Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply On The Need For Improvisation

According to Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply, improvisation is by far the most important survival skill everyone needs to embrace in their daily lives. Improvisation generally means thinking on your feet, coming up with important creative ideas that can help you do something that you would not have done in a normal situation. Desperate times calls for desperate measures and being able to improvise things around you to help you solve a major problem is very important. The following are some household items that can be improvised into very helpful items that can help you survive a catastrophe:

Shoe laces or dental floss
Due to its strength, a shoe lace or dental floss can be used in a number of ways for instance; it can be used for stitching wounds dental floss, in particular, sawing or tying torn clothes, or for tying tents when camping. You can also use dental floss to tie up pieces of wood to make a raft for use to cross over a river or a flooded area. Dental floss or your shoe lace can actually come in handy in many situations. Do not ignore these small items as they can be your only hope in times of disasters. 

Old worn-out clothes
In emergency situations, old clothes can help you survive. For example, you can use them as to start up a fire to warm your body; you can small pieces of a torn clothe and use them to cover a wound and stop bleeding or make a sling for a broken limb. You can also cut the torn cloth into small long pieces and use them as ropes to tie up your tent. 

Duct tape
Duct tape can be used in a number of ways, especially during emergencies. Duct tape can be used to seal a ripped tent; it can be used to put things together and can also be improvised as a first aid item to make bandages or to make a sling for a broken limb. This item can stop bleeding although it can be painful when removing it. 

Tin cans
These items are usually considered garbage and are thrown away. But they can be very helpful in emergency situations. A tin can be used for carrying water; it can be used to cook or boil water in the jungle where cooking pans are not available, and they can also be used as plates for food. All you have to do is carefully clean them and start using them straight away.   

    
In summary, Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply shows how improvising with locally available items can be important in times of disasters and emergencies. You need to be creative enough to be able to use easily available items to help you survive. 

Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply - How To Prepare Yourself For Traveling To Remote Destinations

Are you about to travel to unknown remote places? Traveling to remote places, especially to remote unknown areas of developing countries, is challenging. You tend to encounter very dangerous situations, animals and even people. Finding basic things like clean water can be a problem. However the key to dealing with the unknown is by being prepared for the eventualities. The following are some of the things you need to have in preparedness to travelling to remote places:

A backpack
A good quality backpack is essential for helping you carry some important items. You can carry a few clothes in your backpack, survival tools, a rope, a pair of gloves and so on. You can also carry food in your backpack. However, ensure that your backpack is not so heavy to prevent you from moving fast. Just carry essentials only; things you will need for your trip or journey. 

A pocket knife
A pocket is a very important survival tool that you should carry at all times especially if you want to survive in remote places. With a pocket knife, you can cut things ranging from plastic bags, rubber, timber and even leather. You can also use the knife to cut fruits, meat, tree barks or even branches that you might require in order to survive in the jungle or remote places. 

Portable water filter
It is not easy to find clean drinking water in most remote parts of the world. You will be lucky if you find water but clean water is not easy to find. Therefore, carrying a personal portable water filter is necessary. You can fetch water from a river or a dam and use it to purify the water and make it clean for drinking. You can also carry water purifying tablets that can also help in killing germs found in water. 

A torch or a flashlight
When night falls, you will require a source of light to move around or find food. A flashlight or a torch can be a great source of light in such situations. You can use to illuminate your way through the thickets and find a place to sleep for the night. 

A first aid kit
In case of an injury, you will require a well-equipped first aid kit. The kit should have antibiotic drugs, bandages, methylated spirit and any other necessity that you might require in case of an accident. 

Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply points out that the key to making it to your remote destination is by being well prepared. The above are some of the things you might require in order to make it safely to where you are going. 

Emergency Survival Foods by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

When you go out for activities such as mountain climbing, camping, boating and fishing, you need to carry some food and water with you. This need is even more important in times of disasters. 

