SHTF in 127 Hours (Movie Review)

I just found the movie title, "127 Hours" on a survivalist forum thread featuring a list of movies with a survivalist/survivor theme. I bookmarked the thread page as there are a number of movies I haven't seen yet and that I hope to see soon. I don't want to forget which movies were suggested by other survivalists ('cos I'm still just a noob and need to be mentored by others on survival methods and information).


Wow, SHTF in this movie, 127 Hours, that's for sure!

127 Hours is the movie depiction from a real life survivor experience that Aron Ralston had in 2003. He wrote a book (memoir) about his experience called, "Between and Rock and a Hard Place," and from the movie depiction, this book title explains EXACTLY what Aron's real life situation was, the situation he had to survive.

Ralston was canyoneering (rock-climbing/hiking in a canyon area) in 2003, in a "slot canyon," when he suddenly slipped downward and a boulder dislodged from the crevice, falling with him. When he and the boulder both stopped, he was near a floor of the canyon but not quite to the bottom and one of his arms was wedged - literally - between a rock and a hard place!!! Ralston was essentially stuck in place by the boulder pinching his extremity between boulder and the crevice wall.

Even though I did a little basic research before I found this movie for viewing online, and I knew Ralston had obviously survived a life-threatening experience in order to write a memoir, this did NOT quell the SHTF SHOCK VALUE of the movie experience.

Although I have been interested in viewing films of all kinds for learning survivor techniques (or myths), I enjoyed this show even though it dealt with a very singular scenario. There aren't a whole repertoire of survivalist concepts conveyed here, but the film was definitely worth watching.

The Main Survivalist Points:

• ALWAYS tell someone where you are going
• Never give up

Those are the most pointed concepts this movie conveyed.

Mr. Ralston likely would have experienced less time in the canyon had he just TOLD SOMEONE where he was going. People knew he was going canyoneering and likely would have started looking for him pretty quickly after a set time period if he'd just told someone where he was going.

On the second point - he never gave up - thus was successful in surviving the life-threatening experience (at a COST!).

Here's a trailer:




I believe the movie title is an explanation of how long Ralston was away or else stuck in the canyon - so when you see the movie trailer, don't be fooled as the series of clips make it seem/sound like Ralston was trapped for a little over 24 hours. Really, he was stuck in the canyon, an extremity wedged between boulder and canyon wall - for several days!

General Rating (10/10)
SHTF Rating  (9/10)

moi~

Think Critically About The War You Don't See

I'm still trying to find decent, regular news/media sources that aren't lying all the time. While I was searching non-mainstream sources for general news today, I came across John Pilger's 2010 documentary, "The War You Don't See."

See John Pilger's Website here .

John Pilger has been questioning Western foreign policy for decades as a journalist, writing articles that question status quo and the way of things, and his documentary experience goes back all the way to 1970, with his "The Quiet Mutiny" documentary. Pilger, an Australian, has been involved in more than 60 documentary productions and is a strong critic speaking out against questionable content and structure of mainstream media sources.

One of his most recent projects, a documentary called "The War You Don't See" is a pointed investigation into how mainstream media presents news related to WAR... what mainstream sources do or don't show about war, how mainstream media writers, producers and announcers force the mood and such related to the stories (and I'm going to boldly call them STORIES, not News) they are conveying.

Watch the documentary:




How often are you tuning in to mainstream sources for general news, expecting to learn what is going on in the world?

Settle in - it's full length :)

moi~

Morse Code

You can transmit textual messages in emergency situations with Morse Code. Morse code can be understood via sound, sight, or even touch. Others who are familiar with this code (International and standardized since the early to mid-1800's. This code has been in mass use for going on to two hundred years.

Usually transmitted over long distances by electric telegraph equipment or radio methods, the code can also be useful in various situations:

By sight: using a flash light with a good battery to signal, also written as dashes and dots on paper to both send and receive (not every member of the general public knows this code, so you might be able to pass a secret message easily just by dashing - dotting on paper)
By sound: using a whistle or anything that makes noise over a long distance or rapping/knocking the code out on a pipe, wood, etc., so it can be heard ie: at a door, to another room in a building via pipes, etc.
By touch: rapping/knocking or POUNDING the code out to be felt along a pipe, train track, on a bridge - something that conducts well over a reasonable distance.

