Off The Grid

Making Soap at Home: The Off-the-Grid Way

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2024

Greetings, fellow adventurers. Jack Morgan here, and today we’re going to dive into a skill that’s as old as civilization itself: soap making. Now, you might be wondering why a rugged outdoorsman like myself would bother with something as domestic as soap. The answer is simple: cleanliness is a crucial part of survival. In the wilderness, a minor cut can turn into a major problem if it gets infected. That’s where homemade soap comes in. It’s a simple, effective way to keep yourself clean and healthy, whether you’re at home or in the heart of the wilderness.

Basics

Let’s start with the basics. Soap is made from two main ingredients: fat and lye. Fat can be any type, from vegetable oils to animal fats. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a caustic substance that, when mixed with fat, triggers a chemical reaction called saponification. This process transforms these two ingredients into soap and glycerin.

Lye

Now, lye might sound scary, but don’t worry. Once it reacts with the fat, there’s no lye left in the finished product. As for where to get it, you can buy lye online or at a local hardware store. But if you’re truly off-the-grid, you can make your own by leaching water through wood ashes. It’s a more complex process, but it’s doable with a little know-how.

Fat

Next, let’s talk about the fat. You can use just about any type you have on hand. Common choices include olive oil, coconut oil, or animal fats like lard or tallow. Each type of fat gives the soap different qualities. Olive oil makes a soft, moisturizing soap, while coconut oil produces a hard bar with a good lather. Animal fats also make a hard, long-lasting soap.

Process

Now, onto the soap making process. First, you need to measure your ingredients. The amount of lye and water you need will depend on the type and amount of fat you’re using. There are plenty of lye calculators online that can help you figure out the right proportions.

Once you’ve got your measurements, it’s time to mix the lye and water. Always add the lye to the water, not the other way around. This reaction will heat up the mixture, so be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling the fumes.

While the lye mixture cools down, you can start melting your fats. Once they’re liquid, you’ll add the lye mixture slowly, stirring constantly. This is where the saponification starts.

The next step is called ‘tracing’. You’ll know you’ve reached trace when your mixture thickens to the consistency of pudding. At this point, you can add any extras like essential oils or herbs, then pour the soap into a mold.

Now comes the hardest part: waiting. Your soap needs to rest for 24 hours until it hardens. After that, you can remove it from the mold and cut it into bars. But don’t use it just yet. Homemade soap needs to cure for about a month to allow any remaining water to evaporate.

Making soap at home is a rewarding skill that can serve you well in many situations. It’s a way to stay clean and healthy, no matter where you are. And in a survival situation, a bar of homemade soap can even be a valuable bartering item.

Remember, the wilderness is a demanding teacher, and survival is the test. But with knowledge as your compass and resourcefulness as your guide, you can face any challenge that comes your way. Until next time, stay prepared, stay vigilant, and as always, embrace the adventure.

Off The Grid

10 Emergency Medical Supplies to Carry for Survival During an Apocalypse

Published

7 days ago

January 11, 2026

Grits and Gear

In any large-scale collapse scenario, medical help may be delayed or unavailable entirely. Hospitals may be overwhelmed, pharmacies closed, and emergency responders unable to reach you. In those moments, having the right medical supplies can mean the difference between a manageable injury and a life-threatening situation. A survival medical kit should focus on stopping bleeding, preventing infection, managing pain, and keeping you functional.

Here are ten critical medical supplies you should carry for survival during an apocalypse or any extreme emergency.

1. Tourniquet

Severe bleeding is one of the fastest ways people die from injuries. A proper tourniquet allows you to stop life-threatening blood loss from arms or legs within seconds. This is one of the most important items in any survival medical kit.

2. Compression Bandages

Compression bandages apply steady pressure to wounds and help control bleeding. They are especially useful for deep cuts, punctures, and traumatic injuries. They also help secure wound dressings in place when movement is unavoidable.

3. Sterile Gauze Pads

Gauze is essential for cleaning wounds, absorbing blood, and protecting injuries from dirt and bacteria. Carry multiple sizes so you can handle both small cuts and larger wounds. Clean wounds heal faster and are far less likely to become infected.

4. Antiseptic Wipes or Solution

Infections become deadly quickly when antibiotics are unavailable. Antiseptic wipes, iodine swabs, or antiseptic spray help kill bacteria before it enters the body. Cleaning a wound properly is just as important as stopping the bleeding.

5. Medical Tape

Medical tape secures bandages, gauze, and splints. It is lightweight, versatile, and far more reliable than improvised solutions. Tape can also be used to reinforce blisters and prevent minor injuries from getting worse during long travel.

6. Pain Relievers

Pain can limit movement, focus, and decision-making. Over-the-counter pain relievers help reduce inflammation, headaches, muscle pain, and fever. Staying mobile and alert during a survival situation is critical.

7. Antibiotic Ointment

Topical antibiotic ointment adds another layer of protection against infection. Even small cuts can turn serious when sanitation is poor. A small tube takes almost no space and can prevent days or weeks of complications.

8. Tweezers

Tweezers are vital for removing splinters, glass, thorns, ticks, and debris from wounds. Leaving foreign objects embedded in the skin increases infection risk and slows healing. Precision tools matter when conditions are rough.

9. Nitrile Gloves

Protecting yourself while treating injuries is essential. Gloves reduce the spread of bacteria and protect both the injured person and the caregiver. They are especially important when dealing with blood or open wounds.

10. Emergency Medical Guide

In a collapse scenario, you may need to treat injuries you have never dealt with before. A small first-aid or emergency medical guide gives step-by-step instructions when stress makes thinking difficult. Knowledge becomes as valuable as any tool you carry.

