Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 2

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

This time, the world has been devastated by an EMP attack. That’s electro-magnetic pulse, for you non-techies out there. All forms of communication, every electronic device, and most, if not all vehicles, have been disabled. What’s a person to do? Not wallow in self-pity, that’s for sure. Let’s consider some food first. Your fridge won’t work anymore, so all the food in there is spoiled. Luckily, you have some emergency food rations that have a five-year shelf life. These should provide you with enough nutrients and other important such and such to keep you moving during the day and resting at night, or vice-versa, depending on the situation.

Next up, you may want to find a way to stay warm. You know that when there’s no power, there’s no air conditioning for hot days and there’s no heat during the winter. How are you going to stay warm? You could pile on plenty of layers of clothing, but that may not be enough sometimes, and you’re going to want to consider starting a nice fire to stay warm by. This Zippo doubles as a lighter and a hand warmer, which can provide up to 12 hours of warmth with one filling. Just make sure you’re stocked up on lighter fluid, because that might be hard to come by once the looting begins (and it will).

Let’s also pretend for a second that you’re not as interested in survival after the apocalypse as you are concerned about being clean. With no running water, there’s not going to be any showers or any hose water for you to wash up with, so you may be relying on toilet water. That doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it? It doesn’t. It might behoove you to stock up on certain items that can keep you clean, because you’re just not too likely to find any working baths, so maybe stockpile a bunch of these “shower in a towel” items.

These few items are just the tip of the iceberg, but if you read this today and the apocalypse happens tomorrow, hopefully you will have gained some small amount of knowledge and use what you’ve learned to keep you alive until the next apocalypse. It could be fun…but it won’t be.

Survival Items: What You Might Need - Part 1

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. While we don’t sell guns, there are many other items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

The apocalypse has come in the form of a zombie attack, but it’s not clear where it originated from. While you feel fine, you have no idea if the virus that caused this is airborne or not. To filter out unwanted air, you may want to consider a gas mask. Not only should it provide protection from harsh air conditions, but it may also help make you look imposing should you encounter another survivor who thinks they’re going to take your stuff. It’s possible that it might provide protection from a zombie aiming to bite your face off.

When winter comes, the zombies become slower, and you may see a decrease in the number you encounter. Cold weather is detrimental to anyone’s body, living or dead, so you want to stay warm when you’re out there. If you’ve found some kind of shelter that can keep the zombies out for the night, you can sit in your 2-person Polarshield survival blanket, meant to keep you as warm as two people can be wrapped up in a giant, soft piece of tinfoil. It may not be desirable, but if you can’t build a fire for fear of drawing unwanted attention, one of these might be the best way to go not only for heat, but for staying unnoticed.

You know you’re going to need some kind of weapon to defend yourself in case things with the undead (or other survivors) get a little hairy. While a machete provides some amount of distance between you and your intended target, it may be a little too heavy, causing it to take longer for you to swing. In order to have maximum efficiency, you may want to consider a smaller blade, such as a knife. This Bear Grylls survival knife can not only get the job done when stabbing a zombie in the brain, but it includes necessary survival items, like a built-in fire starter, a stainless steel pommel for hammering, a sharpener, and an emergency whistle for drawing crowds of the undead to wherever you may need to lure them.

These three items, while probably not at the top of your list, will definitely help even the odds in your favor, no matter how slightly. It’s better to be kind of prepared than not prepared at all, but it would be preferable to have everything you need all at once. If you find yourself worrying about an apocalyptic event that may or may not occur sometime in the near future (or ever), don’t be afraid to stock up on the items you need, which you can find by following the links throughout the article. If you’re looking for more survival gear, please take some time to check out the page located here.

Christmas Wants Your Attention

by Chris Vegvary

It looks like Christmas is just around the corner again. What’s up with that? It’s almost as if it happens every year. Regardless, you can’t very well just set up your tree and then have nothing to put under it, can you? Of course not. With that in mind, here comes a whole bunch of suggestions for those of you who are military, or have military family or friends, or even if you just think some of it looks cool.

