I like to be truthful, honest, and straightforward. It pays dividends because others know that I have integrity and that I am trustworthy. People recognize that they can rely on me to get things done, to help and support, and to act with uprightness. While this is most often a virtue of which I am proud, sometimes it just drives me nuts. Do you know what it is like to always be reliable? The one that others can count on, call on, dump on, or whatever fits their need or fancy of the moment? It is exhausting and overwhelming. And I am flat-out tired. Instead of being the go-to person I believe that I am going to don a suit of cynicism. This cynicism will not be of a pessimistic or scornful nature but rather one of joyous frivolity. Cynicism a la fun!

There are many techniques that I have handy to employ but there a few that are exceptionally special like playing along with no intent of following through. With a little practice with, “You bet! Whatever you want!” or “All righty!! I’ll take your lead and get this done” I will hone my shouting skills with a smile and backslap tossed in as I agree to do this, that, and the other thing and then head out the door and buy ice cream as a treat for myself. Knowing that the requester always foists jobs and projects on others without ever lending a hand or taking the lead, I might even order a double decker.

Another strategy I might implement is the nod of harmonious accord. While not as boisterous as the shout and slap, it can be powerful as I exude confidence of promise to complete requirements asked of me. There is something about a wagging head of “yay” that soothes others as they rest assured that I will get right on it and get it done. If I am really feeling cynical I might give my eyes a sarcastic roll as I wrinkle my brow in a worrisome way. I believe that the last added touches are effective in sending the spin that I’ll jump right on the request.

Being skeptical of the pressure jettisoned my way I may add a frown of discontentment and a distrustful sigh to my personal arsenal of expertise cynicism. A shrug of the shoulders, a tap of the foot will increase the intensity of the scene as I exemplify suspicion and angst. I believe repeating the sigh a little longer and a little louder each time will enhance the situation to my advantage. I will also work to perfect my eyebrow bunching. I think this will round out my cynic scenario.

I understand that the cynicism examined here is pretty much in the not-following-through category, but I recognize that the non-stop yes, yes, yeses of my life have run amuck. If I could just be a little less responsible I would have a chance to regain control of my life. If I could just become the unaccountable one! After all, most of what I do is volunteer work so the worst that could happen would be that I would be fired! And the best news – I can’t be fired as I am not under contract or commission. Cynicism may become my survival and just in time at that.

Who Needs The Best Emergency Food Kit?

Who knows what the future holds? If only we knew, day to day, what challenges would arise, we would never be caught unawares. Unfortunately, life just doesn’t work that way. Those who prefer to look forward and make preparations for the “just in case” scenarios are often painted as fringe lunatics and doomsday preppers. However, assembling the best emergency food kit for yourself or your family should be something every responsible adult takes seriously. Just a few of the “normal” situations that could arise, when having emergency rations for your family would make sense, include: loss of a job, temporary lay off, extended storm damage or power outage that traps your family at home. Or perhaps you’d just like to be a position to help another family in need, should the opportunity arise. Then there are Armageddon type scenarios that plague the mind of some, and no better way to put those fears to rest than to look ahead and prepare for the worst. Whatever your reasons for looking forward and setting up emergency rations against a difficult time ahead, we are here to help you build the very best emergency food kit for your family.

Identifying Your Needs

First, lay out your preparation strategy. If you’re just getting started in emergency preparation, you may not have more than a day or two worth of food in your cupboard. If that’s the case, building up a thirty day supply of food is a good place to start. If you already have 30 days of emergency rations laid by, the next step may be building up a six month or year emergency food kit. The important thing is to start somewhere, and build your supplies up until you’ve assembled the best emergency food kit that you’re able.

Who Are You Feeding?

Do you have children in the house? Teens? Older or elderly adults? Infants will require special feeding accommodations like milk or formula, while the elderly may have some unique nutritional needs, as well. Map out on paper who you’re building a food supply for and any special things you need to prepare for them, or for yourself. Then consider what it takes to feed that person for a single day.

How Many?

Once you’ve written down what it takes to feed one person for one day, you’ll need to multiply that by the number of people, and the number of days for which you’re preparing.

What Do They Like To Eat?

There’s no need to live for a month on nothing but rice and beans. You don’t want to stock up on three months worth of food that your family won’t touch with a six-foot pole, just because it was cheap. It may keep you alive in a pinch, but you want to enjoy it, if possible. So take the likes and dislikes into consideration as you plan. Don’t forget to consider food allergies, as well. In an emergency situation, you wouldn’t want to face an allergic reaction from cross contamination, so better to avoid problem foods altogether, if possible.

Types Of Emergency Rations

There are dozens of ways to build up a great emergency food kit. The easiest, though certainly not the least expensive, is to invest in commercially prepared emergency rations, offered by various companies. These kits come as single servings, or a month’s worth of food for a single person. There are dozens of options to choose from.

