Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials
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The first thing to know about Hazardous Materials is this:

If you see a chemical accident, call “911.” Let the professionals handle it!

I have been a hazardous materials technician for several years, and after working hundreds of events I can say for certain that no two are alike, and the minute you get comfortable is the minute you are headed into danger.

This is an area that a single prepper in a chemical suit can get themselves killed, as it takes lot of support to deal with this type of event, you need a dedicated team standing by to rescue anyone working in an hazardous material environment, as well as a team for decontamination.

  • Leave the area and help keep others away.
  • Accidents can force an evacuation; fumes can create problems over a large area. Officials do not evacuate lightly; so if you are told to go, GO!
  • Stay away from the area. Be careful where you walk
  • Check with your neighbors and, if necessary, assist them.
  • DO NOT take chances. Many chemicals that cannot be seen or smelled can be DEADLY
  • Listen to the radio or television for information and instructions.
  • Assist accident victims ONLY if the injury is LIFE THREATENING.
  • If your home or business is evacuated, do not return until someone in authority tells you it is safe to do so.
  • This danger doesn’t always come from outside your home.  Household items such as cleaning materials kept in kitchens and bathrooms can be deadly.
  • Know the phone number to a poison control center.

“Third Tier” List of Recommended Specialty Books

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These books are ones I think are important to own and keep in your preparedness library.  They all are recommended specialty books, but they are lower on the list than the first couple sets of recommendations.

Some of these books are more expensive than those in the second and first tiers, others are more technical, and some are supplemental texts that cover the same subjects in different ways.

For whatever reason, I don’t find these books as essential as those on the first two lists, even though I bought some of them first….

10 Reasons Children Should Learn Archery

10 Reasons Children Should Learn Archery
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Many studies have shown that students who are involved in extracurricular activities are far less likely to develop dangerous habits like smoking and drug abuse. Despite the heavy evidence supporting these facts, only 2.6 million of students from the ages 12-17 are actively enrolled in such activities.

If you are looking for a good after-school activity for your kids to get involved in, then archery is a fantastic option to consider. This article will briefly outline 10 Reasons Children Should Learn Archery.

It Is a Year-Round Sport

Archery is a great sport to get your children involved in as it is a year-round sport. In the warmer seasons, there are outdoor ranges that can be used, and in the colder months, indoor ranges are available. This means that your child will not have off-season times where idleness can result in getting involved in bad habits or negative groups of peers.

It Is a Very Safe Sport

You might think that letting your child learn how to use a deadly weapon could be dangerous, but the truth is that archery is one of the safest sports for children to learn. There is minimal contact with other people, meaning the risk of broken bones or sprained muscles is greatly reduced. The staff there to teach your children will all be very skilled and will train your child and all the other present participants to be safe while handling the bows and arrows.

Teaches Impressive Skills

There are a lot of great skills that are learned through archery. As your child learns to work with the best youth compound bow, they will also be learning other important things, some of which are as follows:

  • Aim: Your child will learn to aim well. This can be helpful in other sports and activities as well.
  • Patience: Archery teaches kids to wait patiently for the right time to shoot. Patience is something that can greatly benefit every facet of their life.
  • Strength: It takes a lot of strength to wield a youth compound bows. They are heavy and taut, and your child will develop strong muscles as they learn to work this machinery.
  • Control: Every part of the mind and body has to be in tune for someone to be successful with a bow and arrow. Learning to have such control can do wonders in and out of the archery range.

Increases Good Behavior in Children

Kids who learn all of the skills needed to be a good archer will be learning the skills needed to have good behavior wherever they are. All of the positive lessons they learn to better their archery game will follow them into the classroom and the home. This improved behavior will be a huge asset to them in all their present and future endeavors.

There Are Many Scholarship Opportunities

Archery is still as yet an under-utilized sport in the lower ages. This means that there are a lot of incredible scholarship opportunities available to a much smaller pool of participants than in other sports. Your child could gain some important funding for their future educational aspirations by learning archery. The cost of the lessons now often turns out to be a very wise investment in the future.