The foods below have been approved for human consumption. They are affordable and packed in convenient packaging. Once you buy them, they can last for nearly 25 years. The following are examples of the foods that at your disposal through My Patriot Supply: 

• Survival Shot- In times of emergency, you need to increase your body’s level of minerals and vitamins. This survival shot is therefore ideal for crisis situations and boasts a 10-year shelf life. 
• Survival Coffee- There are 12 pouches, with each pouch holding enough coffee to make 60 servings. This translates to 2 daily cups of fresh coffee per year. The coffee can last for more than 25 years. 
• Ultimate Breakfast Kit- As the name suggests, here you have your emergency breakfast serving. This pack includes 7 different foods and drinks and holds 138 servings. 
• Fruit, Veggie and Snack Mix- You can still enjoy tasty fruits and healthy veggies even in times of crisis. This mix makes 114 servings.
• 2-Week Food Supply- Just like other foods in its category, this food supply has a 25-year shelf life. The food is not only delicious, it is nutritious too. 

As you can see, Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply has has you covered in case of emergencies.

Alexapure Water Filtration from Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

If you are going camping, mountain climbing, hiking, boating or any other outdoor activity, make sure you have water filtration solutions, advises Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply. These solutions are ideal for treating and storing water so that it is free from chemicals and disease-causing microorganisms.

Water Filtration Bottle- You can eliminate chemicals and contaminants from your drinking water using this innovative bottle even in times of disaster. It clears all heavy metals, microbes, lead, sediments, herbicides and pesticides.

Go Replacement Filter- A single unit purifies more than 300 water gallons. It is compatible with an Alexapure bottle.

Water Filtration System- Filter water from any source and use it for drinking. This system clears all bacteria and heavy metals. It has a gravity block core that filters 99.9% of all harmful impurities.
Pro Certified Replacement Filter- Keep one of these filters in your vicinity at all times and protect yourself in case your supply of ordinary clean water is disrupted.

Survival Spring Personal Water Filter- When you are out there, drop to any river, pond or other water source and drink directly from it. This personal water filter removes 99% of microbes, bacteria and protozoa. It also fits easily into your pocket.

Water Treatment Tablets- Pop a single water purification tablet into your water and enjoy safe treated drinking water at all times.

Bota Bag- This is a traditional wineskin themed water container complete with a leather exterior and a polythene lining. It can hold a liter of water for emergency needs.

These are just some of the water filtration tools that Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply recommends.

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Tomatoes

Building your home garden and growing your own vegetables can really be a fun, exciting venture, and the key to food independence. A lot of people are now embracing the old idea of home gardening. This is no surprise since, for many years, people have bought tomatoes and other types of produce without comprehensive knowledge of what goes into them. The nice thing is that Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply offers many unadulterated heirloom seeds that include tomato seeds.

If you want to set up a tomato garden within your home, doing it without proper knowledge isn’t going to work. You must first garner a couple of tomato growing principles. When I say principles, I’m referring to one or more straightforward techniques that are essential in growing your own tomato, and perhaps other produce.

Your journey to successful tomato growing begins with location. Where do you wish to grow your plants? Regardless of location, make sure that the following aspects of tomato growing are factored into the equation: space and the sunshine. Ideally, tomatoes need a minimum of 8 hours of sunshine. For indoor planting, create enough space to accommodate an adult tomato plant. The size is dependent on the type and the breed of the tomato.

It is strange that some people grow GMO tomatoes in their home gardens. That goes contrary to the idea of growing your own tomatoes in the first place. Lucky for you, the heavy lifting has been done by My Patriot Supply. They boast 100% GMO-free, all-natural, and hardy heirlooms. They are particularly suitable for outdoor growing. For indoor planting, choose small-size tomato plants.

A good planting mix is crucial for healthier plants and higher yield. An excellent potting mix should comprise fertile soil, sphagnum “peat moss”, vermiculite, and other necessary ingredients. When you have prepared your mix a pot, you can now plant your tomato seeds. They should be evened out for optimum harvest. Growing tomatoes outdoors calls for at least 4” between seedlings.

Some pots come with ingenious lids which create a humid and warm atmosphere that is ideal for the growth of tomato.

Good tomato growing practices require regular but sparing watering. You want the soil to be moist but not too wet as it will suffocate your seedlings. If diseases or bugs attack them, you shouldn’t employ measures that can introduce harmful chemicals into your tomato.

The secret to growing healthy tomatoes is in the types of seeds you use. Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply has got you covered. They offer 100% natural, GMO-free, and healthy tomato seeds that are poised to change the way we grow our own produce.