Another method, requiring a little planning and management, is to simply take what you buy and use on a weekly basis, and start building up a supply that will last. If you ordinarily use three cans of beans and two boxes of mac ‘n’ cheese and a jar of peanut butter each week, then begin buying double that, and set the extra aside for your emergency food kit. Then manage your stock by rotating it so that your food stays as fresh as possible. Freshness would be a significant advantage in a long-term disaster, where you’re relying on your emergency rations for months, or even years.

Once you’ve built up a few months supply of food, organize your cans and boxes with the soonest expiration date in the front and the furthest out in the back. Then, when you do your grocery shopping, put the new stuff in the back and use from the front. This keeps your stock fresh and ready to use if and when the need arises.

Home canning is another less expensive way to build up your emergency food kit. Canning is becoming a lost art, so if you’re not familiar with how to do it, you’re not alone. Canning food in glass jars requires a little learning and effort but can allow you to preserve tasty, homemade food for years. Be sure to learn which foods require pressure cooking versus water-bathing methods of preservation. Properly canned goods keep best in cool, dark places between 50 and 70 *F (10 – 21 *C) and are safe to eat for years after canning.

For bulk dry goods that are intended for long term storage, wheat, beans, rice, sugar and other dry goods can be vacuum sealed and stored in five gallon buckets with O2 absorbers to last for thirty years and more. For the truly prepared minded, a few buckets of wheat and corn will go a long way toward peace of mind.

A vacuum sealer is a good investment for anyone serious about their emergency rations. Sealing foods in smaller quantities not only preserves them longer but allows you to use them a little at a time, rather than having to use a large container up quickly once you’ve opened it.

If you’re worried about the expiration date on store-bought canned goods, keep this story in mind. A steamboat named the Bertrand was trying to reach Montana in 1865 when it sunk to the bottom of the Missouri river. One hundred years later, canned goods from that wreck were recovered. In 1974, 109 years after the accident, the food was tested by chemists and found safe to eat. You should use good sense when eating canned foods that have passed their expiration dates. If it looks odd, smells bad or tastes bad, don’t eat it!

Signs That The Food In Your Emergency Food Kit Has Gone Bad

Signs canned goods have gone bad: the can is bulging, or the lid has come unsealed. Check for mold or fermentation bubbles in the liquid. If the food rushes out of the can or jar when you open it, there is pressure on the contents that wasn’t there when the can or jar was sealed. This is a good indication of bacterial activity causing a chemical reaction.

Comfort Foods

Once you’ve established a good base for emergency rations, you might want to start thinking about adding some comfort foods to your store. In stressful situations, we all turn to food for comfort, and yummy food might not be easy to come by in the event of a disaster. Some things to store include:

• Chocolate – powdered cocoa keeps the best, but chocolate bars over 70% cocoa will keep for several months, and much longer if frozen. Hot chocolate mix has a shelf life of several years, and could easily be added to the rotation of your emergency food kit.
• Mac n’ cheese – Best preserved dried by separating the noodles and cheese, and then vacuum sealing them with O2 absorbers. If you’re worried about being able to cook macaroni and cheese, it can be canned, but it won’t have the same texture as freshly made. Under cooking the noodles before canning will help it to be less mushy.
• Honey – made with natural preservatives, honey will keep indefinitely, as long as water never gets near it. Store in very clean, very dry glass jars. If it crystallizes, you can return it to its liquid state with a little heat.
• Freeze dried fruit or dehydrated fruit can be a great energy booster and will keep well when stored properly.
• Hard candy – store with desiccants and vacuum sealing to provide a much needed pick me up under stressful conditions.
• Coconut oil, especially virgin coconut oil will store for a very long time and provide added fat for comforting recipes when butter isn’t available.
• Spices – if you get to a place where you’re having to make all of your food from what you have on hand, you’ll be very glad for some extra spices to… well… spice things up.
• Alcohol – Obviously, a comforting item, but it serves many purposes in a disaster scenario and it keeps well. High alcohol content (over 20%) will keep the longest and over 40% can serve as a disinfectant if needed.
• Tea – keeps well without special accommodations. To keep it the very freshest, store in small quantities with an O2 absorber.
• Coffee – For those who really need their cuppa to keep their chin up, coffee will be an important part of the very best emergency food kit. Roasted coffee keeps, vacuum sealed in Mylar bags, for up to two years. If you rotate it through your emergency rations, you will have good coffee for some time. For preparation beyond that, you can store green coffee beans in Mylar bags with O2 absorbers, then roast and grind them as needed.

What To Choose?

