on your body. I’ve always tried to live by the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” Tools allow you to do this.

Multitool
Multitool

Hatchet: When it’s time to chop wood, you would be grateful to have a hatchet on hand. Some people may chose a machete for this task or try to use their survival knife; however a hatchet or an axe is the safer option and the proper tool for the job. The butt can also double as a hammer and as mentioned before, items with multiple purposes are always preferred. A hatchet can cut wood, branches, and foliage as well as break up hard ground or be used for digging if absolutely necessary.

Hatchet
Hatchet

If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, you might consider packing a lightweight collapsible snow shovel in your BOB during the winter months. You can remove it in your summer season review if you wish, just remember to put it back before the next snow season. The ability to shovel deep snow may prove to be an invaluable survival option. Several manufacturers sell pack shovels designed for climbers and mountaineers that are surprisingly compact and lightweight.

Snow Shovel
Shovel/pickaxe

Our pre-made Survival Kits in our shop include a survival knife, hunting knife, hatchet, convertible shovel/pickaxe, and a multi-tool. I will point out, we are not certified experts, but we have done extensive research as well as consulted with numerous experts in order to provide the best educational information possible. We have tried and trust all the items we recommend throughout our blog and include in our Survival Kits. We still encourage you all to do your own due diligence and find the tools that are appropriate for you and your family. Having an all-out bug out bag with top of the line product does not mean you are guaranteed to survive whatever situation you find yourself in. The intention is to help you get through a bug out scenario if the need arises. As we have stated many times, you need to know how to use your tools. Knowledge is your most essential survival item! If you do not learn how to use your items effectively and practice using them regularly, all the bug out bags in the world probably won’t be able to help you.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.

2 Corinthians 10:4
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 6

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding (see pt 4)
5. Fire/Heat Source (see pt 5)
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

First Aid

First aid is a tough topic because there are so many misleading products out there with “done for you” bags or kits that truly are not well-suited for a survival situation, therefore they are not recommended for a bug out bag. While a premade “first aid kit” could be a great additional bag to keep in your vehicle or in your home, we refer to them as “boo-boo kits” because they are typically a bag full of bandages, a few topicals, and a couple oral medication. That’s great to have handy on a day-to-day basis, but if sh*t really hit the fan, you could encounter the need for much more than a bandage. We hope to never need more, but it’s better to have the tools in case you do, and know how to use them.

We recommend having a first aid kit and a trauma kit if you are going the route of pre-made product. Then you can add additional items such as any personal medication and antibiotics. Antibiotics are often over-looked but if you sustain an injury, there is a good chance infections can occur and there may not be a pharmacy available. Make sure they are contained in a waterproof container and desiccant bags to keep them fresh. Just as you would check on your food and water annually, you should also check on your medication that is kept in your BOB. As mentioned before, building a BOB is never “done,” you should have a tight relationship with your BOB and spend time together periodically.

First Aid Kit
Trauma Kit

Hygiene

Sometimes hygiene is disregarded because people don’t feel it is essential. However, if you go without for an extended period of time, you could be at risk for bacterial infections which will lead to a rapid deterioration in your health. This doesn’t mean you need to bring an extravagant array of soaps and skin product, just a few useful items can go a long way and keep you at your best. Basic hygiene routines will also help keep your sense of normalcy which will keep you clear-minded.

We keep our hygiene items pretty simple:
Wet napkins
Hand sanitizer
All-purpose camp soap
Hygiene/signal mirror
Small pack towel
Travel toilet paper
Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste

Soap
Body Wipes
Towel
Mirror

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.

Ezekiel 36:25
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 5

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding (see pt 4)
5. Fire
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Fire / Heat Source

Fire is an essential item when bugging out, or even sheltering in place. When it comes to fire, We cannot emphasize enough the mindset of “two is one and one is none”. You should have multiple means of starting fire as well as tinder, and know how to use them all! We recommend having 3 methods in your BOB. They don’t need to take up much space, and can be a difference of life or death. If you don’t have a backup method to make fire and your primary fails, you are in a world of trouble. Get out in your backyard or somewhere safe and take some time to practice making fire with different methods. Getting a flame is only half the battle, you will need to know how to maintain that blaze with your tinder and build it to a functional size with dry wood.

