Step Eight: Secret Communications - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works

“A person who has never made a mistake
has never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein

Step Eight: Secret Communications

Decide on some sort of code, sign or symbol to use at your rendezvous spot.

• This communication signal is not something that just anyone can stumble upon and understand. It could be as simple as a symbol carved into a particular tree trunk located on the corner of a particular park, bus stop bench, picnic table, to the side of a vending or newspaper machine, pay phone or postal drop box, that any member of your family/group may need to pass to get to the retreat. This is to alert them that “Johnnie has been through here, waited 10 minutes and went on”.

• A good source to develop your own communication signals is the “Boy Scout Field Book” (not handbook, field book – this is also great for learning other survival skills like compass and map reading, trapping and snares and the like). The sign for “Go Right” could be used as the “Suzie has been here and moved on” signal.

The Boy Scout Handbook does have a list of the most common trail signs and the Field Book has a list of all the trail signs.

You can also utilize other symbols or codes or make up your own.

Hint: When you have your drills, use colored dots, grease pencil or some other temporary method that will not be around when the crisis actually hits. If anyone stops to ask what you are doing; just say you are setting up a scavenger hunt.

American Boys Book Signs Signals Symbols 1918
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8944046/American-Boys-Book-Signs-Signals-Symbols-1918
Boy Scout Field Book http://openlibrary.org/books/OL8224590M/Official_Boy_Scout_Fieldbook; http://pdfebooksreader.com/ebook-boy+scout+american+handbook-pdf-1.html
Signs, Symbols & Codes http://citytechnology.org/stuff-that-works/downloads/signs_workshop.pdf
Secret Communications http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00322/
Secrets: Signs and Symbols http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/
Codes, Ciphers & Secret Messages http://www.42explore2.com/codes.htm
Cryptology And Other Forms Of Secret Communication http://hubpages.com/hub/Cryptology-And-Other-Forms-Of-Secret-Communication
Codes and Ciphers www.sciencenter.org/getthemessage/.../d/.../codes-and-ciphers.doc

Next week will be on Compiling your Important Information & Papers Documentation Book/Binder …

"Everybody thinks of changing humanity and
nobody thinks of changing himself."
Leo Tolstoy

TNT

2011 New Mexico Gun Shows & Appleseed Shoots

2011 New Mexico Gun Shows & Appleseed Shoots

For details follow this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/49616394/2011-New-Mexico-Gun-Shows-Appleseed-Shoots-vr2

New Mexico Shooting Ranges, Clubs & Instruction see http://www.scribd.com/doc/49616378/New-Mexico-Shooting-Ranges-%E2%80%93-Clubs-%E2%80%93-Instruction

Keep On Preppin!

TNT

Step Seven: Selecting Rendezvous Spots - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke

“I beg you take courage;
the brave soul can mend even disaster.“
Catherine II

Step Seven: Selecting Rendezvous Spots

• Select at least two rendezvous points to meet other members of your family/group along each route to each of your Crisis Retreats.
• The sites should be safe and on or in the immediate proximity to the route.

“Safe” will depend on just what type of crises are on your list.

For instance if some kind of extreme weather is on your list then this rendezvous spot should probably have some kind of shelter from the elements.

Or if you have some kind of riot or civil unrest, the rendezvous spot may need to hide you and you may want to just leave your Secret Communication and then not wait around at all.

• Have a non-obvious, easy to access place to leave a secret message

This can be a park bench, picnic table, vending or newspaper machine, a public postal drop, a particular tree in a park or a bus stop bench and the like; that you can “scratch” your symbol on.

• Wait times should be minimal (under 10 minutes)

Note: In all the Crisis Drills I have participated in no one lasted more than 5 minutes and the average was 2 - 2 1/2 minutes.