How to decide what goes into the very best emergency food kit? A good rule of thumb is six months to a year of food that you would eat every day. This is easily managed through good shopping and rotation. For preparation beyond that time frame, vacuum sealed Mylar bags will keep dry goods for years. Many companies and even faith-based family preparation programs offer dry goods preserved in #10 cans that will keep up to 30 years. Building an emergency food kit that can last several years in a pinch is possible, with planning and forethought.

Water will be critical to surviving certain types of disaster scenarios. When planning for emergency situations, one liter of water per person per day is a good starting point. You’ll need some extra for sanitation and cooking, as well. Be sure you have plenty of water on hand, or a way to obtain water and sanitize it. Sanitation tablets and filtration systems would be a major component of the best emergency food kit.

Looking Ahead

For total preparedness, it’s important to think ahead to food preparation during an emergency. If the power was out for three weeks, how would you cook that mac ‘n’ cheese you took such care to store? Even if you have a power generator for emergencies, stoves and microwaves pull too much energy to use the generator for cooking. A propane or butane camp stove with plenty of fuel cells, or a propane or charcoal grill are great options to have on hand. And don’t forget to include a manual can opener in your emergency food kit.

Where To Keep It?

Storage space can be tricky, depending on your housing situation. If at all possible, you’ll want to designate a neatly organized room that’s specifically for food storage. You’ll label your shelves, and keep things nicely stocked and rotated. If you don’t live in this kind of fairy tale situation, you may have to get a little more creative about how you store your emergency food kit. A lot of food can be neatly stored, in cardboard boxes, under beds, in the bottoms or tops of closets, and under the stairs. You may need to reduce unnecessary clutter, to make room for emergency rations. The reward will be worth the effort.

Be Prepared, Not Scared

Taking the steps required to create the best emergency food kit that you possibly can will pay off in peace of mind. To know that you have the ability to care for those you love, and to be able to reach out to those around you in their time of need, will put you in a category reserved for just a few. You’ll rest easy at night, knowing that whatever tomorrow holds, your family is provided for.

Several factors influence lung cancer survival rates. The type of cancer, the stage it is at when diagnosed, and the overall condition of the patient all play a role in determining survival. Cancer survival is usually expressed in terms of a five-year survival rate, which is the percentage of patients with cancer who survive at least five years after their cancer is diagnosed.

Studies have shown that five-year survival rates among non-small cell lung cancer patients vary by stage. Stage 0 patients have the best survival, of close to 50 percent at five years. Approximately one-quarter of stage II patients survive to five years, as compared to eight percent of stage III patients and only two percent of stage IV patients. In general, small cell lung cancer tends to proceed more rapidly to terminal disease. Ten to fifteen percent of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer, and between one and two percent of those with extensive-stage cancer, survive to five years.

Estimates of cancer survival do not reflect current treatment advances that may lead to better chances of survival, because they are typically calculated for a five-year period that does not include the previous year. Further, each patient responds to treatment in a unique way; aggregate estimates do not account for individual factors that may improve or worsen the likelihood of survival.

The overall number of deaths in the United States from lung cancer rose throughout the 1980s, and began to drop for men in the 1990s. However, a similar decrease has not been observed among women. Over fifty thousand current and former smokers have been enrolled in the National Lung Screening Trial to find out if chest x-rays and CT scans taken before the onset of lung cancer symptoms may improve early diagnosis and therefore survival.

92% of Americans having survived a natural disaster say they are not prepared for the next one. *

85% of our nation is not ready for a devastating event.

52% of Americans do not have copies of crucial personal documents. **

48% of Americans do not have emergency supplies.

44% of Americans do not own a first aid kit.

*Source: FEMA.GOV

**Source: Us Department of Health and Human Services 2016

Do you live in a flood prone area, an area plagued by harsh winters, areas susceptible to tornadoes, coastal areas that deal with hurricanes or in earthquake country? Identify if you are at risk and the key is to identify what you are at risk for.

Steps to get you prepared for survival at the least effort:

Step 1-Make a Plan, familiarize yourself with how to receive emergency alerts and warnings from your local government agencies and your hometown law enforcement personnel. Discuss with your family, plans for different disasters and what to do. Learn how and when you should turn off your water, gas and electricity at the main shut-offs. Discuss with your family members how you will contact each other during a disaster. Collect personal information of every family member’s photos, phone number and email address. Include doctors, hospitals and schools. Provide a laminated copy to each person involved. Pick an emergency meeting place if practical. Determine and practice the best escape routes from your homes.

