M.D. CREEKMORE

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M.D. Creekmore

Hello, I’m M.D. Creekmore. I’ve been interested in self-reliance topics for over 25 years. I’m the author of four books that you can find at Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about prepping, homesteading, and self-reliance topics through first-hand experience and now I want to share what I’ve learned with you.

The Appalachian Freedom Files

What Happens If the Internet Goes Down Tomorrow?

Most of the knowledge we rely on today lives on websites, servers, and cloud services that could vanish overnight.

If the power grid fails, the internet goes down, or access to information is restricted, most people will suddenly realize they don’t actually have the knowledge they thought they did.

And in a real emergency, knowledge is often more valuable than supplies.

That’s the problem.

No Google.
No YouTube.
No quick answers when something goes wrong.

Just whatever you already have saved.

And for most people… that’s almost nothing.

That’s exactly why I created the Appalachian Freedom Files.

Only 50 available in this first batch.
Once they’re gone, I don’t know when (or if) I’ll make more.




Secure checkout through PayPal. You can pay with any major card.

What You Get

• Hundreds of survival and preparedness guides
• Stored offline on a USB drive
• No internet required
• Works on computers and phones (with adapter)
• Instant access to critical knowledge anytime

A Massive Survival Knowledge Library — Stored Offline

The Appalachian Freedom Files is a collection of practical, real-world knowledge covering:

• Food production and gardening
• Food preservation and long-term storage
• Water purification and sanitation
• First aid and medical preparedness
• Off-grid living and homesteading
• Emergency planning and communications
• Personal security and situational awareness

All of it is stored on one simple USB drive.

Just plug it into your computer — or use a simple USB adapter (like this one) to view it on your phone — and access the information anytime.

Most files are in PDF format, so they can be opened on almost any device.




Secure checkout through PayPal. You can pay with any major card.

Why Offline Knowledge Matters

Most people assume the internet will always be there when they need it.

But in a real emergency — power outage, disaster, or something larger — access to information can disappear fast.

The people who already have knowledge offline will have a serious advantage.

Everything In One Place

Instead of spending years building your own survival library, you can have a ready-made collection in minutes.

• Browse on your computer
• Print what you need
• Store it with your emergency supplies
• Keep a backup of critical knowledge

Why I Created This


Years ago I ran The Survivalist Blog.

I created a similar survival library on CD that thousands of people purchased.

Many told me it became one of the most valuable resources they owned.

This is the updated version — built for today using a USB drive.

This Is a Physical Product

This is a USB drive that will be shipped to you.

You can store it, carry it, or keep it with your emergency supplies.

First Batch: 50 Drives

I had a small batch of 50 drives made to test bringing this back.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone for now.

Who This Is For

• You want knowledge without relying on the internet
• You prefer physical resources you control
• You’re into preparedness or self-reliance
• You want a ready-made survival library

Simple to Use

Just plug it in and open the files.

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Smartphones (with adapter)

Replacement Guarantee

If your USB drive arrives defective, I will replace it.

No hassle.

Because the files can be copied, refunds are not available.

A Survival Library You Control

In a world where information can disappear overnight, having your own copy simply makes sense.

• Large knowledge library
• Stored offline
• Always accessible

$34.99 — FREE SHIPPING (U.S.)




Secure checkout through PayPal. You can pay with any major card.

Get Your Copy While They’re Still Available

If you want this information on hand when it actually matters, don’t wait.

Only 50 available in this first batch.

They Keep Raising Prices… Here’s How I’m Fighting Back

In 2019, a hundred dollars at the grocery store filled up a cart. Today, that same list costs nearly a hundred and forty. And it’s not just food — even deodorant has doubled in price.

The experts tell us to buy stocks, gold, or crypto to beat inflation. Wall Street wants you trapped in their system. But there’s a forgotten strategy that actually works — and it doesn’t depend on banks, brokers, or digital tokens.

