Update: First Firearm on a Budget (April 2016)

As of the time I am writing this entry, I have yet to test and put some rounds thru my Armscor 1911 CS (compact .45 acp) pistol. Reason being is the firearms law that we have here in the Philippines.

There have been several changes in the law from the time I purchased the firearm. And since we are currently following a "gun ban" due to the election season in the country, technically, no one is allowed to carry or bring their firearms outside their domiciles (homes) without a special permit from the election body of the Philippines.

I will write an update as soon as I can and will also post new entries in the coming weeks.

Until then, continue on with your preps. No one will ever know when you will need them. It's better to have preps and not use them than to need them and not have anything.

Update: First Firearm on a Budget

First Firearm Update: ARMSCOR 1911 CS .45ACP

I was finally able to pick up my first firearm at the Squires Bingham shop on Col. Bonny Serrano in Quezon City last Friday. I initially expected that the unit will have some cosmetic defects based on what the salesperson I talked to during last year's gun show said but I was surprised. There were no noticeable factory cosmetic defects. Aside from some almost unseen scratches that were maybe because of the handling during the production and transport of the firearm. Overall I was a very happy and excited customer. Like a kid who got what he wanted for Christmas from Santa Claus!

The firearm with wood grip panels came in a standard plastic gun case which included 2 7-round ACT magazines, a user's manual, inspection certificate and a gun safety flyer inserted in the manual.

I only purchased 20 rounds of Armscor .45 ACP FMJs at Php25.00 (50cents in USD) each just so that I have some ammunition on hand. Just to remind you, this is a blog about prepping on a budget. As I always say, it's better to have something on hand when you need it than totally nothing at all. The next gun show will be in 2 weeks and I'm planning to get at least 2 boxes (100 rounds) of FMJs, usually around Php22.00 and if my budget would allow it, maybe some JHPs as well for home defense. I might also get an extra 7-round ACT magazine at the show. Will update you of the purchases after.

I haven't tested/shot the firearm yet, the Philippines has some strict rules regarding bringing your firearm. I need to get a PTT (Permit to Transport) first from a gun club so I can legally bring the firearm outside my residence which would require being a member first. I'll inquire about other firing ranges aside from Armscor at the gun show. So I have to be contented just dry firing it for now. (Safety First: I make sure I don't insert a magazine, always safety check the chamber and to point it at a safe direction inside the house)

By the way, as per the staff from Squires Bingham, they will have the same models on sale in the next gun show. If you have plans of buying a firearm, check their booth. I'm sure they'll be happy to assist you in processing the government requirements for purchasing a gun.

That's it for now, remember to always take small steps towards being prepared you can do it even if you're on a budget.

Prepper Skills: First Aid and CPR

Being a prepper is not only about having a gun or guns and knowing how to shoot them or having a stockpile of necessities for when S*** Hits the Fan (SHTF), you also need to learn and gather basic skills needed to survive not only for you, for your family but also for anyone you know or don’t know, especially in medical emergencies. We can experience medical emergencies not only during SHTF but also during a regular day and it’s best if you have the skills and know what you can and cannot do to help. And the most practical way to learn and gain those skills is through proper training.

I personally wanted to learn and gain those skills not only for me and my family but also, so that I can contribute to the community as a volunteer. So I decided to sign up for a paid training of Basic Life Support with CPR and Standard First Aid at our local Red Cross branch. It was a 6 day training that ran the whole week, Monday to Saturday. The first part, Basic Life Support with CPR for Healthcare Providers was for 2 days. During the first day, they taught us what the difference is between a Cardiac Arrest and a Respiratory Arrest, how to check which of the two a victim is experiencing and what steps to take. We were also taught the proper way to do CPR, how many repetitions or cycles you had to do, how fast you need to compress the chest and how to do rescue breathing for adult, child and infant victims. The second day was for assessments, written and practical. We had to do CPR to three dummies (adult, child and infant) and the timing had to be correct or we had to do it over again.

The second part was Standard First Aid where we were taught a lot! I would not give you all the details as it is not allowed however, maybe I can list down the topics that we covered.

1. Introduction to First Aid

2. Human Body

3. Guidelines in Giving Emergency Care

4. Patient/Casualty Handling

5. Shock

6. Soft Tissue Injuries

7. Poisoning

8. Bones, Joints and Muscle Injuries

9. Basic Extrication

10. Common Emergencies

I would not elaborate on them but all these topics were discussed and first aid procedures were also taught and some we had a chance to practice like how to use and mount a victim to a spine board, transport a victim on a spice board, attach the cervical brace (neck brace), use splints for bone fractures and triaging victims from a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).  The last day were again for assessments, we had a written assessment and a practical assessment where we had to demonstrate the proper use of a triangular bandage on different types of injuries and different kinds of transfer methods without the use of any equipment, basically we had to carry someone alone, with a partner and with a group. We also had a chance to see the insides of their ambulance and check the equipment that they had. On the side, I finally learned how to use a regular blood pressure monitor which I’ve always wanted to learn. Haha!

