Okay, you all know that I write about the apocalypse most of the time. I didn't mean for this to happen. My stories simply took me to the setting of the end of the world, and I have to say, it's been a journey. All but two of my 22 books have been set in the apocalypse, and as a survival enthusiast and nature lover, I've gotta say: I've learned so much about survival over the past few years. Researching for a book is a lot of work, and it's amazing the stuff you pick up during the process of creation. A lot of people have asked me how Cassidy Hart - who was just an average, everyday type of girl - survived the initial apocalypse in State of Emergency, the first installment of the Collapse Series. My answer is simple: First, she had a bit of luck on her side. Second, she had a plan. Third, she was willing to learn from her mistakes and go from there. Cassidy is not a perfect character during the first book. She knows a little about self-defense (just a little, as most average people do), but more than anything, she's scared. She survives because she makes friends and decides to fight to live, even if she's not the strongest person in the room. Cassidy is not supposed to be a badass warrior in book one. She's supposed to be like everybody else. What makes the Collapse Series unique to me is that Cassidy has real character growth in both body and spirit from book one to book ten.
Survivalism, at its core, is simply the art of preparedness. Being ready for the worst scenario whilst remaining hopefully optimistic for the best. If anything, writing so many books centered on the end of the world has taught me that you can never be too safe, never be too prepared, and you can never have too much common sense.
Today, I'm sharing a guest post from a company called My Patriot Supply. They sell survivalist food, equipment, and gadgets to stock your potential apocalyptic survival fortress (if you have one of these, let's be friends forever, okay?). They are also responsible for the brands Patriot Pantry, AlexaPure, Patriot Seeds, and Colonial Concepts. When they came to me with the idea of sharing their company on my website, I was genuinely excited: I can't help it. I just love this kind of stuff, and I love a good patriotic business. Here's more about what they do, courtesy of MyPatriotSupply.Com:
Built by and for Patriots Who Prepare
Over a decade ago, My Patriot Supply was born with a passion for helping Americans achieve independence through
preparedness and self-reliance. Don't settle for copycats. It's flattering to be the original.
As active participants in the preparedness lifestyle,
we understand today's complex concerns and challenges that come with getting prepared,
because we've been through it.
We believe that true patriotism is not the expectation that others will care for your needs
but that freedom comes from attaining a certain level of self-reliance.
It's Not Just Food, It's Freedom
We approached preparedness as consumers first, which gave us an honest perspective on the supporting industry. All we saw was price-gouging and fear-mongering from our competitors. That's what led us to take a stand. We wanted to provide an alternative.Today, what we're most proud of is taking the fear out of difficult situations. Unlike our competitors, we don't use scare tactics. We'd rather equip you for self-reliance.
Our pledge is to offer you the highest quality survival products at the most reasonable prices possible. All with five-star customer service, as our excellent customer reviews demonstrate.
What To Pack In Your Emergency Bag To Get Out Of Your House Immediately (Contributed by My Patriot Supply)
It’s a scenario we all need to envision. The day is like any other, maybe you are getting a snack, helping a child with homework, feeding your dog, or you are engaged in another common task. Then you hear the alert and realize that you and your household must flee for your lives immediately. You have no time to think, gather valuables, or search for essentials. Your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on your ability to react instantly and with the confidence which comes from knowing you are prepared to move out. This is the time when your choice to make an emergency bag (also called a ready-bag, a go-bag, or a bug-out-bag) will prove to be one of your wisest decisions ever. A word of caution, it is easy to get carried away filling your emergency bag. Remember that whatever you pack in your bag, you must carry. Toting a well-stocked ready- bag that you can hardly manage to maneuver, will be a detriment to your survival, not a help.
Choosing the bag- The first thing to consider is the bag itself. There are many variations to an ideal emergency bag; typically your bag should meet the following criteria. • Lightweight • Water-proof • Spacious enough for a sleeping bag. • Comfortable • Inconspicuous There are two basic categories of essential items, things you consume and equipment to make survival possible.
Consumables- While you must take into consideration food allergies and personal taste, here is a general guideline of food for your bag. Customize this according to your household. If you have infants, small children, or pets be sure to make space allowances for their necessities. Keep in mind that all food should be non-perishable and require little to no preparation.
• High protein meal bars • Trail mix made of nuts, seeds, granola, and berries • Dried, smoked meats • Dehydrated fruits • Packs of dehydrated meals • Small quantities of comfort foods • Instant coffee • Water purifying tablets • ALL necessary prescription medications
Equipment- A situation that requires evacuation to save your life means the sacrifice of many comforts. As with the consumables, remember to allow space for the items needed by infants, children, and pets. Carefully consider every article that goes into your emergency bag. Determine if the weight and scope of the object are equal to its usefulness.
• Sleeping bag and extra mylar blankets • Pup-tent or shelter tarps • Knives and knife sharpener • Bandanas • Binoculars • Compact fishing kit and extra fishing line • Matches packed in a waterproof container • First-aid kit • Glow sticks • Antibacterial wipes • Small flash drive with essential information and photos stored in a waterproof container • Collapsible shovel • Socks, undergarments, hat, gloves, and waterproof jacket • Weaponry that you are qualified to use • Pepper spray • Duct tape
Careful planning and packing of your emergency bag can mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones. If you are uncertain about specific supplies, preparedness supply stores sell ready-made survival kits which you can augment with your necessities. *** In 2008, My Patriot Supply began with one goal in mind, provide today’s survivalists with a comprehensive selection of high-quality preparedness supplies at a fair price. For the past ten years, thousands of self-reliance folks have trusted My Patriot Supply.
*** Learning From The Past: The Story of My Patriot Supply:
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MY PATRIOT SUPPLY: What To Pack In An Emergency Go-Bag (And How Cassidy Hart Survived The End of the World)