Matt Redhawk and The Main Benefits of the Alexapure Line

Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply is “the man” when it comes to emergency preparedness. Over his life, he has devised amazing products that are indispensable to your survival in case of a disaster.

There is one line of products by My Patriot Supply, however, that is turning heads in the emergency preparedness arena. That is the line of Alexapure, cutting-edge filtration systems. Alexapure will purify water from just about any source.

Alexapure Breeze
Alexapure Breeze is a revolutionary air purifier complete with ion-cluster technology and true HEPA filters. It’s suitable for emergency scenarios because it can filter up to 99.97% of all air pollutants. It targets molds, pollen, airborne bacteria, flu, dust, smoke, pet dander, to name a few.

Alexapure Pro
With a filter that has a whopping capacity of 5000 gallons, Alexapure Pro requires no priming. It features durable construction, an adjustable flow rate, and high capacity. Furthermore, it removes up to 99.999% of all contaminants that include, but are not limited to viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, fluorides, chlorides, and more.

Alexapure Go
Alexapure Go is the only water bottle with revolutionary ionic adsorption micron-filter technology. Go does all the heavy lifting for you. Just fill it up with water from the stream, well, lake, river, and much more, and Go will take over from there.

Filtration systems are indispensable to your survival in case of emergencies. The Alexapure line of smart filtration products - designed by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply - is a must-have in your emergency preparedness kit.

Matt Redhawk’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness

The gory images of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and others are still fresh in our minds. Mother nature is unpredictable. Thanks to emergency preparedness entrepreneurs like Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply, we can now plan for such uncertainties.

 There is tons of disaster preparedness information available everywhere. But let’s see what the industry leader has to say:

Know The “Uncertainties.”
The secret to disaster preparedness is in information. Knowing what you could be faced with is the first step in the right direction. If you are in California, for example, you probably should worry about earthquakes. Live in the Mountains? You might have to prepare for disease outbreak or avalanches.

Emergency Alerts and Your Safety
Emergency alerts can mean the difference between living or dying when disaster strikes. Smartphones now offer several apps that you can use.

Know Evacuation Plans and Safe Havens
When you’re in the middle of an emergency situation, you have no time to learn evacuation routes or the location of the safe havens in your area. To evacuate fast and make it somewhere safe, you must learn the escapes routes from both your office and your home. Safe havens include Red Cross shelters, ground bungalows, as well as other government secluded zones.

Survival Kit
You must purchase an emergency survival kit. This includes a water filter, food supplies, and clothing. While the government has a sizeable reserve of food and supplies, it’s not recommended that you depend on it.

If you need more tips on disaster or emergency preparedness, Matt Redhawk and My Patriot Supply can help.

Matt Redhawk’s Everyday Items You Can Use For An Emergency

In an emergency survival situation, improvisation and creativity could mean the difference between life and death. Matt Redhawk has created a list of items that are surprisingly useful in emergency situations.

Dental Floss
Owing to its strength and sturdiness, dental floss can be used to patch up torn clothing, improvise a reasonable fishing line, hang food items items from tress (to keep away from animals) and much more.

Garbage Bags
A garbage bag can make an excellent windbreaker or raincoat. It weights next to nothing and can be carried in a jacket pocket.

Shoestraps
Shoes and boot straps have many uses. What if you don’t have any matches or lighter - how’d you start a fire? You can start a fire using a shoe strap through “the bow and drill” technique. They can also be used to tie things up or hang food items from trees.

Bottles
Thanks to people who litter, it’s not really hard to find bottles anywhere. While you can stay without food for some time, water is indispensable to your survival. Bottles will help you store it.

Toilet Paper
Another underrated household item that could prove useful in a survival situation is toilet paper. Apart from its obvious use, toilet paper can serve as a wick for an oil lamp, it can dress wounds, start fires, and much more.

While disasters are imminent, emergency preparedness is a choice. It all starts with survival kits such as the ones devised by Matt Redhawk and My Patriot Supply. Don’t be caught off-guard; prepare ahead of time.

Matt Redhwak on Tips for Successful Seed Starts

According to Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply, some of the advantages of planting indoors are that one doesn’t have to worry about birds or insects as well as weeds competing for nutrients and sunlight with the indoor sprouts. You are likely to see an earlier and more productive yield once you transplant them in the outdoor garden. And because every seed is a pack of nutrients, there’s hardly any need to use fertilizer on the potting mix.