I would say that it was a great experience for me. Aside from learning new skills that might prove useful someday, I also met new people and now I get a chance to volunteer and help in case the Red Cross calls us for an emergency. I’m now thinking of getting more training from them so I can volunteer for their Emergency Response Unit (ERU) which is their ambulance team who are always on stand-by.

I paid PhP1,500 for the 6 days training and I was given the manuals, a large triangular bandage with the Philippine Red Cross logo, some supplies we used during assessments, an accident insurance worth PhP50,000, certificates and of course invaluable knowledge and skills. Cheap right? They hold monthly trainings at their office in Mandaluyong City, if you are interested in getting training and signing up, you can call the branch or you can follow their like page on facebook just search for Prc Mandaluyong and ask questions there someone will answer you I promise. They would only require a medical certificate and the fee for you to join.

You will never know when these skills would come in handy, it’s best to be prepared.

As always, prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

My First Firearm/Pistol on a Budget: ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS in .45ACP (Officer's Model)

In my last posts, I had was looking at 2 types/models of handguns that I would most likely buy as my all around self-defense pistol on a budget. I initially wanted to get a commander (mid-sized) 1911 but due to budget constraints I thought of getting a revolver in .38 special instead, may it be a snub nose or a with a 4 inch barrel. So last November of 2013 I went to the 21st Defense And Sporting Arms Show Part II at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City to finally choose my first ever firearm. Though I was still not sure what particular firearm I would get. It could be a revolver in .38 special, a commander 1911 in 9mm or a 1911 GI in .45ACP but one thing was for sure, my first firearm would be an ARMSCOR. So I went to the booth of ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham and while checking the pistols and other firearms that they were offering at the gun show, I saw a 1911 CS PS both in 9mm and .45ACP which is the compact or officer's version of the 1911 and it was on sale for roughly 45% off! The original price of the pistol was Php25,300 (USD625) but they were now selling it for a promo price of Php14,000 (USD350)! Bargain right? So I ask the sales person in the booth why they were selling the firearm for that low price. I was told that it was because those pistols had some cosmetic damage that it did not pass the Quality Control of the company but the gun's function was 100% okay. Trusting the word of the sales person and the company he represents, I ordered that model.

ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS

This was the actual photo that I took at the ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham booth.

Aside from the CS PS model, they were also selling other CS/compact variants in 9mm and .45 auto at the same price and even lower. The CS Tactical, with the standard slide serrations was also for Php14,000 and the CS GI with the standard serrations, GI sights and GI trigger was being sold for Php13,000 all chambered in both 9mm and .45ACP. I'm sure a lot of folks who were also in a small budget like me took advantage of the sale.

I wanted to get the ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (compact) in .45ACP with two 7-round magazines included. Since I didn't have enough money yet, I settled for a downpayment of Php10,000 (USD250) so that I could reserve one and have the firearm license processed. That's right, most gun shops would have a lay-away promo during gun shows to attract more sales. Good thing is that the new IRR for RA 10591 (New gun law here in the Philippines) was not yet in effect so it was still easy to get a firearm license, and another good thing with ARMSCOR and Squires Bingham is that they will process the license application on your behalf, you just had to submit the complete set of documents that they would need including your pictures. (Yes, it is that hard to get a firearm here in the Philippines.)

The firearm license card was mailed to me in the latter part of January which means that the firearm was ready for pick-up at the Squires Bingham shop in Quezon City. But unfortunately, I did not have enough cash yet and I didn't want to borrow money just to pay for the firearm. I still had a balance of Php10,500 for me to get the firearm. And since I already had the license to own the firearm, the unit is just sitting in their warehouse waiting for me. Haha!

The PNP Firearm License Card

Well, I'm just excited to tell you about the pistol that is why I posted this entry even if I didn't have it yet. I'm hoping that I would have saved enough buy the end of March or mid April to pick-up the pistol. I've got bills that I need to pay you know. Anyway, I will certainly update you on the quality and show you some photos and talk about the specs of the firearm once I already have it.

For comparison

Left: ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (Officer)

RIGHT: ARMSCOR 1911 MS PS (Commander)

Until then, it's best to have some preparedness measures done than non at all..

Defensive Pistol: 38 Special Revolver as a Self/Home Defense and Survival Firearm on a Budget

During my previous posts regarding a firearm for self-defense on a budget, I initially looked at getting a 1911 from Armscor. Reason being is that the 1911 platform has been a reliable pistol since it's introduction up until today. It is still currently being used by police and military elements. It's also the most popular competition pistol in the world. And here in the Philippines, the 1911 pistol has a very large group of owners. But since I discussed about the 1911 pistol last 2011 as my preferred defense firearm, I did some research on the other pistol platforms, designs and brands that are available in the market. And I came to a conclusion, that for me, the best home/self-defense and survival pistol would be a revolver or wheel gun. Yes, you got it right, a revolver. Specifically chambered in the .38 Special cartridge.