I'm not going to get into the history of this code 'cos this can easily and quickly be googled and looked up by anyone. I'll just explain, briefly, the representations of the code.

The code system uses dashes and dots only or short and long units only, then can be written down as the code is received, in pencil/writing marks of dashes and dots. The dashes and dots correspond to 26 letters of the English alphabet and the number series of 1 to 0 in a 10 number series, ei: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0.

Naturally, because this code needs transmitters to spell out words, it can be a time consuming process. It is advisable that if you're going to learn Morse, you PRACTICE it often until you can transmit (send the code/tap out the code) and receive (understand code messages, write them down) very quickly.

Morse code speed is a skill to be measured, honed and improved upon for anyone who is able to learn and practice using the code. The code is measured in WPM - Words Per Minute - just like typing is measured.  (lower in this post, I will provide some links for online sites set up for practicing Morse Code transmitting, receiving, understanding and using Morse Code with efficiency).

Length of time between dashes and dots is also IMPORTANT, so using this code really does take some practice for best results. There should be uniform spaces/pauses between transmitting a dot value or dash value.

Here's the code, taken from Wikipedia here.

I am just starting to practice this code, myself. It's one of the top things on my survivalist "To-do-before-the-SHTF" list. It's something that seems a little silly but that I know will come in handy very soon! Learning Morse Code is also something that doesn't take a lot of equipment to learn and it isn't going to cost me anything. I just need to arrange a time slot in my schedule dedicated for "morse code practice."

Here are some links to online Morse Code practice and info sites:

AA9PW .com - Morse Code

Learn CW Online (sign up free, learn, practice)

learn morse code .com

I signed up at the second website so that I will have my practices, wmp speed and everything recorded. I'll be able to visit the site for regular practice and be able to assess my progress with learning Morse Code.

Good luck with the code!

moi~

 

Ten Code Used By APCO

Association of Public(-Safety) Communications Officers (APCO) has an official code list for code numbers that represent common phrases used by law enforcement and other officials as well as by Citizen Band (CB) operators.

You've probably heard some of these in the movies (particularly in the 70's - remember the movies "Smokey and the Bandit," and "Convoy"?), or even in real life ie: Ten - Four (10 - 4) means "acknowledgement/OK" as in "I hear and understood that."

In a survival situation, it could happen that you'll need to know some of this stuff in order to understand communications around you or in order to communicate and convey messages, yourself.

There's nothing pretty about this list, so I'm just going to copy and paste it... it's around on various websites, blogs, etc., and is public domain information.
 

