Whether you're new to handling firearms, or whether you've been at it for years, it never hurts to review safety procedures.  If you're new to firearms for self defense, consider owning a revolver.  They're simple to operate, and it isn't necessary to get a large caliber revolver to meet your self defense needs.  For example, shooting a .22 revolver at targets for practice is quite enjoyable.  The gun is small and recoil is minimal.

            Below you can access a video on safety with revolvers.  It's part of a series of short lessons that only take a few minutes.  Part of the demonstration is on safe loading and unloading.  Featured in the video is a .38 revolver.

            Remember, this video is for informational purposes.  You are solely responsible for any actions you take and any consequences that may result.

            With three tropical storms churning up the Atlantic Ocean at the moment and possibly taking aim for the U.S., it seemed fitting to pass along a few hurricane preparation reminders.  In the interest of honesty, I have to admit I don’t live in a hurricane prone part of the country, so this info is distilled from those who do. 

Even if you’ve heard these tips before, hurricanes pose a serious enough threat that they shouldn’t be taken lightly.  If you have any added insights, feel free to leave a comment.

Thankfully Gustav wasn’t all it looked like it was going to be, but as several Katrina survivors said, they didn’t want to risk riding it out.  That sounds like a reasonable attitude to me.

When a hurricane appears to be on its way, clear your yard of any loose material, such as tree branches and lawn furniture that might blow around. Anchor what cannot be removed.  Board up windows or brace them with crisscrossed strips of heavy tape so glass won’t shatter in strong winds.  (Please see reader comments for thoughts on this last recommendation.)

We’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating.  Keep flashlights,  good batteries, a battery-operated radio, a first-aid kit, water, and essential medications on hand. Stock up on nonperishable food.  Click here for reasons you should have MRE’s on hand.

During a hurricane, stay inside.  A sudden calm may mean only that the eye of the storm is passing over you.  Keep listening for bulletins about the storm’s progress on the radio.

Have a family emergency communication plan in case you become separated from family members.  Review your family’s evacuation plan.

            Click here for a few more thoughts on preparing for hurricanes and getting survival kits.

            I enjoy finding out what you’re thinking.  Poll questions give me one way of doing that.

            The outcome of August’s poll was pretty predictable.  The question was, “What do you feel is the greatest threat you face right now?”  Of the choices originally listed, Economic downturn is perceived as the greatest threat, with 70% of you voting for that one.  Since I gave the chance to add an answer, someone did.  It said, “Natural disasters and economic downturn are both imminent”.   There were 18% of you voting for that one. 

Next, Natural disasters/climate change drew 6%of the votes.  Finally, these next two got the same number of votes–Terrorist attack, 3% and Neighborhood crime, 3%.

            No doubt, the economic turmoil we’ve seen for a while now has caused many to change their lifestyles, and from what I read it looks like the situation may not improve any time soon.  I had no idea when I started this blog last fall that things would get this bad this fast.  All I knew is that there were storm clouds on the horizon.  Therefore, in anticipation of what might come, I made available the resources from Living on a Dime.

            Living on a Dime offers both e-books and paperback books on such things as getting out of debt, wise grocery shopping, meal planning, and more..  The aim is to help you save money so you can get ahead economically.  Of course, with e-books, you can have that information on your computer for reading right away, without having to pay for shipping and wait for the hard copy book to arrive.  You can start saving money right away, especially because Living on a Dime usually offers package deals at great discounts.

Consider ordering Dig Out of Debt.  It has over 1000 of the Best Ideas From Living On A Dime.  It’s a five e-book series containing a total of 229 pages of the most popular information from the Living On A Dime web site.

            Here’s some of what you can discover from Dig Out of Debt.

* Save over $10,000 a year on groceries!

* Stop throwing your money away in the chaos and clutter!

* Get out of debt even when you have kids.

* Learn inexpensive but creative ways to make your holidays memorable!

* Read how Michael and Tawra paid off $20,000 debt on $22,000 per year income!

            You can already tell that the information you get is worth far more than the discount price.  If you’re among the 70% of my readers who are concerned about surviving the economic downturn, you owe it to yourself to click here and order Dig Out of Debt today from Living on a Dime.  Get some real solutions now.