If you are into guns and firearms then you would know that in terms of years of service, the revolver has been around longer that the 1911 or any type semi-automatic pistol. Everytime you watch a cowboy movie or show, you would see a revolver. The first models were only single action, this means that every time you want to fire the weapon, you would need to pull the hammer back. Hence, cowboys would hold and shoot the firearm with their dominant hand and cock the hammer using the other hand. And of course, the most basic way to shoot the SA (single-action) revolver would be to pull the hammer back with you thumb.

Wild West Style Single Action Revolvers

As technology improved, the revolver also changed it's firing mechanism from single-action to a double/single-action firing mechanism. You can still fire the pistol by pulling the hammer back to cock it then pulling on the trigger for the hammer to strike the bullet. But this, you can also fire the pistol even if the hammer is not cocked or pulled back. It had a 2-stage firing process thus it's double action. The first stage is to pull the trigger and in doing so, the hammer would pull back, it's a long and heavy trigger pull usually about 11-12 lbs. The second stage would be when the hammer strikes the bullet and fires.

During the 60's to 80's, the PC or Philippines Constabulary used the .38 Special Revolver as a duty gun. The FBI and Secret Service also used a revolver, it was the snub nose Colt Detective also chambered in .38 Special for concealed carry. And as the model name suggests, most detectives used the same pistol.

Today, the .38 Special Revolver is being used by security agencies as the standard duty gun for guards mainly because of it's reasonable unit price.

I'm sure, like me, you watch The Walking Dead right? And I'm also sure that you noticed the gun that Rick Grimes uses in the show. Yes, that it a revolver but it's not chambered in .38 Special, it's a Chrome Colt Python 357 Magnum revolver with an 6 inch barrel. Aside from him, I also noticed that when Lori was still alive, she was carrying a snub nose revolver, looks like a Smith and Wesson and definitely in .38 Special as well as other characters like Merle Dixon also used a 38 Special revolver in the show. 

Colt Python .357 Magnum

So the question remains, why a .38 Special revolver for defense. Aside from its long history and popularity, I have several reason why I recommend having a revolver for self/home defense and as a survival pistol.

1. Reasonable Price:

Again, this is prepping on a budget, so cost is number one. A locally manufactured revolver would only run for around Php10,000 to 15,000. Ammunition costs almost the same if not less compared to a 9mm or .45 auto cartridge. You don't need to buy extra magazines since a revolver does not need one.

2. Ease of Use:

There are no magazines that you need to load, you don't need to cock before you can shoot, there are no external safety levers or buttons, just pull the trigger and it goes bang! Anyone in the household can shoot the gun even under stress if need be. Loading and unloading is also very simple to do. Just do a demo and if you can, practice with your family members using fake plastic bullets or spent cartridges. Cleaning the firearm is also very easy, you don't need to fieldstrip the firearm for you to clean the barrrel.

Cleaning a Revolver

3. Reliability:

Unlike a semi-auto pistol, you don't need to do a lot of troubleshooting in case it does not fire or if you experience any issues with the bullet. No stove-pipe, failure to eject, failure to go into battery issues with a revolver. If the gun does not fire, all you need to do is pull the trigger again for the gun to cycle to the next round and it should shoot. There is no break in, you just initially need to make sure that the pistol does fire.

4. Ammo Options:

Like other firearms, there are many choices when it comes to the cartridge type. There are FMJ (full metal jackets), copper plated, lead reloads, semi-wad cutter, +P and of course for home defense, JHP (jacketed hollow points).

5. Accessories:

When it comes to customizing the pistol, there aren't a lot of things you can change or would need to change from the stock version. You can change the grips, there are Pachmayr and Hogue grips available for revolvers of different frames. You can also get a speedloader for faster reloading, since there are no magazines for a revolver or you can also but a strip loader or a ring loader usually used in shooting competitions. There are also aftermarket sights but depending on the type of revolver that you have, most of them have fixed sights. There are also a lot of holster options for a revolver if you would look for one. There are holsters made from synthetic materials, you can also have a custom kydex holster made, a race holster for revolvers is also available, and the most popular for them would be a leather holster.

Pacmayr Rubber Colt Revolver Grips

Speed Loader

Strip Loader

Moon Clip

6. Concealed Carry:

If you carry a firearm on you or would like to, there is an option for you to carry the 2 inch snub nose revolver. It's small that you can put it inside your pocket or if you are a female, in your purse. There is also an option for a hammerless type revolver that you can shoot even while inside your pocket. There are lightweight revolver frames from Taurus and Charter Arms that you can check, but would cost you a bit. It's up to you.