It Is Physically Challenging

With the rise of childhood obesity in the country, it is important to find fun ways to keep your children active. Archery is a very physically challenging sport that will help your child gain muscles and shed excess weight. It might not involve the traditional running and jumping found in other sports, but the skills needed to be a good archer require a strong and lean body. Your child will get excellent exercise as they learn to aim and shoot their bow and arrow.

Increases Confidence

10 Reasons Children Should Learn Archery
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Children who learn the skill of archery will also learn to have confidence in themselves. A lot of depression and anxiety among teens has been found to be caused by a lack of confidence and self-esteem.

By getting your child involved in archery, you will be giving them something that they can truly be proud of.

They will have confidence in their ability to do hard things, and this will help them avoid some of the major pitfalls common to other kids their age.

Enhances Focus and Balance in Children

Focus and balance are two things that many adolescents are lacking. With all of the changes happening in the mind and body at these awkward ages, it makes sense that it would be hard for kids at this stage to have a lot of focus and balance. Fortunately, these are two things that are taught in abundance in archery courses.

Your child will learn how to have self-discipline as they control their changing mind and body. Their regular practice on the range will help them to navigate these changing waters of puberty with ease and grace.

Teaching Cultural Lessons

Archery is a very important aspect in many cultures. As your children learn this unique skill, they will also be taught about where the skills came from, and how it impacted those cultures. This information will instill in them a deeper respect for other lands and people.

Offers Them the Feeling of Achievement

One of the most important things you can teach your child is the feeling of setting goals and achieving them. This is a vital aspect of successful archery. Through this sport, your child will learn how to set goals and then work hard to achieve them. As they learn to enjoy this feeling of success, they will be gaining the necessary skills to set and achieve goals in other facets of their life as well. Learning to work hard for worthy goals is the main key for success in every area of life. Teaching your child this skill early on will have only good effects for them and you.

If you feel like your child could benefit from any of these attributes, then it is time to look into archery lessons in your area. This is a fun and challenging way for children to be physically fit and involved in positive activities.

Robert Gate was enthusiastic about hunting from the first shot. From then he decided to become a pro hunter. If you find something helpful in his blog, he would be proud to hear from you.

9 Tips To Help You Prepare for a Winter Storm

Winter Storm
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One thing that is important to know about winter storm advisories is to know the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING.

  • A watch is when conditions are right for the named event to occur.
  • A is when the named event is occurring or imminent).

You should always have a battery-powered radio available and stay tuned to local weather forecasts for storm updates.

During the winter of 2014 I spent almost three weeks sleeping on an air mattress in my office due to the response to the Valentines day winter storm.  Over 30 people died due to the winter storm.

Tennessee spent hundreds of thousands of dollars responding to life safety issues arising from the disaster.

I would hope that all preppers are ready to spend a week or two in their home, and can safely stay warm and dry.

If Not, Here are 9 Tips To Help You Prepare for a Winter Storm

  • Have non-perishables, such as canned goods, and adequate medical supplies and prescriptions.
  • Have an evacuation plan, including at least two different routes in case one becomes blocked or closed. When you know a storm is coming, fill your car with gasoline
  • Have an emergency communication plan and a plan to get family members back together if separated.
  • Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” It’s often easier to call long distance after a disaster, and it’s unlikely someone far away will be involved in the same disaster.
  • Fill several large containers and the bathtub with water.
  • Have flashlights, batteries, candles and matches on hand.
  • Turn the temperature controls on your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting to keep food cold in the event of a power outage.
  • Teach all family members: how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water; how and when to call 911, police, and fire; and which radio or TV station to tune to for emergency information.
  • If you use a generator or space heater, carefully review and follow all safety procedures in the owners’ manual.  If you’ve lost it, get it replaced.

“Second Tier” List of Recommended Specialty Books

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I subscribe to a Good, Better, Best philosophy when it comes to preparedness resources.  I would rather have a good piece of equipment RIGHT NOW, than have plans to buy the best most ultimate piece of gear someday.  Then as I learn to use that good piece of equipment, it helps me know what too look for when I have the resources to upgrade.

Once you start to understand the fundamental skills contained in the non-fiction must have list, you may want to learn more details.  This next list of recommended specialty books is a little more in depth.  It will be followed by a third list at a later date.