Waterproof Lighter
Fire Starting kit

Some simple fire starters that shouldn’t have much of a learning curve would be a lighter and matches. You should still get familiar with maintaining the fire and practice this skill. We also recommend getting waterproof matches and lighter or at least storing them in a waterproof container. Another fire starter would be a ferrocerium rod (also known as ferro rod). We have found a favorite option that also includes some rope for tinder and decided to include them in our pre-made Survival Kits, which are found in our shop.

Ferro Rod
Matches

There are many options on the market for tinder; some will work better than others in different situations. Keep in mind, if you find yourself in a disaster such as a hurricane where everything is left wet, you will need to have something dry to burn. For this reason, we are big fans of “fat wood” or “fat rope” which will catch easily and continue to burn longer than an untreated piece of wood or rope. You can also make your own with common items such as cotton balls, petroleum jelly, melted wax, or dried orange peels.

Fatwood
FatRope

Your fire starter needs to be completely weather-proof, reliable, and above all, you need to know how to use it. As every good outdoorsman knows, we are to “leave everything as you found it”, which means not leaving behind hazardous or unnatural material. Fire tinder gathered from the ground, like leaves or pinecones is eco-friendly. However, rather than taking a chance on gathering dry materials, we like to keep some tinder in our bag, ready to go. This also helps having a longer burn duration, which allows a more powerful flame in order to catch the wood before your tinder burns out.

We are happy to assist anyone that would like to learn how to use ferro rods or how to make and maintain fire. Feel free to reach out through the links provided.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

Their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

1 Corinthians 3:13
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 4

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing (see pt 3)
4. Shelter and Bedding
5. Fire
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Shelter and Bedding

I’m sure most of you that have read this far have been camping at some point in your lives. Or at least “Glamping”, a more glamorous way of camping with all the creature comforts of home, such as an air mattress and nice tent with picnic tables and many other things. Well in a bug out situation, it wont really be ideal to carry all those big heavy things or even have them at the ready. Now in the prepper world, shelter is a heavily debated topic. Some people are perfectly fine just sleeping in the dirt and rocks maybe with a tarp thrown over them, or a makeshift ground pad made of a trash bag filled with leaves. I personally can’t do that without being in excruciating pain and discomfort, making it impossible to get any rest. Needless to say, proper rest is just as important to survival as your tools. Being well-rested will keep you mentally and physically prepared, which also helps morale.

Some simple bedding options that I suggest are a lightweight hammock, or a roll up yoga mat. These are easy to roll out whenever needed, even if it’s just to take a quick nap or rest. I like to use the small blow up mats. They’re small, lightweight and super easy to pack. Another important item to include in your BOB that does not require much space would be Mylar blankets. I recommend you throw a few of these in your BOB, we include at least 2 in our all of our pre-made Survival Kits. If desired, you can also include a wool blanket or sleeping bag. These items would take up more space in your bag though, so it is better suited for a BOB that has external buckle straps. This way you can roll up the blanket or sleeping bag and secure it to the outside of your BOB.

Hammock
Air Mat

The shelter needs to also be lightweight and packable. These are two primary concerns. As with all of your items in your BOB, quality is crucial. Your shelter needs to be tested and proven to withstand extreme conditions that you could potentially be up against. I highly suggest trying it out in your backyard or on a camping trip to make sure it suits your needs. Your shelter should be quick and easy to set up, even in low light conditions. Take some time to set up and tear down at least a couple times to familiarize yourself with your setup and assure you can do it unassisted. It should not be dependent on certain environmental crutches, you may not get your ideal terrain to set up camp every night. Again, a lot of options will depend on your abilities and needs. Here are a few I’ve tried and highly recommend.

Tent
Tent

If you choose a tarp-type shelter, you need to purchase a lightweight nylon tarp specifically designed for camping and backpacking. These are much better for a BOB. They are thin, water repellent, durable and quiet to use. Many experienced survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts prefer a tarp shelter because of its simplicity. Though simple, a tarp shelter can be configured in a variety of sets, depending on what is needed. There are many YouTube videos teaching people the different ways to quickly and efficiently set these up.

