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Solar Still

Make your own distilled water from stream or lake water, salt water, or even brackish, dirty water, using these DIY Solar Still Plans. With just a few basic building materials, a sheet of glass and some sunshine, you can purify your own water at no cost and with minimal effort.

Distilled water is not just for drinking, and it’s always worth keeping a few gallons of it on hand. Clean water free of chemicals and minerals has a number of valuable uses:

• Always refill the lead-acid batteries used for solar energy systems or automobiles with distilled water

• Water delicate plants like orchids with distilled water; minerals and additives like fluoride or chlorine that are present in most tap water can harm plants

• Distilled water mixed with antifreeze is recommended for car radiators, as it’s less corrosive

• Steam irons become clogged with mineral deposits unless you use distilled water

The principle of using the sun’s heat to separate water from dissolved minerals has been understood for millennia, salt ponds being the best example of how this knowledge has been put to use in the past. In salt ponds, seawater is drained into shallow ponds and then baked and purified in the sun until all that remains are crystals of salt. In this case, the pure water that gradually evaporated away was considered a useless byproduct, but as far back as the time of the ancient Greeks it was known that seawater could be made fresh and drinkable by this process.

A solar still works like a salt evaporation pond, except that the water that invisibly evaporates is extracted from the air; the minerals and other impurities are left behind and discarded. As the hot, moisture-laden air rises up to the slanting sheet of relatively cool glass sealed to the box, water condenses out in the form of small droplets that cling to the glass. As these droplets get heavier, they roll down the glass to the collector tube at the bottom and then out to the jug.

The box is built from 3/4 " BC-grade plywood, painted black on the inside to absorb heat. We used a double layer of plywood on the sides to resist warping and to help insulate the box, with an insulated door at the back and a sheet of glass on top.

Finding a good lining or container to hold the water in the inside of the box as it heats and evaporates can be complicated. The combination of high heat and water containing salt or other contaminents can corrode metals faster than usual and cause plastic containers to break down or offgas, imparting an unpleasant taste to the distilled water. The best liners are glass or stainless steel, although you can also coat the inside of the box with two or three coats of black silicone caulk (look for an F.D.A.-listed type approved for use around food). Spread the caulk around the bottom and sides with a taping knife. After it dries and cures thoroughly, just pour water in—the silicone is impervious to the heat and water.

How to Make a Solar Still

We chose to paint the inside black and use two large glass baking pans to hold the water. Glass baking pans are a safe, inexpensive container for dirty or salty water, and they can easily be removed for cleaning. We used two 10 x 15" pans, which hold up to 8 quarts of water when full. To increase the capacity of the still, just increase the size of the wooden box and add more pans.

The operation of the distiller is simple. As the temperature inside the box rises, water in the pans heats up and evaporates, rising up to the angled glass, where it slowly runs down to the collector tube and then out to a container.

The runoff tube is made from 1" PEX tubing. Stainless steel can also be used. However, use caution with other materials—if in doubt, boil a piece of the material in tap water for 10 minutes, then taste the water after it cools to see if it added any flavor. If it did, don’t use it.

Turn undrinkable water into pure, crystal-clear distilled water with a home-built solar still.

View step-by-step photos of how to make a solar still in the Image Gallery as well as this PDF of the DIY Solar Still Plans. 

1. Mark and cut the plywood pieces according to the cutting list. Cut the angled end pieces with a circular saw or tablesaw set to a 9 degree angle.

2. Cut the insulation the same size as the plywood base, then screw both to the 2 x 4 supports with 2 1/2" screws.

3. Screw the first layer of front and side pieces to the base and to each other, then add the back piece. Predrill the screws with a countersink bit.

4. Glue and screw the remaining front and side pieces on, using clamps to hold them together as you predrill and screw. Use 1 1/4" screws to laminate the pieces together and 2" screws to join the corners.

5. Glue and screw the hinged door pieces together, aligning the bottom and side edges, then set the door in position and screw on the hinges. Add a pull or knob at the center.

6. Paint the inside of the box with black high-temperature paint. Cover the back and the door with reflective foil glued with contact cement. Let the paint dry for several days so that all the solvents evaporate off.