• 10-0 Caution
• 10-1 Unable to copy -- change location
• 10-2 Signal good
• 10-3 Stop transmitting
• 10-4 Acknowledgement (OK)
• 10-5 Relay
• 10-6 Busy -- stand by unless urgent
• 10-7 Out of service
• 10-8 In service
• 10-9 Repeat
• 10-10 Fight in progress
• 10-11 Dog case
• 10-12 Stand by (stop)
• 10-13 Weather -- road report
• 10-14 Prowler report
• 10-15 Civil disturbance
• 10-16 Domestic disturbance
• 10-17 Meet complainant
• 10-18 Quickly
• 10-19 Return to ...
• 10-20 Location
• 10-21 Call ... by telephone
• 10-22 Disregard
• 10-23 Arrived at scene
• 10-24 Assignment completed
• 10-25 Report in person (meet) ...
• 10-26 Detaining subject, expedite
• 10-27 Drivers license information
• 10-28 Vehicle registration information
• 10-29 Check for wanted
• 10-30 Unnecessary use of radio
• 10-31 Crime in progress
• 10-32 Man with gun
• 10-33 Emergency
• 10-34 Riot
• 10-35 Major crime alert
• 10-36 Correct time
• 10-37 (Investigate) suspicious vehicle
• 10-38 Stopping suspicious vehicle
• 10-39 Urgent -- use light, siren
• 10-40 Silent run -- no light, siren
• 10-41 Beginning tour of duty
• 10-42 Ending tour of duty
• 10-43 Information
• 10-44 Permission to leave ... for ...
• 10-45 Animal carcass at ...
• 10-46 Assist motorist
• 10-47 Emergency road repairs at ...
• 10-48 Traffic standard repair at ...
• 10-49 Traffic light out at ...
• 10-50 Accident (fatal, personal injury, property damage)
• 10-51 Wrecker needed
• 10-52 Ambulance needed
• 10-53 Road blocked at ...
• 10-54 Livestock on highway
• 10-55 Suspected DUI
• 10-56 Intoxicated pedestrian
• 10-57 Hit and run (fatal, personal injury, property damage)
• 10-58 Direct traffic
• 10-59 Convoy or escort
• 10-60 Squad in vicinity
• 10-61 Isolate self for message
• 10-62 Reply to message
• 10-63 Prepare to make written copy
• 10-64 Message for local delivery
• 10-65 Net message assignment
• 10-66 Message cancellation
• 10-67 Clear for net message
• 10-68 Dispatch information
• 10-69 Message received
• 10-70 Fire
• 10-71 Advise nature of fire
• 10-72 Report progress on fire
• 10-73 Smoke report
• 10-74 Negative
• 10-75 In contact with ...
• 10-76 En route ...
• 10-77 ETA (estimated time of arrival)
• 10-78 Need assistance
• 10-79 Notify coroner
• 10-80 Chase in progress
• 10-81 Breathalyzer
• 10-82 Reserve lodging
• 10-83 Work school xing at ...
• 10-84 If meeting ... advise ETA
• 10-85 Delayed due to ...
• 10-86 Officer/operator on duty
• 10-87 Pick up/distribute checks
• 10-88 Present telephone number of ...
• 10-89 Bomb threat
• 10-90 Bank alarm at ...
• 10-91 Pick up prisoner/subject
• 10-92 Improperly parked vehicle
• 10-93 Blockade
• 10-94 Drag racing
• 10-95 Prisoner/subject in custody
• 10-96 Mental subject
• 10-97 Check (test) signal
• 10-98 Prison/jail break
• 10-99 Wanted/stolen indicated

Growing up, I had a dad who was a trucker, so common codes I heard when I rode with him were: 10-4 (OK), 10-20 (location), 10-22 (disregard), 10-74 (negative), and 10-66 (message cancellation). Not many from the list, overall, but a few that stick from way back when.

This list was created sometime around the late 1930's, improved upon in the mid-70's, and has pretty much been a standard list in use since the 70's.

Tiny Homes On Wheels

Okay, so along with survavalist details, I am a horror movie (and zombie invasion survival) fan, and recently just became officially interested in the Tiny Home Movement... and not just in a small way.

Stay with me here - no don't roll your eyes. It just clicked with me - what Tiny Homes could mean to the idea of BUGGING OUT!

Wow, imagine taking your whole home with you. After all, many of the Tiny Homes I've been looking at on You Tube videos and have been reading about online are actually ON WHEELS! They're like sturdy real-house materials on a flat deck trailer. A little bigger than a BIG Motorhome - but built much sturdier with all the considerations one would give a permanent home.

Now if the crew on Walking Dead (TV Show about Zombie Apocalypse) had just a few vehicles and pulled tiny homes behind them, they wouldn't have to be worrying all time time about that Motorhome that keeps breaking down. They'd also be in really sturdy shelters with great mobility.

As anyone who watches the series (Walking Dead) realizes - the survivors rarely have trouble finding a good, working vehicle (and managing to find fuel, as well). They do, however, keep having trouble with the RV breaking down and then with Dale Horvath (Actor, Jeffrey DeMunn ) having to stop and strip non-RV units and make pieces fit to repair the ever-breaking-down RV.

So, yeah, this post is rather tongue in cheek but I must make the statement: If zombie survivors were to use Tiny Houses and regular vehicles, they'd be much better off!

(fictional Zombie survival information is FREAKISHLY close in many ways to general survivalist stuff).