🎥 I break it all down in this video — watch here:
👉 They Keep Raising Prices… Here’s How I’m Fighting Back

The Alpha Strategy: A Forgotten Inflation Hack

Back in 1980, John Pugsley published The Alpha Strategy: The Ultimate Plan of Financial Self-Defense. His idea was simple but brilliant:

  • Protect your wealth with tangible assets. Everyday goods you’ll always need — food, tools, clothing, household supplies.

  • Stockpile as financial defense. Buy tomorrow’s necessities at today’s prices and preserve your purchasing power.

  • Question traditional investments. Stocks, bonds, and even silver coins can be manipulated, taxed, or confiscated. Real goods are always in demand.

  • Mitigate risks. Yes, goods can spoil, go obsolete, or get stolen — but Pugsley explains how to manage those risks.

Inflation in Action

Just look at the past few years:

  • Laundry detergent → up 36% since 2019.

  • Toilet paper → part of a grocery basket that’s up 37%.

  • Eggs → up 16–25% in a single year.

  • Old Spice deodorant → from $4 to nearly $8.

  • Rice and dried beans → reported to have nearly doubled.

If you’d stocked up back then, you’d be sitting on shelves of goods at pre-inflation prices while everyone else is paying through the nose today.

Why I Add Silver

Silver has held value for thousands of years. You can only stockpile so much gear, but silver lets you retain wealth in a compact form — and it gives you a way to barter outside their system.

It’s not about buying groceries with silver. It’s about holding an asset that beats paper or digital money, which can be created out of thin air.

Take Action

If you want to dig deeper into this, grab a copy of The Alpha Strategy here 👉 The Alpha Strategy: The Ultimate Plan of Financial Self-Defense

And here are some tools I personally recommend for getting started:

⚠️ Disclaimer

This post and video are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making investment decisions.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Everyday Carry in Appalachia — My No-Nonsense EDC

New video is up: Everyday Carry in Appalachia — My No-Nonsense EDC
Simple, reliable gear that actually earns pocket space—knife, light, pepper spray, holster, and a few rural must-haves. No paid sponsors—just what I use and would recommend to family.

Watch here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ywiexPO2E

Question for you: What’s the ONE item you’d add (or remove) from this EDC—and why?

Best Off-Grid & Emergency Water Filters (2025): What I Use—and What I Don’t

I don’t recommend Berkey anymore. They’ve had quality-control questions and still don’t hold a recognized performance certification. Independent lab tests are fine, but that’s not the same as third-party certification that also audits manufacturing. When it’s my drinking water, I want both published data and a recognized cert.

I do recommend ProOne for home use and Sawyer for camping and emergencies. I don’t own every filter on the market (no one does), but I do own and use a ProOne daily. I also own a Berkey, a couple of Sawyers, and a few LifeStraws. I don’t recommend the LifeStraw straw for most people.

Quick Picks

  • Home/Countertop: ProOne gravity unit (Big+ size for families). Reliable day-to-day, good capacity, straightforward upkeep.

  • Field/Travel/BOB: Sawyer Squeeze. Small, fast enough, and proven for bacteria and protozoa when used and maintained correctly.

  • What I skip: Berkey (no recognized performance certification), LifeStraw straw (awkward format for real-world use).

How to Choose (so you don’t buy the wrong thing)

Start with your water and your use-case.

  • Municipal water: You care about taste/odor, chlorine byproducts, and the occasional “boil water” event after a main break. A quality gravity filter handles the day-to-day; keep a backup like tablets or boiling for rare virus concerns.

  • Well water: Think sediment, minerals, metals (like iron, lead), and sometimes bacteria. A gravity unit is a good countertop solution; consider testing your well annually so you know what you’re targeting.

  • Surface water (creeks, ponds, backcountry): You must address bacteria and protozoa at a minimum. A hollow-fiber filter like the Sawyer Squeeze does that. For viruses, plan to boil or chemically treat if you’re in higher-risk regions or after disasters.

Questions to answer before you buy:

  • How many people are you supplying?

  • How dirty is the source water (do you need to pre-filter)?

  • Do you need portability, or will it live on the counter?

  • How much daily volume do you actually use?

