Prudent Prepping: the Bat Belt Returns!

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

This is a work-in-progress post as I see how I make all the things I may want to carry actually line up with the things I need to carry. Your prayers are appreciated.

Adding to the Stuff
In my post last week, I mentioned trying to fit more stuff into a small space and how it wasn't working. So far, I'm doing okay.

First Try

Initial load

Here's everything I want to carry, at least for now. Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

• H&H Compression Bandage
• Adventure Medical Clotting Sponge
• CAT Tourniquet
• Maxpedition EDC bag
• Benchmade Rescue Hook
• AAA Flashlight
• Small roll of duct tape
• 2pr disposable gloves
• Alcohol wipes

Initial Placement

Half Way

Right Flap
Folding the tourniquet was a bit difficult, since the Velcro had to be re-re-redone to make it fit into the right pocket. The AAA flashlight fits perfectly into the elastic loops.

Left Flap
The rescue hook is also mounted in a less than optimal way, but as there are no MOLLE straps inside, I made it work. The compression bandage and clotting sponge are stacked together in the left pocket.


Done, Maybe?

Last Bits

The last items to go in are 2 pairs of gloves and alcohol wipes inside a zip lock bag next to the tourniquet on the right, and 20 feet of duct tape wound on a pencil in the left pocket.

I need to wear this more that 5 days to see if I can tolerate something fractionally wider than the previous case.


Recap And Takeaway

• I want to have a little more gear with me, but I'm still unsure if I like the added bulk.
• Nothing was purchased for this post, but I did buy two more of my favorite mini flashlights -- now improved with 3 brightness levels! The Hatori Mini LED in a 2 pack, $9.99 with Prime! Review coming soon.

* * *

Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.

Electrical Definitions

Lokidude

New Neighbors Neighborly?

This week we’re wrapping up room in the new ladies in. I discuss a strategy that I used, and show the fruits of that labor.

Product Review: Fuzion Digital Pocket Scale

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

I recently had a mix-up with my ammunition supplies where I could not tell the difference between several magazines' worth of 55 grain .223 ammo and several others magazines' worth of 40 grain .223 ammo. In order to sort out this issue I decided to invest in a digital scale.

I will admit that digital scales aren't specifically prepping items; they are fragile and electronic and you will rarely need precise weight measurements of small objects in a disaster scenario. I do however consider it a prepping adjacent item; in this case, a tool which enables me to prepare more effectively. In my case, I use it to weigh ammunition; bullet weight is an important factor in ballistics, and unfortunately that data is not written on each cartridge. If I were into reloading ammunition I would definitely weigh every cartridge I loaded to insure I hadn't accidentally used too much or too little powder. I'm certain there are other uses for such scale for people who perform precision crafting/repair work or who engage in ultralight camping.

Whatever your hobbies, I'm sure there have been times when you wanted a precise measurement of something that's too small to be weighed on a bathroom scale. To that end I recommend to you the Fuzion Digital Pocket Scale ($17.99 at Amazon with Prime shipping).

https://amzn.to/2S1aFfs

 

What I like about it:

• Affordable
• 4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon with 1,550 ratings
• Has a 50 gram weight for calibration
• Comes with batteries (not essential, but a nice gesture)
• Has a tare function
• Measures in 6 separate units: grams, ounces, grains, carats, pennyweights (dwt) and troy ounces (ozt).

That last point is what really sealed the deal for me; I specifically needed a scale which measured in grains. I don't really need to measure anything in carats, pennyweights and troy ounces, but it's nice to know that I can if I want.

What I dislike about it:

• The magnet does not adequately secure the lid closed
• Doesn't seem rugged enough for the "pocket" claim. 

I would never, ever put this in my pocket. I would, however, feel comfortable putting this inside a briefcase or other piece of luggage and expect it to survive the trip. If you plan to do this, please do not throw away the piece of foam which stabilizes the weight table for shipping!

My Recommendation: A+

If you need an affordable digital scale which only measures to two decimal points and can measure up to 200 grams (7 ounces), then you can't go wrong with this small, affordable scale. Just don't toss it into your backpack or tuck it into your jeans pocket. 

Feral Food?

For the last several decades, feral hogs have been spreading in the USA. Originally farm animals, they have gone feral and started breeding with the wild boars imported years ago as game animals. This interbreeding has created a potentially dangerous animal that is slowly spreading northward from the southern tier of states. We haven't seen them in the upper Midwest yet, but they've made it to Missouri and Kansas. Reports out of Canada have small herds wandering around in British Columbia and Manitoba, and both Texas and Oklahoma have serious problems with them.

A few points to ponder:

• Feral pigs will destroy crops overnight and they're known to attack small or sick livestock and pets. They're voracious omnivores and will compete with humans for food, so if you're relying on growing your own you will want to keep an eye open for them.
• Being close to the size and construction of humans, pigs are very good at spreading diseases. They are a common vector for our annual flu and several other diseases, and this is one of the reasons we have to cook pork thoroughly to avoid illness. Pigs also carry a variety of parasites that are quite happy to transfer to humans.
• Pig reproduce like rabbits. Starting at 3-6 months of age a female pig will drop at least two litters of 5-10 piglets every year until she dies. With very few predators able to take on a herd of hogs, they spread quickly. Unless you can harvest them at least as fast as they reproduce, a herd of wild pigs will quickly strip an area of food and move on to greener fields.
• Pigs are smart and adaptable, and will lose their "normal" coloring and start to grow fur soon after they get out of captivity. Those born in the wild will start to look more like their wild boar ancestors with razor-sharp tusks and hooves. They also become more aggressive and have little fear of  anything smaller than themselves.
• Many states have declared feral pigs a "non-game" animal and there are no seasons or limits, but others have regulations, so check your local laws if you decide to go looking for them. Most hog hunters use dogs to track and catch wild hogs, and it's not unusual for the hog to kill a dog or two before its killed. Sows with piglets and boars are very dangerous to be around, so find a way to kill them from a distance. 
• Pigs have one weakness: electricity. It doesn't take much current to kill a pig; a lot less than it takes to kill a human, in fact. Something that we'd feel as a tingle of electricity will stop a pig's heart. I've known farmers to lose dozens of pigs due to a faulty light switch in a shed. 
• Hunting pigs with a firearm or bow isn't much different than any other game, but being able to hit them in a vital area can be a bit of a challenge because they're closer to the ground than a deer. They have a fairly thick skull, so I'd avoid head shots with smaller calibers. Just like most other game, hearts and lungs are the main target areas.
• I won't bother listing recipes for pork; we've been eating them for a long time, and regional tastes vary. Younger pigs will be more tender and less "gamey", while older boars will be almost inedible due to the rank odor of the meat. If you get hungry enough, though, you'll find a way to eat it.

Whether you're protecting your crops and critters or actively hunting them, wild pigs are a food source to consider in the southern half of the USA. Give them a few years and they'll be up in the grain belt, and that's when things are going to get really interesting.

Prudent Prepping: Fighting the Bat Belt

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

I've long fought the temptation to overload myself with gear, both carried on me and collected for various uses. Seriously, I truly hate carrying stuff on my belt, even if it is amazingly useful and potentially life saving gear. It's like those amazing videos people make of 500,000 dominoes laid out in some cavernous space, just waiting to be bumped: there's "just one more item", and then I need to have a bigger, longer, wider belt pouch, and then before you know it I'm Batman with a thick utility belt that's nothing but pouches.

However, I recently discovered a legitimate reason to carry a little bit more gear in a slightly larger belt pouch.

North American Rescue 7 Hook Strap Cutter

https://amzn.to/3cnniL8

From the Amazon ad:

• Saves time – more than 1.5 minutes faster than traditional trauma shears when cutting 2 articles of clothing.
• Extensively tested and widely used by the US military for medical and egress purposes.
• Maintains sharpness for hundreds of cuts (up to 500+ cuts through seatbelt test material).
• 440C cutting surface and opening with varying handles to provide a more compact carry or more leverage
• Includes a MOLLE-compatible carrying sheath, MFG: BENCHMADE

This seems a little small to cause any problems, right? Not if you're trying to squeeze it into an already tight space. I was trying to add it to my Maxpedition PLP belt pouch mentioned here. I couldn't make it fit into the case with the tourniquet, quick clot and compression bandage.
This led me to look up the advice of the person whose setup I copied and a recent comment he made about occasionally using a slightly larger bag. This led me back to Maxpedition and their small bag page, where I found the next bag (dominoes I tell you!) I will be carrying:

Maxpedition E.D.C. Pocket Organizer 

https://tinyurl.com/y3pq39w6

From the Maxpedition page:

"If it's hard to find, it's hard to use. Kill the clutter and keep it together with Maxpedition Pocket Organizers: portable multi-tool managers that can be packed, carried or easily secured to the PALS webbing exterior of your Maxpedition bag. Instantly recognizable by their large front mesh pockets and oversized carry handles, these practical utility packs come in 5 different sizes with multiple solutions to help keep you organized."

Here's the spec of the bags I ordered. (Yes, I did say bags, plural, more than one. Just wait a moment and I'll explain.)

• Full clamshell opening main compartment with dual zips
• Inside left: Slip pocket; key ring; elastic organizer with 9 divisions
• Inside right: Slip pocket; tie-down loop; elastic organizer with 6 divisions
• Front exterior: 2" x 3" loop field for patches; mesh slip pocket with hook-and-loop closure
• Back exterior: Oversized handle; attachment webbing
• MOLLE compatible
• Attach using two (2) 3" TacTie® Attachment Straps (sold separately)
• Main compartment: 5"(L) x 1"(W) x 7"(H)

This particular model is virtually the same length as the existing case but now wider, allowing me to fit the strap/clothing cutter inside. And maybe some other things, if I'm careful to not overload it.

Now, why did I buy two bags you ask? Because Maxpedition is (apparently) closing out this style bag in a Buy One, Get One sale!
Seriously, go and check out the selection of small bags there... you might find something you really need (as opposed to only want)!

Recap And Takeaway

• With careful planning, the ability to carry more necessary and useful items doesn't mean having to carry another belt bag; it can just mean carrying a slightly bigger bag.
• The E.D.C. Pocket Organizer was purchased directly from Maxpedition. 2 bags for the price of one! ($26.99)
• I bought the seriously cool North American Rescue 7 Hook Strap Cutter by Benchmade with MOLLE ready sheath from Amazon for $19.99 with Prime. Unfortunately, this item is now sold out. Sorry! (Editrix's Note: it can currently be bought from the Benchmade store on Amazon for $38 with Prime shipping.)

* * *

Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.

Series, Parallel, and Combo Battery Wiring

For those who aren't clear on the difference between volts and amps, there is a handy guide to electrical terminology here.





.

Lokidude