Step 2-Collect emergency supplies. Water, 1 gallon per person per day for 72 hours in addition to water for food preparation, bathing, brushing teeth and dish washing. Food experts recommend a three month supply of non-perishable food (infant formula if necessary). Clothing, you will need complete changes of clothing for each family member. Include long pants, long sleeved shirts, comfortable shoes while considering the climate area that you live in. Don’t forget the baby diapers and also include sleeping bags or warm blankets for each person. Personal health care supplies need to be in the go-bag, prescription medication, first aid kit (to match your life style). Feminine hygiene items, prescription eyeglasses and hand sanitizer will also be needed. Collect important documents to include copies of insurance policies, copies of ID cards (driver’s license, passport or other ID), bank account information, cash (small bills) or traveler’s checks, family photos (if you get separated) and a first aid book. Store all in waterproof portable containers. And lastly, stock safety supplies and equipment such as water filtration devices, flashlights, batteries, fire extinguisher, battery powered or hand crank radio, waterproof matches, paper cups, plates, utensils (the old military style kit), paper towels, large trash bags with ties, paper and pencils, a whistle, dust masks, duct tape, can opener, cell phone charger, fire starter, rope, a wrench or pliers.

Step 3-Emergency food supplies. Choose foods with a long storage life and do not need to be refrigerated. Supplies should be easy to prepare with minimal steps. Fruit bars, nuts, peanut butter and canned juices. Vitamins, food for infants, kids, foods high in calories, comfort and stress foods, dehydrated milk, pet food. Keep salty and spicy foods to a minimum as they increase the need to drink water. Check and replace at intervals through the year as needed. Store a three month supply of non-perishable food in a cool, dry location that’s easy to get to. Choose familiar foods that include all dietary concerns and needs. Keep food stuff in covered containers, keep utensils clean and keep garbage closed or bury it! Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Discard food if it is questionable. Use bottled water if possible and if water is questionable it should be boiled or treated.

Use perishable foods in your refrigerator or freezer before using your emergency supplies. If cooking food in a can, remove the label, thoroughly wash can and then open can before heating.

Have at least one gallon per day per individual that is stored in sturdy plastic bottles with tight fitting lids. Stored water should be changed every six months. Allow your people to drink as much water as they want or need. Everyone is different and might require more. Do not ration drinking water unless it is mandated by local or federal authorities. Do not substitute carbonated beverages for drinking water. Capture and store rainwater or snow. Use ice cubes, liquid from canned goods such as fruit or vegetables. Water from heating systems, toilets, flush tanks, waterbeds, pools or spas can be used for personal hygiene and cleaning but not for drinking!

Step 4-Riding out the disaster while sheltering in place. Protect yourself, family and pets from the elements and stay indoors. Ensure all windows, doors, air vents and fireplace dampers are locked or closed. Turn off any air flow system. Have emergency supply kit ready. Proceed to interior rooms with minimal windows and seal all windows with plastic sheeting and duct tape. Watch TV, radio or check internet often for official news and instructions.

If stranded outdoors, find a structure that will protect you from the elements. Stay warm and dry and hydrated. If you are separated from your family, ensure you contact them to let them know your whereabouts.

Step 5-Coping with the disaster. Keep your mind off what’s happening around you by distracting yourself and family with board games. Stay informed via TV or radio. Take care of your body by eating healthy, staying hydrated and get plenty of sleep if possible. Take breaks from everything going on and spend time together. Keep a regular schedule for your days. Provide a safe environment and help others if you’re able to do so. Identify what you are at risk for and be prepared, so when that time comes you can rest easy knowing you and your loved ones are taken care of.

Plan, prepare, protect, get through, hold on, hold out, make it, and keep body, soul and family together. You need a plan to prepare and to protect yourself and your family. Survival is our Strategy!”

Thanks for reading this. I’d love to hear what your ideas are and what you have done to better prepare to master survival in the outdoors and how you practice and why, so please leave your comments below and share your thoughts.

Have you been thinking about storing up survival food in case of a disaster or crisis?

If so, the first thing you should do is lay out your plan. A preparedness plan includes evacuation as well as storing up food. So think in terms of what you have on hand if you are stranded in your own home. But also think about what you should have in a cache that you can take with you (like a survival backpack).

In this article we will focus on the storing of items that you need to have in your home in case you are stranded there and cut off from the outside world.

First Things First: Water

Water is the basic, most essential thing you must have stocked to be able to survive any crisis – short-term or long-term. Having enough on hand for each family member for at least a week will increase your chances for survival exponentially. One gallon, per person, per day is the rule of thumb. Remember, it’s not just for drinking – it’s for cooking, for brushing your teeth, for basic cleanliness, for wound cleansing. You have no real idea how much water you use per day when it’s coming from the faucets in your house! Store water, lots of water. Just make it a point to pick up some each time to go to the grocery store. You will never be sorry that you have plenty of water available in a crisis.

Easy Survival Foods: Canned Goods

Soups are perfect, it’s a meal in a can. Although you should watch the salt content or you will need more water than normal. So buy the non-condensed, low sodium varieties with pop tops and you will be in great shape! Add plenty of vegetables and fruits for a treat. You can get your sweet tooth satisfied with some canned peaches or mixed fruit, and it will also give you a quick energy boost because of the sugar. Be creative here, get a variety of things canned. Don’t get caught with nothing but green beans and corn.