If you follow this link, you’ll find a good number of items for you to browse through, but allow me to tell you what’s in store for you there. You know anyone who collects Zippos? There’s a category for all kinds of military-style Zippos, and there are some really great designs on a lot of them. You may prefer one (or more) of the engraved ones, which I would also prefer. No offense to other Zippos, but I find those to be nicer looking. Or perhaps you know someone in need of a good military watch? They have plenty of those.

If you’re looking for the kids, or maybe someone you know who collects military-style games and playsets, then you may be interested in something like these army games and toys. With items like toy guns, playing cards, and boomerangs, what is there not to love? While a boomerang might not be your first choice for a younger child, the military playsets look pretty fun. Don’t be afraid to love them all, because the prices are pretty low on all of it.

But if you’re in the market for something a little more adult, then there’s plenty of that to go around. For instance, there is a category for novelty flasks, featuring military symbols or logos like ARMY, or the Marine Corps. logo, and even Spanish wine botas. Who still drinks out of those? Apparently, anyone can, because they’re sold here. As you can see by the picture off to the side, there’s even more interesting designs, such as a flask resembling a miniature gas can.

You’re going to have a good Christmas, or maybe you’re only going to have a decent one, but with the items offered in the links throughout the article, you’ll get a lot without having to pay a lot. It doesn’t have to be a Christmas that breaks your wallet, because you need something you like, or that you hope others will like, within your budget. There are so many other great items for military-minded people that can be found throughout the site, including clothing and survival gear, so take a look around and you’re sure to find something that suits you.

Why Do People Like to Go Camping?

by Chris Vegvary

For the life of me, I can’t understand what people find so appealing about living off of nature. Sure, at some point after the zombie apocalypse, or whatever apocalypse is coming, we’re all going to have to fend for ourselves and not be able to rely on technology, but until that day comes, I enjoy the luxuries of living in a home. Those of you who like to be outside with nature more often than not, however, might have to carry around insect repellant to keep bugs from bothering you. Why put up with the hassle? And with no electricity, the only light source you might have is a kerosene lamp. Doesn’t sound like good times.

Maybe you carry an LED lantern, though, but how are you going to charge it in the wilderness? You’re not, that’s how, because there’s no outlets out there. Lucky for you, though, technology has come far enough to give us things like foldable solar chargers and other things of that nature. Do you realize that when camping, you run the risk of coming face-to-face with some of the worst creatures nature has to offer? I suppose it all depends on where you’re at. If you find yourself staring down a bear that’s decided it wants what you’ve got, maybe it would be a good idea to have yourself some bear mace to spray it with. While I would personally never get close enough to mace a bear, you might be the type of person who enjoys that sort of thing. If that’s the case, I’d like to see that someday. Just don’t go out there without the things you need to get by.

The Search For a Good Zippo

by Chris Vegvary

When I look for a Zippo lighter, I never look for the right things. There’s plenty of imitations out there, and I’ve been suckered a couple of times. Admittedly, I look for a good design that’s appealing to my eye without paying attention to the little details. For instance, does the flame stay lit in the wind? As in, if I were dropping it from a certain height into a crowd of zombies standing in a pool of gasoline, should I be worried the flame is going to go out before it reaches its intended target? These are the things I should be thinking about when searching for a Zippo.

Design is still important, but the finer details make all the difference. The imitations that would have you believe they’re real Zippos look the same, but they don’t function exactly the same. The lighter fluid runs out faster, and the wick seems almost flame-resistant. That should not be. At some point, the flint will probably snap off, too, and then it becomes completely useless to me, because I’m lost when it comes to replacing part for a lighter. After all, it’s just a lighter.