7. Apply weatherseal around the edges of the hinged door to make the door airtight.

8. Drill a hole for the PEX drain. The top of the PEX is 1/2" down from the top edge. Clamp a scrap piece to the inside so the drill bit doesn’t splinter the wood when it goes through.

9. Mark the first 19" of PEX, then cut it in half with a utility knife. Score it lightly at first to establish the cut lines.

10. Drill three 1/8" holes in the side of the PEX for screws, then insert the PEX through the hole. Butt it tight against the other side, then screw it in place, sloping it about 1/4".

11. Wipe a thick bead of silicone caulk along the top edge of the PEX to seal it against the plywood.

12. Shim the box level and tack a temporary stop to the top edge to make it easy to place the glass without smearing the caulk. Spread a generous bead of caulk on all the edges, then lay the glass in place. Tape it down around the edges with painter’s tape, then let it set up overnight.

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This excerpt has been reprinted with permission from DIY Solar Projects, published by Creative Publishing International, 2011. 

Heal Scars Naturally

Keep in mind that improving scars will take some time, we’re talking about weeks here, so don’t give up after just a few days. Daily treatment and patience is a key.

1.      Vitamin E

Vitamin E oil or capsules are probably the best known remedy to heal scars or stretch-marks naturally. It stimulates the formation of collagen, which improves skin texture, strength, and flexibility.

Concentrated vitamin E oil, vitamin E lotions, or the contents of vitamin E capsules can directly be used on the affected area. Let set for a while and repeat twice a day. Make sure the wound has fully healed, as vitamin E can interfere with the healing process.

You could combine the topical use with daily internal vitamin E supplements or add more vitamin E rich foods to your diet (like almonds, hazelnuts, olive oil, and sunflower seeds) for a better effect.

2.      Pure Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is truly a super plant as it comes to natural healing. Its gel is rich in healing nutrients and can be used on wounds as well to speed up the healing process and prevent scarring from the beginning of the wound healing process.

If you have this plant growing at home, just take a limb and scoop out the fresh healing gel. No plants at your house? No worries, you can buy pure, organic Aloe Vera gel at your local health store. Massage the gel on the affected area and let set and soak. Don’t wash the gel off, your skin will absorb it completely. Repeat 3 times a day or as often as needed.

Add vitamin E powder or oil to your gel for an extra healing boost. Vitamin E oil or capsules are often used to preserve Aloe gel. So if you’re using fresh gel you could make a batch, add some vitamin E and it will keep for weeks in your fridge. But keep in mind, if you using Aloe gel with vitamin E oil, better not apply on scars that are not fully healed. Read here more about the best uses of Aloe Vera for great and healthy skin. Aloe vera is a common medicinal herb and is useful for other ailments, not just for the skin. If you want to learn more about Aloe vera as well as other herbs, you can find more useful information in the e-book the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs.

3.      Minty Cucumber Paste

Making a paste out of cucumbers is easy and cheap. There are also commercially cucumber lotions and paste available at your health store. Cucumbers nourish and hydrate the affected area and help to fade the scarring. They make your skin softer and suppler, and are unlikely to cause allergies or skin irritation.

To make the paste, peel and remove the cucumber seeds. Blend with a few mint leaves. Beat egg white separately and add this to the mixture. Apply the paste on the scar and let set for about 20 minutes, rinse with cool water. Apply daily as needed.

4.      Gooseberry or Amla Paste

Amla paste is an old Indian remedy to prevent scar tissue. The best effect is obtained when you use the paste on newly-healed wounds. You could buy a ready-made paste or the powder to make your own paste. Mix the powder with water or olive oil for a better effect. Massage the paste into your skin, let set for a while and rinse with cold water afterwards.

5.      Honey And Baking Soda

Honey, another wonder of nature, is used in many natural healing remedies. Apply raw honey on your scar before going to bed. Leave on overnight and you’ll start to see the difference and fading of the scar after just a few days. To avoid a sticky mess on your sheets, cover with band aid, if possible. Its moisturizing and antiseptic benefits are very effective to treat wounds, soften your skin, and stimulate the growth of new tissue.