Hammerless 5-shot .38 Special Revolver

The revolver is not a perfect firearm, there are also downsides to having and using one. First would be firepower. Most full sized revolvers would be 6 shots, and an imported brand, specially if it's a snub nose usually has 5 shots. And since it does not use magazines, it would take some time for a shooter to reload the firearm the traditional way. But practice would make reloading the gun faster, and if you get a speedloader, it will be quicker. If you're used to a light trigger pull like in the 1911, shooting a revolver would need some getting used to.

In conclusion, the revolver would be a very good choice for a self/home defense and survival gun because it's practical and easy to use even under stress. The cons of using one can all be compensated with practice. As with any other firearm, you need to train how to use it for you to be effective. Besides, in a home defense situation, you don't need too many bullets.

Remember: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Surviving Urban Disasters - Storm/Flood

This is a series of Youtube videos that I found online. 


Les Stroud "Survivoman" shows you how to survive a flood if your in your house, office or car, explaining ways to treat food, health measures and safety.


And as always, I little preparation is better than not having any.

Survivorman - Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 "Flood" Part 1/5

Survivorman - Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 "Flood" Part 2/5

Survivorman - Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 "Flood" Part 3/5

Survivorman - Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 "Flood" Part 4/5

Survivorman - Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 "Flood" Part 5/5

Prepper/Survivalist Accessory: Paracord Bracelet

One of the things that would distinguish a prepper/survivalist is a paracord bracelet. This is a bracelet made of a braided 550 parachute cord. 

Within some military units, it is a tradition to make what is known as a "combat bracelet" using paracord from a soldier's trouser ties and a button from their uniform. Each soldier makes one for the next so each one has a bracelet made by someone else. These are then worn on the mission by each soldier and only taken off when the whole unit returns. In this tutorial you will learn how to make these combat bracelets. (http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paracord-Combat-Bracelet)

But in the modern prepper/survivalist community, there is a different reason for wearing the bracelet. The paracord is a tough rope that you can use in emergency and survival situations.

Here are several uses of the paracord in emergency situations:

-Build a shelter using sticks or by tying up the corners of a poncho or tarp

-Lash logs or other items together to build a raft.

-Use it to make a bow drill for fire starting...(note it does take a lot of practice to start a fire with a bow, so don't rely on this unless you've done it before!)

-Make a sling to throw stones for protection and food. 

-Use it for signaling by tying a mirror or colorful cloth to the top of a tree

-Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint.

-Tie a sling to hold your arm

-Make a tourniquet to slow loss of blood

-Make a stretcher by running paracord between two long sticks, or fashion a branch drag to move an injured person

(http://www.survivorgeek.com/pages/Emergency-uses-for-Paracord.html)

But aside from the above mentioned, it is still a bracelet, a cool tactical accessory.

The picture of the paracord bracelet shown on this entry is my own bracelet which I bought from "The Para Shop Manila" (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Para-Shop-Manila/141274725939869)

This particular braid design is called Super Cobra. This is a double cord braid, I chose the black/OD green colors for a military look. The clip lock has a built in whistle that can also be used in emergency situations so that you can call for help or catch someone's attention.

Though it did not come cheap, the quality of the braid and the bracelet itself is very good. The bracelet was priced at Php420 + Php50 for shipping. I consider the purchase a good buy because I bought it from a fellow prepper/survivalist. Check out the facebook page to see the other prepping/survival items that they sell.

Filipino Survivalist Group

If you are a Filipino survivalist/prepper, join our facebook group and share your thoughts about gear and where you buy them, survival techniques and know how, trainings or experiences. You can also post photos of your EDC or BOB contents and other gears or equipment that you have. So what are you waiting for? If you are a Pinoy Prepper/Survivalist, join the group now!

Go to www.facebook.com and search "Filipino Survivalists"

Or copy this link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/267056360055278/

Cheers!

i SHOULD BE UPDATING THIS BLOG...

So, I haven't been posting new stuff and information for this blog and I apologize for that. I'm actually planning on doing at least one entry per week but have been busy with work.

This is blog is about prepping on a budget and I plan to post entries about the basic prepping that I'm doing right now so please bear with me. This will consist of pictures of the things I have been buying, a description and the reason why I consider them as needed in prepping, the price and where you can purchase them. And I might also post my own videos here and on my youtube channel.

And again, the things that I'm going to post are items that you can get even when on a budget and will not break the bank.

Here's the link to my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/manilaprepper

Though I haven't posted my own videos yet, you can watch the videos featured on my channel and you might be able to get some inspiration and also guides on how to go about and start prepping.

And as always, IT'S BETTER TO HAVE SOME FORM OF PREPARATION THAN NONE AT ALL.