            September marks the fifth annual national preparedness month.  I didn’t realize it had been in existence that many years.  I thought you would want to know about it.

The US Department of Homeland Security announced back in July that more than 1200 national, regional, state and local businesses and organizations have pledged their support and joined the 2008 National Preparedness Month Coalition.  It’s sponsored by the department's "Ready" campaign.  National Preparedness Month helps to raise awareness and promote action by Americans, businesses and communities on emergency preparedness.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says, "Individual preparedness is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness. Experience shows that if Americans take steps ahead of time, they stand a much better chance of coming through an emergency unharmed and recovering more quickly."  Remember, this is our government telling us this.  As Survival Sam has said before, even the government gets it right now and then, and we should pay attention when they do.

National Preparedness Month Coalition members will distribute emergency preparedness information and sponsor activities across the country that will promote emergency preparedness. Membership in the coalition is open to all public and private sector organizations.  Groups and individuals can register to become members by visiting the Ready Web site at http://www.ready.gov and then click on the National Preparedness Month banner.  If you want more information on the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit http://www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.

For you and your family, no matter what month it is, it’s always a good idea to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different emergencies that may affect you.  If you’re so inclined, you may want to take the necessary steps to get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response efforts.

Remember, it’s up to you to be as ready as you can be for survival situations.  Don’t wait on Uncle Sam, especially when he’s soliciting help in telling you to get ready.

            One Hollywood production down, one to go.  I refer to the political conventions of the two major political parties.  I certainly hope you’re not expecting meaningful change or some sort of salvation for your personal situation as a result of what happens at these conventions or what may happen in November.  If so, you’ll be sorely disappointed.  A thought from an unidentified source relates why this is true.  Power corrupts, but the corrupt seek power. 

            This isn’t to say we wont’ see some sort of change.  We’ve been seeing plenty of change the past year or so with the economic downturn.  For many that change has not been for the good.  For others, they have initiated their own lifestyle changes in anticipation of further changes for the worse.  I refer to those who have begun gardening or who have started stocking up on food, ammunition, and other survival supplies.

            About two weeks or so back, ABC news spoke with a couple heads of survival preparedness schools.  Both agreed that many people are as uneasy as if anticipating calamity that many anticipated regarding Y2K.  There are indeed issues of concern, such as higher prices of food and many other items, resulting from the higher prices for oil.  There is tension, whether contrived or otherwise, over Iran and the situation between Russia and Georgia.  Some say we face the threat of nuclear confrontation.

            We live in stressful times.  Stress, however, is not necessarily an enemy.  Animals in the wild sense danger and either run and hide or fight.  Think of your pets.  A house cat is ever on the alert.  Dogs bark to alert us of something they think we should know about.  We would do well to be more like the animals and pay attention to the world around us and take discerning action.  Granted, the media, mainstream and otherwise, can whip us into a frenzy, if we let them.  That’s when it’s important to determine as best as we can the threat level of a given situation.  If a hurricane is on the way, it is best to be prepared.  If a job cut at your place of work is a possibility, begin preparing for such a thing.  If an asteroid is due to strike in 2029, we can put that in its proper perspective and take no action.

            For the most part, we have lived in an affluent and prospering society long enough that we may feel stress is uncalled for and out of place.  We may think that, since we don’t face the same kind of hazards as our forefathers, there is something wrong if we’re stressed.  However, we face a different set of stress causing concerns than those who lived one or two hundred years ago.  Today many address stress by taking medications.  While I don’t wish to give medical advice, such a solution may not always be the correct one.  It’s important to recognize stress, determine the source, and take action to alleviate that stress.

            If you’re sensing things aren’t quite right, don’t ignore it.  Think it through.  Talk it over with family and trusted friends.  Read up on survival and preparedness.  Follow the example of animals in nature and prepare for danger and change.  Rather than heighten your stress level, you’ll find that taking action gives you confidence and puts your mind at ease.  While it may not be possible to resolve all of the problems causing you concern, you’ll be taking steps in the right direction.  Let your stress serve as a signal to you.  Let it be a tool for survival.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  (Hebrews 11:7, Holy Bible, King James Version—emphasis added)