Long-Term Survival Foods: Freeze Dried Products

You can get some MREs to help you get through the toughest part of a disaster. But, they are not for every day. And you will get tired of them, so use them as a supplement to your other foodstuffs. They are quick and easy, so if you are on the move, these are an excellent source of energy and sustenance. You can also get many freeze-dried fruits, even consider trail mixes. Trail mixes are usually full of nuts and dried fruits – a good source of protein and energy foods.

With just a little bit of planning, you can stock up some needed items without breaking the bank or overflowing your available storage space.

Plan ahead. You will be glad you did.

A Hostage is defined as somebody held prisoner by a person or group such as a criminal or a terrorist organization until specific demands are met or money is handed over.

To deal effectively with a Hostage situation, it is first important that you understand the circumstances of the captivity and the type of person or grouping who has seized the Hostage.

Hostage taking is a frequently reported occurrence, both as part of terrorist tactics and criminal enterprise with hostages coming from all walks of life. Figures vary but it is estimated that there are over 20 000 reported hostage incidents worldwide annually. This is, in all likelihood, only a fraction of the actual number.

Many hostage incidents in Iraq, involving Western hostages, begin by criminal elements seeing a financial opportunity and selling the hostage to a political grouping. In many parts of the world, particularly in Latin America and Eastern Europe, it is simply a business. Many terrorist and criminal acts are acute in nature with most of the subsequent response involved in Post-Incident activity. Hostage incidents however, tend to be protracted in nature with the Hostage Takers as well as Primary (the Hostage) and Secondary victims (members of the family, business or CP team) being engaged in an extended situation during the incident.

The duration of a Hostage incident means that there is much opportunity to influence its outcome by the behavior of all people concerned.

In general there are five basic reasons why people take hostages:

Political. Classic, terrorist type. May be airline or embassy takeover or indeed such as we see on Al Jazeera with Western hostages in Iraq. Recent examples of political hostage taking are, the British sailors held in Iran and the Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006.

Secure an Escape Route. Tends to occur when a crime is discovered in progress and the security forces respond by sealing off the escape. Hostages are then taken in order to barter for an escape or freedom. Another similar example is a hijack, where the aircraft is redirected to a chosen location (the Afghan refugees at Stanstead in 2001 or indeed the Achille Lauro ship hijack in 1986).

Financial Gain. A business. Hostages are taken in kidnappings and held at an unknown location (s). A particular problem in Italy (Aldo Moro being a good example) and Latin America. Sometimes the need for funds may not be criminal but to finance terrorism (Iraqi middle class hostages).

Mental Disturbance. The Hostage Taker is an individual with personality defect or simply under severe stress. Careful management is needed in these cases due to the volatile nature of the event. Careless intervention may promote a suicide attempt with initial sacrifice of hostage (s). The Waco siege being a good example of this.

Institutional Reasons. Possibly a prison siege that develops from a riot, often over seemingly trivial reasons that are very important to the inmates. These are often best resolved via minor concessions and allowing the siege to run its course.

Irrespective of the motivation of any Hostage taker, those at risk of being taken hostage benefit considerably from Hostage Survival training.

It is rare that a Hostage will be killed. Indeed, we have already seen it is often senseless to do so because a Hostage Taker loses any or all leverage once the Hostage is dead. Incidents where a Hostage has been killed have often resulted from poorly handled deadlines.

In Iraq, some, but not all Western hostages have been killed. However, there has been considerable time between captivity and execution. Time that can, and should, be well used. This time can often be extended by careful handling of the situation by both the Hostage and any external authorities.

Hostage takers broadly fall into one of seven categories each with their own peculiarities, demands and mental states. The Hostage and Negotiators must understand who they are dealing with in order to maximise the chance of a successful outcome.

Political. Rarely a random or unplanned incident. The Hostage taking is simply part of a wider campaign. Obeying orders psychologically absolves the Hostage Taker from the act of killing. Hostages must not 'threaten' the cause in any way. If on drugs their behavior may, under stress, verge on the psychotic. They will tend to over-react to minor success or setback. They will however, mostly, not harm hostages simply for the sake of doing so.

Fleeing Criminal. An example being the Stockholm bank raid in 1973. The Hostage Taker may begin to model himself as a political extremist in order to raise himself above the level of a common thief. Often, once they realize the hopelessness of their situation, they capitulate in return for very minor concession. Hostages should aim to build a relationship and convince him of similar hopes and aspirations – whilst not internally empathising with him. Rational discussion often resolves this situation rapidly.

