From JUNE, 1990 ISSUE of "DIRECTIONS: A Magazine for the Survivalist" Copyright (C) 1990 by Live Free, Inc., Chicago, IL All rights reserved. Executive editor: James C. Jones Managing editor: Duncan Long Production and mailing: Marie Jones Back issues (as available): $1.75 Year's subscription (12 issues): $15 Live Free, P. O. Box 1743, Harvey, IL 60426 AR-15 EMERGENCY REPAIR KIT By Michael Ironwolf We have observed throughout history that in every disaster situation, whether natural or manmade, the need for personnel protection becomes immediately apparent. The availability of the modern battle rifle contributes greatly toward meeting this need. As with all mechanical devices, routine maintenance and repair is necessary. It is the responsibility of each individual to become familiar with the weapon of his\her choice as well as acquiring a cache of replacement parts. We have learned from a previous article (see the "The Ar-15 On A Budget" in the Sept., 1989 issue of Directions) that construction and maintenance of the AR-15 rifle can be learned in a relatively short time. And many millions of dollars have been spent by the US government on research and development concerning the M16 assault rifle. Since the AR-15 is, for all practical purposes, a semiauto version of the M16, the M16 maintenance manuals and tools will be essential in keeping your rifle functioning in any situation you may find yourself involved in. It is suggested that all personnel be cross-trained in AR-15 maintenance. Should the designated armorer/gunsmith be injured or killed, a lost 30-cent pin or spring can urn a $500 rifle into an expensive paperweight. Women, due to their sometimes superior manual dexterity (which is why they do so well on assembly lines) make excellent gunsmiths and should be encouraged to engage in such efforts. The following list of parts for your AR-15 repair kit should include a sight alignment tool as well as a GI cleaning kit which are both available from the listed suppliers as well as other vendors. Good sources for the parts are Nessard Company, P.O. Box 56, Lake Zurich, IL 60047; SARCO, 323 Union St., Stirling, NJ 07980; and Lonestar Ordnance, P.O. Box 29404, San Antonio, TX 78229. The parts to buy are: 2 bolt cam pins ($2.50 each from SARCO), 3 bolt gas rings ($0.67 each from Lonestar); disconnector ($2.50 from Nessard), 2 disconnector springs ($0.30, Nessard), extractor ($5, SARCO), 2 extractor pins ($0.45 each, SARCO), 2 extractor springs ($0.45 each, SARCO), firing pin ($4, Nessard), 2 firing pin retaining pins ($0.30 each, Nessard), hammer ($8 each, Nessard), 4 hammer/trigger pins ($0.30 each, Nessard), 2 hammer springs ($1 each, Nessard), 2 magazine catch springs ($0.30 each, Nessard), 2 safety selector detents ($.30 each, Nessard), safety selector detent spring ($0.30 each, Nessard), and trigger spring ($1 each, Nessard). Total cost for these parts is only $36.51. A small price to greatly enhance the functionality of your AR-15 "weapons system." Reviews Making the Wilderness Your Home by James E. Churchill is a book for you if your survival program includes heading for the hills, mountains, woods, etc., etc., to build that wilderness cabin. Though by no means an encyclopedia of wilderness living, the book is well illustrated and thorough in the skills and techniques it does address. As the title implies, considerable attention is paid to cabin construction with plans and instructions for several designs. There is a good section on proper use of a chain saw. In addition to cabin building there is good information on how to get and preserve food in the wilderness and how to make some money while still living a wilderness life. Last but not least is a chapter on medical emergencies and medical kits. Complete references and sources are included throughout. The book is 181 pages, softcover, $9.95 USA ($13.50 Canadian) from ICS Books Inc., 1000 E. 80th Place, Merrilville, IN 46410--J. Jones. Know Your Poisonous Plants: Poisonous Plants Found in Field and Garden by Wilma Roberts James describes 140 plants, devoting one pate to each of 65 and a fourth of a page or less to the remaining. The 100 page book has line drawings which accompany each plant entry. Though I haven't made a systematic survey of what exists, my general impression is, for the price, this may be the most informative book. The author reports on her search through the literature (i.e., not on first-hand knowledge of treating poison cases). It's not referenced. The index gives species and family names--both common and scientific. "Sour Dock, Sorrel, Rumex Acetosa (Buckwheat family)... Eating quantities of raw leaves has resulted in human poisoning and loss of livestock. Leaves, if cooked after one change of water, are considered safe. This has been reported about several other species of Rumaex, each have varying amounts of poisonous oxalates... (native of Europe and Asia.)" From this book, I get the impression that many children are poisoned by indiscriminantly making and drinking "tea"; eg., from peach or cherry leaves, which are poisonous. I would therefore impress upon children to make tea only from plants they have been taught to recognize as safe. Dosages are often vague, eg., "Large amounts are fatal." Though the eastern species of water hemlock, Cicuta maculata, was mentioned, no reference was made to the western one, Cicuta douglasii, of which Harrington says a walnut-sized piece reportedly is enough to kill a cow and that people sometimes mistake this plant for parsnips. They are all of the Carrot- Parsley Family (Umbelliferae). Which illustrates the importance of proper identification, especially of carrot-like plants, among others. Cost is $6.60 postpaid from Naturegraph Publishers, P.O. Box 1075, Happy Camp, CA 96039.