Some of the garden plants that adapt well to indoor sprouting include strawberries, eggplants, cabbage, broccoli, watermelon, cantaloupe, winter squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, hot peppers, bell peppers, beans, corn and tomatoes.

Discussed below is everything you will need:

Soil: The best medium for indoor starts is potting soil that’s specifically designed for seed sprouting. It should be fresh and sterile.

Seed trays: Plastic seed trays can be purchased at local marts but even so, small containers are enough. Empty yogurt containers as well as plastic seed trays used the year before are great.

Warmth: Garden seeds, regardless of their type, require warmth in order to germinate and sprout. As such, you want to ensure that you keep your seed trays in a warm but not hot place.

Water: Make sure that the soil is moist and not wet during the germination process. A loose plastic wrap or the clear lid that came with the sprouting tray can help you hold the humidity in.

Light: If you have plenty of South facing windows, a sunroom or a greenhouse, then you are set in terms of light. Matt Redhwak from My Patriot Supply recommends using fluorescent lighting if the above options aren’t available.

Matt Redhwak on the Pros and Cons of Various Water Filtration Options

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that clean water is highly essential during emergencies, says Matt Redhwak. Whether you are struck by a crisis while at home, at work or elsewhere, having the right skills as well as the knowledge to secure clean drinking water is important. In this post Matt Redhwak discusses some of the common water filtration options as well as their pros and cons. 

Before going any further, it’s important to identify the difference between purification and filtration. As compared to filtration, purification removes more impurities and viruses from water. While you may live in an area where filtration is sufficient, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.

The various filtration options include:

Bottled water: on the plus side, it is convenient as all you have to do is buy it. It’s however no better than tap water and it’s extremely wasteful and expensive. It is best for non-emergencies.
Pitcher filters: While this is the cheapest filtration option out there, pitcher filters only filter chlorine. It is primarily ideal for getting rid of odor and color. This means that harmful pathogens could still be available in water. Pitcher filters should only be used when the budget doesn’t allow for any other options.

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Refrigerator, pitcher or tap water filter: Perhaps the main advantage of this is that it is convenient. But, compared to other options, they are not as effective especially because they require municipal water and electricity to work. It should therefore be used only for non-emergencies.

Boiling: This is a fool and fail-proof method as long as one ensures that the water boils. It’s however time consuming and requires fire starting skills as well as equipment to pull off. It’s best recommended for when one is cooking or when all the other options have been exhausted.

Straw filters: They are easy to use, compact and lightweight. They, however, have a low filtration capacity and water must be filtered and drunk and at the source, hence not the best option for emergencies.

Gravity-fed filters: These are perfect for filtering and removing impurities from large volumes of water. However, some of them have slow filtration rates and at times may require back flushing, which is inconvenient. In addition, bulk is not always suitable. It’s best for use in stable emergency shelters or at home.

Matt Redhwak from My Patriot Supply is quick to note that these are just a few of the water filtration options and that others include bottle filters as well as chemicals (i.e.: iodine and chlorine dioxide.)

Matt Redhwak on 4 Ways to Get Prepared

In his line of work, one of the questions Matt Redhwak gets asked most of the time is ‘What are the easiest ways one can get prepared?’ Without further ado, here they are: 

Get preparedness education for a small fee or for free
There are plenty of resources that are either free or come at an affordable cost that can help expand your knowledge of preparedness. One of the most popular options available out there are smartphone applications that allow users to store the information on their phones for as long as they need it. Examples include the US Army Survival Guide and the Red Cross First Aid App. The library is also a good place to get this kind of information and so are free workshops or meet ups.

Practice the preparedness plan
It takes time and lots of work to practice a plan and while it doesn’t cost anything financially, it will all be worth when it is truly time to put it into action. Part of the practice means putting things in order such as your emergency supplies, their location, your medical records, as well as your insurance documents just to name a few.
Clean water
Water is essential in every kind of emergency and there are plenty of ways to secure safe, clean water including buying bottled water or water treatment tablets. However, a water filtration is best recommended as they are long lasting, most economical and low maintenance.
Store emergency food
You have plenty of options where emergency food is concerned but it’s worth mentioning that some are easier as compared to others. The best way to go is buying food that is ready for storage. My Patriot Supply, a company founded by Matt Redhwak is one of the most popular companies that supply such foods.