Preppers are Crazy - via Youtube by Sootch00

"Preppers Are Crazy"... But They're Not as Crazy as They Use to Be.

This video was uploaded previously to my Sensible Prepper Channel and the comments were so positive that I decided to put it on the Sootch00 Channel. 

 

Another one of the people that I'm subscribed to from Youtube when it comes to prepping, "SENSIBLE PREPPING"

"Fear No Evil" by Nutnfancy

From one of my favorite people on Youtube, Mr. NUTNFANCY. A philosophy video talking about evil even in rule of law. You need to be able to defend yourself and your family from people who does not give a rats ass about other people's lives.

This video is aimed at protectionists who only rely on the government and government agencies to protect them against violence, predators and lawless elements.

You think evil is around during rule of law? Wait till Without Rule Of Law.

Again as always, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need one and not have it.
A little preparation is better than no preps at all!

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

This entry was copied from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States. This blog was made by Ali S. Khan posted on May 16th, 2011.

http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse/ 

There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency.

A Brief History of Zombies
We’ve all seen at least one movie about flesh-eating zombies taking over (my personal favorite is Resident Evil), but where do zombies come from and why do they love eating brains so much? The word zombie comes from Haitian and New Orleans voodoo origins. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. Through ancient voodoo and folk-lore traditions, shows like the Walking Dead were born.

A couple dressed as zombies - Danny Zucco and Sandy Olsson from the movie Grease walking in the annual Toronto Zombie Walk.

In movies, shows, and literature, zombies are often depicted as being created by an infectious virus, which is passed on via bites and contact with bodily fluids. Harvard psychiatrist Steven Schlozman wrote a (fictional) medical paper on the zombies presented in Night of the Living Dead and refers to the condition as Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome caused by an infectious agent. The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum. Other zombie origins shown in films include radiation from a destroyed NASA Venus probe (as in Night of the Living Dead), as well as mutations of existing conditions such as prions, mad-cow disease, measles and rabies.
The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?”
Well, we’re here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing for real emergencies too!

Some of the supplies for your emergency kit

Better Safe than Sorry
So what do you need to do before zombies…or hurricanes or pandemics for example, actually happen? First of all, you should have an emergency kit in your house. This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp (or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored). Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

Once you’ve made your emergency kit, you should sit down with your family and come up with an emergency plan. This includes where you would go and who you would call if zombies started appearing outside your door step. You can also implement this plan if there is a flood, earthquake, or other emergency.

Family members meeting by their mailbox. You should pick two meeting places, one close to your home and farther away

1. Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, this may include floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes. If you are unsure contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.
2. Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home…or your town evacuates because of a hurricane. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.
3. Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.
4. Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food (i.e., brains), which means you need to get out of town fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don’t have a chance! This is also helpful when natural disasters strike and you have to take shelter fast.

Never Fear – CDC is Ready

Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Prepared

If zombies did start roaming the streets, CDC would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak. CDC would provide technical assistance to cities, states, or international partners dealing with a zombie infestation. This assistance might include consultation, lab testing and analysis, patient management and care, tracking of contacts, and infection control (including isolation and quarantine). It’s likely that an investigation of this scenario would seek to accomplish several goals: determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to break the cycle of transmission and thus prevent further cases, and how patients can best be treated. Not only would scientists be working to identify the cause and cure of the zombie outbreak, but CDC and other federal agencies would send medical teams and first responders to help those in affected areas (I will be volunteering the young nameless disease detectives for the field work).

Pistol on a Budget: Update

On my previous entry about a home defense and firing range pistol on a budget, I mentioned 2 pistols from ARMSCOR that I would prefer to have. But reading on the Armscor Forum site, I was convinced by one of the forumers to consider buying a different model.

Though I haven't yet bought the firearm, I have decided to get the Armscor 1911 MS PS in 9mm. 1911 is the model of the firearm which is a clone of the WWI and WWII classic pistol designed by John Browning. MS stands for Mid-size or Medium size, which in the US market is also called Commander size because it has a shorter barrel approximately 4.25 inches and a shorter slide compared the to Full size model. PS stands for Practical Series, because the design of the exterior parts are the same as the pistols being used for Practical Shooting. These are the Novak-style sights, ambidextrous thumb safety, beavertail grip safety and skeletonized trigger and hammer, which eliminates hammer bite that occurs with the standard hammer and grip safety that the GI model has.

Armscor 1911 MS PS 9mm with Pachmayr American Legend wrap-around Grips:

Here is a video showing a customized version of the 1911 MS PS.

Having a firearm and not using it is better than needing one and not have it.