Religious Fanatics. These are a particularly dangerous form of Hostage Taker. Throughout centuries, fanaticism has created a catalog of death and injury to opposing factions. Fanaticism has been likened to a kind of 'Collective Madness', inspired by revelations or interpretations of apparently divine happenings. In many cases, it is the group perception that the Hostage represents some form of Satanic force to be eradicated. As a Hostage in this scenario, you should never disagree with the Hostage Taker – you will be sacrificed early with the Hostage taker feeling fully justified. You must maximise the time you remain alive through developing rapport.

Chronically Disturbed. Often unaware he is a Hostage Taker and often very frightened. Try to find what he wants and gently guide him towards seeing that he will achieve this by letting the Hostage free unharmed.

Acutely Disturbed. May result from breakdown in a relationship. He may be holding his wife or child. Normally Hostages should humanize themselves and form a rapport. In this case it is important that the Hostage remains as impersonal as possible in order to avoid becoming the target of rage.

'Wronged Person' – Possibly a disaffected employee who feels personal affront at a shift in corporate policy. In this case, Hostages are often seen as simply a means to express a grievance. He will often demand publicity in order to voice his grievances. In these case, the Hostage should sympathise with the captor – at least verbally, and introduce the idea that the siege itself has given him the publicity he desires and that it may now be time to release the Hostage.

Institutionalised Captor . Normally he has very little power. He now has enormous power, often over those who previously held him – possibly prison guards. It is likely that he will seek to humiliate his Hostage. He will often react well to even minor concessions which may seem otherwise trivial. Never antagonise such a hostage taker.

Whatever motivation underlies the incident, the key to survival is to convince the Hostage Taker of the following points:

The Hostage Taker's objectives will be best met if the Hostage is released.

The Hostage is worth more alive than dead.

It is not in the Hostage Taker's best interests to harm the Hostage.

AIMS OF A CAPTIVE

When captured, your mind will undergo a plethora of emotions. These emotions and conflicting thoughts can often seem to overwhelm you at and beyond the point of capture.

It is important therefore that, given any number of scenarios and apparent conflicts, you can focus yourself on a small checklist of things that are critical to your survival . These are known as the Aims of a Captive and you must be entirely familiar with them.

Escape. Many people think of old WW2 films whenever we mention escape from captivity. Although many daring escapes took place during WW2, it is worth remembering that many more failed and resulted in death, recapture and / or reprisal against remaining prisoners. Consider if the risks in an escape attempt outweigh the benefit before you take action.

If you escape – your captivity is over and your next task is to get back home, you may have to consider Survival and Evasion. The bottom line is that you must PLAN AHEAD if at all possible. It will occupy your mind with positive thoughts as well as practical ones and help to take your mind away from your situation.

Thomas Hamill was a driver for the Haliburton Group who was held hostage in Iraq in 2004. He had many opportunities to escape but he was held in the middle of nowhere and therefore decided his best chance of survival was to wait. His opportunity came when one day he heard military vehicles and ran outside to freedom.

Avoid Selection for Maltreatment. The guide for this is 'Remain the Gray Man'. Do not stand out and make yourself a victim for further maltreatment. This is as appropriate for those held alone as for those held in groups. Be polite to your captors and conceal your feelings and emotions. Listen carefully to everything and obey reasonable orders. Pause and think before answering any questions. Do not carry incriminating items – ensure you never carry items on any operation that you do not need. Beware overuse or underuse of eye contact. Too much eye contact may appear threatening – whilst too little may appear overly submissive and single you out for bullying treatment. Avoid suggestions – you will be blamed if it goes wrong.

Avoid Exploitation. Pretend an inability to think, remember or comprehend. Claim ignorance of accusations. Stall for time when presented with demands from your captors. Above all – Think before acting, and ask yourself, 'Can I do this and live with the consequences?'

Survive With Honor. The meaning of this is really determined by the individual. However, it may be best described by an ability to conduct yourself in such a manner that you will be able to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life.

In the next article, we will write about how the initial responders to a Hostage situation should behave in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the Hostage, in Training the Untrained Negotiator.

Each and every one of us has a systematic body that provides different functions for the different needs of the body. Our entire body is covered with the integumentary system that protects the internal organs from being easily damaged or harmed and a given posture or support by the skeletal system. The bones of our body don’t just give movement, these skeletons of ours produce red and white blood cells and store minerals needed by the body as well. Our bones are connected via cartilages so that we could easily bend and do movements. Our bones like any parts in the systems of our body are not immune to various diseases as well. The fatal disease, cancer of the bone, can affect even the healthiest person in the planet without him knowing it. Bone cancer survival rate, at its final phase, is just 8 percent.