Or use a paste of equal parts of raw honey and baking soda. Massage the paste into your skin, cover with a hot washcloth, and wipe clean when the cloth has cooled. You may also be interested to read the articles 13 ways to use honey for your health and 6 uses for baking soda as a kitchen medicine.

6.      Lemon Juice

Citric acid is very effective to fade scar tissue, it works as a natural bleach, stimulates the formation of new tissue, and improves elasticity of your skin.

First of all make sure to clean the affected area. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice, twice a day, on a cotton ball and rub onto your scar. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes and rinse with cool water. Do not use this remedy when you plan to go out in the sun. Lemons make your skin sensitive to light.

7.      Tea Tree Essential Oil

Another good option for you to try is tea tree oil. Well known for its antimicrobial properties, but works wonders as well to heal skin tissue and reduce the appearance of scar tissue. There are various ways to use tea tree oil to reduce and heal scars.

Although most people dilute tea tree essential oil in a carrier oil, it can be used topically and undiluted as well. But keep in mind, it can sting and cause irritation if you have a sensitive skin. So try it on a small healthy patch of skin first. Apply the undiluted tea tree oil, once a day, on the affected area and leave for about 20-30 minutes. Safety reminder: never use tea tree oil internally!

Or add the tea tree oil to a good base oil, like coconut or olive oil, and massage the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.

Another way to use tea tree oil, is to add it to warm water and use as a soap to clean the affected area.

Read here more about various uses for tea tree essential oil, or if you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in the e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This e-book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them

8.      Oatmeal And Yogurt Mask For Acne Scars

Combine equal parts of ground oatmeal, sour cream, and yogurt with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend until all ingredients are well combined and apply on your face for about 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse and pat dry. To get the most out of this remedy, apply 2-4 times a day.

9.      Nourishing Oils And Body Butters

Some base or carrier oils can be used on their own due to their nourishing and skin healing properties. Apply the oil onto the affected area and massage the scar for about 5 minutes and leave it on for another 10 minutes before wiping it off. Repeat this a few times a day. To get faster and better results, also apply the oil overnight.

Or you could add them to some of the recipes described above to boost skin healing and moisturize your skin.

• Extra virgin olive oil: doesn’t clog pores, loosens dead skin cells, hydrates, lightens scars, rich in vitamin E and K, and softens your skin.
• Coconut oil: protects, hydrates, soften and heals skin, its strong antioxidant properties fight free radicals that damage connective tissue and reduce the ability to regenerate.
• Cocoa or Shea butter: promotes the healing process and soothes, hydrates, and softens scar tissue.
• Sandalwood essential oil helps to remove scars and blemishes from your face. Apply a few drops to a base oil, milk, or rose water. Wash or massage your face with one of those mixtures, let set, and rinse with cool water.
• Lavender essential oil can directly be used onto scar tissue to rejuvenate your skin cells and fade the scars. When you have a sensitive skin, dilute in a base oil.
• Rosehip seed oil in combination with rose essential oil, shows great results in reducing acne scars.

Although other base oils can be used as well, those described above give the best result in terms of healing scars and improving their appearance.

A few other tips to keep in mind when trying to fade or heal scars: don’t pick at your wounds when they are healing as it will worsen the appearance of your scar. While trying one of the above mentioned remedies, try to rub your scar with ice for 15 minutes every day. Why ice? Well this will help with the swelling and promotes faster healing. But be careful not to burn your skin and always put the ice in a cloth and not directly onto your skin.

This is a guest post written by Amy Goodrich, yogi, health coach, and dedicated blogger who loves living a natural, eco-friendly, and healthy lifestyle. Visit her website http://www.body-in-balance.org and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bodyinbalance.org

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THE BEST HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS FOR OFF-GRID LIVING!

Cold Weather Preparedness

January 2, 2014 0 Comments

COLD WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

It looks like another harsh winter, with ice storms and blizzards already carpeting much of the Midwest, Northeast and Canada, and cold weather preparedness is a must for survival.  Failure to use precautions will lead to a condition called hypothermia.  Hypothermia is a condition where the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  The normal body core temperature is defined as between 97.5-99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.0-37.5 degrees Celsius).