However, Zippos aren’t just lighters. They can be your best friend if you end up in a completely dark place with no other source of light, like a flashlight. They can help you start a fire in the wilderness when you don’t have survival tools. It’s hard to tell the difference between the fakers and the real thing sometimes, but if you follow the links throughout the article, you’ll find the real deal available for purchase.

The Importance of a Good Survival Knife

by Chris Vegvary

You know what’s fun? Knives. Not that it’s fun to let children play with or anything, but us adults can enjoy the look, feel, and uses of a good blade. Whether it’s a rubber knife for training or a military-style machete for chopping brush out of the way, knives, blades, and survival items of the like are so important when you’re out there in the wilderness. You may not think it when you’re at home packing for a hunting trip or something, but when you get there, you might wish you had. What could be the reason for that? What if some crazy animal comes out of the woods looking to make you its next meal? That right there is a good reason to carry a knife, even if it’s only for self-defense.

It’s good to have a blade with some chopping power behind it, so keeping it covered and sharpened is important. If you don’t believe me, just go ask Bear Grylls, who is apparently one of the experts when it comes to surviving in the wild. Some of the knives he sells come with important survival tools other than just a knife, including fire starters. Think about being stuck out there in nature with no way home, and all you have is your Bear Grylls survival knife. It’s getting cold and you need warmth. Pull out the fire starter hidden away in the handle and boom, instant campfire (some assembly required). Just remember that it’s always smart to have a good survival knife any time you go out for more than a day.

Why Is It So Cold Out?

by Chris Vegvary

I realize it’s winter and that there’s a bunch of arctic air coming down from the north, but seriously, what’s the deal? It’s been negative degree weather for more than a couple days now, and the snow, while nice-looking, is kind of deadly. People don’t understand how to drive in the weather, thinking they do, and then they cause an accident. That’s what this weather does to people.

It’s freaking cold, and we all want to stay warm, and with the right clothing, you can do that. Thermal underwear is important to keep your body heat in, and you don’t want to be caught out there in the snow without a good pair of boots. Keep your neck and face from getting cold with some scarves or face/neck warmers. And, as always, don’t let your hands get so cold that you can’t function with them; use a good pair of gloves. This should all be basic knowledge, but just in case it’s not, hopefully this helps you prepare better.

When’s summer coming already? This cold air is causing some issues on the east coast now, bringing down snow and sleet, and there will be some hazardous road conditions with all the ice that’ll be forming. Don’t get too discouraged, though. Snow brings at least a few pleasant things, like the necessity to build a nice fire, or the ability to go out sledding, making snowmen, and so on in that fashion. Christmas is right around the corner too, so don’t forget to look for some gifts for the family this holiday season. 

Is it Fun to Go Hunting?

by Chris Vegvary

I’ve never been hunting before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even been given the opportunity. I’ve never felt any particular desire to do it, but I like to think that I would go at least once in my life. While I’m not too keen on shooting an animal (animal person over here) that hasn’t really done anything to me, I can see the need for it if something were to happen to force me into a situation of survival.

In that case, I’d want the proper gear with me, starting with a good hunting knife. I know very little about guns, but I’d know enough to bring along some shooting accessories. Obviously, we want some good eye protection for keeping our line of sight clear. Let’s don’t forget a good pair of boots for trekking through any kind of terrain, because no one likes getting stuck in the mud. Do we want to bring any kind of bug spray or anything to keep the insects away? I say, why not.

But is it going to be fun? I understand there’s a lot of sitting and patience required for hunting. If that’s the case, what do you do in the meantime? Do you read? Listen to music or informational CDs? It sounds boring, but I’d much rather know how in the case of a world-ending event that causes all electronics to no longer work (spoiling the food on my fridge) than not. And in the end, isn’t that what hunting’s really about? No? Ah, I’ll figure it out one day.

Military Technology and its Awesomeness

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of modern world are we living in, where 3D printers exist that can produce fish scales to improve armor, or hypersonic spy planes exist, or a drone the size of a dragonfly can see what you’re doing without you knowing? It’s all happening so fast, and yet, technology works that way. It moves fast. One year, you have the top-of-the-line computer system, and by the next year, it’s been obsolete for the last decade somehow.