Bone cancer survival rate in the first stage are at 84.5 percent. Comparable to other cancer stages, the survival rate for this type of cancer are slightly lower than a first stage breast cancer but higher than one liver cancer. Usually bone cancer is more often detected among children and adolescents than adults or people in the later stages in life. Usually when bone cancer is detected among adults these are due to the passing of malignant cancer cells which have expanded from another system of the body and have affected the bones as well. Another type of cancer that may start from the bones is multiple myeloma. This occurs when the malignant cancer cells start from the bone marrow cells inside the bones of our body.

There are several ways for specialists to know if you have this malignant type of cancer. One must undergo a series of tests to determine if a person has this type of disease or not. Tests are not limited to XRAYS, CTSCANS or MRI’s which provide a detailed look in how your body looks from the inside. If a bone tumor is identified by the doctors, they will then provide an in-depth analysis for possible solutions to the person with the bone cancer tumor. Once the tumor is removed from the body, it is the examined to determine whether it is cancerous or not. Everything done in this stage is set to further increase the bone cancer survival rate of the person involved. For the sooner the medication the better chance the person will survive.

Moomoo.io is another online game that is growing in popularity. In this survival style game you need to survive against other players, chickens and cows making it stand out. To survive, you will need to collect crafting items and other resources; the more you collect, the more items you get to unlock including food varieties, weapons, trap and wall upgrades. Building bases where you can survive is however the main way of survival in this game. But then how can you generate all important points to create the kind of base that will withstand foe and monster attacks?

Team up. Teaming up with other players will make it easy for you to build your survival settlements quick. With the combined efforts from other characters you will keep safe for a considerable length of time. You, however need to be careful because there is always the risk of them killing you so as to keep the established areas to themselves.

Build a windmill . There are so many resources in moomooio for building strong settlements. A windmill is one of the best when it comes to generating points. The most important thing when playing is to make sure that you have a strategic place to run and hide so you can also defend your fort. Keep the windmills protected using forts.

Go for grouped resources . Resources that tend to be all together are good for your play. The fact that they are in close proximity one to the other means that fortifying the area is easy and you also increase your chances of growing your base faster. It is so much better to collect them together as compared to collecting one at a time. Scout around until you find the perfect site to get your village established.

Know the resources available to you. In this game the major materials that you should aim to collect are stone, food and wood. They of course will be around stony areas, berry bushes and trees that are around where you are. Gold is another resource, but it may not be as valuable as the others. Aim to collect as many resources as you can and continue building your settlement with survival in mind. The more items you have to build, the easier it will be to keep other players out as you harvest other goods.

Choose the right weapons . The weapons that you select should be dictated by whether you are offensive or defensive. For example a shield may be a better weapon when you are defensive whereas a bow will be great for offenses. You just need to know exactly where you will be applying the weapons so you choose that will work to your advantage.

Be careful with boost pads . They may be great, but when used in tight areas there is risk of enemies spiking down and hence trapping you until you quit. You may make a few mistakes as you play, but at least you will start getting familiar with the game and develop tactics that work for you.

When in a survival situation, there are a lot of things that rush through your head. However, it is very important that you Please Remember What’s First. That’s P. R. W. F. for Protection, Rescue, Water, and Food.

-Protection-

Your first goal should always to ensure adequate protection. Even in 50 degree weather you can get hypothermia, especially if wet and in wind. Shelter from the sun is essential in warmer climates as well. Using paracord that you should have in your survival kit and whatever you can find in your immediate vicinity, construct some form of shelter and protection from the elements.

When building shelter to stay warm, remember one layer of insulation on bottom is as good as two on top. Much of your body heat seeps into the ground during the night. Also, keep your head covered as the majority of your body heat is dissipated through your head. If possible, build on ground that is dry, well drained, and flat. Choose location that is close to water and firewood. Build shelter on a site that is easy to be seen and spotted.

Clean and bandage wounds with alcohol prep pads and bandages, another key item you should have in your survival kit. Infections can present serious danger in survival situations. Use safety pins to secure bandages in place.

-Rescue-

After you have established protection, your next job is to attract attention to yourself for rescue. Use a whistle, a piece of tinfoil as a signaling mirror, or a flashlight to signal any search parties. A whistle’s blast can carry for 1-2 miles in the wilderness, and requires very little energy to use. A human voice can only carry 100-200 meters at best. A smokey fire is also a good method of drawing attention to yourself from afar.

3 of any kind of signal is the international sign of distress. 3 flashes of a flashlight, 3 blasts of a whistle, 3 sticks or even 3 fires in a triangle will signal any search party that you are in distress.

If you must travel, leave obvious markers along your path for rescuers to follow, and also to prevent you from doubling back on yourself. Three stones stacked on top of each other is an excellent method of leaving markers when nothing else is available.