Why I No Longer Recommend Berkey

No recognized performance certification. Plenty of companies publish test results; a formal certification goes further by verifying claims and auditing production. That matters to me for something I drink from daily. If you already own a Berkey and plan to keep using it, at least test your water before and after a couple of times a year so you know what it’s actually doing.

My Home Pick: ProOne Gravity (Big+)

This is what sits on my counter. Day to day it’s been solid: dependable flow, easy to refill, and straightforward maintenance. The company publishes lab data and has a recognized listing, which together give me more confidence than most countertop gravity options.

Real-world tips from daily use:

  • Break-in: Discard the first several liters until any initial carbon fines are gone.

  • Placement: Keep it on a stable surface with a bit of height so you can fit cups and bottles under the spigot.

  • Prefiltering: If your source water is cloudy, let it settle or pour it through a clean cloth or coffee filter first. That keeps the main elements from clogging early.

  • Element care: If flow slows, gently scrub the elements per the manual. Don’t use detergents.

  • Capacity: For two people, a Big+ is comfortable. For a family, fill morning and evening and you’ll stay ahead of demand.

My Camping/Field Pick: Sawyer Squeeze

For a packable, simple setup, I keep a Sawyer Squeeze in the truck and in my kit. It’s a 0.1-micron hollow-fiber filter that knocks out bacteria and protozoa when used properly.

Practical field tips:

  • Backflush often: Flow rate is everything. Use the syringe or a squeeze bottle to backflush after murky sources.

  • Protect from freezing: If the filter freezes wet, the fibers can crack. In cold weather, keep it in a pocket or inside your sleeping bag at night.

  • Gravity mode: Hang the dirty bag and let the Squeeze run as a mini gravity system at camp while you do other chores.

  • Pair with treatment if needed: For suspect water where viruses are a concern, filter first, then chemically treat, or just bring it to a rolling boil.

Why I Don’t Recommend the LifeStraw Straw (for Most People)

The tech works, but the format is awkward in the real world. You’re hunched over a stream or limited to sipping through a bottle. It doesn’t easily fill a pot for pasta, a kettle for coffee, or a bladder for hiking. A squeeze or gravity setup is simply more useful.

“Tested To” vs “Certified”

  • Tested to a standard usually means a lab ran the protocol and published a report.

  • Certified to a standard means an accredited body verified performance and also audits manufacturing and labeling.
    I look for both: readable lab data and a recognized certification or listing when it applies.

Water Testing: When and Why

  • New setup: Test your source water once so you know your baseline.

  • After changes: If your water utility has a major incident, or you notice changes in taste/color, test again.

  • Well owners: Annual bacteria and metals testing is money well spent.

  • TDS isn’t safety: TDS tells you dissolved solids, not whether water is safe. Use appropriate tests for microbes, metals, or chemicals depending on your situation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not priming/breaking in carbon-based elements and then complaining about taste.

  • Letting hollow-fiber filters freeze and trusting them afterward.

  • Running silty water straight into a gravity unit without prefiltering.

  • Never backflushing a squeeze filter and wondering why it’s slow.

  • Using hot water in systems not designed for it.

  • Storing filters wet and sealed for long periods. If you’re shelving gear, follow the manufacturer’s directions for storage and drying.

What I Own and Use (for Transparency)

  • Own & use daily: ProOne gravity unit (Big+).

  • Own & use outdoors: Sawyer Squeeze.

  • Own but don’t recommend: Berkey (no recognized performance certification), LifeStraw straw (impractical format for how I use water).

If You Only Do One Thing

Get a solid countertop gravity filter for home and a compact field filter for your pack or vehicle. That combination covers day-to-day life, boil-water notices, road trips, and short-term emergencies without breaking the bank or overcomplicating your setup.

Sources

Affiliate — ProOne Big+ I use
Affiliate — Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
Berkey on not being NSF certified (company FAQ)
“Top Berkey Complaints” page (company site)
NSF/ANSI 42/53/401 standards overview
ProOne Big+ product page (system listing details)
ProOne G2.0 microbiological test report (PDF)
Sawyer Squeeze microbial efficacy testing (PDF)
LifeStraw personal straw product page (performance data sheet under Resources)

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.