Fish Scale Armor?

Robots carry weapons into battle. How much longer before we have an army of Robocop-type (or Terminator-style) androids to do all the ground work for us? Obviously that technology is nowhere near completion, if it’s being considered at all, but one can dream. Drones may also being considered as pets in the future. What’s up, technology? You keep getting better all the time, but I still have yet to see an actual flying car, or a hover-tank, or how about some of that cloaking technology that makes you invisible to the human eye? That’s ok, I believe that one day, all the good stuff us non-military folk want to see in the way of military technology will be provided to us through patience.

Tiny, tiny drones

Build us an android, guys. We want to see something like Bishop from the movie Aliens, something that can function on its own while seeming indistinguishable from another human being. I know it’s going to take time, but when our technology gets to that level, I can’t wait to see what good surprises are in store for the military. Flamethrower sentry units? If they don’t exist, let’s see it happen. I’m not going to pretend to dictate the course of military technology (although that would be awesome), but I do like to suggest things even if I know they’re not necessarily feasible. Who knows what the future will bring…

This android requires a mechanic

But enough about that. While we’re living in modern times, it might be nice to use all the gear you can in order to get the job (whatever that may be) done. Therefore, under this article there are some links to certain military items that you may need to get by in today’s world. Check them out, you just might find several things you like.

Camping supplies - Knives/Tools - Bags/Packs - Hunting supplies

Is There a Real Life Iron Man in the U.S. Military's Near Future?

Is There a Real-Life Iron Man in the US Military’s Near Future?
by Chris Vegvary

In a world where there’s no such thing as people who possess the ability to fly without the use of a machine, or people who are invulnerable to any kind of pain or disease, it seems like the government has realized that the closest thing we might get to a real-life superhero (using that term as defining a person with extraordinary or supernatural powers) is the Marvel Comics character, Iron Man. To that end, there appears to be a project in the works for the US Military to start making suits based on the Iron Man suit, but unfortunately, it will not be able to fly anytime soon. Even though it can’t fly, just the thought of our armed forces out there being protected by suits based on Iron Man is a pretty interesting idea. Although today's Flightsuits are pretty cool, imagine one that lets you fly!

Will such a suit allow the wearer to fire repulsor beams from their hands and chest? My guess would be no, not anytime in the near future after they’re made, but think of the level of protection a piece of armor like that could provide. It can’t fly, but what if it can jump? What if it features hydraulics on the feet that can somehow launch the wearer some amount of feet into the air? It’s all just speculation on my part, but like I said, the idea is interesting, and there’s so many things that can be done with it.

Consider, if you will, the War Machine suit from the film Iron Man 2. You could have a suit with a shoulder-mounted cannon, machine gun or otherwise (I’m talking future tech here), along with several compartments hiding smaller, more tactical weapons to surprise the enemy with. The possibilities are kind of mind-blowing when you think about it. However, all this makes me consider one thing: what is the user interface supposed to be like? By which I also mean, how are the weapons controlled? If it’s anything like the A.I. Jarvis in the Iron Man film series, then my guess is it relies on your brain patterns and other ultra-high-tech such-and-suchery to know when to fire which weapon (again, future tech).

While this sort of thing is probably a decade or so down the road from being fully operational, what with all the testing still required (considering it’s still in the planning stages, I believe), it’s really interesting to see that the military is taking cues from our beloved fictional characters, because honestly, we feel like their technology is more advanced than ours, a little too advanced, and we kind of want that technology. To me, that’s awesome.

So unfortunately, we don’t have Iron Man suits available on ARMY NAVY SHOP for you to look at, but if you’re in the military, or you know someone who is in the military, and you happen to be looking for any type of gear including military clothing, accessories, flags, backpacks, and so much more, follow any of the links in this article and check out all our good stuff!