Hey folks, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week. We had a great class last week at the Muskego Public Library in Muskego, WI. I did my Prepping 101 presentation. Had some good questions from attendees and I think everyone had a good time.
I have another class coming up at the Lake Geneva Public Library, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Wednesday, September 9th, 6:30PM. No registration is required and the class is free to attend. Then, on Saturday, September 19th we have the 2026 Preparedness & Resiliency Expo, 9:00AM-Noon at the Elkhorn Area High School, Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This is another free event. If you’re interested in having a booth in the vendor area (no charge for this), please drop me a line ASAP.
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Just when I think a bad idea in the preppersphere has finally run its course, it rears up again. I’ve seen a few posts recently on prepper social media about FEMA search markings. For those not familiar, there is a protocol FEMA and other agencies use when they’re searching buildings in the wake of a major disaster.
Just before a search and rescue crew enters the building, a diagonal slash running from upper left to lower right is painted on the door or exterior wall. The department or team name is written on the left side of the slash. Once they exit, a cross slash is painted, creating the X.
At the top of the X, they write the date and time the team has exited the building. On the right side, they write notes about any hazards that were encountered, such as rats or structural damage. At the bottom, they note how many survivors or dead bodies were located.
In examining dozens of examples of these FEMA search markings, there is a considerable amount of variance in how these bits of information are actually noted. It bears noting that these markings are usually made with spray paint, which doesn’t exactly lend itself to neat and tidy handwriting in a hurry.
Okay, that’s all well and good, but what’s the prepper spin on this? Well, some folks think it’s a good idea to paint these FEMA markings yourself on your own home. That way, people will leave the home alone because they’ll think it’s already been searched. I mean, on the surface it kinda sorta sounds like a decent idea. But once you invest about six seconds of rational thought into it, you see the flaws.
If your home is the only home on the street that’s marked, you’re calling attention to yourself, right? Sing it with me, “One of these things is not like the others….” On top of that, many of these search and rescue units are moving to digital records, so they’ll know right away that the home hasn’t been searched, marked or not.
I appreciate the intention of wanting to keep people from entering your home uninvited. But this sort of strategy isn’t likely to work out well.
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I had two new reviews hit the GearJunkie website in the last week.
Review – Hill People Gear Commuter pack
Review – Skallywag Tactical Iron Jaw folding knife
Both are free to read.
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Several Portland area knife brands are getting together for an incredible giveaway to commemorate National Knife Day (August 24th). The companies include:
Benchmade
Leatherman
Gerber Gear
Steelport Knife Co.
CRKT
The James Brand
William Henry Knives
Kershaw Knives
ZT Knives
The grand prize is a collection of several knives, lots of great stuff to be had. All of the details on entering are here. No purchase necessary. Giveaway runs from 9:00 AM PDT on August 10 through 11:59 PM PDT on August 24, 2026. Open to U.S. residents age 18+.
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It was nine years ago this week that I was approached by a publisher to head up a magazine they eventually titled Prepper Survival Guide. That, of course, led to Backwoods Survival Guide, which will see its 39th issue published in a few weeks. And I’m still convinced I have the best job in the world because I get to see all of the great content submitted by our writers before anyone else.
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For our hike over the weekend, we went to Indian Lake County Park near Cross Plains, Wisconsin. This was our first visit there. Nice trails, but it was very warm and muggy. Across the road from the park entrance were the ruins from an old homestead.
Survival Tip — Pop Quiz!
Here’s the situation. You’re confined to your home for the immediate future. Doesn’t really matter why for the purposes of this discussion. The salient facts are:
1) You have power, so lights and appliances are working.
2) Plumbing seems to be working, so no issues with toilets nor with water supply.
3) You have no means of ordering in food or any other supplies.
4) You have no way to contact other people, nor do they have a way to contact you.
How long could you last on the supplies you have on hand right now?
How long could you feed your family?
What would you run out of first?
Use the answers to those questions to help inform your preparedness plan moving forward. Find the gaps and do what you can to fill them.
Backwoods Survival Guide Magazine
For those new to my little corner of the Internet, I am the Editor in Chief for Backwoods Survival Guide magazine. Here is the cover for the current issue available in stores right now.
You can find Backwoods Survival Guide just about anywhere magazines are sold, including:
Walmart
Publix
Walgreens
Rite Aid
CVS
Tractor Supply
Fleet Farm
Barnes & Noble
Questions, Comments, Complaints, Concerns?
I am always just an email away - jim@survivalweekly.com.