Preparedness and Self-reliance: Stock-up on Supplies

Almost all people residing in Manila experienced the wrath of typhoon Ondoy in September of 2009. Me and my family was only affected although not in a major way like other people especially those living in low lying areas like Marikina and those people who were stranded in their offices, malls and some on the streets. We were lucky to not experience floodwater coming into our house, which is a one-storey apartment. Just imagine if it did, we might have been also forced to evacuate or stay on the roof!

Though it was only a day of rain, it was estimated that the amount of water poured all over Manila was equivalent to the amount of rain we get in a month. Imagine if the same kind of typhoon and effects were to happen again, but, will continue for 3 days. What do you think will happen to Metro Manila and other areas of the country that will be affected?

Are you, your family, neighbors and community ready to respond if this happened today? And there was silence in the crowd. I'm sure, 99% will respond with a big NO. Why is this so? Well, based on my observation, and I know you will agree, most of us Filipinos are happy go lucky people in general. We don't really care what will happen tomorrow. We mostly care about our school, work, business, our ka-chikahan, ka-chismisan, ka-tong its, our classmates, schoolmates, the daily noon-time shows, soap operas, and the bad news that we get on TV, friends, barkada, gimicks, tambay that we really don't plan ahead on being prepared for emergencies and disasters. That we rely on the government, NGO's and private entities and corporations to help us. That's why when Ondoy hit, we were caught by surprise and a lot of us did not have preparation. Not even the government during that time had any real preparation.

One purpose of this blog is to convince people to be prepared and self-reliant, especially during the first 24-72 hours of any emergency, calamity, disaster or mass catastrophe. The time when government agencies, local government units and other organizations are scrambling all manpower, equipment and resources to evacuate, help and rescue that most affected places in Metro Manila.

The best shelter is always your home, but if you don't have the basic necessities to survive and if you are not able to get them and help not being able to get to you immediately, your home could also become a deathtrap. 

For a detailed list recommended by the Philippine National Red Cross, check my other entries or go to www.redcross.com.ph but here are the basics that you should have for a family consisting of 3-5 persons.

1. Food and Water - these are the most important items that you should have. Crackers, biscuits, canned goods, rice grains. Also keep about a gallon or two of purified bottled water for drinking, there are times especially during floods that the water from the faucet becomes contaminated.

2. Lighting, Illumination and Communications - during natural disasters, the local electrical company shuts down power to affected areas so as to limit accidents from electricity so you need to have a source of light in your home during the night. Have, at the least, 2 flashlights in the house. I would recommend buying flashlights that uses AA batteries which are much cheaper. Also a must is an AM/FM handheld radio that uses 2-AA batteries to be able to listen to news and updates. Keep a handful of extra batteries for the flashlight and radio in the event that you would need to use them longer. Make sure that you use the same kind and size of batteries for all these gadgets so you won't get confused. And if possible, always have an extra battery for your cellphone fully charged and not used accompanied by at least 100php call card for your network.

3. Medical Kit - this is also very important to have, even if there is no disaster. You can buy a small one from the local Mercury Drugstore or Watson's or better yet, you can build your own med kit. Please refer to my 72 hour emergency kit or www.redcross.com.ph.

These are the basic items that you should start with if you want to prepare. You can always include things that your family specifically need and you can add more. It would always depend on your budget and how prepared you would want to be. Preparedness and self-reliance is a mindset that everybody should have if you want to survive a disaster. And you need to start now, now that there is no chaos in the streets, now that there is no panic buying yet, now that the prices are normal. But of course you don't need to have them all now. Start little by little, like I said from the other blog, and soon you'll have all that you would need in case of any natural disaster or emergency.

Always remember that some preparation is always better than none at all.

Self-defense/Home Defense Pistol on a Budget

One part of preparedness is having a self-defense weapon. It might be a home invasion, home robbery, shtf or wrol. But whatever the case maybe, you need a weapon to defend yourself, your family and your home. Of course you can choose to have and use any type of weapon, a baton, baseball bat, knives, some even say pots and pans. Still, the best defense, and sometimes offensive weapon, is a firearm.

There are many brands, calibers, models, capacity and types of firearms available in the market. But again this blog is Budget Prepper, and for me the best value for your money firearm manufacturer is ARMSCOR.

ARMSCOR is a Philippine company that manufactures an assortment of firearms. They have revolvers, shotguns, air guns, .22 LR rifles and of course the most popular, the 1911. They also carry 2 foreign gun brands, Tanfoglio and Caracal which are both available in 9mm.

Why choose an ARMSCOR firearm?

Several reasons, first of all is because it is a local company.
Secondly is availability of parts.
Third, almost all gunsmiths in the Philippines knows how to fix an ARMSCOR, 1911 model specifically.
Fourth, availability of customization products, mostly for 1911 guns.
Fifth, caliber choices and chambers. They have .45ACP, 40S&W, 9mm, 38 Special, .22 short and long.
Sixth, they also manufacture their own ammunition. All ammo are compatible with the guns they manufacture, makes a lot of sense.
Seventh, they are very reliable, based on reviews and people who have been using their firearms.
And lastly and most importanly is because of the reasonable prices.