Matt Redhwak’s 5 Household Items For Emergency Survival

As the founder of My Patriot Supply and the name behind several successful brands, Matt Redhwak has made quite a name for himself in the emergency survival industry. During emergencies, we are often forced to think on our feet because we are caught off guard. This is where improvisation becomes extremely important as it helps turn what seems useless to a lifesaver. And while there are plenty of items you can improvise outdoors, there are also items in the household that can come in handy in case of an emergency. On that note, discussed below are everyday household items that can be used for emergency survival.
Garbage
It may sound like the most disgusting thing to turn to during emergencies. However, in the event of an emergency or survival situation, it is utterly important to use everything at your disposal even if that means going through the garbage can. For instance, you can use leftover bacon fat or cooking oil as candle fuel. The tabs from soda or beer cans can be used to make fishing hooks while tin cans can be used in plenty of ways including as pots for cooking or using them to make candles. If you can find a way to reuse the garbage in your home, you can be confident in your emergency survival skills.
Duct tape
Duct tape has an unlimited number of uses not just in everyday life, but also during emergency situations. Some of the simple ways to repurpose duct tape in case of emergency include making slings for broken or sprained limbs. In addition, several layers of duct tape can also be used to seal drafts in your home.
Toilet paper
While the intended use of toilet paper shouldn’t be overlooked, there are plenty of ways it can be put to use during emergencies. These include using it as a fire starter for a wick for an oil candle, as well as using it to dress wounds.
Bleach
There are two ways bleach comes in handy during emergencies. For starters, bleach can be used to treat water. However, this should only be done when boiling and/or filtration aren’t options. The appropriate ratio is 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Bleach can also be used as a disinfectant, especially after an epidemic.
Floss
Floss can be used to patch rips in clothing or stitch wounds. It can also be braided together to make a fishing line and used to tie down an improvised shelter. These are just a few ways you can use floss.

Matt Redhwak of My Patriot Supply notes that these are just a few household items that can help you during emergencies.

Top Unexpected Everyday Items for Emergency Survival According to Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

When it comes to emergency preparedness, no one beats Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply. Not only is he inspiring but also informative. As fate would have it, he has come up with top unexpected everyday items that are poised to help you survive a disaster or emergency.

Dental Floss
I had to start with the floss. And for good reason. Owing to its strength and sturdiness, floss can be used to patch up torn clothing, improvise a reasonable fishing line, and much more.

Garbage Bags
Garbage bags for survival? I am not talking about a “pack in; pack out” scenario here. Garbage bags, especially the big and sturdy kind, can serve many useful purposes in an emergency situation. For starters, a garbage bag can make an excellent windbreaker or raincoat.

Shoestraps
Think about this for a second. What if you don’t have any matches or lighter - how’d you start a fire? You can start a fire using a shoe strap through “the bow and drill” technique. Also, shoelaces can help you whip up a reasonable shelter.

Bottles
Use of water or soda bottles for survival is uncanny. Thanks to ‘litterbugs’, it’s not hard to find a littered bottle. While you can stay without food for quite a while, water is indispensable to your survival. Some of these bottles might have collected water over time. Otherwise, use a cloth to soak up dew from tree leaves and grasses.

These are just a few everyday items that could save your life during emergencies. While disasters are imminent, emergency preparedness is a choice. From emergency food kit to smart water filtration systems and everything in between, Matt Redhawk and My Patriot Supply have got you covered.

Top 3 Emergency Preparedness Books Recommended by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

The world is surely a dangerous place; that is why you need the right survival tools and supplies. Here are top emergency preparedness books recommended by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply:

#1: “Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family” by A.T. Bradley
When it comes to disaster management and emergency preparedness, there is no better place to start than your family. This well-acclaimed handbook is ideal for anyone who wants to begin with emergency preparation. In it, prolific author Arthur T. Bradley offers a stepwise approach to family preparedness for 5 fatal natural catastrophes: tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. It also delves into long-term food storage and firearm use and choice.