For those who watch the series mentioned above, keep the Zombie Apocalypse in mind when you watch the next Tiny House video:



This is truly a MOBILE HOME!

Now, just in case your tongue is in cheek and you're also rolling your eyes at this blog post/article (tongue in cheek is fine but not accompanied by rolling eyes - that's going way too far!), I'm going to post some Walking Dead Trailers below and POINT OUT the obvious... points where fictional Zombie Apocalypse survival steals from real life survival methods. In essence, I think this show is complicated and intense but if you're watching with a critical eye and can see past the gross special effects gore, there are little mini-lessons on survival here (and anyone of age watching the show - yes YOUTH - may be getting some free survival lessons - kudos).

If a tornado or urban explosion/fire hits in my urban area and, for some reason, it's a huge one and people get out of control afterward - mobbing broken storefronts, etc - I WANT the teenagers on MY BLOCK to all be Walking Dead fans 'cos they aren't going to stop to loot for POSSESSIONS and gain - they're going to know at least some survival techniques.

Walking Dead Season One Official Trailer:



*Note - above trailer and in Season One, the folks of Walking Dead end up making most of the mistakes they could have avoided if they were already studying survivalist methods prior to their disaster.

Walking Dead Season Two Official Trailer:



In my estimation, many of the Season Two episodes don't detail "Zombie Threats" as much as showing the threat of person versus person. Along the time line here, Zombie Apocalypse survivors have sort of settled in to the severity of their situations - The world as they previously knew it is definitely gone. Then the fun/personal danger begins - within the circle of personalities of the survivors. As if they all didn't have ENOUGH surviving to do without manipulating and attacking each other. The human psychology in trauma environments is explored to a great degree here, making Season Two very interesting with some points that we should take away from fiction and put into real life models.

Jonathan's Zombie Survival Video... if you have a car - it matters which kind!



Okay, Jonathan's video is tongue in cheek but there are some good points about ESCAPE here.

I'll argue that for a quick and sure escape, J has picked the right car - however - I seriously doubt that over a period of time, this is the right car to be using in a survival environment. The car is fancy with a bunch of obvious electronic bonus features. If this car breaks down - how is J going to get his car mobile again?

As well, I wonder if J's vehicle is going to be able to pull a Tiny Home like the one below:



I'll leave off now - to go catch up on the Walking Dead episode I missed!

moi~~

Minimalist Living in The Tiniest Space

This is a wonderful example of someone making do with what little space she's got... and then turning around to toss out everything not useful, living in minimalist style.

It's amazing to watch this and then look around at all my STUFF - stuff I don't need or use - and try to figure out how (other than using some of it for my container gardening) I'm going to get myself down to just basics - no more clutter. If I can get down to only owning those items that I need and that are useful and in use, then I will have a lot more time for LIVING! For gardening and learning survival skills, doing research, studying and also - for friends and family (those who haven't run away from me yet, screaming - because of the lifestyle choices I am making these days).

Have a look:



I was actually looking at "Tiny Houses" and learning about the Tiny House Movement (because I believe it can benefit the environment as well as society) and ended up also viewing the above video. In the next video, the idea of the Tiny House Movement is shown.

This is interesting stuff! I think social constructions and social conditioning has taught us to seek out bigger and bigger homes and spaces but, as explained in the video, these bigger places are killing us in the pocketbooks while failing to offer us "more" security or happiness. In North America there are numerous large homes with the loftiest of mortgage and rental payments - but people aren't often having increased quality of life experiences for all the space they're paying for. Only in the largest of cities could we say that population versus space is a problem in American and Canadian urban areas. In fact, just the opposite of overpopulation and lack of space is a problem in many areas - "urban sprawl" causes a number of social problems, transportation/work commute issues, even pollution and environmental problems.

Still, it seems - the bulk of the population is frantically trying to work toward bigger, more spacious (often Suburban - into the sprawling areas) living situations, knowing FULL WELL that job markets are changing all the time, cost of living and inflation is going up, wages aren't following suit. Eventually when many of us get into roomier dwellings, then what? We generally fill up more space with more stuff... things we store and aren't using.