As of right now, I don't have my own firearm but will be getting one soon. Both for home defense and firing range use. And my personal choice is the ARMSCOR 1911 GI Tactical in 9mm and the ARMSCOR 1911 FS GI in .45ACP. Not yet sure what to get first but it would definitely be an ARMSCOR. Once I get one, I will post the pictures and the specs.

For more information visit the website to see what products they offer and the prices. Though not fully updated, this will give you an idea. You can also check out their forum and see what the owners have done to their ARMSCOR firearms.

ARMSCOR Website: www.armscor.com.ph
ARMSCOR Forum: armscor.proboards.com

Having a little preparation is better than not having any. 

Are You Prepared? Basic Preparedness: 72-Hour Survival Kit

We know disasters strike when we least expect them. They become great levelers in the aftermath, causing irreparable damages to lives and property. Given the magnitude of its effects, we must ask ourselves, "Am I prepared?"

Acting on this premise, the Philippine Red Cross is campaigning to encourage all households to be smart and assemble their own 72-hour survival kit. Preparedness spells the difference in the crucial first 72 hours of a disaster as they wait for assistance to arrive.

Below is a list of important items to have ready in the event of a disaster. Store these in a location that's easily accessible but safely out of reach for young children. Remember to get the entire family involved in preparation because disaster preparedness is everybody's business.

WATER
✓ 3 bottles of DRINKING WATER (5 gallons/bottle)
FOOD ITEMS
✓ 10 kilos RICE
✓ 10 cans CANNED GOODS (2 cans meatloaf, 2 cans corned beef, 6 cans sardines)
✓ 7 pouches INSTANT NOODLESs
✓ 1 kilo SUGAR
✓ 1/2 kilo SALT
✓ 1 liter VEGETABLE OIL
✓ 1 pack ASSORTED BISCUITS
✓ 1 pack CANDIES or CHOCOLATES
NON-FOOD ITEMS
✓ 2 pieces FLASHLIGHTS with extra batteries
✓ 1 piece AM/FM RADIO TRANSISTOR with extra batteries
✓ 5 pieces WHISTLE (or 1 whistle/person)
✓ 1 piece POCKET KNIFE/MULTI-PURPOSE TOOL with can opener
✓ 1 piece LIGHTER or 1 BOX OF MATCHES
✓ 1 roll PLASTIC OR GARBAGE BAG WITH TIE (medium)
✓ 1 set EXTRA CLOTHING FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
✓ 5 pieces RAIN GEAR
✓ 1 piece WATERPROOF ENVELOPE (containing copies of personal documents, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.)
✓ 1 piece DUCT TAPE
✓ 1 pair SCISSORS
✓ 1 set of GAMES AND ACTIVITIES for children
✓ 5 pieces FAMILY EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION CARD
HYGIENE KIT ITEMS
✓ 2 bars SOAP
✓ 5 pieces TOOTHBRUSHES
✓ 1 tube TOOTHPASTE (225 grams)
✓ 2 pieces SANITARY NAPKIN
✓ 5 pieces PERSONAL TOWEL (14" x 27")
✓ 5 sets CLEAN CLOTHES (long-sleeved shirt/long pants/underwear)
✓ 2 rolls TOILET PAPER
✓ 1 pack COTTON BUDS (100 pieces)
✓ 1 bar DETERGENT SOAP
FIRST AID KIT
✓ 20 pieces STERILE GAUZE PADS (4x4)
✓ 4 pieces SANITARY NAPKIN
✓ 6 pieces ROLLER GAUZE BANDAGE (4")
✓ 6 pieces ROLLER ELASTIC BANDAGE (4")
✓ 4 pieces TRIANGULAR BANDAGE
✓ 3 pieces PLASTER/ADHESIVE TAPE (1" width)
✓ 30 pieces BAND-AID ADHESIVE STRIPS (assorted sizes)
✓ 1 piece BANDAGE SCISSOR
✓ 1 piece TWEEZER (plastic)
✓ 3 pairs STERILE GLOVES (medium)
✓ 2 pieces PERSONAL FACE MASKS
✓ 5 pieces TONGUE DEPRESSORS
✓ 10 pieces COTTON APPLICATORS
✓ 1 bottle POVIDONE IODINE (100ml)
✓ 1 bottle HAND SANITIZER (100ml)
✓ 1 bottle CALAMINE LOTION (50ml)
✓ 1 tube BURN OINTMENT (25g)
✓ 1 piece PENLIGHT
✓ 1 piece THERMOMETER
✓ 1 piece CPR ONE-WAY VALVE FACE SHIELD
✓ 1 piece INSTANT COLD COMPRESS
✓ 2 bottles DISTILLED WATER (500ml)
✓ 1 piece EMERGENCY CALL CARD
✓ 1 booklet FIRST AID/EMERGENCY GUIDE
✓ 2 pieces EMERGENCY THERMAL BLANKET
✓ 1 piece CLEAR PLASTIC CONTAINER BOX (Water Proof)
COMMON MEDICATION
✓ 15 tablets PARACETAMOL (500mg)
✓ 15 tablets IBUPROFEN (200mg)
✓ 15 tablets LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE (2mg)
✓ 15 tablets ANTIHISTAMINE (10mg)
✓ 10 pieces ORESOL PACK