#2: “When All Hell Breaks Loose:
Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes” by Cody Lundin Cody Lundin sure takes disaster preparedness seriously. As a survivalist, we didn’t expect anything less from him. While the book takes a light jab at emergency readiness, it employs a fresh and straightforward approach to basic emergency preparation. From corpse disposal to sanitation and everything in between, this book has it all. For anyone who looks to hop onto emergency preparedness bandwagon, this is a must-read handbook.

#3: “When Disaster Strikes:
A Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Planning and Crisis Survival” by Matthew Stein In this book, Matthew Stein presents a practical approach to world uncertainties. It offers simple how-to guides that range from shelter to food storage and survival skills.

Emergency preparedness is indispensable to every household. If you are looking for a holistic emergency preparedness approach, then Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply has got you covered. From top-notch water purification system to emergency survival food kit, this is your one-stop shop for all things emergency preparedness.

Earthquake Emergency Kit - All You Need to Know According to Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

Natural catastrophes, particularly earthquakes, have been causing havoc for human beings since time immemorial. Unlike other disasters - tsunamis, tornadoes, and hurricanes among others - earthquakes offer little or no warning signs. What is so worrying is that an earthquake can bear down on any place, at any time, and cause devastating damage with unexpected suddenness. Imagine this: there could be an earthquake happening right now! So what have you put in place in preparation for earthquake uncertainties? Thanks to great minds like Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply, there is an earthquake emergency kit available.

What is An Earthquake Emergency Kit?
Dubbed EEK, earthquake emergency kit is an all-inclusive package that comprises all things you need to survive an earthquake disaster. It primarily offers you and your family the chance to survive for a couple of days when you cannot access supply lines. They are home-based kits, but could also be stored in an office or in your car. In essence, this emergency kit could spell the difference life and death when a disastrous earthquake strikes. In all, it’s a must-have emergency preparedness package.

What Comprises An EEK?

1: Water Filtration System
Safe drinking water most people take for granted can become scarce as soon as an earthquake hits. Without safe drinking water, it’s hard to keep waterborne contaminants at bay. From bacteria to heavy metals and everything in between, water contaminants are innumerable. A comprehensive earthquake emergency kit should integrate an operational water filtration system. Bespoke, reliable, and experienced companies like My Patriot Supply manufacture top-notch water purifiers.

2: Food Supply
The need for a sufficient food supply is uncanny, if not indispensable. Ranging from coffee to sugar and rice, you need a comprehensive food package. Don’t forget to include protein, vegetables, and vitamins in your kit. Survival food kits come in different styles, sizes, and packages. To ensure long shelf-life, go for canned and ground food.

3: Medicine
Since an earthquake is poised to cause injuries, you must have an assortment of medicine in your kit. As a rule of thumb, this should start with a first aid kit. Other essentials include pain relievers, anti-bleeding agents, and much more. If necessary, you should attend short-term courses on earthquake preparedness.

4: Survival Gear & Tools
Survival gear and tools include candles, matchboxes, flashlights, whistles, soap, axe, hand towels, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, shovels, and much more.

Earthquakes can cut off you and your family completely from the rest of the world. What would you do? For all your earthquake emergency needs, Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply has got you covered. From cutting-edge water and air purifiers to comprehensive food kit, My Patriot Supply is your one-stop shop for all things earthquake preparedness.

A Quick Guide to Growing Your Own Tomatoes by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

Setting up your home garden and growing your own vegetables can be a fun, fulfilling venture, and your key to food independence. Many people are now embracing the idea of home gardening. This comes as no surprise because, for many years, people have bought aisle tomatoes and other produce without a comprehensive knowledge of what goes into them. The good news is that Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply has a come up with a raft of unadulterated heirloom seeds that includes tomato seeds.

If you are looking to set up a tomato garden within your home, delving into it without proper knowledge isn’t going to cut it. You first need to garner a couple of tomato growing principles. Hold your horses; when I say principles, I’m only referring to a couple of straightforward techniques that are essential in growing your own tomato, and possibly other produce.

Indoors or Outdoors?
Your journey to successful tomato growing starts with strategic location. Where do you want to grow your plants? Regardless of where you choose, make sure that the following aspects of tomato growing are factored into the equation: space and the sunshine. Ideally, tomatoes need a minimum of 8 sunshine hours. For indoor planting, create enough space to accommodate an adult tomato plant. The size is dependent on the type and breed of tomato.