Next week will be about selecting a Secret Communication Symbol …

TNT
 

Directions to 1 Day Preparedness Seminar Abq., NM Feb 19, 2011 9am-4pm

Driving directions to Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras, NM
(505) 314-0240
16 mins; I-40 E; 12.6 mi

Interstate 40 & Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

1. Take I-40 E
72 ft
2. Merge onto I-40 E
10.9 mi
3. Take exit 175 for NM-337/NM-333 toward Tijeras
0.4 mi
4. Slight right at NM-337 S
213 ft
5. Slight right at NM-333 W

Destination will be on the left
0.3 mi
Los Vecinos Community Center
478 1/2 Nm 333
Tijeras, NM 87059

1 Day Preparedness Seminar Abq., NM Feb 19, 2011 9am-4pm

Emergency Preparedness Seminar

When: Saturday, February 19 – 9 am to 4 pm
Taught by: Cope Reynolds (Radio show host, survival and self-defense training expert from Luna, NM)
Location: Los Vecinos Community Center
478 ½ Old Hwy. 66 in Tijeras

FREE ADMISSION
(a freewill donation will be taken)

Don't wait until a crisis hits ... this seminar will help you to prepare yourself and take care of your family!

Man-made and natural disasters, social or economic collapse, terrorist attack, war! All are very real possibilities and this presentation will provide important information to help you to provide for your family!

● Food storage
● Finding, storing and purifying water
● Storing fuel
● Stress management
● Medical concerns
● Defensive weapons
● Communication
● Bartering
● and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!

Cope Reynolds - Southwest Shooting Authority, LLC
POB 219
217 Tallhouse Ln.
Luna, NM 87824
Phone: (575) 547-AK47 (2547)
Toll-Free (866)886-8753
Website: http://www.SouthWestShootingAuthority.com/
Podcast: http://www.TheShootingBench.net/

Sponsored by the New Mexico Patriot Alliance – http://www.nmpatriots.us/ Call 505-459-5955 for more details.

Step Six: Selecting Routes to the Crisis Retreats - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke

"What we anticipate seldom occurs;
what we least expect generally happens."
Benjamin Disraeli

Steps 6 & 7 Selecting Routes to the Crisis Retreats and Rendezvous Spots go together.

When deciding on your routes and rendezvous spots keep in mind that you may have one or more routes that come within a block or two of each other, or crisscross or merge, that are coming from different activity locations and or going to different crisis retreats. With these you can have one rendezvous spot that will accommodate both routes.

Steps 7 & 8 Selecting Rendezvous Spots and their Secret Communication Spots go together.

When deciding on your rendezvous spots keep an eye out for a place to leave a Secret Communication Symbol or message. This is not a note taped to a street sign or tacked on a community bulletin board.

Basically do not finalize your Routes or Rendezvous and Secret Communication Spots until we have reviewed all three steps of 6-8.

Step Six: Selecting Routes to the Crisis Retreats

• Select at least two Routes to get to each Crisis Retreat from each of your family’s usual activity locations – that are not your normal routes
• Take your Who, What, When, Where map and look for possible routes and rendezvous spots along each route to each retreat.

Remember: Your usual route and or transportation method may not be available immediately following the crisis event.

Next week it’s on to selecting Rendezvous Spots …

"Today is the Tomorrow that you worried about Yesterday"

TNT

PS If you live in the ABQ, NM area this might interest you:

1 Day Preparedness Seminar Feb 19, 2011 9am-4pm

Emergency Preparedness Seminar

When: Saturday, February 19 – 9 am to 4 pm
Taught by: Cope Reynolds (Radio show host, survival and self-defense training expert from Luna, NM)
Location: Los Vecinos Community Center
478 ½ Old Hwy. 66 in Tijeras

FREE ADMISSION
(a freewill donation will be taken)

Don't wait until a crisis hits ... this seminar will help you to prepare yourself and take care of your family!

Man-made and natural disasters, social or economic collapse, terrorist attack, war! All are very real possibilities and this presentation will provide important information to help you to provide for your family!

● Food storage
● Finding, storing and purifying water
● Storing fuel
● Stress management
● Medical concerns
● Defensive weapons
● Communication
● Bartering
● and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!

Cope Reynolds
Southwest Shooting Authority, LLC
POB 219
217 Tallhouse Ln.
Luna, NM 87824
Phone: (575) 547-AK47 (2547)
Toll-Free (866)886-8753
Website: http://www.SouthwestShootingAuthority.com/1731792.html
Podcast: http://www.TheShootingBench.net/

Sponsored by the New Mexico Patriot Alliance – www.nmpatriots.us Call 505-459-5955 for more details.