Final Thoughts

Medical preparedness is often overlooked in survival planning, yet injuries are more likely than dramatic threats. Cuts, falls, burns, and infections happen fast and worsen without care. Carrying these ten medical supplies gives you the ability to stabilize injuries, prevent infection, and stay functional when professional help is no longer available.

Off The Grid

5 Reasons to Store Canned Food for Survival

Published

2 weeks ago

January 6, 2026

Grits and Gear

Canned food has been a survival staple for generations, and for good reason. When emergencies disrupt normal life, access to fresh food can disappear quickly. Power outages, storms, supply chain problems, and evacuations often leave people relying on what they already have at home. Storing canned food is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to prepare for the unexpected.

Here are five clear reasons canned food deserves a permanent place in any survival plan.

1. Long Shelf Life You Can Count On

One of the biggest advantages of canned food is how long it lasts. Most canned goods stay safe and edible for years when stored in a cool, dry place. This makes them ideal for emergencies that last longer than expected. Unlike fresh or frozen foods, canned items do not spoil quickly and do not require constant attention.

2. No Refrigeration or Electricity Needed

When the power goes out, refrigerators and freezers become useless. Canned food eliminates that risk entirely. You can store it safely at room temperature and eat it without worrying about spoilage. This makes canned food especially valuable during blackouts, winter storms, and heat waves.

3. Ready to Eat With Little or No Preparation

Many canned foods can be eaten straight from the can. Beans, vegetables, soups, meats, and fruits require no cooking, which is critical when fuel is limited or unsafe to use. Even if you cannot heat food, canned items still provide calories, hydration, and nutrients when your body needs them most.

4. Balanced Nutrition During Stressful Times

Survival is not just about calories. Your body needs protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay strong and alert. Canned foods make it easy to store a balanced mix of nutrition. Beans provide protein and fiber. Canned meats supply protein and fats. Vegetables and fruits offer vitamins that help prevent fatigue and illness during prolonged emergencies.

5. Affordable and Easy to Rotate

Canned food is one of the most budget-friendly survival options available. You can build a stockpile slowly by adding a few extra cans during regular grocery trips. Because canned foods are part of everyday meals, rotating them is simple. Use the oldest cans first and replace them with new ones. This keeps your supply fresh without waste.

Final Thoughts

Storing canned food is not about fear or extreme prepping. It is about common sense. These foods last a long time, require no power, are easy to prepare, and provide dependable nutrition when normal systems fail. A small, well-chosen supply of canned food can carry you through storms, outages, and unexpected disruptions with far less stress.

Off The Grid

10 Things to Pack in a Get-Home Survival Bag

Published

4 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

Grits and Gear

A get-home bag is one of the most overlooked but most valuable pieces of emergency gear you can own. It is not designed to help you survive for days in the wilderness. Instead, its purpose is simple. It helps you get home safely during an unexpected crisis. Whether you are stuck at work during a blackout, stranded on the road in a storm, or forced to walk when transportation shuts down, a well-packed get-home bag can make the difference between stress and confidence.

Here are ten essential items to include so you can get home quickly and safely no matter what happens.

1. Water Bottle or Hydration Pouch

Staying hydrated is essential when you may need to walk long distances. A durable water bottle or collapsible hydration pouch works well because you can fill it anywhere before starting your journey. Dehydration slows reaction time and drains energy, so water should always be at the top of your list.

2. Energy Bars or Quick Snacks

You need steady energy to stay focused. High-calorie snacks like protein bars, trail mix, or peanut butter packets keep your body fueled without taking up space. They require no cooking and last a long time in any weather.

3. Compact Flashlight

A small LED flashlight helps you navigate safely if darkness hits. Power outages, tunnels, garages, and unlit streets can become dangerous without proper light. Pack a lightweight flashlight and keep it accessible.

4. Spare Batteries

A flashlight or portable radio is useless without backup power. Include a small set of extra batteries to keep your gear running for hours. Store them in a plastic bag so moisture cannot reach them.

5. Multi-Tool

A compact multi-tool gives you pliers, a blade, screwdrivers, scissors, and other essentials in a single device. It is one of the most versatile items you can carry and handles small repairs, cutting tasks, and emergency adjustments with ease.

6. Emergency Mylar Blanket

A mylar blanket helps you retain body heat when temperatures drop. It weighs almost nothing and folds into the size of a wallet. Whether you are dealing with cold weather or unexpected snow, this simple item prevents heat loss and keeps you more comfortable.

7. Small First-Aid Kit

Minor injuries can become major setbacks during an emergency walk home. A basic kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, and pain relievers can prevent infections or make a long walk safer and less painful.

8. Map of Your Area

Do not rely only on your phone. Battery failure, poor signal, or damaged devices can leave you without navigation. A simple paper map of your local routes allows you to find alternate paths home if roads or bridges are blocked.

9. Lightweight Rain Poncho

Weather can change without warning. A poncho keeps you dry and warm, prevents hypothermia, and protects your gear. Wet clothing quickly drains your energy and slows your movement, so staying dry is a priority.

10. Cash

Digital payments fail during power outages or network problems. Small bills can help you buy water, food, or transportation when cards do not work. Even a modest amount of cash gives you options that many people forget about in emergencies.

Final Thoughts

A get-home bag is not a luxury. It is a simple, practical tool that protects you when the unexpected happens. These ten items fit easily into a small backpack and can get you home safely through power failures, storms, traffic shutdowns, or regional emergencies. The goal is not to carry everything. The goal is to carry only what matters most. Once you assemble your bag, keep it in your car or workplace so you are ready at a moment’s notice.