Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute

disaster readiness essentials

The End Is Near: 10 Skills That Will Make You a Hero in the Apocalypse

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1. Knot-Tying
Can you tie an Evenk Hitch or a Taut-Line Hitch to secure a ridgeline for shelter? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Knots save lives—literally.
• Improper knots can lead to collapsed shelters or lost gear.
• Mastering knots means mastering control over your environment.
 
2. Shelter Building
Do you know how to build a debris hut, tarp shelter, lean-to, super shelter, wigwam, or tepee? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Exposure is a top killer in survival situations.
• A good shelter regulates temperature and protects from the elements.
• Shelter is your first line of defense against nature.
 
3. Fire-Making
Can you start a fire with a ferro rod, bowdrill, hand drill, fire plow, flint and steel, or solar ignition? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Fire means warmth, safety, clean water, and cooked food.
• Lighters fail. Matches get wet. Primitive fire skills don’t.
• Fire boosts morale and keeps predators away.
 
4. Water Purification
Do you know the difference between filtration and purification? Can you make water safe to drink in the wild? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Dehydration kills faster than hunger.
• Contaminated water can disable you in hours.
• Clean water is survival gold.
 
5. Patching, Sewing, Darning, Repairing
Can you fix torn clothing, repair a tent, or darn socks in the field? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Gear failure in the wild is a serious threat.
• Small repairs prevent big problems.
• Self-reliance means fixing what breaks—on the spot.
 
6. Fishing and Hunting
Do you know how to catch or hunt your next meal? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Nature provides, but only if you know how to take.
• Protein is essential for long-term survival.
• These skills turn wilderness into a pantry.
 
7. Trapping and Snaring
Can you build a figure-4 deadfall, spring pole snare, or squirrel pole? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Traps work while you rest.
• Passive food gathering increases survival odds.
• Knowing how to trap is knowing how to eat.
 
8. Dressing Game
Can you field dress a squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, turkey, or deer? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• Harvesting is only half the job.
• Waste nothing—use everything.
• Clean, efficient dressing prevents spoilage and disease.
 
9. Land Navigation
Can you use a map and compass? Do you know your pace count? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• GPS fails. Batteries die.
• Knowing where you are means knowing how to get out.
• Navigation is freedom.
 
10. Foraging and Plant Knowledge
Do you know which plants are edible or medicinal? If not, you should learn.
Why it matters:
• The forest is a pharmacy and a grocery store—if you know what to look for.
• Foraging extends your food supply.
• Medicinal plants can save lives when help is far away.
Learn these skills before you need them.
Train with experts. Build confidence. Become unshakable.
Sign up for survival training under classes on my Homepage.
“I’ll see you in the wild!”
 

Radiation Survival After a Nuclear Event: Free and Paid Medical References

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Surviving radiation after a nuclear event requires both immediate protective action and long-term medical management. Radiation exposure can cause acute radiation syndrome, internal contamination, cutaneous injuries, and delayed effects such as cancer. The first step is to seek shelter in a reinforced or underground location to minimize exposure. Decontamination is critical—removing contaminated clothing and washing exposed skin reduces radioactive particles. Medical triage should focus on early signs of acute radiation syndrome, such as nausea and vomiting within hours of exposure. Supportive care, including hydration, antibiotics, and in some cases bone marrow stimulants, may be necessary. Survivors must also be monitored for long-term health effects, including organ damage and cancer risk.

Several authoritative resources provide guidance on radiation survival and treatment:

  • Medical Management of Radiological Casualties (AFRRI Handbook) – A concise military medical guide covering acute radiation syndrome, decontamination, and treatment. Available free as a PDF.

  • Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM) – Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the NIH, this is a free, open-access database with interactive tools for clinicians.

  • CDC Radiation Emergency Treatment Guide – Free resource offering clinical guidance for healthcare providers during radiation emergencies.

  • IAEA Medical Management of Radiation Injuries – A comprehensive international reference for medical personnel with detailed treatment protocols. This is a paid publication, costing approximately €57.

  • Medical Consequences of Nuclear Warfare (Borden Institute) – A U.S. Army textbook covering acute radiation syndrome, triage, and psychological effects. Available as a free digital download.

  • Mayo Clinic Guide on Radiation Sickness – Freely accessible online, offering a public medical overview of diagnosis and treatment.

Together, these resources form a critical foundation for understanding and managing radiation exposure. Free guides such as AFRRI, REMM, CDC, the Borden Institute’s textbook, and the Mayo Clinic provide accessible knowledge, while the IAEA publication offers a paid but highly detailed international perspective. By combining immediate survival steps with trusted medical references, individuals and communities can better prepare for the aftermath of a nuclear event.

