Lakes can be a great place to enjoy activities on or near the ice. However, no ice is ever considered “safe,” as there’s no reliable measurement to determine whether it’s sturdy or will not break. Snow acts as an insulator and slows the freezing process; therefore, snow-covered ice should be considered unsafe because the ice underneath will be thinner and weaker.

Did you know ice weakens with age? The longer it’s been frozen, the weaker it becomes. The strongest ice is clear with a bluish hue. In contrast, the weakest ice is formed by melted and refrozen snow, appearing milky in color. Ice with slush on top should be avoided at all costs. It is only half as strong as solid, clear ice, and the slush indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom.

Sudden cold fronts with low temperatures can cause cracks within a half-day. Warm weather can take several days to weaken ice, which causes it to thaw during the day and refreeze at night.

Be extra cautious if you see water around the shoreline but ice on the lake. The stronger the current, the more likely ice will give way to open water. Also, be on the lookout for ice with exposed logs or brush. These materials can make ice crack with the slightest amount of pressure.

Some ice safety materials to have on hand include:

• Auger or spud
• Lifejacket
• Ice pick

If you happen to fall through ice, remain calm. Do not remove your winter clothing; these heavy items won’t drag you down but provide warmth instead. The strongest ice is more than likely in the same direction you came from, so turn that way first. If you have ice picks, dig through ice while actively kicking to pull yourself up onto the surface. Slide forward on the ice and roll away from the weak area. 

Remove your clothing immediately, and dress in dry, warm clothing, consuming warm water or tea as soon as possible. If you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering, or any other hypothermia effects, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.

We’ve got the gear to help you through the cold. Shop Wolf Survival Gear’s online store today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

You might think it is substantially easier to find shelter in warm weather, but did you know snow caves can actually protect you in chilly, frigid temperatures? Snow caves can be excellent shelters and are generally made from deep snow, usually at the bottom of a hill.

Despite being freezing cold inside, snow caves are usually warmer than outside air temperatures, especially when considering windchill. If built correctly, a snow cave can sustain significantly warmer temperatures inside when compared to the exterior.

Snow caves can be intelligently constructed with an entrance tunnel leading to a small chamber with a domed roof. The chambers are usually big enough for two to four people and can showcase snow “benches” built into the floor.

To keep warm air in the dome, the roof is kept as low as possible, allowing it to support heavy snow weight from above. It is best to ensure the chamber is built on a slight incline compared to the entrance. When heat is trapped inside, the slight elevation helps it stay contained rather than floating down to the floor and escaping through the entrance tunnel.

Snow caves are wonderful insulators, maintaining a significantly higher temperature than outdoor temperatures, and can also prevent windburn.

Proper winter clothing is still required to maintain comfort within a snow cave. Keep survival kits with sleeping bags, gloves, blankets, ground pads (yoga mat), etc., to get the most warmth you can out of the cave.

When snow falls, it’s imperative to know how to construct a snow cave if you run into an emergency.

Looking for cold-weather gear? We have what you need! Check out our online store today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

The cold weather peak has arrived; preparing your home for emergency heating is essential. Knowing what to do and how to prepare for cold weather is imperative in keeping you and your family safe and warm without a heat source.

1. Hand Warmers: These small, portable warmers are a quick and easy way to protect your vulnerable extremities. Don’t succumb to frostbite; grab some hand warmers to get toasty.
2. Kerosene Heaters: Though smelly, kerosene heaters are a fantastic heat source. They do not require electricity or wires and have been used for centuries to warm people up.
3. Power Sources: Consider installing a generator or other source of alternative energy to power your furnace or other heating source such as electrical heaters. During emergencies, a generator might be essential to your survival.
4. Camping Stove: A double-whammy, these can be used to make food and also heat the room. Camping cooking bags typically come with heat packs that can also produce instant heat when added to water.
5. Gel Fuel Cans: These are generally for one-time use but can help provide heat in emergencies.
6. Easy Insulation: One of the simplest tricks to contain heat in a home is to add insulation to the designated heating room. Add blankets to vents, windows, and ensure everyone stays in the same room for warmth.
7. Wood Stoves: These can be used for heat during emergencies, but make sure you have enough firewood to use as fuel.