In your efforts to be medically self-reliant, one of the major factors that must be taken into consideration is your environment.  If you haven’t prepared for the weather, you have made your environment your enemy, and it is a formidable one. The last ice storm caused 27 deaths, some of which were avoidable.  Therefore, it’s important to be prepared to prevent death from exposure and to know how to treat someone who is hypothermic.

HOW YOUR BODY LOSES HEAT

Your body has various methods it uses to control its internal “core” temperature, either raising it or lowering it to appropriate levels.  The body “core“ refers to the major internal organ systems that are necessary to maintain life, such as your brain, heart, liver, and others.

In cold weather, your blood vessels constrict to conserve heat. Muscles “shiver” as a method of heat production. You can voluntarily increase heat by exertion; it is recommended to “keep moving” in cold environments for this reason. Part of the healthcare provider’s role is to educate each and every member of their family or group on proper planning for outdoor activities. Monitor weather conditions as well as the people you’re sending out in the heat or cold.

The body loses heat in various ways:

Evaporation – the body perspires (sweats), which releases heat from the core.

Radiation – the body loses heat to the environment anytime that the ambient (surrounding) temperature is below the core temperature (say, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).  For example, you lose more heat if exposed to an outside temperature of 20 degrees F than if exposed to 80 degrees F.

Conduction – The body loses heat when its surface is in direct contact with cold temperatures, as in the case of someone falling from a boat into frigid water. Water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body much faster.

Convection – Heat loss where, for instance, a cooler object is in motion against the body core.  The air next to the skin is heated and then removed, which requires the body to use energy to re-heat. Wind Chill is one example of air convection: If the ambient temperature is 32 degrees F but the wind chill factor is at 5 degrees F, you lose heat from your body as if it were actually 5 degrees F.

Most heat is lost from the head area, due to its large surface area and tendency to be uncovered.  Direct contact with anything cold, especially over a large area of your body, will cause rapid cooling of your body core temperature.  The classic example of this would be a fall into cold water.  In the Titanic sinking of 1912, hundreds of people fell into near-freezing water.  Within 15 minutes, they were probably beyond medical help.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF HYPOTHERMIA

Aside from shivering, the most noticeable symptoms of hypothermia will be related to mental status.  The person may appear confused, uncoordinated, and lethargic.  As the condition worsens, speech may become slurred; the patient will appear apathetic and uninterested in helping themselves, or may fall asleep.  This occurs due to the effect of cooling temperatures on the brain; the colder the body core gets, the slower the brain works.  Brain function is supposed to cease at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, although I have read of exceptional cases in which people (usually children) have survived even lower temperatures.

To prevent hypothermia, you must anticipate the climate that you will be traveling through, including wind conditions and wet weather. Condition yourself physically to be fit for the challenge. Travel with a partner if at all possible, and have enough food and water available for the entire trip.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR HYPOTHERMIA

In your efforts to be medically self-reliant, one of the major factors that must be taken into consideration is your environment.  If you haven’t prepared for the weather, you have made your environment your enemy, and it is a formidable one.

Remember the simple acronym C.O.L.D. This stands for:  Cover, Overexertion, Layering, and Dry:

Cover. Protect your head by wearing a hat. This will prevent body heat from escaping from your head. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another.  This conserves heat.

Overexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat a lot.  Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly, and wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary; use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay careful attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members.

Layering. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers insulate you well. Use clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material for protection against the wind. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials work well, also. Especially cover the head, neck, hands and feet.

Dry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

Any unconscious person that you encounter in a cold environment is hypothermic until proven otherwise. Immediate action must be taken to reverse the ill effects.

TREATMENT OF HYPOTHERMIA

A person who is hypothermic is in danger of losing their life without your help. Important measures to take are:

Get the person out of the cold and into a warm, dry location. If you’re unable to move the person out of the cold, shield him or her from the cold and wind as much as possible.

Take off wet clothing. If the person is wearing wet clothing, remove them gently.   Cover them with layers of dry blankets, including the head (leave the face clear).   If you are outside, cover the ground to eliminate exposure to the cold surface.