Tent
Wool Blanket

When you are limited in the amount of resources you can pack, the ability to use an item for multiple functions is a value add to any piece of gear. A lightweight, waterproof tarp is a multifunctional survival item that can be used in a variety of ways in addition to shelter and does not take up much space in your BOB. A tarp can be a very valuable piece in your BOB.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:5
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 3

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration (see pt 1)
2. Food and Food Preparation (see pt 2)
3. Clothing
4. Shelter and Bedding
5. Fire
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Clothing

There’s a lot to consider when packing your BOB clothing and it will vary, depending on your location. Some of you might live in a very cold climate and some in a very hot climate, or you could have both. It’s good to keep in mind that you might need to alternate what clothing you have in your BOB throughout the year depending on the season, for those of you who have extreme seasons. It is always good to have at least one long sleeve shirt and multiple pairs of socks regardless of the weather though. The full coverage protects you from weather exposure and insects.

Although the specific clothes you should pack will differ, it goes for everyone that they will need to be durable and most importantly, comfortable! Rip stop fabric would be the best option. If you don’t know what that is, I highly suggest taking a brief moment to check it out! I also highly recommend NOT having any type of jean material; denim is your worst enemy when wet. Use light weight wool blends wherever possible or polyester nylon blends. You’ll be happy you did, trust me.

Rip Stop Pants
Rain Poncho

One item that I feel gets overlooked a lot is a Shemagh (pronounced shuh-maag). A Shemagh is a large square scarf worn primarily in the desert regions of the world to protect ones face from the sun, wind, and sand. It’s an item widely used by American and British troops serving in the Middle East. The Shemagh is much more than just a head and face wrap. It’s probably the most multifunctional survival item I have ever owned with literally hundreds of uses. It makes an excellent BOB addition. It is so lightweight and can be carried on your persons or in your BOB. I keep multiple in mine; definitely a must have item. You can find these in many different colors also, which is always fun. If you need more convincing, here are just a few things a Shemagh can be used for, while taking hardly any room in your BOB:
1. Face and Head protection from elements
2. Arm sling for first aid if arm is injured
3. Wrapping it around your waist and using as an extra pack
4. Filtering water
5. A bandage if there is nothing else

Shemagh
Boonie Hat

A light weight, crushable, brimmed hat is a good idea also and can be paired nicely with a Shemagh. It will help protect your head as well as your face from the elements, such as sun, wind, and rain. These hats are often referred to as a “Boonie” hat. Another item I have on me, or in my vehicle at all times, is a large rain poncho. It’s a military style rain poncho and can be used as an emergency survival shelter, and many other uses. One being obviously to keep you from getting wet, but also from the sun or other extreme elements.

In a survival situation, the ability to use your fingers and hands is crucial. Almost every survival function requires good hand coordination and dexterity; using a knife, lighting a fire, tying knots, preparing food, administering first aid, etc. Nothing will cripple your hand like cold-weather. Pack gloves! You can find a good pair of 100% wool gloves at almost any army surplus store. They are pretty cheap and will help tremendously when the time comes that you need them. Cold-weather gloves are anther important item, regardless of your locations weather. You do not want to skimp on these and risk frostbite to your extremities. You never think you need them, until you do. A pair of cold-weather gloves should always be in your BOB during the winter season. I have Viktos gloves and absolutely love them.

Viktos Gloves
Wool Gloves

Moving down the body, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have proper foot protection. If you are bugging out on foot, your feet are your only means of transportation. If your feet give out and you can’t walk, your bug out is over. You’re stuck wherever you are. Take care of your feet and they will take care of you. Wool socks or a blend of synthetic wool socks are by far your best bet. I have learned the hard way and will always have at least 2 pairs on me at all times. I prefer the brand SmartWool; they are a little more expensive but well worth it! Wool excels in harsh environments because of its durability and resiliency.