Looking for alternative heating options? You’ve come to the right place. Check out our gear and supplies at Wolf Survival Gear.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

For kids, winter usually means sliding down hills in sleds, building snowmen, bright pink cheeks, and wiping cold snot from their noses – all the usual cold-weather fun! However, when disaster strikes, what skills should children possess to ensure their survival?

Children should know how to adequately layer up in cold weather, what to do if they are lost or in danger, and how to find food, shelter, water, and warmth. While these might sound like basic skills, many kids do not have this knowledge in their repertoire.

Basic winter survival kits can be helpful for children who get lost or isolated outdoors. Make sure kids know what to do with each item if they ever find themselves in an emergency. Here’s what to put inside the kits for youth:

• Bright colored bandana
• Whistle
• LED headlamp or flashlight
• Two hand-warmers
• Two toe-warmers
• Two energy bars
• Bottle of water (can be refilled with snow if they run out)
• Lip balm
• Several Band-Aids
• Survival blanket
• Pocket knife
• Tissues
• Firestarter (for older kids)
• Pain medication (for older children)

Survival is, overall, based on making good choices. When trying to explain survival situations to children, it’s best to communicate it through a story or an example they can relate to.

Looking for survival gear for children? Check out our store for the supplies you need!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Cold weather is well-known to freeze water, soil, inanimate objects, and even fingers or toes. One of the most common winter injuries is frostbite. While in certain survival situations, avoiding frostbite is absolutely crucial.

Frostbite is an injury from the cold that takes place when body tissues freeze. Some common body parts that fall prey to frostbite include fingers, toes, chin, nose, cheeks, and ears. Additional issues from frostbite include compartment syndrome, blood clots, and loss of feeling due to nerve damage.

Frostbite can manifest in a variety of levels. The first level of frostbite is evident with numbness, burning, or prickling pain which leads to swelling or redness. Eventually, the skin will tighten, harden, or blister. Later, the area will appear blackened or dry; worst-case scenarios consist of an inability to feel the affected area.

To treat frostbite, the affected area should be warmed immediately, or surgery might be recommended in severe cases to prevent sepsis or infection.

Preventing frostbite sounds simple, but it can be challenging to execute correctly. Since cold numbs pain, pushing through the task at hand is often easier than treating the condition. Ensure you have appropriate gear and supplies to keep your extremities covered. Layering your clothing is essential but only works if it’s in the correct order. First, start with a moisture-absorbing layer that will allow sweat to evaporate. Second, choose a fluffy, puffy layer that will trap warm air. Lastly, make sure a waterproof layer is what hits the snow, ice, rain, etc.

Don’t be afraid to throw in a hand warmer in your gloves or a foot warmer in your boots. These are invaluable tools when it comes to bearing the cold.

Frostbite is a severe condition that should not be undervalued or overlooked. Cold weather presents numerous hazards and creates survival challenges you might not be ready for. Do your best and prepare yourself – and your family – adequately by ensuring the cold won’t get the best of you.

Are you looking for cold-weather supplies? Shop our vast selection at Wolf Survival Gear.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Cold, frigid air is heading our way. If you find yourself in a chilly survival situation, it’s crucial to regulate your body temperature before executing other tasks. Exposure to freezing temperatures combined with windchill can freeze you solid.

To keep your body dry and warm, layering is essential. This simple yet effective process will keep a moisture-wicking layer against your body while ensuring warm air is trapped between a light, fluffy layer. A weatherproof outer layer will also be valuable in minimizing wind and snow.

Cold weather can quickly saturate your body, especially when you are in harsh environments. The most natural reaction people have when it comes to being cold is to get warm immediately. If you overdo it, however, you could start to sweat, which causes wet skin. Wet clothing or skin exposed to cold temperatures will make you susceptible to rapid freezing. Frostbite and other conditions can easily set in before you realize it.

Choose three different types of materials for your base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer. Base layers should be a modern synthetic fabric or merino wool. Avoid cotton as it saturates quickly and takes a long time to dry. For the mid-layer, consider a lightweight, fluffy material that is mainly responsible for trapping air, warmed by your body heat, to keep you warm. Synthetic blends or wool are good options, and again, avoid cotton. Outer layers are the shell between your body and the elements. Choose a heavy  jacket that will block wind, precipitation, and is waterproof.