--Julie Summers. Be Your Own Equalizer by Victor Santoro gives 104 pages of how-to for those interested in taking on government agencies and big business hassles that can develop in everyday life. Some of the suggestions are out-right illegal; frankly, these are probably best left unfollowed since breaking the law has a terrible way of catching up with you--as well as making you a nervous wreck. But some of the "grey area" ideas and tactics might be of use to many readers--and could be life savers if for those unfortunate to be facing a tax audit, lawsuit, or snoopy employers. In such cases, the $10 cover price of this book is a small price to pay for some useful advice. The book is available from Paladin Press, P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, CO 80306--D. Long The Message Post is a newsletter published three times a year by the Light Living Library. The 17-page newsletter is heavily factual and aimed at those interested in living permanently outside of expensive, centralized, urban North America. Though the Light Living Library has sixties counterculture roots, the survivalist will find the information to be of great value. The newsletter sent for review had three sections. First, excerpts from many letters sent to Message Post which provide useful tips on outdoors and alternative living as well as frank product reports. Second, over three dozen inexpensive (under 50 cents each) monographs, largely about alternative shelter, offered by Light Living Library are listed. Third, a very interesting listing of over fifty alternative periodicals offered by other organizations was given. These deal with all and sundry topics, including sylvaculture, homesteading, muzzle loading, and sex. Pages are 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches, generally photoreductions of typewritten copy, 1-3 columns, with little blank space--they really cram it in! But the cramped style keeps costs down. Sample issue is $1; six issues cost $5. The newsletter is available from Light Living Library, P. O. Box 190, Philomath, OR 97370.--Jeffrey Benner. The Basic Essentials of First Aid for the Outdoors by William W. Forgey, MD. The "basic essentials" title may be a little misleading here because this 61-page softcover book does no spend much time on things like bandaging and splinting as a Red Cross or Army basic manual would. Special attention is given to problems peculiar to the outdoors such as: removing fishhooks and splinters, snake bites, scorpion stings, hypothermia, frostbite, and heat stroke. Also covered is wound management, shock care, dental problems, and abdominal pain. This book is clear and well-illustrated with some techniques you probably have not seen. A little beyond the basics, but definitely essential for the survival medic. Available from ICS Books, Inc., One Tower Plaza, 107 E. 89th Ave., Merrilville, IN 46410 for $4.95 ($6.95 Canadian).--J. Jones. CHICAGO MECCA FOR HOMELAND DEFENSE CONFERENCE The fast-growing threat of nuclear-chemical-biological terrorism will get a new and searching spotlight at the annual seminar of The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA) and Doctors for Disaster Preparedness (DDP) August 10-13 at the airport-handy Chicago suburb of Northbrook. Featured will be some of the topmost strategic analysts in the nation: Dr. Edward Teller, who lead the American H-bomb project and today continues to give inspired backing to civil defense and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or "Star Wars"); war correspondent Charles Wiley, once imprisoned by Castro and a veteran on-the-spot reporter of ten wars; Nancy D. Greene (widow of Lorne Greene), publisher of the intelligence newsletter HUMINT and leading disinformation evaluator; General Daniel O.Graham, director of High Frontier and tireless space defense supporter; Dr. Conrad Chester, chairman of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Emergency Technology Program and widely recognized for this protective research. Also included will be a speaker who's familiar to Directions readers: James C. Jones, director of Live Free and promoter of survivalist activities and training world-wide; his topic for the program will be "Behind the Hype: The Real Survivalist." Other speakers will include Philip C. Clarke, John R. Christiansen, and Reed H. Blake. Medical and shelter panel discussions will follow luncheon programs. The TACDA/DDP Seminar will be preceded by a special High Frontier Symposium on the morning of Friday, August 10th. High Frontier, the Washington-based space-defense organization, has carried on an all-out support campaign for the Strategic Defense Initiative and is largely responsible for bringing nationwide pressure to bear on developing SDI as a credible means of defense and as a meaningful war deterrent. On the afternoon of August 10th (1:30PM-3:30PM) TACDA will hold a "round table" session with the purpose of opening up discussion on matters brought up by seminar participants. The same afternoon will see DDP holding is annual membership and Board of Directors meeting opening at 3:30PM. At 7PM, the traditional "Welcome Reception" takes place. Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to the TACDA/DDP Seminar agenda. A heavy accent will be placed on questions and answers. Another reception and a banquet will take place on Saturday evening, August 11th. Monday morning, August 13th is reserved for the TACDA business meeting. Site of the TACDA/DDP Seminar and the High Frontier Symposium will be the Ramada Inn located in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook which is just minutes from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Special room rates for seminar participants are $49 single or double. Coffee breaks and receptions will be held in the seminar exhibit hall where commercial displays will be featured. The luxury Ramada Inn offers top recreational facilities and complimentary airport transportation. Full registration for the TACDA/DDP Seminar is $169 (add to this a special rate of $139 for students and accompanying spouses). The High Frontier Symposium on Friday morning, August 10th is a separate but closely-related function. Its registration fee is $25, and $15 for students and senior citizens. For further information, seminar coordinator Janice Tyliczka may be contacted at TACDA, P.O. Box 1057, Starke, FL 32091 (904) 964- 5397. Also included in this issue of DIRECTIONS is a 7-page article, LOCKS and ALARMS, by Duncan Long plus Classified Ads and information about upcoming survival events.