Tomato Variety
It beats logic that some people grow GMO tomatoes in their home gardens. That contravenes the essence of growing your own tomatoes. For you, the heavy lifting has been done by My Patriot Supply. They boast 100% GMO-free, all-natural, and hardy heirlooms. They are particularly suitable for outdoor growing. For indoor planting, choose small-size tomato plants.

Preparations
A good planting mix is essential for healthier plants and higher yield. An excellent potting mix should comprise fertile soil, sphagnum “peat moss”, vermiculite, and other necessary ingredients. When you have prepared your mixed pot, you can now plant your tomato seeds. They should be evened out for optimum harvest. Growing tomatoes outdoors calls for at least  inches between seedlings.Some pots come with ingenious lids which create a humid and warm atmosphere that is ideal for the growth of tomato.

Taking Care of Your Tomatoes
Good tomato growing practices call for regular but sparing watering. You want the soil to be moist but not too wet as it will suffocate your seedlings. When they have developed two leaves, you may remove the lid to allow further aeration. At about 2cm, you can transfer the seedlings to their individual pots.

If diseases or bugs attack them, you shouldn’t employ measures that can introduce harmful chemicals into your tomato.

The secret to growing healthy tomatoes lies in the kind of seeds you use. Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply is on your side. He has come up with 100% natural, GMO-free, and hardy tomato seeds that are poised to change the way we grow our own produce.

Top Ten Survival Foods by Matt Redhawk from My Patriot Supply

All else being constant, your number one survival item is food. It keeps you functioning and provides the body with the essential nutrients to keep you alive and healthy. Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply says that in any survival situation that is likely to last more than a few hours, food will be very important for your survival. 

Canned Fruit & Vegetables: Though bulky and expensive to store, canned fruits deliver high-quality nutrients and can be kept for up to five years before they go bad. Make sure your stock is similar to the fruits you consume on a daily basis to ensure that you don’t have to drastically change your diet during an emergency.

Canned Meat: Canned tuna, ham, chicken and pork are excellent survival foods. They are rich in protein and they can be stored for up to 8 years. You may also have to learn to hunt and fish if you are to supplement your protein intake. Keeping extra canned meat in the house is always a good dietary measure.

Sugars and Energy Bars. Sugars are the primary flavors that you need for survival. The best thing about them is that they can last over ten years if you store them well. Honey and honey-based products are natural alternatives to the processed sugars. There are also energy bars for just about any taste. High nutrient, high protein bars are readily available in most retail and wholesale outlets. 

Brown Rice. They are the best survival starch food because they consist of protein, essential vitamins, minerals and roughages. They are also dry, non-perishable foods with long shelf life. Their downside is that they take long to boil and cook. This means you will need a reliable power source, something that might be difficult to come by in an emergency situation.

Sourcing, storing and utilizing food should be a top priority as part of your survival guide. Not all foods can serve as survival foods. “There are a few others like dried beans, bulk nuts, peanut butter and trail mix which also make very good survival foods”, explains Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply.

5 Key Facts about Major Disasters by Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply

Matt Redhawk, founder of My Patriot Supply points out that the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, the Chernobyl disasters, Hurricane Katrina and the Sumatran earthquake in 2004, as well as the Bhopal plant disaster in India, all point to the fact that we live in an unstable world fraught with both man-made as well as natural disasters.

While the infrequency of such events makes them seem like a distant memory, there are a few things that we will have to embrace as we try to make the best of a geologically, economically and socially broken world.

It happens. Sometimes they take five years, a century or even once every few generations, but they eventually happen.  The major Japanese earthquake happens once every 90 or so years. It had never happened to nearly three generations of Japanese population, then it struck. It’s okay to budget for everyday disaster but it is also prudent to budget for the once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe.

You need to prepare for the worst. The effects of the Bhopal disaster are still felt up to today. The Sumatran earthquake changed the landscape and the Japanese disaster cost billions of dollars in loss and damage. Planning for worst case scenario is not pessimism, it is proper and informed allocation of resources, time and effort.

Help others out. Learn emergency volunteer skills because you might need them during an emergency. Much more importantly it will help you provide much needed support in the midst of a disaster. You have to combine your willingness to offer support with proper disaster management skills and appeal to resources for you to be truly effective.