Monitor breathing. A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious.  Verify that the patient is breathing and check for a pulse.  Begin CPR if necessary.

Share body heat. To warm the person’s body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin contact. Then cover both of your bodies with blankets.  Some people may cringe at this notion, but it’s important to remember that you are trying to save a life.  Gentle massage or rubbing may be helpful, but vigorous movements may traumatize the patient

Give warm oral fluids. If the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage to help warm the body.  Remember, alcohol does not warm you up!

Use warm, dry compresses. Use a first-aid warm compress (a fluid-filled bag that warms up when squeezed), or a makeshift compress of warm (not hot) water in a plastic bottle. Apply a compress only to the neck, chest wall or groin.  These areas will spread the heat much better than putting warm compresses on the extremities, which sometimes worsens the condition.

Avoid applying direct heat. Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the person. The extreme heat can damage the skin, cause strain on the heart or even lead to cardiac arrest.  Don’t rub on extremities that may be frostbitten, as the skin is already traumatized and the condition may be worsened.

Don’t give alcohol. You have all seen photos of St. Bernards with casks of brandy around their necks for lost alpine travelers.  Alcohol may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it also expands blood vessels, which causes heat loss!

No Alcohol for Hypothermia! Bad Dog!

If left untreated, hypothermia leads to complete failure of various organ systems and to death.  Make sure your people are well clothed for the temperature, and monitor them closely if they are outside for extended periods of time in cold weather.

Our next article will address specific cold weather issues, such as frostbite, immersion foot (trench foot), and falling into cold water.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

Settling

So far, it looks like Texas will be my last stop in life's journey. If I can deal with the summer here, the state will pass the test.

Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs

On Sheep,Wolves, and Sheepdogs – Dave Grossman
By LTC (RET) Dave Grossman, author of “On Killing.”
Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending
those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may
mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always,even death itself. The question
remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for? – WilliamJ. Bennett – in
a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997
One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me:
“Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one
another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated
assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to
hurt one another. Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a
tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million
Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a
hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the
actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.
Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times
in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are
not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me it is like the pretty, blue robin’s egg. Inside it is soft and
gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue
shell. Police officers, soldiers, and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect
will grow into something wonderful.? For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the  predators.
“Then there are the wolves,” the old war veteran said, “and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy.” Do
you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There
are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so,
you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

“Then there are sheepdogs,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.”
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity
for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf.
But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then?
A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of
darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed

Let me expand on this old soldier’s excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the
sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world.
They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire
alarms and fire exits throughout their kids’ schools.

But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid’s school. Our children
are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep’s
only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is
just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial.
The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for
violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any
sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot
work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would
prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in
camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray
paint himself white, and go, “Baa.”
Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary
circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just
had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the
rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the
little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.
Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how
America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel?
Remember how many times you heard the word hero?
Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also
understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the
breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young
sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the
sound of the guns when needed right along with the young ones.
Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the
sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in
America said, “Thank God I wasn’t on one of those planes.” The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, “Dear God, I
wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference.” When you are truly
transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to
be able to make a difference.
There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only
one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the
population. There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These
cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement
officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: slumped walk, passive
behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of
the herd that is least able to protect itself.
Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs.
But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I’m proud to say that more and more
Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.

 

Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury,
New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to
alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes
that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, “Let’s roll,” which authorities
believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation
occurred among the passengers – athletes, business people and parents. — from sheep to sheepdogs and together
they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.
There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. – Edmund Burke
Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each
year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They
didn’t have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a
conscious, moral decision.
If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay.
When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you.
If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have
rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior’s path, then you must make a
conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive
moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.
For example, many officers carry their weapons in church.? They are well concealed in ankle holsters, shoulder
holsters or inside-the-belt holsters tucked into the small of their backs.? Anytime you go to some form of
religious service, there is a very good chance that a police officer in your congregation is carrying. You will
never know if there is such an individual in your place of worship, until the wolf appears to massacre you and
your loved ones.
I was training a group of police officers in Texas, and during the break, one officer asked his friend if he carried
his weapon in church. The other cop replied, “I will never be caught without my gun in church.” I asked why he
felt so strongly about this, and he told me about a cop he knew who was at a church massacre in Ft. Worth,
Texas in 1999. In that incident, a mentally deranged individual came into the church and opened fire, gunning
down fourteen people. He said that officer believed he could have saved every life that day if he had been
carrying his gun. His own son was shot, and all he could do was throw himself on the boy’s body and wait to
die. That cop looked me in the eye and said, “Do you have any idea how hard it would be to live with yourself
after that?”
Some individuals would be horrified if they knew this police officer was carrying a weapon in church. They
might call him paranoid and would probably scorn him. Yet these same individuals would be enraged and
would call for “heads to roll” if they found out that the airbags in their cars were defective, or that the fire
extinguisher and fire sprinklers in their kids’ school did not work. They can accept the fact that fires and traffic
accidents can happen and that there must be safeguards against them.

 

(I just had to interject here…doesn’t this sound familiar to how you’re treated by others when it comes to your preparedness efforts who think that there’s no need for anything else? How crazy are you for being prepared?–Kellene)
Their only response to the wolf, though, is denial, and all too often their response to the sheepdog is scorn and
disdain. But the sheepdog quietly asks himself, “Do you have and idea how hard it would be to live with
yourself if your loved ones attacked and killed, and you had to stand there helplessly because you were
unprepared for that day?”
It is denial that turns people into sheep. Sheep are psychologically destroyed by combat because their only
defense is denial, which is counterproductive and destructive, resulting in fear, helplessness and horror when the
wolf shows up.

Denial kills you twice. It kills you once, at your moment of truth when you are not physically prepared: you
didn’t bring your gun, you didn’t train. Your only defense was wishful thinking. Hope is not a strategy. Denial
kills you a second time because even if you do physically survive, you are psychologically shattered by your
fear helplessness and horror at your moment of truth.
Gavin de Becker puts it like this in “Fear Less”, his superb post-9/11 book, which should be required reading for
anyone trying to come to terms with our current world situation: “…denial can be seductive, but it has an
insidious side effect. For all the peace of mind deniers think they get by saying it isn’t so, the fall they take when
faced with new violence is all the more unsettling.”
Denial is a save-now-pay-later scheme, a contract written entirely in small print, for in the long run, the denying
person knows the truth on some level.
And so the warrior must strive to confront denial in all aspects of his life, and prepare himself for the day when
evil comes. If you are warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that
weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be “on” 24/7,
for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside
without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself…

“Baa.”

This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or
choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other
end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in
between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep
took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more
seriously. The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheep-hood and denial, is the degree to
which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.

Any Weather is Camping Weather

Aldous Huxley: The Ultimate Revolution « P U L S E

Aldous Huxley: The Ultimate Revolution « P U L S E

Realities of Going Primitive

There are a number of myths about our primitive ancestors perpetuated by modern civilized people. These are often directed toward me when the topic of "what do you do these days?" comes up.
Them: "Don't you know those people died before they turned 40?!"
Me: "I seriously doubt that the human species would still be around if all people died that early and even if they did, I would rather live a free and full life in the wild and die at 40 than live a desperate, seared and isolated existence of 80 years."
Them: "Your teeth will fall out and you will get cataracts!"
Me: "My teeth have never been healthier, especially since I am not eating junk anymore, and my eyes... I will drink some willow tea, it's supposed to prevent cataracts."
Them: "It must be miserable living in a tipi in the winter and so cold!"
Me: "Yes, it does get cold, but I feel great and invigorated staying in my tipi. Fresh air always at my nose, a nice warm fire with meat cooking, looking up at the stars as I go to sleep. No! I would not trade tipi life for any house."

I could go on with the years of myths that crowd our minds concerning the natural life. I have to meet my own doubts and myths head-on. I believe that most aboriginal people lived long, healthy and joyous lives. Sure, there were hardships and heartaches. If there wasn't some adversities and struggle, it wouldn't be much of a life. How would one learn about the right ways and wrong ways to do things?

Courtesy of Brent Ladd