Can you use a Compass ?

During a recent conversation about mounting a satellite dish I got a compass out and proceeded to look around for a good southwest view. The twenties something homeowner looked at that compass like I recovered it from a UFO. I realized that most of the younger generation has no idea how to navigate using basic skills. I’ll run down a few basics here but you should really make sure you can use a compass and a map as this skill can be very useful. Generally referred to as dead reckoning you can plot your movement across terrain, water or air space.

The most useful navigation aid for earthlings is the Sun it rises in the East and Sets in the West everyday without fail. If you are lost at sea off the Carolina coast “land is towards the setting sun”, simple but you would be shocked how many people never thought about that and died.

A compass does not tell you where you are it can only tell you which way to go but it is up to you to know which way that is. The basic compass will be made up of a needle floating in the center of a round card. The card will be either marked in degrees 0-360 or N,S,E,W or both. Lay the compass on something flat and level away from metal objects and the needle will point NORTH. Next rotate the compass body or card so that the needle and the N or 0 (zero) match up and now you know which way is which. Did you ever hear someone say “pull a 180” it is a reference to going the opposite direction on a compass. On a compass North is 0 degrees and south is 180 degrees so East is 90 degrees and West is 270 degrees. It truly is a very simple item to use but can be more valuable than gold if you need it. The most valued possession of ancient sea captains was their compass and they often kept them under lock and key.....

2012 The Sun "Solar Max"

With all  the 2012 hubbub you should be aware that between now and 2013 this planet is in the middle of some strange alignments.  After a long solar min. has let us right up to our solar max. and it is scheduled to peak in 2012.  It has already begun and should continue so get ready for solar flares that disrupt electronics, abnormal weather and drought.  In other words make sure you have protective shelter, clothing and water.  The last time this solar system was in this type of galatic alignment was about 26,000 years ago.  So no matter what the mainstream thinkers have to say the real answer is    "No One Knows For Sure What Will Happen"

Do you have firewood? How to Survive

    I didn't ask if you had a fireplace.  This is a basic concern because if it is very cold and the power is out you will need to act fast.  If you live in an area that is prone to snow storms and or power out in the winter situations.  Here is my advise.

    Keep on hand at least 5 railroad ties (cut up or built into a wall).  The creosote in the ties makes them burn well, makes them waterproof and causes them to throw tons of heat. (smelly but warm)

    In a winter power outage in the north move quickly.  If you live in a city and the guy next door has
a RR tie wall around his driveway you win.  If you live in the country I doubt you need my advice but think about the ties they burn long and hot (like coal)

DO NOT COOK ON A RR TIE FIRE

How to survive earth.....

How to survive earth is a new blog that will deal with 2012 topics