As for your boots, if you’re a hiker or have been in the military then you know just how important it is to have a good pair of boots on your feet! You will definitely need to have a pair of durable, waterproof, ankle high, hiking boots. These don’t need to be packed inside your bag but should be kept very close to it as you will be wearing these boots in the event of a bug out. Oh, and please make sure they’re broken in. There’s nothing worse than going on a long hike without first breaking in those new pair of boots. You could potentially be walking for several days with a 30 pound BOB on your back. Your boots should be broken in, tested, proven, and comfortable. There are many different styles and brands that will work just fine. I personally have gone through many different pairs in my life, including some boots that have been very expensive and fell apart on me within the first few months of use. So expensive doesn’t always mean better. I would highly recommend the brand Viktos, they are by far my favorite boots I’ve ever owned and had a very quick break-in period. I have definitely put them to the test and can personally guarantee they are “bad-a** approved!” They have a wide variety with all kinds of footwear. Not to mention they look pretty awesome too! I like the black camo.

Socks
Viktos Boots

Thoughtful preparation and planning is absolutely necessary if you expect to survive the extreme elements. If you live in an area prone to winter blizzards or snow storms, consider packing snow shoes. Heavy snowfall can be nearly impossible to travel in by foot. There are so many examples out there, but one that comes to mind is the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It forced thousands of people to bug out in freezing conditions. Many of these people fled into the mountains with only what they could carry. Like I’ve said earlier, your location has a lot to do with what you’ll be packing and how you’re going to pack your bag. You don’t want to be packing all kinds of cold weather gear if you’re living in a desert in Arizona with a very low chance of ending up in a freezing climate for your bug out destination.

Use common sense when choosing clothing for your immediate environment. If you have distinct seasons where you live, be sure to change out the clothing in your BOB to fit the season. I have a bag that I kept by my front door for years and when I went to check on it and had a look specifically at the clothing I found that I had put on some weight and most of it did not fit anymore so that’s another thing to keep in mind. Same goes for losing weight. It happens! Always know what’s in your BOB and make sure it is relevant and ready on a moments notice. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 2

Posted on by holyhomestead

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration
2. Food and Food Preparation
3. Clothing
4. Shelter and Bedding
5. Fire
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communication
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Food and Food Preparation

The best food to add to your bag are foods that are “open and eat” type with a long shelf life. Remember, your BOB is prepared in advance and all of these items need to be packed and at the ready for months at a time. All food should be sealed in durable, waterproof packages or resealable bags to prevent contamination and or spills in your pack. Choose foods that can be safely stored in your BOB for up to six months. Otherwise, you will need to review and replace your BOB food rations more frequently.

I personally like foods similar to “mountain house” camping style bagged food. All you do is add hot water to the bag and wait a few minutes and they’re ready to eat. You can also consider MREs (Meals ready to Eat). These are what our military use and usually consist of an entree, a large cracker, a small dessert, and a water activated chemical heat source. The only issue with MREs is their size and weight. They can take up a considerable amount of space and weigh your bag down quite a bit. I would recommend keeping a stockpile of these in a secure location or wherever you will be hunkering down, if possible. Your BOB should be just the bare essentials and light foods that you can tear into when needed such as energy bars, candy bars, and granola bars. Dry or dehydrated foods such as beef jerky are perfect to add to your bag too. They’re light and don’t take up much room. Dehydrated meals would be good too, but limit to one or two bags at most.

Cliff Bars
That’s It
Jerky

I’ve tried them all and the brand “Peak” is by far my favorite. Their breakfast skillet is mmm mmm good! These meals are super fast and easy to make. Truth be told, I’ve even had them at home for a quick meal. Keep in mind though, these meals are not your typical healthy option and some of them are not very tasty. In a survival situation, your focus is exactly that, survival, not culinary perfection. You will want to prioritize how heavy the supplies are and caloric intake for energy. The best solutions are packaged meals that can simply be opened and consumed with little to no preparation. Minimal prep work saves time and fuel resources. Save your organic, fresh food diet for normal and peaceful conditions, not disaster emergencies.