It might go without saying, but don’t forget hats, gloves, boots, etc. Look for hats with flaps to cover your ears. Ensure your boots have room for a second layer of socks.

Regulate your body temperature through layering, and you will notice a difference when outdoors. In extreme situations, layering could make a difference between survival or death.

Are you looking for cold-weather gear? Check out our online store – we have what you need!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Firewood is an essential tool for survival. It’s common, renewable, and is instrumental for cooking food and staying warm. Apart from gathering a pile of twigs, dousing them in lighter fluid, and setting them ablaze, it takes a skilled outdoor enthusiast to create a proper fire.

The species of wood is important to note when it comes to firewood. Various wood types can behave differently while burning. Characteristics to look for in good firewood include ignition temperature, heat output, smoke produced, longevity, spitting, sparking, and popping. Softwoods, for instance, ignite easily, burn quickly, and work well as kindling.

Some of the best wood to use for firewood includes:

Black Locust
This excellent firewood exhibits a remarkable heat output by weight and generates a low amount of smoke. It’s perfect for wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, as it emits few sparks while lit.

Hickory
A close second, this firewood burns extremely hot and generates a minimal amount of smoke. The aroma of hickory is second-to-none and is often used in barbecues to infuse into food. Very few sparks are emitted from this firewood.

White Oak
The third option does not burn quite as hot as the first two, but it does produce less smoke. A modest amount of sparks are generated, and this wood is effortless to split. 

Try to avoid the following wood for firewood applications:

Elm
This firewood burns quickly and produces far less heat than most other woods. It’s also tough to split, generates a decent amount of smoke, and can be odorous when burned. Thankfully, it only produces a small amount of sparks.

Aspen
Second-worst on the list, this firewood produces low heat, high smoke, and lots of sparks. It can be burned in a pinch, but it’s definitely not the first choice.

Pine
Unless you are freezing to death, pine is probably not the type of wood you should use for firewood. When lit, it creates a massive amount of smoke, can cause buildup in chimneys, exudes tons of sparks, has a stinky odor, and produces a low amount of heat.

Firewood, check. Now all you need is supplies! Visit our online shop to browse our survival selection.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (ok, maybe you have), you probably know that podcasts are the latest big thing. Beyond watching movies and reading books, those interested in learning about prepping, survivalism, and homesteading can now utilize a new media: podcasts.

Podcasts are incredibly convenient in our fast-paced lifestyles. Instead of sitting in front of a screen or staring at a piece of paper, podcasts are entirely audible. You can listen to a podcast while driving, vacuuming, cutting the grass, taking a shower, cooking, and while performing countless other daily activities. What more could you ask for?

To jump start your prepper podcast journey, here are five highly suggested stations:

Warrior Life (formerly Modern Combat and Survival) – episodes air once a week
Host Jeff Anderson offers an informative podcast about survival, integrated with weapons. Firearm enthusiasts, freedom patriots, and those who simply want to learn more about survival will enjoy this podcast. Episodes are short, focusing on urban survival, self-defense, escape, and evasion.

Practical Prepping Podcast – episodes air two-to-three times per week
This podcast is for people who aren’t hardcore preppers or survivalists, focusing on everyday people who simply want to be prepared for emergencies. People who merely want to integrate a survival lifestyle and mindset would enjoy this podcast best. Knowledge is essential – the more you know, the less you have to carry. Also, this podcast is great for young kids.

Survival Podcast – episodes air multiple times per week
Jack Spirko hosts this show, dedicated to self-sufficiency and prepper conversations. Valuable survival and prepping tips are given in each episode, along with an expert council who backs up information. Doctors have been known to suggest medicines for survival first aid on this podcast.

In the Rabbit Hole Urban Survival Podcast – episodes air once a week
This thorough podcast is chocked full of survival tips and topics. Focused on urban preppers, this podcast teaches listeners how to homestead in cities, survive financially, psychologically, and more. Throwing in humor, this podcast is light, easy to listen to, yet practical.