With the homeless counts also showing disturbing, rising trends in many regions, we then have some people in huge spaces with stuff filling their spaces while not being utilized - while other people are in great need of material resources (clothing, books, housewares, the stuff that is being stored in big houses and spaces). None of this makes a lot of sense, does it? Social constructions... we've constructed societies and sub-cultures in society, complete with intact belief systems that keep moving toward more space, higher cost, storing and hoarding items... while so many in our midst are without the bare essentials.

Seriously - I don't think anything in our economy, any band-aid or even workable, long term economic recovery strategies could do as much as for us to just CHANGE OUR WAY OF THINKING about things... changing to something LOGICAL that makes SENSE! It makes more sense for people to live and use what they've got, stop collecting things they don't need - share what they don't need with people who require those spare items. It makes sense for people to use space wisely, clear out the clutter so they have more time for friends, family, and leisure - rather than putting in more hours in the workplace so they can own LARGER homes.

Of course, TINY HOUSES aren't for everyone - but huge mansions shouldn't be held as the best goals to strive for, in my opinion. How can some people possibly enjoy all the space, the stuff, etc., when they're paying such a high monetary cost these days for housing?

Here's something I do all the time (maybe you do this too) if I don't plan carefully when I am going to stay overnight somewhere else: I pack a huge duffel bag full of things I might need... then I end up needing about 5 of 30 items inside the duffel bag when I'm actually away from home. I've been looking at the survival and minimalist living videos, the tiny container gardens and tiny houses for about a year or so. Something is sinking in because I can't look around my place anymore - or go out overnight then return to my home - without exclaiming, "I don't NEED all this STUFF!"

I am finding this Tiny House movement as fascinating (and necessary) as the survivalist movement and I come to both concepts to learn how to live better. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or in the near future but I think that if we don't plan better for next week - if we don't use space better and think critically more often about our lifestyles - then when the SHTF we could all be in a panic, unable to know which material items are really useful to us when we need to survive and make living better.

Here... check out this Tiny House!



How much space do you think you really need? I mean - how minimalist could you go?

moi~

Interesting Container Gardening Possibilities

With snow still on the ground over where I'm at, I find I'm really impatient about having to wait to start my container gardening. To ease the wait, I'm surfing and watching videos, how-to clips on gardening with various containers.

Actually, I thought this would help me calm down about all this but, instead, I am more determined to start gardening by this weekend - INSIDE - without waiting for Mother Nature to send a warm breath my way...

The following video shows some creative and amazing gardening in all sorts of containers from old crates and re-used furniture - to (not very large!) styro-foam take-out containers! Wow, this video shows that you can pretty much use ANYTHING, fill it with soil and seeds, then grow stuff!



I watched a few other videos but, honestly, some of the avid survivalist gardeners and their methods of planting and setting up containers seems convoluted and complicated!

I'm definitely going for "minimalist" and am going to be working to save money, so I'll keep watching all the how-to videos that I can on this subject - but I can't see how I'm going to manage to gather the kind of advanced tools and materials some people are using for their container gardens.

I have a bunch of kitty litter buckets and those keep on showing up as I have a feline friend at home, so they'll have to do to start with. No plastic pipes or any other kinds of pipes are available to me and I'm going to refuse to spend money on any but the most basic of tools and materials. Call me "CHEAP-O" but remember that I live on a below-poverty-level income.

...I suppose I'll just have to be as creative as possible with all of this.

If you've watched the video from this post, you'll see why I might be saying I'll refuse to buy anything I don't need to... WOW, plastic juice/water bottles have been used for gardening in this video. This project is going to let me get rid of a bunch of stuff I've been calling "absolute junk" around the house and put it to good use... There will be no running to the hardware store or department store to ask for best prices on buckets! In the above vid - jars, bottles, styro-foam take out containers, burlap sacks, cups, milk jugs - you name it... plants are growing in all of those things. Tomato, Bok Choy, Onions, Lettuce, Basil, Garlic and other herbs... Re-use, Re-cycle, remarkable gardening!

Enjoy the vid - I hope other people decide to start doing this, too!

moi~