Peak
MRE
Mountain House

I like to add a few packs of baby purée pouches, apple sauce or any of the other many options of purée fruit and vegetables. They are usually found in the baby food isle at any box store. They are a perfect little snacks on the go with useful nutrients, but weigh more than the dry options and have a shorter shelf life. I’d also like to touch base on breastfeeding mothers with infants. For infants still on a liquid diet, breastfeeding is the obvious best option. It provides milk at the perfect temperature with no food preparation, heat source, or equipment. If breastfeeding is not an option, powdered formula is the next best thing. All your food needs to be checked regularly to keep your bag at optimal performance and ready to go without any problems such as leaks, tears or outdated food.

Regardless of how easy the food you pack is to prepare, it’s a good idea to include a simple cooking kit in your BOB. Having a cooking kit can help with a multitude of things, including boiling water to reconstitute dehydrated meals. You will also want to have a small metal pot and a utensil that can be used to stir and eat with. A small metal pot takes up very little room in your BOB because other items can be packed inside it to maximize the space. I usually add small insta-fire cubes and some of my favorite tinder, matches, or even a small Bic lighter. It is most advantageous to prepare wild caught meat and fish as a stew. This allows you to consume every last bit of nutrition including all the oils, fats, and juices, which are lost when meat is cooked over an open flame. Don’t pack any food that requires more than hot water for preparation. Anything more complicated is a waste of time, resources, and energy.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

Genesis 9:3
Posted in Prepping

Let’s Build A BOB, pt 1

Posted on by holyhomestead

Up to this point, building your own BOB has been fairly conceptual. From here on out, this is a hands on project. It’s time to start collecting gear to stock your BOB and begin understanding this gear. We will go over what is truly essential and how to use it; this is the fun part. There are twelve supply categories that need to be considered when stocking your Bug Out Bag. I’m going to talk through and cover each of these topics over the next few weeks. Some of you might see a few things listed and think, “Duh! That’s obvious,” but there are some things that I might be able to point out when choosing your specific product. My personal rule of thumb is that everything should have multiple purposes, and I’ll explain what I mean by that.

Before we get to the contents of your bag, you must consider the bag itself. It is important to use a good sturdy bag that will be comfortable to wear while walking for hours if the need arose. There are many good brands and I strongly encourage you to make sure it has YKK zippers, duraflex buckles, and cordura fabric. It is also a good idea to use a bag that does not look flashy. Do not display on your bag what it is or hint to what is inside. As I have stated before, it should keep a low profile. This is the bag I am currently using and love it! It’s made to last and can take a beating.

View on Amazon

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

1. Water and Hydration
2. Food and Food Preparation
3. Clothing
4. Shelter and Bedding
5. Fire
6. First Aid
7. Hygiene
8. Tools
9. Lighting
10. Communications
11. Protection and Self-Defense
12. Miscellaneous Supplies

Water and Hydration

Water is an obvious necessity for survival, but there are some things to consider when packing it in a SHTF scenario. Water is heavy, therefore you would not want to be carrying around a case of water bottles on your back. Though, I would not choose a plastic water bottle even if it might save a few grams in weight. Instead, I choose to have a metal canteen style bottle because it can be used to boil water if you need to disinfect some water you found that you’re not sure is safe to consume.

Canteen
Collapsible Container

I even wrap my metal water bottle with duct tape. Duct tape is a must! I like to wrap my bottle with at least 10-15 feet of duct tape. Not only does it help protect your bottle, but duct tape is an excellent multi use survival resource. It has hundreds of uses. Some of these include: first aid bandage, cordage and tarp, tent, or gear repairs. Wrapping your water bottle instead of packing an entire roll of tape saves you space and weight. I’d like to add that packing a collapsible soft container allows you to reduce bulk as water is used. Consume the water in this container first. When empty, they take up virtually no space and weigh just a few ounces. Make sure you have at least two ways of purifying water; purification tablets, and a hand pump filter for example.

You can always have a water bladder to insert in your BOB. They are typically used in a separate hydration pack alongside your BOB, but having it separated is not necessary, you could slip it right into your BOB along the back, they do not take up too much space. This is my favorite hydration pack that I use in addition to my BOB because it has multi-use functions such as the molle webbing.

Hydration Pack
Water Bladder

Again, it all depends on your preference, as long as you have multiple resources for water and filtering it. Remember, our bodies are made up of almost 90% water!

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).