Did You Know? – Valentine’s & President’s Day (History, Thoughts and Prayers)

How many Saint Valentine's are there?; Where did cards and Cupid come from?

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV

How many dates has there been for Presidents Day?; What prompted combining Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays?

Creator, God of power, thank You for the service of all the U.S. Presidents, past and present.
Bless and keep all people whose lives are touched by the President's decisions and be, O God, ever present in the President's actions.
Help me do the same and let our earthly authorities know who is really in charge- You!
Amen

And much more ... read on and enjoy ;-}


TNT

Step Five: Select a Primary and Secondary Crisis Retreat for Sheltering In Place - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke

Step Five: Select a Primary and Secondary Crisis Retreat for Sheltering In Place

“A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.”
Sir Robert Baden-Powell
(British Army Officer, founder of the Boy Scouts, 1857-1941)

Most likely your Primary Retreat will be your Primary Residence, since that is where most of our stuff is.

The Secondary Retreat need not be a cabin in the woods. It just cannot be a public shelter or evacuation center – those are your last places to go.

• Talk with family and friends and see if you can “double up” with them, you could be their secondary retreat and they your secondary retreat.

• Or your secondary retreat could be just loading the vehicle or RV with your go-bags and camping equipment and heading out of town; pulling over at the first safe place you find and setting up camp.

Keep in mind what is needed to get to these retreats and be sure the secondary retreat is out of or in a less affected area than the crisis scope of involvement.

Once you have selected your secondary retreat mark it on your Who, What, When, Where Map.

Again make a note of what the usual route is between your primary residence, your regular activities and this secondary retreat, as well as any potential alternate routes.

Recommended Retreat Areas http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html

Tips on Selecting Members for a Successful Preparedness/Survival Group - Getting Along Today & Tomorrow http://www.scribd.com/doc/32552694/Tips-on-Selecting-Members-for-a-Successful-Preparedness-Survival-Group-Getting-Along-Today-and-Tomorrow

State Rankings for Preppers 2010 -The Most/Best: (must download in Excel format to view all columns) Debt, Fed Aide, Corrupt, Crime, Illegal Immigrant DL's, Gun Laws, Growing Season, Population, Financial & education, 19 Best Western States) http://www.scribd.com/doc/36026485/State-Rankings-for-Preppers-2010


Next week it’s on to selecting Routes to the Crisis Retreats …


TNT
 

?'s on Step Two: Create Per Crisis Needs Lists

I received several questions regarding the two document links in Step Two of How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke. Below are the documents and my response:

Is There a Hierarchy for Acquiring Preparedness Needs? http://www.scribd.com/doc/30595295/Is-There-a-Hierarchy-for-Acquiring-Preparedness-Needs
Hierarchy of Survival Needs What to Buy First (great graphic) http://secretsofurbansurvival.com/forums/content.php?127-Gold-vs-Food-A-hierarchy-of-survival-needs

** Special Note: The Precious and Semi-precious Metals and Gems discussed or visualized in the above two “Hierarchy” documents have several important “truths” that must be understood:

• It refers to having the actual metal or gem in your hand, NOT the paper certificate
• They are bulky, heavy and require extensive security
• They don’t make good mobility items
• They are only viable for some specific crisis’s and for only a small timeframe at the very beginning and very end of the duration of these crisis’s.
• Discussing this in an open environment, where anyone can overhear puts you and your household in danger in the here and now.

The graphic itself is like the Food Pyramid in that it does not mean you eat all your grains for the first meal of the day or purchase all of that type of preparedness need first and then the next brick or food group second. Rather it means that for each dollar you spend on preparedness needs these are the recommended proportions of cents to that dollar that are to be devoted to that type of need.

During any major crisis or end of the world as we know it scenario - IF:

• You can’t eat it
• You can’t drink it
• It won’t assist one in gaining food and water without actually purchasing it (like rifles for hunting)
• It is easy to scavenge and or scrounge

It is NOT a viable barter and or trade item.

“God intended women to be outside as well as men, and they do not know what they are missing when they stay cooped up in the house.”
Annie Oakley

TNT