Be flexible. After you have done all the preparation and training, when emergencies strike it will boil down to your capacity for resilience. The resources, skills and time that you acquire have their limits. Your inner resolve is just as important as all the preparations you can carry out.

Master your environment. Keep a keen eye on the goings-on around you. It is easy to become a self-distracted person who loses touch with his community, environment and events around him. You also need to learn to connect the dots. “Most emergencies tend to have tell-tale signs long before they strike”, says Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply.

Matt Redhawk From My Patriot Supply Lists Critical Supplies for Emergencies

When disasters strike there are a lot of things that fail. The infrastructural failures precipitate shortage of basic necessities including energy and accessibility to resupply. “Because of that, there are a few things you will have to keep away for the sake of your own safety and survival”, advises Matt Redhawk of My Patriot Supply.

Food Items. It is good to have dry foods kept away safely, stocked away from pest or destruction. Canned foods, flour, peanut butter, sugars, safe-drinking water, cereals, coffee as well as pet food are very critical in the first few hours and days after the emergency. Over and above everything, you will need to eat and rehydrate, so you need a good place to stash these items in the house.

Power and Light. Power lines tend to go down and fuel pumps shut down, even though you will still need to heat your food and keep warm. There are many alternatives for both heating and lighting. Flashlights, lamp oils, charcoal, candles, rechargeable batteries and propane stoves are simple, yet effective, supplies. They can keep you alive while you are off-grid for a few days before you can get help.

Fun and Recreation. When you are off the grid due to an emergency situation, it doesn’t mean you are necessarily at risk. There is still time for fun and games and a few recreational adventures. You can stash away wine and beers, cigarettes, indoor ball game kits and even contraception.

First Aid Supplies. Emergencies come with medical injuries, burns and scalds. The time between the injury and first proper medical attention can be mitigated by an emergency intervention. You might need to find cold medicine, pain relievers, antiseptic or first aid kits around you. You will also need hygiene materials like shampoos, toilet paper, soap, napkins and feminine hygiene products.

Improvisation. Sometimes survival will mean lots and lots of improvisation. You will need duct tape to bind broken things together. You will need plastic bags for waste disposal and as alternative storage. You will need plywood for joining structures and radios to keep abreast of what is going on out there. You will also need ropes for pulling and for tying things up. “This category might be the most critical after food”, says Matt Redhawk, founder of My Patriot Supply.

Fire Survival Strategies by Matt Redhawk From My Patriot Supply

Fires are some of the most destructive hazard. In just a few hours, fire can gut down an entire industrial facility, raze down a forest or destroy a neighborhood. “Few people take the time to understand the survival skills that are essential when dealing with fire emergencies,” says Matt Redhawk, from My Patriot Supply. Let's face it, when was the last time you read through a fire safety guide?

Account for the hazard. It is vital to list all the fire hazards, including highly flammable substances within your environment. Ensure there are no leaking fuels, exposed wires and mishandled matches and lighters.

Install smoke detectors. It is essential to have these on every floor of a building or your house. Know their locations and, more importantly, do a regular check to ensure that they are functioning. Smoke detectors save lives. They will warn you of impending fire before you get trapped in there.

Have functioning exit routes. Your facility or home needs to have pathways and spaces through which you can escape the raging heat of an emergency fire. Most people who die in a burning building could have easily been saved had the facility had exit doors and emergencies paths leading out.

Learn fire management strategies. In case of fire, there are a few things you should know. It is best to fall and crawl because most often smoke fills the upper atmosphere of a building towards the ceiling. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop down and roll on the ground. If you see someone who is on fire and you have a fire blanket, cover them up to snuff out the fire.

Carry out a drill.  In scheduled time periods, for example, every three months, carry out a fire drill. Simulate a fire emergency situation and watch out how fast and quickly everyone made it out. Document the experience and repeat that as often as possible to keep score of how efficiently you can react to fire emergency situations.

Know local emergency numbers. It is vital to memorize the contact number of your local emergency rescue teams (i.e.: 911). “Make sure anyone trapped within or anyone who has made it out can quickly make a call and ask for help”, Matt Redhawk from My Patriot Supply advises.