Grid-Down Medicine: The Prepper’s Guide to Stocking Life-Saving Supplies

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When the grid goes down, access to hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency services may be severely limited. Preparing now with the right medical supplies and knowledge can mean the difference between resilience and vulnerability. Stocking up is not just about having bandages—it’s about building a comprehensive medical kit and the know-how to use it.
 
Essential Medical References
Knowledge is as critical as supplies. Consider adding these trusted resources to your preparedness library:
Merck Manuals – A cornerstone of medical reference for conditions, treatments, and procedures.
Nurses’ PDRs (Physician’s Desk Reference) – Valuable for understanding medications, dosages, and side effects.
From The Shepherd’s Purse – A guide to herbal remedies and natural healing.
Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist – Practical manuals for medical care in austere environments.
Ragnar Benson’s medical survival books – Focused on unconventional but practical survival medicine.
Doom and Bloom (doomandbloom.net) – A website dedicated to medical preparedness, offering guides, kits, and training.
These references ensure you’re not just stocked with supplies, but also equipped with the knowledge to use them effectively.
 
Three Guidelines for Stocking Medical Supplies
1. Stock up as much as you can – In a grid-down scenario, scarcity is the rule. More is always better.
2. Rotate your supplies based on expiration date – Medications and sterile items degrade over time. Keep your stock fresh by rotating.
3. Use gauze and duct tape – Gauze has an indefinite shelf life, and duct tape is versatile for securing dressings, splints, and makeshift repairs.
 
Fish Antibiotics: A Prepper’s Secret
In a world without pharmacies, fish antibiotics have become a popular option among preparedness-minded individuals. While these are intended for aquarium use, many preppers stock them due to their similarity to human antibiotics. No prescription required. Sources include:
These outlets provide options for stocking up now, before supply chains falter.
 
Final Thoughts
Medical preparedness is not optional—it’s essential. By combining supplies, knowledge, and practical guidelines, you can safeguard your family’s health in uncertain times. Whether you’re building a small kit or a full medical cache, start today. Disclaimer-This article is for informational purposes only and does not amount to medical advice. I am no doctor. The information is for a worst case, grid down scenario (or what I call the future).
 
Subscribe, stick around, and join the growing APSI family. Come on out and train in the wild. I look forward to hearing your story around my campfire. Stay prepared, stay informed, and stay resilient.
 
For first aid supplies and survival kits, training and more articles, check out survivalschoolmichigan.com

One Year, One Person, One Chance: The Ultimate Dry Goods Survival List

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When the lights go out and the trucks stop rolling, it’s too late to wonder what you should’ve stocked. In a world where the rule of law collapses and survival becomes a daily fight, food isn’t just sustenance—it’s power, leverage, and life itself. This isn’t about comfort. It’s about calories, shelf life, and the cold math of staying alive. Below is the breakdown—one person, one year, no second chances:
 
Staple Carbohydrates (Energy Base)
White rice – 60 lbs
Pasta – 40 lbs
Rolled oats – 30 lbs
Flour (white) – 60 lbs
Cornmeal – 20 lbs
Instant potatoes – 15 lbs
Dry beans (variety) – 60 lbs
Lentils – 20 lbs
Sugar (white or brown) – 60 lbs
Honey or molasses (optional) – 10 lbs
 
Protein Sources
Powdered milk – 20 lbs
Powdered eggs – 6 lbs
Peanut butter powder – 10 lbs
TVP or freeze-dried meat – 10–15 lbs
Protein powder – 5–10 lbs
Jerky (vacuum-sealed) – 5 lbs (optional)
 
Fruits & Vegetables (Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried)
Dehydrated vegetables – 20–30 lbs
Freeze-dried fruits – 15–20 lbs
Tomato powder – 5 lbs
Potato flakes – 10 lbs
Dried mushrooms – 2–3 lbs
 
Baking & Cooking Essentials
Salt – 10 lbs
Baking soda – 2 lbs
Baking powder – 2 lbs
Yeast (vacuum-sealed) – 1 lb
Vinegar powder – 1–2 lbs
Spices (total) – 5 lbs
Bouillon cubes/powder – 2–3 lbs
 
Drink Mixes
Instant coffee/tea – 2–5 lbs
Electrolyte powder – 2–3 lbs
Powdered juice (Tang, etc.) – 5 lbs
Hot cocoa mix – 5 lbs
 
Miscellaneous
Hardtack or pilot bread – 10 lbs
Ramen noodles – 20 packs
Dry soup mixes – 10–15 lbs
Pancake/biscuit mix – 20 lbs
Mylar bags + oxygen absorbers – for repackaging
Manual grain mill – if storing whole wheat or corn
 
This setup gives you around 750–850 lbs of food per person per year, which is a solid baseline for long-term survival. You can adjust based on dietary needs, climate, or physical activity level.
Learn more and shop survival food and emergency kits at survivalschoolmichigan.com
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