Survival Medicine Podcast – episodes air at least once a month
Medicine is imperative to bear in mind while prepping, yet many of us don’t even consider it. Chocked full of medical-related topics, this podcast is hosted by Joe and Amy Alton. Joe is a licensed MD, and Amy is a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife.

You have the information, but now you need the supplies. Look no further – Wolf Survival Gear offers a vast selection of prepping gear, available in our online store today!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

A homestead is an isolated house on secluded acreage, which typically has other outbuildings on the property. For many preppers and survival enthusiasts alike, homesteads provide a feeling of peace and self-sufficiency. Decipher if homesteading is right for you by weighing the pros and cons. Continue reading further to learn more.

If you have a family, it’s important to think about how a homestead will affect them. Initially, it might be helpful to sit down and converse with your loved ones to discuss the future. Before committing, make sure you do adequate research and figure out what you’ll need. Read books, magazines, or watch videos to get an in-depth idea of what to expect. Homesteads require hard work and plenty of sacrifices. Crops and livestock are incredibly time-consuming and a huge responsibility. Ensure your family is willing to leap before you jump.

After you’ve decided that homesteading is for you, it is good to write down some goals or answer questions about what you should expect or how to prepare. Some questions might include whether you want to grow your own food, live off the grid, live “green,” raise a family, homeschool, etc.

Once you’ve analyzed your goals, it’s time to determine where you’d like to live. Climate, cost, land quality, state laws, water accessibility, community outreach, school engagement, and more are all critical factors. Your budget should also be a high factor for this step, as your career might shift during the transition. Keep in mind renovation costs, utilities, taxes, etc., and verify whether you can afford it.

Part of homesteading might be giving up some of those urban lifestyle choices you might have incurred through the years. Luxuries like a gym membership, wardrobe, takeout meals, or a vehicle can all easily take a back seat once homesteading is in full force. Your spending habits might be altered while more important rural necessities take priority over urban amenities.

Lastly, start small. Homesteading can be intimidating, especially when it comes to raising livestock, teaching children, or growing and harvesting crops. One step at a time is all it takes to achieve success. If you raise a few chickens, for example, those might be easier to manage than an entire flock all at once. Learning how to properly care for them by providing shelter from predators, tending to their eggs, de-worming, and feeding them a balanced diet can be overwhelming if you have too many animals. Minor experiences and lifestyle changes will make a massive difference in the end.

To stock up on food and other items for your homestead, visit Wolf Survival Gear today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Emergencies are unpredictable, and no matter how much you prepare, they can happen in an instant. Don’t get caught off guard; ensure you are always ready for disaster by equipping an “Everyday Carry” or EDC. Your EDC is meant to be a bag, purse, or backpack that stays with you every time you leave the house. A few modest selections can help ensure you’re ready for anything.

1. Flashlight: One of the most straightforward yet valuable survival tools, what better way to obtain on-demand lighting than a flashlight? Whether you are caught in a natural or human-made situation, flashlights are integral for finding your way out, through, in, around, over, etc. 
2. Knife: Another simple-yet-essential item, knives are an excellent substitution for scissors. They can cut many objects and are helpful in emergencies that require extraction. From cutting fruit to opening packages, knives are a must.
3. First Aid Kit: No one plans on being injured, but a first aid kit is indispensable in an emergency. A few band-aids, antiseptic, burn gel, gauze, wraps, etc., are all you need. Thankfully, the items in a first aid kit are also exceptionally lightweight, which makes this a no-brainer.
4. Power Bank: What’s a phone for if you can’t use it? Ensure you have a proper charger and portable power bank in your EDC so you can dial on demand.
5. Gloves: Picking up waste, fishing through muddy water, or touching a bloody mess are common practices in emergencies. Protect your hands from these nasty encounters with gloves. Make sure the gloves are rubber or waterproof, so they can be used multiple times.
6. Lighter: Fire can cook your food or warm your body and surroundings in addition to providing a signal for help or more. Lighters are indispensable and should never be overlooked.
7. Compass: Smartphones can lose service or fail at any given time. Especially during emergencies, when the system/grid is overloaded, it can be difficult to find a signal. Don’t rely on your phone; instead, keep a compass (and map) in your EDC. Learn how to navigate by using these priceless tools in emergencies.

Visit our online store to score these items and more.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.