Source: www.redcross.org.ph

This survival kit is recommended by the Philippine Red Cross but of course, you can personalize its contents according the members and the needs of your family. You can exclude some items or include additional things that suit your needs. Also make sure to store the items in water-proof containers or bags that can be easily accessed in case you need to leave your house or bug-out. And this blog being Budget Prepper, the above items need not be branded and expensive items. And it doesn't need to be bought all at the same time. You can take a few hundred pesos out of your bi-monthly salary and buy the above items one-by-one or by batch until you complete the whole kit.

REMEMBER: It's always better to have a little preparation than none at all.

What is Prepping and What to Prepare For?

In our world today, there are a lot of events that are happening which are uncontrollable and even the government of our countries cannot intervene upon. During the past few years, a movement has been gaining followers because of the internet. This movement of preppers, people who prepare for any event that might hinder them from living a normal life, who use the internet and social networks and blogs to spread awareness to people who care for the safety of their loved ones and those who don't want to wait around for help once an unexpected event happened. These people share their thoughts on how to be prepared for the inevitable which the government does not provide.

People like nutnfancy, YankeePrepper and ThePatriotNurse post videos showing gear and what you would most likely need in case of an emergency or disasters. There a lot more of them on youtube.com who share the same concerns and try to help by posting the same kinds of videos each having their personal preferences and needs focused on.

Some people have branded them radical for putting up topics like SHTF (shit hits the fan), to survialists and preparedness people, this is the big disaster. Normally connotates the total break down of civilization and social order. (source: urban dictionary) WROL (without rule of law) which comes after, in most cases, a big disaster where people loot and do things unlawful for their own personal gain. Zombie Outbreak, which have been shown in several movies. World Economic Breakdown, when the markets and economies of the world suddenly falls and recession occurs just like during the Great Depression. And World War III or a nuclear attack. There are more topics floating around the world wide web but these are the most common.

Preparedness and prepping doesn't mean that these events would all happen, it's just that people should prepare for anything. Although some of them are radical thoughts, they might still be useful if you know how to justify them according to your own values. They are personal thoughts being shared and you don't need to copy or do all the things that they say. The more people you interact with, in this case Vloggers and Bloggers, the more information you gain. And the more information you gain, the more you can be prepared.

Remember, it's better to be prepared than sorry.

Introduction

This blog was inspired by the people on youtube.com who have been posting videos about preparedness and survival in SHTF, WROL, Natural Disasters and even Zombie Outbreaks. I made this blog to show how you can start prepping on a budget. I will also show some of the prepping that I have been doing, concepts of preparedness and survival, guns, gear, and tactics.

The purpose of this blog is to inform and give ideas to people who would like to start prepping. And the contents of this blog will be more applicable to the same locality or type of community that I have.

I live literally in the center of Metro Manila, Philippines and the views and ideas on preparedness that I will be posting might not be exactly applicable to the locality that you are in but I'm sure that they will be also useful in a sense.

Some of the entries that I will also be posting might come from people online (youtube.com and other blogs) and I will make sure that I mention them as the source of information.

I decided to make this blog now and not earlier or later because of the situation that our world is facing at the moment. As I am creating this entry, the DJIA (Dow Jones) has dropped by 500 points and might continue to plummet during the next days. Yesterday, riots errupted on the streets of London where looting and destruction of property is currently rampant. The EU markets are also facing problems and might affect other markets. There is growing tension in Syria between protesters and government forces have been clashing with many casualties for the civilian side.

As a disclaimer, this blog was not made to spread fear but to teach and help people to be prepared. People from the United States cited an example, the time when hurricane Katrina hit south USA. A lot of people were not prepared or did not have any preparedness measures and the government were not able to help them immediately. A lot of people got sick, got raped, got robbed and some lost their life both from the natural disaster but also because of lawless people taking advantage of other unprepared people.

We don't want those things to happen to us and our family. A few preparedness measures will prove to be useful once we get to that point. That point that we never know when will happen.

As for me, I don't want to face that situation ever, but things happen. IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO HAVE A LITTLE PREPARATION THAN NONE. And it's also better late than never.