-Water-

Water is the next most essential element in surviving. Conserve your water by not breathing hard, avoid sweating, stay out of direct sunlight. The best place to store water is in your stomach. Drink as much as you need, and as often as you can. Store extra water in a ziploc bag, or a canteen or water bottle. If fire is not readily available, you may drink from streams that are flowing and clear. Never drink stagnant water! If possible purify your water by boiling. A piece of tightly folded tinfoil makes a good cup for boiling water (yet another helpful survival kit item). Do not place tinfoil directly in fire, but near the heat on a hot rock. Place a small bit of bullion cube in water to replace lost electrolytes and improve flavor.

Trees and vegetation contain great amounts of moisture and water. A clear plastic bag or bottle may be wrapped around a leafy branch, or filled with leafy material, sealed with a rubber band or string, and placed in the sun. Over time direct sunlight will evaporate liquid in vegetation and reconstitute it into drinkable water.

-Food-

Food is your last concern after protection, rescue, and water. Eating a piece of glucose candy can temporarily raise your blood sugar and give you much needed energy to complete a task. If a stream is nearby, a small fishing line and a hook or safety pin with a bit of bait attached to the end can work. Snares can be set using paracord. A rubber band can be used to improvise a harpoon or slingshot to catch other kinds of small animals. Knife or razor blade that should also be in your survival kit can be used to prepare meat for cooking.

If you remember these steps in this order, you will have a much higher chance of surviving your emergency situation. So always: Please Remember What’s First.

Did you notice the Christmas decorations going up on Halloween? Did a chill run down your spine? The holiday season seems to be getting longer and longer and shorter. Yes, shorter. Look at the expectations this season puts on you. Fifty five days are nowhere near enough to achieve Countess MarthaRachelNigelaPaula FoodNetwork perfection. I'm not sure I'm even up to Real Simple standards.
So much to do! Are your cards out? Did you shop 'til you dropped on Black Friday? Did you make wonderful decorations out of recycled materials? Have you picked the absolutely perfect gift for everyone on your list? Do you have color-coordinated wrapping paper, tags, and ribbon? Can you tie a perfect bow?
When will you be having your holiday party? What will you serve? What will you wear to everyone else's event? Do you know what to tip your hairdresser? What's the politically correct holiday greeting? So many questions, so little time!
Holiday madness really set in when I visited a friend form Thanksgiving. She had decided that she didn't feel up to cooking, so she ordered from her local supermarket. And then began to obsess. It wouldn't taste good. There wouldn't be enough. Turkey, cranberry sauce, whole wheat rolls, roasted butternut squash, mashed potatoes and a pumpkin pie clearly was not enough for five people. We added extra side dishes – home made cranberry sauce, candied chestnuts, fruit stuffing, baked onions, candied sweets, baked sweets, peas with fresh mushrooms and three more pies. Oh – and at the last minute she ran back for a turkey breast – just in case.
Everything tasted great, and we all had a good time, but it really made me think about how easy it is to get caught up in holiday excess.
So – how will you have a peaceful holiday season? Here are a few simple suggestions.

1. Just like Santa, make a list and check it twice. While you're checking, do a little reality check. Are you buying gifts for too many people? Are you planning on spending an unrealistic amount on each? Have you burdened yourself with impossible-to-find items? (No, my cousin will probably NOT get that antique fruit bowl this year.)

2. Only accept invitations that make you happy. If that means none, go for it! An unbreakable prior engagement is always a valid excuse. No one needs to know that the engagement may be with your couch.

3. Wear comfortable clothes. Always. Don't let tight shoes or a dubious neckline spoil your fun.

4. Shop in comfortable shoes. Carry your wallet someplace easy for you to reach but hard for anyone else to get at. Don't burden yourself down with too many packages.

5. Buy on line. Presents, dinner, cards, reservations – all just a click away.

6. If you must send packages, remember that the Postal Service will now pick up packages at your home.

7. Don't bake unless you would go into a serious depression if deprived of the experience. If you do bake, set limits. I will never again have more containers of cookies than can fit on a fully extended kitchen table.

8. This one is for next year. Pick up interesting gifts throughout the year. If you travel, this is a great way to have truly unique gifts. Just don't forget where you put them. Last year I gave several lovely objects I'd bought in Sicily three years ago. I'd put them in a safe place. At least they eventually surfaced.

9. Simplicity is very classy. Repeat that twenty times, then start cutting back on your plans.

10. Gift cards are a wonderful thing. Want to give the perfect gift? Not only are gift cards perfect, but you can fit them in your carry-on luggage.

11. Travel light. Carry your pills, jewelry and one-ounce containers or the liquids you need. Wear something comfortable and a bit classy so that if your luggage is lost you're reasonably prepared.

12. Block out time on your calendar to do absolutely nothing but take care of yourself – whether that means go to a movie, meditate, get a massage, or just take a nap. Pace yourself.